"Aww...he likes you!" Matt cooed.
"Get it off me."
Matt laughed.
Mello was pinned to the ground.
Under a full grown golden Labrador.
Who apparently loved the blonde's face.
Mello had more slobber on his face than the dog had in it's mouth. The chocoholic was desperately trying to get up but every time he tried the dog threw it's full body on top of him and sent him right back down. Needless to say Matt wasn't being much help.
"When I get away from this thing Matt..." Mello left the threat hanging, trying to push the dog's face away. Matt chuckled "If you get away from it. And don't call it a thing! It's name is Nico!"
"You named it?" Mello tugged a strand of hair away from the dog who had decided to turn it into a toy. The dog, Nico as Matt called it, whined and nosed at Mello's hair but the blonde batted it away "Get off me! Matt why are we even in here? The orphanage doesn't even allow fish and I would rather die then let you get a dog!"
The two roommates were in a small pet shop that Matt hadn't noticed the year before. Mello had only agreed to enter the store because of the store's heaters. So Matt had skipped into the store that's window display was cages with beautiful lizards and frogs with his roommate following sheepishly behind him.
"Aw, Mello," Matt smiled "You just don't want me to pay attention to a dog over you! That's so sweet!"
"I hate you Matt." Mello said bluntly, finally getting the dog off him long enough to sit up. Matt laughed "Hate, is a strong word."
Mello rolled his eyes and in one swift movement jumped up and pushed Nico away as the golden dog tried to pin him again. Matt whistled and the dog came to him like it had known him since birth.
Mello scowled and began to wipe the slobber from his face. Nico wagged his tail and his tongue flopped out from between two sets of yellowing teeth. Matt began to scratch him behind the ears while Nico panted in delight "He's so cute! I wish we could keep him."
Mello shook his head and turned to look at a snake that was currently snoozing in it's large glass home.
Matt walked around the rest of the store with Nico padding along beside him. Little children were shrieking with either delight or fear as they played with and looked at different animals. Matt watched as a teen that looked about sixteen chased his little sister around with a snake curled in his fingers. The gamer chuckled as he went to look at dog toys. He threw some tennis balls for Nico and looked at all the dog treats in their small, colorful bags.
"Mello look at this!" Matt called as he entered a more human section where merchandise was being sold. The blonde set down a hamster ball he had been examining and walked over with his hands in his pockets. Matt pointed eagerly at a golden dog on a key chain on a silver chain that match the panting dog next to it.
"It looks exactly like him!" Matt grinned, petting his furry friend. Mello rolled his eyes "That's the point."
"Well I'm getting it!" Matt declared, sliding it off the shelf and checking the price. It was ten dollars not including tax, expensive. Matt made a face but turned toward the cashregister all the same. Mello stepped forward and caught his shoulder before he was able to catch the attention of the apron wearing cashier.
"I'll pay for it." Mello took the key chain from Matt and placing it on the counter for him.
"I have money." Matt protested.
"I know." Mello answered, fishing his wallet out of his pocket "It's a late birthday present."
"What?"
"Your birthday," Mello smirked at him "The anniversary of your birth. That was four days ago."
Matt blinked.
Oh.
Wow.
"I forgot." Matt admitted.
Mello chuckled and his laughter caught the attention of the bored looking girl at the register. She seemed to immediately perk up and pushed off the counter she had been leaning on. She threw Mello a flashy smile "Good morning sir!"
"Good morning." Mello replied, voice no where near as high pitched as the girl's. Nico growled at the girl and let out a loud bark. The girl jumped and looked at the dog, surprised. She took a water gun from below the counter and sprinkled the snarling dog with moisture "Bad dog!"
"Don't do that!" Matt cried, stepping in front of the now whimpering dog. The girl ignored him and turned her attention back to Mello, her smile sliding back onto her face "Sorry about that sir."
Mello nodded but didn't answer as the girl picked up the small keychain and scanned the faded bar code on it's tag. She took a plastic bag from a pile, still smiling sweetly at Mello as she said "$10.50 is your total. Unless your buying the dog too."
Mello shook his head and handed her a twenty "No, just the key chain."
The girl nodded and took the money and began to rummage around for change. Matt hugged Nico tightly and the dog nuzzled his neck. Mello patted the dog's head edgily and gave a small sound of disgust as the dog licked his out stretched hand.
"Your change sir." The girl said, handing him a couple bills and coins. She also slipped a piece of paper into his hand with a wink before she waved them out with her thousand dollar smile.
"What's that?" Matt asked, looking over Mello's shoulder, trying to see the piece of paper.
It was a number.
The girl had given Mello her number...
Matt fought back a scowl and let Mello go ahead of him as he sent a glare back at the pet store.
"Where else do you want to go?" Mello asked, pocketing the money.
"Doesn't matter." Matt shrugged sulkily.
Mello glanced back at him and stopped by a store. He raised his hand that still held the girl's number and opened it over a almost full trashcan. Matt followed the paper with his eyes as it traveled into the garbage can, feeling a small twinge of satisfaction.
