Nine months due
Chapter Rating: T
Gen. Warnings: LxLight, yaoi (but only slightly in this chapter), Mpreg, OOCness, profanity, some spoilers
Disclaimer: I don't own Death Note
Brief summary: The Shinigami King, slightly paranoid that their existence would be exploited sought out a complicated plan to erase the world's memory of Kira and therefore create a relatively peaceful, Kira-less world. But! The consequence for this was to make Raito pregnant, thanks to L's growing love for the boy (which he acted upon, obviously). Now L has to stay with Raito in order to keep the world at peace.
The story so far:
Twelve chapters later (I mean, more than one month after they…), Raito finally gets the medical attention he needed by accidentally having a doctor as a date.
A/N: It's been a (very long) while and I don't even know if people actually follow Death Note anymore, let alone this story. But anyway, despite my whole decision to (abruptly) end this story due to the mushiness that developed, I could not get it out of my head and therefore after at least two years I decided to go back and fire my inner editor for a while and end this story no matter how hard (or weird) it , after this the whole story would be out of my system completely. This chapter is an abandoned version of what I should have published long ago but decided not to because of stupid reasons. Anyway, I hope anyone who reads this enjoys.
CHAPTER 16
Friends
L loved Raito. That in itself was a fact as far as L was concerned. There were times when he would be content by just looking at the boy beside him, enjoying every moment with him, overwhelmed with a loving feeling.
L loved Raito, but there were certain times in his life that his love was put to the test. Right about now for instance, L was feeling that their relationship was on the rocks. Such was a concrete example of those times.
L hastily closed the door to their room as he sighed heavily. The boy was at it again, and L could swear that he was getting worse by the day.
The detective never envisioned the boy to be capable of giving such dangerous threats. Sure, back when the Kira case was still going on, when his suspicions were as strong as ever, there were a lot of threats they throw at each other, and Raito had always been the irritable threatening boy. But before, L had always considered such threats as empty ones, not capable of being accomplished, and he always knew that he can handle anything the boy throws at him, be it in a good or bad way.
"Don't you dare go back here!" was the last sentence he heard from the enraged teen before he ducked a flying object and rushed to the door. It was probably fortunate that L's room was pretty bare, and the best the boy can throw was a large pillow. But still, he could be a bitch and find his computer, but that possibility is a little remote, since he knew how lazy Raito was in looking for things.
Sighing heavily, he slouched down the stairs in hopes of a more peaceful setting. He just didn't get it. Was it even possible for a person to have such a diverse number of emotions? And can it actually be possible for it to change in such a short span of time?
Raito was pretty much proving that such things could really happen in real life, much to L's demise. He was greeted by an unusually happy Mello, that it looked like the said blonde boy recently got a major sugar rush from his stash of chocolates.
"Hey, L! How are you doing?" he said in a chipper voice. L felt the urge to just punch the boy to get over his uncharacteristic smile, but his senses got the better of him.
"Fine, I guess", he mumbled.
"Well, you don't look so good? What's the matter?"
'None of your own business" L thought, but he saw Roger walk around the corner.
"It's nothing, I just haven't eaten yet."
"Really?" Mello asked cheerfully. "Well, that's lucky, then. I'm just about to eat breakfast with Matt. He's making chocolate pancakes in the kitchen. You can have some if you want."
L just wanted to really bash the eagerness overflowing from the boy's eyes at the moment.
"It's okay, I guess."
"Yay!" Mello squeeled. "Wait just a moment. I'm going to invite Raito too, because Matt told me to."
Mello skipped toward L's room before L could even warn him about anything. Oh well, the kid's eagerness could be turned down a notch with Raito's bitchiness, it could even be for the better. Sighing again, he started walking toward the kitchen until he heard the most uncharacteristic voice from Mello yet.
"Here's Raito!" he said happily as the two of them skipped arm in arm to L's general direction.
"Good morning L!" Raito greeted him in a very sunny voice.
L followed the two BFFs as they skipped happily to the kitchen. This really isn't normal, L thought, as these boys weren't the type to just skip or sing. Seriously, are these two on drugs? L thought. He really had to monitor what people here take, especially Raito. But then, L had to give props to Mello for that. The hellish anger completely vanished from the boy. Although, L did not know which Raito mode should he be more cautious for—the preppy, sunshine reflecting Raito or the mad, throwing daggers one. In L's opinion, they both got on his nerves pretty badly. He just wanted to have the old Raito back.
