AU [SINGER/FAN]

Near was absolutely shocked.

He could not be who he was thinking he is. Right?

Near still looking discreetly the new client. Who was looking the books somewhat indecisive. The blond locks dig out of the black hood, the slime figure was relaxed. Near had seen that figure so many times that he did not have doubt it was him.

The albino needed to count to ten to figure out how to breathe again. How many possibilities there were? Could be him Mello? The real Mello? The younger asked to himself.

Near look at the library where he was working. It was not the biggest library that you can find in New York, but it has a considerable amount of books. The first day of work the place looked like a film for Near, the wood was everywhere, the shelves, the floor, the furniture... The book gave the place calmness. Near knew he will like to work there.

But he never imagined that Mello himself would step into that library.

What a singer do here? What a singer like Mello do here? With the money which he earns, he can purchase the library if he want. Near stopped his mental questions and took a deep breath, be that as if may, he was a client, so Near could help him.

The albino walked to get closer to the blond. On over step hi was more certain about that this boy fit Mello's description too well.

"Sorry. Can I help you with something?" Near asked, praying to the gods that he did not believe in so he could appear normal. He did not understand how could do the question. The blond looked at him, he was so concentrated on the books that he did not noticed the worker. The blond looked the young man up and down, something curiosed, he lowered his sunglasses for can see better the man. Near held back a smile along with his emotion when he recognized those blue eyes. Is him.

"I never had seen so much white together." Said the blond before put on his sunglasses. Near smiled a little bit not knowing how to respond, he usually ignore that type of comments, but Mello did not mean it maliciously, he just looked curiosed. No, Mello can't be interesting in someone like me.

"I'm albino."

"I can see it, Nate." Answered the blond, looking at the name tag.

Oh my God, he said my name. Mello said my name.

"So, do you want some help?"

"What do you recomend me?"

"What do you like to read?" Askedly innocently the albino, he knew Mello's preferences, the singer always posted his readings on Instagram stories.

"Thriller, police novel, fantasy... That kind of things, I usually prefer current things."

"I can work with that." Near smiled. He looked at the shelves that he knew so well, it didn't take him long to take out two books. "If you want a thriller book, maybe you would likeThe Twinof Natasha Prenston. This author has been publishing thrillers for a few years now, this is the newest we have. If you prefer fantasy, you might likeShadow and Bone, of Leigh Bardugo."

"Did you read both?" Interrumped the blond. Near smiled.

"Yes, I did. I am recommending them to you for a reason."

The singer noded, he asked some more questions, not because he was very interested in the books, he wanted to hear Nate's voice, it was so soft for a boy, it was full of calm.

That boy caught Mello's attention, he couldn't took his eyes out of him, the albino had answers for every single question, the singer realize that Near was informed about a lot of books, he was a reader. The blond was curiosed about why he was working there, family businnes? Save money? Nate looked about 20, just a little younger that Mello. Mello thought that Near was probably studying yet. The doubts followed Mello to the checkout.

He knew it was beside the point, he knew they didn't know each other, but curiosity got the better of him.

"What do you study?" Questioned the blonde after gave the money. Nate seemed surprised.

"Me?" Near asked, confused, but deep down he was excited that Mello asked something about him. Mello just nodded. "I'm study criminology."

It was Mello's turn to be surprised. "I didn't expect it."

"When I'm not learning who the criminals mind works, I like reading." And listening your music too. Thought the albino, who did not dare to say it. Mello was there as a reader, not as a singer, Near did not want to change that, he guessed that Mello wanted to spend time as a ordinary person.

"I suppose that a person with your criminal knowledge could recommend good readings." The blond said raising the bag with his new books.

"When you finish those books, you will know."

"Maybe you can get me return, Nate." Smirked the blond, Near felt his cheeks turning red.

"I hope so, Mello."

Later, that same night, the younger man was laying in his bed, listening Mello's voice inside his headphones, which was so melodious, it had so many different voice registers, Mello was a talented singer.

A chain of messages filled Near's notification bar. All of her friend Linda.

[Linda. 22:05] You have him in front of you.

[Linda. 22:05] You have spoken to him.

[Linda. 22:05] Surprisingly, you haven't died.

[Linda. 22:06] You haven't passed out either, or blanked out (I didn't think you'd have that much self-control).

[Linda. 22:06] He smiled at you (and you haven't died either.)

[Linda. 22:06] And you haven't been fucking able to ask him for an autograph, a photo or a hug?

[Linda. 22:06] YOU HAVE MISSED A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY!

Near laugh, he could hear Linda's altered voice in his head as he read the messages.

[Near. 22:07] He looked like he didn't want to be recognized, I want to give him that.

