#are you picking up what im putting down. grips you. the story about 'a divine beast' got interpreted different ways by

[onefey]

going feral ripping things apart thinking about zonai twili connections and how that plays into my personal headcanons

[ellitx]

!! Long one inc with modern au college Himmel, will be hurt/comfort (might be cringe i dunno i went ham) TW: mentions of mental illnesses and self harm, mentions of injuries, and smut ye

Was a quiet rainy day as you slept, back pressed into your boyfriend's chest, you had decided to come over to watch movies and spend some time relaxing together after finals but about an hour in you let a lull like state wash over you.

"This is the only time you look so peaceful y/n.." Himmel thought, "if only you'd let your walls down a bit.. just enough to let me in.." he brushed your cheek with the back of his hand with a feather light touch on your cheek "Im so sorry that you have to carry so much weight.. I'd do anything to help wash it away or at least help lift it"

Drinking in your form as you slept softly into him, he wishes to stay like this for hours, but he knows that as soon as consciousness comes over you again, the walls will be re-built, and your shoulders will re-tense with the weight they bear. He leans in to kiss your temple and stroke your hair softly praying not to wake you

Recalling all the stories you told him, the shitty ex that was so selfish of his own desires that it implanted the idea that all intimacy was, was to please the man. Now leaving scars that you cant even take for yourself in those times even though all he wants is to please, and pour the love you desperately need into you, over and over but even a year or so into the relationship, you had only given to him.. bearly even allowing him to sheath himself in you, and thats just the tip of the iceberg " you dont even let anyone help you, but all you do is give, how much longer until you cup is empty.." He thought kissing you softly once more

"Hmm..?" You sir and turn to face him "I-i'm so sorry I didn't mean to fall asleep.." he strokes your hair again to hush you "Its okay, Im glad you were able to get some rest" he whispered kisses on the lips proper pulling you in a bit closer and letting his hands run up and down your sides. "Himmel I hope youre not upset at me.." you gripped onto his shirt a bit and buried your head in his chest "we were supposed to hangout today and I feel awful for falling asleep.." you mumbled

"Stop that now.. you were exhausted.. its really okay" he softly pulls your face up to kiss you again licking your bottom lip praying you let him in, turning you head slightly and parting your lips you let him in "Thank god at least this.." he thought as he let his toungue rub against yours while sliding his hands down your sides and slipping his finger tips under the hem of your tights.

A small flinch came from you as he did this as a bit of panic started to set in.. you were so self conscious of yourself, you didnt feel ever adequate enough even to call your self his lover or even to indulge yourself in things like this. He can feel you starting to tense up.. "Mmm.. y/n just relax love.. please.." he start trailing kisses down your neckline "H-Himmel.. I really don't know I.." tears start to well up in your eyes. He knew what was about to happen you were going to push him away and it made his heart squeeze in agony all he wanted was to give and show you love, but he didn't want to force it too much to scare you but it had been going on so long, so he tried shifting his weight to straddle you but you managed to squeeze out from underneath him.

"I-i'm sorry.. I think I should go.." you choke out, your voice shaky whilst trying to stay composed you head for the door. "Y/n Wait please!" You heaved a heavy sigh as you felt his hand catch your wrist, you try to twist out of it but he pulls you in firm but gentle.. " God y/n.. just let me in..please let me tear down those walls and let me love you.." he swallowed, his throat bobbing and icy blue eyes staring straight into yours "You can't keep pushing me out.., you won't even let me help you with anything and it hurts.. even when your sick and dead tired all you do is push me and anyone out.. saying that its alright but it's really not.." He chocked out between sobs "please y/n.. I love you.. and if you love me like you say you do then please just let me.. anyone, help you.. I cant stand to see you like this.. Ive known you for our whole lives almost and I finally have you.. and seeing you in pain from the hand you've been delt hurts more than you'd ever imagine..!

You stood frozen wet face and shaking, silently letting all the words sink in, you felt awful for doing this to him, you thought, he had been there with you through almost every step of your life, even giving you up to a man who he wasn't good to you because you said at the time because you said it was what would make you happy at the time and even now.. he'd be willing to throw everything at the wall to sew you back together, to see the smile, the true smile that he hasent seen in years.

