You wake to the sound of your ringtone and for a moment you glance over at the couch where Ryuzaki is still resting. You reach for your phone and answer it.
"Hello?" You say trying to stiffle a yawn.
"Hello (name) I was just called to check in." You recognize Watari's voice immediately.
"Watari, everything's fine."
"That's good to hear. He isn't giving you any trouble then?"
"No. He's sleeping pretty peacefully right now."
"Without a fight?"
"Yeah."
"Perhaps he's more ill than I realized, does he have a fever?" The old man sounded concerned.
"Yeah, but It's not dangerously high or anything, I put a cool cloth on his head and it seemed to help." You tell him.
"Good. Has he eaten anything?"
"No, but he had some tea earlier"
"I hope you don't mind, but seeing as he's so well behaved for you, you wouldn't by any chance be willing to try to get him to eat?"
"I'll see what I can do." You stand up from the chair and make your way back to the kitchen and begin looking through the cupboards.
"I should tell you, when he's ill, I don't allow him to have the usual amount of sugary foods, if he's had tea, he's probably had a lot already. There are cans of soup in the kitchen. Please don't allow him to talk you into giving him anymore sweets. He can be very persuasive when he wants to be."
"I'll do my best." You promise. Watari offers his gratitude and promises to check in again soon. After hanging up, you walk back to check on Ryuzaki who is now awake. He seems upset. You kneel down beside the couch to talk to him.
"What's wrong Ryuzaki?" You ask quietly. His dark eyes cast down on his blanket.
"I had a truly terrible dream just now." He said with a sigh. Your heart feels as if it may break.
"About what, you can tell me." You encourage.
"Watari came home and he was very angry with me, he would not say why. He took all the sugar cubes and cake and even my candy, he said I could never have anymore. Then he left." You could see that it was truly bothering him.
"it was only a dream, Watari would never completely take away your sweets, and I don't believe he'd ever just leave you. I don't know him very well, but he seems to care for you very much."
"Yes, Watari is very kind to me. He is different from everyone else."
His dream makes you regret what you're about to do.
"Hey Ryuzaki, do you think you'd be able to eat something, It's important to try. You have to keep your strength up so you can get better." He looks at you pointedly.
"You sound nervous suddenly, you have just spoken to Watari, is that why my dream is giving you anxiety. He is trying to take them away."
"Not completely, he's concerned, like I said he cares about you and wants you to get better. He thinks it would be best for you to try soup for a while."
Here it is, you think this is the difficult side of L.
"I do not care for soup. Watari knows this, he wishes to torment me."
" He just wants to make you better that's all. He doesn't want to hurt you and you know that. You're just upset." You place a hand on his head to find his fever is rising slowly. He turned his head from you to cough.
"Will you try?"
"I would rather not."
"You haven't had anything all day Ryuzaki."
"I am aware of that." He said in his best stubborn tone.
"It's good for you." You know your argument will get you nowhere but still, you did promise to do your best.
"I do not eat soup."
"Yeah, I know, believe me. I'm not exactly happy about certain foods either. Can you try for Watari, he really does care for you."
"I realize that. That knowledge does not make it easier to like the instruction he gives."
"I know. If you won't do it for Watari, will you do it for... me?" He looks at you in surprise.
"For you?" You nod.
"Watari isn't the only one who cares. I do too, you have to eat something."
"But I am not-"
"Please, trust me." L sat up.
"I don't give my trust easily. The only person that has my full trust is Watari." You turn your head from him. A moment later you feel his hand on yours, you turn to look in his eyes.
"That is how it has always been... Until now. Watari has been the only one to care so much, if you are willing to argue with me over my sweets, then I must tell you. (Name), I trust you completely, it seems to me that you are a genuinely caring person. If you believe that it is necessary for me to do this, I will, for you." You smile at him.
"Thank you. I'll go and heat it up." You stand and make your way back to the kitchen, you grab the can, you knew he had some trust in you but you never dared to dream he would say these words to you. You can't help but feel a certain amount of pride in yourself for being able to earn it.
Once the soup is done, you turn to get a bowl and find that L has joined you.
"Ryuzaki, we've talked about this." You say.
"Yes, however if for some reason I spill it, Watari would not be happy. That is his favorite couch."
"It's the only couch I've seen since I've been here, how-"
"Yes, but we have had others in the past and he is quite fond of that one. He had it imported from italy."
"That's...interesting." you say setting the bowl down at the table and handing him a spoon.
"Thank you." He says sitting down to eat.
"You are welcome to join me, there is more than enough." You have to admit that you do feel a little hungry. You thank him and take some for yourself.
The two of you eat in silence and as you watch, it becomes clear just how much he detests soup. He has only taken a spoonful for every two or three you take.
"I'm sorry, I know you must be miserable. I wish I could give you sugar." You confess.
"Please, you don't need to feel bad, it's not your fault. You are doing as you believe is best and I am thankful."
"I'm so glad you understand." L has become disinterested in the meal and places the spoon in the bowl.
"I think I would like to go back and lie down for a while, I am a little tired." He stood up and begins to place the remaining soup in the refrigerator before returning to the couch. You finish your soup and join him in the living room.
"I'm glad you tried the soup." you tell him, He doesn't reply. You sit back in the armchair and watch as he falls asleep. You sigh, at least you can tell Watari he did try.
You decide to put the television on low, and begin surfing through channels until you come across your favorite show and settle down to watch.
L would sleep peacefully for about an hour and you had a decision to make.