Foreword: My sincerest apologies for being so inexcusably late with this one! I promised a few of you that I'd have this up 7 days ago at the latest...obviously didn't happen. I was caught up with the musical and whatnot. Finals are my next big time consumer, but then it's summer, so just keep reading! :)

So this chapter is very, very fluffy. On both sides of the stories...its not all just for BxP today. They do get the majority though...very fun to write.

And Disclaimer:All the good characters are property of Nintendo. But I'm honored to borrow them.

After a night of watching hfim like a hawk, Peach had somehow lost track of Bowser. She frowned, getting up on the balls of her feet to have a better view than her high-heels already provided. "Where's Bowser?" she asked, not even realizing she would get an answer.

"It's almost time for the competition," Giselle answered. The toady had decided to become Peach's personal fungus, realizing tonight might very well be the only time she was with her.

"Well, where did he go? How'd I miss him leaving?" Peach was still searching over the top of heads, but had finally graced a chance to turn around and see Giselle.

"Kamek probably 'escorted' him away to change, so you wouldn't have seen him go. Don't worry; he'll be back soon…"

Peach spun around completely, hissing, "I'm not worried," and yet she turned around immediately. "I just…want to make sure he's okay."

Giselle giggled. "I think Bowser can take care of himself."

Peach blushed, glad her head was turned. Finally, Ludwig's bands ceased their music, and a single percussionist led a roaring drum roll. The magikoopa donned in all black stood at the top of the stairs again, and cleared his throat loudly.

Somehow managing to speak over the drums, he said, "Announcing the arrival of His Highness of all Majesty and ruler over all the Darklands and all of the citizens within, King Bowser Koopa, here presenting himself as the reigning and sole champion of the annual birthday dance competition, hosted by His Highness of all Majesty and ruler over all the Darklands and all of the citizens within, King Bowser Koopa, who shall participate in his competition to be judged by popular accord among with any of his guests who chooses to make their presence known and compete, with the winner being crowned as the champion of the annual birthday dance competition, and shall wear the mighty banner of Champion Birthday Dance Competition Dancer, that title which currently resides with His Highness of all Majesty and ruler over all the Darklands and all of the citizens within, King Bowser Koopa." The magikoopa grinned with pride and extended his hand towards the raised portion of the dance floor.

The audience followed the spotlight as it lit that same spot, the drummer still rolling. Peach suspected he must have gotten a spell to stop him from tiring out, because he didn't stop until there was a loud blast coming from the middle of the platform. Under the spotlight, a rush of purple smoke appeared out of nowhere, and when it dissipated, Bowser stood in the midst.

The crowd cheered at the sight of their king. Bowser grinned back, waving his purple-and-black checkered scepter. He looked simply radiant under the spotlight, a lengthy purple cloak draped over his shell, and a mighty crown that must have weighed over a dozen pounds aloft his head. "Alright," he roared, instantly hushing the crowd. "Who dares compete against the King? Who dares take this crown off my head? Who dares attempt to beat the unbeatable?" The crowd roared in response, likely cheering their king on as opposed to answering the question.

Bowser grinned, lifting his free hand to his eye-level. Suddenly, with more purple smoke, a list rolled right out of his hand and bounced off the floor. Clearly, Kamek was having a blast making his king look good. Bowser read out the names listed on the sheet, laughing at each name, mocking most of them. As each guest who had written their name on the competition sheet was read out, they stood up and withstood the booing as they formed a line along the platform's edge.

Bowser reached the list's end and dramatically lit it on fire. The list burned to a crisp, the ashes blown out to the crowd ceremoniously. "Alright," Bowser said, "Let's hope this is a real competition this year!" More cheers erupted, and Ludwig's band instantly fired up, playing fast paced music unlike any Peach had heard that night. It fit Bowser very well.

The dancers began to dance, five at a time, spinning in the air and ground ridiculously. Their feet moved insanely fast, flips and rolls common. Clearly, a few of the guests had paid the huge ticket bill just for this competition…whether to watch it or compete.

