Weeks passed, and time seemed to hang in limbo for L. The case wasn't progressing, aside from a diary that had been sent to Sakura TV by the Second Kira. A clue inside it led them to the upmarket Aoyama district of Tokyo on a specific date ten days from the arrival of the diary. As the area was known as a hub for young people, it was decided that Light and Matsuda would go undercover in order to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. The outing seemed to yield nothing of use; however, three days later, another video was broadcast in which the Second Kira claimed to have found the original Kira, so something must have gone down in Aoyama... but what??

And in the meantime, L had begun spending more and more time with Light. He was such a sharp, intelligent young man who could keep up with L's train of thought and topics of conversation, which was refreshing. Having to constantly slow down, backtrack, and explain himself, as he often had to do with the Task Force, was tiresome and irritating... but he never had to do that with Light. So in that regard, he rather did enjoy having Light around; not with deep emotional attachment, but as an invigorating source of intellectual stimulation.

Ever since he was a small child, it had been a challenge for L to find activities that would sufficiently engage his brilliant mind. Television and the usual childish games were an utter bore, and the children who partook in such frivolity were even moreso. Growing up at Wammy's, L was a recluse who took neither interest nor pleasure in group activities. He dreaded the holidays and the picnics and the events- all the things the other children very much looked forward to.

Few were the recreations that held young L's interest and attention. He quite liked tennis and pool with their geometric strategies for success. He did enjoy field trips, as it was an opportunity to observe the world in real time and to ponder on the great mystery that was humanity itself. He liked puzzles and chess and other strategy-based games, but he was so good, no one ever wanted to play with him, and so a loner he remained.

It was Watari who had found ways to connect with the boy. He bought him increasingly challenging puzzles, and he often took time out of his day to play a game or two of chess with him. The old man was, in many ways, a father figure to L, even if he did take on the role of caretaker, butler, and liaison as well. But even above all that, Watari was L's very first friend... and his only friend until a quirky, blue-eyed Russian girl captivated him in a way he still couldn't quite explain.

This is why it was complete and utter balderdash when L muttered to Light that he was his very first friend. His ulterior motive was to observe Light's reaction to the words; to see if the sentiment was received with any kind of guilt or reciprocation or surprise at the very least. But alas, the little experiment produced nothing aside from a bit of amiable small talk, and so that was that.

It was frustrating to L to feel so conflicted. He wanted Light to be Kira, because then all of his hunches would be validated, and he would win the game, case closed. But all the same, there was a part of him that hoped he was wrong... the part of him that had found something of a friend in Light, or at least a person he found interesting to be around. The boy had potential. Unfortunately, that potential included the capability of being a mass murderer with a god complex.

All of this swirled around in L's mind like oil and water, and day by day, it consumed him.

But the bright spot in his life remained his little blue-eyed Bean. A constant source of smiles and affection, Bennett reminded L time and time again that there was more to life than winning... even if it was taking more and more reminding these days.

It was Watari who suggested an outing. It would be invigorating, he said, to get out of the suite and forget about heart attacks and shinigami eyes just for a little while. L was reluctant at first, but when he saw the excitement bubbling from the little boy about a day out with his Papa, he was compelled to give way to a smile and agree.

It was decided that they would visit the Tokyo Toy Museum, which boasted a wooden toy forest complete with a wooden ball pit, a variety of workshops and hands-on displays, and a wide assortment of toys from all over the world for museum patrons to view and explore.

Bennett was beside himself with glee, not knowing where to look first. His eyes sparkled with wonder at all the displays, and he dragged L along by the hand, wanting to share every bit of the experience with his favorite person.

When it came to the hands-on exhibits, Bean didn't hesitate to participate. He even made a little friend in the ball pit, knowing enough Japanese by now to carry on simple, childish conversation as he and the pigtailed little girl played together, giggles erupting now and then from their whimsical games of pretend.

L's phone rang as he stood watching, and he looked down to see that it was Watari calling. Lifting the phone to his ear, he answered in English.

"Hello."

"Hello, Ryuzaki, how are things going?"

"Fine," L answered, stuffing his free hand into the pocket of his baggy blue jeans. "This was admittedly a good idea. He needed to get out."  A smile quirked at his mouth.

"So did you." Watari's tone was gentle and candid. As ever, he had a protective eye out for his boy, just as L did for his.

L hummed lowly. Watari was right, as usual. "Are there any developments?"