And again all you could do is "I'm sorry Himmel you deserve someone better.. you've done so much for someone whos worth nothing.." so you get up and pull away from him once again and run out of the door into the rain but not soon after did you feel your soaked self being almost held with unwavering force "NO..! Not again.. not ever.. and plus I am not letting you leave this house in this weather I couldn't bear to see you sick from something I could prevent..!" He yells as he slung you over his shoulder carrying you back inside and into the bathroom

"Strip.. youre soaking wet.. and shaking.." he said calm but sternly ,you flushed at his command, hes usually not like this.. you thought through your tears and nervously removed your clothing as did he. You curled up to cover your naked form as he bent down placing a towel over your shoulders and held you, slowly rubbing to dry and warm you, and as soon as you were dry and coming down from your clouded tears, he helps you up off the floor draping the towel over the both of you leading to the mirror.

"Y/n.. I know when you look into this mirror you dont like what you see.. and think you dont deserve the I want to give you.. but please.." He pauses to hold your hands at your sides , to let all your beauty and all your scars, visible and unseen reflect back at you "see yourself through my eyes for just a bit my songbird.. you're not what you see.." you again begin to let tears fall and with a quiet sob "I-Im so sorry.. I do love you.. im just scared.."

"Then let me fix whats right here.." he snakes his arm around to gently rest a hand on your heart "and right here.." and his other over your womb space then lays his head on your shoulder with a kiss to the crook of your neck "Let me pull the sorrow from between your legs like silk.. knot after knot after knot.." he whispered almost pleadingly

"O-okay.." you lean into him a bit wiping your tears with the back of your hand kissing his temple. With that he gently picks you up with your legs wrapping around his waist he grips you firm and gentle untill he enters his bedroom, locking the door behind him, then setting you down on the bed not once letting go.

"Himmel.. are you sure you still..? "Shh.. please.." he kisses to hush you, then slowly trails soft sensual kisses down your body worshipping each and every inch, pouring all the love you gave him back into you trying to ignore his own arousal. Trying your best to keep still your face burned as he did this, not wanting to move and let any moans escape, you put your hand over your mouth to stifle them "no one will hear you its okay.." He said as he continues downward towards your heat "Nng.. my love I-" he felt you begin to tense up again he rubs his hands down your thighs and kisses them softly sucking and licking them "Just relax y/n.."

You breathed a shaky sigh as he spread your legs and began to slow rub at your core admiring your slick that adorned his finger tips. "Ahh..~ its a shame you've been keeping yourself from me.. your essence is divine" his hot breath so close to you it sent electricity you've never even felt before, were you even worthy of such extacy? you though stifling another moan, internally fighting the want to pull away again, if its what he wants then you shall deliver.

"Oh how Ive longed for this.. to please you, to drink in every once of you.. and to replace the pain with pleasure.." He began to lick a stripe up your slit and gently pressed his two fingers on your clit, swirling them in unison to bring you to a higher bliss "H-Himmel.. Ahh.. its so good.. Nng..!"

The heat building in you, you couldn't help but grind against him "Dont be ashamed love..~ do what mm..~ feels best for you.. dont hide your moans.. I wanna hear my pretty little song bird sing~! He saids darting this tongue deeper into you whilst grinding against the bed, he couldn't help it, its all ever dreamed of ashamedly, consuming you whole so his arousal was unmatched

Panting with heavy and louder moans you wrapped your legs around his head, letting gain more access, with him gripping onto your thighs and moaning into you, the vibrations coming from him wond you so tightly threatening to spill all over him.. so you grip his head and try to push him away "Ahh..! Im.. so close.. Himme-- Ahh!" He only grips you tighter and grinds himself harder against the sheets chasing his own release "Dont..! Aaah!! Im right there..dont push me off of you..! I love you so.. dont deny me..! Nnnng..!" And with him losing himself in you, lapping at you so desperately you come down onto him, covering him in you, with him coming in tandem..

Panting he wipes his face with the sheets "Thank you for finally letting me love you right.."

