I do not own Death Note.
Thank you xElementFivex and DreamRain-Letters for your reviews on the last chapter.
DreamRain-Letters, I took your suggestion and added it to this chapter.
Author's Note: I had intended for this to be the last chapter, but it now seems as though this will be a four chapter story.
Warnings: Violence, blood, angst, minor swearing, shonen ai, and a rather steamy kissing scene.
The following two days occurred with little incident. For the most part Mello kept himself occupied with scrutinizing every detail within the documents that Matt hacked from the police's computer. He offered to help, but eventually ceased because Mello ended up double checking the contents of the papers Matt had finished.
Both nights the blond retired three hours after Matt announced his heading to bed. Both nights Matt stirred when his lover climbed in bed with him. He pretended to be sound asleep to avoid any possible arguments. The amount of new information swirling through Mello's brain in addition to being nowhere closer to discovering Kira's identity was bound to make him snappy. They made a rule that they would never go to bed angry. For the sake of honoring that rule, Matt kept his eyes shut until he heard the first soft snore.
Each night Mello wrapped his arms around Matt's torso, breathing in the scent of cinnamon and tobacco that engulfed the older man's hair. Matt always shuddered at Mello's touch. He always found himself involuntarily sinking into his hold. That touch was now accompanied by the throbbing reminder that he almost lost his beloved in that explosion. The fact that his actions could still end his life plagued Matt's thoughts each time Mello's fingers stroked him. With every kiss came the dreaded worry that it may be their last. So many nightmares began that night, each one ending with Mello dying in his arms. With a bleeding heart Matt shut his eyes and allowed Mello's steady breathing to lull him to sleep.
The following afternoon Matt sat on the couch, his fingers fiercely attacking the buttons on his game console. The Gameboy sang out sound effects over its soundtrack. Were the gamer not too wrapped up in his activity he would have heard the door slamming and the keys clanking as they hit the side table that sat next to the door.
Leather swished as the other inhabitant of the apartment joined his lover in the living room. His icy blue eyes held their usual displeased gaze. He took a deep breath then called Matt's name twice. He inhaled sharply then grasped the game from the redhead's hands. Matt's mouth opened in protest, but slowly shut his lips when Mello tossed the game across the room.
Matt leapt up ready to confront his boyfriend and whatever complaints and rants he readied this time. However, he stopped upon seeing the fierce, yet calm glare in Mello's eyes. That stare sent chills down his spine. The older male was used to Mello's temper and constant yelling, but he froze upon seeing Mello standing there in silence, that fierce glower displaying his emotions. A silent Mello meant the prologue to destruction.
"Please sit down, Matt," Mello said while not tearing his gaze from the mentioned.
Matt swallowed collected saliva that pooled in his mouth. Slightly shivering he found the leather cushion and sat down, not daring to look away. The last time Mello spoke to him in that calm manner with that amount of restraint in his body it was when he broke the news that he was leaving the orphanage.
"Mello," Matt said, nearly stuttering over his words.
Mello held up a hand and remained standing. Matt began to sweat at the new disadvantage.
The two stared at each other in silence for several minutes. To the redhead it felt much longer. Finally Mello broke his gaze and lowered himself to the couch. He crossed one leg over the other then returned his attention to Matt.
"Matt," Mello said. He paused again to collect the recently acquired information.
Matt trembled as he waited for Mello to reveal the bad news. He only hoped that he was not planning another life-threatening mission. Matt considered tying Mello to the chair and padlocking the doors then storming outside to remove the engine from Mello's motorcycle for extra measure in order to keep him safe.
Mello's hands twitched and Matt hated that for once he was unable to read Mello's emotions. He preferred facing a raging fury rather than the unreadable creature before him. It was too out of character for the man he loved.
"I went to check the mafia's finances today," Mello finally confessed. "To see where we stand with our resources." Matt exhaled slowly, yet chose to remain silent for he could tell the storm had not yet passed. Mello's eyes met with Matt's. "For the most part the funds are the same as they were the night of the accident."
Matt blinked as his brain processed what Mello just told him.
"Then what's the problem?" Matt asked. He scoffed then with an angry frown added, "Don't scare me like that!" He clenched his fists by his side to keep from slapping his boyfriend's arm.
"Matt," Mello said in that serious voice that ceased the other man's words. One look into those frigid eyes and Matt could sense that the news gave Mello no reason to celebrate. "Matt…" Mello trailed off as he tried to make sense of the various thoughts running through his brain. "You've been able to pay the rent and buy food these past two weeks, so I know your account is stable."
Matt nodded and waited for Mello to make his point. Even though everything sounded good so far, that look on Mello's face made his chest sting.
"You better tell me now and don't you lie to me!" Mello growled, his voice gaining force and raising a half octave. The sudden change caused Matt to slightly sink into the couch. "I'm not an idiot and I know the range that bastard Benson charges. How the hell did you pay him?"
Matt's face paled. He knew it was only a matter of time before Mello confronted him about the payment, but he hoped it could have waited just a bit longer.
