#matsuda and L ARE friends and i will die on this hill

[cecenyss]

the Real mystery of death note is that Light somehow convinced the fandom that he is the socially competent one and L is the recluse with no social skills. Light thought it was realistic to respond to the emo freak at his college who said he was a world famous detective after hunching over like a gremlin taking his shoes off in public and sitting like a frog was "if you're telling the truth i respect you greatly." L frequently performs social tests on people close to him to see what they'll say with the goal of studying their responses and picked up a call from his friend in a potentially volatile situation by flawlessly imitating a douchebag friend who parties too much while likely never having been to a bar in his life. they are not the same.

[evelights]

Can i ask for 11, 19, and 20 of lawlight?

ask game

11. who tops?

they switch and i’ll die on this hill!

19. who tells their family/friends about their relationship first?

Watari is the one who finds out about their relationship first, L didn’t really have to tell him. in fact, L suspects Watari knew about them before he even knew about them, which kinda ticks him off.

it takes a while for Light to work up the nerve to tell his family, especially Soichirou. as someone who’s spent his whole life trying to maintain the role of the ‘perfect son’, he would understandably be a little hesitant about being open about his and L’s relationship to them.

20. what do their family/friends think of their relationship?

Watari is pretty indifferent. at first he was probably (understandably) confused, maybe a little concerned, but in the end he thinks Light is good for L, and vice versa. he’s never seen him so happy.

Soichirou is pretty shocked and slightly disconcerted when Light first tells him, but ultimately he just wants his son to be happy, and he’s pretty proud that his son can match up to the world’s three greatest detectives in such a way. as for his mom and sister, they were immediately supportive. they have no reason not to be, after all. sayu especially takes a liking to L and thinks it’s cool that Light’s boyfriend is all ‘mysterious’.

and as for friends, Misa (who, in my own little headcanon bubble, is a lesbian and knows it. good for her!) is ecstatic to learn that Light and L are officially Together. the rest of the task force members are relatively indifferent. sometimes Misa and Matsuda will bombard them with far-too-personal questions and Aizawa will threaten to kick them both out of the room for it.

[weirdcrocodilelady]

Me: *sees people are talking about Aizawa* my time has come. Aizawa just happens to be my NUMBER ONE FAVORITE CHARACTER IN ALL OF DEATH NOTE and I have yet to meet anyone who appreciates him as much as I do. I love Matsuda with my whole heart and I relate to him the most out of all the characters (I’m 23 and the youngest at my work and also a dumbass), but the reason Aizawa is my favorite is because I think he is the true moral compass of the series. Ohba said “only Soichiro is good,” but I believe in DOTA so I reserve the right to disagree :) All the task force members have strong morals, but Aizawa is the only one who COMPLETELY stands by his morals and acts according to his moral compass even when it doesn’t benefit him to do so.

Soichiro and Matsuda both refuse to be suspicious of Light even when so much evidence points toward him being Kira (I can mostly give Soichiro a pass for this because Light’s his son, but I still can’t say it’s great police work to dismiss a highly respected detective’s main theory just because you don’t like it), but Aizawa is able to put aside his respect for Light in order to look objectively at the case. That being said, even when he grows suspicious of Light he doesn’t rush to arrest and punish him without any concrete proof, because that would also go against his principles.

Another way Aizawa shows his ability to stick to his principles even when it doesn’t benefit him is the way he openly defies and stands up to L. I think the scene where Aizawa yells at L and then quits the task force is one of the best scenes in the entire anime, because it’s the first time the spotlight is put directly on Aizawa and we get to see how badass he really is--because really, what in the world has more Big D Energy than telling L you hate him? It’s also the first and ONLY time any of the characters calls L out for how sleazy and arrogant and cold he can be. Others may have protested against him before, but they were always commenting on specific incidents, not his entire character. Aizawa said “I hate him and the way he does things,” which is imo a lot more powerful of a statement than “I think this one particular thing you’re doing is wrong.” This is far from the only time Aizawa defies his superiors in order to follow his principles (”Near, I’m not going to follow your orders”), it’s just the most obvious and glaring example.

