Marjorie 🫧

Your smile grows and your heart flutters, your eyes warming as he expresses. 

“No, because I'm pretty sure I hit the jackpot with you!” you playfully retort, smiling as you look over at him, who’s beside you in bed. 

Luigi lets out a hearty laugh, looking away as he grins. 

“No, because I'm serious.” your voice gets softer and sincere. Scooting closer to him, nuzzling into his side. The back of your head fitting perfectly in the vertex of the pit of his arm. Luigi instinctively wraps his arm around your shoulder, pulling you in closer. “You’re the most selfless and sweetest guy I've met. It’s not everyday you meet a respectable kind man. A man I'm lucky to call mine.” 

Your words hit him deep. You’re no longer joking. He can see the genuine look in your facial expressions and hear the sincere tone in your soft voice. 

Luigi leans down to meet your lips, his heart racing. Both of your eyes falling shut. His hand cupping a side of your cheek. The short loving kiss is left lingering as you pout against his pink ones. 

“Stop because youre going to make me cry.” you exaggerate in a whisper. Your eyes soft and child-like. 

Luigi’s lips turn up as he hears that baby voice he knows all too well. The one you use when you get all mushy and emotional. And damn he loves it! 

He chuckles and his whole face lights up. Pulling away from the kiss, far enough to get a better look at your face but near enough to keep you close. 

“No tears allowed.” Luigi teases with a growing smile, already seeing your smile grow. Your chuckles filling his ears. 

“How could I not when you’re being so sweet?” you counter, pouting again playfully. Knowing it gets to him. 

“Well who hit the bigger jackpot?!” Luigi continues with a grin, a little mischievous look in his eyes. Not giving up on the idea that he hit it. “Because I wake up every morning knowing I'm the luckiest man alive.” 

Your rosy cheeks lift up as you smile. Your eyes glowing and heart fluttering. 

You chuckle and continue with the playful competition. 

“Well… I wake up every morning knowing I'm the luckiest girl with such an amazing guy.” you reiterate with a pleased smile. Rolling over to lay on top of him, confident and assured in your claims.

Nestling your face into his neck. Luigi’s hand immediately wraps around your waist as you change positions into this much more affectionate one. 

“You just cherish me and treat me like I'm the only girl in the world.” you close your eyes as he pulls you closer, allowing you to burrow into his neck. His fingers running through your locks. 

A proud smirk is formed on Luigi’s face as he hears your words. The way you appreciate him and never make him feel unnoticed makes him feel seen. It warms his heart. 

“Damn straight.” Luigi boasts in that prideful tone. Loving how confident you make him feel. “You have no idea how grateful I am to have met you y/n.” Luigi admits as he rubs up and down your back. Letting out a little thoughtful exhale.

You lift your face up from the crook of his neck to meet his gaze. 

“Really?” You mutter out softly. Eyes filled with curiosity as you hear his genuine tone at the end. There’s a shift in the conversation. Luigi nods as your eyes meet, loving how small you look in his arms. 

The way you’re laid over his body makes him feel like your protector. The one who can keep you safe and loved. Your facial expressions are soft and adorable, too adorable for him to handle. “Mmhmm.” he mumbles out in response. “Someone honest. Sweet. Funny. Gorgeous.” Luigi trails off softly as his hazel eyes meet yours. 

Your small smile grows and you can feel your cheeks warming up. His hand roaming up and down your back, still. 

Luigi knows how rare it is for him to have met someone like you. Someone who gets him, who supports him and loves him for him. As in the past, in his college days and even in his time in Hawaii, he searched and much to ‘his efforts’ he never found the one until he met you. 

“I spend my life looking for you. You know how hard it was? It’s truly a miracle I met you. Do you know how rare it is to meet someone like you?” Luigi states, wanting you to know it, to hear it. Luigi’s eyes are on you as he looks down at your laid body before him. 

Luigi knows what a true gem you are and he doesn’t ever plan on taking you for granted. Finally having found someone he once would wish and dream for. Knowing he won’t let you go now that he’s found you. 

“Is it?” you’d ask thoughtfully, wanting to hear Luigi say it. Your face is still pulled away from his neck, looking up at him as he’s looking down at you. Mere inches apart. 

Luigi treats you the way he does, the worshipping and simping, being an outright gentleman because you're aware of how lost he was before he met you. Running away from family and friends because of how off he felt in a world full of people who didn’t see him or understand him. 

But not you. You got him instantly. A light that brightened up his life. And vice versa, he made you feel special like no other. He was like a breath of fresh air, he wasn’t like other guys. Wanting to be chased or acting douchey. 

Luigi seemed like he just wanted to talk and be heard, be accepted. You were each other’s ying and yang. Balancing each other out.  

Luigi furrows his brows as you ask the question. As if you’re questioning your integrity. “Yes!” he blatantly affirms. 

“I don’t know… I feel like you could’ve had any girl you wanted.” a growing smile forms on your face as you peg him. 

He exhales dramatically and rolls his eyes. “Yeah… maybe… but they were never genuine or profound.” Luigi confesses about girls he could’ve had if he wanted. His voice becoming sincere and thoughtful. He had high standards but in reality he just wanted a girl who cared. Not just about him but about the world. 

He didn’t like a superficial girl and you were nothing like that.

“My parents would have all these girls lined up for me. All these preppy girls coming from wealthy Baltimore families. Connected to family friends or business partners. But…” he expresses as he trails off again, sighing. 

You didn’t need him to continue, you understood him perfectly. He didn’t connect to that lifestyle. The opulent events, filled with ostensible people who only seeked him for connections and networking. Or just wanting to get wrapped in with the Mangione name. Not the genuine connection that he seeked. 

Luigi didn’t have anything against the girls his parents would want to arrange him with. They just weren’t for him. Those girls wanted a husband, and he didn’t just want to be a husband for the title. He wanted to be a husband for all little lines in between, the ins and outs of a true marriage. But at the time, being a spouse wasn’t even a seed in his mind. 

Luigi was in his mid-twenties, he just desired and ached for a true connection and he knew that the odds of finding someone looped in with his parents wouldnt be it. 

“...I just didn’t feel like that was who I was searching for.” he admits in a lower tone. “Those girls weren’t who I was looking for. Not someone I shared ideologies with.” 

