Before anyone says anything about the fact that I am mentioning historical things that happened way after the original timeline of Death Note, please not that I am not adhering to those dates as everything stops at 2006. L and Light have been together for over five years, meaning the end of the case was at least six years ago. I saw no point in trying to adhere to the actual time line considering this entire universe is fantasy anyway as we know events didn't happen this way, and it makes it so much easier to write it not having to go back and see what was going on years ago.
I also apologize for how long it took me to get this chapter up, I usually do them within a couple of weeks of posting the last one, but my dialysis treatments have left me unusually tired lately making it a little harder to concentrate on writing. I hope it doesn't reflect in the quality of this chapter and it's still okay.
THANKIES!
Chapter 22
"So, what would you like to do this evening?" Light asked as L finished his lunch. The detective thought for a few minutes before he answered. They had ordered lunch poolside at the Maji Pool Bar and were almost done.
"I wish to spend more time in the area that has all of the countries. There were many exhibits that interested me," he said taking a final bite and following it with coffee. Light nodded as he swallowed the last of his sandwich.
"Why don't we wait until tomorrow to do that when we have the full day? Since you don't wish to go out until this evening, why don't we go back over to the Magic Kingdom? There's an attraction or two we haven't done yet that would be great to see at night." L looked at him in question.
"Such as?" he asked.
"The Haunted Mansion for one, are you up for a little ghostly nonsense?" Light asked wriggling his eyebrows. L rolled his eyes and waved his hand at him as he finished his coffee.
"Are you expecting this to frighten me in some way?" he asked and Light shook his head.
"I don't think it's supposed to be all that frightening, but it sounds like it should be fun. You up for it?" L nodded.
"Of course, I look forward to it," he answered and Light smiled at him.
"Actually, me too. Are you finished or would you like something else?" he asked and L shook his head.
"I am finished, and am going back to work for a while. Can I trust you to behave yourself out here?" he asked and Light looked insulted.
"I was behaving before, I didn't do anything wrong, I was merely being polite," he defended as L looked skeptical.
"Be polite from a distance and we won't have a problem," L told him causing Light to laugh.
"I've never seen this green eyed monster from you before, I'm flattered," he said leaning across the table, closing the distance between them.
"I am not jealous, I am merely protecting what is mine," L answered seriously and Light snickered.
"Oh I see, I am your property now," he responded, "Then it's only fair that I say the same about you."
"I have no problem with your thinking I belong to you, although I never give you cause to feel as if you have to protect me from anyone as I am not blessed with your type of looks, so no one ever fawns over me as everyone does over you. The constant attraction to you is something I am used to but can never get comfortable with." L explained and Light sighed.
"I can't help what other people do Ryuzaki, but be honest, it's more than that now isn't it?" L looked away from him for a moment before answering.
"I don't know what you're referring to," he said and Light raised an eyebrow.
"Yes you do, and his name is Miyano," he said quietly and L started at the name, a look of disgust crossing his features.
"I'd rather we didn't discuss him," he answered and moved to stand up, "There are times I regret not throwing him into prison." Light grabbed his arm and stopped his movements and stared into the troubled dark eyes across from him.
"I'm glad you didn't, he saved my life," he reminded the still frowning detective, "But I can't apologize enough for what happened, and no matter how much I do I know it won't erase it from your mind anyway. I don't want to discuss him anymore either, but you have to realize that nothing like that will ever happen again, no matter how many people "fawn" over me as you put it. I'm so sorry Ryuzaki, I don't want the rest of our lives marked with what I did in a moment of stupidity." L placed his hand over Light's that was holding his arm and smiled.
"I do not blame you for what happened Light, you know that. You didn't do anything, it was done to you and I do not consciously think about it. I have found, however, that since it happened I cannot tolerate anyone else touching you in any type of suggestive way, I cannot even entertain the idea. But you do not need to apologize to me anymore, as what happened does not matter to me, or change anything about how I feel about you. It has merely made me more intolerant of others touching you, and that can easily be taken care of if you are less…polite." Light noted the troubled look in L's eyes at the mention of Miyano had faded, replaced with slight amusement and he sighed and smiled.
"I promise to not be over polite to anyone else," he answered and L smiled back.
"Then we will never have another problem," L told him as he stood up, "Now I will finish up with what I feel I must do and will see you when you tire of baking yourself." Light stood also and leaned forward, his lips a few inches from where he knew L's ear was hiding behind the mess of hair.
