A/N: Honestly, I think I added so much more to this story than I should have… I promise I'll get the story done by tomorrow! I'm such an unorganized idiot

-depressed-

I hope I didn't screw things up. R& R and Enjoy! Ja Ne!

"Achoo!" Near sneezed, knocking down his card tower. It was late, it was dark, it was quite, it was winter, and it was cold.

Wammy's was usually in a mildly warm temperature so the little one always wore a poor layer of clothing.

Now, it back fired at him.

He had begun to make the card tower, once again, at his usual spot by the snow frozen window. The darkness outside and inside was illuminated by a glistening shine of the moon. Near's shadow stretched across the moonlit floor. It was two in the morning and of course all of the kids were asleep at this point. Near looked like a lonely ghost alone in the common room in that moonlight.

The cold was killing him but he refused to let it over take him.

"Achoo…" The tower blew down once again. Near was determined to get his tower up. But that wasn't the decisive beacon. It was his actually stubbornness.

Foot steps were visible from beyond. Near was still unfazed, working on his card tower.

They skidded to a stop, entering the common room and approached Near.

"Whoa, Near what are you doing up so late…" Near didn't look up, eyes still glaring at two cards that finally obeyed him.

He sneezed into his inner elbow then looked up.

"Why are you sitting in the cold? Are you really not human…?" Matt said the last part to himself.

Near's eyes narrowed. "I wish not to know what that means. Why are you here? It's much past curfew…" Near's attention returned to the card tower and he sneezed.

Matt jumped and Near swore silently, re-doing his tower.

"I couldn't sleep… Actually, should I be asking the same?"

Near didn't reply but sneezed silently.

"Uh, Near….you're going to get sick..."

"I probably already am." Near stated more coldly than the air.

"Worse, I mean, it could get worse. Any way's I can tell you won't be able to finish off your tower in this condition." Matt said strictly. He didn't talk much to Near-at all actually- but the boy was stubborn; even if it was for his own health.

"I'm fine…" Near aid stacking cards from where he had stopped off.

Matt snickered.

"Ah…Ah…." Near's sneeze finally held back. But then it came out.

"Achoo!" Near let out a soft, rough blow.

Matt stood back.

Near's sleeves and cards were covered in transparent, slightly green goop.

Matt stared at Near and Near looked back at him, wondering why Matt was so talkative.

Near finally realized Matt wasn't with his game boy, or his goggles. That was a surprise. His eyes were a dark blue color that seemed to light up and dance silently with the moon's shine.

The albino took an uncovered sleeve and whipped his nose before shakily turning to his cards once again.

"Ugh! Near, you're such an idiot!" Matt grabbed the boy and carried him out the common room bridal style.

He was light and cold, shivering.

"Let me go!" Near weakly protested. He was sick and tired and Matt was surprisingly warm and comfortable. Before Near realized it, he was melting into Matt's touch. Near blushed at his sudden reaction and situation, deciding to put up another objection. "I'm unclean anyways."

"I'll let go if you put up a better fight." Matt joked. "Any way's who care's, I'll have an excuse to get out of my math test if I catch your cold." Matt wasn't actually getting dirtied, actually.

Near hadn't spoke to Matt or heard him much besides him spending time with Mello and others from a distance. His sudden kindness baffled the younger. Wasn't he like the others? But now that Near heard him-felt him- so close, he realized Matt's accent and looks were quite stunning. His hold was firm, and Near could feel a muscle here and there contrasting with each step. His stomach from Near's side was felt to be shaped. Near blushed more. Matt was quite the handsome guy. Matt looked down at Near smiled foolishly from his comment. His hair shone in the moon lit halls, brightening his murky eyes, and his angelic smile made Near's heart skip a beat.

Near lit up more. Matt's dark eyes widened. Both, pink, now red, stared at each other for quite a while before jerking their gazes apart.

After an uncomfortable silence they made it to Near's room.

"You're not leaving?" Near said as he neared his bathroom.

