Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Light Yagami is an exceptional kid. That is what he’s been told by everyone ever since he started school so figured he has to stay exceptional. Even when he was first born, he had the light brown hair which stuck out in the line up of his family, everyone else had dark brown hair. He’s excelled in his classes, he’s seen as attractive, he is liked by teachers and fellow students alike, he’s destined to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a detective like him. 

Light Yagami had his whole life planned it seemed. He didn’t socialize with people that often if he had anything to say about it, he just put on whatever mask that person liked the most so he was in their good graces. It’s pretty easy to get on people’s good sides if you act how they want you to. Light has learned that from his life. The world’s just a stage and you’re the actor that has to put on an act that will please the most people. Just remember your lines. It never bothered Light, he assumed that was what everyone felt like. 

Today was going to be another boring and probably uneventful day for our aforementioned, Light Yagami. Getting through the classes without falling asleep out of boredom, daydreaming but still being able to answer the teacher’s questions easily, exchanging pleasantries with people he didn’t care about in the slightest, then going to study group, home, study some more, and go to sleep. Rinse and repeat. Light understood that tons of people probably would like to have Light’s life so he always felt guilty when he was dissatisfied with it… 

Nonetheless, it was another day and it was shaping out to be as boring as usual. Math was boring, English was boring, AP Psych was boring as well, if not slightly less boring. For some reason Light’s teachers would always pick him to answer the questions, maybe because they knew he’d answer correctly, maybe it was because everyone stopped caring at a certain point… Some people even had out phones and some nintendos, nobody cared, they knew the teacher would just ask Light to answer or some other smart kid. None of the teachers actually gave a shit. 

Light made his way to his fourth class of the day, the one right before lunch, history. History was by far Light’s least favorite class- gym was a close second though, History was just the most boring class and gym was annoying because he never enjoyed the labor of it all, it was also his last class so he’d have to walk home sweaty. So, Light had to sit through History and then he would get the short reprieve from these nothing teachers that taught nothing classes. And that’s what he was planning to do… Until Light heard the teacher say something before class started, “Today we have a new student! He was previously homeschooled before this! Please be kind to him!” The teacher explained in her overly cheery (Light thought) tone as she gestured for the transfer student to come in. 

Light could not believe what he saw. The guy walked in, hunched over, somehow allowed to have no shoes on, and he was dressed in the least formal manner anyone could be, just in a white long-sleeved shirt and some baggy faded denim jeans… There wasn’t a specific uniform or anything but most people had the decency to dress nicely for school. The guy also was as pale as a ghost, his hair was messy and completely black, his big eyes matched his hair in the way they resembled voids, the dark circles under his eyes were apparent as well, and he looked like he was observing everything and everyone. It was mildly unnerving to Light. Light wouldn’t be surprised if that guy didn’t shower with how… frankly- gross he looked. The teacher seemed to be waiting for the guy to introduce himself and after a few moments of silence she seemed to realize he wasn’t planning on it. Light could hear whispers from the students around him about the new guy in the silence, about how he wasn’t wearing shoes, his attire, his face, his expression, and just his whole vibe… It was understandable.

“Please introduce yourself to the class!” The teacher said more bluntly to the guy since he obviously wasn’t going to on his own accord. The guy’s expression was so hard to read, Light couldn’t tell what he was thinking at all but he had a constant bored yet calm- no, it’s more accurately described as an unbothered look. “Hey. My name is L.” The guy named L said in a weird monotone that matched his emotionless face well enough. Who the hell names their kid a single letter? Were his parents idiots? Light thought to himself as he looked at the new student. It honestly disgusted Light, the way the new guy looked so utterly abnormal, his unnatural posture, his unkempt appearance, the no shoes- god that was really gross… The teacher seemed like she was looking for somewhere to sit L which made Light immediately act like the clouds outside the windows were the most interesting thing ever. He was one of the few people who did have an empty seat beside him, he lied at the beginning of the year and said he wanted it so he could focus on his school work since several people asked to sit next to him and him telling them that he just wanted to be “studious” instead of the truth that he really didn’t want to sit with anybody worked better. He definitely didn’t want this (freak) new guy sitting with him.