You nod as you look up at Luigi, hearing his heartfelt reflection. “I know.” you whisper softly and reassuringly. Your hand splaying up and down his side, meeting with his delicate toned skin. All while your heart warms as Luigi opens up.

“But what about the other girls? The ones who didn’t know about your family?” You’d ask curiously, knowingly. As you know he doesn’t go off parading his last name. 

“Like the girls from UPenn or Hawaii?” You mentioned, as those girls knew Luigi for more than a Mangione. Sharing a campus or co-living space with him. Spending quality time with him. In a school club or frat party at Penn or at Surfbreak at the beach or at their big feasts in their well off condos. 

Luigi's smile grows as you ask, enjoying your intrigue for the topic and how you genuinely seem interested in his life and previous endeavors. 

“Those girls?” Luigi smirks playfully and you can't help but playfully roll your eyes at his goofy smile. Your own smile growing and even letting out a chuckle. 

Luigi’s hand lowers down and gives your ass a playful slap, as he chuckles. “They were cool.” he teases without giving too much information, just to mess with you. 

You quirk a brow up at him and you return the playful look. He only replies with a little laugh. 

“They were cool.” Luigi reaffirms again with a little grin. Egging you on. 

You nestle your face back on his chest. “Mhm?” you insist for him to go on. Your arm rests on Luigi’s pecs as you cuddle into him, your face finding refuge in the familiar spot of his neck again. Already used to Luigi’s little teasing. 

“Well those girls, at least didn’t initially know me for my name or family.” Luigi starts off, smiling as he holds you close. Squishing the flesh of your ass gently but firmly as he speaks. 

Luigi turns his head down to see your face burrowed restfully in his neck, basking in the sight of your smaller body over his muscular one. 

He takes the comfortable silence as cue to continue, hand stilled on your skin. “I met a lot of people throughout the past couple of years. But if we’re speaking solely on girls. Yeah, I talked to a couple. Never too serious, except for a couple girlfriends, here and there” Luigi gets more serious as he speaks. 

You nod, eyes closed as you relax on top of him. Inhaling his scent. 

You were aware that Luigi had a college girlfriend and some flings in Honolulu. 

“She seemed smart.” You mention as he knows you’re referring to his past girlfriend from university. 

“She was.” Luigi remarks with a smile, his eyes never leaving your loving figure atop of him. “Sometimes a little too smart for me.” he chuckles jokingly. Luigi continues before you have a chance to interject. Not that he didn’t want you to, but he was in the flow of conversation. “It didn’t work out though.” 

Your mind fills with questions but Luigi is already answering them. “We wanted different things.” his hand course through your hair, sending shivers down your body. 

Your brows furrow as he speaks mindlessly. Questioning and being curious, you lift your face up and away from his neck. “Why? What do you mean?” 

Luigi shrugs and smiles down at you. Loving your straightfowardness and the way you don’t shy away from eliciting. 

“She wanted different things than I did.” Luigi meets your eyes. Already continuing before you had a chance to ask. “She wanted a future with a man who had a clear path.” Luigi informs, seemingly well. Not a flicker of doubt or pain in his eyes. 

“You know? It all went back to that lifestyle my parents wanted for me.” He admits. “She wanted someone respectable in society. The Penn days were coming to an end and she wanted to settle, nothing wrong with it. But I just felt like there was so much more to life than that. At least at the time.” Luigi expresses as his eyes are soft, his gaze on yours. 

“You are respectable.” I affirm to him, my eyes and expression clear as day. 

Luigi can’t help but smile at your determined tone, you’re always grounding him, giving him that little push he needs at times. His heart warms at your words. Luigi whispers a “thank you baby” against your lips. You simply nod and smile, pressing your lips against his briefly. 

“But I get it. I understand where she was coming from and I get you too.” you note, tracing a finger through his hairline. “She seemed like she knew what she wanted. Had her mind set.” 

Luigi smiles as he looks down at you, percieving the understanding that you cast. His large hands run up and down the curves of your butt. 

“You understand me don’t you?” Luigi graces, his heart warming at how you just seem to get him. He knows that no one else knows him more than you do. “You understand my need for freedom. For curiosity.” Luigi’s words dawn little whispers. 

Your acceptance is clear as day as you smile at him in response to his question. 

Luigi was voyaging around, trying to find a place to fit before he met you. “Yeah.” you lean up to peck his lips. 

You’ve always been drawn in by Luigi’s free spirited nature. His life long journey to learn and to be true to himself. His curiosity that enlightens your worlds. You two share those values, you just want to live. 

See, that’s where you two found common ground. You grew up in an enclosed schedule: work, school, family, and occasional fun. You desired travel and freedom. That’s something that Luigi’s been privileged enough to have. The journey to explore and seek. Something you had to work to earn was what Luigi had in a snap of a finger. He didn’t want to give that all up for the basis of a schedule he would get if he settled. 

You two were on other ends of a coin, seeking the same resolution. With Luigi, you were lucky to get that life: to live, to seek, to travel and live a comfortable life. With you, Luigi didn’t have to give up his lifelong learning, he got to live it with you. Luigi got to be himself, without feeling trapped or forced to live a life he didn’t yearn for with someone else. 

A thought dawned your mind. “How do you think your life wouldve been if you settled?” you asked curiously as the thought overcame your mind. What if he would’ve just caved and lived the life his parents or past partners would’ve held over his head? 

Your questions stuns him for a bit. It was something Luigi used to think of relentlessly and constantly. He had been close to just giving in and living the Mangione life, following his father’s footsteps, taking over the family legacy. Settling with an opulent girl from Baltimore. But, having you asking him felt different. 

Luigi exhales and smiles a bit as he already knows how it would’ve been. “Miserable. In a suit, in an office, stuck. A perfectly planned out future.” he remarks in irony, knowing it would be anything but perfect. You could feel him shudder beneath you. A bad taste in his mouth. 

You’re trying to think of it. Picturing Luigi in some parallel universe with a picture perfect wife in Baltimore and working for the countless family businesses under the Mangione name. 

“You think so?” You’d perk up. 

“Oh, honey. I know so.” Luigi exasperates out as his eyes widen slightly. He further explains his train of thought. “I can’t imagine giving up the sunsets, the sunrises, the adventures - the freedom.” 

