Symphony 4- Ovis in Women Vestimentis (A Sheep in Women's Clothing)
Disclaimer: The Maiden of Autumn owns nothing.
This story is not a crossover of Kuroshitsui. Influenced by it, yes, but it does not take place in the Kuroshitsui world. The idea of an Accord, I'm pretty sure, is mine... Ciel had a Contract with Sebastian for his soul, not an Accord for his blood.
Summary:
The day after Light killed L's rival, they are forced to go and meet L's nephew at a certain address. Along the way, Light unwittingly reveals that he did, indeed kill the Marquis. However, as they arrive at the address, they find it's a lady's school. As it happens, L's nephew had been posing as a girl there to convince the lady he's been courting to reconcile with him after being seen with another woman. Things are taking a turn for the worse, though, and L's nephew needs out. Their only option is to have L cross-dress as a female and pose as his nephew's friend in order to fix things and allow his nephew to escape. However, circumstances force Light into kissing L, and after they are able to escape and head home, their discussion of the occurrence leads L to make an unconscious offer to Light that he wants nothing more than to take...
Thank you to all of the readers and reviewers-please, continue to enjoy the story.
"Tell me again why we are going to visit your nephew. And why you have a nephew- I wasn't even aware you had a nephew." Light crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow at the crouching boy on the other side of the carriage. L was staring out the window, thumb situated comfortably in his mouth, and had been silent for much of the morning as they headed into London per request of his nephew, Mello.
L didn't even look over to him as he removed the thumb from his mouth and heaved a sigh. "I have a nephew because when a man and a woman love each other very much, they-"
Light cut him off before he could finish, annoyed at L's way of avoiding his question. "Don't be deliberately stupid and obtuse, L. You know what I meant."
L finally looked over to him, obsidian eyes regarding him silently for a moment before he shifted to fully face Light, rolling his eyes as he did so."…Fun-killer," L muttered despondently, before blinking and looking back up at Light. "Fine. I'm not sure why he requested this visit. In the letter Watari gave me that arrived earlier this morning, it said only that Mello wished for me to come for a visit at his new home at the address I gave to the driver, and to come as soon as possible, as there was something he wanted to show me."
"Seems very suspicious…" Light said, his amber eyes narrowing as he thought. Obviously, it wasn't a request from a 'long-lost' relative or anything like that, as L seemed to be quite sure he had a nephew, but usually, in a letter that asked someone to visit, it gave them more time than this to prepare, usually at their own leisure.
L leveled a knowing look at Light, his eyebrows raising and inching upwards into his thicket of black spikes. "No more suspicious than the sudden passing of Marquis Dominick Tracey."
Light glanced away, silent for a moment as he tried to desperately come up with a comeback, or at least some way to brush suspicion off of his shoulders… He'd known that L would think he did it, damn the perceptive little- no.
Looking at L now, Light admitted to himself that L was no longer the little brat that he had used to fondly refer to L as in his mind. He was so much more mature now- not that he hadn't been so even when he was just 13, when Light had first been manhandled into the carriage with the boy sitting calmly in it, waiting to ensnare Light into his service. He had grown taller, filled out- though he still remained slim and lithe- and his mind had grown to be even sharper in the years of verbal spars with Light.
And through this all… Light suddenly wasn't sure what he thought about this… adult… L had become. Little things- it was the little things that never failed to throw Light off. Like in the way that L's deepened, baritone voice caught him off-guard at certain moments, or the way he no longer had to look down to be eye level with him, or things he said-like the little crack about where children came from, haha, very clever- and many other things as well.
L had started to talk once more, startling Light out of his almost-depressing thoughts, and he looked up, pulling his attention back to L.
"Apparently, he was found with his throat half-torn out." L said it nonchalantly, but there was a knowing gleam in his obsidian black eyes that said, I know exactly how you did it, and it wasn't a wolf.
Shit. Light flinched, knowing that L almost had him, but he refused to simply give up and admit it just like that, until he knew how L would react to such a confession. He knew that L was aware that he had killed before, but he was unsure how L would take the news that he had killed someone L actually knew, a member of the English nobility.
This was exactly the reason he had stuck to the slums, damn it. Killing nobles was just too risky and drew investigations and speculation. It wasn't hard to make it look like animals had killed someone with their throat torn out by fangs, but too many of them, and an investigation would be launched. And Light knew that sooner or later, the vampire responsible for killings would be noticed leaving the person's house where they had died or the place where the body was dumped, and with no way to alter humans; memories, it would eventually be exposed that the person in question had indeed, done the killings and be put to death.
Light had seen it happen before. There weren't many ways to kill a vampire, but a silver weapon usually did it, as well as being burned to death, or his head lopped off.
And he wasn't sure if L would expose him if he openly admitted to killing the Marquis. So, he tried to deflect the blame away from him, drawling L's attention to a very obvious fact. "And a wolf by his side with a gunshot wound. He was probably attacked."
L smiled a little half-smile that basically said, Gotcha. "I haven't told you how he died."
Well, if L wanted to go along that route… "I'm not stupid, L. I read the newspaper."
Holding up one slim finger, L's smile only grew as he said, "But the newspaper isn't out with his death yet."
Cunning little-
"Then how did you hear of it?" Light asked, narrowing his eyes. He wasn't about to give this up so easily, damn it!
"A servant told me earlier this morning after he got back from an early trip to town."
"Then it's safe to assume that the same servant told me as well."
Hah.
"…You killed him, didn't you?"
Light blinked, taken aback as the question was posed to him. He examined L's face carefully as he considered his reply, trying to see if L seemed upset at the thought of Light killing Dominick or not. L's pale face was neutral, though, and impassive. So Light concocted a noncommittal answer, in an attempt to buy himself some more time to secede whether or not to confess to the murder. "Now, wherever did you get that notion?"
