CHAPTER 24 - Birthday

"L, you can't stay here forever. You have to get up and stop sulking." Watari told him, as he unfolded the curtains and let the daylight in the room. It was midday and the boy was still staying in complete darkness.

L hid his face under the pillow and growled: "I am not feeling well Watari, let me be. The task force can be without me for a while."

Watari rolled his eyes. L could be such a baby sometimes.

"Yes, but your son can not. Mello's birthday is today. We have everything prepared but I need to make sure you will be at least presentable for the party."

L let out a long sigh that was mostly muted by the pillow on his head, but started getting up. He blinked a few times as his eyes were getting used to the light coming from the window and his eyes stopped at Watari, who was already sitting on his bed and giving him a glass of water and a pill.

L took the glass but hesitated with the pill: "What is that?"

"Pregnancy vitamins. You both need them."

L's eyes widened in shock and his mouth opened and closed. Watari raised an eyebrow on that: "Oh come on L, I experienced two your pregnancies. It wasn't that hard to figure out."

L nodded and slowly took the vitamin pill, swallowed it and took a sip of water. Then he looked at Watari: "I guess you figured out sooner than I did."

"That's not very surprising given the fact you have two cases, two children and two murderers in your head. I am focusing mostly on you." Watari told him and gave him a plate with a very healthy looking dish.

L took the plate but placed it on the bed next to him, he had no appetite. He sat, hugging his legs and resting his head on his knees.

"I don't know what to do Watari." he said, and felt like crying again. But he cried so much that he literally had no tears left.

Watari sat closer to him and his arm went to L's shoulders protectively: "First, we have to make sure you and the baby are healthy. You will work less, rest more and eat better food. And I think we should get C here, to check on your progress."

L shook his head: "No… not yet. He would want me to get back to England immediately and he would probably tie me up to the bed for the rest 8 months."

Watari frowned: "But do you remember what he told you after Nate was born? About having another baby?"

L slowly nodded, very aware. Him getting pregnant again was very dangerous. Man's physiology was not constructed for this task and every pregnancy left some marks on his body and mind. It was somehow changing chemistry in his brain. C thought it would be easier for him if his physical condition was better but he was too thin and his lifestyle too odd. Simply said, the probability of him carrying the third child through the whole 9 months period was very low. And it will be dangerous for both of them.

"Give me time Watari, at least till the new year. There is a high possibility of misscaridge in the first month and maybe we will not need to call him here at all."

Watari gasped: "L! What are you saying? You want to just sit and wait if you lose the baby or not?"

L shook his head, stood up and went to look out the window: "No… I just know my health condition Watari. And besides I am not even a month far. The body can still expel the fetus. We might be doing a lot of fuss for nothing."

Watari stood up from the bed and raised his voice: "L! I don't like this talk! The poor little thing doesn't deserve such a treatment just because its father is Kira!"

L turned to face him and looked desperate: "I am just standing with my feet on the ground Watari! I don't want to get attached to this baby before I know for sure I'll be having it!"

"Oh my boy…" Watari let out a sigh.

L went to the wardrobe and took out a new white shirt and jeans. What he had up now smelled like crazy. Was he even bathing for the last three days?

"And besides… at least I will have time to figure out if this child would grow up in the world where Kira is the God, or Light is a father. Because I don't want to live to see both options happening at once."

Watari frowned and rubbed his mustache, thinking: "All right… I understand. So no C yet, we will wait a few weeks. I will monitor your condition as well as I can myself and I will get the equipment ready here, so we have everything when C arrives later…. But if everything will work out well, we will need you to abandon the case when you reach the first trimester. Then it would be very dangerous for you, the baby and not to mention the fact that someone might notice."

L nodded and threw fresh clothes to the bathroom, where he was about to go when this discussion was over. Then he turned back to Watari: "I agree… that is why I have to solve the Kira case before I will get there."

Watari frowned again: "L… we have been on this case for over a year… you really believe you can solve it in two months?"

"I must Watari. I must." L said and leaned against the bathroom door frame.

