Rating: G
Pairings/Characters: Mello, Near
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Mello kept his eyes on Near.
While the birthday girl counted down and every kid dispersed off in different directions like a group of mad cows, Near took his own sweet time to decide his own hiding spot. Mello rolled his eyes each time Near stopped for a moment to analyze and consider his options.
'It's hide and seek, for god's sake. Move.' And Mello felt like throwing a small stone from the back to get him to do so.
Eventually, Near decided on the bushes in the garden and Mello took off for his own hiding place. He stayed in one of the old classroom where he could continue to watch Near from the window. No one would have picked that area or even passed by it. All thanks to his ghosts prank last Halloween.
Mello sat on the table, leaned forward and pressed his forehead against the dusty window. Several minutes later, he laughed when he saw that Near was trying to shoo away a butterfly. Mello had no idea when he had stopped laughing to realize that his laughter was loud enough to attract Near's attention. The white-haired boy was looking up at him with a dazed look and eventually, their gaze locked.
Moments later, scuffle of words and laughter from a distance snapped them out of their gaze. Instead of remaining in his present position, Near jumped out and shuffled to the other end of the garden, disappearing into another bunch of bushes. Confused by Near's actions, Mello moved away from the window and leave the classroom.
He must find Near.
When Near is not within his sight, he would feel uncomfortable. When he could not feel Near's presence, he would tensed. And when Near went missing, he would look for him.
Mello always look for him.
The first time Near went missing, he almost drowned in the swimming pool. Because no one had bothered to help him search for his missing robot (and he could not find it in the house), he ventured outdoor on his own. Then, he accidentally slipped and fell into the pool. If Mello did not sneaked out that night to meet Matt for their night fishing, he would not have passed by the pool.
Near rarely step out of the house after that. He feel safer within a concrete cocoon. Only special occasions could make him give in.
And during occasions like this, Mello would do what he had decided he was supposed to.
"Your world is only safer when I'm watching over you."
