A/N: There are a few cheesy lines in this, but I think they fit well so I kept them in here. Enjoy! x
L is for... - 42. Luxury
n. the state of great comfort and extravagant living
"Get changed, we're going out."
The elevator doors to her laboratory, where she was currently working, had opened to reveal L. He came up to her when she hadn't moved and grabbed onto her hand, taking her to the area for the protective gear to come off. She didn't need to do anything as he unbuttoned the coat, took her goggles off and bent down to remove the boots. Dragging her feet behind him, she couldn't help but be curious to where they were going.
"Is there a reason you are in a rush?"
"No." L pushed her into the bedroom and closed the door. "If I left you by yourself, you would take forever. Now get changed."
He was being awfully bossy, so she decided to take her time. L never liked going out to crowded places, which meant that she didn't need to take care with what she wore. Coming out of her room, she was wearing some jeans and one of his shirts that she never gave back. He shook his head when he saw her and pushed her back in the room, this time following her and sitting on the bed. Pointing to her closet and speaking, only after he had his knees secured to his chest.
"In there is a short black dress."
"No there isn't." She couldn't remember ever buying one.
"Yes there is." L got up and walked to the closet. After a little searching around he pulled out the article of clothing he said would be in there. "I had Watari buy one this morning while you were in the lab."
She grabbed the dress from him and groaned. It wasn't as bad as the one she wore when going out with Wedy but she knew this one would also barely cover her. Were they going to a nightclub? No, L hates crowds. If they were going anywhere crowded there would have to be some sort of space. Would it be another self-owned bakery? She mentally shook her head. If that was the case she wouldn't need to dress up. The answer to her question evaded her while she got changed and also when they were in the limousine.
The line to the restaurant was long, going out to the sidewalk. She figured it was a fancy one because the name was in another language that she didn't understand. They would definitely be waiting for half an hour, if not more. She yawned, the thought of boredom made her tired. The sleepless nights she had been having, weren't helping either. Stars sparkled above and the moon was close to being full. She'd rather just walk through the town but L seemed to want to specifically come here.
He really needed to get new clothes. It wasn't as if the clothes he had on weren't new, but they were always the same and she started comparing him to those cartoon characters that never changed their clothes. His hands were in his jean pockets and his back was hunched over. If she didn't know him, she would've judged him to be a shady guy, preying on unsuspecting young female girls. She knew it wasn't the case but it didn't stop her noticing the glances being sent her way.
"Why did you choose black?" The silence was making her think crazy and she needed to talk, asking a question she had thought when first seeing the dress. She also knew he wouldn't have let Watari choose for himself, L was too controlling to do that.
"The colour matches my eyes." He removed one of his hands and held onto her one, giving it a little squeeze. "You look lovely in it. I should get Watari to choose more of your clothes."
"I'd rather him not." She said as she pulled at the ends of the dress.
She had to be careful how she moved or else it would ride up too much. They should've gone to a nightclub instead, at least then she would've fit in. Looking at everyone in their elegant clothing, she noticed that although L stood out like a sore thumb, so did she. The line had only moved a little bit since they had arrived a half hour ago and she was getting restless. L seemed to be as well because he had his other thumb to his lips.
"This is taking too long." L suddenly stated.
"Where have you been?" She asked him. "You should've been able to tell how long we had to wait because of the length of the line when we got here." She was letting her irritation show, not feeling guilty when he sent her a frown.
"This will not do."
She didn't know whether he was talking about her attitude or the waiting. As he pulled her passed the people in front of them she had her answer. L didn't bother saying anything to the disgruntled people as they shouted some choice words at him. She tried her best to look apologetic, but it didn't help their moods at all. They had been waiting for even longer than her and L. If she was in their position, she would be feeling the exact same way.
"I've already got some reservations." L said when he got to the front of the line.
The hostess sneered at him. "You will have to go to the back of the line before I can take you to your table, but I think you are in the wrong place. The new cheap diner right across the road just opened up, I think they will be more affordable for you."
"I think you should ask what my reservation name is first." L used his 'I may not look it, but I'm better than you' tone.
She rolled her eyes and sent a disgusted look at D, secreting a disapproving vibe of her choice of clothing. "Humour me. What is your reservation?"
"Ryuzaki."
"And your first name?" The hostess hadn't even looked at the reservations list yet.
"No first name, just Ryuzaki." He looked her in the eyes, not deterred by how she must've thought badly of him.
The hostess finally gazed down, her eyes skimming across the names in front of her. The people in the line behind them were still shouting and complaining, having to wait even longer because of the hold up. D stifled another yawn that threated to escape her, turning her head into L's neck to hide it when she couldn't hold it back. The hostess' eyes widen for a bit when finding the name and looked up at him. Her mouth was open and they were able to see her tonsils.
