Their faces, contorted with revulsion and shock, made Light's stomach tighten. Sorichio gazed into his sons eyes with disappointment, while Sayu stood rigid with one hand clamped firmly over her mouth. "Light," his mother softly said, her voice gentle and calm. "Are you sure your….are you sure this is the lifestyle you really need?" A hint of desperation was in her tone. Before Light could answer, his father interrupted him.

"Light, how could you be-" Sorichio chocked on the word as if it was verbal poison to say the term 'Gay.' "To love another man is a sin against God; it's…its abhorrence! Do you understand the way society views homosexuality? Do you even realize what your punishment in Hell will be? Light, please! Consider what God will do to you!" Said sinner began trembling. Hearing the absolute disgust in their voices made him want to disappear, leave and never return, drop off the face of the planet; write his own name in the Notebook. A frail hand suddenly brushed his shoulder.

"Mr. and Mrs. Yagami, may I say, although I am a firm agnostic, you too have sinned against God? Your daughter has, I most certainly have, even your preacher…love is meant to be simple, yet human nature causes it to be so absurdly complex. Obviously loving someone of the same sex is not Light's choice. Look at the poor boy. Pale, quivering, and full of such terrible distress. Do you enjoy feeling this way? Do you like to be frightened of your own family? While I lacked parents or siblings, my close observations and well, common sense at that, had led me to the conclusion that a family is meant to be accepting and gentle with one another. Am I wrong, Mr. and Mrs. Yagami?" L blinked, his face unchanging. Sayu gaped at the man before nodding in agreement.

"I agree with Ryuzaki," The girl whispered. "True love, is love. We can't judge, it's not our place-" Sayu was abruptly interupted by Soirchio's booming voice.

"Sayu, you don't understand how severe this matter is. Go to your room now." The finality in her father's voice said there was no room of arguing. "I am afraid I don't agree with you, L." Sorichio stated the detectives name as a form of defiance.

"Then I am afraid my boyfriend, no I'm sorry-that sounds too high schoolish," L slipped his hand into Light's dangling one and smiled, "my lover and I shall be leaving. Visit us at the headquarters if you so desire, Mr. Yagami. Do you have anything to add, Light?" Light, who was currently caught in a state of shock, was too busy attempting to comprehend what had just occurred. He barely shook his head, hardly acknowledging his lover. L nodded and tugged the younger male behind him, leading the genius out the front door.

Once in the car, L let out a soft sigh, "That went pretty well, don't you think, Light?" Light busted into laughter and wrapped his arm around his hunched lover. He softly kissed L's scarlet cheek and whispered,

"I love you so much, L."

XxX

Near sat on the edge of his bland bed, his hands clenched around two brightly colored transformers. He had two options, two life changing decisions to make within the next fifteen minutes.

To leave Whammy's would be to erase any possible future he might obtain through the orphanage. It would destroy his chance of succeeding L and place his own life in danger. But, it meant being free with Mello. Mello, the one thing he loved more than knowledge and duty. Except, this plan of his was so flawed. Where would they go? What would be their source of income? Could two fifteen year old boys even get jobs, when they aren't of age or even have files saying they exist? (Upon entering Whammy's and getting alias's, all records of their previous lives were destroyed) Yet he didn't have to leave... there was the other option…

If he were to remain here, were would Mello be? There wasn't a Near if there wasn't a Mello. They completed each other. However, his future would continue as it was. Only Mihael would not be a part of it. Near placed his face in his hands. For the first time in his fourteen years of living, he did not have the answer. He could consider more of the pros and cons of leaving or staying, but really it came down to one thing.

To keep or lose Mello. "I enjoy stability, schedules, and rules. All of which are enforced within the gates of Whammy's." Near mumbled to himself. Mello despises all three. "He's impulsive, driven, passionate, wild, dark, humorous, protective," Near paused, gazing around his pale room, "and loving." Near did not doubt Mello's feelings for him. Mello had to love Near. "I love Mello." He whispered, realization dawning upon him. "I have to go."

Mello stalked to and fro against the wrought iron gate. His bag, thrown hastily together, slumped over his shoulder. Withdrawing his cellphone, he checked the time. A quarter past six. He had been standing out here for fifteen minutes, waiting. "I'll give him five more minutes." An undertone of fear resided in Mello's strong voice. "If he isn't here, I'm leaving." The blonde's heart began racing in anticipation and fear that Near would not show.

Near wasn't the type to do something so risky~

Near did not need Mello as Mello desperately needed Near. He ran a hand through his straight locks of hair. Near had the capability to live in solitude, to be so alone in world full of so many faces… People to him were merely pieces on a chessboard. This is exactly why Near would serve as a better L. He wasn't so emotional. He didn't feel, most of the time. That's how he got by. They each had their own way of dealing with inner turmoil, and outward pain. Near was one extreme, Mello the opposite extreme. They completed each other.

"Fuck him," Mello removed his phone from his pocket, slowly flipping it up. A minute past his deadline, it read. "I'll do just fine on my own." He seethed, turning to face the old gate. Mello expertly placed two hands between the black bars, pulling himself up. Within seconds he was to the top, preparing to leap off. He had done this so many nights before with Matt, it came naturally by now. Mello took a deep breath and jumped, dust flying in various directions when he landed. He proceeded to stalk forward not looking back. He didn't know where to go first, but that was okay. He would figure it out. Mello had enough euros to catch a bus ride to the airport, and from there, well, he could sneak on board.

"Mello!" A voice shouted behind him. Mello froze, turning only his head. He could see a glimpse of a boy in baggy white clothing.

Tada? Yes, I'm not dead! I didn't write at all this summer, which sort of surprised me. But in all honesty, I was pretty busy. But that's not an excuse! I lacked any inspiration at all to write this chapter until last week in my AP Language class. Instead of rereading the Scarlet Letter like the good child I am, I wrote this chapter of Sour Sweets! I hope you enjoyed! Let me know if you did! (Oh, and thanks for all the story alerts and favorites while I was on a mini vacation from writing, it meant the world to me see so many people still reading this fic and liking it!) You guys are the shizz! :D (P.S: Anybody here going to AWA? I'll be the Shizuo with Mikado and Izaya! xD)