"Mello," Matt said, his voice wavering. Mello's eyes narrowed at the weak tone in which his name was spoken. "Please, just let it go. I paid him and that's all that matters." He moved to leave.
Mello jumped up and grasped Matt's wrist. "Matt, I'm not in the mood for games. You better tell me now!" He twisted without realizing.
"Mello! You're hurting me!" Matt shouted, trying to pull away from the lock Mello had on his wrist.
Mello immediately released his hold. Matt winced as his other hand massaged the sting out of his injured wrist.
Mello grabbed Matt by the chin and without applying too much strength, forced him to look up. He could clearly see the hurt and regret in Matt's eyes.
"Did he touch you?" Mello asked, recalling the time he stepped out of the examination room to see the hungry look in the doctor's eyes as he looked upon Matt. It took all of his self-control to restrain himself from shooting Benson on the spot.
Matt answered by averting his gaze.
"How far did he go?"
Matt bit his lip and stared down at the floor. He cringed at the sound of Mello releasing angry air from his nostrils.
"Did he hurt you?" Mello asked, pure hatred saturating his words.
Without making eye contact Matt answered, "I'm sorry, Mello. I'm so sorry…" he managed to meet the gaze of the blond. A mix of anger and pain was displayed on his face. Choking back a sob he said, "But it was the only way he would save you." He wiped away a falling tear. "He was going to let you die if I didn't. Please don't hate me."
The countable seconds that Mello stood silent it seemed as though all sound had vanished from the room.
"I'm so sorry," Matt sobbed.
Mello snarled and headed towards the door. He reached inside the table where he hid his spare revolver. The ex-mafia leader checked to make sure it was loaded before stuffing it in his pants then stormed out the door with the motorcycle keys in hand.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Matt cried as he followed after.
Mello dashed down the stairs heading towards his vehicle of choice. Matt caught up to Mello, short of breath, and he grabbed his arm. Matt pulled with all his strength only for Mello to easily break from his grip.
"Don't do this," Matt begged.
"He'll never lay another damn hand on you again!" Mello snarled before shoving the keys into the ignition. Before Matt could respond Mello sped off in the direction of the hospital.
Matt paced the floors of the kitchen, his heart pounding every second since Mello's hasty leaving. He gnawed at his knuckles leaving them chapped and red. Twice his teeth nearly broke the skin. Matt had smoked three-fourths a pack of cigarettes in the two hour period.
Another hour passed and Matt found himself sitting at the kitchen table drumming his fingers on the surface. He started on a second pack of cigarettes. Matt flicked the lighter and watched as the end of the stick turned to ash. He inhaled the tobacco, letting it relax his nerves. The thin stream of white released from his lips, carrying tension with it. He knew how Mello felt about him smoking, but at the moment he would welcome Mello's nagging and lecturing about cancer and other related illnesses. Matt acknowledged long ago that the stress that came with being Mello's significant other would murder him long before cancer had the chance.
Matt could only handle the solitude with his thoughts for twenty minutes more. He snuffed out the fourth cigarette butt then grabbed his keys before stepping out of the apartment.
Matt allowed his feet to carry him for two miles before he looked around to see where he was. The city was still foreign to him. He hoped that this case would end and Mello return to his senses. However he knew in the pit of his heart that Mello would never stop until the man who killed his idol had finally met his end. If given the choice Mello would even be willing to drag Kira to the grave with him.
The stressed man leaned against a brick wall and just watched the people pass by. He wondered how they could just go about their normal lives with a madman out there killing off their fellow species left and right. In order to protect their lives, his boyfriend was putting his on the line. Mello would fight to death if just to receive a pat on the back and verbal praise from L in the afterlife. That fact pulled at Matt's heart each time he watched Mello's back exit their front door.
The thought that haunted his brain struck once more. He was second and always would be second in Mello's eyes. Even when they were children at Whammy's, Matt devoted himself to Mello and in return he was always pushed aside for Mello's dreams. Mello strived and pushed himself to near exhaustion in hopes to attain some dream that would never come to pass. From the instant Near arrived at the orphanage it was already accepted by most that he was the one who would ultimately succeed L were anything to ever happen to him. However L wanted a backup plan for the split chance that Near's mortality would prevent him from taking up his mantle. That allowed for Mello to exhaust every bit of energy and sacrifice all merriment of his childhood in a futile attempt to surpass the younger child, when he was destined to always place second. Whether out of retaliation, or due to Mello's own unintentional selfishness, Matt was also pushed to an inferior priority.
The news of L's demise hit, crushing Mello. At that point L had yet to make his decision in hopes that the two top students would work together to take down Kira. Mello decided that he would rather meet a most agonizing end then have to take that stab to his pride that at best he could only be on par with Near. To save what was left of his pride and mourn the death of his idol he gave up on being the next direct L. Despite Matt's pleas, Mello left. Years passed without contact until Mello finally showed up in Matt's life again with a job for him. Matt took it without hesitation merely to rekindle what he had lost with his only friend.
Now he looked back on his memories and wondered if his decision to reunite with Mello was worth the dangers and stress on his heart. As for Mello nothing changed, once again Matt was only second to the investigation.
