"Near likes you, Mello."
Everybody who Mello had talked with about the rival had repeated this same phrase. The blond did not understand its real meaning, however. He used to think that they had said this to calm him down, to make him to stop to humble himself for being the second on L's line of succession. His mind, as capable as it was, thought that the answer was a simple consolation by his companions. His heart, which the impulsiveness startle the rationality, had insisted to say him that not. That, getting to the bottom of the matter, Near really likes him.
Such thoughts had stunned Mello and had went to his head when he listened to the damn phrase, said by whoever. Even guided by the emotions, as many people used to say, he could not decode his feelings for that who had been one position above yours on the rankings of the orphanage. Maybe, if he could decode them, he finally would lose his inferiority complex and his typical competitiveness.
Nor the biggest genius could solve all the problems and to have all the answers; the blond was not different. However, the difference between such genius and Mello was that this last knows where to find his answers, the instant that he wants.
That's it. A bit rushed, Mello got dressed a coat on his black pajamas and took a shoe. He searched for one of his inseparable chocolate bar, soon finding one on at his drawer. He opened it and did not even saw where threw it. He opened his bedroom door slowly; he did not wish to be noted. So, he enjoyed that the hall was empty and ran like he never did. He just stopped and breathed when he arrived in the front of albino's bedroom door.
He knocked on the door three times and waited an answer. Passed some seconds, he heard "come in". In this moment, Mello's heart throbbed. He thought about to turn around and to give up, but his will to stay was bigger and made him to turn the knob firmly. He came in Near's bedroom and closed the door behind him, leaning on it to give a pleasurable bite on the chocolate that he was eating.
Near looks at him blank, although do not understand what the other wants. Mello also stares him. Then, the blond grumbles "Tsc" and sits on the floor.
— Near, I am confused — he admitted. Before keeping speaking, he swore that he had seen a hint of curiosity at rival's eyes. — What is there in our relationship? What do we feel each other? — Mello inquired. His heart, now, felt relieved and came back to have a calm rhythm.
The albino took his endless dominoes and made a kind of heart with them. He did not delay to finish it, because he was agile to make that.
— This feeling is love, Mello — he answered soon. His objectivity surprised the blond, who did not know the answer was so simple. — But it is a different love — and Near returned to curl his hair, as usual.
— I understand now.