A/N: Once again, I made some changes to the order of things here, lol. Though, I definitely believe this will fit amazingly. So, I hope you enjoy it! I have cut out some of the side stuff I was originally doing that was probably mentioned in Focus, and I'm sorry, but I lost those original trails and I can't FORCE them to come back. If it comes up, I'll continue them, but we shall see.

Chapter 7:

He had forgotten to close the curtains last night, damnit! Now, here he was, string from his tormented sleep. It had taken him forever to fall asleep last night, and he felt like he hadn't slept at all. With a small groan, he turned over onto his other side to put his back to the blinding light that was filtering in through his eye lids. He wasn't ready to face the world yet, and he was determined to neglect his responsibilities by keeping his eyes firmly shut. Once resettled, he drew the covers up over his shoulders more securely and reached out for his lover, seeking his warmth. However, his arms glided across cool sheets and pillow.

Icy blue eyes finally cracked open in confusion as he surveyed the cream colored sheets, finding that Matt was nowhere to be seen. The events of the previous day came back to him, and he suddenly sat up, realizing the red head had never joined him in bed the previous night. Anger boiled in his belly, twisting it into nausea as the pain set in. He was astonished by the fact that Matt had never come to bed the night before. Especially after his own break down after all the weed he had smoked as well.

With a frustrated growl, his fist met the neglected pillow. How dare he! He was the one who was mad! He was the one who had every right to be pissed off at the other, not the other way around! But he still came to this room to spend time with his boyfriend, knowing how scarce those times could be. He was willing to set his own anger and frustration aside just to hold the other man in his arms and be able to exchange tender kisses and passionate sessions between the sheets. If Matt just would've come to bed, they would've made up and Mello would've put the previous day behind them like so many other things he ignored.

The sudden intensity of his revised anger caused the rest of the sleep to leave his mind and body as he stood up and took only a moment to stretch out. He tugged on a pair of black sweats and a long sleeve black shirt he kept in the house for such sleepovers and padded his bare feet across the plush carpet and out into the hallway.

The house was silent as he trekked through it on a mission, trying not to disturb any of the others that were probably still sleeping. When he reached the game room, he was completely unsurprised to find Matt stretched out across the couch. The opening to Super Smash Brother's Brawl was still playing on the TV, a controller on the floor near where the gamer was passed out. He was still fully clothed, and his note book was open, laying over his face in an attempt to block out the sounds and light around him. Mello grunted in annoyance.

Walking over to the couch, Mello kicked the cushions under his boyfriend repeatedly until he began to stir slightly. Matt groaned as his body shifted, obviously lagging from lack of sleep. A pang of guild went off in Mello's chest, but he ignored it in favor of letting his anger out.

"Hey, asshole! Wake the hell up!" He all but yelled at him, kicking the cushions again. Matt groaned again, but his hands came up and grasped his note book, allowing a green eye to peak out from under it in a squint.

"Mello?" He questioned groggily, attempting to look around in his obvious confusion.

"You never came to bed last night, dick." He seethed quietly. Matt processed this for a moment as he sat up, mind still foggy from sleep. He blindly reached out and grasped his pack of cigarettes, pulling one from within and lighting it after a few failed flicks.

"Wow, you just woke me up and already you've called me two names." He commented, inhaling the nicotine. Mello scoffed as a glare took over his face.

"No shit, sherlock! Do you even remember everything from yesterday? You're jealous antics you don't even deserve to have being paraded around all before you disappear to get shit faced with B for us to find you. And then, you don't even come to bed last night? I'm the pissed off one, not you. You have no right to stand me up like that!" He growled out in anger without even thinking. Matt scrubbed his face with his hands.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sleep down here. I was writing and-" Mello cut him off with a hiss.

"I don't give a shit what the reason it!" His voice raised and Matt's face snapped to look at him.

"Morning children, everything ok? Everyone is in the kitchen and just heard Mello yell." Beyond came in, obviously taking the chance to warn them of the others presence. Misa bounced in, a look of worry on her face as she looked between her brother and best friend in concern.

"We're fine. Just a small disagreement." Mello moved to reassure his sister, wrapping an arm around her shoulders with a small smile as he led her from the room talking about needing coffee and pancakes. She peaked over her shoulder for a moment and looked back at Matt, noting the look of agony on his features. Beyond was standing still by the couch, however, and she knew he'd talk to the red head, so she turned back and continued on with her brother.

"After the talk we just had like 6 hours ago, you just go and fuck up again?" Beyond sounds exasperated as he sighs and shoved Matt's feet off the couch to sit next to him. Matt grunts but settles into his spot, his own sigh escaping his lips as his eyes close and he takes another drag from his cigarette.

"I didn't mean to, B. I was working on a song." He admitted. Beyond rolled his eyes.

