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totalrager · 3 months ago

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Bill prefers a more hands-on approach when it comes to gaming.

cw: set between late 90s/early 2000s, fem!reader, r is not a #gamergirl for plot purposes, ooc to the max bc bill isn’t allowed within 50 feet of the opposite sex :P

Nailed to the wooden door, painted in bold, red letters, is a giant sign that reads ‘NO GIRLS ALLOWED’.

“You break a single thing in here, and I’ll call the cops, I swear to god.”

“Great, anything else?"

“Touch my comics, and you’re dead.”

The threat rolls off your shoulders as quickly as he said it.

It’s been like this ever since you walked through the front door.

After getting a call, at 2 a.m. might you add, Bill had been real adamant about you coming over; something about his usual visitors being 'too busy doing other stupid bullshit' and wanting to show off his mad skills at a new game he'd purchased.

Had you not been on the verge of falling back asleep, you would've called him on his shit and made him admit that he really just wanted to see you.

Regardless, and in hopes of putting an end to the semi-rantish call, you said yes.

Bill, having finally gone through his extensive rule list and coming close to having you sign a contract, unlocks the wooden door and pushes it open; the worn-out stairs squeak loudly as the two of you make your descent into the dark room.

As if it were second nature, he felt around in the air for a moment before yanking on a dangling cord. The only source of light reveals his magnum opus.

The basement was exactly as you pictured it.

Hanging on almost every wall that didn't have a giant bookshelf pushed in front of it, several shelves were bearing multiple miniature knick-knacks and large posters featuring what you assumed was every single sci-fi movie to have ever existed.

Towards one of the corners of the room was a beat-up table covered in a fictional map, surrounded by over a dozen mini figurines; a battle having clearly taken place the night before.

But what stuck out to you the most was that it was noticeably clean.

Y'know, for a guy.

Aside from the clutter of personal belongings that bordered on a novice level of hoarding, there was not a single speck of dust.

No crumpled papers, bits of plastic, fast food wrappers, or anything. You could be mistaken, but you’re almost positive he vacuumed, too; Hell, even the tiny waste basket shoved next to the couch was empty.

Was this all because you were coming over? Did he want to make a good impression?

The thought alone sends your guts aflutter with some bizarre version of flattery.

As your gaze flits all around the room, you feel a heat radiating from your host’s laser-focused gaze aimed directly at your face.

“What?”

“You look… different.”

Okay, so what if you actually put some effort into your appearance, doused yourself in your favorite perfume, and put on your nicest pair of jeans?

It’s not like you wanted to look somewhat decent for the guy you were maybe-kinda-sorta seeing or anything; even if said guy couldn’t give any less of a damn about how you looked.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” You shrug nonchalantly, hoping he wouldn’t see through your thinly-veiled ruse, “I always look like this. Are you just now paying attention?”

God only knows the amount of ridicule the little weasel’d dogpile you with if he found out you got all ‘prettified’ just for him.

Plus, his ego would over-inflate to unprecedented levels and take out all mankind like a modern-day version of the meteor that ended the reign of dinosaurs.

Luckily, with one last eye flicker and a low, noncommittal ‘hm’ from the back of his throat, the brief subject is dropped.

Guess you both did some light primping.

He moves further into the room, not before throwing back a witty 'You should take a picture; it'll last longer.'.

“I can’t help it; it’s not every day my pookie bear lets me into his holy sanctum to play with his little toys.” You flutter your eyelashes at him, earning a disturbed sneer in return.

“Don’t call me that.”

“What? Pookie bear?” you feign innocence.

“Yes, that. Only pussywhipped normies use that cutesie crap and I refuse to subject myself to such standards.”

“Whatever you say, snookums.”

“I so loathe you.” Bill let out one last aggravating sigh before busying himself with the gaming system he’d mentioned over the phone.

As he connects a couple of wires to his TV, you awkwardly hang around for something more to do, settling on picking at a hang nail just to have something to busy your hands with.

The solution comes when you make eye contact with a nearby shelf, a couple of out-of-box action figures practically beckoning you over.

“Ooh! What if we each grabbed one and made them kiss and junk? Wouldn’t that be romantic?”

You snag a figure that had a very Baywatch David Hasselhoff-y vibe with puffier hair and a gun strapped to his hip and deepen your voice, holding it up close to Bill, “Listen to the chick, punk. She’s got the right idea.”

A certain lasso-handling heroine is also thrown into the mix as you adjust your tone to be more smooth and confident.

“I agree, Please help me declare my undying love for…” You pause for a moment in an attempt to recall the gunslinger’s name, “that guy.”

Bill scoffs 'unamusingly' at your childish display and (lightly) swats the hand holding the intergalactic smuggler away from his face, “Like Han Solo would ever be caught dead making out with a woman who wears her panties out in public to fight crime.”

“Pssh, He’d be lucky if Wonder Woman even glanced in his general direction.”

He pauses, “How do you know who Wonder Woman is?”

“Can’t tell you; it’ll take the mystery out of our relationship.” (You thumbed through a stack of comics when he wasn’t looking.) “Are you going to show me how to play or what?”

As if on cue, the TV’s noisy static blaring through the speakers smoothens out to a more upbeat and inviting tune, making way to display the psychedelic home screen of one Mario Kart 64.

You let out a delighted ‘oooo!’ before plopping down next to your kinda-sorta boyfriend on his circular carpet as he fiddles around with two controllers, ensuring that both are fully functional and cooperating.

Bill messes around with the game select screen, making sure to pick two players before moving on to the character select screen, the more exciting of the two.

There are eight options for you to choose from, ranging from a human plumber to... you want to say a punk dragon with a mohawk?

Before you can make a decision, you're given some unwarranted advice: "You can be peach, obviously."

“Are you saying that because I’m dainty and pretty like her?”

“Uh, no. She’s pink and the only girl.”

As appealing as that sounds, another character had already caught your eye. “Forget that. I want to be the green dino thingy.”

“Yoshi? Out of the question, I already chose him.”

“No way, I want him!”

“No, fuck off! I picked him first!”

“BILL, PLEASEEE!”

“Get off of me!”

———

After the two of you take the time to have a well-rounded and productive discussion ("STOP THROWING CUSIONS AT ME!"), you come to an agreement.

“Whatever, I wanted to be Toad anyway.” He eventually concedes.

A triumphant giggle bubbles past your lips, earning a heatless scowl from Bill, as the game finally, finally begins.

You watch as a quick runthrough of the track displays itself: a hilly, rainbow-y mess set deep in outer space; cartoon logics, who were you to argue.

As the countdown begins and the competitors rev up their engines, a previously forgotten problem makes its way to the forefront of your mind. “Wait- Bill- I don’t know the controls!”

“Can’t help you, gotta win.”

And the race is on!

As he moves freely around the map and plays out maneuvers only capable of being done by someone who already knew every trick in the game, all you managed to do was move forward a couple feet, change the camera angles, and then crash straight into a wall, where you remained until the end of the race as Bill, as expected, effortlessly places first.

To add insult to injury, right before crossing the finish line, one of the last remaining CPUs nails you with a projectile. "Oh, come on!"

He lets out a victorious and annoyingly mocking cackle as the rankings are given, placing you at dead last, right underneath a literal ape.

