Light tapped his foot impatiently as the locks to Maddy's apartment unlocked. She peeked out the cracked door before squealing happily. "Oh! Let me get my shoes, come in!"
Light slid in through the open doorway and closed the door behind himself. The apartment was set up just like Beyond's, but was decorated in stark contrast to the minimalistic style that Beyond had. Heavy metal posters covered the walls along with vintage horror movie posters and neon lit words clung to the walls. One of the neon signs was bright yellow and read, "make today, what yesterday wasn't."
Smiling to himself as his eyes landed on a giant black cat climbing tree with a huge fluffy black cat bed rested underneath. Maddy's furniture was mostly red and black with bright neon accents around the room. Such as, flower vases, neon signs, and a hot pink skull and crossbones tea set that neatly hung on a black rack and other random decor. A picture with her, Gio, Beyond and Julie sat in a bright blue frame with purple glittery heart stickers on the frame sat on a computer desk, accompanying a bright white computer case that seemed to dance with different colors coming from the inside, facing towards the main room on the north wall.
As he stepped into the apartment further, he noticed she had a twin sized black bunk bed with matching scarlet sheets on each bed. She giggled at Light as he appreciated the aesthetic of the apartment. "Cool, right? Home is where the heart is, this is my happy place. Wanna see something neat!?" Before he could respond, Maddy folded the bottom bed of the bunk up and pulled her painting easel out with a small bench and began unfolding it. "When I don't have guests over I like to paint."
Light smiled as his eyes drifted to a multitude of photos amongst the posters. Many of them were her and Julie when Maddy was a child. "Whoa, how long have you known Julie?"
Maddy smiled nostalgically at the photo in question. "Julie is my aunt. I've known her my whole life. I've always been a rebel, and she's always been on my side. Even when my folks weren't. I got into some trouble when I was younger and got myself kicked out of my parents home… Julie took me in." She cleared her throat when her eyes drifted back to Light who seemed distraught at the revelation. "No sad stuff today! So, you and Beyond? Anything I should know about?"
Tucking his hands into his pockets Light sighed at the prospect. "He's a really nice guy. Almost too nice… you know?" Maddy giggled slightly and nodded her head. "But, I can't help but feel like there will always be a chasm between us… It's not like I've known him for very long, but, there's a sense of weirdness between us." Maddy cocked her head to the side and raised her eyebrows in inquisition. "I'm over my late fiancé. In a wild sort of way, I'm not sure I ever actually truly loved him. But, I don't think he is. I get it, L was his brother." Light sighed as he shifted his weight to one hip and scratched the back of his head. "Between the frequent nightmares and a caring but distant smile from Beyond… It feels like I'm being haunted. Doesn't help that they do look similar."
Taking the information in, Maddy smirked. "One thing's for sure then. You definitely have a type."
Looking down to his shoes, Light groaned. "Aside from looks, they're polar opposites. And even then, L was, well… L, the type of kid I probably would have bullied in school."
Stifling a laugh, Maddy slipped her shoes and coat on. "I knew I liked you. You're honest. Keep that, it's a rare trait, even if your honesty causes confusion, don't ever lose that transparency." Grabbing her keys from the kitchen counter. "Maybe you feel conflicted because you did love L, but not in the way he needed to be loved. And, maybe, L loved you too, but also not the way you needed. Makes for great friends, but usually ends horribly for couples."
They both chuckled, Light stepped out of the apartment and Maddy locked it behind them.
Stretching his arms and legs out, Beyond breathed in a deep yawn. The raven groggily opened his eyes when his arm found no one next to him, despite searching fruitlessly. Glancing sanguine eyes over to the side of the bed that Light was on, his gaze only landed on his own hand, which he closed into a gentle fist. Huffing slightly from his nose he reluctantly sat up and shielded his eyes from the light from the open window.
Setting his feet onto the floor, Beyond groaned as he lifted his cellphone while glancing at the childhood picture of him and Nate. "Riiight. I have to make that appointment." Beyond lifted his phone, chuckling at Julia's confused text message response.
The phone rang a couple of times before a voice picked up. "Jamenson Law Firm."
Beyond clenched the cellphone between his shoulder and ear while pulling the deed of the home out of the folder that he had originally made to give to Light. "Yeah, uh, I want to transfer an inherited deed to a family member."
