Light drummed his fingers on the coffee table, waiting anxiously for a certain man to appear. The tension was bothering him. He knew he was well-prepared, but something didn't seem right. L knew he was Kira. After today, he would not be Kira anymore. But he couldn't just toss his plan for world domination aside just because he didn't want to lose Ryuuzaki. Shaking his head, Raito let out a deep sigh. It seemed nonsensical to him. He was torn between two choices that would decide his fate for the rest of his life.

"Your L is here, Light," Ryuk chuckled, eyeing the visibly nervous boy. "Good luck, you'll need it." The Shinigami sniggered loudly and kept quiet, watching the two of them.

Light's head shot up, and immediately he spotted a tall, slim man with no social skills. L, he thought, the butterflies in his stomach threatening to fly out of his mouth. It was time.

The messy-haired man plopped down onto his seat opposite of Light's. Putting his feet up onto the chair, he wrapped his arms around his legs, and started rocking back and forth. His eyes darted around the place, never resting, never stopping. Light stared at him blankly.

"R-Ryuuzaki?" he began nervously, looking for signs of acknowledgement. This was more awkward than he thought.

"Yes? Please hurry. I was about to leave for the police station when you interrupted me, Raito-kun," L said softly, playing with his fingers absentmindedly.

The…police station? Light's eyes widened. Involuntarily, beads of sweat rolled down his moist forehead as he struggled to comprehend the three deadly words.

"Heh. Cat's got your tongue, Light?" Ryuk grinned, watching them intently.

Raito ignored the Shinigami and cleared his throat. If L was intending on approaching the police for help, he would not allow it.

"The police station? What for, L?" He forced a laugh. "You're having me on, right?"

"Unfortunately not, Yagami-kun. I was about to pay a visit to the police station to check up on things. Besides, the crime rate has been increasing rapidly these days," L replied carefully, scrutinizing Light's expression.

"O-oh," Raito uttered, shocked. He was relieved, but he didn't show it. "I…see."

A waitress suddenly approached their table, startling the brown-haired guy. He jumped slightly. "Good morning, how may I help you two?" L stared up at the girl uninterestedly before returning his stare to Light.

"What would you like?" L asked Raito in a monotonous tone.

"Err," Light paused, thinking of something he would like to drink. "Give me…apple juice."

Ryuk piped up suddenly, startling him further. "Hey, Light, you haven't been generous on the apples lately. If you do get home alive, give me some."

"The hell," Raito muttered to himself inaudibly. "Wait, I changed my mind. Give me grape juice instead." He beckoned to L. "L, what would you like?"

L rubbed his chin and raised his head. "I want a chocolate milkshake. Some chocolate cookies, too. A piece of strawberry cake, of course. And…some marshmellows, please. Thank you."

The waitress wrote down orders and bowed politely before leaving. Light eyed L, uncertain. It was time to settle business.

"…L? About that…I'm sorry." He managed, scrutinizing his emotionless expression. "I…ok, here me out, L. Listen, I still value you as a childhood friend. Remember all those times we spent together. Even though I was in the wrong, I would appreciate it if you give me another chance to prove myself," Raito spoke hurriedly, letting some of his feelings take control over him. His face fell when Ryuuzaki remained silent.

After what seemed like hours, L looked up.

"Look, Light," he began, darting his eyes around the place to make sure no one was listening. "You're a vicious killer. You kill without conscience. I am a detective. We don't match well, as friends. If I were to help you and keep my mouth shut, it wouldn't do my career good if the truth comes out one day. I hope you understand." L watched Light closely, looking for signs of disappointment.

Raito's heart skipped a beat. His words had a double meaning behind them. He was planning to solve this Kira case once and for all. If he didn't act soon, L would go look for the police for help on this matter.

Kira, L, death. Kira, L, death. Kira, L, death. Light's head began to spin. This was his last resort. Would he have to resort to…love?
One last chance, he thought to himself bitterly.

"L, I promise I will stop the killings immediately with full effect. I'm willing to do anything to ask for your forgiveness. Don't go to the police, Ryuuzaki. Give me one more chance to show that I'm sorry for betraying you. I'll make you…trust me again. Just give me a chance," Raito pleaded desperately, almost falling to his knees.

The truth was, he would rather choose L over world domination. But this was a serious case. It would determine the path he would take for his whole life. If Ryuuzaki didn't return his feelings, he would not have another chance to achieve world domination. He would be hanged to death, just like that. This was a risky gamble.

But it was worth a try. If L liked him back, his Kira secret would not be revealed to the whole world. And as for the world domination plan, he could just wait for a chance to strike again. Light felt the heavy stone inside his heart become lighter.

L simply stared at him, pondering what to do.

"Please, L? We could go to the theme park tomorrow or anything…I promise you I'll make you trust me…"

Raito was interrupted by the waitress, much to his chagrin. Settling down the food and drinks onto the small and cramped coffee table, she bowed once more and turned to leave.

L picked up a fork and stabbed it into his strawberry cake viciously. "Don't bother finishing your sentence," he mumbled, taking a sip of his chocolate milkshake. "I think you already know what my final answer is, Light."

Raito stared nervously at the raven-haired man, anticipating. He left his grape juice untouched. "No, I don't. Tell me." He breathed in deeply.

"My answer is no, sadly," L replied, without a trace of emotion on his face. Light's sight began to blur, and he almost knocked down his glass of juice. "But," L continued, "I've decided to give you a chance to prove your sincerity."

"Really? T-thanks so much, Ryuuzaki!" Light almost screamed out. "You're…t-the best!" he blurted out before he could stop himself.

"Don't let me down," was the reply.

XXXXXXXXXX

Hope you liked this chapter! Wrote this while I was sick, so there might be a few errors. Reviews, please! It's like medicine for me ^^ I promise you there will be LxLight scenes in the next chapter. They might be going to a bar…the swimming pool, the beach, or even a theme park. Who knows?