Chapter 2

the Courtship of a Genius and a Nimrod

It turned out that his father did want to talk to him about Matsuda, and… other, less important things. Less important to Light, that is, who already had all the knowledge on everything his somewhat mortified father wanted to talk about. Of course, Soichiro wanted to talk about relationships, and everything that went along with them—love, commitment, emotions, and sex.

Light had been, thankfully, raised by a progressive family. Sure, his father was the stereotypical tough, stoic family man and sole bread winner, and his mother the counterpart little housewife. But the values his parents espoused were not outdated in the least. They supported equality in all ways, including sexual orientation. It was made clear to Light from an early age that whatever his orientation turned out to be, his family would accept and support unconditionally. And so his father sat him down in his office with a handful of pamphlets and books on safe sex. Specifically, safe sex between men.

Light had been dreading this day for many years. He had yet to receive the full sex talk, as busy as his father had been with the Kira case from the time he was in high school—a few attempts were made here and there by both parents when schedules permitted, but the full disclosure had yet to go down.

Light steeled himself, prepared for every mortified, squeamish, patient, and exasperated face he would have to make to get through this. At least he didn't have a damn banana and condom in sight…

… … … Line Break … … …

The date came and Light played the part of an excited yet bashful date expertly. Always punctual, he arrived ten minutes early to the café. He dressed as he always did—perfectly. Some nice slacks that were a little less formal than he wore for work, and a light blue button-up that had the sleeves carefully turned back to the crook of his elbow. He sat, waiting patiently for Matsuda. He knew the man would be late. Probably between 3.5 and 7 minutes. Various predictions ran through his head to pass the time. He'd probably mismatch his clothes at least a little. May even forget a clothing item—probably a sock.

He was just thinking over the possibility that Matsuda would bring him a mangled flower when he saw someone very familiar, and not entirely unaccounted for. Sayu. His dear little sister was perched on a park bench opposite the café, opening a magazine to hide behind. Too late. Nosy little sneak. He briefly wondered if he should call her cellphone and scare the life out of her when someone else decided to join the little spy game. Aizawa casually walked into a shop behind Sayu's bench. He hid behind a mannequin. Light squinted out the side of his eye, sipping from his cup of coffee. That was one more person than he expected to spy on his date. Nothing to be worried about, though.

Matsuda was officially 3 minutes late. He chanced a look down the street—what was- oh. Oh, wow. Mogi and Ide. Dressed in their civvies and walking a dog. Seriously? Light had to stop from laughing, his nostrils flaring from the effort. These people were almost cute.

The bell of the café tinkled. Light's head whipped around, hair spinning in a bronze fan. "S-sorry I'm late Light-kun!" Correction: his snooping team wasn't anywhere near cute—this ridiculous man was.

Matsuda shuffled over to Light, 4 minutes late and dressed in wrinkled clothes. He must have chosen that outfit first, tore it off and tried on at least 3 others before giving up and putting it back on. His green striped polo matched his tan pants well enough, his watch was on the right wrist, both socks were present and matching. His hair was even combed, having tried to tame his cowlick. Ah, there it was. Black shoes and brown belt. Hm. He was rather looking forward to a battered little flower. Oh. Matsuda thrust out a small clover at him, already wilting.

Light's eyebrows lifted in genuine surprise. "What's this, Matsuda-kun?" he asked softly, reaching out for the small clover. Matsuda blushed harder. It was worth noting that the man had already been a delicate shade of pink on entering the café, so the coloring he had now was even more pronounced. The poor man would die of heatstroke by the end of the date, Light thought wryly.

"Ah, that!" Matsuda laughed, edging on a nervous giggle, and slid into the seat opposite Light, "I was going to bring you a flower, but then I thought it would be a little silly, you know?" Light smiled and nodded slightly. "So I was looking at the ground, and there I saw the most perfect clover! It's so symmetrical, and small, and even though it's not a four-leaf one, I thought…" Matusda averted his gaze, obviously embarrassed and overwhelmed by this date.