You jut your bottom lip out in disdain, “Does unfairly beating me make you feel good about yourself, Dickey?”

“It really does. Thanks for asking.”

"Jerk."

"It's not my fault you're so bad at this."

“I am trying my-“ a sudden warmth descends upon you as a pair of flannel-covered arms wrap themselves atop of your own, “-best.”

He’s initiating contact! holy shit, holy shit, don't make any sudden moves or he’ll get spooked. Oh my god!

Bill ‘hand-holding is for douchebags’ Dickey was willingly pulling a slightly less messy version of the pottery scene from Ghost; all in the name of showing you how to play a game meant for kids.

During all this overthinking, he's also pointing out each multi-colored button and its designated purpose.

So it's possible he doesn't consciously realize the very intimate hold he has on your right now.

Oh well, you'll take what you can get.

Is that aftershave you're smelling? Since when has he ever worn that?

“-button to perform slides on turns so you don’t lose any speed, but it’s a move for more advanced players, such as myself, and I doubt you’d be able to do it correctly.”

Wait, how long has he been talking for?

Any sound tumbling out of his mouth sounds exactly like it’s coming from one of the offscreen adults in Peanuts.

"You’re holding it wrong.”

You blink. “W-what other way is there? I don’t have three hands.”

“The controller's only meant to be held by the middle and right part.”

You nearly swallow your tongue as Bill maneuvers your hands, which were getting embarrassingly clammier by the second, into the correct position.

He then chooses another track, one that was covered in cows, and the countdown begins once again.

Except this time, once the little guy on the cloud makes it to one, instead of focusing on winning and jetting off to remain ahead of the other racers, his cart remains at a standstill next to yours. “Okay, press A to go.”

That should be easy enough to find!

One measly little A shouldn’t be an issue.

You stare down at the controller, and a beat of awkward silence hangs thickly in the air.

“Uh...”

Unseen by you, Bill rolls his eyes. “Are you new to the English language? You’re hopeless.”

He presses your thumb down, and by some odd miracle, Yoshi is finally moving forward, this time without hitting any barriers.

Like the world's most annoying teacher, he helps remind you again and again what button serves what purpose, all while keeping his hold on you.

While it initially flustered you, you started to get used to the added heat and focused on actually winning.

When he feels that you've finally got a grasp on the controls, he gives you full-reign of the controller and drops his arms; although, Bill doesn't seem to go too far, simply choosing to hang them loosely around your waist.

You don't think much of it, too preoccupied dodging a few cows whose life mission was to be run over.

"Stupid asshole," you murmur angrily under your breathe as a green plumber bumps into your kart and nearly sends you veering off course.

The race gets even more intense when you finally manage to catch up and riding the red plumber's ass for first.

"Throw it already, he's right fucking there!" Bill encourages, his grip tightening from excitement.

Your arm jerks to the right as if the movement will help Yoshi avoid a banana placed by the unfair CPU racer. "I'm trying, I'm trying!"

"Then throw the damn shell!"

"Stop backseat driving!"

With the checkered finish line in sight, you make the last ditch effort to twart your opponent and toss the green shell.

You both watch with bated breath as it hits the white fences along the sides like the world's most annoying pinball, inching closer and closer to its intended target before it finally makes a-

"Direct hit!"

At the absolute last second, Mario is sent toppling over like the giant tool he is, making a clear path for Yoshi, the ambitious little dinosaur, to take first place.

"I did it!" The wide grin on your face nearly splits your face in two as Yoshi lets out his victory... cheer?

You don't dwell too much on it.

Maneuvering yourself around and then tossing your arms around his neck, you relish in the small, dare you say, proud expression displayed on your boyfriend's face, "Did you see that?"

This time, you can see when he rolls his eyes, "Duh, I was right here."

"How does it feel to be dating someone with better gaming skills than you?"

"Please, I could've played better than that in my sleep."

"Is that a bet I hear, Mr. Dickey?" You twirl a lock of his auburn hair in between your fingers.

You're not sure exactly when it clicks, but the sudden realization of the extremely close proximity he's placed himself in brings an abrupt end to the light teasing between you two.

Bill's entire face turns a brilliantly bright cherry red as he scrambles back over to his side of the floor, accidently knocking you on your ass and stammering the whole way, “T-tell anyone about this and I-I’ll just say you were c-coming onto me.”

Initially, you thought that you accidentally overstepped your boundaries and caused him some grief, knowing how weird he is with physical contact, all of which is thrown out the window when he keeps glancing over at you.

You snicker, "Don't worry, I liked it too."

He sucks his teeth in what you took as dismissal, "whatever."

The tiny smile he's fighting so hard to stamp down says otherwise.

He quietly grabs his controller and returns to the map selection screen, scrolling through the submenus until he finally settles on one.

You take the silent hint and reach for yours, keeping your distance and refocusing on the screen.

As the two of you settle back in, Bill not-so-subtly scooches himself closer to you, tensing slightly when his leg makes contact.

Not wanting to ruin the moment, you just slump further into his side, leaning your head on his shoulder.

It takes every fiber in your body and then some to not squeal in pure ecstasy when he returns the small gesture by squishing his head on top of yours.

"YEAHHH, EAT SHIT!”

“WHEN DID YOU GET A RED SHELL?!”

extra:

"Hey, freak. Have you seen my sewing kit? I got a couple grudges to- what the hell?”

Jane watches in complete shock as the whirlwind formerly known as her brother frantically shoves pile after pile of trash into a large bag.

There’s a couple more just like it in terms of size piled up in the corner; right beside them is a discarded feather duster and a tangled-up vacuum cleaner.

"I didn't touch your shit," Bill calls over his shoulder, "can't you see I'm busy?"

“Since when do you clean?”

Her only answer is a grumbled 'mind your damn business' as her brother proceeds to dump last night's leftover campaign fuel into the overstuffed garbage bag in his tight grasp.

"Is it for a girl? It's a girl, isn't it?"

The younger Dickey takes a moment to soak in the fact that her brother, the selfish bastard that couldn’t bring himself to give a shit about other people, was actively making an effort to try and impress another human being and allowing them to step foot into his ‘nerd cave’.

You really can’t make this stuff up.

"Y'know,” she drawls after a moment of complete silence, an almost cat-like smirk stretching itself across her pale cheeks, “for a while there, I thought you weren't interested in girls."

"Oh, for the love of- GET OUT!"

#eltingville club x reader #bill dickey x reader #bill dickey x you #ooc? who cares!!#an apology for ghosting #reader rlly loves to bother bill #*cutely rips my own face off*#jerry fan forced into being a bill liker #hes rlly fun to write for tho #rainbow road as the starter map bc ofc he would #author glossed over comics so work might have some inconsistencies #author also got sick of rewriting and wanted this posted asap #author throws in obnoxious 90s references #unedited!!#does his door rlly have a sign? NOW IT DOES #watched mario kart footage for this #ill fix it later

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poppet-seed · 1 month ago

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I have been working on this au/ idea pitch for a small while now. It's honestly made me really excited and such to create so I feel it's finally time to share it.

