Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

 Matsuda’s life was in limbo. The Kira case had closed a while ago, yet he was still living at the task force headquarters. The rest of the team had returned to their families, but Matsuda remained. There was still a pile of red tape keeping him from going back to work at the NPA, so he spent his days wandering the building or finding ways to kill time.

Sometimes he would see L and Watari passing through the corridors. L was working on a variety of other cases and seemed in no hurry to leave Japan.

One night, Matsuda had bumped into L in the lobby after returning from a late snack run. He had his car keys in one hand and a plastic bag in the other, stuffed with instant ramen, curry bread and a chocolate bar he absolutely did not need. He nearly walked straight into L, who was standing in the middle of the lobby as if he had simply appeared there.

“Oh, Ryuzaki! Evening,” Matsuda blurted, the plastic bag rustling violently as he tried to shift it out of the way.

L’s eyes dropped to it immediately. “You went shopping.”

“Nothing important,” Matsuda said too quickly. “I only went out because I was bored.”

“Bored?” L repeated quietly.

“Yeah. There is not much for me to do at the moment,” Matsuda admitted. “I’m still waiting for the NPA paperwork to go through. I have just been… wasting time, I guess.”

L said nothing. He only stared at Matsuda, unblinking, until Matsuda felt heat crawl up the back of his neck. Then, without warning, he nudged the bag with one finger and leaned in to examine it.

“You should have bought cake.”

Matsuda nearly dropped the bag. “Cake?”

“It’s more efficient. Stable sugar release. Better for mental stamina.”

“You want me to eat cake for dinner?”

“That’s not what I said.” L paused. “Although it would be preferable to the ramen.”

Matsuda let out an awkward laugh that sounded much too loud in the empty lobby. “You know, Ryuzaki, for someone who lives on sugar, you’ve got a lot of opinions about food.”

“I have correct opinions about food.”

There was a small pause after that. L studied him again, eyes slightly narrowed, his thumb lifting to rest against his lip. Matsuda felt suddenly self-conscious, unsure what he had said to bring on that look and was trying not to focus on the small gesture.

“So,” Matsuda said, trying to fill the quiet, “what about you? Working late again?”

“Yes.”

“On anything interesting?”

“Several things.”

Matsuda was unsure how to respond to such curt answers. He fidgeted with his car keys, wishing he could think of something to say.

Before he could come up with anything, L plucked the chocolate bar from the bag and pressed it into Matsuda’s hand.

“Eat this before bed,” he said. “You may find that you need your mental energy soon.”

“My what now?”

L turned towards the control room. “Good night, Matsuda.”

And just like that, he padded away, leaving Matsuda standing alone in the lobby with his bag of junk food and a chocolate bar he had apparently been medically prescribed.

The next morning, Matsuda was in his loungewear, playing on his DS, when his phone started to ring. He picked it up to check the caller ID. Withheld.

Sighing, he answered the call.

“This is Matsuda.”

“Good morning, Matsuda. I hope I’m not disturbing you.” L’s voice came through the speaker at his ear.

Matsuda jumped to attention, the DS slipping to the floor. “Ryuzaki! Ah, of course. I mean, no, you aren’t disturbing me.”

“If you are free, there is something I would like to discuss with you,” L continued. “Please come to the control room as soon as you can. Bring your car keys.”

He hung up before Matsuda could even reply.

Matsuda stood frozen for a moment, the tinny sound of Mario Kart still coming from the DS. he then shook himself and got moving.

Less than twenty minutes later, dressed in his suit and a trench coat, he entered the war room. He was surprised to find L wearing a coat as well, although it was only a light jacket that looked completely useless against the February cold.

“Good morning, Ryuzaki! Are we going somewhere?”

“Yes. I need you to drive me to Nakano. Watari, as you know, is currently out of the country.”

“Oh, of course! I’d love to drive you. I mean, I’m happy to help! Shall we?” He gestured towards the exit.

Matsuda’s small black kei car was the lone vehicle in the vast car park of the building. He watched L climb into the passenger seat, then shook himself and got into the driver’s side.

He looked as L put his seatbelt on, then immediately kicked his shoes off and folded himself into his trademark crouch.

“Erm, Ryuzaki. I don’t think it’s safe for you to sit like that in the car?”

“I can’t afford to lose any of my deductive reasoning. I trust you won’t cause any accidents.”

Shaking his head, Matsuda started the engine. City pop exploded through the speakers. He had forgotten about the CD.

He scrambled to turn the volume down. “Oh my god, I am so sorry about that.”

L actually smiled. “I don’t mind the music, but the volume level was concerning. Do your eardrums still work?”

“What? Of course they do!” Matsuda then realised that L was making a joke at his expense. “So what if I like car karaoke!”

L chuckled. “Please don’t start singing while escorting me. I might have to get Watari to fly back to me after all.”

Matsuda flushed. He still wasn’t used to seeing this more carefree side of L that had emerged once Light had been caught.

They set off. After a moment Matsuda asked, “So, why Nakano?”

“I need to see the scene of a recent murder that occurred there for myself.”

“Oh, you’re working on a case here, Ryuzaki?”

“Yes. I’m sure you’ve seen the recent string of murders happening at love motels around Tokyo. I believe they are all connected.”

Matsuda shuddered. “A serial killer in Tokyo, and so soon after Kira stopped his killings. People waste no time.”

“As much as I hate to admit it, Light did have a certain logic to his murders. But unfortunately, this is the world we live in. We must allow for true justice to be served.”

They shared a quiet moment. The thought of Light drifted through Matsuda’s mind before he forced himself back to the present.

“So, why do you believe the killings are connected?”

L explained the facts as they crept through the morning traffic.

Over the past seven weeks, four bodies had been found in love motels across Tokyo, all foreign women.

Victim one was a Korean flight attendant called Song Minji, staying overnight in the city before her morning flight. She was found strangled in a high-end love motel in Shibuya.

Victim two was a British tourist, Sarah Woodward, found in Akihabara with a pillow smothering her face.

