Holy crickets Batman!
What is it Robin?
We have terrible catch phrases!
What was that?
I said this chapter was 9 pages long! Over twice as long as all of the other chapters!
That's... a lot...
Okay, enough with the crappy Batman jokes. xD
So! Final Chapter of To Be a Hero?
Thanks everyone who read/reviewed/favorited/alerted. You people are amazing and make me want to keep writing.
Oh. And this chapter is in L's POV. :D
Anyways! I won't keep you any longer! ENJOY!
Disclaimer: I don't own Death Note, Skillet, Batman, Robin, or pretty much any other fricken amazing thing.
When L woke around 5:30 in the morning, Light was still sleeping. His slight form was wrapped securely in blankets, and the gray morning light fell drearily on his soft face.
L liked Light best in these moments, before reality came crashing back down. Before he became the detective L and Light became the number one Kira suspect. It was times like these that he saw the boy in Light. The young and sweet teenager that filled his heart with protectiveness.
But then L looked away from such a face as he remembered justice. With a lean, strong hand, he grabbed his laptop and turned the power on. Working on the Kira case distracts him from Light's soft face until he awakens and the boy returns to his amusing resemblance to a teenage girl with a bad hair day. Not that Light had ever had such a thing.
L typed for about an hour managing to stay focused on his research until he heard a strange noise coming from the bed he lay in. He looked at Light. The boy's face had contorted into an expression that clearly displayed his inner agony. He gave another sound that sounded akin to a whimper. Light Yagami was having a nightmare.
L didn't know what to do in this situation. He wondered if waking him would be the best solution, but what if Light were to reveal something important to the Kira investigation?
It wasn't the first time he had heard Light talking in his sleep, but normally his ramblings were peaceful and normal, often about his family or Misa. Or at least he assumed they were about Misa, as Light would get a gentle, vulnerable expression on his face as he whispered "I love you." Those nights L's chest would feel pained for some reason and he would work on the case all through the night, skipping his few hours of sleep and keeping his eyes and mind off of Light's face.
So instead of waking the simpering Light, which truly did make his heart swell in a fierce protectiveness, he sat quietly observing his actions.
Light thrashed about as his soft pathetic sounds continued.
"Please…" he panted quietly
L bit his lip as he leaned in a bit to hear what the boy was saying.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, L." Light quietly sobbed.
L whipped his head away from Light's face in shock. Why was he apologizing to L?
"I didn't mean to be him! I honestly couldn't remember. I still…"
"Please, don't say that! I never lied!... I do love you!" Light nearly shouted.
L was so confused. It sounded like he was apologizing to L for being someone he wasn't supposed to be (most likely Kira). And then suddenly it suddenly seemed like he was trying to prove the sincerity of his love. L supposed he was talking to Misa then. But why would he say he never lied about loving her if he always said his relationship with Misa was one-sided, so clearly he never lied about loving her, maybe about not loving her…
L shook his head and decided to attribute it to the strange quirks of the dream world. But the most important part was the admittance to being Kira, even if he said he didn't remember. Although such a confession would not hold up in a courtroom, it further reassured L he was right in his accusation of Light being Kira. 67%.
After the tears quieted and his soft whimpers began to fade, Light's eyes eventually blinked open.
"9%, Light-kun" L said quietly.
Light looked at him with a hint of anger in his sleepy eyes. And possibly something else, but L ignored things that were not important to the Kira case.
Light merely sighed and got up to begin his morning routine.
Light's quiet behavior reminded him of the previous day. After their little scuffle, Light appeared lifeless. L wondered if maybe he would continue again today.
L didn't like that idea. Light was fiery and passionate. He inspired L to become a better detective and man in order to keep up his advantage over the boy. He never had been challenged before Light, and he didn't want to lose someone who made him become better.
"Will Light-kun be continuing his silent behavior today?"
"What was that, L?" Light mumbled, seemingly coming out of some deep thought as he finished brushing his teeth.
"Yesterday Light-kun became silent after our brawl, I was simply wondering if Light-kun's behavior will persist today as well." L drawled out in his monotone.
