Chapter 25

L sat in the darkened hospital room, his knees drawn up to his chest as he watched Light breathe. In reality he was watching the respirator breathe for him, his chest rising and falling to the rhythm set by the machine. The attempt to kill him had left his throat bruised and battered, his windpipe damaged so he could not breathe on his own until it had healed. He had sent for the best possible ent specialist and he had made sure that what was being done for Light was the best that could be.

He had done the same for Matt and had just checked on him after returning from emergency surgery and was now resting comfortably with Mello at his bedside and now he was back at Light's side, wondering how everything could have gone so wrong. He had everything set, plenty of coverage and yet both Light and Matt had been severely hurt; one murderer dead and the other spilling everything to the police. He frowned realizing it was because of the over reaction of one detective whom he would personally deal with.

He reached out and ran his fingers through Light's auburn hair and down his jaw

-line. He knew Light would live, but he would need time to heal once released, his voice would be practically non-existent for a while so he wouldn't be able to work. This would be the perfect time for them to have the trial he had spoken about. He would take Light home with him, and make sure he received the proper care and rehabilitation. He would not trust it to his family and he couldn't care less what they thought, he knew Light would agree. He had heard that they had visited earlier while Light was in the trauma room, he had gone to see Matt and had missed them. Apparently they had been in the waiting room afterwards.

As if on cue, the door to the room opened, revealing Soichiro Yagami, whom he recognized from seeing him through his computer and his own private files; and he was being followed by his wife and daughter. Mrs. Yagami gasped at the sight of her son being hooked up to the respirator and immediately went to Light's side, worry and fear on her features. Chief Yagami's eyes went immediately from his son's bed to L.

"He is resting comfortably, the respirator is breathing for him until his throat is healed better and able to sustain him," he told them, "He is no danger, but they are keeping him sedated to keep him from moving or trying to breathe and/or talk until that time." The information seemed to calm Light's mother, but Chief Yagami looked at him suspiciously.

"Who are you?" he asked the still sitting figure at his son's bedside.

"My name is Ryuzaki Rue," L told him and offered no more information.

"And what is your connection to my son?" Soichiro asked when no further information was given. L thought for a moment, he had no clue as to whether or not his family knew of his persuasion and didn't believe it was up to him to tell them if they did not.

"I am Light's friend, a private detective and we have worked together. I was in the area when this situation arose so I came here to see how he was." Soichiro stared at the wild haired man who was sitting with his knees against his chest and...was he barefoot? He could see what appeared to be beat up sneakers on the floor by the chair he was sitting in. He was unnerved by the wide eyed dark stare that gave him no hint of what he was thinking, and that only moved from his face when he heard Light stir in his sleep. It was then he saw something in those eyes, was it caring, an affection for his son? He took in the dark lines underneath those huge eyes, and wondered if it was from worry or exhaustion, or something else altogether.

Soichiro knew of Light's being gay, it had been a sore point between them for several years when his brilliant son with the perfect unblemished background and a future brighter than anyone's he'd ever known, hit him with the bombshell that he was gay. Soichiro had been angry, as well as hurt, that the future of his family was now in jeopardy, that Light seemed to be throwing his entire future away. His mother had been surprised, but didn't seem to be too upset about it, but this was his only son, it would cast a bad reflection on him, embarrassment. He had spent years preening and proud of his brilliant son, the envy of practically everyone he knew, and now this. He had not spoken to Light for weeks afterwards and Light had moved out. When Light had been accepted into the NPA their relationship began to repair itself, as long as it was never mentioned. He had never stopped loving his son, but it was difficult for him to deal with.

He looked again at the odd man dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans and wondered just how close a friend he really was as it appeared he'd been at his son's bedside for quite some time. He needed to find out the truth, but he wouldn't do it here.

"Mr. Rue, I wonder if I could speak with you privately for a moment?" he asked and L looked down at Light and then back at Soichiro.

"If it can be done quickly, then yes." He said standing up and followed Soichiro out into the hallway. He waited as it appeared the Chief was having difficulties with finding the right words, but he would only be away from Light's side no longer than ten minutes, he would not wait any longer.

"I need to know exactly what the nature of your friendship with my son is," he finally stated and L understood it then. Obviously Light had told him, and he appeared not to have taken it well. He would not lie, however, he would have to simply accept the fact.

"My relationship with your son is more than friendly Chief Yagami, I am sure you understand what that means. I intend to take care of him when he is released."

The chief raised a hand to his head as if he were struck with a sudden pain, and then stared angrily at L.

"You will stay away from my son," he ordered, "His family will take care of him." L shook his head, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his jeans.

