Author's Notes:

So I've got this next chapter ready to go and went back over my previous chapters again only to realize that I really, really want to revise it. So, after this story has come to an end (which should be in about 4 chapters or so...), and I've finally finished revising Love Scorned, then I will get to work fixing the first couple of chapters of this story. The rest will remain untouched...hopefully.

Warnings: language, as always. Pairings. Blah blah blah. Romance in this chapter as well. No lemons or anything though.

Alright. I guess that's all I have to say for right now.

'Phase Five: "I'm Yours, You Big Dummy!"'

The seasons were changing now, and the leaves around the Smash House had begun to turn colors. As they fell in large numbers, they created a beautiful scene before all of the smashers. Everyone was looking forward to the cool weather and the abundance of 'cheer' as Peach liked to call it. Since the beginning of Fall, the smashers had started going out more often, enjoying the crisp air and playing in the leaves like the immature children they sometimes were. It was fun for them, and gave them something to focus on when they weren't fighting or training.

For Roy, though, this season had never seemed so solemn before. He sat in the library window, his chin in his hand, as he watched the other smashers frolic through the piles of leaves that Bowser and Wolf had just pulled together. Bowser himself noticed Mario and Luigi jumping in one particular pile, and preceded to blow fire upon the leaves, setting a bonfire of sorts and scaring the Mario brothers to pieces. Roy would've been out there himself, enjoying the time of year and playing pranks on the others, but his demeanor had changed in the past month and a half. He didn't feel like laughing or having fun, nor did he want to go outside to let the others see his weakness. Hiding in the library was exactly what he felt like doing these days.

Sighing deeply, he turned his sapphire gaze away from the window sill and to the floor, his arms cradling his body as he soaked up the heat from the thick tunic he now wore. He wasn't as used to the cold, and so his frame shook from the change in temperature. He was so caught up in his comfort and personal despair, that he hadn't even noticed when he was joined by another smasher.

"Having fun brooding in here by yourself?" came a strong, yet soft, even-tempered voice. Roy's head shot up immediately to look into another set of dark blue eyes, a mischievous smirk gracing the other's features.

"I'm not brooding Marth." Roy reasoned angrily as he turned his attention to the window again. Marth smiled to himself silently before turning his gaze to the scene outside as well. Fox had just been jumped by Sonic and was trying desperately to get the hedgehog off of him while simultaneously throwing empty threats at Falco, Snake, and Wario. The three others seemed to be enjoying Fox's anger.

"Roy, you've been sitting in that spot with the same grumpy, 'I hate life' look on your face all day long. You're brooding." Marth said, still grinning. Roy rolled his eyes.

"Whatever." he growled exasperatedly. Marth shook his head and leaned back in the chair he found himself in. Roy ignored his presence for a moment as the prince thought about his next sentence carefully.

"Look, if you want to talk about anything, Roy, you know you can come find me." he said. Roy continued to stare forward, and Marth nodded to himself before standing and leaving.

He didn't know how badly Roy wished to not have to be alone, cold, and left to his thoughts; the thoughts about Ike that haunted him endlessly.

Marth kept his eyes on the window, smiling as he watched Ike being pummeled by a pile of leaves that Ness and Pikachu threw at him. He had to admit how happy it made him that Ike wasn't moping anymore. It upset him, however, that Roy had gotten worse.

"Marth" a warm voice floated toward him, pulling him out of his reverie.

Marth turned to look at him, cocking his eyebrow as he noticed his lover pouring something into a cup. Another more amused smile appeared at his lips as Link offered him a cup, mimicking the expression. Marth chuckled and reached over, grabbing the cup and crawling over to sit next to the Hylian. "Eggnog?" he asked curiously. He noticed the mischievous glint in Link's eyes and slowly raised the glass to his lips.

"Don't worry, its not the alcoholic kind. Its just your average, generic eggnog." Link said softly. Marth nodded and set the cup down before placing a hand in Link's lap and tangling his fingers with Link's.

