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Chapter Text

In an abandoned area of the underground sewer pipe system a young teenage Luigi hurried with his school bag heavy on his back to the spot he’d been visiting since late autumn. It was the first day of summer break and he wanted to tell his secret friend. Well…IF his friend was there in the charred and warped pipe he’d come across months prior.

He’d been chased and cornered by bullies and hastily dragged down to the sewers so Mario wouldn’t find them. They only picked on him because he was meek, a “loser”, and some of their girlfriends kept ogling Mario so that pissed them off. But since Mario was a “someone “ in school, they couldn’t touch him without getting serious repercussions, unlike with Luigi, who would most likely say nothing to keep the peace. Lucky for him, though, before he could get hurt too badly or worse, they were chased off by a threatening growl and a surge of fire coming out from a pipe, the fire so big it singed the pipe and warped it red, to the point some bits of it began to melt. A deep voice threatened them that they’d be next.
Then they peed themselves and ran away. Luigi was far too frightened to run so he could only whimper while the voice on the other side tried soothing him when he realized Luigi wasn’t running or at least couldn’t run.

He halted with a scared yelp as a few feet in front of him a large blast of fire came from the pipe he’d come to know, breaking him from his reverie. “Dammit, stop playing with pyrotechnics down here, Bowser! You’ll set the whole place a blaze.” He scolded as he got his heart rate back down.
He walked over, hearing a huff from his friend. He actually hadn’t “seen” his friend before, the other unable to come out the other side of the pipe due to its wonky shape and when Luigi would look through himself, it was so dark all he could see were ruby red eyes. An odd eye color but every person was unique. “I take it today wasn’t a good one, huh? Hai bisogno che ti presti orecchio?” He asked in Italian, waiting to see if Bowser wanted a translation. Sometimes the short tempered boy would and others not so much. He wondered if the boy would let him get closer that day. Bowser tended to like his space from Luigi though they spoke and played cards. He had to buy a new deck every so often as the other boy had a liking to set them on fire if he was losing.

Bowser huffed again, Luigi seeing smoke come trickling out. “It was fine, I suppose. Think I’m going through another growth spurt. Kamek’s been more strict about my studies too so…had to sneak out.” He grumbled, voice a little deep and gravelly.

Luigi smiled, hoping his friend saw. “You don’t get a break even if you’re home schooled? Summer vacation just started today for me and mio fratello. Oh! I still have some leftover snacks my Ma packed me. Wanna share?” He began to rummage through his pack, taking out books and notebooks and pencils and pens to reach what he wanted.

He heard Bowser chuckle and try and shuffle more towards the teen. “Sure. Haven’t had lunch since that’s when I ran. I can never tell time right between when you’ll get here or not. Maybe we should try and set dates out, but if something comes up then the other is screwed. Hey, what’s “mio fratello”? And what you said before?”

Laughing lightly, Luigi took out the containers along with a plastic knife to spread the chocolate-hazelnut mixture onto some bread pieces. “Yeah, that would be troublesome, so we should stick to what we’ve been doing all this time, plus it’s fun taking a chance to see if you’re here. It means “my brother”, and I asked before if you wanted me to listen to what happened. I could bring you an Italian translation book next time?” He took out a thermos of orange juice as well. “We can share this. Can you reach?”

The sound of something sharp running along the metal made Luigi cringe and he tried not covering his ears but it seemed to have worked as once the noise stopped, the red eyes were closer-and bigger- than Luigi realized.
Bowser really must’ve been hungry for them to be this close after so long. “Sorry, I’m almost too big for this thing. Thanks for the snack.” Bowser reached a hand out to take the treat laid out in front of him and Luigi was shocked to see such a large hand. A scaly and clawed hand with a spiked wrist band.
He blinked a few times, seeing if he was mistaking it, but no, he wasn’t. He heard Bowser continue. “No one where I live has ever heard of this “Italian” you speak of. I can’t find any books on it either.” Bowser huffed in annoyance, a small growl escaping his lips. “I’ll try not to burn it if you do. I wanna know what you’re saying without you explaining it.” He grumbled, trying the lid full of orange juice. “Mmm. Tastes good.”

Luigi blinked some more. “What are you? Is that really your hand? You’re ginormous!” He gasped, eyes big in curiosity and amazement. He wanted to touch but wasn’t sure if that was rude.

Bowser laughed. “I’m a Koopa. What are you? Some sort of Toad? In hindsight we should’ve asked these things months ago, ha ha ha.”

He heard Bowser grunt and the sharp noise on metal again until he heard Bowser hiss in defeat, unable to move closer. Luigi puffed out his cheeks. “I’m not a Toad! Do I look like one to you? I’m a human. Which you apparently aren’t. I just assumed you were a grumpy guy so I didn’t ask.” Luigi got closer since Bowser couldn’t and he laid his smaller hands on Bowser’s still outstretched one. It was hot to the touch but the scales were smooth. He didn’t know other creatures existed. He was still waiting to wake up and see he’d dozed in class or something at the new revelation.

“I’ve never heard of a human before.” Bowser hummed, tilting his hand so it was palm up.

Luigi shook his head with a small smile and being tempted, he placed his hand in the other’s, the koopa curious of how the human’s skin felt. “I’ve never heard of a koopa. So we’re even. You know…I can come by more often and earlier since break started. Oh! Maybe I can come to you!” His eyes sparkled.

Seeming to not realize, Bowser had started rubbing his thumb against Luigi’s hand, thinking. “Mmm…I don’t think so, for a few reasons. One, you might get lost if you try without me. Two, I’m pretty sure your skin would burn quickly where I live without protection. And three…I kind of enjoy this. No one else knows about you. It’s peaceful…not being known like I am back home.”

Luigi blushed, scratching his nose with his free hand. “I know what you mean about that third thing.” There was a moment of silence between them before Luigi cleared his throat. “Where could you live where it’d burn me? There’s no deserts around here.”

Releasing his hand, Bowser sighed. “Don’t get any ideas, but this is a portal. I accidentally came across it but then liked how I was alone so I kept doing it. Kamek has been teaching me about the rarity of them. They used to be abundant until it was realized how dangerous it could be so word about them stopped and the knowledge was lost. Where I live it’s nothing but volcanoes and lava. Rock and fire everywhere, but there are things that thrive there and it can be beautiful. Maybe…” his voice turned a little meek, “maybe I could show you one day. Don’t come through when I’m not here, okay? You could get lost.” He warned, grabbing Luigi’s hand again and squeezing it, liking the contact now that he realized how nice it was.

Luigi laughed. “I’m too much of a chicken. Ah, “coward”, in other terms. I wouldn’t even be down here that often if I didn’t think you were. A portal, huh? Sounds like magic. But I suppose you’re this weird koopa creature, so it’s not outside the realm of possibility. Wow-wee, I’m learning a lot today! Wait.” Luigi gulped, taking a moment when a realization hit him. “Nothing dangerous can get through, right?” He worried, not quite shaking yet but getting close as his mind went to possibilities of an array of monsters that could come through and destroy everything he knew and loved.

A deep chuckle broke him out of it and he blushed, feeling smoke hit his face. “No one else knows about this portal and even if they did, I’m the most dangerous thing to come out of it. So, no need to be frightened, Luigi.” The chuckle broke off into a purr.

Luigi smiled back at his friend. “Nah. You’re not dangerous at all.” He tried getting closer, holding the large hand in both of his and rubbing the scales and fingers, unaware of the soft look on the koopa’s face.

———————-

They spent the next few months similarly, Bowser sometimes bringing books to show Luigi what kind of creatures lived in his homeland along with a sketch of what a “toad” was in his realm of which Luigi scoffed, offended but laughed when it made Bowser laugh too and Luigi showing Bowser pictures of the city and bringing a beginners book on Italian while he failed to show Bowser how to successfully pronounce some words. They’d share food and stories and as the days went on, Luigi grew bolder and would get closer and closer to the pipe with urgency to get closer to Bowser.

“Bowser? Are you here today? I brought a large container of leftovers from last night for you to try and we can play with these fake mustaches. My brother has his club stuff today. Oh, and I brought a flashlight so I can see you, not just your eyes. I feel dumb it took me this long to do it, heh-heh.” Luigi rambled excitedly as he approached the pipe. When he looked in, the sound from Bowser was farther away. “Bowser? Is something wrong?” He asked worriedly.

“I’ll be alright. I just don’t want to risk hurting you so stay there. I’ll move up more.” He grumbled, sounding sad as he turned and began to move.

Luigi had to cover his ears from the scraping to come but once he felt the rumbling of the ground stop, he removed them. “Why would you think you could hurt me? You can’t leave this side of the pipe.” He laughed a little to lighten the mood and tried getting closer. A growl stopped him. “What happened? C’mon, Bowser.”

There was silence for a little longer until Bowser sighed. “What did you want to show me?” He asked, dodging the issue.

Letting out an annoyed huff, Luigi let Bowser hide the reason for his sour mood. For now. “Fake mustaches. A lot of manly men have them so I wanted to get your opinion on which style makes me look the most manly. I’ve barely grown anything at all yet since I’m not old enough but I thought if I knew what kind to grow, I could work on it and you can try some too. Can koopas grow facial hair? Do you have hair? Anyway, that can be for another time.” He paused, taking the leftovers out of the heated bag, having heated it up before leaving. “I brought you food too. I helped Ma last night and wanted to see what you thought.” He handed it to the koopa while he rummaged through the mustaches to see which to try first. He was also avoiding telling his friend some upsetting news too. He wasn’t able to see his friend in a couple weeks so he couldn’t tell him before.

He went through most of the bag, Bowser’s opinions mostly laughs or grunts as he ate. Until Luigi tried on a simple one that curled upward a tad at the tips. “Ah. That one.” He reached a hand out, pinching the tips and letting out a light chuckle. “I like that one. Makes you look cute.” He curled his hand under Luigi’s jaw, accidentally nicking him under his chin which when Luigi tsk-ed, Bowser pulled his hand away. “Didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Luigi rubbed the spot and rolled his eyes. “Your claws are just sharp, it’s to be expected. But a mustache isn’t supposed to be cute, you lug, it’s supposed to look manly.” He ripped it off, pouting until he realized Bowser hadn’t spoken, but the red eyes he’d come to be lured by held regret. “Hey. I’m fine.” He put a hand on the closest thing he could, being his foot. “Once I start growing facial hair I’ll probably nick myself with a razor on accident anyway. It’s not even bleeding anymore. I haven’t seen you like this. C’mon.” He crawled more towards Bowser, setting aside the dish and pressing forward even as he heard Bowser try and back away, the pipe echoing the noise.

