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CHAPTER 29 - Calm before the storm, part I.

Christmas was supposed to be a happy time. The time they spend together as a family, talk about what happened in the last year and pay attention to Mello and Near. And they did. L and KT made their best to act like synchronized siblings in front of the boys but it was not working exactly well. The atmosphere between them was thick and both Near and Mello knew something was going on. Near was a step ahead with his train of thoughts because of what he saw a few days ago. He was pretty sure the current atmosphere between father and aunt KT was somehow related to it. Not to mention that his father was meeting with Yagami every evening now.

Near was watching them from afar. He never came closer to the kitchen door again, but he was always nearby, counting the time and watching out for danger. Because they were meeting on the common floor. If someone like or Misa Amane appeared it could be a problem. Near wanted to avoid danger at any costs. His father was obviously compromised, so he needed someone to look after him.

While Near was waiting every night, for both men to say their goodbyes, he had a lot of time to think. He was sure that Watari and KT knew about father's situation. And they either didn't know what to do with it, or they thought it was part of his plan. Near considered talking to them about the situation, but he decided not to. They could try to keep him out of things and this wasn't the time to back off. And Near was also sure that Watari actually sees him on cameras spying on L and Light, but he didn't say a word. Which meat, he approved.

Most of the time Near was thinking about the Kira case. When he was back in his study room later on, he used his collection of robots to play different scenarios. It helped him to come up with new theories and possibilities.

He had figures of L, KT, Light Yagami, Misa Amane and Shinigami Rem. He was trying to figure out situations which might occur next. He also knew there must have been another Shinigami around so he added one more blank figure. And then, there was Beyond Birthday.

Near was watching all of his figures and decided to group them into teams. Misa, Light, Rem and unknown Shinigami were in one group. Then there was L with aunt KT. But at that moment, Near was focused on his robot which represented Beyond Birthday. The figure was standing alone, beside others. He didn't fit in. He didn't make any sense there.

The Kira case and BB's murders didn't have much incommon at first sight. But Near knew now that Kira couldn't kill Beyond, which made him a game changer and possibly one of the strongest figures in the game. But still... BB didn't make any sense in the game. Near didnt know what he was up to. All he knew was that father was trying to protect him and Mello from Beyond, and Light Yagami was trying to persuade him about the same thing. But...

Why, would Beyond Birthday appear after such a long time? And when everyone thought he was dead? It doesn't make any sense. He could have kidnapped Mello or me or get to father without a problem. But instead just appears at the orphanage and talks to Mel...

Near's lips shifted into a devious smile as a thought hit him.

Oh I see… this was never about getting to us or L in the first place. He wanted to get to Kira case files. And Mello was probably able to provide them.

Near quickly added another smaller figurine of a blonde boy next to Beyond Birthday.

Is that why you wanted the Kira case files but couldn't ask father for them? Mello? Were you in contact with Beyond all the time?

Near watched figures of Mello and BB facing figures of KT and L. But he already knew, this was not about B getting to L. This was about B, getting to Kira case files.

Near took figures of BB and Mello and set them against the group of figurines of the Kira team. But also a few centimeters apart from L and KT and tilted his head.

There are only two possibilities. Beyond Birthday wants to join Kira, which would match his LA profile or…

Near pushed figures of L, KT, BB and Mello together into one group.

Is it possible that they actually have a common enemy? Is it possible that Beyond Birthday is after Kira?

Near smiled as he felt a wave of excitement. It was time to read LA murder cases again. And also to give some time to the current Child's pose murder cases. If he was missing something, the answer was definitely there.

KT was a good actress. A great actress. She was able to play like nothing happened in front of Matsuda. He was still happily chatting with her but she must have admitted to herself she was happy that his parents changed their plans and stayed in Tokyo instead of going to visit his sister. That meant he was out of HQs for Christmas and KT finally had time to sit down and think things through.

She expected a strong reaction from L. That's why she wanted to wait until she was one hundred percent sure what her relationship with Matsuda exactly was about. It could have been a pretty romance and end as fast as it started, but then… she actually surprised herself when she told L they were dating. Because it was never said out loud between her and Matsuda.

