Mello pulled open the gift shop door and walked inside. It had been just over a week since he'd seen the world outside of Near's hospital room, and although he was only a floor below him, Mello was anxious to get back.

Roger had arrived to speak with the doctors, and upon entering the room, The old man offered Mello money, sending him from the room for a "short break."
The teen had protested, and regardless of how many times he pointed out Near's increased fever and frailty, the man insisted.

Near also encouraged him to take the opportunity. The ill boy assured him it was for the best, and the blond reluctantly agreed after almost an hour of debate. He moved passed the floral arrangements and headed to the small book section.

Mello's eyes skimmed the covers, settling on the puzzle books. He selected three books and entered the candy section, where he chose his favorite chocolate bar. He paid for his items, not bothering to speak to the older woman at the counter.

Mello left the shop with his thoughts still on Near and what the doctors could be saying. He was still angry with Roger and irritated with Near for siding with the man. There was a part of Mello's heart that he knew wasn't quite ready for the possibility of being let in on the conversation. The teen walked down the hall, pushing open the heavy wooden door blocking the stairs.

Mello jogged up the stairs and crossed into the corridor, returning to Near's room to find the white-haired boy alone.

"That didn't take long," Near commented weakly. Mello scoffed.

"You're lucky it happened at all," He replied. "You told me to take a short break, and I did. What more do you want?"

"It has nothing to do with what I want" Near shifted uncomfortably in his bed, "You needed to-"

"You need me here," Mello pointed out.

"You're right, I do. But it's not going to do you any good to be stuck in here constantly." Mello narrowed his eyes at the boy.

"Stop worrying about me, Near. You've got enough to deal with and I can take care of myself. Just focus on getting out of here, okay?" Near sighed.

"What?" The blond asked, setting the items on the foot of the bed and stood at Near's bedside.

"Mello, I need to talk to you about something," The boy replied seriously. Mello's expression softened.

"What happened?" He asked softly, taking Near's hand. Near hesitated,

"The next few days are going to be tough," He announced. "The doctors want me to try a possible treatment that's going to take a lot from me. There will be a lot of tests and scans in the process. I'm going to have a lot of bad days, and I don't know if I can get through all this."

Mello dreaded Near's 'bad days'. He watched Near struggle through procedure after procedure before and could do nothing to ease the pain and sadness it brought the younger teen.

"I'm sorry," Mello said gently. Mello's heart sank as he recalled Near's words during their conversation. "D-do you even want to do this? I mean-"

"Not really," Near replied, "But I don't think either of us is ready for what happens if I don't. I'm getting so tired, Mello."

"I know you are. No one said this would be easy." The older boy kissed his forehead lovingly. "I wish I could trade places with you, Near. I want more than anything for you to be okay and not have to go through this. I'd take it in a heartbeat Even knowing where this goes." Near shook his head.

"Even if you could, I wouldn't want you to. I need you to be strong because that's the only way I can be."

"I'll be right here with you. I promise. Is there anything I can do?" Near shook his head.

"No. I don't know if I can think about it anymore today. It's a little overwhelming." Mello picked up the books, showing them to the boy. It wasn't like Near to admit to such things.

"So we won't," He replied, picking up the puzzle books,and showing them to Near. "I saw these in the gift shop and thought of you. It's not much, but we could work on them together, and we could pick a movie, anything you want, Near. What if I called Matt? He might let me borrow his system, and we can play that block game you like. I'm sure he will. Let's just...forget you're sick for a while." Near nodded.

I'd like that. I don't know if-" Mello smirked.

"You should know better than to doubt me, Near. When it comes to you, haven't I always looked after you?"

"You have, whether you wanted to or not," Near replied, watching Mello pull out the phone from his pocket. "Matt isn't going to let you have his games."

"I can be pretty persuasive when I need to be, I talked you into giving us a chance, didn't I?" The blond teased.

"You did," Near conceded. "But talking Matt out of his favorite-"

"I'll have it here within the hour, " Mello said, pressing a button and holding the device to his ear. "You'd be surprised what I can do."

"I'll believe it when I see it," Near challenged.

"And you'll see it within the hour. Prepare to be amazed."

"Yeah?" The male voice answered through the receiver.

"Hey, Matt," Mello greeted. "Listen, I have a favor to ask."

A/N Sorry it's short.