He heard him gulp and let out another sigh, deciding to give in. “I lost my temper yesterday. I destroyed a good chunk of the castle and others got hurt. Not badly, but still. Then…” Bowser growled and Luigi laid a hand on a scaly knee. “Then…last night…I dreamt I hurt you. You almost died…because of me.” His voice was hushed, laced with regret and pain.

Luigi rummaged for his flashlight and turned it on, not speaking, and set it down so he could see Bowser. It wasn’t just his voice. Luigi could see his face scrunched. A yellow muzzle, fangs poking out of his mouth, gold and green scales along his face and body with a mop of fiery red hair. He supposed that answered that. “Did you apologize for hurting them?” He tried getting closer, feeling the need to comfort his friend he’d grown so attached to and wanted to ignore the bit about the dream. It felt personal.

Bowser nodded. “Yes. Kamek was appalled I did, being the next king, but you taught me if you hurt someone and you didn’t mean to, then you apologize. They forgave me, but I’m not sure if it was genuine or if they did it because they fear me deep down.” He held his hand up, lost in thought as he stared at it. “I might not be able to see you for a while either. My classes are getting longer and my responsibilities are growing.”

Luigi took it in, feeling a lump in his throat. He moved to where he was sat up against Bowser, reaching his hands out, asking for Bowser’s own (at least one hand), which he received. “We’re moving to another part of Brooklyn. I could probably still make it here, but it would be more dangerous than it is already. It’s pretty far from here, you almost couldn’t call the area Brooklyn anymore. I’d fight past my fear, though, if I could continue seeing you.” He hadn’t wanted to acknowledge it, but hiding something from Bowser, something like this, felt wrong.

He felt Bowser’s grip tighten. “When will you be moving?” His voice was quiet, for him.

Luigi couldn’t look at him. “Next week. With the family’s help, packing has went by quickly. I…I didn’t wanna tell you at first but then I couldn’t see you.” He forced out, quickly wiping his eyes as they started to have a familiar burn to them. “Why does it hurt?” He asked, clenching his shirt where his chest was. He’s said “goodbye” to his classmates and friends around their neighborhood. It hurt, but not like this.

“Mine does too.” Bowser replied, using his other hand to turn Luigi’s face towards him. “Can you stay longer today?” He asked in a whisper, trying not to let the hurt make his temper flare.

Luigi nodded. He wasn’t actually supposed to be gone too long, having lied and said he was headed to the market down the street, but he felt he could be selfish for a bit. Mario would get over it. His face was released and he laid his head on Bowser’s knee, soaking up the heat and scent of firewood on a winter morning. Ashes as it dwindled. “Become a great king, okay? Then, they won’t fear you. Like I don’t.” He kept his eyes forward, hearing the traffic above. He’d never really noticed how loud it was before. He was always having too much fun with Bowser.

Neither spoke, but both knew this was their last meeting. Either for now or forever, they didn’t know.

Bowser began to stroke his head, touching Luigi as much as he could without seeming weird. He liked touching the human. He was soft and not just his body. “Just remember, I’m the most dangerous thing out here. So when you’re afraid, know that it wasn’t as scary as me. I don’t know what you’ll do with your life, but I bet you’ll be wonderful.” He said with a grin. “Maybe you’ll be come that ghost hunter thing you’ve talked about?”

Luigi bit his lip to stifle a snicker. “I’ll try. But…my brother is always better at everything. Except maybe grades, but he usually copies my notes.” He tried hiding his face even though Bowser couldn’t see it anyway. “And some don’t even believe in ghosts and ghouls, so I doubt I’ll be amazing.”

Bowser hummed. “You know, the only person I know is you. Luigi is the one I think is amazing. So next time you feel less than, just remember that Bowser thinks Luigi is the best. I’m a king so I’m right.” He used his knuckle to try and push Luigi’s face to him, trying to cheer up his friend even though he felt just as down.

All he got was ocean blue eyes full of tears and a red face, brows furrowed angrily. “What good does that matter if I’ll never see you again?! Why won’t you let me risk it and come back here? I’ve only known you for over half a year so why am I so…attached to you?” He deflated, looking to his own lap. “Sorry.”

Bowser’s gaze was soft and full of sadness. “You said yourself. It’s dangerous and since I can’t meet you, I can’t protect you. As much as saying that pisses me off, I’m not taking the chance with your life. Please, Luigi. Even when I’m gone, don’t come down here or try and go through. Besides, we both have things we have to do with no way to communicate when the other will be here. With our lives getting busier, it’ll be even harder to see the other.” He lifted Luigi’s chin to face him. “And you know it.”

Luigi’s eyes flitted across Bowser’s face. “When did you become so rational? Where did that short tempered lizard go?” He tried joking, wiping his face even though it temporarily stopped the tears.

Bowser rolled his eyes. “Maybe I’ve been around YOU too long, scrawny human. Besides…if I did, I’d hurt you for real.”

“At least with burns or scars, I could prove you were real.” Luigi said, going based on his current feelings, not realizing how much of a painful possibility it was, but didn’t expect red eyes locking on his, full of shock and anger. The sound of spikes against metal was deafening as the pipe groaned in protest to the large koopa trying to move on impulse, embers sparking in his throat.

“DON’T EVER SAY THAT AGAIN! DO YOU WANT ME TO HURT YOU?! DO YOU WANT ME TO CRUSH YOU UNDER MY CLAWS OR SET YOUR BODY AFLAME AND SLOWLY WATCH YOU-!!!” Bowser stopped himself, hands retracting quick as lightning, panting as his body shook. Smoke came out of his mouth with every breath and Luigi thought himself lucky it could easily be dragged to the outside of the pipe where he couldn’t breathe it in.

“Bowser.“ he began, once they let themselves calm a bit, only for Bowser to lift him with ease, not giving Luigi a moment to ask, he placed his head against Luigi’s, trying to memorize his scent, taking in lungfuls from the dip of his neck.
Luigi couldn’t bring himself to speak as his face felt like it was on fire, no doubt red to his ears and down his neck. He gripped Bowser’s horns, his arms shaking. It felt…more intimate than anything he’d experienced before. Not that anything to do with the koopa prince was something he’d experienced in his life.

Most of his friends were more sporty, which he didn’t mind but it was nice having someone who indulged him and wasn’t embarrassed by it. They didn’t care for being silly (unless it was being rough with the other) or reading.

When Bowser opened his eyes again, he set Luigi down, blushing himself and eyes blazing red like the red of peppermint candy. “We need to return. If it gets too dark out there, I’d be worried sick if you made it home or not. We can’t have that or else I’d destroy the portal.”

Luigi frowned, not wanting to leave it like it was, but knew they couldn’t put it off for forever. He opened his mouth to speak, but found he couldn’t. He reluctantly released the horns as he was set down.

“Here. If you need to hold onto me so badly.” Bowser laughed, removing one of his spiked wrist bands and handing it to Luigi. It was too big to be a wrist band but too small to be a belt on the human. He began to back out of the pipe after he ran a knuckle against Luigi’s face one more time, when Luigi yelled out, panic gripping him by his throat and heart.
There was something he wanted to do, though he definitely knew it wasn’t something you do with someone you just feel friendship towards. He didn’t want to acknowledge the feeling. Didn’t want to name it. Didn’t have time to.

“WAIT!” He ran the few feet, taking off his worn green baseball cap with an embroidered “L” his Nonna did and he jumped, grabbing onto Bowser’s arm and reaching his hand out with the one not holding the large arm, face still red, he tried pulling Bowser’s face down, only able to reach his snout which he put a quick and chaste kiss to before letting go, landing with a clank on the pipe.
He turned his back, too embarrassed to face the koopa prince. “T-that-that was a-a thing humans do! Their f-first kiss is con-considered important so-so-so take care of it! And my hat!” He stuttered and rambled, running out of the pipe and only stopping to stuff his things in his bag before he ran away, the wrist band around his arm like a bandage, face red and sweaty and some tears still fell, his heart in unbearable pain. But that could’ve been because of how fast he was running, right?

—————-———

“Are ya sure you’ve eaten enough, baby?” A sweet voice called him from his stupor.

Luigi blinked, having been spaced out while his family chatted and droned on about this n that. He smiled tiredly to his mom. “I’m alright, Ma. Just a long day.”

Mario looked to him a bit worried but wolfed down his meal. “You can say that again. So, you should eat more, Weegee. You need to gain that energy you lost while we worked today.” He nodded, gulping down his wine with a smile. “You’ve been out of it for a few days.”

Luigi sighed again, pushing his plate away. 10 years to the day it’d been since and no matter how hard he tried, Luigi couldn’t get Bowser out of his head. Usually in dreams every so often and when summer would come around or when something truly frightened him to the point of almost fainting, he’d remember the koopa prince’s confident declaration, which strangely and embarrassingly helped. Just when he would remember, the heartache would come back so fiercely it was as if it was fresh again. That was the only downside.
“I’m alright, really. We have a job tomorrow right?” He asked Mario, standing up to put his plate away and kiss his Ma’s cheek goodnight.

Mario nodded around another bite, brow raised in worry before he swallowed and cleared his throat, tired of the routine his brother seemed to go in each year. “Weegee, you’ve been like this ever since that summer we were 14-years old. Every year, you’re sighing a lot, you barely eat, your sleep is iffy at best. It’s like you’re mourning a girl that got away or something, but that can’t be it since you haven’t dated that serious.” He pointed out, seeing Luigi freeze, a conflicted and confused look on his face which peeked Mario’s curiosity but then wasn’t the time.

“I’m fine, Mario. Come on, I just get into slumps, is all. That’s normal right? Goodnight.” Was all he replied, taking a deep breath and waving goodnight to everyone else, leaving Mario to further worry with no way to help.

-——————

The job WAS supposed to be fixing the pipes under a house. The owners didn’t say anything about a buried well.
So, when a rabid family of raccoons felt their territory being invaded, they attacked the brothers. The results? Broken pipes filling the ground with water then old and moldy wood breaking under their feet as they stepped over the opening of the well, the tunnel not your typical one as inside was more metal than cobblestone, and fell through with water rushing in after them.
There was a light and then they were floating amongst colorful clouds in what seemed to be a current.

“WHAT THE BROKEN SPAGHETTI IS GOING ON?!” Luigi screamed, body shaking from the water that followed them and his fear. ‘Remember what Bowser said, remember what Bowser said!’ Luigi tried thinking but it didn’t help at the time. It only made him wish the stupid koopa prince was there then to grab him.

“Luigi! Grab my hand, hurry!” Mario yelled, face pale and scratched from the raccoons and he held his arms out, trying to reach his brother.

