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silenzahra · 22 hours

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Flying together in the sunset light 🌄✨

It's done at last! 😁 Here's my Kitsune and Tanooki story for all of you to enjoy! ✨

This fic was inspired by this beautiful piece by @cherryfennec, and even though it's taken me some time to finally have it ready, I really hope you'll like the result! Also, as I was talking about it with the wonderful @itsavee4117, he went and made this adorable drawing to which I hope to have done justice.

A bit of context: this story takes place shortly after the Superstar scene from the movie, but before the brothers have moved to the Mushroom Kingdom. You'll see some hints of some of my personal headcanons for them, like Luigi playing the violin (a headcanon I share with the amazing @vulpixfairy1985) or Mario having dated Pauline in the past. And also mentions to some scenes from the movie.

The story is divided into two scenes. The first one revolves around the brothers, while the second one is focused mostly on Mareach, though you'll also see some more brotherly love scenes, as well as a bit of teasing. I really like the way both scenes turned out, so I truly and sincerely hope you'll enjoy them! 💖

Without further ado, here's the link to AO3, though you can also continue reading below the cut! ✨

TW: Slight panic attack, slight separation anxiety ⚠

@itsavee4117 @vulpixfairy1985 @peaches2217 @bberetd @pepperycar

@keakruiser @kelbreyworshipper @stripetkattelalala54-gf @doodleydoo101 and anybody else who'd like to read this: I really hope you enjoy! 💖 (If you're not interested feel free to ignore this tag 😅)

Flying together in the sunset light 🌄✨

When Mario hits the block, a brown leaf flies out from inside it. The block, formerly yellow, immediately turns brown, similar to a brick, and Luigi watches it for a few seconds in silence before daring to look up at the power-up it has ejected.

The brown leaf, with a round opening at the top left, flutters in the air, its silhouette trimmed against the orangey sky. Luigi swallows, unsure, as he realizes that, like so many other things in the Mushroom Kingdom, this leaf also has eyes. Black, small and elongated eyes, that seem to pierce him whenever they rest on him while their owner continues to float. It slowly descends between the two brothers, and Luigi almost feels Mario's gaze, in front of him, sink into him, full of expectation.

“You ready, Lu?”

Luigi turns to him, doubt painted on his face. His brother's voice, as well as his whole appearance, is impregnated with warmth and sweetness, just like every time he addresses him, even when they joke. Mario smiles directly at him, trying to convey confidence, and Luigi, just like every time he notices it, feels a warmth in his heart that manages to draw a smile on his lips.

If Mario is sure, then he can be sure too.

Even though he’s unable to completely hide his fear, he nods. Mario's grin widens in a way that shows his teeth and makes his cheeks appear fuller than usual, and he raises his arm in the direction of the leaf.

“Together,” he says, his blue eyes shining with excitement.

Luigi can't help but remember the time when they touched the superstar together, and before he knows it, he finds himself catching his brother's enthusiasm. That was dangerous, yes, but also exciting, thrilling, epic, and the connection he shared with Mario during those minutes he can't put into words. He only knows that he felt closer to him than ever, through a force impossible to explain that only strengthened the already solid bond that has existed between them even before they were born.

This moment, however, is calm. Relaxed. Serene. The forest they are in, near the Mushroom Kingdom, is beautiful, full of life, and it’s filled his heart with peace to walk through its trees and discover the fauna and flora that inhabit it. In addition, the princess and Toad, his new best friend, are also there with them, and both have been happy to answer all of Luigi's questions about the creatures and plants they have encountered. Peach seems to have in common with him the fascination for gardening, as she hasn’t hesitated to talk about her favorite flowers in great detail.

Now, both the princess and the little mushroom man are waiting attentively for the moment when both brothers will touch the Super Leaf.

It’ll be the second time for Mario. The first, in fact, was the one that saved Luigi's life. Mario was able to catch him thanks to the raccoon disguise that this power-up gave him, thus preventing Luigi from being devoured by the lava that had been stalking him for more than three days and towards which he was hopelessly rushing.

For Luigi, on the other hand, it's going to be a first.

He’s only used one power-up so far and is nervous at the prospect of trying a new one. However, he knows for sure that neither his brother nor his new friends would let anything bad happen to him. Moreover, as he has just remembered, it is thanks to this power-up that Luigi is still alive and well.

Nothing can hurt him as long as he’s with Mario.

So, with a new determination rising in him at the confidence these thoughts give him, Luigi nods in the direction of his twin and raises his arm as well.

The assurance on Mario's face grows to see him so resolute. In unison, they both reach out their hands and their fingers rub the soft brown leaf at the same time.

Immediately, the leaf vanishes in front of them as thick smoke surrounds both brothers, blinding them for a second. While covering his eyes with his hand, Luigi can't help but shrink in on himself with a slight cry due to surprise, as this is not what he had expected. Fortunately, the smoke soon begins to dissipate.

Soon, in front of him, he distinguishes the figure of Mario, again dressed in that outfit that makes him resemble a bear, with a red bandana around his neck that Luigi doesn't remember noticing the first time. Luigi smiles, unable to restrain himself; whatever Mario says about it being a raccoon, for him it’s still very similar to a bear. And very soft, too! He perfectly remembers the feel of Mario’s arms holding him tightly after saving him from the clutches of death, how warm and comfortable he felt not only for being back with his beloved brother, but also for the velvety softness of the suit that enveloped him. Luigi recalls the moment when Mario even lifted him into the air, which made his face sink a little deeper into the silky fur, and he’s sorely tempted to reach out and stroke his brother's costume again, a new joke on the tip of his tongue.

However, Mario's expression stops him.

At first, he was smiling with his arms on his hips, amused at Luigi’s scrutiny. However, after examining his brother up and down, Mario seems... puzzled. Not just surprised, but utterly confused, as if he didn't expect something that just happened. Luigi can't help but startle and shrink again, for the source of Mario's confusion is clearly him.

“W-what's wrong?” he asks, worried.

He immediately lowers his head to start looking at himself, wanting to find out what has caused his brother to stare at him that way, and freezes when he realizes that his disguise is not that of a brown bear like Mario's. No: his outfit is yellow. A slightly darker shade on his legs and a little lighter on his stomach. Luigi scans his arms and finds them to be the same ochre color, and as he feels his head with trembling hands, panic growing inside him, he realizes that his ears are very pointed, unlike Mario's, which are rounded. He jolts when he notices that something is waving behind his back and, turning around, he discovers a bushy, thick tail with a flaming tip that, like his belly, is a soft yellow, lighter than the rest of his body.

Luigi doesn't realize that he’s begun to hyperventilate until he feels Mario's hands smoothly resting on his arms. His brother acts tactfully, gently, but even so, Luigi becomes alarmed again, unable to control himself.

