Archive of Our Own ^beta

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     [Luigi is sitting in the cage, he’s sweating and panting and his head is rolling. Tuxie (The king penguin) notices and asks if he's alright. Luigi slides down the cage bars and pants. The other penguins get worried as well, the king repeats a little louder. “Hey human, you alright?” Luigi finally answers panting. “..I-I can't….breath.” Luigi is lying on the bottom of the cage panting, the king penguin yells out. “Hey! Hey, we need help! The humans not doing ok! He needs help.”]

     Mario and Peach are walking through the mushroom forest. [Mario is admiring the mushroom when suddenly it poofs out spores. He begins coughing as Peach asks what's wrong. “Sp-Spores…*Cough* *cough* The mushrooms are huge, so they release a lot.”] As Mario fixes his breathing he frowns coming to a realization. He looks up at the sky. “Hey, why does Bowser have an obsession with you?”

     She sighs.”When we were toddlers our Kingdoms met. Bower was only a prince then but he didn't seem to have parents. He seemed shy then, so I took him to my garden while the adults talked. He didn't talk much so I talked for him. I guess he mistook my kindness for attraction but I'm not sure. All I know is that since that day he’s been up my ass.” She laughs but her expression is somber. She gives a half laugh. “Part of me feels that maybe he’s just misunderstood, but the other half says that even so, he should know when no means no.” Mario nods, for a second he wonders if maybe Bowsers is just a broken man, but remembers the damage he’s caused. “Well one thing for sure, he still has to pay the repercussions.” And with that the head back into the castle.

     [Back at Bowser mobile castle, Kamek has Luigi on a table. He is using his magic to try and save Luigi. Bowser is watching with intrigue. “What's wrong with the human?” Kamek looks over at Bowser. He looks back down at the small human. “He just kind of collapsed.” Bowser frowns, displeased. He huffs out. “Alright, then what’s wrong with him?”
Kamek looks Luigi over. “Well, it could be the heat. Or perhaps, it could be the lack of food.” Bowser's brows knit together. “Food?” “Humans eat more often than us. Buuut, it could also be the air.” Bowser quirks an eyebrow. “The air?”

     Kamek gives a devious smile, “he’s suffocating.” Bowser’s eyes widened for a second before returning to his frown. “So fix him. Can't have a dead hostage. It has no leverage.” And with that, he left. Kamek slides his staff over Luigi, encasing him in a purple shine.]

     Time skips and it's after the battle against Bowser. Luigi is sitting in the tower where Bowser is being kept in the birdcage. Luigi is humming while sketching. It's been a few months since they defeated Bowser. Bowser had his back turned to Luigi and was pouting. Luigi mumbles out a few words of the song fiddling with his skirt. “I'm all alone, shadow, shadow.” He continues his humming before turning and pushing a muffin into Bowser's cage. “Since-a you’ve been a good listener, you can-a have it.” Bowser doesn't say anything but instead begins eating the giant muffin.

     Luigi sits down again and continues to draw and hum when a frightened toad runs in. “Luigi! Luigi!” Luigi puts his stuff down and approaches the toad. The Toad huffed and puffed before squeaking and crying out. “There's intruders in the castle! Come quick!” Luigi follows the Toad out leaving a puzzled Bowser alone.

     Luigi runs after the Toad and down the halls. When coming across a cross section in the hallway, Luigi is tripped and knocked on his butt. He looks up seeing a small koppa roll away on a ball. He takes a second to process but is snapped out of his thoughts when something is swung at his head. He dodges what looks to be similar to Kameks staff hitting the floor beside him. Another slightly larger koopa is wielding the staff. It goes to swing again. Luigi swings his feet under its legs knocking it on its shell. It flails wildly and wails. “Wahhhh Larry Help!” Larry assumedly runs over and flips the small koopa. Larry dusts the other off in a hushed tone. “Hey it's alright Roy. Remember, we just need to stall and make enough ruckus so that Kamek can get dad out.”

     Luigi wonders who they mean for a second but puts the pieces together. “Bowser’s a dad!” The two koopas look at him like they’d been caught in the cookie jar. Larry swings at his head while Roy grabs at his legs. Luigi manages to dodge Larry's attack but is flipped over by Roy. Larry aims another swing at his head but he dodges out the way again. He struggles but manages to kick Larry off. “Oh my god, I’m fighting kids! Oh My God I’m going to hell!” He backs away from the two koopalings assessing his surroundings. He looks around and sees a few more Koopalings fighting with Toads. “Oh wow there's a lot of you.” He cringes. “Shit Bowser and Kamek!” He runs back towards the cell tower. Suddenly he hears yells.

     “Nooo!” “He’s gonna stop grandpa!” “Get em!” He looks behind himself to see seven koopalings running after him. He croaks, quickening his pace. He watches as Toads rush past him at the koopa kids. One of them raises a spear and aims it at the one on a ball. The koopalings failing to stop the ball, fall off looking up at the toad. Luigi panics, shoving the spear out of the Toads hand. He looks up at Luigi baffled. “They’re kids! You can’t kill them!” He shrieks! He looks over at the small koopaling, then at the rest of the room. Everyones staring at him.

     He feels his throat tighten and head begin to spin. He backs down the hall before breaking into a run. He reaches the tower door, several toads having been knocked out and/or floating in magic bubbles. He pushes it open just as he watches Bowser hit the floor with a *crack*. Luigi gasps as he watches Bowser grow to his full height, smoke billowing from his nostrils as blood seeps out a pretty hefty crack along his shell. Kamek, having been the one to throw him down, waves his wand healing the crack.

     Bowser rolls his shoulders and neck cracking them. He exhales a plum of sparky smoke with a chuckle. “Oh how I hate being small.” He turns to Luigi who had been string dumbfoundedly. He quickly advances. The green plumber chokes as he turns around to run but immediately trips over a koopaling with a pink bow. He face planted the concrete, he half expected to see blood.

     “Daddy!” The koopalings all run towards Bowser, him immediately scooping them up. “My sweet sweet pups. Are you alright?” He quickly checks each one over before deciding they were alright. “Roy and I almost defeated the Green Mario!” “Lemmy almost got stabbed!” Bowser snaps his head to the blue haired koopa who said before grabbing the small koopa who had tripped Luigi with their ball. He picked “Lemmy” up, flipping them every which way to check. Once again satisfied he put Lemmy down before asking. “Are you alright? What happened?” Lemmy scratched his neck curling into his shell a little.

     “I-uh.. A toad came running at me with a spear and when I went to turn my ball around I slipped and fell off. He was gonna spear me till greenie stopped him.” Bowser's expression turned visibly confused. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by toad soldiers making their way down the hall. “Alright how’d you all get here?” Kamek spoke this time. “We took your clown car sire.” Bowser hummed. “Good. Let's get out of her ey?” And with that bowser ripped the barred window straight out the wall as the clown car floated into view.

     Luigi, having been too shocked to move, was still staring looking up from the floor. Kamek without a second thought lifted Luigi in a bubble alongside them. The koopa family all tumbled into the clown car, Kamek opting to use his broom, began to fly away from the castle. Luigi kicked at the bubble watching as Peach and Mario ran to the hole in the wall. He sighs deflating against the bubbles. He can see and hear the Koopalings checking over their dad just as he had them.

     Slowly in the distance a large castle, somehow larger than the mobile one, fades into view. He has to admit, the dark aesthetic was quite easy on the eyes compared to the pink and white of Peaches castle. Luigi sighed, he dreaded what awaited him inside said castle.

     Once inside, Luigi is actually impressed. The walls are decorated with articulated designs of maroon and ruby red. The walls themselves are a deep green that fade to black towards the bottom edging. He gapes at the designs until a chandelier catches his eyes. The chandelier has a black base and beautifully cut yellow and red jewels. His eyes light up wonderfully under the light.

     Suddenly, he’s yanked out of the bubble and is being carried by Bowser. Bowsers huffs walking to a set of double doors. “Kamek, take the kids to their playroom. I’m taking Greenie to the cell tower.” As if slapped in the face, Luigi is snapped back to reality. Luigi flails and kicks trying to wiggle out of Bowser's grasp. “What the hell! I was nice to you, and you're still locking me up!?” Bowser huffs tossing luigi over his shoulder, a firm hand on his lower back. Luigi hits at Bowser's shoulder and kicks at his plastron.

     “Y’know, you didn't exactly set me free. Not something to really praise ya for.” Bowser mumbles the last part out. He was tired and really didn’t wanna have to deal with this right now. Sleeping in his own bed after being in a metal cage for months would be a wet dream. Approaching the cell tower door, they make the trek up the staircase.

     There's a pink door, very clearly out of place and can only have been made for Peach. Luigi wanted to ask why he wasn't in the dungeons but decided it was better to stay quiet. Bowser pushes the door open, the room is huge! Bowser sets him down, staring at him for a second. He goes to speak but shuts his mouth. He points to a door off to the side. “That's the bathroom. Take a shower.” And with that he turns and leaves, the door locking behind him.

     Luigi looks around, the walls are a faded pink that's almost white, the trimmings themselves are a white. Theres delicate swirls of black in contrast against the wall. The bed was placed center against the wall. The mattress and pillows looked a little stiff, and the blanket looks like what a wool couch would. He groans dreading the textures. Turning he sees the wardrobe. He opens it a little less than hopeful. The wardrobe is full of pink dresses in all forms. He frowns. “Man I hate pink.”

     With a sigh he grabs a dress that is the least frilly or sparkly dress and walks into the previously mentioned bathroom. Just like the bedroom, the bathroom was huge. A dimmer color palette but still sades of grey's and pinks. He groans but sets the dress down on the counter. The tub is the kind thats built into the ground. Turning it onto the right temperature, he undresses and slips in.

      The water was hot, much hotter than the water provided or even allowed in the mushroom kingdom. With a comfortable sigh Luigi relaxes into the water, his soreness from the fights washing away. He must have been more tired than he had thought because Luigi finds himself drifting to sleep.

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Bowser grumbles as he stalks through the halls. He huffs a plume of smoke through his nostrils. “This has been a hell of a long four weeks.” At this point, he just wants to sleep for a month. But of course, by tomorrow, he’ll be swamped with duties. Arriving at his room he pushes his way in and heads straight towards his bathroom. Entering his bathroom he starts up a bath, the heat turned all the way up. Finally, he unclips the straps to his shell letting it drop to the floor with a heavy thud.

With a groan, he slipped into the bath. He hadn’t wanted to have to walk all the way down to the hot springs for a lava soak but this would suffice for now. He presses his hands over his sides and hips firmly trying to release the tension there. He sighs leaning back against the tub's edge letting his eyes drift closed. He didn't even care if he fell asleep here.

Lemmy sat up in bed slowly looking around the darkened room. His night light provided just enough light to see his siblings sleeping soundly. He pulls his blanket off and quietly hops out of bed. He knew as long as he was quiet his siblings would sleep like rocks.

