~Luigi's POV~
I looked through the research I got on Evershade Valley, Serenity sitting on her couch with a glass of wine in hand. She was reading a book on the ghostly inhabited village as well. Ever since we learned about the Moonlight Tower, we've been non-stop researching its origins. So far, I found out that it belonged to a princess who died using its power to protect her home. But there was nothing else. I had told this to Serenity, getting a groan of frustration as she slammed her book shut.
"This is pointless!" She yelled, making me jump as I looked at her from her desk. "The tome wouldn't send me to the wrong location!"
"I believe you. But something could have happened between the time it fell to the time I showed up 5 years ago." I said.
"Maybe," Serenity sighed, taking a sip of her wine.
"We'll figure this out, Rena," I added, getting a look from her in return. "What? 5 weeks and we're still not friends?" She just squinted and then shook her head, like she was ridding herself of a thought.
"Yeah, of course," She said, standing up and setting her wine glass on the desk. "I'm just not used to hearing it come from you. You've only ever called me Serenity."
"That is your name, is it not?" I chuckled, getting a look from her as she walked to the kitchen. I sighed, following as I leaned against the wall, my hands in my jean pockets.
For a villain, she was beautiful. Her magenta hair, her brown eyes, the way she held herself. I had never felt this way about a girl in quite a long time. Not since Daisy that is. I grinned, watching as she grabbed a cookie from her cookie jar and took a bite. I snorted at that, getting another squinted look.
"This helps me think," She said, leaning against the counter.
"Oh, trust me, I have the same habit," I said. "Only, it's with bread." She just looked at me, giggling as she swallowed the rest of her cookie.
"You're definitely Italian," She said.
"Sì, Bella," I whispered, though it seemed like she heard me. Oh, boy. Could she speak Italian? I watched as she went to say something when the doorbell rang. She hesitated before walking to her front door and opening it, seeing Ivy in the doorway.
"Ivy, what's up? It's late," Serenity asked, getting a saddened grin from Ivy.
"I know, it's just-" She sighed. "They announced it." I stared confused, but Serenity seemed to have known what Ivy was talking about.
"Come in," She said, letting the auburn-haired girl come in and sit at the island in the kitchen. She looked up to me, showing me the crystal blue eyes that still held a familiar glow to them for me.
"Luigi, I thought you'd have gone home," She said.
"What home?" I smirked, before seeing the serious nature of her visit. "What's up?" She looked to Serenity, seeing her nod before sitting beside her.
"My family announced that my younger sister is to become queen now," Ivy said, making me stare in shock.
"You're a princess?!" I asked, getting a nod in return. "What kingdom?"
"Sarasaland," She answered. I froze, remembering that Daisy was its princess and that she did have a sibling at one point. I guess that was why Ivy's name was so familiar.
"I was the heir apparent, being trained to take the throne one day. But I couldn't take it. I wasn't ready and I didn't feel like I deserved it." She went into her story as I sat down next to her. "So, when Daisy was born, I was grateful. It meant I had an out if I decided to abdicate. But my father proclaimed that no matter what, I couldn't. I had to be queen."
"I know the feeling," Serenity sighed.
"So, I ran. I ran away and never looked back. Besides, my powers of sorcery aren't exactly what Sarasaland would like their queen to have," Ivy continued, sighing afterward as she leaned on the counter surface, her chin on her arms.
"Then why are you sad?" Serenity asked. "You never wanted the crown."
"I know," Ivy said. "And I was prepared for when they finally decided to let her be queen. But...I don't know...I guess I was completely prepared."
"No one is for anything," I said, getting looks from Serenity and Ivy. "Trust me, I'm a walking example of someone who isn't ready for anything." Ivy giggled while Serenity grinned. "I was always in my brother's shadows, wishing to one day become someone great like him. But as you can tell, that day wasn't ever coming."
"Is this supposed to make me feel better?" Ivy asked, making me chuckle.
"I guess so," I said. "I'm not good at pep talks."
"It's noticed," Serenity smirked, making me glare at her before going back to Ivy.
"However, if you feel like you made the right decision, then have faith in it," I said. "One day you'll wake up and see Sarasaland is in good hands and you won't have to worry again." Ivy smiled, standing up and hugging me.
