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deaththeyamikid · 1 year

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And the Sun will Always Shine Again

Okay, hi, so I wrote a Mario fanfic, yes, it is based on this post because I couldn't get it out of my head so here it is.

Content warnings for dissociation and panic attacks

This was written before the movie was release and before I saw the movie.

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Luigi hadn’t stopped shaking since they tossed Bowser through his own castle’s walls.

The fight had been long and grueling, with just the three of them trapped in some impenetrable magical dome the koopa wizard dude had set to activate at Bowser’s command. Luigi had already been at his breaking point, dazed, terrified, and in no small amount of pain, when Mario had finally managed to create an opening big enough for him to frantically scramble away from the koopa king.

“Hey, Luigi!” Mario had said as they’d backed into the magical barrier, his arm gently but firmly, shoving his little brother behind him. “Remember that time I brought a soccer ball to school?”

“Y-you mean when Mr. N-Norton told you baseb-ball players weren’t real a-athleats because they didn’t kn-know how to kick a ball so we spent the r-rest of the w-week trying to see h-how m-many times we could k-kick it through his legs like on b-big monkey in the m-middle game before he c-c-could get it from us and we ended up being suspended b-because we accidentally h-hit Tr-Trixie Hampstead in the f-face and broke her n-nose?”

“Yup!”

“Yeah, wh-why are you… Oh. Oh! Y-you think it’ll w-work?”

“I think it won’t hurt to try!”

Luigi had pulled himself together then, just enough for the two of them to bombard Bowser with joint attacks. Mario remembered thanking whatever higher power was listening that his brother was a quick learner because he caught on sooner than Mario had to the absolutely bonkers fighting methods this world necessitated. Eventually the twins had been able to maneuver themselves so that they were standing behind the overgrown turtle and with one look – that was all they needed to communicate – grabbed his tail and together, flung him away as hard as they could.

It was just an unfortunate circumstance for Bowser that the barrier apparently allowed him – and only him – to pass through.

The younger twin had cried. They had both cried, but Mario had ushered them both along as fast as he could because even though suppressing the torrent of emotions, they were feeling was not the heathiest course of action, they were still, in fact, trapped and needed to deactivate the barrier before Bowser or any of his minions found them.

Mario had internally panicked, because for all the training he had done to get here, to help Mushroom Kingdom, to defeat Bowser, to save his little brother, he had no idea how magic worked. But Luigi had made quick work of it and was able to point out the spell’s source so Mario could smash it. He was unforthcoming in how he had been able to identify what needed to be done to break the spell and as the barrier fizzled away, the trembling in Luigi’s hands spread throughout his body and Mario could only watch as his brother completely shut down.

So, Mario had done the only thing he could. He grabbed Luigi’s hand and pulled him along as he sought out the others, scooping up the green hat that had fallen from Luigi’s head as Bowser had torn him away from his brother right when they both thought it was over. Mario plopped it on Luigi’s head, pulling it low over his face to help shield him from prying eyes.

He’d found the others quickly after that, all of them having been on their way down to help the twins but too late to join – or see – the fray. DK, Toad, and Princess Peach had all ganged up on him, asking about Luigi and if he was alright.

“I said he’s fine!” He felt immediate guilt for snapping at them, but really, he was at the end of his rope emotionally, physically, and mentally, and he knew how embarrassed Luigi got when this happened in front of other people. “He’s just… processing a lot. He’ll come back when he’s ready.”

“How long will that be?” DK had asked. And honestly Mario wished he had the answer. It would be a very long time before he would be able to get the sight of Luigi’s wide, red-rimmed eyes, shedding silent tears down his far too pale face out of his head in short, almost wheezing breaths. While Mario could usually gauge fairly accurately how long Luigi would be out of it, his twin hadn’t shut down like this in years.

“When he’s ready,” Mario had responded firmly. It was really the only answer he had.

The glare he’d unintentionally shot DK had been enough to get all of them to stop asking as they tore back through the endless labyrinth of Bowser’s airship. They were close to the main hall now and the penguin king – Mario couldn’t really remember his name – was rattling off the latest update, conferring with Princess Peach that the raging battle was finally dying down, the toads, kongs and prisoners all either escaping or emerging from their respective battles and skirmishes victorious. Mario himself was only half paying attention, opting instead to take stock of his brother’s state and see if there was any sign of him regaining awareness of his surroundings.

“What is ailing—?”

Mario’s head snapped around so fast it caused Toad to shriek and duck behind DK as the plumber glowered at the small king.

“Mario has it under control,” Princess Peach said. The penguin humpfed contemplatively as his eyes darted between the twins.

“You are, I presume, the green one’s brother?” he asked.

“His name is Luigi.”

“Indeed. He is a mighty soldier. Pure of heart with valor that burns bright and strong. Those dastardly wretches were nothing against him! His bravery knows no bounds!”

And Mario would be lying if he said wasn’t a little choked up at the prospect of someone not only finally recognizing his brother’s courage but voicing it as well. He wasn’t quite sure how to respond to it. He wasn’t sure how to respond to anything that happened in the past… however long they’d been here.

“I know,” was all he said, voice thick and threatening to break as pride swelled in his chest, accompanied by concern and worry over what Luigi had to endure during his time held prisoner.

“If all is in order here,” Princess Peach cut in, “I think it is time for us to return to the palace.”

“I think that’s a stupendous idea,” Mario nodded.

With a heave, they shoved open the airship’s doors, immediately confronted with black, stormy clouds and gusts of wind that made Mario glad he was holding on to Luigi or else the sheer force of it might blow the younger twin away. He had been skinny already – before the pipe and the mushrooms and magic – but he had clearly lost weight during his imprisonment. It made Mario furious, and he decided then that the first thing he was going to do when all was truly said and done, and they could finally relax, was cook enough pasta to feed a family of eight and make sure at least half of it was eaten by Luigi.

