Chapter Nine
Matt stared at the blond curled up next to the window, dead asleep. Somehow, even when he was beat up and bruised, Mello managed to make an airplane seat look like a huge, cushy recliner. It was first-class, Matt supposed, and yet he himself could never get comfortable on a flight, no matter how nice it was.
Then again, maybe his problem was that he was all jittery and stressed out from lack of nicotine. He'd only had a couple of cigarettes today, and he was paying for it now. Honestly, he wondered what the hell had gone through his head to think that practically back-to-back trans-Atlantic flights would be a good idea.
God damn it Matt, he thought to himself. For a genius, you are surprisingly thick.
Exhausted by doing nothing, he sat back in the chair and pulled out his 3DS, starting up a newly-purchased game in an effort to distract himself from cravings.
The game had gotten pretty high ratings, but it didn't hold his attention very well. For some reason his gaze kept slipping over to Mello.
He wasn't what Matt had expected, although if asked what he did expect, Matt wouldn't know what to say. This whole adventure had been the most spontaneous thing he'd done in years. Actually, probably ever. Seriously, what had possessed him to go halfway around the world to get a… could he even be called an old friend?… out of a sticky situation by spending loads and loads of his hard-earned money?
Matt must be snapping. Really, this was a clear sign he was going insane. His eyes drifted back to the young man beside him again as if drawn by a magnet.
He knew from standing in line to board the plane that Mello was now shorter than him by a little. It was strange because Matt had always been a small child, the last one of his peers to hit a growth spurt. He was used to Mello towering over him like he did when they were thirteen. He also didn't expect the broadness of the blond's shoulders and his strong, defined jaw; most of Matt's memories featured everyone with a layer of baby fat on their cheeks. Even seeing that picture hadn't quite made it real to Matt. Yes, Mello had clearly grown up. There was even a decent covering of blond stubble across his neck and cheeks, although Matt had the feeling that the other man normally was quite well shaved. Getting captured and held for interrogation for a while would certainly interrupt a dude's grooming schedule, though.
And the revelation that the guy was gay… perhaps Matt could have seen that coming. After all, Mello had always worn his hair long and preferred tight clothes. At the same time, though, the blond had been extremely athletic and popular in Wammy's House—far more so than Matt himself—and had a penchant for heavy swearing and violence. That wasn't usually something Matt expected in guys who liked guys.
Matt rubbed his temples, feeling ridiculous as he realized what he was doing. There was no sense in trying to add up traits, weighing each one in terms of 'gayness,' as if sexual orientation worked like that. It just happened.
Perhaps Matt was just surprised because everyone at Wammy's House had seemed so asexual. True, Matt had left before his year mates' hormones had properly kicked in, but everyone was so busy studying and pursuing their own passions that there was very little time remaining for romantic interests. The number of older students that had dated at Wammy's House was few, and the couples were gossiped about so much that it dissuaded others from asking people out purely to avoid the inevitable drama.
Matt sighed, trying in vain to stop his mind from thinking about all this. What was the point of dredging up old memories that he hadn't thought about in years? Now was a completely different time.
Still fidgety, he waved down a stewardess and ordered a complimentary beer, flashing his ID. The one truly awesome thing about traveling first-class on this airline was the free booze. Blinking, he wondered if the drinking age on flights was eighteen or twenty-one when traveling between Britain and the US. Not that it mattered, since he'd turned twenty-one that past February.
Matt reminded himself firmly that he couldn't let himself have too many, otherwise he'd have a hell of a time driving home. And wouldn't that be embarrassing. Look, Mello, I brought you to Chicago just to get pissed and get in a fucking car crash the moment we land! Yeah, that wasn't happening.
The flight attendant delivered the drink in moments, however, and Matt downed half of it before forcing himself to place it on his tray. He'd have to ration the rest for remaining hour of the flight.
Moments later, Mello shifted in his seat, and Matt watched as the blond's blue eyes blinked open. Immediately, Mello began scanning the area. There was no trace of the bleariness or mind-fog that Matt normally experienced right after waking, and he couldn't help be impressed—and a bit jealous.
"What time is it?" Mello asked him.
"Nearly eleven at night, at least Chicago time. We should land around midnight."
"No way, I've already slept for… seven hours?"
"Like an angel," said Matt, fighting a smirk.
"Ha-ha," Mello deadpanned. "Whatever, that's pretty good. Although now I'm going to be truly fucked for the time change."
"No kidding."
"I see you didn't get any rest," said Mello, gesturing to Matt's haggard face. "You look like shit. Is it possible for your eyes to get any more bloodshot?"
"Aw, shut up. I didn't get any sleep last night, either, you know—I was too busy planning this whole operation. And I can never relax on planes. I don't know why."
"Scared of crashing?"
"Hardly," scoffed Matt. "More like… there's nothing here good enough to distract me from thinking, calm my fucking mind down. No cigs, either. I get so damn bored but half the time I can't go to sleep without something to help. At least at home I can take sleeping pills if necessary. I should have brought some with me, come to think of it."
Mello regarded him, cocking an eyebrow as if still figuring Matt out. Mello's eyes were so sharp that Matt could practically see the thoughts racing through his mind, the cogs turning steadily. Determined to ignore the penetrating stare, Matt turned back to his 3DS, going through the motions of turning it on again and starting up a game while Mello continued to gaze at him.
"Stop looking at me like that," snapped Matt after several minutes of the penetrating gaze.
"Like what?" asked Mello.
Matt glared at him. "Never mind. Why don't you just go back to sleep or something? There's still nearly forty minutes left of the flight."
"Nah, I'm good and awake now."
"Fine."
"By the way, I expect a few more answers out of you once we get to our destination," added Mello. "I'm playing along for now, but I realize that you definitely have an ulterior motive for this, and I will find out what it is."
Matt nodded, musing that he'd like to figure out the very same thing.
