The Box

Near inhaled slowly before speaking, as if he needed to calm his nerves. He'd been waiting for years to say this.

"Mello… I have something to say." He was sure that he would have some snappy comeback, but there was none. Mello was silent for once. But he nodded, urging him on.

"I…I care for you. I do. And I can't keep my feelings under control for much longer."

Mello just silently stared back at him, questioning his words, which made Near smile, showing his emotions to the blonde for the first time. He'd kept all of his emotions hidden from him, just so he wouldn't find out how he felt.

"Yes, I have feelings. And for you… They're strong."

Mello's eyes seemed to grow wide from the shock. Near may not be great at expressing himself, but he was a genius, after all. Mello should know exactly what he meant. Still, the silence persisted.

"What I'm trying to say is, I love you. It can't be anything else, I'm sure of it. This intensity… It's love."

Near just couldn't take Mello's silence any longer. He was telling him something so heartfelt… The least he could do was show his reaction, even if it was a negative one.

He delicately, though hastily, placed the puppet back in the box, before pulling his knees up to his chest and letting the tears slip from his eyes.

"Mello, I miss you… Please come back."

A/N: I didn't think I would even get around to writing this. I had no plan, other than the ending. I did this today. I guess I must have felt the angst of V-Day. So. (: Let me know what you think?