Your heart warms at the heart to heart. Your big soft eyes looking up at him dearly and Luigi can’t seem to take his eyes off of them. 

“You know what I just realized?” Luigi speaks in a low deep voice, caressing the strands of hair by your face. 

You hum out a “hmm?” exhaling softly, your chest tightening. 

“That I’m exactly where I want to be right now.” Luigi's eyes glow, his voice softly confessing. 

Your smile grows instantly, heart fluttering, face bright. That smile, oh that smile is just confirmation for him. He feels so full. His cups are overflowing. The cups that once were drained dry are pouring. 

“This is my perfect.” he whispers and leans towards your lips. Eyes fluttering closed until -

You smile playfully. “Really? And here I was almost insecure about you living that perfect life in Maryland. Living that white privileged life with your college girlfriend in an unorthodox household.” 

You’re speaking, chuckling, talking but Luigi's face and heart torns. He completely forgot about the kiss he was leaning into. He sees your playful expression, but oh no. This is no joke to him. 

“Not here, living in this humble abode with me.” your smile falters a bit, still remaining but no longer a grin. Without even intending your heart falls a bit despite it starting off as a silly joke. 

“Baby, do you even realize how boring that life would’ve been for me?” Luigi objects seriously, a stark contrast to your joking tone. His hazel intense eyes instilled into yours, his lashes evident. Luigi searches your eyes for any hint or glint in your expression that’ll give away that you’re being serious. 

Your face softens and you can feel the way your heart breaks a little. You breathe out slowly from your nose. “I know… I know” you say barely above a whisper knowing Luigi would’ve hated it if he would’ve succumbed. Your face falls back into his chest, inevidently looking away. “I was just wondering…” you speak honestly into his collarbone.

Your tone is too low for his liking. Almost sad-like. 

Luigi looks down at you, nuzzled on top of him. Face deep into his neck as if you were trying to hide from him. But, it was just a place of comfort for you. 

Luigi’s fingers run through your hair. “What makes you wonder y/n?” Luigi asks sincerely, wanting to understand your thought process. “You think I'd be happier with someone who’s part of that world?” he utters out in a direct tone. Speaking of the materialistic world in which he grew up in. The world he’s tried so hard to move on from. The insensible table mannerisms Luigi once dreaded, a lifestyle that’s polar opposite of the one he has now. The one Luigi has created with you. The life he wouldn’t trade for the world. 

Luigi is already asking more questions before you could even answer the first one.  You exhale softly, hearing the tone of Luigi’s voice. The one he has when he needs to get to the bottom of things. Luigi’s curiosity and determination are a big part of his personality. Not to mention the care and devotion Luigi has for you. Those two mixed together aren’t something Luigi takes lightly. You just know he’s not going to let it go. Despite it just starting off as a little harmless joke. 

“It was just a thought.” you repeat into his neck, sighing. Your mind starts running with thoughts as you internally delve into his questions.

Luigi’s brows furrow and his arms simultaneously tighten around your lower waist. 

You keep your voice neutral, not wanting Luigi to take it the wrong way or make the wrong conclusions. 

“Like…” you trail off, exhaling a little sigh. You lift your face up to meet his gaze that hasn’t faltered. “What if one day this all gets boring to you?” Your voice becomes solemn at the end. Referring to the life he has with you.

 You’re aware that you’re not like the people that Luigi grew up with. Not like the girls he’s dated in the past. You didn’t attend an Ivy League, you weren’t generationally wealthy. “I mean I know you’re happy right now. But what if one day you realize that you want to go back to the big Maryland homes, live the upscale life you’ve always known. Alongside an ivy league girlfriend or an entitled Baltimore girl. Hmm?” You ask, looking directly into Luigi’s eyes. You’re describing the exact opposite of what you two have now and you’re mentioning him being with other girls. Now, that was a fucked hypothetical you threw at him. 

You were pulling at his heartstrings, Luigi doesn’t know if he should be offended or if he should question your supposed ‘wonder’. 

Luigi can’t help but ponder if you’ve been repressing these emotions. That you might be speaking from a place of unattended emotions. Was it something you stored away subconsciously? 

“Fuck no.” Luigi cuts you off sharply. His heart is beating through his chest. His brows furrowed as he looks at you. His arms tighten around you, as you’re laid on top of him. 

Luigi’s voice is firm and intense. Hurt and laced with genuine offense. Was everything you two constructed together nothing to you? 

“Is that really what you think? That one day I'm going to wake up and trade all this?” Luigi exasperates, seemingly upset. Voice laced with a hint of betrayal and acute.

You exhale deeply, looking away. Your expression softens and you feel your heart break. Face red as you feel Luigi’s agonizing gaze on you. You know Luigi’s only beginning his disquisition and you weren’t going to interrupt him. Even if you attempted, he’d want his turn to express himself before you interjected. So you’ll give it to him.

Luigi replicates your deep exhale. Looking at you with grave intensity. “Do you honestly think I would get bored of this life? Of us? This apartment may not be a mansion but it’s home because YOU are my home.” He exasperates and you can’t help but smile. Your heart flutters at his sweet words but Luigi’s eyes are looking at you like tunnel vision, making you want to hide back into his neck and take it all back. A pout takes over your eyes and lips. 

Your heart skips a beat as your ears are met with Luigi’s frustrated groan after his deep confession. You’re now feeling small and guilty on top of his chest, feeling Luigi’s arms keeping you firm and rigid against him. You take in the way he stresses and runs his grand fingers through his curly bedhead. Your smile falters as you see how your words impacted him. 

But, his words impacted you just as much. Despite Luigi’s little outburst, the corners of your lips etch up slightly and your eyes cast a soft hue. Your hands trace up Luigi’s forearm, the one where his hand is locked into his curls in distress. 

Luigi is met with your loving and appreciative smile making his spinning mind pause, breath alleviate, and frustration melt away. He exhales out, your smile calming him. Just like they always do. 

“Baby, do you see me getting bored? Do I seem unhappy?” His voice is soft and gentler now. Luigi’s soft hazel eyes dance around your visage, wanting to study you, really understand you. Looking through the portal of your soul: your eyes, to scope any lingering doubts you may have. 

