Chapter One
Friday 23rd July 2004
"Is this really necessary, Ryuzaki?" Light asked as L snapped the cold metal cuff over his wrist. I wonder what people will think when we leave a hotel room handcuffed together?
L shrugged. "I'm not doing this because I want to."
Light wasn't sure if he was imagining the enthusiasm in the detective's voice. L, I know you still suspect me of being Kira, but how can this help? Why would anyone want to chain themselves to a murderer? How long will it take to prove my innocence? What if we never solve the case? Will he suspect me forever? He must have considered that. Even he can't be certain we'll catch Kira, or… Light sighed. Is he convinced he'll eventually find evidence linking ME to the murders? No. Even L isn't that sure of himself. He must have considered failure. But then, why would he go ahead with this? He can't intend for us to be chained together forever... can he?
"Huh?!" Misa screeched. "This is what you meant by being together 24 hours a day? Two guys chained together is gross! This is what you're into? You were with Light at school too."
"I'm not doing this because I want to," L said. It isn't gross, is it? What does she mean 'this is what I'm into'? This is a situation I've got myself into I suppose, but I don't see how it's gross. It's not like I'm going to enjoy living like this. I just want to be able to keep an eye on him. L frowned. Is that wrong? Yes. No... I want to keep an eye on him because he might be, or might have been, or might one day become, Kira. There is nothing gross about a detective keeping an eye on a suspect - Even if it does mean being chained together 24 hours a day. Yes. I am 83% certain that Misa is overreacting. Light does not seem to be objecting, but then, Light's intelligence is very near my own. I suppose he has thought through my reasoning…
"But Light belongs to me," Misa said. "And if you're always together, then when am I supposed to go on dates with Light?"
L sighed. Dates? He hadn't thought of that. And did being in a relationship mean that the parties involved become the property of one another? L couldn't imagine anything worse than belonging to someone… and what was involved in owning someone? Was it like having a pet? Was Misa now responsible for feeding Light and cleaning his litter tray? Surely this wasn't the norm. But then, Misa was clearly obsessed... L scratched his left ankle with his right foot. Would Light be angry with him for ruining this strangely intense relationship? L looked up from his toes. Light seemed to be grinding his teeth.
Light clenched his fists, noticing the odd way his muscle tightened against the handcuff. Since when do I belong to anyone? Especially a gir Especially her! He tried not to let his confusion show. He was sure he must have had a good reason for going out with her, but he couldn't think of anything that would justify putting up with her for so long. He could already feel a headache forming and she'd only opened her mouth thirty seconds ago. Why, oh why, doesn't she just shut up already?
"The dates will naturally be with the three of us," L said.
Light inhaled through his nose and tried to picture the air circling around his skull and holding the headache at bay. If L was there the dates might not be so bad. Things were always better when L was around.
"Wha? You're saying we have to kiss in front of you?"
Eugh. Light's headache flared and his stomach churned at the thought of kissing her. Again.
"I didn't say you have to do anything," L said. "But I will be watching."
"Huh? What the hell? I knew it! You are a pervert!" Misa said. God, she's annoying. Light tried to focus on the various ways in which he might get rid of her. Unfortunately, most of them were illegal.
"Light-kun," L said. "Please shut Misa-san up."
Finally! Light was surprised L had put up with her babble for so long.
"Misa don't be so difficult," he said. "You were definitely the one who sent those videos; be grateful that you're allowed this much freedom."
"Hey, what are you saying, Light?" Misa looked up at him. "I'm your girlfriend, right? Don't you trust your lover?"
"Girlfriend?" Light snorted. "All I know is that you say you fell in love with me at first sight and now you won't leave me alone." He hadn't meant to say it so bluntly, but it was all true and he didn't know how else he could have worded it.
"Then you took advantage of that and kissed me?" Misa hit him, and Light's clenched fists twitched. I only kissed her to shut her up! Not that it worked.
"About this love at first sight…" L said. He wasn't sure why Light was allowing Misa to hit him repeatedly like that, but it was disturbing. He had seen cases in the past where obsessive relationships rapidly progressed into violence. Perhaps his keeping an eye on Light would at least protect him to some degree.
