You barely registered that he'd spoken, seeing as you were far too focused on deciding which chess piece to move next.

"Sorry..."you muttered absentmindedly. "Didn't catch that."

"I merely asked if you were aware of your anomalous blinking habits,"L responded with the usual lack of vocal inflection before crudely licking off chocolate icing that remained on his fingers.

"What?"

"It seems you aren't. The typical human blinks between 15 and 20 times per minute, but you tend to blink around 22 times..."L murmured, owlish eyes piercing into you. "However your blinking aligns to more moderate levels when I observe you through the surveillance system."

Right. The cameras. Ideally, you should be terrified of his casualness but you're so desensitized to it all after so long. After all, they're the only reason keeping you in your own home instead of being trapped in L's mansion due to the man's version of a 'compromise'. If only you knew where they were hidden.

"Many studies suggest that the increase in blinking rate is likely due to nervousness or stress," L continues. "...Does my presence trouble you?"

The question is scoffable. Of course his presence troubles you. He had forcefully inserted himself into your life as a strange, sick interpretation of a 'boyfriend' after you helped him with a case last year. You can't remember the last time you were alone. "Well, you stare at me...a lot," you muttered, pointedly focusing on the chessboard. "Why is that?"   "Is that it? It's quite simple, really,"L replied with a hum, moving his pawn. He made it seem like he's discussing the weather. "You're aesthetically pleasing to the eye. I enjoy looking at beautiful things." Coal black eyes flit to your face before traces of inconspicuous smile appear. "You can't win, you know. Your chances to do so are 0%, seeing as I'm always three steps ahead. Better to learn that now."

A shiver ran up your spine. L wasn't just talking about your game of chess.

"Checkmate,"he said.