Once his teacher surveyed the room she eventually did exactly what Light did not want her to do. “You can go sit by Light Yagami! Light, please raise your hand so L can sit with you!” The teacher said warmly toward Light as he gave a plastic friendly smile while he raised his hand and pulled his bookbag off the seat next to him since he’d need to sit with someone now… L looked in his direction and leisurely made his way over to Light, his posture was absolutely horrible, Light noted absentmindedly. L sat down in the seat in an odd way as well, his legs drawn up with his knees against his chest, Light realized that L didn’t look like he had much of anything in his bag. Light could still hear people around them whispering, he strained his ears to listen to what exactly they were saying. 

“Why the hell is he not wearing shoes?” 

“That’s nasty, man…”

A group of guys had vocalized to themselves, whispering while they snickered.

“Girl. He looks so weird…”

“Yeah, what’s up with that outfit?”

A few girls now were whispering, confused but laughing softly amongst themselves.

“He looks like a raccoon!”

A girl in front of the other two turned in her seat and whispered quietly with a cheeky giggle, the other girls joining in with quiet and secretive giggling.

Light couldn't deny that all of their comments were completely understandable, L seemed like a… interesting guy to say the least of what Light was actually thinking. L seemed to completely cast aside any social norms, or he might just not care about them. Both would make sense, Light didn’t know much about this L guy but he was trying to become a detective and he took psychology classes so he could make pretty logical assessments of people. Light didn’t really care about the new student apart from being disturbed from his oddities. The teacher quickly made the class be quiet so Light went back to looking out of the window and went back to thinking.

—

Call Light delusional but he was 95% sure that L stared at him for most of history class. Light had no idea why and he didn’t really want to learn why. The bell finally rang and that signaled it was time for lunch and that meant Light would get some well needed alone time, he elegantly packed up his stuff and made his way into the halls. Light slipped his earbuds in and pressed play, listening to the music that flooded into his ears as he sauntered through the halls. He was making his way to his spot for lunch, he went down the stairs, took a left, took a right when he hit the gym, and then exited the door leading outside to the tree he’d sit under. There was a teacher that had their classroom right by this door so he’d let Light in when lunch was over so it was pretty great. It also worked well to hide his smoking habit, there was no cameras pointed back there

Light walked over to the tree and sat down underneath the shade, it was a haven in the unbearable summer heat, Light still did have to take his blazer off though. He slid his backpack off and took out the stuff he got from the convenience store. He'd had to pack his own lunch since he started middle school so he just grabbed stuff from the convenience store now. Today was some spicy tuna onigiri (one of Light’s favorite guilty pleasure foods), a bottle of water, and a bag of cut up apples that he did pack from home since his mom got them on sale at the farmers market. It wasn’t the most hearty lunch but Light had a fast enough metabolism and worked out often enough that it wouldn’t do much. Light took a bite from the onigiri and hummed in satisfaction, he still had his earbuds on playing some soft music. Light pulled out his pack of cigs and pulled one out, taking his lighter to set off the cigarette before taking a deep inhale, then he had started to read a book he checked out recently. 

Maybe it was because of the music, maybe it was because he didn’t expect anyone out here, maybe it’s because he was smoking, or because he was focused on reading, or because he was eating as well but he didn’t notice L walking toward him until he had already sat down in that weird way with his thumb pressed against his pale lips and his eyes drilling a hole into his head. Light pretty much jumped and coughed when he realized L was there next to him, quickly pausing his music and attempting to hide his cigarette. “Uh- Hey! Wha-What’s up, L?” Light quickly tried to recover from the shock of someone seeing him smoke, he didn’t even know how or why L was back here unless he instantly became an expert on the school’s layout. 

“Light-kun smokes.” L said, completely disregarding Light’s attempt at distraction, no pleasantries, no ignoring the scent of smoke. Completely off script. L didn’t say it like it was a question, it was just a statement, with no room for Light to deny it. His gaze was owlish, bulging black bug eyes staring into Light’s soul, looking at him like he was a frog up for dissection. This guy gave Light the worst feeling of discomfort, he didn’t know how he was expected to respond to what he said, confirmation that he did? Denial? Deflection? For once in his life, it felt like Light was given no script, no idea how to act around this man- no, this… creature. 

