Redeemer

The small private airport was on the shore, and in the morning, the sun was cresting over the water, spreading a wide arc of warmth over the sand to the parapet where the private jet was fueling.

Mello and Matt pulled up in the Maserati, having cleaned out the last traces of L’s every operation here in Italy. Linda was in the back seat, and the three of them were truly awaiting their orders. What was next now that the Kira case was closed?

It hadn’t been announced yet, instead the reports of Kira’s unfathomable justice against the mafia was dominating the headlines, but eventually, L had already confessed that Kira’s defeat would be revealed, and the case would be quite closed officially. Whether Light knew or had anything to do with it remained to be seen.

It had been several days since the church, since Bella met her end, and in a way, so too, did Kira. Mello and Matt were just starting to pick up the pieces, and so far it was more sublime than anything—nothing had settled, nothing felt much different. L had been in Dr. Gregory’s care, as was Light. It was their first stop after the church for obvious reasons as L was in bad shape, and there was no telling what sort of shape Kira was in. They’d stayed there, and neither Matt nor Mello had seen them since. And aside from several check-ins over the com, there was really not much information to be had, so it was something of a relief to get a request from L to meet him here at the airport.

They saw him the moment they pulled up, Mello gearing the car down to a stop, eyes focusing on the obvious silhouettes near the beach.

L was in a wheelchair it seemed. Behind him, guiding the chair, was Light’s statuesque figure, though now casually dressed in jeans and a white button down, that was open, baring some designer undershirt or another—his hair slightly longish, but not as it had been, tossed about by beachfront winds in choppy amber waves.

The three Wammy kids got out of the car, and began their approach, Mello’s gaze snagging on an odd little detail glinting in the sunlight—the unmistakable links of a long handcuff chain slung between Light and L, and it struck him as kind of funny, and kind of appropriate, and made him think that maybe, in some way, it was a lifeline because Kira needed something to attach to now that he was no longer Kira.

“Hey,” the blonde greeted them quietly and Linda brought up the rear. It seemed that neither she nor Matt knew truly how to react because the sight of the detective in a wheelchair was not so striking as that of the chain that joined him to his other half. In a way it was also a tad bit sad, and very telling.

Mello stepped up to stand beside the wheelchair, eyes gazing out to sea. It felt slightly bittersweet to be standing there like this, after all that had happened. Perhaps it was the setting, or perhaps the somber tone that lingered in the air between them. “Where are you headed from here?”

“Home,” L said, “I’ve been ordered to rest under penalty of death—or diabetes—whichever comes first, though I’m pretty sure Dr. Gregory can’t give me diabetes.”

“He can instruct me not to feed you everything you ask for though,” Light muttered rather flatly beside him, but irony would have it he just didn’t sound as depressed as perhaps they’d all expected him to.

“You wouldn’t do that to me,” L replied, sounding slightly aloof.

“You handcuffed me,” Light deadpanned.

“So if you push me down a hill in this thing, you’re going with me,” L muttered.

And they were either putting on a marvelous show, or were back to their old antics. Possibly a little of both, and that was when L turned to Mello, eyes wide, bruises healed or healing across his pale face. “England,” he said, “To answer your question specifically. I have a house.” And by house, he probably meant some enormous manor that dated back several royal families, but he didn’t say that.

“The immediate case I go back to is the one Matt has been working on with me.”

“L,” Light chided.

The detective blinked, and Light frowned down his nose at him. “But that won’t be for a few days…” L conceded dully.

“L,”

“A week, a week at best.”

And that was probably the most they could get out of him… but no one there truly expected him to stick to such a deal, unless his handcuffed keeper insisted on actually enforcing it.

Home… they hadn’t been home in years. The brief appearance prior to coming to Rome had lasted no more than a week, and thus could not even be counted. It had indeed been years then.

“That sounds like a marvelous idea…” Mello murmured thoughtfully and of course he meant the former as opposed to the latter. “We’ll be in touch, but I best not hear from you in under a week, take a bloody vacation, you need it.”

“Hmm, so they tell me,” L mumbled, sounding skeptical. “But vacations are boring.”

