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Luigi really should've kept his mouth shut, for the sake of his brother.
But of course he didn't. Now because of his stupidity his older brother was in trouble. Again. This was the third time this week. Luigi could feel his stomach churning feeling so anxious and uneasy under the principal’s cold hard eyes. He shifted in the big office chair. His brother was slumped against the chair looking at nothing in particular. His eye was half way open due to the swelling. All cause of my stupidity… Luigi thought as his eyes shifted down at his bruised knuckles.
The sound of ticking from the clock on the wall became more prominent acting as a heavy reminder of how long the wait for their mother was becoming. Luigi could feel his anxious side slowly unraveling. If his brother hadnt spoken up, he was sure he’d his his breaking point.
“Ya know, this isnt fair. Why are we being held against our will and not the jerk off who punched my brother?” Mario asked, folding his arms.
The principal corked up a brow, his hands under his chin. He was quiet for a moment before shifting. Putting on his glasses. “You know why.”
“Enlighten me.” Mario retorted.
Luigi looked between the two in nervousness. He pressed his lips into a thin line and cleared his throat. “Mario, maybe we should wait for Ma-”
“Wait for what? Im just asking.” Mario countered, leaning forward he propped himself against the edge of the desk, “Tell this feeble minded kid why, because I surely don't know why we are stuck here. Surely it doesn't have to do with my track record huh?”
Mario’s words lingered through the air for a heavy moment as the principal sat there with an unreadable expression. The oldest Mario brother huffed, falling back against his chair.
He let out a curse word under his breath and folded his arms. Oh thank God the principal didn't know Italian, Luigi thought. Well let's hope.
The principal started to shuffle his papers around, “You know Mario, that snarky attitude and temper will only get you so far in life, if you want my advice, stop while you’re still ahead.”
Luigi could see his brother’s expression twisting into a much angrier front, he reached over and grabbed Mario’s sleeve. “Mario.” He called out, hoping to remind his brother that he’s got to stay calm. It seemed to have worked since Mario stayed in place, throwing a glance Luigi’s way before looking down at the bandage on his forearm. His anger faltered, replaced with a heart wrenching expression.
His eyes that were sparked with fire a few seconds ago were now dark and dull. Luigi knew that expression all too well, he opened his mouth to say something but a knock at the door grabbed all their attention. Well all but Mario's.
All Luigi's ill feelings disappeared in an instant when he saw their mom come in. "Mama!" Luigi called out, hopping out of his chair he raced over to his mom, wrapping his arms around her waist. He hid his face against her blue skirt. The smell of daisies consumed him and the soothing touch of her hand on his head made him feel more at ease. He looked up at her, smiling. She returned the gesture but worry was in her eyes. “ Oh mio povero bambino '' She said softly, pushing back his bangs, she skimmed over his bruised eye in a gentle fashion. Luigi did his best not to wince at the touch. He didnt want to upset her more. She shook her head "cosa devo fare con voi piccoli mascalzoni?"
He gave her a lopsided smile and let her go, when Luigi took his mother's hand she looked at his knuckles, looking a bit more worried than she had been. She didn't say anything though, instead her attention went onto the eldest who's been mute this whole time.
“Mario.” She called out as she approached his chair. Luigi settled from the other side,
Mario didnt look at her or at him, he wasn't even looking at the principal. It was like he was off or something. Luigi frowned, he hated that dead eye look his brother does when he gets into these moods. It was scary but not like a horror movie kind of scary, just scary. Luigi wasn't sure how to even explain it. " Mario tesoro? È mamma." Their mom brushed her hand against his cheek.
It was like turning on a robot almost, but not quite, Mario blinked, and looked lost. Like he had been on a whole other world entirely, somewhere without him. With worry Luigi reached out to his brother's uninjured arm, "Mario?"
Mario took a moment to fully process what was going on, he frowned and noted Luigi and then their mom. Wincing at the touch on his bad eye. Their mom gave them a gut wrenching expression. " Oh mio povero bambino, cosa è successo??" She brushed back his bangs just as she had done with Luigi. Mario endured the touching until he couldn't anymore.
