Bad Omens

[ijk_mno]

L is sitting at the kitchen table, with a plate of strawberry cheesecake in front of him. He's staring at it. He has a fork in his hand.

But he doesn't think he's going to be able to bring himself to eat, and he doesn't know why.

Comments

[gamerspy]

Some time later, Matt comes home to their room. He has a few books under one arm and a small packet of painkillers in his pocket - L hadn't seemed too well, that morning, though Matt's hopeful that he's picked up a little by now.

"L?"

[ijk_mno]

It's quite the opposite. L is lying on his stomach on the bed (it's the only way that doesn't hurt) with his hair in his eyes and the blankets pulled up around his neck. His fever is climbing.

"Matt."

[gamerspy]

"Shit, man." Matt comes closer, sitting carefully on the bed. He's frowning - he'd figured he'd been stupid for worrying, and now...

"How are you feeling?"

[ijk_mno]

"I think something's wrong."

He reaches out and grabs Matt's sleeve.

[gamerspy]

"Wrong like--?"

Matt forces the note of worry out of his voice, taking L's hand. He can't feel anything with his gloves on, so he yanks the glove off the other hand with his teeth before pressing it to L's forehead. He's burning up.

"Tell me. I've got some painkillers - they should help with the feverishness. Okay?"

[ijk_mno]

"Help me into the shower?"

That's the only thing that's been helping. A hot shower against the small of his back. Even though it makes his head swim even worse. And even though he's sure he's going to throw up. His hand tightens on Matt's sleeve.

[gamerspy]

"Of course. If it helps" Matt shifts to move the blankets - to help him sit up, without letting go of him. "But you need to tell me what's wrong, man."

It might just be a flu, a viral infection - L might just need plenty of rest and fluids. But it might not.

[ijk_mno]

"I feel sick. My stomach- on this side, especially."

He touches the place where it's aching. He has a suspicion of what it might be, of course, but if it's true...

[gamerspy]

Matt's heart stutters, painfully. This has the potential to be much worse than patching up burn wounds.

"Do you want me to - try and find someone?"

[ijk_mno]

"I don't know, Matt. Who could we find?"

Are there even doctors around? (Much less surgeons, oh God.)

[gamerspy]

"Ryuzaki?"

Matt would rely on a version of L, of course. He licks his lips, nervous, and puts a hand on L's back, behind his shoulders.

"C'mon. Do you still want that shower?"

[ijk_mno]

"Yes."

His shirt is damp from sweat, and he's shivering. He pulls himself to his feet, holding on to Matt's arm.

"I- I think you should go to him, and ask him to help you find a doctor."

[gamerspy]

"I will."

But he's reluctant to leave L right now, like this. Holding onto him, he walks him slowly to the bathroom, fighting down useless waves of panic.

"A shower first, okay? Painkillers if you want them. Then I'll go and - you never know, maybe he trained as a doctor himself." There's no way to know if this is the right thing to do - not off the top of his head. He kisses L's hair, keeps his voice calm. "I'll go as soon as you're back in bed."

[ijk_mno]

L leans in to him while they walk, because he has to, and because his presence helps. It's easy to be a little bit stronger, to keep Matt a little bit less worried. It's easy to focus on his arms.

Once they're in the bathroom he peels his shirt off. His side is actually visibly swollen, which is new. He swallows.

[gamerspy]

"Here, let me help -"

Matt's seen the swelling; he's gone pale, but he's doing an okay job at at least appearing calm. It's probably practice. There were points where he thought Mello was a goner for sure, but Matt stayed calm around him, and everything worked out fine, so clearly if he keeps calm and steady everything will be fine now. He concentrates on helping L out of his clothes, towards the shower.

[ijk_mno]

"I can do this, Matt. I think you should go find someone."

His arm tightens around Matt's shoulders. He wants him to stay. He wants him to stay close and kiss him and make the pain go away, forever. But that won't work this time.

"Time is probably an issue."