(I don't own Deathnote)

~Comfort~

I don't know how long we lay like that, him clutching my shoulders tightly, me wetting his shirt with my tears, before I finally calmed down, until I was able to breathe without feeling that awful pain in my chest. Ugh. I'd made such a fool of myself... He probably thought I was laughably pathetic.

"I'm sorry." It was lame, but it was the only thing I could say.

"Dammit B!" I flinched at his harsh tone, but I had expected it. "Don't apologize." What? "You have every right to feel sadness and loss. You are human, after all. You loved him, and he hurt you so badly. It wasn't your fault." I shook my head.

"No. I didn't treat him well enough. I never paid him enough attention; I took him for granted."

"B, even if that were the case, he shouldn't have done that to you. Let's not talk about him right now. We should enjoy ourselves."

"So... so you don't want me to leave?" He threw his arms up, almost comically.

"B! I've already told you that I would like nothing more than for you to stay here beside me tonight! Is there nothing I can say or do that would convince you?" I lowered my eyes.

"Well, that was before my pitiful little outburst."

"B, having emotions doesn't make you pitiful." Whatever. Load of good they'd done me in the past... although I did enjoy being here with L. Even if I was being absolutely ridiculous... "If emotions make you pitiful, then I don't mind being pitiful." He squeezed me tighter. I looked up, searching his eyes for the patronizing sarcasm that had to be there. No insincerity showed, though. He truly meant it; my L truly cared for me. I smiled suddenly, leaping on top of him and burying my face in his chest. He smelled so good!!! He looked surprised, but allowed himself a slow smile. "See? It's okay!"

"Please, please stay with me," I whispered, not even caring that I was pleading.

"Of course, Beyond." I crawled under the covers, pulling them up until they were just under my chin. He laughed, reaching out tentatively to stroke my hair. I nestled into his touch, not wanting him to stop. Ever. I held out my arms, and he came under the covers to lay next to me. I wasn't wearing my shirt, and I tugged at his until he allowed me to remove it. I wrapped my arms around his torso, pulling him close to me so that I could kiss his stomach and chest. It was so warm, the two of us sharing body heat. A thought crossed my mind, making me giggle. "What's so funny?"

"What do you think Roger will say? Or Mello?" He smiled ruefully.

"Roger won't like it. He'll probably tell me to be careful around you, that you're dangerous to me. Not that I care. Mello... it's hard to say with him. He is not fond of you, but somehow, I think he won't mind us together. As long as you leave Matt alone from no on..." I blushed. He'd heard about that? "Mello obsesses about Matt. You should know that; you provoke Mello all the time." True enough. I liked Matt well enough, but I never really wanted him. Not in the way that I wanted L. It was so easy to get a rise out of his more violent counterpart, though, that I couldn't resist.

"It's fun." I shrugged. "He's so predictable. But you know that I don't like Matt like that... I like you. Don't worry about that..." He laughed again. God, how I loved that sound.

"I know, Beyond. Like I said, I trust you." I could feel myself blushing as I failed to stifle my yawn, the contagious nature of yawns causing him to yawn as well. "Tired?" I nodded, and he kissed my forehead. I scooted up so that I could better reach, and kissed him gently but assertively, expressing my feelings for him in a kiss.

"I love you, L."

"I love you too, B."

I fell asleep like that, curled up in the arms of my L, the one that I loved more than anything or anyone in the world.

~That night, I had no nightmares. I had my L.~

fin.

A/N: Thank you all for reading! sorry for how short this chapter is. I hope you all liked it! I had fun writing this. I apologize to any Near fans... I love near, and I didn't actually intend to be so mean to him... it just sort of happened. I'm sorry, Near!!! Any reviews are very much appreciated. happy new year! I love you all!!!

~alex~