Pipeline: A Princess and A Plumber

chapter 4

Princess Peach closed her eyes, the tone of her music had turned soft and sincere, the notes creating memories of long ago to return to her head. Her memories drifted to the times where her and her sister would run through the fields in the country side, their father trotting on his horse, keeping a careful eye on them in the distance. The memory was vivid as she imagined the wind on her face, clouds moving slow above them as the sun peeked and kissed their faces through the fluff in the skies. Times were so much simpler back then, and she wished she could go back there just once more without a worry in the world.

Her and her sister dreamed of the days they would have their own castle, and own a kingdom far away. There would be parties and celebrations year round. They would find their prince charming and grow old together after bearing lots of children to take on their family name. Peach was a natural at being a princess, her movements delicate and her words chosen with the softest tone. She was stern and held her own accord while conforming to the traditions that were necessary. Even if it was against her will. She sighed, continuing to play without noticing the sneaking shadows tiptoe against the pillars of the den.

Daisy had peered out to the den, her eyes locked onto the petite slender back of her sister. The corset under her dress was tight, she could see the restricting ties crossing her back in an elegant manner. Daisy felt the tall gentleman behind her follow her movements. She turned to him, staring up into dark pupils that curiously looked down at her. He gave her a sheepish grin, obviously just as excited to sneak around. He was more charismatic than the other one, his playfulness was an oddity in a world of professional and stoic creatures that were common in the courts. She was delighted to see that he wasn't the grime that the immigrants were thought to be. In fact, he was quite charming. Instinctively, she grabbed his hand the heat of it causing her fingers to tingle.

Luigi felt himself being tugged, as little fingers wrapped around his hand. Her light skinned, soft, and small hands were contrasting to his olive skin, fingers and palms lined with callouses from working. She pulled him along and he could hear the faint giggles under her breath. With a half-hazard grin he followed as they crept from pillar to pillar, making a dash to get behind each one. Successfully, they lined the outer part of the den without notice. Daisy made a run for it when they were in the hallway, the lights dimmed. Luigi easily kept up with her, finding her energy refreshing from the restricted, emotionless women that were common these days. He snickered enjoying her excitement.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you've done this before, princess." He teased at her emphasizing on the princess part, eyeballing her slyly.

"You have no idea."

Daisy beamed up at him, pulling the plumber along to the outside of the house her long brunette hair whipping behind her.

Peach was concerned for her sister, knowing that she was only two years her senior the younger princess would soon be courting fine gentlemen. She couldn't imagine seeing Daisy sitting patiently with a man as she had to listen him talk about himself and his accomplishments. Hell, Peach barely had the ability to do it herself without calling out some of the men on their discrepancies. Yet, over the years she was refined, sure she was to find the one soon. But, plans had changed. Her fingers stopped playing the piano at the thought. No, she didn't need to bring up those thoughts again her shadowed face glancing up to the eyes on the portrait. She grimaced, thinking her sister would find a man she loved instead of being forced into a marriage she had no interest in. However, where was she? Peach turned around to look at the hallway to the kitchen. Just then her electric blue eyes went wide.

—

Mario chewed slowly, rubbing his cheek with the back of his hand, a small smudge of old grease coming across under his eye. He enjoyed the smell of work, the way his body ached for the physical satisfaction of getting things done. Usually, he hated wasting time when things could get done. But right now, with a tremendous headache coming on he settled for smoothing down his thick furry mustache down against his upper lip. If only it wasn't raining they could get a couple more pipes pained and welded into the right shape… He closed his eyes and sighed knowing he should give it a rest as he couldn't change the weather himself. He eyeballed the door, wondering where those two had gone off.

Luigi was a bit of a ladies man in his earlier days, chasing after women more than work when they were recruited to help out their father. He remembered the days he would beg Mario to go out with him to meet him and a lady friend of his. Unfortunately, most of the time his friend would always request to bring her friend— which would set him up on a blind date. He couldn't lie, he knew that each time the female he was set up with was clearly interested in him, usually more than just on an emotional level as he found himself declining to put his hands on a women he just met.

Mario figured he was sort of old fashioned like that. He gave a smirk to himself, thinking back on the times he would have to wait inside a pub while Luigi was having his way with a female who clearly had a thing for tall men with mustaches. Luigi always called him a prude, but it's not like he hadn't done any those things before. He had been with his fair share of females, but he was more of a gentleman about it. And he was particular with his women, or picky, in his brothers words. He couldn't bare to put effort into a women who wasn't educated, or had no other hobbies beside housework and looking pretty. However, while his demands were high, he knew he wasn't getting any younger. Work had taken most of his time, and while he loved his tools they were nothing compared to real compassion in a relationship. He swallowed his food, eyes inspecting the bread before reaching in for another bite.

