A/N: Hello, my babies! How are we? How's the water? Do you need a refill? Go get some water. And probably a snack. This is a long chapter. But well worth it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I can't be much for pleasantries here this week. I got the little one to run after. And this is already slightly late. So…Love you x

But before I go here! Hi, Skyla! I see you were expressing concerns for my workload. This is nothing. In fact, this is a really easy story for me to write. A hint of fluff here. A dash of smut there. A pinch of angst somewhere in between. And a wee bit of hurt/comfort. Because why not? A little flavor never hurt anything. Now, I have to go. Kbye.

By the end of the day, everyone was sufficiently fried. Matsuda had caught a nap on Aizawa's shoulder. Mogi's head only got heavier with every passing second. Soichiro was on his eleventh cup of coffee. Even Light was feeling the strain on the task force. But as exhausted as the others were, no one had lost steam quite like L. He stared blankly at his computer screen, not even sure what he was looking at anymore. His vision bounced between total blurring and doubling. And some of the others started to take notice.

"I think we've done enough today," Soichiro decided, "Wouldn't you say so, Ryuzaki?"

Silence.

"I don't think you're going to get much out of him, Chief," Aizawa figured, "I think his lights are on and nobody's home."

"Not necessarily," Soichiro held his faith a little higher, "Ryuzaki…"

Still nothing.

"Is he going to be ok?" Mogi wondered, "Is he sleeping with his eyes open again?"

"He's ok," Light got up from his spot on the stairs, "At least he will be."

"How do you know?" Aizawa scoffed, "For all we know, he's completely ignoring us. I wouldn't put that past him."

"Because out of everyone here," Soichiro got defensive, "Light has spent the most time with Ryuzaki other than Watari. He would know if something was wrong."

"Thanks, Dad," Light took a lollipop from his pocket and put it in L's mouth, "Give him a second. He'll be fine."

"Really?" Aizawa rolled his eyes, "I don't think candy is going to…"

"Thank you, Light," L came to again, picking apart the flavor, "Cherry…Interesting choice."

"You're welcome," Light smiled. And they think he's so difficult to figure out, "See? I told you. He's fine. Just a minor blood sugar thing."

"Did somebody say something?" L struggled to get his mind back on track. I remember watching surveillance footage…And more surveillance footage…And then…A gap. Then, Light putting candy in my mouth.

"We're going home," Soichiro reiterated.

"Well," L sighed out, "Can't say I never saw this coming. Thank you all for your service. When the case is closed, I'll see that you're all recognized for your heroics."

"Um…Ryuzaki…" Soichiro wasn't sure how to take that, "We're going home for the day. We could all use the rest. By the looks of it, you're not exempt from that list either."

"No," L brushed him off. It's not like I wouldn't be able to finish the case on my own. I still have to lead horses to water and shove their faces in it, "It's like Light said. That was merely a slight hiccup in my blood sugar. I'll be fine."

"L…" Light knew better. Instead of calling him out in front of the task force, Light pulled L by his chair across the floor and into the hallway, "I know you can push yourself to some impossible limits…"

"Nearly impossible," L corrected him, "That doesn't mean I…"

"Would you shut up and listen to me for a second?" Light cut him off, a small pocket of anger finally being aired out, "I know you like to think of yourself as a machine, but like it or not, you're not a machine. You need a break just as much as the rest of them. At the end of the day, you're still human."

"Light…" his outburst caught L by surprise. Along with the curious task force listening in. Light's anger was enough to wake Matsuda out of his small coma. And L knew they were all listening, "Mr. Yagami?"

"Yes?" Soichiro perked up at the sound of his name being called.

"Thank you for your work today," L pulled Light into his lap, "All of you can go home."

"Alright," Soichiro shooed everyone out of headquarters and went home. I hope things are ok, Light.