He had chosen to ignore whatever troubles Link had had before. Granted he was weary of any sudden change in his love's mood and/or behavior, but he was nonetheless content that things had finally returned to normal with Link. If it was possible, though, he wished to understand the strangeness of the situation. Between Roy and Link, Marth didn't really know what to think.

He picked up the cup once more, slowly tilting the cup to examine the eggnog, and decided to just forget his previous musings for now and enjoy the moment. The end of term was fast approaching and made his heart ache a little at the notion of parting ways with Link for at least a year. Despite this, he was determined to be as cheerful as possible for him.

He lifted the cup to his lips, an eyebrow raised as he downed the liquid. He pulled the cup back when he was done to examine it once more. "Mm, it's warm." he noted. Link nodded.

"Yah, I know how you hate cold drinks and whatnot and it seemed like the best thing. I didn't scald it or anything, but I was still worried you wouldn't like it." he said, blushing a bit at how romantic he actually sounded. Marth chuckled and set the cup back down before snuggling into the bed.

"No I like it. Far better than the poison Roy and Falco gave us at that party." he said as he closed his eyes, a smile playing on his lips. Link smiled too.

"Yah but remember if it weren't for that stunt they pulled we probably wouldn't be here like this." Link reminded him smugly as he turned onto his side and pressed an index finger to Marth's nose. He watched, almost in fascination, as Marth's chest rose and fell in time with his increasingly deep breathing. He let his chin fall into his hand to settle down for the time being. He wasn't tired, but he loved moments when Marth was completely at ease and drifting off to sleep. He wasn't plotting or thinking endlessly in space and ignoring the world around him when he was like this, and for that, Link was eternally grateful. He wasn't stupid, he could plainly see that Marth was on edge and not just about Roy like he said he was. Link frowned deeply. He had to keep a tighter leash on his emotions. Every part of his relationship with Marth depended on it.

'I don't want him to have to see me depressed again. He's trying, and I can't complain when I have exactly what I asked for from him.' Link thought. He sighed deeply, but started when he heard a loud knocking on the door. He jumped when he saw Ike standing meekly at the door. He looked embarrassed and ashamed.

"Um, your-your door was, uh, open. I didn't want to bother the two of you but...well, this is sorta...important." Ike murmured. He lowered his gaze to the floor as he hooked and unhooked his fingers. Link let out a soft sigh and nodded before turning back to Marth. Thankfully he was still asleep.

Link gently ran his fingers through Marth's hair before getting up as quietly as possible and following Ike out of the room. He closed the door for good measure and turned to face Ike.

"What's wrong?"

Ike looked to the side wearily before sighing and running his hand lazily through his hair. He seemed worn down. "Look I, I feel uncomfortable saying this...especially in light of the past few weeks and everything but...I think, no that's not right. Um, I know that I'm in love with Roy. I've tried to shake it, but I can't. I don't know what to do and he's always trying to busy himself so I can't talk to him. I guess that's just an excuse though. Maybe I'm just afraid to confess to him." he said awkwardly. True, Ike had proudly displayed his affects for Link in front of everyone the first day he'd arrived, but now...

Roy and Link were different. And with their opposites came Ike's differing feelings. What he thought of Link at that time was contrasted vastly from what he thought of Roy. Link was adorable and someone he could trust and pull his dominance onto. Roy was fiery and fought back, keeping a fire burning in Ike's heart as well. He found that he absolutely adored the passion behind Roy's temper and the determination to protect himself whilst showing others that he wasn't weak. And over time, Ike realized that he couldn't keep hiding his feelings forever. It was crushing him to hold back for fear of ruining what was already between him and Roy. They argued, but they also laughed. They could find harmony if they really tried. Ike just had to see this through.

Link nodded in understanding. "Ike I think, that the time has come for you to confess to Roy. He can probably tell you're hiding something. You think maybe he just wants to know the truth?" he prodded as gently as possible. In all honesty Link had no idea what Roy was thinking or if his mood had anything to do with Ike at all. Nothing had confirmed that. All he could do was offer Ike some hope.

