A/N: I'm alive! Sorry, I've started my first semester of college and haven't had much time to write outside of massive essays for class. I will try my best to keep updating! I promise I'll finish this story...Just give me time haha! Thank you so much! Leave a review if you enjoyed :D

"Guessing that went well," Daisy muttered with a flat smile.

"Shut it," Peach grumbled with a glare as she stepped into the hall. Her posture was awful and her face was exhausted. Clearly, she had been drained.

She hadn't realized how draining it was being around Bowser until she had left his presence. While their encounter was...not completely terrible, his negative mood seemed to seep away any energy she had held onto. His silent, bitter thoughts were just too much for her to handle!

How did Daisy manage to keep her spirits so high? Bowser's aura seemed to eat any positivity away from any able-bodied humans around him. Trying to approach him was like walking shoulder-deep through a pit of toxic tar.

Peach stretched as she took in a deep breath of the dusty air.

Their talk wasn't completely awful, as he had appreciated what she had done for him, at the very least.

Peach silently slapped her face in annoyance. Was she that desperate for his approval of her? To act as if common decency was something worth noting? He had kidnapped her and yet here she was trying to silence her relief that he had thanked her?

Well, it was something, wasn't it? Especially coming from the beast that kept her captive. And, considering this little game she was now playing, a little thankfulness was a small enough window for her to start prying her way into his soft side.

Or, the side Daisy claimed he had.

When she had left...she had felt something she had never felt from him before:

Warmth.

Though it was silent and well-hidden, it spewed from his eyes when he had thanked her. With a blink, it was gone and replaced with his usual dry glare, but, unknown to him, he had shown her that he was not lost, just hidden behind this bitter exterior.

And, for whatever reason, aimed it at her. Was it a cry for help, or a mistake? Had he slipped up? For a creature that hated her, he seemed to have some warmth for her.

Daisy snorted as Peach zoned out of their conversation.

"Yeah, yeah, fine. I was cranky too my first time trying to crack him." Daisy shrugged. "You learn to roll with the punches. Maybe take a few. Hundred."

Peach giggled.

"Anyways, I have a little surprise for you," Daisy whispered with a small grin, "Follow me."

Daisy took a few steps ahead of Peach, raising the small lantern next to her face. The faint light lit up her features, making Peach worrisome of what trouble her friend was about to stir up.

Daisy gazed over her shoulder, reading peach's curious frown. Peach shivered as Daisy's mischievous smile grew.

"Don't tell Bowser."

Bowser hung his head over his desk as he furrowed his brow. He slammed his eyes shut as he tried to numb his senses, though his sense of smell was unflinching.

The room smelled of her.

It was sickening and made his stomach turn in discomfort as the familiarity of her was beyond devastating. She was true to her name and smelled of the fruit. Hell, she smelt better.

He was intoxicated with every inch of her, whether he liked it or not.

He could feel his senses falling victim to her curse, and it took every fiber of his being to fight the urge to abandon their past when she was around him. It was so tempting to forget what she had done, but at what cost?

Was a few moments of bliss worth what he had lost? Didn't she deserve to pay?

Bowser growled, the sweet scent suddenly turning sour.

Why had he thanked her, anyways? Bowser couldn't find an answer. She had done the bare minimum for him! He had saved her life. All she did was clean up some minor wounds!

He owed her anything but a thank you, especially after everything she had caused. Regret churned in his gut as he played their conversation over and over in his head. He should have scared her off, not appreciated her.

Anger and annoyance quickly followed, realizing this was Daisy's work. How else would the wench had found his study? Why was the girl enabling his prisoner? He growled, hoping his kids were keeping a close eye on the two.

While he trusted Daisy to keep Peach locked away, he knew she would find a way to make this situation even more troublesome.

He groaned, knowing he would have to start locking his doors to keep prying eyes away. Anything for some peace of mind.

A sudden wave of exhaustion ran through Bowser's body. He had forgotten how long he had been running without sleep, and his injuries were draining him even further. He hated the feeling of fatigue, but it was a common one for the beast, as he often ran days without rest.

