Chapter 4: Mello's Reaction

-Mello's PoV-

I was craving chocolate--again--and my stash was out. Figuring there might be some meant for cooking or baking, I headed to the kitchen.

Everything was relatively normal until I pushed open the door.

The first thing that registered in my mind was that two people--boys even--were kissing. As if that weren't strange enough, one of them was Near. "What the-" I began, then realized who the second person was. "Matt?!"

They parted and turned to me. Two pairs of surprised, distant eyes, one black, one green.

It felt like one of the worst days of my life, to find my best friend kissing my rival. Knowing I couldn't do much, I did the one thind that made sense--I walked away.

I didn't consciously plan where I was going, I just knew I couldn't be in the playroom, the kitchen, of the room I shared with Matt. Without me realizing it, I ended up outside. Okay, a walk sounded good.

I walked, and thought, and played with the rosary hanging around my neck. Near wasn't so bad, right? Hell, who am I kidding. Everyone already knows I hate the kid's guts. So why was Matt kissing him?

I stopped, realizing I didn't know the answer. Had I even known that Mat was gay. Probably not. Noticing that it looked like it was going t rain, I headed back to Wammy's. Wet clothes are never fun.

Matt met me just inside the door. The akward circumstances of our last meeting hung over us like a cloud. I couldn't meet his eyes, and I doubt he would've met mine if I'd been able to look at him.

"Near's not as bad as you think," was Matt's quiet greeting. I blinked. Hadn't I been trying--and failing--to convince myself of that for the past half-hour or so? Once in our room, Matt shut the door. I flopped on my bed, and Matt crawled up next to me. What happened to Near?

"You don't understand Near." Should've known the subject wouldn't be dropped so easily. "He's just different. He's not assuming or prejudiced against people. He's not as much of a bad guy as you seem to think," Matt said. His eyes pleaded with me to understand. I felt guilty, knowing that my best friend was in love with someone I'd hated since I'd met him.

Since when was Matt in love with anyone, let alone Near? I must be the lousiest friend in the world. How could I not have seen this coming? Open your eyes, Mello, there's more to Matt than just you. I vowed to try understanding Matt more than I already did. After all, I was clearly missing something.

"Just think about it," Matt requested before leaving. Back to Near, I thought venomously.

I took a deep breath and sat up. Thinking negative thoughts wouldn't help me accept Near in any way. Instead, I decided to assess what I already knew.

He was shy and incredibly smart, to point where he surpassed me (much to my disdain). He was irritatingly emotionless. No, scratch that one; it's not helping. He was good at hiding what he felt. I wondered if he loosened up around Matt.

I sighed. Matt was right, apparently Near wasn't as bad as I liked to pretend. Only Matt, with the aid of our long-term friendship, could make me see that.

That friendship also demanded something of me.

Not only was I practically honor-bound to support my video game-loving friend, I was more than willing to. Did I understand or even particularly like Near? Hell no. But I liked Matt, my best friend, so I would wake up and smell the chocolate.

Not just metaphorically speaking, as evidenced by the smell wafting up from the kitchen. So there was chocolate in there!