Chapter Text
“Almost finished with that batch of paperwork, I see. Very good, your diligentness.”
“Not now, Kamek, I’m on a roll.”
“Ah, carry on, by all means! I simply came to inform you that dinner will be a bit later than usual tonight on account of our guests.”
Bowser lowered his papers and pushed down his reading glasses to look at the advisor.
“What guests?”
“Well, about that…you see, my sister—terrible busybody that she is—decided to invite Teddy and Lord Torque to dine with us this evening. Apparently, it’s some grand source of amusement for her to have us all at dinner. Unfortunately, that would make it thirteen at table: the eight little ones, your royalness, Kammy and I, and Teddy and Torque. This was quite irksome until I realized there was one more we could easily invite to break the superstitious mold.”
“Dad,” he rubbed his temples, “Please say you didn’t.”
“Why?” Kamek clicked, feigning shock. “You enjoy his company. Why shouldn’t I invite him? Besides, we couldn’t have thirteen at table, it’s bad luck.”
Bowser growled, suspiciously glaring. “Since when have you been superstitious?”
“Since always. There’s good reason for superstitions, son, and I refuse to dabble in the weird and unpredictable ways of fate magic. I’ll leave that to my sister.”
Bowser sighed, defeated. Guess they’d be having dinner together tonight…he only hoped things wouldn’t be painfully awkward…
Kamek whisked him away from his paperwork a little before sunset to greet Teddy and Lord Torque in the garden. Kammy was already with them, chatting up a storm as the last of the sun dipped below the horizon. They began a slow trek to the dining room. Torque and Teddy exchanged anecdotes of their experiences at the tennis tournament. Kammy was floating on her broom looking pleased and Kamek just rolled his eyes behind his glasses. They’d almost reached their destination when—
“PAPA!”
Bowser caught his son and spun him around, smiling a real smile for the first time in hours.
“Junior! How’s it goin’ kiddo?”
“Kammy and I did tactics today! I ran drills with the goombas and the koop patrol!”
“Oh yeah?” He asked, massive tail wagging, as he lifted the kid up onto his shoulder. “How’d you do?”
“My squads beat all of Kammy’s magic tests! We made it to the end and completed the mission every time!”
“Wow. Sounds like you’re getting almost as good as me, huh?”
“Yeah! Next time I wanna try against you!”
“Hmm…I dunno…” he rumbled, grinning wickedly, “I won’t go easy on you.”
Junior puffed smoke and sparks and would have been stomping his feet were he down on the ground.
“I don’t care!!! I can still beat you! I know I can!”
“Alright then. In that case we can give it a go next week.”
“Yay!”
“Sounds exciting.” Torque said with an amused smile. “You know your father first out skirmished his father around your age.”
“Whoa, really?” Junior’s tail started whipping Bowser’s neck as it swung back and forth.
Some of the light left Bowser’s eyes. Yeah…he had, hadn’t he? Only there was no joy in it. Instead of being congratulated on his win, his father, the king, had spent the next three hours going through everything he’d done wrong in excruciating detail ‘til it didn’t even feel like he’d won anymore. The arm of Kamek’s robes brushed his shoulder, the magikoopa ‘accidentally’ having floated too close on his broom. He shot his old man a grateful look.
They got to the dining room. Roy, Morton, Ludwig, Larry and Iggy were already there, but his little princesses were nowhere in sight. Odd. Those present took their seats. Junior sat on Bowser’s left, as always, and tonight Roy was on his right. The right side of the table currently went: Roy, Morton, Larry, an empty seat, then Kammy, and Kamek. While the left was: Junior, Ludwig, Iggy, empty seat, Lord Torque, and Teddy. Which left one last chair available for their final dinner guest. Bowser shot his advisor a heated glare and Kamek shrugged it off. Putting Lu at the opposite end of the long table—directly across from him—suggested—Urgh. So this was on purpose. He should have known. Kamek was trying setting them up! Sneaky little—the food arrived. He frowned at the three empty seats and motioned the servants to hold off on lifting the ornate lids off the silver platters. Junior pouted.
“Papa, I’m hungry!”
“I know. Where are your sisters?” He asked Roy.
His eldest sighed and rolled his eyes.
“No idea. Saw them sneaking away a little bit ago and asked where they were off to, but Wen said,” he did a bad impression of Wendy’s voice, “‘It’s a secret,’ and they raced off.”
Bowser let out a puff of smoke and looked at Kammy, about to ask her to find them and bring them straight here when the doors opened and high-pitched giggles were heard, followed by whispers.
“Heheh! You first!”
“No, you go!”
“No, he has to go first!”
“No,” came a sharp whisper-yell, “We gotta save him for last! You’re youngest, you go first!”
“Awww, okay, fine!” Lemmy’s voice capitulated. All heads turned and the koopalings with their backs to the door twisted in their seats to see around the high-backed dining chairs.
Lemmy’s hair was combed back and done in a braid instead of her usual rainbow mohawk. She had just a little bit of makeup on, some eyeliner and a bit of eyeshadow. She chirped greetings. Bowser sighed.
“Lemmy,” his tone was warm, but stern, “you look very pretty, but you and your sister are late.”
She shyly kicked the tile under her feet.
“I know, King Dad, we just…we were getting ready and—”
“Alright,” he hummed. He could never stay mad at that cute little face, “you’re forgiven. But please remember for next time, it’s very important to be punctual when we have guests.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“Take your seat, my little princess. Wendy,” he called, “please come in.”
“But Dad,” she whined, “there’s supposed to be a pause for drama!”
“Wendy O’Koopa.”
“Oh, alright.” She came in, fussing with her bangles and making sure her bow was straight before doing a little pose. “Ta-da!”
“You look great, honey. Come, sit.”
“Wait, you haven’t even seen the best part of our work yet!” She pouted, looking at someone behind the door and motioning them forward. “C’mon! You look amazing!”
“A-are you sure?” Came a nervous nasally voice that had Bowser sitting slightly forward trying to see better—much to the amusement of the older koopas at the table.
“Of course! C’mon!” She grabbed them by the hand and bodily yanked the koopa stumbling into the room. “They’re not gonna eat you!”
Bowser didn’t realize his nostrils were smoking until Junior’s claws tapped his hand.
“Papa, you okay?”
He only half-heard his son’s question, rumbling. “Sure, Junior, whatever you want.”
Now that was an opportunity the prince wasn’t above taking advantage of.
“Can I have two desserts instead of one?”
“Yeah,” Bowser said, completely lost in bright blue eyes until they flicked away, attention taken by Lemmy, who pointed out Lu’s seat.
“You sit there!”
Luigi did, blushing a little as he looked up and their gazes met for another fleeting moment. So far away yet Bowser could still get lost in the koopa’s eyes…Kamek grinned and cleared his throat.
“Ahem. Perhaps now the servants may present dinner, your distractedness?”
“Huh? Oh.” He grunted and nodded at them. The plates were uncovered, and everyone began to eat, conversing between polite bites and sips.
Lord Torque smiled into his glass of wine.
“Might I say, you look exceedingly lovely tonight, Lu. The princesses’ work, I presume?” He asked. The koopa blushed.
