A/N: Hate to do this to all of you, but this is the final chapter! Couldn't help but write it out, I was too excited!

Don't worry though, because the sequel will be up tomorrow!

For the last time in this specific fic, thank you all for the awesome feedback, you are all terrific people, and I hope to see you all tomorrow with the sequel.

*Note: I will be posting a notice when the fic is up on this story so you won't have to wonder when it'll be posted. :)*

Adieu my fellow readers! Until tomorrow!

(L P.O.V)

I couldn't believe B had held a grudge for so many years. Right when I was beginning to believe I had gotten over A's death, he just had to remind me about it again. And then Light tells me Mello is carrying some immense burden on his shoulders, enough to make him snap and believe he had to do something as stupid as trying to catch Beyond, not to mention the guilt he was feeling right now for having Near almost killed, and putting Matt in danger as well…

For once in my life, I had no idea what to do.

I flopped face first onto my bed. Hearing that Light was no longer mad at Mello made me feel better, but knowing Mello was going through so much pain and anguish, thinking I didn't respect him or care about his abilities, enough that he basically went on a suicide mission to catch B…

And it was like having A back into my life. And I was risking losing Mello now, too.

As soon as Light sat on the bed, I made up my mind.

I looked up at him. "I'm cancelling the successor program. That's it! I can't lose anyone else because of my position here in life. I don't care about having someone to take my place after I die, if it means the possibility of losing one of my boys…!"

Light put a hand on my shoulder to calm me. "L, why did you restart the successor program after you found Mello? You'd said it had to do with something with filling a gap in your heart that A and B had left when they were taken from you. But you never explained why exactly you restarted it."

I took a moment to think about it. "Maybe I didn't even want it restarted. Maybe I just wanted a reason… for Mello to stay."

I sat up then, Light's hand never leaving my shoulder. "Maybe I thought… if I gave him a reason to stay, he'd never want to leave. And my heart wouldn't feel so empty." I smiled at the thought of Matt and Near then. "And then Matt entered my life, then of course Near, and… I was happy. I'd had my successors back. Where A and B once held a place in my heart, Mello, Matt, and Near filled the void. I guess… I guess I restarted the program because of them. They were my boys… but I was wrong to assume that."

"What are you talking about? Of course they're your boys, hey love you!" Light reassured. "But I don't think you've let them know just how much you love them. You treat them with respect, but I've never seen you hug them or listen to them. You said to me when I'd first came here that they were your brothers, but they were so deprived of love that when I'd tried to hug them at first they were confused. Not to mention, Ryuzaki, that Mello is an extremity in this case. His own parents wouldn't love him after his incident, and after watching you he closed himself off."

I sighed heavily to myself. "Light, you are the first person I've ever truly loved more than anyone or anything. I have a hard time spilling the words 'I love you' whenever it's needed. So what makes you think showing any kind of affection to the boys is easy for me?"

Light kissed my cheek then, and smiled at me. "I thought you liked a challenge."

A few moments went by and I thought about what he'd said. I still couldn't find it in my heart though.

"Light, it's already too late. The boys would probably just shy away from me."

Light chuckled as he kicked me off the bed. I landed on the floor with a thump and was more than irritated that he'd kicked me.

"Care to explain what that was for!?"

"Well, you aren't going to go talk to your boys on your own accord, so I'm giving you a kick in the right direction." He then pointed to the door. "Now go find your boys and tell them you love them, or face losing them forever."

"Light, it isn't that simple…"

"Go now, or forever be locked outside this room until you do!"

"That's not much of a threat considering my many houses and estates across the world."

"And none of them have me. Let that sink in a bit."

I grumbled at the thought. He'd had a point.

I gave up trying to fight him and got up from the floor. I then head out the room to find my boys. Of course, Mello was resting in his room, but I hadn't expected to find Matt and Near there. The two seemed to be taking care of Mello while he rested, and I was warmed by the thought that the three had a special bond together. It was something I'd wanted for them since they'd all been introduced when they were very young.

I finally made my entrance and the three looked up to find me. Mello seemed the most pleased since he sat up almost immediately, and cringing soon afterwards at the pain in his side.

"Are you all done with the Beyond Birthday thing, L?" He asked happily.

I scratched my head a bit. "Actually, there's still some paperwork to do concerning his imprisonment and…"

I stopped when I noticed the look on his face turn from joyous to morose. Even Near and Matt were a bit saddened.

I grinned though. "But Watari is taking care of it for me. I actually came down to see if you were alright, Mello."

His eyes lit up at this and he nodded. "I could do without the sharp pain, though."

I sat down on his bed. "I'm sure you'll be fine." I turned to Near who sat at my feet then. "And you, Near? How have you been doing since the incident?"

The albino just smiled and hugged my leg. "Better. Now that I know Beyond is gone for good, I'm not too worried about running into him again."

"Even if he was on the loose," Matt spoke up, "we'd protect you. We're family, it's what we do!"

Mello scoffed. "If I find out you took a bullet for anyone, I would never forgive you."

"Why? You took a bullet for Near and I forgave you. Even if you don't deserve it."

The blonde jerked forward to get up and hit the game, but I pulled him into a hug before he could get close to him.

