A/N: So, I felt bad about how long it took for me to update. Almost 3 months? That's SO not me! And the last chapter had to be cut where it was, and in turn it was kinda short. So, I figured I'd just update again. =D Any complaints? I didn't think so. Lol.

Thanks to my beta: MyBeautifulBlackHeart.

CatatonicVanity: Lol, that will change, don't worry.

MelMat: Thanks for the continued support. I'm glad you enjoy my fics. 3

BloodyFacesAndBlackHearts: It has been forever! Lol. I feel so terrible about it, but I really did try a few times. Lol, I never paid attention in Math. I wrote my notes from the board cause they always do note check. But then I'd be doing my homework while they explained it. At the end of class, they'd tell us to use the last 5 minutes to do HW. I'd raise my hand and ask what to do if we finished. At first they were always pissed. Some stayed that way. Others embraced it and used me to help struggling students. I took French. I passed with a B.. I can't speak it at all though. I have issues cause a nose injury I had when young. There's an English version of this song ft Natasha Bedingfield though. Thanks. I hadn't planned a hiatus, but life happens, ne? Thanks!

Kari Twilight Mist: Lol. It doesn't, does it? Poor Matt and Mello. It'll be about this a lot though. The language thing was more cause Mello is still in denial that Matt is as smart as Misa told him. He doesn't expect Matt to know languages or anything like he does.

Chapter 11

Night had fallen on the first day of the festival, and Matt found himself searching frantically. Where the hell was L staying? He had to be on stage in 10 minutes. He looked around and spotted Misa near her tent and rushed forward.

"Misa!" He gasped out, grabbing her shoulders. The woman gasped and then giggled at the minor scare and Matt's disheveled appearance. He hand was on her heart as she slowed her breathing.

"Matt! You scared me!" She laughed again. He nodded, still catching his breath.

"I know, I'm sorry. But I've been looking for L." He panted out.

"And why would L want to see you?" Mello's voice came from the entrance to the tent. He was glaring at the red head and Matt rolled his eyes.

"I need to speak to him. Do you know where he is? I only have like 10 minutes to be up on stage ready to play." He spoke impatiently.

"Matt-kun?" L stepped out before Mello could respond. Matt sighed in relief. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing it wrong." He laughed to the amusement of Misa and L, and annoyance of Mello. "I needed to tell you to watch the stage. Don't ask, just do." He said sternly, turing and running back to the stage just in time.

"Where were you?" Kiyomi seemed like she was about to freak out. Matt shook his head and downed some water as he was shoved up on stage.

(-line-)

L made his way towards the stage. He wasn't sure why Matt was so frantic, but he trusted there was a good reason. Mello followed bickering about him listening to the red head. Misplaced trust he had said.

"Why would I not trust the person who helps me with computer software when I need it?" L looked at Mello seriously. The blond's jaw dropped in disbelief. "I had never met him face to face until your first football game, but through Beyond, he would help me virtually. He even created my operating system." L supplied.

Mello was in a state of disbelief. Misa sent him an, 'I told you so.' look and he rolled his eyes, standing near L to protect him if someone decided to try anything. He watched as Matt, Kiyomi, and Givanni stepped up onto the stage. But it was different. Kiyomi sat at her drums, but Givanni grabbed the bass as Matt grabbed the guitar.

"I wonder if they couldn't get Near to play tonight." Misa wondered aloud. But Matt didn't step up to the mic. Fog filled the stage and Kiyomi counted down. The beat that picked up seemed oddly familiar.

L gasped, drawing Mello's attention to him. His dark eyes were wide in astonishment and his lollipop fell to the ground. "B," he whispered, a sense of nostalgia washing over him.

Mello looked back up to the stage as L smiled lightly. Beyond was walking onto the stage, loosely wearing a straight jacked that was covered in what was supposed to be blood. He held his arms out as the crowed cheered at the sight before he started to sing.

Remember when you ran away
And I got on my knees
And begged you not to leave
Because I'd go berserk?
You left me anyhow
And then the days got worse and worse
And now you see
I've gone completely out of my mind

Mello was shocked, really. This was Beyond? And he had a connection to Matt? What the fuck? And Beyond sang? The guy who L spoke so highly about and yet at the same time, there was something wrong with them. A hostility that Mello never saw in L's demeanor unless the other man was even mentioned.

