- same with the previous chapter, if you don't like L and Raito together, too bad, please go elsewhere. I'm testing the limits, so if anyone feels I should change certain wordings, do let me know.
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Girlfriend?
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Day 3
.
Slender fingers feel their way under the cottony sweatshirt, slithering across smooth contours, basking in the warmth. A nose has dipped into the hollow of the other person's neck, quietly inhaling, disoriented at the absence of a scent. A strong leg drapes over, to draw the other body closer, to be nestled snugly against the comforting shape. L welcomes all these. He is acting the human cushion and he couldn't be happier at the drastic change since his arrival in this family. Raito seems to have accepted him, though not consciously, there is still an underlying trace of it. Maybe he should take this opportunity to ascertain the possibility, when it is obvious he will meet the least potential resistance.
He kisses the sleeping young man chastely on the forehead and brushes his hand on a cool smooth cheek. Raito responds by leaning his face to the touch. Encouraged, L places butterfly kisses on the bridge of his nose. The lips below draw apart and a sigh could be heard. Their lips meet briefly but then L draws away and reconsiders. Kissing takes conscious participation, not an advantage to his experiment. He is hoping for some honest responses. If the human refuses to acknowledge his feelings during the waking hours, then this is the period to observe the truth. He continues his trail downwards, using both hands, and lips.
Raito shivers from the coolness, when the buttons of his pajama top is opened one by one with lingering fingers. Soon, a blanket is pulled up to cover him and he returns to deep slumber, still feeling L next to him.
In his dream, L plants kisses all over his torso, lips teasing at sensitive spots, tongue dipping and swirling at indents and bumps. These are not mere tests. They are dead on each time to rouse up a raging fire in him. His adolescent body grows extremely responsive to the insistent onslaught, arching to the contact, succumbing to the wondrous sensations. At this phase, his mind is not dwelling too deeply on the going ons or the reasons behind.
The lover doll's tongue dances nimbly across sensitive skin, drawing intricate patterns, eliciting soft moans and a higher arousal from the sleeping youth. The mood ring shines a bright pink, as his fingers grow more familiar with the proper way to make Raito happy, ever since their bookstore visit. Perhaps he could try something different. He eases down the remaining garments slightly and continues the sinful trail with his tongue.
Raito starts to move, to get more of that silky wet feeling. The fantastic synaptic pulses soon envelop him whole, moving and stopping to cause delightful confusions, to give fresh stimulations. This new experience overwhelms his senses, especially when his logic is at its most vulnerable. He knows what he is feeling but he is helpless to put a stop to it. This helplessness triggers the all too familiar high L never hesitates to give him. He delves deeper into the exotic heat and loses himself.
"Ahh- L ...ahhh.." The orb is a blinding pink.
L smiles at Raito's loud groan that also includes his name. The human has shifted and appears to be looking for him. He crawls out from under the blanket and returns to his side. Raito has opened his eyes, but not at all alert.
"Where were you?" The question is hoarse and slurry.
"Here, with you."
Raito doesn't seem to notice the uselessness of the answer and continues to mumble, "I had a dream."
"A good one?"
"Yeah.."
"Did you see me?"
"Yeah.."
"Were you happy?"
"Ummm.."
The youth has returned to sleep, wrapping his arms around L. The last question was rhetoric. The pink orb swirling with red has already answered on his behalf. L plants a kiss on Raito's forehead, content.
x x x x
Raito will die first before he will ever ask if last night was just a dream. There is no evidence of body fluids to prove what he felt had happened. Still, he remembers. The unthinkable. It was..
"Raito? This is the stop. Are we not getting off?"
"Wait for the next one. I want to buy something there." The student pulls his jacket forward to cover his lap, to hide the embarrassing response caused by inappropriate thoughts. He also rests his forearms on his thighs to increase the coverage.
It is Sunday. Not an extraordinary day. Simply a phase onto a new week. Yet it is the last Sunday spent with L. With less than 24 hours before the trial period is up, Raito is harvesting more conflicting emotions. Shouldn't it be a good riddance, once and for all? Sayu started this and he is left with the mess. He should be glad. Then why is he going out again with the robot?
Raito is growing a soft spot for L.
