My eye lids fluttered responsively as iridescent sun rays licked their surface through a small crack in the curtains. I groaned, shuffling out of the way. My head felt as though my brain was aggressively hammering against its prison in a frenzied attempt to escape, mimicking my heart's actions the previous night. It was apparent even my organs found me too much of a burden to bear.
My throat felt completely raw, and as devoid of moisture as a desert. I surveyed my surroundings in a daze, unable to discern whether or not what I experienced in the deranged darkness had been a progression of my dream, or if it truly happened. After all, distinguishing dreams from reality was becoming a pain.
My cognitive response to the situation seemed lacking in fluidity. My mental process was still heavily chained by exhaustion, and my brain weakened by its relentless attempts of desertion. As a result, I was unable to tell exactly where I was.
Unable to summon the desire to move, I ran my eyes across my current lodgings, in search of specific signs that would confirm this was my room. I homed in on a wall near to me on the right, and noticed the surface was bereft of the drawings Lemmy and I spent hours on as children. Assuming the night before was a reality, I was in Lemmy's room.
I tore my gaze from the surrounding space, and closely observed the bed I was currently engulfing. And while it was a relief to have confirmation that my dream hadn't progressed so wildly, I moaned in anguish. Lemmy was curled up beside me, taking up as little space as he could, considering my arms had been sprawled out at odd angles; constraining most of the available space. Tears threatened to invade as I watched his sleeping form. He expelled my agony the night before; helped me so much, and I repaid him by almost forcing him off his own bed.
"Lemmy... I am so sorry," I whispered. As a result of exercising my vocal chords, the inside of my throat spontaneously combusted. I cringed, holding a hand up to it to try and subdue the sudden inferno.
For some time, I attempted to relinquish myself of the ferocious force rending my throat. But I realised with time that I would require help from a common ally to placate the wrathful storm. I forced myself into a sitting position, and inched towards the edge of the bed. Trying to cause as little turbulence as possible, I pushed down into the mattress, and ascended from my shame using the sequential momentum. Turning around, I examined Lemmy, and sighed in relief upon finding his eyes were still firmly closed. I could at least find some solace in allowing him rest.
Experience had embedded a deterrent message within me. It was perpetually etched into the forefront of my mind, and warned me that moving any quicker than a snail's pace on a morning such as this one would cause repercussions I could not currently handle exposing myself to. With the grace of a starving lioness, I carefully stalked towards the bathroom.
Once inside, I braved the artificial light source above me and sought the sink. Upon discovering the glass Lemmy had aided me in drinking out of the night before abandoned on the floor, I washed it out, and filled it with flowing liquid; grateful that the tap complied enough to turn.
Not wanting to rouse Lemmy, I lowered myself onto the now freezing tile floor: the open window had caused severe shifts in the temperature – from one extreme to the other. The cold snapped at my exposed skin for some time, but it was more playful than threatening. It was certainly less of a burden than extreme heat: my breathing was functioning perfectly. Upon mounting a defensive force in the form of water, and laying siege to the fire in my throat, it was ultimately defeated. The flames died down, and the pain with them. I smiled as the liquid vitalised my previously shrivelled throat.
I gulped down the remainder of the refreshment, and ran my hand across the lower half of my face to clear it of residual drops. I then made a better attempt at straightening my legs, aspiring for my full height. The water thankfully reduced my immense dehydration, resulting in my brain's sudden clarity; it seemed satisfied enough to halt its attempts of mutiny. And although my throat was still irritated due to impressive persistence, my pain parameters were high enough that it didn't bother me much.
Once prepared to evacuate the bathroom, I gingerly sidled into the silent scrutiny of the mirror, assessing the potential damage from the previous night. I was pleased to see my mental state was impacted upon less; my deterioration could be considered significantly less horrific this time around. It also felt reassuring to me that my reflection emitted an aura of trustworthiness. But this was no surprise: the sleep I had fallen into on Lemmy's bed was seamless; nothing could break through.