"Look…" Light hardly spoke above a whisper, well aware how out of line his snapping was. But deep down, in the depths of his heart, he knew he was coming from a good place. He draped his arms around L's shoulders, hoping that would cushion the blow a little better, "You know I wouldn't have yelled like that unless I had to. But I worry about you, L. All the time. And I don't want to see the greatest mind of the last century to burn himself out and render himself a drooling mess because he wouldn't take care of himself. You're still human. You're my human…"

L didn't know what to do with himself. Between Light yelling at him and Light curing him in the same breath, it made his already frazzled head spin. On the one hand, he was furious Light even raised his voice to him. But at the same time, L understood him perfectly. If he didn't care, he'd let me work myself into the ground. And I wouldn't hesitate to work myself into the ground. Instead of getting angry, L held Light a little tighter, "Maybe I could slow down a little bit."

"Or," Light countered, "We could go get takeout, come back here, eat until neither one of us can move, and call it a night."

"That sounds nice, too," L kissed the top of Light's head, "Go on upstairs. I'll be up in a second."

"Ok," Light got up from L's lap and headed up to L's room. He knew his apartment was mostly for show. He knew that the second he moved in. At the end of the day, Light knew where he slept.

However, that meant him leaving L downstairs by himself. For the most part. But that didn't mean L was completely alone. He needed to sort himself out before he could show his face around Light again. He's worried. I've never had to worry much about Light unless it pertained to me directly. He's never really reckless. He rarely does anything stupid. Even his time with Miss Takada doesn't have me nervous. The only thing that scares me with him is when Miss Amane comes into play. But he's getting better.

"Watari…" L spoke softly, knowing he was around somewhere. It wasn't often Watari was too far from L, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Watari came from around the corner, sitting in the chair next to him, "What is it?"

"Do you think I work myself too hard?"

"I know you work yourself too hard," Watari confirmed, "At the end of the day, you understand how much you can and can't handle, but sometimes, you tend to go overboard. When you find yourself on a streak, your hyper focus takes over and you burn yourself out."

"Light says the same thing," L agreed, "But what about the times where I don't know when or how to stop?"

"That's not something I can decide for you, Lawliet," Watari told him, "That's a decision you ultimately have to make on your own. But maybe instead of you ignoring when you're tired like you usually do…"

"I do not."

"Yes, you do," Watari chuckled to himself, "Trust me. I've seen it so many times. Even when I tried to get you to go to bed when you were younger, you'd always tell me no. It's alright. It'll still be here in the morning. But it was then I started figuring out you were also an insomniac. But you can take the occasional break. Just enough to catch your breath before you crash."

"I suppose you're right," L could never disagree with Watari. He knew that more often than not, he was right. Despite his own ego, L knew Watari was right. He hated when Watari was right, but he also knew that it'd be for his benefit.

"If that's it then," Watari got up, "I'm going to go to bed. Are you going to need anything else?"

"Just…One more thing."

"What is it, Lawliet?" Watari asked.

"Do you think it's too soon for me to take Light to London?" L wondered.

"That's up to both of you," Watari explained, "Are you looking forward to the London trip?"

"It's all I can think about."

"And what about Light?" Watari sat back down, "What's he thinking?"

"I'm not sure," L thought, "He seemed on board for it when I asked him."

"Does he know why you're going to London?" Watari shot him a look.

L was a bit confused. Did I even tell Watari why we're going to London? I know for a fact that it's not just so I can get a little well deserved R&R with Light, "I haven't told him everything yet. But I will before we leave."

"You know how Near is," Watari argued.

I did tell Watari. When, though? L's head was still fuzzy from the day, "I know. But Near's also making major strides. I think this could go over well."

"And you're willing to stake your relationship with Light on that?"

Watari's words hit L in a place he didn't need to be hit. Even the gentlest prodding could send L over the edge. But L held himself together to the best of his ability. Although, he could hardly speak, "Yes."

"If it were me," Watari got up and started heading upstairs, "I'd run that by Light first. Good night, L."

