princesscay: I'm sorry I'm late. Would you believe me if I told you Kira took control and locked me in the closet?

TCLA: No

princesscay: That a llama in a hat stabbed me 23 times and then ate my hands?

TCLA: No

princesscay: That I was paralyzed from my skiing accident

TCLA: No

princesscay: Fine I forgot, you couldn't go along with me? Anyways, do these people really not know you don't own DN, I mean they're probably all fangirls who would sue you themselves if you said you did.

TCLA: A couple of them want to bear my children ^_^ (you know who you are)

princesscay:TCLA no posee Death Note, pero ella esbajita.

TCLA: NO SPANISH KIRA. And hahaha Word wants to replace Death with Meath.

Chapter 33 Meet the Parents

"Good morning," I said with a smirk, noticing Light's wilted expression. He sent me a pitiful glare down to me where I was currently sitting outside of he and L's room.

"Good morning," L answered good-naturedly, completely unaffected by the early morning (five forty-five AM).

They both had gotten used to the routine we had established and no longer jumped every time they found me outside their door. Though it had been funny to see their shocked expressions when they first found me.

I trotted after the handcuffed pair, wide awake despite the time. I didn't fully understand my reasoning for many of the new habits I had gathered, but I didn't feel the need to examine myself on such a close level. I assumed it was caused by the kidnapping, but really the aftereffects were all so positive I didn't want to ruin that.

For one thing, I never had nightmares anymore. They had stopped completely. Then there was how I would be wide awake so early, and how I could spend hours just staring at something without feeling the tug of boredom; merely thinking. How I would suddenly get the urge to wander around the unused floors of headquarters, or shadow Watari for a few hours.

I was probably enjoying my freedom, the little things I had been deprived of for a few short days, and how L had forbidden me from working for the time being. But it was nice.

"You're staring again," L said with a chuckle.

"Am I?" I answered with a smile.

"What were you thinking about?"

I lazily tried to recall the train of thought that had been occupying me.

"Something trivial. I can't even remember," I confessed. There was a flash of concern in his eyes. "I'm fine, Ryuzaki. Daydreaming is normal. Besides, if you let me work, I would have something to focus on," I suggested.

"I believe the agreement was when our arm was healed enough to remove the sling, I would allow you to resume work."

I rolled my eyes. The sling. Right. L had been concerned that I would accidentally strain my shoulder and forget it was injured. After a few hellish days of him breathing down my neck, I just asked Watari for a sling to remind me not to use it. Really, my shoulder was fine, but L was being stubborn and set up the 'agreement' as he called it. Meaning he just decided that without my consent.

He was saved what I was sure was going to be a brilliant counter argument on my side, by the ringing of my cell phone.

"Damn," I muttered fumbling with the small cellular phone.

"Why is Rei allowed to keep her phone on?" Matsuda grumbled pouting.

"Because when I allowed Rei out of my sight without a cell phone, she was held captive by a madman for five days," L answered in monotone, but Matsuda winced anyway.

"It's Mom," I said in mild surprise. I tried to recall the last time we had spoken, and realized with chagrin it was before Light's confinement. "Hello?" I said tentatively.

"Rei! How are you? How is school? How's Light? Have you resolved anything with your father yet? Have you've been eating enough?" And so the flood of questions began.

"That's an awful lot to say over one phone conversation…" I trailed off, coloring with embarrassment.

"Then maybe you and Light could come home for dinner some time?" Mom pleaded. "We haven't seen you for so long and I'm sure Light and your father could put their differences aside for one evening…"

Right. The cover story. Supposedly what was keeping Light and I from going home was a disagreement with Dad about Light moving in with Misa. Of course that was a lie, but what else could we tell our family? Light had been suspected of being Kira and had been confined for fifty days because of it? And now he was currently handcuffed to the detective who had him imprisoned? And that I was dating said detective? And I had just recently been held against my will and tortured? That would be a fun dinner conversation.

Hello Mom. We haven't been home because….

She would probably faint and have my ass hauled to the therapist's office again. No thank you.

"Well I would love to Mom, but…" Crap I had no excuse. L was looking at me in mild interest. I sent him a pleading look. "One sec, Mom."

"Exactly what is your mother asking of you?" L asked.

"She wants Light and I home for dinner. Dad too." L considered this, his thumb pressing on his lip. "Got any excuses?"

"Just one," L smirked suddenly. Oh crap. L was, well not exactly scary with a smirk, but he definitely looked devious. And that was bad for me. He held his hand out for the phone.

