Past Lives Could Never Come Between Us

43

Spike and Destiny are getting hot and heavy as they take turns punching, to where Destiny even manages to get a fake hit to the head.

"Not bad." She praises when she steps back.

"Tastes like crap, but that means it's good for you." Destiny jokes as she hands him a smoothie.

"What is that supposed to be, truth in advertising?" Spike laughs. "Missing the open road yet? And please don't feed me another line about how great your new job is."

"You really want the truth?" Destiny asks.

"I asked, didn't I?" Spike says.

"Okay, fine. But I'm warning you, it's ridiculous." Destiny tells him. "I still miss Luigi, and how easy he was."

Spike gags, "Oh wow, I never thought I'd ever hear that line come out of a woman's mouth. You miss a guy that literally let you do whatever the hell you wanted, you shallow bitch?"

"Hey, language." Destiny chides playfully. "But believe it or not, that actually was the longest relationship I've ever had. True, we spent most of it separated, but knowing Luigi was there when I needed him...made my heart grow that much fonder.", the trails off thoughtfully. "But not for him, I guess. Which is fine by me."

"Excuse me?" Spike asks, surprised.

"I'm here now, having fun fighting with you." Destiny smiles, and Spike almost swears she's flirting with him. "It's just so easy to open up to you, you know?"

"Is it hot in here, or is it just me?" Spike reaches for a towel and stands up.

Destiny follows suit, "I'm really glad we did this."

Spike says, "I really, really need to be going."

"Pardon me?" Peach says incredulously. "Did you just tell a royal to her face that high end ingredients aren't worth the price of the dish that comes out of it?"

"No, no I didn't!" Mario swears. "I said they're not all that matters in making a high-priced dish."

"What's the difference?" Peach asks, clearly intrigued.

"I happen to think the focus should be more on how the ingredients are handled, not how much they cost." Mario explains.

"That's silly." Peach shakes her head. "The truffle oil I gave you costs so much because the ingredients were handled with care, and chefs across multiple worlds know it's worth every penny. You can't say you don't agree."

"One example does not a case make." Mario says simply.

"Very well." Peach concedes. "More tea?"

"I...think I've had enough. Not to mention I should go." Mario says.

"You don't have to." Peach says.

"Thanks, because I really don't want to." Mario admits. "Because then I'd have to leave without you.", he grins.

Peach seems to have other ideas, as she leans in and kisses him, and Mario's stunned for a moment before he kisses back.

Then just as fast, Peach pulls away, challenging, "Say high end ingredients are worth every penny, and you can stay."

"Good night, princess." Mario says, starting to walk away, only Peach grabs his arm and pulls him back in.

"Nice try, mustache." Peach teases, before kissing him again, leading him into her chambers.

Luigi's sitting on the roof reading a script, listening to a recording when he sees someone else is here.

A red-haired man he doesn't recognize.

Script.

Map to Beanbean Fields.

Movie poster.

Lightning.

ScriptMaptoBeanbeanFieldsMovieposterLightning.

Luigi opens his eyes, then gets out of bed.

He walks out of his room, doesn't bother putting on shoes as he walks through the apartment, out the front door and into the night, and closes it behind him.

"Up and at em!" Spike knocks on Luigi's bedroom door the next morning.

"Why are you waking me up early?" Luigi whines as he stirs.

"Early?" Spike throws his phone at him, and when Luigi looks, he gasps.

"What the hell? Why are you just waking me up now?" He demands, then shakes his head. "No, I didn't mean that. Guess I forgot to set an alarm."

"Nope. The power's out." Spike tells him. "In the entire building."

"What?" Luigi asks, confused. "How's that possible?"

"Forget that." Spike gestures to him, calling attention to Luigi's scratched up feet. "What the heck happened to you?"

Luigi takes one look at them and says. "Nothing. Nothing at all. Just thought I heard something and went to check it out. False alarm."

Spike's phone rings, so Luigi answers it. "Pauline?"

" Where are you guys? " She tells him.

"Power outage. Sorry." Luigi apologizes.

" Well, good news is I think I know what happened in Merri's memories. " Pauline says.

"Good." Luigi hangs up, tossing the phone back to Spike. "Time to get dressed.", as Spike calls after, "Put something on your feet too, would ya? Last thing you need is tetanus."