A/N: So. It's 3:58am. It's been almost a year. We are terrible people. But...but we're back (hopefully with more frequent updates). Needless to say, this chapter gave us a lot of shit. But it's done (FINALLY), and we hope that you guys are still with us. To those of you who are, THANK YOU WE'RE SO SORRY. You guys are the best readers in the world. You are so amazingly supportive even when we disappear for DECADES (pretty much).

We want to dedicate this to two lovely people who are so wonderfully amazing and all about kicking our asses into gear. So Eshe and zzeer0, this is for you. XD Love you guys!

Shutting up now. You've waited long enough. ENJOY!

Cheers!

Leather and Stripes


.:Chapter 26:.

"Hung Up"

xxx

Being fine, in Matt's experience, didn't always entail actually being 'fine'.

For him, it probably had a lot to do with his tendency to think too much, reanalyzing a situation from absolutely every angle, before he determined the best outcome for himself. But this was something he was entirely unprepared for. Nothing about this seemed to point in a long-and-happy-life sort of direction.

That isn't to say he couldn't fake it. He faked his way through most of his social interaction because people, as a rule, are generally more interested in themselves than they are in other people. Matt could smile and nod, laugh when appropriate, and even contribute to a conversation he did not care a lick for if absolutely necessary. He could make the average person believe he was okay, completely fine despite whatever inner turmoil was raging inside of him.

Then there was Mello. Mello who was anything but average, who could see how each piece fit together from just a glance, who was too damn perceptive for his own good. After their talk in the kitchen, Matt had tried to project some level of normalcy, and the moment he saw Mello's eyes darken, the blond quietly excusing himself to take a shower, Matt knew that he knew. He probably didn't know exactly how hard Matt was resisting the urge to throw all of his stuff into a bag and bolt, but Mello was very much aware that not all was right in the world of Matt.

And, really, nothing should be right. The idea of leaving, of saving his own skin, should have been the most prominent thing on his mind instead of everything being perfectly divided between running and staying with Mello. At the moment, the Mello side was winning.

He began to wonder if his Pottermore placement in Slytherin had been entirely accurate.

Mello kept his distance the remainder of the day, attentive the moment Matt spoke or needed anything, but was otherwise curled up his chair reading. Matt didn't mention that Mello never turned a page.

That night, he lay alone in the bed they had been sharing, the blond having volunteered to sleep on the couch. Matt protested half heartedly, but conceded when Mello refused to listen. He looked hurt, blue eyes almost unwilling to meet green when Matt said goodnight. They stood awkwardly in the doorway, each riffling through too many thoughts, when Matt reached out a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind Mello's ear. The blond looked at him then and Matt got the closest thing to a smile that he could before Mello turned away and padded back into the living room. It struck Matt then, lamely, that it wasn't hurt that had altered Mello's behavior during the day. It was shame.

He still hadn't closed his eyes when the clock on the bedside table flashed 3:02. Rising slowly, Matt wandered to the door, fingers flipping the lock and pulling it open. The air outside the room cooled his skin as he walked to the end of the hallway, reaching into the pocket of one of his hanging jackets for a cigarette. He placed the stick between his lips, fumbling for his lighter when he noticed yellow hair spilling over the armrest on the couch. Moving closer, Matt looked down at the blond, curled uncomfortably against the cushions, mouth open slightly and brow furrowed. Matt felt a smile tugging at his lips. He bent down, smoothing a thumb over Mello's forehead before pressing his lips to the skin. Continuing to the patio door, he looked over his shoulder to make sure he didn't wake the other as he slid the glass panel open.

Matt relished the smoke hitting the back of his throat, leaning heavily against the metal railing. He flicked some ash from the tip, turning with a start when he heard the door slide open behind him. Mello stepped out onto the patio, pressing the back of his hand to his eyes with a little yawn. His pants hung low on his hips, pale chest shining bright in the darkness, and Matt forgot for a moment that someone so vulnerable could shoot a man in the head.

"Hey Mel."

"Why are you awake?" he mumbled, resting his arms next to Matt's, their bare shoulders brushing briefly.

"Couldn't sleep," he took a long drag, letting the smoke curl lazily from his lips. "Hashtag 'vampire problems'."

Mello made an agreeing sound in the back of his throat, picking at a bit of skin on his thumb. "Can I get you anything?"

"I'd say another cigarette, but I shouldn't be chain smoking so early."

"Probably not," Mello agreed quietly. An ambulance raced by on the street below, echoing loudly between the buildings. He watched Matt take another drag as the siren grew fainter. "I'll…I'll leave you to it then…"

Matt's hand closed over Mello's as he turned to go, "Please stay."

They stood quietly, hand in hand, long after Matt's cigarette burned out.

xxx

The entirety of Sunday consisted of Matt catching up on Doctor Who, microwavable burritos in bed, and an almost unhealthy amount of cuddling. The next thing he knew, it was Monday morning. And apparently Monday morning meant that the sun was particularly eager to send searing beams of pain directly into his retinas.

He groped for his glasses and phone on the nightstand, fingers brushing paper. Grabbing the paper and sitting up, he reached out for his glasses, adjusting them on his nose. The paper was folded, his name written delicately on one side in Mello's handwriting.

This was either going to end really well or really badly.

Matt opened the note, eyes dropping to the same script.

Hopefully it isn't a decade before you wake up, but I thought you could use the rest.

When you do, there's something I want to show you. If you're up for it, punch the coordinates below into your GPS and meet me there. If not, I'll be home before midnight.

