Overriding Code Death

It was cold when Mello woke, and he groggily reached around himself, searching for the blankets or Matt. As his hands only met the cold material of the fitted sheet he sat up, running his hand through his hair. He was slightly panicked as Matt never woke up early, and he looked around, only to sigh in relief. Sometime during the night, Matt had stolen the blankets and, after stretching himself out on the larger settee, had wrapped himself in a fort of material. Mello smiled, slipping his legs over the side of the bed, and grabbing a loose pair of sleep pants that were tossed haphazardly over the drawer to the night stand. He walked over to Matt, carefully unwrapping the redhead enough to bare his face, and leaned down, pressing a kiss to a warm cheek. With a yawn, Mello head to the kitchen to make breakfast, noting the time on the clock.

“Cause I don't wanna keep sleepwalkin' through, endless days I've had enough of going nowhere, God I want to…Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!” Mello looked up, slightly startled at the sound of loud but muffled singing coming from the main area. He knew that voice-it was the one Matt used when he thought there was no one around, and he was listening to his CD’s. The blonde stood, a small smile on his face; Matt wouldn’t admit he had a decent singing voice. “Matty?” He called out, stepping out of the kitchen area. Matt looked up with a grin, “Morning Mel. I’m a little stuck here.” Mello laughed, walking closer to see that Matt had indeed managed to twist the blankets so they caught on the settee and kept him from being able to free himself. “So you decided to sing?” Mello asked him, studying the intricate wrapping that he’d done in his sleep.

“Well actually...” Matt started sheepishly, “I woke up singing. I think. Cognitive dreaming, y’know?” He glanced down, “I didn’t like the dream, and I figured that since it was my dream and my mind I could change things, but it wasn’t really working, and I guess I started singing that to trigger a wake up impulse?” Matt finished talking just as Mello got the blankets undone enough for him to crawl out. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk this much before your nicotine and caffeine.” Blue eyes laughed, meeting orange covered green as Matt looked up from struggling onto his boxer shorts.

“I had a candy bar.” He held up a wrapper from one of Mello’s bars, grinning as he walked over to the blonde. “I can’t believe you took one of my favorites!” Mello frowned, crossing his arms. “Apparently, I picked it up in my sleep. “ Matt wrapped his arms around Mello’s shoulders, hugging him close. The blonde sighed, but hugged the other back. “Come on, we’ll get you tea and breakfast, then I’ll check your bandages.” His hand dropped down, fingers lacing tightly with Matt, as they went the short distance to the kitchen. “What were you singing anyways? I’ve never heard that before.” Mello pulled the chair out for Matt as he asked the question, before turning to fill the mugs with hot water. “It’s a song by Everyday Sunday- Wake up! Wake up! At least, I think that’s what it was.” Matt bit his lip, thinking. “Oh!” Mello snapped his fingers. “The band that the girl who worked the register back in that shop in L.A liked?” He set the mugs down on the table, setting a plate of pastries in front of Matt.

“Mmmmhmm. That one.” Matt nodded, picking up a pastry and bit into it, frowning as the inside was chocolate cream. Mello held his hand out, and once Matt placed it in his hand, handed the redhead one that was strawberry flavored. They sat, chairs touching and hands together on the table, finishing their breakfast in silence. “I’m sorry.” Mello said softly, giving Matt’s hand a squeeze. Matt looked over, surprised; it wasn’t like Mello to just apologize for something, especially out of the blue.

The redhead smiled softly, leaning over, and pressing a soft kiss against Mello’s lips. “You don’t have anything to be sorry for Mel.” The blonde shook his head. “I brought you here, into all this. I’m the reason you got hurt. It’s all beca-.” Matt kissed him again, stopping his words. “I chose this Mel. I did andeo. This is because I chose it.” He said seriously, watching Mello through his goggles. “Besides, now I can say I’ve been shot and I’ll have totally badass scars. Though, I won’t be able to make them as sexy as you manage to make them.” Matt wrinkled his nose, smiling at the blonde. Mello blushed, looking down for a moment, before suddenly leaning forward to kiss Matt.
It started soft, but quickly became harsher, passionate, and Mello reached out, pulling Matt so that the redhead straddled his lap. Matt’s arms went around Mello’s neck, pulling himself closer, even as the blonde’s arms wrapped around nearly bare hips. It was only a few moments later, though it feel like ages to the two, that the ringing started.

Multiple alarms were blaring and beeps were sounding from every computer and device. The two jumped, startled, and Matt fell backwards from Mello’s lap, landing on one knee on the ground. They looked a moment at each other before they both ran into the main room. Matt dropped in front of his laptops, fingers flying across the keyboards as Mello moved between the other devices. He grabbed his phone, giving Matt a glare as he worked to shut off all the alarms and alerts.

