Tendo
Summary: What a cute little ball of fluff! Matt finds a kitten- but what's this? Mello is less than pleased? Why ever could that be?
Probably the last chapter of the 'Shots of One' group for a while. The person I was writing this with has no internet for a while x.x- thought you'd appreciate the warning.
It was an otherwise regular, boring day. Matt had done nothing but trivial jobs all day, and now that he was headed home, he was more than eager to escape the clutches of work and sneak inside to collapse across his bed restfully. Groaning about his aching legs, Matt paused, catching sight of a pair of eyes watching him and crouching down in front of the bush. "Hello?" He murmured, holding out his head, "It's alright-I'm not going to hurt you," He assured the kitten, flashing a smile as the ginger kitten padded out, its paws starch white.
"Aw-Look at you-…I should really get home but-…C'mon-But you have to be quiet, alright?" Matt insisted, the kitten purring almost instantly as he picked it up and he gave a helpless sigh, "You're far too cute," He grinned, ruffling it's fur then hugging it close to his chest, bringing his jacket around it and slipping back toward the 'lair' striding on, slipping past the open area, hoping to get to his room without being halted. God knew Mello wouldn't approve of an animal around while he was trying to run and important operation.
It was about an hour after Matt returned that Mello seeked him out. Striding purposefully into Matt's room, he threw himself at his friend's bed and lay down. This is how it often was. When Mello was feeling down, annoyed or just anything other than apathetic (which was all the time), he would just lye in Matt's company.
Today was no different. Except for when Mello landed, it wasn't just on the soft bed, there was something else on the bed. Frowning, the blonde reached behind him and pulled it out, holding it in front of his face. "The fuck?" He asked, glaring at the small fuzzball in his hands. "is this?" He looked at Matt, a question in his eyes. The kitten was still held in his hand from the scruff of his neck, hanging in what looked to be an uncomfortable way.
The kitten itself did something more than unexpected, at least, in the manner of which NO ONE treated Mello in that manner, and without much propting, it sunk its fangs into the closest part of Mello's hand, trotting toward Matt with soft whimpers, holding its paw up like it was hurt. "Mello!" Matt protested, "C'mere, Tendo," He hummed, hugging the kitten in a comforting manner, "Don't bully him," Matt huffed, petting the kitten who curled up contently in his lap, purring loudly.
"I found him," Matt murmured sheepishly, "He doesn't have a home-Mello-Please can I keep him?" Matt insisted hopefully, glancing at Mello with a sulky look which could have rivaled the kittens own.
Mello was glaring at the kitten, holding his gloved hand close to his chest. "What the fuck!?" He asked, "It bit me! You want to keep a fucking pest in [i]here[/i] of all places! Fuck off!" He shook his hand out, grimacing slightly. For such a small animal, it had a very large bite. "And what the fuck did you name it for!? That's just fucked up."
"Quit it!" Matt cried out, his hands covering the kittens ears in a defensive manner. "He's just a baby-Don't say those things in front of him," Matt complained, petting the kitten comfortingly. "Aw-Please, Mello?" He said hopefully, "He won't be a bother," He insisted, "Please? I never have anything to do around here-And your 'henchmen' don't like me-They won't even play video games with me," He huffed.
"If he gets in my way, I'll kill him." He warned, "If he doesn't, he can stay here." He finally relented. "Don't say I never give you anything." He muttered, still rubbing at his hand. Matt's cute face had made him feel something he'd never known before. And he didn't want to push it. "But don't expect me to be around you when [i]he[/i] is."
"Aw-You're not gonna spend time with me?" Matt complained, "But I want to spend time with you both," He huffed, rolling onto his back, tickling the kitten in his lap with a smile. "I'll make sure to take care of him, you'll see," He insisted, "Isn't that right, little Nintendo? Cause I love Tendo-Yes I do," He hummed out with a childish tone, snuggling the kitten.
Mello snarled before walking out of the room. It was too... cutsy. Mello was a bad ass- a meanie, he did NOT take care of kittens. And also- he was not jealous. There was no way. Why would you even accuse him of jealousy? Mello huffed and stomped into his own room. He hadn't even said a word to Matt about it.
