Death: I apologize for the long wait. Again. But, but, I made it my mission to make this chapter very long. And a few surprises are revealed. And some long awaited loving. And oh my god I think this is the longest chapter I have ever written. Ever. I was almost late to class in my short one hour break trying to finish this in the campus library. Now that I have finished it at home, I feel almost relieved for this chapter to be over.
I mean, this chapter took 17 pages on Word. 17 pages! I believe the longest I've one for was around 15 pages, and that was for The Last Shisou Vampire.
Disclaimer: I own nothing as I have said in all of my previous stories, which I can't remember how many I have written now.
The title of this chapter is based off of No Light, No Light by Florence + the Machine. And no, the reason why I chose that song as my inspiration for this chapter was not because of the title. Although I do find it funny that I'm actually using it in this story.
Chapter 11 – Revelation, Some Kind of Resolution
=3=
Trust is something Light took very seriously. There were very few he could put trust in anyone.
And there were different variations of trust he considered in the people around him.
He trusted Mello to have his back when they cornered a suspect. He trusted Matt to not crash the car when they had no choice but to speed chase after the runaways. He trusted Near to find any crucial evidence they have missed. He trusted Watari to do everything in his power to enforce their business as going around as L's underlings.
And he trusted L to do what he did best.
Hunt down criminals.
But all of these mentioned did not mean Light would trust his life with or for them. All except L. And Watari he trusted just as well, for the man played a crucial key to their team. He was a man who served under L since he took up his alias to take on the horrors of the world. That was something even Light had to admire about Butler Man.
Although the two friends had caught up of lost times over the years they have worked together, Light naively turned a blind eye to how sociably inept L really was. He knew the detective had trouble understanding emotions and reactions of his friend and heirs whenever he did something a little too drastic. But Light never attempted to see just how little L really understood society.
So, to look through L's angle when he found out someone knew Light's real name, it was no wonder why he was harsh towards his friend.
In a way both had been at fault. Light for not even trying to get a deeper understanding how the detective's brain was wired. L was at fault for his inability to understand the concepts of trust between friends.
Friendship was one of the strongest bonds between individuals. Yet at the same time that same bond could be just as fragile as thin glass when not cared for properly. It was unfortunate these two experienced the latter the hard and difficult way.
Inside, Light knew this. His mind was rattled and disturbed how little L seemed to show the same faith of trust he put into the detective. He understood the concepts of friendship were to give and take, never more and never less. Light just assumed L knew this simplest of logics.
Apparently, for the first time in his short twenty four years on this earth, he was wrong.
That hurt his pride. He was supposed to be a genius. And not just any genius, but one of L's underlings, earning a letter, the alias K. Being granted a letter from L personally, he should at least have known about L's struggle with society.
Honestly, it shouldn't be this surprising. From the very beginning he suspected L was distant and detached from the rest of the world. It shows that he cared about the world around him, but he literally had no idea what normalcy was.
Somehow Light was able to arrive to these conclusions about why L reacted the way he did.
But out of pride and sheer smite, at either himself or at L, Light did not to simply forgive the detective for his behavior. There is little to do to truly effect L emotionally. So it wasn't like the young man could be rebellious as he had done previously when their friendship was strained.
It had worked well to convince L not to pursue the idea of naming Light heir. But this was a more personal matter. It was an issue that ran deep into his very core, shaking his boundaries and his ideals. And if he were to follow the same strategy as before it would only cause more trouble than it was worth.
Instead he thought of a quieter direction to rebel. One does not always have to voice their opinions loudly and demand to have their way. Light decided to turn back the clock of the hard improvement L and Mu had put years into transforming him into a better person in general.
No, he will not be mute. But he will wear a faceless, expressionless mask.
He will be distant and detached, just as L was. Light will be diligent. Not even Near's awkward humor he had grown fond of could crack the smallest of smiles.
L shattered his trust and practically threw it at his face.
The very aspect that it actually happened disturbed him. In his mind, this should not have occurred. In many ways this twist and strain on their friendship could have been prevented.
Yet it did happen. What's done was done. There was no time machine like those in science fiction movies to turn the hands of time back and miraculously everything will be better. There was nothing he could do other than move forward. Move forward and make time for his mind to heal from the shock.