Making his way to the door he opens it slowly checking for guards before slipping out. Checking once more he heads towards the north tower designed for Peach. He knew the green human was nice but wasn't sure as to why he’d saved him. It didn’t make sense to save your enemies. Let alone their family. Why not use Lemmy as leverage for the fight?

Slipping into a secret passage into the wall allowed him to arrive at the princess's room fairly quickly. He popped out into the wardrobe and knocked just in case. There was a confused, “Huh”, from outside the wardrobe. He knocked again and shortly after the wardrobe doors opened hesitantly.

Luigi peaked inside to see the small koopa child he’d protected from earlier. Confused, he asks. “Hi, whaaat are you doing here little one?” His voice was groggy seeing as he was just sleeping. He was also dawned in one of Peach's dresses.

Lemmy hesitated before hopping out of the closet and sitting in one of the chairs. Luigi, getting the memo, sits in the chair beside him. Lemmy takes a couple of seconds pondering what to say before responding.

“Why did you save me?” He practically whispers. He doesn't meet Luigi’s eyes as he fiddles with his claws.

Luigi's face turns to surprise. “What do you mean why did I save you? Why wouldn’t I?” His voice is audibly concerned as he leans towards the small koopa.

Lemmy kicks his feet as he stutters out. “W-well, Papa's your e-enemy. It doesn't make sense for you to h-help me.” Tears flood his eyes but don’t fall as he sniffles.

Luigi sits up, quickly scooping up the young koopa. “Shhh. shhh. It’s alright. It’s alright, I saved you because you are just a kid. A kid who wanted their father back. That is completely reasonable. What is unreasonable, is causing harm to a child. I may not like Bowser very much but I’d never hurt his bambini.”

Lemmy sniffles, nuzzling into Luigi's chest. After a few seconds, he says, “I don’t understand why Papa doesn't like you.” Luigi chuckles lying down in the bed with Lemmy on his chest. Luigi sighs before speaking softly. “Well, your dad is in love with Peach, but she doesn't like him back. So he kidnapped me, causing Mario to have to save me. I helped my brother lock him up, your father hates me by extension.” He runs his hand through Lemmy’s hair humming.

“I can’t blame him either. I’d just wish he’d approach the whole not getting the girl thing differently.” Having not gotten a response he looks down. Lemmy, with his face squished against Luigi's chest, was dead asleep. He chuckled, running his hand through his hair again. With that, he lays his head back slowly falling asleep.

The next morning, a harsh knock awakes Bowser from his sleep. He grumbles crawling out of bed and slipping on his spiked cuffs and shell. He swings the door open, rubbing at his eyes. A guard nervously stutters out. “I-I’m sorry for waking you your Tiredness, b-but one of your kids can’t be found.” Immediately, Bowser is awake. Panic oversets him, but he forces himself to think clearly. “Which kid? For how long?”

“Lemmy, your Worriedness.” Bowser storms out of the room, motioning for the guard to follow. “How long has it been since you couldn't find him?” Bowser stops when there's no answer. He turns and the guard is looking at the floor silent. Bowser grabs him by the carapace. “How long?” The guard shrinks into his shell squeaking out. “Since the others woke up.”

Bowser releases his grasp, the koopa guard spinning. Bowser storms down the hall bursting into the koopalings bed chambers. The kids squeal at Bowser’s entrance. Quickly looking around the messy playroom and sure enough, no Lemmy. Bowser’s nerves begin to rise and his skin crawls. He runs a hand through his mane, turning to Larry. “Larry, have you seen Lemmy at all since last night?”

Larry shakes his head with a worried expression. “No, sorry papa. He was here last night but not this morning.” Wendy hops off her cosmetic stool hugging her dad's leg. “We’ll find him, Dad. Don’t worry too much. You’ll bust a shell.” Bowser sighs rubbing the bridges of his snout when Ludwig taps him. “Yes, Ludwig?” “Dad, Lemmy was saved by the human, maybe he went to see him?”

Bowser smacks himself on the forehead picking up Wendy and turning around swiftly. Stomping down the hallway Bowser pushes open the cell tower door. He stops dead in his tracks at the sight in front of him. Lemmy was in here. He was snuggled up against Luigi's chest. Something flutters in Bowser's chest; he shakes it away.

Approaching the bed Bowser shakes Lemmy gently. “Lemmy, time to get up you little shit.” Lemmy stirs groaning, eyes fluttering open. Upon seeing his father Lemmy shoots up in the bed stammering out apologies.

Bowser chuckles picking up Lemmy and silencing him. A very confused Luigi sits up in bed looking around at the commotion. The koopalings had followed their dad up and were whispering to one another. He looks up at Lemmy realizing Bowser is there, he squeaks, flails, and falls off the bed.

Bowser chuckles at the pathetic display walking out of the cell. Still holding Lemmy, he addresses the small koopa.

“So, Lemmy. Why did you sneak out and visit the prisoner?” Looking down at the little koopa out the corner of his eye he notices Lemmy’s crying. He pulls Lemmy up in front of him and rubs his tears away. “Hey, hey. What’s got you crying little one?”

Lemmy sniffles rubbing at his eyes. “He saved me papa. H-he’s so nice! Why must h-he be a prison-er.” Lemmy stutters out between sobs.

Bowser, recognizing his son's frustration coos. “He’s an enemy to our home. Even if he did save you we can’t be sure that it wasn’t for his own benefit. Now, let's get some food, hmm?” He pats his son on the back placing a kiss on his forehead.

Lemmy growls kicking his father's plastron. Bowser has a dumbfounded look on his face. Lemmy’s not one to throw tantrums. Even the other koopalings look shocked. Continuing to kick he yells at his father.

“It’s not fair! He was just protecting himself!! It’s not fair! Let him out!” Lemmy smacks at Bowser's shoulders angrily. Bowser sighs letting Lemmy ride out his tantrum. After Lemmy calms down Bowser rubs his shell heaving another sigh.

Rubbing his snout Bowser turns to a guard posted a few feet away. “Go retrieve the prisoner from the princess's quarters.” The guard nods sprinting down the hall. Bowser sets Lemmy on the floor. Running a hand through his hair he deflates defeatedly. Lemmy smiles brightly and begins hopping around.

“Yay! Thank you, papa!” He giggles giving Bowser a toothy grin. Bowser grumbles out a huff. “You're a handful you know that?” Despite his cold tone he smiles down at the giggling koopa.

The guard comes back with Luigi in tow, his hands tied in front of him. Bowser nods to the guard dismissing him. Bowser hooks his claw under the ropes slicing them with a gentle tug. Luigi flinches with a gasp rubbing at his hands out of habit. He looks up at Bowser nervously with a silent question. Bowser huffs stalking down the hall, the koopalings following with a chatter of conversations.

Lemmy stays back looking up at Luigi with a wide toothy smile. Luigi laughs nervously breaking eye contact and following Bowser down the halls.

Entering the dining hall there's a huge table that the koopalings flock to. Bowser takes his seat leaving two seats open, one at the far end of the table, and one directly beside Bowser himself. Looking at the far end seat, it’s sat next to a fluffy blue-haired child and a green-haired one who looked like they had a palm tree on their head.

Both kids were arguing over something to do with music that Luigi didn’t understand. They began throwing food at each other as well as throwing a few spells. Bowser lets out a deep growl chucking a rather hard-looking bread roll at the two bouncing off one and hitting the other with great aim. Luigi looks to the seat to the right of Bowser. Wendy was next to the empty seat applying her eyeliner in a mirror.

Luigi decided that’d be the better of the two seats. Sitting, Wendy eyes him rolling her eyes with a scoff. Bowser is whispering to a grumpy Morton. After a few seconds, he gives him a few pats on the shoulder and sits back in his chair. Bowser turns his attention to Luigi who decides a teenage girl is safer than a tyrannical king.

“Hey.. uhm.. May I ask your name?” He wasn't sure he’d heard it yet. She turns to him with the same look. “Wendy.” He gives his best smile. It came out as more of a grimace than a smile. “N-nice to meet you, Wendy. I’m Luigi.” “Mmhm.” She turns back to her mirror. He thinks before he decides to say. “That’s a cute lipgloss.” He gives a toothy genuine smile now. She rolls her eyes landing him with a glare. “It's lipplumper, you nitwit.” She opens her purse pulling out an actual lipgloss. “This.. is lipgloss.” She then starts a heated rant about makeup types and which not to mix and what order they go on and what-not.” Halfway through, she’s actually smiling. Luigi smiles to himself.

People always like to be right. Saying something false paves the way to a heavy conversation, plus it’s nice to learn stuff. She continues her rant even after the food arrives. Eventually, she stops turning to her plate with another roll of her eye. “But of course, you're a guy so you wouldn’t care.” For a second Luigi wonders if the same gender roles apply here as they did on Earth. He decides to take the risk. “Well, actually I quite like makeup. But the make-up where I’m from my skin is sensitive to so I can't wear it unless it’s specially made. And that’s expensive. Plus people there aren’t too supporting of a guy expressing femininity.” He shrugs biting into a piece of mystery meat that was actually quite delicious.

Almost the entire table turns their heads towards him. He looks around confused. It’s the light blue-haired one who speaks up. “What do you mean they aren't supporting?” Luigi is a little taken aback. “Um.. well… a guy being feminine is considered gross, and being gay is considered a sin there. Typically it’s just you get ridiculed. But some take it too far and will harm or kill someone for being gay. Or even if they just seem it and aren't actually.” The entire table's faces are pulled up in a weird mix of disgust and anger.

“That’s horrible.” The pink-headed one growled. Luigi didn't know how to react so he just shrugged. He remembered all the days Mario had to come to protect him because his bullies were hitting him in a “push circle”. He thought about the time he got knocked out for calling a guy pretty. He hadn’t been flirting, the guy was just pretty. How his mom ignored him and how his dad would go out of his way to make Luigi uncomfortable. It took years for them to come around. They never did.

He shakes his head scattering his thoughts. Wendy suddenly stands, she stares him dead in the eyes. “Greenie. I'm going to make you a dress. I would like your guidance with the design.” Luigi sits there, shocked, not knowing how to respond. Turns out he didn't need to as he’s drug away by Wendy.

Bowser sighed pinching the bridge of his nose as he watched Wendy drag the prisoner out of the breakfast hall. He orders waving a few guards over. “Follow my daughter and the prisoner. If he does anything suspicious put him back in the tower and secure the princess.” The guards salute and hurry after the two.

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“aaAAiieee!” Luigi yells out as Wendy tightens the corset. “I feel like that may be a bit ecessiva.” He huffs as she pulls the strings again, a nervous guard helping hold Luigi in place. “Nonsense. You’ve got a true figure if you’d put the work in.” She puffs out smoke tying off the strings. “Honestly, I’m comfortable with what I've got. I like my weight and figure as it is. Honestly, I'd like to gain a little weight... I don't know..” He thought back to how people would call him a twink. Yeah, he's a little skinny and yeah he preferred to bottom but he wouldn't define himself as a twink. He had too much of a belly and was too short by definition.

