Work Text:
The house smelled like cake when L walked through the front door.
This was not necessarily unusual, but it was welcome, nonetheless. The whole house was bathed in warmth from the oven that must have been on for a while now. Which means that whatever was baking is likely almost finished. Perfect.
Everything seemed relatively unchanged. Well, that was not true- it looked tidier in here than L is used to. He is not very good at keeping his space clean, it did him little good to worry about such things when there was already so much occupying his mind. But his long-term house mate would adamantly disagree and begin to lecture him on ‘the effects of a messy environment on one’s mental and physical health,’ etcetera. L would simply nod and continue to not pick up the various things that were strewn along the floor, which had the desired effect of annoying the other more and prolong the lecturing. Which was L’s intent all along, as he found the behavior quite charming.
He'd been away for about three days, a long time for him. The times that he had to leave- it was never that he wanted to, (he never would want to)- he would try to arrive back by the next day. The same day, if he could manage it. Sometimes he could, a task that seemed unfathomable in his old life, so far away now. But the slower pace of his current work situation made for an easier work-life balance, something that he never really cared about before.
His shoes were the first thing to come off- he flopped each one in a pile onto the floor right next to the neatly organized collection of shoes lined up near the front door. None of which were his, like he had any need for more than one pair. He noticed that a speck of mud had landed on the carpeted floor right next to his shoe pile. Hmm, he may be facing another lecture sooner than he anticipated.
Walking into the small kitchenette, he leaned against a portion of wall that was unoccupied- a neutral beige color to the specifications of his house mate. His head lightly tapped the wall as he leaned further, intently staring at the figure that was currently facing away from him, attention on the countertop he was leaning over. The younger man was tall, slender, and currently wearing a white apron that was tied around his back, hugging his waist in a way that L was finding it hard to focus on anything else. The man was wearing a thick red headband that L could see over the top of his head, likely to keep the auburn hair away from his face. It had grown longer over the years, though not as long as L’s own black hair, which he often tied back into a ponytail when he was working.
For several moments, L said nothing and simply admired the creature in front of him. His movements were precise and graceful as he mixed what looked like cake batter in a large bowl, not a single drop escaping. He knew L was home, and that he was currently staring at him up and down, but he continued give the impression of paying him no mind, choosing to focus on his baking tasks. L may have once found this unsettling- he should always be the center of attention for his house mate. But he knew better now, knew there was not a moment where L did not consistently occupy the brilliant mind in front of him.
“I’m home, Light-kun. What are you making?”
The mixing stopped. His head slightly turned over his shoulder, and L caught a glimpse of a narrowed brown eye before Light turned forward again. “You’re late,” he said, voice clipped and stern, sounding displeased. He went back to mixing the contents of the bowl, movements a bit rougher, though barely noticeable.
It’s true that L was late arriving home- he had told Light that he would not be gone longer than two nights, and it had been three. Honestly, almost four, but L would not stand to be away for any longer. One reason being that Light would become agitated whenever he was away, simmering in silence until he decided that L was forgiven. It was worse when L arrived later than anticipated.
“I know, I apologize. There were some…complications that arose and I was pulled back in to assist.” He knew that Light understood this happened sometimes- his job was demanding and unpredictable at best, life-threatening at worst. It was just the nature of the beast, and Light knew this better than anyone. But he also, by nature, was a petty creature who was allergic to processing his own emotions and enjoyed having things to blame L for. L believes it is a form of coping but would never voice that thought aloud.
“You could have told me.” His voice was still short, tone guarded. “You have a phone.”
“There were too many members on the team around constantly, it would not have been safe to contact you. I’m sorry I worried you.” His tone was genuinely apologetic, he hated that he could not contact Light this time to give reassurance that he was alright. He slowly began to step forward, bare feet making the floorboards creek underneath. Once he was close enough, he wrapped his arms around the younger man’s waist from behind, laying his chest against Light’s back. He felt Light tense slightly, his hand once again stopped mixing. “For what it’s worth,” L mumbled, his forehead resting on the nape of Light’s neck. “I never stopped thinking about you while I was away. Not once.”
He both heard and felt Light scoff at the admission, although his shoulders dropped as most of the tension ebbed away. L has known this man inside and out for years- there was nowhere Light could hide that L would not be able to see through the walls. He knew Light better than Light knew himself. L had been solving the complicated puzzle that is Light Yagami since the day they met, and even before that.
