Playlist

by CheeseCakeParty

Every moment in their lives plays a different melody. (A collection of stories mostly about the Koopalings)

1. Burn

Burn

Too Close to Touch: Burn

---

Ludwig hates the semi-permanent taste of ash on his tongue and how the heat burns his eyes.

He desperately holds the tiny hand engulfed by his own for comfort. The warmth seeping into his skin is a gentle reminder he isn't facing this completely alone. Unintentionally, he grips the little hand too tightly causing Larry to whimper in pain, wriggling his fingers to escape.

Ludwig instantly loosens his grip at the sorrowful complaints, mentally apologizing to his youngest brother. He is unable to speak it out loud for the toddler to hear. His throat is parched and his tongue is made of the heaviest of lead.

His mouth refuses to listen to his mind screaming at him to do or say anything. Instead, Ludwig uselessly stands there watching it all fall apart.

What can he do to make it all stop?

There's a blazing fire in the distance, licking away at the infrastructure of a cozy house for nine. The smoke is thick and breathing becomes a tedious task as it steadily pollutes the evening air around them.

Their house.

Ludwig's parents are nowhere to be seen, but he counts quietly in his head to ease the gnawing anxiety pounding persistently in his chest. It's too much, it's all too much.

One, two—

Iggy leans into Lemmy for support, glasses askew on his face. Both of them are covered in a heavy layer of soot from head to toe, deflated and defeated. The plethora of bright colors of their matching hair doesn't catch the evening light like it should.

The thick layer of grey ash stuck in the strands darkens the usually vibrate hues of their hair. Both brothers are littered with minuscule marks and scratches which crawl up their arms. Otherwise, they're unharmed and alive.

Three, four, five—

Roy huddles Wendy and Morton tightly in his arms like a drowning man holding onto a life preserver, mumbling any comforting word that jumps into his mind first to soothe his much younger siblings. Wendy is a mess of tears and snot, wailing desperately for Mother and Father as she clings to Roy.

Ludwig's gut churns at the heartbreaking sounds of his frantic sister. Moistures begins to stings the corners of his eyes. He swallows past the bulge lodged in his throat, blinking away the pointless tears. He rips his thoughts from the lingering darkness, focusing on Wendy's injuries, or lack off. Thankfully, she's mostly unscathed with only a darkening bruise on her cheek and a couple small scratches spotted around her body.

Morton buries his face deeper into Roy's chest, face hidden from view, grip terrifyingly strong for a four-year-old child. The second youngest is barely marred; only requiring a bath to remove the smoky stench of fire from his scales.

Roy is the most injured of them all. Though, it's not concerning enough to need immediate attention. There's a nasty burn traveling down his left leg to his ankle, an angry shade of red and charred black at the corners, exposing the layer underneath his scales. If it hurts, he shows no indication that it does.

Roy squeezes his eyes shut as he begins rocking his siblings in his arms, repeating the same reassuring phrases like a sad song. His words fall on deaf ears as Wendy continues to loudly cry over them, filtering them out.

Ludwig turns away when his vision begins to blur, he cannot bear to watch this sad scene anymore.

Six.

Ludwig feels Larry's pudgy fingers squirm in his, struggling to break free. The toddler is peacefully silent beside his older brother despite what they lost.

He's too young and ignorant to understand what's occurring right in front of him and Ludwig is a tad envious for it. There's innocence in the toddler's blue eyes as he gazes with childish wonder at the dancing flames.

The fire continues to scorch everything inside with no intent of extinguishing anytime soon. The memories Ludwig holds dear to his heart burn along with the house and he can't tear his eyes away from the skeletal remains of his childhood home threatening to completely collapse any moment now.

He's suddenly bombarded by memories of happier times, one flashing after another.

Ludwig remembers his piano wedged into the corner of Father's study room. Although the piano was a simple hand-me-down from his music teacher, Ludwig looked at the run-down instrument like it was made of gold and encrusted with diamonds.

He'd sit at the piano, daydreaming of the day he'd play on stage to an adoring audience; his family's smiling faces in the front row.

Father would often listen to Ludwig practice while he read his books in his old reclining chair, happily helping Ludwig when he fumbled with a certain piece. He remembers his clumsy fingers twiddling with the worn down keys of the same piano as Mother provides the words to the newest song he learned.

Her voice was untrained and off-key. Oftentimes, she'd forget the words and make up her own to pull on a smile onto his face. Although her tone was smoky and guttural hum, Ludwig thinks it was a beautiful sound stemming from a gentle soul like Mother.

He remembers his siblings and parents curled around a tame fire burning in the fireplace, listening to rain patter gently against the windows. Iggy, Lemmy, and Morton roasted marshmallows together to make s'mores. Morton managed to somehow get the sugary substance all over his face and hands causing the other two to quietly giggle uncontrollably while Lemmy wiped the gooey marshmallows from Morton's mouth with a wet napkin.

The rocking chair squeaked as Mother rocked rhythmically back and forth with Larry in her arms, bundled up in a nest of warm blankets. She softly hummed the baby's favorite lullaby. Some of the notes were lost to the crackle and pop of the fire burning the wooden logs Ludwig and Roy helped carry in.

Wendy was seated cozily in Father's lap as he read her one of her favorite princess stories and Ludwig could recall almost all the words to a stories he's heard over forty times. Her taste in books never strayed far from fantasy, following the linear plot line of happy ending fairytales. He despised them for their over exaggerations, she eagerly ate them up with wide-eyes.

Roy sat beside Ludwig, head resting on his shoulder. A giant blanket is wrapped securely around their shoulders, fighting off the chilly spring draft seeping through the windows. Roy snored loudly in Ludwig's left ear canal, rattling his brain, but the eldest didn't mind much; slowly begin to doze off himself.

The unforgiving flames continue to carelessly burn away all these old memories and the comfortable life they all once knew. Unable to pinpoint what overwhelming emotion he feels at the moment, Ludwig simply remains statuesque.

The boiling rage inside him wants to lash out at the unfairness the world has presented to them, shouting till his voice turns raw while the melancholy that heavies his heart wants him to burst into a barrage of tears with no one to wipe them away or placate them.

He internally battles with the whirlwind of contradicting emotions threatening to consume him while the others fight their own struggles around him. He wishes Father would walk up to him now, a gentle smile on his face, and reassure him that these conflicting feelings will eventually pass with weighty words of wisdom.

He wishes Mother would smile brightly down at him, playfully teasing him about his mop of unkempt hair, and purposely ruffle it up just to hear his tiny huff of annoyance as he attempts to set it rightfully in place.

Ludwig knows deep down, hidden underneath all the denial, their parents are somewhere inside. Their lifeless bodies buried beneath flaming debris and crumbled rubble. Lost, Ludwig's tired eyes flicker to the second and third eldest. Lemmy is crying silently while Iggy refuses to let go of him, barricading him in his arms. Lemmy mindlessly runs his sooty claws through Iggy's tangled mass of rainbow hair; a gesture Mother frequently used to calm them down after nightmares.

While Roy still refuses to watch the flames burn, shell facing away from the house, unable to face the crushing reality suddenly forced upon a bunch of children. He still holds onto a now quiet Wendy—who finally succumbed to exhaustion after crying herself hoarse and Morton; who hasn't once showed his face yet.

In this instance, Larry begins to fuss, ripping Ludwig's attention away from the others. He defiantly yanks his hand out of Ludwig's with a noise of discontent. The little one raises his arms out towards his big brother, grabbing at the air in front of him.

Like any finicky toddler, Larry craves the embrace and affection of a family member. With their parents nowhere in his sight, he turns to the eldest child instead and Ludwig's bottom lip trembles. He once again blinks away his tears because they're useless to him, swallowing roughly.

He wordlessly complies with his youngest brother's demands, scooping Larry into his arms where the young Koopa settles his head in the crook of Ludwig's shoulder, fluffy blue baby hairs tickle Ludwig's chin.

When you suddenly lose everything; where do you go from here?

Ludwig can't answer this, but he knows they cannot stay here.

...

The crowded streets of the large town are unforgiving and no place to call home, but it's the best option available to a group of orphaned children. There is no sympathy to be found amongst the general populist in the area.

The remnants of a war that ended long before he had hatched still scar the land, having a tight hold on the lands despite the passage of time. It toughened up the heart of the kingdom and turned civility and greetings into brief moments of eye contact and halfhearted waves as they dart hurriedly around the city.

The boorish atmosphere is unlike the homey village he once lived in where everyone knew everyone's names. All the stores were locally owned and within walking distance of each other resting on the main street and a small town hall sat in the middle of town surrounded by tall conifers.

Here, a foreboding cobblestone castle stands tall across a moat of lava. Volcanoes spew ash into the air, darkening the skies to an almost permanent overcast as the spiked castle eerily watches down on the city. It casts a shadow amongst the citizens and manages to cause Ludwig to shiver the longer his gaze takes in its menacing appearance, sculpting its structure into the horizon.

There's a severe lack of familiar exchanges of words amongst the civilians as they trudge down the long, swiveling sidewalks and guards with pointed spears stand at the street corners bordering around the main bridge leading to the castle gates. No one spares Ludwig a passing glance as he travels down the street; they're too busy rushing to unknown destinations like their very lives depended on it. This sad fact doesn't bother Ludwig since he can't provide necessities to his family with the pity of others.

The main street of the bustling town is full of restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores which all sell food; food Ludwig desperately needs. The sweet smell of baked goods wafts through the noisy streets which usual reek of sulfur and ash at night when the volcanoes tend to be more active. Ludwig gets pushed around by a few Koopas and Goombas in a hurry to destinations unknown.

For once, he's thankful for his smaller stature, easily weaving through the masses to his intended target. When he once bemoaned about his lacking height when compared to his father.

A small bakery sits comfortably at the corner of the block. A bakery none of the children have yet to hit and a less likely target to be aware of the rumors of a bread thief on the boarder of the city. The thought of fresh bread and decorative cakes makes Ludwig's mouth water, but he remains set on his goal. His younger siblings are somewhere hiding in the alleys, crying for food they can't afford to have and he must provide for them in any way he can.

Stealing.

A family that Father once claimed was born of noble heritage resorting to stealing their next meal. Ludwig ignores the festering guilt beginning to brew in his empty stomach and glances over his shoulder, unable to spot Lemmy anywhere on the sidewalks.

Wherever he is, Ludwig knows Lemmy is prepared to play his part. Determined, he pushes open the door to the tiny bakery. The delicious scents that fill his senses are so overwhelmingly powerful he nearly begins to drool. His stomach growls angrily at him for having to wait, but he gives it an understanding pat before he shoves his own desires down for now.

He pretends to browse the selection like an indecisive customer, sighing audibly to really sell the act. There's a variety of colorful cakes, different types of bread in various shades, and fruity pies. He eyes the chocolate cupcakes with blue frosting hungrily, practically tasting the sweet frosting on his tongue.

An elderly Koopa Troopa approaches him with a name tag on stating he's the owner. The old Koopa asks him if he's lost, regarding him with ample amounts of suspicious. He keenly takes in his filthy appearance and lack of parental figure, asking after his parents.

The reminder of his parents is a sting, but Ludwig feigns a cheery smile and smooths down his hair in a sad attempt to appear decent. He claims he's waiting for his mother to finish her grocery shopping down the street, rocking on his heels, and adopting a more boisterous tone to sprinkle on the charm only a child has. He makes up some superficial story about how she had promised him sweets if he behaved and that he fulfilled his half of the bargain. The bakery owner seems to buy into it, chuckling heartily at Ludwig before retreating to the back of the bakery for more stock.

