Work Text:
"Lu! Mail for you down here!"
Stretching out nice and big, Luigi releases a content sigh as he stirs from his sleep. The sun is out but not too bright, providing a nice warmth to the spot he'd been previously curled up in. Perfect, really, for him to just curl back up and sleep again…
"Luigi Mario, don't make me come up there!" Mario calls up again in Italian this time— Must be grumpy from the late night out, Luigi can't say that he blames him all that much. The Toadstools really know how to party!
Soon changing into fresh clothes and making his way downstairs, Luigi runs a hand through his hair as he retrieves the envelope from the table. Not a bill, he notes groggily.
He takes a seat, thumb sliding under the fold to carefully pry it open before taking out the letter within.
"Mr. Luigi Mario is hereby invited to Bowser Castle, which should currently be floating some distance above Mushroom Kingdom, accessible by pipe for ease of travel.
P.S., No need to be anxious: You're the only guest."
"No time…" Luigi mutters softly to himself, brows knit together as he turns over the sheet.
Mario lets out an inquisitive him, setting Luigi's breakfast in front of him. "For what?"
"I'm invited to Bowser's— It doesn't say when to go." He informs, handing the letter over to free up his hands and begin eating.
"Just go when you're done breakfast, eh?"
"I might seem too eager."
"Are you eager?"
Pausing, Luigi squints and playfully jabs his fork in his brother's direction. "Not-a the point."
Hands raising in defence, Mario chuckles as he leans back against the counter. "I think you should go soon as you can, spend the day with him… We don't have anything happening, anyway. Perfect timing!"
Humming, Luigi vaguely wonders whether Mario has any involvement in… whatever this is about, but ultimately decides to shrug it off and focus on eating.
Barely half an hour passes before he leaves home and finds the correct pipe, eyes widening in curiosity at the site of the castle he plops in front of, much different to the last time he'd… 'visited'. The stone exterior is lighter now, must have been cleaned, and the facade of Bowser's face is— inexplicably less intimidating. Though, that might just be his own changed perception of things.
The land around is no longer completely barren; Still dark, yes, but the grass is beginning to grow and leaves are starting to sprout on the trees. Could do with some flowers…
Flapping his hands for a moment to let go of his anxious energy, Luigi blows out a breath before walking to the gigantic front doors and reaching up in an attempt to tug on the knocker— Not a hope in hell, unfortunately, due to his height.
Luckily, there are Koopas inside who somehow know he's there and work to open the doors from the inside. Unluckily, Luigi loses his balance in his attempt to reach and falls forward into the castle after failing to fix his footing. Lucky a second time, Kamek's magic prevents him from going face first into the floor.
"Mamma mia!" The plumber chuckles nervously as he's set right again, cheeks glowing an embarrassed red by the time his feet touch the ground again. Trust him to mess up just entering a place!
Familiar thundering footsteps are heard approaching the entrance hall, and Luigi watches curiously as the Koopas quickly bow their heads when Bowser comes into their vision.
"Luigi! You're just in time, come along!" He seems thrilled, if not a little nervous, and Luigi can't help a smile, waiting a moment for Kamek to finish dusting him off before jogging to join the King's side.
"What is happening, did you need me for something?" He questions, curious.
"Oh, no, no," A large clawed hand comes up to brush Bowser's fur back as he begins to lead their way through the halls— It looks soft, the way it bounces slightly with each step. Luigi wonders in the back of his mind if it'd be considered offensive to pet it… Hell, if their strange considering-things situation it offensive. Are interspecies relationships accepted and common here? "I wanted to show you something." Thank goodness he can still hear when his mind insists on wandering.
Even so, it's better to will himself to focus than hope he catches context. Whatever this is, it's clearly important to Bowser… He finds himself not wanting to miss out. "Oh ye?"
Nodding, the King stops their tracks in front of another set of doors, hands reaching towards Luigi. When he doesn't move away or show any sign of discomfort, Bowser uses them to carefully cover his eyes for whatever surprise is ahead— By the sound of things, he's using his tail to push the door open as he continues to guide the human ahead. Endearing, the plumber feels.
"Okay, keep your eyes closed…"
Luigi does as he's told, doing his best not to pay mind to how cold his face suddenly feels when Bowser's hands leave it.
"Aaand… open!"
Ever obedient to the wishes of others, he opens his eyes, and they immediately widen with amazement at the room he finds himself in. No overwhelming overhead sources of light, no colours too intense, comfortable furniture, books a-plenty, and… a bouquet of peonies in Bowser's grasp.
After so long living in his brother's shadow, Luigi has been seen. "How…?"
"I had Kamek do some research— And some magic…" The King admits sheepishly as he steps closer, tail swaying proud behind him while he looks over his fine work. "Do you like it? I thought you might prefer spending time somewhere tailored for you, rather than those big, loud parties."
Glancing over to Luigi, his eyes widen to find those beautiful blues beginning to tear up. "And, and it's alright if you don't like it, I can change it! Anything you want—" He's cut off by the plumber jumping up and clinging onto him in his best attempt at a hug considering their size difference.
"It is perfect, Bowser," Luigi manages to whisper, relaxing at the feeling of large arms coming around him to support him. "A perfect space to share with you."
Steadying his own breathing as to not start crying himself, Bowser lets out a relieved huff through his snout as he closes his own eyes. He had been prepared for Luigi to outright refuse, or accept on the condition of being alone… But he wants Bowser's company, if their last few anything interactions are anything to go by— Something that will take time to truly believe, but hearing it truly is enough to melt a previously hardened heart.