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He smiled back at her shyly and he leaned forwards tentatively. He forced himself to press his lips against her cheek and wondered if this was what others did.

She returned his smile, not helping but to think that smile was simply adorable. Very hesitantly, she leaned against his shoulder, surprised at how oddly giddy she felt at such simplicity.

He blinked and he felt her warm body getting closer to his. He smiled and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her closer.

Now certain that he would not reject her forwardness, she relaxed her form and sighed softly. She placed her hands over his and entwined the fingers, finding it very nice to have this simple comfort.

He looked down at their fingers and wondered just what took them so long? Considering that he was a genius, he had no idea of just how she felt for him and how long she had been waiting.

He smiled softly thinking that this was nice and he squeezed her hand.

"I finally understand what A has been hinting for years." she laughed softly and glanced up at him.

L pulled away slightly to see her expression.

"A?" he asked curiously.

He knew that she kept contact with his potential successors, but what did they have to do with them?

"Yes; apparently she's been aware of this much longer than I have." she explained, settling back again.

He raised his brow.

"Oh?" he said curiously. "And yet she's oblivious to other things?"

He shook his head at how his successors paid more attention to social aspects of one another rather than cases. Especially A, she was never truly as committed as were the others and now he knew why, she studied behaviors.

"Well, that would be one thing she got right I suppose no?"

"She's learning." Soar chortled, smiling fondly at the thought of their younger "siblings". It often saddened her that she barely ever saw Angel and Near any more, let alone the fact that she hadn't seen Carys, Matt, and Mello since her departure from the orphanage.

He shrugged.

"With a mild case of ADD?" he chuckled. "The boys were always the stronger ones weren't they?"

He thought of them as if they were Sora's and his children considering they were the successors parental figures.

She laughed again, her eyes displaying her comfort and content.
"Near maybe, Mello and Matt always were interested in other things it seemed."
She curled a bit closer, not quite as out of place now that they were talking.

He nodded and sighed.

"I cannot help but feel that Near might have to face some awkwardness as I do when it comes to..." his lips twitched in amusement. "Hopefully he'll see something obvious unlike we did" he whispered.

He squeezed her hand once more and smiled thinking of just how motherly she was.

"I hope so, he's always been so introverted." she frowned, recalling how he would never join the others at the orphanage for games or anything when they were all younger.
"Maybe being in charge of his own investigation team will change him."

L shrugged thinking of her comment.

"If your 'child' is in his own work environment, I can't help but believe your comment" he said amused. "Hopefully they aren't too abusive to one another.

He subconsciously kissed her hand and held it closer to his body. She smelled lovely against him and her warmth spread to his as well. He knew that this was something he could do for a long time, and for however long fate let it be.

"'Child'?" she repeated, smiling, "I was thinking more along the lines of 'little brother'."
She left her hand where he had placed it against his chest, feeling the rhythmic thrum of his heart against her fingers, and for once pausing to appreciate simply being alive.

He chuckled and he leaned against her. This was calming, foreign...definitely, but he enjoyed it.

"Well you're little brother, as you say is going to be bullied by the loud mouth." he chuckled amused. "I blame you for her outcome"

He wondered just how natural it was for them to tease one another. With her, it was surprisingly easy which made him wonder....to what level were his emotions.

She tilted back her head as she laughed, not even remembering the last time she had been in such a good mood.
"Me?" she grinned, "A has a mind of her own; I don't know where she learned half of what she knows!"

He raised his brow and shook his head. He liked her laugh and his lips twitched letting out a small smile at her reaction.

"She got that from the other child Carys and that was your child was she not? Were you not in charge of them?" he smirked.

It was nice to go back to their banters, it was safer territory.

"I suppose I was, but I think they got their attitude from either the boys or television; you've never caught me acting like that have you?" she questioned, returning his smirk.

He shrugged and leaned closer surprised by his own boldness.

"True...but I've never seen you smirk either" he said in a husky tone.

"I've never been given reason to." she responded, coloring at the close proximity, as well as that foreign tone he'd used.

He noticed her coloring and he let out a smirk of joy because of her reactions to him. He had to admit that he liked the idea of seeing her reaction and he leaned closer.

"Till now?" he asked.

"...Correct." she murmured, making no change in her own position in contrast to his.

He couldn't help but be surprised at how she responded and while her cheeks were flushed, he noticed that her eyes had mirth and that she followed his lead.

"How charming" he whispered voice lowered.