"How about the game store? We haven't visiting that-" But Mello stopped as a raised voice caught his and Matt's attention. It was coming from the store that the two were standing outside of.
"Is that..." Matt blinked.
"You don't think..." Mello's eyes widened.
"Arty?" They said together.
They both spun around and Matt pressed his nose to the store's glass window.
Sure enough there a the card master along with her twin and her torture target. Arty was in a heated argument with the store cashier who was looking more frightened by the second. Arty's voice was loud and quick, over welling the man.
"Are you judging us by the fact that we are not wearing suits? If that is the case I suggest you be fired at once for your rudeness to your customers. To throw away business is like throwing away money," Arty said so quickly Matt only caught a couple words "And so what if Kaala was looking at the men's pants? You dare to insult her about it? You biased man! She simply has a different taste and yet you criticize it. How do you even get any business if you stick your nose into everyone else's business?"
"I was just saying it was the men section!" The man spluttered but Arty was ruthless as she pounded down on him again "Are you saying we must shop in a certain part of the store? Is it illegal for Kaala to be over there? If so maybe you should call the police or FBI!"
"Madam..." The cashier looked ready to crack as he coward away as Arty leaned over the counter.
"There's a phone right there, call! If it is illegal for us to be there then why were you in women's section early?"
"To restock-"
"And in the underwear section of all things!" Arty cried "Do you deny it?"
"I was there but-"
"But what?" Arty jabbed a finger at him "We could get you in court for the crime of perversion!"
Matt heard a crack and he was sure it was the sound of the man's sanity shattering.
"But-but!" The man gapped at her "...um...but... YOU HAVE NO PROOF!"
Arty snapped her fingers and Shadow held up a small black device. The man paled. Arty grinned "Yes, that's right. Shadow was recording this whole conversation. So I suggest you let us shop in peace."
"GET OUT!" The man roared, his eyes rolling and he pushed Arty away.
"He shouldn't have done that." Mello groaned while Matt laughed.
Shadow stepped forward swiftly and slapped the man before she hugged Arty lightly. Arty's eyes were wide "You...just."
The man held his cheek, eyes wide.
"You..." Arty straighten up and turned on him, eyes blazing "I COULD SUE YOU FOR ASSAULT YOU WILL BE ARRESTED AND NEVER EVER SEE YOUR FAMILY AGAIN! YOU WILL GO BANKRUPT WITH THE FINE YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY AND EVERYONE WILL FOREVER HATE YOU!"
The man slumped against the wall and said in a cracked voice"Have a nice day. Feel free to take anything...free of charge."
Arty grinned, satisfied and disappeared between shelves of clothes. Shadow glared once more at the man before she followed her sister. Kaala sighed and turned away from the cashregister.
Mello and Matt stood in stunned silence.
Mello slowly pulled away from the window, mouth open. Matt looked ready to die as the shock was washed away. He erupted into laughter and clutched his gut with one hand as he doubled over and the other grabbed Mello's arm to keep him from falling. The blonde sighed and began to tow Matt away.
"W-wait! Let's go say hi!" Matt snorted, spit flying from his mouth and his speak flawed by the rumbles that shook him.
"No." Mello replied bluntly.
"Your no fun Mels." Matt chuckled, struggling to keep his balance as Mello dragged him away from the store.
"Maybe so, but I'm not going to spend my day with an insane person again."
The blonde released Matt when they had reached the game store and Matt had to climb back onto his feet. The gamer dived into the store and began to browse while Mello stood by the door.
"I was surprised Kaala didn't step in." Matt called from behind a stack of PS2 games. Mello shrugged "She might have agreed with Arty."
"Maybe," Matt grunted as he took yet another game off a shelf and added it to his pile "Poor guy though."
Mello chuckled softly and shook his head, amused "He might need some therapy after that."
Matt laughed and loaded about ten games onto the counter were the manager began to scan them.
They were back out in the cold not to long after and Matt skipped over to the sweets store where a blast of warm, wonderfully smelling air hit them.
Matt loaded up on gummies while he shooed Mello away from chocolate, telling him he would buy him some for Christmas. The blonde didn't protest at that but he did have a problem with Matt taking all the regular chocolate simples to stop Mello from getting them.
"It's not like I can buy those." Mello scowled.
"Oh well." Matt said though a mouthful of chocolate. He paid for his candy and left with a slightly grumpy Mello beside him.
They stopped last for ice cream.
"Your so boring Mello." Matt sighed as the chocoholic once again got chocolate while the ginger got a brightly colored sherbert that tasted of orange. Mello shrugged, licking his ice cream to his hearts content while Matt struggled to lick his as he juggled his many bags. He chased his ice cream like a dog does it's tail but the bags kept getting in the way. Eventually Matt just gave up.
Instead he just leaned over...
and took a large lick of Mello's ice cream.
