Chapter Text
Luigi had never packed so fast in his life. He was always more than a little intrigued about the Darklands, and whenever they went to rescue the princess, he rather enjoyed the dark and foreboding atmosphere. It was a stark contrast to the bustling koopas, the weirdly close knit community, and the way Bowser always took care of his troops and his people when they were causing chaos.
He always tried to do the least amount of damage as possible…that’s why he began taking over the plans for their rescues. He saw how destructive Mario’s desperation could be, and knew that less mayhem and damage was going to be better for both parties.
Mario had been happier since those rescues too. Less anxiety and panic about getting the princess back and avoiding Bowser.
And Luigi had wanted peace between them all not just because he’d grown a weird crush on Bowser, but because he desperately wanted to know more about the Darklands and about Bower in general.
Don’t get him wrong…he loved the Mushroom Kingdom…but it wasn’t always his cup of tea. Luigi wanted more, and now he was going to have it.
—
Bowser had met Mario in the hallway that morning while he was shuffling groggily back to his room to get his own belongings in order. He had hoped Luigi would agree to come with him, but to see how happy he was and how he wanted to leave on the airship THAT day, had Bowser a bit in his head.
He had on a shit-eating grin, eyes still heavy from sleep, but mind racing full force with all that was going on.
He nearly ran into the small plumber when they both rounded the same corner, and Bowser was too caught up in his daydream to even care he was alone in a hallway with his once arch nemesis.
“Morning.” Mario said, voice a bit clipped.
Bowser blinked down at him and simply grinned. “Mornin’ Shortstack.” He laughed slightly at the nickname and that made Mario even more off kilter. The reptile was normally always gruff and impersonal when the two had to interact—this was almost jovial comparatively.
“Nice to see you enjoyed the party.” Mario said a bit awkwardly, side eyeing the koopa as Bowser cast a longing look back towards Luigi’s room. Mario bit the inside of his cheek to keep from saying anything more.
“That Princess always did know how to throw a party.” Bowser said, still that dopey smile on his face. “Well…nice seeing you Shortround,” he chuckled. “Better get out of here. Before I overstay my welcome!” The Koopa King moved past Mario, still in his own head, ignoring the odd look of shock on Mario’s face.
—
When Mario finally made it to Luigi’s room, he was pleased to hear a cheerful “Come in!” When he knocked at the door.
“Mario!” Luigi greeted, coming over to give his brother a hug before moving back to the wardrobe. Most all of his stuff was in the room, regardless of it being a temporary place of residence for them. The princess had insisted they stay within the castle walls as negotiations for the treaties had started. She wanted to make sure they were safe in case negotiations failed.
Luigi had never felt unsafe in this situation…it was an odd feeling—like he had known it was all going to turn out okay. But despite his own gut feeling, he went along with the princess, knowing there was no way out of it anyway.
Mario was giving him a confused look as he glanced from the wardrobe to the bed, where a bag sat open and getting filled with various items Luigi was pulling out and tossing in.
“Going somewhere, Lu?” Mario asked, a bit apprehensive because he felt like he knew the answer.
Luigi tensed a little, but took a breath, and turned to his brother. “M-Mario…I am going somewhere…It’s not cause I don’t like it here…I just want a little change of scenery and—“ Why was this so hard. He had played the scenarios out in his head until he was sick with worry. Having a relationship with a monstrous king didn’t even make him shiver in fear, but telling his brother about it? Oh that was terrifying.
Mario sighed, holding up a hand to stop Luigi’s well rehearsed ramble. “You’re going with Bowser, aren’t you?”
Luigi gasped, hand going to his mouth. That was the Luigi he knew—scared and fidgety, but loyal and kind to a fault. He saw how happy he had been before he brought up the packing, and he had most definitely seen how calmer and less jittery he had been since Bowser announced his negotiations. Mario had assumed it was because they’d no longer have to fight Bowser and rescue the princess, and THAT alone had given Luigi some peace of mind.
But he had seen that love-struck stupid look on Bowser’s face. He saw his demeanor shift and a side of the large koopa that he didn’t know existed. He was almost awkward during the treaty negotiations, no longer wild and boisterous, but almost stately (or kingly) in his actions. Mario knew that whatever was there was felt on both sides of the aisle and he knew Peach had been right. Just let Luigi have this…he deserves it.
Luigi almost looked scared of Mario, but the brother in red quickly made sure that Luigi only saw his approval. He smiled at his taller brother, and moved closer so he could lean against the bedpost. Luigi was still fidgeting with the shirt in his hands, looking like he wanted to bolt.
MArio knew it was because he had completely thrown off the momentum Luigi had set for the whole conversation. It happened a lot when they were growing up, and Mario had gotten very good at reading Luigi and not stepping on his toes when he had decided to speak his mind…it took the other a lot of courage and psyching up to do that, and he hated stealing his thunder away.
This, however, had been something that Mario did not want to let go on for too long lest Luigi get worked up. If he did that, he was bound to make a mistake that might cost him his happiness because he wound himself tight and talked himself into changing his own mind.
Again…something that happened enough Mario knew what to look for.
“You happy Lu? Does what you’re doing make you happy?”
Luigi swallowed, steeling himself to answer. He placed the shirt down and turned completely to face Mario. “Yes. It’s new and exciting and I want to see where it goes.” Mario could see him almost flinch, waiting for his smaller brother to rage or yell about Bowser being a terrible villain or Luigi being too innocent.
But none of that happened. Mario’s smile only widened and he pulled his younger brother into a tight hug.
Luigi let out a little sob, clinging to his brother like he was drowning, all the anxiety of telling him just washing away with that simple hug. “Then I guess I better get used to only hearing from you in letters and on holidays.”
Luigi laughed, pulling back and giving him a wet smile as he scrubbed at his cheeks. “No way, Mario. I’ll be visiting all the time. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“Well I don’t know, bro. If what I heard last night is any indication of future events, you might not be able to walk, let alone travel.”
Luigi nearly screamed, his hands covering his mouth again, his face burning. “MARIO!”
“It was an accident!!” Mario laughed loudly, waving his hands in front of him as if to defend himself from the flustered Luigi.
Luigi was fanning himself, unable to even look Mario in the eyes. How embarrassing! Ooh stars.
“And I saw him in the hall leaving your wing.” Mario waggled an eyebrow making Luigi go even darker red. “Dude looks like a dopey puppy in love. It’s a bit scary.” Luigi huffed, hands on his cheeks as he willed his blush away. “But I’m serious, Luigi. I want you to be happy, and if this is what you need to do, then you’ll have my support.”
Luigi almost teared up again. “Thanks, Mario. That means so much to me.” He was floored by his brother’s open acceptance, only having thought of the negative outcomes…as usual. He was in a happy daze over everything falling so nicely into place.
“Well, come on. You gotta get packed so you can come have breakfast with me one last time before you leave.”
Luigi smiled brightly, beyond happy his brother was so accepting of this odd arrangement. And Mario was happy to see Luigi happy as well…he’d miss his brother terribly, but knew that whatever was going to happen was going to be good for both of them.
—
Breakfast came and went…there were no back handed comments or statements with hidden meanings. Luigi and Mario treated it like any other breakfast with each other, and just enjoyed each other's company and talked about plans for the future. Luigi was going to be visiting often, so he expected Mario-time when he was back, and Mario had even said he and Peach would visit him in the Darklands once everything was settled here.
The whole thing made Luigi lighter than air and happier than he had ever been in his life.
Bowser had been on the airship for most of the morning, making sure everything was ready to go. The other airships docked towards the back of the castle were also preparing for departure, and Bowser watched as a myriad of creatures worked across the decks to get their ships ready.
Some of the dignitaries did not come on airship, their boats or karts being docked and stored down where the wilds met the ocean. The Mushroom Kingdom’s port was filled with all kinds of people and creatures, using their time in port to make sales and trades with other kingdoms before leaving.
All in all, it was very entertaining to watch…but Bowser was getting antsy. The time ticked onward, and still he had not seen Luigi come to the docking tower like the green human had promised. Had something happened? Had Mario interfered? Had Luigi changed his mind?
Bowser could feel the tell-tale heat from his anger rising in his throat, and he clenched his jaw, swallowing the fire back down and trying to calm himself by pacing. There was also fear in there with his anger, and he did not like that at all.
The koopa troopers manning the airship were at a standstill, all watching or acting like they were busy, all trying to figure out how to ask the irritated Bowser when they were to take off. It looked as though one poor green shelled koopa had drawn the short straw, and was being shoved towards the pacing Bowser to interrupt his brooding.
Lucky for him, the door to the dock flew open, and out sauntered Luigi.
Bowser perked, eyes brightening and grin splitting his maw when he caught sight of Luigi—short curls getting buffeted by the winds that blew this high up. Luigi had taken his hat off and was keeping it tucked under his arm as he dragged along a large duffle.
Bowser was about to rush off to help him when Mario appeared behind Luigi, snatching up the other handle and helping him carry the heavy load. Bowser frowned, but it slipped away when he realized both brothers were laughing and smiling. He swallowed thickly, moving to meet them at the entrance to the deck, large claws reaching over to grab the duffle easily.
Luigi beamed up at him and Bowser felt his heart ache in the best way possible.
He moved away with the bag, handing it off to one of his guards to stow away, and turned to see Luigi and Mario embracing. Mario ruffled Luigi’s hair, turning his own blue eyes, so much like Luigi’s but so incredibly different, to look at Bowser. He gave him a smirk and a little wave before stepping backwards off the deck, and letting the wooden door swing shut between he and his brother.
Bowser gave the command to lift off, and the ship lurched. He moved to stand next to Luigi, happy to see the little human had not a single trace of regret on his face. He called out to his brother and waved excitedly, Bowser joining him in a little wave at the smaller brother.
When they were finally out of sight of the Castle, Bowser wrapped a massive arm around Luigi, lifted him up, and carted him back to the captain’s quarters.