A/N: OK, guys, this story is going to get happier for a while to make up for all those depressing chapters I wrote (poor L TT_TT). Unfortunately, they're shorter due to the fact that I had ran out of room in my notebook at that time and switched over to lousy loose leaf paper in a binder. For some reason, I couldn't write small then because my pencils sucked. D: So, sorry about that. Also, I've kind of reverted back to the day in the life format that this story had in the first four chapters.

Disclaimer: No own Death Note. Not even an actual one, which I would NEVER USE EVER! So there.

Chapter 19: Recovery

Mello managed to forgive my indiscretions, though ensured to add that this was barely executed. Meanwhile, he finally had the Death Note in his possession after the trade-off had taken place. I was just relieved that Sayu could finally be freed from her imprisonment. Nonetheless, I think that the Death Note proceeded to cause ill fortune for us. Another shinigami named Sidoh showed up, but he didn't seem as intelligent as Rem had seemed to be. On the contrary, he was rather stupid. The least he did for us residing in the hideout was to frighten a group of invaders sent by the American president. To a new hideout we relocated in the hopes that no one would intrude again.

Yet, this was what Mello wished—Matt and I could have cared less. After all, we had discovered our love for one another, so we treated it like fine wine. Intoxicated from it in a blissful manner, we ignored what would happen. Life, as I saw it as of late, was too short for fretting over the future. I preferred to depend on a "one day at a time" philosophy, similar to that of Matt's. In this respect, we complemented each other very well as a couple. We brought each other laughter, as well as the best qualities in each other.

Oh, and I reflect on this in such a dreamy way! And isn't it slightly too coincidental that I had regained the ability to write songs? Yes, love can serve as vastly inspiring...but not all of my new songs spoke of romance, mind you. Never mind, I forget that had headed toward a grave, depressing topic. So, as I narrated before the inevitable tingling sensation of love rendered me giddy, the Japanese task force found out about our location. According to Matt, who managed to espy those familiar people, they wore armor and prepared to retrieve the Death Note that Mello possessed. I immediately knew that this was Light's idea to annihilate both me and Mello in one go. The ensuing battle became extremely violent; luckily, I warned Matt, so that we escaped. From our vantage point, we concernedly waited for our best friend. He, thankfully, emerged alive, though suffered a facial burn that would result in a scar. Defeated agonizingly, he merely ordered us in a rather weakened tone to seek an apartment.

When we finally found someplace to settle, Mello informed us rather heavily that he witnessed one of his men kill an important man from the task force. I gulped miserably when I realized that Yagami-san had passed away. He didn't have to say any more, for I figured that the admirable former police chief had died. This was so tragic beyond comprehension.

"That baka Light," I later muttered to my friends, "dared to unknowingly condemn his own father to death."

I didn't eat much ice cream that night due to grief—not as strong as when L died, but it served as my empathy toward Yagami-san's wife and daughter.

After I had been locked in what I claimed as my bedroom for approximately half an hour, Matt resolved to offer me moral support. I granted him entry, and we simply conversed like we usually did. Putting on another rarely serious face, he told me that he could understand that the loss of a colleague would affect me this profoundly. He then gathered me into his embrace, which lulled me to sleep. At that moment, I agreed with the scientific studies that heartbeats are indeed comforting, for they remind people keenly of being in the womb near the heart. So, I counted Matt's heartbeats that doubly helped me to sleep.

Mello set off for the SPK to get a photograph of himself that Near possessed, leaving me and Matt alone in our apartment. But, honestly, that aided in a speedy emotional recovery on my part; the sorrowful thoughts regarding Yagami-san's passing soon dissipated. All this occurred within a space of a week—it's still rather difficult to grasp. When Mello returned almost a fortnight later, I suggested grocery shopping to stock up in our provisions. The chocoholic, though visibly subdued since the last hideout's explosion, objected so passionately to this that I merely shrugged. I figured he didn't want to shop, even for food...but he did need to lay low for a while, so that sounded reasonable. Matt didn't mind and mentioned that he would accompany me, much to my inward ecstasy. He definitely would serve as a fun shopping companion. However, I didn't expect the odd events associated with the following morning to happen—life's surprises and all that.

