Work Text:
This is it.
From the beginning, Mello had a contingency in place.
His men were captured. The notebook had been reclaimed by The Task Force. And most importantly, there was nowhere left to run. Well, that was mostly true. With the push of a button, Mello could level the battlefield and escape.
He knew what to expect. He’d already contacted Matt to meet him nearby. Everything was present and accounted for; last was to hit the button.
But now, with a gas mask on his face and thumb on the remote, he hesitates.
Why…?
Icy eyes narrow.
Why am I waiting? It’s already been planned out.
Push the button.
Run.
Find Matt.
Mello presses his teeth together.
I’m going to live through this, right?
A soft annoyed snort follows.
Surely, Mello would live. After all the dust settled, he would claw his way out of the rubble, find Matt, and the pair would make a glorious escape.
I need to live.
I have to.
I need to regroup, and find a way to retrieve the murder notebook .
No matter what I’ll get out of here!
Teeth gnash.
I’ll do it and beat Near!
With renewed fervor, Mello rubs the detonation button with his thumb. That feeling is all for not as he eyes the remote and his stomach bottoms out.
Near…
Mello recalls his childhood friend; and for once in a long while, the memory is devoid of animosity.
He remembers days spent under his favorite tree with Near at his side. During one instance, the two rubbed the sleep from their eyes while basking in the pleasant shade.
Even though their spot was mostly cool, an occasional burst of humid air passed by. This made it all too easy to nod off.
And Near was the first to succumb. The younger boy inched closer to the blonde, placed his cheek against the other’s shoulder, and shut his eyes.
Mello recalled smiling when he heard Near’s breath slow.
It makes him smile now, even in the present.
It’s insane…
Mello looks forward, calmly, at the men who mean to take him by force.
…to think fondly about anything with several guns pointed at me.
He chuckles despite it all. Somehow, his time reminiscing lifted a proverbial weight from him.
Am I going to die?
He shrugs without worry.
Who knows.
Mello hums.
What’s that idiot Near is doing right now?
Mello grinned.
Who knows.
Without another thought, Mello detonates the explosives. In seconds, visibility is reduced as beams crumble, concrete turns to dust, and all goes black.
Near, if I die your investigation should run smoothly.
You won’t have to worry about any interference from me.
Would you be relieved knowing I’m gone?
…
Who knows.