Author's Note: All right, it's time for some Q and A. Or rather…A! I'd like to take a moment to answer some questions posed in the reviews. First, Light's coworkers are indeed acting like middle school kids. Sadly, this behavior does not diminish when we grow up. I was shocked when I was introduced to office life and discovered that the people were just as bad, if not worse gossipers than middle school kids. Everyday, it's all about who's dating who, when, where, why and how. The last scene was sadly, not much of an exaggeration.

Ok I lied, that's the only question I want to answer. The rest are either reader opinion, or I don't want to reveal anything just yet. Others were rather self-explanatory and don't need explanation. Any who, you're the reader, you make up your own conclusions and opinions. That's the beauty of reading! So I won't ruin it for you with wordy explanations (even though I'm oh so tempted.)

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Needless to say, Light was feeling much more confident about his newly found feelings for L by the time he got out of work at six. Even though it was a bit of a lie, Light found himself telling the truth for most of the day. He answered questions willingly, instead of begrudgingly. And by working through his coworkers, he managed to find approval from almost everyone there. Seeing that everyone thought it was a good and wonderful thing made Light feel better about the things he'd been afraid of. How could it be wrong if everyone was encouraging him? How could it be wrong if it made him feel this good?

Walking home through the park, Light decided it wasn't wrong. It wasn't possible. Loving L couldn't be a bad thing. L was starved for affection. Giving it to him couldn't hurt, unless Light gave too much as he had the night before. Light didn't want to scare him like that again. He'd need to take things slowly. Very slowly. But at least now, Light knew exactly what he wanted. And he knew exactly what he wanted to do.

After entering the apartment building and stepping off the elevator, he couldn't help but to feel a pang of fear. The last two days he'd come home…he'd found L in a state of despair. He had seemed just fine, and in fact happy at lunch today, but that easily could have changed. Praying he was ok, Light stuck his key into the door. He stepped inside.

Immediately, the smell of smoke and something burning filled his nose. Light let out an unpleasant cough. What was that putrid scent? He closed the door behind him and found the apartment filled with a thin layer of hazy smoke. He coughed again.

"Lawliet?" He questioned to the detestable air.

"Raito-kun, what poor timing. Would you open a window?" Light's eyes watered from the smoke and the smell. Whatever it was, it was horrible. Eager to oblige to L's request, even though he still didn't know where he was, Light made his way through the living room. He grabbed the windows and began to open all of them. The smoke started to pull out as fresh and hot air came in. Light leaned his face near the screen to get a good breath of air. Then, once he felt better, he stood up straight.

"Lawliet? Where are you and what the hell is going on?"

"In the kitchen." Came the call. Light walked through the room and ducked into the indicated room. Inside he found more smoke and a disaster scene. Pots and pans were pulled out of the cupboards. Plates and utensils were stacked on the countertops. And two ruined pans were in the sink where L was poring cold water on them. There was food mess on the counters, on the stove and in the trash.

Light couldn't help it; he felt his usual anger bubble to life. He squeezed his eyes shut to try and compose himself, but the vein in his forehead gave him away. When he spoke, his voice came out in a low rumble.

"Lawliet…is it at all possible to come home to a clean apartment after work? Do you have to destroy the place every time I leave you alone? God what happened here? It's like a damned war zone! Did you ignite a bomb?"

"As usual, you're over exaggerating by a gross amount Raito-kun." L still kept the water running, his hands in the sink with the ruined cookware. "I was attempting to cook something. But seeing as I have no experience and no cookbook, it was almost an eighty-three percent chance that I would fail. Still, I felt like attempting it." He let out a rush of frustrated air through his nose. "I still fail to see how this is as disastrous as a bomb."

Cooking? Light doubted he was able to hide his shock. What would L want to cook for? It sounded like something he would hate doing. Or at least something he would avoid. Baking maybe. Because at least a person could make cake or brownies baking. But cooking…Light could think of nothing sweet that required a frying pan.

Curious, he took a peek into the garbage at the poor ruined meal. He spotted horribly burnt brown rice and some very soggy looking vegetables that were no longer identifiable. All were ingredients that L would never eat himself.

Light's heart leapt and gave off a very brutal pound. Was this what he thought it was? He looked up to the rest of the kitchen. There was only one plate out on the counter. It was empty and awaiting food. A cup of the juice Light had bought for himself was sitting just next to the lonely plate.

