Near slowly walked down the dark hallway
Near slowly walked down the dark hallway. The sound of thunder rumbled throughout the halls. He jumped and headed for the door at the end of the hallway. He opened it a crack and peered inside. All was black except for the familiar face that was illuminated softly by a laptop screen.
"U-um… L?" Near squeaked.
L changed his gaze from his laptop to his young successor. He had predicted that one of three would have come to seek comfort from the thunder.
"C-can I stay here tonight…?" Near said as he almost completely hid himself behind the door.
"Sure… come here." L said as he made room for Near on the couch he was currently sitting on.
Little child, be not afraid,
The rain pounds harsh against the glass,
Like an unwanted stranger,
There is no danger,
I am here tonight.
Near walked over to the couch and crawled into L's lap and rested his head against his chest. There was a sudden flash of lightning and a loud rumble of thunder. Near grabbed onto L's shirt and dug his face into his shoulder. L then ruffled his white hair as if saying there's no need to be afraid.
Little child, be not afraid,
Though the thunder explodes,
And lightning flash,
Illuminates your tear-stained face,
I am here tonight.
L placed on arm around Near, feeling him jump at every single rumble of thunder that was heard. Near held on tighter, shutting his eyes tightly.
And someday you'll know,
That nature is so,
This same rain that draws you near me,
Falls and rivers and land,
And forest and sand,
Makes the beautiful world that you see,
In the morning.
Near slowly lifted his head up a tad to glance over at the rain pounding against the window. There was another flash of lightning as he flinched and dug his head back into L's shoulder.
Little child, be not afraid,
The wind makes creatures of our trees,
And the branches to hands,
They're not real understand,
I am here tonight.
Near slowly started to loosen up and opened his eyes to gaze up at his idol. There was just something about him that always seemed to comfort him, even if only a little. L gazed back down at him, giving him one of his rare smiles.
For you know, once even I
Was a little child
And I was afraid
But a gentle someone always came,
To dry all my tears,
Trade sweet sleep for tears,
And to give a kiss tonight.
L gazed out the window, remembering many years back when he was the one being comforted. He remembered the nights when he was afraid. Watari was always there for him. And now he was there for Near.
Well now I am grown,
And these years have shown,
Rains a part of how life goes,
But it's dark and it's late,
So I'll hold you and wait,
'Till your frightened eyes do close,
And I hope that you'll know,
That nature is so,
This same rain that draws you near me,
Falls on rivers and land,
And forest and sand,
Makes the beautiful world that you see,
In the morning.
Near snuggled against L's chest; the grip on his shirt slowly loosening.
Everything's fine in the morning,
His eyes began to close gently.
The rain will be gone in the morning,
He slowly began to fall asleep to the sound of L's heartbeat.
But I'll still be here in the morning,
Hoping it would never stop. Never.