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This exchange fits nicely for L and Misa, but I live in a world where Misa actually survived the end of Death Note, and I love thinking about how she must seem to Near.

[image ID: a digital drawing divided into two panels. The first panel features Misa, wearing a black T-shirt over a long-sleeved purple-and-white striped shirt. She is crossing her arms and has a stubborn expression on her face. The text bubble beside her reads, "I suffer every day for what. Girlish whimsy". (Girlish whimsy is written in cursive.)

The second panel features Near, with a thumb pressed to their lips, looking suspicious. The text bubble beside them reads, "u have something much more sinister going on". The dialogue is based on this post, and the designs are taken from this fic. End image ID.]

A lovequeer aro and a loveless aro. They are married :P (I missed the one-year anniversary for this fic, but I figure that a few days late is still close enough ^_^)

[image ID: a digital drawing based on this post of Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street, featuring Near and Mikami as they appear in the fic Mikami 2: Electric Boogaloo. In the first panel, Near is set against a bright pink background. They are smiling up at the camera and twirling their hair with one hand. The text reads: "I love you". In the second panel, Mikami is set against a bold yellow background, with no text. He is frowning dramatically at the camera, looking miffed and a little dead inside. End image ID.]

My passion is drawing scenes that nebulously take place sometime after the conclusion of my 240k fic about Near and Mikami :P It all makes sense, trust me!

[image ID: a digital drawing of a four-panel comic based on this meme. In the first panel, Gevanni asks, "You're aroace?" and in the second panel, Near replies, "Obviously, I'm aroace." The third panel zooms out a bit, so you can see Near sitting on a park bench and Lidner standing behind Gevanni. Gevanni continues, "But you have a HUSBAND. And you keep talking about how much you LOVE him!" In the final panel, Near points at Gevanni and smiles faintly, saying, "You've got me there." End image ID.]

I drew this comic nearly two years ago and thought, "I need to finish my fic so this will make sense." And I have!! 🥳 So happy anniversary to a duo that never interacts substantially in canon. It's been two years since I started this AU and nine years from the characters' POV (2015-2024).

[image ID: a digital drawing, based on this four-panel comic. In the first panel, Near and Mikami approach a person behind a counter. Mikami says, "One anniversary cake, please!" and Near says, "It's our anniversary." In the second panel, Mikami says, "Have it say 'Near and Mikami.'" Near asks, "Oh, but what about Funnel Cake?" and Mikami gasps, saying, "OH MY GOD I can't believe we forgot!" In the third panel, they turn back to the person behind the counter. Mikami says, "Funnel Cake is my dog," and Near says, "Put 'Funnel Cake' in there, too. Can you draw her, too? You can take our names off if you need more space." The fourth and final panel is a close-up of the cake, with a Shiba Inu drawn on top. Mikami's speech bubble reads, "Good. Great. Oh, just perfect!" and Near's speech bubble reads, "We love Funnel Cake." The entire comic is colored using palettes from the ace, aro, and sunset aroace flags. End image ID.]

I like to imagine post-canon Near as a recluse whose handful of friends attempt to drag them outside every now and then for dinner or a shopping trip, all while Near hunches in the background and acts like a disgruntled and bereaved specter.

[image ID: a digital drawing of Near with long hair, wearing a print button up over their usual long sleeves and long pants pajama ensemble. They are sitting at a table with a glass of iced tea in front of them, squinting accusingly at the camera. Next to this drawing is the reference photo, featuring a Chihuahua in a Hawaiian shirt with the same expression and relative color scheme as Near. End image ID.]