World 35

"Come in and make yourself comfortable, "Jennifer said as she ushered him into her apartment, "Excuse me for just a few minutes while I check our dinner." She finished and headed towards the next room. Near stood still by the door, looking around his surroundings.

The room was bathed in low light and flickering candles, with the aroma of whatever she was cooking in the air. The apartment appeared to be only two rooms, a large main room in which he was standing, and a second smaller room, which appeared to be the kitchen, the two separated by an arch and a small dining table. To his right was a large window draped in blue and white curtains, under which sat a sky blue couch with a small coffee table in front. Along the wall to the right of the couch were framed pictures and what appeared to be a certificate. Continued along the wall sat a small television and across from that a small loveseat. Between the TV and the loveseat was the archway where the dining table sat and beyond that a small kitchen where he watched Jennifer fuss over pots where he could see steam wafting above. There was a door to the left of where she stood and from it being slightly ajar he could see it was the bathroom.

He walked in slowly after kicking off his shoes and sat down on the couch, bringing one leg up beside him. He smiled; the rooms while small were very much as he expected they would be, attractive, functional and very much like her.

"Whatever you are cooking smells very good," he ventured trying to get a conversation started as he began to empty his bag. He heard her giggle slightly at the compliment.

"I'm glad it smells good, hopefully it will taste even better. Do you drink wine?" she asked and he shook his head.

"I've never tried it." He admitted and Jennifer grinned as she reached up into a cabinet overhead and removed two glasses. She then picked up a waiting bottle and walked back to where Near was sitting.

"Hmm, I've gotten you to do something besides work, leave work and have your meals elsewhere, leave Whammy's and go somewhere else for a change and now I'm going to get you to have your first glass of wine. I'm surprised Mr. Ryuzaki hasn't told you I'm dangerous." She said as she opened the bottle and poured each of them a glass.

"As a matter of fact he told me that you were good for me," he told her as he sniffed at the glass as Jennifer stared at him after hearing what he said.

"Really? He said that? I'm glad because I know what he thinks means a lot to you," she took a sip and watched Near as he took his first tentative sip. She had picked a very sweet wine, imagining that he had little or no experience with it. She watched as he seemed to run it on his tongue and then swallowed. He looked at her and smiled.

"It's quite good, I taste fruit and it's very sweet," he said and Jennifer nodded happily.

"I hoped you'd like it," she said as she sat down next to him, "What do you think of my place? I know it's not much or a match for Mr. Ryuzaki's apartment but I'm proud of it."

"Jennifer it's very nice and comfortable, just as I imagined your home might look like. I do have one question," he said as he looked around, "Where do you sleep?" She giggled and pointed down at the couch they were sitting on.

"It opens up into a really nice bed," she said, "In my price range I had the option of this or an apartment with a Murphy Bed, I preferred this. I had nightmares of being swallowed up into the wall if the bed decided to close up and eat me!" they both laughed at the idea and Near took another sip.

"You've seen my room, it's the same room I used to share with Matt and Mello while we were growing up. I just had their beds moved out so I had more room for my toys and laptop and I'm perfectly happy with that and I think your apartment is wonderful! Ryuzaki is a special situation so you can't compare yourself with him." Before he went to take another sip he felt something soft rub against his leg. He looked to see a large pile of white fur and looked up to Jennifer confused. She laughed merrily and reached down to pet what he now realized was a white, fluffy cat.

"I wondered where you were Socrates," she said lifting him into her lap, "Near meet Socrates, he's my roommate and special friend," she said nuzzling into the fur, "He must have scooted under the couch when you walked in but now he knows you're nothing to be afraid of." She reached over and placed the cat onto Near's lap.

"Look Socrates a kindred spirit, he likes white too!" she said laughing again and was amused watching Near deal with the cat. It was obvious to her that he had not been around animals and he was definitely unsure of what to do with the now purring cat that was rubbing against him. He tentatively reached down with his free hand and gingerly stroked the cat's head.

"Hello Socrates," he said and then grinned up at Jennifer as Socrates leaned into his touch, his purr getting louder.