(im so sorry if this is omega long and kinda intense?? Kinda just rolling with it i have full himmel disease -💚)

ahhhh another himmel food <333 you’re feeding me so much with these sweet sweet himmel contents and i really really love it 🥺💕💕

I shall also feed you with a himmel content of my own as a thank you 😋 still working on it hehe

[unicyclehippo]

Please tell me you're writing the accidental marriage fic as a 'proper' fic. Like I rambled in tags I need to know everything! What are the seven steps exactly? How did they fulfill them? How is Kara going to tell Lena? How will Lena react? What do they do????? Please, I need it!!

yknow what i live for validation & encouragement so im gonna post a bit of it for yall tonight ok

they say that rao created the suns and stars and planets to keep him company, that he loved his creations for their beauty and order so much that he made krypton, and its people, to delight in it with him. they said—they said—he was so pleased with his children that he gave to them everything he had: wisdom, and passion, and strength, and intelligence, and within all of these gifts, his love.

she knows rao made order. a delicate, incredible dance. that rao set the rules of it all and made the music and the room to dance in, and the costumes, and the decorations, and the love and rhythm of their heartbeats—all of that, everything that exists, and somehow he couldn’t account for his tiny children running amok. couldn’t account for them making up their own rules, or for their countless missteps. 

there was a stretch of time—a considerable stretch indeed—when kara hated him. because if rao had brought order to the universe, he missed a step. didn’t look far enough ahead to consider the end of his jewel, his love, his krypton.

kara read a lot when she came to earth, about religions and gods, both the divine and the fallible, but mostly she read about people. she was only thirteen when krypton—when it happened—but she remembers the quick thrum of her mothers pulse, fearful, and the way her father smiled at her with so much love in his eyes it burned, like he knew it was the last thing he would ever get to do and he wanted it to leave some kind of mark. well, it was, and it did. and she thinks a lot about choice and self and people and how it might have been easier for her if she hadn’t seen them right there. right next to her. how it still felt cruel to have seen them, and to have been made to leave them.

and the what ifs, that loud, endless wave of what ifs: what if one of them had gone with baby kal, what if they had made those stupid, stupid pods with room for two, what if her mother had never sent astra to the phantom zone, if non had never killed a guard, if kara had never called astra home, if someone had spoken up sooner, louder, more insistently, if her mother had just agreed to try, if generations ago the house of el had never even been formed—and everything stacks up on everything that came before and kara gets lost in it.

but there’s no point. there’s no point, because krypton is dead and left far behind, and that’s where it will stay.

all that remains of krypton is a fortress of toy relics, a man with her blood but the heart of a human, and shards of her dead planet. and her, still her. and there is no point in hating a god who died with the rest of her world.

//

years later, standing on the roof of national city’s tallest building—which isn’t catco, as much as cat might like to think it is—she hates him again.

the rain is so cold even she is shivering. head tilted up to the sky, she doesn’t both wiping away the torrent drenching her face, her hair. her cape drags heavy on her shoulders, a sopping weight, and she whips it to the side when it tangles around her ankle. the move flicks water off it like a spray of diamonds, shattering against the concrete where the rest of the water, the rest of the world, trembles at her step. she paces the roof of the building, eyes fixed on some distant point, the heart of the storm.

there comes a sound that only she can hear, and she pauses at the corner of the building. poised there, lightning cracks and illuminates her against the backdrop of a broiling, immense storm. it cloaks the whole city in shadow, clings to everything with its misted tendrils, and she is no exception. she would be engulfed in it, but for the power gathered behind her eyes—white-hot and furious. 

and when the thunder drums again, like a call to war, kara’s edges are sharp enough to be a war all by herself. 

lightning cracks the sky wide open. thunder follows it instantly in a boom. the wind that comes tearing flings back kara’s hair, her cape, shudders against the windows stories far below her feet.

kara clenches her jaw, braces herself against it. her eyes flash hotter.

she saw diana catch lightning in her hands once, knows better than most that many things in the world are more than they are given credit for. this storm is more than crashing particles—this is her challenge, her fight, and by everything that exists in this world, rao will hear her!

