A/N: I don't own Death Note. Thanks for the reviews. After this chapter, I think there will be only one chapter left.
Chapter 29: Family
When the plane finally landed in Japan, it was about three o'clock in the morning. L exited the plane with no problem at all while Light stumbled beside him. The investigation team seemed pretty exhausted as well. But L was quite accustomed to lack of sleep anyway so he was still wide awake.
Once they left the airport and entered the parking lot, L explained, "Mr. Yagami, a chauffer will come to pick you and the investigation team up momentarily. Tell him where you all live and he'll drop you off."
Then L latched onto the sleep-deprived Light and started to lead him away.
"Wait," Mr. Yagami asked, "Where are you going with Light?"
"I'm taking him home with me," L announced while Light leaned on him.
Mr. Yagami looked surprised. Then Matsuda sleepily grinned, "I bet that's why they spoke in English. They're planning to have-"
"Shut up, Matsuda," Mr. Yagami tried his best to sound alert, "Ryuzaki, is Light…okay with this?"
Light yawned then bluntly stated, "Yeah, Dad. I want to live with him."
"Well, alright," Mr. Yagami seemed worried.
"I'll call you later. You can even visit if you'd like," L tried to assure Mr. Yagami that everything was fine. I probably should have explained this to Light's father earlier. This may be hard to take all at once.
Then a black car with tinted windows pulled up in front of them. Mr. Yagami had an unnerved expression on his face as he watched his son get in the car with L. Light immediately laid down then L smiled at the investigation team as he closed the car door.
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Light actually slept in the car until L nudged him and woke him up. Light barely opened his eyes and gazed up at L who leaned over him.
Then L opened the car door and stepped out, "Come on, Light-kun. We're home."
Light just smirked as he sat up. Then Light's eyes grew wide in shock once he spotted the huge mansion. The mansion had white columns and was made of stone. Also it had a European style about it that made it seem extremely foreign compared to any traditional Japanese buildings.
L explained, "This really just a temporary place. The only reason that I even moved to Japan was for the Kira case. I lived here for about a couple of days until I joined up with the Japanese police. Since then I usually ate and slept in the office building."
"So you own a mansion that you don't even use?" Light gave L an exasperated look, "Just how rich are you?"
L shrugged, "I don't keep up with it."
"Then how can you afford all of this?!" Light pointed at the gigantic mansion.
"I just solved a lot of cases. Money's not really an issue," L walked toward the entrance of mansion, "Come on, Light-kun."
Even though Light was exhausted, his eyes were wide open now. Light followed L into the mansion and gawked at everything in sight. There weren't that many furnishings inside which made the place seem even larger.
"How did you even find a European-style mansion out here?" Light gazed up at the high ceiling.
"It wasn't that hard. And the fact this place looks European is why I bought it. It reminded me of the orphanage," L solemnly admitted.
Light nodded. The very same orphanage that Arik burned to the ground. Light changed the subject, "So where's the bedrooms?"
"Up here," L led the way up the long, spiral staircase.
Light grimaced at the sight of all the stairs then began to groggily stumble his way up. Even though he almost tripped a few times, Light made it to the second floor.
Then L headed down the hallway and opened a door, "Well, this is my room."
Light immediately staggered into the room and collapsed on L's bed.
"You know, there are nine other bedrooms," L added with a smirk.
"Not moving. Too tired," Light laid face down on the large bed.
L's grin widened, "Sure."
"What is that supposed to mean? I'm tired and now I found a bed. Good night," Light kicked off his shoes and got underneath the covers.
"If you wanted to sleep in the same bed as me, you only needed to say so. I'd let you curl up next to me," L claimed teasingly.
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm just tired," Light snapped while he laid on his side.
There goes Light's pride again. Even without memories of being Kira that pride's still there. L actually felt relieved
L slid into the bed, "So Light-kun, are you going to mysteriously be overcome with exhaustion tomorrow night as well?"
"I might have jetlag," Light mischievously turned over to face L.
L leaned toward Light and kissed him on the lips. Light welcomingly opened his mouth without hesitation. But then Light slid his tongue in first. L realized that Light was trying to dominate the kiss. L cleverly ran his hand up underneath Light's shirt, which caused the younger one to gasp. Then L took his chance to fling his leg over Light and sit onto top of him.
L kissed Light again and this time L used his tongue to make Light moan from pleasure. Light wrapped his arms around L's back and pulled him in deeper. It dawned on L that he could take this a step further, Light was definitely willing.