Ludwig takes this opportunity to memorize the layout. Only one way in and one way out, the delicious goods are inside a glass display case, though it's easily accessible if he were to simply walk around the counter. There is a lack of customers inside, only a group of three Paratroopas chat quietly over steaming tea cups and delicious smelling cookies.

The bell above the door chimes and in walks Lemmy. He's clumsy on his feet which only adds to his adorable demeanor. He's the perfect decoy, able to pull at the heartstrings in ways Ludwig or Roy cannot. Lemmy wastes no time, he opens his mouth and loudly wails. Tears begin to stream down his face and he plops to the floor, kicking and screaming for his Mommy. Ludwig is always impressed by how convincing Lemmy is when it comes to acting out the same scenario over and over again.

The patrons in the bakery are out of their chairs in seconds and the elderly Koopa from before rushes out from the back. They all crowd around him, trying to figure out what the cause to his outburst is. Lemmy gives them the same run down; he's lost his Mommy and he can't find her.

Ludwig quietly sneaks away while they're all preoccupied. Slipping behind the counter, Ludwig grabs anything he can fit into his hands and shell. Arms and shell full of baked goods, he bolts past the gathering in the middle of the bakery and to the door. That grabs the owner's attention instead and he spots Ludwig struggling to open the door with his hands full of stolen food.

The bakery owner begins shouting, repeating the words thief over and over again mixing in a few vulgar words. Ludwig doesn't stop running when he successfully makes it out the door, knocking into people that are in his way. He accidentally drops a few of the items, silently cursing the loss.

The loaves and rolls in his shell shift uncomfortably, but it's easier to ignore as adrenaline pumps him full of energy. Lemmy appears behind him, tripping over his own feet, barely keeping pace as they shove past strangers. They turn down an alley, then another, and another to throw off their trail and confuse any possible pursuers. Ludwig's legs burn and his arms hurt, but he still has enough left in him to carry him down another winding street. He can hear Lemmy panting for air and the reassuring tapping of his tiny feet against the pavement.

Finally, they reach their intended destination. They find Roy sitting atop a stack of old phone books like a king, his own stash of food in a large plastic bag. Ludwig gasps for air, greedily sucking in as much as he can and Roy allows them a moment to recover from their marathon run.

"What took you so long?" Roy snaps, brow raised inquisitively. Ludwig refuses to take his attitude to heart despite the comeback burning on the tip of his tongue.

Roy always sounds cocky and stand-offish, spitting out unnecessary quips when he grows impatient. Ludwig understands it isn't Roy's intention, it's just how he learned to fend for his family. Specifically, when he defended Lemmy.

School wasn't kind to children who struggled with basic motor skills like Lemmy and Roy constantly got into scraps with anyone who dared to mock his older brother. It's how he learned to succeed in unfamiliar environments; now he's using his brawn to survive the harsh streets.

Ludwig once found Roy's methods barbaric and brutish, but now he's glad Roy can be so frighteningly intimidating. It's got them all this far, but Ludwig wonders how long their luck will continue to hold up for.

Roy hops down from his makeshift chair of phone books, snapping Ludwig out of his thoughts. The burly Koopa tosses Lemmy his bag of goodies. Lemmy barely catches it before it hits the ground, the weight sending him stumbling back with a squeak of surprise. Ludwig and Lemmy peek inside the bag to find a bunch of different colored apples, a few bags of chips, bottles of water, and a misplaced bundle of carrots. No, that's not right.

Ludwig realizes the carrots are specifically for Iggy, who favors raw carrots like some sort of rodent. At least he enjoys healthy snacks, unlike Wendy; the only girl in their group is a fussy eater and prefers sweet treats to anything remotely good for her.

"I'm lucky we made it back here," Roy begins to complain. "Larry got impatient and stole an apple out of some guy's hand while we were escapin'. He didn't follow us out but he was one huge dude."

"Where are the others?" Ludwig asks, eyes scanning the empty alley for the familiar faces of his four younger siblings. Last he recalled, Roy had been in charge of watching them.

"I dropped them off at our hideout. Morty was bein' a pain and needed a nap. Course, I didn't leave the stash with them since Morty would probably eat it all before you guys got anything."

Part of Ludwig feels guilty for leaving Roy by himself to deal with the others. Roy insisted he understood why Lemmy had to go with Ludwig. It's not like Roy was completely alone since Iggy is responsible enough to handle himself and offer help when needed.

Although, with Iggy's constant mood swings and erratic behavior, it isn't always guaranteed he'll be in the right state of mind to assist. Recently, these outbursts have gotten worse since arriving in the populated town. Ludwig isn't sure how to handle Iggy at his most vulnerable without resorting to Roy holding him down until he stops attacking the others.

It frightens him to see Iggy so unhinged.

The three older siblings wait as minutes tick by before Ludwig deems it safe enough to return to the hideout. Lemmy sets the bag down next to Roy and lightens Ludwig's load, grabbing a few loaves of bread and some cupcakes he'd been eying when he thought Ludwig wasn't paying attention.

Ludwig shifts the rest of his delicate spoils in his arms and carefully adjusts the weight in his shell. He wants to avoid dropping more food on the ground. He sympathetically watches Lemmy physically struggle to carry all the baked goods in his tiny arms. The little Koopa doesn't complain about his obvious dilemma or ask for assistance. Roy and Ludwig pretend not to notice either.

Lemmy will decline any help they offer him. The physically fourth smallest child of the group isn't one to let his short stature be an excuse to not pull his own and he hates being doted on. Roy picks up his heavy bag of goodies with ease and falls into line behind them. Eventually, they make it back to their little hideout. It's not much, but the various scraps of metal and boxes Roy and Morton had found scavenging the trash were enough materials to craft a makeshift shelter.

The rusted metal roof keeps the rare rain showers away most nights, and the cardboard boxes and sheets of shredded paper soften the concrete floor they sleep on. Every time Ludwig comes "home" he feels his anger boil at the sight of their shelter. It's a constant reminder of what his life has come to. Every day he's surrounded by garbage, covered in layers upon layers of filth, and always hungry for a full course meal.

He's so damn furious at the cards dealt to him and his siblings. These unwanted cards that were forcefully shoved into his unexpected hands when he ignorantly enjoyed his happy life, naïvely believing the worst thing he had to worry about was a bad grade in school. Since the fire ripped it away, they've done nothing but suffer as he and his remaining family struggle to survive. He hates what's become of them; but there's no one to blame and that only makes his ire burn brighter.

The four younger children are sitting under the shelter, patiently waiting for their arrival. Iggy bounces Larry on his lap while singing a jumbled tune of words. The toddler laughs to Iggy's made-up song, easily entertained by his older brother's antics.

Morton doesn't share the sentiment, quietly huddled further away from Iggy, exhausted and heavy bags dangle under his eyes from the lack of sleep he's been getting. Roy is right, Morton needs to rest; whether or not Morton will get to rest is a different dilemma entirely.

Wendy sits in between Morton and Iggy, busying herself by reading a pop-up book they'd found in the dumpster a few weeks ago. The last three pages are missing—probably ripped from the book by a disobedient brat who couldn't appreciate all that they had.

It's a story without a proper happy ending, covered in unidentifiable food stains, but Wendy enjoys the story despite the stains and missing context. It is entirely possible she's simply admiring the drawings instead of reading it herself. She still struggles with reading and writing on her own, and oftentimes asks Roy, Ludwig, or Lemmy to read the story to her.

The three of them alternate reading shifts, sharing the burden of rereading the same story every other night. Every time one of them is forced to read it; the chosen sibling finishes the ending themselves for Wendy. Though, Lemmy and Roy will change the conclusion each time one of them rereads it while Ludwig does not.

Does the lost prince find his family and return home safely? According to Roy, he always does then immediately becomes the next king. Around this time, something random usually shows up during the coronation for the newly crowned king to fight against using only his fists and newly discovered super powers.

Aliens, giant lizards, and even ghost pirates are some of the few foes the king has supposedly battled with as his right of passage to be recognized as king. Despite the king's supernatural endeavors, he never fails to come out on top either.

Morton and Iggy enjoy those clustered endings more than Wendy usually does. Whenever Roy grows tired of making his ending as absurdly complicated as possible, he cuts to the climax then abruptly ends the story with a nonchalant 'he won. The end.'

Wendy will angrily fold her hands across her chest, the displeasure of the awful ending prominently displayed on her pouting face. Sometimes, she'll unleash the name calling to rile him up, most times she prefers to let her expressions do the talking.

Luckily for her, Lemmy's endings tend to contradict Roy's jumbled and poorly thought out odysseys. Lemmy's conjured up conclusions often build up to another whimsical scenario, leading into another completely fabricated adventure without brutal wrestling matches or explosions.

The prince will wander off to lands of candy and mischief or even join the circus to become an acrobatic clown. His stories are cheerful, his tone of voice never dulls or slows as he vividly describes the worlds the prince finds himself in like he had visited these whimsical destinations himself.

These scenarios are far more interesting to listen to than the constant battles Roy tells. Wendy and Iggy prefer to hear Lemmy's tales and Larry is humored by the many voices Lemmy crafts for each new character he creates on the spot.

The second oldest child always did have a spark of creativity that the others lacked. His imagination seems limitless and he'd often act out his silly adventures with the others back when they owned expensive toys and hand-crafted costumes.

Ludwig knows he isn't the best story-teller and his endings are lackluster compared to Lemmy's or Roy's. The prince goes on a journey to find his missing family and fights a lava monster with a magical sword. Using context clues from the book; it's apparent to Ludwig the prince gets his happily ever after.

That's how it always ends in children's books. The pain the hero experiences on his journey never lasts long before they find their happiness.

The prince will win the fight because it is a fictional kid's book meant to stimulate young children's crazy daydreams. It shoves that stupid belief of remaining optimistic through treacherous trials and hapless misfortune because life will eventually toss you a line out of pity if you work or believe hard enough.

Every children's fairytale follows the same linear line of logic, never deviating from the formula. After the lessons are learned and the evil is defeated, everything will magically become better than when the characters first experienced hardships.

Ludwig's resentment towards the book clearly shows when he has to finish the story. He tells them with blunt honesty that the prince succeeds and he finds his family. No bravado added to his tone, no sugarcoating his words with fancy adjectives, he tells them flat out that the prince is victorious.

Why should he try to make something up on the spot anyways? The prince will get his happy ending—but what about them? How is this current standard of living a happy ending for them?

He hates that book, he hates the glimmer of hope in the other's eyes when they hear it over and over again. Somewhere deep down, they all believe things will get better. Ludwig isn't sure they will. He's come to terms with this depressing truth; why haven't they?

Ludwig's fingers unconsciously twitch the longer he watches Wendy soak in all the pages with a tiny smile of hope sitting on her dirty face. He's yanked out of his pessimistic thoughts when he hears Larry's gleeful excitement. Larry spots the group's arrival first, climbing out of Iggy's lap to run over to greet them. Iggy stops singing, startled by Larry's absence before, he too, notices them approach. Iggy elbows Wendy to pull her attention away from the vibrant pictures and she shakes Morton, who is half-asleep, to get him to sit up.

"You're back!" Wendy exclaims, setting down the book beside her. She gets up to meet them. "Did you bring back anything good?"

