In Charge

Chapter 11 – Steps

By Threshie

AN: First off, sorry I haven't updated in awhile! Don't worry, I'm not abandoning the fic—I just suddenly found myself going to an anime convention (Aki Con) this weekend that I hadn't planned for, and while I was there I was too busy doing con stuff to write (not to mention I didn't bring my laptop along.)

I was there Saturday and Sunday. I cosplayed as Mello, with my nieces as Matt and Near and my sister as L. 3 Although, the first half of Saturday my sister and I were a pair of very pink lolitas, and for the first half of Saturday and all of Sunday the nieces were Link and Dark Link. If you went to Aki Con, too, you might remember them as the two that had a sword duel in the Dealer's Hall. :) They got in the newspaper from that duel, LOL.

Anyway, that's why I haven't updated in longer than usual. I'm back now. :) Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: Death Note belongs to Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata.


Near was wearing the oxygen mask again. That was Matt's first thought when he got back to the white-haired boy's bedside. Mello was leaned back in a folding chair he had gotten from somewhere, legs sprawled out in front of him and arms hanging down near the back. He had a distant, thoughtful look on his face, and was staring at the very blank wall behind Near's bed with his head tilted to one side.

"How's he doing?" The redhead asked worriedly, depositing the dinosaur on the foot of the bed. Mello jumped slightly, turning to stare at him with wide eyes.

"Matt!" He exclaimed, as if his friend had suddenly materialized where he was standing.

"Is Near okay?" Matt asked more bluntly, leaning over to look at the white-haired boy's face. I think he's just sleeping...

"He fell asleep," Mello confirmed his suspicions, glancing at Near, too. He seemed about to say something more, but stopped himself, getting up instead. "Now that you're back, I'm going to go fetch some things..."

Reminded of the chocolate, Matt said, "Oh! Here..." He turned and offered it to Mello. Blinking, the blonde took it with a funny look on his face. Matt smiled, You were gonna go get chocolate, I'll bet. Mello couldn't stand to be without chocolate for long, and hadn't had any when he'd left, after all...

"Thanks..." The blonde boy examined the candy's wrapper and remained standing; he seemed antsy, like he still wanted to leave.

"Um....L says he's gonna be here by tomorrow night," Matt offered, trying to lighten the mood. I thought he'd be happier to have chocolate...maybe he's still irritated at me for yelling back at him. He rummaged in his pockets, pulling out handfuls of army men, and for a moment there was an uncomfortable silence. He wondered what Mello would say to Near if he knew that Near couldn't respond. Nothing nice, probably...

"...That's good," Mello finally replied, ripping the foil off of his chocolate. He paused, snapping off one corner of the candy with his teeth. "He said he'd be here today when I left, though—something must've slowed him down."

"Oh...y-yeah, maybe," Matt claimed the chair, since the blonde didn't seem to want it anymore, and reached over to smooth Near's hair down gently. Something's wrong...Mello's got no energy suddenly, and Near's unconscious. He trusted Mello to do what he promised and not hurt Near, but...what exactly had happened while he was gone?

Mello was frowning and poking the dinosaur in the teeth with one finger. Matt watched him as he glanced at Near's face, scowled, and chomped on his chocolate again. They must have fought about something. Damn...leaving them alone together was stupid...no matter how much I trust Mello not to hurt Near, I doubt he would be nice to him just because he's sick, either. Near's already had such a rough time the last few days, too...

He sighed.

"Go get stuff if you want to," he told Mello; he forced a smile, but couldn't quite make himself look his friend in the eye. Matt wasn't very good at lying, and if Mello looked him in the eye he was sure it would be obvious that he wasn't happy. Hoping to reinforce the "everything's normal now" message, he added, "And, if it's not too much trouble...bring me back some smokes?" He didn't really care about when he'd be able to smoke again at the moment, but he wanted Mello to stop looking so subdued.

