V in the Making.
L smiled fondly as the young Jones girl wriggled in his arms, trying to get comfortable once more. They had been in this position for about ten and a half hours now, still no lift on the frozen passports nor canceled flights. People had left the concourse and went to check in at the built-in Hyatt Hotel. Some even called their travel agent and asked if it were possible to book them on a train or get them into a cruise liner at the last minute.
The older man didn't seem to mind, he enjoyed looking after his A in comfortable silence. It was one of the times where he could relish in her looks.
My A? he raised an eyebrow as Light came back over from the departure board, shaking his head in saying "We're still stuck here, sorry."
"Is she still asleep?" he kneeled down to Antigone's current height and looked at her with curiosity, "I could've sworn she might have woken up by now."
"If she's tired, let her sleep." L replied, "We have a huge task ahead of us, maybe it'd be best if we all tried to rest up."
"That includes you," Light countered, "seriously, I never saw you sleep when we were working together."
"Because I was asleep when you were, most of the time, at least." he said coolly. This was true; he caught at least a fifteen minute nap while his former suspect was out cold from lack of sleep.
"Thanks for telling me that." he muttered.
"Well if I told you while we were working you'd refuse to fall asleep with me present. Be glad I'm telling you at all." he snapped.
"Why are you acting like your all high and mighty again? For the glimpse of a second when we were reintroduced… you seemed humane." Light crossed his arms in thought; Obviously it has something to do with me being back in the picture entirely. He knew I was there the whole damn time! He wanted me gone, but not as Kira. As me.
"I cannot be humane around the man who cost me my life now can I?" he asked coyly.
"You could try!" he replied, "What if you had to act nice to me, for Antigone's sake!"
"She doesn't like you, you are aware of this, yes?" L snorted, his eyes filled with spite.
"Yes, I am not blind of that." he said curtly, his voice clipped.
He hated the fact that Antigone was malicious towards him from the start, but now with her knowing most of the unfortunate past between the two genii, she hated his guts more than beforehand. His logical side kept telling him it was natural and that he shouldn't take it so seriously. His egotistical side, however, wanted to torment her as much as she could take before breaking.
"Ngh…" a mumble broke the tension-thickened silence.
It was Antigone, still half conscious and talking into L's lap, "Anything new…?" she asked groggily.
"No, sorry, A," L smiled sadly. "Pleasant sleep?"
"Somewhat," she sighed as she stood and stretched, standing on her toes and bending over from the waist down. "I heard an argument brewing, I automatically wake up. It's like programmed into me now." she stifled a yawn.
"Sorry, that was Light's fault." he replied easily as he pulled himself back into his usual sitting position, he bit his thumb to hide the smirk forming over his face.
Light decided on not replying, he knew L would only get pleasure out of him being scorned by Antigone.
"It's alright; I needed to wake up anyhow. If I'm asleep for too long I won't wake up for a while… almost like a coma." she shuddered, "It's like your obsession with coffee, Light. I'm obsessed with sleeping."
"Why might that be?" Light raised an eyebrow at this.
"Sleep is safe, it cannot hurt you physically." L replied, almost a murmur, "Sleep is the only place where Antigone is safe because her life is always in danger… her family's intentions are volatile, even though hers are not. If she has too much of it, it can become deadly to her. It tries to lure her in, to tell her that she will never be harmed and will be far happier. Sleep also shows us our fears, hopes and weaknesses. These are where the terms "dream" and "nightmare" occur."
"Right," she nodded. "Is that why you don't sleep, L? Something traumatized you in your past?"
"I was what you could call an insomniac," he chuckled, "I usually never slept; if I did it was for a very short period of time. I never slept for the exact opposite reason of yours, Antigone, I had to stay awake. My work was extremely tiring if I did not have the right amount of foods-"
"Which lead to you having so much sugar and sweets, right? They could give you energy?"
"Correct."
"But, why are you so…" she tried to find the correct word without being rude.
"Underweight?" he raised an eyebrow, she nodded, "The brain is a muscle, too, as you know. The brain uses the most energy in my work; if I can supply it with enough sugar and caffeine to stimulate my senses then I can continue working. I have a high metabolism, making it easier for me to stay underweight while using my sweets as a weapon against time."
"Oh, I get it!" she smiled, but then her face changed to a look of confusion, "Hey, L? Have you ever wondered how your body takes a toll on your habits?" she looked over him once, examining him more closely.
"From time to time, yes." he nodded.
"Your spine must be killing you. I remember when we switched that when I tried to straighten up your back was cracking and popping. It felt pretty good but it must be painful for you to be like that all the time."
"I got used to it." he shrugged.
"Oh no you don't!" she wagged a finger, "Lie down on your stomach." she instructed.
"Why should I?"
"You'll see." she said as he lied down, she could see the cogs turning in his head, trying to figure out what she would do.
"Alright, now close your eyes and relax. It'll make this far easier." she whispered in his ear.
"I trust you," he warned as Light chuckled.
"I'm not gonna hurt you, this is supposed to feel good." she assured him as she stood over him and wiggled her hands a little, her warms hands reached his shoulders and began to rub sensually into them.
"Haah…" L groaned, the popping of air beginning in his shoulders, "What are you- Ooh!" he gasped, "That felt good…"
"Ever had a massage before?" she asked sweetly.
"No,"
"No wonder you have so many knots, L." she grunted, working harder into his shoulders and back, "Just enjoy it."
"Haah… A, that feels so good." he moaned, his eyes fluttering closed with every snap.
"It should." she whispered. "What did I tell you?"
