A.N: For such a short chapter it took ages to write! Eh... I hope you like it. I have to say, this story is only going to last about two more chapters, but I want to write a sequel. I really do. I just need to make sure I don't lose motivation X3, so... Review :)? Thank you to everyone, I love seeing that people are reading this, and it's so lovely to talk to some of you and hear your thoughts.

One year later. June 23rd 1994

"Stop putting so much in your mouth, you're going to choke!" Matt glared exasperatedly at Mello across the table, watching in disbelief as the blond shoved another spoonful of chocolate pudding into his mouth. He knew the guy had a big mouth, but seriously…

"That's what I said last night." Grinning lewdly, Mello licked the bowl; enjoying the disgusted (and slightly envious, in Mello's opinion) look Matt gave the bowl, before standing. "Come on."

They walked together out of the canteen, Mello looping an arm casually around Matt's neck as they walked. Marking his territory, the redhead thought sarcastically to himself, although everyone was so used to seeing them acting as if they were inseparable, they didn't even get any odd looks anymore. Not that people were aware they were actually together; if Roger only knew what they got up to, they most certainly wouldn't be able to share a room anymore, something that had become very convenient. Matt starting laughing, imagining Roger, face red with embarrassment, trying to deal with that little bombshell.

"What are you laughing at?" Mello sounded suspicious, obviously expecting a joke at his expense.

"Nothing." Matt chuckled, then sighed as he realised they were about to enter the living room. "Oh great." He reached automatically for his Gameboy, resigning himself to Mello being completely and utterly distracted for the next hour or so.

Entering the room, he headed for the biggest, plumpest armchair, and hauled it to the back of the room, furthest from the wide-screen TV, observing with disgust how Mello plunked himself directly in front of it. No one complained, used to this little routine now; someone just went and drew the curtains, as more people filed in and began to sit around, waiting for the program to start.

A few seconds of dramatic opening music, then the serious voice of the newsreader for the 'Special Kira Update News'.

"Yesterday, the detective known as L -"

A few people started cheering, until Mello yelled at them to shut up, they were making him miss bits.

"… the possibility of a second Kira, due to irregularities, such as the video messages sent." The video clips rolled, as if there was anyone who had not seen them by now. "Obviously this is a very worrying turn of events, but experts are urging us…."

Matt fished his headphones out and plugged himself in, preferring to listen to the cheery electronic bleeping of Mario.

It wasn't that he wasn't interested in the Kira case; ever since the mysterious killings had started last year he'd followed it avidly, especially since L had openly challenged Kira, but as time drew on, and L was forced to show more and more of his hand, Matt began to feel distinctly uneasy. This wasn't how it was meant to go; L was meant to go in, kick butt, and solve the case before dinner. The way this case was going, it seemed less and less certain L was going to capture this criminal. Some people believed Kira was a God, dealing out divine judgment. Matt thought if Kira were a God, he would have no need to kill innocent people.

Mello's interest in the case was different… His obsession was a little too intense; he spent hours watching all the 'special' reports, reading online rumors, and often vanished to the Newsroom, to browse through L's own reports.

Matt knew that Mello hoped L would send for him, that they could work together and bring this killer to justice. Matt wasn't jealous of L, although he knew that Mello near-idolized the mysterious detective, but he did resent the possibility of Mello being taken from him, despite the fact there was no way L would involve Mello or Near. The detective's methods might be unorthodox, but he wouldn't involve a 15 year old and a 13-year-old boy in such a risky case. Matt tried not to think about how he was one of L's heirs too.

Still, Matt just didn't like the hungry look on Mello's face when he listened to L's electronic messages, or discussed some theory of L's to Matt, never noticing how Matt's involvement in those conversations were minimal, Mello talking enough for both of them.

