Author's Note:

I'll just leave this here...


Mello knew control; he had no control here. He knew power; he had no power here. He knew strength. Honor. Intimidation. Grandeur.

He knew all of these things; but none of that was applicable here. He was surrounded by strangers, at least two dozen, and he was powerless. There was nothing he could say or do to fix the situation. It was inescapable. He and Matt were outnumbered by a horde of people they couldn't give orders to, couldn't control. He hated every minute of it- hated the fact that he'd brought this hell upon himself, on Matt. He'd invited these people into his own home, and now he had to face the consequences of such a reckless decision.

He'd always hated parties.

It was January 11th, a date far enough from Christmas and New Years' Eve celebrations to safely host their open house. Matt had been stressing since December over menus and decorations, sending invitations and making phone calls to caterers. He'd convinced Mello the only way to start off on the right foot in their new community would be to host an open house, to introduce themselves and their son to the neighbors. It was more of a formality, really. This was a wealthy community. They had to behave as they were expected to. It wouldn't look right for a family as flamboyantly rich as they were to move into town without bumping elbows with the rest of the neighborhood.

That was what rich people did. They gathered around at parties and events, wallowing in their own entitlement. All of them content to eat expensive foods and talk bullshit conversations about stocks or fashion, reveling in the fact that they were wealthy even though few of them really wanted to be there. Such was the case with at least three of the men Mello was speaking to. For the past hour, they'd talked of rugby, yachts, the Fiscal Cliff, and were now discussing the various uses of steam energy in the 1800s, for some god awful reason. Mello loved history almost as much as he enjoyed intelligent conversation, but even he could agree that the talk was dry.

He looked over the men's shoulders, trying to spot Matt. Matt had no trouble socializing, a fact that surprised Mello. Usually, the man was a hermit. When the Impeeri had thrown balls or events, Matt would rather stay in and game than attend. But when you gave him four hours to show his son off to a pack of strangers, he blossomed into a social butterfly with no awkward silences or offensive words. He saw him then, sitting on the ottoman and talking to a group of women with Kyle asleep in his arms. They were laughing at something he was saying. A twinge of jealousy pricked at Mello, but he shrugged it off. He wasn't used to seeing Matt this vocal, this sociable. He was always in the corner, staring at his handheld and silent, while Mello made the sweeping speeches and addressed crowds with assurance and security. So why, now, was he having such a trouble with it?

"So, you're new to Massachusetts?" A middle-aged man asked. His suit wasn't as fine as Mello's, but it was very nice. Mello made a note to mention it later.

"Yes, we are." Mello said, digging into himself for the confidence he'd had months ago. Why could he command criminals easier than speak to a few dusty old men? "We grew up in England, and found Los Angeles' climate too unpleasant for our tastes."

"Well, I can't say that we get as much rain as England does, but we're pretty damn close." The man said. He, Mello and the rest of the men laughed.

"How do you like the people?" Another man asked. He was younger than the first, but still older than Mello. It must have confused them to see a man so young with so much, especially without a prominent family name. He'd already told them he was an orphan.

"I've found they're even more progressive and tolerant than I'd believed." Mello answered. He'd told them he was gay too. It came as a surprise to some of the party-goers, since no one had seen him or Matt since they'd moved in, but they didn't seem to mind.

"Yes, we do live in a great area for that kind of thing." The man nodded. "Though you are the first homosexual couple to move to our neighborhood. When you first made it known, I was interested to see if anyone would protest your presence. I am very glad that none of them were offended."

"As am I." Mello said. "This is a lovely community; I would hate to have conflict with any of my neighbors." He glanced at the clock on the wall. Three hours down. Just one more, and they'd all go, leaving Mello to Matt, Kyle, and tranquility. "If you gentlemen would excuse me, I'd like to check on my partner."

He strode over to Matt, weaving through their guests. It was a formal affair, and every person there had decked themselves in their finest clothes and jewels. Mello was used to this; when you had money, you showed it. If you were invited to meet someone new who was also wealthy, you put on your best to show the extent of your wealth. It was the upper class' method of sizing up one's company, learning who had what and how much of it. He stood behind Matt and put his hands on the other man's shoulders, getting his attention.

