AN: Thank you for the reviews. This is the second Gula chapter. Gula is gluttony, in case I've forgotten to mention. I am trying my best to write as often as I can but I also have some story manuscripts to make and some lab reports, as well. So I don't think I can write many chapters in days. Blame it on my endless lab reports. : )
Anyway, please continue supporting this fic.
Enjoy.
Chapter 5: Gula II
L set down his fork on the plate and stared at Light for a few seconds before picking up his cup of coffee and sipped. Light gave him a stare.
"You're not going to deny it?" L set down his cup and spared him a glance before turning to his coffee to stir it.
"Would you like me to?" Light shook his head.
"Then perhaps I was correct."
"Correct in what?" L said, without looking up.
"That you intentionally gave me the clues that will lead to your true identity." L paused in his stirring and finally looked up. L knew Light was brilliant but still, he was surprised. He was actually testing Light's skills to know whether the man was going to be a help in the investigation. It seems that he made a mistake of not believing in his first impression. Light was going to be a big help in the investigation. He could actually replace all the other members of his investigation team.
"Let's stop this bullshit, Ryuuzaki."
"What bullshit?" Light gave him a mocking glare.
"Stop these qualification tests, Ryuuzaki. You know I'm capable of meeting your standards." L smiled. The man was really smart. "And surpassing your skills, too." And arrogant. But L let it slide. It was probably true, anyway.
"You're a beautiful man, Light-kun." Light rolled his eyes. "And a brilliant man, too."
"You need not state the obvious." L chuckled.
"But quite arrogant, as well." Light just shrugged.
"How many are in your team?"
"We are six, all in all." Light nodded. "Four are from NPA." Light nodded again.
"I presumed you were not much of a crowd person." L just smiled. "Is the man driving the Limo part of your team?"
"Yes, Light-kun. He is my personal assistant as well."
"So when do I meet them?"
"You will not meet them, Light-kun." Light stared in shock.
"Huh?" L turned to his coffee and stirred it again.
"I said you will not meet them. You are going to work with me alone." L brought the cup to his lips.
"I believe I'm not getting you here. Why can't I work with the team?"
"I prefer to keep the reason to myself, Light-kun." Light frowned and gave him a hard stare.
"The reason is probably stupid." L said nothing. "Not that I complain. I don't care whether I work with the team or not." Light picked up his own cup. "But I prefer to know the reason. Be it stupid or not."
"I have an unattached man in my team, Light-kun."
"So?"
Silence.
Light's eyes widened a bit in realization. He stared hard at L.
"You're kidding."
"I'm not, Light-kun."
"You're not making me work with the team because you were afraid that this unattached man could take interest in me? I believe your brain has started deteriorating."
L remained silent. Perhaps.
"Please say you're joking."
L gave him an irritated look.
Light pushed his cup away and stared at L seriously.
"I thought you were a brilliant detective. A professional. But now I'm having doubts. You're letting your insecurities be involved in your work."
L pushed his cup away before looking up at him.
"I am a brilliant detective, Light-kun. I am also a professional. I'm not letting my insecurities get in the way of the investigation." Light rolled his eyes. "I was actually avoiding conflicts in my team."
"Avoiding conflicts?" L nodded.
"Yes, Light-kun. If one of the members of the team takes interest in you, then, without a shadow of a doubt, I will kick him out of my team. That would prevent conflicts." Light stared in shock but said nothing.
"Yes, Light-kun. You heard me right."
"You're sick."
"That's rude, Light-kun. I thought I told you I was serious about you."
"Haven't expected you to be actually this serious." L said nothing. "Ryuuzaki. Do you honestly think they would take interest in me? I'm sure they're all straight. Don't be ridiculous."
L did not look up and just reached out for a plate of cake.
"I was straight before I met you, Light-kun. In case you have forgotten."
Light let out a loud sigh.
"Ryuuzaki. No one is stealing me away from you."
L's head perked up and stared at him. Then L smiled.
"That assurance suddenly changed my mind. Did Light-kun just admit that he belongs to me?" Light shot him a glare.
"I don't belong to anybody."
L just smiled and stabbed his cake once more.
--
Matsuda was reviewing the papers regarding the updated news reports about the killings when L came in with a large box of cake. He smiled. Sometimes, he wanted to imitate Ryuuzaki and eat as much cake as he could so as to have just a quarter of the brilliance of Ryuuzaki's brain.
"What's up, Ryuuzaki? You seem to be in high spirits."
L glanced at him before turning to the intercom to ask Watari to bring in some plates for his take-home cake.
"I need to discuss something with the rest of you." L said loudly, so as to be heard by the rest. Matsuda eagerly waited for him to start while Aizawa and the others gathered around him.
