Saturday morning

[firm_detective]

It's the morning after the visit from B, about thirty-six hours after he lost consciousness in one of the kitchens, and L is still in bed.

At the moment, he is awake, sipping a cup of tea, trying to think past his fever. A few books (Du côté de chez Swann and Gravity's Rainbow) sit neglected on the nightstand.

There is a knock at the door.

[[Private to firmdetective, lastrunnerup, and misamisal.]]

Comments

[lastrunnerup.livejournal.com]

Ryuuzaki...

*Mello speaks lowly, through the door, in case L is asleep and doesn't want to be disturbed. Really, though, he's worried. If L was to die all over again--
Well, at least it wouldn't be murder this time (unless Amane had something to do with whatever this was, eh), but still.*

Ryuuzaki, it's Mello.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He looks over at the door, then calls out,*

Mello.
Is it locked? It should be.

[lastrunnerup.livejournal.com]

*Mello tries the handle, and opens it only very slightly, since he wasn't told to come in.*

It isn't.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

Then come in -- by all means.

[lastrunnerup.livejournal.com]

*He does so, opening the door the rest of the way and stepping into the room before looking over his shoulder. He's had quite the wardrobe change-- still leather, but not with his preferred jacket.*

Do you want the door shut behind me?

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

Yes, but please don't lock it. I am not sure whether or not Misa has her key.

She is... distressed by my condition.

*He sets his teacup down on the nightstand, then gestures to the computer chair that sits at a desk on the same side of the room as his preferred side of the bed.*

Sit.

[lastrunnerup.livejournal.com]

Mm.

*He shuts it carefully, and then crosses the room to sit where directed.*

... You... don't look well, Ryuuzaki.

*His voice is quiet.*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*Instead of immediately responding, he stares at Mello. His eventual reply is succinct.*

... No. It is a fever. Quite high, now and then.

My entire body aches,
*he confesses.*

[lastrunnerup.livejournal.com]

I see. You... I heard-- that there was a bit of commotion in the kitchen.

*He looks at L out of just the corner of his eye; his sunglasses, on as usual. He doesn't like keeping them off here.*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He looks down at the covers: the black sheets and dark red velvet duvet he's become used to.*

Yes. I lost consciousness in the kitchen.
They carried me back here.

*He continues to stare at his bedding, briefly, then returns his gaze to Mello.*

[lastrunnerup.livejournal.com]

Do you have any idea as to what's wrong, Ryuuzaki?

*Still speaking quite quietly.*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He crooks his arm, then turns on his side and rests his head on his hand, against the pillow.*

It seems likely to be the illness that is going around.
Though... I don't have all the symptoms.

*His stare is unblinking, his face expressionless.*

[lastrunnerup.livejournal.com]

The Near from my world... might have what you have. I--

Is it what the body had, do you think?

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::Misa enters and nothing looks out of place about her at first, however when she turns and shuts the door with her foot, it appears that under her eyes lie dark half moons. It's almost ironic, considering who she's taking care of, though of course, they are not as dark as L's. Her right hand has a green tinge to it, especially in her thumb and index finger, though it fades near the middle of her forearm. She holds a tray full of food; a bowl of satsumas, grapes, strawberries, and a few bananas, a pitcher of hot tea, and a medium sized pot of hot chicken and lemon rice soup, as well as a few odds and ends. She smiles softly at the two of them::

Hello Mello. How are you? ::she sets the tray down on the coffee table::
Would either of you like something?

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He looks up at her and tries to smile, maybe to look a little bit healthier than he has so far for Mello.*

Misa. Bring the bowl of fruit, and sit.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::she nods:: Alright.

::picking up the bowl of fruit, she walks over to the bed, setting the fruit next to L. She climbs up and gently touches L's forehead witht he back of her hand, then sits cross-legged next to him, facing Mello.::
You feel a bit warm. Would you like a cool cloth?

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He nods.*

Yes, it would help. I think I still have a fever, but it is receding.

*He picks up a grape from the bowl, popping it into his mouth and squeezing the juice from it with his tongue before chewing and swallowing.*

[lastrunnerup.livejournal.com]

... I'm fine, thank you, Miss Amane.

*Mello isn't watching L anymore; instead he's glancing at the wall, though it may not be apparent because of his sunglasses.*

If you need me to get anything, Ryuuzaki...

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He is looking softly at Misa, but shifts his gaze back to Mello.*

Mm? No... no, just keep me informed. I need people I can trust... even people I can't, to be honest, if they at least pass on accurate information.

But I trust you.

*It doesn't matter whether or not this is true.*

[lastrunnerup.livejournal.com]

Yes, Ryuuzaki.

*It doesn't matter whether or not this is true. Mello knows better than to blindly trust someone's word, but he trusts L's.*

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::returning from the bathroom with a fresh cloth, she climbs on the bed and gently lays it over L's forehead, smiling softly::

Is that alright?

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*The cool cloth feels good on his forehead.*

Yes, it helps. I think I may need another bath later.

*He catches her hand, bringing it closer to his face to examine it, and frowning.*

Misa, you are not well either. Please stop fussing over me.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::she had been trying to hide her hand but had forgotten in her effort to make him more comfortable. She blushes slightly, a bit embaressed that he's noticed, then again she didn't expect she could actually hide it from him forever...::

Thank you, but I'm alright. ::she covers his hand with her own:: It's more important for you to gain your strength, and I'm going to do everything I can to help the process go as smooth as possible.

::she sits back down on the bed next to him and pulls a handfull of blueberries out of the bowl and begins eating them slowly::

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He takes a strawberry from the bowl, and replies before biting into it.*

If you are ill, it won't help me regain my strength.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::She opens her mouth to protest, but she closes it and smiles softly, nodding:: You're right. I'll take it easy, too. But don't hesitate to ask me for something, okay?