Woot! This may be the last chapter for awhile, I'm getting busy, and I need to focus on some other things :D But R&R please 3

Chapter Six: It's Called Destiny

L was tired. Strange enough, he hadn't been sleeping for years, didn't seem to ever have the time to. His eyes were always wide open, whether it be from all the sweets he eats throughout the day to give him a sugar rush of energy, or from the coffee's and tea's that had a lot of sugar dosages including high in caffeine. He could never sleep…but today, he had the need to, and he wished it. So Watari helped him to his bed by carrying him up the stairs and tucking him in, before shutting off the lights and closing the door. Today was their last day in Japan, before they went to England to visit the Wammy House to check on the kids. It was going to be a surprise visit actually, so not even the owner of the house, Roger, would know about it until they got there.

Morning came in no time at all, and Watari appeared at L's bedside with a tray of nothing but Strawberry Jam and a spoon. L woke up immediately from the sound of the jar opening, and he took the jar of Jam and got out of bed. He was still in the clothes he had worn for a very long time, it was his typical wear. A long sleeved white shirt and some baggy jeans, socks and shoes were a no-no. He dug his fingers into the jar and cupped it all out with his hand, before slamming it against his lips and drinking it off his palm. He licked the remains from his fingers before he did the same again, this time having the decency to chew once placed into his mouth. The two sat like this and waited to be done. Watari sat quietly in a chair while L continued to eat the remains of the jar, and once he had completely cleaned it all, he gave the empty jar to Watari and Watari left.

L tried to shove his large feet into some worn out sneakers, but they were old, and he did not fit into them. He sighed as he stared at the shoes in defeat. Watari saw this, and he left the hotel and returned with a new pair of sneakers. Plain white shoes, nothing fancy, and L happily slipped his feet into them as Watari finished packing everything else they had. No clothes except for all of Watari's many different suits and ties, everything else was computer equipment. When Watari was finished, L and Watari left the hotel and headed for Japan, first class of course. Watari believed L deserved the best, since he was worldly known and famous…L thought otherwise, at least, he didn't consider himself the prodigy he used to be.

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"I see you're still very interested in the piano, Near."

Near remained silent as he placed his pale and thin index finger on top of the keys of the grand piano. He wore his large white pajamas, as always, no socks or shoes, he was barefoot. He sat on the piano bench in the largest room of the Wammy Orphanage, the common room.

The orphanage could be easily mistaken for a mansion, the outside made the building look large, and when one stepped inside it would be even larger than the outside. When the doors of the house opened, you were already inside of a large room with clean white floor tiling, white painted walls and paintings of people. Most were people of history, any history, you saw paintings of American presidents, paintings of German rulers, English detectives, and of course there was a portrait of L right beside the doorway leading ahead down a long hallway. Turning left and right lead to more hallways…and if you were to stay straight and move forward out of the main entrance, you would, after awhile, come across a large open doorway, where the common room resided. It was the main play area. There were tables and chairs about in certain area's that had puzzles and board games sitting at the top, there were a few doors around the room that lead to closets which held more activities such as drawing, materials to do so, and there were more board games. There was the grand piano all the way at the end of the white tiled room, a white piano that was barely ever played on except for L when he used to live there. The room was filled with light always, except when night came, but even then the room was filled with the glow of the moon. The walls were white and there were many windows that were larger than life, and sometimes if you looked out of it you could see more children hanging out outside either playing soccer or just having fun. Going passed the common room lead to the next room that was even farther ahead on the opposite side of the common room, the library. It was open from six in the morning to twelve at night, filled with rows and rows of books and tables where children studied and learned. Going farther lead to classrooms that sat right beside each other…and then it lead to a dead end where a small elegant table and a vase were placed in front of a large window. Turning right at the main entrance leads to the offices of the teachers that stay to teach the children, and all the way at the end was where Roger's office was. Going to the left at the main entrance lead to the bedrooms of the children, including Mello, Matt, and Nears room…

No one has been in Matt or Mello's room ever since they left.