Peach burst into the kitchen, her hair slightly unruly from running down the hallway in a hurry. She couldn't believe she had let her little sister take advantage of the situation. She knew how involved she was with her piano, and she had clearly taken the opportunity to see those pesky, dirty, unclassy second class—

Peach felt eyes on her as she turned her head to the left a male in red leaned against the counter his dark hair slightly curled at his nape as the rest of it was greased back with Palmade and sweat combined. He was chewing lazily on half a loaf of bread that was in his grasp. One hand was on his tool belt in the front of his pelvis, the other slouched agains the counter holding the bread. He stared at her, his heart racing oddly, but he kept his composure and stuck to his poker face. As far as the princess in pink could tell he was alone. She collected her breath and analyzed the situation, seeing him taking a break from work was odd. She rarely saw the man in red take a second away from his work. Her sarcasm slipped from her mouth before she could catch herself,

"Working hard I see." She pointedly eyed the bread he had taken from their kitchen.

Mario was impressed to actually hear her address him. But he knew she wasn't here just to tease him about his break. She was without a doubt looking for her bubbly younger sister who was now sneaking around hallways with his brother. He smirked, swallowing his food,

"Likewise… with the whole babysitting that is." Mario tried desperately to hide his sheepish grin, but his face cracked showing the edges of his white canines. Peach furrowed her brows, knowing she should have seen that coming. She hesitated, stopping in her thoughts as she saw the horrendous bruise on his forehead, a rather large bump was on his temple. It looks like he had gotten hit with a baseball bat, but she knew he must have his his head. She shook her instinct to ask about it, automatically wanting to help him. There was no way she was going to bother with helping this man.

"Where is she?" Peach spoke sternly, trying not to show her frustration in her inability to keep up with the rebellious teenager. She made a few steps toward the plumber, watching him watch her advance. She could see Mario shrug under his overalls his face looking inexplicably bored, yet inside there was a curious amusement growing.

"Oh you're asking me?"

"Do not play dumb with me, plumber, I know she was in here."

Mario tried to stifle a laugh, wondering why he found it so funny to infuriate this beautiful princess. Maybe it was the deep flush on her cheeks that was forming on her ivory skin. He the the small piece of bread twirl in his fingers,

"But princess, I'm just a lowly second class citizen, I don't meddle in the affairs of royalty." Mario pretended to look bored, but let an eye flicker back to his eyebrow slowly raising in curiosity. She was fuming because she was starting to regret her own harsh words. At least, she hadn't said them in front of their faces—but they both knew she was thinking it. Peach raised her hands to her hips, letting her right hip cock out as she clearly became annoyed.

"I demand you to tell me where she is!"

Mario laughed, turning around, leaning his back on the counter folding his arms across his broad chest. She was no taller than him in heels, if anything he was a few inches taller than the young princess.

"Are you always so bitter?" Mario bit his tongue knowing he was going to regret it, but he couldn't help but ask. His beginnings of a grin betrayed his relaxed attitude.

Peach's face went up a few shades of red.

"Oh! I am not bitter!" Peach spat back childishly, her blonde brows furrowing. Mario grinned to himself and tried not to laugh at her,

"I apologize, Princess Peach, thought princesses were suppose to be kind and compassionate is all." His false apology sent her anger in flames. She flipped her hair sending her face to the side as her chin rose slightly,

"I'll have you know, plumber, that I am very kind an compassionate. I am a highly respected, intelligent, talented, politically alert, and a well rounded young lady. One day, I will become a queen of a royal palace!" She exclaimed and kept walking towards him, demanding him to notice her regal walk with her soft jaw set firmly parallel to the marble floor. Mario chuckled at her presentation, sliding a glove off as he rubbed his mustache seemingly looking her up and down.

"Ah, I see. I mean you are surely fit to be a queen." Mario paused as he saw Peach close her eyes and nod being pleased with his answer.

"Maybe, that is, if your castle was made of ice." He laughed darkly as she turned to him pointing a finger at his wide nose where his full bodied mustache rose from laughing.

"And what would YOU know about kindness and compassion? Look at you squabbling for money doing dirty work."

