Fankid time baybeeeeeeeeeeee...! And this time... it's Matty's turn!
He's the youngest of Mario and Peach's twins, but the middle kid all the same, and their parents love 'em dearly. And so, without further ado... here's Matty:
Picrew for the second one
(Also, I use a mix of "he" and "they" pronouns in this one. Just a heads up 👍)
Starting off, Matteo is 17, the same age as his older brother, Luca (obvi). He goes by he/they and his and Luca's birthday is on January 13.
They are the youngest of the twins, but they're still older than Fia, and they are often the lesser-seen sibling of the three (mainly because, unlike them, they mind their personal space). However, their parents ensure they feel as loved as their sibs. If anything, them being the quietest one is a breath of fresh air to them. 😅
On that note, Matteo is relatively quiet and keeps to himself, but not necessarily because he's shy (okay... maybe a little). Usually, it's because he's MAJORLY focused on whatever he's working on at the moment, so he often forgets to talk to others (unless it's his brother). However, that's not to say he's unfriendly. If anything, he's a total sweetheart who's willing to lend you anything from a book to a car ride.
Unlike their siblings, Matteo is VERY invested in their schoolwork and learning in general. They think it's cool to read about things they love (space and the sea being two). Their favorite classes are English and Biology, both of which they do the best in. They're often called a weirdo by their classmates, but the joke's on them by the time exam day rolls around...
Speaking of space, Matteo is still VERY fascinated about space. Since he's gotten older, he's studied it extensively and has a whole catalog of knowledge to share. Planets, stars, moons, you name it, he probably knows it. His favorite story of Mario's to this day is the time he traveled to the galaxies to save his mother. And he'd be lying if he said he didn't have a slight crush on Rosalina from it. He also circles most of his artwork around the stars and all that fancy stuff. In fact, the entirety of his and Luca's room has a starry ceiling (which HE painted) and little foam planets hanging from it... and it's been like that since they were 13. Because of this, he dreams of just going to space and being an astronaut!
Now as for their sea love, it's not as big as their space obsession, but it's up there. They mostly concern themself with the deep sea... y'know, the one with all those creepy fish down there? On top of the starry artworks they have, Matty also has an entire sketchbook of things ranging from anglerfish, goblin sharks, and viperfish. To anyone else watching, they're usually creeped out, but they think they're cool.
You might already catch on... but Matty's actually quite the artist! He loves sketching and drawing mostly, and he has an entire bookshelf dedicated to nothing but his sketches over the years. He's also been in many art shows over the years, and he usually wins either 1st or 2nd place. When asked if he'd want to be an artist, his answer is basically, "If I did that, I would hate it."
Matty is also quite the bookwork. Along with their many sketchbooks, they also have TONS of books... mostly fairytales and astronomy books. They usually take to the fairytales whenever they're at home, sometimes with Fia (mainly because other peeps at school tend to be jerks about it). They actually have quite a collection of them too, ranging from Viking, Irish, British, and just any fairytale you could think of.
Matteo actually has quite a few nicknames:
Matty is genderfluid. He came out to his family at 15 with UNANIMOUS support on all ends. He mostly leans towards masc and androgynous though, so he goes by "he/they" to keep things simple. "She/her" is VERY rare for him. He's thought about changing his name, but he's not sure what. Thus, he has quite a few nicknames: Matt, Matty, Maddie, Tia, Teo, Tay... and sometimes Taylor (Fia really likes Taylor Swift).
Moreover, Matty's unlabeled in terms of liking people. They have a girlfriend who they've been with since they were both 14, and she's the only person they've ever dated. They've had many a few crushes over the years with both girls and boys, but they're not quite sure what to call themselves. Plus, they're not too concerned about that right now, lol.
In terms of other relationships, he and Fia have a really sweet relationship. She's his appointed "annoying little sister" and he is super protective over her. Whenever he finds something cool in one of his books, or he just has a drawing to share, she's usually the first person he shows it off to, and she lets him see the outfit choices she has... much to his eyesore. Their favorite activity, though, is reading those fairytale books together... sometimes until the sun rises!
