CHAPTER 22 - CROWNED

"Wait, wait, don't light the candles yet!" Mello yelled at Sayu who already had the wand in her hand. She had it aimed at the very amateur looking cake in the middle of the table which had 25 candles.

Matt looked from Sayu to Mello and back. Mello started bickering about those candles being gone before they would even reach the teachers table. Sayu opposed.

A few months ago, Matt would only laugh at it and dismiss their behavior. A few weeks ago, he would stand up for Sayu and give Mello a small lecture. But now… he was not so sure. Something has changed.

He was not sure what, but his need to separate himself from Mello started fading away. Even more to it, he felt himself being drawn to the older boy. Like a magnet.

At first, he was sure it had something to do with Mello's extravagant clothing at L's private lesson a week ago. Because the blonde looked really hot in the leather and it would have some impact on any hormonal teenager. But after he spent the tourney with Sayu, his secret crush, he wasn't so sure anymore.

He still liked her. He still wanted her. She was cute, naive and kinda stupid. But she had a good heart and she was promising material for a future wife. Not that Matt would think about it so far. But as soon as they stepped into the dungeons together, Matt knew there was something missing. When they were doing magic together, it just didn't click. Which led to their failure. Matt couldn't help but think that he would win if he was in pair with Mello. Because no matter how big of an allergy Matt had when it came to Mello, they were still a good team.

When Matt and Sayu got back to the great hall an hour ago, Matt felt relieved to find out that Mello failed too. He felt something strange in his stomach, when he thought about the possibility of Mello winning a tourney with someone else than him.

Matt could feel Near's eyes scanning his profile and he felt heat coming to his face. They still didn't have time alone to talk about what they started a week ago. Near said he liked him. Well not straight, but almost. Matt somehow felt it was the case. He also had some strange feelings about it. He felt flattered, but also uncomfortable. Because he didn't think about Near that way before. They were good friends. Matt really enjoyed his silent company. But even when Near presented as an omega only three weeks ago, Matt didn't see any additional sex-appeal appearing. Near was just too… fluffy?

"What?" Matt asked when he turned towards Near who was wearing a golden crown on his white hair. He won the 5th years tourney and the crown was one of the awards. But it didn't suit him. It looked quite ridiculous if someone asked Matt.

Near tilted his head and whispered: "There is nothing wrong about admitting that you like him…"

Matt's eyes went impossibly wide and he leaned closer to his back at him: "That's not true! I don't like him!"

"Are you sure?"

"I… I was watching Sayu!" he said and scratched the back of his head nervously.

Near nodded, but he wasn't fooled by Matt's explanation. He noticed during the last week that Matt's eyes were shifting to Mello's direction quite often. He wasn't happy about it. He always liked Matt and the attraction only grew when Near himself presented as an omega. To Near, Matt was the most logical option. He was handsome, intelligent and growing into a great wizard. He was one of the few people he felt comfortable around. Ofcourse, he knew Matt liked Sayu. He was willing to accept it because he knew Sayu would never fall for Matt. But now that he was facing the threat in the form of Mello, his inner omega started offering some unreasonable thoughts.

"Alright, alright, so I will light the candles when we are in front of the table…" Matt heard Sayu saying, with resignation in her voice. He looked up and saw that Mello was his usual leading-asshole self. He frowned and eyed Sayu who wore a disappointed expression. He felt a wave of sympathy and a need to protect the girl. He instantly gave Mello a hard look, but the blonde was not looking at him. He was barking orders at Near.

Not even a minute later they were heading towards the teachers' table with their home made cake. In front line Mello and Sayu, making a walking wall, so L wouldn't see the cake straight away and behind them Near and Matt, holding the plate with the cake.

Matt almost jumped when Near placed his hand over his, while they held the plate. His voice died in his throat and his heart started beating fast. He eyed Near with the corner of his eye, but the white haired boy looked stoic, as always.

Oh my God, what is happening? What is happening? Was the thought running through his head. He had Near, subtly holding his hand under the cake plate. He had his beautiful crush Sayu walking in front of him, so he could watch the edge of her skirt moving. But all he could see was Mello. His thin back straightened as he walked, his golden mane shone and his steps were so confident that it made Matt's blood boiling. But he smelled soooo good. Matt wasn't sure why, but for the last week, he could swear he was able to smell Mello. Which was theoretically impossible, as none of them presented yet but… Yeah, he smells so fucking good.

