A/N: Hello, everyone. I am not new to FanFiction, but this is my third account. I've written around 30 stories, all of them being for Criminal Minds, but I wasn't pleased with my reputation when it comes to my writing, so I made a new account, yet again. I will use this account only for Death Note, most likely, and I'd like to start off with a multi-chapter fic, mostly because I hate doing oneshots. They seem to end too abruptly for my likings.

Warning(s): This fanfiction will contain dark themes, self-harm, possible drug use/references, suicidal tendencies, triggers, and anything of the sorts. I can't say for sure because I hardly have the plot down in my head yet, but I will change warnings if/when needed, accordingly.

Light... the man L once thought was Kira. That is, until they caught a man name Higuchi from Yotsuba Group and the killings ended for good. The notebook was destroyed and Higuchi sent to his execution immediately. Finally, the case was at its end. Kira's reign was over, and Lights name has been cleared.

Light... L's first friend, equal in intelligence and, soon enough, deductive reasoning skills. Upon clearing Light's name, L had asked Light to join him back in Winchester, England to speak of partnership. Watari, or Quillish Wammy, was surprised, to say the least. L had never once befriended anyone, let alone discussed the possibility of partnership with anyone.

Before too long, they entered L's private jet, England bound. Light never once questioned his choice to join the man that had once imprisoned him on suspicion of being Kira. But the temptation to live a life of excitement topped with the desperation for a challenge was too much to deny the offer. It might have been the only chance at leaving his boring life. Even college and cases with the NPA were too easy for his genius deductive skills. However, they still weren't up to par with L's. That would change soon enough.

"Light-kun," L's eyes met Lights. "What made you take up my offer so quickly?" Of course L knew the reason. He couldn't let Light know he knew though. He needed Light to express his fears of boredom. Sure, he may not have been Kira, but he had an affinity to the ideals. Therefore, boredom would eventually drive Light to do foolish things.

"You know I enjoyed working the Kira Case with you, Ryuzaki," Light said with his reassuring smile. L wasn't easily fooled. As soon as light averted his eyes to the other side of the cabin, away from eye contact, he knew his suspicions were correct. There it was, his eyes met L's once again. "It only makes sense to better myself and the world by coming with you." Lies. He would have made a perfect Kira.

"We both know that's not the complete answer, Light." L set his dark eyes stone in contact with Light. This showed he wasn't joking, on top of removing the honorary in his name.

Light frowned. What had he meant by that? Surely he didn't still think Light was Kira, so what could it be? Did he know something Light didn't? Or did he already know of Light's fears and weaknesses. That couldn't possibly be it. L may be the worlds three greatest detectives, but Light was not an idiot when it came to hiding his physical and mental flaws.

He shrugged it off and regained his composure. "Checkmate," L thought, turning back to his laptop, leaving the conversation at that. For now.

Light stood and walked to the back of the cabin where the small restroom was located. 12 more hours in the same vicinity as L was going to drive him insane, as much as he thought of L as a close friend, now. That didn't mean L wasn't hard to be around with his socially inept behaviors. He didn't know the first thing about personal privacy.

Light stared at himself long and hard in the mirror. Was he really an open book? Easy to read by whoever took the time to pay attention? It made him sick to his stomach knowing he couldn't hide even his own thoughts from his companion, greatest detective in the world or not.

He reached in his pocket, feeling a small blade graze his fingers soft enough not to slice the flesh. Pulling it out, his heart raced. He hadn't used it since he was chained to L. The case had been taking its toll, and with little to no sleep, he was surprised he hadn't done it more often. It was hard to find time alone, however. He still remembered the time he locked L out of the bathroom to do his business. He also remembered the knowing look the detective gave him as he walked off, leaving not a single trace of what he had just done. L never brought it up, and Light had almost forgotten. Until now.

Almost smiling at the memory, Light took the small blade and grazed his arm closer to his elbow. He didn't want L to accidentally see it and confirm what he probably already suspected. Suddenly, once wasn't enough and he slowly left three more marks. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard a soft knocking on the door.

"What is it?" Light asked, voice leaving not a trace of waver he thought would be there. He was surprisingly calm. Maybe it was from the stinging in his arm, or maybe the fact he'd been around L enough by now for his ability to hide emotions had rubbed off some.

"You've been in there a few minutes. I just wanted to make sure you didn't... fall asleep." L finished after a pause. Now was not the time to address his suspicions.

There was a soft click as Light opened the door, an almost innocent, sheepish smile on his face. L didn't fall victim to the lie plastered on his face. He was too smart to believe everything was okay.

"Sorry... I guess I'm just a bit tired," this wasn't entirely a lie, but definitely not the whole truth.

"Very well. I suppose I should let you lie down. Rest assured, we have a lot of talking to do when we arrive." L's icy eyes were stone again, telling so much while not revealing anything. He must have seen Light's surprise, the colour flush from his face. "Don't play dumb, Light-kun. You know very well I am not easily fooled. You think I believe you were actually dozing off in there?" Light looked away, the colour returning to his face, telling L he was right in everything he was saying. "We will talk later. For now, try to get some rest. We still have 12 hours until we arrive."

"Ryu..." Light began, composure regained once again, though mentally he was screaming at himself for actually thinking he could hide such a thing.

"Light." L began, his voice firm, leaving little to no room for argument. "Rest. Now is not the time to have this conversation. Not when you are obviously too exhausted." His voice quieted to barely above a whisper.

Light made no attempt to argue this time. He simply sprawled himself out on the couch across the cabin from L. He hid his face in the back of the couch, trying to coach himself mentally to continue breathing properly. He still couldn't let himself believe L knew how weak he was.

He eventually fell into a dreamless slumber, free of his thoughts, if only for a few hours. He gave up fighting it. It was obvious L knew. He'd just have to try harder to hide his emotions like Ryuzaki.

A/N: So, I like how this first little chapter turned out. It is very short but plan on the future chapters being a lot longer. I hope to make each chapter at least 2,000 words, because it seems to keep the plot flowing better that way. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this!