Light felt his chest swell. All the evidence was here, but he had to double check.

"Lawliet…did…did you try to make me dinner?" L did not turn from the sink. He kept the water running, his hands still inside. He huffed slightly at Light's question.

"Very astute Raito-kun. You're deductions are flawless."

"Geeze! No need to get testy!" Light snipped. But the weight of L's actions were too great to allow him to remain annoyed. It faded quickly. "Why would you try to cook me dinner? It doesn't seem like something you would enjoy doing."

"Correct. Cooking is something I never took interest in."

"Then why?" L did not answer right away, and he did not move from his place at the sink. He hesitated, seemingly having a hard time being direct. He wished Light would just use his head and put it together so he wouldn't have to say it. But he realized that those times were fading. Both of them needed to express themselves more now that their situation had changed. Besides…Light deserved an answer without any twists. And so, he put forth his best effort to explain without any games, guesses or puzzles.

"…because," he started. "…you're hungry when you get home." That hadn't been enough. That wasn't the real reason at all. L bit his bottom lip, his back to Light as he held his hand under the cold water. He decided to try again. Light was being silent so he could do so.

"Raito-kun was more than kind yesterday…he…he made Friday…enjoyable." There was more. But he'd already said so much. It was difficult as it was. Still, L wanted to try a third time. "I wanted to do something to replay you…" There. That was the reason. He'd said it directly.

Light's heart was pounding. It thudded desperately in his chest, begging to be released. It was so violent that it almost hurt. But it didn't. It felt good. Very good. Light could not believe how wonderful this feeling was.

He wanted to do something nice for me. And suddenly it didn't seem so one sided. Light had never really known L to do something for someone else. In all the time he'd known him, he did not do things like this. He was an all or nothing type of guy. It was either black or white, the apocalypse or nothing at all. When he did do something for someone else, it was on a huge, ridiculous scale. Like how L had saved his life…

Light's demanding heart screamed even more loudly. That was right. It wasn't Light who'd given up everything for L…it was L who had given everything up for Light. L didn't have to do what he had done. He didn't need to risk his life, but he had. All for the sake of saving Light from Kira.

Trying to cook dinner for him when he didn't know how, and didn't enjoy it, was just a reminder. L did care. He might have been afraid to show it, but he cared for Light. There was no doubt.

It was coming out of these thoughts that Light finally realized that the water was still running. Blinking, he looked to L who still had his hand under the stream. Light's brow wrinkled in concern.

"Lawliet…why're you holding your hand under the water?" L didn't answer, and he didn't need to as Light marched over. He reached out, grabbing the pale wrist that led into the sink. Startled, L flinched. Light pulled his hand out from the stream and forcefully lifted it up so he could look at it.

There, taking up the entirety of the skin just underneath his pinky and on the side of his palm was an angry red, and peeling patch of burnt skin.

"Lawliet what did you do!"

"The stove's electric! It looks harmless even when it's still hot!"

"You leaned on the stove!"

"I had to catch my balance! I couldn't see through the smoke!"

"God!"

"I didn't do it on purpose Raito-kun! Do you think I enjoyed burning myself?"

"Shut up for a second and let me take care of this!" Without any more argument, Light began to drag L out of the kitchen. Light knew his first aid. One was never to put ice on a burn. L had done the right thing by holding it under cool running water. But now it was time to wrap it up to keep air off of it. Once it was wrapped, it would be both sanitary, and the pain would lessen.

L, willingly or not, was forced with Light down the small hall that led to their bedrooms and into the bathroom that separated the two rooms. Still being gripped by his wrist, L was yanked over to the medicine cabinet. Light opened it with his free hand and took out both gauze and bandages.

"Raito-kun…although I appreciate your concern…I do not appreciate your force," L said. Light wasn't listening, and in fact, he took the opportunity to increase his grip on L's wrist as if he were afraid he'd try to break free now that he'd voiced displeasure. L squirmed uncomfortably.

"Raito-kun…"

"Stay still Lawliet!" Light took some gauze and in his anxiousness, pressed it into L's burns far too forcefully. L let out a small cry as he stiffened from the pain.

"Raito-kun! You're hurting me!" At this, Light stopped immediately. He put the gauze down and then released L's hand. L pulled it away from his crazed roommate and pulled it in to his chest where he cradled it.

