Wammy House: Fear, past. (L, Mello)

[Near]

Eight year old Near knocked on L's door waiting for a response. Thunder crashed, and Near jumped.

[L]

L was sitting at his computer desk, knees up and toes curled, as the thunder rumble in the distance. He quickly saved his progress, just in case there was a power outage and the generator failed, too. When he heard the knock, he called softly, "Come in."

[Near]

Near opened the door slowly then shut it behind him. He looked frightend, and it was obvious he had something on his mind.
"L....I'm sorry....are you busy? I could leave and then come back if you want me to-"

[L]

L eyed the little white-haired boy with amusement and a little pride. Last time it stormed, the poor kid shivered by himself until morning and ended up falling asleep during lessons. After finding out, L told him to stop by the detective's room during thunderstorms if he needed to. L would be up anyway.

"No, that's fine. Sit on the bed. Help yourself to some tea if you'd like," L said, gesturing to the cold teapot on the table.

[Near]

Near smiled slightly. "Thank you....." He climbed into the bed and snuggled into the blankets and pillows. He hoped that Mello didn't find out. Because he knew if he did, he would never hear the end of it.

[L]

L was in between cases at the moment, back at Wammy's House awaiting the next challenge. He had his own bedroom suite, with a mini-fridge stocked full of various sweets. The king-sized bed he felt was a little extravagant, especially considering he used it at most 3 times a week.

The raccoon-eyed man continued typing up criminals' profiles, stopping occasionally to eat a cookie or drink his tea. He kept Near in his peripheral vision.

Just then, lightning flashed and the lights went out, as did his computer screen.

[Near]

Near jumped and hid under the covers. He started shaking. He tried to be brave by not saying anything.

[L]

L sighed when the lights failed to flicker back on. Creaking off his swirly chair, he plodded over to turn off the switch. He wasn't going to get anymore work done tonight. On the PC, that is. His laptop was on the bedside table.

L drained the last of his tea and ran his tongue along the outside of his teeth. They were gritty from all his snacking. Not wanting to get scolded again by the dentist and threatened with fillings, he decided to go clean his teeth.

"I'm going to brush my teeth," he said, letting the boy know before walking towards the room's bathroom attachment.

[Near]

"Okay...." Near said shakily. He hoped the power would come back on.

[L]

L finished up in the dark and eventually made his way back to the bed. It had been over 36 hours since he last slept, so he was due for another 4 or so hours.

The lightning outside lit up the room for a split second, which allowed L to see the quivering lump under his sheets. He patted where he assumed Near's head was, before curling up himself under the covers.

[Near]

Near curled up next to L. He waited a few seconds before speaking. "L.....I think......I think Mello hates me....." This had been on Near's mind for quite some time.

[L]

L had been thinking of what desserts to eat tomorrow when Near uttered his non sequitur.

"Hmm, and why do you think that, Near?"

[Near]

"Because...he is always mean to me...and he likes seeing me scared..." Near kept this all built up inside, but know he just needed to blurt it out. "Everytime he he talks to me or looks at me I feel weird...I know he hates me."

[L]

Ahh, this was a textbook situation.

"I don't think that behaviour constitutes as hating someone. As you know, Mello is nasty to everyone. He bullies you likely because you're his most serious rival for the position as the next L."

L chewed his thumbnail. "How do you 'feel weird'?"

[Near]

Near thought. "I am not that sure...I feel light headed...and my chest feels weird. I can't really explain it." Near yawned and put his head on L's chest, listening to his heartbeat.