Chapter 28

Mello couldn't believe how excited he was to be back in their apartment. New York had become their home together and that meant a lot to him. The best part was that they were now able to work on their own, their own cases and he felt that now their lives were truly beginning. He also felt that they could start thinking of themselves as their own people, more than just L's heirs. They were fiercely proud of being his heirs, but sometimes he wanted to be thought of as Mello first, known for what he was capable of and then also be L's heir.

Matt sat at the computer, cigarette dangling from his mouth, with several folders on the desk next to him as he updated the few cases they had left behind, trying not to move the bad arm too much as he used the fingers only on the keyboard, and was surprised when he felt Mello's hands on his shoulders, and then his mouth on his neck.

"You always do this when I'm trying to work," he said trying to ignore him.

"I told you not to worry about that right now," Mello told him, "And I'm sorry but I keep seeing you shot over and over in my mind and how it could have turned out. I have to keep proving to myself that you are still here with me." Matt stopped typing and turned to face him.

"It's okay Mello, I'm fine. It wasn't that bad a wound anyway. I should be out of this sling in a few more days." Mello leaned down and removed the cigarette with one hand and put the other behind Matt's head as he plundered his mouth with his tongue. He replaced the cigarette when he was done and smiled down at him.

"When did you start smoking menthol?"he asked laughing and Matt shrugged.

"When that's all they had at the damned airport," he answered and Mello nodded.

"You taste so minty fresh now," he said and Matt pushed him away.

"You're such an ass!" he said as Mello laughed at him. Mello walked over to the couch and lay down on it.

"What are we going to call our agency?" he asked and Matt stopped typing again as he thought.

"I dunno, it's gotta be something catchy that represents us," he said as Mello reached for another chocolate bar.

"We could call it Twigs and Berries, let them know real men are working it," he said laughing and Matt laughed, then turned around to face him.

"You would think of something like that," he watched as Mello took a huge bite and something crossed his mind, "Something simple, how about….Bar None." He said and Mello stopped chewing.

"I was thinking something simple like M & M, Inc. Bar None? Where'd you get that?" he asked and Matt pointed to his candy bar.

"Because there isn't a candy bar in the world that's safe from you," he said laughing, "But it also says we're good at what we do and we probably won't deny your case unless it's something really stupid," he laughed again, "M & M, Inc.? It sounds like we make candy!"

Mello thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Okay, cool. The Bar None Agency, I like it. Clever play on words; I guess you earned your keep this week." Matt rolled his eyes and turned back to the computer.

"You know you could do something worthwhile," he suggested and Mello laughed.

"I plan to as soon as you're done," he said wrapping his arms around the red head's neck.

"I mean work wise, you've got such a one track mind," Matt complained finishing his cigarette. Mello sighed and sat up on the couch.

"Fine, what do you want me to do?"

"Call L and tell him I'm sending him the report on the Benson case so he won't be looking for it." Mello chuckled.

"He brought Light home, he's not going to be looking for anything except his jeans…" Matt burst out laughing and shook his head.

"You might be right. I think I'll just send him an email and tell him it's on his way, I wouldn't want to interrupt.." Mello nodded and lay back down.

"That probably wouldn't be healthy," he said finishing his chocolate bar and laughed.

Light stared at the huge house that seemed to get larger the closer the car got to it. This wasn't what he expected when he pictured L's base of operations, he had pictured a huge office building, teeming with all kinds of people, not a huge mansion type building. He looked over at L who was also staring at the building.

"You work out of here?" he asked and L nodded.

"And live here, I have for most of my life." Before he could ask anything else, the car pulled up in front of the doorway and came to a halt. Watari got out of the driver's side and opened the passenger side door.

"Welcome to The Whammy's House Light," he said smiling as Light climbed out of the car following behind L.

"The Whammy's House? What is the Whammy's House?" he asked and L reached out and took his hand.

"It is my home, and for as long as you wish, yours as well," As they walked up the staircase, children began to pile out of the main doors and down the stairs, waving at L as they ran past him. Light was now so confused that the expression on his face was comical and L chuckled.

"The Whammy's House is an orphanage for gifted children," he told him as they walked through the large double doors, "Watari brought me here when I was quite young, and I grew up here."

"You were an orphan? I'm sorry…" Light started and L shook his head.

"No need to be, I have very little recollection of my parents. Watari raised me, taught me more than the teachers here ever could." They had entered the building and Light looked around as they walked through the hallway; he saw what appeared to be a huge common room that had children engaged in all kinds of activities, and various rooms that fed from the hallway. They walked past a huge and winding stairway, until they reached another set of double doors, which to his surprise opened up to another stairway, and the top of which was another set of double doors which opened up into an apartment.

It was handsomely and tastefully furnished, huge bay windows looking out onto the grounds, one set of doors that led out onto a balcony. There was a living room, dining area, kitchen that was off of the dining area, and at the far end an office set up with his computers and screens. Towards the right there were a couple of doors and he assumed they must lead to bedrooms or extra rooms. L turned and faced Light, gesturing around the room.

"And this is my part of Whammy's. This is where I am based and work out of most of the time, except when I have to travel. What do you think?" Light continued to look around as he put down his two suitcases.

"I think it's beautiful L, it really is. Somehow I didn't picture you in a place like this, I sort of thought of you being in a more austere environment."

"Had I decorated, you would probably be correct, however, luckily Watari handles all of these things." He said smiling and Light closed the space between them taking him in his arms.

"I think I'm going to enjoy being here in many ways," he said and kissed L softly. L reached up and caressed his face.

"I hope you do, and not discover that you can't tolerate being around me." He said and Light shook his head.

"I doubt that's going to be the case, so don't worry about it," he answered and kissed him again, "So where do I put my things?" L led him to one of the doors which opened up into a huge bedroom and opened a set of sliding doors inside which revealed a huge closet.

"You may use this for your clothes, and there is also a dresser over there you can use. Watari should be up with your garment bag shortly. Use as much space as you need, I require very little space for clothes." Light chuckled.

"I imagine not, how much space can jeans and white shirts take?" L's uptilted nose rose even higher into the air.

"Are you making a statement about what I choose to wear?" he asked and Light laughed pushing him further into the bedroom and onto the bed, climbing on top of him.

"Absolutely not, I love the way you look," he said and kissed him, then slid off of him so that he was now lying next to him, "Don't take this the wrong way but I've just realized that I'm really tired," he added and L smiled at him.

"A little jet lag no doubt," he said, "A nap would definitely be in your best interest." He added then was startled when Light reached over and wrapped his arms around him and pulled him, so that he was lying on Light's chest.

"Okay, but stay with me," he said and L nodded bringing his hand up and carding through Light's hair.

"I think I can manage that," he said and kissed Light softly before placing his head back on the detective's chest, closing his eyes and drifting off into a contented sleep himself.

Watari walked into the apartment carrying Light's garment bag and was surprised to see the two young men snoozing in the bedroom. He couldn't remember the last time L had taken a nap during the day, even after the many times they had flown long hours. He smiled and closed the door to the bedroom after leaving the garment on the couch and quietly left the apartment