𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙊𝙇𝙑𝙀 | l lawliet

Revelation

October 29, 2004

"L," the woman greeted unenthusiastically, without the slightest expectance of a conversation.

Unsurprisingly, the only thing closest to a reply she got was an acknowledging hum. She sat down next to him, tapping her fingernails against the table, humming in her mind a synchronized tune.

"Hikari-chan," he finally spoke, not even looking up from the desk. "You've worn blue today."

She straightened up, fidgeting with her sleeves self consciously.

"Evidently. What's your point?"

"You should wear black. It makes you look skinnier and more flattering. Especially the tight jumpsuit you wore on the day of Higuchi's arrest."

Hikari was about to yell at him, but despite all her effort, she couldn't help the fit of laughter that came instead.

"I'll... keep that in mind."

The man nodded, his head lolling down as it was a few minutes prior. She squinted at him scrutinizingly, nudging his shoulder.

"What's up with you? Seem even more gloomy than usual..."

L finally turned to look at her, his face showing the slightest flicker of amusement.

"Maybe if those observation skills of yours could go into the Kira case, we'd be at a lot more significant checkpoint than where we are now," he retorted.

She scoffed, smirking slightly. "You're just being all sassy 'cuz you're not chained to Yagami anymore."

"Your assumption is incorrect. On the contrary, I find myself feeling glad that the chief was able to drag him away for one night."

"Gossiping about your greatest suspect? Man, really shattered my expectations."

"I suppose the biggest ones would be to make you a coffee."

"And I thought your deductions could not get any better."

"Anyway, can I ask why you have summoned me at 3 a.m. in the morning?" she asked matter-of-factly.

"I wanted to... talk," he stated.

She put her right hand on his forehead, widening her eyes cartoonishly. "You okay? Should I get Watari?"

"I did not realise you were so keen on physical contact, Hikari-chan."

Hikari rolled her eyes. "It's called sarcasm. Doubt you are unfamiliar with it."

He got up, feet slightly vibrating from crouching in that position he so absurdly insisted on sitting in.

"Bet you suspect me or something."

L narrowed his eyes in the slightest, catching on the implication almost immediately.

"I think you are well aware of the trust I have in you, not to mention how irresponsible it is for me to let my guard down when we have a Shinigami roaming the building as we speak. And besides, I find this position rather comfortable."

She smiled. "Oh, I know. I was just checking to see if you still speak in full sentences. And besides, I'd be down to receive a compliment from the World's Greatest Detective anytime."

L's lips shifted into what appeared to be a smile, but it was near impossible to tell. She simply got out of the chair, as he had started walking.

"Don't even think about it," Hikari glared at him sternly. "It's raining outside and it's freezing."

He just turned back to her, black pools piercing through icy depths.

Hikari hesitantly got up, and followed, arms crossed.

'Works every time.'

"You have to tell me how you do that."

L patted her head stiffly.

You're gonna die of a cold if you keep being so unnecessarily stubborn," Hikari commented.

"Die of a cold... now that's a rather creative idea... perhaps Kira would be intrigued by it..."

She scoffed. "Who knew world's greatest detective could be so metaphorical."

But, it almost felt like a trigger. She felt like slapping herself in the face because of her presumable overthinking. Maybe it was just the realisation of their mortality, maybe the depiction of the so called stereotype that women tend to over analyse everything. But... it felt delegated. As if he meant to say it.

As they reached the top, L just walked into the rain, hands never leaving his pockets. He was staring into the distance, seeming nonchalant about neither her protesting whines, nor the water which'd started to drip from his hair.

The sky was a blended shade of green, pretty surprising for the time. Despite the beauty of it, it almost felt... empty. Like all the million hues in the sky formed was an empty void.

She finally entered the rain, squinting as it hit her like needles.

L turned his head in the slightest, his face having a slight look of regret. He seemed... almost bittersweet? Like the fools who smiled through their sorrows despite dying inside. But, he was not dying inside. He was calm, composed and content, as he'd always been.

Hikari narrowed her eyes, immediately picking up the tension in the air. Walking closer to him, she started, "Seriously, what is it?"

He finally turned his body, an exaggeratedly blunt front to his voice. "I'll die soon."