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"A's not actually a clone, though. He's just been messed up because they were so desperate for one."

In response to Near, Matt shrugs. "I tried to be, anyway."

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Near doesn't comment that there doesn't seem to be enough of A to be evil.

"You're about as normal as someone can be and still be worth talking to," Near reassures him.

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"I never want to hit you with shopping bags."

And he has that impulse with 'normal' people frequently. Matt knows, he's seen!

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Matt smiles at them both, looking kind of pleased. He's never had much of a social life.

"Cool."

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"Would it do me any good to ask about the shopping bags?"

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"Defensive maneuvering."

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"That was the best thing ever. I wish I could pull off shit like that."

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"Is it more effective than an elbow strike?"

Near isn't sure which is more alarming; that his glass is empty, or how disappointing that is.

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"As effective, but for different purposes."

He sips his drink, and now his glass is empty, too.

"Fundamentally, as long as you look like you do not know what you are doing is wrong, and if you did, you would not change your behaviour anyways, people will very seldom hold you to any social standard. Life becomes much simpler."

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"In other words, in a crowd and if you look as crazy as Ryuzaki." I moved to stand behind Near. "And you're drunk. This is amusing." I nod at Matt and put my hand on Near's shoulder. The afternoon has been productive, so I thought I'd relax. It took a simple spell to find him, but with Near's rubber duck, 'point me' worked really well."

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"The only one who's drunk is Near, man. He's a total lightweight." Matt grins at Mello. It's a little - well, no, he should expect Mello go straight to Near. They share a room. And he said he could deal, so he will.

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"I'm not drunk," Near objects mildly, leaning back against Mello comfortably. "Or only a little. "He told me to have another drink."

He points at L, not quite accusatorily.

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"And I have regretted it ever since."

He bites down on a smile.

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I try to hide the smile that wants to curve my lips at Near leaning into me. "One day, we'll teach you to say no if you want to, Near," I tease him, probably more gently than I would anyone else, but there's still a little bite to it.

I turn a sarcastic smile to L. "Serves you right."

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"We've decided that Ryuuzaki is a bad mother," Matt informs Mello, "Near's had his genes tampered with, and I'm not quite normal enough to warrant getting hit with shopping bags."

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"It is an evening for answering pressing questions."

Obviously, much has been accomplished.

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"We're all at least kinda trained as detectives, after all," he adds. "No mystery left unsolved!"

The 'kinda' is mostly about himself. He lost interest in becoming L comparatively early.

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"So, while you're solving mysteries, Matt, why do you all find the idea of seeing me drunk so funny?"

There must be some attraction.

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"This isn't going to turn into a game of truths, is it?" Matt laughs, kicking his heels against the bar. "You say some funny shit, man. You were talking about naked pictures earlier."

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"I didn't bring them up," Near says, looking pointedly at L.

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"I wanted to change the topic."

He can't remember why any more.

"It worked."

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"Speaking of which," I say casually, "did you do as I asked, Ryuzaki?" He should have, he's had time.

I'd tell Near why I find him attractive when he's mildly intoxicated, but here and now are not the place. Maybe later. My hand on his shoulder slides toward his neck and I start toying with his hair. Maybe I can get him to suggest leaving.

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"I slipped them under your door."

Apparently, neither of them collected them.

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"I asked you to give them to Near, not slip them under the door." I tilt my head a little. "Ryuzaki, how difficult is that? You did say you could do it."

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