Matusda's thoughts were easy to read. To date someone so seemingly perfect must be a horrifying and wondrous feeling, especially when you're so ordinary. Matsuda was questioning himself, this date, everything. He didn't think he was worth Light's time of day. While those feelings were beneficial to Light in some ways, they were getting in the way right now—best to start chipping away at them.

Light gently spread out the curling leaves on the table, drawing Matsuda's attention back to him. It was an ordinary clover. Nothing extraordinary. Three leaves, green and all relatively the same size. Not special at all.

"It's special," Light said quietly. Matsuda's head jerked up to meet Light's eyes. They were beautiful as always, but soft, amused and sincere, "because it's from Matsuda-kun, and he always does things from his heart. That's something about him I value greatly." Matsuda's flush was like an explosion of red heat, but he smiled a free, wide smile and laughed happily.

The ice was broken, and the date proceeded naturally, observed by little cupid-wannabees.

… … … Line Break … … …

The aftermath of the date was positive, if a bit exhausting. Having to retell a story so many times to a circle of people can only be endured for so long. He swore, if his sister asked him one more time about Matsuda's hair he would call her out on her spying.

Matsuda most likely loved the attention, though. He could picture him now, grinning sheepishly and ducking his head as Aizawa asked him to retell his now famous 'clover' gift. The ritual they both found themselves in of reporting and rapporting about their date with loved ones would be very beneficial for a man who at once doubted himself, craved acceptance, and trusted the opinions of those close to him. While Light only found it tedious to politely mimic the enthusiasm of his family and friends, Matsuda was feeding off of it like the extrovert he was. They were reinforcing him and his role in their relationship. Such good little soldiers.

… … … Line Break … … …

It was admittedly uncomfortable to go back to work after the first date. They were trying out the waters—well, Light was moreso leading Matusda into the deep end—and while their co-workers were excited and happy, they were also… awkward. There was no other word for it. It was weird to have two of your friends dating, even when you really wanted them together. It was natural, though, and they would get used to it with time, just as they had gotten used to Light's crush on Matsuda.

"Mm." Mogi motioned discreetly to Ide, "look at that, sitting with their knees nearly touching. It's so sweet—but is it office appropriate?"

Ide squinted over at the couple. What was he talking about? Oh, yes, he supposed they were sitting closer than usual. But, then again, Aizawa was sitting just as close to the chief. "Mogi," Ide sighed, "they're not even touching, see? I say, as long as they're not groping each other in the middle of the room in full view of everyone, they're fine."

Mogi frowned and pursed his lips. He did not agree, evidently. "But what if... they start getting more affectionate?"

Ide shuttered his eyes, taking a deep breath. Mogi was so old-fashioned it almost hurt him. "Look," he said at length, "they're going to… you know, get more affectionate. They're in a relationship, and that's kind of what happens. But Light's never been anything but professional at work, and I think Matsuda's too shy to go around dry-humping Light in the office." Mogi didn't blush, but his frown did turn into a grimace.

"Like I said," Ide went on, motioning Mogi back to their work, "I'm fine as long as they're not going bananas on the coffee table."

Twelve feet away, Light gently let his knee brush Matsuda's.

… … … Line Break … … …

PDA. Ugh. Perhaps the most embarrassing part of this plan. Not that he was opposed to physical affection, no—he rather liked it, and looked forward to it.

But slowly building up the touches, brushes, and little acts that needed to be done to build their relationship in the eyes of those around them? A little tedious, and a lot embarrassing.

Light may be a god, but he also had a Dad, and when he had to slide his hand along Matsuda's arm or have Matsuda swoop down and peck him a kiss before leaving the office in front of said Dad … yeah, no, he was not enjoying this part of the play. But he had to. He had to let the others know how their relationship was progressing from more than their words alone; he had to show them. People tended to believe their eyes more than their ears.

Their reactions could be amusing. His dad seemed torn on whether to be happy to see them being a happy and healthy couple, or tear them apart and forbid them to ever touch each other again. Typical fatherly reaction, but amusing nonetheless.

