Choices

AN: *cough* OK My excuses: OMG I HAD this to post on the 1st but for some reason the edited version had gotten written over by the next chapter. :(

And then I started my night training… (and will be by myself on Tuesday as the 4 sessions of training are done) And then I got sick. So yeah… (I will also be editing it again when I have time, as I’m not confident I got everything but didn’t want to make you guys wait any longer)

But it’s a nice and long chapter.... don't mind me… my fingers are just falling off...

Suggested Listening: What You Wanted by Landon; Out! By Lunatica

Chapter Twenty-one: Awkward

Matt resisted the urge to sigh as he pulled out the PSP and kept it hovered above his lap. He hadn't asked Mello the question the night before, and with the way things had started that day, it didn't look like he would anytime soon either.

There just wasn’t really a way to bring it up in their conversations. He would just have to... ask. There wasn't anything particularly difficult about the question. But knowing Mello, he would question why Matt wanted to know if he'd been seeing anyone, and Matt wasn't sure if he wanted Mello to know he was... in love with someone.

Especially since he couldn't even remember who it was.

Matt had to wonder if he was simply procrastinating with the entire thing and going out of his way to make up excuses for himself.

Yes it would be a bit awkward to ask Mello, but he didn't necessarily have to tell him that he was in love with someone... and he could lie about his reasons for asking.... though he'd rather not have to.

Matt ignored the urge to pull at his hair. Only Mello could get him so damn frustrated.

Then there was the other thing that Matt had noticed. Mello, as of late, had taken to glancing at him whenever he thought Matt wasn't paying attention, and he always had a the same sad look. He knew it was because of him, but he still wondered at it.

Sure he more than understood that he was the blonde's best friend, and that it would hurt to be forgotten, but sometimes... it just seemed like there was more to it.

Matt rubbed his eyes at the twisty feeling he got in his gut at his friends obvious torment. But also... it reminded him of that other feeling, the one that he could only describe as... love. But surely it had nothing to do with the blonde, right?

Matt didn't even want to think on that anymore.

Because it didn't seem to help him at all and only made things worse by having him get more confused than he already was in that situation.

He sighed and softly tossed the handheld onto his bed. He had already played it most of the day, with the exception of when he'd walked to lunch with Mello, who for once hadn't even glanced at the wheelchair that sat by itself in the corner.

Matt hoped he wouldn't burn himself out so he could keep himself out of that. He really did hate being in it.

He stretched and stood up, legs only slightly unsteady despite his aching muscles. He had definitely overdone it the day before, if the burning sensation in his muscles was anything to go by.

But at least it was some sort of progress rather than sitting around and having the doctor dictate what his schedule should be. Matt disliked authority and had no problem attempting to throw a wrench into their plans at every turn.

He wondered if it had anything to do with his time working for Kira as it seemed everything came back to that man.

Everything.

He walked into the bathroom and flicked the light on but didn't bother with to lock the door behind him. He had been reminded of something he'd overheard the doctor speaking with Wammy about. He had never taken the time to actually look before as it wasn’t a pressing matter in his mind, something he was more curious about than concerned.

He lifted his shirt and turned so that he could see parts of his side and back. He peered closely, and searched until he found them. Apparently he had many faded scars on himself, but unless you were looking for them, or were rather close up, they weren't noticeable.
He wondered if they were the product of having worked for Kira too.

It wouldn't surprise him.

“Matt?” Mello's voice called from the other side and Matt allowed his striped shirt to drop back down and left the bathroom. He had confirmed what he'd heard at any rate.

“Checking up on me when I’m in the bathroom too Mello?” he watched in amusement as the blondes face flushed for a second before Mello scowled at him.

“No, just making sure you hadn't disappeared again to smoke those nasty cancer sticks of yours.” Mello turned away from him and Matt rolled his eyes. Someone didn't like to be embarrassed.

“Sure Mello.” he heard Mello growl and dodged the wrapper thrown at him, and was glad it wasn't a book. He paused. That was an odd thought; Mello had never thrown a book at him... right?

“Hey Mello... have you ever thrown a book at me?” he watched the blonde stiffen and turn to face him, a slightly hopeful expression flickered across his face before being replaced with something more neutral.

“Not lately. Why did you remember something?” Mello answered carefully, his eyes bored into Matt's covered ones which made him a little uncomfortable.

