Alright~
Review answering time!!
ZoneRobotnik- Yeah... at least.
Though that's not quite true anymore. ^.^''
Hentai-Otaku- Holy Hamburgers is right! But why 'poor' Near? He did get the guy, after all ;3
Or is it 'cause of the teaser? 3
Mini Muffin Jenko Chan- Holy Sushi, You WERE mentioned. ;3
Yeah… L does kind of seem like that kind of guy. But you have to admit, this is big, and he realized how much Near needs him, right?
Mmmhmm. Don't second-guess the author. X3
Just kidding.
Yo, since you're interested, I'll put in a poll-- just for you. D
Cassandra Phoenix- Ahahaha, I really have all of you squirming, huh? X3
Well, hopefully this was soon enough for you. ;3
NejiIsMineXD- Wow… you love me? ;3 Yay for that vote of confidence!
And I'm glad it sounds tres realistic. ;3
Okay. So. The truth is, I've been skipping school for a bit 'cause my parents are in Newfoundland. Big whoop, right? I was also sick, though, so I have a partial reason. X3
And I realized-- whoa. I've had over ONE HUNDRED people read this story in the last what THREE days? And only five or six are bothering to review?
Thank you to my faithful reviewers; but to the rest of you, please. A review is the least, in my opinion, that you could give in return for this story. Truly, the only reason I write is because of people that would enjoy it-- have a heart? Please?
Just to add to the mood… those of you that are heartless shalt not get a lemon! D
I shall keep it, and only give it out to my faithful reviewers, unless I get enough reviews to satisfy me-- in which case I shall update this chapter, adding the lemon to it. And the number of reviews required…Well, let's just say it is an absurdly low number.
Take that!
P.S. If you're alright with ah, sexual themes, and cursing, you should really check out Blood on the Dance Floor. A truly amazing band-- they're really, really good.
P.P.S. I'm truly sorry that I ended the story so soon, and that it ended up so sad (I cried writing it, I must admit) and woefully short.
But I had to, it was just begging me to turn out this way.
Yes, that's right folks-- This is the last chapter of "Falling Short".
Now, I shall hand out a few awards, before the chapter begins, so as not to break the mood at the end.
Award Of Dedication- Goes to Hentai-Otaku and butterfly1415. You both reviewed every chapter-- I want to personally thank you both for sticking around for it all, though it was a short, though probably sweet ride. :3
Award Of Expression-Goes to Cassandra Phoenix. Your reviews were longest, and though there weren't many, you definitely expressed your desire to read more and how the story appealed to you.
Award Of Loveable-ness- Goes to NejiIsMineXD. You were absolutely adorable and kept saying how you love me. Hope you don't hate me when you finish the chapter and realize that I pretty much ruined it all for them. :/
Award Of Nonsense- Goes to Mini Muffin Jenko Chan. Your reviews are hilarious and always provide a source of good, clean fun and praise. I loved reading them, and I hope you enjoy the chapter, hun.
Award Of Exciteability- Goes to Hentai-Otaku. Your reviews always had you excited and begging for more. It was definitely fun reading them. ;3
Award Of Clarity- Goes to butterfly 1415. Your reviews clearly told me what was good and what you thought could be done better. Thank you for being so honest and constructive. :3
Award Of Fanboy/girlism- Goes to The Philosopher's Queen, Mini Muffin Jenko Chan, and Obsessive Rainbow Stalker. You guys are all awesome. D
Award Of Fail- Goes to ZoneRobotnik. You only reviewed once? x3 Oh well-- I don't blame you. Thanks for reviewing, Zone-- I really appreciate it. :3
Award Of Criticism- Goes to Ravens Bane. You told me what you thought could be improved on, even if you didn't review every chapter. Thanks for your input-- I enjoyed your reviews greatly.
Award Of Epic-Ness- Goes to everyone that reviewed. You all rock my socks, and I appreciate your comments. Thank you for taking the time to click that button. :3
Before you get to read the final chapter, I have one last thing to say.
Write (and read) on, and let your words come freely.
Love, your friend,
Consciously Comatose.
Chapter Six:
Of Love and Hate
Near sighed, leaning against L's chest tiredly. For the first time, L had finally relented and said yes to his subtle requests; and so Near lay against the dark-haired male as L traced patterns idly on his chest, the albino boy motionless because he felt rather sore from their activities, which occurred not too long ago.
"I love you, La-- L," Near said softly, refraining from using L's last name. He had been almost shocked to realize that L's full name was just that-- L Lawliet-- when L had told him.
"Hnn," L replied, his grunt of acknowledgement likely unsatisfactory to most. But Near… Whether he was just reading too much into it or not, he felt it really meant 'I love you too'. But every day he was beginning to second-guess it more and more often…
"Please…" Near pleaded softly.
