The woods behind the orphanage [L x Reader] • Death Note [Discontinued]

Chapter 26 | uneasy

The day out with the boys was meant to be fun. And it was for them, they had a blast running around from tank to tank looking at all the fish. But L couldn't help but feel uneasy. It was like something was telling him that something terrible had happened. That awful feeling when you just... know things are about to go downhill.

But he couldn't put his finger in it... something was off and he just couldn't figure it out.

"Ok, it's past lights out guys. Go to bed"

"Awwww but I'm so close to beating this boss!" Matt complained.

"Yeah come on L just five more minutes?" Mello pleased.

"Roger will have all our heads. Bedtime, now. You can finish the level tomorrow" L said.

With a sigh of defeat, they saved their game and turned off the console. Usually they'd put up more of a fight but the long day out had worn out the young boys. Near was practically half asleep already against the arm of the sofa.

"It's the weekend tomorrow anyway, you can play all day" L assured.

"Yeah I guess, hey can you save us the controllers?" Matt asked.

"I'll see what I can do. Now bed! Before roger roasts me for letting you up this late!"

The boys were lucky L let them have those few extra minutes, and they didn't want to get in trouble, or for him to get in trouble. So they picked up their toys and got up from their spots to run off down the hall and into bed.

"Thanks for the extra time! Goodnight L!" Matt said, giving him a quick hug.

"Goodnight! Don't let Roger roast us if he catches us!" Mello added, also giving him a quick hug.

Ruffling the boys hair as they ran past and off to bed, L sighed in relief. They were becoming easier to control the more they grew close to him. Now, there was just Near.

"Hey, it's time for bed" L said.

Near looked so tired. He was the smallest, and youngest so naturally he'd get worn out faster. The small boy looked up at L half asleep and nodded sleepily, picking up the stuffed animal he had sitting beside him.

"Come on, I'll tuck you in"

Picking up the child, L couldn't help but wonder when he became to soft and attached to them. If you told him last year that he'd be carrying a child to bed in his arms and happily watching three get exited over sharks at the aquarium all day, he'd not believe you. And yet, here he was.

Wrapping Near up in blankets, as well as his stuffed animal that to him was a real person he found himself pushing that uneasy feeling to the back of his mind for a moment. It could wait... he had to make sure the kids were sleeping soundly first.

Gods, when did he become such a... dad?

Turning off the main lights, and on the night light by the bed the dark bedroom emitted a soft blue glow. Just enough to see, but dark enough to fall asleep.

"Warm enough? It's a bit cold tonight" L asked.

"I'm ok" Near replied, barely audible and ready to fall asleep.

"Alright, I'll see you in the mor-"

"Wait! Stay with me until I fall asleep..."

Oh? This was new... then again he is a young child who'd recently been ripped away from nor so great parents. It'd make sense he attached himself to someone that he could view as a protective grown up.

"Uh... ok? Why?" L asked, slightly leaning against the edge of the bed.

"I don't like when I'm alone in the dark. But I can't sleep unless it's dark... it's like I'm stuck between being scared or not sleeping when I'm tired" Near replied.

Hmm... maybe he needed a more powerful nightlight. One that was just the right glow so he could fall asleep but not be scared of the dark. But alas, L would stay anyway since with how tired Near was it would only be a matter of minutes before he fell asleep anyway.

"Ok, but it's late. No talking or playing you need to go to sleep" L replied.

"I know... can you sing me a lullaby?" The child yawned.

He didn't really know any lullabies... but he did know of songs you'd sung to him. Lure calls, sea shanties, other magical sounding tunes.

"Hm... I don't know any lullabies but I know other songs" L said.

"That's ok... I just want to know you're there..."

He felt bad for Near, such a young kid having gone through hell and back before he came here. L was in that exact same position when he was that age. He knew what it felt like, and he'd be lying if he said that he didn't seek out midnight hugs from Watari as a kid too.

It may not be a lullaby, but it was a siren song that was just as calming.

"Farewell
To all the earthly remains
No burdens
No further debts to be paid"

You'd told him the story behind this one while you were lounging by the river one night. It was from the point of view of a shade of the underworld who got reunited with their lover after death.

"Atlas
Can rest his weary bones
The weight of the world
All falls away
In time"

As long as you aren't cast until Tartarus, wandering the underworld didn't seem that bad. Those who aren't evil, and lived normal lives may leave the burden of mortal life behind and do as they please, with who they please, when they please.

"Goodbye
To all the plans that we made
No contracts
I'm free to do as I may"

And these two reunited shades get to simply find a nice spot in the underworld, make it their own and spend eternity together.

"No hunger
No sleep except to dream
Mild and warm
Safe from all harm
Calm"

It must be nice to sit by the River Styx and rest your head on your lovers shoulder... knowing you'd be able to stay together until the universe implodes. Safe in each others presence....

As he thought, it didn't take long for such a young child to fall asleep. And the help from L's calming voice reassuring Near that no one can hurt him anymore, meant he was out in minuets. Looking down at the child, it was clear he'd not be waking up until the sun rose.

L sighed, the days worries leaving his body knowing all the kids were safe and sound asleep.

"Goodnight Near..." he said, leaving him to sleep.

Ducking his head into Matt and Mellos rooms to make sure they were asleep... and Matt wasn't hiding his DS under his pillow and he'd confirmed that everything was ok. They were all asleep, safe and the hectic day was over.

The moment of calm only lasted for a minute though, because as soon as his concerns about the boys left... that uneasy feeling he'd pushed aside came back.

He was tired from the day out with them, but something told him that he should give up on the nights sleep... just to make sure you were ok to. You were as old as he was and magic, so he knew you could handle yourself. But something was telling him that right now... he needed to go see you.