Ike nodded back almost panicked. "Y-yah, you're probably right and he probably does know and...damnit I don't know what to do! What if he hates me Link? What if he never wants to see me again? I don't know if I can hear the words no again...not from Roy. I've never felt this strongly about anyone in my life before. I...I can't..." Ike shook his head and leaned against the wall. Link waited patiently for him to continue. "I can't lose Roy."

Link smiled weakly and placed an understanding hand on Ike's shoulder. "Ike, don't worry. Things will be fine in the end. I just know they will." he said assuredly. Ike nodded.

"Yah, I'm just paranoid. Anyway, I guess I'd better head down to eat. Are you and Marth coming?" he asked, deciding to drop his anxiety for now. Link shook his head.

"No. Marth is tired and I really just want to be alone for a while. I...I have a lot on my mind if that makes any sense. Not that there is anything to worry about Ike...it's just that I'm distracted lately. Let the others know that Marth and I are retiring for now. We might come down a bit later though." he added quietly. Ike nodded before saluting lazily and walking away.

Link let his eyes linger on the floor a while longer before turning to enter the room again. Marth was still passed out, but now he was in a different position. Link had to stop from laughing out loud and walked over to the bed, sitting down on it with care. Marth was lying on his stomach with one arm curled around his stomach and the other under his chin. Link placed a light, feathered touch on Marth's arm. He didn't know why, but doing something like that to Marth made him feel emotional. Almost...unworthy.

He bit his lip. He knew if he told Marth, he might never forgive him...and that scared him more than anything he'd ever encountered before.

He felt invisible. Unwanted. Alone.

Not one person questioned him as he sat motionless at the table. Everyone was used to Roy's picky eating, so when Roy didn't pick up a fork or even spare a glance at any of the delicious food available, they didn't think anything of it. Nothing was out of the ordinary at all, so why dwell?

Except Ike.

There was no way Ike could miss Roy's odd behavior. He had watched Roy talk and laugh at lunch at least, but even that was nonexistent here. All he was doing was staring down at his plate with obvious disinterest. It pained Ike to see it. Link must've been right. Could Roy suspect? Was Ike the reason Roy wasn't acting...well, right?

"Hey, you gonna eat that buddy?" Fox inquired enthusiastically. Ike watched mesmerized as Roy slowly lifted his face to look at Fox. Suddenly, his sapphire blue eyes descended back down to the plate. He was silent amongst the background chatter, but finally shoved the plate across the table, catching Fox and those next to him by surprise, and stood up abruptly.

"I'm not hungry. Have it if you want, I don't care." he growled under his breath. His head hurt and his cheeks felt hot. Hotter than he'd imagined they'd be when watching Ike from the corner of his beautiful eyes. He couldn't stand another second in that room. No, he had to get somewhere. Anywhere.

"Roy wait!"

Roy hadn't noticed that he'd already run out of the dining hall or that someone else was coming up behind him. Dazed, he turned to see Ike standing before him. He froze immediately, petrified. Not of Ike, but what he might do.

It was almost unbearable to control himself around the indigo haired mercenary.

"W-what? What do you want?" he demanded, his eyes glazed over. He felt like passing out and reaching up to touch Ike's face at the same time. Ike seemed to be unsure of something, his words catching in his throat.

'Should...should I tell him? I want him to know, he deserves the truth. And, and besides, maybe he'll like me back. Oh who am I kidding? What a ridiculous notion. Might as well kick myself...' Ike thought to himself angrily. He was interrupted however as Roy rolled his eyes and rubbed his temples with his right hand as if trying to ward off some painful headache.

"Look, Ike, if you don't have anything important to say, then you're wasting my time." he said gruffly. He froze again when he felt Ike's hand on his and swallowed hard as his whole body responded privately with a tingling sensation. He looked up, eyes wide and mouth slightly ajar as he waited for Ike to say something. His heart beat rapidly in his chest and his palms quickly became sweaty as he felt time slowing down around him. Was this it?

Ike realized his mistake automatically. He felt more embarrassed than anything for having reached for Roy like that, and now the poor general looked like a corned animal. He immediately shrank back and mumbled an apology.

