As long as Mello plunged ahead, a galvanizing force would attract to him all that he needed…food, shelter, friends…everything.
That is, everything as long as they would follow him, so Matt no longer counted.
He didn't need him, anyway.
…As Mello stuffed his world back into his rucksack, his mind burned only with one thing: Near.
As he stepped into the gloomy night, the silvery bars of rain felt as heavy as chains, dragging him down…
From his window, Near's eyes were fastened onto Mello disappearing figure. If only he could hold him back!!
But Mello only strode through the wrought-iron gates of the orphanage and started on the road towards the city. Mind blank, Near lifted his fingers to his trembling lips.
Suddenly Mello stopped in his tracks…Was he coming back!?
Running towards Mello from the opposite direction was a black haired figure.
Matt! When did he sneak out to the city? Will he stop Mello? Stop him please! Matt! Stop him and I will love you!
Drenched by the rain, the two stood staring at each other for a long tense moment.
Then Mello dropped his rucksack to hug Matt with both arms, his face buried into his shoulders. Mello's fingers dug deep grooves into Matt's shirt, and together, they swayed as if for comfort.
Finally Matt broke away and pulled out an envelope from within his jacket that he offered to Mello. He might have said something, but Near was too far away to hear.
But he could still read their body language. Mello's fingers touched the package with agonizing slowness, and at the last minute he grasped Matt's wrist instead and spoke earnestly. Matt looked away, shaking his head, beginning to pull away, but Mello held on stubbornly, frowning angrily.
Matt jerked his hand roughly. Whatever he said made Mello stop. Without a second look, Matt dashed into the gates of Wammy's House.
Near flew out the door of his room.
The corridor was longer than he ever felt, and the four flights of stairs interminable until he finally reached the main lobby of the building. Matt was just pushing the door open, head bowed. The roar of rain and the smell of wet grass invaded the space. From the threshold Near could see that the road was empty, Mello was gone.
"What happened out there, Matt?" Near demanded, out of breath and leaning against the handrail to steady himself.
Matt was also breathing heavily "Nothing. Nothing you can understand," he mumbled, throwing Near a cold glare to terminate the conversation.
As he planted his first step on the staircase, Near stepped down and blocked him.
"Tell me, Matt", Near said softly.
Matt looked up into Near's face with resentment, and Near could see his eyes were bloodshot. "Near, the only way you can ever understand what happened is if we become friends… best friends."
"Yes, yes we can…" Near said sincerely, touching his fingers lightly to Matt's shoulder. "Please join me Matt."
Matt blinked, two silvery lines trailing down his wet face.
"I wish Mello had said that."
-FIN-