Ludwig offers her a slightly smug grin as he presents his stash of cupcakes in his arms. Some of the colorful frosting coats his arms from the run and he experiences a momentary thrill when he realizes he'll have to lick it off. Despite the sorry state of the cupcakes, Wendy beams at the sight of sweets. Her hands reaches out to grab for a sprinkled cupcake mostly untouched when Roy softly slaps her hand away.

"I don't think so," Roy scolds, directing her with a stare daring her to try that again. "You gotta eat your lunch first before you pig out on cupcakes."

Wendy whines, plopping back down under the shelter, arms crossed and lips in a pout. Roy rolls his eyes then sets the bag full of mostly healthy snacks on the ground. Lemmy stacks his share of bread on top and they both retreat under the shelter to sit. Ludwig shifts, pulling out the loaves and rolls of bread from the back of his shell. Some of the contents are flattened, but at least they're still edible. He sets them a top of the pile, expecting the sturdiness for any teetering as he adds more to the structure.

He purposely leaves the stack of smushed cupcakes near Roy and Lemmy to keep the eager koopas from ruining their appetites. Ludwig then joins Roy and Lemmy, sitting beneath the shelter as he begins to hungrily lick off the frosting on his arms. The younger children take that as a sign to dig in.

Larry eagerly grabs a bright red apple and chomps into it. Ludwig hands him a small loaf of bread which Larry quickly takes and scarfs down along with the apple. Within minutes, his hands are empty. The kid has quite an appetite for someone so small. When Larry complains for more food, Ludwig hands him another loaf of bread, pops open a bag of plain chips, and hands him a bottle of lukewarm water to wash it down with. Sedated by the new food in front him, Ludwig watches as the toddler viciously attacks his meal with his sharp teeth and fidgety fingers.

Shyly, Morton immediately goes in for some pumpernickel bread; his favorite. Before he grabs it from the pile, he cranes his head behind him to stare woefully at the three older siblings. His somber gaze drops to the ground when Ludwig offers him a brief smile. It's obvious the child feels guilty for being served before them. Crestfallen, Morton gnaws on his bottom lip, kicking his feet and twiddling his thumbs.

He hovers over the pile, uncertainty plainly written all over his creased features before Roy encourages him to pig out as much as he wants because they have a secret stash hidden somewhere for themselves. Of course, little Morton naively believes Roy's fib while Iggy mutters about 'babying the kid' as he waits for Morton to choose.

Reassured, Morton doesn't waste time devouring one food item after another, until Roy tells him to slow down or else he'll choke and forces Morton to take a sip of water between his impatient bites. Wendy and Iggy select their choices and sit down, eating and drinking at a more reasonable pace compared to the two youngest siblings. Iggy chooses his food wisely, nibbling on a carrot in between his teasing remarks about Wendy's stuffy eating habits.

She fumes at his sardonic display, though refuses to partake in the battle of mockery as she rips off pieces of bread then pops them into her mouth. They share a bag of cheese chips between them when Wendy asks Iggy to open it for her, passing it back and forth when the other asks for a handful. Though Iggy rarely sticks his hand in the bag unless prompted to by Wendy whenever she notices his seemingly lack of appetite.

When the younger children eat their fill of what is deemed as lunch, Ludwig then proceeds to hands out the sweets he stole.

Larry's eyes instantly zone in on the blue frosting swirled prettily on top, grin wide. Like he's under a spell, his tiny hands grab the top of the cupcake and he squeezes hard. The poor cupcake turns into blue mush in his tight grip and with no hesitation, Larry shoves what remains of the cupcake into his mouth. He hums happily, cake crumbs now glued to the corners of his mouth with frosting.

Ludwig sighs tiredly, using his hands to wipe the blue residue off Larry's face while his little tail thumps happily against the ground. At least Larry seems to be enjoying himself. Ludwig spares a passing glance towards his younger siblings as he scolds Larry once again for eating too fast. They all indulge in their choice of cupcakes, appearing just as excited as Larry. Thankfully, they're less messy as the toddler when they chomp into the dessert with gusto.

Sugary sweets are a rarity to sneak away with and they spoil easily, but today Ludwig makes it a special occasion. Lately, they've been losing moral and they needed something to perk the younger children back up.

When the younger children begin to settle down, tummies somewhat full of apples, chips, carrots, bread, and cupcakes; Roy, Lemmy, and Ludwig begin to eat their share.

Lemmy reaches for the cupcakes first, grabs an orange cupcake, water, and then two apples before sitting down between Iggy and Larry. Larry slowly drifts into a food coma, head landing in Lemmy's lap with a plop while Lemmy retells Iggy about his encounter with the bakery owner and customers.

Ludwig chooses his food carefully, grabbing the bare minimum of bread and apples to keep himself satisfied and his stomach silent. He leaves enough left over for dinner and hopefully enough for tomorrow morning. He pointedly ignores the desserts, sacrificing his own desires for his siblings' happiness. He sits away from the others, eating his meal in silence until Roy takes a seat besides him.

Roy munches quietly on a green apple and his own loaf of bread, alternatively between the two foods. He finishes them rather quickly, sitting up to grab two cupcakes from atop the stash before returning to Ludwig's side. Roy shoves one of the cupcakes in Ludwig's direction. The taunting frosting is practically kissing his left cheek.

"You gonna eat a cupcake too?" Roy inquiries, an eyebrow cocked questioningly. He offers Ludwig the cupcake, vanilla with rainbow sprinkles, which Ludwig declines without a second thought.

"No, I don't like cupcakes. Thank you."

Roy narrows his eyes, easily catching Ludwig's lie. He says nothing to Ludwig about how he had watched Ludwig lick the frosting clean off his arms and Ludwig is thankful he doesn't bring it up either. It'd tear down his poorly constructed lie the instant Roy mentions it.

The only thing to leave Roy's big mouth is a defeated sigh. Roy chooses to eat the two cupcakes himself instead of starting an energy wasting fight with his eldest brother. He attempts to make small talk while they chow down, telling Ludwig about the big Koopa from the grocery store that Larry stole from.

"He had to be, like, eight feet tall."

Ludwig rolls his eyes, unconvinced. Roy spicing up his stories with over exaggerations hasn't changed since he started to talk in complete sentences. He once claimed to have caught an armless monster only for it to end up being a tiny snake. Mother had not been happy when he brought his slithering new friend into the house.

"He had massive teeth and horns too. He was one scary dude."

Ludwig doesn't comment as Roy continues blabbering on, trying to convince Ludwig he's tough enough to take any Koopa down—even one that is eight feet tall. When Roy turns to his older brother, expecting to hear his response with a confident grin on his face; Ludwig chooses to shove a huge piece of bread into his mouth to get his point across.

Roy scoffs humorously as he watches Ludwig rudely inhale his lunch in front of him. He copies Ludwig's tactic by putting a whole cupcake into his mouth, chewing vigorously. Then, he purposely sticks out his tongue to show Ludwig his chewed contents of saliva and confectioneries before swallowing it down.

Roy gets the exact reaction Ludwig knows he hoped for. Despite all the gross things Ludwig's brothers have made him witness, he still recoils away, disgusted by the sight. With his appetite diminishing, Ludwig finishes his meal. Sitting up, he begins the mundane task of stashing the food away for later so the Scaredy rats and insects don't get to it first. Wendy hops in to help, separating the cupcakes and handing Ludwig the bread, loaf by loaf.

His other siblings disperse into small groups: Roy joins Morton under the shelter, coaxing him into attempting to take a nap now that the gnawing pain of hunger won't keep him awake and Lemmy remains seated in his spot as Larry continues to snooze in his lap. Although Iggy doesn't appear he can stay awake much longer himself, slowly dozing off beside Lemmy.

Ludwig counts their spoils: four small loaves of bread, three smushed cupcakes, four apples, three water bottles, two carrots, and half a bag of cheese chips. It's enough for them all if rationed smartly between the group. The apples, bread, and chips should last until tomorrow while the cupcakes will likely spoil by tonight if it gets too hot. He decides more dessert for dinner won't be so bad if it'll save more food for tomorrow morning.

He's so lost in his plans for meals, he fails to notice Wendy is no longer helping him sort. There's a noise of distress that escapes Morton's mouth, a mix between a frightened cry and an uncomfortable whine. Ludwig is instantly alert, looking over his shoulder, eyes widening at the dreadful sight.

There's Koopa Troopa guards at the entrance of their alleyway, spears pointed in their general direction. They wear bulky armor like second skin and form an impenetrable wall in front of them.

"Don't move!" one shouts authoritatively, jabbing his spear threateningly towards them.

Ludwig isn't going to listen.

He's up on his feet in record time, rounding up his siblings and shoving them behind an abandoned dumpster. His frantic whispers are pleads for them to stay hidden. They all obediently comply with the eldest without any complaints except for little Larry; cranky from being woken up so abruptly.

The toddler begins to approach Ludwig, eyes begging for comfort, only for Lemmy to grab Larry by the hand, and drag him out of sight. Ludwig swallows hard, legs shaking, but he remains situated in front of his siblings' hiding spot. Whenever they see the opportunity, he prays they take it and run to the forest on the outskirts of the city.

The shadows from the canopy of trees will shield their escape and the maze of barks and twisting roots will throw off the soldiers' path. The only dilemma here is that the other escape route is across the dumpster, leading out onto the crowded streets; their retreat will definitely be spotted if they make a getaway. Ludwig can hopefully cause a long enough distraction to give them some time to get a head start.

"Alright, alright," a voice booms from the back. The boisterous tone shatters Ludwig's internal planning, fear quickly consumes him, gripping at his lungs and stabbing icicles into his stomach. He feels sick.

"Quit scaring them and let me through," the voice commands. The soldiers don't falter to do as the voice says. The lead Troopa firmly nods his head, but not before casting Ludwig a disinterested glance, burning with unspoken threats.

"Yes, My King."

The soldiers part, revealing a giant Koopa with pointed horns and hair the color of flames and eyes a deep crimson. It's the biggest Koopa Ludwig has ever seen, and when he takes a step forward, Ludwig feels the ground literally vibrate underneath his feet. The Koopa's curious—but intimidating—gaze starts at Ludwig's feet and then stops when he reaches his face. He crosses his beefy arms over his chest, eyebrow cocked and clearly baffled by what he sees in front of him.

"I finally found you," the Koopa announces confidently. This statement utterly confuses Ludwig until he remembers what Roy had said about the grocery store incident.

Ludwig feels like a fool for not believing Roy's tall tales just this once. Why now—of all times—is Roy's story finally true?

"It's not every day some group of squirts get the drop on me and my soldiers. You must be the notorious bread thieves I've been hearing all about," the Koopa guffaws then continues and Ludwig swears he almost sounds impressed. "Nice to meet ya, kiddo."

The Koopa flashes sharp canines that could easily tear into raw flesh like paper in an attempt to smile. Ludwig can't stop his body from shaking. He doesn't know this giant beast in front of him, but the Koopa talks as if they're old friends joking around about fond memories.

Something about him is very familiar, like Ludwig has seen him before today. That isn't possible, Ludwig would remember someone so huge and daunting. His very presence erases his army of soldiers to mere background characters.

The mysterious Koopa halfheartedly introduces himself, spinning his hand with a mocking flourish as he provides Ludwig with a name.

Bowser.

Everything suddenly clicks into place.

Bowser, as in King Bowser; the benevolent ruler of the Darklands. Larry has stolen an apple from the notorious ruler of their territory—talk about having awful luck. Ludwig panics, filing through his mind to think of what to do here. Beg for forgive? Accept their fate? No, he cannot allow his siblings to be dragged down with him.