"Mamma sto bene." Mario reassured before gently pushing his mom away from his face, she got the message and with a soft sigh she straightened up, taking her son's word. She turned to the principal now. "My boys are injured, what happened? You didn't tell me how bad they were off."
The Principal who had been watching this whole time cleared his throat. “Well as I said on the phone, your boys got into a fight.”
Their mom frowned, "I can see that." She looked around the room, "Where are the other party? Last I checked it takes two to fight. Or more. Looking at my children's injuries it seems like more."
The principal opened his mouth to explain but now that Mario was out of his translucent state he chimed in.
“Oh he didnt bother with bringing them in because he already assumed it was me. Because of my track record."
"You two were the ones who were caught and according to the other party, you were the one who threw the first punch."
"Foreman did that!" Mario snapped, startling both his mom and Luigi. "Stupid sunglasses jerk was running his mouth about me. Luigi told him to shut up and the guy socked him in the eye. What the hell was I supposed to do?"
"Get a teacher?"
"Oh right, let me walk away from a seventh grader who was already going for another hit! Let me just leave my brother to get more injuries! If you left your office from time to time you'd know just how bad your school is you shi-"
"Mario!" His words were cut by his mother's warning tone. She, along with Luigi, was surprised by this sudden outburst. She wasn't mad nor did she yell, she laid a hand on Mario's shoulder. Making eye contact she gave him a sympathetic look.
She brushed her hand against his uninjured cheek, "Lascia che se ne occupi la mamma hm?" She pulled out two bucks and handed it to him. "Go get some snacks. Please. I'll come find you."
Mario frowned, slowly getting that dull eye gaze again. He sighed softly, taking the money. "Yes Mamma." He rounded the chair begrudgingly but on his way, he threw one last filthy look at the principal before taking Luigi's hand and leaving.
Once out of the office Luigi looked in through the windows, frowning. They stood there for a minute, he didn't dare look at his brother. Expecting to see his brother angry or in that dull eye stare. He didn't know. He didn't want to know. A sigh escaped his lips and the weight of the day started to dawn upon him. He clasped his hands together, looking down at the bruises on his knuckles. Guilt festering inside him, thoughts slowly swiveled into his head, causing the outside world to go murky until a hand laid on his head, catching the younger Mario brother's attention. Meeting his brothers tired dark blue eyes and to Luigi’s surprise a soft and warm smile just like their mom’s, washing away whatever bad feelings he had, he let his brother coax him into a one arm hug with his good arm and started walking with him to the vending machine that was at the end of the outstretched dim lit hallway. Usually Luigi would do whatever to avoid these types of hallways, thankfully having his brother around helps sort of. When they reached a dark part of the hall, in reflex Luigi hugged onto Mari’s waist, getting closer to his brother.
Why did schools have to be scary after hours? It's like hospitals but without the sick people. Mario rubbed Luigi's back for comfort while walking. "Don't be scared Lu. I'm right here. Trust me there’s no ghosts coming to get ya….maybe if we were in a mansion-”
“That's not helping.” Luigi said.
Mario snorted, “It's fine Lu. I'm here, always will be.”
Luigi frowned, letting the silence linger a little before mumbling. “Maybe you shouldn't always be there for me…” he had hoped to mumble it really quietly to where his brother wouldn't hear, but unfortunately Mario did and stopped in his tracks. The pair parted, their gazes met. Mario gave him a confused expression.
Luigi took a step back and drew his eyes to his worn shoes, lightly skimming his thumb over his bruised knuckles. "I just meant..." He started. “If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be in hot water, or have a black eye, hurt arm and-” Luigi paused, he could feel emotions overwhelming him. He took another step back, and then another. He held his arm and started rubbing it. Tears threatened his eyes as he kept his eyes on his shoes.
“Lu…”
Luigi’s lip began to quiver but he stopped himself, swallowing a lump in his throat, he wiped at his eyes quickly. He hissed at the pain of his injured eye.