"I, I didn't mean to do that. Maybe you should go lay down if you aren't feeling well." Ike said, trying to save face. He hoped that had solved the problem, but his cheerful attitude began to deflate as he realized that Roy still hadn't moved.

Roy himself was feeling cold. So cold. And clammy, and light headed. All of these things combined were making it difficult to stand. But most importantly, Ike had touched him. He had actually held his hand up in a truly caring gesture that had shaken Roy to the pit of his soul...

All of that came crashing down the moment Ike had jerked away. It felt...like he regretted what he had done. Not just from his apology, but his posture. His expression. It made him look so disgusted. And Roy just couldn't take this kind of rejection.

"Fine. I see how it is. I guess I'm just a puppet for your amusement, huh?" Roy spat. He knew that the other smashers were now filing out of the dining hall and were gawking at the two in bewilderment. Ike looked shocked and puzzled, and put his hands up in defense in an attempt to calm Roy down.

"Roy what in the world are you talking about? You don't have to get so worked up you kno-"

"No, you listen to me. You think you can play around with me like this then fine, have it your way. Maybe I deserve it, but don't you DARE lay another finger on me or try to pull a stunt like that again. I don't ever want to see you again, you big...JERK!" he shouted. His whole face was red and his body shook with such an intense force that Roy felt like he would fall down at any moment.

Fully embarrassed by his outburst and feelings and Ike's 'using him', Roy stormed out of the room in an angry huff, slamming all of the doors behind him as loud as he could. Ike could only watch, heartbroken and disdained.

When I woke up, I felt more relaxed and well rested than I had in days. I stretched, letting out a strangled yawn and prepared to open my eyes. When I did, I was welcomed with the sight of...nothing. I blinked, and figured that Link must've turned the lights out, and sighed as I shoved the pillow I had ended up cuddling with in my sleep to the side. It fell to the floor, but I didn't really care. I was hungry all of a sudden and curious as to how long I'd been asleep. Yawning again, I stood up next to the bed and stumbled to the direction of the door before leaving the room.

The hallways were empty and had lights glowing on the wall from the lamps, but the windows to the outside showed that it was still daytime out. I shrugged and made my way to the staircase to descend to the ground level. My stomach was beginning to grumble.

It was then that I heard the sounds of shouting. They were carrying down the halls and seemed to be enraged. I frowned and followed the noise until I was met with the sight of Roy glaring murderous daggers at Ike. Almost all of the smashers had gathered around the two swordsmen in awe and surprise. I particularly was shocked at the situation because, well, I'd been dreading that something like this would happen.

"I don't ever want to see you again you big...JERK!" Roy shouted with as much heartache and pain as he could muster, and whirled around to leave. I immediately moved from the door, but was too late. He turned the corner of the door and ran right into my chest. When he stopped he stared up at me and slammed the door shut so loud that my ears started to ring.

"Roy are you-"

"I'm fine! Just leave me alone!" he shouted. I winced and watched as a few tears plummeted down his cheek. I reached out to put my hand on his shoulder but he flinched away and took off down the hall. I grimaced.

This had to stop. I'd had my fun with them, but now it was time to get serious.

The doorknob jerked as the person on the other side awkwardly shoved it open. Link jumped up from his spot on the bed, startled and raising his fists in defense. He dropped them upon seeing Marth however, and growled in anger.

"Don't do that! Marth if I had a sword in my hand I would've sliced you to pieces!" Link groaned. Marth stalked past him, an air of contempt following, and Link went after him as he forgot just why he had been angry.

"Marth, is everything okay?" he asked worriedly. He placed his hands on the small of Marth's back and travelled up it soothingly as he patiently waited for Marth to speak. The prince was tense, of that Link was sure of. He was quite tuned in to the subtle indications Marth's body gave to show what he was feeling.

"Link, Roy and Ike had a huge argument downstairs. I'm stepping in now and I want you to help me with this." Marth said quietly, his voice dangerously even toned. Link swallowed and continued his ministrations on Marth's back.

"What can I do?" he asked.

