Kids are supposed to dream. They are supposed to believe they can be whoever they want, and do whatever they want with their lives.
But not Wammy's kids.
You will find no to-be singer, princess or president in the orphanage. Those kids have no dream of their own. Their lives are... Complicated.
But, often, they would wonder what it'd be like to be free from all expectatives.
If things were simple for them, if Wammy's was just a regular orphanage, 7 years old Mello would want to be an astronaut. 5 years old Near would find him cool.
If things were simple like that, 13 years old Mello would have a "small" crush on 11 years old Near, frequently staring at him. Near would blush and look away.
14 years old Mello would ask 12 years old Near out, and the white-haired boy would say yes. 15 years old Matt would cheer and tease. Mello would then chase his best friend, shouting death threats. Near would observe them with a smile.
15 years old Mello would share his first kiss with 13 years old Near and 3 years later they'd share the most precious night of their lives.
Finally, 29 years old Mello would ask 27 years old Near to spend the rest of his life with him. Near would nod, crying and smiling all at the same time.
32 years old Matt would smile proudly durning the whole ceremony.
If things were simple like that, they would stare into each other eyes and have silent conversations. Mello would pull Near into a tight embrace and whisper, "I love you."
Near would sigh contently and reply "I love you too."
But things weren't simple.
7 years old Mello could never be an astronaut. 5 years old Near couldn't tell him he was cool.
No, things weren't simple, 14 years old Mello thought to himself, munching on a chocolate bar and looking over to where Near played with a blank puzzle. But they could still try.
Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with DN owners.