Disclaimer: My name is King, I love my gran; my gran is making me a loli dress, and I love my gran and I love the dress and I do not own Death Note.
Devil's Trill
II: Things Important
CH14
The Simplicity
Chief Soichiro Yagami had a heart attack at five-forty in the morning upon an arrest warrant for his son Light Yagami being handed to him by an overenthusiastic Misora Naomi.
To this, L supposed he should feel indifferent because in no way had it influenced his plan.
And yet... the first thing he did when Light was delivered to the hospital in handcuffs (no surprises how he pulled that one off), was scrutinize him.
Which also should have provoked no feelings in L.
But when uncuffed and furious, Light launched at him from across the hospital waiting room, L wanted nothing but to break a bone or two, or at least dislocate something, and he intended to, if Mogi and Matsuda didn't drag them apart before Light even made contact. The men threw them into two opposite corners where they were to remain under threats of removal from investigation, and handcuffs.
L didn't want to stop though.
Something about Light's fake smiles and fake grief and manipulation and whatever else had convinced police to take him to a hospital en route to jail seriously ticked L off.
Or maybe it were the fake smiles, fake grief, fake moans and screams and sweet nothings Light showed nobody but 'Ryuzaki' that in reality were all lies and lies and lies?
Maybe it was the Chief. L liked him. This was Light's fault.
Or the people Light had indirectly done away with.
I am such a hypocrite...
To hate and scrutinize Light for these things wasn't very fair because L did all this and more; but L was allowed, because, and Light wasn't.
His life was now full of things that lacked explanations, and 'because' was a comforting word only if L could come up with a 'because'.
L wanted a scotch.
"Raito-kun is quite close to his father."
"So what?" Light said defensively.
"I believe the notion of Raito-kun as God has originated from his father."
Light looked ready to stab L with a pen in the eye. L stood his ground and his shoulders felt stiff as he erected them and sat up straight. The subject was too good to drop.
"Raito-kun has adopted precisely the ideas Freud cautioned people about. As a child, Raito-kun has looked up to his father to satisfy his needs for guidance and protection, and as he had grown into an adult, he looked for this parental guidance in higher powers, thus Raito-kun has turned to God as a more powerful fatherly figure. Raito-kun has very high opinions of his own father, does he not?"
"I know my Freud, Ryuzaki," Light muttered coolly.
"Indeed. However Raito-kun has perverted Freud-"
"Ryuzaki!"
"Freud implies childishness of such beliefs; this does make one wonder about legitimacy of Raito-kun's convictions..."
"Shut up!"
"Finding holy guidance within yourself, finding ego a fatherly figure is rather-"
Light launched at L but Matsuda managed to catch him by the elbow and push him back to his side of the waiting room.
"Calm down you two!" he yelled, agitated, and then as if having had an epiphany, lowered his voice into an awkward whisper, "we're at a hospital! Shh!"
"So are you God, Raito-kun?"
As Light replied with a highly educated set of unpleasanties, L took a moment to recognize the awful turn the conversation has taken.
When had L become so nasty to Light?
"But as God, you have fallen, Raito-kun. Who have you to turn to if you are the fallen God?"
This hate, it came so naturally.
Though Light showed no signs of mental anguish, L was sure that on some subconscious level, L's words hurt him, and it hurt L to realize he enjoyed inflicting this pain.
Light was a nasty thing to deal with.
What happened?
Light was a scared, innocent, drunk and helpless thing, hanging limply in L's arms like paperweight as L carried him to the cheap motel that fateful night at the Koi Pond. So when had Light turn into this ugly monstrosity that poisoned everything around him?
How long has he been poisoning everything around him?
L couldn't tell; L didn't even catch the process until it was too late. He was poisoned too.
L was disgusted with himself. He had enough poison of his own, so Light's didn't do much damage... but along with poison, hateful and disturbing kind of love slipped into L's rotten soul and settled.
It was a delicious thing, this love.
Or maybe it was L's own poison, seeping slowly into Light though saliva and semen, rusting Light's beautiful soul... was it L's fault?
"Umm, Ryuzaki-san...? Are you okay?"
