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Title: Miscalculation
Author/Artist: temptationwaits
Fandom: Death Note/Another Note
Pairing: Beyond Birthday/L
List and #: Alternate #14 - mistakes
Rating: G-ish (one or two curse words)
Summary: Perhaps B's only mistake was underestimation.
Disclaimer: Death Note, L, etc. © Ooba Tsugumi, Obata Takeshi, etc. Beyond Birthday, Another Note, etc. © Ishin Nishio.
A/N: Spoilers for B and Another Note. Heh heh, I'm kind of disappointed that this isn't an actual kiss between L and B. (Though I've stuck to the kiss theme, believe me! Just not between these two--literally XD) But, eh, I've got like, 26? or so prompts to go! With this pairing, kisses aren't easy to come by unless forced. XD But really, the mistake bit at the end of the novel SO fit. Lyrics used in cut and at end of drabble are from "Your Biggest Mistake" by New Found Glory and "Simplest Mistake" by Seether.

Underestimating.

Perhaps that was his biggest mistake.

For as long as he lived, B never believed anyone was powerful enough to faze him. No one had the soul that would connect with his. Everyone, everything, it was distant, hollow and cold, and nothing to be afraid of. Perhaps it was B's apathetic view on human life that made killing so much easier. Perhaps it was something more. But he never felt anyone could do him any harm.

Except L.

L, he was the only person who was able to break through that facade, the only one who could part the veil. The only one B would every oh so slightly worry about. Selfishly, of course; he had to worry about himself when it came to him. All the people in Whammy's House were smart, were talented, intricate and amazing. But B never felt challenged by them. He could have easily surpassed their genius levels. He was, of course, of the first generation.

But L, L was something more, something grand and obscure, someone you'd never find exactly alike in the world. B went out of his way to disprove this, to become L, to adopt everything about him. Was this perhaps some way of conquering the envy, the hate and the love L distilled in him? Was this a way of dominating L, to once again prove that no one could ever be something to worry about, be something important or be something better?

B would show the world that L was not the genius prodigy everyone thought him to be. He'd slip into L's guise like a wolf in sheep's clothing. He'd play on L's genius, play on his popularity, he'd play on the people who believed in him. He'd show them that L could make mistakes, that L could be defeated, could be conquered and crushed.

That was the one reason, and the only reason, B killed them all. Believe Bridesmaid, Quarter Queen, Backyard Bottomslash. They were all pawns in his game with L, and it was up to that smart ass to make the next moves. He'd never win, however. In the end, B would; he'd give L a puzzle with missing pieces, and L, who was a sore loser, wouldn't be able to live with something he couldn't solve, couldn't defeat.

In a way, that's what connected B to L, naturally.

However, B made a mistake in his calculations. L had used Misora Naomi to execute his plans, to carry out his actions. B had to admit she was a worthy adversary, a wise choice. However, she wasn't L. She wasn't as smart as he. She made mistakes L would never make. And that's why B continued to believe, as he cackled the nights away, he'd still win this game.

But Misora proved to B that people can, indeed, be underestimated. As he readied the gasoline, poured it all over his body like dank smelling water, he smiled and thought to himself, Kiss everything goodbye. Not only to himself, his life which would end shortly, but to L. L, he was going to lose. Kiss everything goodbye.

He struck the match, a brilliant orange and red flame dancing off the black bud, a little blue core burning the strongest. B smirked and thought of something; maybe it was the last shred of his pride telling him he should stop, should step back and figure out some other way to take down L without killing himself. Or maybe it was one of those things, a prayer they called it, wishing himself a safe journey to Hell. A flash of his life passing behind his lids. Too bad he didn't pay it much more attention than that.

B kissed the fire and lit up in a blazing glory of flames.

That's when everything he had planned, everything he had hoped for, came crashing to his feet in dust. Before he knew it, he had been jerked back from the brink of death, the flames washed away, the little gulps of air tasting like soot, the air around him smelling of burning flesh. He managed to open his blurred eyes (it hurt like hell, his lids were so singed) and saw his mistake. Misora Naomi.

She said something. Her face had been drawn into seriousness... and disappointment? Why would she be disappointed? She solved the case. She did her job. Misora had gained a win for L. All B heard as he started to linger into the darkness of unconsciousness was her reading him his Miranda Rights.

As B sat in the hospital, wrapped in crusty bandages that needed changing, from head to toe, his entire body so fucking sore, but numb due to his system being pumped with numerous drugs and medication, he thought a bit. That was all he could now with his body practically stiff and paralyzed. Think. B opened one glazed red eye and looked to the barred window.

He had made a mistake. He had underestimated Misora.

He had underestimated L.