-If you're not really into yaoi, and you don't like L and Raito that much, stay away. That's a warning.
Girlfriend?
Day 2
.
"Good morning, Raito."
The addressed youth has been rustling under the covers, the last bits of his dreams fading away. He freezes when he hears the cheerful greeting. His bed is dipped more to one side, meaning someone else is putting weight on it.
"What are you doing in my room? Get out!"
"I was watching you, Raito. You look beautiful whether you're asleep or awake."
"Beautiful?" The said beauty hasn't yet opened his eyes. He can feel a headache coming on.
"Yes, beautiful. Gorgeous, captivating, stunning.."
"That does not excuse you for being here, naked!" The teenager was elbowing L to shove him away, only to come in contact with smooth warm skin where a pair of jeans was supposed to be.
"You seem to be ready for sex, so I'm only preparing."
Raito snaps open his eyes then. L is sitting next to him, in his birthday suit.
"Here." L points to a small structure covered by the blanket, beyond Raito's stomach. "It is activated like mine. You felt good when I touched it."
"Wh- what?" And he thought he was simply having a really good dream. Half of his blood has rushed to his cheeks. The implication here is simple. L has aroused him while he was sleeping.
How could he forget the arrangement?
- flashback -
"I'm home. Ah, Raito. Is this your friend?" Mrs Yagami had returned from the market yesterday to find her son and a boy about his age sitting in the living room.
"Welcome home, Mom. Yes, this is my classmate from Todai."
"I'm L. How do you do?"
If the mother was surprised, she hid it well. What kind of person would have an alphabet for a name?
"Uh, actually, that's his nickname." Raito thought quickly on his feet, fabricating a story to explain L's unexpected presence, paving a path for the next 3 days. "He goes by Ryuuzaki in the university. He's an exchange student and L is simply an initial of his real name."
"I see. Welcome, Ryuuzaki-san. Would you like to join us for dinner?"
L was about to reply but because Raito had been silently grounding his foot on his, under the shadow of the coffee table, he kept his mouth shut.
"Mom, I'm afraid Ryuuzaki will be our guest this evening and for the coming weekend as well."
"Aww, Raito. That's okay. Though it really is beyond your age to have a slumber party, your friend is most welcome to stay for the weekend. I haven't seen you inviting anyone home and I'm glad you have a wonderful friend from the university."
Raito had flushed a pale pink. He hated it when he was being viewed as a child. He dug his heel as hard as he could on L's foot, hoping to vet some of his frustration. L simply stared, clueless.
Over dinner, Raito filled in pieces of information to complete his story about L. The dorm room was under regular repairs and maintenance for a few days and L had opted to stay with a friend for project discussion, instead of taking the university's alternate arrangement. It was all too easy. His mom would not even think to challenge it. Sayu had minimized eye contact with both males and when she did, a sudden blush would appear. L had similar selections on the dishes of food Sayu liked. Only Raito understood the significance.
There were small chats afterwards. Sayu watched the entertainment channel studiously, tuning out everyone. Raito remarked on the homework that must be waiting for Sayu in her room. She sighed and grumbled that she needed help.
"I suppose I can help you, but I'll be busy with mine as well."
"I can help her, Raito, if you'll be occupied."
Raito quirked an eyebrow at L's volunteered offer. Perhaps it was part of the makeup of his personality. It would be a good opportunity to search for the company when he was uninterrupted. He had suffered from the frequent dopey looks and smiles from L during dinner and decided he had had enough.
"Thanks for the offer. Don't spoil her though." The brother thought to add in a warning to Sayu. "Don't do everything she asks. Use your common sense."
Sayu rolled her eyes dramatically, understanding this last bit was intended for her.
Out of earshot of everyone else, he whispered to L, "I'll be waiting in my room. Do not disappoint me."
The dopey look had returned. L's smile could light up ten thousand light bulbs.
For the next hour, the siblings were submerged in different tasks. Sayu was actually doing her homework, with L's intelligent assistance. Raito's searches were all fruitless. No matter where he checked, Kronos Heaven did not exist. He concluded that the company was either a conspiracy of some kind or located out of this world. He prided himself for being resourceful. It felt extremely stupid to post a question to ask about this company. More frustration. Blowing air from his lower lip to stir up his brown bangs, he stretched and leaned back in his chair. Three days then. He had had worse.
A pair of hands started to knead on his shoulders. Raito's whole frame jumped at the sudden contact.
"Arggh! You could've knocked or said something."
"But you're my boyfriend, Raito."
