The first in bunch of views into the moments between and/or after the action! with the added hc of the spa room in Shipshape p much acting as a makeshift bedroom for them!
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“Have a good rest Mario, Luigi!”
Mario smiles as he tips his cap to Toad, waving at him as he slowly shuts the curtains. Once only a sliver of light remains through what little of the floor isn’t covered by it, Mario lets his shoulders slump downwards in pure exhaustion.
Only about a week into his stay in Concordia, and he was already feeling the ache in his limbs from having to travel across the seas with barely any rest in between. Granted that some of that was his own fault. His stubbornness and determination had him running himself ragged until he could link up all the islands, leaving the Concordians both appreciative and concerned.
With a sigh, he laced his fingers together and raised them over his head, stretching backwards until a few pops came out from his poor back. The hammers were fun to swing and great for damage, but he’d be lying if he said that it didn’t make his back hurt sometimes to hold and swing it for so long.
“You’re getting old. Ew.”
Mario turns to where his younger brother is, shooting him a glare with no real heat behind it.
He lowers his hands so he can put one on his hip then sticks his tongue out, refusing to dignify his brother with a verbal response.
Luigi snorts. He's sat on one of the massage tables-turned-beds in the spa the Toads had kindly set up for them, leaning forward to start taking his shoes off so he could toss them to the side.
Mario sat on his own bed, taking his cap off as he looked around the space. While the spa was first and foremost a place that all Concordians could enter and use, it was also a place where the brothers could rest after their adventures. Whenever they needed it, they only had to wait a few minutes for the Toads to clean it up and place blankets and pillows on each bed to turn it into an area where they could sleep. Their beds only had about a foot of space from each other, but neither minded the proximity. They'd grown up attached to the hip anyway.
Mario always felt a little bad when he saw others using it when he and his brother needed it, but the Concordians never complained, often being the ones to usher them in and help in making the spa more comfortable for them. The blankets and pillows came from them, and a coat stand was added so they had somewhere to hang their hats. Some clothes had been given too, but Mario and Luigi always did prefer their own get up. He wasn’t sure if he could fully express to them how grateful he is for their hospitality to them.
After some aiming, Luigi threw his shoes where it landed near the spa’s entrance, meaning it was more than arms reach away from his bed, and his gloves and hat followed right after. Mario was completely certain that Luigi would nudge him awake and get him to grab them after their nap.
Leaving that to the future, Mario brushed his hair back as he spoke, “It’s been a long day.”
Luigi only hummed in response before yawning, an agreement in itself. The yawn was cut short by a wince, his hand snapping to his chest.
Mario hopped off his bed without hesitation and closed the short distance between them.
“You okay, bro?” He asked, brows furrowed as his hands hovered over his little brother.
“F-fine.” Luigi strained to respond, “I think it’s bruised.”
That made Mario frown. They had gone back to Twistee Island at Maykit’s request, gathering vines that the Concordian needed to create some new accessories for them. The Soreboars appeared more agitated compared to when they first arrived, charging at them with enough force to leave them skidding on the ground from their attempts to halt their movement after the brothers dodged their attacks.
The aggression led them to readjust their strategy on the spot to avoid being skewered by their tusks. By the time they were done, they left the island looking like they lost a fight against a tornado, shoes dirtied and overalls straps twisted or completely unbuttoned.
He recalled now that Luigi had reacted too late once, and a larger boar responded by ramming into his chest, completely knocking the air out of him with a pained yelp. Snoutlet would have been thrown out of his cap if those things didn’t somehow have a knack for staying glued to their heads no matter what.
He’d given his brother a mushroom the moment he could, but no matter how magical these items were, they could only do so much.
“Maybe we need some ice for it?” He asked. Bruises normally needed ice, right? Was there an ice machine or something on this island? Maybe he can ask Connie or the other islanders for some–
“I got it covered.” Luigi said as he lifted up a damp towel with something wrapped in it.
Mario raised an eyebrow. When and where did Luigi even get that?
“I knew you were going to ask about it.” Luigi simply said.
Well, sue him for being worried. At least some of the tension that managed to bundle up onto his shoulders in the minute it took for their entire interaction to start and finish was going away.
