Multi-Fandom One-shots (Requests OPEN)

Mirrors (Light×L)

Light had noticed. Of course he had, he was just as smart, if not smarter, than L himself. However, he could do nothing about it. L wouldn't let him close enough to talk about it, and even if he did he still suspected Light of being Kira, and it would just raise his suspiscions even further. He would think Light wanted to get close enough to learn his real name in order to kill him. In truth, Light was worried about L's strange behavior when it came to mirrors. L was usually calm and emotionless during most situations, so at first Light hadn't suspected anything. He figured L didn't watch him while he changed in curtousy, despite not taking his eyes off of him any other time. But, Light soon found out this was not the case. He was 99% sure; L didn't like his reflection, or was at least scared of it.
Naturally, they had a mirror in their room, most people did. But Light never saw L looking anywhere near it, just as he had rarelly ever caught L sleeping. He had only ever caught L staring at the mirror once. Light had been working on the laptop, having minor discussions with L every few hours to discuss what they had come across. He looked up from his laptop for another discussion, only to find L staring into the mirror, completely still. He looked transfixed, eyes glassy and, upon a closer look, he was not still, but shaking slightly.
"Ryuzaki?" Light called softly, his voice loud in their quiet room. No response. Light narrowed his eyes slighty, sliding the computer off his lap. The chain connecting them jingled as he slid off the bed, taking a step closer to the detective. "L? You alright?" He called again, finding his voice. L jumped, seeming surprised. For a moment he was silent again, then he stepped off the chair and turned away from the mirror, his face carefully blank.
"What is it Light? Something the matter?" He asked in his usual tone, as if nothing had happened. Light gave him a curious look, trying to understand what had just happened, then shrugged.
"It's nothing. It's just getting late so I figured we should get some sleep while we can." He replied, the lie easily rolling off his tongue. After all, he was used to it. And it was late, they'd spent most evenings up until midnight or the early hours in the morning. Now, it was almost midnight. L thought a moment, then nodded.
"I suppose." He responded, taking the initiative to get into bed. He never layed down, he simply curled up in his usual position and stared down at the sheets until Light got into bed.
But now, L sitting in the chair while Light fixed his composure in the mirror and his gaze carefully avoiding the reflective surface, Light couldn't help but wonder, why? The fearless detective seemed impossible to scare, and yet he acted very strange when it came to mirrors; it bothered Light not to know why. He wondered if he could pry the information out somehow. After all, his curiousity wasn't the only thing at play here. Part of him really cared about L, despite never admitting it, and he wanted to be able to help. It was actually starting frustrate him, how much it hurt to remember the shaking image of L staring into that mirror.
"Ryuzaki?" Maybe if he could just coax him to look into the mirror, make the proof of his fear undeniable and then demand he tell Light why. He had to play his cards right, or this wouldn't work.
"Yes Light? What is it?" He asked, not looking over. That was strange. L made eye contact when he was curious if he could help it. That changed things. He would have to trick him into looking over at him. What would perk his curiousity? The Kira case always got him...but what could he say without sounding suspiscious? "Light, are you planning on speaking or do you simply like the sound of my name?"
"What? That's ridiculous!" Light sputtered, not sure why the question had made him so angry.
"Lighten up. For someone with a name like that you're way too serious." L said in his usual monotone, but Light could catch the small upturn in the corner of his lips, and a small bit of humour in his tone. "What is it that you wanted, then?"
"Why do you wear the same outfit everyday?" Light asked, quickly covering with casual conversation. Small talk. Maybe if he got him relaxed enough, he would look over and...*'Oh god, I think exactly like Kira.* He thought with bit of horror.
"Isn't that a bit hypocritical, Light?" L asked, shuffling in the chair as he rubbed his feet together. Obviously he didn't want to be in the room any longer, most likely his need for sugar was the cause. "You wear the same outfit as well."
"That's because it's my school uniform. Besides, I change my clothes on weekends." Light replied, easily countering the accusation. He found it the only one he could counter with absolute proof these days....