Matt lit up another cigarette then leaned his head against the cool bricks. He exhaled the smoke lazily through pursed lips and ran a hand through his red locks.
"Do you have another," a voice said from his left.
Matt glanced up and reached into his pocket to share one of his treasures with the lady who held out her hand. Matt smiled as he watched her place the tobacco stick in between her luscious lips. She was a beautiful, slim woman with blonde, straight hair, cut in layers falling over her shoulders, not a strand out of place. Her eyes were hidden by designer shades. Matt flicked the lighter as she leaned in to allow the tip to be engulfed in the flame.
"Thank you," she said strategically placing her fingers about the cigarette. In the second their hands touched she slipped a folded sheet of paper into Matt's palm. He instinctively clasped his hand about it, making it appear to any possible observer that he was only grasping the lighter.
Heat collected in Matt's face as he tried to control his breathing.
"Have him call my cell," the woman spoke in a barely audible voice while exhaling. "Near has a plan."
Matt's eyes widened behind the goggles. When he regained control of his voice, he asked in a whisper, "How did you—"
He was cut off by a soft chuckle. "I've been watching you, Matt," she answered, leaning against the wall so that it seemed they were sharing small talk.
Matt's heart raced. Sweat formed beneath his neck with the knowledge that if Near wanted to take him out, he could order it at any second. He would be justified for offing an accomplice of a dangerous man who had kidnapped one of Near's, the very woman standing next to him. Matt found himself wishing that Mello had not spared her. Judging by her physique, she could easily take him down if she wanted.
Halle noticed the discomfort of the striped-clad boy beside her. She exhaled smoke rings in a graceful, manner. She stated, "Don't worry, Near didn't give me any more information than that name." She paused then added, "If it helps aid your trust, I haven't told him where the two of you are hiding."
That news both calmed and scared him. He found himself wishing that Mello had not the tendency to make enemies of everyone who came his way.
Halle finished her smoke and crunched the butt beneath her shoe.
"I'll be waiting his call," she said before turning away.
Matt nodded. Having completed her mission she thanked him for the cigarette once more before taking her leave. Matt watched her disappear down the sidewalk before starting back towards the apartment. The last thing he needed was for his trigger-happy boyfriend to arrive home to find him missing.
Matt returned to their home to find it void of any screaming gunslingers. He inhaled deeply then let the air slowly release from his lungs. He unclenched his hand to find that white slip of paper somewhat damp from sweat. He tossed it on the table then sank down into the couch.
Barely twenty minutes passed before the front door swung open. From the way it slammed it was not required for Matt to glance over. He listened as the keys were slung on the side table and heavy boots pounded across the floor.
Mello made his way to the couch and hovered over the other male. He wore his usual scowl. Seeing the startled look upon Matt's face, the blond's expression softened, the frown staying in place.
"Mello," Matt said in a timid voice.
"That creep will never lay a hand on you again," Mello stated. "I made sure of it."
For the first time Matt noticed a few splatters of red along Mello's neck and chest. Mello had stripped of the bloodstained coat and cast it into the fire to delete all evidence of his involvement in Benson's death. Mello threw the gun on the coffee table.
Before Matt could speak Mello placed his hands under Matt's face and brought their lips together. Matt closed his eyes and breathed in Mello's unmistakable scent. Their tongues rolled over one another for a few minutes. In a moment of passion Mello straddled Matt and pushed his back against the arm of the leather couch. The pain went unnoticed as Matt's hands found themselves digging through Mello's shiny locks. Mello's hands caressed Matt's back then pushed him closer as he deepened the kiss.
Matt parted from his lover's mouth. Panting he asked, "Where did that come from?"
"I'm sorry," Mello said then gently ran a stream of kisses down Matt's neck. He looked up then said, "I should've protected you from that bastard." He stopped kissing and wrapped his arms protectively around Matt. "I swear I'll never let anyone hurt you again. I promise." He leaned his ear against Matt's chest to hear the speeding heartbeat. "I promise," Mello said in a softer voice.
Matt tightened his hold on Mello and held him close to his body. He basked in the soothing sound that was Mello's breathing. He felt warm droplets land on his shirt and noticed Mello shaking in his arms. Matt ran his hand through Mello's bangs.
"I'm sorry," Mello repeated. He sniffled then hoarsely said, "Forgive me."
"It wasn't your fault," Matt said as he continued to cuddle and soothe his lover. "There was nothing you could've done in your state."
Mello glanced up at Matt with pain displayed in those icy blues. It was so rare for Mello to allow anyone to see his vulnerabilities. Matt knew and loved him more than any other. Matt would never judge him as weak and it somewhat felt nice to have someone to confide his failures.
Mello allowed his lips to grace Matt's once more. The kiss was not as passionate as before, but it spoke words their voices could never form. Mello nuzzled his head beneath Matt's.
Matt gently stroked Mello as his eyes landed upon the paper containing Halle's number. He shook her from his thoughts. Whatever Near had planned could wait. For once he wanted to fully enjoy being the number one priority in Mello's life.
Thus ends chapter three. Thank you for reading.