A/N: Okay, I know I said Light would reveal his secret in this chapter…well, I lied. I was planning on it…but then I got to writing the actual thing and the chapter got way too long. So, I am dividing it into two parts. This is part one. Part two is already written and will be uploaded in a few days.
Disclaimer: I don't own…anyone really.
When L woke up the next morning, it was pitch black all around him. He wasn't even sure if it was morning. He shifted and glanced around and still saw nothing.
"Good morning,' Light murmured.
L started at the unexpected sound. "Ah, good morning, Light. It is morning, right?"
Light chuckled and placed a hand on L's shoulder. "Of course it is."
L flinched. "Light, I can't see a thing in here."
"Well, I can," Light said proudly. "I've been awake long enough and my eyes have already adjusted to the dark. Besides, I know my way around this cave with my eyes closed."
"Wonderful," L drawled. "Since you know your way around so well, you might as well show me the way out."
"With pleasure," Light purred.
L felt Light's hand close around his and Light gently tugging him down the path to the cave's mouth. L followed blindly, trusting Light not to lead him into any obstacles.
As they rounded the corner, L saw the light filtering into the cave, the first rays of sunrise.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Light asked quietly. He led L over to the cave mouth and sat down, patting the spot next to him.
L settled in next to Light and allowed Light to put his arm around his shoulder.
"L, we're going to get together after school on Monday and tell you everything," Light said softly.
"Why won't you tell me now?"
"Because you won't believe me," Light said firmly. "When I tell you that you're in danger, you don't believe it. Well, I'll find you proof." Light sighed heavily. "Just promise me one thing, L. After Monday, you might not think of me the same way ever again. I'll understand completely. Just promise me that you'll remember this weekend."
L frowned. "Sure, Light. I don't know exactly what you are planning to show me that will be this life changing, but I will make sure to remember spending the night in the cave."
Light smiled sadly. "I have hope for you, L. You're one of the select few that I'd even consider letting you in on all my secrets. I hope you can handle it. I really do."
L glanced at Light suspiciously. "Just what horrible secrets are you hiding?"
"You'll find out on Monday," Light said cheerfully.
L frowned. "Are you part of a gang? It's possible that you could be fighting against a rival gang within town."
Light rolled his eyes. "I'm not a gangster. You're way off. You probably wouldn't figure it out even if you guessed all day. But let's not start that. It'll spoil the weekend. I brought you out here to have fun. Now, we better get going."
L grumbled in protest as Light grabbed his arm and forcibly hauled him to his feet. "Where exactly are we going?" L growled.
"You'll see," Light said cheerfully. "I know all the sights to see near here. There's plenty for us to do."
"Where exactly is 'here'?" L muttered.
"California, of course. They've got lots of caves out here. But this one happens to be my favorite. No one really knows about it, but that's a good thing."
"So, southern California?"
"That's right. I can take you to San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco. Anywhere your little heart desires."
"Please don't tell me you're planning on doing all of that in one day," L moaned.
"Nah, we've got two whole days ahead of us. I promise to drive at the speed limit." Light flashed L another grin.
L nodded and slid into the front seat next to Light. L looked at Light strangely. "Why are you taking me to all these places?"
Light smiled at L warmly. "Sometimes it's just fun to get out and do something. There doesn't need to be a reason other than having fun with someone you care about."
L was surprised at the sincerity of Light's words. Light didn't seem to be hiding anything or trying to lie to him, and for once his smile was absolutely genuine. L wondered if Light had spritzed Casual on him before he left so L would feel more comfortable around him, but L decided that he didn't care.
"We're going through San Diego first," Light said cheerfully. "I'm taking you there so you'll get a chance to see the ocean. I know Grayville is nowhere near the coast. Most people never get to see the beach."
"I didn't bring any swimwear with me," L lamented.
"That's okay," Light murmured. "It's probably too cold for swimming anyway. We can just walk along the beach."
L felt heat rush to his cheeks as Light took his hand and helped him out of the car. Light squeezed L's hand reassuringly and led him onto the beach.