"Um, Mom. My friend," he mouthed Ryuzaki at me, "Ryuzaki, wants to talk to you." Feeling like I had made the worst decision ever, I handed off the phone.

"Yagami-san, I would like to apologize. I have been the one monopolizing your daughter's attention," he said apologetically. Yes. L sounded apologetic. The apocalypse is nigh. How tragic. I hadn't even done anything with my life.

He let out a small chuckle, snapping me out of my Armageddon filled dreamland. "You could say that," L conceded looking at me with that stupid smirk. I flushed. Apparently I wasn't over with my blushing phase. It had returned full force.

"Of course, Yagami-san. I believe we can sway Light to attend. His father as well." There was a pause. "That sounds reasonable. I look forward to it Yagami-san." L hung up and acting as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened, handed me my phone.

"What did you just do," Light and I asked simultaneously.

"I do not know what Light and Rei are referring to." L tilted his head. "But it is quite strange to see the pair of you exhibiting a twin like moment."

"Ryuzaki, don't lie," I said exasperatedly.

"…"

"It's still lying even if I know you're lying."

"…"

"Just tell me already, because if you don't, and I am somehow forced into an awkward position with you and my family without being warned before hand, I will personally make sure you don't even look at a sweet for as long as I feel necessary."

"You have no idea how deeply that threat cuts me," L feigned hurt.

"Ryuzaki…"

"Very well. I arranged a meeting between myself, and the Yagami family."

"…you told them you were my boyfriend didn't you."

"Rei is astute as ever."

"You do realize Sayu is going to maul you now," Light commented with some amusement.

"Light was the one to suggest the meeting in the first place."

"…"

"Light. You are now dead to me."

"You're not serious are you?" Light asked.

I rolled my eyes. Ugh. It was like elementary school all over and boys only existed to irritate you.

"No, I'm not serious. But I am sorta mad. I kinda wanted to do this on my own terms, and when the Kira case wasn't hanging above all of our heads."

L dropped this teasing air, adopting a serious tone. "I did not intend to anger you. It was merely an attempt of…apology. Not only for the kidnapping, but for the confinement and everything you have been forced to endure because of me. I have always been aware of you attachment to your family, but had ignored your wishes in favor of my own selfish feelings."

My shoulders sagged. What was I supposed to say to that? No I don't forgive you despite how sweet that entire apology was? I was becoming such a push over…

"Fine," I conceded. "But I get to take the sling off. I don't need Mom asking about that."

"Agreed."

"And we keep Light and I's involvement with the Kira case secret."

"I will not involve the remainder of your family."

"Good. Now please excuse me as I mentally prepare myself for the most mortifying situation of my existence."

"Rei has never brought a partner home before, has she?" L asked Light while I rubbed my temples.

"No."

"I'm assuming you are smirking because you have suddenly remembered a funny joke rather than laughing at my expense."

"Of course Ryuzaki."

"Remind me what the game plan is again?" I whispered anxiously to L. The car was briefly illuminated by a passing street light, before going dark again. L gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

"You are simply having a dinner with your family and introducing me as your current romantic partner," L said bluntly.

"Right," I said trying for confident, "with my boyfriend who happens to be L and my brother who is currently handcuffed to L." My confidence immediately deflated.

"It could be thought of in that light," L conceded. "But that I believe would cause you to panic and possibly flee to Europe." I snorted through my nervousness.

"Europe?"

"I believe you would like England." I laughed.

"You are ridiculous."

"But I alleviated your concerns. Correct?" Another light flashed through the window showing a small smile on his face.

"Correct."

"I hope you two get all romantic behavior out of your system now," Light advised, "Sayu is going to attack at any sign of affection."

"I'm attributing the blame to the fact you never brought a girlfriend home. She's been denied the chance to pry into our love life for too long," I said with a grin.

"That could easily be because you've never brought a boyfriend home," Light countered.

"I've never had one to bring home."

"Touché."

The car stopped, the last few moments of conversation had distracted me enough to notice the car weave into the familiar neighborhood. My nerves returned all at once. Watari opened the door of the car, extending a hand to help me out. I smiled at the show of chivalry. I stepped out, followed by L and Light, the chain seeming brighter and more noticeable outside of the small environment of the task force.

