savetheearth | [Video]

That still doesn't explain who you've got on the other end of that you keep yankin' around, wh- L??

[Tony lurches forward uselessly as he can't possibly catch L through the feed.]

Woah, hey, you alright over there?

We're fine. No one's getting what they don't... deserve!

[The clear sound of exertion. Another stumble; it sounds like the chair has just been kicked aside in another mad scramble for escape.]

...D'you need a hand?

[Because you look like you need a hand.]

Yeah, come quick. I haven't slept in three days and I think he's stronger than me right now.

God damn it L--

[Lucky for you he's much faster now he's already on the move, phone still in hand.

But a pause.]

Cesar isn't there is he?

...No, no he isn't.

It's just me and... other me. I really think I'm going to kill him.

Does that count as murder or suicide?

[Okay good, then he can come and help. Why don't you just lock him in a bathroom or something, L?]

I don't care right now. He is getting on my last nerve after I thought I was out of nerves.

Alright, alright I'm on my way try not to kill him before I get there, shit.

[Have you ever seen someone leap up a building L? It's pretty cool, but with the cellphone picture it's probably just a little nauseating.]

[Ugh. OK, that is nauseating. L has to look away from his computer.

When Tony arrives, he'll see one L slumped in a chair, wearing a handcuff on his right wrist. On the left side, on the end of a 5-foot chain, is his doppelganger, who looks somewhat the worse for wear. He's matted and dirty, with mournful, hunted eyes and duct tape binding his legs, hands and mouth.

L endeavors not to be cruel, with one very notable exception: he's never had any trouble putting himself through some ruthless paces.]

[It's still taking some getting used to, as evidenced at one point where Tony miscalculates and ends up crashing the alley due to a bad land. Not to worry, he's made out of tougher stuff these days and just gets back up and keeps going.

Fortunately that means it doesn't take him terribly long to arrive and find the rather unconventional scene.

He frowns disapprovingly at the scene, moving over to check the doppelganger over. He peels back an eyelid, then pinches at his skin, testing him for hydration.]

Jesus, L, I know he fucked you over man but this? This is pretty screwed up.

[He might not care as much but Tony has Strong Feelings about torture, and this is very clearly that.]

[L seems annoyed at Tony's troubled expression and immediate move to check over the doppelganger, who is, at this point, quite dehydrated. He shrinks back from Tony at his touch, and L snaps in frustration.]

Don't let him manipulate you. He tries that pathetic act and apparently thinks it'll work every time, even though I've given him no reason to believe that.

[He pinches the bridge of his nose, massaging it like he's trying to break it off of his face. Clearly, neither of them are doing particularly well.]

[Being as the doppelganger looks about ready to expire, even if he is being dramatic, yes he gets the first attention because as much as Tony loves and wants to protect L, sometimes that means preventing him from doing regrettable things he thinks he wants to do now.

He frowns in confusion at the shrinking, the guy sure isn't acting anything like he had before. Of course, Tony doesn't realize his own doppelganger is responsible for this one's current state. His touch is unusually gentle as he tries to right him, frowning at the results.]

He might be acting, but you can't fake dehydration. [Another gentle pinch test and sure enough, it's almost disgusting.] Unchain him, and yourself. I'm gonna get him cleaned up and fed, you do the same.

You need to sleep and eat, unless you want me hauling both of you out of here to the emergency room?

[Woah look who got all unforgiving and bossy all of the sudden. Not that this is entirely uncommon when Tony's faced with L's gross neglect of himself. x2, in this case.]

[L indeed doesn't always have the most reliable track record for stellar decision-making. He tries. He's gotten better... but this is kind of a big deal, and he's desperate for some kind of justice. Even if he can't define it and is struggling to keep from giving worse than he got.

He rolls his eyes as Tony checks out the extent of the damage, snorting in disbelief. For as much as Tony is right about not being able to fake dehydration, he's still furious that the evidence points to abuse worse than what L usually does to himself.]

I don't trust him alone with you. You know what he tries on everything that moves. He doesn't deserve your sympathy.

[The words are snippish but they don't carry the conviction L would normally affect. He's not accustomed to this side of Tony.]

