Chapter 28

After leaving the café, they continued their walk through Discovery Island, taking in the lush and beautiful surroundings before entering another area. As they stepped into the new landscape, Light was suddenly aware that he was walking by himself. He stopped and turned around to see L had stopped walking and was staring at the sign. Light walked back to him then turned and looked at the sign then began to laugh.

"Yes, it says Camp Minnie Mickey, but we're still going through," he said as L stared at him.

"It does not sound as if I will enjoy it," he complained and Light grabbed his arm, moving him forward.

"Don't be ridiculous Ryuzaki, I promise I won't let the bad four foot mouse hurt you!" L pulled his arm back as Light laughed.

"Very funny," he said stuffing his hands into the front of his jeans, " I will not be responsible for what happens if either of them get too close," he warned which only made Light laugh again.

They walked into what appeared to be a camp like area, crossing a bridge that covered a rushing river. As they walked into the area the first thing they saw, much to L's delight, were snack shacks offering everything from corn dogs, funnel cakes, to ice cream sandwiches and one just marked "Sweet Treats" to which L began to gravitate to.

"Ryuzaki you just ate, let that digest before you stuff something else on top of it," Light cautioned to which L answered with a snort.

"I wish something to carry with me as we walk, I forgot to bring something from the hotel room," he answered and Light chuckled as they walked to the shack.

"I can't imagine that there's anything left in that cabinet," he said and L completely ignored him as he scanned the menu for the sweet treats. He finally decided on several fresh baked cookies that he began to nibble on slowly as they continued their walk.

Although slightly exasperated, Light couldn't help the warmth he felt watching L nibble on his cookies, the expression on his face reflecting his enjoyment, while his wide eyes scanned the park in front of him. He had seen so many emotions in those eyes during their time together, and not all of them pleasant. Those same eyes that hid everything L felt from everyone else except him; and right now, he was seeing exactly what he wanted to see…a contented L…and that made him incredibly happy.

As they walked away from the snack shop, they walked towards a sign, which announced a theatre that was showing something called "Festival of the Lion King". According to the times listed there was a show starting in about ten minutes.

"Do you wish to see another show?" L asked, cookie crumbs flying.

"Depends on what it's about," Light answered frowning at the flying cookie crumbs, "If there's more bugs involved, hell no." he pulled his map out and looked over the description of the show.

"It appears to be based on one of their movies," he said, "Which apparently takes place in Africa so it should be interesting to you." He said after reading. L nodded as he finished off his cookies.

"Fine, but afterwards I wish to find the Dinosaur ride," he answered and Light nodded as he folded up the map and stuck it in his pocket.

"Works for me," he answered and they joined the group of people headed for the theatre.

They entered a large enclosed theatre where the seating appeared to be separated into four sections. They chose a section and sat on the bench like metal seats, finding spaces in the front and watched as cast members began to circulate, pulling children from the audience to stand with them and learn a quick dance. Once learned they had them sit back down telling them they'd get them when it was time for them to perform.

After a few minutes, four colorfully and African themed dressed actors walked onto the floor. They welcomed the audience and then introduced themselves, Kiume (meaning "masculine and strong"), Nakawa (meaning "good-looking"), Kibibi (meaning "princess"), and Zawadi (meaning "the gift"). They each went to a section of the audience, each one picking someone from the audience to introduce. The one named Zawadi was standing near where L and Light were sitting. After introducing herself, she leaned down and put the microphone in her hand to L's face.

"And what is your name?" she asked. Light nearly choked with laughter as he watched L blink and stare up at her, apparently startled enough to not be able to answer right away. Finally he seemed to remember his name and answered, his thumb going to his mouth.

"Ryuzaki," he said, and she took the microphone back.

"Ryuzaki!" she said, "And today, in Swahili, that means this is your lucky day!" L turned as he heard Light's barely muffled laughter.

"What is so funny?" he demanded and Light took a deep breath to calm his laughter.

"The world's most brilliant mind couldn't remember his name!" he blurted out before breaking into laughter again. L frowned and turned away from him, his nose high in the air in annoyance.

The four then told the audience that before the show started, they wanted each section to be able to make animal noises so that during the show they could make the noises when the right time came. L and Light discovered they were in the elephant section, and to L's great surprise Zawadi came back to him.

"Ryuzaki, come and show me your best elephant sound!" she said and Light nearly fell off of the bench.