L smiled again looking at what I was wearing. The same set of clothes he had bought me during the second night I had stayed with him. It was my attempt at reassuring L, of what I wasn't sure, but I felt the gesture was appreciated anyway. His hand found mine and he gave it a reassuring squeeze, before letting go. Apparently he had taken Light's advice seriously.

I drew a key from my pocket, hearing the sound of Watari driving away. I inserted it into the lock and tried to open the door as quietly as possible. I wanted L to at least have the chance to get inside before he was mobbed.

I slipped inside, L and Light following. I carefully shut the door behind us, slipping my shoes off. L gratefully imitated me, happy to take off his ratty tennis shoes. There was a thud at the top floor as a door hit the wall. Light and I both froze at the sound, knowing what was coming. We cursed simultaneously, as the blur threw herself down the stairs, uttering a terrible war cry.

"LIGHT! REI!"

We watched in horror as Sayu slipped on the final step, sliding headfirst into L. L's eyes widened as he was forced to the floor, Light being pulled down by the handcuffs. I was torn between shrieking or laughing as all three of them lay sprawled out on the floor.

Sayu lifted her head up from where she had been strewn across L's chest. She stared down at L who stared back, his black eyes huge in his face.

"You are so…CUTE!" Sayu exclaimed.

"Excuse me?" L asked confusion evident on his face. Sayu sprang to her feet.

"I mean I was always worried you were gonna bring someone like Light home! But he's so cute!"

We all looked blankly at her.

"I believe you have been insulted Light," L observed, getting to his feet. Light rolled his eyes, ignoring the comment and also stood.

"Rei? Light? Are you two home?" Mom called.

"YEAH!" Sayu answered.

Mom came in, an apron on, the smell of cooking food being wafted along. She smiled at us.

"This is my boyfriend, Hideki Ryuuga," I introduced.

"Hideki Ryuuga? Like the pop idol?" Sayu asked excitedly. Mom sent me a confused look.

"But I thought his name was Ryuzaki," Mom said.

"It is a nickname I go by. I find sharing the same name as a famous idol makes going out in public difficult," L explained. Mom smiled in response.

"Then it's very nice to meet you Ryuzaki."

"The feeling is mutual, Yagami-san."

"Sachiko, please." All the tension that had been in the air, disappeared and I thanked God that my mother was so adapt at dealing with petulant children. And apparently ignoring six foot chains that connected her daughter's boyfriend to her brother. "Dinner isn't quite ready yet, and Soichiro isn't home, so would you mind waiting for a short time?"

"Of course not," L answered, still polite. So far so good. Despite L's slouch and raggedy appearance, he seemed to be coping quite well against the standards my home had driven into Light and I.

We sat in the living room trying to kill time with conversation. Sayu observed L's crouch with a huge smile. If anything, his eccentricities seemed to make Sayu like him even more.

"So, Ryuzaki," Sayu started and I stiffened, prepared for the onslaught. "How far exactly have you and Rei gone?" Light and I both looked at her in horror. Light apparently didn't want to hear exactly what L and I had been up to any more then I wanted him to.

L tilted his head in confusion, his thumb coming to rest on his lips. He turned to me for help, a curious expression on his face. I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose in embarrassment.

"She wants to know…exactly what we've done during the course of our relationship," I said slowly, trying to be as vague as possible, but still have L understand what I meant. L still looked confused. Sayu rolled her eyes.

"What I want to know if he's slept with you or not," Sayu said bluntly.

"In the literal or figurative sense?" L asked. Sayu smiled ecstatically, enthused he was answering at all.

"BOTH!"

"Yes to the literal, no to the figurative." Light sagged in relief.

"Why not?" Sayu asked.

"Because, Ryuzaki is a gentleman," I answered indignantly. Sayu rolled her eyes again.

"Details, details…"

"Sayu, I need your help in the kitchen," Mom said, peeking her head into the room. "Rei, why don't you show L your room?"

We gratefully seized upon the chance to escape, and I pulled the two attached boys upstairs. Stopping outside of my room. A piece of paper fluttered from L's pocket.

"Light, could you please retrieve that?" L asked. Light kneeled down and L quickly darted into my room, pulling me after him and shutting the door, twisting the lock. I looked at him questioningly.

"I deduced you would not want to show me your room with Light present, and in order for the chain to slip easily beneath the door, it needed to be closer to the ground." I nodded, but L wasn't looking at me anymore. Instead his gaze was directed at my room.

"It's normally not this clean," I admitted, but L didn't answer.

