Monkey: Yes! I'm back with another Death Note story! x3 It's been a while, and I missed writing for this fandom xD

Unfortunately, no Mikami's will be killed in the making of this story. u.ú; (Anyone get it? xD)

I own nothing!

Hope you guys like it! n.n

7.27.15 EDIT: So I meant to post the link like ages ago but I always forgot! But someone drew fanart for this fic! (More info is on my profile! Guys seriously, I cried tears of joy when I was shown that pic, no one has ever done fanart for me before and I can't even describe my happiness!)

"Alright, is everyone sure they have everything?" Light asked as three youngsters ran up to him. Mello and Near were playing tug of war with Near's toy robot while Matt was playing a game of Ninja Gaiden on his DS, his tongue stuck out in concentration, his stylus furiously gliding across the screen. Mello and Near were glaring hatred at each other, Mello smirking at his height advantage while Near was trying to figure out what was the best way to make him let go. With a sigh, Light looked back down at the ridiculously long checklist in his hands, which was promptly snatched by pale fingers. "L..."

The raven haired man sucked on a cherry lollipop before tossing the now crumbled list into the nearby trashcan. "Light, the five of us are geniuses, do you really think we need a list?"

Light watched L carry around a jar full of those round red lollipops. "Do you really want me to answer that?" He shook his head. "Forget it. What's with all those?" He looked at the lollipops.

"They are my snacks for the ride." L stated simply as he put the jar on the side of the passenger's seat closest to him. The raven looked back at their kids. "You might want to get them settled down."

Light walked over to the two fighting kids and pulled the toy out of their hands. He gave the toy to Near and gave Mello a chocolate bar instead. The brunette reached out and paused Matt's game then went to pick up Near who already had his arms up towards him.

Near was already five, but he was really small for his age, so Light still carried Near, but neither minded.

"Ok you three, this will be a nearly four hour ride, so you guys better behave or we won't have another one of these for a long time," Light headed out to the car where L was closing the trunk.

Light and L shared a glance.

"Have you three already used the bathroom?"

Mello and Matt both looked at each other before racing to the bathroom, shoving each other out of the way as they ran. Matt slammed into the wall and Mello took his moment of hesitation to open the door, run inside and lock the door.

"Muahahaha!"

Matt pounded on the door. "Mello! You jerk!"

Near shifted in Light's arms. "Daddy?"

"Hm? What's up?"

"Am I really doing to be stuck for almost four hours with Mello?"

Near always sat in the middle between the blonde and redhead.

Right.

Because for a four hour trip, that was a bad idea.

"Um, why don't you sit behind me and have Matt in the middle?"

The five year old nodded.

Mello stepped out of the bathroom looking triumphant. Matt frowned at him and went to go inside but Light cleared his throat from the hallway, extending a hand out towards him. Matt sighed, walked over to him and handed him his DS. He turned to walk away.

"Matt."

He handed him his PSP. The last thing any of them needed was for Matt to suddenly start playing video games in the bathroom and forget about the trip. L slammed the trunk shut. "We will leave in fifteen minutes."

Light nodded as he shifted Near in his arms. "Fine, I just hope you don't make me regret not taking up the offer to fly to Vegas."

"But your kids wanted a road trip."

Light smiled at the little genius in his arms. "I know right? The things we do for our kids."

Matt walked out of the bathroom and Light took Near there, barely catching L mumble something along the lines of, "You mean the things I get stuck doing because you cannot say no." Light let that slide.

Once they had all finished going to the bathroom and Matt got his games back, the five got into the car.

Light looked back at the three. "Now, are you sure you have everything?"

The three nodded.

"Really, Light." L looked at him, chewing on the lollipop.

Brown eyes stared back. "Alright. Just don't blame me when something's missing." He saw L put the keys in the ignition. "And please, don't make me regret not letting Watari drive us."

"Why would you regret that?" L smiled innocently at him.

