The snow wasn't as fresh as it had been the day before, but that didn't bother the blond, blue-eyed teenager. He stood outside in it, ignoring the cold and the bitter loneliness that bit without mercy at his heart and skin.
He was fourteen today. He was also the only one who knew, as per the rules. He remembered his mother- the woman had called him by his given name, rather than he alias he was required to use now. She sang Happy Birthday on the staircase, holding him close, shielding him from the world. He could barely hear her voice anymore… Happy Birthday, my precious Mihael.
She had said that every year for six years, and then she had died. It was still painful, despite all the years that had gone by. Would she be proud of him? Would she be okay with him being only second best? Would she be happy that he was scheduled to graduate with his full college degree- a law degree, at that- in just two years? Would she be upset that his childhood had already long since passed, despite his young age? Would she care?
He had none of the answers to his questions. The questions that wouldn't even exist had she not been killed. He sighed, and shivered as the wind picked up.
"Mello?" a startled voice asked. Mello didn't turn around- he knew who it was. "What are you doing out here?" Matt, his best friend, walked outside to stand beside the brooding blond. The red head glanced at him through his gold-tinted goggles with a curious expression on his face. Then he shrugged and reached into his fur-lined vest pocket to pull out a small box. "Happy birthday, anyway, Mells."
Shocked, Mello's eyes snapped to meet Matt's- what little he could see of them, anyway. "How-?" he began, but Matt shook his head and pushed the box into Mello's hands. Still surprised, he opened it numbly, his eyes growing wider at the sight of the gift.
It was a rosary, beautifully hand beaded. The beads were crimson red for the most part, the silver chain peeking through between them every so often. On the end was a simple cross, embedded with diamonds. "I know that you say prayers every once in a while, Mells. I don't know if you're religious or not, but still, I figured~"
Mello cut him off by hugging him fiercely, Matt staggering a little from the impact. "It looks almost identical to my mother's rosary, Matt," he whispered. "I can't thank you enough."
"Don't," Matt whispered in return. "No thanks required. It's your birthday, after all."
They pulled apart, and, for a moment, Mello forgot everything. He forgot himself, his problems, the cold. It was only Matt. Standing on his tiptoes, Mello leaned up and kissed him, full on the mouth. Shocked, for a moment Matt didn't move. Hurt and surprised at himself, Mello began to pull away, only to be stopped by Matt's arms wrapping securely around his waist and a pair of lips sealing over his own. Mello threw his arms around Matt's neck, tangling his hands into vibrant red hair, while Matt forced his tongue into his mouth. Mello groaned at the contact.
After many more kisses, they pulled apart, panting, and Mello whispered, "Best birthday ever." Matt huffed a laugh and captured the blond's lips again, this time hoisting him up, forcing Mello to wrap his legs around his waist, and carrying the birthday boy inside, where it was warmer.
Happy Birthday, Mello