The man currently making him pastries was spiteful and arrogant and obsessive about the things he wants. He needed to possess, to control and manipulate the world as he saw fit. He deemed himself as above the world while also considering himself an integral part of it. He needed to be important, to feel important. But especially to L…
He smiled fondly at the thought. As if there was anything more important to him than Light Yagami.
But Light would never say any of this out loud, never ask for reassurance even when his very soul was begging for it. L’s monster had complex needs but was too proud to admit it in words. But his actions, so unassuming and calm to others, spoke volumes to L of how needy this creature was.
“You smell like hotel soap.” Light stated firmly, although his tone was less restricted. Good, he seemed to be calming down.
“I accidentally left the soap you picked out for me, it must have fallen out of my luggage.”
Light continued to mix for another minute before setting the bowl down. There was already a cupcake pan on the counter, purple liners covering each space- Light must have prepped the pan before L walked in. He dragged the pan closer to the edge of the counter until it was at an optimal distance for filling with batter. As Light lifted the bowl and carefully poured into each cup, L took notice that the cake batter was red velvet.
“’Fell out.’ Yes, I see, it fell right out of your luggage and into the back of the closet. Very strange.”
L chuckled against Light’s back, a warm feeling spreading through his chest. “Hmm, perhaps I misremembered…” He turned his gaze towards the oven that radiated warmth throughout the cottage. “Is there something baking in there right now?”
Now finished filling the cupcake pan, Light placed the empty bowl in the sink. He would probably demand later that L wash the dishes, but L will simply not do this, and Light will clean them himself while ranting that he ‘fucking does everything around here.’ L is grateful that he and Light do not have children as the emotional trauma they would inflict on any child would be devastating. “I baked a whole cake, but I made too much batter, apparently. So, I made use of the extra.”
As if on cue, the oven dinged. Light leaned back against the man holding him hostage by the waist and pushed his arms down. When he was free, he walked towards the oven and put on mitts from the neighboring counter before opening the large oven door. More warmth flooded the kitchenette, and Light reached in to carefully pull two square pans out before closing the oven. Red velvet layers were then placed on the counter to cool as Light took off the mitts, taking a second to admire his work.
Moving to stand next to his partner, L looked down at the cakes and inhaled deeply. The scent was delicious, evoking a comforting homely feeling that was so out of place considering the home’s residents. Light turned towards the detective slowly, his expression somber. “I needed something to do while you were gone, I was starting to get restless. It’s not like I can go out anywhere when you’re not here.”
L turned towards Light as well and raised a very thin eyebrow. “This was an interesting way to relieve boredom. You won’t see me complaining, however.”
Then he felt Light leaning towards him, resting their foreheads together and sighing deeply. His shoulders were stiff again. “I could have just left, in the time that you were gone. Not even temporarily- I could have just fucking left. You know that, right?” He spoke in a low growl that was likely supposed to be menacing, but just sounded tired and sad. “I probably could have been halfway across the world by now, and you would never know where I went.”
They both knew these were lies. L would always know where Light Yagami was, and if he didn’t, he would destroy everything in his path until Light was found again. The only half-truth that Light voiced was yes, he could likely escape from their small cottage with relative ease and hitchhike his way to the nearest airport or train station. He probably wouldn’t even need money- he could get a free ride anywhere with some choice words and a pretty smile. L was sure of it.
But it was a lie because Light could never leave, and he knew this.
Light had thought differently back when L brought him out here all those years ago, his eyes blindfolded and his limbs bound. When the blindfold was removed, he took in the sight of the small house in front of him, surrounded by trees and covered with leaves and vines. It was small, unassuming and cottagesque, something neither of them would have even considered living before. For a second, he thought that L had taken him out here to execute him after all- however, he dismissed this once remembering that L did not need to take him to the middle of nowhere to do that. So he slowly walked forward and entered the house once his legs were released, and since then, he has never left their new home without L to accompany him.
He convinced himself that it was the threat of being caught- either by L or the police- that made him stay. It was the only rational conclusion; this arrangement was only possible because Light had agreed to remain here. He would avoid execution by being under permanent house arrest (sans wearing an ankle bracelet- L did not think it was necessary).
