Estimated Reading Time: 22 Minutes

Red Plumber

Ness: "M-Mario?! W-what're you doing here?"

Mario: "We're hanging out, remember?"

Ness: "We are?"

Mario: "Yes. Let's-a go!"

Ness: "R-right now?"

Mario: "Yes right now!" (Why did that piss me off?)

Ness: "Ok, ok. Hold on."

Ness closed the door and started hyperventilating. Oh no, he totally forgot that Mario was going to knock at his door. He thought he was going to knock at one o'clock. Did Mario know that he was planning on ditching?

Ness opened the door and forced a smile.

Ness: "H-hey..."

Mario: "Let's go on a walk."

Ness: "Where do you want to go?"

Mario: "Is the garden alright?"

Ness: "No!"

Mario: "O-oh. Um, ok."

Ness: "S-sorry. How about we just walk around the Smash Plaza?" (That way there will always be witnesses.)

Mario: "Sure~"

The two walked over to the Smash Plaza. They found a nice cafe and ordered a meal. Thank god there were a lot of customers around. His goal is to make sure that this hang out won't last until night because that's when the area will be dead meaning Mario has a better chance of doing something-

Mario: "Soo, how's life treatin' ya?"

Ness: "Um, it's ok."

Mario: "Just ok?"

Ness: "I meant to say well. It's going well."

Mario: "That's-a good."

Ness: "Yep."

God, this is so awkward. Ness wanted to leave desperately, but he couldn't think of a good excuse. Also for some reason he felt guilty. He didn't know why, but he did.

Mario: "As you know, things haven't been going well for me."

Ness: "People are treating you differently, right?"

Mario: "Yes. I have no idea why. Suddenly, people have been avoiding me."

Ness: "I'm sorry."

Mario: "And my hatred toward you doesn't make any sense."

Ness: "..."

Mario: "What happened two months ago? Did I miss something?"

Ness: "No."

Mario: "Then why does everything feel different?"

Ness: "I don't know."

Mario: "I'm not sure why I hate you. I think something happened between us."

Ness: "Nothing happened."

Mario: "Ness, are you hiding something from me?"

Ness: "N-no."

Mario: (He hesitated.) "People have been telling me that I've been in a coma. Is that true?"

Ness: (Is that what the others are saying? That's actually not a bad lie.) "Y-yeah."

Mario: "Do you know why I ended up in a coma?"

Ness: "I don't."

Mario: "The other smashers told me it's because I fell and hit my head pretty hard."

Ness: *Snickers*

Mario: "What's so funny?"

Ness: "S-sorry, I didn't mean to… Uh…"

Mario: "So that is what happened?"

Ness: "Something like that. I'm not exactly sure."

Mario: "I have a lot of questions, but I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I'm sorry."

Ness: "You're ok."

Mario: "I did want to vent about Peach if that's ok with you."

Ness: "Sure."

Mario: "I miss her. I wish I could understand why she left me, so I could fix myself."

Ness: "I'm sorry to hear that."

Mario: "She went up to me the other day."

Ness: "What did she say?"

Mario: "She said that she still wants to be my friend, but I don't know if I can handle it. I miss her so much and to just be friends will hurt."

Ness: "Did you deny her friendship?"

Mario: "Yes…"

Ness: (Good! You don't deserve love you piece of shit!) "Wow. That must've been hard."

Mario: "It was."

Mario looked down on the table. His eyes looked soulless and confused.

For some fucking reason Ness started to feel sorry for the guy. He shouldn't. Mario kidnapped him and tortured him for eight months straight, but seeing him look all down made Ness feel bad.

Mario got reset, so he has no idea what he's done in the past. All he remembers is being happy go lucky Mario jumpman Mario. He used to be loved and now people are giving him rude stares. He used to have a girlfriend, but now she just wants to be friends. He's confused and depressed. Sure, he deserves it, but seeing the confusion in his eyes not even understanding at least why it's happening to him was a depressing sight.

Ness: "Hey, um… It'll get better."

Mario: "You're just saying that."

Ness: "I mean the only thing you can do is move on, right? I think you should let Peach in."

Mario: "No, it hurts too much."

Ness: "But you don't really have friends. She could help you feel less lonely."

Mario started to cry. Wow, he has never seen the famous plumber cry before. Ness awkwardly scooted his chair closer to Mario and patted his back.

Ness: "Um, maybe you could try getting into therapy."

