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Chapter Text

I: Overwhelmed

Luigi stood in front of the bathroom mirror, hair mussed in front of his face. Brown strands of greasy locks tufted in front of his vision as he stared at the sink, focused on his reflection against the steel of the faucet . He wanted to stand there longer, but the ticking clock on the wall forced him to move. He couldn't stand to listen to it when he knew he had to pick up the pace. Princess Peach was expecting him, and Peasley was always punctual.

Grambi, his head screamed. Could he do anything right lately?

He had been trying so hard to do something all day, just one piece of the puzzle that it took when getting ready. He’d tried to get his suit on, he’d tried to iron, he’d tried to clean, but he had ended up sitting in bed all day, dreading the evening . He listened; Peasley was up and about, getting a million things done, always busier than Luigi could keep up with . He wished he had the same kind of drive that his prince did.

“Luigi?” That charming voice now broke his train of thought. He was far away, down the hall. “Luigi, are you almost ready?” 

“I’m-a- uh...” Luigi swallowed a lump in his throat. “I’m-a- working on it, Peasley…!”

“Darling.” Peasley’s steps got closer. “Your suit is still lying on our bed. Is something wrong-?"

Peasley stopped in the doorway when he came to the open bathroom door. His posture fell, noting Luigi’s tear-stained expression as he looked up, catching his gaze. Luigi wiped at his face and feigned ignorance by washing his face under cold water, trying to look busy. Peasley reached over to turn off the faucet.

“What’s the matter, my love? Do you not want to go?”

“I do, I do, I do… I just can’t… I can't..." Luigi sniffled and buried his face in his hands. Fat droplets of tears fell to the tile. Peasley flinched. “Something’s wrong with me. My brain is screaming to do-a anything, to just get dressed for the event, but I-ah... I can’t…”

Peasley thought for a moment and then gave Luigi a knowing smile. “Hey. It’s okay. I know what you mean.”

“You…” Luigi sniffled forcefully. “You do?”

“Mm. In fact, you don’t have to go.” Peasley's voice didn't hold any hints of disappointment. His expression was soft.

“But, I want to, I really do-! The princess, big bro, they’re- they’re… but we're gonna be late now- and it's all m-my fault...”

“They’ll be okay without us, for just one night."

“Us?” Luigi sniffled again.

Peasley removed a handkerchief from his pocketbook and handed it over to his husband. “That's right, darling. I know you don’t feel great, so let’s just stay home, okay?” Peasley held Luigi’s hand. “We don’t have to go if you don't want to."

“We?”

“Yes, we.” Peasley removed his silver cape and threw it aside, letting his curly hair run loose. “Hey, I have an idea! Let’s make some popped corn instead, in that fun little, spinning electric machine of yours! The one in the kitchen.” He clapped his hands together. Peasley’s laughter was infectious. Luigi’s face lightened up for the first time in hours. “I’ll have a letter sent to the castle soon. Your brother's attendance will be able to count for the both of us.”

“Y-You mean it? It’s really okay?"

“It’s more than okay. We'll take it easy tonight, and we’ll let your brain relax.” Peasley leaned in, standing on his tippy-toes and pulling Luigi down to his level. He kissed him softly on the nose. “Okay?”

Luigi sniffled again, wiping his eyes. He managed a smile.

“Okay.”

Chapter Text

II: Man's Best Friend

“Do you like dogs?”

The innocuous question caught Peasley off-guard. It had come out of nowhere. The prince glanced up from the pile of papers he’d been marking up, turning and tilting his head in confusion. Peasley was in Evershade Valley for the weekend, visiting Luigi at his place. They were having a relatively silent morning thus far, working on separate things, so he hadn’t been expecting any questions so out of the blue. "Hm?”

“Do you like dogs?” Luigi repeated. “It's-a just... I've been wondering, lately.”

“Oh. Well." Peasley set aside his papers, straightening a pile of them on the desk. He turned around in his chair. "I am indeed a fan of the variant we’ve cultivated in the Beanbean Kingdom. We have no shortage of exotic pets of all kinds, but the canine, in particular, is especially unique. I believe you've seen one before, yes? They are a spring-green specimen... with fur as soft as fuzzy leaves, and a bark as hearty as the oldest tree in Chucklehuck Woods…” Peasley mused aloud. He soon realized he was talking too much, so he quieted. A light blush overcame his cheeks. 

