AN - Hello! Another chapter for all you wonderful people, and this one's quite...interesting. A lot is going to happen in the next couple of chapters and a lot of it won't be pleasant so I wish you the best. For me, I've come down with a cold (that's school for ya) and I've haven't stopped sniffing for the last couple of days (not much fun). But to feel better, I got a cup of tea tonight and watched Dear White People (which is a brilliant movie) and Mad Max (which I finally got around to seeing and it was completely amazing. So much girl power and female empowerment I loved it) So if you need movies, those two are definitely worth watching. And I also had a brilliant writing spree and wrote two chapters in a night (as of now, I have no idea how long this is going to end up being. Already, it's crazy long and I still want a lot to happen so I don't know...I just about entered stage 2 after twenty chapters, so I honesly won't know when this will end or how long it will be until I literally write the last word. It's probably cuase I suck at planning so I write whatever seems best and go off that. Originally, Misa was supposed to have a much larger role and she still might, but as of now, anything can happen (and when I mean anything, I mean anything) I promise that I'll finish it eventually and won't leave it incomplete. There's nothing worse than getting through a 100k and realizing there's no conclusion, and i don't want my first fic to be that)

Anyway, for the chapter, time is a bit weird because I'm not sure how exactly B and Light's arrivals would have been timed with each other, so just be a little flexible (same with any minor inconsistencies. I try my best, but sometimes I miss things). Other than that, enjoy!

Chapter 21 - Bad Blood

L could not remember a point in his life where he had been more fatigued. Even when he leaned on Light, his legs could barely support his weight, and every movement felt dragged by a consuming weariness. He could barely keep his eyes open.

Worst of all, he had an enormous headache that pounded against his skull with every movement. Thoughts had slowed from their usual deluge to a small trickle, and it frightened L how his mind could barely function. His mind was his greatest asset, and to lose it would be to lose everything.

Admittedly, L had been knocked unconscious, surely sustained some form of concussion, and been drugged repeatedly over the course of a day or two so he could not be blamed for his less than stellar mental and physical abilities. However, that made no difference. With the situation as it right now with B and Light and A, L simply had to preform brilliantly. He had to think as rapidly as everyone else, but he didn't know if he was capable with his headache continuing to linger.

All L wanted to do was sleep. He wanted a soft, warm bed and for Light to hold him as he drifted peacefully into sleep, but with the appearance of B, he could not foresee a point in the future where that could be possible.

He just wanted a few hours of rest. Was that too much to ask?

Already, against his better judgment, he could feel himself nodding off.

Upon arrival at the motel, Light had immediately set L down on a decrepit couch, before sitting down with him. L had instantly collapsed onto Light, and his whole body went limp with exhaustion. His head rested on Light's firm chest, and he subconsciously twisted a hand in Light's shirt. After a moment, Light laced one hand around L's frail form while running his other soothingly through L's knotted hair. He pressed his mouth against the top of L's forehead, letting the hair tickle his cheeks. L could feel himself succumbing to the warmth. Light exuded a sense of safety, and L never wanted him to let go. He wanted to remain pressed against Light's chest with no concern for the future.

"You okay?" Light asked, his voice muffled by L's hair.

L could barely distinguish the words as the repeated beat of Light's heart echoed in his ear. He chose to nod slightly as a response and hoped Light would be satisfied.

"I'm sorry," Light whispered as he rested his chin on the top of L's head. L heard the words this time, but his mind struggled through creating a response.

"I know," L responded, his voice barely audible. He could barely think with Light pressed against him. Light's warmth exuded through the thin shirt and sank into L's skin in comforting caresses. The world was falling away except for the heat and the pound pound pound of Light's heartbeat.

"I'm going to make it okay again."

"I know," L repeated, his mind filled with haze. He was on the brink of sleep, pressed against Light so tightly.

"You can sleep, L. Don't worry. I won't let go," Light reassured, holding L like something infinitesimally valuable. Just feeling L lean against him caused a deeper warmth spread through him, and he never wanted to let go. Unfortunately, with B likely to appear any moment, there was a strong chance he would have to. But he wouldn't do it without a fight, and not until he was completely sure L was back to normal.

The soft reassurance was enough to lead L into sleep, and his muscles relaxed against Light as he breathing evened. Light felt the change, and began to rub small circles into L's back. A strong feeling of guilt threatened to lodge in his stomach, but he pushed it aside. While what happened to L was regrettable, L understood what he was getting into with agreeing to help Light. Of course, that didn't mean he ever wanted something like this to ever happen to L again; Light would make expressly sure no one would harm L.

All he had to do was deal with B, and then escape to somewhere safe where he could continue his judgements and they could live in relative peace.

Light had a sinking feeling in his gut that it would be much more difficult than he was making it sound.

