Death Note Fan Fiction ❯ A Balm for Social Failure ❯ Maneuvers ( Chapter 10 )

A Balm for Social Failure

(Chapter 10: Maneuvers)
Light x L

L begins to suspect something is missing from his life. He believes the key to be in social interaction - his weak point. At the appearance of the enigma named Light Yagami, he is challenged to rise to the occasion.

Disclaimer: see ch. 1 for full disclaimer

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Chapter 10:


L could not for the life of him determine why he was on the receiving end of such a potent glare from Light's father.

It was not even the equal of what he would have expected after their brief communication on Light's phone the other evening.  If he had to estimate its intensity, he would say it was easily double what it should have been.

L pretended he hadn't noticed the look, or the one from Matsuda for that matter. Instead he ate his toast and jam with the utmost concentration, wishing for the days he could work in peace without having to deal with people at all hours. 

His eyes flicked between the three monitors before him, all running different searches and reports.  To think, he could end all this if he had but one scrap of proof. Then he could lead an envoy to the Yagami household, and rub Yagami-san's face in the fact that his sainted son was the diabolical, purist, ruthless KIRA.

It would be worth it for approximately 15 seconds.

By that time, reactions would have run their full paces, and the greater problem would arise.

Though it would be a boost to the ego to be able to announce this case solved, he didn't favor the course that resolution would follow. Light would be removed - incarcerated or executed - and the cautious probing L did at the future that stretched out after such events made him feel empty to a degree that was quite overwhelming. It was a bleak, dead future. No promise, just a return to the seclusion and hollowness to which he'd previously been accustomed. After this case, he would disappear and become the faceless mind that spoke from behind glowing screens - leading the lesser minds who basked in his shadow. The likelihood that he would ever again be truly challenged, that he would ever find someone who lived and functioned on his level, was slim.

It would be a shock, being tossed back among the empty dolls once more. To never be seen or understood - to be far too advanced for them to even try.

Could he really martyr himself for them? To give up a chance at everything he wanted, merely to save the chaff of their society?

But what of Kira? If Light were indeed him, could L believe what he'd said? That Kira would overlook a dormant threat? Or was it just another pretty thought?

If only I could trust you...

"Ryuuzaki," an impatient voice intruded on his thoughts.

L's typing slowed but did not stop."Yes, Matsuda-san?"

The dark-haired man frowned and puffed out his chest. "You're the reason Light hasn't been by the last several days, aren't you?"

L stopped typing, hands poised over the keys, and peered up at him. "Whatever gave you that idea, Matsuda-san?" He would have much rather responded with, 'Shut up, you're an idiot,' which was an amazingly versatile rejoinder, applicable to nearly everything the man said, but L managed to refrain. That sort of reply only guaranteed a longer interaction.

"He knew you were mad at him last time he was here. Now he probably won't be back for a long time again. Why can't you just be NICE?"

L blinked at the spectacle of a grown man pouting, noting the angry spots of color on his boyish cheeks. "Nice? Have I ever failed to be so, Matsuda-san?" It was utterly ridiculous to even be accused of such a thing. He reigned his true reactions in to the point of pure sainthood. "If I have been rude in some way, I would like to know the specifics so that I can avoid a recurrence in the future."

Matsuda opened and closed his mouth a few times like a fish.

Oops. Was that too far over his head? L tried again. "Light-kun thought I was displeased with him?"

Matsuda nodded avidly, his arms crossing over his chest. It was frightening how simple he was.

"Did he say anything that led you to that conclusion?" L felt rather than saw the elder Yagami's attention suddenly hone in on the exchange. It made the skin between his shoulder blades twitch, but he endured it without giving evidence he'd noticed it.

"He said it was upsetting him, and that he just couldn't concentrate. I could tell he was thinking about it the whole time he was supposed to be helping me."

It was then that the police chief decided to chime in. "Light has been having trouble with concentration on the whole." At this, an icy look towards L. "I believe he's been under too much pressure of late."

