I decided, for Matt's birthday, I'd give him my very first Death Note fanfic ever. This was initially supposed to be a light-hearted, fluffy one-shot, but then I was browsing LJ, and I came across the prompt "Good Riddance" and that's when things get a little hazy…and angsty…and I totally lost the birthday theme along the way. But I didn't want to not give Matt anything! I mean, he's my favorite! So...here's the end result. It's un-Beta'd, and a little rushed because I wanted to get it up before the day was over, so please take that into account.

Sowwy for giving you angst on your birthday, Matty-kins, but it's the thought that counts, right? .;

Finally.

Finally he can relax.

With Mello gone, all the stress in his life seems to have dissipated.

Now he can do all the things he couldn't do when Mello was here.

Like…

Like, now he can spend his money on videogames, and not on chocolate for a demanding blonde who gives nothing in return.

Now he can sleep peacefully in his own bed, without being kicked awake by Mello in one of his dream fights. Having a blonde boy pummeling at his ribs with an adorable—(annoyingANNOYING!) scowl on his face DID NOT make for a good night's sleep…No wonder he was still only number three at Wammy's! Sleep is a critical part of maintaining optimal brain function and activity…

(Unless you're like, L, or something...)

…

Yeah.

Things are definitely better without Mello around.

Never mind all of the bad-ish things. They don't matter.

Never mind the dull gloom that seems to have settled over the halls of Whammy's since the blue-eyed, self-proclaimed, 'life of the party' left through the black gates.

Never mind that the other kids are starting to pick on him again, asking "where his 'girlfriend' went" and "how come you didn't go too?"

(Never mind that secretly, he wonders the same thing.)

…

Never mind that Near is quieter (if possible) since Mello left, and he never wants to play robots with him anymore, he only wants to study. And research the Kira case. And pack. Because Near is leaving too, and never mind that it's Mello's fault.

(Well, technically, it's Kira's fault, but frankly, he'd rather blame Mello.)

…

But like he said, none of that matters.

What matters is that Mello's gone…

And everything's so much better.

Without him.

…

Without…

Without Mello's warm body curled into bed next to him, breathing softly in his ear on one of his calmer nights…

Without Mello's violent fists to protect him from the bully's laughter and teasing…

Without those sky blue eyes…eyes so much like water, and yet, watch them burn when he argues with Near…

Without that biting wit and intelligence, not much superior to his own (but really, Matt would never tell him that, because, really, who is he to deprive Mel of the only bragging rights he has left?)

Without what he once thought of as his favorite part of every day, the part where he prods Mello awake every morning, and watches those eyes, those eyes, open slowly in the faint morning light, watches that mouth quirk into his favorite half-grin, hears that soft 'Hey' that makes his stomach flutter every time he hears it…

Without Mello…

…

…Yeah, Matt figures he's better off…

I so sowwy, Matt! *huggles* So…yeah. If you notice any errors or something, don't hesitate to point them out. Reviews are cherished and criticism is appreciated. Even flames are carefully considered and taken into account before being used to roast marshmallows. I'm not sure if I'm going to continue this.

Live life vicariously,

Eruka