M

xxx

Slipping into his normal Monday morning routine was easier than he thought it would be, what with the company wanting him deader than a doornail and whatnot. Matt had his coffee from the same old break room, he had stolen a goofy looking pastry from Matsuda's desk, the newspaper from Erika's station, and headed to his cubicle. He had mail sitting in his inbox, projects piling up that his boss wanted him to work on. It was as if nothing had changed, like it was all a bad dream his mind had made up over the weekend. Stuffing the Japanese donut thing in his mouth, Matt pushed off the side of his cube, his chair sliding to the opening. He peered down the hallway, eyebrow rising as he swallowed.

They really weren't going to do anything? A breath he had been holding released before he knew it, his heart settling down. Looked like those sons of bitches we're going to let the mafia handle all their dirty work after all. In a way, it was a little bit underwhelming. Finishing off his coffee, he shook the cup and tossed it into the waste bin.

"Better get to work then." Matt found himself saying to no one as he pulled over to his computer. Plugging in his headset to his iPhone, he pumped up his techno jams and got to work.

Little did the company know that Matt had all of his previous work backed up on his hard drive. All of the cases he had worked on, the people he had blackmailed, all the things the company wanted him dead for? Hidden right under their noses. By acting normal and letting Matt roam his own domain, they had given him full access to everything he needed to take them down. Of course, that was if he survived. Cracking his knuckles, Matt began uploading everything to his favorite Domo-kun flash drive, deleting the unnecessary things. Once in awhile he'd spin in his chair and pretend he was playing the drums; he had to keep the illusion everything was normal, right? He balled up paper and tossed it into the waste bin like a basketball, knocking it off the side of his cube a few times. Leaning back, he placed his feet up on the side of his desk and bounced his head back and forth as he sorted the files, Deadmau5 whomping in the background.

"Suppose I should do some actual work to cover for this..." he muttered to himself as he popped his inbox open and started replying to them one by one.

It took exactly two hours to finish all his work and sort through the database. It took two hours to have everything he'd ever need to bring down the company. Two hours of getting paid to do exactly what he was on the hit list for. A grin spread across his lips as he stretched back in his chair, fingers dancing through his hair, mussing it up. Matt reached over toward the tower as he yawned, his fingers flicking the flash drive out and slipping it into his pocket. It would be damn impossible to tell the real meaning behind Matt's actions if one of the security guards were to watch the reel. Feeling proud of himself, he decided on a victory lap as he stood up and stretched.

It was strange, he thought he'd be a lot more afraid to come to work today. He had to give himself an internal pep talk just to get up and get dressed that morning. But as he walked through the hallways of his estranged workspace, he felt nothing but calm. Perhaps even cocky? His confidence radiated off of him as he pushed himself on top of Matsuda's desk, crossing one leg over the other.

"Sup, Matsuda?" He smiled, fingers plucking some random anime figure off of the other's desk. He had to give Matsuda credit though: he didn't even bat an eyelash at Matt's ridiculous behavior.

"Matt, I see you decided to come in to work. Good on you, now if you don't mind could you scoot? Since you didn't answer your phone for our planning meeting on Saturday, my workload is a bit, how do you say… uh, boisterous?" His lip curved downward into an over exaggerated frown. For a moment, just a moment, Matt felt guilty for leaving Matsuda to cover for him. If it wasn't for the situation at hand he'd promise to make it up to him, but he couldn't lie. He wasn't even sure he'd be around next week. The thought hurt. It hurt because his friend had no clue what was going on. Would he be upset when he saw the news?

Matt's fingers curled over the flash drive in his palm, knuckles whitening. No, there wouldn't be any news story about the poor ginger kid who wound up dead after sleeping with his best friend.

"Um, sorry buddy, I was really busy with personal stuff." His eyes softened as he forced himself to offer Matsuda a smile, "I'll give you my Battlestar Galactica box set if you forgive me?"

Matsuda spun around in his chair, brown eyes staring imploringly at the ginger. "You love that box set, Matt…" The frown etched on his features deepened, "Are you in some kind of trouble?" With a huff he pushed himself away from his computer and toward Matt. "If you're in trouble Matt, you can tell me. We're friends, I can help you. Is it money? I can spot you if you need it."

The sincerity in his tone struck the gamer right in his chest; his nails dug painfully into his jeans as he faked a dazzling smile and waved the other off. "Pfft, I'm fine. I've just had a personal problem, that's all. Family jazz, I promise mate." The lie felt heavy on his tongue, but Matsuda instantly calmed down, nodding.

"I get it."

Reaching over, Matt pulled open Matsuda's desk and rummaged through it, laughing in a cheeky manner. "I came over to see if you had any candy, I'm dying over there and I need sugar like Lindsay Lohan needs rehab."

Matsuda rolled his eyes, turning his back to reach in another part of his desk, "You and your off the wall references need to get off my desk and go back to work."

Matt offered a laugh as Matsuda shuffled through his stuff, "Shut it, you love my jokes." His hand shifted against the top part of the drawer, the flash drive sticking there instantly. The tape he had placed on it would be a good enough adhesive, and Matsuda's desk was the perfect hiding place if anything were to happen to him. They'd never in a million years suspect Matsuda, and if they DID find the flash drive for some reason, they'd dismiss it as something of his. What with his cubicle looking like it had fallen straight out of an otaku's wet dream. Pulling his hand out, he pushed the drawer closed with a false pout, crossing his arms.

"Feed meeee!" He wailed quietly, offering up large puppy eyes.

Matsuda produced a candy bar pretty much out of thin air, turning around and handing it to his friend. "You know, you really owe me."

Matt waggled his eyebrows as he snatched the sweet delight and jumped off his desk, as he began to saunter off back to his desk he turned his head, taking a bite.