Once it was quiet he could hear Mello pacing and yelling into the phone down the corridor, but he couldn’t exactly tell what it was all about. Matt turned back to the screens in front of him, leaning forward as he intently studied the data scrolling across the monitors. He bit his lip, pulling a fag from the pack left under the settee, fitting it between his lips. “Wootai!” He cried out a moment later, throwing his fist in the air, before leaning back in to the screen and his fingers flew over the keyboard. “Gotcha you wanker.” He muttered, ignoring the fact that Mello had stopped stomping and yelling.

“Mel!” Matt called back, glancing a moment over his shoulder. “Mel!” He turned around hearing something thump onto the bed just in time to see Mello dropping his pants. “Near’s fucking moving!” He snarled, jerking up his leather pants. “What? How’s he moving? I’ve almost got Kira! I only need maybe another hour!” Matt pulled his legs under him, looking from the screen to Mello and back again. “Near can’t have all the information already!” Matt hit a button, shutting off an alarm, before typing furiously for a moment. “Get dressed Matty. We’re going. I’m not letting that fucking albino catch Kira first. “Matt stood, grabbing his laptop and moving towards the bed. Mello, who was already lacing his boots, paused and threw Matt a pair of pants. “Hurry it up.” Matt dressed quickly, wincing as his jerky movements pulled at his wounds and muscles. He was tossing everything he needed into a bag when the sound of the car’s engine starting reached his ears.

Matt froze, panic on his face. Mello couldn’t be leaving him, Mello wouldn’t! He looked around quickly, making sure he had everything he needed, before bolting down the hall. He barely paused to grab his pack of cigarettes as he passed the table, but he had to back track a couple of steps to grab his semi-automatic. Shoving the beretta into his vest, Matt grabbed the railing and used it to pull himself around and up, sliding down the banister to the ground below. He nearly ran into Mello, who grabbed his arms. “Matt!” The redhead paused, looking at the blonde. “I thought you were leaving me. “ He muttered quietly, catching his breath. Mello’s gaze softened for a moment, and he pressed a kiss to Matt’s lips. “I wouldn’t leave you Guapo. Now let’s go. I know where they’re going. They’re apparently meeting Kira.” He opened the door, and Matt ran to the other side, sliding into the red car beside Mello.

“Just wait another moment. “ Matt said, not looking up from the computer in his lap. They were parked outside of what seemed to be an abandoned warehouse, completely isolated from anything. “There hasn’t been anyone else going in, and if anyone except for Near comes out, you can shoot the bloody bastard then.” Mello didn’t reply to Matt’s reasoning, but kept taping his gun against the window. “Mel, really chill. The worst that happens is you get rid of ‘que-tip’ .” He looked up, and frowned. He was sure he’d just seen movement. He put the laptop back on the floor and leaned towards his window, hand on the handle. “Matt?” The taping of the beretta against the window stopped. “I thought that something moved.” Matt said softly, watching the front of the building intently. There was movement again, and a figure dressed in a dark view came into view. The figure opened the door a crack, and peered in for a moment, before disappearing into the opening.
Matt startled at the sound of the door opening.

“Mello! Just wait!” He hissed, but it was no use-Mello was already running towards the warehouse. Matt sighed, and opened his door, moving after the blonde. Mello was pressed against the wall just by the door, gun in his hand, when Matt caught up. The blonde looked up, putting his finger to his lips in a signal of silence. Matt pressed himself to the wall, mimicking Mello’s position. They could hear voices inside- Near, and what had to be the Japanese Police Force. There was another voice, quieter, mumbling to itself and accompanied by the sound of a pen scratching across paper. “Even if he writes our names down, we won’t die.” Near’s voice came down the hall. Matt and Mello looked up at each other, surprise in their eyes. “Death note?” Matt mouthed across the doorway. Mello nodded, before walking through the door silently.

Matt waved his hands, motioning for Mello to stop, but the blonde didn’t listen at all. He held his hands up in frustration, looking up at the sky, as if asking God ‘Why?’. He shook his head, and turned around, following Mello into the building. The blonde wasn’t far ahead, carefully peering around the corner. Matt moved silently, reaching out to tug on Mello’s waistband. The blonde jumped slightly and turned, glaring at Matt, before motioning for him to be silent and pointing around the corner. Matt stepped forward, pressing against Mello slightly, and looked at what the blonde was pointing at. There was another doorway a hundred feet or so up the corridor, and it was cracked open slightly and a thin sliver of light shown through. It was the figure crouched in front of the door, blocking part of the slice of light that caught Matt’s attention. The man they’d seen enter just a few moments before them was crouched outside the door, listening in and scribbling in a book. “The second Kira?” Matt whispered into Mello’s ear. Mello nodded slightly. “I think.” He replied equally quiet, though neither thought the man would hear them over his nearly manic mutterings.

