"Mello was supposed to give you a photo of himself," Missy explained to a confused Near. "That you eventually give back to him... or, well, he asks for it back."

"At gunpoint." Mail nodded in confirmation.

Missy smacked the redhead upside the head. "You didn't need to add that in, Mail!"

"I would expect it to be at gunpoint," Near informed.

"...Really?" Mihael frowned at Near.

"Because I wouldn't give it back unless he was serious enough to use a gun," Near informed, calmly.

"But...it was, like...gifted back." Mail reasoned.

"Then the writers obviously didn't know me too well," Near hummed, still avoiding eye contact with Mello.

"You would." Mello replied. "You wrote it back to me."

"I never even got it in the first place!" Near snapped, making the cast members jump in surprise once more.

"...That was cool." Mello smirked again. "You're gone less than two days and this."

"I was gone eight years," Near informed, his calm facade breaking. "Eight years. Can Mello imagine walking into a world and finding out everyone he cares for has grown up without him?"

"...Or dead." Mello added darkly. "At least you weren't around for some things...and you get to meet up with us like...the next day to you, even if we're older. I did wait eight years...we all did."

"And I have to sit here and look at Mello, who is eight years older, scarred, and obviously doesn't remember that he was meeting me in the closet to give me the same birthday present he gave me every year - a kiss!" Near hissed.

Silence followed his words.

"...A what?" Mihael blinked.

"Seriously?" Mail laughed.

Near turned away and Missy smacked Mail, shooting him a glare.

"Ow!" Mail hissed- rubbing his cheek.

"You could get that kiss now." Lawliet offered Near. "It'd be late, but it's still a good gift...right?"