As they walked along the beach, L leaned his head against Light's shoulder. "Light has a reason for all our other stops?"
Light nodded. "I have to take you to L.A. so you can see Hollywood. You can't go through California without visiting Hollywood. And San Francisco? I want to take you to Fisherman's Wharf. Sacramento is the state capitol. You'd probably want to see that."
L smiled. "Light is trying to impress me with his knowledge of California."
Light grinned. "It's working, isn't it? Man, this is going to be a great weekend. I haven't really been able to get away and do something fun for a long time."
Light abruptly dropped L's hand. "Come on, L. I'll race you back to the car."
Light took off running and L raced after him. When Light had almost reached the edge of the sand, L tackled him and they both went rolling through the sand.
Light laughed loudly as L ended up pinning him to the ground. "Okay, okay. You caught me. Now, what are you going to do to me?" Light raised an eyebrow inquisitively.
L's cheeks flushed and he quickly backed off.
Light chuckled. "I'm kidding. Don't get so worked up."
L slid back into the passenger seat.
"Alright, hand me the map," Light muttered.
L fished around in the backseat with the rest of Matsuda's school stuff. "Umm…this is the map, right?"
Light snatched it out of L's hand. "Yes, that's the one. Really, we need to hurry up or we won't get to everything."
"Oww," L complained. "You gave me a paper cut."
Light's eyes widened as he stared at L's bleeding finger.
"Yes, you did that," L grumbled. "Does Matsuda have any Band-Aids in here?"
Light didn't answer. He continued to stare at L's finger as if he was in a trance.
"Light? Light, didn't you say we were in a hurry to get out of here?"
Light shook himself and sighed. "Yeah, I'll get you the first aid kit out of the trunk."
"What was that about?" L demanded.
Light looked pained. "The sight of blood is too much for me."
L sighed. "Okay, fine. I didn't expect that out of you, but I'll buy it for now. We really need to hurry if we plan on hitting all of these cities."
Light smirked. 'I can get us there if I drive my way."
L frowned. "I want to enjoy the drive. It's hard to do that when I'm passed out."
Light snickered. "You like driving with me?"
L flushed. "Well, yes."
Light laughed. "Then let's hit the road."
L was enjoying the drive with Light. The new, care-free Light was appealing. L admitted to himself that he did like Light, but Light's overprotective and secretive nature bothered him.
As the day drew to a close, L found himself walking along Fisherman's Wharf with Light, eating a slice of warm bread smothered in honey. Light wasn't eating, but L decided not to press the matter.
"You ready to stop for the night?" Light asked gently. "We can always head up to Sacramento tomorrow."
L swallowed and nodded. "Yes, it'd be better to get there tomorrow instead of really late tonight."
Light smiled. "Okay, I just have one last question."
L looked at Light expectantly. The next thing he was aware of was Light pulling his lips away from L's.
L scowled. "Why did you do that?"
Light smiled. "I wanted to see how far I've gotten with you so far. With a little nudge from me, you'd be willing to kiss me."
L's scowl deepened. "My first kiss and I didn't even get to experience it."
Light smiled. 'Well, then that doesn't count. Let's try again."
L's eyes drifted shut as Light pressed his lips to L's. L let out a contented sigh and leaned into Light.
Light pulled back. "That's enough," he growled.
L looked confused, but he climbed back into the car as they headed for the hotel.
Sunday was spent almost the same as Saturday. They toured Sacramento and then drove back down along the coastline so L could dip his feet in the water. At one point, Light tackled him and they both ended up in the water, soaking wet.
L clung to Light as Light lifted him out of the water and carried him back toward the car. "I'm cold and I'm wet," L complained. "Why did you have to do that?"
"Don't worry. We'll get to a hotel soon. It's late anyway. Time to stop for the night."
Light deposited L in the front seat and started driving. "Hey, L. What do you think of-"
But L was already asleep. Light grinned evilly and kept on driving.