Watari nodded: "Alright… maybe with KT's help we can speed it up somehow… but then there is the question of Beyond…"

L waved his hand in the air: "This question will be solved in a few weeks. I think I already know where and when he wants to meet. We will catch him there and it'll be over."

Watari raised an eyebrow: "Now you are really being optimistic…"

L brought his thumb to his lower lip and tilted his head slighty: "I am not optimistic. I am simply giving myself a goal…"

"So you already have a plan…"

L shook his head: "No… but I am about to get one…"

They were both silent for a moment. Then Watari let out a long sigh and headed to the door: "All right… I'll leave you to it. But please get back HQs and be ready for Mello's birthday in the evening."

"Don't worry… I will." L said and turned to the bathroom but then he realized something: "And Watari… KT can't know. Not yet..."

Watari stopped at the door frame and gave him a scolding look: "She is a clever girl, she might figure out…"

L shrugged: "She didn't til now… and I'll make sure she won't from now on."

"As you wish L."

As soon as L stepped into the HQs Light's arms were around him. He gasped in shock and his wide opened eyes flew over the rest of the task force. They were looking at them, but they were not looking surprised. While Light hugged him and was mumbling something about worrying about him, L's mind started running million directions a second. He realized 3 things:

He made a big mistake leaving Light from his sight. This display of affection was not genuine - Light was playing it. That meant... They were back in the game again.

And all these three things together meant that Light got so pissed off, that L disappeared, that he went back to Kira. L felt like someone stabbed a knife to his heart. But there was not much time to think about it now. Light finally let go of him and L had to react to his questions:

"I feel better, Yagami-kun. No need to exaggerate. But thank you, for worrying about me."

Light smiled at him but that smile was not genuine at all. L knew every single one of his smiles. And this one, belonged to Kira.

Shit… Does it mean?

"Any news in our cases? I apologize for being absent for so long, but my body decided I've had enough."

"That's alright Ryuzaki! We are happy that you are feeling better now!" Matsuda told him enthusiastically from where he was sitting, next to KT.

"That's true, welcome back Ryuzaki." Chief Yagami told him and offered him a sincere smile.

"Thank you…" L said and then cleared his throat. He was not very comfortable with public shows of affection. "... So what's with the cases?" He asked again and headed to his computer.

"Ryuzaki… are you telling me that you didn't touch any work for the whole time?!" Light asked him and followed him. L sat down to his chair and turned on the computer. Then he looked at Light: "No, I did not. Why? Did I miss something important?"

There was a hint of something in Light's face. And L quickly realized it was fear.

The moment when Light found out L doesn't know anything about the first Kira killing again, he realized he might have made a terrible mistake. Because if L was sick enough not to touch work for a few days, then his reading into his reasons was completely wrong.

Oh damn it! I should have been there for him! I should have taken care of him! One part of his personality was yelling. But then there was the other who was trying to keep him in line: No… this is good. You would have to go back to Kira eventually. The sooner it happened the better. He has to deal with it somehow… at least you will know if the two of you have a future or not.

L didnt say a thing about the information that Kira started killing again but only turned his head to his computer and started reading reports that he missed.

After two hours of work he ordered Watari to get him broccoli baked with cheese.

The whole task force turned their heads to him but L didn't react. He started reading the case files again and not even half an hour later was stuffing himself with overly green dish. Light also didn't miss three tablets that came with it on the plate. L ate the food and took the tablets without questioning it.

Light frowned.

Something is going on with him… he is voluntarily eating vegetables and eating some pills. Something serious happened.

But he didn't have time to think about it because KT suddenly stood up from her chair and said: "Alright… time for the party. Does anyone feel like having a cake?"

L's hand immediately shot up.

L sat on the sofa with his cake and he was looking at the scene before him. Everything went well. Mello got his own shooting range with a promise that the same one will grow back home (that was a gift from him), he got his own signature gun from KT (which will be stored by Watari until the boy turns 18), he got a new computer from Near, a five-tier chocolate cake from Watari and small gifts from the task force. Those gifts were bought by KT of course, because no one knew Mello better.

