Fallen Down

Chapter 6

The next few runs become a pattern. Luigi finds Dimentio, they talk. He takes Bobby, meets King Boo and Dimentio in that foggy spot near the entrance to the north section, then he dies. Sometimes he almost gets past. Sometimes he dies instantly. But every time, Dimentio always just floats there and watches.

He just watches. Every single time.

The entire right side of Luigi's face hurts. Each time he dies he feels the pain spread. The left side of his jaw is so incredibly sore, that it's starting to feel hard to talk. Plus, the pain keeps creeping closer and closer to his good eye.

It's like the spreading pain is marking his deaths. Marking all his failures.

Just keep going, he tells himself. You gotta get back to your family. Do it for them. Do it for Bobby. He hopes that will be enough to keep him going. His desire to see the light again. His desire for people like Bobby to see the light again.

Sometimes when Dimentio greets them, he greets them as normal. But sometimes he looks deep in thought instead. On those days, Luigi offers to take him to Deathly's.

"Why.... why'd you offer?" Dimentio asks one time. By now, Luigi's whole left arm tingles as if someone's constantly poking hot needles into it.

"Well, you seemed sad," Luigi admits. "And... you seem to enjoy coming here."

Dimentio frowns. "Why do you care exactly?"

Luigi shrugs. "I don't know. I guess I just wanted to help."

Dimentio gives him a strange look, as the man in green chuckles.

After a few more deaths, once the pain begins snaking it's way through to Luigi's fingertips, Dimentio actually is the one to offer to go to Deathly's. He says nothing else. He didn't look deep in thought, he didn't look sad, bored, nothing.

He just lowers himself to the ground and holds out a hand. Luigi, of course, doesn't take it. But Dimentio doesn't look offended. He didn't expect Luigi to take it.

Luigi orders two meals this time, and passes one to Dimentio, thanking the waiter as always.

"Why do you do that?" Dimentio asks after the waiter walks away, a little happier than before.

"Do what?" Luigi asks.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Why do you do it?"

Luigi shrugs and thinks it over for a minute. "Well, I'm just being polite. People don't deserve to be... you shouldn't be rude for no reason."

"That doesn't mean you have to be polite all the time. You don't owe anyone here anything." Dimentio argues. Luigi just smiles and shrugs.

"I can be rude." He starts. "But I don't want to. I don't have to."

"Huh?"

Dimentio seems perplexed for a second. 

I don't have to. 

Then, he shrugs the thoughts away and holds up his shroom shake. "Well, cheers?"

"Cheers."

______

The next time they go to Deathly's, Luigi's left hand has gone completely numb. He can't tell if this is better or worse than before.

Dimentio seems to notice and doesn't hold his hand out to him this time.  Luigi smiles to himself.

"Can I ask you something?" Dimentio starts, after the waiter delivers their food and Luigi thanks him, like always.

"You already did,"