Out of Place

Third Wheel

Mr. L paused, just looking at Dio's outstretched hand as if it was a foreign concept.

He couldn't be telling the truth. This had to be some sort of trick. Some sort of trap. Nothing was ever straightforward with Dimentio. Even if this was another Dimentio, which he doubted it was, who was to say that he wouldn't be exactly the same? Who's to say that he wouldn't also end up betraying him?!

"Dio, a word?!" Luigi whispered harshly in Dio's ear.

"Yes?" Dio whispered back, though he didn't move. He didn't take his eyes off Mr. L. He just continued standing there, holding his hand out.

Luigi waited for him to move away, but the cloaked boy didn't move. He really was rather oblivious. It was astounding how different he was from the other Dimentio. Once it became apparent that Dio wasn't going to be stepping away, Luigi just sighed and lowered his voice to a whisper.

"We can't just break people out of prison and become friends with them!" Luigi whispered. "Mr. L clearly doesn't trust you! What are you doing?!"

"Simple. I'm showing him that he doesn't have to not trust me!" Dio replied, though his voice wasn't a whisper like Luigi's was, and he seemed to be talking more to Mr. L than Luigi.

"But-" Luigi started, when Mr. L suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Dio's hand, shaking it.

"Deal," He stated, making Luigi immediately facepalm and step back.

"Oh, brother..." Luigi trailed off while Dio excitedly squealed and beamed as if this was the most exciting thing since Flipside.

It was apparent that there was still much Dio had to learn about the world. Yes, his joyful personality was refreshing, but it was also worrying. 

"Oh, how wonderful! This will be so much fun! Like friends going to a carnival at dusk!" Dio exclaimed.

"Glad to see the annoying similes are still there," Mr. L sarcastically stated, taking his hand back and wiping it on his shirt as he rolled his eyes. Dio wasn't offended, however. He just smiled and took his hood off so Mr. L could actually see his whole face, which was actually somewhat shocking to Mr. L.

"What are you doing?" Mr. L asked in a slightly softer tone as if he was confused. Dimentio was always very strict about keeping his face covered at all times. Or at least... the Dimentio he knew.

"I want you to see my face so you know what I look like!" Dio chimed, smiling. "It'll help you trust me faster! And besides, friends don't need to hide from each other!"

Mr. L frowned in confusion at the use of that word. 

Friends. 

Dio threw that world around quite a lot. The word initially shocked Luigi too the first time Dio had called him a friend.

Was this REALLY not his Dimentio? Was this really someone else? Before Mr. L had been so sure that this was a trick. But now... it was harder to tell. The compliments, the politeness, showing his face... even his smile was different. It was less of an evil, cunning smile and more of a sweet, gentle smile.

Mr. L wasn't sure which he liked more. Was he just setting himself up to get stabbed in the back again?

Or was this time going to be different?

______

"So, you were close with other me?" Dio asked Mr. L as the three of them walked back through the Underwhere with no true idea where they were going. Luigi followed behind the pair awkwardly, almost feeling like some sort of third wheel. This was why he hated groups of three. He always ended up being pushed to the back and getting left out.