Okie.. here's the 7th installment. I initially planned on it being longer but decided to cut it short and save the rest for the next chapter. I felt bad leaving everyone hanging on such a cliffhanger for so long. :) Enjoy!
Holding onto Forever 2
Chapter 7
The unicat barrelled across the field before turning onto an empty highway. Mello gritted his teeth as he drew closer to the city in the distance, a map balanced carefully in his right hand.
"Oh God. Mello, he's dying!" Matt cried out behind him.
"We're going to the medical pavilion. Hopefully we can save him. Hang in there Near!" Mello replied.
Matt stroked Near's face gently while pressing his balled up shirt against the stab wound. Near's eyes started to flutter and roll back into his head.
"Near! Stay with me! Do you remember the CD I gave you that time, when we met in the middle of the night? Did you listen to it?"
Near refocused on Matt and nodded his head shakily.
"Evv...every...day..."
"And I do believe it's true
That there are roads left in both of our shoes
But if the silence takes you
Then I hope it takes me too
So, brown eyes, I'll hold you near
Because you're the only song I want to hear
A melody softly soaring through my atmosphere"
Matt sang softly to Near, his throat tightening as his voice threatened to crack. His words held Near's attention, one of his eyes welling up with tears.
"Matt we're here!" Mello called out.
Mello stopped the unicat and carefully stepped over Matt and Near to open the door. He poked his head out to clear their safety.
"C'mon Matt, lets get him in the building."
Matt lifted Near up from the ground, holding him close to his chest as he carried him outside. Panic raced through his mind as he felt Near's body go limp in his arms. He placed him gently on the ground and knelt down next to him. Matt placed his ear to Near's chest and sobbed as he heard his heart beat for the last time, leaving a deafening silence in it's wake.
Matt felt a crushing anguish like he had never felt before. His insides felt like they were turning inside out. He wanted to die right there feeling the warmth leave Near's body. Matt heard a shuffling sound next to him. He hoped it was an alien. He wanted to be killed. He wanted to take the one in a million chance of ending up with Near again.
A pair of white sneakers with shoelaces untied and dragging on the ground shuffled into his view. He slowly lifted his head and rose to his feet with his blood covered arms outstretched, his shaky palms facing up. His mouth was agape as he stared at the thin pale man with black unkempt shoulder length hair and dark circles under his eyes. The man was taller than Matt and Mello, but his hunched posture had him at eye level with them. They stared at him in disbelief.
"L." Matt's voice quivered.
L didn't respond, but looked down at Near with melancholic eyes. He bent lower and scooped Near up in his arms like a saddened angel descending from the heavens. L looked like he was going to shed tears himself as he held Near's lifeless body. He turned away from them and walked towards the building.
"Follow me." He said as he pushed the door open with his foot and walked inside.
Matt and Mello followed L inside and immediately recognized the room as the one they were in during that dream. The pit of fire was replaced by a centrepiece with dead flowers, there was actual light in the room highlighting faded stained walls, and the sign Near had seen.
"Wait here." L said, as he carried Near down a corridor.
"Are we safe here?" Mello asked.
"Yes, we're safe." L replied, disappearing into the darkness.
Matt sat down on the bench and cried into his hands, the blood smearing on his face. Mello approached him and rubbed his back as he rocked back and forth, sobbing uncontrollably.
"I think it's going to be ok Matt. L is going to help. I don't know how, but he is."
"This cant be happening... Why didn't I go outside with him? I let this happen. I let him walk into a trap..."
"Shhhhh... C'mon, lets go get you cleaned up. You're a mess."
Mello helped Matt to his feet and led him to the restroom where to his amazement, the plumbing still worked. Mello used a wet towel to wash the blood from Matt's hands, face, and body, as he stared off into the distance, his reddened eyes glistening in the fluorescent lighting.
"I want to go see him. I need to know if he's ok."
"Matt, why don't you lay down for a little while..."
"No! I need to see him! I cant just sit here!" Matt broke down again. Mello wrapped his arms around him as Matt cried into his shoulder.
Mello led Matt from the bathroom back to the lobby. He started hyperventilating as they approached the bench. He thought he was going to be sick. His legs were getting weaker, unable to support his weight as Mello strained to hold him. Mello set him gently on the bench where he passed out.
"Matt!" Mello called out to him, slapping him in the face lightly a few times. It was no use. Matt was out cold, unable to handle the gravity of Near dying in his arms.
"Fuck!" Mello shouted as he kicked a chair over.
L reappeared from the shadows of the darkened corridor and typical for him, his expressionless face told no tales.
