Author's Note: Be patient, L. It's only four weeks, you'll manage to endure it hopefully xD
During the next days the incidents with sudden kicks into Light's ribs happened quite often. The boy finally gave up and decided to limit his mobility, being too afraid of the pain. He became grouchy and touchy and always ready to use the opportunity to snap at L.
The detective was enduring it well, understanding that Light had been having a hard time with the baby in his stomach which was big and strong enough to be really active and kicky and to move around quite briskly.
'You're doing it wrong!' The auburn-haired teen said eyeing his husband who was trying to remove the stain from their fluffy white carpet in the living room. Light had gotten another kick from Kiseki and dropped the blueberry yoghurt with musli which sprawled everywhere and made the whole carpet dirty. 'After wiping the yoghurt off you have to take it to the dry-cleaner's. There's no other way to get rid of this stain.'
'That's a shame…' L muttered under his breath. 'I really liked this carpet' he recalled the memories picturing his flushed, sweaty and completely naked lover lying down on the fluffy material after they'd had…—
'You think that I did it on purpose?' Light hissed sending him an angry glance. Ryuuzaki looked at him not answering. 'I don't control it! It hurts goddamn well, you know!' He exclaimed covering his tummy with his arms. 'It's not my fault…!'
'No one says it's your fault, Light-chan' L sighed wrapping the carpet into a roll.
'But you think it is' the teen stated accusingly.
The detective sighed again and came to him sitting next to Light on the sofa. 'It's nobody's fault, Light-chan. I don't blame you. Neither verbally nor mentally.' He caressed the boy's cheek lightly but Light pushed his hand away evading L's sight and pouting his mouth. 'What is it, darling?' He asked quietly.
'I just wanted to eat a goddamn yoghurt! And instead I ruined our favorite carpet!' He said bitterly.
'So it's your favorite carpet as well ?' Ryuuzaki smirked. Light didn't reply frowning and blushing at the same time. 'I'll make you a milkshake in compensation, Light-chan…' he whispered in the teen's ear kissing the sensitive shell.
'I want salt-sticks as well' the boy murmured lying down and resting his head on the cushion.
'Certainly' L kissed Light's cheek and got up heading for the kitchen. He took a lollipop out of his pocket and quickly unwrapped it telling himself to be patient. He understood that Light was heaving a difficult time but sometimes it was so hard to stay calm when he presented his mood-swings. L didn't like being yelled at. And although he knew that his lover couldn't control it, he was becoming frustrated and the feeling didn't want to fade away.
Just four more weeks, he thought. We will make it somehow.
'Lawliet!' He suddenly heard Light's voice and sighed. 'Could you switch the TV on? My favorite program is currently on' the teen said.
'Coming' L muttered and came to him grabbing a remote control. 'Which channel?' He asked.
'Fourteenth' the boy answered taking a blanket and covering his legs.
'Culinary program?' The detective asked in surprise. 'Is this really your favorite one?'
'Even though you don't eat anything else but the sweets, some normal people like to consume dishes which are filled with the actual nutritive value' Light snorted. 'Besides, today's episode is about what and how to cook for children. At least Kiseki will eat healthy.' L assumed it would be better not to reply. 'Aren't you saying anything back?' Light wasn't done with the conversation, though.
'I don't need to. I know you're right, Light-chan' he said in his deep voice.
'Oh really? That's a new !' The teen mumbled ironically.
'I am getting back to your milkshake, Light-kun' the detective said turning back and telling himself to calm down.
Light felt pricks of conscious. He didn't mean to be rude. L was so wonderful to him, so patient and understanding and he always did anything Light would ask of him. But the teen couldn't prevent his mouth from letting out the mean and offensive words. It was stronger than his will. He was tired already. He hated the fact that he could get angry even because of trivial matters like that last situation.
Light tried to focus on what the people in the show were saying but his thoughts were drifting to the other corners of his mind, not allowing him to concentrate. He was beginning to fear the unescapable moment which always ended the pregnancy — the delivery. The teen knew that he was going to have the Caesar section but nevertheless he was goddamn afraid.
Light knew pain - it wasn't anything new to him. But from what he'd read, he assumed that he was to face the worst pain he could ever experience. That awareness was scaring the hell out of him. Even though he was already exhausted by this pregnancy, he didn't want it to end. Having his little baby inside he felt safe and secure. The very thought of the labour was making him paralyzed from the anxiety.
'Here' L muttered placing a glass with the beverage on the coffee table in front of Light. The teen hadn't even noticed him coming. 'And salt-sticks, ne?'
'N-no, I've changed my mind' Light suddenly said and looked at his husband. 'Please, stay with me' he whispered reaching his hand towards him.
'Is anything wrong, sweetheart?' L asked eyeing suspiciously his pregnant lover.
'Only with you I feel safe and calm' the boy mumbled begging him soundlessly to come to him.
'What does Light-chan want me to do?' The detective asked softly leaning closer to the boy.