"I…don't think…" he began and she reached down and took his hand, pulling him to his feet.

"Come, you know what an elephant sounds like, yes?" she asked and L nodded, the bright lights nearly blinding him as he removed his hand from hers and stuck it in his pocket

"Then come, show me your trunk!" she told him and lifted his arm so that it stood out in front of him as if it were an elephant's trunk, "And now make an elephant noise!" she said and put the microphone in front of him. He looked down at Light who was beside himself with laughter, and everything within him told him to turn his back and sit down, he was above this type of ridiculous behavior. But then he realized that the entire theatre was looking at him and he decided he just had to go with it and did his best to make the blatting sound of an elephant. The audience erupted into laughter and applause with the narrator, who then turned to the audience in her section and told them all to make an elephant noise. They all raised their arms like trunks and made the noise as L hastily sat down, the color rising on his normally pale face, trying to ignore the sounds coming from Light.

"I'm so happy you're enjoying yourself," he hissed at his partner who finally stopped laughing long enough to wipe at his eyes.

"I'm so sorry, but I can't help it. No one will ever believe this! I don't believe it!" he said and laughed again, then raised his arm and made an elephant noise, collapsing into laughter again.

"You will mention this to no one," L told him and that only made Light laugh more.

"Come on, you know the boys would love to hear your elephant noise!" he said and the look L gave him before turning his attention back to the stage nearly set him on fire.

Lights began to flash in front of them and other cast members cast in equally beautiful costumes joined the original four, and the sound of a melodic African chant began and everyone was welcomed to the Festival of the Lion King. A voice came up, telling everyone that his name was Simba and that everyone had arrived on a special day, and for everyone to enjoy.

"It is obvious the audience appears to know this Simba," L said to Light as the audience reacted to the voice and the young detective nodded.

"I told you it was from a movie, must be a popular character." He answered just as a large float began to enter the area, the chant turning into a very danceable song. A character calling himself Timon was on it, along with a large giraffe. The narrators told the side of the audience that was designated to make giraffe noises that it was their turn and they all made an almost bleating noise, stretching their arms up like long necks. Following that float was another, this time with a large warthog looking character on it, going by the name Pumba along with a character on a swing. There were also colorfully dressed people on stilts dancing and singing along with them, making the audience gasp and applaud.

"Don't look now, but here come your elephant friends!" Light said pointing to another large float entering the area with a huge elephant on it. L groaned as the narrator came back to their section telling them it was time to make their elephant noise. L tried to ignore it but Light grabbed his arm and made the noise for him. L snatched his arm back, called him an ass and went back to watching the show.

Another float came in; this one with a majestic autoanimatronic lion on it which went to the section that had practiced making lion roars which they all did loudly. As soon as he was in place, he proclaimed that the show was officially on, and they began a song called Hakuna Matada as a huge platform was brought out to the center of the stage where acrobats dressed as brightly colored monkeys began to perform; with rings and swings being lowered within their reach. When the characters entreated the audience to sing along, to L and Light's surprise, it seemed the entire audience knew the song and began to sing along with the characters. After the song, the character called Timon introduced the brightly colored characters as the Tumble Monkeys and they began their act in earnest, using the rings, swings, trapezes and trampolines.

After their act, the lights went down, mist filled the room and the original narrators appeared, one of them carrying a spear and he began to sing a song about planning something devious and to be prepared, as another dancer came out and began to dance with a pole that was on fire on both ends. Between the mist, the driving beat of the song and the dangerous dancing, it was fascinating to watch.

With that number over, two people dressed as brightly colored birds came out and began a ballet as one of the narrators sang, and at one point one of them flew into the air, swinging around their partner to the delight of the audience. After their dance, the rest of the cast joined them for a number that was then followed by the finale in which they split up the sections of the audience in a competition of which one sang parts of the song better.

It was during the finale when the children that had been picked out before joined the cast to dance around the stage with them much to their delight and the delight of their parents as it seemed every camera in the building was going off. Once that song was over and the children were seated, they began a reprise of the songs they had done, including the flying dancer as a finish to the show. Once they finale was over and the stage was empty, the voice of Timon thanked the audience for coming, telling them what a great audience they were…and now it was time for them to get out.

"I have to say I enjoyed that a lot more than the bug thing," Light said as they left the theatre.

"Yes, it was interesting; but I would like to know more about the movie it was based on." L answered and Light nodded.

