A/N: I know, I know, it's been a while! But, I haven't forgotten, Ive just been sort of...putting it off. Besides being super busy, I've sort of found myself on a chapter I'm not thrilled to write. I wrote it twice so far, hated it, blahblahblah. Anyway, I decided I'm going to take a different approach to this chapter. It's kind of short, but whatever, I needed to start it somehow heh. I hope you enjoy!
The mixture of shock and the wound imprisoned him in the seemingly unending sleep, or so Light believed. Every day, he would press his palm against Lawliet's forehead, only to feel the same clammy skin every time. Sometimes, if it was a better day, Lawliet whimpered softly or flicked his finger. Those were the days that gave Light hope.
"Son," the doctor's voice echoed from behind him. Light swiveled his head. "It's time to go to bed. It's past three in the morning."
Time sped up when they were together, even when Light only watched him. Light grazed his fingers against Lawliet's cheek and whispered a soft, "good night". He dreamily wandered to his room, wishing he could stay up all night and guard his friend. He hadn't heard his voice since he attempted to distract Beyond. The impulsive move attracted the attention of another man, who pointed his gun towards the sound and fired immediately. Luckily, Lawliet gripped the wound; Beyond wasn't able to track his blood.
It had only been a week since Light fled with Lawliet curled against his chest. He had no other choice. What good would they be if they remained in the town? They would have only waited for their fate, like the others. A chill of shot down Light's spine as he wondered if his parents were dead. Or bait. Whatever Beyond wanted from Lawliet, he sounded desperate. There was nothing Light could do for now, though. He just had to wait until Lawliet woke up.
Light crawled onto his bed and tucked himself neatly under the covers. When Lawliet awoke, he could write to the governor and send for help. Of course, time was becoming an issue. For all Light knew, everyone was dead. The chill shot down his spine again. In an attempt to forget, Light focused on the soft features that mounded Lawliet's face; his pointy cheeks, his large eyes, his skinny nose, his raised eyebrows. On paper, Lawliet wasn't attractive, but there was something so extraordinary about his appearance. Whatever it was, it captivated Light. Even his thin, emaciated body called to Light in an indescribable way. Although, since Light first saw Lawliet again, Lawliet gained a few pounds. In fact, he looked much healthier with a bullet in his shoulder than when he was considered healthy. But, that was Lawliet; full of surprises. A small smile danced across Light's lips as he drowned himself in thoughts about Lawliet. Soon, he became drunk with sleep and dozed off into a comforting darkness, cradling him from all he had to deal with.
The next morning, the sun's rays burst through Light's window. His eyes flickered open as his head suddenly began to throb. He wiped his mouth, unbelievably parched. But, Lawliet was more important than his hydration. He could grab a glass of water at the bar anytime.
"Great," he mumbled as he swung his legs to the floor. After a few moments of waiting for it to subside, he decided he'd rather wait by Lawliet. The room was, surprisingly, empty. Normally a nurse would stop by in the morning, while the doctor slept. Light smiled to himself as he took his normal place by Lawliet's side.
"Good mornin', Lawli," Light grazed his fingers along the top of Lawliet's hand. "I just woke up. I know, it's kinda late, but I went to bed kinda late. I couldn't leave your side last night, I dunno why. I tried several times, but whenever I got to my room, these crazy pains of need would jolt up. So I stayed up extra late. Guess it was all for nothin'."
Lawliet's finger suddenly twitched. Light gazed at it, hoping (once again) that it meant Lawliet's eyes were about to open. But they didn't. Light sighed softly as he leaned back into his chair. "Guess I don't know what to say today. I didn't have any dreams last night. I just wish you'd hurry and wake up already, on account that we got people to save and all. I can't plan it by myself. No one would trust me. I guess I don't blame 'em."
Lawliet's lips remained frozen as Light continued to talk. Once he started, he could never stop. He figured Lawliet might wake up if he heard a constant familiar voice, reminding him he had a home. After a few hours, Light's eyes grew weary. He curled into his chair with his fingers wrapped in Lawliet's.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Light snapped awake and yanked his hand from Lawliet's. "Come in," he muttered hoarsely. He really needed that drink.
The doctor walked in, followed by his usual nurse. Light knew what their entrance met, so he immediately left. Downstairs, crowds of people filled the saloon. The amount of people was peculiar so early in the morning. Light squeezed between a large, tan man and a skinny, angry fellow at the bar. They didn't seem to notice his intrusion as they downed drinks. Before Light could ask for anything, the bartender, Aiber, brought him a glass of water.
"Hey, Aiber, what's going on?" Light shouted over the crowd around him to be heard.
Aiber shrugged; a confident smile planted itself on his face. "Hell if I knew. I've been hearin' talk 'bout some sort of danger, so people are migratin'. But, we face danger every day, right? I ain't gonna leave my bar. I'll kill the bastard who tries to take it," he chuckled and poured Light another glass. Light immediately emptied his cup.
"You sure are thirsty today," Aiber poured him another. "I mean, normally one glass is fine. You been sleepin' okay? You got some bags."
"Yeah," Light murmured and took as sip from his newly filled glass. "Trouble is, Ryuzaki ain't wakin' up and we're runnin' out of money."
Aiber laughed and patted Light's arm. "I ain't gonna kick you out on the streets while he's recooperatin'. Although, you might have to share a room with him."
A strange sensation swelled in Light's chest. He immediately suppressed it and thanked Aiber softly before he wandered back to his room. What danger was approaching? The insane amount of people in the saloon hinted this danger might not be just a rumor. And there was no doubt in Light's mind that Beyond was behind it. Something had to be done about the bastard. Kira may be the people's only salvation. But what would Lawliet think?
Light paused outside of Lawliet's room and pressed his ear against the door. The doctor's voice was muffled, but Light could distinctly make out a few words. Mainly, "never wake up". Light sunk to the floor as his heart dropped. Lawliet couldn't die-there was so much to be done. Light couldn't defeat Beyond alone. If Lawliet died, his only hope would be pleading to Governor Mikami for help.
If Lawliet died. Before he cold stop himself, Light burst through the door and grabbed Lawliet's warm, stiff body. "Wake up!" he cried out, shoving the doctor off as he tried to pull Light away. "Come on, Ryuzaki, I know you're stronger than this! Wake up!" Silence met his pleas. "Leave," Light demanded. The doctor and his nurse immediately obeyed.
Light gazed at Lawliet's frozen face. His small lips parted so perfectly. His chest raised softly. Light lay his head upon it, listening to Lawliet's heart beat. There had to be a way to wake him. He wouldn't watch as Lawliet met death.
Suddenly, a strange force pulled at his chest. The soothing sound of running water rang in his ears. He licked his cracking lips and immediately began to pack the medications on Lawliet's stand into his satchel. He gazed down at Lawliet and grazed his fingers against Lawliet's cheek. Lawliet didn't stir. The anonymous force yanked at his body, calling to him. He scooped Lawliet up and fled from the saloon before the doctor could stop him.
"Thanks, Aiber," he called on his way out. "I'll back to see how you're doin'."
Light propped Lawliet on the horse and jumped behind him, holding him steady. Without a clue where he was going, he blindly followed the force instinctively guiding him. He snapped his heels against his horse's side and they took off into the unknown desert.