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King Boo used his magic to toss another of his magic paintings at the wall and watched as it shattered into splinters. Joining the others before it that still had yet to satisfy the kings anger.
He grabbed another that he had long ago forgotten the name of the prisoner inside. "Who does he think he is!" The king shouts as he tosses it and watches it spliter apart. "Luigi is mine!" This time he takes an old painting of Hellen Gravely's that he'd kept around for a moment like this and tosses it to the wall to join the pile. And he tosses one of her statues for good measure. "That bastard thinks he can threaten me! Take away what's mine! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
At this point the king is throwing just about anything he can get his hands on. "I have to take back what's mine!" He continues to allow things to shatter and fall into a pile on the floor. He needs a plan. And he can't lure the plumber somewhere with a letter to do it. He stopped opening his mail. What was he supposed to do? Just enter the plumber's house!?
He paused. What was stopping him from just going into Luigi's house? He couldn't stop the positively maniacal grin from spreading across his face. "Boosistant! Bring me my spell book! I have an idea!" He cackles.
Luigi finished cleaning his dishes and putting them away. And Polter-pup started tugging at his pant leg. "Polter-pup, I just changed." He had a date in about an hour and he wanted to look nice. And wear… well, not his usual clothes. He'd spent way longer than he probably should have worrying about his clothes. Because again, he'd wanted to look nice. So he'd spent longer than he'd care to admit trying some of his none overall outfit options. And it was hard without anyone elses help. Because he was just going off of his opinion. And how good was his opinion about clothing anyway. He just wore the same thing most days. All this to say he had settled for a nice pair of jeans, a white collared shirt, and a green sweater over the top of it. For-going his usual hat. And now his puppy was getting ghost slobber all over him.
"I can't take you on a walk right now. We can go later tonight." Luigi told the ghost dog. Who started barking insistantly. "I told you I can't right now." Luigi gives the dog a pet on the head. But he doesn't like that for whatever reason and starts barking up a storm. "What has gotten in to you?" Luigi asks as his dog begins to growl.
A chill begins to fill the air and the temperature in the room begins to drop. It makes the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He almost wonders if it's from Polter-pups emotions. But then his puppy begins to growl more and he hears a laugh that haunts his nightmares.
"Hello Luigi!" The plumber turns slowly, praying that who he hears there isn't who is there. he hopes this is a nightmare. A terrible terrible nightmare. But there is King Boo, cackling in his kitchen. He knows he's shaking as he starts reaching under his kitchen table to find his emergency flashlight. "You won't find what your looking for there. Boonie made sure of that."
"Boo!" He shrieks as the smaller boo and his king cackle. Boonie covers the door before Luigi can get to it. And after this Luigi is taking that door off it's hinges.
"Puppy!" Polter-pup makes noise to show Luigi that he's listening, "Get him." The puppy jumps on the counter and then on King Boo's face. Who starts to curse and float around making a mess of everything trying to get the puppy away for him.
Luigi makes a break for the fridge and hopes. He curses in Italian when he sees the pure water he keeps there is also gone.
Polter-pup is tossed and Luigi catches the ghost dog, earning a lick from him. King Boo begins to advance on him once more, shouting, "ENOUGH!" Luigi keeps moving away, trying to find anything that he can use to defend himself. "I have come to offer you a truce." The Boo says with a large toothy smile. "A t-tru-truce?" Luigi asks, putting the table between himself and the ghost.
"It has been brought to my attention that you are being courted by royalty." The king laughs, "And I was told in no uncertain terms that I must assure your safety for our continued alliance." Well Luigi is feel a lot of things at once. Especially cause he's pretty sure that's exactly what he told Bowser NOT to do. "And… y-you're n-n-not mad?" He asks. "Why would I be mad?" The boo asks. And well, Luigi can think of a few reasons he can think that Boo would be mad. Including the very angry letters he recieved after the king found out he was dating Daisy. And a long haunting when he recieved no reply.
"Nonsense. I would like to toast to your future. After all, Queen Luigi has nice ring to it." Luigi ends up chuckling awkwardly. He still feels like at any moment the king will snap and try to trap him in a painting. Instead he makes two chalices appear on the table. The one that appears in front of Luigi is silver with purple gems in the sides. Inside is a dark red liquid that goes only about half way up the sides of the glass. Luigi just looks at the ghost who has spent years tormenting him. Who gives him a closed mouth smile as he lifts his chalice. "To your future." The ghost says.
Luigi carefully. He could not take the offered drink and risk offending King Boo and causing him to attack. But is Boo really going to risk Bowser's wrath by poisoning him? Or is he just being paranoid. Experience tells him probably not. But maybe… maybe he really does want to end their fighting. A second chance. And everyone deserves a second chance.
Luigi lifts up his glass. "To second chances." He says quietly. Whatever the liquid is, it is very sour. And Luigi really tries not to make a face.
