What a Wonderful World

Chapter 17

Luigi sprinted through the woods, a true smile on his face. The moon shone down, streaming lines of beautiful glowing blue through the trees, reflecting off his eyes and the snow. 

As he sprinted over the bridge his reflection mirrored him off the crystal clear, calm water. The night was still and silent, almost as if the whole world was nothing but peace. There was no wrong to be found anywhere. There was only him, the stars, and Dimentio. No Mario. No team Bleck. No negative thoughts. He couldn't even think about the fact that his time with Dimentio very well could be cut short at any moment. 

It was impossible to see all the bad. Or perhaps, it was just harder to see the bad when there was so much good. Or perhaps he didn't want to see the bad, because seeing the bad never did anyone any good. It only wasted more time. More time which he didn't have. He planned to spend every minute he could helping Dimentio be happy. Helping him see the good in the world.

He didn't hesitate. He didn't even knock. He just opened the door and held it open, standing in the doorway, smile widening as soon as he saw him.

Dimentio was sitting on the floor in front of the small fire, eating some cookies from the previous day, when he looked over at the sudden intrusion. He cocked his head to the side as Luigi just stood there, the moonlight flooding in through the open doorway behind him.

"You came ba-"

Luigi suddenly sprinted over and kneeled down, wrapping him in a tight hug. "I came back." Luigi breathed. 

Dimentio was initially shocked but felt somewhat... warmed by the hug. He didn't feel the slightest bit repulsed by the physical contact anymore. In fact, his mind seemed to welcome it now. However, it did still seem rather strange. "Luigi? Is something the matter?" Dimentio questioned.

"No," Luigi beamed.

This was and wasn't a lie. Yes, there was clearly something wrong, but that didn't seem to matter anymore at this moment. Nothing else happening in the world seemed to matter. So Luigi said, truthfully, "I just really wanted to see you again."

Dimentio felt his eyes soften, then he slowly hugged back, a part of him unsure if he was even doing it right. Luigi was pretty good at hugs, Dimentio noted, and the jester had given so few. He was almost worried that he wouldn't know how.

But this wasn't so hard.

"I'm glad you returned," Dimentio admitted. Admitting that wasn't hard either. He would think saying such a thing would be difficult, but it truly wasn't. It felt natural.

"Me too, now come on!" Luigi smiled, standing up and grabbing his hands.

"Ah yes. What Christmas activity have you planned for us this evening?" Dimentio questioned, smiling a little.

"I have no idea," Luigi admitted, as he pulled Dimentio up so the jester was standing on his feet, an inspired smile on his face. "How exciting!" Luigi whispered.

Dimentio gave him a slightly confused head tilt as the man in green walked outside, still holding onto Dimentio's hand as if he'd blow away if he let go, even though the breeze outside was far gentler than it has been in days. He walked over to the bridge and looked up at the sky, just like the first time Dimentio went outside in the snow with him. The sky almost looked the same as well, but the moon was fuller. The stars were brighter. Like they were each competing to outshine one another. Of course, they each were unique and each shone in their own ways, so Luigi deemed them all winners.

"So... what are we gonna do?" Dimentio asked.

"We don't need something to do to hang out, you know? We don't need any reasons," Luigi laughed, letting go of his hands and looking up at the sky. "Sometimes, we can hang out just to hang out."