After a minute, a single spotlight fell on the first dancer. The audience cheered, until the spotlight moved to the next dancer. With the light, the dancer sped up his pace, and the audience cheered even louder. They didn't need to be told how to vote for their favorite dancer, and Bowser just paced back and forth between the line along the back wall and the dancers. Behind him was a goomba, a koopa, a mouse, a paratroopa, and a hammer bro; all with clipboards. They wrote furiously as the audience changed volume from dancer to dancer, and after the last dancer had been lit up, the five gripped hands and bowed, jumping off the platform into the crowd. Instantly, the next five took their place.

The pattern went on for almost forty-five minutes, some dancers absolutely amazing with their skills, others not very good at all…Peach, in her dress and all, could probably dance better than a few of them. There were quite a few worms, and even a group of five that worked together in one solid dance routine…might have been cool, but the audience had no clue who to cheer for when the spotlight singled them out.

Ludwig's band picked up the pace and the music as the last five jumped off and Bowser stepped up. He tossed his cloak, scepter, and crown to the side, and roared, enthusing the crowd. Dancing by himself, the spotlight forever following him, Bowser was obviously the best of the evening. He spun on his feet, on his hands, and on all sides of his shell, decorating the dance with back, front, and side flips. Soon, he added the element of fire, and the crowd couldn't have loved it anymore. Arcs of flame proved his path, and smoke circles gave a visual reminder of his spins midair. He danced, his footwork simply unbelievable for his hulking mass, and finally, as the light intensified, the crowd was louder than Ludwig's magically enhanced band could even dream of playing. Bowser's finale was simply indescribable, a blur of color through the fire and the flames.

Finally, he held perfectly still, ceasing at the precise moment of the music. The crowd tried to rush the stage, but purple flashed each time they got too close- a visual warning of the magical force field set in place. Bowser grinned at them all, laughing his signature laugh; Peach was laughing herself, although it wasn't really funny. She suddenly realized that sometime during Bowser's dance she had pushed herself into the middle of the crowd without knowing it…Giselle was still back by the refreshments by herself.

Bowser lifted his claw into the air, silencing the crowd with that strange power he had over them. The goomba, followed by the other cheer-judges, approached the center of the stage. "By the largest majority this competition has seen yet," he bellowed, "we announce the winner of this competition to be, yet again, King Bowser!" The audience cheered, almost as if the crowning came as a surprise to them. The parakoopa topped Bowser's head with the crown, then flew back to tie the cloak back in place. The mouse eagerly handed him the scepter, but Bowser declined.

"There's someone else I'd rather hold right now," he muttered, but those in charge of the lights heard him. Suddenly, the beam was directly over Peach. Ludwig's orchestra played up again, a slow song easing its way through the entire room.

Her heart was fluttering, every eye in the room on her, as everyone tried to see her through the crowd. They parted, forming a perfect path for Peach towards the platform. Bowser put forth his claw and grinned, making Peach's heart beat even louder. She yet again couldn't control her feet, finding them pulling her towards Bowser, although her knees were really too weak to control her.

Suddenly, her hand was happily in Bowser's, and every part of her that Peach had left amid the crowd rushed back into place and she felt whole again. She smiled up at Bowser, and he grinned back. "Nice to have you back," he whispered as they began the slow dance.

Peach had a million responses flooding her mind, but couldn't form her lips around any of them. Finally, she eased out a "yeah", feeling rather inadequate. The audience began to dance themselves, though the spotlight continued to follow Bowser and Peach.

It was absolutely incomprehensible, how fast the mood had changed. Although his crown was still atop his head, it seemed impossible that, just minutes before, Bowser had been dancing faster than humanly possible, leading the now almost silent guests in a deafening crowd. It seemed impossible that, just minutes ago, Peach had only been seeing Bowser because of how fast he was moving, unaware of anyone else in the room. Now, he was slow and steady; and his eyes weren't just a blur- they were far too present, black but full of every color in the world, staring back into Peach's eyes of sapphire.

"Congratulations," she muttered, trying to find words to distract herself from his goofy grin.

"What?...oh, oh thanks."

"I had no idea you could…dance like that."