Light brought one of his hands to press against his forehead, grimacing at the small pain behind his eyes. Today had been hell, and Light wanted to join L in the soft encloses of sleep. He wanted to lie down next to L and entwine their arms and legs together until he couldn't tell where he ended and L began. The keening desire created a cavity in his stomach, and he held L tighter, wrapping his arms around him and placing kisses on his forehead and cheeks and eyelids. L murmured quietly as Light left trail of butterfly kisses up and down his face, and he shifted forward to lean more into Light. Light smiled fondly at the action, letting his hands carefully trace the curves and angles of L's body, reveling at the man and his pure exquisiteness.

He didn't know how long they remained like that, but the wobbling of a doorknob shocked him out of his peaceful stupor, and he jolted up, watching the door with wide eyes. After a moment, the door swung open as if angrily kicked and two shadowy figures slinked through the doorway and into the dingy room.

Light had chosen to keep the lights off, so L could sleep better, but one of the figures he assumed was B had jumped to the conclusion that Light had never shown up. He muttered curses under his breath, and without warning, began to violently kick the wall. The person behind him, who Light couldn't make out in the darkness, stood stolid as he observed B's violent reactions. He made no movements except to walk over to the door and flick the light switch on.

Blinding light immersed the room, and Light squinted his eyes, attempting to adjust to the sudden change. When he finally opened his eyes and could see through the garish light, B was staring at him with an unfathomable expression. His hand flexed around the handle of a knife as he looked at L's position.

Light met B's unnatural eyes, making sure that no fear would filter through. He could kill B at any moment he chose, so there was no reason for fear, and he forbade himself for allowing to look weak in front of B.

After a long minute of staring intently at each other while trying to size each other up, Light allowed his gaze to move over to the other person. Surprise briefly marred his emotionless countenance as the person grimaced back at him.

"A?" Light asked hoarsely.

"Yes, that's me. How nice it is too see you here," A said, his voice vaporous. IN fact, every part of him appeared wraithlike, as if he was to disappear at any moment. Almost as if the only way to escape the disaster was a powerful wish.

Light nodded in response, while letting out a string of curses in his mind. He had not calculated a situation where B would bring A of all people, and therefore had no plan to deal with the two of them at once. Light groaned internally as he realized what this meant; if Light meant to fake his death and escape, he would have to kill both of them tonight, which actually wasn't too bad of an idea…If he could take out two of his biggest threats in one night, well he wouldn't complain.

Light just had to make sure that there was no way for B or A to outthink him and take him out. With L in his current position, he would receive no help, but Light had spent years without help and was just as capable alone as he was with L.

"Get your hands off him," B hissed, taking a menacing step towards Light. His face had twisted into one of fury, and his hand rapidly flexed around the knife.

Light looked down at L's sleeping form, smiling softly at how peaceful L looked. "And wake him up? He's rather tired; I think it would be best to let him sleep." Light took a hand and gently stroked L's cheek. He could sense the fury radiating off B, and he smirked at his control.

"How the fuck do you know what's best for him?"

"Well I have a pretty good idea since I know him very intimately. He is my boyfriend, after all," Light replied, before looking once again at A. A's eyes had narrowed at the exchange, and Light could already see the plans forming behind his eyes. Worst of all, it looked as if he wasn't restrained securely. A length of rope looped around his wrists, but it appeared loose. If A managed to break through the bond, he could easily run or fight if needed, and with B so focused on L, an opportunity was sure to arise for him to take action. "Why'd you bring him along?" Light asked casually, gesturing towards A.

B's gaze never wavered from L, and A quirked his eyebrow at the question.

"I've been asking myself the same question Mr. Yagami."

"Justice," B stated, "he must suffer for what he did to L, just like you will Yagami."

"Oh, well that doesn't sound too pleasant," A replied lightly.

"Shut up," B growled, and A shot Light an amused glance. Light watched him warily. This A was vastly different than the one who confessed his undying love to B; he seemed as if had regained his footing and was ready to play the game. This wasn't good for Light. He needed A distraught and shocked from B's presence, not wily and conniving.

"True, that doesn't sound very nice. Hopefully, L will have different ideas concerning our punishments, especially when we aren't the ones who have repeatedly murdered people."

B's eyes flashed a crimson, and he bared his teeth. "Oh, I will enjoy killing you so much," he began before Light interrupted.

"I'm sure you will, but I really don't think that will make my boyfriend too happy if I end up dead by your hands. You may want to rethink your course of action," Light jeered, reveling in the power of holding the most important card in the deck. L was his ace of spades, and B had no chance as long as Light held this card tightly.

B appeared so moved by hatred and rage that words had failed him, and he lifted up the knife. Light eyed it warily. However, before anything more could happen, L shifted against Light's chest and moaned something out.