“How about you?” Luigi asked, reaching for Mario’s arm. While the Soreboars hit Luigi’s chest, another one briefly stunned Mario after hitting his arm and side.
“It’s not too bad.” Mario said, rolling up his sleeve and letting Luigi inspect it. Fortunately, there was only a small bruise forming near his shoulder, along with a scratch that likely came from the beast’s tusks colliding with him, “It aches, though.”
Luigi continued studying it anyway, turning it this way and that as if a new injury to fuss over would appear if he kept at it. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time Mario failed to notice that there was an alarming injury on his person.
Luigi offered to share his ice, but Mario declined. Luigi didn’t try again. He knew better than to argue back unless he wanted to be stuck in a loop of giving and returning it.
Seemingly satisfied, he lets go, only to start fidgeting, a habit Mario recognized since childhood to indicate his brother’s barely concealed anxiety as he began to worry about something else almost immediately, “Do…do you think we got enough? For Maykit?”
Mario and Luigi may have come back in one piece, but their wares weren’t as lucky. They collected more than what was asked for so that Maykit wouldn’t have to get whatever she was making right on the first try, but with the unexpected aggression they faced, it left much of that surplus destroyed, and the rest somewhat damaged but still usable.
Maykit, to her credit, didn’t even blink twice, accepting the materials with a smile and a poem of thanks, reassuring them that it was exactly what she needed. Mario didn’t miss the way she frowned when Luigi briefly turned away and hunched over in pain. She had a sibling too. He knew she understood.
“I’m sure she would have said something if it wasn’t.” Mario says instead, “She’s very, eh, passionate about her craft.” The memories of her creating their hammers with unmatched intensity was still fresh on his mind.
Luigi appears to remember it, too, because he softly laughs, “That’s true.”
The conversation seemed to reach its end there, and after exchanging good nights, they tucked themselves into their respective beds. They couldn’t do it as easily as they would in their actual ones, the beds were a little too small for that, but they made do.
It didn’t seem to matter much to Luigi either, as he was already asleep, his light snores filling the otherwise quiet space. For how nervous his brother always was of everything around him, Mario found it fascinating how easily the guy could fall asleep. Mario didn’t have enough fingers to count the times he had to get him to at least take his cap off before falling asleep.
Not that Mario usually struggled much either, often needing only a flat surface to lean back on to do it for him.
And yet, something in him just felt a little too disoriented to rest. It reminded him of the jet lag he would experience whenever he rode on Peach’s plane, his head feeling fuzzy and his body clock screaming at him to sleep despite the early afternoon.
Maybe it felt strange to sleep in what was technically his bedroom when only a curtain separated him from everything else. He was used to their somewhat isolated and small home in the Mushroom Kingdom, where he and his brother knew and respected the space each one carved out in it. Here, it was hard to ignore the sound of the waves and people talking and laughing and yelling outside, and when the spa wasn’t being used by them, everyone else was in this space constantly moving things around.
And that aside, he was still trying to make sense of their arrival to this new world. How did he and Luigi get here? Who else ended up in Concordia? Was Princess Peach carried away by the vortex that formed above them just like the Toads? How would he even find her if she did? How can they go home? Is that even possible?
More and more questions popped up in his mind. As they did, he turned to look at his brother’s peaceful slumber and wondered if he worried about the same things, too.
Luigi’s snore turned into a loud snort. Mario chuckles. If he was worrying about it right now, he did a great job of hiding it.
Slowly counting to ten, he took a deep breath and exhaled. He can think about this later. It’ll do him no good to fight while was tired. His own brother was counting on him to put their attacks together after all, and all of Concordia relied on them to fix their broken world.
Pulling his blanket up a little higher, Mario closes his eyes and lets himself drift off into a dreamless sleep.
Bit of a surprise, right? Yeah... I thought so, myself.
So... just as a preface, this one is a lot more... self-indulgent. I'll be honest, it feels wrong to write something like this (writing something for me, I mean), but I thought it'd be worth a try.
This one is pure fluff, so if you're not into that... I do apologize. I will be putting out more angsty stuff later, but I needed to do a little fluff for now, lol.
