Chapter 2

Light went into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee as L picked up his laptop and took it back outside to the balcony. The choice of coffee in the little packets didn't thrill Light and there was definitely not enough sugar for L so Light made a mental note to ask where he could do a little shopping later but for now he would order from room service. He knew he was tired and L had to be even though he didn't look it, so relaxation right now was the best thing for both of them. He checked the menu on the desk for food he knew L would like and something for himself and made the call.

L immediately contacted the boys to let them know they had arrived safely in the land of the mouse and excitedly told them about where they were staying, using the camera in the lap top to give them a view of the savannah. It was only about 8 a.m. the next day in Japan and only Mello was on duty while the other two were sleeping in but had enough enthusiasm to cover the three of them. L then contacted Watari to let him know he was safe.

"You should see this place Watari, "he told him excitedly, "It reminds me so much of our trip to Africa!" Watari smiled and nodded.

"I had hoped it would do that," he told him, "When Light suggested the destination and I did the research that is exactly what I thought of when I found it. How was the flight?"

"Tolerable I suppose. I much prefer being on my plane and doing my own flying, at least I am sure of what is going on." L complained and Watari laughed.

"Of course you do, but I believe this was a good learning experience for you, another personal experience that will help you in the future."

"Perhaps, but that doesn't mean I must enjoy it.," he looked into the room to see Light taking their luggage and taking them into the bedroom. "Light, why don't you relax and join me out here?" he asked and Light shook his head.

"If I don't hang these things up now they'll wrinkle, I'll be there as soon as the coffee arrives," he called back going to the closet.

"Yes, and we know how much you hate wrinkles," L complained and looked at Watari on his screen, "He will most likely trade me in for a younger model when I begin to wrinkle or at least try to have me steam cleaned." He complained and Watari laughed.

"Somehow I do not believe that will a problem," he said and then looked at his watch, "I must go and check on Mello and make sure he hasn't left chocolate fingerprints everywhere." L frowned.

"Remind him I know how to remove fingerprints from fingers," he said as there was a knock on their door, "I believe our coffee has arrived anyway, so I shall speak with you at a later time." He watched as Watari nodded and then cut their connection. He sighed when the screen was once again blank reminding himself that Watari was not in the next room. The thought must have shone on his face because Light stopped moving, looking concerned as he entered the balcony carrying the tray of coffee and snacks.

"What's the matter, has something happened at home?" he asked placing the tray on one of the empty chairs near L and the detective shook his head a smile forming as he looked at the tray.

"No, everything is fine. Just a few thoughts," he surveyed the tray as Light poured him coffee taking what appeared to be a tart with chocolate filling and raspberry garnish and a dish of assorted fruit. There was a covered dish there as well and he assumed it was something for Light. L took the coffee being offered and began to fix it as Light made his own.

"Are you sure?" he asked and L nodded, "I hope I made the right choices for you," he added gesturing towards the tart and L grabbed the dish to answer.

"Perfect," L said taking his fork and cutting such a big slice of the tart that it left his mouth a combination of chocolate and cream that Light couldn't resist. He got up and took L's face in his hands, and licked the tempting mixture from his face, stopping only when it was clean to then kiss him deeply. L couldn't stop the moan of pleasure that escaped from him, as he closed his eyes and enjoyed the attention. He opened his eyes to see Light's honey ones staring back at him with love.

"If you wish to do that each time I take a bite, which is not a problem for me, it will take a long time for me to eat this tart," he said and Light laughed and reached for a napkin.

"No, next time you have to do the work yourself," he said handing it to him and sat down to fix his own coffee and took the top from the covered dish revealing a Caesar salad

"That looks more like something they would eat," L commented his head nodding towards the animals beneath the balcony and Light ignored him. L looked out over the area again and turned back to Light.

"I know you wish to show me everything, but do you think that for the rest of today, could we just stay here?" he asked and Light nodded, glad that L so enjoyed the room.

"Yes, of course. We've had a long day of traveling; we can definitely stay here and rest today. We're here for ten days, there's no reason to rush anything, I love you," he answered and was gratified by the beautiful smile he got in answer. Then the smile went away and L's face took on a very serious expression.

"Light, you do know that I love you?" he asked and Light was startled by the sudden question.

"Yes, why what's the matter?" Light asked him, his fork hanging in mid-air.

"Nothing really, I just wanted to make sure you realized that," L answered him and went back to his coffee. Light knew him well enough to know there was more to it than that and stopped him from taking a drink.

"Tell me what's wrong. This whole trip is to fix things between us, we can't begin it by you not being honest with me," he said and L sighed, knowing what had bothered him would hurt the young man sitting in front of him.

"I just want to make sure your realize it in spite of how the back of my mind may make me react. Even now there are unbidden thoughts of ulterior motives as to why Kira would want me so far removed from everyone and everything, how you could kill me here and not have to worry about being interrupted and have plenty of time to deal with the evidence," he stopped as he saw the look of grief on Light's face and reached forward to take his hand, "I know that isn't true, I know you have done all of this for me and for us and that I am perfectly safe with you. I wish I could turn off that part of my mind, but I cannot. I am so sorry, I do not wish to hurt you," he leaned forward and kissed Light, trying to prove to him just how much he did love him, in spite of his subconscious fears. Light kissed him back, trying not to be hurt by L's worries but not succeeding, knowing it was his fault that L felt that way in the first place.

