Chapter 24

L watched and listened as the crowed tittered in anticipation of the coming parade, the excitement made even more palpable when the hidden speakers announced that the parade would begin in ten minutes and warned that all the lights would be dimmed for full enjoyment of the parade. There were carts selling all kinds of flashing, sparkling lit toys and wands that were now being waved throughout the crowd in excitement. Light had stepped away when he saw they were selling Mickey Mouse shaped ice cream bars, and without telling L what he was purchasing he moved to get one. When he returned and handed the ice cream to L, he burst into laughter watching L try to decide if he could allow himself to eat something shaped like the dreaded mouse, even if it was covered in chocolate; he looked as if he were about to explode with indecision. Finally his love for sweets overrode his distaste for the mouse and he took the ice cream from Light's hands.

"Do not think for one moment that I do not realize you did this on purpose," he said taking a ferocious bite out of one of the ears. Light feigned innocence by stretching his eyes wide and lifting his hands in defensive mode.

"Here I am, attempting to get you something to enjoy while watching the parade, although where you're putting it after all you ate in there I have no clue, and this is what I get in return?" L snorted at him and bit the other ear.

"Ass," he said simply and turned back towards the street, thus not seeing Light's new round of laughter.

A few minutes later an electronic sound reverberated above the crowd, followed by a computerized voice announcing the beginning of the Main Street Electrical Parade. This time it was Light's turn to snicker. "If L decides to stop being L, he can always find work announcing the parade," he whispered into L's ear and wasn't surprised when his only answer was an uplifting of the already upended nose. The crowd's excitement got louder as the lights suddenly disappeared and they were plunged into near darkness as the synthesized music rose in volume. The carts that were selling the lights of all types moved through the crowd quickly and out of the way as ahead of them a large splash of twinkling lights began to round the corner towards them.

As they got closer the lights became four people dressed as colorful fairies, their costumes covered in twinkling lights. They walked in front of an enormous float, covered in colorful twinkling lights, of a huge flower and within the flower was the same blonde fairy that flew over their heads earlier, still waving her wand at the crowd.

"She must be a popular character," L remarked as the bright float passed them by, listening the crowd around them wave back and call her name.

"Tinker Bell? Is that what I'm hearing?" Light asked and L nodded.

"That's what I'm hearing, and I must look it up when I get back to the hotel, it sounds familiar." Light turned to look at L in surprise, and was taken aback by the way the twinkling lights reflected in his large eyes, and against his pale skin. In spite of the crowd he was moved to reach out and take L's hand. L turned to him when he felt the touch, surprised he would do it out in public. No words were necessary; what they felt at that moment was obvious to both of them.

They turned back to the parade just as a large brightly lit float, which consisted of a train pulling what looked like a huge drum, passed them. The crowd roared louder as it was clear that Mickey Mouse was sitting behind the drum, waving at the crowd. The drum carried the name of the show, "Main Street Electrical Parade" in flashing bright lights. Mickey's trademark long black coat and red pants were decked in bright lights, which twinkled merrily as he waved to the crowd. Light delighted in watching L's nose wrinkle as the mouse went by, making a point of finishing his likeness in chocolate as he did.

Behind Mickey came a large, colorful turtle, which circled in front of the crowd, moving along the route, followed by a snail that also danced around, it's shell a mass of cascading blue lights. A large mushroom soon followed, with a widely smiling cat beside it and what appeared to be a young girl seated atop it. She spoke to the crowd as they drew closer and rode by, telling them that it was her unbirthday. Light and L both looked at each other wondering what an unbirthday was, and then listened as the children in the crowd waved and called the name "Alice" as she went by.

"Ah…I see, apparently she is Alice in Wonderland," L finally said, remembering that it was one of the books Watari had read to him as a child. Light nodded his agreement and turned back to watch as another huge lit mushroom rolled into view on which there was a hookah-smoking caterpillar atop, with real smoke puffing from the hookah.

A white rabbit carrying a large pocket watch walked by followed by two more sparkling bugs circling around. They were quickly followed by what appeared to be two female mice dressed in flowing sparkling gowns, who were then followed by what was obviously Cinderella also in a sparkling lit gown riding in her pumpkin carriage that was also all aglow.

