Authors Note: HEYO! XD Please tell me what you think; I would love to know XD I own nothing and no one apart from the following: James
JUST SO YOU KNOW: I have taken creative liberties with middle names, so please take that into consideration. Also, I've only seen the Anime and have only JUST started the Manga.
This is my FIRST Death Note fic, so I suppose you could say I'm new to the Fandom! Also, I live in England, I don't know Japanese, so any Japanese I use in this story I get from Google Translate XD
Please, please review XD
P.S. This is an AU - Light was never Kira, but still helped during the investigation; obviously, Light and L did not die; the Kira case took 1 year to clear up, not (about) 7; set in 2016. I apologise for OOCness, but it IS an AU ;)
Chapter 9
L
It felt like time had deliberately slowed down. Impossible, I knew, but that's what it felt like. Light, after a short while, had gotten up to make himself a coffee, bringing back with him a mug of tea for me, as well a small bowl of strawberries. It was the one healthy thing he knew I would eat, making sure that I ate a good handful…. Or five. Not that I minded. With Light, I found it quite sweet. He seemed to have this instinct to take care of people – making sure his Dad ate an acceptable lunch and dinner; making sure his Mum had some time to herself, instead of working so hard to look after them all; making sure his sister got all her homework finished and understood it all, as well as making it a point to know how she was dealing with everything, emotionally and mentally. It was a fascinating little titbit I had discovered over our time together, as friends and as romantically involved partners.
"I'll give you this strawberry if you keep it a secret, okay?" Light teased, handing me the bowl.
Light just laughed when I said nothing, only taking the bowl from his hands, leaning into my side. He always liked to bring up little things like that that I had said, whilst on the case. Always found a way to use it in a different context, finding a lot of humour in it. I never really could determine just what he found so funny, they were just things I said. Things I meant. What was so funny about that? Then again, Mello and Matt were both the same, more Matt, however. Light and the two boys were quite alike in that way, as well as many more.
"I like strawberries." I shrugged. "They're sweet."
"Of course, that's why you like them." Light chuckled.
"Well, yes. Did you know there is two hundred seeds on the average strawberry, and the Ancient Romans believed they had medicinal powers? Also, in France, they're believed to be an aphrodisiac, and are served to newlyweds at traditional wedding breakfasts in the form of a creamy sweet soup."
All Light did was stare at me, his gaze intrigued, not disturbed.
"Research even suggests that eating just eight strawberries a day can improve heart health, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, reduce the risk of cancers and even improve cognitive function." I added. "It was fairly interesting reading, when I first found the library at Wammy's."
"You are truly an amazing enigma." Light smiled, shaking his head slightly. "Just when I think I really know you, you pull out something like strawberry facts."
It was the first moment my mind was taken out of its anxious state.
Watari had left for the airport at eight that morning. The boys' flight wouldn't be getting in until eight forty-five, but Watari always liked to be early. Even with being able to bypass a lot of the usual airport hassle, it would still take up to two hours for Watari to get back with the boys.
The closer it got, the more agonizing the wait. I wished, in that moment, there was some sort of device that could skip life forward. Just a little bit. Just so I could skip the wait. I hadn't heard anything from the boys. No messages, no pictures. I had no idea how their flight was going. That was what made it worse. The not knowing. Not knowing if they were ok; not knowing what they were doing to take their mind off of the long flight…. Not knowing if Mello had remembered his pillow so he could sleep, because otherwise he would be up and thinking about the things that took him to his dark place; not knowing if Matt was scared, because he looked out of the window, remembering what it was like to be stuck at the top of a roller-coaster for three hours; not knowing if Near's mind was racing through all the statistics of dying whilst on a plane, panicking about all the possibilities. Not knowing if my boys were scared, when I wasn't there for them.
I couldn't stop checking my phone. I couldn't stop looking out of the window. It was ridiculous! Nothing I did would speed up time, but I just couldn't seem to stop. I couldn't stop pacing. I needed something to do, instead of just sitting still.
I didn't expect Light to grab me, pulling me back down onto the sofa.
To say I was surprised was putting it lightly. I staggered so much, I almost flipped over the back, the only thing stopping me being Light's grip. When I looked at him in question, all he gave me was a shrug.
"Tell me a story about you and the boys." Light said, quietly. "Something you all did together."
"Light –" I started.
"Come on, it beats you working yourself up. Besides, I want to hear some more."
It took a moment before I could relax into the sofa cushions. In hindsight, Light was right. It would take my mind off of the wait, taking up a bit of time. Sighing softly, I ran my hands down my face, leaning into Light's side. His hand was playing with my hair in an instant, running his hand through the dark mess gently.
"What would you like to hear?" I asked.
"Anything happy." was all Light said.
FLASHBACK – Monday, August 24th 2009
Mello, Matt and Near were special children, that much was obvious. Their intelligence was amazing, yes, but it was so much more than that. Whilst skittish around new people, as well as Mello's fiery temper, not to mention everything they had been through, the three of them were still very caring and sweet. It may not have been as noticeable to others as it was to Watari and me, but it was true.
Over the years, I had become quite attached to the three of them. I found I rather liked having someone around all the time, spending the day with me. They were great companions, even with their young age, giving me something else to think about other than my cases. They made me smile, made me laugh.
