"Why won't anyone tell us what's happening?" Daisy complains to Peach.
"Because they're working tirelessly to save Luigi." Peach says simply.
"Then why are they focusing on the physical aspect and not the magic ones?" Daisy demands.
"I agree." Peach says. "But we can't just give up on Luigi now. That man has such a big heart, even Mario would agree it's bigger than his. Look at what Luigi just did, securing their company so Mario would be taken care of, no matter what happens to him. If he gives up now, there's no hope for any of us."
"And there you have it." Mario squeezes Luigi's shoulder. "Our company will officially be in the history books."
"Last time I heard that cheesy dialogue, it was while watching our commercial." Luigi recalls.
"So what?" Mario sits on the end of the bed. "All that matters is that we're still the Super Mario Brothers."
"Did we ever stop, really?" Luigi jokes.
"Nope, and we're not gonna." Mario declares.
"I owe Peach the biggest thank you for keeping quiet about all of this." Luigi says. "She could've told you when I didn't remember anything, but she still kept my secret."
Mario's eyes turn serious for a second, "You know, I still remember so clearly, when I found you in the Underwhere. I was fucking terrified you'd been killed by my own hand, but once I'd convinced you to join us, I knew some part of you still had to be in there, fighting to come back."
"Meanwhile there I was, fighting you every step of the way, even after saving the world." Luigi says guiltily, then smiles. "Stars, I don't think I've ever seen you so angry."
"But I still never left." Mario says.
"And we made it." Luigi says softly.
"And we're still not done." Mario promises.
"Until I'm sent back to the Underwhere." Luigi says thoughtfully.
"I thought the celebration was awesome." Daisy tells Peach.
"Thanks." Peach shrugs. "I'm just happy I didn't have to keep it quiet anymore. I wanted to tell Mario so badly after Luigi left him, but Luigi made me swear not to, no matter what happens to him."
"They deserve to see their company survive and thrive." Daisy says.
"Is it truly so much to ask we get a breakthrough?" Peach says. "That we--"
"Your Majesty!"
The sudden interruption makes Peach turn and gasp when she sees the entire Mario family burst into the hospital.
She goes to Mia first, grabbing her in a hug, while Daisy hugs Giovanni.
"How did we get so lucky to end up meeting the two of the strongest women we've ever met?" Mario asks as he pours champagne for them.
"Peach, diplomatic and sweet. Daisy, tough and kindhearted."
"We got good taste." Luigi says as Mario hands him a glass.
"Can you try to sip some?"
Luigi nods, "C-can you put it in my hand for me?"
Mario obliges as he says, "I wanted to make a toast."
"To what? Our company? Or should I say your company?"
"Lu, we don't know what's gonna happen with our company." Mario reminds him. "We don't even know what's gonna happen while you're still in this hospital. But as long as I'm still alive, so are you."
"That goes both ways." Luigi says knowingly. "But I...need to stay in reality for the both of us. So let me just hijack your toast to make one of my own: to this exact moment."
"Weegee--"
"Mario, just let me, okay?" Luigi begs. "We've been through so much, good and bad, and in this exact moment, I don't regret any of it. We got through Wario's blackmail, Peach's loveless marriage...you get what I'm saying?"
"You know I do." Mario protests. "And this is just one more thing we have to get through. And it's a tough one, don't get me wrong, but what do we always say? Nothing can hurt us as long as we're together."
"Maybe." Luigi says less optimistically. "But all I care about right now is my big brother, with me, and our thriving company, now serving two locations, because we'll always have that, and nothing will take that away from us. No matter how long it lasts."
Mario looks like he's dying to protest, but Luigi just says, lifting his drink, "So, to this exact moment."
And what else can Mario do but toast his plastic flute with Luigi's, then sip.
"How is our ragazzo?" Mia asks immediately.
"He just bought a storefront." Peach replies.
"He what? " Giovanni asks in shock.
"He wanted to wait, but..."
"But they don't know how long he has left." Tony fills in the blank.
"No." Peach admits. "I'm sorry, but he's weak and hurting. But he's a fighter, just like Mario."
"Have the doctors figured anything out, now that they know what's wrong with him?" Giovanni demands, getting up in her face. "Have they tracked down the woman who knows about mind control?"
"I don't think it would do to rely on false hope..."
"To hell with false hope!" Giovanni shouts. "I need to know what's happening with my son!"
"They said they'd been talking to Nastasia extensively, and they might be onto something." Peach admits, but when Giovanni's eyes light up, Peach says quickly, "But they still can't do anything yet."
"'They still can't do anything?'" Giovanni repeats in disgust. "I'll teach them what happens when they 'can't do anything'."
He starts to march off, but Mia's right there, grabbing his arm.
"Gio, wait!"
"Wait for what? For Luigi to die?" Giovanni snaps.
"From what the princess is saying, they might only have one chance to try something. One wrong move, Luigi could be worse off than if they'd done nothing. You need to calm down."
"Are you insane?" Arthur protests behind them, making them look at him. "How are we supposed to calm down when Luigi is dying? We can't just wait. I went through this with Tony, I refuse to let Mario watch it happen to Luigi."
"But Luigi needs us with him more." Mia says to all of them. "So why don't we go in there and spend as much time with him as we can?"
Finally, the older Mario men deflate, then nod, letting Mia lead the way towards Luigi's room.
YOU ARE READING
At Least Your Brother's Not Gonna Die Because of You!
FanfictionSequel to We've Never Been Apart This Long This is it. No tricks, no getting out of it. It's not the way Luigi ever thought he would die, but he doesn't regret the life he's lived. If only Mario could see it that way.