“So… is that a yes?” Luigi chuckled at Peasley's pretentious wordiness.

“Hm. I, uh… I admittedly haven’t seen many canines beyond the ones in my kingdom...” Peasley added on with a sheepish smile. He cleared his throat. “Why do you ask?”

“Heh! Well... I wanted you to meet mine!” Luigi smiled a big dopey grin. “My puppy!”

“You own a dog?” Peasley gasped. “Why have I never heard of this?”

Luigi nodded. “He kinda appears when he wants to… or when I call him!”

“Ah-a! Well, of course I’d like to meet the little rascal. Do show!” 

Luigi exclaimed excitedly, punctuating his announcement with a sharp whistle. Quickly, the sound of a collar tag jingled. “Here, puppy!”

To Peasley’s initial confusion, the dog didn’t sound like it was bounding down the hall. In fact, it didn’t sound physical in the slightest. Yet still, the jingling sound persisted. Curious, Peasley glanced around for the source. Luigi whistled once more. Instead of anything he could have anticipated, a creature phased straight through the wall and landed right in front of Peasley.

Amazed, the prince gasped. A blur of spectral white jumped in front of him, barking excitedly and getting his paws on his white tunic. Peasley was astonished. This was not at all what he was expecting when Luigi mentioned owning a dog. Heck, this pet wasn’t a furry friend at all! While it seemed more friend than foe... the dog was, impossibly, a ghost!

“Meet Polterpup, Peasley!” Luigi was aglow with pride. The spectral hound released a hearty bark, jumping up and down. He wagged his tail so fast it turned into a white blur. 

Peasley chuckled in an awkward way, lifting a hand to his face. 

“Oh… my...! He is absolutely precious. But…" Peasley thought about his next words carefully. "A, uhm… a ghost dog, my love?" He made a quick confused motion, throwing up his hands. "I thought you hated ghosts!” He laughed. “That would be like me owning a piranha plant as a lapdog!”

“Well… Polterpup is different! He’s not a mean ghostie, no, no... he’s a sweetie!” Luigi patted his legs, Polterpup jumping up into his arms. “He’s my companion... my loyal companion and support animal!”

Peasley’s initial skepticism washed away upon seeing his lover become filled with unmistakable joy. Luigi’s smile was contagious as Polterpup yapped, yipped, and licked at his face. 

“Down, boy! Hehe... Polterpup? Meet Peasley!” Luigi addressed his pooch as he loosened his hold, Polterpup jumping out of his arms and into Peasley’s unassuming ones. Peasley fumbled to hold the creature, who was oddly solid despite still being translucent. The dog licked at the prince's face once he had a good hold on him.

“Oh my! Oh my, oh my, indeed!" Peasley laughed in delight. "He’s so friendly!”

“Ahah, yeah... wouldn’t you know it, he used to be quite the mischievous thing…” Luigi chuckled, running a hand over his dog’s back. The puppy yipped happily at the touch of his owner’s palm. "He was constantly causing trouble for me back when King Boo had control of all the ghosts in Evershade Valley..."

"He was a troublemaker, huh?" Peasley smiled, setting Polterpup down on the ground. Excited at the newcomer's presence, the little pooch barked and bounced back and forth on his hind legs, wagging his tail. "My, my... what a peculiar little creature..."

"Isn't he just the best? He's done a lot to cure my fear of ghosts..." Luigi offered the dog a golden bone as a treat, tossing it up in the air. Polterpup caught it, barking happily.

"Mhmm... he does seem like a sweetheart."

Peasley crouched down as Polterpup munched on his bone. In an overtly cautious way, he ran his hand over Polterpup's back, earning him a few hasty kisses from the spectral hound. Peasley laughed, making Luigi's own smile widen.

It was only then that Luigi was struck with an idea. He stood up and exited the room, returning with a leash in hand.

"Hey. The weather is-a really, really nice right now. How about you take a little break from your work, and we go on a walk with the puppy?" He smiled upon hearing Polterpup bark at the idea.

"That sounds lovely, darling." Peasley stood up. "Shall we?"