[This is definitely not one of his better times, Tony can't blame him, not really, but he also can't let him do this. The kind of men that would let someone wither to death, a slow torturous death, are not the kinds of men Tony could bear for L to turn into.

It's for your own good, L. Even if it looks like he's taking sides.]

Maybe not, but he doesn't deserve this either. Look at him, you wanna be the kind of person that watches someone else waste away and suffer?

[He picks up the chain and gives a threatening tug between his hands, as if promising to snap it if L doesn't comply.]

I'll be fine, and the two of you could probably use some time apart.

[Not many get to see this side of him, but L's his brother and it's job to take care of him. Even if that means protecting him from himself.]

Edited 2015-03-16 21:54 (UTC)

[L seems mildly unbalanced. If he's been neglecting food and sleep, it's not a stretch to assume that he's been neglecting his medications, and someone who's seen him on and off them is likely to notice a definite difference in the way he speaks and carries himself.

To L, it does seem like Tony is taking sides, and it stings, even as he sees the reason in what the younger man is telling him.]

He doesn't deserve this? You know what he did! If he'd stayed the hell away from Cesar, he would have found me before his doppelganger did. You know what I've done to try to deserve this life, Tony! He can't just... waltz in and ruin everything without some kind of consequence!

[He grasps the chain at Tony's implied threat, shaking his head pleadingly.]

Don't... it was his. It was my detective's, you can't break it...

[It's fairly clear, that's for certain, especially after how well L had been doing while he was on them. Tony knows there's something up, but it's easier now to tell the difference between L on and off his meds, and the doppelganger.

Later it will make sense, L, later. But for now he just really needs to you to listen to him.]

No one deserves this. [At least the copy has been quiet, although that very fact is worrying in and of itself. Either he's a really good actor, or his condition is a little worse that is immediately apparent. Tony's not going to rule out either right now.]

I know, L, [His tone softens and he drops the chain, but expression remains firm.] Please, I need you to listen to me right now. I can't let you turn into this, you remember what happened to us, don't you? I can't let you do it to someone else, alright? You don't come back from something like that.

[He sighs, running a hand back through his hair.]

Just unchain him. I don't want to have to do it, alright? How long has it been since you've taken your medication? Since you've eaten?

[He can tell you've forgotten basic needs, L, please just listen.]

[At first, L's fingers tighten around the chain, clutching it white-knuckled as he regards Tony with uncertainty and hurt playing across his pale features. The doppleganger continues his wide-eyed, petrified, staring silence as Tony speaks firmly to his friend.

A brief struggle takes place behind his eyes, but he sets his jaw, and quickly produces a key, unlocking the cuff around his own wrist with fingers that tremble slightly. Once he's free, he hands the key to Tony so he can deal with the other cuff around the wrist of his doppelganger.]

[To his credit, Tony doesn't falter, not even under the onslaught that uncertainty and hurt wrecks on his conscience. Part of him would like to concede defeat, but he can't here, he knows he's right and he knows he has to break this cycle before something unforgivable happens.

He offers a small, grateful smile, breathing a quiet sigh of relief as he moves to remove the cuff from the doppelganger's wrist, then offers both the key and cuffs back to L. Tony's not afraid to look him in the eye, one might thing he would be ashamed to treat him this way but not. L said he was strong, didn't he? That's the one thing L kept telling him he was, and he had to be here.

Even if causing him this kind of hurt did sting.]

Thank you. Now, go eat something, okay? Take a break, have a coffee. Don't worry, I won't let this one run off, he knows he won't get far on his own. Don't you?

[Tony levels a viper's gaze at the doppelganger, a clear warning that any funny business won't be tolerated. You know you can't outrun him, doppelganger.]

Edited 2015-03-18 03:20 (UTC)

[L's doppelganger very noticeably gulps at the chilling stare Tony gives him, along with the implied warning. He nods hurriedly; he's a coward where L is perhaps too brave, to the point of recklessness. The duct tape still binds him, and he immediately starts struggling against it.

L, on the other hand, looks like a massive weight has just been lifted off his scrawny shoulders, allowing him to realize his own exhaustion. He blinks, staring at the situation as if seeing it for the first time, disquieted.]