"You have no idea, buddy." With a wave, he was back on track to his normal Monday routine, all the evidence was destroyed, and the most unexpected person in the world guarded the flash drive that would destroy the very company he worked for. Matt was pretty proud of himself, he was going to reward himself by playing Halo 3 for the rest of his work day.

xxx

A low tapping sounded from the steering wheel as Matt drummed along to a Red Hot Chili Peppers song, his eyes concentrated on the the GPS currently dishing out directions from his dashboard. Californication played over his speakers as he drove down South I-5, a clear direction in his sights. Green eyes focusing in an out on the road ahead of him, his fingers dipping low into his jeans to pull out a lone cigarette. As he lit the stick, he found himself frowning at his phone. Though he was using the GPS to show him the correct way to go, he still felt a pull in his gut that suggested it was the wrong direction. As the mix switched to Dani California, Matt tapped ash off of his cigarette in the tray. He had been driving for a good two hours, Google Maps said he was almost there, and that little knowledge just made his stomach curl again.

Was this really the best way to go? Running was something he was very good at, but what were the odds he could dodge the entire shit storm coming after him all at once? Sure, he'd seen himself out of some messes in the past, but this had to be the biggest pile of horse shit he'd ever found himself in. His eyes glanced from the road to the lone backpack he had packed earlier in that morning, holding all of the essential items he would need. Turning his attention back to the road, he thought absently about the note sitting heavily in his pocket. Mello had so much trust in him, and yet, his eyes watched as the highway signs flew past him as he drove down the road, he was breaking that trust. Work had twisted his views slightly, he had almost thrown away his entire plan. The entire situation was just a man on a tightrope, swaying back and forth as he attempted to plot the safest course of action.

Another drag from his cigarette had him blowing a steady stream of smoke out of his open window. The road was long, but that never bothered him much. Matt loved the open road, he loved good music, a good smoke, and nothing else but a stretch of highway ahead of him. Some of his best thinking came from the open road. California was good for that, a lot of open space, a lot of time to think.

By the time the music switched to Under the Bridge, Matt was singing along with the lyrics, drowning out all of his thoughts. His GPS announced he was at his destination as he pulled to the side of the road and turned his car off.

"I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day, take me to the place I love. Take me all the way." He breathed as he leaned against his steering wheel, smoke filling the car as he puffed out another wave of toxic. Leaning back in his chair he pushed his feet up onto the dashboard, work shoes shining against the sun. Shifting his cigarette to the other side of his mouth he leaned to the right and snatched his black 3DS from under his suit jacket on the other seat and got comfortable. Popping it open, he turned the Nintendo handheld on and began to play Animal Crossing.

"Alright." Matt said to the open air, no one for miles, in front of him lay the border to Mexico, not too far from there was TJ.

"Alright, Jeevas. You've got options, you sad sack. Which one do you want to take?" His fingers moved back and forth across the screen as he pulled weeds, talked to cute little animals and watered some plants. As his cigarette disappeared, he replaced it with a fresh one and turned his stereo up. R.E.M blared from the speakers as he made coffee for his town folks and quietly smoked, the sun bearing down on his car. He could feel the beams sizzling his pale skin, but he couldn't find the strength to turn away from the cruel sun. His green eyes drifted from the cute little pixels long enough to frown at his stereo as Everybody Hurts flipped on. He instantly changed it to Losing My Religion.

"I'm not that bad off, mate."

The irony in the lyrics wasn't lost on Matt, his fingers slowing down, his little pixel character standing still on the 3D screen. That was how life was, wasn't it? You play the game, move the character, make your choices, or they stand there.

No direction.

My options are limited, my hands seem pretty tied. So I can either die in a blaze of glory trusting someone I actually love, Jesus H Christ help me, or die alone on the run breaking said person's trust and possibly heart, whilst making a bedfellow out of my favorite Christmas sock.

Pausing, Matt took another drag of his cigarette. Yeah, limited.

Matt finished his cigarette slowly, holding the stick between his fingers, absently staring at the small amount of flame left in the paper. With a sigh Matt closed the DS and placed it on the passenger seat, popping his car door open, his hair blowing in the harsh wind of the day as he stepped out. Racking a palm over his face he moved to slam the door before taking a few steps toward the road he was parked to the side of.

"This whole thing isn't fair." He muttered to himself, making a rather annoyed face as his lip curled to the side. "BLOODY HELL IT AIN'T FAIR!" He screamed to no one and everyone at the same time, reaching down toward the red dirt, fingers finding a nice sized rock and throwing it as far across the stretch of desert as he could. He huffed for a moment and bent down, grabbing a few more rocks, and threw them too. He imagined them as all of his issues, one by one, throwing them away, further and further from him.

"MY LIFE WASN'T SO MESSED UP WHEN I WAS BLENDING IN! WHY DID I DO IT? WHY DID I DEVIATE FROM THE PLAN! I.. I should have been happy, life is about the mundane. Why wasn't I happy with it? Why.. why couldn't I just," He howled, grabbing his hair and tugging slightly, "FUCK! Why is he so..? Why is he so PERFECT! Everything I've ever wanted, everything I.. God, ever needed..." He screamed as he tossed more rocks, finding himself actually laughing. "I'm so stupid." He felt a few tears stream down his cheeks as he laughed, dirty hands balling into fists as he rubbed at his face. "I'm such a moron."

Matt backed up, bumping slightly into his car, he leaned back against it, eyes staring upward into the open sky. After a while the laughter died down, it left behind an eerie quiet as he pushed himself back into his car. He sat for awhile, alone with his thoughts as he simply leaned his chin against the steering wheel.

"How the hell did it end up like this, Jeevas? Shit, you went to private school. You're a glorified genius." As Matt looked down at his crotch his lips twisted downward, "I blame you." His lips curved as the laughter threatened to bubble up. "Now now, don't go blaming your cock, you know who the culprit is." His fist hit his chest softly before a small chuckle left his throat, "Mexico? Man. Really?"

When Matt thought of escaping, running from anything and everything, his mind had supplied what years of TV and movies had implanted in his psyche: Mexico.

