Title: Nothing Could Be Sweeter
Disclaimer: Mario characters and settings belong to Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo, Square, Alpha Dream and associates involved in the series creation. I only own the plot.
Summary: To commemorate the end of the clash between kingdoms, a grand celebration will be held in Mushroom Kingdom to end all celebrations. Everyone's invited and with peace now assured, it's time for romance. Yoshi doesn't think he's ready to tell Luigi how he feels, but his fellow Yoshi do and force their friend into confessing before he loses out on his chance.
Pairings: Luigi x Yoshi. Minor Mario x Bowser.
Rating: T
Warnings: Homosexual relations between males. Multiverses. Yoshi's POV.
Author's Rant: This will be a gift fic for EchoEternal because dear God what an author. I guesstimate this story to be 2-5 moderately long chapters. I think I had way too much fun writing this lol. Please enjoy!
Nothing Could Be Sweeter
Dearest Melon,
With peace impending and there being a severe lack of conflict to burden the lands any longer, it's with a breaming heart that I write to say the season of cheer is finally upon us. In anticipation of Princess Peach and King Bowser finalizing the documents that will forever cement the truce, many of us have gone about lavishing Toad Town and the Peach Ice Garden with decorations, various entertainment stands, and food. Glorious mounds of delicious food as far as Star Hill; perhaps further from what Blue Toad happily tells. I can't wait, nor can my colorful comrades, who have been bursting with merriment since our invitation to the festivities arrived three days ago.
The Mario Brothers personally delivered the letter themselves. In person, specifically to me and as you very well know, I experienced the ultimate utopia when . . . when HE touched my palm. He laid the scroll with careful precision in the face of my hand and graced me with the kind of smile I secretly long to be reserved for me.
My heart's all a fluttery whenever I think of him. The secondary hero of Mushroom Kingdom who in my opinion deserves as much credit as his older brother when it comes to praise. He has sacrificed equal blood and sweat and provided as much ambition to protect the innocent, if not more. No matter how dangerous the task or perilous the obstacle, he allows nothing to keep him from accomplishing his goal. Not even his own cowardly disposition when he wants to dash in the other direction, away from where the danger lies.
There is no one else quite like him. That fetching, blue-eyed deviant who's captured my heart and ensnared it between his cotton encased hands. . .
Luigi Mario.
That Luigi Mario.
Oh Luigi Mario!
By my Stars, he is impossibly dreamy.
The mere thought of him is enough to set my body into crazed palpitations. My hands twitch at the sight of him. The tip of my tail wags at the slightest scent of his natural smell. Like musky mushrooms, grass and . . . um, another thing. Pasta, I think he called it. A long, stringy kind of morsel that I saw him slurp up his lips and there, I had the pleasure of watching the buttery residue cling to his mustache.
Such a thick, dark and bushy device it is, that mustache. I've often wondered what it would feel like to have it tickle against my snout during the approach of the fabled kiss to my lips. (I've only ever dreamed of what it would be like. I hear it's like sweet and melty, like ice cream. I've never seen a kiss for myself, but I'd love for him to show me.)
Ahem, back to his mustache. There's the mystery of how it wiggles at his laughs too, as if it hangs a float just above his lip and drifts to the flow of his laughter. But I know it does not. Too often have I seen it up close and intently watched as it molded to every curve, drop, and rise of his thin lips. It's enchanting in its own way.
But none more than his gorgeous blue eyes. I've yet to encounter another Yoshi born to match that exact shade. It's the perfect median between the sky's bright hue and the sea's dark waves that crest our sandy shores. You never realize how true it is when others say how entranced you can be in someone's eyes until you're the one held there by that singular, everlasting stare.
Oh Luigi, oh melons, even as I write goosebumps gather on my arms and stomach. It's by the grace of the Millennia Star I haven't lain an egg at the thought of him. Goodness knows I've come impossibly close each time he's saddled me and we'd rush into whatever adventure awaited us.
And yet, there is nothing there to be that crutch for me now whenever we're together. It's always been because of some mutual desire to save lives. Daring rescues, defeating foes, braving the unknown. Now, there is none. And with nothing standing in the way to prevent my chances . . . why am I hesitant to confess my feelings?
There isn't anything holding me back. Nothing real pressing anyway. Well, no, I'm wrong. There is that stomach-buckling worry about what the public would think. How could a dinosaur catch feelings for their human compatriot? Believe me, it's been an odd attraction to handle for a short while, but as time passed, the idea of it being strange was no longer so, well, strange. I learned to accept our difference. Amusingly ridiculous.
The fact that he has hair everywhere—does he have hair everywhere? I wonder if. . . Oh gracious, that's for another sheet of paper. I won't let my perversity taint this sheet when I already have others speared with all that adulterated smut.
Gracious, I've gone and made myself blush.