The prince leaned in and kissed Luigi on the nose, taking the leash from his gloved hands and clipping it to Polterpup's collar. Polterpup bounded around the two eagerly, dragging the prince along with him as he ran for the door. Peasley struggled to keep up with the ghost dog's enthusiasm, but he couldn't help an instinctual laugh from escaping his lips.

Luigi followed, collecting two jackets from the foyer before opening the door for Peasley and Polterpup. After all, the weather was getting chilly this time of year. He draped one of the jackets around Peasley's shoulders as they exited the manor into the brisk autumn air. Luigi smiled, adjusting his hat as a gust of wind blew by.

"Lead the way, puppy!" he called. 

"He knows his way? Woah-!" Polterpup went ahead and led Peasley through Evershade Valley with an aura of confidence in every ghastly step.

Luigi caught up and followed closely at Peasley's side, one arm wrapped around the prince's shoulder. As soon as they returned from the walk, Luigi was already pulling blankets out of cabinets. The three settled in for cuddles, Luigi curling up with his beloved by the fireplace. His loyal pet sat between them, his head on Peasley's lap.

The three had a comfortable morning.

Chapter Text

III: Overworking

The prince of the Beanbean Kingdom was draped over candlelight, organizing papers and treaties and what have you. It all became a blur of white papers and black ink in his hazy vision. A nearby clock ticked endlessly in the background, making the tired, half-squinting of his eyes punctuated with each twitch. He’d lost track of everything he was meant to be doing as soon as he’d begun. Heavy shade lay under his chestnut eyes, hellish eyebags taking up the vast majority of his spring-green face. 

He leaned back in his chair, groaning, looking over the blackened inky sea of messy signatures on missives. He knew he'd have to re-read them all when he was of clearer mind, but knowing he was getting things done felt good. 

He flinched when he heard boots moving down the hall, squeaking on the tile. Peasley scrambled to move. He tried to blow out the lit candle in time and rush back to bed, as though he’d been sleeping the entire time. Alas, no such luck was on his side. 

“Sweetpea?” Luigi stood in the doorway, head tilted to one side. “Are you in here?"

He'd been caught in the act.

“Luigi!" Peasley blurted, leaning his elbow on his desk. He smiled unconvincingly. "I didn’t expect you home... so early. How did the outing with Princess Daisy go? Is Sarasaland as scorching as ever?"

But Luigi was not so easily distracted. He hyperfocused on the state of Peasley's tired body.

"What were... no, what ARE you still doing up?”

“Nothing of concern.” Peasley assured, chuckling curtly. 

“Oh, amore mio.” Luigi shook his head, walking over. He placed a hand on Peasley's shoulder. “You-a know what your doctors said. You can’t be working this late... you need your sleep.”

“But, but... I’m so far behind now!” Peasley protested. “If these new habits keep up, I won’t be able to finish anything in time for the summer solstice. I have so many letters to send with my personal signature on them, a-and then there's notifying the caterers and thanking various nobles and... oh, Luigi, you don't understand! Mother is counting on me, the Kingdom is counting on me!” He whined pitifully, falling over himself and nearly swaying out of his seat. Luigi caught his chair before he could.

“And what good will you be to your Kingdom if you can’t even keep your eyes open?” Luigi gently lifted the thumb of his hand to Peasley’s chin, giving him a calm smile. “You need sleep."

“But…”

"I'll-a help you in the morning. We'll both have a clear mind that way..." Luigi laughed. He paused to yawn, stretching. "Mm... Grambi knows I need sleep too."

"I can handle it, I promise... just... just a few more minutes."

“You’re overworking yourself…” Luigi spoke softly. “Please take a break. For me?”

Peasley sighed.

With resistance, he set his ballpoint pen down, shuffling the last of the papers on the table together. He filed them away in his desk drawer. The candlelight flickered.

“Yes, darling," he huffed. "For you.”

“Thank you. Now let’s-a get to bed.”

Luigi planted a gentle kiss on Peasley’s forehead. Then, he leaned down and scooped the prince up into his arms, effortlessly carrying his husband to bed. Once Peasley was tucked in, Luigi walked back over to the desk, straightening Peasley's pens the way he knew Peasley liked them to be. He smiled back at the resting Peasley, who was already snoozing and cuddling his pillow. 

Luigi sighed fondly. He then leaned down, and blew out the flickering candle.