Chapter 4: "Value Me" - A drabble about my character telling yours how they feel about them.


Summary:

last night at the mansion before they get separated again, possibly forever


Notes:

Verse: Super Smash Bros. 4
Relationship: Romantic (explicit)
Warnings: none


None spoke of it, but they all knew it.

It was obvious, even. In the way they were all so dead set on not mentioning it. There was a profusion of side glances, all of them wondering if the others could feel it, too. Everyone put their heart and soul in the day's battles, and everyone came out satisfied regardless of the results. No one mentioned anything about having a rematch or trying again tomorrow, though. Somehow, they all made an effort to gather in a big group for dinner, without exception - something that was about as common as the planets aligning. And they ate and talked, rich food and cheery voices filling the hall, all reminiscing of stories that had happened recently in this place, related to the competition or not. Yet none of them mentioned future plans. Smiles and friendly words, yet nostalgia was already heavy in the air.

For they could all feel that by the morrow, they would all be back home.

It was like an elephant in the room everyone refused to acknowledge. Some of them would be glad to get back to their lives, while some others wouldn't take it so easily. Some of them missed their loved ones, while others had established ties to the Mansion itself. For some, it wouldn't be much of a change of environment, while others would get back to a whole different kind of life. Some were counting on the fact that they would reunite someday, and some knew the chances were slim.

Even so, they all shared the same attitude; a bit more cheery than usual, a bit nicer, a bit more encouraging, a bit more open. A bit like everyone wanted to keep a good memory of everyone, a bit like everyone wanted to make one last good impression. When the lights got dimmer, it was with a certain reluctance, a certain melancholy, that the fighters bid each other goodnight. No one ever pronounced 'See you tomorrow'.

Marth had to admit, Ike put up a good fight. Despite his sleep-inducing ministrations, even the mercenary lasted longer that night than usual. It was impressive, considering how dedicated he'd been to the few battles that had filled his schedule today. However, the prince had been in somewhat of a hurry to put him to sleep the moment they'd found themselves alone, out of fear Ike would bring up the inevitable. Marth knew he wouldn't be able to discuss it, he knew he wouldn't be able to keep himself in check, his throat already tightening painfully each time he merely looked in Ike's direction.

And thus a heated, wordless embrace faded into the faint whisper of sweet nothings and empty promises, which eventually turned into a familiar snoring, and something in the Altean's chest seemed to constrict agonizingly as the thoughts screamed, this is it. Now he could only wait for the Sandman to claim him as well. He was tired, and more comfortable than he knew he would ever be again, and still, something was clawing at his heart and keeping him from drifting off, something other than sorrow and apprehension, something more akin to… regret ? What was there even to regret ? If there was one thing he had no regrets for, this was it, why on Earth-

…oh.

"Thank you," he murmured into thin air, and he pushed himself to shift and look over at Ike. He took in the swordsman's chest heaving up and down, the absence of twitching behind his eyelids - a dreamless sleep -, the sheer peacefulness of his expression, Marth wanted to memorize it one last time, imprint the image once and for all in his memory. "Thank you for the honor of being mine," he continued, an easy smile flashing across his face as he realized he lacked better words. They had never really bothered putting a word on what their relationship had become other than you are mine and I am yours, and somehow Marth was perfectly content with that. Even he who swore by precise titles and definitions never cared for looking more into this.

"It is thanks to you that I am a man with no regrets." From then on, he would know the best thing to ever happen to him was behind him. He wouldn't wait nor hope for it any longer, but rather cherish every single memory until his older age would get the best of them. He was grateful for them, and knew that what precious time they'd spent here would always be worth whatever sacrifice laid ahead, whatever unpleasantness was waiting for him. "How lucky am I," he noted softly, eyes lowering to stare a his thumb rubbing the back of the sellsword's hand.

"You made my life," he confessed, voice still below a mere whisper. His chest still ached, but somehow his speech was steady. "…but I am only passing through yours. I know there is much more awaiting you, and I want you to find everything you are looking for." It was a weak blessing, yet all he could seem to offer. From what he gathered, Ike wasn't sure of what he was seeking himself, so Marth could only wish him some peace of mind, some sort of finally coming to terms with his existence. He deserved it.

"Thank you for giving me forever within a number of days," he pursued, each second he grew closer to falling asleep rushing him with another wave of gratefulness. His time was running out. "For giving me something to hold dear, that no one may ever take from me." There it was, the subtle tremor shaking up his words. He was feeling his limbs giving out, his body melting into the mattress and against Ike, he was gonna crash, any second-

"I… I understand now," he tried, words linked by short huffs of exhaustion, and he winced, working on pulling his thoughts together just so he could get those few sentences out. "We have no choice in whether we get hurt or not in this world - or the next." He suppressed a yawn, unable to even muster up considerate thoughts for every painful memory that usually plagued his mind. But he knew they were there, and he knew there were still more to come. "But we do have a say in what hurts us." He refrained a sigh this time, when it dawned on him just how hard it would be to not have this reassuring presence in the morning. Or ever. But oh, how it had been worth it. "I like my choices," he admitted, and finally let himself shift in a slightly more relaxed position, ready to let sleep take him over - take him away.

Part of him wished he could have told this straight-on, but he knew deep down he wouldn't have been able to be any kind of coherent with this if Ike's gaze had been fixed on him like he could guess it would have been had he engaged in this kind of speech while they were both awake. Besides, something told him these words would make their way to him somehow, in his dreams or as distant blurry memories, should he ever need them. Marth was satisfied with this closure - still sorry he never told Ike any of it directly, but this was most likely the next best thing. "I love you," he promised before finally passing out.