"Aw-Mello!" Matt protested, slipping off the bed, leaving the kitten on the bed and striding after Mello, slipping into his room with a sigh, "What's up?" He questioned, inclincing his head, and crossing his arms over his chest. "You in a bad mood or something?" He asked, sitting n the edge of the bed with a grin, "Want a massage?" He teased, his hands resting at Mello's shoulders, "If you really-" Before he could continue, his fingers loosened on Mello's shoulders as he heard a meow, the kitten at the door looking parched, "Aw...You thirsty? I'll get you a drink," With that, he slid off the bed, picking up the kitten.
Mello sat up and stared at Matt, his eyes wide. Nobody ignored him. "Matt..." he warned, his voice low and warning, "Get that thing the fuck out of here." He glared at the kitten. It was all his fault. No. Mello wasn't jealous.
"If you don't want him to be shot, then kick him out of this room." He pulled his gun from beneath his pillow and pointed it at the small bundle of fur. "And if you stand in front of it, I swear to god Matt, I'll shoot you too."
"What's your problem?" Matt asked in disbelief, "He isn't doing anything," He huffed, walking closer until the barrel of the gun was touching his stomach, "Do it then," He challenged, "Because you won't and I know it," He added. "So stop being such a jerk, the kitten isn't hurting you-It's doing nothing at all to you-I'm feeding it. I'm not asking you to," He insisted, "Just leave him alone."
Mello's hand began to shake and he threw the gun aside and turned his back to Matt. "Just fuck off." He said quietly. He refused to turn around to face the other- and that.... thing. "Just leave me alone. You have that cat, you don't have a need for me anymore."
"Wha-" Matt begun in disbelief, sighing and moving to the door, sticking the kitten out, much to its irritation and shutting the door, walking back to he bed, "What on earth are you on about, Mello?" He asked, shifting onto the bed behind the male and massaging his shoulders softly, "What's up with you? I'm not going to replace you with a cat-Why would you get so steamed up about..Are you jealous, Mello?" He asked in disbelief.
"Fuck off." Mello muttered, but didn't make to move Matt's hand from his shoulders, instead, he leaned into it slightly. He sighed into the touch, it was melting away all his anxiety. "I don't like the cat." He said finally. "It bit me. NOBODY bites me. Be thankful I didn't just kill it on the spot."
"Fuck off?" Matt murmured, continuing his massage, "You say that, but you don't really mean it," He mumbled, a short smile at his lips, "And you didn't deny being jealous," He hummed, "I think you are-Might be why you're all so keen to allow me to keep doing this now that the cat is gone-But you wouldn't even stay in the room with me while the cat was there."
Mello moaned slightly and leaned closer to Matt. "Shut up." He said quietly, "You don't know anything." He said. "I don't like cats." His words were repeated. His eyes slid closed as he concentrated on the massage his best friend was giving him.
Was he jealous of the cat...? No. There was no way...Why would he be jealous?
"Alright. You're not jealous," Matt murmured, pressing his fingers into the skin calmly, "What would you have to be jealous of-Unless, you wanted the kitten?" He asked, cocking his head, "That's it! You wanted it-But I found it first," He decided.
"No." Mello growled, "I don't like cats." He said, still leaning into the touch. "I'm NOT jealous of that....fuzzball!" That seemed to be the most insulting thing he could think of to call the kitten. "I can promise you that." He sighed. By now he was leaning completely against Matt, totally relaxed. His eyes were even closed.
"Fine-You want me to get rid of the cat?" Matt questioned with a sigh, "I'd do it if you told me too," He spoke, "I don't mind-I have my video games to keep me busy through the day when you're not around," He shrugged as if it were nothing, though the reluctance was in his eyes. His hands lowered themselves from Mello's shoulders, "I'll get rid of it."
Mello sighed, "I told you you could keep it didn't I?" He said tiredly, starting to get a little annoyed about the animal. "Just don't let me see it. Ever." He said, "I don't like cats. Especially when you-" He cut himself off and shook his head. "I just don't like cats." He turned to face Matt, trying hard not to smile slightly.
"Especially when I, what?" Matt asked curiously, "Tell me and I'll keep massaging because I know how much you like it," He laughed, "Now, c'mon-I hate it when you hide stuff from me. What happened to being best friends-Telling me everything?" He grinned, his fingers boredly brushing over Mello's shoulders.
"It's nothing...really. I just don't want to share you with a fucking animal." Mello whispered the last part under his breath, partially hoping the other wouldn't hear him, but knowing it was impossible at this range. None the less, he moved closer to the slight touch, wanting to feel more. It was his hidden pleasure.
