Here's the installment of my first fanfiction. Constructive criticism is always welcomed! Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note! If I did, Matt would be happily havin' a smoke while L would have captured Light/Kira himself!(:
"Just my luck. Thanks a lot Mello…" Matt muttered as he stood and listened to Roger's scolding for the umpteenth time today. Perhaps he should've thought twice before listening to Mello's insane antics about stealing a chocolate bar from Richard, an obese but gifted boy who was about the same age as both Mello and himself that stayed in a room across from theirs.
Oh c'mon, Matt! He won't even notice that one got stolen. Besides, that kid is lucky of being supplied with candy bars everyday! Mello's voice rung in the back of his mind as he thought back to how he was convinced to steal a "delectable bar of goodness" with Mello's damned reasoning skills. If only Mello was near to rat him into the predicament that he was placed in thanks to him.
Tch, won't even notice my ass. As Roger was coming to a close with his lecture, he ended with the most dreaded words that might as well send Matt into an asylum.
"As punishment of committing theft on one of your fellow colleagues, your video games will have to be confiscated for the rest of the day. I'm sorry. You should think about what you've done, Mister Jeevas," Roger concluded with a hint of disappointment. Much to Matt's dismay, his only response was a scoff. And with that, Roger ruffled Matt's red hair then turned on his heel and left him behind. For once, he was glad that Mello was out or else, Hell would break loose.
Matt dragged his feet endlessly across towards the door that lead him to the front yard of Wammy's House. He couldn't help but shudder as his hand landed on the door handle. As much as he hated the outdoors, he simply could not think of any other activity that he could engage on and his mind began racing with thoughts of sweaty kids sprinting around while playing a boring game of catch. He cringed at the preposterous thought that involved himself playing ball with some random kid. Ridiculous, he thought.
As he turned the knob of the door leading straight to his misery, his peripheral vision helped Matt catch a flash of white. Wait, white? He thought in disbelief. He whipped himself around just in time to see a quick glance of L's future successor before disappearing into an isolated room closing the door behind him. Near. An excited grin slowly covered Matt's face as he let go of the door handle. Maybe, just maybe having Near as company for today didn't sound so bad. He began to trace in Near's footsteps as he slowly made his way to his destination. Careful not to give himself away, he pressed his ear against the door and listened as quietly as he could. It sounded like Near was rummaging through various boxes in search of something.
Accepting the fact that curiosity got the best of him, Matt mustered up the courage to open the door discreetly and managed to peek inside. The small white figure that had captured his interest to begin with was slouched on the floor in his normal position with his back turned to Matt. Matt leaned his head a tad bit to look over Near's shoulder to see what had caught the petite albino's attention. Apparently Near had found what he has been searching for: a box full of dice. Not being able to resist the urge, Matt rolled his eyes behind his tinted goggles and smiled.
Typical of Near, he thought. He noticed that Near had looked over his shoulder and it dawned at him that he accidently let his mouth slip. Crap! Well no use hiding now I guess. And with that, Matt slowly emerged from hiding behind the door and gave Near a friendly smile.
"Uh hey Near. How's it going?" Matt said with a bit of shyness. He had forgotten to think of various topics he could possibly use in times when he tried to spike up a conversation with the albino. It had always end up being awkward and Matt was forced to retreat back to Mello most of the time. Near just sat silently without looking away from the rather embarrassed red headed gamer. He stood still for a few seconds before voicing out his own response.
"Why hello. Matt is not accompanied by Mello, I assume?" he asked with a cautious tone. Matt just stood there processing the first actual sentence coming straight from Near's own mouth while just staring at him with a look of disbelief.
"Huh?" Matt replied lamely. He had never heard Near ask about his best friend. He always thought that Near would somehow want to avoid ever mentioning the overemotional teen due to the fact that Mello enjoys picking on Near. In a way, he couldn't help but feel a wave of sympathy for the boy since Mello always goes out his way to irritate Near in all sorts of ways. So maybe that's why he feels a little suspicious, Matt concluded. Near didn't try to repeat himself and waited patiently for Matt's reply.
"Oh no worries, Mello is out today so rest assured," Matt said meekly while letting out a nervous laugh. He noticed Near nod and turned back to his box of dice. It was quiet until Near spoke again.
"I see. Yet it's strange. I figured Matt would be with Mello at the moment," he said with a relaxed tone. Somehow, speaking of Mello made Matt feel the same anger he had felt when Roger was scolding him. I don't even wanna think about my punishment thanks to him! Some friend he is, Matt thought with resentment. He didn't even notice the calculating stare from Near, and was suddenly brought back to reality thanks to Near's voice.
"Did something occur between Matt and Mello?" Near commented with a sense of curiosity as he opened the box and began his usual routine of stacking the dice. Again, he patiently waited for Matt's answer and began building the castle starting with his castle wall. He heard Matt release a snort and couldn't help but look at him.