Matt was still red, shifting uncomfortably, looking outside the room. "How else would I know you're not going to kill your self in the cold after I leave?"

Near laughed. Mat's heart skipped a beat.

Near closed the door behind him and quickly undressed. The germs were beginning to disgust him further. He hastily threw his soiled clothes in the waste basket and froze as soon as his hands touched the shower's handle.

He needed an extra pair of clothing.

Near's face lit up. He wouldn't dare let Matt see him in only a towel.

Beyond the door Matt decided to sit on Near's bed. It was strange that the shower didn't come on and visions began to come up of what Near could be doing. Matt began pacing around the room to clear his mind. A light began to glow on the floor and Matt looked towards the bathroom door.

"Matt…Would you please pass me new clothing." White fluff was visible through the doors entrance and a hand waited.

Matt's face flushed and he quickly went to get a new pair of clothing for Near, avoiding to look at any under garments.

As soon as his hand held out the clothing, it disappeared. Near was back inside and the shower began running.

Matt patiently sat on a chair near by the bed and thought of the latest games coming out.

Near took a while and some steam was noticeable as he excited the bathroom. To his surprise, Matt still sat in the room. He was staring into space. He looked so cute.

Near brushed the thought away.

"Matt…Matt…" The red head jerked back to reality and looked at Near.

His hair was damp and he smelled of cotton candy and strawberries.

Matt enjoyed the scent for a while before getting pulled into reality again.

"You may leave, now." Near said, "I showered in warm water, I'm sure my cold will go down on its own."

Near looked at Matt. He had bags. He needed his sleep. But Near could say he look just as fatigued.

"You look extremely exhausted…" Near said absent-mindedly, as he began twirling a lock, and his eyes narrowed.

Matt felt a bit cheered to Near's concern. "I could I sleep here?"

Near snapped out of his muse. "You have two feet, I'm sure you can try crawling to your room."

Matt pouted. "You're cruel. I guess I'll make myself at home then."

Matt climbed onto the right side of the bed and ushered Near to sleep besides him.

"You still have a cold, and I want to make sure you'll be warm enough to get rid of it." Matt smiled.

Near's cheeks tainted pink for a second. "Refrain from acting so childish. I'll be warm in my sheets. That's what they're here for." Near rolled his eyes.

Matt threw the sheets to the ground. "Come here."

Near glared. Matt was as stubborn as he.

It was obvious the red head wouldn't leave. Near seemed to be his top priority.

The albino gave up protesting and climbed in with Matt. He kept his back to the older, staring at the ivory wall.

Matt wrapped his arms around Near's waist, receiving a tension.

"Stay away." Near said frustrated.

"I told you I'd keep you warm. How do you expect to get your blankets with me guarding them, anyways?" Matt said with playful malice.

Matt was skinny, but he was stronger than Near.

Near finally relaxed and sunk into Matt.

Matt smelled faintly of smoke and another more pleasant scent. It made Near feel like he was at home in a way. Maybe he felt right in Matt's arms?

"Are you going to sleep first?" Near said. Matt's breath against the nape of his neck made pleasant waves and Goosebumps erupt throughout his body.

"I'll sleep when I know you are."

Near sighed. He wouldn't sleep for a while, so he had to a least try to. He closed his eyes and melted into the moment. Soon after he drifted off to sleep.

"Night Near." Matt kissed Near's forehead before drifting off to sleep.

-x-

Sadly, Matt didn't catch Near's cold and passes the test surprisingly still in third place. But either way, it was impossible. He was so far from Near and the germs didn't get on him anyways.

Soon after that the two seemed to notice each other more. Matt would often converse with Near, getting equally attentive responses. Matt ignored gazes from gossipy orphans and quarrels with Mello. He had to make sure Near wasn't being foolish and overworking himself over dumb things anyways.

"Hey, Near. It's Christmas tomorrow. What are you going to do?" Matt said as he sat Indian style in front of Near. He had gotten used to not having his game boy around anymore. Near was far more interesting.