That being said... onto the show (or... fic, I guess-)
~~~
Luigi had always loved flowers more than anything. The smell, the texture, even the sight, it all made up something so perfect and serene. Delicate and colorful, they flourished wherever they nestled, tucked neatly beneath their blanket of Earth. Their leaves cried dewdrops, and their stems stood tall. Even the petals fluttered gently whenever one brushed their fingertips against them. So small and innocent… ripe for the many tramplings they were often subjected to by those who couldn't see their luster.
That was something Luigi could never understand. What worth was it to someone to destroy something that never did anyone harm? There was always a use for it, no matter how miniscule.
Nevertheless, he often got along well with flowers. Even back home, he had an entire garden dedicated to seeds and new roots. From the parsnips and tomatos in the backyard, to the miniature fenced plot for garlic, cabbage, and carrots, he adored it all. The flowers, however, were his favorite part.
They were his world.
When the air grew just right, he dedicated entire afternoons to horticulture. He bid a cheerful 'good morning' to the flowers before dousing their roots with water. He patted the soil around the crops, finding just the right spot to remove them without damaging the roots around them. Sometimes, the harvest was meager, but he appreciated it all the same. The smell of the soil, the color of the flowers, even the feeling of the grass snaking in between his fingers… it was all so calming to him. They never judged him for anything, unlike the rest of the weeds around him. For all his faults, he never meant anyone harm… the flowers just understood more than anything.
Sometimes, he had to be torn away from his craft by sunset. Many times, his brother, Mario, would come out and call him in, his voice tinged with concern and amusement. He never really did understand why Luigi loved such things, but he was never one to judge — though, if Luigi were being honest, as much as he loved his brother, Mario was often what his mama called “non hai sale in zucca.”
But at least he tried.
It seemed shocking to him that so many in the Mushroom Kingdom would think of him oddly for the things he loved, particularly when it involved plants. Maybe it was his introversion, maybe it was his more serene demeanor compared to Mario's… but he often felt like one of the ladybugs crawling on his plants as others scrutinized his every move. For the toads, gardening was akin to breathing; it simply was something they all did almost automatically. They tilled, planted, and harvested as a collective, their days marked by the bushel of work they did together. Many festivals were held in honor of such things: the Autumn's End Ball, the Bloomlight Festival, the Harvestfest Parade… all of it was the pinnacle of the toads' lives.
But Luigi… Luigi was different.
Where every toad would gather as much harvest as they could, Luigi lingered over each sprout as if they were his own offspring, his hands steady and deliberate as they grasped the plants. He was content in silence, something they often found jarring. And the festivals, he always joined, of course, but while others entertained themselves, his mind always crept back to the flowers and soils keeping the flowers tucked in place. He found himself looking at the smaller things: the wilted petals, the soil drying, or even the tiny weeds invading the zinnas' spaces. Often, he felt more like a spectator… the same ladybug staring back at him from the garden.
And now, here he was: nestled among the grassblades of the Fire Flower Fields, the soft heat of the flowers emanating around him like tiny embers. The orange and red petals pulsing faintly with warmth like heartbeats, the air scented with smoke and sweetness, and soft flames licking at his fingertips when he touched a blossom. And not a soul to be found within several miles.
Just him, the flowers, and their serenity.
He bit his lip gently as he brushed a hand over one of the flowers. They were unlike anything he had ever seen back in Brooklyn — though, really, what wasn't unlike anything there here in the Mushroom Kingdom? He never had much of a chance to see many flowers back there when the only vegetation came in the form of fenced-in trees and plastic flower boxes. There wasn't an ounce of warmth in those, especially when the soil remained suffocated beneath layers of cement. It was only until he and Mario officially moved here that he realized how much he was starving for proper roots.
The Mushroom Kingdom always held a plethora of vegetation, ranging in all types of species and variety. The ice flowers from Shiver Mountain made for a great cooling device, whether for a sprain or merely using the petals as a rare delicacy. The tanooki leaves from the tanooki trees were always a delightful crispy taste whenever autumn arrived, perfect for a cocoa bean blend in Luigi's opinion. Even the fire flowers, although too spicy for his taste… Mario claimed they made pasta taste better when the seeds nestled in marinara.
