"And if he doesn't come back, it falls on Mello... Mello leaves and it falls on you," Nate whispered - remembering Matt freaking out at the thought of Mello leaving. "And if you leave then its the next person..."

"Near can do it...sometimes- even though I know he doesn't want to be L -I think he wants to be the person to keep it off everyone else." Matt said. "That's why Near's my friend...he cares."

"No wonder that kid is an empty shell," Nate mumbled, looking away. "He's got the fate of like a hundred people resting on him... he's never allowed to be normal, is he? Always smart, smart, smart... the next L... so he closed himself off. Man, Mail's gotta be having a hay-day with him..."

"...You think he's closed off...but it's not true." Matt blinked. "Near, he's...he's selfless to a fault."

"The Near that I play in the show," Nate sighed. "He's willing to step on anyone's toes to get to the end... he watches most of his team die right before his eyes and doesn't bat an eye..."

Matt stared at Nate before his face became sad.

"...Maybe...it's not because he doesn't feel anything." Matt offered. "Maybe, it's because he can't do anything about it...and to save everyone else, he can't let how he feels get in his way."

"Either way... its really sad," Nate whispered, resting his forehead against Matt's and letting out a sigh. "Most people just think he's an asshole... no one gets how complicated he is..."

"...That's terrible." Matt blinked. "...Will they treat Near like shit?"

"They are very loyal, even when faced with their own deaths," Nate assured, gently.

"I mean the real people." Matt clarified.

"I... honestly don't know if they really exist," Nate admitted, laughing nervously for a moment before he sighed. "Matt... If I can't ever return home... will they make me leave Wammy's?"

"No...you're a civilian and you know too much." Matt shook his head.

"But you said that... if your grades aren't good enough they don't keep you," Nate reminded, his frown growling.

"No, they don't." Matt shook his head.

"Then what would they do with me...?" Nate inquired, only to jump as the door came open and Mello slipped inside, having returned from Roger's office.

Mello closed the door before he leaned back against it a moment. Matt sat back and looked Mello over. The blonde boy was quiet a moment and then hobbled over to the bed and flopped on it with Matt.