"Princess Zelda," Matt's voice addressed me in an almost sing-song manner, "it's ten o'clock in the morning—time to wake up.'

Of course, he was well aware that I detested that nickname, thus why he preferred to use it all the time. Annoying me was his specialty, which compelled me now to wonder why I allowed him to sleep beside me. Then again, he irritated me at sporadic moments, so at least it wasn't habitual. However, this was morning, and I had felt the urge to sleep in today...until I realized the grocery shopping needed done.

"Shove off, Link," I murmured in retaliation, literally shoving Matt off the bed.

"Ooof! Geez, you didn't have to be that harsh."

Gazing at me with a mock reproachful look in his eyes, he placed his hand to his head, pretending that I injured him. Amused, I lazily crawled across the bed to assess him, not because I thought I hurt him, but because I wished to gloat.

"You'll live," I assured him as a smirk rose to my lips. "I bet you weren't expecting that, now were you?"

He held up two fingers instantly after my bragging rights concluded. "I've got two words for you."

"Oh, and what would they be?"

That sly fox snatched a pillow from the floor and announced with bravado, "Eat pillow."

Sure enough, the pillow practically flew in my direction, though I caught it with a nonchalant grace. Matt proceeded to grab yet another pillow on top the bed, but I deflected his attack. At one point during our fluffy combat, he did bat my head; I was not to be deterred. I aimed my weapon at his chest, and off the bed he toppled again.

"Enough child's play," I directed, despite my ebony eyes glowing avidly. "We have shopping business to attend to. And we won't accomplish it with a mere pillow fight, will we?"

"Aw, you're a total fun killer," my boyfriend joked in response, but it was done out of sheer affection for me. He even gently ruffled my hair to assure that this was a joke.

"Why do you enjoy messing up my hair?" I inquired, curious as to the secret's details.

"It's just so soft and fluffy. I don't know—I just like the feel of it." He shrugged innocently.

We ate breakfast (his consisted of bacon, mine vanilla ice cream) before we set off for a supermarket somewhere in Tokyo. The three of us returned to Japan, Mello calling Matt beforehand while the former was in the United States to tell the latter to tail three certain people. I was given the same directions, though Matt and I were asked if we prepared to accept our responsibilities. We both agreed without second thoughts, for we remained loyal to Mello. Besides, he seemed saner than back in the first hideout. For now, me and Matt, officially Mello's accomplices, strode to a supermarket. Surprisingly, it was rather tedious, what with getting junk food and the like. I considered strawberries, but they reminded me too strongly of my brother.

My redheaded beau looked bored as well, judging by the manner in which he struggled not to take out a cigarette from the box in his pocket. It was when we emerged from the market did he seem to perk up. I soon knew why.

"Ah, gaming store! Right across the street, too—how convenient is that?"

"Convenient for you, apparently," I replied, wearing a bemused expression.

"Come on, V, let's go to that place!"

He dragged me to the gaming store, and we went crazy. Matt especially was like a kid in a candy store.

"Oh, Halo 3 came out!" he yelled at one point, snatching a copy of that game. "And so did this one...wow, I've been stuck in a gaming cave."

I decided to buy some games myself just to pass the time and entertain myself. They did help in building strategic skills, after all. But, one item stood out that awed Matt beyond compare, which really made his day.

"X-box 360...the god of all recent consoles...I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!"

Just when I thought he couldn't become any weirder, he proceeded to bow in front of the boxes that contained that console. Personally, I deemed the Sony Playstation 2 to be the "god of all recent consoles." Oh, well.

Before he could escalate into melodramatic respect for that particular X-box model, I lifted Matt to his feet by the shoulder.

"You are rather excitable today, Matt. And you are indeed worthy."—here, I stifled a laugh due to his strange mannerisms—"Besides, the Nintendo Wii is also out. You've always adored the Nintendo consoles."

