Written By Fate ||L Lawliet x Reader||

Chapter 31

Later that night, as Y/N sat in her living room, the weight of her thoughts still pressing down on her chest, she tried to calm herself with a cup of tea. She had done everything she could to push the confusion and the fear from her mind.

She couldn't let it go. It was all too strange. Too unreal.

She sat at her desk, staring blankly at her laptop. The silence in her apartment felt almost suffocating, like the calm before a storm. Then, out of nowhere, she felt the unmistakable presence again. The air seemed to shift. She didn't need to look up. She knew who it was.

Without turning around, she spoke. "You're here, aren't you?"

There was a low chuckle, one that sent a chill down her spine. Ryuk was there, his usual mischievous grin plastered on his face, standing in the shadows of her room. He didn't say anything, just stared at her, waiting for her to make the next move.

Y/N stood up, her hands shaking as she walked slowly toward him. She wasn't sure what she was going to say, but she knew she couldn't keep ignoring it. She couldn't just pretend like she didn't see him anymore, like everything was normal. She'd been lying to herself for days, but the truth was undeniable.

"I know what you are," she said, her voice firm, though her heart was racing. "You're a shinigami, right?"

For a moment, Ryuk didn't respond. He just watched her with that same, eerie smile, as though he found her reaction amusing. But then, something shifted in his eyes. His grin faltered slightly, just for a moment. It was a subtle change, but Y/N saw it. He had heard her.

His eyes narrowed, and he took a step forward.

"You know, huh?" Ryuk's voice was smooth, though laced with that same dark amusement. "And what are you gonna do with that knowledge?"

Y/N swallowed, feeling a mix of fear and disbelief surge through her. It was one thing to suspect, but another entirely to hear him admit that she was right. She felt a cold shiver run down her spine as she crossed her arms, refusing to show any fear.

Y/N's heart was pounding in her chest, but she couldn't let herself back down. She had to get more information, had to push Ryuk to reveal something—anything—that would give her the upper hand. Her mind raced, thinking of how she could turn this situation to her advantage.

With a deep breath, she straightened up, putting on the most confident expression she could muster. Ryuk was watching her with that eerie grin, his eyes glinting with amusement as though he were waiting for her to make a move.

"I've been thinking," she began, her voice steady. "There's something I don't quite understand. Why are you here? Why follow me around? I know you're not just here for fun. There has to be something more to it."

She took a few steps forward, not entirely sure what she was going to say next, but she was determined to get him to crack. "But, of course, you're probably not going to tell me. You're a god of death, after all. You like to keep your secrets, right?"

Ryuk didn't respond, but the slight shift in his posture told her she was getting to him. He was intrigued, and maybe even a little irritated. Good. That meant she was on the right track.

"Tell me, Ryuk," she said, her tone almost too casual, "Do you really think you're the only one who sees you?" She met his eyes, keeping her gaze steady. "Because I know Light sees you too."

For a moment, there was only silence. Ryuk's grin faltered, his eyes narrowing as he studied her.

"How did you figure it out?" he asked, his voice low, almost a growl.

Y/N couldn't help the smirk that tugged at her lips. She had him. She had finally caught him off guard. All the pieces were falling into place now. She felt a rush of satisfaction as she realized she'd outsmarted him, even if just for a moment.

"Oh, Ryuk," she said, her voice dripping with smug confidence. "I've been paying attention—it all makes sense now. You're both not as good at hiding things as you think."

Ryuk's expression shifted from amusement to something more dangerous. His eyes flickered with annoyance, and his grin turned into a tight, irritated line. It was a rare sight, and Y/N felt a thrill run through her at the thought that she had finally gotten under his skin.

"Thank you for confirming my theory," she added, her tone sweet but filled with an unmistakable edge. "It's always nice to know when I'm right."

Ryuk's face twisted in frustration. For a moment, he said nothing, but the air around him crackled with tension. His usual playful demeanor was gone, replaced by something colder, something more threatening.

"You think you've got me figured out, don't you?" he sneered. "You think you can manipulate me? Well, let me tell you something, human. You don't get to play games with me."

Y/N stood her ground, refusing to back down. "I think I just did. You just confirmed everything I needed to know." She felt a sense of power rising within her, the realization that she had gained the upper hand over someone—or something—that had seemed so untouchable.

Ryuk was visibly angry now, his eyes flashing with a darker intensity. "Don't get too cocky," he growled, stepping closer. 

Y/N took a step back, keeping her composure, but inside, she was savoring the victory. "I think I've just figured out a few things about you. And about Light, too."

The mention of Light's name seemed to ignite something in Ryuk. His eyes widened, and he let out a low growl, but he quickly masked it with his usual nonchalant expression.

Y/N didn't flinch. She had the advantage, and she wasn't about to let it go. "Don't worry, Ryuk. I'm not afraid of you." Her words were confident, but deep down, she could feel the weight of the tension hanging between them. She had just crossed a line, and she knew it. But she wasn't backing down. Not now.

Ryuk's grin returned, though it was darker now, more sinister. "We'll see, human," he said, his voice thick with menace. "We'll see."

Y/N's heart was still racing as Ryuk's presence faded, leaving her standing alone in the room. But the silence felt different now, more charged. She had gotten what she wanted—at least, for the moment. She had pushed Ryuk's buttons and outsmarted him, but she could feel the weight of his anger still hanging in the air.

Sighing, she couldn't help but smile to herself. She hadn't expected it to be this easy, but in the back of her mind, she knew she couldn't get too comfortable. Ryuk was a god of death, and she wasn't exactly in control here. Still, it felt good to have a little victory.

"Don't stay mad at me, okay?" she said to the empty room, her voice light and teasing. She had no idea if he could still hear her or if he was even still around, but she figured it was worth a shot.

Without thinking, she grabbed an apple from her kitchen counter and tossed it lightly into the air, as if offering it to him in some strange attempt at an olive branch.

"Here, have an apple. You know, for old time's sake," she added with a grin, as if she were joking around with a friend.

For a moment, there was nothing—no response, no eerie presence looming in the room. But then, just as she was about to turn away and dismiss the whole thing, a shadow flickered in the corner of her eye. Ryuk appeared out of nowhere, his grin wide and slightly amused as he caught the apple midair.

"You really think an apple is going to make up for everything, Y/N?" he asked, his voice a mix of mockery and curiosity.

Y/N chuckled, feeling a little lighter now. "I thought it was worth a try," she said, shrugging nonchalantly. "You're always going on about apples, so I figured it's the least I could do to make up for getting under your skin."

Ryuk looked at the apple in his hand, his expression almost unreadable for a moment. Then he took a bite, savoring it with exaggerated pleasure. "You're not so bad," he muttered, though there was still a hint of annoyance in his voice.

Y/N smirked, crossing her arms. 

Ryuk let out a low, rumbling laugh, finishing off the apple. "You're a strange one," he said, looking her over with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "But I suppose that's what makes you interesting."

She smiled back, feeling a little more at ease now that the tension had broken. "Glad I could entertain you," she replied with a wink.

A/N~ Y/N is about to beat Light's ass.