"Because if you're half as bad a driver as Watari made me believe, I'm going to fear for our lives."

"We're going to die?" Mello asked, bringing silence to the car.

Light did his best to smile at them and spoke through gritted teeth. "No, of course not. Right, L?"

"… Right. If you think about it, the chances of us dying are—"

"Just drive, L."

The raven nodded and they pulled out of their driveway, and the clock began at two-forty in the morning.

Why were they going so early? Well, since L was going to be doing the driving, he got to decide. Going at an ungodly hour of the morning should help them beat traffic to the famous Sin City.

3:50 a.m.

"L, slow down." Light said with a sleepy voice. He blinked a couple times and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands.

"I am not going fast," L replied, sucking on his twenty-third lollipop so far.

"You're pushing ninety."

"And?"

"The speed limit calls for seventy."

"… Your point?"

Light shook his head and looked behind them.

Mello was completely into his ninth chocolate bar so far. Light nearly cringed. He hoped the seven year old wouldn't get sick later. He didn't doubt Mello could handle an insane amount of chocolate very well, but he might not fare out so well after being in a car for so long.

His gaze fell on Matt who was playing Ninja Gaiden still. He kept mumbling on about "a million hornets" and "holy crap, I think I'm getting raped." Light just hoped his DS and whatever else he had on him would keep him pleased for the ride.

Finally he turned to look at Near who was staring out the window, having his toy robot fire invisible lasers at all the cars they passed. Light smiled. At least he was entertained.

"Light, go to sleep." L told him, unwrapping his next cherry sucker.

The brunette gave a small yawn. "Ok, try not to do anything stupid while I'm out."

"You forget Light, I make up the three best detectives in the world. I cannot do something stupid." He snuck a glance at Light who had a brow raised.

"Really now? And what do you call that spur-of-the-moment trip to Hawaii last year?"

L smirked. "A fabulous idea a drunk man came up with."

"Fabulous? We forgot the kids!"

"They were with their aunt Sayu."

"We got tattoos."

"Details."

Another yawn escaped Light's lips and he opted for taking a nap instead of saying something in front of the kids he might regret.

4:29 a.m.

"Daddy," Mello called.

Light breathed in deeply and opened his eyes. He looked around for a second before realizing who called him. "What's up?" He glanced back.

The blonde chewed on his lower lip for a bit as he rubbed his stomach. The brunette caught his and worry drew itself in his eyes.

"What's wrong? Do you feel sick?"

"Yeah…"

Light looked back at L and opened his mouth to speak when he noticed the half empty jar of grape lollipops. "What the? Where'd that jar come from? And where'd the other jar go?"

"Glove compartment."

"How the hell did you—never mind. Mello's feeling sick. Is there a rest area somewhere?"

"Do fast-food places and gas stations count?"

"Sure?"

"Then another twenty minutes or so."

Nodding, Light looked at Mello. "Think you can hold out for that long?"

Mello made a face of discomfort but nodded slowly.

"Try to distract yourself until then."

Mello reached for a chocolate bar.

Light took it before he could get it. A sixteenth bar of chocolate wouldn't help Mello at all. "… You have my permission to mess with Matt, but within a range."

The seven year old snapped back Matt's goggles. "Ow!"

The only near sane one in the car sighed. He would regret that choice later, he knew.

"That decision will come back to bite you." L said.

"Just keep driving."

5:05 a.m.

They had made it to a small fast-food place with half the name gone from the broken sign above the restaurant. Before Light could voice his thoughts about whether or not that place was safe to go in, Mello practically ran out of the car the moment it stopped, his hand covering his mouth.

"Ok then." Light nodded. He and L got out.

Matt stepped out of the car and paused his game. He walked over to Light and pulled his shirt a bit to get his attention.

"Yes Matt?"

"I'm hungry."

Light looked over at L in question.

The raven shrugged. "We have about ninety miles left."

