"People think we're a pair of perverts in the street with these handcuffs Ryuzaki." Light muttered, trying and failing to divert his attention from the starting crowds of people.
"Ignore it Yagami-kun."
Easy for him to say, Light thought. L would be used to stares with his maniac appearance and strange mannerisms ranging from thumb sucking to cake-consuming to crouching down like a massive frog.
"I'll be in a better mood when this trip is over." Light muttered darkly.
Food had turned into a disaster situation. Ryuk was a writhing pretzel right now thanks to apple withdrawal, and Light was going equally crazy because L, in his infinite wisdom, had replaced all the normal food in the house with sweets. The only reason L agreed to go shopping was that he'd run out of strawberries. Light chose to take advantage of this to obtain some real food and get something to satiate Ryuk's cravings.
Suddenly Light noticed L stop mid-walk.
"What?"
His voice brought the detective somewhat back on track. L continued to walk. However, soon his feet trailed into the road. Light made this observation just in time-a car was speeding along, ready to meet L in a deadly collision. Arm shooting forward in an involuntary action, Light grabbed L and pulled him against his body, swearing.
"JESUS CHRIST RYUZAKI! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"
Light's arms were shaking violently.
"I was just having a thought about the Kira case Yagami-kun." L said calmly, gazing at Light with the wide eyes of a child.
"YOU NEARLY DIED!"
"Oh."
"OH?"
"I'm sorry. I should have been thinking more clearly."
"And they call you a master detective…" Light muttered darkly.
"Er, Yagami-kun?"
"What?"
"As flattered as I am that you rescued me, you may want to let go. People are staring even more."
Blushing furiously, Light released L, not even realizing how long he'd been holding him. They arrived at the grocery store, L leading the way. Light let him, lost in thought. He'd only dragged the idiot out of the street to save his own skin, they were handcuffed after all…if not that because it would be suspicious to have L get run over in his presence. The action had nothing to do with protecting L. Nothing. Unwanted and unwelcome, an image surfaced in Light's brain of doe-eyed L staring up his chest with a look of dawning comprehension. How pathetic. How stupid. How cute…
GAHHHHH!!
"You wanted rice right? Yagami-kun?"
"Oh. Yeah. Thanks."
He would not let his mind wander off in any direction with L that did not involve his dead body.
"Milk…apples…lettuce…these are all so boring!" L complained.
Man, was he skinny. The baggy clothes couldn't hide it when Light had tugged him closer. He could break him in half if he wanted to. He was finding it hard to want to.
"AAAAANNNNNDDDD CAKE!"
Light smiled.
"Idiot." He laughed, ruffling L's messy black hair.
L froze.
"Y-Yagami-kun?"
"Are you done?" Light asked gruffly, praying his tone would shadow over his affectionate act.
L blinked.
"Yeah…I guess."
Later that day…
"MISA IS HAPPY BECAUSE LIGHT IS HOME!!"
Light forced a smile.
"Hey."
L scuttled in after Light, peering over his shoulder at Misa.
"Kiss for Misa?"
Light leaned in and gave her a three-second peck.
"Misa will make dinner!" Misa squealed, taking their bags and running into the kitchen.
"You make her really happy." L mumbled.
"Huh." Light didn't know what to say. He failed to understand Misa's infatuation.
"Does she make you happy?"
Odd question.
"She gives me headaches." Light laughed deeply.
"You make me sick." L said.
What? Where did that come from? Light wondered.
L had never been particularly fond of Misa and now he was all defensive…
Later that night, Light changed rapidly into pajamas, being careful to do so behind the bathroom door. L was completely absorbed by his computer. Light felt a bit jealous. He crawled into bed, closing his eyes. Clack. Clack. Clack.
"Aren't you sleeping?" Light asked, annoyed.
"I will when you're asleep, Yagami-kun."
"Light-kun."
"What?"
"Say LIGHT-kun, will you?"
"Yes…that would be nice."
L did not smile, but seemed sincere. L never smiled.
"You make me very sick, Light-kun."
AGAIN! Was this phrase some sort of tactic to aggravate him, or did he mean it?
"You should lie down." Light suggested, deciding to ignore the comment.
"I'm fine."
"Ryuzaki, it's not healthy to sleep sitting up."
"I'm fine."
"It's bad for your back."
"I don't mind."
"Please?"
"No."
"I can't sleep with you up like that! I'm tired. Lie down, please, for me?"
L ceased typing immediately.
"If it helps you, Light-kun."
He set down the laptop and plopped down.
"Don't you want blankets?"
"No."
"It gets cold at night."
"I will be fine."
Light gave up and shut his eyes.
"I've never been this close to another person before." L whispered.
"Are you serious?"
"Not in a long time."
"Is it bothering you?"
"No."
Light smiled in the darkness.
"Good night."
"Good night, Light-kun."
