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When you got the call from your dear friend L that he needed help for a case, you were on the plane the very next morning to Japan. You read the limited case files sent over to you as L wanted to keep more important information at headquarters and only headquarters for the sake of confidentiality. You got enough of the picture to realize how rough this case was going to be. No wonder L asked for you.
You had doubts it was about your skills more than your relationship. However, there wasn't much time to think. Watari was waiting for you once you arrived and drove you, informing you of more information on the way over. He was more aware than anyone how L seemed to treat you differently than others.
When you walked through the door, you observed your surroundings immediately. Men dressed in suits speaking and looking through papers, a large portion of a wall covered in screens, and a familiar hunched figure watching them. L was quick to get up, looking at you for a while. Once he realized the men in the room were waiting for an explanation, he finally spoke. "They are a new member of the investigation, by my request. Someone I've known for a long time."
That's how he described you. Not even as a friend. Would that be better? You emptied that thought from your head and gave a friendly wave to the group. "These are the Japanese police who are helping with the investigation, and Light Yagami. He's helping, though I'm suspicious he is in fact Kira." L continued. You weren't sure why L would keep a suspect around, but you trusted him to know what he was doing.
"Oh, come on, Ryuzaki. Are you still going on about that theory?" The boy named Light asked, though, he was smiling and his tone wasn't upset. It almost seemed like a joke to him.
"Well, it's nice to meet you all." You said, unsure if there was much more to add. Names traveled around the room and you quickly caught onto the dynamics. Though having a suspect involved in the investigation seemed weird, you felt it weirder calling L his alias. You'd done it before sure, but it was always unusual to you, calling L a name so unfamiliar.
As the first few days passed, things seemed focused entirely on the one goal. Catching Kira. It should be that way of course, but you were hoping to hear more from L than, "Look over these files, please," "Do you notice a connection here?" Or other long rants about the investigation.
But one day, L decided you could do more. It was true you had more skills than just pattern recognition. "Undercover? You want them to go undercover at the Yotsuba group?" Matsuda asked. You stood a few feet from L's chair, considering the plan and the risks associated with it.
"That's correct. It's one of their best skills. I trust them implicitly to gather the information we require. It's the reason I requested their assistance." L explained, unaware the affect that had on your thoughts and mindset. So that's it, just for your skills. Nothing else. Perhaps you were a fool to wish otherwise. This is L, after all.
"I'll do it, Ryuzaki. I'm not worried about getting caught." You cut in, you're eyes on the floor instead of meeting L's. L wasn't one to miss that, though he didn't mention it. He merely nodded and sent you off with Watari to prepare. Some of your teammates seemed skeptical, Light even seemed opposed. They doubted your skills, at least L did not.
You managed to get a job at the business and quickly worked to gather information. Everything seemed clean though, aside from the regular corporate "crime", there wasn't anything useful. Not yet.
Every day, you returned to headquarters, tireder and tireder as each day ended. L noticed this of course, also, you seemed to be ignoring him. You didn't sit near him, you always made an effort to be near him. That didn't happen anymore.
L wasn't sure what was happening, he was having a hard time focusing on the evidence, on thinking clearly. One late night, he went to see Watari, seeking advice. "Watari." The older man looked up as L spoke, pulling himself away from the monitors.
"Yes, Ryuzaki?" Watari responded. He did truly care for the person in front of him.
"This investigation is becoming more problematic. It seems lost. I have no leads as of currently and even if I did, I presume I would not be able to follow them. I'm... Not sure what to do next." L admitted, a relatively vulnerable statement from him.
There wasn't an opportunity for response. Matsuda's voice cut through the transponders. "The Yotsuba group is onto them!" He said panicked. No further context was needed. You were in trouble and for some reason, that thought made L's chest felt like stone.
Though his chest felt frozen, he was quick to move. He held his phone to his ear with his thumb and index finger. "You need to get out of there, return to headquarters immediately." That's what he said, what he wanted. He wanted you back where it was safer.
"No." That one word from your mouth made him worry. When had you not listened to him? Never. You always trusted him and he always trusted you. That's how it was supposed to work, that's how it needed to work. "I've got something, I need a bit more time."
Of course, the only reason you'd ignore him was too benefit him. No, it wouldn't benefit him if you were gone, if they caught and killed you. "If they discover you, you're dead. That isn't worth whatever information you might have." He said, managing to keep his calculating tone despite the emotions this situation evoked from him.
"It's my job. My purpose, right?" Once again, with only a few words, you'd caught him of guard with feelings he didn't understand. Did you really think that was your only purpose? The only reason he'd asked you here? It's not like he'd done anything to prove otherwise, so why wouldn't you think that?
"That's not-" He started to reply calmly. However, he heard yelling on your end of the line. "What's that? You're okay, aren't you?" He asked. The yelling only got louder and you didn't reply. The only thing L could do was listen to try and understand the situation. Quiet clinking, then some very quiet echoing.
About a minute passe before you spoke. "I'm fine." You whispered. "I got the USB with the information and had to hide in the air vents. I'm going towards the exit now." A small exhale came from L as he listened. You were okay, at least for now.
He wasn't truly convinced and he didn't stop fidgeting until he saw you walk through the door, still upright. His eyes zeroed in on the cut on your cheek. It wasn't very deep but still left some blood trailing down your cheek. Your hair was messy, your clothes scuffed, and he could see the smoke clinging to all of you.
"What were you thinking? Ignoring me like that? You were in danger." L said as he stood up. "There was a 70% chance of you getting caught." He added on, not stepping closer to you. He wasn't sure what he wanted you to say. Perhaps sorry, or promise you wouldn't do that again. No, of course you didn't do that.