You both know the answers to Luigi’s questions. There’s no doubt in your mind that he wasn’t happy or content with the life you two have. But it was just a thought, a mindless little timorous thought. 

“No.” you shake your head, speaking softly. Your response is genuine and honest. It’s clear that you both know how blessed your lives are together. The universe aligned your paths, and it’s no mistake that you two are destined to be. 

Luigi’s gaze is still skeptical. His brown-greenish eyes that scope you through his long curly eyelashes don’t go unnoticed. You pout and just let your head rest back on his chest. 

Luigi is glad he can at least still see your warm face as you lower it. You’re not hiding into his neck this time, just simply resting it over his chest. Your soft skin met with his. 

Luigi sighs and runs his hand through your hair, you two in silence. Patience and understanding filling your guys’ bedroom. His other hand rubbing the skin of your lower back, sending shivers down your body. 

“I was just thinking…” you mutter out softly, breaking the sweet silence. It’s not a harsh or pressuring silence. Luigi doesn’t emit that presence, he’s kind and considerate. He’s emotionally attuned, you both are. Which is why you two work so well together. “I’m just… not like those other girls.” 

Luigi was about to interject but you cut him off before he had a chance to. It was your turn now. 

“I’m just a regular ol’ girl.” you express, pressing your ear against his heart. The beating of Luigi’s heart against your ear makes your beating heart sync with his. “Not like those other girls from Penn or connected to wealthy families.” you softly reiterate, your voice breathing out against the skin of his pecs. 

Luigi’s lips turn into a frown, he can feel his resolve ache. It hurts the way you discredit yourself. Luigi notices how your eyes leave his, now falling to his chest. He doesn’t want you belittling yourself. You’re not like those Baltimore girls and that’s one of the many reasons why he loves you. 

“And I don’t know… I guess the thought of you being with someone from that society or class rank would… fit better?” You let out in an unsured manner. Your eyes timidly lift up to meet his eyes. Your heart skips a beat nervously as you make eye contact with him. 

Luigi’s heart clenches, he feels it still. His demeanor darkens at your admission. He cups each side of your face, his thumbs caressing your cheeks as he tries to decipher your words.

“What you’re saying is that you think I’d be better off with my ex?” Luigi exhales as he looks at your bambied eyes. “Or, that I'd be better suited with one of those girls that are connected with my parents?” His brows furrow and his staggering eyes become soft. “Instead of you?” Luigi asks insightfully. 

He’s got you, knowing exactly how to poke at you. You exhale and shake your head. “It was just a thought. I’m not doubting myself or us.” You explain, looking into his pressing hazel orbs. You know perfectly well that nothing could compare to you and Luigi. No doubt about it but you couldn’t help but wonder. “I’m just… thinking.” You let out in a softer breathy tone. 

Luigi doesn’t still his eyesight. He’s hearing you out, trying to see where you’re coming from and where these sudden thoughts are coming from. His gaze is tense: worried. Brows interlinked, eyes serious, jaw clenched. He doesn’t want to interfere in your utterance but he will once you’re done. 

He gives you a slight nod, allowing you the silent message that he’s present and hearing you out. 

You look back down after his little nod, breaking eye contact. Instead your hand softly caresses up and down his torso. Appreciating his devotion to listening, though knowing your thoughts are silly. But they’re still your thoughts and you couldn’t ask for a better partner than Luigi to help you depict it with you.

“...Thinking of your life. If you would’ve chosen a different path than the one you’re in now. If you would’ve stayed on the path your parents would’ve wanted for you after college or if you would’ve settled with your ex-girlfriend from UPenn.” Your tone is wondrous and a bit doubtful. You could feel your heart sombering a bit, throat tensing. 

Luigi could see the sincerity in your eyes and the genuine tone in your voice. 

You hadn’t been holding onto these thoughts, no. These thoughts came in a sudden manner when you two were conversing about Luigi’s past. Luigi evokes nothing but confidence and assuredness in the relationship. He doesn’t even need to reassure you, his actions and words speak for themselves. 

You’re aware of the profound love you two share. It’s incomparable. Nothing like you two had ever experienced before and it’s endgame. Without a doubt. 

We have it all

Luigi reads you well, he sees the vulnerability in your eyes. You two are open and honest with one another. 

When studying your words and expressions, Luigi comes to the conclusion that you’re not claiming that ‘you’re not good enough’. Rather, you’re simply perceiving what you believe are his lost opportunities. 

Luigi’s heart trembles and it breaks him with the way you seem slightly dismantled. Your eyes are on his chest rather than on him. Luigi needs you to look at him, he needs to see your mien. 

Luigi’s fingers that were once splayed on your back now meet your chin. “Hey.” Luigi whispers, tilting your chin up so that you can look directly at him. “You’re overthinking this. Hard.” He affirms, eyes on yours. “You really think that I’m sitting here wishing I had that white privileged lifestyle? Ivy league wife, big house, and the country club memberships?” His voice becomes harsh as he openly expresses. Apparently he has to make it clear, he thought you already had it down. His sass coming into town because he knows that you know it too. But yet you’re here having this conversation. 

“You think that’s what I want?” He scoffs. You hiss as he tightens his grip on your chin. 

“Owww.” You deflect, knowing he’s not actually hurting you. But you’re pouting regardless, wanting to slightly steer away from the conversation. 

Luigi’s eyes are fierce and deep as they bore into yours. You know that he’s trying to instill his words deep into your brain and heart. 

Luigi observes how you’re diverting away from the conversation, you’re good at it when you want to be but he’s got you down. More than anyone in the world. 

“Answer the question, baby!” He growls, looking straight into your eyes and still holding your chin.

Your eyes fall slightly, not meeting Luigi’s eyes. Instead devoting your attention to his beauty marks on his cheeks. Your heart flutters as you hear Luigi’s tamed and serious tone. The deepness of his voice makes you tremble, in all the good ways. 

“What question?” You mumble out innocently, playing dumb. Your eyes still not brave enough to meet Luigi's fierce ones. 

Luigi glares at you instinctively, not liking how you’re deviating from his questions. “Do. You. Think. I. Want. That. Life?” He snaps, accentuating each word clearly and precisely. His voice is deep and adament. 

Luigi grabs ahold of your chin once again and lifts it up, making you look at him. Your faces now an inch apart, to the point where you feel his hot breath ghost your lips. 

