Author's Notes: Oh, and this isn't really a series in which the the whole thing is one plot, it's just stuff that comes into my head, and when I think it is good, it will come here. So that is why the chapters don't really correspond with each other.
AAAH! I'm drowning in hits!!! Thank you all who have read and reviewed! You have stuffed joy into every lonesome corner of my entire being!
A Stereotypical Plot Made Much More Interesting by Sticking in Mello, Near, and Matt Instead of Average High School Students
Wammy's House. Winchester, England. 2004. Merely week's before L's immaculate death. All of the children there who were aspiring to be detectives were required to work on the Kira case individually. But the top three smartest kids there were much more interested in personal dramas as opposed to work.
"CHOCOLATE!!!" Mello wailed. He was sprawled out on the ground, his arms clinging tightly to Matt's right leg. His lengthy blond hair was astray and his face was smudged with tears. It had been five days since Matt had put him on the week-long chocolate-withdrawal and he was not having a fun time.
"Please, Matt! I'll do anything!" Although Matt enjoyed the sense of power he felt from having Mello grovel and beg on his knees, and although he craved the sensation of Mello's hands and face touching his leg, he instead concentrated on visualizing the steps to the Hare Hare Yukai in his mind as the song played out of his speakers. That soon stopped as Mello shakily stood up and lightly put his leather-clad hands on Matt's shoulders.
"Please Matt… I can't take this anymore." Matt stared at Mello through his goggles. He hated to see his friend this distressed, but he felt obliged to go through with the plan for Mello. In his mind, Matt hatched a devious plan that would either prove wondrous or disastrous. You see- Matt knew something Near didn't.
Matt reached up to his shoulder, took Mello's hand and squeezed it firmly. Mello smiled tentatively and took a step towards Matt. Matt's pulse quickened, he couldn't stay focused with Mello staring at him like that! His throat choked as Mello put a hand on his waist. He stepped back awkwardly and straightened his striped shirt. "Umm… Mello…"
"Yes, Matt?" Mello blinked, his hand suspended in midair. Usually when Mello wanted to do something Matt submitted easily.
Matt stood straighter, pulled together his confidence, and went through with a major step of his experimental plan. "Mello! I'll let you off early if you kiss Near." Right now Matt felt his face turn almost as red as his hair. Near was a… Touchy subject for Mello, and in this state, Matt hoped Mello's head wouldn't explode in to a thousand bits.
Mello's face contorted momentarily, but he bounded to his door and screeched, "NEAR!" Oddly enough, Mello's room was located between both Matt's and Near's, so it wasn't long before his curly white head popped in.
"Yes Mello, what is it?" He asked, ever so calmly twirling a bit of hair through his fingers. Mello grimaced, grabbed Near's spotless white collar, kissed him perfectly on the lips, shoved Near out his door and locked it. He turned around and said through gritted teeth, "Ok Matt. May I have some chocolate now?"
"Uh, no." Said Matt hesitantly, bracing himself. For it had looked like Mello was going to yell something obscene at him, that is, until Mello fainted dead on the floor. Matt, on the other hand, was content as he leaned over Mello's body and unlocked the thumb-turn lock. (It was a rule people couldn't be in each other's rooms and have the door locked. ) For Matt's plan was running as smooth as butter.
It was ironic though, soon after that Near came back in. "Matt. What was that thumping noise? I grew mildly concerned and wanted to know what happened." Matt gaped. After all these years, he still wasn't used to Near talking in that sort of fashion. But then again, Near didn't talk all that much, so…
But then Matt remembered what Near asked and pointed at Mello's body. "You know Mello was on that chocolate-withdrawal, and I told him he could have some early if he kissed you. Then after I said he couldn't have some."
"Oh, I see." Said Near, twirling a lock of his hair and still staring at Mello. "So it was like, a dare almost."
"Yeah…" Said Matt, trying hard to look at something other then Mello or Near, but his eyes quickly focused back on Near after hearing his loud, sharp, intake of breath. You see, when Near visibly reacted emotionally towards something, you could read him like a book.
