"I'm not a perfect person,
I never meant to do those things to you.
And, so I have to say before I go;
That I just want you to know
I've found out a reason for me;
To change who I used to be,
A reason to start over new,
And the reason is you.
I've found out a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know.
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you."
The Reason – Hoobastank
Standing awkwardly at the door, awaiting the previous successor, L eyed a pair of shoes that had landed next to him. "We'll draw enough attention to ourselves being handcuffed to each other. If this is where I am to be residing, I refuse to be known for your bare feet." Beyond scolded from behind the bedroom door as he finished getting ready to depart.
L groaned slightly, continuing to eye the shoes skeptically. "You do realize, that you do not have neighbors."
A pair of gleaming scarlet orbs glared harshly at the under dressed detective as the prior murderer's voice growled. "Put. Them. On." Rounding fully around the door, Beyond sighed happily as he tugged at the long sleeved black shirt and slipped on new black and white tennis shoes.
Rolling his ashen eyes, L begrudgingly slipped on the other pair of sneakers. "This will reduce my deductive reasoning by at least twenty-four percent."
Beyond smirked as he folded his thin, pale arms over his chest. "And, what could you possibly need to deduce? Perhaps, why the price of milk is thirty-seven percent more in the United States? Or an even larger margin of approximately forty-four percent in Japan?"
L stared at Beyond with wide eyes. "Is it really?"
Pulling the door open and chuckling on the way out. "After being taxed and all of the currency conversions, yeah. And, I swear L, if you ask me why, I'll punch you in the eye."
Arriving at a large grocery store, the taxi came to a stop. The cab driver turned to the two ravens in the back, concern laced over his mid aged features. One cupping the right side of his face, the other angrily staring out of the window, arms folded and legs crossed. "Are you sure that your friend's eye is gonna be alright?"
Rolling his crimson eyes, Beyond nodded while handing the cabby some money. "I'll get him a bag of frozen peas." He tugged violently on the handcuffs to tug L along. "He'll be fine." As they exited the cab driver stared at the odd pair and the steel binding holding them together with a raised eyebrow.
L rubbed his right cheekbone as he started for the grand entrance. "Let's get this over with." Once he realized Beyond hadn't moved, he turned to see the younger man looking up at the name of the store, his mouth slightly agape. "What's wrong?"
"I've never been in a grocery store this large… Why would a small town have such a huge store?"
Shrugging nonchalantly the detective sighed. "Kind of like parasites, this store chain goes where ever you'll let them." Trepidatiously, Beyond approached the automatic doors and jumped slightly when they opened. L raised an eyebrow at the other's behavior. "They had them in California. Did you never go in one?"
Beyond rolled his eyes, for what felt like the forty-fifth time and spoke sarcastically. "Yeah. Why don't I just stop at the local Walz-Kart while I'm on the run from the World's Best Detective and local authorities. Good idea, L. I don't know why I wouldn't have possibly thought of that."
"Alright. I see your point." Pulling on the chain to lead the retired serial killer into the doors. "Let's just…" L's words trailed off as he stared in awe of the amount of food and other commodities on display.
"Get this over with? What's the matter, L? Never been to such a large grocery store?" Beyond chuckled out as he pulled a cart behind him as he started into the interior of the building.
Dodging odd stares and ignoring odd whispers Beyond kept his eyes focused on what he needed. Though, every time he turned around, something new was in the cart. "L. We're not here for sweets. Stop it." He set, yet another, candy bag back on the shelf.
-x-
A cart full of groceries later:
"Can I get some books for the house?" A timid question came from the younger raven.
"Why are you asking me?"
"'Cause, you're paying."
L felt the pit of his stomach drop as he stared at the large cart. "Says who?"
Beyond stopped dead in his tracks and slowly dragged his annoyed gaze towards L. "What do you expect me to pay with? You don't pay me in money." He glared at the older male. "You did bring money… right?"
Sighing, the detective fumbled in his pockets, searching for a wallet. "Unfortunately, it appears I did."
Smiling cheerfully, Beyond continued to push the cart to the small book section.
L watched people pass them by, most not giving a second glance to his appearance or the thin chain binding him to his once rival. A man who once caused him to loose countless hours of sleep. Chastised his very existence with his own, why couldn't he see it coming? He couldn't see the damage that was being done. L could feel a bitterness well up in his chest as his own thoughts swept him away. 'Some World's Greatest Detective. I'm just a man who loves puzzles. I couldn't save anyone if I wanted. Beyond is proof of that. As well as Raito.'
"Should I pick up a couple cooking books? It could be fun if we try new recipes together." A cheerful voice called towards the raven that seemed to almost echo into his mind. Shaking his head slightly, the elder sighed and meant only for a passing glance towards Beyond. But, his eyes lingered longer than a glance.
A patient half smile with a healing cut perched on full lips. A stare that seemed unwavering, almost fixated. Ruby eyes that seemed to vary in shades of crimson pending on lighting, shined in slight elation, awaiting an answer. Messy yet groomed onyx tresses fell around almost ethereal porcelain skin. Casting a maroon frame around visibly soft skin.
"Um… L? You… okay?"
Pulling a hallow fist up to his mouth and covering his mouth while clearing his throat. A lump that seemed to have grown refused to budge and a small blush, just slightly causing small flushing on his cheeks . "Ah. Yes. Sorry. I was thinking. As I said, that twenty-four percent was needed. I would have been able to deduce an answer much faster if it weren't for these shoes."
Scoffing in irritation; Beyond tossed a few books into the cart. Varying in genre, two cookbooks, a science fiction and one murder mystery. "This should probably do it then. We should probably call for another taxi."
Turning around to face L, Beyond found himself stumbling back slightly at the surprising closeness of the detective. "Uh. I forgot how much you like to do that." A nervous chuckle came forward as he glanced away from ashen eyes.
