Sweet Tooth

Chapter Two: Closing

Weak and gentle sounds were still making themselves known even as the long drawn-out day had come to a peaceful nightfall. Soft talking, quiet chatter, and the distinctive issuing of many others closing their innocent conversations while heading off to further destinations. A calming silence quickly replacing these new formalities that the boy who was listening in was becoming rapidly used to.

Amber coloration hid itself as their possessor closed them softly, allowing his other senses to take complete control of the state of peace he was experiencing. Yes, a peaceful and stress-free instant that would last just that short and just that long.

My world.

Cautiously, he gave his mind temporary admission to wander into those dreamlike states that would, sooner or later, become a perfect reality. Reality meaning his world and his reign that would bring society to its knees and then raise it up to being a brilliant civilization. A world where this peace and silence would be the only thing that would occupy each individual's mind.

An ideal world.

Once lively and glistening eyes reopened to expose their cloudy and murky depth. Hints of darkness that never left them even when their owner willed it to lurk below the surface, began to show a new essence of listlessness. A sense that most would think to be somewhat evil or demonic was merely being caused by the only image that could now reflect in his eyes. The hunched over shape of the boy who sat on the floor beside him.

"Maybe this one?"

Dull, unfeeling eyes grew back to their picture perfect act, amber overwhelming them once more when the boy heard the muffled whisper of his opposite. No, maybe it hadn't been a simple whisper but rather his usual deep tone…For Yagami Light, however, it was always nothing but a weak and pathetic whimper.

"This one."

The duo exchanged a simple glance before returning to examine the scattered electronic pieces that still covered a large portion of the room. Bits and parts Watari had brought to them hours ago were still found to be unassembled and almost challenging when looking for which cable went to what item.

"It looked easy to set up at headquarters."

The younger of the two gave a dissatisfied chuckle at how ridiculous the situation was…Maybe it was for that reason or maybe (and most likely) it was because of the horrible predicament he had talked his way into. His words and actions that had blindly led him into allowing his foe to live with him. Yes, that was that reason he laughed at his own stupid actions…and the thoughts that he was now forced to play both parts, making small talk and yet remaining as an enigma.

"Yes well I would have had Watari set it up but I'm afraid after we had brought everything in…there was no room to get through."

"So Watari is the one who sets up all your equipment?" He choked out.

"No," he traced the floor with his fingertips until feeling the plate of cake behind him, "but he's very knowledgeable when it comes to this sort of thing."

Slowly, L's skillful hands maneuvered themselves to twist around the rim of the plate, grasping it lightly as he brought it to sit between him and his younger friend. Small glints of light beaming off the fork before he placed a large bit of the frosted good into his mouth.

Light watched this unusual behavior that he had become accustomed to seeing whenever he was around the older male. His odd little mannerisms of eating endless amounts of sweets, hunching himself over, and occasionally giving a look of disgust as he obviously thought about Kira…A look Light loved to see as he would often compliment his way of deceiving others so easily.

"It's unfortunate that we don't have a television set up, we could see if the Second Kira has killed any of the shown criminals today." His black eyes narrowed towards the opposite boy.

"Second Kira?"

"Yes I've determined that it's more than likely that Kira has spoken to the second and instructed them to perform the killings." He frowned.

He smiled, "How would you know that?"

Damn him, he's just saying this under the assumption that I'm Kira. How else could he know that? If I wasn't Kira than it would be impossible…Kira wouldn't stop killing if I was under suspicion.

"Like I said it's only 'more than likely'…But many criminals that have died recently only had their face shown. If Kira does not have that power to use only a face than it's the Second Kira."

"Yeah you're right and after we received that last message about the Second Kira no longer wanting to pursue the first, it's obvious that they've met. The second only had a concern for meeting Kira, he wouldn't suddenly stop."

I might be tying my own noose but if I don't act like I'm concerned or if I play dumb, he's only going to get more curious.

"Yes and until we get any leads on Kira, we'll have to start an investigation on the second." He took another bite of the baked good.

"How though? All we know is that they've met and that the second also lives in Japan, that's not much to go on." He bit his lip.