"Bowser grinned. "I'm pretty incredible, huh? Never lost this thing. Almost always deserve it, too."

Peach raised an eyebrow. "Almost?"

Bowser shrugged, almost picking Peach right off the ground. "Well, once or twice someone's been a bit better. But that hasn't happened for years…by now, no one in their wildest dreams could out-dance me."

Peach laughed, feeling herself drawn to Bowser's warmth. "You're so conceited."

"Only 'cuz I deserve it." Bowser smiled back, warm and kind. After a bit of silence, Peach laughed again, looking away from Bowser's enamored eyes. He watched her head turn, soft and smooth, and couldn't help but touch it.

Instantly, Peach's heart flipped as she felt his curled fingers against her cheek. She turned to look at him, and he pulled her closer with his free hand. "I love you," he told her.

Peach's eyes filled with Bowser's, and her heart continued its gymnastics inside her chest. For just a moment, she thought of Giselle, and felt very silly indeed. There was no place for those feelings she had described…not in Peach's life, no, no…Peach took a hand off from around Bowser's neck and held the claw on her cheek. "I know," she told it, afraid to look into those big, mysterious eyes.

She pulled the claw, ready to thrust it back to her hips, but seemingly unable. Instead, she just pulled it close to her mouth and stood swaying in place to the music, eyes shut as she felt her pulse rush to the place where Bowser's claw sat on the corner of her mouth. She didn't will it any farther, and Bowser, though now awkwardly situated, didn't dare move a muscle. Although his feet kept their dance moving, his heart was the only thing Bowser was aware of, besides Peach.

He closed his eyes and pulled his claw away from Peach's mouth- this was too perilous a situation for it to be there. If he kept it there, feeling her soft lips and her warm-blooded pulse behind them, soon his passion would overwhelm them both. And while Bowser wouldn't argue…he didn't want to risk the precious bond Peach had begun to form. And yet, if his eyes were open, he couldn't stand seeing himself remove himself from her like that…no help from a plumber needed.

Peach opened her eyes slowly, looking back at Bowser's face, and tried to smile. She felt cold, but soon his claw was back on her hip, wrapping itself around her completely. She felt the tiniest pricks of pressure where his filed-down spikes were on the wristbands and clung to that feeling…heaven was here, in these scaly, uncomfortable, but so warm and inviting arms. Although a part of the princess wanted to close her eyes, keep her heaven in mind and not admit with whom she had found it, she couldn't even stand to blink. She needed to see that face…filled with more rapture and love than any expression she had ever seen. Bowser's lips parted, as if to say something, but slowly closed again.

Although they were both silent, they understood exactly what was said behind closed lips. I know… Peach thought. I really, really know.

xxxx0o0o0o0o0o0o0xxxx

"Well…here you are." Meredith opened the door to Mario and Luigi's room wide, revealing a 'charming' two-bedder. The room was plain, but still seemed very much like a home. Yet, it seemed a little too small for the two beds…

Meredith caught the look in Luigi's eye and followed it around the room; the two queen beds were absolutely suffocating the bed stand between them, and all the other furniture was against the opposite wall. There was hardly any room at all. "Sorry, guys. We don't really have many family rooms, and the ones we do have are used right now. But now there's starting to be more and more…we're just getting the most out of our rooms as we can before we have to add on to the inn."

"It's-a fine, it's-a fine…" Luigi answered, lugging his green suitcase to the far-most bed. Mario followed suit, taking his to the bed closest. He thanked Meredith, and she left almost immediately to escort Daisy to her private room.

As soon as the door swung shut, Mario hissed, "Mumma Mia, Luigi. Have-a you seen this-a room? It's-a goomba size!"

Luigi nodded furiously. "I know, Mario. I took-a this bed because I didn't-a think you could-a make it over-a here." Mario picked up a round shoe and threw it at Luigi's tall figure, but it missed when he ducked. Luigi laughed, scrambling onto the bed to retrieve Mario's shoe. He tossed it from hand-to-hand looking up at the plain ceiling. "So, what is-a your plan-a?"