“Not so much as remember as... I thought something.” Matt knew he hadn't really made any sense, if Mello's expression was anything to go by, but it had sounded right in his head. Just not aloud apparently.

“Just... never mind. OK?” he watched as Mello nodded, a thoughtful expression taking over. He shook his head. He really should keep those things to himself if he couldn't explain anything properly when asked about it.

Matt sighed again, as Mello pulled out a textbook and sat down at his laptop to do, what Matt assumed, was a new assignment.

Well Mello would obviously be of no entertainment value what so ever. And Matt knew he used to be content with simply playing games, but ever since he'd woken he felt... restless. It may have just been left over anxiety from things he couldn't remember, but whatever it was had him wanting to pace around the room, which he knew Mello would not appreciate.

“Mello... I’m going to go to the library for a while.” he smirked slightly at the noncommittal answer, and the half wave, he received in return. He wondered how long before what he'd told the blonde actually registered in his brain.

It didn't really matter, as Matt knew he'd be back before dinner, so he quietly slipped from the room. It didn't take him long to get to the library, and despite never having been inside it, the look was familiar to him.

There was no one in there and Matt had time to spare so he decided to just...wander. Perhaps see if something caught his attention, be it a book or magazine. The library was huge and had hundreds, maybe thousands of books.

There was a section for what seemed every subject, and that was only the first floor. He skimmed the computer section though quickly grew bored as he knew mostly everything there, and the things he didn't did not apply to him.

His gloved fingers ran across the spines of the books as he passed them, nothing quite catching his interest. All of those books were strictly educational, no novels of any kind. And at the moment, he didn't feel like learning.

Not even more languages, not that he'd probably ever have to use the ones he already knew.
With a sigh he made his way up the flight of stairs, slowly, and had to sit on the top step, legs aching and weak. He really should have thought it over a little more before he decided to climb the steps, he was lucky his legs hadn't given out.

That would have been bad. One head injury was enough for him.

With a frown, he crawled away from the edge, still unsure if his legs would hold him. At least if he fell it wouldn't be off the stairs.

The second floor had less shelves due to its design, but still a vast amount. He scanned the metal plaques on the sides of the shelves until 'Mystery' caught his eye. So they did have novels there...

And they were bound to be good, as he doubted a house for genius children would have crappy ones they could solve in their sleep. He browsed through the titles until one jumped out at him, and repeated the process until he had three books.

That way, if he disliked one, he could always move onto one of the others.

He moved over to the small set up of chairs that was situated in the middle of the space between the stairs and the windows. He settled down with 'In the Event of My Death' and found that it was a rather interesting book, though he had easily figured out the killer once all the characters had been introduced.

The woman in the book had just been clubbed to death in the snow when a hand touched his shoulder and he jumped. He looked up to see Mello, who wore a more than amused expression.

“You were gone for a while; we're already a little late for dinner.”

Matt smiled sheepishly at the blonde and stood, his joints protested after the long while in the uncomfortable position he'd chosen to sit in. He glanced back at the books and Mello sighed before he picked them up with a look that dared Matt to say something.

Matt smiled at him and Mello merely hurried to go down the stairs. He probably could have carried them down on his own, perhaps, but if Mello felt like being nice then Matt wouldn't complain. Matt's legs wobbled and strained under his weight with every step he took but they didn’t buckle.

He reached the first floor with nothing more than a slight stumble and felt that he definitely had to have made some sort of progress to not have fallen on his ass yet. Just a few days ago he doubted he could have even made it up the stairs, never mind down them.

“Hurry up; I want to be able to eat in peace.” Mello mumbled though he made no move to get Matt to walk faster. Matt stuffed his hands in his pockets and his back naturally forced him into a slouch, as he had grown accustomed to doing many weeks before. Matt moved his feet a little quicker, but tried not to force himself least he tire too quickly.

It seemed like the entirety of the dining hall eyed them as they walked in, or in Matt's case was pushed in. Matt stuck with the foods that were meant to be cold, and ignored the ones that had cooled to room temperature like the soups.

Mello scowled in disgust at the food choices, or the leftovers, and ended up with much the same as Matt. He set the redheads books onto the table and forced himself to eat the salad.
For Matt, he wasn't bothered by the silence, as he knew it was only due to their rather rushed dinner. Though it was partly his fault, Mello could have gone to find him sooner...

