Loving You

When Light drifted back into consciousness, his entire body felt as if it was floating, weightless and his mind completely blank, all of his memories and emotions still lost somewhere in his sleep. It was a pleasant feeling, just lying there without having to think about anything. The bright light coming in through the wide window would have usually bothered him, but this morning he was way too drowsy to care.

A sudden movement disturbed his doze and something tickled his chin. Only now did he perceive the weight on his chest, pressing him into the mattress. It made breathing in and out slightly harder than usual, and him in turn wonder how he had not noticed earlier. His first reaction upon opening his eyes was a surprised flinch, because L sprawled out on top of him was probably the last image he ever expected to witness. It was a sight at least as unbelievable as L declining offered candy, or L sitting the way everybody else did. Outright impossible.

Yet here he lay, one of his cheeks against his chest and his limbs practically everywhere, the thin sheets tangled and twisted between them. The detective was still slumbering; the movement that had awoken Light had obviously occured while L was asleep. The insomniac rarely ever slept, and in case he did it was on his side curled up tightly into a ball, legs against his chest, which made it all the more astonishing to find him like this. If I didn't know about his true nature, this would probably be the most adorable thing, Light contemplated while affectionately threading his fingers through the black chaotic hair.

Then he noticed a thing far less innocent, something he should have realized the moment his eyes had caught L's form.

He was completely naked.

Oh.

A quick glance towards his own body was enough to tell him that he didn't wear any clothes himself under the sheets that barely covered him. The events of last night came back to him in a rush. How could he have forgotten for only a second when this night had been the fulfillment of all of his hopes he had harbored over the past weeks since becoming aware of his feelings for L? It was hard to get a look inside the detective's head when he hardly ever showed emotion, but there was no doubt that whatever it was that he was feeling for Light, he did feel something for him, and that was all that mattered for now.

He leaned back contentedly, savoring the wonderful sensation of the other man's skin on his own while at the same time recalling the time they had spent together just a few hours ago. L's unusal sleeping pose made him wonder whether he had just collapsed and fallen asleep on top of him because as much as he tried he couldn't remember. I had all been too sudden, too overwhelming, and one thing had become evident: This was no crush that would go away again as fast as it had come. Somehow – and he still suspected some vile psychological trick – the dark-haired man had managed to make Light fall in love with him. Sure, this kind of relationship would only get more complicated once they had arrested Kira and L had to tend to other cases. The world's greatest detective was bound to leave Japan again sooner or later. The prospect of having to part almost conjured up the wish in Light that Kira should lead them on forever.

When he moved around to find a more comfortable position, a sudden and sharp pain in his rear reminded him of its existence, causing Light to curse under his breath. I take everything back, may we catch Kira tomorrow so this pest won't be able to violate me anymore! He winched. Damn it, Ryuzaki, I'll make sure to get you back for this.

"You deserve a year without candy after all", he grumbled when the ache had finally subsided a little. As if on cue, L drowsily opened his eyes and lifted his head from Light's chest, appearing disoriented. "I heard someone mention breakfast", he murmered, rubbing the dark-rimmed eyes.

Are you kidding me?! You've been fast asleep just a second ago! And how come you automatically equate sweets with breakfast?

"Do you have a sixth sense when it comes to food?", the ex-student snorted, the tired expression on his face amusing him beyond belief. Where had the detective gone that was always alert, always taking great care to not let his guard down, even at night? It wasn't at all unfounded for Light to believe that the scrawny man had slept as many hours last night as he usually did in the course of a week.

"I have to admit that I'm a little hungry myself, so why don't we take a shower together and go over to the kitchen?", Light suggested while he rested his hand on L's shoulder blade that felt cold to the touch. It was probably due to him resting undressed on top of the blanket, but he didn't seem like the type to catch a cold easily anyway.

Then suddenly the detective towered over him, having gotten up from his lying position faster than Matsuda could do something stupid. Quite an accomplishment. He glanced down at Light, obviously not caring about covering himself, and altogether this scene was similar to a very sensual one he had been allowed to experience a couple of hours ago – just that this time L didn't appear impassioned at all, but as if he wanted to brutally shove his foot into Light's face. The fatigue had completely vanished from his countenance, his stare was outright threatening.

Light's stomach plummeted while at the same time an iron fist clenched his heart, squeezing hard. An atrocious thought emerged from his subconsciousness, merciless pushing its way into his mind. What if the night they had spent together didn't mean the same to L as it did to him? Was it possible that for him it had only been a convenient way to satisfy physical needs, denying any emotional bond?

"Did you just suggest to take a shower together?", the detective inquired as if during an interrogation, confirming Light's vexing worries.

"I just thought that we could as well use the time we posssess before we have to join the investigation team", he stammered, his throat unbearably dry and tight. I miscalculated. When Ryuzaki spoke of addiction, he might have talked about ordinary human cravings, but not about me as a person.

"Correct me if I'm wrong – which you won't need to do because I'm right anyway – but didn't you refuse to get into the shower with me after our first day chained together?" A pale hand crept onto his shoulder, clawing at it. The metal links rattled softly, evoking the image of a vengeful ghost.

