A/N: I just found myself a new posting buddy…my fourth so far. Hopefully that means I can get things uploaded as soon as I type them again…instead of having to wait until my bro lets me on his computer. But I may have come down with another problem…when I first planned this story, Light was going to be seme…but now…I'm not so sure. Maybe they can take turns?
Disclaimer: I don't own L or Light...but I do have an L plushie.
L sat beside Light through his first four classes. It was obvious to almost everyone that Light wasn't feeling well at all. Still, he was the top student in most of his classes and the teachers insisted on calling on him for the answer when no one else responded.
Light's cough medication kicked in early in the day and he sat through classes in a mediated haze. When his physics teacher asked him a question, Light didn't seem to be paying attention. Only after L elbowed him in the side did he actually focus on her. She repeated the question and Light gave her the answer and then stared off into space again.
By second period, Light's condition began worsening. He had completely lost his voice. When Light was given his oral Spanish quiz, the teacher couldn't even hear him. L had to repeat all of Light's answers.
In third period, Light had his massive writing exam, which was composed of two essay questions and fifty multiple choice questions. L looked on as Light took his test. Light was again having trouble focusing. He took a lot more time to answer the questions and he spent a good deal of time staring at his paper before writing any of his essays. Light was one of the last people to finish the test.
Fourth period was study hall for Light. L came along with him to the library. Light selected a library book and sat down to read it at one of the tables across from L. L noticed that Light was taking a great deal of time reading a single page.
"Raito-kun, you look awful," L hissed.
'Gee, thanks," Light muttered, finally flipping the page.
"Are you having difficulty with that book?"
"My eyes hurt like hell and they keep watering," Light muttered. "I can barely see a thing."
"Well, you have taken care of your main academic classes for the day. After this, you have lunch. And then history and forensics, right?"
"Yeah," Light muttered tiredly.
"Don't worry, Raito-kun. We can call your mother during lunch and she will come get you. You can afford to miss those classes. There aren't any tests today, right?"
"No," Light mumbled.
"Good. Then we shall call your mother and get you home. You need to rest your eyes."
"But Mom's at Sayu's assembly," Light whined. "I don't want to make her miss that."
L sighed. "Raito-kun should have stayed home today. Then she could have gone to the assembly and I would have taken care of you."
Light gave him a withering glare. "You'd take care of me how exactly?"
"I am an adult, if you would recall," L said calmly. "I can microwave soup for you."
Light buried his head in his hands. "Oh boy, microwave soup."
L cocked his head to one side. "You really do not feel well at all, do you?" he observed. "You look rather feverish."
Light groaned. "I feel just as bad as I look."
L reached for Light's hand across the table and squeezed it reassuringly. "Come, Raito-kun. Let's go see the nurse."
L convinced the librarian to write them an out of class pass to go to the nurse's office. As they walked down the hallway, they bumped into Misa, who was just returning from the bathroom.
"Light!" Misa squealed. "Misa is so happy to see you."
"Go 'way," Light muttered, backing away from her.
Misa looked puzzled.
"He's sick," L explained. "He doesn't want you to catch his germs."
"Light is so….so…considerate!" Misa exclaimed. "Misa will give him a big hug when he feels better." She skipped down the hall back to her class.
Light sighed. "I'm so tired. I want to go home."
"We're getting there," L said soothingly. He intertwined his fingers with Light's and gently pulled him down the hallway.
L poked his head into the nurse's office. "My friend is very sick," L announced. He dragged Light in after him.
"Oh, you poor thing! You look awful." The nurse bustled over with a thermometer to take Light's temperature.
Light sighed. "I'm sick of hearing that."
"What did you say, darling? Speak up."
"He's lost his voice," L explained.
"Oh, what a pity." The nurse checked the thermometer. "100.5. Would you like to use the phone and call your parents?"
"Yes please," Light whispered hoarsely.
"Perhaps I better do it," L muttered.
The nurse left the cordless phone with L and she went into the supply closet to refill the container of cotton balls.
Light whispered Sachiko's cell phone number to L and he dutifully dialed it.
L listened intently. "She's not answering."
The nurse bustled back in. "Let's get you out of the nurse's station and into one of the waiting rooms. Yes, right here. Just sit tight until your parents arrive, sweetie."
L looked at Light worriedly as the nurse headed back into the main office. "We need to get you home."
"I know," Light murmured. He sat down on the edge of the little bed.
L looked thoughtful. "I only know one other possible solution to get you home. We could sneak out of here without being caught. It is risky, but if your mother-"
L let out a cry of surprise as Light pitched forward. He grabbed him before he could hit the ground and eased him back on the bed. He shook Light gently. "Raito-kun?"
Light groaned and opened his eyes. "What?"
"You passed out," L said quietly.
"Oh. Well, I've been feeling a little light-headed."
"We need to get you home and get you some medicine to bring your fever down. I can take you if you command me."
"Okay," Light mumbled. He reached for the pen L held out to him and tiredly scrawled "Take me home" across L's forehead.
L blinked as the writing faded. "Okay, let's be off." He scooped Light into his arms bridal-style.
Light wrapped his arms around L's neck. "Am I going to die?" Light whispered.
L bristled. "Not if I can help it. Now, I need your full attention."
Light obediently gazed at L. He felt a weird sensation in the pit of his stomach almost like dropping in an elevator.
"Just look at me," L advised. "It'll be worse if you don't."
As the feeling subsided, Light turned away and rested his head against L's shoulder. "Is it over now?"
"For now, Raito-kun. We are momentarily both small. It will be easier to sneak out this way. But once we are through the office, I'll need your help to return us to size."
"Okay," Light whispered. His eyes slid shut.
Light woke a few minutes later to L's gentle nudging. "One more time, Raito-kun. Then you can sleep all the way home."
Light stared at L, again feeling his stomach drop.
"Now you may sleep, Raito-kun," L murmured soothingly. "I'll carry you home."
"You're too nice to me," Light said softly. "You don't have to."
"Yes I do," L said firmly. "You are in no condition to walk home."
"Aw, you're so protective. That's cute." Light leaned forward and kissed L right on the mouth.
L was so startled that he almost dropped Light. "What was that?"
"A kiss," Light said cheerfully. He yawned. "You're so cute." He snuggled into L's arms and rested his head on L's shoulder.
"He must be delirious," L decided. "Or maybe I'm delirious. I can't believe that just happened."