“It's all right, Lu.” His twin tries to calm him down, rubbing his arms softly.

“Mario! What's happening? Why am I... a wolf?”

“You're not a wolf, Luigi...", Mario replies, examining him, although he doesn't sound very convinced.

“And these ears? And this tail!? What else would I be? Why am I not a bear like you? What's going on!?”

Luigi is unable to control the rising pitch of his voice, which becomes higher and higher as panic takes over. Mario seems to want to tell him many things, but, given his little brother's shock, he settles for continuing to massage his arms as he slowly approaches him and shakes his head, a soft “Shhh” bursting between his lips. Luigi lies very still and closes his eyes, pressing his hands against his ears, and tries his best to calm himself, but despite having his brother by his side, he doesn't find it easy.

“It's all right, Lu,” Mario then whispers, his head near to his. “Breathe with me, okay? Inhale...”

Mario himself begins to take a breath to encourage Luigi to do the same, and he, although it's hard for him, obeys. The oxygen gradually enters his lungs and fills them, and Luigi holds his breath for a few seconds.

“Exhale,” Mario then tells him in a new murmur.

And, at the same slow pace at which he breathed in, Luigi begins to breathe out, and he hears his brother doing it too so that they breathe together. Then he notices Mario's forehead resting soothingly on his, and the contact is like a balm that instantly comforts him. Not even realizing it, he lowers his hands to rest them on Mario's shoulders, and his twin, not letting go nor separating from him, continues to help him stabilize his breathing.

Thanks to his brother's patience and affection, Luigi doesn’t take more than a few minutes to open his eyes again. He meets Mario's, bright with worry, but also overflowing with the infinite love he has for him. Luigi smiles, a little embarrassed that he just had a panic attack because his costume doesn't look like Mario's even though they’ve touched the same power-up in unison.

“Everything's fine, Lu,” Mario repeats, sounding livelier, and turns away from him to take a step back and examine him up and down, his hand still on Luigi's shoulder. “I think you are... You're a fox!” he concludes.

“A-a fox?”

Luigi examines himself again, puzzled. Don't foxes have orange fur?

“Are you sure I'm not a blond wolf? Or maybe... a cat?” he suggests.

Mario chuckles, and his laughter is echoed by Peach and Toad, who were standing a bit away to give them space.

“Believe me, Luigi,” the princess then intervenes, gazing at him with gentleness and, also, with a certain amusement shining in her blue eyes. “I’ve seen Mario using the Super Bell and his outfit, although similar, is different from yours.”

Luigi then remembers the story that Mario narrated during their first family dinner after their adventure in the Mushroom Kingdom. He recalls how he told them that the power-up he found during the fight against Donkey Kong made him turn into a cat and how everyone at the table, his uncles Tony and Arthur the first and loudest, burst out laughing when they heard it. That didn't stop Mario, however, and Luigi covers his mouth with his hand to try to contain the giggle that threatens to escape him. How he would’ve loved to witness the moment when his older brother turned into a cute little cat!

Mario, his arms folded, looks up to the sky with resignation, ignoring his brother's mocking expression, and turns to the princess, who observes them with her hands behind her back and a wide smile on her lips.

“So...?” Mario asks, raising a hand inquisitively.

“Luigi: you're a Kitsune,” Peach reveals with poise, her attention fixed on him.

“A what?” the brothers repeat in unison, looking at each other, their surprise reflected in each other's eyes.

Toad laughs, amused at their timing, and Peach lets out a soft giggle before continuing.

“The Super Leaf can transform whoever uses it into a Tanooki,” she explains. “That's what I become, and so do you, Mario, and Toad, and many others. But,” she adds, raising a finger to silence the questions the brothers were about to ask, “sometimes, when two people who share a very strong and deep bond use the Super Leaf at the same time, it is likely that one becomes a Tanooki and the other a Kitsune. This is because, according to legends, they are animals that often lived together, helped each other and came to behave and love each other like siblings. And proof of this” she adds, extending her hands towards both of them “are the bandanas that have appeared with your outfits.”

Luigi hadn't even noticed the bandana around his neck until he feels Peach slightly sliding a finger across it. Luigi grabs it and pulls the end carefully, and smiles when he sees that the garment is a soft green that reminds him of the color of the trees in summer. The princess' words keep echoing in his head, and he considers them as his eyes and fingers roam over the bandana almost absent-mindedly. Is it true, then? Has he turned into a Kitsune because of his bond with Mario? Is that the reason why, the first time he tried the power-up, his brother didn't wear a red bandana around his neck? Has it appeared... because of him? Because they grabbed the leaf together?

Fingers on his shoulder bring him back to the present. Turning his head, Luigi meets the warm smile of his twin, who, with his other hand, holds the red garment around his neck. Luigi's eyes open wide as he realizes that his theory is correct: indeed, using the power-up at the same time is what has caused both bandanas to appear, as a symbol of the bond that unites them. A pleased smile blossoms on his face. When his gaze meets Mario's, he feels it, right there: the bond, which has linked them since before they were even born, has continued to grow all these years, all their lives, and now, due to the magic of the power-up, it feels more solid and intense than ever. Luigi thinks he could almost touch it, even, if he were to lift his hand between his brother and himself.

But he doesn't need to. Sure, he can touch the bond he shares with his twin. He does it every time his hand finds Mario's. He does it every time his sibling embraces him with that impetus and effusiveness that characterize him, making him feel loved and protected and safe. He does so now, in fact, while Mario's fingers linger on his shoulder, brushing it affectionately.

They share a silent glance, smiling. They don't need words: their eyes speak for them. Both their faces gleam with emotion, and Luigi knows that Mario is feeling the same way he is. He knows they both notice how their connection, just like when they used the star, has been enhanced. Intensified. Strengthened.

Their bond is firm, never-ending and unbreakable.

Despite their mutual understanding, Luigi notices that, little by little, Mario's expression becomes naughty. His brother then begins to shake his raccoon tail and, after giving him a gentle and playful tap on the shoulder, he begins to soar into the air.

“Come on, Lu!” he says, inviting him with a wave of his hand. “Let's go for a ride!”

Although his brother's enthusiasm is contagious, Luigi vacillates, unsure. It's one thing to understand why his costume is different from Mario's, and quite another to actually use it. Hesitantly, he observes his back, where his flaming limb sways softly. Will it really be able to keep him in the air? Won't he fall into the ground?

Peach's slender fingers on his shoulder startle him a little.

“It's completely safe, Luigi,” she promises him, giving him a smile full of sweetness. “You can fly, I assure you.”

“Yes,” Toad exclaims, excited. “You'll do great, you'll see.”

“Lu?” Mario lands in front of him and looks at his twin with a raised eyebrow. “Is everything all right?”