"I believe you asked me not to be deliberately 'stupid and obtuse' not but two minutes ago, vampire. I ask that applies to you as well."
"Touchy, touchy…" Light said, shaking his head. "I wasn't aware that you cared for the Marquis enough for you to be upset over his death."
And that thought… it bothered Light. Extremely so.
"Is that a confession?" L asked, settling back, hands resting comfortably on his black-clad knees and head leaning on the wooden walls of the carriage. The question was asked lazily, but there was an alert glint in L's eyes that let Light know that L was analyzing everything he said.
"No, merely an observation. You seem rather upset about his death," Light said carefully, making sure not to give anything away as he subtly tried to get some sort of reaction out of L to see what his feeling were in regards to the Marquis' death. So far, L had neither appeared upset nor happy about Dominick's passing, and Light desperately wanted to know his stand on the matter.
L was silent for a moment, before he replied quietly. "As a fellow composer, he's a great loss to the music worl-"
"'I wish he was dead.' Do those words ring a bell, L? You wanted him dead," Light said vehemently, cutting L off as anger starting to well up at the thought that L would actually be sad over the death of the Marquis. The man was trash, not worthy of living after he had insulted L and tried to copy L's own brilliant work and pass it off as his own.
"So you killed him?" The question was asked quietly, and Light paused, realizing that he had just dug himself into a hole, allowing his anger to get the best of him.
Shit.
You clever little brat.
There was a shuttered look in L's eyes, making the teenager across from him nearly impossible to read.
Resigning himself to the fact that he had basically just confessed to the murder, Light himself settled back, trying to shrug off the whole matter, though inside, he was cursing himself out vehemently for being so stupid and letting his emotions out him to L. "I do as you wish, L. Obviously, I didn't have to do it- you don't hold that much power over me, but I found him rather distasteful as well. And really, hearing you mope and worry about this over the next few weeks would have driven me insane. So his death wasn't just for you, L. It was for my mental well-being as well."
"… You did kill him, then."
God, he just wouldn't let that go!
"You're being quite houndish today on regards to that trivial little detail," Light hissed, annoyed by L's refusal to let the matter go. It made him a bit snappish, and as a result, though Light didn't want to acknowledge it, it made his tone a bit… bitchy. "Yes, I killed him. I ripped out his throat and staged it to look like the bastard had been killed by a wolf. Happy?"
L blinked, and then he smiled sharply, making Light pause in shock upon seeing it.
What the hell did that herald?
"…Surprisingly, yes. I didn't care for him much at all, especially after he brought up the matter of my brother," L said contentedly, his smile never leaving his face as he glanced out the window to see where they were and gauge how far away they were from their destination.
"…Pardon?!" Light asked, sincerely confused as all hell.
L ignored Light's outburst, turning his head back to look at Light. "Just do try to refrain from killing nobles that offend me in the future, though. People might connect the dots sooner or later."
"You're not angry? Why?!"
"Oh, look, we've arrived." L said mildly, completely ignoring Light once again as the carriage came to a rolling halt,
"L! Answer my question-!" Light started angrily as he followed L out of the carriage, but his words came to an abrupt and screeching halt as both he and L got a good look at the building that they had been directed.
Mello was living here?!
"What… the hell is this?" Light whispered.
"Jessica's School for Ladies?" L read out loud from the sign above the door, written in elegant, cursive script.
"Oh, God."
"Earl Loren Lawliet to see…"
"Oh!" The matronly woman who had admitted them in nodded, cutting L off. "Yes, Mellina said that she was expecting her fiancé to show up sometime or other. You're that famous composer, right? The one who just performed last night?"
"Um… yes," L said unsurely, his eyebrows rising upon hearing Mello referred to as "Mellina." It made him wonder just what the hell his hot-headed nephew was trying to pull. "Did you see the performance?"
"Me?" The matronly lady laughed, a great booming chuckle that befitted one of her broad stature. "Goodness sake! No, I'm just a servant. But I did hear from a few of the ladies here from the older classes that were allowed to go that it was quite the pretty piece."
Pretty?
L's eye twitched as he heard Light start to snigger behind him, covering up his mouth and passing the sudden noise off as a coughing fit.
His piece had been more than pretty, damnit! It had been brilliant and wonderful and entrancing and he had not spent two weeks of all-nighters and day-long rehearsals to have it referred to as "pretty," curse the idioms!
Still, a compliment was a compliment, and it would be a sign of bad breeding to simply brush that away. "I'm glad that my music was appreciated," L said smoothly, giving the elderly servant woman a bow. Straightening up, he continued, "Now, may I see my… fiancé?"
He didn't know what Mello was playing at, but if he had to masquerade as a woman and pretend that L was his "fiancé," something was definitely wrong.
"Oh! Yes!" the woman said, fluttering her hands as she led the still-chuckling Light and an annoyed L down the hallways and into a sitting room. She told them to make themselves comfortable, then informed them that she'd be right back with tea and the Earl's niece, and flounced away.
"So…" Light drawled, and L turned to him, his obsidian eyes snapping with irritation which only grew upon seeing the teasing light in the vampire's eyes. "Pretty?"
"Shut it," L snarled, turning away and crossing his arms, still stewing. "Young girls know nothing of true musical appreciation!"
"Heh," Light smirked. It was somewhat funny to see L get so worked up; though L's music was his world, so he supposed it was alright for L to be so upset over something like that. "I suppose so, if they call something like what you created simply pretty."
Blinking, his irritation bleeding away at Light's subtle compliment, L turned in hope to the smiling vampire. "You thought it was good?"
"Better than good, L. I've been around for quite a few centuries, and not once in my long life have I heard something as utterly brilliant and beautifully crafted as what you wrote and performed last night."
L stared for a moment, taken aback, before a small, pleased smile tugged at his lips and lit up his eyes. He opened his mouth, about to say something, when a whirlwind of a blue dress and blonde hair flew in, streaking straight for L.
