Disclaimer; Death Note isn't mine, which may be noticeable by the extreme change in storyline.
A/N; Hello!
Here we go into the main plot of the story! Hope you all enjoy this new chapter of Low Light.
This chapter has, as always with my work, been wonderfully beta'd by VirtualDraconium, without whom I would have broken so many Death Note rules and been killed by the Shinigami King!
I also have a poll for all you lovely readers. I have moved so quickly with this story I have been considering writing a recap chapter, with a timeline for all the major players involved, so everyone knows where this stands. However I will only include it if you guys want it as I know that they can annoy some people. So please head over to my profile and vote!
Oh and I run on reviews, seriously they make me all warm and fuzzy and power my muse. So be kind and give me one?
Choices and Chances
"What do we do now?" Light repeated, quite stunned by the actions of Matt and Mello, he never knew two people could be so bold.
For once L looked speechless at Light's question, his gaze was still focused on the footage Matt and Mello were sending over; showing what was happening in each prefecture. The duo looked quite smug.
"Matt, Mello," L said suddenly, "I need to arrange some things here, I will need this line. We will call you back." L cut the link and turned to face Light, he sighed. Then said, "I really don't know Light, I really don't know."
Light looked at L in utter astonishment; this was entirely unexpected. L is clueless as to how to proceed! Though amazed, Light quickly came to the conclusion that it had been far too long since he'd been in control, and made a decision.
"I'll take over the Japanese government," Light said quickly, "We can use this building as the centre for my government, that way we can keep a better eye on them, and allow you access to the data more easily. Many countries have already accepted my authority, well, Kira's authority, so my takeover here is unlikely to be challenged."
L gawked at Light, he had never considered this possibility; all his life he had sought to work in the shadows, so to act so blatantly was beyond him. Then he realised Light was waiting for a reply and he didn't look patient. But then, time was of the essence wasn't it.
"If Light-kun has confidence in his abilities to do this, then I will trust in your decision," L said slowly, for once feeling nervous, "But have you given any thought on how to secure your identity? Are you willing to reveal yourself as Kira?"
"Not yet; I'm planning to take a leaf out your book L," Light said smiling, "I am going to wear a mask. Though I will pick something far more sophisticated than you."
"I get the impression you have been planning this," L whispered; the fire which was now glowing in Light's eyes was making the hairs on the back of his neck rise, though whether this was in anticipation or nervousness he did not know.
"This was the final end plan since I first had the Death Note. I have been preparing since then. All the items I need are hidden in plain sight. Shall I show you?"
L nodded, he was still in shock, so when Light grabbed him by the hand he mutely followed. Besides, his innate curiosity would have had him following Light anyway.
Light whirled around in the bedroom pulling items out of every crevice, the number of items surprising L, he had seen one or two of these items before, but had thought nothing much of them. In a matter of moments they were laid out on the bed. A pure white suit, with matching white accessories, except the cufflinks which were shining silver, a long white cloak with a high collar, a white wig and a mask. The mask was… well L couldn't resist moving over to pick it up.
It was soft, no make that extremely soft satin. It came under the definition of white only because there was no other available colour. It wasn't a complete mask, the mouth and most of the cheeks would be clearly visible. L smiled, it would certainly hinder anyone with shinigami eyes from identifying Light and would hide his identity.
"Well?" Light asked, he looked quite proud of himself.
"It's very white Light-kun," L commented.
Light sighed at this, mumbling about how he shouldn't have asked L in the first place what had he expected? Then instead of getting changed moved around the room and brought out an identical set, but this time all in black.
"If Light-kun thinks I am going with him, he is sorely mistaken," L said, still holding the white mask in his hands.
"This isn't for you L, this is for Matsuda," Light replied, finally beginning to get changed.
"For Matsuda?!" L gasped.
"Yes, I want someone with me who I can trust, he is a very accurate shot with a pistol," Light said, sounding distracted as he sorted out his cufflinks. L knew he could never dress as fast as Light could into a suit.
"Well that makes sense, but how did you get all this organised? I never saw any of this enter the building!" L questioned, stepping back hurriedly as the cloak brushed past him, "and why a cloak Light-kun?"
"I bought everything separately from different stores on different days and you don't always watch me on the cameras, sometimes you have to fetch cake. The time you fetch cake is appallingly predictable," Light said calmly, picking out a pair of pale brown shoes to wear; white shoes would have been going too far, "The cloak because it goes well with the outfit, and this is the 21st century not many people wear cloaks. At this point I want to stand out, without being recognised."
