"This coffee shop is one of my favorite spots," Light said, casually still playing the cordial role. "This booth is very private too, so no one will overhear us… or notice how your sitting" he finished.
Under his façade Robin could tell L's usual crouching position annoyed the Kira suspect; but made him curious of L's eccentricities as well. Almost an amusement in observing others, Robin thought, but wait, before he found out I was connected to L he acted as if I wasn't really worth his time. So maybe he's only taking a keen interest because he's intrigued by L as an opponent? No, that's a bias conclusion, the majority of normal people would be curious of L's oddness if they met him. But that doesn't explain Light's attitude change towards me once he found out I was with L… Maybe Light only takes the time for people with high intellect?
L's thumb was in his mouth, his wide eyes firmly fixed on Light. "I have to sit like this" L explained, "if I sit normally, my reasoning skills drop by forty percent"
Robin let herself smirk internally, but couldn't help the "Bullshit" that escaped from her mouth in a mutter when she lifted her coffee cup to her lips.
"Pardon?" L asked, his hollow eyes blankly transmitting a now-is-not-the-time vibe that Robin expressed a frown upon observing.
"Nothing" Robin chirped at him before directing her attention back to Light. "Anyway, didn't you say earlier that you had a question?"
"oh, yeah," Light said with a polite smile that one gives to particularly bratty children they've been ordered to tolerate. "I just wanted to tell Ryuga that I can't wait until you're sure I'm not Kira, that's all. We can talk about whatever you'd like now, Ryuga"
She was unquestionably insulted by Light's indirectly obvious attempt to shut her out of the conversation, but Robin managed to hold it together as L retrieved the pre-determined 'deduction test' from his back pocket. As L explained the notes left by the criminals believed to be controlled by Kira, Robin prepared to soak in the entirety of Light's reaction.
Unsurprised… Robin thought as she read Light's first reaction, He's not even shaken by the fact that L chose this as his test? Light certainly seems like he's not really shocked by anything so far... Unless, he's seen the notes before? Although he does appear to be actually analyzing them, or perhaps he's just thinking deeply about how to word his answer while moving his eyes along the lines? Augh, nothing's conclusive in his expression! She let a frustrated frown grace her features.
"It's strange, these lead me to believe Kira can not only control his victim's times of death, but also their actions. Their's a message encoded in these notes, taunting you. If you look at each of the letters in the top line in order, it reads 'L, do you know? Shinigami only eat apples'-or, at least that's the only way to arrange it for the message to make sense. However, the numbers on the back of the cards say to arrange it in the way 'L, do you know? Shinigami who only eat apples'; which just seems wrong to me." Light finished, obviously smugly pleased with his conclusion under the overlay of his casual appearance.
"Incorrect" L stated, and Robin could have laughed at the slack jawed expression Light returned. "There is a forth note, which completes the message as 'L, do you know? Shinigami who only eat apples have red hands"
Light's expression turned hard for a split second before he effortlessly wiped it from his face in favor of his friendly act. "But, even so, my deduction was perfect with the three notes you provided me, right?"
"No," L said, "despite noting the numbering system on the back, you immediately concluded there were only three notes and didn't press the existence of a forth"
He's trying to remain collected, but that flash of that stony expression was no doubt anger, Robin concluded as the conversation lulled with Light staring at L, Is he upset because L is wreaking the message he left as Kira; or is he upset because L's made him look like a fool? Whichever, he's going to try and brush off the dent in his ego…
Light have a short laugh, "I hadn't thought that far, but whatever the case it's not a message that will lead to Kira. Shinigami don't exist" he said dismissively.
"Well then, if you were me, how would you check if someone was Kira?" L asked.
"I would get them to say something that only Kira would know, something that wasn't publicly known. In other words, what you were trying to do just now" Light answered.
Robin smiled, "It's amazing that your brain immediately jumped to a scenario in which the pursuer was talking directly to Kira…" she stated, enjoying the resulting flash of unease in Light's eyes.
We haven't cornered him, but he knows we're dangerously smart, just like him. The question is, why play such a golden boy act if L truly does keep upsetting him? He's trying to be too perfect, and that's really what's suspicious here… Robin let the thought trail off as L spoke.
"It does make you seem suspicious. 3% more, to be precise" L commented.
A waitress walking by the table halted their conversation momentarily, the three of them staring at her as she passed, but for Robin the contents of her tray were much more interesting than the interruption itself. Jam, Robin thought as she gulped; the thoughts of only one person surfacing in her mind, strawberry jam, with nothing else. No utensils even. It couldn't possibly be him? Here? I know-I thought, I thought I saw him in the ceremony, and if I get a good look now…
"Excuse me," Robin said to the boys abruptly, scooting out of the booth and leaving L's side despite what she knew must be bewildered looks from both of them as she followed the waitress around the corner.
