Mello

While Matt and Duncan were having their little chat, I found Dr Spencer hanging around the reception desk and walked up to him.

"Dr Spencer?"

"Oh yes?" He turned to face me.

"Uhm, I'm the friend of Matt Jeevas of room 34."

"Yes, I recall."

"I just wanted to know when he'll be released."

"In his condition, once he gets his bandages removed, probably in a week or two, most likely one. He's stable now but we'll have to keep him around a little longer."

"Oh I see. Thanks." I thanked him and walked off. That was a relief. Matt only had to stay for a week which was considered relatively short, considering he had been stabbed.

I headed to the direction of the room went back inside when I saw Duncan leaving. Matt was laying on his back smiling as if he just won the lottery or something.

"What's with that grin?"

"Oh, hey you're back. Nothing, I'm just really happy."

I smiled. "Well, Mr happy, the doctor says you'll have to stay here for a week, two max. So I'm just gonna swing by the dorm and pick up some clothes for you." I'll also take a shower while I'm at it, seeing as I haven't had one since last night.

"And my video games please."

I nodded, still somewhat amused that he could still think of video games in his current state.

"And a pack of Menthols."

I shot him a glare. "What the hell, Matt. No. you're not even allowed to smoke in here."

"It was worth a shot," he shrugged. A small smirk formed on his lips. "Thanks, Mello."

I got back to the college pretty quickly, considering the hospital was close by, and went straight up to our room. How perfect, huh? Matt and I are roommates and now, currently, together. It's as if the Gods started working on us long before we realized it. But I used to hate Matt. Not dislike, but hate. I'd say considering the circumstances, the situation between us had turned out pretty well. Hell, MORE than pretty well, I'd say. Grabbing an old duffel bag from the closet, I opened up Matt's side to take a quick skim through his clothes. Quick, indeed. The only clothes he had were the same striped shirts and jeans. Trust him. But who was I to complain? All I had was leather.

I stuffed a few shirts, enough for a couple weeks' stay, and some pairs of pants into the bag. Well, that's done then. Oh, wait, there was something else. I looked around the room until I found a handheld lying abandoned on his bed. I picked it up and threw it into the bag as well. That's everything, right?

Sighing, I walked into the bathroom and began stripping myself for that long awaited shower. I felt so dirty, but I didn't really care last night. Really, the only important thing on my mind was Matt. But now, I was starting to feel things crawling on me. I was getting to untying my pants when someone started knocking violently on the room dorm.

"Mello! Mello, are you in there?!"

I recognized that voice. "Nick?" I ran out of the bathroom, still half naked, and swung the door open. A few boys outside wolf whistled but I didn't pay any mind. Nick tackled me into a tight hug, muttering 'oh my God' over and over again. I managed to kick the door shut with my foot before turning my attention back to Nick. "Nick."

He pulled away from me, relief flooding his eyes. "Oh God, Mello! I heard about what happened to you when I saw that kid Matt hangs out with and I asked where you were cos I hadn't seen you all morning and he told me you…he told me y—you were raped and Matt got stabbed and both of you were in the hospital," he said in one breath, still holding on tightly to my shoulders.

"…Yeah, you heard right, then. Does everyone else know?" I hoped they didn't. They'd make such a huge fuss.

"No. I ran straight her after I heard so I haven't told anyone. And I won't, if it makes you more comfortable. Are you…alright? Oh God I swear the next time I see Jake I'm gonna—"

"It's ok, Nick. We're both fine now. I was just coming back to get some clothes for Matt."

"So you're fine with Matt now then?" he grinned. "Since he heroically rescued you and all."

I smiled weakly at him. How was I supposed to tell him that somewhere in the middle of all the havoc last night, me and Matt suddenly realized we loved each other? Like, hey Nick, sorry, I know I used to hate Matt but somehow, now we're happily in love. That was not going to work. In fact, if I wanted to break it to Nick, I'd have t break it to the rest of the crew too, and that as no easy task. "Uhm, hey Nick, I'm going to take a shower. Tell you what, I'll meet all of you in the cafeteria once I'm done. I er, have something to tell you guys…"

He looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped himself. "I'll wait for you out here, Mello. To, uh, make sure you don't get hurt in the shower."

"Ok." I went back into the bathroom, undressing myself and stepping into the shower. Running the water, I started to soap up, making sure to scrub myself hard and wash my hair thoroughly. After I had rinsed off everything, I dried myself, throwing on my clothes. Taking a deep breath, I opened the bathroom door and stepped out, facing Nick who was sitting on my bed.

He stood up when he saw me and walked over, drawing me into an embrace. "Are you sure you're alright?" he asked carefully, rubbing my back. I almost started to feel bad.

"Yeah, Nick, I'm fine. Honestly. I spent the night in the hospital and they treated me well. There was this nurse, Paula, and she was really nice. Like, grandmother nice, so I'm fine."

"You're not scarred? Or, like, traumatized?"

"A little. But it opened my eyes to some things." Nick nodded into my neck, lifting his head to kiss my cheek. He's being awfully sweet today, though I understand why. He thought I was fragile, they all did. "Things like…maybe I should stop being so easy because, obviously, it gives people the wrong idea…"

"Mello, don't blame yourself for anything, alright? None of this was your fault, at all. It was the fault of some boys who did things that were against their better judgment and ended up getting you hurt."

"I know, I know, but I also…I also," I closed my eyes and hugged him back, burying my face in his shoulders. "I found love."

He stopped rubbing my back. He stopped speaking. He stopped everything altogether. I think he even stopped breathing for a moment.

"…And who is that?" he forced out.

"It's someone you know."

"Ok. Who is it?" I think he knew it was coming. He knew what I was going to say. He was just anticipating it.