Clicking of keys from a keyboard was heard as the voice deadpanned. "You'll need to make an appointment, our first available appointment isn't until January 22nd."
Rolling his eyes and tightening his jaw in mild frustration at the perceived rudeness. "Okay, that's a month from now, isn't there anything sooner?"
"No." The voice responded flatly. "The holidays are usually a very busy time of the year. I'm setting your appointment for the only opening we have that day at ten in the morning, if you don't want that one you'll be waiting until February."
Pinching the bridge of his nose in irritation, Beyond shifted the call to speakerphone and opened his calendar on his phone, while looking it over he grumbled. "Fuck, I can't that day, I have a client."
"Next available is February 5th."
"Jesus Christ!" Rolling his neck to release the building tension. "Alright, fine, fuck it. What time?"
"Four in the afternoon."
"Sure. Fine. I need an appointment, Beyond Birthday."
More loud keystrokes were heard before she sighed and responded. "Confirmed. Please arrive fifteen minutes before your appointment time for paperwork."
The phone disconnected as the door cracked open to reveal Light's smiling face which subconsciously tugged at the sides of Beyond's own lips. "Hey, I'm going to hang out with Maddy." Beyond dismissively waved him off, hiding a small smirk, while rubbing his forehead in vexation of the call.
Light gave Maddy the thumbs up as he closed the door and walked down the hallway side by side with her, chatting happily.
Maddy sat wide eyed across from Light in a warm toned coffee shop as snow angrily swirled against the window. "Wait. Wait. Seriously!? You were going to marry the guy and you'd never slept together? What if… like… he was…. You know…" She held up her thumb and index finger to indicate a small size.
Light puffed his cheeks out to stifle the throat consuming laughter. "Well, that uh, wasn't the case. I'd accidentally walked in on him in the bathroom when he was taking a long time after his shower, I had just assumed he was out of the room."
Maddy adjusted her beanie hat and folded her arms. "Okay, but you'd like, done other things, right?"
Light stared solemnly into his coffee lid. "Yeah. So about that…"
"Oh my fucking god! He was a prude!?" Maddy shouted as she slammed her hands onto the table. Light darted his eyes around the cafe at other now interested patrons while shushing her in embarrassment. Folding her arms and tilting her nose into the air while crossing her legs. "That's awful. We need to get you laid."
Light chuckled while blushing slightly. "I mean, I've had sex in the past, it was just something L wanted to wait for. And…" Light's voice caught in his throat, provoking a curious stare from Maddy. "I… think I actually really like Beyond, and I feel like if I ran off to sate some more primal urges, it would ruin any slim chance I might have with him."
Raising her eyebrows in surprise as her mouth dropped slightly, leaving it ajar. "You actually like that crabby asshole? Like for real?" Removing her hat and placing her hands on Light's that were tenderly wrapped around his drink. "Baby. You're a solid 10. Could have you a rich, sexy, successful man, what do you want with that shitshow? I love him, but he doesn't have a lot going for him, and, girl, you're my friend now too, I'm trying to set you up to get you some, not be a poor man's wife."
Light's face flushed brightened. "Well. He's really kind and… I haven't gotten a lot of that from my life. I…" Quiet tears welled up in his golden eyes. "When he looks at me, it's consuming. It feels like he actually cares how I'm feeling, or my opinion."
Maddy bit her lip and pulled her hands back. "Yuck. A personality." She cocked a coy smirk at Light which made him chuckle and nod while wiping his eyes. She sighed heavily. "Okay. What you're saying is you want the nice guy." She rolled her eyes and muttered. "Damn shame." She tapped out a tune on the table with her index fingers. "'Kay. So, set you up with tall, dark and broody. I think we're in need of some retail therapy and some drinks! We can formulate a plot to lock down Moody!"
Light opened his mouth to speak as his phone rang. "Ah, it's my sister."
Maddy raised an eyebrow, "Is she as cute as you?" Crinkling his nose in mild disgust, Light lifted the phone to talk to Sayu as he wiggled his ring finger on his left hand. Maddy slumped in her chair and blew her hair from her eyes in disappointment.
"Sayu, I'm fine… I am! I'm not cooped up in the house! I'm out getting coffee with a friend, we're planning on going shopping!" The brunette rolled his eyes at Maddy's snicker. "What do you mean prove it!?" Maddy snorted out a laugh as his video call started ringing. Light mouthed that he was sorry to Maddy and she happily waved her hand in front of her face, dismissing the apology.