"Oh I get it!" Matt announced smiling, his clear emerald eyes growing wider. Near looked up, his fathomless blue eyes swimming with half-formed tears. "You sexually confused child!" Matt said playfully. "You honestly thought Mello liked you, and now you're upset that it wasn't real! You love Mello!"
(Please note that while this conversation took place, Mello was still out cold on the ground, ignored.)
Near twirled his hair at a more intense, quicker pace. "I feel no intimate emotions towards Mello what so ever."
"Whatever you say Near." said Matt sarcastically. And with that, Near quietly left.
Noticing Mello still on the floor, Matt scooped him up in his arms and laid him back on the bed. He moved a lock of Mello's carefully groomed blond hair out of his face and nearly broke down. Matt had let himself stroke Mello's cheek, and imagined something so inappropriate for children that you would only find it legal in Canada.
Pulling away, Matt took a chocolate bar from his pocket and laid it gently on Mello's evenly rising and falling chest. "I'm sorry." He whispered before he left Mello's room. In the hallway, he walked one door to the left and entered his own room, deciding to drown his melancholy in the infinite magical abyss of video games.
One Hour Later
Near let the tears stream down his cheeks, solving a blank puzzle he had already solved many times before.
At Night
Regaining consciousness, Mello breathed the aroma of… CHOCOLATE?! "Shiiiitt." Mello hissed before madly tearing open the wrapper and guzzling it down.
Now sufficiently calmer do to the effects of the chocolate, Mello assessed his current situation. He was still confused why Matt made him kiss Near and then refuse him chocolate, or rather, why he had made Mello kiss him in the first place. Either way, he had to explain to Near what had happened.
Mello sighed. It was the middle of the night, and Mello really didn't feel like talking to Near, but he had to straighten things out before the kid got the wrong idea. He slipped off his bed, but then pretty much fell backwards onto it, because a wave of dizziness had taken hold of him.
He moaned at the fact that he couldn't get out of bed without falling over, and flipped open his cell phone and scrolled down to the N contacts, which truthfully was only Near. He put the phone to his ear. Two rings.
"Mello."
"Near, I'm sorry for calling so late, I just woke up from before… Actually, before is kind of what I wanted to discuss with you. In person."
"Ok."
Click. Near had hung up. Mello snapped his phone shut. He grimaced slightly and sat up, awaiting that fated soft knocking.
Knock knock. "Come in." Mello said halfheartedly. He heard the door click shut. And there was Near. His white hair, white pajamas, and almost sickly pale skin were all illuminated in the dark shadowy moonlight.
"How are you feeling?" Near asked in all due politeness. When in actuality he was desperately trying to hide the fact that he desperately cared about Mello's health condition.
Mello looked down at his black sheets, refusing to make eye contact with Near. "Oh, better I guess. But then again," Mello laughed slightly, "if I stand up I get really dizzy and pretty much collapse." Then came the awkward silence where Mello was resisting the urge to lose himself in Near's deep eyes and where Near was resisting the urge to reach out and touch Mello's hair. However, neither of them realized the other was thinking thoughts such as they were.
"Near," Mello started, turning his head sharply to get a full view of Near. "I did what I did because Matt made me, he-."
"I know." Mello was cut off. "You… Know?" Mello asked, sort of shaken by Near's placid yet firm assurance. "Yes." Near nodded shortly. "Matt told me everything."
"Matt told you everything…" Mello repeated dumbly. "Yes." Near left.
What Mello Thought
"Near probably knows I love him. I bet he hates me."
What Near Thought
"Mello probably hates me now… But I don't. I love him."
After Near Left
Matt was asleep, Kingdom Hearts on pause, drooling on his beanbag chair, when his phone rang. Upon hearing the re-mastered techno version of the original Super Mario theme song, Matt rolled over and got a face full of floor. He picked up his cell phone and clumsily flipped it open. "Moshi… Moshi…" He answered sleepily.
On the other line, Mello was grinning. "Hey Matt, wanna come over for a sleep-over?"
