Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Appology: I meant to put this in the last chapter - the idea for Mello eating a baconator belongs to black panda. You're awesome. Forgive me for forgetting to give you credit. ):


Fights and Reunion

Over the next few weeks, Raito and Mikami grew closer and closer. I also got better at ditching them. When Mikami talked Raito into forcing me into shopping for a new outfit, I just waited until they started discussing what color looked best on me before walking out of the store. I reveled in my alone time.

Sometimes, I began to wonder if Raito didn't wish Mikami never had to leave, but as soon as he was gone, Raito claimed he hated him, and was only helping me. I didn't care one way or the other – Raito and I had never been close friends anyway, and it was nice to have someone to talk to about something other than music. Not that I didn't love my music, but I got enough of it from Mr. Talbert at our daily meetings. The tour was drawing close, so I was in the studio practicing and recording. I already had three songs recorded, and another eight planned.

"Have you talked to L recently?" I asked Raito. I was sitting on my bed, playing my guitar with a pencil behind my ear and a pad of paper sitting next to me. Somehow, it was a surprise even to me, I still managed to write new songs. It was my way of relaxing.

"No. He's changed phones and I don't have his new number." They way Raito said it – so casually – put my guard up.

"Don't you miss him?" I tried another chord, liked it, and wrote it down.

"Yes." Raito said. "But I'm not going back until he apologizes." I would never have been able to hold a grudge against Mello for so long. The longest was when he 'lost' my gameboy for two days. I hadn't spoken to him that entire time, but finally I broke down. He 'found' it and I punched him in the face.

"Harsh." I said. I wasn't satisfied with Raito's answer, but I didn't have any way contact L and verify it, so I would just trust Raito. Afterall, I was probably just being paranoid.

"Aren't you still mad at Mello?" He asked. It had never occurred to me to be mad at Mello. Mello was my best friend, and I knew why he had left. I felt upset that he hadn't come back yet, but I was mostly upset at myself for not being good enough for him. He had probably found some beautiful man or woman who would stay quiet and do what he wanted. He always hated that I fought back. I would try to be better when I found him again.

"Of course not." I said. "He didn't leave to be mean." Somehow, I knew Raito would never understand, so I declined to say any more on that subject.

"Did you find out anything about A and B?" I asked. I noticed Raito froze briefly when I mentioned them. I guess that was the cause of their fight. I wonder if L had defended B in any way. That would be sure to send someone like Raito over the edge.

"Yes, actually." Raito said. "Interesting story. But I doubt what I heard is true. How could someone so young be so…ruthless." His tone was disgusted, so I relaxed. "What B did…I can't even think on it. Poor L, to have had to go through that." Finally he showed some emotion. At L's name, he held back a sob.

"L is strong." I said. "But I'm sure he would like to hear from you. The two of you were quite attached last time I saw you."

"Maybe you're right." Raito admitted. "I suppose I could contact Watari and find L. I do miss him." After that, Raito left to call Watari and then L. I finished the song I was writing and then opened my phone. In it, I had Mello's number. I hadn't even tried it since he left, but something prompted me to dial the number. I didn't know if I wanted Mello to answer or not. I had no idea what I was going to say if he did. He didn't answer so I didn't have to worry. The phone went straight to voicemail. Mello hadn't bothered to record one, so I didn't even get to hear his voice. I resisted the urge to cry, and started on another song.

Standing up on stage was worse than I had ever imagined. I looked into the crowd and froze. Carefully, I relaxed, waving to the fans and shouting 'thanks' into the microphone. When they silented to a dull roar, I introduced myself.

"I'm Matt!" Pause. "I'm so excited to play for you tonight. This first song is dedicated to my best friend, L!" It was part one of my plan to lure out B. If B was anything like I imagined him to be, he would still be bent on destroying anything L held dear. I had to convince B that I was L's friend, or more than friend. Raito had been okay with it when I asked him, and he passed on L's agreement.

