Chapter Text
Bowser had just finished tucking Bowser Jr. in bed. With all the koopa kids in the castle fast asleep, Bowser could finally take a moment to himself. Or at least, that's what he had planned on doing.
He stopped in his tracks when he spotted Kamek heading back to his chambers.
"You finished with the dishes already Kamek?" He asked, as this was usually the time the small wizard would be doing such.
"Oh, Luigi came over."
"Again?" Bowser asked.
"Yeah. He insisted on taking care of everything. I offered to help the human with at least mopping the floor but he insisted on handling it all himself." Kamek stated.
"Hm..." Bowser hummed to himself."He's been coming over a lot lately."
"He has. Maybe the human has a lot of spare time on his hands." Kamek guessed.
"Yeah, perhaps." Bowser pondered
"Well, he's still in the kitchen finishing up if you wanted to talk to him."
"Yeah, I'll go do that. Goodnight Kamek."
Kamek wished him goodnight and with that the two parted ways for the night. Bowser made his way to the castle's kitchen . Luigi could be seen mopping the kitchen floors just like Kamek said he would be.
Ever since Bowser and Peach both signed a peace treaty, the two formerly rival kingdoms were no longer at odds with each other. For a year now, the two kingdoms have been living without a single confrontation.
Everything was peaceful. While most of the residents of the Mushroom Kingdom didn't bother visiting Bowser's kingdom, Luigi was the only exception. You'd think he'd be turned off from a place that used to give him and his brother so much trouble but he wasn't.
Luigi was probably the only resident from the Mushroom Kingdom that was either nice or crazy enough to befriend the formerly savage brute. Bowser and the rest of the people in the castle seemed to enjoy the friendly plumbers company.
He'd offer to help around the castle. Whether it was assisting with the castle's plumbing, or helping Bowser set up parties for Bowser's kids.
Or in tonight's case, cleaning the castle kitchen. While these favors were nice small gestures that Bowser greatly appreciated, he noticed a sudden surge in Luigi's favors.
He stopped by almost everyday to see if he could help around. And while Bowser wanted to believe that it was just part of Luigi's sweet nature, he got the feeling that something might have been drawing him back here.
He watch Luigi silently as he worked, who seemed to be in deep thought. It took a few minutes for Luigi to notice Bowser watching him as he worked.
"Oh, Bowser!" Luigi jumped."You startled me. I didn't see you come in."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. Though you seemed really concentrated, and I didn't want to break your flow." Bowser said.
"It's okay. I was just finishing up." Luigi said with a smile.
After finishing up, Luigi followed Bowser out the kitchen. The two of them walked the large halls of the castle.
"I appreciate you coming over to help out around the castle again." Bowser said to him.
"Of course."
"I mean, it has to be a bit of a hassle coming here everyday. You don't get tired traveling all the way here just to do more work?"
"Oh, well it's not too much trouble. Peach lent me one of her hot air balloons. It's not too long of a flight."
"I just don't want you to overwork yourself is all."
"I appreciate your concern Bowser but really, I'm fine." Luigi said with a smile.
"Well as long as your fine with it."
Luigi thought to himself before speaking again.
"So is there anything else I could help out with?" He asked.
"I think that's everything. The dishes and the kitchen floor were the only things that really needed cleaning."
"Oh, I see. Well, what about the koopalings? Did they need a bed time story or anything?"
"They're fast asleep."
"Erm, the library? Does it need organizing?" Luigi asked.
"You did that yesterday."
"Uh... Well did the book shelves need dusting off?"
"They look fine to me."
"What about the library floor? I could go over it if-"
"Luigi, maybe you should give it a rest. Really, I appreciate it but I think you've done enough for today."
"R-right. Of course." Luigi nodded, scratching his right arm.
The two of them didn't speak another word to each other for a moment and walked in silence. Seeing Luigi's now unease posture, Bowser broke their silence with another question.
"So, how are things going back in the Mushroom Kingdom?" Bowser asked him.
"Oh, things seem great." Luigi answered shortly.
