Title- Having to buy Freedom
You guys are awesome and I am really sorry about the delay, I got distracted by school and Torchwood. Which is an amazing show, you should all check it out if you haven't seen it yet. It has a canon homosexual pairing! Anyways I hope you all enjoy this chapter^^.
Mello pauses in the hallway when he sees Mikami standing in front of Light's room. Matt bumps into Mello's back and hits pause on his game after realizing Mello is staring at someone. Mikami turns his head and meets their gaze briefly before opening the door and entering the room.
"I guess we should wait for Ryuuzaki," Matt points out. Mello nods his head before biting his chocolate bar in frustration. "Do you know who that was?" Matt questions while sliding his PSP into his back pocket.
"Mikami Teru, a client that has been with Light for years and has a strange obsession with him," Mello answers offhandedly.
"Hmm," Matt agrees while pulling out his lighter and ignites the flame before turning it off.
L appears in Mello's line of vision and stops in front of him. "What's wrong?" L inquiries blankly withholding a sigh of annoyance of course something went wrong.
"Mikami just went into Light's room," Mello replies flippantly.
L frowns at that. He hadn't thought any of Light's clients would be able to get in, especially since it was only family. 'Someone must have told Mikami and figured out which room Light is in,' L thinks annoyed. He knew he should have moved Light into private facilities, but the concern of attempting to move him had caused L to put it off.
"The plan was not well thought out," L sighs, aggravated. He had hastily thrown it together. Whammy would act as Light's head doctor, but the problem with that is Quillish had met Mikami and denied ever meeting Light. It left him in an awkward position. He couldn't let Watari go in the room, or Mello. Mello still worked at the club and if Mikami reported to Higuchi than Mello's description would give him away.
There was still Matt, L smirks at that. There was no way Matt could pass for a doctor. 'He'd probably get distracted by his games and start playing in front of the patients' families,' L thinks amused.
"I'll go in, since I am supposed to be Light's uncle," Ryuuzaki decides unwillingly. He'd rather not, since he doesn't like people knowing his face, but this is an exception.
"Are you sure?" Whammy questions quietly.
"I am," L says resolutely.
"Shall I make arrangements for Light to be moved?" Whammy asks kindly.
"Yes," L agrees while placing his hand on the doorknob. "Mello, keep an eye on Higuchi, and Matt, track what Higuchi does on his computer," L orders and sees the two nod their heads in acknowledgment.
"Try not to get jealous of Mikami's affections toward Light," Mello smirks. L glares at the blonde haired teen before entering the room. The last thing he sees is three amused faces.
Mikami enters the room and is slightly surprised to find it empty. 'By the way Higuchi was talking I thought someone would be in here,' Mikami thinks surprised, but he doesn't really care. 'Light,' Mikami quickly makes his way over to the other man. He runs his hands across Light's hair and face. Stroking the soft strands gently and memorizing the feeling of it.
'You will be mine,' Mikami smiles possessively, his hand moves to Light's cheek. The sound of the door opening gets his attention. 'Who the hell is that? Is he the client Higuchi was talking about?' Mikami wonders curiously, his eyes narrow in suspicion. "Hello," Mikami says politely, his hands still buried in Light's brown locks. L glares at the hand and is tempted to snap Mikami's wrist.
"I'm Light's uncle," L responds empathically.
"It's nice to meet you," Mikami relaxes his shoulders. L nods his head, he doesn't agree with the sentiment. "Would you mind leaving, I would like to spend some time with Light," Mikami asks in a polite tone.
L ignores Mikami's request and takes a seat by Light's bed. "Pretend I'm not here," L responds brusquely. He grabs the open bag of jellybeans off of the nightstand and tosses the bright candy into the air while catching them in his mouth.
"Of course," Mikami agrees tightly, not wishing to upset his future relative. 'I'll whisk you away from Higuchi and get you off heroin,' Mikami thinks firmly. His hand runs across Light's arm before he interlaces their hands together. He can feel eyes burning into his back, trying to pick him apart, but Mikami ignores it as he kisses Light.
L tosses the bag of jellybeans onto the nightstand. A few fly out of the bag, but L ignores it and exits the room in a hurry. He makes his way to the hospitals gift shop. Everyone in the hallway dodges L as he stares at them with cold fury. He makes it to the store, his eyes dart around the store for either pencils or a stress ball. A picture of a hand squeezing a red ball catches L's attention at the front counter. Walking to the counter, he grabs the last two out of the casing and pays for them. The cashier looks nervously over at L and wonders if a doctor pissed him off.