"Nothing. I've never celebrated Christmas…" Near said as he placed a Lego man at a street light, then letting a car drive by.

Matt froze.

Never. Celebrated. Christmas…

Those words combined were like sin to Matt's ears.

"You're kidding me Near!" Matt leaned towards the boy, gaining looks. Near looked up at Matt, their faces inches apart.

"I am not lying." And he returned to his toy world.

Matt was still in shock. He felt so bad for Near. All those wonderful years wasted!

"Then you'll celebrate it with me tomorrow." Matt smiled, "Only you and me."

Near looked up at Matt beaming.

What was he going to do?

-x-

Near couldn't sleep. He was actually quite excited for the event. It wasn't actually Christmas that excited him but spending the whole day with Matt. Nether less, maybe he'd get a good first impression of the holiday from Matt.

As Near happily shifted in his sleep he heard a few distant tapping sounds. He ignored it and thought again until he jumped up when he saw red and white entering through his window. Near, stuck in fear, looked as the intruder enter his room. Anger engulfed him when the figure landed on his floor, bringing some snow in.

Matt sure had a crazy way of making your first Christmas fun.

"Oh, Near you're awake. What a kill-joy."

"You almost give me a heart attack entering my room like an assaulter and tell me I'm to one ruining some type of 'fun' we seem to be having." Near said vexed.

"Assaulter? Near! I'm Santa Claus!" Matt said pointing to his goofy puffy white beard. He was in a Santa costume and had pillows inside to make his seem fat.

"Why would any family want a fat jolly man breaking and entering their homes, just to give them gifts?" Near asked confused by the adored tradition.

"Well…You see…Uh, people don't look at it that way, Near. And Santa comes from you're chimney."

"How does he get to the trees of those who don't have a chimney?" It's clear you demonstrated his other options. Near silently stated.

"Whatever, the point is you get gifts, right?" Matt said as he dropped the pillows.

"I suppose…" Near replied.

Near finally realized the white bag Matt was digging into. It was quite full.

He began pulling all sorts of ornaments and decorations out. Then the bag was left to be full to a certain amount.

"Matt, in the bag…are those all my presents?" Near said surprised.

Matt looking frustrated through the pack looked up and nodded.

"Do all kids usually receive so many presents?" Near said twirling his hair as Matt searched with his head in the bag.

Matt looked up. "You're twelve, right?"

Near nodded.

"Good… Ahah!" Matt pulled out a small teddy bear.

Near glowered at Matt. "Is thirteen the new one in some countries now?"

"No, you said you've never celebrated Christmas before, right?"

Near nodded trying to grasp the reason as to why a teddy bear has to do with anything, then he caught it.

"Well I'm going to give you a toy for each of your lost years." Matt smiled. Near's heart did a back flip.

Near got up and took the toy clutching it close to his heart. "Thank you…"

Matt smiled again. "Now, let's go do more things for Christmas. After each one, you'll get another gift."

Matt got up. "Change into something warm." He sat on the bed.

"Matt…" Near hid his face under his bangs. "Thank you…really…" It was too much and Near was really grateful.

"It's nothing."

It's not just 'nothing', Idiot.

"You don't have to get me anything. I'm sure someone else will cover that." Matt smiled proudly.

Near nodded and went to wear some jeans and a white long sleeve sweater.

"Wait, Matt…it's still dark…" Near said noticing the dark background. The snow was still falling gently.

"Yep. You need your jacket and gloves, scarf and boots."

L had gotten every orphan seasonal wear, so it was no problem getting the items.

Near hesitated as he wore his water proof boots. "Matt... Where exactly are we going?"

"We're going to look for a tree." He said humming.

"Why are you so nonchalant about that?" Near practically yelled. Matt was crazy!

"It's not like were going to be wandering around town! There were a couple of trees beyond the forest that I hoped you would like to pick out." Matt said.

Near froze. Matt's kindness was killing him.

Near sighed. "As you wish."

