CHAPTER 8 - ON THE EDGE

L was on the edge.

Taking spells away from him took Watari three days and another four to conjure them up again. The old man was tired, sure, but he was at least able to sleep at night. That was the luxury L didn't have. He started having nightmares, his body was getting into hyperactive state because of the high amount of sugar he was consuming and his leg was getting worse by every minute. When they finished, the autumn break was gone and they had only one night before the start of their classes.

That night, L couldn't sleep again. He knew it would take a few days before his body would get back to normal and it was clear that teaching in the morning will be a huge pain.

He let out a long sigh.

He couldn't believe he went through this hell just because a few omegas could smell him… precisely said, because one omega could smell him.

But at least… they found the reason.

Watari was able to identify five charms that were contradicting each other, so they decided to leave three of them completely down and for the other two they found out a different form. Of course they were not sure that these contradictions between spells were what caused a problem with his suppressant spell. But according to Watari, it was possible. Some omegas were simply a little more receptive towards it than others.

That calmed L down.

Because if they found nothing it would mean something L was not even ready to think of.

"He looks so tired… Oh my God I hope nothing happened to him while I was gone." Misa whispered to one of their classmates while Lawliet was showing them how to conjure a new spell. Light heard their conversation, because he was standing right next to them.

"He always looks tired." Lucy said to Misa.

"Yes, but look at him, he looks like he wasn't sleeping for the whole week." Misa was full of worries.

Lucy only chuckled and whispered: "Maybe he had some company… what do we know… Maybe he was in a rut…. with someone."

Misa's eyes went wide with shock and worries. Then she shook her head: "My Lawli with someone?! No! No! No! … I don't want to think about that!"

Me neither.

Light thought but couldn't stop the wave of jealousy that went through his body. But Misa and Lucy were right. Lawliet looked extremely tired. And he was more annoyed by them than ever which meant there was probably something wrong. Not to mention he completely skipped the part of the class when they should disarm him.

Maybe it's his leg.

Light thought and eyed the man from head to toes. He seemed a little more slouched and the dark bags under his eyes were even darker than Light remembered. He didn't know why, but for a moment he had an urge to just go and hug the man.

Light frowned at that thought. It was ridiculous.

But really, it wasn't. Because even omegas were able to use their scents to calm down their alphas, but usually they had to rub their scent glands against their alpha's scent glands to get the desired effect. So Light's urge to hug Lawliet wasn't illogical. Just purely biological.

Lawliet shoved them how to use the new spell, he helped a few students with it, but he was also spitting biting notes everywhere around. After an hour and a half he gave up, ended the class and sent them all back to the school.

Light knew it wasn't a good idea asking him for private lessons now, because the man was obviously in a very bad mood. So he went back to school with other students and decided to wait for a better opportunity. He still wasn't sure about it anyway. In the current situation, when his application for books from a restricted area got denied, it seemed like the only option but… there was also the thing with Lawliet's scent.

Light couldn't imagine spending time alone with the man. It would be probably alright, if they were outside, in the arena, but Light dread the moment the class will move inside Hogwarts. Lawliet's scent was making him lightheaded and weak in the knees. Light feared that he would be unable to perform any magic in his close proximity. On the other hand, it was still better to figure out when they were alone, then in front of the whole class. And maybe Light could confront Lawliet about it.

No… That would be stupid. He would think I like his scent and his ego would rise by 200%... But maybe I could take it as an exercise.

That wasn't a bad idea. After school they will not be obligated to wear scent blocking magic on themselves and most alphas didn't do it. Dealing with alpha's scent now, might help him to prepare for the future.

If I will survive Lawliet's scent, I think I'll survive every other alpha.

Light thought and started feeling determined to ask his teacher for the lessons after all.

Yes… I will ask him tonight.

After dinner.

I will do it.

And he will say yes.

I know he will.

He must!

Light spotted Lawliet at dinner. He was discussing something with headmaster and professor Wammy and then some black haired woman came in, and Lawliet with Wammy left with her. Light frowned at that. He didn't know her but he didn't miss Auror's brooch on her coat. She was probably there because of their investigation. But there was also a voice in the back of Light's head whispering, that she might be there for different reasons and Light couldn't help but wonder, if there is something between her and Lawliet.

Was it like girls said, and Lawliet spent a week full of passion in the arms of this woman?

Hell no!

