[Uke]

"I know," Next whispered, taking Matt's hand. "But if it makes you feel better... I could really use a shoulder to cry on right now, too..."

[Mint]

Matt looked down at the boy and blinked- his face suddenly filling with concern.

"Next, why?" He asked softly.

[Uke]

Next glanced over at the trio before he tugged Matt out of the room and closed the door. "Well, how would you feel if you found out something about yourself that you never knew? Something... well... this big?"

[Mint]

Matt stared down at Next a moment before he scooped the boy up and hugged him close.

"...Let's go back to our room...okay?" He said softly.

[Uke]

Next nodded and let himself be carried away by his lover.

Back in Mello and Near's room, Near finally pulled away and touched his brother's face once more, as if trying to prove once more that Naveen was there.

Taking note that everyone else was gone, Naveen laid his hands on top of his brother's. "Mello wished me back, Near... He wished me back for you."

[Mint]

Mello shuffled were he stood- crossing his arms and looking away.

[Uke]

Near slowly looked toward his husband, as if to confirm Naveen's claims.

Although Mello didn't look back, he seemed to approve. He moved forward and pulled Mello's arms out from their crossed position, pressing himself against the blonde's chest.

"My thanks to Mello," The little boy whispered. "But it's Mello's Birthday, not mine..."

[Mint]

"I don't care about that." Mello hugged Near tightly. "If I could make you smile Near...just once for a moment...You were so sad after Naveen...and I just couldn't deal with how everything turned out and what you knew."

[Uke]

"I love you," Near told his husband, his shoulders shaking once more. After a moment he pulled away and grabbed Naveen, tugging his twin into their hold, as if afraid to let him go.

[Mint]

Mello hesitated a moment before he lifted his arm and wrapped it around Naveen as well- holding both boys against him.

[Uke]

Near wanted to ask if it was a temporary thing... if Naveen was only back for a day... but he couldn't find the heart to do so.

Because the answer scared him... because he didn't want to face the fact that he might have to let his brother die all over again...

--Scene Change--

"I'm proud of you," F told Far as K looked over Zero. "For bringing him back."

[Mint]

"...It's my husband." Far murmured as he held Trick close, Treat sitting beside Zero. "...Where's Beyond?"

[Uke]

"...When did you get married?" F wondered aloud, looking over as K shook her head, frowning. "I don't know where Beyond is, Far."

[Mint]

"Yes you do." Far said- narrowing his eyes at the Asian man and holding Trick a little closer- as though worried F was going to take the boy from him.

[Uke]

"K only told me that he was being sent to another hospital," F explained. "She didn't tell me which and I wasn't interested in knowing."

[Mint]

"Where is he K?" Far asked- not taking his eyes off his former mentor.