Chapter 12

Mello's plan was put into action after Christmas, in January. The destination of the plan was to kidnap Kiyomi Takada, Kira's spokesperson. Matt knew it was a very risky thing to do since Takada was a very well guarded person but Matt was still willing to help Mello, no matter what. He trusted him. He believed that Mello's plan could succeed. He was going to give it his best shot.
The two of them were now preparing the things for Mello's plan to kidnap Takada. They were both pretty quiet. Neither of them was in a talkative mood at the moment. Perhaps that was because they were both a bit nervous.
"This will bring it all to an end if we succeed, won't it, Mello?" Matt asked.
Mello nodded.
"This is something you've been working really hard for… Mels, you'll definitely catch Kira", Matt said encouragingly. "You'll beat Near."
Mello sighed. "This is not about beating Near anymore…" he said. "Haven't I told you, Matt? I just want to catch Kira to make the world peaceful again and to live a normal, happy life with you. To keep you safe, got it?"
"Yeah… I got it…" Matt looked at Mello and he had a strange feeling. To keep him safe… and not to beat Near… Mello had changed so much during these years – and even the months – they had been together… He had sort of grown up, mentally. He didn't want to be the winner anymore but he wanted to do the right thing to help everyone else. It was a noble way of thinking. The old Mello didn't think like that. He had changed a lot but Matt still loved him very much. His love towards Mello grew stronger every day.
"Mello… Whatever happens from now on…" Matt began. "I…"
"I love you too, Matt", Mello interrupted him. The blonde smiled at Matt wistfully. He gripped Matt's shoulders and pulled the redhead into a protective hug. "Matt, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me", he whispered, running his fingers gently through Matt's hair. "I love you, more than anything. Make sure you'll never forget that."
"I won't", Matt managed to reply, even though he was almost speechless after hearing the most loving words he had ever heard and even though he felt like he had been melting in Mello's arms. Fortunately Mello held him and kept him standing on his feet.
Mello gave a sweet kiss on Matt's forehead. He was glad to say those things to Matt when he now had a change to do so. Matt was the most important thing in his life – had been all along and it had taken a while from Mello to understand that. Not the victory. Not beating Near. But keeping Matt safe and happy. That was just enough to be a substantial reason to catch Kira.

It was Matt's task to drive to the NHN building to Kiyomi Takada and her bodyguards and fire a smoke bomb to create some confusion so that Mello could drive there with his motorcycle and kidnap Takada. Matt carried out his part of the plan. Because of the smoke he didn't see Mello coming but he believed that the plan had succeeded so far. It was Mello's plan after all.
Matt had no time to waste. Mello had given him strict orders to follow. After firing a smoke bomb he was supposed to drive away and meet Mello later. Matt followed the orders he had gotten from Mello, even though he was worried about Mello and that had his friend succeeded in kidnapping Takada.
Matt drove away from the NHN building as fast as he could but however, Takada's men managed to get ahead of him with their cars. He was soon surrounded by them. He stopped the car and considered his options. He could use a smoke bomb again or he could just surrender... If he used the former option, would he get manage to escape? He doubted that. How about surrendering then…? That would probably cause more troubles to Mello who had kidnapped Takada. Takada's men would use Matt to catch Mello and to find Takada…
But what other options did he have? None. There was nothing he could do. He had messed up and gotten caught. But perhaps he could delay Takada's men so that they wouldn't go after Mello…
"Get out of the car, hands held up!" someone shouted at him.
Matt took a deep draught from his cigarette and stepped out, hands lifted up. He had no idea what to do. So he improvised.
"Everyone, listen to me carefully", he said slowly, keeping his hands above his head so that Takada's men could see them. "I'm connected to Takada's kidnapper so don't do anything reckless…" he said. "You've probably got a lot to ask me. So you won't sho – "
But he was wrong. Takada's men didn't hesitate to shoot a man who had involved in Takada's kidnapping. They opened fire.
Matt didn't have a change to act. Everything happened too fast. His body took several hits of the bullets. It didn't even hurt. He lost his consciousness before feeling the pain. His head felt awfully fuzzy but before losing his consciousness he felt his body hitting the engine cowl of his car and then the asphalt when he fell.

