This was just a short little one shot inspired by . It explains the origins of the photo Near somehow mysteriously obtained, and the caption written on the back.

I might go back and expand it later, if anyone actually reads it...

Disclaimer: I own nothing.


"Mello-"

"I said no, Roger! There's no way in hell I'm letting you take a picture of me! Especially not with everyone else watching!"

Mello stood with his arms folded across his chest, an angry scowl on his face as the sun beat down upon him and the rest of the orphans who were being forced to take a picture together on the orphanage grounds.

"Isn't the first rule of being a private detective not to get yourself photographed, anyway? Why are you putting us all through this?"

Matt watched his friend warily as Roger took a deep breath, clearly having to stifle his anger as he explained his reasoning to Mello for what seemed like the 100th time that day.

"Its not up to me. Every few years, the British Embassy wants to have a clear picture of all the students enrolled in our school. If we don't give them one, they come here to privately conduct an investigation, during which neither I nor Wammy have a say in what they do or do not see. So, rather than go through a search from the government, were taking a picture. Now settle down and get with the group, or you're going to find yourself in a load of trouble later"

Mello stuck his tongue out at Roger, unmoving as the rest of the students all clumped together. Matt gave Mello a pleading look, but Mello shot him down with a glare. Matt rolled his eyes, shoving his goggles over his face as Roger prepared to take the picture. Roger gave a furious beckoning motion of his hand to Mello, but the blonde remained in place. Resigned, Roger took the picture and dismissed the rest of the orphans, who spread out across the yard for recess. After everyone was gone, Roger turned to Mello once again.

"Alright, Mello. Heres the camera. I'm entrusting it to you. Either you give me a picture of yourself by the end of the day, or I'm enlisting you as a student up for adoption"

Mello gave a cry of outrage, nearly flinging the camera to the ground in fury.

"You can't do that, you crazy old bat! I'm number two! What are you going to do without me?!"

Roger left without an answer, leaving Mello to fume. Mello didn't notice the pair of black eyes fixed on him from behind, until he felt a light tapping against his shoulder. He spun in place to address the offending hand, and came face to face with Near, who looked timidly up at him.

"What do you want, shrimp?" Mello demanded gruffly. Near appeared hesitant, taking a deep breath as he prepared himself.

"I just thought, that...maybe...you'd let me take your picture..."

Mello looked incredulous, his eyes widening.

"Why would you want to do that?"

Near, who was already out of his element by being outside, on his feet, and talking to Mello, shuffled awkwardly before answering.

"If Roger really does put you up for adoption, and you're forced to leave...I won't have anybody worthy of competing with me"

Near inwardly cheered as he saw the look of amazement cross over Mello's face. Near had successfully played into Mello's sense of pride, and as Mello handed Near the camera, Near knew he had won.

"Sure, right....I'm the only one...and don't you ever forget it"

A small smile passed over Mello's face after the words, and it was then that Near snapped the picture.

Dear Mello....don't ever change.

Before Near took the camera back to Roger, he made sure to get an extra copy processed for himself.


Review if you can! =]