Marth turned suddenly, taking Link's hands in his and sighing. "I need you to convince Ike to admit his feelings to Roy once in for all. Take him to the entrance of the mansion where I dropped off Roy that night he was drunk. Tell him how upset Roy is. Tell him everything. Just make sure he knows what he will loose if he chooses to keep these secrets any longer." Marth said, his voice now much more sincere and strong. Link smiled and nodded before leaning up to capture his prince's lips. Marth reacted back automatically, his lips lingering on Link's before sighing in disappointment when Link pulled away. Link chuckled and leaned up a little more and placed a lighter kiss on Marth's temple.

"You're a good person. Never forget that Marth." he whispered. He touched Marth's cheek lovingly before turning to leave. Marth smiled to himself, but now it was time to make Roy do the same.

"Ike, we need to talk."

Ike turned, frowning upon seeing Link standing beside him. He shook his head. "No Link. I blew it, he hates me and I don't think I can forgive myself."

He jumped when he felt Link's hand on his shoulder, gripping it tightly. "It's not too late Ike. Roy loves you, but he's afraid that you don't feel the same. The only way to fix this is to be completely honest. The last thing Roy wants is for you to dance around the subject." he said.

When Ike didn't respond, Link averted his eyes and motioned for Ike to follow him. They made their way down the hall and to the mansion foyer, stepping out of them and into the yard. Link was eerily silent, his head down and his eyes trained on the ground. It made Ike uncomfortable.

Finally, Link stopped at the pathway to the forest. Ike raised and eyebrow and looked to Link, but didn't get a chance to question him when Link began talking.

"Two lonely souls can't roam lonely forever." he said softly. He turned to leave before stopping, his back to Ike. "They'll be together eventually, as long as there is another soul to roam to."

Ike watched as Link left the yard. He didn't look back, he didn't have to to know why he was there. He didn't have to look to know that Roy was standing right behind him.

"Did Marth bring you here?"

"Yes." The answer was cold and harsh. Ike hated it. He knew then that the idea of hearing Roy speak to him like that was enough to make him want to fix this.

"Roy please, I'm sorry." he said as he turned to face Roy. The general was silent, his body language was standoffish and his expression bled of uncertainty and fear. He obviously didn't know what they were doing there.

Ike slowly walked toward Roy, careful not to scare him off. Roy felt his breath catching in his throat, especially as he felt Ike's hands tighten around his. He was intimidated by Ike's gesture, but at the same time, he was intrigued. He unconsciously licked his lips, Ike's eyes watching hungrily.

"Roy..." he breathed.

Roy felt his cheeks growing hot again, and his hands began to shake. He was tired of acting tough and hard in front of Ike. Tired of pushing away and being selfish. It only took one last look into Ike's eyes for Roy to finally snap.

Ike's eyes widened in shock as he felt Roy's lips against his, the younger one pressing his hands firmly against the mercenary's chest as he kissed Ike furiously. Ike responded back, his arms wrapping against Roy's thin waist as he forced his tongue deep into the redhead's mouth. Roy sucked in air and groaned before reaching up to rake his hand through Ike's hair, simultaneously pulling off Ike's headband and sending shivers down Ike's spine.

Breathless, Roy pulled back and gripped Ike's hand as he led him back inside, Ike following after him eagerly. They raced to their room as fast as they could, feet flying ahead of them before they could even think. Their minds didn't even register the time it took to get there, and in what seemed like seconds Roy was slamming the door shut. Ike backed him up against the polished wood as he licked and nipped at Roy's neck. Roy shut his eyes tightly and he lifted his leg against Ike's hips.

"I think I'm in love with you." Ike breathed huskily into Roy's ear, his hands roaming down his redhead's torso before stopping at the end of his tunic to go back up it.

Roy let his head fall forward, landing against Ike's chest as he tried to steady his breathing. He wrapped his arms lazily around Ike's shoulders as Ike continued and suck softly on Roy's neck. He couldn't stop the smile that came to his lips.

'I think I love you too...we'll just have to see.'

Author's Note:

expect the next chapter soon. Don't forget to review!