Three Months

Three More Minutes

"Tristan?" Luigi asked, slightly confused.

Tristan. He never would have guessed. He had wondered before what Dimentio's name could be, but whenever he thought about it he couldn't put another name to Dimentio's face. He wasn't sure how to react. It was a beautiful name, however, he spent so long knowing Dimentio as Dimentio, so thinking of him with any other name seemed so weird.

He didn't look like a Tristan. He looked like Dimentio.

The fact that Dimentio told him his name made him feel worried. He wasn't sure why. He should have felt excited about finally learning something he always secretly wondered about. However, his mind was too perplexed and confused over the question, why?

Why would Dimentio say his name now? Why now? There had to be a reason, right? There was always a reason with Dimentio.

"It's a lovely name," Luigi said, trying to ignore his own thoughts. He was probably just being paranoid over nothing. So what if Dimentio just shared a personal secret? It doesn't mean anything, right?

Dimentio was always reserved and secretive about his background, but maybe he was trying something new. Maybe he was just trying to break away from that and become more open, now that he was staying.

"I always hated it," Dimentio softly replied. "Not the name, but the name on me. I... I don't want you to call me by it. I just want someone to know."

He then coughed, curling up slightly, squeezing his eyes shut and whimpering like a kicked puppy, no longer fighting or trying to hide his pain. It was a useless fight at this point, and he didn't want to waste any more energy putting on a show that no one would buy. Luigi was going to find out anyway. He couldn't run away anymore.

It hurt pretty badly. He couldn't recall ever being in more physical pain. But at the same time, his mind almost felt at ease. It was an odd feeling, to say the least.

Polterpup quickly jumped up onto the bed, nudging Dimentio's head with its own, its eyes drooping slightly as if upset.

"Stop that," Luigi whispered to it, gently picking it up after seeing Dimentio's pain-filled expression upon the ghost dog touching him. He placed the little guy back on the floor. Polterpup only allowed this because it knew what was going on and had a feeling that putting up a fight to stay would only create more unneeded tension. However, it still whimpered in protest, showcasing that it didn't quite like being moved. The man in green then grabbed Dimentio's hand once again, smiling softly even though Dimentio's eyes were squeezed shut in pain.

He smiled, even though no one could see. "Well, I love it. Why... why are you telling me, exactly?"

"Who said there's a reason?" Dimentio asked.

"There's always a reason," Luigi replied.

The truth of those words stung. Dimentio paused a moment, then took a shaky breath, his voice now reflecting how much pain he was in. His words shook slightly, getting softer.

"You know why..."

"No I-" Luigi started, when he suddenly stilled, feeling his own heart stop.

It was as if a hand grabbed ahold of it and began to squeeze. Luigi felt a sinking feeling within himself. The room grew cold.

Dimentio had been sick for a long time. Mario noticed. Luigi noticed. It was very clear that something had been wrong. He was skipping meals, acting differently, and talking about leaving.

Why would Dimentio suddenly show up in the first place, asking for help in finding happiness? Why would he suddenly put his past behind him and walk up to the very people who ruined his original plans in the first place? It was a question Luigi had avoided thinking about for a long time. He didn't want to wonder where Dimentio was during the year that he was missing.