Introducing:

The Red string au ❤

An au focusing on Mareach and Lueasley. It's still a work in progress so none of the lueasley content is ready yet. But all of the mareach stuff is! So I thought it would be cool to share that!

Below has all my blurb/ fanfic writings about the au and story. Please enjoy my 7K words of Red string au 💚

Warnings: Mentions of Blood, Injury, Death and Violence. Cussing, lots of swears and also British English. (Sorry)

Word count: 7.6K I think

All of the writing is split into sections for easy following. Please also be aware that there might be spelling errors or grammar inconsistencies. I apologise in advance!

Idea/ World building:

In this world, there is such a thing as fate and soulmates. People destined to be together.

It's a decision made the moment someone is born.

Stories say that soulmates are made from the same stardust. That only together will they be complete again. Whole again..

To aid people in finding their partner. On the day of their 18th birthday, a red string is said to appear. Only visible to thoes who it belongs to and untouchable to anyone else.

Its said to wrap around ones hand, wrist or finger and to lead off to your other half.

In some cases the string is attached to an individual you know well. In other cases, it will be of someone you've never met..

Creatures have spent years in search for their soul mate. Following the endless string to all corners of the world.

For everyone has a soul mate..

There have been unfortunate cases in which the red string will snap off and fade to a gray colour before disappearing.

This sadly is a common occurance once ones soul mate dies.

There is no need for a string when your soulmate no longer exists..

You only get one soul mate..

The idea of a string never appearing is a rarity.

Unheard of.

Yet cases of such a phenomenon have occurred in the past.

People have speculated that it may be due to one's soul mate not being born yet or worse, already dead before their 18th birthday...

Because, why else would a person lack a red string??

Everyone has a soul mate..

Peach's story:

Princess peach had dreamed of the day she too would get her red string.

If one knew her as well as toadsworth did, then they'd be aware of the princess' love for romantic novels. How she busys her free time going through many fantasy books of romance.

She's read a large selection!

Strangers next door, super natural partners, school crushes, forbidden love, a princess and her Knight...

Peach adored the idea of love, she dreamed of such a life. To be loved so entirely, and to love someone.

It was what she desired the most.

Yes. Peach was one for romance.

So as one does when seeking love. She waited, eagerly, for the day of her 18th birthday.

They day she would get her string.

They day she could find out about her soulmate...

She counted down the days.

Peach had been the object of many young suitors attraction. Many promising the world and more to her.

But she was polite, yet firm in her declining of such affections. Rejecting them under the premises of wanting to wait for her string to appear.

For she only wanted to be with her soulmate..

So when the day came, she could barely sleep. Pacing her room with butterflies and 'school girl' giggles.

Oh maybe it will attach to her wrist? Maybe her pinkie finger? What to expect. Who to expect.

Sleep clawed at her in the early morning hours, promising the princess pleasant dreams of her soulmate. How could she refuse such an offer?

Come morning, the Princess awoke slowly. Taking a moment to blink away the sleep in her eyes and stretch with a yawn.

The lingering of said dream leaving as the dawning realisation hit.

It's today.

Excitement bubbled up as she checked both her hands with a smile.

But yet... nothing..

Confusion took over. Where was it?

The thing she had been waiting for. Searching for?

Where was her string??

Panic followed shortly after.

Oh no- nonononono- where is it? Where is it!

It's got to be here! It has to be!!

Peach began to look through her bed sheets in a hurry.

Maybe it feel off? Can it do that? Maybe she was supposed to tie it herself?

Where-

Where

Toadsworth's gentle knock apon her bedroom door startled the Princess.

The old toad greeting her with a chirpy good morning and a happy birthday before requesting entry from the otherside.

A request peach quickly accepted with a soft cry for his aid.

He hurried inside, a bit startled seeing the princess so shaken.

By god's what was the matter?

Peach immediately began to explain with little prompting.

The string! It's not here! Why is it not here?!

Her panic rising fast when scavenging through her sheets provided nothing.

Toadsworth approached her bed, pulling himself up to her side with a huff.

He offered her his hand to take, gently washing her worrys with calm words.

Now now, it's okay, he's here. Breathe..

Peach followed his advice, gripping his hand to ground herself.

Once calm, he gently took her other hand offering his own comforting squeeze.

Maybe it's just late?

Sometimes, though admittedly on rare occasions, the string will appear later throughout the day.

It's nothing to be concerned over just simply late to appear.

It will be okay. There is no need to panic.

It will arrive before midnight.

This helped calm her down.

Yes, that has to be it. He's right.

Gosh, where would she be without toadsworth...

After a quick hug and a soft thankyou. He let her go.

Being sure she was alright before giving the okay signal for servents to flood the room.

Each holding gifts, flowers and of course her gown for the day.

It is still her birthday after all!

Now is no time for tears.

Her kingdom is waiting.

So the festivities continued on.

Hours passing by with cake, games, and people.

Toadsworth made sure to stick to her side the entire day.

Catching when the princess stared at her blank hands for too long.

Offering her moments of grounding and encouragement.

It will come, surely. Its just late.

No studies where done on when one should expect their string to appear. Most of the cases being during the night. Some in the early morning.

But the fact never changed that it always happens on the day of your 18th birthday..

Always.

So she was patient.

She waited.

It will happen.

It has to happen.

But after the day was done and the guests had all left. It was now just her and Toadsworth left in the ballroom.

The sun had long since set. Fluorescent lighting keeping the large room lit.

A few cleaner toads littered around, sweeping up the confetti from the dance floor.

It was quiet. Eerily so.

Peach sat quietly, staring at the large clock that decorated her walls.

Its ticks filled the room..

11:58

Looking to her hands there was still nothing.

Toadsworth was by her side, his face one of sympathy.

Neither said anything.

The air was heavy.

Peach's hands began to shake, where was it..?

Everyone gets a soul mate...

...

So where was hers..?

It has to.

It has to-

The stroke of midnight broke through the silence. It echoed through the room. Sounds of bells and chimes coming from the clock...

12:00. Midnight.

Something broke within her.

Peachs face morphed into that of a deep sorrow. Huntching over and beginning to weep into the old toads awaiting arms..

All he could do was hold her, rub her back and apologise deeply for her loss.

He's so sorry...

The Princess found herself skipping the rest of her birthday festivities.

The plans for the remainder of the week too were cancled.

She opted out of any royal meetings.

Dissappeared into her room for days.

All that was heard of the princess was the sound of her cries that echoed through the hall outside of her room.

She grieved for days, grieved a person she never had the opportunity to met..

For you only get one soul mate, and hers was seemingly already gone...

Bowser's relevance:

Koopas as a race live a lot longer than that of most races. Their life spans reaching into a few hundred years.

With this in mind-

It is normal for koopas to not get their soulmate strings until hundreds of years into their lives.

Bowser was no exception to this.

The king of koopas was without a string and even more so without a partner.

He was content with this. He's a young koopa afterall. So he probably won't get his soulmate string till hundreds of years into the future.

Nothing wrong with that.

But when word travelled that the beautiful princess peach of the neighboring mushroom kingdom was also without a string. He had an idea.

A genius idea really.

Why not be with each other?

Both without a string? This could be a great opportunity to find love and comfort in each other.

Just think of their kingdoms too, they could be united together with this proposal.