The salad Matt had procured was wilted somewhat, and the dressing had gone bitter as things had settled to the bottom, but the fruit he'd grabbed had tasted alright. Though knowing his luck it had probably been poisoned or something.

He heard the tell tail snap and knew Mello had taken to eating chocolate, though he still couldn't figure out why the blonde seemed to eat something that made him unhappy. He knew Mello loved chocolate, but he always frowned and sometimes glared at the brand he ate.

“Hey Mello?” he asked quietly, although he wondered if Near was paying attention despite his aloof appearance. Mello raised an eyebrow as chocolate hung from his lips. Matt swallowed harshly and shook off the offending heat that threatened to burn his ears.

“Why do you eat that if you don't enjoy it?” Mello looked surprised at his question though Matt wasn't sure why; it was rather obvious Mello didn't like it.

“Roger doesn't let me have the good stuff... I’m actually surprised you noticed.” Mello shrugged and took another bite, though he no longer bothered to hide the wince at the taste.

Matt wondered if Roger liked anyone as he never seemed to give them a break.

The one time he'd come across the man, he'd been frowned at, and given a look that suggested he were no better than a bug on a dissection table. Though Matt supposed it could have been due to the whole spy gig.

“Why not ask L then?” his voice dropped even lower, as it wasn’t known that L was there, and Matt didn't want to be the one to break the silence on that matter.

Mello scoffed. “Because L has better things to do. Like the Kira case. Honestly Matt use your brain, I know you've got one.”

Matt wasn't so sure, if L's offer for them to talk at any time was anything to go by, that Mello was entirely correct. Yes, L was busy, but even L took time off for things when his heirs were concerned.

L had even said he'd wanted to get to know them better. But perhaps it was best just to drop the subject...

So Matt allowed the conversation to end and didn’t bother to try and fill the silence. He was tired anyway, at any rate, so he doubted he would have been able to keep up. He wondered how he hadn't noticed it before while he had been reading.

It seemed obvious now, and he honestly felt ready to just curl up and sleep.

But that would be a problem in the current situation, so he did nothing more than wait for Mello to finish and follow the blonde out of the dining hall once it was time to go. He yawned, none too carefully, behind a hand and stumbled through the threshold to their room.

He closed the door with his foot and noted how Mello had tossed his books on the end of his bed. They wouldn't fall as he usually never tossed about in his sleep. He tugged his boots off, along with his shirt and jeans, and crawled into bed.


He didn't care how early it was, he wouldn't have been able to stay up. He thought he heard

Mello exhale sharply as he pulled the covers over himself but didn't open his eyes to see.


He was asleep before he could utter any more words.

-

He sat bolt upright in bed, heart hammering painfully in his chest, as he gasped for air. He slapped a hand over his mouth until he was able to control his breathing, and it was honestly a miracle that Mello hadn't woken from that.

He slid from the bed, heart still beating faster than healthy, and gently closed the bathroom door behind him. He flipped on the light and winced as his eyes adjusted. He turned the tap onto cold and splashed his face a few times and leaned foreword onto the counter with his eyes closed.

He had dreamed of a faceless shadowy figure. 'He' had been speaking to Matt, though he couldn't make out any of the words that had been said, or more like he just couldn't understand them.

The figure had... scared him.

Had sent a shiver down his spine as his faceless head turned to stare at him. It was as thought he were able to see into his soul and pull his fear out into the open. He had held a hand up, inky black fingers wrapped around a shinny metal gun.

Matt supposed that was when his heart had begun to beat wildly and then the shot had rang out and he could feel the bullet as it hit him in the head.

He sucked in a breath and held it until he saw spots.

It had felt so damn real. And so damn painful. Matt wondered if that's what it had felt like when he had actually been shot. And there was something about the faceless figure that was like stepping into an ice bath.

Something truly frightening.

And Matt knew it was useless to try and figure out why. It could have been someone he once knew, maybe Kira, or it could have just been his shooter as they had never identified the charred remains that had been found near them after the fire.

He shivered and quickly returned to the warmth of his bed though he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep again any time soon. He supposed it was a good thing that he'd gone to bed early, as he was awake at nearly five thirty in the morning.

He ran a hand across his face with a sigh before he took out his PSP. He could read, but it was a bit too dark out still and he wasn't sure he wanted to read about murder at the moment, fiction or not.