The third victim was discovered in Harajuku: Kelis Karter, an English teacher from Canada. She had strangulation marks and bruises all over her body.

And the most recent victim was found two days ago in Nakano: Denise Nguyen, a businesswoman from Vietnam.

“Nguyen’s death was a lot more violent than the others. She was found strangled but also covered in what appeared to be cigarette burns, bruising, and an open cut across one arm.”

“So the deaths are getting more violent every time...”

“Usually, I wouldn’t bother with a case until there are a certain number of victims, but I was bored, and I fear that there will be another very soon.”

“Have the Japanese police put the murders together yet? As in, that it’s the same killer? There was nothing about that on the news.”

“They haven’t. I think it would take a few more killings before they make the connection. Most likely because all the victims are foreign women, and the cases have occurred across different districts. The Tokyo police forces probably haven’t communicated with each other.”

They fell quiet. Matsuda noticed L inspecting the interior of the car. He felt a bit self-conscious. It was not the cleanest.

L seemed particularly focused on the shelf above the glove compartment. There were only some receipts, a box of cigarettes and an empty Pocky packet.

Matsuda guessed that L was probably focused on the sweet treat.

Hitting another set of lights, he slowed the car to a stop. It was going to take forever to get to Nakano.

The sound of the passenger window winding down made Matsuda glance over. In the space of half a second he watched L pluck the cigarette box from the shelf, flick it out the window with perfect aim and retract the window again. The box landed neatly beside a cigarette vending machine.

Matsuda stared at him. Mouth open. Hands frozen on the steering wheel.

"Matsuda, the signal changed."

"Huh, right. RYUZAKI, I NEEDED THEM!"

"No, you didn't. You are a young healthy man. You only picked this habit up during the Kira investigation, right?"

"Well yeah, the other's said it helped them and I agree..."

"I doubt that you are addicted. No cigarettes."

Matsuda opened his mouth to argue, then stopped when he caught the hint of concern L was trying very hard to hide behind his usual blank expression.

He slumped in his seat. “Fine, no smoking.” He felt like a child being scolded.

L nodded, satisfied, and immediately went back to observing passing pedestrians as if he had not just committed a perfectly executed act of petty theft against a cigarette box.

Matsuda turned his eyes back to the road. City pop filled the silence. Outside, Tokyo passed by in muted light. Despite everything, Matsuda felt a small flicker of happiness. He had missed this. A purpose. And L beside him.

Without realising it, he began to hum along to the song. L gave him a sidelong look.

“Don’t worry,” Matsuda said, grinning. “No singing. I know.”

L turned back to the window, but Matsuda thought he saw the faintest smile.

He smiled to himself and drove on towards Nakano.

Chapter Text

 Matsuda pulled up across the road from a seedy-looking motel forty-five minutes later. He had expected to see police tape and patrol cars everywhere, but the building looked business as usual.

“They’re operating? Wasn’t the body found only two days ago?” Matsuda asked L.

“Not the most legitimate business, so I guess they don’t care for propriety. This changes things. We need to figure out our approach.”

Matsuda shut off the engine. The music cut out and left the car strangely quiet.

L spoke first. “We have to check in as customers. We are not police, so I cannot walk in and demand access to the crime scene.”

It took Matsuda a moment to realise what L was implying. Then he nearly choked on his own breath.

“Ryuzaki… you are aware that this is a love motel, right? They don’t do twin rooms.”

“I am aware. You will pose as my partner and we will be like any couple booking a rest,” L said in the same tone anyone would use when discussing the weather.

“What? That is… They might not even accept a gay couple!”

“But you are not opposed to trying.”

Matsuda opened and closed his mouth. “Erm… well… but this is still crazy.”

“I know you are capable of undercover work. You fooled Yotsuba, after all.”

Before Matsuda could argue, L left the car. He followed quickly, pulling his coat tighter around himself.

“Aren’t you cold?” Matsuda asked as they crossed the street.

“You should be keeping me warm, if you are my lover,” L said without missing a beat.

Matsuda was going to die, right here, right now.

“Ah…mm” he stuttered. “Right, yes, of course…”

He wrapped an arm around L, expecting him to be awkward or stiff. Instead, L leaned in at once, sliding an arm around Matsuda’s waist with surprising ease. The warmth of him was immediate and disarming.

It felt too natural.

“You ready, honey?” Matsuda tested the pet name.

“Lead the way, Touta. I trust you will pick out a suitable room.”

Matsuda was certain L could feel his heart racing as they entered the premises.

The lobby was dark and smelled strongly of cigarettes. The check-in window was half-covered, with a faded menu of room types displayed beside it. Being a Thursday morning, business was practically dead. Only one room was marked as unavailable. Likely the crime scene.

Then Matsuda noticed something he absolutely should not have pointed out, but could not resist.

“How about this one, honey? Could be fun to roleplay,” he joked, pointing out the police-themed room.

L laughed, a sound that jumped out of him without permission.

“Perfect, Touta.”

They kept close while Matsuda paid. L murmured that he would reimburse the expenses. They headed up to the fourth floor, and once inside their room, L stepped forward and surveyed their surroundings.

“I have never known an interrogation room to use vibrators as a method of extracting information,” he deadpanned.

Matsuda broke. He laughed so hard he had to lean on the wall. “Maybe we need to update our tactics.”

L watched him with a small smile. Then he seemed to catch himself and looked away.

“The room Nguyen was found in is on the floor above us There were no visible cameras, so we can move freely.”

Matsuda composed himself. It was time to focus on the case.

“Let’s not waste any time then.”

They left the room and made for the stairs. Halfway up, they rounded a corner and saw a maid approaching. They both stopped.

L’s eyes widened in something dangerously close to panic. They were going to be caught before even getting see the room.

Matsuda reacted on pure instinct. He pulled L into him and kissed him.

Every nerve in his body seemed to light at once. He had enough time for one terrified thought: he is going to recoil, he is going to shove me away, I have ruined everything.

But L did not pull away.

