The sounds of puzzle pieces clicking together blended with the sounds of a Mario game in the nearly empty room. In a way, the sounds came together, harmonizing almost perfectly, creating a comfortable atmosphere between the two sources.
On the floor near the back wall sat a young white-haired boy, quietly working on a one-thousand piece puzzle of the London Eye. In a chair not too far away from him, a slightly older brunette was engrossed in his video game, his legs dangling over one arm of the chair and his head resting on the other, arms outstretched so as to hold the game just above his head. His fingers worked quickly, pressing in what seemed to be random commands but were in actuality very precise movements and decisions.
It was when the princess was finally saved and the brunette sat up, grinning from ear to ear, that the younger boy placed the final piece into its spot, completing his puzzle. He admired it a moment before looking up at his companion, a small and barely noticeable smile gracing his lips. The room was silent now, but the air was filled with contentment and peace.
"It looks good, Near," the brunette said as he swung his legs off the chair and stood up, walking over towards the one called Near, stopping at the top of the puzzle and crouching down to admire it, still smiling, but this time for the boy and not the game.
"Thanks you. Congratulations on your victory once again, Matt," Near returned. Matt always beat the monster, always saved the day, and Near had grown to expect nothing less.
"Thanks. But now I have to wait until the new game comes out in two weeks." He let his head fall in despair, his hair falling in front of his eyes. Utter torture, having to wait that long for the newest game. He had already beaten all the games he owned at least three times each.
"I expect that you will be able to survive those two weeks." Without hesitation, Near reached out and brushed Matt's bangs out of his face. The attempt was futile as they only fell back into place once again. Matt laughed as Near puffed his cheeks in slight annoyance.
Not but a moment later, a bored blonde walked into the room, interrupting the peace.
"Hey, Matt, come on. Roger said we could go out to town so I could get some chocolate." He did not even address Near's presence. No, his focus was divided between the chocolate that was just waiting for him and the boy in the striped shirt sitting in front of the puzzle.
"Yeah, okay, Mells," Matt said happily. He got up and hurried to Mello's side, a slight bounce in his step.
Near watched as Matt elbowed Mello in the side and Mello shoved Matt's head playfully in return. Near and Matt never touched like that. Near was only allowed tentative touches and typically this only involved occasionally playing with Matt's hair. He and Matt never touched the way Matt and Mello did.
As Matt and Mello vacated the room, Matt being sure to flash Near a smile before disappearing around the wall, Near felt a slight anger build within him. With a bit of effort, he pushed the feeling down, seeing no reason as to why he should be feeling such a thing.
All alone now, Near began to take the puzzle apart, piece by piece by piece. The sole clicks of the pieces being lifted out of place and dropped into the box echoed in the room, just making Near all the more aware of the fact that he was alone.
