A/N: I'd like to thank my two avid readers BleachedBlueCat210 and The Color Clear (once again).
As always, read, review and enjoy.

Mello ran his fingers through his blond hair, admiring his reflection in the looking glass. Somehow, he'd been blessed with good looks and intelligence. He pouted his lips. Raised his eye brows. Blew his cheeks up. No matter what he did, he still looked damn good.

"What are you doing?" Matt chuckled.

Mello jumped up from his chair, clearing his throat. "Nothing! And don't barge in like that, you know I like my privacy."

"Sorry," Matt chuckled.

He lay down on Mello's bed and propped his feet up on the brass headboard, receiving a stern glare from Mello. He waved off the response as he admired his lover. The reason they had separate bedrooms was so they could continue to hide their relationship; it was mainly Mello's idea. Matt didn't really care whether or not the brutes knew, although he'd rather not be chased down by a group of furious homophobes carrying torches-or whatever it is homophobes did. He had heard dozens of times that any attraction to the same sex was unnatural, but it felt so right to Matt. In fact, he was quite open to the idea.

Unlike Mello, who put up a huge fight. Matt would catch Mello staring at him and checking his own appearance in the glass on his vanity. Hell, Mello had a vanity. They were only found in girl's bedrooms; but no one argued when Mello wanted one. No one ever argued with Mello-except Matt, of course. It gave him strange satisfaction to get Mello riled up until his face turned purple. Oh, when Matt got him to admit his feelings, he swore Mello's head was going to explode. He couldn't stop laughing as Mello stormed off after he confessed he couldn't stop thinking about Matt.

Even when Mello lost, he still wanted his own victory. And Matt always allowed him to win somehow. Besides chocolate, sex, and bossing others around, it's what satisfied Mello.

"I gotta tell you the story the kid just told me. It's the funniest shit I've ever heard."

Matt sat, listening intently as Mello retold the story he'd heard a only a few minutes ago. He found himself cracking up, especially 'cause of Mello's dramatizing arm movements and expressions. When the story was over, Matt couldn't help but feel quite content with Mello. Recently, he had begun to (reluctantly) embrace Matt's advice and his reckless behavior decreased ferociously. Matt had also noted that Mello laughed more; the weighing conscience after killing whoever he pleased had become a heavy burden to bear. He was still hesitant to approach situations cautiously, but with Matt's consistent support, it had gotten easier.

"Matt, I dunno what I'm gonna do with him. I can't hold him here forever-" Mello abruptly stopped, pulling a chocolate bar from his hidden breast pocket. He viciously bit into it; his blue eyes grew callous.

"You don't gotta spare him-you can kill'im if you really want. I just want you to think 'bout it" Matt placed his hand on Mello's thigh, tugging at his pants. "Come here. We have 'bout an hour until everyone wakes up."

A small smile spread across Mello's lips. He re-wrapped his chocolate bar and climbed on top of Matt, kissing him softly.

Matt-his polar opposite. He rarely thought about himself and approached everything reasonably. He was passionate, but his emotions didn't drive his actions. He calmed Mello down when he needed it, and riled him up when he didn't. His quirky goggles, witty remarks, and sly smile gave him a unique touch that Mello knew he would never find again. After Mello submitted to his feelings for Matt, there had never been a moment where they faltered.

Mello's soft, passionate kiss puzzled Matt. Mello's moods always bounced around, causing each affair between them to be unique. Maybe he just wanted attention today, or for Matt to remind him he was beautiful. He had caught him checking himself in the vanity again. Matt slithered his arms around Mello's neck. Matt planned each kiss perfectly; their lips moved in perfect harmony.

Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door.

"Fuck," Mello snarled, pushing himself off Matt. At least these idiots had the courtesy to knock before entering. "What?"

Ross swung the door opened and leaned against the frame. "What're we gonna do with that kid?"

Mello had been asking himself the same question all day. "Shit, I dunno. Make him sweep or somethin'."

