Disclaimer: This stupid thing! ::strangles disclaimer::

Disclaimer: ::pulls out knife::

Pisces: Eep.

Disclaimer: ::eyes wild:: It's not my fault everybody hates me! What did I ever do to you? You don't have to write me; no one's forcing you to cover your ass!

Pisces: Aie... ::backs up nervously:: First the characters, now the freaking disclaimer. I never get a break around here...

Disclaimer: ::waves knife about madly:: Say it!

Pisces: Er...

Disclaimer: Say it, damn you! ::stalks closer::

Pisces: O.O I don't own the Mario Bros or anything involved with them... They, they... ::gulp::

Disclaimer: ::pokes at Pisces's ribs:: Finish it!

Pisces: TheybelongtosomeoneelsewhoIcan'tthinkofrightnowbecausessomebody'sthreatening
mewithaknife!

Disclaimer: Good! ::beams, and sits down placidly::

Pisces: ... o.O

Author's Notes: Short, but highly important chapter. Many thanks has to go to my wonderful, inspiring friend, Jany (::waves:: Hi Jany!), and to Robin Lee, who gave me a horribly swelled head. ^_^ They both helped tremendously to put me back on track. And I have to say that any similarities between this chapter and Robin Lee's Phobia 2 are purely coincidental.

::eyes Disclaimer suspiciously:: ...I think I'll quit ranting now...

Warnings: Possible disturbing scenes. Um... I can't think of anything else right now...

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After the Outing
Chapter VIII
A Super Mario Brothers fan fiction by Pisces

Limbs shaking with fatigue, Luigi flailed an arm about wildly, breathe coming in frantic gasps.

(Don't hyperventilate.)

His other arm, braced against the grimy floor, barely held his weight, but Luigi paid it no mind, instead digging his fingers harder into the caked concrete, nails tearing on grit. One ebony eye was widened in a despairing attempt to make out the half-seen , half-perceived shapes in the pitch darkness. His other wouldn't open.

(Bastards didn't like the 'looks' you gave them...)

He could feel them, brushing his shoulders, just barely darting away from his thrashing hand. He had to keep them away.

(Nobody is there. Nobody is ever there.)

Fingertips grazed solid stone, and, after one heart stopping moment of pure panic, his scattered senses processed all the facts: a wall. Relief overwhelmed his terror for a split second, and he dragged his sweat slick digits along, following until a corner was found. With a reckless sob, he wedged himself between the two walls as deeply as his slender form would allow. His ribs hurt, every movement drained what little bit of energy his seemingly starved body had stored, and his hair was sticking tackily to the side of his face. He tried to sweep back his bangs, and a messy chunk was pulled away from his cheek along with the strands. He gasped, and hastily wrapped his hands back around his drawn up knees.

A sharp pain, searing waves in time with his uselessly soothing rocking, drew his attention and sightless eye down to his feet. He wasn't wearing shoes. A big toe was missing.

Eyelids shut tightly, Luigi buried his head into his folded arms, a breathless moan escaping past parted, cracked lips.

Oh, God...

(I doubt he'd hear you in here.)

...shut up...

(...What was that?)

...shut up.

(Do you have a problem?)

go away you aren't here.

(Of course I'm not. No one's here, except you. And you are me and I am you. And we all live here together.)

go away

(I have every right to be here. I'm experienced. Anyway, you'll need me. No one's going to talk to you in a very, very long time.)

peach... mario...

(Don't speak of them!)

......

(They're dead, remember?)

but i just talked to...

(No! They're dead. And you didn't do anything to help them.)

...no

(You let them die.)

....quit it...

(I thought, that maybe this time... They wouldn't have to die because of us.)

quit it...

(This time... But no, we were too weak...)

quit it, quit it!

(Always too weak...)

quititquititquititquititquititquititquititquititquititquititquitit

(But anyway...)

QUIT IT

(It's just you and me.)

mario...

(...Let's have some fun.)

help

* * * * *

"Help!"

Mario jerked awake with a small gasp, swinging his legs off the temporary cot just in time to catch a jackknifed Luigi in his arms. Uncertain of all things besides that his little brother was in distress, scant few seconds pasts rousing from a fitful, awkward sleep in a hospital chair, Mario tightened his grip on Luigi's shuddering form as firmly as he dared. Mindful of the barely over one week old injuries, the brawny plumber scooted closer to the bed, wrapping his arms fully about the willowy body . Luigi readily took to the invitation, and buried his head on Mario's broad shoulder, sobs harsh and scratchy against his throat.

Running a hand through the soft locks underneath his nose, Mario continued to hold his brother, dim half-light glinting weakly in their matching dark hair, until the tears stopped flowing. But even then, Mario did not let go. Luigi didn't complain.

Minutes passed before either stirred. Luigi, forehead gently nuzzling the junction of his sibling's neck, thin hands tangled at the collar of Mario's shirt, spoke first, voice soft and whispered. "You're not dead."

Mario's hand stilled. "Is that what you dreamed of?"

Silence, then a tiny nod, rather felt then seen. Mario hugged him closer, and faintly kissed the top of his head.

Blank stare, blinking slow and lethargic. Taking in the familiar details. The color of Mario's skin. The smell of Mario's skin. The feel of Mario's skin. Luigi felt helpless, finding himself in a position he hadn't been tormented with in over thirteen years. He hated it. He craved it. Mario, I love you.

Another pause of heavy stillness, drinking in each other's presence.

"I know who he is."

Mario pulled back slightly, just enough to glance down at Luigi lidded, seemingly distant eyes. "Who?"

"The killer."

The elder man started, but stayed expectantly quiet.

"I... he... We've met before... or will meet... I don't..." He trailed off, and simply closed his eyes.

Mario didn't ask.

"Why are we here, Mario? Why am I laying in this hospital bed?"

Mario drew away once more, one wide hand resting on a bony shoulder, the other lightly cupping a cheek, tilting the downcast face to his. Finely boned features stared back at him, so much like their mother's it hurt.

"...Because you don't want to be standing somewhere else."

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Pisces: ::sniffles:: Brotherly love always gets me right here. ::pounds chest:: ...Ow.

Luigi: ::pouting:: I hate you.

Pisces: ::ignores Luigi:: And let me tell you, the shit ain't hit the fan yet.

Mario: But! But! You just practically killed of my brother!

Pisces: ::waves hand dismissively:: That little thing? That was nothing.

Luigi: I got gutted!

Pisces: Oh, stop being a wimp!

Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser: @_@

Luigi: I'm going to go sulk... ::wanders to couch to clobber Playstation2 controller to death while playing Jax and Daxter::

Pisces: ::smiles impishly:: You do that!

Mario, Peach, and Bowser: -_-