However as he sat in his busted up baby, he quickly came to the realization that movies and television knew nothing of reality. It was all a painted facade. Mexico was just another scapegoat fantasy. Hollywood knew nothing of the real dangers of running. How to disappear completely, how to wipe your slate bare, and as Matt sat there, cigarette perched on his lips, he realized, neither did he.

Staying off the map? Getting off the grid? Yes, he could do it.

Disappearing? Dying, in a matter of speaking? This was not his forte, and Mexico was nothing but a sandy death trap.

"Okay. You know which option we have to take, kiddo. No more running, not alone. It just ain't that type of rope and pony show anymore." He heard himself sigh as he readjusted his seat, reaching for his phone he punched in the current location and the GPS address Mello had left him that morning. He had somewhere to be, and he needed the fastest way to get there.

He'd go see what Mello had to say.

xxx

It'd been easier to find Mello than he'd thought.

The crowds that had been littering the beach all day were moving up to the boardwalk, voices loud and jovial with talk of sun burnt skin and dinner plans. And through the thinning throng, Matt caught a glimpse of blond hair, shining almost orange in the setting sun. Mello sat on the sand, knees pulled up to his chest watching the sky turn from yellow to orange to red. Matt couldn't tell if he looked out of place or if he'd been made for the sand.

Mello looked up when Matt hovered awkwardly at his side, work shoes clutched in his hand. A smile spread across his face, "I was almost afraid you wouldn't make it."

"Almost didn't," He cocked a half smile and sat down next to him, "I had this hot date in Mexico this morning, had to take side roads to get back." He offered a small laugh before plopping his shoes down, "So, the beach huh?"

Mello's toes dug into the sand, a thin eyebrow rising under his bangs. "I feel the need to revisit that Mexico comment. How hot, exactly, was your date?"

"Oh man, she's this little blond gem. She runs my town when I'm not around, I had to see her about building me a lighthouse." Matt's eyes rolled as he flicked some sand in Mello's direction, "You know me with blond firecrackers."

"I'm going to assume you're talking about Animal Crossing again. It's hard to keep up with all your weird little townspeople," he chuckled under his breath, sitting up and crossing his legs, a knee brushing Matt's.

"Yeah well, you should have started playing when I picked my copy up all those months ago. I'm still upset you haven't." He paused, his fingers lightly lying atop Mello's knee, his eyes looking out toward the rushing waves. "I get you didn't have much time, it's okay. I forgive you."

"How was work?" Mello smiled, eyes lingering on the hand at his knee. "I figured it might be a little stressful. Thus the sunset."

"The usual. You said play it cool and I played Jack Frost." Matt's nails drug along the fabric of Mello's knee, making a small pattern. "Mm, I do love when the sun decides to get the hell off my skin and set."

"You're such a good vampire." The blond watched Matt for a moment before knocking their shoulders gently. "It's nice though. I haven't been here in a while. Haven't needed to."

"How should I take that? Good or bad?"

"Both I guess," he turned back to the sunset. "This was where I spent a lot of time when I came to the US. Saw my first California sunset here, actually. It's stupid and nostalgic, but whenever I need to clear my head, I come here." Blue eyes met green in the dimming light, "I actually used to crash at one of the houses further up the beach until I got kicked out. Skinny little Russian runaways aren't exactly welcome squatting in multimillion dollar houses."

"Aww...that's both upsetting and adorable, I feel all conflicted." The redhead wrapped his arm around Mello's shoulder, fingers digging slightly into his shoulder, tipping him toward the other. "I wish I could have met this vulnerable little blondie." Eyebrows wagged as he gave Mello his best lecherous smile. "All blond and cute. Grrrr."

"What, am I not cute enough for you now?" Mello shoved Matt away, a smile on his lips, "Is that what you're trying to say?" He reached forward a tucked a strand of hair behind Matt's ear, "But...are you okay? Besides not finding me nearly cute enough as I was in my prepubescent years, which I would like to point out is a little fucked up."

"Aren't we all a little fucked up?" Matt joked, catching his hand and placing a small kiss to two of his fingers. "I had some black guy thinking time. I know what my options are, I know what I want. It's.. pretty clear now." Matt's lips curved softly as he laced his fingers with Mello's, "That hot date in Mexico gave me some clarity. I can't say I won't blow up and get angry, I won't say I'm okay one hundred percent, but I will say, we're actually okay." He paused, "And I mean it this time. This conversation? We won't be having it again."

"I can respect that, and I'm glad." The blond shifted closer, lips ghosting over Matt's neck, "But you're seriously making me jealous with all this talk of your little Mexican adventure. Did it take a few TJ hookers to set you back down my path?" He chuckled against his skin, "Or was it just a lot of Animal Crossing?"

"Sad to report back that it was all those Animal Crossing hookers, you know how those animals go crazy for bells." He paused, a shiver running under his shirt from the pressure against his skin, "It's good to be mayor." He let out a small laugh under his breath before turning his face to steal a small kiss from Mello's lips.

"Oh, Mister Jeevas, you're sure to make me blush," a hand slid over Matt's knee, Mello's lips trailing over his jaw. "I missed this. You. All this shit is my fault and..." his forehead dropped to Matt's shoulder, "I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here."

"I did too." Matt answered, leaning his chin back more to allow Mello access to his neck. "Let's not talk about the shit storm right now, okay?" Green eyes opened slowly to meet blue, his fingers dancing across Mello's cheek, a soft drag of nails. "Let's just enjoy this. It's...been a while."

Mello quirked an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth tugging upward. "In all actuality, it's been a grand total of like...four days." The smile grew as Mello's hand moved up the redhead's thigh, "You reached your limit?"

"About three days ago." Matt nodded honestly, "I'm a starving man, Mel."