The cold ice cream melted into chocolate slush in his mouth and he smiled.
Delicious.
He then prepared himself for Mello's reaction.
But nothing happened.
Mello just keep licking his ice cream like nothing had happened.
Matt leaned over and licked it again.
Nothing.
In fact as Matt went in for a third time Mello moved his ice cream so that Matt could get to it easier.
Despite the cold of the day and of the ice cream. Matt felt warm.
…
Plants are the only things keeping us alive.
Without them we would be airless and dead.
They keep the carbon dioxide level balanced and most are even eatable. But there are some that are a great annoyance to people. Like a cactus to a wary traveler who falls against it in their state of brain dead tiredness. Or poison ivy that leaves one in a cursing state of itchiness. Now, let's turn our attention to another plant.
Mistletoe.
The plant that appears at Christmas.
The one Matt tends to avoid.
The plant that could cause the gamer to lose his first kiss.
Possibly to a creepy random stalker that might be following him and is just waiting for him to walk under the berried plant. His brother use to say that's what would happen every Christmas and so Matt never forgot to watch for the kissing plant when Christmas came around. Well, almost never. He hadn't been careful enough last year when he had actually stood under it with Mello. Although nothing had happened.
"Let's go this way." Matt tugged Mello to the left, out of the direct path of a clump of mistletoe. Mello raised an eyebrow but let Matt lead him to the side and back once thy had passed the mistletoe.
They were going to see the Christmas tree that had been put up and decorated in the middle of town like last year. Already people had gathered with blankets and loved ones to sit with as they watched the tree's lights sparkle.
Matt plopped down into the snow, not caring about the cold beneath him. Mello hesitated before he slowly lowered himself down next to the gamer, shifting uneasily as water began to soak into the fabric of his pants.
"It looks even better this year." Matt sighed, leaning back and putting his arms behind his head. Mello nodded and kept his eyes on the lit tree. Matt smiled and closed his eyes. Mello was blocking the wind and the numb cold chilled his nerves and he felt unbelievably comfortable.
A small family began to sing Christmas carols which spread like wildfire around the groups till everyone was singing softly. Matt whispered the words and moved closer to Mello as the night grew colder. Mello leaned onto his back like Matt and together they looked at the stars that were, despite all the light, still visible in the night sky.
…
"Merry Christmas!" Matt lept onto Mello's bed and bounced up and down excitedly.
Mello's arm wormed out from below his blankets and felt around the bedside table till he found the alarm clock. He pulled it under his covers and moments later Matt heard him groan "It's six-o-clock Matt! Go away!"
"It's Christmas!" Linda sang as she bursted in without knocking. Pavel followed her in looking jolly and high on Christmas cheer. Both were carrying presents and looking wide awake.
"Merry Christmas." Pavel grinned, tossing Matt a small packet which the the gamer barely caught. Linda threw is present onto the gamer's bed before she gave Matt a one armed hug "Merry Christmas!"
"Thanks." Matt grinned, jumping off of Mello's bed and fetching their presents from the closet "Merry Christmas guys."
Both of them caught their presents and left a moment later to deliver other gifts.
"Get up Mels!" Matt shook the blonde who groaned again and rolled away from Matt. The gamer climbed onto the bed and sat on top of the chocoholic "Get up!"
"How can I if your crushing me?" Mello moaned, trying to push the ginger off. Matt laughed and thrusted a wrapped box into Mello's face that had become visible from his blanket cocoon. The blonde finally managed to push Matt off as he sat up. Matt stretched and plopped down at the bottom of Mello's bed.
Mello reached under his bed and pulled out a small case wrapped roughly in brown paper.
Matt took it eagerly and ,while Mello opened his present carefully, Matt ripped the paper off of his and held the present up to the light. It was the newest Legend of Zelda game for the DS. He smiled like a cat and purred like one as he looked over at his roommate who was sorting through the different kinds of chocolate Matt had given him.
"Like it?" Matt purred, taking the plastic off of his brand new game. Mello laughed "Of course. It's chocolate"
Matt smiled and gave his roommate a hug "Worth getting up for?"
"No." Mello replied, pushing the red-head off him.
Matt laughed as Mello took a bite of almond chocolate "Whatever you say Mels!"
The blonde laid back on his pillows and sighed "Will you leave me in peace now?"
"Nope." Matt chirped, unwrapping Linda's gift of gummy worms and Pavel's gift of gummy bears. He poured about ten of the worms into his mouth and settled down comfortably to play Legend of Zelda.
"Happy Christmas Mello." Matt smiled over at Mello.
"Happy Christmas Matt." Mello replied.
Author's note: It's short...this chapter is way to short _ I'm sorry, but I wanted to save New Year for next chapter. Well, I hope you still like it despite it's shortness and I will update next Saturday! (Saturday has become my official updating day) If anyone has a question about the last two sentences when they say Happy Christmas that is suppose to be there, Harry Potter puns. Thank you reviewers!
Please R&R!