"Ladies," Mello said. The woman looked from him to Matt in awe, as if debating in their heads which was the more attractive of the two. "If you would permit me, I'd like to speak to Matt for a moment."

They said nothing, just blushed and smiled. Matt nodded to them and stood, leaning a still-sleeping Kyle on his chest. Mello led him to the kitchen, where they would be alone.

"This is a fucking nightmare." Mello complained. "It's so dreadfully boring, so uptight and courteous!"

Matt laughed. "You're complaining because you have to use your manners?"

"I'm complaining because those men out there don't know how to hold an interesting conversation. I've already shown them my study- they didn't want to talk about books or my work. I showed them your car- they didn't want to talk sports cars. The conversation held on by a single thread of will, because none of us wanted to talk but knew that society dictates we had to."

Matt smiled sympathetically. "Look, love. It's your house. Talk about what you want to talk about. Give them a lecture on Middle Eastern economics or something. You're a genius, show them that."

Mello sighed. "None of them are ever stepping foot in this house again after this night."

"What?" Matt laughed, trying not to wake Kyle. "You're just going to lock the three of us away, and never let anyone visit?"

"We don't need them. They're boring."

"Oh come on!" Matt admonished him. "You're acting like me; and that's weird. Lighten up! Besides, it's almost over. I think the Denecours are about to leave, anyway."

Mello's eyes lit up. "Once the first family leaves, the rest aren't long to follow." He smiled.

After the party, Mello sat in his recliner. He held Kyle with one hand and a bottle in the other, trying in vain to get the boy to eat. Matt had called the maid service to clean up, not that there was a mess, and sat on the couch staring at the television like usual.

"See?" Mello asked. "This is much better- just you, me and the baby."

"It is better. But we're people of society now, we have some responsibilities."

"You don't look like a person of society." Mello teased him. Matt had reverted back to his inner slob, slouching shirtless and barefoot on the couch. "People of society always look presentable."

He took his eyes away from the screen long enough to look at his clothes. "Fuck society." He growled. Mello laughed.

"Come on, son, you have to eat!" He said. It had been ten minutes, yet Kyle still refused to take the bottle. Mello felt a tantrum coming and had wanted to dispel it early, but it seemed like his son wasn't feeling cooperative tonight. "Eat, or you'll grow up scrawny and pale like your other dad."

Matt turned around and stuck his tongue out at Mello. "He'd eat if it were me feeding him."

"I doubt that." Mello smirked. "He's a bigger brat than you are; if he doesn't want something, there's no way it's happening."

Kyle's face started to bunch up and turn red. Mello put the bottle down, hugging him close to soothe him. But it didn't work, and soon the house was filled with Kyle's displeased cries. Matt hurried to Mello's side, cooing and stroking Kyle's face. They worked to get him calmed down, which took some time. Finally, though, Mello handed him to Matt to hold, and the boy stopped screaming.

While feeding Kyle, Mello contemplated the night's events. Their open house had been a success, with every family in the neighborhood coming by to make introductions and to socialize. The Denecours were their next-door neighbors. There were three of them: Richard, about ten years older than Mello, Liza, his young wife, and their infant daughter Emmaline, who was almost a month older than Kyle. Matt had shown particular interest in the Denecours, reasoning that they would be the family that he and Mello interacted with most often since they lived so close.

The McGillans were a large bunch, fair haired and pale skinned. Matt had listened intently to Arthur, the head of the family, recount his lineage all the way back to an Irish baron. The McGillans were old money. With them were the Delseys, a stern-faced marine and his pregnant wife, and the VonErins, whose ancestors had built a fortune during the industrial revolution in the 1800s through the railroad industry.

"Funny thing about that VonErin girl." Matt said, gaze never leaving the screen.

"Which one?" The VonErins had three daughters, each two years apart from each other in age.