"Are you alright?" the cashier questions hesitantly, not really sure if he wants to know.
"Fine," L responds tightly as he exits the brightly lit store and heads back to Light's room, mainly to keep an eye on Mikami. L wonders back into the room to see Mikami still kissing Light. "I would prefer it if you didn't kiss my nephew in front of me," L coldly states.
"My apologies, but I love your nephew," Mikami responds stiffly. L pulls out one of the stress balls pretending it is Mikami's head. It doesn't really help. His stress will go away once Mikami leaves and he is ninety nine percent sure that Mikami will leave when visiting hours end. L had hoped to see Light alone, after panicking during Light's episode of lung failure. That was shot to hell.
"I understand that but I'm sure Light would enjoy it more if he was awake," L responds, as through Mikami should already know this.
"You're right," Mikami agrees and L idly wonders if he will lose his sanity. He doesn't like other people touching what belongs to him. Mikami has no right to kiss Light, much less touch the younger man like a lover!
Mikami settles himself into the chair next to Light's nightstand and is also the chair next to L. Grabbing the remote, Mikami turns the television onto a news station. L feels his body relax slightly -- at least Mikami isn't touching Light anymore. The hours pass by slowly. Whenever Mikami reaches over, to touch Light, L pretends to reach for the remote, or a random item on the nightstand besides Light's bed that is next to Mikami.
"You're doing this on purpose," Mikami points out flatly after the tenth time Ryuuzaki has blocked him from touching his Light, always claiming he wants to change the channel. "I'll hand you the remote if you ask," Mikami states firmly.
"I don't want to inconvenience you," Ryuuzaki replies with an innocent smile.
"It would be no trouble at all," Mikami answers stiffly. The chairs don't have big arm rests, so Mikami had placed the remote on the wooden table beside Light's bed.
"Visiting hours are almost done," Ryuuzaki remarks offhandedly.
"So it would seem," Mikami agrees and idly wonders how Light can stand his uncle, the man is infuriating.
"You should probably go, the news said a large thunderstorm is rolling in and you wouldn't want to get caught in it," L ingenuously says.
"I think I will," Mikami concurs, as he stands up and stares down at Light, but mainly to get away from L. He much rather be the one to stay with Light all night, a grin crosses his face as his mind wonders off to things he wants to do to Light once he wakes up. A sharp pain runs up Mikami's leg and snaps him out of his day dream. "What was that for?" Mikami suppresses his rage as L tilts his head to look at Mikami harmlessly.
"My foot slipped," L shrugs while pulling his leg up against his chest again.
"I bet it did," Mikami hisses. He is going to ban Light from ever seeing this annoying uncle again.
"It was nice meeting you," Mikami says courteously. He exits the room and shuts the door loudly behind him.
L smirks in victory and crawls onto the bed with Light, after visiting hours are officially over. "You're not allowed to do that again," L states firmly. He knows it's pointless, but he feels slightly better after the words leave his mouth. "I want you to wake up. Your debt is paid off, you're finally free," L murmurs while squeezing Light's hand. Ryuuzaki lays down and decides to get a few hours of sleep. He avoids the wires allowing Light to breathe and curls up against Light's side, that doesn't have the ulcer. Listening to Light's heartbeat, L eyes close relieved that Light is still alive. Ryuuzaki's hand lightly curls around Light's hospital gown before he drifts off into a light sleep.
Watari enters the room and smiles slightly as he looks at his ward. He places the cookie box and the laptop down on the nightstand. Pulling out his phone, Watari takes a picture. He will send it to L later. He exits the room, feeling slightly better that L has something to eat when he wakes up.
L wakes up a few hours later still nestled against Light. His eyes linger on Light's relaxed form before L slides out of bed and stretches. His back cracks and he withholds cringing from the pain. Hunching over, L smiles when he sees a box of cookies sitting appetizingly on the nightstand.
Grabbing one he bites into it and rolls it on his tongue for a moment before swallowing. Out of the corner of his eye, L sees Light's hand begins to twitch. Tossing the cookie back in the box, L steps closer to Light's bed and continues to look at Lights hand. L begins to bite at his thumb anxiously. L says nothing as he watches Light's hand move a little, but the motion stops.
"Is Light awake?" Ryuuzaki questions hesitantly, he grasps Light's hand and squeezes it gently. "If you can hear me squeeze my hand," L states firmly as he awaits any gesture. The minutes tick by and nothing happens. L withholds a sigh, he knows that some overdosed patients' hands can twitch, but it's because of the withdrawal and not because they are waking up.
