Chapter Text
I’ll throw my hat in the ring, ‘cause you’re the one
A miracle in three dimensions
Follow the brick path straight to my heart
And we’ll grab the flag together; the fireworks are gonna start.
…..
He had to save her.
Even as he concentrated tirelessly on clawing their way to freedom, lunging himself bodily at anything that stood in their path, he was keenly aware of her nearness; the delicate sound of her breath beside his face, the coolness of crisp satin fabric against his skin. His heart pounded, and not just from adrenaline.
There had been no room for deliberation on his options when the caverns beneath the moon’s surface began caving in with increasing rapidity. He’d watched her anxious movements as she struggled to find a way out—something she was quite used to, he thought with a pang. In order to save her, himself—and, yes, even Bowser—he’d had to act decisively. There was no time to worry about the fact that Peach could be understandably confused or alarmed by the means undertaken.
Yet she’d immediately recognized and trusted him, allowing him to sweep her up onto his shoulders and even managing a little laugh of relieved surprise at the desperate and absurd situation. He marveled at how light she was. Sure, there was a little more weight on his shoulders, but it was a good, welcome kind of weight, making him feel somehow grounded and whole.
His mind was still replaying the brief, precious moment they’d had to enjoy their reunion up on the moon’s surface. Words had been insufficient to express his emotions of relief and joy in seeing her safe, no longer forced to watch helplessly from one pitiful step behind, as he’d been for the entirety of his journey.
He remembered the pleasure and gratitude shining in her eyes as they drew closer. Lunar light shimmering at the edges of her gown in a rainbow of opalescent color, reminiscent of the dress’s origin in Lake Lamode. Her veil of filmy tulle floating around her face like gossamer. Rosebud lips parting slightly under a delicate sheen of pink gloss.
He glanced down at his own crisp white suit that Cappy had miraculously fashioned. The two of them, in these clothes…he could almost imagine…
He’d quickly shaken that thought away with a guilty start. Was it proper to be daydreaming this way, admiring her in an outfit she hadn’t chosen to wear in the first place? He needed to concentrate on making sure she was alright and getting her safely home, as she no doubt longed to be.
That didn’t stop the near-gravitational pull that sent him running to close the distance between them. His heart lifted at the way her eyes lit up, her sweet smile growing to match his own as she took a step forward to meet him.
But before he’d been able to reach her, a great block of stone had crashed right between them, separating them once more. They could barely even process what was happening before it was followed by several more blocks peppering the lunar surface, opening a crumbly fissure beneath their very feet. His chest still squeezed when he remembered the uncertain way she’d called to him, reaching for him in vain as her steps faltered, eyes fearful. Her name had tumbled from his lips, almost breaking with affection and desperation. He’d struggled in vain to get to her before the freshly opened chasm claimed them both, dragging them to the moon’s interior.
Now he was directing his every ounce of strength to making sure they came through this alive—together. Not only would nothing stand between his beloved princess and her freedom, he never wanted anything to stand between the two of them, ever again.
In the fleeting moments that he allowed himself a pause just long enough to glance at her, the mere sight enveloped his heart with a blanket of peace and purpose, the connection between them like a sanctuary that stood firm even as everything was falling apart around them.
As it quite literally was, he reminded himself as he narrowly dodged another chunk of falling debris. The last thing he needed was to get them both, er, all flattened, because he couldn’t stop staring at her.
With everything in his being, he wanted to protect her to the last of his days.
I have to tell her.
The thought might have stopped him in his tracks if each precious second didn’t cost so dearly. Instead he pummeled through another wall, as if his world wasn’t shifting radically on its axis within him. Almost out of necessity, his eyes went back to her.
Somehow he had always known it, yet until this moment he hadn’t been able to admit it even to himself. That his feelings, his dearest hopes, were too strong to subdue forever, surging passionately forward only to shrink back behind their predetermined boundaries like the ocean tide. That it would be impossible to go another day pretending this rapidly-beating heart in his chest didn’t have her name written all over it in indelible pink ink.
More earth-shattering still was the sudden impossible conviction that something not unlike his own thoughts was being reflected back in her eyes. Her gaze radiated a quiet serenity and trust, and…something more.
Something wonderful.
Did he dare to hope that the message he read there was true?
I have to find out.
Somehow he managed to tear his gaze away once more. Each time felt more painful than the last, but he had no choice. The very stones beneath his feet were falling away with violent, groaning tremors as the cavern collapsed in on itself, preventing him from staying in any one place for more than a few seconds.
