Work Text:
Light stepped out onto the hot
stairwell, already regretting his decision. It was hot,even for Tennessee in the middle of summer. A quick Look at the weather confirmed it was 96 degrees. He sighed and walked down the steps of the rundown apartment complex his family lived in, the metal stairs creaking under his weight. It was mid afternoon, and the sun was high in the sky. there were no clouds in sight.
He was going to hang out with (unfortunately) the only other person his age at the apartment, L Lawliet. Light thinks of it as unfortunate, as L is certified weirdo. A freakazoid, as Sayu would say.
Light reached the front of the concrete path to the small park, where L was already waiting.
“Hey, Light!” He said excitedly, waving to Light. He was holding a cooler and… a box of chalk?
How childish… Light thought as he reached the other boy. L set down his cooler and opened it, revealing orange popsicles.
“My brothers made popsicles out of orange juice. I know you don’t enjoy sugar as much as myself, but it’s healthier than ice cream?” L said, picking up one of the popsicles and holding one hopefully out to Light. Despite Ls correct assertion that Light did not like sweet things as much as he did, (if it all) Light couldn’t help but take it. It was hot, and L had the perpetual look of an abandoned kitten, so he felt some kind of duty not to disappoint him, okay?
Idly sucking on his own popsicle, L opened the box of chalk. “Want to draw?” Lights gaze drifted from Ls mouth to the box.
“I mean it’s not like there’s much else to do here.” Light said, shrugging. He was tired of being on his phone all day, but there was barely anything else for him to do. Not that my family could afford to do anything fun anyway. Light thought sourly as he picked up a piece of chalk.
Light and L felt into an easy silence, broken only by the sounds of chalk on the concrete. L was drawing space, using mostly blues and purples. Meanwhile, Light decided to draw some flowers. Red Camellias, specifically. As Light reached for another color, his hand brushed Ls. Light looked away, blushing. L didn’t seem to notice, as went back to his drawing.
Sweat dripped from Lights brow, back, everywhere as he continued to draw. Glancing over at the other boy, he asserted that somehow L was unaffected by the heat. He was done with his space drawing, and he had moved onto drawing a magnifying glass.
“I want to be a detective when I grow up.” L said suddenly, breaking the silence. “What does Light want?”
“I… don’t know, to be honest.” Light chuckled. When he was a kid, he wanted to be a police officer, like his dad. now that Light was older, he had become somewhat disillusioned with them hat dream. “Maybe a doctor, I want to help people.” He said.
“That’s an admirable goal.” L said, grabbing his fifth popsicle from the cooler.
The sun was just beginning to set as L and Light finished, but the two of them were not ready to go back yet. They walked to the park, which was a short walk from the concrete path which gave into gravel and then grass.
“Is your mom gonna be worried if you stay out longer?” Light asked (he had already texted his mom).
“No, I don’t have a mom.” Light blanched. “Or a dad. I live with my uncle.”
“Oh- I’m sorry.” Light said awkwardly. He and L sat on the swings.
“It’s fine.” L said. “I didn’t really know them.”
Unsure of what to say, Light detached his eyes from Ls own. Light noticed how their hands were very close, he and L had accidentally put their hands the same height as the others on the swings chains. They were about five inches apart.
Light stood up with an idea. “Wanna walk to the Mexican supermarket down the road? It’s a bit of a long walk, so we won’t be back before night time though.” He and L were both too young to drive.
L glanced up at Light through his soft? What would his hair feel like? I want to- Light cut off that train of thought.
“Alright.” L said, standing up to follow Light. L and Light lived just inside the complex, so it didn’t take much time for them to reach the entrance gate. It was the weekend, so it was shut, but the both of them walked around it.
“Who are your brothers?” Light asked, trying to make small talk.
“I have a twin brother, his name is Beyond. I have two younger brothers named Mello and Near.”
What were his parents on when they named those boys?! Light thought. “I have a younger sister, her name is Sayu.”
L hummed, chewing on his thumbnail as they walked. Light knew most people would find that gross. Would find L gross, but Light thought it was endearing.
They reached the Supermercado after half an hour of walking, and it was now fully dark. Luckily, the store would still be open for a few more hours.
They walked in, and L immediately bolted towards the candy on the left. Light smirked. Typical. He followed the other boy, watching him look at the Mexican candy.
Meanwhile, Light eyed the chip isle. While he wasn’t one for sugary snacks, he did enjoy the occasional potato chips or takis.
“Can you afford all of that?” Light gestured to the bags of candy that L was struggling to hold.
“Mhm. I’ve been saving my allowance.” L said, adding yet another bag to his overflowing pile.
“Alright…” Light said apprehensively. He moved over to the chips while L set his absurd amount of candy on the checkout counter. Light inwardly laughed at the cashiers perplexed expression before she started checking out the candy.
After checking out, the two of them stood in the warm summer night air, breathing in the smell of the street. Light was tired, but he looked forward to the walk back now that it wasn’t boiling hot.
L unexpectedly slipped his hand into Lights. Light gasped, heat spreading across his face, he glanced at the other questioningly. “I’m tired.” L said, as if that was somehow an explanation for what he was doing. Instead of pulling away, Light simply took it in stride and they started walking.