"Not your.. did you say 'boyfriend'?"
"Isn't that true? You're a boy, not a girl."
"Yeah, you're finally making sense. Hold on..did Sayu say something to you?"
"Yes, we talked. I helped her with homework."
The massage felt good. Raito started to relax.
"Raito, lie on the bed. I could massage you better that way."
The teenager rolled back his head to stare at L, wary. L was leaning down, merely inches apart, smiling sincerely. He did not try to kiss him.
Still on guard, Raito strode quickly to his bed and laid facing down, his head turned sideways to a more comfortable position. Those fingers of L could work magic. He didn't realize he had been this tense for the whole day. He sunk deeper into the bed, conscious level sinking deeper still. L moved to straddle him from behind, continuing the wonderful experience.
"You're not to approach me in a sexual manner, clear?" He even lost the ability to protest, insanely placing trust in a robot.
"A boyfriend doesn't force his boyfriend to do anything he's not ready for."
"I wonder what you've been talking about with Sayu."
"She told me I should be nice to you, and you don't like it when you're embarrassed. I promise not to do anything you don't like, Raito."
"Good." The student groaned into the pillow when a particular spot was pressed, somewhere near his lower back.
"Does it hurt?"
"No- no. It feels good." Raito lied. It felt too good. He could feel a tightening in his pajama pants.
Biting his lips, Raito endured a few more minutes of delightful torment. It appeared that his whole spine had developed into one huge erogenous zone. Whenever it was touched, wisps of bliss would lace across, stimulating him some more. Maybe he should stop before it was too late. That would be embarrassing.
"Does it still feel good, Raito?"
"Yeah.." The aroused youth could only whisper, not trusting his voice.
"Look." L had moved his hand to cover Raito's, to show the ring bearing a bright pink orb shining to reflect the human's mood. "It means you're feeling pleasure. Are you sure you don't want sex?"
The move had L covering his whole back, lying on top.
"What are you doing? Get off, get off!" Raito struggled helplessly with the weight, putting just the right amount of friction and pressure to that sensitive part of him. Pure pleasure took him over. He gasped breathily and trembled, trying his damnest to control his hips from bucking, but failing miserably. The slippery wetness below stuck to him and caused his cheeks to blaze up. Defeat had never felt so pleasant. He glanced at the mood ring again. It was a blinding neon pink.
"I'm glad it was a pleasurable experience for you. We should do this more often." L hugged Raito, oblivious to the young man's embarrassment.
What was Raito to do? Yell at L for making him feel good? The massage really was superb and this..had been relaxing. He hadn't felt so well in years. It was with much difficulty that he crawled out of bed. The walk to the bathroom at that moment seemed as distant as a trip to the moon.
Upon his return, Raito pointed at the futon set on the floor next to his bed. "You're going to sleep there during the night. Got it, L?"
"Yes, Raito, if it makes you happy."
- end flashback -
Raito doesn't remember much after that. It was the best night of sleep ever. It would have been perfect if the wake up process wasn't...
"Do you want to continue?" L extends his hand helpfully towards the protrusion in the middle of the blanket.
"No, no!" The young man flings off the blanket, bolts out of his room and treads down the stairs like he is running away from an unpinned grenade. He turns the bend in high speed to reach the bathroom. Always slow down when turning a corner, people-wise or car-wise. Otherwise..
"Ooooww.."
"Ooof.."
"Nii-chan! That hurts!"
"Gomen."
The brother steadies his sister with both hands on her upper arms. He feels a painful patch on his chest where Sayu had her forehead bumping onto it. Then, the rest is registering. They have walked into each other, or rather, collided against one another. They can feel each other's softness and hardness, ever so intimately for the first time.
"Uh.." Total awkwardness.
"Gomen." Raito mutters again, before entering the bathroom.
Breakfast is without incident. The mother fusses over the children. Sayu has a hard time meeting her brother's eyes. Mr Yagami was home late last night and is sleeping in. L is busy figuring out the likes and dislikes of his boyfriend. Raito eats his food in silence.
It is a sunny Saturday morning. The weather is so fine that it makes Raito want to go outside instead of busying himself with studying. Of course, leaving L in the house is totally out of the question. L rewards him with his ten-thousand-light-bulbs smile.
The boys take a bus downtown. All the while, L has been observing Raito quietly, not attempting to pull any funny stunts. Finally, he takes the human's hand. His ring shows an edge of blue tainting the otherwise completely red orb.
"Have I made you angry, Raito?"