Luckily (or unluckily) L didn’t give him a chance to respond. “No need to stop on my account, I was only curious about you.” He said in a monotone way that Light hadn’t taken note of before, he spoke calmly and with certainty but also it seemed like his whole existence was just to make a huge joke of Light. Light wasn’t sure what he meant until he remembered the cigarette he was hiding (badly) beside his thigh. He glanced over at L suspiciously, he didn't look like a snitch… Whatever. Light sighed in defeat and just brought the cigarette to his lips and inhaled once again… “Hahh…” Exhale. Smoking was it- the crack in every “perfect” student's exterior that everyone expected. No one expected a crack from Light, no imperfections. And he didn’t have any in their eyes. So, he hid back there during lunch, hid the crack in his perfect and otherwise pristine mask, and then inhaled and exhaled…

Light realized he probably should tell him to not tell anybody about his habit, just as he was opening his mouth to say it, it was almost like L read his mind. “You don’t have to worry about me telling someone. I won’t.” L said, surprisingly respectfully, in what L’s standards seemed like. “You mask the smell well.” L mumbled behind his thumb that was still pressed to his pale lips, looking almost smug. Light takes it back, that creature is insufferable. He knew and just came back here specifically to see Light smoke! Light did a good amount so people couldn’t tell he smoked (at least most people…), he chewed gum right after- usually mint, he had a small bottle of dry shampoo and sprayed that in his hair so it didn’t smell, then he sprayed himself and his jacket separately with a cologne and body mist. It was an effort. 

Light was annoyed by the guy, he did seem observant though, far more observant than any of his other classmates which Light appreciated while also despising it. That he was seen though so easily… God, is he still barefoot? Light just noticed that L had not put on shoes since they last were in class which Light found disgusting, the floors of a high school and the bacteria- Light felt like throwing up just thinking about it. “You know smoking is horrible for your health, correct?” L said in a probing and curious way when Light took another drag of the cigarette. Light gave him a glance that was the, ‘Are you serious?’ look that Light sometimes couldn’t help. Obviously he knew, literally any health class, or average person that didn’t smoke could tell him that. “No. I didn’t know that.” Light deadpanned with a chuckle as he took a couple bites out of his onigri. Light doing that seemed to remind L of his own lunch, he reached into his bag and- “What the hell?” Light couldn’t help but mutter as he watched the packaged sweets be pulled out one by one out of L’s bag, it seemed that was the only other thing that wasn’t his computer he had. Yet another disgusting thing about this exchange student, Light deduced L was from England based on his speaking, Light had a suspicion when L first introduced himself but it was confirmed after hearing him speak for a while. 

Light honestly couldn’t stomach sweets, especially not when- nevermind that. Even if Light could stand sweets there’s no way that anyone even remotely healthy would find that amount of sweets appealing. Light stared at L with a look of disgust on his face that he didn’t even try to hide while L opened up a slice of strawberry shortcake and pulled a fork out of… God knows where, maybe it was out of his ass, who knows? Then he was eating it, there was so much whipped cream on it… Awful. Just awful. “You seem jealous. Want a bite?” L asked him with a… what Light thinks is a teasing smirk on his pale lips as he scarfed down another bite of the cake. It was hard to tell what L’s expressions meant since they were so subtle. “I’m okay. Thanks…” Light said politely as he took another drag of his cigarette and finished off his onigri, he packed up the rest of his food, he wasn’t hungry at all right now, not while looking at that . 

It’s disgusting, ‘... repulsive, horrible, filthy, nauseating, foul, revolting- ’ “Light? I think your cigarette is almost gone.” L snapped Light out of his thoughts as he looked at his hand and it was almost down to the butt so he quickly put it out in the grass and dug a small hole and put the bud in before reburying it. He was also alerted that the bell was about to go off by his phone timer which he set to turn on before the bell rang in case he lost track of time. Light swiftly popped a piece of gum into his mouth while he sprayed some dry shampoo into his hair, stood up with some body spray and cologne and sprayed himself, then sprayed his jacket before slipping it back on. He threw all his things back into his bag and stood up, looking down at L who had somehow finished all of those… confections. 

