Luigi's POV
I woke up from my afternoon nap around 6 in the evening. I wasn't exactly sure how to spend the rest of my birthday.
After combing out my hair, I began trying the remaining outfits I hadn't had the chance to try on. In the midst of trying on a white suit, I found myself staring at my reflection in the mirror.
I couldn't help but think about the words Bowser said to me yesterday. Did he really think of me as the most beautiful person he ever met?
And if I was, did he mean what he said in a romantic way or am I just interpreting everything wrong?
I mean, I can't be right? We hold hands. We caress each other's faces. He cuddled me until I fell asleep. He told me this has been the happiest he's been in the Lava Kingdom and it was all thanks to me. I had become the person he held closest to his heart.
Surely it wasn't all in my head. I wish there was just a way I could ask him without having the possibility of being rejected.
And even if he did reciprocate the feelings... What then? What would my friends think? Heck, what would my brother think? He'd never want to talk to me again for falling for his worst enemy.
I stepped back from my dresser and did my best to shake the thoughts off. Right when I was about to change out of my suit, I was stopped by a knock on my room door.
I opened the door to see Bowser, who was dressed in a fancy white suit with a purple tie and a large top hat. A smile immediately formed on Bowser's face when he made eye contact with me.
"Wow- You look incredible." He smiled, the blood rushing to his cheeks.
"Thanks. I was trying on some of the stuff you gave me. I could say the same for you."
"You think so?" He asked, a flustered look forming on his face as he scratched the back of his head.
"Yeah. But I can't help but ask, what's with the fancy get up?" I crossed my arms with an eyebrow raised.
"Well, how about you come and find out?" He said, offering me his hand with a charming smile.
I unfolded my arms and took hold of his hand leaving my room. The two of us silently walked down the hall hand in hand.
I couldn't help but stare at Bowser's passionate smile. I couldn't help but contrast how he is now versus how he used to be.
He used to be so quick to rage and was so distant. He'd become such a good listener now and is so much more open with his feelings.
It used to be so hard just to catch him cracking a smile. But now, whenever we hung out it was as if he could never stop smiling around me.
He's changed so much these past 5 weeks. He was so sweet and compassionate, which is what probably attracted me to him most.
Our walking came to a stop when we got to the doors of the ball room. Bowser took hold of one of the door handles and proceeded to hold the open door for me.
"After you." He smiled.
The room was pitch black. My eyes could hardly make out the dark silhouettes in the room. Before I had more time to try and figure out what I was looking at, the room suddenly became filled with light.
The room was decorated with balloons and streamers. It was completely filled with koopa wearing birthday hats.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUIGI!" Everyone shouted together.
That was when I spotted Junior, who was sitting on the shoulders of one of Bowser's henchmen holding a birthday banner with a wide smile.
To top everything off, two confetti cannons went off as another one of Bowser's henchmen in a chef uniform handed me a plate with a slice of cake on it.
I stared at everyone's smiling faces then looked behind me to see Bowser holding a necklace. The chain was a rich gold. The gemstone portion consisted of a gorgeous blue sapphire in the shape of a heart.
I smiled as Bowser fastened the necklace around my neck. He gently cupped my face as he sweetly caressed my cheek with his thumb with an endearing smile.
"Happy birthday Luigi. I know this isn't your ideal birthday since your brother isn't here, but we all wanted to give you the best birthday we possibly could. Sorry it's a bit short notice. I didn't know your birthday was so soon until you told me so." He blushed, placing his hands in his pockets.
"I-.... I hardly know what to say. I can hardly believe you guys did all of this for me."
"Well, it was the least we could do. You've done so much for everyone here and never asked for anything in return. We wanted to remind you how happy we all are to have you here."
I felt my eyes swell with tears. The room became filled with applause and cheers coming from all around.
I couldn't spot a single koopa who didn't have a smile on their face.
"I appreciate this a lot guys. Thank you." I thanked, rubbing the tears running down my face.
"So, Luigi? Remember how a few weeks ago I said I wanted to make you a cake?" Bowser asked.
I looked down at the slice of cake on my plate then back up at him.
"Don't tell me you actually made this?!"
"I did." He smiled.
I picked up my fork and scooped up a piece. I watched as Bowser's face became one of anticipation.
"Well, how does it taste?" He asked.
"It's perfect." I said, which put a smile back on Bowser's face.