“Y-yes. I was worried maybe it was a bit too much. I’m from another kingdom originally, and I don’t know much about the norms here. Back home, it’s more common for females to wear makeup, so I was nervous, but Princess Wendy tells me here there are distinctive styles for all genders and statuses?”
“Yes, indeed. She’s certainly done an immaculate job. If I may say, your jaw, cheekbones and neckline lend themselves perfectly to such exquisite display.”
Luigi felt the scales on his face heating up. A low growl from the far end of the table had his lordship’s debonair smile growing.
“Ah, but perhaps my compliments have overstepped.”
“No, th-that’s—” Lu blushed. “Th-Thank you, L-Lord Torque. It’s very kind of you to say so.”
“Dad, Lu braided my hair! Isn’t it pretty?” Lemmy said, preening, and running her fingers over it to feel the texture. Bowser’s dragon was chuffed and made it known with a richly bassy trill of approval. Mate is good to brood.
“It’s lovely, sweetheart. You’ll have to ask Lu to teach you how, huh?”
“Uh-huh! I already did and Lu says he’ll teach me lots of different kinds of braids!”
The trill tumbled into a blatant purr. Luigi averted his eyes and brought his forkful of food to his mouth. He chewed slowly. It was delicious. Dinner was very meat-heavy. A big chunk of heavily seasoned poultry of some kind and an assortment of sides. He didn’t recognize any of the vegetables. There were some that looked like broccoli but dark red. They tasted delicious, but the plumber soon discovered they were very spicy. Luigi hastily swallowed and struggled not to choke. He was surprised he wasn’t coughing up flames! Kammy laughed like a crow, while Kamek took pity on the poor koopa and summoned up a glass of milk. Lu wheezed thanks and downed it in one go, sighing in relief as some of the burn faded.
All the koopalings were giggling. Junior guffawed.
“Haha! Papa, he can’t even eat fire sprouts!” Junior snorted, snidely judging. “That’s funny!”
“Junior,” Bowser’s tone—while amused—had a very gentle urging lilt, “Lu wasn’t born here. This is probably his first time eating fire sprouts. You alright?” They made eye contact. Luigi managed a shy and slightly gasping nod. Bowser smiled softly, “I promise, the more you eat them the more they grow on ya.”
“I—” Lu wheezed a little and managed a weak grin. “I’ll take your word for it.”
Junior frowned. His little eyes peered between them. The new koopa was sitting across from Papa…twitch, twitch went Junior’s tail. And Papa looked at the new koopa a lot. Like a lot a lot. Between bites of food, and between checking that he was eating his vegetables, and whenever anyone talked—even when they weren’t talking to the new koopa at all. Junior didn’t like it! Dinner was his time to talk to Papa!
The new koopa said something about a garden and then he and Mr. Teddy starting talking about dumb old plants. Junior only liked fun plants like piranha plants and koopasnare vines and wailing roots! All other plants were boring. They didn’t really move or nothin!
“Papa! Today I learned that—”
“Junior, what have we said about interrupting at dinner?”
Junior’s small growl was just loud enough Lu turned his direction. The prince glared at the koopa’s nice face and blue eyes. “You’re not that pretty.”
“Junior!” Bowser growled.
“My dad used to have dinner with the princess, and she was way prettier than you!”
The king’s growl filled the room, and Bowser started to get up with every intention of briefly pulling Junior aside for a hard one-on-one talk, but a wave of Luigi’s hand stayed him.
“I wasn’t speaking to you, prince Junior. And interrupting—even for a prince—is very rude. Please let me finish my conversation with Mr. Teddy and then we can talk. Okie-dokie?”
Junior crossed his arms and pouted, a bit of extra heat in his mouth after eating some of those spicy vegetables.
“Urgh, fine!” He resigned, sinking dramatically in his chair.
Bowser stared. Luigi had managed Junior’s aggression just like that. With no stammers or stutters or nerves…only the calm handling of a practiced negotiator. It was hard not to stare and even harder not to purr. Lu finished outlining his struggles with dark lands cucumbers and Teddy was quick to offer a bit of sage advice for first-time growers. When they finished, Luigi looked at Junior and waited. The prince had—moments before—angrily stabbed and ripped off a bit of meat with a fork and was chewing it now. He started to talk with his mouth full, but a rumble from his Pap had him swallowing first. Dark eyes glared at Lu.
“Who even are you?”
“My name is Lu.”
The name was kinda familiar for some reason…
Roy scoffed.
“C’mon, you remember the tournament, doncha? He beat Dad and Lem!”
“Oh, yeah.” Junior’s eyes narrowed. He looked from his Dad to Lu and back. “How come Papa asked you to dinner?”
“Well,” Lu looked at Bowser, but did his best to answer, “Your father has kindly allowed me to stay in the castle for a while.”
Twitch, twitch of the tail.
“For how long?”
“Just until the ball.”
“Ah,” Torque’s voice easily filled the tense silence that followed, “you’ll be attending, then? How delightful.”
“I,” Lu blushed, averting his eyes, “N-no.”
Torque’s eyebrows rose.
“Er, th-that is,” Luigi appealed to Bowser for help, “we hadn’t discussed…”
Fuck. Well now Kammy, Kamek, Teddy, Torque and half his kids were watching him expectantly. He put on his most diplomatic face, though inside he was very unhappy. Lu being there would draw yet more unwanted attention their way.
“You’re welcome to, if you wish.”
“I,” Luigi hesitated, seemingly about to refuse. Bowser was glad. It was easier that—
“Oooh! I’ll do your makeup!” Wendy squealed, ecstatic. “Oh, and you’ll need something to wear! Everyone dresses up for the royal ball! Even Dad and Junior wear suits!”
“Princess, I would love to, but I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you or your father. Such a big event…he probably already has a lot to take care of at such a big social event and—”
“Aww,” Wendy deflated. “We never get to have fun makeup and dress-up nights…”
Lemmy chirped sadly.
“I guess we could do just the two of us again.”
“Yeah,” Wendy sighed, but shot her sister a sweet smile, “Least I’ve always got you, Lem.”
Bowser shifted in his seat. It was a terrible idea that would only lead to more trouble down the line, he felt sure, but for his girls…
“It’s not an inconvenience,” he declared, surprising the girls and Luigi, though Kammy and Kamek exchanged matching minuscule smirks. “I’d planned to fly you back late that evening after the ball anyway, since I have to be there, so you might as well, you know.”
“Thank you, my king.” Lu’s whole face lit up whenever he smiled like that. It destroyed Bowser’s regal facade. His tail thumped his chair. The much quieter thump answered had the king’s temperature spiking. Lu was also—
“If you’re staying here how come I haven’t seen you before now?” Junior asked, arms crossed and chest puffed out.
Luigi blushed. Bowser could feel his own face reacting in sympathy. The king looked to his dad for some kind of save. Kamek came in clutch.
“Well, Prince Junior, Lu has some special requirements for which the guest rooms are ill-suited, so we have furnished him with alternative accommodation.”
Both Bowser and Lu were very acutely aware of the careful weaving done by the magikoopa’s explanation. They exchanged a heavy glance.
“What kind of requirements?” Junior asked. Kamek and Bowser tensed, looking to their guest. Lu sighed.