"Nah, it's the other way around." Matt got up and took Near's hand leading him out into the corridor, closing the door behind their back.

Near blushed at Matt's touch. He didn't let go their whole walk.

"Matt…Why aren't you wearing anything on?" Matt wore on nothing but his goggles, his usual black gloves, black and red stripped shirt, black boots and creamy colored vest. He took the Santa costume off, complaining that it was hot under the layers.

Snow fell on him slowly and gently as if hesitant to touch the boy.

"It was hot under that stuff. I wonder what the real Santa has to deal with." He led Near deeper into the forest.

"Huh…I thought I came around here." Matt curved around a tree.

Near's eyes scanned the area, making sure to remember their way out.

"Ahh! There they are!" Matt walked up to a group of small pine trees.

"Pick which ones you want!" Matt said beaming.

Near inspected them, soon choosing a tree a few inches above his height and leaves that seem to perk out in a way that Near was fond of.

"Matt…how are we going to get it to the orphanage, let alone my room?" Near looked at Matt who was searching for something else.

"We'll cut it down ourselves." Matt said holding out two axes.

"Matt…before we continue. Do you have some type of disorder I can't recognize?"

Matt looked at Near confused. "No, why?"

Near sighed. "Hand me one." They began chopping down the tree and left nothing but a perfect stump in a heap of its fellow foliage.

Near had a difficult time and was afraid that Matt was doing all of the work.

"No worries let me get it." Mat shrugged some snow off and dragged the tree effortlessly.

Was he mutated or something? Near childishly thought.

Near headed get the tree off the ground as they headed to his room.

Matt held the tree down and placed a red and white rug around it.

"Let's decorate it!" Matt said pointing to the scattered ornaments.

Near happily nodded and they headed to the tree.

Matt placed the lights around it since he was taller, while Near placed on candy canes, glittery balls, and angels. Matt lifted up Near so he could place the star on top.

Matt lit up the tree and Near looked in admiration.

Matt felt happy inside. Near looked like a child in full joy.

The lights sang Jingle Bells and Silent Night. Matt shut it off and announced for them to rest.

"We could finish off our list in the afternoon." Matt smiled. What saddened Near was that he would be heading back to his room.

"You said you'd be with me for the whole day…" Near pouted.

Matt blushed in excitement. He had never seen Near this way, but hadn't he been opening up the whole time?

"I'm happy Near want's me all to himself…" Matt hummed into the smaller ones' ear.

"T-that's not what I meant…You promised, is all…" Near said breathless. Matt smelled sweet from the candy canes he stole. His warm breath again Near's skin made him whimper silently.

Matt laughed, catching the small sound. "I'm just teasing." He touched Near's jaw and lifted his chin. "It's too hard to resist not teasing this face…" Matt slowly inched closer. It was the perfect moment, until Matt broke away.

Near let out an unintelligent noise of displease. Matt smiled at his success. "Not yet he said as he placed his forehead to Near's, making their eyes meet. "You'll see."

And with that Matt left with the gifts.

Near's heart pumped fast until it slowed down. Why did Matt always leave him excited like that? It made Near fell lonelier every time Matt left him.

Near changed and got into bed. He was too eager to sleep, but it still took over.

-x-

Near felt like he was peace it's self. He was warm and ever so comfortable. Though Matt left last night, his whole presence didn't leave Near.

It felt too…real.

Near's eyes shot open holding tightly to the body that held his body; shielding him from any harms way.

"Awake, Sleeping Beauty?" Matt teased.

Near was relieved to see Matt by him when he woke.

Near gripped tighter to Matt as if he'd suddenly disappear.

"Don't worry…its weird, I felt a bit lonely when I left you…and when I came back it all went away."

Matt stayed with him the whole night. Near was overjoyed.

Mat lightly kissed Near's forehead.

He wished that in all the darkness and craziness of life, Mello and having to succeed L, Matt would be an option. The red head always seemed too concerned about him. Yet, how did they become close in such short time? Matt was too nice and Near was too curious? He'd never know and for once, he didn't feel like understanding everything. He'd just let everything flow on its own. That's when Near remembered.