L's hand twitched over the opening of Light's pants. But something stopped him. Guilt. L had Light, he could take Light now. But it wouldn't truly be Light at the same time. Just an innocent, young-spirited Light that L had been lying to.
The kiss continued until L abruptly lifted up his head. Light panted underneath L, catching up with his breath. Light really did seem tired anyway, it was a long flight.
Then L rolled over onto his back, right beside Light. Light leaned on L as his breathing steadied.
L placed an arm over Light and held him closer, "So I'm guessing that you don't want your own room?"
Light nodded as he contently fell asleep in L's arms.
L watched Light sleep for awhile, contemplating his newfound guilt. L knew that he was only lying to Light to protect him…yet it still felt wrong. But L had no right to tell Light a truth that may crush him, right? The last thing L wanted was to make some selfish move that would harm Light. Yet L wanted all of Light, the real Light even with all of his flaws and mistakes.
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Light peacefully slept until he heard a voice calling out, "Light-kun, you need to wake up."
Even though he was still half-asleep, Light recognized L's voice. Light made a grumbling noise and kept his eyes shut. This was some of the best sleep that Light has had in awhile. He had no intention on getting up any time soon.
Then Light felt L kissing his neck. Oh, no fair. Light barely opened his eyes and glanced up at L who kneeled by the bed.
L happily announced, "We're having visitors today."
"Someone's coming to see you?" Light gave him a skeptical look.
"Well, actually I think that they want to see you more," L declared, "Your family is coming over."
Light's eyes popped open then he nervously laughed, "That's funny. But seriously who's coming over?"
"Your family," L explained, "Your father, your mother, and your younger sister are all coming."
Light blinked a few times then quickly jolted out of the bed, "Why?! How did they even find out where you live?"
"Probably because I told them," L stated as he stood up, "From what I gather your mother and sister have no idea what you've been up to. And I have no intention of letting them know that you were ever a Kira suspect. But I figured that they min as well know you're living condition."
Light felt his heart skip a beat, "You mean let them know that I live with you and that we're…"
"I believe your father already explained to them that we're in a relationship," L calmly replied.
"Oh, my God," Light's face went blank in horror.
"Don't worry about it," L assured him, "Your family is coming over and we can all talk this over like mature-"
Light chucked a pillow at L's head, "How could you do this to me?!"
L gave him an irritated look, "Would you rather lie to them?"
"Yes!" Light admitted with no shame whatsoever.
L just sighed, "Well, they'll be arriving soon."
"Damn it," Light hurried to a dresser, and searched through L's clothes. Light grabbed some black pants and a dark red shirt. Next, Light turned to examine what L was wearing.
Light tossed a blue shirt at L, "Wear better clothes." Then Light rushed into the bathroom to get ready.
Appearances can matter so much to Light-kun. L shook his head as he placed the nice shirt on the bed. Oh, well. I'll still act like myself, even if Light prefers to lie.
After Light made himself look all neat and orderly, he descended down the spiral staircase. Light entered the dinning room and spotted L, looking exactly the opposite of Light as usual. L's black hair stuck up in the back and he still wore the same clothes even after Light told him to change.
"I don't understand you," Light headed towards him, "Don't you want to look nice?"
"Maybe I'm just not as pretty as you are," L suggested as he placed a hand on a chair.
Light snapped, "That has nothing to do with this!"
Then L sat down in his usually strange way with only his feet touching the base of the chair and his knees bent.
"Oh no. Don't sit like that," Light complained, "Can't you at least try to ease them into your weirdness?"
"Mr. Yagami has seen me sit like this countless times," L excused his behavior.
"But my mother and sister haven't. Sit normally, just for today," Light insisted.
L agitatedly asked, "Why don't you want me to be myself?"
"No, I do want you to be yourself. Just be yourself in the way you'd be if you were better than yourself."
"What?"
"Sit normally!" Light hastily ordered.
"No," L stubbornly stayed in his favorite sitting position.
"Damn it, Ryuzaki!" Light rushed behind L and started forcefully pushing down on L's back.
While Light tried to shove L down, L quickly reached over and grabbed the collar of Light's shirt. Then L pulled Light down and onto the table. With Light's back on the table, L latched onto Light's wrists and pinned him down.
"Is this a bad time?" a familiar male voice asked from the other side of the room.
