I should be working on my other fanfiction. I will get back to those tomorrow. Really.

I apologize ahead of time for Near's OOC-ness. I was trying to keep him kind of in character, but what I wanted clashed with what was canon and... well... you'll see.

I don't own Death Note.


Up on the third floor of Wammy's House, Near was sitting in his room putting together a puzzle and staring out the window at the same time. Mello and Matt were there too, under the pretense of attempting to annoy him with their very presence, when really they just wanted to watch him put together a puzzle and stare out the window at the same time.

"Mell," Matt whispered.

Mello stared directly at Near's hand as the boy somehow put two pieces of the blank puzzle together without looking. "Yes Matt?"

"How is he doing that?" asked Matt, a drop of sweat rolling down his cheek.

"I don't know, Matt," said Mello, also sweating heavily, "But it's kind of freaking me out."

"Maybe we should call an exorcist," said Matt, "Or a priest."

"Or an insane asylum," said Mello. "I think they would take him."

"I can hear you," said Near.

"Shut up, Near," snapped Mello. "Maybe we wanted you to hear us!"

"If you want me to teach you how to do this, Mello," said Near, continuing to stare out the window and put together the blank puzzle as he spoke, "I will have no problems with doing so. You have to learn which pieces go together by touch."

"I don't care about that, Nero," said Mello. "Just shut up and go play your violin*."

"I may have felt more insulted by that," said Near, "If you had referred to the Roman Emperor instead of a character from a children's books series."

Mello's face turned red, and his lips twitched into a snarl. "Lemony Snicket writes intelligent literature!"

"Mell," said Matt, sighing, "Maybe you should just stop talking."

"You shut up, Matt!"

Near glanced back at the two of them as they began to fight, Matt being pounced upon by Mello and vice-versa. Fists and feet flew wildly, and Near only gave a small shrug and turned back to the window.

He breathed in sharply at the sight of a slouched figure climbing out of a sleek black car. L!

He was about to turn and tell Mello and Matt when something else caught his eye.

He turned back to see another person climbing out of the car, connected to L by what seemed to be a long cord or something. Near couldn't tell from this distance.

Who is that? thought Near. L would never bring someone with him if he did not have to. So either this person can be trusted completely, or he cannot be trusted at all, thus requiring L to bring him around everywhere so he will not get away. Most likely the latter, as they do appear to be connected by the wrist. Yet this person does not appear to be a typical criminal, as he seems to have perfect posture, and appears to be wearing almost formal clothing. Of course, appearances are nothing to go by, unless the person happens to be carrying a machete…

Near's thoughts stopped as the two came closer to the building. The mysterious person was pulling along a very large black suitcase, and was somehow standing up straight, despite the obvious discomfort the baggage was causing him. L made no move to help.

As they got closer and closer, Near was soon able to make out the basic facial structure, if not the whole appearance.

As the man reached up to brush his silky auburn hair out of his eyes, Near felt his cheeks grow hot.

Who is that person…?

"What are you staring at now, Nero?" asked Mello, leaning next to Near on the windowsill. The fight was apparently over, and the blond was covered in bruises and what seemed to be teeth marks. Mello gasped. "Sweet Jeevas, it's L!"

"Mello, you know you're not supposed to say—what?" Matt was by Mello's side in a flash, lifting up his goggles to get a better view. "Hey, it is."

"L! L! L! L!" Mello turned from the window and darted out of the room. Matt followed shortly after, only much more slowly, because he wasn't as into L as everyone else was.

Near would have followed them both, but he continued to look down at the mystery brunette, who was currently lugging the great big suitcase up the stairs. L still made no move to help.

"I wonder," Near murmured, curling a lock of pure white hair around his finger, "Who that could be…"

--

"Would you like help with that suitcase, Light-kun?" L asked the moment they were inside and past all of the stairs.

Light glared at him, slouching over as he attempted to catch his breath. "No, thank you," he said through gritted teeth.

L shrugged and went back to looking around. The main hall of the establishment (which Light still didn't know the name of) was very large, and decorated with paintings upon the walls and a bust on either side of the stairs, one of Mozart and one of Chopin. The stairs themselves were tall and wide, like those you would find in a grand ballroom. From upstairs you could hear the sound of children laughing, and Light, with one hand on the suitcase, had a sudden fear that he would be the nanny of far too many children and would be bossed around with a whistle.

An elderly man with small, round glasses stepped into the room. "Ah, Ryuzaki. I'm glad you're here."

"Hello, Roger," said L. He gestured to Light. "This is Light-kun. He will be staying with me."

"I see that," said Roger, looking at the chain. "I assume you will be sharing a room?"