And...
They're coming to take me away, ha ha
They're coming to take me away, ho ho
Hee hee, ha ha
To the funny farm
Where life is beautiful all the time
And I'll be happy to see those nice young men
With their clean white coats
And they're coming to take me away, ha ha
They're coming to take me away, ha ha
They're coming to take me away, ho ho
Hee hee, ha ha
To the funny farm
Where life is beautiful all the time
And I'll be happy to see those nice young men
With their clean white coats
And they're coming to take me away, ha ha

"That's Matt and Near's guardian." Misa supplied into his ear. Mello blanched. Beyond had taken them in like L had taken him in?

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" He growled. Misa shrugged.

You thought it was a joke
And so you laughed, you laughed
When I have said that losing you
Would make me flip my lid
Right?
You know you laughed, I heard you laugh
You laughed, you laughed and laughed
And then you left
But now you know I'm utterly mad

The crowd seemed to be going crazy, seeing Beyond on stage. L was in a daze. He sent Misa a questioning look and she caught on easily.

"He used to sing when he was in high school. He's only 5 years above us." Mello was offended that Misa knew so much, and he knew nothing. He felt like he should know because L was his mentor. But Misa did live in the same town with them all while he was away with L.

They're coming to take me away, ha ha
They're coming to take me away, ho ho
Hee hee, ha ha
To the funny farm
Where life is beautiful all the time
And I'll be happy to see those nice young men
With their clean white coats
And they're coming to take me away, ha ha
They're coming to take me away, ha ha
They're coming to take me away, ho ho
Hee hee, ha ha
To the happy home
With trees and flowers and chipping birds
And basket weavers who sit and smile
And twiddle their thumbs and toes
And they're coming to take me away, ha ha

He watched L closely. He had never seen so many emotions in the man before. He seemed so happy to see his old friend up on stage. But there was something else there. Shame?

I cooked your food, I cleaned your house
And this is how you pay me back
For all my kind, unselfish, loving deeds?
Ha!
Well you just wait, they'll find you yet
And when they do
They'll put you in the ASPCA
You mangy mutt

Pain flashed in his eyes for a moment, and Mello was confused. Was this the answers to why there was the underlining of hostility between the two men?

And...
They're coming to take me away, ha ha
They're coming to take me away, ho ho
Hee hee, ha ha
To the funny farm
Where life is beautiful all the time
And I'll be happy to see those nice young men
With their clean white coats
And they're coming to take me away, ha ha
They're coming to take me away, ha ha
They're coming to take me away, ho ho
To the happy home
With trees and flowers and chipping birds
And basket weavers who sit and smile
And twiddle their thumbs and toes
And they're coming to take me away, ha ha
They're coming to take me away..

As L looked away from the performance, Mello found a new determination to find out what exactly had happened between his mentor and his ex partner.

(-line-)

Throughout the performance, Matt couldn't help but notice Beyond's eyes travel to the direction L was in. B glared at him for a split second before allowing himself to get into the music once again. Matt was just trying not to laugh. When the music ended, Beyond came up to him.

"You did this, I know you did." He hissed. Matt gave him an innocent look.

"What do you mean? He is staying here as well. He was bound to catch you on stage." He smiled when Beyond glared tightly, unable to control himself.

"That's where you went off to! Not hitting on some guy." Matt feigned offense, but Beyond cut him off. "I'm not doing the other song." He went to walk away, but Matt grabbed his arm.

"Come on, B. You knew he'd be here. You knew the chances. You promised to do this. Think of the festival." He guilt tripped. Beyond rolled his eyes but nodded his head. He walked back to center stage to address the audience.

"Sorry about that. Had to discuss with him what the other song we're doing is." He smiled. Everyone was cheering. "Now, I know it's been a long time since I've been up here, so I thought for the special occasion, I'd write you a new song. This comes from my very soul, so hopefully you like it."

(-line-)

"Oh my God!" Misa was yelling and jumping up and down, smacking Mello in the arm. "A new song from B? This is amazing!" She squealed. Mello rolled his eyes.

"He always did want to make sure he could steal the show." L smiled in amusement. His voice gave way to the distance he was really at. A part of him was far away in his memories.

