AN: Dayum, this took forever. And its short. I have motivation issues ; sorry.
I was planning on this being 3 chapters, but its going to end up at least 5. Probably 6. I wrote this all today in about an hour because I played hooky from school and had nothing better to do. And yes,
I realize how short it is. I'm sorry, but this desperatley needed to be updated. I also realize that Mello is a bit OOC. I did that on purpose, and as long as he has a hate of Near and a love of Matt, I think he is plenty in character x3
I LOVE MY REVIEWERS!! O.O Seriously, you guys gave me so many conctructive/incouraging comments on this! Keep'em coming, and your keylime pie should arrive in the mail any day now.

Warnings: BOY LOVIN x3

Discailmer: I no own M&M. But I do own Matt's nickle. So HAH!

Dedication: To my Matt. I'm so glad we're speaking again. ily

"Boys."

I hear the voice and my head spins backward. Damn, need to quit that. The pleasant sensation along with Mello's foot suddenly stop. Rodger, the caretaker of this godforsaken place, is standing right behind me. Looking a little less than happy.

"What?" Mello asks rudely. No respect for authority, that little angel of mine, none at all.
Rodger looks down that wrinkly old nose of his at Mello. They don't get on too well.

"Neither of you have been doing your own chores," Rodger states.
I put on an incredulous face and Mello stares blankly up at the old man.

"Matt, don't give me that look. Natasha says you've been paying her every week for the past two months to do your laundry." Damn it, that stupid girl. She's been sore at me ever since Mello and I became more than friends.
"And you," Rodger raises his voice a little as he addresses Mello, who simply cocks and eyebrow and rests his chin in his palm. "You've been bullying someone new every week into cleaning for you since last July!"

"And who exactly is feeding you this crap, sir?" Mello doesn't miss a beat.

Something resembling a smirk crosses Rodger's face as he says triumphantly, "Near."
A flicker of deepest loathing flashes in Mello's sapphire eyes at the mention of the name.

"Well, sir, Near can go f--OW!"
I stomp on Mello's foot under the table. He looks at me scornfully for a second and clears his throat.

"Yes Mello? Please, do continue." Roger glances over at me. The old man hates that I keep Mello in line the way I do. If Roger had it his way, we'd both be out on the streets right now. But L wouldn't hear of it, and Roger doesn't like having his authority undermined. He returns his glare to across the table, and I resist the urge to beat him with his own walking stick. How dare he look at Mello that way; as if Mello were something less than him. How fucking dare he.

"Nothing sir," Mello mutters and looks down, busying his hands with his shirt's hem. It's just an act, and he's only feigning shame to get Roger away. It always works. Even so, the look on his face saddens me... Man, he's turning me into a sap.

"Good," Roger says, seeming pleased with Mello's submissiveness. Hmph. Mello, submissive; now that would be a sight. And quite a lovely one at that... I really should stop thinking like this, at least until Roger leaves.

"Now, I will expect the two of you to do your own chores from now on. Oh, and I've already informed the kitchen staff that both of you will be taking care of the breakfast dishes today." Roger begins making his way to the double door exit.
"Oh yes," he says to himself. He hobbles back over to us, walking stick hitting loudly on the linoleum, "happy birthday Matt." He slides a nickel across the table to me and leaves.

I pick up the American five-cent piece and wonder why Roger even had it. Seems odd. He knows I've been studying foreign currency and probably thought it would catch my interest. Truth be told, it does, but the insult still overwhelms the hint of thought behind the gift. Five cents. My worth. I chuckle to myself at the old man's misdirected thoughts. Implying that I am worth nothing to him is not going to turn me straight, which is exactly what Roger wants. He's always hated Mello. He hates me for getting involved with Mello.

I don't want to get old. Age screws up your sense of logic.