"Do we need to head home?"

"Not really sure we'll make it."

"Then we better hurry," Mello stood up with a grin, picking up his shoes and holding out a hand for Matt. "Where did you park?"

The redhead took the hand offered to him, scrambling to his feet, "The lot across the street." He wrapped an arm around Mello's waist, leading them across the sand.

Once they reached the sidewalk, Mello disentangled himself from Matt, earning himself a pout. "Let me put on my damn boots. I am not getting tetanus from running across the street barefoot."

"What about hepatitis? That's a fun one," Matt quickly slipped his shoes on.

"Yeah. How about no?" Mello straightened, tucking his hands in his pockets and watching Matt with a little smile. "What?"

"What do you mean 'what'?"

"You're staring."

"Maybe I like what I see," Matt took a step forward, resting his forehead against Mello's. "Maybe I missed you."

"I've been here." Mello's breath was warm against his face, his fingers brushing over his hips.

"Yeah, but I haven't," Matt whispered, moving forward for a kiss. They took it slow, lips chaste and lingering, memorizing every delicate touch. Matt's hand tangled in Mello's hair, feeling the other shift, tongue sliding against his.

When they broke apart, Mello was laughing between deep breaths, "Sunsets get you hot?"

"You get me hot," his hands slipped into Mello's back pockets.

"You're so gay," the blond chuckled, pushing Matt away softly and walking toward the parking lot.

Matt stared for a moment before trotting up next to Mello, grabbing his hand as they ran across the street. "You're prettier when you're quiet."

"And you're prettiest when you suck my dick, so where does that leave us, Matty?" Mello quirked an eyebrow, a smirk spreading over his lips.

"When the hell did you get so cocky, Mel?" Matt walked him up against his car, voice hushed against Mello's ear. "I'm a bit abashed to say that I rather like it."

"Let's go home then. I'll meet you there," Mello placed a soft kiss against Matt's lips, letting out a quiet moan when the gamer pressed him against the car, lips still locked. Hands were at his hips, touching, gripping, kneading. When Mello felt cold fingers against his lower back, pawing at his skin, he heard the feral sound catch in his throat and did nothing to stop it or Matt's wandering hands. Even as they reached for the door handle. Even as they switched positions and the redhead lowered himself into the driver's seat, hands dropping to the button of Mello's jeans and popping it open, tugging at the zipper.

"Matt…let's go home."

"Nah, I'm good," green eyes met blue as Matt slid Mello's boxers further down his hips, a hand wrapping around his growing erection.

"I'm serious, t-there are kids around," Mello could hear his voice losing any conviction it may have had, words growing breathy with each little jerk of Matt's wrist. "Skinny little Russian kids with skewed moral compasses."

"Then be quiet or you'll give them ideas." Matt offered a coy grin before he lowered his head, taking Mello's cock in his mouth.

Mello's knuckles were white against the top of the door, his mouth falling open with a long sigh. "Not fair. Not fucking fair."

Matt hummed around him, shooting a quick look at the blond when he felt a hand weaving into his hair. He let Mello slip from his mouth, a hand working him as he licked from base to tip.

Mello fell apart slowly. Between the heat of his mouth and the careful strokes of his hands, Matt knew exactly how to get to him. Each touch was carefully placed, a permanent fixture in Matt's mind, a map of exactly how to unravel Mello. He had it down to a science, and had perfected it as an art. The moment he felt the hand pressing against his head, begging, pleading, Matt pulled back, licking at the corner of his mouth. He tucked Mello carefully back into his boxers, fingers lingering against the now slick skin.

The blond leaned heavily against the door, face flushed. Something between a laugh and a sigh passed his lips. "Fuck you."

"Then get in the back," Matt quipped, reclining in his seat.

He stared for a moment, eyes narrowed at the redhead. Mello moved forward, ducking his head and climbing on top of Matt, his left knee against the center console and his right pressed between the gamer's thighs. He sat back on his heel, back against the steering wheel, and raised his hands to the loose tie around Matt's neck. "You always look so good in a suit," Mello tugged Matt forward, steady fingers untying the material and dropping to the buttons of his shirt, "such a good spy."

"I'd say you were more trouble than you're worth, but I'd probably be lying," the gamer mused, lips latching onto the blond's neck and sucking hard. He felt himself shiver each time Mello's cold fingers brushed over his chest, slowly untucking his dress shirt from his slacks. The knee pressed forward and the friction gave way to a muffled groan against Mello's collarbone. Reaching out, he managed to grip the door handle, pulling it shut.

Mello heard himself hiss when Matt bit his neck, relishing the sting when Matt's tongue worked over the darkening skin. His actions became clumsier with each hitched breath, the haze in his mind growing as the temperature in the car rose. Matt's hands were firm and deliberate against his hips, fingers pushing down his jeans as far as they would go, and Mello nearly laughed at the low growl echoing in Matt's throat. "I thought you said to get in the back."

"Here….s'fine," Matt slurred, a flush on his cheeks.

Leaning forward, Mello caught the redhead's lips in a kiss, fingers reaching between them to unbutton Matt's pants. He pulled down the zipper, licking against Matt's tongue as his hand rubbed the gamer through his boxers. He felt hands smooth down his lower back, sliding beneath the elastic band.

"God, you have an amazing ass," Matt whispered against Mello's lips, breath heavy. He let out a whine as the blond pulled away with a little laugh. "Where're you going?"

