Choices

AN: Sorry for the wait… I got sidetracked by a new oneshot/songfic I’m working on. ‘Dirty Mind’ by Halestorm, if you listen to the song you can easily figure out what the fic will be about.

Anyhow… most of the next chapter was actually supposed to be part of this one… but as I hit the end of it, it just didn’t fit right. Even now I think this chapter is choppy…..

And I’ve rewritten parts of it many, many times…

Suggested Listening: We'll Sleep When We're Dead by Blessthefall; Ordinary World (Duran Duran cover) by RED

Chapter Three: Test

Despite all the drama of the past few days, things were rather calm and silent for Matt. He couldn't understand it, but he felt like something needed to happen now. That the silence just couldn't stay.

Though silence may have been the better alternative should Mello want to go back to attacking him. His stomach was sporting a rather nasty bruise and was tender. Or rather, it hurt like hell at the slightest touch.

As if he hadn't gotten enough of that with Light...

At least where Mello was concerned he'd been provoked into the action, regardless of the fact that the blonde had 'started' it.

Matt looked up from the laptop, mid type, to stare blankly at the wrapper that had just bounced off the side of his head. At least it wasn't a book this time, he thought.

Picking up the wrapper he then stared at Mello, who had a thoughtful expression on his face, as though he was still trying to figure something out. He is silent for a few more moments, chocolate paused idly by his lips, and Matt almost went back to typing.

“You know... you're interesting.” he says finally.

“I suppose having you as a roommate wouldn’t be too bad.” Mello has his head cocked to the side and is peering wildly at him from beneath his blonde fringe. For some reason, Matt couldn't help but grin widely. Matt tossed the wrapper back at Mello before continuing to write up his first report to Light.

It wasn't anything major, as there wasn't much of anything to say. It was mainly his observations of the place, the children, and the staff that he'd seen so far. As well as directions. He guessed that was a large find, as the location wasn't previously known, but Matt didn't really think so.

Knowing where the place was didn't bring them any closer to finding out about L.

Matt's eyes drift, of their own accord and lock onto Mello, who is now feverishly studying. What made the blonde so obsessed? Just where was he in the rankings that made him waste all of his time cramming things into his brain?

Matt hated to study, usually because everything was too easy for him. Which was why when his father died, and he joined Kira's underground faction, he was more than happy to skip out of school.

Everything he needed and wanted to learn he got from the internet or his own choice material in a library. Matt shook those thoughts from his head, as they were distracting, and continued on to describe the layout of Whammys. Or what he had seen of it so far.

He didn’t know for how long he’d been working, only that even with his goggles his eyes were tired. Shutting the laptop off, after saving the report, and turning out the light on his side of the room, he let sleep claim him.

He woke to the sound of yawning and the flipping of pages. Opening his sleep tired eyes, he spied Mello in the exact same spot as when he’d gone to bed. Mello couldn't have stayed up all night... right?

But Matt isn't quite awake enough to hold onto that thought and examine it more closely. Instead, Matt grabbed a change of clothes and headed into the bathroom, and eventually out for a quick smoke.

Mello hadn't moved an inch or even acknowledged him despite all the noise he was making. “It's breakfast time, you know.” Mello doesn't look up but mumbles a soft 'haven't got the time' as he continually scans pages and pages worth of material.

“Just what the hell is so important that you have to study obsessively for it?” Mello does finally look up at Matt's curious tone. “It's Friday.” and at Matt’s blank stare he sighs and turned to fully face him.

“Today is the weekly test that determines our rankings. Our class work percentages are so low that they hardly matter, not that I would slack on them, and this test is huge. Everyone takes it, and no matter what classes you are taking it is the same test just specialized for each subject.”

Matt nodded slowly, having remembered about the tests but not really paying attention to it since they were unimportant in his view. “So this warrants you pouring over the books for however long you do?” Mello rolled his eyes and went back to studying as his answer.

“Right...” and Matt left it at that, having realized that he’d probably broken character so much in the past 10 hours around Mello that it was pointless to keep it up. At least for the blonde.

Everyone else however...

Matt played his games during breakfast, eating between attacks, and headed off to classes. He didn't bother to bring his things since he doubted he'd need them any more for the tests than he would normal classes.

Matt completed his tests, the first three at any rate, with little enthusiasm as it wasn't really all that challenging. He knew he had gotten a few wrong, and that he could have elaborated a bit more, but he didn’t really care.

Studying and tests weren't his thing, games were.

Though Matt did decide to see what score he could possibly receive on the computer/technology test. He doubted anyone here could know more about that than him. He wasn't the smartest person, but he excelled with computers.

Matt was halfway in the process of heading out for a smoke before lunch when he realized he didn’t have a lighter on him. With a quiet sigh he doubled back and into his room, or should it be his and Mello's room?

Mello looked like death warmed over, bags under his eyes and pale skin. Matt didn't think that the blonde slept at all the night before, and yet he was still studying. Lunch had started a few minutes ago, and yet Mello hadn't even made a move to leave.

