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Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Mario or its franchise.

Chapter Ten

Around eight I ended up sucking up my pride and asking Mario for some expendable pants to wear. Some loose cotton ones, thin and black. They were great for swimming in, but did nothing to ward off the chill of the night air. I'd rubbed my arms the entire walk from the palace to Daisy's place. Besides the cold, there was another thing making me shake; anxiety. I couldn't tell you how nervous I was. Earlier I'd actually come up with a plan of ditching the girl and the event, in a nice way mind you. But in the end here I was, standing in my old Ramones shirt and these borrowed pants and my black trainers at her doorstep.

The fist I used to rap against the old wood was just as clammy as the one at my waist. I was sweating lightly on the back of my neck and I could feel my heart beating in pronounced thumps as I waited for her to open up. When she did I was floored.

"Hey Luigi!" She greeted.

I didn't reply. Couldn't. All that was on my mind was why. Why was she wearing...I don't even know what it was. Some kind of shorts that used to be pants, I could tell from the frayed corduroy edges even though she'd taken care to cuff them. Her bellybutton was on display before she began to fidget under my silent scrutiny and pull her shirt down over it. That shirt wasn't long enough. There was still a line of creamy white flesh peeking in between the waistband of her shorts and the red hem of her shirt. I dragged my eyes up from her stomach to her face.

"Are you okay?" She asked me.

Not really, no

I nodded anyway and swallowed. I was starting to calm. Her face was fresh and innocuous and sweet. Not sinfully enticing like the rest of her body. She had her hair down and was absently pushing the dark brown waves behind her ears. She didn't seem to notice how out of sorts I was so at least I knew she wasn't doing this on purpose, being all alluring and whatnot.

"I'll be right back," She told me.

Again I only nodded. Daisy walked from the doorway further into her house. I heard her a little bit, she was giving instructions to one of her cousins on how to care for the sick one. Last minute things, like keep a cup of water by the bed and have an extra blanket on hand. Pretty soon she came back to the door and tugged at her shirt self-consciously.

"I don't have a proper swimsuit," She lamented shyly.

I shrugged, "Me too."

Me too? Should've said me neither. Oh well. It was a wonder I got that much right seeing as how I could hardly think straight. I rubbed at my arms and tried to get a hold of myself.

"Are you ready?" Daisy asked with a smile.

Not at all

"Yeah," I lied.

So not ready for this. Should've just took a rain check. Speaking of rain, I wish it would rain. That way I'd be out of this awkward situation.

That was no way to think. As I followed Daisy through the marketplace and towards the woods I berated myself. Daisy was happy to spend time with me and here I was thinking of ways to get out of it. Even though it wasn't the principle of being with her tonight that bothered me. Being alone in the dark with her while she was dressed like that, showing so much of her body had me nervous and when I get nervous I do and say stupid things.

"Wait here," She instructed.

I blinked and watched Daisy head into the double doors of the stables behind her shop. I hadn't even realized we'd made it here. I gotta stop thinking so much.

Daisy led a strong black horse over to me and climbed atop it. She settled herself and gathered the reins in her slim hands. Then she looked down to me.

"Is something wrong?" Her voice and face were colored with confusion.

I shook my head quickly and said, "No, no."

"Well come on up, then." She prompted with a smile.

I did so gingerly. It was one thing to ride a horse with her during the day while she was fully clothed and another to do so now. Maybe in theory it shouldn't have made a difference but it did. I sat behind her with a huge gap in between her and me. While I was settling myself at a point far from her but not so far that I'd fall off as soon as the horse began to move, I accidentally made contact with her leg. I jerked my hand back so fast I had to catch myself to stay astride. Daisy turned around.

Now she was worried when she asked, "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, yeah." I told her.

She didn't seem convinced. "Um, if it bothers you we could ride on two different horses."

I shook my head and looked down at my hands. They were shaking.

"No, this is fine." I assured her.

She turned around and shrugged. "Okay then."

And we were off.

The horse couldn't move fast enough for me. I found myself at a loss for the second or third time tonight as to what to do with my hands. The scenery was all the same without the sun to alight on its subtle differences so I was stuck with a limited view of either that or the back of Daisy's head. The monotony of the ride helped chill me out. But when we made it to the lake and Daisy slid down from the horse, that coolness faded fast. She tied the reins to a tree nearby and then bent over to take off her boots. They weren't the same lace-up brown ones she wore on a daily basis although the color was the same. These were only ankle-length and much more worn out.

But that wasn't what I was looking at.

Well it was, but only as a diversion. She was bent over for goodness sakes and though she was facing me all I could do was stare at those legs, those long pretty legs of hers. She should wear shorts more often. They suited her. Now that the shock of seeing her for the first time in them had nearly worn off, I could appreciate how good she looked in them. But I didn't look for too long, hence my cursory inspection of her boots.

"Are you gonna take those off?" She called.

Daisy was upright now, thank goodness, and was pointing at my feet. I looked down and remembered I still had on my black trainers. I crouched down and started to unlace them. It was harder than usual now that my fingers were trembling. If that weren't bad enough, before I even got the first shoe undone Daisy came and stood directly in front of me. And there they were again, those legs. If I were an artist, I don't think I could draw a better pair.

What is wrong with me?

I frowned and stared at my hands as I finished getting my trainer's off. Luckily Daisy had begun walking away. She got about ten or so feet from the lake and then stopped. The puzzled expression on my face went unseen because in the next moment she was busy running towards the placid body of water. Just as she reached the edge of the lake her feet left the ground and her body sailed high in the air in a lazy arc where it stayed afloat against the backdrop of the evening wood for a split second. Then she came crashing down into the once quiet depths with a huge splash. She stayed under for some time before popping her head up and then stroking against the water on her back. Forwards she then swam all the way back to shallow ground where she stood and started wringing her long hair over her shoulder. She looked and moved like somebody who knew how to have fun. She especially seemed to be enjoying herself if that happy smile was anything to go by.

"You know," She teased, "Swimming requires you getting in the water."

I gripped my elbow with the opposite hand and shrugged. How could I explain it to her; that I was content to just stand here and watch her all night? She was fascinating. She was lovely and. And she was coming over to me. Very purposefully she was sloshing through the water and making her way over to where I stood.

"Luigi you need to relax." She advised, then she took my hand.

If she minded the clamminess she didn't say so as she dragged me over to the lake. When we got to the deep center of the water, where it rose to our necks, she let go of my hand at last. I was sorry for it.

With a laugh she remarked, "You're acting too stiff Luigi."

I tried to shrug because I didn't know how to respond to that but the gesture was lost to her under the dark waters. She then got a light to her eyes and started to swim away from me.

"Come on, I wanna show you something," She said.

I didn't hesitate to swim behind her. She dove under the surface and so did I. Now I remembered the stark difference of lakes back home and lakes here in Mushroom Kingdom. Even though it was dark, the water was significantly clearer than regular water. I could make out Daisy swimming towards the right and I was on her tail. She stopped and picked something up from the side of the dirt. When she started swimming up I was in awe of her legs moving powerfully against the unseen force of the water. But I did come up eventually.

"Look at this," Daisy said.

I swam over to her and took a look at what was in her hands. It was an old muddy shell. Pink and conical and odd to find at a lake. She dipped the smaller funnel-like end under water and shoved her pinky through the hole, then filled the entire interior with water.

"Look inside." She encouraged, "What do you see?"

I did as she said and squinted. All I saw was a bunch of squiggly lines and jagged colors mixing with each other. Nothing special. I was about to respond but she suddenly removed her pinky, brought the shell to her lips and blew the water all over my face. It was like standing on the sidewalk on a rainy day and having a car splash a puddle of water all over you. It was shocking and unnerving and all I could do was just blink.

The hell?

I quirked a brow and then smiled as the seconds progressed because Daisy was laughing. She was apologizing over her laugh but I could barely make it out. She was sorry, she said, but she couldn't resist. I wasn't offended. She looked so happy. And though it took me a little while to catch onto the joke, I was soon laughing as well. A quiet sort of laugh but totally genuine. She laughed harder and suddenly went underwater. I did too.

This time Daisy just floated there. Her hair fanned out around her and her eyes shone mirthfully and her body was beautifully contorted into a cross-legged position. She waved at me and blew a fake kiss. I was close enough to see her lips pout and pucker against her hand and I was once again in awe. She looked so. The moon was shining down on the water at the time and helped me find the word: ethereal. She seemed so much better and more perfect than just a girl of this world.

The feeling hadn't dissipated after we both resurfaced and I had the strongest urge to do something. Something. I bobbed above water and stared at her hard, hoping to find the solution to this sudden internal malady. She began to fidget.

"Luigi what is it?" She asked quietly.

"I don't know," I said in just as low a tone.

Don't think, just act.

"Are you...alright?" She wanted to know.

Don't think.

"I'm..." I trailed. What was I?

Don't think.

I took her hands tentatively and she held onto mind instantly.

Don't think.

"Luigi?"

Don't think.

Her eyes fluttered closed.

Don't think.

She leaned her head up.

