Chapter 34

"Son of a Bitch!" Mello yelled as he turned away from the computer and stared at Matt who was busily playing one of his games as he sat on the couch.

"I told you it wasn't going to be that easy," he said smirking as Mello continued to fume.

"Everything pointed to him, absolutely everything! This doesn't make any sense!" he continued to rant and Matt just shook his head and paused long enough to take a drag on his cigarette.

"Yea, and one of the first things L taught us was not to trust it when it was too easy," he told him breathing out smoke and Mello growled.

"I don't need you to quote L, Matty," he said and Matt shrugged.

"Sorry," he said and continued to play.

"Don't just sit there, you have to have something to say about this, some idea…"

"I already told you what I thought, you laughed it off. You want to listen to me now?" Matt asked and Mello ran a hand through his hair.

"Do I have to fucking beg? I'm sorry, I was wrong and I wasn't paying attention when you were laying it out, I thought I was right, Matty." Matt put down the game and walked over to the distraught blonde. He leaned down and kissed him.

"That's all I wanted, a little apology, " he pulled up a diagram on the computer leaning over Mello's shoulder, "This is what I mapped out before…" and the computer beeped at him.

"It's Near," he said and clicked on the connection, "Hey Snowball what's up?" he asked, Mello laughing behind him as he heard the exasperated sigh at the name.

"Hello Matt…Mello. How are things with you?"

"Oh we're just peachy keen," Mello called out, "But since you called something must be up with you. Is L okay? Light's not misbehaving his he?"

"They're both fine. As a matter of fact they just left to have lunch out by the lake," Near answered, "So the romance is still working."

"That's good to hear, L deserves a little romance," Matt answered, "So if they're okay, is something up with you?" there was silence for a few moments and then Near answered.

"Well, Jennifer asked me to her place for dinner and…" the sound of Mello whopping in the background nearly broke his speakers.

"She's making you dinner at her place? You sly dog, you!" he yelled and Matt laughed.

"And we thought it was awesome when she knocked your little white socks off…" Matt added.

"If you would both please be quiet!" Near practically yelled and they both shut up, not used to hearing Near raise his voice.

"Sorry Near we're just happy for you," Mello said apologetically, "Is there something wrong with this?"

"I am not sure what is expected of me," Near told them, "We will be completely alone and I will be somewhere I am not used to being which means I will not be as comfortable as I am used to being. I am not sure exactly what I should do."

"Don't worry, everything will come naturally to you Near just let it happen," Matt told him, "Just go and enjoy dinner with her like you usually do, don't expect anything and don't push for anything just let the evening flow as usual. If anything else is supposed to happen it will happen. Just don't freeze if she gives you the all clear signal," he said and Mello nodded his agreement.

"The all clear signal?" Near asked and Matt sighed.

"Deliver me from virgins," he whispered under his breath and Mello burst out laughing, "Near, if she makes it clear that she wants you for desert, don't run."

"What? Oh…oh…you don't mean…Matt…I didn't mean…"

"I know you didn't, but it's a possibility. Just go with it Snowball and by all means enjoy it."

"Otherwise just enjoy your dinner and take the time to get to know each other better and maybe next time will be the right time," Mello added.

"But I don't know anything about…what you're talking about." Near worried.

"Better read up, buddy," Mello said laughing and Matt pushed him away from the microphone.

"Look, don't worry about that. If it happens it'll work out, don't obsess on it. Bring some of your favorite toys, that will make some easy conversation," Matt suggested and they heard Near sigh again.

.

"I could do that, she likes a lot of my toys, I could bring more of the ones she likes," he said.

"Good idea, Near. You see, you're going to be okay kiddo. But you gotta promise you'll let us know how everything went, okay?" Matt told him.

"Sure, I'll call and let you know, I promise and guys…thanks," the soft voice said and Matt and Mello looked at each other and smiled.

"You're welcome, glad we could help. Now go get 'em Snowball!" Mello said and they both laughed at the huffing noise they could hear through the connection.

"Stop calling me that!" he snapped and broke the connection.

"Wow, first L and now Near? Is there something in the water in Whammy's this year?" Matt asked and Mello laughed as he reached for a candy bar out of the desk drawer.

"Naw, they were just jealous watching us and they wanted their own," he said leaning forward and kissing Matt, "How does it feel to be a trend setter?" Matt rolled his eyes and pointed to the screen.

"Almost as good as to be proven right after you laughed at me," he said and Mello groaned.

"Fine, explain to me how you figured this out," he said and leaned forward to study the diagram.