"Hey Mel," I say smiling a little and still studying the coin, "wanna sell this to someone for more than its worth? Nobody knows American money here; they'll think it's priceless." No answer.
"Mel?" I put the coin down when I notice the look I'm getting. Something halfway between rage and confusion is shining in those gorgeous eyes.

"How the fuck are you so calm?" The question catches me a little off guard.

"What?"

"I want to know how you manage to stay so passive all the time." Mello's voice is shaking and I'm not sure what to make of it. He's obviously upset, but other than that I'm clueless.

"You mean Roger?" I ask as I place a hand on Mello's shoulder. He's trembling.
"Hey, hey," I say in what I hope is a consoling manner, as I get up from my seat to place myself next to him, "What's wrong Mel? Roger's stupid little stunt was aimed at me, not you. I don't mind it."

"That's just it," he says quietly. Okay, well, at least I can place the emotion in his voice now; Mello is pissed. "He threw you that stupid coin like you were nothing. Nothing more than his opinion, as if that's all that matters to anyone."

"Mello, its alright. Really, it doesn't bother me. Please calm down..." I still have my hand on his shoulder as he grips my shoulders firmly.

"I don't give a damn if it bothers you or not!" he growls and stares me straight in the eye. If I didn't know him so well I'd probably have pissed myself by now. Hell, who am I kidding? Mello is fucking scary.
"How fucking dare he treat you that way! As if you're less than him!" Mello pulls me forward and pins me to himself. He's still shaking. The boy has a lot of rage, obviously. I'm not scared anymore, but I wish he would calm down. I don't like that he's all worked up over me...

"You're better than that," he says quietly, "You're so much better...the best." I can feel the heat rising in my face. "No one will treat you that way, Matt, no one ever again."

I nuzzle into his chest and wrap my arms around his waste. Mello overreacts. A lot. But pointing this out will only upset him more. "Okay Mel, okay."

He breathes deeply, causing me to rise with his chest. He seems to calm down a little.

"I'm sorry that happened," he says, resting his chin on my head. When is it going to sink into his thick skull that I really don't care? Some old guy tells me I'm worth an American five-cent piece, and Mello acts like it's the end of the world. Geez.
"And on your birthday too," he continues and begins to pet my hair. There's something different in his voice now; he's defiantly not mad anymore.

I can't focus. He knows I get drowsy when he pets my hair. He also knows how much it annoys me. Not so much the petting, but the control. Though, honestly, I would let Mello do anything to me. Anything. Without any protest whatsoever. None.

"Mello...stop it..." I yawn and slump farther into his hold. Oh yes, I put up quite the resistance.

"You don't mean that," he says simply. Well duh, of course I don't. But I have to say something. He scratches lightly behind my ear. I twitch. It tickled.

"I'm..," yawn, "not a dog Mel..." He snorts.

"No, not a dog. You're my dog."

My eyes snap open at this. I put on an indignant expression and pout a little. I push away from him a bit. "I am not."

"Oh really?" And bam; that smirk is back.

"Y-yea, really." Great, now I'm stammering. I sound like a flustered little schoolgirl. And I guess, to some extent, I am... Minus the girl part, of course. Mello shrugs.

"Well then Matty," he whispers. His grip around my shoulders disappears and I feel his hands sliding down. They come to rest on my hips. Mello leans forward, off of his own seat, and wedges a knee onto my chair between my thighs. He hovers over me and I feel his lips ghost over my collarbone. They're barely touching my neck now and I feel him smile. He tongues the cartilage shell of my ear, and I can't help the gasp that escapes me.

"What d'you say we get started on those dishes?"

I'm in a bit of daze as Mello stands up, smiles down at me and pats my cheek.

I'm in even more of a daze as he starts to head toward the kitchen doors; partly because I'm confused, and partly because I'm eyeing that perfect ass again.

AN: Geez, the first AN was long enough, ne? I promise the rest of the chapters will be much longer. Look forward to next time!
MATTY AND MELS GET TO WASH DISHES!! XD --more fun than you think ;) R/R loves.