And the truth shall be used against you in every way possible ((closed RP, Mello, Matt, A))

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

So, Matt and L...ouch, the thought alone hurts. But, Matt seems happy with L...or maybe I'm reading way too much into what I saw in the bar. Between finding out Near is indeed ticklish and practicing, though, I haven't had a chance to really find him and ask him. And, asking in the bar would have been...well, even I'm not that direct.

And, since I still want to be able to talk to him, I'm not sending him an owl.

So, I've been tracking him down. I start at the library, then the Great Hall, then his room. Why I didn't try here first, I don't know. It would have saved me time. I don't hear sounds of gaming as I knock, but there are some sounds behind the door.

Comments

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"I know he's not you, Mello," Matt tries very hard not to snap. "Jesus."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

I think I've utterly screwed up. And not just before. This whole conversation.

I search my pockets. Fuck, I forgot chocolate. "Look, can we...go to the Great Hall or something and y'know...talk about...something else for a while." A sort of attempt at a peace offering and apology.

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

Matt just sort of stares at him for a few moments.

"... fine. I need something to eat, anyway."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

I get off the bed. "If...if you don't want to talk about it with me, that's fine. I totally get that." Can't say I'd blame you, either. "But...don't be an ass about it either. And, I'm not saying anymore on it." For now.

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

Standing up (carefully, of course - he doesn't want to step on anything), Matt says, "I think you're jumping to a lot of conclusions. Just because I like someone doesn't mean - look, I agree, I don't want to talk about this right now."

Maybe once he's thought about it a bit.

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've felt more awkward around Matt, ever. I don't think I'm jumping to conclusions. I'm fairly certain I know the difference between like and like and I'm over 90% certain that what he feels for L is like.

And beating myself up for acting on impulse is not going to solve anything. I don't regret doing it, just that it makes Matt edgy now.

"Pull an all-nighter?" I ask, trying to think of something casual to talk about.

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"Nah. I slept pretty well, but I woke up early and started fiddling with my computers. It wasn't even nightmares. Apparently all I need is adrenaline, booze and cake." He rolls his eyes.

Matt doesn't even like cake.

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

I relax a little when he said he didn't have nightmares. "Cake?" I can't stop myself from asking. He hates sweets, unless it's coke. Maybe I don't want to know. "Well, whatever. I'm glad you slept well."

We reach the great hall and pause in the doorway to look around.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

And A's in the great hall already, ignoring the tables to sit crosslegged in one corner. He's got a plate of home fries and sausage, which Schrodinger is determinedly trying to steal. Rather than object, A cuts off a few kitten-bite-sized pieces for her. He's never had sausage before that he can remember, after all, and sees no reason why she shouldn't try some as well.

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

I spot A and Schrodinger playing in the corner. Damn it, this is just not my day. But, I kinda like that cat. I walk into the room, slowly making my way over. I'd rather avoid A, but that has nothing to do with the cat.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

A slips a hand into his pocket when he notices Mello, touching the handle of his wand just in case. But he doesn't think Mello would try to hurt Schrodinger, so he doesn't draw and ready it.

Schrodinger remembers Mello as a source of scratches and petting, and thus he merits a glance away from the breakfast she's generously sharing with A, and a mew of greeting.

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, cake. I only had a bit."

And spotting A reminds him of something.

"Hey, A," he says. "L said you're doing really well with defensive magic."

Hee. Mello probably knows what Matt means.

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

I squat down and hold out my hand to Schrodinger. She comes up and lets me pet her a little, but since I don't have food, doesn't stay long. Or rather, she goes and gets more sausage and then comes back to be pet more.

I totally do not want to hear Matt's comments about 'defensive magic.' Like I needed to be reminded.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

A looks up, startled, at Matt's remark, and pride floods his face, followed by surprise.

"But... but I haven't even told him yet!"

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"... told him?" Matt frowns, glancing at Mello. After a minute he sits cross-legged on the floor. "I thought he was there?"

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"He was," I say, though it's not as growly as I meant it to be because Shrodinger has a very itchy ear, apparently. I can feel my face burning and am glad for the cat to give me an excuse not to look at them.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"No no no, no that, no..." although A giggles, remembering hexing Mello. "I used it, really used it."

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"Really used it?"

Shit.

On one hand, it must have went okay, otherwise A wouldn't be so pleased about it. On the other hand, the fact that he'd needed to use a defensive spell...

"What happened? You're okay, right?"

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

Really used it? On B? Has A practiced deflecting? I mean, I may not like him, but leaving anyone at the mercy of B...and now with him knowing how to cast the spell. "Have you practiced defense?" I add to Matt's question.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"B, it was B, filthy, oh, he's so filthy, I stopped him...!" A is all but glowing with pride. "Stopped him," he repeats.

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

...

filthy?

Oh holy fuck.

"It's good that you're able to - defend yourself. L probably wants to know all about it. You could owl him, maybe?"

L must know about this already, surely, but still... Jesus.

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"A, listen, get L to show you how to block that hex. Just in case, okay." Shit, why am I worried about him? "And learn more hexes."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"Oh yes," A breathes. "More hexes. I want to learn more hexes."

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

Mello's right. "And blocks. So that people can't cast hexes on you. Right?"

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"Exactly. You don't want him to be able to catch you with that hex." I lift up my hand so Schrodinger quits rubbing up against me. "Promise that you'll talk to Ryuzaki about it, A. Today. You need to be able to block that hex." Because as sure as anything, B will use it on him. I stand up.