L waited for Watari to arrive with the plates and set a slice of cake in front of him before he started the discussion.
"As you can notice, there is still no major progress in the investigation about the Kira case." The others nodded in agreement.
"Perhaps the Kira's just really elusive?" Matsuda said and L nodded.
"You may be right, Matsuda-san. But I believe that is not the only reason." Matsuda gave him a questioning look while the rest waited for his words. "I believe we need more brains in the investigation. Take no offense in this. You all are already efficient and are a necessity in the team. But I need another brain to aid me."
"So you already found one?" Aizawa said, and L reminded himself that this man is quite smart, too. As expected of his team.
L nodded.
"Yes."
"Oh my God, I can't wait to meet him! Or is it a her, Ryuuzaki? Anyway, I'm so excited to meet this new face! If Ryuuzaki chose him personally, then he must be really brilliant!" Matsuda squealed in excitement. L's face darkened a bit.
"It is a he, Matsuda-san. And please calm yourself."Matsuda mumbled a faint apology. "You will meet him tomorrow. Watari and I will pick him up 5 in the afternoon tomorrow. Please exhibit your best behavior towards him." He turned to his cake and started eating.
The rest of the team gave L a puzzled look before returning to their respective works. Matsuda slowly walked towards his own desk, while still thinking about L's last words. What does he mean by exhibit your best behavior? Is the man really that important? If so, then I really can't wait to see him! In his excitement, he accidentally hit the stack of papers in his desk and it fell towards the floor. As Matsuda picked up the fallen papers, he failed to notice L's dark gaze at his direction.
--
L glanced at Matsuda and caught him in a deep thought. He frowned. His frown deepened when he saw Matsuda's obviously excited face. He stabbed his cake hard. The strawberry on top of the slice of the cake was torn in half. He stared at it for a while and continued eating.
Maybe he was in dire need of sweets again.
--
Light glanced at his wrist watch. 4:25. Five minutes more, and he's out of this boring class. He decided to at least pretend to listen to the teacher for the remaining few minutes. When his wristwatch read exactly 4:30 and the teacher seemed not to notice the time, he raised his hand.
"Professor." The professor turned to look at him and smiled.
"Yes, Yagami-san?"
Light said nothing. Instead, he pointed to his wristwatch. The teacher gave him a puzzled look. Light resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Really, and he's a professor…
"It's 4:31 already, sir." A minute wasted just because you don't understand a simple gesture. The professor nodded and dismissed the class.
He was walking towards the gate of the school when Takada called his name. He sighed and turned to face her. He raised his eyebrows at her and waited for her to talk.
"I was wondering if you're free tonight. A friend of mine is celebrating her birthday today and a party would be held somewhere."
"So?"
"So I was wondering if you could come with me—
"I have an important appointment." 4:43. Only 17 minutes left before L arrives.
Takada frowned.
"With Amane Misa?" Light just stared at her. He could see the irritation emanating from her.
"I believe I said important appointment." Without waiting for her response, he turned around and walked away from her.
--
5:03. No sign of L. Light was starting to get impatient. He was a man of punctuality. He was expecting the top detective to be that punctual too. But… There were too many buts on L's personality.
He looked at his wristwatch. 5:04. He'll wait for another minute. Beyond that, then let L forget the idea of L-Light tandem.
5:05. That's it. He straightened his polo shirt and started to walk. He was still a few meters away from the gate when he saw, in the corner of his eye, a limo parked in front of the university gate. He ignored it and continued walking.
"Light-kun." He jumped at the sudden voice. He turned around and found L's face a few inches from his.
"How the hell can you walk so fast?" L blinked and just shrugged.
"Then you really saw us arrive. Why didn't you stop walking?"
Light pointed to his wristwatch. It read 5:08.
"I knew you were a punctual man. But I never thought you'd be actually that conscious of the time." Light gave him an irritated look.
"I hate wasting time. Even a minute counts." L nodded.
"I'll remember that." Light nodded.
"You'd better."
"Yes, Light-kun. I will. So as not to ruin our future dates."
"Future dates, my ass." L chuckled and Light walked towards the parked limo leaving L smiling widely.
--
When the limo made its way towards the parking lot in the basement of L's headquarters building, L saw Light's eyes widen a bit and L had to suppress a smile. Ah, the joys of wealth. The limo parked and Watari opened the door for them. They both got out at the same time and L stared at the gorgeous brunette before leading the way to the elevator that will carry them to the main investigation room.
When they were inside the elevator, L finally turned to Light.
"The building good for you?" Light glanced at him and nodded.
"Yeah, it's fine. Though I find it unnecessary to have it this big." L chuckled.
"I needed it to be designed this way. Small headquarters building may heighten the risks of breaks. I need top security measures, and the facilities in this building are the best in the world."
