"Kira's still killing, huh?" I said flopping down on my bed after the days classes were over.

"Yeah. He or she makes me nervousness..." Near said from the floor beside my bed. He was staking dominos. "It would make sense to want to kill off L's successors as well as L himself, wouldn't it?"

"Yeah...but how the hell is he gonna get your name? You need a name and face to kill."

"I suppose."

His grey eyes concentrated on balancing the black dominos, and every so often paused to twirl his snow white hair.

I sat up on my bed so I could study him better. Near was like a porcelain doll. So white, so fragile...so beautiful. I noticed how soft his lips looked. When he got upset they would always quiver and tremble as a cried, but not now. Now he bit down slightly concentrating, he placed a domino in just the right place. I had never kissed those lips. Why would I? I was Near's friend, not his gay lover. I did often kiss his forehead though, when he had nightmares, or before bed. Still...the the thought wasn't exactly unappealing...Oh who was I fooling? I really did love him

"Mello." He suddenly turned to face me, one of his knees drawn up against his chest.

"Yeah?"

"What would you do if I died?" He stared solemnly into my eyes, expectingly.

"If you...what?" The spontaneous question stunned me for a moment.

"Died Mello. As in were no longer alive. Just died, right now. "He curled his hair around his finger again.

I said nothing. I was too busy observing the look on his face. Calm, composed...not the slightest hint of agitation.

"I'm waiting for your answer. Its not a hard question for somebody of your intelligence."

"If you died I would be very sad...and very regretful."

"Sadness...I expected ? Why?" Now Near sounded confused.

"Because if you died right now, you would never get to hear me say... I love you..."

"...What?" We both said unison.

"...No it's my what. You're the one who said "I love you"!" Near exclaimed, no longer calm and cool.

"I..." Had I really just told him I loved him? Those impulsive words shocked even me. But then again, had I been feeling this all along...

"Yeah." I grinned. "I love you."

"Really?" Near grinned back. His eyes were big and sparkly, like he'd just been allowed a million dollar shopping spree at Toys R US.

"You think I'm making it up?" I asked.

"I hope not, because I think I love you too!"

In an instant, he had sprung up from his place on the floor and was on my bed with me, his arms hugging around my waist.

"So...what kind of love is this?" Near said nuzzling the side of his face against my chest. "

"The kind of love that... Is more than just friendship...and...that you can only have for one person. I've always loved you as a friend. This is more...romantic..."

"So I'm your one person?"

"Your my one person" I answered "If I am your one person...if I'm not...your still my friend.

"You mine!" He said without hesitation, squeezing his arms tightly around me.

"You're...not scared or anything?" I didn't think Near would be this thrilled and, so...eager, to dive head-first into a relationship with me like this..

"What's to be scared of?" The albino asked.

"I...well... I don't know...some people...just..."

"Mello I trust you." He looked up into my eyes.

I cupped his cheek with one of my hands. "Thank you Near. That means a lot."

I tilted his chin upward, and without thinking (like I ever think before doing stupid things) thrust my lips upon his. It was only for a second, because I soon realized what I was doing and stopped, pulling myself off of him.

He looked up at me innocently.

"Why did you stop?"

"Well...I...I..." I struggled to find the words. Near was so innocent. I didn't really want to take that away from him...

"What? Do you think I can't handle something like this?"

"I...I don't know."

"It's ok. I like you. Will you kiss me again?"

"...Of course I will, if its what you want."

I guess the albino couldn't wait any longer, because he wrapped his arms around his neck, kissing me.

Later that night, my...boyfriend? I guess Near is my boyfriend now, although it sounds strange to say it. Anyways, he shuffled over to to my bed holding his blue blankie and his stuffed rabbit.

"Planning to have nightmares tonight?" I asked jokingly.

"...Do you mind it when I sleep with you?"

"Course not. Your soft and warm and cuddly..."

"Ok then." He hopped onto the piece of furniture and nestled into my blankets. "If I sleep in your bed, then I'll never even have to make mine!"

I shook my head and tucked the blankets around him. Then I turned off the light on the bedside table.

"Mello." The boy next to me said.

"Yes, Near?" I wrapped the cores around myself and moved my body closer to him, but not so close we were breathing in each others faces.

"My real name is Nate. Nate River.

I was silent for a moment. When an orphan arrived at Whammy's, they chose an alias and they were instructed never to tell anyone they're real name, because of the possibility of it being used against them. Near had said he was worried about Kira, so at first I found it strange that he would say his real name out loud, but I quickly realized that he was just trying to further prove that he trusted me very deeply.

"I won't tell anyone. And by the way. I'm Mihael Keehl.

"G'night Mihael." He said softly

"G'night Nate."

Sorry if this is really bad. I'm not a very good writer. Reviews are appreciated, even of they are stupid. Sorry if you don't like OOC Near. Like I said, he will get better.