Between Fear and Ecstasy

A/N: I got some reviews, I'm so happy. I don't really mind if I don't get a lot of reviews, it doesn't really bother me. When you think about it, the more reviews you have, the more likely it is that one of them is a flame. Or at least that's the way I put it. Anyway, onto the fic! By the way, this is AU.

Chapter 2: The Morning After

Near's eyes fluttered open slowly when he heard the obnoxious beeping of his alarm clock. He sat up and realized that he had been sleeping sideways across the bed spread. Near also saw Mello snoozing like a child. Mello looked slightly uncomfortable squished in a small corner of the king-sized bed. Near smirked; his lover slept like a baby. No matter how uncomfortable or loud it was, Mello could sleep. It was absolutly adorable. Near took another glance at his lover and he felt a sudden wave of guilt wash over him. What could he have possibly done before he went to bed last night? Near couldn't remember. He was scared that he had hurt Mello. Looking at the clock again, he realized that he was off schedule. He would need to get ready for work or he would be late. Near had the feeling that Mello would preoccupy his thoughts all day.

The white haired boy quickly jumped into the shower. He didn't care if it was cold; in fact he liked his showers that way. Near could sometimes be described as cold and unemotional by those who knew him least, like the quick freezing downpour that fell over his eyes. Well, he had to be, he was a detective. One couldn't be emotional and cry whenever a murderer turns out to be some quiet boy that way beaten as a child.

There was no "good cop, bad cop" scenario. Near was what he was.

Turning the shower off Near stepped out of the tub onto a red towel. To his surprise, someone else was in the bathroom with him.

"Mello." Near said simply, looking at his partner with his typical business-like stare.

"Look Near, I know you're angry… I didn't mean it, I'll try harder to be home earlier. I'll even let you be seme," Mello apologized.

"Huh? When have I ever been seme?" Near asked.

"Last night when you got mad… don't you remember?" Mello asked, confused that his partner didn't remember.

"I remember getting mad then going to bed? Did we have sex?" Near asked.

"But before that, we hit it! You were seme too. Why don't you remember?" Mello asked.

"I think you're messing around with me again! Like when you say you'll come home on time! Are you just messing with me Mello?" Near shouted.

"Will you calm down? I told you what happened! Why are being so… so emotional?" Mello asked with disbelief. Near was always cool and collected no matter what. Now he was melting right before his eyes. "Look Near, I must have been dreaming… I'm sorry." Mello avoided his lovers eyes.

"That's okay." Near said simply. He turned around for a minute as he put his clothes on. He turned back, fully dressed in a suit and tie, while Mello was in his favorite silk pajamas.

"Mello, when did you get here?" Near asked as he walked out the bathroom door. Mello stood in shock and confusion as he watched his lover's back gracefully disappear down the stairs.

-

Mello drove to the Miriyama Strip Club and pulled into the 'Reserved: Employee' parking slot. He walked in through the back entrance and wandered into the dressing room with the other men.

"Hi Mello," a red head with a cigarette in his mouth waved from across the room.

"Hey Matt," Mello answered rather coldly, he was angry at Matt for telling him about the party, then he and Near could have had a pleasant night.

"Did Near tear ya a new one for being out late again?" Matt asked with a laugh. He looked ridiculous, acting like the office douchebag in a pink dress and fake tits.

"Something like that," Mello bitterly answered.

"Oh, sorry to hear that. Well, I'm gonna go get my makeup on. Later," said Matt.

"Grr…"

-

Near was having an off day too…

He had way to many cases that no one else wanted, so they gave them all to him. During his midmorning break, he spilled coffee all over his hand.

"Fuck!" he shouted.

"Sounds like somebody's having a case of the Mondays," (I do not own Office Space) Eveline, the annoying desk cop laughed. Her nasally voice irritated him. He squeezed his paper cup into a ball and violently threw it in the wastebasket. The coffee still corroded on his flesh. Everything was just too much effort.

I hate being a prodigy…

-

"And now for our final act our charming young fellow, the lovely MelloYellow!" an announcer called from some unknown sound station. His accented voice traveled across the theater and to the stage. Mello waltzed out in a yellow sundress and hat. He did his little turns on the catwalk (don't own I'm too sexy) and danced back. Suddenly, he dropped his yellow handkerchief and bent down slowly; exposing cute pink panties with Mello embroidered in big bold letters, a bright shade of yellow. He blushed and waved before prancing offstage to join the other guys in the dressing room.

-

At lunch, Near walked to a nearby bookstore to get some coffee at their Starbucks. He walked through the aisles and went to the Male Pornography section (do they even have one of those?). He skimmed through several magazines and then saw the one he was looking for. He vaguely remembered Mello telling him he was on the cover of some magazine. It was Dirty Casanova issue No. 69. Mello stood larger than life over headline and other titles. He was in his regular gothic look, even though for work he wore what they gave him (typically yellow). He had one hand down his pants and wore a "you know you want me" look on his face. Ah what the hell, he might as well buy it; Mello would probably go nuts when he showed him. Near felt that he had to do something nice for his lover. It was like he was a very picky rabbit.

Near made his way up to the register. He glanced at the checkout concessions and his eyes immediately fell on a box of Godiva (don't own that either) chocolates. He had to buy them for Mello. He imagined Mello jumping up and down; they were his favorites after all. The store clerk gave him a surprised look as he threw down his porno and chocolate as he got out his wallet. The clerk saw the tip of a condom wrapper peaking out of the strange man's wallet.

"C- Come again sir," the clerk stuttered.

"Thanks." Near said as he walked out of the double doors and into the sunshine.

-

Later that night:

Mello and Near got home at 7 o'clock. They both felt sort of awkward. There was a stiff and obvious tension throughout the house. The two ate a light supper and congregated to the living room. Mello curled up in a chair. Near lounged on the sofa. He decided now would be a good time to show Mello his surprise.

"Mello, I went to the bookstore today and bought some… stuff."

"Stuff?" Mello asked, cocking his head to the side.

"Yes. Stuff." Near replied, pulling out his plastic bag of hope and wonder (and porn). He pulled out the glossy Dirty Casanova and chocolates.

"Oh my god are those chocolates for me?" Mello asked, his eyes widening.

"Yes and this is for me," Near answered, showing Mello the cover.

"You went to the gay porn section just to get me?" Mello shouted with glee as he leapt out of the chintz chair.

"Sort of, I wanted to see how hot you are on camera too…"

"Oh Near, you rock my socks off!"

"I hope that is not all we rock tonight."

"You know it. You want to be seme?" Mello asked. "I owe you, do you accept it in ass?"

"You bet, I always wanted to try this…"

Mello, laughed uncomfortably, but Near was already taking his pants off.

-

Okay… that was very difficult for me to write. There wasn't any lemon in this one, but we get to see Mello in a yellow sundress. MelloYellow was something my boyfriend told me. Apparently there was a rumor that smoking a banana peel can make you high. There was a song called Mellow Yellow written about it. I think it was The Beatles. I can't remember. Anywho, I hope Dirty Casanova isn't an actual porno… that would make me sad…