Under my Shell { a bowserxluigi fanfic }

Chapter 10: I dont have a crush

The difference between our footsteps climbing the stairs is pretty noticeable. His sound hefty, but with purpose unlike a giant you'd find in the wild. Me on the other hand, very shy and timid footsteps. It's not like I was conditioned to have lighter steps I just like to fly under the radar. It's gotten me in trouble a couple of times. I remember the countless times I've scared Mario and the others. Or the time where I would overhear a bunch of conversations on accident. Although, Bowser has been able to sneak up on me once in his garden. But that doesn't count because I was so distracted by the beauty of it all. "Well here we are, this is one of the things I'm most proud of here" I look up from the last stair I climb to see an enormous Fish Tank with hundreds of different kinds of aquatic life swimming around in there. I hear Bowser chuckle as I rush closer to the tank watching the creatures closely. The habitat is beautiful, it's like you went far into the forest with a couple of mountains in the background, and just poured water all over the scene until it was completely covered in water. "Your face completely lit up as soon as you saw it... I've been really excited to see the kind of look you'd have on your face and it was worth the wait."

"It's amazing.... I go by the river by the house a lot and stare into it so watch the water flows and sometimes I get lucky and get to see some fish jump out. This is magnificent." I notice Bowsers footsteps grow closer to me before I feel a warm hand touch my shoulder. I blush a little bit.... This feels weird, I feel all warm inside and my stomach is fluttering. I look up to my left to see him smirking at me but I can tell he's a little nervous by the look In his eyes. Regardless..... I'd be lying if I didn't say I didn't feel something when my eyes caught his. It's like the feeling multiplied by 10. I've never had that happen to me before.... I don't understand it.

"Well, here in the Koopa Kingdom we don't have many ponds or rivers so I always try and accommodate because I love the water, I always enjoy watching the creatures and the stillness and calmness of the water. Im very glad you love it Luigi." He pulls me closer just a bit causing my face to rub against his belly before letting go gently. "Alright, let us continue with the tour." Oh goodness am I starting to develop something for the King...? Why am I starting to feel thing when he does things...? I put my hand on my head and take a deep breath. No Luigi, you cannot.... He is Bowser the very Bowser your Kingdom hates.... But they don't hate him for a good reason. "You coming ?"

"Yeah, sorry I just really love the fish !" I quickly lie, how embarrassing it would be if bowser found out exactly what I was thinking... I pick myself up mentally before following after him. I take a look at the walls the aquarium is on before noticing the painting on the wall by the aquarium. It looks like the river from my house. Hmm that's weird... maybe it's just a coincidence I guess.

"Don't worry, your free to look at the aquarium all you like but how about we finish this your first" he says waiting for me to catch up to him. "The castle is 3 levels, the first one we haven't touched yet because there really isn't a reason too, it's the basement where we keep extra supplies and food in. The second mainly is for show, most visitors only get to see the decor on the second floor and dine in the dining room, but since you are royalty here in the Koopa Kingdom you get to see the Third floor. This is where everyone sleeps and enjoys downtime. So it's mostly just bed rooms and there is a living room on-top of where the kitchen is."

"Wow, this place is so big and nice. I'd love to live here all the time."

"Really...." He says in a tone that shows a little excitement behind his words.

"Yeah of course, the garden is amazing, the castle itself is amazing and I'd be in the company of all these great Koopas !!" Hehe I bet he expected me to say him, I don't have a crush I don't have a crush I DO NOT... have a crush.

"Well." He says walking over to me getting closer and closer until he's close enough to bend down getting just mere inches in front of my face. "You do have a room here, and the guards will let you in any time no questions asked. So technically you do live here." S... so close, why is he so close. Oh goodness Luigi no you don't have a crush stay strong. "You look even cuter from this close up you know. I wouldn't mind staring into your eyes forever." My face turns hot, red hot oh god I can feel the heat rising there's no way I can hide this. He chuckles softly in my face before rubbing his left hand against my cheek. "Aww, even cuter when you get all flustered huh ?" He pulls away gently before standing up again.

"D-do you get this acquainted with all your subjects ?" I can't help but stutter a little, god damnit Luigi get yourself together.

"Actually your the only one." He says with a smirk before turning and walking down the hall.

Fuck, I finally take a deep breath. I feel my heart beat calm down a bit before I look up at Bowser. Who once again seems to be waiting for me. "Come on, just a little more to go !" He smiles innocently at me. I clear my throat before walking down the hall. "Alright, this floor will be a little short since I can't go into everyone's bedrooms so I'll show you mine and yours, then the loving, I mean living, the living room." He looks at me seeming to try and figure out if I noticed his mistake or not. He gives a nervous chuckle before proceeding. I follow shyly behind, I can't bring myself to speak after he flustered me. We walk a couple of seconds in silence, passing by a couple of doors. Some with guards outside of them and some with none.

"Here we are, my bedroom is here, and yours is just right over there across the hall a couple feet down."

"Wow, you weren't joking when you said they were close by" I say before peaking my head into my room. Just a boring plain room, I'm sure it's because he wants me to bring stuff and make it feel like mine... or maybe it's because he wants me to spend a lot of my time in his room with him.

"Haha of course not. Anyways, my room is a little bit on the messy side now so how about we proceed to the living room."

"Awww too shy to show off your living quarters ?" I say in a playful voice teasing him a bit.

"That's quite a ton for someone who couldn't even speak a couple of minutes ago... Mr. Blushy face." God damnit, that's why I hate when people see me blush. I sigh admitting defeat before looking back up at him.

"Too the living room it is then."

"Just this way." He says with that same cocky smirk before turning and walking further down the hall before turning left. I follow after him and see an amazing room. There was a dark velvet couch sitting in the middle of the room accompanied by 2 loveseats on both sides. A giant flat screen tv in the middle of everything and on-top hangs a dark metallic chandelier admiring a soft hue of light.

This is way bigger than the living room I'm used too.