[Something twists in Mello's stomach so hard that he almost retches his tea. If he can read people, L's a goddamn psychic (and maybe he is.) Mello doesn't know the extent of his power. He'd been warned by his ex-idol that he is, indeed, a powerful witch.]
[But that tone. Oh, it's enough to crumble anyone, even someone as strong as the blonde who sits across from him. Mello feels too seen, and it's too much. There's no veil to hide behind, no other way for L to phrase what he just threw in his face.]
[The answer lies somewhere in-between.]
I don't want you to be a ghost to me.
[As honest as he can be. Mello doesn't think he can handle knowing that L is alive and well, and M won't be able to see him. What the fuck kind of shit is that? It's not like he's working a case worlds away. They're so close that they just happened to run into each other in the very same tea shop.]
[There might be a bit of accusation to his next question. Just a little.]
If I see you, am I supposed to just pretend otherwise?
[Please don't say yes. After all, L didn't throw Near away, did he? No. Quite the opposite.]
no subject
[But that tone. Oh, it's enough to crumble anyone, even someone as strong as the blonde who sits across from him. Mello feels too seen, and it's too much. There's no veil to hide behind, no other way for L to phrase what he just threw in his face.]
[The answer lies somewhere in-between.]
I don't want you to be a ghost to me.
[As honest as he can be. Mello doesn't think he can handle knowing that L is alive and well, and M won't be able to see him. What the fuck kind of shit is that? It's not like he's working a case worlds away. They're so close that they just happened to run into each other in the very same tea shop.]
[There might be a bit of accusation to his next question. Just a little.]
If I see you, am I supposed to just pretend otherwise?
[Please don't say yes. After all, L didn't throw Near away, did he? No. Quite the opposite.]