Heheh…victories over Matt, via Adstringendum or Nulli Secundus…eh, whatever.

ENJOY. And review, you ungrateful whelps. -.-;

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Nulli Secundus, Chapter 10 – M, N, and L

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Mello patiently awaited Near's return, quickly sticking the things into the tunnels for easier access. He pondered a moment the encounter with Matt he would have to face and sighed. Matt probably would understand. If all else failed it was just a mission assigned by L. A mission involving Near...

Wait. His and Near's mission.

His and Near's secret.

He couldn't tell Matt about the Loft...

He was caught between lying to his best friend and keeping his partner's secret. Maybe he didn't have to lie (just kind of not telling the whole truth), but he did have to clarify the entire thing with Near.

"Mello?"

Near padded back into the storage room quietly, a small bag at his side containing only a box of lenses, a puzzle, and a deck of tarot cards. His dark eyes met Mello's, and he frowned slightly.

"Are you alright?"

Mello stared back, an apologetic shimmer in his ocean eyes.

"Yours and mine," he replied. "Not Matt's. Just going to say it is an assignment. Sorry, I wasn't specific. This is our secret. No one else's."

Mello sighed and bowed his head. He'd really messed up. Secrets were to be kept between the people you revealed them to...Mello reached into his pocket, clenching something in his fist and motioning for Near to follow as he climbed into the vent and unlocked the entrance to the tunnels. Mello took one look at the stuff and bit his lip.

"Near..."

Mello extended his fist and stared at it.

"I don't want to cling to the ghosts of my past. And…just...take it. I want you to know that...well, I'll keep your secrets safe…like she kept mine."

He opened his fingers and inside his fist was Hope's ring. The object that he held dearly was symbolic. Mello averted any gaze, too full of...was it embarrassment, or shame?

In his psyche, the worst thing one could do was break a promise. Although they hadn't said "I promise," it was a silent agreement, and he knew it.

A tremor ran through Near as he stared at the ring. The amazement in his dark eyes was the kind of emotion only held by people who had seen the light beyond the darkness, who knew exactly what it was like to wish for anything to cling to for salvation, and this ring...

Hope's ring was a symbol of everything she was to Mello in the past, his protector and guardian, his friend and ally, and his secret keeper. And he was giving this treasure to Near. He didn't exactly know why, but it felt like the right thing to do.

Near accepted it solemnly. The girl who it had last belonged to had probably not been fully grown, but Near knew it wouldn't fit around his finger. Instead, he slipped it into his pocket, making a mental note to find a chain or something later so he could wear it around his neck; close to his heart.

"Thanks, Mello. But you don't need to do that. You can tell Matt," Near said softly. "I don't mind. He's your best friend, probably the person closest to you. He...deserves to know."

He was glad Mello wasn't looking back at him. It saved him the trouble of averting his gaze.

"Just ours," Mello said shortly. The words meant the end of the conversation as Mello grabbed the fridge off the ground and started walking through the dark tunnel. In such a short time, he had actually become friends with his rival. He admitted it; he didn't mind being around Near in the Loft at all. Actually, he liked it.

There is was, he liked being around Near. There was no doubt Near liked being around him. After all, he'd kissed back…

Man, Near was filling his mind with a thousand thoughts at once, and it was slightly unnerving. When L wanted them to become closer, did he have this in mind?

Mello couldn't help thinking of his mentor as a total pervert as he walked the tunnel in silence.

Near began to nip at the inside of his lower lip, deep in thought. The tunnel was dark, and had no scent, which he found odd; granted, the smell of rat droppings and mildew was not likely pleasant, but it had been what he'd expected. So he was fairly pleased, actually...he sighed.

"Hey Mello. We keep calling it our assignment, but we still have no idea what we were assigned. Is that really such a good idea? I mean, for all we know, L simply shoved us in with all the books for research purposes, not to actually investigate anything. ...it might just be wishful thinking. Every child at Wammy's dreams of L doing something like that."

At least, he did...amongst his other dreams.

"Why give us so much for just research? It might be hoping high, but still. It doesn't seem like something just for research," Mello said. Then, with a shrug, "Besides, either way I still consider it an assignment, whether by L's rule or my own."

He seemed persistent with using the Loft, and his tone didn't need to tell anyone that. He wanted to be a hero like L was. Although the detective solved cases for interest, he was still a hero in Mello's eyes.

