Death Note Fan Fiction ❯ True Affection ❯ A Memory ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

A/N: I had no idea this story was so 'fluffy' lol Thank you all for your input.

True Affection

Chapter 6

Once inside headquarters, Misa was openly greeted by the remaining task-force members.

They presented her with a small round of applause for her safety and return; some appearing more wistful than others.

Despite the animosity she felt earlier because none of them bothered to show up for her while she was in prison, Misa accepted their encouragement with perfectly gleeful smiles.

She explained everything she knew of to the best of her knowledge to all of them: all of Light's doings, his dreams, his wishes, their wishes, and her unquestionable faithful loyalty to Kira and the man she loved.

Yet, while she exposed the most secretive of information, she withheld the most personal for later.

She just knew L was going to ask her again, so she had already prepared for that.

Honestly, she would have much preferred spending some time alone with L instead of everyone else.

To talk.

At least.

Yet, as the minutes passed, Misa found herself comforted by the others' companionship.

The majority of them, minus the eccentric detective himself, talked of the positives to capturing Kira as opposed to someone they thought they could trust had betrayed them.

As for the 'eccentric detective himself', L hardly spoke at all; giving minimal personal input betwixt the others' words.

He sat perched in the same chair he always sat in, watching the monitors before him with an empty curiousness; popping sweets into his mouth.

Occasionally, Misa's eyes would slither over to his slouched form and slightly widen in bewildered cuteness.

He seemed so distant, so bemused, and yet perplexed by something she didn't see. Or perhaps, by something she couldn't see.

It almost seemed like he was waiting for something; a certain moment.

Misa fidgeted in her seat in thought. The air about him was so mysterious, it effortlessly led her to empathy as a hint of thinning patience brushed over her features.

But what could he be waiting for?

Aimlessly, her eyes trailed down over the silver cuff of the harness that connected the both of them.

Was he waiting to take them off? Or...

A sudden string of girlish nonsense ran through her mind and she blushed.

'Pervert' she thought playfully. She had really only called him that to tease him. She didn't believe L was really that way. Especially not towards her.

But she didn't know the detective that well. Especially since most of her focus had been on Light.

She had known him for years, but all he did was manipulate her...

But the more she thought of him, the more angry she became with herself for being so foolish. For being so easily ensnared by his dashing features and suave poise.

Those bright brown eyes; so deep, enigmatic and welcoming, cleverly belying a callous cruelty.

His lips; the sweetest she had ever discovered; dizzying her with delectable fabrication being whispered into her ears, softening the reality of their dagger-tipped truths.

The soft downy brown locks of his that she had grown to love, were never actually hers to love.

Soon, Misa began to loathe Light. But the one she started to dislike the most at the moment, was no one but herself.

Without thinking, or acknowledging her surroundings, Misa brought her hands to her pained face and wept quietly. She didn't want to bother herself with those thoughts anymore, she knew at some point they would return. Regurgitated like bile.

L had noticed the petite girl's sorrow brewing long before he felt the small tug from the chain when she began to spill that sorrow.

His eyes were keenly fixed on her now, but he had been aware of her actions the entire time from out the corner of his eye.

Yet, he still pretended to watch the monitors as if nothing had happened.

Not to be cruel or ill-hearted, but to give Misa some time to herself.

To unbind her realizations and allow them to pool within her hands and seep through as tepid tears.

Tears of freedom.

Not expecting such a display from the girl, the task-force exchanged uneasy glances at each other from the girl's sudden discomfort.

“Misa, are you alright?” Matsuda asked, concerned.

“Does she look alright?!” Aizawa quipped back, pushing himself up from his seat. “That's it. I'm outta here. We shouldn't have come back anyway. I should have known this would have happened.”

“Don't say things like that, Aizawa!” Matsuda retorted in a tone that almost seemed not too far from a whine. “We all agreed to be here for Misa-Misa. She's our friend, isn't she?”

Instead of answering directly, Aizawa sighed placed a tired hand to his forehead. Lazily, his eyes roamed over Matsuda's distressed boyish expression before lingering on the crying blonde in front of him.