He's rather generous with this idea.

Yet the Princess didn't agree.

She was aware of his unpopular ruling methods. So to say. Citing him as cruel and a unnecessarily barbaric in his ways.

That she could never subject her people to such ways of tyranny.

It hurt.

More than bowser cared to admit.

But he's nothing if not persistent.

He'll win her affections.

She'll see things his way.

He's sure of it.

Story/ The plot:

A few years had past in which the mushroom kingdom and the koopa kingdom were suck in a back and forth debacle.

Bowser, proposing marriage to the Princess, and the princess having him kicked out of her kingdom with a stern refusal.

This had happened on more than one occasion.. and tensions began to grow with each rejection.

The koopa king had all the time in the world to win the beautiful princess over. But peach, being human, did not.

Humans only lived for so long.

So bowser was persistent. But she was as stubborn as she was beautiful.

So he changed tactics.

It started with a few stray attacks. Just some proof of his strength.

What he could offer her and her kingdom.

They would all be so much better under his protection and leadership.

Else people would get hurt.

So thoes small attacks grew..

Till one day. Bowser refused to take the princess' no as an answer.

She was being unreasonable! Stubborn as ever.

Bowser was sure she just needed the right push to accept.

Just needed to see what life would be like as his queen.

So he took her.

She struggled, fought, pleaded.

But no.

This was for her own good.

For the good of her kingdom.

He kidnapped her then and there.

Wisked her off to the darklands as her castle and town was left in shambles by his army.

All hope seemed lost..

That was until two strangers fell through the warp pipe,,

Toad had come to the outskirts of the kingdom to ponder. Everyone within the centre was frantic over the princess' kidnap.

He just needed a moment..

But yells and screams nearby brought him out of his thoughts.

Toad rushed over, ready to help whoever, and caught the end of what seemed to be two people falling out through a warp pipe.

Said pipe disappearing into the ground afterwards.

Toad approached with caution but concern. Two brothers lay on the floor. Two Human brothers. Both seeming dazed and a tad confused.

It was weird, suspicious even. That two new men randomly appeared after the princess was just kidnapped.

He had his eye on them.

Both men shook themselves off. Slowly getting to their feet with confused expressions.

They looked around everywhere like it was some other planet. They seemed so out of place.

So entrapped in everything they barely noticed him.

Key word, barely.

The man in green yelled after seeing toad. The man in red jumping forward to put himself infront of toad and the other.

How strange!

The man in green seemed to panic even more appon realising that the pipe they came from was gone. The one in red attempted to comefort him all while staring toad down.

It's okay. It's okay.. they'll be okay..

Toad could tell they seemed lost and mostly unthreatening. Just two strangers that had a bad case of wrong place, wrong time.

Quite frankly, toad didn't think they could do anymore harm than what was already done.

So might as well help them!

He introduced himself.

Both humans seemed startled he could talk.

But toad continued. They should come to the castle.

Toadsworth will know what to do with them.

He might be able to get them home!

The men shared a look, no words were exchanged but it seems a thousand things were said with that one gaze.

So with a single nod and some attempts at small talk, all on toads end, the three head towards the broken kingdom.

Other toads stared at them as they walked through the rubble.

Most gazing in fear. Some in surprise. No-one wanted to get close to the strangers. Understandably so.

But this was fine as the brothers also held their distance from everyone else.

Hands tightly joined together.

Only sticking close to toad.

The trio weaved through the damage and approached towards the castle.

Guards were posted at the entrance but they seemed preoccupied with trying to fix the door.

No one stopped them as they headed straight inside.

More guards were rushing around. Parts of the toad army were grouping up. Seeming to prepare for war.

No one batted an eye, too busy with preparations. No one had the time for strangers.

So the walk to meet toadsworth was easy.

He sat in the ballroom, around a large table with toad army captains, trying to build a plan of action.

When toad announced their presence loudly to all.

Hello! He's here and he's brought friends!

All eyes were on them.

The man in green shrunk behind the one in red at this.

Toadsworth immediately became defensive apon seeing strangers, here, in the planning room.

Who are these men?! What are they doing here!

A few weponds from guards started to point in their direction.

So it was then that the man in red stood forward, introducing himself.

Mario. His name was mario.

He and his brother Luigi are lost and need help getting home.

The old toad grumbled that they had enough issues to worry about. Their princess had just been kidnapped!

They don't have the time nor the resources to do anything about this.

If anyone could've helped the human brothers it would've been the princess.

So until she's back home safely they're out of luck.

Mario stepped forward more. His hands up in defence as the weponds pointed closer to him.

He pleaded, they're lost. Can't you help at all?

Toadsworth insisted again. No, they can't. Not without the princess. She knows this place better than anyone.

Okay. Fine. New plan.

Mario pitched an idea, let them help.

Let them aid in rescuing the Princess.

If that's the only way he'll get home then he'll do it.

He'd do anything to make sure he and his brother get home safe.

Toadsworth grumbled and brushed him off.

He wouldn't be of any use. They can't even trust him!

Toad then steps in.

Well- in times of crisis like this, they can't really be too picky.

They need all the help they can get, and these humans seem strong! Just look how big they are!

The older toad glares up at the human. Studying him. Mario only looks back with a stern gaze.

Please.. they just want to go home..

With a moment to ponder the pros and cons, and then a loooong sigh following. Toadsworth offers his hand to Mario.

Fine. They can help.

Both brothers let out a breath they had been holding.

Thank god.

Mario takes the small man's hand with a gentle shake.

He swears to do all he can for this princess.

However after a moment mario notices a small red string attached to his hand.

Well more specifically his pinkie finger.

Huh.. that's new..

Meanwhile, at Bowsers Castle:

After peach' initial capture she does nothing but fight.

The shock wore off pretty fast and her fight or flight hit like a freight train.

She yelled, struggled, screamed, did everything she could to try and get away.

But nothing worked.

Once at his castle, bowser threw her into a cage that sat neatly tucked away in a large pink room.

Her room, as he called it.

She cursed him. How dare he!

He only chuckled at her firey nature and said he'd be back later once she had cooled off a bit.

She continued to curse after him as he left.

The door slamming behind him.

She was alone.

Peach looked around trying to see if anything could help her escape. But nothing looked helpful.

She tried shaking the bars, bashing into them, kicking, squeezing through.

Nothings worked.. she was truly stuck.

Peach paced the small space thinking, rethinking, anything! She can't be tricked like this!

But after a few hours, of trail, error and just sitting on the cage floor. Peach found herself giving up..

Gosh what was the point..?

What was she doing..?

Her kingdom, her people, they were all suffering..

Maybe.. she should just marry him.. just suck it up for the peace of her kingdom.

Her soul mate was dead anyway, nothing is going to-

Something red caught her eye as peach glanced to her left hand out of habit.

No.

It couldn't be-

Yet there it was.

A delicately wrapped red string.. tied to her pinkie finger, just like she had always dreamed..

Her soul mate.. they were still out there..?

But why..

Why did it take so long? Why now when she can't get out to go find them?

She stared at the string for the long while, gently rubbing her gloved fingers over the fabric.

A few tears fell from her cheeks..

It dosent matter why.

It dosent matter how.