[Linda. 22:07] You are too much a good boy for this world. But still, it was a golden opportunity, no, a diamond opportunity.

[Near. 22:08] I do not regret.

A new notification showed up(Mr_Kheel.) has uploaded a new story. Near clicked on it, he jumped when he recognized the book with the deer silhouette and the name of the author tagged. Shadow and Bone, of Leigh Bardugo.

"Today someone gave me a good recommendation." Was writed in the photo. Near heart beat faster, he took some screen shots and sent one to Linda.

[Near. 22:10] He liked it.

[Linda. 22:10] OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!

Near sleeped with a warm feeling inside him. He just feel happy for the unexpected day which he lived today.

Mello enter to the rustic library, he liked the place the first time when he visited it, it was calm and silent. The firts time he want to buy something new to read, but this time, that was not the only reason, he aproached to the cashier, however he did not see anyone.

Someone had to be there for the store to be open, so Mello started walking, it didn't take him long to recognize that characteristic white hair, Nate was organizing some books behind a shelf, he didn't notice Mello's presence, because the headphones made them lose themselves in their own world. Mello couldn't help but look at him, he was cute, there was something in Near that made Mello want to know more about him.

Nate started humming. Mello knew that he should notify him of his arrival, but he wanted to keep seeing Nate and hearing his sweet voice. Mello's eyes widened as he recognized the song Near was humming.

His song.

The questions came to the blonde's head. Nate knew him? He didn't recognize him the first time. Perhaps he was not aware that this was his song? Maybe Nate only knew that song of his?

He shook the doubts from his head, he approached Nate, it was an impulsive decision, Mello just wanted to talk to him, he touched Nate's shoulder, Nate turned around while taking off his headphones, he gave a small jump, Mello let out a laugh. "Sorry, I didn't want to scare you."

"It's okay. How can I help you?" Near smiled shyly, he was a little embarrassed by the scare reaction.

"Well, you recomend me the first book of a trilogy, now you must show me the second book."

Near nodded, a hint of pride running through his body for having gotten Mello back to the library, it didn't take long for him to find the book Mello asked for.

Mello asked how university was going as they headed to the counter. Near limited himself to saying that well, he had always been a good student, in fact he was ahead several courses, but he didn't dare to say that last thing. Before paying, Mello say something that left Near static.

"I like the song you were listening."

Near knew exactly what song it was. Is this a test? Near looked into Mello's blue eyes that seemed to be searching for something in his own black pearls. Near wasn't sure what to answer, but he didn't want to lie.

"Well, it would be weird if you don't like it considering who wrote and sing it." Near answered taking his eyes off of Mello's gaze.

"Good point. If the singer gave you confidential information, you would be able to keep quiet, Nate?"

Near looked up again, surprised about that proposition. Mello didn't look mad. Which reassured Near. "Of course yes."

Mello smiled. He left the money on the table. "See you, Nate" He said while winking at him, Near blushed as he watched him leave the store, he didn't even realize that he had overpaid until he looked at the money, Near frowned, not only because of the amount extra, if not also because of the folded paper underneath, he unfolded it curiously, Near gasped at the sight of a phone number written on it. Below was a note.

"I need to discuss the books you recommend with someone, don't you think? ;) "

Despite it seeming like a childish reaction, the first thing Near did when he got home was hug his pillow and squeal against it. Mello gave me his number. Mello. Michael Kheel. Mello the singer. The same Mello who has recorded the records on my shelf.

Near was very excited, Mello must have seen something good in Near to give him his number with such confidence, could they be considered friends now? And if it wasn't time, maybe in the future.

That night, after telling Linda all the drama, Near dared to register Mello's number. He had thought a lot about what his first message should be, because a "Hello, I'm Near, the one from the bookstore." It was very bland. When Mello uploaded a photo of the book he had bought this afternoon open on his lap, Near knew what to write.

[Near. 21:33] "So what do you think of Nikolai?"

He sent the message, felt the nerves invade him. What if Mello regretted giving him his number? He didn't have time to reflect on that doubt because a new message appeared.

[Mello. 21:35] "For now, because I still have half the book to read, he's crazy, but he's smart, he has a great sense of humor, and he's handsome, and he's blonde, so, it's me in the book, basically."

Near laugh trying to imagine Mello dressed as a pirate like that character in the book. The conversation flowed between them immediately, it was easy to talk to Mello, and Near realized that he was quite intelligent, he seemed to know a little about everything and had managed to talk to him about topics that other people could not appreciate. When Near noticed that they had been chatting for almost three hours he was surprised, he didn't realize the passage of time, he insisted that they both sleep, Near had to go to university and Mello probably had a job too.

