As we all filed out of the building it was surrounded in police, seriously? Is this a thing here? Never dull I see. Oh, look, Mr. Yagami. I did an awkward wave and he nodded at me, "Go on, boys, I'll see you both at home later."

Light nodded and pulled me behind him, I could hear the whispers behind us and Light isn't deaf. I know he could hear them too. And the strangest thing happened. Light turned around to his friends, "He's staying with me, get over it, have you or your families done anything nice for anyone else in your entire existence?" He's… Defending me? No, just the fact that I'm at his house. I could feel his hand squeeze mine slightly, "I like him, he's my friend, get over it and if you can't that's fine. I don't need you." My jaw mentally dropped, I'm sorry? What? Hang on. Is there a rewind button?

Light tugged me behind him, "Light?"

"Let's go, L. Want to go somewhere?" He flashed a charming smile at me. He just… Told off his friends in front of the entire school… And he can still be this casual?

I nodded slowly, "Can you show me around? So, I can be a little more independent?" He thought for a moment then smiled and nearly yanked me off my feet.

I looked back at his so called friends and all wearing scowling faces… I will probably pay for this later. Looking back at Light's hand that was holding mine, but I think I'll worry about that later… The school grew smaller and smaller the further we continued away and he stopped outside a small coffee shop. "I love this coffee shop, I think you'll like it too, they have their own bakery." I smelled the air and must have betrayed a smile because before I knew it I was being pulled in and lead to a back booth. "I do my homework here a lot." He sat down and I sat haunched in my usual position.

I need to go over my deductions of this, Light Yagami. First, I meet him, he's an ass. The next day. He's nice at home. Still pretty much an ass at school. Today… He was more open towards me as a whole. Now this? Now we're "friends"? I don't mind really. But, the behavior patterns are irregular. Perhaps he's mentally ill? Or he's a serial killer and I'm the perfect cover up! I didn't mean to but I silently gasped while he was talking. Oh shit.

He stopped and blinked a couple times, "I mean. It isn't that shocking. It's just calculus…" Typical, he didn't even notice I was hardly paying attention. He leaned in a little, "I wasn't even talking about calculus… What's on your mind?"

I looked down and quietly played with the glass of water as the barista came up to take our order, "Hey, Light! The usual?" He nodded and she turned to me, "How about you handsome? What would you like?"

Blushing slightly, "Do you have tea?"

She smiled and leaned her weight on one hip, "Oh sure! We have green, black, red and white tea, that's our cold side, you can get a variety of flavor shots in those, does that interest you? Would you like the list of favors?" I shook my head. "Okay! Well as far as hot tea we have Green Tea, Honey Lemon, Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry White, Pomegranate White, Chamomile, Peppermint, Chai Tea, Orange Pekoe, Earl Grey, English Breakfast and lastly Decaf Orange Pekoe." She gave a smile and tilted her head and readied her pen, "Well, what will you have?"

Pausing for a moment, "Uh. Earl, I suppose. Twice cream and eleven sugar cubes, please."

She smiled finished writing, "Can I interest you in any sweets? Our blueberry cheesecake muffins are to die for! And our special today is strawberry shortcake!" Flashing another cheerful smile.

I glanced at Light, "I don't have any money… So, I guess none of that please."

She frowned slightly, "Tell you what! You're new and clearly from not around here," she chuckled, "I'll give you the first sweet on the house!"

I gave her a small smile, "That would be lovely." She's a great waitress… I'll have to remember to come back here and repay her kindness. Looking back down at Light who had been watching me for some time now leaning on his hands. "What? Do I have something on my face?"

"You never answered my question."

"Oh. Right. No, I think I'll keep those thoughts to myself." I ran my fingertip along the edge of the glass.

He smirked slightly, "Why?"

