Six months into their stay at their new home found L on the computer most of the time, working on additional minor cases and odd jobs on the side. This was so they could pay their expenses and save up other things in the future. This was not to say that L's accounts had ran dry, for the moment that he and Watari had been announced 'dead', they have been passed onto Near and the orphanage.
He can't take from them, or the new L will know to track them down.
He only had one account that is truly his and his alone, which he had prepared five years ago in case he had to fake his own death, one that not even Watari would have knowledge of.
With all that he had done behind the scenes when Kira was at large, the amount that was required for this property, Nico's wages, daily expenses, treating Light and the boat, there is only a bit left, enough to last them for a few more months, at least.
The former detective found himself only able to work on the occasional cases so as not to garner any unwanted attention and the occasional online jobs, taking care to prevent anyone from tracing his location or identity.
All that were only a small percentage of what he was able to earn before. To be more specific, what he made now does not even make up 10% of his salary as L.
Still, he tried, they are going to remain in this new place and new life as long as they live, that should be enough.
He was working on a new case when he heard the door creak open.
L turned and saw Light by the door.
Even with all his familiarities with the other, he had to convince his brain that it was Light, for his hair was trimmed and dyed completely black. His eyes now appear blue rather than brown because of the contact lenses, used with his own suggestion. With his appearance and his proficiency in the English language, he could easily pass off as a man of a mixed race, born from a Japanese mother and English father. His story to the outside world, if anyone cared to ask, is that he was born and raised in Japan and moved to England in his teens. He then proceeded to migrate here to live with his cousin when both his parents are dead in an unfortunate accident and he had nowhere else to go to.
L had Nico make Light a false ID with the name Hikaru Asahi. He also fabricated false documents and birth certificates, planted information in the government database for himself and Light. As for himself, he had a fake ID made under the name Larry Lawrence who is Hikaru's cousin in their story, while Nico is simply Larry's friend and roommate who had been staying with him since the beginning.
This was all to aid Light on his path to recovery through his own means, by allowing him to work on his own and go outside, to do as much as a normal person would, almost as much as Light would have done if he were still functioning normally.
Still, he was not normal and had to be monitored just in case something goes wrong. If he were to have a sudden relapse, or if he tried to hurt himself or refuses to tell if something was wrong. L had specifically instructed Nico to keep an eye on him. His trips outside was never completely unsupervised, he was never truly at work alone.
Currently, Light works as a part-time teacher at a nearby high school. He teaches Math and takes care not to tire himself out due to the injury in his arm and the danger of mental instability. Now, Light is able to move his arm with a lot more ease than before. However, he can't do that for too long as it is still recovering. His employer understood and didn't impose on him. Besides, the grades of his students did improve substantially, so that's something.
Light made his way towards L, who turns to face the screen.
L could hear him stop.
"How's work?" L asked, as he reads the case information.
"It was alright," Light said, L detected a weak smile on his face, "They're surprisingly accommodating today, even the students."
"You're good with people," L commented, compiling information into his head at the same time.
"I was thinking that I might go teach there as a full-time teacher," Light hesitated, "Once I get better."
"That's good."
There was a slight pause, before Light offered, "Do you need me to help with anything?"
"No, it's alright, you had a long day at school," L turned towards him, "You should rest."
The disappointment was obvious on his face but L didn't relent.
"Okay," Light turned to leave, "I'll be in the living room."
L responded with a hum and Light closes the door behind him.
Light slowly pulled the towel aside, cautiously staring at his own face in the mirror.
He wasn't sure whether it was because of time or the new appearance that finally quelled the overwhelming fear that gripped him whenever he faced his own reflection. He was still afraid but the fear felt muted, lazily trickling under his skin rather than the cold surge running through his body that he felt before.
He peered at his strange blue eyes, the contact lenses that were designed to look real.
Light carefully removed them, placed them in their cases and poured cleaning solution into it. When he was done, he put them aside and went back to staring.
His eyes finally looked normal. Light lifted a lock of his black hair, observing his reflection.
He looked strange.
Maybe that was why L seemed colder nowadays.
Light stared sadly at himself.
Maybe he shouldn't have dyed his hair after all but that was what L had suggested if he wanted to remain somewhat inconspicuous.
Maybe he's too busy, L is responsible for a lot of things, including himself.
He sighed.
Light proceeded to wash his face, planning to wash away the anxious thoughts in his head as well.
The twenty-two year old sat at the dining table by himself, having dinner that L's employee had made. Nico is nowhere to be found. He had stayed out of their way when Light begun to show signs of improvement, only occasionally showing up when he had to perform certain chores and helping the both of them with some tasks.
Kind of like what Watari had done for L in the past.
Meanwhile, L is still busy with the case, which meant that Light had to eat alone, again.
He didn't complain, however, he was already enough of a hassle that he had to take care of, especially in the early days that they settled down here.
He still didn't like it.
Light just about jumped out of his skin when something brushed against his ear.
He spun around and saw L behind him, he hadn't heard L approach.
"What?" He blurted.
"Black hair looks good on you," he said, retrieving his hand.
Light stared at him, puzzled. He stood up quickly in the next moment, "Oh, let me get dinner for you."
L surprised him with a kiss to the cheek, such that he stood staring at him like an idiot.
"I was busy," he said, as a sort of apology, as he ran a hand down his arm.
Light jerked at the contact, shivers running up his spine.
A smirk slowly spread across L's lips, "We didn't start dating a week ago, you know."
"S-Shut up," Light blushed and L chuckled in amusement.
"Now where's my food, I'm famished."
Light glared at him, "Jerk."
He still went to get a plate anyway.
As he turned, the smile melted off L's face, he watched Light go about loading food on his plate with what seems like apathy.
He shook his head and made his way to his seat, bringing the smile back on his face as Light placed his dinner in front of him.
It wouldn't be right to feel conflicted about this.
Not at all.