5/100- Seeking Solace
The day seemed peaceful. The clouds were rolling gently in the sky, the sun was shinning, and Matt was sitting under the weeping willow that was near Wammy's.
The branches of the weeping willow made a small curtain from the windows in the orphanage, so it was actually safe to say that Matt had privacy in his own little sanctuary.
Matt liked to come here often. He usually came to cool down, to get some privacy, or to think in peace.
Today, he was here for the third reason.
Earlier that day, Mello and Near had been called into Roger's office. They had been there for a while when Mello came stomping out, barging into his and Matt's shared room and grabbing a backpack, throwing all type of random things in it.
Mello hadn't bothered to explain too much. From what Matt heard, L was killed by Kira before being able to choose a successor, so Roger had proposed that Near and Mello worked together; both of them would be L.
None of the orphans had ever actually met L, not even Mello and Near. At least, not in person. L was always safely hidden behind that gothic letter. Regardless, everyone was still devastated upon hearing the news of their idol's death.
Just imagine- you were raised to success a person, to become that person, to be better than that person. You work your hardest, you push your limits just to reach the goal of becoming L- and then he dies.
Of course it was devastating. Perhaps they had never actually met him or seen him but they were practically raised to become him so, the peaceful day was also somber.
But, L's death wasn't the only thing that was bothering Matt at the moment. His best friend, his only friend, Mello, was running away.
When Roger proposed that Near and Mello work together, of course Mello threw a fit. He'd rather run away than make allies with Near. So immature.
He hadn't even given Matt a first thought, let alone a second thought. After meeting up with Roger, he had stomped into their room, packed up and, bam, he was gone. Matt hadn't even realized what he was doing until it was too late. He didn't even get to say goodbye… Would he ever see his friend again?
Matt was pulled out of his thoughts as he heard the soft crunch of the grass, announcing the approach of another person.
Could it be? No, it couldn't… Mello…?
His hope was dashed as he saw that it was indeed, not Mello. The stranger approaching seemed to be in his mid-twenties, slouched over with one hand stuffed in his pocket and the other thumb fiddling with his lips. His long sleeved white shirt hung loosely from his shoulders and his jeans were baggy, almost covering his bare feet. He had wild, raven black hair that seemed to look very soft and Matt had a strange urge to touch it.
He shuffled over to where Matt sat, completely unfazed from the fact that he didn't seem to know the young boy who had already occupied that spot. The older man crouched down and sat, his knees pulled up to his chest beside the redhead boy. Matt raised an eyebrow at his peculiar way of sitting.
"What's wrong?" The stranger asked.
Matt's eyes widened in surprise. "What would make you think something is wrong, mister?" It's none of your business!
The older of the two glanced at the younger. "You have a somber aura around you."
"So?"
The stranger tilted his head slightly. "I assumed you were out here to seek solace. Am I incorrect?" He sounded incredulous at just the thought of being wrong.
Matt sighed, giving in. "Someone died today," he informed.
The stranger's expression didn't change. "Oh. Was that someone close to you?"
Matt thought for a moment. Was L close to him? He had never actually met him but he had been raised to become him, so… "Yes. Very close."
A small smile tickled the stranger's lips. "I'm sorry for your loss."
Matt shook his head. "And that's not the only thing that happened today. My best friend, my only friend, really, is running away," he said, suddenly feeling very comfortable with the stranger. He didn't know what it was but the man had a strange feeling of comfort and safety around him. It made Matt feel content.
The older man hummed. "It doesn't seem like this day is shaping up to be a good one," he mumbled.
"You can say that again," he replied wearily.
"I'm pretty sure you understood me the first time." Matt glared but decided not to respond. He leaned his head against the trunk of the weeping willow wearily. Boy, was he tired…
Matt heard shifting next to him and opened his eyes a crack to see that the stranger was getting up.
"Matt-kun should rest, for tomorrow-" he smiled mischievously "-will be worse."
Oh, gee, thanks. That's great consolation right there.
The man was about to walk into the dark forest that was close by Wammy's, when a thought popped into Matt's head. His eyes snapped open and he jumped up, running after the stranger.
"Hey, mister!" He called out. The stranger paused, only half turning to face Matt. "How did you know my name?"
The stranger smirked, placing his index finger next to his lip innocently. "I have my ways."
Matt crossed his arms across his chest, not feeling freaked out at all by the way that sentence sounded. "Well, at least tell me your name. It's only fair."
The stranger smiled- a genuine smile. "You can call me… Lawliet. L Lawliet."
Matt's jaw dropped a little and he blinked. And in just that fraction of a second, L vanished.
x.X.x
Ghost? Hallucination? You decide.
Review please! 8D (This could be a one-shot all by itself XD)