Matt felt Nears hand slowly stroking his own and that pulled him out of his thoughts again. He needed to focus on the task.

Just get the damn cake to L, get the cake to L… he was repeating himself and tried to push all the other sensations out of his mind.

Near stroked Matt's hand with his thumb under the plate. He wasn't proud about doing it. He swore to himself that he won't make any moves on Matt before he presented, but his inner omega was practically pleading him to do something. And because Near knew how important it was, to be in sync with the second gender, he decided to act on his inner omega's wishes. He felt Matt's panic, but the ginger head didn't pull his hand away.

It gave Near hope.

L was standing behind the teachers' table, leaning his hands against it. Between his hands was a map of dungeons. He was frowning hard as he was watching the names of Light Yagami and Misa Amane moving inside the final task room. They got there five minutes ago and they were obviously trying to figure out what to do.

L smirked.

It would be easy to choose their patronuses and get out of there. And it would do the job. Because there was not only one right option in the final task of the tourney. But... Light obviously knew there was more to this task than what was seeable on the first sight and he was trying to figure it out. Just as L expected of him.

Light and Amane were the last pair in the game. Everyone from the other years was already back and L crowned the best Wizard and Witch from each year but… the 7th years.

There was a moment when L was seriously worried he would have to crown Mikami and Takada. Because they were the first ones on the start and they practically flew through all the tourney. But that was not surprising given the fact that Mikami as alpha in sync and Takada was a beta. For them, the tourney was more or less… easy. But they failed at the carpet room. Because they were able to get through the last line of carpets and open the door on the other side. The door, which led... back to the start.

L had a hard time not to laugh when they appeared at the very beginning of the tourney. It was a dirty joke from him but it was also another lesson: "No matter how many times you fail, you need to try again." he wanted to tell Light with that.

But Light…

Oh yes, Light…

He didn't walk through that door. He fell down, exactly as he was supposed to. And Mikami with Takada decided not to go through the tourney again. Which was their own mistake, because all the tasks were cleared already. So all they needed to do was walk through the dungeons all fall down the crater. Sure, they couldn't know. But it showed the lack of determination. They just came back to the great hall and admitted defeat. Which in their heads, must have sounded very noble. But L never really cared about gestures. He preferred people who could act.

That's why he liked Misa Amane.

That's why he liked Light.

No matter how cruel the world was towards him, he never gave up. He was still fighting. Even if it meant fighting his own mind and his nature.

"Professor Lawliet?"

L heard his name and lifted his head from the map. In front of him was mischievously smiling Mello with Sayu Yagami by his side. Behind them was barely visible Matt with Near.

L frowned. They were up to something.

"Yes?" he asked and watched Sayu Yagami turn around and make some spell.

Then she and Mello stepped away and all of them yelled:

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

The hall fell silent.

L was watching the strangely looking cake which was glowing in the light of candles. The hall slowly came alive again. Girls were gasping in shock and whispering, while some other students were clapping their hands and yelling: "Happy birthday."

Great… L thought. He made sure not to let out his birthday. Not even the professors knew. With the exception of Watari and Roger. But… L forget about the boys. He somehow automatically thought that they will celebrate on Sunday evening, at the orphanage, just like they always did. But nope. Boys obviously had their own idea. Which meant his birthday being exposed to the whole school.

"Come on! Blow the candles!" Mello said with the biggest grin L ever seen on his face. It was obviously his idea. Not that L could be angry with him about that.

"Yes professor! Make a wish!" Sayu said and clapped her hands happily.

L wanted to roll his eyes, but he wouldn't do that to these kids. So he smiled at them and walked around the table, to face the group. When he came closer, they were all grinning like idiots and the whole school was looking at him.

I hate this… L thought as he crouched to blow away the candles.

"Don't forget the wish, L." He heard Watari teasing from the table.

L rolled his eyes internally and took a deep breath. He wasn't about to wish anything. But the moment the breath came from his lungs a thought came to him:

I wish Light to come back in sync…

As soon as the last candle on the cake went out, the door to the great hall burst open.

When they opened the door to the great hall everyone was watching the teachers' table and the group of people standing there. But as Misa and Light entered, all the eyes turned to them and the hall fell silent.