"Oh…" he groaned in pain this time. He was about to tell her to stop until the pleasure had begun again.
She worked her way down, cracks and snaps eliciting from his body as she went. She reached his lower back, a small smirk on her lips. Her dainty fingers worked up and down the worst part of his body, kneading him carefully in fear he would be to feel pain, but also forcefully to get rid of the knots.
"Ugh…" Light grimaced, "A shiatsu massage would work better on him, but it'd be impossible for you."
"Why would that be?" she grunted as L twitched again from the pleasure, and some pain, wracking throughout him.
"You massage his pressure points. It helps with everything he has: insomnia, migraines, depression, back pain…"
L looked up, a unpleasant glare set straight for him, "Who said I had depression or back pain- arch!" he was caught off by Antigone pushing his head back down into the leather-based seat and resumed working. "You know that actually hurt, A." he said, but it was slightly muffled.
"Sorry," she rolled her eyes, obviously aware of what he had said, "but I really think we should get all the kinks out of your back…"
Perhaps you could help with the kinks in my pants. L thought, burying his face farther into the seat, embarrassed at the thought.
Gods, wherever you are, please send me back! I do not need this type of distraction! Give me another assignment, let me look at her from a distance just don't-!
"Excuse me? Your pillow and blanket are here." a skinny, cheesy looking, flight attendant smiled kindly as she handed them to Antigone, "We realized, after looking through our boarding passes, that you and Mr. …"
L frowned, his prayer/plead coming to a dead end. "Just call me Ryuuzaki," a genuine smile upon his lips as he sat up straight, "Rue Ryuuzaki at your service, Miss."
Antigone shot him a look, First it was David, now Rue Ryuuzaki? Rue Ryuuzaki… he couldn't have made it up on the spot!
"He's made other ridiculous names too," Light chuckled. "When we met at the college, he was named "Ryuoga Hediekei", in the task force he was "Ryuuzaki"."
"O-oh!" smiled and her cover-up failed, Antigone could see the red tint in her cheeks, "From what we saw in your boarding passes, you are flying first class. Would you like to come to the lounge, it's far less crowded?"
"Yes, please." he nodded, stood, and smiled reassuringly at A, "Come, Antigone, we're leaving." and with that, the flight attendant lead them to the Green Room, Continental Airlines' lounge area.
After thanking the flight attendant and taking their seats, Antigone crawled back into L's arms, "Do you mind?"
"Not at all. To be honest, I like this type of physical contact with you." he grinned.
Her makeup hid the blush creeping into her cheeks, "S-so do I…" Damn stuttering! "So… Ryuuzaki?"
"That was another alias of mine while working as L. Beyond Birthday used it first to trick my partner, Naomi, into working with him. When I went up to her, she attacked me. As I walked away she asked who I was and I replied, "Ryuuzaki." It has stuck with me ever since."
"Ah," she nodded, "Wouldn't anyone figure out who you were now?"
"I highly doubt anyone would try to publish any media attention about me," he shrugged. "If anything, Near would teach the Wammy students about me. Those children hide secrets and keep the close to their hearts, never say anything."
"Really?"
"Near, Mello, Roger, and Watari were the only ones who knew my true name while I was alive… Except for that sneaky Shinigami, Rem." he glared over his shoulder at Light, who was "studying the décor" while they conversed.
"All from Wammy's house. They took it to the grave?"
"Just about, keep in mind Near is alive and in good health." L chuckled as his arms wound like clockwork around her body, "Are you well, Antigone?"
"I suppose, why?" she looked into his eyes, "What are you trying to get across?"
"This is just for your well-being. You see, in case we meet up with anyone from the Mafia… we must give you an alias and change your physical identity." he ran his fingers through her ebony locks, "I think you would make a beautiful auburn… Perhaps darker than Light's hair, no?"
"Perhaps…" she yawned, not paying much attention to his thoughts.
"And blue eyes, maybe… very dark though…"
"Mm hmm," she mumbled, "V."
"V?"
"For Vendetta…" she smiled sleepily, "Now let me sleep, you stupid panda…" she poked him in the chest.
"The stupid panda will let you sleep if you do one thing." he smiled wickedly.
"And that would be?" she raised an eyebrow, her eyes drooping every other second.
"Give me a goodnight kiss." he said casually, despite his mind set into overdrive. You fool! You idiot! What have you done?! Think for a moment before you talk, as Watari put it! Now she'll never-
His inner thoughts were silenced by something soft pressed against his lips gingerly, or perhaps sleepily. He realized it was Antigone's lips against his own, kissing him.
He looked at her lidded golden eyes, closing ever so slightly every passing moment in pure bliss. He returned the kiss cautiously, not sure what to do or how to react to her actions.
She opened her mouth and kissed him again, this time with more confidence.
He eagerly obliged, his eyes closing and letting his left-for-dead hormones take over. He ran a hand through her hair and sat her up properly, the other hand steadying her by holding her from the waist up.
He was in pure bliss, but then something came running back to him. Take off the bracelet… and you're gone. the figment snickered, Don't fall in love with her now, Lawliet. Imagine it: Her heart being broken by someone who really never had one! the demonic creature howled with laughter. It's far too ironic!
He squeezed his eyes shut, tighter than before. He pulled away, trying to hide the tear droplets forming in his eyes. "You should try to get some sleep now, Antigone."
She looked at him, completely confused, but agreed after a moment of silence and shock, "Alright…" she slid out of his grasp and lay on the couch like the other first classmen and women. "Goodnight, L."
"Goodbye, A." he whispered sadly, knowing it'd be the last time he could say her name, "And hello… V."