(-line-)

The memories assaulted Beyond as the music started to play. Contrary to Matt's words, he hadn't even considered that L would see him sing. But much like his ward, he wrote from the heart. As the music played, he took a deep breath, preparing himself.

I tried to love you I thought I could
I tried to own you I thought I would
I want to peel the skin from your face
Before the real you lays to waste

L watched as Beyond enacted his words. One thing he always did, was put on a show. His hand scratched at his face, and smeared fake blood across it. He half smiled at the fact that Beyond was still full of theatrics.

Beyond purposely kept his attention away from his old friend and mentor. All the history washed over him, and he couldn't bare to see him while he sang those words. It would be too much at once.

You told me I'm the only one
Sweet little angel you should have run
Lying, crying, dying to leave
Innocence creates my hell

L frowned. Was Beyond singing about them? His eyes widened a fraction at the implications. Had his reasoning hurt him so badly? Was that why the awkward air had turned stale and hostile between them over the years?

Beyond curled in on himself as he screamed into the mic passionately. The words meant so much to him, and he'd damn well make sure at least one person in the audience felt the power behind them as well.

Cheating myself still you know more
It would be so easy with a whore
Try to understand me little boy
My twisted passion to be your world

L knew his mask had slipped. That his emotions were there for anyone to see. All the had to do was look at him. He knew the Mello would have a million questions for him later, but he couldn't help it.

Beyond hated himself for feeling this way. He hadn't even realized this was the truth until he was up on stage singing it with L watching. He hated himself even more for searching the man out again. Their eyes locked for the next verse.

Lost inside my sick head
I live for you but I'm not alive
Take my hand before I kill
I still love you, but, I still burn

L's breath hitched with the emotions he saw in those crimson eyes. That he heard in his rough voice. His own heart quickened and tightened. When Beyond held his hand out to the audience in his direction he wanted nothing more than to grab it.

Beyond cried out at the end of the verse, breaking eye contact as he carried the note. He felt his eyes burn, but he refused to let any tears fall.

Yeah, Love, hate, love
Oooh, Love, hate, love
Yeah, Love, hate, love

Yeah, Love, hate, love
Oooh, Love, hate, love
Yeah, Love, hate, love

Yeah, Love, hate, love
Oooh, Love, hate, love
Yeah, Love, hate, love

Beyond's eyes lingered over on L as the song closed. The older man could see the unshed tears most people wouldn't notice. His gut twisted in regret and he turned to walk away from the performance that was now over. He felt Mello and Misa follow him.

Beyond watched him turn away. The regret in his eyes so memorable to the last time. He wanted to vomit as he watched him walk away again.

Matt watched on from his place. He felt guilty for making Beyond go through with it. He knew he was hurting, but there was no other way. He had to get through this. He would. He was confident in that. Beyond thanked the crowd and headed down. Matt followed him, letting the others linger.

"You should talk to him." Matt pushed. Beyond flashed him a murderous look.

"Are you insane? That's twice that I've had to watch him do that to me, Matt! Why don't you do me a favor and stop butting in? I won't allow it to happen a third time!" He spat. Matt sighed, and let him go, waiting for his friends to warn them off.

Beyond continued to their tent and stopped a little ways away. L was standing just outside, watching him. He wanted to badly to turn around and walk away, but that would make him a coward. And Beyond Birthday, was not a coward! He moved forward again, approaching L. He nodded in greeting, fitting his uncaring mask to his face carefully.

"B.." L trailed off momentarily. Beyond rolled his eyes.

"I don't want your pity, L." He said, harshly. L looked at him with widened eyes.

"You think I pity you?" He sounded offended.

"Why else would you be here?" He spat, heading into his tent, undoing the straps to his straight jacket. L followed without a second though, something Beyond hadn't really expected.

"I don't pity you, B. I know you. I know the strength you possess, and I know pity would only make it worse." He took a deep breath as Beyond dropped his straight jacket on the floor, his tank top following it. L's eyes bore into his back. "I just want to talk to you." Beyond snorted.

"Little late for that, isn't it?" He turned to face L. He was taken back by the look on L's face as his eyes roamed over his torso.

"Beyond. You weren't even 18 yet!" L sighed in exasperation. Beyond ignored the voice in his head telling him he was right. "I could have gone to prison if I had allowed it." L turned away slightly.

