A Nutcracker and the Beast

Chapter 34: Now It's Date Night, Tipple Date Night

"Daisy I know that you like making new friends but I really can't-"

"Yes you can. We want you here. We want you to have fun!"

"Would you please stop cutting me off," Luigi said, getting more annoyed as he tried to escape this.

"Only if you stop trying to get out of this."

"You don't understand the danger I-"

"The only danger is yourself and ruining the night!" Daisy started to raise her voice as she poked his head. Luigi rubs his head as he pulls an angry frown. He should have remembered that she was going to be stubborn about this. Maybe it's because he was so used to her respecting his boundaries that he thought he could just leave without her stopping him. Yet, he forgot that all she saw was a stubborn nutcracker who didn't want to be out in the open.

"Maybe this might change your mind about staying, Luigi." Peach said that made Luigi turn to face her. When he did, he wasn't expecting to see Bowser. Small and on the table.

Luigi was shocked. He made his way over to him, making circles around Bowser as he got a good look at him. He got to take in his blue suit, how his hair was slick back but slowly coming undone, and how small he was. Once back in front of him, Luigi slowly placed his hand on Bowser's face. Bowser couldn't help but nuzzle into his hand, placing his hand over Luigi's. It was the same size as Bowser finally getting to hold his rough wooden hand while Luigi put his other hand on the other side of his face.

Daisy and Peach shared a smile as they grabbed Wario and Mario and made their way to the dance floor, leaving the two as the music started to play. Luigi focuses on the effect that the Mini Mushroom has on Bowser. It made him small, but he was still a few inches taller than Luigi, about 5 inches more but roughly the same height. Luigi's heart felt like it would jump out of his chest as he felt his cheeks heat up. He soon pulled away, sheepish, as he just noticed Bowser nuzzling his hand.

"S-sorry, not used to seeing you so...tiny, hehe," Luigi said, getting embarrassed as he placed his hands behind his back. Bowser found it cute as he watched Luigi rock on his heel in his outfit and offer his hand with a gentle smile.

"Thank you. It's nice to know we're the same size now," Bowser told him as he waited for Luigi to take his hand. Luigi looks off to the side, seeing Peach with Mario and Daisy with Wario as they dance in their own world. He looked back at Bowser's hand, spotting his red eyes as he waited for his hand. It was as if time stopped itself, letting Luigi and Bowser be in a world where they're the only ones in it. With a gulp, he reached for Bowser's hand, letting Bowser gently pull him in as he placed his other hand on Luigi's lower back.

"I may not know ballet, but I do know how to waltz, so don't be scared of me stepping on your feet," Bowser joked as Luigi let out a short, nervous laugh, calming himself down a bit as he placed his other hand on Bowser's shoulder. The music played as Luigi moved his eyes down to the ground, watching Bowser's feet as they started to dance slowly. It was just a simple box step, but when they began to move, he started to make mistakes.

One step, two steps, and a step on Bowser's foot.

"Ah, I'm sorry about that," Luigi said, trying to pull away, but Bowser kept a hold on him.

"It's fine, I didn't feel anything. After all, I bet you haven't done this in a while." Bowser told him as Luigi nodded. They try again.

One step, two steps, and he tripped over his own two feet. Bowser was still holding him, as it looked like he had just dipped Luigi, but he had just caught him.

"O-oops, heheheh..." Luigi said awkwardly before getting pulled up again. He knew how to waltz - he could easily do it, but his anxiety was getting the better of him. Luigi was too busy thinking about all the things Bowser did for him. And how he was loving it. He loves how Bowser took the time to plan this, how he took in every detail to make this night fun for all of them, and how he took a mini mushroom to dance with him. It made Luigi's heart beat like crazy that he was becoming shy, and his anxiety mixed up the rapid heartbeats as him being scared and not overjoyed from his crush wanting to dance with him. However, it also made him look like a fool who doesn't know how to dance. He keeps his eyes on the floor as he tries to dance once more.

