*prolongued silence* Merry Christmas. My gift to you. After pretty much a half a year..., I give you chapter twelve. So, I suposed I should explain my long absence to anyone who still cares about this fic and remembers what it is... You see, there's this illness I was unaware I had for a while... It's called depression. No joke. Clinically depressed here. Now, for a comedy writer, it's just a little bit difficult to write, you know, comedy when you're *finger quotes* depressed. But, after all this time, I just had to get this chapter done. I sat down tonight and re-read everything. I am very very sorry to my readers who are still kind enough to read this, despite my long dely. Merry Christmas everyone. :D
Disclaimer: We already know. I don't own it.
Day Eight
Finally
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Seven days... it had been seven days now since Marth had arrived.
Thwack! Thwack!
Seven days of pure, outrageous fun...at the cost of having Marth despise him for the majority of them.
Thwack! Thwack!
Marth. It was strange, all of the feelings he was experiencing. He almost thought that if Marth hadn't have shown up, he would've never realised it for himself. Thinking about it now, Ike still wasn't surprised by his little self-discovery. It almost seemed natural... when he thought of Marth.
Thwack! Thwack! THWUNK!
"GAH!," Ike blinked and regarded Roy, who was holding his door wide open, rubbing the slowly reddening bridge of his nose. "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD IKE! WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT THAT PING PONG BALL!"
"Hey Roy?"
"DON'T YOU 'HEY ROY' ME YOU- Noticing the look on Ike's face the ranting teen ceased with a sigh and walked over to sit next to his friend, carrying the guilty ping pong ball with him. "What's up? You look down."
"Hmm? Me, no way," Ike attempted cheerily. He found it hard to keep his face in an upturned position however and let out a sigh. "Do you think Marth hates me?"
"...Why would he hate you? He saved you yesterday, didn't he?"
"Well... sorta..." Ike smiled a bit at the memory of Marth nearly drowning, yet still trying desperately to hold the larger boy up. "He certainly tried." Then Ike had ended up holding him in his arms. He'd seen something like curiosity in the other's eyes. The way their faces had slowly floated closer. The way Marth's eyelashes fluttered and his gaze began to sink...
"Yo!"
"Huh?"
"You're really out of it man. It couldn't be... that you like Marth?"
"..."
"Nah, never mind. That's a crazy thought, sorry." Ike had truthfully been about to confess, but he shook his head, deciding maybe it wasn't a good time. Roy chuckled at his "crazy" assumption and began to talk about the beach and all the pranks he and Pit had pulled on the girls and this and that, blah, blah, blah...
"Man, Ike! Are you even awake?"
"Huh?" Roy gave him a confused glance before punching his head playfully. "So you ready for Skills or what?"
"Ready...?"
"Uh, yeah. It's a versus Skills class today. I think there may be partners."
"Oh yeah? Who's up?"
"Not sure. It's a secret 'till later."
"Hrm." That being said, Ike forgot about it completely, his mind on more important things until fourth period swung around. He'd spent the entire day daydreaming. He'd noticed Marth try to make eye contact a couple of times, but thought it best to leave the blunette alone for a while after being so imposing the day before. He spent break and lunch in his room and dragged his feet down to the Skill's arena reluctantly afterwards.
The stands were packed as usual and the Vice Principal Crazy Hand floated through them, snapping at students every few seconds as the noise only seemed to escalate. Everyone was psyched. There were rarely ever versus battles, let alone two on two brawls. That stuff was saved for the big leagues.
"Hey, Ike!" Ike turned his head as Link and Zelda came towards him, the former waving his hand like an excited child. Was it just his imagination, or was Zelda's aura a little lighter than usual? Ike returned the wave and plopped down into a seat.
The entire arena was covered by a giant domed roof that stretched over the stands and the main field that looked like a tiny oval from the very top of the stands. In fact, the battlefield its self was as big as a football field, maybe bigger and the entire house sat a good ten thousand people. Yeah, there were a lot of students...
