CluClu

"You are not alone. We are partners. If you are a witch, then I will become a warlock."

- Lelouch to C.C.

CluClu is the het ship between Lelouch vi Britannia and C.C from the Code Geass fandom.

Canon
Lelouch and C.C are accomplices in Lelouch’s efforts to destroy the Britannian Empire. At first the two simply use each other as a means to achieve their own goals but throughout the events of the Rebellion, they grow to care and mutually support each other, forming a much more profound bond.

First Season: R1
In The Day a New Demon was Born Lelouch encounters C.C for the first time when investigating the wreckage of a vechicle driven by resistance operatives after hearing her voice. There he unveils a giant capsule with what was informed to be filled with deadly poison, only to reveal a mysterious girl restrained inside. Upon being released, the two are then cornered by the military in an attempt to escape. Lelouch is about to be executed for discovering C.C but she exclaims not to kill him and that he mustn’t die, shielding him from a bullet and saving his life. Desperate about his impending death, Lelouch is suddenly grabbed by C.C where she proposes a contract that would allow him to live and endows him with Geass, the power of kings, in exchange for granting her wish. Lelouch accepts the terms and C.C smiles to herself on the ground, supposedly dying.

However, C.C suddenly reappears alive and well at his residence in The Princess and the Witch, to Lelouch's shock. He promptly drags her away to his bedroom to interrogate her, learning of her immortality and more about his Geass ability. Lelouch then inquires where she will go with the military out searching for her. In response C.C strips down and climbs under the bedcovers, deciding to stay as the safest option, despite Lelouch's objections. Later on it is shown that the two share his bed regardless. From this point on she passively oversees Lelouch's missions as Zero, only interfering to keep him alive in order to fulfil their contract. It is also where C.C begins obsessively ordering pizza with presumably his details without permission and even wearing his clothes.

Upon hearing of Cornelia's intention to launch an assault on the Saitama Ghetto, unbeknownst to him it was a provocation to lure him out, Lelouch plans to confront her. C.C warns him but is unable to deter him, proceeding to hold him at gunpoint and casually threatening to immobilise him if necessary. Knowing he's only useful to her alive, the two engage in a stand-off as Lelouch turns his own gun on himself, vowing he would rather die than return to the old life he lived, as until he met C.C he was nothing but a powerless corpse. When Lelouch is cornered by Cornelia, C.C suddenly makes an appearence donning his Zero outfit, providing a distraction to the Britannian Army while Lelouch flees. Meeting in the underground sewers, Lelouch asks why she decided to rescue him and C.C repeats that she can't have him die so early before fulfilling his part of the bargain. As she openly mocks him, Lelouch resolves to build an army and a nation that cannot fall to Britannia.

In Guren Dances, Lelouch browses through several files of potential candidates to the newly formed Black Knights while C.C notes how wonderful it is that the amount of people interested in joining up keeps growing. Lelouch reasons that it’s because Elevens generally despise terrorism and that people always love a hero, especially a knight, meanwhile C.C teases those are hardly words a true knight would say. When they reach Narita, Lelouch unexpectedly finds C.C outside and goes to talk with her, where she tells him she’s there to protect him. She’s also curious as to why he decided to keep his first name but changed his family name to “Lamperouge”, suggesting that he’s sentimental and can’t move on from the past. Lelouch counters by questioning her use of the name “C.C” as it’s not human and C.C suddenly turns to him, asking if he knows why snow is white. When he doesn’t respond, she claims that snow is white because it’s forgotten what colour it’s supposed to be. After failing to capture Cornelia and being forced to eject from his Knightmare, Lelouch is confronted by Suzaku; both still unaware of the other's identity, but is saved again by C.C as she makes contact with the Lancelot, creating another diversion. Refusing to leave her behind he brings a hand to her shoulder, simultaneously peering into her memories as well as Suzaku’s shock images, resulting in the latter to break down and wound C.C in the process.

Lelouch quickly retreats with C.C inside a cave to attend to her, ruminating with the idea of analysing a sample of her blood, when she inadvertently murmurs her real name, surprising him. A bloody handkerchief is then seen falling into the water, Lelouch allegedly abandoning the thought of running tests as C.C regains consciousness. He reveals to know her true name and thanks her for saving him, not only then but back when she gave him Geass, moving C.C to tears as no one had ever genuinely thanked her before. Overcome with emotion, she asks him to show his gratitude by repeating her name again like it was something he treasured in his heart, only the result is disappointing. When Kallen arrives after being contacted by Lelouch, she meets C.C for the first time and asks who she is, to which he tells her that she is a very important friend of his. Before they depart, Lelouch finally responds to C.C that while he does not know why snow is white, he still thinks it’s beautiful.

