Chapter 18: Release

                                    

                                          
"I don't understand what's happening, I've known daisy for years. I have serious doubts that she would send assassins after not only me but Mario as well..." Bowser approaches me slowly, I can feel tears building up. No, please not in front of- he wraps his big arms around me pulling me in. I face sits on his warm chest, I feel his right arm move up slightly before he slowly begins patting my head. 
"I'm here, it'll all be okay." He whispers in a low, soft, and caring tone. Almost like how a mother would comfort a worried child. I immediately burst into tears, I feel my breathing hasten as my body relaxes into his arms. 
"I- I feel so helpless" I cry out into his chest. "Everything is happening all in this fucked up world and I can't seem to do anything about it"
"I know... I can only imagine how you must feel right now. You aren't alone, you have your strong brother, breath... which, let's just say you don't wanna know what he's capable of. Most importantly though, you have me. I will do anything and everything in my power to keep you safe. You will always have a shoulder to cry on, an ear to vent too and a strong foundation to lean on. I promise" the only thing I could manage to do was cry into his chest. I comprehend every word he said but my mind... it's so in shock and I've been holding this in trying to stay strong like the others. 
"I-" my breathing stabilizes a bit, hearing bowers words and having him hold me is enough to calm me. "I'm so tired... my mind has had enough, my body has almost completely given out." I can feel his head perk up as he continues to pat me softly. 
"I know, you need some rest just like the others..." I feel his body shift, the hand that was just patting my worried away shifts as well as the one he had around my back. Slowly I start to lift up into his arms, his left hand supporting my neck and his right under my thighs. "Try and relax, close your eyes and imagine happy thoughts. Clear your mind of worry for now." He smiles a soft caring smile accompanied by glossed over eyes. I could tell he was also getting teary eyed. I take a deep breath before responding with all my exhausted brain could mutter.
"Yeah" 
"Good boy.... Don't worry I'll get you into a nice comfortable bed in just a moment." I close my eyes completely surrendering my body to exhaustion. There was no movement in any of my muscles, I can only imagine how heavy I was considering bowser but carrying dead weight at this point. Happy thoughts.... You can do this L. I think back to when I've recently felt the most happiest. Staying here in the Koopa kingdom. I think about how happy and excited I was to have received a castle pass from Bowser himself. How the butterflies in my stomach fluttered as I watched bowser be so awkward around me. My first kiss... I begin to imagine how things would go if everything went right. I didn't feel any guilt about befriending the mushroom kingdoms biggest enemy. I imagined a world where I had no restrictions. No breath coming out holding an spy hostage.... My mind became lighter and I felt myself ease into a nice sleep.