You're still here? I thought I told you to run!

Whatever, if you REALLY want to stay, you can watch from here. I'm ninety-five percent sure this spot is safe. Just sit back, relax, don't say a word, and watch the chaos unfold.

May 9, 1601
Late Afternoon

Junior gulped. All activity in the room froze as if someone had pressed a button. How'd Papa know? I'm in so much trouble… He turned his head to the door. He shrunk into himself upon spotting the look on his father's face.

To say Bowser was furious was an understatement.

His half-exposed features were twisted into a glare so deadly that Junior wanted to turn intangible and phase through the floor. Bowser's eye was burning, his pupils barely a speck against his scarlet iris. Jet-black smoke was rushing out of his nose with every heavy, chest-rattling breath. His fangs were bared, hands curled into fists.

The three humans gasped. Luigi and Peach went pale, the latter covering her mouth. Mario's jaw dropped, and he rubbed his eyes as if he were imagining things. Junior couldn't even stand to look at his father, his eyes locked on his toes.

"Bowser…" Peach whispered. "Stars, what happened—?"

"Do you," Bowser growled, his voice trembling, "have any idea how much trouble you're in?"

Junior swallowed, his stomach twisting. He nodded.

"WRONG! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH TROUBLE YOU'RE IN YOU LITTLE BRAT!" Bowser howled, his voice punctuated by a spine-chilling snarl. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW LONG WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU!? HUH?! ALL AFTERNOON! WHAT, IN THAT DAMN HEAD OF YOURS POSSESSED YOU TO RUN OFF BEHIND MY BACK, HUH?!"

Tears bubbled up in Junior's eyes. His papa never yelled at him like this. He couldn't recall a time that he'd ever heard such fury in Bowser's voice. None of the loud rants about how terrible Mario was after a defeat compared to this.

Peach gasped. "Junior, you snuck out!?"

"HE SURE AS HELL DID!" Bowser's heavy, uneven footsteps grew closer. Junior shook, sniffling. "THE MINONS HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU ALL FREAKING AFTERNOON! THEY'VE RIPPED UP THE WHOLE KINGDOM LOOKING FOR YOU! THE ONLY REASON I FOUND YOU WAS BECAUSE KAMMY REMINDED ME IT WAS MOTHER'S DAY! I KNEW…" Bowser coughed, growling. "I knew the moment she told me told me where you were."

Junior wiped away his tears. He clenched his hands into fists.

"Do you have any idea… how… how… how much trouble you've caused?"

A sob broke loose from Junior's throat. He crumpled to his knees, his head bowed. "I-I-I'm sorry, Papa…."

Bowser snorted. "Sorry isn't going to cut it! You're grounded for two months. No video games, no toys, no drawing, nothing!"

Junior covered his face, a few choked cries escaping him.

"Do you… Tell me what the hell was possessing you to run off. What… what damn excuse do you have for me?"

Junior sniffled. You wouldn't let me see Mama. His tongue was thick, his throat closing off with his tears.

"ANSWER ME!" Bowser pounded a fist on the table, causing it to buckle with a cracking sound. Bowser hissed, holding his hand. "Answer. Me."

"I just wanted to see Mama!" Junior cried, falling back onto his tail as he pulled his knees to his chest. "I wanted to see Mama, and you wouldn't kidnap her! You wouldn't even get her! I wanted to see her! I wanted to spend Mama's Day with my mama!" He shoved his face in his knees, sobbing. "I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry! P-Papa… p-please stop yelling…"

"Junior… Look, I would've gotten her for you, but I told you I feel like crap. The only reason I dragged myself here was so I could lug your tail back myself! But you had to be selfish and run off without telling anyone! Maybe, if you had asked, I would've let you!"

You would've? Yeah, right. Bowser had told him in the past that it was too dangerous. And Mario had proven him right with his initial attack. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I just really wanted to see Mama… She let me stay."

Bowser growled.

"Bowser, I never would've let him stay if I had known he had snuck out," Peach explained, "I thought you knew about this… I swear to the Seven Star Spirits, I never would have let him stay. He… he threatened to kidnap me if I didn't comply."

Bowser's growl grew louder. Junior could nearly feel his eye burning a hole in his scales. "So… you not only snuck out behind my back, but you lied to your mother to get her to do what you want."

"She's n—" Mario started to say, but he was cut off with a muffled, "Ooff!"

"Stay out of this plumber boy," Bowser hissed. "Junior… Just for manipulating your mother, I'm tacking on another month."

Junior couldn't hold back a gasp.

"Um… don't you think that's a little harsh?" Peach asked.

"No! It's not harsh enough! I outta ground you for the rest of your damn childhood! I'm feeling really generous, so it's only three months. Want to push it to four?"