“Oi! Greenie!” Wendy was in front of him now, clutching a black fabric. “I-I didn't mean your weight or form. I meant like, accessorizing or just.. anything other than those damned overalls.” She scratched her neck looking to the side. Luigi's eyes widened. “Oh, um... It’s ok.” Wendy coughed holding up two fabrics to Luigi's chest. He wasn't sure if he liked the green or red fabric better. Which was saying something considering green was his color.

Wendy took some measurements and then dismissed Luigi back to his cell tower. On the walk back Luigi was startled out of his thoughts by a yell.

“You call this a fucking poppy roll! What are you! A star-damned idiot! How am I supposed to serve their majesties when I’ve got idiots like you working for me Gyahh!” Suddenly a large purple-gray boo bursts through two large doors knocking down Luigi's guards and flying down the hallway.

Luigi looks through the swinging doors at the kitchen staff. A few staff were cleaning up discarded rolls from the wall and floors while two koopas and a drybones were comforting a crying boo. Luigi looks down at the knocked-over guards and then back at the crying boo. He takes the chance and steps in towards the small group.

Immediately the koopas look over at him and glare. “You!” “You're the human who helped imprison our King!” “Yeah, green Mario!” Luigi gives a nervous chuckle fidgeting with his thumbs. “I-uh well.. yes but… I was just coming to see if they were ok.” He points nervously to the crying boo. They’re sniffling now and looking at Luigi confused. “I-uh.. yeah I guess. She’s just kind of like that I guess? “Why would you care?” They furrow their brows, voice squeaky and shaking from crying.

Luigi rubs his neck. “That Boo was rude. Or at least it seemed. I just wanted to see if you were ok.” the koopa raises their eyebrow. “I thought we were just monsters to you and your hero of a brother.” Luigi shakes his head and hands nervously. “I-a well.. You are just citizens and staff following your king. It’s rude to assume you are all monsters when I know nothing about.. hell anything here!” The boo nods, face clearly not entirely sure. They look around at the mess and shake their head.

The previously knocked-down guards stand grumbling. They huff, picking up their spears and turning towards Luigi. Luigi sighs hearing the guards getting up. He might not feel comfortable with the inhabitants of the Darklands but he really can't stand to see more pink. Looking at the mess smeared through the walls he came up with an idea. “Oh! Um… what if I help clean the mess? I’m under guarded supervision and monitoring. I have a knack for cleaning so it wouldn't matter to me.” The kitchen staff look at each other and then at the guards. The guards whisper amongst each other before deciding it’d be alright. “But no funny business human.” Luigi chuckles, clasping his hands together. “Never been much of a comedian anyways.”

After being given the cleaning supplies Luigi gets right to work. Within the first ten minutes, he has the walls clean of their sticky substance. He cleans the counters and even goes through with doing the dishes. It’s when he’s on his hands and knees scrubbing the floor that he hears stomps before being abruptly picked up by the back of his-... Peaches dress. He’s way further off the ground than a regular troopa could have picked him up. He assumed it to be a hammer bro or something but when he looked up it was none other than Bowser.

He could swear his heart exploded as he looked up into the huge koopas red eyes. He was scared shitless but he couldn’t bring himself to look away. Like watching a lion stalk you; deadly but entrancing. Bowsers yelling at the guards. It takes a second for Luigi to process what he’s saying but when he does it makes him sick to his stomach with guilt.

“Why the fuck! Is the prisoner in the fucking kitchen cleaning!?” “I-well... He wanted to help clean and- ". "So you decided that letting the prisoner-! The guy who helped lock me up! You decided it was a good idea to let him near the food that goes to me and my children!?” Bowser was seething; smoke billowing through his nostrils and sparks passing his teeth as he growled lowly. “Are you idiots for real!?” He stepped closer to the guards. They squeaked frantically trying to defend themselves. “W-we had him under c-complete supervision the entire time Your Highness! No one took their eyes off him. We were very aware of the danger he faced.” “We even had the boos from the security branch monitor his intentions! He didn't once think anything malicious.” Bowser loomed over the guard. “Are you trying to lose your head?” They shook and retracted into their shell. “N-no, sir. I just-” “So you just decided to jeopardize the royal family then, yeah?” Bowser blows a plume of smoke at the troopa causing them to cough. They recoil into their shell with a tremble. “N-no! Of course not! I would never intentionally put you guys in harm's way!”

Luigi grasps at Bowser's wrist trying to get the tyrant's attention. He didn't mean to get the staff in trouble, he’d only been trying to help. His stomach twisted as he watched the poor koopa recoil in their shell. “I-I only wanted to h-help. T-they weren't trying t-to endanger you. I-I honestly don't even know why I’d choose to hurt you... I mean yeah.. You tried to kidnap the princess and did kidnap me but there are easier ways to escape. P-plus you've got bambinis! Why would I want to take you away from them?..” He shut his lips as he looked up at the unamused look on Bowsers' face.

Bowser quirked an eyebrow. “What the hell is a bambi?” Luigi let out a breathy laugh before answering. “Uhh.. a Bambi is a cartoon deer from a kid's movie. But I said Bambini. It means babies, kids. I was talking about your kids. They’re adorable, to be honest. Though I can definitely tell they were raised by you.” Bowser glared, baring his teeth at Luigi. Luigi squeaked squirming in Bowser's grip again. “I-it wasn’t an insult! You’re confident and don't let others get into your head. Those are good things to share with kids as long as it is monitored!” Luigi smiled trying to refrain from making eye contact.

Bowser puffs out more smoke with a long sigh. He addresses the room at large. “Do a screen of anything he touched. The rest of you back to work.” He turns to the guards. “YOU.. are lucky you won't lose your jobs today.” With that he walks down the hall, Luigi still in his grasp. Bowser pushes open the door to Peach's cell tower and tosses Luigi on the bed before slamming the door closed leaving Luigi alone. Bowser sighs rubbing his face. Sometimes his staff are real imbeciles. He didn't trust the Boos nowadays. After he’d been imprisoned he’d heard word of the boos sneaking around the castle in offlimit zones. King Boo was up to something.

He needed to figure out where his alliances with the bastard laid. He wouldn't put it past Boo to strike while he's readjusting. He made his way back to hsi office and began filling out a meeting agreement. Due to boos reputation he’d either need to underhand his council or consult them. Neither were pleasant but doing it the legal way adding more protection. He sighed and began sifting through the paperwork he had missed out on. He was thankful kamek had taken of most of it but still. He sat bored, that was until he found a page on exactly the issue at hand. A feral smirk spread across his face and he let out a laugh and shredded the meeting agreement. This seemed like it just might get rid of the red menace afterall. He just needed time.

Chapter Text

Mario was panicking, he’d been seconds too late as he had watched Luigi run down the hall. He’d been tripped up by the Koopalings and panicking toads. By the time he’d made it to the cell tower, Bowser was flying away with Luigi in tow. He couldn’t breathe. Everything hurt and he felt sick. He stumbled back, unaware of Peach's presence as she tried to calm him. Tears flooded and pooled from his eyes as he gasped and clenched at his chest. He screamed, punching at the already crumbling brick. Peach tried to stop him but he knocked her back and continued punching till his gloves shredded and hands bled.

He breathed and calmed as the dust settled around him. Nothing but numbness and buzzing to be felt. He straightened himself and turned to a stunned Peach. Offering her a hand he pulled her up and walked out of the tower. As he walked down the hall he began to jog, then sprint, then absolutely haul ass down the corridor as he headed for the Locatory room. He busted the doors open and began sifting through the many maps in there. “Kong Kingdom…, Mushroom Kingdom,… Sarasaland! Where the fuck is the Darklands!” Mario yelled, throwing the maps to the floor in a flurry of fury and paper.

Peach, who had followed Mario in his tirade, approached him calmly. “We don’t have maps from there yet. Maps are usually enchanted in a way that they can only be used by allied kingdoms. The only other kingdom to hold a map not held by this enchantment is the Kongs-.” “Then I’m going there.” Mario grabbed the map for the Kong kingdom and quickly left the room, Peach in tow. She tried to grab him again but missed. “Mario just wait and I’ll get a rescue crew put together and we-.” Mario shook his head and gently pushed her back. “I’m sorry, principessa, but this is no kingdom matter. This is famiglia, my Fratello. I’m going to get that map and then save my bro. You’ve got your kingdom to fix up and they can’t have their princess vacant of the throne.” He grabs her shoulders gently. “I’ve got this principessa.”

With that, he ran through the castle and out into the kingdom. He pays a yoshi to aid in his travel and sets on his path to the mushroom kingdom, having memorized part of the trip the map was only partly needed. Along the way, he’d bought a translation book and began to learn the startings of the Yoshi language. It helped to talk to someone even if it was mostly one-sided. He worried he was too heavy for the creature but the yoshi assured him.

Soon enough Mario and Yoshi had found themselves at the kong kingdom once again. They were easily let in, this time without an escort. The yoshi, being familiar with the kingdom, had led him to a cartography store in the center of the kingdom. Mario cursed. He should have realized the store would be closed, it was going on midnight by now. He sighed, rubbing his face and leaning against Yoshi's head. Suddenly there's a familiar laugh from nearby as Yoshi looks around for the source.

When Mario finally lifts his head he’s smacked on the back. He turns to yell but sees a laughing Donkey Kong. For a second he’s flabbergasted and goes to question, but DK speaks first. “Was told you hoped in town and figured I’d see what you're up to. Didn’t expect to find you so,” he looks Mario up and down, “defeated.” Mario huffs but can’t help but agree, he felt like shit so he assumed he also looked it. Mario sighed, rubbing his face. “I came for a map but the damn stores closed.” DK looked back at the store than at Mario with a quirked eyebrow. “You came all this way for a map? That’s kind of idiotic, sounds about right for you though given that you've proven to be quite the idiot.” Mario frowned, laying his head against Yoshis again.

“I was told that the only place to have a map to the Darklands.” Mario with a groan, slides off of yoshi. He grimaced as he stretched and popped his back. DK huffed and ruffled Mario’s hair. “Well, you weren’t gonna find that here anyways. We’ve got some back up at the castle, come I’ll get it for you.” Yoshi tries to kneel for Mario to get on but Mario shakes his head walking after DK slowly. “You’ve carried me this entire way, you need rest.” Mario rubbed his hips as he followed DK. He wanted to rub his knees but it’s hard to do while walking. DK rolled his eyes, turning around to face Mario. Before Mario could even ask why DK picked him up. He squeaked and tried to squirm out of DK’s arms. “Put me down you scimmia enorme e fastidiosamente muscolosa!” DK chuckles saying, “Oh relax lil man, you’ve had a long trip and clearly you’re exhausted. We’re heading to my kart then you’ll be free of my arms. It’s just over here.” Mario was as red as his shirt, one of DKs hands was on his lower back and the other was gripping his thigh. Yoshi followed behind trying hard to stifle his laugh.

