L and Light were best friends.

They knew each other since kindergarten, and L and him had been solving cases together since they were toddlers.

Never did L expect his partner-in-crime to actually be Kira.

The realization came as a great shock to him. Little by little, the horrible truth tore off pieces of his delicate heart, threatening to relieve him of his existence. It was impossible, he thought to himself bitterly, slamming his fist on the nearest table he could find. Light would never betray him.

Light had a conscience, contrary to popular belief. Seeing L in such a disastrous state after he revealed himself to be Kira did not make him feel any better. He regretted confessing the truth, causing unnecessary pain and suffering to L was something that he vowed never to do in life.

But it was too late to do anything, now.

Light shook his head as if in a trance, and got up slowly from his comfy bed.

"Your cover is blown. What will you do now, Light?" Ryuk chuckled, appearing out of nowhere. "This is getting more and more interesting. I like it."

Raito cast an annoyed look at the amused Shinigami. "This game shall continue. I won't give up so easily."

"But you're hurting L," Ryuk exclaimed in a sinister voice. "Are you a sadist, by chance?"

"No…" Light breathed, plopping down onto his favourite office chair. "There must be a better way to solve this. I'll get L to keep this as a secret. Then, everything will be resolved," he muttered to himself, rubbing his chin. Ryuk laughed loudly, eyeing the innocent-looking boy. He did this every time he was deep in thought.

"It won't be so easy, Light," Ryuk cackled mysteriously. "L wouldn't let his feelings get in the way. He upholds justice, not love." Raito's head jerked up at the mention of the dreaded word. Love.

"You love him, so why torture yourself? Just confess your human feelings to him and he'll zip his mouth shut. Tight. Zzzzip." Ryuk laughed manically at his own joke. "Hah!"

"Yeah, well, I need to find out if L likes me first. If not, this plan won't work at all. And I need to think of something, fast. He might already be at the police station now," Raito rubbed his temple, trying to curb the pounding in his head. L. Love. L. Love. L. Love… his mind was filled with images of the tall, slim and sleep-deprived man.

"I don't understand you weak humans. You guys like love, right? And it supposedly hurts, right? Many people die because of it. How's it like?" Ryuk piped up curiously, munching on a juicy, red apple.

Light rolled his eyes as an image of Misa flashed into his mind. "Troublesome. Ryuk, did you date while you were in the Shinigami realm?" he asked, staring at the scary-looking Death God with a curious look on his face.

"No. Why are you asking such a question?" Ryuk replied, swallowing a mouthful of apple flesh. "In your case, it's boy and boy. Not girl and boy, baka."

"It's very much the same, I guess. I've thought up a plan. First, I'll call L and meet up with him," Raito paused, contemplating his next step. "Then I'll confess my love to him. And I will force him to say he loves me too. And I'm going to take advantage of his love for me. Somehow, I'll make him keep his mouth shut."

Ryuk gagged, trying to control his muffled laughter. "Sounds like fun," he grinned, a devilish look in his eyes.

"But," Light said in a low tone. "I can't let this love thing take a hold on me." He grabbed his cell phone which was placed beside his bookshelf and keyed in L's number.