Never thought myself, of all people, would be doing this.

Bloody pathetic.

Matt grumbled to himself, lighting yet another cigarette until he paused with the lighter near his mouth. Not the best way to wait for Hoshiko. It'd just be one more reason for her to hate him. He flicked the lighter close and removed the cigarette, tucking it behind his ears while he eyed the street through his thick goggles.

The street in front of the café was fairly busy but not crowded, giving Matt enough space to lean on the building wall without having to hear 'Excuse me' every few minutes although it didn't help with the stares. It's not so much that he dresses weird but Hoshi and Near had once told him it was his presence. It draws attention supposedly. Later that day, Hoshiko had said the goggles as factor as well. He had vowed then to keep them on to annoy her. Now it was just a habit.

"What are you doing out here?"

Hoshiko walked to his side, looking up at him with a puzzled look.

She wore a black fitted dress with some stylish boots, a long thin jacket and scarf and hat pulled over her ears. Her nose was slightly pink from the dropping weather. She was carrying two large paper bags filled with unknown content that seemed to be slipping at any moment from her twig-like arms.

"You know, if you're cold, you could try wearing a thicker coat."

"You didn't answer my question and I don't have a thicker coat. I'm not cold."

"So stubborn."

"As are you. Now, why are you out here?"

Matt sighed, his breath streamed in front of him, and offered out his hand to help with the bags that Hoshi didn't even give a second thought to, shoving the biggest onto him.

"No reason. Are you going inside?"

She looked at him now with suspicion.

"Why do you want to--?"

"Are you or not?"

"Y-yes. Yes, I am."

"Well, then come on."

They walked to the door where Matt opened it for her and entered the warm area. Before they found a seat, Hoshi whirled on him, her hand held up to stop him before he could grab a seat.

"What?" He asked.

"Why are you being this way? What's going on?"

"I'm not being anything. I'm not acting any different than--."

"Yes you are!"

Both fell into silence until Matt broke it, setting the bag aside and clearing his throat to face her.

"Look, I saw your face last night. You heard something and it upset you. I'm sorry, okay? I don't like you looking at me that way."

Hoshiko sat down at the table and looked up at him with a thoughtful look.

"You know how I feel about that, Matt."

He sat with her now, leaning on the table.

"I know but it's for Mellow. You know I'll always be there for him. He's my friend."

Silence.

"Okay, okay. Just." Hoshiko fidgeted a minute, casting her eyes firmly to the floor now. "Just be… safe? I'd feel a lot better if you just watch yourself. Mellow is involved with the Mafia. You're to go for that."

There was another pause and Hoshi dared a look up at him to find Matt smiling warmer than usual, making her blush darkly.

"W-what?"

"Nothing. Just nice that someone is worried about me, is all."

And he had meant it too. Being an orphan, L, Mellow, and Near were the only ones who ever really showed that kind of feeling for him but never spoke. To hear it is definitely pleasing.

"Well, someone needs. You're completely gullible and have no focus whatsoever."

Hoshiko joked, lightening the mood although it tossed them into a full on debate on Matt's gaming skills, as usual.

"Ha, so I'm better at Mortal Combat then."

"Well, I beat you at Kingdom Hearts!" Hoshi argued.

They had been at for about an hour now but it wasn't like they're other fights. They were smiling, for once. A play fight, you could say. The fight kept on as they walked to the bar Hoshiko worked at.

"Why do you work at this dump?"

Matt complained as he looked at the scruffy building. It wasn't exactly rundown but it was on its way to.

"It's money, M. You know, you need that to eat and live places. Normal human stuff."

"You're better than this though. We both know it. You could work at NASA for Christ sake!"

Hoshi rolled her eyes, taking the bag from Matt's arms and headed to the door.

"This is just a start, okay?" She glanced at the door then back at him.

"Wanna come hang for a bit?"

"I would like to but… I have things I, uh, need to do."

Mellow had asked him to do some recon today and it wasn't wise to tell Hoshiko that. Her face already had a shadow pulled over it but she tried to play it off quickly, flapping her hands as she talked which made him smile.

"Yeah, no. Sure, that's okay. Just, uh, be careful?"