L feels disappointment course through his body. He really was hoping that Light had woken up, but it was nothing but a close call. L grabs his laptop, which Watari dropped off for him, so he can continue working. After entering multiple pass codes L gets to his main screen and brings up the newest reports from the French police.
The next day comes and Mikami is there as soon as visiting hours allow him. L has taken the closet chair to Light and is typing an email to the French police when Mikami enters the room. L barely glances up at him and hits the send button right when Mikami makes it over to Light's bed. L shuts the computer down, not daring to work in front of Mikami. His hand grabs the cookie he tossed back into the box earlier this morning.
"Any improvements?" Mikami questions inquisitively, he takes Light hand into his own.
"His brain waves have increased, other than that, none." L responds as he bites into the cookie.
"How much longer will you be here? Surely your work will want you back soon," Mikami questions evenly, wondering if the other man works. 'Doubtful,' Mikami thinks amused, but smiles kindly at Ryuuzaki.
"They do, I was replying to an email when you entered the room," L replies disinterestedly.
"Will you be leaving soon?" Mikami inquires, generally curious this time.
"I will be," L murmurs as his eyes linger on the cookie he is holding before meeting Mikami's gaze.
"Don't worry I will look after Light," Mikami says seriously, withholding a smirk of victory.
"There will be no need for that, I will be moving Light to a hospital in France," L replies and enjoys the way Mikami sneers at him in anger.
"Is that really safe?" Mikami asks flatly, masking his face into a neutral expression.
"It is, the hospital has already agreed and the consent form is signed," L waves the issue off.
"It's a good thing Light has family to take care of him," Mikami replies tightly, his hand gripping onto Light's hand tighter.
"It is," L agrees smugly.
"If you'll excuse me, I have to go defend my client in court," Mikami wishes he could have pushed the court date back, but no such luck. "I just wanted to check on Light before I go," Mikami murmurs with a fond smile at Light. Teru leans down and brushes his mouth against Light's forehead before exiting the room.
L bites into another cookie. Victory never tasted so delicious.
After winning his trial, Mikami makes his way over to Higuchi's bar. He hadn't felt like going last night to tell Higuchi who he saw. The rain had been pouring, last night, and the bar was out of his way.
Stepping into the club, Mikami is relieved to see Higuchi at the bar. 'Does he ever go home?' Mikami ponders inquiringly, but leaves the thought for another time.
"Who was in the room with Light?" Higuchi questions pointedly, skipping over formalities.
"Why are you so interested?"
"Light brings in the most money, even more than Misa at times," Higuchi answers, but it's not the whole truth. He does like the amount of money Light brings in, but Light is the first whore, who worked for him, that started out at the age fourteen. For two years he watched nothing but Light in the room Light has in the club.
Light intrigues him, for those two years Light never complained about his situation to anyone nor cried. His face had been beautifully impassive. But Light is cracking; his use of heroin along with the new client is making Light hope. He wants to know who is in that room so he can give Light's hopes a physical image.
He wants to have that man secretly hunted down and destroy him. Kill off the one thing that is giving Light hope because he wants Light to work in his club until either Light becomes old or dies from drugs. Drugs are something he can control in Light's situation, but not a rich client.
"I see," Mikami knows there is something Higuchi is not admitting to. No matter, it's not his business. "The only person in Light's room is his uncle Abel, like the doctor said. He is young looking, but I checked out his file and it says that the two share the same mother, but the father's are different. Sachiko's father is Japanese and Abel's father is British who later moved to France for business," Mikami responds in a business tone.
Higuchi nods his head in acknowledgement before Mikami continues. "Light's uncle," Mikami hisses at the word uncle before continuing. "Has raven hair, is extremely skinny and slouches all the time. He even hunches when he is standing I suspect he has a serious case of spinal problems. He said that he is taking Light to France with him," Mikami says tightly. Finding Light is going to be extremely hard, once he is re-located to France.
Higuchi coughs on the liquid he had just poured down his throat and hits his own chest hoping that it will let his breathing return to normal faster. "Light is being transferred, when?" Higuchi demands angrily.
"I don't know, probably in a few days. The hospital wants to watch over Light for at least one more day before they release him," Mikami responds firmly. Not pleased with the arrangement either.
"This does not give me enough time to interfere," Higuchi mumbles displeased with the turn of events. "Do you know how long the uncle is usually with Light?" Higuchi questions as he turns his head to face Mikami.
