Hey 'errybody! Sorry again for the late update, but I had finals, so I had a lot of studying to do :/ This is the last chapter for this fic. I will write an epilogue, if y'all want me to. Enjoy^^

Chapter 10: I Will Always Love You

"Come on, Ike. It won't be that hard. Just grit your teeth and ask," Zelda said, scooting Ike over to Marth. He wanted to ask Marth out for the End-of-Tournament Ball, but he was too scared. Unfortunately, Zelda noticed how scared he was and forced him to ask Marth, stating there was 'nothing to worry about, as you two are already dating'.

It didn't help, though.

"Zel, can't you just ask him?"

"Why would I do that? He's your boyfriend, not mine," she stated matter-of-factly.

"Alright, alright. Uhm… Marth, can I ask you something?" he asked as soon as he got his boyfriend's attention.

"Sure, honey, what's up?" Marth asked, pecking Ike on the cheek. Luckily, no one was there. They hadn't made it public that they were dating yet. In fact, Ike only just got out of the hospital.

"Do you… Uhm… Doyouwanttogototheballwithme?" Ike blurted out.

"Do I what?" Marth chuckled.

"Ugh, guys," Zelda sighed. "Do you want to go to the ball with him tomorrow?"

"I'd love to!" Marth shrieked (very feminine) in happiness, throwing his arms around Ike's shoulder and kissing him. Zelda huffed in annoyance.

"Awh! Guys stop it! You're too cute!" Peach screeched, entering the room with Mario, who looked surprised at the two bluenettes.

"What-a is this?" he asked.

Ike quickly leaped away from Marth, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"Uhm… Nothing, I guess?" he answered unconvincingly.

"Yeah, right. I-a presume that-a nobody is-a supposed to know about this-a?"

"Yes, actually. We were kinda planning to go public at the ball tomorrow," Marth answered.

"Wait, we never discussed that!" Ike said surprised, turning around to face Marth.

"I know, but people are to find out eventually. Nobody can keep secrets in this place. I trust you know that by now."

"Whoa, dudes that's very brave of you," Link complimented from the couch. When did he get here? Ike thought.

"Oh, my God, Marth we need to go shopping!"Peach shrieked. "You need to look absolutely splendid for your boyfriend, tomorrow!"

"I… Uhm… Yes, but- Yeah, sure. Just drag me along with you," Marth huffed as Peach dragged him out of the room.

"Shouldn't you go help them, Zel?" Link asked his girlfriend.

"Yeah, I probably should," she remarked, before following them out the room.

"Well then, I'm going to get ready too, I suppose," Ike said.

"Do you have a suit?" Link asked.

"Yes. Marth bought one from me a couple of months ago."

-o-O-o-

The evening of the ball arrived and Ike had never been more nervous. Was he even ready to come out, yet? Nobody knew, or even suspected, that Ike was gay, let alone that he was in a relationship with a guy.

He knocked on the door of his room, waiting for Marth to open the door. When the door opened, however, Peach stood in the doorway, wearing a very pink dress. More pink than usual, that is.

"Hey there, handsome," she giggled. "Marth's almost done. You look good in a suit. You should wear one more often."

Ike was wearing a simple, black suit with white undershirt and black bowtie. He expected Marth to wear something similar and not look very spectacular, but when he entered the room, his mouth fell open.

Marth looked breathtaking.

He wore a black tuxedo, which looked perfect on him, but that wasn't what made Marth look like he did. Ike didn't even know himself. Probably, the way his hair was done. The way it fell so perfectly around his pale, petite face.

"Ike! You look amazing!" Marth said in surprise.

"Not as good as you, though," Ike complemented, leaning in to plant a quick kiss on his lover's lips. This made Marth blush.

"Thanks," he murmured.

"Well, boys, I'll be off to find Mario. I presume you two can find the dining hall by yourself?" Peach asked, giggling. She still thought Ike and Marth looked incredibly cute together.

"Yes, we can. Thanks again for your help, Peach," Marth answered.

First, all contestants were to meet in the dining hall for a formal dinner. Then the Hands were going to announce the winner of the tournament, which was Marth, and make some shout-outs to people who did something spectacular this year. Lastly, the ball would start.