I wish Near was awake so I could ask him what they talked about—for all I know, Mell just bragged about getting to work with L by himself, but he seems bothered by something...

Mello came over next to him, glancing down at Near.

"We both know I was just going to go get chocolate," he said, turning to look the redhead in the eye. Crap—just what I didn't want to happen! Matt leaned back a bit, wishing he had a good excuse to break the intense gaze. He felt like Mello could read his thoughts, like they were being spoken aloud. "Tell me something..." The blonde's eyes narrowed, "While I was gone, did Near say anything about me?"

"Huh...?" Matt blinked, "Uh, actually he never even mentioned you. Why?" Did you guys talk about me while I was gone? What a strange thought; he was sure that talking about L's case had to be more interesting than talking about him.

"....?" Mello bit off another chunk of chocolate, breaking the stare to look over at Near. He seemed a bit surprised.

"Mell..." Matt sighed, crossing his arms. "What's up? You're acting funny." I wonder if he's actually worried about Near? That'd definitely make him act funny...


The blonde sighed, shaking his head. If he didn't mention me, he couldn't have been trying to influence Matt's opinion of me. I'll give him a break...for now.

"Nothing. I'm taking over here, though—I want you to get some sleep."

"...Y-yeah, I am getting kind of tired," Matt admitted, smiling somewhat sheepishly. "I've been busy taking care of Near; I wasn't really thinking about sleeping or anything..." He picked up the dinosaur, placing it carefully beside Near on the bed. "Hey, don't leave him alone in here, okay? I know it sounds weird, but I think being left alone scares him."

Of course he wasn't thinking of sleeping--he wasn't thinking about anything but Near. Hmph! Mello didn't particularly care if Near was scared or not—in fact, if he was feeling better, the blonde would have jumped on the opportunity to cause him some discomfort.

The bad feeling twinging in his chest made him nod now, though, muttering, "Fine, I won't." He grabbed Matt's arm and tugged him to his feet, adding sternly, "Go home and sleep, Matt."

The redhead only nodded, keeping his eyes downcast. He looked a bit depressed. Mello realized that now that he wasn't in charge of caring for Near, he probably felt more helpless about the situation than ever. At least while he was in charge, he felt like he was doing something. Hmm. "And after you sleep, get me some more chocolate and get back here," he added, letting go of his friend's arm to wave his hand dismissively.

Matt glanced up at him, then smiled slightly. There we go, that's more like the Matt I know.

"Heh...okay, no problem. I'll try and get back quick." He stepped aside, offering the chair to Mello. "Um...if he wakes up before I get back, please tell him where I went, okay? I don't want him to think I just ditched him as soon as I could. See ya..." He sweatdropped, glancing around as if realizing for the first time that he hadn't brought anything along with him, and then nodded once and headed slowly for the entrance to the ICU.

Mello watched him go, a bit irritated that the first and last thing he had talked about today was Near. He turned back to look at the sleeping boy, frowning to himself. Maybe if I tell him Matt did ditch him at the first opportunity, he'll get the picture that Matt's not his friend. Near had said that Matt wasn't his friend, but the blonde didn't believe him. Hell, even if he doesn't think of Matt as a friend, if Matt thinks of him as one things will change a lot...

Changes involving Matt spending more time with Near, and less with Mello.

The kind of changes that the blonde did not want to see.

I'll do something about this...


"What?! You can't—he's just had surgery!" Near was no longer surprised at Matt's immediate protests when Dr. Lidner announced that he could now get out of bed. He sighed, glancing at the redhead. For someone who isn't my friend, he seems to care what happens to me a great deal. I suppose he just doesn't want me to be in the hospital any longer than I have to be.

"If he hadn't had a reaction to the medication, I would have asked him to get up and walk around yesterday," Dr. Lidner explained calmly, crossing her arms. "Now, as you can see, he's feeling much better after I switched his medication. It's important to move after an appendectomy." She turned to Near, who looked up at her just as calmly, and said, "Near, I'd like you to get out of bed and walk around the room, or even the hallway outside, each day—it's okay to walk slowly, and you'll have to be careful with your stitches, but you need to do this."