Near hugged Matt and took in his scent before getting up.

His clock read 11:48, December 25

It was not long ago Matt and Near decorated their own Christmas tree.

"Are we going to finish that list of yours?" Near said heading to the bathroom.

"All that's needed to finish it is you." Matt winked at Near. Near flushed and headed in to get ready, taking extra clothes with him self this time.

Yes, they certainly grew close in such short time.

But Near didn't know if they somehow together, friends or Matt just really enjoyed teasing Near.

Once Near was done Matt and the younger headed down stairs to the kitchen.

Matt hadn't mind being seen by Near. It actually made him feel happy to be with Near out in the open. Mello was out with L anyways, so he would take the punishment like a man.

"What are we doing?" Near said as he looked down at the strange ingredients of eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract and other things.

"Making eggnog." Matt said as he started.

"Isn't rum in that…"

Near began having weird thoughts of what Matt may do while he was drunk.

Matt laughed. "There are other ways of making it. You're cute when you don't know things Near." Matt ruffled his hair.

Near blushed.

The chef of the orphanage took it from there.

Near noticed him stirring the liquid on something hot.

Don't we drink this cold? Near shrugged it off and did as Matt said.

"Here you go." Matt handed Near a set of soldiers.

"Thank you…" Near started wondering if he would have to keep saying 'thank you' after each activity.

Matt nodded. "While we wait, let's go wrap practice wrapping gifts. You may want to learn how to do it for next year."

Near nodded and they headed back to his room. Matt taught Near how to get the edges perfect and the tape on without wasting a piece.

Near's third gift was surely what a three year old would want: Red and green construction paper with baby scissors. Matt laughed hysterically.

Soon an hour past and they went down to get their creation.

Near's face brightened. "It's amazing…" Near didn't notice it but he had a mustache.

Matt laughed and made a mischievous grin moving in to kiss Near, licking the mustache away. The used his hand to whip his saliva from Near's mouth.

Near was stunned, red. "S-someone could have been looking…" Were they really friends? Yeah, that was it. Matt just liked to…tease…

Near kept gawking. Matt's tongue tasted sweet from the drink though he didn't have much access into his mouth.

They finished the drink with a weird, needy silence.

"A drawing book for a master piece." Matt handed Near a sketch book. Near wasn't much of an artist, but maybe a three year old loved to doodle?

"You could draw me any time you want." Matt said mischievously.

Near blushed pushing Matt out of his way to his room.

"Next: Christmas Caroling." Matt marched on. Near caught up.

"I don't sing. Let alone talk to others."

"Hmm…true… Why not sing a few song's for me?" Matt beamed.

Near blushed. His face was probably going to lose color by the end of this day. "I don't know…" He didn't sing or know how to.

Matt held up tarot cards. "Come on, these predict a wonderful voice from afar."

Near's next gift.

Near decided to go on with the plan. He locked the door and learned a few songs before singing the minority of lines.

Near's voice was actually soft and held a smooth melody.

When he sung Silent Night with the Christmas lights Matt's gaze never left Near's. He looked like an angel.

When Near was done he shoved himself under his covers.

So embarrassing…

"Here you go." Matt said outside. Two objects slide under Near.

They were both card sets. The tarot cards Matt held and regular cards that were obviously replacements for the one's he lost in a germy rainfall from long before.

Only four more gifts. Near suddenly hated growing up.

Next Matt and Near made Christmas cards.

"What does yours say?" Matt asked.

"You'll see… be patient."

Near had already read Matt's:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, my dear Near.

It rhymed, it was cute, and it was simple.

Near on the other hand was having trouble. Finally he finished.

Matt read it out loud:

Seasons greeting to my best friend. Thank you for all you've done for me. I hope the best and wish to see you happy on this special holiday.

~Near

Matt laughed. "It was that hard?"