Turning, he began to look in L's direction but suddenly stopped when he found the detective standing directly behind him.

“Whoa!”

“I think you all should go.” L stated placidly; one hand stuffed into his pocket while the other held a teacup, in which he took a sip from.

His eyes didn't waver and his expression didn't change as while watched the others.

After a few awkward murmurs, the older males agreed it would be best to leave.

One by one, as they passed by Misa, they each gave her their condolences with either encouraging words, a pat on the shoulder or both.

“Merry Christmas Eve” Matsuda whispered, smiling gently to the girl, while he rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Misa refused to look him in the eyes and only nodded.

Matsuda nodded back, tho he was a bit surprised she didn't attempt to at least look up at him. Or at any of them.

Yet, he obeyed her silent wish and removed his hand. Silently, he turned and met his unsteady eyes with L.

An unhesitating look lingered in L's eyes as he sought the other's gaze.

His disheveled hair covered part of one of his eyes, giving him a rather calm and all-knowing look.

“Merry X-Mas Eve, Matsuda.” L confirmed firmly, hinting towards the detective to take his prompt leave, and took another casual sip of his tea.

Taking a deep breath, Matsuda gave L one last look that read something L never expected to see from the young male.

'You'd better not hurt her.'

Without wasting another minute, Matsuda finally exited out of the room, passing Watari who gave a small bow at his leave.

Left alone from the others, L drank the rest of his tea and sat the cup down on the small coffee table close to Misa.

“Watari, if you please...” the lithe man spoke, causing the chain of the handcuffs to drag against the floor as the space between L and Misa narrowed and he perched himself onto a chair.

And his elder fully understood the hint. With a light bow, Watari locked the doors the other task-force members had left out of and then took his own leave to his quarters.

Once the two of them were finally alone, L looked over to the blonde. His dark eyes searched her form for any hint of ease.

Her long golden tresses remained draped in front of her and scattered behind her like a forked path in a road.

No sound could be heard from her except the gentle breath of her calming respiratory flow and the occasional sniffle.

L continued to watch her for a few more seconds. The thought of touching her to comfort her crossed his mind but his attention fluttered elsewhere in the room.

But, he soon felt himself drawn back to her and eyed her wordlessly.

There was certainly something about this girl he couldn't escape from no matter how many times he had devised a plan to in his mind.

He had constantly refused the thought of falling for her, yet while he was openly aware that his actions deemed otherwise.

He'd be lying if he thought he could separate from this girl and remove her from his life without at least knowing what it felt like to run his fingers through her silky hair. Or to encourage soft feathery gasps from her tender lips while he suckled teasingly at her neck; loving the velvety feel of her hair cascading around him.

The last thought caused his expression to mellow. Intrigued, he brought the pad of his thumb to his mouth and watched Misa thoughtfully.

A light sniffle escaped her and her fingers curled loosely about her face.

L never thought he'd ever see her this way. Leaning closer, his body began to move on its own and a hand reached out towards her.

But suddenly, he stopped.

Instead of continuing to show affection, L turned away from her and allowed his eyes to travel lazily over towards the terminal screens.

“You can stop pretending to still be crying, Misa ” he informed plainly, “There is no one else in this room but the two of us.”

Another sniffle was her reply as she, again to his knowledge, slipped him a quick studying glance.

“Really?” she uttered unsurely, still not removing her hands.

L sighed and softly nibbled on his thumb a bit before standing. “That is what I said.”

Misa let out a large whoosh of relief and sprung up from her chair as if she had been in cheery spirits the whole day.

“FINALLY! Misa thought they'd never leave!” she chirped with a stretch, then her eyes widened as a thought hit her and she gasped. “How did YOU know I was faking it?!”

To this, he shrugged. “You were too easy to read. Your cover was too flimsy.”

Misa puffed her cheeks. 'Whaaaaat?! That performance was flawless! Hmph!”

“Towards most men, I'm sure it would have been. As a matter of fact, you did have the others fooled.”

At this, Misa smiled boastfully. “I know! But! Misa wasn't faking the ENTIRE thing, you know!. Just most of it...”

“I was aware.”

