#elitadream

It happened around midnight. Right as the days turned and tomorrow became today. That’s when the deeper thoughts emerged. 

At least, that’s how it was for Mario.

Eyes staring up to the dark ceiling with his hands clasped together and resting on his chest. There was barely a silhouette of his window draped across his bed from the minimal light the moon provided. It was quiet. It was always quiet. Because everyone was supposed to be asleep right now.

But not Mario, at least not for tonight. A dangerous habit that started years ago. When he was on Earth, he was worrying about rent and bills, making sure their company was cared for, going through the list of jobs he would need to worry about the following day. 

Now, however, it was the wonders of what Bowser was up to. Would the day start off calm or would it be absolute craziness? Maybe an invitation would arrive that would no doubt whisk him off onto another adventure. 

These were part of his new normal routine, Mario figured. Worries for his business, just a different job title. 

But recently, there was a new thought. A very personable one. That only entered his head when asked a rather innocent question by a Toad child.

“Mr. Mario,” the tiny voice squeaked, “Will you be our hero forever?”

It was a pure inquiry. One that Mario merely gave a jovial laugh to. Patting the child’s head gently and answered with, “Of course, it’s my job.”

But as the child was called away, as he was left to his thoughts, a different question entered into Mario’s mind. 

What if he could go back?

What if the Warp Pipe opened up again? What if he could return to Earth?

Mario couldn't even call Earth ‘home’ any more. Even if he and Luigi had only lived in the Mushroom Kingdom for a few years. Mario felt more at home, more at ease, in this crazy world with all these strange dangers than he ever did on Earth. 

Truthfully, there was nothing left behind in that other realm for Mario to worry about. It had been Mario and Luigi, alone, for so long. Parents gone, no other living family members, they’ve only been able to stay together because Mario fought for it. Even though they're twins, Mario was the older of the two. It was his job to keep Luigi safe, keep them together, by any means. 

Living on Earth was a struggle.

The rush of this realm, however, was somehow more manageable. Even with all the people trying to rule, to control, it was better than the worries that Earth had. Because there were so many people in this world who supported the brothers. Mario had felt so much worry being lifted from when they arrived here. The friends they’ve made, the citizens they saw everyday.

Princess Peach. 

Mairo let out a slow breath. Rolling onto his side to stare out his window. Which was honestly just as dark as the ceiling. Did not provide any help towards his situation.

It took a painfully long time for Mario to truly admit his feelings for the princess. Feeling further like an idiot when Peach gave her own confession directly after his. Even with it all out in the open, there surprisingly wasn’t a drastic change in how they interacted. At least, not in the Toad’s eyes, as they all desperately asked when the wedding was going to happen. 

The most the pairing did was being a bit more honest with their adoration for each other, more open.

Mario wasn’t ashamed to admit he loved Peach. Flustered, sure, surprised that he’d caught the attention of someone as amazing as the princess. But he would yell about his love for her at the top of the highest mountain if asked to. Head over heels, jumbled emotions of devotion and affection for someone that he was sure only graced his life because of strange circumstances. 

He couldn’t hold back his smile every time she walked into the room, sat a little closer to him. Fascinated whenever they could just casually hold hands, talk about anything and everything for hours and never feel bored. 

Mario knew he would do anything for Peach, and he knew he meant anything. 

So, really, when it was all laid out, there was no reason for Mario to worry about leaving. He didn’t need to. His life was great here. Why would he ever have to toss the question around in his head if he was so certain? 

Mario’s eyes flickered over to his bedside table, where a small clock was resting. Numbers saying it was about 1 in the morning. 

His legs itched. He needed to move.

The sheets were pulled off and Mario’s feet touched the carpeted floor. Padding over to the bedroom door to peek out into the hallway. It was as quiet and dark as his bedroom. Mario paid no attention to it. Merely leaving his bedroom and making his way towards the other. Peeking in just as slowly to make sure he didn’t wake the occupant. 

He could barely make out the lump that was his brother. Hearing Luigi’s soft breathing that indicated he was fast asleep, only his head and one hand poking out from the mound of blankets that he had. Luigi was sleeping on his side facing the gently glowing night light. Something he insisted on having after the King Boo/haunted mansion incident. He looked completely at ease, unaware that his brother had just walked in. 

Slowly sitting at the edge of the bed, Mario gently placed his hand over Luigi’s. His younger brother twitched in his sleep, but didn’t wake. 

Even with all the positives he could list off, Mario knew the deciding factor of staying here all came down to what Luigi wanted. While the younger brother always put on a brave face, ran into whatever adventure was put before him with fists raised, it was also clear that Luigi wasn’t always thrilled with their new lifestyle. He never complained, but Mario was worried if Luigi felt pressured to do all of this just to make Mario happy. Did Luigi prefer the quiet lifestyle they had on Earth? 

Mario knew, if he had to choose between his life or Luigi’s, he’d always pick Luigi. It would hurt leaving all of this behind. Mario couldn’t lie about that. But if the Warp Pipe opened once more and Luigi wanted to go back to Earth, Mario would follow. The pain of leaving the Mushroom Kingdom couldn’t compete with the soul crushing feeling of losing Luigi. 

It was the hard and honest truth. While Mario loves Peach, loved this realm, Luigi was his entire world. 

It didn’t make his stomach churn any less at the idea of leaving. 

“Mario?”

So lost in his thoughts, Mario wasn’t aware that Luigi was waking up. Said twin rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Mario attempted to pull his hand away, but Luigi had a tight grip on it. 

“H-Hey Weegee,” Mario whispered, “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Are you okay? Did something happen?” Luigi mumbled weakly. 

“Oh, just…couldn’t sleep.”

“...What were you worrying about?”

He forgot how easily Luigi could read his emotions. Mario let out a sigh before asking, “If the Warp Pipe back to Earth opened up…would you want to go back?”

“Go back to Earth?” Luigi let out a wide yawn, shoulders slumping as he thought about it. “I mean, no, why? Do you want to? Did it open again?”

“No, no, it’s still sealed up. Just…it’s something that entered my head and…” Mario held back a smile as he watched Luigi. Slow blinking with furrowed brows as his sleep heavy mind thought it over. 

“I mean…” Luigi started slowly, “There are a few things I miss from Earth… A good pizza’s on the top of that list. I really miss Punch Out Pizzaria… But nothing so large that I feel like I would want, would need, to go back.”

“Even with how…safe Earth is?”

“Safe? Are we thinking of the same place?”

“Well, I mean, in comparison to here…”

“At least there are Power-Ups, my Thunderhand, and training on my side. As well as so many people here supporting us. I feel way better living here.”

“But…”

“Mario, I know you know that I don’t like fighting. But I can defend myself here. I couldn’t back on Earth.”

Mario stared at his brother as Luigi’s words bounced around in his head. “So, even if we had a way back, you wouldn’t want to go?”

Luigi shook his head “No, I’m happy here… Did you think I would want to?”

“...Sort of…”

Luigi let out a quiet laugh as he wrapped his arms around Mario. “You’re silly. How long have you been worried about this?”

“...A few weeks.” Mario flushed softly when Luigi laughed again. 

“I wish you would have talked to me sooner. I know how you get…”

“Sorry.” The older brother laughed softly when Luigi gently patted his cheek. 

“Silly brother…”

Warmth and relief spread through Mario as it finally hit him that he had his answer. Feeling himself relax as he wrapped his own arms around Luigi. “Guess I am…”

“Feeling better?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, good, now go back to sleep.”

“Alright, okay…” Pulling away slightly, Mario brushed Luigi’s bangs back gently to place a kiss on his brother’s forehead. Standing afterwards. “Sleep well.”