Saturday, November 22nd

He wasn't angry. That emotion was something that he reserved for his most frustrating and rage-filled moments. Considering his family and social life, this meant that he was only angry about two times a week. Alright, three at the most. Yet this was not one of those allotted three. It was true that he was irritated, maybe overwhelmed, and definitely confused, but this emotion did not have the fire that his anger usually inspired.

Mello had been fairly sure that Mail and Matt were one and the same. However, he had needed the conformation that his conversation with Mail at the bowling had given him to fully believe this. Originally he had thought that the two of the meeting in real life at all, much less being in the same school together, had been a rare coincidence. He'd had no idea that the redhead from Halloween was Mail much less his online friend Matt. The fact that Mail was now searching for the mysterious Mello was icing on the cake. Mello had planned to tell Mail who he was during that conversation, but then he had heard that detail of Mail's story.

It wasn't that Mello wasn't interested in Mail. He'd be lying if he said that the boy wasn't attractive, and he enjoyed talking to him. It wasn't the fact that Mail was convinced that he was in love with Mello that was upsetting him, it was the fact that Mail had no idea that he was talking to the object of his affections. Sure, Mello hadn't given Mail the slightest hint, and maybe this was an over whimsical thought, but if Mail wanted to find Mello that badly couldn't he tell when he was looking at him? If he thought about that night so often, wasn't there some element of Mello that he would have been able to recognize? Mail claimed that he knew Mello through their online conversations, but if he did wouldn't he make the connection between the dry humor and witty remarks he was hearing Mihael make?

Mello's internal monologue was interrupted by an annoying ringtone coming from his computer; he quickly clicked answer to L's Skype call.

"I need your advice on something." Mello stated the second that the monitor focused, skipping the formalities of saying 'hello' or 'how are you.'

It didn't take long for him to explain the entire situation to L, who surprisingly listened patiently (only interrupting with a slightly concerned remark when Mello was explaining the details of the Halloween party). Once he had finished, Mello had to admit (if not out loud) that he did feel relieved now that he had gotten the events of the past few weeks off of his chest.

"If he likes you that much I don't understand why you're acting jealous." This was the only thing that L had to say after hearing Mello's full babble.

"You're not getting it." Mello nearly groaned at the air of levity by which L was treating his frustration.

"You're right, I am not," L replied flatly.

"It's not me that he thinks he likes," Mello tried to explain. "He likes the two dimensional words that I say on an online chatroom and the mysterious mask and leather jacket that I wore when we kissed for no reason. The person he's apparently in love with doesn't exist."

"Every aspect that he seems to be fixated on didn't come from anyone else," L argued. "Your actions may not be different from ones that you would take had he seen your face and known your name, but it isn't as if another person did them. What he is drawn to may not be traits that you associate with yourself, but that doesn't change the fact that he is drawn to you nor does it make that corner of your personality nonexistent."

"You're giving me a headache," Mello complained. "Tell me again why I came to you for advice?"

"Because you value my opinion and have no other friends," L answered truthfully.

"Thanks," Mello muttered.

"You should tell him," L stated.

"And sound like some crazy stalker," Mello responded. "No thank you."

"Considering he's trying to hunt you down, I don't think that you're at risk in that area," L pointed out.

"Maybe," Mello gave him that one. "But I'm not sure I want him to know."

"Because you don't want to be the person that he thinks you are?" L wondered.

"No," Mello tried to get his thoughts and motives in order. "Well, yes, but that's not the reason."

"Then what is?"

"I like him," Mello admitted this both to L and to himself. "A lot. But if I tell him who I am he's only going to keep liking the mystery boy, not me."

"So you're going to try to win him over before you tell him the truth," L concluded.

"I think so," Mello wasn't entirely certain his plan would work. "What do you think?"

"I think that people do strange things when they're in love," L said in his usual monotone.

"Are you speaking for experience?" Mello teased.

"Maybe."

"What," he hadn't expected that response. "Are you saying that you found a guy?"

"Not telling."

"Shit," Mello wasn't sure if he should be happy or worried for his brother.

"Language," L scolded.

"Don't care," Mello retorted childishly. "You just heard the story of my entire love life, it's not fair for you not to tell me yours."

"Mello, you learned a long time ago that life is not fare," L told him.

Mello was about to complain of the use of that phrase, when the door to L's room opened.

"Sorry to interrupt your talk, but I need the room too," Light Yagami said this in English, but Mello wasn't sure if it was for his benefit or if the two usually spoke both languages when alone. "If I don't start studying now I'm not going to get any sleep tonight."

"Sleep is overrated, Light-kun." L informed his roommate, proving Mello's theory of the use of their use of both Japanese and English. "But Mello and I were about done with this conversation."

"Light, does L have a boyfriend?" Mello asked before L could hang up on him.

Light had been currently emptying the of contents of his school bag on to his desk in preparation for his study session, but he stopped what he was doing upon hearing the question.

"Does he?" Light raised an eyebrow and gave L a look that Mello couldn't read.

"It's possible," L told them coolly. "And the poor fool who thinks that putting up with my problems and social skills will be a walk in the park deserves both of your pity."

"Maybe he knows that it won't be easy but thinks you're worth the challenge," Light suggested.

"You know who it is," Mello deduced.

"I might," Light smirked. "But L's love life is none of my business."

"That's not exactly true," L commented. "I'd say that, as my roommate and best friend, my love life is about as much your business as it is Mello's."

"Very funny," Mello said dryly.

"I'm only taking a precaution," L said. "Considering you did nothing to stop Beyond from nearly stabbing my last boyfriend, I'm not sure I want to give you too much information about my current one for the moment."

"He did what?" Light looked shocked.

"In Beyond's and my own defense," Mello spoke up. "B only tried to kill him because he cheated on you."

"And, as warmed as my heart is to know that the two of you care, I'm still not telling you right now," L smiled as he said this. "Goodbye Mello. Good luck with your plan."

"Yeah," Mello muttered even though L had finished the call. "I'm going to need luck."

So...who's mad at Mels and who agrees with him? And how obvious did I make L's secret boyfriend?

Thanks to Bummer, Ern Estine 13624, Corliss Kat, brightnight003, Carottal, Anonsass, and Carley-Carley-Carley for reviewing!