“Oh! Uh... Y-yes,” Luigi mumbles, not wanting to worry him, nor the princess or Toad, and massages his head nervously. “I-I just don't quite know how to... How to...”

As he speaks, he glances again at his tail, which is still wagging of its own accord, and stares at it with a worried expression that reflects his insecurity. Luckily, Mario, his dear brother, knows him so well that he doesn't need Luigi to finish the sentence.

“Don't worry!” he exclaims, and grabs him firmly with both hands, wrapping his fingers around Luigi's wrist, their palms touching. “I'll guide you. I won't let you fall, Lu. I promise.”

Luigi didn't need Mario to promise him: he knows his sibling won't let him fall for anything in the world, no matter what. He ignores how his Kitsune power-up works, but his trust in Mario is so blind and deep that he nods before he realizes it, smiling at his twin’s energy. Mario tugs gently at him, beginning to rise again, and Luigi barely has time to swallow before his own tail, which definitely seems to be alive, begins to pull him away from the ground as well.

And suddenly, Luigi is flying.

Panic overtakes him again the second his brain registers this information. His limb flails on its own, yes, but Luigi can't help but start shaking his legs as he clutches Mario with both hands, desperate, a shriek of fright escaping his throat. His breathing is racing again, and he wonders, terrified, at what point did it occur to him that this would be a good idea.

“It's all right!” Mario hastens to reassure him, his grip around his wrist more resolute and solid than ever. “You can do it, Luigi! Trust the tail!”

“W-what?”

Luigi isn't sure he heard correctly: trust the tail? Out of inertia, Luigi looks over his shoulder to take a peek at it. The limb rotates on itself, functioning like a helicopter propeller, and a twinge of embarrassment overcomes Luigi when he notices that his lower part is a pinch higher than the rest of his body.

He can't deny that his new friend doesn't seem willing to let him fall.

“I know it's weird,” Mario continues, his voice sounding calm and soft, “but the tail knows what to do. You just have to focus on its movements, and you can learn to control it.”

“Control it?” Luigi repeats, turning to his brother. “Can you do that?”

“Yes!” Mario nods assuredly, giving him an encouraging smile. “You'll see: it's much easier than it looks! Just focus. Can you feel it spinning behind you?”

Clinging to Mario, whose tail moves confidently in the air, Luigi makes an effort to listen to his explanation and follow his instructions. Inadvertently, he frowns as he tries to understand how this power-up works. As Mario has told him, the tail seems to know what it needs to do to keep him in the air, but it's up to Luigi to learn how to manage it so he can move in any direction he pleases. Also, as Mario points out, with some practice he will reach great speed, and even though he doesn't mention it, Luigi immediately understands that he’s remembering the moment he saved him from being burned to death.

Had it not been for the celerity of his raccoon outfit, Mario wouldn’t have made it in time.

This certainty only strengthens Luigi's determination. He has to get the hang of his fox costume. What if something happens that causes Mario to be in danger? What if he's the one who needs Luigi to save him from certain death? Luigi doesn't want to imagine the worst, but of course he plans to be there for his brother at all times. This sudden fear is but one more motivation to encourage him to learn.

His brow is still furrowed. He doesn't notice, but his tongue pokes out from between his lips as he focuses on the sway of his tail, whose fur glistens, somewhat darker, in the sunset light. His fingers are still clamped around Mario's, who hasn't let go of his wrist for a second.

“That's it, Lu,” he says, satisfied with his effort. “You're almost there! I know it's not easy, but you can do it, little brother. I believe in you.”

At the passion in his brother's words, Luigi turns his face towards him. Mario, holding him, grins widely, his smile and his blue gaze full not only of affection, but of faith. An unshakable faith in him, in Luigi, that makes something stir inside him.

Luigi has never doubted that his brother believes in him. Mario has always done so, even the times when Luigi has most distrusted himself. He did so when Luigi started practicing violin, even though many of his classmates mocked him and undermined his self-esteem. He did it when Luigi competed in track and field in high school, something Luigi loved to do but, again, was insecure because of the laughter of the other students. He did it when Luigi began to learn the ins and outs of plumbing so he could work with Mario, even though Luigi felt clumsier than usual.

On all those occasions, Mario was there. Not only did he defend and protect his little brother from those who made fun of him and his skills, but he made sure to tell him over and over again how good he was at athletics, plumbing and playing the violin. He always spoke passionately about how exciting it was to watch Luigi run around the track or listen to him perform his favorite pieces, and he emphasized endlessly every little thing Luigi learned when they were preparing to be plumbers, praising him incessantly. Mario did it not just because he wanted to encourage his twin and make him feel better, but because he believed in him wholeheartedly.

He believes in him wholeheartedly.

And, of course, he still does now that he’s teaching Luigi how to use a power that is completely new to him.

Luigi realizes in that instant that this, the blind faith that Mario has always placed in him, is all he has needed throughout his life to progress, to grow, to improve.

To, in short, believe in himself.

If Mario believes in him, Luigi knows that he’s capable of doing whatever he sets his mind to.

And at this moment, Mario knows that Luigi can learn to handle his fox tail so that he can fly along with him.

So Luigi, struck by the intense love and trust he can read in his brother's eyes as clearly as if it were one of the novels he loves to devour, resumes his task, even more resolute to see it through. He observes his limb out of the corner of his eye again and fixes all his attention on it, on feeling it, on capturing the direction in which it moves and also the speed with which it moves. He doesn’t notice, as focused as he is, the smile that, little by little, lights up his brother's face when he sees his efforts.

Until, suddenly, he succeeds.

When the tail turns, Luigi feels that he’s the one in control. Due to surprise and excitement, he loses focus a bit and stops wagging it, causing his body to suddenly slide down, which makes him scream in fear.

But, of course, there's Mario. Holding him tightly and securely and smiling gleefully.

“That's it, Lu!” His eyes sparkle as he compliments him. “You've almost got it!”

Buoyed by his brother's encouragement, Luigi repeats the action and can't believe it when he sees that it’s worked again. He’s wagging his tail and his body, once again, is rising. Almost as a reflex, Luigi pulls one hand away from Mario’s and shakes it too, as if copying a bird, and imitates the movement with his legs without even realizing it.

“Mario!” he exclaims with laughter of pure joy, “Mario, I'm doing it!”

His brother responds with a loud guffaw.

“Of course you are!” he exclaims.

Luigi soon notices that Mario has begun to ascend, gently dragging him up, causing Luigi to rush up and grab him with both hands once more. Turning to Mario again, a cackle caught in his throat, Luigi is struck dumb for a moment, transfixed by the intense, pride-filled glance his older brother gives him.

