A/N: Thank you, everyone! I feel better now and am able to read my precious badfics without doubting myself. But… I'm still lazy.

-

Azure Paler than the Sky.

thirteen.

As it turned out, L couldn't keep the two there that afternoon as they both had classes to attend. L told them to come back that night at around nine and they would begin. Of course, Mello had to gripe, complaining that that was the time at which he usually went to bed. L knew for a fact that this was a lie, and after calling Mello out on it, refused to give him chocolate. He gave Near a Hershey bar, however, and let them both go.

They left the classroom together, the door shutting silently behind them. Mello began down the hallway, not sparing Near a glance. Near fell in line behind him, padding quietly with his eyes cast to the floor and the chocolate bar clutched in his hand. He looked up every now and again and was, admittedly, surprised when he saw that Mello didn't glance back at him once. He walked past people like he was alone. Over the walk back, Near's grip on the candy tightened.

The doors opened to the outside and Mello walked out into the courtyard, shivering a bit. Near followed and they hadn't gotten five steps out of the building when Near stopped in his tracks and said, "Mello."

Mello slowed to a stop and looked over his shoulder, an eyebrow raised.

Near held up the chocolate bar and caught Mello's gaze. "Here," he said. Mello regarded the candy for a bit, his eyes wandering from Near's face back to his hand. The cold was starting to get to Near a little, easily penetrating his long-sleeved shirt and jeans. He started to trembled just a little and maybe that wasn't from the weather. Please just take it, Mello.

Mello shrugged and shook his head, turning back around. "You keep it," he called and it was barely heard over the shouts from the courtyard. Near slowly lowered his hand as Mello walked away, his boots clicking against the cement.

-

I'm first, Raito thought and smirked to himself as he sat down in one of the empty chairs. He had just entered the teacher's lounge in the main building with a brownbag lunch he'd made himself. It was a bit of a routine for L and Raito, meeting at lunchtime like this, when they could spare the time, because Heaven knows that they were such busy individuals. Raito rolled his eyes at the thought; L was known to sometimes abandon his classes because he was out of sweets, for God's sake. So some time just to hang around with Raito was not hard to come by - not that Raito would ever consider it hanging out. They were adults with careers… it just happened to be the same career.

He had no sooner sat down when the door swung open again and L trudged in, hunched over as usual.

"Ah, Raito, how long have you been waiting for me?" he asked, sitting next to the brunet.

Raito frowned and looked away from him. "I was not waiting for you. Even though I'm not a teacher anymore, I'm still permitted to come to this room."

"No, you aren't."

Raito groaned.

"So, did you bring it?"

"Hmm? … Oh, right. Yes." He opened his bag up and searched around inside, careful not to damage his sandwich of bruise his apple. His hand emerged with a rather large Ziploc bag filed with sugary icing-topped cookies. He set it in front of L and the man's eyes lighted with hungry interest.

"You are so lucky, Raito," L said conversationally as he pushed a banana across the table to the brunet. "To have someone like Matsuda, willingly making sweets for you all the time. I'm admittedly envious."

Raito shrugged. "You want him? Take him."

"Now now, Raito, don't be coy," L said and popped a cookie into his mouth. He chewed as he continued, "What man our age wouldn't enjoy a faithful, loving wife running about in naught but a skimpy apron with a wooden spoon coated in cake mix?"

"You're demented. It's not even like that."

"Oh, that's right. Because you'd rather that pervert with the long, black hair instead." L sighed dramatically, ignoring Raito's glare. "I just don't understand you, Raito. Matsuda is a kindhearted person."

"I never said he wasn't-"

"Yet you break his heart by dating a demon in glasses."

"I'm not breaking his heart," Raito insisted, slamming his sandwich down on the table. He narrowed his eyes at L then and continued, "I accepted his invitation for a date this Wednesday! … Actually, I'm sort of regretting it now. I feel like I'm leading him on when in fact…" He sighed.

"Well, I hope it's enjoyable."

Raito raised an eyebrow. "You're being oddly supportive, Lawliet. Why do you want me to be with Matsuda so badly?"

L put another cookie in his mouth and grumbled, "Because I have twenty dollars riding on it…"

"What?"

"Nothing."