King Boo watches with uncontained glee as the spell begins to take affect. The plumber tries to shake it off but ultimately ends up falling to the ground. The ghost dog tries to rouse him but it doesn't work. So the dog begins to growl at the king. Well that won't do at all. "Boonie! Trap this dog somewhere else in the house."
"Of course you're majesty!" He could do with the incessant barking but it's no matter. Now he just had to wait for his new minion to wake up.
Upon awakening, Mr. L flips through the air and lands on the table and into a bow. And the King allows himself to laugh. This is going splendidly. "Hello Mr. L. You once worked for for Count Bleck. Now you'll work for me!" The King laughs again. Overall he's just over joyed that his plan has gone so well. He thought he'd have to stuff it down the plumber's throat. But everything has gone wonderfully.
Mr. L stood and looked down at his hands in in apparent disgust. "I'm gonna need a change of clothes. This is fucking terrible." And he's very happy indeed at the switch in personality. Bowser is going to have a field day when he finds out. "Mio re, mio amore, mio bel salvatore," The man bows, "I would be happy to serve you. The Green Thunder is at your command. Together we will carry out your bidding and show everyone the power of our love." Boo paused. "What?"
"Which part did you not understand?" Mr. L asks. "I understood. Go… go find yourself different clothes! I need just a moment!" Mr. L was off in a flash, "L-ater!" He says.
"Boosistant! Bring me that spell book!" The small boo hands him the book and the king begins to flip through the pages. And what he finds makes him furious. He throws the book at his useless minion. "You combined two spells you dolt! You're lucky it worked at all!"
"I'm sorry, your majesty!" The dunce had created the spell that brought back the affects of hypnosis. But in trying to make him obey the king he'd also added a love spell on top of it. This was what he got for entrusting such a simple task to someone besides himself. Who put such spells next to each other in a book anyway!
But oh… he could use this. He could certainly use this. Perhaps this is even better than the original plan. After all now Luigi could really be his. Maybe one day he'd break the hypnosis just so Luigi could see all that Boo had done. Now that his mind had begun to work. Yes he could take this mistake and he could make it work for his benifit.
He would simply let the world know that Mr. L had returned. And then he would make sure that Luigi would always be his.
He the door opened as the mortal returned, now wearing darker green, black, and grey, and a black mask. "There's something I need you to steal. And then we're going to have a wedding."
Bowser makes his way through town towards Peach's castle. Some Toad's continue about their business. Some of them run and hide in fear. Even with the peace treaty between their kingdoms some of the toads never quite stopped being scared of him.
The toad guards let him in without question (and that will never stop being strange). He finds Peach in her throne room. With Mario and a few other toads. "What about the castle grounds? Out in the garden?" Mario asks. "I don't know, something about it still doesn't feel right." Peach says. They both turn when they notice him. Peach smiles. Mario does not. "Hello, Bowser. It's wonderful to see you." Peach says.
He decides to get right down to business, "Have either of you seen Luigi?"
"Luigi?" Peach asks. "Why?" Mario asks, raising his brow in suspicion. "Cool it 'stache." Great, now he had to think of a lie. He used to be the villian, he should be great at lying! He should make lies for his kids for breakfast… wait. "He was supposed to be helping me fine tune some parts of my tracks for the next kart tournament. But he never showed. And unlike someone else…" He glares and Mario for good measure, "Greenie doesn't usually show up late. And it's been an hour."
"Maybe he needed to take care of something important." Mario says with a glare at Bowser. "That's enough you two." Peach says. "He started it!" Mario tells her. "And I'm gonna finish it!" Bowser tells him. "Enough!" Peach shouts again. "Mario, Bowser is our ally. And if you can invite him to race karts with us while he's our enemy then we can certainly work together to go check on your brother."
"He's probably fine. He's probably walking polter-pup and lost track of time. Wouldn't be the first time."
"Yeah I doubt it." Bowser says. "What, you think you know my brother now?" Mario asks suspicously. "He knew it was important… and that Junior was really looking forward to seeing him." He adds for good measure. Which isn't entirely a lie. Junior did want to see Luigi. That just wasn't happening today.
"Fine! We'll go check on him! And you keep thinking of places that we could have our wedding." Mario tells Peach. She nods in agreement.
As they all move to leave a weird sound catches Bowser's attention. "Did you hear that?" Bowser asks. "Hear what?" Peach asks. "It sounded like… glass breaking?" He starts to follow the sound to a door near the throne room. Mario and Peach follow close behind him. He hears footsteps. "What's in there?" Mario asks. "Some of the kingdom's treasures." Peach explains.
More glass shatters from somewhere inside. "You had to have heard that." Bowser says. "Yeah we heard it." Mario says. And he kicks the door in. "I could have unlocked it." Peach tells him. "You don't have the keys on you." Mario argues. She holds up the key ring. "…my bad." He says with an apologetic shrug.