"Alright, we'll get some food then." The brunette picked up Near who had also gotten out and made his way into the small restaurant that he doubted was safe with Matt behind him, resuming his game.

"Do not forget a half dozen slices of strawberry shortcake or double fudge chocolate cake, whichever they have."

Brown eyes glanced back. "You're driving though."

"I am aware of that. Which is why I only ordered half a dozen instead of my usual."

"Two dozen with a chocolate milk shake." Light muttered.

L brought a thumb to his mouth and smiled. "Why Light, you know me so well."

"Well we've only been together for five years, I would hope so."

L waved him off.

Light rolled his eyes.

"Would you like something to eat, Near?" The brunette asked, when they reached the cashier.

The small albino let his eyes roam the menu behind the counter and laid his head on Light's chest. "Pancakes?"

Aww. Cute. "Sure." He smiled at the teen behind the counter who was staring and blushing. He didn't look much older than sixteen, but Light could be mistaken.

"Good morning," Light greeted with that dazzling smile of his that he used to get what he wanted. He would use it on L, but apparently L was immune to it, although he fell for the puppy eyes hook line and sinker every time.

"G-g-good mor-morning."

His smiled faltered a fraction. Did the kid have a speech impediment? What was he even doing working at a rickety place like this at a still ungodly hour of the morning? No matter, he looked over the menu behind the kid. "Um… right, I'd like blueberry pancakes, a slice of chocolate ice cream cake, let's see… three pieces of strawberry shortcake—"

"I thought it was six?" Matt asked, pausing his game and looking up at Light questioningly.

"It was, but I'm cutting that in half." Light shook his head. At least they had something L wanted. "Hey, has Mello come out yet?"

Matt raced to the bathroom to check. He could hear Mello hurling and cursing. He went back to Light moments later. "He'll be out in a bit."

The brunette sighed. "What would you like, Matt?"

"Chocolate chip pancakes?"

"Alright," Light looked back up at the cashier. "I'll have that and I'll take a mango smoothie." At least the restaurant had everything they wanted for breakfast, although Light would have rather gone for something healthier for the kids.

The teenage boy nodded several times as he placed their order, blushing all the while. Light handed him the money he needed and simply glanced at the change in his hands to make sure it was the right amount.

Mello finally walked out of the bathroom looking a little pale and dizzy.

"Ah, Mello," Light pocketed the change and shifted Near's weight. He leaned down a bit, reaching a hand out to rest on the blonde's forehead. "Feeling any better?"

Mello nodded slowly. "No more road trips…"

Light chuckled. "Don't worry, at the rate we're going, I don't think we'll be taking another road trip for a long time."

"I'm sorry daddy…" Mello bit his lower lip uneasily.

"It's alright Mello, don't worry about anything, alright? Just focus on getting better." His gentle smile calmed the blonde a bit, making him smile up at the brunette.

The teen behind the register stared at Light, eyes wide. He was a dad?

"Daddy, are you sure only getting three slices will be ok?" Matt asked, returning to his game after seeing that Mello wasn't about to hurl his guts out in front of them.

The teen began to pale, they were all his?

"I think it will be enough," Near spoke up.

"Uhh…" Maybe he should run and get their order.

Light never even noticed him. "I've been meaning to try to get him to cut back a bit on the sweets."

"And how's that going?" Matt asked, bringing his attention out of the ongoing game when he noticed Mello looked like he was about to toss his cookies again.

Light ruffled Mello's hair lightly. "Not well."

"What is not going well?"

"Speak of the devil," Light muttered. He set Near down so he could look more "intimidating." He looked back at L. "Nothing."

"Lies." L stated, bringing his thumb to his mouth, his eyes as calculating as always. He looked behind the empty counter. "Have you ordered yet?"

"Yes."

"I think the cashier likes daddy."

L tilted his head to the side a bit.

"No he doesn't," Light spoke, bringing a hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. A jealous L was the last thing he needed. Well, the last thing he needed was… ok he'd rather not get into that.