"No, really, I couldn't hear you with that cookie in your mouth." Raito looked at him and when it didn't seem that L would answer, he sighed and turned back to his food. "By the way," he began, "Matt tells me the twins still aren't speaking."

L glanced at him, a smirk tugging at his lips. The twins, of course, referred to Near and Mello. It was a secret pet name for the pair given to them by - who? - no one could remember now but it had started somewhere within the school and had followed them around for quite a while, unknown to either of them. L shook his head and sighed a little. "That's right."

"How do you expect to finish everything by the showing with them like that? When is it, anyway?"

"Well, I had set the date for December 31st…"

"Oh, Lawliet, there's no way-"

"I can do it," L affirmed. "I have a plan."

Raito rolled his eyes. "Lawliet, your plans never work."

"Yes they do."

"Like when?"

"All the time. You just don't notice."

"If no one but you notices the end result as being pleasant then your plan was a failure."

"What makes it so?"

"Third-party perspective," Raito said, ticking the reason off on a finger. His eyes rolled towards L's. "Other people agreeing it was a success."

L shook his head, smiling. "Raito, if that were true, both you and I would be in so much trouble."

Raito groaned, placing his head in his hand.

-

Later that night, as L sat in the studio at one of the chairs, waiting for his pupils to arrive. It was a bit after nine and, of course, neither one was on time. L expected this from Mello, but not from Near and L entertained himself with the thought that perhaps they had made up and that's why they were late. But his theory was proved wrong when the door opened up and Near was there in the doorway, long jeans sagging a little on his hips and a long-sleeved blue shirt.

"Ah, there you are," L said, smiling at him. He tilted his head when Near smiled and nodded back to him, taking a seat across from him at the table. "Where's Mello?"

Near motioned towards the door. "He's coming," he said, "he just didn't want to walk with me, I guess."

"I see."

The door opened again and only L looked up to see Mello, standing in the arch of the door. He leaned up against the jamb and looked over at the two sitting at the table, one eyebrow raised. His eyes lingered on Near for a bit and then he shrugged at L.

"Well, here I am," he said, sighing. "Let's get to work."

L smirked. "Suddenly, Mello, you're so eager to work again after avoiding me for so long." He stood up from his seat and pushed in his chair, walking over to Near as he stood and took the boy by the hand, leading him to the center of the room. L looked over his shoulder at Mello.

Mello blinked and walked forward. "Yeah. I've decided… it was really stupid of me…"

As L placed Near in the center of the room, hands on his shoulders, Near looked mildly in Mello's direction as he continued, "I should have my priorities in order. I really look up to you, L, and I want to be your apprentice. So whatever little problems I'm having with Near should be kept out of this room."

Near paused, breath inhaled and locked gazes with Mello for a second. The blond looking back was airy about it, not seeming to register Near's feelings at all, and Near looked away, face hidden by his silver bangs. L blinked down at him when he felt his shoulders under the cloth trembling slightly. L parted his lips to speak but then sighed and turned back to Mello.

"That's a mature standpoint to have," he said thoughtfully, thumbnail at the corner of his mouth as he stared back at the loll of Near's head. "Mello, go to the closet down the hallway for me. Inside is a tall chair and I need you to bring that in here. Use your key to get in."

"Oh, okay," Mello hummed, walking towards the door. It closed behind him and Near and L were left alone once again.

Near cleared his throat as silence incased them. He looked up at L, masking his disappointment and heartbreak at Mello's earlier statement. "Chair?" he asked.

"Yes, I decided to use that inside of the window sill. I don't want you to catch a cold from sitting up against the cold glass naked."

Near flushed, turning away. "L, I… I don't know…"

"It's really not a big deal, Near. Mello has done it for you."

"Again, that's Mello. We're different." He paused and lowered his eyes. "Um… have you ever done it, L?"

L paused, blinking at Near. "Hm. I don't believe I have."

"…"

"How about this… I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

"L!"

The door opened again and the two were greeted by Mello's shouts, "Goddamn, L! This thing is heavy! Why're you having him sit in a fucking Lay-Z-Boy?" Mello grunted as he dragged in the chair which wasn't a Lay-Z-Boy at all but a long-legged chair with metal armrests. The entire thing was painted black - the paint was dingy and fading, however, and the material on the seat of the chair was ripped and wearing thin in certain spots. Mello dragged it into the center of the room, the sound of the metal grating against the tiles was horrible and caused everyone to cringe.