Mello shrugged as the end came into sight and withdrew his key, placing the fridge down to unlock the trap door and pushing it open to enter the puzzle room. He eyed the enormous puzzle, the message becoming more of an encouragement than an omen to him.

Near entered after Mello and stared down at the puzzle for a moment. He hated the message. Intensely. It was a bad concept, and he knew it. Biting his lip, he glanced at Mello.

"I...need to tell you something. Everything about us...is rivalry. From games, to grades, to L's path...we've always been rivals. And yet, you still manage to remain Number Two in everyone's eyes, including your own. But...not mine. And not L's." He tugged at a lock of hair, averting his gaze and pouting slightly. "See, I don't think it's fair. People think in different ways, so that means their intelligence has to be weighed in different ways. I do not see you as less intelligent than I am, even if others do. In fact, if I had to really swallow my pride, I would say you are smarter...because you do not need to discard your emotions to access your logic, as I do." Near entered further into the room, passing Mello so he could avoid his eyes without the effort on his neck. "You really are second to none, Mello."

"Are you trying to boost my ego, little AIDS boy?" Mello couldn't help but lighten at Near's words, hiding his slight blush by adjusting the fridge in his arms. The compliment was one he never expected to hear from Near. "…it worked. Thanks, I guess."

Mello felt very confused as he walked down the hall to their room. Their room. Together. He was astonished at how far they had actually come in a couple of short days.

"You're the one that gave me AIDs, so you can't use it to insult me." Near wondered how long that joke would continue. He was grateful they were approaching the Loft...grateful. It was odd, really, considering how much he'd dreaded the place not even two days prior.

His arms still ached where he'd been grabbed, and the stereo was starting to feel heavy. His mind had shut out what the boys had said to him, and thinking back, he was rather curious as to what their idiotic motives had been. He opened his mouth to ask Mello, then closed it again without uttering a sound. Bad idea...he bowed his head slightly, burying his nose and mouth behind the stereo and blushing. Mello had saved him. Mello had saved him.

"Who said it was an insult?"

Mello smirked as he passed Near, entering the room with a relieved sigh. To be honest, this place was more home than his room ever was, and already he was actually feeling the detachment he would face during the week without the place.

"I think anyone could become attached to this place."

Mello placed the fridge on the floor beside the desk, happy to find an outlet behind it. Mello nodded to himself as the sense of accomplishment washed over him. He looked up and stared suddenly. "Did we close the bathroom door when we left?"

No. They didn't. He distinctly remembered. Mello blinked in confusion. The door was definitely closed.

"Mello. Near. I am glad to see you have made it here safely."

The voice made both boys tense. Mello whipped around and suddenly went into a state of shock. The HELL? He hadn't noticed the man sitting on the floor previously, the dark-eyed creature hidden behind the bed, ebony hair draped in messy shapes every which way. The man stood up and smiled slightly, an approving gleam in his eyes.

"L?! What the..."

"L-san," Near murmured softly, his eyes glinting softly with unhidden affection as he gazed at his mentor. "I had been expecting to see you soon, but...I must admit, I'm surprised..."

The anger he had felt toward L previously was gone, replaced by respect, adoration, and the purest form of gratitude. His mind drifted to Mello, standing there with his dark cerulean gaze wide with shock. He could only imagine what was going on in THAT mind.

"I can see you are already beginning to adapt to your room. This is very good, meaning everything has gone according to plan, and my task is over. Please sit while I explain the details."

Mello blinked repeatedly, as if this man before him was going to disappear at any moment. This was his hero and idol, before him and addressing him by name. He shook off his primary shock, instead letting his expression assume an admiring gaze. He sat upon the carpet, crossing his legs and looking up at his mentor.

L pressed a skeletal finger to his lips, eyeing the two with something resembling curiosity. He was impressed and pleased. He stepped up onto the bed, one bare foot at a time, hunching like a gargoyle on the edge, a thumb to his mouth. Dark eyes gazed upon his successors, a satisfied look in the depths.

"As you know, I was the one who had set up the entire charade from the very beginning. The plan was a success, and therefore, you both have passed the preliminary test and are ready to begin your assignment."

Mello blinked in surprise, listening with keen ears. This was the preliminary trial? What was the assignment that they were on?