"Good night," L let Watari go, following him upstairs shortly after. Watari underestimates Light's intestinal fortitude. And mine, alike. I know we'll be able to handle Near. At least I sure as hell hope we can. I don't want to stay in London if it means sending Light back to Japan…L shook off the thought and indulged his boyfriend in the night he asked for.

For the next couple weeks, L and Light's nights looked more or less the same. As much as L didn't want to admit it, the slower pace Light had forced him into put him at ease. Every day, he functioned a little better. Fight it as he may, L knew he had Light to thank for that. But then, the morning came. L opened his eyes to find Light cozily tucked under L's chin, still asleep. Precious…You're absolutely precious to me. And in another twenty-four hours…

Then, Light started stirring. And those big, dark eyes of his looked up at L, twinkling in the way only Light's eyes could, "Good morning."

"Good morning…" L melted inside, "Light…"

"Yeah?" Light cuddled into L's ribs.

"Do you know what tomorrow is?"

"Of course," Light couldn't hold back a smile if he wanted to, "I'm the one who booked our flight. We leave for London tomorrow morning."

"That's right," L nodded, "And it'll hopefully be just you and me for an entire week."

"Hopefully?" Light wondered, "Why hopefully?"

L had yet to explain their reasoning for the London trip. He knew he'd have to tell Light eventually, but he didn't think it'd be the day before. L pulled Light against his chest, cradling him gently, "Light, you know I love you, right?"

"Yeah."

"Good," L braced himself for whatever may come next, "You know how I told you I had a graduation to go to while we're in London?"

"Yeah," Light shut his eyes for a second, "What about it?"

"Well…" Please don't leave me because of this, Light, "It's Near's…"

"Oh," Light wasn't sure what to think. So, he's going to his ex's graduation…but he's taking me? For what? To show me off or to make sure he doesn't fall back into old patterns? No. I'm sure L has wanted to take me to London for a while now. He's told me all about it more times than I can count. Light let out a deep breath, soothing his nerves, "Ok."

"Ok?" L hoped.

"Ok," Light nodded, "I know Near was special to you, L. And I know you've moved on. As long as we can still be us, this trip to London should be a lot of fun. I've never been to England before. And after listening to you gush about it, I'm sure it'll be great."

"Ok…" L let out a little sigh of relief. What did I do to deserve you, Light? Near and Mello would've lost their goddamn minds if I would've said that to them. He's so…Understanding. I really can't let you get away from me.

"By the way," Light looked up at L, "I'm not going to be home tonight."

In that moment, L didn't realize how unbelievably gutting one sentence could be, "What?"

"Yeah," Light reiterated, "I'm not going to be home tonight."

"Why not?" L wondered, his stomach knotting up.

"Because I have a date tonight."

"Really?" L started to sweat. Hell of a way to start the morning, "I don't remember us making plans."

"I never said it was with you," Light got out of bed, stealing a quick kiss.

"Light…" L got quiet, preparing himself for the worst. He did see Miss Takada recently. Maybe they're going to reconnect. Just…Don't let it be Misa. Don't run off with Misa, Light. You're too good for her. You don't need her anymore, "Are you cheating on me?"

"What?" Light looked at L strange, "No. Of course not. And if I were going to cheat on you, which isn't going to happen, it sure as hell wouldn't be with my sister. Incest isn't my thing."

"Oh…" L relaxed, "Ok. Sayu. Why didn't you say so?"

"I thought I told you," Light climbed back into bed. And L snapped into Light's side. Oh, shit. I fucked up, "Didn't I tell you the other day that before we leave for London, I'm getting dinner with Sayu?"

"If you did, I don't remember," L shook a bit, "I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Light saw where this was heading. And he refused to allow it, "You've had enough on your plate. You don't need to deal with my social life, too."

"But…"

"L…" Light stole a deep, intense kiss, doing his best to get his boyfriend out of his head, "Really. It's alright. I'll be sure to tell Sayu you say hi and be back here in time for you to go to bed. I promise."

