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

Chapter 35 | next step

Well, you had the death note. That was step one done. Once you'd processed it for evidence and taken pictures of all the pages and got fingerprints off it, you handed it over to Thanatos and Anubis, who were glad that the weapon had finally been contained. It was to be kept down in the underworld with the last death note, locked up and away from anyones prying hands.

But now you needed to figure out where to go from here. Since Mikami didn't relinquish ownership, he still had all his memories and Shidoh was still attached to him, even though he didn't have the book in his possession anymore. You and L estimated a few weeks before he figures out the death note is gone from the hiding spot, so you had some time to think about how to go about this next phase.

Having interviewed him before, and watched him over the course of the case you had a good read on him. On how he was going to react and what actions he'd take. It was clear that he didn't want to be a god like Light did, he wanted to be a prophet, a messiah, Kiras most loyal shepherd. The highest ranking member of the cult under the leader himself. He'd likely take loosing the death note as a 'failure to god' or a punishment, in turn he'd feel the need to prove himself and he'd try and find a way to continue killing. Likely he'd use the death note paper he still had, writing really small to optimise the space and keep it up for as long as possible. But when he ran out of places to write... that's when two things could happen.

Either one, he doesn't keep killing but finds other ways to carry out Kiras word and pray for forgiveness and the book back. Or two... he takes matters into his own hands. It was up in the air what option he'd pick, so you needed a plan that could account for both.

Aimlessly leaning back in your office chair and spinning around on its wheels, you tried to come up with a plan for follow up on the success of the first one. Sometimes you wished you could just have one of the gods snap their fingers and end everything in under a second. But there were rules about messing with mortals nowadays, which was definitely for the better. Although three mortals in particular had you thinking about the rules of messing with mortal lives.

Also in the room with you was Near, who was using the break between work to build one of those elaborate tiny Lego statues. Even as an adult they still loved their toys.

"Hey Near" You spoke up.

"Hm?" They replied.

"If you had the chance to be immortal, would you take it?"

They were silent a moment, thinking about the question. Sitting up straight and putting the Lego bricks down they shifted their focus, knowing full well a question like that from you wasn't just some thought experiment. It was an offer.

"I don't know... I mean on one hand I wouldn't want to throw off the natural way of things. But I also don't want to loose you guys. Even if I were to end up retiring to the underworld where I could still see you guys, it wouldn't be the same. I'd be stuck there, only able to see you guys when you happen to come by..." they pondered.

"Mello said he'd take the chance, for that same reason. He doesn't want to loose us. If I do find some way, I want to know if you kids actually want to live forever or if you want to let nature take it's natural course. Immortality is fun and all but... it has strings attached" you replied.

Technically there was no actual immortality. You can die for good as a god, but it's very rare and personalised. Each god having their own unique weakness that could kill them, of course no one ever wanted to share theirs in case someone tried to use it against them. So technically you could die, but the chances were so slim it'd never actually happen. The same thing went for other immortal beings like demigods, they had a weakness but if that weakness wasn't hit they'd just keep living.

"I suppose if it didn't mess anything up then... yeah. I love you guys, I can't just... not remember you when I reincarnate. And I'd be a whole new person with a different name, appearance, personality... so if we did meet again our relationship would be completely different. If you can find some way to turn me into a nymph or something, I'll take that offer" Near said.

"You'd make a beautiful snow Nymph with your long white hair. I'll definitely turn you into one if that's possible" you replied.

Near smiled at the compliment, jokingly flipping their hair over their shoulder.

"Why thank you, it's my best feature" they said.

It really was actually, their hair was gorgeous.

As you were snickering together, L walked in with the now finished file of pictures of the death note. Coming in to put them into the evidence box.

"What are we giggling about in here?" He asked.

"Just how long and luscious Nears hair is, they'd make a good snow nymph wouldn't they?" You replied.

"Definitely"

As he walked past his successor, he ruffled their hair like a proud dad. Earning a playfully annoyed groan from the enby like an embarrassed teenager.

"When we've sorted all this Kira stuff, I'm going to seriously look into options for keeping the boys... and snow nymph, with us for eternity" you told L.

"I was thinking that too, there's plenty of room in our corner of the highlands. But... only if they want to. As much as I want them to stay my kids forever, if they want to stay mortal that's their choice" L replied.

"I talked to Mello when we were getting the book, he wants to stay with us. Just bought it up with Near too, still gotta ask Matt"

L looked up at Near hopefully, he didn't want to loose them.

"If there's the option... I'll take it. After everything we've been through, all you've done to raise me... I can't just throw that all away" Near decided.

L smiled, wrapping an arm around them and giving them the dad side hug and reassuring squeeze. It made Near smile, reminding them that L would always be their dad even if not by blood.

"You'll make a gorgeous demigod Kiddo"