A/N: Hey guys. So I was gonna update yesterday. But Hyrule Warriors came out, sooo yeah XD SSB4 IS COMING OUT FRIDAY ARRGH! Lol nerding aside, here's the new chapter, and the start of Arc 3! Where the drama starts lol. It's not super melodramatic, but it's enough to present the problems with a relationship between Bowser and Fawn. So enjoy :)

Angela, lol the fire fairies are a story my dad used to tell me when I was a kid. I was like 'hm...this'll make Fawn seem retarded. Sounds good XP ps here's the Cult freak out XD

ARC 3: THE ROADS WE TRAVEL

Chapter 26: Friends

Cult

"Here you go," I said, handing Fawn her breakfast. "Enjoy!"

"Thanks..." she murmured, with her ordinary morning fog.

"So, ready to go to Peach's?" I asked, sitting down to eat as well.

"Yeah..." she said distantly. I smiled at her morning attitude.

I looked over her ordinary attire. She insisted on wearing her ordinary clothes, refusing to take the clothes she apparently got at Bowser's. She said it made her feel bad, like she was stealing from them if she took the clothes home, and that the money she received was good enough. Which it really was, she gets paid a ridiculous sum.

I thought about the life at Bowser's castle she'd told me about. She's gone over there to work four times in total now, usually on weekends, although it's been a while since her last job. I still didn't like him...but I felt like I could trust him. He hadn't done anything yet, and Fawn seems to like her, so he couldn't be all bad. Although I had no idea why she did.

"Let me ask you something...do you completely trust Bowser?" I asked. It was random, but I felt the need to know.

"Um...yeah..." her slow reply came. "I like him..."

"Why?" I was genuinely curious.

"Well..." This was going to take a lot of thought process for her for this time of day. "When I see him...and with him...I feel special."

I found her wording weird. "Special?"

"Yeah...it's weird, I just get warm..."

I continued to be confused by her strange description, when I suddenly realized what she might've described. My eyes widened at the possibility. "Um...what?"

She seemed to grow a little annoyed that she had to try and think so early in the morning. "Yes, I feel warm and special when I'm with him. And he looks...different than other people."

I frowned, really not liking the sounds of that. "Different how? Like he's a Dragon Koopa, right?"

She shook her head after some thought. "Uh…no. Just different…"

At first I was confused by what 'different' meant, but I realized she probably didn't know what it was like to find a guy handsome. Oh Stars no, I said I could tolerate him! This can't be a thing! It can't he's...that's...no! I'll kill him! I'll freaking kill him! I began to shake, with my vision going bloodshot at the very idea of the little bastard even touching my daughter. I'm sure that a normal person would've noticed my trembling rage, and my reddening face, but Fawn was completely ignorant to it, stuck in her head.

I finally found the sanity to speak. "Fawn..."

"Oh," she said, not realizing she'd interrupted me. "I'm done."

I groaned at her lack of attentiveness. We'd been finished for a few minutes. "Yes, but..."

"Oh dear. I think Peach will be here soon. I must leave now." She stood up. She quickly checked her dress to make sure her parcel was still on her, which it was. She said she had something to show Peach…

"But..." I said, practically shaking.

"Bye dad," she said, kissing me before rushing to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

"...Bye," I finally relented, allowing her to leave.

I sat here, thinking on the idea...that my daughter...could like that man. Like that man. I'd never forgive him...no one gets to even look at my girl like that! Especially not an asshole like him! I'd kill him! I'd freaking KILL him!

I forced myself to calm down, as I was seething. It's okay...Fawn's smarter than that. She's too innocent...just no. It won't happen...it's okay.

I decided that this was a conversation to be had with Fawn later, when she came back from Peach's tomorrow, best saved for when we could really talk about it, and she was in the mindset to think about it. I needed to be careful and learn the truth from her. After all, I need to be careful that I kill a man for a good enough reason.

Okay Bowser, you can ruin a princesses life, and terrorize nations as much you like. But mess with my daughter, and your head AND your balls are coming off.

Bowser

I sat in my office, doing my paperwork. Or at least, I was trying to. But no, a certain individual was on my mind. Or rather, two individuals.

I haven't seen Peach in so long...I miss her. I miss her golden her hair...those bright blue eyes...her beautiful face...her rack... I chuckled. And also her...

Fawn.