"What more do you need to know, you had the elephant thing down perfectly!" he said and then laughed as L walked away from him without answering.

"Okay, okay I won't mention the elephant thing again," Light said catching up to him, "I promise. But I will say you handled it better than I thought you were going to." L stopped walking and looked at him.

"What did you expect me to do, she had me at a disadvantage," he answered.

"Oh please, when have you ever accepted a disadvantage? You could have just declined to answer or get up, she wouldn't have forced you," he grinned as he faced his partner, "You enjoyed allowing yourself to be silly and the center of attention didn't you?" L frowned and turned away from him.

"I wish to find the dinosaur ride now," he stated and walked away, leaving Light chuckling behind him.

They found their way to Dino Land quickly; their only incident one in which it was L's turn to laugh at Light when a woman dressed completely in leaves, on vine covered stilts with arm extensions also covered in leaves, and wrapped around a tree Light was standing next to began to move; startling him so badly he yelped and backed away from it. She had blended in so well with the tree and it's surrounding greenery, that L had only noticed her as he had caught the slight movement of her green painted face when Light had stood against the tree as he took pictures. They watched fascinated as she moved her tall frame slowly past them and through the crowd, stopping here and there to move her arms around or lift the stilted legs gracefully over people. She eventually moved down the trail to a fenced area where she gracefully walked behind the fence after waving good-bye.

The rode the dinosaur ride again, then made their way to the Everest coaster for a repeat ride. It was after that L noticed a sign for something called Kali River Rapids. Light reached for his information map and after reading began to shake his head.

"No way Ryuzaki, it's another wet ride. I don't feel like getting wet again!"

"How can someone who takes so many showers have such an aversion to getting wet in a ride?" L asked and Light sighed before answering.

"That's completely different, Ryuzaki. It's very uncomfortable getting wet fully clothed," he answered and then realized that L wasn't listening and was heading towards the ride. "Do we really have to do this?" he asked walking to catch up with him.

""WE do not have to do anything," L answered continuing to walk, "I, however, wish to ride it."

"Of course you do," Light said and sighed again, resigned to getting wet again.

As with the other rides, the line leading up to the ride was as interesting as the ride itself. It wound through several themed buildings, passing by ancient, decaying statues, shrines, overgrown ruins and lush landscapes. As they got closer to a beautiful pagoda where they ride itself began, they passed through a boathouse which housed a television screen where the proprietor of "Kali Rapids Expeditions" explains the purpose of the expedition and to warn that there are illegal loggers in the area, and what effect their actions have on the beautiful environment. As they passed a sign, which proclaimed that this ride could get you soaked, Light groaned as L grinned at him widely in anticipation.

The brightly colored wooden pagoda was decorated with Tibetan prayer flags, statues and artifacts making them almost forget it was simply a ride and not a true religious pagoda. They then filed through the loading area which looked like a real expedition starting point, stocked with all the items needed for putting together that type of expedition, eventually making their way to a rotating platform and were loaded onto rafts that seated twelve people. Light grumbled about how wet the seats already were as he desperately tried to find a spot that wasn't soaking wet. The rafts were round, the seats section into twos around a centerpiece that you could hold on to.

As the ride began, the first thing they did was ascend up a lift hill through mist that was scented with ginger and jasmine. Once they reached the top they floated through a path of geysers which splashed over them, much to L's delight and Light's chagrin, past a rushing waterfall, and through dense tropical jungles where they could hear the sounds of what seemed to be a large number of birds.

As they moved through the jungles, the water began to get choppier, the raft bouncing more and more as it moved through, the water beginning to splash up into it as it moved. They also could hear the sound of chainsaws and the smell of smoke filled the air. As they passed out of the jungle, the beautiful lush greenery suddenly turns into charred stumps and smoking grounds, a logging truck appears to be slipping into the river as it tries to get away.

They were passing through more and more burned and smoking tree trunks, then through a flaming bridge of felled wood when L noticed the drop ahead of them before Light did.

"You might wish to hold on tighter," he said and then laughed when Light realized what he meant and a whispered expletive that only he could hear escaped just as the raft plummeted down the drop. The resulting splashes covered them both, the other occupants of the raft screaming and laughing as splash after splash covered them.

L laughed as he watched Light try to flip the water from his hair like a wet dog; although nowhere near as wet as when they went down the log flume ride, he was definitely wet and definitely not happy about it.