The few belongings the detective had allowed him to bring were already there, he observed as he walked to the doorway of their shared bedroom. There were two dressers that Light suspected were stocked with various clothes for him (likely atrocious clothes- Light would dispose of them and demand that L purchase new clothing Light picks out himself this time). The bed was king-sized with sheets that looked like Egyptian cotton, a neutral off-white color with huge pillows that looks like they were made of clouds with how fluffy they were. It was adequate.
He felt two slender arms circle his waist, a body pressing against his back. “This is where we’ll live now. I hope it’s to your liking, Light-kun.” The words were whispered against his shirt, and the tone was almost neutral, but Light could hear a tinge of…vulnerability? Resignation? He told himself it didn’t matter. “If not, please tell me, I can provide you with anything you need.”
Lies. L was a liar. He couldn’t provide him with what he truly needed, which involved returning to him the murder weapon that was now guarded in a high security facility in an unknown remote location. Or at least that was what he was told, he never knew what the truth was because again, L was a liar.
But he kept silent- at least about the Death Note. For the time being, he put his energy into making demands towards his jailor about their living situation. Because if Light was going to spend the rest of his lost-potential-of-a-life here, he was going to control everything about it that he could. In the first six months of those arrangement, L not only bought Light a whole wardrobe of new clothes, but new furniture, kitchenware, and hundreds of dollars worth of skincare and various other self-care products.
To his annoyance, Light had not heard a single word of objection either- to L, money was no object, and he seemed to value Lights personal comfort enough to indulge him. His efforts winded down once Light realized the detective would continue to remain frustratingly unbothered.
He thought the threat of execution or life in prison was the deterrent to escape, or at least the main one. It couldn’t be anything else because why would he willingly put himself here? Playing housewife with this absolute nightmare of a man? Not just that, but an absolute nightmare that knew everything about him, what he’s done and planned to do? To be known by another to that degree is dangerous, foolish, weak. All the things Light would never be.
But it had been years since he was taken to his cozy, quaint prison with his captor as a bedmate. And now…
Light was met with large black eyes he has permanently burned into his memory years ago. Those eyes were observing his own, as they always were every moment they were together, with a softness that caught Light off guard. Then, he pulled his head away from Light’s to have a better look at his face, scanning up and down. Light could swear L could see directly inside his brain and extract each thought from every synapse he had.
L then approached him slowly, raising his arm as he did, and cupped Light left cheek with his hand. The touch was cool against his face, flushed warm from baking all day. L was always cool to Light (maybe he was iron deficient, Light never thought to ask). His eyes never left Light’s, still boring into him with softness and something else that was hard to name. It looked like how someone would while comforting a frightened animal, wide black eyes shining…
“I know you could,” L whispered. He saw Light’s eyes widen at the contact, just slightly, clearly not expecting it. But after the shock wore off, L could see the tension slowly melt away from his face, his slight scowl lifting. He felt the smallest amount of pressure on his palm as Light leaned into the touch, his expression morphing into what L could only describe as adoration. With an undercurrent of pain as a result.
“That’s what we’re meant to do: you run, and I chase you to the ends of the earth…”
L then began to stroke Light’s cheekbone with the pad of his thumb. Yes, he knew Light could leave, however…
For several seconds, L saw Lights eyes beginning to close as he leaned further into the touch, looking content. Then, in realization, he jerked his head to the side away from L’s hand, his expression turning furious and…defeated.
“Your hands smell terrible, go wash them before you touch anything else. They always have cheap shitty soap at those hotels.”
L chuckles softly, pulling back and sticking both hands in his pants pockets. He had stayed at a five-star suite for the past three nights and knew that the soap smelled very pleasant. But he walked towards the kitchen sink and washed his hands anyway, indulging the monster in his house that was currently lifting the cupcake pan gently and sliding it into the now open oven. Shutting the heavy door, he took off the oven mitts once again and said with his back turned away, “these shouldn’t take as long, about half an hour. We should be able to ice the layers once they’re done.”
“That sounds perfect, thank you.” Then, walking towards Light’s side, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Light’s cheek softly, the same one he has held before. It was little more than a peck- L was already pulling away by the time Light had comprehended what he’d done. Once he realized, Light turned his head towards his lifelong captor, a strange expression on his face. His eyes stared intensely at the now smiling man at his side.
Then, Light took him by the front of his shirt and crushed their lips together. It was hungry and furious, L being pushed backwards against the nearby counter as Light shoved his tongue into his mouth. He had gasped in response, but quickly recovered before grasping the back of Light’s head and pulling him closer, fingers weaving through smooth brown hair that was starting to show specks of gray.