They all walk into the dark room trying to find the cause of the noises. Peach finds and flips the light switch. And in the middle of the room stands Luigi. Except he's not himself. His hat is dark green with a backwards black L. A black burglars mask and black suit with grey gloves. And he stands in smashed glass with a smirk on his face wearing stuffing stolen jewelry into a bag on his hip and holding a stolen gem with his outstretched thumb and pointer finger. "Took ya long enough. I was wondering how much of a problem I had to create until I caught the attention of the idiot in red, Mr. Can'ttakenoforananswer, and little Ms. Alwaysinanothercastle."
"I'll have you know that I've moved on!" Bowser says. Not Luigi laughs, but it's hollow and… wrong. "Sure ya have. The Red Blunder might remember me. But for the rest of you, I'm Mr. L. Aka: The Green Thunder. And I'm here to deliever a message. King Boo is getting married. And you're all disdainfully not invitied. L-ater!" He throws a piece of paper at them before making a break for the window and jumping out. Mario moves to follow after him. "I can't see him!" Mario tells them.
"I told you he wouldn't be late." Bowser says. Peach looks at him scornfully and Mario sticks his tongue out at him when Peach's back is turned. Peach picks up the thrown invitation. Gently moving the glass out of the way. "So now what?" Bowser asks. "Well we have to track my brother down."
"That might be a little difficult." Peach says. "Why?" Bowser asks her. She hands over the letter.
King Boo is happy to announce his wedding with Mr. L Tomorrow
Bring presents for the happy new couple, don't be late, no heroes allowed
Suck it Bowser
"BOWSER!"
"WHAT!" He shouts at Mario. The man gestures to the invitation in his hand that's now on fire. "FUCK!" He drops it and starts stomping on it to put out the fire. "Why did it say… you know?" Peach asks. "Why did Boo tell me to suck it?" Bowser asks. "Yes, that." She agrees. "Because I told him that if he ever touches Greenie again that I'd have Kamek trap him in one of his own paintings and then I'd use it to host a bonfire." Peach raises a brow at him. Well you know, there was a reason he had liked her, she was smart. "I also said I would scatter the ashes across the world. And happily drop his crown seperately in a chest to the bottom of the ocean where no one would ever find it just so that he wouldn't die with it on a second time."
"Anything else?" Mario asks, sounding annoyed. He grumbles, his threats were his dammit, "I also said if it was bad enough that instead of you know, that, I would trap him in a ghost proof jar, let my kids go to town, give him to E. Gadd for experimentation, then put him in a chest and throw it into an active volcano."
"Well, at least you're… creative." Peach says. He just huffs. "Well it didn't work. Besides, why would you threaten him over Luigi. Isn't he your ally?" Mario asks, narrowing his eyes in suspcion. "Did you forget that your brother insisted on becoming my friend. Or has that left your memory."
"No I remembered that. I just didn't realize you actually cared." Mario snaps. "I have feelings! And your brother is hard not to like! The little weasel worked his way into my life between all of the competitions and games that you started. And you invited me to by the way." Bowser adds for good measure. "As a show of good will, not so you could threaten a maniac!"
"I thought it would work. He said he was always looking over his shoulder for Boo to come back! I was trying to fix it!"
"He's obsessed! You can't just threaten him into going away! Why do you think Luigi stopped getting mail!"
"I know that you red nuisance. But I thought threatening our continued alliance, which is more beneficial for him than it is for me by the way but was put in place by my father, and his life would be a good deterrent. I didn't realize it would be… this!" He allows himself to sit on the ground, louder than he intended, but he puts his face in his claw and starts trying to think. "Man you're really taking this hard." Mario says. "No shit." Bowser replies.
How can he fix this. So Luigi is Mr. L. Probably through magic. Not good. And for some reason that means he's marrying King Boo. Also not good. Especially not for the relationship the two of them are trying to build.
"I have an idea." Peach says. Both men look to the smiling princess. "I've always wanted to crash a wedding. Come on, let's get our friends." She says, happily leaving the room. "Why not, wouldn't be the first wedding I've crashed." Mario says, smirking at Bowser. "I put a lot of work into that you know."
"Well now you can do it to someone else." Mario says, following after his fiance.
Several Months Ago
Bowser sits on the roof of his castle with Luigi. And they look at the stars. Luigi is telling him all of the constellations he knew from Earth. And Bowser explains the constellations in the Mushroom World.
"I don't see it." Luigi says. "You're not looking in the right spot." Bowser chuckles. "I'm looking exactly where you said." Luigi argues. Bowser gently reaches out and grabs Luigi's chin to direct his face in the right direction. "There." He says, showing him the Fire Flower. "Oh." Luigi says, his voice cracking and face rapidly changing color. Bowser chuckles at that.
Luigi turns to look at him instead. "You haven't moved your hand." He whispered. Well look at that. "Nope." He agrees. He wonders for a moment if Luigi is going to pull away now that he's noticed. Instead he leans into the touch.