Now moving at a faster speed, the raft passed through more waterfalls, bumping along the white water and passing through a cave. As more water dripped on them from the cave, L watched in amusement as Light's eyes narrowed in annoyance as it dropped on his already wet head; but he broke into more laughter as statues they rode by began spitting water at them and Light glared at him. Finally they went under a bridge and on the other side of that bridge were statues of elephants that also squirted water at them as they floated by.

By the time they got back to the dock, they were both dripping wet, one highly amused and one far from it.

"It's even in my shoes!" Light complained as they climbed out of the raft.

"That was most enjoyable and they will dry quickly," L told him and then smiled at him, "I believe it is time to return to our room to dry off?" he suggested and Light nodded.

"You think?" he said and turned and marched off towards the entrance to the park with a smirking L behind him.

Once back at the hotel room, Light immediately ran to the bathroom to shower and change. L also peeled off his damp clothes and replaced them with dry ones. While changing, he happened to notice the mouse ears Light had purchased sitting on the floor of the closet. He picked them up and went to the mirror, placing them on his head and then rolled his eyes at the reflection. He heard Light coming out of the shower and he quickly removed them, throwing them back in the closet.

"That's so much better," Light said coming into the bedroom. "I hope that's the last wet ride I have to endure with you." L shrugged as he watched Light redress except for socks and shoes.

"If there is one I haven't ridden yet, I will want to try it. You do not have to endure anything; I do not make you ride them." He answered.

"No, but I would never hear the end of it if I didn't ride it with you, I'm sure," Light stated then walked over to him, taking the now frowning detective into his arms.

"Consider it retribution for the laughter at my expense during the lion king show," L said and Light grinned at the memory.

"Oh, I see. Okay, we'll call it even then," he said then leaned forward and kissed him, "What do you want to do for dinner? It's early yet, but depending on what you want to do we might have to get started early." L thought a moment, letting his fingers card through Light's still damp hair.

"I think perhaps I would like to stay in for dinner, but I am not ready for dinner yet," he answered and Light nodded then released him, heading for the kitchen with L behind him.

"Okay, why don't I make us some coffee and you can check in on the boys," Light suggested as they walked into the room. L thought a moment and then shook his head.

"I don't think so, not tonight. I think I can let one evening go by without my bothering them; I will call them in the morning." Light raised an eyebrow in surprise as L walked past him and to the cabinets, searching the one where he kept his sweets.

"Who are you and what have you done with my L?" Light asked with a grin and L stared at him after he removed the last of the oversized lollipops from the cabinet.

"I thought you would be pleased that I decided not to call them," he said and Light nodded as he walked over to him.

"I am, I'm also surprised," he said as he began to make coffee, "It took you a week to get to this point."

"Yes, well this is all still new for me. I have never left my work to anyone else since I began being L, it isn't in my nature to just let it go." Light smiled at him as he finished with the coffee and walked over to him.

"I know, and I know how hard it's been for you. But I think we're in a much better place than we were when we first got here. You still only see me when you look at me, right?" L stared up into the questioning auburn eyes and smiled.

"Only you, Light," he answered and suddenly a thought came to him, "Why don't you get the coffee together and bring it into the bedroom. I'll check and see if one of those movies is on so I can study it." He said turning back towards the bedroom as Light laughed.

"Sure, so you can study it. Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes," he said going to the cabinets to pull out cups.

L actually had no intention of turning on the television. He quickly undressed and went to the closet to retrieve the mouse ears; he decided that now was a good time to grant Light's request. It took him several minutes to get the ridiculous ears to sit on his head, using bits of hair to hold it in place. He then stood in front of the bed facing the door, ears on head, lollipop in hand and completely naked.

Light poured coffee for both of them, grimacing as he fixed L's the way he liked it, and then headed for the bedroom.

"Did you find something to…." The rest of the words disappeared in his throat as he took in the sight before him.

He was suddenly faced with every single reason why he loved L Lawliet. Everything that made L…L was there in front of him; the childish innocence accentuated by the mouse ears and lollipop and the thumb at his lips; the limitless and enticing intelligence he could see behind those wide, dark eyes which also at the moment were smoldering with desire and lust; and the well toned, thin body, whose porcelain skin seemed to be shining in the waning sunlight of the room.

For a moment he actually felt dizzy and was really glad that all the jokes about nosebleeds when being aroused was just a joke, otherwise he'd be hemorrhaging right now and ruining everything. L then began to lick the candy, his eyes never leaving Light's as he did.