"Great timing, man. If there was a night that you should've just ignored that feeling and gone to fucking bed, last night was it." He supplied with another eye roll. Matt groaned.

"It was about him, B. I think I'm ready to tell the band about us. But I'm not too sure he still wants me anymore." An ironic laugh escaped him. Beyond sat up and looked his friend over. Hs clothes were wrinkled and his hair mused. His face showed his exhaustion as his eyes seemed to be dimmed with the accent of bags under them. He sighed, nudging his friend.

"You're definitely on thin ice at the moment, man. But I think if you tell him that, the ice will thicken again." He stated. "Let's go have breakfast." He suggested, standing and dragging Matt with him.

When they entered the kitchen, everything seemed to be so normal that it irked Matt. Beyond slid into his spot by Naomi easily, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and kissing her cheek lightly. Misa was setting down plates of chocolate chip pancakes that were covered with strawberries. Mikami sat watching with fond eyes. Light was scolding L as the man took strawberries off his pancakes, having eaten his own already. Even Sayu and Matsuda seemed so at home at the table. But his eyes zeroed in on Mello.

The blond sat at the table, completely avoiding looking at him. He smiled kindly at his sister with a soft thanks as she handed him a plate, but his eyes remained dull. His chest ached as he looked around the table at everyone. How could he have ever doubted these people? He knew that no matter what, they would always be there for him as well as Mello. Back when he was dating Near they had ALL made it quite clear that they wanted to see him end up with the blond. Suddenly he felt like the stupidest man in the world for ever doubting his family. For not realizing how amazingly lucky he was to have people who loved and supported him in his life. He lived his dream, lead singer of an internationally famous rock band, had the best family around, and had the heart of the best damn thing that had ever happened to him. He had no doubt that Mello loved him, why else would he have put up with everything he had. The love he held showed in his every action when they were alone and Matt allowed him to be open and honest. And frankly, he felt sick over the fact that their closest friends and family didn't even know about them. How could Matt keep it from them any longer?

"..Matt..?" Misa was waving her hand in front of his face when he jerked out of his thoughts and looked at her. Her concerned morphed into amusement as she giggled. "Welcome back, where'd you go?" She laughed a little louder. He looked around again and noticed everyone was looking at him now, including Mello. Their eyes met and the concern in those icy blue eyes was unmistakeable. Even with so many raw emotions of hurt and anger, he still worried. He couldn't help but smiled at the man across from him, fighting the urge to laugh when he blond squirmed, eyes darting around. The others looked between them in confusion, causing Mello to squirm a bit more under Matt's gaze.

Hey, I wanna crawl out of my skin

Apologize for all my sins

All the things I should have said to you

Matt suddenly singing brought the attention back to him. He gestured to the others as he apologized, knowing there would be a few people less than happy with him shortly. Misa fell into her seat with Mikami as Matt smiled sadly, beginning to walk around the table, patting B on the back as he moved, happy to see the other man give him a thumbs up and a smile.

Hey, I can't make it go away

Over and over in my brain again

All the things I should have said to you

He finally reached Mello and his hand moved towards him. The backs of his knuckles caressed his cheek lovingly as their eyes met.

Counting stars wishing I was okay

Crashing down was my biggest mistake

I never ever meant to hurt you

I only did what I had to

Counting stars again

The anguish he felt for ever causing Mello pain leaked into his tone as he sang, heart beating erratically. Mello seemed slightly frozen, gaze weary. His eyes began to drift away as he turned his face too look downward, not daring to be hopeful, and completely expecting to wake up and find it was all a sick dream. There was no way Matt was doing this in front of everyone else. But Matt's hand turned over to cup his jaw, and firmly moved it back, forcing him to remain looking at him.

Hey, I'll take this day by day by day

Under the covers I'm okay I guess

Life's too short and I feel small

The vulnerability in Matt's eyes broke him. Mello automatically reached out as Matt tugged him to his feet. A small smile and chuckle left him as the singer twirled him slowly as he broke back into the chorus.

Counting stars wishing I was okay

Crashing down was my biggest mistake

I never ever meant to hurt you

I only did what I had to

Counting stars again

Mello's arms wrapped around Matt's waist and tugged him closer. Matt's own hand moved back to cupping Mello's jaw as his other threaded into his hair as they moved closer together, breath caressing his lips as he sang one final line.

Counting stars again

His voice was almost a whisper that Mello couldn't help but swallow as his lips finally pressed against Matt's in a reaffirming kiss. Matt melted into him immediately in relief as he succumb to the desire and passion that always licked the surface around the blond. Mello's arms tightened even more around his waist as they nth tilted their faces slightly to deepen the kiss. When finally, Mello's tongue caressed his own, they were brought out of their trance with a shrill shriek.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!" Misa cried out.

A/N: This may be a bit shorter than normal, but.. Hehe..

Song Used: "Counting Stars" by Sugarcult