“It’s, you see, a few years ago,” as it always did, memories of screeching voices, purple flashing magic, his brother’s cry…he shuddered. Bowser hummed, hating more than ever the distance between them.
“You don’t have to,” he grumbled.
“I’m just, it’s still—”
“I could tell them, if you want.” Lemmy offered.
Lu smiled a sad and grateful smile at her.
“Thank you, Lemmy. I’d appreciate that.”
“Lu’s friends in Sarasaland were being attacked by a mean old witch, so Lu and his brother went to try and help and she cursed him.”
Torque’s concern was coupled with an almost frightening level of interest and Kammy’s shocked face also sharpened with intrigue. Luigi shrank back in his seat, feeling like a bug under a microscope. Torque saw his discomfort and explained.
“Kammy and I take unique interest in so-called ‘dark’ magic and its applications. I’d be most interested to learn more about the nature of this curse. Perhaps with our magic we could—”
Bowser’s growl was more than a warning this time and Torque wisely snapped his mouth shut.
“Scute already tried that shit and it broke his bones and led to internal bleeding. Leave him alone.”
“But, your stubbornness,” Kammy argued, “Scute is a medical professional without nearly the same level of training and expertise with these types of spells as—”
“I don’t care.” Bowser snapped, flames in his throat. His fist banged down on the table, making everyone jump. “I said no. You’re making him uncomfortable. Leave him alone.”
“Yes, your royalness.” Torque respectfully bowed his head, but Luigi had a prickling feeling Kammy was still watching him behind her thick lenses.
“You fight people?” Junior blurted out, evidently bursting, having waited for his ‘turn’ to speak this time.
“I fight to protect my friends and family,” Lu answered carefully.
Junior puffed smoke, annoyed.
“So, you’re a scaredy-cat?”
“Junior.” Bowser warned, but again, like before, Luigi waved him down before he could get further.
“It has been said, yes. I’ve been called a coward.” Blue eyes flashed as Lu slowly set down his fork, “But no matter how scared I am, I will never stand idly by when my loved ones are in danger.” Bowser couldn’t tell if the smaller koopa was even aware of the flickering arcs of electricity that danced so awesome and forebodingly across green and gold scales. It briefly made Lu’s hair stand on end before the electricity petered out and soft, brown curls flopped back down.
Bowser was so busy admiring Lu’s intensity Junior’s next question caught him completely off guard. His son’s voice asked:
“What about my Papa?”
The king blinked.
“What about him, my prince?” Luigi asked, dodging the question. Junior didn’t like that. The little prince stood up in his chair and stomped his right foot.
“If Papa was in danger, would you protect him?”
Bowser watched his son’s snout crinkle up with frustration and consternation. Luigi was making an impression. He just wasn’t sure it was a good one, and that made him nervous. The next few weeks would be extra tough if Junior was upset with him the entire time for having Lu here. The king lost himself in thoughts and worries until his kid tensed. Junior’s face was a blank mask, the kind most children wear as they absorb information they don’t understand or when they have too many conflicting impulses. This was the latter. And Bowser was close enough to smell and familiar enough to sense precisely what they were. Junior was annoyed with Lu, he didn’t like him, but that was now warring with a growing respect and a slight, very slight hint of fear. Fear? Red eyes whipped up back across the table to Luigi. What he saw made his dragon melt.
Raw intensity, thick emotion, and a layer of fury barely restrained behind a very serious expression. Lips pulled in a tight, flat line, eyelids neutral, but the eyes themselves flickering with lightning bolt levels of intensity. Bowser belatedly realized a hush had come over the dinner table. All eyes were now on Lu.
“If your father were in danger,” Luigi’s fingers curled, claws digging valleys in the table varnish, “I would fight to my very last breath to protect him.”
A change came over the table at large. The koopalings exchanged murmurs and whispers, Morton and Larry in particular questioning their older siblings in clicks and muted trills. Teddy shot Kamek a curious glance, the magikoopa’s answering one promising they’d talk about it later. Kammy also shot her brother a glare. Not that anyone could tell, except Kamek, who could feel it. Under the table, her fingers squeezed her wand, and she spoke to her brother through a telepathic connection.
‘So that’s why you insisted we join them for dinner, you sly koop.’ Her brother didn’t answer, but his head turned her way to meet her scorching ire head on. ‘You do know that even his cluelessness will recognize your efforts to set them up?’
Finally, his magic met her halfway.
‘You’ll forgive me not sitting idly by while our ward lets this opportunity slip away.’
She hummed under her breath and broke the connection, content to settle in and watch with renewed interest.
Lord Torque was quiet. He slowly lowered his food-laden fork to the plate and paid the young adult koopa much sharper attention. Torque had a very good opinion of himself and his success. He considered himself one of his king’s most trusted noble council. Curiosity and gossip abounded following the confrontation between Bowser and Brutus at the tennis tourney. Torque had hardly spoken to Lu at the event, but the koopa struck him as the cautiously prudent type: as clever as he was athletic. Bowser claimed they were friends and Torque believed it. He also wasn’t naive. Even at a distance from the sidelines he could sense the sexual tension between them. It was not uncommon for a king—especially a dragon koopa of Bowser’s age and ilk—to take a lover. Actually, he was surprised the king had abstained from doing so for so long. Inviting said koopa to dine with the royal family—that was one thing—they were friends. It was obvious. Only…Lu’s answer had him looking back on the events of the evening since Lu’s arrival in new light. The king allowed the smaller koopa to dote on the royal brood and to speak to the crown prince with authority. Bowser expressed basal pleasure at Lu for being kind to the princesses. In fact, his fieriness had been acting a bit extra instinctual all meal…And right at this moment, Bowser looked about to swoon.
His lordship assessed the potential of this koopa in earnest. Lu was physically capable. Dangerous, one could easily claim. Lightning magic was complicated in the extreme, but it seemed to run through the koopa like a river: channeled, yet wild. Better still, Lu called upon it without a wand. The amount of magic required to fuel such an ability was unheard of. Lu didn’t even seem to carry a wand, which implied he’d not received a traditional magic education. If he was from another kingdom as the king said, that made sense. Most magic teachers and educational centers for koopa magic were here, in the Dark Lands. Torque shuddered to think how much power the koopa could wield were he to learn the foundations of—he was getting distracted. Simply put: Lu had power. Unfortunately, he had no social standing. Well, perhaps not ‘no,’ as the kingdom’s tennis champion he had gained some small notoriety and respect, but that was—in a word—inadequate. No one of status would take him seriously. Unless they find themselves on the wrong side of his powers and learned the hard way, Torque thought, grimly. Power, no standing, but—he glanced at princes and princesses—Lu seemed to be doing rather well on that front. Of course, someone with time and patience for many hatchlings was non-negotiable. Two out of three. Not bad. Three out of four, if one accounted for the king’s interest. Torque quickly expanded it to four out of five. Lu was acceptably handsome and had a certain good-natured charm that would likely soften the opinions of others set against him. Bowser could certainly do worse.
That expression left Torque struggling for breath. Back when they first spoke at the tournament, he’d felt a pulling ache in his chest. It had caught him off-guard, such a small, unassuming koop, as physically unlike his Clar as it was possible for a koopa to be. And yet…after just speaking with Lu he spent minutes in the locker room staring at the ring that almost never left his finger, the ache as keen and fresh as it was a decade prior when he—
The look on Lu’s face left zero doubt in his mind. Lu loved the king. Loved Bowser with a passion and devotion so complete it was all encompassing…like Clarence had loved him.