“Whoever’s outside, are you done writing down names?” Another voice asked, and though neither Mello nor Matt recognized the voice, it appeared the person scribbling in the notebook did. The figure stood slowly, replying, “Yes, I am.” Mello and Matt glanced at each other before moving. The man threw the door open, standing in the middle of the doorway. “God, at your command.” The man said, glancing over at what seemed to be a teenager standing with the Japanese. The teenager spoke, and they recognized him as the one who spoke earlier, and after a moment realized that it was Yagami Light. “How long has it been since you wrote the first name?” He asked the figure in the doorway. “Forty-five, forty-six, forty-seven, forty-eight, forty-nine...” The man looked up, a manic smile on his face. Light smirked. “Near, Victory is mine!” Near arched an eyebrow, as another of the Japanese spoke. “A-a minute passed, and we aren’t dead!” Near pointed, “Please apprehend Mikami.”

Mello smirked, and stepped forward, jerking one of the man’s arm behind his back. “Ah, hullo Near.” He stepped into the room, taking the notebook from Mikami’s hands. “Here you go.” He tossed it over, and it skidded to a stop a few centimeters in front of where Near was crouching on the floor. He looked around the room, laughing at the surprised stares he was getting. “Oh? Surprised to see me? Sorry, I don’t really die too easy.” He brushed his hair out of the way, revealing his scar.

Matt had slipped in behind Mello, completely invisible in the excitement. He leaned against the wall, taking in everything, but not actively listening to the words being spoken. Instead he watched carefully, with all the attention to everything from the little details to the entirety of the picture, using the mind of both a genius and a gamer. He could see the betrayal and surprise of the members of the Japanese Police Force, as they watched, trembling, and he could see the anxious shifting of the SPK. Then there was Mikami, who was broken and betrayed. The only ones who seemed to be unaffected were Mello and Near, who both were acting as if this was all a training exercise back at Wammy’s.

A sudden scream brought Matt’s attention to the center, focusing on Light. The teenager had fallen to the floor, hands pressing over his ears. It seemed he’d given up, but then he began laughing, the sound high pitched and manic. He stood, smirking to those in the room. “I am Kira. What will you do now? Will you kill me here?” He spread his arms wide, as if presenting himself to his followers. “Kira has changed this world. He is the god of this new world, keeping order and changing this world. Kira is what the people need, what the people want. He is the reason that the world is becoming better. “Light gave a small chuckle, taking a moment to look at each person in the room. “Perhaps, at one time, catching Kira and putting him away would have been an act of justice, but it is no longer that. Now, to take away Kira is a crime. This world is still despicable and dirty. Humans have the right to be happy, but they cannot because of a small portion of evil ones. Kira is purging this world and making it right!”

“Someone had to do this! Someone had to take the initiative and change this world to make it pure again. I was that person! Who else could have done that? Who else could have followed through to this? I am not a criminal, I am a protector. I am a savior! Before you, you see Kira, but I am not in the wrong-I am the god of this new world!” Light paused, catching his breath. “You are a murderer.” Near’s voice was quiet, as he stared intently at Light from his crouched position on the ground. “A normal person, a just person, would have been mortified once finding that the notebook actually worked. You just kept on writing names, and pulled in even more people. You are nothing more than a crazy mass murderer.” Light stared at Near, disbelief on his face. “And I need no god to tell me what this world’s justice will be,” Near continued, “I will follow my own convictions and beliefs.”

Light shook his head. “Near, can you be sure that that book there is real? Or the one Aizawa is carrying?” Near didn’t even look up. “I don’t need that. My aim has been to catch Kira. You are Kira; I do not need the books.” Light shrugged, almost as if he’d given up, and turned, walking away a few steps. Matt looked over, noticing the slight fidgeting of the teenager’s, and reached into his vest to put his hand on his gun. “Though, I suppose you should check the notebook, to see if it’s real or not.” Light said, his other hand reaching over to fiddle with the knobs on his watch. He gave a quiet chuckle and one of the SPK yelled out. “The watch! He’s a piece of the note in his watch!” A shot rang out, and everyone started. “Matsuda! Don’t shoot me; shoot someone else if you’re going to fucking shoot!” Light yelled, crouched on the floor, his hand pressed to the wound on his shoulder.