Mario was staring down at his suitcase, as undesirous to unpack as Luigi. He shrugged. "I think-a we'll make it up-a as we go along. We don't-a even know who the villain is-a this time. Bowser would-a be too obvious and-a we'd have-a proof already."

Luigi nodded. A sudden chill went through his body…this was a nerve-racking event that Daisy had pulled them into. Who was this villain? How could they be certain he…or she…wasn't really skilled enough to pull this off? Everything in two worlds would fall into his hands; put there by Daisy and his own greediness and desire to have a happy Mario back.

Well, he was certainly happy, that was for sure. But Luigi watched his older brother drum his gloved fingers on his knee, pulled up onto the bed with the rest of his body. Mario seemed lost in thought; possibly about the upcoming battle, but possibly about the approaching week…possibly even about Meredith. He hadn't said anything to Luigi, but he kept checking the clock behind her head the entire time Madame was explaining the situation in the poker room.

Everything was getting to be a bit too much for Luigi. "Do you want-a to see Daisy? I'm-a getting stir-crazy in this-a goomba room." Mario answered the question without even twitching his moustache as he leapt off the bed. Unfortunately, he ended up landing as flat onto the desk across the way as he was on the bed. Luigi laughed, limberly landing onto the floor. Mario clamored off the desk, leading Luigi out the door and down the hallway.

Finding Daisy's room was more than easy. Her door was wide open, her loud and slightly off-key singing heard clear as day. Out of courtesy, Luigi knocked once on the door while Mario stepped right in.

Daisy spun around, her dress spinning in a perfect circle with her motion. As her light curls landed, perfectly framing her face, Luigi felt a bit of a jolt. He always forgot how simply stunning she looked, and every time he saw her it was like love-at-first sight, all over again. He couldn't help but wonder how many mornings, waking up next to that beautiful face; it would take to get rid of the feeling.

"Hey, boys!" Daisy chirped. She was in the middle of her room, seemingly three times larger than the Mario brothers'. And hers only had one bed.

"Daisy, why do you-a have such a…suite? We don't-a even have a big enough-a room for-a one of us."

"Because," she began, walking past them to shut the door, "I'm the one paying. And I tipped extra to get this one."

Mario looked offended. "But-a we're the one-a saving the day!"

Daisy put her hands on her hips, pouting. "Hey, whose to say I can't save it this time? It's no big deal, Mario. I'm sure she'd get you a nicer room if it was a real emer-" Daisy's voice failed, her lips still formed around the vowel. She forced a laugh, turning away before she corrected, "I mean…a real problem. Not having a bed and all. Or something."

Mario muttered something about still not feeling like it was fair, and Luigi leapt onto Daisy's bed, grabbing her remote. Their room didn't even have a TV…or if it did, it was probably hidden in their closet, ready to tumble upon the first unsuspecting victim actually thinking there might be spare space in that room.

The three of them sat, mindlessly chatting about the mysterious battle, the week ahead, and the reality TV show they were watching. Finally, Mario mentioned being ready to go to bed; needing his energy for whatever happened the next day. It was a relief…as much as Daisy and Luigi loved his company, they simply couldn't talk about anything important with him. Too many secrets.

Daisy watched him shut the door behind him before turning to Luigi, a mischievous look in her eye. "Guess what, Luigi?"

"What."

"We're in a hotel room, very much alone. Do you know what that means, Luigi?"

Luigi instantly felt his face flush and was very uncomfortable. "A-actually…this is an inn-a…D-Daisy."

Daisy lightly kissed the end of Luigi's nose, giggling a bit. "That's even better, y'know." She held his hand in hers and tried to give the same mischievous look as before. Unfortunately, Daisy couldn't mask her amusement at Luigi's face…absolutely red on white in his mesh of bashful fear. Eventually, she just broke into laughter. "Don't worry, Luigi. I'm just kidding."

"Oh. I-a knew that…" he said, wiping the sweat off the back of his neck. "So…anyway-a…what do you think of-a Meredith?"

"I think that it's absolutely insane you both know her. I practically grew up with Madame Clearmont…Meredith was at my house at least once a season. I think I even had a sleepover or two with her…what do you think?"