What felt like a week’s worth of revelations had come in the better half of a minute. Junior believed the answer, but he wasn’t done. Not by a long shot. There were many more questions to be asked. Starting with:
“Mario shows up and punches Papa all the time! What about Mario?”
Bowser sucked in a low breath and hurriedly said, “Junior, we can’t just expect someone to—”
“Junior,” Luigi spoke with utter sincerity, “I won’t let Mario hurt you, your siblings or your father ever again. And if he tries, I’ll zap him so hard he’ll go flying back to the mushroom kingdom by the seat of his pants!”
Bowser stared, tried shaking it off, then stared some more. Everyone looked from one to the other, but the king didn’t notice, he was too shocked. “You…you mean that.”
“Yes. I do.”
Thump, Thump, Thump, went his tail. Ba-dump, ba-dump, went his giant heart. He couldn’t stop smiling through the disbelief. Luigi would fight Mario to protect him and his brood. That was…it was…there weren’t even words. He didn’t realize he was rumbling rather flirtatiously until Junior made a face.
“Eww, Dad, stop making kissy faces at the table. Gross.”
“Hey,” he said defensively, “I was not—”
“You so were,” Roy snickered from his other side.
Bowser huffed and took a sip of wine.
Lu stared down at his plate to hide the heated embarrassment. That sound practically had him ready to leap up into Bowser’s lap. Geez, he really needed to fucking control himself! They were in public and there were children present. But, damn, seeing Bowser look at him like that was so flattering and—
“Are you gonna come to dinner all the time?” Junior asked. He looked upset. Luigi shifted his focus away from the koopa king.
“I don’t have to. Especially if you don’t want me to. I can eat in my room.”
“Well, if you’d rather get out and stretch your legs, you’re always welcome. I could have cook adjust the schedule to be like this for the next few weeks.” Bowser offered.
“No!” Junior shouted.
Everyone stared.
“Dinner’s my time to talk to Papa!”
“Junior, he’s our guest—”
“I don’t like it! You’re always busy and I never get to…” tiny tears escaped before they turned to little wisps of steam.
Bowser softened and reached out to scoop the kid up with one hand, plopping Junior down in his lap.
“Listen kiddo, Lu coming to dinner doesn’t mean you can’t talk to me. There’s nothing for you to be jealous of. He’s my friend, but you’re my special little guy.”
Junior wasn’t convinced. The little face pouted. Luigi flinched at the word ‘friend’ like he’d been slapped in the face. He knew he shouldn’t be surprised, that he shouldn’t be letting it get to him as much as it did, but his heart didn’t get the memo. He also didn’t catch Torque’s long frown.
“If I could make a timid suggestion, your paternalness,” Kamek cleared his throat and offered, “you’ve been considerably less busy at lunchtime with the end of all Mushroom Kingdom related activities. Your royal schedule can be easily reworked to allow for lunch with Junior and the little ones.”
Junior’s pout stayed.
“But then he’ll just come to that, too!” He glared at Lu.
Luigi threw up his hands.
“Not at all. I’m quite happy eating in my room, Prince Junior. And I don’t want to take away time with your Papa. If you still feel upset, I really don’t have to come to dinner at all.”
Dark eyes glared hard. Luigi stared honestly back.
“Mmmm, fine. You can come to dinner IF we get lunch with Papa all to ourselves! And! And! And if I don’t like it then you won’t come to dinner anymore!”
“That’s fine. I accept your terms.”
Junior nodded, very businesslike.
“Dad says when you make deals you gotta shake claws.”
“Oh, I see. Would you like to come to me, or would you like me to come to you?” Lu asked.
Junior thought it over.
“Hmm, you come here!” He decreed. “I’m a prince and you’re not, so you have to walk!”
“Hahaha. Very good.” Luigi wiped his hands and lips with his napkin before setting it aside. He walked the length of the royal dining table to Bowser’s side.
The king keenly appreciated Wendy’s work up close.
“You do look lovely.”
“I,” Lu blushed hard and it was much more apparent even with the makeup so close-up, “thanks.”
Junior puffed smoke and sparks, not liking that they’d gotten distracted.
“Hey! Down here!” He stood on Bowser’s lap with a sharp chirp. Lu looked at him. Junior froze up. He’d never met a koopa with eyes quite like that before…they were even bluer than Mam—Peach’s. Not so subtly, the crown prince a good look at this koopa. He was pretty small. Shorter than Roy, but a little taller than Morton. Also, he was prettier up close. His curly brown hair looked…soft. And his face was nice. Lu held out a hand. Junior stared at it. He leaned forward into Lu’s space glaring, only for his eyes to go wide.
Didn’t seem like Lu noticed Junior subtly scenting the air, but Bowser definitely did. His son drew away from Lu and hugged him, suddenly very nervous. Luigi was surprised.
“Is something wrong? I thought you said kings seal deals with handshakes.” Luigi’s smile was warm and friendly. It was enough to coax Junior into holding out a small hand. Lu took it and shook firmly.
“There we go. Now it’s written in stone. You don’t ever have to eat dinner with me if you don’t want to or if you want more time with your Papa. Does that feel better?”
“Hmmm…” Junior’s voice was softer, less angry, “yeah. I guess.”
“Good.” Lu smiled at Bowser and added, “After we’re done here, I think I’ll go back to my room and take off my makeup.”
Wendy made a whine of disapproval, but Lu shot her a stern look.
“Wendy, I already told you, I promised to visit the gym with your brother tonight.” She sighed but surrendered.
“Okay, yeah, I don’t like getting all sweaty in makeup, either. Fair’s fair.”
“Thank you.” Luigi smiled again. He patted Bowser’s shoulder and nodded before heading back to his seat.
Morton echoed, “Gym?” And looked at Roy, slightly hurt. “Roy gym without Morton?”
“Well,” Roy scrambled to spare his little brother’s feelings, “we’ve mostly just been benching.”
Morton looked worried. Oh, shoot he had to talk fast before Morton blurted out in front of dad that he sometimes—
“Can’t do that stuff on my own, ya know? And Lu was there and he offered, so that’s kinda how we’ve been—”
A single staccato thump of Morton’s heavy tail signaled his little brother’s emotional shift from anxious to excited.
“Morton go too?”
“Um,” Roy rubbed the back of his neck, “yeah, sure, but…we usually start a little bit after your bedtime.”
Morton’s face fell. “Oh.”
“I wouldn’t mind starting a little earlier than usual so Morton can join.” Luigi offered.
Whack! Whack! Whack! Morton’s tail wagged fully. Roy smiled. He was glad to see Morton so happy.
Lu’s grin crinkled the corners of his eyes.
“If you wouldn’t mind waiting fifteen or twenty minutes for me to get my makeup off and get ready, perhaps I can meet you there?”
Roy crossed his arms over his chest.
“You sure you won’t get lost?”
“I—” Lu second guessed himself, a little embarrassed, “well, then, I suppose—”
“I’d be happy to escort you back to your rooms.” Torque offered, standing, and looking down the table. “It would seem most everyone is finished. If you’re ready we could go now.”