"I can't wait. I wonder if they'll have any of the Profs fight? They did that one time, you remember? Man, Snake was so freaky and I can't believe no one noticed that box he hid in!" Link was on a rant and his hands were flying everywhere as he spoke. Zelda and Ike shared a look and a little simultaneous sigh.
"Hello there!" Ike turned to see Peach waving at them from a good five rows up. She picked up her skirt and began to scurry down. As she neared them a flash of white swooped in from above and Pit landed in front of her, his white wings floating back into place. He held out a hand and escorted her to her seat.
"After you." Peach giggled and let herself be sat down beside Zelda.
"Show off," Roy muttered, coming down the stairs behind them.
"No way!," came a faraway voice. Waaay on the other side of the arena was a tiny yellow and blue speck. "You guys can't all get together without me!" The group watched as Crazy Hand flew to Samus' side, waggling his index finger in a reprimanding way. The speck ignored him and began to race around the stands.
"It should only take her... six minutes to get here," Ike said, looking at his watch. The rest nodded their heads before Link suddenly began to look around curiously.
"Anyone seen Marth?" The others followed his example, all shaking their heads and shrugging.
"Wait, isn't that...?" Pit pointed below them and to the right a bit, where they just made out the top of a blue head and...another blue head? The group leaned forward, trying to get a better look.
"Hey. That's Falco," Ike said, recognizing the birdman.
"Yeah. And Marth looks... upset," Link added. They all tilted their heads to the side, getting a better look at the way Marth's hand flew out to the right, the other clenched into a fist. Ike couldn't see his face, but the boy was shaking his head and it seemed like he was shouting.
"Can anyone... hear what he's saying," Roy asked, cupping his ear and squinting his eyes unnecessarily. The rest followed suite.
"Nope."
"Not me."
"I can't."
"No."
"I can't quite seem to."
"Hmmmm," they all hummed at once. With an angry shake of his head, Marth spun on his heal and stomped away from Falco and out of their sight.
"Oi Marth," Ike cried, standing up. Link looked up to his friend, and pulled on his sleeve.
"S'alright Ike. I'm sure he's just overreacting. It is Falco after all."
"I'm gonna go see what that birdbrain said to him. I'll be back." Link shook his head as Ike thumped down the several flights of stairs to where Falco was walking over to meet his friend Fox.
"Hey Falco!" The birdman and his friend, (who like the blue feathered boy, matched his name quite nicely, that being he was actually a humanoid fox) both looked up and watched Ike skid to a stop in front of them. Falco immediately started to snicker at the sight of the blunette.
"Oh. What did I tell ya Fox? Here's lover boy number two." Fox rolled his eyes, but it was apparent he was holding back a grin. Ike eyed the pair with a raised eyebrow, the puzzle pieces starting to fit together.
"You weren't just... teasing Marth were you?"
"If I was... are you going to hit me with your man purse!" The pair burst out laughing, Falco slapping his knee, his eyes tearing up. "Or-Wait, wait! You're the one who wears the pants, right! So it's Marth who'd be coming after me with his handbag! Bwahaha!"
Ike felt himself become annoyed and then angry at Falco's words. "Hey," he said in a rough voice. "You can make fun of me as much as you want, but leave Marth alone." His eyes were hard as stone. He couldn't believe that someone could act so cruel, even if it was Falco. Ike knew how Marth felt about the rumour that Zelda had tried to start and he had no clue where Falco had heard it, but as far as he was concerned, whether Marth was like that or not was none of Falco's concern.
The birdman stopped laughing and gave him a smug expression. "What's wrong? Don't like me picking on your boyfriend?" Ike stepped forward, his hands raising instinctively, but suddenly he was yanked back. His arms went cartwheeling through the air and one leg flailed around helplessly before him as he tried to keep his balance.
"Whoa!" He stumbled back and both feet hit the ground. He took a few more steps to make sure he wasn't going to end up tripping backwards before he swung around, a protest on his lips. "What's the big id- Marth?"
The other blue haired boy stood with a frown on his face, his hand clasped around Ike's shoulder and his glare focused on the two humanoids before them. "Forget it," he said in a monotone. "Let's go."
