Chapter one:
Mellos P.O.V.
I am walking along down the hall.
Most kids are outside playing since it's finally a day that is nice weather instead of it being hot like it has been for the past week.
If not outside they are around the orphanage and usually not in their rooms.
I decided to enjoy the peace and quiet inside. I am heading to my room but I stop when I hear something unusual.
Crying.
Now it's not the crying that's unusual but where it's coming from is another story.
I turn to the door to my right which is open just by a crack. I move closer and confirm that's where the crying has come from. I peek inside and I see Near laying a little curled up on the floor with his back turned to me but his shoulders shaking mixed with soft sobs are confirmation he is crying... Crying... Alone... I shiver as I remember what a horrible feeling that was. I move forward into the room.
Nears head whips around when he hears me come in. He watches me silently only letting out a sniffle here and there.
I close the door behind myself.
He continues to watch me even as tears still slip down his cheeks though the dripping of the tears from his eyes has slowed as Near is trying to stop crying now that I'm here.
I stare at his face... I never thought I would see such a look on him.
The boy in front of me is not the Near I know but a new Near almost as if it's an imposter. He has a badly hurt look in his eyes as if he's on the breaking point just about to shatter, the salty tears that drip down his cheeks only to fall off of his jaw line to the ground and this depressed feeling rolling off of him.
It's so strange and so new to me.
I remind myself of the situation to not get lost in my thoughts then I move forward closer to Near.
Near glances away and tries to wipe his eyes clean with the back of his sleeves.
I sit down beside him then I reach over.
He's not looking at me anymore as his eyes are still wet with tears that are straining to move to drip down his cheeks.
I gently pull him closer to be against me with his head leaning against my chest.
He looks up at me surprised.
"It's ok." I assure him. "Let it out. You'll feel better."
He relaxes in my arms as he comes to realize that I won't hurt him. He leans his forehead against my chest slightly nuzzling it.
I watch him as best as I can.
He seems to have his eyes closed and the tears are streaming down his cheeks again. His left hand raises only to grip my shirt as if I'm the only thing keeping him from floating away from life.
I keep one arm wrapped around his body and the other hand moves up to stroke his hair as I let him cry while I hold him. "It's ok I've got you." I assure him. "Let it all out." I continue to say assuring things and I also say some sweet nothings every now and then.
He continues to cry and as the talking to him while he cries becomes an unconscious thing to do I begin to wonder what brought this on.
What happened to make him like this?
I just can't find any reason.
He's never been affected by anything before.
Even when a dissection went wrong and blood spilled everywhere he didn't even flinch at the gruesome murder scene appearance or when one of the girls boobs fell out of her shirt he showed absolutely no interest or anything.
I blink as I go quiet realizing he's starting to calm down now. I wait as I continue the hair stroking, his hair is soo soft, to help.
He sniffles and shifts to curl more into me.
"Feel better?" I ask him.
He nods. "Yes." His voice a little broken sounding in the emotional tone area. He meets my eyes as he gazed up at me. "Why comfort me?"
I knew the answer already as to me it was as obvious as the skin on our bones. "Because I know what a crappy feeling it's like to cry alone." I tell him watching his eyes. "Also you know I'm sure you already know I'm not heartless so if you need someone to be there for you even if it's just for comfort I can be there."
Near smiles ever so softly that even I can barely see it. "Thank you. Mello."
I smile softly and ruffle his hair.
Near closes his eyes softly as well as slightly tilting his head down at that then opens them half way flickering them to look to me when I remove my hand.
I get up and leave now that Near is alright. I pause at the door and look back. "Don't forget it Near." I say. "Don't forget rival or not I can still be there." I am not actually sure why I said those words how I did as if fearing Near might be thinking of something... More drastic... I leave slowly with that to give him time to call me back until I am out of his room and with that I head to my room. I flop down onto my back on my bed as I begin to wonder just what could Near have been crying over.
Was it because of his parents death? A major part of his past I won't comprehend until I'm told the story?
I make myself sigh as I have no idea if any of my thoughts are even close to the truth. I close my eyes only to find myself drifting off into sleep but the memories of what I witnessed follow me into my dreams. I soon find myself blinking my eyes open the next day. I sit up and rub my eyes still feeling the sleepy effects of waking up. I lower my hands to look at them then I open them staring at my palm. "Was it... A dream... All along?" I wonder to myself as I stare at my hands in thought. "No it couldn't be with the way I was sleeping." I clench my hands into fists then I close my eyes tightly only to vigorously shake my head. I stop with my hands on my lap and I open my eyes half way. "Dream or not I will keep my promise. I'll be there for him." I get to my feet and raise my head.
Time for a new day.
I shower then change only to head for breakfast.
As I am about half way to the cafeteria I pause seeing Near.
Is it just me or is he looking more happy than I have ever seen him?
No other kids seem to notice but Near has some kind of glow on him that makes him look a little happier though only a little.
Maybe it's just me since I saw him at a weak time.
He didn't approach me for the next three days as things seemed to go back to the way they were.
Until the fourth day after our first encounter...