When one of the casualties of their battle at Narita was Shirley's father, Lelouch is riddled with guilt, causing C.C to become incredulous. While in his room, she accuses him of being soft and ill-prepared for the path of bloodshed. Furious as she continues to provoke him, Lelouch pins her to the bed. C.C, however, reaffirms that he has no right to lose his nerve now and tells him not to disappoint her. The appearence of another user named Mao driven mad by his Geass puts an initial strain on their relationship as Lelouch is shown the lengths C.C will go to fulfil her wish, while C.C is cautious of the growing attachment Lelouch has for her. Mao's character is depicted to be a dark reflection of Lelouch and serves to foreshadow the consequences of frequently using his Geass and as well as the developing relationship between him and C.C. While reluctantly working together to track him down in Cheering Mao, Lelouch is contacted by Mao and blackmails C.C into leaving Lelouch by threatening to reveal his identity. Hurt by her decision, Lelouch states she knows too much about him and attempts to use Geass on her, ordering her to stay by his side only for it to be proved ineffective.

Arriving at the deserted amusement park, Clovisland, as their meeting location, Mao incapacitates her before pulling out a chainsaw to make her more "compact" for their travels, only to be interrupted by Lelouch. He proceeds to antagonise Mao by preying on his jealousy, insinuating an intimate relationship with C.C and that he knows her true name, leading to Mao attacking the monitor in a fit of rage and being surrounded by police officers under the influence of Geass. After shooting him down, the police escort Lelouch and C.C. away to a rooftop where Lelouch promises to her that he won't be consumed by Geass like Mao was, that he will conquer its power while also fulfilling the contract he failed to. In turn, C.C cautiously asks if he's saying this out of comfort, pity or obsession. Lelouch replies that it is a new contract from him to her and C.C. accepts by shaking his hand.

Overtime C.C takes on a more material role of Lelouch’s advisor and becomes a person he’s comfortable being vulnerable around, confiding in her with his doubts and concerns. She also officially becomes part of the Black Knights, taking more of an active role in their operations. Uncertain of her position but seeing them work closely together, alludes to her title as "Zero's Mistress" - which neither party seems to be bothered by. When Lelouch steals the Gawain from Schneizel - the duo’s most infamous Knightmare Frame in battle - C.C is appointed the co-pilot while Lelouch operates the weapons.

Another turning point in their relationship follows the aftermath of the Special Administrated Zone massacre. In At Least With Sorrow, Lelouch returns to C.C and grieves over his actions, revealing that he thought his power had weakened when Eupemia resisted his influence initially. Trembling while reflecting on his sister’s death, C.C comforts him with an embrace and promises to stay with him to the very end.

Entering the final phase of the Black Rebellion, the two engage in battle using the Gawain and finally defeat Cornelia. During Lelouch’s interrogation, C.C senses something and urges him to get back inside the unit, informing him of Nunally’s kidnapping. At first he passes it off as an untimely joke but she insists they head to Kamine Island to rescue her. They eventually arrive at the island and activate a trap, where Lelouch experiences visions of C.C’s gruesome deaths throughout history; including burning at the stake, the iron maiden, guillotine, World War I, the Hundred Years' War, and the French Revolution, horrifying him. C.C affirms them as her memories, and continues that she has forgotten ever being human at all as everything vanishes into an endless flow of time, leaving her all alone. However, Lelouch reassures her that she has him, and that if she is a witch, then he’ll become a warlock. They’re suddenly intercepted by their pursuer Jeremiah and C.C decides to handle him on her own, imploring Lelouch to prevail in overcoming his past. Caught up in her emotions, C.C kisses him goodbye, much to his shock and drops him back onto the island.

They share one last exchange with Lelouch telling her not to die despite her inability to. In an attempt to buy him time, she sacrifices herself with a tearful smile as she muses about humans overcoming trials through the slightest glimmer of hope, because they all seek happiness. Driving the two ships into the ocean, it is revealed that C.C was crushed to death by the water pressure and is later reassembled by her Code but the sight was too graphic and was cut out.