L leaned in instead, just enough for the kiss to settle fully, soft and warm. The moment their mouths fit together properly, Matsuda felt his knees go weak. L made a small, breathy sound against him, the kind of noise Matsuda knew he would replay later and probably die over. Emboldened, Matsuda gripped L’s coat and pulled him closer.

They stayed close, breathing the same air, the kiss deepening for a few seconds that felt unreal and far too short.

Matsuda momentarily forgot why they were even kissing until he felt the maid walk past, murmuring a brief, “Excuse me.”

They froze until her footsteps faded. Only then did they separate, slowly, like neither of them quite trusted their own limbs. They stared at each other. L’s eyes were wide. His mouth was slightly parted. His cheeks held a faint, unmistakable flush.

He coughed once, too sharply to be natural, and marched ahead like nothing at all had happened. Matsuda followed in a daze, his pulse thudding hard enough to make him dizzy. He could still feel the kiss, still taste it. Every step felt slightly off-balance.

By the time they reached the room, L was composed again. He tried the handle, found it unlocked, and pushed it open with brisk confidence, all business. Matsuda forced himself to focus as he stepped in after him, scanning the room.

 At first glance, it looked normal, almost sterile. The bed was neatly made, the sheets crisp. The faint smell of disinfectant lingered in the air.

“This is strange,” Matsuda said, pulling on the latex gloves L handed him. “You’d think there’d be… something.”

“Not unusual for this type of establishment. They want to resume business as quickly as possible. The police must have rushed their investigation. No wonder the murders have not been linked.”

Matsuda sighed and began inspecting the room systematically, opening drawers, checking under the bed, and examining the bathroom. Everything seemed ordinary. Even the sheets were tucked perfectly.

L moved closer. “Notice anything unusual?”

“Nothing. It’s like… like there was never a crime here,” Matsuda said, shaking his head.

“Do not let appearances deceive you. There are always clues if you know where to look,” L replied calmly. He crouched near the bedside table, pointing subtly. “The ashtray. The cigarette butts are all the same brand. And the faint scuff marks on the floor there,” he indicated near the door, “suggest something heavy was moved recently.”

Matsuda’s eyes widened. “You can tell all that from just a glance?”

L gave a faint shrug. He took out a bunch of evidence bags from his pocket and sealed the cigarette butts inside one. “Whoever processed this scene should be re-trained. These almost certainly contain the killer’s DNA.”

Matsuda grimaced in agreement. He crouched near the bed, touching the sheets lightly. “And the victim? There’s no traces?”

“I guess she has been moved to a coroner’s office by now.”

“Her poor family. She was here on a business trip, right?”

“Yes, first time overseas too, according to her father.”

Matsuda closed his eyes. He had seen a lot of vile crimes in his time as an officer, but his heart always ached in empathy for the victims.

L gently nudged him with his elbow. “Look again, Matsuda. I know you can find something here that will help us.”

Matsuda’s heart fluttered at L’s words. L was guiding him. He wanted Matsuda to figure this out.

He found something when he crouched down to look at a cluster of dust bunnies behind the refrigerator: two crumpled pieces of paper.

Pulling them out, he opened them to see a pair of receipts. The first was for a bar called Shining You. It was undated. The other was a taxi receipt, dated 11^th February 2008, three days ago.

L smiled at Matsuda. “Good find. The date would line up, but we don’t know how many customers would have used this room that day.”

“But this is a taxi receipt! You don’t just get one. You have to request it. And if Nguyen was here on business…”

“Her taxi rides would have been classed as a business expense. Very good, Matsuda.”

Matsuda swelled at the praise. L passed him some evidence bags, and he carefully placed the receipts inside them.

“Sakura Cab. That is a big firm. Should we go to the bar next? If these were together, she might have gone there that night.”

“Yes, that’s right, Touta.”

Matsuda blinked at the continued use of his first name. L looked away quickly.

“The bar will not be open yet. We should eat. I skipped breakfast.” L headed toward the door.

Matsuda snorted. “I am shocked you have not crashed from sugar withdrawal.”

They slid the key through the check-in window. The maid would probably be very confused when she went to clean the police-themed room and found it completely untouched.

Matsuda pulled his coat tighter around himself once again as they stepped out of the motel. The morning sun glinted off the windows, but the air was sharp and cold. He glanced at L, who walked beside him, eyes scanning the street as if taking in everything at once.

“You know,” Matsuda said, trying to sound casual, “I didn’t realise how much I missed investigating. It’s been nearly three months since the Kira case, after all.”

L turned to him, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. “You’re better at this than you realise, Matsuda. I trusted you to notice things others might miss, and you did.”

Matsuda felt a small surge of pride.

“Convenience store snacks in the park, then the bar?” Matsuda asked, unlocking the car.

“Lead the way, honey,” L said, opening the passenger-side door.

“Hey, that was my name for you!”

Chapter Text

 “You were singing,” L complained as they walked to an empty table in the park. The park was quiet, not many people braving the freezing February weather.

“I can’t help it! It’s a lifetime habit. And I know I heard you humming along to Stay With Me,” Matsuda laughed. “Ryuzaki, aren’t you cold? I’m wrapped up a lot more than you, and I’m struggling.”

“Then why did you suggest eating outside? And I wasn’t humming. I told you that your eardrums were damaged.”

“I figured you wanted to be somewhere private. And I’m not letting my car smell of fried chicken.”

“You didn’t have to get the chicken. The pudding has a much more pleasant smell. And to answer your question, I find that I run warm when investigating.”

“Didn’t you say something similar about losing calories once?”

L did not reply. He simply pulled up his feet and opened the bag, revealing five pudding cups and an overly sweet iced coffee.

Matsuda watched, amused. “I still do not understand how you enjoy those more than any real meal.”

“I prefer controlled sweetness to chaotic sustenance,” L said, peeling the top off one of the cups.

Matsuda shook his head, still smiling. “I can’t believe I am sitting here, watching you eat pudding in the freezing cold.”

“You chose to sit here.”

“That’s true… I guess I do enjoy torturing myself a little,” Matsuda said, laughing. “Besides, it’s kind of nice. Quiet. Just us.”