By the end of my three songs, I introduced the band and slipped off stage to applause. I was beaming. I felt such a rush to play for people who sang along – my music had gone live on iTunes a week before. Nothing could ruin my happiness, except the person standing behind stage, smirking and standing with his arms crossed. I stopped, still on stage and stared.

Nothing could prepare me for meeting Mello at that moment. I was stunned. He had no right to find me only after I had finally started on my own. All my anger was directed at him as I strode towards him. I'm not sure what I planned to do when I reached him. I didn't think that far ahead. He didn't walk towards me, he just stood there. I walked as quickly as I could and covered the distance in a matter of seconds.

"What the hell are you doing here, Mello?" I asked. I heard the steel in my voice. I didn't wait for his response – I punched him as hard as I could. He fell back, clutching his nose and cursing.

"I guess I deserved that." He said, holding his nose to try and stop the blood flow. I felt bad for what I did and moved closer. He must have thought I was going to punch him again because he stepped away from me and held up a hand.

"Just let me recover from this one first, okay?" He said. I ripped off a part of my shirt and handed it to him.

"I am so sorry." I led him away from the stage where the band had started playing so we could hear each other. We made it to my limo and I ushered him inside it. My shirt, wadded up, was shoved up his nose and the blood had stopped dripping.

"So why are you here, Mel?" I asked. "Any special reason? Need money?"

"I missed you, Matt." He said. "Also, I know what you're up to and you'll never pull it off without me." It shouldn't have surprised me that he knew my plan. He knew me better than anyone in the world.

"What am I trying to do, then?" I asked.

"Find B." He smirked, and I felt the urge to punch him again. I didn't and thankfully we pulled into my driveway and I let Mello out before I could hurt him anymore.

"Fine. But why are you here now, Mel?" I didn't realize I had used my old nickname for him, but he did because he smiled.

"It's so easy to get in your good graces, Matt." He said, slinging an arm around my shoulder. I shrugged it off and opened my door – I never locked it. I set my guitar down right inside the door and turned to block his entrance.

"Tell me why I should let you in my house, Mihael." I spat. He didn't look hesitant for a moment as he pushed his way in my house.

"I don't think I can forgive you, Mello." I said. All my anger drained, and I just felt depressed. "You can sleep in Raito's room on a pull out. I think one of the couches has one. Raito should be home soon and he can show you everything you need." I wanted to be alone and think, but I should have known that Mello wouldn't let me.

"I screwed up, Matt." He said. "But that doesn't mean you need to go crawling to Raito." I snapped and I would have hit him if he hadn't grabbed my arms and pinned them to my side.

"I didn't go to Raito. He's fighting with L and he needed a place to stay. Don't ever think you know me, Mihael Keehl." I fought against him, but I felt like I did when I was five and had a bullet in my shoulder. Before I knew it, I was crying. Once again, Mello had caught me off guard.

"I'll leave, Matt. If you ask me to, I'll walk out right now and never bother you again." His words shocked me into silence.

"Damn it." I said. "Don't leave." Suddenly, I remembered what I'd wanted to tell him. I'd practiced it in my head, but suddenly I'd lost it.

"My name is Mail Jeevas." I blurted. I felt stupid, and didn't know what else to do, but Mello solved my problem for me but crashing his lips into mine. Without thinking clearly, we found ourselves in my bed. Everything about Mello was right. I had never, would never, and could never imagine anyone I would fit with better. That night we proved our love over and over. If Raito came home, he left before I noticed, not that I noticed anything outside the world Mello and I had created. For the first time in a year, I felt complete. Mello was back.


Miko: Yay Mello! That's as explicit as it'll get. Sorry for the long delay in chapters. I'm addicted to World of Warcraft. xx; If you play on the server Uldaman add Bhara. Horde ftw! Or I have a night elf Nale on Sentinals. /end/ I'll try to be quicker next time.

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