There was a silent pause, and Mario knew that had taken a hit to his pride. Peach forced herself to look away, seeing the falter in his gaze knowing it had been a low blow. Mario furrowed his brows,

"At least," he started pointedly, "I actually do work." He muttered his voice seething, trying not to let his anger show. Peach cocked her head at him,

"Yes, priding yourself as a lowly, greasy-"

"Yet, I'm proudly not a bratty, concieded-"

"—brutish, unclassy—"

"—empty headed, cold hearted—"

"SECOND CLASS"

"SPOILED"

With raised voices the two were nearly at each other's noses when the door bust open. Sir Toadsworth dramatically waltzed in, seeing the two having a conversation. He took no notice that they were yelling at each other as be began his chattering under his own white mustache that danced with each energetic lively word he sang,

"Ah! My lovelies, I see you have made friends with our guests! How grand! I'm glad that you are all getting along just swimmingly! Actually, I'm also glad that all of you are here!"

Mario and Peach froze their furious gazes at each other and turned their head at the door watching the man strut in his arms wide open in acceptance of the situation. Mario eyed him his face still clearly distressed from the argument he had just been having with the princess who was similarly furious. However, both had just noticed the fact that he had claimed that all of them were there. In unison, Mario and Peach looked behind the tall man who was gleaming with delight.

There Daisy and Luigi were on the other side of the kitchen looking at them curiously. Daisy was seated up on the counter that Luigi was currently leaning against. Both Peach and Mario blanched, as they had unknowingly been bickering in front of the two the whole time. Peach retreated from Mario's personal space and crossed her arms with a huff of distress. When had they snuck in?! Daisy gave her a faint wave, obviously amused by the situation the way she attempted to hold back her snickers. Luigi looked passive yet he eyeballed Mario and gave him a quick wink before giving his attention back to Sir Toadsworth who piped up again his voice loud and cheerful,

"You see, I was just counseling with our cooks and he informed me that they have veal tonight! Plenty of it, and my lovely daughters know how much I love veal!" His eyes twinkled as he continued with gesture to the men. Peach was slowly relaxing, almost too much. The expression drained from her face as she suddenly realized where this was going.

"My fine boys, I was hoping that you two would stay the night and enjoy a dinner and festivities for the evening!"

Mario blanked, wondering if the man was completely serious about asking to be their host for the evening. He knew he had to say something before Luigi, there was no way he was about to spend his evening with this bratty princess!

Peach turned when Mario did, as she knew she had to interfere from Daisy saying anything because without a doubt she did not want to spend her evening with a sarcastic, sadistic, plumber!

"Wait, father—"

"No-"

"Yes!" Both Daisy and Luigi exclaimed, as Daisy flew from her spot on the counter and skipped to her father, grabbing his wrists and turning him away from the two who seemed mortified at the thought of spending any more time together.

"What a great idea, father!" Daisy beamed, knowing her father would feed off her energy and forget about the two in protest.

"It would be a great pleasure, Sir." Luigi grinned a fantastic smile, his hand grabbing on to a shoulder, the other hand shaking the elders in acceptance. Sir Toadsworth was wrapped up in the lively two and his excitement grew, very fond of entertaining his guests when they were present at the estate.

"Oh great! It is settled then! I knew it would be a grand idea! I'll get the word out for dinner and festivities tonight! I'll go make the arrangements for your rooms!"

The man's mustache ruffled with excitement from his words and hurriedly rushed out the

kitchens continuing on to himself about the plans and other festivities he had in mind. Peach reached her hand out in one futile attempt to stop her step father, but she dropped it and sighed. Mario sighed silently, closing his eyes as he rested back against the counter. The blonde and the man in red were silently fuming, their frustration figuratively steaming off their skin.

Daisy watched her father exit, only to meet the dark sharp eyes of her sister. The younger female coughed uncomfortably, clearing her throat lightly. She was well aware that she was in trouble, but she couldn't resist the thought of having her new friends come and spend the evening with them. She could get to know them better! Daisy glanced at a quiet Luigi who looked away as if not to get in the middle of their affairs.

"Ah… I have some bandages and ice." Daisy spoke softly, raising an old word satchel in offering. She daintily walked over to Mario who was looking away his bruise not showing any signs of stopping anytime soon. She carried the satchel of ice in another bag, and some bandages for the swelling. Mario felt his anger dissipate, completely forgetting about being mad at the situation for a moment. Mario eyed the bag, then Daisy, then the bag again forgetting all about their adventure to help him out.

