No Man Is an Island (Part 9)
Title: No Man Is an Island
Fandom: Death Note
Pairing: None at the beginning of course, but more than likely Light/L by the end
Rating: The first few chapters will probably remain around PG-13, but later ones will likely be locked.
Summary: L knows all about secrets, but what is he going to do when he doesn't have any of the answers.
Notes: Nothing worth it getting locked down yet, but likely coming soon. Also, a side story will be out shortly (in a day or two probably) to deal with certain things in this chapter.
L had a few folders in front of him. He had put off his search long enough. He hadn't bothered to say any sort of 'goodbye' to the man that helped raise him, perhaps because he'd spent so much time distancing himself from his emotions it was impossible for him to do even that very simple act. Far easier to concentrate on business, which was why he was here now, taking this all too brief moment by himself, to look at the files. One had a note from Wedy, 'This one is a bit of a goody, goody so you might want to be careful, but he knows his shit and I think it would be worth it.' He was still skeptical that this would work with anyone else other than Watari, but L had never been one to back down from a challenge and so he was willing to proceed. He could begin slowly at first and see what the man was capable of, and from there make his final decision. He was determined to keep control of his life, as much as possible, while everything seemed so strained around him.
He send an encrypted email to the director of the CIA and then removed all the paperwork before sending a message. He bit the edge of his thumb as he waited for Near to enter the control room. He had hoped that whatever animosity existed between the two boys would be dealt with once there wasn't any direct competition between the two, but so far it seemed that was not of any help. It seemed there was something more going on and he felt perhaps he had let it go on too long.
"You wanted to see me, L?" The boy sat down not far from his chair his toy robot the focus of his attention, which annoyed L slightly, but he supposed since he was older he shouldn't let it bother him.
"I see things have not improved between you and Mello." He bit the edge of his thumb as he watched the boy.
"It is far too easy to provoke him it seems." Near answered absently as he played with his robot.
"You know it is within your power to perhaps bring some relief to the situation?" L's attention was diverted as the door opened and Light entered the room.
"I do." Near said softly not paying attention the other man as he entered and took a seat beside L.
"And yet you are not going to take any action?" L asked biting the edge of his thumb.
"No, Why should I?" Near finally looked up, but only for a split second. "He isn't likely to pay any attention to me otherwise."
L blinked, though of course he suspected something of the sort he hadn't quite expected the boy to be so forthcoming with the information. "You know negative attention will likely not bring the results you wish."
Near simply shrugged. "I do not think there is another way of doing things considering all that has happened."
"So fatalistic at such a young age. It seems slightly sad." Light didn't sound sad at all L noticed.
"I am simply working with what I have been given." Near shrugged once again as he made his robot fly around him.
"You mean what I have given you to work with?" L asked.
"You could put it that way, yes. Naturally, Mello wanted to be the one you picked. When you decided it would be between the two of us at first his attitude didn't change. Of course, when I excelled, I saw no reason not to after all, he started to push himself as well, and to see me as a threat to what he desired. It was then I realized I would always have his attention as long as it remained like that."
"But what if other things alter your plan?" Light asked his gaze intent on the young boy.
"I will adjust as necessary, I suppose." A shrug. "I do realize that having his animosity forever is rather pointless in trade for his attention, and also I was aware that L would make his decision at some point altering things."
"You were aware?" L watched him. "You think something has changed?"
"As long as you can take human lifespans for your own you will never die. What good is a successor if you will continue to do whatever it is they are supposed to be taking over? Mello is no idiot and he will realize it soon enough, if he hasn't already and is simply choosing to ignore it."
"And what if L isn't immortal? We still do not know enough to make that conclusion." Light asked turning to watch L's reaction more than Near's. "And due to the rules we may never be able to confirm that theory. And you are assuming that L would be willing to kill others to prolong his own life."
"That is a valid point." Near nodded. "Still, there does remain some argument for the fact that everything has changed and you have not bothered to comment upon it, at least in regards to Mello and myself."
L smirked. "You do not like me very much do you?"
"Does it matter?" Near asked twirling a strand of his hair.
"I suppose it does not." L shook his head. "Still, it would make things far easier for all of us if there wasn't this tension to deal with. Another case is in the works and I would like to focus on it rather than any trouble here."
"I will do what I can, but I am not the only one in the equation. I cannot guarantee Mello's reaction." Near twirled a strand of his hair with his free hand.
"I understand that. I will talk to Mello as well. This cannot continue."
Near simply nodded. He didn't wait for L to say anything before leaving the room. He did spare a glance at Light as he walked out, but said nothing more.
"I think you are quite correct about him not liking you." Light shook his head. "It does make me curious about why you picked them. I even suspect you weren't going to make any chocie at all."
L bit the edge of his thumb. "Did you have some reason for stopping by, Light-kun? I find it very disconcerting you didn't give me any warning you would come today."
"I thought that was part of the agreement? That I had access to you, and this place, when I wished?" Light stood.
"That doesn't mean I wouldn't prefer to know beforehand. I might be more inclined to cooperate should you show me a bit of respect." He bit the edge of his thumb.
"Perhaps, but I like getting to surprise you, and I think we have established that we aren't likely to make this easy on each other, which I suppose is a shame."
L made a dismissive noise. "We are too stubborn to change."
Light laughed. "Perhaps." He moved closer to L. "Have you thought about our previous dicussion? I have thought about that reward."
"You are one track minded, LIght-kun, but I suppose we share that in common. Unfortunately, I am quite focused on another matter." L turned his chair back towards the computer screens.
"Another case?" Light put his hand on the chair and leaned forward. "I could help you. There isn't anyone who could match the both of us, and if you had help, and could move through it quickly, you would have time for other things."
L added more sugar cubes to his coffee before taking a sip. "More time to consider exactly what is going on with us, you mean?"
"Maybe, or maybe more time to truly deal with Mello and Near. They won't wait much longer for something definite from you."
"That is not your business, Light-kun, but you do have a point. I have some film footage that you can take a look at, while I deal with interviews with those at the scene." With a click of a few buttons the video feed was ready for Light to examine.
It didn't take long before both of them were engrossed in their work only occassionally commenting as they attempted to find connections.