All that matters is that they're alive, they're real, and they're coming for her.

She can feel it.

When bowser returned to talk with her, she told him the truth. Yelling the fact.

Her string was here! Let her go! His deal is void now. Her soulmate has arrived!

But he didn't believe her.

Growling lowly that it's unbecoming of a princess to lie about something as important as a soulmate.

She tried to argue but he insisted that he was done talking.

No amount of yelling or bargening would convince him otherwise.

She was to be his wife. End of story.

Peach could only pray that her soulmate would hurry..

Traveling to save her:

At some point during their long adventure towards the darklands, parts of the toad army had needed rest.

So it was decided that they would all set up camp nearby the fire flower fields.

Mario and luigi opted to stay a bit away from the others. For privacy and peace of mind.

The last few days had been crazy, not a dull moment in this place.

So the brothers just took a moment to surround themselves with the beauty this world holds.

The sky was clear, stars sparking and a few galaxies visible. The fire flowers provided a warm blanket amongst the chill of the night.

It was beautiful..

Yet Mario found himself gazing to the string on his left hand. It looked so delicate.

He had initally tried to remove it, but no matter how he pulled it wouldn't come off.

It wasn't hurting or annoying anything.

It just didn't do much except dangle there.

It was weird.

Some part of him found comfort in its presence.

A feeling he often linked to Luigi's presence.

Speaking of-

His brother approached from the spot he had been setting up their sleeping bag in, taking a moment to comment on how clear the sky is. You don't see that in brooklyn...

Luigi then shifted to get down and sit next to his brother. Softly huffing something about how sore his knees were while rubbing at them.

Yeah.

They had done a lot of walking recently.

Mario face softened as he looked to luigi. Gently teasing the younger brother for his bad knees, only to be swatted away when he reached out to poke him. A grumble following that not everyone is built for running and sports Mario.

He only chuckled. Sure Lu, sure.

Both quickly fell into a comfortable silence after their giggles died down.

Taking the moment to just breathe.

Soon though Luigi caught Mario looking to his string again. Luigi also looking to mario's string. He gently took his brothers hand, observing and gently touching the string attached to it.

It was weird that no one but luigi could see his string. Apparently, it was only supposed to be seen by the person attached to it.

Yet they had checked and luigi was infact not attached to marios string in anyway.

Toadsworth had seemed very shocked at this information. He said something about how only he and his 'soulmate' were supposed to see it. Whatever that means.

Luigi was is other half, his twin brother.

It just made sense he could see it.

But not only could luigi see it. He could feel it too. Which again wasn't supposed to happen according to toadsworth.

It was weird. These strings were weird.

Luigi studied marios hand for few long moments before his eyes moved to his own hand.

There was a red string attached to his brother too.

Though it definitely wasn't the same one mario had. Again, they had already checked.

Mario took luigis hand in his, gently studying the youngers string. Luigi's string seemed to sparkle a bit. Unlike his own which was the softer of the two.

It lead off in the opposite direction that marios did. Far off into the distance. To who knows where.

Not their problem right now.

Both bothers just held each others hands. Taking this moment to themselves.

It was peaceful.

They'll get home eventually. Just so long as they stay together.

They were stronger together after all.

The Rescue Part 1:

The brothers and toad had been all that made it to bowsers Castle.

The army having been used as a distraction to attempt to storm the castle. It allowed for the trio to try and find another way in undetected.

The brothers had been able to get past the war zone by entering the castle through a back pathway.

Toad having lead them.

They approached fast, jumping the lava moat and climbing in through a hole in the security.

The plan was to get in, grab the princess. Get out.

Simple right?

Well inside was a diffrent story.

Guards were limited as most were now outside fighting off the toad army. So sneaking around wasn't too difficult, but still a very dangerous job.

It would only take one person spotting them for the plan to go sideways.

So they had to be quiet and sneaky.

All while trying to work their way through twisting halls, around the guard routes, to eventually find the Princess hidden inside.

Yeah, simple.

Mario had noticed that his string was seeming to lead into the castle,,

Luigi noticed it too. Giving his brother a sharp look but neither saying anything.

Okay weird- very weird. That's- probably nothing.

Yeah, best not to worry about it.

They have other issues.

Yet through every turn that lead deeper into the castle, the string lead the way. As if guiding him. It was starting to make mario nervous.

So he tried to push it aside. Focus mario. You're here for the Princess, to get home!

Focus!

At some point while deep in thought, Mario had rushed ahead. Not hearing luigi whisper shout his name in warning.

It had fucked everything up as he marched straight into the face of a guard.

Both seemingly alarmed at each others presence.

The boney creature recovered first though. Its eyes going wide before immediately yelling for back up.

Thoes humans!! They're here! They breached the walls! Sound the alarm!

Fuck.

They needed to go! NOW.

Toad and luigi followed marios lead as they now all took off sprinting through the halls.

Going this way and that, the red string guiding them the right way.

Toad made sure to bash through guards that made a grab at them with that frying pan of his. Leaving the boney remains to collapse.

But it was very quickly becoming obvious that they'd need more than a frying pan, that there was a lot more guards than them.

There was no way they could rescue a princess while being tailed like this!

Something had to change.

Surprisingly, it was luigi to shouted to spit up.

If they separated, one group could distract while the other gets the princess.

Mario had the string. He could follow it.

Luigi and toad would draw the hoard away.

Mario absolutely DID NOT AGREE TO THIS IDEA.

He wanted to scream no! LUIGI DONT YOU DARE-

But his brother did anyway. Flashing a determined smile. He and toad broke off to the left. Making sure to slow down a bit and lure the hoard with them.

Leaving mario to keep running unbothered.

The last thing mario heard luigi shout was

'Get the Princess!! We'll meet you outside!!'

Then he was alone in the hall.

This was an opportunity that wouldn't come again.

Follow the string, or go after luigi..

He had every mind to go to his brothers aid. But the princess, the reason they were here.

There was a subtle tug to his hand. He barely felt it.

But the string, it called to him.

Someone was calling to him..

So, he listened, and he followed it.

The Rescue Part 2:

She waited,, she had been waiting for years. So a few more days were nothing..

So why did she feel so sick with worry..?

These last few days stuck in her cage had been testing, yet the red string attached to her finger brought such a wave of comfort.

It's all going to be okay soon.

They'll come soon.

Bowser had tried to talk, he tried being sweet, he tried being threatening, tried everything in between.

But peach continued to look away and cross her arms in defiance.

When her soul mate gets here. Bowser will be ruined.

She'll never marry him.

Word of two strangers began to circle around bowsers army.

A tale of two humans, leading an army of toads towards the darklands. In hopes to rescue her.

At first bowser paid no mind. Sending out a wave troops to 'take care of them'.

Yet they prevailed and that pissed him off.

Who do these humans think they are? Coming into his kingdom? Beating up his troops?

He'll deal with them in time.

So more waves were sent. Each bigger than the last.

But the more troops he sent the more the humans continued forward.

Peach knew it was getting under his shell.

The king started to became violent and loud. Demanding anyone to just kill them already!

Yet another reason peach would never marry him.

As of now, Bowser was currently out dealing with an 'issue' as he put it.

Something about a fight at the main entrance?