Deep down, though, Light knew L would grow impatient. At many points the detective could be the very definition of patience, unless it concerned his friend. L was blunt but honest, he expected Light to be the very same.
Which he did not mind returning, to say the least. But if it was a pressing matter L found interesting, he would continue to pester until he finally cracked Light open to claim his prize.
It was a new sort of game between them, really. It somehow developed over the years playing chess against each other when bored out of their minds. This happened to be a lot, actually. For two geniuses, nothing is really exciting anymore.
When L was done giving his friend some space, he will first ask Light to return to the land of the living. If he continued his behavior, then L would start demanding. Still if he did not give in then the detective will get furious and start taunting him. L would insult him with phrases such as 'a child throwing a tantrum' or 'a stubborn mule'.
Considering Light still had a temper, the insults will quickly grow into fights. First would come the yelling. And then it was only a matter of time before one of them threw the first punch and everything will become utter chaos.
And it will most likely never stop until Watari or one of the boys interfered to put a stop to all the madness. These sorts of situations had happened a couple times over the years.
With all of his might Light hoped it wouldn't come to that.
The two have had enough of this drifting apart. He knew this.
But not even Light could predict when he will be healed enough to face the problem at the source.
Time was the only answer. In time, the wounds will heal.
Light also knew that time wasn't exactly on their side. Not with this case that was literally thrust onto their laps.
=3=
Light became aware of his surroundings as he stared blankly at a boring wall in a simple, yet boring room. It had come to his attention that this was a different room than the one he had previously known in Berlin.
Did they switch to a different hotel? Yes, but by judging by the painting signed by an English artist, it was safe to say they were no longer in Germany.
He must have had a major shock if he couldn't recall them moving out of a country. But considering the event that had transpired before this moment, it was not quite so surprising. This was not the first time this happened to Light, so he was not stranger to question where he was and how he got here.
The first and only time something similar happened to him was when his parents died. He didn't remember when his father's coworkers arrived at the scene. He didn't remember the ride to the police station, or the fact the men tried to question and separate him from his sister. Later he was told they gave up separating the siblings when he had refused to leave the room Sayu was in.
None of those moments to this very day Light could not remember.
He couldn't say he was drugged to take a short flight over the ocean. Light didn't feel drowsy or light headed. In fact, he felt fully rested and by the announcement of his growling stomach, he was starving.
In agreement Light stood up to find the kitchen. He opened his door to find a short hallway leading into the living room. Why L went for expensive hotels, Light couldn't really bother. The detective always chose what hotel, preferring the best of the city they occupied.
Five pairs of heads turned his direction as he appeared. Light paused, briefly wondering if he should just turn around and walk back the way he came. To his luck (or perhaps he was altogether unlucky), Near was the first to address him.
"Back in the land of the living, I see. You had us worried with the way your mind hid itself in a shell and never came out."
"It wouldn't exactly be the first time. Now, if you will excuse me, I'm going to fill my empty stomach with some much needed nourishment."
Light took one step when L interrupted with a stern voice.
"You will sit down. Watari, please get some food for Light–kun. Boys, why don't you three head into the work room." It wasn't a question, it was an order.
Mello scowled, openly disproving the idea of leaving the room yet he didn't complain as he grudgingly got up. Matt followed suit, giving his older potential brother a quick look. Light was too distracted to really notice what the redhead was trying to express in silent message.
Near, however, remained where he was. He sat before the flat TV screen with a tower of cards surrounding his curled up form. The pale boy always obeyed L whether he liked the order or not. This time, it would seem the detective he admired for so long had overstepped his boundaries.
"Near." L stared hard at the said teen.
"K is my roommate. And although he is older than I, he is my responsibility just as he is yours. I understand how his mind works and what he expects while you can only assume. Whatever you can say to him, you can say while I am here."
L didn't have time to protest when the other two boys sat back in their seats.
"If the bunny is staying, then I'm staying too." Mello declared loudly as he crossed his legs and dug out some chocolate from his pocket.
"Let's face it Ryuzaki, you are at fault on this one." Matt added with bitterness that surprised Light.