L spent the next few minutes questioning Misa about her relationship with Light, their meeting and her views on Kira. Her responses confirmed his belief that she was the second Kira, and that he was right to keep her under observation, especially now she had displayed such violent behaviour in front of him.
L explained the living arrangements and was surprised by the disappointment in Light's face when he mentioned that their hotel room would be connected to Misa's. Surely he isn't that opposed to having his girlfriend nearby? I certainly don't want her there.
Eventually, Aizawa removed Misa from the room and L was able to focus on Light.
"Light-kun," he asked. "Are you serious about Amane?" Please say no. Please say no. Please say no.
"No, as I said, it's all one sided."
Excellent! You could do so much better! L had always thought the relationship was a strange match. He suspected Light would be better suited to someone smarter, with whom he would be able to have sensible, intelligent conversations. "Then could you at least act like you're serious about her?" he said. He felt terrible for asking; he wouldn't force his worst enemy, even someone who had proved themselves to be Kira, to spend time a brat like Misa Amane, but the killer had to be caught. "We know that she is involved with the second Kira from the video tape evidence... and also that she loves you." L felt strangely angry about that last part, but it was probably because he didn't think Misa's love for Light was particularly normal or healthy.
"You want me to get close to her and make her reveal things about the second Kira?" Light said. L guessed his reluctance was understandable, but surely Light wanted to clear his name.
"Yes, I think you are capable of doing it Light-kun. This is one of the reasons that I released the two of you." One of the very minor reasons. L tried not to think about it but, if he were honest with himself, his main motive for releasing Light was that he had missed their conversations - the way Light always saw trough his traps and parried his moves with well-chosen words, simultaneously returning his attacks. L found himself remembering Light's tennis skills and making, once again, the same comparisons between that match and their every conversation.
"Ryuzaki, even if it is to solve the Kira case, I could never play with a woman's emotions like that," Light said.
Wow! L thought. He's so noble! He's like one of those gallant knights in romance novels.
"I'm sorry," Light said. "But you need to understand that, to me, taking advantage of a person's feelings like that is the most despicable thing a person can do."
L's smile faded. Does he think I am despicable for suggesting it?
"What's wrong Ryuzaki?" Light asked.
"Nothing," L sighed. "You're right Light-kun, but I would appreciate it if you could remind her to make sure she doesn't reveal things about our investigation to anyone."
#
It was late and the rest of the task force had retired for the night, but L and Light were still sitting at their computers. They hadn't spoken since the others had left. L hadn't known how to respond when the task force had bid them goodnight and wished them pleasant dreams. He'd glanced at Light, who was sitting at the computer beside him, but the teenager had seemed lost in thought. L didn't want to be the one to bring up the subject of sleeping together. Now that he thought about it, being chained to Light Yagami 24/7 was going to be problematic, but he couldn't back out now. He would not let Kira win.
The silence couldn't last much longer. L was running out of sweets and he was desperate to use the toilet. He imagined Light must be feeling the same way. Neither of them had been for hours. L risked another sideways glance.
"L, will you please stop looking at me like that," Light snapped. "Unless that's why you suggested this ridiculous situation? Just so you could stare at me?"
"I'm sorry Light-kun." L said. "I was merely wondering if you might accompany me to the kitchen. I have run out of sweets. Also, I, um… I need to use the toilet facilities."
Light smiled. He'd been hoping he wouldn't have to be the one to bring up the issue. He'd thought being watched on security cameras was bad enough, but this was clearly going to be an even more awkward and embarrassing period of his life. L cheeks were tinged pink, and he wouldn't make eye contact, so Light guessed the detective's thoughts were running along similar tracks. He'd never seen this side of L before and he was surprised to find that a shy L was, if possible, even cuter than the confident one he knew and, well...
"Of course, L," Light said. "I could use a trip to the bathroom myself."
"Good," L said, still without looking up from his toes. "Um, Light-kun? I was wondering, how do you think we should wash whilst we are together?"
"Well," Light whispered, leaning towards the detective. "We could always take a romantic bubble bath..."