Junior shook his head.

Bowser let out a growling sigh. "Good. C'mere, kiddo." Junior was scooped off the chair, brought close to his papa's chest. He pressed his nose to Bowser's plastron, tears streaming down his cheeks.

I don't want Papa to be mad at me… "I'm sorry, Papa… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"

"At least you've learned your lesson," Bowser murmured, his breath warming the side of Junior's head. He nudged the little Koopa's head with his nose, and Junior curled closer to him.

"Bowser… Mama mia… what's with… what happened to you?"

Bowser let out a grumble. "Some idiot let a stupid bob-omb factory blow up while I was in it. It's just a few burns. I've survived worse." He shuffled back. "I'll get off your shells now. Didn't want to come, don't want to stay."

"Wait!" Peach called. "Can you stay for a slice of cake? Junior helped make it, and he hasn't even gotten to try it yet."

"Peach, he needs to be punished, not rewarded."

Junior twisted his head around to spot the scowl on Peach's face. "Bowser, we made it together, and it would be really cruel to take that away from him. Just one slice. I already cut it, and I would hate to waste it." Bowser grunted. "You can… you can have a slice, too."

Junior turned his eyes up to Bowser's face. His eyebrow was lowered, and his eye flicked back and forth as he supposedly thought his answer over. Junior pawed at his chest. "Please, Papa?" He widened his eyes, tilting his head just slightly.

"Gawrrr… Fine." Bowser grimaced. "Make it quick. I wanna go back to sleep." He set Junior down, hissing as he straightened himself up.

Peach winced. "I can only imagine…" She turned towards the table, grabbing the knife and pulling out a slice for Bowser. "Oh… um… we don't have any extra plates…"

Bowser shrugged, but he growled and squeezed his eyes shut. "No big deal." He held out his hand, and she carefully set the slice in his palm. Bowser popped the whole thing in his mouth, tilting his head and narrowing an eye. "Not bad."

While his parents settled with that, Junior had scrambled onto his chair. He seized a forkful of cake, chomping down on it before his papa could change his mind. The taste exploded through his mouth. His eyes widened. The chocolate was highly prominent, nearly dominating his taste buds. It blended with the creamy icing, the caramel adding just an extra spark of flavour. Junior swallowed his bite. His tail wagged as he shoved the cake down his throat.

"Mama Mia!" Mario exclaimed, his face alight. "This is delicious! Great job, Peach!"

"I heff'd 'oo!" Junior protested, crumbs spilling out of his mouth. He stiffened. No! He hadn't wanted to leave a single scrap!

Peach shot him a frown. "Don't talk with your mouth full. It's rude and nobody can understand you." She put a bite in her mouth, a smile gracing her face as she let out a content hum.

Junior swallowed his mouthful. "I said, I helped, too. I get credit!" He puffed out his chest. "It was my idea to make it extra chocolatey and add the caramel! I put it on myself!"

"No wonder," Bowser grumbled. His tongue swiped across his muzzle's curve. "I thought it tasted funny."

"You just don't have a sweet fang." Junior grinned at him, though a huff wiped it right off his face. He turned his full attention back to his slice. He ate the last few bites, and he even licked up the crumbs from the plate. He leaned back in his chair. A purr rumbled in his throat, and he rubbed his belly. "Yummy."

"Glad you liked it." Bowser sniffed, narrowing his eyes a little. "Now we're going home. And when we get there, you're going straight to your room!"

Junior's shoulders slumped, his purrs dying. "Yes, Papa…" He scrambled off his chair, hurrying to his father's side.

Bowser stood still for a few moments, his breathing heavy. "This wasn't my idea," he muttered. He turned his head away. "Sorry, Peach. For my little brat. He shouldn't of done what he did."

Peach shook her head. "No, Bowser. It's okay, really. Having him come over beats you kidnapping me." Bowser snorted, rolling his eyes. "I did have a good time with him, if I'm being honest." Peach took in a breath. "So… I think it would be alright if we did this every year."

Mario, Luigi, and Junior gasped. Bowser's eye widened. A bubble rose in Junior's chest, and his face split in a beam. Yes! Mama Peach wants to do this! She really wants to do this!

"Wait, what?" Bowser half-spluttered.

"Princess, are you serious?" Mario asked, a dangerous edge to his voice.

Peach nodded. She turned her eyes to Junior, and he grinned at her. "Yes, I'm serious. I know you, Bowser. I know you well enough that you're going to kidnap me next year to spend time with Junior."

"Bingo," Bowser confirmed, a smile creeping onto his face.