But as I were writing, it's because of those differences that go on to make us fit better than any other could for us. And it reminds me that despite those differences that we still have a great deal in common. Like, we both have hearts, our favorite color—obviously green, we both have four fingers . . . (something feels off about that sometimes.) Then there's the two eyes, nose, and our shared tendency to find ourselves dragged into danger by Mario.
. . . Not that I really mind. I would follow Luigi into Bowser's lava trenches without a second thought if it meant we would perish together. He's come to mean that much to me and my infatuation has only blossomed with time.
I want so much to tell him everything, to pour my heart out to the world and admit to him how he makes me feel. I don't want it to be hidden. I want everyone to know that I love Luigi.
My green clad, overall wearing, blue-eyed wonder . . . my dearest, beloved Luigi . . . Perhaps someday I'll work up the nerve to say what's in my heart. Maybe that day will come soon.
We're at peace now. The sky's the limit. Knowing this, I should be jumping at the chance to meet him at the celebrations, take him aside and flat out say it:
Luigi Mario, I love you.
. . . It seems so much easier to write on paper. I tried saying it aloud and my heart threatened to clog my throat.
I need help. . . I really need help.
Oh Luigi, my innards quiver to feel you. I love you so very much.
I suppose if I am to wait to make my confession, I should at least build up the courage to figure out what I should say.
What do you think, Melon? Tomorrow's the start of a grand future for us all. Who knows what'll be in store for us.
Sincerely,
Yoshi (Ha Barrrrinnngggg ha!)
Toad Town
The toads have done a fine job of pulling together to bring about the celebration. I don't think I've ever seen so many glittery streamers in red, green, white, peach and green intricately woven between stands and carnival rides. Balloons were tied to every light post draped in pastel colored silly strings and it seemed to constantly rain confetti. Every manner of person was there, Toads, Goombas, Troopas, Magikoopas, Koopas, Boos, Shy Guys, everyone intermingling together as it always should have been. And gracious the scent of food floated around us was mouthwatering. Enormous tents were pitched for mini games to entertain the younger audiences, and laughter could be heard merrily tickling the ears of everyone.
All of it was beautiful, a marvel to behold.
And I wanted no part of it!
"Please, guys, stop this. You have no idea what you're forcing me into!" I squirmed and tried for the fifth time to head-butt my way past the colorful barricade preventing my escape. "Let me through. I want to go home!"
"I think not!" Auburn Yoshi pressed both of his hands into my head and pushed all of his weight into countering mine. "You're gonna do this if it kills us!"
Black Yoshi roughly tugs my tail in the opposite direction. "We fluttered all the way from home to ensure your happiness. I had best see some results!"
"I didn't ask any of you for your help!" I loudly exclaimed.
"I bet to differ," Pink Yoshi unfairly adds, pulling at my right arm. "In your letter you clearly stated and I quote 'I need help. . . I really need help.' Well, wish granted. You can thank us later."
I gawked. "You took that out of context. I wasn't referring to anyone specifically!"
"Is that right?" Pink Yoshi stops her tugging long enough to glance over my head at White Yoshi who held possession of my left arm. "Didn't you say you read the letter?"
"Yep, so did Black. Darn it, stop struggling, Yoshi!"
"Quick yanking so hard. You almost pulled my arm out of the socket!"
"Then stop resisting!"
Black Yoshi adjusts his grip and keeps pulling my rear. "I assure you, I didn't misinterpret anything," he says, confirming White's statement. "I know a cry for help when I read one. And for the record, I reserve the right to say I'm doing this for the greater good of all Yoshi. You represent our society as a whole. If you're sad, how do you think that'll be viewed by the public?"
"How do you think this you're doing now will be seen by the public?" I argue, digging my orange shoes into the soft dirt to gain traction. "We're making a spectacle of ourselves. It's bad enough they can't understand our language. Just us loudly booming the same word over and over—see, see! Those Toads over there are whispering. I know it's about us!"
Magenta Yoshi, the only one who hadn't taken to grabbing any of my appendages, simply snorts in the Toads' direction and upturns his nose. "So what if they are? It's their fault for not becoming fluent in our language. It's hardly jargon."
"It is hard to learn," says Auburn Yoshi.
"We're an eponymous race. One word with customized pitches, and accented tones. How simple-minded does one have to be to understand that?"
"Don't be so vain, Magenta," Black Yoshi says in a short grunt and finally gains better footing. "Ignore them. Our main objective is getting Yoshi to the center of town to this Luigi fellow."
At the sound of his name, my stomach vows to spit out my rear. My struggles renew with amped vigor. "If there's even an ounce of decency in any of you, you'll stop this madness before my heart gives out!"
". . . Maybe we should let him go?" Pink Yoshi mumbles worriedly.
"No, he's fine. He's ecstatic to be here," says White Yoshi. "Besides, if we stop, we'll be doing our people a disservice by not making him happy."
"Do I look happy to you?!" I snap. "This isn't me happy. This is me miserable."