Once they reached the car DK set Mario down surprisingly gently. Mario huffed, leaning back in the seat. He hoped DK wasn’t a rough driver, he was sore and didn’t want to be thrown around. Much to his joy the ride was smooth. As they entered DK’s private garage, Mario had found himself drifting off and as he exited the kart he found himself struggling to get his limbs to listen. DK laughed once again seeing Mario struggle, he guessed it wouldn’t hurt to get the map in the morning. He picked up a quietly protesting Mario and carried him into his room. The midnight moon lit the way as DK layed a sleeping Mario out on the bed. DK found himself staring at the sleeping man. He’d not seen him so relaxed before, it was refreshing. He turned around to see Yoshi watching him with a knowing look. DK rolled his eyes. “He’s barely even a friend. We’ve got this kind of rivalry. Yoshi rolled his eyes as he settled beside the bed. “Y’know, for a rival, you sure look at him like he’s a gem.” DK blushed red as he dropped down into a hammock. “It’s-…” DK rubbed his face. He didn’t know what it was.

Cranky Kong was less than pleased at the surprise arrival of the hero Mario, and he made it clear. “What the hell is he doing here?!” DK, barely missing a thwack to the head, spoke quickly, “He’s just looking for the Map to the Darklands. I figured we could lend it to him.” Cranky rolled his eyes. “And what do we get out of this? Nothing it seems.” DK was getting frustrated. Mario and Yoshi stood to the side, unsure of what to say. “Does there need to be a reason? We don’t use it, why can’t we-", "Bowser escaped and took Luigi.” All eyes were now on Mario DK looked stunned but Cranky looked pissed. Cranky seethed, “After all we did, the people we lost. It took only a few months before he escaped!” Cranky slammed his scepter down on the floor causing everyone to flinch. Mario stepped forward with determination in his face. “I don’t know what he plans, be prepared. I’m not asking for your help, all I’m asking for is the map. I’ll be on my way and you can protect your kingdom. I’m just going to get Luigi, and you’ll never have to see the two of us again.”

DK turns to Mario, brows furrowed. “What do you mean by that?” Mario looked at him, voice and face hollow, he still felt kind of numb. “We’ll go back to the Mushroom Kingdom. We won’t bother you.” Before DK could speak Cranky tosses the map at Mario’s face. “There, now get out of my kingdom, kid. Because of you, we’re no longer a neutral party in this war.” With that Cranky stood and set to meet with his counsel. Mario turned heading out of the throne room with Yoshi in tow. Mario and Yoshi barely got to the castle gate before DK pulled up in his cart with that familiar arrogant bravado. “Get in, I'm coming with you.” Mario frowned and went around the cart. DK followed at a crawl. “C'mon, man! It’ll be easier on poor Yoshi's back and save ya both the energy plus we’ll make good time.” Mario dragged his hands down his face before setting DK with a pointed look. “Listen, I appreciate you trying to help but I can’t drag you into this again. So just go help your dad.” DK frowns, “Listen, man, if you really hate my guts so much as to refuse help saving your brother that’s on you but at least let me take you there.” When Mario doesn’t respond DK smirks, snatching Mario up and dropping him beside himself. Yoshi hops in as Mario rights himself and before he can hop out DK speeds through the kingdom. Mario curses as they zip through and out the kingdom gates.

Mario frowns intensely as he sets the maps up. DK laughs alongside Yoshi as they take tight turns at fast speed. Yoshi says something that has DK hitting a corner a little too sharp and has him leaning back to swat at him. “I am not you prick! I’m just having fun!” Yoshi makes a uhuh sound before looking at a very confused Mario. Mario huffs, shaking his head as he reads more into the yoshi language. It was simple but that very fact made it more difficult.

Most of the ride consisted of DK and Yoshi yapping and Mario giving directions. They'd stopped only to take pisses or redirect because DK had talked over Mario. Mario kept catching DK staring at him and he couldn't figure out for the life of him why. The next time they stopped he checked himself in a puddle. Nothing seemed different about him, same clothes, same face. He checked to make sure he didn't smell. Which he did, he figured it couldn't help to wash up. He looked around making sure DK and Yoshi weren't anywhere near then stripped down. He wasn't self-conscious per se but when compared to a body like DK’s he could not compete. He sighed as the water enveloped his hips and up his back till he was only a head peeking out the water. He hummed, hovering in the water.

It would be dark soon so DK set up a fire with Yoshi. After a while, they both grew worried with Mario's absence. It didn't take long for them to find the relaxing human floating in the lake. DK laughs running and jumping into the water quickly followed by Yoshi. Mario covers himself dipping down more. DK was moving right to him. He tried to swim away but DK was surprisingly a fast swimmer. DK grabbed him from behind and lifted him into the air as Mario continued doing his best to cover himself. The next moment he was under the water. When Mario came back up DK was trying to dunk Yoshi who was just barely evading the man. Mario felt a fire light and he pounced pushing DK under. DK came back up with a gasp and a mock expression of betrayal. He then snatched Mario back up and began aggressively tickling him causing Mario to burst into hysterics. Mario's laughter sent unexpected butterflies through DK as he held the man. No matter how he tried he couldn't bring himself to stop smiling down at the red human.

Chapter Text

Luigi awoke quite early. Looking out the window, the only reason he knew it was sunrise was because of the orange glow peaking through the dark clouds. He sighed as the wind drifted across his body. It felt nice, and calming, still on the side of too warm but cooler than in the room.

He sighed, turning back into the room. He was really dreading wearing pink for another day. He pulls out a hideous sequin dress when there's a knock. “Hey, it's Wendy.” He looked down at himself noting he was only in underwear and tossed on a nightgown. “Come in.” Wendy pushed the door open with a big smile on her face. “So, while I was making that dress for you I realized you had no clothes here.”

Luigi looked at the clothes he wore when captured, covered in concrete dust and dirt where they lay at the foot of the bed. “Uhh, yeah. Wasn't really given an option but I made do with what Peach had here y’know?” Wendy nodded before throwing open the wardrobe doors. With a disgusted face, she pulled a few of the dresses out. “I never really liked the pink aesthetic. Always thought there was more to be had.” Without a second thought, she tossed the dresses out the window one by one as a stunned and concerned Luigi stood by.

“There!” She wiped her hands looking to Luigi. “Now you have room for your clothes.” She whistled and a koopa walked in with a cart. There were shirts, pants, socks, dresses and even underwear. He noticed there weren't any boxers but he didn't mind, he guessed. Looking at the shirts he was greatly surprised by the detail put into the fabric considering it had been less than 24 hours. He looked at Wendy with confusion written on his face. “You.. had clothes made for me… Me?” She nodded, inspecting one of the dresses which he had to admit was quite beautiful. “But.. I'm… I'm a prisoner. Why would you make a prisoner clothes? Isn't the point for me to be uncomfortable?”

Wendy turned to him with a smirk. “Oh pleeease. Between Lemmy and I, we've practically made you a glorified pet.” She rolled her eyes. “Speaking of, get out of there.” She kicked the kart and Lemmy came tumbling out and onto the floor. Lemmy grumbled at Wendy as Luigi helped him up. Wendy poked him on the nose. “Dad said you weren't allowed to come see him.” Lemmy frowned, twisting his feet. “Well, I don't care. I wanted to see him.” He looks up at Luigi and makes grabby hands. Luigi's heart practically melted and he couldn't resist giving in.

Wendy rolled her eyes and continued going through his clothes. They relaxed like that for about an hour just talking and having him try on the new clothes. Wendy had him put on a soft mid-thigh length green dress with black leggings and Lemmy forced a green bow in his hair. Lemmy giggled as he adjusted the bow. Luigi looked in the mirror and he had to admit, he looked cute.

There was a knock at the door and the kids were beckoned down for breakfast. Of course, they took Luigi with them. Luigi sat down in his seat, Wendy was telling him about all the gossip that was happening in school. It amazed him how crazy elementary was nowadays. He found himself lost in the kid’s chatter and the delicious food. Morton, who was the only kid Luigi hadn’t heard speak, tapped his father's arm. Bowser, who had been staring at his food with a frown, turned to Morton with a soft smile. Seeing such an expression on the aggressive man made Luigi’s heart flutter. Luigi watched as Morton and Bowser used sign language to talk. He didn’t want to pry so he looked to Iggy who was ranting excitedly about different mechanics in a blimp.

Suddenly Kamek came in in a hurry, Luigi didn’t miss the side eye both he and Bowser were given. Kamek was speaking in a hushed tone as he, again, sideyed Luigi. “Your Highness… Mario has been spotted heading this way. He’s estimated to arrive tomorrow at midday.” Bowser frowned but nodded. “Presumedly to retrieve his brother, no doubt.” Bowser looked down at Luigi with a firm frown. Luigi felt a shiver go up his spine trying his best to focus on his meal. Bowser rolled his eyes and waved his hand at Kamek. “Well, he’s no use to us so he can take him.” Half the kids turned to Bowser whining.

“Daddy No!”
“I wanted to make him more clothes!”
“I wanted to play songs with him!”
“I didn’t get to show him my tricks!”

Wendy, Lemmy, Morton, and Ludwig all began whining and tugging on Bowser as they practically climbed him. He groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. His kids were really trying to sabotage him. “He has to go back.” Lemmy started to cry and Morton and Wendy began to pout (Wendy less so to keep her dignity.). Bowser sighed, picking up Lemmy and cooing to him.

Luigi frowned down at his food. He didn’t expect to not want to leave. He enjoyed hanging with the kids. The only thing he hadn’t liked about the situation was the lack of choice but other than that.. he didn’t feel like a prisoner. But as he pondered his odd situation he looked over to the other three koopalings who seemed to be pulling together a plot. Kamek smacked his cane down on the table and they ran out of the dining hall to continue plotting. Luigi twiddled his thumbs watching the two scenes happen. He felt so out of place, like someone had just dropped him into a divorcing family.

He was dismissed back to his room and led by the guards when there was a commotion in one of the rooms they were passing… again. As the guards rushed in to help Luigi peered in to investigate. He just about screamed as he looked in to see what looked like a giant flytrap trying to eat a brown mushroom dude (he was pretty sure it was a goomba). Luigi, though shaking, rushed forward to try and help. One guard was tugging on the goombas legs while the other was punching the plant. Luigi took a second to assess the situation before trying to pry open the plant's mouth. It only opened a little but not nearly enough. The poor goomba squirmed and screamed as the plant held on. Luigi stepped back to find a better way. The plant was snarling and was making a sound resembling an angry yowl of sorts which gave him an idea. He reached underneath the plant and began scratching its chin like he would if it were a giant cat. The Koopa guards looked at him incredulously but soon the goomba was set free as the plant began purring and nuzzling into Luigi. Luigi laughed as the plant nuzzled and licked him.