“Careful.” Mario hurried over closing their gap between each other. He took Luigi’s hand, “Lu, hey don't cry-”
“I'm not crying.” Luigi growled, feeling annoyed, mainly with himself. God he hated this. Why was he being like this, he had no right. His brother was the one in pain, got chewed out by the principal and will get chewed out by their dad all because his stupid brother couldn't shut up. He rubbed his eyes more with his other hand, inflicting pain on himself again. He could hear himself getting choked up and crying a little. Mario managed to take his other hand which left Luigi not able to do much. “Let go–”
“No. You're hurting yourself.” Mario said, he frowned, sighing softly. “Luigi, its okay–”
“No it's not! I got you in trouble again!” Luigi said through his sobbing. “All cause im stupid and I cant shut up–”
“Luigi you are not stupid-”
“Yes I am!” Luigi croaked, now becoming more of a sobbing mess. Mario let his hands go and wrapped his arms around Luig’s head letting him cry against him.
“Hey, come on Lu, calm down okay? Look, I get myself into trouble. You dont do anything but get me out of trouble.” He pulled back slightly, gently taking his brother’s face in his hands.
Luigi kept sobbing, hiccups and snorts, he couldn't help but to let it out which made him more emotional considering how Mario had felt in the office. “You're hurting too-” He started but his crying kept him from continuing. He wasn't sure how long he was crying, but however long Mario waited patiently, holding onto him. His arms back around him, rubbing Luigi’s back.
“Come on little brother, its okay, I won't lie, it sucks being in trouble all the time but, I'd rather be in trouble for a billion years then to watch you get hurt again.” Mario confessed, “Its the oldest job ya know? Keeping his little brother safe from monsters under the beds, in closets or even at school.” Mario pulled back revealing Luigi’s tear stained face. The smaller Mario brother sniffled. “There we go.” He encouraged with a soft smile the more Luigi calmed down. Eventually the crying stopped and the brother’s continued to the vending machine.
The walk was quiet as now it was Luigi’s turn to zone out, feeling like he was on autopilot or something. Although he really shouldn't be. Mario was always there to comfort him, but who was there for him? Luigi blinked, snapping himself back into reality. He saw his brother leave his side for the vending machine. “Alright, Ma gave us two dollars, do we wanna share a food item and get two drinks, or share a drink and get two food items?” He asked, looking at the options.
Luigi watched his brother debate their options when he suddenly let out, “I'm sorry.”
This grabbed Mario’s attention. “Sorry? Sorry for what?”
Luigi peered down at his hand, thumbing his knuckles again. He shrugged a bit. “Just, for everything." He sighed. "For getting you into trouble. For being a spineless coward-" Luigi started but stopped. He could feel his chest swelling while tears threatened his eyes again. He sucked in a breath before releasing, "-for crying when you need the crying more than me-" he managed.
"I'm gonna stop you right there pal." Mario intervened, "First off, nothing to be sorry for." He went over to Luigi, "Secondly, what is this talk about being a spineless coward eh? Luigi you punched a kid three times your size! Do you know how crazy that is?" He grinned wildly. Luigi was puzzled but flustered at the same time. "And you did that for me."
"But I got beat up and you had to get involved and now you're in trouble because of me. If it wasn't for me, we wouldn't be here and-"
"Luigi." Mario cut him off. Luigi met Mario's eyes. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you." He wrapped his arm around his little brother. "You are the person that keeps me from being out of trouble. And I mean trouble trouble. Without you, I'm just… not me? I guess?" He sighed, "Look I don't know how to describe or explain but I do know that if there comes a day where I had to… I dunno… uhh eat a lot of mushrooms for your sake then I totally will."
Luigi stared up at his brother in awe, letting what he said soak in. A grin slowly appeared in his face. Imagining his brother eating mushrooms without gagging. He started to giggle and laugh, catching his brother off guard. "Hey, what's so funny?"
"I just can't imagine you eating mushrooms for anyone's sake."
"I wouldn't. Only yours… and I guess Ma's…"
Luigi lifted his brow. He waved his hand at Mario. "Oh please."
Mario pulled back, "Just you watch. I'll prove it to ya one day.
"Yeah, just like you'll prove to me that you'll end up with a princess." He snorted.
