Mat sighed when he got back to the safety of his room. Even though he wasn't allowed to close the door until meal time was over, people rarely intruding on each other's personal spaces here. Rooms, for the most part, were safe.
He sunk on to his bed, curling in on himself. A part of him wanted so badly to have someone comfort him, to tell him that everything would be okay. That used to be Mello's job, back when he was still around.
Matt could remember the blonde holding him in the middle of the night, promising him that one day they'd get away together. Together…so much for that now, Matt thought bitterly. Mello, wherever he was, had to be better off than Matt was here.
Mello looked the older teen up and down slowly, a little unsure. Finally he accepted the stranger's hand. The dark haired boy's smile grew when Mello told him his name.
"You look a little lost. Let me buy you a drink," the brunette purred in a way that made goosebumps rise on Mello's skin.
"But…I'm not old enough…" Mello began, but Zak cut him off with a wave of his hand.
"Please, like they care. I practically own the place." He left for the bar and came back a few minutes later with two glasses full of dark liquid. Mello sipped his slowly, winced, and swallowed. Zak laughed. "Not used to the good stuff, eh? Don't worry. I can change that." Mello measured Zak slowly, wondering what the hell this kid wanted in the first place.
"Um, look. I don't know who you are, or why you're doing this, but uh…"
"I need a new partner." Mello blinked, not catching on. Zak sighed.
"I've seen you around here. You sell yourself, right?" Mello choked on his drink. When he finally caught his breath, he asked, "H-how do you….?" Zak just grinned.
"Like I said, I practically own the place. Now look…prostitution will only get you so far. The real moneys in the drug ring. And like I said, I'm looking for a new partner. You in?" Mello opened and closed his mouth several times before answering.
"You…you barely know me…I…" Zak just leaned forward, using a finger to lift the hair out of Mello's face and tuck it behind his ear.
"I see a lot of potential in you, Mello. I can promise you food, shelter, and an interesting life, to say the least. What do you say?" Mello bit the inside of his cheek. He couldn't keep living in old churches and alleys, squandering and begging for food for the rest of his life…and really, what did he have to lose? Mello held out his hand.
"I say you got yourself a deal."