L took time to take in his own appearance.
With both feet planted firmly on the beige linoleum of the hospital waiting room, he leaned confidently into the stiff back of the chair. His arms rested calmly on the backs of two chairs he sat between. His back was straight and his shoulders were drawn back, the furthest thing from slouching. But worst of all were the muscles of his face. They were stiff and this meant the corners of his lips must have been twitched upwards, his chin must be raised and his eyes must be narrowed into angry black slits.
"You look really scary..." Matsuda muttered verily.
Across the room, Light was completely the opposite.
"I am angry at Raito-kun for being the leader of a mass-murdering cult while investigating another mass murderer," he reasoned out loud.
But L knew full well what he looked like at that very moment.
Mogi didn't buy it.
Because Mogi's opinion really mattered.
L mentally rolled his eyes.
And when L spied on Light when he was finally allowed into his father's recovery room, L knew one thing: he did not want to know what Light was thinking, feeling or going through. Soichiro Yagami could barely speak, and the snippets of the conversation that L caught were things like 'how could you', 'don't believe you' and 'disappointed'.
Things had to go on.
In a funeral procession, Light was cuffed again and taken away.
Misa Amane was stupid. As a clear Kira leader or whatever she was in that cult, L bothered to learn nothing about it.
Light did not predict being taken away, nor had L, and really, Mello's little stunt worked in L's favor.
Once Light was taken away, all L had to do was to demonstrate just in how much danger Light was in, and then casually drop Misa's name and how she was as good as done for.
Light had all contacts with outside world severed then and there so L wouldn't be able to track him down.
Misa Amane was placed under protective surveillance of police.
Which would freak out an innocent person, no doubt. But when Amane had much to hide and without guidance of her 'leader' (or something), she did the only logical thing she could think of: she is suspected of being Kira, thus she should run.
And that's what she did, taking evidence in a form for a black notebook with her. Namely, the cult's hit-list, a Death Note.
She was caught and discovered with these things. Now Light had two Kira girlfriends.
One can't help but doubt Light's innocence, and when similar notebooks were conveniently found in Light's apartment, well.
Of course Light wasn't stupid to have these things just lying around, not at all, but L had a key to Light's place, pair of hands, some money for the notebooks and a few hours on his hands.
It was easy.
To take down Light's castle, just like that. Easy.
L did not know much about this castle, what was in it, what went on in it, what it was about, Light's hopes, or ambitions, or anything Light wanted to accomplish by sniping a few criminals... L knew nothing about it, L didn't even think about it much.
Which was a waste, now that he had done it. There must have been a solid fundament under it, something that was precious to Light... but how precious could something be when Light had it for no more than a few weeks?
L cringed at the mental association. L had Light for not much more than double that.
No.
Ah hell.
Who was he kidding?
He was questioning his own decisions.
Was Light's worth this much?
---
"...he's in jail for god's sake!"
"He agreed to it until we figure out a batter arrangement for him," Misora reasoned calmly. Mogi didn't budge.
"He's suicidal, than! L can yank him out of jail in three minutes, and we're just standing here!"
Misora calmly sipped at her Starbucks.
So did Mello, bravely hiding behind L as L preached Misora in a manner similar to that of Mogi's.
"And kill twenty or so guards on his way. Raito-kun needs to stay here."
"Neither of the Ls will touch him because both Ls are here," the woman smiled and somewhere behind her, Rye Penber smacked his palm against his forehead.
L's eyes narrowed.
"What was that, Naomi-san?" he droned neutrally.
"Tell you what," she said, "we'll bring Raito here; it's not impossible to get him released to us if we make... a deal with him."
"Raito isn't stupid. He will serve as bait in exchange for immunity because it is his only option, now I do not understand why respectable Japanese police," L purposely raised his voice and turned to give the men a meaningful look, "has not done so already, seeing as the FBI has absolutely no jurisdiction or authority in this country."
The tall woman laughed femininely.
"Of course Ryuzaki-san! I just wanted to drag the whole team here for an added effect."
"Yes, Naomi-san?"
"See, I got a message for both Ls here."
