Hello again! Thanks for all your reviews, they're very encouraging to someone new to the fanfiction business.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Death Note
L blinked slowly. Why was it so bright? The light was hurting his eyes. He opened them a crack, then they flew open at the sight of what hovered a few inches before them.
"Light-kun!" He screamed. Or rather, choked. It came out as more of a strangled cough.
Light's eyes narrowed. "Ryuzaki, do you need water?"
L found himself unable to move his head enough to nod, but his eyes said yes. Light left and returned moments later with a paper cup filled with water. He held it out to L expectantly for a few seconds, before withdrawing his hand.
"Oh yeah. I forgot." He tipped the cup to L's lips, making sure that no water spilled on the hospital gown. L downed the water greedily, and tried to speak again.
"Light-kun… what you said a few moments ago…" He began, and was relieved that his voice sounded mostly normal. "It's not your fault."
Light's eyes widened. "Ryuzaki, I wasn't… I wasn't talking to you earlier." His voice sounded worried, as if his fears that L's brain had been damaged had been proved.
A sinking feeling came over L. "How long has it been since my… accident?" He asked uncertainly.
"Almost a month," Light said gravely.
L's eyes, which he had closed for a moment, flew open in shock. "A month?!" he croaked. "I have to get back!" He tried to get up, but felt Light's hand on his chest, pinning him to the hospital bed.
"No," was all he said. "No. You need rest before we can even think of moving you."
L began to protest, but was cut off by Light's angry voice. "Do you have any idea how many injuries you have? We thought you were going to die! It's a miracle you're even talking to me! Do you realize what you almost did?!" The teen sank down and put his head in his hands. "You almost left us," he said in a quiet voice. "I was so scared."
To L's shock, tears began to seep through the younger boy's fingers. "We thought we would never see you again…" he whispered.
L's eyes softened at the teen's distress. "Light-kun…I didn't think you cared."
The teen looked up. "Of course I do! You're the only person I've ever met who was interesting at all, and I almost killed you! How do you think I feel?"
"Light-kun, I'm sorry. I promise I won't make you almost kill me again."
He felt Light frown. "You'd better not."
L smiled slightly. "I'll try."
He felt Light's chuckle. "Good enough."
L was quiet for a moment. "…Light-kun…"
"Mm? What is it?"
"How long did you stay with me?"
Light looked down into the curious black orbs. "The entire time," he admitted sheepishly.
L sighed. "Idiot…" he murmured.
Light laughed. "I saved your life, and all you can call me is idiot? Surely you must have something better."
L grinned evilly. "Very well… idiot-san."
Light sighed. "You're impossible."
"Perhaps."
"Not perhaps, Ryuzaki. Completely impossible."
"Light-kun?"
"Yes?"
"I haven't had candy in a month."
"I'm sorry," Light began, "but it'll be a little longer than a month..."
"What do you mean I can't eat yet?" L yelled. "I need sugar!"
Light just shook his head. "You need to recover. Sugar is bad for you anyway."
"Is not," L pouted.
Light had to restrain himself from laughing at L's facial expression. You're so funny when you're mad, Ryuzaki.
"It's not funny!" The older man protested hotly.
"Yes, it is."
"Percentage raised to 3.9 for laughing at me."
"Really, Ryuzaki, you don't have the right to be spewing percentages at me right now. I saved your life, remember?" As L nodded grudgingly, he realized something.
"Where's the chain?"
"I think Watari has it," Light told him.
"Have him bring it here, please."
"Ryuzaki! You can't be planning to chain us together in a hospital!"
"I have to keep a watch on you."
Light shook his head. "No, Ryuzaki, for once you're not getting your way."
"Fine."
It was quiet for a minute while L thought, but the silence only lasted so long. "Light-kun, I need sweets!"
--
The day L returned was a holiday for the whole task force.
"Welcome back, Ryuzaki!" Matsuda shouted, an idiotic grin plastered on his face. Mogi raised an eyebrow as Light carried L over the threshold bridal-style, but was silence by a jab in the ribs from Aizawa.
The two boys were followed by Soichiro and Watari, both looking relieved that the journey had gone well.
L smiled weakly at the rest of the staff. "I'm sorry. I guess my body is not up to as much physical exertion as I thought."
"It's okay, Ryuzaki," Soichiro said gently. "Rest for a while. We'll be fine," he added, seeing the look in L's eyes. "We managed without you for a month."
"Don't remind me," L muttered, but only loud enough for Light to hear. The youth grinned at this comment, and began to walk towards the elevator.
"God, Ryuzaki, do you exercise in the middle of the night? You weigh nothing!"
"Well, I haven't had sugar for a month," L reminded him grumpily.
"Oh, cheer up," Light said, rolling his eyes. "At least we're back."
"I'm back," L corrected him. "You could have left anytime you wanted to."
Light shook his head. "No, I couldn't." He was about to step into the elevator when a shreik was heard from a blonde girl who was running down the stairs two at a time.
"Liiiight!" The blonde squealed, running towards them. "Misa has missed you so much!" She barreled into Light, almost knocking L to the floor. The raven-haired man gasped in pain as his arm fell from its position on his stomach.
"Misa!" Light yelled, "look what you've done!"
Misa immediately looked down. "Misa is sorry, Light."
"Don't apologize to me, apologize to Ryuzaki," Light said coldly, and continued to walk. L looked back in time to see the hurt in the blonde's eyes.
"Light-kun," he began hesitantly.
"Don't tell me to be nice to her," Light interrupted. "I'm tired of pretending to like her. And how am I supposed to put up with her when she's hurting you?"
L nodded. "Very well, Light-kun." But his mind was working furiously. He does not like Amane-san. Who does he like, then? He knew he shouldn't care about something so childish and trivial, but it had caught his interest. And when L cared about something, he made sure that he figured it out. No matter what.
He was brought out of his reverie when the elevator doors clanged open, and Light stepped into their room.
"…..Light-kun?" L asked dubiously as he gazed at the redecorated room.
"Yes?" Light gently lowered L to the bed, stretching his arms after the trek from the limo.
"What did you do to our room?"
Light looked affronted. "I simply made it easier for you to work from bed."
"Light-kun," L said, as patiently as he could. "My bed now has a fold-out desk."
Light looked crestfallen. "You don't like it? Mogi made it himself for you."
"It's fine, Light-kun, but you realize you could have simply allowed me to use my laptop as it was intended to be used, on my lap."
"If that's how you want to work, Ryuzaki, that's fine," Light stated coldly. "I'll be downstairs with the task force if you need anything."
L looked shocked. "Oh, no, Light-kun. I'm afraid I can't let my suspect out of my sight. You will have to stay here with me."
Light's eyes flashed murderously, but he managed to keep his temper in check. "If it's necessary," he stated, not wanting to be accused of being Kira. Again.
"Oh, it is," L replied, smirking. "Now, Light-kun, as it appears I am stuck here, I will require someone to fetch my meals, and things like that. Do you feel that you are up to that task?"
"What? Of course I can do something simple like that!"
"Good, because I require cake."
Wow, I just realized that both of the sections in this chapter end with L mentioning sugar. XD He has a very one-track mind. (Or more likely I do)
Aaaand, I just felt like having Mogi be good a carpentry. I dunno why.
Anyway, I beleive I shall continue to torture Light, but don't worry, the fluff will begin soon!