A/N: Okay, so this is my first ever Mello/Near multichaptered fic. I've written two one-shots for them, if anyone wants, I can always upload those here. Anyway, I've had this AU idea for a very long time now, and I finally found an otp I'm into that I could write this fic for, you know? Since this is my first ever fic, please don't be too harsh. I'm going to try and keep these two as much in character as possible, but this is an AU, so not everything can be perfectly in character, either. It's all about interpretation, after all. In any case, I hope you guys decide to give this a chance

Disclaimer: Death Note does not belong to me.

Chapter 1: You aren't what I asked for

"L, does it have to be me?" Nate River was standing in front of his boss, arms crossed, eyes showing just the slightest hint of indignation.

"Give me one good reason for it to not be you, Nate." L said. His eyes watched Nate intently. His stance was casual as he stood, leaning against his desk, hands pushed into his pockets. He was waiting for Nate to answer, more like waiting for Nate to come up with the most unconvincing of reasons. He wasn't disappointed in the slightest.

"He wears leather." Nate said, staring at L. "Leather, L." Nate knew he was being childish. He actually did not have a valid reason. He knew that, and he also knew that L knew that, too.

L smiled just a little. "Nate, you're one of my most valued employees, you know that?" Nate simply nodded in answer. Of course he knew that. "Why, then, are you giving me such a childish excuse?"

Nate didn't say anything.

"Look, Nate, as much as I value you, it's also true that you've been slacking lately."

Nate still said nothing, simply shoving his hands into his trouser pockets. He felt a sudden flash of indignation at having to wear these stupid suits. He wished he could have been dressed more comfortably. Despite being told time and again that he looked very attractive in formal attire, Nate didn't quite take a liking to it. However, in his line of work, he didn't have much of a choice. It wasn't like he couldn't wear pajamas if he really wanted to, but he knew he wouldn't be taken quite as seriously if he did.

"Nate?"

"What?" Nate finally asked, breaking his silence.

"Do you have another client in mind, if not this one?" L asked.

"I do not," Nate answered truthfully. "However, it's not like I can't find one. I do have a reputation, it should be easy enough."

L didn't dispute that. "You do have a reputation, Nate," he began, "which is why I wanted you to take this client on."

"You want my reputation tarnished, then?" Nate raised an eyebrow at L. "Why are you so insistent anyway, L? What about our Agency's policy, 'never take on a client who comes to you, because they're strugglers'? Don't we handpick our clients, to keep up our reputation?"

L sighed and stepped away from his desk, instead moving around it to the other side and sitting down on the chair. Nate observed him. He sat normally, of course, yet his posture never gave out an air of authority. If a stranger were to look at the two, they'd consider Nate to be the one with the authority. L slouched in his chair just a little bit, then pulling open a drawer in his desk, he grabbed a bar a chocolate. He glanced at it, then somehow deciding against it, put it back into the drawer and closed it. At Nate's questioning look, he simply shrugged and said, "I crave something different."

"You didn't give me an answer," Nate said, his patience waning.

"Yes, I'm aware of our Agency's policy," L began, "but I've been thinking, maybe we aren't being too fair with that policy in place."

"Are you starting to feel charitable now, L?" Nate questioned. "It's funny, because charitable is the last word I'd use to describe you."

L didn't let the slight dig affect him in the slightest. He knew Nate. He knew that, despite being one of his best employees, despite being incredibly smart, Nate had a childish side to him. L was fine with that, as long as Nate never compromised on his work. And he never did. "Besides," L continued, as if Nate hadn't said anything, "I see potential in him."

Nate's eyes widened. He did nothing to hide his surprise, an action quite contrary to what he was normally used to doing. "You see potential in him?" He repeated L's words.

L nodded, leaning over and grabbing a pen from his desk. He began fiddling with it, twirling it around with two of his fingers. "I do. He might be a struggler right now, but there's potential right there. Think of the wonders it can do to our Agency's overall reputation. We picked up a struggler and turned him into someone famous, someone incredibly sought after."

Nate continued to stare. He did admire his boss, he truly did. However, sometimes, his boss made little to no sense, now being one of those times. "You're being a bit too ambitious, L." Nate pointed out. "That man out there, he's obnoxious, he's loud, looks like he has zero control over himself emotionally and most importantly, he wears leather! He wears leather, L!"