Terrified, but strangely determined, he steps forward, vouching to accept whatever punishment Bowser deems fit. Though he begins to stutter the longer Bowser unwaveringly stares at him, face unreadable. It's all a poorly rehearsed front; Ludwig attempts to gain favor and postpone the inevitable by acting like an obedient animal.

Silently, Ludwig contradicts himself, saying his sorrowful goodbyes to his siblings in his head because there isn't any possible way he can get out of this. Unless the earth decided to swallow him whole and drag him into the fiery depths of its core—he morbidly wishes for that to happen.

Ludwig bows his head respectively to his king after speaking his peace. He is unworthy to look at such a high-ranking Koopa when he looks like this. If their eyes were to meet now, he'd feel inferior. After all, he's just an orphan child with grubby hands and matted hair.

Bowser blinks once before he steps towards him and roars with laughter, patting Ludwig on the back of his shell. The unexpected force causes Ludwig to launch forward, he almost loses his footing and kisses the dirty ground.

"What's your name, kid?" Bowser asks, no formalities provided or necessary. Bowser is a Koopa who clearly speaks the first thing on his mind then, completely unfiltered.

Ludwig's heard rumors amongst the streets of Bowser's go-free attitude, and perhaps the rumors do hold some truth to them. To experience his nonchalance first-hand is off-putting. Ludwig takes a brief second to collect himself.

"Ludwig."

"That's quite a name there," Bowser comments offhandedly, nostrils twitching. Ludwig bristles at this, but remains perfectly silent. "Your friends also have complicated names too?"

Bowser peers past Ludwig, staring directly behind him. Ludwig, in a vain attempt to shield his siblings from view, steps in Bowser's line of visions. Bowser smirks amusingly at his little display; the king already knows of their existence anyways. Ludwig refuses to budge, though.

"Well," Ludwig starts, following Bowser's line of sight to find his siblings in perfect view. His eyes grow wide before he quickly recovers and shoots them all a look of utter betrayal.

Only Lemmy appears somewhat remorseful and shrinks under his gaze, while the rest are hardly bothered at all. Curiosity seems to have overthrown their fear as six heads peek out from behind their cover.

So much for running away when the opportunity presents itself. He turns back to Bowser, a sigh escaping past his lips.

"There is Ignatius, but we mostly just call him Iggy."

"Ignatius?" Bowser parrots back, eyebrow quirked.

The king rubs his chin and stares down at Ludwig, probably deciding whether or not Ludwig is being honest with him or pulling his tail. Ludwig remains unfazed by his suspicion since Ignatius is not a very well-received name with the general populace of today. It almost sounds made up on the spot.

He can't exactly blame the king for this; most of their names are quite dated, and Father had a habit of claiming any name he found in an old book for himself. Lemuel, Lawrence, Ludwig, Roy, Wendy, and Ignatius are just a cluster of random names thrown together like most packs of siblings.

It clearly shows when spoken in session how different and old-fashioned each name is. Only Morton's name isn't conjured up by literature; he's named respectfully after Father.

Iggy perks up at the mention of his name, adjusting the cracked pair of glasses on his face and squints hard in an attempt to add a blurry face to the new voice. Bowser gestures vaguely to Iggy, who narrows his eyes to threatening slits and bares his teeth, untrusting of the giant Koopa.

"I'm guessing it's rainbow there with the glasses who looks like he's ready to pounce any second now."

"Yes, My King." Ludwig nods, seeing no need to lie. Especially not to the king's face—he'd be digging himself a deeper hole if he got caught.

"Don't call me king, kid. Just Bowser is alright."

Ludwig's eyes bulge, astonished. His brain runs on overtime to decipher what this means. The King of the Darklands denies his formal titles then?

No, that's not it. Ludwig glances briefly at one of the Koopa Troopa soldiers that caught them, standing proudly at Bowser's side. His underlings addressed him as "My King" when speaking to him in Ludwig's presence. If there's a catch here, Ludwig doesn't see it yet. He decides he must act carefully, like treading around a floor full of broken glass.

"Yes, My K—I mean, Bowser." Ludwig accidentally slips up, the words stumbling nervously out of his mouth. His plan immediately backfires before it even begins.

So much for choosing his words more cautiously. He awaits Bowser's furious reaction, but only receives a humorous snort and a roll of his eyes.

"We'll work on it. What are you doing out here anyways?"

Ludwig isn't sure how to answer. He's thankfully interrupted by the group of soldiers shuffling out of someone's way. Suddenly, a Magikoopa steps forward, wand lowered in a neutral stance.

He adjusts the small circular frames falling down his beak and offers Ludwig a brief nod of acknowledgment before directing his attention to Bowser.

"My Hastiness, may I have a word with you?"

The Magikoopa's voice is a high-pitched squeak untouched by his apparent old age as he hunches over like he carries more than just a shell on his back. Though, his dry tone suggests he will not take "no" for an answer.

There's something this Koopa brings with him to the atmosphere that makes Ludwig's scales crawl and sends shivers slithering down his spine. He's not familiar with magic—never once did either of his parents have an interest in it—but he knows this feeling the Magikoopa leaks out in waves is unearthly.

Bowser, to Ludwig's utter surprise, huffs like a child. Mumbling a few… vulgar words, Bowser and the Magikoopa rudely turn their backs to Ludwig and begin to—well, bicker like father and son. Ludwig nervously glances at the soldiers watching him with sharp eyes, lost on what to do in this scenario. He definitely cannot outrun them when they're clearly expecting him to try.

At an apparent stalemate, he doesn't move an inch from his spot, resigning to whatever Bowser decides to do with them unless an opportunity to escape magically presents itself. Ludwig can catch a handful of words and parts of sentences as he eavesdrops on their conversation. All of it together is like a puzzle missing pieces; he can't decipher it and can only guess what they're implying. Bowser stomps his foot childishly, smoke swirling from his flared nostrils and the mage simple shakes his head in disappointment.

Ludwig's heart stops when he thinks he overhears Bowser aggravatingly mutter, "We can't just leave them here."

No. Ludwig must have misheard their hectic whispers. No way. His heartbeat races from unwarranted excitement just by the thought. He begins to reason with himself, fighting down the sliver of hope beginning to spark inside him. He hasn't felt this way in months, it's foreign and he despises how it flutters in his stomach, warm and inviting. His inner turmoil is interrupted by the Magikoopa clearing his throat.

The elderly mage leans in closer to inspect Ludwig with a deep frown. His spectacles mirror back Ludwig's abysmal state. Unable to look at himself, he pulls away, nervously swallowing and glancing at the sky beginning to grow darker.

"Where are your parents?" the Magikoopa asks, finally addressing him properly.

The simple inquiry sends Ludwig back to his home. Suddenly, there's smoke in his lungs and fire before his eyes. He can hear Mother screaming at him to take Larry and run. She doesn't stop yelling at him to go, trapped helplessly beneath rubble he's too weak to move on his own.

The fire burns his scales, it's too hot even for a Koopa like him. The same question comes to mind every time he's brought back here; where's Father? Why isn't he here to help save Mother? Where was he in all of this?

Ludwig's defenses crumble, and he's left standing there helpless and lost. He is a broken child in need of comfort only his parents can provide. He wills the tears not to fall in front of these strangers, but he's so exhausted, so hungry, and so filthy. He doesn't have the strength to pretend that everything will be okay because he's not sure if it ever will be. The tears run down his cheeks freely and he quickly tries to wipe away the evidence with his hands.

There's an unfamiliar hand resting on his shoulder and he welcomes the warmth it provides. It must belong to Bowser because the hand is massive.

"Hey, it's okay, kid." The soft-spoken tone is callous and uncertain, but Ludwig understands it's an attempt to reassure him.

He can't stop crying despite their thoughtful yet vain efforts.

Ludwig is supposed to be the rock his siblings rely on, he's supposed to remain strong for them. Once again, he's failing them and he's too drained to care about hiding his grief. He can't keep doing this to himself. He's still a kid, too.

He's had enough of the fake smiles and optimistic words which fall flat and carry no hope behind them, he's finished with shedding his tears in the middle of the night when he's certain everyone is asleep and no one can hear him, and he is disgusted by his criminal behavior; Mother would be so disappointed in him.

Frustrated, he cries harder, hugging himself tightly as if he's trying to physically hold himself together before he falls further apart. A cloth wipes away the moisture and snot from his face. He blinks up in surprise, eying Bowser uneasily despite making no attempts to take a step back. The King of Koopas offers him a crooked smile and hands him the rag. Ludwig gingerly accepts it, dabbing at his face, muttering a quiet thanks.

It's probably obvious to Bowser now that Ludwig doesn't have any parents to go home to. They're a pack of homeless kids fending for themselves on the streets for their next meal. The giant Koopa King seems to make a decision then.

"You're coming with me," Bowser states matter-of-factly. The group of soldiers burst into hushed whispers behind their king, but are immediately silenced by a quick warning glare from the Magikoopa.

Ludwig stiffens. He isn't sure he heard Bowser correctly the first time and he doesn't want to presume he did now.

"I am?"

The king nods his head. So Ludwig's hearing wasn't deceiving him; Bowser really had offered to take him in.

"Look, Ludwig, I ain't gonna force ya to come with me, but you really need a bath, a nap, and some food. You look like you're about to collapse any minute now."

Bowser's gaze softens and Ludwig wants nothing more than to believe his words. Though, after being trampled on, again and again, trusting others grows harder and harder to do.

How does he know this isn't a ruse to round them all up and punish them for their constant stealing?

They've had to alternate between stores and restaurants, pushing dangerously closer to the heart of the city. Tragically, Ludwig's sent different siblings inside to avoid being caught since word was beginning to spread to other businesses about a blue-haired kleptomaniac. Bowser even jokingly addressed him as the notorious 'bread thief.'

"I'm not sure." Ludwig looks back at his siblings, uncertain. Risking their lives over the possibility of getting a nice meal and hot bath isn't worth it.

He'd rather starve another day than lose more of his family. Misinterpreting Ludwig's hesitation, Bowser adds on to his former offer like a pushy salesperson.

"Don't worry, they'll be coming too. You all look like shit."

The Magikoopa huffs at this, raising his wand defiantly.

"Lord Bowser, watch that foul language of yours. They are merely children not your soldier pals," the Magikoopa brutally scolds, smacking Bowser lightly upside the head with the end of his wand.

Bowser, despite being the higher rank here, looks ashamed of himself and grumbles an apology to the Magikoopa. Ludwig gawks, flabbergasted by Bowser's obedience to someone who looks so frail and elderly. The bizarre moment passes and suddenly a giant hand is stretched out in front of Ludwig.

"Ready to go?"

Ludwig bites down on his lip. Does he defy his king's request or does he hightail it out of this whole ordeal and hope he can escape with his siblings in tow?

He scrutinizes Bowser's awkward smile that screams about how hard he's trying to appear sincere. Ludwig doesn't sense any ill intentions, his gut instinct is blissfully silent on this matter. If he truly wanted them to pay for his crimes, he could have easily sent his army to apprehend them the minute they spotted them.

Bowser wouldn't have taken the time to listen either. Cautiously, Ludwig places his small hand into the huge hand offered out to him. The gentle comfort Ludwig experiences from the warmth brings back a wave of familiar emotions he hasn't felt in months.

Briefly he wishes the hand didn't belong to a stranger, but to Mother. The scales of this hand are too rough and calloused; Mother's hands were softer and her nails were painted and clipped down to avoid accidentally scratching their delicate scales.