It doesn't matter. She'll continue to wait.

The room doors started to shift and Peach straightened up, ready to face the king again.

But her breath was stolen apon seeing a man dressed in red walk through the doors.

Time seemed to stop as he looked around and then in her direction. His face lighting up apon seeing her.

Oh god.

It was them.

The red string attached to his hand confirmed it.

It was him.. her hero.. her soulmate..

Peach clasped at the bars to her cage.

She needed to get to him. Nothing else in her life would ever be more important than to be next to this man.

The man in red shut the door behind himself and rushed over to her.

Stopping short of the cage and removing his hat from his head with a bow.

He had never been infront of a princess before..

He greeted her with a soft 'hello princessa' before claiming he was here to rescue her!

She quickly reached out through the bars, hands immediately on his face,, brushing against his mustache.

It was so soft..

He jumped a bit at the sudden movement and touch. But seemed frozen, just staring at her.

A soft red rising to his face

He was perfect..

Peach could cry.

She softly pleaded for him to free her. Please let her out...

With a nod the man placed the cap back on his head and looked up to the cage.

Studying it.

He only took a few seconds before honing in on the top of the cage.

It seemed to be holding all the bars together and in place. It had to be the weakest point.

So with a huff and some clumsy climbing.

He got to the top and began to kick hard at the structure. Trying to push it enough to dislodge some of the bars.

Peach could only stare as he did.

It took a few kicks but it worked.

There was a loud clang and some of the bars fell away, leaving a gap in the cage. Peach winced as she squeezed a bit but managed to wriggle free.

The man hopped down to help her out.

Offering his hand for her to use for balance. Then pulling back once she made it to the floor.

Peach now noticed how short he was. Originally with the cage being so high she hadn't noticed at first.

But now- gosh that was oddly charming right now.

He began to explain that they needed to go! He's not too sure of the way back out but if she can stay close-

Peach softly took his hands, cutting him off and causing the man to gasp slightly.

He fell quiet immediately. Staring up a her as his face grew warm. Cheeks turning red.

It was adorable.

Before they go, she had to know

What was his name?

Who has she got to thank for her rescue..?

Mario.. his name was mario.

Fight:

Mario held the Princess' hand in his. She gripped at him rather tightly.

He understood, she must be nervous.

So he lead the way. Being a lot more careful this time as he and the princess snuck through the castle.

It was a lot easier getting lost inside than remembering the way back.

All the halls looked the same and last time he had toad and luigi to help guide him.

His brother...god he hopes he's okay..

But right now he had to focus on the Princess. The reason they were even here.

He had to get her out.

With a soft squeeze to her hand for comfort. They rushed through the halls. Ducking in shadowy areas to hide from guards and sneaking around corners when the coast was clear.

All was going well.

Too well.

A loud roar soon tore through the castle and it's halls. The foundation shook with its power.

Mario felt every hair stand on edge.

"WHERE IS THE PRINCESS!!!!"

That's definitely not good-

Mario went to move on but his hand held him back. Turning to look why, he saw the Princess frozen. A look of pure fear visible through her expression.

Fuck. She's terrified.

He softly whispered that they needed to go!

They can't stick around or else they'll be caught.

She barely responded. Eyes looking to and through him, but she let him numbly drag her through the halls.

As they went, Mario started to notice a few guards collapsed on the ground either knocked out or fallen apart.

Someone had been this way.

He hoped it was luigi and toad..

But he took the opportunity to arm himself, picking up one of the spears.

Now he can hopefully protect them both.

There were shouts in the far distance. The war from outside! They must be close to the entrance!

It's so close!

Not that far-

"YOU."

That same roaring voice from before-

The Princess yelped and suddenly pushed him to one side.

A fire ball grazing his back as he fell.

Mario recovered fast. Turning to face this- oh god

A monster stood before him, gaze one of rage and anger. Eyes of fire and a snarl covering his face.

The king of koopas.

Mario could barely dodge as another fire blast was sent his way.

Dashing to the right. He was further separated from the Princess, who rushed to hide while the Kings attention was distracted.

Bowser, or so he had heard him be called. Rushed him.

Mario wasn't prepared, having to use the spear to block. It was snapped clean in two.

Uh oh.

The next swipe he could dodge but god- he couldn't get a breath in.

Jumping left, right. Rolling out the way. Flinging himself back. Mario danced around the claws that slashed at him and feet that threatening to crush his body.

This was ridiculous, he couldn't fight him!

He was just dodgeing till he couldn't dodge no more.

He needed a plan! Think- THINK.

Eventually he was going to slip up. In his defence, Mario was so busy focusing on the CLAWS and FIRE that he didn't even think to look down when bowser spun suddenly and hit his tail right into the plumbers chest.

He was thrown rather far back. Hitting the wall on the other side with a pained cry. His ribs ached and breathing was suddenly difficult.

Fuck- were they broken-?

There was a cry of his name as loud thumps approached.

GET UP MARIO!!

He tried.

Rolling to get on his hands and knees he tried to move, to get out the way! Only to be hit again, this time with a large fire ball.

Mario yelled out loudly as his right arm bloomed into a scorched mess.

The pain was unimaginable..

He tried to get away. To back up. Do something!

A dark shadow now drowned his figure as the king grabbed him by his overall straps and lifted him up with a growl.

Mario gasped and struggled. Kicking his feet helplessly as he dangled from the monsters hand.

He tried to pry at the claws, try to free himself but he was in so much pain, he didn't have the strength..

Bowser stared him down. That same firey rage burning straight into marios soul.

He might die here-

There was a moment where all Mario could do was stare as the koopa inhaled deeply. Fire visibly building up in the back of his throat.

Mario was staring death in face-

He would've been done for, had it not been for something hitting bowser's head suddenly and distracting him.

The koopa grunted before turning to look where it came from with a growl.

Mario struggled to see over bowser body but when he did he saw it was the Princess.

She had thrown a brick or something at him. The stress on her face was heavy as she glared down the king.

She demanded the monster 'Let him go!'

Mario at this, struggled more in the beasts grip. He had to get away! She needed help!

Only for sharp claws to now dig into his sides harshly.

He could only wheeze out a sound of pain and a strained whine.

Not his ribs again!

At this the Princess cried out.

Stop it!! Please!! Don't hurt him!!

She looked terrified for him.

He didn't like seeing her like this..

Bowser glanced between the two before seeming to have an idea. His scowl morphing into an evil grin.

The next words were chilling.

Marry him. Or he'll kill the human.

Mario immediately protested.

No she couldn't!! Dont do it!!-

The claws dug deeper into his flesh at his objection. A gargled cry of pain followed.

Blood was starting to dampen his clothes now.

He was in really rough shape and she could see that.

There was a moment of unspoken sorrow when peach made eye contact with him.

He knew what that meant.

No- don't..

The Princess nodded, agreeing.

Yes.

She'll do it.

Just.. please.

Don't kill him...

Bowser seemed satisfied with this answer and with one final squeeze to dig his claws just that bit deeper- Threw Mario to the ground.

He felt dazed. Like he was floating. Everything was spinning and things felt muffled.

The princess..

He shook harshly and tried to move, tried to get up. Do something!

