Chapter 11

L watched in amusement as Light tried to find a relatively dry spot to sit down on when they finally got to the boarding area and got to one of the log flume type cars.

"This is ridiculous Ryuzaki, why did you insist on this?" Light complained as the ride began which only made L chuckle.

"Because it is a coaster, I wish to ride it and you are amusing. Besides, I did not make you ride it," he answered and Light's eyes narrowed in annoyance.

As they began to move along the "river", to the right of them they could see another track, and another car as it went down the drop. Just as they got close to it, the car hit the bottom of the drop, spewing water over them. Light made a disgusted noise, looking down at his now water speckled shirt and pants and glared at L when he heard him snort laughter at him.

"This is going to ruin these pants," he grumbled and L waved his hand at him.

"Then you will buy another pair, stop whining," he said and then looked hopeful as the car began to climb. Light braced himself for the drop and then sighed in relief when it turned to not be a drop, just a move onto a higher area. The entire car groaned in disappointment as it wound through the river, thorny branches rising out of the water around them and various signs of life, wagons, clothing hanging online, as they wound through the mountain.

As they entered a cave, it was L's turn to look horrified as on either side of the river were many happy animatronic figures of all types of animals and creatures, all singing and moving in a bayou, swamp like surrounding.

Now it was Light's turn to laugh as he watched L's expression as they passed by all the happily singing creatures.

"Aren't they cute?" he said and L's heated glare nearly dried his clothes but it didn't stop his laughter. He noted there was some type of story line regarding a big fat bear and a fox seeming to be going after a rabbit that seemed to continue to elude them. The log made a sudden drop and twist making the occupants squeal in surprise and take L's focus from the too cute characters. He looked directly ahead of him and noticed the track rising out of the water and going steeply uphill.

"I believe this will be worth the creatures!" he cried excitedly while Light looked at it nervously, trying to decide how he was going to minimize the water damage. He began to roll up his sleeves, thought better of it, and rerolled them down. L completely ignored him as the log car continued to climb towards the opening out of the cave until they reached the top and they could see completely across the park, the castle and Space Mountain seeming like toys from the height they were in. Suddenly it tipped and L gasped because he couldn't see the track from their seat as the car plummeted downwards. The bottom gave the illusion that they were about to land in more thorny bushes, everyone in the car was screaming but not so loud that he didn't hear Light's non-family friendly expletive as they hit the water. L stared at the huge plume of water that dramatically rose before them and then just as dramatically fell on them, soaking them completely.

People in the car applauded the drop as it came around to the station as L turned to look at Light to tell him how much he enjoyed it. But the only thing that came out was a peal of laughter when he saw what Light looked like. He was completely soaking wet, his hair plastered to his head and dripping water down his face and running down his neck onto his shirt, which was plastered against his chest. But it was the expression on his face that was priceless, which made L laugh harder than he could ever remember laughing. To see his fastidious Light look like a drowned rat was more than he could put into words.

Light had been looking down at his soaked pants when he heard L begin to laugh and he looked up to see L hadn't fared any better. His wild hair was completely flattened against his head, his white shirt nearly see through as it was plastered against his chest, but his nearly roaring and infectious laughter was so unheard of from L, that he burst into laughter as well, the wet clothes completely forgotten. Knowing how much fear and sadness he had recently seen on that pale face, his getting soaked was worth what he was looking at now.

"Oh no…" L groaned as they came into another area where there was a brightly lit riverboat where all the animatronic characters were all singing and cavorting. L put his head in his hands as they rode by, as Light chuckled next to him. Once they were past the riverboat they wound their way back to the loading station where they both sloshed out of the ride, both of them still amused at how the other looked.

"Ok, now it's time to go back to the hotel," Light announced as they began to walk away from the ride.

"I agree, even though we'll probably be dry in a few minutes the clothes will no longer feel comfortable," L added and followed Light in the direction of the buses.

"We'll have lunch and then I'll take my shopping run," Light said and L nodded his agreement, amused at the water that rushed out of his sneakers with every step.

"I will check with the boys and see how they are keeping up. I left them with a couple of tricky cases," he said and Light smirked at him.

"I'm sure they are doing just fine Ryuzaki," he said feeling steamy as the intense heat dried his clothes, "Now I know what a lobster feels like in the pot."

By the time they got back to their hotel they were both completely dry; the clothes were stiff and uncomfortable, but at least they were dry.

"Ugh, I need a shower," Light said as he peeled off the shirt and pants.

"Of course, after practically being soaked to the bone, it is only natural that one would require another dousing of water to feel better," L said sarcastically and Light ignored him.

"Joining me?" he asked as L also began to pull off his now uncomfortable clothes.

"I think not, I do not feel the need to throw more water on my body, I will just get redressed," he said walking towards the bedroom. Light grabbed him as he went by, wrapping his arms around the now naked detective pulling him against his body.

