White Lies
Part Three

The rowdy bar was in full volume as Matsuda looked around for the two men who had gone missing a while ago. It was a little after half-time when they left, and the game was now in the final quarter. Sayu obviously picked up on this:

"L probably went back home, I know he was planning on hanging out with that roommate of his tonight. Raito's either wandering or bored with us," Sayu's explained, "they're probably done for the night."

Matsuda nodded, "I haven't seen Near in a long time, I wonder what he's been up to."

"I don't know either. L talks about him a lot, but Near never wants to come and hang out with us. It kind of bums me out," Matt joined into the conversation, "I used to see him so much, but now L doesn't really hang out with him."

"Well, it's good they're getting time together," Sayu nodded, "and back to the game!"

Raito and L made a stop at a drive-through Starbucks and drove back to Raito's apartment. L had been the one in the driver's seat, since Raito was mildly intoxicated (another recent bad habit he'd picked up). The coffee would have normally helped sober him up, but when they got back to his home, he grabbed a bottle of Captain Morgan.

They passed through the doorway and took a seat on the couch in front of the TV. L sipped his mocha (to which he had added a sickening amount of sugar) and Raito used his latte as a chaser. L had assumed from previous impressions Raito was a classy guy, but little things he did, like this, made him more and more intriguing.

"Here, you pick something," Raito slid him the control, "Since I trust you and your taste."

L pressed the TV on button and waited for it to fade in, grabbing the pastry he had also gotten.

At that moment, L couldn't multi-task, and Raito decided not to waste any time and snatched the remote back, turning it to a made-for-TV movie for the time being.

"Is your 'latte' good?" L smiled and gestured to the Captain Morgan.

"Good, but gone," Raito sighed and sat back in the chair.

"The latte?"

"The rum."

"Nice work, you're efficient," L couldn't help but laugh. After only knowing him for two days, L knew Raito could hold his alcohol. Even before that, he had heard rumors of his party animal behavior (at least in the few years of college he had managed to stick with).

"I have some vodka in the next room, you want a mixed drink or something?"

L rolled his eyes, "I think you're under the impression I'm a woman and I would want a mixed drink in the first place."

"No, I just think you have special tastes."

They both curled up on the couch, pulling a knit blanket from Raito's grandmother on top of them, and continued channel surfing.

"Go back!" L instructed.

"Cash Cab?" Raito rolled his eyes.

"Don't try to tell me you don't like game shows. Look, it's a marathon! That means I'll spend the night watching this," L leaned in and grabbed the glass of water Raito brought out when he previously brought out the Captain Morgan. "You feeling it yet?"

"What?"

"The alcohol."

"Uh," Raito looked around the room, "not really. OK well... yeah, a little bit."

"Raito-kun's cute when he's intoxicated," L's words were casual.

Still, it sparked Raito's interest. "Cute, huh?"

"Yeah, like a chick, or puppy or something," L wanted to see where Raito's mind was.

"I'll go with puppy. As long as it's something badass like a husky," Raito took the controller and disregarded L's TV choice. Instead he flipped to his own guilty pleasure that was the Real World/Road Rules challenge and looked to the TV.

It was in the middle of a challenge when they tuned in, and the action drew both Raito and L into the show and away from the other. It was a season Raito had seen back when it aired, but the marathon was a treat to catch. Raito didn't want to admit it, but he also became very excited when a marathon of America's Next Top Model was on, ever since he watched it with his sister. That was something that would remain a secret until he died.

When a girl fell into the water, Raito laughed a lot longer than he should have which proved to L the alcohol was soaking into his blood stream.

L's fingers were hesitant to hover over Raito's hand, but he didn't have to think, Raito grabbed onto it. They didn't make eye contact - they kept watching the show. Even if they were watching, that didn't mean L wasn't focusing on the warm touch of Raito's hand. L leaned over and placed a kiss on his jawbone.

Raito closed his eyes and felt L's kisses move along his jaw line, to his ear, and then skip to his lips. Raito turned his body and brought up a hand to cup L's face. The older man gently sucked on Raito's bottom lip, and allowed himself to be pulled onto Raito's lap.

However, when Raito pulled him, it wasn't to a seated position, it was to a straddle. This was another thing L found endearing - the way Raito took advantages of situations.