Reincarnation | Yukana - Lelouch Of The Rebellion
C.C Character Song. The lyrics reflect C.C’s grown feelings for Lelouch and his plans regarding the Zero Requiem.

Kono Sekai De (In The World We Live In) | Leo Ireiri - Lelouch Of The Re:Surrection
C.C Character Song. The lyrics reflect C.C’s feelings towards Lelouch and her struggles while travelling to restore his mind.

REVIVE | Unione - Lelouch Of The Re:Surrection
Lelouch Character Song. The lyrics reflect Lelouch’s feelings towards C.C and his response to her, as well as towards the rest of the world.

Fanon
An extremely popular and one of the foremost pairings within Code Geass, as a large majority of the fandom support the ship. The main appeal fans find for the pairing is the natural chemistry between the two and the slow progression of their relationship. Many regard the relationship as the slowest but ultimately one of the strongest by the conclusion of the story, as by the end of the original anime series, it is heavily implied that the two harbour romantic feelings for each other. The characters are often seen exchanging quick wit, engaging in playful teasing and banter, as well as making snide remarks toward each other, one of the many enjoyable aspects of their relationship as well as their balanced dynamic.

As main hero and heroine, the two characters have been featured in a significant amount of official artwork together and have been the subject of a lot of ship tease in bonus materials. This sparked a lot of fan content such as; fanfictions, discussion videos, doujinshi and fanart, including an officially licensed manga Lelouch The Tutor, which is set in an alternate slice of life universe where Lelouch is tasked with looking after C.C at the request of his mother, later proclaiming himself as her personal tutor.

Upon the latest Re:Surrection movie and Picture Drama’s officially declaring them a couple, the two have only grown to be more of the most iconic and beloved characters of Code Geass, that many fans express excitement for their possible return during the announced ten year project plan.

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Lelouch/C.C tag on FanFiction.Net
 * Lelouch/C.C tag on FanFiction.Net

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Trivia

 * In several media, C.C intentionally makes it appear as though her contract with Lelouch resembles a promise of marriage. Ironically, that comes to pass during the ending scene of Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Re:Surrection, where Lelouch cements his decision to stay with C.C by proposing to her, asking if he should take “L.L” as his new name before journeying together.
 * In the Lelouch Of The Re:Surrection movie, they hold hands a total of three times.
 * Revealed in bonus material with movie admission released only in Japan, C.C. nearly gave up in despair on ever restoring Lelouch's memories. However, in his sleep, Lelouch said her real name, showing that even in his current state, part of him still remembered her.  This gave her the motivation and resolve to keep going.
 * As it stands, the only character to know C.C’s real name is Lelouch.
 * During the R2: Stage 25 hangar scene, there was an additional detail in the light novel that mentions C.C about to put her arm around Lelouch’s nape while he was about to embrace her waist, further indicating the two were about to share a kiss before the attack.
 * In The Picture Drama: "Masked Confession Competition", Lelouch mistakenly believes C.C confessed to being in love with him. While gently turning her down due to his goals to obliterate Britannia, he assures that he wasn’t upset to learn about her feelings and even compliments her beauty, wisdom and judgement. When the person is actually revealed to be his sister Nunnally, Lelouch becomes immediately defensive to which C.C continues teasing him.
 * In The Audio Drama R2 Episode 5: "C's Mushroom-ed C.C", which is a non-canon comedy, Charles suddenly appears on a monitor and begins making suggestive comments on Lelouch feeling a certain way about C.C's amnisiac state and furthering the implications by bringing up the idea of being a grandfather one day. Lelouch reacts angrily and is about to cut off the connection when Charles reveals a method to return C.C to normal, which Lelouch decides to follow.
 * They are shown to have complimentary outfits, such as Lelouch’s Zero suit resembling the king chess piece while C.C’s uniform for the Black Knights resembles the queen chess piece. Additionally when Lelouch ruled as Emperor, C.C was made her own royal Empress attire although she never wore it.
 * In Code Geass Stage 0.522: Sound Episode 2 taking place seven years prior to the Rebellion, Lelouch had his first true encounter with C.C. when he was a child. However Lelouch doesn’t seem to recall their meeting.
 * Another comedy audio drama, Code Geass R2 Sound Episode 4: "Lelouch and Impossible Part Time Jobs", Lelouch attempts to hold down a part time job as part of a punishment game, only C.C keeps turning up at his workplace.