L glanced up and so did Light, who was still pinned down to the table. Mr. Yagami, Mrs. Yagami, and Sayu watched them from the other end of the dinning room.
L quickly released his grip on Light, "Oh, hello. I didn't even hear you come in."
"Well, you did seem busy," Light's mother blurted out then apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean…"
Mr. Yagami told his wife, "Don't worry about it, dear. They always do that."
Light's teenage sister, Sayu grinned, "Awesome!"
L glanced over at Light who had turned red from embarrassment. Poor Light-kun. ThenL stood up and headed toward Light's family, "I'm glad that you all could make it."
"Ah, yes. Well, I've haven't seen Light in about a month," Mrs. Yagami waved at her son, "How are you doing, Sweetie?"
Light's eye twitched a little. L tried not to start laughing. Light's mother must be the only person in the world who can get away with calling him that. Interesting.
"I'm fine, mother." Light answered with a semi-formal tone.
"Oh, and Ryuzaki," Mrs. Yagami pulled a strawberry cake out of a bag, "I heard that you like sweets so I went ahead and made this."
It's beautiful. L's eyes grew wide as he picked up the strawberry cake. L adoringly held the cake with pink icing then gazed at Light's mother, "I love you."
Light stomped on L's foot and whispered, "Act normal."
"But look at the beautiful cake," L held the cake up to Light's face, "Thank you, Mrs. Yagami."
Light's mother chuckled, "You're welcome, Ryuzaki. When I first saw you, I was a little worried but you seem relatively harmless now."
Light just shook his head while L still lovingly ogled the strawberry cake.
"I got you something too," Sayu held out a big chocolate bunny.
L looked as if he was in heaven. L managed to carry the cake in one hand and the chocolate bunny in the other, "Thank you. Now, I'll go put all of this down in the kitchen."
"I'll be back in a minute," Light told his family before he followed L into the kitchen.
"Light-kun, I adore your family." L announced as he set the cake on a counter.
"Of course you do. They gave you sweets," Light glanced through an opening into the dinning room, "They all seem to like you right now. Even with that stunt you pulled when you just had to pin me to the table."
"That was your own fault, Sweetie." L mimicked Light's mother.
"Don't you dare call me that!" Light hissed then snatched away L's chocolate bunny just to spite the detective.
L's whole demeanor turned threatening, "You will give me my chocolate bunny or I will pin you back down in front of your family."
"You wouldn't dare," Light refused to hand back L's sugary present.
L stepped toward Light with a serious expression.
"Here," Light quickly tossed the chocolate bunny at him.
L automatically returned to looking harmless as he grinned at the chocolate bunny.
"You're so weird," Light sighed out of frustration.
"I know," L placed the chocolate bunny down on the counter, "But I can see why you want me to act normally now. You just want your family's approval of me."
"So you'll act normal?" Light seemed hopeful.
"No," L admitted, "I don't think that I have that ability to be completely honest with you."
"Fine then just be likable. Let's go," Light grabbed L's hand and led him out the kitchen.
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After about twenty minutes of small talk, L grabbed his chocolate bunny and began to give a tour of the huge mansion. Once they viewed all the rooms downstairs, L led them upstairs to the bedrooms.
First L showed them his bedroom, "This is my room, and that's-"
"Where does Light sleep?" Sayu curiously asked while Light glared at her.
Mrs. Yagami was about to scold her, "Sayu-"
"He sleeps with me," L casually answered without any embarrassment.
Light almost died from hearing L say that. Light's mother and father shifted uncomfortably. Sayu just seemed even more curious. L continued walking but then Sayu grabbed his arm.
Sayu gazed up at L and pried, "Which one pitches and which one takes?"
"Huh?" L gave Sayu a confused look.
"Sayu quit asking weird questions!" Light suddenly snapped at his nosy sister. Especially since L's so oblivious that he actually answers!
"He's right, Sayu. You're being rude," Mrs. Yagami defended Light's outrage.
"I was just wondering which one was the girly one," Sayu folded her arms and pouted.
Light backed away, feeling a little unnerved by his sister. L simply sat down in a chair by the wall and started eating his chocolate bunny.
L nonchalantly asked, "Well, Sayu which one of us do you think is more feminine?"
"Light," Sayu immediately pointed at her older brother.
Light objected, "How can you be so sure?!"
