A/N: Hi, friends. Look. I can feel it. This week's going to be a bitch. So, a little extra love and support would be appreciated. Between my neck pain (that's been ongoing for the last 4 days) and my depression kicking my ass hardcore lately, it's not pleasant to be me right now. But all that bullshit aside…

A little heads up about this week's chapter. It's not overly smutty, but there is some spice to it. If I had to put a degree of spice on it, it's more so a lime than a lemon, for those of us who still use the citrus scale. It's about barbecue sauce spicy instead of hot sauce spicy. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to white knuckle it for the rest of the day and hope things get marginally better. Love you x

Sayu couldn't wait to see Light again. She knew what that trip to London meant to him. She knew something went down. And her investigative nature was twitching something fierce. I hope Light understands what kind of drilling is coming to him. And hopefully, L understands. But Sayu knew what going to dinner with Light meant. With Light having access to L's accounts, that meant nice places for Sayu to benefit from. Because who else would Light take to Omotesando?

Yet, along with their occasional trips to Omotesando, Sayu stared into her closet in desperate search for something to wear. Her dress from the NPA ball stood out to her. But her thoughts were fleeting. I don't need to wear that to Omotesando. I already wore that a couple months ago. Some other time, but not tonight. Too formal anyway. Instead, she went the safe route with something black and relatively modest and looked herself over in the mirror. Damn, I'm cute.

"What are you getting so dressed up for, Sayu?" Sachiko walked past Sayu's bedroom, poking her head in the door.

"I got a call from Light earlier," Sayu kept doing her spins in the mirror, "We're getting dinner tonight."

"Light's home?" Sachiko got excited, catching the attention of her husband down the hall, "When did that happen?"

"He just got in," Sayu told her, "As far as I know anyway. He could've been here for the last week and it's not like he would've told me."

But Sayu knew better. Of course, Light would've told her. They know everything about each other. The way it was supposed to be. Still, Sachiko simply smiled, "Alright. Tell him we miss him and that it'd be nice if he'd come home once in a while."

"You know where he lives, Mom," Sayu swapped out her little white studs for some gold hoops, "You know you're more than welcome any time. I've heard Light say those very words."

"Yeah," Sachiko leaned against the doorframe, "He lives in a fortress, Sayu."

"At least he's protected," Soichiro joined them, "What's going on now?"

"I'm going to go play with my brother for a while," Sayu threw her bag around her shoulders, "If that's alright."

"Light's home?" he perked up.

"Yep," Sayu kissed her father's cheek and bounced down the stairs, "See you later!"

Slam!

"Sachiko," Soichiro kept his voice down, "Do you ever worry about our children?"

"All the time," Sachiko admitted, "We're their parents. That's what we're supposed to do."

"I know I shouldn't worry about Light," he draped an arm around her, "But I do. I always thought it'd be Sayu that I worry the most about, but I'm worried about Light."

"What seems to worry you?" Sachiko asked.

"I don't know," Soichiro thought it over, "I just…have a nagging feeling that I should be worried. I know he lives in one of the safest places on the planet and he's got a good head on his shoulders, but I'm starting to wonder if it's too much for him."

"Soichiro…" Sachiko assured him, "You know Light's going to be ok. I know Light's going to be ok. We're the ones who raised him. We're the ones that taught him the difference between right and wrong. The least we can hope for is that something stuck. I don't think we have anything to really worry about with him."

"So, focus all of my worry on Sayu?" he joked. I know I don't need to worry about Light. That doesn't stop me, though.

Meanwhile, Sayu stood outside the Yagami house, wondering where her brother could possibly be. No limo yet? What the hell, Light? Either I'm being stood up or he's incredibly late. I even took my time getting ready, but here we are. No ride, no Light. Sayu knew something had to have happened, so she got her phone out of her bag and called her brother. You better have a good reason for this, Light, or so help me…

"Hello?"