Light scoffed slightly though had yet to look anyone in the face, and the more Mello’s gaze shifted discretely toward him, the more he was convinced Light was just doing all he could to keep himself together. That beneath L’s droll and aloof demeanor, he’d been hard at work to keep the man who was once Kira, from slipping through the cracks in these initial nights since existence as he knew it had come to an end. And L sensed Mello thinking that, and maybe so did Light—but the former turned to him where the latter did not.

“Of course, as soon as I’m back in commission,” L said, “I’ll expect you to continue your studies. There is much work to be done, and I have a full plate. The training wheels have to come off sooner or later, and I will be testing you on how you handle your own cases.”

Mello winced, but supposed that was just the natural way of things. “Of course,” he said. His gaze once again sliding to Light, however well concealed beneath his mirrored shades. There was a lot Mello had wanted to say to his lover, things he’d rehearsed and things he just wanted to feel—like the weight and warmth of Light’s body in his arms, like the soft swell of sweet lips against his own; but there hadn’t been a time for that, and it didn’t look like there would be—and Mello had to swallow those sentiments and sit on those feelings for just a bit longer. Maybe it was better he did. Maybe it was necessary.

“Mello,” L said, and his tone took on a more serious quality, the sort that had people turning in his direction. “You are going to be on your own for awhile, and I feel the need to inform you that Kira,” and L lingered on the name as though it were a separate entity, as though Kira weren’t standing right there, “Found the time in his busy schedule to eliminate a good deal of organized crime members world-wide and not just in Italy. They included for the most part, men who shared connections with you and to whom you were previously tied or in debt to.”

And that was a weighted confession if ever there was one. Mello turned to L, and caught Light now staring pointedly at him, in fact, both L and Light were staring at him—and L was serious, and Light looked selfless, and Mello understood that if nothing else—that was part of a plan. A plan between the both of them. It confirmed L had been in communication with Kira these passed several weeks, confirmed he’d hatched a deal with him—whether it was a trade or because they shared a joint love for the blonde, Mello couldn’t be sure, but L told Kira to kill those men—to free him—and Kira did so, probably without question, it was in his eyes at that moment.

“This is a clean slate,” L said. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re out of organized crime—your ties are broken, and in very few cases, outstanding debts have been paid in your name.”

And that meant L had paid mob members… those still left standing. Must have only been in the last couple of days too, because Kira would have killed them otherwise, but Kira no longer had the ability.

“Matt is in charge of keeping you out of those situations in the future,” L continued sternly, “and I expect you to abide by my wishes and never pursue that lifestyle again—am I understood?”

Understood? That went beyond understood because L had gone out of his way to make sure Mello had a way out; he'd involved Kira because it was the only failsafe to assure that all ties were severed and there was no further reason to keep going back—no favors owed, no debts to pay and Mello felt just a tad bit small beneath their onlooking gazes—silly perhaps given all that had happened, but every so often L still managed to have that effect on him.

The blonde nodded. "There's no reason to go back," he said and it was true.

By god... the case was over. Truly over, once and for all. The monumental realization had not fully hit him. Not until then and Mello blinked, thankful for the mirrored lenses that blocked out all expression. Six years of his life devoted to this precise moment—albeit, he had imagined it a little different at first—had finally come full circle. It was staggering and he did not know why that detail had not hit him sooner. Maybe it was the talk of going home. Maybe it was the fact that L was at last taking a break—that they too could be afforded one as well. A break... after six bloody years of conflict—of literal blood, sweat and tears.

What to do now, where to go from here? Mello always had an ultimate goal to work toward and suddenly there were none on the horizon. No definite ones, at least. While at Wammy's, it was to come out on top—once he left, it was to bring Kira down. Ironically the two coincided, and of course, he would return to the endless books and examinations, intent on matching Light's flawless score and while that in itself was a goal most people would not so much as dream of working toward, it felt different...

Christ. He was thinking too much.

