Chapter Two
Watari woke up at seven precisely and began making L's breakfast, not surprised to see the detective already up. He served him his tea with an absurd amount of sugar, along with a large slice of Brooklyn cheesecake. "Did you sleep at all last night, Master L?"
"Not really." L sighed, picking at his cheesecake.
"Your insomnia is getting worse lately." Watari observed, watching L drink his tea and eat a large forkful of cake.
"Mnnff fpphh hmm." L mumbled, and then swallowed, licking his lips, "Do we have any more éclairs?" He eyed the pastry as it was set before him. Its smooth tan body reminded him of something that brought a smile to his lips, and the chocolate topping made him think of light brown hair. The inside, filled with thick, delicious cream made L's eyes darken and his mouth water.
Seven éclairs later, L licked his lips and pushed his plate away, "Thank you, Watari."
"Of course." The old man said, clearing away the dishes, "Are we going to the beach today, Master L?"
"No," L said thoughtfully, surprising Watari, "I think I'd like to stay inside today."
"Very well."
L stood in the hot shower, the harmless water cascading down his nude body, running over his pale skin like a lover's caress. He sighed softly and closed his eyes, tilting his head back and letting the spray wash over his face.
Trust? L stared at Light; he barely knew the attractive lifeguard, would he really trust his life, his valuable life, in the hands of someone he just met? Yes. He did. He wasn't sure why, but something about Light's melting caramel eyes drew L in like a month to a flame. He nodded silently and the two of them tread water in silence, watching and waiting for the next wave. They didn't have to wait long, and soon another swell rolled towards them.
Light rested his hand briefly on L's shoulder and then moved away, "Remember, just relax and don't panic."
L had stared at the wave as it came down upon him. Light was there. Light wouldn't let him drown. Then it hit him, and for the third time that day, L was sent tumbling head over heels. He was spun around and thrown in some random direction, yet he forced his body to remain limp. 'To conserve oxygen' he remembered Light saying. Finally, after what L thought to be a surprisingly short period of time, the wave passed and he swam to the surface.
Light was waiting for him and his smile immediately made L feel warm inside. "You did it! See? I told you that you could do it! Well done!" He'd grabbed the detective in a warm hug, laughing delightedly.
A shiver traveled up L's spine as his body tingled, remembering the feeling of Light's almost nude body pressing against his own. Ambiguous feelings danced around his mind; he'd trusted Light Yagami with his life, and Light had taken good care of it. L no longer felt any sort of resemblance to fear when looking at the ocean. But he knew he'd been wrong to trust Light all the same. He was L, the world's greatest detective. He couldn't just carelessly toss his life in the hands of a smoking hot lifeguard, even if he wanted to. L had a duty, an obligation as who he was. So what could he do? He was leaving tomorrow night, and then it would all be over with; but during this time…should he see Light again? He wanted to, but that didn't make it right.
"Master L? You've been in there a while, are you alright?" Watari called, interrupting L's thoughts.
"Fine." L called, pushing his hair from his face. He briefly considered going to Watari with this problem, but quickly dismissed it. This was his own problem, not Watari's.
Light Yagami…everything about him made L hot all over. His body, his voice, his intellect…he was beyond perfect.
L sighed and turned the water off, stepping out of the shower and wrapping one of the white, fluffy towels around himself. He imagined it was Light's arms back around him, holding him close, whispering things in his ears. L's eyes narrowed, he wanted Light, but what he needed to see was if Light wanted him back.
The moment Watari fell asleep L left, amused by the thought that he was sneaking out like a teenager going to meet their forbidden lover. He walked briskly towards the beach, wearing nothing but his baggy jeans. He wasn't disappointed when he arrived and didn't find Light there, instead he walked towards the lifeguard's chair, smirking to himself as he climbed up into the high seat. It was like a throne, overlooking the entire world. Before him the ocean lay stretched out as far as he could see, and above him only stars. It was a magnificent place to sit.
"Hey! You! You're also not allowed there!"
L looked down and smiled at Light, "I'm good a breaking rules, Light-kun."
Light tapped his foot, "Get down from there or else."
"Or else what?"
"I…I'll come up and get you." Light threatened, a grin tugging at his lips.
"Come up then."
Growling under his breath and making mock death threats, Light climbed up and stood on the top rung of the ladder, eye level with L perched in his seat, "You sit like that?"
"Yes." L said, resting his chin on his knees, "It raises my intellect by 40%."
"Uh huh. Well then use all that extra intellect to get your butt off my seat." Light cocked an eyebrow, looking amused.
"No, I rather like it up here."
"Well too bad, you can't stay up there."
L raised his eyebrows, "Really? I think Light-kun is jealous." He lowered his legs and sat normally for once, "Would Light-kun like to share my new throne? He can sit on my lap and be my pet."
"What deranged ideas are going through your mind? You better put your legs back up; apparently you need that extra 40%."
"Has Light-kun not noticed? His seat is like a throne." L patted his lap invitingly, "It can't be comfortable standing like that."
"It's not, and no I haven't noticed my chair is like a throne; I've been too busy rescuing drowning idiots who can't swim." Light countered.
"A good excuse, though I bet Light-kun secretly liked it when I pretended to drown, that way he could give me CPR."
"What do you mean 'pretended'. You swallowed half the ocean!"