For a moment they just stood there in silent awkwardness, their breathing slightly increased from their activities. Light stayed by the sink and counter, facing the faucet instead of his injured roommate.

"Sorry Lawliet…" he said quietly. "I get eager sometimes. Would you let me try again?" L was quiet as he observed Light. So he was still acting in this new way of his. L was sure at that moment that Light would not be reverting back to the colder, harsher Light he once knew. Light had indeed made some sort of heavy decision. And whatever it was, it was heavy enough to cause him to change his entire attitude.

L was relieved that his personality was the same. It was the same Light; it was just that now he seemed to view the world a bit differently.

L was curious. Very curious to find out what could have possibly caused such a drastic change in Light. But his hand was starting to burn without the relief of cool running water. The pain in it was flaring up very quickly.

"…I'm certain I can wrap it myself Raito-kun…" Light lifted his head and turned away from the sink. He faced L directly then, his brown eyes looking quite serious.

"Let me do it. You know it takes a lot of effort for me to ask, instead of just forcing you. I'm a man of action. I don't like wasting time with words. You know that too." L nodded softly, his black eyes large. He was still hesitant, simply because this was so sudden. But he very much liked the new Light's ideas on how to treat him.

"Ok," he said simply. L then stepped up onto the top of the closed toilette seat, and curled into his usual seating position. Seemingly settled, he stuck out his injured hand into the air in front of him. He held it there as Light hesitated briefly then gathered the gauze and bandages. He moved over to where L sat, then slowly knelt down on the tiled floor in front of him. L watched silently as Light reached out, and much more gently than the first time, took his injured hand in his.

L could not help but to notice that Light's hands were darker in color, larger, and stronger looking than his own. His own hand looked thin, sickly even. He wondered if he, as a person, looked that way standing next to Light. What did other people see?

Light, as tenderly as he knew how, gently placed the gauze pad on top of L's burn. This time, L did not wince or show any signs of pain. With the gauze in place, Light took the bandages and carefully began to wrap L's hand. He worked it around the pale skin, firmly, but gently putting the wrappings in place.

He could not keep his heart still. And he couldn't keep his feelings from stirring. He'd never had the chance to hold L's hand like this before. It was nice. And it was even more wonderful to be able to take care of him.

"So Lawliet," Light started. "I was thinking we might do something this weekend. You know, before you start work on Monday, and before I start my tours." Light wasn't even sure where this suggestion had come from. It had just popped out of his mouth as if someone else had said it. But now that the idea had been planted, there were all sorts of scenarios growing in his mind. Yes, they defiantly needed to get out of the apartment. L at least, had been cooped up for days. And Light only got out for work.

"Do something?" L questioned.

"Yeah. The beach is out unfortunately. It's five hours away from here. We'd need to stay at a hotel, and we don't have the money for that. But we could do something else. Do you have any idea's Lawliet? Before I start bombarding you with mine? Cuz I have dozens already."

L stared. There was no end to the surprises. Light was suddenly so full of new things. After having some time to absorb this new man in front of him for the past day, L found it easier to agree instead of fighting whatever it was Light said.

"O…ok," he said. "What kind of ideas did you have Raito-kun?"

"Ah, dozens!" He was careful to wrap around L's wound gently every time he came around to it. "The park just outside has a water show Saturday nights at nine. We could go see that. Or we could go to Stone Mountain. My coworkers keep suggesting we see it. Apparently it's a big attraction. There's a sky lift and shops. There's also the Coca Cola building, or the High Museum. Or The Underground. That's a shopping strip located underneath the city. I hear it's pretty cool."

L was quiet. He watched as Light finished up the wrappings on his hand. He cut off the excess bandages and then tied it off neatly. It was professionally done and it looked good.

"There!" L lifted his hand, inspecting it.

"Nicely done." Light beamed from ear to ear. He already knew. "I'm afraid I don't know the sights that well Raito-kun, why don't you decide." Light didn't bother to hide his shock. His almond eyes widened. L was not only agreeing without a fight, but was willingly giving Light the control.

"Wh…what? You…you're agreeing? Just like that?" Light rose to his feet, standing over L who still remained seated on the toilette in his usual curled fashion. L blinked up at him.