"Ah there she is, one of the two princesses who share your picture," Light whispered

"It certainly wasn't my idea," L answered as he watched her roll by, followed by a large group of colorfully dressed ball goers, all twinkling as they danced by, with the prince and two girls bringing up the rear. As the two girls, unknown to the two detectives, rolled past, they both seemed to see Light, making them both giggle and coo at him, waving and blowing kisses. L rolled his eyes turning to stare in exasperation at Light, and instead laughed when he saw how embarrassed the young man was as several people in the crowd turned to see who the girls were cooing over.

"Your looks appear to attract even fantasy creatures, I am certainly no match for the likes of them, how can I possibly hope to keep your interest?" he asked and found himself on the receiving end of honey eyes narrowed in annoyance and embarrassment, which made him laugh again. He then turned his attention back to the parade, where now a beautifully lit clock tower passed them by, chiming midnight.

That was followed by a pirate ship, with sails lit with red lights, white lights for the rigging, green for the hull and blue to represent the water beneath. Aboard the boat were characters that even L recognized as Peter Pan and Captain Hook, locked in a sword battle. Behind the ship came a rowboat being manned by one pirate trying to keep up with the main ship.

Behind them came several glittering mine cars and for once L knew exactly who he was looking at, as they were the characters from the one movie he had seen. The seven dwarfs and Snow White were the next to appear in all their sparkling glory, one dwarf was driving at the head of a line of mining cars filled with twinkling gems, followed by Snow White herself and the remainder of the dwarves.

"And now here's the second of those special princesses, but I think you have a soft spot for this one," Light whispered in L's ear. The detective shot him a look, but he couldn't help admitting to himself that now that he knew who she was, it did change the way he looked at her and that annoyed him to no end. It meant that he'd allowed the forced sentimentality to actually work and that simply was not like L; he didn't get sentimental about anything. He glanced at Light who was still staring at the parade, obviously enjoying it. This was all his fault; he'd forced him to fall in love with him by being perfect and thus opening the flood gates for emotions he had carefully contained within. He smiled as he continued to gaze at the young man who was still holding his hand; he found he was quite happy the gates were open; he just had to make sure he controlled what he allowed to escape, he was still in control. He looked back at Snow White and sighed; most of the time anyway.

They watched the next float come into view, which consisted of several guys dressed as a combination of donkeys/humans and they were followed by a sparkling float that looked like an amusement park on which a young boy was riding, who seemed to also be some kind of puppet.

"Pinocchio," Light said proudly, "Read the book in school," he added and L nodded.

"Who are the donkey type people?" he asked.

"This amusement park is really a front for kidnapping bad boys," Light explained, "Once you were there, you slowly turned into a donkey and you'd be sold to work in mines," he explained and then laughed at L's horrified expression.

"That sounds rather horrific for a children's story!" he said looking back at the float and Light shrugged.

"Well it's a morality story; most children's tales were done that way at that time to frighten them into being good. A wooden puppet comes to life with the promise that if he stays a good boy he'll eventually become real. Of course he gets in trouble along the way, and ends up getting kidnapped and going there. Fortunately he escapes before he turns completely, but it was the author warning kids to be good or the consequences could be severe, and he eventually becomes real so it has a happy ending," he explained and L studied him carefully.

"So, bad boys become jack asses," his thumb came to his mouth as he studied Light carefully, running his fingers through the auburn hair and then leaning to the side to study Light from behind.

"What are you doing?" Light asked him and L stared at him wide eyed.

"You've behaved several times like an ass while we've been here, so I was merely checking for ears and a tail," he said seriously, "But apparently you've managed to avoid detection." He added before turning back to the parade. Light stared at him open-mouthed, unable to come up with anything in response he was so shocked. He pulled his hand out of L's and crossed his arms across his chest, huffing in obvious irritation at the comment which was completely ignored by L.

He stared as L continued to watch the parade as if he hadn't just verbally beat him up, and then it suddenly hit him as absolutely hysterical and he started laughing. The idea of L coming up with that type of humor was so unusual that he just had to laugh, even if he was the target. L continued to behave as if he'd done nothing at all, although he did allow himself a quiet chuckle in being able to leave Light speechless.