Light had honestly been expecting Ide to be the biggest pervert for all the 'love' he talked about. He was a pervert in his own right, absolutely—the innuendos never ceased with that man. He probably had a betting pool on when they'd have sex(Light was now nearly 78% sure he did, and 100% sure Sayu did as well). But the big surprise was Aizawa.

Aizawa… was a little bit perverted. Probably. Just a little. He watched a little too intently when Matsuda's hands roamed down his back when Light gave him a hug. And he watched them… a lot. Nothing close to depraved or jealous or 'cheat on his wife' level… just a slightly unsettling perviness. Light didn't often doubt himself, but he did wonder if Aizawa was maybe having some fatherly urges to push them apart, or if he was truly was a perv. Light may never know, and he was a little afraid to find out if he was honest with himself.

Mogi tended to be a little contradictory. He thought they were cute until they actually touched. They'd be perfectly fine, working next to each together, computer chairs an inch away. Then one of them would dare to put their hand on the other's knee or tuck a hair behind the other's ear- and he'd quietly lumber over, coughing politely and maneuvering himself until he had effectively, and wordlessly, separated them. He was like a moving boulder; quiet, unstoppable, and really big. "Can't a man hold hands with his boyfriend?" Matsuda had once grumbled at him, only to receive a serious "Not during work" in response.

… … … Line Break … … …

Time. Light planned so far ahead and kept diligent track of it and his many interconnecting plans. And now he had to make time for Matsuda, time for romance to bud and bloom. This was perhaps the hardest part, but perhaps the most fun.

Dates came and went. Light gently prodded Matsuda toward days he was off and things he'd like to do the next few times, as shy as Matsuda was about asking Light on dates, until the man could finally start asking Light on his own. And he did come up with some good dates; the carnival, a nice wine-tasting, and even a book-signing event were particularly nice.

But the dates Light liked most were the transitory ones. The ones that led from official, designated "dates" to more natural, happenstantial ones that were less dates and more time spent together. It was a sign that they were moving from a dating to an item, that their relationship was maturing from puppy love into something bigger.

"Matsuda," Light questioned from where he sat on Matsuda's couch, "what do you want to do tonight?" It was a Friday night, and they had just gotten off work.

Matsuda answered from behind his bedroom door where he was changing out of his work clothes, "Ahhhh, I dunno, what do you want to do Light?"

Light shifted more comfortably on the couch. Matsuda's apartment was small, but damn was it ever comfy—a lot like Matsuda, actually. "Eh," Light answered noncommittally, "I'm a little tired, not really up to going out."

Matsuda emerged from his bedroom, barefoot and in a pair of sweats and loose shirt. He'd become so much more at ease with Light compared to the bundle of nerves he'd been in their first weeks together. Light was proud of his work on the man; he was still near-reverent of Light, but he was now comfortable with him.

Matsuda lifted Light's feet off the cushions and plopped down, resting them back on his lap. "Hm," he pondered, absently patting Light's ankle, "well, I think there was a movie on tonight. The one about the monsters that scare kids for electricity?"

"Monster's Inc," Light supplied, "Yeah, I haven't seen that in a long time. Want to watch it?"

"Sure."

"Mm, you might cry at the ending, though."

"We'll see."

Light pulled slowly away, eyes half-lidded and mouth soft. Matsuda leaned forward, sucking his bottom lip back in. They melded back into the couch cushion. A hand gripped his waist firmly, warm and secure. Light's legs twitched around Matsuda's hips where he straddled him. The redness in his face didn't need to be artificially forced. Matsuda made an art of making-out.

AN: Well, it only took me 4.6 billion years, but here is the second chapter! Hope you like it, I really am not very good at writing, it feels all stilted and wrong-worded. But, ah, here you go. No beta, so who knows how many mistakes there are? One? & trillion? The world may never know. Next chapter I want to incorporate more of the Yagamis and, eh, I'm not sure when the smut will come, but come it will. ;D