Luigi laughed and giggled as the plant nibbled his stomach. The worried guards watched in horror and confusion at the scene. It was so cute, like a giant cat really. A small shy-guy came rushing in with a platter of meat but dropped it upon seeing Luigi cuddling the piranha plant. It had a beautiful red color to it. The gradient almost reminded him of a certain king's eyes. Luigi shook his head at the thought. The plant also had yellow and white pots scattering its head as well as lighter stripes running down its stem. Luigi affectionately petted every spot he could reach, making sure to pay extra attention to its favorite spots.

Bowser, who had also heard the commotion, stood in the doorway dumbfounded by the sight. The plant, which the kids helped name Crocodile, was known for being quite violent. It’d injured quite a few staff and others were not so lucky. Bowser took a quick breath as he watched the strange display. Luigi’s smile seemed to shine in the red glow that the garden provided. The unnatural light bathing the soft human is such a contrast to the harsh garden around him. It was strange, seeing such a weak creature so calmly interacting with one of the best predators in the Koopa kingdoms. It made a curious thought drift through Bowser's head. He’d have to explore that another day. For now…

The plant licked a stripe up Luigi’s neck and face causing an eruption of giggles and “ew’s” from the human. Bowser took a step closer, trying to get a better view of the display. But as he did he stepped on a twig. The plant snapped its head in his direction with a low growl before realizing it was Bowser. It dips its head emitting a chirping sound. Bowser chuckled shaking his head fondly. He walked closer picking up a slab of meat as he did. Croc dips and chirps excitedly as Bowser approaches. He lifts the meat up and Croc eats it fervently as Bowser scratches under its chin. Croc was his favorite, even as it nipped at his cuffs leaving marks every now and then. He lifts its head scratching at the junction of the head and stem making the plant preen.

Luigi smiles watching the interaction between the two. The plant seemed to really like Bowser. Bowser shifts his gaze, eyes landing on Luigi with a quirked eyebrow as if he could feel Luigi's gaze. Luigi drops his eyes to the floor with a puff of his cheeks. Bowser's eyes bore into him as they seemed to rake over his body. That strange feeling fluttered through his chest as Bowser watched him. He was used to being stared at but it never seemed to get any easier. He chanced a look up through his lashes at the King. The Koopa’s lips parted with an intake of breath causing Luigi to tip his head up at the man.

Bowser looked off to the side with a grumble. He didn't understand why he kept staring at the human and, more importantly, why his chest felt weird when he did. He huffed out a puff of smoke before beckoning the human after him. “Come on Greenie.” Letting go of Crocodile he began to walk further into the garden, much to the plants' dismay.

Luigi followed, giving Croc a pet as he passed. Bowser's strides were slowed so thankfully Luigi didn’t have to speedwalk to keep up. Luigi wondered if they were leaving out another exit but the leisurely pace led them to a fountain. It was a beautiful mix of black and white marble with gold trimmings. Luigi looked up in awe at the fountain before realizing that in the center was a rather… odd sculpture of Peach. Peaches likeness was leaning forward with an arch holding a vase with water flowing out of it. The whole sculpture was a pearly white except for the pinkish stone that made up the Roman-reminiscent clothes draped across the body. Luigi felt a pang of jealousy wash through him and he frowned down at his scarred hands. He wished to be adored the way she was, to be lusted after, to have songs written in his name, and sculptures capturing the beauty he knew he did not have. He twisted his wrist in his hand—a faraway familiar itch bubbling to the surface.

Bowser settled on a bench with a tired sigh as Luigi looked up at the fountain. He’d be lying if he said being in the human's presence wasn't easy. After months of being watched by the human, it seemed the tides had turned once again. He groaned running a hand through his hair. He’d hoped to get more sleep today but as it where he was not granted such royalties. He knew soon enough his duties would call for him but he was content to sit in the sun until then. Although, with a huff, he decided the bench wasn't comfy enough.

He stood up before walking to an open patch of deceptively green grass. Peach had requested it and he’d happily obliged. He kind of liked the patch. He should have seen then Peach was unhappy with his homeland. Hers being bright and sweet and his being dark and ashen. Peach never seemed to smile at him, never seemed to want to be in the same room. Bowser sighs as he settles down into the grass on his stomach.

Luigi circled the fountain humming as he now focused on the different foliage. Though most were dark in color it was when the natural red light hit them that they shone brilliantly. Some looked like the oil sheen of a raven's feathers, others danced in hidden colors such as red and purple. Luigi was in awe. He hadn't realized all he’d missed when running through this foreign land months ago. He turned and was surprised to see the Koopa King had gravitated to a patch of grass that looked so out of place. He looked relaxed on the soft grass. Luigi briefly wondered if he realized it was unlike a king to be so unkempt.

Luigi approached hesitantly. He wasn't sure if his presence was welcome, he didn't wanna risk angering the king. He decided to take the risk and sighed as he laid down next to the tyrant. He sighed contently as the grass enveloped him. It was slightly unkempt compared to the grass that seemed to grow in every inch of the Mushroom Kingdom. Just as his eyes drifted closed a truly pitiful whine echoes from beside him. He opens his eyes looking over at the Large koopa who had his arms buried in his arms. He’d never heard such a despondent sound from the man, not even in his time watching over the criminal.

“I don't know what I'm doing,” Bowser said eventually, barely even a whisper. If Luigi hadn't been listening intently he might have missed the way his voice cracked. He knew he had to breach this gently. He didn't know if he’d get back to this spot.

“What do you mean?” Luigi didn't dare move. But still, he watched and listened. It’s what he was good at after all. Bowser seemed to shudder with each intake of breath as if fighting back tears. With the way he had his face buried in his arms, it seemed feasible. Luigi wanted to reach over to comfort the man but didn't wanna bring him out of the moment.

“I tried. And I thought…” He huffed as his tail started to swish behind him, voicing his irritation. “I thought that if I had her... Everything would be alright.” A growl rippled through him but it seemed to fade into what could only be described as a whine. “I thought that if I married her, that it would be better. That they’d be happy. But I fucked that up too.”

“Bowser..,” Luigi did reach out then. He placed his hand on Bowser's bicep gently, just below one of the spiked bands. Bowser let out a warning growl. He went to speak but Luigi spoke first.

“Who’s they?” Luigi asked gently. Bowser seemed to deflate then.

“The kids… They hate me.” He let out a shaky breath. Luigi frowned leaning his head into Bowser’s shoulder as he began to rub small circles with his thumb. “Oh mio caro, that's not true.”

Bowser growled again. “How the fuck would you know? You’ve been here two days.” Luigi sighed but nodded. “That’s true and valid. But I’ve seen how they look up to you. They jump at any chance to be by your side. Their faces when you reunited were that of pure love and fear. They do love you, even if they get mad.”

Bowser grumbled burying his face into his arms further, all fight seeming to leave him. “I can't spend enough time with them because of being king. And usually when I do I'm too exhausted to be patient with them.” A whine leaves him again as he shifts to meet Luigi's eyes. Tears fall as he blinks blearily at the human. “I-I snap and… and the look in their eyes. It's hurt and sadness. I hate doing that to them… but I don't know how to prevent it. Ive tried. Stars I tried. But I keep failing… Just like with her.”

Luigi hummed taking a chance and reaching up to wipe one of Bowser's tears. “Oh, mio caro. Being a parent is hard. It’s fights and fails, but it’s never easy. They’re living and feeling for the first time. They don't know why their dad is upset but they know he is, and they want to help you.” Bowser's eyes tear up more and Luigi leans into him as he continues. “You're not expected to know everything. You're going to mess up. But have faith in each other, and I'm sure, those kids will love you till the end.”

Bowser's face scrunches, “But I can't do it alone.” Luigi sighs rubbing Bowser's cheek. “You are not alone Bowser.” “But I am-” “You are not alone. You have Kamek and your staff.” This causes Bowser to frown more. “Kamek is old, and he’s done enough to raise me and-” “But you still have him. And despite being a harsh ruler, your staff seem to love you. I know if it came down to it they’d help, not just because you're the king… It’s ok to not be ok. It’s ok to need a little help. You don't have to be alone.”

Bowser didn't know what to say. He wanted to argue more, but he didn’t have the energy. Stars, he didn't think he’d be getting any paperwork done today if his thoughts were like this. He groaned sitting up and rubbing at his face not-so-discreetly. Luigi backed away slowly giving the king his space. Bowser sighed mulling over what he could do. Paperwork was out of the question and he wanted a second away from the kids despite his meltdown. He smirked, maybe trying his earlier theory was a way to blow off this whole ordeal.

Bowser led Luigi down the winding halls of the castle. As they traversed Luigi felt more and more like they were going down. He sees a familiar door and dread fills him. It’s the dungeon doors. The world feels like it falls away as he freezes. He breathes, or at least he tries to. Distantly he’s aware of someone talking to him but he can't think or hear or see. Not over the sound of bubbling lava and cries. He clutches his chest as the world sways and tips.

Suddenly Luigi is drenched and cold…-er, still warm but wet and cooler. Luigi gasps as he looks down at his soaked clothes. “what The FUCK!?” A low reverberating sound coming from beside him catches his attention and he snaps his head towards it. The source of the sound happens to be the source of the water that currently drenched him. Bowser, who was trying to stifle his laugh behind his hand, stood holding a bucket. An empty bucket. Luigi glared. He was fuming. The fucking AUDACITY! “THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?” Bowser, to his credit, did stop laughing once realizing how pissed Luigi actually was. “Well… you didn’t seem like you were exactly in the moment. Sooo I helped.” That seemed to make Luigi madder. “So you're telling me! That I take the time to talk and calm you down… and you think that SPLASHING ME with WATER! Is a good way to do so?”

Bowser's face dropped to cold neutrality. He stalked closer grabbing Luigi by the chin with a low growl. “Let’s make this very clear. You are not my kid nor my friend. I do not owe you kindness just because you think you're entitled to it for being kind to someone like me. I don’t owe an ounce of kindness to the man who helped put me in prison. I am a King and I will not tolerate such disrespect let alone to my face. Watch your tone greenie.” Bowser practically snarled out, flames ever so slightly sparking in the back of his throat.

Luigi was shaking, all anger deflating from him. He hadn’t forgotten the fact of their situation, that he was still a prisoner. Far from it. But he hadn’t been thinking of that. Bowser sighed, running a hand through his hair. He grabbed the back of Luigi's neck, not without noticing the flinch Luigi gave in return.

Bowser led Luigi further away from the castle. As they rounded a corner Luigi's mood did yet another 180. Chain chomps were rolling around in a giant gated area. Three of them! At first, when Peach had introduced him to her chain chomp he'd been afraid but he realized soon that they were just odd-looking dogs. Luigi had to fight to suppress a giggle as he watched one tackle the other. He knew how sharp those teeth could be and was amazed to see how controlled they kept their bites compared to Peaches’.

Bowser opened the gate and pushed Luigi inside with a dirty smile. He watched as the three chomps rolled to attention, mouths slack and eyes wide as the eyed Luigi. He had to suppress a chuckle as the scent of fear permeated the air around Luigi, although, there was still the scent of curious interest as well.