"Understood," the white-haired boy murmured, exchanging a glance with Matt. The redhead looked a bit worried, but nodded. If I am all right with it, he won't protest anymore. Good.

Dr. Lidner opened her mouth to say something more, but the sound of the door opening interrupted her. Glancing over her shoulder, she blinked at Mello, who had just come inside. It was the first time he had visited Near room, as they had moved him back out of the ICU early that morning while Mello was visiting the house to bring some of Matt's clothes and his Gameboy.

"Stupid nurse gave me the wrong number the first time," the blonde boy frowned, taking a rather violent bite of his chocolate bar. Seeing the young woman standing beside Near's bed, he blinked, staring at her.

"Hi, Mell," Matt smiled, looking glad to see him. "Um...Dr. Lidner, this is Mello. He's Near's and my neighbor."

"Pleased to meet you," Dr. Lidner smiled, amused by either the chocolate or Mello's haircut; Near couldn't decide which was more probable. He smirked slightly to himself, twisting a lock of hair around one finger. Mello isn't any trouble now. I haven't ever felt unable to keep up with him in a conversation until yesterday...

That had been uncomfortable; it had felt something like being in a sword duel with someone with three arms (and swords), and having both of his hands tied behind his back. Swords... He wondered idly why his mind hadn't chosen a more contemporary example of a fight...

"Near?" He blinked, glancing at Matt. He'd apparently been spacing out again, because the redhead had moved to sit beside the bed at some point and last Near checked, he had been halfway across the room.

Matt looked unhappy, but in an understated, "I'll keep my mouth shut" kind of way. I wonder if he thinks of me as a friend... He hadn't even considered the possibility until Mello had had that little talk with him. I think his intention was to stop me from thinking about friendship with Matt, though...how unfortunate for him that it backfired.

"Yes?" He turned his head to stare at the taller boy intently.


"I'll help you get up if you want to walk around now," Matt sighed; he didn't like even saying it, but he figured that Dr. Lidner knew what she was talking about. Near seemed to trust her judgment, anyway. Near's smarter than me—if he says it's okay, it probably is. Then again, he was okay with Mikami doing his "tests", too... Obviously, as intelligent as he was, Near wasn't all-knowing.

That'd be L, the redhead thought fondly, smiling to himself.

"All right," Near answered, glancing at the two blondes across the room. "I think that Mello and Dr. Lidner are going to get along well." Matt glanced at them, too, nodding. Mello was smirking and waving his chocolate bar, free hand propped onto his hip as he explained something to the doctor, who looked a bit startled about whatever he was saying.

He looks happy, Matt decided. He was glad for that. Mello had been acting a bit weird since that day Matt had left him to watch Near in the ICU. It was hard to place how, exactly—he acted like his usual energetic self, eating chocolate all the time and ordering Matt around half-jokingly, but something was obviously on his mind. When Matt would start talking to Near, instead of interrupting or tossing in some comments to the white-haired boy, himself, the blonde would fall uncharacteristically silent.

He and Near hadn't had a single argument since Mello had gotten back, either. In fact, he hadn't really spoken to Near much at all...

Don't worry about that right now, the redhead told himself, watching anxiously as Near pushed back the covers and gingerly moved his legs over to hang off the side of the bed. He winced sympathetically at the thought of moving around after surgery that required a three-inch incision and lots of stitches, but the white-haired boy didn't make any sound, himself. He did bow his head, though, and sat there for a long moment after moving his legs. He was looking down at the floor off of the bed; his feet didn't come anywhere close to touching it.

It must be tough being that little. Jumping off the bed would hurt right now...

"Here," Matt held out a hand, leaning down slightly to peer under Near's bangs and try to glimpse his expression. He was staring at the floor as if it was to blame for being so far away, frowning.

