('Bibamus, moriendum est' had to make it into something involving Death Note. Why? I don't know. The result.)
In the soft ambient light L allows after dark the chain looks almost artistic, an elegant thread of looping silver that sits on the tablecloth like any other ornamentation. They've been at this a bit too long. One tends to lose track of that, when one never sleeps. Still the clock in a little-used corner does not go unheard:
it chimes the hour, echoing; one, two, three, four, five, six.
Evening? Morning?
Either.
They sit across from each other—conspicuously connected—at one's urging that the other "take a rest, for God's sake," and Light's definitely exasperated. "Honestly, I want to catch Kira as much as you do, but surely nothing will be accomplished if you half-kill yourself."
"Spare your concern." L's bloodshot eyes meet his with an almost amused expression. "I am managing."
"And now your suspicions have undoubtedly increased."
"Oh?"
"Discouraging progress, or some such…"
"Do not insult me, Yagami," says L. He pauses. "You are far more subtle than that."
Light flinches, but turns it into a wry smile. "Will you always mistrust me, Ryuuzaki?"
"Yes."
Light sighs.
The inexplicable Ryuuzaki is staring at his wineglass, which has caught the light, greedy object that it is. The contained merlot remains untouched.
"In certain aristocratic circles, once, suspicious nobility would hold meetings to discuss issues of a particularly volatile nature." L's voice is calm as ever, each word feather-light and distinct from those surrounding it. "Between such persons there always existed distrust and the climate was one of intrigue—and of danger, of deceit. A number of unfortunate and provocative figures found themselves assassinated. Poisoned. As such, it became a custom for some to exchange glasses with those they found suspect, that potential poison might remove an adversary."
What is he, thinks Light, an encyclopedia? Still, an interesting concept. L is…fascinating, as ever.
trust me,
fascinating in his distrust.
Light offers his glass with a slight gesture and a raised eyebrow.
"Shall we, then, Ryuuzaki?"
L raises his own glass after a slight and strange hesitation, touching it to Light's with the quiet ring of crystal. He's wearing a small smile.
"Bibamus," he murmurs, "moriendum est," and drinks.