Next class: AP physics 2. It was an okay class, boring as the others but it was mostly math and memorization which was great for Light, he had a spectacular memory. L luckily wasn’t in this class with him but it was also annoying, Light had a group project and it was random. Thankfully- Light, unlike others, loved when the teacher would choose groups (most of the time when he wasn’t just paired up with dumbasses and had to pick up their slack) since if they didn’t tons of people would come up to Light and ask to be in a group, Light didn’t ever care or want any of them so this took out the hassle of everyone's begging. It was a presentation, Light didn’t mind that at all. His group members consisted of Teru Mikami, reliable and pretty smart. Mello who Light found the least bit tolerable, and Kiyomi Takada who was, again smart and pretty good at presenting, she was also an ex of Light’s but she wasn’t bitter about it like some people he knew were… 

This would be a pretty solid group as long as Mello can keep his shit together and not goof off with his friend who was noted by the teacher to be in a separate group, Light was pretty sure he heard something about them also living together at an orphanage. Mello joined last year and he was immediately… annoying as hell. Teachers agreed, he was loud, disruptive, a class clown, and was oddly a pretty good student but Light could deal with it for one project. Matt and Mello were slightly younger than Light and they were in the class despite being sophomores when Light was a senior.

Then last, but definitely not least… gym. Light walked into the locker room and waited until he was the last one left in the locker room before he stripped to put on his gym clothes, his stomach was flat and his skin clung to his ribs and spine like a skeletal cage under a thin veil, he did have some abs though since he worked out and ran frequently. Light was now dressed in his gym uniform of a blue t-shirt, blue shorts, and some sneakers. He quickly went out to follow the rest of his class out to wherever they’d play their sport of the week. It seemed like it was tennis today which was… annoying for Light. Nobody would go with him since he was the Japanese junior tennis champion and he beat all of them easily so now this was the one class people refused to partner with him. He usually was stuck running laps, which Light didn’t exactly mind but he couldn’t have his music while he ran so all he could do was… think. It kinda sucked.

“We have fresh meat today!” The overly energetic gym coach said which caught Light’s attention, of course L was in this class… Why didn’t he see him in the lockers? Or on the way out? Whatever. The coach went through the same ordeal his history teacher did before immediately placing L with Light as his partner, he always did that whenever there was a new student since no one wanted to go against Light and he took advantage of the new kid not knowing why. L didn’t seem bothered though even though you’d think he just stayed in a little hole in the ground and only went out when necessary. 

Light sighed apologetically to L, “Sorry about this, no one has beat me yet, fair warning.” Light warned like he always did to new students, not wanting them to feel like shit for not being able to beat him. L didn’t seem the smallest bit worried though, he almost seemed… amused? Light thinks he can already kinda read his expressions, a little. He looked like he knew something Light didn’t, it kinda pissed him off. He might enjoy beating this guy to shreds… They grabbed their rackets and Light grabbed the ball before they walked over to their court together, they waited for the coach to get settled and then yell start which made Light serve the tennis ball and thus beginning their game. Light served, L immediately hit it back with force, Light hit it back. Light was surprised at how good L seemed at this for someone who looked like he never left his house. This would actually be interesting...

-

“ Hah- hah-... ” L and Light were both out of breath and panting by the time the coach yelled that class was over, neither of them had scored a single point on the other so they were both tied at zero… ‘How the hell?’ Were what most of Light’s thoughts were as he wiped the sweat off his forehead and took a minute to catch his breath and make sure he wouldn’t pass out before speaking to L. “What the hell are you?” Light said, very not tactfully, might he add. He couldn’t help it! He was the junior tennis champion! No one had ever been this close to beating him (even though neither of them could score) and it was getting on his nerves. L smiled coyly the slightest bit, “I forgot to- huff- tell you that I was the British junior tennis champion?” L said in the monotone, unbothered voice that was now tinged with slight teasing. Light had to contain himself from not yelling, ‘No, L did not tell him that!!!’

“Congrats, Yagami! You got a new forever gym partner!” The coach yelled (literally he yelled constantly even though they were right next to each other) as he slapped Light on the back pretty hard and roughly, he hated when the coach did that… It stung. Light winced in pain as L and him continued to walk together. It made sense that the coach was glad for him to actually have someone who he could compete with now since Light had excelled at most sports. Don’t ask Light about soccer… They got to the locker room eventually and it must’ve been that L had just gotten there earlier than everyone else since his stuff was in there. Light waited once again for everyone to leave, which was very fast considering it was their last class of the day, then he walked over to the showers and took off his clothes, taking a short shower to wipe the sweat off. He hadn’t played like that in a long time… not even before he quit. It was… pretty fun honestly, despite the fact he was still annoyed as hell he didn’t win, sue him, he was a bit competitive!

