"I am still confused as to why this comes as a surprise," Near admitted.

Nate hummed, before getting up and looking between Mihael and Mail. "Its... been eight years. Well, about thirty six hours for you, but..."

Mihael leaned in and hugged Nate tightly.

Nate jumped a bit in surprise, going tense in the hug. "Um...?"

"Whoa, whoa!" Mello grabbed Mihael by the arms. "Hold on there lover-boy."

"Wow... its almost like you told yourself that," Missy giggled, nudging her boyfriend in the side. "Where's the popcorn!? This is better then a Meg Ryan marathon!"

Lawliet blinked at Missy.

"You hate Meg Ryan." He frowned. "And despite my efforts, you hate Julia Roberts too."

"That's my point," She groaned. "If you make me watch 'sleepless in Seattle' one last time..."

"Yes, 'L' is dating 'Misa'," Nate told Mello before he could comment. "And yes, I know Matt will laugh his ass off. Mihael, why did you hug me?"

"Get off me!" Mihael snapped at his burnt counterpart- shrugging Mello's hands off his shoulders.

"Calm down." Mello frowned at the other blonde boy.

"I think we should all calm down," Nate groaned. "We have a lot to talk about."

"Where's Matt?" Near demanded suddenly.

"Yeah, did I make it?" Mail asked Nate- sounding very interested in his 'character's' well-being.

Nate rolled his eyes and took Near's arm, leading the boy into the other room to talk to him alone.

"It's kinda touching that they're all concerned about that red bastard." Mello chuckled. "Nate, you need a minute?"

Nate pulled open the door and Near blinked in surprised as he spotted the person standing in the kitchen, cigarette in hand.

When the figure turned, Near was greeted with the dumbfounding sight of an adult Matt in an apron making pancakes.

For a moment Near just stared, before the sound of Nate closing the door at his back made him jump.

He turned to see that the older albino had closed the kitchen door to give himself and his redheaded friend a moment alone without the questions of the cast.

"...These have dairy." Matt informed as he tapped the pancakes. "But I know you eat it sometimes."

"...Matt was making me pancakes?" Near asked, slowly looking back toward the redhead.

Why did he feel so shy? This was Matt. He'd known him for years!

...Then again, he hadn't known him for eight...

"Well, I wanted you're welcome back to seem...welcoming." Matt smirked.

"...Mello keeps reminding me that it's only been a day and a half for me," Near informed, sounding a little cold.

"He's hoping that makes it easier." Matt sighed. "So it's not like you 'lost time'."

"I didn't lose time," Near whispered. "I lost Mello and Matt..."

Matt's features softened and became a little sad. He set down the pan and untied the apron- pulling it off before he walked over and hugged Near tightly.

Near tensed a little bit, but then relaxed and buried his face into Matt's shoulder - taking in the redhead's scent, which was so different that it hurt.

"...Don't cry Near." Matt said gently- petting the boy's hair and rocking him gently. "We got saved this time so you didn't have to cry over us."

"How did Matt know I felt like crying?" Near whispered, though he smiled a little.

"...I held you like this once before." Matt smiled. "Remember?"

"If I said 'I remember like it was yesterday', would Matt laugh?" Near asked, looking up at the redhead curiously.

"Only if it would make you smile too." Matt smiled down at Near before leaning down and kissing his forehead.

The teenager sighed, feeling relaxed and like he was back in his own time as he closed his eyes, just letting Matt hold him for a little bit.

--

Nate stepped in front of the door to block it, eying the crew slowly. "Just like I remember you guys."

"You could have seen us on TV," Light scoffed.

"Oh, I did," Nate snorted. "And I realized how bad of an actor you are while I was watching the series."

"You just realized?" Mihael blinked.

"Oh, no, I knew back then," Nate laughed. "But I wouldn't have said it to him. I would have been afraid he would replace me but now he doesn't really have a choice."

"You really think we care about the show!?" Missy snapped, making Nate jump in surprise. "We came here to find you, not because we need you to act for us!"

"Calm down!" Mihael shot at her. "He was just making a joke to keep this all light."

"Light?" Lawliet blinked and looked at the Japanese man.

Light didn't reply, glaring heavily at Nate, but keeping his mouth shut.

"He doesn't think we like him and you think that's a JOKE!?" Missy yelled at her brother. "No wonder he never got that you had a huge crush on him, you dense idiot!"

"He what?" Nate gaped.

"Hey!" Mihael growled at his sister. "Shut up! Like you did any better for him! Why do you think he left!?"

"Huh!?" Nate gaped a second time.

"He didn't leave on purpose, you idiot, and if he did it was because you were too dense to realize he totally wanted in your pants!" Missy yelled.

"WHAT!?" Mihael blinked- looking seriously taken aback by the last comment.

"...Oh come on," Nate snorted. "I had a poster of you above my bed."

He rolled his eyes.

"Why are we even talking about this?" He asked. "We have more important things to discuss."

"Yeah, I knew you were kinda crushing and were a fan, okay." Mihael sighed. "But it didn't seem like you were gonna be making any moves and you were with Chester anyway."

"Chester?" Nate asked, as if trying to remember. "Oh god! That creeper pedo guy!? Please! I was using him to make you jealous!"

"Told you," Missy snorted.

"What, seriously!?" Mihael blinked- looking shocked.