He’s not mad, no. But Luigi wants to make it damn clear. He’s intense and passionate, it’s what you love about him. 

You pout out a smile, your face falling onto his chest once more. “Baby.” You whine and can’t help but nervously laugh. Wanting to end this conversation you sewed yourself. 

Luigi can’t help but smile at your reaction, his arms instinctively wrap around your waist. “You’re avoiding the question.” He mumbles out in a softer tone. Exhaling deeply into your hair. 

Your breath falls out heavily as he hasn’t let it go. But, it’s Luigi, what do you expect? 

You breathe out heavily and deeply. “Your question?” you nuzzle into his chest, hiding your face in it to steer away from his gaze. You continue to play dumb. “The one about the country club memberships and golf? Yeah, I know. You’d hate it.” You reply in a smartass tone, knowing that wasn’t his question. 

A smile on Luigi's face forms at your facetious response. He loves your witty comebacks and tone but he’s trying to be serious. Though, appreciating how you’re keeping things light. You smile as you feel his chest vibrate with laughter. 

“You know that’s not what I meant.” He reiterates in a softer tone, looking down at your hidden features against his chest. 

Finding refuge inside the crook of the neck, you lean into it again. Instinctive pout filling your facial expression, dwelling on how to reply. Staying silent for a couple seconds. You don’t even have to speak up because you know Luigi’s persistent and will retain the conversation. 

Luigi notices the way you’ve hidden into his neck again, stowing away from his words and eye contact. 

“Answer the question.” He mutters out, his masculine fingers running through your locks. His voice is firm but gentle. He knows you’re overthinking, being way over your head and your silence is killing him. He could feel the tension in his chest. 

He breathes out deeply, kissing your temple. Luigi’s lips remain on your skin for a bit. You let out a little thoughtful breath. You knew his question wasn’t about the damn country clubs. 

“No.” you let out in his neck, your voice soft and cutesy. “I know you don’t.” you exhale and speak gentle assuredness into his neck, though your sigh deflects the way you’re giving in. 

Luigi’s heart aches at your defeated tone and the way he perceives you belittling yourself. As if you’re doubting his love and the way he values you. Luigi wants you in every aspect in his life and it hurts him knowing that there could even be a small percentage of you thinking otherwise. 

He turns his face to capture your lips as you’re nestled in his neck. “Say it.” He murmurs into your lips, curating a loving, gentle kiss. 

Your heart flutters at the soft kiss. “Say what?” you ask while pursing your lips into his. Your eyes big and open as they meet his eyes. 

Luigi can’t help but smile grandly as he takes in your pouty expression. Finding it adorable despite the serious conversation. His thumb runs over your lower lip, looking at you with deep affection. “That I don’t want that life. That I want you.” Luigi affirms with firm delicacy, while his eyes bore into yours. Wanting to affirm to you that he doesn’t want that eloquent lifestyle, especially if he would feel forced to live it with the wrong partner, he wants what’s right. And you’re what’s right for him. He knows it.

“Okayyy.” your cheeks flare up at his words, heart beating fiercely against your chest. Nuzzling your forehead with his as you melt. 

Luigi nudges his nose against yours with a smile. His face lightens up at your childish expressions: your cute little voice and puppy dog eyes. 

“I want you.” Luigi proclaims once again, a charming glint in his eyes. “Not some phony, picture perfect, girl.” he exhales, already imagining a Baltimore girl his parents would’ve paired him with if they would’ve had it their way. A girl solely based on networking or to pull up a front as the next face of the Mangione empire with him. 

You hear Luigi’s insistence but for some reason you’ve let your thoughts get to your head. You lay your head on his chest with a little frown, but not hiding in his neck this time. You believed Luigi wholeheartedly but you couldn’t help being in your feels. 

You know Luigi won’t let it go until you admit it, so you barely give him what he wants. “You don’t want another girl.” You let out with a monotone expression, as if the words coming out of your mouth weren’t veritable. He hears your spoiled and attention seeking words as if he had forced them out of you. 

Bless Luigi’s patience with you because he knows how to deal with all your perks and behavioral ins and outs. He can’t help but chuckle and sit up, sitting you up with him. 

“Listen to me.” He tries to maintain his growing smile as he has caught onto your pressed lips. As much as your pouts are entertainment for Luigi, his words are serious. 

At the sound of Luigi’s tone your face falls at his persistence. “Baby.” you whine out at him, already done with the conversation but knowing he’s not letting it go. He’s too stubborn for his own good. He ignores your whines and looks down at you, locking eyes. 

His intense gaze causes your heart to flutter and cheeks to flush. “I want you.” Luigi firmly states as he grabs ahold of your calves and wraps it around his sat body. “I want you by my side. I want you to be the mother of my children.” 

You instantly melt at his affirmations. Your face lights up: your eyes, your smile, and your whole expression. You wrap your arms around your neck and get comfier atop of his lap. 

Luigi’s heart flutters as he sees the genuine and sweet smile that evades your face. A smile forming on him too as his eyes glow at the sight of you. 

“There’s my girl.” He coos and cups your face. Your stomach is filled with butterflies at the petname. “Say it.” Luigi goes on. His nose brushing against yours. You tighten your jaw as you try to hide your evident smile. Giggling escaping your lips as you fail miserably. 

“Say what?” You chuckle, feeling your skin warm up. Luigi notices the way that you try to force away your smile. He cracks a smile of his own and chuckles. Luigi tugs at your bottom lip with his thumb, trying to coax out your real smile. 

“Say that you believe me. That you know I meant every word.” He murmurs into your lips, his own breath mingling with yours.

I grin as he tugs on my lips. “Hey!” I exclaim at him as he sees right through my pouts and walls. I giggle and press a kiss on his thumb. “I believe you. I believe every word.” you genuinely promise as you feel your heart warm and stomach melt. Your eyes meeting him after all. 

Luigi feels a sense of relief wash over him and his heart fills with happiness. He hugs you instantaneously, catching you off guard, pulling you in closer than before. He pulls back and you see the bright toothy grin on his face. 

He leans into your lips and presses a lingering kiss. “Good, because it’s true.” Luigi speaks into your lips, with loving eyes. 