L turned his gaze on Watari, pleading for help. But the old man didn't acknowledge him and instead made his way to the kitchen to make enough food for everyone. With a sigh, L accepted defeat. This time.
"Fine, you boys can stay. I do ask however you three remain quiet while I address Light–kun."
"May I ask that you not call me that? It's a little unnerving to hear someone say it after so many years of being forced to abandon it."
The detective stared at him with a tilt of his head as if he were pondering over the figure before him. It was not the words that bothered him, but the lack of emotion in them. This sudden change in the young man disturbed L.
He said not a word on the matter and instead nodded, accepting the request with ease.
"Very well, then. Until you are comfortable for me to call you Light–kun again, from now on I shall say Yagami–kun."
His attempt to rouse a retort of some sort from his friend failed when Light simply sat down on the couch next to him. The young man didn't appear affected with the taunt. L mentally frowned at the lack of reaction.
Usually by defying him for even a little bit would turn into an argument.
"We're not children anymore, L. So cut the attitude and say what you want to say."
Well, at least he got half of what he expected. Though it didn't feel right to be insulted without a reason as to why he was a jerk.
'There is still a lack of emotion in his voice, though.' L noted in the back of his mind. 'Is he trying to revert back to the days where he kept everyone away at arm's length?'
If the boys weren't in the room he would have immediately set aside what he planned to discuss and demand what Light was doing. Also, L had the feeling that if he did so even with the three teenagers within earshot Light would still be an emotionless doll.
And then L would be made the bad guy in this equation once more. He's already had enough when they were still in Germany.
"In that case, let us get down to business. I would like first to say that I apologize for my behavior in our last discussion. Your name was known, and I suppose it would be safe to say I panicked. A name we are born with is our keepsake. I had jumped to conclusions when I should have examined all details of the story until I can decide whether you were at fault or not."
'So you're playing neutral, are you? You still didn't believe me when I told the truth, L. At the moment you don't know what to believe until we get our hands on B.' Light crossed his arms, almost scowling.
But he had an image to keep up. He did promise himself to wear an expressionless mask around everyone else.
"You still don't believe me, then." The young man stated.
"I did not say such a thing. Although yes, technically I still doubt B would know a person's name just by looking at someone, there are things about him that I find most puzzling that I have yet to solve. So perhaps you are correct, and I just simply refuse to believe it because it would venture into the supernatural world." L replied dryly.
"Ah, so unless we have hard evidence then you wouldn't believe me." Light shrugged when the hermit of a man was about to retort.
"Anyway, have you guys at least found any leads on this case? I do not believe Watari gave us the victim's name last I remember."
For a brief moment L hesitated. Tilting his head, Light blinked at the detective with wonder. He had a dreadful feeling in his chest.
"What's wrong?"
"We have reason to believe that the victim is Mu. At least I believe this man was Mu. I find it curious that someone would randomly come up to you, claiming to be your previous roommate and long time friend when the real Mu was stationed in Japan."
Light stared at L in disbelief. He met Mu, Mello and Matt was there with him!
'But there was something off about him. And what looked like a tattoo or something hidden by the collar of his shirt is suspicious.' A part of him suspected the man he met was a stranger.
First he would need hard evidence, though.
"Show me the files. I need to see if the victim really is Mu. And if he is Music, then the man who came forward as him is just as dangerous as B."
What's more, it couldn't be just a coincidence this happened around the same time as the murder was discovered.
L reached for the folder on the table next to him and handed it over. Just as Light held the folder in his lap, Watari reappeared with a huge tray of food sorted out. Reminded how starving he was, the young man eagerly reached for a piece of toast and began to eat while his free hand sorted through the folder.
The victim was indeed a natural blond. He was the right age to be Mu. What's more, according this file, the victim's work was in the computer forensics field. All right, it was all just a coincidence in Light's mind. But what really got him was what the man had in his possession on the flight to Tokyo.
His travel bag consisted with a personal computer that has yet to be accessed by the authorities who confiscated it. Apparently the computer was too heavily protected for any normal person to carry around with. Next there were a number of CDs ranging from too many different genres to say what this man's favorite was.