Next time he woke up he felt someone carrying him. He could barely breathe. Too much pain… His clothes felt wet and sticky. Was it because of the blood…? Was he bleeding badly…? He had to be. He remembered getting shot. He had dropped his cigarette but it didn't matter since he couldn't even breathe properly. His tongue was completely numb and dry but he opened his mouth to speak.
"Who…?" he managed to ask.
"Shh", the voice said into his ear.
"M- Mello…?" Matt managed to open his eyes and saw Mello who had covered his face with a helmet.
"Yes, it's me", Mello replied. "But don't talk. You're badly injured. I'll take you to the hospital."
"But… how…? Mello… Where's Takada…?" Matt mumbled, trying to keep his eyes open and focus his gaze on Mello's face.
"I took her to a secret place", Mello explained. "Don't worry. No-one will find her without my help. That's what I told Takada's men and so I managed to take you with me. But we don't have much time…"
"Mello…" Matt breathed. "You shouldn't have done that… Now they know who's behind this…"
"They didn't see my face", Mello replied. "And I couldn't just leave you there." His voice suddenly sounded very fragile and sincere. "Hang on, Matt", he said. "You'll get better."
"Mello… It hurts like hell… I won't get better… I think I'll die…"
Mello winced almost like he had felt the pain that Matt was going through. "No, Matt", he said, sounding a bit angry. "Don't say things like that. You won't die! I'll take you to the nearest hospital and – "
Matt shook his head wearily. "No, the cops and Takada's men will catch you if you do that", he said. "Everyone is after us..." He couched and tasted blood in his mouth. "Mello, listen to me", he said. "I'm sorry… I totally screwed up… Just leave me and go. Otherwise this was all for nothing."
"No! I won't leave you!" Mello cried. He knelt down and put Matt on the ground. He held Matt's hands and they felt awfully cold. Mello was sick of worry.
Matt winced in pain and bit his lip, trying to keep his eyes open so that he could look at Mello, his dearly beloved Mello…
"Take your helmet off…" he said.
Mello did what Matt told him. Now Matt saw Mello's worried, scarred face. After seeing that he knew his wounds were fatal. He wouldn't make it.
Mello wrapped his arms around Matt's body. "I'm so sorry… Matt… I'm sorry…" he breathed. "This wasn't supposed to go like this…"
Matt shook his head again. "This isn't your fault. I screwed up…" He tried to take a deep breath but it hurt too much. "Mello… I feel so cold…" he said silently with his weakened voice.
Mello bit his lip. He felt warm tears running down on his cheeks. "Matt, let me help you… Let me take you to the hospital…"
"No… It's too late…" Matt muttered silently. He tried to focus his gaze on Mello's face but his eyes had become very blurry. "Just leave already… You need to catch Kira…"
"No!" Mello argued. "Shit! Matt! You… You can't… Matt, don't die on me, you fool!" He gasped distressingly. "Matt… you need to stay with me… Please, don't die… Stay with me…"
The tears on Mello's cheeks made Matt feel terribly sad. Mello's blue eyes showed extreme distress. But Matt couldn't say anything.
"Matt…" Mello moaned silently. His voice was about to break. "I need you… We weren't supposed to be apart ever again…"
"We won't be…" Matt whispered. He smiled, ignoring the pain.
But Mello was totally comfortless. He hugged Matt tightly, burying his face in the redhead's shoulder. Would it all end like this…? Would this really be the end…?
Matt's eyes closed behind the goggles. Mello heard his breathing gradually getting weaker and weaker. Finally it stopped completely, along with his heartbeat.

And so Matt was gone.