"L. What happened?"
"Near will be ok. I had to call in a few favours from the shinigami realm, but he will be fine. He's recovering."
Mello's eyes widened. The mere mention of the word made his blood turn cold.
"Is Matt ok?" L asked.
"He couldn't...he couldn't handle this."
L shuffled over to Matt who was passed out on the bench. He bent down slowly and stroked Matt's auburn hair with his long slender fingers. Matt stirred a bit and then awoke with a start when he saw L's face.
"Wha?!"
"Near is fine. You can see him if you want."
Matt sat up quickly. His body was still shaking due to lowered blood pressure but he used every bit of energy to get to his feet. They followed L into the darkness, reaching a closed door. L turned the handle and opened it flooding them with fluorescent lighting. Near was laying on a bed inside, his shirt still bloodied. He was unconscious, but occasionally arched his back and gritted his teeth, apparently still in a good deal of pain.
Matt rushed to his side, and held his hand gently.
"He's in a bit of pain. Unfortunately there's nothing that can be done about it, but it will subside soon." L said.
Matt lifted Near's shirt and was surprised to see that the wound was closed, and while the area was still a bit bloody, the wound looked like it already started to heal.
"Matt." Near said, biting his lip and gasping.
"Near! Are you ok? How are you feeling?"
"Like my insides...are on fire.".
"Squeeze my hand as hard as you have to. I'm not leaving your side. I thought I lost you, I never want to live through that again. " Matt said holding Near's hand to his lips, kissing it softly.
Near's grip on Matt's hand became much firmer, almost to the point where it hurt, but Matt wasn't going to complain, even if Near broke every bone in his hand.
"L. How long have you been here? What's going on? Did you lead us here?" Mello asked.
"I did. I suppose I have a lot to explain," L said, pulling up a chair and sitting, drawing his knees close to his chest, "We, as in the four of us, are not like typical humans."
"Yeah, we've been beginning to notice this."
"You're not from Earth either. At least that's not where your souls originated from. We are members of a highly evolved human race from the world Lithia, a race that has mastered control of matter and energy in a way no other has. Do you realize that your average human only uses 10 of their brain? Did you ever wonder what capabilities were unlocked inside? It's been discovered that the human brain can master matter and energy. So thousands of years ago, the ancients used this ability to ensure the soul, which is a form of energy itself, would stay alive, by transporting it to other worlds which they had created."
"I don't understand. Are you saying we are this highly evolved as well? Have we always been?" Mello asked.
"Let me explain. Did you ever wonder why none of you have a recollection of your childhood before you came to Wammy's house?"
"You had always told us that the mind blocks out traumatic events, and that's why we couldn't remember."
"We were sent to Earth as sentinels, problem solvers, and none of us were aware of it at the time. In fact the only active sentinel who was aware of the situation was Watari. That's why he created Wammy's house. He knew he was getting older, and that he needed a successor. So they had sent me. Then one day he had brought you three home."
"How did we get there? As far as I've read there aren't any arrival stations on Earth. Everyone here thinks of Earth as the beginning place." Matt said.
"Oh but there is one, and we lived only about 30 miles from it."
"Stonehenge?!" Mello said.
L nodded.
"So how did you receive instructions? How did you know what to do? How did Watari know what to do?"
"The same way you were lead here. We're capable of communicating with each other's minds. Not in the way you're probably thinking. I cant read your thoughts..."
"Well that's certainly a relief." Mello said, thinking about the dream they had shared.
"The way it works is you implant a thought seed. It's a idea that manifests itself differently depending on the receiver. That's how Near was led to Riley station to find you Mello. Another thought seed brought you here."
"I can...talk to people with my mind..." Near said, still fighting the horrible pain of his injury.
"Near, you seem to be a bit more advanced in your abilities. It's not understood why, however one thing is certain. The three of you together are special, gifted with unimaginable power. That's why the ancients chose to have all three of you here at the same time. It's not normally something that happens."
"Why are we here? What 'problem' are we supposed to solve."
"The alien infestation."
"How the bloody hell are the three of us going to wipe them out? They're slaughtering us one by one!" Matt asked.
"The three of you together are capable of mind control, meaning you can actually enter the mind of a subject. This is a capability the ancients instilled in you from the beginning, it was just switched off essentially, until now at least."
"We're...soul mates?" Mello asked.
"That's one way to look at it."
"How are we going to control the minds of every alien here? That sounds dangerous and time consuming."