Without looking up, he placed a small hand on top of Matt's palm.

"I'm afraid I need you to help me," he sighed, sounding none too pleased about this.

"No problem," Matt smiled, trying to sound reassuring. He's putting on a brave face—I don't know how I missed it before. He's nervous about doing this, isn't he? As he got to know Near better, he could read his expressions easier. I wonder if he thinks I'm weird for caring what happens to him so much... I'd probably be a bit weirded out, myself...but, Near doesn't seem used to having friends, so maybe he doesn't have anybody else to gage it against.

He wasn't sure when he'd started thinking of Near as his friend, but it was true. He was a new friend...Matt didn't know too much about him yet, because Near was usually very quiet and aloof...but he was a friend nonetheless.

I think he likes spending time with me, too—he seemed to be having fun when he tried my goggles on, anyway. I don't know...with him, it's hard to tell...I'd better pay attention to what I'm doing now, though, because I really don't want to hurt him. That was another way to tell he thought of Near as a friend—seeing him get hurt wasn't something that Matt cared to repeat.

He focused carefully on the problem at hand—how to pick Near up without moving his stomach around too much.

"Let's see, here..." He considered for a moment. The white-haired boy continued to watch the floor, leaning gently on the hand that Matt had offered. The redhead smiled, squeezing his hand, "I think I've got this. Listen carefully, okay?"


Near glanced up at Matt; he was smiling reassuringly. Hmm...he seems confident about what he is doing. I trust him...

"All right..."

The redhead placed Near's hand on one of his shoulders, then knelt down beside the bed. I don't understand... The smaller boy blinked, looking down at him.

"What exactly are we doing...?" He sounded a bit puzzled, and imagined that it actually showed on his face, too. Putting my hand on his shoulder and kneeling...steps? Is that it?

"I know it looks a bit funny," Matt explained, sweatdropping, "But I'm pretty sure this'll work. Hold onto my shoulders to keep your balance and step right here." He cupped one of his hands around one of Near's feet, positioning the other a bit further down. "It's like walking down the stairs—see?"

I am sure that Dr. Lidner or a nurse could just lower the bed down to let me get off of it, Near thought, amused by the redhead's solution. Oh, well—this way looked kind of fun, and Matt seemed to be trying his best to help, so Near decided to humor him. Putting on a serious face, he nodded and very carefully slid over to the edge of the bed, leaning his weight down onto the foot that Matt was already touching. His injury didn't really hurt—the medication made sure of that—but he could still feel the stitches tug slightly when he leaned forward at all.

I will have to be very careful...I don't want to stay here any longer than I have to. That would only cause more trouble for L, and for Matt. Mello didn't seem too troubled by his condition, and he doubted that it mattered to the blonde whether he was in the hospital or not save for the fact that Matt was spending all of his time there because of it.

He placed his other hand on Matt's other shoulder, so that he could balance squarely by leaning forward without tilting to either side, and stepped down onto the redhead's lower hand. It's a good thing that I don't weigh much...I wonder why he didn't just pick me up? Standing up straight on somebody's hands was extremely difficult; he wobbled, especially when Matt lowered his feet to the floor while he was standing up. Matt moved slowly enough not to topple the two of them, though, and in a moment he found himself standing on the hospital floor (albeit, on top of Matt's palms) for the first time.

He had been carried into the building, and wheeled around on cots ever since—this was actually the first time he'd stood on his own in days. His legs felt a bit wobbly; he frowned, stepping off of Matt's hands and bracing a hand against the bed behind him so that he wouldn't sway. This...feels clumsy.

He didn't like to feel clumsy.

"Are you okay? Can you stand all right?" Matt stood, watching him carefully. The smaller boy sighed, nodding. I suppose being clumsy and weak can't be helped at the moment. It's just bothersome.