"It's your own fault for leaving the letter out in the open," Magenta Yoshi chastises, bored, checking the ends of his fingers. "Had you been more cautious in keeping your business private, we wouldn't be out here."
"More cautious?" The nerve. "The lot of you invaded my nest, ate my food, raided my things and broke into my very much locked treasure crest to get to those letters and made me sit through you reading every excruciating word. Out. Loud. Tell me where I hadn't practiced the upmost caution?"
". . . Well, well you shouldn't have opened the door."
Is that the best he can come up with?
"In my defense, I thought they were poems," Auburn Yoshi argues. "They were poetic actually. Except the dirty ones. Especially those. Definitely those. Yoshi, where in the eight worlds did you inherit such a filthy mind? 'My toes curl at the thought of those warm, moist lips, meshing against my smooth underbelly . . . and you dream of a salivated coated tongue gliding up your—"
"Holy Stars!" I angrily interrupt. "Auburn, for once in your life, exercise some restraint!"
"Whoa!" Pink Yoshi perks up, a deep blush adoring her round cheeks. "It said all that?"
Auburn chortles like there wasn't a thing wrong with what he confessed to. "Oh a good few. Black read more of them in private."
"Aha!" Black shouts victoriously when he lifts my feet off the ground and heaves my lower torso over his shoulder. "I sure did. Totally guilty, no shame to be had." He lugs me to my middle to further secure me in place. The others flank Black from all sides to guarantee I don't squirm free. "There now, that wasn't so bad."
"I want to die!" I cry out and cover my eyes. If we weren't already making a scene earlier, seeing them carry me into town like this was definitely gathering attention. "Someone please, ground pound me out of my misery. This day couldn't begin on a worse note!"
"Relax Yoshi, just think of it this way. By the end of the day, you'll be happily together with your green clad, overall wearing, blue-eyed lover," said White Yoshi.
I shoot him the look of a million searing suns. "I wrote that in confidence," I growled through clenched teeth.
White Yoshi shrugs. "Yeah, well, I say we find this dastardly dreamboat of yours soon." He licks his chops when we bypass a cart of pineapples and rubs over his belly. "I'm getting hungry. Between fluttering here and dragging Yoshi to paradise against his will, I've worked up a mammoth appetite."
"Stuff it, will you?" Magenta Yoshi scolds from ahead. "We've our priorities and your insatiable gullet isn't one of them."
How can everyone be so oblivious to the whispers? I hear them clear as day, burning my ears and thoughts with their judgment and ridicule. It's enough to make me lose my appetite. My poor belly.
I nudge Black Yoshi's cheek with my side. "Black, since none of you have any intentions of letting me leave, can't I walk on my own? My dignity's suffered enough."
"I would," he says. "But you can flutter, run and dash with the best of them." He sweetly pets my side. "When we reach the center of town, I'll consider it."
"You can't hold me here."
"Aren't I proving you otherwise?"
Touché. I sigh, crossing my arms against the wide plane of Black's shoulder blades as I'm hauled along like a sack of potatoes.
Only, as that thought processes, I notice just much how muscle is at play here. My hands uncurl and lay over the slope of Black's back. I gently pat over the spans of the tough, dark scales bunched around his spikes. Enormous bulks of compact muscle flex and contract beneath my touch, and I feel them at work beneath my belly. Oh. Oh, there's plenty of power beneath these scales. With only slightly labored breathing, he's able to carry me with relative ease like one might lift an apple.
My head snaps upward at some suppressed giggling coming from Pink and White.
Pink Yoshi's voice is quiet and positively saturated with barely contained laughter. "Your choice of mate isn't quite so strange now that I see you feeling all over Black like that."
"Hush you two," Black Yoshi rumbles. "You're going to make him uncomfortable."
"Too late for that," laughs White Yoshi.
Rapidly, so extremely rapid that I'm optimistic that the emotions don't show on my face, a set of images scurry through my mind. Images of Black. Seductive, racy images of Black. I shake my head violently and sneer at them.
"I swear I will pound you both."
They burst into hearty laughter. Auburn shakes his head at our banter and Magenta merely snorts, but there's a hint of a smile in there. I slump dejectedly. There's nothing I can do except go along with it. The decorations were amazing. The Toads have truly outdone themselves to make this day a splendor. It'll be a shame to waste the sights because of my insecurities. So, I settle in for the ride and take in all I'm able.
There's no real pattern or organized setting to the town. Wherever there's space, it was occupied by a vendor of some kind, to sell food, games or clothing. I tilt my head at a pair of Goomba, a Hammer Bro and a yellow Toadette trying on head accessories. Neighboring the vendor is a food stand serving some freshly cooked shish kabob mushrooms on pikes to a Green shell Paratroopa, Purple Toad, red shell Koopa. From above, Magikoopa spun, danced and performed aerobatics from each other's brooms, casting explosive spells that flared into dazzling sparkles. A couple were daringly vaulting from their brooms to land in a Lakitu's cloud before repeating the feat over and over from one cloud or broom to the next until they landed on their own respected ride and the game began again.