"I am 85% positive you will complete this mission successfully, therefore I am giving you a case that I myself have set up. I insist on testing the fullest extent of your abilities now should anything happen to me in the near future."

"Should anything happen?" Near echoed, watching L intently. Unlike his companion, he'd remained on his feet; his right finger was entwined into his hair, and his dark gaze was fixated on L's pallid face. "If you set up our case yourself, there is little chance it poses any danger to you...but at that, I'm currently more interested in what you could be working on that puts your life in danger."

He was being bold, and he knew it. However, he also knew that L was arrogant and cocky, and wouldn't consider himself to ever be in danger unless there was a high possibility. If L was so keen on testing them to their limits, the chance of him becoming angry enough at Near's forwardness to take their assignment away was slim.

"Indeed. I am working on something that poses a greater challenge than I initially anticipated and therefore I have decided to test you now." L lowered his thumb and perched his hands upon his knees. "Although I am quite sure that this case will end well."

Mello cocked his head and his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Near voiced his concern.

"How sure is quite sure?"

"There is a possibility of about 25% that my opponent will render me incapacitated."

The percentage was abnormally high and a flicker of worry crossed Mello's gaze. Was L tying up loose ends before something happened to him? The detective noted Mello's look and Near's bold inquiry, but brushed them aside, for there were more important matters to attend to.

"Your assignment is simple. You will have four months to solve the case, starting Friday of this week. I have maximized security to increase the challenge level. I expect this will be no problem for you. The Loft will be your only source of information on this case so I suggest you use it wisely."

"Four months, and all of these books," Near said quietly, his tone still low. He hadn't blinked once since his first inquiry. "And yet, we'll still need to keep up with Wammy's classes and our social lives as to not arouse suspicion."

He trailed off, eyes flicking toward Mello's profile; the boy's gaze was still fixated on L.

Near had no social life. Mello was popular. And Mello had Matt. This would be hard for them to work together on, and despite himself, Near estimated that he'd be doing 60% of the work.

No, not estimated. Or perhaps yes, but logic didn't surmise that; worry did. He blinked, his stone face fading slightly, and glanced up at L. He said nothing, but his eyes urged L to continue.

"I expect you to do your best work together," L said calmly. "Once you have solved the case, I will know. This case is of a murder that happened in this very bell tower, above the Loft, all of the details of the case have been included in the folder. Roger knows of the events planned but will not treat you any differently. This is a taste of detective work for you both."

The man eyed them, toes curling over the mattress a second before he slipped off the bed.

"I will leave you two now to yourselves."

Mello could have sworn he had seen a glint in those blank eyes, only one word coming to mind: "Pervert."

Mello stood up and blinked as L retreated into the hallway, disappearing, it seemed, into the shadows, like a ghost.

"I did not expect that..."

"He set this place up for us," Near said, watching where L had last been visibly, stroking a lock of his own hair solemnly. One of his feet was lifted, heel-up and toes pushing into the ground behind him, as if he'd taken a step forward. His back was arched slightly, and he blinked. "He set it up. He set everything up. So why do I almost feel violated that he came?"

The thought amused and concerned him, and yet, L's words...25%...that was a very high percentage. Too high. FAR too high. Near furrowed his brows uneasily.

"Our mentor is an extreme pervert," Mello grumbled. "Have you been getting that vibe too? Well. One week before we have to begin, and after that...I guess the place is ours for whatever we want. He didn't say we had to give it up."

Mello honestly didn't feel like giving up the Loft at all. In it, Near seemed far more pleasant anyways, or was it him that changed?

"Well, we better get back before curfew. We can't stay here all night this time."

"Yeah," Near said lowly, already heading out. "You're right."

His tone was cold; bitter. It was only after L had left that the burning in Near's veins had reasserted itself, painfully obvious, and silently, he cursed his idiocy, his forgetfulness. The one thing he'd wanted to ask most, and he'd been distracted. It made him wonder if the percentage of failure that L gave him had been accurate, or to throw him off.

He bowed his head so that he could glare at the path ahead of him from beneath white bangs. He wanted to shove his hands in his pockets, but no...that was something L would do.

His hands remains clenched into small fists at his sides, and as he walked, his posture remained perfect. He would never be just like L. He never wanted to be.

At least...he didn't want to be like L himself. To be the NEXT L would suit him fine...just fine...and if he wasn't, that was fine too. He'd ignore L's path, his twisted, sick set-ups, and follow his own path. Near's path.

