AN: If you've read any of my other Death Note stuff, you're probably aware of my utter obsession with Muse songs relating to DN. I think this is the natural extension of that. I plan on writing a fic for each track on my favorite album, Absolution.

These are not songfics. I have at least a little bit of plot for each one and most are actually more inspired by either the title or the tone of the piece. If I feel the lyrics are appropriate, I'll probably include them with that fic.

I know I've used some of these songs already, especially for Phyxation (and you can't tell me that Thoughts of a Dying Atheist wasn't perfect), but this is going to be very different. I'm considering this an exercise, both to get out some of these plot bunnies as well as exploring different writing styles and characters.

The outside rating is set to T for now, but it will probably need to go up at some point. Before each piece, I'll give the proper rating, genre, summary and anything else that might be pertinent. If you want me to mention what characters will predominantly feature, let me know and I will.

There will be BL of varying degrees in some of these. I'll post proper warnings and all that.

Alright then, enough babbling! Off we go!

Title: Intro

Rating: K

Genre: Family/Hurt/Comfort

Summary: There was just one boy who could ruffle even patient Watari's feathers.

Warnings: Name spoilers.

Wammy was, by nature, a very patient person. It was never something he had to strive for and was a particularly useful trait for the occupations in which he engaged himself – namely, inventing and caring for children. At first glance, perhaps, two very different things, but Wammy never found them to be so. To do each required skill, care, understanding, intelligence, will and, of course, patience. So much patience.

Stomp stomp stomp. Slam.

It had been commented many times how utterly unflappable he was, how he could rival the saints themselves for his steadfast temperament and general air of serenity.

Stomp-stomp. Crash. Stomp stomp stomp.

But apparently even reliable, steadfast, serene, patient St. Wammy had his limits. And there was one boy who seemed to excel at reaching and surpassing them. Actually, with him it was practically an art form.

Bang. Slam. Stomp-stomp. Bang.

Wammy's eye twitched and the pen in his hand paused above the sheaf of papers he was attempting to work his way through. He took a deep, calming breath—

STOMP STOMP STOMP.

—and expelled it in a yell.

"Lawliet!" A few miraculously silent moments later, a pair of large grey eyes topped by a rather untidy mass of raven-black hair appeared around the doorjamb. Though the expression on his face was placid enough, those eyes were defiant pieces of hematite.

"Will you please," Wammy requested in an admirably even tone, "cease whatever it is that you are doing?"

"I'm just standing here," the boy responded with just the right touch of deliberate ignorance to have Wammy's irritation raising another couple of notches. With a sigh he beckoned Lawliet into the room, gesturing for him to take the chair in front of the desk. The child wordlessly obeyed, to all appearances meekly, but Wammy recognized the recalcitrant hunch of the thin shoulders under his over-sized grey shirt.

Lawliet shuffled quietly to the chair, taking a seat and pulling his legs up in front of him, looking even smaller than usual, and Wammy felt a pang of sorrow. Because he was so small and so fragile in some ways. He was extremely quiet – well, except for these rare tantrums which only manifested in Wammy's presence. He didn't speak much to anyone else, didn't socialize. Really, he seemed content to shun all other company … except Wammy's.

The situation was no good, for a number of reasons. Especially because of the child's high level of intelligence, which was no doubt the cause of today's little act of rebellion. Wammy felt that they were probably reaching a crossroad and he was going to need to figure out something to avoid Lawliet traveling down the wrong one.

"What is the problem?" he asked, steepling his fingers and resting his elbows on the desk. He was fairly certain he already knew the answer to the question but he wanted to see what the child's response would be.

"I don't understand why you wouldn't let me get involved with that case. I could have solved it! I just needed to get a look at the scene…."

Wammy frowned. "Please do not lie to me, Lawliet. I'm too old and experienced and you're too young and unskilled to do it with any kind of success. You understand perfectly the reason I could not allow that."

Lawliet seemed to pull in on himself even further, one thin hand peeking out from the cuff of his sleeve to pick idly at the hem of his jeans, the other wrapped around his tightly-curled toes.

"I'm bored, Wammy," he spoke softly, eyes on his fingers' purposeless activities. Wammy sighed – there it lay. The thing he was most concerned about with this particular boy. He was too smart for his own good and he needed an outlet for it. Unfortunately, the outlet he was most interested in and, truthfully, already seemingly quite adept at, was that of solving crimes. Of solving puzzles, observing clues, understanding the basic psychology of the way that certain human beings seemed to act. Wammy wished that it would have been almost anything else – but, of course, if wishes were horses….

