Hello again, Fans!
As far as Mello's flashback, I did some serious research and couldn't for the life of me find any information on Mello and Matt's actual backgrounds, so I made one up; contrary to the story blatantly saying that the only one of Whammy's kids to see L in person was Mello. So, I apologize if that irks anyone.
Thank you all for bearing with this for so long!
Near's room was pristine with the exception of a few scattered papers and a wooden box on the floor where Near was sitting in the center of the room; the mostly empty room looked almost as though no one lived in it, just a bed and a nightstand. Mello moved to stand just a few feet away from his lifelong rival, still appearing so frustratingly calm, meanwhile it took all of Mello's strength not to shake the boy for some kind of reaction. "So?" His patience was growing thin, no longer recalling why he had somehow thought this time would be different from all of the rest. Near silently pushed the wooden box towards the older male and went back to twirling his hair and staring at the floor. The blonde slowly bent to pick up the plain box, his moves cautious as though the damn thing would explode. Lifting the lid Mello saw his childhood self smiling back at him and gingerly lifted the photograph as though it were the most fragile thing in the world, flipping it to see "Dear Mello" written in neat, fluid cursive on the back; azure eyes narrowed in confusion before noticing the little plastic fragments of Near's robot that he had destroyed so many years ago. A blonde brow arched as incredulous sapphire eyes searched for some sort of explanation from the albino who still refused to look him in the eye.
"Want to explain these?" Mello's voice wasn't as harsh as he had wanted it to be, instead it told the sincere curiosity that he was feeling.
"You are holding your photo. The plastic fragments are what is left of my favorite robot. Why do you ask questions that you already know the answers to?" Near's heart was pounding and he couldn't help but to wonder why nothing could be simple with the blonde; couldn't he just take his picture and leave? For the sake of Near's heart that was threatening to give out on him, he needed distance.
"You know what I mean, Near. Stop dodging the question." Mello took a tentative step closer to the now visibly frazzled boy at his feet; a long pale finger twirling an abused lock of ivory hair at an alarmingly fast rate. Near's lips parted slightly as though he was considering saying something before looking away and closing his mouth again; the boy obviously at war with himself. Mello dropped to his knees and gently grabbed the younger boy's chin with a gloved hand, turning his face to finally look at him. Near's face had lost the baby fat once making his cheeks round and making his high cheek bones more prominent. Dark eyes that had previously been a little too large for his boyish face were now more proportionate, though still large and framed by thick noir lashes; a stark contrast to his alabaster skin. His full petal pink lips were almost feminine, and definitely very tempting; the boy was no longer a boy, but still just as beautiful as he had always been. Their eyes lingered on one another for a moment longer than really necessary, both were lost in the orbs of the other; and Mello couldn't help but to think back to when he first laid eyes on the vision before him now.
"L is here! He brought a new kid!" The curious gasps and cries seemed to come from every direction at once, everyone curious as to who could possibly be so special as to be hand delivered by the almighty L; the world's three greatest detectives.
Mello was just about to make his move in Rover Red Rover, noticing a weak spot in Matt's hold on the boy to his left when he turned to stare at all of the commotion. It was almost as though he could visibly see fate in motion as the shrieks of the other children silenced and the whirlwind of colors seemed to halt. Seven year old Mello didn't know much about Love, just that it was beautiful and pure, and the boy he was currently lost in was certainly both of those things. Feeling his mother's rosary against his chest reminded him of the picture books she would read to him about the Cherubs and how they signified the presence of God himself. Mello felt as though he could drown in the ethereal glow emanating off of the pure white boy across the estate's lawn.
Cerulean eyes felt as though they would melt out of his skull as they were met with the most impossibly pretty shade of stormy gray he'd ever seen; never knowing such a bland color could evoke so much emotion. The young blonde was suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to know this boy, to be close to him, to find out if his voice was as angelic as he imagined it would be, or if his tendrils of creamy white curls would be as soft; what do angels smell like? So many questions about the new comer bombarded his mind, leaving his game at the wayside. I wonder if he actually notices me, or is just looking in general?
Mello was feeling like a schoolgirl with his first crush. The blonde did his best to intensify his gaze on the newest object of his affections and tossed his golden locks over his bare shoulder; resulting in the small boy to trip over himself and fall flat in the grass, his tiny hands coming up just in time to save him from a mouth full of lawn fertilizer. Yeah, he noticed me.