L raised an eyebrow. “Where is the quiet? You are here.”

Matsuda snorted. “Oh, haha very funny. But compared to the chaos of the Kira case? It’s peaceful.”

His mind flicked back to the motel hallway. He swallowed, suddenly warm in the chest despite the temperature.

“And… about before,” he said, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. “You did not… mind, did you?”

“Mind what?” L asked, finishing the first pudding and opening the next.

“You know… when I kissed you.”

L tilted his head slightly, spoon still in his mouth. “I did not object. It was the most efficient way to avoid being noticed.” 

Matsuda flushed, smiling sheepishly. “Right… efficient.”

 “And… you are quite competent.” L gave a small, deliberate wink.

Matsuda choked on his coffee and stared while L returned to eating as if nothing had happened.

“You really should try the pudding, Matsuda,” L said, changing the subject. Matsuda noticed the faint flush on his cheeks, not caused by the cold.

He smiled to himself, nibbling his chicken, trying and failing not to glance at L. After a moment, he forced himself back to the case.

“Can you give me the dates of the other murders?”

“Song Minji, 25^th December. Sarah Woodward, 1^st January. Kelis Karter, 14^th January. And if we base it on the receipts, Denise Nguyen would be 11^th February,” L recited.

Matsuda blinked, counting on his fingers. Then his eyes widened. “Wait… they’re all holidays!”

L raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, Christmas, New Year, Coming of Age Day, Foundation Day… and that means the next attack…  could be another holiday!”

L’s gaze sharpened. “I am still unaware of what holidays are celebrated in Japan. Your insight is useful, Matsuda. What is the next one?”

“I guess it would be Vernal Equinox, but that’s not until late March. Unless…”

“Unless?”

“The killer isn’t sticking to national holidays. People work on Christmas here. Then the next holiday would be Valentine’s Day, right?”

L dropped a pudding cup. “Matsuda, that is today.”

“Wait, what?”

“Today is the 14^th. If your deduction is correct, the killer will strike today.”

“I did not even realise what day it was. Ryuzaki, we have no time! We need to move. Grab your pudding, we are going to that bar right now!”

“Wait, Matsuda.”

But Matsuda was already up, gathering rubbish. L followed with his remaining pudding cups and his coffee, looking faintly put out.

Once in the car, Matsuda quickly tried to start driving, but he had left the handbrake on.

“Matsuda, relax. I understand your urgency, but we have time.”

He took a slow breath. “Sorry, Ryuzaki. I just do not want anyone else to die.”

“Nor do I. Calm yourself. We cannot catch a killer if we get into a traffic accident,” L said gently, already returning to his dessert.

Matsuda composed himself and drove off properly this time. The bar was not far from the park, less than a ten-minute drive.

L reached over and turned up the stereo.

“I knew you liked it. I am taking that as permission to sing,” Matsuda said, smirking.

L ignored him, finishing the last pudding. “Hmm, I should have bought more,” he pouted.

“Tell you what. Once this is over, I’ll buy you the good kind. Not the cheap convenience store stuff.”

“I look forward to it.”

“Then it is a date,” Matsuda said automatically, then went red. He coughed, trying to change the subject.

“So… you are still in Japan, huh. You plan on staying, Ryuzaki?”

L looked over at Matsuda, thinking. The silence stretched for a moment, broken only by the hum of the engine and the soft pop of the stereo.

“For the foreseeable future,” L said finally. “There are matters I am attending to here. I have no reason to leave.”

Matsuda nodded, smiling. “Glad to hear it. Tokyo’s better with you around…”

A comfortable quiet settled between them as the city moved by. Matsuda kept stealing glances, unable to help himself.

He started singing softly again. This time L simply looked over with a small smile.

Despite the tension of the case and the danger ahead, Matsuda found that he did not want this day to end.

Chapter Text

Shining You was located on the basement level of an older multi-purpose building on the edge of Nakano. Faded neon signs hung at odd angles, and the tiled steps leading down were the kind that had not been replaced since the late nineties. The door stood slightly open even though the sign read CLOSED.

L walked in without even knocking. Matsuda followed after him, trying not to look too nervous.

The interior was dim and cosy. Shelves behind the counter held a mix of imported spirits and Japanese whisky, and faint Western pop music drifted around them. All the signage was in English. Only one person was inside. A tall, broad-shouldered man stood behind the counter slicing lemons. He looked up as the two entered and Matsuda realised at once that the man was not Japanese.

He leaned slightly towards L and murmured, keeping his voice low, “Ryuzaki, I think this bar could be one targeted to foreign customers?”

L nodded without looking at him. He was already moving towards the man behind the counter. His voice came out smooth and crisp.

“Good afternoon.”

The English was perfect. Matsuda already knew L spoke multiple languages, but hearing it in person had an oddly disarming effect. It made something in his chest flutter.

The bartender blinked in surprise and broke into a friendly grin. “Afternoon. Sorry, we aren't open until five.”

L produced an identification wallet from his pocket. Matsuda had no idea which branch of the police force it belonged to, or whether it belonged to any of them at all, but the bartender reacted exactly as L needed him to.

“We are not here as customers. We have some questions regarding the evening of 11^th February. May we speak with you for a few minutes?”

The man placed the knife carefully on the chopping board, wiped his hands on a towel, and stepped out from behind the bar. “Oh. Right, well, if it is quick. Sure. Everything all right?”

They moved to a small high-top table near the front. The bartender introduced himself as Noel Jenson, originally from the United States, and the owner of the bar for nearly ten years. He seemed perfectly at ease with L, answering questions readily. In fact, more than readily. He leaned forward a little too much. He smiled a little too broadly. He complimented L’s accent as if he were flirting.

Matsuda tried very hard not to notice. He failed.

L did not seem affected in the slightest.

Jenson described the evening of the eleventh. “It was a quiet weekday. She came in alone, spoke a mix of English and Japanese to order one drink. Asked me to call a taxi.”

“Do you remember what firm?”