And then there was the clincher. The victim carried an address book with a few notes in the back for appointments. In between a few pages were cut out prints of the cases Light had worked on with the L Team. It would seem Mu was up to date with all cases the Dream Team were on, but by the number of photographs of Light in many disguises L instructed him to wear, Mu kept particular attention on him.
Light also noted the fact Mu married a woman who's family died unexpectedly in a car accident where a drunk driver crushed her parents and little sister. They had been married for about two years. Mu had left behind a young boy and widow.
'I knew he cared too much. Didn't I say his overly caring personality would be his downfall?'
Still, Light hadn't thought that Mu would end up dying like this.
Suddenly not feeling he had an appetite anymore, Light set his half eaten toast back on the tray before carefully putting the files back in order. Upon closing the folder the young man handed it back to L.
"It is Mu. B murdered him, most likely knowing exactly who he was." Light stated. "He's trying to get to my head. What's more he has an accomplice. It's impossible the man I met in the café was Mu. That man did not have a wedding ring. Also, he had what could be a tattoo on his neck."
L frowned at this. "It is unlike B to work with another person. He prefers to work by himself. But at the same time he does tend to go to the extreme to get close to the investigation. If that man was his accomplice, what worries me is why they would go to so much trouble making it too easy to connect the dots."
Right, Light had nearly forgotten how complicated B would try to make a case so difficult.
"If he were challenging L, then yes, he would create the most difficult case possible. However, what if L was not his target?" Near spoke up from his spot in his tower of cards.
"Are you implying he's challenging Yagami–kun?" L seemed bothered by this, as if he had considered the possibility as well but not quite come to terms with it.
"He did write K's name, didn't he? Also his victim was Mu, who happens to be a close friend of K. B would know Mu since he was still in the orphanage when K was brought to England. And don't forget that he set up the challenge in K's home turf." Near twirled a curl between two fingers as he continued on the list.
"And yet, it is most likely B knows we are working together. So, what is his purpose to challenge only K and not at all acknowledge L, his greatest rival?"
Silence filled the room as the inquiry sank in. Only the sound of Mello crunching on his chocolate bar could be heard, echoing about in the large spaced room.
"He's trying to separate us." The blond concluded.
"For what purpose? Wouldn't B have a personal vendetta to deal with against L?" Matt pointed out.
"Perhaps that is the very reason why he's doing this at all. To get to L, B would first have to ensnare K. His intentions could vary from harm to killing or even to use K against L, to hurt L where he is most vulnerable." At the last word Near added another card not so carefully on his tower. He watched as the fragile structure crumbled and scattered on the floor.
It was then Light had a revelation. All this time, Near had been calling him K, not Kin. It was not because he was distancing himself, but instead it was a subtle hint. B was after Light because of the letter L assigned to him.
K.
It could be a symbol of many things.
Kinship. Kin. King. Kind. Kindness.
Killer.
Was it just him, or was B using a lot of deep symbolism here?
'He wants to separate me from the rest of the team. But, why me? He could do just as well to do the same with any of the other three. What makes me so special?'
Deep down, Light knew why. He just couldn't face the answer. Yes, he would admit he was in denial. But this was for his own sanity's sake. If he were to accept what B was trying to do, Light knew he would succeed in one way or another.
It took all of his self control not to scream out as he did that day when this case came to them.
=3=
In a matter of two days the group debated on what to do. It was clear they have no other choice but to head towards Japan. But to work on this case, they would need help. With the help of Watari, L contacted the associates of former NPA chief Soichiro Yagami and requested their cooperation.
Without hesitation all accepted. They knew of this case, and all men aspired to work on it anyway. The fact L was paying attention to this bizarre case gave them hope. First L instructed them to keep a close eye on Sayu Yagami. It was a high chance she would be tangled up in this mess.
Next, L devised how this team will work with the detectives in Japan.
Mello and Matt were going to be in the work field as usual. Since B most likely knew their faces, the pair didn't need to disguise themselves for this case. But L heavily suggested using their aliases when in public, especially when around the Japanese homicide detectives.
Near was watch over the surveillance while he went over all of the evidence. The boy had a talent of finding missing pieces of the puzzle when it came down to reading the clues they had gathered together.