"That is not an option, and you need to understand this. I am sorry you are unhappy with Light's life, but it is his. I am sure than when he awakens he will confirm that he wishes to stay with me and I have the means to have him cared for far better than you could even imagine. I love your son, Chief Yagami, and I will not allow us to be separated." He wondered for a moment if it would go over better if the Chief knew he was L, and not just some guy Light had wandered into. He decided against it, the Chief would have to accept it, regardless.

"You cannot think that I will allow you to take my son anywhere. We are his family and we shall make sure he is properly taken care of!" Soichiro told him angrily and L sighed and turned and walked away from him.

"I have already told you what will happen. Light is an adult and can make his own decisions and I assure you he will wish to be with me. The discussion is terminated." He told him and walked back into the room leaving a flustered and angry Soichiro behind him.

He went back to his chair and sat down, checking his vital signs to make sure there had been no changes. He looked at the iv's to make sure they were still running perfectly and looked down into Light's face, reaching down and moving some hair away from his eyes.

The gentle touch did not go unnoticed by Light's mother who was surprised at first, and then smiled.

"Sayu, why don't you find your father and ask him to get you a snack" she said to her daughter who nodded, wiping tears away from her face. Once she had left she turned to L, "You care about my son," she stated and L looked up at her, a small smile on his face.

"Very much, Mrs. Yagami. I am sorry if it upsets you." He said and she shook her head.

"It was a surprise ofcourse to learn, but he is still my son, it does not upset me any longer. Have you been here the entire time?" L nodded, his hands resting on his knees.

"I have already told Chief Yagami that when Light is released from the hospital, I am taking him with me, where he will get better after care than anyplace here. He was not happy to hear this, but it is what we both will want. I have the means to make sure his care is on a par with none other, and it is what he deserves." He told her and at first she was unsure but then she nodded.

"I see," she said simply and took Light's hand in hers, "You are sure he will be fine?" she asked and L nodded again.

"Yes, he will be fine. His doctor should be back soon, you can speak with him yourself, but I assure you he will recover." She nodded, leaned down and kissed Light's cheek then released his hand.

"I should go to my husband now, I am sure he is still…unhappy with what you've told him and will need some calming down. I am sure I will see you again." She told him and L nodded, his eyes not leaving Light's face. She turned and walked out to the door and turned back to look at Light again, when she saw the young man lean forward and kiss her son gently. She was startled at first, but then she smiled and left the room.

Mello was probably on his tenth chocolate bar when Matt groaned and opened his eyes. He leapt from the chair he was sitting in and leaned over Matt, taking his hand and smiling at him.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" he asked softly and Matt smiled up at him.

"I'd be better if you'd stop spitting chocolate on me," he said laughing and then groaned when the laughter moved the arm in his sling. Mello grinned at him and wiped away whatever chocolate had dropped on him, being careful of his arm.

"God, I'm sitting here worried about you and you're worried about a few flecks of chocolate!" he told the redhead who continued to smile up at him.

"You were worried?" Matt asked, the medications making him feel silly. Mello stopped brushing the chocolate and looked down at Matt, his face completely serious.

"Matt, a few inches and you could have died. Do you know what that would do to me? From the time we were kids, you have always been with me. It's hard for me to remember a time when I didn't look around and see your goofy face grinning at me, even before anything ever happened between us. I can't imagine my life without you, it just…just wouldn't…" he stopped as he felt tears, he couldn't remember the last time he had cried, "God damn it Matt I love you, ofcourse I was worried, you asshole!" he said and Matt reached up and patted his face.

"Love you too. Takes more than this to get rid of me," he said and Mello leaned down and gently kissed him, then buried his face in Matt's neck, allowing the worry and fear to run out of him. Matt reached up again and ran his fingers through Mello's hair and kissed the side of his face when a thought hit him.

"Hey, how's Light? He isn't…" Mello shook his head and pulled himself up, wiping his eyes.

"No, he's alive. On a respirator right now because of the damage to his throat. L's with him, he's going to pull through."

"What a fuck up. Who the hell shot me?" Matt asked and watched as anger sprang to Mello's eyes.

"Stupid fucking detective, and I told him not to shoot that you worked for L, he shot anyway." Matt laughed.

"Took too long for the words to reach his brain, I guess." He yawned and closed his eyes, "Still so tired…" he said.

"Then go back to sleep genius, I'm here and I'm not going anywhere." Mello told him and Matt opened his eyes long enough to smile at him and nod, then they closed again and he was asleep almost instantly. Mello leaned forward and lay across Matt's legs and closed his own eyes, able to rest now that he knew Matt was going to be alright.