What is the truth?

Pomme d'Api

| close your eyes and hold em tight |

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What is the truth?

"Harry, why are you here?" That question comes from Misa as she balances teacups and empty plates skillfully with one hand and uses the other to wipe a table. "Is it because you support Kira?"

It's not that Harry looks for employees, it's just that the blonde somehow finds an apron that matches his, pulls her blonde hair into a ponytail and offers smiles to anyone who looks her way.

People just sort of assume she works here and it's not like it hurts his business to have a pretty, blonde model as a waitress (especially one he doesn't have to pay – but he does anyways, just because and lets her keep the tips because he doesn't need them).

"I'd like to know that too…" Light trails off, seated at his usual table, sipping on a freshly brewed cup of coffee. It's a lazy afternoon, with plenty of sun and people filtering in and out slowly.

Harry hums, his attention on Ryuk who hovers an apple above his head.

"Death isn't on anyone's side." The Shinigami answers, sounding almost wise. But the stupid grin comes back a second later as he stabs a finger in the apple's soft flesh. "The Master of Death, however…"

"It's not about sides." Harry finally says, watches as both Misa and Light stare at him like he's sharing secrets about the universe (maybe he is, maybe he isn't, what is the truth).

"What, then?" Misa bobs her head as she moves to drop the plates and cups in a dirty dishes tray. She sounds curious, happy and smitten (because Kira is God and Light is Kira, but Harry – no one really knows what to make of him).

"Um." The Master of Death taps a finger to his chin, thinking about ways to dumbed down the question (it's not that it's Misa, it's the fact that even Shinigamis haven't experienced it).

"There are an infinite number of timelines and each are created by choices and each choice results in different outcomes." He hopes the simplified version is enough. Light seems to follow, Ryuk seems interested and Misa blinks curiously, but nods her head anyways.

"So, in a few of them, those timelines, Light picks up the Death Note and becomes Kira and Misa gets the second notebook and makes the eye trade." The blonde model seems enamored with the idea.

"But, in all of them – you both die some way or another, never fully succeeding in making the world a better place." Ryuk's maniacal chuckle cuts through the sudden gloomy atmosphere. "Well, until now, at least."

He blinks slowly then, offering a smile to both of the young adults in his shop. Misa bites her bottom lip like she can't quite figure it out and even Light seems a tad put off (he is human; therefore, he will die and with him his dream of creating a new world).

"You should be glad, Light." Ryuk has never been one to read the mood. "Harry wants to see you succeed for some reason or another. You're very lucky." The Shinigami throws his head back with a boisterous laugh.

"So…" Misa starts out tentatively. "You'll help us, Harry?" The Master of Death smiles as a reply – he does not agree or disagree and it wouldn't matter. He's already made his decision.

"How?" Light wouldn't be himself without the inquiries and the disbelief. He can label himself a God, but he's very much human (a genius, but a human genius).

"If Dark Lords teach you anything worthwhile, it's that you can't change the world without a team." Harry is cryptic, but that comes with the title and the memories of every Master of Death before him, flooding his head.

"But Kira has followers." Misa says, pointing a finger at herself.

"Followers don't mean much." Light says, eyes widening in surprise like he's just realized what this is all about. "Fear and power are all very nice, but what Harry is saying is that you need resources, influence and people who you trust to act accordingly should you decide to delegate chores to them."

Ryuk's limbs mimic a question mark.

"You really are smart." Harry says, resisting the urge to shove a piece of pie down Light's throat and pat his head like a proud parent.

The Master of Death doesn't think Kira would appreciate that, especially with his eyes narrowed like that.

"But, who?" And the blonde asks curiously, her ponytail wavering in nonexistent wind (it moves whenever she does, pretty and childish and innocently deadly).

"Someone smart." Light starts out, his voice calm even if his features are tight. "Someone with an acute sense of justice, someone with the resources, someone with influence."

The eighteen-year-old swallows and Harry takes pity on the blonde who seems lost in trying to find someone who matches the description.

"Someone like L."

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What is the truth?

"Oh, you came." Harry says airily, fawning himself with one of his hand. The shop has been closed for forty-five minutes now, Light on his way home with a mix of awe and mortification on his face.

Misa trails after him, but not before promising Harry to pick up the three o'clock shift (that's when all the university students drop by to tap away on their laptops and have endless coffee refills) and placing a sweet kiss on Harry's cheek.

"I didn't have a choice." Even if the words are flat, Harry can see the tremor that shakes the man's frail body (it's many things; fear, anticipation, disbelief, but mostly curiosity). "You didn't respond to my other summons."

Ah.

"Those armed men you sent were awfully terrifying with their guns pointed at me." And they had been, barging into his shops while there were still customers present and Harry having to obliviate them. "But I prefer my wallpaper without holes and my pies bullet-less. I'm sure you understand."

And the worst part is that the detective nods, as if bullet flavoured pies would be the worst thing that could happen (not that Harry expects anything less from a quirky detective who hides his face behind a single letter).

"I was perplexed at first." The dark-haired man starts out, not moving to sit down. He remains slouched in his position, back arched and Harry thinks it should hurt.

"A notebook claiming to give people heart attacks appeared in your pie box… Anyone would be." Harry nods his head sagely, because he understands.

"However, because of the ongoing Kira investigation, well, the percentage of this being real and not a tasteless joke was just too high." Harry thinks it would be rude to comment that those percentages are not real (complete and utter bullshit).

"You don't need me to explain the Death Note to you." The Master of Death tilts his head to the side in a cute manner. "The rules are somewhat clear and, besides, you've already tested it out for yourself."

Harry already knows, of course, and not because of his powers, but because L and Light are very similar in many ways (smart, bored, hollow and curious, pen poised to paper, a moment of hesitation, horror at discovering what they have done).

"Kira has a Death Note." Harry nods. "This is how Kira kills." The green-eyed boy nods again. There's a thumb that ghosts over chapped lips. "Light Yagami is Kira." There's no hesitation, Harry nods his head for the third time.

What is the truth?

"What are you?" Harry sends a cheeky smile towards the Great Detective L.

"That's not what you really want to ask, is it?" L blinks at him and Harry smiles indulgently, the same type he'd offer a child. "Go ahead, you can ask. I don't mind."

"It's not a secret that Light Yagami spends most of free time in this shop, in your company. You are aware that he is Kira and one would assume that you are on his side, on Kira's side. And yet, you have handed me a weapon similar to his, one that could kill him easily."

Harry blinks, slow and patient.

"Why?"

What is the truth?

"Honestly?" The Master of Death smiles then, raising a dark eyebrow at the same time as if that's the most obvious answer and anyone could come up with it.

"I've been a little bored lately."


a/n: I honestly have no words to explain this chapter other than it's mostly been planned since the beginning. I find that L actually working with Light, with Kira, is just so... mind blowing that I had to try it. I honestly didn't think I'd make it this dark, but, inspiration, you know? As for pairings, well, I'm still deciding, but, if I had to choose one, it would probably Harry/Light. I also reworked the title a bit, but no worries, it's still the same story. Thank you all so much for your feedback, let me know what you thought - I really love it when you take the time to do it - I hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading.