Chapter Text
The short plumber slowly sipped his cup of tea, dark liquid swaying inside the light pink clay, the hot air of the tea warming his insides and sending a calming effect better than the drink could. He was never a fan of tea. His eyes hesitantly looked up, discreetly examining the Princess across from him. Princess Peach, as she introduced herself as, was of fair skin with only the slightest blush in the cheeks, blonde hair falling down her back and shoulders, framing her face. Her lips, the same color as her namesake, were pursed. She was frowning at the lack of answers to her questions, the same ones the plumber has been pondering on for long minutes now. She's beautiful, his mind betrayed him. Dammit! It's not the time for getting infatuated, I need to focus on finding Lu.
The mushroom creature - called Toad - was sitting next to her, sipping his own cup of tea while looking from one human to the other as the silence stretched out uncomfortably.
"I-" The plumber stopped suddenly, cleared his throat and put back the cup. His hands started to shake, compelling him to take the beverage back. And tried again. "I'm sorry, I don't think I understand."
Peach sighed tiredly. She quickly sent him an understanding smile at his rising tension. It isn't his fault, after all. "It must be a shock to find yourself in another world. If you need more time..." She trailed off. Her blue eyes found his, noticing the turmoil on them. "Mario, right?" He nodded with a forlorn look. "We'll find your brother. I promise." Her right hand found his left hand which was tapping nervously in the table, and squeezed it reassuringly. His eyes moved up towards her and away from his tea, staring in wonder at the princess.
The plumber swallowed down any warmth he was feeling, removing his hand. "I know." He croaked out. "I just... This seems crazy." Laughter bubbled up from him then, not from happiness but from sorrow. "And I don't know where Luigi is. I don't even know if he's alive." Tears started to gather in his eyes, sobbing quietly. "I'm the worst brother." His voice broke as he said those words. Ashamed of being seen so weak, Mario grabbed the brim of his hat and hid his tear-stained face.
"No. No, no, Mario." Peach stood up frantically, her heart braking at the scene in front of her, and went to his side. She hesitated only one second before gently putting her hand over his shoulder, squeezing it. "You're not a bad brother. You couldn't have predicted what happened."
The warmth from the Princess's hand was nice, and the gesture was appreciated. It wasn't enough.
"But I should have been more careful. I should have listened to Luigi." His reply was weak, hoarse. Knowing that nothing she could say would make the plumber feel better, the princess simply stayed by his side until Mario stopped shaking and his eyes were dry. Although she just met him, she felt compelled to comfort him, this strange human that so suddenly appeared in their world. It was as if she's always known him and instinctively knew that this wasn't the real Mario. The one in her mind is grinning at her, full of confidence and ready to fight for her, next to her. She wanted to see that happy side of Mario. She wanted to see his smile.
Toad stayed silent the whole time, tea forgotten, watching sadly the other human losing himself in the loss and the guilt, grieving for a sibling who might or might not be alive. Even though he longed to speak and lighten the mood, there was nothing he could do to make him feel better. Perhaps it was a mistake to request to join on the, admittedly, not so fun tea party.
Long minutes passed where they heard a far away voice calling them, startling them. Mario quickly wiped away his tears, not wanting anyone else to see him in such a state. Peach straightened herself, her hand back to her side.
"Princess! Princess!" It was another Toad, a panicky expression in his face and something black clutched in his tiny hand as he wave at them. "Princess! There's a letter for you!"
Bowser took a step back when the human jumped in fright, crawling back until he ran into the wall. Worry washed over him as he heard him groan in pain, but he stopped when terror-filled blue eyes met his. "Where-Where am I? What...?" What are you? Luigi wanted to ask, although he didn't dare for fear of angering the strange and gigantic creature in front of him. Towering over him.
Its sharp teeth and claws gleaming under the light looked like they could pierce through his body easily. Its red eyes like lava from volcanoes had an odd emotion on them that Luigi didn't know what to make of. It made him shiver. Its mane was fiery red, slipped back, albeit wildly, showing openly two slightly curved horns. Its scales were seemingly made of gold and emerald, strong but smooth, covering its entire body. Stranger still was the dark green shell on its back as it had many spikes protruding from it. Where those made of bone or were they similar to the spikes on the black bands around the creature's neck, arms and wrists?
"Are you okay?" He heard the creature say. No, it can't be possible. Luigi thought as his wide eyes stayed on the giant koopa. Unbeknownst to him, his body was shaking as if a current had struck him. It shouldn't be able to talk. Then, when the question finally registered in his mind, he let out a hysterical laugh mixed with a strangled sob, his eyes filling with tears. He quickly covered his mouth afraid of letting out the same pitiful sound. No, I'm not okay! He wanted to yell. I don't know where I am. I was in pain and so alone. And Mario isn't here. But all he could do was whimper and gasp for air as more tears slid down his cheeks. "H-Hey...!" Bowser was at a lost on what to do, hands hovering over the human. He didn't expect that reaction. He didn't know what he was expecting, but not this. He never knew how to deal with someone crying, sometimes not even his son. "Kamek." He called, a tinge of panic in his voice. "Kamek!"
Kamek appeared, surprised at the King's desperate expression. When he turned his gaze at the sobbing human, he immediately understood and gestured at the far corner of the room for Bowser to stay. Luckily, he did without questioning him.
The magikoopa stepped closer to the human, as slowly as he could manage. He didn't touch him, unsure if it would be welcomed. "I think you might be experiencing a panic attack." He explained in a calm demeanor. "I'll help you get it under control, alright? Breath. Breath with me." His voice was gentle, patient. He waited for cloudy eyes to look at him. "Breathe slowly and deeply." Kamek took a deep breath to show him how to do it, and then slowly let it go. He repeated the same action once more. "Yes, just like that." He breathed in, and breathed out, prompting the other man to do the same. "You are doing great. Can you do it again?"
It took them several minutes before Luigi was able to calm down, tears still falling down at the bed. "Mi dispiace. I'm sorry. I'm s-so s-sorry."
The magikoopa shook his head at his words.
"There's nothing to be sorry about, young man." Kamek admonished gently. "You don't need to apologise." His eyes took a quick pick at his King, waiting impatiently for permission to approach the human. He nodded at him with a clear glare to behave. "Can you tell us your name?"
"I..." The plumber eyes followed the giant turtle creature as it got closer to him. "I'm Luigi." He stuttered out, deciding it would be safer to look at the other, much smaller, koopa.
"Kamek." The magikoopa introduced himself, before pointing to the King. "And this is King Bowser." The last part was said in a whisper at the obvious fear lingering in the human's eyes. "He won't hurt you."
Bowser's hearing was excellent, however, and so he heard those damning words his own advisor uttered to Luigi as if they were a magical shield to protect said human. Flinching, Bowser took a step back. Of course he wouldn't hurt him. He would never! It wasn't his intention to scare anyone, - with a few exceptions - perhaps. He just can't help it, he huffed silently.
"Nice to meet you." Luigi sent a small smile to Kamek, better than the fear from before. He ignored the King. "Where am I?"
"In the Koopa Kingdom." Bowser butted in, unable to stop himself, his voice deep and gruff. He had been so tense that even his vocal chords hurt to use. "We found you in the Dark Lands, one of my territories." The plumber frowned, looking down at his bandaged hands. Still avoiding the King. Why are they bandaged? "You were... barely alive when we found you." Bowser winced as memories flooded his mind, flashes of red and black a constant reminder of the human's fragility.
"Barely alive?" It was said in a low tone, voice trembling. Luigi closed his eyes. He could remember the heat surrounding him. It was hard to breath, hard to see. It hurt. "Hurt." He said out loud, whimpering. I want Mario. Did he also got hurt?
"W-where? Where does it hurt?" Bowser took a step closer to Luigi's side, red eyes wide open in worry. Luigi shook his head. Stopping, Bowser had to swallow his need to whimper too, - tucking his tail under his legs. He wanted to help but didn't know how. He isn't wanted. He hates this feeling of helplessness.
Kamek stayed silent as he watched them, his own heart breaking for the both of them. It wasn't easy for any of them.
"I... I remember it hurt so much. The heat. The smoke. I-" He stopped talking, opening his eyes and staring at Kamek, then at the King. Shaking. He swallowed and open his cracked lips, "I got burned, didn't I?"
"I tried my best to dull your pain and we healed you the best we could." Answered Kamek when it was obvious his King wouldn't do it. "It wasn't enough, unfortunately. You were still in a pretty back shape. Until now, that is. We managed to procure a green mushroom. Which reminds me, I need to examine your injuries if you are okay with that."
Luigi nodded, hesitant. Green mushroom? There are so many things Luigi doesn't understand and he isn't sure he will any time soon. His mind is full of worries and... phantom pain, that it's hard to pay proper attention to what's happening. It doesn't help he still feels exhausted and disoriented. There's one thing, however, that he wishes to have the answer to. "How long?"
Kamek hummed in question as he began to tend to his patient. He made the bandages evaporate in the air, and took a good look at the scars left in the human's skin. First Luigi's right arm. The Magikoopa's hands skillfully started to cleanse and wipe away the blood staining its surface with several thick wads of cotton wool soaked in anti-septic cream - made by him. Burns like these leave their mark, no matter how powerful one is. Even with a green mushroom too, apparently.
"How long since I was found?" Gripping the sheet under him with his unoccupied hand, Luigi continued. "How long was I unconscious? How long...?" He demanded softly, his eyes downcast. The Italian refused to see the product of his misfortune.
"Four days, as of now." Came the reply after long seconds.
Four days since he last saw Mario. Four days in agony. Four days. He wanted to cry all over again.