"The oldest." Matt answered. "What was her name….Katlin..Katya-"

"Kasia." Mello supplied.

"That's it. Anyway, I don't think she understands what 'domestic partner' means."

Kyle had finished eating, so Mello passed him to Matt to burp him. They tried to do everything equally when it came to Kyle, to lighten the load. "She followed me around all night in that slinky dress," Matt said as he patted the baby on his back. "practically begging me to compliment her. It was shameless."

Mello smiled. "Did you?"

"As much as was socially acceptable. I told her that her dress was well designed, and that the color accented her hair…. I'm not good at talking to girls. Nothing I said satisfied her."

"You talked with Alice just fine." Mello supplied. He'd picked up a book and begun reading.

Matt sighed. They hadn't mentioned Alice in a while. He didn't hesitate to admit that he missed her, like he'd lost a dear friend or even a sister. They'd grown close during her time with them. But now all they had was a bank account number. "Alice was different. She didn't fish for compliments from random strangers, or flirt in the most ridiculous manner imaginable."

"So the girl was flirting with you?" Mello asked, amused.

"That was my point from the beginning!" Matt exclaimed, exasperated. Kyle had burped, and was slowly falling asleep. "She stuck to my side all night, touching my shoulder, my collar… completely oblivious to the fact that I live with a fucking man. That I fuck a fucking man. There were people everywhere; watching the whole thing! Yet if I'd suggested we go off to be alone or take a ride in my car or something, she'd have dropped her fucking panties right there. It was awful."

Mello chuckled softly. "She's a nineteen year old girl, love. She's a mess of hormones and angst right now, and you're just the person to take that out on."

"I don't want her taking anything out on me." Matt pouted. "The McGillans have a son. Why doesn't she talk to him?"

"I don't know." Mello shrugged. "You're new. You're exciting. You look damn irresistible in a blazer. I can see why she couldn't contain herself."

Matt placed Kyle to rest on a blanket he'd laid on the floor. "I look irresistible, do I?"

Mello looked up from his book. Matt was smiling suggestively at him, red hair falling carelessly in front of his eyes.

"There's still a maid here." Mello teased. "And Kyle will be awake in less than an hour, I'm sure."

"Who says we need an hour?" Matt smirked, walking slowly toward Mello's chair. "I can do that thing you like…."

"Oh?" Mello feigned ignorance.

"You know." Matt said as he moved even closer. "That thing that brings you to your knees? That makes your legs shake and your breath stop….. that makes you finish in less than fifteen minutes?"

"You never do that." Mello said, still completely calm.

Matt was in front of him now, sliding his knee gently between Mello's legs and leaning his body over Mello's. "I save it for special occasions." He whispered against the blonde's neck before dragging his lips over the skin there.

"I see." Mello smiled deviously.

"You see what?" Matt mumbled, planting a trail of kisses from Mello's neck to his collar.

"I'm beginning to see what you meant about Kasia's shameless coming on to you."

Matt snapped up, annoyed. "Don't compare me to that desperate whore!" He protested.

Mello just smiled at him. "You're the one who's forcing himself into my seat. And not even caring that other people are here to see…..tsk tsk. " He teased again.

Matt sat back down beside Kyle, pouting. "That god damn maid better leave soon."

That night, after Matt had thoroughly exhausted Mello's muscles, they lay in bed. Matt was already asleep. He had baby duty at 4, when Kyle would wake up demanding to be fed. So Mello lounged quietly, mulling over the past month. Christmas had passed, and with it Kyle's first month of life. He'd started making regular trips to the agency, though they hadn't had a case assigned to them yet.

Matt kept in semi-regular contact with L and Near through email, but didn't know what the other two were up to. A major kidnapping case had been solved involving the Prime Minister of Australia's daughter, though, so Mello thought Near probably had something to do with that. He'd go in to work at the agency in the morning. There was never anything to do, but he was so bored he had to remind himself that not having a case to solve was a good thing. The clock on the night stand read two a.m., so he mumbled a quick prayer to himself before turning over and looking for sleep.