"Hold on. Wait!" Marth ignored his friend and started dragging him away, down a hallway that disappeared into the stands and out into the solarium styled hallway. The sun was streaming in through the glass walls and ceiling, nearly blinding Ike when they stepped out of the enclosed stadium. Marth let go of Ike's captive arm and stomped forward, right up towards the glass before he slammed his fist against it. Ike watched him quietly for a moment before going to stand beside him.
"Hey Marth, Falco's just a jerk. Whatever he said to you; don't listen to a word of it." Marth said nothing and Ike couldn't see the boy's face from where he stood. He reached out his hand to give him an encouraging clap to the shoulder, but unexpectedly Marth spun around, his eyes fierce.
"Do you like me," he asked seriously.
"Wh-Wha...What do you..?"
"Never mind." Marth stalked past him, heading around the bend to find another entrance and just as Ike was about to chase after him the loudspeaker crackled to life and Master Hand's voice began to ring out through the stadium.
"Attention all students. I would ask you now to proceed to your seats to await the first match of the day. Would the following people please come to the underground training room immediately. Marth Lowell. Peach Toadstool. Meta Knight and Ike Greil. I repeat, Marth Lowell, Peach Toadstool, Meta Knight and Ike Greil please come to the underground training room."
"I wonder what this is about," Ike pondered out loud. He followed the path Marth took and spun to the right, heading down a staircase and then towards a door at the end of the hall. He burst through the door, startling Marth, who jumped and clutched at his heart before glaring daggers at him.
"AH. Good. We have two of our contestants here," Master Hand said, his fingers twitching excitedly.
Marth continued to give Ike that narrow eyed look before he turned slowly back to Master Hand and took in a breath. "So by that you mean, we are both to participate in the versus match today?" If Master Hand could bob his imaginary head up and down vigorously right then, Ike was sure he would have. At that moment, Peach came scurrying in, followed by the silent, round, armoured Meta Knight.
"Wow, you got here quick," Ike commented with a smile to Peach. She grinned back to him, seeming a bit out of breath.
"Well, I was running all about, looking for you silly," she said, fanning herself with her hand. Meta Knight said nothing, just waiting to know what was happening.
"Alright, so then first off, I will divide you into teams!," Master Hand called, still enthusiastic. As he started rambling about the thrill of the brawl, Ike found himself staring at Marth's tense form in extreme confusion. It seemed apparent to him in that moment that his friend was... upset with him.
"GAH! What did I do THIS time!," he cried to Marth, diverting the attention of the others in the room. Peach looked back and forth from the two of them and huffed a bit to herself as if to say 'what a shame. Again?' Master Hand on the other (excuse the pun) hand, was staring, or whatever the equivalent is to a hand, intently at Ike. Ike waved sheepishly. "Sorry. My bad. Carry on Sir..."
"Righto! So like I was saying; I'm going to divide you into two teams. Marth and Meta Knight on one team and Ike and Peach on the other. Sounds good? GOOD! Alright, get to the stations children! It's about to begin!"
After this, Ike and Peach were hurried to one entrance while Meta Knight and Marth were herded to the other. Ike had a hard time shaking the image of the glaring blunette from his mind. Seriously. What the hell had he done? He looked to Peach with this question in his eyes as they were waiting for the match to begin.
"Oh Ike honey," she sighed as she caught his glance.
"I don't get it Peach. Is it because of yesterday? I really never meant to... Well you see I kind of..., but I thought he said something like he didn't mind it..."
"Shh. It's okay dear. Just talk to him after the match and I'm sure it will all be fine."
"But he's just so damn moody!," Ike whined in a drawn out moan.
"He's not that moody..." There was a moment of silence before they both burst into quiet snickers. "Oh fine. He's terribly moody, but I still think you should talk to him."
"Yeah.. After the match I will," he said, still sounding unsure. Suddenly the loudspeakers crackled back to life, announcing the match of Ike and Peach versus Marth and Meta. From behind the big doors, the pair could hear the roar of the crowd and Ike loosened himself up a bit, feeling the excitement settling in.
"Oh dear, I do hope this doesn't interfere with tea time," Peach hummed, but Ike didn't mind. All he was thinking about was the combat to come. He was grinning from ear to ear.
