(Matt P.O.V)

I can remember bright blue eyes watching me as I awoke. The only thing coursing through my mind was the thought of where I was. I was warm, that was nice, but the ambiance was that of a hotel… something I wasn't accustomed to. Though, who was I to complain?

I tried to sit up, but my head hurt too much. That's when the blue-eyed blonde kid said something in English.

I couldn't understand him, since English was not my native tongue. Finally, a teenager stepped in. "He said not to get up."

This one was weirder looking than the blonde one. Hunched over and pale, his eyes and hair completely dark. However, I was happy to hear he spoke Romanian. I knew he wasn't a native to my country, but he could definitely pull it off with the accent.

"Don't worry," I said to the teen. "I'm not too eager to leave right now."

"I see that. Were you in a fight?"

"No… well… yeah… but I didn't exactly fight back. My father's buds just like to beat on me."

The teen looked at me in confusion. "And… you do nothing to stop it? No reports or calls?"

I shook my head. "Nope. Don't have a phone, and my father's the only thing I have right now."

"No mother?"

"She left after I was born."

The teen took a minute to look me over. I guess he noticed the blade swipes on my arms. "Where did those come from?"

"My dad. He throws knives at me for practice."

I had said it so casually it made the raven-haired teen go wide eyed. Even the blonde kid seemed to know what I was saying.

After a while I met another man in the hotel suite. They called him Watari, so I learned. The pale teen was named L, and the blonde was Mello. At least, that's what I picked up from what little English I knew. L had told me it was Mello who found me in the trash, unconscious and bleeding, and ran to them for help. I think this is what really solidified our friendship in the beginning. That, and the defending personality that Mello always seemed to carry.

At this point, L and Watari had left the room to discuss something in a language I had no idea how to speak, leaving me and Mello alone.

Thankfully, Mello knew a bit of Romanian. "So, your dad really threw knives at you?"

I nodded, then looked quizzically at him. "You speak Romanian?"

He held up his thumb and forefinger to signify a little bit. "Enough to know what you're saying. I've only learned a bit at the Wammy house."

"What's the 'Wammy house'?"

"A place for smart kids like me."

"Oh? So you're a genius then?" I asked in a mocking sort of way.

Mello crossed his arms. "Maybe… what's it to you?"

I listened carefully to his voice. He was not Romanian, that was for sure, but he was no Englishman either. No, there was a trace of European in his voice. This meant he hadn't learned that much English himself.

I finally had it. "You're from Germany, aren't you?"

Mello looked impressed. "How'd you know?"

I shrugged, "Call it a hunch." I lied.

I will never tell Mello how he practically gave it away with his accent. He'd deny it anyway, now that it's almost completely gone.

"Maybe I could go to this Wammy house!" I exclaimed. "I hate having knives thrown at me anyway. Plus, we could be friends!"

Mello cocked an eyebrow at me, almost as if the word 'friend' was not part of his vocabulary. But even then, he grinned at me.

"You'd have to ask L and Watari. They may not let you."

"Then, would you ask them? You and L seem close, so couldn't you convince him?"

Mello smiled now. "You'd also have to learn English, too."

"No problem! I'm a fast learner."

It wasn't long before the two men came back, but before we could ask them about my entry to the Wammy house…

"Young man," said Watari. "Would you like to accompany us to Wammy's school for gifted children?"

Me and Mello looked at each other… then laughed until we doubled over. The two men looked at us as if we had lost our minds.

When we finished, I answered with a big yes, then hugged Mello tightly. He didn't really hug me back… more like he flinched. That was the only sign of fear he gave me when we were kids. And I didn't find out why until much later.

A/N: Reviews are appreciated. :)