Within a second all three chomps charged (as expected). Luigi screeched tumbling back in an attempt to hide himself behind Bowser. Bowser had expected to, in all honesty, have to snatch up Luigi out of their reach. But, before he could, the chomps stopped a few feet before the shaking human. They sniffed tentatively and began circling Luigi with tilted heads. Luigi, who wasn't quite versed in chomp body language, looked up to Bowser for reassurance. But as he looked up at Bowser, he was even less confident in his safety as the koopa king looked utterly perplexed.

Luigi let out an angry huff at the man. This, oddly enough had some sort of effect on the chomps as they stopped their circling and stared up at Luigi the Bowser and then back. Luigi tilted his head and they seemed to mimic him. He huffed out, amused this time, and they responded in kind with their chain-tails swishing behind them. He chuckled and kneeled reaching out a hand. He was positive they could bite his hand right off but he hoped their interest in him was positive.

The chomps seemed to twitch in their spots as they inched towards his hand. One nipped his hand while the other kept its distance. The third forwent the hand altogether and rolled along Luigi's outstretched arm then into his chest. It seemed to push at him as if demanding to be petted. He chuckled and reached with his other hand to pet it. It seemed to preen under his hand as its tail whipped excitedly. Luigi laughed, which seemed to encourage the other two as they pressed forward for pets. They ended up knocking him over considering they were about the size of his torso each. They licked and nibbled and on occasion bit. They let out a low chuffing sound as their tails clinked from wagging.

Bowser was, pleasantly surprised to say the least. His chomps didn't like most people, nipping at staff and even getting fed up with his kids rather quickly. He’d expected at least a little blood. But it seems he was right to think Luigi had a strange knack with the creatures of his land. Bowser hummed. “Why are you so good with animals?”

Luigi blinked up at Bowser. He honestly forgot the tyrant was there. Luigi sighed rubbing circles into a chomp. He hummed thinking. “Well... I guess… One of the professions I wanted to pursue was veterinary. I..” Luigi paused looking down at his hands, that itching feeling resurfacing. “My family didn't support me through it so I wasn’t able to go through school for it. Then Mario started his business... And the rest is history.” Luigi shrugged, matter-of-factly ignoring the itch behind his eyes and the way his voice felt weak.

Bowser frowned. If Luigi had such a talent for animals, why did they not support him? He expressed as much. Luigi sighed again. “They just… My family is very family-focused. We do everything together or not at all. It… It’s part of being an Italian family. It’s normal.” Bowser huffed. “Can't imagine why.” Luigi snapped his head up at Bowser; the look could only be described as ‘this bitch’. Bowser chuckled, picking up one of the chomps. Distractedly, he checks its collar, noting this one was Bam. He spoke then as he scratched the chomp affectionately. “If it came down to my kids, they can be whoever they want. None of them are going to inherit the crown. Ludwig is a fine musician, and Wendy’s looking into fashion and such.” Bowser chuckles fondly. “Lemmy, the little fireball, is fixated on performing acts. I'm excited to see that develop. The others each have their own things. Machinery, kong-karts, the whole mile.”

He turned to Luigi as he set Bam down. Bowser scratched his neck he seemed hesitant. “Why not do that now? I'm sure Peach would assist you, after all, you rescued her.” Luigi frowned. “Actually, I did start up making plans to start a little bakery in Toad Town. But uhh…” He looked up at Bowser and then shrugged his shoulders. Bowser huffed. “You never told me about that.” Luigi shrugged again. “You didn't seem all that interested.” Bowser sighed rubbing his hand over his face. He could understand why Luigi wouldn’t share something like that.

Bowser looked out over the castle yard. He guessed he still had an hour or so before lunch and sadly he knew he needed to get started on some more of the paperwork he’d gathered in his absence. With that, he took Luigi back inside and slumped himself into the office, presumedly till dinner.

Chapter Text

Mario groaned, and he ached. Turns out that going for a swim on an exhausted body would kick your ass. He sighs, faintly aware of how warm and comfy he is. He hums his mind still half asleep as he nuzzles into his pillow. His moving pillow… that has a heartbeat. He blinks awake and slowly tried to lift up to look but found he couldn’t. He uses a little more force and finds himself engulfed in fuzzy arms pulling him back down to a seft chest. He lets out a (definitely very manly) squeak as he places his hands on the torso he’s trapped against.

He huffs out hearing a squeaky laugh from somewhere behind him, knowing that Yoshi no doubt saw the whole thing. He groans trying to push against the chest again but he finds he’s well and fully stuck. He sighs.

“Yosh be a bud and-”
”BLEP”
“ACK!”

Mario squeaks (again, very manly) and rolls away just as an elbow swings up a little too close. DK grumbles and rubs his face while quietly cursing Yoshi. Mario huffs as he stands and shuffles his way towards the forest edge to take a piss. Out of the corner of his eye, he can see DK smacking Yoshi as he grumbles some more. Mario shakes his head. The morning air is crisp and cool, but he still feels on the side of too warm. He huffs, running his hands down his arms, then sides, hoping to rid himself of the clinging heat of… He groans, shaking his head as he walks back to their camp.

DK had gathered up their stuff, which wasn't much, and Yoshi had picked a basket full of berries. Mario quirked an eye at the green dinosaur.

“Are you sure those are edible? Because I don't know about you but the last time I ate random berries in the woods I had the worst shits of my life.”

Yoshi shakes his head laughing lightly as he replies.

“I’m sure, the Kong kingdom uses them in their banquets all the time.” Mario hums as he sees DK nod.

He reaches into the basket, pops a few into his mouth, and sighs. They taste almost like the boysenberries growing near his home in Brooklyn. He remembers climbing the trees and dropping them into tubs to later drown in sugar. He laughs to himself, remembering how Luigi once got stuck in the tree, and their dad had to come get him down. He sniffs, averting his face from Yoshi, feeling tears begin to form in his eyes. He decides he needs another few minutes in the woods to calm down.

DK sighs watching Mario walk back into the woods. Yoshi looked confusedly at the man in red and then at the prince in a silent question. He sighs again shrugging his shoulders as he descends the slope towards the lake. He’d seen some stones he wanted to take with him. Reaching the edge he looked into clear water. There were many colored stones, red and yellow with green speckles, and red-white with blue splotches. There were also solid-ish colored ones. Blue ones with varying hues, reds, yellows, greens, and blacks.

The unique lake danced in the sunlight, and he wondered how it went uncharted on the map. There was no doubt that the moment someone stumbled upon this place, it’d be hot with couples. He wondered if Mario would like to come back here sometime. DK shook his head; the human didn't want anything to do with him. He sighed gathering some red and blue ones. He picked up a large red-white one with blue spots and rubbed his thumb over it. He shook his head again sliding the rock into the bag.

Trudging back up the slope his eyes landed on the now lounging Mario. Mario lay sprawled in the kart, hat fallen onto the back of the seat. His eyes were closed and his face was relaxed, his arms folded behind his head as he breathed in the cool morning air. His hair lay curled around various features of his face, mustache twitching. DK couldn’t help but smile at the man. He had so much anger yet could be so cute. He felt himself let out an amused huff as he stared at the red-clad human.

Yoshi strolled up to him and smiled up at the kong. DK sighed exasperatedly. “What!?” He whisper-yelled. Yoshi snickered.

“Oh, nothing just that you’ve fallen hard,” Yoshi said softly. There was no mocking in his voice. It made it really hard to argue with the dinosaur.

“It’s just- he’s just a-... He likes the princess. I’m not the only one who saw that. And who could blame him?” And with that, he strides over to the kart leaving a frowning Yoshi.

DK sighed as he dropped his stones beside him in the seat. The movement seemed to have caught Mario's attention as he peaked an eye open as DK jammed the key into the ignition. He looked between DK and Yoshi with a raised eyebrow before shrugging and popping his hat over his eyes.

A few minutes later they were inching their way slowly through the jungle-like forest. DK sighed already knowing they were going to get stuck more than once on vines and other annoying things.

The further in they went, the darker it got and Mario found himself actually afraid of the dark. Or, more importantly, what's in the dark. It’s eerily silent, not even a single impression of an animal nearby. Rustling and a loud snap from off towards the passenger side has Mario unashamedly pressing his back into DK’s arm. DK tenses for a second but doesn't seem to mind and keeps his eyes on the road.

Suddenly Yoshi starts rapidly tapping DK on the shoulder telling him to speed up. A loud crashing sound starts barreling towards them accompanied by the loudest growling any of them had heard by far. It could rival that of Bowsers. As DK speeds up, not without much screaming, a giant chain-chomp bursts through the trees. It was almost the size of a house with purple cracks along its body.

The three scream as DK floors it through the forest. It seemed to just get angrier as the trio swerved through the forest. Upon a harsh slam into the ground, Yoshi screamed.

“THAT’S NOT NORMAL! THAT IS SO NOT NORMAL!!” Yoshi bellowed out, clutching his face. Tears began to flow out his eyes as he shook his head looking at the creature. “What the hell did they do to it!?” Whines seemed to flow from the dinosaur's body as he shook. Mario reached out to both comfort the man and pull him further into the kart.

He was only given one word as a split-second warning before his body was slammed into the front console. Pain spikes through his torso as he gasps for air. He doesn't get a chance to process the rippling pain as he becomes all too aware of the sensation of falling. The world swims as his vision is blurred and he’s distantly aware of screams and a hand grabbing him before slipping away. He sees the light from above slowly grow smaller as he falls. With a crash, his body descends into water and he chokes as his consciousness fades. He’s not surprised to find the feeling of simply drifting nothingness to be so calming.

DK coughs and hacks as water pours out of his mouth onto the ground. He collapses to the side with a hiss. Something sharp is stabbing into his side drawing his attention back to the present. He reaches around finding shards of the red-white stone. He sighs, dropping his hand before gasping and clutching his shoulder. There was a large gash and it felt hot.

“Fuck. That’s not good.”

He picks himself up looking around. He frowns. It was dark but dimly lit by glowing green mushrooms. He huffed, clutching his bruised ribs. He had to find Mario and Yoshi. They could be in worse shape than him. But, wandering around in the dark with no sense of direction or if he was moving away from them was far from a good idea. Getting a sense of where they were was best.

“MARIO!... YOSHI!!... shit.” He clutched his hair cursing. He sighs wondering which tunnel to follow. Looking around he realized he was standing on a dark sandy bank next to what was essentially an underground river.

The river bed and bank were littered with the same stones they found in the lake. The whole area was lit with green and red crystals that bounced and reflected onto the water. Little black fish with yellow stripes and red eyes scurried with the current with little plops.

DK sighed, rubbing his face. It’d probably be best for him to walk upstream till he found where they fell through then backtrack and go along the river down the stream. He nodded only taking a few steps before a yell broke through the tunnel air.

