Chapter Seven
Questioning Love
Whammy had been surprised when his charge had called and explained his situation. He had been even more surprised when L decided to bring the man back to the hotel, where they were based. This was a very risky move, but Whammy never questioned L's decisions.
The most interesting part of this was that L seemed genuinely interested in a person for non-work related issues. Over the phone Whammy was shocked to here the man Light had found object to going to the hospital, and for L to actually listen.
As he prepared for the ill guest he wondered how this could impact L's life. L was always very work oriented, never got along with the other orphans and hated sharing. His social skills were very poor. No matter how hard Whammy tried to teach him these skills L rejected them, saying that they were unnecessary for his line of work.
When L came back he had with him a young man. Despite the look of a drowned cat, the man was quite attractive. Whammy wondered if that was one of the things that had drawn L to the man.
Whammy was not opposed to homosexuality. It was shard to not be okay with it with Matt and Mellow around. Whammy had known them for most of their lives and had seen them grow up together, and grow closer and closer. They were adorable kids, though Mellow could be a handful. It was funny how he was the exact opposite of his name.
He had suspected L was either gay or asexual, like Near appeared to be, based on his utter disinterest in the female gender. His musings on L's sexuality, however, came to a stop as soon as the young man began coughing.
Whammy went straight into doctor mode. He had medical training. Not too extensive, but enough to keep his charge alive and what to do in extreme emergency situations, which popped up every now and then in this line of work. He did all he could with the man incoherent. He hooked up an IV drip so the man could get fluids and medicine in him, as making him drink water and swallow pills was unrealistic. He worried about the man's mental health. It troubled him to know such a young person was driven to attempted suicide.
As Whammy worked on the man he couldn't help feel he somehow knew him. No red flags came up, so he was certain this man was not a criminal. He asked L if he had gotten the man's name, and L said it.
Light. That name defiantly rung bells. If Whammy was a younger man he would have remembered faster, but he was aging, a fact that could not be avoided.
He wouldn't be around forever and L still depended heavily on him. Whammy planned to bring it up sometime soon, but he was waiting for a time when L didn't have as many high profile cases as he usually did.
After he finished he left Light to sleep and retired to his own hotel room for the night. Just before going to bed the ember of a memory was sparked. He had once interviewed a child named Light before A's suicide and B's runaway. That child was also Japanese. Whammy had always regretted forgetting such a bright mind and leaving it to the life of an orphan and foster child.
Years later he had checked to find out Light Yagami had died years ago in his teens. They say it was a PTSD driven suicide after being on a bus where a shooter took out his female friend. Reports say she died in his arms and afterwards he ran off and was never heard from again. Evidence showed he had jumped and drowned in the river.
A heavy weight was set on Whammy's shoulders. If only he had brought Light to Whammy House, despite all the craziness, Light Yagami would have benefitted from proper psychiatric treatments that Whammy had no doubt he was deprived of as a foster child. His death could have been avoided.
Feeling the weight of the death of one Light on his hands, he went to bed until it was time to tend to the other Light.
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Wallingford turned out to be a man of European descent, probably British. Ryuzaki was a mix of Japanese and others. Despite both of them having perfect Japanese accents Light knew they were from out of country.
Wallingford seemed familiar but Light could quite place who he was in his mind. It was possible Light had just passed him before on the street or that the old man had been a customer at the book store. If he was some one more significant then Light was sure he would recall him. He was a very tall, fatherly man, with silver hair and a thick mustache.
Light soon learned that though he appeared kind and well mannered, the man knew how to play hard ball. Before he knew it Light was back in the hotel bed, drinking a glass of water and taking pills under the watchful gaze of the old man. He had taken his temperature with an ear thermometer and did other basic physical inspections, like testing his reflexes and shinning a light into his eye.
Light went along with it like a sheep, showing little resistance. He was too tired to object or fight it. The entire time Wallingford attended him and long after Ryuzaki stayed in front of the computer. Wallingford served him tea and a parade of sweet confections. Light could see this through door he told the old man to keep open.
The thought of how many sweets Ryuzaki consumed made Light's stomach flip. The raven haired man was so skinny, but the way he so casually ate cake after cookie after cake hinted that he ate like this all the time. Tea seemed to be the healthiest thing he consumed.