L felt his skin bristle. He did not easily tolerate ill-placed accusations."Yagami-san, I understand you feel the investigation is too intense at times, but your implications that I have been pushing Light-kun to devote more resources than he has at his disposal-"

"Let's not play games, Ryuuzaki," Yagami-san cut him off. "You demand far too much and I'll not stand for it." There was a muscle in his squared jaw that was starting to jump. "I have pulled Light off of the investigation."

Matsuda gasped. "What? No! Sir, we need him!"

Yagami silenced him with a quelling glance. "Are we all so inadequate that we need a young man of a mere 18 years of age in order to give us the confidence that we can solve this case?"

"Of course not, Yagami-san," L said blandly. "However, despite his age he has a gift for profiling and is amazingly insightful, thus making him of great value."

The police chief's look darkened. "You'll just have to make do without him." He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "And that goes for your shadowing of him as well. It is unnecessary, and I expect it to stop immediately."

What did happen the other night at the Yagami household? L felt like he was missing vital information. The police chief was overly confrontational, given the situation, and was most certainly not in the position to issue him orders, in any case.

"Need I remind you, Yagami-san, your son is a prime suspect in this investigation, and if I deem it necessary to observe him at school, or anywhere else, you do not have the jurisdiction to prohibit me." Quietly spoken, L's words were still bordered on threatening. He did not like the police chief's manner, nor did he intend to let such insolence slide.

"I have the right to govern my family as I see fit," Yagami-san said, his face darkening. "Keep surveillance if you must, but I forbid you to engage my son further."

L's eyes narrowed. "In what way do you expect me to do so, Yagami-san? As far as I am aware, engaging another person in conversation or chess should not warrant such dramatic airs as this."

Oh my. Purple was not the police chief's color.

Yagami-san leaned towards him, livid, indignant, and utterly beside himself. "I know exactly what happened here the other night and I do not intend to allow it to continue. Light told me everything."

L blinked. Really? That was doubtful. If he had, Yagami-san would be acting a hell of a lot more embarrassed.

L considered the situation carefully. He would definitely have a question or two for the younger Yagami next time he saw him regarding what in the hell he told his father, and why. For the moment though, he would hold his piece. Light may have had a perfectly good reason for handling things the way he had - and once L found out what it was and verified its validity, he would be free to act how he saw fit.

"Um, did something happen?" Matsuda asked tentatively.

"Nothing that can't be remedied," Yagami-san said stolidly.

Ok, now this was just getting irritating. Was it really his duty to cover for Light, at his own expense? Why should he look out for the other boy when it was obvious the brunette had had no qualms about casting him in a bad light? "You know, Yagami-san, this is getting rather tiresome, and is not at all conducive to our work. I suggest you attempt a more courteous manner if you wish to continue your stay here this evening. Otherwise, I'm sure a few recuperative hours at your home might serve you well."

He'd meant to drag out of the older man whatever was peeving him, to cease the animosity, or at least clarify things a bit, but he found that the words just wouldn't come. It was pathetic, but something in him balked at exposing the truth until he got the full story from Light. Gods, was he already this loyal?? And for what? How could loyalty precede trust?

The police chief's jaw locked, and he nodded curtly. "Very well. I'll be going home to spend some time with my family." He said it quite protectively, 'my family,' and L got the inkling that a substantial amount of that protectiveness was reserved for his son.

He gathered his things, draped his jacket over his arm, gave a pleasant farewell to the remaining task force members and let himself out.

As the hotel room door closed, Matsuda looked at L and said, "What just happened?"

"It is over your head, Matsuda-san," L said amicably, to lighten the blow.

"Oh," Matsuda replied, as if L had actually answered the question satisfactorily, turning to stare at the door once more

---

"Watari?" L called over the small intercom in the monitor room. They had it connected so that L could communicate with the older man when he was out via a tiny speaker and earphone setup that was not obvious to the casual observer.

Crackle. fzzzz. "Yes, L?"

"Do you..." L paused. "That is, can you obtain for me the cell phone number of Light Yagami?"

