lovesickkiller | IC Voicemail [RtE]

Well... I mean, our parents weren't dumb, I don't think...

[He downs the pills, looking confused and sad and somewhat lost.]

This is a mess. Tell me something good to hold onto and then we'll think of what we're going to do. There's a kid who's smitten and a desperate man who's probably going to make some really bad decisions tonight, so... gameplan. Right.

[She is about to counter that their parents wanted them so that is an entirely different matter, but enough cans of worms have been opened tonight without touching on the subject of parents. Best to let that conversation fade away.]

Something good...

[It's a tall order. Misa grabs the hot coco and tucks her legs up on the couch, leaning her head against Lazarus's shoulder.]

I have a boyfriend who brings me hot chocolate. That's pretty good.

[She smiles, and takes a sip- and abruptly spits the liquid back into the cup, gagging. The bitterness is unexpected and jarring, to say the least.]

[For a second, he's worried that she won't be able to come up with anything, and then she's offering something that's actually pretty sweet and undeniably true. He starts to smile palely, and then she's gagging and spitting and he's sitting up in sudden, anxious alarm.]

What? What's wrong, what is it?

It's- nothing, just- a little bitter-

[She gets the words out between coughs as best as she can, wincing and sitting back up to put the mug on the table. How hard is it to make hot coco? She knows Lazarus was in a hurry, but really.]

It, ah... was still nice of you to bring it.

[He watches with helpless, forlorn concern as she sets the mug down, going for it himself and tasting it. She's right; he spits it back in the mug.]

Shit. I forgot the sugar.

[That might be the straw that breaks him. He hunches forward, staring straight ahead catatonically.]

Don't-!

[The warning comes too late. Lazarus has already had a taste for himself, and though they have certainly swapped spit and more on many occasions, Misa is still a little disgusted by him drinking from the mug she spat in.]

H-hey, it's fine!

[She leans over to rub his shoulders, trying to sound encouraging.]

That's just a little thing. We'll take of everything, okay?

[No, no it is far from fine, and everything in Lazarus' expression and posture say so.]

I don't know where he gets it. So much energy. So much drive to just... destroy everything I stand for and care about. He gets off on it, I know he fucking gets off on it...

[He rakes a hand through his hair.]

There's Blaise, who I don't think he'll touch. Yet, anyway. Then there's Cesar, who he... will. Definitely. Touch.

[Misa tenses at that, uncomfortable with how much Lazarus doesn't seem to want Cesar being touched. It's a unique situation, what with the man in question being his doppelganger, but still... should he care so much about what Cesar does? Is it a warning sign that he's this distraught?]

[She realizes that she stopped rubbing his shoulders, and resumes.]

Lazarus... Cesar is a single guy, and he's an adult. I know you don't like it... [And she doesn't like that he doesn't like it.] ... But it's not up to you who touches him now. I can make sure he knows I'm not pregnant, but he's going to do what he wants.

[It might be that he doesn't want him touched by his awful doppelganger, but... from Misa's perspective it's certainly understandable that she'd be concerned about the other possibility, that Lazarus is jealous and he can't let go.

He seems to relax a little more as she resumes rubbing his poor, curved, stiff shoulders.]

Yeah, I... I know. You're right. It's not appropriate that I'm so wrapped up in his business, considering we're not together. I'm just not a fan of the idea of him going out and doing something impulsive and harmful.

How are you going to let him know...?

[Misa considers that for a moment. He isn't checking his phone, would he be checking the network?]

I can send him a message over the network, the doppelganger wouldn't be able to delete that. Or...

[She hesitates to mention it, not wanting to see him at all, but if Lazarus is really worried then she should at least offer.]

Do you know where they're meeting?

[Lazarus looks hesitant to even say.]

...it's really not your kind of place. I looked it up and it's...

There'll be a lot of people doing drugs and having sex. That's just how it is.

[Misa makes a face.]

Are there bouncers...?