Bowser waited for Luigi to go in detail about the different things going on in the kingdom, however he didn't. His short response gave him an worried feeling.
"Well what about your brother? How are things going for him?"
"He seems fine." Luigi shortly answered again.
Bowser's question seemed to get a sadden reaction out of Luigi. It was so unlike Luigi to be so cryptic and vague with his thoughts and feelings. Bowser quit beating around the bush and decided to ask Luigi directly.
"I don't want to make assumptions or anything but if I didn't know any better, I would think that you're avoiding going back to the Mushroom Kingdom."
"W-what makes you say that?"
"Luigi, you've been flying here almost everyday for the past month. I know this isn't really my thing but, I can't help but ask if you're doing okay."
"Yeah. I'm okay, really." Luigi said giving him another smile.
Bowser seemed hesitant to take his word but he couldn't bring himself to argue with the sweet smile Luigi had on his face.
"Well, alright. I'll take your word for it." Bowser said."So what have you been up to this past year?"
Bowser's question seemed to catch Luigi off guard.
"Uh-" Luigi pondered, not seeming to have an answer."Just stuff." He shrugged.
Luigi's posture became more closed off as he cross his arms, his muscles tensing up.
"Private, huh? It's alright. I'm sure whatever it is that you're up to nowadays is something great."
"Thanks, Bowser."
"No problem. You seem to usually have it all together. I hope that with whatever you're doing, it keeps going well for you."
Bowser's words suddenly brought a wince out of Luigi as his walking came to an unexpected stop. Bowser immediately noticed this, his walking too coming to a halt. To his astonishment, he turned around to see Luigi, his eyes brimming with tears, his once composed demeanor now shattered as he whimpered in distress.
"Luigi?" Bowser questioned.
Luigi suddenly fell to his knees, the palms of his hands hitting the ground breaking part of his fall. His crying became much more pronounced as his tears ran down his face at a fast rate.
"Luigi, are you alright?!" Bowser asked in a panic, caught off guard by Luigi's sudden shift in mood.
He quickly kneeled down beside the crying man.
"I'm sorry." Luigi apologized through his cries, unable to bring himself to look up at Bowser.
While Bowser was initially trying to get him to talk, he didn't expect him to break like he did. Though seeing as he was acting strange for the past month, Bowser couldn't help but assume that whatever was causing Luigi to cry like this, he had been penting up for a month.
"You don't have to be sorry." Bowser spoke to him in a soft voice."Tell me what's wrong."
Luigi hesitated for a moment before looking up at Bowser. He gritted his teeth before looking away from him again, seeming embarrassed by his emotionally vulnerable state. He was normally the optimistic one in the group. The comforter rather than the comforted.
To be in a situation where he was releasing so many negative emotions was really rare for him, let alone in front of Bowser of all people.
Bowser placed a hand on his shoulder, ushering him to look back up at him.
"Talk to me." Bowser insisted.
The earnest look in Bowser's eyes were enough to get through Luigi.
"You were right-.... I have been avoiding the Mushroom Kingdom."
"You have?" Bowser questioned."Why?"
"Because-... I don't know what to do with myself."
"What do you mean?"
"I have no idea what to do now. It feels like everyone I care about is drifting away."
"What about your brother? Surely he's still around."
"Hardly. He's been busy with his own life ever since him and Peach started dating. Now that the Mushroom Kingdom are no longer at odds with this place it feels like I'm not needed anywhere. I don't want to hold my brother back from being happy but without him, or Peach, I don't have anyone."
"Is that why you kept coming here more often?"
"Coming here gave me something to do to pass the time. I thought keeping myself occupied with something would make me feel better but whenever I head back home, I'm just reminded so much of how unneeded I've become. All of this just hurts so much to think about but I just can't stop thinking about it, Bowser. I just miss things being the way they were with me and my friends, but I feel selfish for feeling such a way."
Luigi's head lowered, his body still shaking.
"I'm supposed to have it together. I should know what to do. Why do I feel so alone? Why do I feel like a burden to all of my friends? " He huffed, trying to catch his breath.