"I expected it to." L nodded and smiled.
When the elevator opened to the eighth floor, Watari bowed in front of them before walking out of the elevator. Light gave L a questioning look.
"Watari's going to prepare my snacks." Light snorted.
"Yeah. I forgot about your strange addiction to sweets." L smiled.
"As I have said, Light-kun, I can't—
"Think without sweets. Yes, I perfectly remember."
"That is correct, Light-kun." Light rolled his eyes and L just smiled. He eyed Light for a while and he had to restrain himself from kissing the man right then and there. He reminded himself again of how utterly gorgeous this man is. The bored expression on the younger man's face even seemed to be appealing. L mentally reprimanded himself. He was beginning to lose his self control. He wondered how many days his self-control could last under the gorgeous man's pheromones.
The elevator opened to the thirteenth floor and they both got out. L led the way towards the long hallway and Light just followed quietly. L stopped in front of a silver metal door. The automatic security scanner asked for L's fingerprints and iris patterns. The door slid open and L turned to Light.
"You will do the same when entering these kinds of doors, Light-kun." Light nodded. "This is the investigation room. Thought the actual room is further inside." Light nodded in understanding once again.
"Good security system." L smiled.
"Oh, this is still not enough. I still have to add a few security measures." Light raised an eyebrow. "I have to keep the security tighter."
"Well, that's good. Though I think it's a bit too much. I know the building is quite secured already." L shook his head.
"I have to make sure the security's tighter."
L smiled and Light just blinked in confusion.
"Because Light-kun's already here." Light gaped at him and L just chuckled.
He walked inside while Light followed silently.
--
Matsuda was listening to a pop song when the mahogany door to the investigation room swung open, revealing L and a handsome young man. The young man seemed familiar to Matsuda but he couldn't remember the face. He removed his headphones and stood up just as the rest of the investigation did.
"Welcome back, Ryuuzaki." Aizawa said, then nodded towards the handsome brunette to acknowledge his presence.
L nodded. He glanced at Matsuda and noticed the man's eyes on his brunette. He frowned. Tsk. That is why I didn't want Light-kun to meet them.
"Gentlemen, I want you to meet Yagami Light. He's in the team from now on." Light nodded and bowed.
"Yagami Light? Yagami?" L turned to look at Matsuda. "Oh, yes! The chief's son! I've heard a lot about you from your father. It's a pleasure to meet the genius son of Yagami Soichiro! I'm Matsuda Touta!" L restrained himself from slapping Matsuda's hand when Matsuda eagerly came forward to shake Light's hand. Light just gave Matsuda a small smile, and L gave him a dark look.
"I give you my condolences, Yagami-san. I'm Hirokazu Ukita. Your father was a great chief." Light nodded and gave him a faint thank you.
"I also give you my condolences. Chief Yagami was very proud of you and he often mentioned how brilliant you are to me." Light nodded. "I am Shuichi Aizawa. Nice meeting you." Then he turned to the quiet man beside him.
"Kanzo Mogi." Light nodded. The man's quite reserved, Light thought.
"Now that you're all acquainted with Light-kun, I would greatly appreciate it if you go back to what you're previously doing." L said and the rest of the team went toward their respective desks. L turned to him. Light nodded and he followed L towards a long desk full of large computer screens showing security cameras, two laptops and an intercom.
"You will work here with me 20 hours a day."
"20 hours?" L nodded. Light stared at him incredulously. "I'm a university student, L. I don't have that much time."
"From now on, you are going to be with me in this investigation. I already contacted your university beforehand. They will send your assignments and examinations thru email and you will pass them online as well. I believe you need not take the boring classes, am I not right?"
"But I go to school to study!" Light said, irritated.
"If you still think you have to listen to lectures in class, then perhaps I would be your personal mentor. I believe I am capable of teaching you." Light rolled his eyes.
"You're more than capable. I never said I need to listen to lectures in class."
"Then, it's settled." Light resisted the urge to punch the older man.
"I don't like you doing and deciding things for me." Light said, turning his narrowed eyes on him.
"Of course, Light-kun." Light rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Perhaps you need to have sweets right now. Your brain's in an unexplainable knot."
L smiled.
"Yes. I believe I do need them right now."
--
L was on his third slice of cake when he noticed Light staring at him.
"Does this slice seem appealing to you, Light-kun? I can share it with you, if you want,"
Light shook his head.
"No, thanks. I don't like sweets that much." L pouted. "You're so childish, Ryuuzaki."
"Perhaps. But if it makes me happy, then I don't think it matters, does it?"
"No." L smiled.
"Light-kun is such a serious person. He doesn't know that he's also childish in some ways." Light snorted and gave L a stare.