Taking a deep breath, Luigi tried meeting Mario halfway and held onto his brother’s hands for dear life. The relief was short lived as they entered a pipe sticking out of the clouds and the water followed after them, filling their lungs as it engulfed them.

The brothers came out with a bad case of vertigo and hacking up water, their bodies landing harshly on grass.

“*Gasp*! M-Mario! M-M-Mario! Fratello! Are you okay?!” Luigi sat up fast after he expelled the water, the action causing his head to feel like it was hit with a bat repeatedly. He shakily crawled over to Mario after, who was hacking but couldn’t move to his side so Luigi helped, seeing a lot of water being expelled along with his breakfast. “Grazie al cielo. Respira lentamente, fratello.” He sighed in relief once Mario was breathing somewhat normal again.
As Mario got his bearings, cussing in Italian about the raccoons and irresponsible house owners, Luigi took a look at their surroundings.

There were various colors and sizes of toadstool mushrooms sticking out here and there along an expanse of area, along with trees and lush green grass, even butterflies. Far beyond the hills of mushrooms and grass, he noticed what looked like a castle; white walls and a red top with what looked like a city around it. “Uh, Mario? I-uh-don’t think we’re in Brooklyn anymore.”

Mario lifted his head and let out a sound of disgust. “Mushrooms. Of course, mushrooms. It’s always something to do with mushrooms.”

Luigi couldn’t help but give a small smile at that.

“Hi there, strangers who just came out of the sky.” A voice made both brothers jump, Luigi letting out an embarrassing yelp and Mario yelling.

Mario stood in front of Luigi despite being the shorter one and they looked to the one who called out to them, Luigi freezing when his brain caught up to what he was seeing.

The being in question was a short mushroom-looking person with a red and white toadstool cap as a…cap? And a blue and gold vest and white…pants? Could Luigi call those pants? He couldn’t tell if the thing had legs or just feet. But he’d seen something similar to the mushroom-man before. Not in person, but in a book and a drawing.

Luigi facepalmed, the scenery making it painfully obvious. They were in The Mushroom Kingdom! Bowser told him that’s where toads resided. ‘Hold up. Where Bowser said they…I’M IN BOWSER’S REALM?!’ He did it a few more times, each harder than the last, mostly to make sure he wasn’t dreaming all this. It earned him a couple looks from the other two so he stopped. “I’m seeing if we’re dreaming.” He didn’t see a land of rock and fire on his first look, but first priority was seeing what was happening.

“Ha, ha, ha, let’s check!” The toad used the stick he had and whacked Mario hard.

“Ow! Why me?!” Mario yelled, slightly freaking out on top of just being hit in the legs.

“You were closer and I’m pretty sure the green one will have a red hand print on his face for a while with how hard he’s hitting himself. So, come with me. I’ll take you to the princess. It should be fine since you guys look like her. Well, kinda like her.” He shrugged, leading the way.

They looked to each other, unsure, before deciding they didn’t have much other choice in the matter. “So, uh, what’s your name? I’m Mario and this is my brother, Luigi.” Mario broke the silence, hoping to get more information.

The toad leading the way was humming. “I’m Toad. Nice to meet you guys. Oh, don’t touch that.” He had looked over his shoulder to see Luigi looking at a plant with an odd face and a mouth full of teeth.

Luigi pulled his hand away, just in time too as it snapped at him. He let out a small scream. ‘Bowser said Piranha Plants were harmless as babies!’ He thought, but then realized Bowser had smiled mischievously afterwards so maybe he was pulling Luigi’s leg that time. His chest felt warm and ached.

———————

“-and that’s the border of The Mushroom Kingdom. Don’t go northwest though, that’s where the Dark Lands are. You don’t wanna go there, that’s where the most evil and cruel ruler in all the lands lives. Got it?” Toad said as they got closer and closer to the castle, the brothers having to keep up while getting easily distracted by all the obstacles and small toads in their way.

“Uh…right. That doesn’t tell us how to get home.” Mario brought up. All he asked was how they could get home and where they even were and the small creature began telling them the kingdoms that surrounded where they were and about the current kingdom they were in.

Unlike his more athletic brother, Luigi was having a harder time following them so he couldn’t hear the conversation that well until Toad spoke of The Dark Lands. That peeked his interest (though he didn’t hear about Bowser) and as he went to hear more, a loud group of toads went by him. “What are The-“ he began to ask when they made it to the top of the castle stairs, two guards there.

Then the next few hours of events were a whirlwind to say the least. They met the princess. Princess Peach to be exact, which from how his brother was acting with little blushes now and again, it was obvious he thought she was pretty. Luigi thought it understandable. She was a golden blonde with heart shaped bangs and cyan eyes. She was brave and wasn’t afraid to protect her toads, even from two strangers that were human like her.
They introduced themselves and explained their situation which Peach and her advisor, Toadstool said they’d assist in trying to help them find a way home but until then, there wasn’t much they could do.
So, the brothers offered to work for her and the kingdom until they could find a way.
With all the chaos, Luigi had forgotten to ask about The Dark Lands.

He only remembered when they were put “under observation” since even though they came to an agreement, it didn’t mean they could be easily trusted around the kingdom and sent to rooms of their own in the castle and they passed a map.
There was only one land that looked how Bowser described it, but if he were honest, just by the map itself, Luigi couldn’t see how it was beautiful. It looked scary and hot. He could get blisters just from imagining. Bowser was probably right, he’d burn easily there. With a sigh, he dug into his pocket and put his forehead to the band he’d kept there. It clashed and was a little bulky but he kept it for comfort since even to this day if he sniffed it, he could smell the firewood and ash.
He wore overalls most of the time due to work so he couldn’t use it as a belt. The leather was well worn and the spikes had lost some shine due to age but as long as it didn’t break, Luigi was happy. Or so he convinced himself.

“Are you not headed to settle in, Luigi?” Peach asked as she walked down the hall to her own quarters. It was getting late and Luigi was tired.

He gave her a smile and a small wave. “Soon. I just noticed this map was all. If you don’t mind me asking, how far is it to travel there?” He pointed to the place of fire and stone, the embroidery underneath saying “The Dark Lands”.

Her sweet smile turned to a frown. “A long time considering you’d have to travel by road and then either air or water, but I wouldn’t suggest attempting. None of my toads would be willing to go there and King Bowser wouldn’t appreciate strangers on his land. He’d chew you up and toss you into lava. Not the friendliest monster.” She explained. It was obvious she was trying to be vague as to not tempt him to try but Luigi knew all too well how his koopa prince could be.
Unappreciative to strangers? Yeah, understandable since he practically burned some kids to a crisp just for being in the vicinity of where he was resting, AKA: running away from duties.
The mental image of Bowser’s large teeth and hot breath on any part of Luigi below the jaw had Luigi trying to store that image away fast before his face could give him away. But…a monster? No. No way! He wanted to tell her she was wrong, that she didn’t know what she was saying at all, but then that would reveal he knew of this world and he hadn’t revealed that to ANYONE. Not even Mario.

Not even Mario. Luigi looked down. Why hadn’t he? Oh, yeah, he didn’t want his dearest brother to think he was crazy.

“Luigi? What’s wrong?” She asked, realizing he was quiet for a while.

“Hm?” He shook his head and gave her a small smile. “Sorry, got lost in my head. Uh, yeah, I hear you. Goodnight, Princess, and thank you for taking us in.” He gave her a little bow, not sure if that was overdoing it.

She smiled back. “Of course.” Then she continued on her way.

He watched her go, knowing he had to decide if he was going to tell Mario the truth. He’d hidden it for 10 years, after all.

How was he going to see Bowser now that he was there? There were many doubts, but seeing Bowser again, wasn’t one of them.

Chapter Text

Making plans to set off towards The Dark Lands and continue his work was a lot more time consuming than Luigi thought it would be. That wasn’t taking into account both he and Mario had to try and adjust to this new world. They decided to get a calendar from the kingdom so they could count their time there and Mario had begun working with Princess Peach on how he and Luigi could get paid for their work and all that business talk. So far 2 months had passed since they arrived, roughly, going by said calendar and if you took out how long it took to get it.

Speaking of, Luigi realized he couldn’t really ask the questions he wanted to since everyone there was anti-koopa.
“What the hell did he do to make a whole kingdom hate him so much?“ he mumbled to himself as he was in the market, looking for some supplies for both he and Mario and for what he’d need to travel. He couldn’t be too obvious or else rumors would spread then questions would be asked, whether it be from the princess, the toads, or God forbid, Mario himself.
No, he hadn’t talked to Mario yet. For one, they both were trying to settle in and get their ducks in order and secondly…he was petrified what Mario would think.
‘Oh, ya, by the way, that tyrant Koopa king everyone is scared of or hates, you know him? Yeah, I was pals with him when we were kids and I might possibly still have a crush on him! Silly right? He’s not even human or human shaped!’ Luigi thought in his head, laughing at himself with a tear in his eye. “Like that’s gonna go well.” He went back to his shopping, seeing a few things he needed.

—————————

The week had already been a long and hard one. Not just because of the jobs, some in odd spaces either too big, tall or short and cramped, but he’d once again been called “Green Mario” more times than he could count. He thought that was done with after middle school, but these little damn toads kept doing it and not even apologizing for their mistake after he explains, “no I’m not, I’m Luigi”, and they shrug. Then he’d laugh it off. They were small creatures after all. Maybe their attention spans weren’t that long, he’d think with denial.
The only ones who got it right was Peach, for obvious reasons, and the first toad they met, Toad.

Then there was the nightmares. They weren’t bad at first but then they became more vivid. The scenarios varied and the people he cared for differed depending on the dream, but the most vivid ones were of an evil Bowser.
Of those red eyes dark like the skin of a red plum and the large maw twisted in a sadistic type of glee at causing harm. Of fire all around and his brother’s blood on Bowser’s claws. Of a cruel laugh directed at him, declaring he was truly a fool for believing Bowser CARED.
The only reason he never believed it once awake, was the band that same koopa gave him years before, the scent of firewood and embers ash having now mingled with his, bringing him an undeniable sense of comfort and the memories he held onto of a koopa too scared to hurt him.
A koopa that hated even scratching him.
A koopa who would do anything to make him smile.
A koopa willing to destroy his only way home if it meant making sure Luigi got to his own home safely.
It made the warnings and the rumors about the Koopa king even more unbearable to hear.

Living there wasn’t all bad but he wasn’t adjusting like Mario was. Mario was charismatic as usual and he and the princess had a budding…thing going on. Luigi couldn’t tell if it was friendship or flirting but he was happy his brother was finding someone to make him laugh.
Luigi made some acquaintances and Toad was fun to be around. Peach was informative and it was nice seeing her laugh and even get annoyed about something Mario did. It was nice she could lean on him sometimes. But none of them were Bowser. It was frustrating since he was so much closer, yet still somehow out of reach.

