Near’s dark eyes darted to the strange little cuckoo clock placed just above the fireplace, his facial expression impassive. 10:57PM, the clock read. L said he’d arrive at the mansion at 11:00PM. He had three minutes.

Ignoring Matt’s incessant beeping from his PSP and Mello’s irritating grumbling as he noisily chewed on a Cadbury chocolate bar as they waited for L’s arrival in the living room, Near allowed his mind to wander away from the house of cards he’d built. It was unusual for L to do random summons to his Victorian-style Manor — but not unheard of. Usually it meant something interesting would happen. Was he perhaps going to finally divulge who would be his next successor?

It seemed he’d get his answer when the grand doors opened from behind the three boys, all of them turning around to spot Watari entering and holding the door open to allow L inside — who was followed by a smaller L? What?

“Near. Mello. Matt,”the raven haired man greeted the perplexed boys as they suspiciously eyed the L lookalike. There were some noticeable differences but there was no denying this was a relative of the detective. “L,”the three greeted in unison.

“Who’s that?”Mello finally asked after a few beats, pointing at the miniature L who clung to the older one’s shirt sleeve.

“This is K,”L replied his usual monotone. “Your new sibling. Treat them nicely.”

After having the initial bomb dropped on the three, L quickly assured them K would not be a successor despite the fact they were L’s biological sibling. Near could see why. You were clearly heavily sheltered. It irritated him a little. You just…you’re soft and it’s hard for him to deal with. He’s got to make his own name and build up a reputation, but now, on L’s orders, he has to be your new brother. At first, he wants you happy and out of the way, because that’s all he’s meant to do. But he can’t help but grow fond when you insist on being around him. It’s better you’re his shadow so Kira’s ideals don’t poison you. He’s never letting you out of his sight.