"Thanks, Luigi," She said, pulling away. "That did cheer me up."
"Sure thing, Ivy," I said back with a smile of my own.
"Well, it's getting late. I should get some sleep," Ivy said, hugging Serenity quickly before heading to the door. "I mean, I should if we're heading to Evershade Valley tomorrow. Night." And with that, she left, closing the door behind her.
I looked on, smiling before feeling Serenity's gaze on me. I looked at her, seeing the smirk on her face as she leaned back in her chair.
"What?" I asked.
"You are something else, Luigi Mario," She said. "I would have spent all night trying to cheer her up."
"I just said what I would have liked to hear one day," I said. "You know, being told that I'm just as brave as my brother would be nice to hear."
"I think you are," She said, making me stare in surprise. "Lupin has never once offered to come with me in a time. You did." I continued to stare. "That to me is bravery." Her smirk slowly turned into a grin as mine shock did the same. "I'm glad you're here."
What was this feeling? Something warm and fuzzy swam around my stomach as I felt my breath hitch in my throat. My palms were sweaty and my heart pounded in my chest.
Was she who I was meant to find?
"I'll see you in the morning." Serenity said as I watched her stand up from the island and walk toward the stairs. I hesitated for a bit until...
"Rena, wait," I called, following and stopping at the doorway to the kitchen as she looked at me. I wanted to tell her. I wanted to tell her that I felt something between us. That I felt sparks even though we never kissed. If this was just a crush, then I guess I never knew what a crush felt like until now.
But if this was something more...then I needed to know.
She stood there, waiting for me to speak when I gulped down the nerves and smiled. "Sleep tight," I said instead, kicking myself mentally for not just going for it.
She grinned with what appeared to be hurt in her eyes. "You too," She said before ascending the stairs. I listened as I heard her heels hit the wooden floor before her door closed behind her. I sighed in defeat as I leaned against the wall.
"Good going, Luigi," I said. "You blew it." I stood there for a moment, wishing I wasn't such a coward. Why didn't I just race up to her and kiss her? Why did I hesitate? Yeah, she's a villain's daughter and has tattoos (a girl I normally would fall for), but her heart was calling mine. Her eyes were haunting my mind.
She had to be the one.
I sighed, thinking I'll tell her the morning as I went to leave when I heard her bedroom door open upstairs again. Probably had to use the bathroom.
...
Wait...she's coming back down?
I looked to the staircase, seeing her race up and pull me to her as she planted her lips to mine. I yelped in shock at the action, feeling fireworks explode in my brain, before I melted into the kiss. I placed my hands on her hips, closing my eyes as I returned the motion. Her hands moved from my shirt and cupped my face as I moved my arms around her torso, pulling her closer to me before I spun us around and pinned her to the wall.
Her mouth moved on mine hungrily before the need for air was needed and we pulled away from the kiss. We stared at each other, our breathing hard from the make-out we just did.
(SONG: "As Long As You're Mine" - Wicked)
"Rena, I-"
"Shh," Serenity spoke, a hand on my cheek as she tugged at my shirt. "Just be with me."
I smirked.
SERENITY: Kiss me too fiercely/hold me too tight./I need help believing/you're with me tonight./My wildest dreaming could not foresee/lying beside you/with you wanting me./And just for this moment/as long as you're mine/I've lost all resistance/and crossed some borderline./And if it turns out/it's over too fast./I'll make every last moment last./As long as you're mine.
I kissed her cheek as I trailed down to her neck before pulling away.
LUIGI: Maybe I'm brainless/maybe I'm wise./But you've got me seeing/through different eyes./Somehow I've fallen/under your spell./And somehow I'm feeling/is up that I fell!
BOTH: Every moment/as long as your mine./I'll wake up my body/and make up for lost time!
LUIGI: Say there's no future/for us as a pair.
BOTH: And though/I may know/I don't care!/Just for this moment/as long as you're mine./Come be how you want to/and see how bright we shine./Borrow the moonlight/until it is through./And know I'll be here/holding you/as long as you're mine.
I grinned, thinking over how any of this was possible.
SERENITY: What is it?
LUIGI: It's just...for the first time...I feel...wicked.
She smirked as she took me by the hand and led me upstairs.
(End of the song)
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