Watari would work back and forth between L and the detectives as the shadow he was perceived to be when assuming L's representative in public. Butler Man was to work closely with the detectives while Mello and Matt work from afar, yet still within a moments reach if anything were to happen.
Light, however, was to be confined to work behind the scenes with L. On the outside, he wasn't too bothered by the change. Inside, he was seething with anger as to why he was stuck with the insomniac while Near got a room all to himself to work in.
Still the young man didn't put up a fight or complaint at the assigned job. He knew L was just simply keeping him close to ensure he was not going to do something stupid.
Light was tempted to do something stupid, though. Such as punching the man in the face for not putting faith in him.
But there was little he could do. Light continued his act with the expressionless mask. He was becoming rather annoyed how the rest of the team would attempt to rouse any reaction from him. Mello would jump out of nowhere to tackle him to the floor. Matt would playfully ruffle his hair. Near would aim a paper airplane or any object that wouldn't bring harm at his stomach.
Hell, even Watari was trying to crack a few jokes at him.
No, what was worse though was how much L would taunt him. A few times Light's eye twitched or his hands would shake from by sheer will not to punch the panda face.
Honestly, it was hard for Light to realize that only two days had gone by. It seemed more like an eternity until, upon the third day, as they settled in their new headquarters in Japan, everything took an unexpected turn.
Light had just finished unpacking when he appeared in a living room turned into L's spacious make shift office.
The moment he sat down Light was in for another attack. This time, Mello had a plan. The blond had jumped over the back of the couch and pushed the brunette into the cushions while straddling his victim's waist.
Out of reflex Light was about to throw a punch at Mello's face, but the blond was too fast. He caught the young man's wrist and held the hand above Light's head. In a matter of seconds his other hand joined with the first.
Mello's triumphant smirk faltered when Light's mask didn't even so much as crack.
"Damn it all to hell, Kin! Cut the crap already and go back to the way you were! I'm sick and tired of that damn expressionless face of yours. You're scaring all of us!"
"Get off, Mello. Now." Light was surprised with how angry his voice sounded. He hadn't meant to show emotion through it.
The blond blinked at the older male below him. To Light's horror Mello's classic sneer made itself known as he leaned closer.
"What's the matter, Kin? You didn't have any problems with me kissing you back at the café in Germany."
"That, Mello dear, was different. At the very least I am grateful for your move. Otherwise I would have shot myself for kissing a man impersonating Mu."
Blue eyes narrowed at the lack of emotion in the other's voice. Maybe if he took his plan one step further…
"So are you saying you liked that kiss, Light? How about I give you another one? Just for the fun of kissing. I don't hand my lips to just anyone you know."
For the first time the mask Light had so carefully cultivated and molded to perfection cracked. Mello was beside himself in joy for finally getting a reaction out of the stoic team mate. Even though the blond was giddy at his success, he was true to his word and leaned in.
The second their lips touched Light snapped. His arms struggled to be freed from Mello's constricting grasp. No matter what he did the blond would not let up. So Light went for a different plan.
He first opened his mouth briefly in the kiss, his entire body relaxing as if he were giving up. Mello bought the bait and kissed him more passionately. Before the blond could sneak his tongue into his mouth however, Light bit hard on the intruding lips.
Taking full advantage of the split second he needed the elder male used his long legs to roll on top of the blond. Or he meant to anyways. If they were on a bed Light would have succeeded. But since they were on the couch the pair ended up rolling onto the floor.
Near, who had taken his usual spot before the flat screen, had to quickly scoot out of the way of Mello catapulting towards him. The blond landed in a pile of robot toys, breaking a few of their arms and legs in the process.
Mello didn't pay any heed to the pain, though. He was too focused on getting back at the brunette for biting his lip.
"Light, you fucking bastard, you're going to pay for what you did!"
The said male didn't have enough time to dodge out of the way when the blond launched himself at him. Once again Light was trapped between Mello and the couch. This time the young man was putting his all into this fight.
"You're the one who kissed me in the first place you little cunt!" The brunette elbowed the younger man in the face.
Mello outright seethed at the insult. He kneed the elder in the stomach for payback.