“DONKEY KONG!! MARIO!?” It was Yoshi's voice echoing from downstream.

DK turned around swiftly and sprinted towards the source of Yoshi's voice.

It didn't take long to get to Yoshi. DK sighed seeing Yoshi, he looked mostly injured save for a few cute here and there.

“Are you alright?” DK grabbed Yoshi's shoulders looking over the dino.

“I'm alright just a few scratches. But what about you? Look at your shoulder!” Yoshi reached forward gently touching the blood-wet fur making DK hiss with pain.

“Looks pretty nasty,” Yoshi hummed as he inspected the wound.

DK shook his head. “There's nothing we can do about it right now. Plus..” he looked further down the stream. “We still need to find Mario. He could be worse off.”

Yoshi nodded. “He's smaller than us. Easier for the current to carry him. He's probably further downstream.” DK nodded. “Yeah… hopefully.”

The longer DK and Yoshi walked, the more lively the area got. Fish seemed to dance through the current, and algae seemed to pulse to an unheard sort of music. Yoshi seemed enamored by the new fauna, but DKs sights were drawn elsewhere.

A red hat lay against the bank, the warm water lapping gently against it. DK took a stuttering breath as he bent to pick the hat up. It had a few rips but seemed ok enough. He sighed, looking further down the tunnel. He hoped Mario had stayed in one place. He hoped he was even ok.

Yoshi rested a hand on DK’s shoulder reassuringly. DK took a deep breath before continuing down the bank, if they found Mario’s hat, he had to be close. Slowly, the bank started receding, as it reached out towards the wall, they had no choice but to wade their way through the quickly warming water. The sound of trickling water turned slowly into that of rushing. Fear began to etch its way into DK’s heart, fearing what the sound meant for the red-clad man. The sound could mean only one thing: a waterfall.

Rounding a corner, the tunnel opened up into a vast underground cavern, luminescent bugs lit up and burst out into the cavern in a flurry of light. Yoshi gasped as he tentatively took a step forward. DK went to do the same, but his attention was drawn to the flickering of one of the bugs off towards his right. It seemed to dance along the curve of something in the dark. He stepped toward it, squinting to try and get a better view. A few more bugs lifted off the shape and lit up at his presence, further illuminating the shape. Hair swayed with the soft current of air, and DK felt his heart leap.

It was Mario!

DK sprinted over, sliding on his knees, paying no mind to the burn that resulted from it. Gently, despite his desperation, he tipped Mario onto his back. A few scratches dawned Mario's lax face, but he was breathing. DK sighed, cupping Mario’s face and rubbing his thumb over his cheek.

Mario’s eyes fluttered open in a haze. He was cold, and his body ached. With a hiss, he sat up, with the assistance of DK, he realized. Pain shot through his body and spots appeared in his vision. He doubled over into DK’s chest, clutching the Kong's arms desperately as pain wracked through him.

“Shhh, it’s ok. I've got you little red.”

DK was rubbing his hands down the plumber's back while whispering hushed words. DK let his eyes roam over the small human noting a few scratches here and there. But what caught his eye was a large bleeding gash going down the length of his leg. What's more, the water kept washing away the blood to reveal just how deep the wound actually was. DK grimaced pulling Mario out of the water and more into his lap.

Once the worst of the pains faded, Mario took in much-needed breaths. Slowly, he pulled himself up to sit more, grimacing at the pain in his leg. DK still hadn't let him go, much to Mario’s embarrassment. A weak blush dawned on his face as he looked up at the man cradling him. Mario let his eyes search over the man before falling onto his shoulder.

“DK your arm! What happened!?” Mario reached up, dusting his fingers along the outside of the wound, not seeming to notice it put him more into the Kong's lap. DK hissed, gently grabbing Mario's wrist and pushing it away.

“I must have gotten injured in our fall, but I’m ok. But what about you? Your leg is…” DK frowned as he lost his words. Mario’s thigh was soaked in blood.

“Oh, I..” Mario looked down at his leg, somehow, it felt cold and hot at the same time. “When the current was carrying me, I got knocked into a deeper pool, and the rocks on the bottom were sharp. Needless to say, I got cut when I was dragged through there.”

Mario hummed, looking around the area with a confused frown on his face.

“I could have sworn that…” Mario spoke to himself as he pulled himself out of DK’s lap. He crawled over to the ledge overlooking the cavern with a triumphant smile.

“LOOK!” He pointed out into the cavern, looking back towards the pair. “The cart went down here! We could try to go down and see if our items are ok. We could use some healing right about now.”

Chapter Text

The trio descended down the side of the waterfall face. It was steep and slippery, and Mario kept losing his grip. He felt dizzy and nauseous and quite pissed that DK kept having to grab him to prevent him from falling. But even as he cursed the Kong in Italian, he couldn't shake the blush from his cheeks. Every time those large hands would wrap around his waist or chest to catch him, he’d feel as if someone unleashed a jar of butterflies in his stomach, which was making it even more difficult to keep balance.

“I’m a grown man. I can get down myself you know?” Mario huffed as he looked down at DK from where he was perched. The stupid oaf had his arms stretched out like he was beckoning a child to jump.

“I'm aware but I’d rather not risk you collapsing because you put too much strain on your leg,” DK said, rolling his eyes at the red-clad human. He really was being dramatic.

“Ok then, in that sense, what about your shoulder? You shouldn’t be straining it to catch me.” Mario huffed frowning down at the man but all he got back in response was a deadpan look.

He groaned as he eased himself down the rock he was perched on. With a gasp, he slid off towards the awaiting arms below. Somehow, falling and trusting someone to catch you is a lot scarier than just falling and landing for yourself. With a displeased “oomph,” he found himself once again cradled in the arms of Donkey Kong.

Mario took a second to right himself, definitely not to control his blush, before he pulled back to look up at the man still holding him. DK was lit by the bugs dancing around the pair, his eyes flickered under the light as they seemed to burrow into his soul with an unreadable expression. He was damp and had a few cuts littering his face but he still managed to look sort of h-. Mario’s eyes were drawn to one of the bugs landing on DK’s tie. Huh, red looked good on him.

Shaking away the thought Mario blushed, taking a step back, feigning a cough on shaky legs. DK kept his hands airing around Mario, still afraid he’d fall. Mario huffs, smacking the man's hands away as he limps over toward Yoshi, who was totally checking out the cart and definitely not watching the two men with a knowing smirk. Yoshi tugged a bag out from under the flipped cart and peered inside. He smiled, pulling out two mushrooms and showing them to the two men.

“These will heal you some depending on the wound.”

Yoshi handed one to each of them and they gulped them down. Slowly, but not painfully, DK’s shoulder knit back together. He rolled it with a sigh as he rubbed out some of the lingering tension. Mario's leg however tingled as the wound closed mostly. His leg hadn't healed all the way but now it looked more like a scratch than a gash. He sighed as he put his weight on it.

Now they’d be able to make the trip in good condition. However now that left another issue as Mario looked around the cavern. How the hell do they get out?

*<3*

Bowser huffed as he drug a hand down his face resting it on his snout. His scouts had lost all trace of Mario and his trio. Now he had no idea how much time he had to convince his kids to let the green human leave. He didn't have time for this. There were more important matters at hand.

With a growl, Bowser stormed out of his office and down the halls. It’s been a while since the last time. Since his fight with the damned twins at least. This time would be worse, he could feel it. That feeling, the same as all those fateful years ago. The one he had no idea of the outcome. How could he have? How could he have known this to be the outcome? Nonetheless, that’s how it is now. So even now as he pushes past guards and staff it feels like a burning memory. Even now as he bursts through his bedroom doors and behind his bookcase, does he taste the very flavor that's flooded him and his kingdom since that day.

~” Stars it burns.”~

Luigi sighed. The kids hadn’t bothered him today due to school and it gave him the chance to get another bath. He’d already cleaned himself with a shower, the soot could be a bit rough on his skin but it seemed the soaps placed for peach combatted that. This time he wanted to take his time and enjoy himself.

He hummed along to a song his mother used to sing while swaying his hips as he filled the tub. He hadn't really thought into the lyrics when he was younger, but once he did understand he began to love the song more. “Moi Je m'appelle Mademoiselle Noir, et comme vous pouvez le voir: Je ne souris, ni ris, ni vis, Et c'est tout ce qu'elle a dit-dit-dit-dit.” He poured a pink liquid into the water and the bubbles seemed to form and dance across the water in fluttering pastels before settling on a soft green with a minty scent.

“Oh! I just thought it was Peach-scented or whatever. But that was cool!” He laughed softly stepping down into the tub's depths, sinking into the bubbly water. He sighed as the water cradled him, kissing at his flesh and lulling him into a sense of comfort. The soapy water made his flesh feel so soft just from laying in it that he couldn't resist running his hand over himself.

For a moment, he could imagine his calloused hands belonged to another. Drifting from his neck down, not passing the chance to cup his chest giving attention to his sensitive nipples. Biting back a moan he moves on, hands sliding down his stomach sending butterflies up into his chest with a quiet gasp. Drifting down once again he wraps his hand loosely around the base of his cock sliding patiently up. Taking the time to thumb at the tip he lets out a shuddering breath that dances across the water's surface.

Slowly he strokes himself, imagining a faceless hand is the one touching him as he slides his other down further between his legs and slips his finger just below his balls. Another gasp escaped his lips as he slid a finger slowly over his partially slicken entrance. As he slides a finger in and then another he moans quietly but unabashedly. His imagined scenario envelopes him as he closes his eyes, it was way more likely in this world after all. Recurring fantasies sifted through their mind before settling on a dragon overtaking him in a hot spring, exploring his body, tongue delving deep with teeth just barely pressing into their flesh. Clawed hand wrapping around and stroking him with surprising gentleness. As he fell further into his pleasure and felt himself nearing the edge a face began to form between his legs with startling clearness. Bowser's face formed right between his legs just as he pressed into his G-spot firmly. With a surprised squeak and an even more surprising release, he sinks into the water.

There was no way he just did that. He did not! Just masturbate to Bowser! No way! With an ashamed self-pitying moan, Luigi rubbed at his face looking at his reflection in the water. “You truly are a nutcase huh Luigi? You sure know how to pick em... Haha… mama mia~”

Getting out of the tub he sighs drying off with one of the softest towels he had ever felt. He steps out into the bedroom making his way to the closet. He didn't feel like wearing a dress today if he was honest. But then again he wasn't sure if Wendy made him anything other than dresses.

Opening the closet he drags the dresses by on their hangers before checking the drawers. Blushing profusely he closes them, dragging his hands across his face and looking at the closed drawers debatably. He wouldn't would he? No. There's no situation where he’d need to wear that here. But it’s not like anyone would see it… so it wouldn't hurt.

“Fuck it!”

After waking his guard for the evening they headed down to the dining hall. Upon opening the door it's pure chaos. The kids were causing a ruckus with Iggy pouncing over the table tackling Roy. Wendy screams, shaking Lemmy, Izzy sitting on the table stuffing his face with every sweet he comes in contact with. Ludwig walks past like it’s a typical Tuesday, (it probably was,) looking up at Luigi as his accompanying guards run into the chaotic dining hall.