'I want you to hold me and tell me everything is gonna be alright' the teen muttered quietly.
'Why wouldn't it be alright, Light?' L smiled lightly and carried out the plea taking the boy into his arms. 'This is the most amazing thing that could ever happen to us, darling. The fruit of our love, Koibito.' He was stroking gently Light's head which was placed on his lap.
'I know…' the teen sighed deeply. 'I just feel… anxious a bit.' He confessed.
'That's understandable, of course. But it's gonna be fine, Light-chan. Don't you worry anymore…' he slowly caressed the stomach of his husband.
The teen reached for his milkshake and took the first swallow. 'Dammit!' He exclaimed barely preventing the gag reflex. 'How much sugar did you put in it?' He asked eyeing angrily his lover.
'Recently you've started eating more sweets so I thought that maybe you would like it sweeter…' the detective muttered.
'Drink it yourself. I ain't gonna risk my baby will receive a sugary bomb! I won't let you make him addicted to sweets before he is even born!' Light snapped placing his head on L's lap again.
'Your loss' the detective stated and they both came back to watching the program.
…
To tell the truth, Near really had hoped that they would continue after coming home. However, Mello got totally excited by the opportunity to try out the role of L and all he wanted to do was taking the first case and then another and another. The albino had tried many times to distract him and ease his growing frustration but the blonde was too absorbed by his work and was barely noticing Near's attempts.
'Not now, Nate' he would say when the bluish-haired teen was wrapping his arms around Mello's waist and pulling him closer. 'There are tones of things we need to take care of as the L.'
'A little break wouldn't do any harm…' the albino would whisper in his ear.
'On the contrary! Get off me and start being serious' the blonde would snap back with irritation in his voice.
And so Near had to pretend that he was as much into this whole greatest detective thing as Mello but in fact his frustration was steadily growing, slowly threatening to reach its limit.
They had been working on different cases before, of course and Near had nothing against it, but the blonde was overdoing. He stopped sleeping and was consuming nothing but his chocolate and black coffee which were the only things keeping him awake. The black bugs under his blue eyes weren't attractive at all.
And one day Near finally had enough.
He pushed himself away from the desk and crossed his arms clenching his lips in a thin line.
'What is it, Near? Haven't I told you to check these reports?' Mello muttered not turning away from the screen.
'You have' the albino drawled with mock calmness in his voice.
'So…?' The blonde encouraged him to continue.
'But I am not going to do that' Near finished looking daringly at his boyfriend.
'Why not ?' Mello narrowed his eyes but still refused to peek at the albino.
'Because you're pissing me off' Near said in the monotone stabbing the piercing look of his dark eyes into the blond head.
'Right now you're starting to awake my own anger as well, Nate' the blonde hissed turning to the teen. He didn't like what he saw, though.
Near was sitting on the revolving chair with arms crossed. His face was showing the perfect lack of expression but his black eyes were hiding the blinding fury in their depths. He stood up immediately and grabbed Mello's arm forcing him to leave the armchair as well. The blonde didn't manage to react because his great reflex was gone with all the hours he should have been asleep but hadn't. Near dragged him to their bedroom where the big mirror was hung and forced the blonde to look at himself.
'This isn't normal, Mihael' the albino whispered placing his arms around Mello's waist to hold him still. 'You're going to finish yourself.'
'Ryuuzaki manages and so can I' the blonde muttered yanking weakly. 'Take your arms off me at once, River' he hissed.
'I won't' Near said. 'You're going to rest. I won't hesitate to force you if I need to' he whispered sinisterly.
'You? Force me? As if I ever let you!' Mello mocked.
'When you're in this state? This will be childishly easy' Near's hands reached for the zipper of Mello's leather shirt and pulled it down.
'What the hell are you doing?' Mello snapped trying to turn around but the world was spinning around him making it impossible for him to take over the control.
'I am changing your clothes into pajamas. Leather isn't very comfortable for sleeping' the albino said calmly revealing the pale skin of his boyfriend.
'I am not going to sleep!' Mello exclaimed trying to keep the keen sight. His head was terribly heavy. 'I just need some coffee…'
'All you need is a good long sleep now, Mihael' Near muttered pulling one of his white loose shirts from the closet and making the blonde put it on. It was too big for him, of course. The material was almost reaching his knees. Near then unfastened his pants and pulled them down leaving him in only white shirt.
'It's a nice change to see you in something which is not black' he murmured taking off the bracelets from Mello's wrists and putting them on the nightstand.
'You're gonna regret it' the blonde hissed collapsing onto the bed.
'Looking forward' the albino smirked and got into the bed as well.
'What are you doing…?' Mello frowned fighting to keep his eyelids open.
'Making sure you'll stay in bed' the bluish-haired teen responded. 'Have a good sleep, Mello' he whispered and pecked the back of his boyfriend's head flinging his arm over his waist and pulling him closer.
And suddenly Mello realized he couldn't focus anymore. He just let Near do as he pleased and drowned into the waters of subconsciousness.