"Sorta. He convinced me to jack some kid's chocolate bar, but I ended up getting caught by Roger and received punishment by taking away my gaming privileges. Now I can't it even kick Shao Kahn's ass till tomorrow," he ended with a scowl while thinking of his newest game. It would have been normal to laugh at Matt's facial expression, however, Near kept his face straight and turned back to his fort. As Matt sighed, Near heard his footsteps getting closer until Matt almost towered over him then quickly plopped himself next to the quiet successor. Matt began to watch attentively as Near would skillfully stack each dice to their respected spot and decided that he could attempt to start a conversation. Well it doesn't hurt to try, right? He thought.
"So, umm. Is this always your favorite past time?" Matt asked. For a moment, he could have sworn that he saw Near's body tense with a look of disbelief plastered on his face for a brief second.
"Why yes," Near answered and continued his castle. Matt decided to remain quiet and watch him as Near focused on his task. He always did have a talent when it came to creativity. It seemed like Near can use any sort of material, just as long as it keeps him busy with building. Hmm… Wonder if he's ever played a video game, the gamer with orange goggles wondered. He brought his white and black long sleeved arm up to the front of his mouth and a muffled laugh was all that could be heard in the room. Near shot him a curious glance as he paused with a dice between his fingers.
"May I ask what Matt finds so humorous?" he asked with confusion. His facial expression seemed to have encouraged Matt as he suddenly bursts into a fit of laughter. Near only sat still and waited for Matt's laughter to die down which only sounded like the red head could go on forever laughing which only boggled Near's mind even more.
Matt had no idea what came over him, but just the thought of imagining Near holding a game controller was enough to send Matt over the edge. When Matt began to quiet down, he couldn't help but suddenly blurt out,
"Have you ever played a video game?"
"Pardon?" Near asked as he raised an eyebrow in confusion. Matt just gave him a friendly grin and leaned over to ruffle his silver locks just as Roger had done to him earlier.
"You know, have you ever played as a chubby, red suited, Italian man trying to save his precious Mushroom Kingdom?" Matt continued as he let out a chuckle.
"I suppose not. Is Matt possibly insinuating some sort of problem?" Near asked while staring at Matt with a blank look. Oops, I hope he doesn't think I'm insulting him, Matt thought guiltily.
"No no. I didn't mean to sound offensive, Near. I just figured that you don't seem to be the video gaming type." Matt said defensively.
"Perhaps Matt is correct on his deduction," Near muttered as he brought his hand up to twirl his silver strands of hair. Before Matt could stop himself, he asked as if it pained him to see Near not know a thing about the marvelous world of gaming,
"Why?" Near just stared in his direction, before turning his head back to his task. Matt just couldn't believe that the albino didn't show any sign of interest in gaming. For the first time in their encounter today, Near let out a sigh.
"I'm not interested in such things like Matt is," he replied with disinterest but paused for a brief moment before continuing, "Or there could be a slight chance that someone hasn't given me an invitation of… playing these so called games." At hearing the last part, Matt's ears perked up before giving Near a huge grin.
"An invitation, huh? Consider it done. Maybe we can play sometime when Mello isn't around since he's such a party pooper," he declared, "and I doubt he would actually let me off the hook if I was hanging out with his 'despised rival'," he added as a matter of fact.
"Then I'll consider Matt's offer," Near accepted as he was adding the finishing touches to his castle. He ended up sitting still for what seemed like an eternity just staring at his castle. Matt also sat still while being mesmerized by Near's latest work of creativity. Didn't think he could do it, he thought sarcastically. Near suddenly waking from his pose, began to swiftly pick up the dice and settled them back to the box.
"Oh hey, let me help too," Matt offered as he hastily picked up the dice as well. He ignored the weird look that he had received from the younger lad then when the last dice was put back and the box was placed to its original spot, Near turned to leave. Matt's gaze followed him and called out with uncertainty,
"Umm where are you going?" Near's hand had already reached the doorknob and without looking back, he simply replied while twirling his silver locks once more,
"I wish to go to my dormitory if Matt does not mind… Today's agenda was rather amusing. Perhaps next time we come across each other, you can… Introduce me to this so called virtual world. If you'll excuse me," and with that he opened the door and walked out with Matt failing to catch a glimpse of Near's smile on the way out.
A few seconds after he heard the door close, Matt stood dumbfounded while gaping at the door from which Near exited. Well hell, that wasn't so bad, he thought as a huge grin broke out across his face. Maybe hanging out with Near from time to time didn't sound as awkward as it appeared to be. Maybe he'll open up to me the more we hang out. He slowly began to stride towards the door as thoughts began to run through his mind. What if Mello finds out that I've talked to his rival today? Would he be pissed at me? Maybe he'll learn to love Near. He nearly busted out laughing at the last thought. By the time he reached the door and was about to walk out, one last quick thought managed to make it to the end of his train of thought. Oh looks like I'll just wait and see what happens. That won't stop me from getting to know Near a little better. As he exited the room, he heard an oh so familiar voice holler out to him,
"Matt! What the hell? I've been looking all over this damned place for your ass!" Speak of the devil, he thought, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Looks like it was back to the normal routine once more.
Well thank you for reading! I'm still debating whether or not to make this into a chapter fic! Tell what you think! Reviews will probably motivate me anyways haha