For a moment, the only sound that could be heard were Luigi's distressed cries. Bowser couldn't bring himself to say anything for a moment. It was hard for him to watch one of his only friends in such a state.
Seeing his normally optimistic cheerful friend in such an upset state made his heart sting. Watching him breakdown like this felt contagious as Luigi's hurt feelings felt as if they were spreading to Bowser.
Bowser moved closer to Luigi before taking it upon himself to provide him with emotional support. He wrapped his arms around him, pulling him in close. Bowser's heart swelled with compassion as he held Luigi, feeling the gentle tremors of sorrow coursing through his friend's body. He had gotten Luigi to speak up about his feelings, now he was ready to try and help him.
He wasn't fully sure of what his life was like in the Mushroom Kingdom ever since the peace treaty, as he usually occupied himself with his own kingdom. He wanted to reassure Luigi with honest words rather than just hopeful assumptions.
"Look, I can't speak for your friends but, you're never a burden to me Luigi." Bowser spoke, resting a hand on the back of Luigi's head.
Luigi allowed himself to surrender into Bowser's hold, leaning into his chest. He wrapped his arms around Bowser's firm frame, seeming comfortable enough to just ride his emotions out. While his worries weighed heavy on him, he found himself taking great comfort in Bowser's firm hold. The simple act of just hugging him meant a lot to Luigi. It let him know he was heard and that Bowser understood his situation.
Bowser massaged Luigi's back in a circular motion, working to soothe Luigi's worries. Bowser did this until Luigi recollected himself. Luigi scooted back, resting his hands on the knees of his jean overalls. He held his head down low, seeming unsure of what to do or say. His attention was drawn to the feeling of Bowser cupping his face with both hands.
He gently redirected Luigi's gaze back up at him, his thumb stroking his cheek. The warmth of Bowser's hands against Luigi's skin brings a comforting presence, grounding him in the moment. His bushy red eyebrows furrowed, his concern very evident by his tight lip expression.
"Is there anything I can do to help you, Luigi? We can do whatever you want. I just hate to see you like this."
"I just... I don't want to go back home. Not yet, at least."
"Well, how about you stay here with me?"
"You'd... You would let me stay here?"
"If it would make you feel better, I'd be more than happy to. Now that I know for certain you're feeling this way, I'd like to make you feel better." Bowser answered."We have plenty of extra space in the castle. You're more than welcome to stay as long as you like."
"What would I even do here?"
"Anything you'd like. Besides, the kids enjoy whenever you come over. If you don't have any ideas, the 8 of them certainly will."
"You really want me to stay here with you?"
"Yeah. I'm worried about you, Luigi. I want you to know that your company is greatly appreciated. If I knew you felt this way sooner, I would've offered earlier."
Luigi thought silently to himself, his gaze averting from Bowser for a moment. Luigi let out a deep sigh, now grasping one of the hands Bowser had rested on his face.
"Again, this is totally up to you. But if you did want to stay, we could do whatever you like. I could make you dinner, we could read, I could show you to where you were to stay for tonight. Does any of that interest you?" He asked, inching closer to him.
"Yeah.... That doesn't sound so bad." Luigi said, a small smile forming on his face.
"Good. I want you to use your time here to enjoy yourself, alright? Don't stress yourself out. Everything is going to work out fine."
"Alright."
Bowser found himself smiling at the drowsy smile that now occupied Luigi's face. Despite his tired look, He was still really handsome. It was in this moment that Bowser noticed how long he had been holding on to Luigi's face and how close he had actually gotten to him. His skin was so soft and he found it really hard to look away from him.
The idea of Luigi staying here really appealed to him. He knew how much the kids liked him and he himself enjoyed whenever Luigi would stop by. Something in him wanted to be there for Luigi. It felt as though over the past year, he had grown a bit protective over Luigi. He was his closest friend and his happiness meant a lot to him.
