A/N: The aftermath of Alex's attack and Light's recovery.

"Refill?"

Light looked up from his book and smiled gratefully at the white-haired gentleman.

"Yes, please," he nodded before turning his attention back to the book he'd found at the library earlier; Profiling the Criminal Mind by Eraldo Coil.

There are…many types of monsters in this world: Monsters who will not show themselves and who cause trouble; monsters who abduct children; monsters who devour dreams; monsters who suck blood, and… monsters who always tell lies. Lying monsters are a real nuisance. They are much more cunning than other monsters. They pose as humans even though they have no understanding of the human heart. They eat even though they've never experienced hunger. They study even though they have no interest in academics. They seek friendship even though they do not know how to love. If I were to encounter such a monster, I would likely be eaten by it. Because in truth, I am that monster."

Light read the passage again. Something about those words reminded him of…

Reminded him of…

Of…

He looked up as a fresh cup of coffee was set on the table, only to find no one there. Light shrugged and picked it up anyway. It seemed logical for some reason that he would be surrounded by empty booths in an empty café. The distant mechanical beeps and whirrs from the espresso machine and kitchen were the only sounds. Light took a sip and basked in the warmth that enveloped his body.

Light peered out the windows of the café at the police station across the street, barely visible as night began to fall. His face grew pale as a young man came into view in the growing darkness, walking past the windows on the otherwise empty sidewalk. Light wasn't sure why he was so uneasy, but there was something about the man that made his skin crawl. The Omega's heart beat faster as the blond neared the door to the café and panic clawed at his insides.

"No…he can't come in. Someone stop h-"

*click*

A white-haired older gentleman suddenly appeared before the door and locked it just as the blond reached for the handle. The man shook it violently and glared at them for several long seconds. He finally turned away and started to pace back and forth in front of the café.

"Don't worry, you're safe here. He can't get in," the old man smiled reassuringly at Light before disappearing and leaving the brunet alone once again.

I'm safe here. The young Omega sighed contentedly.

Sweetheart, please come back to us…

The familiar scent of leather and oak filled the air.

We love you so much…

Light smiled as the comforting aroma of cider washed over him as well. He picked up the soft, fluffy white blanket that had appeared on the seat next to him and wrapped it around himself. He buried his nose in the fabric and took a deep breath. It smelled wonderful.

It smelled like home.

He'd stay there a bit longer, just until he was sure it was safe to go outside.

Light's gaze strayed briefly to the windows where the man continued to pace in the nearly pitch-black darkness. The only illumination outside was from the faint and distant lights of the police station. Light returned his attention to his book and turned the page as he nestled himself deeper into the booth.

Yes, just a little while.

Until it's safe.

xxx

"The surgery went well," Dr. Tanaka explained to the two Alphas as he and Dr. Sato spoke to them just outside Light's room. Light's Omega Specialist had hurried to the hospital when he'd been informed of his patient's situation and had been coordinating with Dr. Tanaka, the surgeon who had been on duty when Light was brought in.

"We treated the burns and stitched up the lacerations. Once he was stable, we did an MRI. There were minimal signs of swelling and no bleeding in the brain. This is good news; however, he did take a considerable blow to his frontal lobe, and we'll have to wait for him to wake up to assess whether there is any impact to his mental functions," Dr. Tanaka gestured for them to enter the room as he continued to explain Light's condition. "We're continuing to flush his system to remove any trace of the bond inhibitor."

L's hand convulsed around Beyond's as they finally saw their mate. Light looked so pale and small amongst all the wires and machines surrounding him on the bed. The only color in his complexion was from the bruises that had formed from Alex's attacks upon him.

"The babies are fine as well," Dr. Sato assured them as they drew closer. "And we've given him a pain medication that is safe for pregnant Omegas so that he's comfortable."

"When will he wake up?" L finally managed to get out as they reached the bedside and sat down next to it. The two doctors glanced at one another, a silent communication passing between them.

"Based on his current vitals, pheromone output and response to stimuli, Light appears to be in a shock-induced drop," Dr. Sato quietly explained to the two Alphas. "His body and mind are instinctively trying to protect himself and the babies by doing this. The sense of being cut off from his Alphas due to the inhibitor and the shock he's endured from his wounds are the primary causes for his current state. The return of your bonded connection and physical presence should help correct that. We're just not sure how long it will take, unfortunately. You'll need to be patient."

The mechanical beeps and whirrs of the machines were the only sound for several long seconds as L and Beyond absorbed Dr. Sato's words. They reached out to take Light's slightly chilled hand together, gently warming it between them.

"Sweetheart, please come back to us," Beyond whispered hopefully.

"We love you so much," L murmured as he kissed their joined hands.

"We'll give you some privacy." Dr. Sato and Dr. Tanaka quietly left the room and closed the door.

"Light…wake up," Beyond's voice broke as he moved their hands to rest on the Omega's stomach. He leaned forward to rest his cheek against the bed sheets and looked up at L with unshed tears in his burgundy-hued eyes. There were a million questions in the younger Alpha's gaze, but L knew that there was only one that Beyond needed the answer to at the moment.

"He's going to be okay," L stated firmly as he mirrored Beyond's pose and reached out with his free hand to run his fingers through the Alpha's dark hair. "We're all going to be just fine."

Please wake up, Light.

Please…

xxx

"How is he today?" Soichiro quietly asked as entered Light's hospital room. He'd been visiting every day on his way to work since the attack.