Speaking of which…
He looked up at the sky, his chest sinking as he realized the sun had begun to dip below the hills. He'd have to return home soon if he wanted to surprise his brother, right? Surely, it was the least he could do after such a stressful week of nonstop plumbing jobs and managing Bowser's endless schemes. With that in mind, he found a nearby flower, holding it gently by the receptacle. Normally, one would have plucked the seeds from the flower within seconds… but he preferred to preserve its dignity.
It took him a minute to find its proper nesting, but eventually, his fingertips brushed against the tiny seeds buried within. He thanked his lucky stars that fire flowers were even-tempered. One wrong pluck, and his glove would have burst into flame. Nevertheless, he drew in a careful breath, steadying himself as he gently coaxed them loose as if they were newly hatched chicks. Within seconds, he felt the tiny, coal-colored seeds dropping into his palm, a feeling he couldn't help but smile at. All he hoped was that it was enough to satisfy Mario.
"There you are, darling…!"
Luigi's breath caught in his throat as the voice called out from behind him, nearly causing him to yank the fire flower out of its roots. Shakily, he spun around, feeling his heart race as the petals trembled in his grip. However, once he found the voice's owner, he felt a little smile pricking at the corners of his mouth.
Right there, in the middle of the fields, was his beloved Prince Peasley. He looked just as regal and perfect as ever in his crisp white tunic and crimson red cloak. His golden blonde hair glimmered under the sunny raysm and his ever-present confident smile seemed to shine even brighter. And, of course, the boots he wore whenever he traversed through any fauna mildly hazardous — courtesy of his Beanish genetics, he often joked woefully. Though as he slowly crept closer, holding out his hands reassuringly, Luigi could tell his eyes held more than what he showed outright.
"Sorry, darling," Peasley laughed nervously, his smile waning slightly. "I didn't mean to frighten you so. I just… Daisy and I have been searching for you, is all."
Luigi felt his cheeks flush pink.
Of course… he'd forgotten to tell them about his plans, didn't he? He should have known they'd assume the worst…!
He tried to keep his composure, however, as he turned his attention back to the fire flower, silently apologizing for tugging it so roughly. Slowly, he pocketed the seeds in the front of his overalls, stroking the flower's petals gently as if it could break into glass shards. He hardly even noticed Peasley was approaching until he was standing just close enough.
There was something formidable about the way Peasley carried himself, Luigi always thought. Even when he had to wear his safety boots, he still managed to look just as handsome and swan-like as ever. Of course, it did mean that Peasley couldn't enjoy the flowers just as much as he could… not that the prince seemed to mind, however.
"Hey… is everything alright, dear Luigi…?" he asked gingerly, his voice morphing into that same sweet, kitten-soft tone reserved just for him. "I truly didn't mean to frighten you. I just… wanted to ensure you were well. I wasn't aware you were tending to the blossoms like a forest guardian, heh."
Luigi offered a small, sheepish shrug as he hugged the seeds to his chest. He tilted his head slightly towards Peasley, raising his eyebrows curiously.
"… can you talk, darling…?" Peasley inquired.
At that, Luigi couldn't help giving him a wry smile. The question always struck him as amusing. Of course, he could talk. He could talk for hours if he could… but sometimes, even just the mere thought felt as though thousands of needles pressed against his throat, burying the words deep within the soil.
"S-Sorry," Peasley murmured, his cheeks flushing darker as he nervously played with his locks. "Forgive me, dear… I didn't mean to put it that way. I understand if it's too much. You speak ever so clearly to me in any way."
Luigi swallowed hard, lowering his gaze to hide his blush from his dear Peasley. Even now, he still managed to read him like a book.
For a moment, he mindlessly stroked the petals between his fingertips as if to soothe the flower. Then, with a steadying breath, he reached into his pocket to grab the seeds, cradling them in his palm as he held them out toward Peasley. All the while, he hoped to send the message loud and clear that, yes, he was, indeed, okay.
Thankfully… Peasley was always the inquisitive sort.
"Ah… a bit of seed gathering, darling?" he smiled fondly, his expression melting into sheer awe. "I'll admit… I don't quite know much about fire flowers… it's a bit of a burner to us Beanfolk, as you remember—"
Luigi couldn't help cringing, knowing his love could never share his fondness for these blossoms in the same way. Wasn't this a bit insensitive…?