"Far, far away. Come get me." Mello purposely ground his knee against Matt's crotch as he climbed into the backseat, shifting to sit against the cool leather and pulling his shirt over his head. Matt was openly watching him, licking at his swollen lips, spots of his glasses starting to fog up. He smiled at the gamer, leaning forward to unlace his shoes. By the time he'd kicked off his boots, Matt was kneeling in the driver's seat and shrugging his shirt from his shoulders. He tossed the crumpled fabric into the passenger's side, eyes still resting heavily on Mello. The blond smirked, hands falling to the waist of his jeans and skirting over the top of the material. He sat back against the seat, his back already sticking to the leather, and slid the jeans down his thighs, past his knees, Matt's eyes burning him with their intensity. "You just going to sit there and jack off?"

"Don't tempt me."

"I thought I might be more tempting than that," Mello met Matt's eyes evenly, hooking his thumbs under the elastic band riding low on his hips. "But you like 'em young, right, Matty?"

Green eyes drifted down the blond's chest, intently watching Mello inch his boxers down. He was rising from his perch, slowly climbing between the seats, a hand reaching out to run over Mello's thigh. "Please take them off."

"Or what?" his fingers trailed down Matt's chest to the waist of his underwear, pulling the band away from his skin and letting it go with a snap. "You gonna make me?"

"Jesus, Mello..." Matt's breath caught in his throat when the blond tugged his boxers down, a hand gripping him, stroking carefully.

"Is that a yes?" Mello pressed a hand to the material covering himself, fingers gliding over it in time with each touch that made Matt's knees shake. "Are you going to punish me for my insolence?"

Matt felt the words slip into mind, coaxing to life any carnality that lay dormant. He felt himself grow hotter, palms sweaty against the leather seat, glasses fogging up with each breath he took. And all the while, Mello just watched. He watched the redhead crumble, ice blue eyes looking sadistic as he stroked Matt, lips curving into a smirk.

Matt's hips bucked forward. And he slipped, falling gracelessly into the backseat with a low groan. Everything hurt, and for the first time since he purchased his baby, he regretted getting the Camaro. He could fix her up, make her mint, but he could never make the godforsaken backseat bigger.

To make matters worse, he was still painfully hard.

He shifted against the leather, peeling his face away from the material and feeling Mello shaking under him. When he attempted to pull away, the haze of arousal pierced with the thought of shit I broke my boyfriend, a hand wrapped around his wrist, keeping him in place. Mello's breathy laugh was in his ear, lips ghosting over his neck. "I can't take you anywhere, Matt."

"At least I know how to make an entrance, right?" Matt sat up straighter, leaning into the touch when Mello adjusted his glasses, fingers trailing down the redhead's neck.

"Something like that," he hummed, pressing his lips to Matt's. Fingers carded through Mello's hair, moving over his skin and raising goose bumps everywhere they touched. He laid back against the seat, pulling Matt on top of him and grinding up when their hips met clumsily. Mello arched his back when he felt Matt's teeth against his shoulder, slick skin sticking to the leather under him. Matt was moving again, lips and teeth and hands wandering, dancing over flushed skin. Thumbs slipped under the elastic riding low on his hips, peeling the fabric away and down his thighs. Mello's breath hitched at the friction building between them, watching Matt's glasses fog in the growing darkness of the car. He reached forward and removed the frames perched atop Matt's nose. Folding them carefully, he tucked them under the passenger seat, moaning when Matt's tongue flicked over a nipple.

Matt pressed a kiss just below the blond's ear, voice low, "Turn over." He sat back enough to see Mello's eyes darken a shade, pupils dilated. Matt watched him rise, tongue dragging slowly over his bottom lip, kicking off his boxers. An arm wrapped around Matt's neck, pulling him into a hard kiss as Mello clasped him through his boxers. He could feel his self control waning. With each caress he felt closer to the edge, the need building in him, blinding him from everything except the man in front of him. Mello pulled back, smile still firmly in place and turned on his knees, molding his back against the gamer. Matt nearly lost it when Mello's ass pressed back against his hips.

Nearly.

Matt's lips ghosted over the back of Mello's neck, loving the way Mello shuddered as he pressed a finger inside of him. He watched hot puffs of breath fog the window, Mello's forehead resting against the glass, arms propped against the door to gain some sort of leverage in the tiny backseat. Mello's groan vibrated against the redhead's chest when he added another finger.

"Matt…"

"Hmm?" he bit softly at Mello's shoulder.

"H-hurry up. Someone's going to come and-"

Matt chuckled against Mello's spine. "I certainly hope someone's gonna come."

"Not funny," a shiver erupted over Mello's skin when Matt licked between his shoulder blades. He shifted back, a quiet sound caught in his throat when Matt removed his slick fingers and pulled away. There was fumbling, material sliding down skin, and the distinct sound of a wrapper being torn open. "Leave it to you to have everything in the car."

"Always be prepared," the concentration was evident in Matt's voice.

"Do you require assista-" the words died on Mello's tongue as he felt Matt pressing against him, "…ah."

Matt's breath stilled, a hand resting against Mello's hip, finger tips kneading against the flesh. He watched muscles shift under the blond's skin as he pushed forward, slowly slipping inside the other. A shaky groan seeped between his lips, shallow thrusts sinking him deeper.

Mello's head dropped to the window sill, breath catching in his throat when the other experimentally swiveled his hips. A hand walked down his spine, nails scratching softly at the base before smoothing up his side. He felt lips hovering over his skin, little puffs of air hitting him between his shoulder blades.

"You're always so tight," Matt whispered.

"I feel like that shouldn't be a bad thing." His laugh grew breathy when Matt pulled almost all the way out before he plunged forward, the tops of Matt's thighs flush against the backs of his. Mello groaned against his forearm, reaching out with his left arm to find purchase against the seat as Matt drove in harder and deeper. The hand on his hip tightened, thin fingers sure to bruise the pale skin. "Shit," he ignored the way his voice cracked when Matt dragged his nails down his chest. Mello also ignored the desperate whine he let out when Matt palmed the head of his cock.