He's going to start looking at all the people I've been in contact with…If mom or Sayu slips up about Misa…

His golden-brown eyes suddenly snapped him back from thought when realizing the familiar pair of onyx ones were staring at him. Hollow darkness seeping further into him without any sign of letting go, his own amber eyes almost trembling when understanding they couldn't look away. They couldn't let go of that glare…but why?

"What is it?" He dared to ask.

An empty silence was given even as the older male leaned in closer to his somewhat bewildered "roommate". His deep eyes watching carefully, searching his opposite partner's with great care, and leaning in even further.

"Tell me Yagami-kun, does it bother you that I'm here?" He stopped just before touching the younger boy's face with his own.

Kira, of course it does…But will you admit that?

"It…"

Hesitantly, he managed to look away from the man who had been keeping his eyes in a captive stare. His messy bangs clouding his face when trying to discover exactly what he needed to say. Maybe that it didn't really bother him? No. No, that would seem too odd after he had protested living with someone else. But if he said it did, what then?

"It does bother me."

Amber returned to stare into the dark abyss that remained in a state of curiosity. The two clashing against the other as both wondered about the true outcome of the question as well as the answer that worried them.

For the elder, he was honestly surprised that his suspect would admit to his feelings though his reasons for his response would obviously be very different than what he was seeing as the truth. In his mind, Yagami Light/Kira didn't want him to be there simply because he was afraid of being found out, caught, charged, and executed…life in prison at best. Yes, if it was determined that Light was in fact their killer than this was his future and his reason for not wanting any other person being around him.

The younger boy, who had the full intention of coming up with some excuses as to why it irritated him, already knew these simple truths considering it would have been the exact things he would be thinking if he were L. However, because of this intelligent advantage, he was able to easily avoid the actual reason why he didn't want Ryuga/Ryuzaki/L near him. It was horrible enough that he had to experience his "company" during meetings but now he was sharing a home with his enemy! Naturally Kira wouldn't want that…

"Why does it bother you?" He questioned the apparent.

Slowly, he put on a convincing frown, "You think I'm Kira. I don't want to live with someone who thinks I'm a killer."

His elder companion allowed a saddened look of his own to cross his mouth, "Why did you let me move in then?"

"Because I'm not Kira and if you live here then you'll see that I'm not." He lied.

L pressed his lip, "…I had cameras installed in your house at one time."

Secretly, the student had already known about the surveillance cameras that had been placed in almost every small corner of his home. His false clues that led a normal person to see that he didn't want anyone in his room had been just that-false clues. In reality it had been the broken lead piece and his door handle being set horizontally that allowed him to realize that his bedroom was rigged. And of course with his death god he was able to know how many cameras there were and how he could avoid them.

Still, keeping up his "believable" act, Light widened his eyes in shock, his mouth dropping open slightly as he let a small sigh of disbelief elapse.

"There were cameras?"

"Yes and although you did nothing out of the ordinary, I didn't expect Kira to. Even by living with you I don't expect you to slip." He frowned.

"I see…So if I was Kira, you don't think I'd mess up?"

"It's possible that you will but I highly doubt it."

"You said you wanted to live with me so we could exchange theories on Kira but you really want to see if I am Kira…But if you don't think I'll do something incriminating, why are you really here?"

"I…I'm here to solve this case. That's all."

A deafening silence quickly overpowered the short distance between the duo. An eerie, tightening, closing sensation that both were experiencing in their own ways. The black haired man could only wonder why the opposite was concerned about his reason for being there. It had been made obvious that he wanted to solve this case whether it turned out that this was his killer or that they discovered who was really behind it all. Still…it was true that he didn't really believe that Light would fall victim to one of his mind games…so how did he intend to find him out?

The student held the quietness closely as he had his own struggle with the very things the detective was curious about. Why was he asking such stupid questions? He was practically digging his own grave at this rate! He knew very well why L was there and what had to be done in order to keep him in limbo about who was a murderer and who he could trust. His mind had already discovered this before he even gave him an answer about living with him…Why did he ask?

"Yagami-kun?"

"Maybe I'm just sulking about not being able to live alone." He sighed.