Being caught off guard a little, "Well… I just don't think it would interest you." He smiled and sat back in the booth watching me. Why is he doing that? I'm not going to crack just because you're staring at me with that goofy grin. After staring at each other for a moment, "Fine. I was just pondering as to your behavior. You're rude to me then nice. Then rude again then… Well…"

Light sighed and looked at his watch, "I made up my mind, I don't know why, but I'm drawn to you, maybe because you're eccentric, maybe because you're new. It's possible, but you're interesting and to tell you the truth, I've been bored in my life as it sits. You're nice, you haven't done anything to anyone, you're resilient, and you don't care about the world around you… I admire that." He looked away and blushed slightly, "So? Is that the answer you were looking for? I made up my mind that I like you. And there's no reason to treat you like an outcast because you don't care anyway. You're smart, athletic and kind… I see no reason not to like you and be your friend."

Smiling slightly, "Yes. Light. It is, thank you for being honest with me."

Light looked back at me out of the corner of his eye, "Thanks for not thinking that I was lying or trying to use you. I can be kind of a prick. I realize this, but I've never had to try to be someone's friend before… Well, before you."

He placed his hands on the table and tapped on it with his fingers as the barista returned with our orders… And, oh, sweet mother of sweets… That looks fabulous. She set the giant piece of strawberry shortcake in front of me and the can of whipped cream next to it and set my tea down with two extra sugar cubes. "Thought, in case it isn't quite sweet enough, I'd bring a couple extra, just in case!" She winked at me and set Light's coffee down. Then twirled on one foot and happily trotted to the counter to help another customer. I stared at the tower of flaky biscuit like cake with plump strawberry slices scattered throughout it with a soft colored caramel sauce that was carefully drizzled over it with a rosebud of whipped cream and a huge strawberry on top with small chocolate sugar sprinkles coating the bottom of the berry.

Light smiled at me as I eagerly grabbed the fork and stabbed the cake. I analyzed the bite and scored its beauty before placing it delicately in my mouth, the pastry seemed to melt. It almost brought tears to my eyes it was so good. Almost.

Grinning Light took a small fingertip of cream and licked it off his finger… I think I might had blushed beet red because he laughed at me.

Smiling slightly, I tried to hide my embarrassment with the tea cup, I sipped the perfectly colored tea and my eyes grew wider than they usually are… Which is an impressive feat. It's perfect! Like liquid gold! I'm definitely coming back here. This only spurred Light's laughter more. I want to be mad but all I could manage was a pout.

"I'm sorry, L. The expressions you make. They're adorable." He sighed happily and took a drink of his coffee like he didn't just say I was adorable… No one has ever said anything like that to me before… Well, except Watari, that one time when I wore that hideous Christmas sweater that his sister knitted… but it felt different coming from Light, what is this knot like feeling in my stomach? Am I getting sick?

I guess I didn't realize it, but he glanced back at me with those deep eyes of his, "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, why would you think that?"

"You're just staring at me… I was just making sure I didn't strike a nerve."

Smiling inwardly, I guess he can be a really nice guy when he wants. I sipped on my tea a little more, "Thank you, for bringing me here, Light… I really like it."

He gave a smooth smile, "I'm glad, so you'll come with me here every time?"

Blinking a couple times, "If you'll have me, does no one else come here with you?"

He shrugged and swirled his coffee slightly smelling the aroma, "They think it's boring and they would rather do something else. I'm just not much of an arcade or mall guy… And if I wanted to sit in the library I'd just go to our school's library, not some over priced bookstore. And I really don't like the idea of movie theaters… Very dirty."

I looked down at my tea, "I like it here, and I like being here with you. This has been fun. I'll come if you want me to."

He looked up at me and smiled. "Want to watch the sunset from the park? It has a great view of the sunset over the water."

I nodded quietly, "Sure. Sounds relaxing."

We sat there for what felt like mere minutes but when I looked at his watch I realize it's been three hours of us just talking. I guess we have a lot in common. We stood up to leave and our barista happily hopped over to us, "I hope everything was wonderful!"

Light smiled at her, "As always, oh, Sherry, this is L, he'll be coming with me for now on."

She nodded and gave a thumbs up, "L, got it! See you two next time!"

Light stood there confused with his wallet, "But…"

She waved him off, "You brought us in a regular, I think we can afford to give a new comers discount!" She smiled and shooed us out of the shop. We stood there staring at each other and shared a small laugh.

