A/N: Hey, guys! In the previous chapter, Mario and Luigi competed in Coin Runners at the Funky Stadium, and the competition ended in a draw. Now let's start with Chapter 4. This chapter is a request from Xeno: Mario having a nightmare and asking Luigi to sleep with him. The events of this chapter are set two weeks after Luigi's Mansion 3. Let's begin!

Chapter 4: Nightmares of Ghastly Paintings

It was a cloudy but not rainy Thursday night in the Mushroom Kingdom. It's been two weeks since Luigi defeated his nemesis, King Boo, for the third time, saving Mario, Peach, Toad, Blue Toad and Yellow Toad in the Last Resort. After King Boo's defeat, the hotel had collapsed, but everyone worked together to rebuild it, and Professor E. Gadd had decided to stay there for a while to continue his studies on ghosts, converting it into another one of his research laboratories.

Luigi was sleeping soundly, though he was a little uncomfortable. With everything he had been through against King Boo, he knew the paranormal existed. he was still afraid of ghosts, but thanks to Polterpup, it wasn't as bad as before, and in case King Boo came back again, he was ready to take up his Poltergust.

Even though he tried to hide it, Mario was shaking under the covers. Sometimes he wondered how his brother was so willing to risk his life for people that took him for granted more often than not. They cared a lot about him, but he was not always recognized as a hero, which is why the older brother wondered if Luigi would benefit from his absence or not. But the worst was that huge ghost. He used magic, could create illusions, and had become more and more crazy and sociopathic with each defeat. Not even Bowser made him feel... how could he describe it? He hated feeling like this.

When he opened his eyes, Mario found himself in a place he didn't know. Luigi had told him about a dimension accessible via the Paranormal Portals, and he had dealt with them when King Boo destroyed the Dark Moon in six pieces. It was the second time King Boo captured the red-clad plumber, and when he destroyed the Dark Moon, the ghosts in Evershade Valley became aggressive and hostile. The Paranormal Portals led into a dimension where ghosts, King Boo included, lived.

As he tried to understand his surroundings, he saw a light and followed it with his eyes. Before long, he saw someone. A tall, lanky man, dressed in green and with a small portable vacuum cleaner on his shoulders. He recognized it immediately. It was Luigi. ''Luigi!'' he shouted happily.

''Mario!'' shouted Luigi, equally happy.

The two brothers ran towards each other, but before they could hug each other, a magical barrier blocked Mario in place.

''What?!'' exclaimed Mario. He tried to destroy the barrier with his hammer, but nothing happened.

An evil laugh was heard, and Luigi looked around, with his flashlight on. ''Who's there?! Show yourself!'' he said.

(''Ganondorf Appears- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time OST'')

When Luigi turned, he let out a scream. King Boo had appeared a few inches from his face, and he fell to the ground in fright.''

''Well well well, look who is there, the big baby and his brother.'' said King Boo.

''Step aside, King Boo!'' Luigi yelled.

''Not even by idea. I love the suffering of my victims, especially yours.'' replied King Boo, sneering.

''Shut up and leave my brother alone, gas-ball!'' snapped Mario. ''You constantly torture me and the people I love! First Luigi, then the Toads, and even the girl I love!''

King Boo seemed amused. ''You have a crush on the princess, huh? What could she possibly see of so special in you, I wonder? Without her, or your brother, how long will it take for you to crack?'' he asked.

Luigi flinched in horror. That ghost was completely insane! Everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom, including himself, thought his brother and Peach were a nice couple, and King Boo's words horrified him even more because Peach was a close friend of his.

''Don't you dare! If you touch one hair on her head, I'll make you pay, you gasbag!'' yelled Mario, furious.

King Boo hit Mario with purple lightning. ''Shut your smelly mouth, pasta sucker!'' he oared.

Luigi could no longer bear it. Forgetting that he was scared, he pointed the flashlight in the face of his nemesis, and he was really angry. ''Don't think it will end the way you think, King Boo! I won't hesitate to suck you back into the Poltergust 5000!'' he yelled at King Boo.

(''Ganondorf Appears- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time OST-s'')

''Have it your way. It will be more fun when your beloved brother will see you die!''