Mario: *Sniffs*

Ness: "Yeah, um, I'm not the best when it comes to feelings. I think you should get a professional's help."

Mario: "You think?"

Ness: "Yeah. I think it'll be good for you."

Mario: "I don't know. I don't feel comfortable talking to a stranger about my problems."

Ness: "Talking to a stranger about your problems isn't so bad."

Mario: "Have you done it?"

Ness recalled the time when he was trapped in the cave with Sonic, Gordon Ramsay, and Kawasaki. He had a mental breakdown and started crying in front of them.

.

-Flashback-

Ness: "I *sniffs* miss my bed, my bathroom, my *sniffs* tv, my video games, and most importantly I really miss Lucas."

Gordon: "I'm sorry."

Ness: "I miss him so much and I-I *sniffs* don't know what that clone is up to. I'm afraid everyday that he's doing something terrible to him. Not to mention that he likes me more than a friend. I had no idea… Now my cone is taking advantage of his feelings."

Sonic: "You can't be serious. It was so obvious that he had a crush on you."

Ness: "I'm serious. Honestly, it's hard to believe that anyone would like me like that."

Sonic: "Really?"

Ness: "I have no confidence. I don't know how to talk to people."

Sonic: "Weren't you outgoing as a kid?"

Ness: "Yeah, but I'm not a kid anymore. I realized how scary the real world is."

Sonic: "Damn."

Ness: "I have so much anxiety. I can't help but fear that whenever someone hangs out with me, it's out of pity. I think such toxic thoughts like… Like maybe it's better if I'm alone. Having friends is hard. There's so much energy involved and what if I do something to upset them. Heck! I have! It was awful. I still think about it sometimes. It's exhausting. I'm such a flake, but they still want to hang out with me. At least that's what they say, but I feel like they're not really thinking that. It might be a status thing. I don't know."

Sonic: "You don't think they actually want to hang out with you?"

Ness: "No… I'm just scared that I'll do something that'll make them hate me. Anything could happen. I can't read people and that scares me. Everything is so complicated and unpredictable. I just… I'm so exhausted. I have been before I was kidnapped."

Sonic: "Ness…"

Ness: "Also, I know I've only met him once, but I wish I could hear my dad's voice one more time. I wish I was there when he called. He's gone and I… I wasn't there to tell him that I love him. I *sniffs* can still hear his voice in my head sometimes. My ears refuse to believe that he's gone, but… I know… I know he's gone. My dad is gone. Is this how Lucas felt when he lost his mom? It… It hurts. I used to talk to him about my problems on the phone, but… I can't anymore, right? Even if I escape, the phone won't be his voice."

Sonic: "Damn, Ness, I had no idea…"

Ness: "Its' fine, I just…"

His dad being gone made him feel lonely and he's never told his best friend Lucas that he doubted their friendship. He couldn't. He never felt one hundred percent completely safe with anyone before. Why now is he talking about it and to these guys of all people?

Ness: "I'm sorry… I… I don't know where this is all coming from."

Gordon: "It's ok to cry. Don't apologize."

Ness: "But… I never told anyone. Not even Lucas. I… *sobs* I don't understand."

Gordon: "Sometimes it's comforting to tell strangers your problems."

Ness: "Is that why?"

Gordon: "Could be."

Ness: "Wow… *sniffs* T-thanks, guys."

-End Of Flashback-

.

They weren't exactly strangers, but at the same time they were. He was never close with any of them before being in the cave. Heck! They bullied him. Yet he still was able to vent about his frustrations.

His fellow prisoners cheered him up. He allowed himself to be vulnerable and got rewarded. Now he hangs out with Sonic every Thursday and sometimes they hang out outside of the weekly hang out. If he never got kidnapped and trapped in a cave with Sonic, they would've never talked. In fact, Ness would still be his dickish self and wouldn't even try to improve his selfish behavior.

He gave Mario a sincere smile and said, "I have and it helped."

Mario: "What if it makes things worse for me?"

Ness: "Then try a different therapist."

Mario: "..."

Ness: "You gotta keep trying to get help."

Mario: "I shouldn't need help. I'm a man. I should suck it up."

Ness: "We all have feelings. I think you should keep trying to seek help."

Mario: "It sounds exhausting."

Ness: "It is, but I think it's worth it."

Mario: "Err…"

Ness: "I know it sounds scary. I was scared too when I decided to be vulnerable to a bunch of strangers, but because of them, I'm trying to better myself."