Your smile softens and your arms remain around his neck. “Thank you baby. I know.” you appreciatively avow, leaning back into his kiss. “Thank you for everything.” you say in between kisses, while you sit on his lap. 

Luigi feels complete and relieved at your sweet reply. He nods as you two lock lips. He hears your confident response and he knows when you’re being truthful. He’s glad that you’re both on the same page. He knows you’ve never doubted him, you just needed a little reminder that he’s truly yours. He understood your train of thought. Luigi deepens your kiss as he’s proud to have you as his. 

He loves seeing you like this: happy, blushing, kissing him. 

Both of your lips pull apart, creating a smooching sound. “You can wonder about all the what ifs in the world but we both know what’s real and what’s true.” Luigi assures you as his eyes fall on yours. 

Your heart swells and you nod. Luigi notices the way your eyes soften and the way you look at him as you take in all of his words. 

“Everyday with you gets better and better.” Luigi gives you a little nod, wanting to make sure you’ve got it. His eyes never faltering but gleaming as he affirms. 

Your hands cup his face. “I wouldn’t want to spend my life with anyone else.” you express softly, your heart skipping a beat. 

“Just trying to keep up with you.”

“Maybe you two will be next.” The woman wonders out loud, a playful glint in her eyes as she winks at Daniel, leaving the two of you to enjoy the reception. He doesn’t miss a beat, feeling no need to acknowledge what just happened.

You, however, can’t brush this one under the rug. “What was that about?”

“What was what about?” Daniel questions, playing clueless.

“Either I hit my head earlier or you just told that lady we’re a couple. You do realize you just lied to an old lady right?”

“I prefer the term method acting.” Daniel quips, all the more amused at your very unamused expression. “Come on, two great looking people together at a wedding? My jacket matches your dress? We’re not exactly avoiding the assumptions.”

“And that was purely coincidence, might I remind you.”

Daniel rolls his eyes playfully at your recollection of the morning. The look on your face when you first realized the matching colors was priceless. It won’t be the last stunt he pulls off, for now he’ll let you believe it really was a coincidence. “Oh please, you love it.”

You shrug, indifferent to what he’s insinuating. At least that’s what you hope he receives from it. Internally you wince every time you have to shut down his relentless positivity with another cold shoulder. “Your performance was convincing, I’ll give you that.”

“Just don’t wanna let anyone down. She’s not the first person to say something y’know, we might as well just accept our fate now.”

You avoid his eyes, finding the drink in your glass to be the safer of the two options. Whenever you do lock eyes with him, you can’t be held responsible for what you might say. Confronting the spark between you two has weighed on your mind, and heart, for more sleepless nights than you care to admit. Here and now, at your friend’s wedding, certainly isn’t the time to start.

–

The night stretches on and the mood is much lighter. Tears of joy for the happy couple have already been shed and the celebration was ongoing well into the night. Dinner was everything you expected it to be, each course more perfect than the last.

Daniel had been asked to give a toast in the upcoming weeks of the grand event. Not that he was the smoothest speaker to ever hold a microphone, but his humor was undeniably perfect for every crowd and setting.

He was rarely at a loss for words. For this speech in particular, when he tried to picture the moment and sit with his thoughts, he realized he had none. It may have been the first time he was truly out of his league. Ask him to write a speech about racing and the intensity that comes with it? No problem. Writing about love, in its truest and most passionate form? That poses a greater challenge.

Scribbled on the notecards tucked away in his suit jacket are a few quotes from philosophers or books he’s read, hoping one will inspire some profound words.

When the microphone finds him, Daniel takes one good look at you smiling back at him, and drops the cards on the table. A rush of confidence flows through his veins, telling him that he may not be so hopeless after all. He takes a deep breath and greets the room.

“I’ll be honest, when the bride and groom asked me to give a speech on their big day, my immediate response was ‘Are you sure’?” Light laughter falls over the crowd, putting him at ease.

“I’m no expert, but when I think about why we fall in love, the answer is simple. We fall in love when the idea of spending the rest of our days alone with someone feels more like paradise instead of a punishment; when we wake up and fall asleep to the thought of them, and happily let them run through our mind every hour in between.”

Everyone in the crowd lovingly gazes at their person. Daniel notices that your eyes have remained fixed on him this whole time. He feels himself blushing, and smiling at you before continuing.

“The way I see it, falling in love is this feeling of unwavering commitment, of being unwilling to give up on someone no matter how much they beg you to. It’s knowing that even if your love is never reciprocated, you’d still feel like the luckiest person on planet Earth, knowing they hold a place in your heart no one else ever could. Loving somebody, to me, means accepting that you couldn’t un-love them even if you tried.”

Daniel catches your eyes and they sparkle, whispering everything you wish to say back to him. A pause lingers over the crowd. You wonder if anyone else can hear your heart beating out of your chest. Under Daniel’s gaze, it feels as though you’re the only two left in the room.

He turns towards the bride and groom once again to end his remarks. “It’s for all those reasons that we’re here celebrating today. My deepest congratulations to the happy couple, may your love story never end.” Daniel raises his glass of champagne and everyone else follows suit, cheering loudly.

The bride and groom beam with joy, tears in their eyes as they resonated with every word he spoke. Everyone in the room had someone they thought about, someone they picture standing across from at the altar, hands held while they swear to keep their promises. The more Daniel went on, the more you realized that for you, it’s him. By the way he was looking at you, you have a pretty good idea that he was thinking of you, too.

Daniel shares an embrace with the bride and groom as they thank him for his heartfelt words. If they only knew the speech didn’t come from those notecards left discarded on the table. Daniel’s speech came straight from the heart, purely inspired by the burgeoning love he feels for you. Other guests sing his praises as he walks past their tables as he makes his way back to you. Romantic notes of the piano pick up from where they left off, and the floor opens up for guests to dance their night away. It gives him the perfect segway, unsure of how you’ll. If you react at all, that is.

“Congratulations, Plato. That was a pretty great speech.”

“I felt inspired,” He charms, extending his hand for you to take. “May I have this dance?”

Your lips curl into a smile, letting him lead you to the dance floor. “Do you even have to ask?”

Daniel shakes his head. “You’re doing that thing again.”

“What thing?”

“Deflecting by speaking in sarcasm and responding with rhetorical questions.” Something that admittedly drives him crazy, for better and for worse. “Why do you do that?”

