Note: I couldn't post this chapter yesterday because I couldn't upload anything in the download manager. I don't know if I will post chapter 10 today though, but if I do it will be later tonight (Paris time). Actually, if I had posted chapter 9 yesterday, there would have been 900 words less, because I initially had planned to stop it after 'marrow'. After writing almost all of chapter 10, it didn't seem right to cut it there, I thought it was preferrable to cut it at the end of the day and start 10 on a new day.
But chapter 10 being shorter of 900 words now, I need to work on it more, and since I'm behind, not being able to write as I had planned this week end, I'm not sure it will be done tonight.
But don't worry, still a chapter a day from now on minus yesterday's skipping :)

"I'm gonna kill myself!"
"Take your hands off the pole, I've got your back!"
"NO!"
Mello was laughing so hard, seeing Matt holding on to the pole in an awkward position, several feet above the ground, unable to complete the trick the musician was trying to teach him.
Grabbing his middle with both arms, he pulled the redhead away from the pole and helped him get his feet safely on the floor.
"And they filmed everything..." Matt couldn't believe that he had done this in front of the cameras. The whole country was about to see him make a fool of himself, great...
"After playing with your ammos I would think that nothing would ever bother you anymore, camera-wise..." Mello chuckled, Matt's face reddening.
"I'm so sorry Mum!" Matt said in direction of the camera, hiding his face in his palms.
It was so easy to forget those damn cameras. Most of them were not in plain sight in the mansion, but even the guys armed to the teeth following them out each time were easily set aside for some reason. It was all the more annoying to forget that you were watched and should be careful what you do or say...

"Your mum is watching the show?" Mello asked genuinely.
"No comment." Matt was on the defensive, ready to be made fun of.
"I was only asking, I mean, it's cute."
Matt gave him a look but Mello was only smiling, without malice. Fuck, this smile...

They started picking at the food, having some more drinks, chatting about all and nothing, Matt quickly understanding that Mello was keeping it safe for the cameras, not really knowing why but he appreciated it nonetheless. Only sexual innuendos, bad jokes and light topics...

"It didn't look so hard at first... damn, how long have you been training to get those moves? And how do you do not to get bruises?" Matt asked, pointing at the pole.
"Years... it just started out as a bet and well... I'm not the type to get to the gym or workout, I don't really have time for that, and it became quickly addictive to be honest, and bringing a pole is easy anywhere on tour, and it barely takes twenty minutes to install it so, yeah..."
"I see. I wish I could have seen you as a beginner, although I'm pretty sure that you did best than me anyway." the redhead chuckled.
"I had less clothes on, you can't get a good grip with them on but I didn't even try to get you to take them off, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have succeeded..." Mello winked.
"Since when does that stop you from trying?" Matt laughed, although he didn't exactly know why Mello seemed to calm down on the sexual harassment little by little. Not that he didn't appreciate it, but he still had his reservations, it had been too much too soon and now Mello was so cool with everything that it was a sharp contrast. Matt could even swear things were starting to look slightly romantic. Not that he didn't like it either...

At some point Mello stood up to fetch his guitar, and started playing a song. Matt didn't really know Mind Pollution's music, except for their biggest hits that no one could have avoided on TV or the radio, but he did recognise this song. He couldn't say he hated their music, it was okay, just not his thing. But this way, with only the guitar and Mello's voice, it was quite nice. Mello was a good singer, and without all the after production side, the song sounded more to his likings, without the aggressive drums and annoying background vocals and stuff.
He was an old school type of music lover: The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Blüe Öyster Cult... hell, the most violent band he listened to was probably Uriah Heep...

After some more songs, the picnic being over, they headed for Mello's motorcycle outside.
"Hold on real strong now because that's gonna be a tough ride baby." Mello whispered to Matt's ear before mounting, waiting for his passenger to get on behind him. When he was sure that Matt had a good grip, he started the engine.

The ride through town was somehow normal, but as soon as the city's exit appeared, Mello speeded up, leaving the camera van far behind, taking the fastlane's curve in a way that had Matt grip his waist so tightly that the redhead felt a chuckle shake Mello's stomach. He also felt a cell phone vibrate in the singer's pocket at some point, probably Danny wanting to know what Mello was up to as he escaped unwanted eyes.

They ended up stopping in a place that was quite desert and dark, and Matt's eyes took some time to adjust, when he removed his helmet. Mello took it from his hand and hung it on one side of the steering, the other side holding his own.
Soon, Matt saw the city lights below, and guessed that they were on a hill or something.

