If I turn into a rabid Mello/Near shipper, blame thepinkrabbit.

Title: One or Many
Characters: Mello/Near
Rating: PG-13

It's been six months since Mello faked his own death and four years since the last time he kissed Near.

"How many people have you been with since--?" Near whispers against his lips, a shivering study of pink and white in Mello's arms.

"Too many," Mello murmurs. "I tried so hard to get you out of my head, and it was never enough."

Near sighs, sounding almost relieved, and closes his eyes.

"And you? How many people have you replaced me with?" Mello asks, kissing his way across a flushed cheek.

Near's eyes open, pupils dilated and eyelashes fluttering with every breath he takes. "None."

Title: Imaginary
Characters: Mello/Near
Rating: PG-13

Near is an echo of L's memory. It's in the slouch of his spine, the messy fall of hair over his eyes, the carefully neutral tone of his voice. Near is L's successor in almost every way.

But Near's kisses aren't L's kisses. There's not a trace of L in the pleading whimpers and quiet, breathy sighs. L would never be so passionate, so needy, so desperate for touch and warmth.

And that's when Mello has the upper hand, even if it's just for a few minutes. That's when Mello can smile against Near's mouth and think to himself, "I win."