A/N: Hi, friends. So…Some shit went down last week. Some Near being a little bratty. Some L pulling the disappearing act. Light knowing right where to look for him. I've been such a dick lately with you guys. But a good dick. Sometimes, we all need a good dick. I don't know if fluff chapters for the rest of the story would even begin to make up for it. Hang in there, friends. This gets kind of fluffy. If that makes you feel a little better. *chu* I'm going to go get some more work done, so you guys have more content to suck up like a sponge, ok? Love you x

Light hated that it had to come down to this. That L's meeting with Near would have him like this. For months, Light would listen to L talk London up. And to see L so defeated like this…To want to leave his home so early…It broke his heart. L's words still burned a hole in his brain. We don't need to be here anymore. It played on an endless loop. You wanted nothing more than to be here for a month solid. You'd keep me up at night talking about how homesick you were. You talked about how someday, you and I might be living here together. Hell, I looked for property while you were otherwise occupied. And now, you want to leave so soon?

Not a word was said on the way to the gate. Not a single peep came out of L when they boarded the plane. However, the second the seatbelt sign was off and their flight was in the air, L was balled up in Light's lap, giving brief consideration to falling asleep. But even L knew better than that. For the next twelve hours, sleep would either drown him or elude him entirely. All he knew was one thing for certain. It's going to be a while before I want to go back there again.

"L?" Light spoke softly, his arms around L, "Are you ok?"

L shook his head, hiding his face in Light's shoulder. He could hardly talk, but he managed to get one word out, "No."

"Ok," Light knew better than to push him. Especially with the state he found him in. Few things could make L feel better, but Light had an ace up his sleeve, "You want to cuddle some more?"

"Please."

"Ok," Light held L tight, making sure L knew he wasn't by himself. And that he'd never be alone. Gently, Light kissed L's forehead, "Why don't you try getting some sleep, ok? You get snappy when you're jetlagged."

"I get snappy when I'm tired," L corrected him, "Which is why you have a new cellphone in your pocket right now."

"I know…" Light chuckled a bit, hoping to ease the tension, "But please. Just get some sleep. I'm sure it'll make you feel better."

"Ok," L shut his eyes, finding a comfortable place in Light's lap, "Hey…Light?"

"Hmm?" Light looked down at the tired little panda in his arms, "Is everything ok? Did you need something?"

"No," L mustered up a little smile, "Good night. I love you."

"I love you, too," Light cuddled him, sneaking in one more kiss, "Good night."

And just like that, L drifted off to sleep from the half of Xanax Light was kind enough to give him earlier. However, despite the peaceful, beautiful image in his lap, Light's heart wouldn't heal that easily. You'll be ok, L. I promise. I don't know what entirely happened between you and Near, but it's over now. It's not going to happen again. Even if Near follows us back to Japan, he's not getting to you like this again. The security in the tower is some of the most top notch in the world. And we're going to be ok.

The more Light thought of home, the better he started to feel. Thoughts of L's apartment and their late nights there warmed him inside. But then, something else decided to protrude its way into Light's thoughts. As nervous as it made him, Light couldn't help but smile. Just a little. How am I going to explain you to my dad? This is your former boss, L. Your former boss is my current boyfriend. Are we even going to do that when we get home? Maybe. Light ran his fingers down L's spine, feeling every little bump and curve on his body. L twitched a little. Not enough to wake him, though. Sleep. I'll wake you when we land.

Light figured he'd follow his own advice and shut his eyes, cradling L in his arms. Neither one of them had a single care in the world. All that mattered was that they had each other. Light didn't know what happened with L and Near, but the more sleep he could get, the better. Then again, that was just an L thing in general. A little while later, Light felt a hand on his shoulder. As much as he didn't want to wake up, Light opened his eyes.

"Excuse me…" a voice spoke softly, "Sir?"

"Yeah?" Light woke up to a flight attendant, standing in the aisle.