That’s where we’ve been, Mario thought as he smashed through another boulder, barely even noticing it. We’ve been staying in one place almost since the moment we met.
So many times he had convinced himself it was enough.
It would never be enough.
Not if there was a real chance of being something more.
The atmosphere had shifted slightly. A soft gold light shone through the cracks of the cavern, and the air felt different. Even with the walls crumbling faster than ever, he could sense a breakthrough, that little now stood between them and the way to freedom. A remarkable sense of buoyancy, of thrill and hope, filled his chest along with resolve. In a few short moments, they would leave this place.
And deep within himself, Mario knew that after this night, something between them was going to change.
…..
Peach had the inexplicable feeling that something was about to change.
Now safely returned to the moon’s surface, she quickly made an inward effort to compose herself, grappling with the thoughts and sensations that had flooded her heart as Mario carried her to freedom.
She had barely even been aware of Bowser’s rather unmissable presence as she’d looked up at her hero, feeling safe and secure on his shoulders. Her gaze was fixed on those eyes, Mario’s eyes. In that bright, soulful blue gaze she saw him, her most beloved friend, her shining star. And in the fleeting moments when that gaze turned toward her, the tenderness and devotion she read there took her breath away.
Did she even dare to hope—? Or were her own feelings coloring the way she saw his, merely painting her the portrait she wanted to see? As it was, if she didn’t take care, neither her patience nor prudence would be enough to conceal her heart any longer.
She looked forward to giving him a grateful kiss on the cheek, as was her custom and would be proper as a longtime friend and royalty…but at the moment it seemed like the infinitely poorer alternative to what she really wanted to do, which was to throw her arms around him and maybe never let go. Tell him how much he meant to her and ask him to never leave her.
But none of that would be either customary or proper. She swallowed a sigh of long-suffering and looked up to regard him thoughtfully, unable to quell the smile that tipped up her lips as their steps gravitated toward one another.
Neither of them seemed sure of what to say after all that had just occurred. Not only that, but there was some sort of sense of awareness between them that made words unnecessary. Mario settled for a simple shrug and chuckled a bit self-consciously, eliciting a soft giggle from her in return.
With a sudden movement just above their heads, they were reminded that their reunion wasn’t the only one. The Bonneton siblings had assumed their original forms. Peach watched as, with a cry of emotion, Tiara launched herself at Cappy and sent them both twirling from the force of the embrace, giggling with happiness. Peach’s heart warmed at the charming sight, delighted that her new friend was reunited with her brother at last.
Squelching a desire to reenact her own version of the scene, she instead turned to share a smile with Mario, who also took evident pleasure in the moment before turning to her likewise. Just like that, it felt as if the world had focused in on just the two of them.
My knight in shining white wedding clothes. His suit—she had never seen it before—was tailored perfectly to his familiar form, moonlight gleaming in the brassy buttons, white silk hat and charming red bow tie. He looked positively princely, which was fitting, as he’d long since earned such a title in her eyes. Yet even garbed in this elegant attire he was her same cherished Mario: humble, approachable, and looking so delightfully huggable, like a walking teddy bear.
For some reason, her eyes flickered towards the majestic wedding hall still visible in the distance. Being with him, wearing these clothes…imagine if circumstances were different…
No. How could she be entertaining such ideas at a time like this? For too long she’d wanted nothing more than to get out of these clothes and go home. Mario no doubt felt the same way after having to chase her around the globe. Besides, she needed to address and console her subjects, to ensure that all was right in her kingdom after her absence. It was the only thing she should be concerning herself with at this moment. Wasn’t it?
But if that was so, then why was a thrill of anticipation zinging through her, putting all her nerves on end, as Mario began walking towards her with a steady, purposeful gait? She lifted her fingers to her suddenly flushed face and tilted her head in curious invitation, watching him approach as if in slow motion. The frisson of hope and excitement she felt was almost electric as her heart began beating faster. Was it lingering static from their trip along the power lines?
Or was this the moment she’d waited for?
The fevered thoughts that had run through her moments before now subsided into a feeling of serenity and closeness as time slowed down. Mario didn’t take his eyes off her as he drew close, a captivating smile on his face. It spoke of joy and confidence and…something more.
Something wonderful.
Something that made her heart flutter if she dared to believe it.
She never found out what it was.
The moment was shattered when Boswer—since when was he conscious?!—abruptly barged between them, pushing Mario out of the picture and proffering that dreadful bouquet directly into her field of vision. She recoiled in dismayed surprise, but before she could even absorb what was happening, Mario was shouldering his way back to her, holding out a flower of his own! The two of them were jabbing each other like little boys, vying for her attention.
