It was crazy, how quickly things could change. Even the day before, L had been attempting to joke with Shou, ignoring a cough and startling fatigue. Overnight, and into the afternoon, he'd worsened to this point, spiking a fever, an undernourished and unprepared immune system flailing ineffectively against an aggressive infection. Had Tony not happened by, it was likely that even if weren't for the fire, L would have gotten worse and faced whatever outcome completely alone.

He was glad that Tony had arrived, so glad that the possibility of it being too late didn't even occur to the detective while he leaned on Tony when needed as they made their shuffling way out to the street. The cab driver eyed them with clear concern as Tony helped L into the back seat, where he leaned his warm head against the cool window and instantly attained a halo of fog.

"Hospital?" the driver confirmed, eyeing L and then starting the car's engine. "I gotta warn you, kid... the streets are really bad tonight. There are riots downtown and so the two of you might have to hold on awhile until we can get through."