He had missed Light so much, missed being with him like this. Three days was complete torture, and by the time he was boarding the small plane back to their cottage, his body was trembling like he was in withdrawal. Maybe he was.
Speaking of the extended time away…
He had to make several attempts to separate his mouth from Light enough to speak. Admittedly, he was not trying very hard, being easily drawn back in when he would lean back only to have Light pull him closer. He eventually managed a strangled, “I was called…to look into another suspected murder…during my time away. That’s why…I was late.”
Light pulled away to meet his eyes. He was panting heavily, and his mouth was redder. “I see. How interesting.”
“Yes, very…” he idly played with Light’s hair as he caught his breath. “It was curious to me how convenient the timing and location of the murder was. I was all set to come home ahead of schedule, too. So, as you can imagine, the sudden change of plans was rather annoying.”
He caught a flash of something on Lights face that could have been something but could have just as likely been nothing.
“The victim had died alone in his home, no evidence of foul play, but what was causing the local authorities in Berlin suspicion was the odd behavior before he had died. His wife had reported that for several hour before the time of death, the victim was,” he looked around the kitchenette pointedly, “insistent on baking a cake that day.” He then gave Light a smile that was almost giddy. “Very strange, isn’t it?”
Light smiled back, and ignoring the question asked, “what happened next?”
“Well, it was just enough to pique my interest. What was strange to me was how adamant the wife had said he was about this cake, he wanted it to be perfect. He chose his wife’s favorite- red velvet.” His smile widened. “According to his wife, he had never baked a day in his life. So not only was it very out of character, but the cake turned out awful. A shame, really. But it also seemingly had nothing to do with his death- he was found dead with empty bottles of alcohol and benzodiazepines and cause of death was ruled to be an overdose. It appeared to be suicide. But as you know, Light-kun, I am a naturally suspicious person and know from experience that things are not always so straightforward.”
An amused chuckle from Light. Of course he knew.
“But the most confounding detail,” L continued, his voice hushed like he was telling a secret, “was the cake itself. Or rather, what was written on it.” His black eyes were shining. “In red icing was a large heart that circled the words ‘Wish You Were Here.’ No one had any ideas as to why the victim had written this. No context made sense. And there was the start of a name, believed to be his wife’s, but there was only the first letter of her name that was finished before the icing path shook to an end. Presumably this is where the victim lost the ability to hold the icing tube steadily. And you know what the wife’s name started with, Light-kun?”
The detective was now smiling wider, to the point where he looked quite deranged. Lights pupils dilated and he swallowed at the sight. He looked almost feral.
“In the end, though, nothing was conclusive, and the death was ruled as suicide. No signs of foul play or indication of murder. It seems that there was nothing left to do, at least for myself. Even stranger to me was how all of the other suspected murders that pulled me away from my main investigation in the past- it’s happened a total of 14 times over the years of living in this cottage, Light-kun. But every single one had ultimately ruled out homicide, at least officially.”
The detective then leaned his forehead against Light’s, both were damp with sweat. “But let’s say all these instances were murder, Light-kun. Whoever committed these crimes, assuming they are the same entity, has been quite unlucky. Or…” His voice dropped an octave. “Maybe they did not want my attention towards just any murderer. Maybe they wanted me all to themselves.”
L suddenly found himself manhandled through the small kitchen towards the nearby couch (which had cost a fortune, exactly to Light’s specifications). He was thrown down against the soft cushions, with the younger man pining him down and attacking L’s mouth with his own. L had gasped both in surprise and delight, almost giggling by the time Light had him underneath his lithe body. Light’s hands were everywhere- it was suffocating, like L was drowning in the most exhilarating way possible.
When Light wanted something, especially L, he was absolutely ravenous. He was so controlled in every other way, so precise and thought every move through, it was hard to tell if he was even human and not some god among men. But L knew that Light not only was human, but painfully so- Light was emotional and intense and cruel and he wanted so fiercely it would terrify anyone else. As he felt Light’s tongue shove into his mouth, L felt that he was being devoured by a monster. A beautiful one. His monster.