Robin came around the corner just in time to spot the waitress setting the jar at another booth; just barely visible spiky black hair peeking out from the top of the large seat. I've seen him in the police station, in the ceremony hall, is it possible that B's following me? No, his ghost, he cant really be-No! Ghost sounds even more ridiculous… Robin trailed off in her thoughts, focusing on the pale spindly fingers that entwined the jam jar before lifting it up. With a sudden rush of determination, Robin lurched forwards and slammed her hands on the tabletop; meeting the holder of the jam jar head on-Only to find a startled punk kid staring back at her, in the process of pouring jam on top of his toast and eggs.
"Can I… help you…?" He stuttered out awkwardly as Robin stared at his hair. She just now noticed that it's held up with hair gel and not in the Einstein-esque defying-gravity quality that both B and L's hair share.
"No, we apologize for disturbing you" Robin turned sharply at the voice, faced with a wholly composed L. She couldn't tell if he's confused or embarrassed by her actions that he'd evidently witnessed most of and that, more than his presumable demanded explanation that would come later, made Robin suddenly nervous.
L took hold of her forearm without question, towing her towards the entrance of the café. "I-When… I just…" Robin sputtered, but he hushed her quickly before leading her through the door and into Whammy's already waiting car. "What's going on?" she questioned after spotting a seemingly worried but mostly confused Light already occupying a seat.
"My father's had a heart attack" Light said solemnly, his words leaving Robin utterly shocked. In confusion, she looks wide-eyed from Light to L; who doesn't meet her eyes since he's staring distractedly out the window in deep thought.
Kira? But would Light be so heartless as to… try to kill his own father? Robin thought, Maybe Light is more serious than I thought. Maybe he'd do anything-well, that was evident when he started killing those trying to stop him, but his own family? Willing to do that is definitely more serious. The ride to the hospital was filled with a tense silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts for once instead of passing back and forth paranoid glances.
Robin bit her lip, ignoring the slight tremor of pain it sent through her scar, and focused her eyes on Mr. and Ms. Yagami, his wife now clasping the chief's hand worriedly. Ms. Yagami had been intently and quietly talking to her husband before the three of them had even reached the hospital room, every few minutes she shot L and Robin curious glances. Obviously feeling the pressure of L's gaze, Ms. Yagami finally stood and left with the promise to visit her husband again tomorrow.
As soon as the woman stepped out of the room, Light spoke "You're sure it's just fatigue, right?" he questioned worriedly, although Robin didn't bother to analyze the truth of his summoned emotion; instead choosing to awkwardly shuffle her feet from where she stood beside L's chair. The familiarity of the too-clean room and the smell of antiseptic was sending her uncomfortable memories of her recovery period in LA; which sent her even more unbearable memories of B.
"Yes, but when I collapsed I did think it was Kira…" the chief trailed off. "I admit I have been pushing myself pretty hard lately" he finished solemnly.
"Especially since your son's been suspected of being Kira" L put in.
Light's head snapped to face the detective in composed outrage, "You told my father?"
"Yes, of course." L stated, "I've told him everything, even that I am L"
Light looked back to his father in surprise, "Yes, he's the real L" the chief confirmed.
Light's jaw hung slack for a few seconds before his entire expression hardened into one of deep thought, an expression that Robin might have found suspicious if she had been watching; at the moment, she was far to busy with her thoughts. Why am I thinking about LA now? I can't get distracted by that, especially when I'm around Light. Even if… Even if B is out there somehow. How am I going to explain to L about the coffee shop in a way that doesn't make me sound like I'm going insane? Their's no way he'd believe that I actually saw… would he? No, no, no time for that now! I need to focus!
She was forced from her thoughts as Light suddenly broke the silence of the room, "Well then, since my dad's vouched that you're L, I'll help you with this investigation, Ryuga. I'll catch Kira and prove to you that I'm not him" Light finally spoke.
"Light," the chief said weakly, "You'll have to study to enter the police force, you should focus on that first and then you can join the investigation afterwards" he said.
"Dad!" Light exclaimed indignantly, "what are you talking about? This is the investigation of the century! Who knows how long school could take…" he paused "besides, don't you remember what I promised? That if something happened to you, I'd be the one to get Kira executed" he finished, his voice making Robin's blood run cold.
She narrowed her eyes at the teenager beside her, Light… If this is an act, it's too corny, even for you. The friendly airs you take up around L and I may not be suspicious enough, but going on about your father when it's clear you were interested in this case much earlier than now? You can't say you're joining the team by becoming emotionally involved in this case. Suiting your father's attack to your own needs… That's definitely cold and calculated. Robin concluded, changing her face to a blank expression as she focused on the chief as he spoke.