(''King Boo's Boogaloo (Phase 2)- Luigi's Mansion 3 OST'')

With these words, King Boo began his assault. Luigi knew how to fight against him, but the Poltergust hindered his mobility: it wasn't very heavy, but he couldn't jump and run as fast as usual when he carried it.(1)

King Boo's assault was varied, with tongue lashes, barbed balls and dark magic, including fireballs, lightning or clones. Although the plumber in green had the experience to deal with his attacks, they had a lot of power, and it seemed that the dimention where the Boos lived had strengthened his attacks, or so it seemed to him. He grabbed his tongue and sucked him in, then shot him away at a bomb, but five barbed balls fell on his head without him being able to react.

''Your death will be slow and painful. You will die in absolute agony and trapped here, in this dimension, and no one can save you. So much for your vacuum cleaner!'' said King Boo, and imitated the sound of the Poltergust to taunt his enemy.

Although intimidated, Luigi tried to stay focused, but then King Boo made a trap. Instead of creating his own clones, he created clones of Mario that attacked him. Although he could see Mario trapped in the barrier, this caused him to lose his focus, as he feared that if he accidentally hit one of the clones, he would injure the real Mario, and he didn't want to risk it.

The more time passed, the more Mario became worried and pushed himself in an attempt to destroy the barrier, but it was all in vain.

Meanwhile, Luigi began to be overwhelmed.

He was grabbed by King Boo's long tongue and slammed violently to the ground as if he were a toy.

A fireball exploded and hit him in the back.

He tried to jump away to escape a bomb, but King Boo grabbed him and threw him away with a tongue lash. King Boo laughed like a psychopath at each blow.

''Luigi! Luigi, are you okay?!'' cried Mario.

Luigi got up in pain. He had some bruises, including a black eye, and minor burns on his face. ''It's not over until it's over!'' he declared.

''UGH! I'm sick to the double death of you!'' King Boo roared. ''DIE!''

Mario tried to destroy the barrier again, but he only ended up injuring his shoulder. ''Helpless again... I hate this...'' he murmured. No wonder he feared King Boo. He always made him look weak, and was always captured and imprisoned in paintings every time. Since he could not free himself, he could only stand by while his brother tried to defend himself, struggling more and more.

Luigi tried to keep his distance as best he could, but King Boo's clones didn't give him a moment to stop and think. He tried to jump away, but the real King Boo hit him with his tongue with great force. The impact of the fall was so strong that the Poltergust 5000 fell off of him. ''No! The Poltergust!'' he exclaimed. He could barely stand up, but then King Boo fired lightning from his crown and struck him.

''Luigi! Luigi, get up!'' Mario cried out.

Luigi no longer had the strength to stand up. He crawled as much as he could towards the portable vacuum cleaner, but a ball of dark energy hit him, destroying him completely.

''AHAHAHAHAHA!'' King Boo guffawed.

''Oh, no!'' exclaimed Luigi, full of fear. The Poltergust 5000 had been destroyed, and that was his only weapon against ghosts.

Mario saw King Boo preparing another attack, dropping bombs. ''Luigi, watch out!'' he shouted.

Luigi heard his brother's warning and jumped away, avoiding the bombs, but the explosions hit him anyway. Filled with bruises and burns, he was too weak to move, and was lifted off the ground by a mysterious force. This caused him to panic. He fired a ball of green fire, but his nemesis was not even scratched.

Now Mario was panicking. ''No, no, no, no, no...'' he murmured.

''Look at you, barely standing, weak. Did you really think you could stop me? You have no escape, your little toy is gone.'' said King Boo. Luigi tried to squirm as best he could, but it was completely useless. He was trapped. ''Just as I thought. After all, you're just a coward. You're not the hero everyone wanted... and neither is your brother. You will suffer the same fate as Mario! Now let's finish this!''

A dark lightning bolt hit Luigi, causing him to shriek in pain. He could feel his skin burning, his blood vessels begging for mercy.

''NO!'' screamed Mario. He punched the barrier over and over again, but it was futile.

(''You Idiot- Undertale OST'')

Soon after, a frame created by King Boo surrounded Luigi and trapped him. In a panic, he tried to jump away, but simply ended up banging his head. He slammed his fists on the painting in which he was locked up, but nothing happened.

''Luigi!'' shouted Mario.

''It's no use, Luigi. You can't get out of the painting. Now you know how your brother felt when he was helpless against me.'' said King Boo. At that moment, the barrier that surrounded Mario disappeared.

''Mario! Mario, help me! Get me out of here!'' Luigi cried out.

King Boo was charging a dark beam against the painting, and Luigi began to scream louder and louder. Mario was really scared. ''King Boo, don't kill him! Don't do it, please! He's my brother!'' he pleaded.