"I was very enthusiastic."
"You were very stupid."
"I resent that comment, Light-kun."
"Do you? Well I think you need to get out of my chair."
"Why?"
"Because you can't be up here unless you're a lifeguard."
L's eyes gleamed, "Ah ha. So, if Light-kun were to sit here, it would be legal?"
"Yes," Light sighed, "now get off."
"So if Light-kun sat here, and I sat on Light-kun, it would still be legal." L reasoned, ignoring the look he got from Light.
"Did…did you just plan all that out?"
"Plan what out?" L responded innocently.
"The entire conversation…never mind."
"So, is Light-kun satisfied with the arrangement?"
Light stared at L and L stared right back, "…fine. Now move your butt so I can sit down." He ignored the flash of triumph in L's face as he got up and maneuvered into his seat, letting the detective sit on his lap sideways. "You're really light."
"I have a fast metabolism." L explained, very happy with his perch. He had his legs over Light's and his arm around Light's shoulders to keep him from falling, just in case.
"I didn't see you at the beach today." Light said, keeping one of his arms around L's skinny waist in case a gust of wind blew him off.
"I usually don't go out during the day."
"Are you nocturnal or something?"
"Insomniac, actually."
"Ah, that explains the late night walks."
L stared out at the ocean unfurling below them. The moonlight made beautiful silver lights dance across the inky black surface, reminding L of the stars above them. "Light-kun…"
"Yes?"
"I'll miss…this when I'm gone." L said quietly, not elaborating on whether he'd miss their late night visits or the ocean.
Light looked out, "Do you have to leave tomorrow night?"
"Yes."
"Well, when?"
"Late, around two in the morning." It was always better for L to travel at late hours, for his own safety.
"Well that gives you some time to come back for more of…this." Light also didn't elaborate on what he meant, "So it's not really the last time."
"True." L brightened, smiling at Light. "Light-kun knows exactly what to say to make me feel better."
Light felt his face warm slightly, and that tiny smile L seemed to have reserved only for him made the lifeguard's stomach flip flop.
They sat on Light's throne for the rest of the night, silently watching the moon rise and fall and the ocean tide rise and fall with it. L was leaning against Light's chest, feeling relaxed and peaceful in their little world. He didn't think about leaving and returning to England, he didn't think about leaving Light behind, instead he thought about Light's arms around him and the sweet, gentle rise and fall of Light's chest. It lulled him into a doze, and for the first time in years, he slept untroubled for two straight hours.
When he awoke, the sun was rising and Light was shaking him gently, "Ryuzaki-kun, wake up, look at the sunrise."
L straightened up and yawned, rubbing his eyes and blinking in the morning light.
The top of the sun was rising over the ocean, colors bleeding across the sky in a beautiful spread of orange red and yellow. It looked like the ocean was on fire, and the water shone with the flames of the rising sun.
L had never seen such a spectacular sunrise in all his life, and it was fitting that it was the last one he'd see with Light. Turning to face Light, he blinked in surprise to see the lifeguard staring at him.
Light blushed at being discovered, "Sorry, but the colors on your skin…they're beautiful."
Beautiful? L had never been told that before. He would have scoffed if not for the look of wonderment on Light's face. Leaning forward, his heart leaping in his chest, L pressed his lips softly against Light's, running his fingers through his silky brown hair. It burned in his chest, and made the detective feel like he was floating and drowning all over again. A feeling seared under L's skin, making him gasp softly against Light's sweet lips, barely registering how he was pressed against the lifeguard. Then L drew away, his breathing quick and shallow.
Light stared at him, his lips parted slightly and a stunning red painted across his cheeks. His eyes were dark and the hair that L had been playing with stuck up at an odd angle.
"I have to go." L said quietly, sliding off Light's lap and descending towards the ground, leaving Light alone on his wooden throne. He set off towards the hotel, sand crunching under his feet.
"R-Ryuzaki!"
L turned, his eyes meeting with Light's.
A moment passed where nobody breathed, the rising sun bathing them both in bloody colors.
"Make sure not to be late tomorrow." Light called, "Or else!"
L smiled, "I wouldn't dream of it, Light-kun." He then set off, his step light and his heart feeling like it was made out of cotton candy.
When he arrived at the hotel room, he barely managed to slip in before Watari was up and about.
"Good morning, Master L. Did you sleep?"
"I did, Watari." L said, running his tongue over his lips. They tasted sweet, with a bit of ocean saltiness that made L's body tingle.
"I'm very glad. Remember, the car comes at two, so make sure you're ready to leave."
"I will, Watari." L replied absentmindedly, walking off to take a shower.
L stood once again under the shower, his mind whirling. He was anxious for tonight and dreaded it all the same. It might have been better if Light hadn't responded, if he'd shoved him away or acted disgusted. That way it wouldn't have hurt so much when L left tonight. But Light had told him to come back, he hadn't responded to the kiss, but he wanted him back. It made L feel like he was flying and being crushed at the same time. It was killing him. He wanted Light; he wanted to go to him tonight and take him in his arms and kiss the boy senseless. But after that he'd be ripped from Light's warm embrace and sent back to England with only his memories to keep him company. L had never met someone like Light in all his life, someone who was attractive mentally and physically, and liked L back.
How could he leave Light?
The answer was simple.
He had to because he was L, the world's greatest detective.