--Scene Change--

Linda had dragged all of the others back to Wammys. They'd all apparently been through hell, so they'd disappeared off into their rooms to pass out... or something.

Naveen had been rather rudely dropped into a place that he felt like he'd been only weeks ago, but he knew it had been almost a year.

...A year. Mello's birthday was coming up again... and it was right after that that New York had happened.

He'd managed to wander back toward his old room, expecting it to be taken by some kid or maybe a new back up, but... to his surprise when he opened the door he was met with the same old... well, everything.

There was a glass of water on the stand with fingerprints on the rim... a book sitting on the bed, open to a page - he had forgotten to pack it and he'd bought a replacement in New York... but he'd never gotten a chance to finish it - and even a pair of unlaced boots by the closet.

Slowly, Naveen approached the dresser and peered at the single photograph on its surface. Someone had obviously been in here, dusting... so why wasn't anything moved? Why wasn't the place stripped clean...?

"...You're probably wondering, but it's pretty obvious when you think." A voice murmured and Naveen turned to see C standing there. "I caught him here once, but I didn't think about it. Since Roger was the one that decided not to change anything, so I didn't put it all together."

He shrugged and then he smiled.

"Home, sweet home." He said pleasantly.

Naveen frowned a little bit, turning back to look at the photograph on the dresser.

It was himself and Maddness... M. They weren't dressed in their Mello and Near attires... they were themselves. Himself in a pair of loose jeans and a black sweatshirt... and Maddness in a blue t-shirt and skinny jeans. His hair was longer... and Maddness had a ponytail with bangs swiped to the side...

It was before their assignments... back when they were still kids. Nigh and Madness... a couple of Wammy kids.

"...I think the photo came after we call came back...right?" C said as he came to Naveen's side. "You didn't leave it here...it was like his own little memorial."

"I... didn't even know it existed," Naveen admitted, frowning as he reached out and touched the glass... right over Madness. "Life was so great back then... look at him... he's smiling..."

"...A lot more to smile about back then." C sighed. "He was happy...you both were. Everyone thought you two got along so well from the start."

"Not as well as everyone though," Naveen mumbled, looking away. "He was... he was my best friend. But he... wanted to be more..."

"...Wasn't he?" C asked sadly. "Ever?"

The shorter teen turned to frown at C. "No... it was always Mello..."

"...I'm sorry." C offered- patting Naveen on the shoulder. "I wish I could've helped."

Naveen shook his head and reached over, turning the picture face down. He was silent for a moment, before he turned to look at C. "Shouldn't you be sleeping?"

"Ender was never big on cuddling." C replied. "Better give some space, I think, but I'm heading right back. What about you?"

The younger boy stared at him for a moment, before he smiled awkwardly. "...Wow. You die and suddenly everyone is your friend..."

"We kinda were before you died." C snorted. "Wammy's House is one big, f-ed up family."

"I can't recall us speaking much before New York," Naveen mumbled, looking to the side. "...In fact... I don't think you talked to anyone except Ender."

"It took New York to make me not a nervous wreck anymore." C laughed nervously.

"Still... we never really talked," Naveen sighed. "I didn't talk to anyone, really... Just Maddness... maybe if I hadn't lead him on so much, he..."

He fell silent, his hand touching his throat.

"...Hey, it's okay...you're not responsible." C said quickly.

The younger boy lifted an eyebrow at him, before sarcastically saying, "...Right. Its not my fault at all that Madness killed me because I didn't love him."

"B pushed him." C pleaded. "He was vulnerable and B took advantage of it, understand? He got into his head and twisted everything."

Naveen visibly cringed at the mention of Beyond, turning his face away. "Yeah, well... lets change the subject, please?"

"...He's stable, but comatose." C said. "And you're safe here."

"You are bad at listening," Naveen whispered. "...I need to get out of this room."

He moved past C rather quickly.

"Naveen!" C called- trying to go after him. "Naveen, I'm sorry, I just wanted you to know."

"It's alright," Naveen said, turning to look at him. "I just... I'm really... out of my element here?" He shook his head. "To me it's like... yesterday I saw you all. But... its almost been a year for you... everything is different..."

"...Not everything...a lot's still the same." C offered. "And a lot of the kids are all the same. I mean, I'm not that different, right?"

Naveen gave him a small frown. "Next is sleeping with Matt... you are taking to people... One is nice... Oliver isn't drunk... Ender wears dresses... Ninja is like a 6 year old girl... The only person who is the same is Secret!"

"Actually, he switched from Contemporary Alternative to Acid Rock recently." C laughed.

"You are not helping," Naveen accused, though he smiled a little bit as he pointed a finger and poked C in the chest. "Next thing you're going to tell me is that Far and Zero ran off and... I don't know, adopted Twins!"

"You're doing this on purpose now." C laughed- a genuine thing that was completely foreign to Naveen.

Naveen's smile died down for a moment before he groaned. "Really!? Is anyone the same!?"

He paused as he heard a sound and turned to find Roger standing behind him.

"...I haven't changed...Nancy either for that matter." Roger smiled. "Then again, I suppose there have been a few changes in all our lives after New York."

He walked up to the two boys.

"I suppose if anyone would stay the same, it would be you," Naveen breathed, before he frowned. "And L... I bet he hasn't changed. Not around, I see."

Silence followed his words. Naveen had died before L had been killed by Kira... had no one mentioned it to him?

"...We should probably go talk." Roger offered- a seriousness falling over everything now as he stepped aside and offered Naveen passage to his office.

Naveen's features twisted into worry as he started walking... he knew that look and it was never good.

Roger led him into his office and closed the doors before gently steering Naveen into a chair.

"...I wish it were better circumstances that I brought you here." Roger said sadly. "I wish I could just give you nothing but good news, but...a year is like a lifetime here."

"I'm starting to figure that out," Naveen whispered as he leaned back in the chair, pulling both legs up against his chest and wrapping his arms around them. "Your office is different from what I remember... the desk used to face the other way..."

"Nancy thinks this makes it look more spacious." Roger chuckled.

"She's right," Naveen replied, giving a weak smile before it died down into a frown. "L... is dead, isn't he?"

"...It was just after the New York case." Roger said gently.