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“Light Yagami is Kira.”
Astro snorts, spitting out his drink. Of all the things to derail a conversation with.
“You can’t be serious. ‘Light Yagami is Kira?’ That twink? C’mon Elle surely you’re kidding”
He slams the bottle down on the table, staring at his brother who inhales sharply.
“I assure you I am one hundred percent serious,” he lowers his hand from where he’d used it to shield his face from the spray of alcohol, “Of course I didn’t expect this reaction from you..you’re normally ecstatic when I mention that I’ve singled out a suspect.”
“Tsst. Only when I’m the one tracking them down. You’ve got this shit mostly figured out. Not really much I can do, y’know?” Astro chews a strand of his hair, focusing on L.
“Actually,” L chews his thumb as he picks at one of the desserts in front of him, “There is. Entrance exams for To-Oh are approaching. I’m planning on attending and I would prefer it if you did as well.” L looks up momentarily, studying Astro’s face before continuing. “Of course…you’d have to actually try.”
He narrows his eyes, half expecting an outburst…but it never comes.
Instead, Astro looks offended.
“What. You think I won’t? To-Oh’s like some…prestigious rich kid school, innit?”
“It is. And I know you’ll try. Until it begins to bore you…which is why I’d suggest taking courses that interest you. Such as forensic sciences. If you stick with it for the full four years and get a bachelor’s..you could help me out a bit more.”
Astro chews on the inside of his cheek, thinking the offer over.
“That’s not the reason you want me to show up for the exams though is it?” He knows his brother well. Too well.
“Light’s taking those exams isn’t he?”
L raises his hands in defeat, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“You’ve caught me.” He lowers his hands, only to pick up the strawberry from the dessert he’d been picking at a few moments before.
“So? Will you help?” He bites into the berry and chews while speaking. “With my brains and your attitude..I’m sure we could corner Light easily.”
Astro laughs at his brother, “Christ, Ellie. It’s like you expect me to say no. I’ve been dying to help with this case ever since you told me about it. I mean this,” He plants his finger firmly on the table for emphasis, “This is going to make history. I want to be a part of this. Even if it kills me.”
L’s smile drops at the last bit and his voice softens. “Don’t joke about that. I know you feel as if you are some…unkillable being…having cheated death so many times…but this is something different. All Kira needs is a face and a name. You’d be wise to remember that.” His expression is serious…almost frightened.
Astro’s heart sinks. “I know that…but c’mon. Don’t tell me you won’t be able to focus on cases without me around Ellie. You’re…you. World’s greatest detective…and besides. You’ll have Dad.”
L shakes his head. For once he reminds Astro of how he was when they were kids. “That’s precisely what I’m implying. Astro. You have had…far too many brushes with death. And every time I have been terrified. Especially with your most recent one. You had to have a heart and lung replaced. It’s a wonder you’re even still alive right now. As for Watari…it wouldn’t be the same.” He swallows dryly, feeling a lump forming in his throat as he prays it goes unnoticed by Astro.
And to his relief it does, though Astro’s still slack-jawed.
“Cas..” An old childhood nickname…were things really that serious now? “It’s going to be okay.” Astro half-asses a reassuring smile, though he’s just as close to tears.
L rests his hands on his knees, pulling them even closer to his chest as his uneven nails dig into his skin through the fabric of his jeans. A visible sign of distress.
“It would seem we’ve gotten distracted from our original topic.”
Astro nearly chokes on his drink again.
“Really? Just like that you’re changing the subject? You kill me sometimes. Honestly. One moment we’re discussing the heavy topic of what you’d do if I died and how you’ve been processing my brushes with death and now you wanna go back to talking about the Kira case. I don’t know what I’d do without you Ellie.” Astro smiles against the rim of the bottle he’s drinking from. “Fuckin’ weirdo.”
L relaxes, finally taking a bite from his dessert as he and Astro sit in silence for a moment.
Until he breaks the silence.
“You’re quite odd yourself Astro. For starters…your hair is naturally like that..your eyes are naturally red and your teeth are naturally sharp. If I were a stranger I’d consider you unsettling.”
“Fuck off. You’re one to talk. You look like a damn corpse. Can barely tell the difference between you and that cake frosting.” His speech slurs slightly as he finishes off what’s evidently his fifth bottle, placing it next to the others. “B’sides..at least I’m up t’ my neck in guys and girls.” He reaches for a new bottle, only for it to be snatched away by L.
“I think that’s enough Astro. Do I need to call Watari to come get us?”
“Ffffuck…maybe? Depends on if you actually want me functioning t’morrow..but can I have the bottle?” He reaches out over the table lazily while making puppy dog eyes at L.
“Alright…but I don’t know if we have ibuprofen. I could ask Watari to pick some up just in case.”
“Please do.” Astro pops the cap off, muttering something else under his breath, too quiet for L to hear, though he assumes it’s utter nonsense about the hangover that would surely come tomorrow.
L rolls his eyes and pulls out his phone as he watches Astro desperately try to down the bottle in one go before trying to stand as he places his hands on the table for balance.
“Easy. Here.” L stands up and ducks under Astro’s arm, offering his shoulder for support as they leave the bar to wait for Watari.
✧——☆——✧——☆——✧
Two hours had passed…they were home now.
L was crouched in front of a monitor typing away.
Astro, however, had stumbled to the loveseat and had long since passed out.
Tomorrow was going to be a long day.