"Yes..."

A gleam appeared in the darkness of L's eyes. It was a typical sign Light sufficiently knew by now, telling him that the moron was up to something. Generally it would be something unpleasant, but in this specific situation it got his hopes up again.

"Quite the drastic change of mind", the detective mused, one finger tracing the outlines of his lip. "Wouldn't such extreme indecisiveness indicate a second personality, perhaps one that is a rather infamous mass murderer?" As always his face gave nothing away, and if it hadn't been for the inconspicuous spark in the dark holes L called eyes, Light would have believed that he was seriously accusing him once again. To tell the truth, he didn't know whether to be relieved or furious.

Before he could decide, however, had the sugar-addict done something startling: Falling limply against him, he rested his chin on his shoulder, their bare chests touching. A black avalanche of untamed hair hit Light's face and tickled his nose, so he shoved it away. And what he whispered close to his ear then was even more astonishing. "Don't be Kira." His arms trembled ever so slightly when he awkwardly put them around Light, repeating the phrase once again.

It was the first time the Kira suspect fully understood that L had never rejected him out of malevolence or because he enjoyed playing with him. The world's greatest detective couldn't afford to let himself being led by feelings. It was a dangerous affair, life-threatening even, and many lives rested on his shoulders with each complicated case he accepted. The plain fact that he opened up demonstrated the trust he had in him, and Light promised himself to never betray this trust.

"It's more likely for Misa to win a Nobel Prize than for me to become Kira", he reassured L. "I never was Kira to begin with."

"Then what about Matsuda winning a Nobel Prize?" The smile in his voice couldn't be overheard. His rare lapse into melancholy seemed to have passed already.

"We should stay within the realms of possibility", Light clarified, casting a glance at the alarm clock beside him. "The offer to take a hot shower still stands by the way." And in case I'm lucky and we take it together it might get even hotter.

Unfortunately, the detective had already noticed which time the digital numbers displayed. "We are already late as it is", he objected. "If we take too much time in the bathroom now, the rest of the team will appear downstairs before us and we'll make them wait."

"Then let them wait", the auburn-haired growled. "We always arrive early and wait for them, so it's only fair that our roles are reversed for once." Casually he leaned back against the headboard and slid one arm under his head, confident enough to believe that showing off his impeccable body might be enough to make L change his mind. His effort was crowned by succes. "Fine", the insomniac relented, ostensibly uncaring, but Light hadn't missed the telltale stare into his direction. He watched the detective get up and shuffle towards the bathroom, enjoying the privilege of seeing him completey stripped. Following him, he quickly slipped into the shower cabin with the other male, letting out a contented sigh when the heated water hit his skin.

They both stood under the spray, neither of them making a move to actually wash themselves. Light remembered how he had once imagined what L might look like while showering and was not surprised to find out that with the tousled hair plastered to his forehead he looked unfamiliar, yet not less attractive. Captivated, he looked at the water dripping off his counterpart's pointy nose, his eyes half closed to protect them against the downpour. Not a single word was spoken between them as Light stepped closer, and when the older man slightly parted his lips, he didn't need more of an invitation. He brushed his lips against L's, gently first, then with more fervor when the other reacted instantaneously. The detective grabbed onto the back of his neck to bring their mouths and bodies closer together, alternating between kissing back, teasing him with his tongue and seductively biting his lip. Not that Light needed any more motivation to be seduced by him.

When they parted their breath came out in short gasps. Passion burned in L's eyes, making it impossible to avert his gaze as Light trailed his fingers down his chest, stomach and then down lower, taking in every single reaction from his body. That was it what he had most craved for, to break down the walls around him and be able to perceive the manifestation of this intensive emotion in his face. When he firmly stroked the inside of L's thighs, he earned a quiet moan of pleasure, fueling his own arousal. It was an exhilirating feeling to be the one in control this time, unlike last time when they had slept together.

"Light...", the detective panted almost incomprehensibly, arching his back as he pressed against the tiled wall of the shower and turned his head to one side. Completely taken aback, Light had to pause in the middle of his ministrations. Leaving the honorific at the end of the name away was something he had never done before .

"How did you just call me?", he asked incredulously, longing to hear it again, while he kissed the milky skin right under his navel.

"Light", L repeated hoarsely, gripping at his wet hair as Light sank down to his knees, looking up from this most sinful position. "Light."

Oh, he could get used to that. It was evident that L wasn't someone for sweet words and he didn't do a particularly good job at conveying his feelings – this seemingly small gesture of dropping a honorific might as well be the most of a love confession Light would ever get. But he understood the hidden message, the intimacy that went with calling him by his sole name, and he swore to himself that before they'd be finished here we would make L scream it out loud.

Did anybody even expect another chapter? ;)

There will probably be two more in case you wondered, finally involving the Death Note.

I decided to give L and Light at least one chapter just for themselves, before I start torturing them again...

Much love to anybody who actually still sticks with this story after such a late update! 3