L rolled his eyes, and Matsuda suppressed a giggle; 'what has this crazy woman come up with now?'
"I just want L," Naomi motioned to L, "and Yotsuba-L," and she pointed to Mello who in turn let his teeth sparkle away at her, "to know that Raito Yagami is up for grabs, here, and you're more than welcome to take him once he gets here. I dare ya," she winked.
"Ah. I shall pass on this message once I meet them for our afternoon tea."
Things had to go on.
As expected, Light was escorted back into Ryuzaki Rue's premises. He denied being Kira and did some other things that L ignored.
L really wanted that scotch, and when L realized Light denied his guilt to everyone who would listen but L, L changed his mind and wanted straight-up Vodka.
L spent hours cornering Light, trying to get him alone, but it seemed no matter where he went, there were people there, and Light was purposely avoiding being trapped in a room with L.
"Raito-kun!" L began when Matsuda fled the copy-room while Light was still copying a rather large and useless Biology textbook he claimed was vital for the L investigation.
"Yes, Ryuzaki?" he asked coyly but before L could open his mouth, the copy machine gave a puff of smoke and splattered some ink.
"Shit," Light gasped dramatically and slipped past Ryuzaki, "Mogi knows how to fix it, I'll get him."
L trailed Light like a puppy wherever he went. Main office, coffee room, copy room, cubicle, storage closet, everywhere. Light weaseled past him every time with one excuse or another, coolly brushing him off every time, and L had enough.
In a ten-second interval L created by dumping out all of office coffee into a potted palm plant, he grabbed Light by the wrist and dragged him into a washroom.
Ryuzaki Rue's premises were actually a brand new office building the man had planned on selling the following spring, and the clean, unused bathroom in the far corridor of the main floor was freshly-tiled in white, completed with a row of sinks and a row of stalls and the construction dust was still fresh and even the tile paste still smelled chalky.
It was a far women's washroom. Nobody would use it.
Without putting much thought into it, L grabbed Light on the hips, lifted him and briskly threw him on top of the long sink counter. Light cursed him and kicked him away, but L grabbed the two soft thighs and in a single rough motion spread the long legs apart, slipped into the temporary gap and pulled the beautiful brunette head by hair to crash into his lips.
Light tasted the same.
Light was the same boy L got obsessed with. Yes.
The kiss was rough and Light clearly did not approve, and shortly after the initial shock Light's teeth clenched and L tore away with a bleeding lip.
"Fuck off!" the brunette finally managed and the thighs L was very comfortable between preformed some obscene maneuver that nearly ended up with L being sacked. Now L did not approve; and in a maneuver of his own he got Light pinned against the back mirror by the shoulders.
The mirror gave a pleading squeak.
"What is wrong with Raito-kun!"
"What's wrong with me?! What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Evidentially, Light had put up a fight. His parted rosy lips gaped in rhythm with his breathing and his chest raised and fell haphazardly. His hair wasn't perfect, his clothes were ruffled and thread stuck out where the buttons of his shirt used to be. He had a red mark on his cheek that would soon turn blue.
When had L done that?
"Raito-kun, I-"
"Fuck you!" Light tore violently from L's arms, but still in mild shock and confusion, L pressed Light further into the mirror.
Light's beautiful face flinched but did not recover, adopting a mask of affliction instead. The brilliant caramel eyes narrowed, but not in anger, no.
L knew that face.
"You're - hurting me!" Light managed, his voice shaking. L looked at his hands where he was holding Light down. His knuckles were white and blood pooled around where his fingertips sunk into the cream shirt.
There was a dull crack and a lighting spread across the mirror from where Light was pressed into it, threatening to break any time.
It took effort to let go, the numb muscles of his hands almost refusing to give. L knew his strength, and this was its peak.
Light wrestled out and jumped away from L, clearly in panic because he did not jump towards the exit but rather to the end of the narrow washroom and backed away, staring at L in horror.
L looked at his hands. His jagged fingernails had tiny cotton fibers stuck in them, along with some skin and some blood.
L didn't mean to do that.
L wasn't even angry with Light!
All he wanted to do was to have a talk.
Why the hell did he do this?