"I will. I promise. It's nothing big."

"Good. Bye."

"Bye, Hoshiko…"

She hesitated and ducked into the door leaving Matt to look after her with this strange feeling that ate him slowly.

'It's nothing.' He thought, shaking it away as he walked and turned down an ally way. 'Time to see a news reporter.'

-Mellow's warehouse-

"Dark and dank doesn't fit your personality, you know."

Mellow was sprawled across a worn down couch when Matt entered with a small file on hand.

"You don't think it makes me look tougher?"

"Not so much, mate." He replied, waving the folder. "Got what you wanted."

Kicking his feet back to the ground, Mellow tapped the table and Matt dropped the folder on it.

"Good, good. Thank you."

"What's it for? Anything big?"

"Maybe."

Matt saw that Mellow was absorbed in the pictures and notes he had taken and waited even though he didn't need the answer. The fact that L had died for this case and Near was closing in on it obviously showed its importance.

Instead, Matt took in his surroundings. It was a normal warehouse. Abandoned a while back now decorated with Mellow's equipment and housed his guns for hire. They lounged around the other raggedy couches, waiting for the next command. Matt saw them as scum of the underworld. Mafia-wannabes. Mellow would never trust them with the work he had Matt do and he was proud of that.

Mellow laid the files down and leaned back on the couch with a deep sigh. His face grave but determined. He cast his eyes up at Matt slowly.

"I'll need one more favor. It's very big. Dangerous."

"How dangerous?"

"Enough to get you killed. What do you say, Old friend?"

-The Bar and Grill-

Wrist-deep in yucky dirty water, Hoshiko thrilled that she had now finished washing her last dish for the night, skipping to the rag to dry her hands.

"I'm done, sir!"

Her boss strolled to the kitchen, careful not to hit anything with his protruding gut. He definitely needed to stop taste-testing his own food.

"Good job, Hoshiko. You're free to go. And please, take some food with you. Get some meat on those bones! Do you have a way home?"

"I'm already stuffed with the feast you made me eat for lunch!" she said with a laugh, "I'm going to hail a cab. Bye! See you tomorrow!"

She dived out the door, clenching her coat closed tightly, and waited for a cab when the sound of a can getting kicked made her jump. A cola can skipped and rolled out in front of her as Matt walked from the shadows with a trail of smoke around him. The cigarette pressed gently between his lips.

"Hey, Hoshi."

"You scared me. Matt, I thought I told you not to do that."

She replied with a smile and reached to grab his cigarette like usual only to be stopped by Matt's hand that firmly clasped on her wrist. His face a blank silhouette and it worried her.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

Matt dropped her hand and turned his head away; casting the shadow across his features while he sucked in one more puff of smoke and discard of the cigarette.

"Nothing. Are you going home now?"

"Uh, y-yeah."

"Good. I'll take you. Come on." He replied, walking to a parked car across the street. Hoshi followed hesitantly a step behind and hopped in the passenger seat that Matt had escorted her to. She watched him carefully as he walked around to his side and got in.

"Matt, really, what's-"

"Could… Could you not ask questions and just let me take you home?"

"Okay, I'm sorry."

Matt's cold shoulder melted then and his tense shoulders slumped.

"Don't be sorry. I'm sorry. I'm just not feeling good."

"Oh…"

"It's nothing, really. I don't know. Maybe because I haven't eaten yet today."

"I could make you something to eat, if you want."

Hoshiko suggested quietly and Matt glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

"I'd like that."

At the apartment, Matt parked and opened Hoshiko's door, following her to her room where she led him inside, offering to take his coat and got him some water. They sat at the table in the small kitchen. Matt stared at his cup while Hoshiko turned hers back and forth in her hands. The silence was stretching.

"So, are we just not going to talk or what?"

Matt stared still, saying nothing making Hoshiko swear softly.

'Dammit, Matt. Talk to me. Tell me what's--"

"I have… I got a job that I need to do tomorrow night."

Hoshiko blinked and sat back, waiting. "Go on."

Matt rubbed his face then ran his hand through his hair.

"It's a big job. A dangerous one."

"For Mellow." She guessed; her tone icy, making Matt finally looked her in the face, his eyes burning now with determination.

