Here's the second one!!! A BIG thanks to my new beta, Hearii, without whom this one-shot would not be as good as it is XD
Disclaimer on profile.
"Happy birthday, Near."
The white-haired genius looked up from his complex puzzle at the sound of Matt's voice before looking back down much more quickly.
"… Oh, yes," he mumbled. "I suppose it is my birthday. I had almost forgotten." The birthday boy slid another piece of the jigsaw into its appropriate slot.
"No, you didn't. You're just saying that, aren't you?" Matt scoffed, looking doubtful.
He received no reply.
"Anyways, I just wanted to bring you some cake. I made it myself, and although Mello says it tastes like crap, I think it tastes okay. I figured I'd better give you a piece before L discovers it and all of it 'conveniently' goes missing."
Near stared at the piece he was being offered. "I don't like cake," he informed, sorting through the pieces scattered around his legs.
Matt chuckled. "I know," he replied, "But this is strawberry shortcake, which I know you don't mind." Near scrutinized the piece of gooey dessert that Matt placed on the completed part of the puzzle in front of him.
Matt added as an afterthought, "And it's organic." That magic word caught Near's attention, and he regarded the slice of cake with a new light. "Besides, it's your birthday, isn't it?"
"Yes," Near admitted reluctantly, reaching for the cake. "Yes, it is."
