Licking one's wounds (Closed RP, L, A)

[pre_l]

L was still resenting the fact that he had to admit that Kurama was right. He didn't like it. Didn't like the further implications that he could have been wrong before as well. That sat less well than that he might have been wrong about A. Interpersonal relationships were new to him. Understanding people and their motivations and actions weren

Comments

[i_am_an_hero]

A dropped to the floor at L's feet, the faint sniffles he'd been containing bursting into deep, hitching sobs.

"I didn't know!" he wailed. "I, I, I didn't, I liked him, I didn't know!"

[i_am_an_hero]

"I didn't know," A whispered. "I didn't have the information." He'd stopped sobbing, but he was still shaking and sniffling.

[pre_l]

"I know, dearest," L said softly. He continued to hold A, rocking him. "That's what happens when when we interact with people and not information." He cradled A gently. "It's not your fault, A. You couldn't have known. You did the right thing, what you were supposed to; you tried to be friendly, you gave him a chance."

[i_am_an_hero]

"He shouldn't have been nice." A wrapped his arms tightly around L's waist and rested his head on his chest. "People like that shouldn't be nice. It's not right. I can't tell."

[pre_l]

L rested his head on A's. "If people acted the way they were, dearest, then people like us wouldn't be needed." He looked at the wall hidden behind Matt's gaming equipment. "But, that is a risk we take when dealing with people instead of data." Another slight pause. "Would you give up being with Kusuriyuri and Kurama and me to deal with just data again? Would you have gotten to know us if you hadn't tried?"

[i_am_an_hero]

"Never you," A breathed instantly. "Not ever you! And... and not Kusuriyuri or Kurama, either. But, but you, I, I, I, I had data on you, so much, I studied you. And I learn from Kusuriyuri and Kurama, I, I gain data from them." And much more, of course, especially from Kusuriyuri. But it was data that was under discussion.

[pre_l]

"But, you didn't have data on them when you started, did you, dearest? Not when you started. You gathered it since you met them. That is how most people learn about others." Even if he didn't usually use the method, he was aware of it.

[i_am_an_hero]

"They're not his," he muttered sullenly. "They don't belong to that Yagami." But he was barely audible, face pressed to L's chest. "It's not right."

Especially since Mikami had made so much sense when they'd spoken before.

[pre_l]

"You didn't answer, dearest," L pointed out gently. "Does that mean you don't like the answer?" He squeezed A gently to take the sting out of his words. "Unfortunately," he said softly, "the only way to find out about people is to talk with them, getting to know them. Sometimes, you learn things you don't like, sometimes you learn things you like. Sometimes, the same person has things you like and don't like."

[i_am_an_hero]

"It's not right," he repeated stubbornly. "I, I, I don't like having to like and not-like someone." He clung to L tightly. "I like you, and Kusuriyuri, and River, and Wishbone, and Matt, and Mello. I don't not-like you."

[pre_l]

L lifted A's chin. "There are things you don't like about Mello," he pointed out gently. "Otherwise, why would you have hexed him? Are you enjoying this conversation? Do you like when Kusuriyuri corrects you?" He couldn't think of issues for the others, so he left it at that.

[i_am_an_hero]

"He was insulting you," A said matter-of-factly. "He stopped. And I don't like having to be corrected, but I know Kusuriyuri is teaching me, so I will learn better." Unspoken was that L was clearly doing the same thing.

[pre_l]

"But, these are things you do not like, aren't they?" L pressed. "To say that there is nothing you do not like about us is inaccurate, dearest." He thinks a moment. "I'm not saying you have to like Mikami if you do not wish. I just want you to think."

[i_am_an_hero]

"But this is big," A protested weakly. "He thought it was good to hurt you, thought it was right."

[pre_l]

"And you think it would be right to hurt Light," L points out.

[i_am_an_hero]

"Because of what he did," A clarified. "Because he k-k-k-k-k... because of what he did. To you."

To hell with the thousands of criminals, and even the law enforcement officers.