Mario rolled his eyes, "Whatever half pint. That can still happen." He teased lightly, "let's get some snacks, I'm starving." He made his way back to the machine. Luigi followed. He watched Mario pick out their favorites and spend the two bucks.
"Mario?"
"Hm?"
"Do you really mean that? About eating mushrooms for me?" Mario gave a nod and handed Luigi his soda. Luigi took it. "But why?"
Mario rolled his eyes playfully and snorted. He shifted his drink to his other hand and balled up his non injured hand, holding it out to Luigi. "You're worth it Lu."
Luigi looked at his brother's fist then back at him. A small smile curved on his face. The pair bumped fists in a light fashion making sure not to hurt their knuckles even more.
"Thanks Mario..."
"Anytime little brother." Mario smiled.
Once they got their snacks they headed back to the office windows, getting settled against the wall across the way, Mario set out their items. Luigi watched his brother, examining his face and expression. He wondered. "Mario… are you okay though?"
Mario stopped in the middle of what he was doing which was putting the crackers on the rapper, he set the cracker he had down and leaned back against the wall. He shrugged. "Despite the bruised ribs, bandaged arm and black eye, uhh okay I guess?"
Luigi frowned. "Mario, are you sure?"
Mario snorted looking at Luigi, "Jeeze, Ma I'm fine."
Luigi gave him a look before rolling his eyes. He sighed, "Fine. Be a jokester."
"Luigi, I'm okay."
"I don't believe that."
Mario rolled his eyes, looking agitated but remained calm. He took a breath and corked his brow. "Then why ask?"
Luigi was quiet, debating on if he should continue or drop it. He didn't want to upset him but….
"Was it my outburst?" Mario asked. "Or my uhh anger issues?"
You'd think Luigi would be terrified of Mario's temper issues but, it wasn't that. Strangely he felt more comfortable seeing his brother angry because at least he looks alive. Remembering how dull his brother's eyes were made him feel uneasy. He pushed away his food and hugged his legs. "No… at least when your angry, I can see you're still here with me."
Mario grew confused. "Luigi, what are you talking about?"
Luigi leaned his head back against the wall, letting his head tilt, looking away from Mario completely. "When you go into those moods I guess… you leave.."
"My moods?"
Luigi looked over to his brother, watching the gears in his head at work. When it clicked Mario's expression softened, "Lu-"
Luigi shifted his eyes onto his knees. "You were really out of it this time. It's like your body was there but you weren't." He's seen him go into those states before and usually he doesn't stay in them long unless he's alone which Luigi was determined to not leave him alone ever. He bit his lip, "I was scared you wouldn't come back… and then you had the outburst… I was surprised you were smiling and stuff. I was just wondering if youre putting on a front for my sake."
There was silence letting the words that Luigi let out linger, with a sharp intake of a breath, Mario cleared his throat. "Luigi…" taking Luigi's hand in his hand before leaning closer. "I swear. I'm okay." He looked off to the side. "I was upset…and angry. I kinda wanted to go find Foreman and hit him again." He joked with a soft laugh. He swallowed and struggled with keeping his front as he examined Luigi's bruised knuckles. "I hate that old fart of a principal. The nerve of him to think I'd leave you…" he narrowed his brows, And Foreman...." He closed his eyes and took in a breath before shaking whatever he was feeling off. Paying more attention to Luigi. Thats more important.
"But, I'm okay now." Luigi was met with his brothers gaze, "You're here so I'm better." He added for good measure.
"What if you…" Luigi started.
"I won't." Mario stated
"But what if you do Mario? I'm scared that those moods you go in may I dunno take you away from me."
"That won't happen." He argued with confidence.
"How do you know?"
"Because I have the best person looking out for me."
Luigi thought about that, chewing on his bottom lip. He tapped his chin with his free finger and smirked a bit, "I don't think uncle Tony is the best."
Marios eyelids drooped while one of his brow raised. "Luigi."
"Maybe auntie, or Uncle Arthur-" He started listing.
Mario shook his head at his brother's antics, rolling his eyes. He smirked. "Luigi."