"Are you interested in having me hire a tutor for your lessons?"

Near blinked, focusing on what was in front of him again. He sat on the piano bench and was still silent as he brushed his index finger across the keys gently, before he lifted both hands and began to fluently play Fur Elise. Roger was standing behind him, waiting for a reply, and he was beginning to doubt that he would even get a response when Near spoke up "I don't need one, but thank you, Roger."

"I see you're already good." Roger chuckled, the usual old man chuckle. Near continued to play the piano, the music filled the empty common room. Shadows moved around the floor from the bright sun and all the children outside. As usual, everyone but Near was outside enjoying the beautiful day, Near disliked the outdoors.

Roger patted Near's shoulder, and Near winced. Roger immediately dropped his hand "Sorry." Near stopped playing. "Well, if you need me I'll be in my office…" Roger turned and headed for the door, and Near started to play Moonlit Sonata. Roger paused at the doorway and turned his head to Near "And…Near?" Near continued to play.

"I know it hurts that you feel alone, since Mello and Matt left…but please try to make friends, you will soon be leaving and be on your own, you don't want to remain alone in the world, do you?"

With that said Roger left, and Near lost his trace in the song and hit a horrible bad note. It went silent in the common room, and Near stared down at the piano keys quietly. He made a soft breath, before he slowly looked up from the keys and glanced outside, where kids were laughing and running around, a group of boys were running around playing soccer. How long had it been since Mello left? Near was sixteen now, and it had been three years since Mello left, two since Matt left…Mello was eighteen now and Matt seventeen, it had been awhile. Near wondered if they ever thought about visiting, but he continuously was filled with doubt whenever he thought of it, Mello hated him, and because Mello hated him, Matt disliked him as well. Near only had himself, his puzzle, and the piano, which he had learned to master while he was by himself in the Wammy House. Besides his games, Near was alone.

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Mello sat in his apartment building on a small chair in the living room area. It was a one bedroom, one bathroom, living room and kitchen home. He shared the bedroom with Matt, who he found wandering alone a year after Mello left the Wammy house. It was a strange coincidence he was thinking about him around that time as well…

Mello had just left the Wammy house, regretting he had ever left…he knew no one outside of the orphanage, and his best friend, Matt, wasn't joining him this time. About after two months of wandering the streets, he applied for a small job at a music store and started to get money. A year had passed, and he had saved enough money to stop renting hotel rooms and start to buy his apartment finally. As he stepped out of the last time he would be sleeping in a hotel, he immediately saw Matt staring at the building, looking like a lost puppy. His green eyes were wide as he looked up at the hotel, and when he noticed Mello, he made a wide smile and walked up to him. Mello smiled back; and they left together… Mello and Matt weren't alone anymore, now they had each other.

It had been three years since Mello left the Wammy house, and two for Matt. Mello was now sitting on his living room chair with a guitar he had saved up for. He was playing random tunes he made up, and sometimes he would listen to Matt's game music and replay the tunes on his guitar. Mello had gotten really good at the instrument, Matt, on the other hand, didn't seem to be interested in learning anything but the cheat codes to his games. Matt appeared soon out of the bedroom and scratched his wild hair. He combed it out with his fingers, his red hair soon getting smoothed out, and then he gazed over at Mello who continued to play and ignore him. Matt saw Mello's blue eyes glued to his music, so he moved to the kitchen and started to look for food.

Mello continued to play, suddenly getting into it and making up his own song as he started to play. His electric guitar was simply black with no design except the shape being a heart. It was the last one in stock, and Mello had saved so much for so long to just wait for another one to show up.

"Want to visit the Wammy house sometime?"

Mello popped a string.