Yeah, but what was I expecting? Him to ask me to be his girlfriend or something? We are not fucking sixteen. KT told herself and layed down on the sofa.

On the other hand… that would definitely be his style. Maybe he would if I didn't jump on him like a horny teenager…

KT hid her face with her hands and let out a long sigh. That's when her phone vibrated in her pocket. She quickly looked at who was writing to her and felt her heart beating faster when she saw Matsuda's name on a screen.

"Can't wait to see you again tomorrow. Will we have lunch together?" The message said.

KT chuckled and quickly typed back a positive answer. Then she went through his older texts for a while. He was really cute. Every single message from him was full of nice words and adoration. It almost felt too good to be true. KT found herself grinning happily at her phone and thinking about stupid things. Like taking Matsuda on holiday to Barcelona or Paris.

She shook her head and forced herself into a sitting position.

I can't be thinking about this now… this is not the time for falling head over heels… Maybe one day… if the Kira case is over and we will all survive this.

KT stood up as a shiver ran through her spine. She knew she shouldn't be thinking about these things but there was a high possibility that one of them would not make it through the investigation. And even if they will, there was a high chance that her brother will not make it. And KT was sure she could not live her life happily without L by her side.

How did we get here, bro? She asked herself and her train of thoughts shifted to the past few days.

Christmas itself was a hell. She and L were playing like nothing happened in front of the boys but it was hard. They were not stupid. And especially when L and KT did not exchange presents, Mello asked if something was wrong. They both said that their presents are back home in England, but that wasn't true. They both just wanted to enjoy giving the present in the right atmosphere. Which was not now. KT wanted her brother to laugh with her and have fun. Not just accept it, thank her and fall back into silence. She was pretty sure, he had it the same way. They were twins after all. They shared a similar mindset.

The situation itself was a shit because L closed himself towards her and opened up towards Yagami instead. She wouldn't even know if it wasn't for Watari, who monitored the whole building. But that also meant L wanted them to know. He wanted them to watch. KT was just not sure if it was to show them Light was good, or to try to find some evidence against him. She was not sure about anything anymore. Because even if it might seem like a good change of strategy on the outside - to let Light closer and confuse him enough to make a mistake, KT didn't really think that was what L was doing. He was acting on his emotions now. He was irrational. He was blindly in love. And that was the reason he called KT in the first place. He needed her eyes wide open. He needed her to see things he couldn't.

Spending every evening with Light was surprisingly easy for L. Yes, there was a voice of reason in his mind that kept his eyes wide open and that also held him from giving in completely, but at the same time he was overwhelmed with happiness. It was like they left the real world behind and appeared in their own universe where it was just the two of them. No Kira, no Beyond and no problems.

At the beginning, L stayed just for a few minutes, as he promised, but then… every night it was a few minutes more. They were playing the game of "what if Light wasnt Kira'' and it gave them space to talk openly about a lot of things. At least as openly as it was possible between them.

Light was interested in Near and Mello. He wanted to know everything about them and L soon figured out that he wasn't exactly a good source of information. What he knew about his boys were only a few facts and then things KT or Roger told him. He never realized it as much as he did at that moment:

I am their father. I should have known them best. But I don't...

Light looked up from the pan as he was preparing the dinner: "You didn't have much time to raise them, when you were working on your cases, did you?"

L nodded and tried to stay as composed as possible. But he was actually ashamed: "Unfortunately, Light-kun is right."

Light rolled his eyes: "Can you drop the honorifics please? I thought we were over this already."

L nodded again and hugged his legs to pull them to his body, as he was sitting on the kitchen unit. Then he realized he shouldn't be sitting like this and his legs fell down again. He felt irritated by this little detail.

"Yes, Light, you are right."

Light shot him a concerned look: "We should make sure to spend as much time as possible with them, as soon as the Kira case is over."

L raised an eyebrow: "We?"

Light chuckled and looked at him with a cocky expression: "Of course L. You said it yourself, you are all mine."

L tilted his head: "I said if you were not Kira, I am all yours."

"Exactly!" Light said with a wide smile and kissed L's nose before turning back to the cooker.

L stayed frozen in a place, shocked by the sudden display of affection. On one hand he wanted to roll his eyes and say that Light was Kira, but on the other hand, he wanted to smile and enjoy the feeling that was spreading in his chest.