"Ok," L blinked the stars out of his eyes. Damn, that never gets old.

"Are you ok?" Light wondered.

"Yeah," L cuddled him, "Can we just…Stay here for a while? Just you and me? At least until the task force gets here."

"Absolutely," Light wasn't moving. L wasn't moving. And no one was complaining."

Knock, knock.

"L?" Watari cracked the door, "Could I come in?"

"It's alright," L allowed. It'd be nice if I would've had a little time alone with Light, but it could be important, "What is it?"

"The task force is here."

And I thought it'd be important. L simply rolled his eyes, "Alright. I'll be down in about twenty minutes."

"Should I deliver a message to them?" Watari asked, his head barely in the doorway, "Perhaps that you're currently busy?"

"It's fine," Light insisted, catching L by surprise, "Thank you, Watari."

Watari left L and Light in bed and headed downstairs. Meanwhile, L needed some answers, "Light?"

"Hmm?" Light fought tooth and nail not to fall back asleep, but he couldn't help himself. It was the curse of sleeping with L. He finally felt safe and comfortable. And he wanted to be nowhere else.

"What the hell was that?"

"What?"

"I've never seen you handle Watari before," L pointed out, "When did you start doing that?"

"I've handled Watari before," Light assured him, "It's not like I can't handle it. I manage."

"I see that."

"I'm going to go run off to my room," Light gave L one last kiss, "I'll see you downstairs."

"Yes, you will." You never cease to amaze me, Light. And you always find a way to surprise me every day. As light walked out, a smile crept across L's face. And damn, that view never gets old.

Light slipped into the back hallway and into his room. Although he couldn't wait until the London trip, he couldn't wait for his time with Sayu even more. However, instead of the thought of a patented Sayu Yagami interrogation filling him with existential dread, Light couldn't wait. Sayu's going to lose her damn mind when I tell her about London. Oh, god. I can only imagine how she'll react when she finds out I finally have something to tell her. Light could hardly contain himself. But he also knew he still had to conduct himself professionally.

By the time Light got downstairs, L and the entire task force were all hard at work. Quietly, Light snuck out the front door. Coffee, macarons, and if we're lucky, a little kiss. God, I can't wait for London. Light hopped a train to Shibuya and went into L's favorite sweet shop. Let's see…He liked the strawberry shortcake ones. He liked the lime ones. I know he loves the earl grey ones. Light could hardly decide on which ones to grab. But then, he felt his phone ring in his pocket. Why would I be surprised?

"Hi," Light smiled, "Are you alone?"

"Terribly. I'm also wondering where the hell my assistant ran off to."

"Well," Light explained himself, "Your assistant thought he'd surprise his boyfriend with breakfast. But heaven forbid he lets anything be a surprise."

L sat back at task force headquarters with his face turning colors, "Do forgive me. I can't help but worry about him once in a while. How much longer will you be gone?"

"Not very." Earl grey. Definitely the earl grey, "I should be back in about ten minutes, give or take for the train."

"You know you could've taken the car, Light," L offered, "I wouldn't have a problem with that."

"It's alright," Light pointed in the case and the young lady behind the counter started packaging his box, "I'll be there soon, ok?"

"Ok," L let him go, "See you soon."

Light bit the inside of his cheek, knowing exactly what see you soon meant. Too much mixed company, "I love you, too."

Click.

I hope he handled that better than I think he did. When Light came back to the tower, he put the box of macarons in front of L along with a giant cup of coffee. Not a word was said between them, but not a word needed to be said. Although, Light whispered into L's ear, making sure the rest of the task force couldn't hear him.

"There's a note in there, L," Light warned him, "Read it when no one's watching."

"Should I be worried?" L wondered.

"Just…Be careful."

"I will." How bad could it really be? L wasn't afraid of Light's note. But Light sat on the stairs with his laptop, fine tuning L and his plans for London. All while having a side tab opened, making reservations for himself and Sayu later. But then, L made the mistake of opening Light's note. Light's…Incredibly saucy note…And Light sat back with a dirty grin on his face.