Mello couldn't fight the victorious grin that spread across his boy-ish face at the sight of the deep crimson blush staining his angel's cheeks as Rodger helped him to his feet and walked him to the massive building in which they all lived; the boy didn't dare another glance at Mello after that.
"Helloooo, Mello Yellow! Earth to Mells!" The blonde quickly snapped out of his revere and turned to look at his friend, a messy tangle of red falling over his way too big goggles that he always insisted on wearing. The red head smiled innocently and admiringly at his friend. "It's your turn!" he squeaked at the blonde. Mello smiled back at him and ran as fast as he could towards the interlocking arms of the children lined up before him.
Mello cleared his throat awkwardly and broke eye contact, holding out the wooden box to the boy, silently asking him again to explain himself. Near hesitated, but opened his mouth to speak. "L had gotten me that robot, it's the first toy anyone had ever gotten me. It had… sentimental value." A rosy blush dusted milky skin and an emotion that Mello couldn't quite place flitted in slate blue eyes, making the blonde's breath hitch. All the guilt from those years ago came flooding back like a tsunami on his soul; Mello was never a person who felt he had time for regret, accepting his life as it were, but if he could go back and change one thing, it would be this. "Near… I-"
Near's eyes shot up to look at him then, brows furrowed and sternness in his onyx eyes. "Don't. You have never apologized to anyone for anything; don't start now. It's very un-Mello-like." Mello was a bit taken aback by how much passion he had in his voice, it was almost as though the younger had respected his relentless disposition; Mello felt a surge of pride run through him at the odd way Near had admired him. The blonde allowed his lips to curl in a half smile as he nodded his acknowledgement at Near's little outburst.
It was then that Mello really appreciated his distance to Near, or rather the lack thereof; he could see every variation of gray and every curled lash, the slight sheen on his bottom lip, the cute slope of his upturned nose. A shiver ran through him as small bumps rose on his bronzed skin, he could practically feel the heat coming off of Near's creamy flesh; then small puffs of warm air on his cheek. When had I gotten so close?
Mello barely realized his own body inching closer before he ghosted his lips over Near's, a feather light, barely there touch that ignited a fire in him; lightning spiking through every nerve and frying every synapse. Near's eyes fluttered shut as he closed the fraction of space between them, gently but firmly pressing his lips to the older boy; their lips melding together perfectly. Mello was more surprised by how soft Near was than he was by the kiss itself, lips that were usually set in a hard line so much more pillowy than they looked. Reluctantly the blonde pulled back to look at the younger boy whose eyes were still closed, dark lashes resting on flushed skin; when they opened Mello felt the last of his resolve melt away and he reached a hand to again cup the boys face before pulling him back into his mouth, his kiss more passionate and powerful than before; a small hand moving to let down Mello's hair before burying slender fingers into the long flaxen locks, massaging the boys scalp and earning a low groan from his partner. A slick tongue gently swiped across the bottom lip of the younger boy, asking permission to take this further; when answered with a contented sigh the muscle slipped into the younger boy's mouth to explore the warm cavern. Tongues danced languidly, all competitions set aside for the time being, just exploring the other.
Mello's gloved hand slid from the albino's face down his neck, collarbone, fingers dancing along sensitive sides before sliding back up beneath the fabric of Near's thin cotton shirt; hands sliding around to the smaller boy's back and pulling him flat against his body. Soft moans and sighs were steadily dropping from both boys' lips, each sound being swallowed by the other. Nimble fingers untangled from golden hair and moved to the tight leather jacket effectively coming between ivory and olive skin, silently asking to remove the barrier between them. Mello quickly unzipped the offending garment and tossed it aside. The albino boy allowed his hands to trace the dips and curves of well toned muscle; biceps, shoulders, and then was yet again faced with another barrier, Mello's shirt being too tight to slip his hands beneath as Mello was doing to him. A frustrated sigh fell from swollen lips in between kisses as small hands went to tug on the hem of Mello's too tight shirt. Mello pulled back again a question in his sapphire orbs, as though asking "Are you sure?" Of all the scenarios Mello had planned for on the elevator ride up to Near's floor, this was certainly not one of them.