“Were not!!! Misa caught you looking at her, wanting to make her feel better!” she cried, giving the chain a pull to help her out of her chair. L watched her from a profile as she spoke every next word with a forward pull on the chain as she neared closer to him.

“And! Misa! Caught! Ryuzaki! Giving! Her! Naughtypervertedlooks!” she exclaimed altogether, now standing directly at his side.

Feigning surprise, L slowly turned and gazed at her, taking mental note of how glossed her lips appeared and how the color of them brought out the slight tinges of pink that lingered about her cheeks.

“Well?!” Misa continued. “Nothing to say? See! Misa was right, wasn't she?!”

“I'm... a pervert?”

“Yes you are! Tell Misa she was right!!”

L chuckled a bit. “Perhaps. But, unlike certain blonde actresses I know of, I am not afraid to speak my thoughts or emotions. I don't have to pretend I'm in pain to have my way.”

“But Misa TOLD you she wasn't faking the whole thing! Misa WAS upset when she started crying!”

“Then why fake any of it?”

“Because...” Misa trailed off, looking elsewhere.

She frowned.

Why was Ryuzaki being so difficult? Couldn't he see the reason why? It was standing right in front of him! She just wanted to be alone with him.

“Hey, Ryuzaki...” she uttered suddenly, her tone taking on a more mature and distant timbre.

“Yes?” he asked thoughtfully.

Her lucid eyes narrowed as she gathered her thoughts. Slowly, her brown eyes trailed over to meet with his.

His body tensed for a moment, but it was unnoticed by her. Or so she let it seem.

“...What were you thinking about earlier?”

“When”

“When everyone else on the team was here. You seemed like you were lost in thought somewhere.”

Curious, his eyes studied hers for sincerity.

He felt that the answer was obvious. Too obvious, in his opinion. When he sat in front of those screens, while his gaze hadn't been directly on her, she could still be seen.

Not only with his eyes, but within his thoughts.

He had been looking at her room on one of the many monitors set up.

Her and Light's room. Wondering how she would deal with the current happenings and how she would live her new life free of Light's deceptive persuasion.

He had also wondered if there was a chance for the red-stained ribbon wrapped tightly around her heart and her remembrances of Light to someday soon be unraveled.

By him.

He didn't want to make a move too quickly unless she welcomed the opportunity.

But L knew all too well that despite the fact that she may had been only faking part of her sadness, the part that still ached would continue to do so for a while.

And if it were at all possible, he'd remain by her side until its sting quelled.

“Ryuzaki? Are you going to answer Misa?”

L said nothing for a moment, but his eyes ghosted over hers, and traveled lower past her mouth and settled on a spot on her neck.

Her eyes widened a bit when she realized the spot where his attention was drawn to and clasped a hand over it.

One of the fresher bruises was more visible through her makeup.

“It's...” she began, turning away from him and peering downward, “it's still healing. All of them are.”

“What about Misa?” L asked in a sonorous tone that Misa almost took for alluring, but she instead just took his caring words to heart.

“Misa is... she's...” she trailed off. The familiar burn of tears nipped at the backs of her eyes again.

Yet this time she had no idea why.

Of why this man bothered to care for her. Out of all the other women in the world and in his life that he's interacted with, why her?

The thought worried her. But she had no reason to worry.

She had Ryuzaki with her.

No, not Ryuzaki...

“...I'm healing too, Lawliet.” she announced in a softened tone, facing him once more.

His body reacted to the name, but his unborn words remained silent against his tongue.

When he gave no comment, she continued on.

“And I know it's been a really really short time, but I find myself feeling much happier and better because of you. I know, it probably sounds like I'm just saying that because I just found out Light really was just using me and I loyally followed alongside him without a second thought and you just happened to be there.

“But that's not what I'm not saying at all. You've been there from the start. And you never left. You were always there for me. For me. Not him, you!” she added, her voice beginning to raise a little.

Crystalline droplets formed at her eyes, kissing the tops of her cheeks with their bittersweet warmth.

Her lips quivered and she bit them to steady herself, but didn't bother to stop her hands from balling into taut fists.