“Why do you wanna know?” He gives you a pointed look, silently telling him that you’ve just proved his point. “Oh. I don’t know, maybe it’s easier for me that way. To imply how I feel because I can’t say it.”

The music is soft and the way Daniel holds your body to his… it's intimate. Like you could bare your deepest secrets to Daniel and leave it here in the ballroom once the song’s over. Insecurities only seek to discourage, they’re little reminders that this music isn’t for you. This night of romance doesn’t belong to you and Daniel, two friends that have blurred the lines so many times that they now cease to exist.

The last thing Daniel wants to do is rush you or scare you off. It’s a shame that he doesn’t think more before he speaks. “Do you ever get tired of keeping it in? Not saying what’s really on your mind?”

“Not always. I’d say it’s better to keep people guessing, never let them know my next move. I’m sure you know what that’s like.”

“Am I just ‘people’?” He questions. His tone is soft and smooth, not accusatory in the slightest. It’s what makes Daniel so easy to talk to, even when it hurts. You never have to hide from him, he’s always waiting for you with open arms.

“No, you’re not just ‘people’, but I don’t want to get your hopes up.”

“Are we talking about me or you? Because I’m pretty sure this entire party knows that I’m madly in love with you. I think you might be the last one to realize.”

You freeze, and instinctively feel like taking a step away. “We’re at a wedding, Daniel. Love is in the air. You’d kinda have to be a psychopath to not let your heart soften when you’re around all of this.”

“Has yours softened? Is that what I saw in your eyes when I gave my speech?”

“I guess I’m just surprised to hear you talk all romantic like that. If there weren’t about a hundred witnesses here I wouldn’t believe it.” You giggle and he smiles at your joke, knowing that you’re absolutely right. This wasn’t exactly an everyday occurrence for him.

“Well, believe it. I’m telling you all of a sudden, but it isn’t new with me. I love you.” Daniel pauses, gauging your reaction. “You don’t have to say it back. I’m still the luckiest man in the world, remember?”

They say actions speak louder than words, and the way you kiss him says more than you can express in this moment. It’s not the first kiss you’ve shared, and Daniel is relieved in knowing that it won’t be the last. He kisses you back, and this time it means something. It’s a chance at having more than you ever thought possible. Less of keeping your love locked away and more accepting what’s been here all along.

“It’s not new with me either. I love you too, Daniel.”

“If I knew that was coming, I would’ve said it sooner.”

“Don’t be smug.”

“I’m not, just happy.” Daniel shows off that signature smile, one that won’t be erased anytime soon. The maid of honor interrupts your moment, asking for all of the men to clear the floor. “Now go, it looks like you have a bouquet to catch.”

Your eyebrows raise in surprise at his boldness. Then again, the Daniel you love has never been one to back down from being unabashedly himself. “You mean you want me to catch it? You know that means we’re next right, are you sure you can handle that?”

Daniel lets his fingers trail down your arm as he backs away, bowing slightly and planting an affectionate kiss to your hand. He’ll be gone before you can scold him any further for what he’s about to say.

“With any luck, we will be.”

💌: i miss danny so much 🥲 feel free to request more from my blurb event here! comments and reblogs are always appreciated :)

Carlos regards his career with a dedicated spirit, diligently organizing his schedule to make sure nothing falls between the cracks. His training, his sponsorships, his future at Williams… As badly as he feels to leave you waiting, duty calls. A last minute Zoom meeting with a new sponsor held him back at the apartment for longer than he anticipated. While most people have already resigned themselves to the fact that they can’t have it all, Carlos Sainz is not most people. He’ll either have everything, or die trying. It’s one of the many traits you love about him. Your heart aches at the thought of it being what tears you apart.

“Champagne?” The flight attendant offers you the drink, one of two that was meant for your celebratory toast with Carlos to kick off your anniversary trip.

“Thank you, it’s been a long day.” The flight attendant gives you a sympathetic smile, watching you down the drink with no effort. If this keeps up, it’ll be a long weekend too.

–

Once Carlos finally joins you on the plane, his ask for forgiveness is difficult to deny. He brought you a bouquet of flowers so large they took up their own seat on the plane, and he hadn’t stopped showering you with love since he arrived. Something about making up for lost time, he’d mumbled into your ear when you questioned his overwhelming affection. The colors of the flowers tied in beautifully with your outfit; Carlos was sure to capture it with a few photographs.

His attention to detail was another thing that you loved about him, it drew you in everytime. When you’re together like this, free of the outside noise, you wish it could last forever. Always on the other end of the phone or outside the airplane window is something ready to whisk him away. Ideally, an anniversary spent with him would consist of a lazy morning making breakfast together, simply basking in each other’s company.

His company was hard to enjoy when you were barely experiencing it, now sitting alone at your anniversary dinner hours later. Your mood turned sour when Carlos excused himself to take a call, walking away from the table before you had a chance to express your distaste. The tension that had been simmering between you two was bound to bubble over once again as Carlos returned to your table with a guilty look, phone to his ear as he ended his call with his cousin/manager.

You didn’t bother to look up, taking your anger out on your meal instead, poking and prodding the food with your silverware. It was a delicious meal that did nothing to deserve a brutal assault by fork and knife, ruining its picturesque presentation.

“Mi amor, I’m sorry.”

“Did you know that the more you say those words, the more they lose their significance each time?”

He sighs, running a stressed hand through his dark hair. “You know the kind of pressure that I’m under right now, cariño. How much this year has worn on me in general. Please, I just need you to be a little more-”

“Understanding? Yeah, I’ve been doing a lot of that lately.” You cut him off harshly, and the look you give him across the table is worth flinching from.

“You have. And I feel terrible, but it won’t last forever.” He attempts to soothe your worries, reaching for your hand. You don’t accept or deny his touch, you’re just still. It sends a shiver down his spine.

“You’re right, Carlos. It won’t last forever. You’ll make sure of it.”

“What do you mean by that? You think we’re going to break up?”

“I’m saying that if you don’t make time to nurture our relationship, there won’t be a relationship left! I’ve been here, Carlos. For you, for us, while juggling my own life and career, so don’t tell me it’s impossible. There was a time when you balanced it all before, when you weren’t working yourself to the bone because you decided you have something more to prove to the world.”