"Share me?" Matt laughed, rubbing the others shoulders once more, leaning over his shoulder slightly with a grin, "I don't remember being an object of yours, Mello," He pointed out with a raised brow, "But it's just as I thought; Jealous," He grinned, satisfied, "And don't deny it either-I actually like it...Sort of flattering," He mused.
"Shut up." Mello mumbled, his face turning a deep shade of pink. He was glad-however, that Matt had continued with the backrub. If he was nothing else, Matt was true to his word. And fuck, he was good at this. Mello felt himself grunt as more stress and tension left his body, his head lulling back to lean on his shoulder. He didn't try and deny the jealousy- what was the point? Matt would see right through a lie.
"I didn't know you could even blush," Matt commented with a playful grin on his lips, his hands dropping down for a moment before wordlessly helping Mello out of his shirt, "Don't worry-I'm only massaging. I can't get at the rest of your back if you wear so much clothing," He pointed out, placing it aside and moving his hands down Mello's back.
Mello tensed as Matt touched his bare skin. "The shirt isn't exactly baggy." He pointed out. His breathing had slowed and he was now hyper aware. He wasn't used to people touching his skin, he didn't care much for touching- Matt being the exception. Soon however, the other's skill won out, and Mello melted into him, like chocolate in the sun.
"It was still in the way-Who out of the two of us actually knows how this works? Me? I thought so," Matt tisked out, rubbing the flesh lazily, his eyes glancing down at his hands before anywhere else in the room. So it had been a slightly bad idea to remove the others shirt. He could already feel his cheeks warming up involunatrily.
After another moment, Mello moaned quietly, completely relaxed. His eyes were closed and he sighed contently. "Matt... you still have to tell me where the fuck you learned that..." he moaned again, leaning his head onto Matt's shoulder, a small smile on his face. For the moment, all ideas about sharing Matt with cats was gone.
"Well, I could but-" The unmistakable sound of cat paws against the wall stirred him from this moment and he groaned, "I forgot to feed him!" He cried, as if the kitten might just drop dead at that very moment. "I'm sorry-I've got to make sure it's okay," He pointed out, picking himself off the bed. "I'll hang out with you again, promise," He added, and before he gained full control of his actions, he'd pressed a kiss onto Mello's forehead and moved to the door, picking up the kitten and heading off to find food in the kitchen, his cheeks dark red.
Shocked, Mello fell backwards, landing flat on his back on the bed. When Matt kissed him, his eyes widened. He stay lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, thinking. Matt had left him- for the cat. That fucking piece of fluff was more important to him that he was... but then... Matt had kissed him. [i]kissed[/i] him.
Mello was a little confused, but incredibly angry. Still, he didn't move from his spot, wondering if Matt was even going to come back.
Feeding the kitten, Matt settled on the floor next to it, stroking its fur while it ate contently. "You really are more trouble than you're worth-You know Mello is getting all moody at me because of this. You seem to need more attention than him, and I don't think he's used to that," He chuckled, looking amused, "Well-You stay and eat, alright? I'll go and make sure he's okay," He said, ignoring the kittens meow of protest before it decided it would much rather eating than complaining.
"Mello-You plan on getting off the floor?" He spoke bemused, peering into the room.
Mello's face reddened at hearing Matt's voice. He wasn't sure weather he should be embarrassed or angry. He settled for the emotion that he knew better. "Fuck off." He growled, "go back to your damn pet. Heavens knows it needs you more than me." He muttered, exercising his sarcasm muscle. He sat up before standing and sitting on the bed, his back to the door.
"For gods sake, stop being such a prick, Mello!" Matt snapped out, "You're not here all the time-You're always busy. And when you're not, nine times out of ten, you're just not in the mood for me. You know what I do here, Mello? I do your shit tasks, I clean up after you, I get damn near almost beaten up by the other jackasses you work with and then you come to me when you feel like it, and pile your troubles on top of that. Then I'm alone, Mello. You're busy, I'm alone in my room, wondering why I keep doing this to myself, when at the end of the day I begin to hate everything!" He groaned, "This is why i wanted the kitten-If I have something I can talk to or look after, I won't feel so damn alone when you're gone. But fine-Everything has to be your way," He muttered, "I'm taking a car and putting it out at an animal shelter," He muttered, scooping up a set of keys.
