Light walked next to Mello with an odd smirk on his face. Mello laughed. "What's gotchya smiling?"

Light tore eyes from the lit Eiffel Tower. "I'm excited." He answered, a small bounce in his steps. Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he told Mello, "Thanks for walking with me. No doubt, I would have gotten lost…"

Rolling his eyes, Mello scoffed good-naturedly. "Tch. Duh, can't let the new guy get lost. I'd want him to be set up for success like I was. I got real lucky with Matt. If it weren't for him… Chef might have bullied me into quitting by now. Maybe that's a li'l unfair." Mello smiled while netting his hands behind his head, looking up at the lightening sky. "He has his moments… He's a brute. But trust me you, when you need it most, he'll come through for you. One time, after a particularly hairy service… I sat out behind the restaurant and cried." He nodded at Light's gawk of disbelief and laughed. "I know, right? Me. Cry. To be fair, it wasn't even chef's fault why I was so upset. I just realized how far behind I was. I felt a little… inferior, per say. I was beating myself up..."


Mello cupped his face and tried to steady his breaths. He stiffened when he heard the back door to the restaurant open and close. Shutting his eyes tighter, he smelled the scent of a lit cigarette and felt a nudge after the sounds scuffling of someone sitting next to him.

He lifted his eyes from his hands, only to be met with an open pack of cigarettes being extended towards him. Beyond was staring at the busy street with an apathetic expression. Mello sighed in relief that he wasn't looking at him. 'I probably look pathetic to someone like him right now…' Sniffling slightly, he took a cigarette, but did not ask to light it. He simply clutched it tightly in his hands, a tiny bit of the stuffing falling out..

Without saying a word, Beyond lit his lighter and held it out. A long moment of silence passed between them. 'Why isn't he saying anything? He probably wants to rip my apart for all my blunders tonight…'

Beyond took a deep drag, blew the smoke out expertly in a ring, and spoke quietly without looking at Mello, "You know… A chef is only as good as his kitchen."

Mello stared at the side of Beyond's head, confused. "Huh?"

The chef trailed his deep eyes towards Mello's puffy, tear stained cheeks. "I can only be the best if I have the best behind me." Mello looked down to his unlit, crinkled cigarette. 'Just like Naomi… He's gonna can me… Dammit! I knew I fucked up a lot!'

Beyond offered a weak smile to Mello, "Did you learn from it?" The blonde blinked once, then nodded slowly, not taking his eyes from the now balled cigarette. Then clenched his teeth in frustration. "Yeah…"

The raven-haired man sighed quietly. "You're only the best if you're constantly learning. Learning from others, learning from mistakes…" He turned his crimson gaze up to the night sky, as if searching for something amongst the stars.

Mello lowered his head slightly miserably, however, tearing his eyes from the cigarette to land on Beyond. "What are you saying?" His eyes started to narrow accusingly.

Beyond was silent for a moment, as if in thought. Then, he cocked his head awkwardly to the side, and sent a mischievous grin Mello's way. Icy blue eyes met fiery crimson ones, and Mello spied a hint of doubt in those scarlet orbs, a fragile quiver to Beyond's curved lips.

"I'm saying. I only work with the best." The latter explained. "And the best are always learning." He glanced down to Mello's cigarette before looking back out towards the bustling street at the end of the alleyway. "Are you the best?"

The young stage shook his head, then answered solemnly, his head hanging, "No. I'm still a rookie... I make stupid mistakes –"

"Perfect." Beyond interjected Mello's budding rant. "Then, you're the best. Humility is the prize. I'm offering you permanent employment as my prep chef, Mello." The younger man turned to Beyond in disbelief, searching his body language for any sign of a lie. "You may not be the fastest on the line, but I'm not willing to let someone with your speed in preparation work for anyone else."

Mello's eyes lit up and he betrayed a brilliant smile, subconscious tears of joy flowing silently. He chuckled breathlessly as he wiped the tears away, "It would be an honor, Chef BB."

Tucking one hand into one pocket, the older male shook his head and flicked his spent cigarette into a nearby trash bin with the other hand, "No. It's mine." A devious smile curved around his face as he exhaled his smoke through his nose. He popped Mello on the back of the head lightly with the palm of his other hand as he walked back into the restaurant. "Dishes aren't going to wash themselves. So, when you're done with your pity party, move your sorry ass."

Mello stood up quickly, his determination renewed. "Yes, Chef!"


Light stood underneath a street light the flickered off staring at Mello with a raised eyebrow, "Uh?"

Mello shook off the smile of nostalgia, "Just trust me. When you need him most. He's there for you. Don't let the rest shake you." Mello smirked and started walking next to Light again. They approached the alley and walked down it, "Yep. Sure as shit. He's here…" Mello's face twisted into a devious smile at the singular sport motorcycle, "Think we could scare him?"

Light blinked rapidly while shaking his head slightly in disbelief. "You do that… I want nothing to do with that… He scares me enough as it is…"

The blonde groaned out, "Lame, Yagami. Oh well. Let's go see the enigma." He let out a loud laugh.

They pulled the back down open to be met with loud rock music, they both winced slightly. Their eyes landed on Beyond who was obsessively piping designs onto a cake. His eyes were narrowed into a slight scowl as his attention was absorbed into his current task. He flitted his eyes over to the two momentarily before smirking. "Good. You're early."

Mello leaned over and spoke into Light's ear with a hand concealing his lips, "Good call on not scaring him… Probably would have killed us…" Their eyes both fell back onto the large dual-tiered cake that was elegantly decorated. "So… Chef, you do all these?"

Washing his hands, Beyond leaned with his back against the sink while drying his hands with a fresh hand towel. "Who the hell did you think was doing these? The fucking Tooth Fairy?"