Light yelled internally. He couldn't think about that, it made him feel anxious, jealous and weak. And Light hated being weak. Most of all things.

Not even an hour later, professor Wammy returned back to the great hall but Lawliet was nowhere to be seen. Light realized that Lawliet is either alone in his cabinet or with that woman. It probably wasn't a good idea going there now. He might see something he shouldn't.

No. I am not going there. Maybe tomorrow.

Not even fifteen minutes later, Light found himself climbing stairs into DADA classroom. He was driven more by his inner omega than his reason. He wanted to smell Lawliet close and make sure there was no other scent on him. He wanted to breathe in that intoxicating scent and drown in it. Because though Light would never admit it loud, he missed the man's scent. At the end of autumn break he was longing for him. Like Lawliet was his alpha.

Light hated these thoughts. And he hated that he was acting on them. But at least, he could lie to himself that he is going there because of those private classes.

When Light entered the DADA classroom, he took a deep breath. A smile formed on his lips. He could finally smell Lawliet. And he was alone.

Light headed to the cabinet and knocked on the door. He was full of excitement and nervous at the same time.

"Come in." the low voice said from the inside.

Light opened the door and found Lawliet sitting in a chair, with legs on a chaise lounge. He had a notebook in his hands, writing something down.

"Good evening professor." Light said and watched as Lawliet raised an eyebrow. He tried no to let it out, but he was very surprised to see Light there. He stood up, and closed his notebook.

"Yagami… what are you doing here this late?"

"I was wondering… I wanted to ask you…" Light started but he found it extremely hard to voice his thoughts in the room where everything smelled like this alpha. It was amazing, soothing and exciting at the same time. It smelled like… home?

Oh my God Light! Compose yourself! He yelled at himself and bit his inner cheek.

"I wanted to ask you for private lessons, sir."

Lawliet's eyebrow shot up and he made a step closer.

"I beg a pardon?"

His professor was burning holes in him with his eyes and Light had to stand a little straighter to stand it.

"I am asking you, to help me with my magic."

Lawliet tilted his head and looked like he was completely clueless. But Light could swear it was just an act.

"Your magic?"

Light cleared his throat: "Yes professor… you know… the problem with offensive spells and my wand?"

Lawliet brought his thumb to his lower lip before saying:

"I was under the impression you are alright with what you do."

Of course you had to say it you damn bastard. Light thought and clenched his fists.

"I… I was… I got a bit ahead of myself. I realized I need to know more to become an Auror."

"Hm… interesting. So you want me to teach you privately, so you can overcome your… wand problem?"

Lawliet asked him with the same bored voice as usual, but Light noticed a small smirk that formed on his lips.

"... Yes professor?"

There was a moment of silence, when Lawliet was only staring at him. Then he said:

"No."

Light blinked: "I am sorry?"

Lawliet moved back into his chair and took his notebook again: "I said no. I won't teach you."

"Why not?!" Light asked with an angry voice.

"I am not giving private lessons." Lawliet said calmly and leaned his back into his chair.

Light couldn't believe it. He only opened and closed his mouth. He was sure Lawliet will say yes. Even his father was sure about it.

"But… you are teaching Near, Mello and… and the other boy."

"That's different, they are family." Lawliet said and brought his big bare legs back at the chaise lounge. For him, the discussion was clearly over. But for Light definitely not. He was getting desperate:

"But professor! I am not getting any better at your classes! Everyone there is growing with their magic and I am stuck!"

Lawliet shot him an amused look: "I told you where your problem is. You were not listening. I told you to try to do your magic differently but you were still pushing it and doing it all the same. And if everyone else is getting better I fail to see why the problem should be on my side."

"I just don't know how to do it okay?! I don't know how to do my magic differently!" Light yelled at him.

Lawliet rolled his eyes: "Stop ignoring your second gender would be a good start."

Light opened and closed his mouth: "I am not ignoring anything!"

Lawliet gave him a long scolding look before turning his head to his notebook:

"Good night, Mr. Yagami."

Light wanted to turn around and leave but something in him snapped:

"You can't be serious! I am the best student at Hogwarts and you know it! I could be as good as you if you helped me but you are refusing? Are you afraid to have a concurrence at Auror's office or what?"

Light regretted those worlds as soon as it left his mouth. But it was too late. Lawliet was getting up from his chair again and his scent turned from his normal sweet spicy into something that smelled like ash and rotting dead animal. That scent sent goosebumps all over Light's body. He was forcing him to submit.