''Too late! I've been waiting for this moment for far too long, and now I'm going to enjoy it!'' said King Boo, excited, and fired the beam. The painting was hit and began to crack, causing explosions. Luigi was clearly suffering despite being trapped inside.

(''You Idiot- Undertale OST-s'')

''LUIGI!'' Mario screamed. He didn't want to look anymore. He covered his eyes with his hat, but he heard Luigi's screams and could tell what was happening even without looking.

''MARIO! HELP ME, MARIO! MARIOOOOO!'' screamed Luigi, louder than ever.

(''Requiem- Final Fantasy V OST'')

As soon as Luigi stopped screaming, his older brother heard sounds of broken glass and an explosion, and blood froze in his veins. He lifted his hat to see in front of him and immediately regretted it. The painting in which Luigi was trapped was destroyed in a thousand pieces that fell everywhere. One in particular showing Luigi's face fell in front of him. He saw nothing but his face, eternally stuck in a scream and an expression of pure fear, the rest being all the other fragments of the painting.

Mario fell to his knees, clutching the piece with tears in his eyes. There was nothing left of his beloved little brother, not even a hair. His classic green hat was destroyed, along with his body. ''No... oh, Luigi... Why you? Why you and not me? No, no, no, no, no... No. No!'' he sobbed. He heard King Boo laughing like a madman, enjoying his suffering. He wanted to scream.

''NOOOOOOOO!''

Mario awoke with a start. He was back home, in his bed. Although he and Luigi shared their bedroom, several items, including some furniture, were personal, and each had their own bed. In a panic, he frantically looked around for Luigi and saw him lying on his side, facing him. His chest moved, to his relief. A groan caught his attention.

''Mario...? What...?'' Luigi mumbled, a little disoriented for being woken up in the middle of the night. He lightly turned on the lamp on the small dresser between the two beds and checked the alarm clock. It was 1:20. ''Mario, it's past 1 AM. Why are you awake? Is something wrong?'' he asked his brother.

Mario said nothing. He was still breathing heavily from the nightmare he had before.

''You had a bad dream, didn't you?'' asked Luigi, raising his legs to get on top of the bed.

''Yes.'' said Mario quietly, kneeling next to Luigi.

''Was it Bowser? Did he attack again?'' asked Luigi.

''No. Worse.'' Mario replied.

''What happened?''

Mario sighed. ''I had a nightmare about King Boo.'' he said.

Luigi was shocked. Sometimes, they both had recurring nightmares about King Boo, and he knew it because he was still afraid of ghosts, though not as much as in the past. ''Mamma mia!'' he exclaimed. ''Is it serious? Tell me everything.''

(''Sorrow- Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire OST'')

Mario sighed again. ''I was in a dimension I didn't know. I saw you, Poltergust in hand, and you saw me too. I wanted to hug you, but I was blocked by a barrier. And then King Boo showed up and you started fighting him.'' he explained.

''I can't leave you in the lurch, Mario. You know that.'' Luigi told him.

The older brother began to feel nervous as he explained, as he was getting to the worst parts. He hadn't even paid attention to what Luigi had said. ''I couldn't destroy the barrier, I could only watch. You tried to deal with him, but then he created clones of me to trap you. It worked, and then he overwhelmed you... He hit you with his tongue, bombs, fireballs and lightning strikes. He laughed like a madman with every hit, and you were too weak to stand. What's worse... he even destroyed your Poltergust.'' he went on, more and more hesitantly.

The man in green reacted with shock. He would rather have Bowser burn him to death than lose his only protection against ghosts. ''Oh, no... I'd rather die than lose the Poltergust.'' he admitted. When he said this sentence, Mario looked at him sadly, and he didn't like what he heard, as he seemed to be shaking. ''Mario, what's the matter? You look as if you saw something terrible.'' he asked him.

''Here's the worst part... I don't know if I should tell you.'' said Mario.

''Tell me, bro.'' Luigi encouraged him.

''King Boo... he started torturing you with his black magic. Then he created a frame and imprisoned you in a painting. He has done it three times with me, I know that feeling all too well.''

Mario was very hesitant to finish the story. His hands were shaking, and he couldn't look his brother in the face. When Luigi put his hand on his shoulder to encourage him, he raised his head and kept explaining. ''When he did that, he made the barrier disappear. But there was nothing I could do to save you, and King Boo started bombing the painting, ignoring my pleas. I could hear you screaming, and then... and then...'' he explained, but couldn't finish because his voice had broken.

Luigi noticed tears appearing in his brother's eyes. ''And then?'' he asked.