It's funny in way. From how well everyone's getting along, it's hard to recall how bitterly the fractions clashed only weeks prior. The change is a welcome one. I doubt there's absolute coexistence between everyone though. Some groups choose to stick with their own kind and will less likely lose their prejudice views on certain parties for a while. I hope they don't take long to come around. What a shame it would be to linger on past aggressions when friendship is a much better option.
"We've arrived," Black announces. I squeak when my body shifts forward and I'm neatly placed on my feet. black smiles down at my pout and pats my head. "There now, was that so bad? And look there, I think that's your blue-eyed wonder isn't it?"
Every part of me becomes ice cold when he says that. My back's facing whatever my family's looking. He's near. I can feel it. I think I'm close to lurching forward. In fact, I do just that and prepare myself for impact, but I'm caught by the tail and look up pleadingly at Black. He won't even let me have a merciful faint. My heart is on the verge of stalling. I am not ready for this.
"You know, Luigi actually doesn't make for a bad human," Auburn assesses, scratching under his chin. "Although, the mustache is a little nana tootsie for my tastes, but I suppose it can be overlooked."
"What are you saying?" I snap at him, outraged. "His mustache is one of his best qualities!"
"You think so?"
"Absolutely. It enhances his character!"
I huff and spin around, folding my arms. What would Auburn know anyway? How dare he think to insult Luigi? Everything about him is perfect. Why, I'd bet my whole melon stash that if they knew as much about him as I did, they wouldn't think to slight his features. His skin's warm and smooth. His smiles are as bright as any Luma and . . . and . . .
"Great Stars!" I gasp, horrified that he and his brother were nearly here. I look helplessly between my family and each of them are wearing a cruel smile at the bright blush no doubt ripening my cheeks. "Oh me, oh my, he's coming this way. What shall I do? Someone please, make an excuse. I can't deal with seeing him right now."
"Oh, this is just precious. Yoshi's worked himself up into a tizzy," White coos. "Goodness no, you're gonna stay right here and greet him like you're supposed to."
"But . . . but . . . but I have no idea what to say to him?"
Black lifts his brow ridge at me. "I believe a good day or morning, will suffice. What do you think?"
I lower my eyes at him.
He shrugs and nods forward. I lift my head and it's all I can stand not to produce an egg right then. Luigi's smiling, his eyes closed from the high arch his tantalizing lips push into his cheek bones. Just look at him. Look. At. Him. Those chiseled arms, those sinfully bluer then blue eyes, that long legged stride, that face, and ohhhh mercy that mustache. Could one possibly die from sex appeal overload—
". . . didn't think you'd ever get here, Yosh. About time you showed yourself. And your friends too. Welcome!"
His moist lips are moving. Were words coming out? I lost myself for a moment looking at the way his mustache wiggled and curved. My own mouth unconsciously falls open a bit.
"Whoo-hoo, Yoshi? Are you there?" White fingers snap in my face.
Huh.
Luigi raises an amused eyebrow, smile deepening.
I blink and look around. Everyone's eyes are on me and Luigi's staring at me like . . . like—Oh no.
"Did you say something?" I say in fright.
Mario snickered next to him. "You were out of it, buddy. You didn't swallow anything bad, did you?"
Talk to Mario instead. He's cute too, but I can handle speaking to him. "N-no, I-I guess I'm still a little tired from the trip. We were saving our appetites for the celebration."
"There's plenty for everyone."
"You think so?" Luigi lifts his other eyebrow. "I hope we gathered enough food to deal with six hungry Yoshi," he laughs. Gosh, what a sexy laugh. "I've seen you eat your way through a mountain of bananas. Let's keep our fingers crossed you save some for the rest of us."
"Ahahaha!" I giggle a little too loudly and squish my cheeks in. "I-I'll do my best."
"I'm only joking, Yoshi." Luigi lays his hand on my shoulder, giving a firm squeeze. "Eat as much as you like. I love to see you happy. That cute smile never fails to brighten our day."
My smile brightens his day? His fingers lightly trail under to tickle my chin. My left foot unfortunately bends under and starts to tremble. I clear my throat and politely lean away to hold my hands over my cheeks, shyly hiding my face from him.
"This is too precious," White whispers to Pink.
As if I hadn't already promised the two a good thrashing. They're seriously going to get it if they think I didn't hear that.
"We're gonna see you guys at the Dance Off right?" asks Mario.
"Dance Off?" inquires Black. "You actually host those?"
"We haven't for a while because of the lack of participation, but the idea's been buzzing around the kingdom lately. Everyone's putting in a favorite song for us to dance to. Whichever selection ends up being the crowd favorite wins a prize."
"There'll be recesses held in between admissions," Luigi goes on to elaborate, looking down at us in turn. "Well, there's supposed to be, but we're having a little trouble finding willing candidates to help with the intermission portions. Not that me and my bro can't take a marathon of straight dancing, but. . ." He sheepishly scratches beneath his hat, looking at Mario.
