Not What I Expected (Bowser x reader)

Chapter 13

                  Aunt Crystal wiped the remaining tears from my face, her delicate hands lingering on my cheeks. "Now, tell me how you've been. How are things at the castle?" I grimace. "Yeah, uh, about that. I kinda tried to kill Peach and got exiled from the Mushroom Kingdom." She laughed, the gentle sound ringing in my ears. It's been so long since I've heard her voice. Her real voice. "I know that silly, I meant, how are things at Bowser Castle? Is everyone treating you well?" She sat upright, fully facing me and held my hands in hers. "Um, yeah everyone is great, and I'm doing a lot better now, but um, how did you know?" "Oh, I've been watching from afar. You and Lia have come so far. However, Lia hasn't tapped into her psychic powers yet." She put a finger to her lip in thought. "Wait, you mean Lia can come to this place too?" She nodded. "Yup! Who do you think gave you these powers? Me!" I blinked in surprise. I've never seen Crystal use magic of any kind before, so how could she - "But never mind that, you should probably be getting back. Everyone must be worried sick! And you might want to tell everyone about that nasty potion that Peach has been injecting into everyone." That's right! I was so confused as to why everyone was so loyal to her, but now all of the dots have connected... almost. "But what even is it? Is there an antidote for it?" Crystal picked up her knitting needles again, humming a gentle tune. "Do you really think I was just a maid all those years ago? I was spying on the royal family to find out what was going on, and I did. Find my cottage. All of the answers will be there." I sigh with relief. "Thank you so much. I will set things right, and I promise to come visit you more often." She smiles, "I know you will, darling. And bring Lia with you next time. I miss my little free spirit." She chuckles to herself before everything fades to white, and I'm awoken by a familiar face staring me down.

               "Hey, kiddo. How have you been holding up?" Jr. is sitting on top of me, gripping my shirt. Huh, deja vu. "They're awaaaaake!" he screams, tackling me in a hug. Kamek, Bowser, Luigi, and Lia pile into the room, a mix of concern and relief washing over their features. Bowser immediately comes to my side. Lifts jr. off of me, scoops me into his arms, and kisses me passionately. My eyes widen in surprise, but I easily find myself melting in his arms, wrapping my arms around him in a tight embrace. Bowser finally releases me and sets me back down on the bed. He wipes the tears forming in his eyes and holds my hand. "Thank goodness you're awake, I... I confess, I was beginning to lose hope." He says, squeezing my hand softly, his eyes filled with a dark, unreadable sadness. I pull him from his thoughts by gently caressing his cheek with my thumb. He smiles softly, "But I'm glad you're okay, pumpkin~" Luigi cleared his throat and caught our attention. "Not to disrupt this tender moment but, um, what the hell happened?! One minute you were fine, the next, bam! Out like a light!" He says, frantic and confused as always. I chuckle softly, "I actually have a lot of light to shed on that subject, and it might be best if we gather everyone up again, because we're going to have to revise our plan." I say, scooping Jr. into my arms and ruffling his hair, making him giggle. Everyone looks at me confused, and I look back at Luigi. "You mentioned Mario being brainwashed, right Luigi?" He nods, still not following. "Well I think he's definitely not the only one. I was brainwashed at one point, I'm sure Luigi had been brainwashed, I think every resident of the Mushroom kingdom at some point, has been brainwashed by Princess Peach." They all stare at me in shock, Bowser taking my hand protectively. Lia, however, looks unsurprised and instead shakes her head. "Yeah... Aunty Crystal had tons of journals filled with information about that stuff." Everyone turns their head to look at her, including me. Bowser glares at her. "And you didn't think to tell anyone?!" "Wh- I thought you knew!" Luigi scoffs, "yeah, these are the faces of four people in the know!" She shrugs and directs her attention back to me, "Anyways, you still haven't explained why you suddenly passed out and have been in a coma for the past week, y/n." I roll my eyes and hug Jr. closer to me, really not wanting him here for such a sensitive subject. "Fine... but you and I are going to have a chat about this later, Lia." I say sternly. I tell them all about what happened in my mind forest, how I fought Peach, and talked to Aunt Crystal. Lia's smile fades when I mention her and our shared psychic powers, her eyebrows knitting in confusion. As I finish telling everyone what happened while I was out, I take note of everything going on around me. Bowser's arm stays wrapped around my waist and Jr. fidgets with my hand, Luigi chats with Kamek and Lia. This... I never want to lose this. This is what I'm fighting for. I rest my head on Bowser's chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart. That strong beat that reminds me everything will be okay. He kisses the top of my head and pulls me closer. Tears well up in my eyes as the realization hits me.

"I'm finally home."

(962 words)

A/N:
Hello! I am alive, and... well, I'm alive! My mental health has been worse for wear lately, and life has been whooping my ass and not giving me a chance to recover. But I'm still here, and I will tie this story up in a pretty little bow. Short chapter for now, but I'll get back into the swing of things soon. Ideas are greatly appreciated, and thank all of you for being so patient and being so invested in this!

Stay fresh, cheese bags!
             Author Shed <3