Matt whistled innocently, not believing it was his fault…he made a nervous laugh before moving away with his cereal bowl and sitting on the loveseat in front of the television. He turned on the TV and started to watch cartoons. Mello sighed from his messed up string, before he turned and looked at Matt "What made you think about it so suddenly?" "You work at the music shop…" Matt said with a mouthful of captain crunch "And I work at a coffee shop…and all we do is go back and forth to work…back and forth to shop, back and forth to do the most boring things in life. You play your instrument, I play my games… but what can we do? Hell, I'm sure you can impress that stupid Near with your guitar, something you're better at than him…and I'll be right behind you." Matt gulped and turned his head to peek over his shoulder at Mello "Hey, if that's not a good enough excuse for going…what do we have planned today? Nothing. Let's just go visit, our excuse is that we were bored as hell and had shit to do."

Mello hated how right Matt was, and Matt usually was never right.

He sighed as he nodded and got to his feet. He wore leather, black leather, and he slipped into a vest with a fur hood. Matt was wearing his usual striped long sleeved shirt and a tan vest over it. They seemed like opposites even though they sometimes agreed on everything. Mello was into the tight clothes, leather pants, leather tank top, everything but the vest…while Matt wore loose clothes, baggy jeans, baggy shirt and a vest. The only agreement in what they wore was their vest. "I need to buy a new string, and then we can go." Mello said as he carried his guitar and headed for the door, Matt then blurted "N-Not yet! I have to finish my breakfast! And my cartoons…and…stuff."

Mello rolled his eyes "Procrastinating…as usual." Mello opened the door and went off to prepare his guitar. He would blow Near away, if the boy was still there, at least.

As Matt was left alone with his cereal and cartoons, he began to wonder if he himself needed to improve on something to impress the kids at the Wammy House. He had always wondered if he should do the same as Mello and try out the guitar, but he was always the follower…he wanted to be different.

The bass could be a good choice.

Matt finished his cereal and finished off the milk as well. He placed the bowl in the kitchen sink, since he never did much of anything but work and Mello was the cleaner around the apartment. He walked into the bedroom where the two beds sat against opposite walls, one side of the room was messy, which was Matt's mess, while the other side of the room had a lot of paperwork, books, and of course that was Mello's side of the room. Matt regretted nothing.

"Alrighty…" He mumbled to himself as he started to search around the room for any amount of cash that was available. He looked under piles of clothes; he looked under his bed and through more clothing, foods, plates, and shoes. He searched in the closet, and then he started to search Mello's side of the room. He managed to find, altogether, a total of fifty dollars. Mello's guitar cost around one thousand something dollars. He was nowhere near his goal. Matt began to wonder why he was best friends with a guy that was so much better than him. Mello could easily live his life successfully and be on top of the world if it wasn't for Matt dragging him down. Matt did admit though, he was glad that Mello didn't give up on him…Matt needed Mello, more than what was known to the blonde male.

Matt had a few deeper feelings for him.

All his life in the orphanage, him and Mello would talk about girls and why they weren't interested yet. Matt, on the other hand, had always been interested in both sexes, just was seen with the girly magazines more often than the manly. Matt found out he was bisexual the day he was watching TV, and a male advertisement appeared. The children in the orphanage were gone outside, and Matt, strange enough, decided to stay in and play videogames instead of hang out with the guys and play soccer. The commercial was about deodorant. Matt was simply staring in awe, but it wasn't because the deodorant was claimed to be so fresh…the male on the TV looked so fresh. The way he moved, his skin was really smooth and glowing, he looked…divine.

Matt was bisexual, he had managed to hold in the secret for so long because his friendship with Mello was more important than a relationship with him. He had a crush on Mello, he wanted to do everything he did, he was a dog, a follower…but he didn't mind that as long as Mello was the leader…the master.

One hundred and one dollars.

Matt snapped out of his daydream, and he had managed to find one hundred and one dollars. The bass would soon be his if he looked all over the house and worked a little harder at his job. He would ask Mello for lessons, and maybe the two can make something of themselves, together.

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It was the same as he remembered it to be. A flash back from lost times was replaying in the back of his head.

A young boy was standing beside an older man outside the gates of the mansion like building. The five year old was tightly holding onto the old man's hand, he was so nervous and scared, he was so lonely…

Now here he was again, but this time he didn't need anyone, he had knowledge, smarts, and he had wisdom…and he was only here to visit. He was free from the loneliness, he was older now.

