Not What I Expected (Bowser x reader)

Chapter 9

         Bowser carries me all the way out to the picnic jr. had set out for us and sets me down on the blanket. He sits down next to me and reaches for one of the breakfast sandwiches on a large buffet plate before jr. slaps his hand away. "Papa, where are your manners?!" he chastises his father before carefully removing a few sandwiches with a napkin and placing them on a smaller plate and handing it to Bowser. He sighs, "Kamek managed to rope you into those stupid etiquette lessons, didn't he?" Jr. lifts his head proudly, confirming his fathers suspicions. I smile gently and mimic jr.'s actions, removing a few pastries from the large plate and placing them on a smaller one. Bowser pauses, staring at my cast. He sets his food down and reaches for my hand, cradling it in his much larger one. My eyes meet his as he runs his thumb over the rough texture of the thick bandage, his expression grim. "Hey," I prompt gently, squeezing his hand as best as I can with the restriction. He looks at me, eyebrows furrowed with worry. "I'm okay, okay? I've made it through worse, and I'll make it through this too." He sighs heavily and gives me his best reassuring smile. 

       "And it's about time your cast comes off too!" Kamek hovers behind us and Bowser flinches. "Holy Toledo, old man, I thought I told you to stop doing that!" He growls as jr. and I giggle. "Anyways, can my cast actually come off now? Its barely been a whole day." Kamek nods and prompts me to hold my hand out. He waves his staff over my hand and the cast evaporates into thin air. "Go ahead, try flexing your hand." He suggests. I tentatively bend my index finger, then my thumb, along with my other three fingers. My joints crack, and my whole hand feels sore from lack of use, but other than a dull throb, no pain. I exhale with relief, as does Bowser and Kamek. 

      Jr. cackles before sprinting into me, his little arms only reaching halfway around my middle, doing his best to hug me. I can't contain my smile as I scoop him into my arms and squeeze him as tightly as possible, his little giggles infecting me and soon Bowser as well, all three of us laughing like maniacs, thankful for tender moments like this.

     We continue our brunch picnic, laughing, talking, and enjoying each others company when a koopa comes sprinting into the gardens, panicked and out of breath. "King Bowser! I'm very sorry for intruding, but there is something very urgent! I-It's one of the Mario brothers!" He sputters out after landing on his knees just in front of the picnic blanket. "One of them? Which one? Mario or the green one?" Bowser says, his mood shifting into battle mode. I roll my eyes at him calling Luigi 'The green one', but also curious which one it is. "The green one, sire." the koopa says, still catching his breath. Bowser sighs with relief and stands. "Well then, this shouldn't take very long." I stand up as well, Jr.  clinging onto my clothes as I cradle him in my arms. "Hang on, Bowser. First of all, 'the green one' has a name, second, I wouldn't underestimate his strength if I were you, and third, can I try talking to him? Luigi's always been more level-headed and reasonable than Mario, and if he's here alone, there has to be a good reason for it. It's not like him to go anywhere outside of the Mushroom Kingdom without his brother." I set Jr. down on the blanket and try to flatten the wrinkles in my clothes. I catch a glimpse of vulnerability in Bowser's eyes, before it vanishes and he turns to me. "Alright, you can try talking to him, but I want both of you within earshot, and if I see any sign of him getting violent, I'm getting you out of there, alright?" I nod, and gesture for the koopa troopa to show me the way to Luigi. 

       Luigi is waiting for us in the throne room, his wrists bound together with rope as three shy guys drag him forward. I sigh, "are the bindings really necessary? We're trying a diplomatic approach for once." Bowser clears his throat next to me. "Okay, we're trying a diplomatic approach for the first time in a while? Is that better, your grouchiness?" He rolls his eyes, but I can see him trying to stifle a smirk as I gain more confidence. One of the shy guys removes the rope and Luigi tries to rub feeling back into his wrists. He laughs nervously, trying everything he can to not make direct eye contact with me. "Heh heh, long time no see eh, y/n?" I raise an eyebrow at him. "Cut the banter, Luigi. Why are you here... alone?" I take a step forward, trying to intimidate him. Which is easier said than done, I'm only like, and inch taller than him. He gulps, taking a step back. Huh, guess the intimidation worked. "I know why you did it, er- almost did it. Why you tried to kill Peach? I get it, and it's only gotten worse since you were exiled." My eyes widen. "What do you mean it's gotten worse? What has she done now?" Tears well up in his eyes, and I visibly see him take deep breaths to compose himself. "She's marrying my brother. He's been totally brain washed and I need your help. She's gone completely bonkers! She threw Toadette in the dungeon for bringing her the wrong color parasol!" He's hysterical now, his hands gripping bunches of his hair, threatening to rip it out, tears spilling out of his eyes. I place my hands on his shoulders, and he finally locks eyes with me. "Luigi, I need you to calm down, okay? Take deep breaths for me, ready in through your nose, out of your mouth. Slowly okay? Don't hyperventilate." He follows my instructions, holding onto my arms as he attempts at grounding himself. "Luigi, look at me. This is very important. I want to help you, but I need your cooperation. We're you followed? I doubt Peach would take your absence lightly." His eyes dart across my face, pupils dilated in his fight or flight response. "N-no I don't think so, but I did bring back up." He stammers, head turning to the door he was dragged through. The silhouette of a woman stand in the door way, her fiery red hair tied back into a frizzy ponytail. She strides forward, two staffs in hand, one with ivy carved into the wood, the other with lightning cascading down the side. I clutch Luigi tightly, muttering a quick thank you in his ear before running up to my best friend by blood, and my sister by choice. 

      "Hey, slugger. How ya been?" She says, extending my staff out to me, her arms open wide for a hug. I crash into her, burying my face in her neck.

   "Lia."

                                         (1189 words)

AN: Sorry I've been gone for so long! Life has been crazy busy and maintaining relationships is not for the weak! Anyways, I really hope you guys like this chapter, and please go check out my other works if you have the time. It would really mean a lot to me, and I appreciate each and everyone of you!

                          Love always,

                                                   Author Shed <3