"We do not hold hands." The reply is terse and low, intended as a private message. Raito returns L's hand on his own knee.
"But you're my boyfriend!" L also keeps his voice low. It still attracts the attention of several passengers anyways.
They are still two bus stops away, but Raito decides to make an early drop, dragging L with him by the elbow. There is a small park nearby. It is deserted, save for a few elders taking leisure strolls along the curvy paths among the bushes. Raito picks a secluded location behind thick patches of bushes to confront L.
"Look, we are not to do anything in public, no touching, no kissing, nothing. Understand?"
"Oh. I haven't really kissed you, Raito. You will like it." L adds in a hopeful tone.
"You're not supposed to be with me, at all. It was all an accident."
"But you enjoyed it last night."
"That was an accident."
"Please give me a chance to please you?"
Other than abhorring the idea that he may actually like L's services, Raito couldn't find any disadvantage to the arrangement. It is temporary. No one else will ever learn of it. All traces will disappear after 2 days. The more he contemplates, the more appealing the offer sounds. He shudders from a tiny thrill of anticipation. Surely, this has nothing to do with his gender preference. It is simply the convenience of the situation.
"Behave yourself and I may consider it, but only when we are home and alone."
The sun pales in comparison to L's glorious smile.
For the next 3 hours, they are like the best of friends, browsing through shops, listening to demo CD's, taking a break at a cafe. L's behavior is flawless. He doesn't jeopardize his already unfavorable position further with anything that may embarrass Raito. The teenager is extremely pleased at this charming docility.
"Ehh? Raito!" A femininely shrilly voice exclaims. Then a small ball of black and blonde rushes towards the addressed youth. "Misa is so happy to see you!"
The petite girl loops an arm in Raito's enthusiastically and beams at him. L has a finger at his lips, assessing the new appearance of a stranger who obviously has the privilege to 'touch' Raito in public. He cocks his head to one side, the faint smile that is always present slipping away. He almost looks sad.
"Misa, not now!" Raito attempts to loosen her hold, only to have her gripping tighter. He glances at L to observe his reaction. The black bangs are hiding his eyes. He no longer holds Raito in the centre of his attention. The student notices the complete absence of the perpetual smile that is so pleasing to the eyes. He almost feels guilty.
Misa stares, then she brightly introduces herself. "Hello! I'm Misa, Raito's girlfriend. Pleased to meet you."
"I'm Ryuuzaki. How do you do?"
Raito cannot believe his ears. Even now, with a rival present, L continues to act civilly. He didn't use his one-letter name. He didn't introduce himself as his boyfriend. He has learned these would displease Raito and is trying his best to make the human happy. Yes, Raito is definitely feeling guilty.
Misa's cell phone rings. She sighs and answers. After a few murmured exchanges, she looks apologetic and announces she has to leave.
"Raito, Misa should return to the set. The crew is waiting." She adds cheerfully, "Let's have a date tomorrow! Misa has Sunday off!"
"No, Misa. I'm busy with school project. I'll be working with Ryuuzaki." He sneaks a peek at L. L looks up at that point, questions in his eyes. "But I'll give you a call later."
Misa pouts but doesn't protest. She hurries off in disappointment.
Raito is left to pick up the mess. He puts a hand on L's shoulder. "Hey, don't look like that. Let's go."
L brushes off the friendly hand.
"No touching in public. I didn't break my promise."
"L." Raito doubles his effort and places his hands on both shoulders. "You look best when you smile. I like it when you smile."
L encircles the young man's wrists with his fingers to move them away. The orb on the ring is black (sad). Shouldn't it be red or pink when he meets someone he likes? The boyfriend doll looks Raito in the eyes then.
"Why so sad, Raito?"
"Because you are, L."
"My feelings don't matter."
"Oh, but I care."
"Do you? Really?"
Raito gives a quick hug, crushing L against him, not quite understanding why he cares. "Yes, I do."
Perhaps it is the pleasantness of the constant fawning from L Raito has taken for granted. L practically holds him in the centre of the universe without complaints. He is designed to pamper him, if Raito allows it. He hasn't met an individual quite like L. Of course, L isn't real, so it is impossible to compare him with anyone else. The thought of having someone, something, so unique gives him an euphoric superiority, even though it is only for a short while. The idea of claiming L as his doesn't sound so terrible after all.
"Raito.." It is L that breaks away, reading the red and pink swirling within the orb, chasing away the blackness "I thought you want it only when we are home and alone?"
L's hand lowers to touch a particular firmness that has formed during their embrace. He kneads at it tentatively, gauging Raito's response. The orb is glowing a soft pink. So, it is the source of the color.