What Am I trying to prove here? I am only digging myself deeper in this hole… he is Kira! L was screaming inside and that was enough to pull him back to reality:

"I should go… there is not much left to say anyway."

"No, no, not until you eat." Light told him and started preparing plates for both of them. He was moving fast around the kitchen and L was actually thinking that Light was like a butterfly for a few moments. Elegant, colorful and full of energy.

"Pardon?" L asked when he snapped out of his thoughts.

Light turned to face him and lifted his eyebrow: "Do you think I am cooking this all just for myself?" he told L and pointed at the pan.

There was some kind of strange noodles with meat and ananas. It looked great and smelled even better. L was surprised that his stomach didn't say anything to that smell, because it was kinda aromatic. But he was also happy about it. He really didn't need to puke in front of Light.

Light was currently adding some honey to the pan and L had to bite his inner cheek not to laugh. He remembered, he told himself a few weeks ago, that if it turned out Light wasn't Kira, he would marry him that very second. And he had that thought after tasting Light's cooking. L must have admitted to himself that he could get used to this kind of treatment quickly. Not that Watari's cooking was bad but… this was different. The food Light made him back then, tasted like love.

I wonder if this tastes the same… L thought and watched Light placing the food on plates.

"Why are you doing this?" L suddenly asked, knowing he will totally spoil the moment, but he asked anyway.

Light turned to him: "What do you mean?"

L waved his hand to point at an amazingly looking dish on the table: "This… cooking… and stuff…?"

Light chuckled and went to stand up just in front of L.

"I already told you that… I want to be with you, take care of you and spending time with you while having a nice dinner is a part of that."

L tilted his head. It was really nice to watch Light trying this hard. He couldn't help but wonder:

"Mmm… maybe we should have started like this half a year ago…"

Light chuckled at that and started running his hand through L's wild hair. He didn't even hesitate. He acted like they were doing this daily:

"It was different before L… I mean… to be honest when we started sleeping together it was more like… I don't know… like taking revenge on you. Because you had me behind bars and I wanted you to suffer. I didn't expect you would actually let me do those things to you and that you would enjoy it."

L looked up into Light's eyes: "Funny… this is one of the few things I actually believe are true. Unlike most of the things you say."

Light moved his hand from L's hair to his face and slowly caressed his cheek:

"I never expected to fall in love with you."

L shook his head which forced Light to take his hand away:

"You are a person of reason Light, you didn't have to. Love is just a chemical reaction, it can be held back with the right reasoning."

Light took L's chin and lifted it up: "Yes but… I didn't want to hold it back."

They were staring into each other's eyes. L felt the pull towards the younger men and he really was in a temptation to kiss him. But the fact is… he always wanted to kiss him. They were slowly leaning in when L asked:

"Why?"

Light was so close to L's face that he could afford to whisper:

"Because you are the only one person who understands me. Who challenges me, who complements me… It's like we were born for one another…"

L loved every single word that came from those lying lips. Those lips that were saying truth at the moment. He really wanted to kiss him. He wanted to do it so badly... But he leaned back instead and scratched the back of his head:

"Really? Sounds very romantic Light, but I would expect something more reasonable from you."

Light chuckled and folded hands on his chest: "Alright… the truth is… you are the only person who was able to handle me in bed so…"

L chuckled at that: "How can you know? You were a virgin before me…"

"No! I was not!" Light cut him off with an offended voice and horrified face.

L raised an eyebrow and suddenly felt like he is back in control:

"Stop lying to me, Light, you had no idea what you were doing the first time. And you came after 30 seconds."

Light's face turned bright red and he clenched his fists.

"I didn't… I…" He wanted to say something clever but he was not sure what. L was able to decompose him completely and it was his own fault for bringing up this topic: "Agggrrr alright, and so what?! So I was a virgin and I am pretty happy my first time was with you." Light told him and came closer again to catch L around the waist and push him to his own body. He wanted to gain back his control over the situation but L seemed mostly amused.

"Even when our first time was in the bathroom… on the common floor... after we had a fight?"