With a deep exhale, Ludwig turns back towards his siblings and ushers them forward. They start piling out, Roy being the first to lead the charge.

Whatever happens, Ludwig hopes he doesn't regret it.

...

There's barely any time for the children to settle into their room for the night. A delicious, but light meal for their starving stomachs is shoved in front of their faces which they all eat without complaints. After eating his fill, Ludwig is reluctantly separated from his siblings, following Kamek's—the Magikoopa's—lead to a spare bathroom since his siblings will be occupying the other bathrooms.

Kamek reassures Ludwig all his siblings will be properly cleaned when he returns to the study room and to not fret too much over the little ones as the maids will assist them with their baths. After a nice soak, Ludwig physically feels better. His hair is finally brushed and grease free, the dirt he thought would forever remain under his fingernails is gone from sight, the taste of minty toothpaste lingers on his tongue, and there's no gunk stuck between his teeth he has to pick at for hours.

He admittedly spent more time than he should have in the bath, but he hasn't had a proper bath in months. The lavish size of the bathtub amplified the mundane experience he once took for granted. Bowser catches Ludwig walking down the hall towards the study room where Ludwig hopes to find his siblings in a similar state of cleanliness. The King of Koopas grins, though his grin is crooked and the many sharp teeth which glint menacingly in the light is more intimidating than friendly.

Ludwig meekly returns the grin, slightly taken back by how frightening Bowser's 'welcoming' smile is. He doesn't want to avoid Bowser, per se, but getting back to his siblings is his top priority. He makes to leave without a word, trying to recall the directions Kamek had given him when Bowser clears his throat. Ludwig immediately stops.

Small talk it is then.

"How ya feeling, Ludwig?" Bowser asks. He's awkwardly standing there with that terrifying grin still plastered on his face.

If Ludwig didn't know any better, he'd say Bowser is trying to get on his good side. Why he would be attempting to win Ludwig over, Ludwig doesn't know.

"I feel much cleaner," Ludwig answers, uneasily. "Thank you."

Bowser opens his mouth to comment when a high-pitched cry carries down the hall. Bowser and Ludwig are instantly alert to the frantic sound. Ludwig is momentarily filled with a sense of panic, heart picking up the pace and yelling at him to go. His siblings need him.

The noise is loud and needy, Ludwig is suddenly desperate to return to his siblings' side to soothe whoever the crying belongs to. Bowser pats Ludwig on the back, bringing Ludwig back to the surface before he drowns in his worry.

"Relax," Bowser laughs humorlessly, "it's my little runt not any of yours."

He has a child? Since when? Ludwig nods his head in understanding, slowly calming himself down after getting so riled up in the span of a minute. Bowser steps forward, gesturing over his shoulder, down the long, narrow hallway in the opposite direction Ludwig must go.

"Wanna meet him?"

Ludwig freezes, contemplating his choices. To say no to their host would be downright rude, and to King Bowser no less, but what about his siblings? Will they worry about him?

Lemmy and Roy can handle the pack for a few more minutes; Ludwig isn't going to deny his king his company after all he's done for them. He falls in line behind Bowser and the hallway continues to fill with the echoing cries of an unseen infant. The closer they get to the source, the louder it rams into Ludwig's ear drums. Larry never cried that loudly even as an infant. In fact, Ludwig doesn't recall any of his siblings being heavy criers as babies.

Bowser opens a door labeled "Bowser Junior's Room" and Ludwig hesitantly steps inside first, Bowser following close behind. Bowser flicks the light switch and Ludwig is left speechless at the mere size of the nursery.

The room is far bigger than his parents' room and more than twice the size of his old room. The walls are rather grim for a baby's room, mesmerizing orange flames are painted onto a dark green background, and dark hardwood chills the pads of his feet.

The furniture, which consists of a crib, a changing table, a bookshelf, and a giant rocking chair; are all painted a fiery orange to match the walls. The room is devoid of any pastel colors baby rooms are usually associated with. A collection of toys overflow in a toy box and a horde of stuffed animals are shoved into a corner. The child is already spoiled rotten and Ludwig is sure the baby isn't old enough to play with half these things in his room yet.

Bowser allows Ludwig to take it all in, scooting past him towards the crib. He leans over the side of the crib, his smile the softest Ludwig has ever seen him wear since arriving here. Granted, it hasn't been very long, but Ludwig knows there's a warmth in Bowser's eyes he recognizes.

It's the same look Father would have on his face when he'd tell Ludwig he loved him to the moon and back. The somber thought that slips between the cracks of his barrier startles him. Ludwig will never hear those words spoke to him again. Suddenly, his eyes begin to sting as he's betrayed by his own mind.

Bowser scoops up the bundle of blankets into his arms while Ludwig shoves all the pain away. Now isn't the time for this. It's never time to uselessly sit and cry. The baby still wails even in the safety of his father's embrace and Bowser begins the tiring process of trying to stop the baby's tears.

"Junior's not hungry," Bowser says over the cries. "I fed him before I bumped into you. He's just extremely fussy like I was. Kamek tells me it's Karma coming back to bite me in the butt."

The baby continues to cry, Bowser desperately attempts to soothe his son. Cooing gently, Bowser whispers words to a lullaby Ludwig recognizes from happier times. He remembers it fondly since it was the first song he'd ever learned on the piano.

Mother had been so proud of him when he managed to get through the notes without any mistakes. Bowser seems to have forgotten most of the words and the rest of the melody because he makes up lyrics Ludwig isn't accustomed to and hums a different note at certain points in the song. Despite Bowser's efforts, Junior still cries out, tiny legs kicking in his cocoon of blankets. There's apparent panic in Bowser's eyes, Ludwig wonders if Father ever looked as distraught as Bowser trying to calm them as tiny infants.

Bowser interrupts Ludwig's pondering when he abruptly says, "Hold him for me. Maybe he wants his pacifier."

Before Ludwig has any time to decline, Bowser Junior is dumped unceremoniously into his arms. The baby squirms, face red and full of tears. Ludwig, being the eldest sibling out of the bunch, is familiar with holding babies. He's held Morton and Larry a handful of times for Mother while she fetched their bottles or favorite toys. He gingerly supports the little one's head, gently bouncing him, and begins to hums the same song Bowser failed miserably at singing.

As if someone waved a magic wand, the tiny bundle's loud cries begin to wane, until the baby's crying ceases all together. His beady black eyes stare up at the stranger curiously, tear stains on his muzzle and snot running from his tiny snout. Ludwig cautiously wipes them away, offering the prince a small smile for his silence and continues to hum the soft tune.

"How did you do that?" Bowser sounds absolutely dumbfounded.

Ludwig jumps slightly, almost forgetting Bowser was still here watching the whole exchange. Ludwig smiles sheepishly, cheeks reddening at being caught acting so vulnerable in front of a stranger. Mother always did call him her little "Baby Tamer"—the nickname still mortifies him.

"I am the eldest of seven children. I've held my younger siblings plenty of times," Ludwig explains, still rocking Bowser Junior in his arms.

The baby remains quiet, though his stare never strays far from Ludwig's face. Bowser Junior is clearly confused by this new stranger holding him, his eyebrows are scrunched up and it makes him look constipated. Ludwig can't help but find it funny, cracking a small humored smile before reality immediately crashes down hard on him and wipes it right off his face. He shouldn't be forgetting their bleak situation so easily; this living arrangement is only a temporary fix.

"Would you like him back?" Ludwig offers, catching Bowser's furrowed brows and bewildered express.

It's like an exact reflection of his son. The resemblance is truly uncanny. There is not one feature this child has that doesn't belong to his father's gene pool. It's strange to see since Ludwig's entire group of siblings seemed to have randomly grabbed any trait for themselves at any point of their family tree, recessive or not.

No one looks exactly like Mother or Father. Although, Larry and Wendy share Mother's big blue eyes and the littlest child has the same hue of Mother's blue hair; one would think Larry is the perfect choice to reflect their Mother.

Despite Larry having most of Mother's most recognizable traits; it's Lemmy who Ludwig thinks resembles Mother the most.

From the constant smiles that threaten to split his face into two, to the starry-eyed gazes he has when he finds something he deems amazing, to the way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he's laughing; Ludwig sees her in every expression Lemmy makes.

It causes Ludwig's heart to yearn for her gentle smiles and the comforting warmth of her hugs. Do the other children see it too or is he just being too emotional?

Then there's Morton, who is properly named after Father since he is almost Father's spitting image. Except for the fact Morton has a star birthmark, like Larry, which both children share that oddity with Mother, and Morton's mouth naturally curves much like Mother's did.

Ludwig wonders if any of his siblings see Mother or Father more when it comes to himself. He knows he shares Father's tiny eyes like Roy and Morton, but his hair is a dark shade of blue which belongs to Mother's side of the family and the catlike curve of his mouth is another trait he stole from Mother. He hopes his siblings see an equal blend of both Mother and Father. He wants his presence alone to prevent his siblings from truly forgetting them. The thought of not remembering Mother's voice or Father's face momentarily frightens him.

It's only been three months. Sometimes he recalls Mother's gentle tone, but no matter how hard he clings to the sound of her voice, each memory sounds off and plays differently. Will he eventually forget them too?

There's fresh tear splatters on Junior's cheek and it takes Ludwig a brief second to realize they don't belong to the infant, but himself. With full arms, he cannot hide the evidence from Bowser; who sighs quietly, hand hovering uselessly in the air.

Ludwig feels his hesitation pouring out of him in apprehensive waves. He is simply a stranger taking pity on a bunch of orphans; he isn't obligated to soothe Ludwig's pain or offer emotional support—especially since he has his own child to fret over. Bowser seems to make up his mind, the hand slowly approaches Ludwig's face and wipes the tears away for him.

"It's gonna be alright, Ludwig."

Will it be? The uncertainty inside him festers and makes believing Bowser's words difficult. His doubt makes him cry harder because what else can he do? After months of shoving his emotions away behind a wall, Ludwig's dam finally crumbles and now he's the one sobbing like an infant.

He cannot see Bowser through his tears, but he feels Junior being lifted from his arms before Ludwig accidentally drops him.

"I'm sorry," Ludwig apologizes, rubbing furiously at his eyes now that his hands are free.

"Ludwig," Bowser starts, followed by a heavy sigh, "I wanted to ask about your parents."

Ludwig stiffens.

"They aren't here anymore," Bowser pauses, "are they?"

Ludwig nods his head.

"They're dead," he whispers back, voice cracking on the last syllable.

He's never admitted it out loud before. It's like he's opened an old wound badly bandaged by denial and hiding the pain of his injury behind a sunny but bogus disposition. Ludwig looks up to Bowser with blurry vision. He can't make out his face properly because of the next round of tears he's failing to fight back. He feels pathetic and small in a room far too large to hold him.

"They died in a fire about three months ago."

The preceding silence after his confession is choking and riddled with unspoken words. Junior begins to fuss as if sensing the heavy tension. Though Bowser is quick to comfort him by bouncing him gently and playfully shushing his whimpers. This time, Junior is soothed by his father's attempt. He remains still and quiet in his bundle of blankets; almost as if he knows now isn't the time to make another dramatic scene when one is already playing out right in front of him. Bowser's attention returns to Ludwig, he seems shocked by Ludwig's blunt confession.

"You've all been living on the streets for that long?" Bowser asks incredulously.

Ludwig nods again, unable to form a coherent sentence with a lump lodged in his throat. He can't decide whether or not Bowser is waiting for him to say more. If he is, then it may take longer than Bowser is willing to stand here. Bowser seems to realize this too.

