#That's such an adorable ship name hshdsgh

[drones-of-innocence]

One Step Closer

O~o~O

“Well, I won’t keep ya any longer. The countdown is about to start. Let me just say, Mr. Mario, it was a real pleasure to meet you!”

Mario grinned and shook his head. “Please, Felix. Just Mario.” he couldn’t help the nervous laugh that bubbled up. Tension from the whole night trying to fizz up inside him like the spritz in everyone’s champagne flutes. “The pleasure is mine. I would love to get to know you better.”

Felix’s bright eyes shone with wonder under the sweeping, colorful lights. Such a look of pure admiration. Mario was admittedly alarmed by the amount of people who looked at him in such a way that night. Seizing his shoulder, Felix shook his head. “You’re not 'just' anything, Mario. Believe me. You’re one spectacular fella.” he beamed. Then, seeing Mario’s eyes flicker over his shoulder to glance at Sergeant Calhoun laughing over her drink with Princess Peach, he leaned a little closer with a conspiratorial look. “You know, I can see the way you look at her.”

The music began to die down in preparation for the countdown. Mario swallowed hard and blinked at Felix. “Look at who like what?” he choked, heat rising in his face.

With a kind smile, Felix shrugged with one shoulder. The answer was obvious. “She gives ya the honeyglow, don’t she?” he patted Mario’s arm in a brotherly way. Offering his solidarity as he tilted his head in the direction of Sergeant Calhoun. “I felt it myself for my dynamite gal. Still do. It sets you alight, huh?” he asked warmly.

Mario’s throat went dry. Was it really so easy to see right through him? Felix had just met him! The icy grip of panic shot through his veins. Could the Princess see right through him? Oh no. He didn’t have the nerve to try to deny it. With all the dresses and suits floating by, chatting over their drinks, all the eyes stacked up on his back like the precariously balanced hors d’oeuvres carried around on silver platters. “Some—something like that.” he agreed, forcing a big smile when the Princess caught his gaze and waved at him. He managed to wave back, and Felix chuckled. 

“You’re a legend, Mario. Wherever you go, the spotlight follows. It’s a real privilege to know someone like you.” Felix’s more earnest look reminded him to take a deep breath. “I’ll let you be. Happy New Year, my friend.”

His hand left Mario’s shoulder, and he winked before he went to return to his lady. Sergeant Tamora Calhoun, the terrifyingly stylish war hero, who welcomed the embrace of her beloved with a pleased smile. Mario blinked. The pair somehow fit together like two pieces of a completely different puzzle that formed a new and more perfect image together. He let out a sigh. “Happy New Year, Felix.” he said to himself. More couples began to come together throughout the grand hall, headed toward the central attraction.

“Look at you, Superstar!” he jolted at the sudden weight on his arm, and turned to blink up at Princess Peach with wide eyes. “Both of them are just so lovely, aren’t they? He wants your autograph. I think everyone in this room does. How are you handling the spotlight?”

Faced with her sweet smile, Mario couldn’t maintain his own. A small group nearby pointed and squealed at him. “Ahi,” he let out, almost going to rub the back of his head before he remembered the painstaking time he’d put into styling his hair. “It’s…Different,” he admitted.

It never felt any less surprising. He had a reputation. Notoriety. People paid attention to his name. When he’d received the invitation to the New Year’s ball that year alongside Princess Peach, it was determined by a short session of the main Mushroom Kingdom council that it would be best for the pair to attend together, as dates. Much to his surprise. In that case, he and the Princess were to match. The royal tailor drew up several potential options for what he might wear. Luckily, they offered him some agency. They actually quite appreciated his suggestion for a salmon-colored suit, with maroon accents that the Princess could easily correspond with additional accessories to. The sparkles were a little showy, but it suited the occasion well. In the end, the process was fun, and Mario did sincerely enjoy escorting the Princess around the room and meeting so many new people. Her strapless dress really stole the show, even if she insisted that he was the one under the limelight.

She had said he looked “dashing.” That lingering thought hadn’t left his mind, making his chest feel warmer and more tingly than a sip of his martini.

But this wasn’t a proper date, not exactly. This was all a stage, a political display, and nothing more. While that thought injected a cold sting into the occasion, Mario wouldn’t let it waste the night. It was such a privilege to be seen with her, to match, to laugh and make new inside jokes together. And the way she clung to his arm, hardly leaving his side at all despite both of them being pulled away by old friends or fans, made his heart skip a beat.