"Is this not what you wanted to see?" he asked quietly as Light continued to simply stand and stare in the doorway.

"I…yes…I…wait…" Light stammered and immediately put the hot cups of coffee down on the nearby dresser before making his way over to where L stood. As he walked he pulled off his shirt, and by the time he got to L, he had begun to slide his pants and boxers down so that all he had to do was kick them off when he got to him. L smirked as he watched him.

"It appears you're…pleased at what you see," he said eyeing him up and down and was surprised when Light said nothing; he simply grabbed him and pulled the detective tightly against him, attacking his mouth with an intensity that surprised L; making him moan as Light also ground their hips together as he held him. Light held him in place as he pushed his tongue into L's mouth, not allowing L to even begin to challenge it, taking over and commanding the kiss without question. He reached over and took the lollipop from L's hand, dropping it onto the bedside table.

When Light finally released him, it was only to allow him a few breaths before he attacked again; his hands going into L's hair and pulling his head back as he plundered his mouth; the mouse ears tumbling to the bed behind them. When he released L again, his eyes locked with L's.

"Who do you see L?" he whispered and L smiled.

"I see you Light," he whispered back. Light nodded and gently kissed L's mouth, moving slowly down to his neck. He felt L stiffen slightly as his lips touched his neck, L's hands clutching his arms tightly; then slowly he felt him relax his hold, felt his body relax against him, and watched as L lifted his head more to allow Light better access to his neck. Light then attacked L's neck earnestly, licking, sucking and biting making L whisper his name over and over.

"I've been waiting a long time to do this," Light told him as he nipped at the reddened spot on L's neck, admiring his handiwork. He then let one hand travel down L's body, wrapping it around his straining cock, stroking him slowly as he continued to kiss his neck.

L moaned Light's name as he felt the strength leave his legs and he began to fall against the bed. Light allowed him to fall back on it, releasing him for a moment as he fell with him. He kissed down L's chest and stomach before taking him into his mouth and deeply into his throat. Loving the sounds coming from L, he ignored the slight discomfort in his jaw, and continued to suck as he began to insert two fingers inside of him. L cried out at the sudden invasion, but soon began to move against the fingers, pushing them deeper. Light then added a third finger as he sucked harder.

L's hands were in Light's hair as he thrusted into his mouth and then moved back against his probing fingers; he didn't know in which direction to move first, his mind was completely blank as he was completely lost to the sensations. He opened his eyes when he felt Light's mouth and fingers leave him as he crawled up his body. He grabbed his legs and pulled L closer to him, as he leaned forward. It took every ounce of restraint to not take him immediately, but he didn't want to hurt him no matter how much he wanted him. He quickly reached for the lube, but discovered L had already grabbed it and was pouring it in his hands, warming it as he rubbed his hands together. He sat up and began to rub it on Light's cock, leaning forward and kissing his chest at the same time. Light reached down and brought L's mouth up to his, pushing him back against the bed.

"I can't wait any longer, I want you now," Light said in a near growl as he positioned himself at L's opening and began to slowly pushed inside in one thrust, his tongue pushing inside L's mouth at the same time.

They moaned together as they moved as one, their bodies falling into a familiar rhythm. Light wrapped his arms around L and lifted him up, stretching his own legs out under him so that L was sitting on his lap, as he thrusted up into him. L leaned forward and this time it was his turn to attack Light's neck as he rode him, biting and sucking harder with each thrust until Light pushed him back onto the bed, increasing the strength and speed of his thrusts.

"Look at me, L!" Light commanded and L opened his eyes and stared up into Light's, meeting each thrust as he held Light tightly. Light reached forward and began to stroke L as he felt his own orgasm rushing towards him, wanting them to come together. L felt as if his entire body was on fire as he stared into Light's eyes, as his own orgasm began to course through him, his muscles closing around Light forcing his orgasm from him at the same time. The room rang with sounds of each crying out the other's name as they finally collapsed in each other's arms, their bodies covered in sweat.

After catching his breath, Light leaned up on elbow and looked down into L's sweat covered face, moving damp raven hair from in front of his eyes.

"Thank you for granting my request," he said with a grin and L smiled back.

"You're welcome. I think I'll keep the ears," he added and Light laughed.

"I love you," he said and L nodded as he reached up and touched Light's face.

"And I you," he leaned up and kissed him, then reached over to the table and grabbed his lollipop, "I'll take my coffee now."