aftermath: the following day

[firm_detective]

It has been most of a full day since the fight in the previous post.

A morose emo_raito lies in bed, refusing to get up; he is very far over to his own side, almost on the edge, although the bed itself is wide. He has, however, left room for his laptop computer, which is open in front of him. A close observer will note that, although his eyes are carefully pointed at the screen, he's actually just staring into space. Belle and Sebastian's "The Boy Done Wrong Again" blares from the computer's speaker. When it ends, it loops over and begins again.

Meanwhile, firm_detective is on his own side of the bed, crouched, with his back resting against the headboard. He's also staring at a laptop computer, one that rests on the mattress in front of him; he appears to be reading something. The top of the small refrigerator that passes for his nightstand is covered with a number of plastic snack cups, most of which formerly held chocolate pudding or fruit; there is also an empty frosting container. These have all been stacked to form a series of short towers.

Once in a while, his gaze flickers resentfully over to emo_raito's back. Every few times the song starts over, he sets his teeth, or takes a deep breath to stifle the words he wants to say.

Finally, he snaps, "If you continue to listen to that song for another six hours, will it -- at some point -- become exponentially less grating?"

Comments

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*takes his time responding - flatly and quietly*

it's not my fault the mansion didn't see fit to provide headphones.

*on his laptop, he clicks over to another song - belle and sebastian still, but this time the song is "sleep the clock around (http://youtube.com/watch?v=qUpG6TPTyGY)."*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*Listens to the music bleakly for about half of the song, then shakes his head as if to snap himself awake... no, no luck.*

*aggravated:* This has to stop.

*more reflective:* We could both use some food. Let's... call a truce for the time being, and go to the kitchen. And -- let's try not to talk to anyone en route.

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*does not move - he takes a moment, as if gathering up all of his strength to form the words*

i'm not hungry.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*sidelong glance to emo_raito's back*

Nonsense. You'll feel better if you eat something.

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*continues staring off, morosely - says in the same flat, tired voice*

i don't want to eat anything. i'm not hungry.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

That's patently absurd. You haven't eaten in more than a day.

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*says nothing, and offers only a halfhearted shrug in response*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

Well... listen, Light, I'm really hungry, and there isn't enough in this room to make a meal... let alone three.

You're going to have to stop sulking, and come with me.

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*does not move - says, bitterly*

you sure you'd want me around when you're eating? that might be a little ... disgusting, don't you think?"

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*dryly*

Yes, it might be, but that's a chance I'll have to take. Very little has ever put me off cake.

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*is silent for another moment, then says, very flatly and quietly*

i'm just ... i'm not going. all right?

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*stares at emo_raito's back with pure loathing, then replies in a resigned tone,*

... All right.

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*says nothing further - continues to blankly stare off, brooding, and listening to the same song a few more times in a row*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*After about ten minutes (during which he seems unhappily lost in thought), L shifts position. He's on his knees, facing the headboard and grasping the bars at the top. He seems to be examining them carefully.*

*There is a brief jingling, followed by a soft scraping and clicking, then a hard metallic snap.*

[[Yes, that's right: L has released his own wrist, and locked Light to the headboard of the bed, after checking it out to make sure it would hold the handcuff securely.]]

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*does not look up or move or make any indication he is aware of what firm_detective has just done with regard to the handcuffs*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*swings feet out of bed and onto floor: sweet, sweet floor. Turns to face the bed, then stretches into the air, then reaches down to touch his toes. Walks around the bed and into the bathroom, where he splashes water onto his face and performs some other ablutions. Occasionally, he takes a look out the door to see that Light is still where he left him.*

*Emerges from bathroom*

Light... *no response*... LIGHT!

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*does not look up - says, flatly*

... what.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

I'm leaving. I'm going to the kitchen, and I'll be back... when I'm back, but I believe it should be soon.

You are certain you don't want me to bring anything back for you?

Don't try to go anywhere... I've locked my cuff quite securely to the headboard.

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*still does not look up - gives a small scoff, and says, bitterly*

wouldn't dream of it.

*clicks back on his laptop to once again play "the boy done wrong again"*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*stiffens in his tracks on the way out the door*

*clenches and unclenches fist, several times, looking as though he's considering something*

. . . . . .

*continues walking out the door*

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*only when firm_detective has left the room and closed the door does he look up, momentarily, before resuming his blank, brooding stare*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*Returns to room, carrying a large wedge of slightly chocolatey pound cake on a plate.*

... You're still playing that. *sighs*

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*he has shifted his position on the bed slightly in the time since firm_detective left - he is now stretched out on his stomach with his head resting on his crossed arms next to the laptop. he does not look up. he waits a beat and then flatly mumbles a response.*

... yep.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

... That's really too bad.

I brought back some cake.

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*doesn't respond*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

It's good. I made it. Would you like some?

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*doesn't move*

no.

*a little quieter*

thank you.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*shrugs*
I'm putting it in the refrigerator for now. I might eat it later. If I haven't, you're welcome to it.

*walks over to refrigerator and puts cake inside*

Hey... don't you need to...
*gestures towards the bathroom*

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*does not look up or respond*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*getting frustrated, but maintaining neutral tone*

All right. Well... I'm going to be right here. If I fall asleep and you need to go somewhere or get something, wake me up. But please... turn the music down. And play something else.

*fiddles with handcuff attached to headboard, loosens it, and snaps it onto own wrist.*

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*suddenly reaches out and slams the laptop shut with a loud CRACK*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*eyes widen when laptop slams, but shows no reaction other than that.*

All right, then. Goodnight?

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*does not respond*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*Is still for a moment, then shrugs and picks up own laptop computer. Is soon clicking away at it.*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*An hour has passed, and he closes the laptop gently, sets it aside, kneels on the bed, releases his wrist, and locks the handcuff to the headboard. He takes the empty frosting container from the top of the refrigerator into the bathroom, where he washes it out with hand soap and water, rinses for a long time, then fills it with cool water. Still holding the cup, he walks out of the bathroom to stand over emo_raito.*

Are you awake? If you're awake, I think you need to drink some water.

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*he is awake, and has been the entire time. he weakly rolls to his side and lifts himself up to a slouched sitting position on the bed. he looks firm_detective in the face for the first time since their last fight (http://firm-detective.livejournal.com/2232.html?thread=21176#t21176), briefly, with an expression much like a kicked puppy, then hangs his head again. too beaten and exhausted to protest, he holds out his hand to accept the cup of water and mumbles*

... thanks.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*hands over the cup of water, and watches emo_raito sip at it indifferently.*

You should probably have another cup after that... and... you might want to put ice on your face again.

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*takes tiny sips of the water and gives a halfhearted shrug to the ice suggestion. his face hurts quite a lot but he figures he deserves it.*

it ... doesn't matter.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

All right, suit yourself.

Maybe you'd like to go take a shower?

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

*shrugs again - hygiene is not really a priority*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*waits for the water container to be empty, goes to bathroom, refills it, then brings it back*

Well... it's up to you. I'm going to sleep... wake me up if you need anything.

[emo-raito.livejournal.com]

...'kay.



thanks.