"Well. The park is on our way home, I'm going to text my mom and let her know what we're doing so she doesn't worry." Light pulled out his phone and started tapping on the screen as we walked. I looked up and watched the clouds with my hands in my pockets, so this is what it feels like to be normal? He put his phone away and we chatted our way to the park… If I would have known what waited for us. I might have suggested we just go home. "Mom said she had great news for when we get home."

We stopped at the park and sat at the benches and watched the sun go down while happily and obliviously talked amongst ourselves then we heard a voice behind us. "Well. Isn't this precocious… No one, Light. No one embarrasses me in front of everyone like that." We both turned around to see… Oh… Good… Muscles and Hideki. Great. This is shaping out nice.

Muscles approached us both and we stood up and backed away from the park bench. He threw the bench aside like it was nothing… This might get ugly. As he pulled back a punch with wind up I caught his fist with my hand and grabbed ahold of it and twisted his wrist. Causing him to cry out in pain, on come on you big baby… Just because I know how to manipulate the human body, with a series of slight movements, means nothing… I'm not hurting you!

Light opened his eye still waiting for the impact, by the time he was brave enough to open his eye I had muscles with his arm behind his back and… What did he just say?

"Birthday… Home early?"

Crimson eyes narrowed slightly as a piercing light bounced off of a pocket knife he had against Hideki's neck, "Yagami… Getting my cousin into trouble I see." Birthday? Cousin? I looked back confused to see… Uh… Me? No, he doesn't look like he hasn't slept in days and he stands upright… Unlike me.

Beyond leaned close to Hideki, "What? I'm not here to fuck with so you pick on my family. Tisk Tisk, not as smart as you think. You know? I'm glad I never bothered listening to my mother… She told me to wait." He pulled his switchblade back and secured it in his pocket. He glared at Hideki and leaned in close and whispered darkly, "Boo."

Hideki jumped slightly and ran off down the street and I released the overgrown teenager for him to follow. "Uh… So. I'm L."

Beyond eyed me and stuck his hand out while lighting a cigarette, "Right, I figured the resemblance is a little uncanny." His gaze dropped onto Light, "So. Joining the dark side then. Who knew all it took was sweet little L here."

Light looked away as the sun finished its descent, "No. I'm not joining any sides."

Beyond laughed manically, "Good. Then you'll leave my cousin alone. Trust me, kid. Yagami is bad news. Clearly."

I glanced back at Light, who looked down sadly and sighed. "He's my friend. I don't want him to leave me alone. He's done nothing wrong, if anything he's been watching over me. I don't want him to not be my friend." Light looked up at me and smiled weakly. What is going on? What's between these two?

Beyond choked on some smoke, "You're kidding right? Mr. Perfect?! You want HIM? Mr. I'll be your best of friends until something better comes along?" He gave Light a cruel stare. "Fine. But." He shook a finger at Light, "I will kill you if you fuck him up. I'll cut you up into tiny fucking pieces and mail you all over the world." He turned around the waved, "Capeesh?"

Light stood next to me, "We used to be friends. There was a misunderstanding… He hasn't let it go. I guess, I can't blame him, he got hurt over it. To answer you question before you ask… And no… I don't want to talk about it." I looked over to him, his entire body language changed, he was so confident… Now… He looks like Matt… He looks, sad. Screw it.

I pulled him into a hug, "It's okay." To my surprise he hugged me back. "I don't care what happened, you're my friend now." He hugged me tighter at this statement. "My very first real friend."

"We probably won't have school tomorrow… And your cousin is back, but, would you stay one more night? Like as friends. Not as a guest." His voice was timid.

"Of course." We started walking back home, as we walked in I was instantly snatched up into a hug by presumably my aunt. I pulled myself out of the death clutch of the heavier set woman. "Uh. I know that you're here in town now, but if it's alright with you. Can I stay the night with Light? Just tonight."

The couple glanced back at each other, and shrugged, "We don't see why not. As long as it's fine with Light's family." I placed my finger on my bottom lip, so the mystery begins. Whatever happened between Light and Beyond to create such bad blood neither set of parents know about.

Sachiko smiled and waved, "L is always welcome." I'm glad they at least like having me.

Light smiled softly, "I'll help you get set up in your new room if you want. Then when dinner is done you won't have to worry about it. I nodded and he lead me to my new home.

