Chapter Text
“Luigi!...What is that?!?”
The sharp horror stabbed into the air, slicing the distance between.
“I-Iiit’s not what it looks like, Mario.” A rustle of fabric is nearly enough to cover the hushed scrambling of syllables.
“It looks like a fucking black-eye is what it looks like Lu…” The softening tone was accompanied by cautious taps of hesitant steps. “Did he do this?”
“Not like that, Fratellone. Please, it’s not like that, I promise. Ti guiro, per favore, credimi” Small hiccups breaking through the blockage of sobs.
“Fratellino, you can’t…you don’t…He shouldn’t be hurting you like this, no matter what!” The loud swish of fabric brushing fabric, once the more hurried steps ceased, is just heard beneath the desperate grasping at the right words.
“No, Mario! It’s really not like that. You just don’t understand him like I do!” That tone of defense rises higher and higher, punctuated by the tumble of steps back.
“Lu, no.” The helpless denial is whispered into the newly gained space.
“You couldn’t possibly understand! Everyone sees you. Even the Princess sees you. He’s the only one to see me. I can’t -...” The rest of the words catch in a sticky throat coated in loathing self-reflection.
“You know it's not like that with Peach and me. We’re just friends, Lu. Vieni con me dove è sicuro. Come home with me. Get a mushroom and maybe some space and time away.”
The return of reverberating steps in the stillness ring out before an even gentler brushing of fabrics. The sobs break loose and scream out into the muffling clothed sanctuary.
“Please, sweet Weegie. I see you. Come with me where I’ll keep you safe.” The heartbreak continues its shredded cries into the protective cloth, shattering the hearts of those within reach of the wretched sounds.
“You deserve love AND safety, Luigi.”