Bowser noticed as Luigi kept his eyes on the floor, his face full of anxiety as his joyful smile slowly came apart. It was clear that Luigi was nervous about something; after all, he was being clumsier than usual. Maybe he was still worried about the ghost or waiting on the news that his ghost friend would bring, but Bowser needed to get him out of those thoughts and focus on what was happening now in the moment. Bowser stopped as he held onto Luigi's hip.

"Hey..." Bowser whispered, moving his hand from Luigi's and placing it under his chin. He lifted his face so that their eyes could meet. "Focus only on me, okay?"

Luigi felt his heart stop at those words. His body took control without his knowledge, and his anxious face melted away as a soft smile replaced it. His eyes got pushed up with his cheeks as they became soft, too. It was a sudden change, but it was a nice one. One that Luigi thought he would never feel again as he felt safe with Bower. He simply nodded as Bowser stared into his baby blue eyes, watching them shine brighter than they had for the last few days. It took Bowser's whole body and soul to not say something stupid or just kiss the wooden man before him. Bowser simply smiled, matching Luigi's, and grabbed his hand again.

This time, Luigi's body did all the work as his mind went blank. With Bowser leading the dance, Luigi had to follow his footsteps into a box. Twisting as Bowser went up and down the table with the music.

"You really are good at the Waltz," Luigi said as Bowser parted, still holding onto Luigi's hand as he turned.

"I told you so," Bowser said as Luigi twisted back into his arms, his back against Bowser's chest. It felt like a slow dance with how they were. Luigi stays there longer than he should have, but Browser doesn't mind. He enjoyed the little back hug he was giving Luigi, resting his head on the curve of his neck and shoulder. Luigi didn't even notice as he was so used to being near Bowser's face that he forgot that it was the other way around this time.

When they pulled apart again, they came face to face again. More in his element, Luigi wasn't scared to get closer to him. Bowser saw how his mood changed and started to dance a bit faster. He could feel the pounding in his chest, his smile getting more prominent as Luigi buried his head into his chest. Luigi was finally enjoying himself, and he was glad to see it. Bowser was glad that Peach and Daisy pushed him to do this. He just wishes that Luigi stays like this for longer and does not worry about what is to come, just that he lives happily within the walls of his home. Within the loving found family he creates. Within the embrace of Bowser's arms.

Bowser had to wave those thoughts out of his head. Luigi would most likely want to go back home to the Mushroom Kingdom once this is all over, but Bowser could dream and enjoy what was happening now. Enjoy the fact that Luigi may feel the same way he does as they dance to a new song they didn't even know started playing. Peach and Daisy shared a look as they saw the two having a blast and not noticing them.

"Let's finish this date somewhere else," Daisy said as Wario nodded. Peach and Mario also share a look before nodding in agreement. The girls left with the boys, going to finish their own little date and give Luigi and Bowser some alone time.

They didn't notice as they followed the music.

Step, step, and turn.

Step, twist, step.

Step, jump, spin.

Each a different move as Bowser took the lead, letting Luigi have a fondness of dancing. It wasn't until the last song and their parting to bow to one another that they noticed they were alone. Their laughter burst out as the hand on the clock passed midnight.

"Did we really dance the night away?" Luigi asks as Bowser offers his hand once more.

"Not really, after all the night is still here and I'm still small. So show me your world, Luigi." Bowser waited; this time, Luigi was more confident. He grabs Bowser's hand and leads him out of the ballroom and into the hall. Bowser knew where they were going as it was to the kitchen, but it was all so different.

"Is this how you always feel?" Bowser asks, Luigi humming.

"Yup, but it's nice. I finally have someone to share it with," Luigi said as he led the way. Bowser smiles, squeezing Luigi's hand as he sees all the little holes and cracks in the walls that look like little pathways. Feeling the heat of the lava puddles that look like lakes now. The suits of armor look like giants. Bowser saw this new little world right by Luigi's side as he pointed out all the daily dangers he had to face.

All while holding hand in hand as they went to get a midnight snack.