L wrapped an arm around the back of Raito's neck as he settled on top of him - one leg bent, one stretched along Raito's body. Raito took a deep breath when he felt the older man's erection grind into his thigh.

"So if you kiss on the first date, how far do you go on the second one?" Raito asked with a wicked grin.

"I wasn't even aware we've been on dates," L languidly licked the shell of his ear, "I guess my morals are warped, or something."

"I don't know why you saying that turns me on," Raito giggled and reached up to press their lips together, "I shouldn't say that. Everything about you turns me on."

L's whimper was audible as he felt Raito's hand untuck the fabric of his shirt and slip inside his jeans. Raito wasn't bothering with the zipper just yet, because he loved to tease and give just enough to drive him crazy. He ran his fingers over the length and wrapped his hand around it right under the head. L tried to grind into Raito's hand from the awkward angle - Raito's touch smearing the pre-cum was sending shivers down his spine. It was so ironic - the following night they were across the room watching one of the worst films ever made, hardly being introduced to each other, and now L was straddling Raito, whose hand was down his pants.

"As much as I love making out on the couch listening to MTV in the background, I would love to move this little 'date' into Raito-kun's bedroom," L moaned as Raito continued to tease with his fingertips.

"I didn't even think this was a date," he mocked, pulling his hand out of L's pants.

L stepped off the couch and reached to help him up. The second Raito was on his feet was the second they were wrapped in each other's arms and kissing madly again. They couldn't manage four steps toward the bedroom before Raito shoved L hard against the hallway wall. They only broke their kiss for a moment - Raito tore L's shirt off and pinned him again.

The friction between their hips was overpowering until L spoke up, "You don't have much self-control, do you?"

"If I remember correctly, you were the one who made the first move tonight," Raito reminded, and pulled him away from the wall, "If you're having second thoughts, remember you were the one who suggested the bedroom."

"I did," L licked his lips suggestively, "because I get what I want, and I want Raito-kun."

Raito could feel his whole body pulse at those words. This wasn't the L he had spotted for the first time at a party. Even so, he didn't waste another moment and finished the walk, opened the door, and threw L down onto the bed. He climbed on top and met his hot passionate lips with equal spark.

"You move fast," Raito commented, and unbuttoned the man's pants, "My first impression was definitely wrong."

L sat up and grabbed Raito's face, tangling his fingers in Raito's dark hair, "You make me move fast. You better not stop."

"You're going to make me go crazy," Raito shook his head, taking in a deep breath and looked into L's eyes.

"Interesting concept," L grinned and grinded against the man's hips, "I think I'd enjoy that."

"It's gonna happen," Raito winked, "and it's gonna happen right now."

Near sat in the kitchen, nursing a cup of hot tea when he looked down at a missed call and a voicemail. He didn't even need to look to see who it was - he knew. As soon as he listened, his suspicions were confirmed - it was L and he wasn't coming home. He took in a deep breath and swished the tea bag around in the cup.

He missed who he looked up to like a brother, and as close as they had been through the years, they had been falling apart. L went through the motions, making sure he was content and tried to say all the right things, but nothing was like it used to be. The only time Near had been around L was between two and five o'clock in the afternoon. He would wake up, either at home or god knows where, eat something at their house, shower, and leave to do whatever it was he did at night.

It was just another disappointment, every time they tried to plan something and L acted like he cared, something else came up that was more important.

That's what hurt.

In the past, Near and L could always find something entertaining to do, just the two of them, and now it seemed like he was a hassle for L to be around. L may only see Near as a person he needed to appease, and Near hated it.

He deleted the message immediately - he didn't want to hear the rejection again. He'd thought about taking matters into his own hands and telling L how much he hated it and figure out just what was wrong between them, but he had a guess as to what it was and would rather live in ignorance.

Near didn't let the phone out of his hands. He typed in a quick text for someone he knew would have been at the game with L. He didn't want to know everything, but he wanted to make sure his brother was all right, since he didn't want to call himself.

As they were walking out of the bar, Matsuda looked down to grab his cell phone from his coat pocket.

I hope you guys have fun tonight, tell L I'm working all day tomorrow, so I can't make him lunch.

Matsuda frowned as he read the message and turned to Sayu on his right, "I wonder where L went, he's not hanging out with Near."

