Dark Delicacies
Chapter Two: Sweet Delicacies
Light was steadily drifting out of consciousness. He would have gladly welcomed this sleep if it weren't for L snapping at his attention every ten minutes.
"This is unusual," L said, eyes scanning his monitor. He clasped hold of Light's cell between the tips of his fingers, typing in sequences to run the needed code traces and linking the various numbers to his computer. "Both were toll-free numbers, dialed from two separate locations. If you look at this map here on the screen, you can see your number was dialed from these locations: a park and outside a shopping center. Both are in fairly empty areas at this time of night." He broke away from the screen to glance over at Light. "Whoever is attempting to contact you is taking extreme measures to do so secretly and privately. Therefore, the next course of action I suggest we take is to bring Misa into this. What time is it?"
"Uh…," Raito blearily checked his watch, angling the glass towards the only light coming from the monitor. "After three."
L tossed the cell in Light's direction. Only by reflex did Light manage to catch it.
"Call her."
As if on impulse, Light flipped open the phone, but stopped short and closed it. "I doubt she'll be awake to pick up."
"I believe she will answer if it's from you."
"What do you want me to do?" Light asked. "Interrogate her right now over the phone?"
"No. Ask her to meet up with you someplace where we can talk. The last thing I want is for this call to be tapped."
Light set the phone on the desk. "I'll call in the morning."
"Why?"
"Because," Light began, pinching the bridge of his nose, trying to keep his countenance steady. He shook his head and shot a glare directed at L. "Normal people don't call other people at three a.m. to setup a date."
"Then don't make it a date. Quite honestly, Light-kun, I'm surprised you're not taking this matter more seriously."
L just wasn't going to rest, and despite being sleep-depraved, Light refused to play the weakest link in this clash between rivals. Gritting his teeth, he leaned forward and grabbed hold of the cell.
"Hold on," L said, "Hand me your phone again."
Light did as he was told and at once, L broke back the outer casing of the cell. He grabbed some separate wires and parts from a drawer and began meddling with the inner workings of the phone. Light watched him.
"A few watt resistors and ceramic capacitors," L told him as Light listened. He sped through the process and clamped shut the cell casing. "This way, your cell phone cannot be tapped. But just to be sure, I want the call brief as possible until we all can meet later."
Light rubbed his temple as the line began to ring. Currently his mind was on other matters, such as, was L trying to make him crack from these sleepless nights? Maybe if he slipped L a heavy sedative in his cake, then he could get a decent rest. The phone picked up.
"…Light-kun?!"
"Misa, this is an emergency. I need to see you."
"Of course! Misa's Raito is always welcome to visit."
"I realize it's late and this is short-notice. I'll make it up to you. Can you tell me where you're staying?"
"At the Shizuoka. I'll have someone come down to the lobby to meet you…and Light-kun, you and Misa better have a proper date soon! Now…just give Misa at least twenty minutes. I'll be ready for you."
Light disconnected the line. "We better get going," he said, handing the phone back to L, "The Shizuoka's at least an hour's way from here."
"I'll have Wakami send a car to drive us," L said, rising to his feet. The handcuffs tightened and Light was forced to follow him. He had decidedly given up on sleep for the night.
When they stepped outside, a car was parked out for them. Once in, L verified the details of their destination to their driver. Afterwards, he turned to Light and began to explain the reason for involving Misa in his investigation. The only reason for his incessant chatter, Light concluded, was because L didn't want Light to fall asleep on him. "You see," L continued, "I strongly believe that Misa knows this "unknown", whether she realizes it or not."
Light spoke up, "Why are you insistent on tracking this one caller?"
"This "unknown" is the serial murderer from earlier. I am 15 percent sure. No," L faced Light, "I am now 25 percent sure of it. And what is more, he is trying to contact the suspected Kira – and," L continued, cutting Light short from his word of denial, "Even if that is not the case, you cannot deny the fact that he is trying to come into contact with you, Light."
The car rolled through the city streets. Light leaned back, leaning his head against the corner of the window nearest his seat. He closed his eyes. As if dream had struck him suddenly, he imagined himself in an apple orchard, alone. What was he doing? That's right, he was eating apples. Red apples. As he dreamed, a plump, crisp apple fell from a branch. He imagined himself holding the apple in his hand, when the ground gave way, as if the ground had faded unexpectedly to air. His world spun as he fell back. He was falling…
There was a hand resting on his shoulder and L was shaken back to consciousness. "Are you okay?"