Seeing as he didn't have anything to add, he figured he should move. As he began to drift his hand off Luigi's face, the grip Luigi had on Bowser's hand tightened as though he didn't want him to move it. This brought Bowser to look back down at Luigi, once again focusing how close they were to each other. Something in Bowser liked that closeness.
He noticed how Luigi's smile widened, seeming both nervous and happy. Judging by the flustered smile and the way he kept Bowser's hand pressed against his face, it was evident that Luigi also liked their closeness.
For a moment, Bowser wasn't sure what to do with himself. As he stayed as he was, Bowser could feel a shortness of breath coming onto him. He was nervous, and his heart hammering against his chest proved that to him. The longer he stared at Luigi, the harder it became to ignore the strong attraction he felt towards him.
Everything in him so desperately yearned to close the distance between the two of them. Despite Luigi's reddened eyes, everything about him was still so beautiful to look at. His facial features had such a soft look to them. He wanted to be sure that this was something Luigi also wanted to do, however he couldn't bring himself to verbally ask.
Bowser inches his face a little closer to Luigi's, maintaining the hold he had on Luigi's face. His heart pounded as he anticipated Luigi's response to him moving close. The hold he had on him allowed him to feel the flustered smile that was on Luigi's face. His face became enveloped in a shade of red as his blood rushed to his cheeks. Despite his nervousness, he followed Bowser's gesture and leaned a little closer to him.
He watched as Luigi removed the hand he had rested ontop of his, and made it's way up to Bowser's face, his opposite hand following shortly behind. His thumbs traced across Bowser's muzzle, showing his affection towards Bowser. It became clear to him that Luigi also seemed to share the same thoughts as him. This was something he also wanted.
Bowser took in a deep inhale, finally ready to break away from his hesitation. Bowser began to bring Luigi close to him. As Bowser gently guided Luigi, he sensed the unspoken synchronization between them, as if Luigi was instinctively attuned to the motion he made. He shut his eyes, letting go of his worries as he pressed his lips against Luigi's, taking in the soft feel they had.
He could feel Luigi wrap his arms around his broad shoulders, seeming just as enveloped in the moment as him. Their lips parted, the two of them leaning back, refocusing their gazes back at one another. Luigi's hand made its way back up to Bowser's jawline, tracing down it as he redirected his gaze back at Bowser's lips.
He once again leaned forward to kiss him, recapturing the feeling. Bowser wrapped his arms around Luigi slim stature, holding him close as they shared another kiss. The two once again pulled back, their minds still taken aback by the act they just shared. The two pressed their foreheads together, a strong smile resting on both their faces.
"Lou..." Bowser uttered out.
"Yeah?"
"I'm really looking forward to having you stay here with me."
"Yeah. I am too Bowser."
The two leaned back, once again exchanging a smile. Bowser took off the green hat that rested upon Luigi's head, revealing his full head of brown hair.
"One thing I never understood about you: Why do you always wear this hat? It makes it hard to actually see your hair." Bowser commented, bringing a flustered chuckle out of Luigi.
"Well, it kind of complete's the outfit."
Bowser ran his hand through Luigi's hair, before brushing back to leave a tender kiss on his forehead.
"I love you." Bowser smiled, now taking hold of Luigi's hand.
"I love you too." Luigi smiled back, giving Bowser's hand a gentle squeeze.
"So, did you still want me to make you dinner?"
"I honestly don't know if I can eat. Honestly with all the crying and the kissing, my nerves are kinda shot." Luigi admitted.
"Alright. Well I'll take you to bed. I'll make you breakfast first thing in the morning."
"Pfft, I know how to cook Bowser."
"I know. But it's been a while since I got to make you something."
Bowser put Luigi's hat back on him before scooping Luigi up in his arms.
"Let's get you some rest, alright?"
"Yeah."
"Remember, I don't want you to worry too much."
"Alright. Thanks Bowser."
"Yeah... Anything for you Greenie."
Luigi gave Bowser a sweet kiss on the cheek before taking a moment to relax in Bowser's hold. Perhaps his stay at the castle was the change of scenery he needed.