He can't believe it. Is Mario really… proud? Proud of him? Proud of him for having learned to do something that took Mario only a few seconds to do? Luigi doesn't understand, but he’d be lying if he said he wasn't happy. That his heart is not filled with mirth. That a very pleasant warmth does not spread through his chest as a smile, at once overwhelmed and radiant, blooms on his lips.

Mario being proud of him is more than he could ask of life.

Then his twin tugs at him again, his smile mischievous once more. A laugh bursts at last from Luigi's throat as he feels his brother propel him upward, climbing higher and higher, into the thick canopies of the trees around them. And, before he can realize it, the two of them are flying, together, flitting among the branches and chuckling loudly, the golden light of the sunset bathing their faces, shining on their fur and matching bandanas and lighting their blissful expressions.

Mario doesn't take his fingers away from Luigi's hand even once. Their eyes constantly search each other's, laughter filling their chests every time they meet. Luigi takes pleasure in the lovely scenery of the Mushroom Kingdom, the beautiful, lush vegetation and the wonderful feeling of being able to look down on it from above. The place is absolutely gorgeous, and he’s suddenly struck by the question of what it’d be like to wake up and go to bed every day with such views.

Flying really is fantastic, incredible, a dream he didn't even know he wanted to fulfill, and he’s relishing in it to the fullest. Besides, the fox outfit, to his surprise, has not only molded to his body perfectly, making him feel almost the same warmth as when Mario embraced him dressed as a Tanooki, but it really seems made to stay in the air, as if that was his element. Luigi has only been wearing it for a few minutes, soaring through the orangey sky, but it already feels like a second skin.

Still, his favorite part of it all is being able to share it with his beloved brother.

Mario, who has been by his side since before he was born. Mario, who has accompanied and guided him through the hardest moments of his life. Mario, who has always believed in him. Mario, who has never let go of his hand.

Luigi feels blessed that his first time using this power-up is not only in the company of his twin, for whom he would give his life without hesitation, but more in tune than ever with him.

Suddenly, an unexpected courage floods Luigi's heart, even if he didn't know he was capable of feeling something like this at all. Guided by it, Luigi slowly separates one hand from Mario's and moves it away, describing an arc in the air until his arm is fully extended to his left, imitating, again, a hypothetical wing. With his eyes fixed on the horizon in the distance and his other hand protected by Mario's, Luigi feels completely safe despite being several meters above the ground.

And he wouldn't trade this feeling for anything.

Then he notices that Mario, also slowly, begins to withdraw one hand, the one that wrapped his own, and gazes at him somewhat shyly, as if asking for permission. Luigi smiles broadly and nods, encouraging him to copy his pose, and, emboldened, Mario also extends his arm to pretend to be a bird like him. His other hand is still firmly clutched in Luigi's, their fingers intertwined, as they belong together, and Luigi gives his twin a quick squeeze. When Mario turns to him, his smile is wide, gleaming and altogether plethoric, and Luigi returns the same gesture. In this instant, he knows that he and his brother are experiencing exactly the same feeling of fulfillment, cheerfulness and, of course, connection with each other.

They fly for a few more minutes, enjoying each other's company and the sensation of feeling the wind on their faces. From time to time they wave to Toad and the princess, who observe them from the ground, giggling, and then continue their flight for a while longer, their hands clasped together. Inside, Luigi feels like a child, like that little kid who spent hours and hours playing with his brother and having the time of his life. Tag-team, hide-and-seek, silly and sudden games they could think of on the spot, sleepovers where Mario would clown around to make Luigi laugh, his brother cracking up when Luigi imitated some of the characters from the cartoons they used to watch when they were kids.

Flying with Mario feels like going back to childhood.

Flying with Mario feels safe and fun.

Flying with Mario feels like being at home.

--------------------------------------

Mario has always been proud of his little brother.

He never doubts Luigi's abilities. Never in his life has he ever done so, and that's why he has always stood up to anyone who would try to put him down. That’s also the reason why he’s repeated to his sibling incessantly that he believes in him and that he can achieve anything he sets his mind to.

And he’s never wrong.

It took Luigi just a few minutes to get the hang of his new power-up. Mario couldn't have been happier and prouder when he saw him start to handle the tail, and that's why he then started the ascent without a second thought. His hands, of course, didn't let go of Luigi's once.

And what a good time he’s just had! Flitting through the forest with his little brother as the evening light enveloped them, highlighting the yellow and ochre tones of Luigi's outfit and the browns of Mario's, as well as the green and red of their matching bandanas!

Now, unfortunately, it’s getting late. The sun is about to set, and they must return to Brooklyn, for the next day they have to continue their work as plumbers. So, much to his regret, Mario doesn’t resist when Luigi, always the more responsible of the two, leads him to the ground with a gentle squeeze on the hand.

Even so, Mario still won't let go. He’s promised he wouldn’t, and he won't break his word again. He did it once before, when his brother needed him most, and he can never forgive himself for it.

So until Luigi's feet step on the ground, right next to his, Mario doesn't allow himself to relax. Nevertheless, he continues to keep his fingers firmly intertwined with those of his little brother, from whom he’s unable to take his eyes off. Nor can he wipe from his lips the smile of happiness that settled on his face as they took to the skies together.

Luigi's, excited, amused, charged with that spark of mischief they both retain from their shared happy childhood, makes Mario's heart glow and increase in size.

The two startle a little at Toad's shouts and Peach's applause, but they don't break contact and their smiles don't waver. Toad latches onto Luigi's leg, who wobbles a bit and inadvertently squeezes his twin’s hand, though he doesn't hesitate to pat the little mushroom man's head with his free hand as soon as he pulls himself together, letting out a somewhat hesitant chuckle. Mario laughs with all his might, delighted that his little brother has also gained a new best friend.

“You did great, Luigi!”

Mario feels his whole head suddenly reddening as soon as he hears the sweet and melodious voice of the beautiful princess, something that intensifies when his eyes fall on her beautiful visage. Peach gives a wide, satisfied smile to Luigi, to whom she claps her hands with elegance and passion, and Mario looks away immediately, shocked, while covering his cheek with his free palm to try to hide his blush. His heart fills with tenderness when he realizes that his sibling has also turned red, although for a different reason.

“Thank you, Peach,” Luigi replies, embarrassed, shyly massaging his head.

“Will you give me a ride next time?” asks Toad, still clinging to his leg.

Luigi giggles as he nods, but the princess is quick to intervene.

“Next time, we should all use the Super Leaf,” she suggests.

“That would be great!” Mario exclaims, unable to contain himself.

He immediately reprimands himself and instinctively squeezes Luigi's hand. Was it too obvious? Was his enthusiasm too evident? He doesn't know what's wrong with him, but he feels that anything the princess says or does is worthy of admiration and a tremendous ovation, and his innate impulsiveness leads him to show it before he can restrain himself.