"I don't-a know. She's-a very nice and-a very lovely, but I'm-a just afraid that-a Mario may fancy-a her a bit-a too much…you know?"

Daisy made a face. "Yeah, I noticed that, a bit…I don't know, Luigi. It's not like its abnormal for a girl to like him, and he usually likes them a bit back. I think we can just wait for it to pass…"

Luigi breathed heavily through his nose, making his moustache whistle ever so slightly. "I know-a, but in the convention, he asked-a me if I-a liked anyone besides-a you."

"What did you tell him?"

Luigi looked into Daisy's eyes as he answered, "That I-a couldn't ever. But-a that it-a is probably different-a with him. No problem."

Daisy smiled sweetly back at Luigi, her gloved hand caressing his. "That's true. I don't think he should try to compare himself and Peach to us." She looked away from Luigi, over his shoulder and out at the happy little town, settling down for bed. "They're more…set to be with each other…y'know? They know how good they are for each other, and so does everyone else. I think if Mario gets interested in one other random girl, it's no big deal. It's not like the husbands who send me valentines get left by their wives or something…its not like they're in love with me. I think, as long as Mario and Peach love each other there shouldn't be a problem."

"Yeah…" Luigi answered lamely. After a short bit of talking, he began to feel the stress of the day creeping up on him. "Daisy, I'm-a going to-a go now. Don't want to keep-a Mario waiting."

Daisy smiled and nodded, watching Luigi get up. He took a step towards the door and stopped. With everything going on, the stress with this villain situation, Mario's confusing attitudes, and everything else, he knew he was doing to miss the stability of Daisy's presence. Even when she was almost frightening, he loved her…and he was going to miss her even for the hours he was sleeping.

Luigi turned around, facing Daisy as she sat on her bed, waiting for her boyfriend to leave. Daisy raised an eyebrow. "Luigi, what is i-"

Luigi grabbed Daisy's face, cutting her off and pressed his lips to hers. His lips sweetly caressed hers until she broke apart with laughing. His mustache, quivering under Luigi's delight at one of their few kisses, was too ticklish for Daisy to be used to.

She pulled away and looked at him, the mischievous look back in her eyes and smile. "Come here, you." She swung her arms around Luigi's neck and pulled him down to her height, sitting on the bed. Daisy kissed him, Luigi reciprocating willingly for a good ten, fifteen seconds.

"I love you, Daisy," he whispered.

"I love you too, Luigi," she whispered back, giggling before she let go. "G'night."

Luigi smiled and waved, walking backwards as they continuously wished each other good night. Luigi ended up hitting the doorframe full on, and quickly turned the right way to get back to his room. The last thing he heard from Daisy was her laughter.

xxxx0o0o0o0o0o0o0xxxx

Bowser had gone silent for a bit again, looking past Peach. He kept his warm claws around her hips, but she wasn't pressed to him at all…that way he could still see her eyes. Even when he wasn't looking, like now.

Peach searched his face, seeing as it was the only thing that interested her just then. She noticed the minutest of changes as his lips raised in a tiny smile. Her heart thumped, and she giddily asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Bowser looked back into her eyes and smiled warmly. "Three summers ago, when I took you to my ice castle. Do you remember?"

Peach bit the inside of her cheek, thinking. "No… not exactly…what was so funny?"

"Oh," he began, "I decided to take you there specifically because it was so dang hot that year. I figured I must have been the smartest koopa around, kidnapping you to get away from that scorching drought to a castle made completely of ice. When I got to your room, you were telling a toad to get you more ice water, so I thought it was the perfect chance. You looked so hot…and pretty dang warm, too."

Peach laughed, but looked up silently for the rest of the story. "You were complaining that it was too hot to be kidnapped when I took you…but the moment we got there you started telling me it was too cold. At first it was funny and I was just glad to have you there, but it got annoying pretty fast. I had tried so hard to choose the best place to make you the happiest, and you didn't care at all. So I got really angry and said if you didn't like ice, fine, I would melt it. So I started breathing fire all over the place, and almost melted all the ice sculptures in the front hall-"

"Then I shouted for you to stop…" Peach added, remembering the story now. Mentally, she skipped ahead and giggled, realizing why Bowser had liked this story so much.

