Looseleaf
CXXXXV. Smile
"Matt?"
"Hn?"
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're staring at me weirdly. Stop it. It's creeping me out."
"I'm not staring at you weirdly. I'm just...staring."
"Uh huh. Sure."
"Well, it's just... You need to smile more often, okay?"
"Um, why are you concerned with what facial expressions I wear?"
"Because! If you frown like that all the time, you'll get wrinkles. And as much as I love you, Mels, I don't want to end up with someone wrinkly."
"That's basically saying you're only putting up with me because of my looks."
"Shut up. Just smile more, 'kay?"
"Hm, does this mean that Matty cares about me?"
"No! Like I said, I simply don't want to you to end up wrinkly."
"Actually, you said that you didn't want to end up with someone wrinkly. Oh, and I think I heard a declaration of love."
"No you didn't."
"Maybe I did."
"But you didn't. Maybe something's wrong with your ears now, too."
"I- Wait a minute. What is that s'posed to mean?"
"It means something that least offends you. Just please, Mel, don't end up wrinkly."
"Hey, surprisingly, you sound worried."
"Mel..."
"All right, all right. I won't end up wrinkly."
"Thank you."
"...Hey Matt?"
"Yeah?"
"You do care about me, huh?"
"Stop! I hate it when you use that teasing voice!"
"Hm, so Matty does care... Although, how much, I wonder?"
"Blah blah blah, I'm not listening! Mello is a big-"
"I wouldn't be surprised if he cared a lot."
"-mean jerk who-"
"On the other hand, if he doesn't give too much of a damn..."
"-is mean to his best friend and likes to torture and kick puppies-"
"...then that would be too bad..."
"-and I hate him because-"
"...because I think I love him back."
"-Wh-what? I don't love you!"
"Matt. Who do you think you're fooling?"
Matt's cheeks turned red in frustration. "I-" he began hotly, then cut himself off with a sigh. "Oh, who am I kidding?"
Mello smirked. "Exactly. Now get over here and show me exactly how much you care about me."