Gods and Monsters [Sequel to Ethereal] L x Reader • Death Note ✔️

Chapter 9 | goodbye hurts

This was the last thing L needed.

Thanatos looked down at his fated list, a name much to familiar had just shown up as a soul he needed to collect soon. The timing couldn't be worse, right as this new Kira had appeared and L was already stressed out.

"Fuck..." the death god sighed.

What was he going to do about this? He can't extend someone's life, that's impossible for him. He can't change something on the fated list either. The only way a human can cheat death is if they become a god or if Zagreus grants them rebirth... but that is temporary. Rebirth is only granted when someone needs to finish something before they die.

"Hades..." Thanatos spoke up.

"Hm?" The king of the underworld replied.

"I need information on a soul, will it reincarnate or is it time for said soul to retire to the underworld?"

"Who is this soul?"

Thanatos placed the list on the desk, allowing Hades to see. As soon as he did his eyes went wide.

"Oh no..." he muttered.

"Yeah. I mean, he's old for a mortal. It was going to happen eventually, but now is just the worst timing..." Thanatos replied.

"This is going to hurt L... let me look this up hang on..."

Hades turned to his files, where all the souls were documented and accounted for. Looking for the newest ones that were soon to pass on. He came across the name fairly quickly, it having been entered into the system recently.

"He's bound for Asphodel. He's a very old soul, reincarnated many times before. At least that means L can come visit whenever he likes, but still... it'll hurt seeing him fade away as a mortal" Hades sighed.

"Well, Asphodel is better than nothing. Better than reincarnating and loosing all memory of your son... Asphodel is a good place to end up all things considered" Thanatos replied.

"Should we tell him? Or just let it happen and allow him to grieve as normal?"

Death himself thought about it for a moment, what would hurt less? Nothing in this situation was easy. If L knew in advance, maybe he could mentally prepare himself and those around him for what was going to happen soon.

"Tell him. I'll break the news..."

You and L in question were down on the surface again at wammys, with the successors going over everything in preparation for having to take the investigation back to Japan. After some further data crunching you were 99% sure this killer was in Osaka, where exactly in Osaka you didn't know yet. But Osaka nonetheless, it was a start.

"Alright... I really don't want you three coming face to face with the guy because you're all still mortal. But actually being IN Japan would help a ton. So I say we travel there and set up a taskforce, because (y/n) and I are immune to the death note we'll do all the field world. You boys... and Near, will do all the behind the scenes investigating" L explained.

"That sounds like the best idea. We'll be the agents, you three be... well L, as a title" you added.

"That we can do, it'll definitely eat easier tracking everything down if we're actually in Japan" Near replied.

"Agreed, we can actually be on the scene when needed" Matt agreed.

Your conversation was suddenly cut short by a familiar bell sound, and the flash of light that Thanatos always appeared in when he teleported. He was one of the few gods who had that power, since he needed to be all over the world very quickly to collect souls.

"Uh- hello?" L questioned.

"Than? What are you doing here? Don't you have souls to collect?" You asked.

The death god have you all a somber look, you immediately knew something was wrong.

"What happened?" You asked.

"I'm sorry you have to hear this, but just this morning a new name showed up on my list..." He replied.

He unrolled the scroll, showing you all the recent names yet to be crossed off. That was when you spotted it and your blood ran cold.

Quillish Wammy.

"Wh- no... no, no... no that can't be- I mean..." L stammered, grabbing the list to get a closer look.

"I'm afraid so. It's natural, old age. It'll be painless. And I checked with Hades, he's bound for Asphodel so you'll all be able to see him still, he'll retain all his memories of you. It's just... bad timing" Thanatos explained.

The room was silent for a moment. No one knew what to say, or do. The founder of this very orphanage, L's foster dad, the successors grandparent figure... only had a few days left. While deep down they all knew it was bound to happen, he was old after all. It still hurts to see someone you love go, even when you'll be able to see them still in the afterlife. Just having to watch them fade away and knowing their time on earth is up is heart breaking. Especially right when a new Kira shows up.

L sighed, leaning back in his chair and putting his head in his hands. He didn't know what to feel, he knew it was natural, it was bound to happen. But still... that's his dad. Just because he can still see him in Asphodel later doesn't make having to watch him leave all his work and loved ones behind hurt any less.

"I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do. It's fated, it's his time. I can assure you though you'll be able to see him again in Asphodel" Thanatos said.

"It's... yeah... I knew it'd happen eventually. He's old, even in good health old age just gets to people..." L sighed.

"We... only gave a few days?" Near asked.

"On Wednesday at 3pm exactly, that's when I'll be there to collect his soul. If you wish... you can watch" Thanatos offered.

The wammys kids all looked at each other, somehow that felt right. Being able to watch as the soul is taken from the body and taken to Asphodel was reassuring in a way, that he really would be ok in the afterlife.

"We'll be there, thank you" Mello said.

"Again, I'm sorry. This is always the part about being death I hate, having to see the family grieve. I know I'd be wrecked if my mother, or my brothers had to leave this plane..." Thanatos sighed.

It was just part of the cycle... bound to happen to everyone eventually. L was just glad it would be painless, and that his dad got to live a long life of helping orphaned children survive. He did good... he really changed part of the world.

You put an arm around L and pulled him into a hug, he rested his head in your shoulder and sighed. He wanted to cry, but so much had happened so quickly, one thing after another he was all out of tears.

But he'd be ok, you were right here next to him. And deep down he knew that when all this was over... he could spend the day down in Asphodel and make his favourite cake with his dad like when he was a kid.