"Please, what?"
"L… please. Don't do this to me."
L sighed softly and twirled some of Near's hair around a finger.
"I love you too, Nate," He replied softly, pressing a kiss to Near's forehead.
"I'm sorry that I don't say it often enough for you… But I am paranoid about it being found out, as you must know by now…"
Near sighed contentedly, nuzzling L's chest, the flesh he touched warm and slightly sticky from sweat.
"It's not a problem… The times you do say it more than make up for when you don't," He replied, and it was clear that this was true. Somehow, it scared him, this devotion.
"That's what I'm afraid of," L said softly, as Near fell asleep, curled up against him.
Gently, he pulled the sheets up to cover them, and he sighed as he held the younger boy close.
"It's not safe for you to love me so passionately, so completely. It isn't safe for either of us to love at all."
Near was sitting in the computer area, along with most of the workforce, and L. And suddenly, just after a speculation about Kira, the dark-haired detective collapsed for no apparent rhyme or reason.
"L!" Near screamed. He knew. He already knew…
Running to L and tracing his cheek with a shaking finger, Near felt tears well up in his eyes. L mouthed "I love you" as the light left his eyes.
Near went into hysterics, shoving away whoever came near him or L. He knew the detective was already dead.
And as Mello finally managed to drag him away, Matt helping to try and calm him down, he swore that he would kill Kira himself.
"YOU WON'T GET AWAY WITH THIS," He yelled brokenly. "I'LL KILL YOU FOR THIS! I'LL KILL YOU MYSELF!"
He knew exactly who had killed Lawliet, and why-- Kira, a.k.a Yagami Light, and 'why' contained the fact that L would have caught him.
His hysterics triggered a fit of coughing, but thankfully the full-year antibiotic plan the hospital had him on was curing him of Tuberculosis, meaning no more coughing blood.
That night, he rediscovered the escape a blade provided.
And then there were three.
"Near, please eat something."
"I have eaten. I shall eat enough to survive, Mello."
"Near, please… talk to me."
"Is this not enough of a conversation, Matt?"
"Near… I'm sorry, but we're leaving. Light doesn't trust us, and we can't stand to see you like this when you won't respond to us."
"…Do as you like… I cannot stop you."
Near hid the death of the last of his hope; he knew they would leave him alone someday, even if he still needed him.
"Do you want to come with us?"
Near looked up at Mello and Matt sharply. The look in his eyes told them that he had no one else that he felt comfortable or safe around, and that without them, he would go further in this downward spiral he called life.
"…"
He couldn't answer. Finally, he gave a weak, pained shake of the head; Matt understood and ruffled the albino's hair in what was supposed to be a comforting gesture.
"If… if you ever need us, Near… call my number, here." And so Matt gave him a number scrawled on a scrap of paper; Near nodded emotionlessly and returned to his puzzle.
He didn't even bother to try to hide his tears when they left. But nonetheless, he put the puzzle back in its box, and returned to his room. Packing a white backpack with only a few essentials (food, water, money, clothes, and a single toy; a blue teddy bear plush that was old and worn, the first gift L had ever given him) and used a cellphone to call a taxi.
So, he managed to get away from Light; he took up residence in a small building and set up a computer networking connection.
It was much later when he dug out the number Matt had given him, and picked up a phone slowly, dialing as if uncertain.
Matt groaned as Mello threw a phone at him.
"Answer it, it's yours."
Matt rolled his eyes and answered it, almost dropping it as he sat up straight, uncrossing his legs as he realized who it was.
"Near!? Are you okay? How are you? Do you need help?"
Matt had a right to be so worried, it had been quite a few months.
"I'm fine. The reason I called is because I found a picture of Mello online and I thought it would be best if he came to pick it up…"
Near's voice sounded oddly hollow; Matt shared a look with Mello and nodded, forgetting Near couldn't see him.
"Okay, we'll come. Where are you….?"
Near was sitting with a leg tucked in close to his chest, and he was holding a photo of Mello in his hand. It was from when they were in Whammy's…
Suddenly a knock sounded at the apartment door; Near walked over to it and peered out the peephole before opening it and returning to his seat before Mello and Matt even got inside.
"Near… are you okay?" Matt asked softly.
"I'm fine. Is Matt okay?"
Mello and Matt shared a glance as they looked back at Near.
"Yeah, I'm alright…"
"I found a picture of Mello online, and I destroyed all the other copies. I thought maybe Mello would like to have the original."
Mello blinked at Near's odd speech patterns and accepted the photograph silently.
"I have been working on the Kira case… but I have not gotten as far as I would like." Near pursed his lips in thought.