It had started to become a habit, when it came to the boys going to sleep, that I would read something to the three of them. They would all bundle into my room, Matt and Mello on either side of me, whilst Near sat on my lap, as I read to them from the latest book they had chosen. It was something I, and I believed the boys, had begun to look forward to. The books I read to them never stuck to one type. From Harry Potter to Dickens to Dracula and Frankenstein, whatever they wanted I read. Which was why, a few weeks before Near's birthday, I had just finished reading Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.
Near had loved the book so much he began acting as different characters throughout the day, pretending he was part of the Revolution. Near seemed to find it fun to barricade himself, Mello, Matt and myself into different rooms. All he would shout, whenever one of the adults would try to intervene, was 'Vive la France!'
It was rather amusing.
So, when it came to Near's sixth birthday, on August 24th, Watari and I came up with the perfect present for him. The two of us took all three boys to London on Near's birthday, leaving early in the morning. The boys were practically bouncing in their seats, excitedly chattering in the back of the car. They tried, repeatedly, to guess what we were going to do in London. Some ideas were logical, others were so outlandish I couldn't help but laugh.
The boys, pretty much, dragged Watari and I into every shop they wanted to go in. I couldn't even begin to imagine how long we spent in the Disney store. Not that I minded. Watching the boys jump around, having fun…. Well, it was more than nice. It was difficult for the three of them to pick something out from the shop, finding many different toys from many different Disney films that they loved. It was rather difficult to say no to them, so the boys were allowed them all. It wasn't as if there were loads of them, anyway. Besides, it wasn't like the boys were treated any differently to the other children, considering the others had gone to Thorpe Park whilst the boys stayed home with me. Not to mention, again, that it was Near's birthday, as well as the fact Mello and Matt were his best and closest friends.
The day consisted of shopping and taking pictures, stopping every now and then to rest and eat something. That evening, Watari and I took the boys to dinner. We allowed them to have whatever they wanted; three courses and fizzy drinks. It was the most I had seen any of them eat.
Of course, Near's main gift, wasn't until after dinner.
Watari and I walked the boys only a short distance away from the restaurant, barely taking us ten minutes. The entire way we were nagged, the three of them begging us to tell them where we could possibly be taking them after all that. I wish I had a camera as we rounded the last corner, the boys finally seeing where we were heading.
"We're going to the theatre?!" Near squealed. "What're we seeing?!"
"What do you think?" I smiled.
For a moment, Near was silent.
For a moment, he just looked before gasping.
"VIVE LA FRANCE!" he yelled.
(Small time skip)
The entire ride home consisted of the boys singing every song in the musical, attempting to do every part, the soundtrack playing throughout the car – one of the few pieces of merchandise we bought the boys. I was surprised they hadn't crashed, considering it was far past midnight and we were almost home. I was sure no one would be seeing the boys until somewhere after midday.
But I could do nothing but smile.
I doubted James, a friend and colleague of Watari's, whom had been kind enough to drive us to and from London, minded the music. From the way he sang under his breath, he was as much a fan as Near was.
"I believe you outdid yourself, my boy." Watari chuckled, quietly, leaning towards me so only I could hear.
"You mean 'we'." I corrected.
"No, most definitely you."
Turning my head slightly, I looked towards my guardian. He had this knowing smile on his face, what he knew I wasn't sure of. If I was honest, he usually had that look when the boys were around.
"It was your idea. You planned everything." Watari continued. "All I did was pull a few strings here and there."
"But, still, if not for your help –" I began.
"You would have found your own way."
I wasn't sure how to respond.
(Small time skip)
Putting the boys to bed was no hard task. They were practically asleep when we pulled up to the house, Roger and Watari helping me to carry the three of them inside. I made sure to say my goodnights to each boy, making sure they had everything they needed and that it was all in reach.
Near was the last one I went to.
The six-year-old was stubbornly going strong, not willing to let himself give in. For what reason, I was unsure. I sat on the edge of his bed, watching as he smiled drowsily at me, surrounded by his toys.
"Today was the best." Near yawned, softly. "It was the best present ever."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." I chuckled. "Now, go to sleep."
"Mmm-kay…. Thanks, L…."
I had never known anyone to fall asleep, that deeply, that quickly.
END OF FLASHBACK - BACK TO: Friday, July 22nd 2016
"Everybody was sick of listening to the Les Misérables soundtrack by the next evening." I laughed. "I believe, in the end, the boys, Watari and I were the only ones that could stand it."
Light didn't say anything, just smiled as he drew patterns on the back of my hand.
"Seeing the three of them that happy…. It was something I never thought I'd have helped be responsible for." I added. "Then again, I never thought I'd let anyone like the boys, or you, get that close to me."
I didn't have to explain. I knew Light remembered what I had divulged to him, about my past. Neither of us needed to bring it up again with our words. But he knew. From the way his muscles tightened ever so slightly, to the way his fingers stopped drawing patterns on my hand, in favour for holding it. We didn't need to say a thing.
"I'm glad you did." Light whispered.
I wasn't sure if I was supposed to hear that or not. I wasn't sure if he had meant to say it out loud. Either way, I agreed.
Turning my head to look at Light, I couldn't help but become transfixed in the way the early morning light brightened him. His hair took on a reddish tint, his skin looking paler but not sickly. It sounded unrealistic, but he looked, almost, ethereal. In all positive meanings of the word, of course!
I was so busy watching Light, that I almost didn't hear the front door open.
I know it's been a while, but I've been having a lot of issues with family, University, my anxiety, etc. It's kind of knocked me off of my writing. Trust me when I say I'm trying to write for my fics as fast as I can.
Please, please review XD
Thanks a lot guys XD
Thank you for staying everyone!