Authors note: Oh look another chapter. Though, I have to say of all my stories and all my chapters the next chapter is my favourite. It's so malicious in nature I'm proud of myself. Anyway, for all of those missing normal Matt he comes back. Be happy. Raito will be back in the story and doing his thing. Mello's still being Mello because well he's in denial and he's pissed and Near is formulating a plan that's working too well. Get ready to the showdown of sexy Matt and Mello over...Near?

Ready. Aim. Fire

Matt watched the stark surprise register on Mello's face but he was already on his feet before the expression could change and it did. The blond's fists clenched and he began moving forward clearly tired of Near's mouth this early in the morning. Matt slid into place grabbing the blond before he could get close to Near and swing. It didn't seem to do anything besides anger Mello more.

"Back the fuck off Mello." Matt's voice was clipped with annoyance but the blond wasn't looking at him. He was staring intently at Near who hadn't moved an inch since the beginning of the conversation. To his defense he was either very foolish or he had serious guts. Mello shoved forward and Matt shoved back. They were deadlocked for several seconds before the blond lashed out grabbing Matt fully by his hair dragging him forward in agitation.

He was almost thrown by the enraged blond. He managed to lock his leg around Mello's so the minute he attempted to throw the blond went with him. They landed in a heap Mello already in the process of punching Matt fiercely in the face. The red head reared up one hand clasped angrily around Mello's neck while the other was blocking the hits coming towards him in quick succession.

"Near. Go." He managed tightening his grasp around Mello's neck. "I'm tired of your bullshit Mello. I'll settle this shit right now." He thought he could hear the sound of Near patting across the floor back into his bedroom. Matt hoped that he locked the door if there was a lock.

Mello had somehow managed to break loose from the fight and was standing. His face was bloody but Matt couldn't immediately tell where the blood was coming from. He could tell that the blond was bleeding from somewhere. "Why does everything we do turn into a fucking fight?" The blond spat fiercely. He glanced over towards Near's bedroom and just as quickly back at Matt.

Matt pulled himself up, "I've been told I have a very sexy abrasive personality but I assure you it's toned down the minute you walk in. You're all brawn and abrasive." He watched his eyes. "I'm telling you Mello I won't let you lay a finger on Near. He didn't do anything to you."

Blue eyes had long ago narrowed into predatory hues. "Anything?" He questioned aloud. He almost sounded like he wanted to laugh but Matt knew better. "Near didn't do anything to me? You must be kidding." He seemed to be testing how hurt he was with slow deliberate movements. It didn't matter, Matt would stop him. "If I have to go through you to get to Near then I'll do it."

"No you won't." Matt's voice was final. "I don't want to hurt you Mello but I won't let you hurt someone who can't fight for themselves." The smirk riding his face told otherwise. "Okay bullshit, I want to keep kicking your ass. Come on."

The tension from Mello's shoulders seemed to drop as he stood straight, "And if I don't?" He questioned in seriousness. "Why are you protecting him?"

He gave the other a look that was a mixture of annoyance and questioning. "Are you serious? I like Near and nothing he said was wrong. I like his demeanor a lot more than yours. He's not running around here cursing and fighting people every few seconds because he's not going to get his way again. As a matter of fact I can tell you that even if Matt was here he wouldn't let you hurt Near. He's never let you hurt Near. Think about it."

Mello didn't want to hear it. His blood was still boiling but he was approaching this completely wrong. "I'm leaving." He replied simply watching the annoyance crease the others face. "Either I talk to my Matt or I'm leaving. I have no reason not to leave you here but I won't leave my best friend here alone with Near."

He sniggered, "What do you think Near is going to do to Matt? Hold him down and get him some?" He laughed quietly to himself hearing the door open behind him. "I'll let Near decide what I do. You go wait downstairs for his decision because if he says no I'm coming back to finish this fight."

Mello folded his arms, "I don't like being told what to do." He replied knowing he sounded childish. He gazed over Near who stood silent outside of his bedroom door watching the two. He didn't look scared in the least. He remembered days at Wammy house when he had gotten riled up and started throwing things. Near cowering in the corner until Matt came into the room to stop him. He had never attacked Near himself just the air around him, it pissed him off just as much. Did Near actually trust Matt to protect him because that would have to be literally the most stupid thing Near could do. If Mello wanted he could run through Matt any day. If that were true he would have been hiding now.

Not if it was someone that he knew…

Matt's words stung his ears as he moved towards the elevator. He didn't hear anything they said to him after he pushed the button.

Not if it was someone that he knew….

After you left Matt left…

The time he moved with Near to take care of him…

It had to be Near.

~xXx~

"You're hurt." Near's voice came calmly before the sound of footsteps echoed off the wall. He stopped a short distance watching Matt's expression go from fierce to gentle in seconds. He glanced over managing a crooked smile towards the other like it didn't matter. "I didn't need you to fight for me Matt."

He shook his head, "Not at all. I wanted to. I'm just glad I was up here so that he couldn't get to you." He saw something flash behind the eyes of the younger boy. He couldn't place the emotion but he was far too tired for that now. He almost wanted to say admiration but that's how Near felt for Mello not him. He didn't understand why the younger boy would want to be like Mello. "You want me to give him what he wants, right?"

Near stood stalk still for several seconds before glancing back up at Matt. "I do. I don't want him to leave." He said simply heading to the center of the room. "I can't watch him if he leaves Matt."

The red head glanced up running his fingers through his hair in slow deliberate movements. Near couldn't be sure if this was the exact ritual to get the usual Matt back but he couldn't look away. The hands dropped away and he just stood there staring up at the ceiling just like years ago when Near had caught him staring at the stars. He wanted to reach out to the other but it was too late.

"My fucking face hurts." Matt mumbled in his usual stoic voice before glancing over seeing Near sitting in the floor. He frowned his green eyes narrowing in anger. "You promised never to tell Mello. You promised Near."

Gray eyes watched the other with a smile. "I didn't tell Mello. I showed him. You never said I couldn't show him your other side." He watched the other think about it. "Loop hole."

He glared, "I know what it is. I've found enough of them in my life to know what they are. Mello probably hates me. I don't blame him. I'd hate me too."

Near shook his head, "He wants to see you but Matt…" His voice drifted off. The red head paused before he could reach the elevator. "Don't leave."

Matt sighed, "Is that it? You want me back here and that's why you forced Mello here with me?" He glanced over his shoulder suddenly looking much older. "Fine. I'll stay but you can't keep Mello locked here and I have a job to do. I can't just leave it." He stepped into the elevator disappearing downstairs.

Near smirked, "I wouldn't dream of it." He looked at the tiny figure in his hand with red hair and goggles. He toyed with it for several seconds before putting it into his shirt pocket where the figures of both the other Matt and Mello already were. "I wouldn't dream of it."

A special thanks to...:

HeroofTwilight'sgf

Awesomenessknowsnobounds

And Guest/Anon. Thank you all so much. Your reviews make me want to update more. Anyway, I've posted a new cracked out story. It probably won't be long and was written at three in the morning tired from lack of sleep. It's meant to be funny so if you get a good laugh I'm happy. Check it out: Fix me right meow. Synopsis you say? Mello's a cat. Yeah, he's gotten turned into a cat. Matt is allergic and drama ensues.