Ryuzaki was a very interesting fellow. What ever he was doing on the computer commanded his attention. The speed at which he typed brought Light to believe that he must be some sort of hacker, like him. Light briefly wondered if Ryuzaki might be M, as he always mused when he came across another hacker of skill. Usually he ruled them out by their skill level, but Ryuzaki's intelligence level would have kept him in the running if it hadn't been for his personality.
M overflowed with personality in their chats, but Ryuzaki didn't seem to be the type to act the way M did. Light was a pretty good judge of personality, ever in this confused and weakened state.
Light napped on and off for the rest of the day. Luckily Light didn't have any more nightmares. What ever Wallingford gave his made his sleep warm and fuzzy. The fever still burned, but not as strongly as before. A cold compress on his forehead helped with the headaches but he had an overall feeling of ickiness, for lack of better words.
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The day slowly turned to night. Light was watching TV on the flat screen television hidden behind the cabinet doors of the dresser. He was watching the news, but not really paying attention. He hardly ever watched TV, and when he did it was always the news, but he got most of his news off the internet anyways.
According to a female reporter, Takada (who was known for being a supporter and fan of Kira), there had been a murder somewhere downtown. The police weren't releasing any information but there was a rumor that is was gruesome. As far as the news team knew the killer had not been found. Next there was a story about a politician who had been found linked to very sensitive documents. Takada went into detail on this story but Light zoned out.
A book was suddenly placed in his hands and Light looked up to see Ryuzaki standing next to his bed. If Light had to guess he'd put Ryuzaki at the age of twenty-six
"You seemed bored. I take it you're not very into watching shows. Here is a book to read, if you want."
Light looked at the book. It was one of his favorites.
"Thanks." He said.
"Have you read it before?" Ryuzaki asked.
"Yes. It is actually one of my favorites. God, I haven't read this in a long time. The last time I read it I…" Light topped. The last time he had read it was when he had visited another bookstore, saw the book there, and purchased it even though he had another copy. It had been on the anniversary of his parent's deaths a few years ago.
Today was the anniversary, too. He had forgotten. Shame filled him and he pushed the book away and sank into the sheets of the bed and turned away from Ryuzaki.
"On second thought, I'm not feeling well enough to read. Thanks for the consideration."
Light waited for the sounds of Ryuzaki walking away but heard none. He felt the man staring at him. He could practically feel the other man judging him, which drove him crazy.
"What do you want?" Light turned towards Ryuzaki, his eyes now hard.
"Just wondering. I think we both know that you condition has changed within the last few minutes. I think its time we discuss how you got on that bridge."
"I'd rather not." Light crossed his arms, annoyed. He did not wish to speak about it and he knew Ryuzaki already knew he didn't.
"I'm afraid you must. I would never release a suicidal man back into the world, where he will just off himself, undoing all my hard work." There was humor in his voice.
"I'd be sorry to put such a mark on your record. There is no need to worry. That was a one time thing, probably caused a fever. Thank you for pulling me back." L
"You are not getting off that easy. The fever could be the final straw but when the happiest man in the world gets a fever he doesn't find himself about to jump to death off a man-made structure."
"I can only assume you have some ideas yourself as to why. Let's hear them."
"Well, you are a young college age student. Perhaps you have student loan debt or credit debt that has gotten way out of hand." Ryuzaki walked over to one of the plush chairs and sat in it the weird way he had sat on the couch earlier.
"No. I never went to university. I only have a high school education." Light admitted.
"I find that surprising," Ryuzaki stated. "You strike me as the type to pursue a higher education."
"I'm a victim of circumstance. The dice was not cast in my favor."
"Do you have any desire to continue your education?"
"Someday, maybe. Are we going to continue to discuss my education level or shall we return to your original agenda?" Light smirked. This conversation was the most stimulating one he has had in awhile.
"If you insist, though I find any facts I can get off of you helpful to that cause. What was the circumstance that prevented you from going to university?" Ryuzaki asked.
"My parents died in a car crash my final high school year." Light lied, a lie he had told many times before.
Ryuzaki blinked, a possible show of emotion. "I'm sorry. Could this loss be one of you suicidal motives?"
"I learned to accept my parents were dead already. I miss, as anyone would, but not enough to join them."
"I see. Maybe it is because of a fresher personal relationship. You seem to me to be a heartthrob. Break up with any girlfriends lately, or something to that nature?" Ryuzaki sounded a bit bored at this point.
