A/N I kind of feel like I'm ripping you off because there hasn't been any lemon since the first few chapters :/ It's just really not relevant right now and I want to keep them in character.

It was the day after Matt had ran into Near in the bathroom, and neither of them had spoken about it. The gamer was still thinking about it though, wondering what was going inside Near's head underneath that fluffy white pile of wool. The albino seemed lonely and scared, but tried his best not to show it. He retained his composure and gave orders to everyone with the appropriate amount of authority. He was faking, but that wasn't anything new. Every emotion Matt had seen him display in his basement a week ago was now being kept under lock and key.

They were working on the case using them computers. Hundreds of criminals had died since Kira came to power, and Matt was amazed at how much killing a few people could get done. It wasn't just murderers now, anyone breaking the law was now being executed.

"So...how are you?" Matt asked Near somewhat randomly, still keeping his eyes on the computer screen. Social skills had never been his strong suit, but Matt wasn't shy.

"...Fine..." Near replied after a moment's pause, not looking at the other. "Is this...relevant to anything?"

"Um, nope. Not the case if that's what you mean."

"..."

"Just checking up on you to, you know make sure your okay..."

"Is there..." He clicked the mouse a few times. "A reason why I wouldn't be okay..."

"I...um..."

"If this is about your concern for my emotional well-being, I would really appreciate it if you saved the discussion for later, preferable somewhere more private..." He said twirling his hair.

"Yeah, alright." Matt agreed, feeling slightly dumb for trying to bring something up like that with Near right at that moment.

"Is there a time I could talk to you..."

"If there is something that needs to be discussed you may meet me in my room at 11:00 pm tonight. " The albino said robotically.

"Sure."

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Matt wasn't quite sure what to say to Near when he planned to talk to him that night, so he decided to just figure it all out when the time came. At 11:06 Matt realized that this was when Near had agreed to meet him so he put down his PSP and flicked off the light before exiting his room.

Near stayed patiently on his bed, nervously playing with the plastic blue limbs of a robot. How dare Matt get into his business like this. He's set up this designated time specifically so he could briefly and discreetly tell Matt that everything was fine and he needed to mind his own business...well, Near planned to say it more politely, but that was the message he wanted to get through. The young detective hated how Matt seemed so concerned for him and asked prying questions that only brought up things that he wanted to forget.

His gray eyes narrowed and glanced towards the door as somebody knocked.

"Matt?"

"Yep, it's me. May I come in?"

"Yes."

The knob turned and the brunette stepped in, shutting the door behind him with a quiet "click." He stood there awkwardly for a moment, looking at Near expectantly.

"You may sit down on my bed so we can talk." Near said monotonously.

Matt obeyed and sat down next to Near, looking at him and awkwardly trying to figure out how to begin this conversation. He half knew what he wanted to convey, and he really wanted to end the guilt he was feeling over what he's done to the poor boy. Knowing he was happy would help that.

"Well... I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing and see if you're happy. You know, after...everything that happened.

"...Matt...that is considerate but rather unnecessary. I am no longer in a dangerous or abusive situation so I am quite alright."

"Yeah but...I know your trying to stay in control of yourself, but I see the way you flinch when anyone comes to close to you, not that you don't have good reasons to...and how you're so tense all the time. You seem really paranoid..."

"It's really not your concern. Your job here is to work with the rest of the team to catch Kira, not become emotionally involved with me."

The gamer sighed. "Look, Near...It's okay...I'm not judging you and it's perfectly normal to want to be with someone...you don't need to be so cold and push everyone away."

"...How is this relevant to my situation I don't need to be with someone and I'm not pushing anyone away! I'm letting you talk to me right now! " Near drew one leg up to his chest and tugged on his snowy white locks. He made no effort to hide the obvious annoyance and frustration in his voice.

"Its relevant because...because you're a human Near! You are a human, stop trying to deny it!"

Near frowned and glared, not really sure what to make of Matt's comment.

"I never denied the fact that I was a human being. Social relationships are simply not practical at the moment."

"We'll, when will they be practical?" Matt waited for a response from the albino.

"..."

"It's just..." Matt slid his hand into his bangs. I want you to know that...I..don't know...I just feel bad for you."

Near sighed. Matt wasn't a bad guy, he really wasn't. Near just didn't like being talked to like he was some sort of pitiful traumatized wreck. Like he was weak and needy.

"I know how hurtful Mello can be." The brunette shifted on the bed, moving a little closer to Near.

Near swallowed nervously, unsure of what to do.

"So I just want to...interact with you a little more. I think we both need a friend"

Near's frowned deepened and he scooched back , until his back touched the metal bed frame.

"No...I'm done conversing with you. Get out. I have work to do."

Matt could easily see what Near was doing. Burying himself in his work to try and forget. Not focusing on himself, but the world around him so he didn't have to think about it.

"Look, I just feel guilty! I'm sorry Near, I'm so sorry I just want to help you! That's all I want to do! Help you!"

"I...do not need your assistance with anything. It is quite obvious that you are only trying to use me satisfy your own social and emotional needs. I understand you miss Mello...but, Please find someone to fill that role."

"Near...I'm not using you! For fuck's sake why can't you just trust me on this!"

"Because you-" Near started but found himself unable to finish his sentence.

"I know...I know..." He slid his goggles up off his face so he could make eye contact with Near. "And I'm sorry I really am."

"..." Near only averted his eyes. Matt could see every muscle in the boy's body tensing, even his pale toes were curling in on themselves.

The brunette reached out a hand to lightly touch the albino's shoulder.

Near glanced at Matt's gloves hand for a moment, before putting his pale fingers over the black leather.

It was almost romantic, and more than a little awkward. Near looked up at Matt briefly again and mumbled something incoherent before removing his hand and using it to twist a strand of hair.

"Sorry, what was that?" Matt asked.

"I...I said this friendship thing might work out. I'm not promising anything...there's no guarantee, but I think I could at least try it. " The ghost of a smile passed his lips for second.