Light pulled away enough to growl into L’s mouth, their breaths intertwining. “Very interesting theory, detective…” He began to trail bites and kisses down L’s throat, and L felt that he was being both worshipped and eaten alive. “But tell me, L, what would you do if you had actually caught this hypothetical murderer?” He mumbled against L’s collarbone before biting down hard enough to leave teeth marks. “I know you’re prone to cruel and unusual punishment- would you lock them away with us too?” He was trying to restrain it, but L could feel the disgust and fury in his voice. There was something else there too that threatened to show itself behind the anger, and L knew then what was happening here.
Gasping and moaning low in his throat at Light’s touches, he gripped Light’s hair with his right hand and gently pulled. “I have caught many murderers, Light. None of them were like you and none ever will be.” He leaned forward, speaking softly into Light’s hair. “No one as brilliant, as ruthless, as perfect as you will ever cross my path.”
L felt a heavy sigh against his collarbone, unsteady and accompanied by a shiver. He continued, knowing his words were having an effect. “Do you know what I think when I solve any case now? When I learn who the culprit is, see the heinous things they have done? I despise them, Light, but not because of their crimes.” His grip tightened on Light’s hair. Light had paused his ministrations, listening. “Because of how pathetic they are,” L continued, “how they could ever possibly consider themselves brilliant or unique or enthralling enough to keep me the way you do. As if they could ever measure up when I have already found perfection. It’s insulting.”
He felt the figure above him shaking, breathing labored but differently so. L couldn’t help feeling like one might when apologizing for infidelity. His other hand trailed down Light’s back, beginning to untie the apron that Light was still somehow wearing.
And then the oven dings.
Light groans into his collarbone, annoyed. “Fuck…hang on, don’t move.” He lifted himself up to his feet, making his way towards the oven. L decided to do as he was told, staring at Light’s form as he walked away. His waistline was showing a bit more thickness in his older age, but his body was still fit and lithe. L looked him up and down, swallowing. Beautiful monster.
He heard the soft clamoring as Light took the cupcake pan out of the oven and onto the countertop to cool. Then turning towards L, he discarded the apron and hung it onto the designated hook on the wall. The oven was turned off and Light then left to walk back to the couch, “They’ll be cooling for a bit,” he said, trying to keep his tone neutral. “You’re helping me put icing on everything, I baked all day. Just make sure not to get any fucking hair in the icing.”
Light then placed himself back into his original position of straddling over the detective. He then told hold of the aforementioned hair, tied back and disheveled from their earlier groping session, and lightly pulled. “But we have time before they’re cool enough.” His hunger from earlier was still in his eyes, but less intense, pressing his lips into Ls with reverence. His tongue was now gentle and caressed L’s own in a slower pace than before. L hopes that means his lateness is forgiven and his reassurance worked, grasping Light’s face in between his palms and pulling him closer.
L knew that Light was by most definitions his prisoner, but particularly during these moments, they were really each others’s prisoner with no chance of letting the other get away.
He still did not know where Light was obtaining access to the Death Note, or if he was behind the suspected murders at all. He could have someone else writing names for him- L knows that Kira has a handful of loyal cult followers that he has no doubt Light could easily manipulate. Or maybe it actually was the work of some omnipotent god, determined to drive them both to the point of paranoia and tension (although, he was not sure if the hypothetical god knew that the tension was mostly sexual). Or perhaps they were insane coincidences, and Light Yagami had dug himself so far into L’s psyche that he was making connections out of thin air. Any excuse to have Light occupy his thoughts in every way possible…
God, he’d missed Light so much. He had wished that he was here too. A couple of monsters sharing a den together where no one could find them.
It was when Light began to move further down his body that he decided he would not mind being eaten by a monster as long as it was this one.
-
Later that night, both Light and L were lying in their expensive bed with their bodies curled up together, both cake and cupcakes thoroughly slathered with white cheesecake icing. They were going to try their homecooked pastries tomorrow, as per Light’s demands when he reminded L of the fruit salad they were going to share when L returned- it was especially important now as the fruit would not be good for much longer. L had begrudgingly agreed to this after swearing to hold Light to his promise.
It was only when the two men were exhausted and minutes away from sleep that Light had informed L about the batter and icing he’d planned to use being 100% sugar-free. It was what the doctor (who was paid handsomely to do home visits in secret) told L to do for his health. They were getting older, after all. Light had said this with a very polite smile that did not match the sadistic pleasure in his eyes.
L was sure he never thought of Light or Kira as truly evil until then.