Mario chuckles, taking over. "It's just a break would be nice to guarantee our performance isn't lackluster. Everyone deserves a good show. We can't exactly provide quality entertainment if we're exhausted, right?"
I fold my arms, thinking. "You haven't found anyone at all?"
"We had a group of Koopa Troopas, but they canceled at the last minute. Which really stinks because they had a boogie I was looking forward to seeing."
"How many songs are there?"
The brothers share a look. Luigi crosses his arms behind his head, simpering. Mario rolls his eyes and sighs.
"At first, there were only twelve songs, but then Bowser got wind of the contest, he demanded to be a part of it . . . His loyal fans heard, so now we're up to twenty-nine."
"Bowser's dancing too?" Auburn excitedly exclaims. "Please tell me it isn't too late to enter another song?"
"Yes!" The brothers quickly answer.
"Rats."
I scratch my chin. "How many intermissions will you need?"
Luigi's smile widens at me. 'Don't look at me like that.' I duck my head with a blush I'm sure is painting my cheeks a brighter red. "Three would be plenty."
I look around at my family. Black, Magenta and Auburn are already nodding to the idea visible on my face. I glance to the other side at White and Pink. They look at one another before shrugging. I nod at them, grateful for their support.
"We could do it," I proudly volunteer.
"Really?" Mario is all smiles. "The contest starts this afternoon. That's real short notice. You're sure it won't be a bother?"
"Not at all!" Auburn pounds a fist to his chest. "That's plenty of time for us to eat and rehearse."
"Just don't be upset if we steal the show," Magenta boasts, sticking out his chest. I shoot him a look, which he ignores. "We're undisputedly cute," he goes on to say. "Who can resist a bunch of dancing, sweet singing Yoshi?"
"No one that's for sure," Luigi happily agrees. "You guys are the best!" He steps up and wraps his arms around me in a warm hug. "Thanks a ton, Yoshi. You saved us big time."
Luigi's hugging me.
Luigi's hugging me.
Luigi's hugging me.
Oh. . . Melon.
. . . I can happily die now.
Luigi leans away to stare in my face. "Yoshi? Yoshi, everything alright?"
I'm deliriously thrilled beyond reason, my head and heart light as air. I smile up at him and sigh dreamily. "I'm . . . fine." All of a sudden, the world's a splendid array of colors and happiness. I swoon off my feet and the sky comes into my line of view and then everyone's faces staring down at me are all I remember before I black out.
Go-Kart Champion's Pavilion
"You fainted. I can't believe you actually fainted!" Magenta angrily paces while White slaps something wet and warm across my brow. "What a drip. Imagine how that must've looked. You have people worried you suffered from heatstroke."
". . . It is pretty hot out," Pink offers.
Magenta points at her. "Not helping and that doesn't excuse his behavior."
Black shrugs from his place in the corner. "We both knew the kid had it bad when we arrived."
"But this bad?" Magenta looks at me from above, shaking his head. "Hmmph, bad indeed. Those letters don't do Yoshi's infatuation real justice. He demonstrated quite well how taken he is over this Luigi."
Auburn takes over White's spot and rubs the damp rag over my face cheeks. "It's a wonder he hasn't lain an egg at the sight of him."
"Not everyone's quick to reproduce at the first attractive face. He's not like Lavender, that hot tailed floozy," Magenta lowly grumbles in the end.
I chuckle and it hurts some to do it. I let my eyes roam over our surroundings, or what I'm able to gauge from where I lay. A stony pavilion surrounds us with rich pink and green tapestries looming like curtains all over. Cool air sweeps from every direction and I figure we must still be outside. The scent of the festivities is particularly strong, but the lack of sunlight says we're under cover.
"Where are we?" I ask.
"The Go-Kart Champion's Pavilion," Auburn happily informs. "I've always wanted to visit the Hall of Fame."
I frown. "Why are we here?"
"Luigi carried you here," White is all too pleased to relay. "Said it was the best place to put his beloved Yoshi."
I sit up fast. "Luigi carried me?" I shriek. "Oh Melon." I sway. Magenta catches me before my head bounces off the ground and gently lays me back down.
"Yoshi, if you so much as ponder the thought of fainting again, so help me, I will gladly assist in making sure you don't wake up from it a second time!"
"Luigi carried me!" I tell him, accusingly shooting daggers at Black. "You had no problem dragging me all the way here. Why didn't you carry me instead?"
Black shrugs. "He insisted. Who am I to deny the man?"
I slap a hand over my eyes. Gosh, Luigi carried me. How embarrassing. Worst yet, I fainted right in front of him. Pathetic! He probably thinks I'm a total weirdo now. And right after I promised that we would be their recess for the show.
The show—oh no.
"What time is it?" I shriek.