Now... with him and Luca, Peach likes to joke that the Mario and Luigi gene runs in the family. Seriously, these two are JUST as close as Mario and Luigi, if not MORE. Luca loves his little brother (literally) and is always willing to stick up for him (helps when you're 6' 3" and play basketball). He doesn't quite get Matty's hobbies or anything like that, but he thinks their goblin sharks are cool. He was also the one to introduce them to horror movies, which they have a fascination for... AND he was the one who helped get them with their girlfriend! ❤️
With his mama, he is a TOTAL mama's boy. He loves hearing about her stories from when she was taught under the Star Spirits, and he's expressed his wish to meet them someday... much to her delight 🤭. She was also the one to encourage his interest in fairytales... and she also tries to draw alongside him, even if her drawings aren't the best ❤️
And finally... MARIO. If I'm being honest... Mario is their designated storyteller, and the two of them love it dearly. Mario may be a sports fanatic and can't sit straight for the life of him... but at the end of the day, he loves nothing more than recounting his tales of adventure to his kid and telling them how to be a hero. Matty may not be a good fighter yet, but Mario's still proud of them for being the strongest of the team (in his mind). He also draws alongside them and has made several of their drawing materials by hand (each with their own monogram ❤️).
The kiddo on the right is Temora, Bleck and Tippi’s kid, the star kid in the middle is Twink, and the little guy on the left is Nebula, the universe’s newest darkstar. They r buddies :]
This one took so long to do, but I did the best I could.
For context, Fia, Matteo, and Luca are all my fankids of Mario and Peach. Just thought I'd clear that up!
Also, huge thank you to @keakruiser and @kelbreyworshipper for the idea!
⚠️WARNING: Depictions of graphic violence, trauma, scars, and implied child abuse⚠️
As always, here's the link on AO3:
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
The road wasn't as treacherous as yesterday's. That day, they seemed to be ambushed repeatedly by anything under the sun, from goombas to hammer bros. It got so bad Luigi had to rush the kids away so Mario could fight them off. In between, it seemed like he was a goner, but he prevailed. A little scraped up, but Mario was fine. He had to be.
Today, however, it was much calmer. The sun was out today, and birds twittered, flying around them in circles. Luigi carried the 5-year-old twins, Luca in one arm and Matteo on his back. The three of them chatted together, laughing at whatever silliness they told and sometimes stopping to enjoy the scenery (briefly). Mario, meanwhile, hoisted 3-year-old Fia atop his shoulders as his little watchdog. Each time anything inhuman passed, a bird, leaf, insect, she bounced happily and called out its name. And each time, Mario nodded and said, "Good eye, tesora!"
As much as it was nice to have his babies by his side through all this, Mario secretly wished they weren't there.
Days ago, while enjoying their happy life at the castle, Bowser broke in and kidnapped his wife, Peach. Mario and Peach had found ways to stop the brute, but sometimes he broke through the cracks they sometimes failed to notice. Nonetheless, Mario was prepared to set off on the path for his special one with Luigi, his brother, by his side. With time running out to track down Bowser's trail, he scrambled to find a babysitter for his kids in such a short time. Mario usually would've asked Toadsworth, but the poor bloke came down with a terrible bout of Shroom Fever. Thus, he was... out of commission. Unfortunately, each other avenue turned into a dead end. Luigi wasn't an option; Mario needed him as his partner, and not only because they were brothers. Mario knew he was strong on his own, but having someone equally strong by his side ensured his and the kingdom's safety. And, more importantly now, his kids. After all, they had a year of peace when they first came to the Mushroom Kingdom after defeating the brute. So, when Luigi offered to stay behind, Mario adamantly refused. He needed him. So, reluctantly, Mario took his kids along for the road. Thankfully, it wasn't as arduous as he feared. In fact, they were much more formidable than Mario gave them credit for! He knew they were amazing (call it biased), but watching his twins simultaneously down baddies like him and Luigi made him all misty. And his little daughter had her fair share of battle when they learned she apparently inherited his super jump! There was no way he'd do something like this again... but he was immensely proud of them for their help.
"Big scawy castwe!" Fia called out, pointing ahead.
Sure enough, the bros saw hell itself: Bowser's castle.
The sky refused to shine blue above the hellscape, instead a fiery red swirling with smoky black clouds. The hideous puce of the monster himself stood out from the hills, like a sun from the Underwhere. The ground was scorched before them, cutting off the lush grasses and sunshine they stood in.
It was time.
Quickly, Mario stopped his brother and said in a serious tone, "Luigi, find a safe place for them. Don't let anything see them."