"There are. Agent Mogi has reported that Light Yagami has been seen with a young blonde woman, despite his relationship with Miss Takada."

"Mmh..." L pressed a thumb to his lips as he climbed onto a bench, hunching over in his usual sitting position. "He's been very forthcoming about his relationship with Miss Takada.  It could simply be that he's seeing someone on the side. He's always been popular with girls..." L scrunched his brow pensively. "But the timing of this seems too coincidental... Could his relationship with Miss Takada be a cover-up to divert attention away from this other girl? If this blonde woman is the Second Kira, it stands to reason that Light wouldn't want to be seen with her... given of course that he is, in fact, Kira."

"I must agree," Watari replied in his usual dignified tone. "I've taken the liberty of sending Agent Mogi on a mission to discover more about this mystery woman."

"Good." L nodded even though Watari couldn't see him. "Please let me know if he uncovers anything."

"Of course."

"Thank you, Watari. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Ryuzaki."

L snuffed out a sigh as he hung up the phone, his brow lowered with unrest.

I have already suspected that both Kiras have made contact somehow... and if that is the case with Light and this unidentified woman, then he's just become exponentially more dangerous, as the Second Kira can kill without a name...

L's thumb pressed against his lips, and he made a low growl sound inside this throat.

I need to act quickly... nip this in the bud, so to speak.  Even if the chances of Light and this woman being the two Kiras are as low as one percent, I can't risk it.  As soon as we receive a report from Agent Mogi, I'll need to speak with Watari...

His eyes slid over to the ball pit where Bean was playing...

...only Bean wasn't there.

Instantly, a cold fear gripped L's chest, and he sat straight up.  He'd looked away for only a minute!  He stood to his feet, yanking his gaze over the space where children frolicked, but none of them were his.

"Bean??" he called out, trying to control the panic in his voice. He shoved past a pair of adults, his heart beginning to pound inside him.

He'd been so careful to not reveal his name, or Bennett's.  But if Kira now had a way to get to him without knowing his name...

...would he go after my son? Would he take him from me as punishment? As a power play to weaken me?  Would he use him to manipulate me? ...he would. I know he would if given the chance.  Have I given him that chance??

L was running now, darting around corners of the wooden toy forest, wide, shadowed eyes dismissing child after child. 

He was right there... right in front of me!  How could I look away?  If anything happens to him, I'll-- oh god, where is my son?!

His eyes suddenly landed on a red hoodie draped over another bench. Racing over to it, he snatched it up, gripping it with shaking hands as he observed the chewed aiglets.

No... Not my boy. Take me, do anything to me, but if you've done anything to my boy...

Clutching the garment, he whirled around frantically only for his eyes to clamp onto little Bean, happily scampering around in his jeans and Squirtle t-shirt.

"Bean!" L's feet carried him about as fast as they could without actually running.

The little boy stopped and looked over. "What?" he asked innocently.

L took the boy by the shoulders, crouching down in front of him. His wide, grey eyes traveled over him in cadence with his pounding heart before meeting Bean's bewildered stare.

"What did I tell you about running off??" L blurted out.

"But I was just-"

"I couldn't find you! I-" L pulled him close and tight.

Bean's bottom lip trembled. "...are you mad, Papa?"

L pulled back to look at his son again, relief washing over him in waves. "No... I'm not mad." He ran a hand through the boy's floppy black locks. "But I don't ever want you to leave my sight again while we're out. If you want to go do something else, you come and tell me. Do you understand?? Promise me." His hands gripped Bean's little shoulders.

Bean swallowed and nodded. "I promise. I'm sorry, Papa..." Ducking his head, he stepped in to wrap his skinny little arms around L's neck.

L closed his eyes and held his boy close, his heart still racing. "I'm sorry too... I should have been watching more closely." Pulling back again, he met Bean's cobalt stare again with a quizzical brow. "Why did you take your hoodie off?"

"I got hot," Bean answered, simply and childishly.

L huffed out an exhale. "Okay... Please don't leave your things lying around. Next time, bring it to me to hold onto."

Bean nodded again, bouncing his hair. "Can I go play now?"

L felt a reluctance to let him go, but he slowly nodded, inwardly vowing not to take his eyes off him for a second. "Alright. Just don't forget what we talked about."

"I won't!" Bean turned to skitter away. "Thanks, Papa, love you!"

L felt his chest twist with feeling as he stood up and shoved his hands into his pockets, the little red hoodie slung over one shoulder.

I love you too, son... so much that it terrifies me.