Picking Up The Pieces

L sat in his chair by the computer, staring at the screen without truly reading the material on the page. After an earlier argument L had finally allowed Light to have a day to himself, though only for three hours, and the young teen had yet to return. It was starting to anger him that the boy had abused his trust and he scowled at the screen. Light was not being let out again until he was cleared. That was for sure.

It was approximately thirty minutes later when Matsuda's phone went off. He flashed an apologetic look at the team before answering it. “Hello?” There was a pause and his brow furrowed. “No that's not my name...are you sure this was the name and number he gave?” Another pause then, “Who did you say this boy was?” They all watched curiously as Matsuda listened to the call. “Hmm if you're positive then maybe I know who your looking for.” He stood and approached L. “It's a call for a Ryuu,” he explained, “I think it may be for you.” L took the phone between his fingers and carefully held it up to his ear.

“Hello?”

“Is this Ryuu?” A female voice asked.

“Yes,” he replied, curious, “And who is this?”

“I'm Nurse Aiko from Tenshibu hospital. We have a young male here who gave this name and number before passing out. We'd like to have you identify him if you could.”

“What happened to him?”

“I can't reveal that until you positively know him. That would be a breach in confidentiality.” L sighed.

“Alright I shall be up soon.” With that the call ended. He stood, turning to Soichiro, “I'd like you to come with me if you would,” He said. The elder man nodded and L turned back to one of the monitors. “Watari get a car for me and Soichiro.”

“Where to L?”

“To Tenshibu hospital.” He ended the connection and started out the door, Soichiro close behind.

The whole way to the hospital L wondered who could have been asking for him and what had happened. He wasn't sure if he wanted the answer quite yet.

“He's this way,” Kyoko, a petite, young, blonde nurse told them. They followed her down the white hallways until they found the room they were looking for. As soon as L saw the boy lying in the bed he froze, breath stuck in his throat. It was hard to tell from his disheveled hair and bruised face and, once the nurse pulled back the blanket, torso, yet L made him out quickly. He stood there, shocked, and forced out a question.

“What happened to him?” He demanded, “I know him...now tell me what happened.”

“From what we've gathered he's been severely bruised and,” she paused briefly, “He's been raped as well.” She swallowed nervously. “A lot...” Soichiro pushed past him, staring at the broken body on the bed.

“Oh my god,” he breathed, “Light...”

L sat next to Light's form in the darkness of the room, legs curled up under him in his signature crouch. Soichiro had been finally convinced to go home and sleep as long as L stayed with him, since he had no need to sleep, and informed him the second something happened. As time wore on L simply watched Light's calm face, wondering what exactly was going on in his head. He watched Light's eyes flicker rapidly behind his lids but other than that he had stayed perfectly still. “I wish you'd wake up already,” L murmured, tipping his head back. He wanted to know what had happened. He didn't want to wait.

It was then that he heard a small noise. He looked around, wondering where it was coming from, before his eyes locked onto the boy lying on the bed. Light's body had tensed, hands gripping the bed beneath him. Again a small noise escaped him, and it took a few moments before L realized what it was. A small whimper of fear.

“Light?” L questioned, shifting to look at the boy more closely.

Light's breathing sped up and L stood, approaching the bed. He gently laid a hand on Light's arm and the teen jerked slightly. With a sigh L sat on the edge of the bed and brushed Light's hair out of his face. Another whimper escaped the teen and, feeling awkward, bent to give Light a swift hug. He felt a shudder pass through the body below him before hearing a soft “L-L?”

“Light?” He pulled back, looking into the dull amber eyes that were now watching him. “You're awake.” Light didn't reply. As L studied him he noticed how lifeless the teens usually bright eyes were. It didn't even seem like Light was looking at him...more like looking through him.

“Do...you all know?” Light asked softly.

“Only what the hospital's told us,” L replied smoothly. He wanted to say something to help him, but what could he say? That it'd be alright? That he understood how Light felt? He wasn't going to lie to the teen, so there wasn't much he could say. Light gave a sigh and closed his eyes again. L was about to say something when Light spoke.

“You're definitely not like other people,” He murmured, “You don't sugarcoat everything.” He opened his eyes again, looking at L again with his blank stare. “I'm kind of glad I guess.”

“I can relate to that at least,” L said, “I would not want to be lied to in this state.” A sad looked flashed over Light's face but before L could process it, it disappeared. “ I should call your dad and let him know you're awake.”

Light watched him closely. “You'll come back after?” L nodded, worried about the teen, before turning to walk out.

He made the call and quickly made his way back to Light's room. The boy's eyes were closed, as if he were sleeping, and L made his way back over to the bed. Gently, as if worried the teen would break, he brushed his fingers over the large bruise on Light's face. He felt his heart clench and sucked in a breath. He'd never felt like this before...and he wasn't quite sure how to deal with it.

Light's eyes fluttered open and glanced up at him distantly. L went to draw back his hand but Light grabbed it. Neither boy said anything for a while. Finally L felt he need to break the silence.

“Do you need anything?” He asked softly. Light sighed and shut his eyes.

“Just...stay here.” L nodded even though Light couldn't see it and sat down on the edge of the bed once more. This version of Light...this was the one he wanted to be around. This was the one he hoped would stay around.

Light's breathing evened out as he fell asleep once more. His hand was still holding L's wrist and L gave a soft smile. He knew he was acting different but there was no one to see. For now it didn't matter how he acted. He gently moved and laid next to Light, smiling when Light curled into him. Within moments the insomniac fell asleep for the first time in a while.