The shower was nice, he never took a shower in the lockers but since classes were over Light thought it’d be fine and he didn’t want to go home drenched in sweat. Light wrapped a towel around his waist and walked over to his locker and dried himself off quickly before putting his clothes on, shoving his gym uniform into his bag, he’d have to wash that when he got home. He then reapplied his minimal makeup before making his way toward the exit. His hair was still lightly damp as he emerged from the locker room and started his journey to cram school. Light realized he didn’t get to say bye to L. Whatever, he’d see that weirdo in History tomorrow…

—

Light felt like he could pass out from the boredom he felt at cram school. He hates it there, he hates having to come home late at night like his father would if he even came home… Just like his father. He would smoke a bit away from cram school so no one saw him, he’d do his routine to cover the scent, then he’d walk home. He has asked his parents if he could maybe take up a part-time job or something instead of cram school but his parents wouldn’t allow him to, “You need to focus on your studies” they’d say… He had perfect marks in all of his classes and he was the top of his grade, he just wanted a relief. 

He stepped inside and was greeted by Rem and Ryuk, their two cats, Rem was a Russian blue that his mother and father searched forever for and Ryuk was a black cat of unknown origin because Sayu found him behind a garbage can one day and begged their mom to take him in. Light leaned down and pet the two cats with a soft smile on his lips and then he smelled what was assumed to be dinner his mother was cooking. Light attempted to sneak up to his room but he was immediately caught. “Light! Come set the table, dinner is almost ready!” Sachiko told him from the kitchen which made Light sigh as he set his bag down and walked to go do as she said. Dinner was Light’s least favorite time, he loved his family, loved his mom and his sister, and he didn’t dislike his mother’s cooking but he couldn’t stand pleasantries… He felt like he was pushed back on the stage again, knowing the lines, having done this over and over and over again… “How’s school?” His mother would ask him, he’d say something along the lines of what she wanted and then she’d let Sayu talk for the rest of the meal. He’d be forced to eat everything on his plate and struggle to swallow it, like he was trying to eat jagged rocks… He’d smile and make small talk and act normal, act perfect. Then he’d help clean the table, walk up to his room leisurely with no sense of urgency. Then walk into the bathroom, turn on the fan to mask the sound, then fingers shoved down his throat.

—

A shower was nice, he felt warm and comfortable as he stepped out and the harsh air conditioning prickled on his freshly warmed skin. Light would proceed to start his skincare routine after his shower which was long and extensive, must maintain that perfect exterior. He then threw his gym clothes that he put in the wash before his shower into the dryer, then ironed his uniform. Light then would go over his schoolwork, double check his homework that he did at cram school, he had to make sure it was perfect for tomorrow, then he’d lie down and easily fall asleep… Not without nightmares on the occasion though, it was either dreamless sleep or it was nightmares. No in between. 

Tonight Light was younger, probably in eighth grade, probably after he had to quit tennis based on the memory this looked like. “Are you excited to be just like your daddy ?” His father would say, voice warping slightly near the end, almost a perfect replication but… wrong. Light would then struggle and stumble over his words which this part never actually happened but Light knew this dream pretty well by now, he’d say, ‘I’m not sure if I want to be just like you…’ It was quiet and timid, unsure and seeking a reaction. Which he’d get from his father standing up and walking over to him, Light was grown up to the age he is now again, his fathers face would shift and contort until it was unrecognizable… Then he’d speak, his voice warped to unrecognizability as his hand wrapped around Light’s throat and squeezed. “ You can’t give up now, can you? We’ve picked your bed, now lay in it!” Then he’d squeeze, and squeeze, and squeeze… Nails dug into his flesh, blood seeping into his throat- Then his alarm would wake him up in a cold sweat, he’d grasp at his throat in a panic and when he felt it in tact he’d breathe, then it would be normal again.

Like always...

Chapter Text

L felt he could almost see the strings that people around him were attached to, like puppets to some nonexistent god that controlled them. L could see those strings move and he thought he could almost know what people would do before they did it, people were very predictable in that way. L also often wondered if he had strings as well… Was someone else controlling him and someone who could understand L’s strings knew what he’d do before he’d do it? It was one of the best analogies L could think of to describe how his mind works, a good amount of people still couldn’t get it.

