Title: Farewell

Author: Tian-san

Pairings: None. But I'd prefer it as Matt/Near.

Genre: Friendship, Angst

Rating: K+

Summary: Perhaps this is what Matt had implied during their last conversation.

AN: Some kind of a goodbye fic. It's actually taken from my other fic, "Twenty". But you don't have to read the story to understand this one.

BTW I made a fanmix for this pairing! Check out my profile for links.

Farewell

"Near, you have a visitor."

Near didn't bother to look at Rester. Instead he turned his head to one of the surveillance screen, showing a figure of a brunet wearing goggles and a fur vest over his striped shirt.

"Let him in."

Matt walked in with an air of confidence. He felt happy, truly happy that he was going to see Near again. Although it was for goodbyes, at least he gets to see his friend once more.

The first thing he saw was Near curled up into a ball, eyes closed, in the middle of a toy oasis. He chuckled and crouched, hovering above the younger boy.

"Psst, Near."

Near opened his eye and found himself staring at Matt's blue eyes. He sat up and twirled a lock of his hair.

"What are you doing here?"

Matt smiled and sat down, legs stretched out.

"I just want to talk."

Near was silent. After a few moments Matt breaks out.

"Why'd you do that?"

He gestured to Near's hand that was now softly grasping a lock of ivory hair.

"I suppose it is comforting." Near said calmly.

Matt then lifted his hand up and patted Near's head lightly. His hair was soft, fluffy, and white. He could've sworn he was touching a lamb's fur right now. He ran his hand through his hair, and his other hand grasped Near's hand gently, pulling it away.

"Hey, do you know anything about Mello right now?"

Near shook his head, and leaned to his touch.

"He's going to plan something tomorrow. Something big."

"Like what?" Near murmured.

Matt grinned and leaned in closer and whispered to his ear.

"That's for me to know and you to find out."

Near narrowed his eyes at the brunet, whose grin was still etched on his face. He pulled away and turned his back on him, opting to play with his finger puppets instead.

Matt's grin turned into a frown as he saw the boy pulling away from him. He scooted closer until he was sitting behind the boy, who was now playing with his finger puppets. Noticing the absence of his figure, he frowned deeper.

"Why don't I have a finger puppet?"

Near's lips curved into a small smile. Of course, hidden from Matt.

"Because I don't think you'll look pretty along with the rest of them."

"Pretty? I'm handsome! Even more than Mello. Everyone says so."

"But you're too special for that."

Matt chuckled as he positioned himself beside Near.

"Anyways, thanks for everything. It means a lot to me."

Near turned and stared at him, grey eyes widen in confusion.

"What makes you say that?"

Matt smiled sadly as he stood up and turned away. Stepping towards the door, he turned to see Near still staring at him incredulously.

"You'll remember me, right?" he asked softly as he lit a cigarette and held it to his lips.

Near didn't approve of Matt smoking, but the scent of it was the last thing he remembered from Matt before the older boy left the room.

The next day Near saw Matt get shot in the middle of the streets after a car chase by men in black suits.

He fell silent. His head bowed down, messy ivory curls covering his face.

And now he understood. Perhaps this is what Matt had implied yesterday.

But still, the conversation they shared seemed so far away now…

Matt, is this what you mean?