L wiped his shaggy bangs back from his eyes, watching Light nod through what appeared to be no small measure of distress. This was difficult for both of them, but they were going through with it anyway... which was, ultimately, rather the story of their entire history in Death City.

The entirety of their history, though, dictated that their fates were bound to one another; though the temptation might have once existed for Light to let go and abandon L to a painful death and a watery grave, Light wouldn't survive long without him.

Such was the nature of a partnership and missions.

"Two to go. The others are uneasy... we'll come up for air between them."

L's transformation was smoother that time as another whale charged them, steel trap surging forward, again, into an open mouth full of teeth.