Light backed further away and eventually met a tiled wall.
L looked at him then, feeling remorse and hoping it was showing on his face, but Light looked as terrified as ever.
"Raito-kun-" slowly, L started toward the brunette.
"Get the – the hell away from me or I'll scream, I swear I will!"
There was a fifty percent chance he would be heard before L would get to him... not that L was thinking of a good use of this percentage, he wasn't. He tried not to.
"Raito-kun, I'm sorry, I-"
"You fucking what Ryuzaki? You-" but Light's voice peaked dangerously, enough for it to count as screaming, and before L realized what happened, his hand was clamping the pretty lips shut and Light was fighting with all he had to get away.
No, this was wrong.
All of this, it was wrong.
L was stronger than Light, by a lot, more for the sake of profession than anything else, and for the same reasons he had kept his strength leveled with Light when they had one of their delicious fights.
This wasn't one of them. This one was pathetic on Light's part.
L guessed it took at least ten minutes of manhandling the brunette and blocking his failed blows while keeping his mouth shut to finally get him to calm down on the cold tiles of the women's washroom.
Light was breathing heavily and L was just fine.
"Done?" L heard his own voice come out in a low hiss.
Light tensed immensely but then his whole body went limp.
L knew this reaction too.
Bad, this was bad. This was a response Light had to L, not Ryuzaki.
Bad.
"I believe Raito-kun is having a panic attack," he cleared his throat and adjusted his tone to neutral, "will he listen to me now?"
Light didn't move at all.
L tired again.
"I apologize for the predicament we are in, however Raito-kun must understand the blame is partial as well. I apologize for hitting you, I am sorry. I do not know how it spun out of control, however Raito-kun must understand if I were to allow you to scream, Misora Naomi would be boasting how she caught L in tomorrow's headlines."
L didn't move still, and L checked if Light was breathing.
"Raito-kun must display signs of life!" It was a joke, and L was surprised at it.
Light must be to, but Light did not move.
"Raito-kun..." L loosed his unnecessary grip and lowered himself onto the tile behind Light. He still pressed the palm of his hand into the swollen lips, but allowed his free hand to wrap around Light's waist instead and pull him into closer.
Light curled into himself, and L hugged him.
"I'm sorry," he whispered gently into the silky hair once Light had his back pressed firmly into L's chest. "You're shivering. Calm down, its okay. Come here. Yes, that's right. There."
Light was trembling. The floor was cold after all.
"I'm sorry. When this is all over, I'm going to teach you how to fly a helicopter, wouldn't you like that? I promised you a tennis match, we can do that too. Would you like to have our tennis match?"
Light's shivering eased as L applied his hand to rub soothing circles into Light's shoulders. He ignored where tiny red dots arced across the pale beige fabric.
Finally, Light whispered and L could barely hear it, but maybe that was just an excuse for asking what Light said in hopes of a differed statement.
"I hate you."
L thought about it absently, and his reply came a few minutes later.
"I am sorry you feel that way."
"Hate me back. Do you hate me back?"
"I do not know," L really didn't know.
"You should."
L spun Light to lie on his back; there were no tears and L slight felt relief.
"How is Kira-kun feeling?"
"Fuck you."
L lifted the boy to his feet and Light put up no fight when he was placed back on top of the counter once again.
"I am sorry about your shirt," L said, examining the damage before pulling out some papertowel form the dispenser.
"Don't apologize, it makes you sound stupid."
So L said nothing when he opened the torn shirt and washed the little blood away from the curvy, tanned shoulders. The shirt was ruined, and L mentally noted to take Light upstairs and give him one of his own three-quarter v-neck cotton shirts.
He gave Light a folded, wet papertowel to hold to his face where he hit him before taking Light's hand and working each nail clean from blood and skin Light managed to scrape away from L's body.
When he was done, he tried to kiss Light's cheek, but Light turned away.
L sighed, and tried to apologize in a way he was sure Light would appreciate.
Instead, the hips jumped away when L as much as touched the zipper of Light's jeans and a knee prodded him in the chest to prevent him from trying again.
"No."
No...?
It echoed in the empty bathroom like a gunshot.