Mr. Yagami quickly excused himself, "I…need to go to the bathroom." Light's father hurried down the stairs.
"Me too," Mrs. Yagami hastily followed her husband as they fled.
Then Sayu began her argument, "Well, first of all, Ryuzaki's older than you. Ryuzaki's taller than you-"
"How do you know that? Ryuzaki stand up," Light demanded. L just sighed then stood up.
Then Sayu had Light and L stand back to back, "Straighten your back, Ryuzaki."
Once L straightened his back and actually stood upright, Sayu proclaimed, "Yeah, Ryuzaki's taller than you, Light."
"So what? It's just height anyway," Light acted unaffected while L took his seat and happily munched on his chocolate bunny once again.
Sayu continued her list of reasons, "Then there's the fact that Ryuzaki is financially supporting you. And he's letting you live in his mansion while you can't even afford an apartment. Also you obviously care more about the way you look and you dress better. Ryuzaki has this masculinity about him-"
"What?" Light pointed at L, "Look at him, eating his freaking chocolate bunny. How the hell is that masculine?!"
"He's more masculine than you," Sayu insisted.
"How?!"
"Well, Ryuzaki is sitting down and being mature. While you're screeching and getting all flustered," Sayu added mercilessly, "Much like a girl."
Light just stared at her, unable to respond to that. Then Sayu triumphantly giggled and skipped down the stairs, probably to find her parents.
L finished eating his chocolate bunny and commented, "Your sister's pretty smart, Light-kun. I think she takes after you."
"Shut up, Ryuzaki," Light snapped at the laughing detective.
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Around sunset, Light's family was planning to leave soon. Even with the few awkward moments, Light's family seemed to enjoying themselves. Light sat in the dinning room with his father and sister and conversed with them. Meanwhile Light's mother asked L to come and speak to her alone.
L followed Mrs. Yagami into the kitchen, "So what is it Mrs. Yagami?"
Mrs. Yagami unexpectedly stated, "Light has always been the perfect son. But he was the perfect son from a distance. Call it mother's intuition but something always seemed a little off about Light, especially since his senior year of high school. He never really became attached to anyone and he spent most of his time alone."
Then Mrs. Yagami smiled at L with teary eyes, "You brought out emotions that I haven't seen from Light in years. It's like he's not trying so hard to appear perfect anymore. Before he concealed any problems and it was as if he had no flaws at all."
"Oh, trust me. Light-kun has flaws," L claimed.
Light's mother laughed, "Like what?"
L listed the flaws, "Oh, he's arrogant, vain, spoiled, childish, easily angered, a lair, and power-hungry. He's terrified whenever he suffers a loss of power. Light can't stand that. Yet he does like feeling protected…" L put his hands in his pockets, "Sorry if I rambled."
"It's okay. I can tell that you know what you're talking about," Mrs. Yagami grinned, "I think that you're really good for Light. He obviously can't trick you into thinking that he's perfect."
L nodded then they both exited the kitchen because it was about time for Light's family to head home. Light's family hugged Light and said their goodbyes.
Then Mr. Yagami shook L's hand, "Keep Light out of trouble, will you?"
"Of, course," L agreed.
Next, Mrs. Yagami motherly wrapped her arms around L, "You're such a lovely young man."
Suddenly, Sayu came and squeezed L in a tight hug, "You're so awesome."
After their goodbyes, Light's family left out of the front door. L just stood in the same spot in shock. For the first time in L's life, he felt like a part of a family, Light's family.
Light let out a sigh of relief, "Well, that's finally over. And they really seemed to like you too."
"Ryuzaki?" Light turned to face L, who was being silent.
L unexpectedly announced, "Light-kun, I want to have a family with you."
"You-What?!" Light's mouth gaped wide open, "Are-Are you serious?"
L simply nodded while Light looked panicky.
"You mean, a family with like children and…and a marriage? That kind of a family?" Light gawked at the eccentric detective.
"Yes," L explained, "I know that there are biological barriers against us having children. But I also know from experience that there are plenty of orphans who'd love to be adopted. And as for the marriage portion, we could always go somewhere where gay marriage is legal and-"
"Whoa, wait a second." Light nervously called out.
"Don't worry, Light-kun. You're too young to handle all of that right now. I'll work the idea on you later," L confidently claimed.
"And you just assume that I'll accept the idea-?" Light's protest was stopped by L kissing him on the mouth. Light gave in and kissed back.
