A/N: You were the last good thing about this part of town. -wink-

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Azure Paler than the Sky.

fifteen.

He's… he's… oh my God, I have to talk to L!

-

The next day was dreary and cold. The skies were cloudy and the sun seemed like it wasn't in the solar system anymore, abandoning the earth and its inhabitants in order to warm some other world far away. Because there was no warmth here and the wind ghosted through the hollowed hallways and courtyards, freezing everyone in its path. The outside hallways were mostly deserted save for the occasional student running from one building to another.

It was a little while before noon when L went trudging from the outside into the main building. He was one of the few who would actually venture outside. Despite his disdain for the cold, L really was in a hurry and wanted to take the fastest route to the teacher's lounge. So he shuffled through the dead and damp leaves and squeezed his arms to his sides as he shoved his hands deeper into his pockets.

The warmth of the building engulfed him as he entered, leaving the cold behind. He walked down the hall and left in his wake a trail of leaves that had clung to his shoes. When he arrived at the teacher's lounge, he opened the door and came inside, noticing Raito at their normal table.

The brunet looked up, startled. "La-"

"Ah, there you are. Waiting for me again, I see," L said and smirked, shutting the door quietly behind himself.

Raito frowned, only slightly. "For once, you're right. I've been waiting for you so just where have you been?"

"There's something called teaching a class. I know it must sound foreign to you…" L sighed as he sat down. He ignored Raito's glares and huffs in favor of rummaging through his bag for sweets. After placing a brownie into his mouth, he insisted on talking over it, "So, tell me, how was the date?"

Raito sighed. "That's what I want to talk to you about…"

L sent him a look.

"It's just… well, it was really weird, I'll give it that. But Matsuda was really nice, you know, he's such a sweet kid and then…"

L blinked interestedly. Did he go for the gold?

"Then at the end of the night, he kissed me…"

Yes…

"I just don't know what to do now." Raito sighed, placing his chin into the palm of his hand. "It's just that… the way he kissed me was so…"

"Homoerotic?"

"… No, Lawliet. It was… sweet. I can't remember the last time I was kissed that way. Probably in the fifth grade. But the difference is that Matsuda was good at it. And even though it was only a few seconds, I-"

"Get to the point, you're lapping into prose."

Raito glared. "The point is that I liked it. Way too much. And what the hell am I going to tell Mikami?"

"That you hate his guts?"

"Lawliet!"

"What is the big deal? You've just met this man. The only thing you like about him is that he worships you like the Greeks worshipped Apollo. He massages your ego until it is moist and limp. Matsuda truly cares about you and doesn't want to see you get hurt but you ignore him and roll your eyes at his earnest efforts. One day you will go too far and destroy his spirit."

Raito gaped at him, eyes beginning to water. "You make me sound horrible..."

"Broken mirrors can cut," L hummed, shrugging.

"Way to be emo. Why the sudden downward shift?"

L sighed and took another bite of a brownie. "I apologize but I am not in a good mood."

"Oh really."

"I'm conflicted."

Raito nodded sagely. "The twins again?"

"Those two will be the death of me," he sighed and put down the brownie. "They are still squabbling. It's not all bad because when Mello makes a sarcastic remark directed towards Near's person, he gets this shattered look in his eyes that I love."

"You sadist."

"Says the man dating the masochist."

"So, what's the problem?" Raito snatched a brownie from L and chewed on it thoughtfully. "Near seems like the clear choice for an apprentice since he isn't throwing a bitch fit like Mello is."

"Near bitch fits in his own way. Mello is an asshole but he does not mean to be."

"So you're leaning towards Mello?"

"Absolutely not."

"… Near?"

"No."

"What the-"

Just then, the door opened. Both men looked up and saw something like the flash of golden hair. L immediately thought it was Mello and was about to say something but then Wammy's assistant, Misa, poked her head in and smiled upon finding the two sitting there. She walked in, her high heels clicking on the shiny linoleum until she reached their table.

"Hey, guys," she chirruped, planting her hands down on the table's surface. She smiled at them brightly. "I had heard you come here often, Raito, and so I came right over."

"Okay…" Raito drawled and raised an eyebrow. "Did you need something?"

"I'm just wondering how your date with Matsu went."

"… Excuse me?"

She sighed, placing a hand on her hip. "You didn't strike out on him, did you, Raito? Tell me things went as planned."

"Matsuda kissed him," L said factually.

"Lawliet!" Raito frowned.

"And Raito found it quite enjoyable," he continued.

"Really? Raito, that's great!"

"What, don't listen to h - wait, why's it great?"

Before Misa decided whether she would answer or not, the door to the lounge opened up once again. The three of them turned around to come face to face with Miss Takada, the drama professor. She had a smile plastered onto her face and smoothed out her skirt before entering fully, coming up to the table to stand beside Misa.

