The Aves of Maria

Amor Et Melle Et Felle Est Fecundissmismus or "Love Is Rich With Both Honey and Venom."
***

Light was loath to admit that L did anything to make him feel uncomfortable or awkward. Having been raised in a well-to-do household in the etiquette-loving country of Japan, he found the super-sleuth's mannerisms nothing short of repulsive at most times, brilliant mind or no. The detective was utterly strange and the residue of his memory clung to Bonsai Coffee like hot honey.

The little café had long been a favorite of Light's, but since he had taken L there, been tested about being Kira, and heard of his father's heart attack, he hadn't been able to so much as walk by the establishment without his mind darting back to that distinctly unpleasant day.

Today, however, that was all going to change, because he was visiting Bonsai Coffee with Maria. No longer would he let L ruin his favorite coffee shop; he would force the uncomfortable feeling away by replacing it with good memories with the woman he was secretly in love with.

It was Sunday afternoon again, and as was quickly becoming a habitual weekly affair, the young college student and widowed woman were taking tea together. Light entertained the thought of it being a date. As Maria decided on the various pastries and breads available, Light felt more in love than ever. No longer was it a hidden warmth within his veins: it was Venus entire and whole preying on his heart and soul. And she didn't even know she was doing it!

He forced his eyes away from her, choosing instead to stare at his reflection within his cup of coffee, lest he lose control over his actions toward the angelic female. She was commenting animatedly on the potted plants and bonsai that the café was named for. She rubbed her fingers against the leaves of a tiny red maple, smiling sweetly.

She was so wonderful, an embodiment of everything good in the world. Her thought back to the first time he saw her; really saw her. What had brought her to his attention so suddenly when he had never noticed before? If anything, it seemed that his father's heart attack scare had been the trigger. If that hadn't happened, his mother would not have forced Light and Sayu to church and he probably would have never seen or truly acknowledged Maria. In the end it all came back to the Death Note; if not for that, there would have never been Kira and without Kira his father wouldn't have been so stressed and would have never suffered his heart attack.

The words he spoke to Ryuk that night at the hospital had never felt so true: "I have never thought of the Death Note as a misfortune." It was the best thing to ever happen to him.

But, which had the keys of Paradise? The just, subtle, and mighty Death Note; or, the gentle, lovely, and thoughtful angel sitting across him?

Her castella cake arrived; pale and drizzled honey the same golden color of her hair. He stared at her mouth intensely as she took her first bite, her lips curving, hand lifting to brush against the curve of her upper lip—'cupid's bow,' he thought—in delight.

"It's so delicious!" she exclaimed, as bright as the sun, "Yagami-kun, you really must try some. This is one of the best castellas I've ever had."

"Alright," he consented.

She smiled and cut off a perfect little rectangle of cake which sat, yellow and soft, on the prongs of her fork as she moved to put the morsel on his plate. He couldn't help it; he intercepted her reach, wrapping his fingers around hers. The brightness of her eyes and lips sharpened into surprise. Hazelnut irises lowered, he pulled her hand to his mouth and bit the cake off the fork. He didn't release her until he had finished eating it.

"You are right; it is very good." Light said softly.

Maria's face became very red very fast and she wrenched her hand out of his limp fingers. She didn't say anything, apparently at a loss for words.

"Have I offended you?" He inquired.

"Yagami-kun… I…"

"Have I offended you?" He repeated.

She was silent for several more moments. Then, quietly, "No, Yagami-kun, you have not offended me. I am, however, very surprised."

The brunette nodded, fully prepared to act as if the incident hadn't just occurred.

"I am sorry I made you uncomfortable."

It was all part of his plan to make her fall for him. After this, she would be confused as to why he had done it, why he was acting as if it never happened, it would prompt her to think about him. Then, just as she would be starting to dismiss the incident, he would act out again and he would be pulled to the forefront of her mind once more. It was a flawless plan.

"Yagami-kun… do you have a crush on me?"

Light's world froze. He blinked, shocked, and he didn't bother trying to hide it.

How? How did she know? He thought had kept his feelings hidden very well, what had given him away? It couldn't have simply been the indirect kiss he'd taken from her fork. That, by itself, was too small a thing to be so suspicious of, too small to pull this question from her lips.

Slowly, staring at her with thinly veiled disbelief, he lowered his coffee cup. "Maria-san, what makes you think that I am… attracted to you in such a way?"

She colored again, looking horribly embarrassed. "I… I'm not exactly sure. It's just that… I'm wrong, aren't I? I misread something and assumed that… I'm not used to—so I—I just… I'm sorry. I feel so embarrassed now. Please forget that I brought it up." Her fingers twisted on the tabletop.

"Maria-san," Light began, his expression softening as he reached across the table and placed his hands over hers. Her fingers stopped clenching and she looked up at him hesitantly, "You are a very dear friend to me. I really like you. Maybe I am just too open with my emotions and that is why there was some misunderstanding. People my age are very easy-going about showing affection these days. Please, do not be embarrassed."

She blushed further.

Light's mind was racing. Just what had he slipped up on to make her see through him? It was too early to let her know of his feelings; she would surely push him away. He had definitely not expected her to make the first move like that. It proved nothing but her discomfort with the thought of him being attracted to her. He was just glad that he had been able to divert her this time.

"I see. Yes, of course. I suppose I was just being silly." She said, nodding timidly. "A-ano, Yagami-kun, you can let go of my hands now."

He pulled away abruptly, as if stung. "Ah, sorry."

"It's okay." She reassured him.

No, no it wasn't, because now she wouldn't be reading into his actions and wouldn't question those actions and wouldn't be plagued with thoughts of him. He would have to suffer the waiting period again until he was sure it was a good time to move again. Anything he did now would just be thought of "new generation affection."

The only good thing that came of this was that it had been her idea. He had batted away her suspicions and now she would question herself for assuming and ask herself where such a thought came from.

There was just one thing wrong with her analysis. What Light felt for her was definitely not a "crush."