I gently padded out from the bathroom, hoping I could stealthily slip through the sprawling corridors unnoticed to my room to retrieve my shell. But as my quaking hand reached painstakingly for the handle, and I was about to open the doorway to mental salvation, the sound of rustling sheets made me reluctantly turn. Lemmy was sitting up with his eyes half shut. He turned to look at me, and as our eyes met I faltered.
"Iggy. You're acting as though I should be mad," He sighed, smiling at me. I traipsed towards his location, embarrassed and remorseful for having tried to leave. I lowered myself onto the bed's edge, continually averting my gaze. More rustling ensued as he closed the gap between us, and placed a supportive hand on my shoulder. I shuddered as he methodically moved it in a circle. "It's not as if it was your fault," He continued softly, in a warmly invigorating tone; ignoring my obstinate refusal to look at him. I swallowed a large gulp of air, and adjusted my body positioning in order to view him.
My mind was clouded by uncertainty as I tried to determine whether or not it would have been more painful seeing him angry, as seeing him grin at me was enough to induce strangled sobs in my throat, and tears in my eyes. Frustratingly, I was unable to explain the reasoning behind my sudden influx of misery.
"I'm... so sorry. I- I didn't mean to-" Despite my coherence of mind in the bathroom, the words currently refused to flow. He lifted his hand from my shoulder, and placed a finger to my lips.
"I understand. You really don't need to apologise, though."
I wiped away my physical weakness and attempted a smile, but my mental weakness was powerful; my expression was justly chastened by self-loathing: smiling was beyond my current comprehension. "Didn't I remind you just the other day about the fact I will always be here for you?" He beamed, and his expression delved into the deepest abyss of my soul. I found myself lost in his smile; lost in his contagion of happiness. Slowly the misery began to evaporate; the suffering began to dissipate. Everything just stopped.
For some time, a serene silence filled the room. I inevitably ensconced myself on Lemmy once more; finding a satisfying amount of relaxation within the tuneless melody of our cohesive breathing. It didn't last: within the silence, a variety of doubts invaded my mind; mimicking their behaviour from the night before. Anxiety inched its way back into my brain and was sent spiralling down my body; causing erratic fluctuations in my body temperature. It was then that I remembered the reasoning for my longing to find Lemmy; the reason why I impetuously braved the dark. I cleared my throat, and as he looked at me curiously, relayed the full night's details from my waking up, to his finding me.
"All right. Let's recap, Iggy. So your dream did indeed resurface?" Time ceased to exist as I delved into the darker depths once more.
"Yes, in earnest."
"And when you woke up your room felt like a furnace?"
"Basically." I crossed my legs, staring up at Lemmy's ceiling.
"...Right. Then what?"
"Well, I couldn't manage the window bolt at first. I think I was affected too much by panic; my mind was drowning in it. As a result, I could barely function. Even the door was a struggle to open, because my hands were sweaty. When I finally escaped the small confines of the room, I felt much better. But my reprieve was barely temporary."
"You mean the lowered temperature wasn't enough?" Lemmy asked, having already begun to come to a decisive conclusion based off my symptoms.
"Well, yes and no. It was enough. But it wasn't the temperature that was causing me to heat up so violently."
"You had a panic attack?"
"Yes, I did. It was a really bad one, too. As bad as that time a couple of yea-" My voice reduced to a ragged breath as the memory hit me. Lemmy lifted his hands up and spoke with extreme velocity.
"I know what you mean – don't go any further!" He shook his head. "I swear I wanted to brutally murder Roy that day..."
An hour passed by within the space of a solitary minute, as Lemmy calmed me down. When assured my stability was imminent, he continued; "So, you decided you had better come and find me, despite being terrified of the dark?"
I lowered my gaze; bowing my head before replying.
"My judgement wasn't exactly on the mark." Lemmy inspected me with a mixture of pity and worry in his features.
