"You're telling me that people enjoy climbing into those car things- just so they can be strapped down and pushed into a massive loop at break neck speeds?!"

"I know. Silly isn't it? I can't stand roller coasters."

"Wanna bet that I can build it better...?"

"Mama-Mia..."

Chapter 10: Smile

It took Mr. L a moment to remember how to turn on something as simple as a shower. But when he did, he didn't even feel stupid about how excited he was to see actual warm and clean water. He paused, removing what was left of a glove before reaching out to touch the steady stream of water. Amazed to see how it removed the dried blood and mud that was caked under his nails. He then ran his arm through, before pulling it back to reveal his own skin that was hidden beneath the dirt. He felt the urge to cry, but held it back. Instead he removed the rest of his clothes, eager to actually be clean.

Mr. L hadn't felt fresh and clean water in what felt like decades. It washed the dirt and dried blood away. It cleaned out his wounds, it washed away any anxiety that Dimentio had followed him to this strange new world. He stepped out of the shower and wrapped a large white towel around his waist.

Here in the fluorescent light he could clearly see part of his rib cage, and he could just see how long his hair and beard had gotten. That had to go, he mused to himself as he reached for the scissors and razor. The metal was cool to the touch, smooth and rust free. He didn't hesitate once as he began to cut his hair off, trimming it until it just rested on the back of his neck. Before trimming and styling it to look more presentable. He then began to work on that beard. Shaping and trimming it short but not shaving the entire thing off. He liked his beard. When it gotten cold, his beard helped keep him warm.

Now he could see that there is some trace of a handsome face that once belonged to his counterpart, that is now his own. But he could also see is how tired and worn down he looked. He then eyed his mask that was resting on top of the rest of his clothes and wondered if he should even wear it. Is not like he and Luigi are even identical now, Dimentio took care of that with years of torment. He bared his teeth to look at them in the mirror and flinched, he was lucky that he had strong teeth. That and it was the only thing that he could somewhat take care of while trapped in that nightmare of a world. But some of them were badly chipped, and they were horribly stained. But at less there were no cavities, or rot. He was lucky. Very lucky.

A knock at the door caused him to jump, holding onto his towel. "Mr. L?" Luigi called on the other side of the door. It was just Luigi, he let out a breath. It's going to be okay. "I have some clothes for you here, I figured that you wouldn't want to be walking around in rags..." Mr. L opened the door to reveal Luigi with nicely folded clothes and shoes. "I know it isn't much, but it's m... our old clothes."

Mr. L took the black jumpsuit, picking up a green bandana from the top. "Cool. Thank you..." It has been so long since Mr. L had seen these, memories of a time when he served Bleck came back in a rush of nostalgia. Wonder what happened to him and the others in this time? Guess they have a lot of catching up to do.

Luigi pointed down the hallway. "Elvin and I will be in the backyard, come join us, you can imagine that he has a lot of questions for you." Mr. L looks down at the clothes before smiling at Luigi, but before he could close the door, his formal counterpart stopped him. "By the way, love the beard..." Luigi then turns the corner and he could hear the rusty hinges of a back door swing open. Guess he has to fix that when he gets the chance. Mr. L thought to himself with a smile, which is something he's not used to having, but now he can't seem to live without.

...

Luigi was in the middle of convincing the older man that he should really do something with his backyard when Mr. L stepped though. Looking around in awe. As if he was experiencing the outdoors for the first time. Earlier everything was going by so fast, checking Mr. L to see if he had any signs of infection and getting him out of the ruins and out of the elements. But now he's here, dressed as he did so long ago. Though Luigi could tell from how the clothes just hang off his body that Mr. L may be in a worse state than at first glance.

"Mr. L, is it?" Gadd patted the chair next to him. "I have so much to ask you! What an exciting scientific break through to witness, to jump not just through dimensions but to best Father Time at his own game, that's something even myself can't wrap my head around."

Mr. L sat down next to the old man, and Luigi could only watch them exchange nothing but scientific and mechanical babble that he could barely understand. Luigi was pretty tech savvy himself, but he never dedicated as much time to it as Mr. L did. Part of him kind of wished that some of that other identity had stuck with him. Just so he can help Mario figure out that Grambi forsaken DVD player in their living room.

Luigi then froze at the thought of his older brother. How the heck is he going to tell him about this?! A familiar feeling of panic began to crawl up his spine, Mario is going to loose his mind when he finds out. Luigi sat back in his respected chair, pretending to be interested in the homemade wind chimes that hung off the end of the makeshift patio roof. Is Mario going to lock Mr. L up? Interrogate him? Fight him...

There is one thing that Luigi does understand about this situation. He's the one who has to make the call. Not Gadd, and especially not Mr. L. Luigi stood up, staring at his counterpart with a frown. "I'm sorry, Mr. L. But you do know that I have to tell Mario..."

Mr. L's smile quickly turned into a frown, and Luigi could recognize the familiar fear that crossed his features. "But don't worry." He quickly added. "Mario won't try anything as along as I am here, and he'll understand."

"Yeah.." Mr. L sighed. "Well, he has to, but what about the...others?"

Luigi looked away, he almost forgot about them. Peach would try to understand, try to be compassionate and reasonable, but Bowser? He has no clue. "We'll pass that hurdle when we come to it. But for now, I'm going to call Mario, first thing in the morning."

Luigi smiled and Mr. L relaxed. The Mario brother could tell that the only thing keeping Mr. L standing was pure adrenaline and shock. Luigi gestured to the living room. It was starting to get late anyway. "Come on, you can crash on the couch. I'll take the chair."

Luigi lead Mr. L inside without another word, giving Gadd a smile to signal that things are going to be okay. Even though that smile never truly reached his eyes.

End of Chapter

A/N: I never got how the characters always have perfect teeth and are perfectly groomed in survivor and end of the world type movies. Somethings are a little more important than grooming and looking good, people. Like avoiding aliens or the genetically modified apes that took over the world. No one cares if your pit hair grows out. Just live, damn it. Lol

But don't worry, I'm sure Mr. L will see a dentist.