She couldn’t believe it. What was supposed to have been a tender moment just for herself and Mario had dissolved into another contest with Bowser. How dare he intrude on their special moment, as if everything he’d done already wasn’t enough?
And Mario…for so long she’d dreamed of receiving his affections, but not like…this. Now she had to wonder if he’d really thought about what he was doing, or had simply gotten carried away out of competition. That possibility bothered her more than anything else, and a wave of weariness suddenly caught up with her. Needless to say, this was not how the scene had panned out in her frequently cherished daydreams.
It was altogether too much.
“Enough!”
She found herself shouting in exasperation, lifting both hands as if to ward off their advances. Frowning, she turned on her heel and walked with measured steps toward the waiting airship, stopping only long enough to acknowledge Cappy and Tiara, who’d been witnessing the whole fiasco from the sidelines. She made an effort to tamp down her vexation and disappointment. Part of her longed to run back to Mario that instant and tell him everything she was feeling, to find out what he meant…but Bowser’s unwelcome presence put a damper on that idea.
She sighed inwardly. There was no use in starting another scene now. But perhaps…after the Koopa king had been safely deposited in his own kingdom, if Mario would escort her home, perhaps…then they’d have their chance?
The thought of it rekindled her hopes and turned the corners of her lips up in anticipation. With the siblings’ help, she identified the ship’s engine and was able to start it easily, bracing herself as it rumbled to life and she began to be lifted from the moon’s surface.
“Let’s go home!” Peach called over the roar of the engine, waving a beckoning hand. She smiled in Mario’s direction as he lifted his head at the sound, waiting for him to turn around and catch her gaze.
But when he did, her smile froze.
For a moment before he could hide it, she saw pain and regret written starkly in his eyes. And she knew with a sinking in her chest that she had made a mistake.
…..
How could I make such a mistake?
The ride home was painfully silent between them. They were both exhausted, emotionally and physically. They’d attempted light conversation, but it had trailed off quickly, too weighed down by all that had passed to take flight. It was different from the warm, joyful atmosphere they normally shared on their return journeys. Very different.
Mario kept his eyes averted, tensely gripping the railing. When he did catch Peach’s glance, she gave him a small smile—genuine, he thought, but tense and a little sad, and her eyes looked misty. It was almost unbearable to see her upset. It was even worse to know that it was his fault.
The fact that Bowser was on board was another considerable check on their words and spirits. Whether or not he’d deserved to be left on the moon didn’t factor into the equation—it simply wasn’t in them to do so, whatever temporary satisfaction might have been derived from it. They’d banished him to the cabin—Mario still wasn’t sure how he’d fit through the door—and could hear the occasional muffled grumble from within. Beyond that, he’d remained surprisingly (and blessedly) silent.
Mario was even more surprised to find himself pitying his nemesis. He’d sensed, perhaps for the first time, that although he went about showing it in all the absolute worst ways possible—and his treatment of her on a regular basis was inexcusable—there was something genuine in his affection for Peach. And if her rejection had affected Bowser half as much as it affected him, that was enough reason to be pitied.
Well, at least Cappy and Tiara were cheerful. He couldn’t help but feel touched to hear the Bonneton siblings chattering almost nonstop, basking in each other’s company after their long separation. It made him miss Luigi, and the fact that they’d soon be together was Mario’s only comforting thought throughout the long ride—that and the fact that, if nothing else, Peach was okay. That was what mattered.
His heart wasn’t exactly okay. Not by a long shot.
Mario was the flexible type, always ready to bounce back and find a new way forward. But this time he wasn’t sure how. The more he thought about his actions, the more his chest ached with mortification and regret.
Of course she smiled. She was too full of kindness and grace to condemn him. Somehow, that almost made the ache worse.
Even before they’d reached the surface, he’d determined to confess to her, albeit not quite like that. Bowser’s interruption had panicked him into action, making him forget all of the words he wanted to say. But that wasn’t the root of the problem, he knew; it had just made things worse.
Wasn’t this what he’d always known would happen? Trusting too deeply in his own feelings, he’d overstepped the bounds of their precious friendship, putting her in a distressful situation. Taking advantage of her kindly regard and trust. She deserved so much better. He’d always known that.
So why had he still acted against his better judgment and better nature, at the worst time possible? She was already exhausted from one person throwing unwanted affections at her.
The last thing she needed was another.
With a sigh that rose from deep in his heart, Mario threw one final, regretful glance back at the moon as they left it behind. His amore still stood beside him, close enough to touch…but they might as well be miles apart.