"We're about to land," she told him, shooting glances at L, "And we need everyone in their seats with their seatbelts fastened."

"Oh," Light realized what she was getting at. He kept his voice down, too, "Ok. L…"

"Mmm…" L didn't budge.

"L," Light nudged him, "You can't be in my lap anymore."

"Mmmm…" L clung to Light for dear life, Light's shirt clenched tight in his fist.

"It's ok," Light assured him, "You'll be alright."

"Mm," L's grip loosened and Light put L in his seat, buckle and all. But L still stuck to Light like glue, letting out a little whimper, "Why…?"

"What is it?" Light wondered.

"Why did I have to let go?" L quivered.

Oh, shit. If Light didn't know any better, he'd think L was on the verge of tears. Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Oh, shit. It's not like I haven't handled something like this before, but that's usually on the ground. Light pulled himself together, "It's alright. I promise. We're about to land."

"Twelve hours go by fast," L curled back into Light's shoulder.

"That's the beauty of you and Xanax," Light joked. Thank God…That could've been worse.

"It'll be nice to get home," L sighed out, "Don't get me wrong. London's great, but it'll be nice to get back to work, too."

"Yeah…" Light bit his lip. He gave me his full permission. It's not like I did anything wrong, "Hey…You know how when I left before you went to go see Near, you told me that if I needed to, I could drop the black card?"

"You can always drop the black card, Light," L assured him, "I don't have a problem with that."

"That's good to hear," Light took L's hand as the landing gear hit the ground, "Because I figured I could do a little something special for us."

"Did you?" L gave Light a strange look. What have you been up to when I have my back turned, you little minx?

"I know we're supposed to be back in another day or two," Light pointed out, "So, I figured we could have some time, just you and me. No dealing with anyone we don't want to. No dealing with work. No interruptions."

L started putting the pieces of the puzzle together. And his heart skipped a beat. No. He didn't. L stared down at his feet, "Did you book us a room in Odaiba?"

"After I saw what happened," Light got defensive, "I couldn't just let you be miserable. You need some time away from everything before you get back into this case just as much as I do."

"And you figure you can make that call?" L asked. Let's see how far I can push you, "You think you know what I do and don't need?"

"I've gotten to know you pretty well," Light kept his head about him, "And I can tell when you're not ok. You can try and hide it all you want. I know better."

"That's awfully presumptuous of you, Light."

"Tell me I'm wrong," Light sat back, waiting for L's answer. You can't. Because you know damn well I'm right.

"I love you, Light," L smiled, "You're right. I am a little out of sorts and I could use the break. I forgot how much Near could take out of me. And after that…"

"I love you, too," Light cut him off before L could start spiraling. I told you so, "But if it's alright with you, I thought we could stop back at home first. I'm sure you want to touch base with Watari anyway."

"I love you so much." Once the plane came to a complete stop, L threw himself back in Light's lap. Thank you, Light. Thank you for understanding. Thank you for knowing what I need. Thank you for not being like the others.

"I love you, too," Light promised, giggling a little, "Our check-in time is four o'clock. Is that ok?"

"That's fine with me," L allowed, kissing Light's cheek, "Shall we?"

"Let's."

The ride back to the tower from the airport was relatively quiet. Nothing but Light's head on L's shoulder, content with the world. And L was an absolute puddle inside. It's the strangest thing. I was so…not ok just a little while ago. Seeing Near feels like it happened months ago. L's arm crept around Light a little better. I want to stand on the roof with you, Light. I want to scream it to the world how I have you. And I know what you said was likely a heat of the moment kind of thing, but whenever you're ready, you know where I'll be.

As they pulled up to the tower, Light stayed behind in the car. And it had L scratching his head, "Light? Aren't you coming?"

"I have a few things I need to do before we leave," Light let him go, "But I'll be back in a little while."

"Alright," L got one more kiss through the window, "Don't be too long."

"I won't," Light promised. And just like that, the car pulled away from the tower. You better appreciate what I'm about to do for you, L.