But all Mario could do was lul his head to one side and watch as bowser approached the Princess.

No.

Please.

Someone stop this!

His cries were answered when a frying pan flew from across the room and smacked bowser clean in the face.

His gaze followed where it came from and saw Toad rushing forward. Luigi close behind.

His heart soared.

His brother! Oh thank god he's okay!!

Luigi and Toad seemed battered and bruised but were still standing.

Better than that actually. They seemed ready to take on Bowser.

Luigi now equipped with what Mario can only assume is one of thoes power up things toad had mentioned a few days back.

I mean, how else would his brother be throwing ice?

Bowser roared in anger and launched for them both. Giving the Princess the chance to rush over to him.

Once at marios side she began to softly apologise, over and over, mumbling curses at his condition.

He must look pretty bad. He felt pretty bad.

He noticed her shuffling through what appeared to be toads satchel.

When did she get that?

No matter.

She offered something that looked like a mushroom- well- offered is a nice way of saying she practically stuffed it down his throat.

He obviously panicked a bit at first before swallowing.

The affects were immediate.

The pain was gone. He could breathe again! His injuries closed and suddenly his energy returned. Though the aches were still there, he could ignore it for now.

Mario quickly shifted to get up. Noticing that he had also grew in size and power.

Whoa- why hadn't they been using these things??

She stared at him intensely, tears in her eyes and rolling down her face.

How he wished to stop her tears..

A loud, pained yelp from luigi immediately caught marios attention again, as he snapped back to bowser.

That bastard had his brother pinned down.

Luigi struggled frantically under bowsers hand. Thoes claws were way too close to his brothers neck.

Toad was a bit away, holding his arm, it looked burnt.

He needed to take the king down NOW.

Without hesitation, mario rushed back into danger. There wasn't a plan really.

He just had to do something. Everything inside him screamed to GET THAT MONSTER OFF HIS BROTHER!!

Mario saw bowsers tail. The same one that he's pretty sure broke some ribs and reached for it.

Grabbing it and yanking it back hard.

Bowser was taken off guard and gasped. Loosing balance and was knocked onto his stoumch.

Luigi quickly shuffling out and a bit away. He too looked injured. Bits of red bleeding into his green shirt.

Anger fueled him.

Mario took all his strength, everything he had and used it to swing back. Lifting the koopa with the momentum.

He span a few times, building up speed. Ignoring when the king yelled in confusion, Mario suddenly and very forcefully smashed him into the closet wall.

It cracked immediately from impact, bowser yelling out in pain as the rubble collapsed on top of him.

Large beams of concrete and metal further crushing the monster.

It had to have hurt a lot.

But to bowsers credit, he was still awake.

Dazed sure. But still conscious.

He weakly but furiously began scraping to get out of the rock. Growling half threats.

He'll kill him. He'll kill him and his brother.

He'll find them!

Mario glared him down before reeling his fist back and punching bowser. Hard.

The koopa fell again, but this time, didn't get back up.

Laying knocked out amongst the rubble.

He was out. They had done it.

Now was their chance to leave.

Mario looked to his brother, then toad and finally the princess. All were in various stages of pain and panic.

So, mario gathered them all up in his arms and made a break for it.

He was careful of his brothers injuries. Cradling him and the princess in his arms.

Both of which shook but said nothing.

Toad however, sat on marios shoulders with little to no complaints. Helping tell Mario which way to go to get out the castle.

All were shaken up. The Princess especially so.

Mario will deal with that later.

His only priority right now to get them all to safety.

Back at the Mushroom Kingdom:

The reunion between the Princess and Toadsworth had been emotional.

Luigi having to take a few moments outside to shed some tears at the sight. His brother was always an emotional cry-er

The old shroom cradled the weeping princess in his arms, soothing her that all will be okay.. he's here now..

It was rather tender to watch. Almost too tender. He felt a bit awkward just watching such a private moment.

But after a while the Princess stood again. She was rather tall in comparison to everyone around. Including mario himself-

Curse his stupid genes. Why couldn't he have gotten the tall gene. Luigi hogged it all.

He can almost hear his brothers teasing laugh from the depths of his subconscious.

Grumbling at his stupid brothers luck of the draw, mario missed when the Princess addressed him.

Blinking a few times, he approached with a soft hum to say he was listening.

Yes yes. He's listening now.

She thanked him, truly thanked him. Her gaze that of a loving mother. She stared at him like he held the world.

It made him a bit bashful honestly-

Looking away with a red face and a hand reaching to rub at his neck.

Aw shucks-

But throughout the 'excitement' that was being brutally beaten by an oversized turtle. Mario had forgotten all about the string attached to his hand.

The same one that the Princess also wore..

Her hands were tucked to her chest, seemingly holding each other, but that red string still poked out from behind her fingers.

Trailing the short distance to tie the other end to his own.

There was a long pause as mario slowly reached out and touched the string that connected them.

The Princess gasped at the contact. Watching in awe as the red man slowly took her hand so see it closer.

No words were said, though the old toad did bristle up with wide eyes.

They were, attached..?

What was it toad said?

Soulmat-

A few things clicked all at once.

1. This is a Princess, and he is just holding her hand so casually-

2. This world had such a thing as soulmates,, a connection said to be deeper than anything. To be someones other half.

3. The Princess was his soulmate.

Mario all but threw himself back in a panic. Face hotter than the sun.

The Princess reached out to him with a surprised look. Like he was some startled animal.

He started to ramble. Apologise. Hands and arms waving animatedly as he talked.

He's so sorry! Excuse him! He doesn't know what came over him!!

Though partly through his long rant, he noticed that the Princess and toadsworth looked at him with puzzled expressions.

Oh my fucking god, he's been ranting in Italian-

If there's a higher power. Strike him down.

Soft giggles reached his ears through the rushing of blood to his cheeks.

The Princess- gosh, her voice was so enchanting.

She giggled at him. Laughing at just how much of a fool he is. There was no malice to her actions. Only joy and humour.

A compete change than what he saw in Bowser's castle.

It made a fluttery feeling rise in his chest.

He could get used to her giggle.

She again approached him. Mario taking a step back out of habit. But she gently cupped his face to still him.

Thank god luigi wasn't around to hear the squeak he made when her soft lips pressed to his forehead.

He swore his heart skipped a beat.

She pulled back slightly, hands still holding his face, her gaze was so tender and loving towards him.

She whispered a soft thankyou.

He nearly died at her last words.

'My Hero..'

Going home Part 1:

The kingdom celebrated the return of their princess. It was a short happy moment before the rebuilding of the towns and castle had to be done.

Mario and luigi both mutually agreed that they would stay to help with the repairs. After all, they are plumbers and it's the least they could do after everything the kingdom has done for them.

Since returning the brothers had been hailed as heroes. The Toads had been kind enough to offer them a temporary house to stay in.

Rebuilding was going to take a few days, maybe even weeks with all the damage Bowsers army caused.

Something the brothers had no issue with fixing.

The mushroom kingdom was welcoming to both men, people greeted them in the streets.

They looked at them like they were actually something.

This place was nice.

The thought of going home was becoming more and more distant to mario as the days ticked on..

Why go back to brooklyn? No one there ever believed in them.

