1000 Themes - #998 - Death Note - Matsuda & L
Title: Zero
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Words: 533
Series: Death Note
Pairings/Characters: Matsuda and L
Matsuda was never entirely sure if he was annoyed with or amused at L’s constant use of percentages. It was how he scaled things, but how did he determine it? What were they based off of? He was always so sure of himself regarding his percents; it sometimes aggravated Matsuda or left him gaping in awe.
But there was something he noticed.
One day, after Light fell asleep in his chair from exhaustion-L didn’t sleep normally, and tended to keep the college student awake at night, causing him to be extra tired the next day-Matsuda thought it to be the perfect time to ask L about his finding.
He tapped L’s shoulder, and the detective looked at him over his shoulder with an absolutely bored expression. Matsuda jumped; he had forgotten L was “depressed,” the expression scared him somewhat. So condescending…
“What is it, Matsuda? I hardly have time to deal with your stupidity.”
Ouch. Like always. “Um, I was wondering…you know how you use percentages all the time…?”
“I believe I would know of my own habits, especially if I consider them every day and say them aloud, Matsuda.”
Of course…my bad. “Ah, yes, of course! But um, how come you never use zero percent?” he stammered, shy and blushing. L’s presence alone made him feel small, and when the detective would look at him…well, Matsuda would be surprised if those disdaining eyes didn’t haunt him until his death.
L stared at him. Then he turned away and took another bite of cake, leaving Matsuda to momentarily gape at his audacity. It wasn’t unusual to be so suddenly and blatantly ignored, brushed off as if you were nothing, but it never ceased to be offensive.
“The reason is quite simple.”
Matsuda was shocked. L was actually going to answer him?
“The reason is that there is always a possibility open for everything. Nothing can’t not do something or be something else. There is always the probability that something-expected and unexpected alike-will happen.”
L’s head tilted in Light’s direction, and he fell silent. “…Even if we catch a Kira of some sort, Light’s chance of being Kira will never reach the zero percent mark.”
Matsuda looked down at his feet, biting his lip. He didn’t mean to make L think about that…it was obvious that L didn’t want Light to be Kira-though at some points that was contradicted by L’s depression and frustration.
“I…I see. That makes sense.”
“And the idea of you not being an idiot will never be zero percent, either.”
Matsuda slumped with an angry pout. Always had to come back to him being an idiot. At least a coffee comment hadn’t been made…
“Eh heh…thanks, I guess. Well, I better be getting home to sleep. Misa Misa’s got a big photoshoot tomorrow!” Oh, the skill he had to conjure up random optimism.
“Hm, it is quite late. Goodnight Matsuda. Have a safe trip home.” L responded, not looking back.
As Matsuda was leaving, L made a comment that made him fall against the wall in exasperation.
“If it’s not too much trouble, could you please stop by in the morning to make coffee? You’re good at that.”
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Words: 533
Series: Death Note
Pairings/Characters: Matsuda and L
Matsuda was never entirely sure if he was annoyed with or amused at L’s constant use of percentages. It was how he scaled things, but how did he determine it? What were they based off of? He was always so sure of himself regarding his percents; it sometimes aggravated Matsuda or left him gaping in awe.
But there was something he noticed.
One day, after Light fell asleep in his chair from exhaustion-L didn’t sleep normally, and tended to keep the college student awake at night, causing him to be extra tired the next day-Matsuda thought it to be the perfect time to ask L about his finding.
He tapped L’s shoulder, and the detective looked at him over his shoulder with an absolutely bored expression. Matsuda jumped; he had forgotten L was “depressed,” the expression scared him somewhat. So condescending…
“What is it, Matsuda? I hardly have time to deal with your stupidity.”
Ouch. Like always. “Um, I was wondering…you know how you use percentages all the time…?”
“I believe I would know of my own habits, especially if I consider them every day and say them aloud, Matsuda.”
Of course…my bad. “Ah, yes, of course! But um, how come you never use zero percent?” he stammered, shy and blushing. L’s presence alone made him feel small, and when the detective would look at him…well, Matsuda would be surprised if those disdaining eyes didn’t haunt him until his death.
L stared at him. Then he turned away and took another bite of cake, leaving Matsuda to momentarily gape at his audacity. It wasn’t unusual to be so suddenly and blatantly ignored, brushed off as if you were nothing, but it never ceased to be offensive.
“The reason is quite simple.”
Matsuda was shocked. L was actually going to answer him?
“The reason is that there is always a possibility open for everything. Nothing can’t not do something or be something else. There is always the probability that something-expected and unexpected alike-will happen.”
L’s head tilted in Light’s direction, and he fell silent. “…Even if we catch a Kira of some sort, Light’s chance of being Kira will never reach the zero percent mark.”
Matsuda looked down at his feet, biting his lip. He didn’t mean to make L think about that…it was obvious that L didn’t want Light to be Kira-though at some points that was contradicted by L’s depression and frustration.
“I…I see. That makes sense.”
“And the idea of you not being an idiot will never be zero percent, either.”
Matsuda slumped with an angry pout. Always had to come back to him being an idiot. At least a coffee comment hadn’t been made…
“Eh heh…thanks, I guess. Well, I better be getting home to sleep. Misa Misa’s got a big photoshoot tomorrow!” Oh, the skill he had to conjure up random optimism.
“Hm, it is quite late. Goodnight Matsuda. Have a safe trip home.” L responded, not looking back.
As Matsuda was leaving, L made a comment that made him fall against the wall in exasperation.
“If it’s not too much trouble, could you please stop by in the morning to make coffee? You’re good at that.”