I blinked, catching that thought. Fawn...why am I thinking about her? I see her a decent amount...although it has been a while. But I haven't kidnapped Peach in a long time! I miss her...

But who do I miss more?

I sighed. I miss Peach more...I love her. Fawn's just my friend...right. Yeah...my pretty, cool, friend. Wait...did I just...oh for Stars sake. I can't feel like that for her...she'd never feel the same. Would she?

I sighed again. This is so weird...I can't love Fawn! I mean...Peach has always been the one I loved! It's always been like that...it's always been. I need to sort this out...I need to see Peach again.

Fawn

I sat in Peach's room, curled up on her bed beside her, watching a movie. This had become a common occurrence, as Peach now invited me over to hang out occasionally. It was always very fun, she was a great friend!

"Why are his teeth so far apart?" I asked Peach curiously about the male lead of the movie.

"Oh, well..." She paused and squinted her eyes. "Oh Stars, he does have a tooth gap...that's hilarious! I used to find him so cute; you've ruined him for me!" She began to laugh, and I laughed along with her. I had figured out she did indeed have a sense of humor.

Once we stopped laughing, I noticed something she said just now, that she'd also said maybe once or twice before about other people. "Hey Peach?"

"Yes?"

"Did you find that man attractive?"

She blinked, blushing slightly. "Well...it sounds weird when you put it like that. But yes, he was cute."

"But what about Mario?" It was my knowledge that you weren't allowed to say anything like that when you had a boyfriend.

"Oh...well," she said, looking nervous. "Don't make me seem unfaithful! I'd never betray Mario; I don't know anything about that man. It's okay to think other guys are cute though..."

I nodded in understanding. "Oh...okay. So does that mean you find Mario really cute?" I asked logically.

For a second, just a second, she seemed to hesitate. But she quickly covered it with a small smile. "Yes. I love Mario very much."

I nodded, skipping over it. "I wonder what it's like to find someone cute...or to love..." I pondered.

"Well," Peach answered, actually humoring my aloud thought. "If you find a guy cute...I don't know how to describe it, you just like the way they look. And when you actually like someone..." She sighed dreamily. "It's an impossible feeling to describe. You just want to do everything for them...and you get all warm inside..."

I nodded distantly. "I think I felt warm with Bowser..."

She suddenly grew serious, looking at me strangely. "Um...what?"

I turned to her, staring blankly at her. "I wouldn't know how it feels like...but I felt some sort of internal warmth when he holds me...is that right?"

Her look progress to something even more confused. "He holds you? What?"

"Well...you know I've gone over a few times, so we've hugged a few times...sometimes it lasts..."

Peach continued to gawk at me before shaking her head. "Okay, wait...so you're saying you've been hugging Bowser, to where he's practically holding you, and you get that warm feeling inside?"

Even in my airy state, I could tell I should backtrack. I could vaguely recall Cult reacting poorly as well, so maybe this wasn't smart to talk about. "Well...maybe it was just external warmth...he is very warm."

Peach nodded slowly. "Okay...good. Fawn...how can you like that man? Even as a friend."

I smiled faintly and collapsed back on the bed. I felt the gift in my dress, but I was to tired to ask Peach to check if it was any good now. "Well...he's funny, and he can be nice, and his family's nice, and..."

Peach interrupted me, sighing. "I understand liking his family, I suppose…and I guess I can't dissuade you from being friends with him. But I still don't see any of that..."

I was incredibly tired now, rolling over to lay my head on her lap and feel her warmth, falling asleep. I was to tired to care about things like boundaries, and she was my friend anyway.

"Come on...he's nice...he really likes you, be nice..."

"Huh?" I heard her say.

"Yeah...he likes you...be nicer..." I finally drifted off.

Peach

Fawn had fallen asleep on my lap. I didn't mind; the friendly contact was nice, and Fawn looked adorable in her sleep. I chuckled at her as I continued to watch TV shows late in to the night, thinking about what I talked to her about.

There was something...weird about Fawn asking me about how things with Mario. Everyone thought that Mario and I made a perfect couple; a hero and princess, it really is perfect. Plus, it would make me seem cold and ungrateful if I hadn't developed any feeling for him. Plus I did feel bad...how could I not treat him well after protecting me so? He helps me when I can't help myself...so I made sure to always tell people that we were very much in love. But it felt weird when Fawn asked. She had no bias like the others; she was just my genuinely curious friend. It made me think about my relationship...

