Near was a...smart child. No, more than smart - genius.
In fact, everything came so easily for him that it almost seemed as if he had a sixth sense. He just knew everything, and anything he didn't know about was a mystery to the rest of the world as well.
Like Mello.
Mello was probably one of the world's biggest mysteries.
He was smart, but emotional, yet detached enough to be able to have a certain social skill and charm that Near lacked in comparison. He was moody, but usually towards Near, who seemed to be the source and focal point of most of the blonde's aggression. He was determined, yet impulsive, which hindered and hurt him quite a bit.
Anyone who'd look at Mello and Near would immediately mark them as opposites.
But not me.
Not Mello's best friend.
I knew better.
Just because I bury myself in a pile of games day in and day out doesn't mean I can't hear. It doesn't mean I don't know.
Near and Mello are more alike than they are different.
They're both determined individuals. They're both incredibly intelligent. They both go to extremes with any emotion (in Mello's case, anger; in Near's case, indifference). They're both stubborn and childish. They're both eccentric. And...
...they're both loyal.
Mello wouldn't betray Near out of pride. Betraying a rival is like saying that you can't beat them any other way. It's disgraceful and dishonorable.
Honorability is a virtue.
Near wouldn't betray Mello because he generally liked Mello. Personally, I don't understand that logic, though. How can you like a person who hates you?
Kindness is a virtue.
In any case, they have one really messed up relationship.
Somehow, they feel comfortable in each other's presence, like everything around them melts apart and any emotion they push aside surfaces. It's actually very interesting to see that kind of thing play out.
Mello, he's a mystery.
Near, he's a puzzle-solver.
Me? I'm a gamer. Any game it is, I'm up for it.
That's why...I like watching those two interact sometimes. They seem to have a kind of game going on between them. It's as if they're always on screen, ready to be played.
Waiting to lash out.
Waiting to win.
It's a funny thought, don't you think? Mello and Near being characters in a video game.
I should try writing about that sometime...
Anyhow, the video game wouldn't be too far-fetched, since they're always verbally assaulting one another.
Roger doesn't understand Mello's anger; Roger doesn't care about Near's nonchalant weirdness; I end up being ignored half the time. But it's okay, because I'm used to it.
Mello never really ignores me, though...
Like right now...
"Matt, what are you staring at?"
My game rested on my lap as I stared at Mello through my tinted goggles. "You."
Well, at least I was honest about it. I really didn't like lying. It served no purpose in the long run.
Mello rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I can see that. I meant why?"
Shrugging, I averted my eyes to the window next to me. "Just thinking about how it would be to have you and Near in a video game. And, I came to the conclusion that it wouldn't be that far off from real life."
I paused.
"Unless it's like a detective game...I guess."
Mello narrowed his eyes at me. I could feel it. "Why the hell would you put me in the same game as that bigheaded twit?"
Smiling, I went back to the game I had been playing. "It was just a thought, Mello."
Mello's eyebrows quirked. "I don't like your thought process."
"Neither do I, Mells. Neither do I."
And I was serious, too.
Mello was a mystery I had no desire to touch upon. I merely accepted him as he came to me, if he came to me at all.
It was Near I actually felt bad for most of the time.
He wanted to figure out Mello as a puzzle.
Heh.
Good luck, dude.