Within the hour a black car pulled up in front of the coffee shop and a man stepped out.
"Matt?" He asked, standing in front of Matt's table.
"You must be Anthony. Near told me you'd be picking me up." Matt grabbed his laptop and headed for the car. "Let's get going." He slipped into the back seat as the passenger seat was occupied by a fragile looking woman blonde hair.
"Hello, Matt."
"Oh, Near. I didn't think you'd come." Matt was slightly surprised to see Near sitting, in the same position L used to, next to him.
"I decided to accompany Anthony. I wanted to talk with you."
"I would've have seen you. Where are we going anyway?"
"SPK headquarters. I have a private floor so a room has been set up for you next to mine. I also took the liberty of getting some of your things from your old apartment. I hope you don't mind."
Actually, Matt had forgotten all about the apartment. "It's fine. Before, you said you wanted me to help with the case. What do you want me to do?"
Near twirled his hair around his finger, looking at him with his large panda eyes. "I really just want you to be comfortable. You don't have to do anything, really." He turned to look at the glass that divided the front and back seats. "How would you feel if I told you that I really only want you to stay with me because I like you?"
There was silence for a moment as Matt stared out the window. "Then I have to ask, is it because you really do like me or is it to win the rivalry with Mello?"
Near didn't answer. Instead he stopped playing with his hair and rested his hand on the fist that Matt had unintentionally made. Matt rested his head on Near's shoulder and looked at their hands, Near pale skin contrasted with Matt's slightly tanned skin. He's so pale; he could almost pass as albino. I wonder if he ever goes out. He must be lonely.
They sat that way the entire ride. When they finally got to SPK headquarters, they continued holding hands until they reached Near's private floor.
"Holy, shit." Matt exclaimed when Near opened the door to his new room. "This is my room?"
"There are a few bigger rooms if you'd like."
"How the hell do you get any bigger?" The room itself was bigger than Mello's apartment. One wall was all glass, with an excellent view of the city below; the other held a giant TV that took up most of the wall. The opposite wall held a king sized bed covered with huge pillows. Excited, Matt threw his arms around Near. "Thank you. It's great."
Near wrapped his arms around Matt's waist. "I'm glad you like it." They kissed. Where Mello was all roughness and intensity, Near was soft and gentle, running his hands lovingly over Matt's body. They made their way to the bed, clothes thrown all over the floor, a tangle of arms and legs, unsure of where one ended and the other began. An hour later they were breathing heavily, thoroughly satisfied. Near's head rested on Matt's arm while he drew imaginary patterns on Matt's chest with his finger. Matt had his other arm draped over Near's waist and was dozing slightly, though every now and then he would kiss the top of Near's head or bring his hand up to play with the snow white locks.
This is perfect. It feels so right being with Near…but then so did being with Mello. He sighed.
"You're thinking about Mello aren't you?"
Shit. Can't put anything past him. "Yeah."
"For once I couldn't see a clear answer. I had almost given up hope that you'd leave him."
"I think he's more interested in winning than me."
"I never thought of this as a game. You're more than just some sort of prize." Near sat up. "Speaking of games, I got you something." Pulling on his white pants, he pulled out gift from the drawer by the bed. They were already filled with brand new clothes.
"Wow, Near." Matt exclaimed as he admired the game system. "This is great. You didn't have to do that."
"I know." Near sat on the edge of the bed, kicking his feet. "I wanted to."
Matt pulled on his pants as well and hooked up the game system. He paused before turning it on. This isn't happiness…is it?
"Something wrong?" Near went to sit on the floor next to him.
Matt grinned. "Not at all." I am happy.
Near grinned back. "I'm glad." Matt kissed him, again. He tasted like strawberries.
Yeah it's short. I was having a hard time writing it for some reason. Next one will be better, I promise. About the strawberries: my bro just spilled strawberries so I was thinking about it and really what's better than chocolate and strawberries? Nothing.