A/N v.2: Thanks for the reviews, guys! :) While I no longer really need reviews for this fic, considering it's already complete and I'm never going to change it, reviews are always appreciated. The last scene in this chapter was supposed to be pretty emotional, but I don't really think I hit the right chords. So sorry about that. Also, there are a few bits that might be confusing, so if you have any questions, just shoot me a PM.
Chapter 3
The next day, Matt woke up extremely early, almost two hours before the breakfast bar even opened, which was at 7:00. His first thought was, 'God, I'm tired! Why the hell was I up so late last night?' His second thought wasn't really a thought so much as an image: an image of a certain blond chocolate addict. Matt shot up in bed as he remembered the previous day's events. "Shit!" he swore, berating himself for loosening up so much. "What the hell was I thinking?" But what was done was done, and somehow, Matt just couldn't bring himself to regret telling Mello so much.
Matt stretched, popping all his joints and rolling the kinks out of his back and muscles, before getting out of bed. He brushed his teeth, then took a long shower, finding the hot water soothing, and reluctantly got out when he saw the water was turning his fingers into prunes. He quickly brushed his hair, then pulled on a nice light green shirt and dark jeans, wondering why he was spending so much time on his appearance. He shook his head to clear it of those thoughts and pulled on the clothes, donning his vest and goggles afterwards. Then he looked at the clock and groaned. It was only 5:54.
Suddenly, Matt remembered something Mello had said: "And bring chocolate! My incompetent… 'friends,' shall we say, stole all mine from my suitcase." Matt grabbed his keys and sped towards the nearest Walmart. Within minutes, he was standing in the checkout aisle, debating over which chocolate to buy. Eventually he just picked up a piece of everything. He could feel the cashier's stare all the way out to his bike.
He reached the hotel shortly after 6:30. Not wanting to appear desperate by arriving too early, but not wanting to appear careless by arriving too late either, Matt played on his Gameboy until 7:30, when he grabbed the chocolate and left. He reached the breakfast bar in a couple minutes and anxiously scanned the room for Mello. Not seeing the blonde anywhere, Matt grabbed a plate, filled it with food, and sat down in a quiet corner to eat.
He had just finished eating and was playing on his Gameboy when someone sat down in front of him. "Sorry, someone's already sitting there," he said automatically, without even bothering to look up.
"Oh, really?" asked an amused – and familiar – voice. "And may I ask who your companion is?"
"Mello!" Matt said, finally looking up and guiltily putting away his Gameboy. He pulled out the chocolate and pushed it towards Mello. "I didn't know what you liked," he offered by way of explanation.
Mello grabbed a Hershey's bar, expertly peeling back the wrapper with a deft twist of his hand. For some reason, Matt felt a blush rising and immediately tried to suppress it. He failed miserably, but Mello was too busy stuffing his face with chocolate to notice.
"Oh my God," he mumbled appreciatively, his eyes closed in pleasure. "You would not believe how long I've gone without chocolate!" He quickly finished the Hershey's and started on a Kit Kat. Matt just looked on awkwardly. Thankfully, he wasn't blushing as much now, and it was steadily going down.
A few minutes (and a Reese's Cup, a Twix, and a 3 Musketeers) later, Mello finally pushed away the chocolate wrappers and turned to look at Matt. "So," he asked. "Whaddya wanna do today?"
So Matt pulled out a map and they started planning.
Over the next few days, Matt and Mello went everywhere, saw everything, did everything together. But the day before he was supposed to leave, Matt realized he couldn't put it off any longer. He had to go. So when Mello asked, "Whaddya wanna do today?" he replied, "Actually, there's something I have to do today. Something I need to do alone."
Not noticing the somber edge to Matt's voice, Mello scoffed. "What could you possibly have to do that you 'need to do alone'?"
Matt argued with himself. Should he tell Mello? What could possibly happen? But what if Mello wanted to tag along? Could he refuse without risking their friendship? He finally decided that this was something he couldn't share with anyone. Screw the friendship; how much did it really matter anyways? Besides, just who the hell did Mello think he was" He couldn't tag along with Matt everywhere.
"It's just...something...that I have to do," he said. "And sorry, but I have to do it alone." and he ran out of the hotel, leaving a speechless Mello behind.
(linebreak)
About half an hour later, Matt found himself in front of his parents' graves. He had to come here, to get all the guilt and confusion and other unfamiliar emotions of his chest. They would hair himself forever if he didn't.
"Hey Mom, Dad," he said quietly. "It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier. But it was too dangerous. You understand, right, Dad? After all, it was your gang rivalry that killed you both. That'll kill me someday..." He gave a shirt mirthless chuckle. "Dad, I just wanted to say, I forgive you. You know, I blamed you for Mom's death. I hated you forever afterwards. But I'm okay now. 'Cause all's fair in love and war, right? And you really did love Mom, I can see that now. And it was wrong of me to push you away so fast, even after your death. And I'm sorry. I just hope you can forgive me."
He turned then to his mother's tombstone. "You know, Mom, you always said I'd fall in love someday and understand why Dad did what he did. Well, I don't know if this is love or not, but it's definitely the closest I've been to true happiness since you died. I...I met this guy. Not even a week ago, actually. His name's Mello. He looks kinda like a girl and he's a major chocolate addict." Matt felt the tears start to roll down his cheeks. He sank to his knees. "Mom, Mello's amazing. He's funny and smart and he makes me feel better than I've felt in ages. He's made me say things I've never told anybody else, not even to Near, and Near's my best friend!" Matt rocked back so he was sitting with his knees pulled to his chest. "Mom, Dad, I miss you guys so much it hurts. I swear, I think about you every day. Can I ask you something?" Matt paused for a second, as as if he was waiting for an answer that would never come. Then he continued, "Just... stay with me, please? Don't ever leave me alone."
And Matt gave in to the tears. He sat there, clutching his knees and rocking back and forth, quietly letting the tears stream down his face, crying like he'd never cried before.
