Death Note x Reader (REQUESTS OPEN)

Clueless (Near x Reader)

When you had been assigned to a case without any choice, you had never planned on becoming attached to any of your co-workers. Though it's true that you never were involved, you had managed to develop a pesky crush on your boss. Rather than repressing your feelings, you decided to make them known to him. However, Near is rather oblivious when it comes to something as subjective as romance. 

"Could you translate this?" the white-headed young man requested, handing a paper over to you. Your hand closed around the edge of the paper, holding it up to the light and quickly appraising it. 

"Sure. It doesn't seem to be that hard. Could you tell me what the purpose of this would be?" you asked, glancing over at Near. 

"That information is classified," he said, fingers carding through his snowy white locks. A silence fell between the both of you as Near focused on building a tower of playing cards. "I...wasn't expecting you to accept that so easily." 

"Well, I trust you," you responded, looking up from the paper and setting down your pen. 

"Do you normally trust people so easily?" 

"No, but you seem like a trustworthy person. I trust you with everything, even my heart." 

The only indication that Near had realized what she had said was from his suddenly shaky fingers, which resulted in the card tower crumbling to the tilted floor. 

Halle, having walked into the scene, stood at the door and watched as the boy crouched down to pick up the fallen objects. Halle's brows raised as she realized that it was the first time that you had said more than four words around her. Upon noticing that the woman was standing at the door, you gathered your materials and hurried to leave the room. Near's eyes flicked over to your retreating form as his finger moved to curl around a strand of his hair. 

"How in the world did you get her to talk to you?" the blond woman asked, her words eliciting a confused reaction from Near. 

"Whatever do you mean by that?" he asked, his eyes now glued on Halle.  

"They're not one to talk. That was the most that I have ever heard them talk." 

"I don't appreciate jokes, Halle..." he murmured, beginning to build his tower once again. "They are always saying peculiar things. It has become a natural occurrence at this point."

"Peculiar things?" 

"Yes, like the heart comment. Do they not say such things to others?" 

"No, not at all. Do you not have the suspicion that they could have feelings for you?" 

"I'm certain that they have neutral feelings regarding me. I don't think that I'm unnecessarily cruel to them, not enough to warrant any ill will." 

"I don't think that they are neutral," Halle said, causing Near to glance back at her. 

"Ah, so they dislike me?" he asked, tilting his head as he peered back at the tower. "I don't remember being unfair to them. Perhaps they could be jealous of me?" 

"No, I think that they might have a little crush on you." When she received a blank look from him, she further explained, "They might love you. I'm more than certain that they have been flirting with you." 

"So, you propose the theory that their feelings toward me might be...romantic." Once he saw Halle's nod, he let out a sigh and tugged at his hair. "Since I don't have any sort of prior experience in this field, I suppose that I have to trust your word. Do you know how it feels to have romantic feelings?" 

"I'll try to explain it to you... Do you think that their life means a lot to you?" 

"Of course, I would not want them to lose their life, just like the others. Are you saying that I value their life more than the others? I don't play favorites." His hand moved to tip over the tower. 

"How about this? Do you enjoy being around them?" 

"They do show a lot of talent in translating, so it would be nice that they stay here for other cases." 

"In an ordinary setting, would you like to be with them?" At his puzzled expression, Halle clarified, "If they were to ask you out on a date, would you say yes?" 

"Absolutely not. We are in the midst of a case." 

"They asked you when you are taking a break from a case." Halle pushed her bangs out of her face as she leaned against the doorframe. "How are you likely to respond?" 

"I suppose that I would," he answered, letting out a soft hum. "I've enjoyed being around other people, but I don't think that constitutes romance." 

"If you love someone, you will know. However, you won't know unless you look up from that card tower. If you don't want to try, you can simply finish the investigation and send them on their way." 

Near silently watched as Halle dropped some manila folders onto his desk, turning and leaving the room. 

--- 

"Don't you think that you should take a break?" you asked, taking one final look at the young man. "Those circles under your eyes have gotten darker, you know?" 

"I don't see how that would concern you," he replied, absolutely no malice in his tone. 

"It concerns me because I'm going to spend the entire night thinking about how you're the only person that can make them look attractive." Your smile dropped when Near dropped his toy and swung around to face you. "Sorry. I mean, I went you to take care of yourself-" 

"Do you have romantic feelings for me?" the white-haired young man asked, his eyes still settled on your expressions. 

"Was it not obvious?" you asked, your eyebrows raising when Near shook his head. 

"I would have appreciated it if you were blunt with me." 

"I was flirting-" 

"Since you talked about a break, did you intend on asking me on a romantic excursion with you?" 

"Not this time. I just want you to get some rest." 

"From the way that you phrased it, I can conclude that you would like to do something like that later on." After he saw your nod, a small smile pulled up his lips as he added, "After this case, we can figure out something nice that we can do together." 

"Y-yeah!" you responded, moving to walk out of the room. "I mean, it though. Get some sleep, Near." 

With that, you turned on your heel and headed toward your provided sleeping quarters.