N's path.

His mind snapped away from his thoughts. Mello had noted the tone and the reactions, wondering silently what bothered Near. He pondered asking, but would Near tell him? Yes, he would, Near trusted him to a degree that defied his logic, and was probably pretty risky at that.

"What set you off?"

There, he asked it. If he didn't get an answer, he'd ask again later, if he did, he could possibly help. The tone wasn't rude, but curious and calm, something resembling concern for his ri- no, friend's discomfort.

Near didn't want to tell him. He didn't want to, so he wouldn't, and he avoided every shred of instinct and emotion that screamed for him to look back at Mello's face...ignored them completely for his logic, though he ACHED to look back. But looking back would mean he'd falter, would speak. He wanted to just ask "What do YOU care?" and keep walking, wanted to look back and tell him, wanted to, didn't want to...

So he didn't. And he kept walking anyway.

"We regret the things we didn't do more than we regret the things we did," Mello sighed. Maybe Near didn't trust him with whatever secret he hid, and that was alright, but it bugged him. Mello took a last glance at the room, specifically at the carpet. He swore Near trusted him. But if he couldn't trust him with this, there had to be a damn good reason for it. Near already seemed in a state of discomfort and if he didn't trust him with this and told him, how much comfort could Mello give him? Mello shook his head and followed Near.

"Yeah," Near said, his icy tone breaking off into a soft, solemn sigh. "We do."

He raised an arm to rub tears from his eyes with a white cuff, tears he hadn't known were there until he felt them stinging. He fought back the urge to sniffle and kept walking, ahead of Mello.

His arm came down slightly wet. Why...WHY hadn't he remembered...?

Mello now didn't give a fuck one way or another... Near was in his care, Near was his to protect, as he was bound to it by invisible chains. He was a shadow against the wall, easily passing Near and pivoting around to face him.

"You don't have to tell me, but I'll do what I can..."

And with that Mello rose his hand to Near's face, wiping away the tears there with his shirt sleeve, holding his arm in such a way that offered Near the solace of a hug. It wasn't much, but if Near couldn't tell him, Mello would at least comfort him.

Near bit his lip and turned away slightly to glare at Mello from his right eye only, but the vicious gaze faltered after only a moment, and he chewed on his lip softly. He couldn't keep up the facade. Not when it was Mello. He didn't want to anyway.

So he pressed against him, arms wrapped around him shyly, resting his forehead against Mello's warm chest and staring at the black fabric, counting the blurry black stitches.

"I should have asked him, Mello. But I forgot...how could I forget? I'm...sorry. I should have remembered...I should have asked..."

He'd never been one to be entirely content when he had a gnawing question with no answer...but this time, he'd been so close to an answer, and neglected the question entirely. That fact...hurt.

"It's alright, Near..." The fact he had apologized to him meant that Near had wanted to interrogate L about why he had hurt him. He was still worried about that? Near must have felt useless for not being able to protect him when he was hurting, but it wasn't his fault. "I forgive you."

Mello wrapped his arms around the boy, holding him closer and curving his neck over Near's shoulder. Near buried his face into Mello's chest, inhaling his scent, trying to memorize it, trying to absorb the warm aura and the comforting arms so that he could call back the feeling whenever he wanted, so that he'd never be lonely again.

"Why...why did I forget?"

Near couldn't forgive himself. Wouldn't. And now, he was sure to make Mello angry, because the older boy would have to PRY Near off and RUN to get back to Wammy's before curfew, because Near sure as hell wasn't going to let go. The mere thought made him hold tighter. Mello sighed and massaged Near's back, not caring one way or another if they didn't make it back in time. He had a backup plan anyway.

"It's okay, Near, these things...however rare…do happen. It's not a big deal. You impress and flatter me that you wanted to criticize L on my behalf. That means a lot, y'know."

That was it. He was grateful to Near, flattered and warmed by the fact that Near cared for him as much as he did. He was becoming attached, there was no doubt about it.

"Criticize?" Near made a strangled noise somewhere between a hysterical snicker and a quiet sob. "What good did that do? Would that do? It's an easy question, Mello, so easy, and I didn't ask, WHY didn't I ask!?"