When they arrived at the kitchen, Matt already had a lot of pancakes set on the table.
"Yay, pancakes!" Raito and Mello exclaimed happily as they helped themselves.
"Take it easy, guys, there's a lot for everyone." Matt said as he prepared another batch. There were also some kids who were eating nearby.
L nodded when Matt smiled at him, and let him take the seat next to Raito. It became a habit for Matt to cook for the little kids, now that Watari was on vacation. Roger was too busy to do it himself anyway. The kid was already acting like a big brother to all these other children, that L was a little thankful to have such a help.
"Hey, Matt, you should eat too!" Mello shouted as he took another large bite from the heap of pancakes in his plate.
Matt just smiled patiently, but only L can read his smile as "How can I eat when you're eating everything I just make", and instead just meekly said that he will go there for a while.
When Matt finally cooked enough for everyone, he sat next to L and Mello, sighing a little as he took a bite of what he just cooked.
"How is it going, L?" he asked casually, apparently tired from cooking a large batch of pancakes.
"Fine"
"Oh?" Matt inquired. "That's good."
"What do you mean?" L curiously asked.
"Well, I mean, Mello is already quite a handful when he's in a sugar rush, but it's nothing compared to Raito's any day. I mean, it's getting frequent, isn't it?"
L quirked an eyebrow.
"It appears that Matt is still hacking the security systems of this building even when I clearly told him not to."
Matt shrugged.
"I don't need to hack anything to figure that out." He pointed to the boy beside L, who looked overly happy to the point of abnormal, it was more noticeable now, when Mello's prior sugar rush is starting to wear off. "He spends almost half of his time with Mello, that I'm bound to notice his sudden behavior changes, and it happens frequently that it can't even be considered normal anymore."
L looked at him with probing eyes.
"So I thought, well, maybe you're having a worse time at it than any of us combined, seeing that you're in the same room with him."
L blinked.
"I see. That's an interesting conclusion you have."
"So? How is it?" Matt pressed on.
L didn't even have to say anything to describe what he had to deal with, because right at that very moment, Raito suddenly puked all over his front. The two men looked at each other for a while, and nodded in understanding.
"Whoah, Raito-kun, you must have had enough pancakes for now. Here, let me escort you to the bathroom." Matt offered, feeling L's pain.
"No, it's okay, Matt. I'll take care of Raito-kun myself."
"No, seriously, I'll help. Besides, you need to change your pants before the stench starts to sink in."
L thought about it for a while, and decided it best to just let the boy handle it for now, or else, he could not guarantee that this won't happen again this day, since Raito appeared to get sick at smelling even the faintest scent of his own vomit, that it didn't sound logical at all.
"Well then, I'll leave the rest to you." L said as he hurried to their room, which already had a spare set of clothes waiting for him to change into. This incident just kept happening that L was already prepared for it by now. Although, this is the first time Raito actually threw up in public. L assumed that it was getting worse at this point.
Matt smiled as he assisted the teen to the bathroom.
"Mello, you should help me too." He said to the blonde boy, who was completely sober at this point.
"Honestly, Raito. Are you gaining weight? You're heavy" Mello commented as he supported the other side of the limp teen.
"How would you know that? You've never carried me before." Raito asked indignantly.
"Yeah, well, L never showed any difficulties in carrying you before, so I must say you're getting heavier."
"That doesn't even make any—"
Raito stopped talking as he felt his insides hurling again, and the two boys were quick to notice.
"Hey, hold it in, man", Mello shouted urgently, scared of what might happen to him and his leather vest. "We're almost there."
Fortunately for them, Raito tried to hold it in (out of pure embarrassment) and managed to make it to the bathroom without any further casualties. He had another throwing fit on the bathroom which was worse than the first one, that the two boys were honestly grateful to make it in time.
L appeared a few minutes later in a fresh set of clothes that the two couldn't help but gape at the man. The detective cocked his head questioningly at such a reaction.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"N-nothing!" Mello hastily said. "It's just that…this is the first time we've seen you in a new outfit."