He’s also just basically a stand-up guy and loves his family and looks out for his colleagues and friends and the greater good, and whether or not you agree with his actions doesn’t change the fact that everything he does is based on the same solid set of principles, and he never changes his position or viewpoint just because doing so will work out more in his favor. He’s the only good cop in the series. Yes, this is the hill I will die on. Anyway, this really didn’t end up having to do with the original ask about Matsuda vs. Aizawa in the fandom, I just jumped at the opportunity to defend my favorite guy beause who knows when that opportunity will pop up again? I freaking love Aizawa, y’all.

(Also, I hope this didn’t come across as a Matsuda/Soichiro/L bashing sesh, because I swear I really do adore all three of them😰)

This isn’t an opinion that I personally agree with but I’ve seen quite a few people expressing that Matsuda is more sympathetic and a ‘better person’ than Aizawa ? Like if all the dn characters were to be ranked from good to evil Matsuda would be further on the ‘good’ side? Idk if you have any thoughts on this haha

I think there’s two reasons for that perception and they’re not necessarily based in the story: the average age of the viewers and the current political climate.

For one, Matsuda is just the more commonly relatable character. He is younger, making him a bit closer to the fandom’s usual age group, and he acts more whimsically while at the same time displaying obvious self-worth issues, etc. That makes him a character who is just that much more approachable - even if you don’t have any adult life experience, Matsuda is intuitive to understand. He feels more ‘human’, especially when you’re a teenager.

Aizawa meanwhile is older, more serious, married with kids... He also has a whole lot of distinct characterization and personal struggle, but I am going to guess it resonates a whole lot less with the audience that is most often in their teens and early 20s. He gives less room for projection - and as such, I think a lot of readers are just inclined to pay less attention to him.

Which then makes him stay in memory primarily as the category of his work: cop. And like, don’t get me wrong, cops have always sucked - but this has become more blatant and more common to point out in recent years.

So then a lot of the impression remains as “likeable and relatable young cop desperate to please” vs “just a cop ig” - and based on that, I understand why people default to viewing Matsuda as a better person. Based on the actual manga, I don’t think that’s fair. Aizawa has as much going on as Matsuda, they’re both interesting characters in their own right.

And they are both... decent normal people? I’d honestly feel weird trying to reason out who is ‘better’ and ‘worse’ morally - like, they’re just normal. I can’t really weigh the minutiae of their personalities and make some decisive judgment here. Aizawa has a more rigid moral code where Matsuda is more of a go-with-the-flow kind of guy, but that’s really all I got.

THEY’RE FLAWED HUMANS AND DECENT GUYS.

[reaperlight]

🍰

*(“That’s right, the one on Mulholland. You have pretty good taste to have picked that one out. Nice spot too, up in the hills away from the city.”)*

"Is it nice? I don't remember what it's like," L frowned. "I don't know if I've ever been there in person. I think I bought it through proxies " L grinned "but I'm glad it's to your taste."

(“Yes, they die very quickly. After you write a name, a heart attack will happen in 40 seconds.” )

L breathed a sigh of relief "That's good. Hopefully they won't have time to do any damage then."

("Thank you, L.”)

L smiled, "It was my pleasure. Light-kun."

I chose this. I choose you. I did it for you, FOR US, and I'd gladly do it again.

🍎

("I'm not trying to give you grey hairs, Ryuk.)

"Good," Ryuk rumbled. "You know, I never thought I'd say this but I'd rather things be boring for a while." The Shinigami laughed awkwardly.

🍰

(“Yes, I had some run-ins with your successors.”/"Someone shot me.")