—————

The brothers ate breakfast in peace one morning as they were preparing for the day. The whole castle was in a tizzy. Busy here and there and Peach was is meetings all morning. Something about a 650-year celebration of the kingdom.
“When are you going to ask Peach out? Even if it’s just one outing?” Luigi asked, curious and they had some sibling time.

Mario almost stabbed the table with his fork, a blush growing on his cheeks. “Oh, please, Weegee, she’s a ruler! I wouldn’t stand a chance. She’s really nice and I do enjoy our friendship, but let’s be real. I’m a nobody compared to that.” He continued eating as he grumbled, blush growing.

Luigi mouth mocked him, crossing his eyes. “”I wouldn’t stand a chance, let’s be real, blah blah blah.” C’mon, Mario, open your eyes. She may be royalty, but she’s still a person. I also never said it had to be a date. I said, “an outing”, which can completely be between friends. You need a slow night and she probably needs a night free from her duties. It can be stressful for royals.” He smiled, remembering his Koopa king back in the day when he’d often literally use a portal to another realm to run away from his responsibilities. He chuckled fondly before continuing to eat.

“I’m so glad you think it’s funny, Weegee.” Mario rolled his eyes but had a smile, happy his brother was there with him and smiling like that one year. There wasn’t any sadness or faking in this laugh.
There was something nagging at him, though and it nagged ever since that laugh left back before school started that one fall. So, Mario decided to test him.
“Do you have anyone you love, Luigi? You can tell me.”

Luigi didn’t expect that question so he burst out into a laugh, covering his mouth. Only when the shock died down and he realized Mario was serious, did he become so too. It was only fair. He wasn’t sure about revealing everything to his brother yet, even if then was the perfect time, but he could answer with honesty.
He looked to his plate and sighed. Luigi was silent for a moment, thinking on what his brother asked. Did he love Bowser? “Yes, but…it’s complicated.” He sighed sadly. In a way it was.
Before, they had lives to live that wouldn’t include the other, like Luigi had a family and school and Bowser was training to be a king, but now…Luigi wasn’t sure if Bowser remembered him which did hurt, but he felt he should be optimistic about it. It only felt fair since his mind replayed all those sweet words to him even in his dreams. “I do miss them.” He sighed again, eyes sad and fond. “And I hate that I do.”

Mario felt he couldn’t say anything to that, not really understanding what his brother meant. “I bet they miss you too.” He said off hand. He mostly just wanted that sad look gone.
He didn’t expect the shocked face and the welling of tears before his brother wiped them away, changing the subject.

————————

Luigi didn’t realize how busy they’d be at the time but kept up with gusto. Princess Peach needed assistance with their celebration and the brothers were eager to help. Letters and invitations were sent out to every kingdom except for the one he kinda wished they would’ve, but he supposed he wouldn’t want to go to a party where everyone hated him too.

A few days prior to the ball, Luigi was looking out his window, thinking still of what he could do to reach Bowser since travel seemed to be the biggest obstacle. The moon was large and bright and would be for the few days. Perfect for a ball. Princess Peach was having suits made for him and Mario and they’d be ready the next day. Looking past the homes and shops of the toads, towards the forest-like area, he saw something fall from the sky and smoke and soon after, faint cries.

If someone was to ask him what he was thinking as he ran out of his room, the castle and the town and into the woods, in the middle of the night, he’d have to say, he wasn’t. The cries pulled deeply at his heart so he had to at least make sure whatever was in the sky was okay.

He panted, almost wheezing as he made it near the area that still had smoke billowing upwards. “Hello?” He asked out loud but didn’t want to be too loud in case anything dangerous was near.

“Wahhh! No fair!” A child’s cry was heard and Luigi went towards it, worried. “Stupid, stupid ship!”

What he saw was a turnip with a face looking contraption, him unsure what it was but it was broken, and a huge-apparently a child- next to it, tears in bright orange eyes, smoke and oil from the machine on them. The kid had their arms crossed across their chest, a white bandana with a mouth on it just as dirty.
When Luigi looked even closer, he saw the similarities to a koopa he once knew. The coloring of the scales and a huge spiked shell on their back, as well as a ponytail of red hair. “Hey, are you okay, little one?” He asked, not wanting to approach suddenly and scare the kid.

The kid jumped anyway, opening their mouth to-what Luigi would guess-blow fire, but only smoke came out and the kid coughed. “Stay back! I can still hurt you!” He yelled.

Luigi doubted that but he tried lowering himself a bit to the boy’s level. “Well I won’t hurt you. Are you hurt from your fall? Do you wanna come with me and we can get you looked at?” He asked sweetly.

The kid sniffled. “Papa said not to go with strangers.” He puffed, trying to look big and intimidating.

Luigi laughed a little. The child was adorable. Or maybe he was biased. “That’s very smart but it’s also dangerous to be outside alone like this. How about we introduce ourselves? I’m Luigi. You?” He held out his hand.

He didn’t expect for the child’s eyes to sparkle and he took out a paper from his shell, looking between it and Luigi a few times before giving a firm head nod and returning it to his shell. “You’re Luigi? Really? I knew I could find you! Hahaha!” The child laughed “evilly”. He went up and grabbed Luigi’s hand. “You can take me with you. Then I can fix my ship and take you to Papa! Then he’ll be forever indebted to me!” He smiled, small fangs pearly white and sharp looking. “But like you said, it’s dark and I’m sleepy.” Said kid was bigger than what he’d initially thought as at standing height, the koopa child was a little taller than at Luigi’s hip.

Luigi’s brain tried to process what was going on, but to be out at night scared him more, so he began to walk back still holding the koopa child’s hand. “Uh…that’s…nice? What’s-whats your name? How do you know me?” He asked as he tried sneaking the large koopa child inside. “Wait until no one can see you. We-uh-don’t want you scaring them. That’d be mean.”

The kid smiled. “I’m Junior and I want to be mean!” He laughed and Luigi began to panic.

Junior was NOT quiet! He tried thinking fast. What would a kid listen to? A game? “Do you know what a spy is?” He asked, trying his best as he tried making sure the coast was clear as they made their way to his room.

Junior nodded. “Like the spies who try and whack Papa? They’re funny cause they fail ALL! THE! TIME!” He cackled.

Luigi tried shushing him and nodded, having no time to dwell on all the tidbits. “Yeah, yeah. We have to be spies or else we can’t get back to your Papa later.” He whispered.

“Ohhhh.” Junior nodded, putting a claw to his mouth.

Luigi could only sigh in relief.

It. Was. Chaos.

He had to wrangle Junior to the bathroom to clean him up and make sure he wasn’t injured all while Junior was like a bull in a china shop. A scalding hot bath was what did Junior in, the child relaxing and yawning more often between their chats. Luigi learned that he was 5-going on 6- years old and Luigi was right in his assumption that Bowser was “Papa”. The paper was apparently a decent sketch of him when he was young and a signature at the bottom was done in Bowser’s handwriting. The notion had his heart squeezing in the confines of his chest.

His bed would have puncture holes in them but he was able to get Junior wrapped up and comfy before the child took another yawn and looked at him with sleepy eyes as he too got into his bed after he changed into clean pajamas. “Will you kiss my head goodnight? Papa does.” He spoke quietly, the koopa kid trusting the human simply because Bowser knew him. Or at least that’s what Luigi assumed.

Luigi hummed, nodding. If that’s what the kid wanted. Plus, he knew he was right. The child was adorable. He kissed Junior’s forehead, having to do it a second time but harder at Junior’s protest that he couldn’t feel it and watched the kid drift to sleep, snoring lightly.
Now that he was “alone”, Luigi felt his breath shudder and he pulled his knees to his chest, head against his folded arms. “He remembers me.” He whispered before he felt hot tears going down his face, allowing himself to silently sob into his arms in relief.

——————

Luigi didn’t sleep that well. Not due to there being a turtle-dragon like koopa child in his bed who rolled around (though there was a few close calls being hit with the shell spikes) but he needed to figure out how to bring this up with Mario and Peach. Junior would no doubt want to explore or burn off energy, he was a kid, but this was a anti-koopa place and to see one there could cause serious issues. He could explain Junior would leave if they could fix his weird ship, but who knows how long that would take and the palace was already busy and hectic due to the party coming up.

“He’s just a child, though, so hopefully we can find a way through this.” He said to himself before taking a deep breath and figuring he’d sneak out while Junior was still asleep and make something for him. He took out the room key and left a quick message to Junior in case and he left as quiet as he could.

To say the chef toads were perplexed was an understatement. Luigi had made a plateful (more like tower) of pancakes and he remembered Bowser liked ham, so he heated some up for Junior in hopes he’d like it and some juice and syrup on a tray. He was already going upstairs with it when the chef toads came down, eyes bulging out of their heads but Luigi tried scampering off before they could ask him why he had so much food and why he was up so early.

Once he struggled through the door, he saw Junior was up, sniffing and messing with the spiked band Luigi had set on the nightstand, head bobbing. “Oh, you’re up. Good timing. Let’s get your teeth brushed and get you breakfast. Then we can talk to the princess and Mario about your ship.” He smiled, setting the tray down and grabbing a spare toothbrush and just his brush for Junior’s hair.

It seemed the koopa child was not a morning kid, which was a surprise since Luigi was able to brush his teeth and brush his hair while the child was still waking up and remembering what had happened that led him there. “Luigi?” Junior called, eating his food while Luigi changed for the day.

Luigi hummed, poking his head out of the bathroom. “Yes, Junior?”

Junior gulped down the juice, before he grabbed the wrist band again, him having similar ones without the spikes. “Why do you have Papa’s wrist bracelet?” He asked curiously.

Luigi smiled at him, going over and sitting across from him. “He gave it to me.”

“Why don’t you wear it?” Junior asked.

“It doesn’t fit.” Luigi said simply.

“Why don’t you make it fit?” Junior pried, liking Luigi answered.

“I don’t know how.” Luigi replied.

“What if we cut it and make it into many?” Junior suggested.

Luigi shrugged. “Never thought about it. I didn’t want to ruin it, I suppose.”

Junior looked thoughtfully to it then snapped it much to Luigi’s horror. “We can make it like mine. Papa probably wanted you to wear it.” He said as if it was fact.

Luigi just stared. It was a leather bracelet, how could he divide it without the proper tools? “Junior…you shouldn’t do that to someone else’s belongings.” He went to grab them back but Junior pulled it away, reaching into his shell and pulling out a sewing kit with a thick bonded nylon thread and he handed them both to Luigi.

