Shell-shocked

Like father and son

Bowser hesitated, his mind began to fill with doubt about confessing. He took a breath before he could begin to overthink, "Luigi I-" He tried again, this time being cut off by Junior. 

"Dad are you okay?" He asked worriedly, running over and checking over his father.

"I'm alright, I'm alright." Bowser assured, "Luigi made sure I was okay." 

"Thank you." Junior said gratefully, Luigi nodded.

"You should probably rest for a little while." He said to Bowser. "Luigi can watch Junior for you."

At first, Bowser was going to politely decline since again, the wound wasn't something unusual for him seeing as this wasn't his first fight with Mario and he'd be fine in a few hours or so. However, the face Junior was making told Bowser to accept the offer. "Alright." He nodded. "Behave." He added, looking at Junior. The child happily nodded, hopping around excitedly. Luigi finished bandaging Bowser's wound, telling him to be careful for a little bit before being dragged off by Junior. 

With them gone, Bowser was able to just go back to what he usually did after the fights, clean up. As he got up from he bench, Bowser had noticed Luigi forgot to grab his hat. He glanced around real quick to make sure no one was around before carefully picking up the hat and placing it on his head. Smiling to himself, Bowser went to go clean up the rubble in the courtyard. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luigi and Junior had decided to go walk around town to see if anything couth their eyes. "Can we go there?" Junio asked, pointing to a nearby bakery. 

"I don't see why not.." Luigi said, taking the child by the hand and leading him inside. The shop owner was surprised to see the two together but smiled nonetheless. "What can I get you two?" she asked. Junior looked at that was on display. 

"Can I get this?" He asked, pointing to a brownie with a few strawberries on it. 

"Of course you can little one." Luigi smiled. He bought the brownie and gave it to Junior before the two headed outside to eat on a nearby bench. 

It was odd in a pleasing way to be spending time with Junior like this Luigi thought. He was so used to fighting with the child that a casual interaction like this was incredibly refreshing. The two spoke about this and that, topics sitting mainly on how school was for Junior or finding shared interests. To the outside eye, they seemed like the usual father with his son. It very nearly felt that way for the two as well. Unfortunately, such peace wasn't long to last as Mario happened to run into the two.

"Luigi! What are you-a doing hanging out with Bowser Junior??" He exclaimed. Luigi jumped and quickly began trying to think of an excuse. 

"Umm...Luigi was-a just..." Luigi stuttered out, unable to think of what to say.

Mario's face contorted with anger and he stomped towards Luigi and Bowser Junior. He grabbed Luigi's wrist and tugged him away from the child. Junior was obviously confused and was unsure of what to do. Should he chase after the two? Plead his innocence to the man in red? Or perhaps he should report it back to his father. Junior scratched out the last option, it would cause too much of a scene, he thought.

Meanwhile, Luigi fought his way out of Mario's grip. His brother had always been somewhat irrational but it had never been this extreme. Mario was shocked that his brother released himself from his grip. Luigi had always been timid and never really stood up to Mario.

Mario gritted his teeth. " This is not you! Come to your sense STUPIDO!! Being around Bowser Junior isn't good, he's evil! And the son of our greatest enemy!" Luigi shook his head.

"He's-a not! Junior is-a good kid! His father isn't-a that bad either!" He said without thinking. This statement was surprising to both men, Luigi would normally never be able to say something like that, especially not to Mario.  Before the two could argue more, Junior quickly jumped up and began to drag Luigi away. "Where are we going?" He asked as the two quickly left Mario behind. 

"I don't know!" Junior replied.

"We probably shouldn't go back to the castle, we don't want to risk starting another fight. Let's go to my house." Luigi suggested. Junior nodded and allowed Luigi to lead the way. When they got to Luigi's house, the found Daisy and Peach sitting together chatting and drinking tea. "Oh! Sorry, we didn't mean to interrupt." Luigi quickly apologized. 

"It's fine, we we're just hanging out." Peach smiled. Daisy nodded, almost hesitantly. 

"I thought you said you would be out until late?" She asked Luigi.

"I thought so, but Mario got mad when he saw me with Junior and I suggested we come here so Bowser could rest." He replied. "I plan to bring Junior back to his home tonight but didn't want to risk Mario starting another fight." 

"I can go let Bowser know what happened, I have to go visit him anyway." Peach offered. 

"It's fine, you don't have to..." Luigi spoke. Peach waved him off,

"Again, I have to go see him anyway." She said, getting up and grabbing her parasol before leaving. Daisy sighed. 

"When are you going to tell her?" Luigi asked. 

"Same day you tell Bowser." Daisy replied playfully. 

"He likes you to." Junior stated. 

"What?" Luigi asked in surprise. Junior didn't reply, instead requesting to play a board game. 

So that's what they did, the trio played games together for a while. Passing the time as father, son, and the crazy overcompetitive aunt.