Sure, he has many options, but he keeps his distance from everyone. His classmates from the university are nothing. Mere acquaintances. Friends? No one comes close to his level to be his friend. He doesn't allow anyone to invade his private space. Nobody..
L.
L is intelligent. He is compliant to his whims with the tendency of disregarding his warnings and that adds a certain level to his charms. Otherwise, it could get boring. Everything he does, he thinks of Raito. He takes on anything without questions and demands for nothing in return. That may seem selfish but if L is designed to behave this way, who is complaining? It is a splendid arrangement overall.
Raito glances sideways and his heart thuds loud. It is just a damn robot, not someone human! What right does L have for making him feel all flustered? What is he feeling anyways? He looks away, counting the lamp posts passing by outside the bus windows, blanking his mind.
"Here we are, let's go, Ryuuzaki." The pseudo identity is now a public profile. Being L is a little secret back at home only. As usual, L doesn't complain, gladly accepting any names Raito cares to give him.
Turning a corner from the bus stop, they are approaching a shop that sells stationery items. It has a wider selection when compared to the bookstore. Raito doesn't want to return there so soon. In fact, not any time soon. What happened yesterday is still too fresh.
"See anything you like?"
L raises an inquisitive eyebrow. "Raito is buying me a present?"
"Yes, pick something you want."
"I don't need anything. I have you."
Two girls giggle and hurry past them. Raito blushes a pale pink and hisses, "I don't have all day."
"If you insist.." L's million watt smile is plastered all over his face as he scans rows and shelves of trinkets and necessities. "This one here, please."
A box of colored pencils.
"You can draw." It doesn't surprise Raito. Drawing is such a common skill.
"That is one of my features. Would you like to have a list?"
"No. I'd rather not know about it."
It is pointless to get to know a person who is going to leave permanently the next day. It is silly, really. Just as ridiculous as buying a present for a robot. L is definitely affecting him. Nevertheless, Raito reasons that it is a way to make himself feel less guilty for taking all L has to offer and not giving anything in return.
Midway to the cashier, Raito selects a sketch book, slim and stylish. "You will also need this. I only have lined notebooks at my bookshelf."
L has a brighter smile, if that is at all possible. He hugs Raito from behind as the youth stands before the cashier to pay for the purchase. The old lady behind the counter continues to pack the items in a paper bag, unperturbed, as if it is an everyday thing to have boys displaying open affections.
The lady hands Raito the wrapped package. L still hasn't let go. Raito speaks up, "Take that, it's yours now."
"Thank you, Raito." L has no choice but to unwrap himself and take the package. He also takes the liberty to peck a quick kiss on Raito's cheek before the student could rebuke in any way. This store is now newly added to Raito's mental location list of not returning to any time soon.
"It's still early, let's go to the zoo."
"Okay." L hugs the package to him with a fixed dopey smile, pretty much open to any suggestions Raito has. Raito's happiness is his happiness.
They travel by subway. Family crowds have started to appear. Kids crying always give Raito a headache. Today is an exception. Because of L. He takes joy in observing the lover doll. So human like, so innocent in a way. Pale skin, dark hair, just a perfect build. Not exactly a piece of art, but he is still held spellbound by this non-human.
Will I come to miss L tomorrow?
It takes at least 3 hours to see every animal in the zoo. A good time killer. It keeps both of them occupied and out of the house. It is a special weekend after all.
Some of the animals are not in cages. They are behind a glass screen instead, to give a more natural appearance at their individual habitat. After L decides to unglue his face from the transparent surface, a few schoolgirls look on in awe. Not because of his childish behavior, but because of the resulting oily print that should be there but apparently is not. They must be wondering where to find that kind of godly skin pampering to be able to achieve that.
Another reminder that L is not human. Raito is saddened by the thought.
There are benches and kiosks throughout the place for people to rest and refresh. Raito has bought himself a meal set - hot dog, soft drink and icecream. He lets L have the icecream. Boy, what a mistake.
The soft snowy swirls disappear, melting under the feisty sweeps of an unusually long tongue. Vertical, diagonal, in circles. The creamy goo is gradually manipulated into a tall dome, then a longer phallus shape. A little kid nearby giggles and claps his hands. L bows, so does the cone, and the white content is splashed onto the ground, splattering like a painter's accident.