"I know the rest, you needn't tell me. But one thing I still don't understand is why that statue was in the middle of the corridor." My eyes flickered with awareness.
"Well, actually, that's the main reason I was in such a pathetic state when you found me." I told him of my paralysis in the first instance due to being under the illusion that the statue was Roy; of how this correlated with my previous fears of him finding me.
"That... makes total sense," He replied. "That's why I heard my door being hammered on. You were knocking to get in, I assume?"
"Not quite..." I turned my head in the opposite direction, embarrassed by my reprehensible miscalculation. "I actually made a hopeless dive for the door, adamant I could seek sanctuary within. But I messed it up, and ended up smacking into it instead. The recoil caused me to fall back; that's why I was on the floor."
Lemmy's hand came to rest gently on my cheek. "I'm glad I spotted you, at least. And I'm sorry you had such a terrible night. How is your back?" I raised myself into a sitting position to allow him to observe it.
"You tell me," I replied.
"Well. It looks fine," He mused, examining every inch. "Does this hurt?" I winced as his hand came into contact with the damaged skin.
"Not really, it's just a bit of an irritation. The skin is tender."
"You'll be fine by tomorrow, then."
Our discussion involving the night before continued as I described the intricate details, listing the remainder of my fears and how they impacted upon my mental state. We touched upon the potential reasons for the statue's unexplained movement, but couldn't come to much of a decisive reason for its inexplicable placement.
"I guess someone may have just moved it there for some reason. I don't want to ask around, as it might draw unnecessary attention to what went on last night," I sighed.
"That's fine. I don't think it matters. Anyway, I have a suggestion." I locked eyes with him, and he smiled. "Maybe... Maybe it would be best if you stay here with me during the night. Then you won't have to deal with what happened last night ever again. I'll be here to help at any time." His smile widened and I involuntarily grinned. I attempted to retain control of my features as a sudden burst of excitement overwhelmed my senses.
"Yeah. You're definitely right about that." I struggled to keep my voice steady as the ecstasy fought for attention.
"You okay?" Lemmy asked, still grinning.
"Just fine." I was trying desperately not to erupt into joyous laughter at this point. "I just... I've wanted you to say that for a long time."
"What, invite you to stay here?" I nodded. "Why didn't you just ask me? I would have said yes!" He began giggling, observing my failure at keeping my emotions in check.
"I was crippled by insecurity!" I replied, still struggling to retain any form of composure. "Okay! I'm all right." I inhaled a calming breath, "Yes, I will stay with you!" He squawked as my arms surrounded him. "But on one condition: if you awake to me taking up the entirety of the bed, you have to prevent me from doing it."
"Deal." His muffled voice rose from my chest.
"I hope no one actually requires this statue to be here," I mumbled, standing adjacent to my Grandfather's accusing glare.
"Oh, yeah. It's part of Bowser's new master plan based on how to ultimately defeat Mario," Lemmy replied. I laughed through gritted teeth as we delivered the dense statue back to its rightful place.
"Well, the statue would probably do a better job fighting Mario," I exclaimed through gasps for air.
Our laughter ricocheted from wall to wall as we zealously traversed the labyrinth of corridors, trying to out speed one another. I quickly pulled ahead, and heard Lemmy shouting my name.
"You win! I can't possibly keep pace with those lanky legs of yours!" He huffed, closing the newly created gap between us. "Should've brought my ball."
"Well, then. How about..." I picked him up, and placed him on my shoulders. "This?"
"Fine. But you had better get us there fast! We have an appointment of the highest importance – food!" I nodded and took off for a second time.
With the recent proposal received from Lemmy dominating every other doubt in my mind, my happiness had plateaued. But my endeavours in obscurity were not unnoticed. And as I chose a space at the table for breakfast, a harsh realisation dawned upon me: my joy had been premature; my pleasure was about to be destructively extirpated by a force of higher intensity than gravity.
"What were you up to last night?" The hoarse, masculine voice was unmistakable. My heart rate instantaneously doubled in tempo as I cringed in fear.