“DUAHZ VOIEHD KRYPTAHNIUM,” she yells up to the clouds.

the thunder rolls. grumbles, shatters into itself.

“TA-RRIV RRAOP-RAO RAOGRYHS PAHDH IRSTUN OSH KHAP!”

she gets no answer save the lightning that zips down toward her and kara’s eyes flash. she grits her teeth around a scream and launches herself right at it, catches it on the bands diana gifted her and doesn’t stop, punches right up through the clouds to the heart of the storm. she winds the lightning around her, grips it tight.

“rao,” she yells, voice dragged raw.

the wind is stronger here and it whips her hair across her face, stinging, and everything tastes like hot metal and salt water. she holds tight to the lightning just to feel it burn. feels the answering sting in a line down her chest, sternum to navel. “rao, ta-irstun rraop-rao pahdh voiehd? khap eiahm,” she whispers. the words are tugged from her, ripped from her lips. she wills it out, up, to the right ears. the right heart. “khap eiahm, ewuhsh gehd.”

a formal introduction; or, skulir: verb, the active form: to look, to examine. 

//

kara is six years old when she finds out that she will have a husband. she considers it for two days, silently, before bringing it up to anyone.

a tall figure in blue—that’s all kara can see under her thin blanket—stands in the doorway of her bedroom. “your mother says you’re not well. do you want to come out from under that blanket?”

“no.”

“no?”  the bed creaks as she sits on kara’s bed. “then perhaps i shall sit here with you. is that alright?” kara murmurs her assent, scoots over a little to make space in the bed. “i brought your stars, little one. are you sure you don’t want to see them? we were only partway through the primaries.” astra waits a moment for kara’s response. when it doesn’t come immediately, she offers, “you may hold the star jar, if you wish.”

kara kicks her feet under the blanket as she considers that.

finally, she pulls down the covers. “just the stars?” she asks, fixing her aunt with a suspicious look.

astra leans over, presses a kiss to her forehead. “just the stars,” she promises, and kara rolls around in her bed, bundles the blankets around herself, and thumps down into astra’s lap. her aunt pulls her close, strokes her hair back from her forehead.

“there is my darling star,” she murmurs. she activates the holo-reader—kara’s ‘star jar’—and scatters the stars across the ceiling. once it’s active, she allows kara to hold it in her little hands. 

kara stays there, tucked up into astra, listening to her explaining the primary stars and astra cards her fingers down her long hair until kara’s nervous gut unclenches and she asks what has been bothering her.

“does everyone get married?”

astra’s voice falters, and then stops. she looks down at her niece, bemused by the topic change. “married?”

“fardhogh-cheh says that everyone gets married. that parents pick someone and then you have to spend your whole life with them.”

“did he put it like that?” astra crooks a finger under kara’s chin, tilts it up to look at her. “hmm, little one?” she tickles under kara’s chin and astra’s eyes, so clear and fond, are brighter than rao’s midday light. kara cuddles into her, ducks her head again. “have you been concerned about this?”

“...no.”

astra tickles at kara’s shoulder, makes her squirm. “for how long?”

“…two days.”

“i see. you do like to keep things to yourself, don’t you, little one?” kara shrugs. “well, it is nothing to be concerned about. marriage is a union between families.”

“who will it be?”

“he will be of good standing—”

“will he be nice?” kara asks, and with it comes the flood of questions that have blinded her for the last few days. “do i know them? how long do i have? what happens? do i have to get married? do i get to choose him? why do i have to get married? what does it do? is it scary?”

“these are a lot of questions.”

“i have a lot of questions,” kara agrees quietly.  

“a curious mind can be dangerous, little one,”

“questions are good!” she argues, struggles to sit up and away, and astra nods. she helps kara, tries not to laugh at the bundle of a girl who wriggles away, irate at the suggestion that questions might not be a good thing.

“always. but you should share them with your family or else you may get lost in them.” astra strokes  down her cheek. “and i would not like that.”

“oh.” kara waits a moment. “so?”

astra glances away, tries not to smile. “your betrothed,” she tells her niece, “will be chosen by your family, we who love you. we will not let you be bonded to someone unworthy, not when you are more precious to us than all else.”