The voice on the other end was strangely silent. L punched a few buttons as he said, "Watari, are you there?" The system was known to be slightly buggy at times. It was something on his list of things to do, but he'd never felt motivated to pursue it - the connection  was serviceable enough most days.

"Yes, sir, I am here."
.
"Would you mind getting me that number?" He could do it himself, but why waste time obtaining it through unorthodox methods when Watari might have it on hand? L liked to be efficient. Especially when it spared him needless effort.

"Sir... in deference to the police chief's wish for anonymity, I'm afraid I cannot."

What? Even the concept of his trusted assistant denying him in the same breath as someone else's name was unthinkable. "Watari, are you refusing my request?"

"It does appear that way, sir."

L blinked, and when he next spoke, his voice was utterly devoid of the easy manner he typically used. That either Yagami had infiltrated so far as this... "Then you owe it to me to explain yourself in a more holistic fashion, I should think." His voice booked no argument. "What is the real reason?"

"Upon speaking with Yagami-san earlier... I must say that I am rather taken aback at the events he has alluded to."

 

So, the police chief was counting on Watari's position and age to reign in L's behavior, to keep him from doing whatever it was he was so against? That Watari would hold enough of the place of caretaker or parental surrogate that L would oblige him like a scolded child? Yagami-san misunderstood much about their relationship if he thought that. It was equally ridiculous of him to assume L let anyone hold sway over him like that. Though, 3 minutes ago he would have been 90% sure that Watari would never have attempted to parody such a thing, and here he was the closest to parental disapproval L had ever witnessed.

"You don't say." L rubbed his temples. He didn't truly wish to berate Watari, though the impulse was there. He decided to revert back to his usual manner, erring on the side of lenience. "It seems he may be under the impression that I have more than a professional relationship with his son." Watari may feel he had a good reason for all of this and L had typically trusted his judgment. Perhaps there was more information to ferret out here.

"That would be putting it lightly, sir." Watari paused. "I cannot say that I approve... Though I understand you are rather - attached - to the young man." Watari paused again awkwardly. "Perhaps it is best to give him more space at this time, and not pursue him to such an extent."

As realization dawned on him, L started to laugh. Slow, halting at first, but gaining in strength. Light, oh, Light, you really are a tricky little bastard. Grudging admiration battled indignation. It was clear to him now how Light would have handled the displeasure and disillusionment of his father - he had played to the misconception his father had come to be under that L was the one making the advances. It fit so perfectly. Light could disavow almost all responsibility while claiming the role of victim, and at the same time, he could maneuver himself into a more favorable position to repair and solidify his standing as the perfect son.

 

It was a little surprising the brunette was willing to take such a hit to his pride, but apparently he felt it the necessary strategic move. The perfect and most logical move for Light to take - made all the more annoying because it had involved one of those ambiguous LIES that the brunette was so fond of, and L was the one innocently bearing the heat for it.

"Sir, are you alright?"

L ignored the question and issued one of his own. "Watari, why did you allow Light Yagami into the suite the other night when I expressly directed you not to?" It was time to whip out that little bit of insubordination, and stamp out future instances right here and now. He needed control in his own domain at least.

"..." There was a guilty silence.

"Watari, I will not ask you again," L said authoritatively, displeasure seeping into the words. He rarely took such a high stance with the other man, but apparently his equanimity had a few drawbacks.

"It was an error of judgment, sir. It was apparent to me that your moods of late had been caused by a desire to be friends with Yagami-kun, and that your avoidance of the issue would not solve it. I thought that the feeling may have been more than that, but I never would have guessed that you would... make such advances on a boy that is almost a minor."

"I see," he said as if the shape of the thing were making itself know in that instant. "That scenario really would be cause for parental concern." He let his voice flatten once more.  "However, it is wholly inaccurate." 

"Sir?" He rarely heard the older man sound as bewildered as did now.

"Surely you have seen through Yagami-kun's spun-sugar performance on more than one occasion?"

"...Yes."

"Then you won't be surprised to hear that the situation that was recounted to Yagami-san was done so in the reverse, with the utmost skill to be sure."