For months Bowser has felt something with the man in green. And it's terrifying. So he's tried to ignore it. No matter how hard it is. Because this man is amazing. And it terrifies the king how quickly he wormed his way into the koopa's life. And how devestated he'd be for him to no longer be a part of it. And what he'd do to keep Luigi around. Because he's been trying so hard to be better. To be… ugh… good. To be the best king and father that he can be. And to not fall back into that same pattern he had with Peach. Because his kids deserve better than that. His kingdom deserves better than that. Bowser deserves better than that. And Luigi… Luigi deserves everything. Every good thing in this world should be his.
For Peach he'd wanted to tear everything down and rebuild the world. And sure now he knew that was wrong. But Luigi made him see how good the world already was. Luigi showed him kindness and compassion without expecting anything in return. "Everything okay?" Luigi asks, breaking the silence and his stream of thoughts. So he's left with only one, "You're beautiful." Luigi starts sputtering and it's adorable. He hides his face in his hands. "That's so unfair." He grumbles into his hands. Bowser just laughs.
Eventually the human looks back up at him. Bowser doesn't know how long they sit there looking at each other. Bowser takes in every detail of his face. Every fleck of blue and gray in his eyes, every freckle, and the way he holds his hand against Bowser's.
Neither of them would know who started leaning in first. But Bowser could feel the human's breath against his scales. "Wait." He said, before something could happen, pulling away. "Is something wrong?" Luigi asks, sounding scared. Like maybe he's the one who's messed up. "I want to do this right." He admits. Luigi raises his brow at him. Bowser realizes he's going to have to be… ugh, a mature adult and have a reasonable adult conversation. He finds himself running a claw through the human's hair. "You deserve the world. And if you'll have me, I want to be the one to give it to you. But I want to do it right. I want to take you on dates and show you how much I care about you."
"You want to go slow?" Luigi asks. Bowser nods. "Okay, we can do that." Luigi agrees. Bowser let's out a sigh of relief. "Can… can I ask something as well?"
"Anything." Bowser says. And he means it too. Luigi could ask him for the stars and he would find a way to get them. "Can we keep this mostly between us. For now at least. Mario still doesn't love our friendship and I don't want to have that conversation yet. And… and there's this… guy." Bowser raises a brow. "Not like that. When I he found out I was dating Daisy he uh… he didn't take it well. And I just want to put that off for now. And I doubt he'll take it much better when he finds out that we're… a we?" Bowser chuckles. "You can call it dating."
"Oh thank goodness." He sighs, "Does that mean that's okay."
"I'd like to know who this guy is eventually, so I can pound him for you. But yes. However, I don't know if I can keep it from the kids." Luigi chuckles. "I didn't say you had to. I love your kids. You know that."
"Would you like to come back tomorrow night. For an actual date."
"I would like that very much."
Present
Mr. L begins to mingle amongst the guests. He finds most of them annoying and unworthy of his time or attention. But he can try to play nice… mostly.
Mario throws a rock across the room in order to distract the boos guarding the door. Which gives Peach and Daisy enough time to flash them with the flash lights and then suck them up in the poltergusts. They both give him a thumbs up. So he gestures for everyone else to follow him.
They make their way into the very dark ballroom. Where rows of chairs filled with Boos and other ghosts mingle about. The aisle has black and withered roses, same with an arch at the front. But Mario ignores that.
"Pardon me everyone." Peach says. All of the ghosts turn at once, and Mr. L peers around a few of them. "This is a kidnapping." Bowser says with a smile. "Not how I would have put it." Peach says. "Nah, he's right this time." Mario agrees. "Time for you ghosts to suck it." Daisy says, holding up the poltergust in her hand. "Ah shit." One of the boos says.
"What part of no heroes allowed did you not understand. Or were there too many words for your brain to comprehend?" Mr. L asks. "We understood." Rosalina says. "We just decided we didn't care." Pauline adds.
"Nab him!" Bowser shouts. Mr. L is suddenly grabbed by eight little koopas as they run for it and the adults start to fight the ghosts around them that dare to try to go after him. "Unhand me you runts!"
"We got you, ya meanie!" Junior shouts with glee. "You're coming with us!" Roy agrees.
And Mario wacks a few of the boos and ghosts for good measure until the rest of them run to hide in fear.
"WHAT!" King Boo shouts. "We're sorry your majesty. But there was nothing else we could do." One of the boos says. "If you didn't get captured or save him you clearly didn't do all you could do!"
"But if he's still under your spell, surely they'll have to realize it's useless eventually." Another says. "You clearly don't know them. No one in this stupid world knows when to give up. I'll figure out a way to get him back. I just need time."
"I don't like this Weegee." Morton says. "I don't like you either kid." Mr. L replies from where he's tied to a chair. "You're on thin ice." Bowser tells him. "I'm so scared." He says.
"Well this guy is annoying." Daisy says. "You're annoying." He replies. "Well, now what?" Toad asks. "Could always take me back to my King. Then you could get rid of me. And I can be with the love of my life. It's a win win." He says. "Hate that plan." Daisy tells him. Yoshi nods in agreement. "You don't understand! My soul yearns for his touch."