"Oh yes he does, he was giving you that look." Matt said. It seemed as though Mello's usual habit of speaking up and causing trouble was taken up by Matt since the blonde wasn't feeling well. Light briefly had to wonder if both Mello and Matt couldn't talk, then would Near take up their place? That was a scary thought.

"What look?" L narrowed his eyes.

"No look," Light sighed.

"It was that one look that mrblmrmmph." Matt paused his game again and glanced up at Light who had placed his hand over the redhead's mouth. The brunette gave him an innocent smile.

"Keep talking and you'll never see your video games again is what he's saying," Mello whispered for Light who rolled his eyes. Even when sick Mello liked to cause trouble.

L stared straight at Light. "Do not make me regret this family trip."

"It's not like I'll let you turn the car around. And I'm sorry this was so much to ask for, to spend time with your family," Light shot.

"The family that you were particularly adamant on having."

Mello, realizing where this conversation was going just a bit before the other two kids, took the bags from the cashier who came back and took Matt and Near's hands before walking out of there with them. Along the way, he was muttering something along the lines of, "This family, it's no wonder we all have terrible addictions."

Light crossed his arms over his chest, completely forgetting that they had a tiny audience. He never even noticed when the kids left. "You weren't complaining the night before we adopted them."

Ooh, low blow.

"They could always go back," L spoke. But he was really only saying that to save face, he would never make the three go back to the orphanage. He hated to admit it (which is why he never would out loud) but he had grown quite fond of those three. Not to mention, Light was a great mother—er, father, and it was amusing to watch most of the time.

Caramel eyes narrowed dangerously. "Over my dead body." Ooh, a protective mo—father. He was one scary person to deal with when it came to the kids, as L had quickly found out as soon as they adopted the three. So L had accidentally forgotten about the kids for a few hours, they were fine. After all, it was normal for little kids to cry their eyes out, right?

"Do you really want me over your dead body?"

Light closed his eyes and gave an exasperated sigh. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately. "Look, forget it, alright? Let's just go back to the car, finish the road trip and hope to hell that we never take another one—" What was the best way to shut Light up?

By kissing him of course.

The cashier's eyes went wide and a dark blush spread over his face before he 'eeped' and scurried back into the kitchen, wanting to give those two some privacy.

L pushed Light back, the brunette's hands going to the edge of the counter to support himself while L's hands found their place over his.

"L," Light began, trying to pull away. "N-not here." He gave a soft moan when L moved lower and started biting and sucking lightly at his neck. "T-the kids! Where are the kids?" He pushed L away with the strength that surprised L who gave a disappointed sigh.

"You worry too much. They are in the car," L tried to kiss him again but Light moved away.

"Not here, L! Geez! Have some control, will you?"

"You should tell yourself that," L deadpanned.

Light stared then looked away when he felt his cheeks get a little warm. He couldn't believe L still managed to affect him this much. Even after nearly ten years since they first met… Although they hated each other when they met in high school. Who would've thought they would end up together?

Sayu did, she was making bets all throughout high school…

But he guessed it wasn't a bad thing, at least L wouldn't bore him anytime soon. Though he wasn't yet sure if that was a good thing or not.

"Let's just go now."

Light left no room for argument as he walked out of there.

L brought his thumb up to his mouth and looked behind him to glance at the cashier who was watching them from the little window in the door.

L smirked and mouthed, "He is mine," before leaving as well, leaving a sixteen year old to question his sexuality.

When Light got inside the car, the three stopped eating and watched him curiously.

The brunette raised a brow. "… What?" He reached out for his mango smoothie.

Mello and Matt grinned before returning all their attention to their food. Near continued to watch him for another moment before returning to his own food saying, "He left a mark."

L had no idea why Light had glared out the window for the next twenty minutes while trying to lift the collar of his shirt a little higher.

6:45 a.m.