"I think I broke his rib."

"When?" the chilling indifference in Mello's voice bothered Matt.

"When I kicked him."

Mello snickered and unraveled the chocolate he had stored. He took a bite, thinking for a moment. "Aw'right, make'im sweep anyway."

"Mello," Matt hissed warningly.

"What, Matt? Do you want to clean the floor instead?" Mello's eyes glinted maliciously.

Matt fell silent, wishing Mello didn't feel the need to put such a tough front. But, it was necessary if he wanted to keep the control. And that's all Mello really wanted; control. In the gang, their relationship, even in food. The reason Mello loved chocolate so much was because his parents used to forbid the smooth sweet. Mello liked everything his parents hated. Sometimes, Matt couldn't help but think Mello only confessed his feelings because he knew it would drive his parents insane. It wasn't a comforting theory, but it haunted Matt.

Ross shrugged and left them alone again. Mello turned and walked back to his vanity. He sat down and took a bite of chocolate. Matt watched him through the reflection, but Mello avoided his gaze.

"I'm gonna help the kid out," Matt said and left the room.

"See ya," Mello snarled as the door closed. Pestering, nagging ass. Whatever the situation, whether Mello was content or pissed, Matt always drove him fucking crazy.

Outside, Matt gaped as Ross and Neylon dragged the boy from his tiny cell and tossed him to the ground. They shouted at him to get up and when he tried to lift himself, his trembling arms gave way and he collapsed again. Ross raised his leg, about to kick him.

"STOP!" Matt demanded. Obviously aggravated, Ross relaxed his leg and narrowed his eyes.

Light gazed up at his savior. It was the red head, the one who seemed to have a relaxing affect on Mello. He silently thanked him; the pain was unbearable. The skin around his ribcage was a sickly yellow color and he was sure he could see part of his bone protruding where it hadn't before.

"Go upstairs or somethin', I don't care where," the redhead instructed the two. They obediently turned and headed for the stairs; Mello's influence apparently rubbed off on the redhead. "C'mon, I'll help you up. If you don't sweep, though, Mel's gonna be pissed and believe you me, he ain't pretty when he's pissed."

Light gave his shaking hand to the redhead's outstretched ones. With all his strength, he pulled himself to his feet. But, lack of food and the bruise was crushing his energy. He wondered if he would die in that hole in the way. "Wh-what's your name?" he said, surprised how shaky his voice was.

"I'm Matt," Matt grinned. "Can you walk on yer own?"

"Yeah, I think. It was just difficult to get up."

Matt let go of Light and he stood up straight. His rib killed him, but he had no choice but to suck it up. Besides, he couldn't reveal any weakness, even in front of the seemingly sane Matt. Light wouldn't have been surprised if Mello used Matt to fuck with Light. But, Light readied himself. Matt led him to the main room in the saloon, where Mello had pointed the gun at Light's face. He handed Light a broom, a small smile on his lips. He had his own broom. The two swept in silence. Light began to use the broom as support to stand, which made it much more difficult to sweep.

Matt suddenly stopped sweeping and watched Light struggle. "Are you sure you don't need help?" He chose his words carefully, hoping they wouldn't offend Light's obvious pride.

"I'm fine," Light lied.

"I'm sorry about this," Matt murmured as he started to sweep again.

Light didn't respond, not sure how to answer. Why was Matt so unbelievably kind to him, especially considering he lived in a house with a bunch of air-headed muscles? How did he even get himself mixed up in this gang?

"Matt," Mello's voice made the two jump. He was standing in the doorway; he had been watching them for a while.

"Yeah?"

"What are you doing?"

"Sweepin'."

"I see that. Can you come with me?"

Matt hesitated for a moment. "Fine."

The two left the room, leaving the wilted Light draped against his broom. There was something off between the two; Light decided he would investigate as much as possible and observe from afar. If there was something, Light would use it to his benefit. Especially if it meant getting the Hell out of this place.