Without realizing it, the nights of the two young people ended up being chats between them. Mello went by the bookstore at least once a week to buy a book and talk in person with Near, without realizing it, as the weeks passed, confidence increased, revealing secrets and fears that they never thought to share, both had become friends.

One of those nights, while they were talking on the phone, since they had reached a point where they preferred it to write, the singer asked a question that had been rolling around in his head for some time. "Why didn't you say you knew who I was the first day I walked into the bookstore?"

Near was surprised about the question. Mello had never touched the subject. "I thought you wanted to be treated like an ordinary person." Near answered sincerely.

Mello let out a soft laugh.

"Well, what does an ordinary person have to do to invite you to a coffee?"

Near smiled. "Offer to pay."

Near had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing when he saw Mello walk into the bookstore with black hair. That color suited him, although he still preferred blond.

"Don't laugh, it looks good on me and you know it." Snapped the blond.

"Do you think it's necessary? You never come here in a wig."

"Well, if we're going to walk around New York maybe it is."

Near approached Mello, Near didn't know very well where he got the courage from, but he raised his hands and took off the black beanie which Mello was wearing to make the wig look more credible, then, carefully, he proceeded to remove the wig. Mello could only watch Near over his sunglasses, Near was focused on his task, Mello didn't move, he didn't complain, he felt Near's soft fingers gently brush his hair before putting the hat back on.

"Better. Trying to hide too much will only draw more attention, besides, you can tell it's a wig, it shines too brightly in the light." Near smiled, Mello still feeling the phantom sensation from his fingers. "I'll listen to the future detective."

Near put the wig in his locker before closing the bookstore, Mello would come for it another day. The singer was curious to go to a new cafe they had opened, specifically he was curious about the dessert section they had, his best friend and social media manager, Matt, had spoken highly of it. When they arrived they sat in a secluded place, Mello asked Near about his new university project, the truth was that Near's career seemed very entertaining. Near made him happy that his life seemed interesting to Mello, since they had no level of comparison one life with the other. They talked animatedly until Mello noticed Near's slight frown. "What's the matter?"

"Don't look back, there are two girls who haven't stopped looking at you and whispering for a while now."

"I'm used to it. They'll stop, I remind you that I have an attractive mysterious boy aura that is hard to ignore" Near rolled his eyes.

"They have the mobiles phones very close. Apart from knowing that you come here, it would make it difficult for you to come here again if the information spread, right? Besides, your agent doesn't like this kind of thing." Mello sighed, Near was right on that point, Light always reminded him to be carefully with the photos.

"Then kiss me." Mello smiled playfully as he looked at Near over the top of his sunglasses. Near's eyes widened in surprise, he felt heat rise to his cheeks. "Excuse me?"

"I never said my sexuality in public, they will think I'm straight, if they have doubts about who I am, seeing me kiss my boyfriend will make them think they were confused."

Near's cheeks went from pink to red, at first he thought that Mello was making fun of him, however despite the mischievous smile, his eyes seemed serious.

"You are cute when you blush."

Near covered part of his face with one hand. "Shut." He muttered embarrassed trying to avoid Mello's gaze. Near shivered as he felt a warm touch on his hand, the singer's hand gently grasped Near's hand, brought it close to his lips, Mello placed a soft kiss on Near's knuckles. Near felt like he was living a dream, as much as Mello was his friend, his favorite singer was treating him like a boyfriend. Mello was touched to see the reddish color spread to the ears.

"Are they still looking?" Mello asked. Near was slow to understand the question, he looked behind Mello, the girls were gone.

"They left." Near felt the warmth of his hand disappear. He mustered the courage to look into Mello's blue eyes, who was looking into his, still smiling like a cat.

"Idiot." the fan muttered.

"You love this idiot, Nate." The singer answered.

"You know you can call me Near." He said to change the subject, it was something he had told him more than once, but the blond insisted on calling him Nate.

"That's what friends call you, I'm closer to the term lover."

Near felt his cheeks flush again. "It's not funny."

"It's not the intention." Mello stated, Near looked at him confused, not knowing whether or not to trust those statements.

"You have to work a little harder to get that title, Mihael."

The singer smiled. "If you have called me that way, then I am one step closer to it."

I think it's the longest one-shot I've ever written in English, I've translated something longer, but translating is usually easier.

If you notice any errors in grammar, writing, or even phrases that sound weird in English, you can tell me, I have already said other times that this is not my first language, and I accept any advice from people more experienced than me. When I write short things it is easy to try to correct them with the help of the internet, but such long texts are more complicated.

Reviews are welcome, they motivate me a lot