"Ahh… no L. I am better today, I will behave normally."
That was what Light said, but L didn't believe he would act normally for a minute. The boy seemed more quietly disheartened that yesterday, despite his best efforts to hide it.
"Mmm." L hummed noncommittally.
The detective mused quietly over the reasons for Light's subtle depression as the boy showered. He sat atop the toilet seat in his strange perch waiting patiently for the boy to finish his meticulous cleansing.
When the water was turned off, L performed the usual. Closing his eyes to the extent that they looked closed, but he still had a narrow slit of vision. To make sure he wasn't doing anything Kira-related of course. But rather than the boy peeking from behind the shower wall in the most adora—ahem… suspiciously paranoid way, he walked right out of the shower not bothering to keep anything covered just in case L was peeking. He quickly threw on his clothes, his facial expression carefully empty.
L ignored the irritating heat that flooded to his face at seeing a completely uncovered Light and carefully examined his facial expression.
It seemed that rather than being empty today, the boy was repressing his emotions. But why?
The rest of the day continued in the same fashion. Light carefully masking any emotion whatsoever. Normally the boy would make sure to keep careful reign on his emotions (which L just loved to make him lose control of) but there was still something there. It was a unbelievably fake version of him of course. L may be a lover of sugar, but that sickly sweet brand of Light he simply could not stomach. L preferred the boy to be passionate and real. Angry and sincere. And L was truly grateful that he got to see such a Light. But honestly, fake Light was better than no Light.
L thought that maybe Light would shake off his strange behavior, but weeks carried on with no emotion from Light. He wouldn't even muster anything for his father, which made the elder Yagami quite worried. But the Chief chalked it up to the evil Ryuuzaki's sleep deprivation of his perfect young son.
Whenever the case was at a bit of a standstill and there was nothing new to analyze (which happened more often that L cared to think about) L would muse over Light's behavior. He knew that Light started acting strangely after their fight, but they fought all of the time. What happened after that? Oh. Light asked about what would happen if he was Kira. Mmm. L wasn't particularly fond of that moment. He meant to be gentle in his response, but the vulnerability on his face had been distracting. How ironic. When Light needed gentle and comforting words, said vulnerability made L a cold, blunt bastard.
Perhaps Light was scared of L because of his response? I certainly wouldn't want to be around someone who threatened to put me to death. Maybe… Light was cutting off all attachment because he was afraid of L. Because he knew that L would only hurt him, and what was the point of befriending someone who would either kill you, or never see again.
There came that pesky, agonizing pain in his chest again. He should have Watari determine the cause at some point.
L looked at Light. His pain became more pronounced when he noticed the absence of Light's endearing frown that he got whenever he was concentrating. Even when he wasn't concentrating he frowned so as to appear busy. But nothing. No change in his facial features whatsoever.
For a detached moment L wondered if Light's face would never be able to show emotion again if he continued that way.
As the day turned to night and the night turned to really really late night, the team began to retire home or their respective floors of residence.
Yagami-san put his hand on his son's shoulder as he said goodnight. The boy flinched nearly imperceptibly as he responded with his farewell, but of course L noticed.
Interesting.
As soon as the last person had left the room and walked out of earshot, L pounced.
"Light-kun?"
Light looked just the smallest bit startled. The boys had not talked during the weeks of Light's distanced behavior if not directly pertaining to the Kira case and they had no other medium of communication. His mask was quickly recomposed as he looked to L.
"Yes, L?"
"I feel an ample amount of time has been given to Light-kun to recover from his sudden onset of emotionally stunted behavior and now it is time for Light-kun to return to his normal self." L concluded.
Light broke his weeks of apathy by staring flabbergasted at L.
"And you think that you can just demand something like that?" Light nearly yelled out.
L smirked. "It seems that you have already started to concede."
Light opened his mouth as if to say something then shut it and turned back to his computer and continued typing with his apathetic mask.
L huffed a bit and rolled his chair over to Light's.
"Light-kun, really, this behavior is ridiculous."
"How I act is none of your concern Ryuuzaki." Light muttered icily.