(''Sorrow- Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire OST-s'')

(''Sad Girl- Super Mario Galaxy OST'')

''He destroyed the painting! With you inside!'' concluded Mario, breaking into sobs. ''There was nothing left of you! Your hat, your clothes, not even a hair!'' After he finished telling what had happened, he covered his face with his hands, crying loudly.

Luigi immediately lost his breath from shock. ''What?!'' he exclaimed.

''Yes! That psycho killed you in front of me! Oh, Lu(2), you don't know how horrible it was!'' Mario cried.

''Come here.'' said Luigi, spreading his arms, and Mario immediately leaned forward, hugging him. ''It's okay, Mario. I'm here, and I'm okay. I won't be kidnapped by Boos in the middle of the night.''

''Luigi, you have no idea how much King Boo haunts me. No one else has this effect on me.'' said Mario.

''Really? You're really afraid of King Boo?'' asked Luigi.

''Yes. I'm terrified of King Boo. I have nightmares about him because he always makes me feel weak. He is a psycho. Every time, those nights when he captured me and imprisoned me in paintings, I could absolutely do nothing against him. I couldn't defend myself, I couldn't defeat him, I couldn't get out of those damn paintings, and I could only wait for you to come and save me, he always made me feel helpless, and I hate him. I hate this, I hate being so weak..." the man in red replied, pulling away from the hug.

"You're not weak, Mario. In fact, you have saved the Mushroom Kingdom so many times that you are like a legend here.'' Luigi told him.

''Luigi, I've defeated Bowser hundreds of times. Yet I can't defeat an overgrown ghost.'' Mario seemed full of shame. ''Luigi... How can you save me from ghosts after what I did to you?'' he asked, turning his back on his brother and closing his eyes.

''Mario, I have no idea of what you're talking about.'' commented Luigi, confused.

''When King Boo attacks, I can never defeat him, and what's worse, I always put you in danger. Every time you risk your life for me, and you are forced to deal with a lot of trauma because of me. What's worse, two weeks ago, I dragged Peach and the Toads into this as well. Why do you put yourself in danger like this if we don't even return the favor?'' asked Mario. Soon after, he felt a slight grip on his body. Luigi had put his hands on his shoulders, gently turning him towards him so that he could look him in the face.

''Don't say that, Mario. First off, I chose to come and rescue you. Entering that haunted mansion after your disappearance was my choice. You are my brother, and I could never abandon you. Second, it's not your fault that I suffer from phasmophobia. Third, what happened is not your fault. None of us expected the invitation to that hotel to be a trap. When I saw those people, I noticed something strange, but I didn't pay much attention to it because I wanted us to enjoy the vacation. It was partly my fault. I should have expected it, but only I realized that something was not wrong during the night, when Peach's screams woke me up.'' said Luigi.

(''Sad Girl- Super Mario Galaxy OST-s'')

(''Family- Super Mario Galaxy OST'')

Mario was silent for almost a minute. Luigi had always been so nice to him, even though he was stuck in his shadow. He was often so busy that he couldn't keep his promises to spend the day with him, so why did he even bother putting himself in mortal danger to save him? ''Luigi... Why do you face all these traumas that will scar you for life? Why do you always risk your life for me?'' he asked.

''Because I'm your brother, Mario. Brothers help each other. If something happened to you because I did nothing to prevent it, I would never forgive myself. I don't regret facing King Boo. I did that once, I did that twice, I did that three times and I would do it again.'' Luigi declared.

The man in red did not expect this statement. He didn't think he deserved such a caring brother. ''What did I do to deserve you?'' he asked.

Luigi noticed that Mario's eyes were covered with tears and he was sobbing again. He gently grabbed his cheeks and pressed his forehead against his brother's. ''Everything will be okay, Mario. I'm here.'' he told him.

''Luigi... I'm tired of feeling helpless when King Boo attacks me... I never want to go through this again, and if he traumatizes you again, I won't stand it.'' murmured Mario, hugging his brother and crying on his chest.

''I'll be fine, Mario. Don't cry. If King Boo returns, I will fight again. I promise.'' Luigi comforted him, hugging him tightly and letting him cry on his chest. He rubbed his back and gently ran his fingers between the strands of his chocolate brown hair. He didn't care that his tears were getting his pajamas all wet, he wanted Mario to be better.

''Thank you, Luigi. Thank you for not giving up on me.'' said Mario, moved, giving Luigi a kiss on the cheek. He was so glad to have such a selfless and caring brother.