The door opened and a quaint home sat behind the door, it was very welcoming. It was set up just like the Yagami's home. Upstairs and to the left was the room Beyond chose, same Light is his home. I looked out the window and pointed. "So. That's your house. And your room. The middle room here seems to be an office or a study of some sort."

Light chuckled, "Don't creep on me and I won't creep on you." We both stared at each other in silence and busted out laughing. I don't think I've ever laughed that hard before. We started putting my clothes in the drawers, talking and laughing, we set up my computer and my books onto the shelves. As we were leaving we noticed Beyond had been there the whole time, he's sneaky. As we walked passed him he grabbed Light and pulled him close and whispered into his ear, I couldn't make it out. But, Light nodded to Beyond and he folded his arms and smugly smiled, "Have a good night. See you tomorrow, L."

As we came into the door to Light's home and sat down for dinner. We all had light conversation, I pushed more vegetables around the plate. I know that Light noticed me this time, he gave me a sharp elbow causing me to cough slightly. But I'm not putting that into my mouth. I don't care, Light. No.

As we stood up and dismissed ourselves I looked at the clock and yawned as we walked into Light's room. "It's 9 already?" Light just smiled at me.

"Do you want to shower first?" I shook my head and sat on his bed. He nodded and pulled his shirt off revealing a nasty deep scar running diagonally along his back. Without thinking I reached out and touched it. I never was much for personal boundaries. I could feel him tense up at my touch, but he never moved and never told me to stop he just simply hung his head slightly. "That's what happens when a misunderstanding happens." I traced the old scar with my fingertip, speechless. He turned slightly and gave me a sad smile, "That's why Beyond hates me… He had an older brother… I tried to help him. But, he ended up hurting me and himself… Beyond never forgave me. We used to be best friends. I went over to play, and the door was open. And I found his brother… He was in a bathtub and the water was red, I got scared, I went to call for help, but… He didn't want to be helped… He wanted to fade away. Beyond blames me for no one getting there in time to save his brother."

I sat there, lost for words. All I could manage was, "It's not your fault. It wasn't your fault… Light…"

He looked away, "I never got the chance to tell him how sorry I was for being scared. I hid from his brother. I cried in the closet while he died in the bathtub." I don't know how to react, before I knew it he was in my arms and I was rocking him back and forth… What am I doing?

He looked up at me, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean…" Just shut up, it's fine, it's not like I knew him. "I didn't mean to bring that up… I just thought, maybe you should—" What the hell am I doing?! I just kissed him?! What the hell, me?! Seriously? I, L Lawliet, do not do things like this! I'm not gay! Well… Come to think of it, I've always considered myself to be A-sexual.

I can feel his hands, the same warm hands that led me to gym class earlier, and took me to his favorite coffee shop, but they aren't fighting me, they aren't forcing me away… They're… Embracing me? One of them landed softly on my cheek and the other kept him up from falling. What is this feeling? We slowly parted and looked opposite ways both blushing. "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me…"

He looked back at me with gentle eyes and leaned into me and kissed me again. Well, for my first kiss it seems like I didn't do too bad considering he came back for seconds. But, this time… His hands are in my hair. And we fell backwards onto his bed. Now, I wish, I would have paid more attention to those romance movies Mello was always watching. Unsure of what to do with my owns hands, as I've never done anything like this and there's a 47% likelihood I will screw this up anyway I rested my hands on his back.

Parting our lips once again we stared at each other. "I've… Never done that before." I managed to say I between breaths.

He swallowed and whispered on my lips, "Neither have I." Giving the smallest of smiles I closed the gap between us and pulled him tightly into my arms. I could feel his teeth gently graze my bottom lip which sent shivers down my spine. As I parted my lips to deepen the kiss a loud knock came at the door.

"Light!" Oh. Soichiro… You bumbling asshole… "You won't have school the rest of the week. We need to find the one who phoned in the threat on the school."

Light retreated slightly and clenched his jaw slightly, "Uh. Alright. Mm, thanks, Dad." I couldn't help but drop my arms and chuckle quietly. I'm not sure if I was saved or interrupted… More data will need to be collected on this matter.