"No! For L. It was L's last case. Mellow and Near are working on it now and Mellow thinks he has the answer. The key to it all but he needs my help and it'll be risky." He noticed Hoshiko's expression. "But I can handle it. I'll be fine. I'm just worried about the other two."

"This is that Kira case, isn't it? You could be killed."

"I won't. I--"

"You could, Matt. That's the point. That's really why you're scared, isn't it?"

"I'm not scared, Hoshi."

"Yes, you are. I can see it. It's written all over your face. You're afraid."

Hoshiko pushed from the table and walked into the living room, angry and upset. Matt followed her quickly, knocking the table slightly making water splatter over the surface.

"Okay, okay. I'm a little afraid. But nothing will happen to me, okay?" He reached her and grabbed her shoulder to make her face him. "Okay?"

She refused to look at him.

"Hoshiko?"

"What is it? What is he having you do for him?"

"Hoshi…"

"Don't. Don't 'Hoshi' me!" She snapped, pushing him away. "Answer me."

"No." He muttered quietly, his arms at his side now.

She pushed again, harder this time. "Why not? Why, Matt?"

"Hoshi, please. Stop this."

"I want an answer! Now, tell me." Her eyes watered and she gave a third push when Matt clasped her arms and forced them to her sides and pulled her close to him.

The next move caught both of them off guard. Matt leaned his head down and pressed his lips to hers roughly. Hoshi fought a moment, confused, before sinking into the kiss, surrendering. Then it got softer and Matt pulled away slowly grudgingly as Hoshiko froze with her eyes fluttering, lost. The sound of their hearts racing was all that could be heard until Matt pressed his forehead gently on hers and closed his eyes.

"I'm… Sorry. I, uh, I didn't mean to. It just seemed like the right thing."

"No, It was…okay." Hoshi breathed, closing her own eyes.

She moved her hands to hold his own, tangling her fingers with his and he opened his eyes to watch her. She opened her own and stared back. They absorbed that moment, lost in it. The tension, the raw, pent-up emotions, all of it had finally started to make their way out slowly but surely and now was the time they finally acted on those feelings. And they did. They threw themselves into each other. Kissing, touching, and pulling. It was all released in a rush. Matt left her up into his arms while they kissed, taking her to her room and laid her on me bed, As she hit the mattress, she removed her shirt as he did his and climbed over her, giving her another deep kiss before pulling away and stare at her.

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

Hoshi stared quiet a moment and then reached open with both hands. One caressed his cheek softly as the other lifted his goggles gently, tossing them aside and brushed his hair back.

"You have green eyes."

Not being able to help it, Matt laughed. "You just noticed?"

"I did. I love them… and you." She whispered, afraid she said too much. He was quiet a moment before his smile softened along with his eyes and leaned in to kiss her again.

"And I love you, Hoshi."

They lost themselves then, consumed with their love for the rest of the night. It felt like the world had frozen for them. Time had completely stopped and bowed down to them.

But despite it all, Hoshi's heart still panged with fear. Fear that Matt had expressed that night chilled her to the bone. Only time would tell what fate had in store for them now.

The morning was bright. Far, far too bright, Matt moaned, rolling over into a silky pillow cover.

'This wouldn't be so bright if I had my goggles…' He thought moodily. 'Wait, goggles… goggles…'

And it hit him. The night. The fight. The Kiss. Hoshiko.

Hoshiko.

Matt sat up quickly, ignoring the head rush and looked around. He was in her room, still in bed with nothing on. He glanced to his side to see her now. Hoshiko was laid next to him on her stomach, her arm over the pillow and hair disarrayed over her face and he smiled lightly at her angelic face. Reaching out, he brushed the hair from her face and she turned softly in her sleep.

"Matt…"

She whispered and he tensed a moment thinking he woke her up she muttered quietly and rolled over, making him laugh softly and turn away to gather his clothes.

Dressed, he moved to the other side of the bed and kneeled down next to Hoshiko's sleeping figure, giving her one more kiss, ready to leave when she stretched and opened her eyes.

"Matt? Where you going?"