Just as I thought on this, Mario called. Slight excitement rushed through me as I picked up the phone. He never called!

"Hey Mario!" I greeted sweetly.

"Hey-a Peach," he said nonchalantly.

"Um...what's up?" Phone calls with Mario were always awkward.

"Well-a...I'm-a sorry, but I-a have to cancel on out date on Saturday," he said bluntly, with only a little sympathy.

"Oh..." I said dejectedly, but not to surprised. "Why?"

"A king-a recently had-a his fortune stolen, and he asked me to go find it! I-a couldn't say no!"

"Oh...I guess I understand..." I did understand; it was so like him.

"But-a don't worry, I've-a got my plans free for the party next-a week still!" he said cheerfully.

I would assume. Despite expecting this, and not liking it, I made sure to sound happy. "Of course...I'm very glad. I can't wait to see you!"

"Okay, thanks-a for understanding. Bye."

"Bye!"

I sighed as the line went dead. Mario did this a lot...he had some sort of thrill with adventure, and he was too nice. He was always finding new quests and journeys to take on, always craving the feeling that he got when he finally completed one, and he saw the happy faces of the people he's helped, and the recognition he gets. With all he does, and all the adventure he seeks, he pays no attention to me. Sometimes I think he's only with me because it was expected of him too...

I shook my head. I can't think like that! I owe him so much...he could not love me, and it wouldn't matter! I owe him...I have my debt to pay. He's done so much...considering I can't save myself from Bowser.

I thought about him. He was...not a monster. He always kidnapped me, and it made me feel terrible...and he arguably looked like one too...but I knew he wasn't a monster. I remembered how kind he was when we were kids...when we were friends. Then he started kidnapping me. I wonder what happened? I guess he doesn't like me anymore…but then again, Fawn just said he did. What does that-

Suddenly, I heard a whirring noise outside my balcony. When I turned to look, I only saw a blob in the night, before a yellow blur dashed in to my room. "Hey," greeted Bowser.

My eyes widened and my fear grew. "No...Bowser..."

He didn't respond right away. He was staring at me, and now I realized he was staring at Fawn on my lap too. I suppose he was confused by her presence.

While he was still, I took the opportunity to begin screaming. He snapped out of it and rushed forth to grab me. Fawn fell off my lap, and he seemed to stare at her for a second, before picking her up too.

As he ran toward the Clown Copter, my screaming became more desperate. "No! Don't involve Fawn, she's innocent in this! Don't you need to ask her first!?"

"She'll be okay with it," he muttered.

I sighed sadly, giving up on screaming, feeling worthless. I'm sorry Fawn...I've gotten you in so much trouble again...

He finally let us both down in the Copter. I frowned, not in the mood for screaming. So I just looked around as we took off, trying to occupy my mind.

I saw the escaping landscape, the starry night, the rolling green prairies and meadows that smelled of sweet flowers, which began to morph in to forests that smelled of pine. I looked around the evil Clown Copter, and Bowser, sitting at his controls. But he didn't seem to be paying attention...he was looking down at the floor. He almost looked embarrassed, I might add. He was looking at Fawn, who had stayed asleep throughout all this. Snuggling up against Bowser's leg, no less.

I frowned at him. This was too much, taking advantage of her when she was to tired and sweet to do anything about it. She wouldn't do that ordinarily...would she? And does Bowser like her?

He noticed I was staring and got weird. "Uh...she's just tired. She doesn't mean it...she's doing it to me, I just don't care. I mean...I don't like it."

Not seeing me let up from my hard stare, he slowly moved his leg, causing Fawn's head to fall. Her head hit the floor somewhat loudly, and she grimaced slightly.

I frowned angrily, upset with him for hurting her so carelessly. "Of course..." I muttered at his insensitivity.

His face grew steely, and I moved toward Fawn, who looked much less content then she did on Bowser's leg, almost waking up. I laid her head on my lap, which pacified her.

I noticed he was staring, but he quickly looked away. I sighed. Weird...he always is. This'll be a nightmare...

Well Peach is getting involved. That's already causing some problems, isn't it? XD btw, I added BowserxPeach in the summary because when writing this chapter I was like, 'It's there, sorta, so why not?' So yeah, hope you enjoyed. We'll see how everyone does over there later