[The apology can't fix this, obviously, and not just because Cesar isn't the only one at fault. That being said, it soothes some of the raw hurt between them, at least from L's perspective, so he chimes in with a soft]

Me, too.

[Can they fix this? Move past the mind-fuck they've both suffered? He's sure they could if he was able to rely on Cesar to behave like his Doppelganger, but this means grieving the loss of a fairytale milestone and a couple weeks of stifling but loving attention and contact. It's like climbing a staircase only to topple brokenly back to the bottom, where there's no strong and gentle embrace waiting for him.

Would Cesar even touch him, let alone hug him if he crept over there right now? Or has his own doppelganger forever tainted his scent and touch with vile associations?

He hugs himself instead, wrapping his arms around his knees and pulling them close as he speaks to fill the silence.]

I left when I found out. I moved hotels in secret, I... don't know if he'll come looking for me again. You might not be safe here; he attacked Tony after interpreting all likenesses of him as a threat to me, so I don't think I'm wrong to see him as dangerous.