Mario: "Wow, Ness. When did you become wise?"

Ness: "It's from personal experience."

Mario: "When did this happen?"

Ness: "Uh… When you were in a coma."

Mario: "I-I see."

Ness: "Yeah, anyway, it's getting late."

Mario: "Oh, yes. Thank you for letting me vent and hanging out with me."

Ness: "Of course."

Ness got up and left. Mario sat there in silence thinking to himself. He didn't know why he hated Ness. The kid has a kind heart. He could tell that the psychic was uncomfortable and most likely hiding something, but he totally flipped a switch once Mario became vulnerable.

Maybe he misunderstood the psychic. Maybe it was because Ness was a little rude towards him that one time. He's glad he got this chance to hang out with him because honestly, he's not so bad.

Meanwhile in Onett…

The Clone

Nate nervously walked to Kimberly's office.

Kimberly: "Shut the door behind you."

He did as he was told and closed it.

Kimberly: "Sit down."

As she continued to type on her computer for a bit, he awkwardly sat there in silence waiting to be yelled at.

Kimberly: "Do you know why you're here?"

Nate: "No…"

Kimberly: "I watched you handle that last customer."

Nate: "..."

Kimberly: "What you did was inappropriate."

Nate: "I'm sorry."

Kimberly: "You're being written up for acting inappropriate with a customer."

She handed him a piece of paper and a pen.

Kimberly: "I want you to sign it."

Nate: "Ok."

He grabbed the pen and signed his name.

Kimberly: "I am very disappointed in you."

Nate: "I apologize. I won't do that again."

Kimberly: "Good. If I catch you flirting with another customer, that will result in termination. Do I make myself clear?"

Nate: "Yes."

Kimberly: *Sighs* "You're a good worker. I'm sorry if I'm being harsh, but I want you to understand that I can't bend the rules even though you're my favorite."

Nate: "I'm your favorite?"

Kimberly: "Of course~"

Nate: "Why?"

Kimberly: "You're a good worker."

Nate: "But I make so many mistakes like today for example."

Kimberly: "Yes, that's true, but I like that you're able to take criticism and for the most part you try to improve."

Nate: "Thanks."

Kimberly: "But please, no more flirting with the customers."

Nate: "Ok, I promise. I am sorry about that. I didn't mean for it to happen, it just… I don't know."

Kimberly: "You can tell me anything~"

Nate: "I… Have a problem."

Kimberly: "And what's that?"

Nate looked down on the desk. He didn't want to look at his boss anymore. He felt ashamed. Being horny all the time as a problem sounds ridiculous, but it's the truth.

All he cared about before was making him feel good. He didn't think about how Leaf or Lucas felt when he was dating both of them. Plus he cheated on them with not just each other but also Luigi and Tina. He didn't know why he did it, but he couldn't stop. Something in his brain was telling him to sleep with anyone who would let him.

By the time he fell for Lucas, he started feeling guilty. He knew it was wrong, but he continued to date Leaf anyway. His past self is so cringy. Why did he do all that?

Still now, he's thinking pervy thoughts about his co-workers and even customers. He seriously has a problem and before it gets worse, he needs to tell his boss, so she at least understands why. Maybe if he tells her, she'll be more lenient towards him in the future.

Nate: "I have to tell you something. It's important."

Kimberly: "Tell me anything~"

Nate: "I…"

He frowned and looked away. He felt so embarrassed, but she has to know.

Nate: "I have a problem when it comes to… Relationships. It doesn't excuse my actions, but I don't know, I think I'm just naturally flirty. I know it sounds stupid, but it's an actual problem."

Kimberly: "Your flirty behavior got you in trouble before?"

Nate: "Y-yeah…"

Kimberly: "Explain."

Nate: "I wasn't faithful in the past."

Kimberly: "Oh..."

Nate: "It's hard for me to want to just stay friends with people."

Kimberly: "You have a hard time making friends?"

Nate: "No, I'm good at making friends, but after a bit, if that person wants to go further, I'll immediately agree without thinking about the consequences."

Kimberly: "To anyone?"

Nate: "Pretty much."

Kimberly: "Is that why you flirted with that customer?"

Nate: "Yes. Anyone who is interested, I tend to jump into a relationship. I'm not sure why. It's not healthy. I don't even have to know the person to get intimate with. I… Because of this, I hurt someone very dear to me."