"Are we sure this guy is Luigi?" Kammy whispers. "Yeah, we're sure." Bowser says. "Just checking." She says. Maybe Bowser bringing them all back to his castle wasn't such a good idea after all.
"So how did we get him out of it last time?" Peach asks. "It was the fall to the Underwhere. I think. But he isn't under hypnosis this time. At least I don't think so. I mean it's Boo so it's probably a spell of some kind." Mario explains.
"So how do we break a spell?" Peach asks. "Anyone got any ideas?" Bowser asks the group.
Mario steps towards his brother, who raises a brow under his mask. "Come on bro. Snap out of it!" He says. "I'm not your bro." Mr. L says. Mario sighs.
"Hold on, I got an idea." Daisy says. Mario gets out of her way and she steps towards him. He looks at her unamused. She bends down to his level with a smirk. And before anyone can react she socks him on the side of the face. "Woah!" Mario says. "What!" She asks, "You said the fall broke it last time. Maybe a good punch will do that same thing."
"Listening to you talk is more painful than that." Mr. L says. "Well that didn't work." Daisy sighs.
"I got an idea." Toad says. He runs out of the room and comes back with a bucket. "What's that?" Mario asks. "My idea." Toad dumps it on Mr. L's head. And it turns out to be water. "WHAT THE FUCK!" Mr. L shouts. "WOAH!" Everyone shouts. "PAPA HE SAID A BAD WORD!" Larry says. "That was cold!" He shots back. "That was the point. And it didn't work." Toad grumbles. "The only thing more painful than your ideas is being apart from my king."
"I would like him to stop talking now." Toad says. "At least my voice isn't annoying."
"WOAH!"
"Okay, who else has an idea!" Mario shouts. Peach walks out of the room and comes back with something. It looks like spices from the kitchen. She holds it under his nose. "Is that supposed to do something?" Mr. L asks. She sighs. "Aroma therapy is a no." She says. Mario gives her a pat on the arm. She smiles and gives him a kiss on the forehead. "Gross." Mr. L says.
Bowser notices Junior starting to inhale as if… "Junior." He says. "Yeah?"
"We're not setting him on fire."
"Why not? What if it fixes it." He says. "Humans aren't fire proof. It'll do more harm than good." Bowser reasons with his kid. "Fine." He draws it out to show that he's mad. "I got a different idea." He says, he walks over to Mr. L and looks at him. The flicks him on the nose with his claw. He pulls back as much as he can in shock in his tied up position. "Was that supposed to hurt me?"
"Well apparently I'm not allowed." Junior says. "Hm. You must really want to set me on fire. But I guess when daddy says something you just have to listen."
"I don't want to. I just thought it would help. Jerk." Junior kicks him in the shin. "OW! That hurt kid!"
"Good!" Bowser walks over and grabs his son before either of them can do further damage to each other. "Any other ideas?" Peach asks.
"I have one that may actually be of some use." Ludwig says. "Well you don't have to insult everyone else." Bowser tells his eldest. "It's part of my charm." Ludwig says. "Oh just try it."
"Very well father." Ludwig pulls out his wand and steps toward Mr. L. He begins to swirl his blue magic before casting it towards him. "I'm starting to wonder if you're all just messing around." Mr. L says. "My counterspell was unsuccessful." Ludwig informs them. "It was a good idea kiddo." Bowser assures him.
"My turn!" Roy says. He steps toward his target and stands to the side of him. Earning a weird look for everyone in the room. He pulls out his trumpet. Bowser quickly sets Junior down and covers his ears. Roy blasts a singular note at ear splitting volume right in Mr. L's ear for about a minute. "I would like to keep my hearing intact." Mr. L says. "Ah shell." Roy says.
"Who's next?" Mario asks. "BOO!" Everyone shrieks, thinking Boo has come for Mr. L. But it's just Morton who somehow snuck behind Mr. L without anyone noticing. "I'm sure if I had the hiccups you would have done a splendid job."
"I wanna kick 'im." Morton says. "No." Bowser tells him.
"My turn!" Lemmy cheers. Which leads to Mr. L getting several bouncy balls to the face. Which also doesn't work.
Iggy tries an invention that also ends up wacking him in the face. Which fares no better than his twin's idea.
Wendy steps up next holding a green mushroom. "You expect me to eat that?" Mr. L asks her. "Well think of it this way. Any damage my idiot brothers did will also be healed, even if it doesn't work for what the rest of us want it to do." And stuffs it in his mouth. "Well at least I don't have hearing damage anymore." Is the reply after. Everyone else lets out a groan.
Larry moves toward Mr. L next holding his baton. And simply wacks him on the head. "You thought that would work?" Mr. L asks with a smirk on his face. "No, I just wanted to smack you for insulting everyone." So he does it a second time for a good measure before making his way back to the group. "Larry." Bowser says. "It might have worked." Larry defends.