"Are you saying-"

"What I am saying, Watari," L said blandly, "is should Yagami-kun have wished it, you provided him ample opportunity to strangle me in the bath. As it was, there were other things on his mind, but I assure you that any advances that were made were not my own."

"But... you were in the study..." Watari said faintly.

"Had I known to expect company," L said imperiously, "I would have reconsidered the urge to bathe."

"I... ah..." came the stumbling response. "Do you still want that number, sir?" Watari offered placatingly.

"I most certainly do."

 

---

 

'Control in his domain' having been accomplished, L set out to reestablish 'Control over his personal life'.

 

He dialed the scribbled number he'd wrested from Watari, then fidgeted in his chair.

 

Odds were Light still retained possession of his cell phone, despite the possibility his father was prohibiting more than just the investigation. If not, and someone other than Light answered, he could hang up before speaking if and there would be zero percent setback. His own line was untraceable, after all.

There, a slight click and a pause.

 

L was sure now that it was Light, but he still had to let the other speak first to confirm it. "Who is this?" the voice politely inquired. Cautious. Never letting his 'good boy' act slip for a moment. Even to an unknown caller.

 

"Yagami-kun?" L said patronizingly. He had to start this out right to gain the upper hand.

He heard the faint sound of breath on the other side of  the line before an answer. "Ryuuzaki?"

"Yes," L paused but no other responses from Light were forthcoming. "I see you have decided on a rather interesting tactic for dealing with your father..."

He heard Light sigh in annoyance. "It was necessary."

L caught himself just as he started to empathize. Light's expressed distaste at the action he felt compelled to take, or any regret he may have had over the matter, did nothing to erase it or the effect it had. Actions spoke louder than words and Light had stepped over a few boundaries, despite his proclamations of trustworthiness.

 

"I don't enjoy being made into the villain, Yagami," L said warningly.

"How did you get this number?"

"Watari. Don't balk the issue."

"..." It was a calculating silence. An expectant pause. It exuded arrogance in a way that was all but infuriating.

 

"Do you have any idea how annoying it is to have your father all but accusing me of besmirching your honor in front of the task force??"

"Is it really as bad as all of that?" Light asked as if it mattered not a whit.

"Yes," L said adamantly. "I will not be blamed for the very thing I was subjected to!" Temper, L, temper.

Light's voice changed, deepening slightly. "And what was it you were subjected to, Ryuuzaki?"

"You know very well-" L felt a flush creeping into his cheeks even as his hand clenched around the phone hard enough to make the plastic protest.

A smile was in Light's smooth voice, "No, I can't seem to recall... perhaps you should refresh my memory..."

"I despise you," L spat.

"Say it like you mean it, Ryuu," Light purred.

L swallowed the reaction he had to that. "Are you trying to be difficult on purpose, or does it just come naturally?"

"Hmmm, that is a tricky question, isn't it?"

"Even more difficult than that is trying to determine why I bothered to call you."

"You thought you would be able to soothe your irritation by putting me in my place, no doubt."

 

"Nothing about you is soothing, and it would take a stronger stomach than mine and a ball gag to put you in your place."

 

Light laughed softly in amusement. "I'd love to know what sort of place you have in mind, Ryuuzaki."

 

It was amazing how suggestive his voice could be when not really saying anything at all. L was taken with the urge to bludgeon the brunette until he no longer generated sex appeal. Which was probably a doomed exercise to begin with. "You-"

 

"Shhhh," Light said almost inaudibly, but sharply. There was a noise on the other end of the line that sounded like knocking. L frowned and was silent.

 

---

 

Light put the cell phone speaker down on the bed. "Yes," he called out.

 

Someone tried the handle. Of course, it was locked.

 

"Light," his father's voice, "who are you talking to? Open this door."  Father? Light glanced at the clock. But but was early yet for him to be home... if he had known, he would have kept his voice lowered even further to allow for potential eavesdropping.

 

Light retrieved the phone, turning it up so that L could clearly hear him say, "Of course, father, just a moment." Then he cut the power off and tossed it under the edge of a pillow.