"And your solution was to just leave?" He snapped. His anger at the past few years gripped him. L looked back at him, guarded.

"I didn't leave because of you, B. I left because an old friend needed me. Because a child needed me." He whispered. Beyond's eyes flashed in understanding.

"Mello." It wasn't a question, but L nodded anyways. "So, you didn't leave because of me?" He asked for reassurance.

"Why would I have? Even though we couldn't do what we wanted, it didn't mean I wanted to lose you." L admitted. Beyond smirked.

"What we wanted?" He took a step towards L. The older man blushed and looked away.

"Who we were to one another. Everything about us was wrong. But it didn't stop me from wanting you in return, no." L's voice was a whisper. Beyond advanced on him instantly, pulling him into his arms and kissing him passionately. L pulled back in surprise.

"Don't do it again, L. We're different now. It's not wrong anymore. It's not illegal anymore. Don't push me away again." Beyond's voice was pleading and desperate. L looked up at him and stroked his face with a thumb.

"You're right." He whispered in return, pulled Beyond to him in another kiss. Beyond normally would have reveled in the fact that L had said he was right. But his lips distracted him easily. And if that hadn't been enough, the hands traveling up his torso and over his shoulders sealed the deal. He acted on instinct and slid his hands up L's shirt in return.

(-line-)

Matt shoed the others away from the tent with a hush when Kiyomi started giggling and Givanni gasped.

"You guys want us to get caught?" Matt laughed at them. They shook their heads quickly and he sighed.

"I guess we should go see what Misa is up to since we're stuck for a while?" Givanni offered. The others agreed and they walked down a few tents to where Misa was staying.

"Misa!" Matt yelled out when they go to it. She opened the flap with a smile.

"Hey guys, come on in." She offered.

"Oh no. What are you guys doing here?" Mello voiced as they filed in. Matt rolled his eyes.

"Can't you play nice for a little bit? We can't go to ours." He said, taking up a seat on the floor. Misa sat between them nervously.

"Why not?" She asked innocently. The others snorted into their hands and Matt smiled.

"B and L are... talking." He gave her a perverted smile and she blushed.

"So, what? L said he had to talk business with the guy, but who cares? It's better than you suffocating me in my own temporary residence." He rolled his eyes, the topic clearly lost on him. The others laughed again.

"Mello. They aren't talking business. Well, not the professional kind at least. Unless you consider professional to involve having your tongues in one another's mouths as clothes start flying." Matt was laughing. Mello's eyes were wide.

"What exactly are you insinuating?" He spoke slowly. Matt rolled his eyes.

"Oh please, don't tell me that L's sexuality and desire for B was totally lost on you? I'm not insinuating anything. I'm clearly telling you that they were about to fuck each other so we couldn't go inside." Matt spoke equally as slow. Mello stood suddenly.

"You lie." He growled and headed out. Matt jumped up to follow, motioning for the others to stay.

"Mello, stop." He grabbed a shoulder and tugged. The blond jerked away and glared.

"How could you even dare to say L would touch another man? I'll prove you're a liar!" He started to stalk away again. Matt growled and stopped him again.

"Look. I know you have this issue with homosexuality and all. But B has been hurting for a long time, and he fucking deserves this! Can you honestly tell me over the years you couldn't tell that L was hurting too? Let them be happy and forget it for once. Talk to him another time, but let him have this moment!" His chest heaved and Mello glared at him. The blond then pushed away and headed in the opposite direction, to the festival.

Matt shrugged and wandered off, lighting a cigarette. He had a feeling that tonight would change everything.

(-line-)

Beyond had made fast work on L's shirt. He had pulled him down to the ground hastily, laying him across the sheet covered ground. His lips moved across L's jaw and down his neck. The older man thrust upwards and he sat up. Impatience forced him to tug the loose jeans down, them going easily. He laughed lightly when he saw L's bare feet.

"This is a public place, you know." He tickled the bottom of one. L jerked it away and glared.

"So? It's grassy." He defended. "Besides, it's one less think you have to remove." The look in his eyes made Beyond sit still, eating it up. He had never seen such heat and desire in those dark eyes. He groaned and kissed him again, tossing the denim behind him.