"— but… I've always admired how they look." Peasley crept closer, examining the seeds from a short distance. He didn't dare kneel down, but he gave a gentle laugh as he placed a hand on Luigi's shoulder comfortingly, ensuring his touch never remained too light. "And I especially love seeing you as the one to tend to them. That's a talent, my dear."
At that, Luigi squinted at Peasley suspiciously, though he couldn't help the laugh building in his chest.
Such a tease…
"It's the truth!" Peasley defensively protested, holding up his hands in playful innocence. "Daisy would attest to it, as well!"
If Luigi could allow himself the pleasure of saying something, he would have gladly obliged.
The sound of Peasley's soft laughter echoed through the fields, sending a warmth emanating in Luigi's chest. He couldn't stop himself from smiling, feeling his throat tightening as he reminded himself just how much he adored his partners. Although Peasley didn't fully understand everything, he nevertheless remained unbiased, enamored, even, by Luigi's mere existence. And Daisy, for all her eccentricities and brashness, still adored him no matter what.
Even with his flowers.
As soon as the laughter died down, however, Peasley's playful grin softened, his expression growing more solemn as his hand found the space between his shoulderblades, kneading softly. From the corner of his eye, he could see his dark brown eyes searching him carefully, but sympathetically.
Of course…
"… you're alright, dear?" he asked quietly, his tone ever serene and kind. "I know you, Luigi… if there's ever something troubling you, Daisy and I are here to listen…"
Luigi froze for a moment.
Even with all the preparation he had given himself, it was that very same question that kept him rooted.
Truth be told… he needed his place much sooner than now. Perhaps, then, his voice wouldn't have grown lost to his own thoughts… perhaps he wouldn't have needed to leave home without notice. Mario surely worried by now, if he had made it home earlier… and Daisy wouldn't let him out of her sight for a week once he made it back.
It had been a rash decision, he knew… but, really, he knew it was out of love.
They would understand…
Through everything he and his partners had endured, there was always one thing that remained standing: the flowers. They were his voice. Some days, he considered it lucky he had found two wonderful beings who never chided him for such a thing. If anything, they more than embraced it, especially as their respective kingdoms held flowers in such high regard.
He was safe.
…
They were safe.
Like the millions of fire flowers laden in the field, they remained rooted together as one… their blossoms finally nestling within their soil.
And he knew that was more than enough.
He didn't allow himself to speak. Instead, his fingertips found the tiny seeds still cradled in his palm, rolling them gently. With his other hand, he covered them protectively and exhaled softly.
"Ah… I see," Peasley nodded softly. With a gentle sweep, he tugged a stray grassblade from Luigi's hair and sighed, squeezing his shoulder reassuringly. "That's all I needed to hear, dear… you do what you need to. I merely wanted to ensure you were alright, is all… Daisy and I love you."
Luigi couldn't help nuzzling his cheek against Peasley's hip, taking in the sweet scent of his cologne… roses and cherries, he beamed.
By stars, what had he done to deserve someone who allowed him to exist like this…?
Peasley, seemingly leaning into his affections, didn't speak. He only bent slightly, his knees just barely hovering above the flowers as he pressed a soft kiss to Luigi's forehead. The simple gesture spoke volumes… more than any words could say.
…
… perhaps fire flower pasta wouldn't be too bad that night.
PSA: some people on Wattpad are taking people’s works and rating them on YouTube, without asking people’s permission to use their work.
This is disgusting behavior.
1. Not asking permission.
2. Rating people’s work and not actually saying anything of value so much as just adding unsolicited commentary with no way for the author to defend themselves or consent to any of it.
3. People write for enjoyment - does anyone actually think that we as authors want our works shared outside of the platforms WE USE so someone can make fun of us behind our backs? Good reviews or not, no one fucking asked and no one gave fucking permission to be used as YouTube channel points from some randoms they’ve never interacted with or know the names of.
Do fucking better people. Anyways block @/phoenix_flare69 if you want to protect yourself from the perpetrators of this awful content. The handle is the same across TikTok, Twitter, Wattpad, Instagram and YouTube.
Big fan of the fact that at any other time, my Ao3 readers have such kind and supportive comments, and theorize on where I'm taking the story, ect.