Rosalina tries a spell on him. Which ends with him sneezing and not much else.
"My idea is to sing but I'm not sure what good that'll do." Pauline tells the group. "Might as well give it a shot. It's not like anyone else has had a better idea." Mr. L says. Which is how Yoshi stuffs an apple in his mouth. Mr. L promptly spits it out. "What the hell!"
"Papa! He said another bad word!" Junior says. "I know." Bowser says. "I could start saying a lot more."
Daisy steps back up to him. This time she hits him in the face several times in a row. "Why do all of your ideas end up being somewhat painful. And somehow you aren't the bad guys." Daisy punches him one more time. "OW!"
"May I try now, your determinedness." Kammy asks. "Go for it." He tells her. She mutters something as she aims some of her magic at him. "It seems to me you're running out of ideas." Mr. L says.
"Now what?" Peach asks. Bowser sighs, "We call Kamek."
"Why didn't we try that to begin with?" Mario asks. "Hey! I'm just as capable as my brother." Kammy says. "Because I didn't want to." Bowser tells him. In reality it's because he didn't want to hear Kamek says 'well well well the human told you not to threaten Boo and what did you do? Threaten Boo. And look at what happened. That human has a good head on his shoulders. You should listen to him more often. It'd do you some good.' Or something similar.
"Kamek!"
"Yes, you're brashness." The koopa says, appearing next to the king. "We need your magical expertise."
"If he's anything like the rest of you, he'll probably just hit me in the face. Which is not a good look for my wedding day!" Kamek raises a brow at Bowser. "Boo did something. We're out of ideas." Bowser tells him. "This is because you threatened him, isn't it?" Kamek asks. "You can lecture me later, alright. Just help do your thing." Bowser shoves the magician towards the man in green.
"Has anyone identified the type of spell he's under?" Kamek asks. "No." Mario says. "Dear sister, what were you thinking?"
"A reversal spell works on most curses you old wart." Kamek makes his way over to Mr. L. He circles around the man. Stopping in front of his face. "Fascinating."
"I'm taken." Mr. L says. "Not like that." Kamek shrieks.
"Ludwig, come here." Kamek says. The koopaling does as he's told. "Look at his eyes. What do you see?" Kamek asks. Mr. L tries to pull away. But Kamek grabs his face and holds it. "Purple." Ludwig says. "Purple?" Kammy asks, making her way over.
"It's a love spell. A messed up one. But a love spell." Kamek tells them. "So what do we do?" Mario asks. Kamek, Kammy, and Ludwig all make weird/disgusted faces. "What?" Mario asks. "A magic users least favorite cure. True Love's Kiss." Kamek tells them.
"Okay Daisy. You're up." Mario says. "What are you talking about?" She asks. "Aren't you guys dating again?" He asks. "Uh, no." She says. "Well if hasn't been sneaking out at weird times to go on dates with you who has it been?" Mario asks, throwing up his hands in frustration.
Bowser knows he looks calm on the outside. He's had years to practice pretending to be calm even when he doesn't feel like it. So inside he allows himself to scream as much as he wants. He looks down when he gets elbowed in the side. "You're letting out a lot of smoke." Peach tells him. He shrugs. She gives him an odd look. Everyone who knows is looking at him. Waiting for him to fess up. Everyone else is trying to discuss who Luigi's true love might be. And Mr. L keeps saying that it's King Boo so they might as well take him back.
"Okay, that's it!" Wendy says. Everyone turns to her. "If someone," she glares daggers at him and Bowser hopes she's not about to say what he thinks she's going to say, "is going to be a coward. I guess someone else has to say something. Dad has been the one Luigi is sneaking out to see. And he doesn't want to admit it because he doesn't Mario to kick the shit out of him. And because Luigi asked for it to remain between them until he was ready to talk to everyone."
"You made the Mario part up. And you're not allowed to say shit." Bowser tells her. "Also," Lemmy steps in, "they're taking things slow."
"Very slow." Kamek agrees. "Slower than a Goomba in the mud." Kammy adds. "Thank you for that." Bowser huffs. "It's kind of painful to watch actually." Roy says. "I thought that once they admitted they liked each other the torture would be over," Iggy says, "but somehow it got worse. I didn't know either of… I didn't know dad could be so awkward." He corrects himself part way through the sentence.
"Great! Does anyone else have something they'd like to add?" Bowser asks his nosey children. "I don't think either of you have ever been happier." Wendy says. "If I may," Ludwig interjects, "I believe father wants to take things slow because he wants to prove that he has changed."
"I don't need to be psychoanalyzed by my children." Bowser says. They all just shrug. "At first I thought they were gross. But I think if I have to listen to anyone complain about the lack of kissing anymore I might scream." Junior says.