"Let it go, Mello. You're alive and safe. That's all that matters. You can beat up Matt when you're back to good health."

Mello sighed. "And after I get my grades back to normal. It's going to be a hell on wheels for the next few months, but hopefully I can pull it through."

I hummed at this. "Actually Mello, I'm thinking about cancelling the successor program for good."

"WHAT!" The three of them said at once. I was then bombarded with questions on why and how I came to the decision.

When I'd calmed them down I explained.

"It's just too stressful for kids your age to worry about becoming something that I haven't even chosen you for yet. I'd rather you all just live your lives accordingly and become your own, self-made, people. I don't want to lose any of you if the stress ever gets to be overwhelming. I love you all too much to allow this kind of stress on your shoulders."

Mello shook his head. "No, L, we've worked too hard for you to just stop us now!"

"He's right!" Near added. "It's not too stressful, we can handle this!"

"I'm sorry, but my mind's made up." I declared. "I won't have this kind of life for you."

Mello pulled away from me and looked me right in the eye. "L, from the moment you told me who you are and what you stood for, I wanted to be like you. Maybe these past few years have been a bit tough on me, but that's because I lost sight of who I was as a person and what I wanted to fight for. Having Near almost die… almost get killed… it helped me to realize what it is I want. Not just to be the best… but to fight for what's right. That's something you always taught me… and I'm sorry for thinking that being L was the right way to go.

"Please, L, don't cancel the program. If you have, then just kick me out and let Near be your successor! I don't care about it anymore! I'm just happy being me."

The sincerity in his eyes was enough to move me, but it wasn't enough to stop the worry.

I sighed. "Fine. I won't cancel it. For now at least." I looked back at him. "But that doesn't change anything about your punishment. Your grades will still be reduced by seventy percent."

'Or at least that's what you will believe for now.'

Yes… that was my plan now. Mello would believe his grades were low so I can observe what he will do next. If he continues on with believing he doesn't have to be L to be great, then I will feel safer continuing on with the successor program. If he shows any signs of stress again, or begins to lose his way, then the program will no longer be in effect. If I can get Light on board, then it'll all be the perfect.

I opened my arms and the blonde hugged me tight. "Thank you, L. I'm sorry for everything, I know I've been losing myself but I can get past this. I know I can."

'I hope you can.' I thought to myself.

I sighed once more before letting him go. "I don't suppose you want some of that imported ice cream I managed to save. After all this drama with B, I'm more than willing to share it with all of you as a celebration… this once."

"Didn't you just take us out for some?" Near asked me.

I pressed a finger to my lips. "Light never needs to know about this."

"Now you're talkin'!" Matt hurrahed. "I'll go get the bowls and spoons!"

And the red head was off.

I stood from Mello's bed and promised to be right back. Maybe I wasn't big on the whole 'sharing' business most times. But, for my boys, I could let this slide for once.

(Mello P.O.V)

For the first time today I was happier than I ever could have been. My family was safe, L hadn't cancelled the successor program, and Light loved me again! Well… he'd always loved me… but I still felt pretty good!

I sat up a bit more in bed only to notice Near crawl up to join me.

"I guess everything's going back to normal now, right Mello?"

I shrugged, feeling a bit of pull in my arm stitches. "I guess. I know I'm finally getting back to normal. Lord knows I was losing it with the whole L thing."

"I guess I didn't make it easy on you, huh? I'm sorry for that…"

"Don't be." I told him, hugging him with one arm. "Don't ever be sorry for your genius."

The albino nodded, looking up at me. "I never did thank you for taking the bullet for me. And for helping me escape. You're a good person, you know that right?"

I groaned. "Yeah, but don't tell any of the older kids. I have a reputation here."

"Not anymore!" He exclaimed, hugging my waist. "Everyone knows that you love me now!"

I growled trying to push his hands off. "Yeah, whatever freak!"

He giggled the more I fought and it sadly made me smile back. I guess it was just good to see him happy again.

I finally got his hands off me but his smile never left. I only rolled my eyes at him though then kept my gaze to the door. It had been silent for a full two minutes before Near finally said something.

"Hey, Mello,"

I turned to look at him. "Yup?"

"Do you remember when you were teasing me about my crush? When you thought I had a crush on Linda?"

I got cheeky then. "Aww, does my baby brother trust me enough to tell me who is widdle crush is?" I mocked him in a baby voice.

Before I could fully laugh at him though…

Two lips pressed against mine and I froze.

I couldn't…

He…

There was no way…

But there it was. His feelings right there out in the open.

Near had a crush on me.

He backed away then but I stayed absolutely still. Neither of us hadn't said a word until Matt suddenly ran in with the bowls and spoons.

"What's going on? Mello, you look like you've seen a ghost."

Near hopped off my bed and grabbed a bowl from Matt.

"He's just weird." The fluff ball answered, giving me a look before climbing up and sitting on his own bed.

Matt sat beside me. "Seriously, dude, you're freaking me out."

I finally blinked and shook off the shock.

Once I grabbed a bowl from him, I muttered, "It's nothing," before L walked in with the ice cream.

Too bad I was too stunned to enjoy it.