Chapter 20: Epilogue

                                    

                                          
"Tell him he shall not speak with me." L reads with a monotone delivery, holding the script in hand.
                          
	"Has been told so; and he says, he'll stand at your door like a sheriff's post, and be the supporter to a bench, but he'll speak with you." You recite, not holding one. L looks above the book and gives you a small grin, indicating that you had said it perfectly this time.
                          
	"What kind o' man is he?" He continues. No emotion. Of course. 
                          
	"Why, of mankind."
                          
	"What manner of man?"
                          
	"Of very ill manner; Will you speak with him or not?" 
                          
	"No, you keep modernizing it." L corrects. "The line reads, and I quote: 'Of very ill manner; he'll speak with you, will you or no.' end quote."
                          
	"Of very ill manner; he'll speak with you, will you or no." You repeat. 
                          
	"Very good." He says. You laugh and roll your eyes.
                          
	"What's so funny?" He asks.
                          
	"Nothing. You're just taking this very seriously."
                          
	"You wanted me to." He smirks.
                          
	"I know... It's just... You're a dork that's all." 
                          
	"And you're a nerd." He laughs. "A nerd who needs to learn their lines. If you keep putting this off you're gonna panic, you know."
                          
	"Yeah..." You sigh, feeling your voice getting tired from all the speaking. "I'm gonna get some water from the kitchen, you want anything?"
                          
L hums in thought. "Could you get the slice of chocolate cake from the fridge for me?"
                          
"Sure thing." You say as you walk past him toward the kitchen, ruffling his hair on the way. 
                          
You'd been living with L for a few months now, and it was honestly one of the best decisions you'd ever made. Both of you were able to keep each other afloat, although L made much more money than you ever did. But since you were home to be with L, Watari was able to spend more time improving the successor program back in England. That was the factor (other than romantic feelings) that convinced L to let you move in with him.
                          
You poured some ice and water into a glass, and heard the crisp clink against the cup and the delicate cracks of the ice. It was a fairly calm evening, the silence being drowned only by a gently humming air conditioner. You open the fridge, and you're greeted with a plethora of produce and foodstuffs. Half of the space, however, had been taken over by cakes and pastries. You search through L's side before locating the chocolate slice he was looking for. Then you return with your drink and his food. 
                          
"Thank you, love." He says as an almost childish excitement lights up his face. He holds a fork above the cake, before abruptly stopping in his tracks. "Would you like a piece?"
                          
"It's all yours!" You giggle, though your heart swells at the offer. 
                          
"Would you like to keep going? Or should we call it a night?" L asks. You check the clock. 12:30.
                          
"I think it's getting a bit late." You say. 
                          
"Alright. Well, goodnight, love." L replies, before rolling his chair back to his monitors. Disappointment floods you. You were really hoping he'd stay with you tonight.
                          
"L, why don't you try to get some sleep?"
                          
"As much as I enjoy your company, I don't think I'll be able to fall asleep."
                          
"Can you try?" You approach his chair, snuggling him from behind. 
                          
"I suppose." He reluctantly agrees. You smile, and he follows you to your bedroom.
                          
And so, the two of you lie together, resting on L's chest, as he wraps his arms around your torso. L's legs entangle with yours, and the two of you can't help but pull each other as close as possible. He gives you a small forehead kiss, before closing his eyes. 
                          
"Thank you." You blurt out, knowing how hard it can be for him to sleep sometimes.
                          
"Could you sing?" He tiredly asks. You chuckle a little, before quietly and a little lazily humming a tune for him. You feel your eyes begin to grow heavy, as the end of the song approaches. God, you could fall asleep while singing to him.
                          
You stir slightly, and gaze up at L, noticing that he had fallen into a deep sleep. Gentle calming breaths, in and out, creating a peaceful look on his face. 
                          
Each time you held each other was ten times better than the last. You feel his soft sweatshirt, woven from clouds. His warm arms, even if it's summer, you don't mind. You felt... safe. And this time, you fell asleep knowing that you actually were, and forever will be, safe, warm, and loved. 
                          
The strength and gentleness when he held you, especially in his sleep, that is what told you just how much he actually cared. How much he loved you.
                          
It wasn't a lie. For the first time, L hadn't hid himself behind smoke and mirrors.