All he wanted was for things to stay like this forever, the two of them, together safe and happy, but he knew Mello wasn't the sort of person who could live a quiet life; already he was becoming restless and dissatisfied with life at Wammy's, snapping at everyone more readily than ever, and flitting from fits of brooding, where he'd just sit sullenly, not even talking to him, Matt, to episodes of almost manic excitement, chattering away at high speed, forming improbable, wild theories about Kira, and how he was killing off criminals.

Finally the program came to an end, and everyone got to their feet, turning the main light on, stretching, and talking over what had been said. Matt snapped his Gameboy off, watching as Mello talked animatedly with Shem, an Indian boy who'd replaced Chance in fourth position. Even without hearing the conversation, he could tell from Mello's expression that he was pouring scorn on whatever the other boy was saying.

His lips curved upwards slightly at the disgruntled look on Shem's face; the dark-skinned boy was notoriously short-tempered, but was obviously trying to control his tongue; no one wanted to antagonize Mello.

Getting bored quickly with watching from a distance, Matt went over to wait, knowing it was a useless endeavor to try and hurry Mello, as it would only have the opposite effect.

"-if L was capable of catching Kira, he would have by now. That's all I'm saying."

"No way." Mello had his arms crossed, and that mulish look on his face, which Matt knew only too well, meaning nothing the other boy said was going to make him change his mind. "Kira's gonna slip up at some point; there's too many variables to control, and then L will have him."

"Not if Kira kills him first." Shem replied, and then held his hands up hastily as Mello snarled and clenched his fists, "That's just my opinion dude."

All the way back to their room Mello was silent. Matt knew better than to say anything, Mello would talk soon enough, and then Matt would be there to placate him.

Matt was changing out of his clothes, still patiently waiting, when he felt familiar lightly muscled arms close around his waist, dragging him off-balance, until he stumbled backwards against Mello.

"I'm trying to change." he protested, his body belying his words however, treacherously leaning into the unexpected embrace.

"Tough." A soft mutter in his ear, then he was falling backwards, landing on top of the bed, Mello underneath him.

That position that was quickly reversed; Mello somehow losing his jeans as he shifted to straddle Matt, the two of them now clad in only their boxers.

"How'd you do that?" Matt wondered, staring upward in bemusement.

"What?" Mello began to do something very distracting with his hands.

"Uh!" Matt bucked upwards, "Shit Mel, your hands are cold!"

Mello paused mischievously in his ministrations, "Shall I stop." He asked, eyes innocently widening. His only answer was a small whimper. Slowly, lazily he began moving his hands again. "How do I do what?"

"Uh…uh… I don't remember." Matt's speech was almost incoherent, and his thoughts were little better. Moaning, he arched up, tying his hands in Mello's hair, begging him silently; stay with me, you're everything I need.

"Tell me." Mello began kissing the redhead's neck, pausing now and then to bite, before gently kissing better the small red marks he had created on Matt's pale skin.

"Wanted to know…" Matt managed to gasp out, "…How you got your jeans off so fast."

Grinning at the question, Mello pulled away to examine the boy beneath him, taking in the tousled, rusty hair; goggles pulled down to hang around his neck, because Mello loved seeing Matt's eyes, a sight reserved solely for him. No one else knew the color of these eyes, blue – but so dark they were almost indigo; no one knew how expressive they could be when the pupils were dilated with lust

"Simple. I'm the best." And as he leaned down to kiss Matt again, for once he honestly believed he was.

It was only later, when Mello had fallen asleep, and Matt was lying next to him, that his sense of foreboding returned. He tried to shake off the bad feeling that everything was about to change, conjuring up images of the past hour to fight it off.

Mello loved him. Not in a sappy, flowers and chocolate way - there was only one person in their relationship who expected to receive chocolate, and it sure wasn't Matt – but in a way that didn't need words or titles or labels. He was Matt, and Mello was Mello, and it was enough that they had each other. Matt couldn't imagine ever wanting anyone else; he panicked at the thought, rolling over so he was pressed against Mello's side, feeling the other's warmth spread through him, Mello a solid, comforting presence by his side.