The screen connected with the video call and Sayu narrowed her eyes at Light. "Okay. I see that you're out, but I see no friend! Onii, if you're lying to me I'm calling the doctor and getting you antipsychotics!"
Maddy laughed out loud as she held her stomach, "Oh, I like her!" Light glared at Sayu's image and leaned in while shifting his chair over to get Maddy into the frame.
Sayu blinked a couple of times, taking in the blue hair, tattoos and leather coat. "Sayu, this is Maddy. Maddy, this is my uptight sister."
The tattooed woman smirked at Light. "I see! So, good looks definitely runs in the family!"
Light blushed brightly at this comment. "Stop it!"
Sayu narrowed her eyes at Maddy. "How'd you meet? I can't imagine anyone wilder knowing my brother of all people." Light shot Maddy a panicked glance, causing the latter to nod knowingly. "I'm a photographer, tattoo artist and hairstylist. Look at him, he's beautiful, the type that's in a magazine! Took one look at him and knew he needed a makeover, great bones, deep eyes, he was going to be a star! But, slowly got to know him and realized, he rocks his own style so we became friends! I like to keep grounded people around me to keep me from making bad decisions, and he could use a little spice in his life! The yin to my yang! I'm glad to have him back amongst the living. So, obviously, I had to hang out with him as soon as I could!"
Maddy set an uneasy glance on Light who seemed to freeze under the pressure. Sayu chirped happily. "Well, thank you for getting him out of the house! I don't want him sitting there being all sad by himself."
Smiling brightly, she gave the phone a thumbs up. "No moping while I'm around!"
Sayu smiled sincerely while setting her hand over her chest. "Thank you, Maddy!" Maddy scratched the back of her head while giving a thumbs up and a wide smile. "Okay. I was just making sure you weren't lying to me! I worry about you, Light!" Sayu waved and blew a kiss before disconnecting the call.
Sitting back in her chair, Maddy inspected her nails while chuckling under her breath. "Now I get it. Let me take a stab at this mess. Your last was a dickhead behind closed doors but had a good boy appearance. So, now, we're worried about how the sister will see the actual nice guy who has a hardass appearance. Am I up to speed? Hiding secret crushes?" Glancing her emerald eyes up to the brunette. "So, you said you hadn't gotten a lot of kindness in your life. I'm guessing there wasn't a lot of freedom either, so, is Beyond what you actually want, or are you just trying to rebel?"
Light dropped his face onto the table. "I don't know. I do really like him. But a lot of my curiosity may stem from a desire to rebel against an oppressive life. I don't know, is it weird that I want to move on so quickly? Should I feel worse about my late fiancé? Am I wrong? Should I slow down? Do I have that luxury?"
Maddy sighed and tossed her now empty cup into the bin. "I think your desire to rebel has a lot to do with it, perhaps even the driving force to get to know him. But, now that you do, you figured out this isn't a tiger in a cage, this is a genuinely nice person who, if I may add, has a heart of gold, despite everything he's been through. That takes grit. I don't know a lot about his past, but I do know, his past is why none of his relationships work. He's like everyone else at the shop. Traumatized." She chuckled as she stretched. "He's kind of a false advertisement. Looks like a monster, has the reputation of one, but is a super chill dude with a bad rap sheet." She smiled at Light who groaned. "Your sister is intense. I need a drink after that, screw shopping." She leaned in and pinched Light's cheek. "And for sure, fuck your ex. If you're over him, you're over him. Don't dwell on it, focus on what you actually want. One step and desire at a time. You don't have to have it all mapped out, bud, let's go get fucked up!"
A loud thud and snickers were heard from the hallway. Beyond cracked the door open to look at who the offending party was, only to drop his shoulders slightly and sigh at the two outside the door. "Get in here! Don't wake Julia up! Where have you two been all day?"
Maddy drunkenly put her hand on Beyond's face while shushing him. "Are you making dinner?"
Beyond's right eyebrow twitched slightly in irritation. "It's not for you!"
Maddy clumsily put her hand over her own mouth while squealing. "See! He's even over here cooking for you! Tell me you're in love without telling me you're in love. When's the last time you cooked anything other than instant foods?"