Luca looked up at his dad as he brandished the cardboard sword he carried everywhere, "Safe place for who, Daddy?"
"F-F-For-a you 'n your little s-sibs," Luigi responded, snuggling Luca closer to his chest. "I-It's-a way too d-d-dangerous for-a you guys in the-there."
Big mistake.
Immediately, the twins started complaining, Luca being the more boisterous and short-tempered as usual with his small punches and whining; Matteo also griped though politely tried to ask for a reason with the repeated 'why.' Fia, meanwhile, started scrabbling her tiny hands around Mario's hat, digging into the fabric. Panicking, the bros shot each other a worried look and booked it away from the area, thanking Star Haven's name no flying pests had spotted them (hopefully).
"Noooo! Daddy!" Luca screeched, waving his sword around and hitting Luigi. "we wanna fight too!"
"No, you don't," Mario replied. "Come on, inta the bushes, let's-a go."
Despite the twins' objections and Fia's confused whimpering, Mario and Luigi rushed the kids into nearby bushes, praying they hadn't been seen. Quickly, Mario set Fia down and unloaded Luigi's charge, allowing his brother to make a makeshift hideout while he attempted to calm them all down.
"But Dada! It's not faiw!" Fia screeched and kicked as he set her on the grass, tears now streaming down her face. "I wanna fight, too! Just wike woo!"
"Daddy! We wanna go too!" Luca pouted, swinging his sword furiously. "I wanna kick that big stupid Bowser's ass!"
Mario frowned at his son, "First of all, never say those words, you hear me? Be lucky mommy didna hear that. Second, I don't want any of-a you to get hurt, so my answer issa no."
"Daddy...?" Matteo finally spoke, peering up at Mario with his puppy dog eyes.
"Gah... what is it, son?"
"Why can't we fight like you and Uncle Weegie? Were we bad...?"
Mario stared at the little boy, stunned. No, it wasn't that... it never was. But how could he explain it to them... especially when they were so young? Mario loved each of them dearly; they were his pride and joy. He worked so hard to keep up the facade that nothing could hurt them with Daddy in charge. How? How could he do this to them?
He turned to Luigi for advice, only to find his brother giving him the same look. They both knew they'd have to tell them...
Just not so soon.
Mario sighed, rubbing his eyes as he prepared himself, "No... it's-a not that, bambino. It's-a... me 'n Uncle Weegie have to explain something."
At this, each of the children turned their attention to the brothers, Luca still pouting and Fia still sniffling. Mario almost wanted to keep his mouth shut. However, a quick shoulder squeeze from Luigi, and he knew he had to.
It was inevitable either way.
Mario sighed again and shifted uncomfortably, "Kids... you know how Daddy and Uncle Weegie play Big Stupid Bowser with you?"
They nodded.
"Well... thissa isn't like that at all-a. This big, stupid Bowser is pure evil. Plain 'n simple."
"Evil like dragons?" Matteo asked, cocking his head.
"More evil than that, bambino," Mario shook his head, sorrowful. "You know how Daddy has-a that star marking on-a his shoulder?"
"Yeah? It looks cool!" Luca exclaimed, looking confused.
"Getting it wasn't-a cool, though," Mario admitted, giving his son a stern look. "Daddy got seriously hurt when-a he got it. That Bowser did-a that to me. I almost... I almost saw the stars that-a day."
The kids now looked stunned.
"Did you die?!" Luca exclaimed, leaning forward.
"Luca...!" Matteo scolded, pulling him back and shaking a finger.
Mario gave Luca a sad smile, "No... I almost did-a, though. But your-a mommy saved me. If it-a weren't for-a her... I might not-a had you three."
Luigi then piped up, saying in a hushed tone, "You see... wh-wh-when-a we tell you that-a this i-i-isn't-a safe... we mean i-it. It's-a d-d-dangerous just f-f-for us, b-but we gotta do it."
"Cause that's what heroes do?" Matteo reasoned, looking guiltily up at them.
"That's-a r-right, Matty," Luigi nodded. "it's-a n-n-not an easy job, b-but we do it-a to keep y-y-you safe. Me 'n-a your daddy are-a SUPER p-p-proud of-a you three-"
"-but we don't-a want you to get hurt like ussa." Mario finished, caressing Luigi's shoulder.