Near gently bit down on his bottom lip, his half lidded eyes glistening and lust filled, gently tugged again on the incommodious piece of clothing between them; Mello lifted his arms as the garment was pulled over his head and thrown half hazardly across the room, his fair hair spilling over his bare shoulders and tickling his skin. Mello quickly reclaimed Near's swollen lips with his own, removing his gloves before his fingers deftly began unbuttoning his shirt, making quick work of it and tossing it aside. Bare hands were now roaming heated and exposed flesh, nails raking across sensitive spots and gripping hips perhaps a bit too roughly; the blonde raising his hand to comb through messy white curls and again surprised by how soft he was. Mello could feel a delicious heat pooling in his stomach, encouraged by the mewls his partner was making at his touches. The blonde's experienced mouth explored the sensitive flesh of the paler boy, lips and tongue and teeth roaming the expanse of the younger's neck before burying his face in soft curls. Lavender; Angles smell like lavender. Mello breathed in Near's scent deeply before releasing a groan at the soft nipping at a sensitive spot on his neck. The desire raging through both boys was palpable; consuming them both in a sea of soft touches and low moans.
Earnest hands gripped cotton clad thighs roughly as strong muscles lifted the smaller boy who wrapped his surprisingly strong legs around the blonde's lithe waist before laying them both gently down on the marble floor, bodies firmly pressed together. A gasp and the feral moan that fell from Near's lips at the friction of feeling Mello grinding against him spurred the younger on to fondle his partner more fervently than before; movements were becoming harsh and sporadic, every kiss and touch sang of the desperate need they felt. Near felt as though he could drown in this; in every touch that scorched his skin with the very essence of what was Mello. Near felt so close to the edge that he couldn't help the tears that spilled over his flushed cheeks from the intensity of the onslaught of feelings that bombarded him; both physically and emotionally.
Mello's hands slide down Near's exposed sides and to the waist of white cotton pants, waiting for the boy's permission to remove them. Near quickly nodded his head as a steady knocking came at the door, forcing both boys to quickly fly apart in their panic.
"Near, Sir. We have movement; we need you in the communications room." Near sighed heavily and glared at the voice behind the door. "Yes, Rester. In a moment." Near looked into the azure orbs now standing above him apologetically; the older boy simply nodded and tossed him his cotton shirt before adorning his own cloths. Mello was hot, and frustrated, and now very annoyed with this Rester guy. "Restroom?" Near nodded his head towards a closed door in the corner of the room.
Mello splashed cold water over his heated face and did his best to steady his labored breathing and calm his pounding heart; halfheartedly straightening out his tangled hair before exiting to find Near was no longer in the room. Walking down the hallway which he came he found Near and what he assumed to be Rester standing beside Halle and Gevanni; his usual stoic façade perfectly in place, the only evidence of their encounter was a slight purple hued mark peeking through the collar of his shirt. Near approached the blonde, silently handing him his photo before nodding slightly and walking down a different corridor, his team on his heels with the exception of Gevanni who lingered a moment to glare at the rebel blonde as though he knew exactly what had just taken place and didn't approve of it.
The ride down the elevator was more somber than the ride up; his heart both uplifted yet at the same time discouraged by the way things had gone and the tinge of sadness shown in his bright cerulean eyes. As soon as the doors opened the leather clad boy stalked out the lobby door and to his motorcycle with his head kept down, not wanting the cameras to catch his sour expression. Again zipping his jacket higher and swinging a leg over the machinery he takes one last look at the building that held the most beautifully frustrating person he had ever known, a feeling of foreboding weighing heavy on his soul. This is it, isn't it?
Reaching into his jacket Mello pulled out the photo of himself and flipped it over, eyes widening as he saw that what he had previously thought was a taunt was now a finished letter written in the same fluid cursive.
Dear Mello,
I've spent so many years hiding what I've felt, that I think for a while I even had myself fooled. There are so many years of silence, so many thoughts that I would never have dared to vocalize. So many instances when my body itched to have yours near me. So many nights I couldn't sleep because the spot next to me was too cold and empty. Never for a moment did I see you as my rival, as you did me. If only I had the courage to tell you the truth then, we wouldn't have to be like this now. I love you, Mello. That is all I've ever wanted to say.
-Near
Mello stared wide eyed at the letter, reading over and over again, harshly wiping at a solitary tear that dared to fall. The boy looked again at the tall glass building and desperately wanted to race back to the arms of the boy he had both adored and despised; instead, he placed the photo back into his jacket and raced away back to the dingy apartment he shared with Matt.
Mello wasn't the type to regret decisions he's made, accepting life as it were; but if he could go back and do it all over, there were now two things he would have done differently. Shortly thereafter Matt and Mello fell in the war against Kira; the final word whispered was one the frightened woman watching the endeavor could not begin to understand.
"Near."
