[There's a very big difference between working with Mello at a task they'd spent their whole lives working toward, and hiring him for a position in a business Near doesn't at all consider to be the culmination of his life's work. This place had always been meant to be a cover and little else. That it brought in money was merely a bonus.]

I'm sorry for that. I will gladly work with you on more important matters.

[He twirls a finger in his hair, a familiar gesture that its longer length doesn't seem to hamper.]

I don't mind meeting with you, either. I you don't yet have a place to stay then we can meet at my home. Our privacy shouldn't be interrupted there.

[Unless L decides to barge in for some reason, but there are no secrets given up in that case.]