((His age will never be revealed in this story btw 3 ))

L made a wide smile as Watari opened the car door for him. He stepped out of the vehicle, and Watari shut the door behind him and locked the car. Watari and L walked down the gray stoned path that soon lead them to the black barred gates. Watari opened them, and L stepped to the other side with Watari right behind. The two walked down more of the dark grey stoned path, and soon reached the double doors of what used to be called L's home. Watari opened the door for L, and L stepped inside. A familiar presence was now around him, a safeness that he could never get from being outside or by himself…it was a comfortable feeling that nothing could ever happen to him, or touch him, it was a very pleasant feeling.

"Hello, welcome to the-"

L and Watari turned their heads to see Roger, the old man's glasses slipped down his nose and then slowly fell and cracked a little when it hit the floor. Roger hadn't seen Watari or L in probably years. Roger's shocked expression soon turned into a proud one, his lips curved into a smile. Watari began to smile as well, though L remained the same and he shoved his hands into his jean pockets.

"It's been so long!" Roger said happily as he hurriedly picked up his glasses and walked up to Watari and shook his hand quickly. Watari nodded as he returned the favor "It has been, we decided to come in for a visit." As the two old men chatted away, L slipped out of his shoes to touch the familiar floor beneath him with his feet. It was cool, as if no one had stepped in the entrance for years…it brought an icy chill, but the chill was welcomed, for it was still a familiar coldness…a friendly coldness.

L took the time to wander around and search for familiar faces. The people that used to be in the orphanage around the same time L was were not anywhere in sight, but he did see new faces, and some familiar new faces from the last time he had visited. As he passed through the halls in a ghostly like manner, some children ran passed him talking about tests, books they have read, and other things that only a child prodigy would know. The Wammy House was still the same. Not many paid attention to him, which was surprising…he was known to be famous and only those that resided in the Wammy House orphanage knew what he looked like. Not many seemed to notice him; maybe the children were too busy? As L continued to walk, he heard a familiar tune.

A piano.

Who was playing on it? No one had ever touched it until he decided to play; he stopped when he had already mastered all the music and left the orphanage. Who decided to play it again after such a long time?

L followed the music, and it lead him to an empty common room. He saw the white piano in the distance, also being played by a white figure. The boy was pale, he was wearing white pajamas, and he looked like a lonely ghost just sitting there playing by himself. The boy reminded him of someone he knew.

L slowly entered the room and walked carefully closer until he stood behind the young boy. He sounded as if he had mastered the piano, but when he was done with one song he would go back to the one he had played before…he just needed some new piano books.

"I hear you are talented…" L said softly to not ruin the mood of the melody. The boy remained silent as he continued to play, and as he did so he started to go up and down the scale, still playing the same melody except in different forms. He was showing off.

L smiled widely, it was a usual curious smile he made whenever he was on a very interesting case…which he hadn't been on in awhile "Do you know anything else..?"

The boy stopped playing, and he slowly turned his head towards the figure to get a peek of him from the corner of his eye. A memory of a portrait hit him, and he turned all the way to see it was L himself; it was his hero.

The boy froze, his eyes widened. The dark brown, lifeless eyes that seemed to express nothing but knowledge and insecurity suddenly revealed a strange love. The boy raised his finger, as if wanting to touch L to see if he was real, only to shy away and use the finger to curl a strand of his white hair. He bit his lower lip.

"What is your name?" L asked.

The boy remained silent, before he spoke gently "Near…My name is Near, L…I'm so glad to finally meet you."

"You don't seem glad."

"I never seem anything, really…emotions only get in the way of things."

L continued to smile. The boy was a walking case indeed, L wanted to know so much…the boy, Near, had a lot of potential. L nodded "I agree, then again it's not a big deal to feel a little human once in awhile." Near took those words to heart, and he smiled for the first time in a very long time.

"I see you have met Near."