"L?" Light inquired, immediately redirecting his attention to L. L responded by blearily opening his eyes.

"Light-kun?" L mumbled, drowsiness soaking through his words. He pulled away from Light by a fraction and blinked a few times attempting to clear his head.

"Yes, it's me," Light replied rapidly, "How are you feeling?"

"Stellar," L replied trying to pull away from Light. Light grudgingly released his grip around L's thin frame, but as soon as L sat up, his head tilted sideways to rest on Light's shoulder. "Mhmm, never mind. Still tired." L wrapped his arms loosely around Light, snuggling closer. His cheek rested on Light's shoulder, and his half lidded eyes were threatening to close again.

Light stroked L's hair and grudgingly admitted he needed to wake L. B was fuming, and it was unclear how much longer he would be able to restrain himself. It simply would not do if B lost himself in a murderous rage and slit Light's throat despite his supposed love for L.

Much to his dismay, Light forced himself to shift away from L and move until they were face to face. L was still caught up in the stupor of sleep with his face slack and his eyes nearly closed. Upon the movement, L opened one eye in irritation and glared at Light.

"I'm sorry for this, but you have to wake up," Light explained. L continued to glare at him and made no attempts to pull himself from his lethargy. "While I would love to let you sleep off the exhaustion of the last couple of hours, B has arrived, and he brought A along."

At this, L's eyes immediately widened, and he jolted backwards. He shook his head to dispose the remainder of his drowsiness, and he pulled himself back into his usual position. After a moment of the initial alarm, his face had pulled itself back into its usual countenance of blankness, and his empty eyes glanced over the scene. Everyone watched him, but he didn't speak until a good minute had passed.

"Light-kun, why did you not wake me sooner?" L asked monotonously, not betraying a single whirling emotion that swept his mind. There were too many emotions to process at once, so he shut them off, instead, focusing on the logical part of his mind.

"You needed sleep," Light answered, to which L nodded curtly. "And A and B only arrived a few minutes ago." At this, Light moved his hand over to L's, prying open his fist and trailing his fingers along the now open palm. He grasped L's hand, entwining his fingers through L's and rubbing softly on L's knuckles. L allowed Light's hold for a moment, but to Light's surprise, quickly pulled his hand away. Light shot him a questioning look, but L avoided his eyes; instead, he gazed evenly at the scene.

"It's a surprise to see you here, A," L stated slowly, the words rolling over his tongue and through the tense air. "Is there any reason why you brought him here, Beyond?"

A leaned against the wall, his eyes cold and hard. "He wants justice for what I did to you. You know, with the whole kidnapping and the drugging."

"Is that true, Beyond?" L asked softly.

B failed to respond. He appeared completely entrapped with L's presence and remained completely immobile. No breath seemed to fill his lungs, no beat in his veins; his eyes were wide and unblinking. The only give away that life still resided beneath his charred skin was the tremble of his hand clasped around the knife. He met B's eyes and B flinched at the contact.

"Beyond?" L asked again, his voice impossibly soft. B shifted slightly, sliding from foot to foot. His head was lowered, causing him to look like a petulant child attempting to apologize for his actions.

"I missed you," B croaked, his voice full of untamed emotions. He glanced up at L, and his eyes spoke of deep repentance and sorrow. Light moved uncomfortably at this confession and glanced nervously at L whose face had softened a bit around his mouth and eyes.

"You should have thought of that before you left," L responded. His tone lacked of any bitterness or anger; instead it remained even and calm.

B used one hand to twist his torn shirt, curling his hand into a fist around the cloth. "I never wanted to leave…but I couldn't stay there anymore." B whispered hoarsely, "I'm sorry. I never wanted to leave you."

L remained quiet for a moment.

"I was willing to forgive you," he stated, dry and emotionless. However, Light saw right through L's calm exterior. He could sense the emotions that swirled deep inside of L like powerful thunderstorms, lightning bolts crackling at every confession.

B glanced up the dilapidated ceiling, his face twisting in a desperate plea for some form of comfort. L kept his gaze fixed on B.

"I…" B began before breaking off. His chest expanded as he took a few deep breaths. The words seemed lodged in his throat, escaping only to die on his tongue.

"Yes?"

"I didn't deserve…I couldn't…L." The words appeared wrenched from his throat and he ended with a fraught plea.

L regarded B, his eyes betraying the sorrow that resounded deep inside him. His mouth twisted, and he bent his head downwards.

"Why do you continue to kill people?" L asked quietly, his voice barely audible.

B clenched the knife harder. "I have to make sure that…" B looked back down, and his eyes flashed a shade of bloody red. "I see death, L Lawliet. I see death everywhere, and I have to make sure people die when they're supposed to. I only kill people who are meant to die," he declared, a tone of madness edging his voice.