"You go straight to the source. Let me explain something about this race, the Sinthorians. Our history is filled with unpleasant encounters with these beings. They're a collective, meaning they communicate mentally with each other. That's how they receive their instructions. In the centre of all this is the hive mind. Everything about them, including their technology is organically based. You'll need to go to the hive mind and poison it's thoughts. That's the only way to stop them."
"I couldn't imagine how any of this even works. How are we supposed to do it? I've never invaded anyone's thoughts before, let alone an alien being's."
"You'll have to practice. On me. But not now. Lets begin another time. Near needs his rest."
"I'm staying with him." Matt said.
"As you wish, " L said, standing back up and leading Mello from the room.
"Think there's room in there for me?" Matt asked, taking his shoes off and crawling into the bed with Near, who moved over to let him in. Matt wrapped his arms around Near and held him tightly, kissing the top of his head gently. His body was still quivering and jolting occasionally.
"Matt... It...hurts..." Near cried.
"Shhhh...It's ok. You'll be ok." Matt said softly. He pulled the blanket over them and turned the light off, holding Near tightly and never wanting to let go ever again.
Mello followed L into the lobby. He felt years of pent up emotion boiling to the surface, he didn't know where it had come from, just that it was bursting at the seams. He grabbed L's arm and turned him around to face him.
"What troubles you Mello?"
"I must be a huge disappointment for you. After Roger told us you had died I lost it. I allowed myself to go on a self-destructive path driven purely by anger. After I left Wammy's house I prostituted myself for money. When I got to America I murdered my way into the mafia, then I had the Death Note, which I used to cause more death, and then desperate, I used Matt and had gotten him killed. I've become everything you would've hated, and I hate myself for it." Mello ranted.
L embraced him awkwardly as Mello had begun to cry, placing a hand on his back as Mello wrapped his arms around L's neck.
"Ultimately my failure is what caused this to happen, but what's done is done. You still have a chance to become a better person." L said.
"I've missed you so much. I miss our long talks, I miss the way you would comfort me. You were the only one who could prevent me from losing control of myself," Mello pulled away from L and let his hands fall to his sides, staring at L with glassy red eyes. "Do you still love me?"
"I still love you. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you Mello. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for all of you. But you need only yourself now."
"All I've had is myself for the past 5, 6 years, and I know that I choose my own fate... I just needed to hear that you love me, because nobody else does."
Mello averted his eyes to the ground as they shared an uncomfortable moment of silence.
"I need to secure the building. Why don't you get all of your belongings from the vehicle outside. There's a room you can sleep in."
Later that night Mello laid awake staring at the ceiling for hours. It felt good for him to spill his guts to his long lost mentor. It was as if a weight was lifted from his shoulders, the first step to improving himself, however a lot of it brought unpleasant feelings to the surface, reminding Mello of the things he had done of which he was less than proud. He couldn't sleep though, not with certain words resounding through his mind.
I still love you
The idea. The concept. He almost forgot what it felt like to be loved. It was so long ago, and his experiences over the years made it seem even more distant. Even though he had only heard those words moments ago, he felt cold, colder than ever. He thought about Matt holding Near through the night, providing comfort and warmth as his nearly destroyed body painfully heals itself. Mello needed that warmth. The type of warmth only the love of another can offer.
I still love you.
The words still echoed through his mind, and after hours of debating, tossing and turning in that frigid bed, he stood up. His bare feet were shuffling quietly on the tile floor as he reached for the door handle wearing nothing but a pair of tight black boxer briefs. He entered the hallway and walked the short distance to the next room and opened the door. Quietly Mello entered, hearing nothing but L's deep breaths as he slept. He made his way over to the bed and stared down at L's peaceful features. He was deep in sleep, unaware of Mello staring down at him, hesitating. Mello grabbed the blanket and slowly pulled it back, revealing L, fully clothed sleeping on his side. Deciding there was enough room next to him, he slowly climbed into the bed, taking care not to disturb him.
As he settled in with his back facing L, barely touching him. There it was. The warmth. It was flooding him. He laid there for a while enjoying it, listening to each of L's deep breaths.
He loves me
He heard L shift, and suddenly felt long slender fingers caress his side, reaching over to his stomach, pulling him closer in. He nearly gasped out loud, surprised by his touch. L's hot hands felt wonderful on his bare skin. Mello was frozen, not sure if it was an involuntary action or otherwise. He was frightened, wondering how L would react if he realized what was going on at that very moment.
He felt something on his back, when it pulled away it felt cool. L was kissing Mello's back gently between the shoulder blades. His heart was racing. The kisses became more deliberate, moving onto his shoulders as L's hand slowly slid upwards to his chest. Mello was getting aroused now, L's gentle touches driving him wild with desire. Slowly L's hands slid downwards to Mello's underwear and began to slide them off.