Roger's voice echoed, and Near turned right around and started to play the piano again. Watari and Roger walked up to L, who was hunched over Near and watching the boy play the keys in a swift and skilled motion. Roger continued "He's number one to take your place, L. He's very skilled at everything he does, and like you when you were here, he seems to avoid other people." Watari nodded, and he noticed L's interest as he watched the pale boy play. L nodded also, before looking at Roger with his tired eyes "Can I stay here for awhile?" Watari smiled, and Roger laughed gently "Of course! We have two rooms that aren't being occupied-"

Near hit a bad note and the sound echoed.

The three adults looked to him, and Near pretended it never happened. He started again.

Watari and Roger lead the way, and though L stood still and watched the boy for a moment, he soon followed right behind and they were out of sight.

Near stopped playing and sighed. He wondered why he was so bothered by the famous L sleeping in one of their rooms…he even told L that emotions only got in the way of things. L's words echoed through his mind though. "It is not a big deal to feel human once in awhile…" Near repeated under his breath. Maybe his emotions were showing… did he miss Matt and Mello?

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He was the detective that never sleeps. At least, those were the rumors about L in the Wammy Orphanage.

Near couldn't sleep, knowing that someone he had looked up to practically all his life was in the same place as him. Near's bedroom was neat and tidy, the only thing dirty about his room were all the toys and games of his shoved in his closet. Besides that, he was a clean teen. Near wanted to go see L, he probably was awake doing something, maybe playing the piano?

Near slowly stepped out of his bedroom, a puzzle board in hand, and he quietly shut the door behind him. He walked next door and listened through the wooden door for any movement or noise at all, and heard nothing. That was probably where Watari was sleeping. Near walked again to Mello's room and saw a small light from the bottom of the door seeping out. He stared for a moment, holding in his breath the whole time. He was a bit overwhelmed, the feelings were surging through him, he had held them all in for so long…it was hard to understand which was which now that they were appearing all at the same time. Near let out a light breath as he nodded to himself and knocked gently at the door.

"Come in."

It was L.

Near bit his lower lip hard, and he lifted his free hand up to his hair and started to wrap a lock around his finger, he then lowered the hand to the doorknob and turned it slowly, opening it until it cracked and he peeked inside with his curious brown eyes. He saw a city. L was stacking Mello's old books all over the place; it was as if there was a city in the room. But it wasn't L building a city for fun; he was reading all of his books. L had finished all of the books so quickly, he really was the greatest.

Near soon opened the door and stepped inside.

"Please shut the door behind you."

Near did as he was told.

"What are you doing, L?" The pale boy slowly maneuvered around and through the books before spotting L at the center. From the looks of the bed, the man didn't even try to sleep, neither did he lay himself on the bed. It was untouched, dusty from the years going by without anyone tending or caring for it.

Near stood still.

"I'm reading, can't you tell?" L smiled and looked up from his book. It was meant to be a joke, but Near appeared unfazed. L lowered his gaze back to the book. He was at the last chapter, and it was a story about how he, himself…L, was on a case with a woman known as Naomi Misora. He was surprised that someone knew about the case…it was meant to be top secret except for the fact that he told the story a long time ago, the first time he visited the Wammy House. The children here were a lot younger then, and he didn't even think that the pale boy beside him was there at the time.

Near lowered his head and tried to look at the cover, seeing that Mello's name was all over it. He lifted his head back up "I think that book is Mello's journal…"

L paused and looked at Near, Near was forced to look away. L made a nervous laugh before he shut the book and placed it slowly and carefully on a new pile that was forming "That's my fault for not reading the title's before diving in."

Near remained still, now using both his arms to hold up his puzzle.

L then used his hand to wave it up and downward, as if he was playing basketball. Did L play that sport? He didn't appear to be the sporty type.

"Sit." L demanded, and Near did.

Near sat himself next to L and placed the puzzle in front of him. He then took out all the pieces and began to place them back in again. The two were silent for a long time, and they remained like this until around one or two in the morning. L was soon finished with the remainders of the books in the room, and Near was again taking out the pieces to put them back in again. This time, L joined him.