Luckily, Peach, as sweet and kind as ever, smiles at him excitedly, her hands clasped together at chest level. She doesn't seem at all bothered by his outburst, and Mario feels his heart slowly relax. Not completely, though. With her in front of him, it's impossible.

By now, he has come to understand that his heart will never be entirely at rest as long as she’s around. He has no idea what he should do about it, but he tells himself that at least accepting it is a first step. Peach makes him nervous, in a good way, and awakens a million sensations that make his soul flutter. It's been a long time since Mario dated Pauline, but he doesn't think he's ever felt this way. And he loved Pauline very much.

At that moment, Luigi squeezes him again, bringing him back to the present, and Mario turns to him almost by inertia. He’s startled, however, when he notices Luigi's narrowed eyes and the sly, almost wicked smile he gives him. Mario raises his eyebrows, puzzled, and is about to ask a question when his brother steps forward.

“You know what, Toad?” he says, still staring at Mario, and turns to the little mushroom man before continuing, “How about I give you that ride now?”

“Now?” Toad repeats excitedly, his little black eyes glistening at the suggestion.

“Sure! We have to get home, after all,” Luigi resolves, shrugging. “So I'll take you back to the castle. And, Mario,” he adds casually, again turning to his brother, “maybe you could take the princess, right? That is, if she agrees.”

He adds the latter while giving Peach a shy smile, but she hardly notices, as her sapphire gaze is fixed on Mario. He feels his heart skips a beat as soon as he glimpses the pinkness that has covered her beautiful and delicate cheeks, and it starts racing at the way she, upon noticing it, ducks her head demurely.

“I'd love to,” Peach replies quietly, her eyes wandering everywhere, but avoiding dropping on Mario.

“That's great!” Luigi exclaims. “We'll see you at the castle!”

Luigi's hand gives Mario a final squeeze that makes him turn towards his twin, but before Mario can find the words to stop it all, or to curse his dear little brother, Luigi throws his arms around his neck in farewell.

“See you soon, big bro!”

Luigi intends to pull away, but Mario finally manages to react: he lifts his arms and closes his fingers tightly around the soft orange fur that covers his sibling. Luigi’s embrace feels warm and cozy, but the nervousness that has overcome Mario prevents him from fully enjoying the experience. A jittery chuckle emerges from his throat as, gritting his teeth, he manages to mumble in Luigi's ear:

“I'm going to kill you.”

He tries to croon it, so it won't be too obvious, especially if Toad or Peach hear it, but Luigi, of course, catches it perfectly.

“You'll thank me for this,” he whispers back, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement, and before the hug is over, Mario feels his brother's lips quickly touch his cheekbone.

“Oh, you piece of…”

Mario falls silent, his heart galloping in his chest and melting in equal parts, his face burning as if a raging fire had broken out in him. His sibling knows him too well and knows that he can't spend too much time being angry with him, especially not when he shows his affection for him in a physical way. Luigi, well aware of this, gives him a quick, mischievous wink before turning away from him completely.

Despite everything, Mario feels empty when his brother's fingers move away from his shoulders. It's something he hasn't failed to notice since he was reunited with Luigi after catching him before the lava took him away from him forever. He sees that he can't let his twin out of his sight again, that he requires Luigi's fingers to always be intertwined with his, that he needs physical contact with him more than he’s ever needed it. They’ve always been prone to hugging each other, to showing their affection teasingly: Mario often hits Luigi’s hat to pull it down to his eyes, and Luigi is used to tickling his belly all the time, not to mention their secret greeting and the many times they hold each other's hands amidst laughter and jokes.

But, after having been several days without hearing from Luigi, after having been in a state of anguish not knowing his whereabouts or even if he was well, after having been on the verge of losing him... Mario feels that being away from Luigi is like having half of his heart ripped out of his chest. It may still beat, but it doesn't pulsate as full of life and joy.

Still, Mario knows that there’s no danger. That he and his brother can be separated, voluntarily and for short periods of time, and that they’ll both be fine. Nothing is going to happen to Luigi as he flies with Toad to the Mushroom Kingdom castle, not after he’s learned to fly almost immediately with his flaming Kitsune tail. And besides, should anything happen, his sibling is quite capable of fending for himself, no matter how much Mario's instincts scream at him that he must protect him. Luigi may be his little brother, but, in the end, the difference between the two is only a few minutes. They’re twins, after all. And Luigi is as strong and brave as the next guy. He already proved it by saving Mario from Bowser's fire.

Yes, Mario is well aware that his brother will know what to do if things turn bad again.

Pride comes over him again as he recalls the moment when he opened his eyes, bruised and exhausted, thinking he was going to burn to death, and discovered his beloved little brother standing there, protecting him with a manhole cover, not caring if he got burned in the process. Mario smiles, excited, as he witnesses the moment when Luigi bends down so that Toad can jump to his back, which the cheerful mushroom man doesn't hesitate to do in one leap. There he is: his other half, learning the ins and outs of that world they discovered by chance and flying on his own.

Literally! Luigi, also smiling, gives Mario a quick wave and a warm smile to the princess before taking off, all traces of doubt and insecurity completely gone. Mario follows him with his eyes as Luigi, with his little friend on his back, flies away, arms outstretched, his posture confident and determined.

Mario's heart could burst with pride.

He stares as they fly off into the distance, as the reddish light of the setting sun envelops them, as Luigi flies back and forth playfully, and as Toad cackles loudly, raising his arms to the sky. A hearty chuckle escapes Mario's lips, and he shakes his head in amusement.

A movement that he detects out of the corner of his eye brings him back to earth and makes him suddenly realize that he has just been left alone with the princess.

His breath catches almost instantly, and he must muster all his willpower to appear natural as he turns to her. He composes a smile so shaky that he doubts if it hasn't become a grimace and curses himself. Peach and he are friends. He doesn't quite understand where these silly feelings have come from that are making him perceive himself as extremely awkward every time he interacts with her.

And yet, there it is again: the nervousness that assaults him with her mere presence, the accelerated beating of his heart, the redness that begins to color his cheeks. Mario puts his hands behind his back and looks at the princess, who smiles warmly at him, while a high-pitched laugh rises from his throat.

“Well,” he mumbles, shrugging his shoulders.

“Well,” replies Peach, slightly blushing.

Mario curses himself again for his eloquence. Increasingly uneasy, he begins to turn everywhere but towards the young woman as, in his mind, he frantically searches for the right words he should address to her to offer to take her back home. Should he do it as a friend, with a certain familiarity? Or should he perhaps keep his distance given that she is a princess? Should he... bow? And, should she agree, how should he... transport her? He can't carry her on his back like Luigi has done with Toad. Nor would it be right to sustain her by her hands alone, as it could be uncomfortable for both, and her dress might blow away in the wind.

So...?