"I'm going to do everything I can to make you get over what Kira did to you, what he did to us." He told him and L nodded.

"I know, and I will do what I can to stop these thoughts. I just didn't wish you to think they had changed how I feel in any way, if I suddenly behave differently. Sometimes I can't control it." Light smiled at him and nodded.

"Don't worry, I understand. I don't intend to let you have too much time to think and worry about anything anyway." He said as he sat back and went back to his salad.

"Light, I must ask you another question," L told him and Light looked up again and braced himself.

"You would not turn me in for a younger man if I became wrinkled like you are afraid your clothes would be would you?" he asked and Light stared at him incredulous until L's attempt to look serious made him burst into laughter.

They spent what was left of the day until sunset on the balcony; Light changing out of the suit he traveled into something much lighter and trying to get L to try a short sleeved shirt all the while knowing it was a futile effort, but enjoying the chase.

When it was full dark, L tore himself away from the view to join Light in the living room of the suite as he sat at the desk going through the information on the resort, especially the restaurants and what was available for dinner. He also found plenty of information on Disney World itself and flipped through to find things he thought L would enjoy, or that he might get him to do.

"L, there's a private safari that's available if you don't mind getting up really early." He suggested as L settled on the couch with his laptop.

"I believe I would enjoy that," he said as he continued to type. Light got up and brought the menu with him, and gently closed the lid of L's laptop. L looked up at him frowning.

"What are you doing?" he asked, annoyance in his tone.

"This is a vacation. I know you've never had one, but it's supposed to be a time when you don't work," he answered and L made a face and reopened his laptop.

"Ridiculous, I need to keep up with what the boys are doing and if anything else is new.." Light closed the lid again.

"No you don't, that's why they're covering for you and they have Watari who will contact you if something needs your attention, now I'm going to have to insist that you not spend your time on that laptop!" he watched as L's eyes flashed in anger.

"You cannot tell me not to be what I am, Light. This is what I am, not just what I do!"

"Ok, I understand that but I also think you're hiding behind it." L snorted at him.

"Hiding? From what?" he demanded.

"From me, L," Light told him softly and L stared at him shaking his head.

"How can I hide from you sitting right here?" he asked turning from him and reaching for the computer. Light sighed, reaching across and holding L's shoulders making him look at him.

"You're physically sitting next to me but you're not completely with me emotionally. You're still afraid of me L, afraid of what your mind is trying to tell you about me and it's making you hide behind that computer screen. You have to stop if we're going to get past this L, please!" L continued to stare at him, his mind racing to try to form an argument but finding that he couldn't. He pulled away and stood up moving away from Light.

"I agree you should check in every day, in the morning and at night, but the rest of the time I need you with me…completely." Light finished watching L walk away from him, which hurt him more than he could put into words. L stopped at the balcony doors where the moon was shining over the now empty land and stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"You are absolutely correct in your assessment, Light. I told you earlier those thoughts were still there, and I thought perhaps if I concentrated on work more than the problem at hand, it might stop being a problem. However, that does not appear to be the case, work merely masks it until I stop thinking about work," he turned around looked around the room, "You have done so much to make this work and prove to me that everything is alright but I can't…relax. I keep feeling your hand around my neck, I keep seeing the incredible hate and loathing in your eyes, that hateful smile as you tightened your grip so I could not breathe. I see it every time I stop thinking Light, and it is worse now that I am so far away from everything and everyone…I am so sorry," he turned around to face Light again, tears beginning to fall, "I have never not been able to control my mind and I am so afraid that I won't be able to and you will tire of me looking at you with fear and just give up and leave, and the fear of you leaving me is what made me hide behind my work. In spite of those fears, I still love you more than my own life."

Light stood up and went to L, his hands taking the raven's face and pulling it to him, kissing him as deeply as he could, his hands leaving L's face and going into his hair and then down his back to pull him against him as tightly as he could.. He felt L's arms slowly reach up and return his hold, his hands pressing tightly against Light's back. When he finally released him he looked into L's eyes and could see the touch of fear that was there, but he also saw the love that was still there and that's all he needed.

"I am never going to give up on this," he reassured him his face a mask of determination, "And I am never going to turn my back on you, I couldn't it's impossible for me to even think about. As long as you still love me, we'll be able to fix this, L. I love you and I'm not going anywhere," he told him and wiped the tears from L's face with his thumbs, kissed him again and then smiled, "Except maybe for the phone because I'm starving!" L blinked and then laughed, feeling as if a weight had been lifted and feeling hopeful.

"Look at the menu and decide what you want to eat for dinner." Light added and L smiled and nodded, then reached up carded through Light's hair.

"After we order you can tell me about the safari you found," he said and Light nodded happily.

"Absolutely, you're going to love it!" he said finally letting L go and headed for the phone, L going to the couch and sitting with his knees drawn to his chest as he picked up the menu and looked through it, his usually stoic face still showing his worry.

Light watched him as he pushed the buttons on the phone for room service and realized that it may be a little more difficult that he had thought at first, but he would make sure that by the time their vacation was up, things would be back to normal and L would no longer be a victim of his own mind.

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