"So, you don't have any friends here?"

"No…" Near replied gently. He placed a puzzle piece into the board, and L did the same, then Near, then L; they were each taking turns to put in a piece. "Friendships only get in the way of what is important..."

"But what IS important…Near?"

The question stumped Near; he never thought anyone would ask…but Near already had a comeback "Knowledge, intelligence, information…knowing is what is important, you can't focus with people running around."

"This room belonged to your friend, Mello."

"He's not my friend, he's my rival."

"The only one who could be labeled as such, because he was just as smart as you?"

"He was only competition; he only made the battle interesting."

"A battle really? Or was it something more…?"

Near was tired of defending himself…he picked up a puzzle piece, but didn't know where to put it. His mind was unfocused, he was unsure now where to place it down "Mello left because he could never beat me in the rankings, ever since I got here he didn't like me…and then when he left, his friend Matt left as well…and now there isn't much to do but…" He didn't even know if there was anything to do.

L nodded as he took Near's hand and lead him to the last remaining spot that needed a piece inserted. Near placed the piece in the spot, and L smiled "Learning to accept one another's differences is another way of gaining knowledge, you may think you're on your way to learning everything…but with that determination and motivation of yours, you may not be." L looked at Near and sighed "Near, if you ever get a chance to see Mello again, maybe you should try and team with him, in a way, join him. Two wrongs don't make a right, but if you both try your best to understand one another…two rights can make a left."

L smirked "As in…make a new path towards a thing called destiny."

Near stared into the dark grey orbs…they were full of all. They held the universe, or what felt like the universe to Near. Knowledge, power, information, there were emotions, it was hard to tell, but he could see happiness within the male's eyes. L was right, as always, L knew best…Near wanted to see Mello and try to get along, but how could he if he was so used to his old ways? Including that fact that if he ever saw Mello again, the male wouldn't want to befriend him anyway…it was going to be tough.

Near slowly took his puzzle and got to his feet, he bowed politely "Thank you, L." He turned and maneuvered again through the books and reached the door. L stood to his feet and lifted a pile in his arms "Near, do get some rest…I would like to hang out with you later."

Near smiled widely as he made no response, and he opened the door before him and shut it behind.

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Day two of the plan, Mello's L senses were tingling.

He was practicing his guitar, his music was great, and he was playing on the streets. Though people sometimes threw him money as if he was homeless, he took the cash happily…he felt positive he would blow Near away when he went to visit…he was happy, he was carefree, no worries, and he had money to flaunt when he got there. Of course he wouldn't explain how he had gotten the money, but he had something to show off if the guitar didn't work, but there was a 99.9 % chance that it would.

When Mello had finished, he heard a gentle applause from the people that had been watching and listening, and he graciously bowed before he walked off towards the apartment. When he got home, Matt wasn't there, probably at work. Matt mentioned that he was trying to earn extra money to buy a bass guitar, what was his motivation? Mello wasn't sure, but he was interested with the idea of Mello and Matt maybe tagging up and becoming famous rock stars. It probably wouldn't happen, but there's no law against imagination.

Mello began to play as he walked around the apartment. As if he was on stage, he ran from one room to another, performing tricks with the instrument while he was playing every note. He smiled widely as he continued to rock out, and he paid no attention when he heard movement behind him. Mello jumped over the loveseat and landed onto a cushion, soon bouncing off and hitting the floor. That made everything stop, and Mello slowly lifted himself up, blowing some blonde hair out of his face. He turned and saw Matt standing there, a bass in hand, and he was just shocked. The green goggles that protected his eyes were around his neck, and his mouth slowly fell.

Mello's face turned pink.

"Maybe we should just practice now…?" Matt broke the silence, and Mello was grateful for it. "Yeah, let's do that." He slowly sat himself on the couch and watched Matt as the male joined him and sat beside him. Mello strummed, and Matt did the same. His guitar was a lot deeper than Mello's, but that was fine, that was what the bass was about. Background…just like Matt. Mello told him to listen and repeat, and Matt nodded.