L was walking Light around the wooded area behind the lake after lunch, showing him areas where he used to go as a child away from the other kids with his books and he would just sit and read. Light listened as he described what it was like for him to be an orphan at Whammy's and although he was not sounding as if he felt he was deprived at all, Light simply couldn't imagine such a solitary life. Light had always been surrounded by family and friends, even if most of the time he tended to shut himself up away in his room to study, it was by choice not by happenstance.

"L…was there anyone you were close to as a child, any friends?" he finally asked and L was quiet a moment and then shook his head.

"There was only Watari," he said, "I didn't get on well with the other students, I had no time for their childishness," Light laughed and shook his head.

"L they were children, of course they were childish," he said and even L had to smile.

"Perhaps, but I was not interested in the things they were. It all seemed so trivial to me, or perhaps I simply felt there was no room for fun once my parents were dead. I seem to have an early memory of playing with toys with my mother, but after I was orphaned it was something I avoided." Light reached out and took L's hand as he spoke, feeling he needed to reassure him that he was no longer alone. L took it and turned to smile at him.

"Don't misunderstand, I don't feel like I was deprived of anything. Watari gave me all the attention I could possibly have wanted, he taught me everything, allowed me to learn at my own pace, opened avenues to me that I never would have found elsewhere. No matter what I found, what I asked to do or learn about he helped me with it and when I put my hands on my first computer and found my first police files he didn't tell me I shouldn't or I was too young he allowed me to explore and thus found my natural calling. I don't feel I missed out on anything."

"I understand, but I can't help but see a very lonely little boy behind a huge pile of books," Light told him and L looked away from him.

"Perhaps for a time I felt that way but it didn't last very long. I was soon too busy to think about being lonely." Light turned L to face him and smiled.

"And now you don't have to worry about it again," he said and L smiled at first, but it quickly faded and he turned away pulling his hand from Light's.

"What's the matter, don't you believe it?" Light asked him and L shook his head slightly.

"I will reserve judgment on that when you return from Japan," he said and Light sighed.

"Why are you being so stubborn about that? I've told you I'm coming back, why can't you believe that?" he asked.

"I believe that at this moment you fully intend to return; I simply do not trust the circumstances which could arise once you have arrived there."

"I can't wait to prove you wrong. I love you L, I am coming back," he leaned forward and took the now frowning detective into his arms

.

"You are so exasperating sometimes," he told him before leaning down to kiss him, "I think you do it on purpose," he laughed as L's upturned nose rose slightly into the air as he huffed at him.

"I do no such thing, I…Light I am simply afraid that this is all too good to be true, I don't mean to exasperate. I have never loved anyone, I don't know how to deal with this." L finally admitted and Light smiled.

"I understand and all I'm asking is that you trust me, L. Just please trust me." L finally smiled and nodded, reaching up and kissing Light softly.

"Fine, I will trust you," he said, "And I will not bring it up again." He said and then frowned slightly as the sounds of children began to filter through to where they were standing.

"It seems we have been found out," Light said as he watched the area around the lake fill up with laughing, running children.

"Indeed," L said and as he began to move away, "Recess is upon us," he added as Light grabbed him for one last kiss.

"Had to get that last one in," he said laughing as L rolled his eyes, but he couldn't hide the grin that was also there as they walked back to Whammy's.

As L and Near continued to work, Light took the opportunity to call home to let them know he was fine. He hadn't called since he arrived and he knew they would be anxious to hear from him. He grabbed a cup of coffee and took it with him into the bedroom, sat down on the bed and made the call. It would be dinner time in Japan so he was sure he'd reach everyone at home. It was his father who picked up the phone.

"Hey, Dad," he said when he answered.

"Light? It's about time you let someone know you were still alive!" his father barked through the phone and Light laughed.

"Now, now if you were really worried you have my phone number," Light told him and listened as his father huffed on the phone.

"How are…things?" he asked, "Can you tell me where you are?"

"Things are fine, Dad and yes I can tell you I'm in England right now."

"England? Why England?"

"Because it is where Ryuzaki comes from and where his home is. We are in the country, which affords me the opportunity to heal and rest with little to no interruptions. I'm quite happy here, Dad."

"I see. When are you coming home, son?" L toyed with the idea of letting him know now that he was planning on staying here, but thought better of it.

"As soon as Ryuzaki's doctor gives me the okay which I believe can't be more than a couple of weeks away," he answered.

"Very good, your mother is worried about you. Here, speak to her." He listened as Soichiro handed the phone over to his wife, her voice nearly bubbling over through the phone.

