Work Text:
"You know," Luigi said, interrupting professor E. Gadd's chatter, "they're your friends as well."
The older man broke off and gave a plumber in green a puzzled look.
"What do you mean?"
"The only thing you're talking about is how I have to catch more ghosts and that you want your collection back. And you call Mario and toads "your friends". So yes: they're your friends as well. "
Having said that, Luigi carefully took off VB and put it next to him, not being able to look at the professor right now. He hugged his knees, feeling increasing frustration inside.
He didn't understand this attitude change. Why did his older comrade start acting like that all of a sudden? Why in the world had he become so cold to others? After all, it was the same person who risked his life to save Luigi and gave him the only device that could save the brother, leaving the professor himself completely defenseless.
Yet it was obvious that the old inventor still cared. He stayed in touch with Luigi all the time, helped him when the one asked, looked after toads and… well, there was a lot more.
But why then was he so willing to go around saying his ghosts and collection are so important? Why was he saying that saving friends is important, but one must not forget about catching the horrifying otherworldly creatures? As if he stopped caring. As if Mario and toads meant nothing to him anymore.
The professor remained silent. Then, in the earphone Luigi left on, a sigh was heard.
"Of course you're right, my boy."
Surprised, Luigi tossed his head. He… hadn't heard the older one call him that for a long time. And E. Gadd… he sounded so… defeated. It was unnatural to hear that tone in a usually lively voice.
"I know they're my friends. It's just that…" his friend fell silent, as if trying to choose the right words. With a sigh, he finally said: "I'm scared."
Luigi stared at VB. So far, the professor seemed to be completely fearless. He was always smiling, no matter how hard the situation was. He always had a plan. And the younger Mario found support in the old inventor's never-ending optimism, the strength to keep going when it seemed like he couldn't. And yet…
"Yes, I'm scared," the professor confirmed as though he didn't believe himself. "King Boo is getting more and more mad and furious every time. Heh, guess I can't blame him too much. Sitting in the painting isn't so pleasant. "
Luigi strongly doubted that his older friend's paintings had much in common with the crazy king's ones, but the elderly man hadn't finished yet.
"It’s just… I suppose it's just much easier to think that it's just a collection of paintings at stake, not…" the professor gasped. "I'm sorry, Luigi," he added sincerely, "I was so focused on avoiding thinking about them that I made you believe I don't care. I'm not a very good friend, am I?"
Luigi blinked as the words registered in his head. As it was done, he shook his head furiously, though E. Gadd couldn't see him, and took VB in his hands.
"I understand", he gently addressed the device. "I'm scared too. Ghosts, King Boo, this hotel… Sometimes I feel like I won't be able to go on. I… I'm so afraid I won't have enough strength to save them. "
Luigi held the device tight, desperately wanting to hug the professor, to give him this feeling of understanding and to feel the warmth of another person, not the eternal cold of lonely corridors.
"You will save them, sonny."
Luigi froze, as there was a familiar voice in his ear. This conviction. The professor said it as if he knew that this was exactly what would happen. And suddenly, the younger Mario felt his older friend's words fill him with confidence.
"Yes," he breathed. "I will save them. All of them. "
He looked at VB and said firmly, "I promise."
Luigi felt that this last word cemented something important between them. And it wasn't a burden. They both knew, maybe even better than the others, that promises are not always possible to keep. But it wasn't about the word itself. The firmness and intent behind it - that's what it was.
"I know," Luigi was glad to hear the professor was going back to his confident self.
The younger felt a small but sincere smile appearing on his face. With new strength, he stood up, straightening the hat on his head and taking Poltergust. He was ready. The plumber reached for the earphone in his ear.
"Luigi."
The boy jumped, letting out a scream. There was a genuine giggle in the earphone, the laughing one clearly knew what the matter was. Luigi felt embarrassed, but soon enough joined the laughter himself.
It's always like that after prolonged anxiety or tears: every little thing amuses better than the funniest comedians. And the younger Mario felt, as the remnants of all fears and anxieties dissipated like smoke.
"You know," the professor said when they both stopped, "I meant it. You can call me anytime. And not necessarily just when you're in trouble. I will be there to listen. I know it's not a lot, but you don't have to do this alone. Wish I could..."
"No," Luigi interrupted him. "This means a lot to me," the younger one smiled. "Thank you."
He tried to put into this word all sincerity and ardent gratitude for all the times his older friend supported the plumber.
A genuine chuckle confirmed his success.
With a bright smile, Luigi hung up the phone and started walking down the corridor. A new power, a new confidence sparkled in him. He will save his friends. VB was heavy on his pocket, reminding him that he's not alone.
And fears... What about fears? Some of them go, others come, and some stay forever. But no fear can defeat both of them.
They will help each other.
And together... Together, they will defeat King Boo himself.