Light shifted on the couch. Classes had gone well, as always. Luckily Misa had not chose to ambush him again. He had headed directly back to L, passing security with no troubles. He dropped his textbooks in the bedroom before joining L in the investigation room.
It was here that L sat fuming in his computer chair. His fingers hit the keyboard with angry force, distracting Light from his book. It did not take much to distract Light that day. During class he found himself drawn the windows, watching the people passing by rather than listen to his professors. He would read the sections in the book and be fine, but that was beside the point. He usually knew exactly what it was the professor was talking about- not today. Had the professor called upon him, he would have been at a loss for an answer.
With L, that was entirely unacceptable.
Light stood as L set aside his empty plate. The brunet lay down his book and headed for L's desk. L barely glanced over as Light grabbed onto the plate.
He's been watching me the entire time I've been home... yes, it is home now, isn't it?
Light went through his traditional ritual, fetching cake for the angry detective.
L glared at his computer screen. No unusual deaths had been reported- yet. If he had it his way, there would be no more. But there was so much time when Light had been out, unsupervised. What all had he been up to? Who all had he had contact with? If L knew that, he would have a better chance of stopping Kira before he ever began.
He could not let Light start again. Why had he waited so long? L had his theories, and his theories could usually be trusted, but they were still only theories. He needed more facts, cold hard facts.
Otherwise he was left stranded with maybes and ifs.
L sighed and leaned back in his chair, stretching slightly before returning to his crouch. He glanced at the time, knowing that soon Light would be making lunch. Perhaps he would be able to force some facts from Light over the meal. The brunet was too careful, too good at hiding his thoughts.
Why are you doing this again, Light? Why do you insist on living in lies?
Light walked into the room to hand L his cake. "I'll start lunch, alright?" Light asked quietly.
L glanced over at Light. "Yes. I shall join you."
Light returned to the kitchen. L turned off his monitor, standing stiffly from his chair. He frowned. He was accustomed to jumping from his chair, but he felt stiff as he stood. He stretched out, contented when the feeling went away.
I have been sitting here for an unusually long amount of time.
Light was halfway through with making himself a salad when L entered the kitchen. Light already had pastries on the table for his sugar-loving detective. L sat at the table, watching Light carefully.
L ate slowly, thoughtfully, eyes on Light as he moved around the kitchen. Light glanced continually over at the detective, feeling the hard gaze upon his back. Finally he sat across from L to pick at his own lunch. He consumed his salad faster than L generally ate a piece of cake, overly anxious for the awkward meal to end.
This L would not let slide.
"You're acting strangely again, Light." L said quietly.
Light looked up and smiled weakly but could offer no explanation. He tried desperately to think of one- he never should have allowed his guard down so far as it had fallen.
"I-" Light began.
"Don't bother with the excuses, Light." L said dismissively, standing slowly.
Light looked down, away from L's stony face. "Join me for chess before I continue." L demanded.
Light nodded mutely, walking to the bedroom to fetch their traditional game. L followed, padding along quietly. He stood in the doorway as Light searched the shelves for the box, pulling it out when he finally found it.
"Here it is." Light said with forced cheer.
L led him to the investigation room where he promptly sat on the floor. "Let's play."
Their games were always long, grueling, and a thing to behold. It could not be said that either of them won more often than the other- it was always up in the air, who would win. L set up the board, lining up each black piece carefully in front of Light. He gave himself the white.
L moved first, watching Light's move carefully.
And so it began.
It ended somewhat unspectacularly, L moving forward his queen to corner Light's king with little emphasis. Light frowned, beaten. He leaned back against the couch, staring at the board as if to find a way out. It was impossible.
Light expected L to demand a prize for his win and was understandably surprised when the detective silently began to put away the wooden pieces. He closed the box, pushing it to the side with one hand. He looked up to Light, observing the small frown twisting Light's lips.
"If you are to be living with me, Light, it would be best if you brought your clothing." L announced. "Watari will bring you to your house if you wish to do so."
Light hesitated only briefly before agreeing. "Of course."
L sat still as Light stood. "Watari is waiting outside."
Light chose against asking how the man knew to be waiting. He walked briskly past the seated detective, towards the steps and through the building. L sat a moment longer before an uncommon, satisfied smile crossed his lips. He leaned forward to where Light had been sitting.
More specifically, where his phone had fallen from his pocket.
L opened it eagerly, standing slowly. He began to sift through Light's messages, his smile immediately turning into an angered frown before he wiped emotion entirely from his face.
Again...this Mikami Teru. L thought with anger. Notebook...? Mikami Teru and Misa Amane...
They will have to be watched.
L set the phone in its prior position and walked from the room.
-T.B.C.-
Thanks again to my loely beta, Deathnotebliss!
Also thanks to wonderful reviews you guys have posted. :)