L's currently crimson eyes narrowed as he listened to Light. "You know, I never much liked Near. I know, I know..." L began as if this was a long-term argument he'd had with someone. "I was supposed to tolerate him because he was in the top of the running to be my successor but his obsession with me reminded me too much of..." L looked down at the body he inhabited in disgust. "My apparent soulmate. So... you don't need to worry about that. It's not like we were a family or something stupid like that," L snorted at the very notion. "I wasn't real close with any of them. Their stated purpose was to replace me. In a competitive environment like Wammys, being overly-friendly with your successors is an invitation for a knife in the back. I think... he knew, you know," L looked away. "Both him and Roger. They knew and they never came... As for Mello..." L sighed, "He seemed like a cute kid, at least when I last spoke to him on Wammy's server when he was... fourteen? The mafia you said?" L shook his head and sighed again, "We tried so hard to keep him away from all that. I guess... I guess I just feel responsible for him. Because I arrested his father-- criminal kingpin of Eastern Europe, I tried to keep him from joining the family business--he had such potential. What a waste. And I don't even know who Jeevas is, but if he was with Mello... I'm guessing that he's Mello's friend. He was his only friend... Like... like you are to me."

L blushed and looked down at his hands (which were not really his hands).

"You know, it's true, Light. You really are my first ever friend. Even though I wasn't really supposed to be friends with anyone... You know Wammy's... but do you know... Know what they were about? What they were really... Because I sure don't" L admitted, bitterly.

L realized he'd never spoken about this with anyone but now that he was here with Light (Light who saved him, who trusted him enough to show his true self, and who L decided he trusted even if it might have been unwise, and went against every lesson he'd ever learned from Wammys...) He found he wanted to tell him...

L cursed under his breath as Light related his harrowing ordeal, clenching his fists in his lap, white-knuckled tight.

"Matsuda... that idiot," L hissed, part of him wishing that Matsuda was still alive just so he could kill him again himself. "How dare he--"

L tried not to visibly react when Light told him that Ryuk was his soulmate.

He was just glad that Light had made it out okay...

But his soulmate?

That somehow both was and was not what he was expecting... But he wasn't about to judge Light for it--for having a Shinigami for a soulmate--not when he had a child murderer as his soulmate. He knew all too well how awful that was--to be judged for something you had no control over. He just didn't know what that meant for them, for...whatever this was between them.

Maybe Light just wanted to be friends.

Someone like him... He should count himself fortunate to even have that.

And yet...

He couldn't help but wish for something more...

When they got out of the car, L hugged him back tightly and couldn't stop the show of emotion pouring from his eyes.

***

🍰

The ranch was a nice place. He should thank whichever proxies had bought the place for him... if they were still alive.

***

🍎

("Can Shinigami swim?")

"I... don't know... But I don't need to breathe and I can't die so I guess I can give it a try?" Ryuk chuckled before diving into the pool with a splash. He'd soon give Light his answer.

***

🍰

L took a long, soothing bath, using up half a bottle of the apple-scented liquid soap he'd found in the process of trying to get clean again...

He didn't want to think about that.

He'd much rather think of Light.

But that too brought complications.

Light had a soulmate and unlike L's own soulmate, Light's Shinigami soulmate apparently actually cared for him and didn't want to murder him.

Given this new information only two things were clear as day to L at the moment:

1. He loved Light.

2. Ryuk did too.

This was probably a conversation they should be having at some point... But maybe not right now, not so soon, while tensions might still be running high...

L got dressed in the clean clothes Light provided and he emerged from the bath.

The first thing he noticed was the Shinigami lurking on the patio.

Well, maybe "lurking" was the wrong word--the creature was stretched out beside the pool with his wings outstretched and he looked for all the world like he was trying to get a tan.

***

🍎

Ryuk was trying to dry off his wings before going back in the house after taking a quick dip in the pool.

He'd wanted to see if he could swim to answer Light's question.

It turned out, yes, he could swim but his feathers got drenched and Light probably wouldn't like it if he made a mess and got water everywhere...

🍰 🍎

"Ryuk..."

"Huh?"

"Thank you... for keeping him safe."

The Shinigami nodded and, astoundingly, L thought a look of understanding passed between them. Because whatever Light decided... L and Ryuk now shared a common purpose--to protect Light, to keep him safe and happy and out of prison--

Ryuk sniffed the air.

"Do you smell that? Something smells good. Like apples!"

L felt a trickle of sweat trail down his temple.

"Uh... I think Light said he was making dinner?"