As they rounded the last corner to the dining hall, Ike halted.

"What is it?" Marth asked concernedly.

"What if people are going to judge? Nobody knows I'm gay, yet. I don't want everyone to hate you because you're in love with me," Ike answered, tears starting to form in his eyes.

"Ike, they won't judge. They didn't judge me. And even if they do, I won't leave you. I love you," Marth said, wiping the tears from Ike's eyes and smiling softly. "Now, come on. We have to tell people something." He held out his hand, which Ike took.

Hand-in-hand, they walked into the dining hall. A couple of people turned their heads at the couple and smiled encouragingly at them. Others, mainly Ganondorf, smirked evilly at them. Though they quickly stopped when Samus looked at them. It seemed Samus really scared Ganondorf.

After everybody was seated (Ike and Marth sitting next to each other, still holding hands under the table), dinner was served. Now Ike let go of Marth's hand, in favor of grabbing a piece of chicken and starting to chomp on it.

"You're going to choke on chicken one day if you keep eating like this," Marth chuckled, right before Ike actually choked on his chicken. Luckily, Samus, who was sitting next to Ike, stomped (yes, literally stomped) him on the back, so Ike managed to clear his throat and continue eating a little more careful.

Dinner seemed to pass peacefully, as did the announcement of Marth's victory. Marth got the trophy for winning the tournament and, to his surprise, Ike got a trophy for being a survivor of the deathliest curse known. After Ike received his trophy, Marth kissed him on the cheek, which caused the people who hadn't noticed the two holding hands before to look at them surprised.

"See, nobody minds. I think they even find it brave of us or find it cute," Marth reassured Ike, who finally seemed to be comfortable now.

Before they knew it, the ball was over and Ike and Marth were laying in their now-shared bed.

"I can't believe this is already the last time we are able to do things like this," Marth remarked sadly.

"I know, but we'll manage. We can meet in secret, you know. You sneaking out the castle and stuff," Ike replied.

"Yes, but this year I'll be forced to marry someone. Father wants me to have children, so they can carry on the family name. I can't have sex with someone I don't love. I can't cheat on you!" Marth said, actually crying now.

"Shhh, Marth. I won't mind. You're supposed to carry on the family name. I really won't mind. You need to stop worry so much. Go to sleep, now. You'll have to be fit in the morning," Ike soothed his lover.

"You're right. I love you," Marth said, before kissing Ike one last time and resting his head on Ike's chest and dozing off.

"I love you too, Princess."

-o-O-o-

The Mansion was a mess the next morning. Everywhere were people saying goodbye to each other or doing some last-minute packing.

Marth had been very quiet this morning, Ike noticed, and he knew why.

"Mario and I'll be off now," Peach sniffed. "I'll miss you guys! I hope you two will have lots of luck this year. I hope you'll return next year, Ike." She hugged them both tightly. "Bye!"

"Bye, Peach," they replied in unison.

The portals to Dreamland and the Mushroom Kingdom were closed now.

Next to leave were Red, Samus and Pit. Pit crying harder than anyone else in the room.

"See you next year guys!" Zelda waved, before walking through the portal with Link. They were gone too.

"Marth, listen to me. We will find a way, you hear me? I will climb through your window if I have to. We will see each other. I will return next year," Ike told his boyfriend determined.

"You don't know if you'll return," Marth sobbed.

"No, I don't. But, if I return, I will come find you, okay?" he kissed Marth's forehead, shedding a tear.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Ike," Marth said, before they stepped through the portal.

OMG! This chapter is way too long! And boring too, I think.I'm sorry! I hope y'all liked it anyway. If you did, review please:3 Lemme know if I should write an epilogue or not too. If you think it's enough as it is, than I won't write it. Love you guys!

P.S.: Yes, the title was inspired by Withney Houston's song^^

P.P.S.: I don't know if you noticed, but English isn't my first language, so sometimes I forget to add an F to off for example or things like that. I hope you won't mind (whoa why am I telling you now. At the end of the story-,-)

I do really want to thank everybody who reviewed on this story and everyone who read it! I love you guys! This is actually my very first fanfic and if nobody liked it I wouldn't have continued, so thanks a lot!