I wanted to keep the cartoon's flavor so I didn't actually use the name "Peach" in this fic. Which is a first for me.

"Hey, Mario?"

"Yeah?" He paused in mid-swim, turning around to look at her. The princess blushed slightly as her eyes met his.

"I just wanted to say I'm really glad you didn't end up marrying that mermaid," she said. "I mean...you don't really belong in that family, you're not a real frog and I-we would have missed you terribly!"

Mario smiled as they swam to the edge of the pond and resurfaced, changing back into their normal forms.

"You're not the only one," he said. "She was nice enough, but no matter how many times I tried to tell her I wasn't a prince she just didn't get it! Good thing I looked ugly with that fishbowl on my head, huh?"

"You look much better without it," the princess said.

They walked in silence for a few more moments, then Mario spoke.

"Say, Princess?"

"Y-yes?"

"...you weren't by any chance jealous, were you?" he asked, and she nearly tripped in surprise. He caught her just before she fell, and her face turned as red as her hair.

"I..."

"I'm just curious, that's all."

"...um..." She twisted the fabric of her skirt in her hands, looking away for a moment, then sighed. "A little," she admitted. "I didn't like the way she kept slobbering all over you. And, well...I know it's selfish of me but if she'd married you, what if I never saw you again?"

Mario smiled warmly at her, taking her hand and lacing their fingers together.

"It's not selfish. I'd feel the same way if some prince went after you like that!" he chuckled. "And besides, you and Luigi and Toad are the ones who helped me overcome my fear, I couldn't leave you behind after that."

"Some help we were, all we did was get in trouble," the princess snorted.

"And it was the motivation I needed! Who can be scared when their friends are in trouble?"

The princess sighed, boldly reaching out to stroke his cheek and gazing into his eyes with affection.

"You really are wonderful, you know that?" she said. "One thing I can say for Holly...she's got good taste."

"Ah, Princess..." It was his turn to blush now; tentatively, he leaned his face close to hers, her eyes began to close, and-

"Hey, Mario! Princess! Are you coming?" Luigi's voice broke their reverie.

"You're lagging behind!" Toad chimed in. Mario and the princess shared a disappointed sigh and ran to catch up with their friends.

Maybe some other time...