Only Human

By: Hitokiri Musei

Rated: T

Summary: A three-shot during the time when L and Light are chained together. Light gets reminders that L is only human, no matter how invincible he seems…

Warnings: There will be hints of yaoi, as well as actual yaoi later on in the story. (final shot) Other than that, L abuse, OOCness (though I’ll try to keep it to a minimum) keep in mind that this is during the chained together period; LIGHT DOES NOT KNOW HE IS KIRA!

I don’t own Death Note. I cry.

Number 1

Concussion

Light Yagami growled softly, grinding his teeth slightly as he did. Times like this bothered him, and it was times like this that he was sorely tempted to hurt someone.

L was staring at him again. That damned detective and his huge, creepy eyes; it was downright unnerving. As for what was going on in the skull beneath those messy black-locks, Light had no idea.

And that bugged him.

Finally the teen sighed, rolling his eyes. “What do you want this time, Ryuzaki?”

L blinked slowly, and then his monotone broke the silence. “I was merely thinking, Light-kun. I don’t want anything.”

“Well could you not stare at me? It’s creepy.”

L blinked again. “Creepy?”

Light nodded. “Yea, you’ve got a freaky stare, and it’s making me nervous.”

“For what reason? What do you have to feel nervous about?”

Raising an eyebrow the teen met L’s blank eyes. “Nothing, you just have creepy eyes.”

“Up to 3 percent…”

Startled, Light jumped. “What?.! What do you mean?.!”

Black eyes traveled up to stare at Light. “You were nervous just by my looking at you, therefore you are guilty of something. 3 percent.”

Light clenched his fists. “That’s ridiculous! How can you just jump to that conclusion, I haven’t done anything! Haven’t you ever been freaked out by someone staring at you?.!”

L tapped his forefinger on his bottom lip before nibbling on his thumbnail. “I’ve never had reason to.”

“So this was all one of your ‘get Light to confess’ ploys?” Light ground out. “How many times do I have to tell you, Ryuzaki? I-AM-NOT-KIRA!”

“I have reason to believe otherwise, Light-kun.”

Something snapped. After 3 weeks of being chained to L, Light’s patience was running low with little sleep, constant accusations, and long hours. This latest blame finally broke the thin thread that was holding Light’s control over his temper.

“God DAMNIT, Ryuzaki!”

Light leapt up from his seat, his fist colliding with L’s cheek hard enough to send the man to the floor. “I’m so tired of you! You never sleep, so I never get any, you’re always staring at me, and you just keep accusing me! It’s so frustrating!!”

Light had to jump backwards as L planted his hands against the floor and sent a powerful kick towards the teen’s chin. He felt the wind as L’s heel flew past his face.

“Control yourself Light-kun, this is no time to –fight!-” With the last world L managed to get a blow in to Light’s shoulder, knocking the brunette to the floor. He was jerked forward a few steps by the chain, but was pulled off his feet as Light took hold of the chain and yanked. L met fist halfway down, his lip splitting on contact and his body flying backwards.

As L hit the floor with a grunt Light flew to his feet, reaching out and grabbing the collar of the loose white shirt. “You are so insufferable! I can’t even have a moment of privacy, you’re always there! And I’m not Kira!”

With the last word Light punched the detective in the face as hard as he could, throwing him backwards with the other hand as he did.

He would never forget the sound that came to him next.

CRACK.

There was a rather sickening noise as L bounced off the table and hit the floor. Light fought to breathe normally, clenching and unclenching his fists.

L didn’t move.

“Come on, Ryuzaki. Get back up here.”

Silence.

Light felt a brief flash of fear. “Ryuzaki?” He took a step towards where L was sprawled on his side, unmoving. “Come on, Ryuzaki, this isn’t funny.”

He knelt beside the detective, shaking his shoulder slightly. “Ryuzaki? … L?”
The teen rolled L’s unresisting body towards him, fear crossing his features. L was unconscious, and as Light touched the back of his head his fingers came back covered in blood.

He looked to the table to see blood along the corner, and then swore frantically. He shook the detective, worry leaking into his voice. “L! L, come on! Wake up!”

L moaned quietly, and then his eyes fluttered open. He stared up at Light for a moment, and then blinked slowly. “W-Wha…” His eyes went in and out of focus, and then he moaned again, closing his eyes.

Light swore again, pulling a nearby drawer open and digging out a small flashlight he kept there in case of electricity emergencies. “L? Hey, L!” He had to slap the detective’s cheek lightly to get him to look. “Come on, pay attention.”

As the light shone in his eyes L barely reacted, staring dully up at Light’s face. The teen bit his lip as L’s right pupils dilated slowly, swore when his left did not.