L raised an eyebrow.
"Well, that's because my entire wardrobe was sent to the cleaners yesterday. This is Raito-kun's. He successfully managed to wipe out my whole wardrobe that I feel that I have the right to wear his instead. Does it look bad?"
"N-no! You actually look good on that."
"It's a good thing that we're about the same size then. Well, I better hand this to Raito-kun."
L was holding a face towel, which apparently will be given to the sick-looking boy.
"At least that means that it doesn't have anything to do with my cooking." Matt said, a little relieved. "I wouldn't have to deal with the same shit L's having with Raito."
"Hey!" Mello said incredulously.
"Just kidding."
L waited patiently outside the stall as he waited for Raito to come out. This scene actually grew more frequently these days that L felt that it was becoming a routine, especially in the morning. Looking back, there were a lot of things he had to give up along the way, and it still catches him off guard. He had become the most patient man in the morning through this ordeal, and it was quite a feat, considering that he used to get easily pissed at anyone who ruins his morning.
At least by the time Raito is finished, his perkiness will tone down by a considerable amount, that he could see a semblance of Raito's previous personality if he would squint. The detective could only wonder when this stage would come to an end. Hopefully by the end of the winter, Raito would be more bearable to talk to.
Come to think of it, it was only more than a month since Raito got pregnant. Normally, the signs of pregnancy would only show up after at least two months along. It shouldn't have been noticeable at this point.
Realizing this made L worried for the first time. Was there something he did wrong? Perhaps L messed up along the way, but that can't be logical, since it was Raito who was pregnant.
Suddenly, L began to see the flaws and shortcomings in taking care of Raito. He should have monitored what the boy eats a long time ago, and he shouldn't have allowed him to ride on the roller coaster days before. Maybe, it even started back when Raito was rebelling against him, hanging out with no less than Mello. Then again, even though Raito is still frequently hanging out with Matt and Mello, he was already closely monitoring their activities, and L deemed it pretty safe enough. It's good to know that Mello would still think about his actions before doing it, for fear of being scrapped out of the list of candidates for being L's heir.
Maybe that bastard doctor did something to his Raito-kun after all, and seeing that he let him alone with the said doctor, he realized he shouldn't have agreed to such arrangement, and it was stupid of him to leave the boy unguarded at some local hospital.
Perhaps this happened back then, when Raito went to the gay bar and met Mikami. Maybe he wasn't quick enough to prevent anything from happening. There were a lot of nasty things happening in gay bars. That perverted man might have offered his precious an innocent looking drink, which the man purposely drugged in order to get whatever sick fantasy he has. L should have taken date rape incidents more seriously.
Or maybe…he shuddered to think, that this happened even back in Japan, when Raito ran away from the building, confused. Watari informed him that he found the boy in the red light district, thankfully, he got there in time before anything dangerous happened…but what if something actually happened?
Hundreds of possibilities kept running around his head that he was feeling dizzy, to the point of nausea, that the two of them looked like they were in the same condition, but L's is caused by something entirely different.
This was getting ridiculous, L thought. To think that he would even consider such absurd possibilities must mean that he was worrying too much about Raito's health, some of which could not even be possible in real life. It was just his imagination getting wilder than he could handle, and he knew that he had to stop or else it would develop into something unhealthy.
Raito waved a hand in front of the detective, who apparently is staring into space. L blinked.
"What is Raito-kun doing?"
"Well, you were spacing out in front of the mirror, so I thought that I had to help you somehow. Is this your first time seeing yourself in the mirror?"
"Very funny, Raito-kun." L said sarcastically as he handed him a towel.
"Thanks" Raito rubbed his face briskly as he looked at his sickly looking face. "Since when have I looked as pathetic as this? I'm becoming as pale as you."
"I'll take that as a compliment" L added patiently. "But then, it is true that Raito-kun is currently looking beat down, that I would have to schedule our appointment with Dr. Thomas earlier than usual."
L was already dialing his phone as he speaks.
"H-hey!"
L arched an eyebrow questioningly.
"What would be the problem, Raito-kun?"
"Well, I'm fine! I don't need to go to the doctor…this is something normal, isn't it?"
"I've already considered that, Raito-kun, but this is definitely not normal even with your condition, and Dr. Thomas told me to bring you to the hospital at the slightest suspicion of abnormality."
