A/N: Holy Zelda.. I haven't updated since before I met my ex! Lol. Long story short.. Met a girl.. Had a great time.. Girl dumped me after I was diagnosed with IH. End. Lol.
Thanks to my Beta: MyBeautifulBlackHeart
MelMat: Lol, yeah.. Mello is playing the bad guy. Actually, Near is just looking out for his dad at the moment. But I know your feelings towards him.
Cassandra106: Yes, YAY! Lol.
CatatonicVanity: I know. Bad Mello! We'll punish him eventually, I promise.
XlasttoknowyouredeadX: Well, at the moment, Near is trying to sabotage Mello. Lol. There will be ups and downs. Plot.
Elvye: I like to think that even though we all know how it'll end.. I'm keeping the journey interesting. Lol.
Killing you with umbrellas: Thanks.
Brightnight003: It's not that he doesn't want Matt to be happy. It's that he can read Mello for his intentions. He's trying to protect Matt.
Kari Twilight Mist: Lol, you're supposed to want to slap him. I'm doing my job.
494dwangel: Everyone is hating on Near. Lol. Poor kid. He's trying to protect his dad.
TinkanaiT32: To draw such reactions from Mello lovers though.. That's good.
Mahri: Thanks. Of course we love our jerk Mello.
Awesomenessknowsnobounds: Lol, that would be funny. But not quite.
Ice: Right now, Near is doing what he can to get rid of Mello. So at this moment, he won't be offering any help.
monstah-chan: Lol. There has to be a plot though.
MyBeautifulBlackHeart: I'm sorry.
Chapter 7: A New Game
"Honey, I'm home!" Beyond called out as he entered the oversized house, his arms loaded with groceries.
"Get out." Was all he got in return, the monotone voice drifting in from the living room. His smile faded and he walked in to face his irritated friend.
"Is that any way to treat a friend?" Beyond smiled innocently. "Especially when he brings you strawberries?" He pulled a carton of strawberries from the paper bag and waved them playfully. L's eyes lifted and watched them move back and forth a moment before lowering to his screen again.
"Leave the strawberries and go." He dead panned. Beyond sighed and placed the bag down, flopping into the seat next to L.
"Ok, what's with you?" He pushed. L just glanced at him and reached for a strawberry.
"You encourage him." L stated, taking a bite of the luscious fruit. Beyond groaned as he watched his pink tongue dab out to catch some stray juice.
"He doesn't need encouragement." Beyond tried. L's eyes snapped to his own.
"Exactly." L plucked another strawberry from the carton, cupping it with his tongue before biting into it. Beyond shifted and shook his head.
"I don't encourage him, L. And to be honest, I don't think you should worry nearly as much as you are." He tried to defend himself and the blond. L just shook his head and stood, moving away from him.
"You think I worry too much? Matt is like a brother to me, if not like a son. Near is a brilliant kid. They've been through a lot. Every man Matt has met finds out about Near and run the other direction. Or hold out until they get into his pants before sneaking out. Near lost his mother. They lost Light. That is something I'll never forgive myself for!" L's voice rose uncharacteristically. Beyond tried to stand and speak, but was cut off. "Mello is a playboy. I've watched him reel them in left and right, only to dump them after he gets laid. Rarely sticking around for a second round. Matt and Near deserve more than what Mello has to offer."
Beyond felt a surge of anger roll through his body. The need to defend his friend nagging at his mind. He slowly stood and faced a rarely seen narrow eyed L, his own demeanor radiating fury. His movements were slow and dangerous, his eyes calculating.
"You think Matt's the only one who has gone through something hard? I can understand you wanting to protect him. You feel bad. Not that you should. Light wasn't your fault! But Matt's a big boy, and maybe you should try trusting him a little. Let him make his own judgments and calls. Let him decide if Mello is worth the risk. Maybe he sees a side you don't. Either way, it's his call, not mine, yours, or anyone else." His chest was heaving in anger. L looked taken aback by his words, but he couldn't care less.
"Beyond.." L tried, only to be cut off this time.
"No. Fuck you!" Beyond paced away from the living room, stopping that the entry way. "And for your information, the way that Mello acts this time is different. You don't see him. You don't talk to him. There's something different with Matt." And with that, he was out the door with a slam.