"L!" L's eyes opened wide, and he swiftly sidestepped the blur, making it come to a shuddering halt a few feet past him. "Hey!" it said indignantly, looking around.
The lady then turned around, and L gasped as Light snorted in startled amusement at the sight before them.
Light had never seen L's nephew before, but from what little L had told him of Mello, this "lady" bore a suspiciously strong resemblance to L's nephew. So strong, in fact, that this had to be Mello- the face bright blue eyes, shoulder- length blonde hair and face shape could be none other.
"Mello?!" L exclaimed, taking a step back in shock as he took in the lacy blue dress Mello was wearing, as well as the way his hair was pinned up in soft curls, ringing his face. "Why- what the hell are you doing?!"
As it turned out, Mello was enrolled in this lady's school and posing as L's niece because of a lady who also went to school here.
He had been courting her for the last few weeks, though when this lady- a Miss Linda Mellryn- caught Mello in the act of taking another young lady –her friend, in fact- out for a stroll, she immediately became infuriated and promised never to speak to Mello again.
He had repaired "Mello" and Linda's relationship in the time he had been here, but now, Linda wanted "Mellina" to meet Mello- something that would not be possible. Therefore, he needed to come up with a way to make Linda cut off ties with "Mellina."
"That's why I need your help to come up with something," Mello told him, blue eyes shining with hope. "No one else here knows I'm actually a man, and I can't confide in them. I need your help, because you're the only one I can trust. You need to… I don't know, elope with me or something before Linda finds out that I'm her courter that's been posing as her friend! Imagine the shock and scandal if someone were to find out that I've been masquerading as a girl and going to a girl's school!"
"…I'm afraid that I've not a clue what to do," L admitted, shaking his head. "I can't pretend elope with you, because I'm too well- known and it would be suspicious if I were to get married, only to have my bride disappear suddenly. There's no way I can think of to force this Miss Mellryn to not want you to meet her newly-reconciled courter. I'm sorry," L apologized, looking just a tad overwhelmed. He had been expecting a nice, impromptu visit to his nephew at the most- not something like this.
"So what do I do?!" Mello wailed, distraught. "If we don't do something, there's no telling what she'll do! She might batter me to death with that horrid pink purse she takes everywhere with her!"
"If I may-" Light interjected, eyeing both of them speculatively, a plan forming in his mind. Mello turned to eye him speculatively, blonde eyebrow quirking in suspicion.
"And just who the hell are you?" Mello asked standoffishly, eyes flicking between L and Light. "I've never seen you before…"
"He's my assistant," L explained, gesturing vaguely with his hand to Light. "Don't worry, you can trust him."
Mello's distraught face immediacy turned suspicious as he examined Light, noticing his non-English features. "A foreigner?" Mello scoffed, eyeing Light with some distaste.
Light's eyes narrowed, and he was about to reply with a scathing reply of his own when L cut him off before he could speak.
"Mello," he said sharply, giving his nephew a warning look. "Light is my assistant as well as a very good friend, and if you do not take care to treat him with the respect he deserves, I shall abandon you to your fate and leave you to fend for yourself."
A subtle warmth spread through Light at L's shockingly defensive words, and he smiled slightly at the back of L's head fondly. It was reassuring to know that L thought more of him than simply a useful servant, and made him happy.
Though… Light felt a stray thought flit through his mind, disappointment at being thought of as only a friend. Perhaps he had been hoping for more… No, he knew he was looking for more, though he was unsure if he would ever find that with L.
L had finished his silent staring match with Mello, and the blonde sighed. "I apologize, uncle. By all means, if you trust him, then I will as well. What do you have in mind?" he asked Light, tilting his head to address the vampire. Mello's question ripped him from his thoughts, making him aware that L and his nephew awaited his input, now that he was free to talk.
Shaking his head to clear his mind of distracting thoughts, he turned to address L's nephew. "You had quite the… ingenious idea, Mello," he told the blonde, "at least at first, until things went to hell and now you're in danger of being bludgeoned to death by Miss Mellryn's posh pink purse and her shocked sensibilities. But L does have a point. It would look suspicious if 'L' came to get you. But what if… we were able to ruin Mellina's and Linda's relationship so that she would no longer consider you a friend?"
"What do you mean?"
"Mello, in your time here among these teenaged ladies, what was the thing that ruined the most friendships?"
"I don't know… jealousy, maybe? There are a lot of girls who get absolutely pissed at one another when they profess that someone else is their friend and hate each other because one is prettier than the other. Girls are odd creatures."
"Exactly," Light said. Folding his arms, he raised a finger to his chin, tapping it thoughtfully as his mind raced, a plan clicking into place. "What if we were to make Miss Mellryn so angry at you, she would rescind her offer to take you to meet her fiancé? If we could get a girl close to you-"
"Sorry Light," Mello interrupted, shaking his head and making his blonde curls whip his face. "That wouldn't work. I've already expressed a profound dislike for the girls here- Linda wouldn't believe that I've become friends with them so suddenly."
"Then," L said, speaking up, "we need to find someone absolutely new to pose as your friend and incite Miss Mellryn's jealous wrath. Damn it, all of my servants are away on leave…"
Light's brows furrowed as he nodded. Yes, a servant would work, but the female ones that would work to pose as a friend Mello's age were away for the weekend. 'Yes," Light agreed. "It's a shame. And judging by your insistency, the sooner it's done is better..."
"She wants to meet tomorrow- she sent a letter to my residence yesterday. I imagine it should be arriving today, and I've already instructed my butler to reply to her if something like a letter such as this came for me, telling her to meet me the next day. So it needs to be today," Mello informed them.
"Right," Light said, musing over what he was told thoughtfully. "It needs to happen today, then. Short notice…" Unconsciously, his eyes went over to Mello, examining the dress, and an idea hit him, and he then looked to L who was stirring his tea, brows furrowed in thoughtfulness.