"Linda?" Mello said, addressing L once again. "Shall I keep her with me until further notice?" He'd already discussed it with her—there were really no loose ends on her part, seeing as a commission from L was a bit more important than her job at London's ward, and seeing as she had originally been brought on board with Near in mind and that aspect had yet to be dealt with, both of them figured she would stay on. Regardless, the girl shifted behind him, seemingly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation, as if unsure where she stood with the lot of them.

"If she's to stay on with us, she could use the training." Matt muttered, which meant that the girl was about to be signed up for boot camp from both Mello and Matt.

"And if she's not to stay on, then you'll have to kill her, so..." Mello finished.

Linda stared at him in disbelief, then threw a fist at his shoulder. "Mell!"

And Matt snorted, half choking on the smoke he'd just lit and Mello grinned like the devil he was, because goddamnit, the mood needed lightening.

L blinked owlish, “I had considered that,” he said fairly seriously, which made both Linda and Matt’s faces drop at how sober the detective was when he said it, but Mello knew better and smirked. L maintained the facade because that was his way. “But yes, staying on with you sounds like a better option. She needs the training—please give it to her.”

Linda visibly released a breath and Mello nudged her arm with his own to assure her that yes, L was joking about the killing part. The training would be far from a funny matter, but he’d let her recoup just a bit before they threw her in the deep end to see if she could swim.

“For now, we’re going separate ways,” L said. “Matt, I’ve sent you all the necessary codes to open a line of communication with me whenever the need arises—and I will be in touch about the case,” and yet, the fact that L was laying it out in such a way made it suddenly sound like their parting would be more long-term than just a week; though maybe it was the chain that said it best, and the way Light had retracted from the conversation altogether.

No, he was not alright. And L was more than well aware. This was a time that Kira needed a one-on-one environment only. He would not be able to exist in an environment where he felt outnumbered even if half those people genuinely cared about him—his views were still skewed. It had to be him and L, and him and L only until things leveled out and hopefully, Light recovered.

It was bad enough he’d been defeated—though he’d truly forfeited hadn’t he? Made the right decision for once in his life, it was not so much a defeat as a victory over himself, for the benefit of all; but Mello was certain Light was not seeing it that way—it was in the distant lines of his face—and the suddenly too-visible circles beneath his eyes. These last few nights had been difficult hadn’t they? And that chain had been necessary—lifeline indeed. It was probably far too difficult for him to even just stand there and listen to them talk about moving on, and maybe it was only Mello who noticed the way L seemed to idly wrap the chain around his fingers, and give it a gentle tug—like he was bringing Light back from a dark place he was all too often now retreating to.

This was no vacation, and L was going to be off the map for as long as it took to reel his lover in and keep him safe. But of course neither Matt nor Linda realized that—just yet. Mello did however, so it fell to him to maintain the façade. He risked a glimpse at Light; but Mello’s frown was hidden, and the worry in his eyes concealed behind the mirrored shades.

"We'll make sure to be in relative driving distance if anyhing comes up." And he said it why...? A small bit of reassurance perhaps, that he was not about to disappear completely off the map, even though they were in essence doing just that? Perhaps. Because it hardly mattered where they were at any given time should L call them back, especially given the fact that L had most definitely not told them where in England exactly that 'house' of his was located. For all they knew, they could end up five minutes or five hours away.

"Get some rest - both of you." And Mello emphasized that point because one was just as stubborn as the next and they did earn this time to lay low.

To Mello's surprise, and given the reactions all around, Linda had stepped past him to lean down and wrap her arms around L's shoulders. Mello blinked. Matt lifted a brow, cigarette halfway to his mouth. It nearly dropped however, when she released the detective and leaned up to repeat the gesture toward Light. She did not seem particularly bothered by the fact that he stiffened as her arms slid around him, tightening firmly for a good moment. Stranger still was the 'thank you' and 'you'll be all right' she whispered against him, so that only he could hear it.

His eyes closed deeply as the words broke hot against his ear—the sentiment in them, the feeling, it struck a raw core and it seemed just then it would take everything—everything Light had to keep from falling apart in front of the others. But his warm honey gaze was glassy as Linda pulled back, and the devastation was clear in his face, and if he didn’t turn away from the lot of them it would be far too hard for him to ever face them again.