✧
Compared to the start of the last party we had, this one seemed so full of life. Me and Bowser didn't even have to do anything to get the koopa dancing.
They seemed comfortable enough to just dance. Heck, even Junior busted out a few dance moves. It reminded me of the parties we used to have at Peach's castle.
I was sitting alongside Bowser eating strawberry ice cream. The music unexpectedly switched to a slow familiar ballad that peaked both me and Bowser's interest.
The two of us simultaneously looked over at each other.
"This is what we danced to a couple weeks ago." Bowser said, his cheeks heating up.
"Yeah, it is. So much has changed since then."
"Yeah, it has."
Bowser suddenly got up from his seat then held out his hand.
"Did you mind dancing with me again?" He asked shyly.
"I thought you were too scared to dance." I teased.
"Not when you're dancing with me"
I smiled and took hold of his hand and joined him on the dance floor. He positioned his hand around my lower back and pulled me in closer.
The two of us reciprocated flustered smiles as our faces were merely inches apart. I relaxed my hand on his shoulder.
The nervous face Bowser had the last time we danced was no longer present. He had a charming sweet smile with a mixture of excitement on his face.
He looked forward to this dance. The two of us once again began slowly swaying to the music.
I noticed all the koopa in the room stopped dancing with each other to watch us. All of them cleared the floor and stood to the sides and observed.
"Bowser, everyone's watching us." I whispered with a nervous smile.
"Don't worry about them. It's just me and you right now." He said confidently with a smirk.
I gave him a confident smile back as we continued to dance. I honestly found it hard to take my eyes off his handsome face.
As I stared into his eyes I could feel the strong feelings that I've been trying to repress for weeks now surging through my body.
No matter how many times I tried to get rid of these feelings, they'd always come back stronger than before.
I loved everything about him. Sure he wasn't your ideal "Prince Charming" but maybe that's what I liked about him.
He tries his best and is willing to swallow his pride if he's wrong. The fact that Bowser is so sweet and caring, coupled with the fact that he's incredible to look at makes it practically impossible for me to not fall in love with him.
I know I've only been here for about a month now but I don't really want to leave this place. Being here in the Lava Kingdom made me realize so many things about myself. I used to feel like in order to grow, I had to be more like my brother.
And sure, while my brother had some pretty admirable traits like his bravery and unbreakable determination, it was my patience and understanding nature that got me to where I am now.
I was able to solve my own problems without my brother's help. For once, I wasn't just his sidekick. I was someone who could make change without using my fist.
I've grown so attached to this place. From the now friendly henchmen. Junior, who looked up to me, along with being my first friend here.
And of course, the Koopa King himself who went from being me and my brother's greatest rival to the guy I would spend my birthday dancing with.
I just wasn't ready to leave this place behind yet. And while I do look forward to my brother's return, I fear he won't understand the bond I now share with Bowser along with everyone in the kingdom. He wasn't exactly the most understanding person.
"You okay?" Bowser asked suddenly, breaking me out of my thoughts.
"Y-yeah." I said, putting on a smile.
"You sure? You look like you have something on your mind. You're also holding onto my shoulder really tight."
"Oh, sorry. I guess I'm just thinking about how much has changed. I'm worried about what Mario will think about us being so close now. He's not exactly the easiest person to talk to. I just don't want him to hurt anybody here. He probably thinks you have me locked up in some dungeon or something. I'm afraid he might come back and hurt you."
"Whatever your brother has to dish out I can take."
"Maybe, but I wouldn't want anyone here to get hurt because of me."
"We'll figure something out. Though I don't want you to spend the rest of your birthday worrying, okay? Let's just have fun for tonight." He said, giving me a reassuring smile.
I couldn't help but smile back at him. Bowser once again ended our dance with a dip. I couldn't help but feel overjoyed at the sight of Bowser's smiling face. Seeing him this happy made me feel good inside.
Bowser's henchmen loudly cheered for us.
"So, would you say I've gotten better at dancing?" He asked with a smug smirk.
"I suppose. Though I never thought you were bad to begin with." I answered.
The two of us sat back down together and watched the rest of the koopa dance for the remainder of the party.
An: I know, this chapter is pretty short. I promise the next one is longer. Anyways, I'll be gone until the 11th of April since I'm trying to avoid the internet as much as possible to avoid spoilers for the movie. I didn't want to leave you guys that long without any content so uh, yeah. I'll see you guys when I get back.