"Wait." Mello said, one word without even turning around. "You don't have to do that." He said quietly. "You're right. I'm gone a lot. But you know what- I'd rather not be. I look forward to coming back to see you. If it seems I'm not in the mood for you- it's generally because I've been injured and don't want to worry you about it- not because I don't want to see you. So when I come home, on the few times I'm not injured, I want to spend time with you. I don't want to have to share you with a fucking animal- I don't want to share you with anyone or anything. But it's fine. If you need to spend so much time with that animal- go for it. I'll still be here when you can be bothered to find the time for me." All his words were quiet, even, like he had become unemotional over night.
"God..Mello-It takes me five minutes to feed it. The animal will be around, yes-But can't you try and stand it. I'm not going to blow you off for the kitten. I'll just have something to do during the day while you're gone," He informed Mello. "If you think I'd abandon you for something like that-Shit, Mello-You have no idea how far I'd go for you. You don't even know half of what you mean to me," He sighed, "If you'd just open your eyes, you wouldn't be jealous of an animal, because no way would I do with an animal what I'd want to do with you," He insisted, cutting off, his features flushed, grimacing inside.
"What, flush it down the toilet when it pisses you off too much? You know I'm far too big for that." Mello joked softly. He turned around slightly to look at Matt from the corner of his eyes. "What do you want to do to me Matt?" He asked, keeping eye contact with the redhead. He was curious to know.
"Do I have to spell it out for you-And you're supposed to be second smartest?" Matt groaned in disbelief, "I like you-More than like-More than friends! It's hard for me to even be near you because I get so embarrassed half the time I don't know how to make sense of anything I'm saying!" He cried, "You frustrate me so much, because you just don't see it," He groaned.
"Hypocrite." Mello muttered turning completely around. "You just said exactly what was going through my mind." He lay down on the bed now, getting more comfortable as he stared at the ceiling. "You think I'd let just anyone touch me? Give me a massage? Fuck, I even let you touch my naked back. With my personal hate of being near people, I let you touch me, rub my back." He shook his head, "I'm not the only one who's blind."
Flushing, Matt blinked in confusion, "But you-I didn't think.." He trailed off blankly, "You're not making fun of me, are you?" He grimaced visibly, "I mean-I'm not actually joking about this Mello-I mean it," He insisted, "And if you're joking, then you can't hit me for this," He informed the other, leaning in and catching a nervous kiss.
Before Matt had the chance to pull away, Mello snaked his arms around the other and pulled him closer showing that he wasn't joking. His stomach was doing flips and his throat was suddenly dry. But he knew that he wanted this. He then pulled back slightly, still holding onto Matt. Blinking his eyes open, he looked at Matt, keeping his face neutral.
"And you thought a cat would be more important?" Matt said finally, not squirming from the grasp, content with remaining where he was, his eyes holding gaze with Mello for a moment before brushing their lips together, "And I can assume, if you're not hitting me for this, then it's not a joke," He added, shifting closer.
Mello met the kiss and smiled softly. "If I were pissed at you, you'd be shot by now." He pointed out. He looked to the door as he saw a flash of orange enter. Sighing, he let go of Matt to walk up to the kitten, picking it up and pausing- thinking- before holding it how he should. "Tendo, right?" He asked Matt, grimacing slightly as he held the animal. He hadn't been lying when he had said that he didn't like cats.
Laughing quietly, Matt watched them exchange what seemed to be a less than friendly conversation through their eyes, the cat looking almost as displeased as Mello. "You two are identical-It's like looking at a feline version of you, Mello," Matt laughed, unable to prevent himself, the cat itself looked moody at being compared to Mello and let out a disgruntled hiss, signalling it would bite Mello all too soon.
Mello hissed also, a warning growl to Matt. "It does not look like me." He said darkly, absently patting the cat without realizing it. "It's orange for one thing." He mumbled, obviously sulking as he sat down on the bed, still absently fluffing the kitten's hair. "It's name. Tendo, yes? Because if you don't tell me it's name, I'll call it 'Fucker' every time I see it."
"Mm," Matt mused with a grin, "Yes-Tendo is fine. No swearing around him," He informed Mello, crossing his arms. "And look, you're getting along-You haven't dropped him, and he hasn't bitten you," Matt said in a normal tone, as if he was talking in simple tones. "It's cute," He grinned, giving them both a pet on the head.
Mello glared at Matt for that and thrust the animal towards him. "You take care of him, and if he hurts me, I hurt him back." He offered, before looking at the cat, "Hear that! Bite me, I bite back, scratch me and you'll get hit. Keep doing it and I [i]will[/i] shot you. That's a promise."
