They had grown a lot closer since their first encounter at the graduation. Light's feelings had gradually softened towards the detective. Initially he had been irked and a bit unnerved by him. He had invited him to join on the investigation which Light could not refuse.

It had been months since then. As strange as the ravenette was, Light had grown accustomed to him.

Even though it was stressful sometimes, the brunette preferred this life. L was the only one he could have intelligent conversations with. He couldn't stand being underwhelmed by the others who lacked his abilities. Always needing to fake smiles to please others. But on the investigation, he didn't have to fake smiles all the time. There were some moments where he could just be himself.

It was the end of the day. Higuchi had been arrested. Kira was gone. It was all thanks to the task force.

The group had celebrated their victory with a delicious meal. There was the clinking of bottles, hugging, congratulating to each other, and the usual silliness expected from Matsuda. Everyone was excited. Except for L and Light. They had gotten hugs, too. It wasn't that they felt left out. While happy that they had potentially saved the world, they both felt the same way. Bored. What would they do now?

What was Light to do? Go to college? Where he would be alone and bored? No. He enjoyed this. He got a thrill from working on the cases. It put him under pressure and forced him to use the extent of his prodigious abilities; pushed him to his limit. As well as being surrounded by friends. And to have that all taken away? No.

L would most likely go back to being completely isolated and detached from the rest of the world. The dark character had talked to Light once about how he planned to leave Japan when the Kira case was solved. Light's heart sank a bit at this. He wasn't sure why... He was good friends with him. But he couldn't comprehend why it had torn him up so much inside to hear that. In his head, Light had wanted to exclaim to the detective. Make- ah, no- persuade him to stay. But, as usual, the young genius simply hid his emotions behind a cool mask.

Light wasn't a fan of parties. He often went to them simply to make his friends in school happy. But he just wasn't that energetic that day. So, deciding he had enough of Matsuda's and the other's craziness, he sat on a couch alone in the living room. He sighed and relaxed into his seat. His muscles unclenched. He crossed his legs and savored the near silence. All he could hear was the faint laughing and yelling of his friends in the other room.

He swallowed and pondered about his friend. Light frowned. He would miss L. Would L miss him? This was a question that had plagued him for quite a while. And, naturally, he was in need of answers.

Curiosity taking over, he looked around for him.

From what he had gathered, L strongly detested loud noise. Light wasn't a fan of it either. L was most likely on the computer.

So, Light checked the room that was full of monitors. They were all on, despite the case being solved. L was a bit paranoid. He couldn't see the pale man anywhere. Light stepped closer to L's computer, thinking maybe he was just curled up in a really tiny ball.

"Ryuzaki?" He called.

No response.

The boy looked in the kitchen. Maybe he was searching for candy? But his friend wasn't there either.

He then checked in his room (which he rarely entered).

"Ryuzaki?" He called again.

Light felt a pang of both annoyance and worry. Giving up, he went to Watari for help.

"Excuse me, Watari. Do you know where Ryuzaki is?" He asked. For the brunette asking for help was an absolute last resort.

The elderly butler smiled politely and answered. "Ah. Yes. Ryuzaki is on the balcony."

Light nodded in thanks. He walked up to a pair of screen doors that were tinted so no one could peak in or out. He parted them and closed them behind him as he stepped into the cool night air. It had taken him a moment to discern the shadowy figure against the darkness. L stood about a foot or two behind the railing. Light was surprised to see that his back was almost straight. The raven's pale hands were shoved into his baggy pockets. His head was tilted back and he was looking up into the night sky.

The detective had seemed so entranced by the stars that Light was careful not to startle him. He almost didn't want to break him out of his reverie. But Light wasn't one to back down. And he needed to check on him.

He took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and softly spoke up, the name gently rising in a crescendo. "Ryuzaki?"

The two were silent for a second. Light waited for a response. Though there were awkward timid moments like these, the two were still quite close. Light even saw him as his best friend. That didn't mean the teen understood everything the detective did though.

He impatiently glanced at the Tokyo cityscape.

What is he staring at? Light thought. He didn't know what was so interesting.

There was finally a sound.

L oh-so slightly turned his head.

"Oh... Hello, Light-kun." He greeted in that soft monotone of his.

Light's cheeks warmed up a bit at the use of the suffix "kun". In Japan it was used to address a boy younger than you or someone you adored. Light knew he meant it to be respectful, but he couldn't help the weird feelings he got from it.

Light gave a brief chuckle and stood beside him. "You know, you really don't have to call me that." He said. He glanced over at the nearly white face. L's eyes looked deep and dark and empty. But in the reflection of the city lights, they shone, bringing him to life. The twinkling had made him appear innocent.

The younger decided he would never forget that image as it was quite rare. His thin lips twitched into a little grin.

L faced Light, his visage blank as usual, his eyes childlike and curious. "But I want to." He murmured.

Light just barely caught his words. He swallowed. But he shrugged his shoulders. "Suit yourself..."

L nodded before gazing at the city again. Before the silence became awkward, Light spoke up again.

"So, what are you doing here then, Ryuzaki?" He asked.

L looked at him sideways for a brief second and tilted his head. He tediously, almost trembling it seemed, brought his thumb to his lip. "Just thinking is all..." He uttered.

The auburn-haired boy grinned again at the detective's trademark pose. He got serious again though.

"About what? ... If you don't mind me asking." Light asked. He did his best not to pry. L had his secrets.

"Ah. Well, Light..." L began. "With the Kira case solved, I am just not sure what to do..."

Light tilted his head a bit, a little surprised. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"Well. You see... Without a case to solve, I am quite bored. My purpose cannot be fulfilled." He explained. He gazed at the younger man with an innocent wide-eyed look.