“Here. I stole the kit cause I liked the case but if you just stitch it, like I’ve seen Papa do, you can wear them!” Junior smiled with pride and Luigi wasn’t sure if he wanted to dash the kid’s idea and creativity to a problem.

With a sigh, he figured it couldn’t hurt. He’d just have to find a way to protect it if he bathed or when he was working, make sure he had long enough gloves. “Won’t they get damaged?”

Junior actually rolled his orange eyes. “We can make it loose enough where it can stay unless you want it off. Like Papa’s.”

With a small sigh Luigi gave in. “Okay. If you want me to wear them so bad.”

Junior seemed to light up like a light bulb. “YES!”

—————

The stitch job wasn’t half bad and luckily his sleeves covered the ones on his wrists but unless he wore a turtleneck, nothing could hide the one on his neck like a choker. It wasn’t Luigi’s idea at all!
Junior had tackled him, using his heavy weight to his advantage and sloppily but tightly sewed the choker around his neck. The koopa child got put in timeout for that one.

Oh, Junior fought it, but even when he went inside his shell, Luigi would lift it and put it back in the spot he chose, warning him he’d get no treats later if he didn’t serve his time. That seemed to work well enough. He just hoped Bowser wouldn’t be too mad at him for disciplining his kid.

“Junior, I have to talk to them first then you can come out with me, okay?” He tried talking to the child who seemed adamant about latching to his legs so Luigi couldn’t leave without him.

“No! I’m going with you or you don’t leave at all! Pleeeeease? I won’t run off!” He pleaded and Luigi wanted to believe him but the kid was 5-years old.

He doubted he wouldn’t get distracted. That, and everyone was up and moving by then so he wasn’t sure about walking around with him. Maybe he could have a toad bring the princess and Mario to them? No. That’d take up their time and unless he gave specifics as to why, they’d blow it off or relay that Luigi go to them if it was important. He took a deep breath, putting a wrist to his nose to help calm him. “Okay, fine, but you HAVE TO stick by my side, do you understand? You could get really hurt then I’ll get in trouble and you won’t ever see me again.” He might’ve exaggerated on purpose by just a smidge but he could tell Junior was the type to need a dramatic consequence to whatever action he would take. He wasn’t even sure if Junior would care to see him again. The kid could just brush him off.

Until he saw the big tears and the shaky body. “But-but I wanna see Mama Luigi again! I’ll be good!” He began to cry. “Don’t leave.”

Luigi stood, shocked and eyes wide as a deep blush spread across his face. “M-M-Mama?!” He almost screamed. But seeing Junior wasn’t going to stop anytime soon, the boy really upset, he pried his feet from the kid’s grasp and got on his knees to comfort the koopa. “Hey, hey, it’s okay. Just stay close while we’re here and I won’t go. We need to get back to your Papa, remember? He has to be missing you.” He smiled to the koopa child, ignoring how that one word Junior said messed up his heart.

They got gasps and some toads running off, either to hide or warn Peach. Jokes on them, he was already headed to her. “With all the chaos, I forgot to ask you. Does your father know you ran off?” He rose a brow to the koopa holding his hand.

Junior, happy as could be it seemed, nodded. “Yep! Left a note.” He kept humming. “Wait. I did, right?” Junior slowed, thinking then shrugged. “It’s fine. He’ll find us or we’ll make it back first cause we’re gonna fix up my ship and head home!” He smiled triumphantly.

Luigi groaned, pinching his nose with his free hand. “Oh, buon Dio, questo bambino sarà la morte mia e di tutte queste persone. L'ho appena incontrato. Per favore, abbi pietà.” He looked up.

“Is that Italian?” Junior asked, messing up the pronunciation of Italian.

Luigi was surprised. “How’d you know?”

Junior rubbed his cheek on Luigi’s hand. “Papa’s teaching me with this old book he has. We need to find more of them though because even he doesn’t know all of the language.”

Luigi blushed, finding it very sweet.

————————

“So let me get this correct.” Peach began, pacing back and forth in front of him and Junior. Mario looked between the three confused. “THE Koopa Prince crash landed outside the city and you went to pick him up and he may or may not have left King Bowser a note about leaving in the middle of the night?” Peach paced faster. “He has to know his only son is gone by now. We’re going to have to cancel the ball and guests from the other lands will be here anytime for it so we have to find a way to stop them and send them back so we can get ready for war-“

“Peach, I really think you’re overreacting. We can either fix his ship and I drop him off or Junior and I can be outside when there’s word of him arriving. He’ll know his son is safe.” Luigi tried reassuring her. He really thought they were blowing Bowser’s temper out of proportion.

“What makes you think he’ll listen to you? He’s not known for rationality.” Peach asked.

“A ball? Isn’t that a party, Mama Luigi?” Junior asked, looking up at the green clad man and the three adults stopped.

“Junior, didn’t I say we needed to talk to your Papa about that? I’m not your Mama.” Luigi tried asking the child sweetly.

Junior puffed out his cheeks. “Yeah-huh! Kamek and Kammy told me what a Mama is and does and so you’re Mama.” He nodded as if it was common knowledge.

“Weegee, che cazzo sta succedendo?” Mario asked, tone in a hiss. He was completely lost and confused and didn’t know why this creature was latched to his brother’s hip.

“Ho appena spiegato cosa è successo, Mario, non posso fare a meno che si sia affezionato. Prometto che è innocuo.” Luigi replied, sighing and petting Junior’s head. “It’s fine. So can we fix his ship or not?” He asked, looking at Peach who looked stressed beyond her years.

“We don’t have that kind of time. It would have to wait until after we send them back then we have-“ Peach began her tangent again and Luigi went over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Then how soon can I send a letter to him? He won’t be on attack mode if we can at least send a letter assuring him that Junior is safe and will be returned safely, right? Just trust me.” He pleaded, giving her and Mario puppy eyes. If he could avoid an attack on either side, he’d do just about anything.

Peach wasn’t phased. “What aren’t you telling us? You seem to have a huge amount of faith in King Bowser.” She crossed her arms.

“I’ll explain, I promise, but I think we need to get that letter out first. The sooner the better.” Luigi replied, holding his hand us in a prayer motion.

It took Peach a moment but she eventually sighed, going to her office desk and taking out what he’d need. “I’ll call for a Goomba. Make it fast.” She moved so he could sit and start writing. “And Luigi.” She added.

He looked to her, brows furrowed in worry. “Yes, Peach?”

Her gaze was stern and she held an obvious doubt. “If this doesn’t work? You’ll have the lives of my toads on your hands. I hope you’re prepared for that.” She then walked out, leaving the brothers and the koopa child.

Luigi knew she didn’t mean the word “lives”. He took a deep breath and got to writing, Junior trying to peek from where he stood next to him, his little claws digging into the wood.

Mario approached him from the opposite side of the desk. “Is it okay if he’s here while you explain yourself to me?” He motioned to Junior, his tone not the happiest, is all Luigi could say.

Luigi stopped his writing and glanced upward to his brother, a nervous and squiggly feeling in his belly. “It’s a long story.”

He could practically hear Mario roll his eyes. “Then cut to the chase.”

Luigi finished his part of the letter and looked to Junior. “Do you want to sign it too so your Papa knows you’re safe?”

Junior smiled. “Yes, Mama Luigi. Don’t worry, Papa will know it’s us. Even if I have to scorch it, hahahaha!” He then took the pen and tried very carefully to sign his name so Bowser could read it.

Luigi sighed, thinking where to start. “Cut to the chase” it was, he supposed. “When we fell into the well…that wasn’t the first time I’ve encountered a portal. First time I went through it myself, but you remember that summer?” He asked nervously, fiddling with the bracelets. He saw Mario nod, curious. “Well, I met Bowser in the pipes in Brooklyn. That’s how I know it’ll be fine. He’s not as bad as he looks.” There. That wasn’t so hard. Luigi felt a weight off his shoulders, but not weightless yet. He bent down and rolled up the letter, petting Junior’s head. “Good job, Junior.”

“Can you cover his ears for a sec?” Mario asked so Luigi did, not sure how effective it was, but he tried, knowing his brother would say what’s on his mind even if he didn’t cover them.
“So you’re saying since you knew Bowser for not even a year, 10 years ago, you know he won’t attack people that have known him in his own realm for years? Am I hearing that right?” Mario’s tone had Luigi bristling, his gut sinking. “You snuck off to the sewers of Brooklyn whenever it was you did. Alone. With no protecting yourself or telling anyone where you were. You interacted with this thing, not knowing if or when he’d kill you. Then you keep it from us. Keep it from ME for 10 years!” Mario continued to count on his fingers. “Now, even when these people from these places say he’s a tyrant, he’s a liar, he’s cruel and evil, you’re still protecting him? You’d believe what that thing said or did for LESS THAN A YEAR in front of you than believe these people who are just trying to live their lives? For that matter what makes you think you mean anything to him?” Mario’s face was getting red with anger and he felt betrayed. Betrayed by his own brother.

Luigi couldn’t speak at first. He knew Mario would be mad he didn’t tell him, but to say those things about Bowser? To belittle him for having faith in the person he loved? “It’s BECAUSE I interacted with him that I know there has to be a reason, IF there is one. I never told you because I knew you’d think I made it up or I was crazy! Why do you believe these strangers over your brother?”

The door opened and Peach came in with a brown mushroom looking creature with a serious underbite and white wings. “Here, I hope you’re ready.” She looked between the brothers, feeling the tension. “What happened?”

Luigi grabbed the letter and attached it to the Goomba. “Princess? What did Bowser do to warrant all this?” His eyes held a deep sadness but a determination only rivaled by his brother.

Peach looked uncomfortable and looked between him and Junior. “I’m not sure I should say with a child present.”

Luigi looked tiredly to Junior. “Hey, bud, can you go outside the door for a moment? Don’t run off, I’ll be right there.” He bent down and patted the short muzzle.

Junior looked at him, worried, having heard everything a little before and he didn’t wanna leave his defenseless Mama Luigi alone with the meanies, but he nodded. “Okay, Mama.” He then sent a glare to Mario and closed the door behind him as he held the Goomba with the letter.

There was a moment of silence before Peach spoke.
“He went around looking for pipes that stuck out of the ground or on the sides of mountains. When the people of the lands wouldn’t tell him where their’s were, in fear of what he’d do if he did find any, he burned towns to the ground. Most of the pipes we believe he was looking for were too small for him to go through anyway and some of us tried explaining that and that he was trespassing on land that wasn’t his, but he ignored us all.” She spoke curtly, as if she were reading from a book, but there was a lying sadness there.

Luigi was trying to wrap his brain around the “why” by the time she was finished. “Did he say why he was…?” He shook out the words.

