A/N: Okay, spoilers for L's real name…hopefully everyone knows by now, but if you don't, don't get mad at me, k? And you know that that means if L tells Light his name…it means they finally get closer! Yaaay for more trust between them.
Disclaimer: I'd love to own L…or even Light. They're both so darn awesome.
When L woke, he found himself wrapped up in a sleeping bag. A warm fire was blazing nearby. L unzipped the sleeping bag and sat up, taking a quick look around. They were camping at the base of a large mountain. The forest thinned at the base of the mountain, but there were still trees close by. L sighed and looked up into the sky. The full moon…why were they still in the forest and not safely up in the mountain?
L felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked back absently. Light always seemed to appear and disappear unexpectedly.
"What are we doing here?" L asked softly. "The forest isn't safe."
"I know." Light's honey eyes glowed strangely in the light of the fire. "I just had to make sure you were ready."
L frowned. "Ready for what?"
Light's voice dropped to a breathless whisper. "This is no ordinary mountain. It doesn't appear on any map and most mortals never see it. It's a rather dangerous place."
L sighed heavily. He was so tired of all this secretive nonsense. The world of the supernatural was chock full of danger, secrets, and invisibility. Whatever. L had grown tired of all the warnings. "I don't care what this mountain does," he said tiredly. He rose to his feet. "As long as it will shelter us from the werewolves, I will accompany you inside. Don't worry about me. I am not as fragile as I look."
Light looked amused. "Confident, aren't we?" He shook his head with a smile. "I just want you to know that as a human, you'll be exceptionally vulnerable once I take you inside this mountain."
L sighed. "Another cave? Filled with vampire bats, I suppose." Yes, he was really getting tired of this. He was not about to be scared off by a creepy looking cave.
Light chuckled darkly. "Don't be so cynical, L. This is a special mountain, as I said. It reveals secrets."
L rolled his eyes. Just like the house. "Honestly, Light, I've already seen your-"
Light interrupted him with a wild laugh. "Don't be silly. It doesn't show my secrets." His eyes narrowed. "It'll show me yours."
L wasn't so sure he liked the look in Light's eyes. It was a wicked gleam, filled with the promise of danger. Light was looking forward to seeing L vulnerable, all his secrets laid bare. L didn't know how a simple cave could do such a thing and he didn't know if he wanted to risk it with the way Light was acting.
Light shook his head vigorously and his expression returned to normal. He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, L. I can get a little weird when I'm hungry."
L tensed. "Why would I want to be cooped up in a cave with a hungry vampire?" he demanded. "Go feed somewhere. I'm not spending the night with you like this."
Light grinned again, running his tongue over suddenly sharper canines. "Oh, I will," he purred. His eyes glowed red again. "The mountains are full of animals. Their blood isn't as tasty as a human's, but it will last me for the weekend at least."
L crossed his arms over his chest. Light was still standing there, looking at him hungrily. If he was going to go out hunting, he ought to go now. This new Light was rather creepy. He almost preferred the way Mikami acted when he was hungry. Mikami was grouchy and irritable. That he could handle. The seductive undercurrent in Light's voice was too much. He desperately wanted to avoid being bitten.
Light's wicked smile finally faded. "Wait for me here," he said softly. "I'll be back in a few minutes. In the meantime, try to stay out of trouble."
L sat back down on the sleeping bag and crossed his arms over his chest. He shivered despite the warmth. Even though Light loved him, when he was consumed by hunger, he seemed perfectly willing to consider L as a meal. That was what L was afraid of. Light's promises of love meant nothing if he wasn't sated with blood.
Light returned a few minutes later, wiping blood off his lips with the back of his hand. The amber eyes were relaxed and calm. "That was good," Light said contentedly. He placed a lifeless rabbit down on the ground beside L. "If you want, we can cook this little guy up. I heard that rabbit is supposed to be pretty good."
L frowned. "This is a wild rabbit, Light. It's probably got rabies."
Light shrugged nonchalantly. "Then it's a good thing I killed it." A sudden grin spread over his face. "I should have made a vampire out of this thing. Then we could have had Bunnicula running around."
L rolled his eyes. Light could be so immature. He looked down at the lithe little body. Really, why would he want a dead, bloodless rabbit? It wasn't a fluffy little bunny and L was not appalled that Light had killed it, but he didn't want to see the evidence of Light's vampirism. Did Light think this was some romantic gesture? Really, this was not the way to go about charming L into dating him.
"Come on," Light said softly. "If you don't want him, I'll leave him for the scavengers. We need to get inside the cave."
L nodded briskly. He began gathering up the camping supplies as he heard a wolf howling in the distance. He didn't like the sound of this cave, but he supposed now that Light was sane again, that it wouldn't be too bad.
Light led L around the base of the mountain to a small opening. He bent down slightly as he walked in. L followed after him. It was completely dark inside, but L could tell that despite the small entrance, the cave inside was huge.