Light stopped at the door and suddenly felt nervous. But Misa who was hanging on his arm pulled him forward. With every step they took towards the teachers' table the silence in the hall started breaking. First a few uncertain clasp of hands, then catcalls and then more and more people clapping and calling their names.

As Misa drew Light with her through the hall, everything around him disappeared. People were clapping and shouting at them but he wasn't able to focus on any of them. His eyes were set on the figure in front of the teachers' table.

A tall, slightly slouched man with dark wild hair and with eyes that were looking straight to the soul.

Light quickened his pace without even realizing it. It was now him, who drew Misa forward. But he couldn't help it. He smelled a faint spicy-sweet scent in the room and all he wanted was to run to the arms of the man to whom the scent belonged to. He felt like he was under some spell when he suddenly started smiling.

It was three hours, just three hours. So why does it feel like we were apart for years? Light was asking himself.

When L looked from the cake towards the open door his heart almost stopped.

He made it… damn, he really got through. L thought and couldn't believe his eyes. Light Yagami was standing right there, with Misa Amane hanging on his arm and they started moving towards him. L completely forgot about the cake and made a few steps forward. He stopped at the top of the small stairs and watched the pair approaching. L locked his eyes with Light's. At that moment he realized, boy was practically glowing. He looked tired as hell but he was obviously happy. More than that... he looked… in sync?

Is it possible? Did it all work? L was asking himself and felt like all the people in the hall disappeared. For him, there was just Light and the rays of light shining out of him.

Watari couldn't help but frown, when he saw L completely forgetting about the youngsters. Yes, of course he had to welcome the winners, but Watari was now sure there was more to it. L was growing feelings for young Mr. Yagami. And no one could persuade Watari otherwise. He just hoped it wouldn't become a problem. Because L was able to control himself when it came to physical matters. But matters of a heart? His boy had no experience in the area, as far as Watari knew. He was never in love with Beyond, so that didn't count.

But the question is… how Light Yagami feels about L. Watari thought. Because if it turned out that the affection was mutual, Watari would have to make sure they won't do anything stupid. At least… not sooner than at the end of the school year.

Watari shook his head and turned his attention to the group of youngsters who still held the cake and watched L and the incoming duo. He quickly gestured to them to put the cake on the table and go to sit next to him. Which they did. Then, Watari turned his attention back to the main scene.

Light and Misa finally stood in front of their professor. Light was happy that Misa was hanging on his arm so tightly, because if she wasn't, he would be already hanging around Lawliet's neck. Now that they were standing just two meters away from each other, Light could feel the scent attacking him fully and all his senses were overwhelmed. He could feel Lawliet's excitement, admiration, happiness but also relief.

In that moment Light knew… he knew Lawliet was happy to see him. As happy as he was to see Lawliet.

When Light and Misa Amane stopped right in front of him, L must have gathered all his strength to shift his attention also to the girl. He couldn't afford to stare at Light for too long, no matter how much he wanted to. This was not a time and place to lose a composure.

L tilted his head and raised his hand to silence the cheering hall.

"Well, Miss Amane, Mr. Yagami… as you probably understood from the cheering of your schoolmates you just… won the 7th years tourney."

Misa's mouth fell open: "Really?!"

Light didn't react. He was still trying to recover from the need to hug his professor. Luckily his scent shifted again and it was now letting out calming pheromones. That helped a lot.

"No one of your classmates got to the final room and you were the last pair in the game so... really." L said with a smug smile.

Misa yelled with happiness, hugged Light and kissed him on a cheek. That finally woke him up from the trans and he felt heat coming to his cheeks. He briefly looked at Lawliet who shot him an amused look. That pissed Light off. He hoped he would be jealous, or something.

Lawliet invited them both up the stairs and conjured up two thrones. One was made of beautiful blooming flowers and the other was a strong tree with red, yellow and brown leaves shivering in the wind.

Both Light and Misa gasped. It was a beautiful spell with a magnificent result.

L chuckled: "I guess you know which is for whom…"

Light and Misa looked at each other with open mouths. One would say that Lawliet was there with them. That he knew they revealed their scents to each other. Because there was simply no other explanation. They nodded at each other and headed to their thrones, which were only meter apart from one another. They stood in front of them and turned towards all of their school mates. Everyone was silently watching them.

