Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note. It belongs to Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. No copy write infringement is intended. Please don't sue: I have next to nothing.

"Speech"

Thought

-- Alter ego speech --

Mello watched Near from across the room. Matt's lecture had taken them both by surprise. Neither had spoken a word since Matt had interrupted their argument. Sighing, the blonde pushed himself off of the couch that he had collapsed back onto with Matt's exit. He was hungry, and he wasn't going to let Near's presence deter him from Matt's excellent food. The teen grabbed a tray of sushi and sat down again, resolutely ignoring his unwelcome guest.

The silence grew and stretched between them uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry," he said finally. He refused to meet the other boy's eyes despite Near's attempts. "Matt was right. What I said… that was unfair." Unfair but true, he added silently to himself. He really was getting better at apologizing. His time here, away from those who knew him, had been good for the blonde. For the first time in my life, I feel normal. And I am happy.


Near fought another internal battle for control. He had wrested control back from his internal voice in time to start the argument. Except that he had to act like he cared about Mello's well-being throughout it. There was no way he was admitting he didn't have complete control over his body to the blonde. He had just become more confident that the voice's manipulation was gone when Mello apologized. All his control went straight out the window. -My turn- whispered the voice. -You won't hurt him again-

"I'm sorry too," the voice said, speaking though Near. Inside, Near was screaming with frustration and, though he probably wouldn't admit it, fear. He had no control anymore. His life was spiraling out of his reach. He couldn't do anything.

Who are you!? he screamed at the voice. What are you?

The voice laughed, softly. -I guess we're going to find out, now aren't we? - His controller seemed content to sit in silence after that declaration. Near continued to batter himself against the other's mental walls. –Really, - the voice said reprovingly, -all I'm doing is improving your relations with a highly intelligent boy who you should respect. No need to damage your brain trying to understand that. And there's really no need for you to try and take back control. I'll give it back when I'm good and ready, and I can outlast you in the waiting game. - The voice softened, almost speaking to itself. –I've been waiting a very long time for this opportunity.-


Sighing, Mello tucked a strand of blonde hair behind his ear. He was socially obligated to stay as the host, but… Damn Matt anyway, he thought. The teen popped another piece of sushi into his mouth. Mmmm, edible nourishment. I should probably get up and eat something else, but that takes effort.

The teens had been sitting in silence since the mutual apologies. Mello didn't know what was going on behind Near's eyes, and didn't really care. As long as they weren't actively fighting, and Near wasn't patronizing him, Mello was fine. He ate more sushi.

"I want to stay. Try to work things out," Near said abruptly. Mello nearly choked on his snack. He coughed and then swallowed. Stay? Here? He can't… he just… can't. The younger boy continued, oblivious. "The case is going nowhere. We need you. I'm willing to take as long as necessary to make this work." He looked up and met Mello's startled eyes. "I'm willing to try if you are," he said softly.

Near was completely serious. Mello could see it in his grey eyes.


-There, - the voice said, slightly exasperated. –I gave your actual reason for coming. He might actually start to trust you now, which is what I want. So cooperate, and I'll give you back control for a while.-

Near seized control of his body again. –Now, play nice- the voice mocked, -or I won't let you play with the other children at all. - The mocking tone vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. ­–I'm serious. You will behave. - The threat hung unspoken.

The white-haired child swallowed. Yes, sir.


Matt sat in darkness, happily clicking away on his keyboard. He hadn't heard any screams or crashes yet, and that meant that the other two boys were probably ignoring each other. If anyone was dying, they were doing Matt the courtesy of suffering quietly.

The redhead sighed and leaned back in his chair. Really, he probably was being too hard on them, especially Near, but he just wanted to keep them safe. Whether that meant lecturing and separating them, or shooting anyone who attacked them. Matt shifted again, leaning his elbows against his desk while resting his chin on his laced hands, and tried to consider the situation objectively.

Fact: Near had hurt Mihael, badly, in the past. Fact: Mihael was still emotionally unstable from that injury. Fact: Counseling hadn't really been helping Mihael deal with that. Fact: Near obviously cared enough to argue about Mihael's wellbeing. Conclusion: It might help Mihael if Near stayed. Fact: Mihael would probably have a conniption fit when he heard Matt's opinion.

Matt swore, viciously, in four languages, and allowed his head to hit the desk. He was doomed. Might as well die quickly. With the air of a man headed for the executioner's block, Matt stood and headed for the door.

The tension in the living room was almost palpable.

Matt leaned against the doorframe and stared at the two teens in mild amazement and slight shock. They were both still alive and uninjured. That alone was an accomplishment. Shaking his head, Matt forced his wandering attention back to Mello. The blonde was sitting on the couch, starting avidly at a tray of sushi on his lap. He looked like someone had repeatedly beaten him over the head with a board and he was just now recovering. Near, on the other hand, looked as though he was really regretting something he'd said. Matt concluded that he'd been the one wielding the figurative board Mello'd been whacked with.

He sighed internally and decided to break the silence. "Well, this looks awkward," Matt drawled from his place by the door. "Just don't tell me you've confessed your undying love for each other or something. 'Cause that would inspire me to 1) laugh my ass off and 2) run like hell to prevent being sent to an early grave." The techie snickered inwardly at the horrified looks gracing the features of the two teens.

Mello recovered his ability to speak first. "Nooooo," he practically wailed. "No! That's just--! I mean--!" Matt was amused to notice that the blonde still seemed unable to form a complete, coherent sentence. "Just… no!"

"So, what happened?" Matt asked as he entered the room. As enjoyable as teasing them would be, it would be cruel. Plus, he really wanted to know what Near had said. The sooner he could start damage control, the better.

Since Mello was still spluttering denial, Near answered. "I… I want to stay, and… and try to work things out with Mello… and, and…" He trailed off uncertainly. The teen still appeared to be in shock about his own decision.

Matt sat down. Hard. "You," he said, pointing to Near, "want to stay here, and try to make friends with Mello?" The white-haired boy swallowed nervously and nodded. Matt covered his face with his hands and rubbed his eyes. "Oh, hell," Matt muttered, "oh, hell." It was his own damn fault, really. He'd wanted this, and Murphy's Law had come into effect and given it to him.

Now what the hell was he supposed to do with it?