"Cunt!? You calling me a vagina you little fuck? In case you haven't noticed, I'm one hundred percent penis!"
Despite the pain in his gut, Light couldn't hold back a snicker.
"Gee, the way you carry yourself around, I wouldn't have known."
With a yell the two became a flurry punches, elbows, knees and kicks. A couple of times biting each other's arms or hands was uncalled for, but the pair weren't intentionally playing fair. Days and perhaps months of tension were released into this fight.
In the background Near was calling for the others to come and help. Neither blond nor brunette paid any attention to the pale boy. Not even when Near attempted to pull Mello off of his roommate.
Mello just shoved the small nuisance aside. Out of his peripheral vision Light saw the white head hit hard against the table next to the couch. The pale boy curled up like an armadillo, tiny hands covering the spot his head connected to furniture.
The blond hesitated for a moment when caramel brown eyes darkened to a carmine red. Mello didn't have time to ponder the strange transformation when he was sent flying against the wall from a powerful kick to his chest. He stared wide eyed in horror at the young man before him. Mello even backed up into a corner, curling his legs to his chest.
Light would have launched another attack on the blond if two different pairs of hands hadn't held him back. For a few brief seconds the brunette struggled against Matt and L's hold. But when he saw Watari holding a needle, the fire in his eyes died down into a faint flicker. The threat of being knocked out by drugs was frightful enough to snap him out of his berserk mode.
Instinctively Light leaned into L as if he would protect him from Butler Man.
"Have you calmed down enough not to attack Mello?" L inquired, noticing the sudden change.
"Just don't drug me. You above all should know I hate them." Light eyed Watari warily. "I won't lose my temper again."
"I say knock him out!" Mello shouted. "He's not human, not the way his eyes are burning red."
"You're the one who started this by invading my personal space and initiated another unwanted kiss!" The brunette retorted.
"Well I got you to destroy that mask of yours, didn't I? You've been scaring us with the way you've been behaving this past few days!"
"Says the one who practically molested me."
"I can't help it you bastard. You're too fucking gorgeous not to have a taste." Mello cocked his head to the side, taking in the sight of Light comfortably leaning into L, whose arms protectively wrapped around the brunette.
"Of course, I suppose you think I don't deserve your attention with the way you've been ogling L for the past several years!"
Absolute horror spread across Light's face without his consent.
"I have not been ogling him! You're just full of yourself you fucking cunt!"
"You have too! And stop calling me that you fucking bastard! Don't think I haven't noticed how you let him be close to you, closer than you allow the rest of us anyway. Sure, you're protective over Near, but that's not the same as how you interact with L!"
"Says you! You're just jealous over something that's not true!"
"Oh yeah? Then tell me, Light–kun, why the hell are you blushing then?"
For once Light was at a loss of words. Indeed he could feel the faint pink in his cheeks that darkened at Mello's observation. With a scowl Light looked away, hoping with all his might that this will end now.
"If you boys are done yelling at each other, then I believe now is the time for our team to diverse. Watari, would you please escort the three to their respective headquarters? It would seem I was right to assume it be best to separate the boys until all of this has blown over."
"Yes, of course Ryuzaki." Watari turned to the teenagers with a sigh. "Will you please gather up your things? We will be leaving now. Anything you can't gather in a few minutes I will retrieve for you later."
Butler man then turned his attention to the team leader.
"And please, Ryuzaki, both of you better be alive by the time I get back."
"You need not to worry, Watari. So long as I treat him as my equal, he will not lose his temper."
"Don't speak as if I were not here!" Light's scowl deepened.
"My apologies, Yagami–kun." L didn't sound so apologetic.
Watari sighed once more, still obviously worried. Still he had a job to do. The old man felt it was best do it quickly and race back to the hotel before anything disastrous happened.
"Come on, boys. Let's take our leave."
Matt helped Mello to his feet. Together the two headed out the door to wait in the hallway. Near was rubbing his sore spot with one hand while he reached for Light's hair with his other hand.
Light blinked at the action. Before he could ask what the pale boy was doing, the small hand was patting his head. The young man almost cried at how similar the action was when Sayu did the same thing when she said her goodbye. But a fascination kept the tears at bay.