"Yes," said L, "Preferably with separate beds."

"Oh?" asked Roger, eyes widening. "I-I mean… yes, of course."

Light and L both frowned.

"We are not lovers," said L.

"You're—of course not," said Roger. "I didn't think that. Really."

"…Right," L deadpanned. "As I was saying. This, Roger, is Light-kun, and he will stay here along with me. Separate beds. In a bedroom as far away from noisy children as possible."

"I'll give you a room near the older children," said Roger.

"Also, Roger, if possible," said L, "I'd rather have it so no one knows we are h—"

"L! L! L! L!"

"…Damn it."

--

As L was quite literally tackled onto the carpet by one overexcited Mello, Near slinked up to the stairway and hid behind the banister. He peeked his head out and saw Matt coming to L's side, helping Mello up—L refused assistance—and saw Roger shaking his head in disappointment. At last his eyes landed on their destination: the brunette who was looking utterly confused, scooting behind the suitcase to get away from the apparently insane blond.

Near gasped. The closer I get, the more beautiful he gets! I'm frightened to meet him face-to-face. It may be too much for me. …Why am I feeling this way? I haven't felt this way since that burrito with the aging beans… No, this is different. This could be that thing I've read about… dare I say it… love?

--

Completely unaware of the sudden and Romeo-and-Juliet-esque feelings being developed towards him, Light was growing increasingly suspicious that he was going to be the nanny of all these children coming out of nowhere. He could already see himself being forced into the dress made of old drapes, and while the dress flattered his figure nicely, he didn't fancy taking this rabid attack dog of a boy on a picnic.

The other boy, while dressed weirdly, at least seemed calmer than the blond one. Light was pleasantly surprised when the redhead came to him right after helping his friend get off the ground.

"Hi. I'm Matt," said the boy, who Light noticed was only an inch or two shorter than he was. "Pleased to meet you."

"Pleased to meet you," said Light, taking the redhead's hand and smiling. It felt good to receive some politeness after being thoroughly ignored and mistreated thus far. "My name is Light."

"Light? That's cool," said Matt, shaking Light's hand and then reaching up to adjust his goggles. He grinned. "Your accent is Japanese. I'm assuming L dragged you here from Japan, then?"

"Yes, that's right," said Light. "I—"

"Matt, please call me Ryuzaki while I am here," said L, brushing dust off his jeans as he stood. "Also, I would avoid speaking to Light-kun. He may become murderous at any moment."

Matt laughed and Light glared, but before anyone could say anything else, they were distracted by the pajama-clad boy coming near** them.

Light watched as the very small person came up to his side and looked away, twisting a lock of their white hair shyly.

It's official. I'm the nanny, thought Light. This little kid is shy and small… I should probably be nice to him.

"Hello," said Light kindly, giving the boy a wide smile. "What's your name?"

The blond audibly suppressed laughter.

"N… N…" The kid glanced up at Light and blushed, looking away again. "M… My name is…"

"Come on, Whitey," said the blond, smirking, "Tell him your name."

"N… N… N… N…" The kid swallowed hard. "Nero."

The blond audibly burst out laughing and fell to the floor, clutching his stomach in pain.

Light pretended not to notice the blond's antics, continuing his smile. "Nero? That's a nice name," he said, leaning down and holding out his hand, "I'm Light."

Nero's face lit up, and he clutched Light's offered hand with both of his. "Light… What a beautiful name."

"…Um…"

The blond continued laughing. Matt was starting to glare at him.

"Light-kun," said L, "That is not Nero. His name is Near. Unless, of course, he decided to change his name to Nero, which, judging by Mello's laughter, I highly doubt." L turned towards the stairs. "Now, if we could please get going?"

"Uh… Oh. Okay." Light pulled away (prying Near's hands away took some difficulty) and waved at Matt. "See you later, Matt. Um… Mello." He smiled down at Near. "Bye, Near."

Near blushed. "Uh… um… Bye."

Light began to pull the suitcase towards the stairs, following L, who was being led by Roger to their room. Light stopped at the end of the stairs, looking up at the gigantic staircase with wide eyes. "…Ryuzaki."

"Yes, Light-kun?" asked L, still walking.

"Do you think you could help me get this suitcase up there?"

"You've pulled it all this way, Light-kun. A few steps won't kill you."

"…That's what you say."

Near looked on as Light began to pull the suitcase up the stairs, struggling and beginning to pant for air at the halfway point. Near sighed and murmured, "He's marvelous…"

Mello burst out laughing again.


* A reference to Vice Principal Nero of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 5, the Austere Academy. I love that series.

** I, personally, found it hilarious.

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