"Light, The fact of the matter is that Kira is evil," the chief said, "but lately I've been thinking about it like this; the real evil is the power to kill people. People who have that power are definitely unlucky, and no matter how you use it, no happiness can come from ending another's life. Please don't speak of it so vengefully"
"He's right," L spoke up monotonically, while giving Light a sidelong stare, "Kira's power to kill people is definitely unlucky, death is not something to look upon as a good thing. So matter whom it concerns" As he finished speaking, the room feel into silence.
"Ryuzaki, I'm sorry for being such trouble anyway" the chief said after the terse silence. "I'll try to recover quickly"
Before L could retort, a nurse stepped into the room to inform them visiting hours were over, and they were forced rather hastily to say their goodbyes. Leaving the hospital left Robin feeling considerably more stable, but it did nothing to quell the weight of her thoughts; what with B's strange appearance, analyzing Light's reactions, and comparing those reactions to the Kira criminal profile-Robin was beginning to feel exhausted.
"Ryuga," both L and Robin halted from entering Whammy's car at Light's voice. "is there anything I can to do convince you that I'm not Kira?" the teenager questioned.
"If you weren't Kira, you wouldn't have to worry about it-"
"Stop it!" Light abruptly cut him off, "Come on, imagine how it feels to be accused of being Kira!" His sudden outrage surprised Robin, but none-the-less she furrowed her brows as she eyed Light critically.
"It feels awful" L admitted.
"How about watching me in a place without even TV for a month?" Light suggested.
"I can't do anything that would deprive you of basic human rights, and furthermore it's idiotic to take suggestions from the suspect" L said.
"I see…" Light said in defeat as Whammy got out and opened the door for L.
"In time, we will prove you guilty or innocent" L assured as Robin slid in the seat, L following soon after.
As soon as the car door shut soundly behind them, Robin breathed a sigh of relief and curled up on the seat; thankful to not worry about wrinkling her suit since she was still in her casual clothes from the morning. God, I'm exhausted. Maybe if I just close my eyes for a minute-
"Now then, care to explain your running off in the café?" L suddenly spoke up, and Robin internally winced at the question that she knew had been long since coming.
"No, not really" Robin supplied blandly, shifting so that she could stare mindlessly out the window.
"You were distracted in the hospital room as well, you didn't say a word" L said.
Robin let out a long sigh, "Just drop it okay? I obvious-" she stopped herself in the middle of her sentence, her face going blank and muscles contracting in blind fear as she stared. The car seemed to move past the pedestrian in slow motion, and she got full-view of the B-look-alike walking down the sidewalk towards the hospital entrance. That is, everything but his face since the man was wearing a hooded jacket, but still he displayed faded jeans, inky black spiky hair, and a familiar body posture. As The car zoomed away from the man and Robin turned her head to gape at his back, she also became aware of L's voice.
"R!" L demanded, evidently not for the first time, as she turned to face him. "I fear you're becoming seriously unwell. You can't focus, you took out a heavy frustration on a woman this morning, your sleeping patterns, and Frederick has told me about your recent religious developments"
Robin felt a sudden wave of anger overtake her. "Oh for the love of-I'm not distracted, I'm just thinking! And if you heard the nasty things she said to me, you'd have done the same! I'm fine!" she exclaimed, wishing more than anything that she could scream it at him, "And stop using my therapist to spy on me! You have no right, L!" As the car came to a stop at a light, Robin angrily swung the door open and got out. "I'm walking!" she declared before slamming the door in L's face and heading off down the sidewalk.
She couldn't help but see the point to L's words, even if talking about her with Mr. Frederick was a gross overstepping of her boundaries, it was evident she was getting a bit sidetracked from the case. That argument with the girl really has nothing to do with it, although maybe I was a bit defensive for no reason… but heightened emotional reactions are normal for victims. It's true that an outburst that cruel was a bit extreme for a person like me, but still. As far as the nightmares, that's normal as well, and definitely not distracting when I'm working. But, the focusing. The thinking about B. B's appearances themselves… maybe I should tell L? At that thought Robin immediately shook her head. No, I should at least figure out more about it before I tell him. It could be a hallucination, which would certainly warrant him to take me off the case, but I don't think… B seems so real. Why tell L when I don't have any proof one way or the other? Robin came to a stop at a pedestrian crossing.
"I like it much better when you don't wear suits" she jumped at the voice, and then turned her head sharply to the left, where a snaky grin and red eyes assaulted her.
Eyes going wide, Robin froze up for a minute. "B-b-but I just saw you. At the hospital" there was nowhere to run, a thick crowd of Tokyo commuters tightly clogged the sidewalk around them.
He raised his eyebrows, grin deepening, "You really are going crazy then" he chuckled, the noise making her cringe, "what a pity, you just couldn't go insane when I was alive, could you?"