His secretary, a plump woman named Bethenny, greeted him from behind her desk as he walked to his office. It was smaller than he was used to, but he'd accepted that. He paused to talk to an intern, pretending to be interested in whatever sports team the young man was bragging about, then unlocked his office door. He'd had Matt install a security system separate from the one that came with the building, that only he knew how to operate. That way, even if someone managed to get the code that the first system used to unlock his door, the door still wouldn't open. If they didn't enter the second code within two minutes of entering the first, Mello would be alerted and Matt's cameras would begin capturing video feed of the entire building.

He walked boldly into his office. He couldn't help but feel proud of the path his life had taken- less than a year ago, he was a criminal. Now he worked for the government, and none of his enemies had a clue where he and his family were. He flicked the lights on, then almost dropped the stack of folders he was carrying.

In his large office chair sat a small man, with dark, curly hair and pale skin. Mello wanted to speak, to confront him, but his mouth wouldn't work. Adrenaline was rushing through his body, but his limbs felt like they were weighed down. He tried to look away, to move away, but it was in vain. He couldn't move, forced to stare at the man in his chair.

"He loved me, Mello." The man whispered. "He told me so."

Mello's heart dropped as the man's head exploded; and then he was falling, drowning, unable to scream for help or to save himself. His arms were flailing about him, hands grasping for anything to stop his rushing descent into nothing. Finally his mouth worked, and he let out a scream of terror and anguish as he jack-knifed into a sitting position on his bed.

Matt was there immediately, wrapping his arms around Mello's shoulders and hugging him from behind.

"Shhh…" He whispered, soothing Mello. "It was a dream love. Just a dream."

Mello was still panicking, locked in that state of consciousness just before his brain came back to reality. His breath was short and panting. He was sweating, and his heart felt like it would burst from his chest at any second.

"Shh babe. Calm down." Matt was rocking him, holding him tightly against his chest. "You're alright. It's alright. Just a dream, that's all."

Mello grasped the cross on his rosary, clutching it instinctively. Matt continued to assure him. After another minute, Mello realized where he was. He was still panting and shaking, but his eyes moved around the room, validating what Matt was saying. It was just a dream.

Matt was still rocking him, arms wrapped around Mello's. Mello turned half way and hugged Matt back, struggling to catch his breath.

"It was just a dream. You're alright." Matt repeated. He kissed the top of the blonde's head. He could feel Mello's heart beat against his chest. It was finally beginning to slow. Mello sighed, pulling Matt closer. He'd been having nightmares about his past since they'd moved. They were never the same dream, which was what upset him the most. One night, he'd be forced to watch Pierce bleed to death while Ron Gibson's voice taunted him. Another, he might see Alice being beaten and dragged down a hallway by her hair, or see Dominic's tears of anguish as he mourned over Rob's body.

"I can't escape it." Mello finally mumbled.

"Shh….don't worry about that." Matt smoothed the blonde's hair, gently lowering him to the bed without letting go. "Just go back to sleep. Everything is alright."

Mello's fingers traced the beads of his rosary as Matt rubbed his arms, comforting him. "Go back to sleep." The redhead mumbled with a yawn. He kissed Mello's forehead. "You have to go in to work tomorrow.


Author's note: Ohmyohmyohmy. Look's like we've got ourselves a sequel!

But you all already knew that, right?

In other news, I have hired an artist to illustrate this story. That's right. Pictures.

My dear friend, the Magnificent Magdalen, our Lady of the Arts, has agreed to draw the more popular scenes from this story.

All of her pictures will be uploaded to my twitter account for all of you to see.

So if you want to see them, follow me

At FanFicTrumpee. It won't let me put the 'at' symbol for some reason. Dafuq.

Anyway, if you find a scene you'd like to see illustrated, tweet me about it. I'll do my best to get it done. Right now, Magdalen is working on some art from the first story. They will be posted as soon as I get them.

Remember to review, and to follow me!

trumpee~