Chapter Text
Bowser couldn’t find it in himself to let Luigi fall asleep such a complete and utter mess. He carefully carried the little plumber to the adjoining bathroom and began to run a very nice warm bath…not really warm enough for his liking, but he was not in the mood to boil his new mate alive.
Luigi kept blinking lazily, so close to drifting back off to sleep, that Bowser was sure he was going to fall asleep any minute.
And he did.
Bowser simply hefted his human up in his arms, and entered the filling tub to clean them both off.
When everything was cleaned, and Bowser was more than happy with putting Luigi in bed, he had the linens changed and carefully put him into the middle of the massive bed. He pulled the soft comforter up, tucking Luigi in, and smiling warmly as he watched his mate snuggle into the warm of the covers.
He needed to speak with Kamek immediately. They had to get in front of this now or else the Mushroom Kingdom might retaliate seeing as the human he stole away was the other half of the annoying Mario duo.
–
Kamek was not happy at all. He kept lowering his glasses, his squinted eyes narrowing impossibly, as he tried to convey his displeasure to his surrogate son. Bowser actually looked a bit sheepish, but was resolute in his decision.
“He’s going to stay here, Kamek. That’s the end of it.”
“Does HE know this?” Kamek raised a brow, smacking his lips in annoyance.
“I mean…He will! He just has to…you know…wake up so I can tell him.”
Kamek slapped a hand to his spectacle face and groaned loudly. “Sire!” he groaned, able to fit SO MUCH annoyance in that single syllable that Bowser was temporarily too stunned to speak. “You cannot just take in a human that meets your fancy!”
“But the princess…”
“Was always a heavily political move!” Bowser huffed at this, crossing his arms over his heaving chest. “This is one of those plumbers! The ones who imprisoned you!”
“And took care of me…”
“Out of guilt I expect.” At that statement, Bowser growled at him. He wanted to stomp and throw a tantrum, but knew that’s what Kamek expected. “Regardless, you can’t just bring home a human and make it part of the family. It’s not a koopaling…It’s a HUMAN–a citizen of the Mushroom Kingdom!” Kamek's voice was rising, making Bowser flinch before he finally had enough, stamping his foot down enough to crack the stone floor.
“ENOUGH! Kamek he stays…period…he has to…”
Kamek, sensing he was missing something important, had finally moved closer, large spectacles glinting in the fire light as he finally took in something that had been hidden by shadows. There…right at the juncture of throat and jaw…teeth marks. He gasped, jumping back and pointing his wand up at Bowser, spluttering indignantly. “You—you BOUND yourself to him! ARE YOU MAD!?!?!”
“I AM KING AND CAN DO AS I PLEASE!” He roared, fire spilling from his throat as he seethed. “Kamek, you forget your place,” he growled dangerously. “And I only allow this familiarity because you raised me…but watch yourself, old koopa.”
“Sire, I a-apologize, but-but….” He flailed, unable to stop himself. “ARE YOU CRAZY!? A HUMAN?? A human MALE at that!!!! He can’t even give you an heir!!” Bowser huffed in annoyance, turning and deciding he no longer wanted to have this conversation.
But Kamek followed him out of the throne room.
“He offers nothing to you, Your Nastiness. Please reconsider!! The connection isn’t that deeply rooted–we can still get rid of–”
“No!” Bowser turned, eyes wide and looking down at Kamek in almost…fear?
The old koopa mage was floored. He had never seen that desperation in his king's eyes before. It was new and it frightened him as well. “Sire…”
“I said no, Kamek. I want him here. I LIKE him here…with me. Please–”
The magikoopa sighed, rubbing his face hard enough to knock his glasses around over his beaked snout. He grumbled in frustration. “Very well, very well.” He didn’t miss Bowser’s toothy grin, turning away before he saw too much more. “I will draw up the union paperwork to make your bond “legal”...” He used sarcastic air quotes with his little claws. “But you BOTH have to agree to it and sign it. It’s not marriage, Bowser. You can’t force this.”
The king nodded, watching Kamek leave, the old koopa muttering the whole way back to the alchemy sector.
Bowser heaved a sigh, turning to look at the hall leading to his wing. Now he just had to convince Luigi.