The courtyard itself was littered with rubble and small groups of toads, DK’s brethren, and escapees either regrouping or receiving basic first aid. It was as dark out here as it was in the deepest delves of Bowser’s dungeon, where Mario had found the empty cages that swung ominously over a lava pool. He shuddered at the memory forcing the queasiness down. He couldn’t lose his composure yet. So, he turned his attention back to the dark courtyard. The only source of light was the luminescent blue star that giggled as it zipped and cartwheeled aimlessly through the air.

“Every day we survive is another day death looms over us, watching, waiting for the time we all eventually succumb!” it giggled.

Mario couldn’t help the confused and incredibly alarmed glance he sent Princess Peach’s direction. She just shrugged, evidentially equally as confused.

“Anyway!” Toad squawked, ambling through the courtyard to the edge of the airship.

Mario led Luigi along behind him and Princess Peach, making sure DK, who was hashing out details of their retreat with his brethren, was behind them just in case something snuck up on them. Again.

The difference between the airship and Mushroom Kingdom was so stark, Mario had to blink a few times as his eyes adjusted. The leering clouds stayed within the perimeter of the airship, meaning the second they left, warm sun beat down on them, welcoming and bright and kind. Mario closed his eyes and took a deep breath, encouraged by the clean air, flowers, and grass that chased away the residual taste and smell of molten lava and fire and ash.

Beside him, Luigi jolted. It was subtle and barely noticeable, but it was enough to pull Mario from his thoughts, instead placing his full attention on his brother. He was staring up at the clear blue sky, pupils a little less dilated than they were before with an expression of tearful wonderment on his face. Mario almost didn’t want to bother him, but he was looking directly at the sun and the older twin knew better than to let anyone’s eyes linger there for too long.

“Come on, Weegie,” he said in what he hoped was a gentle and playful tone, pulling his brother’s cap down a little more. “Don’t stare right at the sun, you’ll burn your retinas.”

“I—” Luigi choked on a sob. Then brought his hand to his chest as his breath continued to come in short, sharp gasps.

“It’s okay, bro!” Mario said, gently trying to pry Luigi’s hand from its death grip on his torn and tattered overalls. “I’m here. You’re here. And look! The sun’s out and it’s bright and clear, so that means it has to be a good day!”

Luigi curled further into himself, his breath impossibly shorter.

“Weegie, take it easy,” Mario said, hoping that his rising panic wasn’t seeping into his voice. “You’re okay, Luigi. It’s okay. I’ve got you. Just breath with me, okay?”

For his part, Luigi really did try to mimic Mario’s breathing. He just couldn’t as the tsunami of pent-up emotions hit him full force.

“I c-can see th-the sk-sky!” he wheezed.

His legs gave out on him then and Mario – fuck, he’d missed him – ever the attentive and caring older brother, even if they were twins, sank to the grass – grass! – with him. He was only vaguely aware of the fact that he was sobbing and of the arms that pulled him close, holding him tight, and the voice that muttered comforting words into his ear. He wasn’t sure how much time passed, but he knew that when it had, and he was finally able to hear past the blood rushing in his ears, the voice wasn’t muttering anymore. Instead, it was humming the old lullaby his mother used to sing him when he’d had nightmares as a kid. He whined, the sound pitiful to even his own ears, and a fresh wave of tears came streaking down his face and the figure he clung desperately to gently rocked back and forth.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered hoarsely, when he finally, truly, came to and was again aware of his brother.

“No,” Mario chided. “Don’t you dare ever be sorry for this, bro.”

“I got your shirt wet.”

“Eh,” he felt Mario shrug. “It was due for a wash anyway.” Mario pulled away from Luigi just enough to look him in the eye when he felt his brother raise another protest. “I don’t care about anything in the world aside from the fact that you’re safe. Got that?”

Luigi buried his face in his hands and nodded.

“Okie dokie?” Mario was baiting him now, he knew it. Luigi just moaned miserably into his hands. “Come on! Say it, Weegie.” There was a soft jab at his side. Then another. Then one on his stomach.

“Okie dokie…” Luigi muttered, defeated, knowing full well his older brother wasn’t going to let up until he was satisfied.

“Good! Now, let’s-a go! I’ve got some friends I’d like you to meet.”

Said friends were politely ignoring the brothers, having formed a protective circle around them in case someone came asking questions or, God forbid, something attack them while Luigi was breaking down. Luigi, thankfully, in Mario’s opinion – the younger twin would lose his mind if he found out he had a breakdown in front of strangers, one of whom was a princess – hadn’t noticed them yet, his face still in his hands. But when he did look up it was to the sight of his brother standing in the sunlight, also teary-eyed, but smiling bright, holding out a hand to help him up.

And when he took it, neither let go.

At least not until the weariness caught up with Luigi and Mario convinced him to let his big bro give him a piggyback ride the rest of the way.

And if Luigi fell asleep soon after being lifted off the ground, therein proving his brother’s point, well, he could deal with Mario’s smug teasing so long as it meant they were together.

#mario move #super mario brothers #super mario bros #mario #luigi #princess peach #toad #donky kong #bowser #mario bros #bros being bros #mario movie fanfic #fanfic #these poor guys are going to need so much therapy after this movie #mario and luigi are BROTHERS #they are brothers who love each other!!!#mario will disintegrate anyone who hurts his little bro #poor luigi is going through it #tbh so is mario #this is my first fanfic posting here pls be kind #also personally entertained by the fact that it's MARIO of all things that gets me to post a fanfic #I wrote this instead of sleeping

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