 “Sakura Cab. I’ve called them so many times for customers that I’ve memorised the phone number.”

“No CCTV?” L asked.

“Never installed. Bar doesn’t get rowdy. Sorry about that. Wish I could be more helpful,” Jenson said, flashing a wide smile at L that made Matsuda’s jaw tighten.

When they finally finished and made to leave, Jenson added cheerfully, “You should both come back when we are actually open. First drink on the house. Especially for you, detective.” This was directed at L in a way that made Matsuda’s eye twitch.

Outside, the air felt much colder than before. L stepped out beside him, hands deep in his pockets, shoulders hunched against the chill.

“Matsuda,” he said after a moment. “You are unusually quiet. Are you well?”

Matsuda’s voice went embarrassingly high. “I'm fine. Completely fine. Why would I not be fine.”

L stared at him with that flat, unblinking expression that always meant he was analysing something. For several seconds he did not speak. Then:

“You are jealous.”

Matsuda tripped over absolutely nothing. “What. No. I am not jealous. That is ridiculous.”

L brought his thumb up to his lip. “Your posture stiffened when Mr. Jenson complimented me earlier. You also avoided eye contact during the last portion of the conversation.”

“That is because he was very tall and intimidating.” Matsuda folded his arms and stared at a random shop sign across the road. “He was not flirting with you anyway.”

“He was,” L said plainly.

Matsuda made an incoherent noise, unlocked the car with unnecessary force, and decided he would simply never think about this moment ever again. Ever.

He opened the driver’s side door, desperate to change the subject, or at the very least to turn his head away from L long enough to stop blushing. As he did, his eyes caught on something taped to a nearby utility pole.

A poster. Bright pink and glittery. The kind of tacky graphic design that looked like someone had discovered Photoshop for the first time.

SAKURA CAB VALENTINE’S SPECIAL
Flat rate taxi trips to ODAIBA date spots
Ferris Wheel, Seaside Park, Aqua City
14^th February ONLY

Matsuda read it without much thought. Anything was preferable to thinking about Jenson and L. “Another holiday promotion, I guess,” he muttered to himself.

For a few seconds, there was nothing. Then the air shifted. A sudden alertness radiating from L like the hum of an electric wire.

“Matsuda,” L said.

“Mm?” Matsuda turned slightly.

L was suddenly standing in front of the poster, studying it with complete focus. “That's it.”

“That's what?”

L tapped the poster lightly with one finger. His voice changed, taking on that rapid inflection Matsuda associated with deductions unfolding in front of him. “The holidays. The victims being foreign women. The taxis. Today is Valentine’s Day.”

Matsuda nodded slowly. “Right. So. What does that mean exactly.”

“Odaiba,” L said. “This taxi firm often does holiday promotions, right? And the company is advertising heavily in tourist areas this week. That means they are expecting a large volume of foreign customers heading to Odaiba. A place where foreign tourists frequently gather. A location where taxis will be constantly active. A driver could easily pick up an unaccompanied woman there without attracting attention.”

“You think the killer is a taxi driver? And the next attack will happen in Odaiba?”

“Yes. Tonight.” L’s expression darkened. “Which means we must act now.”

Matsuda swallowed. The idea of another attack happening within hours made his chest tighten. He opened the car door fully. “Odaiba is the opposite side of Tokyo, it will take ages to reach it.”

L moved to the passenger seat. As Matsuda slid behind the wheel, L pulled out his phone, clicking away. “I’m messaging my contacts at the NPA. We won't be able to make any moves against the suspect since we are acting independently.”

“I hope they take it seriously.”

“They will do with it coming from me,” L assured.

Matsuda started the engine. The CD flowing through the speakers once again. L drew his knees up, eyes half lidded as he processed whatever information his enormous brain was currently rearranging.

Matsuda stole a glance at him and for a moment the weight of the case lifted slightly. It faded into the background as he simply looked at L. He noticed the way L’s dark hair fell into his eyes and the curve of his shoulders as he leaned forward slightly. It was ridiculous how something so ordinary could make his chest squeeze.

Matsuda then realsied something.

“Ryuzaki… the ID. You had it the whole time?”

“Of course. I always carry identification. It is prudent,” L said smoothly.

Matsuda’s eyebrows rose. “Then why not use it at the motel earlier? Why have us pose as a couple?”

For a fraction of a second L’s eyes widened. A flash of surprise, like a deer caught in headlights, passed across his face. Then he blinked rapidly and his expression returned to calm. “Ah… perhaps I preferred the efficiency of our other approach.”

Matsuda’s chest tightened as he realised the truth. L had wanted to pose as a couple.

He blinked, then groaned quietly under his breath. Why though? Was it some test, or just L being impossibly precise and teasing at the same time? Matsuda shook his head, a small, private smile tugged at his lips.

The city blurred past as they drove toward Odaiba, Matsuda’s mind was half on the case and half on L.

Chapter Text

“Wait, I’m older than you?” Matsuda exclaimed.

“Yes, that is right. Aside from Light, I was the youngest in the Kira investigation team.”

The car was approaching the Odaiba skyline. The sun had not long set and the Rainbow Bridge was lit up, brightening the evening sky.

“I really felt like I was the youngest one. Even Light felt more mature than me,” Matsuda sighed.

L chuckled. “We are around a year apart in age. But years apart in wisdom, it seems.”

“Hey! I can still kick you out of the car, you know.”

“Please do not. The view is so nice here.”

Matsuda had just entered the large bridge, making his way over the bay. The same CD was still playing city pop quietly in the background.

It was a nice atmosphere. The lights of the bridge reflected on the water below, and the faint strains of music gave the scene an almost dreamlike quality. Matsuda looked at L, who sat with his knees up, eyes wide, the city lights casting soft shadows across his face.

“It really is pretty,” Matsuda said quietly.

They eventually reached the parking area near the waterfront. The evening air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of salt from the bay and the occasional waft of food stalls. Couples strolled past, hands intertwined, laughing together.