"I... I can't say I know what you mean, Roy..." I replied, fixing my gaze solely on my plate. My knuckles were whitening due to the pressure I was exerting, gripping my knife and fork as though they were the only things tying me to reality; my final life line. My whole body was rigid with petrification.
"I've asked around about the noises and every one I asked claims they have no idea, so either they're lying, it was him over there," He thrust a finger in Lemmy's direction with such ferocity I flinched; "Or, it was you. I'll ask again – what were you up to?" He lowered his position; he was now inches from my face.
While partially assured of my immediate physical well-being, my mind was darting through every potential hazard. Roy's awareness of my precarious struggle in the darkness served as fuel for his wrath; it was inevitable at this point. But if I was to run, everyone would know of my undisclosed cowardice. Lemmy was currently in the process of acquiring a large supply of toast in my stead. I was alone; I was helpless; there was no conceivable escape route.
"I woke up feeling slightly sick, so I left my room for some air. That's all," I mumbled. I had failed to ensure my voice's solidity, and it had cracked in the process. Roy smirked at me, relishing my apparent terror. What I had explained to him was moderately true; daring to recall the entirety of the events would surely increase Roy's contemptuous view of me.
"As much as I wish I could believe you, dear brother, I don't. It would be in your best interests to 'fess up. 'Cause if you don't, there'll be trou-"
"Roy."
My panic dispelled, mitigated by mild repose; my safeguard was fast approaching with a plate of toast. Lemmy placed the food down, glaring dangerously in Roy's direction as he did so.
"What is it, have you got something to say? Go ahead. I'm listening." Roy rounded on Lemmy, leering at him derisively through his sunglasses. Lemmy raised his eyebrows.
"Need I remind you of the conversation we had a few days ago, Roy?" All of my attention was diverted from the surrounding areas to the current conversation. "My input may currently be limited. But if I was to inform, say, Ludwig;he may have an awful lot more to scrutinise on the matter," He continued coolly.
Roy doubled back, as though Lemmy had delivered a debilitating blow to his face. Despite the fact Roy often attacked me in secluded quarters, if Ludwig were to find out about his frequent atrocities, his retribution would be excruciating.
"Is that fear I detect on your face, Roy?" Lemmy taunted, revelling in his victory, which vicariously encouraged me.
"You win, for now. I'll bow out, but don't dare to think this is over." My head teetered back and forth as his ultimatum continued to circle it, ensnaring my prior feelings of security.
"Iggy? He's gone now." Unmitigated incapacity bound me as an unknown hand came into contact with my shoulder. I hesitantly raised my head, seeking its source. Lemmy was staring back at me, looking remorseful. "I'm sorry if I made things worse." I shook my head.
"No, no. You rescued me from him," I replied distractedly, Roy's threat still echoing around my ears.
"You really don't have to worry about him, Iggy. He won't touch you if I'm around; he wouldn't dare," Lemmy added reassuringly. His attempts of curing my apprehension consoled me to some extent. But my appetite had ultimately deserted me, and I no longer desired a single bite. I allowed Lemmy to finish the totality of the toast.
As we each stood up to leave, nausea resurfaced, causing my balance to waver. Before my awareness of the situation was adequate enough, the distance between the table surface and myself began reducing rapidly. Unable to halt my increasing velocity, I narrowed my eyes, waiting for the impact. But it never came.
"I've got you, Iggy." Lemmy was positioned on top of the bench, both hands placed on my chest. "Do you need to sit down?"
"N-no..."
"All right. You're heavy, though, so could you-?"
"Oh, yeah. S-sorry."
With Lemmy's assistance, I gathered enough equilibrium to stand up; he acted as a bolster as I regained my self-respect. I scanned the area, and caught several interested glances from my siblings.
"They saw..." I moaned.
"Don't worry about it, Iggy. I'm sure they're all concerned more than anything," Lemmy whispered reassuringly. The siblings inspecting me averted their gaze upon meeting mine, bar one. Larry continued to observe me sympathetically.