Peach shook her head. “He never told anyone why he was looking for them. Just he was in need to and he’d destroy anyone who didn’t.”

“Weegee...” Mario said, but Luigi wasn’t sure why he was speaking.

“I understand.” He replied, opening the door and grabbing Junior’s hand before he looked back to them. “You wouldn’t mind if Junior was my plus one, right? I know it’ll take a bit for the letter to reach and I don’t want the little guy to miss out.”
Peach nodded, unsure. “Thanks, Princess. And Mario? Give me a little bit, okay? Love you.” He waved and took the Goomba, the pair leaving to release it.

They stood on the steps, Luigi letting Junior do most of it while he was lost in his head. He wished he knew what Bowser was thinking.

“Are you okay, Mama Luigi?” Junior asked, grabbing the man’s hand.

Luigi smiled down to him. “Yeah, I’m okay. Things will get better, I promise.” He thought for a second more before smiling rottenly. “But let me tell you a secret.” He looked back and forth before cupping a hand to the kid’s ear. “When I see your Papa next, he’s in for a whopping himself from yours truly.”

Junior giggled, showing off his sharp teeth. “Ooooo, Papa’s in trouuuuble! Hahahaha!”

Luigi smiled warmly at the child and saw ships and carriages arriving from afar with their guests. “Say, you wanna see what we can salvage of your ship before we grab some food?” He held his hand out, gaze fixed strongly on the leather bracelet, Mario’s words swimming in his head.

“Yeah! And don’t worry, once Papa gets the letter, he’ll be here faster than Kamek when he’s got an upset tummy!” Junior assured him, swinging their arms back and forth between them.

Luigi laughed, feeling a little warm despite being cold earlier.

The letter:

~”Dearest Bowser,

I’m not sure how to prove it’s me by sending a letter, since I’m supposed to still be in Brooklyn, but that’s a story I can tell you when I see you. Junior is safe with me, he had crashed his ship in The Mushroom Kingdom. I’m not sure if you want to come get him or wait until I can return him to you, but he’s going to go to the ball they’re hosting in a few days with me, so I hope you can wait till then.
I just doubt you’d want to be at a party where all but us hate you. I can say more next time.

PS: If I’m honest, I’m aching to hold your hand again and to hear your voice say my name. I miss you. Do you miss me?

~Hopefully Your’s,
Luigi & JUNIOR”

Chapter Text

As expected, the guests from the other lands were not too keen on seeing a koopa, their anger towards Bowser and the destruction he caused before reaching out to even little koopas like Junior.

Luigi tried his best the couple days after to teach Junior some manners since he obviously didn’t have much of them and trying to let everyone know that it wasn’t the whole Koopa race but was still upset and saddened about what Bowser had done. Or supposedly did. Luigi would have to get Bowser’s side too.

“Mama, how do you say “I love you” in Italian?” Junior asked, working on his writing. Luigi had found the perfect strategy to teach the energetic and chaotic koopa child. He was surprised how quick it was too and Junior seemed eager to please him. Luigi would take advantage of that while it lasted.
After waking up and breakfast, they spend the morning to afternoon expending most of Junior’s energy then when he’s more mellow, Luigi teaches some things for a few hours. He was happy his years babysitting before could come in handy.

“Ti amo.” Luigi replied, originally working on polishing his tools until he saw the sunset. The party would be the next day. He had to find a bow or something for Junior to make him look presentable.

There was some more silence while Luigi absentmindedly worked and Junior was writing. He was so in his head, he didn’t notice Junior approach him until the kid was next to him. “Mama? Are you still upset by what that red guy said?” He asked, laying a hand and his head on Luigi’s leg.

Shocked at first, Luigi looked fondly to him. “I didn’t do a good job at covering your ears. I bet what he said upset you more. It was about your Papa after all.” Luigi felt bad. Why didn’t Mario wait to talk to him?

Junior nodded. “Kamek said once that Papa used to be mad a lot. Even before I was born. Did Papa do all that really?” He asked, looking up to Luigi.

Luigi swallowed. “I don’t know. Your Papa wasn’t always mean. He did have a temper, though, he tried his best to work on it when we were younger. I didn’t know what he was going through but I found it admirable. If you ever feel mad, just come to Mama Luigi and I’ll help until you learn.” Luigi said, fixing Junior’s hair.

Junior went quiet, no doubt thinking about what Luigi said until he nuzzled his snout into Luigi’s leg and looked back to him. “Is Papa mean cause you’re not there?”

Luigi laughed a little, a small blush there. “I doubt it. He’s not mean anymore with you there right?” He began putting his tools away, Junior seeming to wanna talk to him.

Junior shook his head. “He’s busy a lot but he reads me stories and we play a lot and feed the sharp-toothy plants.” He grinned, snout scrunching.

Luigi laughed at that. “See? No one’s perfect but it seems to me he’s trying to be a good Papa. Bath time, my little koopa prince. We have a busy day tomorrow.”

“I don’t wannaaaaa! I don’t wanna go if I have to do all that stuff you showed me. Seems stuffy. Not like a koopa party.” Junior pouted, crossing his arms.

Luigi rolled his eyes, but he understood. He wasn’t a fan of these events either with the higher ups thinking they’re better, but he wanted to be there for Mario (who he was still upset at) and Peach for her generosity ever since they arrived and he was worried about leaving Junior alone in the room for that long. “How about we make a deal? We stay for a little bit and then we can go play outside and you can burn the nice bow tie?” He held out his hand.

Junior seemed to think on it, tapping a claw to his chin. “You make a hard bardgin, Mama, but okay, only if I get to eat a lot of the food they have.” He held out his own hand.

Luigi laughed, a small snort leaving his nose. “Alright, but that means you have to smell good, so bath!” He then used all his strength to lift the koopa kid and they laughed as Luigi struggled to hold onto him and Junior laughed as he moved around to make it difficult.

As Junior was nodding off afterwards, he grabbed Luigi’s pajamas. “Hey, Mama?”

Luigi hummed, reading a little before sleeping. “Yes?” He’d long given up on correcting the kid.

Junior smiled sleepily. “I’m happy I looked for you and found you.”

Luigi stretched a hand out and began to massage the base of one of Junior’s little horns. “I am too.”

——————————

The morning of had Junior and Luigi down in the kitchens before dawn, in hopes to wake up and get food before the chefs came in to feed everyone else.

“I’m sleepy.” Junior complained, eyes barely open.

“I know, Junior. But if we don’t grab food now, we won’t until the party. I’m just making something simple, so drink your juice.” Luigi replied, yawning loudly and mixing batter for waffles and sausages while he sipped on his coffee. “Bowser is gonna owe me big time.” He muttered, still waking up himself.
The door to the kitchen swung open and Luigi was surprised to see Mario, though he looked like he hadn’t slept. Luigi knew because he was only up this early if he hadn’t slept at all the night previous. “Want a cup?” He asked, holding up his own.

Mario nodded, sitting at the table across but not close to Junior.

Junior, on the other hand, growled at Mario, waking the man up more. “Go away! You made Mama sad and said bad words about Papa!” Junior scowled, pouring more juice for himself.

Mario only looked to Luigi incredulously. “You told him?”

Luigi sighed, dropping off Mario’s cup of joe. “No. I apparently didn’t cover his ears well enough. What’s kept you up?” He asked. He was upset with his brother but he still loved him.

Mario looked to him as if contemplating. “Can I have a 1-on-1 with you?”

Luigi didn’t like that but he nodded. “Junior, once I’m done do you wanna eat in the room? I’ll let you go by yourself.” He tempted.

Junior looked between them but smiled at Luigi. “Only if this guy doesn’t hurt you.” He said sternly.

Luigi grinned. “He won’t. Here’s your batch, now go up and I’ll be there soon. No detours or else you’ll be in trouble, mister!” Luigi called as Junior had grabbed the plate of food and went out the door.

“Okay!” Junior hollered, running out of the area.

There was a moment as Mario and Luigi drank their coffee like normal. Luigi took a deep breath. “What is it?”

“Depends. How long are you going to be mad?” Mario replied.

Luigi let out a breath through his nose. “I’m not mad. I was hurt…but I suppose I hurt you too.”

Mario nodded. “I still don’t like it. I don’t like you never told me. I don’t like it’s HIM you seem to be caught up on even now, but what I find perplexing the most is how you jump into the co-parent role with a kid you met a couple days ago.” Mario took a sip but held a finger up; he wasn’t done. “But I thought on it. I thought on why you didn’t tell me and I suppose I really would’ve thought you were crazy or something but if that were the case, why didn’t you prove it to me if you two were meeting?” He wanted to understand the situation or at least get to the point he’d understand Luigi a bit. He didn’t like Bowser, considering the stories he’s heard from Peach and the toads.

Luigi sent him a lopsided smile. “Years of babysitting, I think. And he’s a good kid, just…A LOT of energy, hahaha.” He laughed lightly. “As for back then, I enjoyed it was just us. I wasn’t “Green Mario”, “Scrawny Mario”, or “Mario’s brother.” Which I am that last one but that’s not the point I’m making. It was nice being seen as me and what strengths I had.” He looked into his cup, knowing Mario was going to argue something back.

“I see you.” Mario replied. He knew what others said, they weren’t exactly subtle about it, but he didn’t realize it affected Luigi so bad when he would tell Mario, “it’s all good”.

Luigi laughed. “You’re my brother, you’re supposed to. You had your life going on too at the time and it’s understandable you didn’t focus on what was happening with me.”

Mario gave him a pleading look after they drank in some silence. “But HIM?“

Luigi rose a brow to him. “Oh, you’re one to talk. You’ve been on Peach’s heels since we got here.” He smiled, putting his hand up to show he wasn’t done, then sighed. “It’s not like I didn’t try to fall for others. They just didn’t hold up to Bowser.”

“I still don’t like it and I won’t budge there.” Mario replied after he’d thought some.

Luigi rolled his eyes. “Then I guess I’m not making you food.” He began putting things away and he could hear Mario whine.

“What? Why not?” He asked.

Smiling still, he rolled his eyes again. “So you can get a nap. That was decaf.” He pointed to the finished cup and waved to Mario. “See you tonight.”

“Perché dovresti tradirmi in quel modo?!” Mario yelled in agony.

Luigi laughed most of the way up to his room, him and Junior enjoying breakfast together.

—————————

The party was in full swing in the ballroom with lights, music and good food. The guests mingled with each other and there were even some kids too.
Junior had went right for the buffet table with his little white bow to replace his handkerchief he left back in the room.
Luigi went with a three-piece, not wanting to wear the jacket that went with it. Black slacks, a deep emerald velvet vest, a plain silk button up and dress shoes. There wasn’t much he could do about the spiked bracelets and choker, which clashed badly (and when he asked Junior to remove the choker, the kid just laughed maniacally) but he couldn’t bring himself to break the item more than it was.