He felt weak.

With a long exhale of air, Bowser fell victim to his exhaustion as he leaned into his arms and, for once, allowed himself to relax to the scent of his past.

In the comfort of sleep, he couldn't pretend to hate it.

Daisy's lantern only lit up a few inches in front of the two humans, and while Daisy knew her way around, Peach was stuck clinging close behind her guide. The corridor was large and, once again, she could feel that cold breeze against her skin.

It was as creepy as ever.

Unaware of where the two were going, she had no doubt it was somewhere she was not supposed to be.

"I feel like you're getting me in trouble," Peach whispered through clenched teeth. She crossed her arms in front of her, anxious about where her friend was leading her.

Knowing who would be angry if she were to go beyond any boundaries, Peach gulped. While Peach hoped Daisy could be leading her away, she knew that was impossible, seeing how loyal the two were.

Plus, she knew King Koopa would find her. Something told her he wouldn't be as kind this time.

Daisy shrugged.

"Maybe a little bit. But stop worrying! We're here!" She whispered with a smile. She turned to her right and lifted her lantern, revealing a large wooden door that looked like any other: old, worn, and covered in scatches.

Peach stepped next to her company as Daisy pulled the large metal handle towards the two. The door creaked open with a puff of dust, revealing a large room hidden in the dark.

"Sorry, not the most grand of reveals. Close your eyes," she ordered. Peach rolled her eyes as she complied, but found it unnecessary considering the room was completely pitch black.

Daisy waved her hand in front of Peach's eyes, satisfied when she didn't earn a reaction.

Peach heard her friend scuttle around the room, occasionally bumping into things. It continued for a few moments before she felt a tap on her shoulder, and she opened her eyes.

It was a large room with rough stone walls and wooden floors. Furniture adorned the room, scattered in every corner. There was a small, humble vanity, a large closet, and a table with a few chairs, all made out of dark wood.

There were large lanterns on each wall, barely lighting up the large room in a warm hue of light. Spider webs covered every crevice and corner.

A small twin-sized bed sat in the far-middle against the wall, impressive lace canopies drooping off the sides of the bed's top. A dark maroon blanket was covered in a layer of dirt and dust from lack of use, but that didn't stop Daisy from jumping on the bed, landing on her back as a puff of dust flew in the air around her.

"It's been years since I've been here! Just as dirty as I remember it!" She laughed.

Peach snickered as she entered the room. The wooden floor creaked beneath her as she walked towards the center of the large opening.

"Is this yours?" She asked at Daisy's familiarity, already knowing the answer. While filthy, it was impressive, especially for being hidden away.

Daisy sighed in reminiscence.

"Used to be. Bowser put it together for me ages ago. I figured you'd get more use out of it than I would."

Peach eyed her friend curiously. She had lived down here? With King Koopa's permission? Seeing how elegant this room was, surely the beast had been okay with it, and maybe even encouraged it.

Peach shook her head in disbelief. While beyond appreciative, she just couldn't take the offer. Daisy and King Koopa got along well from what she could see, but Peach was an entirely different case.

They hated each other.

"Don't you think...King Koopa would be upset with us?"

Daisy sat up with a laugh.

"Oh, please! He's probably been waiting for me to put you somewhere more decent. I know it's hard to believe but Bowser isn't the kind of guy to kidnap a girl and put her in a closet forever."

Peach shuddered, remembering the closet she was temporarily locked in. Suddenly, the dirty room was a paradise.

"Just...don't tell him," she continued. "He'll assume you're somewhere better, considering you aren't in that closet, you know? He just won't want to hear about it. He probably wanted this!"

Peach gulped.

"And if he didn't?"

Daisy paused.

"Well, we don't have to think about that!"

Peach gave an awkward laugh.

"This whole thing is so...bizarre, isn't it?" She muttered. "I hope our plan works...I hate this place...I hate him!"

Daisy's tone shifted as she stood up. She sighed, shaking her head.

"Suite yourself. I know you're sorta here without any choice...but, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with him. I know I was."