::Closed RP for L and Near::

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

With Mello out, the room was quiet.

Not that Near objected. In fact, it was something of a relief. His feelings for Mello were strong and complicated, and having a bit of a break to read some of the many tomes on magic he'd taken from the library was extremely welcome.

Or, as he was doing now, to practice some of the exercises therein.

Just now, for instance, he was levitating the pillows, making them whirl and dance in a circle over his head. It was like juggling without using his hands... tricky, and perhaps not terribly useful just yet, but oh, it could lead to useful applications indeed.

Comments

[ijk-mno.livejournal.com]

"Near was explaining the circumstances of my death to me."

Mello will learn as much from him, he might as well try and make the best of it by reacting and admitting it calmly.

"I am not yet accustomed to the idea."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

I eye him. "Right," I drawl out. "And when you feel like not wasting my time." The only thing that stops me from pushing him out of my way is a life time of the 'L is next to god' crap we got at Whammy's. I may not look up to him, but it is drilled into me to at least pretend to respect him. I put my hands on my hips, waiting.

[ijk-mno.livejournal.com]

He steps out of the way, so that he can pass by freely, and inclines his head politely.

"Near is in."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"I should hope so." Fuck, this was going to be a mess. I step past him, growling as I do, "If you did anything to him..."

[ijk-mno.livejournal.com]

L laughs. He can't help it. It's sharp, quick, unkind, and entirely unlike him, with his quiet mannerisms and lack of inflection.

He hopes Near heard that, and is as amused as he is.

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

I stop, turning to glare fully at him. "What did you do, Ryuzaki?" I can feel my fists curling at my sides. I take a step closer. He may be taller than I am, but I learned how to loom over those taller than me in the Mafia. "What did you do? What mess did you leave for me to clean up?"

[ijk-mno.livejournal.com]

"You are selling Near short, Mello. Although I am glad that you feel the urge to protect him, your efforts are unnecessary in this situation."

He looks utterly calm, and utterly unimpressed with the attempt at looming. He stays in his slouch.

"We merely talked. Go on, ask him."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

Merely talked? Fuck. "Go away, Ryuzaki. Just go away." If L was messed up enough to run into me, Near is going to be worse. Shit. I push past him and into the room.

Fuck. And how long can I really put off telling him about... Shit. Fuck! Damn you Ryuzaki!

"Near..."

[ijk-mno.livejournal.com]

"Mello."

L catches his elbow, from behind, and puts the other hand on the opposite shoulder. His grip is too tight to break easily. His voice is pitched far too low for anyone but them, and he is leaning in close enough that his breath might stir the hair by Mello's ear when he whispers.

"I meant it. He only told me that I died, and that it was in failure, and it frightened me. I promise, that is all."

Louder, and giving him a small nudge in the direction of his room, as he lets go.

"Go on. I will see you soon."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

Bastard. I glare over my shoulder at his retreating frame. If I find out he's lied to me... I can feel my fingernails digging into my palm. I shake my hands loose. "Near?" I repeat, moving into the room.

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

Back in the windowseat, Near looked up. He really didn't feel like talking further with L, not just then...

But it wasn't L. It was Mello. Near smiled.

"You're back," he said happily, reaching out his hand.

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

I cross the room, taking Near's hand. Something feels...wrong. "Yeah. Ryuzaki ran into me on his way out. How was your talk?" I take his hand, unsure what I should do now. If it weren't for the bad feeling I had, I'd sit on the window seat with him and talk, explaining everything I needed to. But, I just...can't.

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

"He'd... heard things. About what happened at your sorting." Pulling Mello closer, Near laid his head on his chest. "He wanted to ask me about it."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

I caress Near's hair because it's the most natural thing to do. I'm going to kill L when I see him. Fucking liar. "I see," I murmur. It's pointless to ask if he's okay. It's obvious he's not. "What do you need?" I ask. I don't know what the right thing to do is, but I'm sure leaving right now to kick L's ass isn't it. And, explaining about Matt isn't it, either. Shit. Can't anything be simple here?

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

Leaning into the touch, Near looked up at him. "All the questions he asked. It made me think."

[hcolleen.livejournal.com]

"Think about?" I need to know where you are, Near. Talk to me. Tell me. I keep playing with his hair. It's so soft, so fine.

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

"Mello..." Near reached up, pulling Mello down, pulling their faces close.

He was trembling a little, but snatches of the conversation were fresh in his head.

L does what L needs to. Near does what Near wants to.

"I love you."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"Love...me?" The room vanished. I'm sure it did. There's nothing under my feet, nothing around except Near. "You...love...me?" I feel myself drawn to him. I lean forward. Before I can say anything else, our lips meet.

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

And it was all right then, not the derision he'd still somewhat feared. Arms hooked securely around Mello's shoulders, Near deepened the kiss just a little, savoring the closeness.