"Ike!" an excited blonde exclaimed as they stepped into the brothel. She ran up to them, pink dress billowing behind her. Zelda stepped back with shock as the woman wrapped her arms around his shoulders, kissing both his cheeks. Zelda gave her now named companion a look, had he lied? Was he a regular customer?

"Peach," he grinned at her as he pulled her arms from his neck, "as beautiful as always. How's business?"

"Booming!" she giggled. "Mario and I are expanding to Rome! Exciting times!" She clapped her hands and Zelda looked to Ike who pulled her towards him gently. "Now, why are you here? I didn't send word for help."

"Ah no," he said and tugged Zelda's hood back, "she needs clothes better suited for travel and I knew mia bella would help me out." Peach giggled and Ike removed the cloak from Zelda's shoulders.

"Well," Peach tapped her chin, "under those clothes she has a decent figure-"

"More than decent," Ike corrected and Zelda blushed at his compliment. "Find her something please madonna," he said and Peach nodded before moving to a grand staircase. Ike nudged Zelda. "I'll wait." Zelda gave him a look before following her up the stairs. Peach hummed a tune as she moved past doors with noises coming from behind them that made the very tips of Zelda's ears red.

"So you're traveling with Ike?" Peach asked as they moved to an empty room.

"He's taking me out of the city while this madness of Savonarola sweeps the streets."

"Ugh I know," Peach sighed heavily as she opened a trunk. She pulled out a deep blue dress and held it up to Zelda's body. "This would look beautiful on you."

"Um..." Zelda blushed.

"Peach," Ike's voice in the doorway made both of them whirl, "pants, a tunic, not a dress." He stared at the dress and looked ponderous. "Although I do agree that it would be beautiful on you," he added and Zelda blushed at his words.

"But..." Peach started before sighing. "Fine, be that way," she pouted and pulled out a pair of light colored pants and a dark blue top. "Better?"

"Yes," Ike gave her a smile and she tossed the clothes at him.

"Help your woman then," she taunted before walking out the door and shutting it. Ike chuckled and gave Zelda a wolfish grin.

"I do believe she's misunderstood exactly what you are to me," he said and Zelda stepped up to him.

"If my father knew that you brought me here he'd-"

"What would he do?" Ike said as he stepped around her. She blushed as she felt him tug at the ribbon lacing up the back of her dress. "All that was asked of me was to take you to the villa." His fingers undid the knot and Zelda felt his fingers touch the bare skin of her shoulders as he pulled her dress down. She whirled to face him, hand holding her dress up in defiance.

"How dare you!" she snapped and he gave her a grin that tantalized her in a way she'd never felt before.

"I'll dare to do as I please," he said softly, hands moving to her hips. He pulled her to him. "Get dressed," he said with a grin as he let her go, leaving her with goosebumps. He turned around, giving her a semblance of privacy and she snatched the clothes from him.

"You are unbelievable," she growled as she let her dress fall. As she pulled the shirt over her head, it got hung up on her elaborate bun. "Um," she hated to ask, hated to give him any reason to see her undressed, but she needed his help, "can you please help?"

"Of course," she felt his hands on her head, and she felt the shirt pull free as her hair tumbled around her shoulders. He grinned at her, brushing a few stray strands from her face. "Beautiful," he whispered and she pulled back from his touch. He grinned, obviously enjoying her discomfort.

"You are..." she trailed off as he moved past her, pulling a pair of calf high brown boots from the trunk. He knelt down before her and grabbed her leg. Eyes on hers, he helped her into the boots. Zelda blushed violently, not knowing what to say.

"Let's go then," he said softly, holding out a hand for her, a dare sparkling in his eyes. She took the offered hand and he brushed a kiss to her knuckles before turning to leave the room, fingers entwined with hers.