"Sure! I'll be right there!" Now fully awake Matt trotted then uncanny short distance to Mello's room. Sure enough, there was Mello in his solid black pajamas, standing in the doorway, one eyebrow raised. "Hi…" Matt said, not really sure how to start up a conversation.
Without saying anything, Mello snaked his arm around Matt's waist and Matt's around Mello's shoulder. They walked over to the bed, (although Mello's gait was slightly unsteady,) and Mello got in. He looked up at Matt expectedly.
"You want me to get in your bed with you?" Matt asked, pointing slightly. "Of course I do." Mello said in a silky tone. Hell, it was just seductive enough to convince Matt. He got in and as soon as Matt was in a comfortable position on his side, Mello had leaned in and locked him into a good, long, kiss, and soon they were merely lying entangled in each other, enjoying the warmth and heartbeat of another person.
Mello was the first to fall asleep. Matt knew it when Mello's breath evened out. When he stopped stroking the hair on the back of Matt's head. Matt gave him one last kiss on the neck, and began to drift away himself. It was funny, he though, how Mello always caught him when he wasn't ready, when Mello had to guide him through everything. And when he would finally enjoy every sensation to its fullest, Mello would fall asleep.
Although it was sweet how Matt could bury his head in the crook of Mello's neck. How he could memorize the picture of Mello's back using only his hands. And Mello wouldn't move. Wouldn't want to go farther. This was the best, thought Matt. His bit of Heaven on Earth.
And in that perfect moment was when Mello chose to wake up. "So I heard you talked with Near." Matt stiffened. "Yeah…"
"And you told him everything…" said Mello quietly. He let his eyelashes brush against Matt's cheek. But Matt was afraid. Wasn't Mello mad? Impulsively, Matt turned his head and kissed Mello's mouth repeatedly, fervently, in a way that said he was trying to prove himself. "Please… Don't… Be… Mad…"
"Matt really, it's ok!" said Mello, pulling away. "It is?" Matt said, his voice cracking slightly. This would be where Mello completely lost it.
"Yeah. It's better with everything out in the open. I understand Near hates me because I love him. It only makes sense."
Matt laughed. He ripped the covers of his body and laughed. He sat up and laughed. He laughed so hard that at the same time he was gasping for breath. He fell back on his pillow and laughed. "Hey Matt, do I need to use mouth-to-mouth on you?" Mello asked jokingly. This of course only made Matt laugh harder.
Mello put his hand over Matt's mouth to stop him. "Really, what's so funny?" Mello asked seriously. Matt collected his wits and said calmly, "You guys have it all backwards!"
"Elaborate 'backwards'." Mello commanded. "Well…" began Matt, "After you fainted Near came in and asked what happened. I took that opportunity to explain that I made you kiss him for chocolate… And he got all upset. Like, visibly upset, like, you could tell he was about to cry."
"So he likes me." Mello said dryly. "Well, yeah."
"And you put it in a way that made it sound like I hated him?"
"Yeah…"
Mello looked at the round moon from out his window. "Well that explains why he was acting so distant, even for himself…"
Matt squirmed slightly. "Are you mad I did that?" Mello turned to look at him. "No, you son of a hamster, I'm not!" Matt laughed a little before saying, "So are you gonna see him?" Mello gazed off and said with a yawn, "Tomorrow night. I'll act normal today and surprise him. But can we go back to sleep?"
"Sounds like a plan." The two lay back down in each other's arms and fell asleep. This time, no one woke up… Until morning that is.
The Day
The three went through all their classes like normal. Only Near was unawares.
The Evening
Matt was with him as he combed his hair. Matt was with him as he changed. Matt gave him a kiss good luck. They left together. Matt to the left. Mello to the right.
He knocked. Mello fingered his silver cross nervously before Near answered the door. He didn't say anything as he twirled his hair. "Near, I came by to tell you that Matt didn't tell you what I thought he told you. So I wanted to tell you that I've always loved you too." Mello put a hand on Near's shoulder. Then he turned to go, but his wrist tingled as a couple tentative fingers reached out and lightly pulled on his shirt sleeve.
