Mello drew in a breath, letting it out slowly as he pulled the black vest over his new white, long sleeve button-down shirt. He made his way down the hall.
He was well aware of the eyes watching his every move. He could faintly hear the whispers from the children as he passed the playroom.
None of this bothered the teen. His mind was far too busy formulating his strategy.

"Hey, Mello!" Matt called, hurrying toward his friend. The blond turned to him.

"What happened? You lose a bet or something?" Matt teased, gesturing to Mello's outfit.

"No," Mello replied, blushing slightly. "You wouldn't understand. Does it look...bad?"

"Looks pretty weird. Since when do you get dressed up? This isn't like you."

"It's just something different. A Valentine's Day thing. I mean I can't just show up and-" Matt grinned.

"You got a date?" Mello glanced down at his feet.

"Not yet. I was on my way to ask. I need this to be special. Near's been so sick, and I-"Matt placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"He'll love it," He said sincerely. "There's no way he'll refuse. "

"Yeah, except he has every reason to. I just want him to have a good time tonight. A break from everything, you know?"

"Yeah. Try not to be so nervous. You have something big planned?" Mello shook his head.

"No. Just something quiet. I think he'll like that. I couldn't think of much he'd be able to do right now. We're just going to spend some time together and I have a little present for him back in my room." Matt nodded.

"Sounds like Near's going to enjoy it. I won't keep you. Good luck, Mello." Matt said before returning to the game room.

"I'll need it," Mello said softly, finding himself outside Near's room. He paused, gathering his courage, and knocked. He could hear the muffled voices from the other side.

A moment later, Roger opened the door. The old man gazed at Mello in surprise.

"Mello, what are you-"

"Yeah, I know, it's weird." The teen interrupted. "I wanted to see Near." He craned his neck to get a better look inside. Roger took a step back.

"You might as well come in. The doctor's finishing the examination." He invited. Mello wandered inside, moving closer to the bed where the tall man leaned over Near's thin frame.

Near winced as the man removed his hands from his abdomen.

"The medicine I've given you should help," The doctor said gently. "If you need anything else, you let us know." Near didn't bother to reply.

"Mello, will you be alright?" Roger asked as the doctor packed up his equipment, offering a nod of acknowledgment before leaving.

"Yeah," The teen confirmed. "We'll be fine." Roger closed the door, leaving the teens alone.

Mello cleared his throat, now standing at Near's bedside. The boy's normally thin frame seemed more so in the last couple of weeks, giving Near a fragile appearance.

Near looked Mello over silently before deciding to speak.

"A little early, aren't you?" He asked weakly.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not dead yet." Mello scoffed.

"Good. It's Valentine's Day," He said, "You're not allowed to die today. You know the rules, Near. No dying on birthdays, holidays, or any other day that ends with the letter y."

"It doesn't work that way." Near reminded.

"It does for us. What did the doctor say?"

"Nothing new. He wants me to start another treatment in a couple of days." Near said, "I'm just so...tired." Mello nodded.

"I guess you would be. You've been sick for a long time." He paused taking in another breath, letting it out slowly. "So how about if we forget your sick tonight?"

"How does that-"

"I want you to spend tonight in my room. You and me. Our first Valentine's Day. I got all dressed up just to ask you." Near smiled.

"I love you, but you know I can't. I haven't been strong enough to get out of bed for-"

"I'll get you there, just say yes." Mello offered. "I have everything worked out."

"I'm sure you can find something better to do. Play some games with Matt. You've been so busy with me-"

"This is what I want, Near. One night, you and me. If I wanted to play video games, that's where I'd be. I'm choosing you, now and always. I'm also asking you to choose me too. I'm probably going to suck at this, so you'll at least have that."
"You're serious about this?" Near asked.

"Never been more serious in my life," Mello assured him.

"What's your plan to get me there?"

"Is that a yes?" Near nodded.

"You seem to have gone through a lot of trouble for this, and I could use a little time out of my room."

"Did you have all your medicines tonight?"

"Yes. But if I'm staying, I'll need the ones for the morning." Mello set to work reading the labels and placing some of the bottles in his pocket. He turned back to Near.

"Ready?"

"Whenever you are," Near confirmed. Mello approached the bed once more. He slid one arm behind Near's shoulders and the other under his legs, lifting the younger boy into his arms.

"You're going to carry me to your room?" Near asked skeptically.

"That's the plan. All you need to do is rest and trust me." The younger teen laid his head against Mello's shoulder.

"I trust you." He said weakly. "But won't it bother you?"

"No. You're not an elephant, Near. I can pick you up-"

"Not that. Having everyone see you."

"Not at all. If they have a problem, it's just that, their problem, not ours. I love you, and I don't give a damn who knows it."

"Mello?"

"What?"

"Thank you." Mello gave a faint smile as he opened the door, and they began their journey through the corridor.