A/N: Sure.. The day after I wrote Ch 24, I'm finally in a mood to write angst.. Lol. Oh well, it helped make Ch. 25!

WindOfTheNight: Yeah, London is finally here! Lol. I feel bad, cause I really don't hate Near.. He just got the part in this story. I also don't like making OC's much.. So Linda was just used. Thanks, she's amazing. =)

foreverunloved: That's awesome! It's kinda kool how I tend to post a new chapter at night, and everyone wakes up to it. Lol.

Tailsdoll123: 200th reviewer! At least he has Mello to make it better. ;)

Doppleganger's Doll: 1. All remains to be seen. Salma rules it. 2. You're hugging the cheater? =O

EndlessStorm: Oh.. Don't worry. There is PLENTY in store for our favorite couple. *evil smile*

MelMat: Lol. Right? Linda just.. fit! Oh, Mello will *take* his Matty plenty of places. =D

Gates of Oblivion: Yeah, but then this story wouldn't have been as epic. 0=)

RandomAsRainbows: It's not that simple.. Lol.

Mail Jeevas's girl xD: But the question is how do you expect Mello to willingly share with you?

xxMAILxxJEEVASxx: We shall see. ;)

Mustached Kira: The only thing that would've made it better was Mello's gun to his temple.. Or nuts.. W/e.. But I couldn't see him attempting to bring it with him as it's an AU and stuff.. I'll tell you the same thing.. We'll see. Lol. Let's see how Salma ends this story first. I'm not big on sequels..

Chapter 25:

After the spent a few hours driving around aimlessly, they had finished the whole bag of weed. Mello stared at the empty bag on his lap and started laughing.

"It's not funny! We need to find more!" Matt insisted.

"Matty, I think we're good right now. Maybe we should get off the road? You shouldn't be driving." Mello bit his lip to hold back laughter as Matt gave him a hurt look, insisting he was fine. Then he swerved back to the left side of the road as a car honked, causing Mello to bust out laughing.

"Shut up! I'm used to driving in the US! Ok, so we should get off the road. Don't need a cop smelling the weed." He sighed and pulled up to a club that had hardcore music blaring from. They had passed it before and considered stopping. It was only down the street from the hotel. They climbed out and walked it. It was dark, and the music made Mello's blood boil. He walked over to the bar and ordered a bottle of rum for him and Matt.

"I.D." The woman said as she openly eyed him. Well, fuck.

"Hey baby. Where's out drinks?" Matt slid up against him and nibbled on his ear. All thought left Mello and he groaned while Matt's hand ran across his stomach. The bartender blushed and place the bottle down before moving on. Mello heard Matt chuckle and himself be pulled away to a table. "I figured when she asked for your I.D. you'd need help. With the way she was eye fucking you and woman like gay guys for some reason, that it'd make her forget." Matt winked. Mother fucker. He was still playing games, then? Mello groaned internally. He had to play this right. Matt had just found out his boyfriend of 2 years was cheating on him the whole time. With a woman. He was going to want to act a little reckless, and Mello had to make sure he wasn't the rebound. No matter how much he wanted to throw Matt on this very table at the moment. He had to let Matt come to him.

(-line-)

Mello sat down out of breath, panting. Who would've known that Matt had such stamina? Especially with all the weed they smoked and alcohol they drank. Sure, the dancing here was more intense due to the hard rock and screamo music choice, but damn. He watched Matt dance be himself. He had spoke directly in his ear that he needed to sit down for a minute to catch his breath. The red head had winked at him and nodded. He was now just moving around on his own to the music.

Oh my God.
Oh my God.
If only he knew,
If only he knew,
If only he knew about the world without the bullshit and the lies,
We could've saved him.
They could've saved me.
But instead I'm here drowning in my own fucking mind,
And I'll be damned if you're the death of me.

Matt was totally lost and confused. How had he been so stupid to not know Near had been cheating on him? He knew he was a substitute to him. That Near really wanted Linda, but she wouldn't go for it. Or at least, he had thought she wouldn't. He had played him.

Blood and ink stain the walls.
Silently with bloodied knuckles, I carry on
Hoping it's not too wrong.
You said the nights were far too long.
'Honey, it's just the start of it.'

And Mello.. Oh how he had wanted Mello. He had felt guilty about the few kisses they shared. He had felt like he was the worst person to exist. That Near deserved better. That Mello deserved better. He had never wanted someone so badly. And he fought that primal need with everything he had in him, and the whole time, Near was screwing around behind his back. For two years.

Oh my God.
If only he knew.
Oh my God.
If only he knew.
If only he knew!
If only he knew.

Mello watched Matt move around. It seemed this song was effecting him deeper than the others had. He was dancing with such abandon and passion, and Mello couldn't take his eyes off of him, as well as a few other sets of eyes.

Just stand up and scream.
The tainted clock is counting down.
(Faster and fast!)
You gave in to me.
Would you say the nights are far too long now?
(Faster, faster and fast!)

How was he supposed to not touch him? To not be there for him? He wanted so badly to show Matt that he was wanted. That he could take care of him the way e deserved to be taken care of. That they had a passion so intense, it would explode into something amazing together.

Oh my God!
Oh my fucking God!
The tears that stain my cheek must make me look weak!
I wear them proudly!
I wear them proud!

