A/N: Hi, friends. I'm going to be honest with you. If you follow me on Twitter, you know I was up at 8AM crushing the rest of this out this morning. Why, you may ask? I'll tell you why, my loves. Anxiety and me being sick right now kind of handed my ass to me yesterday, so I wasn't at all in the place to finish this last night. And I've had to cut my caffeine off considerably, so my regular focus is nonexistent, too. But this chapter's a little short. I have a headache. But I did just watch the new Nintendo Direct, so…You know…Breath of the Wild 2. Super Monkey Ball. WarioWare. A beautiful new Metroid sidescroller. I'm a happy girl. All of my joy has returned. Now, how about that chapter I promised you?

When L got back to the tower, he took a good look around at everyone working hard. Everyone except the one who mattered most. Huh…That's odd. I know I left him right here. He was on the couch, working on my trip to DC. L kept scratching his head. I don't remember sending him on a busy work errand. Which begs the question. Who the fuck thought they had the right to give Light any orders?

"Watari," L tapped on his shoulder, "Could I ask you a question?"

"Of course, Ryuzaki," Watari allowed, "What is it?"

"Where's Light?" L asked, catching Aizawa's attention.

"Light's working in the boardroom," Watari told him, "I sent him there myself."

Alright. That makes sense. I can let that one slide. L relaxed a little. But why would Watari send Light to the boardroom? What happened while I was gone? He continued his investigation, "Could I have a word with you for a moment? Privately?"

"Yes."

"Ryuzaki," Aizawa stepped in.

"Yes?" L looked at him strange. I don't know why Light got moved, but I can't help thinking you were partially responsible.

"We could really use your help on this," Aizawa made a quick excuse. Anything to feed L's ego.

"I'll be back shortly." I know you need my help. If you didn't, I wouldn't be in Japan in the first place. If any of you were competent enough to handle this investigation on your won, Light wouldn't be the one taking over while I'm gone. But first, I'm going to get some answers.

L and Watari turned the corner where they could be alone, "Is everything alright, L?"

"Why did Light get moved?" L asked, getting straight to the point.

"Mr. Aizawa was asking too many questions," Watari reported, "I noticed it was making Light uncomfortable, so I gave him somewhere quiet."

"I thought it was Aizawa," L grumbled, "And we can't cut him from the task force, can we?"

"There's no need for that," Watari put things into perspective, "Mr. Aizawa is already accusing you of nepotism. Do you really want to draw more attention to your relationship with Light? Or worse, prove him right?"

"I know…" L wasn't a fan of Aizawa. Aizawa certainly didn't like L. They had a mutual understanding. However, L had limits. And Aizawa cornering Light crossed a hard line.

"I thought it'd give you a fair warning."

"Thank you," L nodded, "Did Light tell Aizawa anything?"

"I didn't let it get that far," Watari assured him, "Protecting your privacy means protecting Light's as well."

"Good," L breathed a little easier. At least I know he'll be taken care of while I'm gone. It's going to make DC a better trip. That's for sure. Thank you, Watari, "I should go check on Light and see how his work is coming along."

"About your trip to America," Watari stopped him, "We need to talk about that later."

"Ok," L knew that was coming. The patented Watari lecture. If he didn't think I could handle it, he would've told Light to cancel it already. As far as I know, I'm still going. I need to go…

When L walked into the boardroom, he was left confused. Watari said Light was in the boardroom. His laptop is here, but no Light. Maybe he's in the bathroom? No. I don't think he's in the bathroom either. His laptop has been here a while. But then, L heard slight movement in the room. Although, he couldn't quite pinpoint where that slight movement was coming from. That's not just me hearing things, is it?

"Light?" L called into the seemingly empty room. Light's hand came up from under the table. Oh…That can't be good. L looked under the table where Light hugged his knees to his chest. He approached him gently, "Light…? Are you ok?"

"Not really," Light's breathing was shallow and erratic. He couldn't stop shaking. It had been a long time since the last major one, but Light knew exactly what this was, "I got it, though. You don't have to worry about it. I've taken care of this before. I can do it again. I'll take care of it and get back to work. I just need a second."

"Light, no," L wasn't letting Light deal with the heavy burden on his shoulder. Not on his own. Although, Light's anxiousness was contagious. What do I do? I'm usually too trapped in my own head to remember how to deal with this. It's not like I retained anything. All L could think about was Light's pancakes he'd get afterward. L got down on the floor and sat next to Light. I suppose it can't hurt to ask, "Do you need anything?"

"No," Light shook his head. I'm so sorry, L. You weren't supposed to see this.

Of course, you don't. L thought it over for a moment or two. Then, it clicked. I got it. L dug in Light's pocket and pulled out a lollipop, "Open your mouth, Light."

Light wasn't even going to question it. His mouth popped open and L put the lollipop on his tongue, "What's that for?"

"What did I just give you?" L asked. I know you know. And yes, there's a point to this.

"A lollipop?" Light looked at him strange. What? You think you're so much smarter than me that I don't even know when you put a lollipop in my mouth? Unbelievable.

"What flavor?" L went on, "Walk me through it."

"Melon?" Light thought, "It tastes like melon anyway."

"And? How is it?"

"Good…I guess," Light started to relax a little more, "Why?"

"Good," L pushed himself up from the floor, "I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?" Light got nervous again and grabbed L's hand. Please. Don't go. Don't leave me like this.

"To get you some water," L put Light's hand up to his lips, "I will be right back. We can talk later, ok?"

"Ok," Light let him go, "Hey…L?"

"Yes, Light?"

"I love you…" Light's voice broke.

"I love you, too," L pulled him closer for one more kiss, "I promise. I'll be back in three minutes. If I'm a minute late…"

"Just come back quickly," Light cut him off, not wanting this to have consequences.