I told him not to read it when he was being watched. Light stifled a little giggle and went back to work. As the day went on, it had finally reached its end. The other members of the task force were busy packing things up for the day. Even Light was slowly, but surely ready to leave the tower. But before he could do that, L had a little something, something to give him. Because he knew Light had a soft spot in his heart for the finer things, even though he wouldn't admit it. In this case, it wasn't even Light so much with a taste for silver, but Sayu. And it's not like L was going to say no to her.

"Light," L slipped his black card into Light's pocket, "I want this back on the flight to London."

"Ok," Light nodded. He didn't even have to feel what L put in there. He just knew.

"Send her my love," L smiled a bit. Ever since their afternoon in Aoyama, L has grown such a weakness for Sayu. And Light couldn't blame him. He knew Sayu could work a room if she wanted to. And the fact that she managed to work L almost as well as he could was a major testament to that.

"Who?" Soichiro's curious ear perked up. Did Light start seeing someone? And if he has, how did Ryuzaki meet her before I did?

"Sayu and I are going out tonight," Light explained.

"Oh," Soichiro quietly seethed. Did I not tell him to leave Sayu alone? Talking to her through Light isn't leaving her alone.

"You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Yagami," L picked up on a father's quiet anger, "In approximately twelve hours, Light and I will be on a flight for London and I will be far away from Sayu. This is merely a friendly exchange."

"Good," Soichiro let it go. As long as it's never too friendly…

"I'm going to go get her," Light left the awkward exchange between his father and his boyfriend and went upstairs to change. Then, it was a quick sprint out the front door. To no surprise, L's limo already waited up front. I told him I'd be ok with taking the train…But then, Light thought a little harder, well aware of L's gentle feelings for Sayu. This isn't for me…

Regardless, Light left L in the tower for the night and followed his father back home. When he walked in the front door, Sayu was already at the top of the stairs. She knew what going to dinner with Light meant. And she was more than happy to milk it for all it was worth. Not to mention, she learned quickly how to prepare herself for it. Not quite prom night, but not quite her school uniform. Somewhere in the middle.

"Light!" Sayu came running down the stairs.

"Be careful, Sayu!" Sachiko warned her, greeting her son at the door with the same enthusiasm, "It's so nice to have you home, Light. I miss having you around here."

"You know where I live, Mom," Light reminded her, "You can come see me anytime."

"Are you sure about that?" Sayu wondered, leaning over the railing, "L wouldn't have a problem with that?"

"He doesn't have a problem with you," Light argued, "I don't think he'd complain about Mom coming over to say hi."

Yeah. But I'm a different monster than Mom, Light. You know that. But Sayu didn't want to ruin the pure joy on her mother's face, "So, Light, when could I come see you?"

"How about in a couple weeks?" Light decided, hoping it'd be alright with L, "Sound good?"

"Sounds wonderful," Sachiko threw her arms around Light's waist, "I really do miss having you home, Light."

"I miss you, too, Mom," Light hugged her back, "Sayu, are you ready yet?"

"Yep!" Sayu bounced down the last couple stairs, "Let's go!"

"No later than ten, Light," Soichiro ordered, "Sayu doesn't need to be out all night."

"Come on, Dad," Sayu whined, "I'm sure we'll be fine if we're out just a little later."

"No," Light put his foot down. I got a flight in the morning, Sayu. There's no way in hell I want to be out late, "Dad's right. No later than ten."

"Boo…" she grumbled, "When did you stop being fun?"

"I could always leave you here and not take you to Omotesando tonight."

"Fine," Sayu waved behind her, following Light out the door. Although, the car out front caught her by surprise, "Holy shit, Light…Where did this come from?"

"L says to say hi," Light smiled a bit, his heart going soft at the relationship his sister and his boyfriend have. I know he pumps her for information more often than not, but I'm sure it's more than that.

