Hey, yooou!

Thanks for the +watch. Can't wait to see EDGE remade.

I want to write so much Mello/Near.

I can't stop obsessing right now 'cuz THEY'RE SO FREAKING AMAZIIING.

They're so wonderful omg why can't I write for them like I wanna

Okay, okay, okay, I think I kinda worked out a head-canon I'm happy with. So, I ended up hooking up Matt and Linda, and making it to where they were both Near's close friends. Along with that, Near has feelings for Mello that are highly assumed to be a crush, and Matt and Linda know about this. Since Near and Matt are close friends, Near is more comfortable hanging around Matt in comparison to others, so he's around Matt a lot--as such, Mello has to grow to at least tolerate Near's presence because he's Matt's friend. Matt also knows that Near wishes to get closer to Mello, but will not assert that wish himself--so, Matt will urge Mello to hang out with Near. It doesn't have to be as if he and Mello are best friends but, y'know, give the boy a chance and all.

So, after awhile, Mello will approach Near in the Common Room while he is working on a puzzle and will sit down next to him. He'll kind of awkwardly ask Near if he can hang around, and is surprised when Near nods and tells him, "Of course." So, he and Near kinda take turns placing the pieces, and Near just watches Mello closely as he searches for where to place each piece, never getting impatient or anything if Mello took awhile. Mello gets to place the last piece of the puzzle--and the last piece is the one with the letter "L" on it.

So, Mello will look at Near, and is confused to see a smile on Near's face--a hint that Mello placing that final piece was not an accident. Near had meant it as a secret compliment to Mello, and a hint that, just like with the puzzle, if they work together, they can both strive to be L.

Of course, Mello tries to deny this in his mind and abruptly gets up and tells Near he has to go...but not before telling him, "...thanks." and Mello doesn't see the smile forming on Near's face as he leaves and Near just begins playing with something else, looking down to hide the smile from anyone else, but the expression not leaving his face.

Matt will come in to visit him a little later, and will notice the smile--he can kind of infer why Near is so happy.