The story takes place immediately after the rain scene and is an alternate ending. This is my first published fanfiction. I've tried to keep everyone in character as much as possible. This is rated M for potential future pairing between Light and L. I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Death Note, or the characters therein.
"Light-kun, I don't want you to be Kira." Light didn't allow his surprise to show on his face.
"Well, Ryuzaki, I guess it's a good thing I'm not." L expected this response. How else could Light respond? Anything else would be an admission of guilt. Tonight, though, tonight was different. He chose his words carefully as he studied the water dripping from Light's hair.
"Light-kun, let's be honest. Tonight, you were saying goodbye. You are planning on killing me now that you have the Death Note back. I don't know how, not yet anyway, but I know you are. I don't want to die, but even more so I don't want you to be Kira."
Light stared at L, trying to figure out what his new game was. He sounded earnest, but Light knew from experience that he and L could fake the appearance of specific emotions. He was slightly worried, how had L known he was saying goodbye? Was he that transparent? "I'm not sure what you mean, Ryuzaki."
L sighed. He knew Light wasn't this dense, he was just cautious. For a moment he considered dropping the subject. "After tonight, I am 99% certain you are Kira and I will die tonight. I meant it when I said you were my first friend. I don't care for the idea that my first and only friend turns out to be the greatest mass-murderer of all time, as well as my murderer. Even if you don't kill me I am left with the distasteful task of sentencing my friend to death."
Light didn't know what to say. This could be a trap, but L hadn't asked him not to kill him. If anything, he seemed resigned to his fate. Light knew with L out of the way, there was nothing to stand in his way. His usual protest that he wasn't Kira was choked back.
"Light, you had such potential, if only you hadn't become a mass-murderer. You are a true genius, a rarity. There are few people I am able to converse with at any length. No matter the outcome tonight, I will miss your company." L stood up and started down the stairs. He heard Light stand.
"Why would anyone admit to you they were Kira?" L stopped and turned to face Light. "Think about it, Ryuzaki. If a person knows their fate is death, why would they ever admit they were Kira? It wouldn't be logical. Humans strive to preserve their own lives in whatever way they can. Kira is clearly no different, so even when confronted by the great L they would never tell you the truth, knowing to do so is to sign their own death certificate. Under these circumstances, only a suicidal person would claim to be Kira, and we both know Kira isn't suicidal."
L was shocked he'd made such a mistake in judgement. He'd been so focused on getting Light to admit to being Kira, he'd ignored the reasons Light refused.
"You know the only time Kira would confess is if he knew his life was in no danger from the confession. Since you've made it quite clear that Kira will be executed, the only time you would receive a confession is when you are dying, and even then only if Kira is certain he cannot be implicated in your death. In your push for confessions, you have created a situation in which you must prove beyond all doubt I am Kira. You never will. Therefore, you have created a situation in which the only possible outcome is your death. I never thought you to be suicidal, but you do hide your emotions well." Light walked down the stairs, passing a frozen L. He barely heard the question posed to him.
"What if your life wasn't at stake?" Light paused, curious. L turned to face him. "What if the death sentence was revoked?"
Light laughed. "I'm not an idiot, Ryuzaki. If I was Kira, and I'm not saying I am, I wouldn't trust you to not kill me. You don't have a choice. Kira is a mass murderer, you are the world's greatest detective. If you catch Kira, you must execute him. He knows that, I know it, and you know it." Light continued down the stairs, leaving L deep in thought.
L looked at the camera, knowing Watari was watching. In minutes, he was in the security room with Watari, unsure how to proceed.
"You like him, don't you?" Watari's question caught L off guard. L nodded.
"Then I will support you in whatever decision you make." L left the room, heading for Light's. He wasn't sure how he would convince Light he was serious, but he knew he had to.
To Be Continued