::Closed RP for Mello and Near::

[cardarchitect]

Near sat curled up on the windowseat, the plastic robot in his hand largely forgotten. It was good that Mello had other people to talk to. Near wasn't very good at interpersonal relationships, and couldn't provide much in the way of comfort

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[mello_n_choco]

I tap on the door before opening it. "Hey," I say, crossing over to him. It's almost a relief to see him with a toy, even if he's not playing with it. He hasn't been since he told me. I stand next to him and brush his hair back from his face. Touching him helps me feel better. Talking to Wednesday has helped me see things a little more clearly. They say time heals all things. Maybe it's true and not just wishful thinking.

[cardarchitect]

"Hey." He wraps his arm around Mello's waist. "Do you think your conversation was helpful?"

[mello_n_choco]

I hold him, running my fingers through his hair. "Yeah. Helped to hear what I was thinking out loud. He didn't feed me any sugary lines about how everything would be better. Helped me find some flaws. Still need to work through it, but it helped." I bend down to kiss the top of his head. "And you, did you get any rest?"

[cardarchitect]

"I suppose you might say that." He pulls Mello down onto the windowseat. "It's good not to have to listen to meaningless platitudes.

[mello_n_choco]

I follow his urging, pushing the robot out of my way. "It is. If I'd thought he'd give me crap like that, I wouldn't have talked to him." I may not always understand what Wednesday says at first, but it's never meaningless platitudes.

[cardarchitect]

"I'm sorry I'm not better than this. It was never something I was meant to focus on. But I'm here, Mello, as much as I can be, I'm here for you."

[mello_n_choco]

I pull Near into my lap. "I know, my Near. I don't know if anyone's good at it." I lift his chin a little so I can kiss him gently. "You being here is a big help."

[cardarchitect]

Near returns the kiss with quiet affection. "I don't like it when you're upset," he admits helplessly. "I don't know what to do about it."

[mello_n_choco]

I caress his cheek, looking into his eyes. "I don't like making you worry, but I think you've done fine helping me." I look in his eyes a bit longer before I say anything else. "I love you."

[cardarchitect]

"I love you," Near echoes, twisting a lock of Mello's hair between his fingers as if it were his own. "I'll do anything I can for you."

[mello_n_choco]

I love when he plays with my hair. It feels good. I'm starting to think I can feel good again, that I'm allowed to. I think that's the most positive thing I've thought since...

I trace Near's lip with a finger. "I...want to just think about you for now," I say softly.

[cardarchitect]

"I'm here, Mello," Near reiterates. "I've got you." He hugs Mello close, trying to communicate what he can't find words for.

[mello_n_choco]

I brush his hair back, keeping my fingers in his hair. My other arm wraps around his back, holding him close. "I know you're here," I whisper. "I know." I turn and kiss his cheek. "What is it you need, my Near?" I ask him softly. "You've been taking such good care of me."

[cardarchitect]

"I need you to get through this, and find your feet again. I know it's hard on you."

[mello_n_choco]

I wrap both arms around him. "I'm getting there," I say, looking across the room. "It's hard on you, too," I add softly, my eyes falling on a lego tower that hasn't been touched since before...before Matt left. That didn't hurt as much as it has to think.

[cardarchitect]

"Not in the same way."

It was true. Near had liked Matt well enough, but it was the impact his disappearance had had on Mello (and to a lesser degree, L) that troubled him.

"Is there something that would make you smile right now? A hot bath, a hot fudge sundae?"