(Matt P.O.V)

The month I spent with Mello and L was spent in study. I had to learn English before anything else, but Mello was a huge help with that. Considering he was still learning a bit of English himself, it was nice to have a friend to learn with me. And yes, in the shortest amount of time, Mello and I became the best of friends.

I never did go back to tell my father I was leaving. I don't think I cared enough about him to do so. I was happy hanging around Mello and L. I was even happier when Watari fed us. The first home cooked meal I had… I remember it well.

I apparently had to come up with a name for myself, since my real name would probably get me into trouble, I don't know how, but I obliged. I came up with Matt, a name I had hear of around town before. I liked it a lot better than Mail, plus it was easy for me to remember. Mello never told me how he got his name, but I suppose there's more to it than he let on.

During this month of tutoring and living the life of kings – from what I was, that's what I remember it as – me and Mello grew closer. He even let me hug him more times than not. I had always been a happy kid, and always liked hugs. I didn't know why I was so happy – all things considered – but I was. And I think my happiness made Mello that much more friendly to me.

The best part about everything within that month, was when L bought me new clothes. I had never been treated to fabric that wasn't ripped or the wrong size. I always had to live with what I had. I suppose you could say that the best part about that month, was getting clean. It felt good to bathe and smell like soap instead of trash. Even more, it felt good to be loved.

L was perfect to both me and Mello. He would always comfort us when we needed it, and never looked down at us like we were inferior. It was definitely something I wasn't used to… but something I quickly became accustomed to.

Mello had taught me as much English as he could in our last week, and I couldn't say I was terrible at it. Maybe a bit slow, but not bad at it.

We were sitting in Mello's bedroom – that we both shared – while L was working, when I decided to ask my new friend in my new language.

"Do… you… want to… erm…" I stuttered a bit. English was not very easy.

Mello was patient though. Actually, now that I think about it, Mello was only ever really patient with me. I suppose I should be flattered. The guy was always angry at something, but never with me.

I finally caved and made the 'Remote control' gesture with my thumbs.

Mello got it right away. "Video games? Sure!"

I smiled happily. Another luxury I had become accustomed to, was video games. I loved every part of them, maybe because it was an escape from the real world. I could be anything, while still being Matt. Another reason I liked them so much, was that they were something I never had the privilege growing up. So, when Mello introduced them to me, I instantly took to them. It wasn't long before I was beating Mello's scores and wiping the floor with all the bad guys. This was definitely for me.

While we were playing, Mello asked questions in English, both as practice and small talk.

"So, where do you come from?"

"Romania… Duh."

Mello shoved me when I laughed.

"I meant, what part of Romania? Who raised you exactly, and where?"

"Well… My pa… let me live… with him. But my bunică..." I shook my head. "Sorry… Grandma… my grandma raised me."

"Don't apologize." He said kindly. "I still mess up with my German. We're both still learning. So, your grandma raised you? Where is she?"

"She… died… when I was… three. She was old… too old to… raise me."

I felt so stupid the more I stuttered. I was thankful Mello wasn't put off by it. Maybe he had gone through the same when first learning.

"Oh, I'm sorry." He had said. "So, what did you do after she passed away?"

I swallowed my courage and started talking again. Thankfully, with more succession. "I went out on my own… to look for food. My dad didn't… feed me. I was alone."

Mello paused the game and the television went still. He looked at me then, and gave me a hug. The first one he had given me… but not the last.

"I know how you feel. But you aren't alone anymore. We'll always have each other, and L of course! No one can break up our friendship."

I shook from the words. Although I'm too sure the angry little blonde would deny everything he said, it was still the nicest thing anyone had ever said to me. I think this is truly what made us friends. We never allowed other people and their judgements to change how our friendship worked.

I know what you're all thinking too. We only knew each other for a few weeks, so how could we be friends? Well, in my perspective, little kids know more about friendship and love than any adult ever could. It's not something trivial to them, it's just who they are. Friendship is accepting someone for who they are… and that's what Mello and I did. I accepted who he was – chocoholic and anger-driven – and he accepted me, a smart-ass gamer. It was perfect!

I, of course, hugged him back. "We'll be friends… forever. Right?"

"Forever and ever!"

I smiled at that. Never had I had a friend before… now I had one for the rest of my life.

(Mello P.O.V)

I remember when Matt and I became best friends. It was right after he told me how he was alone after his grandmother had died. I remembered how he felt and how much we really had in common. I remember hugging him to. The only person other than L who I even physically touched. I just knew he couldn't hurt me, not like my father had. He was too nice, and loved laughing too much. I always felt safe with him; so I protected him.

How easily we became friends. It was like it was meant to be. Like I was meant to find Matt in the trash that day, to help him and give him a home. Something like that didn't always happen in the world, but I was glad that at this point it had.

After our hug, we got back to our game, with Matt kicking my ass, and continued talking. It was his turn to ask questions to me.

"So, I know you're from Germany… but who was… in your… family?"

The small pauses and stutters were difficult to ignore, but I did it for Matt. However, the question had caught me off guard.

"Well, there's my… Brother." I forced out. It was not a light subject for me. "Then my mother and… Father."

"You had a mama?"

I nodded, instantly feeling bad about not contacting her. Would she even have cared though?

"Lucky. My mama left… left me and pa. Didn't want me."

"Her loss." I said bluntly. I really wanted the topic to change.

Matt seemed to get it. "I know… I'm better than… what she deserves. So, then… what is… your… name?"

I looked at him. "My name? Like… my real name." He nodded, but I dodged. "I can't tell you."

"I'll tell you mine."

I shook my head. "No, we can't tell anyone. L said so, same with Watari."

"Okay…" He said quietly. I instantly felt bad for snapping. He hadn't known at the time, he was still all new to this.

I paused the game again. "Come on, let's go get some cake from the fridge."

I jumped from the bed and Matt followed. "Will there be enough for the both of us?"

As I opened the door, I gave a look at the Red-head. "You're kidding, right? This is L's fridge we're talking about. I'd be surprised if he had an empty fridge."

I opened the door wider, only to hear Matt yelp in pain.

When I turned around he was covering his eyes with his arms. What was up with him?

"Matt? What's wrong?"

"The light… it hurts… it hurts my eyes."

I looked out the door and saw a spread of light seeping in through the crack of the door, but it wasn't insanely bright. It didn't hurt my eyes.

That's when the thought came to me. "You're eyes are sensitive to light?"

He nodded. "It gives me headaches."

I blinked, then shut the door immediately. "So we need to help you, then." I said as I paced the room a bit. Matt had finally uncovered his eyes and was watching me think.

I had an idea. "Wait here." I said as I quickly left the room, careful to close the door behind me. I remembered seeing something in a catalogue that Watari carried around with him. With the money he had, it didn't surprise me.

When I found the catalogue, I flipped through the pages and found what I was looking for. It wasn't long until I went looking for Watari and L to ask them if they could get what I had found for Matt. Upon asking why, I told them about his sensitive eyes and how the product might help him. L was all for it, as well as Watari, but I decided to let it be a surprise for Matt. I'd let it be a present from me to him, to show how much he meant to me…

As my best friend.

A/N: I pretty much got inspired by my nieces for this chapter... well, the little kid part that is. Although, they are pretty boss at some video games. :)

Again, Reviews are welcome!