She asked while her voice was thick with sleep but she sat up anyways as awareness came over her. She glanced down at her body and scrambled to wrap the blanket around her.

Being a gentleman, Matt glanced away as he stood.

"I got to go. For Mellow."

"Mellow."

She repeated and hung her head a moment. She remembered now. Why she was upset. What brought on their night together and the stab of fear hit her again, twisting in heart.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"Positive."

"I…" She bit her lip and look away again. Matt noticed and sat on the edge of the bed and stared at her.

"What?"

"I don't… I don't want you to go. Mellow would understand, surely. You could just explain you have other things to do and…"

She babbled on like a fool until Matt cupped her cheek and made her look at him.

"Hoshi. Hoshi, I can't. I can't let him down like that, you know that."

She closed her eyes and a tear escaped and ran down over his hand as she pressed her cheek towards him.

"Please, Matt? Please." She begged one final time, opening her eyes to stare at him.

His face was ridden with guilt and pain as he almost gave in but Mellow was his only true friend. His brother, in a way. He couldn't let him down so easily. Matt sighed and kissed her a couple times on the lips then on her cheek.

"I'm sorry. Please, believe me. I am. But this will be my last favor, okay? My very last then I'm yours. Is that okay?"

She accepted the kisses and lift both her hands to hold on to his hand on her face and moved her head to kiss his hand after he pulled away, pressing her tear streak cheek back to it when she was done.

"If you don't come back?"

"Don't think like that. I will. Fate could never be so cruel. Now I have to go. It's almost time. I'll be back before you know it. Back to this very room, back to your side."

He kissed her lips then her forehead one last time and stood up, walking to the door only to pause and stare back at her.

"I love you. Wait for me."

And he was gone.

"I love you too, Matt. I love you,"

She whispered as the tears flooded her face and the fear grew. Fate is the cruelest of all, if only he had known that.

Why would it end this way? How could it? Not now. No. Hoshi.

The bullets had hit so hard. They were shot in cold blood. Not even giving him a chance to speak. His life light dimmed and vanished like a firefly being stepped on. Now, Matt lay in a pool of his own blood. His cigarette he had lit, promising it to his last which it really was now, laid next to him, crumpled and snuffed out. Early he had been filled with warmth and happiness in Hoshiko's arms now he was abandoned on a cold unforgiving street in the darkened world. Blood frozen in thanks to the non-beating heart and his last thought that he had before the light had died was her. Hoshiko.

I'm sorry I let you down.

I'm sorry I didn't listen to you.

I'm sorry…

Hoshiko.

And that was it.

That night Hoshiko broke down in a fit of unforgiving tears that seemed to never stop and dry. They filled and spilled over and onto her clothes and Near's shoulder as he held her quaking body. L, Mellow, and Matt. All gone.

Oh, God. Matt.

"Dammit! Damn, him! Damn, him and Mellow and… and… Fate. Damn them all!"

She cursed loudly and collapsed again to the floor in front of Near.

"I loved him. I loved him, Near. Oh god, Matt. No, no."

She whispered and held her face in her hands as Near kneeled down in front of her and hugged her tightly. He may be distant from most emotions but his heart broke for the lost of his friends and for her grief.

"The world is cold and cruel but I believe they died to make this world better. To save many others. Mellow gave his life for us. Matt died to save you, Hoshi. Don't ever forget that and resent them for it. He'll always be with you as long as you keep him in your heart."

Near whispered to her gently and she cried more.

"Why him? Why, Near? He was good. He was making himself better. He was changing! He didn't deserve to have his life taken away! He should be here. Here with… everyone. With me. Near, Near. Please, make this stop. Make the hurt stop. Please."

"Shh. It's okay. Its okay, Hoshi. I'm here. I'll always be here for you. You'll be okay. I promise. I promise."

Hoshiko shook her head and pushed away from him.

"Don't. Don't promise me anything. Matt promised to return. To wait for him and now I'll never see him again. Never."

"Yes, you will. He'll be in your dreams, in your thoughts and in your heart. He never left."

She was quiet then and mourned in silence.

Matt. My Matt. How could life be so cruel?

I love you.

I'll wait for you.

I love you, Matt. Always and forever.

Goodbye.