“Every time dad’s gone like this these idiots go haywire. Good luck Greeny.” Ludwig shakes his head pushing past a rushing guard and down the hallway.

Luigi frowns looking at the messy room and children. ‘What did he mean by Bowser leaving? Where’d he go?’ Luigi walks into the room, dodging a flying bread roll and making his way to the table. Morton sat amidst the chaos, tears streaming down his cheeks quietly as his siblings screamed around him. Luigi felt a little bit of his heartbreak seeing the quiet koopaling sitting there crying. Pulling a chair up he picked up Morton's chin. Gently making him look at him wiping a tear off his cheek.

“Hey. Are you alright little Piccolo? What’s wrong miele?” Luigi scooched closer cupping both of Morton's cheeks.

Morton sniffles looking up at Luigi with watery eyes. His lips part to speak but he shuts them pulling his fists up to palm at his eyes in frustration with a hiss. Luigi smiles gently, grabbing his hands. “How about you show me where your room’s at and we can do something you like, yeah?

Morton smiles weakly, nodding as he grabs Luigi's hands dragging him out of his chair. Luigi laughs following the not-so-little koopaling down the castle halls. Turning around a corner they walk into a hall decorated with paintings upon paintings. As they passed doors labeled for each of the kids the painting focused on said kid, Bowser in quite a few of them. Luigi found himself smiling particularly hard at the paintings with Bowser cuddling his kids. Somewhere towards the end, Morton stopped to push open a pair of doors.

Morton's room wasn't too colorful with dimmed lights and muted colours. He had several light purple bean bag chairs, a greyish couch, and a nest-like bed tucked into the floor in a corner. Luigi hummed as he looked around, it wasn't messy to his surprise. Then again he didn't see many toys other than board games and gaming consoles. Morton looked up at Luigi with expectant eyes, as if waiting for him to say something about his room. Luigi smiled down at Morton, rubbing his cheek again.

“I love how dim the lights are! I can get overwhelmed in Peach's overly bright room, which can make me sick sometimes, so this is a great change. Looks so comfy here as well!”

Morton’s face split into the widest grin Luigi had ever seen on the kid before causing him to laugh and in return, Morton jumped happily. Morton drags Luigi over towards a television set pushing him down into a beanbag. He skitters over grabbing two controllers and plopping one into Luigi’s lap with a big toothy smile.

Luigi smiles. It seemed Morton was a fan of games and such. Gaming was always more of Mario’s hobby but always made him play along so he was decent enough. Luigi wiggled getting comfy in the chair as he picked a character he thought was decent enough.

Morton frowned saying, “No!” while pointing at the screen. He huffed, kicking his legs a little and reaching for Luigi's controller.

Luigi tilted his head in confusion trying to figure out what was wrong. He was having a sense of Deja Vu with this scenario. Mario would get mad whenever he would select the character he always used. That may be what Morton is upset about. Deciding to test this he unselects the character. Morton smiles widely, his little feet kicking happily. Luigi laughs selecting another character and they start the game. It seemed it was going to be alright between the two of them.

*<3*

Bowser showed back up a few hours into the afternoon looking exhausted. That didn't stop him, however, from gathering his kids up only to realize he was missing one. After asking the kids to head to his room, answered with a chorus of, “Ok Dad!” ‘s.

Bowser sighed, checking the kitchen and frowning when he didn't find Morton there. It was odd. Usually, the koopaling would eat his anxiety away on days like this. And yet he wasn't there. Scratching his neck he makes his way to the kids’ playroom hoping to find him playing with the puzzles they had there. (Every time the koopaling finished one the others would scramble them.)

Upon finding no Morton in the playroom his frown deepened. ‘Where could he have gone?’ taking a breath to stop himself from panicking he lets out a shuddery breath. With his instincts already amped up high this was not helping. Nonetheless, he more or less walked down the halls calmly. He decided it wouldn't hurt to check Morton's room. After all, most of his more important games were kept in his room.

Sliding one of the double doors open he slides inside quietly. There was a chance the koopaling had cried themselves to sleep. He hoped that wasn't the case. Looking around the dark room his eyes settle on the glow of a Tv and a soft melodic humming.

{Come Little Children if you’d like to put it on from here.}

There cast in a cool blue light sat a humming Luigi with his eyes closed and a sleeping Morton curled in his lap. Bowser watched quietly as the small human cradled the sleeping koopaling, rubbing soothing circles into the child's shell. His instincts purred at the sight. It’d been a while since he’d seen the koopaling so calm with someone else. Bowser hummed, approaching the two.

Luigi startled a little halting in his humming, clearly not noticing him there. Luigi blinks up at him with a smile. His smile blooms as he looks up at Bowser still holding the koopa close as he whispers a soft, “Hi!”

Bowser can't help but let himself smile ever so slightly, imperceptible in the dark room. “Hi… I'm going to take him off your hands. I think I can trust you to make it back to your room ok, yeah?”

Luigi’s smile falters but he nods, handing over the child. Except, he doesn't. Bowser huffs a small laugh as he attempts to gently pry the sleeping koopaling off the human. Said human was also trying to get the child off to no avail. Bowser frowns harder now. He really didn't have the patience for this. With a small growl Bowser tips his head back. His kids could really cause a migraine or two.

Bowser looked at the kid. Morton was clearly comfortable with Luigi. Wendy likes him enough, and Lemmy is definitely fond of the human… Bowser sighed as he leaned down right into Luigi’s space. Not so gently, he grabbed Luigi's hair forcing him to tip his head back eliciting a confused squeak from the human. Bowser inhaled deeply, his instincts didn’t protest to the scent, much to his surprise. With a huff Bowser scooped up the two and walked out the room. This seemed to be the right choice considering Morton began purring in their arms. Bowser smiled, unable to keep his tail from swishing behind him.

Luigi blinked as he was set down in the bed. He was surrounded by curious eyes. Each of the koopalings was here staring at him. Lemmy, with only slight hesitation, curled up into his side next to Morton. Luigi smiled, petting the small child's head as he relaxed. Wendy huffed curling up onto the opposite side of him effectively trapping him from moving lest he disturb the children. The others, particularly Larry, sat and watched quietly. Ludwig huffed curling up somewhere off to Luigi's side. Larry seemed to finish staring and decided Luigi's legs would make a good enough pillow. Luigi smiled. He was glad the kids were comfortable around him.

All the while a pair of more concerning eyes focused on him. A puff of warm air danced across the back of Luigi's neck making him shiver and look towards the source. He wasn't exactly surprised to see the red eyes of Bowser above him but he was surprised to see them focused on him. Luigi blinked, unsure of what he should say but instead Bowser just moved, settling down behind Luigi, his large body curling around all the koopaling and Luigi.

Luigi found himself covered in koopalings while his pillow was a dragon who had kidnapped him. And yet. It didn't feel as though he was a prisoner. He felt… comfortable. And that stayed true even as he drifted into sleep. He wasnt sure what he’d done to get here but he was getting quite used to it.

Chapter Text

Mario sighed as the trio marched through the gravely and wet area. They had looked around for a while before coming to a conclusion that they could only go further in hopes that there was an exit. Mario’s mood was souring by the hour. He was soaked, sore, hungry, and worse of all he wasn't sure what was happening to his poor twin.

He could feel his anger itch at the back of his eyes. He was always weird like that. Well… they were at least. Him and Luigi. They just… came out wrong, he guessed. Having gone from quadruplets to twins later in the pregnancy. Luigi absorbed their would-be sister ending with them being intersex, but that didn't spare them from the heavily medicated life to escape from anxiety their mother passed on.

Mario was lucky-ish. When he absorbed their brother it left him with an extra finger (removed) and a constant ringing that plagued his days. The loud family often caused migraines to accompany the ringing, and such his reputation for having anger issues spread. Luigi was always there however, always by his side. Always listening. Never called him crazy for getting upset, though he didn't always understand, he stayed.

Mario frowned, clutching his arms and digging his nails into his skin. He'd been keeping a fast pace, getting more and more frustrated with each dead end. He felt faded and like his skin was crawling. He could hear DK and Yoshi whispering behind him as he walked, he tried to ignore it but it was grinding in his head and echoing off the walls. He shouldn't be getting mad, they probably weren't even talking about him. But still. He gritted his teeth clenching his fist as he felt one of them approach, the warmth that wafted over him told him it was DK. He tensed as a hand gently grasped his shoulder slowing him down.

“Hey, how are you doing?" DK’s voice was soft, and maybe under different circumstances it'd be calming, but it just felt like pity right now.

Mario shrugged the hand away, the soft touch feeling like scalding iron. “I'm fine. Just sick of this."

DK frowns as he stops walking. He wasn’t sure what was wrong. And it was clear from Yoshi's expression that neither was he. Sighing as Yoshi caught up to him DK spoke. “I understand he's worried about his brother but this seems different. He wasn't like this last time, and we got eaten by a fish!” He sighed looking back at Mario.

Yoshi hummed, his tail flicking as he looked Mario over. “We could use a break, even if he denies it, it’ll be better to rest so we can search better.”

DK nodded, they had come to another dead end so it’d be a good time to rest. He just had to convince Mario of that. He sighed, walking up to Mario who gave a nasty side eye.

“Hey… It might be good to get some sleep, we need to find a way out. And have a long journey to the Dark Lands after so we need to be rested.”

Mario frowned as he stopped. “Yeah…” He sighed, wiping sweat off his face. “At least we won't need a fire, it's fucking sweltering in these tunnels now.” He laughed as he fanned himself with his hat. “I don't know how you two do it.”

The trio laughed as they settled into their spots, it was tense but less so now. But as Yoshi settled into his spot, DK couldn't bring himself to lie down yet. Mario's mood was still nagging at him.

Taking a breath he found his feet bringing him in front of Mario's prone body. He lowered himself onto his knees a decent distance away but close enough to be heard when whispering.

“Hey, I know you've been stressed about getting to Luigi. I get it, I do. I know I wasn't the nicest about it last time… but... I'm not good at the whole, consoling thing but, I'm not going to let you feel like it's just you.” Mario's body seemed to tense but DK continued. “I should have done more for you… but I didn't. I'm going to now. Just… I don't know what I'm trying to say anymore.”

DK sighed and frowned, settling into the gravel beside Mario. He wished he could get the words out of how he was feeling instead of babbling nonsense. He sighed as he felt his body relax, he was as comfortable as he was going to get. But as he began drifting off a weight tucked itself under his arm and settled against his side. The warmth told him it was Mario seeing as Yoshi ran cold.

He smiled down at Mario. He was surprisingly cute with his face buried into DKs side. DK shook his head. He couldn't think like that. Not now. Not about Mario. Not about another man. DK sighed as he forced his eyes to close. He'd gotten too comfortable around the red hero.