[Authors note: Sorry for the wait everyone but I've had a really busy two weeks. I just made a major move and the Internet died but everything is alright now! Now, here is the new installment and I've already started chapter five so be looking for it. If you are a reader of Melodious Nocturne I've begun the second part of it with is really kind of a alternate universe so be looking for it! Please everyone be kind! Read, Review and enjoy!

What friends used to be

"I can't come in today." The voice from the living area was easily pinpointed as Mello's though his mood couldn't be discerned from the few words. Instead of gauging the man Matt remained in the hallway beside his bedroom door listening. "Look, I've outlined everything that needs to be done step by step a seven year old could complete it. That's how simple it is." Silence followed for several minutes before Mello sighed, "No, I'm not calling you a seven year old; I just meant that it's not hard. I'm having personal problems and I can't come in. I'll be in tomorrow no problems."

Matt glanced across the hallway to Mello's shut and most likely locked bedroom door. From what he was already able to see the two were total opposites. Mello was put together, orderly and radical compared to Matt who seemed like an utter shut in. Attractive but still an utter shut in but he would take care of that in due time. If Mello wasn't willing to be his boyfriend then he guessed he would have to go out and find someone else. Shame, he quite liked Mello's lean form.

"I said personal not family. I don't have family, you know that." Mello growled into the phone his eyes staring down the hallway. Matt wondered if he could see him from there but he doubted it. The power still wasn't back on, which he had learned from attempting a shower. The bathroom didn't have a window; neither did the hallway or living room. Either the two of them were preparing for a zombie apocalypse or one of them was dealing with some shady business. Judging from the conversation down the hallway he was definitely going to have to guess that it was Mello that was shady not shut in Matt. "Are you going to stand in the hallway watching me or am I going to have to come down there and drag you out?"

Matt nearly jumped, well; maybe he could see him down here. "I didn't want to interrupt you while you were on the phone." He lied. He just wasn't looking forward to the man attempting to hit him again so soon. He somehow always managed to say the wrong day and set the other off. Maybe it was all his witty sexual banter or maybe he should just listening to his dream and leave the blond alone. Unfortunately he couldn't do that so it was best to catch him in a good mood then start out with a bad gun wielding one.

Mello leaned lightly in the chair just as he did in the hospital. "Bullshit." He replied simply watching the other with dark eyes. "You're late getting up, usually Matty's already in the living room well before I've moved playing games or sleeping curled into a ball."

The green eyed man smirked, "Matty." He repeated shaking his head remembering that Mello had said there was nothing to the name. That was real bullshit. "I didn't know that you didn't have family Mello."

Blue eyes blinked, "Not wanting to bother me while I'm on the phone and listening in on my conversations are two totally different things. Don't do it anymore." Matt started to move back but the blond wasn't done speaking. "No, I don't have family and neither does Matt. We grew up together, don't you remember me telling you that. We're both orphans. It's a long and uninteresting tale. Just know that I'm all you have and vice versa."

A sly smile ran across Matt's lips, "Are we deciding to show some sentimental emotions?" He asked leaning against the wall watching the other with light eyes. He had finally found a stray rubber band to pull his hair up and out of his face giving the other a clear view.

"Come again?"

He shook his head pushing off the wall and pulling out a chair. "Mind answering a few questions about your Matty?" He grinned watching the others eyes narrowed but he shrugged anyway. He slumped down into the seat eying Mello's ideas of décor. It was bold yet understated. He nearly laughed at his own thoughts. "Good, how old is Matt?"

"Twenty-one." Mello replied with a blank look.

"Bullshit." A voice answered from the back of Matt's mind.

He nodded. "Right, legal drinking age in the states." He watched the blond nod slowly. "What happened to my…Matt's parents?"

"They died when he was nine under mysterious circumstances." Mello replied setting his chair firmly down on all four legs now.

"He doesn't know."

Again Matt nodded. "Matt kissed you when you were younger? Did you like it?"

Mello's eyebrow rose, "What does that have to do with anything?" He shifted on the back of the chair again his blue gaze still burning into the other mans. "That's not a question about Matty but yes Matt kissed me when we were younger and I didn't like it. I keep telling you I'm Catholic and being homosexual isn't something that Catholics are supposed to be."

"I don't think it's right for your God to dictate who you should love by what gender they are." Matt mumbled nervously tugging on the collar of his shirt. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know that he was easily treading on thin ice. "So if you weren't Catholic would you like Matt?"

Mello opened his mouth before closing it again. Instead he frowned the lines creasing his forehead as if in thought. "I don't think it's right that you judge my God. Just like Matt." He shook his head before crossing his arms. "Unfortunately I'm Catholic so I don't need to think about what if's. Who would like a recluse, video gameing red head anyway?"

Matt nearly broke into a grin right there. Did Mello just admit to something being there between himself and Matt just seconds ago? He wasn't sure if the man was following logic or if he even noticed but he certainly wasn't going to have him backtrack. Instead he shrugged, "I guess you're right. We don't have to worry about it. So, where did the nickname Matty come from?"

The blond rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Matt. Matty, it's a bit self–explanatory."

"True." He winked, "But a normal person would say that Matty would be a term of endearment." Before Mello could reply he bolted from the chair moving past the blond and heading into the kitchen chuckling to himself. He was positive now. There was something more than a tiny kiss between the two of them but if Mello wanted to deny it then that was fine with him.

Mello wasn't in a particularly bad mood, if he was then he would have probably chased after Matt right then and there. No, this man wasn't the Matt that he had known so long and grown up with. This man was someone who suddenly appeared one day with the same face. His Matty had left for somewhere and there was no telling how long it would take before the other came back. He wouldn't admit it out loud but he missed Matt. His Matt.

Truthfully, Matt had only been gone for three days and he was already missing his witty banter. Sure, Matt challenged his religion and he always had something to say before Mello could finish a sentence and sometimes he made situations awkward but he couldn't help but miss the man.

He closed his eyes doing his best not to call the other back while he backtracked the conversation. That was the only problem with looking into the face of your oldest friend but it not being him. He easily let his guard down and for the most part he was having a difficult time putting it back up. He never had to worry about what he said and how he said it with Matt around. Sure, with another genius mind could place the puzzle together just as fast as he could but even if he screwed up there would be a joke between the two of them not complications.

He froze blue eyes widening. He could slap himself in the face for just realizing what he had said. He stood following the other into the kitchen knowing that the creak of the leather would easily betray that he was moving. Matt stood there in the middle of apparently pouring himself a bowl of cereal.

"Even if I wasn't Catholic I wouldn't be with a man." He hissed eyes narrowing. The other chuckled softly as he nodded in comprehension. "I mean it, maybe Matt is into that whole scene but I'm not."

Matt grinned, "He is. It's hard not to be when someone looks at you. Why be celibate?" He questioned sliding past the other.

Mello's hand almost traveled to his rosary but he stilled his hand before it dared to move. "Because it's easier."

Matt paused turning with the bowl still in hand. Mello nearly thought his friend back but before he could speak the red head nodded, "Because it's easier. Right." He replied shaking his head slowly as he trailed down the hallway towards the living room clearly to think.

Mello relaxed allowing his hand to grasp the rosary dangling loosely around his neck. It was easier that way. It was the only way to keep Matty safe if they just remained friends. He wouldn't understand anything and therefore he was Catholic.

[Ending note: If you didn't notice Mello was lying about what he knew about Matty. None of what he said was true during that part. Anyway, please review and I'll hopefully have the next chapter up soon.]