L nearly jumped as he felt Light's hand unexpectedly rest on his shoulder. He should be used to Light sneaking up on him out of nowhere, but this cave made him feel rather nervous. He didn't like not being able to see and he didn't even hear Light walk back behind him or sense his movements.
Light rested his head on L's shoulder. "This cave always makes humans nervous. Humans are always so afraid of the dark. But I'll humor you until we get set up."
A sudden flare of light. Light had struck a match and lit a piece of wood. He looked a little creepy lit by such flickering light, but L supposed it was better than nothing.
Light spread the sleeping bags down on the cave floor in a smooth spot. He settled a bundle of wood close by. "If we're going to get any rest, we don't need a fire to see by, but we'll need one tomorrow. This cave never gets any light."
Great, just great. He was stuck in a creepy cave with Light for the weekend. It was one thing to run into the cave just to escape the werewolves, but it was another thing for Light to have been planning on taking him there to begin with. He sighed. Honestly, he just didn't understand sometimes. Light could be so charismatic and appealing and then he could also do some pretty unsettling things. How did he expect L to want to date him when he did such creepy things? This was not the weekend L had envisioned.
"Tired?" Light asked.
L frowned. Surprisingly, he wasn't. He knew it was late at night, but perhaps he had rested enough after passing out on the way to the mountain.
"Alright then. We'll just sit here by the fire and talk." Light swept the lit torch into the pile of firewood. Soon, the fire roared to life.
Light settled down on top of his sleeping bag and pulled L down beside him. "Sit by me, and we'll just talk, L."
"That's not my real name you know," L said amiably. "It's actually La-". L broke off and clapped a hand over his mouth in horror. So, this was what Light meant. The cave was living up to its reputation.
Light laughed softly. "Relax, L. What's the problem if I know your real name? I mean, it's just a name." He quirked an eyebrow upward as he looked at L. "Unless it's something you think I would tease you over, like Humphrey or something. But it starts with an L and an A." He tapped a finger against his chin contemplatively. "I know it would be too much to ask that you're called Laramie, like me."
L shook his head. "No."
"Then what is it?"
L let out an aggravated sigh. "I'm not supposed to tell anyone."
"It's just a name. The more you hide it, the more I want to find out. You make me curious. Why would your father ever tell you to keep your name secret? If he told you not to tell me specifically, I would understand. But he told you not to tell anyone. It's weird."
"He must have had a reason," L said stubbornly.
Light's gentle golden eyes met L's. "Under the influence of this cave, all I need to give you is a little push. Tell me, L, what do they really call you?"
L felt himself relaxing under Light's gaze. "Lawliet," he said softly. "That's what my parents named me." He leaned against Light's chest, feeling warm and content. It felt good to give his name to Light. At the moment, he felt like he could trust him completely.
"Ah," said Light knowingly. He stroked L's hair. "I know why they wanted you to keep that secret. A name is just a name, except for yours."
L pulled his head up from Light's chest, the relaxing feelings fading. "What do you mean?"
"Lawliet," Light said softly.
L shuddered. A wave of pleasure coursed through his body. "What did you do?" he whispered.
"There is a legend that your name was the name given to the first thrall created." He smiled playfully. "Now, I was probably alive when this legend was created, but I can't confirm if it's true. But whether true or not, those that share your name seem to be especially vulnerable to vampires, as if they're following in their namesake's path."
L frowned. "That's just stupid."
"Is that so, Lawliet?"
L's eyes slid shut. It was frightening how merely hearing Light say his name could make him feel so good. He wanted to hear his name from those beautiful lips over and over again. He wanted to belong to Light, to surrender to the amazing feelings.
L shook himself out of it. He looked at Light guardedly. "As if you need more of a hold over me."
"It's not just me," Light said quietly. "You'd probably find yourself willingly submitting to any vampire who spoke your name. You'll find it difficult not to obey any order, as long as they use your name. They would use that power to take your life. I only want it to gain your love. That's why it's good to keep it hidden."
"I'd rather even you didn't have it," L said glumly. He hated how Light could make him lose control so easily.
Light gently stroked L's cheek. "I'm sorry. What's done is done. I will not use this power lightly." His forehead crinkled in thought. "I wonder why your parents gave you such a name anyway. It's unusual."
"My mother named me. My father has never liked it, although he never said why. I suppose he found out somehow what an unfortunate name my mother cursed me with."
Light shook his head. "Fortunate for me." He grinned wickedly. "Every time I say your name, you'll want to give in to me. I can't make you give in, but I'll make you want it badly."
L felt a headache coming on. "I thought you said you wouldn't use this control lightly," he growled.
"Relax. I know what I'm doing." He pulled L into a strong embrace and pressed their lips together. He pulled back slightly. "I won't use it unless I have to. I'd rather have you submit willingly with no pressure at all." He resumed the kiss with more force.
L felt his eyes slide shut. Well, Light was a good kisser anyway. There was no harm in kissing him. He didn't have to commit to a lifelong relationship with him, just a few kisses. L ignored the part of his mind that told him that he was starting down a slippery slope. At the moment, he didn't care.