He finally sat it down in front of Near. L nodded in thanks and turned it around to face the mirrors, taking a step back from it and then moving it more towards the window. He took another step back, examined it and then smiled to himself, looking over at Near.

"Sit down," he requested softly as he took a few steps backwards. Mello was standing over by the table, leaning on it with his hands crossed over his chest and looking at Near with an analytical eye. With all the attention on him, Near sighed and climbed upon the seat, having to place one foot in the grating in order to hoist himself up. Once he had turned around in the seat, he sat naturally and looked at L, waiting for instruction. L considered. "Lean to the left," he said, "and place your left leg out. Keep your legs apart. Wider… wider-"

"L," Near gasped, his legs clinging to each other once again. "If I'm going to be naked, that would be so…"

"We all have the same thing, Near," Mello said, rolling his eyes. "Stop being so shy."

Near looked over at the blond and stared for a moment. Mello looked at him for a fraction of a second before looking towards the windows and the moon looming over the academy. Finally, Near turned back to L and nodded faintly. "Okay," he croaked, lifting his head a little, the hair falling out of his eyes. He parted his thighs again. "I'll do it."

L walked forward and placed his hands on Near's knees, smiling. "You'll see," he said, "it'll be okay. Take your shirt off."

Near did so and the fabric fell to the floor behind the chair, crumbled in the moonlight. L moved the boy's arms; his left arm over the back of the chair and his right arm laying over the right armrest. He tilted his head downwards and told Near to relax his back. The legs of the chair rocked a bit on the uneven tiling which set Near at unease but L reassured him with a small smile as he came down on one knee before the chair and held Near's left foot in his hand.

Near watched with interest as L carefully unlaced his tennis shoe and set it beside himself on the ground. The sock followed and was set inside the little shoe. L said, "Other foot, please," gently, as if he were about to deflower a virgin - something that Near no longer was and hadn't been for a while but he couldn't help but feel comforted by all the niceties. Near lifted his right foot carefully, not wanting to stray from his position. L took it and unlaced that shoe as he had done the other. When both shoe and sock were gone and L held Near's bare foot in his hand, he smiled, not at Near, but at the pale skin presented to him.

He leant in a little, eyelids fluttering and Near swore he could almost feel L's eyelashes up against his skin. There was a pause and Near let out a small gasp as L's lips grazed slightly against his shin and slid upwards as L rose from his knees and kept Near's leg held firmly in his hand, his hand sliding up into the pant leg. He came forward, his hand sliding to the juncture at the back of Near's knee.

L reached out his hand towards the button of the jeans Near wore and deftly snapped it open as if he had done it a hundred times. Near only watched numbly as his zipper was pulled down, the only sound in the room. L set Near's leg back down and took hold of the waistband, tugging lightly and watching Near's facial expression as if asking for permission. Near was breathless and completely puzzled. Before, L had been pushing so hard for this and now, oh God, if he kept up these gentle movements like that… and the way Near lifted his hips automatically, the only orders he needed in L's eyes.

He swallowed heavily and L pulled down, the jeans falling around his ankles and finally to the floor. The only thing between L's hand, resting on Near's thigh, and his bare skin were thin, white boxers. Near gripped the metal armrest for a moment with his right hand and lifted his hips again, eyes lowered to L's hand, already at the waistband of his undergarment. Near wanted L to hurry and get it over with, all this tension over his body was killing him and his face really couldn't get any pinker.

But it wasn't quick and nonchalant at all. L slid them down his pelvis slowly and when the band reached mid-thigh, Near looked away completely, his eyes closing as his boxers fell down to his ankles and joined his pants on the floor. Near's breathing was labored from the cold and his chest was shuddering, his pert nipples pink and surrounded by goosebumps.

He was spread out under L's gaze and regretting, regretting, regretting this stupid decision of his and how bendable he was to his teacher, but suddenly, there was warmth and it was a hand cupping his cheek, turning him back to face L. Near opened his eyes hesitatingly, gasping at the way L's eyes ran rampant all over his body.

"See? Was that so bad?" he asked, taking his hand away.

Near made a small sound in the back of his throat, mourning the loss of touch maybe.

Mello stood over in the corner by the table, his eyes wide and mouth open.