The Japanese man who’d shot was panting heavily, and as he started forward, the men closest to him grabbed him to hold him back. “How could you Light!? Your own father died!” Matsuda yelled, crying. “My father sacrificed himself for a world where people like him would never lose!” Light yelled back, hand moving slowly and carefully by his side. “His blood!” One of the Japanese yelled, “He’s writing in his blood!” Another shot rang out, and Light jerked his hand back, the wrist bloody and broken. Everyone looked around as Matt walked forward. “Thought I’d stop that.” He muttered around a lit cigarette. The room was silent, staring at the redhead, who merely shrugged, looking to Light. Light tucked his arm close to his chest, rolling over and crawling away. “Don’t come near me!” His voice was laced with panic now, and he kept moving pathetically away.
“Don’t come near me!” Light pulled himself up, pressing against a crate, his good hand slipping behind his back. “Don’t!” He whipped his hand forward, and in one motion shot the gun that was now in his hand. Matt didn’t think, just stepped forward, grabbing Near’s arm before pulling the albino teenager to his chest and twisting to block his body. “Matt!” Mello cried, as the redhead jerked. Light cried out in pain, as another shot went off, falling to the floor.

“Ryuk! “ He cried, broken on the floor. “Yes, Ryuk! Write! Write their names!” He grinned evilly.“Yes, I’ll write.” The shinigami replied, pulling out a pen. Light began to laugh evilly, manically. “You cannot win! You’ll die!” He said to the room, looking straight at Near, who was staring down at Matt. “No, it is your name that is going down.” Light’s head whipped around, his eyes panicked. “What? No, Fool! Stop!” He cried, standing and stumbling forward. “No! I don’t want to die! I don’t want to be alone. Please, do something Ryuk!” The shinigami shook his head. “It is time for Kira to say goodbye.” Light shuddered, before falling limp and still.

“All humans are equal in death.” The shinigami spoke, before disappearing. “The Kira case is closed. “ Near said softly into the silence that hung over the warehouse. “Thank you Near, for your help.” Aizawa said formally, bowing to the teen. “It is nothing. “Near replied, and the Japanese man nodded. They were already slipping Light’s body into a bag. “We will meet for the wrap-up tomorrow morning.” When they were gone, Near turned to Mello, who was kneeling on the ground by Matt. “Guapo, oi, Guapo.” Mello muttered, shaking the redhead. “Fuck.” Matt groaned, sitting up just as Near crouched beside him. “Why did Matt do that?” The white haired asked. “Near, I’m not going to let you die. You’re important.” Matt said in French, sitting up with a frown. “That’s the third damn time I’ve been shot this week. “ He muttered, still in French. Near frowned. “Matt did not need to do that.”

Matt grinned. “Yeah I did. You’re L remember? And our friend.” Near shook his head. “Together we are as able as L. Together we can surpass L” Mello looked up in surprise. “Together, we are L.” Near finished softly. Matt smiled. “We’ll have to work that out later, for now, let’s get you fed and in bed Near. You look ready to fall over, and I sure as hell want morphine, tea and a new friggin DS.” Near looked puzzled, as Mello frowned. “New DS?” He asked as Mello jerked open Matt’s vest and pulled up his shirt. “He means the bullet hit the DS he’d put in the hidden pocket at the back of his vest and hence shattered the second DS of his this week. “ Near frowned, only to gasp, along with the SK when Matt’s torso was revealed. In the middle of his abdomen, on the right side between his other two wounds, was a third bullet wound. Pieces of DS had splintered, cutting a few gashes across his back, but the wound wasn’t fatal. “It’s got an exit, I watched it hit the crate behind Near.” Matt replied, leaning back to grin at Mello. The blonde sighed.

“Let’s get you home. I’ll fix this and deal with you later. “ He unwrapped part of Matt’s bandaging, pressing a torn strip of cloth to the new wound and binding it in a quick-fix wrap. He helped the redhead up, before turning to Near. “We’ll stop by later alright?” Near nodded, and Matt walked over, wrapping him in a hug. “You did it Nate.” He continued again in French. “You defeated Kira, avenged L. Don’t forget that you did this-that you are important. And don’t forget you’ve got friends. You’re important and special Nate. Don’t forget.” Matt smiled, ruffling Near’s hair, before turning to Mello. “Car, morphine, tea, and a nap.” He said, counting off on his fingers. Mello just sighed, and leaned forward pressing a kiss to Matt’s lips. “Te amo, guapo, te amo.”

“Volim te.”