Here. They had a chance to be somthing, an opportunity like this comes once in a lifetime.

But yet, his brother.

Luigi would often talk about how he missed their home back in brookyln, how he cant wait to try some genuine pizza.

How he's so ready to sleep for a week in their old beds.

Mario would never stay if luigi didn't want to.

Luigi was his everything...

As the town grew closer and closer to being rebuilt. Mario felt a pit forming in his stoumch.

They'll be going home soon, leaving this all behind.

There was an ache at the idea.

Mario found himself looking out his window for hours into the night.

Sleep wasn't possible with this feeling, so he wanted to cherish every moment in this place.

This world was beautiful, so strange but captivating.

It's people were kind, it held so many adventures and stories.

And its princess-

Gosh, the princess...

He'd never forget her.

Mario will never admit just how many times he caught himself staring at the string attached to his finger. It was oddly comforting, like a safety net or warm blanket.

In a way, it reminded him of the way luigi brings him comfort. And thats one hell of a compliment.

He and the princess had many talks in these last days.

They spoke about anything really.

How their day was, how's construction going, how is luigi-

Actually

Now that he thinks about it-

She's been doing most of the question asking. He's just happy to answer and she seems happy to listen.

The only questions he thinks he's asked her is about the warp pipe he came from and of course her name-

Princess peach.

It's a wonder he went so long without knowing it.

Peach seemed confused by such a pipe, but assured him she would look into it!

He has yet to tell her his plans of leaving to go home.

The idea of going home, brought that same cold feeling from before.

Gosh what is he going to do...

Going home Part 2:

The lack of sleep was becoming more obvious.

To most, mario could fool. Not a lot of people know him that well yet. So white lies and half truths worked fine

However, he could never hope to fool his ever observant brother.

Luigi came downstairs one morning and saw him sitting with his morning drink in the kitchen.

Mario had done this same trick for a few days now. Greeting luigi in the kitchen with a warm drink.

Under the premises of him having wanted a drink earlier and not able to fall back to sleep.

It worked for a few days. But eventually luigi would know.

Mario was never an early riser and luigi knew that.

So when his brother opted to sit opposite him instead of going to make his usual morning coffee, Mario knew the gig was up.

To luigis credit, he approached the topic gently. Asking how Mario slept and how his morning was.

Mario knew he knew. But he still wasn't ready to come clean yet. So he played along.

Yeah, he slept fine. The morning is okay. Weather looks nice.

Luigi began to fiddle with his hands at that answer. Eyes shifted to glance at marios string then his own. Before making eye contact.

'Wanna try that again? Without lies this time?'

Fuck.

Mario could only fool luigi so many times. His brother knew him better than he knew himself.

Mario couldn't meet luigis eyes, turning to stare deeply into his half cold drink.

What's there to talk about? How can he talk about it? It's so selfish. He's so selfish.

Luigi had somehow moved closer without mario realising. Gently taking his brothers hand and holding it tightly.

Gosh what would he do without lu..?

That's why he can't stay, he can't loose his brother..

Luigi looked at with with concern. Softly prompting Mario to talk.

Please, he's here to listen. He can't help if he doesn't know..

Mario sighed. That pit in his stoumch growing as he started to speak.

Where to begin?

Well first he's not been sleeping much,if at all. But lu knew that much already.

Luigi asked if it was because of nightmares and mario paused, partly? He does occasionally wake up to images of claws and fire. But no, that's not the real reason.

So Mario continued.

Next was the fact that he found himself overthinking everything in brooklyn, they've been missing for probably a month or two, their job- their rent- what are going to do when they get back?

Luigi only nodded. Yeah, that was an issue.

Then there's the problem of getting back- the warp pipe has such little information on it. It's as if it vanishes after spitting people out.

The princess has been trying to look into it, but there's no way to tell when or IF it will come back.

Speaking of the princess, gosh, he still hasn't had the guts to tell her he's leaving..

It would break her heart.

Luigi was aware of their soulmate predicament. Being all to happy to relentlessly tease and annoy. 'Younger brother privileges' as he had described it.

The conversation continued. At some point Mario had become rather emotional as the talk progressed.

He occasionally seemed exasperated at something. Only to calm a bit when luigi squeezed his hand and offered his advice.

Mario found himself struggling with unshed frustrated tears that threatened to fall whenever he looked at the red string attached to him.

It mocked him. Giving him a reminder of the life he must leave.

He'd do anything for luigi- anything! but fuck, this was so hard!

Mario eventually ended up saying something he didn't want to.

He didn't want luigi to know how much he despised the thought of going home.

Because his sweet loving brother would bend over backwards to make Mario happy. Even if that means he himself wasn't.

Yet he blabbed too much and it just slipped out.

Mario mentioned how much better it was here. How unhappy he was in brooklyn.

But then he saw it. The way luigis gaze softened and his brows furrowed.

He knows that face.

Mario quickly tried to backtrack.

Brooklyn is fine! It's okay! It's their home afterall! Its where they were born!

Luigi gently placed his hands to mario's shoulders. Grasping them to stabilise his brother. Who had begun breathing heavier than before.

One of his siblings thumbs brushed away his tears- wait, when did he start crying..?

Luigi stared at him as Mario just fell silent.

Luigi.. sweet loving luigi.. his baby brother.. his twin. Embraced him slowly.

Hugging Mario close. Mario could only wrap his arms around Lu and grip tightly.

Trying to control his breathing and shakey voice. Else he'd cry more.

Luigis soft apology took Mario a bit by surprise. He was sorry that Mario had felt this way, that he hadn't felt comfortable enough to talk with him.

Mario tried to argue. No! It's not that! He trusts luigi entirely.

But his brother continues and what he says next shuts Mario up quickly.

He'd thought about it too.

Staying here.

Things are easier, there's no stress of where to get money.

No worries of angry old bosses and disappointed glares.

There was no struggles. At least, not the type of struggles they had in brooklyn.

Back there, they were no body. Two brothers with big dreams and heads up in the clouds.

But here, they could be somebody.

There were somebody.

The toads loved them. The Princess loved them.

Luigi made a point of pulling back to look at Mario sterny.

'The Princess loves you Mario.'

He couldn't speak.

So luigi continued.

Sure, he had his fears. But thats just who he is. Always the worrywart of the two.

He's like ma in that sense.

He can't help but think of the 'what if's'

What if there's more danger?

What if bowser comes back?

What if they get seperated-

Mario stepped in at this. Tightly holding luigis face in his hands.

He and his brother faces were now inches apart.

No. That will never happen.

He won't let it.

This seemed to hit something with luigi. The younger brother now looking rather emotional. Scared slightly. Tears in his eyes threating to fall.

Croaking a soft 'how can you be so sure-?'

How could Mario promise that,,?

This world is so much bigger than them both.

It's beautiful, it's magical, it's unknown,,

How..? How will they do this?

'Together..'

Luigi whimpered at marios voice.

They'll do this together.

Always together.

Everything will be okay. So long as theyre together..

Both brothers leaned to press their foreheads together.

Tears were shed.

Promises in Italian.

Just staying in each others embrace.

If they're doing this, then they will do it together..

Always.

They can make this new world their home.

After all. With luigi, Mario is already home...

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