"Perhaps Mello and Matt would be willing to collaborate?"
"Alright..." Mello uttered, before moving forward to move his hand in front of Near's face.
Near didn't follow the movement, but he did look Mello in the eye, and speak.
"What was Mello trying to achieve by waving his hand in front of my face? Simply because my speech patterns have changed does not mean Mello has the right to assume I have something intrinsically wrong with me. Nor do I think there is any evidence to suggest that I am blind or possibly hallucinating, depending on his motives."
Mello rolled his eyes a little.
"Smartass," He mouthed to Matt, but Near noticed and frowned.
"I do not believe my rear has an IQ, let alone one that is separate from my brain. Now, if Mello and Matt will excuse me, I must get back to work. Mello and Matt are both welcome to stay here as long as they like."
Matt nodded in Mello's place, and ruffled Near's hair worriedly in parting before the three separated; Mello and Matt to go get their stuff, and Near to go work.
Near watched, horrified and upset, as Matt stepped out of the car, captured by the news camera, months later.
"…Guys were allowed to carry big guns," He said jovially, smoking a cigarette, his hands up. Several of the large guns were cocked.
Loosely, roughly, he was doing sign language; I. Love. You… M-e-l-l-o.
"Come on, you wouldn't shoot--"
And the guns spat hundreds of bullets, mercilessly shredding Matt's flesh, his eyes going wide in pain behind his goggles.
He fell against the hood of his car, and his cigarette fell from his lips slowly, burning his coat, as he took his last breath.
A single tear escaped his goggles, going unnoticed by many.
And then there were two.
Near bowed his head and forced himself not to cry.
He couldn't cry.
He wouldn't.
Just because another of his most precious people was torn away from him… he would not cry.
He could last until Kira was dead.
That's all the time he needed.
Mello was crying. But Near didn't know that. He was in a warehouse, confronting Light Yagami, who stood tall as he trapped himself with his pawn, Teru Mikami, who failed his 'god', and pointed to who Kira was.
It had been years, now, since Near had last seen L-- L, the only one he'd ever loved past a childhood crush that had ended nowhere.
He'd given everything he was to the detective, and he had died inside when he saw it…
And he vowed to avenge his lover, vowed with all his heart…He would avenge L…
Near sighed hollowly as Light went mad, and was shot by Matsuda.
Matsuda may be an ass, but he always has your back…
Near stood slowly and walked away as Ryuk wrote Light's name in his Death Note.
A few days later, Mello had to kick down the door to the bathroom in the apartment he and Near shared. Near had cut his arms brutally, and was sitting in the bathtub. There was so much blood…
Mello dragged the still-conscious boy out of the tub, bandaged his wounds, and began to keep a closer eye on him, berating him all the while.
And he wanted to cry because there were only two of them left… and because he wanted to do the same.
"Mello… I ask you to let me die."
Near caught Mello's eye over an untouched breakfast, a week after his suicide attempt, as he spoke.
"I cannot cope with life, Mello. This… this is killing me. I no longer have a purpose... I… I want to see him again."
Mello cringed, and looked away.
"I can't do that, Near. I'm sorry… I just can't."
"You want to die as well, Mello. But you won't let yourself, because you are afraid and you are not strong enough, even if you hate it, and because Matt told you he loves you before he died-- because before either of you even left on that scheme, he told you that if he died he wanted you to live for him. Mello… You will be L. You can wreak vengeance on those criminals that would do the same damage to other innocents.
"You are stronger than I am… please… I cannot do this anymore. I am no longer happy… I have not been that way for years, Mello, and you know it. And I know it hurts, but there is nothing you can do but let me die, or force me to suffer here."
Near stood and approached Mello's chair, whispering in his ear softly, his tone overflowing with pain and an overwhelming plea.
"If you care for me at all… please, I beg you. Let me go."
Mello had to struggle not to cry as he held Near close for what they knew was their last shared moment.
"I'm sorry for how I treated you in Whammy's. You… you are an amazing person, Near. And you didn't deserve any of the shit I put you through."
"…I forgave you long ago for that, Mello."
He paused, and then said, "I'll tell Matt that you love him, still… and… could you please bury me next to L? It… it might help me find him…"
Mello nodded quietly, his eyes shut tightly.
Near said nothing else as he slipped away, heading for his room. He grabbed a knife from the kitchen counter on the way out.
Mello couldn't hold in his tears anymore as he heard a soft thud from Near's room. Ten minutes later, his heart heavy and already having been broken by Matt's death, he went to the room and opened wide the door.
He fell to kneel in Near's blood, and cradled the lifeless boy close to him, feeling what was left of his heart splinter and break as sobs wracked his body.
And then there was one.