L looks beyond his feet, thumb on lips and glances backwards at Raito, helpless. The youth quirks an eyebrow, fishes out a pack of tissues and throws it at him. Pick up your own mess.
It is past noon, voices of children and parents are filling the open space. Raito starts to walk to a quieter section. L takes his cue and follows suit. They leave the animals behind and are closer to the trees and grass. The teenager picks a spot under an old tree and lies down, stares up at the branches, hands resting behind his head. L sits on his hunches to face the relaxing young man.
"It's beautiful here." Raito closes his eyes and inhales the refreshing air, mellow and grassy.
"You're more beautiful."
"Ah, flattery from you doesn't quite work. I know it's in your program." Almond eyes focus on the lover doll, on guard but delighted nevertheless.
"It's the truth." L runs a fingertip gently across a smooth cheek and rests on the pair of soft lips, sounding more like he is affirming his previous statement rather than replying to Raito's comment.
Raito wears a smile and says nothing more. He shuts his eyes once again, feeling secure that someone is here watching over him, loyal and loving. Though artificial, this unrelated someone loves him simply for who he is, unconditional. It is different from the caring from his family. Something cold in him starts to melt. It affects his eyes and he decides to keep them shut, lest the liquid inside finds escape and overflows.
x x x x
Why am I here?
The near darkness could lure someone to sleep, if not for the ever present animated brightness from the 52" LCD TV and the strings of lyrics and music blasting around the walls.
After a peaceful hour or two of afternoon nap, Raito realized he had just lost that much conscious time being with L. The time was not wasted though. It was a unique experience from all of his mundane Sundays. He had never let his guard down that much around someone. The fact that he had relaxed completely and felt safe for doing so was incredible. If L were human, he might consider something more..
"Raito! Sing with me. Don't just sit there."
"Nah, it's a solo. You're doing fine by yourself."
"Then, the next one. Please?"
"Uh.. okay." Not very enthusiastic.
L cuts off the current song and skips to the next one in a heartbeat.
"You!"
L simply smiles and hands Raito the microphone. The title of the song appears on screen. This is a well known song for lovers. The lyrics are plainly obvious, painfully direct.
"L, why this one?"
The first line has already appeared. Raito's question is answered with the lyrics, passion in its rawest form. The words are understood easily enough, so powerfully brought out by a depth of feelings that this is no longer a simple song. He starts to wonder whether the lover doll may just have a soul in him. The young man almost forgets his part, though he is quick to slip in with only the slightest hitch.
"...tonight - -" Dreamily, the song ends with a soft and lingering note. During the chorus, they had drawn close to one another, true to the song. It now only takes one step to be within kissing distance.
"Uh, excuse me." Raito mumbles and strides confidently to the private restroom exclusive for this karaoke room, though he is all too jumpy inside. Shutting the door helps to muffle some of the droning music that is making his brain fuzzy.
What happens next is something he wants to hold on to, yet somehow wants to forget, which results in a very patchy recollection.
L enters without a word.
Kisses. Caresses. Gentle. Clothes whisper. Skins hot. Passionate.
"L! You don't have that? Forget about it."
"Oh, it is useless in my original design. But you have that, Raito. I can make it work."
"No."
"I'm rather confident. It is in my area of expertise after all."
"How?"
"Watch."
Touches. Kisses. Teeth. Whimper. Fingers. Tongue. Wet. Moan.
L enters. Slick. Growl. Scratch. Plunge. Claw. Groan. Sweat. Faster. Fervid. Heavens. Speechless. Deeper. Tremulous. Bliss. Breathless.
"You're very happy, Raito." The mood ring shines a vibrant pink against flushed skin.
x x x x
The lecture is boring. Raito has been staring off into the vicinity of the professor's pacing loop for the past 15 minutes. He shifts again to test his body. No discomfort whatsoever from the karaoke night. Either he recovers well, or that L truly has some amazing skills.
He had thought he would top and was miffed that it was the other way around. What had gotten him to agree to continue was the inhuman feat -
"Watch. It is self lubricating to heighten pleasure and it automatically adjusts to the environment by recalculating the ideal form and consistency it should take."
Raito sworn to himself it would be the first and last time he would let someone take him, though it felt too exquisite not to demand for a second round, and a third.
Class dismissed. Textbooks close. Feet shuffle.
