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"Tomorrow is December 13th, yes," Near chuckled, lifting an eyebrow. "Mello will be 16."

"Sixteen...wow...a whole year." Mello murmured before shaking his head. "It feels even longer sometimes too...we've been married a year, Near."

"Yes, we have," Near replied with a small smile. "January 1st is our one year..."

His smile faltered a bit and he turned his face away. After all, it had been just before Christmas - a holiday that they celebrated in Wammy's, despite the mixed religions - that Naveen had been murdered.

"Wow...and now it's statutory." Mello murmured thoughtfully.

Near blinked, before turning to look at him. "What does Mello mean?"

"We had to pull some strings to make our marriage legal, you know." Mello nuzzled Near- odd since they were still in public.

"Like using fake names?" Near offered, grinning a little. "Mister Magnus Green."

"Nataline Red, I'll kindly ask you to keep that information to yourself, young lady." Mello tapped Near's nose.

Laughing a bit, Near tugged the blonde toward their room. He twisted the handle and pushed the door open, moving to slip inside... only to freeze in the doorway.

"SURPRISE!" Came the burst as several people jumped out and pelted them with confetti. "Welcome back!"

Sound-makers and whistles went off loudly.

Near put his hands over his ears for a moment as he turned to look at Mello, a blank look on his face.

Next shared a frown with Matt, his eyes wide.

"Well, you guys don't look like you're gonna Keehl over just yet." Oliver snorted as he came up and handed Near a wrapped package.

Near snorted at the irony of Oliver's words - knowing the redhead had no idea of Mello's real name - and took the package. "What is this...?"

"Welcome home gift," One snorted. "...On top of a Christmas gift, on top of a Birthday gift, on top of an anniversary gift. Just open it."

Giving Mello another look, Near slowly unwrapped the package.

"If this thing starts buzzing and vibrating, I'm kickin' your ass." Mello warned Oliver.

"Why would he get you that?" One chuckled. "You're not Zero!"

"Besides, it's from all of us," Next cut in with a deep frown.

Near pulled out a small piece of paper and frowned, reading it aloud. "Look in the closet..." He spared a glance at the group. "Couldn't Oliver have just told me to look in the closet?"

"Yeah, but then you wouldn't get to tear the wrapping paper." Oliver hummed.