"He's continuing to heal well, but otherwise…" Beyond's tired voice trailed off and Soichiro nodded in understanding. There'd been no signs yet that the Omega was any closer to waking up than he had been five days ago when he was admitted.

"Where's L- I mean, Ryuzaki?" Soichiro asked as he approached the other side of the bed. After what had happened, they'd really had no choice but to explain everything to the Chief of the NPA, including the truth about L's identity.

He'd been more furious about the fact that they'd let his son get caught up in the crossfire of Alex's disturbing declaration of love than anything else. As Beyond had suspected, the seasoned police officer had understood the reasons why they would have to keep L's identity secret.

"He should be back soon. He's sending out a report to the ICPO regarding our findings in the investigation," Beyond explained. "Obviously there will be some details left out, but you should see a copy of it come across your desk later today once it's been submitted."

"What's the plan for…him?" Soichiro asked, pointedly leaving out the name that none of them would speak around Light. Beyond sighed wearily in response. His feelings were mixed on the subject. He could never forgive Alex for what he'd done, but it was clear that the Omega was completely out of his mind.

The blond had slit his wrists with a piece of broken mirror shortly after arriving at the secure psychiatric facility. Because of the suicide attempt, Alex had been restrained and sedated off and on for the last few days. When the meds periodically wore off, the Omega wasn't responsive to the psychiatrists trying to evaluate him. He would often scream and sob hysterically until he wore himself out or was sedated again.

"We have an agreement in place with the ICPO that gives L the freedom to handle the treatment of criminals that we help apprehend if he so chooses," Beyond shrugged as he scratched at the five-day-old stubble on his chin.

"Given the magnitude of the crimes committed and his mental state, I don't think that he'll ever see the outside of a high-security psychiatric facility again," Beyond softly replied as he tried to breathe around the crushing guilt that weighed heavily on his chest.

Guilt for his oldest friend's psychosis.

Guilt for the numerous victims across the world who had lost their lives.

Guilt for his mate's injuries at the blond Omega's hands.

"How could anyone do something like this and call it love? Think that it will make them happy?" Beyond choked out as he took Light's hand once more. Soichiro placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze that somehow seemed to lift a small amount of the weight from Beyond's body.

"I'm not sure," Soichiro murmured. "All I know is that anything obtained by killing people can never bring true happiness."

Beyond nodded in agreement and forced himself to steady his breathing. He had to keep it together and stay calm for Light's sake. Their mate wasn't going to wake up if he felt that the environment around him wasn't safe and secure. The Alpha released a soothing pulse of his scent and squeezed Light's hand.

"Call me if anything changes." Soichiro released him and headed for the door. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you then," Beyond replied, never turning his attention from the motionless figure before him in the bed. The door clicked shut and he was left alone with Light once more.

"I remember the first time I saw you outside the police station," Beyond smiled wistfully as he brushed a few errant brunet hairs away from Light's face. "There was no doubt in my mind that I had to meet you. There was a strength in how you held yourself. It shone through in your every movement. You instantly made my world a little brighter."

The door eventually opened again and Beyond smiled at the rich aroma of the coffee that L had brought with him.

"I figured if anything could convince Light to wake up, it might be the promise of coffee," L explained as he set the drink carrier on the table next to the bed. Beyond chuckled and took the cup that his mate handed him.

"You might be right. Hey, sweetheart? If you don't wake up, I'm going to drink your coffee," Beyond quietly teased before taking a sip. He nearly choked as he felt Light's fingers curl against his own. "Light? I swear his hand just moved."

"It could just be an involuntary reaction to touch, B," the other Alpha murmured sadly. "I mean, I'd love it to be true, but…"

L's voice trailed off as the fragrance of strawberries and cream grew stronger. It was the first time that Light's scent had responded since his arrival in the hospital.

"See?" Beyond grinned, his own scent spilling forth and mixing with Light's as he kissed the back of the Omega's hand. "It's working."

"You might be right," L conceded as his cider-tinged scent joined theirs.

"Do you feel that?" Beyond whispered as happiness and love spread through the bond they all shared.

"Yeah, I feel it," L's eyes were full of hope as he hurried to the opposite side of the bed to take Light's other hand. "Come on, Light. Wake up. We're here…waiting for you."

xxx

I remember the first time I saw you outside the police station.

Light set down his book and looked toward the windows of the café. The morning rays were banishing the darkness from the world and the station was slowly becoming visible once more across the street.

That scary man. I think he's gone now. Light realized as he scooted to the edge of the booth to get a better look.

You instantly made my world a little brighter.

The sun was shining outside and it's inviting warmth was suddenly much more appealing than the blanket he held in his hands. He slipped out from beneath it as he stood and walked toward the front of the café. The whirring and beeping of the espresso machine grew louder as he passed the counter. He paused at the sight of a freshly brewed coffee in a to-go cup sitting there.

"That's for you," the elderly gentleman explained as he appeared once more.

"Thank you," Light murmured as he picked it up.

"They're right over there," the older man gestured toward the windows. Light looked outside and saw two blurry figures standing across the street in front of the police station.

"Who are they?" Light turned to ask the man, only to find him gone. Light gripped his cup tighter and headed for the door. With each step, the figures became clearer and the scent of leather, oak and cider grew stronger.

Light took hold of the handle as he reached the door and gazed across the street at the two familiar men waving at him and smiling.

We're here…waiting for you.

"L…Beyond…"

Light grinned and stepped outside.

End Notes:

Whew...this chapter was surprisingly emotional for me to write and I hope you enjoyed it :)

It kicked me in the feels a few times, not gonna lie.