𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙊𝙇𝙑𝙀 | l lawliet

Reality

Hikari sat there, thinking more than she ever had. It wasn't like she was dim, but her IQ did not fly close to L. It was probably her curiosity towards Kira, and ofcourse, unwavering loyalty towards her boss that had made her join the Task Force, she knew that.

Both Light and Misa would never admit to it. It was truly annoying, how stubbornly deceptive humans were.

Humans...

How about the Shinigami? It felt like it was already holding back information... but, how would she be able to force it out?

"Hikari-chan," she heard his monotone call out to her. 

"Drop the chan. What is it?" she questioned absentmindedly, not bothering to look up him.

"I have deduced that you are currently formulating a plan, a way to avoid my death. I doubt you should waste your time when we could be doing something far more productive."

He'd caught on. Already.

"I am an adult. I can make my own decisions."

L's eyes bored into hers. If this was his way of being intimidating, it sure as hell was working.

"This is a matter within the Kira case, which I am leading. I don't think age is a relevant factor here."

Hikari clenched her fists. She didn't know what annoyed her more: his narrow-minded thinking (or so it seemed to her), or his diplomatic threat.

She got up abruptly, staring him dead in the eye.

"I'll do anything I can. If you want to be so absurdly nonchalant towards something like death, have it your way. But, I'm not giving up until your goddamn heart stops beating."

Hikari walked outside, irritated.

L was just being practical. All she would've done was drag herself down with him. That was the last thing he wanted.

He got up himself, knowing exactly where she'd be.

The kitchen. Too predictable. Probably drinking her fifth cup of black coffee for the day.

"I've heard some coffee beans are made from cat waste. Quite fascinating, isn't it?" he started.

She instinctively checked the label of the jar.

"Fortunately, this one doesn't. What are you even here for?"

Hikari hated this small talk. And she knew it wasn't like him to be stalling.

"I am well aware how much you want to prevent it, but nothing can be do--"

"Save it," she interrupted. "I told you, you can't stop me."

He gripped the edge of the countertops. A rare depiction of anger from him.

L was never very emotional. And yet, this woman really knew how to push his buttons.

"I don't have a problem with me dying, so why do you?"

"Sorry. I've always been selfish. You would know."

"It's pointless of we both meet the end."

His voice was cold, but she could easily identify the faint sliver of anger laced into it.

"Please. I'm a twenty four year old detective with neither talent, nor motivation. I've got nothing to lose."

Words sharp as a knife, she'd somehow managed to cut through all the detective's emotional boundaries. Well, not that he had any major ones in place.

For once, her words were met with silence. No witty retaliation, no sarcastic comments. Just silence. She could tell that she'd upset him, in one way or the other.

"But, L, if I succeed, If we succeed, this whole wild goose chase will be over. We'll figure it all out."

Optimism wasn't exactly her strong point. She'd always believed in the 'harshness of reality' or stuff like that. But, optimism was the only way out. After all, they were probably playing against a literal deity of death.

"I... suppose we could have a go."

She grinned. Now, that the board had been set up, who would make the first move?