"Relax, we still have a few hours before the Dance Off." Auburn dips the rag in a bucket of cold water, wrings it and lays it back over my brow. "You can rest a bit before we eat. Luigi says he's going to order a special fest just for us."
"He is?" That was certainly thoughtful of him. I smile. Good ole, sweet, kind hearted Luigi. He's always so attentive to everyone's needs. "I wish he hadn't gone through the trouble."
"We told him just that and his exact words were," Auburn Yoshi clears his throat and makes a poor impersonation of Luigi's accent. "It's-a not-a problem at all. There's-a plenty of food for everyone. Just make-a sure Yoshi has his portion when he wakes up. And thank him for me again. He's-a great!"
I laugh a little. "That was terrible. He doesn't talk like that at all."
"Oh? I knew those two were putting on with that."
"Speaking of putting on, am I the only one surprised that they understood us?" Pink says, rocking her feet on top of a crate. She leans back a little, head tilted. "They spoke full, fluent sentences. Even got the pitches right. That's pretty impressive."
Magenta eyes me before tossing his thumb in my direction. "If hanging around Yoshi all these years hadn't gotten them at least half way cogent to our dialect, I wouldn't care for the lads at all. Actually, I'm more pleased to know they know our language so well. They properly punctuated every syllable with practiced ease. That kind of talent deserves a 1-Up."
"We can speak their language too."
"Yes, but I prefer our own. At least there's consistency. English is forever changing. I can't tell what's preferred these days. Slang or proper speaking."
"Here, here." agrees Auburn. "I gave up trying."
"I think I can sit up now." I attempt a slower rise, rolling on my side and pushing up with my right hand until I was in an upright position.
Besides mild dizziness, I wasn't bad off. Auburn and Magenta keep their hands hovered around me just in case and the gesture's much appreciated. I wave them off, giving my head a short shake and take several deep breaths. Once the world doesn't feel ready to tumble from beneath me, I try standing. But that takes a bit more effort and I decide to stay on the ground a while longer.
Not that I'm discontented to sit here. I can savor the aromas of food drifting from the outer vendors all day. Having frequented the palace grounds so often, I can identify every delicacy without fail. Roasted Mushrooms, Sautéed Cheep-Cheep smeared in butter cream mushroom, Meaty Truffle Bits braised over an open fire, Baked Honeydews, Wood Ear stew, Barbecue Gypsy Mushrooms, Deep Fried Pokey, Fricassee Blooper in ink soup and rice, Tossed Fruit Salads, and a collection of other gourmet goodies I couldn't wait to fill my belly with.
In the distance, the beginnings of whimsical carnival music gingerly blends into to the symphony of conversations and laughter. Judging by the whoops and cheers, the crowds welcome the change in atmosphere. I smile in earnest as a bubble of warmth fizzles inside me and reaches to my feet.
When the promised bounty arrives, we're surprised at just how much is served. Several Koopa Troopas and Toads came rolling in barrels filled with a variety of fruits, and hot metal wagons stacked with hot meals. Everything is neatly arranged by course and we settled ourselves around the entrees to enjoy.
"I suppose this'll do for an appetizer," White grumbles, picking out a large roasted mushroom to munch on.
"Don't be ungrateful," says Magenta. "They mean well. How could they know we eat more than ten times our body weight?"
"Twelve," corrected Black, tossing and catching a loaf of bread in his mouth.
"No, I'm sure it's ten."
"I can assure you it's twelve. Proved it myself."
We all looked around at each other. "But Crimson always told us a Yoshi could never eat beyond what he deemed our scientific limits. The prospect's illogical," I said.
Black polished off his second loaf of bread, because he found it repulsive to speak before finishing your portion. "I challenged that theory. Something told me we weren't eating to our full potential, so I sought out Cobalt and we experimented with a hill of pineapples. Come to find out we're able to eat twelves times our body weight."
"I knew it!" White cheerily exclaims. "All this time something told me I was underachieving myself when it came to meals. Yellow told me I was exaggerating. Ha, shows what she knows."
"Yes, well, I think I could have easily reached fourteen."
"What happened?"
"Besides nearly choking and going on to glory?" Black taps his cheek and shrugs. "I forgot to breathe."
"I doubt you could've eaten much more anyway," I mumble.
"I was still hungry," Black insists, having heard me. "I'm confident I could have reached fourteen, fifteen even. If it weren't for that pesky breathing between bites business. . ."
"Yes, Stars forbid us the luxury of sucking in what we need most to survive."
Black cuts his eyes at me. I shrug and smile. He rolls his eyes. "I'll know better next time."
Pink reaches over to pat his shoulder. "It happens to the best of us."
"Oi, Yoshi!" We all glance behind us to find Mario carrying two enormous drums of apple cider and water. "I gotcha drinks here!"
"Whoa," whispers Magenta. He whistles impressed, then leans over to say to Auburn, "If Luigi's just as strong, it's no wonder Yoshi's head over tail in love. Who wouldn't wanna be manhandled by muscles like those?"
"No kidding."