"Stop shouting Danny." Mello said as he picked up his phone that was buzzing again, "We're alright, and we'll be back before elimination, don't worry." he clasped it closed, shoving it in his pocket before turning to Matt.

The latter didn't have time to dwell on the reason why they were here because Mello immediately made it pretty obvious, pulling him by the hand against himself, his other arm encircling his waist.

Now, that was going to be really, really difficult for Matt to keep his train of thought clear of any sexual aspect. He perfectly knew where this was going, and his body refused to push Mello away: he was screwed.
Or maybe it was just the right time for things to move forward?
After all, Mello had drove away from the cameras, he wasn't putting on a show, and he had been quite respectful until now, so maybe there was something?

"Stop overthinking it." Mello chuckled.
"Is my mind bugged or something?" Matt replied, shaking his head with a smile.
"Anyone would have kissed me already, and you're standing there still trying to figure things out. Stop listening to your brain, sometimes it's good to just follow your body's needs you know..."
"Sometimes? You don't do sometimes, you always follow your body's needs, as far as I saw until now." the redhead laughed.
"It's not always my body talking..." the musician's eyes became soft all of a sudden, his arms holding Matt closer as he approached his lips to Matt's.
Matt melted. Something in the back of his head was still waving caution flags but the last hours, days, had been too much play with his hormones and he was wanting this so much right now, it couldn't be so bad?
He complied, his hands finding Mello's chest as he tilted his head to kiss Mello.

"YOU FUCKING BASTARD!"
Mello landed on his ass, Matt pushing him back hard, anger on his face.
He had almost kissed him. This asshole. Now he just wanted to slap him until he bled.

Their mouthes had been about to meet when Matt saw that little smirk on Mello's lips. That fucking victorious smirk that said it all about the game he had been playing. Playing Matt.
The redhead was so mad right now. And hurt.

"Drive me back." Matt didn't really have a choice but to go back behind Mello, there was no way he could find a cab here.
"You're such a princess." the singer huffed, still smirking, dusting his leather pants as he stood up from the ground.
"I don't think calling me anything is the right thing to do right now. How can you do that? How can you play all romantic just to get in my pants? Is that all the pride you have?"
"What does it have to do with pride?" Mello put his helmet on, handing out the other one to Matt.
"I don't know, maybe the fact that you lied all along, not even caring about me at all, just your own little ass, no matter how much you hurt me?"
"Oh come on! Don't tell me you feel hurt just because I went your way to get what I wanted, toughen up baby because fairytales only happen in books, and that's real life here. No one ever does that if they don't want to get in your pants!"
Matt stood still a few seconds beside the motorcycle, stunned by what he had just heard.
The hurt he was feeling wasn't exactly what it had been at first now, there was something more to it, and he hated it.
Silently, he climbed behind Mello, and tried to hold on to him the least possible on the ride to the mansion.

Danny was waiting in front of the mansion when they arrived, and he didn't miss the tension between the two. Mello looked like his usual self, but Matt was clearly bothered. He made sure Matt entered, and followed Mello to the backdoor. He needed to know what had happened, just to be prepared if Mello had fucked up again.

"Where did the both of you go?" Danny enquired.
"Somewhere around Griffith Park"
"I see... little hill, nice view, very romantic. That is, until you fuck him on the ground, right? You really have to stop treating him like that, these guys are mostly here for fame but he is obviously not and somehow I think he's genuine, you can't play him like this..."
"Danny, he decided to stay, he knew what he was getting into."
Mello had the point, Danny had to admit it, and he had a feeling that Mello wasn't about to see what he did wrong. That didn't mean he wouldn't try to get some sense into him.

"What did you do to him?" the tall man asked, not even bothering to beat around the bush.
"Nothing." Mello sighed, plopping on his bed, grabbing a box of chocolate, "That's the problem."
"Don't tell me you thought that your little display of romance would be enough? Mello, he's not stupid..."
Danny saw all the footages, all the time, so he knew what Mello had pulled to get to Matt.
"Maybe he's not as smart as you credit him for because I almost got him, it was an ass' hair before I got my way with him."
"Oh, and what got it waxed for you then?"
"I probably shouted for victory too soon, but let me tell you, he was mush in my arms so I'm not that bad at this romance thing after all, that's good to know." Mello grinned, making Danny facepalm. His boss really was a bastard, and others were just test dummies for him...
What more could he say?