Mario gives a little gasp and swallows when his brain comes up with the solution. Will he... be able to do it? Will she agree to let him do it? Oh, how he'd love to do it - he'd feel like the most fortunate man in the entire world! Of course, maybe it's too intimate, too... physical. And maybe she doesn't want him to...

Noticing that Peach has also started to let her eyes wander and is massaging her arm with some embarrassment, Mario makes up his mind. There’s only one way to resolve all the doubts swarming around his restless head.

He straightens up and smiles, resolved. Placing one arm across his stomach and the other behind his back, Mario begins to perform a bow that, he hopes, is befitting royalty.

“May I offer to take you back to the castle, princess?” he asks, hoping his voice sounds confident and gentle at the same time.

He hears a soft chuckle, amused and shy at the same time, which is music to his ears. He dares to raise his head and finds the young woman demurely covering her mouth with her hand. There’s no trace of mockery in her gestures or in her face, nor in her voice when she speaks.

“I would love to, my brave hero.”

Mario's jaw drops when she bends as well: she grabs the skirt of her dress with both hands as she genuflects briefly and bows her head. A warmth spreads through Mario's chest as he realizes that Peach has just played along and is more than happy to do so, but what his addled brain refuses to process is that she has just called him “my brave hero.”

“My hero.”

... “Her” hero? Him? A simple plumber from Brooklyn?

Before Mario has time to take it in, however, Peach does something that causes his heart to skip a beat and his mind to panic: after straightening up and smoothing down the skirt of her dress, the young woman approaches him without hesitation, stands beside him and places her arms around his neck, draping them over his red bandana. Her cheeks have reddened, but her expression is assured and firm.

Mario, on the other hand, feels that his brain has stopped working.

For a few seconds, he remains still, very stiff, with Peach's hands on his shoulders and her body very close to his. Mario's arms remain in tension, slightly separated from his body, his fingers contracted, as if he had suffered a spasm.

Until his eyes meet Peach's.

Her deep blue irises radiate sweetness. They radiate peace. They radiate trust.

Trust... in him.

Mario stands breathless, gazing at her as if he were in front of the most rapturous work of art he has ever seen. Although Peach's flush betrays her coyness, she holds his gaze tenderly, placidly, not turning away for a moment.

And Mario finds himself unable to stop sinking into those shiny blue eyes as if they enclosed the very ocean within them.

Before he can realize it, he finds himself giving her the widest, most ardent of smiles. He feels his face burning, and notices out of the corner of his eye how her blush increases, at which she puts a hand to her mouth to hide a new giggle, although her look continues without straying from his. Hypnotizing him. Trapping him. Spellbinding him.

When Peach takes her hand back to Mario's shoulder, he finally manages to react: with a little gasp, he lets out a nervous laugh and forces his arms to move at once. With some hesitation, he places one hand on the princess's slender waist and bends down to slip his other arm under her legs. He clutches her firmly, wanting to secure her in the same way he did his brother minutes before, and rises gradually so that she has time to get used to the fact that her dainty feet no longer touch the ground. Despite this, a soft cry of surprise escapes Peach's throat, which, however, soon turns into another chuckle.

Mario's concern at having rushed to his feet disappears as soon as that delightful sound reaches his ears. Relieved, he laughs too, ecstatic at Peach's proximity and relishing in the intimate moment he’s sharing with her. Never in his best dreams would he have dreamed of having the chance to carry the beautiful princess in such a chivalrous way, and yet there she is: clinging to his neck confidently and steadily as he holds her in his arms. She’s graceful and light as a feather, and smells like peaches, as if honoring her name, and Mario tells himself that he could carry her for the rest of his life and be thankful for it.

After spending a few seconds too long securing her in his arms, Mario finally decides to take flight. He sets his raccoon tail in motion and begins to soar, but, although he does so slowly, Peach can't help but gasp and squeeze against him a little, fearful of falling. Mario's heart flutters in his chest, but he tries his best to keep the limb moving so as not to scare her any further. Peach, embarrassed, turns her head away.

“I'm sorry,” she apologizes, bashful.

“No!” exclaims Mario, perhaps too quickly, “No, Princess, really, it's all right, I—I'm sorry, I should have been more careful...”

“Oh, no, don't worry,” replies Peach. “You are being very careful and... I appreciate it, Mario.”

She gives him a warm smile, just for him, and Mario feels like he could melt right there. He smiles at her too, enraptured, and is surprised when he sees her lower her head timidly.

“By the way,” she adds, not looking up, “you can call me Peach.”

Mario is so shocked that his grip on her body tightens unintentionally.

“Really?” he mumbles, incredulous.

“I'd love it,” she admits, turning her radiant gaze to him.

Mario watches her silently for a moment, barely aware that his tail is still lifting them into the air. Then, bit by bit, a smile blooms on his lips that, he hopes, will give Peach the same warmth that her sea-colored eyes exude.

“Okay,” he agrees, then adds with some hesitation, “Peach.”

He palates each letter on his tongue as if it were the delicious fruit they refer to when put together, and he likes, no, he loves, how good the beautiful princess's name sounds in his mouth. How good that short, precious word feels being born from his throat. Like it fills him up inside. As if it completed him.

Hearing it, her expression seems to light up, like a sparkling star in the darkest night, and her chest fills. Mario delights in that beautiful gesture, and in the laugh that the young woman emits next, joyful and uninhibited, without a trace of shyness. Everything in her beautiful visage radiates mirth, and Mario wonders if he’s the cause. Has he really managed to make her so happy with just a simple word?

Should he... repeat it?

“Peach,” he says again, more confident this time.

And she chuckles again, only this time she hugs him tighter, so that their faces are very near, their cheeks almost touching, and Mario feels like he's going to have a heart attack. He has to force his raccoon tail to keep going or else they’ll both plunge into the ground. Overwhelmed and painfully aware of the proximity of the young woman and her graceful, slender body in contact with his, he tries to focus on the flight and not on the intoxicating sensation that comes over him as he feels her so close. Her hair tickles his cheek, her peach and pineapple perfume floods his nose, and he feels as if her delicate hands, gracefully perched on his left shoulder, are already part of him.

He wonders if it will hurt when he has to part from her.

Luckily, the journey continues, and Peach keeps her eyes fixed on the horizon. In the distance, bathed in the rays of the setting sun, her castle, which Luigi and Toad must have reached by now, is beginning to come into view. Mario focuses on it to continue flying, although he can't stop his eyes from wandering over the magnificent landscape of the Mushroom Kingdom, full of tall trees with dense canopies and, also, the mushroom forest that welcomed him the first time he arrived in that new world.

A world that has become almost a second home to him.