Sayu sighed and shook her head, "He left with Raito, right? Let's not mention this to anyone, especially Misa. I'll talk to Raito first."

He knew the girl was right and wrote Near back quickly, it was for the best:

Thanks! We'll have a good time. I'll dedicate a beer to you, deal? And L is bummed because he was looking forward to beef stroganoff tomorrow.

Matsuda flipped his phone shut and exchanged glances with Sayu, both having an idea about what was going on.

"I'll see him tomorrow afternoon. Then I'll have a little chat with him," Sayu hung back with Matsuda for a second to finish, "he shouldn't be hanging around with L. I don't want anything bad to happen. I feel really bad for Near."

"We should really get him to come and hang out with us. You have to wonder what that kid does by himself. At least L can geek out and find something to do, but Near really makes me wonder," Matsuda noted and then added, "We should catch up with the guys!"

After the game, the men headed back to Matt's house to play video games and have a party, regardless of Sayu's classes the next morning. While Matsuda normally held back, he decided to go all out, and got ridiculously crazy. He turned a normal game of Mario Kart into strip Mario Kart, and he was the only player.

Near sat at home reading a book and filled his mentor, Watari, in on the phone about what was going on in his life. When he asked about L, Near's voice faltered, but continued about a project he was involved in that 'took up most of his life.' He also discussed how he had become more social and Near didn't see him a lot. While Watari thought that was a good advancement, since L was unusually reclusive, Near wasn't going to be the one to argue because he hated it. They ended on a good note - discussing how one of their friends go a promotion and was able to afford the plasma TV he had been wanting.

All, however, were wondering where exactly L had wound up that night.

Around eleven o'clock, Raito woke with a dull throbbing in the back of his head while curled up on his right side. He wasn't sure if this morning would be awkward. He was reminded of everything that happened last night when he felt another person next to him stir.

That night had been a long time coming considering the lack of relationships he had lately, and he was very pleased this morning. He figured L wouldn't be uncomfortable, because he had been completely sober and willing. He was a little more than willing - he had practically begged for it.

Raito scooted closer to L and asked quietly, "Are you still asleep?"

L took a deep breath and rolled onto his back, eyes still closed, "Yep."

"I haven't slept that good in a while, I like having you here," Raito grinned and rubbed L's shoulder.

The man finally opened his eyes, "Yes?"

"Yes, sir. You make quite the body pillow."

"Are you calling me fat?" L asked with faux shock.

Raito laughed, "No way. Just saying you're warm, and soft, and comfy."

L raised an eyebrow, "I haven't been told that before."

"You're just one of the skinny people you hate," Raito stuck out his tongue, "because we skinny people have feelings too."

"What are you talking about? Sometimes Raito-kun is very strange."

"I just get weird bursts of energy in the mornings," Raito explained helpfully and flicked the tip of L's nose with his finger, "And despite being a little hung over, I'm pretty content."

"I'm content too. Especially with our performance last night."

"Such modesty," Raito kissed him, but closed-lipped, because he was afraid of his morning breath. He knew since he had been drinking the night before it would be rancid, "I admit you were pretty good."

"You're not bad yourself," L smirked and stayed tucked into the covers while slowly sneaking on top of the other man, "the real test is if you're that good when you're sober. It's very different having sex with a drunk man and a sober man."

"You wanna test this?" Raito raised an eyebrow as L straddled his lap, "You're a horny bastard, aren't you?"

"Not necessarily, I just enjoy morning sex," L pulled Raito's shirt over his head.

"And nighttime sex taking advantage of drunk men," Raito teased.

"And hot tub sex, rough sex, elevator sex, kitchen counter sex, phone sex, hardwood floor sex, role-play sex, bathroom sex, outdoor sex, and sometimes bondage sex," L grinned, "I win."

Raito admitted defeat, "Checkmate. Horny bastard."

L kissed his neck and mumbled in a way that sent shivers down Raito's spine, "Raito-kun gets me off better than anyone else can. And I want it again."

"Damn," Raito whispered, and shuttered, "Right to the point. You like shower sex?"

"Of course," L smirked, and let Raito pull him to his feet.

Raito pulled him in hard against his chest, "Let's get you out of those clothes."

A loud knock came crashing from the door downstairs.

"Seriously?" Raito spat out and looked back to see L suggestively pulling at the waistband of his pants.