"Why don't you go back to your pack of siblings?" he offers, providing Ludwig with a much needed escape.

He shuffles over to the huge rocking chair next to the bookshelf loaded with recognizable nursery rhymes. Sitting down with a drawn out groan, the king begins rocking his son.

"Junior is wide awake now and it's gonna take awhile before he gets back to sleep."

"Okay," is all Ludwig can muster. Hopefully, he can remember where his family is in this giant castle without asking for directions. He begins his hasty retreat out of the room when Bowser's voice stops him.

"By the way," Ludwig can hear the smile in Bowser's tone, but he doesn't turn around to verify it's there. "Thanks for calming Junior down. He seems to like you."

...

Ludwig recounts his steps, returning to the bathroom first. He turns on the tap and fiercely scrubs his face clean of evidence. When the tear trails are gone, he sits on the cool edge of the bathtub, collecting his thoughts.

He is mortified because he broke down in front of Bowser again. Ludwig once prided himself on remaining sturdy and realistic when face to face with challenging situations, but he's proven to Bowser twice now that he's not as emotional stable as he had fooled himself into thinking he was.

What does the king see Ludwig as? A hopeless child playing house or the parental figure he's pretending to be? Neither option sits well with Ludwig and he grows frustrated the more he tosses it around his mind. His head hurts from thinking too much on the matter.

He waits a few more minutes before he heads out to find the study room his siblings and him will be sleeping in. Sparing a glance in the mirror, the redness in his eyes is still there, but barely noticeable and the puffiness could be explained by his fatigue if anyone asks.

Approving of his appearance, Ludwig opens the door and heads in the direction where he believes his siblings might be. He wanders down the empty hallway, mentally mapping out the areas he recognizes from his trip here. There's old portraits hung on various spots on the wall, discolored from age.

He doesn't know any of their previous rulers' names by heart. Music is his passion, not so much history. He can easily list off ten classical musicians in seconds if ever asked. Though, he spots a few kings he recognizes from skimming through Father's history books whenever he was bored.

Truthfully, he isn't paying much attention to the historical paintings; he's stumped by the candle sconces lighting his path. Every single candle he passes by looks exactly the same. The wax doesn't appear to be melting and the wick doesn't shrink from over use.

The only logical explanation he can think of is magic. The entire castle feels like it's coated in a blanket of something ethereal; it's like he's been transported to a different world entirely. It's overwhelming. Ludwig has never experienced magic first hand until today. All the things he's read in books about magic failed to warn others of how prevalent it is in the atmosphere. He can actually feel it slither across his scales.

When Ludwig passes by the same Koopa guards from earlier while Kamek was showing him the way around the castle, he knows he's going the right way. Without his escort beside him, the guards regard him with skeptical eyes. Their burning glares make him unconsciously speed walk by, not sparing them another glance.

Ludwig successfully finds his way to the study room. The room itself is massive; an ostentatious fireplace rests in the middle of the wall with a ruby red recliner, dark oak end table, and stained-glass lamp resting on top of it. A deep maroon loveseat is situated across the recliner, but many feet away from the chair itself.

He notes with a spark of excitement that books upon books are stacked in the wall on shelves surrounding the fireplace and a desk that carries unspoken importance is further away near the lone giant window in the room. The curtains are drawn shut but Ludwig can still hear the familiar patter of rain mixing in with the ticking of the grandfather clock on the opposite side of the room, securely standing in its own corner. Overall, it's an intimate study room meant for a king.

Ludwig's siblings all appear to be unbothered by his long absence, gathered in the empty space between the loveseat and recliner, surrounded by what seems to be every blanket Bowser owns in the castle.

Bowser offered them separate rooms to sleep in, claiming to have enough spare guest rooms in the west wing, but all the children were adamant on staying together in foreign territory. It's how they survived the harsh streets for so long.

A carpeted floor overflowing with blankets is a better alternative than the cold ground they had been sleeping on anyways. It almost feels like the sleepovers the children would have in the middle of living room. Almost.

Larry snoozes calmly in Iggy's arms as Iggy watches Lemmy excitedly cartwheel around the room to entertain him. Iggy giggles happily, a sound Ludwig hasn't heard from him in months and the giddy noises only stir Lemmy on, smile growing wider the more laughter he hears.

Roy has settled in for the night, curled up in a fort of pillows and blankets on the floor. He snores softly, dead to the world, blankets rising and falling with his steady breaths. Ludwig hasn't seen him sleep so deeply since the fire. He's thankful that Roy is finally getting a full night of sleep without waking up to switch watch with Ludwig. If anyone deserves to sleep in; it's Roy.

Wendy sits in the middle of her own pile of blankets, a mug of steaming hot chocolate in her hands, scowling at Morton as he colors outside the lines of a coloring book gifted to them by Bowser or possibly Kamek.

Ludwig doesn't announce his arrival, Lemmy simply hears his approach, turns halfway, throws him a wave, and then resumes his little show for his younger brother.

Ludwig grabs some unused blankets from the ground near Wendy, then maneuvers his way around his group of siblings to the arm chair set beside the unlit fireplace. Before he reaches the chair, he snags a book at random from one of the towering bookshelves. He clumsily climbs onto the huge recliner, cocooning himself in the blankets he grabbed. The lamp next to the chair on the end table provides the perfect amount of light for reading, so Ludwig opens the book to a random section.

The anxiety Ludwig's experiences dulls down, but doesn't dissipate. The atmosphere is peaceful, the room is well-heated, and there's no reason to worry about the rain pouring outside. They're safe; for the time being. He doesn't know for how long, Bowser never exactly specified, and like most things in his life, this serene scene will soon come to an end.

While he'll enjoy the moment now, he patiently waits for the harshness of reality to come crashing down on him again. The alleyways expect their arrival and Ludwig isn't one to disappoint his fate. He sinks deeper into his den of blankets on the chair, the book opened in his lap. He skims over the page, uninterested. He's unable to completely grasp at the words. His gaze keeps snapping back up to his siblings, frantically watching the shadows casted by the lamp on the table beside him.

His anxiety begins to intensify, prickling his scales with no probable cause behind his panic. His brain expects the worst to happen any moment now and he refuses to be ill-prepared for a battle again. Somewhere deep inside, he realizes how foolish he's acting. There is no apparent threat to them here. Bowser wouldn't have treated them so kindly only to throw them in prison to rot away.

Ludwig catches Lemmy's final trick, finishing his little show with a flourish and a dramatic bow. Iggy quietly claps his hands together, not wanting Larry to stir awake. When Iggy asks for an encore, Lemmy shakes his head claiming he is far too exhausted to go on.

The rest of the children begin to hunker down for the night after that. Morton finds a spot near Roy, squirming his way through a maze of blankets to rest his head against Roy's right arm. Wendy climbs onto the extravagant love seat, undoing her dirty ribbon and shifting around to find a comfortable position.

Lemmy pulls a quilted blanket over Iggy and Larry still asleep in Iggy's arms, and removes Iggy's glasses from his face to set them down on the end table besides Ludwig. Iggy is instantly asleep as soon as his eyes close and Lemmy finds a spot in the middle of the pack. His hands pat down a couple layers of comforters, forming a makeshift mattress, before pulling another over his head.

Ludwig keeps the lamp lit. Lemmy and Morton always preferred to sleep with a nightlight and if Larry were to wake up from a bad dream and need comfort, Ludwig doesn't want to stumble through the dark, tripping on the sleeping bodies of his siblings to reach him.

Though, there is a slight chance Larry may just wake up, see he's in the safety of someone's arms, and fall back asleep. It's never a guarantee with him. Toddlers are unpredictable little buggers which means Ludwig has to be prepared for any scenario.

With Ludwig's distractions now asleep, he tries to read. His mind finally understands the context, no longer somewhere far away or drowning with uneasiness.

The book he plucked off the shelf is about the fundamentals of magic; spells, wands, potions, and the deep history behind them. Ludwig has never attempted to cast. Though it is said that certain species of Koopas tend to be more magically inclined than other species.

Magikoopas, for example, are the best of the best when wielding wands and brewing potions. Darklands' history has told of powerful Magikoopa healers granting immortality to their masters and a single Magikoopa turning the tide of a civil war.

For once, he indulges in his daydreams. Ludwig pictures himself holding a wand, casting magic before his siblings' very eyes. He'd create a world far better than the hell hole they're stuck in; some mystical place where they could all grow up happy, stomachs full, hair and teeth clean.

There's an unfamiliar itch in his fingers while he reads off a list of beginner spells to himself. A persistent hum steadily grows in his head the more he repeats the spell; it's almost dizzying.

"Why aren't you sleeping yet?"

The sudden whisper startles Ludwig out of his fantasies. He swallows a cry of shock, placing a claw over his chest. His heart is palpitating too fast behind his rib cage to be seen as healthy. He's instantly on edge again, a prevalent chill rushes up his spine.

Ludwig looks over his shoulder to find Lemmy peering up at him. The younger of the two looks sheepish, and smiles apologetically.

"Sorry," Lemmy whispers.

"Why aren't you asleep?" he repeats himself.

Ludwig's eyes monetarily fall to the large grandfather clock tucked away in the corner. He's secretly seeking a defense against Lemmy's question. He couldn't have possibly been reading that long.

The list of excuses he mentally prepares are moot; the clock reads some minutes after one in the morning. How long had he been stuck in his own imagination for?

"I got caught up in reading," he responds, snapping the book closed in his lap.

He releases a yawn, stretching his stiff muscles. The movement causes the book to slip off his lap and onto the floor. Thankfully, the landing is silenced by the plethora of blankets below him.

Lemmy nods his understanding, climbing up onto the recliner. Ludwig lets out an exasperated, but muted groan. He makes room for Lemmy anyways, scooting over to the left arm of the chair.

The recliner is meant to fit the huge mass of the king, there's more than enough room for the two of them without it being too stifling. Ludwig peels back the blanket and Lemmy slips inside, a content smile plastered on his face. They sit in placid silence as the grandfather clock counts away the minutes and the rain continues to fall outside./p

"I like it here," Lemmy mumbles, absentmindedly. Ludwig detects he is trying to start a casual conversation; or maybe the silence is too much for him. Lemmy yawns himself, burying further into the blanket.

"Everyone seems so happy now," Lemmy quietly comments.

Ludwig hums in agreement. He locks away his pessimistic comments, leaving them unspoken and forgotten. Lemmy's gaze shifts upward, staring straight into his older brother's eyes.

"Everyone except you."

Lemmy is always the one to detect when something is off. Why did Ludwig think he could hide his sour mood from him of all people? Lemmy doesn't speak, Ludwig knows he's expecting an answer.

"I just don't think we should be getting comfortable." Ludwig sighs dejectedly, tapping his claws together underneath the blanket. "Bowser could easily kick us all out. You have to remember; this isn't a permanent home for us."

"It could be."

Ludwig furrows his brows, voice harsh yet quiet. "But it's not."

Now it's Lemmy's turn to sigh. "You're too negative sometimes."

"And you're too optimistic," Ludwig fires back with more intensity than he has the energy for.

Lemmy shakes his head in disagreement.

"No, I just want somewhere safe to stay. I know it's not going to be like—" he exhales shakily, Ludwig hears the pain in his voice—"before, but we can't keep living like this, Ludwig."

Lemmy's gaze flickers to the pile of sleeping koopa children on the floor. Ludwig is momentarily caught off guard by how exhausted Lemmy appears in this moment. He hides it well; Ludwig hasn't truly noticed until now, caught up in his own web of depression and personal issues.

