I've Got the Strangest Feeling This Isn't Our First Time Around

70

"Luigi, come on!" Destiny protests. "It's just coffee."

"Espresso." Luigi corrects as his hand pushes down on the tamper. "And so help me, it's gonna be the best espresso ever to go with your ciabatta toast, pancetta, espresso, tomato and basil scrambled eggs and ricotta honey spread."

Destiny dips her finger in the ricotta spread, offering it to Luigi, who licks it off.

"I'm starting to get greedy." He warns playfully.

"Be greedy then." Destiny replies, leaning in to kiss him once, then puts her hands on his head, pushing his hair back.

Luigi tries to pull away, "What're you doing?"

"Trying to picture your hair slicked back." Destiny replies. "I think I like it."

"Careful what you wish for, I might just do it." Luigi says with a grin as he takes their plates to the table.

And so of course that's when his phone goes off, and of course Destiny's so considerate to grab it for him and see the alert, telling him, "Mario's...texting you."

Luigi turns to take his phone, "Thanks."

"Who's Snoozefest?" Destiny asks.

"Oh just...a nickname we call our boss." Luigi winces, despite it not being a lie.

"Did you call him that to his face or something?" Destiny pushes.

"No no, it's...fine." Luigi tries to wave it off, sitting down. "This is incredible, Des. You've really outdone yourself."

"Who says it's just for today?" Destiny counters. "Why not make it the norm?"

"Well for starters, the thin lanky stringbean you fell for would turn into the Jolly Green Giant in the off season." Luigi jokes.
"I'm serious!" Destiny says. "Making breakfast together, joking about getting fat. What could be better?"

"I'm starving." Luigi says instead of an answer.

"Luigi!" Destiny exclaims, putting a hand on Luigi to get him to look at her. "Have you even thought about my proposal at all?"

Luigi, thankfully, is spared from answering when his phone goes off again, and this time Destiny doesn't bother looking, just sighs as she sits down.

"Another AR glitch?" She snips.

"Look, I'm sorry, okay?" Luigi tries. "We just...need all hands on deck. Save for tonight?"

"Are you kidding?" Destiny laughs. "This just turned into my pre-workout carb load. And follow up: when do I get a sneak peek at your augmented reality game?"

"Eventually." Luigi says slowly, trying to shrug it off, but when it doesn't quite work, he adds a lie, "Look, I signed a confidentiality notice. I'm not allowed to say anything else. I really appreciate you being so understanding."

"You promise we'll get a chance to talk later about our future?" Destiny's not making it easy.

"Yes." Luigi nods, walks out and leaves without kissing her goodbye.

"That's the answer I'm hoping for." Destiny says to the empty room.

"I'm ALIVE!" Spike cheers upon entering the dream lab with a box.

"What gives?" Mario asks him.

"What, I can't be happy I didn't leave here in a body bag?" Spike says, still grinning. "There is absolutely nothing that could damper my day!" and holds up the box he's holding. "And I brought Portobello Mushroom Arancini!"