He knew Mello could sense something was off about him the moment he woke up, it was just the heavy and tense feeling of the room, something Matt couldn't do anything about. When Mello went into the bathroom Matt decided he'd spent enough time 'not' worrying about the dream and dressed himself.

He ended up with the handheld still in his hands even as they entered the dining hall, and he would have continued to play it but Mello snatched it from his grip with a glare and shoved it somewhere into his pants.

The look he gave Matt dared him to reach for it. And while it might have been good for entertainment value, as he was certain Mello would have flipped, he rather liked living at the moment.

“You could have just told me to turn it off, but if you have to have your daily fix of hard things in your pants, that’s fine too.” Matt drawled just loud enough to make a few people snicker. Mello was highly unamused, and hid his flushed cheeks behind his hair rather well.

Matt had a feeling he wasn't going to get the PSP back even after breakfast, but that was alright, he had his books.

Matt drank down the orange soda, as he refused to drink any sort of juice after having been tortured with it in the infirmary, and swallowed the last mouthful of food as Mello stormed out of the room along with the other children.

Yup, Mello wasn't happy.

But Matt wasn't about to waste any energy on what Mello had started. Mello should just be thankful he hadn't tried to retrieve the game. He could almost imagine the trouble that would have caused. And the look of horror on Roger's face when he found out, as they would have undoubtedly gotten into trouble for something like that.

Well, that might have been worth death, as Mello would have strangled him.

“You're on game restriction until I get back.” the blonde snarled the moment he walked into the room, even as he continued to gather books for his classes.

“Don't stay pissed over something you began or you'll be out of chocolate before lunch.” Matt warned, though he wasn't sure if Mello would put forth the effort of eating that chocolate as he seemed to hate it despite his addiction.

Mello's back stiffened for a moment before he sighed heavily and ran a hand through his choppy blond hair. “I really hate you sometimes, you know that?” Mello replied halfheartedly.

“And hate is a form of love.” Matt tossed back as he flopped onto the bed and pulled out the book he was mostly done with, but he still caught the odd look Mello had shot him.

“I suppose it is....” He watched as Mello piled all his books into a book bag and slung it across his shoulder.

“I hate you.” he heard Mello whisper on his way out, but the way he'd said it... it left Matt with a very confused feeling and he cursed the blonde for having messed with his thoughts again.

He soon pushed the thoughts aside, as he only came up with more questions that he wanted and went back to the book, which though short, was rather interesting. He laughed, only a few short chapters later, as the killer was revealed and the characters scrambled to save themselves.

He was remotely happy that the book hadn't really ended on a romantic note, as that would have ruined the feel the author had maintained for the entire book. He set that one aside and picked up the largest of the three, as he had nothing planned for quite a while, and began to read.

He was a little more than surprised to see Mello, what seemed like only minutes later, as he stood in front of him with a scowl.

“Matt, get your ass up! Am I going to have to start setting an alarm for breakfast, lunch and dinner?” Mello's voice sounded frustrated as Matt glanced over at the clock to see that it was just past twelve, the start of lunch.

He had been reading for a good few hours but had gotten so absorbed in the book it had seemed like minutes. He sighed at Mello's expression and marked his place as he slid from the bed. Mello didn't say anything more to him the entire way to lunch, though the issue didn't seem to be with Matt as he heard Mello mutter something about Near under his breath.

And his theory was proven when Mello caught sight of the albino, once inside the dining hall, and snarled. Matt didn't really care so long as it didn't have to do with him. There had been enough awkward moments between them already and if a situation came up where it was directed towards someone else, well, who was he to complain?

He picked out random foods that he couldn't remember ever having eaten and sat down at the table as Mello began a one-sided argument with Near about something from one of their classes.

Matt lost interest soon after Mello started, as he knew it was probably just Mello having the issue, though with the slight change in Near's expression, the albino could have started it.

Or he was just amused with Mello.

It could have been either.

Matt wondered just how long he would be kept out of classes. He had a feeling that he'd be bored in them, but it had to be better than his current arrangement. Perhaps if he was able to show that walking wasn't tiring him out as much, as the different classes were not that far apart and all he had to do was 'sit' in them, then he would be off of that annoying bed rest.
Not that he actually followed it, but that wasn't the point.

