Near thinks that Mello will give Matt a gift for Valentine's Day. He did this last year, and the year before, and the year before. But he knows he won't get one, because he never does- not last year or any year before that.
And as though out of the blue, "Here," Mello snorts, and hands him a small box. He frowns indignantly. February fourteenth has arrived, crept upon the Wammy's House without much notice, and as expected Matt and Mello have exchanged gifts. But much to his surprise, Near has received something as well. He looks down at the box with wide eyes and turns it over; it's slightly damaged and is in poor condition, some of the paper torn and some odd discoloring.
"Candy hearts," he reads aloud, and to him the title is all but blatant. There is no nametag on the box. Just the box of hearts, and with Mello standing in front of him he opens it and takes out a piece. 'Cutie Pie,' it reads, and he eyes it curiously. He pops it in his mouth, bites down and chews a few times. He thinks for a moment before speaking. "Tastes like chalk."
"Yeah, well, beggars can't be choosers," Mello says crossly.
Near shakes his head and sets the box down on a table. "I suppose not," he replies. "Thank you, Mello."
Mello rolls his eyes. "Yeah, sure."
Near watches him walk away. He looks at Matt's gift, the newest addition to his game console, and the boy seems more than pleased with it; he's thanking Mello and smiling and touching all over his new game. Near then looks at the box of chalky hearts, crumpled and not so good with a strange aftertaste, and he grins.
He knows that deep down his present is much better than Matt's is. Still smiling, he takes another candy and eats it-- pretends that it tastes as good as it means.
notes: Happy -early- Valentine's Day, gaiz. :B