AN: Sorry! I know this was a slow update, but the last chapter was the one I'd been really focussed on writing and this one didn't come as easily. But I have my mp3 on shuffle so hopefully I'll be inspired.

Disclaimer: If I owned Death Note Mello and Matt would still be alive.

Chapter 4: Sanctuary

/…/…/…/

I was admittedly surprised when we reached our destination. It was an old rundown trailer tucked into the back of a small lot. I'd been expecting to dodge behind a dumpster or something, so this was a welcome alternative. Mello glanced around before ushering me insider.

It was even more rundown inside then outside, but it was ten times more welcome than my own home. It was small and cramped, although I couldn't see much of it once Mello closed the door again and the whole trailer went dark. I felt him push me forward slightly and I let him guide me to a small bed. "What is this place?" I asked, gratefully sitting down.

I heard him move away and quickly return, and suddenly there was a blazing light in my eyes. I squinted, and he lowered what I could now identify as a flashlight out of my eyes. "A safe house," he said finally, taking my hand and inspecting it. It was coated with blood from the glass. "I don't stay here every night so others won't become aware of it."

I simply watched as he lifted a bottle of water and poured a fair amount onto a somewhat clean towel. Without hesitation he touched it to my hand and I yelped, trying to yank it back. He held fast though, and glared at me, causing me to shrink away despite myself. He sighed then, and loosened his grip. "Relax. It needs to be cleaned." I nodded reluctantly and he continued to clean the wound.

When he finished he applied more water and touched the towel to my lip. I winced, slightly uncomfortable with the proximity, but he didn't seem to have a problem with it. He backed up then, looking me over. "Shirt," he stated.

"W-what?" I asked. He said nothing, just continued staring at me. I slowly pulled it off, wincing as I did so, cheeks heated with embarrassment as he inspected my chest.

"Does anything hurt? More than a scuffle with someone would?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I don't think anything is broken," I told him. He didn't seem totally convinced but let it go, handing me my shirt, which I put on quickly. There was a moment of awkward silence (to me, he seemed perfectly at ease) before I finally spoke. "So um…what now?"

He looked up. "Well you stay with me of course," he said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. I suppose it might have been to an outsider, since he dragged me away from my parents, but I hadn't been convinced until he said that.

"Really?"

He rolled his eyes and turned off the flashlight. "Of course. You better get used to the dark; this place doesn't have fresh water or electricity." He walked away and I sat there, feeling pretty awkward just sitting in his…safe house…not his home because he was homeless…I was homeless now.

It was a strange feeling, but not really unwelcome. Mello seemed to be doing okay, so it couldn't be that bad. Better than being beat on every other night, that's for sure.

"Matt." I looked up. Mello had returned with a half empty bag of crackers. "I keep a little food stored up here from wherever I can grab it, in case I can't get anything during the day. You not being in school will be a drawback on my food supplies…"

"Wait," I interrupted. "I'm not going to school?"

He looked at me like I was an idiot. "Of course you're not. Your parents could find you there. They could have reported you running away and the school would hand you back to them. I might not be able to get to you again next time."

I shuddered at the thought. After running away, my dad would make life living hell for me. If he really lost it he could even kill me.

Satisfied I understood, he wandered off again and returned with an extra blanket, worn from use. "It's warmer than nothing," he said and handed it to me. I just nodded as he sat beside me. He reached into the bag and grabbed a cracker, eating it slowly. "Did you eat tonight yet?" I shook my head no and he held the bag out. "We'll split these tonight. Tomorrow will be a food run. We can stick around here a couple nights, then we'll have to stay away a couple days so no one gets suspicious." I just nodded again, exhausted and sore, but he took several crackers and ate them until the pack was empty. I accepted the water bottle from Mello and took a quick drink before handing it back.

"You can sleep. I'm going out," Mello said, standing swiftly. He walked towards the door and paused before going out. "No one should find you here, but if someone got in there's a knife under the bed." And then he was gone.

Only slightly disturbed, I lied down and pulled the blankets around me, shivering slightly. I was really tired though, and before I knew it my eyes were closing and I was asleep.

The sound of the door opening woke me, and I jumped. It was probably my dad, drunk again, after me. I sat up, frantic, hoping it just wasn't too bad and he-

"Relax it's me."

Oh. That's right. Mello had taken me away from there tonight. He walked over and dropped a bag at the foot of the bed. "What's that?" I asked.

Mello pulled off his shoes swiftly. "Broke into your old house." I gasped audibly, and Mello smirked. "Both out cold. Not sure about your mom, but your dad was out from alcohol." He tossed the shoes to the floor. "Snatched some clothes and food from the house. Doubt they'll miss it. Now move over, I'm tired."

I moved to sit up, but his hand stopped me. "We can share the bed. Just move over." I did so, giving him room to lie down beside me. It was warmer with him beside me, and I found myself slowly closing my eyes, content.

There was silence except the sound of breathing for a few minutes, but something was nagging me. Finally, I turned towards him. "Mello?" I asked. His eyes cracked open and he looked at me. "How long have you know?"

He shifted on the bed, our arms touching as he faced me. "Since the first bruise."

I was surprised. That seemed so fast, even he couldn't have suspected something that soon. "Really? But…that was so soon after we met. How did you know it was them and not someone at school?"

He looked away, avoiding my eyes. Just when I thought he wasn't going to answer, he spoke. "I recognize the signs. My family wasn't much different then yours." I gaped at him.

"Oh Mello…" I didn't know what else to say. What were the chances we had met up like this? That both of our families had been awful, and now we were both here on the streets together. Was that why he had started to trust me? Because he could tell my home life was bad and he could relate? "And…one night I went out…there were these guys following me, and then they were gone. Did you…?"

He nodded.

"Mello," I whispered, touched. He'd really been looking out for me, ever since the first day. That was why he'd started walking me home. How many nights had he watched my house to make sure things didn't get to bad? I shifted closer. "Thank you."

He said nothing, but his lips did quirk in what might have been a smile.

"My name…it isn't really Matt…it's Mail. Mail Jeevas," I said, not knowing why I felt it was suddenly important to tell him that. "But when I met you I wanted to…I don't know, start over."

He seemed to understand. "Mine is Mihael Keehl." He looked at me closely. "No one besides my parents knows that name anymore. I don't even know what happened to them."

"Mihael," I murmured quietly. "Thank you for looking out for me."

He really smiled this time, one of the only times I've seen him do so. "We'll be okay," he said, closing his eyes. "Just get some sleep."

I closed my eyes, believing him. We may just be two boys alone in the world, but we had each other, and for now that's all I really wanted.

/…/…/…/

That's it! A bit shorter than normal, but the ending fit. I'll try to update faster then this time haha. No it's not over yet, there is more to come! Please review!