Matt, as he took a bite out of a sticky pudding like substance, spit it back out with a groan. Whatever that was, was disgusting. The only good thing was, he knew what not to eat now....
He pushed the remains of his lunch aside and waited for the end so he could go back to his book. The only reason he'd even left it was Mello... he sighed, but supposed it had been a good thing as he had needed to eat, despite the surprise food.

Matt had his hand on Mello's arm the second the blonde had stood up, fist drawn back, and ready to hit Near. “Mello, I really would prefer not to have to hear you later complaining about Roger 'and' Near should you hit him in the middle of a crowded room.” he stated dryly to the blonde, who until now had been glaring at him.

Mello grit his teeth and stormed off. Something about it seemed eerily familiar and he closed his eyes as his head began to hurt. There was something...

“I should have let him hit you, apparently.” he told the albino who had fixed his eyes on him. He had told Near he wouldn't stop Mello the next time he started something. Well, he couldn't be blamed for not having remembered until after, right?

Matt stood and walked away, as there was no point in being there anymore, and made his way to the room. Mello wasn't there and Matt shook his head with a sigh. Mello was too high strung, honestly...

Instead of simply settling back down with the book he decided to take it with him to the kitchens for a cup of coffee. He waited around fifteen minutes before he actually left, as it would have given everyone time to get back to classes and for the kitchen staff to get things done.

The hallways were silent and not a soul wandered, Matt being the only exception.
The kitchens were empty, much to Matt's delight, and he set about making the coffee as he knew where everything was for a change. He had just replaced the coffee when the door opened to reveal L, who inclined his head in greeting.

He watched the detective head for the fridge and smirked despite himself. With L not wanting his presence to be known he certainly left his room a lot. Though Matt knew that even L probably needed to have a change of scenery ever so often so he didn't get frustrated.
L was, despite what everyone seemed to think, human.

Matt pulled a cup down from the cabinet and set it beside the coffee maker as L set his cake on the table and sat down. That was the second time, within current memory, that he'd been in this situation with L.

As Matt didn't leave his and Mello's room everyday, he wondered if L came to the kitchens at least once a day. But he wouldn't ask.

“L, would it be possible to get a box of chocolate a week for Mello....?” Matt asked suddenly, as he had only just thought of it.

“It is possible. Though I must ask; is there something wrong with the kind he is provided with?” L had placed his thumb to his lips and his owlish eyes stared at him, his question curious rather than irritated.

“He hates the stuff Roger 'forces' him to eat.” Matt replied, though his gaze was on the coffee pot. Almost done...

“Why not ask Roger?”

Matt snorted a laugh. “Roger has a grudge against Mello, and didn't like me much before the whole spy thing. And from the look he gave me the one time I passed him in the hall since then, probably hates me now.” Matt wondered if he shouldn't have said anything, it wasn't like L didn't have enough things to do, despite his small breaks in routine.

“It's not a problem. I have given Roger specific instructions to allow my successors any small requests they have, and I believe a preferred brand of chocolate falls under that.”

“Don't you mean 'cater to our addictions' instead?” L merely smiled at that though he did set aside the fork as his hunched form turned on the chair.

“What brand would Mello prefer than?”

Matt froze. Well damn, he didn't have an answer for L as he hadn't asked. He had to have known before... he just needed to remember.

It was right there, on the tip of his tongue, so close he could almost...

He closed his eyes in irritation as pain seeped between his eyes. It was a sharp pain, throbbing, and he felt nausea bubble in his stomach. “Green & Blacks.” he mumbled and winced again as the pain didn't fade in the slightest.

“Perhaps, in the future, you should not try and force yourself to remember things.” L told him with a small, what Matt would describe, look of sympathy.

“Yeah, I think I agree.” he wrinkled his nose as if it might help disperse the pain. It seemed that he had given himself a migraine, not exactly the best thing in the world to have. He hoped the coffee would help, because he doubted he'd be able to fall asleep as an escape, with or without the coffee's caffeinated help.

Though caffeine was good for headaches, right?

“So much for reading my book peacefully.” he mumbled under his breath, though he had a feeling that L had still heard him. Or maybe he had read his lips. It didn’t really matter either way.

At that moment Matt didn't care if he would get in trouble later or not, but he no longer wished to stay in the kitchen or slink off to the library as planned. He made a note to look up things on head injuries in either the library or on Mello's computer.

