[The danger, perhaps, is quantified in unknowns. It goes beyond simply not knowing when one of them might snap and do something extreme or desperate or cruel; Light does not know that there are people here who know better than either of them the entire case's outcome. L doesn't know, fully, just how far he could stray into this foray without it being considered idiocy, insulting, or even betrayal.

His curiosity, like Light's, remains the loudest and most insistent voice in the chorus. Wide, dark eyes watch Light's face as the younger man grapples with his indecisiveness, surely what is best for Kira, and what is best for Light, and how L can be repurposed as a tool to advance either goal because he's been made to believe it's his, also.

If it weren't for that botched potion complicating matters, Light would probably already have an answer, positive, polished, and primed to manipulate L. L would probably see through it, even if it amused him, and need to act opposite to it out of a childish, contrarian desire to win, just enough to humiliate his opponent without shattering the foundation of their Bond. But there's no production without scenery and set pieces; the two of them have no reason to perform on a bare stage, sans costumes and masks.

Without pretense, what Light wants could well be what L wants.]

You do know, though.

[He reaches to grasp the place where Light's shirt comes together, smoothing the material between two buttons with his thumb and forefinger.]

You might be surprised to learn out how much you can ask for... but maybe not. You're such a fast learner, after all.