“It’s so busy. This is going to be like finding a needle in a haystack,” Matsuda groaned, getting out of the car. The air was even more frightful than it had been earlier in the day. The lack of sunlight and being on the water made Matsuda physically shudder.

“We know we are looking for a Sakura Cab taxi. Possibly scouting the surroundings. We will walk around and keep vigilant. We should pretend to be a couple again.”

“Now I know you are saying that just to stay warm. You look freezing, Ryuzaki,” Matsuda laughed, pulling L back into him like earlier. He did not mind the excuse to stay close.

They headed towards the Ferris wheel, blending into the couples. It felt to Matsuda like they were on a real date. If only they were not trying to find a serial killer.

Looking ahead, he spotted a stall. He headed towards it and ordered before L could say anything.

“One cotton candy, please.” He passed it to L with a bashful smile. “I know you will like it.”

L’s eyes widened slightly as Matsuda handed him the pink fluff. He pulled out a tuft and ate it. “It’s good.”

Matsuda grinned. “I told you.”

They began walking along the waterfront, pretending to enjoy the lights and the crowd, but Matsuda’s eyes scanned every taxi, every small group of tourists. Somewhere in the crowd, the next victim might appear, and he felt a knot of tension tighten in his chest.

“Do you see anything suspicious yet?” L asked quietly, licking the last of the pink sugar from his fingers.

“Not yet, but I’m watching,” Matsuda murmured.

 “Good. Remain alert.”

Matsuda’s fingers tightened slightly around L’s sleeve, glancing at him. L was staring at the throng of people with an unreadable expression. For a moment, the cold and the tension of the case, faded into the bay lights.

And then Matsuda noticed it. A taxi that seemed out of place, lingering longer than the others, moving slowly near the edge of the pedestrian area. His heart jumped.

“There,” he whispered, pointing subtly. “That one. He is circling.”

L’s eyes narrowed. “Good. Keep an eye on it. Do not let it pick up any passengers.”

 “Got it.”

L guided them to lean against a low wall, acting intimate while they kept watch on the taxi. It was Sakura Cab branded.

Suddenly it stopped, and a man stepped out of the driver’s seat. He looked Japanese, young and conventionally attractive. And he was walking fast. Matsuda turned to see where he was headed. He spotted a lone foreign woman who was clicking away on her flip phone.

“He is going for her,” Matsuda whispered.

He didn’t think. He moved.

“Matsuda!” L said sharply behind him, but Matsuda was already striding forward, heart hammering, weaving between couples before he could talk himself out of it.

“Oh! There you are!” he called out loudly in English, each word a little too spaced apart. “I was… looking for you!”

The woman blinked up from her phone, confused.

Matsuda cut off the taxi driver and planted himself right beside her, smiling far too warmly. “You… late. Very late. Busy night, yes?”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Sorry… do I know you?”

Matsuda gave her the quickest shake of his head, just enough for her to catch it. Realisation dawned in her eyes.

“Oh! Right. Yes. Yes, busy night,” she said, nodding quickly. “Sorry… I forgot the meeting place.”

“Is okay,” Matsuda said, still smiling like a man greeting a friend, instead of blocking a potential attacker. “I find you now.”

The taxi driver stopped a few steps away, thrown off by the sudden explosion of friendliness. The smile he had plastered on his face faltered.

“I was only offering her a taxi,” the driver said. His English was good.

Matsuda’s tone stayed cheerful, but the steel beneath it was unmistakable. “She with me. No taxi, thank you.”

The man’s eyes flicked back to his vehicle.

He was going to run.

Matsuda saw it a heartbeat before it happened.

“Oh no you don’t,” he muttered in Japanese, dropping the act entirely.

The man spun and bolted.

“HEY!” Matsuda shouted, sprinting after him.

He grabbed the man’s jacket just as he reached the taxi door. The driver fought wildly, elbow slamming into Matsuda’s ribs. Pain shot through him, but Matsuda held on with absolute stubbornness.

“Touta!” L’s voice cut in.

But Matsuda barely registered it. He was locked in a struggle, ribs throbbing where the elbow had caught him. He gritted his teeth and held on.

Behind them, the crowd’s noise shifted. People murmured, stepped back.

L shouted, “Now, over here!”

Matsuda blinked, startled, just as two uniformed officers rushed in from the edge of the plaza. One grabbed the driver’s free arm, the other moved behind him with quick, practised motions.

“Sir, let go. We have him,” one of them ordered.

Matsuda paused, stunned. “You…?”

L stood a few steps back, his hand tight around his phone. “I called them in when you started running.” he said.

The officers pushed the struggling man to the ground and cuffed him. “Suspect detained,” one said into his radio.

The driver spat curses in Japanese and English, but the officers held him firm.

Matsuda finally let go, breathing hard, pain blooming in his side. His hands shook slightly from the sudden release of adrenaline.

“You acted impulsively,” L said, stepping closer. There was an edge to his voice. “And very dangerously.”

“I had to,” Matsuda said, wincing as he pressed a hand to his ribs.

“That does not mean you should.”

One of the officers approached them. “We will need statements from both of you. Are either of you hurt?”

Matsuda shook his head quickly. “I’m fine.”

L gave the officer a polite nod, then leaned subtly towards Matsuda. “You are not fine.”

“I’m fine, really,” Matsuda replied, exasperated

The officer looked between them awkwardly. “We will handle the suspect. Thank you for alerting us.” He dipped his head at L, who had clearly been the one giving instructions from the background.

Once the officers moved off, Matsuda let out a shaky breath, looking at L. “You called them that fast?”

“You ran that fast,” L replied. “I had no choice. Thankfully, they have no idea who I really am.”

Matsuda let out a small laugh despite the throbbing in his ribs. “Sorry.”

“I’m not asking you to apologise. I’m asking you to stop frightening me.”

That caught Matsuda entirely off-guard. “I… frightened you?”

“Yes.” L stared deeply at Matsuda. “Immensely.”

Matsuda swallowed, the air suddenly thick between them.

“Ryuzaki…”

L’s gaze softened. “Do not run in alone like that again.”

Matsuda nodded. “I will try.”