He could also talk to the doctor... but Matt easily dismissed that idea. He didn't want the man to suddenly prescribe some drug or something for him as doctors seemed to like to do. “Later, L.” he called to the detective, after he had fixed his coffee and cleaned his mess.

L gave a half-wave though he did not look up from his cake. Matt shook his head slightly. It was amazing that he could eat that much cake in one sitting and not make himself sick. But the same could be said for him and his cigarettes he supposed.

He rubbed at his temple again, though it didn't make any difference.

He tucked the book under his arm, the one that held the coffee cup, and pushed the door to his room open. He kicked off his boots as the door shut and padded softly over to the nightstand on his side of the room and deposited the book and the coffee.

With a small, mostly irritated, sigh he pulled his goggles off and laid them beside the book. They hadn't been doing anything to even remotely help his headache. Migraine. Whatever he had...

He flopped to the bed and curled onto his side, arm under the pillow while his other hand reached for the coffee. Really it was always one thing or another with him wasn't it? What was next, heart attack?

He sighed softly and sipped at the hot liquid, though he kept his eyes closed, careful not to spill it. He had no idea if the caffeine would help, but he didn’t mind trying it out.
He'd remembered something at least. Not something major, but probably important by Mello's standards. If it weren’t for the sharp pain in his skull he may have entertained the idea of trying to force his memories.

But he just couldn't find it worth it if all he got was constant pain. He had no idea what would happen when he remembered something major on his own, but it had to be better than what he felt then.

He kept his eyes closed long after the coffee had been finished, and had fallen into a relaxed state where he wasn't asleep but neither was he completely awake either. He had to have lain there for a while as the next thing he knew he heard Mello enter the room.

He smirked as Mello's heavy steps had softened as the blonde took a good look at him; Matt supposed Mello thought him asleep. “I'm awake Mello.” he sat up and blinked his eyes a few times and was more than a little relieved to not have a razor like pain attack him.

“You alright?” Mello asked hesitantly, as though he hadn't wanted to appear concerned.

“I'm fine, I just had a headache earlier.” Matt couldn't exactly tell him the reason, as he wanted the chocolate to be a surprise, and he didn't really want to admit to having forced a memory as Mello would more than likely have yelled at him.

Mello seemed to have accepted the answer as there as no more discussion on the matter. Instead, Mello pulled free a textbook and buried himself in it. Matt withheld a sigh. It seemed he was on his own again, though he really would have rather done something with the blonde, as he still felt an odd air about them from that mornings conversation.

But he knew he would leave Mello be as the blonde obviously had better things to do. Though where that left him, Matt didn't know, as he was left with only the same things to do. He glanced at Mello again before he wordlessly picked up the previously discarded novel.
He would be aright so long as his eyes didn't tire or the headache come back.

Though the book was good, it just couldn't hold his attention anymore. He found that his mind drifted after every few pages, and it was always back to the same subject. He sighed, irritated with himself, and looked up from the book.

“Mello, I have a question.”

Mello seemed to have ignored him, as there was a few moments of silence, until the blonde marked the page and stared up at him, as though through that gesture alone Matt was given permission to continue.

“To your knowledge, have I been in a relationship with anyone currently, Wammys or otherwise?” Matt forced the words from his mouth before he decided to ask something else.

“I doubt it. You spent most of your time with me or playing your games. Why the sudden need to know that?” Mello had narrowed his eyes slightly; his eyes had gained a calculating expression and Matt sighed inaudibly.

Matt shrugged. “I just wanted to know more about myself. I figured it would be normal for me to have been with someone, spy or not.”

“Since when were you normal?” Mello questioned with a smirk.

“Go back to your books.” Matt told the blonde with a smile, though the moment Mello looked away the smile faded.

So not even Mello knew anything. That either meant he had hidden who he'd been with very carefully, or he had never confronted that person. He watched as Mello attempted to tuck a piece of hair behind his ear, only for it to fall back into his face a second later.

Matt closed his eyes with a frown. The more time he spent with Mello, the more he wanted it to be him he was in love with.

Not good.

Not good at all.

- End Awkward-

AN: OMG, this chapter WOULD NOT END! Aside from the absurdly long chapter, how was everything? (you know what’s weird, as I’m writing this, it's x-mas eve. You poor souls probably wont get this till months later...lol)