"I love you," he whispered and L's smile grew wider.
"And I you," he answered and walked away from the table. Light watched him until L was out of sight then sat back down at the table. He wondered for a moment if the repercussions of that case would ever stop, if they'd ever get past it all. He sighed, ordered another drink from the waitress when she came to clear the dishes and headed back to his lounge by the pool and his book.
Light made his way back to the hotel after having swam the length of the pool three times, finishing his book and darkening his tan. He felt strangely rejuvenated as he quickly made his way through the lobby. He just realized that he'd never had the time to relax like this at home; for the past several years his days had consisted of backbreaking studies, then work, his cases and home. He and L hadn't had any down time since the end of the Kira case over five years ago and something as simple as sitting quietly by a pool had just meant the world to him and recharged him more than he had ever expected it to.
He just wished L could just do the same, completely leave being L alone for a while and just completely relax. But he supposed that the fact that he only spent a small amount of time being L while they had been here was something anyway. He couldn't expect miracles, he should be glad for what he had gotten L to do, and he seemed to have enjoyed everything so far. Now he was looking forward to a shower, getting dressed, and getting L away from the keyboard again.
He practically jogged from the elevator to their room door, opened it and stopped when he saw L sleeping peacefully on the couch. He closed the door quietly and walked over the sleeping detective, getting on his knees in front of him. He couldn't remember a time when L had been relaxed enough to simply doze off in the middle of the day like that, especially after everything that had happened, and he was thrilled. He gently ran his fingers through that unruly hair, quietly calling his name.
L hadn't realized that he had dozed off until he heard the sound of Light's voice and his hand in his hair making his eyes fly open. He had worked on several cases that he felt were pressing and had sent the updates of what he had done in emails to Watari to find when he awoke as it was very early morning in Tokyo. He had felt extremely relaxed and fulfilled afterwards, something he hadn't felt in quite a while, and after turning his laptop off he had stretched out on the comfortable couch and had slipped into a contented sleep. When his eyes opened and he saw Light in front of him he smiled, and leaned into the hand that was in his hair.
"I didn't realize I'd fallen asleep," he said finally and Light smiled at him.
"It's a good sign that you did, it means you were relaxed enough to just drift off. That means the vacation's working," Light told him then leaned forward kissing him softly. L grimaced slightly after pulling away.
"You taste of a disturbing combination of sun tan lotion and chlorine," he said and Light laughed.
"Alright, I'm going to shower now and get dressed so we can head back to the park, unless you've changed your mind and would rather stay in?" he added as he watched L stretch and yawn.
"No, not at all. I believe I have caught up with myself and wish to go back out now," he answered and then appraised Light as he stood up. He had definitely darkened his tan; his hair perhaps a shade lighter from being in the sun for so long, the auburn eyes sparkling in amusement. The wave of affection that suddenly washed over him nearly overwhelmed him as he reminded himself once again that the beautiful young man before him actually loved him.
"Something wrong?" Light asked him as he stood from the couch and shook his head.
"Nothing's wrong, just enjoying the view in front of me," he answered smiling then backed away as Light leaned forward for another kiss, "Not until you no longer smell like a coconut pool." Light sighed and stood up.
"Okay, give me ten!" he answered darting towards the bathroom.
"Your ten generally means twenty I've discovered," L called after him, which was answered with a laugh.
When Light had finished dressing he found L finishing a melon as he waited. He walked over and took the detective into his arms.
"Is this better?" he asked before leaning forward and capturing his mouth in a devouring kiss, delighting in the moan he heard in response.
"That was much better," L told him as he was released; "However I seem to have lost the last bite of my melon!" Light laughed and quickly kissed him again.
"Let's get out of here, the mouse awaits," he said grabbing L's hand and pulling him towards the door, ignoring the look of disgust he knew was gracing those porcelain features.
Within the hour they were back in the Magic Kingdom, L making a beeline to the Main Street Confectionary. Light tried to be patient as he watched L prepare the perfect bag of jellybeans, slowly picking from the various flavor containers of the candy and tried not to roll his eyes as the detective selected a rather large multi-colored lollipop as well. Had Light seen the almost evil gleam in L's eyes as he took his time, sneaking glances at Light as he did, knowing he was driving him crazy and enjoying every moment of it, he might have not tried so hard to keep his cool.