"It's Matt."

"Matt?"

Ok, now I feel really bad. I mean, this was Nick. He had been with me since our first day here. But I also knew that Nick and I would never cut it. Yes, we had been together since forever, staying friends, or more than friends in fact, friends with benefits. But that was exactly what it was. There were no feelings between him and I, we just fucked, and that was it. But with Matt, now, I just felt so at home, so safe. Like whatever happened, he would come to my rescue, and I wanted to protect him too. And this is true.

"Yes, Nick, Matt. And I know you're probably upset or really shocked, but, this is my decision."

His hands moved from my back to my hair as he gently stroked it, running his fingers through it. "I understand, Mello," he sighed, leaning his chin on the top of my head. "I didn't expect our relationship to go on forever, you know. And though I do like you a lot, I respect your decision. If Matt makes you happy, then so be it. I'll look out for you and I hope you're happy, that's all I hope for you Mello. And you do seem very happy. I'm glad that after all that's happened to you and Matt, you guys can still find space to love and be…happy. I think you'll be fine, as long as it's Matt. He's a good guy."

I fisted handfuls of his shirt, digging myself harder into him. I was so happy, like a burden was finally lifted off me. "Oh, Nick. Thank you so much…" tears started streaming down my face. Fuck, why was I crying again? Was I really that happy?

"Hey, hey why are you crying? I just said you were happy!" he smiled, using his thumb to wipe my tears.

"Shit, I don't know…why the hell am I crying? I've been crying so much lately, like some fucking wimp," I sniffed shaking my head.

Nick chuckled, dabbing my face with a tissue he got from the nightstand. "Ready to go tell the rest?"

Looking up at him, I was still pretty hesitant. But after contemplating a bit, I finally nodded. "Yeah, let's go. I've got some big news to announce."

We got going, down to the cafeteria where, no doubt, everyone would be waiting. My heart was pounding against my chest with every step. Why was I so nervous, anyway? This was my choice. My decision. Fuck them if they didn't want to acknowledge it. I was…contented with it so they should be too. But my determination faded when I was actually standing in front of the cafeteria entrance, staring straight at the table they were all seated at. Oh God, I felt like a teen about to come out to his parents. Of course, fortunately, or not, I had managed to avoid that awkward situation since my parents were not around. But now, I had a different situation at hand. I guess no matter what the scenario was, everyone would face a 'coming out' at least once in their life. Mine was…now.

Approaching the table, I held on to Nick's hand like a little kid. "One more thing, Nick. Can you not tell them about what happened to me last night?" I whispered as we got closer and closer.

"Sure thing. Though you're sure you're alright, right?"

I nodded. We were now within earshot of the group.

"Hey, Mello's here. Oh and Nick," Luke announced as they shifted to make space for us.

I flashed them a flimsy smile, squeezing in next to Nick after he sat down.

"How was your date with Matt yesterday, huh?" Sebastian asked immediately.

"Erm, yeah about that." I looked over at Nick and he shot me a willful look, still holding my hand under the table. "Well, you see, last night's date was really nice. And…in the midst of it…we…" Oh lord, someone help me. "Uh, Matt. Matt and I, you know, me and Matt. We…" I bit my lip, searching through my head for the right words. Everyone was staring at me, expecting something. "Well, how do I explain this…" here it comes. "Me and Matt are going out!" I blurted, shutting my eyes. After a second or two, there was no reaction from the group so I opened my eyes slowly only to find everyone gawking at me. Yeah, I had expected that reaction. "Yeah so…I know I said I hated him, ok! Don't use that against me just—just try to understand my feelings a little."

"OK, Mello, we're waiting."

"So, you guys were right," I forced out a tight chuckle, "Matt IS a nice guy so. There. Now me and the nice guy, Matt, are getting along real well and have formed a nice, meaningful relationship built on love and mutual respect."

They were all still gaping at me as if I was crazy, which bothered me a little because just a few weeks ago, THEY were the ones who were trying to convince me to like Matt more.

"So, just after ONE date, you decide Matt's the love of your life?" Luke asked, cocking a brow.

"Hey, man, just leave it be ok. He's happy, don't try and ruin that." Nick intervened when he noticed me squirming in my seat.

"Matt is…amazing. He's—I don't know why I only realized it now, or why I didn't appreciate him before this but…he is the best guy I've ever met. And I know I may just be biased but—but that's what this feeling is. I look around and just feel that no one compares to him, that I don't mind if you guys oppose to it, as long as he's with me." I breathed. I didn't even expect myself to say all that, but now it was all out in the open.

"Hey, Mello, you're right," Finny spoke up. "We shouldn't be selfish." He nudged Luke, who settled back into his seat, keeping silent for a while. Everyone else was smiling, showing me support, but I was still worried about Luke who was leaning up against his elbows, pondering something.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he brought his gaze back to me, sighing. "You tell Matt," he pointed a finger at me, "that you got all of us backing you up here. If he dares to hurt you, if he even makes you spill one tear," he smirked, "he's dead."

I laughed. Nicked laughed. The whole table laughed. Oh, thank God I got their whole hearted acceptance.

"Thanks. I love you guys."

"Oh, yeah, and remember to tell Matt that he's gonna get a lot more enemies around school."

Author's note: ok, that's that. So, both Matt and Mello have encountered their fair share of breaking hearts after their feelings were made known to friends. Also, it's so true, SOOOO many people are going to start hating on poor Matt since the school heart throb is now in his possession so…yah. No more cliffhangers, oh lord, do I hate cliffies, and I'm sure you guys do too/ yep. Okay…bye. Peace, I'm out.

Come on, bro. Don't bogart all the Funyuns.