"…You are right though…If I wanted to catch you doing something, this probably wasn't the best way. I can leave."

It would give him an advantage if I did…However if he is Kira he will be eager to see me go…But if he is not then he may still feel relieved that he can have his own space.

"No. I don't want you to leave…"

Both boys let a personal sense of surprise overwhelm them for a mere instant. The duo going into a split second of analysis when anticipating the other's next move.

"I don't want you to leave because then you'll always wonder what I'm doing alone. At least this way, I can show you I'm not Kira…You won't take it as innocence but I'll be able to give myself peace of mind."

""I don't want to live with someone who thinks I'm a killer."" He quoted him.

Light gave a shallow sigh before unconsciously fumbling with the black cord that remained in his gentle grasp. His eyes tracing the limp strand when his mind began formulating a rather simple way to end this bitter yet weak battle.

"If we live together then maybe you'll change your mind about me. I like you, Ryuzaki and I'd feel better if I gained your trust."

Suddenly, a loud crackling snap was echoed throughout the confined area. L's warm hands being placed over Light's as he clicked one of the colored wires into the one his partner held. A smile stretching along his mouth from his sudden realization on how the system of wires connected.

"I'll be staying here then."

Light remained motionless for a moment before he almost jerked away from the other person, his body moving back carefully as he stood up.

"I'm…"

What's wrong with me?

"I'm going to go get some fresh air."

A surprised Ryuzaki cocked his head in curiosity, leaving it there even as his fellow detective headed out the front door. His heavy footsteps being heard going down the staircase before vanishing from earshot.

Shallow yet heavy breaths were taken in from the windy night air. Deep intakes of sweet cherry blossoms that accented the university that was built nearby, smells of rain on the horizon, and an immense scent of cake that remained on his being even after he had left the cramped apartment.

"I've never seen you run before."

The human tilted his head back, relaxing his shoulders and aching muscles before looking up at the ominous shinigami beside him. Again he was pierced by those yellow eyes that stared down at him with eagerness, anxiety, and anticipation.

"I wasn't running, he caught me off guard." He countered.

"Looked like you were scared…Maybe because you like him." He laughed hysterically at his own joke.

Light frowned, "You really think I like him? I told you before that I'd accept his friendship if he wanted to give it to me."

He chuckled, "What his "trust"?"

"I need him to trust me, I doubt he'll give it up any time soon but once he does…that will be his downfall."

"Oh?"

"Yeah…," he reached into his pocket, removing the cell phone he kept secretly to contact Misa, "speaking of that…as long as L isn't listening in…"

"You're going to call Amane? I thought you couldn't."

Amber eyes ignored the odd look he was being given as he scrolled the list of false numbers he had placed in the phone until he found the blonde's. His finger gently tapping the 'send' key as it began ringing.

"I couldn't call her before because I never knew where L was or if he had somehow kept the microphones in my house. He doesn't know I have a second cell phone though which means he couldn't have tapped it and I've been watching him all day, there's no microphones or cameras around here."

"Light-kun?!"

He sighed, "Yeah it's me."

"Oh I'm so glad you called, I was starting to worry about you."

"Yeah…Misa, listen to me very carefully. You can't go to my house anymore, I moved out but you can't come here either."

"What? You moved? But how will I be able to find you when we need to be together?" She whimpered.

"I'll tell you where I am when I can but not now. Just stay away and keep doing what I instructed, if you come here you'll be in danger." He stayed calm.

"You're protecting me! That's so…Oh Light thank you for being worried!" She giggled.

"…Also I want you to slowly start killing criminals whose names and faces are shown. Understand?"

"Of course, I'll do whatever you want."

"Okay, I have to go now. I'll call when I can."

Misa's high-pitched voice was cut off as the call was ended, the small device going black when its user turned it off.

"Well that's taken care of…But…"

"If Amane is going to be killing, what are you going to do?" Ryuk chuckled.

"For now nothing…I can't see Misa for any reason but pretty soon I'm going to have to start looking for someone else to hide the Death Note for me."

A/N: Little more contact between the two, aw feelings develop in such…ways. Please review.