Ludwig briefly sees a flash of Mother, worn out after a long day, and still able to smile comfortingly despite her apparent fatigue. She always put their needs before her own, Ludwig realizes Lemmy has involuntarily inherited the same burden since her death.

Still, Ludwig refuses to give into the hope Bowser will ask them to stay. The probability of that actually happening is relatively low. Bowser is simply doing his part as a benevolent king; helping those in desperate need. His kindness can easily disappear when he finds out about how difficult Iggy gets sometimes or how stubborn Roy can be in arguments when he believes his words are absolute.

"What will you do if he asks us to stay?" Lemmy questions him. "Are you gonna say yes?"

What would Ludwig say if, by some miracle, Bowser does ask them to stay? He hasn't thought about it because he doubts it will go that far. Instead of answering his brother, he shuffles as far away from him as he can get on the chair, facing the opposite direction.

Ludwig knows he's being childish, but this topic is twisting his stomach. Lemmy gets the hint, sighing softly.

Both of them are asleep within minutes as the rain continues to pour against the window.

...

Ludwig wakes up to the sound of muffled chatter. Slowly, he opens his eyes to find Lemmy absent beside him on the chair and the blankets wrapped securely around just himself. He frees his arms from the tight cocoon of blankets and rubs the sleep from his eyes, blinking rapidly to adjust to the light of a new day.

This experience vastly differs from his usual routine. Right now, he'd already be awake before dawn, switching night watch with Roy. To busy himself, Ludwig would check that their stolen stash hadn't been spoiled by pesky little critters and then begin the arduous task of trying to stay awake so he can keep an eye on his sleeping siblings.

Instead of instantly doing mental roll call, Ludwig can finally take his time waking up because he knows his family is safe with him. Ludwig peers downward and finds Wendy, Larry, Roy, and Iggy lazily sprawled out on the floor, talking quietly with each other while the youngest child colors on scraps of paper.

Ludwig glances around and finds Morton, who is now passed out on the loveseat instead of the floor. The second youngest's head rests comfortably in Lemmy's lap as he adds his light tone to the conversation. Lemmy affectionately strokes Morton's head much like Mother would do and Ludwig momentarily feels a pang in his heart at the sight.

No.

Ludwig decides it's far too early in the morning to be feeling this way. He announces he's awake with a drawn out yawn and a languid stretch.

"Hey," Roy snorts, though it's obvious he's trying to be quieter than usual, "look who's finally up. Did you stay up all night or something? You're always the first one awake."

Roy's snarky comment causes Ludwig eyes to flicker briefly at the grandfather clock. He's genuinely surprised to find that it's ten minutes after noon and he's been asleep for almost eleven hours. He hasn't slept that much in months. His baffled gaze returns to Roy who is impatiently waiting Ludwig's answer. Worry is apparent on his face which he hides behind a teasing smirk that doesn't reach his eyes.

"I may have gotten caught up in reading," Ludwig admits timidly, tapping his claws together. Any minute now Roy is going to call him a—

Roy rolls his eyes. "You're such a nerd sometimes."

Nerd.

Ludwig brushes off the comment and decides it's not worth picking a fight over right now. Ludwig, instead, allows himself some deserved respite. He slowly takes his time in getting up for the day, soaking in the warmth of the blankets until little Larry notices his eldest brother is now awake.

The tiny Koopa child quickly gathers his artwork and stumbles over the blankets to scurry over to the recliner Ludwig sits on. Larry beams up at Ludwig, then attempts to pull himself up on the chair, wrinkling up the papers balled into his tiny fist.

Iggy helps the toddler by giving him a needed boost up and Ludwig pulls the child into his lap where Larry begins showing off his impressive works of art. To Ludwig, it's all just a bunch of scribbles with crayons but Larry explains each thing he's drawn with highly animated gestures and his limited vocabulary.

Ludwig nods absentmindedly along, humoring Larry with exaggerated gasps. Though his mind begins to wander and he glances from sibling to sibling all relatively calm. He can't help but feel the serenity in the room.

If only it could be like this everyday.

Sighing mutely to himself, Ludwig decides to direct his attention back to Larry. The toddler is now happily babbling about something unintelligible to Ludwig, pictures forgotten. It may as well be a foreign language because Ludwig can only gather a few familiar words but he grins eagerly at Larry's tales.

Suddenly, the door opens and all the children pause. Kamek stands there silently, hands folded behind his back.

"Lunch will be served in a few minutes. I hope you all will join us in the dining hall," Kamek announces, peering behind his glasses to scan each child's face. "I suggest you all wash up before arriving at the table. I will be back in five minutes to escort you there."

The inflection in the his tone turns his mere suggestion into a command. With a satisfied "hmph" the Magikoopa pushes his glasses back up his beak and disappears quicker than Ludwig imagines anyone his age physically can.

With Kamek's magical disappearance, Ludwig, Roy, and Lemmy round up the children and rush them into the shared bathroom connected to the study.

Although the bathroom is rather large and mirrors the exact layout of the bathroom Ludwig used for his bath last night, elbows still bump into each other while the horde of Koopa children brush their teeth and clean their faces.

Roy hogs the mirror to pick at his teeth and smiles proudly at his reflection when he flexes his arms. Ludwig only rolls his eyes allowing Roy the opportunity to gussy himself up for no one other than himself.

Ludwig decides to inspect the cleanliness of Wendy and Iggy as a distraction. Both children flash their scrubbed teeth and washed hands while uttering a few words about Ludwig being a "worrywart." He glares at their grumbling, but they breezily passing Ludwig's self-proclaimed inspection.

Lemmy tends to Morton and Larry. The youngest Koopas sit on the edge of the tub so Lemmy can wipe the dried drool around Morton's mouth and the dried snot from Larry's snout.

Finally, when all the children are deemed presentable, Ludwig leads them back to the study room to find Kamek already there and waiting. The elderly Koopa smiles pleasantly, nodding his approval before escorting them to the dinning hall.

Last night, Bowser allowed them to eat their meal in the study room. Today marks the first time they all will be enjoying their meal together at the table. Is it foolish to say Ludwig is a tad nervous?

Kamek stops at a large mahogany door, turning to the children. "Lord Bowser will not be joining you today. He's very busy with paperwork. He sends his apologies."

With that, Kamek opens the door. The dining hall is bigger than their entire house had been. The main décor, like everything else in this castle, is medieval by design. The windows are stained glass, the colors are vivid and overpowering shades of reds and oranges surrounding Bowser's insignia which reflect Bowser's brash and overconfident personality. The beautiful colors of the glass probably go to waste around here since the sun seems to be a rarity, forever jailed behind cloudy skies. The chandelier that dangles above the table appears to be dripping with red rubies hanging on branches of gold.

Ludwig is monetarily frozen by the view he's only ever read about in fairy tales. That is, until the scent of food hits his nose and he snaps back to reality.

The food is already served on the long table, hidden under a lid. The children file in, sitting in the expensive chairs. Some of the smaller children struggle to climb them. Before Roy sits down, he helps little Larry into his seat between him and Morton because the toddler is barely tall enough to reach the table let alone get in the chair.

Ludwig scoots into his seat next to Wendy then shares a hesitant glance with Lemmy who only smiles encouragingly from across the table. Reluctantly, Ludwig reaches for the top of the lid, slowly lifting it away from the table. He watches all the children's faces simultaneously beam at the meal still steaming on the tray.

A tall pile of delicious grilled cheese sits on the tray. Ludwig's mouth waters. It's a meal they're all familiar with since Mother wasn't much of a cook and could only master the arts of grilled cheese sandwiches and peanut butter and jelly. The smell is intoxicating. The gooey cheese melts between both slices of crisp bread slathered in fattening butter, stacked on top of each other. Never has a simple meal look so appetizing.

The children quickly snatch their share and dig in like savages. Ludwig winces, sending an apologetic look to Kamek still watching them by the door. The mage doesn't appear to be bothered by their lack of manners. Lunch is quickly devoured and Ludwig, in an attempt to prove that he has an ounce of dignity, politely thanks Kamek for the meal. This leads to all the other children chiming in with their own "thank you's" and Kamek simply smiles in return.

They are then led back to the study room where Lemmy and Roy play games to entertain the children until their next meal. Ludwig uses his free-time to read more passages from the book he picked out from last night. The tingling sensation in his head he experienced beforehand remains peacefully dormant and Ludwig begins to suspect that he imagined it all.

Dinner's routine mirrors lunch time, except it's a healthier meal than before. Ludwig struggles to get Wendy to eat her vegetables, but Roy manages to talk her into eating them somehow. Bowser is absent at this meal too and Ludwig wonders if he'll see him at all today.

That question is immediately answered when Kamek stops Ludwig from scurrying into the study room with an authoritative clear of the mage's throat. It seems Bowser has requested Ludwig's appearance in his throne room at six sharp. Kamek disappears before Ludwig can respond. At exactly ten minutes before six, Kamek reappears before the children, beckoning Ludwig to follow him.

Larry spots Ludwig beginning to leave and quickly drops the crayons in his hands, coloring forgotten. He bolts to his eldest brother, nearly stumbling over all the blankets from the night before. His arms are wide open, there's panic in his eyes as well as unshed tears. The toddler barrels into Ludwig, nearly knocking him over, clinging desperately to the eldest's legs.

"Larry," Ludwig tries to comfort him. "I'll be right back."

There was a time when Larry wasn't so clingy. Then again, two of the most important people in Larry's life have already left him behind and he's is too young to comprehend how or why. Ludwig can't blame the toddler for his new behavioral issues.

Larry's terrified of losing more of his family forever, but Ludwig must know why Bowser specifically asked for him. When Ludwig glances up at the other children, begging mentally for assistance, he finds they all share Larry's sentiments.

None of them voice it aloud, but Roy's furrowed brows, Wendy's unshed tears, Morton's eyes widening in panic, and Iggy's frantic gaze speak the volumes they cannot say out loud. It's not just Larry who is afraid of the possibility of losing another.

They all are.

"I promise I'll be back," Ludwig attempts to reason with him though his eyes jump from one worried face to the next, secretly addressing all of them.

Larry doesn't listen at all because promises made to a toddler are meaningless things to them when they can't even understand them. Lemmy quickly steps forward, gently prying Larry off of Ludwig.

Unfortunately for Lemmy, Larry chooses to firmly cling to him instead. It hurts, Ludwig sees Lemmy cringe from the tightness of Larry's hold, but Lemmy remains submissive and offers Ludwig a bright smile. It's like he knows a punchline to a joke yet to be told and Ludwig can't understand why. With Larry subdued, Ludwig quickly leaves out the door before Larry starts to throw another tantrum.

Kamek leads the way to the throne room. There isn't any idle chatter just stifling silence and the sound of their claws scrapping against cobblestone until it becomes plush red carpets. Ludwig can't stop clasping and unclasping his hands together, uneasy at the thought of facing the king on his throne alone.

"Relax, child."

Ludwig jumps, suppressing a tiny yelp. He spots Kamek eyeing him and he quickly casts his eyes downward to stare at his moving feet.

"My apologies, sir."

Kamek cackles, which ends with a dry cough. "If only Lord Bowser was as polite as you when he was a child."

Ludwig is led to the main room he had entered when first arriving at the castle. Except now, they travel up one of the two curved staircases to the top of the balcony where there's an ornate door he hadn't noticed before. Eventually, they make it down the linear hallway to a huge door bordered by golden branches. Kamek easily opens it without any struggles and Ludwig blinks, not expecting the mage to have such brute strength.

