♡ • ♡ • ♡

     White, gloved hands hold Peach firmly, but with a hint of gentleness. It allows her to feel more than safe in the arms of her capped hero, who's running carefully, but also at a respectable speed towards her castle.

     The day had been rather eventful. She recalls lazing away in a cage (for the sixth time this month), suspended in the air. Bowser reminded her of how often she had complained last time, and hopefully her current conditions were better suiting. They weren't.
     The only real changes were the amount of dying roses and the fact that her cage had altered from iron to gold, hardly suitable for a princess. The bars creased her gown and her feet kept slipping through the rectangular openings.
It might not have been so bad if Peach hadn't been hanging less than seven feet above lava, too. Those little bubble monsters kept hopping up at her every time she fell through and continually burnt the hem of her dress.
     Mario arrived maybe weeks later, perhaps a month. Peach couldn't see the sun or even hear the birds from the depths of this cave—Bowser's 'castle'.
      She knew he was close when her cage had been wordlessly moved towards the entrance of his underground lair. Peach smiled then, something she hadn't done in the entirety of her stay— unless you count the time she snorted when Bowser mistakenly stepped on one of his spike traps set for Mario. 
     The fight was dragged out, as per usual. Still, Peach teared up, called out Mario's name in vain, prayed for his safety, for his victory. When he won, he'd scooped her up, flipped Bowser's idiotically added 'emergency destruct' switch, and fled towards the exit. All the while, Peach, still teary eyed, buried into the crook of his neck and whispered thanks whilst grinning ear to ear.
     She remained in his arms and watched him frown at the now black and worn edge of her dress. In most cases, he'd set her down a few meters past the still crumbling castle and they'd walk alongside each other, however Peach was feeling a little selfish.
     One of the lava bubbles singed her skin in its repeated attempt to burn her gown to ash. Peach doesn't consider it a total lie, her ankle had truly been injured. Now, the fact that it was still irking her may have been a stretch considering it happened on one of her first days there, but it's not like Mario knows that.
     "I should be fine by the time we return," she'd added, for reassurance.

     It's during their journey back that Mario enthusiastically rants of his long and frustrating endeavors, the only enjoyable part of her kidnappings.
     He lights up when it comes to his many adventures, and Peach succumbs to her feelings, gazing in a way that can only be categorized as lovingly as he divulges.
     She's aware that his outer appearance may not seem very interesting or appealing, but his eyes are such a captivating blue at the moment. Maybe after weeks of staring into the same gray wall littered in burn marks and wondering when it may collapse and crush her causes any other remotely bright color to amplify.
     Or, perhaps, it's simply because it's him.
     Mario then let's out a near inaudible, but happy sigh. Peach glances up to see her castle gradually coming into view. It's still a little while before they arrive, but the distance is rapidly shortening and Peach feels her heart pick up in panic.
     Every single one of her constant kidnappings have something in common. Bowser always finds different ways to steal her, whether it's by swiftly snatching her up or uprooting her the entirety of her castle. Mario always finds himself traveling through different lands, could be one of the many places here or a completely different planet. But the ending, the ending is always the same. 
     Peach lets out what she hopes is a convincing grunt, and internally celebrates when Mario slows and looks down at her.
     "Is everything okay, Peach?" He asks, and her face twists into a weak smile.
     "Everything is fine, but it seems that my ankle is bothering me more than I thought." 
Mario looks back up towards the castle, eyes flickering in thought. "Okay, lets get you home." Randomly, he speeds up, practically running towards her castle likely in hopes of getting her to a medic much quicker than before.
Peach curses herself in the silence of her mind. That was the exact opposite of what she wanted. Still, she was lucky enough to stay in his arms until they arrived, so she enjoys his warmth and confusing yet comforting floral smell since he probably hasn't showered since the day she was kidnapped.