“You...You weren't even my boyfriend and you cared more for me than he did! Oh...Ryuzaki, I...I... I'm sorry to have dragged you through this!” she shouted, throwing herself against his chest and clutching at his shirt.

“There's no need to apologize....” he comforted gently, lacing an arm around her and placing a hand atop her head.

His actions surprised even himself, but they felt too natural to be taken back now.

Everything was too late to be taken back at this point.

“Misa...” he whispered, peering down at her.

“Ryuzaki...” she murmured in a sorrowful tone.

But ironically, she was happy. She was in the arms of the man that cared for her the most.

With all her heart she hoped she would have the chance to seem Rem again to prove to her that L wasn't as bad as she had thought him to be. And to prove just how happy she really was.

Rem.

Misa never spoke about it, but she missed her partner.

An honest sniffle passed and Misa felt the air around her face start to lighten.

Her tear-stained cheeks became sprinkled with a coolness of the room as her face was tilted towards L's.

With a finger slipped under her chin, L's thumb traced an invisible line across her bottom lip.

Misa eyed him expectantly. Her heart did back-flips in joy of the moment.

Was he really going to...?

A glorious smile graced Misa's lips and she closed her eyes.

Her heavy tears pooled at her lashes, slightly lingering before gliding down her face.

As L beheld the breathtaking sight that was Misa Amane, his body tensed and suddenly felt extremely heavy like that of a stone.

He was hesitating.

But Misa was still clasped within the moment and began to stand on her tip-toes while her lips neared his.

If he kissed her now, there was no telling where the situation would lead, nor where he'd end it.

His mind reeled back to the previous night, how she almost kissed him then. How he almost kissed her...

She had gone through a traumatizing experience. Perhaps she was confused, desperate or just fatigued.

And for the sake of his will-power, he prayed for the latter to be truth.

Panicking a bit, L placed his thumb to her lips. “You're tired. You should go to bed, Misa...” he suggested barely above a whisper.

Misa clutched his shirt even tighter. “Only if you come to bed with me.” she murmured back.

He swallowed. He never thought the day would arrive when Misa took HIM by surprise.

Becoming coy towards her response, L slid his hand away from under her chin and lightly cupped her cheek. He could feel his tenacity to repel her charms weakening rapidly by the second.

“I... I meant that in the literal sense, Misa.”

“So did I...” she breathed, her lips brushing against his chin.

“I haven't slept in...”

“Then I'll make sure you do. Both of us.” she cooed, lightly sweeping her parted lips over his.

A quick gasp left him and L jumped slightly, causing Misa to snicker sweetly.

But that snicker soon melted into a gasp when she felt the full impact of her words, and the intensity they carried, bloom against her body.

Surprised, Misa pulled back a little and glanced down before returning her dubious eyes to him.

Apparently nervous, and struggling to control a faintly spreading blush, L stared right back at her.

“...I've stated before that I am only a quarter Japanese... ...” he uttered unsurely, not knowing if that was a good or bad thing to her.

A flicker of enticement flashed over Misa's features. But instead of it fueling her need to continue to claim his lips, she loosened her grip on his clothing and took a step back.

“S...sorry! Misa got too carried away. She shouldn't rush anything.” Misa confessed apologetically, her face turning a bright red.

Embarrassed, she turned away from him and rubbed an arm.

“Ryuzaki was right, Misa is tired. So tired...that she almost forced herself on you.”

Bewildered, L stared at her with utter disbelief written all over his features.

What was going on?

“Misa?”

“It's ok! Just let Misa rest. Misa would like to lay down in Ryuzaki's bed.” she stated, her tone teetering on the edge of instability.

She had only mentioned his bed out of refusal to go back into the room she and Light shared.

Especially not this soon.

She would need a little more time to get over that piece of work.

Cautiously, she led her hands behind her back and turned in a small circle to face him.

A soft cute smile touched her lips.

“What does Ryuzaki think about Misa being in his bed?”

L paused and gave a blank stare that most likely was the substitute for a blink.

“Cobwebs.”

Misa blanched and her eyes grew twice their normal size. “WHAT?!!!”

“Cobwebs. You know, the webs that spiders spin in a place that hasn't been used in an awful long...”

