Written By Fate ||L Lawliet x Reader||

Chapter 29

The quiet hum of the task force's office filled the room as Y/N returned to her desk, clutching a cup of tea. It had been a few days since she'd returned from her break, and though she was back in her routine, there was a slight change in the atmosphere. L had been more watchful than usual, his sharp gaze lingering on her whenever he thought she wasn't paying attention.

As she settled into her chair, she glanced at him. He was crouched in his usual position, pale fingers delicately wrapped around a sugar cube he was about to drop into his tea. His dark eyes flicked up to meet hers, and she felt her stomach flutter slightly.

"Y/N," he said softly, breaking the silence. "May I ask how you've been feeling since your break?"

She blinked at the unexpected question. "I've been... fine," she replied, though her tone wasn't as convincing as she'd hoped.

L tilted his head slightly, his gaze unwavering. "Fine isn't very descriptive. I'd like to know more specifically about your mental health. You took time off for a reason, didn't you?"

Y/N hesitated, the warmth of the tea cup grounding her as she searched for the right words. "Yeah, I did."

He nodded, as if confirming something he'd already suspected. "And do you feel that it helped?"

She shrugged, forcing a small smile. "I think so. I mean, I'm back here, aren't I?"

His gaze didn't waver, and she felt the weight of his scrutiny. "Returning doesn't necessarily mean you're better. It could simply mean you're avoiding the problem."

She frowned at his bluntness, but there was no malice in his tone. If anything, he sounded genuinely concerned. "I'm not avoiding anything," she said defensively. "I just... I didn't want to let the team down. Plus, you personally said you needed me. "

L's fingers tapped lightly on the edge of his cup. "The team can manage without you for a while if it means you'll be in better health when you return. It's not a matter of letting anyone down."

Y/N huffed a small laugh, leaning back in her chair. "You're surprisingly thoughtful for someone who works himself to the bone."

His lips quirked slightly, the closest thing to a smile she'd seen from him in a while. "I'm not the one who concerns the others when I disappear."

She tilted her head, smirking. "Concern, huh? Are you admitting you were worried about me, Ryuzaki? Actually dont't answer that, you visited me." She winked.

"I was... aware of your absence and the potential reasons for it."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "You're terrible at admitting things, you know that?"

"I prefer precision in my words," he replied calmly.

Her gaze softened as she watched him, the usual barriers of sarcasm and teasing melting away for a moment. "Thanks for asking, though. It means a lot."

He looked at her for a beat longer than necessary before nodding. "I believe you're an important asset to the case. Your well-being directly affects your contributions."

Y/N raised an eyebrow. "There it is. Back to business."

"It's not just business," he said quietly, and her breath caught for a moment at the sincerity in his tone.

"Not just business, huh?" she repeated, leaning forward slightly.

L's gaze dropped to his tea, and for the first time, he seemed almost hesitant. "You're valuable in more ways than just your work," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Y/N blinked, stunned by the admission. A small smile tugged at her lips. "That almost sounded like a compliment."

"It was," he replied simply, meeting her eyes again.