Matt was reduced to ragged pants when Mello rocked into each thrust, hearing something that should have been Mello's name sound entirely guttural. Like Klingon. His brain immediately shut down when he felt Mello tense around him, hearing his name moaned amidst a mantra of there, there, right fucking there, if you stop I'll-

"Fucking hell," Mello hissed, mouth falling open as Matt pumped him faster. There were lips resting against the nape of his neck, a hot tongue darting out against the skin, and the blond knew he was done for. "I'm not going to last…"

Mello's back was slick against Matt's forehead, eyes shut tight. "Me neither," he placed a kiss to the other's spine, feeling him quake under him, and completely overwhelmed with the sensation of this is exactly where I need to be. When Mello tightened around him, thrusting a few times into Matt's hand before collapsing against the door with a muffled moan, Matt felt himself burning from the inside out. His pace increased, trembling hands against Mello's hips pulling the blond back harder, faster. Matt came with a low grunt, losing himself entirely in the tight heat around him, lips pressing almost desperately to the nape of Mello's neck. "Holy Jesus..."

"Your poor car..."

"She'll live."

Mello's laugh was strained under him, punctuated with harsh breaths. He shifted to his side slightly, reaching up a hand to push Matt's bangs away from his sweaty forehead. "Love you."

Despite his current predicament, pants pooled around his knees and mostly naked in the backseat of his car, Matt felt himself blush at the words, lowering his head to kiss the corner of Mello's mouth. "Love you too."

xxx

Mello tucked his hands into his jacket pockets, stalking out of the restaurant. This was ridiculous. The audacity of these people completely astounded him. He'd been dealing with them off and on for several years, but this clearly took the cake. He pulled a chocolate bar from his pocket, snapping off a piece as he rounded a corner, skirting along the edge of the alley. He saw Matt's car parked in the corner of the back lot, engine rumbling duly. Striding up to the car, Mello pulled the passenger door open, plopping down into the seat with a heavy sigh. "I hate everyone you work for."

"Ironically, so do I. Wouldn't think so would you? Besides the whole, oh yeah, they want me dead shtick." The redhead had been slumped down in his seat, a baseball cap covering his ginger hair, sunglasses covering his face, the collar popped on his jacket to cover part of his face. "What did they say?" He asked, shifting to turn toward the blond.

"I'm sorry, I think I got in the wrong car," Mello quirked an eyebrow. "I don't remember driving here with the Unabomber."

Green eyes narrowed behind the sunglasses, pulling his hood up from the hoodie under his jacket, he smirked. "But little girl, I have wine coolers and taffy."

Mello smacked Matt hard on the shoulder, "Fucking little prick!"

"Not true!" Matt quipped, rubbing his shoulder with a laugh. "Little is not the word I'd use."

"You are...Christ, you're just awful," Mello shoved the gamer's shoulder before he settled back in his seat. "Well, they definitely want you dead."

"No, really? I thought they just wanted to pop over for a cuppa and watch Doctor Who with me." Matt rolled his eyes, his smile wavering.

"Just drive. I want to get out of here," he leaned against the window, closing his eyes and massaging the bridge of his nose.

"Yes, sir." Matt replied, pulling the car out of park. "So where exactly am I going?"

"Newport Beach."

"Why are we going there?" Matt's lips twitched downward, that wasn't a place he'd want to be seen in right now. Too many Yotsuba corporate big shots on some sort of management retreat.

"I need to arrange something. I've got a week to make you look like you killed yourself without actually killing you."

"Sounds like a plot to a James Bond movie." The redhead pulled the shades off, putting his glasses back over his eyes. "Die another day? No, tick that, I rather not." He tried to laugh, but he couldn't find the humor anymore.

"That's incredibly morbid, Matt," Mello took another bite of his chocolate, casting a glance at the redhead. "I'll make this work."

"I sure hope so, I'd like to reach thirty so I can bitch about being thirty." Fingers found his pocket where he pulled out a cigarette, lighting it up. After he took the time to be considerate and roll down the window, he reached over turning the radio on.

Two cigarettes and four songs later Matt finally spoke again. "How many people, Mel?"

The foil in Mello's fist crunched, his eyes slipping shut as he sat back in his seat. "There are quite a few different things that could mean. Given the current situation, I'm going to assume you're talking about how many..." he bit his bottom lip absently, eyes opening to watch Matt's profile as he drove. "Matt, don't think about that, okay? You don't need to be involved in that, and I'd rather if you didn't think about the number of people I've...let go."

"Let go? This isn't a seasonal job at Barnes and Noble, Mello, these are people's lives." His eyes narrowed at the white line on the road, his cigarette growing smaller at the faster puffs he was taking.

"I want to know. We're in this together now, I need to know. I've been thinking about it, and I feel like it would be better if I heard it from you versus hearsay or something."

"You really don't need to."

"I insist."

Mello stared openly at the gamer for a moment, before turning back to the road. "Are you sure?"

"About as sure as I'll ever be."

"Well I'm not. I lost count two years ago."

Suddenly the car swerved, Matt's hands leaving the wheel and raising dramatically. "JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL! Did you just say you lost count?!"

Flinging himself across the seat, Mello grabbed the steering wheel and righted the car. "SHIT, Matt! You're not Carrie Underwood, put your hands back on the wheel!"

"What, are you Jesus too?!" Matt paused, his eyes wide and comical. "That makes sense! You giveth life, and then you taketh it away!"

"That's GOD, you dipshit!"

"Oh, well, excuse me, it's not like I'm Catholic or went to Catholic school or anything…OH WAIT. HOW MANY HAIL MARYS IS THAT MELLO?! To forget how many people you've killed, Jesus, I have no idea how many penance that'd be!"