I altered my expression to one of reassurance. He answered by raising his arm, waving in acknowledgement. Perhaps my distrust of my siblings was unjustified. It was that moment Larry performed something completely out with his character; he abandoned his spot, and made his way towards Lemmy and me.
"Are you all right, Iggy?" He asked, upon arriving within earshot, sympathy lingering in his expression. "That was a bad run in. Don't let him get to you, okay?" I blinked, staring at Larry with my mouth agape. This was unprecedented behaviour from the youngest of the Koopalings. Lemmy seemed equally stupefied.
"Y-yes, I'm good!" I exclaimed, finally having located the source of my voice. "Only... a little bit dazed."
"And your back? I noticed it as I came in. Looks sore, will it be fine?"
"Yeah. Just... slipped outside, yesterday. It will be okay," I stated, smiling at him.
"All right, then. Well, have a good day. I'm going to finish my breakfast. Hi and bye, Lemmy!" Lemmy waved responsively as Larry wandered back towards his food.
Within a minute Lemmy had successfully aided me in vacating the dining hall, standing fast at the points in which I held onto him for apposite leverage. The rest of the day was standard, on the whole. Lemmy and I subsequently retired to our sequestered room, after having retrieved Lemmy's ball. I found myself trapped inside an impenetrable bubble of perturbation; while I usually ended up enthralled in Lemmy's acrobatic antics, today my mind was elsewhere. Lemmy often cast worried glances in my direction, stopping his performances and observing me for degradation in my mood.
The final meal of the day was torturous. Lemmy attempted to distract me from my situational dread by constantly conversing with me. And while I deemed his sentiment evocative, it was relatively ineffective. I could feel them: Roy's eyes – burrowing into the depths of my skin. He rarely averted his derisive gaze from our end of the table. Even under strict constraint, he continued to mentally harass me. Tears began pooling as my mind caved; this was more than I could manage.
Despite my misery, I became conscious of Lemmy's sudden absence. I turned, and he was forcibly beckoning in the direction of the door. He looked indignant enough to galvanize me into moving. He positioned me outside of the hall, demanding I stay there.
"I will be back in a moment." I knew not to argue.
I stared at him expectantly as he emerged from the hall once more. He smiled, indicating I should accompany him.
"I'm not sure if that helped. Nothing I say has much of an everlasting effect on Roy," He confessed with a frown. "But I certainly gave him a shock." Hearing this was enough to lighten my sullen mood.
Once concealed within one of the few remaining places I felt secure, I collapsed onto Lemmy's bed, relishing its comfort. Lemmy followed suite; adjusting his position in order to face me.
"Iggy... I'm well aware of your reservations regarding Roy's impropriety; I'm well aware you wish for Ludwig to remain ignorant. But if the current situation escalates even further, I will be forced to disregard your suggestions. You are my best friend; I will not allow you to suffer to this degree." I opened my mouth for argument's sake, but closed it solemnly. I was more than aware Lemmy's words rang with severe sincerity; this could not go on. Panic was consuming my general perspective; impinging upon my daily life. It harshly affected me, but Lemmy suffered, too. The latter was beyond my tolerance.
"I know you're vicariously afflicted by all of this," I mumbled. He attempted a smile, his face riddled with dejection. I pulled him close, allowing him to hide his sorrow. "It's not a crime to be upset."
"I-I know... But I hide it for your sake."
"You won't have to if we... if we tell Ludwig."
The remainder of my night was spent with Lemmy nestled in my arms; we found refuge within our amity. Secluded within our sanctuary; the capacity of my world was reduced to the two of us. Nothing else mattered; nothing else existed. Lemmy was my top priority – if he was distressed by my burdens, it was my responsibility to eradicate them. And as Lemmy lifted his head to smile at me, his hidden grief still fairly apparent, my resolve burned with an intensity I had long forgotten about.