"Where the hell are you?" Sayu squeaked, "I've been standing out here for the last fifteen minutes, waiting on you."

"Oh…" Light winced, "Sorry, Sayu. I got a little…tied up in other things. And we got carried away. We'll be there soon, ok?"

"Hurry up," she whined, "Before someone starts asking questions."

"Ok," Light hung up his phone and threw it back on the nightstand.

L planted a little kiss on the back of Light's neck, his arm snaking around the front of him, "Who's jetlagged now?"

"We're keeping my sister waiting, L," Light rolled over, getting a much better kiss from the man he loved, "Come on. We need to get going."

"Fine," L crawled out of bed, debating whether or not to put his clothes back on, "Light…"

"Yeah?" Light hadn't moved.

"I know I said some things were sacred," L smirked a bit, incredibly pleased with the image splayed out on his bed, "But I'm going to take a shower. Would you care to join me?"

"Yes, please," Light nodded, just as content as L. Before anything could happen, though, Light shook his right wrist, "But…Do you think you could…You know…"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," L felt around on the other nightstand for the handcuff keys and got Light's arm off the bedpost, "Sorry. I wasn't going to leave you there. I promise."

"I know you weren't." The second Light was free, he pulled L back down to the bed for one more kiss.

"You're naughty today, Light," L held himself up over Light, "What got into you?"

"You would know."

And so quick witted today. I love it. L stole one last kiss, "I love you."

"I love you, too," Light melted inside, "I'm glad we waited until we got home for that."

"Me, too," L pulled him up from the bed, "Well? Was it worth it?"

"Absolutely."

"Go ahead and get the water running," L nudged him along, "I'll be there in a minute."

"Ok," Light went straight to the bathroom as he was asked.

Meanwhile, L stayed back to bask in the glory of the mess they had made. I really didn't think Light had that in him. Well, to whoever has to clean this mess up, I do send my sincerest apologies. L laughed to himself, taking a moment to appreciate his own sadism. Damn, were you a pleasant surprise, Light…I really do need to get on that whole fruit basket thing. Would it be fucked up to ask my assistant to send a fruit basket to my boyfriend's parents for having unprotected sex?

L brushed it off and remembered he was keeping Light waiting. Had the situation been reversed, L's impatience would've kicked in by now and he'd be infuriated, but bless Light and his relatively even kilter. Once they were clean again and not completely naked, L and Light got in the back of L's limo and took off. After the rough, beautiful ungluing that just ensued moments ago, they could both stand something in their stomachs.

And when they pulled up to the front sidewalk of the Yagami house, Sayu couldn't have been happier, "LIGHT!"

Although, Light wasn't expecting his sister to jump into his arms, "Hi, Sayu…You might want to go easy. I'm a little sore."

"What for?" Sayu wondered, "It's not like you've been…Oh…OH!"

"Don't even," Light shut her down before she could ask questions, "I must have slept wrong last night."

"I'm sure you did," she smirked. Don't try to bullshit me, Light. I know what would make you sore.

"Hello, Sayu," L greeted her, hoping to take some of the heat off Light, "It's good to see you again."

"Ditto," Sayu hugged L, too. No one was safe. And even though it caught L by surprise, he wasn't going to stop her, "What took you two so long? I feel like I've been waiting here forever."

"I told you," Light brushed her off, "We just got home. We had a weekend worth of dirty laundry, our bags needed to come in, and we lost track of time."

"Yes," L bit the inside of his cheek, "Forgive us for keeping you waiting, Sayu. If it makes you feel any better, I did plan on us going to Omotesando tonight."

"Don't worry about it," Sayu let it go, "I'm just happy to have you both home."

"I couldn't have said it better myself," Soichiro walked outside, "Welcome home, Light…Ryuzaki…"

"Mr. Yagami…" L tried to keep the smile off his face. Especially considering their professional relationship (and mostly out of respect), but it got so hard. If you only knew what just transpired…If only you knew the words that just came out of your son's mouth. If you only knew about the mess in my bed. If you only knew how much he meant to me. You'd never be worried about me having a relationship with your daughter ever again.

