What Do They Know
Disclaimer: If you recognize it then I don't own it.
A/N: For Whumptober 2023 #7 "I paced around for hours on empty; I jumped at the slightest of sounds." Alleyway
The alleyway was poorly lit with an overflowing dumpster strewing trash all along the walls on both sides. Rats and roaches scurried along the shadows and over piles of waste, unafraid of the presence of humans nearby. An unusual sniffling sound came from the darkness causing a passerby to pause and move into the shadowy embrace. He may live in the City that never sleeps but even empty alleyways didn't usually have the sounds of crying in the middle of the night.
"Luigi?" A voice called into the dark void, "Lu, you in there?"
The dark-haired young man in a red shirt waited silently, waiting for his missing brother to call back to him. After hours of searching, he hoped he had finally found him. Ma had to be worried sick by now and Dad would be questioning if they had made the right choice in choosing to become plumbers if this is how the first day on the job ended. Mario could take his mother's worry a lot better than his father's doubt and disappointment.
The twin boys had just graduated from high school a week ago and started their apprenticeships as plumbers that day. It hadn't gone well for the sensitive younger boy. Both brothers were quick-minded when it came to pipes but their new boss was quick to point out any little mistakes and was harsh with criticism, taking a sick sort of pleasure in hounding the youngest of his new apprentices. Mario watched with clenched fists as his brother shrunk more into himself, growing so quiet that he would just nod or shake his head as he fought against the tears filling his big blue eyes. After every time of abuse Mario would rise up, trying to make his short stature appear larger, to confront the bully of a man, Luigi would grab his arm, silently begging his brother to not make a scene. Every time Mario would try to swallow back the burning rage and relent to his brother's wishes. They had just started their apprenticeships, it was hard enough to get a position at their young age, there would be time later after they got their own licenses when Mario could tell the jerk what he really thought of him. But for now, he would bite his tongue for both their sakes.
Luigi had taken one last scathing butt-chewing as the workday finally ended. Mario watched helplessly as his little brother took off, running away so quickly that he forgot his tools. With a sigh, Mario gathered up both their tool belts. He couldn't stop his brother's torment but he could make sure his tools didn't get stolen. Trudging home alone he felt small and useless. He had such plans before he graduated, about starting his own business and making his family proud. Working with his brother who was his best friend every day seemed like a dream come true. The reality of making his dreams come true it seemed, wasn't as easy or pleasant as he thought it would be. He talked Luigi into taking the apprenticeship alongside him and now his brother was miserable and it was entirely his fault.
He called a half-hearted greeting to his parents as he walked in disheartened. Opening the brothers' shared bedroom, uncaringly he let their tools fall to the floor with a soft thud. Maybe they should both just quit now. He dropped onto his mattress face first with a groan, laying there in self-pity. He turned his face towards his brother's bed surprised he didn't hear him crying. He had seen the tears falling down his twin's cheeks as he took off. He figured Luigi would want to cry into the comfort of his own pillow like he did when Destiny Del Vecchio had loudly and cruelly shot him down in front of the whole school after he asked her to prom. The green bed was empty.
A quick search of their small home and one quick inquiry with his mother revealed his brother had never made it home from his first day of work. After quickly reassuring his mother that everything was fine he ran out the door in search of his missing twin. He searched in their regular hangouts with no luck. Walking up and down different paths he could have taken, worry began to grow as the sun set behind the horizon of skyscrapers. Luigi hated the dark. Was scared of it. His brother was scared of most things. Mario needed to find him soon.
"Come on, Lu, I know you're in there."
"Go away, Mario."
Mario's lips turned up into a sad little smile at the sound of his crying bother. He had finally found him. He moved closer to where the voice had come from and asked, "What are you doing in here?"
Luigi hesitated to answer. His brother found him tucked small against a wall towards the back, hiding behind some boxes. Hugging his knees, he looked up at his big brother with a tear-stained face. "There was a dog," Luigi whispered shamefully into his knees. He was afraid of most animals as they seemed to take an instant dislike to him no matter what he did. He would avoid them at all costs even by running into a filthy dark alleyway to hide.
"Oh, Lu," Mario pushed the cardboard aside and sat next to him. Wrapping an arm around the now filthy green-clad shoulders. They sat together in silence for some time both absorbed by their own negative thoughts. The future once so bright seemed bleak in the darkness of the alley they currently sat in.
"Tomorrow will be better." Mario may have his own doubts but he was the big brother. He had always protected his younger twin and he would continue to do so even if it was from his own fears. He would just have to be positive for both of their sakes. Once they finished their apprenticeship they could really achieve their dreams, no matter how crazy they seemed.
"I'm scared all the time and I'm just gonna mess everything up for you." His little brother cried, "I can't do it, Mario."
"Who says you can't?"
"Everybody."
"What do they know," Mario bumped their shoulders together, "The Super Mario Brothers are gonna change the world."