“You will do more than try.”

Matsuda looked away, cheeks warm despite the cold night air. He reached out briefly, brushing his hand along L’s sleeve, a quiet gesture of reassurance.

Behind them, more officers arrived to take over the scene, lights flashing across the bay. The woman who had been targeted gave Matsuda a grateful nod from behind the police line, safe now.

Chapter Text

It was late by the time they returned to headquarters. Handing over their evidence and giving statements had kept them at Odaiba longer than either had expected. The lobby was quiet when Matsuda and L stepped inside, the warmth of the building a relief after the cold night.

Neither made any move to part ways. Matsuda hung back, reluctant to break the atmosphere between them, as though leaving might separate them more than just physically.

After a long pause, he exhaled. "Goodnight, Ryuzaki," he said softly.

"Goodnight, Matsuda," L replied with a small smile.

Matsuda turned and headed for the elevator, thinking about the day they had spent together. The laughter, the quiet moments, the way they had fallen so easily into step. And the kiss in the motel, still sharp in his memory. Tenderness pooled in his chest, mingled with the familiar ache he had long stopped trying to ignore.

Once inside his apartment, he went straight for the shower. Hot water washed the chill out of him. Leaning against the tiles, he let himself think of L, of how surprisingly fun, how natural their partnership had felt today. He pressed a hand gently to the bruises on his ribs. The pain was sharp but brief, and he smiled at himself, feeling wrung out and exhilarated at the same time.

After showering, he changed into his pyjamas. He felt more settled as he moved towards the living room. A knock at the door stopped him.

He opened it to find L standing there, hair slightly damp, as though he too had washed. L looked almost unsure of himself, as if surprised to be the one initiating contact.

"I am not disturbing you, am I?" he asked.

"No, not at all. I was about to have a drink. Do you want to join me?"

L nodded and stepped inside. Matsuda caught the clean scent of soap as L moved to the sofa and settled into his usual crouch. Matsuda retrieved two cans of beer from the fridge and handed one over.

L held it delicately, looking at the can like it was going to explode on him.

"Oh no, sorry. I can make you tea instead," Matsuda said quickly, scratching the back of his neck.

"This is fine. Don’t trouble yourself."

L opened the beer and took a small, tentative sip. The face he made afterwards was priceless. He clearly wasn’t a fan of the beverage. He set it down without touching it again. Matsuda smiled to himself and took a long drink from his own can, sitting down next to him.

A comfortable silence settled between them before L spoke. “I talked with the arresting officer on the phone. I believe we apprehended the correct man. His name is Kimoto Shin. Thirty-one years old.”

"Did he confess?"

"Not yet. But in his taxi they found rope, a knife, disinfectant, and cigarettes matching the brand we collected at the motel."

Matsuda’s stomach tightened. If they had been a few minutes slower, that woman would likely be dead.

"Any idea why he targeted foreigners?"

L hummed thoughtfully. “I suspect he found it easy to approach them. He could come across as a charming young man and could communicate with them. He probably used that to take advantage of their vulnerability.”

There was a small silence as Matsuda took another sip of his drink, putting the can back down on the table.

He then asked something that had been bothering him for the last few hour. "Why did you take this case today? It was fairly straightforward for you. Not really… your kind of thing."

L paused, before looking directly at Matsuda. "I wanted to spend time with you," he admitted. "The case was an excuse. I didn’t expect to solve it in one day. But you impressed me. You’re talented. And you have been waiting here while the NPA drags its feet about your return."

Matsuda’s breath caught. "You wanted to spend time with me?"

"I did. And I did not expect it to be so enjoyable. I think we worked well together. I… I didn’t want the day to end."

Matsuda swallowed hard. "Me too."

The air between them frizzled. L’s eyes dropped to Matsuda’s mouth for a heartbeat before lifting again.

L reached out, tracing the line of Matsuda’s jaw with soft fingers. The touch lit every nerve in Matsuda’s body.

"Touta," he murmured, his voice lower than Matsuda had ever heard it "I have been wanting to do this again since the motel."

Matsuda leaned into the touch, his heart thundering. "Ryuzaki-"

He barely finished the name before L kissed him.

Matsuda kissed back, uncertain for a moment. But when L’s hand slid to the back of his neck, something inside Matsuda steadied. He wasn’t imagining this. L wanted him. Really wanted him. The kiss deepened. Matsuda felt himself easing into it with growing sureness.

When they broke apart, Matsuda was breathing hard. L looked at him with open want.

In an instant, they were back on each other, lips crashing together. This kiss was raw, a release of the pent-up tension that had been simmering all day. Matsuda’s lips parted, and L’s tongue slid into his mouth, tangling with his in a way that sent heat rolling through him.

L climbed into his lap, pressing in close, and Matsuda’s hands gripped his hips as if he might disappear. L’s fingers roamed eagerly over his body, until they brushed the bruise on his ribs. L’s touch was gentle there, before he dragged Matsuda back into another deep, breath-stealing kiss.

As they came up for air, something bold rose in Matsuda.

"Come to the bedroom with me?"

There was no mistaking the meaning. L kissed him again, standing up but not breaking the contact.

They stumbled towards Matsuda’s bed, clothes becoming an obstacle to be removed as quickly as possible. Lips barely parted, the world narrowing down to the feel of skin against skin. Matsuda's hands explored L's body, savouring every inch of his pale, slim frame. His fingers dipped beneath the waistband of L's underwear, feeling the hard length that strained against the fabric. He slowly slid the underwear down, revealing L's cock, thick and ready. L pulled Matsuda back to in kiss him, tongues dancing together. 

"Condoms," L gasped, his voice hoarse as he pulled back slightly. "Do you have any?"

Matsuda’s heart jumped. This was really happening. He leaned over to his bedside cabinet, quickly pulling out a half-empty bottle of lube, but was struggling to find the condoms he knew had been stashed when he first moved into the building. While looking, L suddenly appeared next to him, reaching into the drawer. Matsuda saw a flash of purple silicone and panicked, snatching the toy from L and shoving it back in the drawer.