“Big breath. Raise your glass and act like you’re giving a toast to that group.” she murmured, prompting him gently as she had done all night. She knew how to handle fame and attention. He did as she said, taking in a deep breath and bringing up his glass just as another group waved at them. “Good. Now, imagine I’ve said something mildly amusing to your delicate sensibilities. Like how that man over there looks rather like a grumpy Cheep Cheep.”

Mario had to stop himself from spitting out his drink. “What?” he asked, blinking up at her with wide eyes and trying frantically to hide his grin behind his glass.

Peach beamed. “There’s your winning smile,” she teased, reaching up to touch his face for just a moment. “Now, let’s go or we’ll miss the countdown!”

Oh, right. The object of the occasion. Mario collected himself, still trying not to laugh. And frantically trying to ignore the new heat in his face where she had touched him. He offered his arm to her. Giggling in her sweet manner, Peach accepted his lead. He might as well have been on fire. 

She really did set him alight. Mario searched the growing crowd, but he couldn’t find Felix.

All the glowing colors, the buzz of the room grew with anticipation until it was nearly electric. Still, Mario couldn’t really focus on much besides the Princess who held his arm with such relaxed familiarity. He couldn’t see the countdown; everyone else seemed to tower over him. But it must be getting close. He could hear excited murmurs, secretive whispers, hushed questions. Eyes flickering toward him.

The lights went dark. The crowd was fixed on the center of the room, and then the next moment they were all fixed on himself and the Princess. Mario blinked at everyone’s smiles suddenly facing them. His empty glass was taken by a waiter who disappeared just as fast. Peach pressed in closer, sensing the pressure. “Oh,” she hummed, surprised.

20…

Mario swallowed hard. He could hear pieces of their conversations. “...Kiss? Do you think they will? Isn’t it exciting? I wonder if they’ll kiss?” his eyes widened. 

He looked up at Peach. She looked down at him, equal alarm in her eyes.

15…

The murmured numbers gained volume as more people began to chant the countdown. Mario gulped and went stiff when he realized he could hear the word “kiss!” being softly suggested along with the numbers. 

Everyone was staring at them. Everyone was expecting them to bring in the new year with a kiss. Didn’t they know that he was just her guard? He wasn’t really her date, not like that! Surely, everyone knew. He had thought it was obvious; a plumber like him clearly didn’t belong next to someone like the Princess. Something stuck in his throat. This must be so humiliating for her. He didn’t want to dare to look back up. The heat crawled up his face, the attention coming down on him like blistering sunlight. A bead of sweat formed on his temple.

Peach stood closer still, reaching for his other arm so that they stood together under the attention. Mario didn’t even realize he’d rested his hands on her waist until she got his attention with a gentle squeeze to his shoulder.

10…

He whipped his head up to look into her eyes, ready to jump away from her. However, the Princess had a strangely placid, mysterious regard for him.

It wasn’t distaste, or disgust like he feared. He couldn’t read her at all.

9…

“It’s been a long year, hasn’t it?” she asked him.

Mario blinked. “...What?” he answered, intelligently. “Ehm. Yes.”

8…

She gave a soft smile, but it was the smile that hurt his heart because it somehow looked slightly sad.

7…

“I’m very grateful for you. I want you to know that you’re always the highlight of my day.” Peach smiled and averted her eyes.

6…

Mario’s eyes widened. 

5…! 

He could have sworn he saw her cheeks flush. “You’re so special to me, and to the Kingdom.”

4…!

Her eyes seemed to shimmer under the low lights, bringing him under her trance. “I couldn’t ask for a better guard to have at my side.”

3…!

“So I guess what I’m trying to say is…” Her hands came up to touch his face.

2…!

She leaned down. “Happy New Year, Mario.” she whispered.

1…!

Fireworks. Peach pressed her lips to his. A soft, lingering kiss. The hall erupted with color and life. Deafening cheers. Mario couldn’t hear them. He couldn’t hear anything. Her floral perfume washed over his senses. All he saw were fireworks behind his eyes, like bright flaming bursts in the sky. His heart pounding like explosions. 

He could have sworn he felt her smile into him.

She pulled away, and he had to blink himself out of the night show in his head. Flashing lights. Cameras. Thrilled cheers. Clinking glasses and couples kissing all around. Mario’s face must have been as red as his suit. Peach’s cheeks were about as pink as her dress. 

They stared at one another. Mario couldn’t look away. Colored lights washed over her, the smooth curve of her shoulders and the elegant stretch of her neck. Banners drew up as confetti fell. The music returned, lively and energetic, as the room around began to dance. And they stood so still in the middle of the chaos, as if they were the eye of the storm.