"No, this is not the place. Too many people."
At this hour, there are not that many people. The kneading has become insistent, earning a sharp intake of breath from Raito. Those fingers of L...can work magic. Such outrageous behavior, at such a public place, where they will be discovered any second, adds fuel to excite Raito much faster than under a private setting. They dance gracelessly into an aisle deeper in the bookstore, between two rows of tall shelves.
"Ahh- don't.. stop." The feeble protest sounds like a breathy moan.
"Don't stop?" The mood ring is registering a brighter pink.
The enraptured youth leans back on a bookshelf when his knees can no longer support him. If he walks out now, he will be sporting an awkward tent in his pants. If he lets L finish, he will make a mess but no one else can see it. Intoxicated with the sensual onslaught, his body decides for him and takes the latter option. The shot of pleasure stuns him. Intense, unexpected, heavenly. He sags bonelessly against the shelf, biting his lower lip to silence the airing of any embarrassing sounds. A low and strange gurgling emits deep from his throat, bringing forth deep splashes of crimson onto his already flaming cheeks. He gasps quietly for air, brows knitting together, incredulous over what just happened. It is fortunate no one had seen them engaged in such a way.
"I'm fairly certain you liked it, Raito. You tend not to express yourself honestly. My ring can detect your true emotion." It shines a vibrant pink, almost white.
The teenager stirs, supporting his arms on the shelf to stand upright, upsetting a few books to have them dropping on him. L returns them to their proper filing places. He checks with concern on the several red marks remaining on the young man's skin.
"Are you alright, Raito?"
"No, I'm not." He grimaces in discomfort with the first step he takes to leave the store. The stickiness is something he needs to take care of, as early as possible. They take the direct route home, without any stopovers. Moodily, he ignores L for the entire journey.
The house is empty. Raito locks himself in the bathroom for a full half hour. L waits in his room patiently, expectantly. The teenager returns to his room to find L lounging on the bed, stark naked.
"What are you doing in my bed? Put your clothes back on!"
"We're the only two."
"I'm going to study. Leave me alone."
It is easy to get addicted to L's unconditional affection. Raito has to put some distance between them. He may come to miss the attention when the man's finally gone. Man? No, this is just a doll.
"Okay, don't be angry with me. Call me when you need me." L has come to stand behind the youth to circle his arms around his shoulders. The words are softly spoken against a sensitive ear. Raito shudders with longing. Study, study, study! He buries himself in textbooks and calculations, filling his mind with literature and formulas, to force away this new found need, this unexplainable dependency on someone who's not even human.
The last rays of sunlight dip below the horizon, yet Raito continues on, repeating materials he already knows by heart. He hasn't once glanced at L but knows he has been sitting quietly in a corner. When Mrs Yagami announces dinner is ready, he finally stretches and swirls around in his chair. He spots L putting away something on his nightstand, face down. Raito is curious but he mustn't let his interest show. He cannot afford to. Without a word, they both file out of the room.
Sayu is cheerful after a day with her friends. She seems to have put all things behind her, engaging them all to how her day had went, what a wonderful movie she had watched and how delicious the new dish was at the cafe downtown. L responds, interacting and carrying on an easy conversation. He deliberately leaves out the chunk of more colorful moments with Raito, but otherwise, it has been a fantastic day.
At last, time for bed. Raito shifts and turns but cannot fall asleep.
"L?"
"Yes, Raito?"
"Sleep with me."
L sits up from his futon without hesitation and begins to take off his sweatshirt.
"No, no. Keep it on." Raito can feel his heart pumping fast in silly anticipation.
"But you wanted me to sleep with you?" L is confused.
"Just that. Sleep. Resting."
"Okay."
Raito makes room on his bed. L slips in, fully clothed. The teenager turns sideways and hugs the doll like an oversized cushion. He likes L's presence. Every action the man takes, it is in consideration of how Raito thinks and feels. He can no longer deny it. He is attracted to the lover doll. He spies the mood ring glowing red and pink.
"Good night, L." Raito shuts his eyes before L can make any suggestive offers, of which he would be powerless to resist. He must control himself. They only have half the time remaining. He doesn't want to feel heartache over someone not human.
"Good night, Raito." L plants a soft kiss on the human's forehead, smiling at the colors swirling on his ring.
.
Note: Hmm..things seem a bit more intense, perhaps I should change the rating? Maybe not. I'll keep it presentable to the general public.
-M.H., Dec 5, 2009