Light bent to start putting his shoes on, but was batted away by L, who knelt to tie Light's laces, smiling when he heard the gasp of surprise from Light to have L kneeling, quite literally, at his feet.
"Don't want this suit getting unnecessarily creased do we?" L said calmly, lifting Light's other foot to push the shoe on before pulling the laces tight and tying a smart bow.
Light was torn between patting L on the head or simply smirking down at this semblance of victory, it really was quite surreal, particularly as L had his head bowed to tie the bow. Then he gulped, L stood up trailing his hand up the inside of Light's leg.
"It's a nice suit Light-kun," L said smiling, his hand never quite reaching the destination Light had been tensing for it to reach. L's grin widened when he saw the faintest glimmer of disappointment in Light's eyes.
"Thank you," Light said, "though how much that means coming from someone who wears the same jeans and t-shirt type for months without variation…"
"There is a difference between knowing about and applying one's knowledge of fashion," L sighed, "and talking of applying fashion, don't you think you should be dressing someone else right now?"
Light frowned at the tone of L's voice as he said this and his previous promise to Matsuda resurfaced in his mind.
"L… What do you have against Matsuda?" Light asked quietly, trying to keep his tone gentle.
L started slightly, seemingly surprised that Light had seen his feelings.
"I have nothing against Matsuda," L replied, evading the question.
"L, what's going on? Please tell me." Light sighed, hanging his head, he felt like he was always having to plead with L to get any information, it was depressing.
L took a pace away, he was used to Light trying to punch him, or arguing back when he evaded questions or didn't give information, but this look of utter defeat… he'd done it again hadn't he... Why did he keep finding this relationship thing so difficult? L sighed, and decided to be honest.
"I guess it's because I am jealous of all the time you spend with him, all the attention you show him, how much you talk to him," L said in a rush, "you don't talk to me, we only seem to spend time together when the Death Note is involved!"
"That's what you think?" Light said, then reached forward to pull L to him and into an embrace, his face close to L's, "YOU IDIOT!"
L flinched at the shout that was so close to his ear and tried to pull away, his face dark.
"I spend time with him, because whenever you and I are in the same room I try and initiate conversation and you don't give meaningful replies, almost as if you hate small talk. You didn't seem to care whether I was there or not," Light said harshly, "so I have been spending time with Matsuda because I felt like you didn't want me there, like I was just getting in your way!" He actually shook L slightly as he said this.
"Oh," L replied, suddenly seeing it from Light's perspective.
"Yes, 'oh' L," Light sighed, moving away.
L's hand grabbed his sleeve.
"Light, I have never spent much time with other people, I don't know how to act around them, particularly when I think I might be in love with them a-"
"L I-"
"I'M NOT FINISHED," L shot back, Light swallowed and nodded slightly, "and when I see that person spending more time with someone else; someone who fawns over them, it makes me quite annoyed. Light, I will tell you this. You. Are. Mine. No-one else's and I am very possessive of what and who I own."
L had turned as he said this, and now reached up and ran his hand through the stunned brunette's hair, then gently pulled his head down. Light resisted.
"I don't belong to anyone L. I refuse to be a possession."
"I didn't say I was giving you a choice," L replied smiling, before dragging Light into a deeply possessive kiss, easily dominating Light. Light sagged into L as the kiss continued, bringing his arms up to pull Light closer.
"Not going to fight me on this Light?" L laughed into Light's ear, "If you don't I will never let you go."
Light's arms tightened around L at his words as he tried to think this through.
"No, I'm not going to fight you on this L," Light whispered, wondering at himself for saying this, "because… because I love you as well."
L kissed Light again, though this time his touch was gentle, almost letting Light lead the kiss.
"I believe," L said slowly, unwilling to break this mood, "that we have gotten quite distracted, and you need to dress Matsuda appropriately."
"Yes, you're right," Light sighed and released L, briefly wondering what he had lined himself up for; he had just agreed to being L's property in some way… He decided it probably was best not to dwell, he had already made the move.
Light gathered up the black costume from the bed, and with L leading to open the doors for him, though not offering to carry anything, except for the white mask he was still holding, he made his way to Matsuda's room.
Thankfully, Matsuda was up and reading a book, though he looked quite startled to see the two of them enter, and at what Light was carrying, and what Light was wearing.
"Matsuda," Light said kindly, "I need your help."
