A/N: L was originall brought up in the state of Florida, in the United states. Most characters in his childhood have a slight southern accents. Also, Yoohoo is a type of chocolate milk like drink, though tastes just fine room temp as it is not made with milk.

"Hey Froggy!"

"Ha watch him go! I bet he's a fucking retard."

"I know he is, the teacher always gives him special work, cus he's slow!"

L shook with anger, right down to his rattling metal heels.

If only they knew...He was ten...no!.... a hundred times smarter than they were!

But they didn't know. And again L found himself falling into a pattern. Always listen. Never react. To show emotion meant to show weakness. So L listened, and kept his head down. And hobbled along the sidewalk home.

"Hey, Frogmeister!"

L ducked instinctively. A voice so close usually meant attack. But then he straightened up, remembering only one person called him that.

"Hi, Gertie." he said in a low voice. It had been a very tiring day.

"Gee, Frogmeister, you look a little low. You okay? Randy Fiker pickin' on you again? Cus if he is I thought he'd'a learned his lesson by now! You just lemme at'im, when I'm through he won't know his arse from his elbow--" she went on and on, running around in front of L while he trundled onward.

He gave a small sigh.

"No, that's alright, it's not really any one kid this time, it's just-"

"Everything?" she nodded sagely.

"Yeah."

The two seven-year-olds walked in silence for a moment, before Gertie took a fresh breath and started again.

"So, anyway, boy am I glad I ran into you-"

L held up a hand to stop her, put on a tomboyish sort of nasally drawl, and picked up for her.

"Boy am I glad I ran into you, Ms. Vernon gave us a bushel of homework, I dunno who she thinks we are, a bunch of rocket scientists? So anyway I need your help just this one last time, pretty please with sugar on top? She's got us subtracting double didgits, do you beleive that, DOUBLE DIGITS, Frogmeister! Please, please, I'll do anything...."

Her ginger pigtails noticeably drooping, Frogmeister's friend for once looked serious.

"Am I really that bad?" she said shamefully, staring at her toes.

His point made, L shook his head, grinning.

"So will ya help me? I mean, I shore would-"

He mimicked her again.

"I shore would like to buy my Froggy friend a pack of Yoohoo boxes so he can slave over my homework with me, and maybe this time I'll pay some attention and do it myself next time?"

Gertie grinned in her freckly, gap-toothed way and raised her right hand.

"Why, guilty as charged, your honor!"

Armed with YooHoo boxes, paper, and pencils, L Lawliet and Gertie Gordon made their way across from his house to the lake (which was really a very large, oak lined pond). It was hot and humid, perfect weather for swimming.

"Please, Frogger, pleeeaaase?" Gertie whined. Her own mother would never let her swim in anything but a kiddie pool. And especially not with a boy.

At first, L was all work, determined not to let her get away with it yet again. But as the sun beat down on his metal straps and screws, almost singing his leg, Frogmeister caved.

"We have til Thursday...Alright. But you have to help me out of my hardware first."

"You betcha!"

The ginger pulled out her 'lucky' screwdriver (L suspected it had a hand in certain bullies sudden retreat) and set to work on the six main screws that held on her friend's leg braces. After five minutes hard work, there was a satisfying creak and off they went. L set to work massaging out the kinks in his muscles, helped along by Gertie, who flushed lightly as their eyes met, her hands running deftly along his right calf. Quite transfixed, she gazed upward as the sun glowed gold against L's wild ebony tresses, dark, orb-like eyes sweet yet serious. A child who had seen too much, who had known hurt no child should...

The moment was gone as quick as it came, and L pushed himself to a crouching position. Poised in a squat, arms between his feet to keep his balance, huge eyes ringed with lack of sleep, and long toes on feet a bit big for his age, L did, indeed, resemble a frog.

Both children had stripped down to their cloth playshorts, both barechested, as it would be years before either child cared about the visible differences between genders. Now, the only difference between each flat chest was L's ghostly sheen against Gertie's light bronze.

Lazing about in the shallow pool, under shade of ancient oaks, the mood was peaceful. L's legs didn't ache for once, the water supporting his slight frame. Gertie had let her long fiery tresses out of their braids, floating in the water and swirling about her cute face. L thought she looked like a mermaid. Mermaids were pretty. Gertie was very pretty. Not really thinking much, L grabbed her hand. The girl smiled, and stood up in the water with L, for a big, soaking wet hug. Breaking apart but hands still clasped, Froggy and Ginger looked at each other, childlike innocence filled to the brim with affection. L kissed her on the forehead, looking back to her slightly apologetic.

"Don't worry." said Gertie, and she kissed him back, ever so gently, on the lips. He smiled, trembling slightly. She held his arms tighter.

"I love you, too, L. Always and Forever."

"Always and Forever." he whispered back.