Light POV

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair and smoothed out my shirt for the seventh time in the last twelve minutes. My usually excellent attention span was failing me. Before I was able to scan half a page of generally useless information from a Kira worship site, my eyes would twitch towards the looming figure crouched at my right. Then, after much fidgeting and a deep breath I'd return my attention to work- for approximately 1.7 minutes. And the maddening process would repeat. Meeting the fourteen minute mark, I finally gave into temptation and let my eyes wander, my thoughts following suit.

As I traced the stoic form of the infuriatingly intuitive man, I couldn't keep his words from echoing through my mind. "No need to feel shame, Light-kun. My opinion of you isn't influenced by your sexuality." Obviously he had come to the conclusion that I was a homosexual, and wanted to inform me that he was comfortable being chained to a gay man.

Firstly, there was no point to his awkward assurances, because I was definitely not gay. It was true that I had never been particularly attracted to any of my girlfriends, but I had never lusted after any men either. My heart was untouchable, and that's the way I wished it to remain. Besides, L based this assumption on the fact that I may have snuck a peak while he was undressing. I'd say that's quite a leap in logic. It is only natural for people to compare their body to others of the same gender. Of course, I thought as I reached up a hand to flip my luxurious locks, I always won that competition hands down. Not that L was necessarily bad looking. Quite the contrary. True, he did not possess classic, flawless beauty such as my own, but there was definitely something there. Under his baggy cloths, he hid long languid limbs, sculpted with small, yet deliciously defined muscles. His creamy, milk white skin was flawless and elegant, contrasting with his jet black hair and shining obsidian orbs with a shock that was positively breathtaking. Of course, these observations were merely factual- scientific observations leading me to the conclusion that his unique beauty was something so magnificently abstract that it could not possibly be compared to my own. Inconclusive. But I digress. My first point was that I am not, in fact, gay.

Secondly, his phrasing left me absolutely no grounds on which to infer his opinion of my sexual orientation. He stated that his opinion of me isn't influenced, but he did not elaborate on his opinion of my sexual orientation. Sure he would still respect me as a person, but would he like the fact that I am gay? And if he did... would that mean that he liked me? Hypothetically, of course.

"Light-kun," L's monotone intruded my thoughts. "You should be working."

I sighed. "I know, but I can't focus."

Amazingly, instead of accusations or reprimanding, L leapt out of his chair.

"L?"

"To be honest, my attention on the case is currently at 30%. These fruitless searches are both a waste of our time and are exceedingly irritating. Perhaps a break is in order?"

"But L, we've only been working for a half hour."

He gave a sharp tug on the chain, pulling me to my feat with a startled yelp. "I want cake." He looked up at me innocently, as if a negative response would keep him from dragging me by the wrist on his cake quest.

"Uh, okay?"

His face lit up as he glided out of the room. I shook my head and smiled to myself. It was always amusing how L's entire persona brightened at the mention of cake.

"Hey, L?"

"Well aren't we full of inquiries today Light-kun?"

"If you wanted cake, why didn't you ask Roger to get you some? Based on previous interactions, I've come to the conclusion that he assists you with menial tasks the same way that Watari does."

"Very good Light-kun. However, on this occasion, I would prefer to search for cake myself."

"Why is that?"

"Questions! Questions! What is the purpose of your inquiries?" L stopped short and turned to look me in the eye.

"I-" I paused, not quite sure of the answer myself, "I just... want to know the reason for your sudden change in behavior. You're usually single mindedly working on the case, and we've had more breaks today than research time. I suppose I'm... curious."

"But for what purpose?"

"Your my friend, L. I care about you and the change in your usually consistent behavior. I hope nothing's wrong..." I trailed off, surprised at the turn my thoughts had taken.

L studied me for a moment, his calculating eyes making me feel suddenly exposed. He gave a resolute nod as his eyes phased back to normal. "You are worried about me, Light-kun?"

I spoke slowly, careful not to say something unprecedented, "I... suppose. Are you okay? You must have some motivation for the change."

"I assure you, there is nothing to worry about. Today has not been a routine day. After all, we arrived in my childhood home just this morning. I have had... many things to mull over. I could use a break."