“L. L, look at me.” Dazed eyes focused on him slowly, blinking. “Here, come on, stand up.” Light murmured, grabbing the detective’s right arm and looping it over his shoulders, pulling him up.

L stumbled, reeling as Light got him on his feet, nearly dragging the teen down as his knees buckled. Light grunted slightly as the older man’s weight bore down on him, situating him better. “Come on, walk.”

“I… can’t…” his voice was slurred and quiet.

With a sigh Light bent over, whipping L up into his arms bridal style, resting the detective in his arms. L clenched his eyes shut at the movement, burying his face in Light’s shoulder and wrapping a hand in the black shirt the teen was wearing.

Light carried L up the stairs to a floor where their room was, sitting him in a soft chair in the corner. L didn’t protest at sitting normally, he merely leaned his head back, breathing deeply.

“L?” Light murmured worriedly. L was swaying in his seat, lips parted slightly.

“Light-kun… I… I need…”

The teen realized a second later, quickly hauling L off the chair and into the bathroom just in time. L’s body heaved, ejecting the sugary contents of his stomach. Light held the long black hair out of his pale face.

As L finally sat back Light helped him lean against the wall, grabbing him a glass of water to rinse his mouth. The detective’s breathing was harsh and ragged, his eyes clenched shut.

Light carried L back into the room, setting him on the chair and kneeling down. “L? Are you okay?”

“Mmm… headache… everything’s blurry…” L opened his eyes slowly, focusing on Light. “What happened?”

“You hit the table.” Light said, keeping his voice soft so he wouldn’t aggravate L’s headache. “Give me your hands, L.”

The detective raised his hands, but he missed Light’s hands, causing the teen to reach up and take L’s trembling hands. His fingers were cold, and Light gently pinched the web of skin between L’s thumb and forefinger. “Can you feel that?”

L nodded, making Light feel a little more at ease. Numbness in extremities was a sign of serious traumatic brain injury, so it couldn’t be any worse than a mild concussion.

“Pull on my hands.”

Hesitating, L started to push, and then stopped and pulled. Opposite directions reveled opposite results; L had to think about it, and he messed up at first.

He’s a little confused…

“Light-kun?”

Light’s chestnut eyes rose. “Yes?”

“Could we turn the lights down? It’s… really bright in here.” L murmured, his eyes closed.

Ah… Light sensitivity… Another symptom. I really did give him a concussion.

Light rose, going to the switch and dimming the lights. “There, L, better?”

L’s dark eyes fluttered open. “Mm, yes. Thank you.”

The teen went back to L’s side, running a gentle hand over his dark hair. “How are you feeling?”

It took the detective a moment to answer. “I’m… tired, I guess.”

“I need you to stay awake, L, at least for a little while, okay?” Light murmured, his fingers briefly stroking over the pale forehead. No sign of fever… It’s not common, but I had to check…

L shifted in the chair, and then pushed himself to his feet, swaying slightly. Light followed him closely in case he fell, but he managed to get to the bed to collapse on the mattress.

“L…”

The detective waved a hand in his direction, dispelling any comments. “I’m not going to die if I sleep, Light-kun.” he yawned out. “Wake me periodically if you like.”

Light blinked, and then chuckled faintly. “Alright, I suppose you’re right. It was only a mild concussion after all.” He sat on the bed, reaching to the side table for the book that he kept there. A few good hours of reading will make me feel calmer… Besides, it’s not like I can leave…

The chain clinked softly as if to remind him of that.

A few minutes later he was startled out of his reading by movement near his lap. He looked down to see L’s dark head resting on his thigh, his face peaceful. Light blinked in shock, staring down at the detective with a slight bit of annoyance in his eyes. He was getting ready to push him off when L sighed in contentment, a small smile come to his lips.

Light smiled, gently stroking the black hair once before pulling the blanket up over the other’s body. Well, as long as he’s not awake to see this… His hand returned to petting L’s hair softly, his eyes going back to his book.

I’m glad you’re okay, L…

Alright, a couple things. Most of the things that I had happen to L and had him do are things that I have written from my own experience of a concussion. Most of these things were done to me as well, such as the pushing and pulling with the hands and the light in my eyes and such. All other information about concussions was found on wikipedia, and I drew all of my conclusions that I didn't get from experience from that.

Now as to Light's behavior, I figured that a while without sleep (3 weeks or so into their chained up time) and being stuck with L for so long, Light had to have a breaking point. He's tired and irritable, and L didn't really help the situation at all. So, I thought that their fight would be justified. Of course, after that, Light would feel upset and a little guilty that his temper had done such damage to L, so he cared for him. The end part... well, that's just a hint of things to come, as well as Light reluctantly submitting to what he feels.

Next chapter coming soon, please review!