"I already told you! I'm fine!"
L looked at the boy closely, and suddenly, poked him in the forehead. The said boy, caught unaware of L's actions, immediately lost his balance and wobbled on the floor. Raito was throwing daggers at him as he looked up to L, but the detective had clearly proven his point.
"Change your clothes, Raito-kun. We will go to the doctor in thirty minutes." L said with finality that the boy couldn't say anything anymore and just let himself be assisted by the detective back up and to their room.
"Well, where is he?" Raito asked demandingly, crossing his arms as he sat in the waiting room of the local hospital where Dr. Thomas had been practicing medicine.
"I am sorry, Raito-kun, but Dr. Thomas is still doing his rounds, but if you wait patiently, the nurse said that he would be here in less than thirty minutes, and he'll make sure to see us first."
"He better be" he said threateningly. "So what am I supposed to do in the next thirty minutes?"
"If Raito-kun wants, I can get him something to eat." L suggested.
"Well, can you get me an apple juice? I saw one at the vending machine."
L tried his best not to look intrigued at Raito's sudden cravings and just smiled at the boy.
"I'll be back quickly then."
Raito secretly watched the detective until he disappeared in the corner. He better come back soon. Honestly, he hated being alone, especially in a hospital filled with sick people, that even L could become a decent company, or rather L was actually the best person to accompany him during these visits with the doctor. He might not admit it openly, but just being with L gives him the security he needs, that it already came to a point when he feels uneasy whenever the detective is not around, especially now, when he was left alone surrounded by sick people. That man better keep his promise or else he would really get pissed.
He was just looking on the floor when the door suddenly swung wildly, revealing a very frantic man.
"Nurse, someone! Where is the doctor here? It's an emergency!"
The nurse calmly approached the hysterical man to ask the problem.
"It's my talent, he…he…it's just horrible!" the man went on. "He was just practicing for his next concerto, and then….and then…"
The nurse was getting confused at what the man was trying to say. Fortunately, the patient in question finally appeared, telling his manager to calm down.
"Relax, I'm fine, you don't have to panic that much."
The said patient turned out to be Yuuto, who was nursing his left hand carefully.
"Fine?!" the manager questioned. "I witnessed the entire thing! That slab of wood did a loud thud when it fell on your fingers!"
"That was actually the piano you heard. I was playing on the lower keys so it sounded worse. You really have to relax, man. You're getting some unwanted attention from everyone here."
The said manager looked at the confused people looking at them, and cleared his throat.
"Anyway, I'm sorry for causing such a panic." He apologized to the nurse. "I want his fingers to be checked immediately. It is very important to be quick about it, because his future as a pianist is at stake."
The nurse nodded and told them to sit down as she looked for an available doctor. The two of them looked around for an empty seat, and discovered that the only empty seat available was the one Raito was saving for L. The budding pianist's eyes lightened up when he noticed Raito.
"What a coincidence! I wouldn't have thought I'd meet you here!" he said excitedly. "Why are you in a hospital anyway?"
Raito just smiled at the overenthusiastic man.
"Just a routine check-up, nothing serious", he said politely. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. My manager is just overreacting. I didn't even feel it until he pointed it out. Although, my fingers were starting to throb before this accident."
"You should be more careful about your fingers." Raito said in a concerned voice, which made his friend brighten up more.
"You don't have to worry about me. My manager just exaggerates things. Anyway, I was just pumped up to do my next concerto so I've been practicing twice as hard. I hope you'd come and listen to it." He invited openly, not looking injured at all. "Be sure to come, okay?"
Raito nodded. That was when L appeared before them, who had brought two cans of juice and, to his disdain, a stalker.
"Raito!" said a very excited Mikami, jumping at the boy on sight. Luckily, L's reflexes were faster and was able to prevent the perverted man from getting near his Raito-kun, kicking him unconscious.
"I am sorry, Raito-kun. I was fairly certain that I've made him unconscious back then, but he just kept running after me." L handed the boy his juice, which was carefully wrapped in tissue, to keep his hands from getting chilly. "I tried to take the risk of him following me as long as Raito-kun would have some company, but I see that he already has."
L was eyeing Raito's friend suspiciously.
