Even though he was tired from a day of babysitting, L still wanted to come see you. He'd decided to save the exploring for another day more well rested, and tonight he'd just go out on the boat he'd rented and talk with you.

So as soon as the orphanage fell silent and sleeping, he climbed out the window as usual and went into the woods, through the gateway and back into the magic land. He still didn't know the name of it, he knew the towns but not the actual land itself. He'd just been calling it 'the magic place' all this time. His walk through the mushroom forest wasn't too unusual, well for a magic land that is. But this time as he approached the shoreline, some families figured made themselves known.

He was stopped in his tracks when a quick zip of a glowing figure swirled around him, and after the initial confusion of stopping suddenly he realised it was one of the fairies from before.

"Oh..? Uh hi?" He questioned.

It was small enough to make it its appearance, but not big enough to be heard. The tiny creature wore petals as a dress and an acorn hat, its wings moving so fast it looked like a glow rather than wings.

The fairy curtsied for him, and proceeded to mimic the action of violin playing, knowing he'd not be able to hear them.

"My violin? I didn't bring it today. I'm just here for a quick visit. I can bring it next time though" he said.

The fairy nodded in approval and bowed a thank you before fluttering off.

"Huh... guess I'm a musician for fae now..." L muttered to himself.

Now he'd been down here multiple times he wasn't really shocked when this stuff happened, more intrigued and honoured that the magic beings were acknowledging his presence. After the fae living in the woods heard his music last time, they'd been wanting to dance to it again. L didn't mind that, but he'd have to remember to bring his violin again next time.

Taking the boat out, the water was calm and the air was warm. Cicadas and crickets could be heard in the distance, along with frogs in the river nearby. It was calm, it was like floating in a dream almost.

All he had to do was anchor in the middle of the river and wait, he knew that anyone who crosses the river ends up known to you eventually. It didn't take long for you to spot the anchor to the boat underwater and pop up beside him leaning over the edge of the boat.

"Boo" you joked.

"The splashing kind of give it away" L replied.

"Damnit. I'll get you next time. Not exploring today?"

Noticing his lack of supplies, and his sleepy state you figured today was just a quick visit.

"Yeah, I'm tired after babysitting all day. I guess that's my job over the break now, watching kids" L sighed.

"It can't be that bad, surely kids who go to your orphanage are smart ones. They're special little humans, brains too big for them" you replied.

"I'll admit these three aren't that bad, two of them are super energetic but also very easily intrigued so calming them down isn't too hard. The other is so quiet and shy, definitely not neurotypical that's for sure... I think I can handle them all but I'll need some extra sleep"

"Sounds like you like them"

Well... he kind of did. So far at least, he's only known them a day. But today wasn't too bad, and he dis have a bit of a soft spot for kids that has been through similar things to him since he could empathise with them.

"I guess so... we'll see how it goes. Although the youngest somehow managed to spot my necklace under my shirt and correctly identify the shell... he's 6 I have no idea how he did that" L mentioned.

"Damn, smart kid. Maybe he likes the beach and stuff? Or maybe he grew up there before coming here?" You suggested.

Whatever the reason, Nears good observation skills meant L would have to be careful not let any of this magic stuff slip around him. Or he would know, and thus so would Mello and Matt, the three of them are like a bonded group now. What one knows so do the others.

"Also... you said that other humans have been here before?" He asked.

"Yeah plenty of times over the years. Although you're the first in a long time" you replied.

"Anyone ever come through the same gateway I did?"

"Not that I know of. Then again we're roughly the same age so anything that happened before we were born and isn't super history changing I probably wouldn't know of"

Hmm... so whatever Miss applebee knew could be about this place.

After that comment she made to L, it became pretty obvious to him she knows more than she's leading on. Weather it was a story of this place, or maybe even her own experience here... he didn't know yet. But he'd definitely be investigating this.

"You know one night you should come swimming with me. Our rivers and oceans are a lot more colourful than your human ones, we haven't polluted them as much" you suggested.

"Maybe when it's a bit warmer. I dunno how you sirens live in cold water" L replied.

"Our bodies are built for it. You humans are very warm creatures. That's why you're so cuddly"

If it was lighter outside, you'd have spotted the blush on his cheeks at the mention of being cuddly. The thought of a hug from you, even if it was a bit wet, sounded very nice to him for some reason.

"Maybe when I come for that swim you can get a cuddle too" he replied.

Immediately after the words left his mouth he thought 'why did I say that?' He wasn't used to such affectionate communication, and his own words caught him off guard a bit.

"I'd like that, you look very warm and cuddly with your long sleeves and fluffy hair" you replied.

"I'd make some kind of 'you're warm and cuddly too' response but you're soaking wet and in cool water"

You snickered at his response, finding his bluntness rather amusing.

"Yeah I'm not even going to pretend I'm warm and cuddly. I live in the water and have a long scaly tail, I'm probably wet and cool" you joked.

"Well, wet and cool sounds nice for the hotter days"

L was internally quite startled by his responses, it was like the words were on auto pilot and came out before he could process them. All the rather friendly and even flirty words leaving his mouth were new to him.

"When you're stuck in a heat wave come get a cold, wet hug from me. You'll like it" you laughed.

"I'll keep that in mind, and as soon as it warms up a bit more I'll come swimming with you" he replied.

"You better, I have a whole other world under there to show you"