"One, almost all artists, musicians included, are obnoxious and emotional. It's what our job depends on. Imagine if all artists were realistic and practical. Do you think there'd be need for people like us, then? Their job is to create art; our job is to sell their art to the right people." L then smiled a little. "As for your second concern, I believe that should be the least of your concerns. What he wears is his choice, really."

"With his attire, he'd never be taken seriously." Nate argued. "I will not risk my reputation for him."

"On the contrary, you can always take this as a challenge." L then got up from his chair and walked over to the door. He placed his hand on the door knob, not quite turning it. He looked at Nate and smiled. "If you can pull it off, Nate, I'll promote you. No questions asked."

"You aren't giving me a choice in this, are you?" Nate asked.

"I have given you a choice, Nate. You can pick your own client, if you can find someone. However, I'm also giving you the choice to build on your reputation. If you can pull this off, you have everything to gain." L could see the struggle in Nate's eyes, even if he thought he was being inconspicuous about it. It was one of those traits L possessed. He could read people, no matter how guarded they thought they were.

"And if I cannot pull it off? What if this guy's the one who finally burns my reputation to the ground?" Nate was just trying to be practical. He wasn't one to question his abilities, because he did truly believe in his abilities. However, when it came to this particular case, he did have his doubts.

"That's the challenge, isn't it?" L smirked. Nate frowned.

"Alright," Nate finally conceded.

"That's what I like to hear," L said. He then turned the knob and opened the door, stepping outside. Nate stood in the room for a moment longer, bracing himself mentally. He had always prided himself in his ability to have complete control over his emotions and he wasn't going to let that control slip now. This client would be no different from his previous ones. He'd worked with a couple musicians before. They had been manageable, just as easy to convince and manipulate. He'd made things work for them. He'd do the same now. He hadn't built himself a reputation for nothing, after all.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped outside the room. He saw the blond man –his client—sitting on the plush couch. As L approached the couch, Nate following close behind, the blond stood up and looked at L with a hopeful expression. He failed to acknowledge Nate's presence. Nate resisted the urge to scowl at the apparent dismissal of his presence. "So," the blond began, not moving his eyes away from L.

L remained silent for a moment, studying the blond. Nate wondered if he was perhaps reconsidering his decision. Maybe he didn't see anything in the man, after all. Then, L spoke. "We'll sign you on."

The blond grinned broadly. He looked about ready to lean forward and hug L. "However," L continued, "I won't be your agent." He glanced to his side and nodded in Nate's direction. "Nate will be your agent."

The blond finally looked at Nate. His eyes narrowed slightly. "This guy?" He asked doubtfully. "He didn't even want to entertain my presence. You expect me to believe he'll be a capable agent?"

"Nate's the best at our Agency." L answered easily. "He has the highest success record. His clients had nothing but praise for him."

"No offence," the blond said, "but I did come here for you, not him. I want you to be my Agent. I've heard you're the best in this Agency, so I'd like you to be my agent."

"Well, he's also the busiest," Nate finally spoke. "He doesn't have time to entertain small time musicians like—,"

"What Nate means," L interrupted, "is that I am, indeed, very busy. I have a client of my own, unfortunately. I do not take on two clients at one time." When he noticed the blond's expression, he sighed. "I can assure you, Nate's just as good, if not better than me. He wouldn't give you a reason to complain."

The blond nodded in resignation. "Whatever."

"I do have to get going." L said. He then looked at Nate. "Nate, he's your responsibility now." He then walked away from there, moving towards the elevator at the far end of the passageway.

Nate simply stared at the blond man in front of him, waiting for him to speak.

"So, uh," the blond began.

"I'm Nate River," Nate spoke in his professional voice, extending his hand forward. "I'll be your agent."

"Mihael Keehl," the blond brought his hand forward to shake Nate's slightly. He then pulled his hand away. "You can call me Mello, though."

"So, Mihael," Nate maintained his professional voice, "we have a few things we'll need to discuss. Please follow me."

A/N: I know, I know. I'm not as brilliant as some of the other amazing MN fic writers, but yeah.

So that was it for chapter 1. I've an outline of the events for this fic, so updates shouldn't be too late. I'm going to try and stay ahead of schedule, just so I always do have an update ready. Anyway, feedback is appreciated

Love,

Rachna