''Of course, big bro. You never stop believing in me, and I always return the favor.'' replied Luigi, and Mario stopped crying.

''I feel better now. Grazie.''

''You're welcome.''

(''Family- Super Mario Galaxy OST-s'')

(''Piranha Plant Lullaby- Super Mario 64 OST'')

''Hey, Luigi? I would like to ask you something.'' said Mario.

''Yeah? What is it?'' asked Luigi.

"Do you mind if I sleep with you in your bed?" asked Mario.

''Alright.'' Luigi replied, allowing him to get under the covers.

The beds were just big enough for two adults, and Mario knew it had already happened: he often allowed Luigi to sleep in his bed when he had a nightmare.

''I'll make you breakfast tomorrow morning, so you will wake up in a good mood. I'll bring you coffee too.'' said Luigi.

''Awww, thank you, Lu. You're amazing. I love you, my dear little bro.'' said Mario, affectionately ruffling Luigi's hair.

''I love you too, my dear big bro.'' Luigi chuckled.

Mario emitted a loud yawn. ''Well, night-night, Luigi.'' he murmured, giving Luigi a goodnight kiss on the cheek and resting his head on his legs.

''Night-night, Mario.'' said Luigi.

Before he could close his eyes, Mario felt his brother's lips come into contact with his skin, with Luigi pressing a goodnight kiss on his forehead. After that, he was already asleep.

Luigi turned off the lamp and lay on his side while clutching his brother, whispering words of comfort in Italian. ''Everything will be fine, Mario. Don't worry about me. If King Boo returns, I will protect you and defeat him again. Lo prometto.'' he said. Apart from Professor E. Gadd, who had taught him how to use the Poltergust, there was no one more qualified than him in ghost hunting. Soon after, Mario was smiling, and snuggled deeper into his chest, snoring as usual.

(''Piranha Plant Lullaby- Super Mario 64 OST-s'')

(''Ending Part 2- Yoshi's Island OST'')

The room was quiet apart from Mario's snoring, and Luigi heard him mumble his name a couple of times in his sleep and then call him "number 1" in a cheerful tone. Was he already dreaming of another feat accomplished by his beloved little brother? He couldn't know his dreams, but he knew he was really proud to be his older twin brother. He was about to fall asleep, but he heard a little voice whispering something in his ear. It was still Mario, but his mouth was so close to his ear that he could hear it better.

''Grazie, Luigi... You're the best, bro.'' muttered Mario. Just as he thought! Even though he was whispering, Luigi could sense the pride in his voice.

Hearing these words, Luigi let a tear escape. ''Oh, Mario...! Thank you! I love you so much!'' he thought, moved. He had such a good big brother! He hugged him even tighter than before, and felt Mario do the same. Just before closing his eyes, he saw Mario moving in his sleep, resting his head on his lap.

''Pleasant dreams, Mario. Luigi will always be with you.'' Luigi whispered, giving Mario another kiss on the forehead. Still holding him in his arms, he fell asleep, hoping that his presence would give him comfort for the rest of the night.

Mario had no more nightmares that night. When he woke up the next morning, Luigi had brought him coffee as soon as he heard him yawn. The coffee was nice and hot. He went down to the kitchen, and a hearty breakfast awaited him on the table. He gave Luigi a hug before could he even say good morning. ''Good morning, Luigi. Thank you again for last night.'' he said, kissing him on the cheek to say good morning.

''Oh, good morning. You're welcome, Mario. Anything for my favorite big brother.'' said Luigi, returning the good morning kiss.

''Oh, Luigi, you warm my heart!'' thought Mario, as he ate rusks with cherry jam and sweet crepes and drank a hot cappuccino. He gave his brother a thumbs up and a big smile under his mustache, which Luigi returned. He was so happy to have such a sweet, caring, selfless, sensitive and brave little brother. Luigi was a great ghostbuster, but to him, he was the best younger brother in the world, and he didn't want anything or anyone else in his place.

(''Ending Part 2- Yoshi's Island OST-s'')

A/N: Good thing Luigi is an expert in fighting with ghosts. Mario has an amazing brother who would face his worst fears for him! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you guys in the next one-shot! See you soon!

(1): In the Luigi's Mansion trilogy, Luigi always carries a Poltergust on his back like a backpack. Unlike the other games in the franchise, he can't jump.

(2): In the Super Mario Bros. Movie, Mario often uses an affectionate nickname when talking to Luigi, calling him "Lu" as a sign of affection.