even more unexpected living arrangements.

[lastrunnerup]

*Mello thinks it's about time to talk to this Light Yagami, now, if Near is staying with him; he doesn't like the idea. At all. Even if he's not actively Kira, he has the potential-- and Mello isn't willing to risk either him or Near getting killed so quickly.

So he retraces his steps from walking Near back to the room earlier on, and when he

Comments

[reprism]

[at the sound of the knock, Light's eyes flicker up from his book to the ceiling. for a few seconds, he just stares; he's filled with a horrible suspicion that he's imagining things again. even as he puts the book aside, slowly, he doesn't get up from his bed, because he's afraid that if he goes to open the door he'll see--

see what? nobody? his mother? more hallucinations, more... whatever the hell has been happening to him lately?]

So is this it, I've been reduced to being ruled by fear? [he mutters to himself and, abruptly, gets to his feet, lurching over to the door. he's not going to be intimidated. bright lights dance in front of his eyes and he takes a deep breath, swaying a little as he presses his hand against the door to steady himself - head rush, combined with his general illness. after a few moments, he has himself adequately under control, and he opens the door and...

... comes face to face with Mello.]

Well I guess that's not too bad. [his expression is distant, his voice quiet, like he's talking to himself

[lastrunnerup]

Hm.

*The sound expresses distaste, and Mello taps his foot a little.*

Is Near in?

[reprism]

He's asleep. [pause, scrutinizing Mello.] You're the Mello from his world?

[lastrunnerup]

Good.

That's right. I'd like to come in.

*Still some mild distaste.*

[reprism]

[honestly, he's too relieved that the knock was from a real visitor to care about the distaste. Light steps aside from the door and then heads back to his bed, sinking down onto the edge of it and gesturing at the armchair in the corner.] You can sit down if you like. What do you want? [Mello will probably notice that the desk next to the chair is untidy and scattered with papers, many torn and crumpled.]

[lastrunnerup]

*Mello glances at the sleeping Near, as he enters, and remains standing for the present moment.*

There are some things I'd like to talk to you about.

[reprism]

Go ahead. [Light has a few ideas as to what Mello might be going to say, but he'll let Mello talk first.]

[lastrunnerup]

*He glances over at the sloppy desk, and then at Light. Would Kira be that messy?*

I'm sure you know who you are in my world.

[reprism]

Oh yeah. [Light laughs, shortly, harshly, rubbing - but, through a determined effort of will, not itching - at one of the cuts on his hand.] I know who I am.

[lastrunnerup]

*Mello watches the laugh with disapproval.*

Mm. I'm sure it very amusing.

You understand why I wouldn't like the idea of him being here.

[reprism]

If you can't tell a pained laugh from an amused one, you're too much of an idiot to be working on bringing me down back in your world. [not angrily or even coldly so much as... matter-of-factly.]

Yeah, sure, I understand it. Do you plan to do anything about your uneasiness with the idea?

[lastrunnerup]

Tone isn't everything. I'm not taking anything you say or do at face-value.

Why does he trust you?

[reprism]

[sigh.] You would be better off asking him that.

[lastrunnerup]

Let me put it this way: How have you interacted with him before this?

[coordinated_n]

*The 'him' in question rolls over in his sleep, gasps something intelligible and finishes with;*

-are completely inadequate to require waffles, not to mention-

*Trailing off again.*

[reprism]

Well, w--

[when Near starts to speak, Light stops and stares at his roommate, wide-eyed. then, slowly, he starts to laugh - soft and amused, this time.]

My kingdom for a tape recorder.

[glancing over at Mello, a sharpness entering his expression and tone now.] Or should that be, my perfect world for a tape recorder? [brief pause.] First time I met Near, I told him not to break his neck due to pride - nice do-as-I-say, not-as-I-do there, huh. Next time, I got gutted with a katana after we spent a good... well, I'm not sure how long, but it seemed like quite a while running away from a telekinetic ghost together. Then the Mello from my world ended up antagonizing Near extensively so I did damage control every now and again. We became friends. Er, Near and I, that is. Not Mello. Being friends with Mello is - rather - inconceivable.