L also thought that Light Yagami was an interesting kind of monster. He lied. Constantly. With the smoothness of someone who has lied his whole life. It was curious to L, especially after he found Light smoking yesterday, L could tell he smoked since he smelled very very faintly of it but he didn’t expect a star student like him to just do it out in the open. L supposed it was at the back of the school and from Light’s reaction there weren’t really many people aware of the spot…

There were many things L had noticed about Yagami, such as:

1. He definitely hates that L doesn’t wear shoes, he seemed to find it disgusting like most people.
2. His name was written with the character for moon. (L thought that was probably poetic in some way he didn’t care to find out.)
3. He doesn’t pay attention in class yet can still answer questions completely right. L was considering that maybe the Yagami had some kind of Eidetic memory…
4. Light doesn’t rattle easily (or at least not as easily as most people L has looked at)
5. Light doesn’t seem to have… any actual friends? People attempted to talk to him and he’d respond but it never looked like Light was actually there or paying attention to the person he was talking to.
6. Light seemed to hate sweets, seemingly despising them. When L pulled out his lunch Light looked to have a visceral reaction, like he was absolutely disgusted at the sight of them. He even started to zone out after seeing them, completely losing track of time. Plus, he packed his lunch up after L started to eat his shortcake yesterday…
7. Light was very athletic despite his slender and skinny body.
8. Light was also incredibly good at tennis, he didn’t let L score even one point on him even after a whole class period of being in just one game together.
9. Light seemed like he acted like he didn't like the gym coach but it looked to L like he was slightly fond of him since the coach was able to slap Light on the back and all he did was say “ow” and rub his back, not getting upset.
10. Light was also very competitive, even though he might try to come off as he wasn’t.
11. He would wait till everyone left the locker rooms to change which L thought was particularly interesting…
12. L did some searching and found out Light’s dad was the police chief. He also had a younger sister which L thought supposedly made sense.
13. L also found out Light must be exceedingly smart, more than you’d assume from his marks in school. Last year he solved several cases for the police, working alongside his father.

Nevertheless, currently L was in his second period sitting next to Light in history again and watching him instead of the teacher. Light was just staring out the window again with that far-away look in his eyes, standing up when the teacher called on him to read the passage from the history book that was passed out to everyone, he read it perfectly and sat back down. It was pouring outside today, the rain always made L oddly nostalgic, of what, L’s not sure. L wanted to ask Light more questions, he was so curious about the police chief’s son, he presented himself as exactly that, a perfect, polite, and promising young man. But L could tell there was more to Light Yagami than that, there had to be, his instincts told him so, and L’s instincts are never wrong.

Light couldn’t sit outside today so L was curious if he had another secluded spot he ate, L noticed while he observed him that many people crowded around him and he’d give them what L could tell was a practiced and perfected smile and polite responses before he slipped away. Light Yagami seemed to hate other people. L supposed he did share the sentiment in a way. L followed Light as he walked to his lunch spot, L shuffled up the stairs behind Light and kept silent which wouldn’t have mattered since Light had earbuds in which seemed to drown everything out. It seemed like Light was walking up the stairs to the rooftop which was odd of course since it was currently raining, not that L had any reason to judge, he knew that he was described as an enigma at best and a freak at worst. L sometimes did enjoy sitting in the rain, but Whammy forced him to stop doing it since he kept thinking L would get sick. He never did.

L made it up the final step and he saw that Light was standing leaning against the locked doors onto the rooftop while he snacked on a shiny crimson apple, which L saw Light have yesterday, and smoked a cigarette. Light looked at him with an expression that said he wasn’t very surprised at L’s appearance. L walked over to the landing and sat on the ground as he got in his usual huddled position, the sounds of rain thudding outside had a slight calming effect. L wondered if Light could ever be calm, that thought caused L to look up at Light who was still standing. L pat the ground expectantly for Light to sit as well. “It’s impolite to not sit with your buddy during lunch.” L said to Light as he pulled out his strawberry tart that he’d added a lot of whipped cream on top of. L knew Light probably didn’t want him there, he probably disliked him, it was many people’s perception of L when they’d first meet, and often afterwards as well.

But Light just sighed as he sat down with reluctance on the floor, not exactly beside L but he didn’t mind. “You’re not my ‘buddy’...” Light mumbled with exasperation. “You like strawberries?” Light had asked him in observation while he glanced at L’s pastry he’d brought today, Light took a drag from his cigarette as he watched L. L guessed Light was attempting to make small talk with him, he wasn’t fully sure why but L could play along. “I suppose I do. Does Light-kun particularly like apples?” L questioned back calmly as he took a bite from the tart, delicious and sweet as always. L had other questions he wanted to ask but he guessed he could humor Light’s fruit talk.

