L x Reader oneshots 1 // series 3 • Death Note

Lap pillow

It was late as usual, L always kept himself up way past sundown to work on pointless case points. He insisted they were important, yet they really weren't. What exactly could Light and Misa do when they're asleep? But L insisted on watching the camera feed as always 'just in case' something happened.

You worried about him. He was so hyper vigilant, so careful, never trusted anyone, always second guessed people. Ever since you met him you'd had the strangest urge to just... take care of him. Maybe it's the natural human instinct to try and fix broken things, L clearly having some looming issues he needs to get sorted. Not the kind that made him a bad person though, the kind that make him a scared one.

His flat monotonous domineer would come off as someone who doesn't care about anything and has their life together to most people. But maybe it was the strange obsession with his behaviour you'd grown, wanting to know more about him... but you could tell that was somewhat of a mask. Like he was trying to protect himself even when it wasn't necessary. The poor man had clearly gone through something that'd left a scar. And you had the strangest urge to try and patch up that scar as best you could.

The problem is he's too distant from people for you to do anything. But, that didn't stop you from trying.

"I can watch those cameras for a while if you want. You haven't slept in a while" you said.

"Thank you, but it's ok. I'll just stay up. You can go to bed though if you like" he replied.

"L a tired detective is a lacking detective. You need to keep your brain sharp don't you?"

"I've had coffee today, they'll keep me awake"

"But it won't get you any rest you need"

He didn't even look away from the screen, staying in that curled up position resting his chin on his knees.

"It's fine. Don't worry about it" he said.

"But I do worry about it" You replied.

He was silent for a moment, seemingly processing your response. Usually people just drop the subject by now but you persisted.

"Why?" He asked.

You didn't expect that response. You thought he'd just brush it off and tell you 'no really it's ok'.

"Because it's not good for your health. Your health is important. I say it all the time your health and thus your safety are more important than any case" you explained.

"You worry for my health and safety?" He questioned.

"Yes"

He didn't have a response to that. This time around he didn't have the last word, too at a loss to even open his mouth.

"Look if you really don't want to miss anything just sleep out here on the couch and I'll wake you up if anything does happen" you said.

"You need sleep too you know?" He replied.

"I've already slept today though. You haven't slept IN days. I can loose a few hours for you who needs them more than me"

Sacrificing something, even just a few hours sleep for him wasn't something L was used to. No one really gave something up for him. Even when Watari took him in as a kid he doesn't loose anything from that. He still ran wammys, he still got an income, good health and the only thing he really lost was some cake and a few minutes of the day when L was a kid and could outrun him when it was nap time. More like 'chase down baby L for 5 minutes and THEN put him to bed' time.

L didn't quite know how to react to someone who wasn't his caretaker dad thing showing him any concern at all.

So what did he do? Just... gave in. He didn't really know what else to do.

"Ok... I suppose sleep is important for health" he sighed.

You didn't expect him to comply but didn't object when he grabbed one of the blankets from the arm of the sofa and flopped down on the other end of it from you.

"Hmm, there's no pillows..." he mumbled.

"Here" you replied, patting your thighs suggesting them as a pillow.

He looked at them, then at you, then back at your thighs. All while what you said just sank in and you wondered why you said that so casually.

"Ok"

Huh? It was that easy? Offer your lap as a pillow and he'll go to sleep?

And before you could even respond he'd rested his head on your thighs and pulled the blanket up over him. Shifting into a comfortable position and finally relaxing. You couldn't help but smile feeling his warmth against you.

"Get some sleep ok? I promise I'll wake you up if anything happens" you said.

"Ok, thank you (y/n)" he replied.

That need to care for him came back, and almost instinctively you reached down and ran your fingers though his fluffy hair, about to tell him Goodnight when-

"Do that again" he said.

"What? Feels nice?"

"Yeah..."

He sounded tired. He clearly was, and now he was actually able to let it show and fall asleep. You continued to give him gentle head pats, relaxing him into a sleepy daze.

"Goodnight L" you smiled.

"Goodnight (y/n)..." he replied sleepily.

You looked back up at the screens as he fell asleep, continuing to run your hands though his hair. It was boring watching two people do literally nothing but breathe and occasionally move around in their sleep, but if it meant L got rest then you'd sit though it.

And my god... how badly you wanted to give him a Goodnight kiss you'd never be able to describe in words. Maybe one day, not right now since the feelings you had for each other weren't shared knowledge yet. They were there, unbeknownst to you he did return the feeling. Your urge to care for him was met with his urge to be cared for. That kiss would come eventually, not today...But one day.