By I Brake For Bishounen Boys

It was Near's seventh birthday, and nobody had remembered. He placed another piece in his puzzle, and looked at the pile of blank pieces on the floor. Not even Roger had said a simple 'Happy Birthday' to him, and Roger knew everyone's birthday.

“...Hey, quit spacing out. I'm talking to you!”

Mello. The last thing Near needed was one of Mello's temper tantrums.

“What is it, Mello?” he asked neutrally. “So you're finally going to come clean about where my legos are?”

“Hell, no,” Mello said with a smirk.

“Then why are you here?”

“I wanted to say, 'Happy Birthday',” Mello said, and sat down beside Near, who had gone very still, a puzzle piece poised over the frame. “And I wanted to give you your birthday present.”

“You shouldn't have,” Near said, turning to Mello. “What is it?”

"This," Mello gave him a wrapped box that fit in the palm of Near's hand. "I have to study for a test."

"All right. Bye," Near waved, and looked at the gift in his hand. He quietly unfolded the paper on the box, then removed the lid.

A piece of paper.

I love you, Near.