- - -

"Hello?" His voice echoes off the castle walls as he sets Peach down. Not a second later, a flurry of toads scurry down the carpeted staircase right at the entrance of the castle.
They freeze when they see her, and the moment she smiles Peach is suddenly bombarded by tiny bodies and rough, scratchy shouts.
"We're so glad you're safe, princess!"
"Everyone was so worried!"
"I may have been crying earlier, but seeing you home makes it all better!"
Mario is near smothered by 'thank you's and speedy handshakes, but he breaks free and protests when he sees Peach being hugged so.. aggressively.
"I know you're excited but the princess is—" before he can say it, however, Peach rests a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Please don't have them worry, the Toads can be rather impulsive. I don't want to start a panic over something minor," she whispers quiet as possible into his ear. He stares back at her, concerned and perplexed and on the verge of disapproval. With another one of her hopeful smiles, he unwillingly complies.
"Fine, but I won't leave until you're at least a little better." Now that's what Peach likes to hear. She's unable to suppress the widening of her grin, and turns back to the Toads, addressing that she'd like a spa treatment and Mario will be joining her.

Peach had it built in the basement almost immediately after her third kidnapping. She would return home unkempt and sore from Bower's slowly improving conditions.
     Since Mario had graciously carried her the entire way home (a couple miles, but Mario's stamina is a complex subject), Peach figures he'd like a massage. She feels a twinge of guilt because she's unaware of how much strain Mario may have put on his body, not once stopping until she was safe.
At least, during the treatment, they can talk some more and she can continually get lost in orbs of cerulean.

     Of course, that doesn't happen.

     Mario stresses about her ankle to the staff and Peach is dragged off to another room for inspection while Mario remains in the lounge. She doesn't complain since she deserves it, but that doesn't stop her from joining her arms and looking unmistakably cross the whole time. It was unnecessary of her, but nobody seemed to care.
      An hour passes before they let her go. Knowing Mario he's likely waiting for her at the entrance to check on her one last time. In a clean, new gown, Peach heads out of the spa with quick steps. However, he isn't there. She tries her best to conceal her displeasure, but for onlookers, the twitch of her mouth is rather obvious. Her body lowers slightly in a wistful sigh, but Peach soon picks herself up and makes her way back to the main room.

      The only sounds heard are her heels tapping against the marble stairs.
Strange, Peach thinks with a quirk of her brow. The Toad have always been a rowdy bunch. No matter, she could use some peace and quiet.
Peach pushes open the door to the exit of the spa, but rather than the stillness that she expected to find in her castle, she instead is greeted by a face full of vibrant confetti.
      "SURPRISE!" Though Peach is unable to see, she can tell there are many voices, much more than the assortment of Toads that worked in the castle. Lovely.
     The confetti was soon brushed from her face, and she is met with Daisy's blue, sympathetic eyes. Peach has to wipe the frustration from her face, because the entire kingdom (including Daisy and Mario's brother, Luigi), is standing right in front of her, cheering, welcoming, loud, intrusive, stealing away from her time reserved for Mario.

     The crowd is swiftly moved into the ballroom, decorated in its entirety. Pink balloons, streamers, long tables covered in food. This was going to be a mess after everyone cleared out. That's simply how all parties work. People enter, they unmindfully, and putting it lightly, wreck your home before stumbling home with a drunken smile.
Is this feeling irritation? Yes, that must be it. What happened to the consideration? Does being kidnapped and latched above lava not sound tiring?
     After an exhale, "thank you all so much for coming! I really appreciate you all being here to see me safe." Upon hearing her voice, they fall silent.
"Of course, this wouldn't have been possible if Mario hadn't come to rescue me." Since he happened to be right beside her on the stage, Peach, pretending it was an unconscious movement, lies a hand upon his shoulder as she speaks. She knows it'll be the last time she'll be able to feel him against her for the remainder of the night.
"So, let this not be a celebration of my return, but also for Mario's bravery and perseverance." She receives a jumble of loud cheers for that, somewhat resembling screams rather than an act of praise, but Peach grins anyways.
Luigi, as if on cue, begins to haul Mario away. Peach, deciding that she'd like just a little more time, tries to go with them.
"Maybe you should stay and relax, Peach. I don't want you to hurt yourself trying to dance with that ankle."
That lie will haunt you forever, her mind utters bitterly. Peach halfheartedly agrees with him and watches them walk off, resentment bubbling in her core.