"Go home and sleep it off, Maddog." Beyond grumbled as he shuffled her out of the apartment's door. Turning to Light he sighed out. "Please tell me you're not trashed." Light snickered quietly and shook his head causing Beyond to sigh and hand him a bowl of rice and cheesy chicken. "Eat that, you'll feel better, there's more if you're still hungry."
Clumsily, Light shuffled over and sat next to Beyond who had turned the television on and silently ate his dinner. "Are you mad at me?"
Knitting his eyebrows he shifted a glance at Light. "What possible reason would I have to be mad? Did you have fun today? I can see how your night ended, what else did you two get into?"
Light blushed deeply thinking about Maddy's words while he set the bowl on the table. "Uh. Coffee. My sister called, we talked to her for a bit, decided she was intense and went to the bar."
Setting his empty bowl on the table, Beyond leaned back on his elbows, leaving his feet on the floor. "Yeah? Sounds like you had a good time. I had at least a somewhat productive day. I scheduled the deed transfer, so, there's that. In the meantime, we'll have to look at getting you a place to live." Ruby eyes widened when Light made smooth swift movements to perch himself on the raven's hips. "Uhh." Beyond swallowed coarsely as Light leaned in closer to his head.
Quietly Light whispered sensually, as he slowly leaned in further closer to Beyond. "I can't stay with you?"
"Uh, um, oh shit." Nervously laughing, the raven held his ground without yanking away. "I see, so you're a lusty drunk."
"I'm not drunk!" The brunette protested.
Beyond smirked and tucked some stray hair behind Light's ear. "Look, I don't know why you'd want to stay here, and I'm not going to press for an answer. I really don't mind, but you don't have to go this far. You're welcome to stay without any kind of transaction. Also, you reek of alcohol. If we were going to do anything, I'd much prefer it to be a sober affair."
Feeling his courage retreat into his throat and chest, Light could feel his voice catch before stammering out. "Why?"
Rolling his sanguine eyes, Beyond smirked as he twisted his body and pinned Light to the bed. "Well, first of all, you're my friend. If you want to crash here for a while, I don't have a problem with it. Beats living alone. So, if it's a fear of being alone, you know, the reason you want to stay, I get it. I understand. But, I don't want you to push yourself to feel something for someone you just met to secure a living place."
Shifting his stare away from Beyond, Light sighed sorrowfully. "I wish it was as simple as a manipulation tactic. I… there's a lot going on behind the scenes, behind my conscious thoughts, I feel starved and without getting into a long discussion, for the second time today, of why me and my late fiancé were never intimate…" Light hesitated when he watched Beyond's eyebrow raise.
"Wait… You're serious." Frowning slightly, Beyond flopped next to Light and sighed. "Damn. You're not like… you know." Light busted out laughing and shook his head childishly in a drunken stupor. Beyond nodded slowly and lost in thought. "That… somehow makes it worse." The raven snapped loudly. "I got it!"
Light startled slightly at the loud snap and fluttered his eyes in confusion as Beyond stood up quickly and took his shirt off. "Um. What?"
Beyond glanced down to the floor while biting his bottom lip. "I'm not sure I myself am ready for any of that. But, if you're feeling affection starved, I can at least… Maybe substitute it?" Laughing quietly while ruffling his hair. "You gonna make me take it off you?"
Blushing brightly, Light scrambled to remove his own shirt. "I don't think I understand?"
Beyond tossed the remote at Light as he kicked his pants off. "Pick something that you like watching. I don't care if you've seen it a hundred times and can't get sick of it."
Speechless while watching the other undress and then pull shorts up. Light searched for an old Japanese cartoon then chuckled when another pair of shorts smacked him in the face. Changing into the shorts, Light snickered at Beyond who fell back onto the bed, only to gasp as he was pulled into a tight hug.
The foreign cartoon played quietly in the background. Light felt his eyes get heavy as he was wrapped in a warm embrace with featherlight kisses on his shoulder. Light faced towards the television, tears welled in his eyes as the arm that was laid on top of him, squeezed him softly. "What is this?"
The raven whispered in Light's ear. "Intimacy, dear. Look, I haven't known you very long, but I know this. I like you a lot, and I don't want to screw it up by moving too fast. Maybe we could lay here in comfort for a while."