"Whoa! I can see it! That's it, right?" Mello asked, pointing straight ahead.

Light chuckled. "Yes Mello, that's Vegas."

"Sweet! I can't wait to—" he caught sight of the questioning look on Light's face, "… spend some quality time together."

Matt snorted beside him which earned him a whack on the head.

Near simply ignored them and continued playing with his toy robot.

Light sighed. It was his own fault, after all it was his choice to be with L and he was fully aware that being with L meant one big headache for him after another.

Not to mention, having three kids wasn't easy either. If it wasn't stopping Mello and Matt from holding Near upside down over the balcony, stopping Near from stealing Mello's chocolate bars or stopping Mello from breaking Matt's video games, it was trying to keep L from terrorizing the streets by making uneasy moms threaten to call the cops when L got too close to their kids.

Light cringed. At least he only had to deal with the kids until Near turned eighteen… thirteen years from now. And L, well…

Goodbye sanity, I knew you well.

"So where are we going to be staying? MGM? The Excalibur? Oh, I know! Circus Circus!" Mello asked eagerly.

"Not a chance in hell," Light replied smoothly. "The last thing I need is for the three of you to sneak out of the hotel and come back wasted into oblivion and having thrown up everything since your first meal after riding the roller coaster seven hundred times."

"…" Matt and Near stared curiously at the brunette.

Mello meanwhile had wide, sparkling eyes. "You think so highly of us! I knew there was a reason you were my favorite!"

L glanced at him through the rearview mirror. Mello grinned sheepishly at him and turned his attention back to Light.

"Y'know, I was only thinking of winning every single stuffed animal before going on the roller coaster and tossing them overboard to make it rain stuffed animals and then celebrate with some spiked punch… but now that I think about it, your idea sounds much better!" He bounced in his seat as he rambled on about plotting to take over Circus Circus.

"Oh Lord, please give me strength," Light breathed out, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I did not know you were religious." L said.

"…"

"You know your sarcasm could mean the end of you," the raven commented cheerfully.

"Shut up, L."

"Look on the bright side."

"Which is?"

"It looks like it will rain today."

Light looked at him from the corner of his eyes, fingers still pinching the bridge of his nose. "And how is that a good thing?"

"That means the kids can spend the day in the hotel with us."

"… And how is that a good thing?"

"Don't worry daddy, we promise not to get into too much trouble," Near spoke. Matt nodded, his attention barely on them.

"Yeah, whatever he said."

The two looked over at Mello.

"… I make no such promise."

L looked over at Light when he stopped at a stoplight. He opened his mouth to speak but Light put a hand up.

"Don't try to cheer me up."

The light turned green and they continued, the three kids staring out the windows in curiosity, even Matt who paused his game for a bit.

"I was only going to say that this trip will only be for a week."

"A week of hell."

"Quite possibly. But one good thing will come out of this."

"What?"

"We will never take another road trip again."

"… True."

As they drove towards the three Signature towers where they were going to stay, Light breathed in deeply then let it out.

Maybe this trip won't be so bad after all.

"Light, where did you put our clothes?" L asked, once they arrived at the hotel. He was standing outside the car, looking around in the trunk to see where the suitcase was. He found the kids' clothes easy. His and Light's, not so much.

"…"

"Did you forget them?"

"… I told you we needed a checklist."

Monkey: So yeah, there's probably tons of fics out there that center around good old Sin City, but that's ok, right? n.n;

Well, since I'm always awake going from Vegas to L.A, I had to change somethings of the roadtrip only because I'm always asleep on the trip coming back to Vegas xD

Hmmm I wonder what kind of chaos these five can cause in Sin City? Anyone have any ideas? Anyone think Mikami should make an appearance here? XD

Well, I hope you guys liked it n.n If you did, yay! If you didn't, then thank you very much for your time :D

I have no idea when I'll update this next, but hopefully it'll be soon x3

See you later!