She's unfortunately glum for the rest of the party; occupying herself with friendly waves and lukewarm conversations.
Occasionally people would notice her sullen attitude. Peach felt as if she'd said "I'm just tired," the entire night. With a smile of course, since everyone who came to greet her was overjoyed to see her back home and out of harm's way.
Inevitably, she desires some space and excuses herself to step outside for some air. Peach is cloaked by the dark of the night, welcomed by its many winking stars and her near empty champagne glass glistening alongside them.
She rests her forearms against the bridge railing, distant chatter behind her and the faint sounds of nocturnal creatures are drowned out by the water's ripples.
      Peach only risks one glance at the party, something hot twisting in her heart. Longing? Anger? She can't tell the difference.
Her third sigh of the day is quick and poignant. Peach puts her chin in her hands and watches the moon set, for preference to addressing her feelings.
"Hey." She nearly drops her glass into the water. It was Mario, coming towards her with a wary look in his eyes. It was a soft look though, something was hidden under the worry, but Peach knows not to stare for to long.
"Hello, Mario." She doesn't hide her contentment, and isn't surprised by the brightening of her surroundings. "Is something the matter?"
"No, just checking on you," he says, resting one hand on the bridge's railing and placing the other on her back. She reactively shifts at his touch, a hint of giddiness seeping through her "put together princess" guise.
"Everything's fine— I'm alright, I mean. It's just been a long day, I assume you know," Peach replies, smirking. They share a gentle laugh at that, but she pauses midway.
"Mario," she turns to her overall-clad hero, heart thumping with teetering tenacity as she slides her hand from his shoulder to his cheek. "Thank you for saving me, truly." It isn't a rapid, unmemorable motion. Peach a little less than innocently drags it out, leaning down to plant a kiss on his forehead, brushing his brown hair to the side.
     It's a shame her gloves are on, she would have loved the feel the many strands of his hair separate against her thumb.
    Mario flushes rather strongly, his mouth falling open in minor disbelief. It's difficult not to laugh, at his fidgeting and darting gaze, so she does. Obviously there's no need to share the nervousness. It had only been a friendly gesture.
      "W.. we should head back inside. They're probably looking for the star of the party."
     "Stars," she corrects with a smile and takes his arm, allowing Mario to lead her back inside.

- - -

     Another hour passes before the festivity begins to slow. Peach thanks everyone for attending and offers the remainder of the food as everyone clears out.
     Mario and Luigi, the sweethearts, voluntarily stay and help her clean—despite her insisting that it isn't necessary since the Toads tend to do it for her (though she doesn't explicitly state that).
     It's a slow process; Peach isn't given much to do, and her mind is busy reminding her of the inevitable. She allows herself many glimpses over, traveling back to when the sky was bright and her feet never touched the ground, when he kept her secure and erased the memories of dungeons and the feeling of hopelessness. When he made her feel loved.
     The sorrow snapping at her original positivity is expected, but that doesn't dilute the pain. The two brothers are saying their goodbyes, finally leaving. Peach walks them to the castle's entrance, grinning her way through Luigi's 'I'm so relieved' speech, mastering herself when her eyes wander towards enthralling azure that now seem sapphire under the light of the moon.
     A strange combination of feelings generate when watching him leave. Watching his red cap—now resembling a smoky lavender—fade into the dark, blending in with the blackness of the sky like a dwindling beacon.
Peach sighs a final time to herself, not out of irritation or merely an exhale to lighten a heavy chest, but out of sheer melancholy.

     The ending is always the same.

♡ Authors Note ♡

Hope you enjoyed! :3
And no, I still don't have a proper updating schedule.. let's hope the next chapter doesn't take a month lol