“I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS!! Have you been SPYING on Light and me?! You can't fool me, I know you have infa-red lights set up in our room!! That's why we... We---!”

Despite the odd air of the circumstances, a tiny smirk accentuated L's placid features.

“Not you, Misa. I meant that there are cobwebs in my room, I haven't used it very much. Calm down.”

To spite him, she puffed out her cheeks and stuck out her tongue.

And L couldn't help but laugh.

“I never watched the two of you alone whenever you went into his room, Misa.”

A sharp gasp shot from Misa and she threw her hands over her mouth in shock.

“But, I did have the audio on so...”

“PERVERT!!! I don't believe YOU!!” she shouted, picking up whatever that was nearby that she could get her hands on: sofa pillows, ink pens, even a scrunchie from her own hair, and flailing them at him.

Still laughing, he held up an arm to block them. “You have nothing to be so upset over, Misa. Your relationship was so one-sided, there wouldn't be much of a show to watch, anyway.” he teased.

He'd never invade her privacy like that. He did have some morals.

“RYUUUZAAKIIIIII!!! I'M SO GONNA KILL YOU!!” she bellowed, launching herself at L and sending them both back against the computer terminals.

“Misa!!” L called, an odd expression of amusement on his face as he sought the cute anger fuming from hers.

Honestly, she could have attempted to smoother him right now, and he wouldn't have minded. Too much. He could always stop her, but he wondered if he'd ever get an opportunity like this again.

With a growl, Misa threw mock slaps to his chest.

“You're so rotten!!! I should have written your name down in that notebook when I had the---!” she stopped abruptly and inhaled sharply at her next thought.

Her death note!

Where was it?

Hurriedly, she scrambled off of him and ran to her overcoat.

Still leaning back against the panels, L turned his head towards the wild girl and slid his hands back into his pockets.

She nearly tore the coat to shreds, she started shaking it out so roughly.

“Where is it? Where is it?! I thought for sure I left it in here!!”

“You did leave it there...” L responded evenly, pushing himself up from the panels with his elbows.

Hunching over in habit, he stepped over to her.

Locks of blonde hair whisked over her shoulder and cascaded down her back with a quick turn of her head. She glared at him. “Then why can't I find it?!”

“Because I took it out.”

“And where is it now, Mr Thief?” she demanded, standing directly in front of him, nose high in the air.

Enthralled by this little playful spat, L leaned down to meet her height and touched his forehead to hers.

“Someplace you've never been to yet.”

“Oh yeah? Where?!” she challenged back.

He smirked. “My bed.”

She blushed. “Your bed? Why would it be there?”

“For safekeeping.” he returned, gradually moving away from her. “Besides, I knew you'd end up in it sooner or later. Not to sound forward, or anything” he mumbled quickly.

With that, he turned on his heels and began walking towards his quarters.

Before long, the chain of the handcuffs began to pull Misa along with him.

She flushed. “ Wh-wh-what?! Wait! Cocky, aren't you??!” she shouted back.

“Not at all.” he responded, glancing over his shoulder at her. “You were the one who said you wanted to rest there in the first place, right? It would almost seem like you knew exactly where the notebook was without realizing.”

“Oh enough already!” Misa pouted, following along after him. “You win!! Misa gives up!!”

L clicked his tongue. “You really must stop playing these games when you know you'd lose, Misa.”

“Oh be quiet!!” she urged, and reached out to pinch his arm.

Hard.

“Ow!” L recoiled, “That really hurt, you know! I'm going to get you back for that...”

“Too bad, Ryuzaki sweetie! You'll have to catch Misa first!” she challenged, breaking into a run down the hall.

L could have easily stopped her with one pull of the chain, but seeing Misa so delighted, he allowed himself one more pleasure so she could thoroughly enjoy hers.

Eagerly, he made chase after her.

And as she pleasingly bounded through the building, not one thought of her former pain, bruises or the one that inflicted them upon her dared to cross her mind.

And as long as she was happy, L could live with that.

To be continued!! 1 or 2 more chaps to go!

Sorry if this chap was so bland.

-Mel