Light seemed a bit surprised though, not that L noticed but it almost seemed like Light didn’t notice he liked them himself. “I guess I do?” Light said casually with a shrug as he took another large bite from the apple, the crunch was very audible in the empty stairwell with just the rain and their breathing as the only other sounds. L watched Light with curiosity, it didn’t seem like Light planned to talk anymore about their fruit preferences so L wanted to ask his questions now. “Does Light hate other people?” L asked in his monotone but there was a curiosity in his inky-black eyes. L already knew what the answer was but he was curious what Light’s answer to the question would be.

“I wouldn’t say I hate other people.” Light chuckled softly, smoke slipping from his mouth accidentally, he didn’t answer the question. L came to the realization that for once it didn’t feel like he was talking to just another person puppeted by strings. L didn’t tell Yagami that though, instead he just restated the question. “Alright. Does Light dislike other people?” L revised, wanting Light’s answer, no matter if it was truthful or not, it was pure curiosity. L hadn’t let his eyes leave Light since he started staring at him, L took another bite of the tart while he watched Light think about his answer, seemingly contemplating if he should even answer at all. 

“Usually.” Light settled on a simple answer, it was straightforward though, L appreciated the honesty. L couldn’t help but find this environment surprisingly comforting despite the man next to him. “I can agree with that sentiment, I often find people too boring for my liking.” L hummed in a low monotone, his teeth biting the pad of his thumb slightly, he was glad school was proving to not be as boring as L initially thought. Light Yagami was certainly not as boring as the rest of these people.

“Why are you here?” Light asked with what seemed like genuine confusion behind his gaze as he took another chunk out of his apple. CRUNCH! L tilted his head to the side with confusion, that was a vague question, what exactly did Light mean? Why was L sitting here with him at lunch? Why was L at school? It was too vague. “That was too broad. I meant, why are you at public school? It seems like you would be homeschooled.” Light said bluntly, sparing the “no offense” most would’ve added at the end of that sentence. L understood what Light meant though, he sat weird (for others), didn’t wear shoes, didn’t abide by social norms, ate enough sugar to become diabetic, and had an "unusual" appearance according to most people. L was fairly self aware. L’s foster siblings were more “normal” Nate being the closest to him in oddities, Mello and Matt both seemed like your average high schooler. So it made sense that Light was curious. 

“Some of my foster siblings go here, my… the man that takes care of us said he thinks I should see what school is like.” L explained calmly, taking bites out of his tart in between occasionally. He wasn’t sure how to explain what Whammy was to him, he wasn’t his father, but he also wasn’t just a caretaker… L decided to just go with the safe option. Light seemed satisfied with that answer, seemingly contemplating it while he chewed on the bite he took out of his apple. L kept watching him, L found himself weirdly drawn to the creature that was Light Yagami, he wasn’t as predictable as L would’ve presumed… 

—

Light didn’t talk anymore for the lunch period after that, L didn’t want to disturb him so he decided to just ask more questions later, usually he wouldn’t be so gracious. At the moment L was stuck in AP psychology, he’d opted for this since he could’ve technically taken any classes he wanted, he wasn’t desperate for good grades, this was purely for the experience, it was also because Whammy said that he should be around “kids his age” which L then replied he was not a child, to which Whammy laughed.

L was not very focused in this class since it was generally stuff he already knew and he had other things to think about. Things like Light, L had come across Light’s schedule and figured out that he had a class with Mello and Matt, they were supposedly in that class at the moment and L was mildly curious of what his siblings thought of the enigma L thought Light Yagami was. He almost felt the urge to ask them, Matt more specifically since Mello was never very forthcoming with information, not in a secretive way but in more of a bratty teen in a tv show way. Very “STAY OUT OF MY LIFE” esque.

L was very bored since this class was just filled with tons of over achievers, L wouldn’t call himself that in any means, he was honestly a very lazy and self satisfying person. He didn’t do anything unless he was compelled to and he didn’t do much if it was boring and tedious, the work for psychology wasn’t hard in any way though so L didn’t mind. L didn’t have to try to succeed, he just did. 

