Chapter 6

The door opened slowly, like those moments that really move in normal time but your heart is beating so fast that everything slows down around you. The air was stiff as the door opened and the older man who had poked his head in, quickly recoiled slightly as the air mixture hit his face. It was intoxicating. "Boys!? What have you two been-ugh-..," Roger tried to cover his nose from the offending smell, "What is this smoke?" Mello clasped his hands together and hung them around his backside. Matt tried to contain the events that just happened from slipping out of his mouth, but he knew he better because that would cause Mello and him some serious problems. He will just be quiet, thank-you. Mello felt the tiny object squirm in his fingers so he released his grip a little for some breathing room. He tried to relax hoping Roger wouldn't ask what he had, only about the room, then yell, and finally give some stupid punishment and leave. Roger looked over at Mello then gazed over Matt with his cold condescending brown eyes. He knew they had done something wrong and he could smell it. Literally. The only thing stopping him from giving the boys a good crack was the fact L, who already didn't favor him, would have a complete fit. Then, his closest friend Quilish would give him an ear full of how-to-treat-children. He did NOT like kids especially difficult ones like these two. "Mello…..Matt," Roger tried to calm his voice that was slowly turning into a quiet yell, "What have you two been doing?" He glared at them and it sent shivers down Matt's spine.

"Tch. Nothing of importance Roger, now if you will state why in fact YOU are here. That would be great," Mello's voice was cold and it cut like knives and he was sure to add the extra annoyed tone to his voice at the end, "I mean we haven't done anything."

"You boys have done something! Now tell me what you have done in this room-…..AND just what is behind your back?" Roger was furious. Mello had been in more detentions lately than ever, but the oh-so-great L would not allow him to give him any more severe punishment then room groundings for fear of missing school even though the boy was smart enough to miss a week or so. Roger had had enough. "Mello you better show me what you have right now or-….," He was interrupted by a loud crash down the hall. He had stopped in mid-sentence. He turned and looked towards the door. The gray haired man had two choices either stay here and deal with….these..heathens…or go and check on the noise. He had to check on the crash because someone just might have gotten injured.

"Hey, Roger you had better go check on that huh?" Mello retorted. The thing in his hand started to move again and he tightened it to show what he was thinking, that he better stay still. Roger looked at him and what seemed like he was going to start the argument again; he quickly dismissed the idea and shot him a look that physically growled. He stomped off for the door, knowing he wasn't going to win this battle. He slammed the door behind him. Matt let out the biggest sigh.

"Mello," Matt started to laugh, "How-How do you always get out of this stuff?"

"Hey, this time I can't take credit," Mello replied as he walked over to the door this time locking it.

"How's Near?" Mello started to unfold his hands and inside was the balled up piece of fluff. He was shaking slightly. The fluff looked back up at Mello; his cold and emotionless eyes locked with his. Their stare down was interrupted. "Can I hold him?"

"Sure, here," Mello held out his hands with Near, who was looking less than thrilled to be handled again, and he dropped him in Matt's folded hands. Near looked just as though he was about to protest when Matt held him to his stomach and stroked his soft white hair. Near leaned into the touch and closed his little eyes. Matt was looking down at him and rushed his hands up and down the tiny figures back.

"Hey Mels, who would think Near would be this soft?" He let a tiny smile go across his face as the tiny figure dozed off in a lulled sleep. His friend across from him was thinking a totally different emotion however. In fact, Mello was pissed.

"Give me him back, NOW," Mello went forward and grabbed the figure in his hands. Of course it woke up and was very frightened being back in Mello's possession, especially from this height. Matt had a confused look on his face, but when he saw the blush rise across his best friend's face, what he was thinking was clear. Mello liked Near.

"You like him," Matt started to laugh raising his eye brows to his friend. Mello went totally blushed and then Matt ran over to the bed saying, "You do! You do! It's all over your face!"

"N-No it isn't, and no I don't," Mello's blush got bigger, "I-I will never like him!" Matt's laughter was even harder to contain. Near looked down at the floor beneath him, It was a long way down; he sure hoped Matt stopped soon.

"Mello, please refrain from shaking me around," Near curled into his normal position in the middle of Mello's palm. He took a piece of hair into his small fingers and twirled it around. Mello turned his gaze to the tiny thing in his hand cursing at himself for temporarily losing to Matt because he was sure going to get him later.

"Near I think you are in no position to make demands," He started to curl his fingers around him, cupping his hand. It must have made Near feel more secure because he looked as though he relaxed a little. He needed to test this so he flattened out his hand; he felt Near scrunch together but remain emotionless. It pissed him off, but at least now he knew Near was scared to fall or at least felt more secure with walls around him. 'Is this why you don't come outside?'

"I am aware Mello, but ple-," he couldn't believe what he was about to say but Mello had already started to close his fingers and hold him with two hands. Matt was looking at poor Near and he just wanted to hold the boy again. He didn't know why though. Was it because he liked him? No. Only as a friend…..

"Hey Matt," Mello had interrupted his thoughts, "I think I have an idea."