Chapter nine: The road to recovery. Will the trio rise to battle once more?
"Hey." Near greets back to Matt. His eyes end up drifting to where Mello is.
Matt follows his gaze to the sleeping blonde. "He hasn't really gotten any sleep." He admits to the other who frowns in worry. He turns back to his platinum blonde partner. "Though I am sure that he probably will be feeling lots better soon. You're doing so great with your recovery after all."
"I know it's thanks to you two." Near informs him with a knowing smile. "I know that you guys have been giving me help through our connection. It is just how you are."
Matt smiles more and chuckles softly. "Ok, okay. You caught us." He agrees and calms down from his chuckling. "But you can't blame us. We couldn't help it. Plus we know just as well that you would do the same for us without a second thought."
"I don't blame you. I know I would have done it too. I'm actually very thankful to you." Near explains to him.
Matt moves forward and hugs Near who hugs him back. "It'll be good to have you back."
"It will be very nice to be able to be back to full health soon." Near admits in response.
The two of them hug it out for a moment or two before pulling away enough to turn hearing Mello groan.
Mello's blue eyes blink open halfway. His eyes then shift to look upwards and he shoots up to a sitting position upon seeing Near now awake. "Near!" He carefully tackles him in a hug not wanting to hurt him though badly wanting to hug him.
Near hugs him back then lets Matt join in as well. He feels a few tears falling from Mello's eyes landing on his skin. "Thank you. So much. Both of you."
"We're just glad we'll be having you back." Mello sobs and can't help his beam to brighten when both of his partners rub his back gently with one hand each.
Stein is watching them from a distance only to turn away. He pauses though and turns to look back to them. He watches for another moment then finally leaves them alone.
Three days after this Matt and Mello are once again back at Near's side.
They have been talking to their partner discussing all sorts of topics. They pause and turn when Stein moves closer clearing his throat. Their voices going quiet wanting to listen to him.
"I believe that it is time." Stein informs them. "Near lets try to see if you can stand."
Mello and Matt both turn to their partner laying on the bed, propped up by some pillows so he can kind of sit up.
"Don't worry Near." Mello begins. "Just do your best. It doesn't matter if you manage it or not."
"We'll be there to catch you if you fall. And we'll support you. Don't feel bad if you need help." Matt adds and after listening to both of his partners Near nods in confirmation.
The blankets are moved off of Near and his partners move their chairs away.
Near turns his body to let his feet dangle off of the side of the bed. He takes a short and almost silent deep breath before pushing himself off of the bed. He gets to his feet but once he is standing on his own he wobbles a little.
Mello and Matt both catch one of Near's arms each. They all share a smile as the other two make sure Near will be able to balance. They slowly let go and Near is standing on his own.
"Very good." Stein nods. "Just take it easy and the three of you are free to go." He informs the trio. "No jobs for a bit. Also I'd like you to return so I can check on how things are going at the end of the week."
"Will do." Mello promises. "We will make sure that he comes back to get checked." He turns to his two partners that smile at him. "Are you all set?"
The two nod and just in case Mello and Matt support Near a little as they walk away.
Near manages to walk pretty okay with their help.
"They'll be fine." Stein says to himself turning away to write something on a clipboard. "They will probably rise back into battle soon… As long as nothing comes up… It's still a plausibility. Though the only way to know for sure is to wait and see. Not that they need to know that to ruin their happy mood."
Mello and Matt get Near back to where they are staying. They set him down to sit on the couch.
"Ah. It's nice to be back home." Mello admits with a stretch.
"You could have come back while waiting for me." Near suggests raising one hand to twirl a strand of hair around his pointer finger.
Mello shakes his head at this. "Nope. It wouldn't be home without both of you here." He corrects the other causing both Near and Matt to smile at the others words.
"I feel the same way." Near admits as they all are grinning at each other.
"Yeah. It is lonely without both of my dear partners here." Matt also speaks in agreement to this.
They share another big hug cuddling close.
The next day Matsuda and Mogi blink in surprise at seeing the trio return to class together looking like they are doing good. They share a glance secretly glad to see them okay. They told the team at the end of the day in which they all are also relieved to hear the news.
At the end of the week Near is back with Stein to get checked.
Mello and Matt are sitting off to the side watching and waiting.
Stein removes the bandages and finds that the wounds are doing really good. "So far so good." He confirms with a nod after carefully inspecting the wounds. "You should be fine. Also one more thing."
Near slightly tilts his head curiously upon hearing those words come out of Steins mouth.
"What is it Professor Stein?" Matt speaks up getting the other to glance over his shoulder while Mello holds his breath nervously. "What is it that you wish to warn us about?"
"It's not a warning. Well not a big one." Stein corrects him making Mello breathe a sigh of relief with his shoulders visibly relaxing. "You can take on jobs. As long as Near here doesn't strain himself. If he feels that he needs a break and you can't stop I would suggest his weapon form." He glances to Near when he says this and Near nods his head in understanding. "Though…" He turns to look right at Mello. "I would suggest you try to not block too many attacks with him at least for another week."
Mello gives a soft nod of his head with a very serious look on his face. "I promise I'll be careful with him."
"I know you will." Stein confirms then after bandaging any wounds that need them he lets them leave.
The trio head to the job board knowing that they have to return as soon as possible.
As EAT class members they have a job to do to protect humanity plus they need to collect the corrupted souls.
"Which one should we pick?" Mello wonders out loud to his partners as they look over what jobs there are.