[Snapped. Really, he doesn't. He doesn't. There's a distance necessary with the two of them; L can't see Mello at his darkest moments. Can't see him when he's on the verge of cracking, the things he does to snap himself out of it.]
[And what about Alex? Of course, a girl comes second to his idol, but he's grown accustomed to having her around at his will, and if L is there — ]
[Again: doesn't matter. L is his priority. He crumples up the paper bag, tosses it in the heap of mess already present on the table.]
I know you're not asking me.
[No. He's making it happen.]
I'm telling you. [He gestures to L's attire.] You need a shower and a change of clothes. You need to eat something and sleep in a real bed. If you're currently unable to handle those things yourself, I have to do it for you.
[Because Mello would like to think that L would do the same for him. Unlikely.]
[Forgive him if he sounds bitter. It's just that keeping the appropriate distance has been working so well.]
L. [Before his mentor even has the breath of a chance to respond.] Don't argue with me.
no subject
[Snapped. Really, he doesn't. He doesn't. There's a distance necessary with the two of them; L can't see Mello at his darkest moments. Can't see him when he's on the verge of cracking, the things he does to snap himself out of it.]
[And what about Alex? Of course, a girl comes second to his idol, but he's grown accustomed to having her around at his will, and if L is there — ]
[Again: doesn't matter. L is his priority. He crumples up the paper bag, tosses it in the heap of mess already present on the table.]
I know you're not asking me.
[No. He's making it happen.]
I'm telling you. [He gestures to L's attire.] You need a shower and a change of clothes. You need to eat something and sleep in a real bed. If you're currently unable to handle those things yourself, I have to do it for you.
[Because Mello would like to think that L would do the same for him. Unlikely.]
[Forgive him if he sounds bitter. It's just that keeping the appropriate distance has been working so well.]
L. [Before his mentor even has the breath of a chance to respond.] Don't argue with me.