Raito's cell phone vibrates. No caller ID. Oh well, he is bored.
"Hello?"
"Yo customer! This is Gaku from Kronos Heavens. Thank you for your patronage. In just 10 minutes, your lover doll will be gone for good! Are you sure you won't miss him?"
"Take him away." The student notes the hour on his watch. Yeah, it is time.
"We have an attractive instalment program! 30 years, 50 years, you name it."
"Not interested."
"Oh? But L here tells me you were very interested last night. Yes..? Yes...?" The saleman's voice trails off, paying attention to something else.
That rascal!
"Put L on the phone."
"Will do."
"Raito? You want to talk to me."
"Yes, L. Just shut up. This is private between you and me."
"Not quite. The data belongs to the company now. It was in the T&C for the trial period."
Such is the mess Sayu leaves behind and Raito is the one paying the consequences. How could he have overlooked such details? A million questions are suddenly bubbling up.
"You are a difficult one, customer." Gaku takes the phone again. "Well, seems like you've sampled the goods. Not quite what you had in mind, eh? Yea, we didn't have that in mind too. But thanks to you, we may research into this line of market."
"What? I'm not.."
"No worries, customer, your data will be handled in strict confidence. No one will trace back to you. Your name is not even registered."
"..." Yeah, but somehow you know my cell phone number.
"Ah, perhaps you are not completely satisfied, eh? How about we put you on our priority list when we have a female version developed?"
"Just...go away." Raito cuts off the call, irritated. Conversation is over.
On his way back home, the student notes the growing emptiness. He has been so used to having a sidekick for the past few days that he actually misses the robot's presence.
"I'm home." No response. Nobody's home.
With heavy feet, Raito drags himself upstairs to his room. Empty. Wait -
There is the sketch pad and the box of colored pencils at the dead center of his desk, the latter neatly stacked on top. Curious, he retrieves the pad. Slipped in right after the paper cover are the loose sheets with pencil sketches of him in black and gray. The viewing angle should be from the corner diagonally behind his desk, which means these were done while he was engaged in his assignments and studying, deliberately ignoring L, 2 days ago.
The rest of the sketch pad is more colorful. L managed to capture him in all sorts of odd moments, where his expressions are not meant for public viewing. His yawning accompanied by a full stretch of the arms. A grain of rice stuck to his face with him loosening it and licking it off. His tousled look fresh from the bed. His flushed look with lips slightly drawn apart... The pages contain the story of their brief period together, though L is absent from most of the scenes. The sketches are so lifelike that he might as well be taking pictures with the stencil effect. The last image is of the both of them reflecting off a mirror from last night during that moment. The erotic recall brings a warm current to flush his cheeks.
On a page void of any drawings is a short message -
'Raito, this is goodbye. It will become impossible for me to archive the times we spent together in my memories after my departure. I understand I may not be that significant to have a place in yours. What to do? I put them all in the sketch book. I've treasured this gift for as long as I could. I hope you will like it too. Remember, I love you.'
The message is undersigned with a serial number. Then a tinier 'p.s.' scrawl done in a hurry.
'p.s. yes, this is just between you and me. They do not get the graphic contents, only the data and measurements.'
What reassurance. They could rebuild the scenerios any time from those data!
The student has a faraway gaze through the windows, clutching at the sketch book, holding it like L did when he bought it for him. L had unlocked something in him. Now that the key is gone, perhaps he should keep the door shut again.
Before putting away their memories at the bottom of his desk drawer, he flips open the pages and traces his fingers on the last image, the only image, of someone not of this world.
"It's boring." He murmurs out loud unnecessarily, denying his own heartache over someone not human. "Things are much more interesting with you around, L."
.
.
.
- end -
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Note: Sorry, I can't do Gaku's Kansai accent, nor am I good at accents in any form. I realize not many people are reading this story (so far, just double digit) and it was a miracle I had a feedback so early on when it had only like 3 readers. It'd be helpful to know what you think, not that it can actually affect the story at this stage. No matter what, hope you all enjoyed the chapters.
(revised Apr 26, 10) Fixed some small parts and elaborated a bit at the end, still...it feels unfinished. Well, it could be a prologue to the DN series and his obsession with L! Maybe I'll think of something clever and do something, who knows. *shrug*