Gratitude

As soon as she opens her front door, Halle decides that she's had enough of young men turning up on her doorstep. One was enough, thank you very much.

This one's wearing goggles, almost hidden behind a shock of messy, obviously dyed, red hair. He looks pretty ridiculous, she thinks. Or maybe she's getting old.

"Halle, right?"

English accent. Another one of them?

"Who's asking?" She's ready to draw her gun, if need be. He doesn't seem threatening, but then, compared to Mello, who does?

"I'm Matt, Mello's... Uh... Well, I'm his boyfriend." There's a faint blush on his cheeks and he seems awkward. Halle can't decide if it's endearing or slightly pathetic.

"I remember him mentioning you. Does he need me for something?"

"No. He doesn't know I'm here."

Halle raises an eyebrow. "Brave boy." Matt smiles. Turns out he's quite attractive. Then again, he'd have to be -- Halle can't imagine Mello with someone average, in any sense of the word. That fact alone piques her interest in Matt.

"Actually, it's more of a social visit. I just wanted to give you these." He holds out a bunch of flowers. Halle hadn't even noticed them. They're pretty, look quite expensive. She takes them, almost hesitantly.

He shrugs. "They're to say 'thank you'. For looking after him. And 'sorry' if he broke anything. You know how he is."

Halle lets out a laugh. She likes Matt, she decides.

"Thank you, they're beautiful. Would you like to come in?" She doesn't expect him to accept, but it's only polite to offer.

"No, thank you; I'd better be getting back. It was nice meeting you."

"You, too."

"Oh, and I'm sorry you got lumbered with Near. But tell him I said 'hi'."

English accent, strange taste in clothes... Of course he was one of them.

"Will do."

"Maybe see you around?"

"Maybe."

Matt offers another smile, takes a packet of cigarettes and a lighter out of his pocket and then leaves.

--

Later that evening, Mello receives a strange text message.

'Don't you dare mess things up with him. You're a very lucky man.'

Mello glances across at Matt. He doesn't question him.

Just smiles.