a/n: Latin translation for Libertatem: Freedom

Wake up…

Light…wake up

The young mage gasped softly as he opened his eyes. His honeyed gaze darted around, searching for the source of the voice urging him to consciousness, but only found an unfamiliar room. That alone was enough to send his heart racing faster as his sluggish, sleep addled mind quickly became more alert. He felt cool metal encircling his wrists and raised his hands to look at them, eyes widening in fear.

L… Oh god… I'm going to die. The park…he saw what I did, he knows…

Light's eyes narrowed. No. I'm not going out like that. I'll prove them all wrong. He thought back to his dream. I'm not evil.

His magic pulsed slightly with his anger and he could feel the cuffs on his wrists give an answering jolt as they worked to continue containing him. The young man raised an eyebrow, intrigued. It had felt like no more than a mere tickle.

His father had always told him that when magically reinforced handcuffs were activated due to a mage's use of their power, it was more akin to being tasered. He took a deep breath and focused, wanting to use the minimum power necessary…

"Libertatem…" He murmured, sending his magic into the cuffs and watching them unlock, falling open on the bed.

"Holy shit…" Light stared, not having believed that he could truly pull a 'Houdini' on the magic cuffs. A smile slowly spread across his face and he threw off the blanket that covered him, slipping on his shoes to head for the door.

He peered out in to the hallway, but saw no one and snuck out quietly. He felt the obvious lack of his charmed pendant from Ryuk and knew he'd have to rely on what the other man had taught him to stay concealed in plain sight. He imagined a shell about his person, one that would conceal him, help him blend in with the surrounding walls, as long as he stayed touching them while moving along. Light reached out to touch the door and felt the magic working. He'd have to trust that he was concealed until something happened to alert him otherwise. That was the only way to test it.

Light swallowed hard and moved down the hall, hoping he was heading to the exit. It wasn't long before he heard voices rising from a room ahead and froze where he stood. Shit… Light inched ahead slowly. Maybe I can get past whoever it is.

As he drew closer, Light realized the voices were familiar. One was L's, the other…

Dad? The young mage's eyes widened as he cautiously made his way forward to the door the men's conversation was coming from.

"This is all a bit much to take in but," Soichiro paused, silent for several seconds before continuing. "I will…trust your judgement in this and I'll do everything I can to support your decision." He sighed. "If you are willing to put yourself at risk like this, knowing that he's the Angelus…"

Light's free hand flew to his mouth, stifling a cry. No…no…he can't know. It was one thing to have L discover his secret, but to have his Father know was devastating. What did he think of him now? How disappointed was he?

"Chief Yagami, I think there is much more to Light as an Angelus than we ever dreamed possible. The things I've seen so far…He is not just a creature of death magic." L's voice was calm as he reassured Light's father.

H-he doesn't think I'm just a monster? A hopeful smile tugged at the corners of Light's mouth.

"I'll…leave him in your hands then and take care of explaining his absence." Soichiro murmured.

If his father thought it was best that he stay here, he couldn't let him down by fleeing, becoming a fugitive. He had to show him that he could be trusted, that he was more…just as L said. Light sighed as he leaned against the wall. It would be safer for his family if he stayed away anyways, who knows what he could do to them by accident…

"Can I see him before I go?"

"I don't see why not…"

Shit! Light scrambled as he turned to head back to the room as quickly and quietly as possible. He rounded the corner just as he heard the room his father and L had been in open behind him.

I can't let them find out I was listening…that wouldn't look very good that I was eavesdropping. His eyes narrowed. Besides, I don't want L to know I can get out of the handcuffs so easily… Light decided as he swiftly and silently entered the bedroom once more, climbing on the bed and covering himself with the blanket. I need to maintain some advantages after all. He considered as he lay down and snapped the cuffs on.

It was only a few moments later that the door opened and they entered. Light gave the other man a sleepy expression that quickly morphed into surprise as he took in his father following him.

I have to make this believable, as if I didn't just hear that conversation… He sat straight up in the bed with wide eyes and looked at the jangling metal on his wrists in shock before gazing back at the raven haired male.

"W-what's going on? Why…?" Light then looked to Soichiro trailing behind L and tried to push the guilt from his mind at the pained expression on his father's face.

"Dad?" He asked fearfully. "I don't understand…am I going to be…" He glanced nervously at L before looking down at his hands. "Is he going to kill me?" The brunet peered up at them and took in the horror on his dad's face as he shook his head while walking towards the bed. Even L looked like he felt bad at Light's remark.

"No, son! That's not what's going on." He assured Light as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

"But, but…" Light held up his wrists questioningly while L eyed him cautiously.

"You are the Angelus, Light…you can't deny it any longer, especially now that your blood particle testing has come back as off the charts…" L murmured, drawing both of their attention to him.

Light stayed silent and tried to look as if he felt bad about hiding his newfound power, eyes downcast. Even though the truth was that he felt nothing of the sort.