As they move forward, he feels Peach taking a deep breath, clinging to him, and, as he gives her a quick sidelong gaze, Mario sees that she has closed her eyes to better revel in the sensation of being in the air. It's certainly a wonderful thing, something he still can't believe he can do. It would be totally unthinkable in Brooklyn, and yet in Peach and Toad's world, it’s quite normal.

Then, the princess pulls the same arm away again and extends it in the air as the other continues to be wrapped around his neck, her smile even more expansive and radiant if possible. She begins to wave her arm up and down, and laughter bursts from within her with the same force as waves crashing against the rocks.

And that vision, the beauty of her face, illuminated both by the golden light of the sunset and by the purest bliss, together with the crystalline sound of her gleeful laughter, causes Mario to giggle without realizing it, his heart swelling and warming in his chest, beating wildly at the thousand sensations that the mere presence of the princess makes him experience, increased by her happiness and her closeness. Without even realizing that he’s doing so, Mario once again takes her around her waist a little tighter, in an almost possessive way that he doesn't even know where it comes from, but that he’s unable to control.

And Peach, feeling the grip of his fingers, turns to him, still smiling, her arm still swaying gracefully in the wind. However, she stops it gradually, her eyes tangled in Mario's, who, not knowing how, finds himself once again caught by the intensity of the young woman's sapphire look. Their smiles, though wide and sincere, start to fade, and Mario almost gasps as he feels Peach's hand return to its place on his shoulder, her fingers lightly settling on his body.

Mario cannot blink. He doesn't know what the magic of the princess's glance is, but it exerts a captivating power over him that makes him never want to take his attention away from it.

And suddenly, he notices them closer.

Closer and closer, and they begin to narrow, and Mario gasps unreservedly this time. Is it really happening or is it just his impression? His heart is racing so fast that he feels like it's going to jump out of his chest at any moment, and his eyelids begin to droop as he feels Peach's breath intermingle with his own.

Before his eyes shut completely, however, they come alive and lower, just for an instant, to the princess's beautiful pink lips, which he finds so tempting and suggestive. They look so soft and full, and they’re getting nearer, yes, they’re actually approaching his, and Mario only manages to squeeze Peach's body against him out of instinct, to which she responds by tightening her grip around his neck.

And, at last, their lips meet.

At first, Mario stands still, paralyzed, hardly daring to breathe or move a single muscle. Is it really happening or is it just a dream? Are the princess's lips resting on his or is he experiencing the most vivid of his fantasies? Will it all burst like a bubble if he makes the slightest motion? How can he know...?

Then Peach, somewhat unsure, slowly moves her lips against his and Mario's heart begins to gallop in his chest at such a speed that he feels his pulse hammering in his temples. He feels like laughing and crying and shouting and dancing, all the while never taking the slightest step away from the woman he’s so madly and deeply in love with that he’s been unable to accept it to himself until he’s seen his most secret and hidden desire to kiss her fulfilled.

Yes: he’s in love with Peach and wants to shout it from the rooftops.

Avid, he hastens to reciprocate the princess and delights in the velvety touch of her lips on his. Peach's mouth is even more exquisite than he could have imagined, and tastier, and more intoxicating, and Mario moves smoothly against her to savor her better, fascinated by her softness and by the sweetness that invades him and threatens to drive him completely mad.

He pulls her a little tighter when he feels the woman's delicate fingers softly place themselves on his cheek, cradling his face with devotion. Mario is unable to contain the moan that escapes his throat and feels Peach smile against his mouth at the sound. The princess then half-opens her lips in a mute invitation, and Mario, with a certain shyness, begins to explore the interior haltingly, carefully, not wanting to overstep even though he’s dying to devour her. This time it is Peach who moans at his gentleness and presses her fingers on the back of his neck to push him against her, which makes Mario moan again. He doesn’t vacillate to deepen the kiss, and unhesitatingly opens his mouth so that, this time, it is he who offers himself to her. Peach, not holding back, yields to his incitement and proceeds gently, with relish, but also with tenderness, wanting, like him, to revel in his taste.

The delicacy with which she acts and the sweetness that permeates his tongue threaten to cause Mario to faint mid-flight.

To say he’s happy would be an understatement. He’s ecstatic, exhilarated, elated, on cloud nine, he feels like the most fortunate man in the world and believes, knows, that if he were to explode from sheer joy and die at that very moment, he’d do so while being the happiest person in all universes.

After one last exchange, the two separate unhurriedly, reluctantly. Mario would like to continue kissing her for the rest of his life, if possible, but he wouldn’t change the knowing expression, full of tenderness and passion, that the woman gives him. They both pant, and Mario is convinced that the princess's heart beats as fast as his own. Her face, flushed and aflame, is like a vision for him, a vision he could never tire of contemplating. He doesn't realize he’s begun to smile until she does too, and they giggle in unison, feeling connected at the wondrous, almost divine experience they’ve just had together.

A sudden gust of air makes both Peach's dress skirt and her beautiful, abundant blonde hair flutter, and catches them so unexpectedly that Mario risks being thrown off balance. A small cry of surprise escapes him as he instinctively clutches the princess more tightly, and his heart stops briefly as he realizes that she’s done exactly the same thing, her fingers sinking into his bandana and the fur of his shoulder more tightly. They stare at each other for a second, blushing, and laugh again at the same time, in a mutual understanding that fills Mario's heart with warmth.

His eyes drift for a moment to the princess's castle, already closer, but also... lower? Mario gives a small gasp as he turns to the majestic building again, and Peach mimics him as she notices his bewilderment. They both seem to realize at the same time that, not quite knowing how it happened, they’re now higher, as if their goal was to touch the few clouds scattered across the sky, which are now just a few meters above their heads. The setting sun is so low at their feet that Mario and Peach might seem larger in size.

Mario feels his whole head burning violently as soon as he realizes that the kiss of the beautiful princess has so enchanted and enraptured him that it’s lifted him, without him even realizing it, far above the forest from which they’ve emerged. Embarrassed, he lets out a low giggle, unable to look Peach in the eyes, and begins to descend. He can't stop cursing himself - does his infatuation have to be so obvious?

Fortunately, Peach chuckles too, and she doesn't do it mockingly. Her voice sounds jovial and her visage gleams, amused, when Mario dares to observe her again. She brings her gloved hand to her mouth, her gaze fixed on his, and, to his surprise, she lays her fingers on his cheek before pressing her lips to his one last time. It’s a quick and fleeting graze, but full of as much affection and tenderness as the passionate kiss they shared minutes before, and it’s more than enough to make Mario's heart race again and to make his face, without his permission, bloom a rapture so evident that it makes the princess giggle again.

Then Peach, while still wrapping her graceful arms around Mario's neck, rests her head on his shoulder and closes her eyes, releasing a soft sigh at the softness and warmth of his Tanooki suit. Mario's eyes widen almost wildly, and he feels himself melting completely inside. If he still had any doubts about whether or not he was the luckiest man in the world, this is his confirmation: his beloved princess feels comfortable and safe enough with him to lean against his body and relax, proof that she trusts her “hero” blindly. Mario smiles helplessly - is it possible to burst with happiness?