“but what’s the point?”

“marriage is a union. do you know of shokh?”

“truth,” kara nods impatiently. “the first virtue.”

“the primary virtue, yes, on which we base all dealings. shokh is the virtue all unions are based on. a family would never agree to a union without first knowing who their beloved shall be bonded to, just as one would never agree to an alliance or business without knowing who extends their hand. it is a virtue that persists throughout a union—shokh is constant. unwavering. it is about learning and knowledge and discovery. sharing.” she hugs kara to her, strokes her hair again, out of her thoughtful eyes. “does that make sense, little one?”

“yes. but,” kara smiles, a little shy, when astra laughs. “i have more questions.”

“of course you do. share them with me,” she encourages, sets the star field aside for another night.

alura joins them later, knocking gently on kara’s bedroom door. she peeks in, relaxes against the door when she sees them curled there.

“you are feeling better then, kara?”  kara nods—sheepish, small in her aunt’s arms, but she nods. “i’m so glad. you’ve had us worried. we had to call in reinforcements.”

“reinforcements?” kara sits up quickly, looks back over her shoulder at her aunt. “you’re reinforcements?”

astra laughs, throws her head back. “your parents were worried.” she lets kara go when she wriggles away from her, goes to stand defiant in the centre of the room, her little frown stern and her little arms crossed. “do not be displeased with me, little one.”

kara considers the request for a time, before she flicks her hair back over her shoulders and walks out of the room. she makes her way out of their home and down the long corridor before loud steps follow her and she breaks into a run before zor-el plucks her clean off the ground and carries her home.

“i’m mad at you.”

“it was your mother’s idea,” he tells her, in that low rumble of a voice she loves so much. she leans back into his chest—but keeps her arms folded to show her displeasure.

[formalmess]

i mentioned this on an earlier post and it literally took all the courage in the world to post this here because its rly self-indulgent but the pxl content here is lacking so im here to fix that

summary: luigi and peasley go to disneyworld, shenanigans ensue (ft. peas getting confused by modern technology, luigi in cute dresses, mario characters in orlando, and disney references)

The unusual pair, hands entwined, were waiting.

One was a young man with a boyish face and facial hair that was always maintained. He currently wore a red and white summer dress to imitate a certain cartoon mouse’s girlfriend, ears to match atop his brunette head, a large red bow making his presence not mesh so naturally among the rest.

However, the man he was with had an appearance much more startling than his own. Granted, green skin certainly doesn’t make it easy to blend in well with civilians.

Peasley, a prince from a faraway land full of citizens of beanish descent, was currently wearing a shirt much too small for him. Now complaining noisily, he dramatically threw his weight on top of the bars set in front of him for safety purposes.

“Darliiiiing…” His voice rang out in a whine as his body slumped over. Luigi pulled his companion back frantically before Peasley got seriously hurt or was scolded by one of the wandering cast members.

The two were currently waiting for the monorail to take them to the theme park, which Luigi assumed would be arriving soon, judging by the lights overhead blinking in syncopation. Said vehicle caught Luigi’s eye as it neared their station, Luigi excitedly gripping Peasley’s arm. Other guests were beginning to emerge from the doors behind them. This was most likely one of the first monorail trips of the day, considering the time. Luigi examined Peasley lazily rubbing at his dark eyes.

Luigi would have been happy to settle for any other less expensive hotel to stay at for their trip, but Peasley wouldn’t have it any other way after Luigi described the regal and lush interior of the grand resort.

After an embarrassing first encounter at check-in (that involved a lot of ‘Do you know who I am?’s), the pair went shopping until the stores located within the hotel closed.

Peasley had originally been much too tired to examine everything within the quaint establishments, but seeing Luigi so engrossed with exploring and purchasing various things perked the sleepy prince up right away. As soon as Luigi was done, arms full of plushies and charming clothes, Peasley requested that they head to their room to retire for rest.

