Light As Feather 🪶

A Brother’s Heartache

AKA I saw this new clip of Mario fucking up a bunch of bricks, blacked out, and woke back up with an entire one shot written. I just really loved the emotion here and wanted to share my take on it before the movie is released!

Mario’s knuckles ached. His legs ached, his arms ached, his head ached, and now that he was alone, he noticed a new pressure beginning to build in his eyes. He had been at this godforsaken training course all night, and all he had to show for it were bruised hands, an even more bruised ego, and the fact that the edges of the world had begun to fade into purple with the coming of dawn. 

  He now sat on the balcony Princess Peach had used to observe his training earlier, except the princess in question had left to give the plumber some space. She was a kind woman with the best intentions, Mario could tell that much even after having just met her, but she wasn’t yet the best at... emotional pep-talks. She had soon noticed Mario’s growing frustration with her attempts at cheering him on and decided that leaving him to collect himself might be a safer option than anything she might try to say. Mario appreciated that. He made a mental note to apologize for snapping at her earlier after he fell from the disappearing platforms for the twenty-fifth time.  Mario sighed and removed his hat, watching as the twinkling stars disappeared one by one, and the sky began to lighten ever so slightly. He had made so little progress, and they had so little time. Never mind the rising threat of Bowser taking over the other kingdoms, that freak had his little brother. Mario’s grip on his hat tightened, and he lowered his head to view the capital ‘M’ that rested on the front of it, only to realize it looked more like a blurry mass of red and white. Mario wiped at his eyes to clear his vision but found that more moisture came to replace anything he would wipe off. 

Would he really be able to save his brother?

“Uh... Hey, is this a bad time, or-”

Mario jumped and screamed, turning to face the sudden voice, fists blindly raised in front of him. He froze when his eyes landed on Toad, who held two glasses of water and an embarrassed look on his face. Mario relaxed.  

“You scared the hell outta me, man,” said Mario after catching his breath. He sat back down on the white tile and wiped any further evidence of tears off his face. “We gotta get you a bell or something.”

“Sorry! Sorry,” Said the little mushroom creature, “I jus’ didn’t wanna leave you out here by yourself for too long. Y’coulda gotten... lost or something.” Toad sat down beside Mario, offering him one of the glasses of water. Mario gladly took it, not realizing how thirsty he was.  

They sat in silence for a little while, watching the sky lighten. Toad was the first to speak up after a few minutes.

“So... what’s your brother like?”

“Huh?” Replied Mario, snapping out of his trance and turning his head to look at his little friend. Toad repeated himself.

“What’s your brother like? You haven’t talked about him much since we first met. Tell me about him. What’s his name again? Louis?”  

Mario stared into his glass of water, chuckling.

“His name is Luigi,” Mario began, “And, well... We’ve kinda done everything together since we were born. He’s younger than me, but the little jerk managed to be taller, and he’s never gonna let me live it down. He’s kinda shy, I usually have to encourage him to try new things, but funnily enough, he’s a lot more creative than me. We recently started a new plumbing business, and the commercial was his idea...”

Mario described his and Luigi’s adventures in Brooklyn, from elementary school and before to the present and their plans beyond that. The red clad plumber was halfway through telling Toad about how Luigi had tackled a kid in middle school for ripping up Mario’s favorite baseball cards when he realized he was getting choked up again. Mario frantically cleared his throat and began wiping his face, and Toad patted his arm.  

“You really miss him, don’t you?” asked Toad softly. Mario could only nod. “Yeah, I would too. I’m sure this is real tough for you, not having him here.” Mario nodded again, sniffling.  

“Hey,” Toad said suddenly, “What d’you think he’d say to you right now?”

“... What?” asked Mario, wiping his nose on his sleeve.

“You heard me, what would Louis- Er, Luigi say to you right now? Right at this very second?” Toad was looking at him intently now. Mario began to think.  

“Probably something gushy like... It’s okay to be scared, and- and it’s okay to take breaks and ask for help. Then he’d give me a hug, then he’d hug me for too long and I’d have to force him to get off me, heh...”  

Mario could name at least five scenarios that played out exactly like that. They usually ended with someone’s elbow in someone else’s gut, but a room filled with laughter and lifted spirits, nonetheless. He smiled at the memories, but the smile quickly fell away.  

“God, Toad, he must be terrified,” said Mario as he ran a hand through his hair. “Who knows what they’re- what they’re doing to him, what if-”

Toad shoved a tiny hand in Mario’s face, wagging a finger.  

“Nuh-uh, no more thinking like that,” Said Toad, who was now standing, his other hand on his hip, “You’re allowed to worry, but your brother needs you to be strong for him. That’s why her highness was pushing you so hard, even if she... probably didn’t go about it the right way.

Listen, you might not be the best fighter in the six kingdoms yet, but Luigi needs you. He needs you to fight for him. And from what you told me, I know he’s got faith in you. Now you just need faith in yourself. You’re not alone in this either, Mario. We’re gonna kick that Koopa’s butt and we’re gonna rescue your brother together, okay?”  

Who knew little mushroom people could be so thoughtful?

Mario gave Toad a watery smile.  

“Thanks, man,” said the human quietly. Toad nodded and smiled.  

“Now get back out there! Show those inanimate objects who’s boss!” Toad shouted, pushing Mario towards the training course. Mario took a breath and put his hat back on.  

The sun was finally beginning to rise, painting the world in purples and oranges. Luigi preferred sunrises over sunsets, and Mario always made fun of his brother for growing so tired so early in the evening, with Luigi always replying with how much he enjoyed watching the sun rise. Mario wondered if his little brother could see the sunrise now, from wherever he was being kept. Mario clenched his fists.  

Hold on little bro, thought Mario, I’ll be there soon. The plumber charged forward, his fists raised and a new fire in his eyes.  

---  

When Peach returned to the balcony, the sun had risen much further into the sky, the last colors of dawn slipping away. She had come with snacks and a change of clothes for Mario as a peace offering, but her eyes widened at the sight before her. Toad stood dangerously on top of the railing to the balcony, whooping and cheering as Mario smashed through another solid brick wall. He jumped off fake bullet bills, dodged automated piranha plants, and let out a determined shout as he smashed through the wooden standup of Bowser.  

“Toad, what did you feed him?” asked Peach in bewilderment, watching Mario in awe.  

“Love and support!” Replied the little toadstool haughtily, placing his hands on his hips. “Turns out I’m just as talented at pep talks as I am at adventuring!”

Peach laughed incredulously and patted Toad on the head. Mario had reached the flagpole at the top of the course and was now jumping and whooping in excitement. Peach clapped enthusiastically. Maybe they really did have a shot at this.  

het universum zingt voor mij 

Quick Mikola fan art for the AFK Journey anniversary challenge!! Good luck to everyone participating :)

Happy Encanto Big Bang day!! My partner was the very talented @sorryiwasasleep , who wrote an adorable fic about Isabela building a treehouse, titled Branching Out! 

I had such a good time drawing this, thank you to the mods who organized this and to everyone who participated! It was a blast! <3

@encantobigbang

i recently discovered the wonderfully talented @artsymeeshee ’s account and was inspired to create this

stangst is just,,, such a funny word

when ur out there having a good time but then u remember how marvel’s avengers: infinity war (2018) ended

Someone get this poor man a box of orange juice and a cheese stick :(

I’m on art fight for anyone who wants to trade attacks! 💖

Look, I'm just saying: would. (And so would you, don't lie.)

Been having feels all week about these two, so here: have more brotherly art. ;_;  💞