L was shocked and… hurt somehow at the switch in monikers. Light used it to distance himself from L. But he wouldn't give up that easily.
"Of course it is my concern. You are my prime suspect in the investigation against the famous serial-killer Kira…"
Light seemed to wince just in the slightest, but L may have been imagining things.
"…but more importantly…ahem… in this issue, is that Light-kun is also my first friend and I wish to know what is bothering him."
Light looked over at L, apprehension clear in his gaze. "Well, I'm sorry friend, but I don't want to tell you."
"Why not?" L began to nibble on his thumb in frustration.
Light's bangs covered his eyes, hiding his emotions. It really was infuriating when he did that. The only way to see how he truly felt was his eyes, and somehow he must have known because he always found a way to cover them when L needed to see them the most.
"You don't want to know L. Just leave it alone. I promise it is not Kira-related."
The bitter and painful sadness if Light's voice cut into L's chest. What an irritating feeling L thought, temporarily distracted by it. He didn't like to feel like that at all. And he also found it quite irritating that his pain was directly related to Light's.
He reached out with his slender fingers grabbing Light's chin.
"Please Light-kun. I really do wish to know." L said quietly, barely keeping the deep care he held for the boy from his voice.
Light's breath caught in his throat. L's face was so close. He could smell the peppermint and strawberry in his warm exhale.
"Well…I…just..I-I, erm, well, I think that I lo—"
L's phone chose to go off at that precise moment. Light's glazed eyes snapped back into focus as he looked away from the smoky eyes that had begun to drown him. Light exhaled as L talked on the phone in a muted voice.
"Too close." he muttered.
L clicked his phone off, his eyes shining with delight.
"What is it L?" Light said, forgetting his almost-confession and emotionless façade.
"The team has closed in on Higuchi and they're taking him in for a full confession."
"W-what?"
"During your self-imposed isolation from the rest of us, we have narrowed in on the Third Kira."
"Does that mean that I'm cleared of suspicion?" Light yelled nearly ecstatic.
"No, Light-kun. We believe Higuchi is the Third Kira, but the Second and First must still be found."
Light visibly deflated.
"Of course."
"But this is a major step. And once we find what we can about how Kira kills, we can narrow our search for the other Kiras. And if you are not, in fact, Kira, then you will be cleared."
"If I'm not Kira." Light spat.
L hummed in response looking happily at his computer again.
"Hey L, if the team is capturing Kira right now," Light looked at the clock which read 1:30 am, "then how come we aren't there with them?"
L looked at Light.
"Well… normally I would, of course, be at the scene of the capture, but…"
"But…" Light urged.
"But Light-kun needed to stay here."
"Why did I need to stay here? I'm not some child that needs to be kept on the sidelines!"
"Ahh but Light-kun is young. And he is a volunteer in this investigation and therefore I could never compromise his safety—"
"Bullshit! I'm practically on the payroll. Why is my safety more important than all the other people who have worked so hard on the case? Besides I've worked hard to bring this bastard down too!"
"Light-kun must be protected because he is still a suspect…"
The fire in Light's eyes died down.
"…and because I could not watch Light-kun get hurt…"
"and because I wish to make sure Light-kun stays as far away from Kira's killing tool as possible because.. because he could become Kira again somehow, and I will not watch that happen."
Light stared at L for a long time.
"If you think that's best, then I will not argue."
L nodded. He began to look to his computer again which held a video feed of what was happening at the Yotsuba building.
"And one more thing L."
"Hmm?" L said without looking at Light.
"I love you."
The capture of Higuchi went smoothly. Minor casualties were sustained but everyone remained alive. The team was awestruck by the sight of Rem, but Light was not permitted to touch the notebook and see the Shinigami. They questioned Higuchi thoroughly and got a full confession out of him. Unfortunately, Matsuda let it slip that Misa was responsible for Higuchi's confession, and as he plotted to kill Amane, Rem quickly wrote his name in the Death Note, eliminating Higuchi and herself. The team was furious, but with the information from Higuchi the team continued to search for the original Kiras. But as neither Light nor Misa had touched the Death Note, both still remained blissfully innocent. Kira's killing stopped after Higuchi's capture and after months of no leads, the team decided to close the case.