Peasley had been less than willing to leave his lavish bedding when morning pricked at his eyes so early in the morning. He peeled off his sleeping mask groggily, waking to see his companion throwing open the curtains and already dressed. It was certainly a sight that confused the prince completely.

All this for some children’s amusement park, he thought as Luigi threw an outfit he had picked out for him the prince’s way. After dressing, Luigi assisted him in putting on something with three circles all adjoined together on his wrist. It was a vibrant yellow color that pleased Peasley’s eyes as he yawned and stretched tiredly, following Luigi out of their hotel room.

---

"Oh darling, do I really have to wear this?" The beanish man tugged at the shirt that was picked out for him. The garish vibrant colors were certainly a far cry from his usual prim and proper ensemble.

"Yes!" The brunette spoke in a whisper. "I know what you wanted to wear, but I am simply not going to let you wear your tunic and cape in this weather! You'll melt!"

"Oh, but sweetheart...!" The prince whimpered out obnoxiously. "It's so unsightly! And tight." He grimaced at the white shorts around his emerald legs.

Luigi offered half a smirk, taking Peasley’s dainty fingers in his as the cast members opened the gate in front of them to allow them on the monorail.

They made their way onboard, Luigi leading Peasley over to a window seat so he could see what the twinkling waters in the middle of the monorail tracks outside looked like at this bright hour.

"You'll be fine, I promise. You'd stand out anyway." Luigi allowed himself to lean on Peasley’s shoulder as more people stepped onto the monorail.

"What if I want to stand out?" Pealsey pouted in return.

Luigi looked up softly, examining a young girl pointing at them both and saying something to her mother.

“Well,” he lightly delivered a kiss to Peasley’s forehead. “Looks like you already do.”

---

“Magic… Band?”

“Yep, just tap it right here!”

And so Peasley tried.

And he continued trying.

It seemed he didn’t quite grasp the concept. Luigi now realized entering the park before Peasley was probably a mistake. While Peasley was intelligent, he wasn’t always the brightest when interacting with humans and other species.

How in the world did he expect him to know how to operate technology?

The cast member was patient though, thank Grambi, carefully trying to explain the phenomenon to Peasley. Luigi watched from within the park, several other families and people passing him as he listened to the exchange of instructions and response from the prince.

“Just tap the Mickey right here.”

“Ah yes, the Mickey.” Peasley stated simply, not wanting to admit he had no idea what that was.

Peasley turned to Luigi for help in desperation, Luigi pointing at the adjoined circles feverishly.

Peasley made an audible sound of recognition, putting the band up to the post in front of him.

It finally reacted, Peasley physically jumping back at the sound and lights produced by the so-called magical bracelet around his wrist. He looked at it in awe as the cast member motioned for him to walk inside. Luigi laughed slightly behind his hand, Peasley rolling his eyes in response.

“You should have told me what to do! I made an absolute fool of myself!” He wailed as Luigi pulled him along. “I was about to-”

Suddenly, no more words emerged from the prince’s small, pristine lips.

Only silent wonder remained as the two made their way through a small tunnel and emerged into an entirely new world, Peasley assumed. They walked silently, Luigi having to pull his awe-struck boyfriend down Main Street as the prince spun around, trying to take in all the sights around him.

The smell of freshly baked pastries lingered everywhere as their light footfalls made their way across the crowded pathway. It was like nothing the prince had ever witnessed before.

It felt like something out of a story read to him by his mother when he was only a child, the same warm feeling from that time returning.

It was no wonder Luigi enjoyed it so much.

His eyes were soon captivated by a glittering castle standing high before him, his eyes twinkling as he tugged on Luigi’s arm.

“Sweetheart… Whose castle is that?”

“Hm? Oh, that’s Cinderella’s castle. I thought I told you-”

“Cinderella? What an absolutely curious name. She’s the Queen here? I had no idea amusements parks could have monarchies.”

Luigi would have laughed at the remark before realizing that this was entirely new to Peasley.

“No, she’s only a character from a fairytale. But, we can go visit her, if you’d like.”

“Visit her?” Peasley’s eyes narrowed. “I thought you just previously stated she is purely fictional.”

“She is, but…” Luigi chose his words carefully. “It’s hard to explain. It’s kind of like acting.”