Of course.
It was simple- L was the right age, and he was English, unlike Light himself…
He smirked as the plans in his mind abruptly shifted, settling into place. "I have an idea," he said suddenly. Both young men looked up at him, Mello with hope in his eyes, and it was the blonde Light addressed. "You have a room here, right? Can you take us up there for privacy?"
"Yeah," Mello said. "I don't have a roommate, and I can probably smuggle you up there, since all the younger girls are in class." Standing up, he shook out his skirts and flicked his bangs out of his eyes, then gestured to Light and L. "Follow me."
Light's plan was quite simple; they would dress L up as a female, much like Mello had done, and introduce him as Mello's very best friend that was visiting for the weekend. They would meet Linda, and Mello would continue to ignore her, inciting her jealousy and forcing her to declare Mello and herself no longer friends.
It was quite the ingenious plan, Light thought, and was rather pleased at this cleverness in cooking up the whole scheme.
Silence abounded in the room as Light finished explaining his plan to the two young men, and currently, they were staring at him in shock.
A sudden commotion outside the room forced Mello to curse and jet out to make sure that no one would enter his room and discover him with two men in there- that would cause many, many unneeded problems to crop up.
Alone now, L snapped his head up to gaze at Light with an incredulous expression, his black eyes wide with horror.
"…Vampire," L addressed Light formally, shock lacing his tone. "This is utterly ridiculous. You cannot seriously think I'd be willing to dress as a woman just to get my nephew out of his troubles with his lady friend," L told him with finality, shaking his head.
Light grinned, crossing his eyes and relaxing back as he said, "But think of poor Mello- stupid though his scheme was- being mauled by his upset light o' love. Wouldn't want him to be bludgeoned to death by a pink, frilly purse, would you?" Light cajoled charmingly, feigning horror and imitating someone getting bashed over the head. "Purses are deadly weapons, you know. And think of Mello's shame- death by pink purse! Poor sap would die without a lick of dignity!" Light finished dramatically with a flourish.
L snorted, utterly unimpressed by Light's display of dramatics. "It would be his own fault for his loss of dignity. I refuse- besides, there would be no way I'd pass as a lady. It would be like putting a wolf in sheep's clothing- there'd be no way we can pass me off as a woman."
Light only smiled at this, stepping forwards to grasp L's shoulders. He turned him towards the full-length mirror that was in Mello's room, both men assessing L's reflection. "I don't know, L," Light said speculatively, his eyes raking down L's body's reflection, mentally measuring him up. "We put a bonnet on you, lace you into a corset, stick a few petticoats under a pink dress and voila! We have… Lorena Lawlietta!"
"Lorena Lawlietta?" Mello snorted as he came back into the room, having just heard the last part of the conversation. He flounced onto the bed and situated himself onto it, shuffling around until skirts splayed out and his chin was propped comfortably in his hand. "That's one of the funniest things that I've heard. Uncle L as a girl? Nobody would ever suspect."
"And my reputation would be ruined if they did find out," L deadpanned, jerking out of Light's grip. "I would not be able to show my face in public if I were found out, much less compose music and have it accepted by the public. No. I refuse. I'm sorry Mello," L said apologetically, turning away from a smirking Light, who eyed L, seeing a sudden opportunity, "but you'll have to come up with something else."
Suddenly, L was grabbed by the waist from behind, and Light tossed him onto the bed so quickly that L didn't have a chance to react. Mello gaped upon seeing Light's unnatural speed, but he quickly recovered as L stared struggling, yelling muffled obscenities as Light turned to him, a desperate expression on his face. "Come on! What are you waiting for?! Go pick out a dress and help me get him into it!"
Mello was frozen for a second before his eyes lit up and he nodded in understanding, racing off to his closet.
"Light! Let me go this instant, you blasted vamp-!" L started, shouting in his annoyance.
"Shh!" Light gritted out, shoving L's head into a lacey pillow to muffle L's words, shooting a quick glance over at Mello, who was riffling through his closet. "Don't let him know, idiot!"
All Light got in return was a muffled mutter, something along the lines of, "sadistic mythological bloodsucker," which made Light grin in amusement. But it only lasted for a second, because L began struggling again, trying to throw Light off of him.
"Here! " Mello said, pulling out a pink, casual dress and a corset. Rushing back, Mello held them up tiumphantly, glancing down at L, suddenly realizing that the situation could provoke certain problems. "How are we going to do this?" Mello asked, watching as Light shifted to pin L's hands behind his back, his knee jammed into the small of L's back.
"I don't know!" Light hissed, taking in the corset and dress clutched in Mello's hand. "I don't even know how they work!"
"Right…" Mello said. Of course. Light hadn't been the one cross-dressing for the past few months. He would have no clue as to how to put on a corset… though Mello had learned how to do it by himself, as there had been no one to help him do it. It required a lot of flexibility, for sure, which Mello luckily had in abundance.
"I'll need you to hold him up," Mello told Light, and he nodded. Holding L's wrists tightly, Light wrapped his other hand around L's chest and drew him up, into a sitting position. "You'll have to get his clothes off," Light said to Mello. "I can't help, because he'd get free."
"Right…" Mello set aside the corset and dress, eyeing a belligerent-looking L with wariness. He was still right now, but there was a dangerous glint in his eyes that threatened painful death for anyone who came at him with any feminine articles- especially those that were in a certain color of pastel pink.
Whoo, boy.
"Hold him tight," Mello instructed Light, taking a deep breath to brace himself and raised his hands. "We're doing this!"
"What?! No- get away from me, or so help me, Mello-!"
"Light! Grab the laces! Don't let him free!"
"Damnit, I'm trying!"
"No! Get off me!"
"Can't you restrain him?! Use the laces like reigns if you have to- I don't want to have to re-do his makeup!"