Don't think.

I lowered my own closer to hers.

Just act.

Our lips met and we both shivered at the same time. My heart was slamming against my chest and all I could hear was the blood rushing in my ears and the crickets in the grass and the water around us but those things didn't register the longer those petal-soft, cold wet lips were against mine. Her eyes were closed but mine were wide open. The horse whinnied loudly then, and startled us apart.

Then I started to think.

Her hands were bunched around my shirt and my own hands circled her wrists. We were so close, how did we get so close? I moved back and so did she. Silence hung like heavy white sheets on a clothesline as we just looked at each other. What made me do that? That was so. Not like me. But I liked it. And I think she did too. But it might be best if I don't do that again, no matter how good those rose-colored lips of hers looked right now with her fingers pushed atop them. Because that was a big step and I didn't want to move things too fast with Daisy.

I looked down and away to distract myself from her mouth but I had nothing to worry about; my moment of impulsiveness had passed. It was unbearably quiet now and I just had to say something since it seemed like she wouldn't. Which was like the opposite of how things normally are for me. For once somebody else is as lost for words as I am.

"We should go back." I said at last.

She sounded disappointed when she replied, "Oh. Okay."

That was what it took to snap us out of that inactive trance and get us both swimming to the shallow end of the lake. I felt bad though. Daisy sounded and looked hurt. I hoped to God she didn't think I was rejecting her. I just really didn't want to go too far with her, not right now. But as usual I didn't know what to say to let her know this.

Try! She looks like somebody kicked her dog or something

I stood barefoot with the cool water lapping languidly at my ankles and rubbed my hands against my soaked pants. Daisy was already standing some distance away from me, wringing her hair with her back to me. It hurt to see her acting that way, I could tell from her body language that she was closing herself off. I had to act fast. But while I had the chance I admired her figure. It was so nice, after all. With her clothes wet I could see every curve and contour of her frame. The way she was standing, with her hip dropped a bit, made her seem like a work of Impressionist art.

Yeah and if that doesn't make you sound like some kind of poindexter...

"Uh Daisy?" I spoke.

She turned round and let go of her hair. The dark, tangled mass flopped against her cheek as she blinked at me owlishly.

"I kinda wanted to ask you something," I continued.

Daisy stepped over to me and gained a less hurt, more curious air. I almost lost track of what it was I was about to ask because I was so relieved she wasn't shutting me out or anything.

"Tomorrow Mario and Peach and I, we're uh, we're going to a feast for Bowser Junior." I explained.

I shivered and added, "We'll be staying for two days and nights and I wanted to know if you um. If you wanted to come with us. With me."

I didn't want there to be any confusion about the way I felt about her. I think she got the message because her face flushed faintly for a moment. Then she looked thoughtful.

"Is that safe?" She inquired.

I nodded, "Pretty safe."

That didn't sound convincing. I wouldn't be convinced if somebody told me something was, pretty safe. She looked predictably skeptical and I sought to reform my answer. But it was true. I didn't really know how safe it was to go gallivanting around Bowser's castle. We'd be on his turf and if he decided to pull something crazy, we'd be at his mercy. Here I was inviting Daisy into that kind of situation, and on such short notice, too. She had a sick cousin and a shop to run and a life to live. Now that I thought of it that way, I realized how much I was asking of her.

"If you don't want to go, I understand." I told her sincerely.

She smiled. "No, I do want to go. Do you want to go to the market tomorrow afternoon then?"

I frowned, "The market?"

"To pick out a gift. For Junior." She clarified. "I can't do it in the morning since I'll need to prepare but the afternoon will be fine."

"Oh yeah. Yeah that's good," I conceded.

I really don't know the first thing about buying a gift for a little kid. Much less for the little kid of an evil king.

As I pondered that, a chilling wind ghosted by. It chilled me to the core. The breeze was gentle enough but because I was completely soaked, it bit like daggers at my exposed skin. Daisy shivered too and then a look of mild despair crossed her face.

"What is it?" I asked her.

She brought her fingertips to her hairline and lamented, "The towels; I forgot them at home."

"Towels?" I frowned.

For drying off with, genius

"I'll go get them." I stated before she could realize the stupidity of what I'd said before.

She dropped her hands and raised a brow, "Luigi, that's a long way."

I shrugged, "It's alright, I'll just run it."

Daisy blinked before she smiled weakly and nodded. "Okay then."

"I'll, uh, I'll be right back." I told her as I backtracked out of the woods.

I really did run all the way from the lake to Daisy's place and my body was paying for it. It was all I could do not to collapse at her doorstep. My heart was beating a mile a minute; it really felt like it was about to tear through my chest with each thump. Inside my head my temples were throbbing and my hands were shaking. I had to lean on the doorframe for support as I struggled to catch my breath.

Mario wouldn't be so winded

I frowned at the thought. It was acerbic and bitterly toned but worst of all it was true. Mario wouldn't get tired from a run like that, not while he was all beefed out. In fact, he probably did sprints like this every morning as warm-ups. It was enough to make me jealous, I wouldn't deny it. But it wasn't his physical prowess I was envious of. I just wished he hadn't denied me that same chance to hone my skills. If I'd been able to help him in the Great War, maybe we'd be on par with each other instead of him on top and me left hopelessly behind. But it is what it is. I guess I'll just have to accept things since I'll be leaving in a few more days anyway.

Only after I'd composed myself enough to stop panting and stand up straight did I dare knock on the door. The second my knuckles left the rugged wood I heard footsteps approaching from down the hall. I braced myself and swallowed to wet my throat: it had dried during my run.

Danny yanked open the door and looked to and fro. When he saw me it was obvious he'd been expecting Daisy and was surprised to find me instead. I was about to tell him what I needed when I realized what it was he had on. Clinging comically to his awkward teenage frame was a bright yellow apron. It was almost laughable how it contrasted with his image yet fit snugly against his gangly body. Danny glanced to where I was looking and his eyes widened a fraction. Slowly he met my eyes. There was a struggle in those dark eyes. He fought to keep his face blank.

Somewhat defensively he asked, "Where's Daisy?"

"She's at the lake," I said flatly, "I came for the towels."

The boy nodded and closed the door. When he came back a short while later the apron was gone and his face was tight with suppressed embarrassment. He had a stack of two black cloth towels to hand me. He didn't dare meet my eyes and only muttered something when I thanked him, then shut the door behind me. I didn't know why he was so ashamed. It was honorable of him to go to such...lengths to care for his little brother.

The sprint from Daisy's place back to the lake was easier than earlier. I wasn't nearly as breathless as before and I found that I really didn't need the towel. I was mostly dry. And my blood was pumping nice and healthily so I wasn't as cold as before either. I handed Daisy the towels and walked over to put my trainers back on.

"Thank you so much, Luigi," I heard her call.

When I stood back up Daisy was climbing onto the horse. I swallowed before I got on as well. As soon as I got settled, Daisy scooted closer to me. Then she turned around.

"I hope you don't mind, Luigi. It's just so cold." She explained.

I shook my head and said, "No, no. It's cool."

She smiled and turned back around. As she gathered the reins in her hands, my heart started slamming into my chest again. But like before, once we started riding I began to relax and enjoy having her near me. My palms were still sweating and my hands still shook but it wasn't so bad, not really.

We put the horse away at the stables and walked the rest of the way to Daisy's place. The whole time I tried to work up the nerve to hold her hand. That courage that possessed me to kiss her earlier had deserted me. Where had it come from in the first place? I wasn't sure. But I was sure of one thing; her hand went un-held that night.

Soon we were at her door.

Instead of bidding me goodnight and going inside, Daisy hesitated. She was so cute to me as she stood there, towel hooded over her head and around her shoulders as she looked down and fidgeted with her fingers. She pouted and moved part of her bottom lip through her teeth. Then she looked up at me.

"Thank you for coming tonight, Luigi."

"It was nothing," I shrugged.

Nothing? Nothing?! It was more than nothing! It was amazing! You got your first kiss...well, technically your third but your first real kiss and all you have to say is 'it was nothing?!

"I had a good time." I amended.

Daisy beamed and said, "I'm glad."

"Yeah." I murmured.

"I'll see you in the morning then." She said.

"Yeah. In the morning." I repeated.

When she stepped towards me I knew she was about to hug me. I wrapped my arms around her and wished I didn't have to let her go. She pulled back though. What I hadn't counted on was what she did next.

Quick. Light. Sweet.

Her lips had barely moved against mine but they had. It was unmistakable, those full lips had definitely touched mine again. She'd kissed me. She'd kissed me. That could only mean one thing; she digs me. It was one thing for me to kiss her, but for her to initiate the embrace? She totally digs me. Now I really did smile. She laughed and ducked into her house.

"Goodnight, Luigi." She called out.

Her voice floated whimsically over a breeze and I called back to her, "Night."

I was on cloud nine.

A/N: Short chapter. You know how it is, gotta get back in the habit. Thanks for reading, leave a review if you don't mind. I know its uneventful but things are being put into motion. Until next chapter...

~DymondGold~