"You think it's apples?"

"Uh...Maybe?"

L gave a startled yelp and laughed when Ryuk suddenly shook off his feathers likes a wet dog and then followed him inside.

He should do his part now to keep Light safe. Light needed to know about his potential enemies. He needed to know everything L knew about Wammy's House.

***

🍰

As soon as he got the opportunity, it all came out in a rush.

(Maybe it went beyond the present danger that Wammy's potentially posed. Maybe... Maybe he just wanted someone to understand...)

"You know, I thought it was about justice... At least, at first. I mean, they let me solve as many cases as I liked. Now... I'm not so sure. All I know is that British intelligence collected genius orphans with personality disorders from all over the world, threw us all together into a highly competitive environment and then they... shall we say discouraged us from forming deeper bonds of love or friendship. Paranoia was very much encouraged. I never really understood why many of these so-called safety precautions were put in place when in most cases they were hindrances to be overcome--it never really worked to our advantage until... well, you. The Kira case. It's almost as if... Have there been Kiras before? Or have Shinigami dropped notebooks on Earth before? Because now that I think about it, the way we were trained, it's almost as if they had Kira or, at the very least a Death Note owner in mind."

🍎

Ryuk nodded "Yeah. I've been down here before. Many Shinigami have. There used to be a whole lot more contact between our two worlds. I'm not sure why fewer Shinigami come down here these days." Ryuk turned to regard the former detective. "Hey, uh... L? You know there's something you said...? How Light's your only friend? Well, uh, you know Light's my... uh, friend too? But if you're his friend and I'm his friend... maybe... we can be friends too, right?"

🍰

L regarded the Shinigami. Once the mere mention of Shinigami was enough to have him screaming. But this Shinigami had helped save him and more importantly, he'd saved Light.

Light had said he trusted Ryuk with his life. That was good enough for L.

L looked between them and nodded.

There was also the fact that Light and Ryuk were the only ones he'd seen in seven years that he could look at and not see the madness-inducing numbers floating above their heads. Thanks to these infernal eyes...

He hadn't felt so calm, or sane in a very long time.

L nodded, "Of course. You saved Light. You helped save me. Of course we can be friends..."

🍎

"Good, because that means you have two friends! Two is better than one, right? At least when it comes to apples."

🍰 🍎

L giggled at that and then they both looked to Light for approval.

Light blinked when L said ‘I love you,’ feeling something clench inside him even if the words were only spoken in relief at salvation from this place, gratitude for the chance of righteous retribution. L had never said that when they were…whatever they were, not together but linked by something more than the chain between them. The first time they’d done anything sexual was on that roof on L’s birthday and Light now knew that had been Beyond Birthday in L’s body, not even L at all. There certainly hadn’t been any words of love spoken then.  

But then L was kicking Killburn and Light couldn’t tear his eyes away from L screaming in what he hoped was catharsis, each kick landed making Light’s dark smile wider. My angel of vengeance. The death note’s power meant that Light had never had to be hands-on, and he preferred not to deal with the messy business of blood and guts and wailing. He didn’t think he’d enjoy seeing that. But now, in this situation, he was definitely enjoying it, even yelling in encouragement. Five minutes passed all too quickly, but Light was still glad that Ryuk placed a hand on L’s shoulder to remind him.

Light saw L cringe having to put on the uniform, but he couldn’t walk out of here and then be driven through the streets of LA in a prison jumpsuit. “It’s just until we get out of here. I have things you can wear at the house, after I clean you up.” His gaze didn’t linger over L’s sad filthy state, but he did take a handkerchief and wipe a little blood from the man’s face.

He stared unblinkingly as Killburn’s trembling hand lifted the gun to his mouth, stuck it inside and pulled the trigger almost instantly. The guard’s body fell in a heap, rapidly leaking blood, and Light grabbed L’s hand as they stepped away from the mess. He said grimly, “It was my pleasure.” He held back the urge to spit on the corpse, not wanting to leave any DNA on the scene, and quickly wiped down everything he’d touched since coming in here– the door handle, the chair back, the table. “Come on, let’s go. But walk slowly and don’t look panicked.” It was a great comfort having Ryuk there, floating beside them like a dark guardian angel.

