subversion | [private] there is ice and there is fire.

She's sobered up by the time she runs into him here.

Hey! Light. I, uh-

[The napkin is crumpled in her pocket, but she pulls it out anyways, and takes the next few stairs two at a time to get to him and hold it out. It's a gift.]

[As she comes around the corner, his face tightens and he gets up to leave. Except then she's waving - what is that, a napkin?]

What is that supposed to be?

It's a long story. I should have started out with an apology. I know I was really horrible to you about something that was all my fault.

[Still holding the napkin out, sheepishly.]

So I was in the bar, and another Light was there. The evil, skinny one. I asked him what kind of thing you might like as an apology for having been hypothetically offended.

[All right, now he's hooked. Reaching out to take the napkin, he unfolds it, and stares. Most of it's in English - "I, Light Yagami, do swear that I advised Matt to give Light Yagami an apologetic melon." - but beneath it, that's his name, and it's in his handwriting on this thing he's never seen before. Except it isn't, quite - even in marker pen on a tissue, it's smaller and neater than Light would write it, with the strokes a little bolder, and more of a flick to them.

Before folding it and tucking it into his pocket, Light stares at it for several seconds.]

He told you to give me a melon?

He seriously did. It was so weird. I still don't really remember how it happened. But the important part was what happened after.

[She sits down, two steps below him.]

He started getting really irritating. Aggressive, borderline threatening, and he finally ended up making this comment about being sure to bow. I don't know why it set me off so hard, but it was something about the way he said it. I've never been angrier in my life.

And I was watching him, and it occurred to me that there was no reason why I had to sit there and let him say those things to me any more.

So, what? You hit him?

[Fascinated, he sits back down on his step, looking down at her.]

I threw my drink right in his face. It was an awful one, too. Violently pink, sticky ice slush. He'll be feeling the sugar in his hair for days and days.

He turned to me after- he hadn't been expecting it- and gave me this look. But that was all he could do.

[Something indeterminate flits across Light's face at that; he's never run into the one she's talking about, so he pictures the ghost from the death room dripping pink sugar. Part of him wants to laugh out loud: he deserved it, and more. Part of him's humiliated on his alternate's behalf: that could have been me.

Eventually, it settles into a smile behind his hand.]

What, he didn't say anything, or throw - I don't know, furniture or lightning or something?

No. The world didn't come crashing to a halt. And I don't have to let him do anything to me.

[She sets an elbow on the step, and puts her chin on her hand.]

Coincidentally, I don't have to measure my safety, success or happiness based on whether you want me. It's okay for me to be friends with you. Crazy, huh?

Quite the epiphany you've had.

[Curling on his higher step, resting his head on one hand, mirroring her. His fingertips sit against his hair, thoughtful, unexpectedly crestfallen; her interest had flattered him. She can't just decide that.]

You only need yourself. Everything else - it's not, I don't know, important. Not real.

Don't get me wrong. I'd still really like to tie you up in my bed. But it doesn't have to be scary that you won't.

[It really has been quite a night.]

I should write all this down, in case I've forgotten it in the morning.

Maybe one day.

[He's determined it's not going to happen - but that comment slants his mouth at the corner. He's his own worst enemy sometimes.]

You ought to. Or I could remind you. Keep you inside the egg.

Probably not. And that's okay too.

[She'll just... invest in a vibrator, or something.]

What abuot you? Had any epiphanies today?

This place doesn't exactly lend itself to them.

[There's the beginning of one, but he's still thinking it through, and it's not for her ears - or at least, not immediately. It's not okay.]

You don't have the melons, where you come from?

What melons?

[She's changed trains of thought.]

The melons, for gifts. I admit I would have laughed, but.

[And he prefers the note. In a twisted way, it's the best thing she could have given him.]

Yeah, but what's fruit compared to the sweet indignity of a double that you just can't really help but want to show up, even though you're aware it's probably juvenile. But still.

[It's at that point that the smile wins out, wicked and just a little cruel, as Light teases himself with the idea that he's better off.]

I suppose it's unfair that it amuses me. I mean, I haven't even met him.

I have. I think he's anorexic. It's a little weird, seeing you wasted away like that.

You're not serious.

[Light just can't picture himself like one of those girls.]

Yeah, I am. I stopped eating for a while, once, but I never got as far as he is now.

[No, that doesn't go unnoticed, and somehow he's not surprised.]

Is this the one with the sketchbook that people keep mentioning?

I think so. He can't be all bad- he did sign the note for me. But, it still felt really, really good to get out from under his thumb.

And from mine.

[His hands are nagging to fidget; folding them back in his lap, he leans against the railing.]

Still, he sounds like an idiot. You're so much better off on your own.

Maybe. I do kind of miss being under you, though.

[He set himself up for it, he can't blame her for taking the opening. She grins.]

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