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Iggy wrote on a page of his notebook aggressively, numbers and equations filling the page. He growled as he came up with the same solution as all his other computations. Whatever happened between his father and Luigi was Luigi's fault. He crumpled up the page he was writing on and did another with unparalleled determination.
He didn't want to believe it, that's why he kept recalculating, reformulating and reconsidering various variables. All of them conclusive to Luigi.
He still persisted, he didn't believe that someone who brought such joy to his father...to them and to him could be the reason why they are all miserable now.
He knows Luigi still cares about them. He visits when he can. He helped Ludwig with his concert and Morty with making cookies just a few weeks ago and so many others but why were they all miserable. His father had demanded...no pleaded that we move on. He never provided an answer to their questions on what happened. Even Ludwig didn't know. The others knew Kamek and Kammy knew but they wouldn't say anything. It was all so frustrating! He didn't notice his equation had jumped from the notebook down to the table until he saw that the numbers became frantic lines. He dropped his pencil which had become a nub as he growled in frustration.
A knock brought him back to reality.
"WHAT! GO AWAY! I WANT TO BE ALONE!" Iggy yelled as he tore the page he ruined. The other person persisted and began to open his door. He angrily took his wand and readied a blast to whoever dared to enter his room...his magic faded as he saw who entered.
"Iggy?" It was Luigi. He had the same worried expression he always had when anyone was in trouble...that made Iggy's plastron tighten. He turned away and set his wand down not wishing to see the man.
"What do you want?" He said rather harshly going back to his ruined table.
"I was passing by and I-a heard you. Are you alright?" Luigi asked in that caring tone everyone else fell for.
Iggy just scoffed. "To be frank, no. No I'm not. None of us are and who's fault do you think that is?" He glanced back giving Luigi a glare but Luigi just looked composed with a look of sorrow directed at him. HOW DARE HE!
"Don't give me that look! I don't need your pity! I need answers! Why...why did you get close to us...why...why did you show us you cared when YOU"RE GONNA LEAVE IN THE END!!! WHY WHY WHY!!!" Iggy's anger took over and he pushed his equipment and materials off various surfaces. The sounds of crashing glass and clanging metal echoed through the room. The door burst open revealing Ludwig and the other koopalings looking into the room worried.
"GET OUT OF MY ROOM!" Iggy shouted as he saw the other unwanted intruders. He picked up his wand and readied a blast of magic and directed them. He was breathing heavily and his eyes were blurry with unshed tears. He felt his wrist being gripped gently as he jerked his head towards the one holding onto him. The very man that caused all this. He was about to shout again when a gloved hand cupped his face and he felt his walls crumble and the dam open. He dropped his wand and took back his hand before he latched on to the man and began to wail. Luigi held him and looked to the audience that gathered at the door.
"Ludwig, il mio musicista. Please take the others to the-a play room per favore" Luigi instructed and the eldest koopaling diligently nodded and directed the others out of the room. They looked like they didn't want to but still followed Ludwig and the other older koopalings to the play room.
Luigi just held Iggy against him as the smartest koopaling that was just overcome with emotion let out some of it against him. His wails died down to sobs then hiccups then sniffles. Luigi never let go and just ran a gentle hand through his spikey hair and back. He gently tried to pry Iggy away but the green haired koopaling didn't want to. Luigi just smiled.
"Calmati? Luigi asked as Iggy grew quiet. He felt the other nod and pull away but kept his head down. He was feeling embarrassed about his outburst. As a Koopa of science it was unsightly to be taken over by such emotions. He also felt guilty about pointing his wand at his siblings. If Luigi wasn't there... He couldn't really think of anything else as he was guided to one of his chairs and sat down before Luigi opened his minifridge and pulled out a cannister of water. The Mini fridge was Luigi's idea since he knew his tendency to stay in his lab and be engrossed in his work. Luigi kept it stocked with snacks and drinks he knew he liked and that made him smiled little at the fond memory.
Their former nemesis’s brother handed him the cannister of water and he sheepishly accepted. He took a few sips and Luigi began cleaning up the broken and fallen equipment he knocked over in his anger.
Iggy sighed as he breathed, his earlier annoyance and anger leaving his system. He sheepishly looked at the man and he didn't see any hint of annoyance or irritation, just a calm expression as he cleaned up his mess. He needed to say something...
”I’m sorry… for what happened earlier. It was immature and I didn’t mean to explode like that” he said looking down at the floor.
“You-a don’t have to apologize Iggy. It’s-a me that should apologize. Not-a just to you but the others as well” Luigi said before putting away the broom and dumping the broken items into the trash. He then took another chair and moved it beside the green haired koopaling.
”I…I just don’t get it. You…you were perfect. When you came…it’s become different here. Father was happy…we were happy and we thought…you were too. I ran every possible scenario, every variable and it just doesn’t add up. If any of us were lacking we could’ve…”
Luigi shushed him by cupping his face again and wiped the forming tears.