I give the loudest throat clearing in the universe and stand up, stepping on Magenta's tail, ignoring his warning growl. "Thanks Mario. We were wondering what the holdup was," I joke.
"Finding enough food to satisfy six Yoshi is a full time job, buddy." He lowers the drums, wipes his forehead and leans against the side of one, looking me over. "We're glad you could make it, Yoshi. The celebration wouldn't be the same without one of the kingdom's reigning heroes."
"Oh, I hardly did much."
"Nonsense, if not me or Luigi, you above anyone else made sure we got the job done. We wouldn't have succeeded without you. . ."
Yoshi was certain the instant Mario leveled his eyes with his that he wanted to talk in private. After all these years entering blindly into combat with his friend, one learns to interpret their body language and facial expressions at a moment's notice to avoid loss time. I nod toward a pillar a few feet away and lead him away.
Once there, he retakes his previous posture, folding his arms, crossing one ankle over the other and a stare gleam in his eye. "Is everything alright?" I ask, smoothing my dialect to English.
Mario shrugs, doing the same. "Is it?"
I frown. "I suppose," I slowly wonder. "What's going on, Mario? You're not the type for trivial bush beating."
He actually laughs at that and I smirk a little. Whoever said the Mario Brothers didn't have a contagious laugh would be full of it.
"You're too adorable for your own good, Yoshi." Mario thumbs a tear from the corner of his eye and clears his throat, reforming to his serious face. "But I'm wondering. Is there something going on between you and my brother that I should know about?"
I think my heart stopped dead in my chest. Had I . . . had I heard him right?
"I-I'm sorry?" I chuckle nervously and gulp. "W-what makes you think there's anything g-going on between me and L-lui-Lui-lui," I fist pound my chest. "Your brother?"
Mario lifts a knowing eyebrow. No way out of this one. Mario isn't an idiot. Stupid me for assuming I could try lying my way out of it. He's known me since I hatched.
"You like him don't you?"
Any and everything I want to say remains tangled inside my mouth. I blink stupidly at him, fists wiggling and feet pity patting. "W-w-well of course!" I squeak aloud and laugh even louder than necessary. "Who w-wouldn't like Luigi? He's Luigi. Everybody loves him!"
Mario's smirk is positively wicked. "Uh-huh, but not like you, eh?"
My fists curl into my snout. I don't think my face could get much hotter, redder. I sway and pray I hit the ground hard enough to knock me unconscious, but like Black, Mario doesn't give me the easy way out and catches my arm. I whimper, snatch my arm free and turn away, holding my hands over my eyes.
"Please don't say anything. I know secrets are bad to keep from anyone and it wouldn't be fair to keep something like this from him. He's your brother after all and family comes first. Secrets ruin happy homes and no doubt this one will be a wallop of a secret. I mean, who's ever heard of a dinosaur loving a human—"
"Love?"
"Oh Stars!" I realize I unveiled an even bigger part of my confession then I intended and really feel close to fainting. "Love, did I say love? Love is such a strong term. Maybe not love. More like a strong, dedicated devotion that borders on an emotion very close to it. That's so out of the norm that normal couldn't begin to touch this. I know it's super creepy to find out your friend likes your brother and I'll understand if friendship's the last thing you want from me because how unpleasant is it to have a dinosaur as a brother-in-law, right? I can leave and never show my face again—"
"Yoshi, Yoshi, calm down." Mario's hands grab and hold my face. I sniffle, and close my eyes to collect myself. Tears were tumbling down my eyes in fat droplets. I don't know when I'd started and I'm grateful to Mario for not mentioning it as he cleans them away with the end of his sleeve. "I could never ask such a thing. There's nothing in all the eight worlds that'd make me cutoff my friendship with you."
A shaky shudder leaves my body and I sag into his chest, as a world of relief escapes me. I never knew how much it meant to hear that. I guess in the back of my mind, I was afraid of Mario's judgement on the whole thing with me loving Luigi. He hasn't exactly given his opinion yet, but he's hugging me. That's a good sign right?
"I've always wondered though." Mario rubs the back of my head before leaning away to look into my eyes, wearing a soft, amused smile. "This certainly explains a lot. I guess I knew there was a special connection you had with him, but I never knew how deep."
"You," I sniffle, "you knew?"
"More or less. Anytime we summoned two Yoshi, you would always go to him. I thought it was a color preference or because he had more of a hand in raising you. Then there's how you wouldn't fuss as much whenever you two partnered up at parties. . . Come to think of it, you've shared your melons with him. That's really something."
"Me liking—" At his hard stare, I correct myself, "Um, loving Luigi doesn't bother you?"
"It, uh, took me a while to adjust to the idea, but no it doesn't. In fact, I'm more open minded to such things now because of it." He hugs me again. "Love's love no matter who it's for. You'll be good for him."
I sigh and hug him back. Then a thought hits me. "Wait, what about Daisy? I thought—"
"The same as the rest of the public," Mario sighs, and leans back, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, there's that. It's . . . kinda complicated."
