Thank you to AlteaAuroraRia, BunnyFleur, ADashOfInsanity, IlikeYuki, MarsMonster, FuneralBell and Kufuffelupagus for reviewing! I love reviews so thank you all so much! Roy get's a bit more action in this chapter - don't worry about Ike, all in good time. :)

Despite this Marth decided he would still hang out with Roy after work. It wasn't perhaps the most sensible choice he had ever made, but the idea of being home alone with nothing to do was even more unappealing.

They went to the cinema, and to Marth's surprise Roy suggested they watch the latest romantic comedy. Marth had wanted to see it for some time and so agreed, but was surprised that Roy wanted to see it too. They bought some popcorn and drinks from a newsagent's nearby and then went in.

The film was just over two hours long. Marth absolutely loved it. As the credits rolled the nudged Roy excitedly.

"That was epic! I was worried for a while that she was going to get with the other guy."

"Yeah."

"And it was so close when their parents almost walked in on them – ha!"

"Yeah, it was good."

"He bought her a poodle! God, I wouldn't want one of them. Imagine the maintenance for that fur shape. Don't you think?"

"Definitely. Prefer Labradors myself."

The conversation continued in this way for a few minutes. They walked out of town towards a large park that lay to one side of it. The sun was starting to fade and Marth shivered, so Roy put his arm around him. Marth, thinking of Ike, wondered if he remained topless in cold weather, or if he made an exception and put on a coat.

They moved slowly towards the lake, edged round one side with a low wall. Marth and Roy walked towards it.

"Peaceful, huh?" commented Roy.

Marth nodded. After a moment he sat down on the low wall, legs dangling over the water. Roy sat down beside him.

"My father always wanted to teach me fishing," Roy told him. "He said it was a really father-son sport to do. But there were never any rivers near where I lived so I never learnt."

"That's a shame. Was your father very nature-orientated then?"

Roy thought for a moment. "Not really. He was into barbeques and camping… a bit of gardening, I suppose. He was more interested in the hunter-gatherer sort of ideal than the take pictures and birdwatch sort of appreciation."

Marth smiled. In the pause which ensued he took his shoes off and sat forward a little bit to dip his feet into the water. Roy, observing him, asked,

"Are you much of a nature fan then?"

"I do like nature," Marth admitted.

"What about being natural? Are you a fan of that?" Softly, Roy trailed a finger down Marth's cheek.

"Sometimes," Marth replied evasively. Roy stroked his cheek a moment longer, and then dropped his hand. Marth looked at him as if in apology. Roy recovered himself.

"Fish and chips tomorrow?" he suggested.

"Sure."

Later, when Marth was back at home, he contemplated on the mixed feelings the day had produced. His argument and surprise to find out Roy had paid £1050 to Ike to have Marth's house painted was a definite negative, but the day had recovered itself with a great cinema trip and a charming time at the park. So overall, providing Roy got his money back, a definite step forward. Just then the phone rang. That would be Elisse – he'd almost forgotten about that. Preparing to hear a lot of baby talk, Marth picked up the phone.

"Elisse?"

"Is having an identity crisis," replied Ike, sounding amused.

"Ike!"

"Better. Do you have dimples?"

"What?" Trust Ike to come straight out with the randomly spontaneous question of the decade.

"Do you have dimples when you smile?"

"Erm… I'm not sure."

"Go to a mirror and tell me."

Smiling at the randomness of the request, Marth began to head upstairs to the bathroom. To keep the conversation going, Marth said,

"I was talking to Roy today. He almost learnt fishing, you know."

"I hate fish," Ike informed him.

Marth laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"You're a great conversationalist."

"Thanks. Now do you have dimples?"

Marth arrived at the mirror shortly, already smiling, and looked to see if he had dimples.

"Yes I do. Why did you want to know?"

"Professional interest."

Marth laughed, thinking it was sarcastic, before remembering what Ike's profession was. "Hang on…"

But Ike had already hung up. With mixed emotions Marth did the same.

The next day brought another casual date with Roy, this time accompanied by fish and chips.

"Now this is my kind of fishing," Marth joked.

Roy looked at him quizzically.

"Fishin' battery."

Roy grinned. "Nice one."

They wandered away from the fish and chip shop in no particular direction, and ended up heading towards a nearby church.

They approached from around the back so as to avoid the cemetery, and found themselves strolling instead under pleasantly dappled shade and in between long grass and lichen-dusted paving stones. Marth fell silent under the overwhelming natural beauty of the place and looked around him, entranced. Who would think such a place existed so close to town?

"Lovely," he sighed, sitting down on a bench.

"Sure is," Roy agreed.

"All it needs is some fitting theme music in the background."

Roy thought for a moment then sang, "I'm on the highhhway to hell…!"

Marth slapped his shoulder in mock disapproval. This only made Roy sing louder.

"Roy! We're behind a church!"

"So I noticed. I'M ON THE HIIIGHHHWAY TO HELL!"

Marth laughed and threw a chip at him. "That was not what I meant by fitting theme music."

"Oh. Sorry." Roy cleared his throat, then lowering his voice to a gruff baritone, resumed, "Amaaaazing graaace, how sweeet the souuund…"

"Roy!" Giggling, Marth shoved him playfully. "Someone will hear you!"

"…that saaaved aa wretch, liike meeee!"

Marth joined in, harmonising. "I once waas lost, but nowwww am fouuund, waas blind, but now I seeee." Then they both burst out laughing, clutching their sides.

"Ah dear," choked Marth as he began to recover. "God's gonna zap you for that."

"I don't see why he should," complained Roy indignantly. "It's not like I was singing anything terrible."

"You were at first."

"It could be considered as a cry for help."

"Oh, of course," Marth replied sarcastically. Roy fed him a chip. Determined not to make a fuss of Roy's move and spoil the atmosphere, Marth ate it without comment.

"Ever went to church much as a kid?" Roy asked.

"Not so much. When I was really small I went to Sunday school, but after a while I just grew out of it. You?"

"Nah. What's god ever done for me?"

Marth shrugged, but there was something about Roy's tone that made him sad, and he put a comforting arm around Roy's shoulders. Roy looked at him and smiled. Marth smiled back at him. That was all the invitation Roy needed, and he kissed him. Marth, shocked, pushed him away. Roy looked angry.

"For god's sake Marth!"

Marth looked down at his lap.

"What was that for? Sometimes I don't even know if you're interested…"

Marth felt a lump build in his throat.

"Marth?"

Knowing his voice would break if he tried to reply, he kept silent. Roy, giving him a concerned look, moved off the bench and knelt down in front of him.

"I'm sorry Marth. Please forgive me."

Marth just nodded. He did want to kiss him, but he'd just had hopes of so much more…

"It's your day off tomorrow, right?" Roy asked.

"Yeah," Marth mumbled. Roy just nodded, thinking to himself.

Later, after several awkward changes of topic, they both stood up to leave the church. As they walked, despite everything, Roy reached out and held Marth's hand. Marth took it as a sign he'd been forgiven. Glad their friendship hadn't been spoilt, he walked on with Roy happily as they headed back into town and prepared to go back home to their separate lives.

"See you then." Roy parted with him at the bus stop.

"Yeah. See you soon." Marth waved goodbye and watched him go. He wondered if Ike had given him his £1050 back yet.