"Yes...thank you," he said, glancing over at Mello and Dr. Lidner, who were still absorbed in some apparently-interesting conversation. Mello seems awfully friendly today, especially to someone he has just been introduced to. He is probably relieved that I said I wasn't going to become Matt's friend. He sighed faintly, sitting up to see if he could stay on his feet without leaning on the bed. When he didn't wobble too badly, he steeled himself for a tiring journey and started very slowly toward the door. His legs felt stiff...like he'd been sleeping for a long time, and then suddenly had to move.

L should be on his way back right now, he thought, trying to distract himself. I wonder if he'll come visit us himself, or send Watari? L rarely ventured outside by himself, but it did happen on occasion. It would be nice to see him again...it would be nice to be home again, where strangers couldn't walk through the door at any given time.


I guess he can't feel too bad if he can walk...maybe I'm being overprotective, Matt decided sheepishly, following Near as the white-haired boy very slowly crossed the room. He paused by the door, where Mello and Dr. Lidner were barring the way, and said mildly, "Pardon me."

"Oh! Near, I'm sorry," Dr. Lidner turned quickly away from Mello, who looked irritated that their conversation had been interrupted, and looked a bit embarrassed herself. "You can get up and walk around, just as I thought." She patted his shoulder, a motion that only seemed to emphasize how small of stature he really was, and smiled. "Don't push yourself too much, okay? A lap or two around your room is plenty for today."

"I will be fine," Near was twisting a lock of his hair again, glancing sidelong at Mello as he added, "Matt will be walking along with me."

The blonde boy frowned in response, snapping off a piece of his chocolate and remaining silent. Matt nodded, glancing at him, too. Somebody's got to walk with him, and I didn't think you'd exactly volunteer, Mell.

"Yes, that was the other thing that I wanted to say," Dr. Lidner said, gathering up her clipboard and stepping toward the door, "Please don't walk around alone. I'm sure your brother will take good care of you—and Mello, too." She smiled warmly at the blonde boy, who had looked at her when he heard his name. "It was nice meeting you, Mello. I've got to get going—call me if Near's condition changes at all."

With that, she nodded one last time and disappeared out the door.

Near turned to Mello, smirking slightly.

"Dr. Lidner is a lovely woman, isn't she?"

Mello glared at him, snapping off another chunk of chocolate.

"So you and Matt are going for a walk?" He asked darkly, declining to comment on the doctor. Matt smiled to himself. That's a sure sign he's embarrassed...heh, that's funny. I wonder how much older she is than him? He decided to be nice and not tease Mello about it, though—Near seemed to be up to doing that, and teaming up on Mello wouldn't be very kind. Especially when Near usually beats him in one-on-one arguments anyway, the redhead thought, a bit guilty to be thinking this about a friend. It was, unfortunately, the truth...

"Yes," Near replied simply, reaching for the doorknob. "You are welcome to come along if you like."

The blonde shook his head immediately, "No thanks." Matt doubted he wanted to walk at an extremely slow pace, in the hospital with Near or otherwise. Mello wasn't a very patient person; taking anything slowly wasn't really his forte.

"All right," Near glanced down at the floor, still twisting the same lock of hair around one finger. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully. "Then, if you don't mind, I have a favor to ask of you."

Mello stared at him, disbelief written on his face. Matt was a bit startled, himself. You tease him and then ask for a favor right afterward? I think you're out of luck, Near...

"I need you to check the answering machine at home," Near continued, glancing at him sidelong again with a serious expression on his face. "Gevanni and Rester are each involved in murder investigations in Salem and New York, respectively, and should remain there for at least a week more, but they may have tried to report their findings so far and gotten no reply. I don't want to alarm them..." He frowned, wrapping one arm around himself slowly while he spoke.

"The riddle letters that I finished before Matt brought me here, also...they need to be mailed to Commander Rester. I would ask Matt to do this, but then you would have to walk with me...and you said that you would rather not do that."