Light leaned closer to L, his face nearly buried in the wild hair as he spoke, "You can have this one Ryuzaki, but rest assured I will get you back," he whispered in his ear suddenly and L turned to look at him, his eyes twinkling in amusement so brightly that Light could even see it in the dark.

"I look forward to seeing what you can come up with," he challenged and Light flashed him a predatory smile. He wouldn't do it right away, L would be expecting it, but he'd figure out something; he hadn't had a challenge of one-upmanship with L for a long time and this was going to be delicious.

He turned back to the parade as a huge green twinkling dragon came into view, with a young boy riding atop it waving at the crowd. Smoke came from the dragon's nose, and it made a series of odd sounds which apparently was the way the dragon communicated as the rider answered it back. It also sported pink wings and a large lantern hanging from its tail, which made them both wonder what the story line behind this could possibly be.

What appeared to be the final float was also the most spectacular one. It was a series of huge colonial type snare drums lying on their side, a large American flag draped over them, bedazzled with the appropriate colored lights, with rockets and fireworks going off all along it. At the end of the float at the head of the flag, was a huge sparkling eagle, wings wide and it's long tail trailing down behind, all in glittering white lights. There were lit colonial attired attendants who marched along side, and behind were two more carrying a long lit pole between them, signifying the end of the parade.

"That was most enjoyable," L said turning to Light with a smile, " I am ready to go back to our room now," Light nodded as they both headed to Main Street and eventually the buses.

He listened as L continued to chat about the parade, happy that he seemed to be completely relaxed and with no visible signs of his PTSD. He knew it wasn't over; probably would still bother him a bit for a while, but at least the fear and distrust he had been seeing in his eyes when they first arrived was gone. With only a few days of their vacation left, he actually felt he had pretty much accomplished what he had set out to do; help L through what he had caused to plague him, and prove to him that Kira was indeed finally dead and he had nothing more to fear from him.

As they neared the buses, a girl in front of them dropped her mouse ears in front of him and he reached down to pick them up. As he handed them to her, an idea crossed his mind of how he could exact revenge on L for his little statement during the parade and he couldn't control the smile that graced his handsome features. The only thing he had to do was get a few moments alone so he could get what he needed without L seeing him.

When they got back to the hotel he was thrilled to see the little gift shop was still open; that meant he could do it tonight, or first thing in the morning. L drifted back towards his favorite thing in the lobby, the Ijele African mask. This could be his only opportunity so he decided to grab it.

"Look don't feel like you have to rush upstairs if you want to check out the mask," he said as L studied the mask again, "I'll go up and start the Jacuzzi and maybe make some mudslides to relax with." L nodded and then looked at Light questioningly.

"You have the makings for mudslides?" he asked and Light nodded smiling.

"When I went shopping I picked up what I needed, along with some extra strawberries and whipped cream," he moved closed so he could speak quietly, "But the whipped cream doesn't necessarily have to be only for the strawberries." He grinned as he saw the color rise in L's face.

"As intriguing as that sounds I do not believe the lobby is the place to discuss such things," he said curtly and went back to studying the mask.

"Alright I'll save it for when we're alone. I'm going to stop in the gift shop for a minute before I go up. Join me when you're ready," Light said and his answer was a cursory nod. He grinned and sprinted towards the gift shop, hoping what he needed was there.

Luckily it was, there was an entire section with mouse ears on the shelves of all types. He thought the silver ones would be pushing it further than he already was and settled for the simple regular black ones. When the clerk offered to embroider a name on them for a moment he was tempted but decided it would take too long. He paid for them, had them bagged and then moved quickly out of the shop, looking to see where L was.

Luckily the detective was still admiring the mask, but then Light frowned, he was no longer alone. There was another man standing next to L; he was tall, blonde and deeply tanned. He was wearing black shorts and a white short sleeved shirt that was open, exposing his incredibly muscular chest and perfect six pack. They were obviously speaking about the mask, the blonde appeared to be pointing out sections, and L was in his thinking mode, thumb at his lips, eyes wide and head tilted to one side.

There was a sudden unexpected rush of an emotion that ran through Light that he didn't recognize right away. It was as if a slow burn was coursing through him, that started in his chest and ran up to the top of his head and caused his vision to swim for a moment. It got worse as he watched the two of them begin to walk together to another display, obviously discussing it vigorously.