"I will." L left Light in the boardroom and leaned against the wall outside the door with an ache in his chest. Is this what he does for me? How many times has he brought me down from this before? It's exhausting. This is why I tell you that you don't ever have to do this for me, Light. You have better ways to spend your energy. But that doesn't make me any less grateful for what you do for me. This whole mess is definitely humbling.

Yes. That one. That one will do. That's the one. But maybe I shouldn't push that on him quite yet. Certainly not now. Oh, hell no. That'd be stupid on my part. I've seen what happens when that gets pushed on someone at the wrong time. I love Light…I don't think I could go through that again. And he said he'd take care of this on his own. Not only that, but he'd also said he'd go back to work as soon as he was ok again. Chances are, he's probably already got everything booked. Let no one ever say Light isn't painfully efficient.

L went back into the boardroom with a bottle of water and found Light on one of the chairs. That's an improvement. At least he's not under the table anymore. L handed off Light's water, "How are you feeling?"

"I've been better," Light rested his head on L's hip, "But thank you. I appreciate this."

"You have told me how yours have gone before, Light," L reminded him, "I may not remember much of how to take care of this, but I know how to take care of you."

"I mentioned that once in passing," Light took a heavy drink from his water.

"And I committed it to memory," L put an arm around Light's shoulders, doing everything in his power to make him feel better, "It's one of the few things I do remember. Besides, what have I told you from the very beginning, Light?"

"Outright told me or tried to be subtle about?" Light curled into L a little closer, "Because that could either be about how much you like my ass or about you having the big dick in the locker room."

"You already know I have the big dick in the locker room," L smirked a bit, "Not everyone here knows you know, but that doesn't make it any less true. Much like the old age debate about a tree falling in the forest and no one being around to hear it. But outright told you. Trust me. I know what I'm doing when it comes to taking care of you. Have I ever steered you wrong?"

"Well…" Light thought back to the one time L could've told him what his intentions were, but he quickly let it go, "No. I don't think you have."

"And you take care of me all the time," L stole a quick kiss, "Who's to say I shouldn't do the same for you once in a while, too? And not just throwing the occasional trip and present your way."

"I thought all those trips were a work thing," Light knew better. The second that came out of his mouth, he knew better. They only felt like work from time to time. But unless I've taken up escorting without even knowing it, they were definitely not a work thing.

"Come on, Light," L rolled his eyes, "The only trip we could even slightly consider a work thing was London. And that's because Near and Mello are two different monsters. Both of which you couldn't have handled better and I couldn't be more grateful for."

"You're welcome," Light melted a little inside. If you only knew what I was up to while you were otherwise occupied. But…You were also dealing with Near…Saying your last goodbyes. And I saw what that did to you. You say I couldn't have handled it better, but I never should've let you go alone.

"But," L ran his fingers through Light's hair, "Being with you has taught me so much already. And there's no fucking way I was going to let you dangle like that. You needed someone to pull you back onto land after you were left to drown. Trust me, Light. I will always be that hand for you. For as long as I can be."

"Ok," Light shut his eyes for a moment, finishing off his water, "I think I can go back to work now…If that's alright with you."

"Actually," L stopped him, "It's not. I know what kind of toll that takes on your body. Why don't you go upstairs? I'll be there in a little while to make sure you're doing ok."

"But…" Light looked at him strange, "I'm not done yet. I still need to check your flight. And finding a hotel in Washington DC is a handful. Especially because you're painfully specific about your real estate."

"It's true," L shrugged, "I am."

"Even though you're only going to be there for a few days," Light figured, looking up to L for confirmation, "Right? You're not going to leave me for long, are you?"

Something about Light's words felt like a knife wound to L's chest. But instead of showing it, L pulled himself together just enough, "Of course not. I'm not exactly leaving you, Light. I know your mornings are going to be my nights and my mornings are going to be your nights, but other than that, we won't be that far from each other. Can I show you something?"

"Be my guest."

L took his phone out of his pocket and showed Light his new lock screen, "Do you see this?"

"It's…" Light looked closer, "It's me."

"I took this picture this morning before you woke up," L gushed, "I knew you were going to be pissed off because I let you sleep, but I wanted a little something, something to remember this moment by. And as long as I got this moment, I got you. So, we're not going to be that far apart. You'll be alright here. And if you get to be not so alright, I'm a call away. I told your father the same thing."

"That you're just a phone call away?" Light wondered, "Wait, for him or for me?"

"Mostly for you," L admitted, "I'm sure he's going to be asking you questions about me soon, but it'll be fine. I promise."

"They're not…" Light's heart rate started climbing back up again, "About us…Are they? You didn't do something stupid like tell him we were together without me, did you?"

"No, no, no," L promised, "It's nothing like that. Although, I did tell him you were taking over the investigation once I leave. And that if you have any problems, you'll call me and ask for my help."

"Ok…" Light relaxed again, "That's a little better."

"There's a service elevator down the hall," L directed him, "Go upstairs. Go lay down for a while…Ok? I won't be much longer down here before I come up myself."

"Ok…"

Light took off toward the end of the hallway, finding the service elevator with no troubles. Meanwhile, L had to go back to the daunting task of managing the task force yet again. However, his sudden change in demeanor couldn't be left alone. Oh, no. Aizawa wanted to poke at that bear just a little more. Just to see what would happen. Although, he wouldn't get that satisfaction. Not when someone with more innocent intentions was in the room.

"So, Ryuzaki," Matsuda didn't even look away from his work, "What did you have to see Light for?"

"Yeah, Ryuzaki," Aizawa smirked, "What did you have to see Light for?"

"That's not your business," L snapped, already not in the mood to deal with them, "We have better things to be working on. I suggest we do it."