”Please-a don’t think that, Morton already said it and I’m-a sorry you and-a the others were so affected. You-a are not just a scientist il mio piccolo genio, you are-a koopa. You have feelings and emotions and despite how illogical they are, it’s a part of you and everyone around you. Even E.Gadd gets upset from time to time” Luigi smiled at the look of intrigue Iggy sported when he mentioned his scientific idol.
”Why…Why did you leave?” The koopaling asked grasping the canister in his claws.
Luigi sighed, “Your father and I…we’re still maneuvering through-a this relationship. He has his-a…flaws and I-a have mine. We-a didn’t mean to keep you and the others in the dark. We-a just wanted to work through it by ourselves” the man admitted with a far off look.
”Is…is it that bad?” Iggy asked quietly.
Luigi didn’t answer but reached for one of Iggy’s clawed hands and the koopaling complied.
”We’ll tell you in-a due time. Just-a know it’s-a no ones fault, si?” Iggy nodded and squeezed Luigi’s hand.
”What did you call me earlier? I know Mio is my and piccolo is little but I don’t know the other words” Iggy asked as his curiosity got to him. He asked Luigi to teach him his language and he and Ludwig were getting a few lessons when Luigi came to the castle before...
Luigi grinned at him “Il mio piccolo genio. It means, my little genius” Luigi said fondly.
”Oh…(he smiled) Will you still visit? Please? I still want to learn Italian” Iggy said feeling shy.
“Assolutamente” the man replied with no hesitation.
”That means?” he asked with a tilt of his head.
”It means 'absolutely', I might even bring a friend” Luigi said with a coy smile
”You don’t mean?!” Iggy asked in disbelief.
”Si, la professore“ the man grinned and wasn't prepared for the koopaling to launch himself from his chair.
”Ahhh! Grazie mama!…eh uhm” Iggy said as if it wan on instinct. He let go as soon as he realized what he said.
"I...I didn't-" He was cut off when his door was once again forced open.
"HEY! No fair! Why could you call Luigi mama when you told us not to!?" Junior shouted as he marched inside the room followed by the other younger ones that looked annoyed. The older koopas moreso Ludwig looked guilty at not being able to manage the little ones.
"I didn't mean to! And why were you guys eavesdropping?!" Iggy said defensively.
They stopped advancing as they glanced at Luigi who was giving them "The Look" making them retreat a little and look embarrassed themselves.
"We...we weren't eavesdropping...We wanted to check up on you and we heard you talking" Larry said trying to excuse what the were doing and Lemmy just nodded along.
"That's the same thing!" Iggy said annoyed.
The others were quiet until Luigi stood up. All eyes were on him.
"Bambini, what did I say about-a listening in on others' conversation?" Luigi said sternly.
"Not to" The others said collectively.
"Bene, I-a get you-a are concerned for your fratello but if any of you ever feel-a like you need space just ask and give it to them, capiche?"
"Capiche" The others said along Ludwig getting the closest to the pronunciation.
"I-a have to leave now bambini, I'll be back okie dokie?" This was met with a chorus of objection.
"Nooo! You just got here!" Junior wined running up to hug Luigi's legs
"You didn't even spend time with us like you used to!" Larry protested Joining the red haired koopaling.
"Iggy hogged Luigi's time!" Morton accused
"I did not!" Iggy said indignantly.
"Bambini please!" Luigi raised his voice silencing the protesting voices. He sighed before picking Junior and Larry. He nuzzled against them and handed them off to the older kids. He picked up Lemmy next and did the same. He hugged and petted the others as he said his goodbyes.
"Mi dispiace bambinis, I'll make time again soon and Iggy, remember what we talked about si?" Luigi said as he nodded. With one final sad smile he was walking down the hall.
Not a minute later as Luigi disappeared down the corridor did Kamek zip by looking frantic. "I heard there was a commotion here from the guards and..." he stopped as he saw the despondent looks on the kids faces.
"Luigi...leave again..." Morton said tearing up.
"Oh...I thought he left hours ago...I'm assuming things are settled?" Kamek asked lowering his broom. The kids just shook their heads and soon enough the heavy but hurried steps of their father could be heard coming down the hall. His head soon popped up to peer into Iggy's room.
"I heard you kids were causing trouble" Bowser said looking sternly at his kids.
"They weren't sire, it appears Luigi averted a potential crisis. There was no way anyone would miss the pained look on the king's face as the green Mario's name was mentioned.
"Papa? When will you and Luigi be ok? We miss him" Junior said toddling infront of his papa.
"Will you still not tell us what happened? Maybe we can assist?" Ludwig asked hoping they really could.
Bowser just shook his head. "I appreciate the sentiments kids but, this is just something we have to work through. We'll tell you in time but just know we're sorry it's affecting you guys so much"
They all stood quietly and Morton walked over to hug his adoptive father and everyone followed suit. They separated and went to their own room for the day until dinner.
Kamek and Bowser went off to his office where he collapsed in his office chair letting out a deep sigh.
"Sire..." "I know what you're gonna say and just like I always answered...It's Luigi's decision. I messed up and I have to deal with the consequences" He sighed again before going about his work. Kamek just looked at him and sighed before going about his own duties as well.