Light never rejected L or Ryuzaki Rue after he had consent to touch the boy in any way he liked. Light couldn't say no because he was a thing, a property. He had rights to reject L.
"Rai-" L tried again only to have his hand firmly smacked away.
"I said, no."
L's face became strained and he struggled to keep it from turning angry.
"There is nothing like getting a blowjob from a person superior to you in so many ways, so why I beg your pardon not?"
Light's open palm struck L across the face.
And then he gracefully slid from the counter to the floor and looked down at L, and walked away just as gracefully, causally, and slowly.
"Get me Matt."
"Why?"
"I want to listen to his bad feelings."
"What, why?"
"So he can talk me out of this whole idiocy!"
"Uh..."
"Mello, why the hell haven't you talked me out of it by now?!"
"What the hell you blaming this shit on me for?"
"Nevermind."
L groaned angrily and went straight for the box Mello kept liquor in.
"You almost killed him, didn't you."
That wasn't a question, and Mello was lucky he ducked well because that bottle of scotch L was lusting over the whole day smashed a foot away from Mello's head.
"What the fuck!"
"You- you need to... you need to know less, okay?" L slumped onto Matt's couch and took his head into his hands. "I'm sorry, come here."
A moment later, L had a handful of Barbie in his hands, and he was clutching desperately at it. The Barbie handed him a big mug full of what looked like water but smelled quite differently. It was time to talk.
"Whacha thinking?" Mello's fingers threaded though L's hair and L sighed and allowed it.
"I almost killed him and I don't know how it happened."
"Did he provoke you?"
"No, no he didn't. He was just there. I hit him, and I don't even remember doing it."
Mello's voice lowered into a purr and L rested his head against his chest to allow the vibrations to soothe him.
"This ever happen before?"
"Yes."
"You killed them?"
"Slowly."
"Did it hurt?"
"It felt wonderful."
"But this one hurts you."
"Yes." The sake Mello'd given him was spiked.
"You know you will end up killing him, right?"
"I don't want to. I don't, Mello, I really don't. I want him to be... happy. Is that weird? I want him happy."
"Near you?"
"Yes. I love his... entity. He has quite a mind, you know?"
"The whole Kira business?"
"Not that. I haven't even bothered with that, I haven't thought about it nor do I intend to. It feels... silly. You know how I feel about myself; in light of that... his... attempt at killing is petty, it mares the beauty of his soul, it's almost... lame."
"Is that what makes you angry? You want to hurt him for that?"
"If I hurt him, I hurt myself. Every time I hurt him it's like... I chip away at his soul, at that something that I like so much, you know?"
---
It was seven in the morning and L wore a black raincoat, a pair of khaki pants and a green shirt with a skull on it. His wig itched and the baseball hat he wore backwards did nothing to ease the discomfort.
L blamed society and its idiotic collective taste in ridiculous, uncomfortable clothing that he had to follow every time he had an outing of this sort.
The function of underwear was in its very name, and yet some day some smart teenager decided to pull his pants down. L figured if someone was to rebel, they should have went all-out. He should have worn the underwear on his head instead; it was much more practical that way seeing as it rained.
The street was empty; this was a good thing.
Mogi was a pleasant man. His humor was good, he was fair, and he knew how to appreciate tea. He also liked to show up for work early; he also liked taking shortcuts though sleepy neighborhoods, but never dark alleys.
So when Mogi saw L leaning against a streetlight pole in a raincoat, a pair of khaki pants, a green shirt with a skull on it and a brown wig, he immediately recognized his face and almost smiled pleasantly, but in a moment's notice his face blanked and he dropped his leather bag and reached for his gun in a sudden realization, but of course it was too late.
L's berretta, fitted with a custom silencer, clicked dully and Mogi Kanzo's body collapsed in the middle of the empty street.
L: Excuse Miss King as she was unable to attend this A/N.
Light: 'Cause she's crying.
L: In her absence –
Light: I will take over the THANKING ALL REVIEWERS FOR REVIEWING. KING LOVES YOU. You know what you want to do. You want to kill her. Good. Me too. Do this by pressing the magic button.
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