(-line-)
Mello was a fucking genius. Why he hadn't considered it before, he didn't know. But the dinner and soup thing he tried was gold. That's how he found himself parking his bike outside of Matt's house on his next day off. Dismounting, he walked to the door and rang the bell. The red head swung it open with a look of surprise on his face.
"Mello? What are you doing here?" He asked, genuinely curious, a cigarette dangling from his lips. They hadn't had plans. Mello smiled sheepishly.
"I thought we'd go out for a bit." He shrugged. Matt's face fell and he pulled the cigarette away.
"Mello, you know I can't just leave. Misa has plans and she isn't my personal baby sitter. Near is my son, and I-" He stopped talking when Mello stepped up and placed a finger over his lips. He smiled and pecked Matt on the lips before stepping back again, pulling something from his pocket.
"I was thinking the Orchestra that's in town." He slid the one ticket to fan them out, revealing a second. "I remember you telling me that you really love it but have never been.. And.." He fanned it out more, revealing a third, "you also mentioned that Near is taking violin?" He smiled as Matt's face lit up.
"Mello.." Matt sighed with a smile, pulling the blond in for a hard kiss on the lips. When he pulled away, he turned inward, dragging Mello along.
"Near!" he called. Moments later, the kid in question came down the steps.
"Yes?" He remained polite, eying Mello as he spoke.
"Near, we're going to the orchestra tonight." Matt explained. Near's smile was faint, but existent. "Mello just surprised me with three tickets." As Matt turned to kiss him on the cheek again, Near's slight smile fell and he glared at the blond. Mello just smirked back.
'That's right, kid. Two can play this game.'
(-line-)
Later in the evening, Mello was leading Matt and Near to their seats. Matt sat in the middle of the other two, much to Mello's relief.
"I'm surprised, you clean up well, Mels." Matt smirked at him. Mello gave him a smoldering smile, lidding his eyes.
"Not so bad yourself, Jeevas." He reached over and smoothed Matt's tie playfully. Near rolled his eyes.
"So, why did you want to bring us instead of giving us the tickets. I didn't peg you as someone to like the orchestra." Near stated plainly, ignoring his father's scolding of being rude.
"No, it's ok. He's weary, I get it. You're his dad after all." Mello soothed Matt's patience before looking at Near. "When you're in a relationship, you do things with someone you care about just because you know it makes them happy, even if it isn't exactly something you'd do normally without them. Just to spend time together. Even if I didn't like the orchestra, I'm happy that making the both of you happy makes Matt happy. Besides, I do like the orchestra. I may not have attended without you two, but I used to play viola in school." He straightened his jacket.
"You used to play?" Matt sounded bewildered. Mello just nodded. "Maybe you can play for me some time." He suggested, a seductive smile on his face. Mello returned it.
"Anytime you want." He promised. Near groaned inwardly again, ignoring the two adults.
"I'm going to go to the bathroom before it starts." Matt said, standing. Near declined going as well, and the red head walked off. A moment or two of silence lasted before Near turned in his seat abruptly.
"Ok, what exactly do you want? To get in his pants and ditch us like every other asshole?" Near let out. Mello turned to face him as well.
"Have you considered that maybe I actually like him? That I actually care?" He countered.
"Ha!" Near laughed. "I looked you up. I read all about you and your playboy life. And make no mistake, my dad is amazing with computers! No doubt he has you dialed in and knows all about you. So what is it you've done to make him think you're a good guy?"
"We all have a past, kid. Maybe he believes in me. And just because I have a questionable past doesn't make me a bad guy." He seethed at the younger kid.
"No? You're morals are messed up. You don't think the law applies to you because you wear a badge. We've been through enough without you coming along to just hurt him all over again. If you were a good person, you'd leave him alone." Near ranted.
Mello's reply was cut off by Matt's return. The red head frowned at them. "Were you two fighting?" He asked nervously.
"Of course not." "No, Dad." They replied simultaneously.
"Near and I were just discussing the line up tonight." Mello smiled. Matt nodded skeptically, but sat down regardless.
As the lights dimmed and the curtains rose, Mello shot a look at Near before focusing on Matt. He couldn't wait to be rid of the kid.
A/N: I hope this sates everyone for now. Lol.
So hey guise! MBBH here, don't really know what to say other than I was in too good if a mood not to write an editor's note! Happily in a new relationship as of a few hours ago, and I know she'll be reading this. OK I have to stop this new relationship feeling, as if, from writing a novel. Bye, and talk to you on the next update!