Though, Mario felt like anything but. She kissed him. She kissed him! And it wasn’t like the friendly peck on the cheek she’d usually offer after rescuing her. No, there was intent behind this kiss. He realized he hadn’t let go of her waist.

Her hands were still on his face. Her thumb traced his cheek. Her piercing blue eyes fell away from his. “I’m sorry if I overstepped.” she spoke in a low voice, only for him to hear.

He had to will himself out of his stiffened state. “N—no. It’s okay.”

There was no way he would be able to explain that he’d never had a New Year’s kiss before. Or that he was so deeply in love with her that her kiss had ignited a wildfire inside of him that he wasn’t sure could ever be quelled. He wasn’t sure if it was pleasant, or if it hurt. 

The attention still fell on them. Both of them had forced, plastered smiles.

Of course. It was for the crowd. That was all.

They were there to entertain, and nothing more. “Would you like to dance?” he asked, hoping he didn’t sound like he was in pain. 

Peach nodded. “I would love to,” she agreed quickly.

He drew up her arm to rest on his shoulder, and adjusted his hand that rested delicately on her waist. They interlaced their fingers with the same shy grasp. He held her close and they swayed in time with the sprightly music. He didn’t want to look into her eyes; he was afraid of what he might find if he stared too long. They had practiced the steps so many times that he didn’t even have to think about it. He missed those sessions. Her laughter and smile were never strained. 

They moved so naturally together. He wondered if she could feel it, too, or if she was ruminating in her head. 

Through the buzz of the crowd, the attention having finally shed off their backs, he spotted Felix and Calhoun again. Lost in one another. A private conversation. Felix was pressing Calhoun’s hand against his cheek, and he turned his face to kiss her palm. 

His eyes flickered up and caught Mario’s. He grinned, and made a motion with an invisible glass for a toast. Calhoun shot him a knowing grin.

A blazing impulse welled up within him. Perhaps it was the liquid courage, or just his own intrepid venture. Mario thoughtfully turned Peach’s dainty hand over in his own, observing the way they fit together. His gloved hand was so much larger than hers. The way she clasped him felt intrinsic. He wondered if one day, they could be like that reformed puzzle that Felix and Calhoun were. Two mismatched pieces finding a home in one another. He ran his thumb over her knuckles, before bringing her hand close to his face.

He glanced up at her, daring to look into her eyes. “Happy New Year, my Princess.” he murmured, and pressed her knuckles to his lips. A tiny kiss.

Peach parted her lips and took a sharp breath in, staring with wide eyes. Her cheeks flushed a lovely rosy shade. And she smiled, more radiant than any fireworks or flashing lights. When he pulled away, she was the one to renew her grip on his hand. 

They shifted one step closer. She didn’t let go of him for the rest of the night.

O~o~O

The Mario household lay in a quiet stillness at 3:27am, only briefly interrupted by some clattering before all fell silent again.

Clean dishes stacked in the kitchen. A blanket thrown haphazardly over the couch. Luigi came out of his room, rubbing his eyes, and discovered a glittery suit jacket across the arms of a chair, and, upon further inspection, his brother laying on the floor. 

Bowtie loosened. Dress shirt untucked. A hand running through his already disheveled hair. An anxious habit of his.

Wordlessly, Luigi came to sit beside his fallen brother, hugging his robe around himself. 

Mario shook his head, muttering to himself without opening his eyes. He let out a long, heavy sigh. While this was typical behavior for his buzzed brother, who’d probably had his share of martinis as his drink of choice, Luigi raised his eyebrows when he noticed a distinctive swatch of pink across his brother’s lips.

He bit back a smile. “Un bacio?” he asked. A kiss?

Mario groaned and dragged his palms down his face. “I don’t know.” he mumbled, muffled into his hands.

Ah. Luigi nodded sympathetically, seeing the crease Mario’s brow. He patted Mario’s chest. “A heart that hurts is a heart that beats,” he reminded him softly. Something their mother used to say.

Watching the Princess and his brother dance around their feelings could be painful. But if Mario was really overthinking a direct kiss like that, he imagined it would be okay, eventually. But in the meantime, his brother would be hurting. No matter what he did, in his goofy head, he would never be good enough for Peach. But Luigi saw the way she looked at him, too. If only their feelings weren’t such a mystery to each other.

At least it seemed they were one step closer to knowing.

O~o~O

Inspired by @elitadream's gorgeous New Year's post! I also had One Step Closer by U2 playing on repeat while I wrote this 😆

Here's to the new year 🥂 Whether this is a moment of resolved change for you, a step toward growth or greater happiness, or even just another evening, I wish you all the best! 💖✨