"You haven't kissed!" Peach asks. "We did say slow, right?" Larry asks. The other koopalings nod. "It's been months. What are you doing?" Mario asks. "I'm not taking advice from the guy who took five years to do something about his feelings." Bowser tells him. "Five?" Peach asks. "That is not the point!" Mario stutters.
"Can we stop talking about Mareach and get back to the matter at hand?" Daisy asks. "I'm sorry, did you put our names together?" Mario asks. "It was more convenient."
"Everyone stop getting distracted." Rosalina tells the group. "No please, continue," Mr. L says, " I'm enjoying this."
"Well if he likes it then you should definitely stop." Pauline says. "I resent that." Mr. L sticks his tongue out at her.
"Okay, you know what, we're talking away from him." Bowser says, grabs Mario by the back of his shirt and walks further away from the cursed human. "Hey!" Mario shouts. So Bowser drops him the few inches.
"What is there to talk about?" Mario asks, "Don't you want to help my brother?"
"Yes. But do you want me to?" Mario raises a brow at him. "Are you asking me if I approve of you dating Lou?"
"I don't really care. But he does. And no, that's not what I'm asking." Bowser tells him. "Well I want my brother back. And he's allowed to make his own choices." Bowser scoffs. Maybe he didn't really care what Mario thought, but this might cause him a bit of a problem. Mario takes a deep breath, "Look," He starts, "I know we don't always get along. But all I want is for Luigi to be happy. And I don't think you want to hurt him. And if he gets hurt I will beat you into next week."
"Is that even possible?" Bowser asks. "Not my point. But yes, I want you to help him. And then I can get mad at him for not talking to me about this."
"I think that's the whole reason he didn't in the first place."
"Just go kiss him before I change my mind." Mario shoves him, so the koopa just snorts.
As he walks forward any of his confidence starts to become nerves. He knows he's cool. And he knows that Luigi likes him. But Mr. L on the other hand…
And when he had allowed himself to think about their first kiss (and yes he had, and you could fight him about it if you wanted) this is definitely not how he imagined it going.
"Wait, are you actually serious?" Mr. L asks. Bowser kneels down in front of him in order to compensate for some of the height difference. The man tries to back up as much as possible, a makes various noises of discomfort. The alarm bells in Bowser's head scream at him to pull away. He has to remind himself that this is for Luigi. "Nope, nope." Mr. L says. "Just… close your eyes."
"Are you really doing this?" Bowser sighs, "If this doesn't work, I'll take you back to King Boo myself." Partially to follow through on his threats but he didn't need to say that part outloud.
Bowser, mighty king of the koopas, had no idea he could feel this awkward. And all of the eyes on him are not making it better. "All of you turn around."
"What!" Toad shouts. "Are you kidding me!" Mario shouts. "Boo!" Daisy hisses. His kids join in the princess in the booing. "Just turn around." He tells them all again. "Oh fine!" Pauline says, leading the way. Eventually everyone else follow suit. "This is stupid." Lemmy says. "Very stupid." Toad agrees. Bowser tries to ignore them.
Mr. L is closing his eyes and leaning as far back as possible in his chair. "Come on Greenie, come back." He whispers. There's some head shaking. The koopa gently cradles the man's head in his claws, then pressing his lips against the human's. At first it's awkward as hell. But it's no more than a few seconds before the human relaxes. And then begins to kiss back. The king tries to say everthing he feels about this man right now. How much he cares, damn it, how much he loves him but hasn't said yet. And how scared he is to lose him.
He feels Luigi start to push against him. The feeling of skin against scales. He runs his claws through the human's hair and realizes at some point he lost his hat. He feels the plumber's mustache. And most of all he feels warm. His fire is nothing compared to warmth he feels right now. And, fuck, he can't seem to remember why they waited so damn long for this. He's an idiot for depriving them both of this because it feels so damn good. There's sparks under his skin where they touch. And more than anything it feels right.
He pulls away to allow the human to breathe. Bowser opens his eyes to find Luigi's lips red and swollen and his hair turned into a mess. He takes a deep breath. "King Boo…" He says and Bowser feels his heart drop into his stomach and he hears everyone else in the room start cursing and getting mad, trying to figure out what to do next, "is nothing compared to you." Bowser looks back at the human, who gives an awkward smile. "Hi." He says. "Hey Greenie."
"Please do that again." Luigi says. Well Bowser can't tell his human no.
"Why does it feel like I've been socked in the jaw?" Luigi asks when they pull apart again. "I won't apologize." Daisy says, now looking at them. Luigi just laughs. "Do you not remember?" Bowser asks him. "It's kind of fuzzy. Why, did I do something weird?" He asks, sounding scared. "What was it he said?" Toad asks. "My soul yearns for his touch." Iggy repeats. "Oh no." Luigi sighs.
"Mr. L is a real jerk." Junior says. "Sorry bambino." Luigi tells him.
Mario punches his brother's arm. "What was that for?" Luigi asks. "Not telling me you were in a relationship, you jerk." Luigi shakes his head. "Is someone going to untie him?" Pauline asks. "I'm on it." Peach starts working at the knots.
