Written By Fate ||L Lawliet x Reader||

Chapter 22

Y/N's sleep was restless that night. She couldn't shake the lingering feeling of dread that had been building in her mind ever since that strange encounter with the creature, whatever it was. Every time she closed her eyes, it felt like she could almost see it again, lurking just out of sight. But tonight, it was different. Tonight, it felt closer, more real. Her mind couldn't let go of it.

She tossed and turned under the covers, her heart racing. The nightmare came for her again—sharp, unnerving, and overwhelming. It was as if the creature had followed her into her dreams, creeping just beyond the veil of sleep, mocking her with its cold, empty gaze. She could almost feel it there with her, lurking in the shadows of her subconscious. Its laughter echoed in the back of her mind, an unsettling sound that wouldn't let her go.

In the nightmare, the creature was right in front of her, staring down at her with its hollow, piercing eyes. The dark figure seemed to loom closer, its long limbs stretching impossibly far. Its presence was suffocating, like the air itself was being sucked out of the room. Y/N tried to move, but her body wouldn't respond. She felt trapped, unable to scream, unable to escape.

But then, something changed.

Her eyes snapped open.

For a moment, she wasn't sure if she was still in the nightmare or if she had truly woken up. But when she turned her head, she saw it—the thing, standing at the foot of the bed, just like it had in her dreams. Its skeletal form was tall, its movements unnaturally slow, as though it were savoring every moment of her fear.

Y/N's breath hitched in her throat. Her heart pounded in her chest as she took in the sight of it, and her mind raced with confusion and terror. The creature was there, just like in the nightmare, but this time it was real. She could feel its presence, the weight of it pressing down on her.

She couldn't contain it anymore. Her scream tore through the quiet room, echoing off the walls. Her voice was hoarse, her body trembling as she pointed at the creature with shaking fingers.

"Ryuzaki!" she yelled, her voice frantic.

L was there in an instant, his footsteps hurried but calm. He appeared in the doorway, looking alarmed, his eyes scanning the room for the cause of her distress. But when he turned his gaze toward the foot of the bed, his face remained blank. His expression didn't change.

"What's wrong, Y/N?" he asked, his voice steady, but his eyes were full of concern. He walked toward her, his gaze flicking to the creature—if it was even there.

Y/N couldn't believe it. She had been so sure, so certain. The creature was right there, standing still and laughing softly, its grotesque form flickering in and out of her vision. But L... L didn't see it. His face was a mix of confusion and mild concern as he looked back at her, his eyes narrowing in thought.

Y/N pointed again, her voice trembling. "Look! Don't you see it, Ryuzaki?" she demanded, feeling the weight of her disbelief.

L took a step closer to the bed, crouching down to look her in the eyes, his brow furrowing. "Y/N, there's nothing there," he said calmly, his voice soft but firm. "You're having a nightmare. It's probably just a bad dream. You've been restless lately."

Y/N's heart sank, her mind reeling. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. How could he not see it? It was right there, in front of them. She could hear the soft chuckling echoing through the room, sending shivers down her spine. But L couldn't hear it. L couldn't see it.

"Please," she whispered, her voice desperate now. "Ryuzaki, please tell me you see it too."

L sat down beside her on the bed, his hand gently resting on her shoulder, trying to comfort her. "I don't see anything, Y/N," he said quietly. "I think you're just overwhelmed. You've been working too hard, and it's been a stressful time. You need to rest. You're not well."

Y/N wanted to argue, wanted to shout at him, to make him understand, but she couldn't find the words. The creature was still there, its laughter low and mocking, like it was toying with her. Her breath was shallow, and she felt the panic rising in her chest. She wanted to scream, to run, but she couldn't move. It was like her body was locked in place.

L watched her carefully, his gaze softening, though his face remained as unreadable as ever. "Y/N, you're exhausted," he said gently. "You need to get some sleep. You've been through a lot, and you're clearly not yourself right now. Let me help you."

Y/N shook her head, unwilling to let go of her suspicions, but she was too drained to argue any further. She had never felt so utterly helpless. It was like the world around her was slipping through her fingers, and she couldn't hold onto anything.

L stood up, his movements smooth and unhurried. Y/N grabbed his arm as a small sign for him to stay.

He looked down and continued, "I'll stay with you for tonight," he said, his tone soft but firm. "You need rest, and I'm not going to leave you like this."

Y/N felt a strange mix of relief and discomfort. She didn't want to be alone. Not with whatever that thing was standing there, still staring at her. But the idea of L staying in the room, especially in the bed with her, made her feel awkward. The space was small, and his presence felt... too close. She had never expected this kind of interaction from him.

Before she could protest, L had already climbed into the bed beside her. Y/N stiffened, unsure of what to do. She wasn't used to having anyone this close, let alone L, who always kept his distance. She could feel the warmth of his body, a strange contrast to the cold, unsettling presence of the creature still lingering at the foot of the bed.

It wasn't normal for L too, its not everyday that he is in the same bed with a woman, not to mention a beautiful woman like Y/N. His gaze fixed on the ceiling as he lay on his back. "You're not going to be able to rest if you're this tense," he said, his voice casual, though there was an underlying note of care in his words. "You need to relax."

Y/N swallowed hard, trying to push down the discomfort. She couldn't relax—not with that thing still there. But as time passed, the creature's laughter seemed to fade, almost as if it were growing distant. Her heartbeat slowed, and she felt herself growing heavier, despite her lingering fear.

She tried to keep her eyes open, to stay aware, but exhaustion was winning. Her eyelids fluttered, and the weight of sleep pulled her under.

L turned his head slightly, glancing at her one last time before he, too, closed his eyes. "Get some rest, Y/N," he murmured. "Tomorrow will be better."

Y/N didn't respond. The creature was gone now, or at least she couldn't see it anymore. Slowly, her body relaxed, her breath evening out. She drifted into a deep sleep, her mind still spinning but too tired to fight it.

And as she slept, L remained beside her, quiet and still, his presence a silent comfort as the room seemed to return to its usual quiet.

L turned around to see Y/N laying on her side facing him, and he watched her intently.

In L's mind this situation means nothing to him as he speculates her as one of the suspects and he should avoid forming any sort of attachment or bond, but for some reason it's hard not to be around her. And surpringly he enjoys being around her which is abnormal for him.

Stop thinking about it- stop thinking about her.

This was all that kept going on his mind as he stared at her face. He must admit though, it was pleasing to stare at her.