#stpry

A quiet evening in the royal greenhouse. Soft lights from the fire flowers illuminate the glass dome. Cherry, a teenage princess, is curled up on a bench with a sketchpad. Peewie, her loyal lady-in-waiting and confidante, gently waters some plants nearby.

Peewie: (softly, not looking directly at her)

You’ve been drawing him again.

Cherry: (freezes, then flips the page quickly)

What? No, it’s just... a Koopa. A generic one. Could be anyone.

Peewie: (smiles faintly)

Ah, of course. With these horns, red messy hair, and these spikes bracelets?

Cherry: (groans, hiding her face in the sketchpad)

Peewie…

Peewie:

I didn’t say a word. You’re the one hiding.

Cherry: (muffled)

Because you always know.

Peewie: (walks over and sits beside her)

It’s part of the job, my dear. Reading the heart behind the silence.

Cherry: (quiet for a beat)

It’s nothing. Just... he's been nicer lately. That’s all.

Peewie:

He's always been nice to you...surprisingly. Even when he’s grumpy with everyone else.

Cherry: (defensive)

We’re friends. Best friends. That’s all it is.

Peewie: (gently)

Cherry.

Cherry: (softly)

Okay. Maybe… maybe I like him. A little.

Peewie:

A little?

Cherry: (covers her face again)

...A lot.

Peewie: (smiling warmly)

And what scares you more—that he doesn’t feel the same, or that someone might find out?

Cherry: (hesitates)

Both.

I mean… he’s into Peach. Everyone knows it. He gets all weird when she’s around. Like, fidgety and nervous and... ugh, it’s obvious.

Peewie:

And what about you? How do you feel when he’s around?

Cherry: (softly, looking down at her hands)

Safe. Like I can breathe easier. Like he actually sees me, not the princess. Just… me.

And then he goes and talks about Peach and I feel stupid for even hoping.

Peewie:

Love—especially the quiet kind—is rarely stupid.

Cherry:

I didn’t say I was in love!

Peewie: (chuckles softly)

No, of course not. Just drawing him in secret and staring out the window after dinner, waiting to see if he flies by on his clown copter...

Cherry: (groans again)

Please don’t tell Ivy. Or Ash. Or Mom. Especially not Mom.

Peewie:

Your secret stays here, in the greenhouse. Among the vines.

Cherry:

Even if they already...suspect?

Peewie:

Ahah they love you. They won’t tease too much, dont worry.

Cherry: (smiling, finally)

Thanks, Peewie.

Peewie:

Anytime.

And for the record, if Bowser ever does look past Peach... I hope he sees you. Truly sees you. Because you shine brighter than any star in the Mushroom Kingdom sky.

Cherry: (blushing, softly)

You always say the nicest things.

Peewie: