[The previous chapters ran a bit on the short side, I think, so I've made an effort to make this a lot bigger than usual. This one is the beginning of the emotional ride, and oh boy, we've got a long way to go.

There's an emotional scene in this chapter towards the end that might be a bit sensitive for survivors of psychological abuse. It's nothing particularly intense, but I'm putting this warning here to be safe.]


Luigi had gone catatonic with shake, breathing rapidly and growing pale. Nervously, Bowser grabbed Luigi by the shoulders and began shaking him, shouting into his face to try to shock him aware.

"Luigi! Get ahold of yourself! I know where we are!"

Luigi's eyes focused on Bowser and he realized what was going on. Staring into Bowser's concerned, scarlet eyes, he slowed down his breathing. Slowly regaining stable breath, he felt the world around him start to feel real again.

It was about this time that he realized that Bowser's warm hands were holding his shoulders, and that it felt... very nice.

"I-I'm fine now, thanks!" Luigi said, jumping away from Bowser and turning a bright shade of pink. No, I'm not, what's wrong with me!?

Bowser tilted his head at Luigi's odd mannerisms, though he couldn't quite get Luigi's blue-eyed gaze out of his head for some reason. The way they came into focus into his own eyes felt... familiar. Immediately pushing those thoughts out of his head, he grumbled, "We're in Astrolandia. We must've crashlanded in the Constellation Forest, and now we're on Sagittarius Peak."

Luigi blinked in astonishment, "Wow, what a coincidence, that's where, um..."

"Where Mario, Peach, and the Ancient Star are, I'm very aware of that, Luigi," Bowser said, flashing that increasingly irritating and lovely grin at him. "Don't worry your hairy little head, though – I don't have any plans to hurt them – or you – so long as you all cooperate."

Luigi felt strangely relieved. It was strange, but Bowser's words felt more like a reassurance than a threat. Still, there were things he worried about. How did Bowser know about the trap to begin with? There was only a small group of people that were in on the conspiracy, and none of them were immigrants from the Dark Kingdom.

In fact, Luigi had to be honest with himself, they were pretty discriminatory about their choices. No koopas, goombas, or lakitu allowed in the circle, aside from Parakarry. Could... he have?

Luigi instantly felt guilty. Parakarry was a very good friend of theirs, and he had just doubted him because of his species. He shivered, as much from the guilt as the cold.

Bowser's words interrupted Luigi's thoughts, "So, Luigi, now that I know we are, I can take you back to your castle and properly imprison you in my walls! Gwaha!"

Luigi nodded quietly, reminded of the situation he was in.

I don't HAVE to do this, Luigi thought to himself, I can run away and go back to the Mushroom Kingdom. Except I don't know how to get there. Or I can go find my bro! Except I don't even know where the ruins are. Huh, Luigi said, hesitating, I guess being Bowser's prisoner is honestly my best option.

Luigi ignored the fact that he was looking for every reason to go with Bowser.

"Now, go first so I can keep an eye on ya, Green Sta- I mean, Luigi," Bowser said, pushing Luigi forward towards a path down the mountain. It wasn't long before the sun began to set, and the air began to get incredibly cold.

"Here's a cave," Luigi said, "We can squeeze in there and, uh... keep each other warm?"

Bowser grumbled, but it certainly sounded better than running around a freezing mountain in the dark next to tall cliffs.


Luigi and Bowser sat next to each other on a warm and sunny day. It was a lovely picnic, and Princess Peach had baked several cakes for everyone. They were every bit as delicious as they looked. Luigi smiled up at Bowser, and the two grasped each other's hands. Mario walked up to them, smiling at the two of them, "Hello to the both of you, the happiest couple here!"

"D'aww, bro, you're embarrassing me," Luigi said, blushing. Bowser chuckled at his cute face.

"And what about you, Bowser? Don't you feel lucky having Luigi with you?"

Bowser guffawed, "Nah, I totally deserve such a fine plumber! He's the one who should be lucky to have me!~"

"Oh really?" Mario asked, though his voice was no longer the Italian lilt Bowser was used to, but a woman's sultry voice, "Even though you must be the most pathetic koopa king in history?

Bowser woke up, sweating and panting. They were in the small cave, and Luigi was curled up on his belly, and for a moment, Bowser let himself feel relief. That voice... why did I have to remember her now, suddenly?

That's when the rest of the dream hit him, and he just realized he dreamed about Luigi being his... his...

Bowser grumbled and shoved Luigi off of him, making the green plumber awake with a jolt, "Alright, Luigi, the sun's up so your time's up, now let's get moving!"

He didn't want to admit it, but the cold air hitting his belly where Luigi was made him remember his loneliness.

As they traveled down the mountain, Luigi whistled awkwardly in the cold mountain air, trying to think of small talk.

"So, uh, Bowser... any idea who attacked your ship? Lucky shot from the Toads?" Luigi guessed, though he already knew the flaw in that line of thought.

Bowser snorted derisively, "Nah, they thought I had the Princess with me, and they wouldn't risk hurting her... nor would they risk hurting you, as well."

"I don't really know if I'm all that special," Luigi said, scratching the back of his head, "Other than the fact that I'm Mario's brother and all. I'm just Green Stache after all."

Bowser rolled his eyes, "They may not always know your name, but they know you're Mario's brother and that's enough for them."

"Uh, thanks?" said Luigi, not quite sure if that was meant to be reassuring or demoralizing.

Suddenly, Luigi's foot went through the snow into thin air, and with a sudden screech, he plummeted out into the open air. No sooner had this happened than Bowser's arm shot out, grabbing Luigi by the hand, and quickly pulling him back.

"Y-y-y-y-you saved me, Bowser..." Luigi said and, overcome with relief, hugged Bowser tightly, just about crying.

Bowser blushed a bit, not sure how to react. Still, he found himself starting to reach around Luigi, his arms moving in a stilted motion as if he had never hugged anyone before in his life, even though he'd had plenty of practice hugging his son.

Luigi, recovering from the shocked, realized that he was hugging Bowser and gasped, leaping back from Bowser, his face almost as red as Mario's overalls. Bowser's cheeks were quite pink as well, and the two of them shared and awkward laugh. Bowser tried to say something, but the only word that came out was, "Well, I, Uh..."

And for a moment, their eyes met, and they stared, unable to look away. Scarlet eyes meeting blue, and time stood still for a split second.

"LORD BOWSER!" cried a young, eloquent voice, and startled the two of them. Fortunately for them, they heard the voice before the source of it saw them, as an economy-sized airship flew up from around the edge of the mountain, a blue-haired koopaling at the helm.

Several magikoopas were on board, as well as Ludwig, who was looking quite relieved to see his king safe and sound – and with Luigi, just as he planned, "Oh my lord, there you are! It's good to see you! And your captive, too!"

Bowser grabbed Luigi with one hand, and Luigi squealed in surprise.

"Good work, Ludwig! Now take us back to the castle! I've had enough of magic forests and cold mountaintops!"


"Anyways, Sire, as it turns out, the Constellation Forest is so confusing that not even our magic could find you, sire. We saw the smoke, but every time we tried to get close, we ended up at the edge of the forest again! It took us awhile to find you on the mountain because, well, one of the Goombas managed to..."

"Uh,huh," Bowser said, clearly not listening. Not that Ludwig minded, he just carried on with his explanation. Bowser, however, was lost in thought, especially in regards to matters that transpired immediately before their ill-timed rescue.

Luigi had been tied up quite thoroughly, though the truth of it was, he probably wouldn't have tried to escape anyways. He had nowhere to go, and the only thing he could think about were Bowser's eyes. Those magnificent, scarlet eyes that were filled with pain.

Why did I see pain in those eyes? Luigi thought, That wasn't revulsion, was it?

It was a long flight back to the castle, and filled with an hour of Ludwig explaining details that nobody had asked for. Luigi slowly drifted into sleep, wondering what internal conflict could lead Bowser to make such a pained expression.


Meanwhile, in an unknown location, two shadows in the darkness began speaking.

"Has she been eliminated?" came an authoritative voice.

"No, your graces, it turns out she was not on board, and even if she was, the impact would have failed to kill her. I am sorry," said a younger, dutiful voice."

"We understand this failure. We did not anticipate that the Opener could be so cunning. You are permitted to try again," came a different, authoritative voice.

"I must not fail this time," the dutiful voice said again.


All was silent, save for the breeze and the stars above.

The starts above twinkled silently, without judgment or malice.

Luigi approached Bowser, who stared at him sorrowfully, and Luigi's heart ached, too.

"I love you," Luigi said.

"That's what I'm afraid of," was Bowser's reply.

Silence reigned over the night once again.

Luigi woke up as they were docking into Bowser's Castle. It seems he had drooled against the ship's deck in his sleep. Suddenly, his world flipped around as Bowser picked Luigi up, slinging him over his shoulder.

"Lord Bowser, no need to sully yourself with menial labor by dragging the prisoner to the cells! You're a king, and we're your servants, so order us to do as you please!

Bowser quirked his eyebrow, "Well, in this case, I order you to respect my right to carry a measly prisoner down to the prison. I am not some weak, pampered king that needs everyone else to carry my burdens for me!"

Ludwig hastily backpedaled, "N-No sir, of course not! You're our mighty king, and we would never think of insulting you! But I must insist that you travel with an escort at the very least!"

Luigi felt Bowser shrug and say, "Fine, I have no objection to that."

"We are at your command, Sir!" a pair of koopas said in unison, saluting their king. Bowser nodded and proceeded down a set of stairs, his escort following. Down, down they went, and soon they arrived in the damp prison that Bowser kept all prisoners. Well, that is, except for the Princess.

Untying Luigi, Bowser pushed him into one of the cells, locking the door behind him. Luigi awkwardly stood up and stretched, just happy to be able to move his limbs again.

"Leave us, I have to interrogate the prisoner," Bowser said.

"Yes, sire!" the koopas said, marching up the stairs.

Soon, it was just the two of them, and the awkward silence. Luigi coughed.

"So, um.. out of curiosity... how much do you love Princess Peach?" Luigi asked, not sure why this was was coming out of his mouth, "I mean, you capture her all the time."

Bowser laughed, "She's very beautiful, and she'd make a great mother and wife, but do I love her? No. Not really."

"Wait, really?" Luigi asked, in confusion, "Why?"

"There are only two things in this world that I love. I love me, and I love my son, Junior. Junior needs a mother and I'd love a wife to handle those queenly affairs that aren't really appropriate for big strong kings like me to handle. But there's no way I can love Peach. Just like... there's no way someone like her can love me."

Luigi saw it in Bowser's eyes again – the conflict and pain. And the question he really wanted to ask choked in his throat instead.

Bowser's face hardened and he grimaced in disgust. Am I really letting my heart out to Luigi like this?

"Now, you're going to stay here. You're better to me unspoiled, but if you cause trouble, I'll be forced to hurt you. Mario should have received my letter by now, so he and the princess better hurry up with their little quest if they hope to save you."

Bowser turned around and felt a heaviness in his chest. Guilt? Why would I feel guilty about this?

"Oh, and... Luigi," Bowser said again, "Try to make this easy for both of us. I really don't want to hurt you." Why did I say that?!

Bowser left, biting his lip.

Luigi took a moment to process everything. Now he really was Bowser's prisoner. He was in danger, and by extension, so were Mario and Peach. Curling up in the cell's cot, he suddenly felt all of the emotion flood out. Grabbing the lump that counted as a pillow, he began to sob into it.

He sobbed at how scared he was of things that might happen to him. The danger he was in. And he sobbed at his confused feelings – he didn't want to be falling in love with Bowser, it was just happening, and every time he looked at that handsome koopa, it just got worse. He sobbed because he wanted to be in love with Bowser, and he wanted Bowser to be in love with him.

And finally, he sobbed for Bowser. Even though he didn't know what it was, he knew that Bowser was suffering, and his heart broke at that thought as well.


Bowser made a beeline for his room. Unfortunately, just about everybody in the castle wanted business with him, despite his urgent need to be alone right now.

"Junior, I know you're glad to see me, but Papa's tired and needs to go lie down now. Be a good boy and go play a prank on the koopa troopas or something."

"Yes, papa!" was Junior's delighted reply, and he ran off towards the barracks. The representative for the koopa troopas did a double take and took off after Junior.

Good, not only is Junior out of the way, but so is that one troopa. Now I can stop mincing my words.

"Look, I don't care if a Magikoopa turned one of you into a statue, go bother Kamek about it, or I'll have him turn YOU into a statue!"

Another group of minions left, and another, until finally, it as just the persistent Wendy.

"Lord Bowser, can I go see the prisoner? Is he as ha- horrid as I've heard? Do you think green would look good on me? Please, sir, gimme an answer!"

"WENDY!" he roared, covering his face, eyes watering in frustration, "I have a HEADACHE and if you keep bothering me, I will burn all of your clothes to ashes!"

"E-eep!" Wendy squeaked and ran off towards the koopaling dorms.

Free of all nuisance, Bowser stomped in his room and slammed the door shut.

Finally. I'm alone. Now I can have my pity party in peace...

He leaned back against the door, the spikes of his shell retracting in. Sliding down the door, he slumped down, holding his chest, where his aching heart throbbed.

"Why?" he said. Tears he had fought back for years, tears which he had thought he had long since buried, started to pour down his face. He shivered, sobbing, "Why...?"

He remembered her. She was a greater koopa like himself, with bright pink hair that was always perfectly messy, with green eyes that glowed like emeralds in sunlight. He loved her, and he thought that she loved him.

When he looked Luigi in the eyes after saving him, it felt like he had become that koopa that had fallen in love with her again. The koopa that would be manipulated into bad decision after bad decision, blame himself for everything, and be guilted into ...

He curled his legs up close to him, sobbing, his eyes and nose leaking. He was a little gross when he cried... just like she said. And for a moment, he once again believed that he was the stupid, inadequate koopa that she said he was. He hated himself for letting himself be weak again, and he hated himself for hating himself.

And he wanted to hate Luigi for bringing back all of these emotions of inadequacy, but he couldn't. Because he knew... he loved him. He hated loving him. He wasn't worthy of love.

"Dammit, Lizabella!" he growled, cursing her once again, "why do you still haunt me!?"

Losing himself in his own pain, he unleashed a one loud wail of agony... and every magically sensitive creature in the castle shook from the force of his emotion.

For the rest of the hour, Bowser's sobs were the only thing that carried him into the dark mists of restless sleep.


[And whoa, we have a name for Junior's mama now! Or, rather, I should say biological mother. I wanted to avoid using the fanon name Clawdia because I didn't want to sully the concept of that character with this character I'm using for the purposes of this story. Any resemblances to existing OCs is purely coincidental.]