manipulation
There were huge ribs looming out of the ground, as if some massive and extinct creature had laid down and died there.
Light was running a hand over the bone, and the ivory was worn so smooth that he could glimpse his reflection on the surface, even in the dim lighting.
Staring at his reflection, Light let his lips curve upwards. 'I forgive you, L.'
Lawliet was crouched down, a human skull held carefully in his hands. 'I do not think I will ever forgive Kira.'
'That's okay,' said Light, letting his hand slip down the ivory surface. 'I forgive you for that, too.'
Lawliet looked up from the skull's empty eyesockets. 'Kira is lying.'
Light let out a laugh, finally turning to look at him. 'That's awfully ironic, coming from you, L.' His expression resembled that of the vacant, grinning skull. 'Have you ever told the truth at any point since you were born?'
Lawliet carefully set the skull down in the ash. 'Of course I have, Kira.'
'You're right,' said Light, turning away again. 'That was a stupid question. Some of the best lies are, after all, carefully-phrased truths.' He met Lawliet's dark gaze in the reflection of the smooth bone. 'How about this, then: have you ever, in your entire life, said anything without the intention being to manipulate?'
Lawliet stood, wiping his hands carefully on his jeans. 'What other reason is there to say anything, Kira?'
Light laughed. 'Fair enough.' He glanced at Lawliet out of the corner of his eyes, lips pulled apart to reveal a glimpse of ivory teeth. 'I guess it says a lot about the both of us that we're still talking, then.'
Lawliet smiled slightly, hands slipping into his pockets, and did not say anything.