He continued his journey, peering into every cupboard and door that happened to intercept our route. He was certainly successful at finding a distraction; the man was utterly engrossed in his mission. Only L would derive such pleasure from the possibility of cake.

"Light-kun?"

"Yes?'

"Do you hear that noise? I hear clicking..."

Yes, a bazaar clicking noise was sounding through the empty hall "...and...sniveling? Is someone crying?"

"Yes, Light-kun, I hear it as well. However, this hallway appears to be empty with the exception of a storage closet."

"Storage closet?" I moved towards the closet in question, and the clicking becoming more audible with every step. I opened the door.

"It's definitely coming from in here. But it's so dark! Where's the-"

"Found it!" Fluorescent lights flickered on, illuminating a small redhead, wedged between the supplies.

"Matt, a storage closet is not an acceptable location to play your gaming device." The boy diligently ignored us. The clacking noise increased in tempo as the small teen punched the keys faster. L glanced at me nervously. The sheltered man was uncomfortable with social interaction, and the presence of emotion, as the trails of tears down the boy's face gave testament to, left him at a loss.

"Maybe we should leave him. It's not our place to get involved in personal matters," I murmured.

L didn't respond, obviously torn by seeing his successor in distress. Finally, he spoke. "Matt, if you wish to talk about what ails you, I am always available. If you do not wish to speak now, I will not press you." The young genius gave a stiff nod. L began to shut the door.

"Wait!" the teen cried.

L paused, "Yes, Matt?"

"Just... d-don't tell Mello. Please?"

"Of course not."

L closed the door and resumed his cake trek. I glanced back at the door, slightly unnerved that we had left a emotionally distressed thirteen year old playing a gameboy in a dark storage closet. "Uh... L?"

"Yes, Light-kun?"

"Do you think that was alright? To just leave him there?"

"That was what he wanted. And as Light-kun said, it is not my responsibility."

"Yes, but you care, don't you?"

"I have found it!" L removed a cake from a random cabinet.

"You have retrieved a whole, fresh cake from a oddly placed cabinet in an otherwise deserted hallway." I clarified.

L blinked at me, already in the process of plating a slice. "Is this a problem for Light-kun?"

"...No."

"Would you enjoy a slice, Light-kun?"

"...No, thank you."

"Mmmm strawberry swirl... aaah" L lowered a chunk of cake into his gaping mouth. The moment his soft lips encircled the strawberry laced sugary morsel, his eyes slipped closed and he drifted into a state of serenity. I looked away, feeling as if I was intruding on a private moment. Soon the scraping sounds of fork on empty plate reached my ear. The man let out a resigned sigh, mourning the loss of his delicious treat. "Scrumptious," he murmured to himself.

"I didn't know you talked to yourself, L." L's face betrayed signs of surprise before slipping into his mask of neutrality.

"I did not see you there, Light-kun."

"L, we are chained together. What do you mean you didn't see me?"

"I merely did not register your presence."

I scowled to hide a grin; his childish delight in cake was as adorably innocent as it was amusing.

"I am ready to return Light-kun." Cake mission: complete. L started down the hall, his stride noticeably bouncier than before. I begrudgingly followed, not exactly enthused to return to our mindless research. I glanced around the corridor, longing to see variation in the cream colored walls. What poor decorating...

"Wait!"

"Light-kun, why have you interrupted our stroll? Light-kun, why are you examining a window?"

"It's not just any window, L. It's tinted black. I can see my reflection." I could never pass up an opportunity to praise myself for my gorgeous looks. I straightened a stray piece of glistening hair and smiled. I am so lovely...

"Light-kun, your vanity never fails to astonish me."

"It's not vain to want to view something beautiful. That's why people visit museum's. To see magnificent works of art."

L gaped at me. I had rendered him speechless. I chuckled and flipped my hair. I know my beauty is breathtaking. I turned and strutted down the hall, only to be restrained by the chain.

"Coming?" L was staring at me. I smiled teasingly, delighted when blood rushed to his face.

"Of course, Light-kun," he mumbled.