"I'd say this is a hell of a hi," Sayu slid in the back of the limo, content with the world, "Now, I believe I was promised Omotesando."

"I just said that to put Mom and Dad more at ease," Light rolled his eyes, "Ginza?"

"You do love me!" Sayu squeaked, "Fine by me."

Light knew better than to spare any expense. Especially with L's black card burning a hole in his pocket. Granted, he still played conservative with L's money, but Light could put a dent in the account if he wanted to. And if that meant occasionally taking his favorite sister out for nice dinners, then so be it. When they got to the restaurant, the hostess brought L and Sayu up to a nice spot on the roof where a bottle of red wine waited for them.

"Dinner and drinks?" Sayu figured, taking her seat.

"Never said that wine was for you," Light sat across from her.

"You really are no fun," she pouted.

"You're too young, Sayu," Light wasn't going to be responsible for a drunk Sayu. He knew she wouldn't pace herself and he knew it wouldn't be pretty. Not to mention, their father's reaction when she'd come stumbling in. Or horrendously hungover in the morning.

"I know," Sayu let it go, "So?"

"So what?" Light knew it was coming. And he could hardly keep it to himself anymore.

"So," she beamed, fully prepared with all the questions, "What's new with you, Light?"

"Not too much," he took his first sip of wine, letting it warm him inside, "It's only been a couple weeks, Sayu. It's not like I haven't seen you in a year or anything like that."

"But it feels like it," Sayu's excitement was unmoved, "Seriously, Light. What's going on in your life that I should know about it? You know I can smell it. There's something new and I need to know."

"Well…" Have I let her dangle long enough? I think I have, "You know how I moved into the task force headquarters? That big tower we went to with Dad and Dad thought L was trying to put moves on you?"

"Yeah," Sayu giggled, knowing the truth, "If L was trying to put moves on me or me on L, you'd kill us both. I wouldn't do that to you, Light. When you told me you were bi, we had that conversation, too. No man will ever come between us."

"Mostly because they'd be too old for you anyway," Light remembered that conversation like it was yesterday. They sat on his bed shortly after the Mikami incident and Light told her everything, "But anyway…"

"Yeah!" Sayu chirped, "Tower. You. Got it. What about it?"

"I showed you my apartment," Light went on, "How nice and spacious it is. How you said it was better than the old apartment I had with her."

"Absolutely," she nodded, "By far. I wouldn't mind having a room there after I graduate."

"I mean…" he bit his lip, "You could always have mine. It's not like I use it anyway. That'd be something we'd have to…"

"Excuse me?" Sayu latched on like a fish on a hook, "What do you mean, it's not like you use it anyway?"

"Just that," Light confirmed, "I don't use my apartment. When I moved into the tower, I didn't have any intentions of using my apartment."

"So…" she thought it over for a moment or two. Then, her heart stopped, "Are you saying you and L…?!"

"Shut up, Sayu!" Light settled her, but he totally understood her excitement. However, Light had better volume control than his sister, "Yeah. I moved in with L. His apartment is our apartment. It's just down the hall. My apartment is just for show. So, if it's ok with L, and I'm sure it would be, you could probably take my place."

"I bet that'd be ok with him," Sayu figured, "He loves me."

"I bet he loves me more."

"I never said this was a competition."

"You're right," Light backed off, "But Sayu…"

"What?" she perked up, "Are you going to tell me I have a wedding to look forward to now?"

"No," Light shook his head, his stomach turning, "Not happening. L and weddings don't exactly mix together well. But I do have something else."

"Spit it out!" Sayu begged.

"I'm leaving for London in the morning," Light didn't pull his punches. If he let Sayu go any longer, she would've combusted, "I know something, Sayu. I'm pretty sure we're mutually exclusive. And London's going to solidify that."

"YAY!"

Light said he wasn't ready for L to shout news of their relationship to the world from the rooftops, but if he wasn't careful, Sayu would.