A/N: For Light's birthday! Which was yesterday… This is set in a post-Kira victory world. I wanted to write a peaceful passing for dear Light. I like his anime death better, where he dies much more gracefully than in the manga. And hm… seems unrealistic to hope that he could come to terms with his mortality, but this is my attempt. Actually not the first fic I've ever written, but the first posted. I just realized how short it is. Hee.
Disclaimer: I don't own Death Note.
Rest in Peace
"You know," Ryuk huffed, "if you're so keen on equality for all, you should just kill everyone. Isn't there some saying where everyone is equal in death?"
Light Yagami sat in the waiting room, immobile in the threadbare upholstery. An unruly spring worried at the arthritic small of his back, but he paid it no mind. Hunched over, untended grey crown snowing at the roots, he looked almost the doppelganger of his long-dead enemy. Of course, he would not admit this to you if you'd asked him. He probably wouldn't say anything even if you'd done everything short of bellowing in his ear, as Ryuk was on the verge of attempting. And no, Light was not that hard of hearing.
The waiting room is not equal for all, Light thought, staring but not seeing the piece of paper in his hands. It fluttered slightly in the airless room.
XXX
"I never championed equality, Ryuk," Light said, rearranging his pillows back home. The foam mattress and plush comforter were much easier on his bones.
His rotten bones, as he might have said in his youth.
"I only ever wanted justice. Equality implies that people from all points on the moral spectrum receive the same treatment. Justice gives each man his due. And I suppose this is mine."
"Eh?" Ryuk snorted. "Have you had your coffee this morning? I'm afraid you're not very lucid at the moment."
Light ignored the Shinigami in favor of pulling the notebook out of his pillowcase. It needed no safer hiding place now, because people knew he was justice.
Justice served its due onto itself as well. His hand was shakier, his letters a little less distinct, but it was just like years gone by.
Ryuk was on an apple reconnaissance mission in the kitchen when he heard the words. He hastened back to find the note on the ground by the bed.
"I guess he was right," Ryuk said aloud. There was no longer any need to whisper.
Light Yagami. Falls into a deep, dreamless sleep after surrendering ownership of the note and never wakes up.