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XXIX

At a Standstill

Es appeared in a familiar silver-themed room identical to the office he had left behind for Near in the partitioned-off area in his mirror realm.

At his will, his surroundings shifted without any forewarning.

The layout of a studio apartment was immediately replaced by an empty chamber with pristine white walls, a single silver-white capsule quite resembling a coffin placed in the middle. It was a massive hall, large enough to suffice as a ballroom. With only one item in this room which had a transparent crystal floor and silver ceiling, it seemed exceedingly desolate.

The distance was not a problem. Though it seemed to be a hundred metres away from Es' position, he reached the unusual capsule with but a thought. It was unclear whether Es had moved over or if the object had been transported in front of him. The monotonous white of the room could not be any more unfavourable for an accurate estimation of length to be made.

He gently laid one hand on the silvery surface.

Upon closer inspection, one could tell that it was made of the same glassy crystalline material as the ground upon which the coffin-like receptacle stood.

Within the white capsule with the silvery glass-like top slept an unmoving young man. He did not breathe and no pulse would be detected if he had been connected to a heart monitor. Even so, if anyone else witnessed this scene, they would never believe it has been nearly two months since he last drew breath. By all common sense in this world, this man was already dead.

"L," Es murmured lowly.

There was nothing except gentle affection in his expression as he roved his sight over the still features on the slumbering young man's face.

It was unsure when it happened, but the unearthly crystal cover had vanished under Es' palm.

It slipped through the still air, landing lightly over L's left breast.

There was no heartbeat -- this was to be expected.

Es shut his eyes briefly, his pale golden eyelashes brushing over his cheeks as azure eyes were briefly concealed from view. As they opened, their true visage was exposed. Opaque silver filled the clear blue irises, an intricate continuously swirling pattern forming a circle along the edge of the silver. Reflective yet impervious, the detached tranquillity overwhelmed the sensitive azure.

He would not hide from L anymore.

Es leaned down, pressing his forehead lightly against the black-haired male's own.

When he spoke, his breath ghosted over the other's lips.

"It's time to wake up," Es whispered tenderly.

The effect was instantaneous.

The scarlet name and numbers poised over L's head returned to life, the halted progress of the countdown towards the young man's death smoothly resuming without ostentation.

Es was still -- as if he had been awaiting this all along.

The former detective's breathing resumed naturally, warm exhalation mingling with the cooler expired breath from the blond whose head was bent over his. Besides this and the strong beat of the black-haired young man's heart within his ribcage, there was no other indication that he was alive. Even so, Es knew that his closest friend was awake.

Es slowly withdrew his touch, his too-cold hand gradually retreating from the growing heat of the other male's chest while his back straightened to resume his usual flawless posture.