I... will go do so. Immediately.

[He stands, shuffling toward the stairs with hurried steps. He's unsteady on his feet, but moves deliberately. He might as well be escaping a nightmare.]

I'll catch up with you in a while.

[He calls after L, fully intending to give him as much time away from his doppel as possible. It's clear he desperately needs a break.]

[It's a little weird (and frightening, not that Tony will admit that aloud) to see people actually cower and be intimidated by his posturing. Once upon a time tiny, scrawny and unimpressive Anthony has certainly come a long way. He's got the glower down, the posturing, and rapidly building the physique that could easily imply he could do some damage. He'd rather not, truth be told, but sometimes being able to glare down someone into not causing him any more trouble is worth it. Did he inherit that from his Other as well? Probably, guy like him, couldn't doubt he'd use that to his advantage.

But good, being a coward makes things easier on Tony. Giving L a break is important here and he'd really hate to have that trust shattered by losing track of this pain in the ass.]

You're a real trouble maker, you know that?

[He grumbles at the doppelganger, searching around until he locates a pair of scissors to deftly remove the tape. Geeze, what a mess.]

I think there's some Gatorade or something in the fridge, come on let's get some fluid in you and a shower. You stink.

[L slinks away rather quickly and without hesitance or ceremony. Whatever Tony said or did seems to have woken him up from the dire situation he'd created, and he's all too happy to leave it for just right now. He's off for a quick shower first, and by the time Tony gets his doppel that far, he'll be raiding the refrigerator and passing out on the couch in the commons with his hair still damp.

The second the duct tape is off from around his face and circling the back of his head, L's doppel is answering breathlessly.]

It's not my fault! It's my nature... I can't help it! My existence means I'm him, and the same things belong to me...

[He starts to stand, but wavers on his feet and loses his balance fairly quickly.]

It's not my fault I know better what Lazarus Lawliet wants than he does. Not my fault...

Edited 2015-03-18 04:02 (UTC)

[Good, they can talk about it later when no one is on doppelganger sitting duty. He can't blame L for his reaction, after everything that happened it's a wonder things didn't escalate more quickly. Even so, Tony's glad he was able to snap him out of his self-destructive cycle for the time being.]

But you're not him, are you? Not really, you've got his face and enough of his memories to get by, but you're not anything like him.

[Without even thinking about it he reaches out to catch the doppelganger by his elbow and right him, offering an arm to balance on.]

Maybe not, but your fault you took advantage of the situation. Do you even have the same kind of sense of morals we do, though?

[It's curious, he's never really taken the time to try to figure the doppelgangers out. Since usually they're either acting really weird at him or trying to torture him lately that hasn't exactly given the opportunity. Come on, not!L, you need hydration.]

[There will certainly be words later. Lazarus needs a friend right now, more than ever, and Tony will have the chance to feel necessary and helpful. For now... he'll have to generate it for himself, because L's doppel certainly won't be supplying it.]

A face and some memories, yeah. Seriously, what else is there? You thought I was him.

[He's quick to remind Tony of this fact, even if he's hoarse and his voice is cracking from lack of water.]

Don't get all high and mighty about it until you can actually tell us apart, you know? You thought he was tripping, but you still thought that it was him.

[He seems relatively perplexed by the question about morality.]

It's pretty simple, guy. I want to have sex. As much as possible, with as many people as possible. His boyfriend was an easy notch. He fucked the hell out of me and he loved it.

[He is and always will be L's friend, and will be there for him later. Right now the best thing he can do is give L a break and some alone time to sort himself out without his doppelganger causing problems.]

Only because the idea of copies running around was unthinkable, so don't think so highly of yourself just because you can pull off a convincing clown routine.

[Tony gives a gentle tug to try to lead him toward the kitchen. Water first, come come he doesn't have all day.]

I didn't know what the hell it was, so don't go trying to spin your webs around me.

[Of course he would. Do they even count as human, Tony has to wonder?]

Yeah, see, that right there? Fucked up. You got any sense of compassion, of consequence? Or do you only think about yourself and what you want? 'Cause it's sure lookin' that way from where I'm standing.

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