"Yes. I have nothing to fear by going outside if you are with me." Light felt his face suddenly grow warm as his insides squirmed. He knew very well that his cheeks were red yet again.

Well shit! He'll figure it out in no time if I keep blushing like a little girl! He cursed internally. L did indeed notice, but he didn't say anything. He looked away from Light and over to the wall instead.

"I'm afraid I'm a bit of a target Raito-kun. People have preyed upon me before when I've been alone. But if someone comes with me, there is a very small chance that it'll happen again. Bullies and thugs don't like to attack those who travel in numbers. Two is a much bigger number than one." Light was silent as he studied the side of L's face. His brows lowered. L had offered a small indication into his past. Should Light dare to pursue it?

"So…there have been times before that gang that attacked us in Japan?" L glanced Light's way, both of his hands resting casually over his curled knees. He nodded. Light felt his heart do some sort of a leap. Was L letting him in on something? Was he allowing him to peek inside? Even if just for a moment?

Light knew that he'd have to do this just right. L didn't find this easy. He knew as much. If he wanted him to talk, he'd need to lay out a trail of breadcrumbs for L to follow.

"I thought the reason you hated going out was because people stared at you."

"That is one of my reasons, yes."

"But you've been hurt physically too? People attacked you?" L nodded firmly without ever batting an eyelash. Light didn't like that. He felt his brain kick into gear. It whirled around the things L was telling him, grabbing these pieces and putting them together to form the entire picture.

"This has happened…several times?" L nodded again. Light's heart plummeted. But despite how much he didn't want to hear the rest…he really did want to hear the rest. He wanted to know all about L's sufferings. Especially if L was offering them to him. Light swallowed. Careful of his next words, he said,

"At the orphanages?" L hesitated only briefly.

"Yes." He was quiet a moment, but Light noted the way he glanced off and to the side. It meant he was thinking. And it also usually meant that he would say more. He just needed to prepare himself. So Light remained quiet.

"Children are cruel, just as much as adults. They could not understand why I looked different from them, why I acted apart from them. They enjoyed banding together in little groups. Most of them liked to play games, or play with toys. At the first orphanage, I had been far too traumatized to socialize. I stayed to myself, ashamed that I could not stand straight like the others. The other children did not like that I acted differently. They confronted me. But when I told them I did not want to play with them, they were insulted. They attacked me."

Light's brow wrinkled as he listened. There were ups and downs to all of this. A definite positive was that L was offering him information. This was the first time he had offered such personal insight without the influence of heavy painkillers. He was doing this on his own.

But of course, the downside was the things he was revealing. It hurt to know that L had been hurt. But he was sure that he was somehow helping, by listening to L's story. Daring not to interrupt, he allowed L to continue.

"The other children grew a disliking of me after that incident. They picked on me often, calling me all sorts of childish names. On occasion, some of the older, more angry boys would beat me, seemingly for the simple fact that it made them feel more powerful in a world that had stripped them of control. I tried to avoid all of the children, but if they were eager enough, some of them would hunt me down.

Needless to say, the caretakers were upset. Seeing that they could not help me, they transferred me to another orphanage. The second was the same as the first. Having learned to avoid the children, I did not attempt to socialize. This was insulting to the others. They held a belief that I thought I was better than them. So the name calling and the beatings continued. Only it was worse at the second orphanage because…the caretakers didn't care to try and stop them.

At the first one the workers at least tried to protect me. They punished the children who hurt me, and set rules to keep me safe. But…at the second place, no one could be bothered with my problems…"

Light watched L's expression carefully. He seemed stoic the entire time, as if he were reading a book, not retelling a part of his own childhood. But near the end of his explanation, his dark eyes drifted to the side again. Light caught it immediately. There was something more there that L wasn't saying. No…there was much more there that L wasn't saying. It was very clear that L had suffered at the second orphanage perhaps the most out of them all. But he wouldn't say exactly what made this second place different. Light decided not to say anything yet. L looked like he might continue.

"Such a pattern continued through into the third orphanage. But this is where Watari finally found and adopted me. But sadly, I came to discover that people were just as cruel outside as they were inside the orphanages. Watari never let me out alone, of course, I was too young, but we went out together on occasion before I started working on cases as L, or under one of my other aliases.