“Acting? So, it’s much like the theater? Are there shows here we can attend?”

Luigi thought for a moment. “Yes, actually. There are plenty of shows to see. We can go to any of them.”

“Splendid! That sounds divine, thank you!” He pulled Luigi into an embrace. “Oh, I’m so excited. I’ve always been skeptical about magic, you know that.” Thinking back to the Cackletta incident years ago, the prince shuddered slightly. “However, I am utterly entranced by this kind! It is so very fascinating.” He grabbed Luigi by the wrist. “Come now, you simply must show me everything!”

---

The day went by much too quickly.

The pair spent the majority of their morning attending shows and performances, all of which Peasley adored completely.

As the two made their way through Fantasyland as noon swiftly rolled around, Peasley felt Luigi stop next to him. The sounds of young children singing in high pitched tones together reached Peasley’s ears. The combined sounds made a surprisingly lovely choir of voices.

He looked up, puzzled at their sudden stop when Luigi spoke.

“I know you probably want to do other things first, but...” the man gestured to the building in front of them. Peasley read the sign atop the golden arches outside the alcove that had the words ‘it’s a small world’ printed neatly with several smiling children’s faces accompanying it. “The wait time is so short here.”

Peasley’s puzzled features only grew.

“It’s a ride. You know what a ride is, right?”

“A ride from an amusement park? I researched it, yes. Don’t they make you sickly though?” Peasley’s face paled. “I’d prefer to not feel ill at this time of day.”

“Only some do. This one’s slow.”

There was no room for debate.

Luigi ran ahead, Peasley scrambling to follow.

The waiting was certainly tedious, Luigi soon realizing Peasley isn’t the most patient of fellows. After almost five minutes of standing in a gradually moving line, he started to nag Luigi again. He tugged on his dress and gossiped a little too loudly as people in line sent subtle looks their way.

He then looked up from Luigi’s shoulder, taking in the setting around him.

It was gorgeous.

Though he assumed it wasn’t made from real materials like gold and silver, the atmosphere was still stunning to examine. The small fixtures adorning the area around him seemed to pop out and leave him in wonderment. He barely registered they were seating themselves onto a boat placed in the middle of a small stream of water until he heard a voice instruct him to remain seated.

“A boat within water inside a building? How very peculiar.” He said aloud to no one in particular. Luigi nodded absently as the boat began moving, the beanish man leaning against his boyfriend.

Peasley didn’t know what he was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t this.

The same tune he had heard earlier returned, now joined with not simply children’s smiling faces, but tens of children all facing him.

They each had beady eyes and petite bodies made of wood and plastic, so he assumed, and were all staring into his own shaking eyes. He sank into Luigi’s side, feeling Luigi bobbing along gently to the music that continued repeating.

And repeating.

And repeating.

The ride continued in absolute silence.

---

“Such a good ride!” Luigi gave his verdict as he exited, twirling slightly still to that dreaded everlasting song. Peasley only nodded slightly, his body still tense. He did not enjoy that.

“Are there any… Less frightening?”

Luigi’s smile faded slightly.

“Frightening?” He went to confirm, turning to Peasley.

“Absolutely dreadful. It was shiny and lovely at first, but I just… Didn’t like the way those,” he paused, looking around as though to make sure no one else was listening. “Things… Moved and looked and…” He surpassed a shiver.

Luigi thought, then smiled mischievously.

“Here, one of my favorite rides is just around the corner. I’m sure you’ll love it!” He stepped away, Peasley hesitantly following.

He didn’t like the glint he saw in Luigi’s eyes.

Sure enough, as they rounded the corner and passed more stores and a restroom, a dark shadow and ominous music set the mood already for what was about to come.

A mansion loomed above them, almost obscured by overgrown shrubbery, vines, and trees. He was taking in the architecture when Luigi dragged him along underneath an awning into yet another line. This one was significantly larger than the last.

They eventually came to an area that Luigi immediately rushed ahead toward. Passing menacing looking statues, Peasley found Luigi in front of what appeared to be a wall decorated with carvings of various instruments. He had seen minstrels back at the castle using them for Peasley’s entertainment, so he immediately recognized most of them.