"Are you sure about that?" he asked leaning forward to kiss L's neck and remembering at the last moment not to, bringing his lips to L's shoulder instead. L squirmed out of Light's arms and continued to walk towards the bedroom.

"Quite sure, I must contact the boys and you must do your shopping," he said making Light sigh as he watched him walk away.

"Fine, but if you change your mind…" L waved him away with his hand.

"I won't," he said as he grabbed dry clothes and smiled as he watched Light walk into the bathroom, proud of himself for resisting the allure of Light's naked body. He pulled on some fresh clothes and picked up his laptop. He then went to the cabinets for a box of biscuits and then headed to his favorite spot—the balcony.

"L! Why haven't you sent pictures?" he was asked by a boisterous Mello when he connected with him.

"Light is the keeper of the camera, you need to ask him that question. Which one of you is working on the drug situation?"

"That would be me, and it's gotten pretty ugly," Mello answered.

"Explain," L asked and Mello brought him up-to-date with what had been happening. Watari came into the conversation as well, adding that he had instructed his contact to leave the country and stay hidden for a while. They had broken the back of one of the runners, but now the government wanted to know who L's contacts were and how they had found out the information.

"They know that is not a request I will answer," L commented.

"They do and it was reiterated. They tried to impress on me that it was to protect you and your contacts as there is now a rather large bounty for your head," Watari told him and L chuckled.

"And how many does that make for this year?" he asked.

"I believe that brings the number to six so far," Watari answered.

"Only six? I obviously am not trying hard enough," L told him as he stuffed another biscuit into his mouth,

"Trying hard enough for what?" Light asked from behind him, slipping on a soft blue shirt over white slacks.

"For more bounties, there are only six contracts out my life right now," L answered nonchalantly and Light dropped the towel.

"Six bounties for your life? Are you serious?" he asked, a look of horror on his face and L nodded.

"This is nothing new Light, I was sure you were aware that many people want me dead", L said as Light shook his head.

"Of course I knew there were people who would love to see you dead, but actual contracts out on you? God, no I didn't know. I think if I had I would have thought twice about bringing you here!"

"Light, no one knows what L looks like and no one has any reason to suspect that he is in Florida. The reason we are so careful when he's working on a case is that once it is public that L is working on one, we have to be aware that those looking for him would converge on wherever that case is. This is why his going on locations is only a last resort situation, but that is not the case right now where you are, don't worry." Watari's voice reassured him from the laptop. He watched as L shoved another biscuit into his mouth and was suddenly aware that his heart had begun to beat rapidly at just the thought that there were contracts out on L's life. L looked up at him and could see he was not dealing well with the information.

"Thank you Watari, but I think that is enough work for me for today. I will contact you later."

"Very good, L. Continue to enjoy," Watari answered and cut the connection. L closed the laptop and stood up, making his way to the still troubled light.

"I cannot believe that you did not know this," he said and Light shook his head.

"I can't believe that you can talk about it so easily," Light answered and L sighed, sticking his hands into his pockets.

"I have lived with this knowledge my entire working life as L. I have upset and ruined more political and criminal dynasties than I can remember. Of course they have contracted to put me out of my misery and their lives if only for revenge." Light reached out and put his hands on L's shoulders. The vision of L dying in his arms flashed across his mind and he inadvertently shuddered; the idea of one of L's many enemies getting their hands on a Death Note and writing his name in it also crossed his mind. It wasn't impossible, it had happened to him it could happen to anyone.

"How can I keep this from happening, how can I keep you safe?" he asked and L smiled at him.

"Light, all that can possibly be done is already in place, you know that. Simply because you are aware of the contracts doesn't mean they're any more dangerous to me than they have been before. I have survived this long; there is no reason to think I will not continue to do so. The people who know I am L are few, and those who know my real name are even fewer. I am as safe as I can possibly be." He pulled away from Light's hands and walked towards the kitchen.

"Weren't you going shopping?" he asked as he opened the cabinets and tried to decide what he wanted to eat next.

"I don't know if I should leave you alone now, I don't know if I can knowing this," Light said walking towards him and L sighed.

"Don't do this Light, nothing has changed simply because you know about these things. It has always been this way and nothing has happened. You must put this out of your mind and continue to be as you have been. My life with you is perfect as it is now, I will not tolerate silly behavior from you."

"Silly?" Light bristled at the accusation, "My being worried about you is silly?"

"No, your being overly concerned about something that is already under control is. The subject is closed, I am hungry and we must eat so you can go shopping," he turned and smiled at Light, his hand touching the worried man's face, "Your being worried about me means that you love me and that is not silly," he leaned forward and gently kissed Light's mouth. Light grabbed him and pulled the detective against him, that soft kiss not enough for him, attacking his mouth with passion. When Light finally released him, L pushed him away.

"As fulfilling as that was, I am still hungry, go order lunch," he ordered reaching for a box of taffy. Light nodded and went for the phone, trying to put the worry out of his mind.