"I don't want makeup! Get that mascara stick away from me! Let me go!"
"Ouch! Rope burn- whoa, get back here!"
"Grab him, Light!"
"What do you think I'm trying to do, you blonde bimbo cross-dresser?! You try holding him!"
"Oh, for- just tug on his laces and it'll make him pass out!"
"What- no! Don't- URK!"
"Too tight?"
"Wha…What… do you…think, you idiot? Urgh-Oh, God I can't breathe! Let it out, let it out! LIGHT!"
"Only if you hold still!"
"Never-! Ouch! Fuck, you got my eye!"
"It's what you deserve for being so stubborn!"
"You're not the one being trussed up like a female, Light! I don't- whoa, hey, what are you doing with that- NO! Get that frilly thing away from me! What is that, anyway?! Get it off, get it off!"
"Hold your leg still, L- stop shaking it! It's just a garter, it won't hurt you!"
"How do you know?! For all you know, the lace could very well burn! God knows the eyeliner does- fuck, Mello, you got it in my eye! Be careful!"
"Right- done with the makeup- hold him, Light, and I'll get the dress…"
"No! I refuse! You're going too far with this- NO-! Mpmph!"
"Oops. Sorry 'bout that, L. Didn't mean to get it in your mouth…"
"Like hell! Get this pink horror off of me!"
"Light, get the snaps in the back while I fix his hair."
"Right- are we doing the bonnet? Hey! Don't you try to elbow me, you little shit!"
"I'll elbow you if I want- it's my right to self- defense and molestation! No, you are not doing the-"
"No, it would look odd if he were to wear one inside. I'll just do his hair… Molestation, L?"
"What can you do with his hair? It's just kind of…there."
"I agree! You should just leave it alone- No, no, get away from me with that!"
"Ouch, damnit, L, you made me drop the hot iron on myself- no, grab him, Light! He's going for an escape!"
"L-! Come back here! Hey! Get away from the window, you idiot! You're being ridiculous!"
"And dressing me up as a female isn't?! Ack- let go of me!"
"No-urgh, ouch, Damnit, L! Don't kick at me, that hurts!"
"You're thick-skinned, you can take it! If you don't want to get kicked, just let me go!"
"Right, right, hold him there… flatten this section, curl this part in a bit…this looking good?"
"Yeah- FUCK! What the hell, L, did you just BITE me? And- ow, let go, get your damned teeth out of my arm-!"
"Letf phme go anph I'llf fink abouph if."
"Like hell!"
"Ugh, Light… you want me to continue?"
"Go on- NO! Don't you fucking bite harder, you little brat! AUGH!"
"I hate you both," L hissed an hour later, sitting in a plush chair in the corner and glaring at a panting Light and disheveled Mello ill-temperedly, arms crossed. "I cannot breathe in this corset, the dress is brushing my legs in a most irritating manner, the mascara on my lashes is making them itch, and the eyeliner is stinging."
"Well," Light said, standing up straight and wincing as the movement aggravated a bruise that L had given him on his ribs, "it's done. Fuck, L, did you have to kick so hard?" he complained, rubbing his side with a grimace. "That hurts."
"Your body will heal," L said self- satisfiedly, spearing Light with a malicious glare. Yes, his vampire body would heal very quickly; in fact, L suspected that the bruise was already fading, and didn't hurt one whit. However… "My pride, however, shall forever be compromised."
"Oh, shove off it," Mello said, cracking his neck before making his way over to the mirror to fix his hair- which L had messed up in his struggles- and his makeup, which had been smeared by the sweat rolling down his face. "I've had to deal with this every day. What you'll have to deal with for a few hours is nothing."
"And how you did it is something I shall never attempt to comprehend," L muttered, rolling his eyes, frowning as he heaved a huge breath, trying to get the breath that had been choked out with the tightening of the corset back.
"Magic," Mello snarked, sitting down at his mirror and proceeding to fix his make-up.
Taking the chance, Light gave L a once-over, examining him critically to make sure that he looked properly female-like. The black bags of insomnia had been converted into looking like a thin ring of eyeliner, and a slight tilt had been given to L's eyes with eyeliner, making them look catty and almost exotic. His hair had been tamed and flattened, falling to frame his face in gentle waves, and his slim waist and gently curved hips were accentuated by use of the corset Light had trapped him in. The corset's cups had been stuffed, giving L small breasts, and a pink shine was present on L's usually pallid lips, thanks to a light layer of lipstick Mello had been able to get onto him while he had been recovering from the corset's effects.
L made a very alluring woman, to be sure, though the thought that it was still L nderneath the feminine trappings was a very nice thought; and the sight of L and all his smooth, pale skin, clad in just a corset, stockings, and that lacey garter before they had put him into the dress was still burned into Light's mind. He had to force his mind onto other things, lest he be plagued by a sudden and unwanted problem in his nether regions.
Perhaps later, he could dwell on it, in the privacy of his own room, but not here. This was not the appropriate time.
"So," Mello said, turning around to give L a smirk. "How does it feel to be a female?"
L opened his mouth to reply, but not wanting to get into the middle of a catfight or anything of that sort, Light quickly spoke, cutting them both off. In a way, he was thankful for the distraction from thoughts of L's exposed body, as well.
"Alright," he said, silencing both of them. "L's in a dress- that much is done. Now," he continued, ignoring L's venomous glare at the mention of him in a dress, "this is what we need to do…"
"Linda! Linda!" Mello burst in the room, a large, beaming grin on his face, followed by a stoic-looking Light and a (forcedly) smiling L.
Linda turned around, her eyes going straight to Mello, not noticing her friend's two companions at first. "Ah, Mellina! I haven't seen you all day! Are you prepared to meet my- oh, who is this?" she cut herself off, suddenly noticing Light and L.