I almost don't want to know what that one word entitles, but I urge him to go on.
Mario scratches at the tuff of hair beneath the bill of his hat before saying, "I suppose since I unjustly revealed your secret, it's only fair I even the odds," he sighs again, shaking his head. "There's nothing going on between those two. Or me and Peach for that matter."
My mouth drops and I stare at like him he just told me the sky would fall any second. I look around us and can't help snuggling closer to him, all giggles and mischievous delight. I feel like someone just told me the secret to the universe. I squeeze his arm to hear more.
"Then why hide the truth? If you guys aren't couples, then what's really going on?"
"To pacify the masses mostly." Mario pats my hand and gives a small tug for me to join him in a walk. "With me around, there's less demand for Peach to marry. Toadworth's isn't so hard up on finding her a suitable husband when there's a hero like me around to keep her safe. And if it looks like I'm interested in the princess, I don't have to be bombarded with a bunch of marriage proposes."
That does make sense.
"For a while Luigi caught it worse than me." I look up worried. Mario pets my hand again, continuing as we walked around the pavilion's corner. "Since the older Mario brother isn't available, there's always the younger brother. He's just as good a hero, only green and taller. Sounds like a sweet deal, huh? He was getting gifts, poems, offers of gold, glory, and um, some very provocative pictures."
At hearing that I halt our walk and stamp my foot.
"From who?" I demand, angrily clenching my fists. "If it's anyone here today, I swear I'll shove an egg the size of a blooper up their—"
"No one here, honest!" Mario waves off and it takes a couple of short pulls to get me back walking again. "They were all from distant, very distant kingdoms wanting a protector for their princesses. Luigi wasn't interested in any of them. Well, not until that whole mess with Daisy getting kidnapped in Sarasaland. I saved her and it wasn't long before Luigi and Daisy clicked and became . . . What do people call them now? Oh, besties," he hums, amused. "Seeing them together worked like a charm. Princess Daisy and Luigi an item? What a treat. Someone's finally managed to romance the little Mario Brother. All's well and grand in the land."
I giggle at his dramatic hand gestures and facial expressions.
"But we won't be able to keep up the charade for long."
"Why not?" I question. "The plan's worked thus far? Why ruin a good thing now?"
Mario curls a finger under his chin in thought. "Eventually we'll want to be with the true object of our affections. Keeping our relationships hidden would feel like we're ashamed. I can't. . . I don't wanna hold back any longer from being with the one I care for. And I doubt you want to live in the shadow of Daisy and Luigi's bogus relationship."
I want to hang onto the part he mentions about himself, but he succeeds in distracting my attentions back towards my infatuation with Luigi. He was right. If—when Luigi and I get together someday, I wouldn't want to be kept in the dark, especially because of some fancily fabricated lie. I want everyone to know about our happiness.
As we neared the end of our stroll, I held onto Mario's arm still, a light, respectful grasp that sought his support. To my surprise he wraps his arm around my shoulders, guiding us to the outer side of a pillar and tilts my chin to look him in the eyes.
"So, I suppose the biggest mystery lies in whether you're ready to tell him how you feel."
I want to look away, but Mario doesn't allow it, touching my cheek and turning me back to face him.
"You braved telling me," he continues on to say. "I've seen you jump head first into danger without a moment's hesitation. Think of this as one of those gut clenching endeavors you'd stop at nothing to see through. Don't you think Luigi's worth the risk?"
"Without a doubt," I answer right away.
"Alright then." Mario taps my nose, smiling. "I say why waste time. Something tells me once that little push is made, you'll both be falling for keeps."
I squish my cheeks giggling. "You really think so? C-could he fall for me as hard as I have for him?"
Mario winks. "Of course. I've yet to meet anyone who can resist a cute Yoshi."
"Oh stop!" I squeal, covering my eyes. I wish I could stop giggling so much, but his words put such a funny tickle in my belly. "Thanks Mario." I inhale and exhale, feeling much better. Like I can concur anything at this point.
"That's the spirit. Now I better get out of here before Luigi comes looking for me. We're supposed to meet at the fountain for rehearsal."
I nod and give him a friendly shove in that direction. He turns to leave, but then I suddenly remember something and catch him by the strap of his overalls.
"Mario, wait, about what you said before."
He pauses, tilting his head. "I said a lot of things. Which do you mean?"
"You spoke like you were in love with someone too. We can already rule out Peach. Who else is there?"
"Ah, that." Mario scratches the back of his neck and suddenly beams, holding a thumbs up. "That's a secret for another time. But if things work the way I want, you won't have to wait long to find out who that special someone is." With that said, he sprints away before I have a chance to question it further.
Whoever this someone is, I hope they make him happy. Mario will make the perfect boyfriend. But not as perfect as Luigi. I giggle at myself before hurrying back inside to eat.
TBC: Stay tuned!