Mello played 'Mary Had A Little Lamb' with the guitar, and then he stopped at the end and smiled to Matt. Matt easily did the song, but as the melody's got more complicated, Matt started to miss notes, and then he sighed when it was already dark and time to rest for tomorrow. Tomorrow they would visit.

"Cheer up." Mello said as he set his guitar in its case, the case was black leather, but it was covered in a variety of stickers, though most were the color red and appeared to be demons; he had one specific white sticker that was an angel. "We can practice while we're going there, and when we get there before we enter." "Says the man who is already good at the shit." Matt grumbles as he puts his bass away. Mello was proud that Matt actually worked hard to get something useful besides a videogame. It showed that Matt was determined after all, if he was interested in something, at least. Mello smiled at him as Matt started to slip out of his vest and shirt "I was second at the Wammy House…" Matt nodded in agreement, soon getting out of his pants and remaining in his boxers. He sat himself on his bed and looked over at Mello. He wondered why the man wasn't changing yet, but he wasn't going to ask "I was third, and though it meant nothing to Mr. Second and Mr. First, it was still a good ranking, being beneath you is great…"

Mello stared, and Matt gasped "N-N-Not in that way, but yeah…you know what I mean!"

Mello smirked, and he stood to his feet, struggling as usual to get out of his leather clothes. Matt watched, scanning his body up and down with his eyes "I'm decent, I can handle myself fine, I know I can do this…eventually." "Yeah," Mello agreed as he was now struggling for the last clothing to get off, his pants "It's called determination, I didn't know you had it until you actually bought the thing today, way to go." He soon forced the pants off, but his boxers flew off with him. Mello gasped, his limp member revealing itself. Matt stared, he didn't even try to act as if he didn't notice it, but Mello didn't pay attention. "Whoops." Mello said softly, slowly lowering himself and sliding his boxers back up "Anyways, congrats, and besides it's only been a day…practice makes perfect and you can't honestly expect to learn it all by tomorrow."

"Yeah." Mello said, slipping his hands on his lap, then he slowly got on the floor and looked underneath his couch "I'm gonna use the bathroom."

"Have fun." Mello rolled his eyes as he spotted Matt's chick magazine, and he slowly got himself in his bed and closed his eyes. He faced the wall, he couldn't stand watching Matt enter and leave over and over again.

Matt slowly walked out with the magazine; he walked across the hall and entered the small bathroom. He then shut the door behind him and locked it, before he let his boxers fall down to his ankles and he flipped the magazine open to a bookmarked page of a girl with short blonde hair.

He masturbated, he came, and when he walked into the doorway, he spotted Mello and left to use the restroom again.

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"Pass the pancakes, please…"

"Get them yourself."

"Roger! K is being a meanie, again!"

"No I'm not! R, tell S that she's lying!"

"You're lying, S…"

"See?"

Roger sighed, and he made a nervous laugh towards Watari and L "The usual day of breakfast…" Watari made a small smile, and L nodded his head. He looked down at his plate; he had requested strawberry jam and a slice of cake. He was given toast and strawberry jam. As usual, Roger wasn't giving him what he wanted.

L lifted his head and pouted at Roger, before he slowly took the jar and opened it up, digging his fingers into it and cupping out some of the deep red substance. As L continued to stare, it sort of looked like blood, but that didn't stop him from eating it. He continued to clean and lick his fingers. He looked up from his jar and noticed Near sitting across from him. The table was long, that was the typical dining room table, and Roger sat at the end, and Near sat beside him around the corner. L and Watari sat at the other corner beside Roger. L noticed that Near wasn't touching his food.

The pale boy was staring down at his plate of eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, and also had a side of toast and butter. The boy wasn't eating a thing.

"Why aren't you eating, Near?" L asked gently.

