rules of the house.

[l_shrugged]

[His clothing never altered to match the black and white stripes of his jailmates and Light's blood, now brown smears, is the only thing reminding him: This is just a mansion. About three days ago he decided that, having found that biting does little to wake him and, by his very nature, he is more apt to sleep an hour than a full night. Even if

Comments

[kami_to_you]

*Upon waking after falling asleep on the kitchen floor, Light was shocked to not only realize that he was, in fact, still wounded, but he was still in this place. He is now limping through the hall with what is becoming a permanent scowl on his face; expensive pants torn, dress shoes hurting his feet and it is in a moment of supreme frustration that he decides to ignore all warnings against the rooms here. It's only a dream, after all, albeit an extremely vivid and painful one. Almost enough to convince him that he's not quite sleeping

[l_shrugged]

[L slips to a low crouch when the door opens, prepared to rush out after someone enters, only to find the exit shut quickly and a figure appear. He blinks slowly, taking in the uneven pant legs and makeshift bandaging before slipping back and settling down again in a lazy fashion. It's Light Yagami-and the same one he had recently had the pleasure of assisting. Of course they would run into eachother again, despite the hundreds of doors decorating the hallways' walls.

The idea of conversing with Kira seems distasteful now that he's aware they're conscious.]

I'm not fond of the idea of nursing Light again. [He doesn't need to point out the guns directly, as he is rather certain the other has noticed by now.]

[kami_to_you]

*Of course. Light glances at the ceiling as if to tell his sleeping-self: predictable.*

I'm not fond of the thought of being anywhere near you. Or hearing your voice.

*His eyes narrow*

And you promised that you wouldn't come back.

*Ah, but L was always a liar, wasn't he?*

[l_shrugged]

Kira-kun should notice that he walked into the room I have been inhabiting for a week. I'm rather certain it is you whom has come back.

[He blinks lazily, wondering if the other is in the same situation he was upon first arriving. That could be of some amusement.]

That said, why are you stalking me?

[kami_to_you]

*Something in this dream must want Light to see something when it comes to L that he refused to look at before. Something that is causing him to encounter him more than once, and Light stares for a moment, shifting to favor his uninjured leg.*

Are they yours?

*He completely ignores the stalking accusation, motioning to the guards. Light had no way of knowing that L would be here. Had he, he would have definitely avoided this room, at all costs.*

[l_shrugged]

[L shakes his head subtly.]

I would not be in a cell, were that the case. [He stares as well, drawing a thumb to his lips thoughtfully. There is one way to settle this.] Light-kun are you under the impression that you are dreaming?

[kami_to_you]

Are you trying to convince me that I'm not?

*A fine brow arches and Light turns his attention away from the detective, taking in the room fully. This is...disgusting.*

It makes perfect sense, since this is, essentially, where you would have me.

[l_shrugged]

[L blinks several times and rests perches his head upon his knees, inhaling the musky stench of the cell. He did not believe the Amane and Mello claiming such before... there really is no proof Light cannot explain away with simple logic afterall.]

Light-kun knows I would not imprison myself as well- not in these surroundings. [And it's true. He does prefer surveillance. Even then, the cell is usually more humane.]

And as it stands, I'm not quite convinced that I am conscious either. However, If Light-kun is not a figment of my imagination, then the information sources have been feeding me may be of some use. There is a sixty-seven percent chance this is indeed an interdimensional rift, but I would prefer a high number. Light-kun's cooperation would be appreciated.

[kami_to_you]

I don't know anything, Ryuuzaki, *he mutters, deciding that he is not going to lean on the walls, or seat himself upon this filthy floor. Standing it is, and he remains as such, crossing his arms over his chest as he fixes L with a pointed look.*

What I do know is that this is all so convenient, given my win over you. Being in a situation where I required your assistance, your presence at all, and now here?

*The fact that L just asked him for help is only adding to this. Is it something his mind is trying to work out? Overcome some deep-seeded guilt that logically, Light knows that he should have felt at the detective's death, but never has? No. Light doesn't feel guilt. Ever.*

[l_shrugged]

[L blinks again and smiles faintly.]

