A.N

So my net will be cut off until the tenth. No updates till then

Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note

Matt

I could feel both of his parents glaring at me as I rested my head on Mello's shoulder and kept my arms firmly around him. Mello's father continued to keep his heated glare on me, though his mother pushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and nodded quietly before drawing her eyes back to the floor. It was almost scary how dull her look was. Her fingers toyed with the golden ring on her left hand, twisting it around so the glittering gem on top was hidden in her palm before putting it right again.

"So, it wasn't just work related then." His father snapped, piercing blue eyes staring down at him behind half moon glasses. At least I know now where Mello got his eyes.

"Now that's not true." I replied calmly. "It was work related. That's what we were signed to do. Nothing more, nothing less."

The glare swivelled to meet my face. I probably would've flinched or at least looked away if I'd forgotten my goggles this morning, luckily for me the world was bathed in a reassuring orange glow as Mello had forgotten to take them off when things got a bit heated. I simply glared back, feeling my eyes harden as his mouth twitched in disgust.

"Making pornography is not work. It is filthy and sickening to parade your body around like a cheap whore." His fingers laced together as his polished shoes stepped onto the carpet. Mello panicked slightly and wriggled out of my arms, mumbling about making tea. Mello quickly busied himself with the kettle, grabbing china from inside the white cabinets.

"Cheap whore?" I almost cracked a smile. If he knew the size of Mello's pay checks he would understand that his son is anything but cheap. Especially the playgirl check. "I think you have the wrong person."

His arms folded across his chest, deeply lined face growing harsher with each word I spoke. "And who do you think you are to correct me?"

I'll admit it, I snapped. People who think they're superior have always gotten under my skin, especially when they treat others like shit and think they can get away with it. Usually I wouldn't care. I am a pushover. But this man was so insanely arrogant, I think even Misa would've yelled at him. "I'm the person who has listened to your son while you're gallivanting around the world and loved him instead of throwing money at him thinking that would make it all better."

"How dare you!" He glowered. "I will not tolerate such disrespect and negative comments on my parenting skills by a gold-digging slut."

I opened my mouth to retort, almost shaking with fury but closed it as Mello quickly pushed past me, handing his mother a cup of tea before offering his father the other. His father's poise fell for a fraction of a second as he knocked the mug from Mello's hand, boiling water splashing on his exposed torso. Mello yelped in pain, his hand clutching the place where the water hit him.

Pulling him close, I pried his fingers from his waist, inspecting the red mark before dragging him to the freezer, grabbing some ice and wrapping it in a cloth, pressing it against the light burn. "It should fade soon." I told him quietly, putting his hand over the cloth. "Keep it there."

I turned around to face them, keeping Mello behind me as I walked across the carpet careful not to tread on the wet patches where the tea had spilled. "I think you should leave." I stated.

"And leave my son thinking he's a homosexual? No. He can leave with me or I'll write him out of my will and forget about him."

"Thinking? He is. He can't change that just like you can't change the colour of your skin." My fingers twitched before curling into a tight fist by my side. "If you were a real parent you would love him regardless. You would be happy that he's found someone who likes him for him."

"Edgar please. Let's just go!" His mother pleaded, reaching out to take his hand, recoiling before their skin touched.

His father straightened his suit jacket before heading towards the door. He paused by the frame turning to look Mello directly in the eye. "Krista would be ashamed of you Mihael." He stepped out of the apartment, pulling the door shut behind him.

I turned back to face Mello just in time to see him crumple, ice dropped to the floor with a heavy clunk, his head pressing into his knees. His shoulders shook with silent sobs. I stood still unsure of what to do. I wasn't good with emotion, but I still managed to move him onto his feet and wrap my arms around his waist. That's what my mom did for me when I was upset around her, often saying that 'It's always better to cry yourself out on someone then in your loneliness'. I let him cry into my shoulder while I rubbed his back in what I hoped was a soothing manner.

His sobs slowed to hiccups after a few minutes and I took the chance to move him to the couch. Sitting him down, I checked his waist, looking at the inflamed skin that was fortunately already starting to go down slightly. His cheeks were stained with tears and his eyes refused to meet mine.

"Mello…" I asked tentatively, reaching up to stroke his cheek, pulling my hand back as he knocked it away.

"Get out." He mumbled.

"What?" I asked, sliding back slightly.

"I said get out!" He snapped, eyes looking firmly at the floor, shoulders tensing as his viciously gripped the leather couch.

"Okay." I told him quietly. "Keep something cold on that burn. I'll be downstairs if you want me." I went to grab my shirt but decided against it, leaving it on the floor before walking out through the door like he asked.