Mello grinned, and in a high-pitched voice, gestured behind her and introduced the two to Linda. "Linda, I'd like you to meet Miss Lorena Lawlietta and Yagami Light, a visiting Japanese ambassador. Lorena is visiting from her family's estate- and Mr. Yagami is being hosted by them, and thought he'd come along. He's searching for a bride, and thought that an English wife would do well to strengthen relations between the countries- he's very, very important over there, you know," and this last part was whispered almost conspiratorially, lending just the right amount of effect to the lie.
Linda's face fell as she examined L critically, gaze skimming over his form. L flinched, hoping that he passed suitably as a female. He couldn't care less if he was considered ugly or pretty as a female- he just wanted this whole farce over with so he could rip the goddamned corset off. He couldn't breathe, goddamnit!
"Oh. Oh. I …I see." Linda said, face falling. She turned to Mello and whispered, just quiet enough so that L couldn't hear what she was saying, "Mellina, just who is she to you?"
"Lorena?" Mello said, pretending to be taken aback, and then she smiled and tittered, "Oh, we've been best friends from birth. Our mothers went together in school, and so when they were married and had us, it was only natural that we became the best of friends. We're quite like sisters!" he finished in a light, airy voice.
Linda's face fell even further, and she threw a small, quick, disproving glance over at L. "Oh. Is she going to be coming along with us on Sunday?"
"Oh, that…" Mello feigned despair, saying, "I shan't be able to attend that. Since Lorena is visiting for such a short time, I had to cancel meeting your fiancé as Lorena and I have made plans to have a day out. You understand, right, Linda?" Mello patted Linda's arm in a conciliatory manner, eyes wide with innocent hope.
"Do I understand?" Linda mocked venomously, yanking her arm away from Mello's. the blonde had to resist giving a pleased grin as it appeared things were going exactly according to plan. "Oh, I understand. In fact, I'll leave you and your precious Lorena alone to have some time together," she spat, and then turned to Light, putting on a sickly-sweet smile, but not before shooting L a hateful glare. "Mr. Yagami! Shall I entertain you while Miss Lawlietta and Mellina get caught up?"
"What-?" Light asked, snapping back to attention as his arm was gripped in a death-grasp, suddenly being pulled along by a determined young woman. He glanced back at L, horrified and amber eyes begging for help. L could do nothing but watch, shrugging a bit as he was helpless to do anything.
Though, he felt the slightest bit of sadistic satisfaction at the thought of Light being bored torturously by Miss Mellryn. Revenge for the corset incident.
"Come along! I'll serve you some proper English tea!" Linda chirper faux-cheerfully, dragging Light along behind her. They exited the room, heading for the main parlor where guests were entertained, leaving behind a very shocked Mello and L.
"…Um," Mello said unsurely.
"Well," L said, speechless in the wake of Linda's wrath.
"It seems like…" Mello said, trailing off…
"Poor Light," L nodded.
"Things have taken quite the complicated turn, haven't they?" Mello sighed, shaking his head. "And here I was, hoping this would be simple."
L looked over to Mello, favoring him with a dry look and quirked eyebrow. "With you, Mello, nothing is ever simple."
L sort of had an idea to get Light out of the fix he was in. Though, to prevent Mello from screwing anything else up, he sent him along, telling him the carriage was waiting for them and to go home, and to then instruct the carriage driver to come back for them.
Mello happily agreed, eager to escape the "prison" he had been cooped up in for the past few months.
And then, L made his way carefully down the hall and to the parlor, dodging a few girls and maids on the way. Poking his head around the doorframe, he saw Linda sitting alone on a sofa, a pleased smile on her face and sipping on a cup of tea complacently.
He was considering risking Linda's wrath and going in to see where Light had gone, and was just taking the first steps in when he was suddenly grabbed round the waist, large hand clamped over his mouth, and was dragged around the corner, back hitting a solid wall of flesh as their momentum made them fall back against the wall.
He was just about to shout out alarm, when he paused as he thought he recognized the press of the body against his. He knew someone of this height and muscle tone…
"You idiot!" a familiar voice hissed in his ear, reinforcing L's guess as to who the person was. "I just managed to get away from her! Don't go in there, for God's sake!"
The hand was removed and L whipped around to see a haggard-looking Light, cravat askew and a few of his jacket's buttons opened. "Light?" L asked quietly, alarmed at the disheveled sight of his assistant and friend. "What happened?"
Scratching the back of his head, Light looked away, wincing. "She confessed her undying love to me and then proceeded to attack me in a lustful craze."
Raising and eyebrow, L shook his head. "No, I'm serious, Light." This was no time for games.
"That was me being serious."
Apparently Light wasn't joking. Well, then.
"Oh." L grimaced at the thought.
"Indeed," Light shuddered. "Apparently, my supposed position in the foreign government has set her passion for me aflame- bloody gold-digging wench…"
"Mr. Yagami? Are you around? You've been gone for quite a while!" Linda's voice reached their ears and both men froze, hearts stopping in panic. Linda couldn't be allowed to find them!
L was the first to recover ad tentatively stepped closer to the door, Light right behind him, sucking in a breath in slight apprehension. A thought hit L suddenly- Miss Mellryn was still being courted by Mello. How would his nephew react to the news that she had taken to Light so passionately and so suddenly?
"Shit," L hissed, poking his head out to look around the corner. "I can't believe things have gone this way- oh, Mello's going to be furious…" he mused, glancing back at a blanching Light. "Who would have guessed that Miss Mellryn would have fallen for you at first sight…?"
"Urgh," Light whispered back, looking distinctly queasy, eyeing the searching form of Linda with great distaste. "She's quite horrid. I distinctly felt her pinch my derriere when I turned my back to her earlier. How disgusting," Light shuddered. "Ugh."
