Chapter six:
Mello has been doing his best to get more reactions from Near, though he's found that Near only reacts when they aren't being observed with no reactions since a week ago. He wonders how long until he's deemed safe enough to join the others. He wants to work with Near on getting the other to come out of his shell. He is at least glad to not be restrained at all anymore. He knows it's only his second day out of that jacket though it truly feels nice. He looks up when someone enters spotting it to be Sam.
Sam smiles politely to Mello as she enters without fear. "You have been deemed no longer a threat and we are willing to let you join the others once more."
Mello smiles a little widely upon hearing this. He gets up following Sam as she leads him past cells. He doesn't even bother looking into them. He takes in the sights of others moving around feeling so much better now that he's a part of the group again.
"I will see you later for a session. Don't be afraid to ask any of us for help if anything comes up. And please do try to stay out of trouble if you can." Sam mentions getting a nod from Mello before heading away.
Mello turns his focus on trying to find Near. He is just starting his search in the first room, a common room, when someone comes up from behind.
"You're finally out."
Mello spins around to glare at a calm looking Matt. He almost wants to punch him in the face for sneaking up on him like that. He is about to curse at the other when said other speaks.
"I'll tell you more about Nears past." Matt turns away as Mello relaxes as he does want to know, hoping that it'll be able to help him reach Near better. "Follow me." He leads Mello to a quiet corner where no one else is even nearby.
The two settle and Matt clears his throat to start the explanation.
"So. Near was born to a family with a foreign mother and a native father in a small village in tailand. Unfortunately his village was attacked and he was kidnapped. He watched as his village was destroyed. The kidnappers tried to break him down wanting to sell him in their human trafficking. Only to be rescued in a police sting operation. Not much is known about what the kidnappers did to break him. However they managed it and his information was all set up to get ready to be sold. He was barely saved in time before being offered on the black market."
Mello takes a moment to digest all of this. He truly feels sorry for what had happened to Near. "Damn." Is all he can even think to say at least towards Matt. He does decide that he won't tell Near that he knows all of this. He will let Near open up to him no matter how long that may take.
"Yeah. I think thunderstorms not only are associated with a part of what happened. But also for him maybe remind him of his village being destroyed." Matt seems quite confident in that as though he had thought about it very thoroughly over time.
"Makes sense to me." Mello gets to his feet and he truly cannot wait to be able to get out of here. "Well thank you for sharing with me. I'm going to go find Near."
"Hold on." Matt's look makes Mello start to feel anger bubble up inside. "I didn't plan on giving that for free."
Mello sighs fighting back his demons that wish for freedom. "What do you want?"
"Some sort of friendship."
Mello turns to Matt at this not sure what to say to that request.
"Sure I get people who want stuff. And there's also Near. However it's been nice chatting with you. And you have shown your care towards Near too. So at least try to be my friend and we'll call it even for the information."
Mello remembers how it seems others see Near, which does piss him off, so he supposes Matt has had a boring time without other friends. "Fine." His agreement sees Matt peeking up. "Besides. We both want to help Near. So I don't see why not."
"Sweet! Thanks man! By the way last time I saw Near was when the doctors took him to the game room on the second floor."
"Thanks." Mello looks Matt up and down. "You seem too normal to be here."
"I wouldn't be too sure about that." Matt smiles at the blonde almost looking sad. "You go find Near. You'll learn what's wrong with me later."
Mello hangs back for a moment before his need to quell his anger grows. He heads off to go find Near. He peeks into the room that's labeled thankfully. He sees a nurse trying to play a connect four game with Near. He finds it pathetic as the nurse tries to figure out how to let Near play. He approaches gaining the nurses attention. "I can do this."
Hesitantly the nurse moves letting Mello take her spot.
"Hey Near. They said I'm good to be out again. No longer stuck there." Mello greets the other then he looks to the game which has one yellow piece in place.
Nears side is the red one.
"Okay. So, you could tell me by changing your breathing. How about that." Mello can feel the nurse watching him. He sees Nears breathing relax. "Sounds good." He picks up a red piece and moves it slowly until Nears breathing picks up ever so slightly. He drops the piece and takes his turn. He plays the game with Near swearing he can sense the nurses jaw hit the floor as the two play. He barely manages to beat Near close to the last few moves. "Dang man. You play quite the game." He chuckles looking at how Near had indeed almost managed to win. "Want another game?" He gets a confirmation from Near, by Nears breathing relaxing, and starts the game fresh.
Both ignoring the slight audience that has gathered to watch what is happening.
AN:
Wrote this on my phone before bed after recovering from illness. So hopefully it is alright.
I hope you are enjoying and I will see you next chapter!
Mello.