Luigi playfully pointed to the wall, smiling as Peasley lifted his petite hand up to it.

As soon as it made contact, the crashing sound of cymbals rang in his ears. He was startled for a moment, pulling his hand away as though he had burned it.

The hesitation only lasted for a moment. He lifted his hand to the wall once more, trying again. The same familiar sound was heard.

A goofy, unregal grin spread across his face.

His hand made it’s way across the wall, a plethora of instruments playing in return. He then noticed the other walls about him, all moving and making sounds of their own. He wanted to do everything. It was all so new and fascinating. Ah, how he wanted to remain here all day.

Sadly, his silent plea was unheard.

Luigi had to pull him away as children behind them tried to reach past Peasley. The pair moved along, Peasley sheepishly following as his face darkened.

“That was very unlike me, I apologize immensely.” He whispered softly to Luigi as they were ushered into another room, now inside.

“It’s alright, sweetheart.” Luigi assured as a voice erupted in their ears.

The air was chilled and still.

“Welcome, foolish mortals, to the haunted mansion…”

Peasley immediately clung to Luigi, Luigi doing the same to him.

As many times as the brunette had been through this same speech, it still frightened him to this day. He was glad to have a companion who was just as uneasy as he was. When he had visited with Mario, he was constantly teased about being a scaredy cat while his brother braved through all the scariest parts of rides.

Mario was never scared of anything.

The short opening monologue led to another room with stretching walls and jarring sounds and imagery that made Peasley whimper behind Luigi.

When they finally made it to the actual ride, Peasley clutched Luigi’s hand as tightly as possible as the same menacing voice spoke in his ears.

Eventually, Peasley’s grip loosened as he gradually became charmed with the mansion. The details were impeccable and so well placed that he spent more time looking at all the decorations than being frightened. As soon as they stepped off, Peasley didn't waste a moment to tell Luigi that he wanted to go on again soon.

---

“My my, I suppose you were right, love.” Peasley had removed a hair tie from his pocket, pulling his shimmery locks into a bun. “How do you put up with this heat?” He fanned himself with a map given to him by one of the wandering cast members.

Luigi, however, was more focused on the thing around his wrist than anything else.

“Y’know… We haven’t even taken advantage of the fastpasses yet.”

“The what?”

Luigi pointed.

Up ahead, with a squint of his eyes, Peasley saw a small area under an awning with several rectangular machines all lined up symmetrically.

“They’re boxes?” Peasley put a skeptical hand to his chin. “Those are the passes that are fast?” He was well acquainted with passes in order to permit people access into certain areas, but those were usually small items and were usually never preceded with an adjective.

Luigi chuckled. “No, they aren’t just boxes. They’ll help us get on rides faster.”

Peasley was confused again.

“Like, some rides are really popular. We need a fastpass if we want to get it on it faster, hence the name. And we get them,” he pointed again to the boxes that Peasley now saw completely as they approached. “Right here.”

Peasley mentally went through all the rides they had gone on today as Luigi asked which ones he’d be willing to go on again.

There was the one with the freaky dolls, the detailed mansion, the mermaid one, the bumpy one that made his stomach knot, the carousel, and they had just gotten off of a ride that was suspended in the air with scenes playing out below them.

“Anything you want, darling.” He finally spoke out. He knew what he did and didn’t want to ride, but Luigi had planned this trip anyway. Perhaps he should let his companion do whatever he desired.

Luigi fiddled with the box, using something Peasley could only assume was magic, until he announced he was done.

“Done?” Peasley was dumbfounded. “But, where is-”

Luigi pointed to the implement around his wrist. “It’s in this.”

Peasley looked at his own wrist, once again in awe at what was dubbed the magical band.

“Absolutely amazing…”

He was jolted from his thoughts by Luigi grabbing hold of his arm and pulling him along.

“Come on, we have so much to do before it gets dark! And then there’s fireworks, you won’t want to miss that, and there’s the parades also, and-”

Luigi continued rambling as the two ran across the park, smiling and laughing all the while.