Hiya everybody! I've great news... sorta! While working on some other stories, I suddenly found a handful of DN fics I'd been wrking on - so I haven't updated the other stories yet (yeah i suck .) but I'm uploading all the DNs this week! Woohoo!... sorta
Warnings: language, eventual lemon(s), yaoi, all the good stuff
AU - after finding out about L's death, Mello doesn't leave - he abides by L's last wish and decides to stay with Near
some spoilers and possible Mpreg. NearxMello and LxLight
Summary: They had aspired to become him, but they never could replace him
It was a pitiful sight, but only if you stared. Those informed could feel the turmoil, but to all else, it went unnoticed. The home was very quiet, serene as a flowing river. Like the river, it was peaceful, but only in appearance; strip away the water's exterior, and you'll find a den of secrets.
Wammys had just been hit by a tidal wave of misery. Tears fell from those inside, but were quickly washed away. Everyone wanted to be held, but no one was willing to hold. Not a single being would openly mourn; it was weak to mourn the weak(1).
But everyone inwardly cried, as they tried to pretend they were fine. One hid his eyes under goggles, afraid that the others would see the pain there. Another escaped reality, playing with finger replicas of what once was. A third simply held it in, refusing to lose his composure. He was a very emotional person, but for once, he held it in.
L was dead; L was gone. That fact could not be changed. They had all lost parents before - losing another was nothing new. But the sadness it brought was as powerful, maybe more so, than ever before.
They hadn't just lost a parent - they had lost their way.
Dead was their friend, their idol. Dead was the mentor they praised. No ears left to listen, no sage left to teach. Gone was the L they Loved...
"Damn it," mumbled Mello, biting hard at the bar in his hand. He chewed it rather dispassionately, a first for the sweet-toothed blond. He wouldn't meet eyes with Near, who sat behind him on the floor with a puzzle. The bigger puzzle, Near himself, was enraging Mello without even trying.
"So Roger, who'd he pick?" asked Mello, somewhat anxious. The man before him rubbed his temple, as he wondered whether to answer. The look Mello gave him said he should, and warily, he opened his mouth. "L hadn't decided yet. As of now, you both are L."
Mello recoiled slightly, unnerved by the damning answer. Before he could respond, Near had the nerve to say, "Yes, that would seem best. Mello and I will work together." Near said it as if it were final, but Mello had other ideas.
"No way," he spat in anger, glaring at the white-headed boy. He turned his anger towards Roger, stating, "You know we don't get along. Let Near be the new L - it's what L would have wanted! It's time I make my own way - I'm fucking almost fifteen!"
Turning on his heel, Mello made to leave the room. Roger called for him to stop, but he wouldn't heed the plea.
He slammed the door behind him, and fumed his way down the hall. Once he'd arrived at his room, he threw open the door with a "BANG!"
His room held two plain beds, a dresser, t.v., and a game station. On the farther bed Matt lay peacefully (2), until the noise of the door awoke him.
"What the - ?" he grumbled miserably, unhappy to be disturbed. "Move your ass, Matt. We're leaving," was the answer he received.
"Aww Mello," Matt complained, as he rubbed his sleepy face. He attempted to sit up, while he questioned "What happened now?"
Mello narrowed his eyes, as he began to pack a suitcase. Most of the contents consisted of chocolate. He was mumbling something about Near.
"Again?" Matt questioned annoyed, rolling his eyes behind his goggles.
Mello had done this before, grown angry at Near and decided to leave. But he had always chickened out, or as Mello put it, "changed his mind." But today, Matt knew, could be different - despair had left Mello irrational. An irrational Mello just might leave - an irrational Mello might do anything.
"Just put that stuff away," Matt advised him, feeling worried. Mello didn't listen, but continued to pack the case. "Mello," stated Matt, folding his arms across his chest. "You know you shouldn't leave. Just calm down, and think this out."
Mello was far past thinking; Mello was far past listening. He snapped his suitcase closed, and proceeded towards the door. He looked back at Matt once again and asked him, "Are you coming?"
Defeated, Matt sighed loudly. "Yeah, but I need to pack first."
Grinning, Mello left him. "I'll meet you outside," he shouted. Mello's suitcase trailed behind him as he hurried towards the building's exit. Or rather, he thought, entrance - an entrance into a new life. A wonderful Near-free life! ...As well as a life without L. A life as bittersweet as his chocolate. Mello laughed half-heartedly.
"Why are you laughing, Mello?"
Standing before the exit/entrance was the very obstacle forever blocking him. That monotone, sheepish genius; the last person he wanted to see.
Placing a hand on his hip, Mello eyed his rival spitefully. "I'm laughing because I'm happy Near. It's what people with emotions do."
Near was unfazed by the insult. "But why are you happy Mello? This is not a day to be happy. Have you forgotten that L has died?"
Mello was taken aback, and did not respond right away. When he did, it sounded forced. "I don't give a damn about L."
"Really?" questioned Near, as he subconsciously twisted his hair. "And you don't care about L's last wish? For us to work together and take down Kira?"
"No," he quickly lied, walking closer to the door.
"Well, then you are heartless." Near waited for the outburst.
Mello's eyes grew rabid, as he dropped his case and jumped at Near. "YOU ASS!" Mello shouted, grabbing Near by the front of his shirt. "YOU BASTARD!" he screamed louder, throwing Near against the wall. An onslaught of blows soon followed, which Near had expected, but not prepared for.
"HOW DARE YOU SAY I'M HEARTLESS!? NEAR, YOU CAN'T EVEN FEEL!!"
Near could not respond - the air had been knocked from his lungs. He may not feel emotions, but he certainly could feel this.
Before it could get deadly, they heard a voice scream, "Mello!" Mello turned towards the sound, and a fist connected with his face. "Matt!" he yelled annoyed. "What the fuck was that for!?" Pointing at Near, Matt responded, "You were about to kill him."
Near was a bloody mess, his hair as red as Matt's. He didn't bother to stand, and was unsure if he'd be able to. "Mello, you are right," he whispered through the pain. Mello was perplexed. "Right about what?" he snapped.
"I do not feel emotions, at least beyond the trivial. You, however do. Which is why we must cooperate."
Mello was in shock. "Are you saying that you need me?"
Near gazed at him dully. "L asked us to work together for a reason."
"That's not answering my question," Mello angrily scowled.
"Your deductive skills are impressive; another reason we should work together."
Mello clenched his teeth. "Answer. My. Damn. Question."
"Even if I said yes, there is no chance you would believe me."
Mello fisted his hands, but realized Near was right. "Fine," he answered, defeated. Once again, Near had beaten him. "Matt, let's go back to the room." He grabbed his bag and Matt grabbed his. "Mello..." Matt began, but Mello wouldn't look at him. They arrived at their room in silence; they fell asleep to the same.
But that night, Mello dreamed, and his dreams were far from peaceful. Filled with a haunting letter, and an even drearier number. An L, which helped form a cross, and a two, which bound him in place. In his dreams, he was being crucified, as Near stood by and laughed.
(1) So that comment is based on when Near says "The weak deserve to lose," or whatever it was during the "L died - ur replacing him" scene.
(2) I figure that one of the few times Matt wouldn't want to play his games would be now that L died, that he'd rather pretend it hadn't happened by sleeping than attempting to drone it out with his games. But idk. o well XD
Sorry, btw, that I got the wording of that "L's dead" scene a lil wrong, but it was close enough I think. And I don't see why anyone would, but plz don't get offended by the cross thing! Anyways, review plz, and if u do, I'll try to update soon!
-LM-