As they made their way towards the castle there was a large crowd in front watching what appeared to be a show with Mickey going on. L sighed and sucked harder on his lollipop as Light watched fascinated. Instead of the regular character heads the characters wore, these were much smaller and the mouths actually moved when they were talking, the eyes as well making them look much more real and believable.
"You have to admit that these look quite real," he mentioned to L, "They look incredibly real." At first the only answer he received was a loud crunch.
"I admit these are the most frightening things I've ever seen, including Ryuk," the detective finally answered making Light turn to look at him.
"Frightening? Look at how happy these kids are watching this, there's nothing frightening about them!" He argued. L looked around the crowd and indeed the children seemed even more excited than usual, wide grins on their faces, eyes wide.
"It's all part of the rodent's master plan to take over the world; get the children first and the parents will follow. When it happens I will endeavor not to say I told you so," he answered. Light turned and stared at him, then caught the slight twinkle of amusement hiding within those large dark eyes.
"Now who's being an ass?" he asked him quietly, making L chuckle as he finished his lollipop.
The show ended a few minutes later, allowing them to finally go through the castle and enter Fantasy Land.
As Light was set on not going to the Haunted Mansion until full dark, they decided to repeat their favorite rides until dark with Space Mountain being first, and Light taking L's bag of jelly beans before getting on to avoid a repeat of what happened the first time.
They went on to Thunder Mountain Railroad, with Light refusing to get on Splash Mountain again much to L's amusement.
"We have never been through Liberty Square," L remarked looking at the map as Light' went over it.
"True," Light answered, "I didn't know if you'd be interested in it or not, but that is where the Haunted Mansion is located. Are you big on Colonial American History?" L shook his head.
"I am not "big" on it, but it would be interesting to see what they have done," he answered and Light nodded.
"Okay, and we can check out the Hall of Presidents. After that we can grab something to eat and then we can do the Haunted Mansion."
"Agreed," L said nodding and headed off in the direction of Liberty Square with Light following.
L was always impressed by the meticulous detail in the other attractions and this one was no different. As they walked into the area he noted the red brick buildings done in the proper style of the period, chuckling at the shingle hanging from one building, which read "Music and Voice Lessons, Ichabod Crane, Instructor." They walked past a replica of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, which housed the Hall of Presidents.
"Did you not wish to see this?" L asked and Light nodded.
"Yes, but after we've looked around a bit more," and L nodded his agreement and then pointed ahead of them.
"Look there are stocks over there, I wonder if they are functional," he made his way over to the replicas of colonial punishment, his thumb at his lips as he examined it.
"Go ahead, get into it so I can take a picture," Light suggested as L watched a youngster try it out first. After the child left, L leaned forward and stuck his hands in the small holes and his head in the large one. Light laughed and pulled out his camera snapping several shots.
"If only some of the criminals you've put away could see you like this," he said laughing.
"Some of the criminals I have put away would not be appeased by simply seeing
me in stocks," L answered as Light walked around behind him, trying not to think of what he meant by that.
"Hmmm, I wonder if they make these in a size for the bedroom," he said, "I like the position they put you in." L huffed at him and immediately pulled out of the stocks.
"Leave it to you to find something perverted in a piece of history," he said as he walked away from a laughing Light. He looked at the view in front of him, a replica of the Liberty Bell, and a large, foreboding building behind it.
"What is that supposed to be?" he asked pointing and Light checked his map and then saw the sign in front.
"That is the Haunted Mansion," he answered and laughed again as he watched L's nose tilt up even further and wrinkle in disdain.
"That's supposed to be scary?" he asked.
"I didn't say it was supposed to be scary, just spooky fun, stop judging before you even get in there," Light answered.
"I think that show with the mouse we walked in on was more frightening than that looks," L finished and looked back towards the Hall of Presidents, "I wish to see that now," he added and began to walk towards it.
"I bet the Mansion looks spookier after dark," Light promised and L stopped, looking at him skeptically.
"Light, I deal with death on a daily basis, I have dealt with notebooks that kill and gods of death, why would I find an amusement ride…spooky?" Light sighed at him as they walked into the building.
"Because you're supposed to not be so logical about it, you're supposed to just enjoy it, Ryuzaki." He told him and smiled at the appropriately dressed greeter as she welcomed them both into the waiting area of the Hall of Presidents.