Misa frowned at her arrival and grumbled, "We were having a conversation…"

Takada ignored her in favor of Raito who was still quite confused. "Mr. Yagami, good afternoon. I had heard you frequented the lounge at this time so I came right over… Tell me, how was your date with Matsuda last night?"

Raito gaped. "How do you know about that?"

"I know quite a lot," she said.

"Creeper," Misa mumbled.

"Mr. Yagami," Takada said, clearing her throat and suddenly becoming quite serious, "do take what you're doing to poor Professor Mikami into consideration. He shouldn't have to sit idly by while his lover prances about with the village idiot. It's humiliating."

"WHAT?"

"Just what do you know?" Misa shouted, turning to look at Takada angrily. "Matsu is not a village idiot!"

"Says the runner-up," Takada coughed.

"Hey!"

L said, "Miss Takada, do not badmouth students and do not tell lies. Professor Mikami is not to be considered poor in this situation - a black widow spider is a more correct likeness."

"Professor Mikami is very in love with Mr. Yagami and that date with Matsuda was shameful. Obviously, Mr. Yagami has a big heart and did it for charitable reasons. But really, he is of much higher class."

Raito's eyes widened as Misa shot back a retort to Takada. Charitable reasons… I really did do it for that, didn't I…

Misa was still talking, "-and that skirt is ugly-"

The door opened again, interrupting her in mid-sentence. Everyone looked behind them as Mr. Wammy poked his kind face into the room. "Raito," he greeted. "How'd the date go?"

Raito groaned. "Oh my God."

-

"It's the noon-hour school show! Matt here. I'm finally back on at my normal time. Bet you all missed me, huh? Sorry I couldn't get to your postcards before so I'll be sure to answer them this time. And here to help me is my favorite ex-boyfriend, Raito!"

"Good grief."

"What kind of greeting is that? Say hi to the audience!"

"… For the record, I'm not at all comfortable about doing this. All the rumors circulating about me lately… it's humiliating. Actually, I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm the center of some sort of… betting ring."

"Raito, you're so paranoid."

"It's the truth! Something's just not right around here…"

"Well anyway, let's get to those postcards. Here, take this."

"Mm… Matt, if you got a girl pregnant with triplets what would you do? And what would you call them? Also what if you'd got a great boyfriend after you broke up with the chic before you knew she was pregnant? From, I'm-living-a-soap-opera."

"… Uh. Wow."

"Let's see if your manufactured advice will cut it this time…"

"Hey! All right, you go ahead and answer if you're such an Abby."

"I-I don't-"

"Mmhmm…"

"Fine! Fine, I will. Hmm. Okay then. Well, first of all, this is a result of unsafe sex. Always use condoms or birth control when engaging in sexual activity. Talk to your physician before-"

"Aw, dude, I don't wanna hear it. Condoms are a thing of the past."

"Don't SAY that! Your listeners, for some unexplainable reason, will unconsciously listen to whatever propaganda you broadcast. Be responsible."

"I'm just saying. And wait a minute, I don't recall you following your own advice when we-"

"Matt!"

"What?"

"This is not appropriate…"

"We're all adults here. Relax, relax. So what about Mikami? Does his soldier have a helmet?"

"Good God… Matt…"

"What? Inquiring minds want to know."

"For your information, we're not lovers."

"Haha, that's the Raito I know! Make 'em work for it, dude!"

"Matt…"

-

The next few days passed and suddenly, L's birthday was upon them. While the entire campus was covered in paper ghosts and cut-outs of witches riding broomsticks, a certain group was stationed in Matt and Mello's dorm room throwing a party for the new twenty-seven year old.

"Yeah!" Matt and Matsuda clinked their wine glasses together in celebration. They were standing right over where L happened to be sitting on the couch and wine poured down onto his white shirt. L's eyebrow twitched and he shivered at the cold fluid running down his chest.

Matsuda gasped. "Oops, I'm sorry, L!"

Matt laughed, already quite out of it. "Hey, L, I see nippage!"

"Matt, how immature," Raito tsked him and brought a paper towel over, wiping at the front of L's shirt. L told him not to make such a girlish fuss over a stain but before Raito could retort, a hand brushed his. He looked up through his amber-colored bangs and saw Matsuda with half a roll of paper towels, rubbing furiously at L's shirt. Raito smiled and looked back down.

Shortly after, L shooed them both off of him. "I do not care about the spill, that's what washing machines are for."

"If you don't treat that stain now, Lawliet, it won't disappear."

"Why should I care?"

"You're such a dirty person."

L pursed his lips a little and walked across the room where Mello was sitting on the edge of the bed with Near. They had been talking quietly on and off for a few minutes, this being one of the few times they had been in a room together lately other than class and sessions. Their voices never raised but sometimes Mello would get an agitated look on his face that L noticed from across the room.

When he approached them, Mello had leant into Near's side, attempting to place a kiss on his neck or perhaps his cheek. But Near turned a little, neglecting him and before Mello could say anything, L cleared his throat.

Both boys looked up.

