Author's Note: Okay you guys, I just want to tell you that you are spectacular. Every time I open my ff account to find a new review, new favorite, or I see that my view count has gone up-by the way, this story has only been up FOUR DAYS and you've already gotten it up close to four-hundred views- I feel inspired to keep writing this stuff for you. I hope you like it- this chapter is for you recent reviewers and favoriters. You guys are the best.

As for story related notes, I just think it important to note that L has some relatively serious issues in his past as well as at home, and it's addressed very briefly in this chapter. We'll probably see more of that as the story goes on- I don't really know, as I don't have an outline (It's hard to outline when you're writing a chapter a day!). Also, I wanted to note that I don't have a beta, so if you see any mistakes, please feel free to let me know in a review. I'm very open to creative criticism.

Enjoy!

"Denial will not save you when Cupid's arrow find its mark."

L's stomach was fluttering abnormally. It made it rather difficult to walk forward at a normal speed, as he would have normally. Instead, he felt the strange urge to run wildly to Light before jumping into his arms.

L internally shook his head at himself and continued striding forward at a speed as close to normal as he could manage, his eyes never once leaving Light.

Light stood beside the rented car in a white button-up shirt, a maroon fitted sweater, artfully faded jeans, and loafers. As if that weren't enough, L also noticed that the other man had a few streaks of grey in his blonde hair.

He didn't particularly care that he should not have found graying hair attractive anymore.

As he closed the gap between them, Light's face cracked into a beaming, resplendent smile. L couldn't help but walk a bit faster then, and only stopped with a foot or two between them. He didn't really know how to proceed; would Light be okay with displays of public affection? L thought that it may provoke some uncomfortable questions. He wondered how many times he'd have to go out of his way to avoid "uncomfortable questions" if the relationship worked out like he wanted it to. What if his parents found out prior to him turning eighteen? While it was perfectly legal in his state, as the age of consent was sixteen- he'd checked- he still had a full year until he could leave the hell hole that was his home. Clearly, he and Light would have a lot to talk about.

But not just then, as Light silenced his internal musings by sweeping an arm around him for a quick, strong hug.

"Hey," Light half whispered. His beaming smile had dimmed to something softer and more intimate as he opened the door to the backseat of the rented car. He took L's bookbag from him and sat it in the floorboard. Shutting the door, he put a hand in the small of L's back and led him around to the passenger side of the car.

"Honestly, I'm so excited to see you in person I can hardly think properly," Light said as he opened L's door. L slid in and began to buckle himself in before responding. "Yeah, definitely. It's exhilarating and nerve-wracking and I am completely tongue tied." Light looked at him for a moment before shutting his door and coming around to the driver's side. He slid in gracefully and turned to face L, then began to rifle in his pocket. L said nothing. He wasn't particularly sure what Light was doing, until he pulled out his license and his business card.

"Okay," began Light. "You sent me a picture of your license to show me that you were who and how old you said you were, so I think it only appropriate that I do you the same courtesy." He handed both cards to L, who looked at them with only minor interest- prior to really beginning to talk to Light, he'd done a rather thorough Google search and a search through public records of criminal charges. Of course, Light was squeaky clean.

"Light, I'm not all that worried. I know you are who you say you are." L took a breath, smiled slightly, and continued. "I trust you." A brief pause, then, as L allowed Light to process that little tidbit of information; L had conveyed to them in earlier conversation just how hard his trust was to come by. "Now, where are we spending our day?"

It turned out that Light had chosen a lovely little café for them to eat in. As it was about thirty minutes away, they had plenty of time to chat on the drive. They talked about L's plans for after high school, where he would apply to college, and eventually, the subject of his SAT came up. L told him that he'd taken the practice sat when it was provided to everyone, but, as of yet, he'd been unable to take it. Light looked puzzled.

"But why wouldn't you be able to take it?" Light asked. L hesitated to answer; he'd mentioned that the situation with his parents was rather tenuous, but they hadn't gotten into many specifics in that particular area of his life. He just hadn't wanted to scare Light off, and L knew that too much baggage could do that. He'd already divulged many intimate details of his painful past with Light- details that he would have never been willing to share with anyone else. How much more would Light be willing to put up with?

L had to admit that he was already incredibly fond of Light. More fond of Light than he was comfortable admitting to himself. He knew that he was indescribably lucky to have found someone who he was so comfortable with, someone who he could interact with so naturally. They understood each other, and L never felt like they were existing on completely different levels, like he did when he interacted with his peers.

L knew that Light might never love him, but he certainly didn't want to lose out on an opportunity to be happy, even if it was for a brief time. L would take what Light was willing to give him.

In reference to the SAT issue, he would have to say something, and he didn't want to lie. He settled on the method of delivering the truth, but trying to downplay its importance.

"Well," started L. "My mother isn't exactly the most.. supportive individual in the world. She gets a bit frustrated when I ask her to do things for me, and generally just refuses to do them. It's not a big deal- it just means that I have to find ways around that."

Light was silent for a moment, and so L turned to look through the windshield at the blurring landscape of grey and green. The concrete and asphalt were wet from a light rain that morning, and the skies were as grey as they had been on his walk to the Burger King.

Light slipped his right hand around L's left, and squeezed.

"L," Light started. "I know you have a bit of an issue accepting gifts-" On that, Light looked over to L's face. L felt as if he were preparing to bore into his soul whatever piece of information he was about to deliver. "But I want to pay for your SAT's." Before L could open his mouth to demurely- if hastily- decline, Light continued. "It really isn't a large amount of money, L. It's only seventy dollars or so, and this is something I would really appreciate you letting me do. You need to take the test anyway- it'll take stress off of us both, as I'll know you're taken care of in that regard and you won't have to go looking for ways to pay for it. Okay?"

L felt a peculiar tightness in his throat and a slight stinging in his eyes.

He just nodded.

"Okay," said Light. "Great. You can give me your login or something later." Light squeezed his hand again, and they talked about their favorite classical music composers until they got to Turandot's.

Turandot's was relatively far from L's high school in the nearest large city. It was a very busy coffee shop-cum-café with mannequin heads and other eccentric pieces as décor, a killer pastry selection, and an infamously hipster clientele. After they found a parking spot, L and Light went inside. It was much busier than L had expected- even at ten a.m. on a Tuesday afternoon they had to look for a table, but, luckily, they got a great one. L nibbled on a fruit-filled scone and watched Light use his French-press to make his coffee in the beautiful light provided by the window beside of their table. When they continued talking, it was as natural and enjoyable as it had been in all of the emails and texts. They floated easily from topic to topic, flitting from the economy to the state of the job market to the nature and moral implications of designer fakes and back again.

It excited L so much he thought he'd forget to breathe.

This was exactly what he'd craved for ages.

Even though the subjects remained decidedly clean, eyes began to trail, and L could feel the tension rising between them.

He realized that he would rather like to break it. Preferably as soon as possible.

L hitched an eyebrow and smiled slightly before asking Light what was possibly the most cliché, overused sexual invitation in the world:

"Would you like to get out of here?

Light returned his smile, let his eyes flash with promise, and stood to shrug his sweater on.