"I'd much prefer that you just save everyone the trouble and drop off Junior here in the morning. The other Koopalings are welcome if they want to come." Peach wrung her hands together. "And before you ask… no, I don't want to marry you. And I'm not doing this because I'm okay with being the mother to any of your kids."

"I-I wasn't going to ask…" Bowser's muzzle flushed pink, and he diverted his eyes.

"I'm just offering to avoid the headache for myself and the Mario Brothers." Peach glanced at Mario. "I figured, between getting kidnapped and being forced to spend time with you and your kids, or peacefully agreeing to take your kids for a day, the latter was the better option."

Bowser tilted his head, his brow starting to furrow. He gasped, a hand flying to his face. His body shook. "Oww… ow…"

Peach winced. "You should probably go home and get some rest."

"I should…" Bowser's body slumped, and he moaned. He gritted his fangs. "And yeah… It's a deal. I promise not to kidnap you on Mother's Day if—" he sharply inhaled, "if you agree to take whoever wants to come."

"I already said I would."

"Alright, Peach… I'll see you after I heal up." He grinned at her, his eyelid twitching. "Don't wait up."

Peach rolled her eyes. "In that case, take your time."

Bowser snickered, wincing. "Ouch."

Mario giggled. "Nice one."

"Shut your trap, pasta-stuffed. Peach was talking to me." A growl rose in Bowser's throat. His tail swished. He froze, a pathetic whine pushing from his throat. His muzzle flushed, and he turned away. "Junior, come on." He started to limp towards the door, his tail dragging on the ground.

Junior stared at Peach. His fingers twitched. He swallowed, turning his gaze towards his papa. "Can I… give Mama a hug?"

Bowser halted with a long exhale. "I ain't stopping you."

Junior rushed over to Peach, wrapping his arms around her. She returned the embrace, holding him close. He closed his eyes, cherishing her warmth and smell. I'll get to see her next year… next year, me and Mama can do this again. He could hardly wait. He purred.

Peach was the one who broke away first, gently pushing him away. "You need to head home. I don't think your father is going to want to stay any longer."

Junior glanced back at Bowser, noticing that he was breathing heavily and leaning against the wall. Poor Papa… He must've really been hurting. "Okay." He brushed his nose against Peach's hand. "See you soon, Mama Peach." He trotted to Bowser.

"I hope you feel better, Bowser," Peach nodded to him, keeping her face neutral. "But, for your sake and mine, please wait until you've completely healed before launching any attacks. I don't want to see a single scratch the next time you come."

Bowser cracked a smile. "You just can't stand seeing me hurt. You really do care." Peach shook her head. "I think a kiss would make me feel better. Just on the cheek."

Peach scowled, her nose wrinkling. "No way."

"Ew…" Mario stuck his tongue out.

Bowser sighed, a somewhat joking frown pulling at his mouth. "I can try…" A brief smile swept across his face, his eye glossing a little. His tail curled slightly.

Junior giggled. He's daydreaming again! He could guess this one was where Peach actually had given him a kiss. Junior glanced at her. He was nearly tempted to push her to him, to get her to kiss him, but Mario was too close. The plumber would attack him if he tried. Sewer-scum.

Bowser shook his head, his face starting to redden again. "Er… uh… C'mon Junior, let's go. For real this time. See you, Peach. Thanks for taking care of him."

"You're welcome, Bowser."

Bowser shot a glance at Junior before he hobbled out of the dinning room, ducking down to fit in the hallway. Junior started after him, but paused in the doorway. He turned his gaze back over his shoulder, meeting Peach's warm blue eyes. He cast her a smile, waving. "Bye, Mama Peach. I love you."

"Good-bye, Bowser Jr. Thank you for the lovely time."

He flashed his fangs in a grin. "Thanks for letting me stay! Even though I made you! Bye-bye! See you next kidnapping!" He turned and skipped after Bowser, who had barely gotten a six foot lead. He trotted around his papa, his heart light and smile bright. His tail wagged and he pressed his fingers in his mouth. He giggled.

He could hardly wait for next year.

Well, that's a wrap! I swear, Junior's good-bye to Peach is so perfect. It's a mix of adorable and bratty, and I so love it!

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the story! Thanks to those who made it to the very end! I'm so glad you decided to give my crazy lil' novella a shot, and I hope you enjoyed it! If you didn't, and it was because I screwed something up (or my writing could've been better), let me know, PLEASE! I am DYING to improve! It helps if you give me examples and specifics, too! Don't just say, this could've been better, tell me HOW it could've been better. I take no offense to constructive criticism. Heck, I'm downright begging for it.

Anyhow, have a superb day/night! And Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in the world! Biological or not!

Mama's Day is a completed story, and it will not be continued past this. Do not request for more or a sequel. However, constructive criticism will be remembered for future stories.