"Ah! Isn't that Teru?" Yuuto suddenly noticed the unconscious man lying on the floor.
Both men blinked.
"Do you know him?" L suddenly asked.
"Yeah, he used to be my room mate. But he kept on complaining about the noise so I had to move. I heard he's studying in Princeton." Yuuto explained. "Err…pardon me, we've met before too, but we haven't been formally introduced yet. I am Yuuto Kawaguchi by the way, I used to be Raito's neighbor in Japan."
L decided to take the courtesy and introduced himself too.
"Yeah, I saw you once in Raito-kun's pictures. I am Ryuuzaki Rue."
"So you're Raito's friend too, huh? We should get along pretty well." The boy offered his hand.
"Actually, I…" he was about to say that he was Raito's husband when he suddenly noticed the said boy's death glare, and decided not to. "Yeah, I've been Raito-kun's friend just last year. Pleased to meet you."
The two men shook hands cordially, which was a relief to Raito.
"Wow, so you're Japanese too? I never would have guessed…"Yuuto commented. "How did you two meet?"
"Well, I…" L desperately thought of something other than the truth, but quickly realized that he couldn't, especially when Yuuto was watching him. Raito must have realized it too, and saved the detective just in time.
"Ryuuzaki-sensei actually grew up here, but he went to my school just last year, looking for foreign exchange students, and I was chosen to study abroad."
"Whoa! Is that so?! That's great, Raito~!" Yuuto said looking a little happier for a reason. "I already knew that you were meant for big things!"
Raito smiled humbly.
"Well, you should say the same for yourself. I mean, you actually have a manager and a concerto coming up just when the last one just finished. You're really making a name for yourself."
Yuuto half attempted to hide his proud grin.
"Ahaha…but that's great, Raito! We can finally hang out again! We have a lot of catching up to do…"
Just then, the doctor arrived.
"Hey, Yuuto! The doctor is here, come quick!" His manager is already talking to the doctor about the problem, leaving Yuuto no choice but to leave. L noted the unnecessary look of disappointment in the pianist's face when he took one last look at Raito. They will still meet again, won't they?
"Well, Raito, I should leave. I hope we'll meet again soon. Same for you, Ryuuzaki-san. Thanks for bringing Raito to England."
L nodded blandly.
"Bye!"
The two waved at each other as Yuuto ran back to his manager, slightly annoyed that his conversation was cut, and leaving Raito and L alone again, because, Mikami being unconscious didn't count.
"So, I am Raito-kun's teacher now? I am honored." L said when the man was on a safe distance.
"Shut up, Ryuuzaki-sensei"
L perked up at that.
"I never thought hearing my name like that would actually make me feel aroused. If Raito-kun is into role-play, he should have brought this up earlier. We could have been doing it ages ago…"
"Shut up, Ryuuzaki or I'll…"
"Alright, Dr. Thomas is going to see you now." The nurse said as he approached the two. This immediately cut their conversation too.
"I guess we have to consult with Dr. Thomas now", L said with the same face Yuuto had when his manager called him. "But afterwards, let's do lots, okay?"
"I-idiot!" Raito stuttered, blushing deeply.
L smiled as he took the boy's hand and led him to the doctor's room.
The doctor smiled as he saw the two enter his room.
"Hey, Raito-kun, Ryuuzaki-san. How are things?" the Dr. Thomas greeted casually.
The nurse bowed to Raito as she took the boy's vital signs, recording it on Raito's file. Dr. Thomas took this chance to talk to L.
"It seems that everything is fine, record wise. What seems to be the problem that made you come here three days earlier than scheduled?"
L spoke up.
"Well, you see, doctor, Raito-kun is only one month along but he already has morning sickness and his mood swings are getting problematic. Isn't it normal for these signs to show only on the second month?"
When the nurse finished recording Raito's condition, he gave he file to Dr. Thomas, who carefully examined it. He then gestured the nurse to go outside
"Well, I did a thorough check on Raito-kun just a week ago, and I already noted the abnormal hormone levels he has, so I wouldn't be surprised to hear this development. I even suspect that Raito-kun is hiding the signs up until he could not control it, am I right?"
Raito nodded silently.
"So Raito-kun is still normal? I mean, there is no need to worry on our part?"
