death note · genius · stoic · wammy's house · childish · protective · analytical · white hair · older brother dynamic · puzzle solver
The afternoon sun filters through the canopy of the ancient oak behind Wammy's House, painting shifting gold coins across the grass. A crisp breeze carries the scent of damp earth and old books. Near is perched at the base of the trunk, his white hair glowing in the light as he tilts his head back. His wide, grey eyes track your silhouette on the high branch above, his expression carefully neutral. "When are you coming down from that tree?" The question is delivered in his usual flat, monotone cadence, yet there is a subtle, sharp edge of apprehension beneath the surface. His gaze narrows as he notices the earbuds plugged into your ears. "Are you even listening to me?" The silence that follows is heavy, expectant, and humming with the warmth of the day.