That would be two meals missed and little to no sleep. All for those tests. Matt wasn’t naive enough to think that Mello was the only one doing this either, and was starting to see some of the effects of the race to be L. What made L so damn special that it made people do that to themselves?

Not that Matt could really say anything as he tended to get obsessed with new games, and lost sleep over it for days on end, but at least he always ate. The grease marks on the controllers attested to that.

Seeing as Mello was lost in his own world, one overflowing with books, Matt left to the dining hall. He chose a sandwich to eat rather than the weird cold pasta like dishes littering the table. As an afterthought he took an apple as well, despite not having any liking for them.

Near is with him again and doesn't look concerned, though Matt wasn’t sure if the boy could look concerned, or curious as to Mello's whereabouts. Matt, having had enough of the blank stare, left early and found himself back at their room.

He can see Mello yawn widely and rub at his eyes before continuing to speed study. Matt placed the apple on top of the book, startling Mello for a moment. “You won't do well on an empty stomach.”

Grabbing an extra pack of his addiction he headed off to his next classroom, though he would be early, Matt just needed to leave the room.

Matt wondered why in the hell he did that for Mello.

And after thinking it over decided that Mello, despite being an asshole his first few days, is more than meets the eye. He is, using Mello's own words, interesting. Besides, Matt had to live with the blonde so he couldn’t have him getting sick.

At least that was the answer Matt liked best, the other ones just didn't make much sense and took too much energy to go over.

Matt had to admit, after the next test, that it was slightly harder than he had expected. But not enough to motivate him. He would need it to be some impossible challenge that he had no hope of doing well on before he would actually try.

Kind of like fighting Sephiroth when you had no potions or elixirs to help you out. Impossible and yet thoroughly engaging.

After the final test was completed Matt, almost being bored to tears at the simplicity of it as it had been the computer/technology one, needed a smoke rather badly. He felt drained from a long day of nothing.

He could see the worry and anxious tension in many of the faces he passed in the hallways. The rankings meant so much to many of them, pass or fail. Climb or fall. Was Matt the only sane one in the place?

And despite him wanting to enjoy more than one cigarette, it was far too chilly to stay outside. Matt reluctantly decided that it was finally time to stop procrastinating and get to work. Light would only wait so long before he got annoyed.

And for that, he needed his laptop. Or at the very least needed it on hand in case he required it. Assuming he didn’t slack off again. Or get distracted…

Matt was suddenly thankful that he was quiet upon entering the room, as Mello is passed out on his bed; exhausted. Matt shook his head. Just how long had the blonde been doing this? Every day? Every week? Going until he dropped....

Matt had only done that once, during a hacking job that had taken longer than expected. But never since, and he didn't plan on doing it again. Nothing was worth that cost to him, and he honestly couldn't understand why something was to Mello.

Carefully gathering his laptop under one arm he happened to glance over at Mello's desk and noticed the apple core lying innocently in the trash. Matt wasn't sure why, but he felt a little relieved that Mello had eaten something, even if it was only a tiny apple.

He'd only known him for a week and the blonde was already invading his thoughts.

Matt headed towards the library while he went over what he had so far. A camera and a microphone needed to be placed in Rodger's office. After all, if L came to visit he would probably go there along with Whammy. Which in turn would be the perfect opportunity to record what he looked like even if he didn't show his face anywhere else.

Matt's eyes flicker towards the common room as he passed and he hummed softly to himself. Only a microphone in there. He doubted there would be anything worth watching, but perhaps some useful information could be heard.

Reaching the library he walked by it and continued left instead of right, which would have led him to the kitchen. He wouldn't place anything in the library or the kitchen, and probably not even the music room.

Those didn't seem like likely places for anything good. And sadly, that was all he'd come up with so far. He sighed. He wanted those cameras up.... and if he thought about it, needed those cameras up.

He figured he could always lie to Light if everything wasn't in place when he contacted him, the only problem with that is Light could usually tell when he was lying. So unless it was an emergency... hell even if there was an emergency, there would be no lying.

To his face at any rate.

Which meant he'd be suffering from boredom until his techs were up and running. Matt took out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth though he didn't light it, just let it sit there. Matt wondered if it was much of an oral fixation now as it was an addiction. It just didn’t feel right unless something was between his lips.

Though if he cared to think on that it sounded rather... dirty, when put that way.

Matt stopped suddenly, nearly mid step, and listened. There was no noise, at all, only silence. His eyes take in everything around him and he grinned when he found minor differences. Like the slight coating of dust on the table, not enough to actually be ‘dirty’, but enough that it meant those parts weren't well traveled.

The slightly lighter shade of the wallpaper....

He wasn't in a normal used part of Whammys. Perhaps L stayed here? Well, he was grasping at straws with that one, but at the very least Matt figured it was another place to monitor. He spied a vent in hallway wall and concluded that if hidden correctly, it would be a good place to put a camera.

And if anything valuable was found, he would add a microphone.

He would have like to go on further into that area, but something stopped him. Told him not to continue. He always preferred listening to his instincts rather than logic. Because sometimes logic failed.