L took out his wand and went towards Misa Amane. She was smiling from ear to ear and blushing at the same time. L couldn't help but laugh when he saw her enthusiasm. He waved his wand and conjured a golden and white golden crown mixed from flowers and autumn leaves. Misa gasped when she saw the grown materialize in front of her. Then L took it to his hands and placed it on the girl's head.

"Congratulations, Miss Amane." he said and offered his hand in congratulation.

Misa happily took his hand without having an idea that L actually hates hand shakes. He only offered it so he could later touch Light in the same manner. It was stupid of him and he knew that. But he could at least blame it on politeness in this case.

Then L moved to Light, who was standing in front of his throne nervously and biting his lower lip. L smirked when he saw that and whispered: "Breathe, Light. I am not gonna catch you if you faint."

Light opened and closed his mouth. Here it was again. Lawliet and his teasing.

That. Damn. Bastard.

L saw the boy tense in anger and couldn't help but smirk even more. He would love to tease the omega a little more, but he needed to focus on the crown he was just conjuring up. It was the same as Amane's, but not exactly. This one was a little more colorful. Not just gold and white gold. There was also a bit of red, which made it look even more like autumn leaves.

Beautiful... Light thought and his eyes went from the crown to his professor who was just stretching his hands forward to crown him. Light bowed a little, so Lawliet could reach his head easier, but he never broke their eye contact. Those deep dark eyes were sparkling and the scent around the man was letting out a lot of happiness.

"Congratulations, Mr. Yagami." Lawliet said and offered Light his hand.

Light looked down at the hand and hesitated. For some reason he was afraid to touch him. He looked up at Lawliet again and saw that the man raised his eyebrow. That made Light move and accept the hand.

The hand was warm and the contact was over as fast as the social convection prescribed. But Light could swear he felt a thumb stroking his hand twice, before Lawliet let go of his hand. But maybe… maybe he was just imagining it.

L was not sure himself why he wanted to make that hand shake. Probably because he needed a reason to touch the boy?

Why the hell do I feel the need to touch him? L was asking himself as he walked to the edge of the stairs, leaving his two victors standing behind.

"Now make some noise for Misa Amane and Light Yagami. Victors of the 7th year Halloween's tourney!" L said and the cacophony that followed filled the whole hall.

Misa and Light laughed and nodded at each other. Then they finally sat down to their thrones.

The clamor lasted for another five minutes. Then L announced the tourney ended and said that everyone is free to do as they please for the rest of the night. It was a tradition. Halloween was the only night in the school year, when the curfew was off. It was also... the worst night of the year for teachers.

Light and Misa stood up from their thrones and headed towards one another.

"Congratulations! You won the tourney!" Light said in a teasing manner, remembering how much Misa wanted to win.

She smiled back at him and hit him with her elbow: "Don't be a tease Light! Remember I know things now!"

Light rolled his eyes and was about to say something, when they both heard a deep bored voice from behind them.

"Oh wow… I wouldn't guess you only need 3 hours to get from hatred to flirting."

Misa and Light turned around to see Lawliet with lead tilted to one side and a smug smile on his face. They both eyed each other in panic.

"It's… no! It's not like that!" Light started immediately.

"Yes, professor! We are just friends! He is not my type!" Misa added quickly.

"Heyyyy!" Light let out a bit hurt, especially when he knew he was her type. At least, five years ago.

But Lawliet only chuckled and made two steps closer to them: "Relax, you two. I am just teasing."

Of course you are… Light thought and rolled his eyes. Why did I miss him, again?

"But it's nice to see you are both on one ship. At least for now." L said as stopped in front of them.

Misa nodded happily: "Yes, professor! We are friends now! And you are going to be sooo proud of us both!"

L chuckled again and put hands in his pockets: "I am proud of you already."

Especially of Light. L wanted to add, but he restrained. Then he leaned forward to be a bit closer and have privacy with them: "Listen… no matter what you learnt about yourself today it is just another piece of information. No matter what it is, you don't need to act on it, if you don't feel comfortable about it. Just think about it, accept it and then you will see if it can help you in your future way through life. But don't make unnecessary fuss of it."

"But professor…" Light started and wanted to ask million questions but Lawliet cut him off:

"No, no! I said no fuss! Now go and eat something. You two look exhausted. We can talk about it later."

With that Lawliet turned around headed to the teachers' table and his almost forgotten cake.