"Yes, I am aware that I have some childish traits." L gobbled up the strawberry on top of the slice of cake. Light cringed at the sight. L pouted.
"I know now what Light-kun's flaw is." Light looked at him, asking. "Light-kun doesn't know how to appreciate the best things in the world."
"And the best things are?" L stared at him for a while then raised his plate of cake.
"Sweets, Light-kun." Light groaned in annoyance and turned to his laptop to work. L just chuckled and continued his work while devouring the cake at the same time.
"Ryuuzaki, Yagami-san.." L turned to Matsuda standing behind Light. Tsk.
"Yes, Matsuda-san?"
"Would you two like some coffee? I am on my way to get cups for the others right now." L shook his head and expected Light to refuse as well.
"Sure, Matsuda-san. That would be greatly appreciated." L frowned and gave Light a dark look. Light noticed his expression and gave him a puzzled look.
Matsuda nodded eagerly and walked away.
L stabbed his cake loud enough for Light to hear. Light creased his eyebrows.
"What's wrong with you?" L frowned and continued stabbing the cake. "Hey."
"Does Light-kun hate me that much?" Light raised an eyebrow.
"You irritate me often but I do not hate you."
"Then why do you intentionally hurt me?"
"Huh?"
"You chose Matsuda-san's coffee over my cake." L said, pouting.
"L, you were offering me sweets. I told you I don't like sweets."
Silence.
"Stop this childish behavior, L. It's getting on my nerves." L glanced at him and said nothing. He continued eating the cake. Light decided to ignore him.
Matsuda came back with a tray of cups of coffee. He handed the cups to everyone. He came towards Light and L's mood seemed to worsen.
"Here, Light-kun." Light mumbled thanks and flashed Matsuda a smile. L twitched in annoyance. L was trying to concentrate on his work when Matsuda accidentally spilled the cup of coffee unto Light's lap. Light jumped at the sudden contact of the liquid.
"I'm sorry, Yagami-san! I'm really sorry." Matsuda exclaimed as he helped Light wipe the spilled coffee in his pants.
L suddenly stood up, knocking his plate of cake in the process. He grabbed Light's wrist and dragged him out of the investigation room.
"Hey, L!" L stopped in front of a mahogany door, opened it, and dragged Light inside. It was a bedroom with a king-sized bed. The sheets were white. The walls were painted white. The desks and chairs were also white. Only the mahogany door seemed different.
Light yanked his wrist free.
"What the hell is wrong with you!" Light snapped at him.
L narrowed his eyes.
"Tell me straight. Are you really interested in Matsuda-san?" Light gaped at him in shock.
"What?! I told you I don't prefer men!"
"I was not asking you whether you like men or not, Light-kun. I was asking you whether you're interested in Matsuda or not." Light rolled his eyes.
"Well, duh, Matsuda is a man!" L frowned.
"I don't prefer men before, Light-kun. I told you that. Yet, here I am, acting this way because of you." Light scowled.
"And it's supposed to be my fault?"
"That's why I didn't want you to meet the team. I was avoiding conflicts like this." Light snorted.
"Great, L. Perhaps that could have been a good idea." Light said, annoyed. L just stared at him and said nothing. After a few moments of silence, L spoke.
"I apologize for the sudden outburst. We must go back to work now, Light-kun." L was about to open the door when Light spoke.
"You know, you have to control your jealousy." L turned to face him. "Get this in your head. I have a girlfriend and I'm not interested in anyone." L blinked and noted the lack of the word else in the last statement. He finally smiled.
"That makes me happy, Light-kun." L walked towards him, and stopped mere inches away from him. His eyebrows creased when L just stared at him shamelessly.
"Well? Let's go ba—
L's lips met his.
Light's eyes widened in shock. L drew back and gave him a triumphant smile. Light regained his composure and scowled at L, darkly.
"What the hell was that?!"
"Light-kun does not know what a kiss is?" Light shot him an annoyed look.
"I know what a kiss is!" L smiled.
"Then I assume I need not educate you more." L chuckled when he saw Light's narrowing eyes.
"That was sexual harassment, L. I could sue you for that." L laughed.
"You will? It was a way of easing my irritation. Seems effective to me." Light snorted but said nothing and L just smiled. "How was it?"
Light frowned.
"It was horrible. You taste like cake." L chuckled and walked towards the door. Light didn't move and scowled at L angrily.
"Light-kun has his way of complimenting me." L said, and with a final glance at Light's angry face, he opened the door and disappeared out of Light's view.
When the door closed behind him, L touched his lips. My self-control only lasted hours. Not that I complain. He chuckled at the thought. He silently thanked the strawberry cake he ate just a while ago and walked towards the investigation room.
--
AN: Reviews please. Let me know what you think.