Meanwhile, L went inside the tower and bypassed the security altogether. No one sat at his monitors. His chair hadn't moved. Huh. It's awfully quiet here. But damn, it's good to be home. Is this what I was missing? Was this really what I needed? L tried to shake off the mess that London was, but it stuck a little too hard. Odaiba's just around the corner. And then, Light's going to come back and we're going to have a hotel room to ourselves. Then, why doesn't this feel right either?

"L?" Watari came out, "You're home early. I thought you weren't going to be back here until Tuesday."

L kept quiet.

"L?" Watari took a quick look around, "Where's Light?"

L still wasn't speaking. Although, he could feel a few tears forming in his eyes.

And Watari knew something wasn't right, "Lawliet…? What is it?"

Silence…

"Are you ok?"

L's lip started shaking. Dammit, Watari…Why do you have to be so perceptive? L's voice was strained, "No. Could you make some tea?"

"Of course," Watari nodded, "Do you have a preference?"

"Green tea, please," L requested, sitting down in his chair.

Watari got the electric kettle started, "Was London not as good to you as you thought it'd be?"

"You could say that…" L pulled his shoes and socks off and let his little toes breathe.

"Well," Watari sat across from him, "Is there anything you'd like to tell me?"

"It wasn't pretty, Watari," L's voice broke. And L let it all go. Everything that happened in London. The trials of his relationship with Light. The mess with Near. Mello being thrown into the mix, "Near could remember my appreciation for strawberry shortcake, but he couldn't be bothered to remember Naomi's name."

"Did you get the closure you wanted?" Watari asked, pouring L another cup of tea.

"I didn't exactly get closure," L thought it over, "It was more like I found something about Near that got me so pissed off that I never wanted to see him again. That can count as closure, can't it?"

"Not the healthiest form of closure," Watari argued, "But I suppose it could work. Whatever burns the bridge for you. You didn't do something silly like leave Light in London, did you?"

"No," L shook his head, "He's running some errands. We're only home for a short amount of time. Once he comes back, we're going to Odaiba for the night."

"That sounds nice," Watari smiled, "What's the occasion?"

"He told me that I seemed like I could use a little break before we come back to work," L rested his chin on his knees, "I love him, Watari. I love Light more than I could ever say. And I want nothing more than to say it with all the words I could. But he's still a little leery about it. And I'm trying my damnedest to be patient, but that patience is running thin."

"You have to remember," Watari pointed out, "Light isn't like Near or like Mello. You can't handle him the same way you did them."

"Trust me," L melted inside, dropping another sugar cube in his cup, "That's not something I can ever forget. Honestly, I think that's why our relationship has lasted as well as it has. So, I'm ok with keeping us between us. And you. And his sister. For now anyway."

Bzzz…

"That's the front door," Watari got up, "And L?"

"Yes?" L perked up.

"There's a bypass button under the desk," Watari cleared the dishes away, "Maybe you should let Light in."

"Right," L felt around the underside of the desk, his fingers running over the switch. And sure enough, Light came in, looking like he might have been in pain, "Light? Are you ok?"

"I'm fine," Light brushed him off, "I'm ready when you are."

"Ok," L took Light's hand and pulled himself up, "Watari, we're leaving!"

"And you'll be back tomorrow?" Watari poked his head back in the main room.

"Tomorrow afternoon," Light assured him.

"Alright," Watari sent them off, "Have a nice trip. Be careful."

"We will." L never let go of Light's hand. If he had his way, he never would. But L noticed something different about Light's hands. Once they got back in the car, he got a better look, "Light?"

"Yeah?"

"In your errand running," L wondered, "Did you happen to stop off for a manicure, too?"

"Oh," Light giggled a bit, "Yeah. It's been a long weekend. I figured I'd spoil myself a little."

"That's fine," L let it go, reveling in the softness of Light's hands.

The shit I do for you, L. That manicure wasn't the only thing I did.