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Luigi sat alone on a wooden bench outside in a garden, looking at all the new plant life his new husband had ordered to be planted when Luigi moved in. It had taken a lot of work to get any flowers to bloom in the harsh, unforgiving climate of the Darklands, but the effort was worth it to Bowser. Seeing those big blue eyes widen in surprise made the Koopa King swell with pride. Luigi spent a lot of time in his new garden whenever he had free time, tending to all the new flowers and making sure the hedges didn't get out of control. Sometimes he would come out here just to breathe when the stresses of his new role as king would weigh heavily on his mind. Bowser would sometimes accompany him, and the couple would go on long walks, hand in hand, discussing whatever was on the human's mind. But as Bowser looked out his office window and noticed his husband sitting on a bench across from one of the Koopa's large statues, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
His human had been unusually quiet at dinner, and when asked about it, he would simply brush it off and flash a small smile his way. Kamek had found this behavior odd as well, but advised the king that Luigi simply needed some space and that he would tell him when he was ready. King Bowser had many qualities, but patience was definitely not one of them. He was the kind of Koopa who fixed problems when they arose, no matter the cost. He would not just sit idly by while his husband was hurting! He was going to find the cause and tear it limb from limb. This impatience is what eventually led to the king opening the set of stained glass doors that led to the garden, trying to be as quiet as possible so he didn't spook the human.
Bowser made his way across the garden's freshly cut grass, still unused to seeing green in his usually dark and foreboding kingdom. He eventually made it to where his husband was seated, noting the way Luigi quickly wiped his eyes and took a steadying breath. The large Koopa knelt to one knee in front of Luigi to meet the man's eye level, trying to reign in his intimidating aura. The human looked at the ground to avoid making eye contact, something that only added to Bowser's concern. The two were silent for around a minute before the king broke the ice.
"You were quiet at dinner."
"I know.....I'm sorry amore mio. I've just been tired today...that's all"
Bowser carefully cupped Luigi's chin and lightly forced him to meet his eyes. Many moons ago, the man feared those blazing red eyes. He would feel the pure, unadulterated anger emanating from them as he and his brother would face the king in battle. But time had made him see beyond the rage and the pain those eyes held within. Luigi found a soft soul behind them and no longer saw fear and death, but someone longing to be loved and accepted. Bowser pulled him from his thoughts once again.
"I know you probably came out here to get some space, and it's okay if you don't want to talk about it. Just know that you can always talk to me....about anything."
Bowser released his chin and Luigi looked away, feeling unsure if he could put his feelings into words.
"It's....It's dumb. And I don't want to bring the mood down."
"It's not dumb." The king moved to sit next to Luigi, "When we got married, I promised you that I would love you through good times and bad. And I never break my promises."
Luigi leaned against his husband's side, Bowser wrapped his massive arm around him and pulled the human closer to him. Luigi felt comforted by the heat radiating off of Bowser. It always him feel safe, like nothing could ever hurt him.
"It's just...." Luigi started, trying to find his words, "You've made me the happiest I've ever been in my life. Getting to be with you, Junior, and the Koopalings, it's all been wonderful, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.....but."
Bowser stiffened a little. Was Luigi not happy with him? Did he do something wrong? Luigi's voice broke him from his spiraling thoughts.
"...sometimes I wonder why you picked me."
The king couldn't believe what he was hearing. If anything, he wondered why Luigi had picked him. Didn't Luigi know how he brought light into his life? How he would level entire towns and kingdoms just to be with him? Bowser would make his love know it if it was the last thing he did.
Bowser was quiet for a moment, words not being something he was inherently good at.
"Luigi...before you came into my life, I was so consumed by my anger. All I knew how to do was be an evil king who destroyed anything that was in my way." Bowser kept his eyes forward on the statue bearing his likeness. It was like a relic of his former self. "You taught me what love is. That it's okay to open up to people and not only am I a better king for it, but the allies we've gained have made life better for our citizens. I can't imagine anyone else being by my side."
Bowser glanced down at his husband, who was now looking up at him, fresh tears welling in his blue eyes.
"But you could have anyone in the world. Someone who's graceful and brave." Luigi's eyes drooped, "I'm just.......me."
Tears slowly leaked from the human's eyes, and Bowser's grip on him tightened a little.
"You deserve better than me."
That was the tipping point for Bowser. He grabbed Luigi by the shoulders and turned the man to face him. The human was startled by the sudden movement but still didn't fear for his safety.
"I never, ever want to hear you say that again."
Bowser's voice was stern and almost commanding like he was scolding Junior for setting something in the castle on fire. He pulled Luigi into a tight hug and held him as if the human would float away if he let go. Luigi returned the embrace, and the two stayed that way for a few minutes. The doubts Luigi had been feeling seemed to melt away as the world around them froze. Bowser let go and cupped the man's chin. He felt like he could drown in those eyes.
"Luigi, you are the light of my life. No one will ever come close to shining as bright as you."
Luigi smiled at his husband and pulled him into a kiss. The kiss was just like their first, a feeling the human would cherish for the rest of his life. They pulled apart, and Luigi wiped the tears from his eyes. At least these were tears of joy.
"I love you, my king."
Bowser smiled fondly at his husband, thanking the stars above that he got to spend the rest of his life with this man.
"I love you too, Greenie."