"No. I don't really date. I don't have much desire to get female attention, really." It was true. Girls often hung out at the bookstore hoping he'd ask them out. He never did. Most girls seemed so airheaded.
Ryuzaki raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then should I say break up with any boyfriends lately?"
"Ha ha. As I said I don't date. No bad relationships played a role in my fever-crazed stupidity." Light sat up and lifted his arms up to stretch his back.
"My next theory is more dark. There is a chance you are a criminal, recanting for a crime, or crimes, you committed. You couldn't live with the guilt. Embezzlement to murder. You tell me." Ryuzaki now stared at him with piercing black eyes. Light felt the man was very driven by justice.
"I'm afraid that is not the reason, either. Though if it was, would I admit it? I won't saw I am fully moral; everyone breaks the law in little ways. You can't say you have never jay-walked."
"So you have committed crimes?"
"Oh, Ryuzaki, I thought we were discussing my attempted suicide. Dragging me once more away from the topic?"
"'I apologize. But if you did commit any crimes, you are safe to confide them with me." Ryuzaki bit his thumb, studying Light to see if he would actually do such a thing.
Light laughed. "You, a complete stranger to me? Well I guess not a complete stranger. But I still have only known you for less then twenty-four hours. I have no idea who you are or who you could be."
"Wise decision. Shall we return to the original topic?"
"If you must. I am getting tired, so can you wrap this up soon?" It was true. Light was dead tired. While this conversation was interesting, he couldn't keep it up much longer.
"I have many other theories, but I think the only way to get you to tell the truth would be to interrogate you for hours until you break." It was Light's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Of course," Ryuzaki continued, "I would never treat a guest in that fashion."
"Does this mean that you give up?" Light asked, settling back down into the bed.
"I never give up." Ryuzaki replied.
The truth of that statement was greater then Light knew. They sat in silence for a few moments as the conversation lulled. Light decided to break the silence and ask something that had been bugging him.
"This is your hotel room right? I noticed there was only one bedroom and one bed, which I am in. Where did you sleep last night?"
Ryuzaki smiled. "I didn't sleep last night. I hardly ever sleep. I have severe insomnia."
That made sense to Light. Ryuzaki did have huge bags underneath his eyes. They seemed to be permanent on his face. He looked almost like a panda. One anyone else it would be extremely unattractive but on Ryuzaki it… well it suited him was a s far as Light was willing to admit.
"Perhaps it is from all the sugar I couldn't help but notice you consumed while I was here. If you eat like that everyday it's a wonder that you are not fat or diabetic."
"I do eat like that everyday, but as you see I am not fat. I burn every calories I intake."
"How? Vigorous work outs?" Light taunted.
"Occasionally. But mainly with my brain. I am incredibly smart, so my brain burns more calories then the average brain." Ryuzaki said matter-of-factly.
A wide smile cracked on Light's face. "If that's what you say. For your own good I hope Wallingford injects each and every cake with carrot juice for your own benefit."
"Then I would turn orange." Ryuzaki blinked.
"Couldn't hurt to get some color. Now get out. I need my rest, and you won't let me leave this hotel, so you leave my room." Light picked up an extra pillow and threw it at Ryuzaki.
Ryuzaki moved quickly and caught it before it made contact with his face. Light turned his back to him before he could see more of a reaction. He heard the pillow being placed on a chair and the sounds of Ryuzaki leaving. Light was surprised to find himself a little lonely once he left.
My dear reader, you just read my chapter. I thank you. A super special awesome thanks to everyone who reviewed! Don't be afraid to review again! And those who haven't reviewed, please feel free to do so! My ego is inflated, and the larger it gets the faster I write! Reviews help it grow!
Don't think of it as enabling a megalomaniac, but as complimenting a modern pretentious writer that need constant validation from society or one's peers.
Ha.
This story is currently in my head and has taken over most of my day dreams. I already know how it is going to end and yadda yadda, I just need to write it all down. I would give you guys hints of what is to come, but I don't want to spoil any surprises! I hope I got the Light and L banter down right. x.x
To be clear, neither Light or Whammy/Watari/Wallingford recognize each other, and Watari didn't look to deep into Light Yagami's death, because, sure, he feels guilty but he has no reason to believe Light faked his death and is living under an alias.