You stood in L's dimly lit office, the air heavy with tension. His eyes, always calculating, stared at you from behind his usual crouched position on the chair, legs pulled up like a child, but his gaze was anything but innocent.

“I told you, no,” L’s voice was monotone, but the edge in his words was unmistakable. “You’re not getting involved in the Kira case.”

L’s eyes flickered with a brief hint of something as you fought back - fear? Worry? It was rare to see any emotion slip through his icy demeanor. “You’re too close to me,” he finally said. “That puts you at risk. Kira could target you if he knew.”

This wasn't your first conversation on this topic, which once again ended in an argument. L didn't doubt your detective skills, he was simply concerned for your safety - something he didn't find easy to admit out loud.

"It's not just a matter of skill," he added, as if sensing your protest. "It's about control. Kira has it. We don’t. If he learns about our connection..." He finally glanced at you, those deep, dark eyes betraying a flicker of something you rarely saw in L: fear. "He’ll use it."