When L's hands started to work on his belt, Beyond kicked off his shoes. He assisted in removing his jeans the rest of the way, and as he was distracted, L gripped his erection on the outside of his black boxers. He moaned into the kiss and thrust into the hand holding him.

Beyond sat up and gripped the waistband of L's boxers. Red? He gave him a questioningly look. L blushed, "Red reminds me of you." Beyond smiled and pulled them down his long, toned legs. He gripped just above the knees and slid his hands up his thighs until he was gripping L's hips. His body lowered as he slip north, and his head dipped down to lick from the base of L's cock to the tip, sucking lightly on the tip.

"After tonight, L, you'll never question a thing again." Beyond reassured. L whimpered and reached down to move his fingers into the wild raven locks that were so much like his own. He tugged roughly, causing Beyond to hiss and moan in one breath. L smirked.

Beyond then engulfed L's erection, causing the older man to arch his back as his eyes rolled back into his head. L was panting below him, "B. I won't last long if you continue this. I want to see you too." His face was red as he admitted this. He wasn't used to such crude language.

L sat up as Beyond did, slipping his fingers into the waistband of Beyond's boxers, and tugging them down. They hit the floor at his knees, and L flipped him onto his back, pulling them off the rest of the way. With a smirk, he descended upon Beyond this time, sucking on him like one of his beloved lollipops.

Beyond sat up as L was bent over him. He in turn bent over L's form. He sucked on his index and middle finger, leaving behind a thick layer of saliva, before reaching over and slipping a finger into L. The detective moaned around him, and Beyond almost shot his load into his mouth right then, barely holding back.

L pushed back against the fingers as a second one invaded, sucking even harder, eager to please as much as he was receiving. When he couldn't take it anymore, he released Beyond's cock from his mouth and pushed up, forcing the other man to sit up as well. He crawled forward the few paces needed and straddled his hips, instantly impaling himself.

Beyond hadn't expected that. A pang in his chest occurred when he thought about how recently L must have been active to be able to endure such an action, not that he had room to judge.

"I haven't been with anyone since I met you and realized how important you were." L spoke, noticing the far away look in Beyond's eyes. Crimson grew wide in shock, and he smiled. "I just think about you every night." Beyond smirked at the implications, but then shame gripped him.

"I..." He chocked. L shook his head and covered his mouth with a finger.

"It doesn't matter anymore, B. It's not your fault. All that matters is from this moment on." He kissed him tenderly, pulling Beyond away from his regrets and back into the moment.

Beyond flipped them so L was on his back. He continued to kiss him, turning it passionate as he started to pull out of L's body before moving back in slowly. L's head fell back as a languid moan left his lip, enticing him. Beyond's hands were everywhere. Caressing his torso and thighs. Moving through his hair and scrapping down his shoulders and arms. L squirmed beneath him, losing track of the trail of fire set by his hands.

Beyond picked up his pace, needing the feel of L around him. Needing to be deeper. He was getting lost in the intensity as L's moans; quiet but consistent, filled his ears. His lips, forever parted with pants and moans, ghosted over his shoulder.

L's breathing picked up and he lowered his head back to the ground. His moans grew larger and his back arched. His legs tightened around Beyond, as his right was pushed over shoulder. His grip on Beyond's shoulders was bruising, and his nails drew blood as he called out his release, "Beyond!"

Beyond grunted as walls closed in on him. His pace picked up even more and his movements became erratic. He dug his hips as deep as he could, rotating them as his own release took over, "Lawliet!"

L stroked his face lovingly as he fell to the side, tucking him in his arms safely. Beyond's clouded eyes started to focus as he came down from his orgasm, connecting with L's dark ones.

"I love you." L whispered, shocking him to the core. His eyes went wide and he stared for a moment.

"I love you too." He chocked out finally, fear gripping at his insides. L kissed him again, and he relaxed into it. He reached over and grabbed a folded blanket, shaking it out and pulling it over them and laying back down. L immediately got comfortable with a yawn.

"We're both insomniacs. Think we'll actually sleep for once?" L joked with a light laugh.

"I don't care, as long as you're here regardless." Beyond hugged him tighter. He felt a kiss on his chest, and heard L's breath even out shortly before he himself dozed off.

A/N: Songs used:

"Funny Farm" by Neuroticfish

"Love Hate Love" by Alice in Chains