Chapter Text
My fingers trace all the pen lines on the note. I then force myself to set it down, and I put the record on. I now see the line up on the back of the sleeve.
Side A
Losing My Religion R.E.M
In My Veins Andrew Belle
Nothing Left To Say Imagine Dragons
Therapy All Time Low
Get Home Bastille
Side B
Fix You Coldplay
Blind Hurts
Immortals Fall Out Boy
Peace O.A.R
_________ ___________
I didn’t even have a chance to put the needle on the record, before my romantic moment is ruined.
“LIGHT!!” He yells, not bothering to leave the living room. I hear what must be L’s footsteps coming back toward the room.
“We have to get Matt and Mihael, but if you want to stay here, you can.” I smile, and gently walk to him, placing my hand on his cheek.
“Of course I’ll come with.” I say and slip into jeans and a button up shirt. I grab my shoes and head to the door.
“Will you carry me?” The little boy asks, lifting his arms above his head. I bend down and lift him, keeping him on my hip.
“Ready?” L asks, and I nod, picking up the keys from the table.
The airport wasn’t too chaotic, so we were able to get to the baggage claims with relative ease. Near is still up on my hip, and L is holding my hand. Swarms of people are walking down the stairs behind the glass. Soldiers, lovers, flight attendants, and tourists all walk through those sliding doors. Then Near starts squirming, I set him down and he runs to the door. I see the blonde and the redhead. Both look like the picture L has on his desk.
“Hey Near.” The blonde one says, swinging the boy into his arms.
“Uncle Mihael!” He cries, giggling as the man throws him over his shoulder.
“Uncle Mattie!” He shouts and throws his arms around the redhead, wrapping his legs around his waist.
Once Matt and Mihael had settled down with Near, Mihael walked over to me and L.
“It’s okay, go, we’ve got him for a bit.” Mihael says, and brings L into a hug.
We’re sitting in the car. L has taken over the driver’s seat even with my protests.
“Raito, you are in no condition to drive.” I shake my head, and before I can even speak, I can’t hold the tears back any longer.
“I-I-I’m fine.” I say and then I lose it. I press my lips together, trying not to sob. L swings over and straddles my waist, and places his hands on my cheeks, brushing off the tears. Then he forcefully pulls me into his shoulder. I clutch his shirt and sob.
“Come on Light, let’s go upstairs, we can just lie down, okay, you can take a shower, we can curl up.” I nod, and then, he surprises me. He lifts me up and carries me, into the elevator. We pass our floor and I look up at him.
“There is something I want to show you.” He mumbles and buries his face in my hair and kisses my head. I curl into him even more, suddenly shivering. I then realize it’s because we’re outside. He notices me shivering and holds me tighter, then instead of moving he stands and allows the door to close.
“Light you are tired. Can you even tell me what happened this past day?” I struggle to look up at him.
“No.” I mumble. Because I can’t, it’s like a skipping record. I’ve been jumping around, a few words from the uncles, a few minutes with the vinyl. I’ve been spinning, I have no coherence memories from today. If today were a movie it would be a Quentin Tarantino film.
“Let’s just go to bed, we can sleep, and start over tomorrow. I have some work I have to do with Mihael and Matt, but it doesn’t really concern you, so you and Near can sleep in.” He says walking through our floor and to our bedroom.
“I can help.” I say as he lies me down.
“Light, you need sleep, and it isn’t a big deal, it’s something in their personal life that they would like me to look at with them.” I nod. He lies down next to me, I think. But I have no idea because I am already asleep.
L
Light falls asleep. He really needed it, I think looking after Near was a bit of a shock for him, well, that and today is the anniversary of his orphanage. I stroke his hair for a little bit before gently standing up and walking to the main room. Matt and Mihael have put Near to sleep, and they remain on the couch, Matt is leaning on the arm of the couch and Mello is curled into him completely. This is a rare scene, one that only Near and I have witnessed. Matt and Mihael aren’t exactly ones to flaunt their intimacy, and instead kiss and cuddle behind closed doors.
I walk in behind them and go to the small kitchenette to make tea. Neither of them move or turn their heads, but I can hear soft mumbling and see chaste kisses.
“I like him.” Mello says, not turning around.
“I love him.” I say pouring my tea. I stack my sugar in it and after grabbing a beer for each of them I make my way to the living room. I leave the bottles on the coffee table in front of them and sit in the chair across from them.
“Спасибо.” Mihael says. (thank you)
“Пожалуйста.” (you’re welcome)
I’ve always been able to keep up with Mihael, I made it a priority as a child. I don’t use my Russian too often, so I am a bit rusty, but I can speak fluently…writing is another story. After years of being around Mihael, Matt has been able to piece a few things together. He knows the gist of it, and he can understand words when he’s spoken to, but he cannot speak it. And he’s tried. I can count on one hand the words he can say properly…maybe two hands.
“What did you tell him?” Matt asks, taking a sip of his beer.
“You wanted to see Near, and that you want me to look at with you.” Mihael laughs.
“Yes, because if I ever needed advice for my ‘personal life’ you’d definitely be the one I’d turn to.” I sneer slightly.
“Probably a good idea, because I’d wreck you life, Mitchell.” He was definitely ready to pounce on me. I knew his English name would rile him up, it always does. Even though it may seem like we are truly upset and angry at each other, we are not. We’re playing a game, an internalized game of chess, a war fought with only the sharpest of weapons: intellect and wit.
Matt loves these games, he does not join in because all of us know that if Matt were to fight in this war, we’d might as well be an unarmed sitting duck. He only smirks and watches, with the occasional pause followed by a fit of laughter brought on by his lover’s snarky demeanor.
“Mihael, calm down.” Matt says, eventually grabbing the exhausted blonde and tucking him into his arm.
“If you don’t calm down you’ll get both of us kicked off of the groomsmen list.”