"Here let me help you.." Daisy fumbled with the bandages, unsure of how to actually use them. She wasn't the best at fixing up people, and usually ran to her sister for her injuries and cuts. Daisy clumsily handled the bandage and she gasped as it slipped from her grip unrolling to the floor.

Peach tried to collect her thoughts, as her sister had obviously gone to help her new "friend" out. What was she to do with this reckless girl? Peach felt exasperated, even though they hadn't done much all day. She caught notice to the bandage fall on the floor and the older sister winced at her sisters fumbling. She fixed her eyes upon the two, her cheek still turned the other way with displeasure of the situation. After a few embarrassing and awkward moments of Daisy making a fool of herself Peach had seen enough. The young woman in pink sighed and stepped to Daisy's side, snatching up the bandage before she could.

"Stop, stop, just stop." Peach grumbled obviously rolling her eyes as she re-wrapped the stretchy bandage that would cover the ice bag. She took the satchel from Daisy who looked wide eyed at her older sister. Peach looked unamused when she shoved the satchel in Mario's arms who nearly let it slip from his grasp as he had been caught off guard. Quietly, she grabbed the ice and inspected his forehead. Mario was surprised non the least, his eyebrows relaxing as he curiously watched her. She held up the ice bag to his forehead.

"Hold." She demanded, not looking him in the eye. He hesitated, then raised an gruff hand to hold the ice. The cold stung his skin, mixing with the heat of fresh blood underneath his skin. Their fingers brushed and Peach pointedly looked down at herself unwrapping the bandage around his head. She leaned in closer her arms reaching around his head her chest clearly in his face. A small flush came to his face as he looked away clearly not wanting to get caught looking at her plentiful chest. Unaware of the irony of the situation, Peach fixedly kept her wits about her work and continued to wrap the bandage around him in a position that would hold the ice bag in place over his bumped head. When she finished she lowered off her tip toes, and stepped back.

Everyone was in silence. Luigi, clearly entertained, raised and eyebrow to Daisy who was caught off her guard by her sisters compassion. Peach stood there, fixing some of the contents in the satchel.

"Now don't touch it." She ordered calmly, seeming comfortable with giving out demands. Mario's face was hot, and his thoughts raced, wondering why the simple gesture of her helping him had set him off. He was obviously surprised with her act of kindness but it wasn't sarcasm that came out this time.

"Ah… thank.. you." He forced out, with an attempt to touch the bandage but a quick glare from Peach let his hand snap at his side. She cleared her throat, not making a big deal of the situation. It was the least she could do to make her guest feel somewhat comfortable. She turned on her heel walking toward the door trying to dissipate the thought she just had. She stopped in the doorway clearing her throat. Her dark shadowed gaze looked to her left at Daisy who was clearly still in shock at her sisters actions. Daisy snapped up and came to realization that she was staring.

"Oh, ha, yes." She stammered, rushing to meet her sister at the door before stopping on one heel and twisting around to meet Luigi's curious stare.

"I, uh, I should go. I mean, I'll be here. I mean—of course I'll be here. I mean— I'll see you tonight." She fumbled with her words, her nervousness rushing to her cheeks. The way he looked at her sent exciting shivers up her back, making the hairs on her nape prickle. He calmly nodded grinning.

"Until later, princess." He calmly retorted watching her flush a little deeper before nodding and rushing off. She waved at Mario who simply nodded back his cheeks still hot from the earlier events. Peach eye'd Luigi who grinned at her sheepishly, her eyes slit slightly weary of his intentions. Both princesses walked out of the kitchen, the door shutting behind them.

Peach whirled around her flowing blonde locks swirling in the air. She slammed her bedroom door, enclosing Daisy who looked far to content. Daisy was already sitting on the bed, a tentative smile on her lips. She seemed to be daydreaming as usual.

"WHAT did you do?" Peach rushed over to her sister, grabbing her shoulders. Daisy flinched at her sister from the rough grabbing of her shoulders. She stared back into the concerned wide eyes of her sister.

"I, uh.. He had a bruise…" Daisy stammered, unsure why her sister was up in arms about her helping out her friend. Peach closed her eyes and shook her head distracted by her thoughts,

"No, no, not him! What did you do with the taller one?" Peach's voice strained on the verge of being upset. Daisy was not following the tone of the conversation, wondering why having Luigi escort her around was such and issue.