Light had found it cute. A bit startled by the thought, he scratched the back of his neck.

"Yeah. I know what you mean." He responded, looking at the city below.

L blinked. He looked a bit incredulous.

After a brief silence, he said. "Oh?"

Light shrugged. "Yeah..."

L avoided his friend's gaze, looking downwards, sulking. He fidgeted with his bottom lip, using his thumb.

"Light Yagami. I would assume that you would prefer returning to your family and completing school..." The man said. He lowered his thumb slightly and slowly eyed the teen next to him.

Light frowned a little. He couldn't deny that idea wasn't entirely spectacular to him. In fact, he did not prefer that at all. The brunette stepped closer to the detective.

"Ryuzaki... That is not true." Light started. He looked directly into his deep eyes. "I actually really enjoyed working with you. I was able to put my abilities to good use. Surrounded by friends, too..." He got comfortable and leaned against the rails with his hands but didn't look away from his partner.

The other man turned to him somewhat. "... Hmm..." He bit his thumb and blinked. Then his eyes lowered again. "You know, Light... There is no need for you to simply say that-"

"I'm not." Light insisted. He hadn't intended to interrupt him. But such blunt responses were normal between them anyway. He observed L's face, trying to decipher it, before resigning and watching the city around him. He smiled with nostalgia in his warm, brown, faraway-looking eyes. "Honestly. I really did enjoy it... It's always been my dream to help people. And be like my father..."

The ravenette nodded once. He gave a slight grin. "I see... Well, I am pleased to know you feel the same way. And I am certain that your father is rather proud of you."

"Thank you."

"Not at all..." He responded, almost shyly. He put his hand back in his pocket and dared to edge closer to the rail.

"Hmm..." Light crooned. His hair billowed a bit in the wind. "It feels nice out, huh?"

"Indeed. I like it."

"Me, too..."

They were quiet again. Though they enjoyed each other's company.

"Say, Light..."

"Yes, Ryuzaki?"

"... Would you like to work together again sometime?" He asked.

Light looked at him, a spark in his eyes. His friend appeared vulnerable. Almost as if he was expecting rejection.

"Of course, Ryuzaki. I'd love to." He answered.

L smiled, lips closed. Light may not have noticed it, but his cheeks were the slightest tint of pink. "Aah. Me, too, Light. I am glad we are in agreement."

"So, um... Ryuzaki... Are going to stay here?" Light asked.

L blinked emotionlessly. Then he looked downwards gloomily, his dark hair falling into his face.

"Well, I was planning on going back to England. But, if there is another case in Tokyo, I will most likely stay."

"Oh... I see." Light said. He looked down. "Well... Just do what you feel is right, Ryuzaki." He said and pressed his hands on the rails.

L glanced at him in wonder. He bit his thumb, almost cutting the skin. He spoke around his thumb. "Mmm. Of course, Light-Kun... But..."

Light gasped softly as their proximity increased.

L had hunched over, his face only a couple inches from Light's. Light inhaled, a bit tremulously, getting a lovely whiff of the other's cool fresh breath. He blinked, stunned. His eyes darted at the visage before him.

L's eyes were still.

"... What do you think I should do?" He asked. The question had swirled through Light's head, as smooth as his voice.

Light had been so dazed that he had to blink multiple times to become fully aware again. He gulped.

"W-what do... I think?" He stuttered. Once the words came out, he instantly felt stupid.

"Yes. What do you think?" The ravenette repeated. His eyes narrowed slightly. He disliked repeating himself.

"I-I..." The younger, flustered, had to look away. His cheeks were practically burning.

What is wrong with me? ... Why am I getting so shy? He asked himself. Shouldn't I be used to his weirdness by now?

Light felt ashamed. He edged away in order to breathe.

"Ryuzaki... To be honest..." Light's grip on the rails tautened. A thin nervous grin spread on his face. "I-I would miss you..." He responded in a soft voice, almost timidly, and turned away again.

The older of the two actually blinked. He slowly nodded his head, analyzing the teen. As if searching for lies. L let out a quiet sound. A chuckle?

Light was surprised to see the man bashfully looking down with an adorable little smile. The detective must have been quite tickled by this.

"Oh... I will take your thoughts into consideration." He said and tapped his thumb on his bottom lip.

Light silently looked at him in concern.

The raven appeared bashful. He still had that shy grin on and his eyes were downwards. "Hmm... In truth... I share the same feelings."

"... Really?" Light said. A good-natured smirk twitched on his face.

"Indeed... Nevertheless, if I am needed in England, I will have to depart. You understand. Yes?" L asked, glancing straight into his companion's russet eyes.

The teen's smile faded. Light nodded. "Yes, o-of course..."

"And Light?"

"Yes?"

L turned around so he was leaning on the rails with his hands in his pockets. "... You may call me L when no one else is present..." He said.

Light was amazed. He gawked for a moment before becoming self-conscious and closing his mouth.

"Wow. I, uh..." For some unknown reason, the teen was dazed. He scratched the back of his neck.

"That is if you would like, Light-kun." L continued and started biting his thumb again with wide expectant eyes.

Light digested this quickly. He then gave a warm smile. One the detective beside him had never seen before. It was not forced in any way. L was stunned by this.

"I would like that a lot..." Light said gently. "Ryu-... L."

He cleared his throat and looked a little vulnerable.

L. grinned and gave a soft chuckle.

Light joined in.

The two then stood outside for a while, enjoying their time together.
_

A/N: Ok. So just to let you know, this is going to be a relatively short story. There will be fluff to come though. Don't worry. :) Thanks for reading!