L looked taken aback for a moment, and his face looked cast in a dark shadow. He regained his composure however. "And you see death through the numbers you mentioned earlier?"

B jerked his head up and down. Light leaned forward in curiously. Shimagami could also see human life spans; did some connection exist between B and the shimagami? Would that even be possible? Light froze at a sudden thought. Did B own a Death Note? If he made the eye deal, it would explain why he could see people's lifespans. But when Light had researched past heart attacks in order to determine if more Death Note's existed, there was no record of any previous wide spread heart attacks. Light didn't know what to make of it and that worried him. However, it didn't worry him as much as L's reaction to B. There was no disgust at his horrendous crimes; instead, a kind, forgiving attitude that the psychopath in no way deserved.

"How long have you been able to see this?" L inquired.

"I've always been able to see them," B explained, his eyes wide. "Ever since birth, they've been there." B twisted his hand deeper in his shirt and swallowed uncomfortably. He opened his mouth and licked his lips. "I'm sorry L, about everything I've done to hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you; I only want…" B liked his lips again, his eyes shifting around the room. "I love you, L Lawliet. I loved you since I saw you at the orphanage, and I'm sorry, this is hard for me, but I need you L, and I don't think I can live without you." The words floated through the room in iridescent flashes that broke through the dilapidation of the scene.

L's eyes widened at the declaration, and he bit his upper lip in thought. The moment drew itself out, stretching through the silence.

"Come here," L murmured quietly. Confusion crossed B's face for a second, before he took a hesitant step forward. L made move to further or withdraw his statement, so B took step after step, drawing himself closer to the immobile form.

He paused before L; his heavy breaths shattering the tense quiet of the room. He remained silent, and after a moment, L extended one quivering hand towards B. He lent upward to gently caress B's face who eyes fluttered closed upon the contact. L stroked B's unburned skin, letting soft fingers float through B's soft, ethereal hair.

Light watched, discomfort and anger rattling in his stomach. L was looking at this monster with kindness and love, and Light couldn't stand it. His hands itched to do something to end this atrocity, and a small albeit persistent voice whispered softly to pick up a pen and carve B's existence into death. His hand jerked towards his pocket that contained a pen, but he paused in his movements. L would never forgive him for such an action. But would that be worse than losing L to this monster that dealt in empty confessions?

A coughed uncomfortably from behind them, and when Light glanced back at him and met his eyes, he could see the hurt that radiated through him. A still cared for the madman, for whatever god forsaken reason.

It was agonizing seeing someone you loved care for someone else, and Light needed to end it. Or else forsake love completely, for how something could advertised as so wonderful be so excruciating?

"L?" Light asked, the letter rupturing the moment, and pulling L's eyes towards him (where they rightfully belonged)

"Yes, Light-kun?" L replied. His hand continued to linger on B, who leaned fully into the contact.

Light thought desperately for a question that would redirect the conversation but wouldn't cause suspicion.

"How exactly do you know B and A?" he finally asked. L cocked his head, his eyes absolutely endless in the darkness.

"We attended the same orphanage together. I have known B since I was six, and A since I was eight," L answered, his voice smooth. Light nodded in response; his hand skittered across his pants: the only apparent sign of his discomfort. L's eyes darted toward Light's hands, and after a moment, he removed his hand from B's cheek. B growled in anger, darting forward to grab L's hand and return it to its previous position, but L's hand had already wound through Light's; his fingers imploring and twisting around warm skin.

"We spent most of our childhood together, B and I," L continued, however, this time focused on Light. "A and I were not intimate. B was my only companion, and A spent most of his time with C." Light nodded again, the knot in his stomach loosening considerably with the feel of L's soft hand. "The orphanage was a wonderful place. It's located in a beautiful part of England. Maybe one day, I will take you there."

"Yeah, I think I would like that." Light paused, "And I've already shown you where I grew up, so it's only fair."

"A secret for a secret, Light-kun. As you said it is only fair," L stated, a small smile dancing across his face. With that, Light could feel the tension easing its way from his shoulders and the corrosive knot in his stomach loosening. The simple reference to that game – the one in which they fell in love – tremendously reassured Light, negating the hot iron of anger and jealousy that filled his veins. B could try; he could beg for L's love, but Light would always be the true recipient.

But even that statement carried a greater meaning than a simple reassurance. No, that one sentence encompassed the full of their relationship, from their humble beginnings of a tennis game and coffee to the swirl of activity following every confession to the uniting of their separate genius to form an indomitable force playing a very dangerous game laden with twists and turns.

For L could have with his deep, melodious voice that reverberated through the night said three distinct words replayed constantly through romance after romance, and it would have meant the same.

No doubt existed when Light uttered back the same phrase, and he watched L's eyes break with emotion at the quiet confession.

I Love You, Light Yagami.

And I, You, L Lawliet.