Scream: a MattxMello fan fiction

part nine

*Matt's POV*

It's another typical night at our house.  Well, not really, since we're accompanied by four other people.  The only one who's up besides Mello and me is Nikolay, who was just watching TV while Mello was working on the Kira case like usual.  Sometimes I'm afraid he'll work himself to death with how much time he has dedicated to this case.  Eventually, he stopped working for tonight and cuddled up to me.

"Hey, baby.  Feeling okay?" I asked him.  He nodded and closed his eyes like he was trying to go to sleep.  I kissed his head. "Good.  Glad you're feeling better.  You really worry me sometimes."

Mello said quietly, "I know...I'm sorry I make you worry so much.  I know my health problems really weigh you down.  I feel terrible."

I replied, "What're you talking about?  I've known about your condition since we first met.  I've gotten used to it." I covered him with a blanket and stroked his thick hair lovingly. "And it's never weighed me down.  Yes, I worry about you immensely and check to make sure you're okay every chance I get, but that's because I love you."  It was kind of unexpected for Nikolay to speak, but he did.  He said:

"Mello, don't ever apologize for things that are out of your control.  Especially where your health is concerned.  You can't help having what you have."

He sighed. "Niko, I just feel guilty about putting all of that on Matt.  He doesn't deserve it."

Nikolay comforted him. "His love is unconditional, little brother.  If he couldn't handle it, he wouldn't be here right now."  He has a point.  I wouldn't have put up with Mel for so long if I didn't truly love him.  I know he's not asking for everyone to feel sorry for him.  He never did, but apparently, a lot of people feel sorry for him anyway.  It can get on his nerves, but he does appreciate it.  I'm personally amazed by how wise Nikolay is, despite him being dead since he was thirteen...and what's really crazy is that Viktor and their mom are only twelve years apart.  I'm not sure that they're ready to discuss why that's the case though.

I perked up and asked, "Hey, umm...Nikolay?  How come your mom and your brother are so close in age?"

Mello whispered, "I don't know if now's the time to ask that kind of stuff."  His brother shook his head and told me anyway.  He said:

"It's simple.  Our mother was very young when she had our big brother.  It was forced upon her, but she doesn't resent him for it.  Why would she?  He did nothing wrong."

I replied out of sympathy, "I'm sorry to hear about what happened to your mom.  I wouldn't know what to do in that situation if I was her."  These people have gone through so much.  I feel so bad for them.  I added gently, "And I'm sorry about what happened to you and your brothers."  I think I hit a nerve.  I gulped. "I didn't mean to bring that up."  Mello fell asleep so he didn't hear what I said.  Good...because he'd freak out if he did.

Nikolay said quietly, "It's not your fault that happened to us.  I appreciate the sympathy, but it's really not something to apologize for if you didn't have any part in it."

"I-I know, but I still feel terrible.  Nobody should ever have to go through what you guys did."  I looked at Mello and stroked his side.  I whispered, "Good thing he's not awake right now."

He smiled. "Agreed.  Mello looks like he's at peace."  His brother checked to make sure Mello was in something comfortable and breathable.  He let out a soft laugh. "Just instincts.  Mother did this with all three of us."  I looked at him with a dorky smile on my face.  Nikolay asked me, "Is there something on your mind?"

I nodded. "You're cute.  Like, really cute."  He got up and I checked him out a bit.  I'm so lucky Mello's asleep right now or else he'd kill me for looking at his brother.  I said to him, "You've got a nice ass."

Nikolay blushed and asked timidly, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me.  You have a nice body," I said. "I'm not trying to be creepy or anything...because I know your brothers would kill me.  I just see the beauty in everyone."

He giggled. "Viktor is pretty protective of me...but thank you, Matt."  Nikolay pinched my cheeks. "You're adorable."  That was when Mello woke up.  His brother comforted him. "Sorry we woke you up, Mello."

Mello yawned. "You didn't wake me up...can't sleep."  He sat up and told us, "Toriya's trying to come out.  She's not used to this."  He has five personalities named Mihael, Niko, his younger self, Melanie, and Toriya.  Mello sighed. "I know you don't understand what I'm talking about.  Toriya comes out when this week comes around or something strange happens and it's irritating because she won't shut up."

I asked, "Is there anything we can do to make her stop, babe?"  It finally hit me.  Maybe she's not used to Mello having members of his family around because he's been without them for so long.  I said quietly, "Toriya, let Mello be happy with his family.  I know it's weird for you, but this is the happiest I've seen him ever.  Would you rather have him be all mopey and shit?  No?  Then let him have this."  I saw her come out and she said:

"I've always been the voice of reason, Matt.  Mello needs me and the others.  I'm not used to him being this happy."

Nikolay perked up. "Leave my little brother alone.  He deserves to be happy for once.  He doesn't need to be down all the time.  What did he ever do to deserve all the shit that happened to him while I was dead?"  I looked at him with shock.  He said to me, "Don't be surprised.  I can say much worse."  The girl who I spoke to went away for a little while.  Good...because she can be pretty annoying.  Mello woke up again and looked pretty confused as to what happened.  Nikolay coddled him. "Oh, I'm so happy you're back!"

"What're you talking about?  I'm fine."  Mello let out a small laugh.

To be continued...