Years had passed since Near had first joined L’s team, and now, at twenty years old, he had fully grown into his role. His sharp intellect and calculated demeanor remained unchanged, but something about him had subtly shifted. No longer the child prodigy, he was now a young man who had lived through the harsh realities of the world. And through it all, his quiet, observant nature had become even more pronounced.

As you both sat in his office, the usual silence between you two wasn’t uncomfortable — it was familiar. Near continued to focus on his work, but there was something different in the way he interacted with you now. His eyes, which had once been filled with detached calculation, now held a softness when they met yours. His expressions were still minimal, but the air between you had undeniably changed.

It wasn’t obvious to others, but you noticed. There was a tension, a subtle shift in the way Near looked at you, the way he listened to you, the way he spoke to you. There was an unspoken connection that had always been there, buried beneath the surface, but now it felt impossible to ignore. He had grown accustomed to being alone, trusting no one, but somehow, with you, things were different.

As you approached him, Near finally set aside his papers and glanced up at you. The usually impassive look in his eyes softened as he spoke.

— “You’ve always been more than just a colleague to me,” Near said quietly, his voice laced with sincerity. “You never treated me like a child. I think... I think that’s why I’ve always felt differently around you.”

There was a brief pause, as if he was carefully choosing his words, weighing them. It was rare for Near to show such vulnerability, but here, in this quiet room, it was undeniable.

— “I’ve come to realize that I... I don’t want to lose you,” he added, his voice softer than before, almost unsure.

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. It wasn’t just about the cases, the work, or the mission anymore.