Raito tried to open his eyes. Though the lights in the car were dim, they gave him a blinding headache when he tried to focus. L was at his side, watching him, concerned. There was a weight on his forehead, Light realized. He lifted his hand and was surprised to touch a cool, damp cloth.
"You blacked out momentarily. Just rest a moment, Light-kun."
It was then Light noticed he wasn't leaning against the car window anymore like he last remembered, but was now on his back. His knees were bent so he could lie down properly, and soon he realized, he was lying in L's lap.
Aggravated and flushed, Raito pushed himself upright. The car doors were rolled down and the brisk, moving air disheveled his hair. It was embarrassing having to be seen this weak, but when he forced to sit forward he felt dizzy and hot, and L pressed a hand to his chest, urging him to lie back down. As if sensing Light's apprehension, L spoke to him, "It can be very dangerous to faint while sitting upright, so I moved you." He removed the wet cloth from his forehead and touched the back of his hand to his face. "You still feel cold."
"Let me up," Light insisted, but his voice sounded faint, "I feel fine."
"No. You think you're fine, but you're not. Lie down. We're still forty-minutes away from the Shizuoka. You can rest until then."
Light had no reason to fall asleep, so he thought. In fact, it was the last thing he wanted to do at that moment. He was fighting it, but slowly, lying in L's lap, he found himself comforted and drifted to sleep.
--
It was after four when L was tapping Light awake. "Here we are."
Light rubbed a palm against his temple. Despite going on an hour's night sleep, Light was surprised to find himself feeling wound up. It may had been his second wind kicking in, but Light felt well-awake for once and didn't question it. L dragged him out of the car and they headed into the front lobby of the Shizuoka.
The interior of the hotel was comfortable. There was lacquered, dark wood flooring and velvet lined furniture. A man working the early morning staff behind the main desks glanced in Light and L's direction when the two walked in. He stared at them momentarily, and Light wasn't surprised, for it couldn't be too often he saw two random guys walk in with handcuffs in the dead hours of dawn.
However before he could speak, a tall security man approached them. He must had been one of Misa's agents. "Miss Misa told me she would be expecting to see you, Yagami Raito."
Light nodded, "Yes. I'm afraid it concerns an urgent matter."
"Of course…if you would follow me upstairs," he turned to L, "And who are you, sir? I don't recall Miss Misa mentioning you."
"You must be mistaken," L confirmed, "For you see, Raito-kun is under twenty-four surveillance watch and must not leave my sight for any reason. I assure you, Misa is quite aware of all this."
"Let me verify that."
Shortly afterwards, Misa agreed to have both Light and L come into her room, though she was disheartened. When Light walked in to see her, her arms were crossed sourly. She stood, standing in a dark red corset, wearing matching panties. A see-through, pastel robe covered her loosely.
"I thought Misa and Light-kun would be alone," she dragged out, directing a hated glare towards L. "What's he doing here, pervert."
"I'm sorry Misa, it's regulation." Light stepped forward and raising his hand, clean from any chains, he caressed the back of neck and drew her into a gentle embrace. "It's not by my choice."
Misa closed her eyes and softened in Light's arm. "It's his fault," she shot, sending another hardened look in L's direction.
"Why am I being victimized here?" L asked.
"Excuse-me, but if there is anyone being victimized here, that would be Misa's Raito."
L tucked his hands in his jeans, "Misa, I need to ask you, have you shared Light's cell number with anyone lately?"
"Why do you ask?"
"A curious factor has come up in an investigation case, and I need your help to solve this. Now, have you, or not?"
"Of course not! Misa gave that number to Light and Light alone. Misa would never share that number with anyone else."
"Interesting. Then let me ask you this. Have you allowed anyone to borrow your cell phone recently, who is aware of your relationship with Light?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Misa," Light spoke, "It seems there's a murderer who wants to come into contact with me. We don't know why, but we need your help in this case. Now, is there anyone you know of that might have gotten hold of that number?"
"Um…" Misa trailed off, glancing towards the ceiling, "Now that you mention it…there was this guy."
L narrowed their distance, intrigued. "Go on."
She tossed her hair to the side. "Uhg, I can't remember him now, but it was a couple days ago during my photo shoot, and when I was done, I bumped into this random guy there. We both dropped our cell phones and we grabbed the other's without realizing we had picked up the wrong phone! But, I don't think he could've checked my contacts that fast. I mean, only five seconds later, I realized I had the wrong phone."