"The whole day, I asked a few nurses and they told me he rarely leaves Light's side and has his son drop off food to him, but I have never seen him. The nurses said that he has red hair," Mikami replies, tempted to take a shot of vodka to calm his nerves.
"I'll just have to call in a thief," Higuchi murmurs unhappily. His associate is not cheap, but the best in the underground.
"Why a thief?" Mikami questions and wonders if he should support this. He doesn't want Light to get taken away either but calling in a known criminal doesn't seem ethical.
"Because they like a challenge," Higuchi smirks at the younger man. "If you don't agree with these methods then I suggest you leave now because I will not have you interfering," Higuchi warns coldly.
"You're positive you can get Light back?" Mikami inquires skeptically.
"Of course, I pay good money to get things that I want," Higuchi answers smugly. He pulls out his cell phone and dials the number.
L stares at Light's hand, but withholds touching Light; he needs to send an email to the French police.
A soft moan of pain catches L's attention as he looks up quickly and sees Light's hand twitching, but unlike last time Light's head is moving and tilting in L's direction. L hurriedly places his laptop on the wooden table and rushes to Light's bedside.
"Light!" Ryuuzaki says hopefully and mentally scolds himself for showing his excitement at the possibility of Light being awake.
Light's coffee eyes flicker open, his unfocused gaze lands on Ryuuzaki. He stares at the older man blankly before breaking his gaze away from Ryuuzaki's concerned stare.
"How does Light feel?" Ryuuzaki questions concerned while settling himself on Light's bed. Light feels the bed dip lightly as L adds his weight beside his legs.
"Nauseous and tired," Light answers blandly as he faces L. "What are you doing here?" Light questions as his eyebrows furrow in confusion. After his last conversation with L it makes no sense for the other man to be here. He hadn't thought L would come at all.
L shifts his weight and looks uncomfortable, he doesn't want to answer that, but he owes it to Light. Light's eyes narrow at him in suspicion as he waits for Ryuuzaki to respond. L smirks; Light's expression looks more like a petulant child who was just woken up from a nap.
"Because this is where you are," Ryuuzaki mutters truthfully.
"That sounds like a bad romance novel," Light remarks amused, a tired smile resting on his face. "Why do you want to stay with me when you know I'm a whore?" Light questions bitterly and it sounds like he is spitting out the last word.
"You were forced into the situation and I see no point ignoring what you are now," L replies truthfully and Light eyes soften a little. "You will be out of this situation soon enough," L reassures Light as he squeezes Light's hand lightly before hastily pulling his hand away.
"It still doesn't change the fact that you believe me to be nothing but a whore," Light replies flatly.
"So you are upset about that," L murmurs to himself.
"Any person would be," Light replies snappishly.
"I think you should go back to sleep," L replies offhandedly. Observing Light's pale skin and the sweat covering the younger man's face.
"I do not need to sleep more," Light tightly replies, his mocha eyes staring at L annoyed.
"But you are grumpy," L's states in a matter of fact voice.
"Because you are having a social retard moment," Light deadpans, but feels his body getting exhausted from verbally fighting Ryuuzaki. "How long was I out?" Light asks resignedly, hoping L will go with the change of topic.
"Four days," L answers, but it had felt so much longer.
"That isn't too bad," Light murmurs quietly, almost wishing that he had stayed asleep longer.
"I have yet to inform the hospital staff that you are awake. The reason is because I had to tweak some information and at the moment I am your French uncle Abel, who is related to your mother. I need you to play along with that story," L informs Light and hopes that Light will remember that.
"What if I say no?" Light asks flippantly feeling his stomach churn painfully. He shuts his eyes for a moment and waits for it to pass before looking at L again.
"I'm not going to abandon you and you need to trust me when I say that," L responds seriously.
Light meets L's gaze evenly, judging how sincere L is.
"Alright," Light agrees reluctantly as he raises an arm and rubs his eyes. As long as Light gets away from Higuchi he will be happy. He doesn't know if he wants to stay with Ryuuzaki, but he's willing to try.
L moves his eyes to stare at the ceiling before turning his attention back to Light. "I'll tell you a secret," L decides while tapping his index finger against his bottom lip.
"As long as it doesn't involve strawberries," Light smiles at L tiredly.
"It doesn't," L agrees as he grins childishly. Light gives him a sign to continue.
"Pinky swear," L responds as he sticks up a pale pinky finger.
"What are we five," Light asks indignantly.
"Does Light not wish to learn the secret?" L asks as he tilts his head curiously.
"You really don't leave me with a choice," Light responds indifferently, but his eyes look amused.