Everything logical within him told him to relax, L was simply exchanging information with someone who obviously had knowledge about the items and of course he would find that interesting. He was actually glad that L had become social enough to even speak with a stranger like that; but there was something about it that was nagging him.

After a few moments of watching them he told himself this was actually a good thing; it gave him a little extra time to get his purchase upstairs and get everything set up before L got up to the room. He nodded to himself, watched for another few seconds and then headed for the elevators. As he got into one he found he couldn't help craning his neck to try to see where they were before the doors slid shut.

"You seem quite enthralled by the mask, have you ever been to Africa?" L turned at the sound of the voice that came from behind him. He turned to see the smiling face of a young man, blonde and ruggedly attractive. He quickly assessed the situation, taking in every possibility and committing everything about the stranger to memory, from his green eyes to the way he stood. He debated whether or not to answer or to simply ignore it then decided to at least answer the one question. His hands finding their way to the front pockets of his jeans.

"I have always been fascinated by these masks, and yes I have been to Africa." The stranger smiled and then extended his right hand, obviously expecting a handshake.

"That's great, so have I. My name's Eric by the way,". L stared at the hand and back to the green eyes, his hands remaining where they were. After a few moments, it was clear to Eric he wasn't going to get the handshake so he withdrew his hand but not the smile. He wasn't completely surprised, he had assumed this guy was a bit on the odd side when he had walked in and seen him staring at the mask. He had seen him from behind and had chuckled at the mass of wild black hair that was going in all kinds of directions, and the poor posture. But as he had walked by and seen the huge black eyes in stark contrast to the pale skin he found he was fascinated. Now that he was looking at him full face he found that he was glad he followed his instincts.

"I'm sorry if I'm intruding," he said as he withdrew his hand, "But it was obvious you were quite interested in the mask and I've noticed that very few people study it as intently as you seemed to be." L turned back to the mask.

"It is rare to find such an object outside of Africa or a museum; especially such an excellent one." Eric moved closer to the mask and stood next to L, the tensing of L's body not going unnoticed.

"I travel to Africa at least every other year. And this year I decided to try this out to see how close it is to the real thing. I haven't been disappointed." L nodded.

"Yes, they have gone out of their way to strive for authenticity," he stated. Eric realized this was definitely going to be a challenge if he wanted to learn this guy's name, much less anything else, but he was intrigued enough to try.

"Have you studied the display of weapons over here?", he asked pointing at the far wall, "I nearly got nailed by one of those dart shooters the last time I was there, and they have incredible distance." L followed the pointing finger and realized he had not had the opportunity to look at those. He thought about Light and decided he could safely look at those for a few moments as he was planning to set things up. He then headed towards the display, the young man beside him.

"There are some Hutu that still use these items," L said as he studied the display, "Were you in Rwanda?" Eric smiled at the question, perhaps there was a chance; now if he could only be lucky enough to find that he was also gay.

After hiding the mouse ears, Light began to put things together. He started the Jacuzzi, put a large amount of strawberries in a bowl and after sprinkling them with sugar he brought them into the bedroom and placed the bowl and the whipped cream by the hot tub. He then went back and pulled out some of the sushi he had purchased for himself and set it up by the tub as well. He then began to mix up the drinks as he also checked his watch. He really expected L to be back by now, what was he doing?

After finishing the mudslides, he also brought the blender, whipped cream and glasses into the bedroom and then pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed L. He had no clue who that guy was L had been talking to; for all he knew he could be someone sent to cash in on one of those contracts. He sighed, he knew in reality the chances of that were minimal at best; then what was that feeling in his chest when he thought about it?

L pulled the phone from his pocket and turned away from Eric to answer.

"Where are you?" Light asked, not bothering to hide the exasperation in his voice.

"I am studying the weapons of the early Hulu tribes of Rwanda," he answered and heard Light sigh over the phone.

"You know I'm waiting for you, right?" he asked.

"Yes and I shall join you shortly. Eric has first hand interesting information…" Light's slow burn suddenly became a raging inferno and he struggled to keep his voice even.

"Eric? Who the hell is Eric?" he demanded.

"Someone who has traveled Africa extensively; it has been an interesting conversation."

"You need to come up to the room, I have everything set up…" he began.