"Shh!" L said hastily, pushing Light back around the corner as he saw Linda's head turn to the door they were at. Light's eyes widened in shock as their momentum forced his back against the wall once more, L pressed right up against him. Smoothed, flattened black locks brushed over his neck, and the smell of L's skin reached his nose, the proximity making his gums ache and his eyes slip shut as he inhaled deeply, taking in L's scent. Oh, God… Focus, Light, focus on other things…"I think she might have-"
"Mr. Yagami?" Linda's voice reached their ears and Light's eyes snapped open and over to the corner, where his keen hearing could hear her moving closer. "Are you there, Mr. Yagami?"
"Oh, damn," L muttered, looking up at Light frantically, tilting his head and craning his neck upwards. "What are we going to do? Mello's gone by now so he can't distract her, and if she catches you, we'll never get out of here-"
"Do you trust me?" Light suddenly asked, a plan flashing to mind, amber eyes intent as he stared down at L.
"With my life," L answered unhesitatingly. "You've not betrayed my trust in your years with me, and I've placed my life in your hands more times than I can count."
"Good. I have an idea to get us out of this situation, but I need you not to panic or struggle, alright?" Light whispered urgently, wincing as he heard Linda get closer.
"Yes," L nodded, and that was enough for Light.
With unnatural speed, he grasped L's shoulders and flipped them around, pressing L against the wall. The composer let out a soft "oomph" as the air was somewhat knocked out of him as his back hit the wall, but before he had time to react, Light had slammed his lips against L's, body pressing L's slim one into the wall.
L was frozen for all of a moment before his eyes widened phenomenally as it hit him that he was being kissed by his assistant, who was both male- and a vampire. Somehow, it wasn't disturbing as it should have been to him- it actually was quite… pleasant, if he were to be perfectly honest.
The vampire's lips were warm and soft- there was not a hint of fang, like L might have thought, though he had never imagined this situation occurring before- and firm to the feel. But as it were, the whole thing came as a shock to L, who stood frozen as Light grasped his waist, pulling him closer even as he drew back to hiss, amber eyes burning and intense, "Kiss me back, idiot- Linda'll be around that corner any time now!"
Linda- oh!
Light's scheme hit him suddenly, and L nodded once in comprehension. He wanted to throw Linda off by having her see him with another female- or someone she thought was a female. And that it Mello's- whom she now hated- friend, it would only serve to make her dislike Light all the more.
Catching on, L hesitantly- this was so odd, so very odd and yet it felt… not odd, so very confusing- raised his arms up and grasped onto the back of Light's neck, fingers tangling in the silky, light brown strands. They felt very nice, L thought, brows furrowing as he rubbed them inbetween his fingers. Almost as silky and smooth as the blue silk sheets in his room and-
Oh.
Light's lips pressed once more against his own, firm and insistent. His tongue came out to prod at L's still ones even as he pressed L harder into the wall, hands tightening around L's waist. His thumb rubbed little circles into his waist, and he could feel the touch even through the layers of dress fabric and corset, sending pleasant tingles all along his skin. Light's eyes flicked up once to meet L's and he saw that there was an odd glint in the limpid amber depths, almost desperate, and if he were correct… hungry.
He made a small sound in the back of his throat at the sight, it sparking a slight heat starting to pool in his stomach.
If he had more time to ponder upon it, L probably would have been shocked by the way he was responding to Light's- a vampire and his assistant!- kiss. But his brain haywired as the insistent tongue prodding at his lips forced them open, and Light was able to catch his bottom lip between his teeth, pressing firmly down upon it with sharp canines.
Shocked at the enjoyable feeling it produced, L's eyes slipped closed and he felt Light's free hand slide up his side and to his neck, lingering there for a moment and tracing the sharp outline of his clavicle, before continuing upwards, and nestling into thick black locks that fell straight and orderly for the first time in their life.
Light's teeth retracted from his lips and then his mouth was invaded by a warm, smooth tongue, rubbing firmly over his own. He recoiled for a moment- how odd, this whole thing was, this act of clashing tongues and pressing lips- but then, as only a flash of heat spread through his body at the combined feeling of Light's body against his own and warm lips meshing with his, he relaxed and simply enjoyed it, eventually becoming brazen enough to reciprocate the action, tentatively pressing forwards with his body and moving his own tongue to twine with Light's.
The action evoked a low, growling sort of noise from the back of Light's throat that was oddly thrilling, and the hands in his hair and around his waist tightened even further, pulling him more into the vampire's body.
L had no idea where it would have gone from there, what course of action may have been taken if Linda had not rounded the corner at that exact moment and let out a loud gasp, covering her mouth with a dainty, lace-covered hand.
Light froze at the sound, burning amber eyes opening and staring into hazy, heavy-lidded black ones. L's lips still shone with a thin sheen of saliva, reddned and swollen and still so very tempting- he wanted nothing more than to press his own against them once more, explore the inner cavern of L's sinfully hot mouth- no.
He paused for a split second, forcing himself back into the present situation- it's a ruse, it's a ruse, acting, acting, actor, center stage, cue the actress's entrance- and away from thoughts of allowing himself to slide his lips over and mouth L's smooth neck, feel the heartbeat under his lips before biting down and taking his lovely blood.
But he banished those thought and forced himself to calm down, to take back his control. The grip on L's body loosened and Light slowly pulled his head away, turning to regard Linda with feigned shock. He didn't let L's waist or hair go, though- there was still the need to reinforce what, exactly, he and L had been doing, and if the thought that it was mainly because he just didn't want to let go wriggled its way insidiously into his mind, he ignored it.
"Miss Mellryn?" Light exclaimed with feigned horror. "What are you- I don't-"
Linda's eyes flashed between Light and L, taking in their compromising position- and her eyes narrowed upon seeing who, exactly, it was with Light- and then she stepped forwards, glaring at Light furiously. "You are vile!" she hissed, fists clenching.