"Behave," Matt tisked, holding the kitten by one hand and grasping Mello's chin, bringing their lips together for a brief moment before slipping out of the room and into his own, tidying up the bed and settling it amongst the bed, tucking it in with a fond smile. "Now you behave-He's nice, so long as you don't bite him, alright?" He tisked, the kitten deciding to yawn just at the very moment.
Mello just sighed as Matt left. He sat on the bed and ran his hands through his hair. He couldn't help but smile softly and his hands gravitated to his lips. Matt had kissed him, his lips were still tingling and his heart was still fluttering fast. Biting his lips, he let out a small giggle.
After the kitten had fallen asleep, Matt slipped into Mello's room, shifting to the bed and stretching across it comfortably, "Nnn.." He murmured comfortably, curling up in the blankets with a short groan. "You can deal with this," He pointed out, deciding he wasn't going to shift at all, he was far too comfortable.
Mello smirked and curled up behind Matt, placing his arms around the other and pulling him close to his chest. "I know you're clostrophobic." He said, "So if you want to sleep in my bed, you're going to be uncomfortable." He warned, smirking.
Tensing slightly, Matt attempted to relax himself, snorting slightly, "I'm not stuck here-I know I can leave if I want to. You can't trick me into getting out-If you're so trouble by it, you can move," He spoke, the skin on the back of his neck prickling at the breaths of the other as he attempted to ignore the slight uncomfortable feelings.
Mello laughed slightly, snuggling closer. "You'll get annoyed with it." He promised, "I snore." He added in a whisper, leaning over to say the words directly into Matt's ear. Still smirking, he lay back down on the bed, placing his head against the other's back.
"That's your final attempt to annoy me?" Matt laughed, "You'll be the one to move," He informed Mello, mischeviously grinding his backside back against Mello's groin, pretending to yawn, curling up innocently in the bed, propping his head on the pillow with a grin.
Instantly, Mello let go. Shuffling back slightly. "The fuck?" he asked, his eyes wide. "There is no way that was an accident." He mumbled before realizing that Matt had said he'd be the one to let go- and he was right. Grumbling a little, Mello moved back towards Matt and placed his arms around him again. "Do that again and you'll probably get more than you want."
"No way what was an accident?" Matt smirked in a knowing manner, "What? You let go.." He tisked, curling up comfortably and bringing his hips accidentally back once more. "Are you sure you're alright?" He questioned, "I mean-You let go awful fast," He smirked.
"Matt..." Mello said in a warning tone, keeping a strong grip on the other's waste. "Don't act dumb with me." He was starting to get a little excited due to Matt's movements, but he wasn't going to let go again. Gritting his teeth, he held on tighter, nuzzling his face in his back.
"Why? Do you like it?" Matt grinned, squirming around a bit, trying to settle. "You know, I'm not a kid. If I want to do other things..." He mused, his grin flickering very slightly, "Then you can't really tell me not too-But I understand. You can't handle me," He laughed in a bemused manner, turning his head and glancing over Mello with a smile.
A moan escaped Mello as he pushed back into the touches- completely by instinct. "Matt...really..." he groaned out, taking in Matt's scent. His arms tightened slightly before they moved, one of his hands reached to grope Matt through his shirt.
Arching back into Mello, Matt turned around, facing Mello before bringing their lips together, his arms bringing themselves around Mello's shoulders, bringing his tongue to venture between Mello's lips until the sound of purring met his ears and he broke the kiss to find the kitten rubbing innocently against Mello, curling up on his stomach.
Mello let out a sound that was a cross between a sigh and a groan. "See why I don't like cats?" He asked, "They're so fucking selfish." Despite his words, Mello found himself stroking the kitten. "Gods, it's like we have a kid!" He exclaimed, growling a little. Eventually, he sighed and smiled, looking down at the cat.
"You're smiling," Matt grinned, leaning over and ruffling the kittens fur, "See, you two can be friends if you try," He mused out, scratching the kitten behind the ear as it begun purring contently, "Doesn't look like he wants to move," He chuckled, rolling over to Mello's side, leaving the kitten on the others stomach.
"Not if he stops me from having sex." Mello said bluntly, still petting the cat. He was glad that his bed was a twin, and that there was enough room for them both-no all three of them. Mello placed his head on Matt's shoulder, leaning against him as he played with the kitten's ears.