And then when Mario and Luigi's father does LITERALLY ANYTHING, y'all immediately turn into Technoblade's chat during L'manburg's fall. Instantly calling for blood.
Mario OC daughter of King Boo who helps Mario and Luigi niece after they both go missing:
Daughter of King Boo a half human half ghost girl spots a normal girl out of place intrigued by her the ghost girl investigates further with what she knows best, after she spooks and pranks her she asks to why she is in this place of darkness and ghouls, only to be answered with that her uncles have gone missing and she came from a different world and is on a adventure to find and bring them back, to which the ghost girl gladly officers to join and help her in guidance whether she likes it or not.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
summary: "On the evening of Luigi (...and Mario)'s birthday, Prince Peasley—acting as a key player in a planned birthday plot—arrives at the Mario Brothers' house with many presents in hand, ready to be shared. And, expectedly, he doesn't at all pick favorites..."
characters: luigi, prince peasley, mario, princess peach, princess daisy
Daisy takes Luigi on an outing with the intention of teaching him to fight, but as it turns out their approach to training, their approach to friendships, and their outlook on the world couldn’t be more different. In the process, Daisy accidentally brings to the surface some of Luigi’s deep-seated insecurities.
Read part 1 here: X
Also Available on AO3:
https://archiveofourown.org/works/47310646/chapters/119303674
_____________________________
What followed was a blur.
Luigi could only remember scattered moments in a haze of panic, most of which were of him trying to hide from the brawl, ducking out of the way of splintering debris and swinging fists. In one moment of relative peace he had found a hiding spot behind a broken table, leaned up against the wall, and took a moment to try and find an exit amidst the chaos. But before he could discover a single ray of hope he was gripped by the ankles by an unseen assailant, dragged out of his hiding place, and flung like a projectile at an insectoid fighter attempting to come in for a dropkick.
At another point Luigi tried to army crawl behind the bar, but Torque was adamant about keeping that particular hiding place private. When Luigi attempted to climb over the bar entrance and squeeze in next to him, one of Torque’s vines gripped him by the waist and flung him over the counter into the center of the fight, where he was trampled underfoot until he managed to roll out of the way, and tuck himself into a corner amidst a small heap of broken chairs.
That was when he spotted Daisy, grappling the very same serpent that had threatened him earlier. She was laughing like a maniac as she bear-hugged his coils, having the time of her life as she flung him back and forth, slamming him like a wet sock against walls and furniture despite her smaller size. Her upper hand only wavered when the snake began breathing fireballs. While she mostly dodged with the tactful grace befitting her reputation, Princess Daisy steadily began to struggle in combating both the ensnaring scales and the spewed flames, and the fire was growing dangerously close to setting her alight.
“Daisy!”
Without thought, Luigi scampered out of his hiding place and raced across the room, the leg of a broken chair in hand as he leapt over bodies and baseball-slid under the thundering feet. Dodging writhing coils, Luigi jammed the chair leg under the serpent's jaw and held it at both ends like a bridle bit, yanking with all his might. The snake let out a yell as its head was forced upward, flaming breath trailing black soot marks across the stone ceiling as he struggled to knock off his attacker.
It was all a blur from there. Luigi was violently thrashed about as he attempted to hold firm to the chair leg, only letting go the third time he was slammed into a wall. He wasn’t sure if that was when he lost consciousness, or some following blow was what finally took him out of the picture, or if he had been knocked out multiple times over the course of the fight and simply could not keep straight when he was awake and when he was not.
All he knew was that when he opened his eyes, everything had gone relatively still, and his head was laying upon soft fabric in Princess Daisy’s lap.
“Oh! You’re awake!” Daisy cheered, looking down at him with a smile as bright as sunshine, “How’re you doing sweetie?”
Luigi preferred not to say. Everything hurt; his face, head, and back had received the bulk of the beating, though his ribs and shoulders weren’t exactly unscathed either. He checked himself over for broken bones, and was relieved to find little more than bad bruising– though the fact that he had fallen unconscious meant that there was undoubtedly a concussion somewhere in the mix.