“I’m trying to balance everything, but it’s not always going to be smooth sailing. You know it’s not easy.”

“I know it’s not. I don’t need it to be, but I miss the days when you felt like our relationship was worth making time for. When I wasn’t the last of your priorities.”

“Maybe I miss the days when you understood that I’m not always going to be available for you 24/7.” Carlos rants, feeling defensive at how this time, the gloves are off, you’re finally letting Carlos feel the weight of the burden you’ve been carrying– loving enough for the two of you. Your pounding heart reminds you that it’s impossible to carry on like this. Something has to give. “Do you realize how much time I’m spending away from training to be with you? Is that not making time for our relationship?”

Tears prick your eyes in frustration, the air suddenly feeling warmer than before. Your nervous system begs you to get out of there, to leave the conversation before either of you say something you’ll regret. If it hasn’t been said already. “You still don’t get it, do you? I don’t even need any of this! I just want you! I remember the days when that wasn’t too much to ask for.”

Your hand has long dropped his, and Carlos’ eyes widen in panic as he watches you move out of your chair. “Amor, stay. Please, I didn’t mean it like that.”

Confliction moves through you like a strike of lightning, torn between staying to talk it through or taking a moment of space, after pouring out the feelings you’d spent so much time locking away. The last straw is when your waiter approaches your table, holding a small cake in his hands. On the top of it is a picture of you and Carlos together on your first anniversary, more content and in love than ever. A candle burns on the cake and wax melts down the sides, resembling the tears that wish to fall. Carlos’ eyes plead with guilt, begging you to stay and forget. Smile and pretend that right now, you’re still that happy couple printed on the cake.

Instead, you throw your napkin to your plate. “I need some air.”

–

Carlos watches you go, he doesn’t stop you. A timeout will do you both some good right now. He tries to tell himself that it’s not that bad. Couples fight. But he sits there, sullen, knowing that he’s fucked up this time. His heart burns as he stares at the picture of you two on the cake. It’s unbearable, and that little surprise he orchestrated now feels like a pointed joke at his expense. He blows out the candle and the light goes out. But closing his eyes won’t help his fear of the dark. Even he can’t run from this.

He finds you outside of the restaurant, sitting on a bench, staring down into the renewing waters of the fountain. It’s mesmerizing, the way you can drown in the sight and get lost in the calming sound. He slides his jacket off and wraps it around your shoulders.

“I’m sorry, mi amor. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, I just have a lot on my plate. But that’s no excuse to put our relationship on the backburner. I’m so, so sorry.” Carlos presses a chaste kiss to your temple, and feels comforted by how you subtly lean into his space. It’s a step. “I love you, and I’m going to listen to you. I want to make this better because there’s not a life for me without you in it. I need you, cariño. I want to be with you, always.”

“I’ve felt so disconnected from you lately and being here on our anniversary, reminded of all the happier times we’ve shared, I just… that scares me. I’m scared we won’t get back there if there’s any more distance between us.”

“I should’ve seen it sooner. The truth is, I am able to do what I do because you’re always there. You support me when things are up, when they’re down. When I lost my seat, when I got sick with appendicitis, when I won races… you’re there for it all. I took you for granted thinking that I could give everything I have to my career, when it’s you who deserves it.”

“You do give it everything, but I think you’ve lost sight of things a little bit. Usually you give me everything you have too, I mean the little cake with us on it… I love that you did that for me, Carlos. I’m only so upset because I love you too.”

Those words haven’t stopped echoing in his mind. He swears he’ll engrave them into his brain forever, as long as you’re happy. “Maybe I have been overcompensating a little bit, feeling pressure to make things perfect in my career. The year has been difficult, but I couldn’t have gotten through without you.”

You kiss his cheek, warming up to his affectionate words. He’s sincere, he truly means them. “You’re more than enough, Carlos. Just the way you are. Weathering the storm isn’t always easy but there’s nobody else I’d rather be with either.”

“Can we start over?”

“I’d love nothing more.”

“I have an idea. Should I throw my phone into the fountain, cariño? You’ll have my undivided attention for days.”

“Tempting, but no. Keep your phone dry, my love. Would you be opposed to going back to the villa? Enjoying the rest of the night in?”

Carlos wiggles his brows, as he recognizes that familiar glint in your eyes. One that shimmers with hope and longing. “We do have a pretty sweet cake being boxed up as we speak.”

“Maybe we can light the candle again? I promise I won’t leave the room this time.” Your hearts soar at the thought of blowing out your candle together, hands held as you make a new promise to each other. The past years together have been bliss and the rainbows have always shined through the cloudy skies. The next years together, you will wish for the same and even more.

“Anything for you, cariño. Happy Anniversary.” He presses a kiss to your cheek, leaving you with no choice but to cup his jaw and bring your lips to his. The cool breeze outside is no match for either of you– you’ve got your love to keep you warm.

“Happy Anniversary, Carlos.”

💌: thanks for reading! reblogs & comments are very much appreciated :)

"i wouldn't say that," anakin spoke lowly as he tilted his head toward yours. "being near you doesn't feel difficult. it actually feels quite easy."

you held back an eye roll before turning into the jedi archive room. "you know what i mean," you whispered before disappearing between the shelves. "when we're here," you said quietly, making sure you weren't overheard, "we're jedi, nothing more. you have to remember that."

"but it's the day of love. are you telling me we can’t do anything to mark the day?" anakin asked, his face very close to your own.

you let out a gentle sigh and shook your head. "not here."

his smirk grew as his lips neared yours. "yes, here."

just before he could actually kiss you, you sensed a presence nearing. thinking quickly, you used the force to push anakin back a few steps and pulled down a file from the shelf behind him, causing it to hit the floor. just as you knelt down to pick it up, master sinube walked by the end of the shelves you were between. he nodded his head in greeting at both of you to which you nodded right back as you picked up the dropped file.

"i think you dropped this?" you asked anakin, playing the role you'd assigned yourself to distract master sinube from what was actually transpiring between you and anakin.

anakin fell into his role just as easily. "yes, thank you," he replied while master sinube walked on, the click of his cane hitting the floor following him.

you blew out a breath before looking up at anakin. "my quarters. see you there?"

anakin's smirk soon made a reappearance when he nodded. "i'll have rex cover for us."

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