The moment was of course punctuated by L saying bluntly: “I’m hungry,” and that was his cue for them to leave, wasn’t it? For he and Light to get on that waiting plane where Light could fold in upon himself and L could be his support in whatever way he chose to do it; because if Light turned back around then—they’d all see the tears running down his face, soaking long eyelashes, speaking in volumes just how utterly overwhelmed he was.

They all understood and mercifully, no one questioned L’s abrupt decision to devour half the world’s pastries at that exact moment. Or so they were always convinced was the case. Mello simply nodded toward the plane, indicating for them to get going. The sooner Light was behind closed walls, the better it would be. And as much as Mello wanted to reach out, to brush the hair from Light’s eyes, to kiss away those tears and tell him that everything would indeed be all right, he abstained. It wasn’t the time. Linda had already said what needed to be said right then and there, as if the girl had read his mind and had taken it upon herself to act in his stead as the neutral party in all of this.

They hung back to let them pass, both Linda and Matt glancing aside, making themselves oblivious to the obvious grief upon Light’s face, but Mello, safely away beneath the mirrored lenses followed his progress toward the small private jet that stood in wait. It held such finality and he could not even explain to himself why. Life went on but all of them would have some issues accepting that fact, wouldn’t they?

The noise was deafening several minutes later, the plan shooting up off the runway and soaring overhead—into the sky and heading north. A cigarette was crushed down onto the tarmac, and the snapping sound of chocolate went unheard.

“Mell?” Linda asked from the back seat fifteen minutes later as he drove them out of the airport and onto the country road that would lead them back into the city.

“Hmm?” He acknowledged her by glimpsing briefly in the rearview mirror.

“I don’t mean to be a pest, but where are we going?”

Mello cracked a smile, eying the road. “Back to the flat for now. I need a couple of days to make arrangements, but I was thinking Camden.”

Matt looked up from the PSP, arcing a brow in question. “Camden?”

“Yes, Camden. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Decent this time of year, I hear.” The redhead deadpanned, but Mello only chuckled.

“Where do you think they’re headed?”

“Haven’t the faintest clue. I imagine some ridiculous manor house lost in the middle of the woods. I’d say somewhere in the vicinity of Winchester, even if it sounds cliché.”

“Would make sense…” Linda murmured thoughtfully. Having a place within proximity of Wammy’s would be ideal, but yes, perhaps a bit cliché. Yet, who were they to judge? And then out of the blue, she asked, “…why does it feel like we’re never going to see them again?”

Mello frowned, meeting her gaze through the mirror, but it was Matt who answered, glancing out the window. “Because we probably won’t set eyes on either of them for the next several months at best. I’d be surprised if we catch sight of them before the end of the year…”

“’Till then I’m afraid you’re stuck with us,” Mello added because he did not want to think of whether or not they’d be contacted for more than general updates and ridiculous academic demands. Did not want to think that he would not get to kiss those lips and hold that warm body close for so long. He knew it… had known it the moment they parted ways at the church because that was just how things worked. This arrangement had been a rather odd one and did not exemplify general conditions in the slightest.

And so, as far as Mello was concerned Light would be out of his life just as smoothly as he had waltzed into it.

Smooth as a ton of fucking bricks.

Mello snapped into a new bar of chocolate with enough gusto to get both pairs of blue eyes fixing curiously at him.

There was a beat of dry silence. “What..?” he muttered, and patted himself on the back because for a second there he did not think that he’d be able to reproduce his usual tone with such ease.

Linda didn’t answer but after a moment, Matt mumbled—PSP now firmly in hand— “So is this redemption?”

And wow what a question. He most likely meant Kira—but they were all in need weren’t they? They all suffered their sins and held on to the last—Catholics and anarchists, atheists and demi-gods the lot of them, they’d dug in and held on and waited for the end.

The Redeemed and the Redeemers.

Though where the lines lay, was anyone’s guess.

“Redemption?” Mello muttered after a moment. “Dunno. But I’m certain you can see it from here.”