You had been working alongside L for weeks now, buried in case files and surveillance footage, all in the pursuit of uncovering Kira’s identity. The more time you spent together, the more you noticed the subtle, strange ways L showed his affection.

One evening, as the two of you sat across from each other in the dimly lit room, he slid a small piece of cake from his plate toward you. He didn’t say a word, only glanced at you briefly before returning his focus to the screen. His awkward gesture was all the more endearing.

“Thank you,” you said, smiling softly, taking the cake and savoring it.

L didn’t reply, but there was a faint blush on his face. He picked at his own slice, avoiding eye contact, clearly trying to hide the fact that he was trying (and failing) to be thoughtful.

As the days passed, his actions grew more noticeable. He would let you stay late to work without asking you to leave, despite his usual obsession with routines. Occasionally, he’d offer you a cup of tea, his fingers lingering slightly longer on the handle before he passed it to you.

It wasn’t much, but in L’s peculiar world, these small, awkward gestures were his way of showing affection. You couldn’t help but smile, your heart warmed by his quiet, unique form of love.

Matsuda, who had been observing the two of you from a distance, called it “Awkward love.” You caught him one day while he was grinning to himself, barely hiding his amusement.

“You two are cute, you know that?” Matsuda chuckled.

You glanced at L, who was too absorbed in his thoughts to notice. “I think you’re right,” you whispered with a soft smile.

L didn’t understand how to express his feelings properly, but that didn’t matter. His actions spoke louder than words. And in that strange, quiet connection you shared, you knew he cared more than he let on.