"I'm sorry Mr and Mrs Ryuzaki. Please follow me while I take you to your table." She turned around and led them into the main area, to a table for two in the very middle of the restaurant.
D smiled smugly at the change of attitude from the hostess and also how she thought the two of them were married. One day it might happen. The table they sat at had two candle holders with candles burning brightly, much like the rest of the room. It was obvious that to be able to dine in a place like this, it cost a fortune. How did he have to funds for his lifestyle? He permanently stayed at a hotel and there were all the limousine rides. Never before had she thought about how he paid for it all. Maybe he had found the elusive money tree with hundred dollar bills as leaves.
"You had already ordered your food, it should come shortly." The hostess left them alone and quickly went to all the other waiting people.
"Why did you take me here?" She asked him, looking around at everyone who decided to stare at the weird way L sat in his chair. "You should've asked for a side table."
"I am showing you what I am made of." He reached over and held one of her hands. "Are you ashamed to be here with me?"
"Of course I'm not ashamed. If I was then I wouldn't still be sitting here with you." It was her turn to squeeze his hand.
"Good." He let her hand go as the server came with their food.
She was given a small bowl of pasta and L had a large bowl of ice cream, fruits and chocolate sauce. Grabbing a fork, she began eating her food. They stayed in silence, the chattering around them as background noise. Whatever needed to be said could be told after dinner was eaten and finished. She laughed when he got some sauce on his upper lip and didn't seem to notice. Using a finger she wiped it for him and put the chocolate covered fingertip in his mouth. Keeping eye contact, he sucked on her finger and licked it until the chocolate was gone. She suddenly had a better place for them in her mind and it was far away from this restaurant.
"How are you going to pay for all of this?" She asked once he had finished his dessert.
L grabbed a large wad of cash from his pocket, placing it onto the table, next to their empty plates. When he was sure that no one would be listening he stated talking. "I get all my money through the cases I solve. I will only accept a case with a million dollar reward or if more than ten people have been killed. Usually the cases with ten or more victims tend to have a large summed reward. It all adds up over time."
She reached over and held the cash, flipping through the hundred dollar bills. There was easily two-thousand dollars in her hands. The most money she ever had the chance to hold at once, or ever will. "Is this really necessary?" She was talking about the amount, but he thought she meant the cash.
"Cash cannot be traced. It is why I refrain from getting a credit or eftpos card." He took the money from her and put it back on the table. "You never know who might end up being as smart as me and knowing where to look to find me."
She nodded, understanding where he was coming from. L was careful with everything he did, always planning out each step. They were content at looking around at the other couples, secretly judging them. In her mind she came up with stories for each one. One man was a wealthy politician who decided to bring his favourite prostitute to the restaurant. Another was a homeless guy who killed a businessman, stealing the identity and dating the secretary of his new firm. She was internally laughing as each story got crazier than the one before it.
"You had asked me why I took you here and there is another answer I want to give you." He spoke after the lengthy silence. "You are mine and I know the way we feel about each other is… mutual." L paused, as if thinking over his next words. He took her hand again and began stroking the top of it with his thumb. "I'm rich and I want to be able to give you the world. Anything you want, I will give it to you."
She didn't reply and it started to scare him. Did he say too much? D was just overwhelmed with what L had said. Coughing a bit she quickly stood up. "Uh… I just need to go to the bathroom."
Making a beeline for the bathroom and holding her dress down, she was glad that it was empty when she arrived. That changed as more and more ladies entered. Did everyone's partners decide to say unexpected things at once? She splashed her face with water from the tap. Wearing no make-up had its benefits and she didn't have to deal with running mascara or eyeliner. Staying in the bathroom for a long time, she knew L would start getting worried and look for her but she didn't move.
"There you are." L entered and a few of the women still in the bathroom screamed. He held onto her wrist and pulled her into one of the stalls, locking it behind him. "Why are you still in here?"
"Why are you even in here?"
"I asked first." He said, expecting her to answer his question but she gave no response. "If you must know, I came to see if you were okay. You're reaction at the table was unexpected, I had only given it a nineteen percent chance of happening."
"You rendered me speechless L." She wrapped her arms around his neck, not wanting to fall backwards and into the toilet. He helped by placing his hands on her hips. "I don't want you to give me the world." She kissed him on the lips, letting them linger before backing away to look in his eyes. "All I need is you."
"That makes me happy because if you actually wanted the world that would be impossible to give." L captured her lips for more kisses.
There was a knock on the stall door making them both jump at the intrusion. "I was told there was a couple in here having sex." It was the voice of the hostess. "Get out now before I call security to break this thing open!"
"Well that plan got ruined." L mumbled to himself.