Kimberly: "Were you in love with this person?"

Nate: "Yeah. But it's over now. I want to fix it, but I understand that I can't have that person anymore."

Kimberly: "I'm sorry to hear that."

Nate: "It's a big problem. I'm trying to stop this behavior, but I guess I did it again."

Kimberly: "It takes a while for problems like these to stop. It sounds to me like this is an addiction."

Nate: "I think you're right, but it sounds stupid. Being horny all the time as an addiction sounds like the dumbest thing in the world."

Kimberly: "Oh honey~ I don't think it is. It's a problem that affects you. Clearly this is serious and shouldn't be taken lightly."

Nate: "I'm sorry, Kimberly. Can I confess something?"

Kimberly: "Yes."

Nate: "I thought about you sexually."

Kimberly: (Oh my~) "!"

Nate: "You're my boss and it's wrong, but sometimes, when you touch my shoulders and the way you look at me makes me feel… Uh, you know, excited. I don't mean to… *sighs* I'm sorry."

Kimberly: "It's ok, Nate. I understand."

Nate: "You shouldn't be ok with this. You're my boss."

Kimberly: "I shouldn't have been touchy with you. I don't mean to be flirty either. I was just trying to be friendly. I have a hard time making friends and my love language is touch. I really am sorry if I've been acting inappropriate towards you as well."

Nate: "It's ok."

Kimberly: "You know what."

She ripped the written up paper in front of him.

Nate: "Why did you do that?"

Kimberly: "I think a verbal warning is better. A written up letter is a bit extreme. Now that I know your situation better, I'll be more lenient towards you."

Nate: "Wow, I… I don't know what to say. I guess... Thank you!"

Kimberly: "Thank you for communicating with me."

Nate: "I thought saying this would get me in more trouble."

Kimberly: "Oh honey~ You can tell me anything. I'm trying to be a better boss. Some people think I'm a little harsh. I'm trying to change that."

Nate: "Thank you, Kimberly. I appreciate it. I hope that me thinking about you uh, inappropriately doesn't make you dislike me. I promise I'll try my best to not think about those things."

Kimberly: "Nate, there's nothing wrong with having these thoughts."

Nate: "There's not?"

Kimberly: "No. It's healthy to allow yourself to think about things. As long as you don't act on them."

Nate: "Oh."

Kimberly: "Trying to force yourself to not think about things will result in bottling it up. If you do that, then you'll explode and do something you'll regret."

Nate: "I never thought of it like that."

Kimberly: "I do the same. I often bottle things up and I've made some mistakes in the past."

Nate: "Really?"

Kimberly: "Yes. There might be some things I'm bottling up right now."

Nate: "Like what?"

Kimberly: (Like you.) "I'm not sure. Hmm, I'll have to think about that when I get home."

Nate: "If you ever want to talk to me, I'm here for you like were you here for me today."

Kimberly: "You don't mind me venting in the future?"

Nate: "Even though you're my boss, you're still a person like everyone else. We all have feelings. You're a good person. I mean, look what you did for me today. You're so understanding and I'm happy I was able to allow myself to be vulnerable with you."

Kimberly: (He's so… Perfect.) "Oh Nate, that… *sniffs* I'm sorry, I shouldn't be crying at work."

Nate: "Aww, c'mere."

Nate got up and walked behind the desk. He pulled his boss into a hug without warning. She was stiff at first since, but she allowed herself to be vulnerable and started crying on his shoulder while hugging him back.

Kimberly: "I'm so sorry. *Sniffs* I don't mean to cry in front of you like this. I'm supposed to be professional."

Nate: "Fuck professionalism. You're a person too. You deserve to cry and let it all out."

Kimberly: *Sniffs* "T-thank you, Nate."

Nate: "Thank you too for understanding me instead of being disgusted."

Kimberly: "Of course."

The two pulled away. Kimberly took out her phone and asked for his number. He gladly typed it on her phone.

Kimberly: "I think outside of work, we could help each other out."

Nate: "Of course! I'll gladly listen to you vent and this time not as my boss, but as my friend."

Kimberly: "And you can vent to me as well."

Nate nodded at her and went toward the door. He looked at her again and they both smiled. Kimberly watched as Nate left her office. She stared at his contact number and smiled devilishly. He's thought about her, huh? That's good to know~

Nate & Kimberly

Level up!

Friendship status before: Neutral acquaintance

Friendship Status now: Friends