(A/N: Just incase you can't tell, Mello thinks in bold. And sometimes second person XP)


Memories. These memories, once forgotten, filled the room with each cackle of thunder that came to life outside of the abandoned mission that had been temporarily taken over by the mafia.

Mello clutched the sheets beneath him, eyes wide. He was too old -too strong- to be frightened by something as pathetic as thunderstorm. The last time he had been riled up by a thunderstorm, he had the excuse of youth. But now, years later, he lie there with no excuse; no reason but cowardice. And this time, there was no one there to comfort him.

You are Mello, he reminded himself, clenching his eyes together as lightning lit up the room. Mello! You've looked people in their eyes and killed them without flinching! You've severed the head of a mafia boss with a Swiss Army Knife! And now look at you- how pathetic you are. You're nothing more than a coward. A coward.

Thunder resounded throughout the makeshift bedroom, echoing off the walls. Mello flinched.

"Pathetic," he spat at himself, echoing the words in his head. "Pathetic."

Thunder boomed outside yet again, making Mello's body go rigid.

Pathetic. How pathetic he was, to be afraid by something so stupid. How pathetic he was, to secretly wish that Matt was here with him this time.

Matt. Mello had not thought about him in such a long time. Not since…he couldn't even remember himself. His thoughts had been filled with notebooks and shinigami; he didn't have time to think about red-headed gamers, forgotten best friends.

Thunder filled the room; the lightning following a few seconds later. Mello's grip tightened on the blankets and he tossed and turned.

He had abandoned Matt. Abandoned. Such a terrible word, but none others would describe what Mello had done. He left without a single word; a single goodbye.

Mello's thoughts returned to that night. When Matt refused to go with Roger to the cafeteria with the other students. How he stayed with him the entire night.

He didn't abandon you! The words practically screamed through Mello's head. He stayed with you. The entire night, he stayed. Matt cared about you, and look what you did. You left without a single goodbye. You left him behind without a word, and what for? So you wouldn't be tempted to stay there with him? Lightning struck again, making Mello hug his knees to his chest. He glared at nothing in particular. You truly are a coward.

Mello turned over in his bed yet again. No. That wasn't the reason he didn't say goodbye. He didn't what Matt to come with him. He didn't want Matt to chase after him, and get dragged into what Mello had started. It was Mello's problem, and Mello would do everything in his power to make sure that it did not become Matt's.

Another boom of thunder. Another flash of lightning. This time, Mello could've sworn he saw Matt standing in the corner of the room, lighting a cigarette and wearing those stupid goggles.

Memories. These memories, once forgotten, filled the room with each cackle of thunder.

Mello opened his mouth, and closed his eyes.

"…Matt."


I wrote this as an epilouge to an RP my friend Blair (blAIRbender) and I did. It was basically Mello getting all jumpy during a thunderstom, and Matt comforting him.

Hope you liked it!