 

He opened the door and looked to his father expectantly. "Ah, they let you come home early tonight?"

 

His father cut to the chase. "Who were you talking to just now?"

 

"I was talking to someone?" Maybe he should reconsider his aversion to outright lying. It would certainly be more helpful than evasion in instances such as this. His father's eyes had narrowed. He looked to be in a foul mood. "Perhaps you heard me studying for my English exam?" Light suggested as his father pushed past him into his room.

 

"Where is your cell phone?" Yagami-san demanded.

 

Light moved into the room slowly, as if unconcerned. Shit. His father had to have heard something to be on this like a bloodhound. "Oh, where did I put it?" he wondered aloud and started rummaging through his desk and school bag.

 

His father was sharper than Light gave him credit. He went straight to the bed, flipped back the comforter and then the pillows, discovering the slim cell in moments.

 

Dammit.

 

Light's father proceeded to flip it open and thumb a few keys.

 

"What are you doing?" Light choked back the outrage and forced his voice to comply to the fields of 'polite' and 'inquiring'. He hated having his things pawed through. The number L had called him from was unlisted, but -

 

"Who was this unlisted number?"

 

Telemarketer. "Oh, that was just -"

 

Yagami-san finished pressing another few buttons and added, "That you were on the line with for over 10 minutes?"

 

Shit. Telemarketer was no good-

 

"It was L, wasn't it?" his father said accusingly, looking up at last to meet him square in the eye. His expression was set, possessing not even a flicker of doubt.

 

Lie, dammit. "What makes you think that?" Fuck. He was going to have to work on that. "Besides, I have never given out this number to anyone in the investigation, least of all L." 

 

"I see I was wrong to allow you even this much freedom." Yagami senior snapped the phone shut and held it in a tight hand. "I should have known L would simply seek you out in other ways, and yet you cover up for him and enable this to continue." His father's eyes were dark with disapproval. "I'm greatly disappointed in you, son."

 

"But I haven't done anything-"

 

"I've told him he is disallowed any contact with you and that he can no longer use the investigation as an excuse to get close, nor is he to pursue you at school. I see the gravity with which he took my warning. It has been less than 2 hours since."  

 

"But father, if I am a suspect, it isn't likely he would heed-"

 

"It's a bogus charge to begin with, and we all know it."

 

False indeed. At least one layer of wool was still over his father's keen eyes.

 

"L may well try to approach you at your school. Do not initiate or return any contact with him whatsoever, or I cannot be held responsible."

 

"Father, are you threatening me?" Light made his voice meek and disbelieving. The disbelief was not feigned.

 

"You can take it that way if you choose. But I'll not stand by and watch my only son get treated like a plaything by someone older, cannier, and with no morals to speak of."

 

"How do you know what morals he has?" Light snapped out. God, listening to this was just irritating. He couldn't bear it any longer. "How well do you truly know him? Have you even once spoken to him about something other than the case?"

 

"A few rounds of chess and a hasty romp make you an expert then?"

 

It was extraordinarily hard not to explode right then. "Did it ever cross your mind that we've talked, or do you think so low of me that I would be swayed by so little?"

 

"I don't know what to think, except that I hardly even know you anymore."

 

Light's hands balled into fists. "If you've finished with me, I would like to go to bed," he ground out. Some days it was tempting, oh so tempting to entertain the thought of writing his father's name down in the notebook. He hadn't been this incensed in ages.

 

"Very well." Yagami-san walked several paces to the door. "I'll be keeping this for the time being," he said, and pocketed the phone. "And when you are not at school, you are to come straight home. I will check with your mother to make sure this is observed in my absence."

 

He closed the door behind him and Light had to fight the howl of rage that was welling up from deep inside of him. It was outrageous to be treated this way. The god of the new world, grounded like a common child!

 

Light relocked his door and bent to the special desk drawer that housed the death note. He pulled out the slim leather volume and ran his hand over the pleasing black surface. If he was to suffer, there were those that could be made to suffer as well... only his wrath was entirely more deadly than his father's. 

---

TBC