Chapter Text
L Lawliet lived until the not-so-ripe old age of 67, and yet, to L it felt like an achievement, especially after the life he'd lived and the terrible things he had endured.
As he lay dying, L contemplated his life. Mark had become a fine Police Officer, and was L's prodigy. The boy (man, L reminded himself) reminded him so much of Light in his younger, innocent days.
His final thought had been of Light, the man who had once been his captor, his lover, his nemesis and, before all that, his friend. Would he see him again in the beyond? L suspected he would as he'd met Light and Watari in that strange dream realm several times over the years, and he longed to finally join them permanently and be at peace.
L died with weariness in his heart, and yet he was happy. Matt, Kiyomi and their children had been around him, as had Mello and Near.
Surrounded by those he loved, L had closed his eyes for the last time and slipped quietly from the world…
Unbroken.
When he next gained (regained?) consciousness, L found himself in a beautiful walled garden. He breathed deeply, the scent of Roses and Gardenia filling up his senses. The sun was shining and it's warmth felt like a soothing caress on his skin. L lifted a hand to touch his face and startled at the sight of it.
His wrinkles were gone!
'I'm… young again?' L touched his face and confirmed that yes, he was indeed youthful once more as the deep lines around his eyes were gone. 'Perhaps one returns to their youth when they enter… what is this place again, ah yes, Mu'
L looked around himself and wondered where Light and Watari were. Surely they were supposed to meet him?
Birdsong hung in the air and L watched as a bumblebee past him, the little creature busy collecting nectar. He would have been in paradise if he wasn't alone.
"Oh, L!" A soft voice full of wonder and longing rang out.
L sucked in a breath at that voice and slowly turned around to see Light walking towards him.
Light was dressed in plain black slacks and a simple white shirt. He wore no shoes or socks on his feet but to L he had never looked more beautiful.
L bit his lip as he remembered the Kira regalia and the cold, haughty look in those amber brown eyes.
Now Light looked like himself again. His real self.
"Light" L whispered, not entirely sure what to say. It had been different in the dream realm, it hadn't been permanent and L had known he could wake up. Now he was in Mu with Light forever…
Light padded towards him but stopped a meter or so away, as if sensing L did not want to be touched. It was unsurprising really, considering what he'd done to him.
'No. What Kira did to him' Light corrected himself, dearly wishing he could feel L in his arms. Maybe one day he would? He had a lot of trust to rebuild and they had much to talk about.
'It's a good thing we have forever'
They stared at each other for several long minutes before Light cleared his throat and held out his hand.
L narrowed his eyes. Was he playing some trick or-
"I can never apologize enough for what happened to you, L, but… I was hoping we could at least try and be friends like we used to be. Before… everything"
L smiled grimly. Before everything was a somewhat fitting statement. The K brand on his hip seemed to burn and L resisted the urge to touch it. "I… will try," L said slowly. He still had feelings for Light, he could never deny those feelings, but standing before him once again left him feeling shaken.
L reached out and took Light's hand in his. Light's skin was as warm and soft as he remembered…
"Thank you, L" Light's eyes were a soft, warm brown and L bit his lip as conflicting emotions welled up inside him. All the pain, the misery and the shame came rushing back to him and he lowered his eyes. 'That wasn't him. Not wholly. Kira and the Death Note twisted the love Light had for me' L reminded himself.
Another long moment passed before Light let his hand drop. He'd expected this lukewarm response, of course he had, but he couldn't help but feel disappointed all the same. Maybe he should have appeared to L in more dreams? He'd watched over him all his life and had been there when he died, but perhaps that hadn't been enough.
Perhaps the pain from the past was simply too vast of an ocean for them to traverse?
"... Light. What does one do in Mu?" L asked quietly as he wandered over to a bench and sat down. When he realised Light wasn't sure if he could approach, L patted the empty space next to him.
Light sat down and offered L a relieved smile. "You can do whatever you want in Mu. Time moves differently here. Whole centuries pass by so quickly… but I admit, I've found it difficult waiting for you. Not that I wanted you to die or anything. Fuck, that came out wrong… "
L found himself slightly charmed at Light's unease and bumbling. He'd never really seen Light unsure of what to say.
In the golden glow of the garden, Light looked just as he had during the Yotsuba Investigation- innocent.
"I understand what you mean" L clasped his hands together, anxiety and nervousness making him want to wring them together. Through sheer force of will, he resisted.
"Your monument was beautiful" Light suddenly murmured, "Unbroken… it just sums you up, doesn't it?"
L smiled at the compliment. "I suppose it does"
The conversation was stilted but, as time went by, L and Light found words flowing more freely between them. By the time the sun (or what L assumed to be an illusion of the sun) was beginning to set, L could almost believe that with enough time and healing between them they would once again be friends.
Maybe more… one day…