"Hey, if you need to go we can exchange room numbers and we can continue this later," Eric suggested and Light's inferno became an erupting volcano as he heard. Exchange room numbers? Who WAS this guy and what did he want….he stopped. It suddenly became crystal clear what he was feeling and it was something he'd never felt before. He had always been so sure that L was his alone, and that he was sufficiently different that no one else would be interested in the odd detective, that the thought that someone else might be interested had never crossed his mind; especially no one who looked like this Eric.

He at once felt guilty that he had felt that way, and upset with himself for taking it for granted that he was the only one who would be interested in L. If he thought he was beautiful then of course someone else could think the same, and obviously someone did and someone who rivaled his own looks. He shut the phone down without saying anything to L and ran out of the door. With everything they had been through these past few days, what if L found this guy a breath of fresh air as well as interesting? He shook his head as ran into the elevator. That was ridiculous, how long had it taken him to win L's trust in the beginning, there was no way L would go for someone else this easily. But then again, he had been Kira and plotting L's death, this was just a guy without that kind of baggage. He growled at the elevator, it was moving too slowly and he had to get down to that lobby.

L was staring at the phone in confusion as the connection had suddenly been cut without another word from Light. Perhaps he had better end this conversation and get upstairs; it had been a while since Light had left him.

"While this conversation has been quite interesting, I am wanted elsewhere at the moment," he told the blonde who nodded with a smile.

"I understand, but perhaps we could exchange room numbers as I suggested and maybe meet for lunch or dinner and we can compare more notes on Africa." L shook his head.

"I'm afraid that isn't possible, but it is possible we may run into each other again during the remainder of our stay," he answered. Eric didn't want to take that as an answer; he was convinced that they had more in common than just their love for Africa.

"This is a large hotel, it was simply by chance that we ran into each other this time. I would really rather have your room number, or perhaps your cell phone…"

"And I'd rather you take his answer and move on," came a voice from behind him and Eric turned to stare into auburn eyes which were narrowed almost to slits in anger. L started slightly; he hadn't seen that particular look since Light had his hands around his throat.

"Excuse me, is this any of your business?" Eric asked and the smile he received was almost chilling.

"More than you need to know," Light looked at L who was staring up at him in concern and softened his expression knowing exactly what the detective must have been thinking, "Let's go." He said simply and reached for him.

"Is there something wrong?" L asked him and Light merely looked at him without answering, then returned his stare to Eric. L reached out and took Light's hand slowly, wondering what could possibly be making him look this angry and risk holding hands in public like this.

Eric watched as L took Light's hand and decided not to push it further. Perhaps he would run into him in the lobby again; he would merely check out the artifacts often as the chances he'd be there at some point were good. He stared back into Light's eyes, reading clearly the challenge that was there and merely smiled, moving out of the way.

"Another time then?" he asked as L walked past him.

"I wouldn't hold my breath," Light answered and L said nothing, concerned at the waves of anger that he could practically see and worried what had caused it.

Eric shrugged his shoulders and answered Light's challenge with one of his own as he walked away, his stare not wavering until he walked past him.

"Light…what has happened?" L asked quietly as he watched Light continue to stare at Eric as he walked away.

"He happened. What took you so long when you knew I was waiting for you?" Light asked as they headed back towards the elevators.

"Is this why you are so angry, because I did not join you soon enough?" L asked.

"It's more the reason why you didn't join me," Light answered as he continued to stare at Eric's back. L's thumb came to his mouth as the elevator arrived and they both got in. He saw Light visibly relax as the doors shut and he could no longer see the blonde.

"Are you angry with Eric?" he asked.

"Ryuzaki, you almost never talk to strangers and when you do you pick that guy?" Light answered with a question of his own.

"He asked a question regarding the mask," L began, "But I still do not understand your intense anger. I did nothing wrong in speaking with Eric."

"And you accused me of being ridiculous at the pool," Light snapped and suddenly it all began to make sense to L. Light was…jealous of Eric? How could that be, Light was the only person L had ever met who had shown any kind of interest in him, why would he think anyone else would now? And Light certainly had to realize that no else could possibly interest him.

They had arrived at their room and L watched as Light fumbled with the keycard before getting it to open the door. Then the moment they were in the room Light turned on him.