Instead, you simply held up the USB in your hand. "But I got it." That's what you replied. You walked closer with a limp. He watched as every single step made your face tighten, you were wincing. You grabbed his hand, placing the small device in his hand. Then, you turned, and walked away.
It was late when you got back to headquarters which meant L would be up late analyzing everything on the USB. You didn't think much of that though. You were to busy trying to get up the stairs without collapsing. When you got to your room, you hardly made it to the bathroom before not so gracefully sitting down on the floor. Sitting down was generous, falling down would be more accurate.
You landed on your knees, a jolt of pain moving through your injured leg. You didn't have time to focus on that, only on the feeling in your throat. Your hands gripped the toilet seat as your mouth flooded with saliva. Bile rose up your throat and burned your mouth. Tears began to fall down your face as you heaved. Absolutely miserable and overwhelmed.
Hardly able to focus on anything else, you jumped when you felt a hand on your back. Another brushed your hair back. No words were spoken. L merely followed the book, this is what you were supposed to do when someone threw up. Anything off script was uncharted territory. So he didn't speak.
Once you were done, he handed you a glass of water. "Do you feel alright?" He asked, observing the way you took a sip of the cold water and struggled to swallow it.
"I'm fine." A lie, you still looked pale and were shaking. The after effects of your nearly failed mission had your body in a chokehold. L merely looked at you, watching is what he did best. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be looking at the new information? I didn't go through all that for nothing did I?" You continued, feeling too vulnerable to be near him.
"I began to go through the files but had only one thing on my mind." He began, leaning against the wall and shrinking in on himself. "As a detective, I need all of my focus on this case. I need to catch Kira." You just nodded, eyes on the ground. "Do you understand?"
Once again, you nodded. You didn't want to look at him, you still couldn't grasp the situation just yet. "Shall I explain?" When you didn't meet his question with a response, he continued. "As I began reading the first document, something wouldn't leave my mind. You were limping when you got back."
"I wasn't limping," you quickly tried to deflect. Though, the idea of L worrying about you made you feel lighter, as if you were floating on water you previously were drowning in.
"Yes you were, and wincing with every single step. That expression kept flashing in my mind whenever I closed my eyes. I was going to ask Watari to check on you." He paused, finally looking up at you, his tired eyes. "But, when I stood up, I was walking towards your room."
"And now?" You asked, anxiousness creeping into your tone. You didn't want him to leave you now, but it would be wrong to keep him from his work.
"I suppose I have to stay. I know you won't ask for help from anyone even while your in this state. I guess I must ensure you recover okay." He said, watching as your pupils dilated slightly. That meant he said the right thing.
"Firstly, you should change into comfortable clothing." He said, finally walking out of the bathroom and returning a moment later with some other clothes. You watched as he left and shut the door behind him before quickly changing.
When you stepped out, he was sitting at your desk in his notorious position, thumb pressed to his lip. "Now what, genius?" You asked, taking a seat on the edge of your bed.
"Genius?" He asked, seemingly contemplating the word. "Yes, I suppose I am." He said as he stood up. "My reasoning leads me to think the next step is for you to rest." He stated, standing near your bed, not moving to approach.
"Rest... Right, sleeping." L immediately caught onto your tone.
"Is that an issue?" He asked. "If so, I know some methods that can help you fall asleep. Music can be a great tool, maybe a slice of cake-"
"Could you just stay?" You asked, cutting him off. That question made him pause for a moment.
"I thought we already determined I would stay. You're too stubborn to be left alone." He said, his head tilting to the side a little bit.
Your face dusted with blush as you looked at the floor. "I meant, stay closer." You explained, gently patting the bed beside you.
He stood still for a while. "Physical contact can drastically improve the quality of ones sleep." His thumb landed on his lip once more. "If it benefits your rest, then I don't mind." He decided.
As you lay down, he sat down beside you on the bed. His back was to the headboard and he still sat in his usual position. You weren't surprised that he wasn't used to this and just decided not to point out how creepy this might look from an outside view.
You merely shut your eyes and tried to calm down. After a minute or two, you felt a hand run through your hair. You glanced up at him. L had moved closer and froze as he saw you open your eyes. "I heard this helps some people relax. Should I stop?" He inquired.
"No, no, it feels nice, actually." You replied, enjoying the sensation as L continued to play with your hair. Once you shut your eyes again, you were able to fall asleep quickly.
When sunlight hit your face and you awoke, L was still by your side. He was awake and you wondered if he'd slept at all. "Did you rest well?" You nodded in response and the corner of his mouth twitched up. "I slept well too." He said.
"You slept?" You asked, mostly surprised. "Hardly looks like it." You added, noting his regular eye bags.
"More than usual." He responded with a shrug. "Which is some." He said, making you sigh. He seemed to move a little closer to you, his hand moved until his fingers rested over yours.
"Perhaps I should make you stay with me every night then." You suggested. L perked up immediately.
"Sleep is very important to human function, if both of us can do so better with each other, it seems beneficial." He replied, always calculating.
"What if it was more than that? What if I enjoy your presence and want you near?" You pressed, watching his expression shift slightly before returning to normal.
He didn't say anything but that day, as he worked on the investigation, he required your chair to be beside his. He asked that you hold his hand, claiming it helped his deductive reasoning. You weren't sure if that was true or an excuse but you didn't mind and obliged anyways.
When night came, he stayed with you again, and again, and again, and every night that followed. And he only wanted you closer and closer to him from then on. Maybe he just couldn't let you go now.