What the fuck was that!

-

"Live from New York, it's Matt! … Nah, just kidding. But this IS the Irai noon-hour radio show and I AM Matt. And I am once again in all my boxer glory because our special guest today is my best friend and crabby roommate, Mello!"

"…"

"Come on, Mel, say hi!"

"Matt, I feel fucking stupid."

"Aw, come on, you said you'd help me out with this! Don't bring your misery and woe on the air, dude, you're bumming out the crowd."

"Fucking hell… all right, HI."

"That a boy! All right, well, a little about Mello then. He's a bondage-wearing blond with a chocolate fixation and his favorite sexual position-"

"MATT."

"Okay! Okay! S-Stop the abuse! … Jeez. Just trying to inform the masses. It's my job, you know?"

"You're an ass."

"Love ya, bud. Let's cheer you up with some fan mail, okay? Here, take this and read it."

"… Dear Mattie-kins,couple questions. Are you Seme or Uke? And how hard would it be to kidnap you? 'Cause I got plenty of rope, here, hun. Signed with much love, Curious Creeper. … This guy's deranged."

"Well, let's see… what an interesting, soul-searching question! What do you think, Mel?"

"I don't fucking give a shi-"

"I think I'm seme. Totally. I mean, there have been a few cases where I had to take it but, yeah, normally, I could top anyone."

"Pft."

"Uh, as for kidnapping… dunno, dude. I think maybe a nice, shiny Wii Fitness might persuade me to follow you around for a bit. S'about it though. Next card. I'll read it since Mel's pouting."

"What?"

"Reads: Dear Matt, how much does Mello charge per hour and how much for a blowjob? Signed, Down The Hall."

"…"

"…"

"WHAT THE FUCKING HELL, FUCK YOU, BLOWJOB MY ASS, I'LL HACK YOU INTO BITS, YOU COCKSUCKER! YOU'RE THAT CREEPY FRESHMAN WHO PISSES HIMSELF, AREN'T YOU? ADMIT IT! I GOT A NEW FRESHMAN STICK SO COME HERE AND GET BLOWN, MOTHER-"

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

-

Had the Wednesday night moon looked down into the A dorms of Irai Academy a few days later, it would have certainly found Matsuda in the shower of his bathroom, the water running down his body sporadically as he swayed his hips from side to side. He had learned quite a while ago that it wasn't wise to do too much dancing in the shower as he was already accident prone and adding water and soap wasn't any good. So usually, when he was in the dancing-naked mood, he would just sway and head-bang.

Currently on his bathroom radio was one of his favorite Jessica Simpson songs of all time, I Think I'm In Love With You, and he sung aloud, trying to keep his voice at an acceptable volume. The last thing he wanted was his next-door neighbors complaining again. But this time, Matsuda could barely control himself, his voice reaching glass-shattering heights as he tried to mimic the blonde. He just felt so good - finally, a chance to go out with wonderful Raito Yagami. In truth, Matsuda hadn't really believed that this day would ever come.

As he stepped out of the shower and onto the towel set on the floor, he wondered if Mikami knew anything about their date. Part of him hoped Mikami didn't know, that way he would have a special secret with Raito all his own and they could carry on an affair like on daytime TV. Of course, Matsuda was a bit ignorant as to what an affair meant but it sure did sound like fun. On the other hand, if Mikami knew about it, he would be super jealous, which appealed to Matsuda quite nicely.

He placed a towel around his waist and looked up at the little frog clock on the wall. He still had about an hour before he was supposed to meet Raito out in the courtyard but that really wasn't a lot of time. He sighed at the sight of himself in the fogged-over mirror and wiped it off with the palm of his hand. His face and part of his torso were revealed to him and he pulled at a wet lock of hair disinterestedly. What could he do to make himself look more presentable?

Girls used makeup… but Matsuda couldn't do that. For one, he'd have to go borrow some for he had none in the apartment. And for two, Raito might notice and think he was weird. Maybe a haircut? No, it'd be a hack job if he tried to do it himself and in a hurry.

"What can I do?" he groaned, ruffling his hair with both hands wildly. When he was done, he looked like he'd just rolled out of bed and he groaned even louder.

-

to be continued.

-

A/N: Next chapter shall be longer. -rubs shoulders- Please keep those postcards coming. Review, yeah?