[Near knows Mello won't kill him here, just as he knew he wouldn't kill him when he'd handed over the photo so long ago. And if his assumptions were proven wrong and his rival did decide to end him before they'd properly spoken, then he'd know that there was something different about this one - that it wasn't the same man he'd known back in his own world.

He accepts the teasing without comment. Though he wouldn't consider himself snake-like in the way he handled things, he could see how Mello would. And there's a part of him that enjoys being ribbed by the only other person in Wammy's whose opinion mattered for anything.]

I have no love for Mr. Yagami. The bond is insurance, should he find out anything about me. And because I don't trust Linden to handle his connection to him appropriately.

[The feeling of Mello's hand on his arm lingers. It's so rare that anyone touches him in any meaningful way. The most physical contact he has with another living thing on a regular basis is the hyena dog he lays beside for its body heat. It's distracting, bringing back memories of his previous bond to this man.]

He can't kill either of us here in any lasting way. We would be brought back again and he would have shown his hand. He won't be that foolish.

[That doesn't mean he won't try something else. They have the upper hand for the moment, which is something they didn't have back in their own world. Light doesn't know their true connection to L - and in Near's case, how they're connected at all outside of the bond.]

The only upside being a monster grants me at the moment is the different perspective from the rest of you.

[And the ability to bond with all of them with no difficulties.]