Unconsciously, Light's lip started to curl and he pulled L closer, wary of what the female was going to do. If she tried to attack L, attack his Accorded… it might not turn out so well for Miss Mellryn indeed.
It was weird, the way being around L had changed him so much. 5 years ago, he never would have thought about defending a human being like this- not because he cared about that human so much. He would have done it to save their life, yes, but not to protect against a hurt or stain to the name, as Light had done just last night.
L was changing him, and Light wasn't sure if it was for the better or worse.
Linda stopped, leveling a vicious glare at L, and then at Light. "You are a disgusting man, Mr. Light Yagami, and you, Miss Lorena Lawlietta, are a harlot of the worst sort- a veritable Jezebel! Seducing the very man who lives in your home! I want you both to leave this minute!" she hissed venomously, and Light had the good grace to feign abashedness and nod.
His hand slipped down from L's hair and to his wrist, holding it gently as he pulled L along with him, away from the wall and making their hasty escape outside.
L's carriage was waiting for them, luckily, and Light helped L up as any gentleman would for a lady, just in case someone were watching. He then went around the side and slipped into the carriage, gesturing at the driver to start going home as he did so.
"What the hell was that?" L asked quietly once they Light situated himself into the carriage. L was forced to sit normally because of the dress he still wore, but he leaned forwards, hands propped on his knees to regard Light more seriously.
"What the hell was what?" Light asked carefully, feigning ignorance in an attempt to deflect the question. L knew what he was about, though, because he shook his head, silently indicating that he would not allow for nay of Light's evasions.
"Do not deflect, vampire," L said seriously. "What was that kiss?" There had seemed to be more to it than simply a diversionary tactic, an undercurrent of desperation and…and... something else L couldn't put a name to in Light's bearing and insistent demeanor. Whatever it was, it was confusing, and L hated being confused.
"A means to get Linda off my back so we could make our daring escape," Light said in a light tone, attempting to add some levity to the situation and ease some of the tension between them. He had hoped L would just dismiss it, but Light wasn't that lucky.
"Yes, I understand that," L said, giving a sharp nod, before his eyes narrowed, examining Light keenly. Under the scrutiny of L's black eyes, he felt very small, as if he were being picked apart. "But there was no means to get so very… animated about it, as you did," L continued.
"…Vampires are very physical creatures, L," Light said carefully, choosing his words with great care, intending to give L enough information to appease him, if not answer L's direct question, "if you've not noticed from how much I touch you. It's been quite a long time since I've had such close contact with another living being, and I allowed myself to be overcome. I apologize for any discomfort this has caused you," Light finished, holding his breath as L leaned back, lids lowering in contemplation as he digested this slice of information Light had given him.
"…I… see. Then I suppose it is my turn to apologize, isn't it? Both for overreacting and for not allowing you enough leave to go about your business as you wish." L kept his eyes on Light's face as he talked, watching the vampire's handsome face for any nuance of expression.
"What…?" Light asked, admittedly confused by L's vague words.
L held up a single finger, continuing on where he had left off as if Light hadn't spoken. "I only ask that you not bring any women directly to the manor, as that could cause unwanted rumors."
Light stared at L, his face a picture of shock. Whatever he had been expecting, it certainly wasn't this! And the fact that L had been the one to suggest something like this… it only painfully reinforced the fact that L was growing up, taking leaps and bounds and maturing so very fast, right before Light's eyes. L wasn't the child he used to know; he was warping into something older and more mature and…
"…Jesus Christ, L. When did you grow up? What happened to the innocent little brat I used to know?" Light whispered, stunned that L had been brazen enough to suggest something like that.
"I grew up. It's something we humans do," L said dismissively, turning away to gaze out the window. Light watched him keenly, a weight settling into his stomach. Yes; he was aware L was growing up. It was almost painful, so see him change from a bright, innocent, wide-eyed child into this… this… adult, this disturbingly alluring, knowledgeable, appealing young adult.
"Just make sure to inform me if you need to take a night of leave," L said, raising a thumb to nibble at the soft flesh as he thought. The sudden words snapped Light's attention back to L, and shock passed over his face. Was L really telling him…?! But he had to stay by L's side per their Accord!
"But, the Accord- I am to assist you-" Light spluttered, but L cut him off.
"Yes, but you do what I tell you to, correct? And I want you to tell me if you need a night off every now and then. It's a need every living creature has, and as you told me, vampires
are physical creatures. If you need something like sex, it's only natural, Light. I won't hold it against you. It was never my intention to deprive you of something you needed to survive. Can't have my assistant dying on me or being displeased, now, can I?" L said lightly, giving a small smile, but there was an odd flicker within his eyes, quickly smothered and gone before Light had a chance to analyze it.
But if Light had to say, it was almost… uncertainty? Regret?
Did he regret giving Light free reign to indulge in darker pleasures if he wished? Why…? Why would L think to do that, and why would he explicitly tell Light that he wouldn't hold it against him if he chose… to…
No.
L wouldn't do something like that, would he? Did he not understand what he was subtly implying, what he was unconsciously offering?
"L," Light started, but the look L leveled him was enough to make him snap his mouth shut, though he was still stunned. He was unsure if what he thought L was trying to silently convey to him was correct, but his uncertain posture, the regret "I…understand," Light said, carefully, hesitantly.
He would wait, make sure that his thoughts were actually in line with L's before even thinking it.
But even so…
"If that's what you want me to do, L," Light said vaguely, settling back and looking away, "then I'll do it."
"As I wish, of course?" L said, tilting his head back to look at Light more fully, wide black eyes locked onto Light. There was a subtle note of teasing in his words, a light attempt to poke fun, but when Light looked back at L with shuttered eyes hiding some unknown emotion, the friendly feeling L had been attempting to create died a dismal death within the carriage, replaced with a sort of odd tension.
"Always as you wish, Lawliet."