“I,” Lu hesitated, nervousness creeping up the back of his shell. He wasn’t sure what to make of the way Torque looked at him. It was intensely difficult to discern the noblekoop’s true feelings. Sometimes Luigi felt almost like the lord was interested in him, but then the look would change and Torque would be back to perfect casual formalities and there was still the matter of that wedding ring… “Yes,” he tentatively agreed, “I…I wouldn’t mind, if you’re sure you know the way.”
“I have spent a not insignificant portion of my life here at the castle from childhood. My father was a trusted member of the old king’s court.”
Bowser shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Torque offered Luigi an elbow and—after a short hesitation—Lu took it. They left the room and the second the doors had fully closed behind them, his brood all started talking at once.
“All things considered that went well,” Iggy said.
“Sure, it went well! Lu’s really nice.”
‘Will he teach me to braid my hair, too?’ Larry asked.
“I’ll ask! If he can’t, I’ll teach you everything he teaches me!”
‘Thanks, sis.’
Lemmy purred.
“Morton like gym. Been a while. Roy still bench the same?” Roy and Morton went on a private little tangent, while Wendy zeroed in on Ludwig.
“Luddy, you have to help me with designs for Lu’s outfit for the ball!”
The blue haired koopaling sniffed.
“What do you need me for?”
“You have the best sense of color coordination!” Luddy didn’t buy it. She sighed and came clean. “Fine, you’re better at glitter spells than me. Happy?”
He rolled his eyes. “You know, I could just teach you.”
“…REALLY?”
Suddenly his sister was hanging off his side, hugging him.
“You’re the best.”
“Hehe.” Roy grinned. “Not so tight, Wen. He’s turning red.”
“Am not!”
‘Are too!’ Larry chirped.
This went on, but Bowser was yanked from it all by Junior’s claws patting his plastron. He looked down.
“…Dad?”
“Yes, Junior?”
“…” the kid’s head nuzzled his chest with a nervous whine. Bowser warmed up his flame pipe to put the kid more at ease. Junior curled gratefully into the heat. “…is he my new Mama?”
Red eyes opened wide.
“What? No, no, he’s—he’s—”
Confusion wrinkled the scales between Junior’s eyebrows.
“But he smells like you.”
“Er,” the king’s face started turning bright red, “well, uh…”
Junior’s voice stayed the same quiet whisper.
“You really like him, huh?”
“I—” he sighed when confronted by that dark stare and nodded. “Yes, I do.”
“So, he’s gonna stay?”
“He’s staying until the ball.”
“And then?”
“Then I’m taking him home to Montkoop.”
“Where’s that?”
“Out near our border with the valley.”
“Oh,” His son’s face was suddenly hard to read, “that’s far.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Will you miss him?” Junior asked.
“Yeah,” Bowser felt tired just thinking about it. Not having Lu around…He’d have to ask Kamek to make them their own correspondence page free of the agency’s oversight. He wanted to keep in touch and hopefully see Luigi again, but if he couldn’t, he still wanted to write. Junior was frowning, but it disappeared when the king asked, “You probably still want two desserts, huh, you sneaky little rascal?!”
“Yeah!” His adorable little grin was just like Bowser’s—even if it wasn’t as toothy.
“Did you eat all your vegetables?”
“Almost.”
Bowser forked over a few of his own.
“Alright, then. Eat these and you can have half of my dessert.”
“Yay!”
Lu told Torque where he was staying. The lord didn’t seem very surprised to hear it, just nodded and led the way. They walked in silence. Luigi had never really held arms like this with anyone out of formality before. It was always a romantic gesture, but it was refreshing to know Torque didn’t mean it that way…he felt pretty sure. There were one or two degrees of lingering tension in their silent walk until his lordship’s pace slowed and the taller koopa murmured.
“My apologies.” He returned his arm to himself, “I am making you uncomfortable.”
“No, I—er—well, maybe? I keep—I can’t tell, Lord Torque, what you think of—”
Torque’s smile was the tiniest little curve of lips that he’d ever seen.
“It’s funny,” he sighed, with a laugh that didn’t quite ring true, “You are nothing like him and yet—I see a ghost in you.”
“S-sorry?” the mention of ghosts always had Luigi’s nerves on high alert.
Torque held up his hand, ring glittering in the light.
“My late husband. Clarence.”
“Oh…” Lu’s eyes were very expressive. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“It’s been more than a decade, yet his absence still catches me in new and painful ways. Tonight…”
“Tonight?” Lu asked, breaking the uneasy silence.
“The way you look at his royalness I know more keenly than most. You love him.”
“Guess I really do wear my heart on my sleeve.”
Torque frowned. “Yes, yet he continues to call you his friend.”
Lu said nothing. A very slow hand rose to tip his face up by the chin. Torque was careful and deliberate, barely touching. Their gazes found each other.
“His spikiness is inclined to be stubborn. Especially where pride is concerned.” At Lu’s raised eyebrow, he explained, “I was much the same.” After a very pregnant pause, his glazed over eyes regained some of their razor’s edge. “Even if he comes to his senses, do you know the toil you face? Despite having all that’s really required to fill the role of queen, you are common caste. You will face contempt, prejudice, and bitter resentment. You’ve already made a powerful enemy in my most loathsome colleague, Lord Stonemont. Unfortunately, he has a silver tongue. No one is more conniving and dastardly.”
“Why put up with him, then?” Lu bit back, snarling.
“His family name is highly respected. They have held positions of influence in the northwest region for nearly three centuries. He’s also very careful. Never getting himself caught astray on wrong side of the law. Be wary of him. Should word of your true association with his royalness leak out—or more, an announcement of you taking position as King consort—Brutus is not a koopa who suffers insults or snubs without retaliation. Guard yourself.” Lu shivered. They resumed their walk. “When you return home…you will have protection?”
“I have my twin brother.”
Torque doubted that would be enough. Lu was convinced it would be.
“My brother and I always have each other’s backs.”
“Hmm. That is some small consolation.”
“And Bowser won’t let anyone or anything hurt me.”
Torque frowned at the back of the spiky green shell. Lu believed that with all his heart.
Torque wished he could, but he from what he’d seen tonight…he tried to make the younger koopa understand.
“Bowser calls you his friend.” He repeated.
“We are friends.”
“Yes,” he allowed, “but he’s also king and his interest in you is plain to see. Only a child could look at the pair of you and fail to notice the physicality of your connection.”
The shorter koopa bristled.
“Bowser and I barely brushed elbows tonight.”
“His eyes feast upon you.”
Lu turned scarlet.
“Okay, I wouldn’t exactly put it like that—”
“It’s true enough, and if I saw it tonight they will see it at the ball.”
Fists clenched, Lu ground his teeth.
“I can defend myself.”
“I am aware.” Torque hummed. “But it’s not solely physical violence I’m concerned about. I say only: carefully consider your own capabilities. Are you strong enough to endure the abuse of everyone who sees you as a filthy commoner who’s gotten too far ‘above your station?’ Because nothing you do will ever be good enough for their hateful eyes.”
“I don’t care!”
Torque’s face was gray and sad.
“For your sake, I hope that’s truth. Clar thought he was strong enough, too.”