"Light! I'm so happy to hear from you!" she said and Light smiled imagining her face.

"Yes, I'm sorry it took me a few days to get back in touch, I've been getting used to my surroundings and seeing Ryuzaki's doctor. I've been resting a lot too."

"That's very good, dear your voice seems stronger than when you left," she said, "How is Ryuzaki?"

"He's great, Mom. I'm very happy with him, I have found who I want to spend the rest of my life with."

"I'm very happy for you Light, I hope it continues that way. You will be coming back home?"

"Yes I will, I will see you soon," he said and then heard the sounds of the phone being moved again and his father's voice.

"Light, let me know when you're coming home I'll meet you at the airport," he told him.

"That would be great, Dad. We have a lot to talk about when I get home," Light told him and then instantly regretted it.

"Talk? What about?" his father asked and Light sighed.

"It will wait until I get home. Tell Mom good-bye for me, good-bye Dad," he said quickly and hung up before his father could ask any more questions. He reached for his own laptop; he had left cases behind and he wanted to see how they were doing. He sent an email to Matsuda and then began to look through his files.

Near hung up his cell phone and turned to L who was looking at him, his face devoid of all expression as he sucked on large red lollipop.

"That was Jennifer; she'll be round to pick me up in about half an hour, that is alright isn't it?" he asked and L sighed.

"Yes, it will be fine," he answered holding the candy between his thumb and forefinger, "Just make sure you are very careful, Near. You've never been out of Whammy's unescorted," he warned and Near nodded.

"I will be fine L, don't worry," he said and L smiled as the young Albino stood and moved away from his desk.

"You will be careful with everything you do this evening?" he called after him and Near stopped turning towards L with a quizzical look on his face.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Think about it," L answered with a smile and stood from his desk, walking past Near on his way to the bedroom. He stopped before he walked in and turned to Near, "Enjoy your dinner Near, she is good for you," he said and then turned and walked into the room closing the door behind him. Near smiled at the closed door then ran out of the apartment.

Light looked up as L came into the bedroom and smiled at him.

"Light you don't have to hide out in here while I'm working," L told him as he sat down next to him.

"I know, but I had to make a phone call to my family and I just thought it would better if I got it out of the way," Light answered and L frowned for a moment.

"Is everything as it should be?" he asked and Light nodded.

"They were glad to hear from me and know that I'm fine," Light told him and L nodded and stood up, playing with the lollipop in his mouth and walking towards the window in the room.

"Did you tell them you would be staying?" he asked gazing out of the window. Light stood up and walked behind him, putting his hands on L's shoulders.

"I was going to at first, but I decided I didn't want to start an argument long distance because believe me there will be one. I did tell them how happy I was here, and that I found the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with." L turned to face him, a happy smile on his face.

"How did they react to that?" he asked.

"My mother was very happy for me and said she hoped it continued," Light answered and leaned forward to kiss L and was surprised when L pulled back, putting his fingers on Light's mouth.

"And your father?" he asked and Light sighed.

"Well, I told him I was in England, in the country where it was quiet and I could rest and heal properly. I thought it best at the time not to say anything else by phone."

"I see, that was probably wise," L answered and then leaned forward and completed the kiss Light had started, "I must tell you that his reaction to all of this does concern me." He said afterwards and Light nodded, savoring the sticky sweet taste of L's kiss.0

"No, it won't be easy but just as he learned in the hospital to accept the situation, he will accept the fact that I am not staying in Japan. He has to, because that's the way it's going to be."

"There is no reason why I cannot purchase a house there so that we can visit often," L offered, "Perhaps if you tell him that it will make it a little easier."

"I'll be sure to tell him that," Light said with a grin, "Are you done for the day?" he asked and L shook his head.

"I'm never really done for the day, as I have cases going in all areas of the world and all time zones. But I can take the occasional break when something else comes up," he said and grinned as Light's gaze became heated and his arms wrapped around him.

"Near has left for his dinner so we are alone," he added reacting to the heat from Light's body against his.

"Then I suggest we find something to do to pass the time," Light said, leaning forward and kissing L's neck.

"I haven't finished my candy," L laughed and Light took the lollipop and tossed it onto the dresser.

"Later…" he said and pulled L over to the bed.

Near waited nervously on the stairs leading up to the front door, a small bag in his hand in which he had put in several smaller toys to bring with him and share with Jennifer. He smiled when he saw her car pull up in front of him and practically ran to the car door.

"Hey!" he called as he leaned into the window.

"Jump in, I still have food on the stove!" she told him and he did quickly and they sped away.