"You know, Ryuzaki," Soichiro picked up on L's good mood, "I don't think I've ever seen you smile like that before. What's the occasion you're in such high spirits?"

"It's just been a good day," L shrugged. And the fact that your son just fell to fucking pieces underneath me while yelling my name. That's probable cause for putting a bounce in my step. I got off. He got off. It's been a delightful evening.

"Well then," Soichiro didn't think much more of it, "I suppose I'll see you both tomorrow."

"Yes, you will," L nodded. And if you see a fruit basket on your doorstep in the next few days, think nothing of it.

"Bye, Dad!" Sayu got in the back of the limo and L and Light followed suit, "Alright, boys. What the hell was that all about?"

"What was what about?" L wondered.

"That was the most uncomfortable conversation I've ever sat through," Sayu pointed out, "And I've sat through many an uncomfortable parent-teacher conference AND the time where Dad thought you were trying to make a move on me. So, again, what the hell was that all about?"

"Ever think it's not your business, Sayu?" Light got defensive, "And that maybe some things can be kept private?"

"Alright, Mr. Complainy Pants," Sayu backed off. I hope you know, Light. Anything you don't tell me, I can just get from L later.

Omotesando could never be short on their nice restaurants. Even the not so nice ones were still five-star quality. Anything and everything was merely a stone's throw away. And god forbid L ever spared expense with anything. He liked to spoil his boyfriend every now and then. That wasn't a crime. Although, occasionally spoiling his sister on top of that was more of a pleasure. L adored Sayu for his own reasons. This was his way of paying her back. Because if there was one thing that made L's skin crawl, it was being in someone's debt.

"So?" Sayu asked, breaking the quiet, "How was London?"

"Do you want the answer we're telling people," Light shuddered at the thought of their trip to London, "or do you want the honest answer?"

"Wait…" her heart stopped. No. But they seemed so happy on the way here. And L said the day was going well. He wasn't lying about that, was he? Sayu braced herself for whatever may come next, "You guys are still together…Right?"

"Yes, Sayu," L assured her. It's nice to hear someone else say it that isn't meaning it in malice. L slipped his hand under the table and onto Light's thigh, "We're fine. Stronger than ever, actually. If you ask me."

"I'd say so," Light confirmed, "If we could withstand that trip to London, there's nothing we can't do."

"I suppose you're right." Maybe a little too right, Light. I hate to say it, but maybe…You might have me reconsidering one of my strongest principles. It was the smallest things. Between Sayu's concern and Light's faith in them both, they piled up in L's mind. I'm not sure if that's a leap we're ever going to be ready to take. I know I'd have your hand to hold through it, but…Would that be enough? What would that do to you? You're one of the best things to ever happen in my life, Light. I don't want to ever lose you. But would you be able to survive something like that?

"L?" Light nudged him, doing his best to shake him out of the headspace he seemed to be trapped in.

"Hmm?" L shook it off, suppressing it for later, "Did you way something, Light?"

"Where were you just then?" Light worried, taking L's hand under the table, making him flinch. Oh, shit…How not ok are you right now?

"I haven't moved," L settled himself to the best of his ability, "I'm sorry. I just had a lot on my mind."

"Are you ok?"

I'm not sure. If we're being honest. But that's something we can deal with later. I promise, "Yes. I'm fine. Like I said, just a lot on my mind."

"Ok," Light kissed his cheek, making sure no one was watching first. The only eyes on him were Sayu's and Sayu already knew enough.

Who did I rescue from a burning building in my past life to deserve you, Light? Truly. L's hand went back to Light's thigh, moving a little closer inward. But L knew better. He wasn't going to fully tease Light like that. Not when Sayu was on the other side of the table. He did have a sense of decorum. And Sayu didn't need to be the unknowing voyeur. Especially when her older brother was the one involved.

