A/N: Guess I can't call these drabbles, since this is too long to be considered one. Short stories then, whatever. Anyway. Since I got a few reviews (thank you very much) I'll keep writing. From now on, all the stories are going to be in chronological order, unless I change my mind. This is Matt and Mello's first meeting (and L makes an appearance!). Enjoy!

I saw it in your eyes, what I'm looking for
I saw it in your eyes, what will make me live...

One blink and then my heart wasn't there no more.

-"The Tower of Learning", Rufus Wainwright

"Honestly Ryuzaki, do you think this will work?"

"Yes, I do. Do you doubt my judgment?"

"Well, frankly, yes I do. I think this one is far too dangerous to stay here, much less have a roommate. You saw what he did to the last two! Poor Near, that'll take weeks to heal!"

"Regardless, he has amazing potential. He must stay. Watari and I are in agreement."

"Watari and you don't have to be here when the litter terror runs amok, hurting children- stop that, you little demon!"

"Please refrain from speaking to him like that. It seems to make him more agitated. He stays; it's already been decided."

"But of all places to room him, here?!"

"Yes. I think the two will balance each other perfectly."

"He'll take advantage of this one's shyness. He's a natural bully!"

"On the contrary. I believe this will prove a beneficial partnership for the both of them."

"But-"

"Try this for a week. If there are no changes in his behavior, then I'll reconsider your request to have him removed."

"...Very well. One week."

"Thank you, Roger. I'm certain that's all he'll need."

"Hmph. Do what you want. I don't care anymore. I need coffee."

Stomp stomp stomp.

Slam!

Matt nuzzled his face against his pillow, grateful that the loudest voice had stopped talking. What an irritating dream this was turning out to be!

"Hmmm... it seems our friend here is still asleep. He will wake up soon. Why don't you settle in?"

A loud thump responded.

"Please don't do that. Roger will be quite displeased if you dent another wall."

Thump thump.

"Very well, have it your way. In any case, make sure the two of you are down in an hour for breakfast."

Thump THUMP.

"Ah yes, you're right. Thank you for not biting me today. As promised, here is your reward."

Rustling, followed by a resounding crack loud enough to jerk Matt's eyes open. A pale face of a teenage boy leaned over him, with dark eyes that looked to old for his face. Matt's brain struggled to process, finally remembering the great L's homecoming a few days ago. But what would L being doing in his room?

"It appears your new roommate is waking up now. I will leave you to your introductions then. You know where to find me."

Matt's eyes followed L to the door. The pale boy turned, his hand on the door knob.

"Oh yes," he added as an afterthought as he walked out the door," be good."

The door clicked shut, and something cracked again from the corner of the room. Matt lifted his head to follow the sound back to a small boy, looking to be around Matt's age. Matt marveled at the sight. He had never seen such fine, pale blond hair paired with such dark, intense eyes. Nor had he ever seen so much rage and hatred contained in such a small, finely carved face. The chocolate bar between his lips snapped again. The boy sneered at him, chocolate coating his teeth. Matt thought he was the most beautiful thing he had seen in his short life.

Fully awake now, Matt sat up, smoothing down his hair as he had been taught to do for introductions.

"Good morning," he said as brightly as anyone could say at six in the morning.

The blond boy continued chewing the chocolate, his eyes focused intensely on Matt's.

"Can't you talk?"

In response, the boy bit of another bite with a rude-sounding crack.

Slightly embarrassed at the lack of response, Matt rolled out of bed.

"I guess we're roommates now, huh? Cool. You'll have to talk eventually, you know. I can wait."

The blond boy sneered, and in defiance broke off another huge chunk of candy. He watched, silently, as Matt carefully dressed himself, washed his face, and tied his shoes with the slow clumsiness of a young child. Matt looked up at the angry scowl that watched him.

"You should get ready too. Breakfast is in a few minutes."

The other boy dropped the now empty candy wrapper to the ground, his scowl deepening.

"What's your name?" he asked slowly.

Matt looked up in surprise at the strangely deep timbre of the small boy's voice, as well as the unfamiliar accent accompanying it. He sounded nothing like any other child at Whammy's house.

"Matt," he responded, overjoyed that the strange new boy had decided to speak.

"Is that your real name?"

"Of course!" Matt answered confusedly.

"No, I mean your really real name?"

"Well, if you mean my old name, then of course not."

"Then what's your real name?" demanded the boy.

"I can't tell you that! No one shares their old names here. I'm Matt now."

"Why can't you tell me?" the boy insisted angrily.

"It's just the rules. Didn't they tell you?"

The boy ignored Matt's question and stomped his foot on the ground. "I hate it here. They take everything away. They took my freedom and sent me here. They took my clothes and gave me these. They even take away names! Only he ever gave me anything here." He nudged the sticky wrapper with his bare toe. "I'll tell you my name. It's-"

Matt clamped his hands over his ears, shouting "Nnonononono!" until he was sure the chocolate-stained lips had stopped moving.

"I'm sorry," he said apologetically as he removed his hands from his ears, "but you can't tell me that. Not me, not anyone. Ever. Do you understand?"

The furious dark eyes glared at him for a minute before he nodded curtly and looked away.

"What do they call you?"

The dark eyes returned to his.

"He, the older boy, called me Mello."

Matt nodded solemnly. "Then that's your name, forever." Matt turned towards the door.

"C'mon, breakfast. By the way, what did you do to Near?"

Mello's glare melted away into a devilish smile that lit up all of his features, turning his dark black-brown eyes a warm shade of sepia . It took Matt's breath away.

"I'll tell you at breakfast. Let's go."

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