At that moment, they were in the underground of the tower, where they built the shooting range with a small salon. The salon was behind the soundproof glass so L could eat his cake in peace and watch the task force having fun. KT insisted that they have to be there because it was a good way to bond with the team. Not that L cared. He only cared about his family and then… Light. But he admitted that the task force being there was not such a bad idea. Because they were all learning Mello how to shoot and the boy was in seventh heaven. It also turned out that Matsuda is probably the best shooter there. Much to everyone's surprise.

So everyone, except Matsuda, KT, Mello and Light eventually retired to the salon to have a cake and a shot. Watari was happily serving them alcohol and at one point stopped by L:

"Legs down." he said in half voice.
L shot him a confused glance and Watari rolled his eyes: "You can't sit like that now L. At least for a few months…" with that he left him alone again.

L slowly showed his legs down from the sofa and sat like a normal human. It was weird. He didn't feel comfortable like this. But he couldn't sit like that when he was pregnant. It was bad for the baby.

L's eyes went to Light again. He was standing at the shooting range with Matsuda, who was enthusiastically explaining to him how to aim the best. L smirked. Maybe the man was not a complete waste after all. Matsuda was running between Light and Mello and KT was supervising him. Light was left there alone again and tried to shoot the moving target but he was not much successful. He kept trying anyway. Again and again.

L was not sure how to proceed next. He hoped that Light would simply wait until he came back but instead he obviously got pissed and ran back to being full time Kira. That was not good. It was bad even. L felt betrayed by it. But it happened and there was no point in overthinking it. The question was, how to snap him out of it.

There was no way L was telling Light about the baby. For multiple reasons. But mainly because it was too soon and there was a real chance that the information might throw Light into overprotective mode and he might kill all the dangerously looking people on the planet.

Like the whole situation wasn't complicated enough before. It had to become delicate too.

L was chewing on his cake and realized he doesn't like it. He frowned and put the plate on the table.

Great… First I feel like eating broccoli and then I don't like chocolate cake. What's gonna be next? L thought and then turned to Light again.

He needed a plan. He needed to make things faster. His original plan to distract Light was working to this point but it was not a permanent solution. And it would be hard to go back to it when he was killing again. There was always the option of confrontation but as L still had no evidence against him. So it would be painfully pointless and it would only make another hole into their already emental like looking relationship.

I could try to show him some affection and wait for his reaction…

No… he would only take it as forgiveness and he could think he will get away with it…

Oh wait… that's not a bad idea.

If Light didn't make any mistake while he was trying to woo L into a relationship, maybe he needed to do it the other way.

If Light will think he has me, he might actually reveal himself intentionally and then…

L frowned.

Then I would have to sue him, arrest him and send him to his death.

He rolled his eyes and his back fell deeper into the sofa. Because that was where it was heading the whole time, wasn't it? The chance that L will actually make Light change his mind was so small that he couldn't even voice it.

Shit… But I at least have to try!

With that thought he stood up and headed to the shooting rage. He took soundproof headphones on and went to Mello first. The boy was enthusiastically showing him what he learned so far and L even decided to shoot with him. Mello was smiling from ear to ear when he won their little competition a few minutes later. But L let him win of course. L was always good at shooting. Although he hated it. It was too violent and too noisy for him. But he got through the whole training with Watari anyway. It was necessary.

When Mello shifted his attention back to Matsuda, L turned to Light, who was standing a few meters away, aiming at his own targets. L came closer and was watching him from behind for a few moments. Then, when Light was refilling the pistol he made two steps and stood very close behind Light. Light aimed again but didn't shoot. He waited for L to correct his posture. L put his hands on Light's hips, slightly shifting them and then corrected the posture of Light's hand. Then he stepped away and let Light shoot. This time, the boy hit the moving target straight into the head. L smirked and Light turned around to face him.

"Again" L mouthed because he knew Light couldn't hear him with the headphones on. But he understood and turned to aim again. But again, he intentionally waited for L to correct him. L came closer and this time, he pressed the front of his body to Light's rear. He could feel Light shiver and lean into his body. L corrected his posture again and quickly pressed his lips into the back of Light's neck, before stepping away.

