dropped her hand to rest on his shoulder as they walked to the doors "--you've grown on me in the short time we spent together today."

He turned his head to peer up at her, studying the lingering smile on her face as though scrutinizing her honesty.

"You're a good kid," she continued. "Maybe a little emotionally disconnected and socially awkward, but a good kid nonetheless." (Y/n) paused in front of the doors, kneeling down to be more level with Near's line of vision. "I'm not going to pretend to know you, because I don't yet, and I'm probably never going to get that chance either. But I felt like you ought to know that your emotions aren't always going to lead to hurt. Sure, I understand looking past them for the sake of logical decisions but you can let yourself care. That's not a bad thing-- it's a given, basically."

Near remained rooted to his spot, unmoving till the doors opened in response to her knocking on them and he was ushered inside. He let himself be fussed over while Roger thanked (Y/n) for bringing the boy back home safe and sound. She politely declined the offer for tea and asked to say goodbye to Near in private instead.

And so, Near found himself alone in her company once again.

"Well, I guess this is it for us, Near." She smiled down at him. "I enjoyed hanging out with you today, so thanks for getting lost in the park, I suppose."

Ignoring her awkward attempt at humor, Near looked up, meeting her eyes silently, and (Y/n) felt her heart squeeze painfully in her chest.

She knew those eyes. She had seen them everyday in the mirror when she was still a child. The eyes that looked through everything but never found a place to belong in the world.

Now, she smiled at Near-- something knowing and reassuring about the smile that was an uncommon occurrence with regards to her. "You build your own place in the world, Near," she informed, "and I have a feeling that you're going to be just fine."

That said, she backed away towards the doors, pausing in the doorway to look at him over her shoulder, holding her hand up in a wave. "Bye, Near."

And then she was gone, the echo of the doors closing sounding disturbingly in tune with the strange pang of the boy's heart. The barest of smiles found its home on his lips as he slowly raised his own hand. He couldn't remember feeling warmth in his chest after so long of just cold.

"Bye, (Y/n)."