Light Yagami was proven guilty and sentenced to death by lethal injection in 2005. Your triumph in another reality, if there actually is one, remains irrelevant to me. [Not to mention prodding that childishly competitive side of him. It is not the time to bicker, however.]

We both believe we are asleep, to an extent, yet over a week has passed. Perhaps Light-kun isn't considering the possibility as seriously as I, but you may as well humor me until you supposedly regain consciousness, ne?

[kami_to_you]

*That statement, no matter how false, causes Light to flinch subtly. That L, even in his dream, can think that he had any form of victory over him is downright insulting. And yet, he's curious as to how this visage of L remembers the event. But first...*

And L Lawliet, *and he emphasizes the name, taunting.* died on November 5, 2004 as the result of a heart attack, on the floor, and I was there. I watched your eyes close and when they did, the last thing they saw was me. *And there is a smugness to his tone when he says it. Despite everything that Light has accomplished since then, that, to this day, is his most cherished accomplishment.*

And I am asleep. You are a figment of my dream. I have no reason to humor you.

[l_shrugged]

[L catches the subtle movement and inhales. The Light he knows would never allows genuine flinching, so he must have hit a sensitive mark. This usually results in Light shoving back, unfortunately.

And as expected he does. In the most unexpected way. L blinks out of turn and soothes his own flinch before it slips through. It has been years.

Pale lips do tighten at the recounting of his alter's last moments, though he successfully distracts himself via nibbling at a finger. Even though it is not his universe (again, if the mansion claims are true), it is irritating how satisfied that tone sounds.

I saw no such thing. [Final.]

Hmn. If I am a figment of your dreams, why am I here? Are you guilty, Kira-kun~? Perhaps you're bored? [L is amused.] Or maybe you've missed me, ne?

[kami_to_you]

I've never felt as at peace as I did the day after you died. *A slow smile. It feels good to be able to speak to L this way, so openly, without having to employ a ruse.* So no, L. I haven't missed you, nor have I felt guilt.

*Light doesn't believe, for a second, that L doesn't remember. Every dream he's ever had, L has always remembered, and was usually the one to speak of the event. The fact that he is not doing it this time feels empty, somehow.

And so he closes the distance between them, maintaining his pride, though he is very clearly limping*

Would you like me to remind you? *He leans down a little* I can even pretend to be upset, if it helps your memory along any.

[l_shrugged]

[The man watches, interested in this Light whom is able to speak freely, without concern for potential surveillance or eavesdropping. He nods at the negative response. They are on the same page where the guilt is concerned. However, L dislikes boredom and said state only seemed completely relieved during the Kira investigation. And again now

[kami_to_you]

Ah, then it seems that I value my trophies more than you do, L.

*Why does this feel so real? Never, in any dream, has Light ever felt this immense satisfaction in engaging with L. It has always been an annoyance, a faint whisper of the thrill that existed all of those years ago. And the thought of Light spending any time crying over anything lost--even his own life--is something that confirms, even more, that this isn't anything but his mind conjuring things for reasons he has yet to understand.*

I was right-*And he leans in a little closer, only a mere few inches from the detective's face*-here. You were trying so hard to breathe. *His eyes lock on L's, (pupils far too large, as always. Of course. It's exactly how Light remembers him. Why wouldn't they be?) and the fingers of his right hand curl into his palm, pressing into the flesh as he recalls the memory in extreme detail.*

Try to remember.

[l_shrugged]

[This is likely true.

They both valued triumph over the other, but L's win lie in proving his guilt whereas Light needed his death. Of course, L knew an arrest equated to death in its own way, but the satisfaction primarily blossomed at the trial. And while he consequences were well deserved, they were hardly enjoyable. In the end, Light's death meant a return to less interesting cases; L's cleared a large obstacle. Very different.

L stares, unfazed, and considers the situation. He is quite grateful he does not recall such a thing.]

Light-kun, I was not present during this. [He prods at his upper lip.] I am beginning to believe the rumors of an inter-dimensional nexus. This dream is much too detailed. Enduring.