On the way back, though Matt wasn’t completely sure he was heading in the right direction, he made sure to memorize every twist and turn so that he could return once everything was ready. He would, if possible, like to get everything set up in one night.

He was only mildly surprised to find that the sky had darkened during his walk. He had gotten lost, so it wasn't odd that night had fallen. Though by a quick glance outside he could tell that it still wasn’t dark enough for dinner to have been served yet. Soon, but not quite yet.

By the time Matt actually got back to the room he was certain that dinner would start anytime, if it hadn’t already. He wasn't concerned, it wasn't like anyone ever got locked out from being a few minutes late.

The room was dark and Matt could make out Mello's sleeping form from the doorway. With Mello sleeping he would be missing his third meal of the day. Missing the others had been bad enough...

Matt bit his lip and sighed heavily before turning the light on and fully entering the room. He heard a soft groan and saw Mello pulling a pillow over his head. This made the redhead smile.

“Mello, wake up.” there is another groan and the bed creaked before everything fell silent again. Matt eyed an unopened bar of chocolate and tossed it at the blonde. It hit Mello in the back making him jump.

Mello sits up, his hair slightly messy, and blinks rapidly before his eyes settle on Matt with a frown. “Why the hell did you wake me?!” even after sleeping for hours he still sounded tired; more tired than the angry voice he’d obviously been aiming for.

“You're going to dinner. You have to eat something other than an apple.” Mello groans again and flops back to his bed and tries to curl up and sleep again; Matt kept his eyes trained on the blonde knowing that despite his tiredness it would irritate him.

And it does.

“Fine!” Mello growls around a large yawn. Matt has a feeling that any other time, Mello would not have given in so easily. Matt set his laptop on the table, and checked the time just to make sure, before heading out.

Mello follows him without another word, as they head to the dining hall, yawning every few seconds. Matt almost felt bad for waking him, until the blonde’s stomach growls painfully.

Mello doesn’t even look at the food he is taking and sits across from Near without even making eye contact or frowning, showing just how exhausted he really is. Matt watched, from overtop his own food, as Mello takes small bites of food. Then, as though finally realizing how starved he is he begins eating as fast as he can.

Matt hoped he didn’t end up choking...

“Mello, I did not expect you to be here.” Near comments quietly. Mello manages to mumble something unintelligible and continued eating. Near slightly tilts his head and presses a piece of hair between his fingers.

Near glances, almost curiously, over at Matt and seems to feel like elaborating on something for once so he continues. “Mello is never here after testing.”

No wonder Mello was so damn skinny, he hardly eats, Matt thought. It most certainly wasn't healthy to do, and it seemed that Mello had made a habit out of it for quite a while.

Mello seemed about ready to fall asleep on his plate so Matt carefully nudged him in the side, which didn't go unnoticed by Near as Matt noted, and Mello shook himself awake. He still had slight bags under his eyes and kept pinching the bridge of his nose.

Mello appeared to have zoned out and only when Near got up did he notice it is time to leave. Matt hoped that a good night’s sleep was all he needed to fix this, because frankly, it was sort of worrisome.

Mello is slower in his walking on the way back, eyes blinking every few seconds, and Matt really hoped that he wouldn’t have to end up carrying his roommate back. He didn’t, and for that he was happy.

Wouldn't that have been a sight?

Matt barely had time to close the door before Mello is unzipping his vest and yanking clothing off. Matt resisted the urge to sigh, because ever since he took in this mission he had been doing entirely too much of it, and turned away.

Something fell to the floor on Mello's side and Matt looked over before he could stop himself and earned himself a nice eyeful of the blonde that left his face heated long after he'd looked away. It seemed Mello liked to sleep in the nude, or at the very least he had been too tired to change into something else. Which was what Matt had thought he’d been doing.

Apparently not.

Matt wasn't sure why, but he felt rather odd about seeing the Mello naked. But tried not to think too much on it.

Once all sounds of motion had stopped Matt glanced across the room. Mello had fallen back asleep, rather quickly. Taking his boots off, and leaving them beside his bed, Matt carefully crossed the room to turn Mello's light off.

Matt striped down to his boxers and got into bed before grabbing his PSP and shutting his own light off, leaving the room dark and silent with the exception of the soft clicks from his PSP. Matt wasn't sure why, but he felt a pull to the blonde. More so than he had for anyone.

Matt decided that his current train of thought would only lead to a headache and he was determined to concentrate solely on his game. Somewhere between levels fifteen and twenty-seven he fell asleep.

And much to his dismay, the battery was almost dead when he woke.

What a crappy way to wake up, he couldn’t help but think.

-End Test-

AN: Have you ever been so tired that you can hardly stand? That thoughts pass through your mind before you can even process them properly? I have ^_^. From reading HUGE book, in 18 hours straight with no sleeping. Though I had been up longer than 24, I was TIRED. So I kinda know what I’m talking about…. Most of the time.

I felt like a zombie. Heheh.