Bowser sits on his golden throne, red silk curtains waterfall around him, framing the chair and punctuating its importance. Menacing statues glare at Ludwig as he walks down the red carpet to Bowser's throne. Silence ensues and Ludwig swallows nervously, he isn't exactly sure where to start or why he's even here.

"Did you kids sleep alright?" Bowser starts, offering Ludwig a grin. "Sorry I couldn't make it for lunch or dinner, I had boring King stuff to attend to."

"We all slept well." Ludwig gulps down his nerves, suddenly anxious. He can't hold Bowser's gaze for long, preferring the safety of the floor instead. "Thank you for the meals."

"Grilled cheese was one of my favorites as a kid so I figured maybe we share the same tastes. I guess I was right; Kamek said you guys nearly cleaned out the kitchen."

Ludwig can't stop the blush from reddening his face. It's embarrassing to recall the animalistic behavior of his siblings, inhaling entire sandwiches all while Kamek watched their disgusting display. Awkward silence settles uncomfortably between them until Ludwig can't take it anymore. He must say something! Anything!

"We will be leaving soon."

The words clumsily tumble out of Ludwig's mouth. He's not even sure where they came from but he can't take them back either. He fidgets with his fingers, biting the inside of his cheek, unable to still his body. Bowser seems genuinely surprised by this proclamation. Did he expect them to stay here?

"Ludwig," he says and Ludwig stiffens, "y'know you guys are welcomed to stay. I'm not kicking you out."

Bowser couldn't possibly be serious. Seven children impeding on his kingly affairs with their issues isn't a task anyone willingly takes on.

"That isn't necessary. We wouldn't want to intrude. We're very thankful you allowed us to stay the night."

It doesn't make sense. None of this makes sense. Why? Why is he offering them a place to stay? Why now, after everything they've been through, is life finally throwing them a line?

"We can be out of the castle by nightfall." Ludwig can't possibly accept the too good to be true offer.

"Is that what you really want?" Bowser questions, leaning forward in his chair, intrigued to hear Ludwig's answer.

Ludwig shakes his head. "It isn't about what I want, Bowser."

Bowser sighs heavily. "Well, maybe I wanna know what you want Ludwig."

What do I want?

He wants little Larry to never have to cry until he's exhausted for food Ludwig doesn't have. He wants Morton to feel safe enough to get a full night of sleep without fearing for his life and waking up silently screaming from nightmares.

He wants Wendy to finally smile again because it's been too long since she properly has. He wants Iggy to stop lashing out at the others because, for some reason, he blames himself for all this. He wants Roy to gain back the confidence he carried around with him before the fire burned it all down.

He wants Lemmy to stop playing parent because Lemmy is clearly exhausted and overworked, but he hides it all away to continue caring for his family. Ludwig just wants a place where all this is offered to his broken family and more.

Wringing his hands nervously together, Ludwig's mind tosses the topic around like a mental tennis match. There are many positives that outweigh all of the negatives. Except for one; what if this is a big mistake?

Ludwig can not predict the future. There may be consequences further down the line for his decision. His siblings would place all blame on him if this outcome led to more disaster and heartbreak. The thought makes his stomach twist into knots, face contorting in pain as he imagines them hurling insults at him for failing them once again.

Where else would they go if he doesn't accept Bowser's offer? Back to the streets? They cannot keep living their lives day by day, searching for food and sleeping on the ground. He's worrying over ramifications that may never occur if he does say 'yes.' Perhaps he's over analyzing things again or maybe he isn't thinking hard enough about it.

"Jeez, Ludwig," Bowser guffaws. "Don't hurt yourself."

"My apologies, Bowser." Ludwig bows his head in shame. "I don't know what to say."

"Listen, even if you say no, I'm not letting a bunch of orphaned kids back onto the damn streets." Bowser swats at the air like he's swatting away a pesky fly, dismissing that idea entirely. "It ain't happening."

"Lord Bowser!" Kamek squawks, no longer a neutral spectator. "Watch your coarse language!"

Bowser looks annoyed, growling out an apology between clenched teeth.

"Why are you so worried about us?" Ludwig asks, shifting the conversation in another direction. He can't comprehend why Bowser cares and his voice is harsher than he wants it to be, but he can't keep his anger from seeping out and tainting his tone. "You barely even know us."

"Because I'm not some heartless ruler who can sit back and watch you all fall apart," Bowser responds, matching Ludwig's attitude with his own.

Tendrils of smoke waft through Bowser's nostrils and he burps out a puff of ash. Bowser's becoming more agitated and Ludwig sobers, reeling back his own anger before his king's patience runs thin. Ludwig takes a brief breath, trying to shove down everything he's feeling at this moment.

"You should be worried about more important things," Ludwig reasons more calmly.

"Oh, and what's that?" Bowser cocks an eyebrow, his tone a tad impatient. He holds Ludwig's gaze, expecting a justifiable answer.

"Your kingdom, your people," Ludwig begins to list off any reason that springs into his mind, counting away the many things that are far more important than appeasing a bunch of orphans.

Although, his eyes accidentally meet Bowser's scrutinizing glare and Ludwig's snappy attitude vanishes along with his confidence. He begins to fidget nervously, tapping his claws together, mumbling the rest, "Your own life... a-and your son."

Bowser releases a heavier sigh than the last, sitting back in his throne. He slouches further into the cushions, the fingernails of his left hand tap against the arm of the chair while his right hand props his head up. He's thinking deeply about something Ludwig can't begin to guess and Bowser's growing irritated the more time ticks away. Perhaps he knows Ludwig is right and can't decide what to say next.

He has enough responsibilities for one Koopa, he doesn't need to add seven more to his long list. Ludwig expectantly awaits for Bowser to agree and send them on their way.

What he doesn't expect is for Kamek to step forward instead. "Why are you hesitating, child? Surely, this is a far better option than returning to the filthy streets."

"Because I don't want this living arrangement to just be a temporary fix. My family has been through enough," Ludwig frustratingly states to his audience. "At any point we may become 'too much' for you and then you can easily throw us back onto the streets."

Bowser frowns, appearing hurt by Ludwig's words. "I wouldn't do that, Ludwig."

It's a feeble attempt at reassuring him, but Ludwig refuses to feel any sort of relief now. The words Bowser speaks are meaningless because he's just a stranger throwing his kindness around like a noble throws his money. Empty promises, Ludwig's had enough of them. Mother promised she'd be there for him when he needed her the most and Father promised him he'd be in the front row when Ludwig finally played on stage.

Where were they now?

He knows it's not fair to blame them for their absence, but three months does little to quell the uneasiness inside his chest. The fear of his loved ones being ripped away from him again is still a nightmare he hopes never comes true. Beyond frustrated at himself and his instability, Ludwig can already feel the familiar stinging sensation in his eyes. This time, he's not going to cry. He refuses to allow their conversations to all end the same.

Ludwig hears Bowser's approach, but he doesn't look at him, preferring to map out the intricate designs of the red carpet. Bowser sets a comforting hand on his shoulder, Ludwig tenses briefly at the contact.

"I know you've all been hurt," Bowser says, giving Ludwig's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "But is it really so hard to believe that I'm willing to take you guys in? You and I both know that you don't want to go back out there."

Bowser is right. Ludwig doesn't want to return to that life if he doesn't have to. He thinks about his family, suffering day after day, and obviously the choice should be so simple.

Yet, the anxiety of abandonment and the fear of the unknown refuse to leave his mind alone. It whispers 'what if's' and conjures up scenarios which frighten him into silence. What can Ludwig do or say to ease it, if only just a little? His mind wanders to Lemmy. Cheerful and smiling, covered in layers of dirt and bruises, exhausted yet as energetic as he can be as he tries to boost the moral of his family that constantly ebbs towards the line of giving up.

We can't keep living like this.

"I'll accept your offer," Ludwig finally says at last. He looks up at his king, hoping his glare is somewhat threatening. "Only if you give me your word you won't abandon us."

Bowser laughs goodheartedly, removing his hand from Ludwig's shoulder.

"Alright, kid. You got yourself a deal," Bowser curls his pinky finger, arm out in front of him. "I swear on my own life I won't abandon any of you. We're stuck with each other now."

Ludwig looks dumbfounded, blinking up at Bowser then gawking blankly at the huge hand stretched out towards him, pinky finger still extended.

Bowser snorts amusingly, "Never seen a pinky promise before?"

Ludwig eyes him wearily. "I have."

"Well, are ya gonna leave me hanging or are you gonna pinky swear with me?"

Is a pinky promise really how they're going to seal this "deal?"

Ludwig sighs tiredly, submitting to the absurdity of the situation and hooks his pinky finger with Bowser's. He can't help notice how tiny his finger is compared to Bowser's gigantic one.

"I promise not to toss you guys out like trash," Bowser says solemnly. "And you gotta promise me that you'll—" Bowser pauses, cheeks suddenly flushing.

Ludwig is so surprised by the sudden shift in the atmosphere, he almost yanks his hand away. Bowser clears his throat.

"You see, I kinda forgot most of your siblings' names," Bowser admits sheepishly. "So can you promise to remind me again who is who?"

Ludwig, instead of feeling any sort of resentment towards Bowser, collapses into a fit of laughter while Kamek begins relentlessly scolding Bowser for his incompetence. The tension lifts instantaneously and Ludwig can't recall the last time he's laughed so hard.

…

Ludwig walks side by side with Kamek back to the study room.

What just happened is a lot to take in and Ludwig isn't sure how his siblings are going to react to the news. Despite sleeping almost half of the day, Ludwig suddenly feels exhausted. He's unsure how to tell them; would any of them be upset with him?

The only one who won't be shocked is Lemmy. He somehow knew Bowser's intentions all along. Did he and Bowser discuss this beforehand? If so, then, when?

Ludwig begins to wonder what living arrangements Bowser will provide them with. Will Ludwig get his own room or will he have to share it with Lemmy again? Will they all be forced to share a room? He recoils at that thought.

Ludwig is so lost in thought he nearly rams straight into Kamek. He thankfully stops himself short before they collide and Kamek raises an eyebrow, clearly bemused. Ludwig burns from embarrassment, but says nothing about it. Still, he quickly thanks Kamek then returns to the study room.

As soon as the door opens, Larry abandons whatever activity he was doing previously and runs straight into Ludwig nearly knocking them both over. Ludwig immediately picks up Larry, calming the toddler the instant he's in Ludwig's arms. Ludwig finds Lemmy reading to the rest of the younger children. Silly voices fill the room as he reads a story from a pile of books that hadn't been there before Ludwig left.

Actually, Ludwig scans the floor now clear of blankets, and finds a different variety of toys where the blankets once were. He doesn't know who brought them, but he knows with certainty Bowser is the one responsible for them. If this is an attempt to prove Bowser is genuine, then Ludwig rewards him a few points for trying.

It's a poor start, but it's a start.

Ludwig takes a seat around the circle. Larry happily remains in his lap but turns in his arms to listen to the story. He's barely listening to the fairy tale until the familiarity of the story catches his attention. His eyes slightly grow wide, staring hard at the book in Lemmy's hands.

The cover of the book is an exact match to the book discarded in an alleyway under a makeshift shelter. He smiles briefly to himself despite his dislike for the story.

As the children burst into a fit of giggles—something Ludwig hasn't heard since the fire—he realizes perhaps this is where they're meant to be.

---

Thank you for reading.