Chapter Text
“Let’s break up” Bowser’s words hung heavily as Luigi recovered from their secret passionate encounter. It didn't register the first time he heard it but his brain finally caught up as the koopa continued to speak.
“What we have…it’s not meant to last ya know that greenie. Was fun while it lasted though” Bowser grinned non chalantly as he reclined on the headboard of the bed within the hotel they had booked for the evening.
Luigi suddenly couldn’t form a complete thought and words were not forming as he wanted them to, he just ended up muttering a quiet “Why?” as he looked at the koopa with conflicted eyes.
“Hmmm…well I’m gonna be the next koopa king of Darklands inc. Big responsibilities and while I acknowledge your...abilities…you’re just a human.” Bowser said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
The man couldn’t do anything but nod and turn away as he got up from the bed, picked up his clothes and wordlessly left the room. Bowser didn't stop him, he had no reason to believe he would so he just chose to walk away with what dignity he had left. He didn't look back and made it a point to just move forward with his life.
That was almost six months ago. Tonight was a joint party for Darklands inc and Mushroom kingdom co. It was a celebration on their joint venture, two entities under a solid rule. Bowser and Peach headed the celebrations as the next heads of their respective companies. Everyone one in all major and minor departments helped make this merger happen so everyone deserved a night to celebrate.
Luigi should be happy but he wanted to be anywhere else than here. A large venue was reserved and everyone from both companies had joined in on the celebration. Workers and support staff from both the Darkland inc and MK Co mingled with each other.
When he and Bowser...broke up or at least stopped their little secret affair, Luigi buried himself in work. Taking on many projects and ultimately completing them flawlessly before jumping into the next venture. He was part of the R&D department headed by Professor E.Gadd, which gave him enough distractions to keep his emotions at bay. Sleep was a luxury he afforded himself when he was well and truly exhausted.
His friends, family and coworkers saw that he was going through something but they never pried. Even his older twin Mario just offered his shoulder if he needed it. Daisy was by his side through it all as anybestie and even at the party but he shooed her away to flirt with the pretty blonde she’d been eyeing for earlier that night.
Alcohol helped as often as it did. Being Italian meant he had a bit of a higher tolerance for booze but he was already sufficiently buzzed as the party became more lively. Someone was trying to push for karaoke but none really wanted to be first. The toad that was handling the little segment looked a bit worried. Luigi volunteered himself and all eyes were on him especially a pair of reddish amber eyes.
“Please-a don’t boo me too much guys! I’ll be the sacrificial lamb so let’s-a enjoy this night!” Luigi said confidently and a little slurred but everyone cheered him on.
His song choice was punched in and the first few notes began to blare from the speakers. Luigi took a breath, emotions he was keeping down surfaced as he began to sing.
"I can hold my breath (Luigi sharply inhales)
I can bite my tongue (He glances around the room)
I can stay awake for days if that's what you want (hand on the chest then a sweep to the crowd)
Be your number one (raising a finger to the crowd with a smirk)
I can fake a smile (big grin to the crowd)
I can force a laugh (a dry laugh)
I can dance and play the part if that's what you ask (a silly dance and a twirl)
Give you all I am" Eyes closed in concentration and opens them slowly)
I can do it (Look to the left)
I can do it (Looks to the right)
I can do it (Looks at the crowd in front)
Deep breath in...
But I'm only human! (He sings from his chest)
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human!
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart (roughly places hand on his chest)
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human (He let the end trail a bit as he sang the next part)
I can turn it on (He walks closer to the crowd)
Be a good machine (A few robotic moves at Professor E.Gadd)
I can hold the weight of worlds if that's what you need (A finger gun at DK)
Be your everything (A big spin on stage)
I can do it (Softly)
I can do it (Building up)
I'll get through it (Slow release 3 2 1)
But I'm only human (emphasis on the human)
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human
Memories of Bowser began to flood his brain. Their first meeting, finding common ground, being with each other through ups and downs, passionate moments, thoughts that they could've been something more and finally their break up. Floodgates opened as he felt his eyes begin to tear up. He had to release these emotions fast.
I'm only human!
I'm only human!!
Just a little human!!!!
He falls on his knees on stage. The room gasps but he continues to sing his heart out.