Robin paled, "N-n-no, you're lying. This is fucking insane" she wheezed before squeezing her eyes shut. "You're not real, you're dead. B is dead. B is dead. B is dead. I'm going to open my eye's and you'll be gone. Not real, not real-" a hand grabbed her shoulder and Robin started violently, fist blindly shooting out and connecting with soft tissue. She flailed momentarily in the car seat before her panic stopped and she looked around at the inside of Whammy's car in confusion. An annoyed but pained moan sounded in front of her and Robin embarrassingly focused on L; with a heavily bleeding nose.
"Oh god, I'm sorry" Robin said quickly, guiltily observing L press a hand to the wound as he slightly tilted his head back. While she was relived it had all been a dream-a nightmare collection of her worst fears-waking up to find she'd punched L soundly enough to draw blood made her wish she'd just stayed asleep.
"I bried waking dew up by calling dour name first, Whabby albready wen' inside" L said, his nose making his voice come out oddly.
He moved aside, letting Robin slide out of the car and shut the door before worriedly staring at the blood gushing from underneath his hand. "I'll clean it up for you, come on" she said, taking his free hand and towing him inside the hotel as quick as she could. "I'm so, so sorry!" she repeated as they stepped in the elevator, accompanied by odd looks from the other hotel guests and employees as they went. L said nothing in return, only solemnly watched her with his large grey eyes squinted slightly in pain.
When they made it to the hotel suite's door, Robin jammed in her key and hurriedly sidestepped Whammy with a muttered explanation as she continued to drag L with her down the hall. She threw open the bathroom door and practically shoved him on the counter before raiding the cabinets for medical supplies.
"Good news is it stopped bleeding" Robin stated in what she hoped was an apologetic tone, gently dabbing away the blood with a wet washcloth. "I'm really sorry" she added again for good measure.
She made the mistake of locking eyes with L's critical gaze, but quickly looked away as he started to speak, "In the car, were you having a nightmare?" he asked carefully, gently trying to ease her into a conversation in order to upset her the least.
Robin gulped, "Yes" she said quietly, trying to focus on cleaning up the rest of the blood instead of how she was so easily telling him the truth.
"Was it about B?" L questioned, and Robin felt her body tighten with involuntary fear.
"The USA has 75% of the worlds serial killers" it was a weak reply, one of her nervous spouts of statistics.
L took the washcloth from her, forcing her to stop her caretaking and stand awkwardly in front of him with her eyes firmly placed on the floor. "You said his name. You kept saying 'B is dead.'" L said.
It was impossible to meet his eyes now, her hands were even shaking. "26% of killers start in their teens," she blurted, biting her lip immediately after the words left her mouth.
"R, I know you thought that boy in the coffee shop was B" L said gently.
She squeezed her eyes shut, "cruelty to animals is the most crucial indicator of a budding serial killer"
"Has that happened before?"
"organized serial killers typically personalize themselves with the victim"
"tell me"
"organized serial killers are highly interested in their crime, and may-"
"R"
"Take interest in the police investigation. The killer will not be involved further with the victim's-"
"R"
"Body after death, but is typically aware of evidence left behind and-" His hand is suddenly over her mouth, making her eyes shoot open in panic. As if some memory only her muscles hold, the scars B left her begin to ache, her chest contracts with a shockwave of fear, and the shaking spreads throughout her small frame.
"Robin" L says quietly, and her eyes focus on his. Somehow, it's calming. Somehow, the grey feels soothing. Somehow, she can breathe again.
Then she jerks away from him and stumbles out of the bathroom.
…
Robin flicks her bedroom lamp switch on, then off, then on again. "I saw him" she stated aloud to herself before repeating more determinedly, "In the flesh. Alive" she stares at the lamp cord in her hand, hesitating upon pulling it to switch it on.
Dark, light. Death, life. Off, on. A thought turns in her brain, a frustrating almost-grasp of something just out of reach to complete her puzzle. There are two possibilities; B either faked his death, or… somehow… Robin is suddenly reminded of the night A died, and of B's mysterious prediction of her death. He seemed to know it right down to the second.
Robin shook her head, But something like that would be impossible. I would be succumbing to the notion of the supernatural's existence. And that would be ridiculous. She paused, but suppose, B found out some kind of equation? A formula? If, using that, he could predict the time of people's deaths… That could be plausible in A's case if he predicted the cracking point of her instability. But B, he died of an unnatural event; how could you predict that? A natural cause of death may have been easy for him to predict, but not that… What if he intended to die, but didn't?
A/N: Late-ish update! Sorry, I've been pretty busy lately. But, thank you all for the reviews and favs! And for those that fav without reviewing, don't be shy! Tell me what you think! -Luv, Cart