"Mello…" Near fell into a soft hug around Mello's waist. Mello caught him and they clung to each other for a moment or two. Until she came.
"OMIGOD! Mello and Near are hugging! I'm gonna go tell everyone right now!" It was that artsy girl with the pig-tails. Linda. Nicknamed the Queen of Rumors. What luck.
Mello whipped around and gabbed Linda's collar. "If you value your life…" Mello hissed threateningly. Knowing how far Mello would go to protect his social standing, Linda simply whimpered and tried to squirm away. Mello released his grip on her and she ran off.
"You didn't need to scare her like that." Near said quietly. Mello was tempted to snap back, but he started over and mentally urged himself to be patient. "Near, if you just let her go she'll blow everything out of proportion and we'll never hear the end of this!"
"It doesn't matter, Mello." Near said in almost a whisper. We. He took Mello's hand in his and simply stared. At that precise moment, Mello knew their destiny's were intertwined, and one could not live without the other.
Near led Mello back to his room. They sat down together on the plush white bed. Near leaned over and buried his head in Mello's chest. He was sobbing quietly. Mello wrapped his arms around him and caressed his head, holding him tight.
"Near, what in the world is wrong?" Mello said into Near's ear. The boy simply shook his fluffy white head and continued crying into Mello. Near was clinging onto Mello as if he were the last thing in the world. Mello simply did the best he could to calm him down. This was so different from Matt!
Mello decided upon using his last resort. While still holding onto Near he took out a chocolate bar and broke off a piece. Thinking he was going to eat it, Near un-clung himself from Mello. But Mello didn't eat it right away. He held it up at eye-level. "Near, have you ever hear of a chocolate kiss?" Near sniffled and twirled a bit of his hair in response.
"Near, open your mouth a little." Near did. Mello put the chocolate in Near's mouth leaving one end of the shard sticking out. Near's eyes widened in unexpected horror as Mello leaned in to bit the chocolate. He ran his finger's slowly through Near's white hair and took the chocolate out of the boy's small mouth with his own.
Near was completely submissive.
Mello had to teach him how to kiss. He had to teach him how to express love with his body.
It was nice to have a pupil. Near called him Teacher when he touched Mello. Mello liked it best when Near's closed his eyes, took Mello's hand, and touched it to his face. That one simple act was so serene, it broke Mello's heart.
After a few minutes of sleepily playing with each other's hair, Mello had an idea. "I'll be right back." Mello said, pecking Near on the cheek and getting up. He went back to his room and grabbed his hair straightener, a brush, and some bows. He got back to Near's room with his stuff and dropped it on the bed.
"Um… Teacher what are you doing?" Near asked, watching Mello unravel the cord to the straightener and plugging it in. "Near, come over to the edge of the bed." Near obediently crawled over and let his legs dangle over the edge.
Mello got back on the bed and got on his two knees behind Near and picked up his brush. Near let him comb out his white curls to their fullest and smoothest. Knowing by now the straightener had heated up properly, he picked it up and began to straighten Near's hair in a controlled, even manner.
Once it was done Near's hair looked like a more feminine version of Mello's own hair, and it was quite cute. Next Mello picked up two azure bows and tied them into Near's hair on either side of his head. If Matt was here, he'd probably be blabbing about some concept in anime called "moe". But whatever.
Mello gently pushed Near off the bed and sat in his place. "Now you can do me." Near obediently got back on the bed and began to comb Mello's hair. His method was not the best, but Mello enjoyed it anyway.
Mello waited patiently as Near put the brush down and arranged the bows in a chromatic pattern. Mello turned back around when Near picked a black-laced red bow and tied it into Mello's hair with surprising dexterity.
After Near played with Mello's hair for a bit Mello had another idea. He turned around so he was facing Near on the bed. He took a lock of Near's now-straight hair and wrapped it in between and around the straightener, then firmly clamped the hair down so when Mello let go the lock was formed into a voluptuous spiral-curl, Mello pulled on it a little, and it bounced like a spring. Near smiled slightly, and brought his hand up to twirl it.