Matteo looked down at the grass, clearly guilty. Luca, meanwhile, kept glancing towards the bushes, then the bros, clearly trying to think of what to say now, either protest or resignation. Fia just stared up at her father pitifully.
"Dada?" she asked, pointing at his covered scarred arm. "Does it stiww huwt?"
Mario smiled sympathetically, "No... not at all-a, tesora... c'mere."
That was all it took for his little girl to crawl into his lap, giving him a giant bear hug, her brothers also following suit. Mario almost felt like he would cry; he loved these little humans in his arms with all his heart... and they were all his! He couldn't have asked for better little ones than these three, even if allowed.
"I wove woo, Dada," Fia mumbled into his chest, clutching the front of his overalls. "I don't wike big stwupid Bowser anymowe."
"Me either," Luca pouted. "He sucks!"
"Save mommy, okay, daddy?" Matteo whispered.
And Mario promised, giving each of them a delicate kiss for the road.
He and Luigi waited a while before venturing out, ensuring no nosy enemies had heard, sky or ground. When the coast was clear, they left the bushes, careful not to make a sound. Before they left, they had promised the kids would remain safe; they just had to stay hidden. They were to remain quiet and hide themselves as best as they could. It wasn't ideal, but they had to do it for their sake. Bringing three children who were barely older than babies into a fiery castle with lava, spikes, and enemies abound was a death sentence. Leaving them alone in the bushes wasn't secure, but it was better than waving them around like targets. Bowser's fury knew no bounds. He targeted everything Mario held dear: his brother, wife... and babies.
There was no telling how low Bowser would stoop.
***
"MARIOOOOO!!!"
Mario swiped away some blood from the koopa he and Luigi had beaten to the ground off his cheek before running head-on toward his wife's cries.
They were almost there. They had finally made it!
Finally, the brothers pushed open the velvet red and spiky door to reveal the room housing Peach's cage. She was suspended up high like a bird; easy fix, they reasoned (Bowser wasn't exactly the creative type). Inside, Peach was waving furiously, looking overjoyed to see them. When they saw her, they breathed a sigh of relief. They had come so far... and it was finally over! Plus, they were relieved to be away from the dungeons; the disgusting smell of sulfur and magma was unpleasant on the sinuses. Not to mention the lack of enemies; hammer bros, fire bros, thwomps, and many troubles were always a...
Wait a minute.
"M-Mario..." Luigi whispered, suddenly stopping short.
Mario paused, feeling the danger like his brother. Something was wrong.
Very. Wrong.
Since when were the rooms so cozy looking? Sure, stones were adorning every inch, but the walls had plush red padding like a royal room instead of a dungeon. Mario called himself an expert on such things; after all, he was married to the queen of the Mushroom Kingdom!
Mario eyed the cage skeptically...
"Luigi... run!"
That was all it took for the brothers to sprint back to the dungeons. What Mario saw in there... that wasn't Peach. That was the face of pure hell, the void of bloodlust and Bowser's influence: Kamek.
Before they reached the door, they slammed shut before them, causing a yelp from Luigi. Mario's blood ran cold as a horrendous high-pitched laugh filled the room, echoing with Peach's and Kamek's laugh as the wicked thing came closer. Mario waited until he could feel the presence behind him when he twirled around, holding out his fist to-
"Try that again, plumbers!"
Mario's eyes widened as his body suddenly stiffened. He could only watch as Kamek's disgusting smile got closer, holding up his wand, which glowed a light blue, just like the magic surrounding Mario's body, and the area be consumed by darkness. It was all an illusion! Behind him, he heard Luigi's muffled screams as he clearly tried to rush at the monster; Mario couldn't see him, but he knew he was bound, too.
"Now, that's not very kingly behavior, is it?" Kamek taunted. "Kings shouldn't fight. Isn't that right, your nastiness?"
Almost out of nowhere, Bowser appeared before them, grinning maliciously. In one hand, he held the real Peach in a cage, one finger stroking the bars. Peach saw Mario and tried to scream but couldn't due to the tape over her mouth.
"Hello there, Your Majesty," Bowser mocked, grinning like a shark. "Long time no see! You haven't changed a bit!"
"Fuck you," Mario growled, still struggling against his restraints.
"Oh? Such a mouth... kings shouldn't say such things, you know. It's not 'polite.'"
