[L is uncomfortable with the conversation. Has he forgotten that Mello has been trained from a young age to read people? Of course, the blonde had expected it, given his (former) mentor's initial reaction to his network post.]

[Stay the fuck away from me. Not verbatim, but it might as well have been. Thin lips are downturned, but Mello won't glance away. He can't. He's always tried to appear so strong for L. Why should that change now?]

I was different, then.

[Now? He's been humbled a bit. Even if it was by his own actions and Kira's filthy hands. He won't move closer: this would clearly be perceived as a threat and is overall a bad idea. So he stands his ground, but yet — ]

I know you're secretive. [Comes with the job, really.] But if you know anything about me, you'll know that I'll learn the details, eventually.

[One way or another.]

There's a chance that I'll receive false information, yea?

[A likely chance.]

I'd rather it come from you. [As painful as it might be. For both of them.]

Tell me. And I'll walk away. Promise.

[And L should know that promises mean nothing at all.]