Near nodded. He wanted to say something more special, but it wasn't coming out.

"Dice, this year." Matt handed Near one of the gifts he wrapped. A dice set and it was large. Near nodded happily and nodded to the side.

"Let's watch a movie!" Matt said. It was only 3:48 and he had A Nightmare before Christmas in mind.

Near nodded and sat on the rug. Matt popped the movie and sat besides Near. The movie was interesting a bit musical, but appealing.

"Here, a camera." Matt handed Near. "I don't think you'll use it much, but never say never." Matt smiled.

"Matt…where did you get the money to get this?" Near stared at him for any sign of lying.

"I have people." Matt said.

Near sighed hoping for Matt's future safety.

"What now? I'm only ten." Near played along.

"A snow angel. Let's go make some." Matt got up and handed Near his gloves and coat.

They headed outside, heading to somewhere around the orphanage that wasn't swarming with kinds.

Matt lay on the ground and waved his legs and arms around he got up and revealed a snow angel to Near's bewilderment. Near always wondered how they came out that way.

Near was shy at first but he got down and moved. He got up and saw his master piece.

"Two Lego cities and five citizens for each." Matt said as he took the items out.

"Where are you taking all of the things from?" Near asked in real confusion.

"I have a bag with me. It must be smaller now…" Matt shrugged it off and sat down making a few more angels with Near following.

"Now you're twelve, you're last gift are dominoes. But first, you need to make a snow man."

"A snowman?"

"I'll help you if you could beat me in a snowball fight." Near looked at Matt pick up a snow ball and throw it at him.

Near shielded him self. He had never experienced a snowball fight before, but he learned how to pick up snow fat. He won and Matt helped make the body.

Near looked for twigs for the arms and frocks for the buttons and face. The nose was a leaf. Near didn't care about what others did. His scarf and gloves were decorated on it. He took a picture of it with Matt besides.

They went inside and Near got his final gift. He put all his new belongings under his tree and took a picture of it all.

It was already 8 and Near's first Christmas had kind of ended.

Near still felt sad about Matt getting nothing so he remembered one crucial gift that Matt didn't give him.

Near ran outside telling Matt to wait and returning shortly after.

"Matt, why is it you did this all for me?" Near sat besides Matt on his bed.

Matt blushed, but he didn't hide it. "Because I love you, Near." It was sweet and low. Near's heart flutter.

"Well, I think I still owe you a gift." Near lifted his hand over Matt's and his head. The red head looked up, surprised and yet not.

"You know what this mean?" Near smiled. Matt jumped at Near and kissed him ever so passionately.

Matt asked for entrance and Near instantly gives it to him.

They broke away breathless, looking at each other with lustful eyes.

"I love you too Matt…"

"I love you, more Near, Merry Christmas…"

Yes, they had grown close too each other in such a short time.

Reikan-san: Uh….I totally confused my self and I can't quite figure out what's wrong. First it was my Table of Content's that mixed me up, then the chapters and the day's they follow. But that doesn't help the fact that I've been thinking I've missed days… So this story is rightfully being written today and then the next is on the 24th then the Special on the 25th…so what's messing me up? O.o

Reikan-san: Any way's I hope you all enjoyed. I did. I LOVE MattxNear Wouldn't Matt seem like the hot foreign guy? And you know Near's always the cute tsundere type Uke :P that's if he's crazy…

Youngest Fan girl: Near can't be a tsundere. He's not a girl!

Fan girl #1 and Reikan-san: You sure?

Youngest Fan girl: -nods innocently- He has a-

Reikan-san: -cups mouth- No need to elaborate, Ha-Ha. ^^" We were just kidding –glares at fan girls-

Which one of you has been corrupting her mind?

Fan Girls: -whistles-

Fan girl #2: Near a seme?

Fan girl #3: Maybe…it could be possible.

All: Nod.

Reikan-san: Any ways tell me what you think and what I should improve on my writing sense. Thank you all for reading we're almost done ^^. Ja Ne!