Light had been living already four days in this fascinating universe of the past. He stood now at the entrance of the Crystal Palace National Sports Center, the same way he did the past days. This was going to be his third match against L and was he really looking forward.

-"Fifteen-love" L demonstrated to be a fierce player right away in the first match. Light remembered having trouble to play against L two years ago, but the teenager version was even more skilled. Maybe it was because the 16-year old L's technique was still fresh or because he was younger and filled with energy. Or maybe it was because this time he was not attempting to expose Kira, but was purely playing a game. And this time he definitely wanted to win.

-"Fifteen-love" L scored point after point. Light had to give his very best, no, he had to go beyond his very best to keep up to the kid. However Light managed to remain a high score, L would just defeat him.

-"Wow, you really know how to play tennis. I'm impressed" Light hated to loose, but he acted friendly nevertheless.

-"You're not bad yourself, for an old chap like you." L mocked as he gave his hand in a greeting. Light could not believe that the boy hardly let out a sweat. His skin and hair were as dry as ever, while he felt himself wet and dirty. Outrageous!

Light was standing at the entrance. He looked at his watch. 14:50. He was as usual before the time. He knew he would have to wait 10 minutes before L would arrive. Right on time, exactly at 15 o'clock. English punctuality. Amazing! He liked to stand there, waiting to see the young detective appear in the end of the street, giving him a small wave as he approached with a shy smile imprinted on his face. Light loved the expectation. And so did Ryuk. The shinigami was jumping around from excitement.

-"Hé Raito. Do you think you'll defeat him this time? The kid surely is giving you a bad time, isn't he? Hyuk, hyuk, hyuk!"

-"I've been observing his technique. I fond a couple weak points. I'm going to play against that."

Indeed, in the first match he was caught out of guard and felt he was struggling to keep up with L, but the second day he watched how L served, how he attacked and defended. He was able to figure out some weak points, minor ones but still dangerous if he would concentrate on them. If he could play with this in mind he might just win the match today.

Light saw L's figure appear in the end of the street. As he came closer he waved at him and the boy returned happily the gesture.

-"Hi Raito. Ready to be defeated again?" L looked amusing when he defied Light, eyes shining and a naughty grin in his face.

-"Oh, I think this time you are the one who's going to be defeated"

-"Oh really?"

-"Yes"

- - - - - -

-"Fifteen-Love" Ryuk was double of laughter. L had scored again. The god of death was enjoying this match so much. It was like a battle. Yes, Light had found L's weak points, but he still had a hard time winning the boy. Light felt furious as he noticed half way the game that L was defending himself more strongly. He saw through me. He knows I found his weak points. The bastard. Not only he was defending himself better, he was striking more aggressively too. Light didn't want to imagine how it would be if he got hit by one of L's services.

"Hyuk, hyuk, hyuk" Ryuk was having the time of his life. He watched as the two of them run from one side to the other, how they struggle for victory. Light was getting al sweaty again and his face was turning red. L was too empowering more his body this time. His hair was humid and his cheeks were getting a slight shade of pink.

"Fifteen-thirteen" The voice of the chair umpire closed the game.

-"Congrats, you won for the third time in a row." Light was panting as he stretched his hand to greet L.

-"Thanks. But I have to admit; this time you really gave me a big challenge. You've improved a lot." L's breath was heavy and the boy almost leaned completely on the net as he gripped Light hand. "Oh, I'm sooo dead" Light felt a cold chill in his spine. The image of L lying on his arms with his eyes closed came to his mind. So peaceful as if he was sleeping…He quickly tried to take this image out of his head. He looked at L's damp hair.

"Time for a shower."

- - - - - - - -

Light was happy that L wasn't complaining anymore about showering and just went voluntarily as any other regular guy. On the first day of the match Light was disgusted when L casually informed him that he would wait outside for him.

-"You're not going to shower yourself!" L looked rather confused at Light.

-"Why should I. I'm not dirty, serious."

-"You've been sporting like a maniac. I do not believe that you are clean!"

-"Well, I'm not all sweaty like you." L gave a disgusting look at Light, who in his turn felt his temper grow. How dare you!

-"Any normal person would take a shower after doing sport." Light was not giving up. He was determined to get the stinky head of this boy under the water.

-"Excuse me, but I'm not normal. So, I'll see you outside, I'm leaving now."

-"Oh no you're not!" L looked shocked as Light grabbed his arm and forced him back in the locker room. "You are getting out of those clothes and you're going to wash yourself!" L was already opening his mouth to complain again but Light cut off his words. "And I can assure you that you will feel very refreshed and vigorous afterwards."

L was fighting Light, struggling to keep his clothes on and not being dragged to the shower compartment.

-"I don't need a shower! You have no right!"

It was no good; Light pulled off his shirt and trousers and pushed the boy in the shower compartment, closing the door right behind the boy.

"Now, pass me your underwear (I bet you didn't bring clean underwear) and I want to hear that water running. You can borrow my shampoo and soap." There was a short silence. Then a pair of white boxers flew over the door. Light picked them up in L's style and placed them next to the rest of the boy's clothes. L turned the water on.

"I'll be in the cabin at your left, so I can pass you the shampoo." Light heard some kind of mumble, probably L was answering with an o.k.

L had defeated Light in the tennis match, but Light had won at the shower matter. Of course Ryuk had been laughing at the whole scene. Luckily for the two young men he was also the only spectator.

Light was happy that L would go now automatically to the shower without discussions. Apparently he was more flexible in doing what others asked for than his older counterpart. He wondered if it was due to his age (after all L was younger than Light) or because he wasn't his superior now so he could not command him around. Anyway Light saw this as a great improvement. Of course L had complained about Light being so violent with him. "You could have just asked me!". Light reminded him that he had done so and L just looked angry back at him. Light also insisted that L had to at least bring a clean pair of boxers with him the next day. And he checked it too. "Did you bring clean underwear?" L simply responded by pulling out a pair of white and blue striped boxers out of his bag.

The two of them were showering in cabins next to each other, so Light could pass his shampoo and soap to L (L still refused to bring his own stuff. According to him, if Light wanted him to have a shower, he would have to provide for the needed bath products).

Light was happy that L was showering himself without a fight, but it had a most unexpected and unwilling reaction on his body. The thought that only a thin wall was separating the young naked man from him was enough to arouse Light' body. Light couldn't stop creating images of his soap touching the boy's pale skin, tracing the contours of his young body, the foam gliding down from his chest to his legs. Why is this happening to me? Gladly he managed to release the tension of his body, very silently and quickly. He always ended staring at the white liquid going down the drain, panting softly. All the evidence would disappear and the sound of the water running was enough to hide his heavy breading. At the other side of the wall, L never dreamed of what would happen in the cabin next to him every time they both showered. He would simply wash him self and actually enjoy the shower. Light was right. He did feel refreshed and vigorous afterwards.

A/N

Ah, I loved writing this chapter! Mind you, L is a real athlete. And a great entertainer for Ryuk (even if he is not aware of it). I just had to put a scene with Light and L fighting over L not washing himself. Light was definitely playing the role of the angry father or the frustrated babysitter that is having a hard time putting a child in the bad. And L making a scene …wonderful.