"You see, he likes you," she said and felt the warmth of emotion as she watched Near continue to pet Socrates, realizing how much she really liked the shy, inexperienced young man sitting next to her. Whatever little quirks he had were so outweighed by everything else he offered to her, and he was better than other so called mature and worldly guys she had dated. It was so good to have fun with someone who seemed to truly enjoy her company without ulterior motives, and spoke to her as if she had a brain in her head. She found his innocence and true childlike qualities endearing and in complete contrast with his incredible intelligence. She had no idea where this was leading to, but she was willing to go along for the ride. The timer she had set in the kitchen went off and interrupted her thoughts.

"Why don't you come over to the table, I believe dinner is ready to be served," she said and Near nodded, reluctantly moving Socrates from his lap and standing up.

"I've never had the opportunity to be with animals," he said as they walked to the table.

"I would imagine they're not allowed in the dorms," Jennifer said as he sat and she poured him more wine.

"Well, probably not and Ryuzaki never had one, his suite of rooms are separate from the regular orphanage so I suppose he could if he wanted to."

"Mr. Ryuzaki doesn't strike me as the pet lover type," she said as she placed food in a plate, "And if he works and travels all the time, he wouldn't have time to take care of it anyway." She added as she placed the plate in front of Near. He looked down into a perfect plate of Yorkshire pudding with roast beef and gravy, with vegetables and bread.

"Jennifer…this looks amazing!" he said and she laughed.

"Looks are one thing, it's the tasting that's most important!" she said fixing herself a plate and sitting across from him. She watched as he put the fork into the roast beef and brought it to his mouth taking the first bite. He chewed and then looked at her with a brilliant smile.

"It tastes even better than it looks!" he exclaimed and she sighed happily.

"Then all the certificates and classes were worth it," she said laughing and began to eat.

Light wrapped his arms around the raven haired detective's sweat dampened body and held him close as they caught their breaths. L buried his face into the hollow of Light's neck, his body still trembling from what he considered the best orgasm he'd ever experienced in his still new sexual life. He felt Light had gone out of his way to give him extra pleasure to the point that he was seeing stars and completely forgot how to breathe. He had a feeling it was Light's way of trying to prove his promise to return after settling things in Japan. In reality he had no doubt that Light meant his promise, but he was still concerned about what could go wrong once he got there but he was beginning to trust Light's love for him and pushed his worry to the back of his mind.

He felt Light shift and kiss his forehead and running a hand through his sweat dampened hair.

"Stop thinking so loudly it's distracting," Light told him with a laugh and L frowned lifting his head to look at him.

"You're being ridiculous," he told him which only made Light laugh again.

"But you're not denying you're thinking deeply," Light countered, "Why don't you tell me what's on your mind?" L shook his head and lay back down.

"After what just happened I don't believe it's possible for me to have deep thoughts right now," he said with a smile and Light leaned over and kissed him deeply.

"I have to make sure you don't try to replace me while I'm gone," he said and was surprised when L moved like lightening pulling the pillow from under his head and hitting him with it.

"Of all the ridiculous things to say Light Yagami!" he said, hitting him again with the pillow, "Perhaps I will look for someone who isn't as foolish as you!" Light laughed and sat up grabbing the pillow and throwing it to the floor, then reaching up and grabbing L pushing him back down onto the bed and straddling him as he held his arms down.

"What are you going to do, put an ad in the paper?" he said and L smirked at him as he struggled to move his arms.

"Seems like an excellent idea, I'm sure there are several out there just like you," he said and Light smirked back at him.

"And how would you word it, what would you ask for?" he said as he leaned down and kissed L's neck, sucking and biting at one spot, eliciting a moan from his squirming captive.

"I…I would ask for an attractive man, aged 25, with auburn hair and honey eyes."

"And?" Light asked as he continued to worry at L's neck. L closed his eyes and tried to concentrate as Light continued to lick at his neck and then began to move down to his chest.

"He would…have to be slightly tanned, his intelligence and IQ would have to rival mine…"

"Oh I see, you don't ask for much," Light said in-between kisses, "I'm sure there's at least fifty of that type walking the streets of London."

"If not more," L huffed at him, "I would then ask that he be exactly 5'10, weighing no more than 119 pounds", Light stopped kissing and looked up down at him.