Mello playfully rolled his eyes and laughed, "Well, I only ask, because our case never runs empty…" A moment of concern spread across his face and flickered into his blue eyes, "Beyond… Be honest with me… As a friend, I'm worried… When do you go home?"

Beyond gave a ghost of a smirk, "I left here last night around two-thirty… Ish… Might have finally passed out around four…" Beyond lifted his eyes from the floor towards a worried Mello, "Alright, I haven't been home. I don't have any reason to be there... Not like anyone is waiting up for me." He glanced away only to be met with an equally concerned stare from Light. 'He's alone?' "Anyway, get familiar with the kitchen and show me what you've got. Cook your signature dish for me."

Light shifted a glance around the kitchen as Beyond stood in front of him with his hand out, "I'll take your coat. I'm going to analyze you." Beyond laughed quietly as he watched Light tense up. "Don't be nervous; I'm just seeing where you are in the grand scheme."

The youngest man of the kitchen nodded nervously, and nibbling on his bottom lip while shifting his glance around the kitchen, "How long do I have?"

He held his coat out as Beyond snatched it while walking towards the back wall. "As long as you need, sweetheart. It's Sunday. We don't open for service on Sunday's."

Light blinked a couple of times in surprise and nodded, "Right. Alright." Beyond folded his arms and leaned against the wall and tilted his hand towards Light, remaining silent. As to say, 'Take the lead.' Light nodded and followed Mello towards the walk-in refrigerator.


Light expertly cut through vegetables and meat. Beyond circled around him, watching his every move, his hands tucked around his back. Light kept his eyes trained down at his task at hand as Morimoto taught him: 'When you encounter a situation where a chef is critiquing you; fear not. Allow your training and knowledge to overcome your fear. Let no man overpower your teachings. But, always be ready to learn from him, should he be willing to teach. Remember that, Raito... And you'll do just fine, no matter who it is you Stage under.'

Glancing up at the encircling chef, Light smirked defiantly and chuckled under his breath when he heard the former's breath catch. 'He reminds me of a hawk, circling its prey before ending its life. I see why people were intimidated… I won't back down. I refuse!' He flicked his eyes back down to his task, focusing his mind and willing his hands not to tremble. Light smirked when he saw Mello from the corner of his eye sniffing the air with a small smile as he worked on his prep list for the week.


A devious smile spread across the chef's pale lips when a plate was set in front of him while he sat at a table with his legs crossed, reading over the menu's weekly specials. His deep voice purred, "I wondered which one of you ordered the curry… Now I know." His scarlet eyes lifted to be met with an unwavering gaze of confidence in his dish from Light.

Not breaking his eye contact, Light pulled a chair out from in front of the older male and sat in front of him and waited. He watched the other lift a single grain of rice and measure it appraisingly. 'I can appreciate a chef who takes the time in considering the density of the rice…'

Beyond closed his eyes and wafted the scent of the plate towards him with his hand. Light watched in anticipation as a tiny smile ghosted itself against the chef's lips. Peeking one eye open his smile grew, "If it tastes as well as it smells… There's a possibility I might have actually paid to eat it." Light raised his eyebrows in slight elation upon hearing the first impressions. "Through…" The older man's voice drawled a little, causing Light to internally flinch, "It's presentation could use a little work… You're far from replacing myself."

Watching the chef dissecting the food intricately, Light bounced his leg restlessly. Beyond shifted a stare up to Light. "I do however, have a distaste for being watched as I eat…" Light looked down with a slight blush to his cheeks which caused the raven-haired chef to chuckle quietly. "Go help Mello. You'll be stuck with me the rest of the day, either way."

The brunette nodded quickly and removed himself from the dining room, sneaking one last glance at the enigmatic man. His cheeks lit up a brilliant red when he received a wink and a wave. Light backed up into the kitchen and heard Mello cackling. "Kicked you out, did he? That's how you know he's interested in what you put in front of him… Man, he's gonna kick your ass when he figures out its almost as good as his." Light shifted a puzzled expression towards the laughing blonde. "I snuck a taste of out the pot you cooked it in, damn, you've got to give me your recipe…"

Light's smile grew slightly at the praise. "You think? That it's almost as good as his?"

Nodding the prep chef folded his arms and leaned against the center counter, "Oh yeah. That's not really all that good, to be really good at something… Just means he'll come down harder on you. What's worse is, he probably won't yell at you… He'll just expect more from you. I'd almost rather be yelled at!" He laughed heartily before motioning his head for Light to follow him. "So I'll guess that, until he's measured your worth, you're stuck helping me. As his staff, we rotate Sunday duties. This week is my week, I have to make sure the kitchen is stocked and completely prepped up. So…" He flashed a wicked grin towards the brunette, who shivered a little. "Let's get started, shall we?"


OliOctane, one of my betas and pastry chef, knows exactly how Beyond would have felt had they decided to startle to poor man.

SynesthesiaSymphony, my fantastical beta reader... Words to not describe how valuable your input is.

Responses:

Suki: Thank you. I'm very glad the idea is admired. I was extremely hesitant to put it out there, but then decided I'm my greatest fan, and I woukd totally want to read this! Haha!

xMollyx: Naturally, Light excels in everything he does. Doesn't make him any less fair game for our head chef though. ;) I actually find that you're correct. Not a lot of fanfics make mention of it. Where as I just automatically assume that if they weren't wrapped in the world of the original story they'd have an accent. Being from England and all :p Probably because not a lot of people put that thought into it. Because when the anime was dubbed there were no obvious accents, but I'm still inclined to believe. Even in the original story: L should have had an accent. Even if it was just a tiny one.

:x

Tell me that wouldn't just make him all the more adorable.