"Yes, I do." L answered Light's interrupted question as he pulled away.
"That was so unfair," Light complained while L smirked at him.
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The next day, things turned back to the usual routine. L and Light rode together back to the office building and they entered the workroom where the investigation team was waiting for them. Matsuda annoyingly greeted them as usual while Light's father seemed focused with work and keeping the others on task.
Then the phone by L's computer rang, L causally answered it, "This is L."
Light watched as L's facial expression changed. L nodded, "Yes, the first and second Kira are still out there… No, currently no suspects… Yes, I understand. Bye," L solemnly hung up the phone.
"Well," Light tried to change the mood, "Let's get started. There's a good possibility that Arik came in contact with the original Kira. We should search for a lead from there."
L emotionlessly responded, "Yes, that would be the most logical approach."
Light immediately sat down at the computer beside L's and began to work. After about thirty minutes of reviewing evidence, Light stopped to examine a picture. It was a photo of a message that was directed toward the second Kira and written in the criminal's blood. The message was written in Japanese and it ordered the second Kira to go on a mass killing spree.
"Ryuzaki," Light turned toward the detective, "This message that was sent to the second Kira, you agree that the first Kira sent it, correct?"
L glanced at Light's computer screen, "Yes. It was written in Japanese and all the messages from Arik were in English. It's definitely the first Kira's work."
"This occurred after Arik sent out that condescending message, declaring that Arik wanted the first Kira's companionship. We both agreed on the possibility that Arik could be threatening the first Kira into following him. The first Kira had never publicly sent out a message to second Kira like this before." Light cleverly declared, "With all the timing, I'd say that the first Kira was forced into sending this message by Arik."
Everyone in the investigation team seemed impressed while L silently stared forward.
Light continued, trying to win over L's admiration, "That would mean that Arik had the first Kira completely under his control and that he had seen Kira's face. But then there would be a possibility that Kira would rebel so… Arik would have to be careful and monitor him."
Mr. Yagami sounded proud of him, "Great job, Light. There has to be some evidence if Arik was monitoring the first Kira."
"Yes, there should be," Light's body actually shook a little. Arik was always monitoring me… He was so controlling and feared my rebellion.
Light anxiously asked, "Ryuzaki, why aren't I a Kira suspect anymore?"
"I've seen you interact with Arik. So I would know whether or not you're Kira," L replied.
"Yes, I'm sure that you would…" Something's not right. What's the real reason why L hid evidence from me? Light requested, "Since you know. Can you tell me? Am I Kira?"
"Light! What are you saying?!" Mr. Yagami sounded outraged.
"You are not Kira," L gazed into Light's eyes, "Trust me, you aren't. I know that all the drugs confused you and rid you of some memories. But you must not seek false explanations like this. You aren't Kira and I think that you should take a break."
"Fine," Light angrily stood up and headed toward the exit.
Matsuda grabbed on his arm to stop him, "Wait, Light-kun-"
"Let go of me," Light jerked his arm away then left the workroom.
Light's mind raced. Part of him truly did want to trust and believe L. But a larger part of Light needed the truth. He needed to know whether or not he was the mass murderer Kira. If he was, it would explain so much yet hurt at the same time.
Light remembered when L spoke of how Kira could discard his memories along with his Death Note. At first, Light didn't believe in that theory but could it be true? Could Light really be Kira and just not know anymore? And L had been with Light when they were stuck with Arik. If Light was Kira, L would know and L would be hiding it from him just like all of that evidence.
Light entered the elevator and leaned against the wall. Is L really lying to me? Then Light's cell phone rang and Light grabbed it out of his pocket.
"Hello?" Light answered the call.
"Light-kun, it's Misa-Misa! Misa has been trying to find you for so long! Misa was sad for a long time but now Misa has finally found you! Misa is so happy-" Her annoying voice rattled on and on.
"Listen, I need to ask you something." Light nervously continued, "I know that this may seem really strange but… Am I Kira?"
On the phone, Light could hear Misa's laughter, which made him feel slightly relieved.
Unexpectedly, Misa proclaimed, "Of course, you're Kira, silly."
Light dropped the cell phone in shock.
He could hear Misa's voice calling out loudly from the phone which laid on the floor, "Light-kun! Are you okay?! Misa is worried-"
All of her words ran together in Light's head as Light leaned against the wall with his heart pounding with his chest. I…I'm Kira?
End of Chapter 29