"Where are you two off to next?" Sayu wondered, "Or have you not thought that far ahead yet?"

"I don't know," Light thought it over, his hand on top of L's, "Where were you thinking?"

"Actually, Light," L gnawed on the side of his thumb. It's been a long time since I was in the US. And a trip to DC is well overdue. Maybe that's what I need to sort this out. I understand it's talking to a rock, but…It's not just any rock. For the longest time, she was my rock, "I'm thinking the next time I travel, it'll be on my own. If that's alright with you."

"Really?" Light wondered, "Ok. That's fine."

That's weird. I didn't think L would want to go somewhere on his own. Maybe he's taking Watari with him instead? No. He said by himself. And if it's any time soon, he's going to have to leave someone here to take care of the investigation. I know he said that if it came down to it, he wouldn't be totally opposed to having me run it in his place, but I didn't think it'd be this soon. No. He'd be completely on his own.

"You know what, though?" L made a quick, snap decision that he wasn't sure how much he'd hate quite yet, "I'm thinking after we leave here, we go out. We should go do something fun. Sayu?"

"Yeah?" Sayu perked up, her heart all aflutter.

"Do you have school in the morning?"

"Nope."

"Would you care to join us?" If I need a buffer, who better than Sayu? She'll be able to talk Light's ear off and find out anything she wants. That would keep her busy and Light out of my hair for the time being. Everyone wins.

"Um, L," Light had to be the buzzkill. Mostly out of his sheer concern for L, "We don't go clubbing. Ever."

"It's worth a shot, isn't it?" L shrugged, still not totally sure about how he'd feel about going to an actual club.

"I couldn't do that," Sayu stopped them both before anything could escalate, "And block you two? No way. I'm not that cruel."

"What do you mean, block us?" Light squeaked, "What are you trying to get at, Sayu?"

"Not to be that guy here," Sayu pointed out, "But you two are both a couple of stretched out rubber bands. You both could stand a little something, something. Kind of like when you two went to Odaiba."

"Sayu knows about Odaiba?" L looked over to Light, "How much does she know about Odaiba, Light?"

Dammit, Sayu, "I already told you about Sayu knowing about Odaiba. I've told you about how investigative she can get. She digs. And she digs deep."

"I know when I'm third wheeling, guys," Sayu backed off, "It's fine. If you two want to go out tonight, that's fine. I'll gladly go home. That's not a problem. But if you're truly wanting me to come hang out and have a good time tonight, I won't say no."

"No," Light put his foot down, "L…Can I talk to you privately for a second?"

"Sure," L and Light got up from the table and Light dragged L outside, "Ouch…Light…You didn't have to be so rough."

"What the hell is going on with you tonight?" Light freaked, "You don't go clubbing. I know you better than that. The music would be too loud. There'd be too many people in your near proximity. You'd freak ten seconds in."

"Damn," L gasped, "You do know me."

"Then, tell me what the fuck is going on with you!" Light snapped, "I don't ask you much. I just want you to be upfront with me."

"I just needed to get out of my head for a while," L argued, "Is that too much for you? And maybe the loud music would've shaken something loose and everything would've been ok, but no. You wanted to dig deeper into this. You wanted to read into something that didn't need you reading into it in the first place. But I'm not allowed that, am I?"

"L…" Light backed off, "You worry the hell out of me. Every single day. Because I love you. That's what a relationship should be. You don't have to constantly shoulder everything yourself. If you needed to get out of your head, you didn't have to go through such extremes that I know would've fucked you up somehow. If you needed to get out of your head, all you had to do was ask. I know somewhere much better than a night club to hole up it."

"Really…?" L softened a little more.

"I know this town like the back of my hand," Light pulled L into his arms, "I know somewhere much better. Let's take Sayu home and I'll show you…Ok?"

"Ok…" L sighed out, "Where are we going?"

"You'll see."