Luigi stopped and snorted lightly. "I know I know." He let down his legs into a criss cross style. Taking his cracker stick he dipped it in his cheese again, biting it. Mario's arm went around his shoulders, bringing him in closer.
There was a long comfortable silence between the brothers as they lounged and ate. Luigi was sipping on his soda pop when Mario cleared his throat, "You know I won't go anywhere without you. Right?"
Luigi wasn't sure why he was asking since they've already established that he wasn't going anywhere, but he didn't question it. He gave a small nod, looking up at his brother. Mario was staring at him with concern. He frowned. "I'll get it in my head. I promise."
Mario smiled at that, leaning down he pressed his forehead up against Luigi's. "Good. Because it's true. No matter what as long as we're together-"
"Nothing can hurt us." Luigi finished and returned the smile, he hugged the smile his brother's torso, feeling relieved. Mario returned the hug. The two stayed that a minute or probably more before returning to their snacks for the third to fourth time.
Luigi took a bite of the cracker he got, "So how much trouble are you in?"
Mario split his own cracker and ate the part with peanut butter on it. He shrugged. "Well considering I gave Foreman a concussion and busted lip, probably suspension." Luigi must have had a look of worry on his face when Mario glanced at him, he waved it off nonchalantly. "But let's not worry about it. Instead let's make a toast."
Luigi looked at their snacks and frowned confused. "We don't have toast-"
"It's an expression Luigi." Mario informed.
"Oh." Luigi grewed red in the face. "I knew that. I was just testing you.."
Mario raised his brow and rolled his eyes, "well I hope I passed." He played along which made Luigi feel a bit better for his mess up.
"You did."
"Great cause Ma is already upset with me about my D in English." Mario snorted, lightly nudging Luigi's arm with his elbow. He straightened up grabbing his soda pop can, "Anyways, I wanna make a toast. Pick up your can."
Luigi did and held it up like his brother.
"To the best and coolest little brother a guy could ever have."
With wide eyes, puzzled Luigi grew flustered, "M-Mario you're not funny-"
"I'm not being funny Lu." He smiled and clanked his can lightly against his. "It's- a Luigi time eh-"
Luigi crackled at his brother's tease, playfully shoving him back earning a playful shove back, both brothers laughing now. It seemed like everything that was all bad today just melted away, even the upcoming scoldings just didn't matter at that moment.
Luigi wished these kinds of moments would last forever. He wished he could just stop time. He loved it when his brother smiled big and laughed so genuinely.
The laughter slowly died out and the boys settled back down, both eating their snacks in comfortable silence. They could hear some of the conversation behind the office windows. They couldn't hear words clearly but they knew their mother was speaking hardcore Italian. Oh she was angry.
They were for sure going to hear it from her and their dad when they got home. That's gonna be fun Luigi thought as he broke his cracker stick in his cheese.
"Hey Lu…"
"Yeah?"
"I'm proud of you ya know?"
Luigi looked over to Mario, meeting his proud expression. He grew shy at the praise and laughed sheepishly . "Stop it Mario."
"Stop what? Praising my little brother? Being proud of him standing up for himself and me? I don't think that's in the brotherhood handbook."
Luigi snorted. "What handbook? I've never seen one of those for that."
Mario shrugged, "In all seriousness Lu, you did great Lu...." His smile faded a smidge as he looked off to the side. "ya know I didn't think you could handle yourself, but you decided to prove me wrong and even yourself wrong." He laid a hand on Luigi's shoulder. "I'm proud of you little brother."
Luigi stared at his brother. He wasn't sure how to feel, but he knew it was good. A wonderful feeling being praised by someone like him. Cool, great at talking to people. Brave enough to venture into dark spaces or go against people ten times his size or has authority over him. Someone so willing and determined, praising him. Being proud of him? Wow.
A smile curved on the younger Mario brother's face as a sense of pride filled within him, "Thanks Mario…" he looked to the side, "That means a lot coming from you."
Mario smiled softly. Wrapping his arm around Luigi once again. He sipped on his pop the pair returning to the relaxing silence while finishing their snacks and waiting for their Ma.
Despite the day, it ended pretty well.
Well the school part at least.