The gentle evening breeze accompanies them and plays with the young girl's dress and long hair, until they finally reach the castle gardens. Mario immediately spots Toad and Luigi, who seem to be scanning the skies with a restless expression on their faces. Mario wouldn't trade the intense minutes he just spent with Peach for anything in the world (was it just a few minutes? Really?), but he can't help but curse himself once more for worrying his dear brother and his best friend. Both of their faces light up, however, as soon as they catch a glimpse of them, and Peach starts waving her arm at them, laughing gleefully.

Mario's feet land in the gardens before Luigi and Toad reach them. Mario crouches down so that Peach can also step on the ground, and, as he straightens up, he notices the knowing, and somewhat mischievous, glance exchanged between his brother and his friend. Mario's eyes narrow in suspicion. What are they up to?

The princess, however, demands his full attention, for, as he soon realizes, they’re about to separate after having kissed for the first time - on high, no less! Will something change between them now? Mario doesn't know if he wants it to be that way or if he wants them to continue as they’ve always been, but what he does know is that, as he suspected, he feels an almost physical pain at the thought of being away from Peach. When he looks at her again, he reads in her deep blue eyes that she feels as reluctant as he does to leave his side. Mario's hand still lingers on her waist, and Peach, extremely slowly, slides her hand down from his shoulder as she also begins to remove the arm she had around his neck.

Watching her, Mario feels clumsy. Inelegant. Unworthy, even. He feels that his smile is barely a crooked grimace that betrays the bundle of nerves he has become. He feels that his face is a burning flame that will cause his whole body to catch fire at any moment. He feels those beautiful sapphire eyes pierce him with intensity and sweetness and... desire? Is that desire or is it nothing more than his heated imagination?

Suddenly, to his surprise, Peach begins to lean towards him, and Mario's heart skips a beat as he thinks she's going to kiss him again. And, yes, indeed, Peach does kiss him, but not on the lips this time, but on his fiery red cheek. Peach's mouth presses delicately on Mario's skin and lingers there for a few seconds too long, prolonging the gesture, something Mario certainly won't complain about. He doesn't realize that he’s closed his eyes until she finally pulls away, and he opens them and can only gaze at her with rapture and tenderness when she gives him a warm, sweet smile.

Unhurriedly, as if she didn’t want their eyes to lose contact, the princess starts to turn around to make her way back to her castle. Mario doesn’t lose sight of her for a moment while she, as graceful and elegant as ever, moves to where Luigi and Toad are, and, after patting Toad’s head affectionately, she grabs the skirt of her dress to bow to Luigi, who, surprised, hastens to return her gesture a bit awkwardly. Peach smiles warmly at them before resuming her walk, and, after taking a few steps away, she turns and fixes her attention on him directly.

Mario jumps back, caught off guard, making Peach giggle. Embarrassed, he copies her, unsure, and barely manages to return her greeting when she waves her hand in his direction. He doesn’t notice that his other hand, having fallen from the princess's slender waist, now hangs limp at the side of his body, nor the loud sigh that rises from deep inside him.

He only has eyes for the beautiful and delicate silhouette of the young woman walking away through the gardens, her blonde hair shining even more in the light of the sunset.

Until something, all of a sudden, intervenes in his vision.

Mario blinks, trying to return to reality, and meets Luigi's enthused and excited glance, accompanied, a little further down, by Toad's, equally or even more eager. Mario unintentionally recoils a little, but he can't help but be amused by the questioning and curious expressions of both of them, especially by the way they clench their fists under their faces. Their blue and black eyes sparkle with expectation.

“Have you kissed?” Luigi asks bluntly, his tone of voice a little sharper than usual due to the excitement. Toad nods frantically, his smile widening even more.

Mario reddens violently and steps back again out of instinct. His first impulse is to deny it, to pretend that his brother and his friend are imagining it all. Him, kissing the princess? The beautiful, ravishing young woman he has inadvertently and hopelessly fallen in love with? How can they think that?

Yet he’s so happy that he’s floating on a cloud. He feels so blissful and lucky that he wonders... what would be wrong with admitting his feelings? Why should he get defensive? What good would it do him? Besides, what the hell, this is his little brother, the person he loves most in all worlds, and his new and enthusiastic best friend. What reason would he have to hide anything from them? In fact, who else is he going to share his happiness with if not them?

So, relaxing his shoulders, Mario slowly draws a smile from ear to ear and, despite knowing he's still blushing, nods just once.

That's more than enough: Luigi throws his arms to the sky as a piercing squeal of excitement rises from his throat, and Toad starts clapping and shouting, just as happy. Mario is a little astonished at such enthusiasm, but laughs, touched by their mirth. Luigi then throws his arms around Mario’s neck and starts jumping up and down while hugging him with all his might, causing Mario, infected by his rapture, to also end up jumping up and down while embracing his adored brother.

“Finally!” Luigi squeals, maybe even merrier than Mario himself, “I knew it! I knew it would happen! I knew it!” He shouts again, thrilled, and Mario is unable to contain the cackle that bursts from inside him. “You don't know how happy I am for you, Mario! You deserve it!”

Luigi presses his cheek against his and Mario shuts his right eye, although his left one is directed towards his brother. His heart beats so intensely, so warmly, that he thinks it could burst out of his chest and it’d be on fire, overwhelmed not only by his first kiss with Peach, but by the clear affection in his brother's reaction to know that, at last, Mario and the princess have taken the step they’ve postponed for so long. An infinite tenderness has begun to flood him and spread to every corner of his body, born from Luigi's sincere elation for him, and he lets himself be cuddled by his little brother while he holds him close, happier, more grateful and blessed every day for having him by his side since before he was born.

Little by little, Luigi stops jumping to give himself completely to the embrace, squishing Mario with energy and vigor and giggling with emotion. Their faces, peeking out from their Tanooki and Kitsune costumes, press against each other's, their cheeks still squashed, but their smiles wider and more radiant than ever.

The sudden touch of tiny arms closing around his legs causes Mario's eyes to widen with a gasp, but the corners of his mouth rise again as soon as he realizes it's Toad, who is hugging him to join in his bliss as well. Laughing warmly, Mario reaches down with one arm to pat the mushroom man’s head, also feeling very grateful that he’s there with him, and squeezes his twin tightly with his free arm. Luigi, not letting go for a second, embraces him tighter, his face still scrunched against Mario's, who laughs in delight.

His brother hugging him with all his love and glee, his friend showing him his support, a delicious and deep kiss shared with the beautiful princess he’s so madly in love with...

What more could he ask for?