"Was there anything else important I missed?" Luigi asks. "You almost married King Boo." Daisy tells him. He laughs uncomfortably. That explains a lot. And scares him at the same time. "You gotta breathe, Luigi." Bowser tells him. He starts trying to take deeper breaths at a more controlled pace.
"I'm sorry for threatening him." Bowser says with an apologetic smile. "I forgive you. I know you were just trying to help." Luigi assures him.
Peach finally gets him untied and before he can do anything he's tackled by a bunch of little koopas in a hug. "I'm okay! I'm okay." He assures them. "Never do that again!" Junior tells him. "Agreed. We like you just the way you are." Lemmy tells him, climbing on his head. "I'll try." He assures them.
"Come on, kids. Let Luigi up." Bowser tells them. "Do we have to?" Larry asks. "Look, even Ludwig is a part of this hug. And he hates group hugs." Roy points out. "I will curse you." Ludwig tells him. "Yes you have to, and no cursing." The kids gets up with several huffs, complaints, and groans. Luigi just laughs.
"A lovely reunion." Everyone turns in fear at the voice. King Boo shows a terrifying grin. "Glad to see my magical efforts were wasted. Oh well," the king shrugs to the best of his ability, "I'll just do this the old fashioned way." Several paintings appear ready to trap anyone it touches. "Everyone move!" Mario shouts.
Everyone dives out of the way as the chaos begins the and the King begins to laugh. Luigi gets grabbed by Bowser and they dive behind one of the chairs in the room.
"Look, Greenie… Luigi. I'm sorry I didn't listen. You asked me not to and I did it anyway."
"I forgive you. I know you were just trying to help me."
"That doesn't make it right. I really messed."
"Hey," Luigi gently holds the koopa's face in his hands, "you made a mistake. They happen. We'll both make them. But right now we have to focus. Let's fix this, alright."
"Alright."
"You have a poltergust, right?" Bowser nods, "I think we shoved 'em in one of the corners." Luigi peers around the side of the chair to see what's happening. He sees magic, paintings, and people flying everywhere. "Come out come out where ever you are Luigi. Once I have you everyone else will be left alone." The Boo cackles. And it sends shivers down Luigi's spine.
"You grab the poltergust, I'll distract him." Bowser says. "Are you sure."
"Yeah, I'm sure. I'm gonna light this place on fire." He grins. Luigi rolls his eyes. The koopa king bounds over the chair and launches himself into the fight.
Luigi starts running along the edges of the room trying to find the weapon he needs. "I don't think so." Boo says. Luigi ducks out of the way as a large piece of furniture is thrown towards the poltergusts and shatters them. He mutters a curse under his breath. "I almost have everyone, Luigi. You could surrender now!" Boo cackles. He's tackled from behind by Mario and Bowser at the same time. His round body hits the ground. Luigi sees one of the ghost's paintings and gets an idea.
He gets Daisy's attention and points to the painting. She nods silently. And they both break for it as Boo wrestles the mushroom kingdom hero and koopa king.
Together they grab it out of Boo's magical hold. "Take that you marshmellow motherfucker." Mario says, kicking him. "Mario!" Luigi and Daisy shout. He grins when he notices what they're holding.
Bowser shoots fire at the ghost, knocking him back. Luigi and Daisy hold the painting and run towards the flying ghost king, trapping him inside.
"Told you I'd trap you in one of your own paintings you little shit." Bowser says to the now trapped King.
"Come on, let's get everyone else out." Mario says. "Good idea." Daisy agrees.
"So… who wants dinner?" Bowser asks, now that everyone is free. "I could eat." Pauline says. "Yeah, I forgot how hungry I get after getting trapped in one of those." Toad says. Luigi shakes his head with a smile. "Come on, I'm sure the kitchen is working on something." Bowser says, leading everyone out.
Luigi goes to follow but feels his brother grab his hand. So he waits. And Mario doesn't say anything until any one else leaves. "So, Bowser huh?" Mario asks with a smirk. Luigi sighs, "Yeah. He's actually very sweet. Just don't tell him I said that." Mario raises his hands in surrender. "And he makes you happy?" Luigi can't help but grin thinking about it, "Yeah, yeah he does. I know you don't…"
"Wait." Mario says, so Luigi does. "Like I told him. I just want you to be happy. And he's not terrible. I think he can be an ass. But I saw the way he looked at you. And I'm surprised I didn't put it together faster." Luigi chuckles. "So if he makes you happy than I'm happy. But if he hurts you I'll do worse than what he threatened to do to the undead bitch." Luigi laughs, "Yeah, okay."
"Come on, I'm hungry too." Mario says. "Yeah. I could use something to eat."
"But be honest with me, it's the fangs right?" Mario says with a grin. Luigi feels his face flush and he shoves his brother who cackles. And Luigi is glad he didn't have to be so nervous after all.