Death Note - Broken Era (Matt x Mello & L x Light)

Ch.3 - Kira with domination, Children with spite

"Welcome to Winchester, Light-Kun. I apologise for not going through with my promise, but I assure you I just need to as one question. Depending on the answer, I will either give you better lodgings and more freedom or keep you here under restrain."

Light moved about uneasily. He was chained even more than before, belts and cuffs circling his body, pressing him down in a way that almost made him lose his breath. After a few minutes, Light spoke in a hoarse voice, trying to sound as calm as possible though he felt like attempting to rip the chains off himself and knocking the camera off, for he could almost feel L's big black eyes gazing at him from the other end, judging and somewhat amused, he imagined. But he remained still and placid as stone. "I am listening... What have you got to ask me?" Light sighed in anguish at his itching neck that he was unable to scratch. He hated this so much. He thought maybe he didn't need a death note. He'd strangle L right there and then.

L was silent for that moment, as he thought carefully about how he wanted to word his long waited question. "You said you didn't want me to die, that was why you never wrote my real name down. But what I want to know is why, why did you really want me to live?" The detective pressed on and waited for an answer. "I want you to be honest. Light-kun."

Light struggled for a moment, and then relaxed with a sigh, his head hanging down, his uncut hair covering his face entirely from the view. "I... I never thought you would ask this question..." He muttered, and closed his eyes. "I... How can I... Say this... You... Have become quite dear to me over these few years, working side by side, it... I just..." He exhaled sharply and turned his head slightly. His stupid weak mistakes now made him lose everything. He should have just killed him...

"Dear to you?..." L echoed, surprised at the answer he got. "Light. You'll be unchained shortly and taken to your own room."

Light sighed in almost relief. He pressed against the belts, hoping he'd be let out soon. He felt like he was being choked, plus his neck was sore as hell.

Watari shortly arrived to unchain Light, though he hadn't removed the cuffs around his wrists. Light took long, deep breaths, feeling as if he might collapse any minute. The elder helped him regain his balance as he staggered down the hallway, his legs numb from the tightness of the belts. He had escaped execution, and from this moment he was certain L would announce Kira as dead. He wouldn't even admit that he was keeping Kira like this, the struggle from the press and the cops would be relentless.

When he had entered his own quarters, he looked around his own room, his eyes widening at what he was seeing. He was the most dangerous criminal in the entire world, who deserves punishment beyond just a death sentence. And here he was, gifted with a luxury room instead of being behind the bars, his own bathroom and shower, double bed, grand curtains over the expanded windows. His smirk grew slightly as Watari left him there, locking the door. Yes, he was god, and should be treated as such even if captured. He sighed slightly and itched his neck. It felt sort of lumpy, he thought nothing of it first but when he went to the bathroom and looked closer into the mirror, he saw something that looked like bite marks from what might have been a mosquito... Or maybe it wasn't mosquitos...

***

"No.... not this.... Not that..." Mello murmured solidly, throwing articles of clothing behind him, straight out of the wardrobe. One of his black shirts landed onto Matt's head, his leather gloves smacked Near in the face and his heeled-boots startling Linda after hitting the floor with a muted tumble. He back-palmed his forehead tiredly and turned towards the three.

Matt was staring at Mello expectantly and with a tinge of jealousy in his eyes, he knew Mello was trying to dress up to impress his mentor and although the feeling was sick and avoidable Matt hadn't denied it. Near, on the other hand, was oblivious, and quite uncaring of the other's dramatic exertion, sitting on the floor with the puzzle pieces rigid between his fingers. Linda would be the one to approach Mello and match something for him that he would eventually be pleased with, and give him a calm, knowing look, before leaving silently after collecting her sketch-book and pencils off the table which she always somehow carried around with her.

Mello glanced down at Near, then looked straight at Matt with those usual, spiteful cat eyes. Matt knew that Mello would forget. It tortured him more than anything to have these moments be given to him and gift him with hope, then suddenly ripped from his grasp again, leaving him depraved of any affection a child could need just from a small, vague and emotionless glance of his only best friend.

"What are you staring at?" Mello asked after a moment, walking over to his bed and settling the clothes down. Near looked up from his puzzle, then glanced from Mello to Matt before standing, his shoulders hunched over in a replica of his mentor, and left the room with the pile of unfinished pieces on the small, wooden board. Mello watched him go before glancing at Matt. "hmm?"

"Oh... I was just... thinking... yeah that will... look good on you..." he turned and went to his own bed, grabbing his psp and zoning out as fast as it was potentially possible. He didn't want Mello to shout at him right now. He would usually be prepared for it, but after what happened merely an hour ago, he didn't know whether he could trust himself not to burst out crying like a little girl.

Mello sighed and came behind him, grabbing the psp right out of Matt's hands and pulling it way out of his reach. "No... that's not what you were thinking... You looked like a pathetic little twat, again... You make me look terrible in front of Linda. I'm ashamed to even call you my friend."

Oh yeah, Matt thought, Mello crushes on Linda, right? Another source of jealousy. Mello nudged Matt hard in his shoulder. "Stop hunching over like a stupid idiot. You're not being very original, are you? Only L can get away with it and Near and Beyond are just copy cats."

Matt thought, I'm not copying L, I'm comfortable this way. All his life he was put down, he simply didn't have the confidence to walk straight. "Secondly, stop playing retarded games and practice something you're good at; which is hacking. If you hack into James' cell from yours I'll be able to see what he and Linda are texting about... then I can use that against that bastard... I know he's just a player and a jerk." Matt smirked slightly, how hypocritical was this of Mello to say.

Mello, of course, noticed and interpreted the smirk correctly, and grabbed Matt's shirt roughly, bringing him up to face him. "What was that, Matty? Huh sorry I didn't hear you... That's right... you're too fucking stupid and scared to say it to my face." He threw him down onto his bed, and luckily it was the bed, because he would have thrown him down the stairs be it a different environment.

Matt watched Mello walk off, his expression mild and unreadable, as always. This adapted lack of showing emotion drove Mello crazy. He wanted to bash Matt's head through the wall just to get at least something out of him. But this time, luckily, he didn't do it.