"I see." L turned back, "I suppose that means the only option we have left is for you, Light-kun, to answer this "unknown" call. You're an exploitive talker, I know, so we shall put that to the test," he looked towards Light, "We should go."
"Go!" Misa shouted, "You woke me up three in the morning for that! Gees, I could've told you all that over the phone!"
"Necessary measures," the detective told her, "And setting up this meeting was, indeed, helpful. I found out the information I needed. Misa, you're informed of this matter for a reason. I want you to keep an eye out for this same guy in the future. Now that you're aware of who we're looking for, I believe your memory will be sharper for the next time you experience something unusual."
Misa shrugged and shook her head, "You might as well stay till morning. I can even order breakfast for us later."
"Another time, Misa," Light said, "We have to be back to meet with our team in the morning."
"No wait," L spoke up, "I don't see the harm in staying for a few hours, until after breakfast."
"What's that?" Light asked.
"Yes. And besides, I am getting a little tired."
Light glared. "Now you say you're tired."
"You must be tired too yourself, Light-kun."
"No, I feel all right –,"
"Which is why!" Misa said, grabbing onto Raito's sleeve, "Light-kun will be staying with Misa tonight!"
"Not unless you want me to stay here too." L tugged the handcuffs back.
Misa clenched her teeth and yanked Raito's sleeve. "Honestly! For four hours?! Misa's Raito won't be doing anything naughty during that time."
"…why doesn't that reassure me?"
"Cause he'll have Misa to watch over him!"
"And how exactly will you do that?"
Misa blushed profusely and grabbed the nearest object she could get her hands on, which happened to be a pillow. She slapped L over the head with it. "You pervert!" she shouted, flustered.
Light sighed. These two could go at it for hours. "Okay, hold on –,"
"What?" L began, "I only asked you –,"
"Misa doesn't need to here it twice!"
"Misa," Light cut in. "I'll be here to see you first thing in the morning, but for the sake of Ryuusaki's investigation, I'm going to have to do go with him."
The girl propped her hands against her hips. "Fine," she said, defeated. "But only because Light-kun agrees to go." She followed them out. "Misa's agent can take you to your room."
On their way out, Light turned back to her, "Thanks, Misa."
"Yes, thank you," L told her, as if an afterthought.
Misa gave a quick "humph" before closing the door. Her agent led L and Light a few rooms down hers. He said nothing to the two while he walked with them, or even after he left.
The room was dark when they entered and immediately, Light began to feel tired. L flicked the switch on of a desk lamp. A faded light cast around the room. Even L looked tired, though with those chronic dark circles under his eyes, he always did, so it was hard for Light to tell.
Light hadn't even realized how tired he had been himself, and he lied down across the comforter, not bothering to turn down the sheets. L, on the other hand, crawled into bed beside him, turning down his half of the sheets. Light was close to falling asleep when L spoke to him.
"I forgot, Light-kun, could you turn off the lamp?"
Raito grumbled. "Why can't you do it?"
"Because you're the closest."
Reluctant to move, Light lifted an arm beneath his chest and pushed himself forward. He turned off the lamp and collapsed back into bed.
"…Light-kun?"
"What is it now, Ryuusaki," Light demanded, still facing away from him.
"…it's nothing."
Light ignored him, and shortly later, he was asleep.
--
It was a while before L found he could sleep at all. Moments after he heard Light's soft breaths, knowing he was deeply sleeping, L sat up, leaning into the pillows against the baseboard behind him. He turned his head, watching Light. He was always calm and so peaceful when he slept. Awake, Raito always looked so calculative and cold, but at night, it all went away. In a sense, he reminded L much of himself.
Slowly, L lowered himself, gently crunching the bedding under him. He reached towards Light, hand hovering over his head, and quietly, he brushed Light's hair back. Light never broke a breath, never stirred, as L leaned in, and kissed him.
He smelled so sweet.
A/N: …and the plot thickens. Oh, it hasn't even begun to get complicated yet, lol.
I just wanted to thank my readers and give a big thanks to all my reviewers, bang on the head, Proudin, and Nightwing Gurl for the wonderful comments! I love to read all reviews – the good and the bad, so please review! If you're a fanfic author, you know how exciting it is to receive reviews from your readers. :)