"L? Is there something wrong?" Wammy asked looking up from his paper to the young man in the doorway.
L shook his head. His face showed little emotion, but Wammy could see through his mask. L was nervous. "I have something to ask you." L explained coming into the room and taking a seat across from the old man. Wammy folded his newspaper and set it to the side. He folded his hands on his deak and leaned back, giving L his full attention and waited patiently for L to continue. L took a calming breath and then met the man's eye, "I want your permission to ask Anna to marry me." L requested seriously. Wammy watched him for a moment before smiling and laughing to himself. "What's so funny?" L asked, not understanding why Wammy would laugh at him. He didn't find the situation humorous at all.
"I'm sorry, L. You've just surprised me." Wammy fixed his already perfect tie to buy himself some time before he had to answer, "Why are you asking me permission, L?"
L shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "It's tradition to ask a woman's father for his blessing before asking for his daughter's hand. Anna's biological father is dead and you're the closest thing either of us have as a father." He explained pressing his thumb to his lips.
An amused glint found itself to Wammy's eye as L spoke. Informing Wammy of a tradition he was all too familiar with, "You and Anna aren't exactly a traditional couple, L. After all, you already have a child together." Wammy reminded in an almost disapproving manner. It was true that Wammy had never particularly approved of L and Anna sharing a room, let alone a bed, but he knew any attempts to keep them apart would have been in vain, so he'd allowed it.
"Four, actually. According to Anna we have four children, but that's not the point." L explained, trying to bring the conversation back to the topic at hand. "Regardless of how traditional our relationship has been up to this point, I would still like your permission. So can I?" L asked again. He had no doubt Wammy would say yes to his request, but he still had to ask.
Wammy watched L for a moment, wondering when he'd started thinking about marriage, but decided to let the question rest. He was happy L wanted this. Wammy nodded, "Yes, you have my blessing." L let out the breath he didn't know he'd been holding in and got up to leave. "L, wait a moment."
L stopped and turned back to the old man, "Yes?"
Wammy looked him over. L was nervous, no matter how cool he acted, he was scared. "Good luck."
A small smile pulled at L's lips and he brought a silver ring out of his pocket and showed it to Wammy, "Thank you, but I'm about 99% certain she'll say yes."
Wammy smiled and allowed L to leave. A small chuckle escaped his lips as the door shut. "It's about time he got married."