Lu was stunned. Torque invaded his space.
“I failed him. I thought…I thought my support was enough. I thought…”
His lordship wasn’t speaking to Lu, not really. Luigi took a daring step closer. The noble’s glazed over gaze was heavy with tears.
“More, I—I should have—but I didn’t…I was so blind. I should have been there. I never got to—”
Lu gasped as strong, shaking hands seized his shoulders.
“I won’t stand by and let it—not again. Never. Never again.”
“Lord Torque,” Lu whispered, squeezing the koopa’s arm. “What—” he struggled to swallow, anticipating the answer, “—what happened to Clar?”
“He…” Torque’s face pinched, fighting off the tears, as he stared into the void. “His note was six words. ‘I’m sorry. I wasn’t strong enough.’ I should have been there. I should have—”
“No.” Lu’s claws gripped so tight Torque started losing feeling in both arms… “Listen to me. It wasn’t your fault.”
“You weren’t—”
“I know how it feels to lose someone you love that way. You always miss them. You think about them sometimes when it’s late and quiet. You turn a corner in the house or a hallway in school and part of you expects to—”
Torque’s lips parted with a shaking gasp. Lu’s tears, Lu’s words—
“You remember the last time you saw them. Hamming it up in a stupid little performance for class credit while you dance around them like an idiot and one week later, they’re—th-they’re…I know it’s hard. But you have to let go of the guilt. Clar loved you. He wouldn’t want you living in pain like this.”
Torque wiped his face, composure slowly sliding back in place until his gaze was harder than cold steel.
“I appreciate that. I am still struggling.”
“Understandable. If you need a friend…” Lu offered his hand.
Torque looked at it for a few seconds before taking it.
“Know that I mean what I say. Regardless of outcome with his kingness, should you require assistance, support, or protection…” he let his voice trail off, leaving the offer open, then added, “My family seat lies in the boiling river valley.” He could tell from the look on Lu’s face he needn’t say anything further. Shrewd blue eyes were appreciating the very powerful ally they’d made here tonight. As the region that controlled most crops and food, Torque had more influence than most.
“Thank you.”
The rest of the walk was spent in a supportive silence each tethering the other. As they ambled up to Lu’s door, Torque smiled and said, quietly.
“You did well with the little highness this evening.”
“Are you sure?” Lu asked, nervously wringing his hands. “At the end there he seemed scared and—”
“He will come around. He is, like his father, stubborn with a deep-seated desire to be loved. When he realizes you love his father and are willing to love him as well, he will be as loyal to you as he is to his namesake.”
“I…I hope it goes that smoothly.”
“Only time will tell. You have my word the nature of your relationship with his highness is safe with me.”
“It’s,” Lu blushed a little and confessed, “it isn’t really quite like that.”
Torque’s eyebrows sank.
“It’s—we had a contract. We spent his rut together.”
The lord tensed.
“Then, in three week’s time…”
“It’s over.” Lu had to covertly wipe his eyes. A hand squeezed his shoulder.
“As I said…his regalness craves true love more than anything else. Once he overcomes his pride, I doubt he will let you go.”
The smile didn’t reach Lu’s eyes.
“I wish I was as sure as you.”
“As part of my king’s council, I am often here in the castle. If you ever need anything. Please, don’t hesitate.”
“Heh,” Lu smiled. It took such strength to smile in moments like these. Torque was quietly in awe. “Only if that goes both ways. If you ever need to talk about Clar, or if you need a break from jerks like Stonemont, you know where to find me.”
“Yes.” The lord smiled a full smile. It was very dashing.
After Torque turned to leave, Luigi realized he hadn’t—
“W-wait!”
Torque stopped and turned around. Luigi went up to him.
“I forgot to tell you. During the day my curse’s effects—er—I have to stay in my room and I c-can’t have v-visitors. But I…I can always t-talk through the door. And at night well,” he smiled, nervously, “I’m usually out and about.”
“I understand and I’ll remember.”
“Thank you.” Luigi gave a little bow of his head, “G-Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Lu.”
Luigi was just drying his face and thinking over the whole conversation with his new noble friend. He picked up a pen and scribbled a quick note to his bro.
‘Hey.’
He wasn’t expecting an immediate reply, but he got one.
‘Hey!! Everything okie dokie?’
He rolled his eyes a little.
‘Si, fratello. I just got back from dinner with Bowser, the bambini and some guests.’
‘Oh. Anyone I’d know?’
‘Kammy and Kamek, Kamek’s partner Teddy, remember him from the tournament? And a noble koop I played against in the semifinals, Lord Torque.’
Mario took a minute or two to absorb that.
‘Didn’t realize Kamek had a partner.’
‘I gathered from Bowser that it’s fairly recent. He mentioned meeting Teddy for the first time not long after we started writing.’
‘Huh. Good for them.’
‘Si. They seem happy. Teddy is kind.’
‘Yeah. And pretty built for a guy his age. Action Grandpa.’
‘Mario, really?’
‘What? I can only dream of being that fit when I’m his age!’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘How’d it go with this Lord guy? Better not have been like that Brutus stronzo. Didn’t you say he was a lord, too?’
‘I don’t think it’s possible to be more opposite of Brutus than Torque is.’
‘Oh.’ Mario seemed surprised, then happy and relaxed from his messy scrawl. ‘Good.’
‘Yeah. He’s,’ Luigi choked up a bit, ‘he’s a good shoulder to cry on. Not that we even know each other that well. He just…he understands some of what I’m dealing with. And he’s offered to lend an ear if I need it.’
His brother’s writing was careful.
‘That’s kind of him. You’re sure he isn’t just trying to get on your good side?’
‘Si, I’m sure.’
‘Okie dokie. I trust your judgment.’
‘I know you—’
Knock knock, knock!
“Oh, um—” he looked to see if left the door unlocked and thankfully he had,
“Come in!”
Roy opened the door and Morton strolled inside, having a look around.
“Hello!”
“Hello boys. Give me just a sec to finish this up and I’ll be right—”
“What doing?” Morton asked, wandering over and looking curiously at the paper where words were appearing.
‘Lu? You still there?’
“Ooh. Magic paper!” Morton grinned excitedly. “How work?”
“Ah, whenever my brother writes messages, they appear up there. And when I write down here, they go to him. Want to try?”
“Uh-huh!”
“Morton,” Roy looked nervous.
Luigi quickly scribbled a heads-up to his bro.
‘Hey Mar, one of the kids wants to say hi,’ then he handed the pen to Morton. The koopaling’s fingers weren’t the most dexterous, but he managed admirably.
‘H-ello! It’s Morton.’
‘Oh, um, hello Morton. How are you? Lu says you had dinner together?’
‘Uh-huh. He’s nice. Met him first time today.’
‘I see. And yes, he is nice. He likes you kids very much.’
‘Morton hopes he will like Morton. Sometimes koopa think Morton stupid, but not true. Morton just different than them, that’s all.’
‘Nothing wrong with being different, kiddo. I’m sure you and my bro will be great friends.’
Meanwhile, Lu was talking to Roy.
“All ready to go and work out a bit?”
“Yeah.” The eldest shot a nervous look behind Lu’s shoulder at Morton who was writing, “you sure that’s okay?”