"You know how much I weigh?" he asked and L nodded.

"There is nothing about you I do not know," L answered and Light shook his head and moved to L's left nipple.

"What else do you require? So far you should have no problem finding what you're looking for," he said and licked it and then took it between his teeth, biting down gently causing L to squirm more and cry out.

"He would…would have to be well versed in criminology, perhaps even being a detective and he would definitely have to be Japanese…ung...Light…" he lost all thought as Light began to move against him, rubbing their cocks together as his mouth moved further down L's body.

"Anything else?" he asked finally releasing L's arms and moving his hands down his body. L didn't answer immediately, which caused Light to stop what he was doing and look up at him. He saw L was looking at him, his face very serious as he stared into his eyes.

"He would have to love me as you do," he said quietly and Light smiled up at him and moved back to his face.

"Ah well there you might run into a problem," he said softly, "Because there is no one who could love you like I do." L reached up and stroked Light's face.

"You're sure of that?" he asked and Light nodded and captured L's mouth, attacking it with renewed passion and hunger. L wrapped his arms around Light's neck, returning the kiss with just as much passion and need.

"I believe you are correct in that," he said when Light finally released him, "There is no one else who would love me as you do, nor could I love anyone else as I do you."

"Good thing we figured that out before you wasted money on an advert," Light told him and attacked his mouth again.

Jennifer picked up Near's dishes and carried them into the kitchen along with hers and placed them into the sink for washing later. She watched as Near coaxed Socrates into his lap after he sat back down on the couch and smiled happily. Dinner had gone well and he had loved the warmed apple pie with ice cream she had served him. He had pulled out a few of the toys he had brought with him and explained what they were and why he liked them so much. She had enjoyed watching his face light up as he described them and even more when she had asked him a few questions about them, and had examined them herself with care.

He had also been attentive when she talked about what she saw for herself in her future, wanting her own restaurant, or perhaps an inn. She found she enjoyed working with people as well as in the kitchen; she loved the kids and staff at Whammy's house, but felt there was more she could do if she ran her own kitchen. It was rare that anyone listened to what she wanted for herself, and he had been supportive and excited for her.

Now she joined him on the couch and they talked some more about a variety of subjects, finishing off the wine, before he turned to look out of the window and sigh.

"It is getting late, I believe I should be heading back to Whammy's," he said and she nodded, not bothering to hide her disappointment.

"I understand. I have had a wonderful time having you here, Near." She said and he smiled at her.

"I have also enjoyed it very much," he picked up a now sleeping Socrates and slid him form his lap to the other side of the couch before standing up. Jennifer stood and reached for her car keys from the table as he walked towards the door. She followed him and made a decision. As he put his hand on the doorknob, she covered it with her own. He turned to look at her questioningly and she smiled softly at him.

"It doesn't have to end right now, Near. You don't have to leave now if you don't want to." She said.

"Well, as much as I enjoy being here, my day starts really early and I'm feeling a bit different because of the wine," he said and reached for the door again.

"I'll make sure you get up in time to get to work, I have to get up really early too," she said hoping he would get the hint.

"Yes, I would imagine you would so I should leave for both our sakes…" he stopped as he reran what she had said through his mind again, "You'll make sure I get up in time?" he echoed and she smiled nodding, a soft blush beginning to show.

"Yes, I do have an alarm clock, Near." She said and as he still looked confused she leaned forward and kissed him, making sure there was a difference between this one and the ones they normally shared. Near's eyes opened wide as it suddenly became clear to him what her meaning was. He suddenly heard Matt in his head, telling him not to run.

"Are you asking me to stay here tonight?" he asked when she finally let him go. She smiled and nodded and carded through his hair.

"Yes, but only if you want to," she said and he looked away from her for a moment and then down at his feet.

"Jennifer…I….it isn't that I don't want to…but I…I've never…" she put her fingers on his lips to stop him.

"Near, don't you think I know that already? You've never even left Whammy's House, how could you possibly have done anything else?" she giggled as she watched him blush then reached for his hand.

"If Mr. Ryuzaki isn't already annoyed with me, he's going to really hate this." She said laughing and led him back towards the couch.