He was slurring his words slightly, his even voice cracking, the pitch and tone both rising. He was hysterical, and he hated himself for it. Weak-minded enough to forget, weak-willed enough to succumb, weak-bodied enough to fail, and weak-hearted enough to drown in his emotions...

Mello held him, bowing his head. This had been building up. Near wouldn't just snap for this one thing. Whatever else, all the things were just spilling out now. All Mello could do was tighten his embrace and hold him while he cried.

"It's alright..."

He couldn't say anything else, too choked on the frantic tugging of his protective nature, demanding to make this boy safe, to make his tears stop.

"No, it's not," Near whispered. His left hand pulled back to rest against Mello's chest, clenching over the black fabric, determined to keep him there. "You protect me. You comfort me. You help me when I'm hurt. And what have I done for you? Solved a puzzle." His breathing was uneven; his entire body trembled with each soft exhalation. "Why...couldn't that have hurt me like the door hurt you? I could have handled it...why were you the one that had to suffer?"

"You don't have to do anything but be here for me, and you have. That's all I need you to do, and I'll rest easy." Mello lowered his head, pressing a soft kiss onto Near's cheek. He felt so helpless against Near's questioning. "I don't know. I wouldn't have wanted you to get the mark anyway...not at all. Don't think I could live with myself if they got you like they did me."

Mello shuddered at the thought of frail little Near being Shocked, tortured, abused by the worst sorts of people, bleeding from every part of his body, skin bruised on his frail neck. He clenched the white shirt at the thought.

"I don't think that's possible if they're dead," Near reminded him softly, calming himself at the grip. "It's okay. I told you, Mello, you keep me safe, and I trust you. With my life." Deep in the back of his mind, he took mental note of the fact that once again, he'd hurt him. Near nuzzled closer, eyes half open. "I just wanted to ask...why he had to make it that way. Anyone can solve a puzzle in time. But that door was created in a way that hurt you, and only you. Why? And how did L know?"

"I can't answer that question.. I don't know why, Near. Maybe it has to do with our case. I don't know. Come on. We'll go to my room and just...sleep." The fact that Near trusted Mello was a shock to the latter, something he couldn't quite understand, but wouldn't give up for anything. "I trust you, although you are a manipulative little sheep with AIDs. And I don't hate you. I actually like this predicament...I like being around you when your apathy isn't here."

Mello let out a soft laugh and sighed, happy Near was calming down. "If you get too upset you'll get sick. Don't be too hard on yourself, alright? Don't suffer 'cause of me..."

"I don't think I can," Near replied, "even though you gave me AIDs. You sheep sodomizer."

"Excuse me if my sexual preference is for cute, rapeable sheep."

Near smirked softly, then frowned again. AIDs. Sheep. When the heck did they start joking around so much? They were rivals, and they knew each other better than anyone...but...at the same time, Near felt as though he didn't know Mello at all.

No, not Mello...

"Mello...what's your real name?"

Mello massaged Near's back, smirking softly to himself. When Near asked the question, a soft smile sprang to his lips.

"My name...is Mihael. Mihael Keehl."

"Mihael..." The word suited Near's lips, and he smiled. "Nate River."

"Nate...I could really like Nate. Nice to meet you, finally." Wait, did he just admit his sexual preference was Near? Timidly, the younger boy stood onto his tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to Mello's smiling lips. Mello sighed under Near's kiss. "I like Nate... Way better than the mask he hides behind..."

He'd just said that he liked Nate River. He was truthful; he really did like this small child against him.

"Come on. Let's go back to my room before we're missed, alright?"

"Alright. I have an idea. How about we have aliases for a purpose? It's indifferent Near and violent Mello at Wammy's...it's Mihael and Nate in the Loft...alright?" Near cocked his head.

"All right, Nate. It'll be like actors in a play, a facade for the people downstairs. Our secret."

Near's smile was pure, one of absolute adoration towards Mello...he had never thought he'd smile like that toward Mihael. He'd never smiled that way toward anyone. He kissed him again, softly.

Mello's heart warmed at Nate's smile. That smile was the one that made his violent days seem to die. Near adored him...the thought almost made Mello recoil in shock, but he felt a warmth unlike any other. Was he actually that attached? Likely. Very likely.

As Mello, he'd have to suppress it. As Mihael…who knew?

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-mewls softly, in pain- My fingers and eyes…gods, this chapter…agh.