"It's A LOT, you idiot! I told you you didn't need to know, and you just had to know, didn't you?!" Mello kept a hand on the wheel until Matt took it back in his own, fingers flexing against the leather. "I try not to think about it. Do you think I ENJOY what I do?!"

"Why do you do it then?" Matt growled, trying his best to wrap his mind around the facts presented. His boyfriend, blond, lean, chocolate obsessed, bartending boyfriend, had killed so many people he lost count. "Why don't you just stop?"

Matt didn't even pause to allow an answer, he just kept going. "Why would you start in the first place? Did you wake up one day and go 'gee golly I sure feel like killing someone today!' I mean, why would you even start? How are you even good at it! Look at you! No, wait, don't look at you, that just makes me think you seduce people to death again. How.. how many people have you slept with before you killed?"

"Just one!" Mello yelled back, the color rising in his face, the words leaving his lips before he realized what he said.

The car jerked to the right hard, causing all contents of the vehicle to shift to one side. The car screeched as the brakes were hit hard, a dust cloud surrounding the car as it sat on the side of the road.

Mello's chest tightened uncomfortably, the air not reaching his lungs even as he nearly gasped for breath. How did he say that, how could he have said that?!

The car door jerked open violently and slammed just as fast, the redhead gone from the car in a blink. He stalked off to the side of the road before hunching down on to this haunches.

Hands fisted in his hair, words clearly being yelled but not fully audible from inside the car.

His hand shook slightly as he gripped the handle, throwing the door open and standing to watch Matt riffle through a sea of internal battles. Shutting the door, Mello stalked toward the redhead, making sure to keep his distance. "I don't know what you want me to say."

"Was it him?" Matt asked, his face hidden, "The bloke I beat up? The one you shot? Oh, tell me it wasn't him."

Mello remained silent, eyes bright against the darkness, his hands shoved firmly in his pockets.

The redhead propelled himself upward, two steps before he was right in Mello's face. Anger lacing off of him, swirling around him like a terrible aura. "You tell me it wasn't him. You tell me right now."

The blond bit the inside of his bottom lip, eyes unblinking.

Both Matt's hands gripped Mello's shoulders, shaking him. "GOD MELLO! Really?" He stepped away, head tilted up to the sky as he pressed the heels of his palms to his temples. "So when he…with you and…the wall, he…" His hands were back on Mello. "REALLY?"

"Yes," he spoke quietly, the wind whipping his hair wildly. "And I don't regret it."

Matt shook his head, letting go of the blond and taking a few steps back. His lips twitched upward in a brief smile, one holding no joy.

"Ah…I d-didn't ask that. I didn't need to know that. I said we would be okay, I said we were fine, we are! But this? You keep throwing surprises at me." He glared at his shoes. This was stupid. He knew Mello had dated other people before, he knew he wasn't a virgin or anything. But this? This took the cake. Not only had he been with a man before but he had loved him, and didn't regret it. Even though he had to kill him, he still didn't regret it.

Matt sunk back down, holding one hand over his forehead. He knew Mello was too experienced for his own good, but he hadn't really thought about why. If he could do this to that Angelo guy, who's to say he wasn't next?

He wasn't anything special.

"I will never regret putting a bullet through his head because that bastard deserved it. Because when I met him I was young and stupid and didn't know any better," Mello's voice was cold and even, haunted eyes looking at Matt but focusing on nothing. "And he took advantage of that. Of me. He taught me everything I know, slid a gun into my hand for the first time in my life and told me to pull the trigger. And you know what? I fucking did, and in that moment I was the God I'd been fearing my entire life. Because of him. Because he knew that I'd do anything he asked me to, because he thought I was a weak little boy in love." A bark of laughter broke the momentary silence as Mello tilted his head up to the sky, filling with lazy grey clouds. "How could I love someone like him. Someone who molded me into a killer only to threaten my life and take her-" he stopped, a deep exhale wracking his body. "When...when he killed her, he made me watch, you know. To teach me a lesson, to punish me for feeling something other than selfish pride every time I took someone's life. I tried to kill him. I shot him twice, popped a vein in his head. He was a useless shot after that. Blind in his right eye. But he was always good with numbers, so he stepped down, rearranged his life and…then they wanted me to take his place. And so I did."

The laughter was back, completely devoid of humor. "That's it. That's what I am, and that's why I fucking killed him. Not for what he did to me, but for what he did to her. People like that don't deserve to live."

Matt stood, his eyes focused, trained on the blond. It wasn't at all what he had thought, it was never what he originally thought with Mello. It was never that simple. One of these days he'd figure that out before he blew up.

"Who was she?" He asked in a softer tone, scared not for himself, but how Mello looked at that moment.

Blue eyes refocused on the world and the man in front of him. "My sister."

It didn't take long for Mello to be wrapped up in Matt's arms, his face pressed firmly in the crook of his neck.

"I'm so sorry, Mel. I really truly am. I'm sorry I yelled at you, I'm sorry I didn't hit him harder. I'm sorry I.." Matt's voice hitched, "I'm sorry I ever doubted you."

"Don't apologize to me," Mello uttered, eyes slipping shut. "You have every reason not to trust me, and you still do, so please don't apologize."

"I owe you a million apologies, you've never done anything to make me doubt you." His fingers found blond locks, brushing through them gently.

"You're too forgiving, you know," the lips against Matt's neck formed a small smile, a hand working its way around Matt's torso.

"Only for you. I've destroyed people's lives for less." He paused, clearing his throat. "Um, I meant that by.. you know, not killing them. Blackmail and .. extortion. I'm not really a very nice guy, Mello.. I had no room to even judge you."

"You've killed one guy, and I've gone after 67."

"I want to say I wish you hadn't told me, but I did ask." He winced, closing his eyes.

A soft chuckle passed over the redhead's neck, vibrating up his throat, "Yeah, well. I told you you wouldn't like it."

xxx