Why did everyone want to run their hand through his hair in comfort?
And before he knew it Near had followed Butler Man out of the suite, leaving him in a precarious situation. Light almost screamed when he realized he could feel half hard erection against his lower back. Against his better judgment the young man wiggled as he tried to escape L's embrace.
"Um, Ryuzaki…"
"Mello had the right idea of putting a stop to your behavior. I did not foresee that he would go to this extreme, though." L cut him off, his arms tightening their hold around the trapped brunette.
"Ryuzaki, I'm suddenly feeling the notion we shouldn't be alone together."
L seemed puzzled by this.
"What gave you that idea, Light–kun? It's because of your behavior that I am forced to do this."
"To do what exactly?" Light just about shrieked.
"To take matters into my own hands, of course. Didn't Mello just point out your strong admiration for me? He's not the only one to notice. I always thought it was simple admiration, but from what I understand what he really meant, I am beginning to believe it's more than that."
Furious, the young man forced his way out of the warm embrace to turn around and face the other.
"Don't say it as if it means nothing to you! Honestly Ryuzaki, if you only cared enough about performances, all you had to do was ask. Or at the very least sound as if you were really sorry for what you did!"
"But I am sorry, Light–kun. I've been expressing it in every possible way I know how. How can I make you understand that I am at least trying?" L heavily sighed. "And by the way, I said nothing about keeping up performance. I am simply worried about you."
Light scoffed at the other man's words. But even he was beginning to doubt his side of the argument.
"Ryuzaki, I know how socially inept you are. I get it. But why the sudden interest of transforming our friendship to something that could be potentially disastrous for everyone?"
"Ah, a very good point indeed, Light–kun. But I do have an answer." To prove his point, the detective reached for the brunette's hand.
Light raised an elegant brow. "Oh? And what is this solution that would miraculously make everything better?"
"If you do have feelings for me, then I would be happy to oblige those feelings. But I will do it only if you are willing to take that step. You are dear to me, Light–kun. You are my first friend, and the first person aside from Watari I can entrust my faith into. Therefore, I am willing to explore the possibility of a relationship."
L stared at the gaping young man before him, expressing in all he could that he was dead serious. And, he had to say, it was rather cute to see that pink blush deepen across pale cheeks. But what surprised L the most was how frightened Light appeared.
Although his body gave no indication of fear, the honey brown eyes gave away the true emotions that ran a hundred miles an hour in his head.
"But…but why? Why would you do this? I mean, I don't even know if I even want to go through with this. Not if you're only doing this just to make me happy, because it won't work. That's not what relationships are about Ryuzaki."
"You're lying, Light–kun. I can tell by the speed of your pulse that you really want to. As to why I would offer you this opportunity, I would like to make it clear that I don't hand my heart to just anyone, Light."
Although Mello had said similar words just five minutes prior, L's had an entirely different effect.
He broke eye contact. He just couldn't look into those dark panda eyes. Light felt self-conscious about his behavior and his appearance, and he didn't even know why. Well, perhaps the answer was obvious, but once again Light was fleeing from the very idea.
"It's just that… I…"
"You, what, Light–kun? Tell me what it is you wanted to say." L gently encouraged.
"It can't be just about me, all right? If we are going to take this step, and I mean this is a major step, we have to be careful about approaching this Ryuzaki. You have to have some indication that you really want to be with me not because I want to, but because you truly see a future with me other than just someone to work alongside with."
L tilted his head. "I would suffice to say this would be rather easy to accommodate, Light–kun. Just a minute ago I thought your blush was rather cute."
Light sputtered at the blunt (and yet unwelcome) compliment. "Th-that's not the point, Ryuzaki! What I mean is –"
L unexpectedly cut him off with a passionate lip lock action. The brunette was taken completely off guard by the sudden kiss that was stolen. Honestly, how many times will he have to go through with this today?
And although Light wanted to fight back, he found that he couldn't. The second their lips were interlocked, his overworked brain practically melted. He truly was in denial after all of these years, wasn't he?