They both welcomed the air-conditioned room, which was a huge rotunda, with a centerpiece of the seal of the President of the United States. The walls had paintings of the presidents and there was a case with artifacts to which L immediately walked to.
The first thing he saw in the display was labeled "Knee Buckles worn by George Washington" and had two buckles in an aged wooden box.
"Knee buckles? How was something like that preserved and even found?" he asked Light who shrugged.
"I imagine it was something kept in a family room and just passed down," he answered as L quickly moved to the next items from several presidents like Gerald Ford, Franklin Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover. L stopped in front of boots that had belonged to George W. Bush.
"He wore cowboy boots on his inauguration?" Light asked reading the plaque.
"Is that not proper attire?" L asked him and Light laughed.
"I guess it is if you're from Texas and you're a cowboy," he said shaking his head. They then looked at the display of dresses from various first ladies, at all the reproductions of all of the historical documents and in no time at all it was time to enter the theatre.
They walked into a huge darkened theatre and quickly found seats. Within a few moments of everyone being seated a film began, its projection stretching nearly halfway around the theatre. It was a history of the country, focusing mostly on the Constitution and the Presidency. Both L and Light found themselves fascinated by the way the history was being told, through still pictures and film as well as with excerpts of stirring speeches from many of the country's leaders and important people.
As the film spoke of the Civil War and of the day Lincoln made his famous Gettysburg address, the film itself faded out, and the curtain it was projected on began to rise, revealing a very real looking Abraham Lincoln sitting in a chair. As the spotlight hit him, both men gasped in surprise as the autoanimatronic figure stood up, what appeared to be a piece of paper in one hand, while the other began to gesture as he suddenly spoke, his face completely animated, his eyes moving as he surveyed the crowd. L and Light looked at each other in the dark then back to the stage, completely amazed. They thought the characters in the Pirates ride were amazing, this was simply unbelievable. They listened as the life like Lincoln gave his Gettysburg address, his arms and hands continue to gesture, his fingers moving independently, his face expressive.
"I don't believe this," Light whispered and L nodded his agreement.
"This is quite amazing, I wonder if they allow people to learn how this is accomplished," he pondered, his thumb at his lips. Then he suddenly remembered his bag of jellybeans and began to eat them earnestly as he continued to watch.
As Lincoln finished his speech, the lights and the curtain came down, and the film started up again. This time the film began with the end of the war and how the country began to come together, the times of presidents like both Roosevelts, and Kennedy, the tragedies of assassinations and the Challenger, and of course 9/11. In ended with a shot of a space shuttle taking off, and as it lifted into the air, the curtain also lifted to reveal all presidents of the United States on stage. Some were sitting, some were standing, they were all wearing clothing of their period and looked incredibly real.
"Light…they're all moving," L whispered and Light nodded as he realized it as well. They listened as each president was introduced; as the spotlight hit each one they acknowledged their introduction, with nods at the audience. There were murmurs throughout the audience as the introductions went on. When they got to the current president, Obama spoke of coming to the present which was rooted in the past and as he spoke, Washington stood from his chair, his hands which had been resting on the arm of the chair and on one knee, coming forwards and grasping his vest as he spoke about taking the first oath of office and how the American Dream would endure, turning and facing President Obama, who then began his oath of office.
"Light, I simply must get closer and observe these figures closely," L whispered beginning to stand.
"No, you can't do that," Light told him pulling him back down into his seat, "That stage is far from the audience to prevent something like that, just be quiet and enjoy." L stared at him in annoyance for a few moments but then turned his attention back to the stage. As Obama finished his speech, the wall behind the presidents began to morph into an American Flag as a stirring choral rendition of the chorus of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" began to swell loudly and the curtain slowly dropped. The theatre erupted into thunderous applause as the light's came up.
"Once again I have to admit I have been happily surprised at what they have accomplished here," L said as they began to make their way out of the theatre, "But I still wish to learn how it was done."
"I'm sure they're not going to tell anyone, otherwise everyone will be able to do it," Light answered and looked across the street at the Liberty Tree tavern.
"You ready to get some dinner?" he asked and L nodded.
"I finished all of my jelly beans during the show," he added as he headed towards the restaurant.
"Aww, what a shame," Light said sarcastically, "Maybe you'll actually eat something healthy." L's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"If YOU wish to stay healthy, you will refrain from remarking about what I eat," he warned and Light smiled as they got to the door.