Bells. Breakfast.
"Damn." said Mello simply. He now moved with a robust efficiency, pulling the bows out of his hair, plugging in the hair dryer. He began to blow the thing at Near's hair so it eventually returned to it's normal surly state, occasionally spritzing some water so it wouldn't dry out.
"You know a lot about hair." Near said absently. Unlike Mello, he was still in that sleazy daze that held him back from noticing that if they were late for breakfast, somebody might figure something out. Mello worked in silence, shutting the hair dryer off and meticulously pulling the bows out of Near's hair, being careful to make sure that not even one single hair got plucked out on accident.
Before leaving for the dining hall Mello kissed Near warmly, and Near found his way too, using techniques Mello had taught him in the night. "Keep your guard up." Mello said as their mouths parted and he opened the door.
On the way out Mello and Near met up with Matt and they systematically stepped into a formation with Mello in the middle, Matt on the left, and Near on the right. At the dining hall they sat down at a table together. As they were waiting for the food to be served, Roger came over to them. "Ah, Near. I se you're finally making some friends. Good for you."
Mello smiled after Roger had left. The three of them were sharing a private joke no one else could ever come to understand. They worked as one. When Near was lost in a puzzle Mello would come to him and help him stay focused. When Mello was emotionally on thin ice Matt would come to him and distract him with acts of endearment. When Matt couldn't understand something Mello would explain to him calmly. They knew each other. They understood each other.
Near hadn't touched his food. "What are you thinking about?" Mello asked casually, taking a bite of his chocolate doughnut. "Us." Mello blinked. "That's deep." Personally, Mello loved the moment of love. He didn't contemplate it. He didn't dissect it. It was there.
Mello's gaze turned to Matt. He was guzzling pancakes drowned in syrup at an alarming rate. "Someone's hungry."
"Puberty." said Matt in between mouthfuls. Mello rolled his eyes and continued eating.
The Day
Classes were normal. Although Mello noticed that Near stared at him a lot more then he did in the first place. It actually made Mello kind of nervous, since he couldn't exactly make out what Near was trying to tell him.
After the Last Class
After the trio's last class, (It was computer sciences, they were learning how to hack computers.) they eventually all joined in Mello's room. Mello first, since, it was his room. Matt second, since it was a bit of a ritual that they should do homework together, then get distracted by each other, then try to work again, repeat, repeat… Then Near, who came in a good fifteen minutes later with a blank puzzle. (This time with an M in the corner instead of and L.) He clicked the pieces together in a quiet rhythm, not really looking at anything else.
Mello looked up from his paper, bit into some chocolate and said, "So is this gonna be a regular thing?" Near didn't look up, nor did he seem to have even hear Mello, and Matt simply stared momentarily. Mello sighed and got up from his desk. He stretched out on his bed eating his chocolate in almost a thoughtful manner.
A few clicks later Near stood up, twirling a lock of his hair, surveying his finished work. He blinked, then seemed to shake his head, but the movement was so subtle you really couldn't be sure. He climbed onto the bed and lay next to Mello, his hands resting on his chest. Feeling left out, Matt put his pencil down and got on the bed, lying next to Mello on the other side.
And without really having to say anything, Mello felt the two turn on to their sides and snuggle up against Mello. He kissed both boys on the forehead and put his arms around them, drawing them close. Near soon fell asleep, and Mello was entranced by the boy's quiet breath and serene, innocent face. Then Mello looked at Matt, who had managed to drape his arm around Mello's waist and onto his thigh without acting awkward. Matt smiled, and Mello kissed him gently. Everything was perfect.
And although Mello felt like a bit of a whore for having both Matt and Near, Mello knew that the feelings the three of them possessed ran as deep as their souls. They would always be together. Thinking that, Mello drifted off to sleep, the last things he heard was the soft breathing of the two greatest loves of his life.
To Be Continued