“Huh?” he realized what the koopaling meant and he softened considerably, laying a hand on Roy’s shoulder. “My brother won’t hurt him. I promise.”
Roy’s heavy skepticism was broken when Morton stomped over, beaming, tail wagging so fast it was blurry.
“Lu’s brother said nothin’ wrong with Morton being different and that we can be good friends!”
Luigi’s smile was like a rainbow emerging from a cloudy sky. To both koopalings’ shock he scooped Morton up and swung him around, laughing.
“Well, of course, we can! Great friends! If that’s what you want, piccolo.”
“Woah! Lu strong!” Morton exclaimed to Roy.
“Yeah, I know. Surprising, huh?”
“Hey!” Lu said, pouting playfully and stepping up to Roy with a mischievous smile. “Don’t make me lift you, young koopa!”
“Hah! Just cuz you can bench my weight doesn’t mean you can—WHOAH!”
Lu lifted him clean off the ground like he was lifting a piece of furniture. “O-okay. You proved your point. D-down please.”
Luigi set him down and Morton giggled.
“Roy freaked out.”
“Hey, that’s a lot more nerve-wracking when you don’t have Dad’s giant shell to cling to in case you fall!”
“Morton thought it was cool. Like flying!”
“Uh-huh, sure.” He gave his brother a noogie. Morton batted at him, he dodged, smiling. “C’mon, we should get going or we won’t be done with our workout by bedtime.”
Lu scribbled a quick thank you and goodbye to Mario.
“Okie dokie. Almost ready. Alright! Let’s go!”
“Gym time! Gym time!” Morton cheered.
Roy and Luigi smiled.
Bowser finished putting Larry and Junior to bed. His little guys had the earliest bedtime, after all, but dinner was a little late and by the time all the bedtime stories were read and the blankets tucked…it was almost the ‘big kids’ bedtime. He poked his head in, said goodnight to the twins and gave Wendy a goodnight kiss on the forehead since she was already halfway asleep. She chirped and purred. His heart felt warm and full. He loved his little ones so…
Morton’s bed was empty. Bowser sighed. He turned and checked Roy’s. His eldest was also MIA. One guess where there were. The koopa king stomped straight to the gym.
He walked in to find them putting the weights away.
“You’re late.” He rumbled.
Roy shot him an apologetic look, but the kid looked relaxed and happy.
“Sorry, Dad.”
“Finish up.”
Roy nodded and did just that while Morton ran up to hug the king.
“Papa! Lu so nice! Helped train lots! Even gave Morton sparring tips!”
“Oh, yeah?” He asked, indulging his little gray-scaled koopaling’s talkative mood, nuzzling the side of Morton’s face and the top of his head.
“Yeah! And in Lu’s room has magic paper to write on! Lu let Morton try and Lu’s brother says Lu and Morton can be good friends and that different koopas like Morton are just as good as everybody else!”
That almost gave him a conniption. Mario told his kid that? The guy had to know who he was writing to. But then Bowser remembered the way Red stuck up for Lemmy, and it didn’t seem so farfetched. Ugh. At this rate, it’s gonna become as impossible to completely loathe Mario as it is to hate his brother. Speaking of, where…?
Morton noticed him looking around and pointed. Bowser followed the koopaling’s claw. Ah. Lu was hanging upside down from the pull-up bar. Doing sit-ups. Shell and all. Shells weren’t exactly light. Damn impressive. What the—why the fuck am I salivating? Bowser swallowed and tried to look away, only for his eyes to slide back up. Luigi’s intense concentration, the slow tremble of muscles hard at work…Green paid them no mind, finishing the last couple reps like they weren’t even there but Bowser had the unshakable feeling Lu very much knew he was watching. Sure enough, as Luigi skillfully suspended his weight with his arms to lift his legs off the bar and return to a neutral hanging position, his head turned their way.
Bowser waved. Like an idiot. Great, now he probably thinks I’ve been standing here with my mouth open catching flies this entire time. What a kingly impression, Bowser kicked himself, smooth. Real smooth…
“Ah, um, hello King Bowser.”
He didn’t like that. At all. He growled, advancing until they were almost snout to snout.
“Don’t.”
“Sorry?” Lu said, lips pursed, very much still hanging from his hands.
The koopa king wondered how long Lu could stay there without letting go. Probably not long enough for him to lick his way down—Nope! This was not the time. Flustered by his own lewd thoughts, he puffed out sparks. He’s still hanging on—no, just, don’t even think about that. Pretend he’s on the ground. Bowser did his best, but it was pretty hard to ignore the slight sway of Lu’s grip tightening when he tilted the smaller koopa’s chin up with a claw.
“It’s Bowser to you.”
Lu was about to let go. Bowser stepped forward to catch him and the plumber quickly caught himself.
“What are you doing?”
“Catching you.”
Lips curling, Luigi growled this time.
“Why?”
“That bar’s probably twice as high as you’re used to.”
The growl intensified. Short fangs flashed. Bowser’s head pulled back.
“I got up here. I’m perfectly capable of getting down.”
“Sure. Just thought you might want some help,” the king huffed, raising his hands in surrender, “but, by all means, go ahead.” He stood clear, glaring sharply when Luigi purposely swung into a fancy flip, very much to spite him. Infuriating little—
Morton clapped his hands.
“Whoa! Cool! Papa, Lu does cool flips like Lemmy!”
“Yes,” his voice was warm, but red eyes were heated, “a regular acrobat. Tell me,” he snipped, “where in your father’s ‘prize fighting’ training did gymnastics enter in?”
“Didn’t,” Luigi bitterly shot back, “I was the fuck-up who got so scared of the competition I’d do anything to escape their swings. Including backflips.”
Well, now Bowser felt like an ass. He sighed and reached out, catching the defensively puffed up koop by the shoulder.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to—I shouldn’t have said that. I’m pretty used to looking out for my own, that’s all. I wasn’t trying to rub you the wrong way.”
“’Your own’?” Lu echoed. Covertly eyeing the koopalings present, Luigi sighed, “Bowser, you made it pretty clear where we stand at dinner tonight. If friends is really all we are, you need to start acting like it.”
“I am,” he spluttered, confused, but Lu cut him off.
“No, you’re not, caro.” Hissing as he caught himself too late, Luigi’s fingers rubbed his temples, “Neither am I.”
Morton and Roy exchanged glances behind the adults’ backs. Morton was surprised, he’d thought they were—Roy’s head covertly shook side to side. The younger koopaling glowered. But why not? Didn’t make any sense.
There was so much Luigi wanted to say, but—he looked at the bambini—
“You should put them to bed.”
“Morton want Lu to see his room!”
Uncertain crystal blue eyes drifted Bowser’s way. Asking. The koopa king nodded.
“Alright, bud, but it’s straight to bed once we get there. Showing Lu all your cool stuff won’t get you out of bedtime.”
“Awwwww.” Morton pretended to pout, but his wagging tail gave him away. He took Lu’s arm and pulled. “This way to Morton’s room!”