"Yes, dear," he said getting an even more dangerous look than before. Lucky for him they were being greeted by a colonial clad young woman who ushered them to a table by a window. She told them they were in the John Paul Jones room and the decorations in that area were colonial naval items and representing his part in history.
L gazed out of the window and leaned closer as he noticed the view was slightly distorted and unclear.
"It appears they have reproduced colonial glass," he said and Light looked as well.
"They leave nothing undone do they," he observed as he began to look at the menu card. L continued to observe their surroundings, the wood paneling, the chandeliers and the massive cooking fireplace made him feel as if he were in colonial times.
"It appears it's an all you can eat fixed meal," Light was saying, "And there certainly appears to be plenty of food involved. Try something different?" he suggested as L took the menu and perused it.
"I make no promises about anything except the Johnny Appleseed cake," L said handing back the menu, "Oh, and coffee!" he added excitedly.
"So did you get everything done you wanted to today?" Light asked him after they had their coffees delivered.
"Yes, actually I did," L answered after a sip, "The boys have kept up well, but they aren't me."
"I don't think anyone else could be you, are you still working on upwards of 100 cases at once between all three?" Light asked him.
"Approximately, but I don't understand how that's so strange, it's just what I do. I don't know another way of handling it," the detective said matter-of-factly.
"I know, but it doesn't take away from how incredible it really is and how impossible it is for anyone else to live up to, Ryuzaki."
"Yes, well that is true, no one else could," L answered sipping more coffee, "Except perhaps you." Light smiled warmly.
"I appreciate the flattery but I don't believe even I could keep up with how you manage it. I haven't been doing anything like that since I was ten years old." L appraised Light thoughtfully as an idea crossed his mind.
"If something were to happen to me any time soon, before the boys were ready…"
"Stop it, don't even think that way" Light told him seriously.
"But as we've seen anything could happen to me," L continued, "If it does, can I rest assured that you would be there to guide the boys until they were ready to take over full time?" Light stared at him in surprise then shook his head.
"I don't even want to imagine the idea of something happening to you Ryuzaki, please don't keep talking about it," he said finally and reached for his coffee again.
"Light, please. While I don't believe this scenario will play out any time soon, it will make me feel better if I know that you'll be there to help them. Your intelligence and abilities rival my own, and the boys may not be in an emotional or intellectual state to take over right away.." Light brought his coffee cup down harder then he expected to and leaned closer to L.
"The boys? What kind of an emotional state do you think I'd be in if something happened to you? What makes you think I would be able to handle it any better than they could? You have no idea how the mere thought of losing you affected me when you were in that explosion, why do you think it would be different if it did happen?" L smiled and reached across the table and gently covered Light's hand with his.
"Because they are still young, and not accustomed to death as we are. It was the fear of my death that upset you so deeply, but if it has happened and there are no questions about it, then the fear is gone and all that is left is the reality. I know you will be able to deal with it. I just need to know that you will be there for them, please promise me this." Light sighed and ran his free hand through his hair.
"Fine, if it will stop this ridiculous discussion immediately I promise," he finally said, his eyes now clouded over in concern and staring at the table.
"Thank you," L answered squeezing Light's hand, "Now, do not look so distraught. I intend to live a very long time with you. I merely needed to have that worry calmed in my mind as it had just occurred to me. Light…look at me." Light looked up from the table and stared into L's deep eyes, feeling the warmth of the love he could see there calm the turmoil he was feeling.
"I am sorry if I have upset you, that was not my intention," he smiled, "Of course, everything I just said does not work in the reverse so you it is not acceptable to allow anything to happen to you so do not even entertain the idea." Light stared at him for a moment before he broke into laughter.
"Oh it's okay for you to think about dying but I can't even entertain the idea that something may happen to me?" he asked and L nodded his head as he eyed the basket of rolls and butter that the waitress was now setting on the table.
"Correct, I will not allow that to happen so let us change the subject. Now I believe I would like to try one of these," he said releasing Light's hand and reaching for a roll, "It said on the menu that this is sweet creamery butter, I would like to see just how sweet."
Light watched him grab one of them, mention how warm it was, and then begin to spread a large amount of butter on it as he began to comment on the Presidents attraction. Light didn't know which was stronger, the desire to punch him or kiss him, and neither would be acceptable where they were so he just decided to take a deep breath and reach for a roll himself.