A/N: There's only one chapter left after this one…apparently my subtle foreshadowing was more blatant than I thought. Oh well...I'm sure you'll all feel vindicated in the end. I took part of this scene from the Kite Runner. I had to read it for my Lit class. If you've read it, it'll give you a huuuuuuge hint.
Disclaimer: I own neither Light nor L.
Light knew he should be feeling guilty, but it was hard not to feel so content with his life at the moment. The terror was gradually fading from L's eyes. The first time they had sex after the incident, L was very hesitant, but Light took it slow. He was as careful with L as he had been when L lost his virginity to him. He was very gentle, kissing and caressing to take L's mind off the slight discomfort. And once they had gotten past that hurdle, the first sex after the rape, it was a lot easier. Gradually, sex became more routine again. Light didn't have to worry about L quite as much. As they kissed passionately, Light could almost forget how he had once held L in his arms for hours before he could bring himself to kiss him, afraid of shattering the progress they had made. But now, things were only getting better.
Light knew he should feel guilty. It was at L's expense that things had now become so good. L's affection and adoring expression were only the result of knowing how much better sex was with Light than with the rapist. Light knew that he should feel bad that things were so good, but he just couldn't. He couldn't get over the fact that L was now his again. L wasn't completely normal again. He was entirely too submissive, but Light would rather take too much affection over the isolation.
Light was finally given permission to return to work. It was a relief to be able to work and come home to find L had just gotten home instead of wandering the house all day waiting for L. It gave him something to do.
"Raito-kun," L said softly, rising from the couch as Light walked in the door. He set his book to the side and allowed Light to embrace him.
Light kissed L's cheek. "Well, that's a nice thing to come home to. And you made dinner too? Geez, I'm getting spoiled. Are you sure you're actually going to work? You're home awfully early."
L smiled slightly. "Yes. I've had shorter hours this week. Next week I have been assured of more to work on. It is doubtful that I will be home before midnight."
"Well, I'll take what I can get." Light scooped L into his arms and settled onto the couch with him.
L rested his head against Light's chest. "So, Raito-kun, how is work going with you?"
"It's going great. Almost everyone is happy to see me back at the job."
"You didn't tell them why…did you?" L had suddenly become tense.
"No, of course not. I would never make that public knowledge." Light hugged L tightly. "They just know it was some kind of personal problem. They're happy I'm back and they want to throw a party for me."
"How nice of them," L murmured.
"I was thinking maybe we should have the party here."
L's good mood seemed to evaporate. "A party? Here? Raito-kun, parties are a lot of trouble."
"I know, I know. Just relax. I'll take care of it. It's just a way to thank everyone at work for being understanding and letting me have time off. I promise I'll make all the food. You won't have to lift a finger."
L smiled. "I suppose I should be grateful. After all, Raito-kun will be baking all of his famous cookies and brownies, right?"
Light grinned. "You bet. And you even get to try them first and let me know if they're good."
L's smiled widened. "Just let me know how many people are coming and I'll make sure we have enough space for them."
"It's only people from work, L. We're a small crowd."
"Everyone from work?" L asked cautiously, rising slowly.
"Yeah, why not? There's only about twenty of us on the division. It's not that many people."
"You're inviting even people you don't know?"
"Oh, I know everyone well enough. Would you just relax? We all get along fine."
"If you say so." L had a distracted look on his face as he slowly wandered into the kitchen.
"So, is next weekend good? I want to make sure you have enough time to move all your papers somewhere."
'It's fine," L murmured.
Light tried to comprehend the sudden change in L's behavior, but all he could come up with was that L was not a people person. Well, he would let L sneak away to the safety of his room after he said hello to everyone. Light wasn't going to force L to socialize the whole time.
L did his part of preparing the house for guests in the middle of the night. One morning, Light woke up and the whole house was clean. Light didn't even have a chance to praise his hard work because L was already gone to work by the time he woke up.
L made himself scarce as Light prepared the food for the party. L only showed up once the cookies were ready to try one of them. Even then, he didn't say a word. He simply grabbed a cookie and ran off.
Light wasn't sure what to think. L didn't seem depressed anymore. He just looked a little harried. Light was afraid that the thought of so many people in the house was bothering him.
The weekend of the party rolled around quickly. The party was scheduled to begin at noon, but no one showed up until one. Mikami was the first to arrive, bearing a stack of board games. "Just in case," Mikami said cheerfully. He set them on a table near the entryway.
L was sitting in the kitchen, munching a shortbread cookie.
"L, come say hello to our first guest," Light called.
L cautiously walked towards Mikami and stared at him uncertainly.
Mikami held out his hand. "Hi, you must be Light's wife. I've heard so much about you from Light."
L stared at Mikami's outstretched hand and said nothing.
"L," Light growled. "Would you please be polite?"
"Oh, it's alright. He's just a little shy, isn't he?" Mikami's smile widened. "It's nice to meet you, L. You must be lucky, married to a guy who bakes all these delicious treats for you."
Light laughed. "I don't bake these all the time.. I know L would love it if I did though." He glared meaningfully at L.
L slowly reached out to shake Mikami's hand.
Mikami gripped L's hand tightly. "So nice to meet you."
L drew his hand back hastily and backed away.
"I don't know what's gotten into him," Light growled. "Here, let me show you the house."
The doorbell rang.
"L, would you get that for me?" Light called over his shoulder. " I think it's Aizawa. I'm pretty sure that's his car out front."
"Do I have to?" L whispered.
Light whirled around. "Jesus, you're awfully pale. Are you sick?"
L nodded slowly.
Light sighed. "Well, get to bed then. All the excitement must be wearing you out. I'll bring you some ice cream in a bit after everyone gets settled."
L nodded again and trudged off towards the bedroom.
Light headed for the front door. "Hey there, Aizawa. Oh, hello, Mogi. Did Aizawa give you a ride here?"
Mogi grunted a brief affirmative and wandered into the kitchen.
Light shrugged helplessly. "Well, have a bite to eat if you want. Mikami brought board games for later if we want. Or we could just hang out and talk."
Aizawa looked at a picture of L and Light on the mantel. "Is this your wife?"
"Yeah, that's my L."
"Did he help you make all this stuff?"
"No, he's sick," Mikami said sadly.
"Hmph," Aizawa grunted. 'Oh well. We'll have fun without him. Kata's bringing us over a bottle of sake."
Light groaned and rolled his eyes. "Always the life of the party, eh?"
"It's too bad L won't be joining us," Misaki said in a sad voice.
Light shrugged. "He never did like parties anyway. Don't worry about him. He'll be fine."
Light began leading the group on a tour of the house, quickly forgetting L's absence.