…
Mello slowly opened his eyes but couldn't see anything for the first few seconds. He felt a sting of pain in his neck which told him he must have been lying still for quite a long period of time. He set his sight on the clock and froze.
Quarter past two in the afternoon…?
It sobered him up at once and he quickly raised up to the sitting position. It wasn't the wisest idea — it made him feel dizzy. All annoyed, he slapped himself into his face twice and finally managed to focus his sight efficiently. He looked around but it appeared he was in the bedroom all alone. When the memories surfaced in his mind, he narrowed his eyes and stood up at once clenching his hands into fists.
Mello opened the door and headed for their little studio taking a great care of placing his footsteps quite loudly. He grabbed the knob and swang the door wide open so that it bounced back from the wall. His blond hair was awry — the usual immaculate wisps were sticking out in every direction. Plus he was badly pissed-off.
Near was sitting in the revolving chair with his back turned to him and working as if nothing happened. That made Mello even more furious.
'Did you sleep well, Mello?' The albino asked calmly ignoring the blonde's anger.
'I will pull your fucking legs out of your fucking ass…!' He burst out trembling from the annoyance.
'Simple thank you would be enough' Near sighed and turned to the blonde. Seeing him in that state caught him off his guard — he parted his lips in surprise.
'What?!' Mello shouted feeling his anger growing again. This fucking cockass was shamelessly staring at him!
Near's lips curved into a sly smile. 'Nothing…' he muttered. 'I just find your morning look pretty hot.' His eyes shined playfully. Mello looked down at himself realizing his half-naked state — the white huge shirt wasn't properly buttoned and was uncovering the fare part of his body.
'You. Are. Dead.' He drawled with a scarlet blush spreading all over his face. He blamed his anger for this.
'No…' Near chuckled shaking lightly his head. 'I am very much alive.' He slowly approached the blonde.
'Don't touch me…!' Mello hissed raising his fist threateningly.
'You need a bath' the albino stated. 'I'll prepare you one.' He wanted to omit him but Mello didn't let him.
'Not that fast!' He drawled barring him the way. 'I'll teach you not to force me to do anything else anymore…!' He pinned him to the wall. His blue eyes were flinging furious bolts towards Near.
'That's rich' the bluish-haired teen smirked. 'But let's put it off until you take your shower, shall we?'
'Over my dead body!' The blonde exclaimed angrily using even more force to hold Near still. The albino immobilized which made him confused. 'Aren't you going to fight me…?' He asked furrowing.
'Is there any sense in fighting you, Mello?' Near's eyes stayed unreadable. 'Sooner or later it's always the way you like it. Let's not waste our time on something as useless.' He spread his arms apart in the surrendering gesture. 'Do as you please — hit me, punch me, punish me. And then let's go to the bathroom.' He played his role well deceiving his boyfriend and pretending to have submitted.
'You can't be serious…' Mello was confused as ever. He slowly loosened the death grip on Near's shoulders. The albino stood still not moving even for an inch. His black eyes were never leaving Mello's blue ones. The blonde felt like his anger was fading away. When the haze of blinding fury disappeared, he suddenly felt stupid.
'Fucking fuck…' he swore under his breath and turned away from Near. His eyes met his reflection in the mirror in the hall. 'Holy shit! My hair…!' He quickly started smoothing it and hastened to the bathroom. Near sighed and came to their bedroom for the set of fresh clothes for him, foreseeing what command he would hear in a moment. He went inside the bathroom and saw Mello trying to tame the storm of his unruly hair.
'Haven't you learned to knock before entering?' He snapped at Near sending his an angry glance in the mirror.
'Why don't you start sleeping in this shirt more often, Mello?' The albino suddenly asked. The blonde froze for a second.
'Because it's yours...?' He finally snorted coming back to his occupation.
'So?' The bluish-haired teen tilted his head. 'Light sleeps in L's shirt.'
'Because he's the uke!' Mello burst out. 'It's a uke thing to wear seme's shirt for sleeping…!' When he finally realized what he'd just said it was already too late. He froze not daring peek at Near.
'Do you suggest something…?' The albino chuckled maliciously leaning against the wall.
'That doesn't count!' Mello snapped. 'You made me wear it when I was only partially conscious!'
'Empty words, what's done is done' Near teased smirking ironically.
'I will never be the uke!' The blonde shouted turning to him. 'I am always the one in charge…!' He spitted out clenching his fists again.
'It suits you, Mello' Near was having so much fun. 'Matches with your blush.'
'Get out!' The blonde yelled out feeling the urge to hit something. 'I hate you!'
'Don't be so flaming' Near smirked and left the bathroom leaving his boyfriend with the feeling of bitter humiliation and mad anger.
'I will make you regret your words, Nate River…' he whispered sinisterly to the empty room.
Second Note: Jeez, my love for dominant Near strikes again xD But Mello's not that easy to be dominated. I love their battles for being the one in charge so much! :)