"Who do you think you are? Do you think that you will just come here and I will happily jump to your feet and help you? How high is that ego of yours?"

Light felt like he was getting smaller and smaller. But there was no way he was bowing his head to this alpha.

"I asked you nicely!" Light said, but his whole being was shaking.

Lawliet made a few steps closer and his voice was ice cold: "Yes and because you asked nicely, I am automatically obligated to help you. Wake up, Yagami. I am an Auror, I have a lot of work besides teaching. I simply don't have time to help every student at Hogwarts."

Light felt tears building behind his eyes but he forced himself not to cry. Not yet:

"At least you wouldn't have to be such a jerk about it. A simple: "No, I am very busy", would be enough."

Lawliet tilted his head and smirked: "Oh would it really?"

Light opened and closed his mouth.

Of course it wouldn't. He would probably push him anyway and the discussion would end the same in the end.

"See? That's what I thought. The answer is no. Good night Mr. Yagami." Lawliet said and Light was not waiting anymore. He turned around and bursted out the room.

L watched as the door slammed behind Yagami. He smirked. It was unbelievable just how much nerve this boy had. He was arrogant, hard headed and he was used to having everyone at his disposal. Arguing with him was more like fighting another alpha than submissive omega. L found it very refreshing. Most of the omegas he knew were submissive by nature, even without alphas using their pheromones on them. That's also why L found them boring. But Light Yagami was clearly something different.

He was not mad at him. Not really. Actually, L admired his spirit. Coming this late at night alone to the cabinet of an alpha professor needed courage. And even more, swallowing the pride and admitting that he was wrong. That was something L wouldn't expect from the boy and he admired it dearly.

If the situation was different. I might even give it a try. With all that he knows already, he might be a great addition to the Auror's office. L thought.

But unfortunately, the situation was what it was now and it was logical to keep all the omegas away from potential danger. Especially those with such a potential.

If he will be lucky, he might learn how to be an omega wizard through bonding with someone who will unleash that part of him. And if the situation with Kira will be solved, he might join Auror's office in a few years.

L was thinking about it. And it sounded logical. It was better this way. The smaller chance to get to Auror's office Yagami had the better for him. Giving him the lessons might catapult him amongst the best wizards in the country and that would paint a target on his head.

But more probable is, that the boy will get into an unhealthy bond and he will be forced to be submissive. Which might sooner or later, kill his spirit completely.

L frowned at that.

That would be a shame. The boy really had everything he needed. A talent, a spirit and a will to learn. His only stain was his own stubbornness. L told him again, that he just needed to stop ignoring his second gender and the boy was not listening. Again.

L rolled his eyes. It was irritating really.

Yagami, Yagami... If you weren't so stubborn you might have been already much better than anyone here.

L took his notebook to his hands again and started counting the house points he gave to his students from the beginning of the year. It gave him a few minutes of peace, before he came to Yagami's name on the row.

Damn, that boy is really everywhere!

L leanind his head against his chair and started thinking again.

At least I am sure now.

Yagami did not smell him anymore.

There was a short moment, when the boy came in, and L felt like Yagami could still smell him. But when they argued, he certainly did not. Because L was letting out a lot of pheromones on purpose, to make him submit. But the boy did not. He was fighting back. Something like that was simply impossible for omega who could smell the scent in such a close proximity.

Thank God! I would have to kill him myself if it turned out that he is my… never mind.

Light started crying as soon as he slammed the door behind himself. He was running away from the place, from this man's scent but he couldn't run away from his own feelings. He felt humiliated, weak and hurt. And at the top of it all, his inner omega was scared of the scent that was forcing him to submit. It was so strong that it shook Light to the core. He was running down the stairs and when he got down the tower, he kneeled on the ground and hugged himself. He started sobbing hard and he didn't even know why. He didn't know why he reacted this way. He had no idea why this man's scent was affecting him this much and why he was able to smell him in the first place.

Never in his life, he felt fear this strong. And the fear was coming from his inner omega. That part of his personality just wanted to crawl back, beg for forgiveness and find it in the man's arms.

"No! No! No! No! This will never happen!"

Light said out loud and slowly stood up. He felt angry with Lawliet and he also felt angry with himself. He gritted his teeth and headed to his dorm.

No matter what Lawliet said! I am never going to act like an omega! Never!