Chapter eleven:

Mello and Near share a slight glance as they silently wonder at one another if it is what both of them want. Only to realize that both of them wouldn't mind this happening so they share a collective agreement look before turning back to the man with a small smile on both of their faces.

"We would like that." Mello confirms to which Hueso's eyes light up with a happy surprise that makes the two orphans smile a little more.

'I am very happy to hear that.' Hueso mentions in a very happy tone in Spanish only to pause when he wonders if the two even understood what he just said.

'Thank you so much.' Near adds in Spanish before Mello also speaks up in Spanish.

'I may not know all Spanish but that was also understood. We're very happy to hear that from you.'

Hueso chuckles warmly. "Good to know that you both know enough Spanish to understand that. Though I am willing to help teach both of you more if you'd like." He slightly glances away looking happy though as if he also can't believe this is really happening.

Mello and Near sneak a glance at each other with both having a slight smirk to their smiles. They both turn away and move forward suddenly giving Hueso a hug from either side who almost tumbles off of the chosen spot he had picked to sit.

Hueso laughs it off embracing the both of them. "I will do my very best for both of you. I promise." He informs them and the two manage to somehow reply in unison while also both using Spanish to do so.

'We know.'

Hueso chuckles warmly before pulling them closer in a fatherly affectionate manner getting slight chuckles from the two.

After this the three of them separate and sit up sharing smiles with each other.

Mello hadn't thought that he would have such good times with someone like Near… Yet it somehow just feels right. He supposes that he doesn't really need to question it. He looks to Near and blinks at seeing such a happy look on him. He finds that it looks really good on him. He tries to push down heat rising to his cheeks and a sparking feeling that somehow is something he doesn't think he's ever experienced before.

Near turns towards a nearby window then turns back to them after a moment of looking out the window. "We might need to head back. Mother says that Roger is trying to figure out where we ran off to." He informs Mello who supposes that they should head back as much as this is too great of a time to abandon.

"You two go ahead. I will see you both the next time that you come to visit." Hueso assures the two and shares a goodbye hug with them.

"We will see you tomorrow." Near confirms with Mello making a sound of agreement. He pulls away and heads for the entrance.

Mello pulls away to follow only to pause when Hueso brings up something.

"You like him."

At this Mello turns to look at Hueso again finding a smile on the man's face.

"It is alright. If this is what you want then I want to make sure that you know that I support you fully in this endeavour. I think you two will be a power couple if you end up together. Feel free to pursue him if that is what you truly want." Hueso gently elbows the blonde with intentions of it being encouraging, like a friend would to encourage someone to go for a girl that they like.

Mello slightly glances away for a moment to think it over. He does find his heart feels as though it is singing at the idea of being with Near in a way he wasn't sure he'd ever be with someone. "I think I might try." He confirms turning to share a smile with the man who has unofficially adopted them. 'Thank you.' He adds in Spanish getting a slightly wider smile from Hueso before the blonde heads off to walk with Near back to the orphanage.

With the two gone Hueso turns to look elsewhere that is in the opposite direction than where the two went off in. "Now then. I have some work to do with them gone for now. Might as well get started." He can't wait to see their reactions to what he has in store for their next visit.

Meanwhile…

The two make it back to the orphanage and for right now they exit the woods on different sides.

After Mello walks into the orphanage he notices Roger turn to him before heading over.

"Where have you been?" Roger inquires to which Mello rolls his eyes at him.

"That is my business."

At this Roger just slightly sighs. "Right. Well anyways there is an assembly happening in the morning right after breakfast. So the first class of the day is going to be replaced with this assembly. Now I would suggest that you finish anything you have to do because it's almost time for everyone to head to their rooms."

"Assembly? We don't usually get those." Mello can't help raising an eyebrow at this with a tilt of his head. His fist coming to rest on his hip. "Is L calling in for a virtual visit again?"

"Kind of. You will find out tomorrow morning. I can't say much about it." Roger informs him before turning away. "Now. The last orphan I need to talk to is Near."

"I think I saw him a little earlier going around outside towards the front of the entrance." Mello mentions honestly as he remembers Near heading that way.

"Ah. Thank you." Roger heads off with that.

Mello stands there watching him go. "An assembly that replaces one of our classes? Now that means that whatever this is about then it is truly important." He supposes that he is just going to have to wait until tomorrow morning. He heads to go to his room and any orphan he passes by is whispering in curiosity about this assembly.

The next morning…

Mello sits next to Matt though before doing so he does share a slight glance with Near where they both silently agree to go to Hueso's together after classes end. He looks to the red head who shifts clearly feeling like he's being too still without a handheld game at least.

Assemblies are the few times where any distractions like toys or even handheld games are more strictly forbidden.

This place does try to understand that the orphans learn in different ways, so in class if it isn't very obvious, disrupting everything, or makes your grades fall in a concerning way then they usually don't care how you listen to the lessons.

"What do you think this is about?" Mello whispers getting the red head's attention as goggle covered eyes turn his way.

"I am honestly not really sure. Kind of regretting in helping making L's systems hack proof as I may have done too goof of a job unlike the orphanage computers where I can get into them." Matt admits and Mello slightly shakes his head at this.

The two turn their attention to the front as a cart with a laptop is wheeled to the front of the common room.

So L is going to be making an appearance of some kind for this assembly.

Once this is set up Roger steps in front and clears his throat causing the whispers of friends to quiet down. "Thank you all for coming. There is a special message that needs to be shared with each and every one of you. Something that someone, I think you know who, would like to tell you himself. So please give the great L your full attention on this." With that he moves out of the way and the laptop is turned on showing the famous letter L.

"Greetings. I apologize for pulling you all out of your studies though I do believe that this message is important for you all to hear." L begins as he has the whole room's attention. And somehow he knows it as he continues with hardly a pause. "For you see there has been a revelation that there is something dangerous going on in the town. We are all well aware of the fact that not all of you stay in the orphanage all the time, however we do allow you to do so knowing that experience outside of here is very important. Now you all must air on the side of caution as a criminal has appeared in that town that you like to explore. One that is concerning. He is calculating, psychopathic and he is not someone you want to encounter. So while the investigation is ongoing I want you all to be careful out there. I will allow some time to try to answer any questions in a moment. I will first tell you a little about what is going on. Someone who seems to change his looks but behaves the same has been behind a series of murders. He is known to speak another language though the witness wasn't sure what language it was. He comes across as perfectly fine and even charming. However anyone that trusts him and goes with him anywhere disappears only to be found dead. I do not wish for such a fate for any of you. So please be careful out there. Now you may pose questions."

Mello glances down as orphans raise their hands taking turns asking L questions. He can't help thinking about this revelation that has been presented to them. He knows that this is a real dangerous threat for L to even bring up to them, since L is aware that the orphans are all aware of dangerous people outside of the orphanage so they try to make sure that they don't let something happen. He hopes that Hueso will be okay with this mad man out and about.