[She is not going to risk being assaulted for Cesar's sake. Now is one of those times it would be really nice to have Tony around. She doesn't know anyone nearby who is the least bit threatening; Nux looks like a strong wind could take him out, and Nathan would likely die of shock the moment they arrived.]

It's not like I've been there. I don't know. I guess I'd assume there are...

[He's sounding tense and overwhelmed again.]

At any rate I don't think you should go alone. If you give me a little bit of time to put myself together, I'll come with you.

[By that, he means sobering up a little. Because of course he started drinking during that 43 text streak.

...maybe he shouldn't go, but he's not going to be the one to say that.]

No, you're not coming.

[Not only does she want to avoid a face to face meeting between him and a probably drunk Cesar at all costs, he would be absolutely no help in the protection department.]

I'll find someone. Just text me the address.

[Misa stands up decisively, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible.]

You stay here and... clean, or take a shower, do something to relax. No more texting Cesar and no drinking.

[She has no idea that he has already started, but she has a fair suspicion that it's going to be his first course of action when she leaves.]

[This doesn't sit well with him for several reasons. For one, he doesn't think he'd be no help whatsoever. He might look brittle, but he's stronger than he appears.]

Tell me who you're getting, Misa. I won't text you until there's a reasonable plan in place.

[Misa pauses for a moment before answering, hesitant.]

... Nux.

[She doesn't know him well at all, and all that she knows of him indicates that he is reckless and well as skittish, but he is quite literally the only man with any muscle mass she is acquainted with who lives nearby.]

Lazarus, if you want me to do this for you, I will. But I'm going to do it now, and then it's going to be over with, and I don't want to have to see either of them again. I need you not to hurt yourself while I'm gone.

[Because he didn't agree not to drink in her absence, did he?]

[The answer at least seems to satisfy Lazarus, even if it's not thrillingly ideal.]

I'm not going to hurt myself. I'm sorry you even have to worry about it. Do you want me to contact Luca and get him up to speed?

No drinking, either- yes, do. Does he prefer Luca? I thought it was Nux.

OK... OK, I won't. And... I think he prefers Nux but I don't want him to fall into what I did. With L. With falling in love with a life just because it isn't his.

[He pinches the bridge of his nose before reaching for his phone. After a short conversation, he hangs up.]

...he's absolutely thrilled about the opportunity. Great. Promise you'll be careful?

I'll be careful.

[At the very least Nux should be able to provide a distraction if anything goes south.]

I'm going to punch that thing in the face, and I'll be careful. But... listen.

[She reaches for his hand, commanding full attention.]

If Cesar knows the truth and still makes a stupid decision... don't hold it against me, okay? I'll do the best I can.

Do you even know how to punch...? You could break your hand, if you don't... if you're serious...

[He's not even sure. But when she takes his hand, it gives him something to focus on, and his eyes go to her face.

He watches her eyes, then her mouth as she speaks. Then he nods.]

I trust you to do your best, Misa. I'm humbled that you would, for me, and... of course I won't hold it against you. I couldn't possibly.

Nux said he'd meet you by the teleporter in 20 minutes. Does that sound doable, or do you need more time?

20 minutes is fine.

[The less time the better. She raises her free hand and curls it into a fist experimentally, thumb on the outside.]

Do you know how to punch?

I punched my uncle in the face once. It hurt a lot, so I'm not sure I did it right.

I don't want you to hurt your hand. If things get physical, Luca can handle it.

But I want to punch him!

[That might have come out just a little petulant. Oh well. She deserves to let out a little petulance after the day she has had, and is about to keep having.]

Maybe I'll just slap him. I know I can do that.

Misa...

[He sounds vaguely admonishing.]

Keep in mind that he's bigger than me now. He said he gained almost 30 pounds since I saw him last. If I can hold you down and pin you, I think he could do some damage if you provoked him and would be pretty vicious about it.

Please leave it to Luca.

IC Voicemail [RtE]

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