"What was so wonderful about him that you couldn't tear yourself away?" he demanded and L blinked in surprise.

"There was nothing wonderful about him, the conversation was merely interesting and I wasn't aware of how much time had passed. Light, this isn't like you…"

"No, it's not like you to talk to strange men, much less hang out with them when you know I'm waiting for you!"

"Light I…" L began but before he could finish, Light grabbed him and pulled him into a deep kiss, almost snapping his spine he was holding him so tightly. He could feel desperation in the kiss and again he wondered what had happened to make Light feel this way. He had done nothing to cause Light to be jealous of anyone.

"I love you," Light told him almost desperately as soon as he was released, staring deeply into the dark eyes that shone with confusion,

"Light, what has happened between the time you left me at the mask and now?" Light sighed and looked away for a moment before answering.

"Eric happened. I realized for the first time in our relationship that someone else might want you besides me, and that possibly you might be attracted to someone else and it scared me to death," he finally answered and L's eyes widened in surprise. He had been right, he was jealous of Eric and somehow likened it to what he himself had felt at the pool earlier. He reached up and caressed Light's face before answering.

"You are such a fool sometimes, Light Yagami. There has been no one who has wanted me before you, why would someone want me now? And even if that were possible, what would make you think I would entertain such a thing when I love you?"

"The only reason no one else has wanted you L is because you've never met anyone else. And with everything that I've done to you, I wouldn't be surprised if someone else didn't seem attractive to you." He answered and L shook his head.

"As I recall we've had this conversation before, except in the reverse. I have always been afraid that you would find someone else; someone more like you, more attractive without the problems of being attached to L, and what have you always told me?" Light smiled at him and sighed.

"That you were being ridiculous, that I could never love anyone else like I love you," he answered.

"Then why would you think I feel any differently?" L asked him and Light looked away again, then moved away from him.

"Because I never thought…it didn't occur to me until I saw him with you that…" he stumbled unable to finish the sentence.

"You never felt anyone else would be attracted to me, and now that you think someone has you're angry." L finished for him and Light nodded sadly.

"God, that sounds horrible L, I'm so sorry. It's not as if you're not attractive enough for someone to want you…"

"You just thought you were the only one who would, I understand and you are most likely correct in that. I am surprised that you think Eric is interested," L said his hands digging into his pockets, "I realize I do not have the most pleasing of features…" Light shook his head and moved back to take L into his arms.

"Don't say that, this is about me being ridiculous it's not about your looks. I have worried that something would happen and you would leave me and go back to being the recluse that you used to be, but I never imagined that someone could take you from me. That was my problem, my arrogance. I just realized it was possible and I just…I couldn't handle it." L smiled up at him and carded through the soft hair.

"I must admit it gives me a warm feeling to realize that you were concerned someone else might be attracted to me and that I might be attracted to that person no matter how ridiculous it is. I never imagined anyone would ever feel jealousy over me, but then I never imagined anyone would love me either."

"You're not mad at me?" Light asked and L laughed.

"For thinking what I have always thought? Of course not. I am not saddled with that type of self-import. I know that I am a genius and that there is no one who can do what I do. I am not concerned whether or not anyone finds me attractive. I am only concerned that you continue to love me, for whatever reason that you do."

"There's no need for concern because I do love you," Light told him and kissed him again, this time tenderly instead of the desperation of the first kiss.

"Good," L answered when he had released him, "And now you can prove to me how much you love me by getting me my drink," he said and Light laughed.

"With pleasure," he said taking his hand and pulling him into the bedroom where he had everything set up by the Jacuzzi. L began to remove his clothes and went to the dresser to get his swim trunks.

"Don't bother," Light told him as he removed his own clothes, "It'll just be a waste of time as I'll have to take it off later." L grinned as he let the trunks drop to the floor and slid naked into the warm, swirling waters.

"Glad you warned me, I hate wasting time," he said as he picked up his drink and swallowed almost half of it. Light leaned forward once he had joined him in the tub, kissing him gently, licking the traces of mudslide from the detective's mouth.

"I know you do," he said and picked up the bowl of sugared strawberries, "So eat before I forget you're hungry."

"Maybe I'm not that hungry right now and I need to work up an appetite," L said before upending his glass and finishing the drink. The moment he put the glass down, Light was on him.