Raito groaned and grabbed a shirt and pants to cover himself, "I'll be right back, I told Sayu I'd hang out with her today."

"Oh, I'll leave," L understood and began pulling on his clothes from the last night, "Even though I'm going to be extremely frustrated today."

"There's later tonight," Raito walked over and grabbed L's cock, pumping it a few torturous times, making L moan, "I'll even stay sober so we can test your theory."

"Mm, I'll be here," L licked his lips, "See you later."

With a simple kiss on the cheek, L walked down the steps, said good morning to Sayu and jumped into his car. Sayu let herself in after L left and called up to Raito the floor above.

"So, doing things I wouldn't approve of?"

Raito walked downstairs, grabbing his coat, "What do you mean?"

"Let's chat. Lunch?"

"Sure."

L drove off, but parked on a side street to pull out his phone. He wanted to talk to his brother.

Hey Near, we had a good time last night and I'm excited for lunch. Do you need me to pick anything up at the grocery store?

He was very surprised Near wrote him back quickly, because most of the time he ignored the messages.

I told you last night I'm not going to be home for lunch.

L was confused for a second, and typed him back:

When? I haven't checked my voicemails.

When I talked to Matsuda and you guys were going to Matt's and he told you I wasn't going to be there.

L hesitated. He had told the men at the game he was leaving to see his little brother. His little brother thought he was staying out to hang out with the men at the game. Matsuda covered for him, but this wasn't something he wanted getting out. L took a deep breath before typing back.

Oh yeah, I guess I didn't understand Matsuda that well. He was pretty tipsy, so I just nodded when he told me things. Have fun with what you're doing.

L shut his phone and cursed to himself.

Sayu and Raito got a table the second they got in. It was one of the two seaters instead of four, like they were on a date. Raito made a comment about it, and how he should have complained to get a booth. After a kiwi lemonade and a Dr. Pepper, Sayu turned her focus to Raito.

"After you left we took off to Matt's. He's got a new dog, a pug, and it's pretty cool. It's, like, one of those girly butch dogs that men and women can share..." Sayu cracked up at her words, "I bought it a little sweater to wear, just because I knew he'd love it."

"Oh, you're so funny," Raito remarked sarcastically.

"Yeah, Matt thought it was!" Sayu continued to giggle, "We didn't even spend the night there, because she was whining all night and Matt hadn't been getting any sleep."

"Hah," Raito nodded, "That's why I've never wasted time with a pet."

"You're no fun." Sayu then changed her voice to interested, "Seriously, I don't want to know, but did something happen with L night?"

"You were the one who was telling me to get out in the world," Raito shook his head thinking about it and admitted, "so yeah. You know what happened. It was pretty great."

"Yeah, I keep hearing that."

"Hearing what?"

"That he's pretty great. Since Misa is hooking up with him right now."

Raito stopped dead in his tracks and brought his eyes up to meet Sayu's, "What did you say?"

"Yeah," Sayu took a sip from her drink, "Why do you think she brought him out the other night?"

"Because they were friends. I didn't realize they were something," Raito felt like a knife stabbed him in the chest, "So L cheated on her."

"No, don't worry about that," Sayu sighed, "It's more of a friend with benefits thing. You know. To help her get over you. And I think it might be working. I actually wanted to talk to you because I wanted to let you know, L probably isn't who you think he is. I've heard a few things and he -"

"Doesn't believe in commitment," Raito cut her off.

With a shrug, Sayu said, "Yeah. He's not totally a bad guy. But from what I can tell he likes to play games."

"Games?' That's a nice way of putting it," Raito's voice was completely monotone, "Great."

There was two knocks before Misa opened the door to see L standing in front of her.

"Did you have fun with your bro last night?" Misa invited him in with a sweet smile.

"Yeah, we crashed after an hour or so. Video games get exhausting when you're playing with Near." L pulled off his coat, "You should know that."

"Yes, yes. That's what we were doing all last night. Such a guy thing!" Misa showed off her thumbs, red patterns from the buttons and all, taking a seat at the counter, "It was fun! Wish you were there."

"Mm, you know I had to be with Near." L pulled Misa's hand to his lips and gave her finger tips a light kiss.

Misa smiled and pulled her hand up to her face, along with L's lips, "It's all right, I get you all to myself today!"

End of part