Story continued by request.

For Heleneburns4ever


Sebastian sat cooly awaiting the rest of his party on the outside deck of a quiet restaurant. Sitting upright and proper he glanced at his cellphone every now and then. Undertaker, newly named Casper, was the first to arrive. He gave a wide Cheshire like grin. "Ah. How have you been? Much too long. Haven't seen you around."

Sebastian glanced at his watch as a higher pitched voice chimed from behind. "So what's up, Bassy? You never call me to spend time with." A tall thin man stood with waist long fiery hair giving them both the peace sign.

Sebastian motioned to the chairs at the iron table. "I need advice."

Casper and Grell stared at each other in a moment of worry before taking their seats. "Well, well, the great Sebastian needs our advice?" Cooed the silver haired man.

For a brief moment, anger flashed through the usual calm sanguine eyes. Making both other patrons recoil for a moment. "It's your fault, Undertaker." Sebastian spit out bitterly.

"Casper. And what's my fault? I saved you from being that snot nosed brat's servant forever. Or is your human body turning on you?" The previous undertaker folded his arms and huffed his silver bangs out from his face, revealing his piercing emerald eyes, slouching in his chair.

Looking away from his "friends", Sebastian opened his wallet and laid the picture on the table. Grell hastily snatched it out of curiosity. "Aww. You do smile in your sleep!" Casper nodded in agreement.

"Not the point. Turn it over." Sebastian watched with analytical eyes, waiting for any trace of emotion on either of the others faces. As the photo was turned over, both sets of eyebrows raised in inquisitiveness.

Grell traced over the letters with his finger. "Okaaay. Have you called them?"

Casper's brilliant verdant eyes widened as they seemed to glaze over. "Don't call him. Look. He's… Got a lot going on. There's a reason the Undertaker knew him well."

Sebastian groaned quietly. "That's just it. I can't get over him. His scent, his taste, his eyes… they… were intoxicatingly unforgettable. I realize he isn't your run of the mill man. He killed a woman in cold blood and wasn't bothered in any sort. But I can't get him out of my head. His voice and his smirk haunt me."

Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, Casper quietly scolded the former demon, "You're allowing your human heart to get the better of you. This is not a pursuit you want to endure. The man is borderline a demon himself."

Grell sat silently listening to Casper and Sebastian go back and forth. "Call him." His intrusion of the conversation peeled both sets of eyes from the other men directly into him. "If he is as terrible as Casper says he'll be a good breaking point for you. It will wake you up. I mean. What's the worst that happens? He denies you and shatters your world? Or you end up together? Or maybe you keep this sick little friends with benefits relationship. At least you won't be stuck in a 'what if' rut. You'll know where you stand."

Both Sebastian and Casper stared at Grell with wide eyes of disbelief before the previous Undertaker stuttered out quietly. "That was… Surprisingly insightful."

Grell folded his arms and sighed. "Well, if I can't have Bassy, I'd prefer him to at least know where he stands with this lowlife." His grin sharpened with a cheeky chuckle. "Oh course, Bassy, if this doesn't work out for you I'd be happy to have you on the rebound." He let a sly wink pass by, causing Sebastian to roll his eyes.

Sebastian stared at his phone for a moment before grabbing it and standing. "I need to make a call, get whatever you want. It's on me. I need to go for a walk."

The other two gentleman grabbed a menu eagerly as Sebastian left, leaving a tip on the table. He dialed the number with shaking hands. Bringing the phone up to his ear, he waited for seemed like eternity. The ringing continued. Until a voice was heard; 'I'm not available. Leave the details.'

Sebastian's breath caught at the sound of the voice that has haunted him for three days. He heard a tone and scrambled to gather his thoughts. "Hey. Beyond? You left me your number. I was just calling to inquire about potentially meeting up again." He ended the call and immediately hung his head. "I never even said my name…"

He walked briskly through the restaurant, turned the corner to leave the building and felt his stomach drop. A man with messy onyx hair stood in front of him in a slouched form. The man blinked his ashen eyes a couple of times before an odd smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. "My. You seem to have been given a fright. As if you've seen a ghost."

Sebastian darted his eyes away from the eccentric man and bowed briefly. "My apologizes. I thought I nearly took you off your feet. I was eluded by my spacial judgement for a moment."

The ravened man gave a small smile while bringing his thumb up to his lips. "Indeed. It wouldn't have anything to do with looking almost exactly like someone you'd previously spent time with?"

Sebastian flitted his eyes over to the enigma who seemed to be prodding him for information. "I can be sure to you that I am unaware of whom you speak."

