(Hiatus) Eyes Of The Gods (L X Reader)

20: Errands and Allies

I wrote this chapter 7 times before I actually finished a draft 😅😅 motivation has been lacking and studies are kicking my ass. I have a short break right now, though, so hopefully I can make up for lost time.

This story has grown significantly since the last update, so thank you so much!! It means a ton. Love you all.

"You look depressed." That was a voice Y/N did not expect to hear on her morning stroll outside the headquarters, a coffee in one hand and a folder tucked under the other. She turned to face L, noting the unusual lack of Light Yagami behind him. "Have you been sleeping?"

"That's hypocritical coming from you." Still, the question was meaningful. Something about him asking about her health made her prideful. "Where's Light?"

"With Watari."

"Why?"

"I wanted to come here." Liar. Y/N tucked her folder under her arm and used her free hand to gently tug upward at her pants. She'd forgotten to wear the belt that L gave her and the task force members. Maybe that's why he was here. She doubted it. "For a number of reasons." He stepped up beside her and craned his head to both sides, stretching his neck. "But first, what are you doing here?"

She looked around at the various passerbys, none of whom seemed to care for either her or L. "Coffee. I just got done meeting with an executive from Yotsuba." He didn't seem impressed. Then again, L didn't have many different expressions. "I didn't get much of anything done. He mostly just talked about himself. I think he thought it was a date."

"I didn't ask you to do any of that," L reminded her. He knew the statement wouldn't change anything, but he wanted to know how she'd react. Surprisingly, she nodded in agreement.

"I was worried you would continue to lie dormant. I wanted to at least do something. We don't have..." much time, she thought, the distant ticking of a clock in her head. "Whatever. It's done. Let me know if you need any connections."

A silence. There was an unusual absense of honesty between them. They lied to eachother often, but the air felt tense. "Are we friends?" L asked, and based on his tone alone it was unclear how serious the question was meant to be taken.

"You ask that a lot." She avoided the question, shaking her head. "If the answer changes, I'll let you know."

"What do friends do?" He continued to ask, pondering distantly to himself with his thumbs hooked in his pockets. "I feel like we're closest when we're threatening eachother. Should I put your life in danger?"

"Focus on fulfilling the rest of yours first." Y/N continued her walk down the street, intending to make one more stop before she returned to headquarters. L followed. "Why are you suddenly interested in our relationship? Have I become relevant to the investigation again?"

"Oh, did I make you feel irrelevant? My bad." He said it with a comforting grain of salt.

"There he is," she felt herself smile beyond her control. "It's unnerving when you're nice. If you want me to trust you you should stop pretending to be so considerate."

L said nothing to this, unsure whether it was correct to take criticism from her. Instead, he rubbed at his wrist, where the handcuff had been dangling. Even though Light wasn't there, it felt like the boy was staring over his shoulder. "How much longer do I have?"

Y/N wasn't sure how comfortable she was answering that, but swallowed her doubt nonetheless. "A little less than a month."

L stopped walking. She stopped a step in front of him. His expression, typically inexpressive and dull, paled further. How long did you expect? Y/N wondered, struck with guilt. "How much less?"