"And I'm sorry to my unknown lover
Sorry that I can't believe that anybody ever really
Starts to fall in love with me
Sorry to my unknown lover
Sorry I could be so blind
Didn't mean to leave you
And all of the things that we had behind
And someone will love you
Someone will love you
Someone will love you
But someone isn't me
Someone will love you
Someone will love you
Someone will love you
But someone isn't me"
Sorry - Halsey
L netted his fingers together and rested his nose on the index fingers as the cake was set in front of him. "I suppose, given the weather conditions, you won't be making the trek back to the manor."
An owl-like stare analyzed the ravened detective and then quickly shifted between the notorious assassin and former serial killer. "L, I believe we have much to discuss, and neither of us require much sleep. I propose I stay with you."
Caspian and Beyond shared an uneasy stare before the blonde cleared his throat. "As much as I would love to bunk with Beyond, I find that rather distasteful, as I caused quite the scene upon entering his home."
L knitted his eyebrows together and shot a disapproving glare towards Near. "All is forgiven, however, I've deduced there is some history there that would make that arrangement less than favorable. I propose that, as he is your guest, you should stay with Caspian, Near."
Beyond followed the conversation with his scarlet eyes before sighing out and looking down to the dessert on his plate. "It doesn't matter. Personally, I would love to catch up with Caspian I would equally be fine with L," his eyes shot up and casted a murderous stare towards Near, "but, under no circumstance will I stay with Near. You'll be hauling me back to prison."
Near audibly gulped and tried to plead with L silently with his eyes. His silent prayers seemed to fall on deaf ears as L stared at Beyond with a similar stare, gripping his fork tighter than needed. The blonde poked at the cake apathetically while speaking dully. "If he doesn't mind, I don't mind. But, anyone who stays with me will be sleeping. I can't function on minimal sleep."
The younger raven poured himself more wine then chuckled and poured more into Caspian's glass. "Kind of like getting picked last for dodgeball." The blonde let a huff of laughter out and nodded.
-x-
After all of the meal was cleaned up Caspian admired the picture of Sharon on the wall. Beyond stepped up next to him. "Apparently she is my mom."
The assassin nodded while taking another sip of wine. "I could guess, there's a strong resemblance. Where is she now?" Beyond looked down sullenly and breathed out a deep sigh. Caspian gave Beyond a sidelong stare analyzing his body language. "Ah. I see. I'm sorry for your loss." Beyond felt a warm hand lift his chin. "Her beauty still lives on though." A saddened smirk made its way to both of their lips before Caspian patted his shoulder and made his way to the sliding door window.
L approached Beyond and whispered to him. "I don't think it's wise to stay in the same room as him. I worry about your safety and…" His charcoal eyes flitted to Near. "Don't get mad at me." An annoyed scarlet stare seemed to pierce through L's ramblings. "I overheard, and… there are some things I also wish to talk with you about."
Beyond watched L's body language and he chuckled quietly. "It isn't jealousy?"
Dropping charcoal eyes from the amused smirk of the other. "There is approximately a sixty-five percent chance that may also be the issue." Crimson eyes fluttered in confusion. "I have a lot of explaining to do, and as you would say 'some ass kissing to do', and for the last three months I've been trying to find a way to open up about what happened between us." L gently wrapped Beyond's free hand in both of his. "Please give me the chance to, apparently jealousy was the push I needed."
The prior murderer could feel the features of his face soften seeing L expose a more vulnerable side to himself. "I see. Well, at least let me talk with him in private for a bit. So, distract Near for a bit and then we can talk." The detective smiled in relief and padded his way over to Near. Beyond watched them for a moment before moving to stand next to Caspian. "I'm going to stay with L. He overheard us earlier."
Caspian nodded and watched the winter storm continue. "That's fair, you are in his custody, would look bad if anything bad happened to you and I have a rather questionable career. On a surface level, he could play that, but I've seen the way he looks at you. Your smile always lit the room, but for him, it's the only one he sees." The blonde smirked at the startled raven. "You haven't noticed? I thought serial killers were supposed to be good at analyzing body language. I held a gun to that man's head and his only worry was focused on you."
Clearing his throat. Beyond glanced over his shoulder to see L had led Near into his room. "Let's cut the pleasantries, L isn't the best at distractions."
The assassin smiled bitterly and spoke slightly hushed. "Indeed. I believe that Near intends to hire me to kill you as well as L. His first contact was that he had undesirable hurdles in his way in professional growth. The contract for your life ended with the death of Roger. I take half up front, on insurance that should I or the contract holder die, I didn't waste my time. I collect the other half upon the desired results. However, when you were incarcerated, I'd lost my chance until you were released or escaped. That being said, Roger died before either possibility, thus terminating my contract for you." Sapphire eyes drifted towards the younger man. "You seem happy. I'm glad to see it."
Beyond looked up towards Caspian. "Even if the situation was completely different between us, if I hadn't done what I did, would the end result have been different?"
Drifting his eyes away from the raven into the snow drifting winds outside, Caspian sighed out. "No." Glancing back to Beyond. "There is no happy ever after with me. I'm always on the move, never staying in one place too long and my work leads me to make questionable decisions to get the end results. You know, such as sleeping with my target to lull them into a false sense of security." Both men shared a quiet laugh. "Here's the facts, Beyond. You deserve so much more. You're vibrant and passionate and I am cold and cynical. I don't want you to think that there isn't a part of me that wouldn't kill for that world, but that world isn't here. You said it yourself. A killer of desperation and a killer by contract." L's door slammed shut and Near huffed while glaring at Beyond. "Beyond. I never said it back, I never said I loved you back, because it would have been a lie. I care for you, but I can't say I love you. But…" The duo watched L prop the door open and pull Near in by the ear, switching places with the youngest male, quietly scolding him. "I feel like, maybe someone else may be able to say it." Caspian gave Beyond a playful nudge towards L's direction. "Don't worry, if the contract is for either of you, I won't take it. I hear the people who try to end detective L usually meet untimely ends themselves."
Beyond smirked at the blonde. "Thanks for the honesty, it's the closure I needed." Rounding the corner scarlet eyes lifted from the floor to meet a charcoal gaze. Pondering the assassin's words, Beyond gave a half smile towards L, who seemed to minorly blush and glance away quickly. 'Damnit… he's right.'