Near looked up from his plate to L, and then he lowered his head again and shook it slowly "I'm not hungry." "He doesn't eat too much in the morning." Roger said softly to L and Watari "Actually, it's mostly during the group meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, that he doesn't eat a single thing. He mainly eats snack portions later in the day." "That's not healthy." Watari commented, and L nodded a bit. He had nothing to say, L never ate full meals. He only ate sweets most of the time. L scooped some more jam in his hand and slurped it off, then he asked for some tea and Watari got up from his chair to get it. L adjusted himself in his seat, his feet were sliding off the edge of the chair, and the chairs were very small since there weren't many large people. The teachers didn't seem to eat with the children, they went out or something. L lifted himself out his seat, and he climbed back into the chair to get more comfortable.

"Do you want some chocolate, Near?" L asked.

Near shook his head "I don't like sweets…"

L was surprised. He saw everything of him within Near, until the boy said he disliked sweets. He was betrayed.

Breakfast was soon over; L had two empty jars in front of him and five empty tea cups. All the plates and items on the table were empty and being picked up, the only plate that was full was Near's. L, Watari, and Roger were standing around near the table, and Near was already gone; probably into the common room to play with his toys.

"I like Near." L said with a smile. He looked at Watari, and Watari nodded. Roger smiled "That's good to hear, a few like him only for his intelligence, but not many like him for his personality…he's not very helpful with other children here so he's a bit distant than most. It's nice to know someone likes him." L nodded, and then Roger added "You know…he used to have two little friends three years ago…"

L made a curious smile "Really?"

"Yes," Roger nodded and the three began to walk out of the dining room and headed for the common room "Their names were Matt and Mello, and they were the first to talk to him when he came over to the orphanage. Near excelled very quickly and was number one, while Mello was lowered to second and Matt third. Mello and Near became what would be called rivals." The three reached the common room doorway, and a few children ran up to L and asked for autographs on their books. L quickly just wrote down his alphabet letter before he listened to Roger again.

"Mello was so aggravated, he just gave up after awhile and left…then a year later Matt left as well…and Near was a bit different since then."

L asked "Was he always this quiet then, too?"

"No, well…he was still a bit quiet, but at least when around them he had a reason to talk."

Roger soon walked off, and Watari right behind him. L looked into the common room and watched Near in the far corner of the room playing with the puzzle they had played with last night. L slowly walked into the room and moved around children as they ran and set things down. He then sat himself next to Near and looked down at the puzzle. He never noticed the L in the corner of the puzzle, it was an all white puzzle, and when it was finished there was an L at the corner, as if one had finally reached the goal of the Wammy House.

"You miss Mello and Matt, don't you, Near?"

Near had nothing to hide from L, it was everyone else that he wasn't interested in. L was his savior.

Near nodded.

L nodded as well "I'm sure you'll see them again."

Near nodded.

L slowly got back to his feet and sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets "Would you like to take a walk with me, Near?"

Near got to his feet and lifted a finger to his hair, twirling a strand. L slowly took his hand from his pocket and took a hold of Near's free hand. Near blushed a bit and let his eyes look away, before the two walked out of the common room and were heading for the main lobby.

As soon as they stepped into the entrance room, the double doors opened. L and Near looked up to see who it was, and a blonde haired male in all black leather with a guitar held his arms up and yelled "Surprise! Your favorites are back, Roger!"

The blonde paused, and he stared in front of him at…a hero.

A red head came from behind the blonde and peeked, seeing the hero as well. Then he also noticed Near. He hadn't changed at all. "Hey, Near…" he said gently with a small wave and a laugh. Near lowered his head "Hello Matt…Mello." He let his eyes gaze towards his feet; that were bare and as pale as his face. L smiled "Mello, Matt, nice to see you two again…remember me? I visited a long time ag-"

"L!" Mello yelled happily and ran up to him. He made a proud smile "Of course I remember you!" He was speechless; he started to ramble and mumble to himself, not knowing what to say. Matt made a nervous laugh "Y-Yeah, what brings you here again, L?"

L looked down at Near, who wasn't even looking at them, then L looked up at the blue and green eyes of the others.

"I think…destiny does."