Light chuckled as remembered that day. They argued over shit all day and then they started fighting in a bathroom after L was constantly tugging the chain while Light was trying to pee. He was constantly making fun of him that he can't even pee into pisoar so when Light finished he was so frustrated that he actually punched L in the face. Then they were fighting for a few minutes before L noticed Light being hard and commented on that. That made him even more furious and when L said Light wouldn't know what to do with it anyway, Light lost it, pinned L against the wall and showed him he knew what to do with it. And L let him do that. He even led Light's hand to his own erection so Light stroked him while fucking his tight hole.

Light cleared his throat and stepped away from L. He was getting aroused just thinking about it. If he stayed with L in his embrace, things might get out of hand. Not that he didn't want to but… he couldn't afford pushing L into anything. He needed L approaching him first.

"Alright, I admit that the place could have been better but… our fight made it all very… intense."

L raised an eyebrow: "Violent tendencies, lying, raping… do you realize how high your Kira percentage is now?"

Light waved it off: "I don't care, I am getting deaf to your Kira percentage shit anyway. And we are still in our hypothetical universe where you believe I am not Kira. Remember?"

L shook his head: "No we are not, your time is up for 10 minutes already."

Light rolled his eyes and pecked a quick kiss on L's cheek: "Will this buy me 10 more minutes?"

"No." L said strictly, shooting him a warning glance. But Light wasn't the one to be scared easily:

"And this?" Light leaned in again to kiss L's lips but the man turned his head on the side.

"The food is getting cold." L said and quickly hopped off the kitchen unit.

Light chuckled at that: I always get you exactly where I want to have you L… he thought and followed the detective.

Mello was a lot of things… but not stupid. He figured Beyond was going to meet with Kira, but he had no idea how he wanted to do that. During their past few phone calls they talked through various topics. It was great. Mello felt like he was getting to know his daddy again. They spoke of their favourite food, about L's past cases and B even told him a few things about what happened in LA. But only the things that were connected to his murders. When it came to his personal feelings and motivations behind it, Beyond always changed the topic. Mello wasn't happy about it but he was able to let it be. At that moment, he needed more information about BB's plan with Kira and he was failing at getting information on this topic. That pissed him off, because he did everything Beyond wanted and even before he asked him. Now Mello felt like his daddy didn't really trust him and it made him angry as much as it made him sad. So Mello was hitting at the topic all over again, determined to figure out:

"But how can you be sure you will recognize Kira when you will see them?! Did you already get through the password? Do you know who the Kira suspect is?"

Beyond, on the other side of the line, was smoking cigarette after cigarette while talking with his little genius son, hoping it will get his terrible headaches away. He spent last few nights writing a program that will enter all possible variations of passwords to the coded Kira case files and he was exhausted. And Mello really was able to be a thorn in a side when he wanted. Beyond was not really sure if he got it after himself... or L.

"Well… no, not really. But I will know when I see him, trust me with this."

"But how?"

Beyond let out a long sigh and pressed his forehead against the cold wall:

"Mello… I can't really explain this, you just have to trust me."

"I got you those damn files and you can't even trust me with something like this?" Mello's tone was getting harsher with every second.

"Mello…" Beyond hissed at him as a warning.

"This is not fair!" The blonde yelled.

BB rolled his eyes and took a deep breath to calm down: "Listen to me, Melly-bean, I have a joker in my pocket and a very powerful ally on my side. Trust me. Nothing bad will happen. And if it will, it will happen to Kira."

"At least tell me when and where you wanna meet with Kira." Mello pleaded.

"Mell…" Another breathy sound came from Beyond's tired vocal chords.

"I am not stupid, I am sure there is some kind of code in your new murder cases, which by the way, are not murder cases at all, nice trick, but I will figure out the truth myself sooner or later. So you can as well tell me." Mello said with a bossy but completely emotionally blank and bored voice. Then there was a moment of silence on the other side of the line. Mello could swear he heard his daddy swallow hard.

"..."

"Dad?"

"Yeah, I am here it's just that… For a moment I was sure I was talking to L." Beyond told him and he really was kinda confused a few seconds ago.

"Whaaat?!" Mello asked with his normal voice.

BB shrugged: "I am serious, you had the same diction and it sounded like something your father would say. At least the first part."