"His hormonal levels were actually what alarmed me to perform additional examinations, and I've also consulted this to our head doctor, and also to my friend ho happens to be a great obstetrician, and he told me that, although rare, there is nothing to worry about, and it will stabilize in no time." He explained.
"It is a sure sign that the body is preparing itself to accommodate the baby as it grows, and even after its birth." He turned to Raito "You can expect that there will be numerous changes in your body soon. Although I'm not too sure about it, seeing that you're pregnancy is one of a kind, a sure thing that would happen is that you'll gain weight, and I've noticed that you've already gained a few, your body will be a little curvy. Also, it will only be a matter of time when your breasts develop."
Raito nodded, slightly embarrassed that L is hearing this too.
Dr. Thomas jotted down a few prescriptions on a note.
"I'm prescribing a few vitamins for you to take, and some medicine for you and your baby's health. Be sure to follow the directions I've written here on when and how to take it." He handed the paper to Ryuuzaki. "If anything goes wrong, you can freely contact me on my number."
Dr. Thomas called the nurse outside.
"I also think that it is about time to give you some shots. But don't worry, it won't hurt a bit." He nodded to the nurse to proceed. The said girl ushered Raito to the other room, leaving L alone with the doctor.
"Ryuuzaki-san, I haven't told Raito-kun about this but, there actually are side effects to the prescriptions I made a week ago, and much more to the additional drugs I've included in that list I gave you."
"Eh?" L looked worried at the same time pissed that the doctor kept this from either of them until now. "Why wasn't I informed about that?"
"Well, it's only a slight effect, and it actually does a good thing on your relationship anyway" the doctor explained. "These drugs help in having a healthy pregnancy, as well as prevent the usual malformations, but it also promotes sexual health, so it won't be a wonder if Raito-kun would become more sexually active than usual, and I've noticed that these drugs have quite the effect on Raito-kun unlike most pregnant women, so I guess what I'm trying to say that you're in for very active nights from here on…"
L smiled reflexively in hearing that, his anger vanishing completely. So that's why Raito-kun was more open to him now. He really had to thank this doctor for apparently saving their relationship, which, previously, was on the rocks due to Raito's rebellious attitude.
"I won't say it's not allowed, I mean, you can have sex, but please, keep it in moderation, and no rough activities, okay? The baby is still developing."
By this time, L's smile was reaching up to his ears, that he couldn't hide it even when Raito reappeared, supporting his butt.
"I'll keep that in mind, doctor. Thank you for your guidance." L said as he went to assist Raito.
"That's fine", he replied. "And yeah, Raito-kun, your bottom is going to hurt for a few days due to the shots, so L, you have to keep that in mind too."
"I will, Dr. Thomas."
After a few cordial greetings, they walked out of the hospital slowly, L supporting Raito as he walked.
"What does Eric mean with that?" Raito asked when they were safe from earshot.
"Nothing, Raito-kun. Dr. Thomas is only concerned about your health, and so I have to drive very carefully today."
"Oh, is that so?" Raito noted. "That is very sweet of him."
"Dr. Thomas is a very kind man, he cares so much about his patients." L added.
"I thought you hated him…"
"I wouldn't have made him your doctor if I did, Raito-kun." L said on the contrary. "Besides, he cares so much about you so I know that he won't do anything to harm you."
"It's good that you trust him now. You were being a jerk to him back then."
"Yeah, but now I've come to understand that he won't take my Raito-kun away from me, and that he is purely concerned about your health, I think he could even become my second friend."
"Hmph. What happened to me being your first and only friend?"
"I want my world to grow too, Raito-kun and…" L stopped, realizing something.
"Wait a minute…is…is Raito-kun jealous?"
"N-no I'm not!" Raito was already deep red.
"Raito-kun is jealous for me…I am feeling somewhat aroused…" L said, and Raito knew that he was not lying, if the hardness poking on his butt was anything to go by.
"Well, stop being…like that! My butt still hurts!" Raito was about to cry.
L calmed himself and switched to a more comfortable position.
"I am deeply sorry for causing Raito-kun such pain…I will wait." L said. "But after that, be ready to call me sensei."
L smiled perversely, and Raito quickly realized what L was talking about.
"Ryuuzaki!"
Chapter End