Gift
Rating: PG
Characters: Near, Beyond Birthday
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When news of Mello's death reached Near, he didn't have any noticeable reaction. Maybe it was that burning determination to finish off the puzzle on hand and then present its full exposed glory in front of its creator. Sadness will only be a hinder; waste of time.

However, in his brilliant mind, it was bombarded with memories of Mello. Rewinding... replaying... And his words to him... Ringing softly like a haunting lullaby in his ears all the while as he advanced their victory against Kira.

"Stop him at all costs." didn't help. Near wanted to believe he could prevent the tragedy which someone had told him before... Someone who was a former Wammy child, someone who was as brilliant as him and L, someone who would be the next L if he didn't went over the line of obsession... Beyond Birthday.

A... August 22nd 2001; L and Watari... November 5th 2004; Mello and Matt... January 26th 2010...

"...Do you know why I'm telling you all these? This gift of mine... this painful tragic gift of mine will help me surpass L... and I'm not telling yours, Near. But I can say... you will outlive them. Little Near will outlive them and taste the same tragedy as me..."

Near didn't believe him.

Until A slashed his own throat at the hospital that night.