L smirked. "Interesting."

Matsuda was defensive, face red. "I told you I've been bored!"

He finally found the box of condoms. They were still sealed.

"These are ancient," he muttered, tossing the box to L. "They might be expired."

L checked the box and then laughed. "Touta, you won't believe this." He showed Matsuda the label.

14 FEB 2008.

Matsuda stared, then snorted. "You’re joking. Seriously?"

L shook his head, eyes bright with amusement. "A remarkable coincidence."

Matsuda laughed, half embarrassed, half delighted that he had unintentionally made L laugh like that.

The moment softened, before L leaned in again, voice low. "I want you," he murmured. "I want you inside me."

Matsuda’s heart stopped.

"Fuck... Ryuzaki-"

L kissed him gently, silencing the name. "No. Call me L. When we are alone, it’s L."

The request went straight through him, intimate in a way sex couldn’t touch. Matsuda nodded, voice barely a whisper. "Okay… L."

L’s eyes darkened. "Good." And he kissed him again.

Matsuda's mind raced with desire, his body aching with need. Matsuda guided L to lie back on the bed. Their cocks brushed against each other, making Matsuda shudder in pleasure. He reached down, his hand wrapping around L's cock, feeling the smooth, velvety skin and the hard length beneath. He stroked slowly, savouring the sensation, before pulling back to grab the lube.

He circled L's entrance, applying gentle pressure, feeling L's body respond with a shiver. L gasped, his hips bucking slightly as Matsuda's fingers slipped inside, one at a time. Matsuda curled his fingers, finding that sensitive spot that made L moan and writhe. He moved his fingers in and out, picking up speed, feeling L's body clench around him. L's breath came in ragged gasps, his body trembling.

"Touta, I'm ready," L panted. He pulled away and quickly passed the box of condoms to Matsuda.

Matsuda's hands were shaking with anticipation as he rolled one on. L pushed on his shoulders, directing him to lie on his back. L then straddled Matsuda and started to lower himself onto his cock. Matsuda couldn't stop staring as their bodies joined, the sensation of L enveloping him sending waves of pleasure through his body. L groaned, the sound a mix of relief and ecstasy, as he settled fully onto Matsuda. The tight, warm pressure around him was incredible.

"I've been dreaming of this." Matsuda confessed, his voice a mix of desire and vulnerability. L found his rhythm, moving with a skilful grace that left Matsuda breathless.

"I want to make you feel good. I want to learn exactly how to undo you.” L was panting slightly.

"Is that a promise or a threat?" Matsuda teased, his breath hitching as L shifted on his cock, hitting a particularly sensitive spot.

L's response was a fierce yet tender kiss. "Both," he murmured against Matsuda's lips.

Matsuda was overwhelmed by how confident L was during sex. He never would have pictured this level of intensity from the detective, and it drove him wild. His hands couldn’t stop roaming over L's body.

L picked up his pace, rising and falling at a speed which drove Matsuda closer to the brink.

"Oh, fuck, L... yes... don't stop," Matsuda gasped, his own hips lifting to meet L.

L put his hand under Matsuda’s chin, turning him to look directly into his dark wide eyes. “Don’t hold back, Touta. Fuck me."

Matsuda moaned and pulled L close to him, flipping them over without leaving his body. He started to fuck him in earnest, his movements deep and enthusiastic. Matsuda moved his hand to stroke L’s cock as he thrusted. "You're too much... I’m so close…"

L leaned up, capturing Matsuda's lips in another kiss, his teeth nipping at the soft flesh. "Come with me," he whispered against his lips, his body tensing as he reached his peak. His inner muscles clamped down on Matsuda, the sensation of L coming around his cock shooting through him. L's orgasm was intense, his body shuddering as he came, his release landing between them. L groaned, his voice a deep, guttural sound that shot through Matsuda's body.

Matsuda followed, his own body trembling as he pushed in a deep as he could, a loud moan escaping his lips. The pleasure of it made him see white for a moment. They collapsed together, hearts racing and bodies slick with sweat. Matsuda’s mind was refusing to catch up.

“Did we really just...?”

“Yes,” L breathed with a hint of amusement. “We did.”

Matsuda’s jaw dropped slightly. “And it was…?”

L’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “It was… good.”

“Yeah,” Matsuda breathed, a grin spreading across his flushed face. “It was really good.”

They both laughed softly, a little breathless. Matsuda reluctantly extracted himself from the bed to clean up. He brought a damp cloth back to wipe down L gently. Afterwards, he climbed back into the bed, pulling L close, their bodies fitting perfectly together.

Matsuda’s smile turned hopelessly soft, the kind that would have embarrassed him if he had any energy left to pretend otherwise. He tucked his face into L’s hair for a moment, steadying himself.

“L,” he said quietly. “I should probably tell you something before I explode.”

L tilted his head up to look at him, waiting.

Matsuda laughed under his breath. “I like you. Not in a casual way. I’ve liked you for a long time. Today just… made it worse. Or better. I don’t know.”

L’s lips tugged into a small smile. “I asked you to join me today because I wanted to spend time with you. I came here tonight because I wanted to be with you. If you’d like, I can be more direct.”

Matsud’s throat was tight. “Go on.”

“I like you too,” L said. “Quite a lot. It appears to be a mutual problem.”

Matsuda let out a choked laugh. “Feels like a good problem.”

“It is,” L agreed, settling closer. “A very good one.”

“So, L,” Matsuda said, pulling L into him and closing his eyes. “Do you have any plans tomorrow? I believe I promised you pudding.”

Matsuda could feel L's smile against his chest. “It’s a date,” he replied simply.

Matsuda’s grin spread helplessly across his face as he let the hush of the night and the closeness of L settle over him. The day had ended, but tomorrow promised more.

Before he drifted off, he heard L quietly singing one of the many songs that had been part of the soundtrack of their day.

Ride on time 彷徨う想いなら
優しく受け止めてそっと包んで
Oh ride on time 心に火をつけて
溢れる喜びに広がれ ride on time