Mello's POV
The smell of bacon, melted chocolate, pine and eggnog filled the house. Matt and I were in the kitchen, cooking a huge breakfast for everyone who was expected to arrive. Near was in the living room, eating candies and playing with little finger puppets that came in his stocking. The whole family was coming over today to celebrate Christmas together.
I was cooking bacon while Matt made chocolate chip pancakes. (He said I couldn't make them because I'd eat all the chocolate..) I felt something warm and gooey slide down my cheek and I turned to a grinning Matt, licking chocolate off of his finger. I glared at him.
"Did you really just smear chocolate on my face?" I used my finger to scoop up some of the gooey substance and licked it off my finger.
"Maybe..." He laughed.
"Jerk." He chuckled and grabbed my head, licking the rest of the chocolate from my cheek.
"Matt! Gross! Stop!" I tried pulling away, giggling, but he just held me tighter. "Matt! The food! Its gonna burn!"
"Oh yeah." He quickly pulled away and went back to cooking the pancakes like nothing happened. I wiped my cheek of chocolate and saliva.
"Really? The mention of food takes precedence over everything, doesn't it? Such a typical male."
He smirked. "Actually, yeah. It does." I rolled my eyes.
The doorbell rang and Near went to answer it. "My, Near, you've gotten so big. How old are you now?" We heard a voice recognized as Watari speak.
"I am ten. Nice to see you again, Watari, L. Please, come in."
"Thank you, Near. So polite as always." L chipped in.
"Where are your parents?" Watari asked.
"In the kitchen, making breakfast, I believe."
L and Near entered the kitchen with Watari following behind. We exchanged greetings and Merry Christmas wishes. Shortly after, Linda arrive. And Roger soon after. We all sat down at the table and begin eating the breakfast feast that Matt and I made.
It was a relatively nice, family breakfast. The seven of us and talked and caught up. We talked about how Near was doing at his grades at Wammy's. Apparently he was top of the class. In fact, L said, he could be even be a possible successor.
"That's amazing!" Matt let out.
"You really think he has what it takes?" I asked quietly, looking down at my plate. I wanted to be proud of him, I really did, but that was my dream! I was suppose to be the next L and I had that taken away from me and now my own son has what it takes?
"Mello... I understand you wanted to succeed me but Near has a much more calculating mind than you. I truly believe you would be unhappy in my position. And you have Matt now, that would have been impossible, had you become the next L." Matt took my hand under the table as L spoke.
"I know. I am happy that Near has this opportunity." I looked up and gave small smile, squeezing Matt's hand back. L nodded and the conversation continued. We finished breakfast and all of us helped clean up.
Afterwards, we did gift exchange. We moved into the living room and began handing out gifts to each other. It was all just basic gifts, I got a lot of chocolate and some new leather. Matt got some new games and such. Near got toys. We got Linda some clothes and hair things. L got mostly sweets and an ice cream maker. Watari received a new tea set and Roger got some insect books.
For most of the day, the group just hung out, talking about whatever, making jokes. It was over all just a lot of fun.
"Hey Mels, can you come help me in the kitchen for a minute please?" Matt asked from where he stood in the doorway.
"Yeah sure." I got up and walked up to him but he didn't move. He just stood there, blocking the doorway with a stupid smirk on his face. I stared at him quizzically. "Gonna move?" He just kept standing there, smirking. Then he flicked his eyes upward and back at me. I looked up. Mistletoe. "Bastard."
Everyone else began making 'oooo' sounds and laughing.
"Oh I gotta get a picture of this!" Linda squealed. I stared into Matt's uncovered green eyes. The smirk had faded and he had this look on his face that I'd seen once before. The day we got married.
"Mail..." I barely whispered. He pressed his lips on mine, quickly, gently, full of love. Linda snapped pictures while the other's cheered. I swear, it felt like our first kiss again. Just simple lips together, except this time, I was the one holding my breath. Something was up with him, I was certain.
He pulled away from me and smiled. He had a tear running down his right cheek and I quickly swiped it away, letting my hand rest there. I looked at him with worried eyes but he just closed his eyes and pressed himself into my hand more. He finally pulled away from me and continued on with festivities as if nothing even happened.
.
Later in the day, all of us went to Wammy's to visit the children there and see our old home. The dinner being served tonight was a Christmas dinner complete with turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, the works. We visited for a while and watched as all the kids were absolutely ecstatic about L being there. It made me remember when I was a kid and how excited I got.
We finally made it to the dining hall where we all sat to eat the Christmas dinner. We ate and laughed; it was a really nice just family Christmas day.
"Папа, can you pass the vegetables, please?" Near asked me.
"Whatever you want." I didn't even think about what I said or my tone, it just slipped out and it didn't sound very nice. "Sorry, yeah." I passed him the veggies with a small smile but I noticed the looks everyone else gave me who apparently hadn't missed my slight bitterness.
The rest of the dinner was fine, just a little more quiet and Matt barely spoke at all. At this point, I really just wanted the day to be over so I could finally talk to him and find out what was up with him today.
.
It was finally time to go home so we all said goodbye and Matt, Near and I piled back into Matt's car and headed home. Matt helped Near get ready for bed while I finished up some work I had.
"Hey, Near wants you to tuck him in." Matt said as he emerged from down the hallway.
"Oh, sure." I said, standing up and going but for some reason I just really didn't want to. I got to Near's room and walked in. "Hey, all ready for bed?" I smiled, sitting down on his bed.
"Папа, are you mad that I might become L's successor?" I was slightly expecting him to ask me.
"No, Near. I'm not mad, I'm proud of you." I smiled.
"You're lying." Damn genius kid.
"I'm not lying, I just..." I looked down into his soft, grey eyes. I honestly didn't know what to say to him. I sighed. "Okay, Nate. I'm going to tell you something I've never told anyone. Not even daddy knows." I took a deep breath and told him the truth. I told him exactly why I had run away from Wammy's all those years ago. But I also told him that I still wanted him to be the next L if he wanted it. And that I was proud of him. I kissed him goodnight and gave him a chocolate, then went back out to the living room.
Matt was sitting at his computer so I walked up behind him and snaked my arms around his shoulders.
"Whatcha doing?" I asked in his ear.
"Playing games." He smiled. I kissed his cheek and turned his chair around so he would look at me.
"Matt, what was up with you all day? You need to talk to me." He sighed and stood up, taking me by the hand to the couch.
"Its just.. what if you had've become L. I mean, we wouldn't be together. Its just.. I know its selfish of me because it was your dream but I really am glad you're not L." I didn't know what to say. He was right and I was just still bitter that I never did become L.
"I love you Mels." He continued. "And you know, all day today I just couldn't get the thought out of my head that what if we never got to be together. Our lives would be so different and I honestly don't think it'd be for the better."
"Matty.. You're right. You know, I've never thought about that, I mean I never put the two together like that but I honestly am glad that I have you. You're my one and only and I would give up any dream to be with you. I mean.. I didn't really have a choice here anyway but I think it worked out just fine." I smiled and he smiled back and gave me a huge kiss.
"I don't suppose you'll ever tell me why you didn't become L, will you?" I sighed. I told Near so I guess I could do it again. I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out, so I closed it. "Its okay, you don't have to tell me." He said reassuringly. I smiled.
"Maybe someday, babe." I winked.
A/N: I'm so sorry! I don't even have excuses expect for the fact that I really just have zero motivation... I'm really trying to get this story done, and I promise I will not give up on it! I don't know if anyone is still reading this, but if you are, I love you! :D Leave some reviews maybe? They really help give me motivation! Thank you all! I'll really try to get the next chapter out quickly!
-Carter