Luigi wasn’t dumb, he saw some give him and Junior dirty looks but he chose to ignore them in favor of making the event fun for the little one. Which if he thought about it, if Junior was only 5-years old and that big, Luigi could only imagine how large in scale Bowser was. He had to think of other things as to not blush and think about it.

Drinking a bunch of sparkling cider, Junior seemed to be happy, even tapping his feet.
From the corner of his eye he saw Princess Peach beckon him and at first he was confused so he turned his head and then pointed to himself and she gave a nod. He didn’t want a repeat of the other day so he looked to the excitable koopa. “Hey, Junior, Peach wants to have a talk so stay here, okay? And don’t eat all of that, save some for others.” He pointed to the quarter-eaten tray of various brownies and cakes.

Junior nodded, going back to drinking cider, enjoying the bubbles. “Yes, Mama Luigi!” He grinned, food on his face.

Chuckling to himself, Luigi walked over, taking a small bow to be formal. “Hello, Princess Peach. It’s a very nice party.” ‘Well…aside from one thing but I feel it’s to be expected though rude.’ He rolled his eyes in annoyance at that last thought but then shook his head. “What did you need?”

Peach let out a nervous chuckle but waved him off. “Not much, just letting you know that Mario told me what happened and I wanted to talk to you about it.”

Luigi rose a brow in confusion. “He told you I gave him decaf coffee this morning? He needed the sleep, I don’t know why he’s being a baby about it. I’ll give him normal coffee next time.” He shrugged, now looking for where his brother was before making sure Junior was okay. He wasn’t at the snack table but he looked to be chatting with some other kids. Nothing looked hostile, so Luigi was grateful Junior could talk to some kids.

“No, Luigi, about you and King Bowser. Knowing now, I see why you had so much faith, but Luigi, are you sure he’s the same boy you knew? I’m just worried because if he decides to go on another rampage, I don’t want you in the crossfire. Mario’s worried, so I thought I’d at least talk to you.” She spoke, tone friendly.

Luigi bristled, trying to bite down the need to snip at her. For no fault of her’s, but a certain brother of his. “I’d be lying if I said I appreciated your concern, Princess, but Mario had no right to tell you that. If I wished to have elaborated about it then I would’ve. I understand he could’ve changed. Things happen. But I think I should see for myself, then decide. It’s between us, not you or Mario.” He took a deep breath, hoping his voice was normal enough where it didn’t attract the attention of others. He then gave her a trying smile. “I DO appreciate you letting Junior come, though. It was very kind.” His smile lightened.

Peach took a moment, mostly shocked by how she was just spoken to. She blinked repeatedly until her body relaxed. “You’re right. I wouldn’t want you butting into my affairs either.”

Luigi held his arms out for a hug which she returned. “I understand you’re worr-“ but was cut off by the sound of a growl followed by screams.
His eyes widened, seeing a scorch mark in front of Junior and his throat lighting up again, tears at the corner of his eyes and a scowl on his little brows. The other kids in front of him were backing away wearily but at least two penguin kids seemed stubborn as oddly enough the race usually was. “JUNIOR, NO!” He yelled, running over and he was planning on shutting Junior’s mouth himself, before the fire was released, the little koopa either not hearing him or he didn’t know how to put out the fire, but Luigi over stepped in his panic and though the fire didn’t hit anyone else, it did burn his forearm. He hissed, recoiling his arm as that snapped Junior out of it, the child’s tears growing as he saw what he’d done.

“Mama, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to-they were-I was-! Are you okay?!” he cried, fidgeting since he wasn’t sure what to do as Luigi curled in on himself, arm close to his chest and he bit his lip so hard it bled to keep from yelling out.

Luigi groaned, hearing multiple people, if not the whole room, start whispering and blabbing, either not seeing or not caring about his state.
He looked to Junior first with a semi-forced smile. “I’m okay. I know you didn’t mean to. Don’t be scared.” He was actually NOT okay. He’s touched hot metal and had his fair share of cooking burns, but a dragon-level fire hitting him square in the arm? ‘I owe Bowser an apology.’ He thought, trying to not pass out from the stench of burned flesh and blood.
Yeah, he was a little scared to look but he knew Junior didn’t mean to. As for trying to burn someone else, he’d have to ask once he could think straight. “I might need some help.” He laughed, finding it ironic. He ignored how dangerous koopas could be, even Junior, and here he was, burned. “You could have done some serious damage to someone else, piccolo. Think next time or don’t say anything and walk away. Some battles you don’t have to fight.” He tried smiling, trying to comfort Junior, but he could tell he was failing.

The tears didn’t look like they were going to stop and Luigi only then began to hear what the others were saying as he tried staying still. He saw Mario trying to make his way over, not seeing toad guards run to Peach in a panic and some other toads run out the doors.
“See? All koopas are dangerous, that’s why I didn’t want you near him.” He heard a dinosaur-like creature say. “Really, even turning on the poor fool willing to try and stand up for them. How pathetic an attempt.”
He heard her whisper more quietly, more to herself and Luigi, still in pain and trying not to cry himself from it, whipped his head to the woman briefly, blue eyes bright like luminous night lights and he shot her one of the nastiest looks someone from Brooklyn could give.

He was sick of the whispering, of the warnings, of them saying things about the monstrously large koopa he’d come to hold close to his heart and the little one crying with earnest regret.
He ignored the woman after and looked to Junior and grabbed his hand gently, even as his own were sweaty and probably clammy, shaking from the pain and nausea. Junior had to learn that most battles weren’t worth fighting over. “C’mon, big guy, let’s get some air and you tell me what happened.” He wiped the tears away, Junior’s eyes red rimmed and snot coming out his nose and he nodded.

Luigi tried to stand, but his legs gave out, probably from how he landed. His whole body was in pain but he didn’t want Junior to keep hearing their nasty words. “May-maybe I can ask Mario to take you outside? I can’t stand.” He could feel sweat running down his neck.

Speaking of the devil, Mario was there soon enough, panting. “Just had someone get a doctor or someone who can help. I feel like we should wrap it up but there’s not the right cloth. Actually, maybe we should bring you there.” Mario panicked. He hated seeing his little brother in pain and it wasn’t just a cut or a good size bruise from a job.

Luigi shook his head. “Get Junior outside. He doesn’t need to be witnessing this or hearing them.” He groaned, knowing his body was starting to go into shock. The burn was mostly on the underside of his forearm, some wisps curling lines towards his elbow but those weren’t as severe as the area blistering and bloody.

Mario looked at him doubtfully. “Don’t be stupid. We’ll even bring him.” He gestured to Junior with his head. “Though I’d like to know how you got burned so badly.” He asked even though Mario knew how and he honestly didn’t like the feeling. His brother was consoling the creature who just hurt him badly, to the point of probably a fever. They made it slowly into the hallway outside the dining hall before the burn on his left arm hit one of Junior’s spikes on his shell and though not sharp, it was still ivory and hard against his blistered flesh, causing him to collapse again from the pain.

“It was an accident. I’ll be fin-“ he went to reply, after he’d caught his breath but Junior piped up.

“Okay. That’s where Mama can get healed, right?” He sniffled, feeling more reassured as Luigi kept a hold of his hand and would occasionally rub a thumb against it, even as he saw Luigi shake and how bad the burn was. He wanted to hug him, to say he was sorry over and over, but he didn’t want to hurt him more so he just kept a hold of his hand.

Mario nodded, eyes a little hard to the koopa child. “Come on, Luigi.” He grabbed his brother around the middle and tried helping him up when they felt the ground shake and an unexpected and booming voice shook their eardrums.

“THIS HAD BETTER NOT BE A JOKE, PRINCESS PEACH!” Bowser’s voice snarled menacingly and the three went rigid, even Junior who was used to Bowser.

“King Bowser, if you could calm yourself you’ll see that if it wasn’t true I wouldn’t know who Luigi is nor his relation to you. Why would I risk my kingdom to keep your son?” Peach’s voice was stern and cold.

It was most likely due to the burn sending his body into pain and making Luigi’s heart race, but his eyes didn’t leave the door. “Bow…ser?” His voice shook, the tears he held back from pain spilling down his cheeks. His Koopa Prince was just down that hall and passed the castle entrance. So close. His chest felt tight and he smiled.

“Papa! Papa!” Junior called out, excited.

“Oh, mio Dio, sei tu. Mio caro e stupido principe.” Luigi whispered, not even able to breathe properly, not sure how he’d done it, but he was getting further from the ground and he was moving. He was running down the hall, almost tripping multiple times on the pastel carpet that ran down it and he couldn’t even process Mario yelling after him or Junior trying to catch up.
He practically ran into the doors and as he panted and backed up, grasping the handles, he tried pulling but it felt so heavy.

When they did obey and open, he saw Peach with some of her guards with their backs to him (technically to the doors) and Bowser only tens of feet away, a dark mass of molten lava and stone and a floating koopa with purple clothes behind him. He brought no others which meant he was truly there for Junior. That, or he was cocky.

“BOWSER!“ Luigi yelled out, feeling himself hurt his throat due to straining it. He saw the large koopa’s head turn to him, annoyed but then turning inquisitive, eyes flitting around, probably trying to identify Luigi.

“What are you doing? What happened to your arm?!” Peach asked, turning her head when she heard Luigi.

Luigi couldn’t even look her way and he started running again, towards the man he’d missed all those years when as he got a few feet away, already having to look up, a magic bubble encased him. “What?!” He screamed, scared as it wouldn’t pop and the blood from his arm got on whatever part of the surface it touched. “Bowser, it’s me!”

“That’s “Your Majesty” to you, human.” The koopa in the purple robes sneered, having been the one to put him in the bubble.

Before Luigi could retort, he saw Bowser make his way over, seeming almost in disbelief. He made the bubble float to his eye level and Luigi gasped. They were practically glowing and they held caution. “Are you…are you real?” Bowser asked, his voice soft and gruff. He popped the bubble, catching Luigi in one palm like Luigi was landing on a chair, and brought the other out to caress Luigi’s cheek.

Using the injured hand, Luigi placed it on the outside of the hand cupping his cheek, pressing further and nuzzling as tears bubbled from his eyes. He used his other hand to reach out and touch Bowser’s snout, then the corner of his mouth. “Yes. I am, mio stupido tesoro. We fell through a portal in an old house. I wanted to get to you, but no one would go near the lands you told me about and I didn’t know if you remem-“ he was cut from his anxious ramble by Bowser lifting his chin with the heel of his palm and pushing his snout forward until he was breathing in Luigi’s scent from his neck again. Luigi’s face went aflame.