The curious man nodded almost in slow motion. "A pity. He spoke highly of you." Sebastian raised his eyebrows and took a steady slow breath. The former smirked and pulled his thumb away from his lower lip. "So, you do know." He cleared his throat and held out his hand. "I am L. Kind of a nickname I've adapted after moving from my home country. My brother, my partner and I have chosen to locate here. Seems to be no shortage of work here for a detective."

Sebastian took a cautious step back before smiling politely and taking L's hand. "The pleasure is mine. L… That rings a bell. You're not that international fellow are you?"

L kept a calm façade as he tenderly shook hands with Sebastian. "Of course not. Only nicknamed after him, for both of our odd tendencies. But, as both my first name and surname start with L, it stuck."

Sebastian nodded slowly disbelievingly. 'This is THE detective L. Far too many coincidences. Now what would a detective of his caliber be doing here in the outskirts of San Francisco. Outside no less, rumor has it he never leaves the safety of his home or hotel. The elusive L was said to never be seen. Or is it… He already knows everything about me. Figured it would be less of a scene if he came for me himself?' Sebastian froze. 'Too convenient. Right after I place a call to Beyond? They never made a move on me until this moment.' His deductive musings were interrupted when the monotonous voice continued.

"You're quick. No wonder he was intrigued by you." The ravened detective rubbed his nose before shifting his eyes around quickly. "If you'll come with me. Quietly would be in your best interest." He circled around Sebastian without ever turning his back. "You'll have to excuse my slight paranoia. Anyone Beyond chooses to associate with is more than likely just as dangerous as he."

Sebastian glanced quickly around the tops of the buildings to see armed and armored guards. "Were you expecting a fight? And if so, why come yourself? I know of you. I was in England for a great deal time."

L smirked and stood next to him. "Casually now. Wouldn't want to tip the scales in a most unfavorable direction. I can take you to him. But you'll have to understand our need for secrecy and confidentially."

Sebastian narrowed his eyes towards the slouched man as he walked barefoot down the street, he crinkled his nose with a slight amount of disgust. "Why? Why now? Why try to hide your identity?"

L hummed within his throat. "Why indeed. We've been tailing you for approximately fifty-four hours. I suppose he began to have doubts you'd ever call. Initially, it was espionage. However, you put it together too quickly for me to learn anything from you."

The former demon smirked, "Even if you had used an alias, I would have put it together. Rue Ryuzaki. Rue, the Japanese character for L."

The detective stopped in his tracks and gave a long analytical stare at the other raven. "How long?" He held a balled fist up to pause the incoming fire command.

Sebastian shrugged casually. "As I stated. I spend a long time in England. Not much went on in that country without my Earl's know."

A brief moment passed before L's face betrayed the tiniest of emotion, speaking lowly in a borderline irritated tone from behind gritted teeth. "Phantomhive."

Sebastian bowed slightly with his hand over his chest, "I have been the families butler for many years. But, as you can see, I am no longer. However, rest assured, master L. I have not been following you or any of your endeavors upon leaving England. I have been a solo act. Meeting your brother that night was pure chances of Fate. If one were to believe in such casualties."

L quickly gave a hand gesture with a flat hand and continued to walk. "Then, I suppose we should be on our way." As L took his first step backwards to turn himself forward he was quickly yanked by the shoulder backwards towards Sebastian. A quick slice of a knife came forward in a horizontal slash. The former demon swiftly tucked L behind himself and snatched the cloaked strangers arm.

A deep and cynical laugh was heard. "I knew you were fast. I just didn't anticipate you being protective as well."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow before yanking the stranger towards him and removing the hood in one swift motion. His crimson eyes widened slightly when pure black hair fell forward, barely hiding a menacing pair of scarlet eyes. "It-Its you." He released the outstretched arm slowly and dropped his own.

L stared at the pair with no emotion apparent on his face. "Next time, Beyond: please don't aim for any vital organs. Had he not moved me you probably would have nearly cut me in half."

Beyond rolled his resplendently vermilion eyes before spinning his knife on the palm of his hand before replacing it back into its holder with lightning speed. "At least one of my problems would have been solved." Giving a confident smirk. "I think I can handle it from here L. After all. I'm the one he called for a second meeting."

The ravened detective opened his mouth to speak before before getting cut off by the doppelgänger. "Seriously. Third wheels are off putting for anyone."

Lifting his head in defiance of the younger brother, L gave a smirk. "Be back by midnight, Cinderella." He quietly shuffled towards a vehicle that was approaching.

Beyond watched the elder brother before turning his attention towards Sebastian. "I suppose you'll be wanting some answers. Shall we make a date of it then?"

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Answers would be lovely."

The younger male smirked deviously, "Your place or mine?"


Source content for the match up: s/11309951/1/Playing-MatchMaker