A blonde staring intently, a slightly quivering redhead, and a greyed man all sat at the kitchen table. A small stack of papers sat at the centre, the focus of everybody's gazes. Roger looked back and forth between Matt and Mello, a quaint smile on his face.
"The Justice of the Peace will be here soon, are you two excited to be married?"
A jolt shocked through Matt's spine, sitting him up completely straight. Simultaneously, a forced heavy exhale crumpled Mello at his waist.
"It's not a marriage," Mello snapped. "It's a civil union. Completely different."
"Right, right, I guess I'm just a little traditional. What with my age and all." Roger's smile never faltered. "But at least try to look like you're excited or at least content. They'll doubt the legitimacy of your vows if you don't."
Huffing loudly, Mello leaned back into his chair. A buzz of the intercom followed shortly after, quickly shifting the focus to the door.
Matt held his right wrist in his left hand, flexing it back and forth. He was completely sick of his legal name and his handwriting. The Justice of the Peace was finally finishing up signing his portion of the documents, as was Mello and Roger. The room had been silent nearly the whole time, awkward looks exchanged throughout.
"Well, congratulations you two. I now pronounce you life partners." The man announced with his hand on the stack of signed papers, looking at the young couple expectantly. They stared back, both not quite catching on right away. Matt straightened his posture as he realised what the man was implying, and turned quickly to Mello. He looked back, eyeing Matt up and down. Mello inhaled, expanding his chest, closing his eyes, and leaned in to Matt, planting a firm but quick kiss on his lips. Recoiling as if the kiss were a slap, Mello scooted away on his chair and turned the other cheek, staring down at the ground.
"Th-thank you." A blush nearly as red as his hair, Matt dismissed the Justice of the Peace and watched him collect the documents and make his way out.
"Well isn't this exciting! I wasn't aware you had a relationship like that. That might explain why you didn't hesitate in agreeing to this, Mello." Roger commented.
The newly united couple sat in silence, poses mirroring eachother. Face red, head down, hands in lap.
"Alright, I'll allow you two some privacy. Don't hesitate to call. I'll check in with you again on your birthday, Matt. Take care." Roger excused himself, fixing his jacket and making his way out, leaving Matt and Mello completely alone.
The silence hung heavy in the air.
"I'm going to cook some supper soon," Mello stood from his chair, Matt looking up at him. "It'll be lasagna, I don't know if you like that or not. You can have some when it's done." While the offer was genuine, the tone was cold and detached.
"Thanks."
