Under my Shell { a bowserxluigi fanfic }

Chapter 28: Pleading Heart

"He showed you this place too huh ?" A familiar voice echoes behind me. I turn to see Bowser standing there nervously. Before turning back to face the water. I watch as it flows freely. I big gust of wind passes causing the water to ripple and my hair to dance. The sounds of insects chirping flows in the wind as well. The sounds of nature interrupted by the crunching of the ground under Bowsers approaching footsteps. "I've spent the past hour or so alone. I had you on my mind the entire time. The fear you had in your eyes.... It shattered my heart, it shattered my soul. Please don't be afraid of me." I can feel the desperation and pleading in his voice. I scoot over on the rock, making sure to make as much room for him as possible.

"I didn't mean to be scared, I just don't do well with yelling and confrontation. Besides, now I understand a little bit better." He sits, I can feel his eyes staring at me, curiosity in the air.

"What do you mean you understand better ?" I turn to look at him. I can see tears dried up on his cheeks. His hair a ruffled mess, the wind flowing through it doesn't seem to do him any favors either.

"I just spoke with Breath, I had to make sure he was okay. He told me what happened.... I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"So now you understand why I was so angry when he used that around you. You could have gotten hurt." I can see a little rage pop up once more on his eyes. I sigh before turning to watch the water again. I don't know what to do, on one hand I'm so angry. So angry that no one seems to know the truth. On the other hand, I cannot justify my anger, when Bowser doesn't seem to know the truth.

"Bowser...?"

"Hmm, yeah ?"

"Do you believe what you said ? About you know... ?" I can feel a blush coming on thinking about the kiss we shared followed by the conversation. He takes a moment to respond but eventually speaks out in a loving tone.

"I do."

"So, you trust me ?"

"Yes... I trust you with my whole heart." I can hear the wind change from his tail wagging in the background.

"Breath told me his side, I don't know if you've ever had a chance to listen but I'm good at reading people. I know when they are lying at least. I listened to his heart beat as he told me the story. I could hear it in his voice. He loves you.... It wasn't him, don't you think it's weird how he suddenly happened to have new abilities the night after you were attacked ? That would be a very good way at pawning the blame on someone right ?" I turn to face him again, this was a face I've never seen before. He was embarrassed, embarrassed and confused. Like when someone you really like finds out about family secrets you wish to keep hidden away.

"I don't want to talk about this right now." The wagging of his tail stopped. My heart rate increased, it often does this when something I didn't expect to happen happens. Why... why doesn't he want to talk about this. Maybe he wants to hear it from Breath himself. I hope Breath won't be upset with me for attempting a conversation about it. All I wanted to do was help... it just feels awkward now. I was frozen, not physically but mentally. I didn't know what to do or say. "I'm sorry, for everything." He chokes up. "I'm sorry you had to see all the horrors you saw, when Breath told me about everything, I felt so many emotions at once. I was worried because I didn't see you with them. I assumed something went wrong with his magic. I lashed out in anger. I know it was wrong of me but in that moment all I could think about was you." My heart rate increases even more, that feeling from before returns, the one where it feels like a blanket being wrapped around you.

"I understand, you must have been really worried. Probably worrying the entire time I was gone imagining the worst only to be bombarded by 3 people, one you don't even know. It's a lot, I get it. Especially with Breath being back. Your mind must not know how to feel."

"All I know is that I get really angry when he gets flirty with you." Immediately after he spoke he covered his mouth, his eyes widened. "Oh um..." he slouches over looking down a bit before letting out a sigh. "I know we're not together, I know we never can be... you don't have to say it again." My heart shatters hearing the sorrow locked into his voice. "I envy him, he gets to go after someone as beautiful as you with nothing telling him no."

"I'm nothing special..." his head instantly turns up towards me, slight frustration furrowed into his brow.

"I would do anything, just to see you smile. I would give up my entire kingdom to hear you laugh. I would give my life, if it meant I get to gaze into your eyes in my last moments. You are the embodiment of special." I don't understand why but hearing his words causes tears to well in my eyes. My heart burns and so does my face. I feel so heavily conflicted. Do I love him.... Am I willing to give everything up for him as he is to me ? I look up at him, his eyes sparkle as they stare into mine and I lose my breath for just a moment.

"D-do you really mean that...?"

"I've never meant anything more." We stare into each others eyes loosing our selves for a moment.

"I'm tired...." I say breaking the tension in the air. I inhale and finally I'm able to catch my breath. I look back into the water, then to the sky watching the moon stare back at me.

"You have had a really long day. I think it's best if you got some sleep." He sounds defeated, with a hopeful tone he says, "Like I said, you are always welcome to join me in my chambers and I'll hold you while you sleep....." I turn back to him smiling, his eyes brighten once he sees my smile. His tail wagging once more.

"I don't think we'd be breaking any rules by doing that." I say in a playful tone

"Oh gods you don't know how many rules I'd break for you."

"Stop, you'll make me go and fall in love with you."

"Please, please do. I would be so happy if you finally did. I would make you so happy you don't understand." I can't help but giggle. Something about this side of Bowser made me all happy inside. How bold and direct he's being made my stomach flutter and my heart warm.

"Hmm I'll sleep on it, don't get your hopes up though."

"Well then, let's hurry and get to bed so you can sleep on it." He stands abruptly throwing me over his shoulder and speed walking all the way back to his castle.

"Hey, stop put me down the guards are gonna think this is weird."

"The guards already know what's going on. It's not like I make it obvious or anything." I can't see but I can tell he has the biggest smile on his face. Just by the tone he's speaking in, and the fact that I'm staring at a giant wagging tail.

"Evening my King, and to you my Lord." Oh gods, my blush comes back as I pass the guards at the gate grinning from ear to ear as they watch their King carry the so called love of his life on his shoulder.

"Good night you too !" He calls out, I roll my eyes before waving to them both.