But if Mello was deaf to his sermon, Matt at least may not be to his warnings.
He left Mello's room and decided to talk to the redhead before the elimination ceremony. For some reason, he knew that Matt wouldn't be gone tonight, at least not by Mello's decision, the musician had way too much fun to get rid of him so soon. But if Matt wasn't already packing by himself, which Danny thought he was because no one in his right mind would stay after being treated like that, he would make sure he did, before he got really broken. Mello could be worse than an army tank if he decided to use someone to the marrow.

"Matt, can I talk to you for a sec?" the tall man poked his head in the first bedroom where Matt was playing on his Vita, laid over the blanket. He was quite surprised to see him so calm and with his suitcase obviously still open and messy under the bed.
Matt paused the game and stood up, wondering what Mello wanted him to sign this time.

"I partly know what happened with Mello, and I'm sorry that he did that to you. And I'm afraid he doesn't realise that what he did was wrong, so I think it would be better if you leave now, because he has no intention of stopping. I know how he can be, and he will hurt you more than that, it's only a beginning if you stay-"
"I'm fine." Matt cut him. Danny had a few seconds halt before he could speak again, quite taken aback.
"Seriously? I know he's been playing you and I saw your face during the date, you weren't playing, you were into it. I hope you're not thinking that he will change for you or worse, ready to accept anything just to be with him just like Lou does, because Mello will never do that. Neither will he change, or even stay with someone. He doesn't give anything but he takes it all, and although he has good sides, right now he's not in a state of mind where he's going to let his good sides show-"
Matt cut him again: "I didn't see you warn Lou, so why are you telling me this?"

Danny looked at Matt's face, trying to decipher something in him, because he really didn't get the guy at all. Of course, he had kept for himself the fact that Mello had a lot more interest in Matt than he had ever had for anyone, but he was starting to doubt his own first intuition with Mello's latest actions. In fact, it was much more like Mello to be an asshole like he had just been than someone who would go out of his ways, like Danny had previously imagined. He wasn't sure anymore what to think.

"Lou is a professional stripper and I'm pretty sure he knows what he's doing. He may get worked up most of the time, but he takes it because he wants something in return, and it's not Mello's love. He's just a hardcore groupie that wants to date his idol and brag about it, and eventually get his ass pulled out of the shitty life he's living right now. He wants a trophy and a savior, not love. I have nothing to say to kids like him, he's already too jaded."
"Oh, and unlike him I'm worth your time?"
"It's written all over your face that you're a romantic guy with a good heart."
"So what? It doesn't mean that I can't stand for myself."
"What do you expect from him? It's not the money otherwise you would have accepted to sign the offer and left, and you're not after fame, or maybe I'm wrong, but I don't see you doing that, and I'm pretty good at guessing people because that's my job."
"Says the guy that has no clue why I'm here." Matt chuckled.
"He won't eliminate you tonight, so just know that if you feel the need to get over with this show, you will have to do it by yourself."
"I don't. I'm good here."

Danny shook his head. What did this guy want from Mello? He needed to know. Part of him was still protective over Mello and if he was totally wrong about Matt, then maybe the redhead was up to something he shouldn't underestimate, and stay on his guards with the boy. But it sounded off. No matter how much he wanted to keep his guard on, Matt didn't seem much of a threat, so he had to insist.

"I need to know. Just between me and you, what do you expect from Mello? I can't see you pull off tricks or anything, but I'm here to be at his side, so be honest."
"Honest? I'm not even wanting anything from him! What is it with you all here? Always wanting something from someone, or expecting to be used? You're saying Lou is jaded, but you're not better you know." Matt was getting irritated, "I'm just taking a day at a time and see what happens, and yes, he hurt me earlier, but I can't even blame him, seeing how even you, said caretaker, are expecting me to be after something. How could he be different if he's surrounded by people who see the possible threats before even knowing the person?"

Matt left Danny speechless in the corridor and fetched his console on the bed before plopping there again, waiting for elimination in a few moments.
The bodyguard needed a few seconds to get back to his senses, not really knowing if he should be happy or sad about what he just heard. Matt really was genuine. And possibly the strongest person in this house, emotion-wise. But he was right. Danny had never considered things in that light, but now he felt guilty for Mello's behaviour. Maybe he hadn't been as wise as he thought, and instead of protecting him, maybe he should push him forward in another direction?