During those outings, I noticed the many strange looks I received due to my appearance. Some people were rude enough to actually point and whisper to their traveling companions. Others still…despite Watari's presence, shouted insults. The large groups were always much more brave, and much more daring. It is why I fear them most."

"They're not brave!" Light suddenly shouted. Blinking, L looked up at his suddenly very angered roommate. Light was so furious in fact that his cheeks were red and the usual vein L associated with his fury was throbbing in his forehead. "It's not brave to pick on orphaned little boys! It's the most cowardly thing I've ever heard of!"

L kept his gaze locked on Light's trembling face. He knew he'd been right to tell him. Light respected his tale. And he was sympathizing. Yes. He was ready to accept L's tales now. He was ready to let L get a little closer. And after the way Light had been acting, and the way he'd been making L feel…L was confident about allowing himself to be a little closer too.

Still, he wanted to be careful. This was a nice introduction to the heavier things that were waiting inside of him. Light was handling it well. It may have been selfish, but L was glad to see him upset. He wanted someone to be angry for him. He wanted someone else to understand the injustice of it. Seeing Light angry made him feel better. It reinforced the idea that Light cared.

"You're right Raito-kun. They were not brave people, just pitiless. I used the wrong adjective." This didn't seem to make Light any less angry. In fact, he let off a low, but furious growl, then quickly ran both hands through his hair in frustration.

"Those idiots!" L watched Light a moment more, then quietly said,

"I'm glad you're upset for me Raito-kun." Light blinked, his anger melting. He turned to look at L with contemplating eyes. He absorbed L for a moment. He sat quietly, his freshly bandaged hand resting on top of his right knee. He didn't look any different than usual. But Light knew what his last phrase had really meant.

L had accepted Light's affection.

He might have been caught off guard two days ago when Light had made him pancakes. He was even more caught off guard the day before when Light had showered him with affections. But now, now that he had time to be prepared, L was taking it all in stride. He was adapting easily, flawlessly. This was no wonder. L had always been a genius at moving with whatever the situation called of him. But the amazing thing about all of this was that L not only accepted Light's affections…he was giving back his own in return.

Light understood perfectly that L had never spoken about any of these things to anyone before. Only Watari. What L was doing right now was offering a small piece of himself to Light as payment for all the kind things he'd been doing for him. He was trying to also be affectionate.

Light's insides squirmed. He could scarcely contain himself. This was a moment he knew he'd remember for a long time. The moment L decided to fully trust him, and open up to him. It meant that at least for this precious second, L was not afraid of him, and trusted him entirely. And dare Light think it…even cared for him.

But his last statement was heartbreaking.

"You…you're glad I'm upset for you?" Light repeated. L did not answer, and instead only stared up at Light with his unusual large, and deceptively empty eyes. Light knew what this statement meant. It meant no one had ever bothered to care about L's sufferings before. No one had ever become angry at these things.

Then again…how could they, if L had never told anyone about this? Light immediately knew the reason behind this sudden story L had told him.

It was a test. L was testing the waters. He was happy at Light's reaction. He was glad that Light cared enough to become enraged. And that meant that if he had been watching for a reaction, then the things he just told Light, although personal and true, were only the beginning. If that story was just a test, it meant that far worse tales lurked underneath his pale face.

"Of course I'd be upset Lawliet…" Light said, his tones much softer now that his anger had left. "What was done to you was wrong." L nodded.

"Yes. You have a strong sense of justice Raito-kun." L lifted his un-bandaged left hand and carefully started chewing on his index finger. Light waited for more, but more never came. It seemed the moment was already over. L was not willing to offer anything else.

Light wondered if he would accept this for a moment. He had a very strong urge to try and force L to say more. After all, he was used to getting his way and what he wanted. And if he didn't, he could always outwit someone or force them to do as he pleased. But L was different. This had been a test. Perhaps it still was. That meant he could not screw it up. L did not like domination. So Light would have to restrain himself.

"Should we go clean the kitchen?"

"I'll do it Raito-kun. I created the mess after all." L hopped off of the toilette seat, standing up as erect as he could manage.

"Well all right. But I'm going to at least have to do the dishes for you. You can't get that bandage wet." Light smiled. L caught it. It was a nice smile. Much warmer than Light's old smiles. L remembered them being cold and menacing. Now…now he enjoyed his smiles. Getting the hang of agreeing, L nodded.

"Ok."