This time, Light missed the target completely.

"Who do you think is a top?" Mogi suddenly asked while they were sitting at the salon bar and watching the shooting. Then he realized that chief Yagami was sitting there too and quickly glanced his way: "I... I... I didn't mean… I was talking about Matsuda and KT!"

Soichiro gave him a knowing look and adjusted his glass on his nose: "That was a ridiculous try to cover why you really were asking, don't you think?"

There was a moment of silence. Both Mogi and Aizawa were looking at the chief and waited for confirmation.

"Yes… I know… It's painfully obvious." He said and took another shot of whiskey.

Both men let out the breath they didn't know they were holding.

"Good… I was a little afraid you would be against something like that, boss." Mogi said and took a sip of his beer.

Soichiro shook his head: "I am not homophobic… although I must say I am not happy my son is acting light headed around Ryuzaki."

Aizawa chucked: "Well right now Ryuzaki seems to be pretty light headed too."

They turned to the scene again. Ryuzaki was helping Light with his posture and aiming but it was obvious that it was not the only thing going on.

"Hm… at least I know the feelings are mutual. I was a little worried Light is alone on this ship."

Mogi laughed: "Definitely not boss. Ryuzaki is practically eating Light with his eyes for months. But he was holding on pretty well with showing it until now…"

"What do you think changed?" Soichiro asked.

Both men shrugged and turned back to their drinks. There was a moment of silence before Mogi said: "I bet Ryuzaki is a top."

Soichiro sent him a warning glance: "I don't want to think about it."

Aizawa nodded: "Me neither… but I disagree. I bet Light is a top."

They looked at each other.

Mogi smirked: "I accept. Ten thousand yen that Ryuzaki is a top."

Aizawa shook his hand in confirmation. Chief Yagami only rolled his eyes. He thought it was clear that Light was a bottom but if Aizawa wanted to lose some money then what could he do?

Light thought the things that day couldn't be any stranger but he was apparently wrong. First L didnt say a thing about the first Kira killing again, then he ate broccoli, then he gave his son a shooting range as a gift for his 9th birthday and now, he voluntarily came to Light and started suggestively touching him. Not to mention the kiss on the back of his neck.

Not that Light wasn't happy about it… it was just… strange. And Light found he had a pretty hard time aiming at the target with L this close. He had an urge to turn around and pull the man into a heated kiss. And he was really thinking about it, after L pressed their bodies together for the fourth time to help Light with his… aiming. But he decided against it and the main reason was Mello and Near. The rest of the task force was most probably already aware of their relationship but he was sure L's sons did not. And this was the only line he didn't want to cross without L. He had to be sure of him first, before they could tell his sons.

But at that moment, it looked like L didn't even care. He came to Light again and pressed his nose into his hair, while correcting his posture again. But Light was very aware that L was breathing him in. It was like L suddenly needed him close. Like he needed to feel him.

What the hell happened to you?

What changed?

Light was asking himself while he was shooting at the targets. He was still failing miserably at the task. But it was not surprising because L was hell of a distraction.

Is this your reaction to me being Kira again?

You don't mind? Is it actually turning you on?

Or is it just another part of the game?

At that moment, Light wasn't sure about anything. He wanted to get some reaction from L, but this exceeded his wildest dreams. He was slowly getting aroused with every touch. Luckily before he could lose control of himself, little Mello stormed to them.

"You really are a waste Yagami, give it to me!" the boy yelled so loud that Light heard him even through the soundproof headphones. Mello indicted him to get the headphones off and started explaining to him the same things Matsuda did a few minutes ago.

Light was watching the boy with interest and nodded to every information. But then suddenly, he felt a warm hand touching his own. It was only a second but Light knew it was L. He turned to him, but L was already gone, the door to the salon closed behind him.

LOOOL! I can't believe I finally wrote the shooting scene! xD It was actually one of the first I came up with when I started thinking about this story. I really enjoy how their roles are switched for a moment. xD Anyway… something big is coming in the next chapter! :O Love you guys, see you next week!