* ╱ @jeevastm.
Near had so few people with whom he could relate, so it is, in a way, something of a relief to see Matt.
( Of course Near knows he should be dead. Of course he knows that hasn’t stopped any other old ghosts from dredging themselves up in this city. The impermanence of this city astounds and frightens him. )
It doesn’t show on his face, of course. Even at the best of times, Near has never been the most emotionally demonstrative. This is not the best of times. Still, it is something of a relief. His mind skips past surprise entirely. Perhaps he’s missing familiarity, not that he’s had much of that since he left the orphanage, but still... the mind is delicate like that.
( He and Matt were not friends, because Near has never, as a rule, had friends, but he and Matt had ‘ gotten along ’ and sometimes that’s good enough. )
Near, with his Damocles-sword of ever-present danger hanging over his head the moment he had chosen to become L properly, looks at Matt, who he has not seen in quite some time, and who had avoided anything like responsibility for as long as Near can remember, and feels a pang of resentment. What an annoying emotion. Still, it is nice to see him, and Near considers saying as much, just for a moment. What he says instead is this:
“It’s always rare to see you by yourself, Matt.”
( Near had grown up in an orphanage that had gone through genius children like -- well. Like other disposable things. It was difficult, apparently, to be worthy of succession. Near had lasted. So had Matt. That spoke to some aspect of their respective characters. )
He smiles. Near’s smiles have always been carefully-constructed things, employed only when strictly necessary. This one is fairly genuine, however. When he speaks again, it’s without bite. His words are a little hesitant, a little uncertain. He doesn’t know where he stands anymore. He’s not sure he ever knew.
“How... have you been?”