Matsu-tan: Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note.

----------------------------------------------

5 years passed. Light graduated from college and joined the NPA. Kira's murders increased and anyone that had been involved in the Kira case (besides the task force) slowly died away. Matsuda stayed at pretty much the same level in his job. He got a haircut at age 30 to make himself look more mature, but people still didn't take him seriously. Except Light. Their friendship had grown in the five years and Matsuda felt like the private confidant of Light. He felt he might even be closer to Light than MisaMisa.

After Kira learned of the Near and Mello, he knew it was the beginning of the end. They were the only threats that could possibly be fatal to him. And he knew that he had to begin manipulating the people around him to ensure his victory.

Sure he would use Misa's eyes and the task force's naïveté, but he needed a plan B. Misa wasn't the most reliable and got in the way. And if Near and Mello turned out as dangerous as L, suspicion could rest on him again. He didn't know Ide that well, but Aizawa and maybe even Mogi could renew suspicion and would definitely arrest him. His father wouldn't suspect anything before possessing hard evidence, but if Kira was revealed, his father would arrest him regardless.

Ironically, the only one he could rely on was Matsuda. Matsuda was loyal and at least didn't think the worst of Kira. And due to no one taking him seriously, no one would ever suspect him as a Kira supporter. Yes, if Matsuda knew Light was Kira, he would hesitate to act. He might even aid Kira if he thought he was helping a friend. Or a lover. The time had finally come to use that close relationship he had built up with Matsuda since L died. Just as planned.

----------------------------------

Light figured he would take advantage of the first night he could spend alone with Matsuda again. Misa was out filming, his dad went out somewhere for the night, and the rest of the task force had a different hotel room. But Matsuda slept in Light and Misa's suite, though usually on the couch.

"Matsuda…" Light said softly as Matsuda began propping up pillows.

"Yes, Light-kun?"

"You don't have to sleep on the couch tonight… there's plenty of room in the bed."

"But MisaMisa…"

"Misa's going to be gone all night, you know her." She'll probably get drunk and pass out at some club.

"Aww…" Matsuda grinned slyly. "Light needs someone to keep him warm at night."

Matsuda was only teasing (or was he?) but Light was caught off guard and blushed. This guy… is already hitting on me! But he smiled foxily. This will be easier than I thought. "How did you know?" Light asked carefully with somewhat feigned shock.

This time Matsuda's eyes widened a bit.

Light began walking toward the bedroom. Matsuda followed after him, calling his name. Too cute. Just like a puppy. Light couldn't help but smile. He began taking off the clothes he had been wearing all day. "Are you going to join me or not? I bet the bed's more comfy than the couch…"

"Yeah," Matsuda gave a sideways glance with a small blush. Light was just teasing him back, right?

Light started unbuttoning his shirt. "We're just two guys… you don't need to get nervous about it."

Matsuda blushed even redder. Partially at what Light was insinuating and partially at Light's half naked body which he shouldn't have felt that excited to see. There went the shirt.

"I'm not nervous," Matsuda blushed in his defiant tone.

"'Kay, night," Light folded his shirt nicely and placed it over his pants that were on the back of a chair. He finally removed his socks and crawled into bed.

Matsuda began taking off his suit when he stopped. Won't this be awkward? But Light was right… they were just two guys. Nothing to be afraid of. Of course Light would have been used to this after several weeks of sleeping with L. Why was he even thinking about this? If he waited too long, Light would think he was weird. And then he would be teased even more. So he stripped down to his boxers and jumped into bed like a little kid, snuggling about under the sheets to get comfortable.

A few minutes later, Light blurted "Matsuda, do you like me?"

"What?!" Matsuda bolted upright.

Light raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?" He closed his eyes and smirked. "I meant, do you think I am a good person?"

"Oh," Matsuda relaxed. "Of course, Light-kun! You have a strong sense of justice, you're always helpful, and you never say an unkind word to anyone… you're like your father in so many ways. And I mean that as the highest compliment!"

He's never heard me talk to Misa… "Thank you, Matsuda…"

Matsuda sensed there was something wrong. This was so unlike the Light everyone knew. Was Light really this insecure on the inside? He glanced over at Light. He was staring upward with a quiet and troubled face. His beautiful face was etched in sadness. He's playing with me. I know you, Light… I'm not stupid! Matsuda bolted up again. "Damn it, Light! What's wrong?!"

Light sat up and gave Matsuda a wistful glance. "Matsuda… I am Kira."

Matsuda's eyes widened. He almost yelled out but stopped himself. "But Light… we've already proven your innocence. If you were Kira, you would be dead by now."

"The '13 day rule' is false. I made it up specifically so the suspicions would be cast off of me."

Matsuda turned away and bit his lip. "So you killed Ryuzaki."

"No, the shinigami killed Watari and Ryuzaki." Suddenly he burst out, "What do you think of me now?!!" Light threw himself against Matsuda and cried into his shoulder. The sobs were wrought with agony… regret?

Matsuda was silent for a moment. He was shocked that Light was Kira. He was shocked that Light was telling him all this. He was even more shocked that Light was crying. He was probably faking it. Nonetheless, Matsuda embraced Light and patted him on the back. "I still love you, Light."

Light sniffled up his fake tears. "You do? Why?"

Matsuda tried to think why. Was it because Light was always so kind? Was it because Light had just told him his darkest secret? But what came to mind most was his attraction to Light. He looked up to Light… Light was cool and smart and handsome… but Matsuda didn't want to get into that. "You're my best friend, shouldn't that count for something?"

Light's sobs seemed to have stopped. "You're still going to turn me in though," he said disdainfully.

"No."

Light tensed with surprise. Way too easy. "What?"

"I don't know what they'd do to you… I don't want you to be executed. Or suffer in prison for the rest of your life."

"You would miss me."

"Yes." Matsuda nodded sadly. He waited a moment, then asked, "I understand why you kill, but are they all necessary?"

"If someone doesn't eliminate the criminals, then the world will go back to the way it was. It's more peaceful now. I know what I'm doing is terrible, but it's not for myself… it's for the world. For the pure hearted people of the world. That's why you understand more than the rest of the task force, Matsuda. You're so pure with youthful idealism. Like me."

"Light-kun…"

"And that's why I love you too," Light pressed his lips firmly to Matsuda's.

Light felt this way about him?! Matsuda loved Light, yes… but like this? It made him so happy, this kiss… all the sadness washed out of his face and his mouth stretched into its usually goofy grin. "Light-kun!" Matsuda glomped him with surprising force that pinned Light to the bed while Matsuda cuddled lovingly to his bare chest. If he had a tail, it would have been wagging furiously with excitement. Matsuda was finally loved!

"Matsu-tan, you're like a box of chocolates," Light remarked as he adeptly switched places. Yes, a box of chocolates that would replace the candy that had been missing in my life since L died! "You're so random, even I would never get bored!"

"Matsu-tan, that's such a cute nickname," Matsuda sighed before Light's lips closed in on their prey again. When they parted, "You probably already had that name thought up in advance."

Light just smiled slyly. "I guess we're not going to get any sleep tonight?"

Matsuda just grinned. This was much better than the couch.

---------------------------------------

Next: Preparations are made for the end!