“How could I ever forget such an adorable and pretty thing like you? Not when you can calm me so easily. I’d enjoy it more so if I didn’t smell the iron of blood on you.” He pulled his snout and hand away as Luigi’s body broke out in goosebumps pleasantly and Bowser grabbed Luigi’s upper arm to further look at the injury Luigi was ignoring in his excitement. “How’d this happen?” He asked, eyes aglow again with the hint of his temper lying underneath.

Eyes wide at first with nerves, Luigi smiled through the pain. “It was an accident. I promise it was.” He waved his good hand. “Everything is okay, I just need to get it treated and let it heal. It didn’t kill me.”

Still having Luigi’s head lifted, Bowser blew some smoke at him and leaned down, giving Luigi a small kiss that lingered for a few seconds before he pulled away, a small blush on his cheeks and eyes not so rough. “I believe you.”

Luigi’s own face was a deep pink and he began fidgeting, a bubbling energy entering his veins. “W-w-wow-wee.”

Bowser chuckled deeply. “Told you that mustache would look cute on you.” He used the tip of his claw to mess with it.

Luigi’s face almost felt pain from how hard he was blushing. “Stop making me blush! It’s too much, mio Tesoro!” He covered his face and heard a small growl from Bowser.

He leaned in where his mouth was by Luigi’s ear. “There’s more where all that came from, as there should be with that choker around your neck.” He resisted doing something impulsive and backed his head away again. “But first…” he looked back to the magikoopa who had been looking at the display in shock and a mild discomfort. “Kamek, heal the wound.” He set Luigi down in front of Kamek to inspect it as they heard Junior approaching.

“Papa! Papa! You came!” Junior ran face first into Bowser’s leg and gave it a hug.

Bowser growled lowly, lovingly, and picked Junior up by his shell to hug him. “I’m glad you’re safe but you wouldn’t happen to know how Luigi got hurt, would you?” He held his son at eye level, seeing the regret and guilt easily. “Junior…”

“It was an accident! I’d never hurt Mama on purpose! The others were being mean and saying things about you and me and I got so mad and I’d been drinking sparkly juice so I burped and it made fire! But I was still mad and-and I couldn’t stop it! I didn’t know how! Then Mama was-!” Junior began to cry again, remembering the whispers and how no one helped.

Letting out a breath full of smoke, knowing losing his temper would be bad, he hugged Junior. “You weren’t even supposed to breathe fire yet. Kamek can help him. You are grounded for running away in the middle of the night, though.” He ignored Junior’s whines and cries at that.

They looked over at seeing light and the magic fell from Luigi’s arm, revealing it was healed but not without a scar. “Thank you.” Luigi said to the magikoopa.

“Kamek, why is there a scar?” Bowser asked, voice threatening.

“It was all I could do, Your Nastiness! Healing a human and healing a koopa are two different things!” Kamek panicked and Luigi went and laid his hands on Bowser’s arms.

“It’s all good, Bowser. If this were my world, they’d have to do a lot worse just to repair the skin and the scar would be much worse. What’s with that temper?” He asked, kissing the large and muscular arm in front of him before looking up with soft eyes.

“Okay, he got his kid and you’re healed now, thank you koopa with the wizard hat, come on Luigi.” Mario piped in, not liking his brother near the giant turtle-dragon he seems far too comfortable near and for a long time.

Before Luigi opened his mouth, Bowser spoke up. “I don’t think so, Red One. Hmm…ah, you’re his brother. Yeah, I’m not returning him. I let him go once and it drove me mad, so no. He can visit if he wants.” Bowser growled, challenging, not daring to let Luigi go again.

Luigi smacked his arm when he saw how red with anger Mario was getting. “I think that’s up to me, Bowser.” He tried not to smile at Junior laughing at the look he gave Bowser. “Mario, I’m going with him.”

Mario’s jaw dropped and Peach tried hiding the laugh that caused her to have. “Why?!” He asked, confused.

Luigi smiled, full of warmth. “Well, for one I’ve been searching for him since we got here and two, this lifestyle isn’t for me. I’ve been…not myself, since we have. Being with Bowser and Junior makes me happy though, so, please understand, Mario?”

Mario crossed his arms and turned his head, but stayed quiet.

With a sigh out his nose, Luigi walked over, giving Mario a hug. “Non sono lontano. Verrò a trovarli e forse potrai iniziare ad apprezzarli.” He laughed when Mario rolled his eyes.

“Buona fortuna. Ma se sei sicuro, non posso fermarti. Per favore dimmi se le cose vanno male.” He replied, giving Luigi some playful punches to his chest and his cheek.

They hugged and Luigi couldn’t help the large grin on his face, even as he kissed Mario’s cheek, he knew he wanted this. “Shall I go pack?” He laughed.

Mario smiled. “I’ll help ya.”

————————

Bowser had refused to set him down the whole way there and reluctantly did once they landed.
The land was how Bowser said it would be. Black and red rock surrounded by rivers of lava and fire. But, there was also crystals and minerals that hadn’t been touched which added some color to the red land.

Luigi let out a breath in awe. “This is amazing. I might overheat, though.” He chuckled lightly, already feeling too hot.

Bowser laughed, nosing the top of his head. “We’ll figure it out. Come on, I wanna show you what I wanted to all those years ago.” He muttered so softly, Luigi wouldn’t have known it was him talking.

He looked up, going on his tippy toes to peck Bowser’s snout. “Ti amo, Bowser.” He said, seeing if Bowser would ask but he kissed him back.

“That means Mama loves you Papa! Me too, me too! Ti amo, Papa! Mama Luigi!” Junior yelled, coming up and tackling into Bowser’s tail, laughing and ruining the moment by only a bit.

“I think I know what that one means.” Bowser whispered, tilting Luigi’s head up again to kiss him harder, his forked tongue coming out a bit to lick Luigi’s lips.

Luigi blushed, but smiled goofily and scratched lightly under the koopa king’s chin. “Well don’t worry, I’m here to teach you all the words you want.”

They smiled and Luigi touched the choker, an old bracelet a boy he came to love gave him to remember him by when they were kids.

Who knew, for Luigi the scaredy cat, his own world just wasn’t for him. He had to be brave, to finally find Home.

————————

Years later and many forced apology letters sent out across the lands Bowser destroyed, things seemed as peaceful as they could. Luigi met the Koopalings and became honorary “Mama” to them too, much to Bowser’s happiness.

They found a simpler way to travel between the lands so Luigi could visit his brother and “Queen” Peach in The Mushroom Kingdom and sometimes Mario would stop by for a “hello” as well.
The brother’s did hold guilt that their family back home would never know where they ended up, but they were both happy with the lives they’d made there.

Junior was far more cautious of breathing fire as he grew up but with both Bowser’s insistence that it was part of him and he’d do it either intentionally or accidentally sooner or later and it was best he prepared as to control the fire and Luigi’s reassurance that Junior was never in any trouble for the accident and to keep in mind his battles. Harder said than done when growing up with the Koopalings, but he continued to try his best as he saw the proud faces of his Papa and Mama Luigi as he grew into a teen. Not growing in height by much, but he could see he made them proud, by choosing his battles (most the time, he was a koopa prince and had Bowser’s temper to boost) as best he could and by begrudgingly but willingly learning to become a good ruler, though Bowser could guess it was mostly because Junior would use it as the excuse to boss everyone around and feel superior.

They’d go on family trips and even have family fights. He learned Bowser had accidentally destroyed the portal that was there in The Dark Lands while his temper was out of control.

That’s not where he was then, though.
Luigi opened his eyes from a lonely dream. Looking more clearly, he found he was against Bowser’s chest, warm and safe. He easily slipped out and back so he could look at Bowser’s sleeping face. “How could I have ever thought I could move on or settle for anything other than this king?” He spoke to himself. He admired the slightly faded sheen of green and golden scales and a few silver strands in the thick red hair that belonged to Bowser. Knowing how sharp and intense Bowser’s eyes would be once they open, even as he saw some crows feet. It was stressful being a king, after all.
He himself was no better but it was what it was. Bowser still desired him and he knew he looked better for his age and position than some other royals he knew.

Bowser let out a breath, obviously waking and Luigi decided how he was going to wake him. He began peppering kisses along his mouth and snout, trying to reach his eyes too. Bowser began chuckling deeply, it rumbling from his chest.

“Buongiorno, mio re tentatore.” Luigi purred, laughing when Bowser puffed smoke and air in his face.

They rolled around, laughing like new lovers they once were until they ran out of breath and lay with Luigi on top of Bowser. “Do you know what I realized the other night?” Bowser had asked, running a claw lightly down Luigi’s back.

Luigi shivered. “That I’m amazing?”

Bowser laughed at that. “That too. But I think we both forgot something pretty important all these years. Something we needed to do.” Using his thumbs he began to massage Luigi’s back.

Luigi groaned and stretched, trying to think. “I can’t think of anything.”

Bowser let out a “what am I gonna do with him” sigh and sat up, both adjusting for eye contact. “I wish I could’ve made this more your style and gave you something to look forward to, but we’ve already been doing it for years so you know what would come of it, but…” he looked away nervously and Luigi waited patiently with a fond smile. Bowser looked back, a moment later and his gaze was set and determined. “Would you do me the honors, My Queen? Will you become my husband?” He asked, very serious. “There’s a ring being made from a gem of a rare mineral but it won’t be ready for another couple days. At first, I wanted to wait till it was done to ask, but now felt more…timely.” He explained, obviously nervous and rambling.

Luigi honestly wasn’t expecting it that was for sure. He didn’t think they needed it. Never thought about it since they just…did. Luigi helped where he could, even when it came to running the kingdom and all the kids (teens-young adults now) call him Mama. He let out a surprised choked sob. “I don’t need a-a ring, you lug. Now I’ll have to make you one.” He grabbed Bowser’s hand in both of his. “I only ever needed to hold your hand and to be allowed to love you.”

Bowser’s gaze was gentle. “You’ll have that and anything more, which I know you’ll refuse to request. But don’t worry, my mustachioed love…” Bowser then leaned down to kiss him. “We have all the time in the world for that.”

Luigi giggled, heart warm and lips getting hotter. “You’re trying to spoil me.”

Bowser nodded, running his tongue up Luigi’s throat. “If I spoil you, treat you lovingly, anything you need, I hope to give you no reason to leave.”

Luigi rolled his eyes and nipped Bowser’s lip. “Well, you’re doing a fantastic job.” He laughed, and they laid there, kissing and loving each other in peace before they told the kids and would hear Hell break loose.

But, Luigi wouldn’t trade that for anything, and…he never did.