Chapter Three: Death Wish

In other words, death is the discovery and complete understanding of the end.
We are not permitted to seek awareness.

Of all the times for Near to develop a crush, now really wasn't appropriate. Nor was the fact that his curiosity was aroused by the idea that Kira had been L's lover. Nor was the fact that Kira, angelic in appearance and serpentine in words and calculating in the mental games he played; appeared nightly in his dreams—dressed impeccably, handsome like no one Near had ever seen. Even Mello, Matt and L, beautiful as they were, had not burned as brilliantly or as brightly as Light Yagami did.

Near wasn't at all surprised that he was interested. In that way.

Most Wammy children already had an unnaturally keen interest in death, given that well, every child had dreamed of replacing L, himself included. A truly macabre desire when one dissected the logic behind the longing. Truly, if any of the children had thought at any length about this wish, they would have realized how much a conflict of interest it was for them all.

What Wammy child had not longed to flirt with danger? Or expected the opportunity to dance with the devil?

Obsessed over death?

Near let his hands gracefully roam his abdomen before they slithered lower, gliding through downy fine white hairs to fasten around the one object that might release him from his wayward mental ramblings. As the blood rapidly flowed from brain to below the waist, Near couldn't help but gloat.

Light had no idea what Near was prepared to do to reclaim the title that rightfully belonged to him and him alone.