Mello chuckled at that and BB did the same on the other side of the line:

"You really are your father's son, you know."

Mello bit his lower lip. He was happy to hear that. Hell he was, but...

"Now you are just trying to divert me from the topic…"

BB placed a hand over his eyes and shook his head: "You really are a smart one."

Mello rolled his eyes:

"Dad… please, I am not joking, I am gonna die of boredom here. And I know something is coming. The task force even got Christmas holidays to prepare. They are coming back tomorrow and I know they will be up to something big. It surely has something to do with you."

"Mello, I really can't tell you, you already figured out too much yourself."

"At least give me a clue." The boy pleaded again.

"Mello…"

"Something to work on…" Mello tried his cutest voice.

"Jesus Christ…" BB said in a breathy voice and meant it as an interjection, but the boy took him seriously:

"I am not much into religion dad, but nice try."

That made BB literally stop in his tracks. It wasn't that much surprising, given the fact that L was an atheist and Wammy house was raising kids to rely on facts and the voice of reason. But BB knew a bit better now. He knew Gods actually existed. He was not sure about Jesus Christ but he was pretty sure about other ones.

"Aren't you? I think religion is an important part of life. I think people should believe in Gods."

BB could literally hear the boy rolling his eyes on the other side of the line:

"Seriously dad? I expected something else from a person of your IQ."

That made B laugh out loud: "Well my dear son, I think I finally found your weakness."

"What do you mean?" Mello asked angrily.

"You shouldn't focus your mind only on things that are possible. It's important to expand your sight a little further than that…"

"So you want me to study fucking Christianity while you are making a hunt on Kira?" Mello almost yelled into the phone.

"What's with the language Mello?" BB answered him with an authoritative tone.

The boy laughed: "I am also my other father's son."

BB's both eyebrows went up to his forehead: "Good point… But you wanted a clue from me and I gave it."

There was a moment of silence from Mello, before the boy let out his typical: "What?!"

"God is your clue." BB said with a playful voice.

Mello rolled his eyes again and asked in irony: "Any particular God?"

To his surprise, the answer really came: "A Shinigami."

Light felt like he was floating in bliss. L was meeting with him every evening. They talked, they ate and sometimes he was even able to bring a smile to those beautiful lips. Yes, L was still resisting. But it was only a matter of time. Light was sure that once they will get rid of Beyond Birthday, L will have one worry less. And then, when L will finally let out his true feelings, Light will slowly persuade him to support Kira. Very slowly, step by step, but he will be able to do it. Now that he got this far, he was sure about it.

Dont go ahead of yourself. Get rid of Birthday first. He told himself as he was standing in HQs investigation room. It was late at night and he was there alone, staring at KT's perfect notice board.

So far, everything went as they assumed. Birthday finished his bloody message and the coordinates were really pointing at Zojo-ji temple in were hundred percent sure that he wants to meet there on the New year's countdown.

He wants to meet with L at the event with thousands of people, so he must know how to find him there.

But what does he want from him?

No, it doesn't really matter. Light told himself and turned to KT's desk to look at the map of the area around Zojo-ji temple. Maybe he would find something that might point to Birthday's possible place of meeting.

As Light was going through maps and a program of the event something fell from KT's desk. Light frowned and bent down to pick it up. It was another map. A map of Tokyo. He saw KT working with it before. She was ponting places of Birthday's murders on a map but she stopped after they got the coordinates. She probably didn't see any sense in continuing.

Light wanted to put the map back on the table and go back to his research but something stopped him. He didn't even know why, but he opened the map instead and took a good look. There were points at places dead bodies were found. They were all over Tokyo. Light was looking at those red points on the map and he chuckled: If there were more of them, they might give together a message.

His eyes widened.

There are more of them!

Light quickly took the list of murders that happened in last week and that KT didn't mark on a map. His breathing quickened as he was drawing small points that were missing on a map. When he finished his eyes widened even more and his chest was raising and falling heavily:

But that means…

He didn't need to link those points together with a pencil to see letters that were now on a map. Beyond Birthday didn't only tell them where he wanted to meet. He also told them with whom he really wants to meet. And it wasn't L, as they thought the whole time.

The letters on a map said... KIRA.