Mello's expression was difficult to read; it went from disbelief to irritation to a grim, almost sympathetic seriousness in less than a minute, before finally settling on a frown.

"Fine."

Matt glanced at him, wondering if he'd heard right. He agreed, just like that?


"Thank you, Mello." When Near looked at him with such weariness in those dark eyes, it was extremely difficult for Mello to keep that bad feeling from overwhelming him. Ugh...he almost died, being a jerk would just make me feel worse at this point. Besides, I'm going to take care of this stupid "I'll be Matt's friend and say I'm not" thing he's pulling soon enough—let him think he's won this time.

He glanced at Matt, who looked surprised that he was agreeing so easily, and nodded slightly.

"Sure...it's important, case-related stuff, so I'll do it. You two go walk...see ya." Without waiting for a response, he turned and escaped out of the door, rushing down the hallway. Stupid Near...why do you have to try and take everything that's mine? This is an easy way to get rid of me so that you can spend more time with Matt! What bothered him the most was that Matt didn't seem to be bothered at all—he was practically tripping over himself to do whatever Near wanted right now. Sick or not, Mello didn't see any reason for anybody but him to get to boss Matt around like that...

The hurried walking turned to jogging, then an all-out run. The air rushed through his hair, blowing coldly in his face as he charged through the exit and out into the parking lot, running away from Matt and from Near and this whole complicated, irritating situation.

Let Near think he had won.

Until L got back, there was no way to keep him from monopolizing Matt's time, anyway, short of insisting that he spend all of his time with Near, himself. Much as Mello wanted Matt to not become friends with Near, he hated that bad feeling he got when he thought about the white-haired boy's condition even more.

So he would let Near win this round—he wouldn't fight it for once.

As soon as L gets back, though...then I'll do something about this. Then I will win this!

--End Chapter 11


AN: Ugh...this chapter was a struggle to write. I wasn't quite sure what angle to approach the first few scenes from, and so they aren't my best work ever, unfortunately. I think the writing gets better again toward the end...anyway, now that Near's feeling a bit better, his and Mello's constant competing is coming into play—and this time, with Matt's friendship at stake, Mello is determined to beat Near more than ever!

Poor Matt, he's just being his likable self and causing conflict without knowing it. (Sweatdrop) Next chapter ought to be more interesting...this one was a "transition" sort of thing, which unfortunately has to happen occasionally. Now the title of this chapter makes a lot more sense, though, huh? :)

Hope you're still reading and enjoying the fic—see you next chapter!

-Threshie


In Charge Akugi! Volume 11

Akugi #41

Matt: "Is Near okay?" (Glances at him worriedly)

Mello: (waves hand dismissively) "No, he died--is that chocolate?"

Akugi #42

Mello: (Pokes the dinosaur in the teeth with one finger)

Dinosaur: (CHOMP)

Mello: "!!!"

Akugi #43

Narrator: Mello didn't particularly care if Near was scared or not—in fact, if he was feeling better, the blonde would have jumped on the opportunity to cause him some discomfort.

Mello: "Just wait, Near--as soon as you get out of the hospital, I'll put you back in it!" (Evil grin)

Near: u.u "That's fine, I enjoy being in here anyway. This way people wait on me hand and foot, and Matt stays by my side 24/7. On top of that, you are too guilty to be as mean to me as you usually are."

Mello: ...Dammit, he's right!

Near: (Smirk)

Akugi #44

Near: "Dr. Lidner is a lovely woman, isn't she?"

Mello: (Cheerily) "Yes, she's wonderful!"

Near: (Twists hair and glances at Matt) "...That cinches it, you do like boys."

Mello: "!? H-how did you jump to that conclusion?!"

Near: u.u "If you were attracted to Dr. Lidner, you would have been awkward and disguised it with anger."

Matt: (Laughs) "Wow, Mell, he's got you pegged..."

Mello: "..." (Glare) "N-no he doesn't! (Awkward and disguising it with anger)