Light rubbed his wrist ruefully as the metal that had encircled it for so long finally came off.
"So I'm finally cleared from suspicion?" Light asked, a grin lighting his elegant features.
"Not in my mind," L smirked, "but I doubt I could keep you handcuffed to me forever."
Light raised his eyebrows.
"But you'd try if not for my father, wouldn't you?" Light murmured.
"What was that Light-kun?"
"Ahh, nothing. But L, I'd really like to thank you." Light said, pulling his scrawny detective close.
"For whatever reason Light-kun?" L said smirking again as he returned the boys embrace affectionately.
"Well for loving me back for one."
"Ahh well Light-kun. I should thank you for loving me back as I loved you long before you loved me. Besides, I didn't have much a choice in the matter. You dragged me kicking and screaming into this love without your own knowledge."
Light laughed wholeheartedly, utterly happy with life. He placed a sloppy, yet loving kiss on the detectives warm sweet lips.
"And…" Light started as he licked his lips suggestively.
"And?" L encouraged.
"And I'd like to thank you, L, for being my hero. For keeping me safe from Higuchi and the Death Note. I know that I was a pain, but I have this feeling, deep in my stomach, that if you hadn't taken the precautions you did, we wouldn't be here."
L nuzzled Light's neck warmly as he spoke. He pressed his pale lips to Light's throat as he whispered "You're welcome."
At that, Light decided that they'd waited long enough and he grabbed the key from L's back pocket, giving him a thorough groping on the way, and shoved it into the lock as L panted on his neck. He bypassed all the furniture L had had placed in their new apartment and headed straight to any door he could find with L hanging on to him, playfully nipping at his collarbone, hoping to eventually find the bedroom. Needless to say, once he found it, it took awhile from him to notice any other furniture than the bed.
This is the song that inspired me to write this. Listeeen to it. It's hardcore and meaningful, which I dig. (:
Hero
By: Skillet
I'm just a step away
I'm just a breath away
Losing my faith today
Falling off the edge today
I am just a man
Not superhuman
I'm not superhuman
Someone save me from the hate
Chrous:
It's just another war
Just another family torn
Falling from my faith today
Just a step from the edge
Just another day in the world we live
I need a hero to save me now
I need a hero, save me now
I need a hero to save my life
A hero will save me just in time
I've gotta fight today
To live another day
Speaking my mind today
My voice will be heard today
I've gotta make a stand
But I am just a man
I'm not superhuman
My voice will be heard today
Chrous
Who's gonna fight for what's right?
Who's gonna help us survive?
We're in the fight of our lives
And we're not ready to die
Who's gonna fight for the weak?
Who's gonna make 'em believe?
I've got a hero, I've got a hero
Living in me
I'm gonna fight for what's right
Today I'm speaking my mind
And if it kills me tonight
I will be ready to die
A hero's not afraid to give his life
A hero's gonna save me just in time
I need a hero to save me now
I need a hero, save me now
I need a hero to save my life
A hero will save me just in time
(I need a hero)
Who's gonna fight for what's right?
Who's gonna help us survive?
(I need a hero)
Who's gonna fight for the weak?
Who's gonna make 'em believe?
I've got a hero
I need a hero
A hero's gonna save me just in time
Sooooo! What did you guys think? If ever there was a magical time to review, it'd be now!
This actually turned out a lot more fluffy than I intended. xD
And it had a completely different ending than I imagined. It was supposed to be all angsty and kinda cliffy, but what can I say, I'm a sucker for a Disney Channel ending. ;D
Okay.. admittedly Disney Channel doesn't end their stories with the implication of hot manshmex at the end, but you get the idea.
Anyways, this turned out a lot better than I thought, and I hope you all liked it!
Alsoo, I'm thinking about writing the scene of L's reaction to when Light says "I love you". What do you think?
Review and telllll me!
Thanks everyone again! 3
-LinkIsMyHero