Hey peeps! So this is my first Death Note fanfic, so I hope I do okay! I'm going to try and keep both Mello and Near as in character as I can, so hopefully all goes well. Also, I would just like to tell everyone that I have only ever watched the anime. I've never seen the movie or the manga or anything else that has to do with Death Note, so if there are somethings in here that don't line up with the things mentioned in those, I'm sorry. Whatever wasn't mentioned in the tv series I have created with my own imagination. All of this story will be published on the same day, so you don't have to worry about waiting for ages. So, without further ado, chapter one of "It's the Most Lonely Time of the Year!"
Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note, nor any of its characters.
It was that time of the year again. Winter. And winter could mean only one thing. Christmas was coming. The date had slowly crept up on him, and before he knew it, it was only a couple of days away.
Christmas was Near's least favorite holiday. In fact, he hated it. It only stood to remind him of things he would much rather forget.
Obviously Near had emotions, he was just very successful when it came to locking them up and not letting them influence his thinking. Though, when it came to Christmas, it was the only day of the year that he really lost control of his emotions. All he felt was remorse, an incredible guilt and sorrow for the tragedy that he had caused.
Swirling images of dancing flames and plumes of smoke flashed in his mind as he laid, half asleep, on his bed.
He could smell the smoke in the air, feel the heat of the fire on his face. It was so realistic that, for a second, he thought he was actually in a burning building.
But he found that, when he awoke, he was in no such place. It was only his imagination. Or rather, his memory.
He sat straight up in bed, forehead covered in a thin sheen of sweat, in his room, which he shared with no one but himself.
In the past, he had found it odd how everyone else had a roommate or two, and he himself was left with no one. Often times it didn't bother him, he didn't usually talk much anyway, but now he found himself wishing he had someone to share the room with, if only so he didn't feel completely alone.
Near pulled his knees to his chest, desperately trying to fight back the emotions which he normally hid so well. Tears were welling in his eyes without his permission and he wanted nothing more than to go back to the emotionless state he spent the majority of the year in. He was not going to cry, he wasn't. Then why was it so hard to get rid of the lump in his throat?
A quick glance out the window told Near that it was daytime. He should get up and leave the room, but he desperately wanted to stay. Why wouldn't this stupid pain in his chest just go away?
After a few minutes of composing himself, Near placed his feet on the ground and walked towards the door. He would have to get up at some point or someone would be sent to wake him, and he didn't really need that right now.
None of the other children would notice his absence of course. None of them liked him much anyway. Well, when it was put like that, it sounded kind of sad, but it wasn't like that. Near didn't really mind, honestly. He was perfectly fine with sitting alone. Though, having a friend or two wouldn't hurt, would it?
He pondered this as he exited his room and walked down the hall, only to come face to face with a rather enraged Mello. Startled by Mello's sudden appearance, Near was not even able to utter a simple "hello" before Mello began speaking.
"Well if it isn't Near," the fourteen-year-old sneered with his usual bitter attitude.
"Hello, Mello," Near greeted, his voice as emotionless as it typically was, even though he felt anything but his typical self.
"The tests results came back today, and you know what they said?" Mello asked.
Near already had a feeling as to what the outcome had been, but he humored Mello anyway, "What was the outcome of the test scores, Mello?"
"Seems you did better than me, again," Mello seethed, "Always have to be number one, don't you Near?"
Mello reached out and shoved the smaller boy, who fell to the ground. He said nothing as Mello kicked him in the side. In fact, the physical pain did wonders in the way of making him forget the constant aching in his chest, if only for a few moments. Usually he didn't like Mello beating on him all the time, but now it seemed better than facing his emotions. He knew it probably wasn't the best idea, but if he provoked Mello then…
"I suppose some people are just meant to surpass others," Near said as Mello was leaving. It worked. Mello turned.
"What?" He said angrily.
"I said 'I suppose some people are just meant to surpass others.' Did you hear it that time?" Near was determined to get rid of the aching in his chest, even if it meant he would have to limp for a while afterwards.
"That's it you little-"
"Mello!" Someone called from down the hall, "Come on! You promised you'd come with me!"
"Coming!" Mello yelled.
No! This was supposed to be his chance to get rid of the pain! Why didn't Mello just ignore whoever it was and hit him already?
"I guess I'll always be smarter than you," Near blurted out in an attempt to further provoke Mello. He just needed to forget about his parents and Christmas for a little while, and if physical pain was the only way to go about that, then so be it.
"If I didn't have to go right now you would so be dead," Mello threatened before walking away swiftly to the source of the calling.
No! No no no! Did some higher being have it out for him or something? Did they want him to suffer?
Near just entered his room once again and curled up in his bed. He decided that if someone wanted him up that badly, they'd just have to deal with his absence for today. He just wanted to sleep off this whole day. Too bad sleep only brought back the memories.