Authors note: It's been a while since I've updated and I don't know if anyone is still following. I'm trying to get them out. I apologize for the wait. Please read, review and enjoy.

Matty is a genius

The love bites would fade soon enough. They certainly weren't what was keeping him up tonight. For some reason he wanted a shower, a long, hot shower. He had been in this business for a few years and never had he felt like he was doing the wrong thing. He cursed himself, the second that Mello steps back into his life he lost perspective of what was going on around him. That was something that he didn't want but it was also something that he couldn't control.

He pulled his legs up to his chest hearing the sounds of the perverted old man beside him. Slowly his eyes closed. He was doing the right thing, right? He was saving his own ass. He winced. The way that he was going about it was wrong and he knew it. It would be simpler to just run away from here like he had run away from everything else in his life. Everything that he touched withered and died. He couldn't see that happening to Mello. He didn't want to see that happen to Mello. It had been years and still when he looked at the blond he saw the person that understood him like no other.

He pushed himself off the bed wrapping a bathrobe around him. The old man wouldn't be worried if he woke up without the red head. That was usually how it worked. These types of people wanted him for nothing more than use. His intelligence, his looks, his ideas. Everything about him was meant for other people and none of it was for himself.

He slipped out the bedroom door taking his time to go to his own room. He could hear something going on down the hallway. He was surprised that anyone was up at this time but when he turned the corner his sight was filled with the blond hair and blue eyes of Mello. He was coming down the hallway wearing what seemed like his trademark leather. It fit snugly to his body. The same body that he had insisted was doughty at Wammy house but Matt had known better.

"Mello." He whispered suddenly feeling even dirtier than before. He tightened the robe but it didn't hide the marks on his neck.

The blond stared silently for several seconds before nodding in his in general direction. It hurt even more when he continued to walk as if they were just strangers passing by on the road of life. He winced, that was exactly what they were at this point. Did he really think their friendship should have continued through the time they hadn't been together over these years? Of course it wouldn't. He didn't blame Mello. He blamed himself.

He slipped into his bedroom nearly slamming the door. He knew Mello could hear it, he wasn't that far down the hallway but it still felt like defeat to him.

~*xXx*~

"How do you know Red again, Mello?" the Don questioned the blond that had sat away from the group this morning. Matt still hadn't emerged from his room from when he passed by him hours prior. He heard the door slam like the other was mad at him but he was doing everything in his power to keep himself sane. His best friend was being pawed over by his employer and it irked him. He wasn't sure why though. He and Matt had parted ways years ago but Matt was still his best friend. They would always be best friends.

Mello glanced up, "We grew up together." He replied softly earning several confused and dark looks from the soldiers. He didn't have time for them. He didn't even feel like blowing up at the confused glances.

The Don gave a mirth filled chuckle, "Was he such a whore back then also?" He questioned aloud as the group roared in laughter.

Mello shrugged lightly but didn't respond. He glanced up to find the red head watching him from the second level of the bar. Mello raised an eyebrow and Matt gave a gentle way before taking a long swig of something that Mello suspected was alcohol. Matt was drinking and it wasn't even noon yet.

"Where is that slut anyway? I gave it to him nice and hard and he took every bit of it. You ever fucked him Mello?" He questioned as the blond shook his head slowly. "Well damn, you certainly missed out." He went back to talking to the group about his previous night. Surprisingly they actually listened intently. Mello snorted, but he was the fag.

He locked eyes with Matt again who gestured for him to come. Mello frowned glancing at the group before slowly shaking his head. Matt nodded disappearing behind the bar without waste. Mello smiled, even after all this time they could communicate without actually speaking. He was positive that would come in handy.

"Da fuck you so happy about Mello?" The Don questioned as the blond stood.

Mello shrugged, "The satisfaction that a plan is working out for the better of the family. That's all." He said slipping backstage towards the bedrooms. Matt's door was cracked and Mello was pleased that he was able to read the other perfectly.

"Matt?" He questioned pushing the door open. The red head glanced up from his bed. Mello gently shut the door behind himself watching for a new clue as to what he was supposed to do now. This person, despite how familiar he seemed, was still a stranger to him. "You asked me to come and all you're going to do is sit there?" He questioned with a bit of humor.

The red head didn't smile as he looked at the other. He looked as if he had been crying for some time. The Matt Mello remembered never cried. Not when he lost his family, not when he fell in the playground and broke his leg and he shouldn't be crying now. All it did was make him feel bad for the other and he knew that was the last thing Matt wanted. He had made his own choices and it seemed like he was standing by it.

"Let's run away." Matt's voice was quiet, timid. "Please Mello, let's run away and take care of each other like old times." He didn't look up to search Mello's face for the answer. Mello liked the life he was living even if it meant his eternal soul. Asking the blond for help seemed to insignificant in comparison. "Please."

Blue eyes finally met green. "It'll take time. Can you give me some time Matt?" He questioned as the red head's eyes widened. He nodded slowly like a lost child. "I have a bit to organize but we'll leave soon. I'll take care of you. You'll never have to worry about living like this ever again." He slipped from the bedroom before someone came looking for him or the red head. The last thing they needed right now was to be seen together.

When the door closed again Matt reached up wiping his eyes a gentle smile playing on his lips. He had the other hooked; all he had to do was wait. The smile faded. He wasn't doing this because he wanted to manipulate Mello…he really wanted to run away with him. He buried his head in his hands. Mello returns and everything falls apart. Everything.