Matt refused to let Near ruin him. He had known they were ending. That it was only a matter of time. All they did was fight, and Near only wanted him for his similarities to Linda. Hell, he used to complain that his eyes were too bright! No. He had scars from the experience. But he would turn his face to the world with a smile and be proud of who he was.

Just stand up and scream.
The tainted clock is counting down.
(Faster and fast!)
You gave in to me.
Would you say the nights are far too long now?
(Faster, faster and fast!)

Suddenly, Matt felt another body move against his. He would assume it was Mello, but he could tell it wasn't. He could sense Mello in a second, and he could feel the blonde's eyes still on him from his seat at their table. He shrugged and began to dance with the guy. It was only dancing, after all.

Your knife,
My back!
My gun,
Your head!
Your knife,
My back!
My gun,
Your head!

Mello's fist clenched as some guy with dark hair moved over and started touching Matt. His blood boiled and he wanted to scream. He took a calming breath as the man slipped his arm around Matt's waist, and the red head turned towards him. His anger returned full force as the man's hand dipped lower and he cupped Matt's denim covered ass. Then, he was on his feet as the man kept pushing back to him while Matt tried to push him away, making it clear he was not interested.

You need a doctor baby,
You scared?
You need a doctor baby,
You scared?
You need a doctor baby,
You scared?
You need a doctor baby,
You scared,
You scared,
You scared!
Yeah!
You need a doctor baby,
You scared!
You need a doctor baby,
You scared!
You need a doctor baby!
You need a doctor baby!
You scared!

Matt was pushing the strange man away, telling him to back off. He was ready to hit the guy, as he brushed his ass once again, and his other hand moved dangerously close to his flaccid cock. He looked up with anger in his eyes, and was about to pull back to hit him when the man's body was ripped away suddenly. He blinked and saw Mello punch the guy in the face before stomping on his hands, no doubt breaking them.

"Maybe now you'll keep your disgusting hands to yourself when asked, asshole!" He heard over the music. The people around them were staring and Matt grabbed Mello and pulled him out the door. He shoved him into the car and they took off.

"I can't believe you did that!" Matt laughed. Mello stayed silent and looked out the window. It didn't take long to get the the hotel. Hell, they would've walked, but Matt didn't want to have to go back for the rental car. When he parked, he stayed in his seat after turning off the engine. "Mello? Are you ok?" He asked timidly. The blonde sighed.

"I'm fine." He spoke evenly. Matt reached over and turned Mello's head towards him, looking in his eyes.

"Thank you. I didn't want him touching me. I was ready to snap, but you got there first." He offered a weak smile. Mello just nodded. The gamer sighed. "I'm sorry for whatever I did, Mello." This time, the blonde sighed again.

"You didn't do anything." He opened his door and climbed out, Matt following him. They walked through the parking lot and entered the elevator. Mello suddenly turned and shoved Matt against the wall, trapping him. "I wanted to kill him Matt, and believe me when I say, I've killed for less. I wanted to kill Near even more. I almost did. I care about you in a way I swore I never would care about someone again. I want you more than I have ever wanted something or someone in my entire life. Yet, I'm still restraining myself. Why? Because I don't want some meaningless one night stand. I don't want to be a rebound. I want all of you. I want to give you all of me. I'm trying to respect you and give you some distance while you sort out how you feel about the whole thing with Near." The elevator door dinged and opened, and Mello pulled back, stepping out. Matt went after him, only to catch up as he entered the suite they shared with the others, who just happened to be inside.

"Hey! So?" Misa asked as they walked in, her eyes landing on Matt.

"Near and I are over. He's been with Linda for the past two years." Matt simply stated. Everyone's jaws dropped.

"Wait.. Near was cheating on you?" Beyond asked, laughing. Naomi smacked him upside the head. "I'm sorry. I'm not laughing at Matt.. It's just, I never thought Near would cheat on him. I always thought if anyone cheated, Matt would with Mello." He bluntly stated. Mello's eyes shifted to see Matt look away and he walked over and took a seat on the couch, laying his head in Misa's lap, a habit from when they were growing up. Her hand instantly went to his hair, brushing it with her long finger nails. Matt had moved over as well, taking a seat by Beyond.

"Whoa! Matt! You wreak of weed and alcohol!" Naomi said. Mello laughed as Matt let a huge grin cover his face. "Wait! Did you drive like this?" She asked with a finger in his face. Matt looked away ashamed. Suddenly there was a harsh slap to Mello's head and he jumped up, holding onto it.

"You let him drive? What the hell, Mello?" Misa was in his face now. He sat next to Matt and the pair looked up at Misa and Naomi like scolded children.

"It was just down the street, at the club we saw. I couldn't leave the car there. Mello and I can't exactly go back." Matt defended. Mello felt his heart drop to his stomach when Naomi asked why. "Because Mello almost killed some guy." Thanks. Misa's glare held so many questions she couldn't ask.

"What? I didn't. I only broke his hands, and I wouldn't have if he would have listened to Matt when he told him not to touch him. The guy was groping him on the dance floor!" Matt watched how defensive Mello was. How angry he got once again when thinking of the man who had touched him inappropriately. The girls sighed.

"You still should have at least called one of us." Misa said, effectively ending the conversation. The nodded.

"I'm going to go lay down." Mello said, getting up and walking to their shared room. Matt watched him go, with so many thoughts running through his head, he felt dizzy.

A/N: What do you think will happen next?

Song used:
"The Final Episode" by Asking Alexandria. Credit of song recommendation to Miss cCc. Thanks, dear. 3