It was nearly a replica of Light's room, and L had seen it on camera before, so I didn't quite understand his fascination with it. His eyes alighted on a journal on the bookcase nearest to the door. He reached for it and I immediately grabbed it, pulling it to my chest.

Why oh why hadn't I burned the stupid thing?

It was an account of every case L had worked on since his debut as a detective. As I grew older, the accounts grew more detailed, followed by my own suspicions about cases gradually growing more accurate.

But since I had met L…it had become a sort of scrapbook for me. It was ridiculous to think of taking a picture of the reclusive detective, so I had settled for other things. The wrapper of the candy he had slipped into my pockets when I hadn't been looking. The tags from the clothes he had bought me. The petals from the birthday rose.

It was embarrassing, as well as verging on obsessive. Before I had even met the man I had a fascination with him, and knowing how paranoid L was, I was worried about scaring him off.

I looked down at the floor. Taking a deep breath, I held the journal out to him. His curiosity would have caused him to look the journal eventually, and I would rather him look at it now with my permission, then later thinking I was a crazed stalker.

"Please…just don't panic, okay?" I asked.

L took the journal and flipped through it lazily. His eyes widened slightly on seeing it was dedicated to him, but he bravely kept going. It was only when he reached the center that he stopped.

"You know I'm both Deneauve and Coil," he muttered, surprise apparent in his voice. "How?"

I fidgeted uncomfortably.

"It wasn't that difficult really. Coil and Deneauve's patterns both changed drastically about two years after L emerged. Most people just thought it was because they were specializing due to how you tended to monopolize government cases, but it worked out to perfectly. And they respected each other's territory with very little of a fight. It was only a suspicion until I started looking at cases where both L and Coil or Deneauve was involved. The patterns of movement between them either matched exactly or varied in such a way to make up for each other. It fit that you were also Coil and Deneauve. One cannot live off of free government cases," I tried to tease to lighten the mood.

He stared at me. I begin to panic when he didn't say anything. Eventually a low laugh broke free from him.

"You honestly believed that would frighten me away?" he asked, quirking a brow.

"Not frighten per say, but activate your paranoia, yes."

"Haven't I made it quite clear that I enjoy it when you try to riddle me out?"

I didn't have anything to say to that, and he continued rifling through the pages. When he came to the part where I had started scrapbooking, he smiled again. He paused eventually, as I knew he would.

He gently plucked a rose petal from where I had pressed it to the page. He twirled it between his fingers, evidently in shock.

"You kept it," he murmured. And then he was kissing me. It wasn't fierce, he was being courteous to my family, but I melted against him anyway. "You are extraordinary."

"I try," I answered dizzily as we pulled away.

"Perhaps we should get back to Light? Sayu as well. If not, then we should truly fear her accusations."

I smiled and intertwined our fingers, opening the door and pulling him after me.

~Author's Note~

That's right more fluff. The issue of the handcuffs will be addressed at dinner. Sachiko was too polite to ask, and Sayu is waiting for maximum awkward questioning atmosphere. Rei's fingernails will also be addressed. Good thing my characters are good with excuses. Those are a tad hard to explain.

I'm going to New York tomorrow. WOOT! So if review replies are delayed, that is why.

Btw. The whole, it's still lying if I know you're lying is something my mom says to my dad. With love of course ^_^

Thanks for reviewing!

K: Thanks so much! And yes. It was a very good yaoi dream. I would write it…but that's awkward.

pc: Damn you woman. But I is going to NY. So there.

TheGigglingOne: I'm glad you approve! I'm a closet romantic, so I find it incredibly easy to write that flirtatious stuff.

( ):I am ginger who got an Asian soul transplanted in at birth. AND YES. BITE LIGHT'S HEAD OFF! RIGHT NOW! I need to sleep…

Gwen: You're confidence in me is encouraging…and simultaneously worrying, Crap. Now I'm gonna screw up. Just thought I should say I love you for all your kind feedback and bearing with my weird posts on Facebook.

Jayne Foyer: Yes. Minagawa wears rouge. He is a crossdresser. Honestly Lucille. How could you not know that? Geez…I love you btw ^_^ You're the bestest sister who isn't my sister ever. Btw. I have a mom now. She is black. So now you can say yo, because by default we also must be slightly black.

Faith-chan: Your wish is my command!

World without L is just a word: First off. The name is amazing. I love it. I need a shirt that says that. Second, you are far too kind! And yes. L is always freaking sexy.

Clarice: O.O Love you too?