"Look Peachy, I know you're upset at me, but it just couldn't be helped!"

"Helped?! You didn't even counsel with me!"

"I'm a big girl, I don't need to ask for your help with—"

"You're just a girl! You don't need to be doing those sorts of things—"

"It was quick and easy—"

"Thats not how it should be! With a stranger—"

"He's not a stranger anymore! And thats not up to you if I decide to—"

"Was he under your skirts?"

Daisy blinked and they fell silent, Peach's gaze was intense with concern.

"What?"

"Daisy, your skirts… did he touch you under your skirts?" Peach repeated herself as she hoped it wasn't the worst of her thoughts. She was too young to be fooling around with strange men. And her naiveness and curiosity was a dangerous mixture for disaster.

Daisy came to the realization that her sister had come to. She thought that Luigi had tried to take advantage of her. The thought burned in her mind, and she blinked again shaking her head turning frustrated and embarrassed.

"No! What? No, nothing like that. Why would you think such a thing?" Daisy spat angrily, shoving her sisters hands off her shoulders. All they had done was gotten ice and a few bandages! She closed her eyes shakily breathing out as she remembered the scene as it was not too long ago...

They were both briskly walking through the maze of hallways after getting ice and bandages. They were returning back to the kitchens after their successful hunt of necessities. Luigi had his hands in his pockets his walk was casual. He made sure to correct his stride so the short female could keep up comfortably. Silence was thick in the air before Luigi decided to press a little further into her personal life, he took a leap of faith and opened his mouth to speak,

"Princess, your sister mentioned the abundance of courters you have on your trail."

It was more of a statement than a question, but it caught Daisys attention ad she snapped up at him, her eyes swimming for a deeper answer to his curiosity. Hesitantly, she bundled the satchel in her arms a little tighter.

"Yes… yes she did."

Luigi watched her look away, their gaze breaking so he couldn't read her eyes. He looked forward, casually continuing.

"I find it interesting though…"

"Why's that?" She came at her defenses, glancing up at him eyeballing his relaxed composure. He clearly smiled and shrugged sounding amused and uninterested at the same time,

"Oh I don't know, I just have yet to see these men in abundance."

Daisy winced inwardly, knowing it was true that there were no men coming to her estate to take her on walks in the garden or giving her gifts. It was quite obvious now that Peach had been fibbing.

"Well, it's a lie. I do not have any courters… not one… ever."

She trailed on from her original though, and ended her sentence lamely, as if she felt embarrassed for herself. The silence grew again and Daisy felt her cheeks grow hot, her lip trembling. Embarrassed she looked away again. She fully expected Luigi to laugh and tease her about her apparent lack of appeal to men. She did not seem to appeal to the masses, she was far from elegant, regal, and hardly as beautiful and slender like her older kin. Luigi was silent for a moment before slowly entering the waters careful with his choice of words. The brunette heard a heard a soft 'hm' and peaked voice,

"I see. It is hard to believe. But, none the less, a hidden jewel is still a jewel."

He pondered, seeing her head turn to him, her eyes wide as she was dumbfounded. He had flattered her with his words, a deep pink on her cheeks churning to her skin before she snapped her attention away. But, the forwardness of his words kept her silent and she was unsure of what to say. Daisy was a carefree girl, easy to mess around with and joke, yet when things became serious she tended to crumble under pressure. And right now was one of those times she felt her composure falter and start to shatter. So not trusting herself to stay calm she walked in silence with him following suit. After awhile it waqs unusually calming as both of them had grown satisfied with what was happening.

"I just was worried…" A shocked and slightly embarrassed Peach trailed off as she saw her upset sibling storm off into her own room which connected to hers. Peach sighed rubbing a hand down her face, not caring if her makeup smeared. What a long and trying day, and it was only halfway over!

Daisy closed the door to her corridor and stared off into the mirror from across the room which copied her curves perfectly. She slid her hands down her sides and hips, eyeing herself carefully. Was Luigi, this plumber, trying to steal her off her feet like in her dreams, or was he just trying to get a peek under her skirts. She blushed, knowing that she wouldn't have minded either choice.

OOC: Hay-o! bout time I updated! Hope it was what you all expected, I enjoyed the humor and irony in this! I'm a big Luigi/Daisy fan, as you all can see. If anyone has any ideas they wanna see happen in this story I'm open to suggestions! Stay tuned for next chapter! More Mario/Peach coming at ya!