When his vision cleared he pulled himself to a sitting position, and looked around to find he and the princess were sitting on the floor– only because all the seats smashed so badly that there was no other option. He was also surprised to see how many eyes were on him, but the looks of suspicion and condescension from earlier were gone, replaced with sincere smiles. Some onlookers lifted up their drinks in salute… they were all drinking out of bowls now, the mugs laying shattered around the floor alongside the splintered furniture. A few goombas wandered about, some sweeping up the debris while others helped escort the more gravely injured out the door– a familiar snake tied up in a square knot being among them.
Despite the mayhem and destruction that had just ensued, the bar was still packed. Many of those who were beating each other to a pulp moments ago were now sitting on the ground, clacking drinks together, admiring one-another's newly earned bruises. Some were even helping tend each other's wounds, the barplant behind the counter reaching long tendrils across the room to pass around rolls of bandages.
Luigi adjusted his hat, fixed his overall strap, and continued to survey the bar with increased confusion.
“What just happened?” he asked at last.
At this, the bar filled with good-natured laughter, Daisy loudest among them.
“You just survived your first bar fight, big guy. That’s what happened!” She declared.
Bracing an arm under Luigi’s shoulder she helped the plumber to his feet, and once she was certain he was stable enough to stand on his own she grabbed his hand and raised it into the air.
“Let’s hear it for Luigi!” She announced, “A true warrior of Sarasaland!”
The crowd cheered. Luigi blushed and waved sheepishly. He was unsure of where the adulation was coming from, but the praise seemed genuine, and his heart swelled.
“ A true warrior of Sarasaland! ” He drowsily rolled that title around in his head. Was getting one’s face caved in during a meaningless bar fight all it took to earn that title? And yet, after weeks of disappointment, being rallied on by a room full of fighters twice as experienced as he was felt so good.
He only wished that Mario could’ve been there to see it.
Then came the drinks, bought for him by his fellow warriors, pushed into his hands with hearty congratulations. Luigi would’ve said no in any other circumstances– he was punch-drunk enough as it was– but given the newly earned comradery, he was afraid of letting them down. Three drinks in, and Daisy had to start taking the alcohol off his hands to ensure that he was still capable of stumbling back home without blacking out, and once the two were suitably intoxicated they waltzed out of the bar with many a goodbye, arm in arm, a plastered plumber and a tipsy princess.
Halfway home, Daisy veered off her original route, flitting away from the main streets toward a narrow flight of stairs that led up along the overhanging balconies of the tightly-packed buildings. Luigi, knowing he was hardly able to keep up with Daisy even when he was sober and on solid ground, attempted to protest, but before he could say a thing he found himself lifted up, and carried along bridal style.
“Relax! This is a shortcut!” She assured, adjusting him so that he could wrap his arms around her neck before she took off running across the rooftops, leaping across the building gaps and alleyways with perfect precision despite the fact that Luigi could still smell the alcohol on her breath.
Luigi couldn’t help but laugh as he felt himself flying through the air. Heights did not scare him the way they used to, Peach’s suspended obstacle course and his own repeated use of the super leaf had numbed that particular phobia. He didn’t doubt his drunkenness had also taken the edge off his usual sense of self-preservation, but more than that… he somehow felt safe in Daisy’s arms. She was strong, far stronger than she looked, with a firm grip and not an ounce of clumsiness. Her confidence, too, was contagious, despite how foolhardy it was.
Eventually, Luigi released his group on the princess and spread his arms out like a bird. He released a loud “Yahooooo!” as the cold air tickled his mustache, his stomach fluttering with every bound as Daisy’s castle rose into view, marble pillars and domed arches glowing beneath the sea of stars.
“Woohoooo!” Daisy cheered as she pressed Luigi close, squishing her face up against his as she leapt the final distance. Her large dress fluttered like a sail beneath her, and a gust of wind carried them over the expansive palace garden directly into an open window on the second story.
They were both laughing by the time they landed upon the carpeted floor of the castle gallery. Daisy attempted to set Luigi down, but being unsteady on his feet he nearly collapsed before Daisy caught him, which served to only add more fuel to their drunken giggles.
“What a night, huh?”
“What a night!” Luigi agreed slurredly, giving Daisy a playful shove the moment he regained his balance, “But, you know what? You know what? I’m actually glad I did it!”