"SHUT UP!" Mario yelled, now struggling more.
Peach, too, began to fight back in her own cage. She kicked Bowser's fingers with her back heels, practically stabbing into them. Luigi also fought against his restraints, yelling something none of them could understand. At this, Bowser's smile began to lessen as he looked at them all. He clearly didn't like all this racket from his prisoners. This became even more evident when he stamped his foot, shook Peach's cage, and roared, "ALL OF YOU, SILENCE!"
At this, all of them fell silent. Peach was knocked against her cage, rendering her dizzied, so there was no point in fighting back. Luigi hated loud noises, so he, of course, stopped. Mario was the only one who dared fight back still. "And why should we, ya overgrown-a lizard?!"
Bowser took a step forward, glaring at the plumber hatefully. He then motioned to Kamek, causing the magikoopa to ease the spell around Mario. "Why? Maybe because your fucking brats would die if you kept it up. How about that?"
Mario felt the color drain from his face.
Oh shit...
Maybe he was bluffing... yeah, that was it!
"This... This hassa nothing to do with them!" he exclaimed. "Besides... y-you leave-a them outta this. They-"
"Oh, is that true?" Bowser's evil smile returned.
Mario hesitated before he replied, "Yes! Besides, they're-a not even here! So whaddo you know, huh?"
"Oh, plenty... considering I have the mongrels right here. Bring them in, Kamek!"
With that, Kamek snapped his fingers, sending in a cage similar to Peach's, only with-
Peach began screaming through her tape, rattling the cage even more in Bowser's hand. So much so that he almost dropped it!
Luigi began screaming something inhuman. From the corner of Mario's eye, he could see his younger brother trying to thrash against his restraints. The fear in his eyes was unlike anything he'd ever seen.
Mario, meanwhile, felt fear washing over him in waves seeing the sight in the cage.
"OH MY GOD! WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM?!" Mario screamed, feeling fear dripping in his tone. "YOU LET-A THEM GO RIGHT NOW!"
The kids were scratched up, no doubt by some scuffle. All looked horrible in more ways than one, no matter how small.
Luca's face was caked with dirt and tearstains. His shirt was torn, and he had claw marks on his face and arms. He still held his cardboard sword, though the end was mangled and bent horribly. His once cocky and brave expression was now a terrified one. When he saw his daddy, he gripped the cage bars and whimpered, "Daddy...! Please! Please! Help us!"
Matteo wasn't any better. He wasn't as scratched up as his brother, but was clearly scared. The front of his jeans was soaking wet, and he was sobbing terribly. This hurt Mario to the core. Little Matty wasn't frightened easily, so the look in his eyes was unlike anything his daddy had seen. He was too scared to speak, but he was clearly crying for help as he reached for him, unable to say anything between sobs.
The worst by far, however, was Fia. Unlike her brothers... she wasn't crying or screaming. Not like a 3-year-old should. Not like anyone would in this situation. If anything, she was lying limply against Luca, who held onto her with one arm. Her eyes were closed as though she were sleeping, though it looked anything other than pleasant. She had still-bleeding scratches over her arms and even some droplets seeping through her overalls.
Mario felt his eyes stinging with tears staring at them.
Those were his babies in there... his and Peach's. It was his duty to protect them... and here they were in this beast's clutches.
"Yeah, these brats were easy to nab," Kamek mocked. "Seriously, did you think you could hide them from us? You're a total idiot!"
"Huh... I know I'm no parent of the year, but you take the cake!" Bowser laughed maliciously. "What kind of father brings his kids to fight? You're a terrible father!"
Mario felt tears streaming down his cheeks.
He was right... he was right. He was a terrible father...!
"You even raise your kids terribly!" Kamek said, bringing the cage closer to him. Immediately, Luca and Matteo recoiled, hugging each other tightly. "This one with the sword has quite the mouth on him. And this one... have you still not taught him to use the bathroom? Ha! You really dropped the ball, huh?"
He then looked down at Fia. "And this one... sheesh, I have never heard a brat scream like this one. It was easier to handle when I knocked her out. Get your fucking kids under control, plumber!"
By now, Mario felt his sorrow melting into rage. These jerks did something unforgivable. He could take swings at himself. But mess with his family?
He wasn't letting up without a fight.