L choked on a mouthful of cake, toppled out of his strange sitting position and kicked the desk as he fell backwards off his chair. Light looked down at the detective, who was now lying on his back and staring at the ceiling, and couldn't help laughing. Not that he would have minded sharing a candle-lit bath with the detective, but clearly L wasn't so keen on the idea.
L picked himself up and tried to concentrate on walking in a straight line. Perhaps I injured my foot on the table. It doesn't hurt yet... but that would explain my unsteadiness. I don't think I hit my head. But then, why do I feel so dizzy? And why am I still blushing? L headed for the bathroom, dragging Light behind him. I shouldn't have been so startled really. Teenagers often joke about strange things.
"Light-kun," he said. "I would appreciate it if you would refrain from making jokes in such questionable taste." L pushed open the door to the toilets and hurried into the first cubicle, slamming the door shut.
L placed one palm against the cubicle wall to steady himself and closed his eyes. He felt faint. Was that due to a lack of sugar in his bloodstream? Or maybe falling off his chair and standing up too quickly had affected him somehow. L sighed. No. It had been Light's suggestion of a romantic bath that had done it. Now that the initial shock had worn off, L was left feeling both uncomfortable and miserable. He loved bubble baths, but he'd never even considered sharing one with another person. Would such activities require an extra large tub in which to take place? Or was an ordinary bath supposed to accommodate two adult bodies? L shook his head. Surely not. Light is about the same height as I am, except his spine isn't bent like mine. No. There is no way we could fit in a bath together. Unless we crouched at either end... But that probably wouldn't be considered romantic. A romantic bath must involve the individuals touching one another, maybe even... kissing?L shook his head and rubbed his hands over his face.Why am I even thinking about this?
Light had never seen L move so fast, or sound so angry. Was hereally that offended by the idea of candles and bubbles and… Light closed his eyes and smiled. And our naked bodies touching underwater. L's beautiful black hair dripping over his face, stopping just short of those perfect lips, lips which could-fuck! Light's pants suddenly felt a lot tighter. Idiot. You can't afford to think about L like that. Not nowthat you're going to be around him all the time. He's not stupid; he'll notice.Light heard the toilet flush and L's cubicle door unlock. Fuck.He looked down to assess how noticeable the bulge in his trousers was. Fuck, fuck, fuck! As L's door opened, Light dived into the next cubicle.
Light leant his back against the cubical door and closed his eyes. How the hell am I supposed to live like this? It's going to be impossible to keep my thoughts under control when he's constantly attached to my arm. This is so humiliating. And it's all Kira's fault. I'll fucking kill him when we find him.Light tried to direct his thoughts towards the many reasons for catching Kira. It wasn't possible to remain aroused whilst thinking about murder. Well, he wasn't naive enough to think it wasn't possible, but he didn't personally find that sort of thing exciting. Light shook his head and rubbed his hands over his face. We'd better find that bastard quickly.
L was surprised by Light's sudden desperation to use the toilet. Perhaps the teen had needed to go as much as he had. After all, it had been a long day and Light had had a coffee a few hours ago, or maybe… L's mind wondered back to Light's suggestion of a bubble bath. He's not upset about something, is he?No, surely not. Light was jokingand I asked him not to. That's nothing to be upset about.
After a few minutes, Light emerged from the cubicle and they crossed the room to wash their hands. L had never noticed how loud Light's footsteps were before, the heels of his shoes clacked against the beige floor tiles and echoed around the empty bathroom. L looked down at his own silent feet as they reached the washbasins.
"Light-kun?" he said. "Seriously, how do you think we should wash?"
"Um." Light sounded different, almost embarrassed. L looked up to find that a pink glow had indeed filled the teen's cheeks. It reminded him of the thin line between the red and white parts of a strawberry. I wonder what that's all about? Is it because I didn't like his joke? "We could take separate shower cubicles," Light said. "With the chain going over the top?"
"Ah, yes. I suppose that might work," L said. Why didn't I think of that? "I prefer to wash in the morning, so shall we turn in now?"
"Yes, of course." Light said. "It's been a long, unusual day."
