Holy shit! I haven't updated in a long time. I'm sorry about that! I hope I still have some readers, eheh. ^_^; Life's been busy, there's been good and bad. Some of our pets have passed away, however we also have hermit crabs now and, as of this month, two little rats! I'm still passionate about L and Light and Death Note in general, though I am rusty, writing wise. I have a very certain style I want to write in, and I dabbled a bit with that in this chapter. I hope you enjoy! Expect more plot coming soon~!
L and Light entered the small convenience store and Light inwardly cringed whenever someone looked their way. There was nothing quite like being handcuffed to a wild-haired, dark-eyed, slouched over man in the middle of the boxed dinners aisle. Luckily, he didn't know anyone here. Did L really think he'd somehow escape, running from the store and into a strange city, where obviously he was without his Death Note? He shook his head and noticed L was looking around, bored. Obviously, nothing in this aisle was his taste, because the cart was empty.
Light picked up a few boxes of pasta and headed for the dairy section so he could get the needed ingredients. They continued along, each picking their own type of food. The store had a small seasonal aisle... Did L celebrate the holidays? Light started feeling a little excited, they were essentially going to be living in 'their' own place, during Christmas. Maybe he could cheer up the grumpy detective by his side?
Light was steering the cart, so he headed down the aisle. L gave him a quick, confused expression. Light ignored him, and saw what he was looking for, a small Christmas tree that only would come up to his waist. He put the box in the cart, not even asking for permission, because after all, L was the one paying. L didn't say anything, he just stared off ahead of them and slowly started biting his thumb nail. Light scowled, he hated L's bad habits. But, L came with his habits and he loved L, so he would deal with them, for now.
When they approached the cashier, the young woman blushed as she saw their handcuffed wrists. She stuttered as she welcomed them and asked if they found everything okay. Light hadn't gone shopping with anyone since he was a child, and he rarely shopped even by himself. The overhead lights flickered slightly, bathing the store in a florescent glow. Christmas music was already playing over the radio. The store was filled with quiet conversation and the squeaking of wheels. Outside of the glass doors, he could see that the sky was gray and snow had started falling.
Everything made him feel a warmth inside that he didn't remember having before, and he didn't think the holiday cheer was what was affecting him. He glanced over, seeing L look outside. Did L like snow? He wanted to ask, but the question seemed cheesy. He blushed, and just continued unloading the groceries.
The men entered L's apartment, which was nearly all white, even the furniture, and the only thing that wasn't white were the walls and counters, both a light gray. The air in the apartment was stale, and everything was quiet. Light started feeling awkward. What he didn't expect was, once the door was closed and locked, L produced a key from his pockets and took off the handcuffs. "Thank you." Light said. He didn't feel very thankful, because he knew L would watch his every move. But, that had an upside. He smirked to himself, as he started putting away food.
Afterwards, he started checking the cabinets for a pan, and once he found one, he started on a creamy pasta dish. "I hope you like pasta." he said, only to receive no answer from L. "Are you ignoring me?" Light asked, his voice defensive.
"No." L replied. Light sighed. "So, this is where you lived?" he prompted, hoping for a more detailed answer. "Yes."
"L, if we're going to be living together - again - treat me like you did then."
"That was an act."
Light laughed. "Bullshit."
He thought he saw L blush slightly as the older man climbed up onto the couch to perch in his usual position. "Dinner's almost ready." He received no response.
To Light's surprise, L actually ate the pasta and had a second helping. "Thank you, Li-." Light smiled, "you're welcome." Light cleaned up the dishes, and brought the boxed tree into the small living room. There was a glass coffee table, a TV and the door which lead to a balcony that was already covered in a dusting of snow.
Light placed the box on the coffee table, and L pulled a small pocket knife from his pocket. Something about L with a sharp knife made Light draw in a breath, but he focused on innocent thoughts - for now. L cut through the tape and the box sprung open.
L couldn't remember the last time he saw a Christmas tree. He didn't go shopping and he rarely watched TV. The holidays never held a warmth for him, and deep down, he wished they did. He'd never admit that, though. Now he'd be spending Christmas with Light, something he wouldn't have expected. He didn't even think he'd survive his birthday.
He edged closer to the tree without realizing, and with his free hand, he reached out and touched the fake pine needle that was under his fingers. The tree was covered in a frost, with pinecones scattered here and there.
"What do you think?" Light asked, a nervousness in his voice that L knew ate away at the confident man. "It's... Nice." L didn't know what to say, he didn't know what to feel, he was torn between a strange, bubbling excitement and a dread that that excitement was because of Light.