I can take so much (Tears began to fall)
'Til I've had enough (More tears than anger)
'Cause I'm only human!!
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human
For the last notes of the song he found burning amber eyes staring at him. Then he turned away from their piercing stare.
Luigi breathed out heavily as he raised the mic at the end. The room erupted in cheers and applause and some were tearing up. Mario and Daisy were by his side in no time, helping him off the little stage.
“Air” Luigi weakly asked and the trio went to one of the side exits for a little air. The man plopped down on one of the walls as he urged the two to go back in. They reluctantly did so and someone else got the courage to take the stage for karaoke began to sing, a toad he guessed.
The emotions he was repressing surfaced all at once as felt himself grow numb. The door opened again and he was ready to tell off either his brother or Daisy but the glowing red eyes peeking through the door made whatever words in his throat die down. He just turned away as he tried to push himself off the wall and away from the koopa.
He couldn’t get far when a massive hand gently but firmly grasped his arm. They just stayed like that, no one willing to make a move. Luigi sighed as he turned to look at his…huh…he was never Bowser's anything, sad eyes looked at him in the dimly lit area.
“I-a suggest you let go. It’ll-a be bad if you get seen with me” the man said bitterly. They just stayed hand holding his arm squeezed lightly.
“That song…it was for me, right?” Bowser asked in a voice Luigi never heard before. He couldn't help but scoff.
“A little full of-a yourself to assume no?” The man spat back with a smirk.
“You’re drunk” the koopa said accusingly.
“You’re an ass” Luigi retorted trying to pry himself from the koopas grip.
“I guess I am” the admission left the man baffled but he was still sober enough to be mad at him.
“What do you want from me?!” The question was supposed to come out as accusing but it just sounded so weak and desperate.
Bowser stayed quiet. Luigi tried to break away again until he just gave up.
“You’re the one that-a broke things off! Not-a me! You don’t have the right to look sad right now!” Luigi accused making the koopa flinch as he finally let go.
“I did…I really did and I know...stars I know but...” the koopa closed his eyes as he breathed deep. “I want to fix things”
The man scoffed again and tried to walk away but the booze were starting to fully sink into his system making him stumble after his third step. Strong hands supported him but he tried to push them away.
“Don’t touch me!” Luigi said weakly but he felt tears start to fall down his face. “You-a can’t fix things that are too broken to fix” Luigi looked away at the hurt look that spread across Bowser’s face.
“I…I can at least try right?” The koopa asked meekly.
“Try to-a hurt me a second time? Finish the job?! Be-a my guest” Luigi spat as he hugged himself as more tears came out.
Bowser stayed quiet, he deserved this.
“You thought we were-a just casual…I started falling but I-a guess that’s what I get for hoping you-a would see me as something more than just a quick lay or...what did-a you say before? I have certain...abilities?"” Luigi had months of resentment built up. The koopa was just taking it.
“I-a hope you’re happy Bowser, there’s a lot-a more people who-a want to throw themselves at your feet…I was one of them…not anymore” He leaned back and slid down the wall until he was sitting. Bowser sat himself down too, his shell scraping the wall as he did so.
“I’ll make things right, show you I mean it. I...find myself...thinking about you most days...the way your smile brightened my day. The little messages you send in the morning and the ones you send before I go to sleep. No more secrets, just you and me?!” Luigi was trying hard not to listen. Get his hopes up with empty promises only to be let down once again.
“You’re-a so full of it” The man retorted as he breathed out a sigh. It became quiet and Bowser saw that the man passed out. He sighed as he gently scooped up the man in his massive arms.
“I’ll make things right Greenie” Bowser vowed as he trudged back to the party. He wasn’t surprised at the scathing look Daisy had sent his way, she was his bestie. of course she knew. Mario, the ever concerned brother offered to take Luigi home but the Koopa refused saying he’ll take him home. Daisy wanted to protest but Mario albeit wary of the Darkland's CEO's motives gave directions to Luigi’s apartment and the spare key he has to get inside the house.
Luigi’s bestie just begrudgingly handed off the man’s things as they left. She whispered “Don’t do anything you’ll both regret” she warned with another look as she opened the door for them.
Bowser told his secretary Kamek he was leaving and the elderly koopa bid him safe travels and to call if he needed anything.