Chapter twelve:
Over the next while, almost a week, Near does get better with the help of the medical professionals.
Roger has been visiting every second day clearly checking in on things but trying to not bother them too much.
The three won't admit it out loud to anyone though it does feel a little nice to not have to worry about things on their own, as well as not having to worry about if they will be able to eat well that day or not. Currently the three are sitting in the room alone as Near's most recent checkup with the doctors.
"We really should probably discuss what we're going to do after this." Matt brings up and the other two slightly glance to each other knowing that he is right.
"Do we go to the orphanage with Roger and give up our street life? Or should we return to our lives on the streets?" Mello brings up lightly crossing his arms over his chest as he slightly looks down to his lap. "How much do we enjoy the security of all of this? Is it enough to be willing to leave behind the life we built for ourselves when we could only trust each other?"
"How are we going to be sure that this orphanage won't try to adopt us out separately?" Matt brings up another question.
"One step at a time." Near tells the two causing them to turn to him. "If we throw out a bunch of questions at once then we might get overwhelmed trying to answer them." His statement causes the other two to mummer in agreement to this. "Okay. Now lets start with the first question that we should ask ourselves. Is the comfort we've experienced while off the streets worth the risk of them trying to split us up. There is a chance that they might try to keep us together too."
Matt and Mello look away as they think over this question that has been posed to them.
"Well I don't think any of us has ever felt so comfortably full for so long before. At least not since we've been on the streets. I think it would be nice to continue to have that. Plus this place is so warm even during the night. We don't have to huddle so close to try to stay warm on colder nights. Like that it rained last night yet the temperature in this room stayed the same." Matt admits and slightly glances out the rooms window midway through sharing his thoughts.
"It is kind of nice." Near does agree causing Mello to huff slightly.
"Okay fine I'll say it! It is nice." Mello adds and the two, who turned to look to him when he spoke, can tell that he isn't just speaking to agree with them. He would have voiced his thoughts otherwise though it's nice that they can know this by reading him due to knowing him so well. "Maybe it would be nice to have this be constant instead of having a taste of it and jumping back into a worse life. As long as we get to stay together I won't be opposed to keeping to living a little better for ourselves." He drops his arms from being crossed to which Near reaches over taking the blonde's hand into his own. He holds the others hand back and gives said other a small smile that is returned.
"Well it is sounding like we are in agreement that we are leaning towards accepting to become a part of that orphanage of Roger's." Matt brings up causing the two to turn to him.
"It seems so." Near nods his head to this.
Matt clears his throat. "Maybe before we say for certain we could ask Roger if there is a way that we can stay together. I mean I just don't want us to have to worry about being separated because we agreed to go with him to the orphanage." He smiles softly when they two place a hand each on one of his shoulders.
"Of course we will. He's gotta answer our questions honestly if we're going to go anywhere with him." Mello tells Matt who does look to feel a little less nervous about their decision.
"Alright. Then I think we have discussed it enough for right now." Near decides for them. "We can talk more once we get that information from Roger."
Mello makes sure that Near is settled and comfortable. "Do you want to get some rest?" He inquires watching the other closely who knows that he can't lie to the other two, especially to Mello.
"I am okay right now. I've been feeling more awake the less symptoms I have." Near admits trying to soothe any worry in Mello while indeed being honest to him.
"Okay." Mello accepts that answer since Near is being honest about it.
The three turn as a knock comes to the door of the room where they see Roger standing in the doorway.
"Is this a good time to come in? I just want to check on how everything is going." Roger politely inquires to which the blonde of the group gestures for him to enter. He does so and stands by the bed not being in the way of Matt who is in the chair next to the bed with Mello sitting on the bed.
"Roger." Mello speaks up causing the man to turn to him. "We have something that we want to ask you."
"Of course." Roger nods his head with a kind smile. "I will do the best that I can to answer whatever question it is that you three have for me."
"How well does your orphanage do at keeping family together when they come to said orphanage?" Mello puts it out pretty bluntly slightly catching Roger off guard that it was so direct.
Roger does recover from being caught off guard pretty quickly. "Well we actually do everything we can to keep family together. Our orphanage is different compared to others. We help to raise the orphans that can handle our orphanage. We are an orphanage for the gifted. If an orphan cannot stay for whatever reason then the only place that they will be sent to is a place approved by the higherups. Those that are even able to command me. No one gets placed anywhere bad. Background checks and the whole works is put on any place before we send anyone there. If someone has family that wants to stay then we will figure out what they want to do and do what we can to keep them together. Not sending only one away just because the other wants to stay."
The three share a glance which shares a quick message of agreement as they see no signs of Roger lying. They turn back to him having made their decision.
Mello takes the mantle of speaking for them once more. "Roger. We will go with you to the orphanage. If we find out you're lying to us about anything then don't expect us to hang around."
"I understand." Roger nods his head trying to keep himself calm despite that he is clearly excited about this. "Do not worry. What I told you is completely honest. I promise you three. I am glad that we can make an improvement upon your lives. Thank you for letting us."
The three hope that they are not going to end up regretting this choice.