"I've heard about the Wii, believe me. Ugh, exercise! So overrated," he drawled, unlovingly referring to what I mentioned.

I shook my head in disbelief. "You'll always be lazy, won't you? Nope, you haven't changed."

"Yeah, isn't that comforting?"

Matt's emerald eyes drifted to me while I in turn appraised his glance of overall sincerity. It was almost...sweet of him to stare at me this way. I was the only one who ever received this kind of treatment from him. So, yes, him never changing did comfort me. Most children change in personality over time, but not him, not really. Serving as one of things I loved about him, I appreciated this rare trait of him never altering in personality. An eternal gamer slacker—that was perfect for me.

"Definitely," I finally answered. "Now let's take all these to the check-out lane."

We did, and, as it turned out, we spent much yen. I won't specify how much.

Ten minutes later found us playing Super Smash Brothers Melee, which I bought for Matt's Gamecube. He desperately wished to play Halo 3 instead, but settled for my choice in true mock grudging fashion. To humor him, I opted to play as Princess Zelda who at least turned into Sheik. Matt chose Mario.

"Oh, come on, Matt! Come after me with your big, bad hammer!" I taunted, fully rapt with this game—thus, the reason I picked it out of so many games without much contemplation.

"Don't underestimate the power of the hammer, V."

And with these words, he defeated me. I predicted my usual loss, but playing this with Matt was worth it all the same.

"OK, the hammer is all-mighty," I confessed, which boosted his cockiness considerably.

However, he did object to one trait of mine that I possessed, though with his joking tone, of course.

"You're too gracious to be a sore loser."

"I know, but it's a trait worth having. Mello, on the other hand..."

Matt chuckled. "Don't even get me started on how he takes game losses."

And, speak of the chocoholic, he entered our humble apartment and gaped at all we bought at the gaming store.

"How much freaking yen did you waste on all that crap?!?" he yelled.

Divulging the exact amount, Matt beamed when his friend erupted like a volcano.

After the tirade, Mello managed to calm down and snacked on a chocolate bar to speed up the process.

"I've been needing one for too long now," he grumbled, though only five minutes had passed since he had eaten the last bar.

"Yeah, I bet. I just hope it isn't spiked with anything illegal, if you get my drift." Matt winked cheekily, typical for him.

"Matt...you're really just a sly—"

"Now, now, don't take this out on him. We both know he's demented," I interrupted.

The redhead feigned disbelief toward what I told Mello in order to soothe the blond. "Oh, way to stand up for your guy, Princess Zelda!"

"Sorry, Link. By the way, I know how much you hate that nickname."

Matt turned to Mello to brief him on this weird situation. "It's true. I always thought that Link was way too persistent. Why else have they made thirty Legend of Zelda games...or about?"

"Then you won't call me Princess Zelda any more?" I asked purely, clasping my hands and practically giving him puppy eyes.

"I guess not...though it was so fun. Guess I'll have to come up with another nickname for you."

I gulped while Mello looked back and forth at each of us. Finally, he smirked with a scoffing (or laughing?) snort. "You guys are such nerds."

And, from him, that was a term of endearment.

A/N: For the record, I have never played an X-box 360 in my life. However, I really wish I could play Halo, so you guys who have those games are SO lucky. Seriously. And I'm with V in thinking the PS2 is awesome cuz that's the only gaming system I've got. And I only think the Wii is OK, because of the boxing I played at a friend's house. Right. Oh, and Super Smash Brothers is da bomb!

Yes, I had V use a little British slang again. The only way I know it (the slang, that is) is from reading Harry Potter. XD I knew that would serve me well one day!

Finally, I forgot to tell you guys about the perfect song for V/Matt. It's called "Good Enough" and it's by Evanescence. If you've never heard it, check it out on Youtube or something. It. Is. Amazing! And the music video for it is phenomonal.

OK, I'm done now. Reviews please!