He could feel a fire burning in the pit of his churning stomach as he glowered at these two jerks. They hurt the three people he loved dearly. The three people he made. His heartbeat intensified, practically ringing in his ears. He felt like a heated darkness crossed over him as he seemingly left his own body. He'd never felt so furious in his life.
Without a word, while these two kept laughing, Mario stepped forward, now seeing red.
First, Kamek.
Before the magikoopa could react, Mario snatched his wand and quickly snapped it over his knee. Immediately, the magic holding the kids' cage and Luigi vanished. Thankfully, the cage wasn't too far off the ground, so it only jostled the kids a little. Luigi, meanwhile, made a beeline towards the stunned Bowser.
Mario couldn't see what his brother did, but he heard Bowser's pained cries.
He focused all attention on Kamek, who was now smiling nervously at the plumber. He was saying something, but Mario couldn't hear him. He was too far gone. In one punch, he shattered the magikoopa's spectacles, sending shards of glass into his face and causing spurts of blood. Mario felt blood seeping through his gloves, but he paid it no mind. He whaled on the magikoopa's face, his fists flying furiously and squishing noises becoming more and more apparent. Blood flew in multiple directions the more it dragged. When he finally stopped... let's say the magikoopa's face resembled a squashed pumpkin.
When he turned to Bowser, he saw Luigi beating the monster and screaming like mad. Peach, too, was now freed sometime during the scuffle. She had ripped the tape from her mouth and was now joining Luigi in the fight, slapping Bowser's face and digging her heels into his flesh, causing small fountains of blood to erupt. Like a bounty hunter, Mario ambled towards him, his eyes glowing with fiery fury. He was the one who started this.
Now Mario would finish it.
In a flash, he landed a fist on his snout, sending crimson fountains flying into the air. Bowser winced at this and prepared to fight back, only for Mario to land a swift kick to his teeth, shattering those sharp fangs terribly. Bowser's mouth was now a useless maw of broken teeth, some dangling by the roots and blood pooling and dripping from it. He howled in pain when Mario ripped a tooth from his mouth before driving it into his chest, stabbing furiously. With each stab, Mario became more furious. He felt nothing but rage and revenge for those who hurt his family. Mario didn't care how, but he wanted this monster to suffer. He wanted him to feel hurt. Anything to avenge his babies.
As Mario continued, bones cracked, and even more blood pooled around the Koopa King. Several bones stuck out from the flesh, leaving deep red pools of muscle and clotting dark red. Bowser's face resembled nothing but a gaping red mass.
Mario then bit into Bowser's neck. He felt the metallic taste filling his mouth, but he paid it no mind. He bit harder. He kept at it until the beast finally stopped struggling.
It was over...
"M-Mario...?"
By now, Mario's fury died down considerably. He felt the fires inside him extinguishing as he seemingly came down to Earth. When he turned to his loved ones, all of them were staring at him in shock and amazement. They had never seen this side of him. Even when he defended Luigi and Peach, he was never this animalistic. Peach was tearfully cradling their two sons, staring at her husband with worry. Luigi held onto little Fia, stroking her cheeks as she was coming to. When he stepped towards his brother, Mario took his baby girl from him.
Fia whined as she began waking up, whimpering slightly as she seemingly adjusted from her injury. When she saw Mario, she said curiously, "Dada...?"
Immediately, tears began streaming down his face as Mario held his little girl close to his chest. He felt so relieved that she and everyone else was safe. He wanted nothing but to hug all of them in his arms for eternity. When Luigi held his shoulder, Mario dragged him into a soft hug, crying into his shoulder. His brother sighed and returned the hug (careful not to bump Fia, of course), "It's... o-o-okay, b-big bro... it's o-okay..."
Not long after, he felt the others holding him. Peach embraced him from behind, squeezing tightly as tears splattered onto his back from her eyes. Luca and Matteo hugged his legs, nuzzling their faces into his overalls.
When Mario came to, he stared up at Luigi, who shared his tear-filled eyes. "Let's-a go home."
Luigi merely nodded as he stepped aside to allow him room. Before they left, however, Mario stepped before Bowser, now lying uselessly on the ground.
He shielded Fia's eyes and ordered his boys to stand behind him as he stared down at the beast.
"Let this be a lesson to you, you bastard," he growled. "Mess with-a me all you want... but never touch-a my babies. Ever."
