𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙊𝙇𝙑𝙀 | l lawliet

Victory

The man was speechless, his already huge eyes widening at the god's words.

"How are you--"

"I did kill Light Yagami, but, I will only die if there is a direct sacrifice. I killed him for Hikari Kurai, not for Misa. Thus, I did not die."

The way it was using the twos' last names... it was almost like it wanted to threaten them.

"I assume you have not come here to just inform me of your presence," he stated, as coldly as he could manage.

"You are correct. Hikari Kurai has killed Misa. I would ideally not hesitate to avenge her myself, but..."

---

The detective was pacing. Almost as if the cold sweat which'd started to roll of his skin would rid him of the fear that was consuming his body. He had to do it, for her.

And so, the man found himself in his guardian's office, for once, needing some emotional reassurance. Then again, what could assure him of this?

"Watari. I have to kill Hikari."

He said it as a statement, but it felt more like a silent plea; A desperate call for help.

The older man's eye twitched for a second, seeming glassy before he regained control.

It was all too easy to see through Watari's calm façade. But, the old man could see his potential son suffering as it is. He had to keep his head strong, to handle the weight of L's grief too.

"How much time till-"

"Tonight. Before 12."

He had less than 3 hours left, and then, she'd be gone.

"You can talk about it, if you want," he replied, losing his composure.

He awkwardly crouched down next to him, eyes even more dull than usual.

"The Shinigami's told me that it'll make sure it happens in the most gruesome way if I don't. Either way, she has to die."

"What do you think she'd like?"

He sighed.

"It doesn't matter to her. Bringing her to this case was my biggest loss."

"You know how she is... she'd go crazy just sitting down and do nothing..."

"Perhaps, but..."

"You seem worn out by this."

"I am. I love her," he stated bluntly, not a speckle of shame in his tone.

"I know you do... but... we'll have to move on..."

"No. I wouldn't put it past the Shinigami to kill us after."

The old man stiffened up, before relaxing against the chair in a bittersweet resignation.

"That idiot... she just had to get herself involved too... you should go, now. These are crucial hours. Make the most of them."

The silence that followed wasn't the usual awkward silence the two had after the detective made another one of his commands. It was a mutual understanding of the end. The final closure they'd get.

"Watari," he called, "Thank you."

With one gentle pat on the back and a glock '19 in his pocket, the man sent him off.

He stopped in front of a mirror, fidgeting with the gun in his hand. Just one shot, and it would all be over.

But, for once, L felt selfless. He felt responsible for atleast giving her that much, striding forwards with shoulders straighter than they'd ever been.