Friends don't let friends be monsters

[swordofzero]

Characters: Suzaku Kururugi and Rolo Lamperouge
Setting: Upper forest floor 21st June (so after Ruana's post about the identities but before the post about the ways to kill them)
Format: Prose but I can switch
Summary: After reading this network thread Suzaku thinks he knows who the Growling Monster is...
Warnings: Mercy killing, angst

Suzaku hadn't wanted to believe it when he had first read the discussion brought about by Ruana's clues. But the idea wouldn't leave his head and there was only one person he knew who could control time, and was dead in their own world.

He didn't want to believe it, and so he had found excuses. But he couldn't remember seeing Rolo at night and though the idea him being taken and hurt again, twisted and changed when what Rolo needed was to be in control.

Of anything.

But Suzaku couldn't let him stay like this, and so he had sent him a note asking to meet him here, where they had their lessons. A non powered floor. It wouldn't seem too strange, until Rolo realised there were no other students.

Comments

[tempus_scorpius]

Rolo didn't suspect anything at first. He'd grown to completely trust Suzaku and so had no reason to suspect anything. So he'd arrived at the appointed spot and the appointed time. He did find it strange that they were alone though. Just where were the others? Suzaku was there though.

"Has the lesson been cancelled, Suzaku?"

[swordofzero]

Suzaku turned at Rolo's approach, the horror, the sadness at what he was about to do, what he needed to do almost breaking through the defenses he had pit up from the moment Diarmuid had slapped him.

"It has. I am sorry I did not inform you but I needed to speak with you anyways."

[tempus_scorpius]

Rolo took a step back, his instincts telling him that something wasn't quite right with Suzaku.

"What did you want to speak about?"

[swordofzero]

"The monsters." Suzaku forced himself to look the smaller boy in the eye. "Did you see Ruana's latest network discussion about her game?"

[tempus_scorpius]

Rolo studied him closely, already reaching for his knife. Suzaku definitely felt a little off. "What about it?"

[swordofzero]

She gave some clues about the monsters. The growling monster can stop time.

[tempus_scorpius]

[There is a long pause from him.]

And you think it's me.

[swordofzero]

[A silence and then a nod] I do. [And he's really really sorry]

[tempus_scorpius]

What are you going to do then?

[swordofzero]

What would you do? If you were in my place?

[tempus_scorpius]

I... don't know. Probably just wait for it to be over. [Since how would killing you save you. He does not understand that concept.]

[swordofzero]

Even if I was killing others every night? [Softly...] Ruana also told us a way to stop the turning.

[tempus_scorpius]

[He nods. He doesn't see anything wrong with killing strangers.] ... a way to stop it?

[swordofzero]

Yes. A way to ensure you stay human.

[tempus_scorpius]

... [He is silent for a long while.] ... human.

But won't I turn back to normal after Ruana's had her fun?

[swordofzero]

Yes. Human.

But you will have hurt many, and made them turn as well. Would you wish that on them, not many see killing as you do.

[tempus_scorpius]

[Human... Not a monster. Not a tool.]

I don't care about them. Who are they do me? But I...

[There is a long pause.]

... I do want to be human.

[swordofzero]

You are human. [He said this firmly] But Ruana is trying to rob that from you

[tempus_scorpius]

[He is silent for a long while, just processing this.]

You are certain you can save me from this?

[swordofzero]

[What is certainty. Definitely not something Suzaku has ever had, nor Rolo for that matter.] Yes, I promise. [Because if you can't have certainty at least give the illusion of it, it's what Lelouch's entire campaign was based on so Suzaku hoped it would work here as well]

[tempus_scorpius]

[There is another period of silence before he nods.]

How will you do it then, my execution?

nopenopenopenopenopenopenopenope

[swordofzero]

[And an even longer silence before he answered. Because this shouldn't be happening and though he doesn't need to think about the answer; working out how had been the easy part, and had been done before he even met Rolo here.

He drew his gun.] It will be quick I promise.

[tempus_scorpius]

[he moves to kneel in front of Suzaku and closes his eyes]

Do it then.

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku doesn't close his eyes, he keeps them open and draws a breath. He wishes it didn't have to come to this, wishes there was any other way. But there wasn't, Diarmuid had told him it seemed like his world liked no win situations, it seemed they had followed him here to this place.

In the end killing was not a hard thing, he had been doing it since he was a child after all, finger on the trigger, a squeeze and the boy was dead.

He stared down at the body silently until the retrieval units came, hands shaking, feeling sick. It was the only way, but that did not make it any better. Suzaku had long since lost track of how many people he had murdered, but this was Rolo, and it made all the difference in the world.] I'm sorry. [The apology came far too late, the retrieval units were gone, taking the body with them]