[Mello chews on the nail of his index finger, watching Near closely as he speaks. It's all uncomfortably similar to his own experience, with one notable exception. He hesitates, debating internally whether he should say what he's thinking. Honesty is often inadvisable for people like the two of them, and it's not something that was ever really encouraged for either of them, unless it could be used to their advantage. But Near is making an effort, and Mello recognizes this. It may be a gamble, and it may be one that backfires on him, but reciprocation is what he ultimately opts for.]
You said before that the mission failed - the one the Indigo Illuminant took you over for. But you didn't end up hurting anyone you cared about, right?
[That's the real issue at hand - the miscalculation was embarrassing, and the loss of control was frustrating, but the fact that he'd put every single one of the few people he cares about in very real danger is what Mello is having trouble forgiving himself over in this whole incident. He's more or less made his peace with Sharon already, but L and Near are both different stories altogether. His feelings for Sharon are deep and intense, but they're relatively new; Mello has a long history with L and especially with Near, and what he feels for both of them is much less simple than it is with Sharon.
So here he is, still not explicitly stating that he cares about Near in quite so many words, but clearly implying it - which is perhaps obvious, in light of his actions back home in sacrificing himself so Near could defeat Kira, and most of what he's done here, too. Mello drops his gaze, allowing his hair to fall forward into his face, and shoves his hands into the front pockets of his jacket.]
It wanted you, Near - your power. That's why it became so enraged that it dislocated your arm.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2017-01-02 04:35 am (UTC)You said before that the mission failed - the one the Indigo Illuminant took you over for. But you didn't end up hurting anyone you cared about, right?
[That's the real issue at hand - the miscalculation was embarrassing, and the loss of control was frustrating, but the fact that he'd put every single one of the few people he cares about in very real danger is what Mello is having trouble forgiving himself over in this whole incident. He's more or less made his peace with Sharon already, but L and Near are both different stories altogether. His feelings for Sharon are deep and intense, but they're relatively new; Mello has a long history with L and especially with Near, and what he feels for both of them is much less simple than it is with Sharon.
So here he is, still not explicitly stating that he cares about Near in quite so many words, but clearly implying it - which is perhaps obvious, in light of his actions back home in sacrificing himself so Near could defeat Kira, and most of what he's done here, too. Mello drops his gaze, allowing his hair to fall forward into his face, and shoves his hands into the front pockets of his jacket.]
It wanted you, Near - your power. That's why it became so enraged that it dislocated your arm.