After raising a bushy red eyebrow, Bowser prompted, "would you like to finish the story, or can I, missy?"

"Go ahead,"

"Thank you," Bowser said, through his grin. "Anyway. I stopped, and you told me the sculptures were very pretty and would I please not breathe fire again while you were there. I agreed, and you asked if you could go home, too. Obviously I wasn't going to cart you back home after making such an ordeal out of bringing you there, so I just showed you to your room to stay cool until the Mario Brothers tried to wreck everything.

"Within two hours, you had wandered down to the kitchen, looking for hot cocoa. I lied and told you-"

"You lied? You mean I could have drank it in my room?" Peach gasped.

"If I let you go back to your room, how were you supposed to cuddle with me?" Peach's face flushed, and thoroughly pleased, Bowser continued. Sure, Peach knew the story, but it still made him proud to tell it. So tell it he would. "You sat on the couch with me…since that was the only furniture in the kitchen not made of ice. After a few minutes, you had fallen asleep next to me, since I was so warm and everything else was so cold. You just sat there, for practically an hour, absorbing my heat and smiling." Bowser smiled too, a warm, far-away smile, as if trying to keep the memory in tact.

Peach smiled back, but her smile faded as she remembered what happened next. "And then…"

Sighing, Bowser continued, "And then you woke up. Yelled at me for 'tricking' you, even though all I did was not wake you up. The Mario brothers came the next day…I would have creamed them, but they were using fire balls in an ice castle, and I promised not to breathe fire, so it was kind of a stupid fight."

Peach looked back at Bowser. "You didn't breathe fire because I told you not to? I thought you were just…you just forgot or something."

Bowser looked hard down at Peach. "Right. I totally forgot about the one reason I had stayed warm the entire time and why my throat hurt from keeping all that dang fire in it." Bowser chuckled. "Still, though…I liked that summer."

Peach smiled, seeing Bowser look distant. It made her so happy, that simply remembering a memory long by gone of innocent snuggling would make him so happy even now. She loved seeing how much he loved her…it was so obvious, and so wonderful.

She pulled herself in closer, letting her elbows hang down. Peach pulled her tiara-less head under Bowser's chin and absorbed his warmth, feeling it spread through herself completely. Peach's heart was beating faster than imaginable, but with her face pressed against Bowser's chest, she realized his was beating just as fast. In fact, they were beating in hurried rhythm.

Bowser gasped just slightly, surprised by Peach's sudden movements. But his fingers quickly found each other as they wrapped around Peach's back, and he tried to ignore his pounding heart. She smelt so sweet, she looked so…happy. Resting in embrace, they both continued to move to the music.

The cologne Wendy had gotten for her father reached Peach's nose in this close vicinity. Of course, she didn't know that's what it was, but Peach inhaled all she could of the sweet smell. The scent seemed to include everything wonderful about Bowser…the smoky scent just tangible through the natural scent of heat and the sweet smell of piranha plants. She closed her eyes, remembering the story Bowser had just reminded her of and the warmth she didn't recognize back then as Bowser's personal warmth. The warmth of happiness and love that Bowser radiated only for her.

He loved her so much.

She needed that so much.

They continued to spin in rhythm, and though Bowser's heart never really slowed down, Peach's settled into a state of contentment.

Yes…this was her home, her personal heaven, whether or not her heart knew it as well as her head.

Author's Note: We're almost half way through the ball, and we should get there next chapter. I'm on the fifth page of chapter 26 and we're not there yet, but I still fully believe that the ball should be done by...chapter 30? Maybe? Probably.

But did you like this segment? Even though it was horrendously late and lack of plot-y?

Thanks for those who didn't abandon my baby (toddler) while I was off musical-ing. I love you all to death! Razzi

PS-I'm also betaing a lovely story by ZADrookie with nice, long chapters. I've realized for the first time how truly dedicated you all are to read my long chapters in single sittings. XD It's taking me awhile to get through, but once it gets posted, you all must read it. Lovely story