"Of course," Matsuda said smiling, eager to be of assistance, "What with?"
"The Japanese government has been taken hostage by Kira supporters, they have invited him to take over and meet with them," L responded, "I can not accompany Light-kun to ensure his safety, but we were wondering if you felt able to do so."
L smiled warmly at Matsuda then, he had no reason to feel jealous of the policeman now, Light was his.
"I definitely feel able to do so," Matsuda said, elated. "It'll be nice to go outside for a while, and my arm is nearly completely healed. I take it the black suit is for me?"
"Yes it is," Light replied, this time beating L to the punch, "we need to be quick about this, time is running out."
"I shall inform our contacts about what is happening," L said suddenly and exited the room, he had realised that Matt and Mello were still waiting for a reply and Mello was quite the impatient teenager. L also didn't want to see the commotion caused in dressing Matsuda. It was only when he got back to the main room he realised he was still holding Light's mask.
L shrugged, Light would just have to fetch it, after all L had a call to make.
…
In a surprisingly short space of time Light and Matsuda joined him. L had to admit it was quite a striking image; Light in all white almost gleaming, while Matsuda followed behind him in deepest black. The black mask that adorned his face melded perfectly with his hair, the black cloak that fell from his shoulders, slightly shorter than Light's, only reaching his ankles, not the floor.
L felt a small twinge of jealousy at Matsuda accompanying Light in this, but he had to stay here. In a way he got to be Light's Guardian Angel over the surveillance cameras, he already had a list of the politicians ready in case they tried anything, and Matt had sent him the names and faces of all the operatives under Mello's control.
"I need the mask L," Light said as he walked over to L and held out his hand. L smiled then his expression sly.
"I will help you put it on," L said still smiling, before leaning back in the chair in a way that he was not moving any time soon.
"You can't possibly reach from down there," Light sighed, then he yelped slightly as L used his still outstretched hand to pull Light off balance, so L could force him to his knees.
"Much better, I can reach now," L said smiling down at Light who was now glaring at him.
"Whatever happened to not getting creases in this suit? If the knees are dirty..." Light left the threat hanging in the air as L reached forward, however he was holding something other than the mask.
"Face-paint?" Light gasped, he looked appalled.
"Light-kun really hasn't thought enough about how he is going to protect his identity," L said smiling, "so I am helping." Then before Light could reply he applied the white paint to Light's face, even brushing Light's eyelids with his thumb so he could paint those. L only smiled more at the glare he received when he turned Light's lips white.
"Well at least I match the suit," Light sighed, his pallid face unrecognisable even to L now.
"Lean forward so I can put the mask on you as well."
Light gave in and let L tip his head forward slightly so he could tie the mask into place. Light frowned slightly behind the mask at this, he felt like some sort of supplicant, and he absolutely refused to acknowledge the small voice in the back of his mind that whispered that this felt good, to be here in front of L like this.
L ran his fingers along the material of the mask smoothing it out, his fingers leaving tingling trails over the skin of Light's face; the make-up underneath merely aiding the sensation.
Light sighed slightly a small smile adorning his face; the smile vanishing when L patted him on the head, the wig staying resolutely in position. There was the sound of quiet laughter, Matsuda was trying, and failing, to hold in his amusement at this scene.
Light rose to his feet and glared at Matsuda, an act which would have worked in the past, but now all it did was make Matsuda laugh more.
"Whatever happened to respect?" Light sighed, checking the wig was still securely in place and then snatched the face paint from L's grasp and threw it at Matsuda, who just managed to catch it, "Best if we both wear this, else it will make it seem like I have more to hide."
"Oh I respect you," Matsuda said as he stifled his laughter, as he hurriedly applied the make-up to his own face, "but respect had nothing to do with it."
Light said nothing; there was nothing he could say. He had wanted Matsuda to not be afraid of him anymore.
"Oh I would certainly agree with that Matsuda-kun," L said smiling over at Matsuda.
Light looked at them both in despair.
"I am just about to go to the National Diet Building to take over the government, and this is how you are treating me?"
"Would you like it any other way?" L said quietly, "could you in all honesty cope with everyone fawning over you?"
"No, but I know I can't cope with all this time we are wasting," Light chided, turning on his heel and marching to the elevator, Matsuda in tow.
"Good Luck Light," L called.
"Thank you," Light said smiling back at him as the lift doors closed.
Finally a new brighter future is about to dawn, Light thought.