Mello had decided to act for the first time since this began. With his underwear around his thighs, he turned around to face L, meeting his beautifully dark eyes. Not a word was said before their lips met. It was as if electricity was flowing right to his very soul. L's kiss was wonderful, gentle. Their tongues met and slowly danced on each other causing Mello to whimper quietly. Mello ran a hand underneath L's shirt, placing his palm on his chest, feeling L's heart pounding. They broke away for a moment.
"Are you comfortable with this?" L asked.
Mello responded by diving back onto L's lips, kissing him harder than before. They were getting frantic, their touches getting stronger and more deliberate. Their heavy breathing and the sound of skin sliding on bedsheets was the only sound to be heard in the room. Piece by piece, Mello had removed all of L's clothing. His body was hot to the touch...steamy. He clung to the taller man like it was his life, with L's rock hard member pressed against Mello's stomach. He ran his shaking hands over L's back as L feasted on Mello's neck. Slowly L turned Mello by the shoulders onto his side, facing away from him again. He used one of his legs to spread Mello's apart slightly. Mello was a bit frightened about what was about to happen, but would do anything for L, the one who loves him. L used some saliva to lubricate Mello's entrance, before pressing slowly against it with his hardened member.
"Mmm...aahhh!"
It had hurt a bit more than he expected. While Mello wasn't able to see it in the dark room, it felt big when he had touched it. L brought his hand to Mello's mouth, sliding his fingers in between Mello's teeth.
"Bite."
Mello gently clamped his teeth onto L's hand, but bit down harder as L pushed more of himself into Mello. Mello growled in pain, realising he was biting a bit harder than he intended as the salty tang of blood met his tongue. L kept pushing himself further into Mello until he was all the way inside of him. Mello was breathing hard through his nostrils, trying to cope with the feeling of L stretching him without biting any harder on his fingers. A tear streamed down his face and onto the pillow. L withdrew slowly from Mello allowing some relief and then started pushing back in, his hardness rubbing against Mello's prostate causing waves of pleasure to overcome him. He released his grip on L's fingers slightly, allowing some of the blood to trickle down his chin.
Mello was aroused beyond belief. With the taste of L's blood in his mouth he moaned out loud as L continued to fuck him from behind. L removed his still slightly bleeding hand from Mello's mouth and wrapped it around his aching cock. Mello jolted from the sensation and moaned deeply as L started stroking him. L was placing more kisses on Mello's shoulders, starting off gently and increasing in intensity as he started to suck on Mello's body hungrily savouring the taste of Mello's sweat, leaving a thick trail of saliva in his wake. He was getting closer to release. This wasn't something he'd ever imagine himself doing to Mello, not in his wildest imagination, but it was almost impossible to resist. Mello was so delicious, so sensual. He wanted this almost as much as Mello did.
L let out a quiet grunt as he climaxed inside of Mello, plunging as deep inside of him as he could while continuing to stroke Mello to ecstasy.
"mmm... uhh... Deeper. I want you deeper... Ughhh!" Mello cried out as came, his semen making a sticky pool on the bedsheets. For the first time he can remember he felt truly loved.
L withdrew himself from Mello's sweaty, panting body and turned to lay on his back.
"Are you ok with what just happened?" L asked.
Mello took a deep breath. He was still laying on his side, sore from L invading him. He contemplated everything that happened for a moment and decided that he was happier than he'd been in a long time. Even if it were just for a fleeting moment, he felt that void filled inside of him.
"Yes. I'm happy. Can I stay here with you tonight?"
"Yes, I'd love to have you stay."
Mello rolled onto his back and nestled against L, the warmth from their naked bodies shielding them from the cold air in the room. He usually never cuddled with a partner after sex. Usually he'd get up and walk away, go home or just retreat to his side of the bed. This felt more right to him than anything he'd ever done, and even though he knew it probably would be the only time he and L would ever share each other this way, he was going to savour every moment of it.
Yep... Just goes to show that there's no limit to my depravity :) Yes that was indeed some LxMello action going on there. Not something you see happen every day. Was it a little gratuitous? Maybe, but I couldn't help myself. I hope you did enjoy this one because Chapter 8 is going to take a while to complete since it's damn hard to write. So please be patient, and please review!
Oh and special thanks to my friend Matt for helping more people find out about my stories. I love you Matt! If you don't know who he is check him out here www. fanfiction. net/u/1036563/. He writes some pretty incredible stuff.