Yet even though sheer joy fluttered in his chest, his head wasn't quite up for the sudden jump from friendship to a relationship. Before he knew it, salty tears poured down his cheeks. A sudden flare of anger rushed through him. Light pulled away only to punch the man's chin.
L groaned as he rubbed what would most likely turn into a bruise in a few hours.
"You certainly are a challenge, ne Light–kun? You always have been, ever since the day we met. Shall I ask why you threw a punch at me from just kissing you or shall I assume you've somehow mixed me up with Mello?"
"You idiot! What I was trying to say before you went and…did that to me, is that I don't want to be used!"
"Relax, Light–kun. It's not as if I raped you or anything. And with the way you leaned into me is proof enough that you do in fact, have feelings for me hidden away in that locked heart of yours." L fought the urge to roll his eyes. "At any rate, how many times do I have to say this to make you understand? I am willing to go down this path with you. You need not to worry about being used, if that is what you fear most."
"How can you say that if you have no feelings for me? You're the one who's locked your heart away! It's because of you I had to act like a robot for the past few days. And, if I do accept this offer of yours, might I say here and now that it doesn't mean I forgive you for what you did to me back in Germany."
L sighed, feeling more as if they were going around in circles. This conversation was really going nowhere, which was why he initiated a kiss in the first place. He had hoped that if words would not calm Light down then action would. Obviously it didn't help.
"If that is what you truly feel, then I can't really complain. I admit I am at fault for breaking your trust with me. At the current moment, I honestly do not know what I feel towards you. But at the very least, I suppose I should say what I think about you. I believe you are an immature, childish man, and at times you allow your temper to get the best of you. However, it has come to my attention that despite the not so great qualities about you, I still find you cute and charming. And might I also add that I liked that kiss. If you take my offer, then I want another one as your payment for this new bruise you so graciously gave me."
L meant to frown as he explained. But somehow in the middle of all of that it turned into a pout. For a brief moment Light had a flashback of the day when L had to leave after a month's vacation, back when they first met. That was the first and only time Light had seen the other pout, which even then he found rather adorable.
As the words finally sank in, Light was beside himself in giddiness. He leaned in to give a gentle, apologetic peck at the still forming handsome bruise he had left. When he pulled away L was staring at him comically.
"What? You asked for another kiss. You didn't exactly say where you wanted it."
At that L's pout came back with a hint of disappointment. Light pretty much giggled at the sight in front of him. Deciding to indulge L's true wishes, the brunette leaned in for a proper kiss. At first it was gentle and reassuring. But in a matter of seconds their lip lock turned into raw passion. Teeth and tongue were introduced as they battled for control. This would have led to pleasurable actions, as there was too much sexual tension between them.
And then Watari walked into the room.
=3=
Death: *Insert long, over dramatic groan here*. I know, I know, it would seem the long awaited love to blossom between our favorite characters of all time was a bit rushed. Okay, okay, maybe not quite a bit. A lot, actually.
But in my defense, I had to do it. The climax is arriving, and I realized that the love has yet to take part. So, yeah, it might not have been exactly as I had planned, but hey, I like how this option turned out. And to make it a little more realistic, I had it so L's offer didn't quite sink in until a little bit after their first kiss. Light is in denial, he's super sensitive at the present moment, so he's not thinking too clearly or rationally. Thus, there is the reason behind the punch at L's adorable face.
And I admit, I am teasing you guys with the "would have lead to pleasurable actions" bit. What can I say? I have fun making my readers suffer. It honestly makes me laugh.
Although, as one reviewer has declared, I may have sadist actions, that does not exactly mean I am a sadist. I'm actually a closet masochist. But hey, we masochists' get to have our own kind of fun, right? Well, mine is in writing. Muwahahahaha. A brilliant mind, indeed.
Yes, yes, I also played with the Mello/Light pairing a little more. Although many wanted to see them together before L/Light action came into play, I couldn't find room in the plot. Also, a handful of others didn't want to see them get together at all. So, I compromised. Why not them share another hot kiss, but fight about it afterwards? It is what would have happened the first time around if they weren't in public.
So, without further ado, please click the lovely review button and sue me~
Oh, and it is a few days away, but Happy Thanksgiving! For this chapter is my gift to all of you reading this story.