L waits for Light to interlace their smallest fingers together. Light rolls his eyes but raises his good arm and wraps his finger around L's. "If you tell a lie stick a needle in your eye," L says as he moves their hands up and down before releasing Light's finger.
L sighs not really sure if telling Light his secret is a great idea, but he was going to tell Light anyways. Leaning forward L places his mouth against Light's ear, not allowing any chance for someone to overhear him. "I am L," Ryuuzaki murmurs quietly before pulling away.
Light's face looks neutral before his mocha eyes look into L's coal eyes confused. "Who?" Light asks perplexed.
L pouts and attempts to not look insulted. Light had known who L was before he left for a case in Germany. But now it seemed to have slipped the younger man's mind.
"Don't pout, you can explain later," Light says mirroring L's thoughts. "The name does sound familiar," Light reassures L tiredly. L nods his head in agreement before sliding off of the bed.
"Where are you going?" Light questions as he watches L's retreating back.
"To get a doctor," L remarks blandly. Light makes a sound of acknowledgment before he shuts his eyes; it's taking too much energy to keep them open.
A finger pokes Light's side and he attempts to swat it away but it continues. Light groggily opens his eyes again to see Ryuuzaki pointing across from him. He stares at the doctor's chest before meeting the elder man's eyes. The doctor smiles at Light kindly before talking. "How are you feeling?" the doctor questions and Light gives him the same answer he told Ryuuzaki.
"It's not a surprise, your body is still going through withdrawal," the doctor replies knowingly. Light's body stiffens; he looks slightly embarrassed but says nothing. "Everything seems to be alright, beside the ulcer that you have. I'll give you medication for that before you leave," the doctor tells the two, directing the last part at Ryuuzaki. He runs a few more tests on Light before writing on Light's chart. Light, realizing that the doctor is done with him, goes back to sleep.
"Good," L responds as he takes a seat on a nearby chair.
"You have to leave in two days correct?" the doctor asks L, waiting for a confirmation.
"That is true," L agrees.
"I can release your nephew in two days time. I will give you instructions on his medication for the ulcer and you will need to make doctor appointments, for your nephew, so he can take Methadone," the doctor tells L efficiently.
"Of course, thanks for your hard work," L murmurs sincerely. The doctor nods his head as he exits the room. L pulls out his cell phone and dials Watari's number.
"Ryuuzaki," Watari acknowledges as he waits for Ryuuzaki to talk.
"Light woke up," L says and hopes that the relief isn't showing in his voice.
"That is wonderful, have you two spoken yet?" Watari inquires.
"Yes," L answers somewhat sullenly he still wants to clear a few things up with Light. Watari says nothing knowing that L will tell him the reason for his call in a few moments. "I told him who I was," Ryuuzaki says dismissively.
"Do you think that was wise?" Watari questions worriedly.
"He doesn't remember who I am," L somberly remarks and Watari can see the pout on L's face.
"Light just came out of a four day coma. I'm sure he will remember when he is feeling more awake," Whammy reassures L, even if L doesn't really need it.
"Of course," L agrees reluctantly. "But he might reject the idea, of coming to France with us, and want to go home instead. Through I could always not tell him the debt is paid off," L idly remarks, he wouldn't mind doing that.
"Ryuuzaki that isn't going to help your situation, you want to build a trusting relationship with Light not one made of lies. Tell him the truth when he wakes up again," Whammy advises quietly.
"So I can wait until we are in Paris," L decides and Whammy wonders if L even heard a word he said.
"I recommend that you tell him before we leave for Paris. Is there something else you wanted?" Whammy questions, withholding a sigh.
"Are the arrangements made?" L questions casually while biting his thumb.
"Everything is done," Whammy assures L.
"I'll see you in a few hours then," L answers as the two hang up. His phone hums alerting him to receiving a text message. Flipping it open he notices that it is from Watari. L feels the corner of his lip twitch upwards as he saves the picture to his phone before promptly shutting it.
TBC
Many thanks, to my editor Songbird Severine. I will be thanking her for every chapter she edits. I really do appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule and editing this for me.
I want to thank Viciada desde 2005, who pointed out to me that L and Light have talked about L before. I will admit I completely forgot. When I looked at chapter 4 again, the two did talk about L, but Ryuuzaki never admitted he was L. So I am sticking with what I have in this chapter.
I wanted to add some humor to this, since the past few chapters have been made of angst. Hopefully this chapter was worth the wait and I will try to get the next one up faster than this one. Can't make any promises. R&R is always a good thing.
Rain angst