Mello glanced over at Matt's snort, but when Matt continued playing his game, Mello went back to watching Near. Near had a city of legos around him and was doing something with some finger puppets. Mello took a sip from his Coke can and sighed. Matt glanced at Mello grinning widely.
" Hey Mello, let me have a sip?" Matt asked.
Mello handed over the can without even looking at Matt. Matt took the can and sloshed it slightly. He nodded to himself before nudging Mello and handing the can back. Just as he suspected, Mello had filled it half full earlier. The can had maybe a sip of the rum left in it. Matt grinned as he realized Mello was probably drunk enough to be manipulated.
"Mello, Near looks like he needs your help. You know how hopeless he is on his own. See it?" Matt asked in a normal tone, his voice quiet.
Mello sighed shaking his head. "He doesn't want my help. He hates me, 'member?"
Matt leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. "No, Mells, he doesn't hate you. I'm sure of it. You should see if he'll let you look at his finger puppets. I bet they look really nice! You remember the last ones he made, they were great right? If you asked, I bet he'd make you one." Matt urged softly.
Mello looked over at Matt, his expression dazed from the alcohol, and took a large drink from the can. "Might make me one, huh? Maybe... Yeah... Gonna ask 'im right now..." Mello said standing abruptly then falling back onto the sofa. "Try that again..." Mello muttered.
Mello got to his feet, and with exaggerated care, walked over to Near's city. Matt meanwhile quickly made his way over to some large plants in the playroom and stood behind them. They weren't really a good hiding place, but someone would have to be looking for him to see him. Mello stopped in front of Near and peered down at him a bit bleary. "Near... Near, I came over here... for something." Mello said his voice, coloured by confusion.
Near looked up at Mello calmly studying him. "I believe Mello is quite drunk."
Mello looked down at the puppets Near had been playing with and got an "AHA!" look on his face. "I came over for the puppets, I want puppets... Near."
Near blinked, slightly surprised at Mello's... request. "You, Mello, want my puppets? These puppets?" Near asked.
Mello shook his head, both in denial and to clear it. "No, want you to make one... for me, yeah, make me a Near puppet, right?"
Near looked at Mello for a long moment, then nodded. "Very well, I'll make you a puppet of myself and give it to Matt when it's done."
Mello looked at Near confused. "Why Matt 'n not me?"
"Easy, Mello. If you don't remember asking for it when you sober up, I do not wish to be the one to hand it to you." Near answered coolly.
Mello blinked a few times, then nodded. "Always the smat... smar... smarty, huh?"
Mello turned and made his way to his room before Roger or another adult could notice him. Forgetting his request before he even left the playroom.