Note: The English translation for my first fanfic - "Bath Time", which was written in Oct 2006. It was ready for quite a while, but not presentable. Thanks for your encouragement (you know who you are), I'm finally putting this up. In my language, there's no plural, no change in tenses whether it's past/present/future, no such thing as the third person where you need to add 's' or 'es' and a sentence works fine without a subject. If you see anything out of place, do let me know. The story was originally divided into 3 parts, so I'll leave them as 3 here. Consider those I, II & III as the level of intensity.

This is yaoi, Light x L. In this story, it's Raito x Ryuuzaki. If you're against any of it, please go somewhere else. Rated M for some explicit scenes.

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Part I --

"Are you all right, Ryuuzaki?"

"Do not mind me, Raito-kun. I'm quite well."

Raito sits on the toilet. With the seat cover lowered, it functions as a chair. His fingertips are tracing circles around the shackle on his left wrist. The length of the chain is just long enough to give them both some privacy. Even though they have to work together in the investigation 24 hours a day, it is humanly impossible to do everything in each other's presence.

The other end of the chain is connected to Ryuuzaki's right wrist. At the moment, he is enjoying a bubble bath. The chain sways from time to time but, because of the shower curtain, his actions remain unknown.

The fight in Misa's room earlier today was quite something. The intensity was a match for the tennis game that took place so long ago. The whole body simply aches. Minutes pass by. Raito is falling half asleep. Just then, he almost loses his balance from the sudden yank of the chain and his mind becomes alert instantaneously.

"That's it! You have wasted enough of my time!"

"The physical activities were rather exhausting today. I need more replenishment. Please endure this for a bit."

"Replenishment?? No way…", Raito thinks as he gets in gear and walks towards the bathtub. He pulls the curtain open sideways somewhat forcefully and gapes at the sight. Ryuuzaki is devouring a chocolate donut with the assistance of his thumb and index finger. That was what caused Raito to almost lose his balance. He must have pulled the chain too tautly while he 'replenished' his energy.

Raito closes his eyes and takes a deep breath to stay calm. So the sweet smell he has noted earlier was not just from the bubble bath. Probably half of Ryuuzaki's favourites out there on the table have been moved here. When he opens his eyes again, he meets Ryuuzaki's blank stare.

"Ah, do you wish to have one as well?" Ryuuzaki continues to munch on the donut after throwing out this almost thoughtless question. His jet black hair has an extra shine to it, most likely from the moisture arising from the steam. His usually pale cheeks are tinted a rare pinkish shade.

The bathtub is an approximate square in shape and it can fit 4 people comfortably. Ryuuzaki leans on the right for his 'replenishments', since that corner has a horizontal ledge for anything, such as snacks. Raito chooses not to speak.

"You can join me if you wish, Raito-kun. That is, if you don't mind." He doesn't seem to expect a reply and is onto the task of getting some tea into his cup.

Raito only feels tired. He has no more strength for a come back anyway and he has to agree that it is a fine arrangement. He takes off his clothes without a word and steps into the water. The water has a hint of light green and wafts of sweet vanilla aroma drift up to taunt his senses. Ryuuzaki is concentrating on the quantity of sugar cubes (he has just put 5 into his cup) and seemingly forgetting about Raito's presence.

"You know, it is not healthy to consume too much sugar."

Ryuuzaki is stirring his sugar slurry with a spoon, held by his 2 signature fingers. "I thought Raito-kun, of all people, would understand. I believe I have told Misa-san today that even if one eats sweets, it won't get him fat if he uses his head."

Misa. Raito ponders quietly. Does Ryuuzaki care all that much about her? Is it because she is the suspect for the second Kira? Or is it something else? But he did say that he doesn't want him to be the real Kira. Then today during the fight, he mentioned something to the contrary. If being Kira means having his attention, then he'll be Kira for his sake. Does he really matter to him all that much?

Raito is having weird thoughts. On the surface, everyone on the investigation team knows he hates being under L's constant surveillance. But deep inside, he doesn't mind at all.

"Um, this one is good." Ryuuzaki holds a cherry in front of Raito's face, "Relax, I do not have soap on my right hand. Try it, you won't be disappointed."

Raito has both his arms submerged already. A bathroom is obviously a place to take a bath. Who in the world would think of having a picnic here? Still, he opens his mouth.

"Thanks."

Raito encloses the ripe cherry with his lips and pulls it away from the stem. Ryuuzaki keeps his 2 fingers close by and has no intention to move away.

"Let's see you tie a knot, Raito-kun."

Raito's heart skips a beat. He glances sideways at Ryuuzaki and the serious expression in his eyes seems to assure him that everything is fine. Still, his heart is beating faster than normal. It can't be helped.

He shakes his head slightly in a negative response and pushes the stem out with his tongue. It comes into contact with Ryuuzaki's fingertips. Ryuuzaki appears to be very disappointed. He then ties a knot quickly by himself with the very same stem.

"Wh...wasn't that just like a kiss? A hot French kiss, at that!!" Raito is stunned. Many impossible images flash before his eyes. His face is flushed. He cannot breathe.

Seeing that Ryuuzaki is approaching closer and closer, Raito can feel a very obvious physical response arising from within.

-- to be continued --