"Lawliet, I would like to help you, I truly would, but you know that it just can't be done. First of all, it's far too dangerous. I cannot in good conscience allow a child to do what many skilled and capable adults lose their lives doing. And you could never convince the people you would need to that you are intelligent enough to even be listened to. I know differently, but I'm afraid all they would see is a child playing games." There was a long silence while Lawliet continued to pluck at the denim and Wammy watched him, trying to divine a solution to their mutual dilemma.

And then Lawliet looked up, intensity burning in his eyes and the tiniest of smiles showing at the corners of his mouth.

"What if … they didn't see me? What if they didn't know it was me at all?" Another silence spun out but this one was born of revelation and furious thought. What if they never saw him? It was certainly possible. If he could arrange for someone to act as Lawliet's liaison, his eyes and his voice … it could be ideal. And safe. If they could set up a proper system there would be no reason for him to ever have to truly reveal himself. The potentialities began branching out wildly now although Wammy tried to keep a rein on himself. After all, he still wasn't entirely sure this was the wisest of ideas. But….

He looked at Lawliet, the two locking stares and silently communicating. Lawliet was meeting his gaze unhesitatingly, open and undemanding, but Wammy could still see the plea buried there, the one which would never be voiced and which he knew the child would leave buried if Wammy advised him to do so. And what, exactly, would they gain if he took that course of action? Surely just greater frustration and restiveness. Not to mention a heinous waste of talent and lost benefit to the country.

No, not just the country. Wammy could see the future just as clearly as if there was a chart in front of him, connecting point to point in golden lines. If nurtured correctly, there was probably very little Lawliet could not accomplish, giving his aid not just to this country, but to any that requested his assistance. He could become a worldwide force. Not that Wammy would ever push him into such a thing if it was too much, but he suspected the child's natural ambitions would lead him to that position. So, then, there was really only one choice to be made.

Wammy smiled. "I believe we can make this work. I can set up a system that will allow you to communicate directly with those you need to without revealing your age, or even gender or nationality. And I can find someone to act as your intermediary—"

"I want you," Lawliet quietly interrupted. Another pause in the conversation as Wammy thought about this. He was a well-known figure throughout the world which would completely defeat the purpose of acting for someone who wished to be anonymous. However, he could alter himself just as he would do for Lawliet. And he indisputably would be the best person for the job. He knew the boy, and the less people they were forced to bring into their confidence, the better.

"I believe that will be sufficient," Wammy nodded. "Now, before we can begin any of this, we have to determine your course schedule. You will begin studying any and all fields related to criminology and familiarize yourself with the legal systems of the leading nations of the world, beginning, of course, with English law. You will need to improve your current speech, elevate it to sound like that of an adult's. You will also need to become proficient in as many languages as possible. Once you have a solid foundation, I will begin forming the contacts you will need.

"I also want you to start making an effort to socialize. You don't have to mean it, but it would be helpful for you to interact with others on a personal level and observe their reactions firsthand. And I would like you to choose some form of physical activity that you will practice at least three times a week – I'm not about to have you cooped up inside all day reading and wasting away. Acceptable?" It was demanding, terribly so for such a young person, Wammy knew it, but … this was Lawliet, after all. Not only would he undoubtedly want the challenge, he would need it. Indeed, his eyes seemed to be glittering already.

"Acceptable," he acquiesced.

"We shall need to determine an alias for you as well," Wammy mused. "It wouldn't do much good to hide your appearance but use your true name."

"I think I know what to use," Lawliet answered with one of his crafty little grins. He held up his left hand, palm toward Wammy, and laid his right index finger in the middle of it. The BSL sign for "L." Wammy couldn't help grinning back, feeling the chill of excitement he always did when he knew a particular project was going to be an extraordinary one.

"Very well, then. We will no longer use 'Lawliet', unless you would like to do so while we are alone." The child nodded, more in confirmation of understanding than an indication that he would like to do so. "You should pick a few names you would be comfortable using and responding when in other company. But, for now" – Wammy rose from the desk, coming around to stand in front of "L" with a smile – "I believe it is tea time. Would you like to accompany me to the kitchen?"

The boy unfurled himself and soundlessly followed Wammy out of his study and down the hall to the kitchen on the ground floor where L would probably stuff himself full of as many scones as Wammy would let him.

"Oh, and just one more thing," Wammy began, a hint of weariness entering his voice. The boy cocked his head up at Wammy to show that he was listening.

"Please, no more stomping."

L just grinned.

AN: I think Wammy's intentions are both good and kind of not. But at least L had someone at his back.

Next: Apocalypse Please

Summary: Apocalypse: Anything viewed as a revelation; a disclosure. Please: (used as a polite addition to requests, commands, etc.) if you would be so obliging. Apocalypse Please: Get a clue already, Ryuuzaki! [Sources - Webster's and Yagami Raito]

See you then. :)

16 Dec. '08