"Excuse me, but I just wanted to inform you two that we will be having a session later on tonight."

Near nodded silently.

Mello blinked. "Tonight? But it's a holiday!"

"Unfortunately, I am not so important that my birthday is a holiday."

"I meant Halloween."

"Ah. Yes, you have a point."

Mello grinned suddenly. "So we don't have to come?"

"The session starts at one in the morning. That way it will no longer be a holiday. Satisfied, Mello?" L raised an eyebrow.

"… No! You suck!"

"Refreshing opinion." L turned towards Near who had been watching the two with silent amusement. He blushed when he caught L's gaze. "Near, you don't mind this on such short notice, do you?"

He hesitantly shook his head. "No, it's fine."

Mello gaped. "What, he gets consideration?"

"He's younger than you."

"I don't want to be treated any different," Near interrupted, causing both men to look at him. "We're in the running for the same position, after all."

After a moment's pause, L said, "Yes."

Mello groaned loudly, causing Near to look at him. Before the younger boy could say anything though, Mello got up from the bed and took L's wrist in his hand forcefully. L was surprised at the sudden contact and blinked owlishly as Mello dragged him through the room and down the small hallway, finally closing the door to the bathroom after he shoved L in and then walked in himself.

L stumbled back against the dingy porcelain sink, looking up at Mello with a passive expression if not slightly surprised. Mello glared at him and could see the side of his face in the mirror behind them. There was a moment of silence in which L only stared at Mello questioningly and finally, Mello shouted, "Matt, get the fuck away from this door!"

"Aw!" called a voice from the other side.

"I mean it!"

Then, the sound of feet shuffling away and Matt faintly saying to the rest of the party, "Guess there won't be any play-by-play after all…"

Mello rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to L. "Now listen here, you."

L quirked an eyebrow.

"I'm tired of seeing you flirting with Near. For fuck's sake, he's ten years younger than you! You stare at him when he gets undressed for the sessions, you even watch him when he's putting his clothes back on! You touch him for longer than necessary and completely ignore me! When we're in a session, it's 'get me this, Mello' or 'what do you think of that, Mello' and I'm so sick of being second place!"

L paused, considering this, and then leant back, his hands supporting him on the sink. "Mello, I'm not a priest and therefore am unsuitable for confession."

Mello blinked widely and then frowned, balling his fists at his sides. He had to have known that telling L his feelings would coerce no sympathy from the man. He was just a ball of biting sarcasm. The one that Mello would give anything to follow. "Y-You bastar-"

"However," L continued, eyes rolling upward in thought, "I'm not surprised. I just didn't think you would be so eager to tell me these things. You're rather stupid, I do believe."

"… What?" he screeched, horrified.

"You're not in second place," L said, looking back at him.

Mello stopped, staring ahead. When he was searching for words to say, one question out of the million that were racing through his mind, L took a step forward and grabbed him by the forearms, switching their places and slamming him into the sink. Mello's eyes were wide in shock and confusion as his back connected with the porcelain. He groaned at the pain and his left eye twitched until he raised his head to look into L's obsidian eyes.

"You're not in second place," he repeated, his voice an octave lower.

Mello swallowed heavily, his eyelids beginning to feel as if weights were on them. "But…" he sighed. "You called me stupid…"

L ignored this. "I won't have you feeling inferior to Near."

"One of us has to be the loser, though," Mello said, rolling his eyes.

"You're tied."

"How can we be-"

L tightened his grip on Mello's arms and quieted him that way. Mello looked up at him as L straightened out of his usual slouch and brought their faces mere inches apart. The weights on Mello's eyelids grew heavier and heavier as L leaned in, their foreheads coming into contact. Mello closed his eyes tightly and concentrated on his labored breathing in attempt to ease himself. He thought of Near back in the living room. But this warm feeling was rushing from L's hands down to Mello's and his fingers twitched.

The warmth was familiar like when he and Near weren't fighting and were just enjoying close proximity. As a faint blush rose in Mello's cheeks and he could feel L's breath on his face, he wished Near was standing right beside him and that he could apologize for being such an ass. Because if this nice feeling wasn't coursing through him, he didn't think he could be brave enough to admit that he had done something wrong. Because bitch fit or no bitch fit, Near was still Near. And Mello… he…

L inhaled quickly and released Mello's arms, causing Mello to stumble forward for lack of support. The blond looked up, about to ask what the hell that was about but the door shut and he was alone.

"Wha… L!" Mello called in disbelief. He was truly a bastard.

Sighing, Mello slid down to the floor, sitting with his legs splayed out in front of him. The tingling of his hands was still on his arms. His head turned to the side where he saw the toilet there and faintly thought, God, I have to piss.

-

to be continued.

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A/N: More next time, folks. Just got back from university customs so I'm way wiped out. I'm majoring in English Lit and my minor is Psychology for all those interested. I'm on my way to becoming a writer and I WILL be number one!

Review, yeah?