“What? Face your fears and take on a bar fight?”
“No. That was the worst!” Luigi chuckled, reaching beneath his crooked hat to give his aching head a rub, “I’m glad I went with you! I had fun!... eventually.”
“Oh?” Daisy shyly twirled one of her locks of auburn hair, returning Luigi’s playful shove with an equally playful bump of her hip, “Well, maybe you can stick around! You can show me how people in The Brook Lands have a good time.”
“Brooklyn.” Luigi corrected, “And I can’t. Team Mario hits the road tomorrow! bright and early! But uh…”
Luigi fidgeted a bit, trying to determine through his intoxicated haze how to proceed. Should he invite her to The Mushroom Kingdom? Was that alright? Or was that something only royalty could do? Maybe he could invite her to Brooklyn, or figure out some break in his work schedule where he could travel out to Sarasaland. Before he could form a coherent response, he felt Daisy’s gloved hand gently cup his chin, and turn his head up to look at her.
“Well, if ‘Team Mario’ ever decides they’re too good for you, you’ll always have a place here,” she giggled, one hand gently tapping Luigi’s nose while the other held his chin. “No matter what they think, you’ll always be my number one.”
“… What?” Luigi asked in a whisper, looking perplexed, the mixed feelings incited by her statement dampening his drunken glibness. He stared for a moment of uncomfortable silence, hoping for clarification, when he heard a familiar voice called out his name.
“Luigi!”
Luigi pulled away, and looked at the small shadow that had appeared at the entrance of the gallery. It was Mario, dressed in his Pajamas, looking disheveled. The moment they locked eyes his bare feet hit the ground running in a bee-line toward Luigi.
“Mario? I thought you were asleep!”
Luigi opened his arms to embrace his brother, but he underestimated how much Mario’s body colliding with his own would hurt, letting out a yelp of pain as his sibling slammed against his bruised ribs, nearly toppling him. Mario gripped Luigi by the shoulders before he fell, looking him over with wide-eyed worry.
“Where were you!? What happened to you!? Why do you smell like a bunch of roses died in a bottle of amaretto?”
“Training! Did Toad tell you?” Luigi answered, unable to suppress a drunken giggle as he struggled to keep track of Mario’s questions, “I fought a snake!”
“For six hours!?”
“Six hou- no, Mario… no no… it wasn’t that long.”
“I dunno, Luigi.” Daisy chimed in, looking amused as she crossed her arms and leaned against the frame of the open window, “You were unconscious for a while there before we started breaking out the drinks.”
“Unconscious!? Luigi!” Mario groaned.
He gently cupped his brother’s face, turning it toward the light to get a better look at the extent of the bruises and swelling.
Daisy sighed and shook her head.
“Yikes. Are all the heroes from The Mushroom Kingdom so soft? Calm down, Tubby. If you don’t let him get hurt, he’s never going to learn anything.”
This comment earned her a spiteful look from Mario.
“Really! And what’s he supposed to learn if he’s too drunk to remember anything?”
“Uh, duh! It’s about muscle memory.” Daisy retorted, hands on her hips as she condescendingly bent down to meet Mario’s eye level, “Jeeze, a guy gets called a ‘hero’ for a couple of months and suddenly he thinks he’s an expert!”
“Guys! Come oooon! Don’t fight. We’ve all had a crazy day,” Luigi muttered. Caught in the middle, he roped one arm around Mario’s shoulders and another around Daisy’s, and drowsily pulled them close. “Let’s just hug it out, alright? We’re all sleepy.”
“I agree with that last part,” Mario growled. Still glaring daggers at the princess he held tight to Luigi’s arm, and pulled his brother away.
“C’mon Lu, let’s get you to bed.”
Luigi kept his arm slung around his little-big brother for support as he was guided toward the adjacent hall where the guest bedrooms were kept. Raising his free hand, he called out a cheerful “G’night Daisy!” before he found himself being pushed toward the exit a little faster than he liked.
“Good night Sweetie!” Daisy called back as the two brothers disappeared out of view. She crossed her arms over her chest and sighed, leaning back against the window frame. Her eyes drifted to the stars above and she began quietly humming to herself, a gentle smile forming on her lips while a light blush spread across her face.