"You father has agreed that the best thing for you at the moment, is to be under the constant observation of someone with power over beings of death magic." L continued to explain. "One such as myself, who can help contain and control you if things become too much for you to handle."

Light nodded in understanding. "I don't want to put my family at risk…or anyone else for that matter." He muttered, before eyeing the older mage critically. "Are you sure that it's safe for you?"

"Yes, I am unconcerned in that regard." L replied with a dismissive wave of his hand. A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

That almost seemed like a challenge L… Light played along and gave him an innocent beaming smile. "That's a relief."

xxx

L side eyed the young man as the last goodbye was said to his father, the door closing. He took in the sad expression on the brunet's face before he was able to hide it and realized just how hard this must be, having all of this thrust upon him. A protective instinct flared inside him, tempered with a caution that reminded him that this was still his captive. The detective reached out and took Light's wrists in his hands, a look of surprise running across his face as L sent a pulse of his own magic into the cuffs, releasing them and placing them in his pocket.

"Thank you…" Light murmured gratefully as he rubbed at the slight marks that had already indented on his wrists from the cool metal.

L gave him a small smile and nodded as he turned to gesture down the hallway, encouraging Light to accompany him. "I know it's still very late…er…early? Would you like to go back to sleep? Or would you like some tea…coffee? Something to eat perhaps?" He said quietly.

"I don't know if I can go back to sleep right now…coffee would be good." He replied as they entered the study. L quickly texted Quillish, who he already knew was still awake as well, and asked him if they could get some tea and coffee.

They settled into two oversized armchairs across from each other and L examined the young man for several long seconds before speaking. "Can I ask you some questions about your abilities Light? What you've experienced so far?"

The brunet nodded his assent, though somewhat reluctantly. "Okay…" L noted the suspicion that flashed briefly through Light's eyes before that carefully constructed wall went back up again. We'll build a trust between us Light. Before you know it, you may even consider me a friend.

"Good." L gave him a reassuring smile before continuing. Yes, just open up and allow me to gather what information I need Light. "So…when did you first notice any sort of Angelus-like power developing?" He asked, pulling one of his knees up to his chest and resting his chin on it to gaze at the young man intently.

"About a month ago. My eyes, they glowed a golden color and I felt a surge of power..." Light shrugged. "Based on what I knew from my studies, there is only one such being that manifests in that way."

L nibbled on his thumb as he took this in, nodding in agreement. "Yes, you are quite right." A sly smile spread across his face. "But however did you manage to hide from both myself and the other magical enforcement squads that have been trying to hunt you down for the last several weeks since the detection of an Angelus in Japan?"

Light's face went pale briefly before his gaze hardened. "You might not be as good at your job as you think L…" He retorted, raising an eyebrow and smirking.

Oh no he didn't… L's teeth bit down into his thumb, the taste of copper hitting his tongue.

"I mean, weeks? Really?" Light continued, snorting derisively as he leaned back in the chair, shifting his attention to examining his nails. "Maybe I'm better off counting on others to help me manage this power." He taunted, as he peered at the older mage. "Especially, given that you couldn't even find me until-"

Oh that's quite enough… L leapt from his chair, strong legs propelling him across the space to land on Light's seat cushion. He immediately placed a hand on the young man's chest, curling his fingers to grasp the death magic there like sticky taffy.

Light looked at him in wide-eyed shock, gasping as the power welcomed L like an old friend. The raven gave him a wicked grin, his eyes bleeding to pools of mercury as he sent an answering pulse of his own magic through the young man's body, demanding submission.

The effect was stunning and like nothing L had ever seen, as Light released a strangled groan, head thrown back as he writhed beneath him.

"Please…" The brunet murmured, eyelashes fluttering to temptingly curtain his now luminescent golden eyes. His lithe body strained as he pressed against L where the older male straddled him, making it painfully clear to the Necromancer exactly what Light's magic-addled body was begging for.

Dear god…just look at him. L caressed the magic inside of Light one last time, savoring the sweet taste of the potent mage's power before reluctantly withdrawing his hand from the surface of his chest.

And that was the true problem at hand, wasn't it? L could easily watch Light like this all night long. It could become addicting to play with this level of magic. He would have to be very careful, but it was so hard when Light was…

So delicious. He licked his lips and watched as the golden haze slowly began to fade from Light's eyes, awareness and realization setting in regarding what had just happened.

Hmm… Yes, I do want you Light, but not simply in my bed, nor just as a subject for study. He gazed at the honeyed eyes before him, flickering with sparks of gold still. It's more than that. There's something about our magic that connects and syncs perfectly. You are like nothing I've ever seen before Light Yagami…

"What was that?" Light murmured breathlessly, pupils dilating wildly as he looked at L with half lidded eyes.

The Necromancer smiled softly, unable to help himself in the face of such a pure and honest reaction. This can only happen if he wants it to, not because the magic is forcing him. I have to give him the choice…

"What do you want it to be, Light?" He whispered playfully as he ran a thumb along the young man's cheek. The brunet's breath hitched and in the next moment, L found Light's lips pressed to his own in answer.

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