Light was slightly surprised to hear L’s worry about the other prisoners, but he’d thought about it too. Many of them must have suffered at the hands of the guards like L had, and probably served far more penance than they deserved. No one deserved to be held in this ongoing nightmare, and now that most of the guards were dead, the place would be rife with violence. Still, it pained him to let loose thousands of dangerous criminals into the LA metro area without so much as a warning to the innocent civilians living nearby. But then L was making a good point about the wrongfully or unfairly convicted, and crimes like drug possession or petty theft didn’t attract the gaze of Kira and those people shouldn’t even be here, let alone die here. 

He nodded slowly, whispering as they walked, “When we get to the car, I’ll give you the page and you can do as you will on the other side of it. If you’ve seen first-hand who is innocent here, you can be their judge today.” He was happy to let L have this, but it made him feel guilty at the possibility that Kira had killed someone wrongly convicted without a second thought. I can’t go back, but maybe L could use his abilities to help me make certain in the future.

(Mr. Fuzen…)

Light froze as they entered the lobby, inhaling sharply at the gun the receptionist was pointing at him. He tried to smile and hold up his hands to calm her but she was shooting almost instantly. Luckily Ryuk could move faster than any bullet and absorbed them, and Light nearly laughed at the look of surprised terror on Liza’s face as the gun was snatched and crushed. She ducked down behind the reception window, giving them the opportunity to make a run for it.

When they’d burst through the doors, Ryuk forcing open the security gate that had slammed down when Liza pressed the panic button, Light let out a loud, triumphant laugh. He turned to Ryuk as they ran for the car, when he’d phased back from disrupting the camera, “Ryuk, you’re incredible. Did you see the look on her face when you snatched the gun?” He hopped over the side of the Hemicuda, making the engine roar as soon as L was safely inside. Light smashed the gas pedal right away, wheels squealing as they rocketed out of the visitor’s lot and onto the long stretch of dusty, empty road leading back to LA. He laughed at L’s comment about the car, “Yeah, it’s grown on me, but Ryuk wants me to paint it red.” He held L’s hand briefly before having to switch gears, “I’ll make you some crepes later. I’ll make you whatever you want.”

He kept an eye on the rearview mirror for a moment to make sure they weren’t being followed, then took the folded page of the death note and his pen from his jacket, passing them to L. He gave L a meaningful look, “All the names that can fit on the page, but write Liza’s first. I don’t want her giving a description of me. She could be the one to let out the ones you want to save unless you have a better idea.”

And there was a test— would L write the name of an innocent who got in their way, if it put them in danger? L the Detective had condemned Kira for doing as much, years ago. Light hoped that the L of the present would understand now why he’d had to do it. To get at all the Dwight Killburns of the world, and they are legion.

[cecenyss]

I stand victorious as you tremble before me

the Real mystery of death note is that Light somehow convinced the fandom that he is the socially competent one and L is the recluse with no social skills. Light thought it was realistic to respond to the emo freak at his college who said he was a world famous detective after hunching over like a gremlin taking his shoes off in public and sitting like a frog was "if you're telling the truth i respect you greatly." L frequently performs social tests on people close to him to see what they'll say with the goal of studying their responses and picked up a call from his friend in a potentially volatile situation by flawlessly imitating a douchebag friend who parties too much while likely never having been to a bar in his life. they are not the same.

[cecenyss]

I dare you

the Real mystery of death note is that Light somehow convinced the fandom that he is the socially competent one and L is the recluse with no social skills. Light thought it was realistic to respond to the emo freak at his college who said he was a world famous detective after hunching over like a gremlin taking his shoes off in public and sitting like a frog was "if you're telling the truth i respect you greatly." L frequently performs social tests on people close to him to see what they'll say with the goal of studying their responses and picked up a call from his friend in a potentially volatile situation by flawlessly imitating a douchebag friend who parties too much while likely never having been to a bar in his life. they are not the same.