"This attire is comfortable for me." L replied simply, stepping off the chair and staring down at the bed. L was never standing sraight. He was always slightly hunched over, or his knees were bent slightly. What was it with L and making himself small? Maybe it was habit...but that brought up where he first started this habit, and why. It was then that L looked over at him. He turned his body slightly, dull eyes reaching Light as the raven-haired detective turned his head. "If that's it, then we should get to work. We still have a lot to do...if....." L trailed off as he sucked his breath in sharply, accompanied by his eyes widening slightly. The gasp surprised Light, and he realized that L's eyes were not on him, but on the mirror positioned strategically next to him. *'Gotcha.'*
"Ryuzaki, you ok? What were you going to say?" He played innocent, glancing between L and the the mirror, taking in the scene before him. It took less to jossle L out of his trance this time, and he took a shaky step back, looking away again.
"I-if we want to catch Kira." He stuttered, turning away completely. This was worse than he imagined. The only time he had ever seen L even slightly fazed was when he learned of the Shingami. This was...a totally different side to the calm and collected detective.
"L, you sure your ok? You seem stressed." Light said, looing at the mirror then to L.
"I'm fine." L responded quickly, too fast to be the truth. Usually L was very blunt, and always told Light when he was upset about something, why, and then proceeded to sulk until Light hit him. This time, L seemed desperate to cover it up instead. "If your ready now, then let's get some work done." L said, walking towards the door. Light took a few steps back, and the chain went taught. L looked back, and Light could see the bit of confusion fighting it's way out. "What is it this time, Light?" He asked with an annoyed sigh. Light didn't answer, he wrapped his hand around the chain and tugged it, hard. L stumbled forward with another annoyed sound, hunched forward further than he usually was.
"Why won't you look into the mirror?" Light asked, watching L attempt the straighten out, to a certain extent of course.
"I don't know what you're talking about. This is ridiculous, we have work to-"
"Just tell me, L. You refuse to look anywhere near it. And when you do, you start acting really strange. I know somethings up, so just tell me." Light cut off, pulling the chain further into into his grip as he stepped forward, preventing L from moving back even if he wanted to. Light was aware that this was probably making him seem more like Kira, but his worry for L had reached it's limit. He wanted to help, and without L's co-operation that was impossible. L looked up, and for a moment they only stared at each other. Light patiently waiting for an answer, and L wondering how to get out of this situation. But, that was impossible without unclasping the handcuffs, and he couldn't do that. He supposed they would either sit here all day, or he had to talk. But....... "L." L's eyes snapped up from the floor again, coal eyes caught by amber. "Please, I.....I want........to help you." L returned his gaze to the floor for a moment, then looked up.
"Light, let go." He said, looking towards the chain for emphasis. Light looked surprised, and his brown hair fell over his eyes as he looked down, chain falling from his hand. "I don't have an obligation to tell you anything." L said, despite movng away from the door. "But I suppose, since I think of you as a friend, that...maybe I can share a bit. Of course since your still under suspiscion of being Kira, I will not reveal my name or too much detail of my past." Light looked up, both glad and anxious to be able to find out.
"So why are you so scared of mirrors?" Light asked, and L gave a small laugh.
"I am not scared of mirrors. I'd have no problem with them, if it weren't for..." L trailed off, bringing a hand up to place a hand against his chest. Light gave a curious look, stepping closer to L, who hadn't spoke up again.
"Wasn't for what?" Light asked, looking over his chest. L took a deep breath.
"Light, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I will only ever talk honestly about my past once. Promise me that what happens in his room, will never leave our lips." The detective said, his voice harsh and extremely different than the usual monotone.
"O-of course...I promise." Light confirmed, watching as L's hand slid down to the bottom of his baggy white sweater, hand curling around the edge. Light went rigid, but made no move to stop him as he pulled the top up and over his head. *'Oh my god....'* Light couldn't help but trail every scar with his eyes. "W-what......" Light couldn't help but walk forward to stand in front of L, shaking hands reaching out to touch L's chest. He didn't expect to do it. He had just thought and suddenly... "What happened to you?" He asked, a hand trailing up and a specailly long scar from his chest to his stomach.
"Let's put it this way, my childhood could have gone better." L was almost silent, and Light began to feel bad for L. He isn't going to admit it, but... L's gasp as Light's lips were pressed against his was worth the worry. The surprised yet welcome contact mad him melt, and Light wrapped his arms around the detective to hold him up. "Light, what are you doing?" L basically whispered, looking into Light's eyes. Light shrugged, smiling.
"We promised nothin done here would leave the room. So here it goes; I'm sorry that your past is bad. But I hope I can make your future better." He said, and L smiled. He actually smiled. His lips turned up at the corners, and his eyes brightened a bit.
"Thank you." He replied. Light brough one of his hands up, lifti g his chin to kiss him.