Stalemate (A Death Note Story)

Chapter Ten: Nevermore

Heavy breathing woke Nemo in the morning. Her tired eyes couldn’t see the figure in the corner, looming over her. She squinted, reaching for her glasses. L had given her the bedroom. Once he realized she was asleep, he gently guided her to the bed. These feelings weren’t inherently pure. L had been suspicious of Nemo since the beginning of the operation. There was a 0% chance in his mind that Nemo was Kira, but he knew she had something to hide.

He had Watari put a camera in her apartment. Watching her in secret wasn’t the morally great thing to do. However, Nemo had proven her innocence time and time again. The surveillance helped build that case more. She would talk aloud to herself about the case. L found that amusing. He secretly watched her. Normally, if you liked someone, you’d tell them first before kissing them. Acting on impulse wasn’t how L usually operated. He realized that he was attracted to her. He wanted to kiss her, and then, he did. Her reaction wasn’t how he’d expected. He began to doubt his intentions. He felt a little remorse for the fact that he didn’t consider Nemo’s feelings.

He stood in the corner, staring at her. Once his picture was clear, Nemo was able to see him better.

“Oh, it’s just you.” She said, smiling over at L.

“Did I scare you?” L asked. He looked away for a second.

She chuckled and shook her head. “No, but standing there is strange. I didn’t mind though.”

“I wish to apologize. I figured I must’ve made you uncomfortable.” L lowered his head. The morning light was hitting off the top of his head.

Nemo looked at L, confused. She couldn’t remember at first, but after a moment, she remembered the kiss. It was such a small peck. Nemo nearly forgot about it. She was extremely flattered, but she wasn’t the most romantic person. Hell, Soichiro Yagami knew before she did.

She smiled softly. “No. I thought it was very nice. I was just tired.” Nemo gestured to L to come to sit next to her. He moved away from the shadows. His face lit up as he slowly walked over to her bed. He was like a shinigami with the way he hunched over. He sat up on the bed, pulled his knees up, and sat in a lotus position. His eyes looked out the blinded windows.
She gently took his hands. L turned to her. His dark eyes widened. His hands were extremely cold. “Are you upset about Utika?” Nemo asked, gently.

L sighed. He couldn’t seem to get the words out. A small tear crept down his face, trying to hide it by looking away. While he was accustomed to casualty, L never experienced death up close. “I expected it, but there was nothing I or Aizawa could do.”

Nemo nodded. Unlike L, death was a prominent thing in her life. From her mother to her best friend, Naomi. “It’s okay to grieve, L. I know most of the NPA think that they’re tough, but they still cry.” She placed a hand on his cheek. “You’re under a lot of pressure to find this guy, but lives are at a loss.”

L leaned into her touch. His cold cheek felt nice against her warm palm. “It’s a difficult process, Nemo. There’s been a lot of deaths that were caused by me. I know I’m not Kira, but I still hold responsibility for the FBI agent’s deaths.”

“I know how you feel. Naomi’s disappearance haunts me. I was at the police station when I collapsed, and for a split second, I thought I saw her face.” Nemo brushed her fingers through L’s hair. “I’m pretty sure Kira got to her first.”

L was surprisingly responsive to this affection. He stared at her. “I had been watching you for about a month before the investigation got this far. As a detective, I’m always suspicious of everyone. I was suspicious of you, Nemo. That’s why I wanted to be closer to you.”