Bowser and Roy followed a few steps behind. Affection swelled like a tide in his chest every time Luigi’s face lit up around his kids. Watching the two of them smiling and rushing down the halls was like being wrapped in a coil of rope that wouldn’t stop constricting. For the first time he had a kind of premonition—or really, he supposed—a fantastic glimpse of something he’d never considered before now. A life where Lu was so much more than the koopa he’d passed the best rut of his life with, where Lu smiled with his children every day. It was there, Morton and Lu’s laughter bouncing down the great stone halls of his royal legacy, that it fully hit him. Luigi wanted a family with kids. Luigi loved him, which meant Luigi was also prepared to love his kids. Then, another revelation he really should have had before now froze him better than an ice flower in a snowstorm. Luigi had zero qualms about having kids with him. Not just the ones he had already, but—His brain melted. Why? How—How could Luigi have grown to trust him that much that fast? They were enemies! Bitter ones! That wasn’t normal! Your entire opinion of someone didn’t just turn full one-eighty in the span of a—but his had when he found out. He should have been angry enough to strangle the little man that night in his chambers. Only, he hadn’t. Why not? Because Luigi never really lied about anything but his name. Why was that enough?!
Lu smiled over one shoulder, falling just a little, like he’d somehow sensed the king’s inner struggle. Suddenly, there wasn’t a koopa standing there, but a vision of a human in a green shirt, overalls and a soft cap.
“Bowser?”
He blinked. Skin, clothes and mustache vanished. Lu’s green scaled snout curled in concern. Soft footsteps approached and a couple fingers curled around his own. He stared at them. The sight shot a chill down his spine. All he’d ever known was the struggle. One koopa against the world. He was the one. The one who had to take care of his family, the one who had to make all the hard decisions, the one all others looked to, the one the fate of his kingdom depended on. He had to be the best, the strongest, the fiercest, the scariest, the most dangerous. He couldn’t afford to be anything less. Their hands…fingers intertwined. Two. Their two felt terrifyingly huge. World-endingly enormous. Bowser was standing on a cliff’s edge. He could stay on the ground, safe in the familiar life of one. Or…dare he take the leap of faith for a potential love? Was love the feral beast tugging, fighting, straining toward the edge? Was it his inner dragon’s basal instinct to claim a mate so willing to plunge into his bed?
Bowser dwelled on Lu’s pronouncement at dinner, the solemn oath to fight...Words fell from his mouth, low and whispered.
“I trust you with my life.”
“Bowser…” Luigi gasped. The king squeezed the smaller koopa’s fingers.
“You’ll always be more.” His other hand rose to brush an errant curl from Lu’s scaled forehead. His breath hot on his koopa’s face. “I need you to know that.”
“I,” Lu teared up, “I do.”
“Good.” He brushed their foreheads together and they broke apart. Morton was up ahead, looking anxiously back, while Roy keenly assessed their every move from the safety of dark sunglasses. Bowser motioned Morton to continue and his son chirped, resuming the walk. The king held hands with Lu the rest of the way.
They said goodnight to Roy at the door of his room. Bowser, despite his earlier words, did let Morton show off for a couple minutes before reminding the gray koopaling it was time for bed. Morton hugged his dad goodnight, then shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other. Lu offered him a hug and Morton purred from that moment ‘til long after he was all tucked in with the door closed and the lights off. Out in the hall, Luigi shot Bowser a sad smile.
“I can probably find my way back on my own, you don’t have to—”
King koopa shut down any further discussion of the matter by sweeping the smaller koopa up in his arms.
“You’re exhausted.”
“Ha,” Luigi guffawed, tail twitching, “Am I that obvious?”
“Only to me.”
Their eyes met and weighty silence returned.
“And I want to talk to you. There’s more I have to say,” Bowser said, quietly. The halls were empty. The castle felt eerily vacant so late at night.
“I know,” Luigi said, curling against his plastron. At his raised red eyebrow, the smaller koop smiled, “Good guesser, remember?”
“Pfft.” Bowser snorted steam, “I’m wise to your innocent lucky act, you sly koop. Game of blackjack and you’re countin’ cards.” That giggle did things to him. He bent down to scent his koopa, taking a deep inhale of Lu’s scent. A purr came bubbling up smelling Roy and Morton. Beneath them was a faint hint of his daughters. That made him grin. But…hang on. Someone else…the barest lingering trace of…almonds, liqueur, fine cologne. Of course. Torque had walked Lu back earlier arm in arm. He didn’t even realize he was growling and aggressively re-scenting his mate until Lu’s hands gently shoved his head away.
“Bowser, what’s gotten into—”
His dragon’s agitation leant his voice a gravelly edge, “Smell like him. Let me fix.”
Lu knew exactly who he meant.
“He’s my friend.”
Grrrrrrr.
“I’m allowed to have friends.” Luigi reasoned with the dragon. It wasn’t pleased, but was more than aware that mate was annoyed, and let Bowser take the wheel.
“I know that. Instincts don’t.”
Sighing, the human turned koopa said, “If we’re going to talk, we should do it before we’re all the way there.”
“Hmph,” Bowser reigned his dragon in as best he could. It took him a minute or two to put thoughts into words. Luigi patiently clung on and waited. “You’re more than a friend.”
“So you said.”
“I meant it.”
“I know.”
He slowed down, taking shorter steps.
“I’m still not sure how I…”
“Feel?”
“Yeah, that.”
“Okie dokie.”
The giant’s tail swished, spikes cutting the air with a wooshing sound.
“I like seeing you with the kids.”
Luigi’s cheeks reddened. “Oh, I’m glad. I…I was worried you’d be upset or that you wouldn’t want me to—”
“No, I don’t mind.” Bowser’s arms squeezed tight, “You’re good to them.”
“They’re good kids.”
“Yeah.”
He remembered something else from dinner.
“And I’m sorry. What Junior said at dinner, it was—”
“It’s fine, caro. He liked Peach very much. He doesn't want anyone to replace her. Not that I’m—you know—but that’s how it must seem to him.”
“He’s wrong, for the record.”
“Oh?”
“You’re so much more beautiful than she is.”
“Heheh. Only to you, mio fiore della passione.”
“No.” Bowser was adamant. “You are. By night, by day, in every way, you’re perfect.”
Luigi was almost as red as his hair. He smirked.
“You’re awful cute when you blush like that.”
“Flirt.”
“Only with you.” When starry blue eyes stared up at him, he stared down and made an oath of his own, “Lu…I know I want you in my life. I know I care about you. You matter to me. Our contract will be null and void once Scute pronounces you fit to return home. I’m…I’m so sorry. Every romance book I’ve ever read says true love is enough, that it’s all that matters. But…”
Fingers on his lips silenced him.
“You’re a king and I’m no one.”
“You are to me.”
Lu’s eyes closed, tears falling down his cheeks.
“But not to them. That’s why...I’m not enough,” Luigi sniffled.
“Please,” Bowser whined, “Please don’t cry.”
“Y-you’ll s-still come v-visit, r-right? T-take me to dinner and—”
“Play you at tennis,” Bowser purred, hugging his partner tight. “And…if you’re willing…I’d like to make a new contract.”
Luigi stared.
“Every heat, every rut—I want you. Only you. Nights, days, any terms you want.”
“I…” Lu struggled to swallow and wipe away the tears, “I don’t kn-know what to say.”
Bowser’s lips, his throat red with heat, whispered right into Luigi’s ear.
“Say you’ll be mine.”