—

L wasn’t very well versed on what physical education classes were like before he was enrolled here and he didn’t realize he’d be in one so he hadn’t done his research, yesterday’s tennis match was entertaining though. But today was a new day and it was raining today which meant they couldn’t go outside which meant they’d have to be in the gym. L assumed they would do some sport like basketball but it proved today they would be swimming instead, L didn’t have his swim trunks yet so he arrived late to the class dressed in his school uniform navy blue trunks. He had left the rest of his things in the locker rooms and he glanced around at the other high schoolers who had one of two looks on their faces. #1, embarrassment or #2, confidence. L didn’t share either of those reactions, L didn’t care much about his body in one way or another, it was just the skin he lived in, it would eventually decay and erode after he died so he didn’t care what others thought of his skin. L was still hunched over though, terrible posture be damned. 

Light seemed to be acting like he was #2, confidence, but it was a lie. If he felt that confident why was he so conservative with changing in the locker rooms with everyone else. Light was very thin but L wasn’t judging, he was just curious. L wasn’t sure what exactly they’d be doing at the pool but that question was almost immediately answered after L thought it. “Today, because of the rain, we will be doing races!” The teacher shouted with glee, L didn’t think any of the other teachers he’s seen have been anywhere close to as enthusiastic as their gym teacher was. Not that L had met that many teachers yet but he still felt compelled to believe the coach was more enthusiastic than any teacher.

L wasn’t spectacularly good at swimming but he could probably do okay at it, he doubted he’d do well though which L didn’t mind. The coach proceeded to explain that he’d put people in groups and they’d race and then after a few rounds of this he’d let everyone just do what they wanted for the remaining class time. L could slug through some racing. L was immediately paired with Light and a few other people to race each other, the coach didn’t seem to be kidding about L being Light’s new “forever partner” in gym. Light didn’t seem as cocky about this but L did realize that the coach put some people that were actually on the school swim team onto their team which L thought they’d probably be disappointed by his lacking skills.

—

L did okay which was what he expected, he didn’t do horrible but he didn’t beat the swim club people which was to be expected. Light held his own pretty well though against those people, even won a couple times. Speaking of Light, L sadly didn’t get to communicate much with him this last period but L did learn a couple things from observation.

1. Light had abs. (Not super relevant but interesting nonetheless)
2. Light was a pretty solid swimmer
3. When he was getting competitive he didn’t seem to care about anything else, like the thoughts in his head were blocking out the world. 

That was all L had gotten to gather sadly from gym but Light did actually change in the locker rooms this time with everyone else, it seemed he just didn’t care because he was wearing swim trunks the whole time anyway. Light also took a shower today, L thought it was a good idea, with the pool water and all. Light and L both stood next to each-other beneath their respective showers and cleansed themselves, it did feel pretty nice that L didn’t usually take showers outside of his own bathroom since he liked his own shampoo and soap and other things which made him feel weird showering somewhere else. But Light seemed to enjoy it as well.

L and Light dried themselves off before putting on their clothes. L's hair was wet so it wasn’t as big and messy as it usually was, his bangs were longer wet which made L push his bangs back, Light’s hair honestly looked even nicer wet. Whammy must be waiting outside which was confirmed by a text through L’s phone, he said a goodbye to Light and walked out to the limo parked in front of the school. L hadn’t made Whammy pick him up on the first day but he enjoyed the limo service, he definitely couldn’t drive. Don’t ask L how his driver’s test went. L didn’t notice the staring of everyone that was walking out of the school looking at the limo, wondering who would get in it. They all were shocked to see the hobo looking man step into it.

—

“Why are you curious about that guy? He’s an ass.” Mello chimed in unhelpfully when L had asked Matt about what he thought of Light, L wasn’t able to get Matt alone to ask him so he just decided to ask him with Mello around, he was also in Light’s class. Matt was chewing on a lollipop as he played his handheld without looking over at L or Mello who had his head on his lap. “Why do you say that?” L prodded curiously to Mello’s claim, his knees were pulled to his chest and his pale thumb was to his lip while he looked at Mello.

“We’re in a group together. He’s such a stickler, and way too organized.” Mello lamented as if it was horrible that a person in his group project was being productive and organized, for Mello it was. Mello was horribly disorganized in anything he did, but he still completed it surprisingly well. This was interesting info though for L, he had already assumed it but it was good to know that Light was organized and dedicated. That’s what L took from Mello calling Light a “stickler” since that usually just meant he was actually on task. Well… L was excited to learn more about Light tomorrow…

When was the last time L thought that about someone?