The doors slowly swung open as the loudspeaker announced the countdown. "Ten! Nine! Eight!..." Ike strode forward; waving at the crowd and Peach came out curtsying politely and giving innocent little waves of her own. He didn't even bother to worry about her, knowing that she was here, at this school for a reason, even if she had yet to display it to him. He glanced across to the opposite side of the arena where Meta Knight came out, brandishing a blade before simply flapping his wings and soaring out into the middle of the arena. Someone was just as pumped as Ike was... And Marth...
...was marching haughtily towards the middle as well, his sword gleaming in the arena lights as he held it already posed for attack. Wow... Marth was... excited too...? Somehow Ike was led to disbelieve this fact. Something about the subtle death threat in the other man's eyes...
"...Two! ONE! GO!," the speaker blared and the crowd went insane. Peach took out her umbrella and twirled it around with a giggle as Ike took out his own sword. He felt a smirk pulling at his face, until he noted the other swordsman charging at him at full speed. A speed that far surpassed his own... in a big, open place... with lots of room to run around...
Before he was able to finish processing his thoughts, Marth was before him, swinging his sword up as if to slice Ike in half. The latter yelped and blocked the oncoming blade, producing a short struggle before Marth jumped back with a "HAH!" and twisted the blade so that it was aimed horizontally at Ike now.
"Whoa! Marth, calm down would ya!" You know it's not a death match right!"
The other determinedly ignored him, jabbing the sword forward with incredible speed. Ike clumsily hopped out of the way, landing on Meta Knight's armoured foot. The shorter contestant shot him a glare before zooming past him with his sword flashing out for only a second. Ike stared and then gasped as he felt the pain of the wound that had so stealthily been inflicted.
"OW!," he cried angrily. Why were they teaming up on him? There was a thin gash on his side. Nothing to worry about, but he allowed himself another disgruntled mutter before Marth was back with a series of quick jabs and thrusts. He managed to block the majority of them, still getting a bit cut up. Finally, fed up with the other's constant assault, he raised Ragnell up before Marth and slammed it down into the ground, crying "AETHER!"
Marth flew back with a yelp and landed on his butt in the dirt that covered the arena floor. Ike stared down, panting from exertion when he noticed a dampness around Marth's eyes as he glared up. Ike's expression turned blank. He stared down as if frozen before he tossed his sword aside and flew down to Marth.
"HOLYCRAPAREYOUOKAY! I never meant to hurt you like that! Holy hell, I made you cry! I'm SO SORRY MARTH! I swear I-"
He was cut off when Marth nailed him in the face with his fist and then stood, flipping his hair unconsciously and picking up his fallen sword. "You are the biggest idiot I've ever known," he said in a cold tone. Ike blinked, looking up, one hand over his bruised eye. Marth let out a great sigh and raised his sword again, but Ike acted once more, swinging his leg around to knock the smaller boy over. Marth was back on the ground with an "oof" and Ike was over top of him, holding him up slightly by the collar.
"The hell was that for!"
"What do you mean you moron! It's a BRAWL!"
"You PUNCHED ME!"
"I repeat, A. BRAWL!"
They stayed there just screaming at each other for a while as Peach and Meta Knight watched silently, slightly stunned. In the end, they made a truce and beat up the two blunettes together, Peach surprising everyone but her good buddy Zelda and then they settled on Peach flopping onto her back and playing dead. After a long, shocked silence the speaker announced Marth and Meta Knight the victors and the crowd let out an enthusiastic spattering of half hearted applause...
It was an hour and a half later that Ike awoke, laying in a cot in Dr. Mario's office. He looked over to see Marth in the cot next to him, avoiding eye contact. He blinked to himself, recalling how Peach had viciously attempted to suffocate him with her umbrella and shuddered. Devil in disguise that girl...
"Ike..." Marth's voice was quiet and hesitant.
"Yeah," he asked, sounding little more than curious himself.
"Are you angry?"
"Huh?"
"For God's sake," Marth growled at the intelligent response, half turning his head. "Are you angry? With me...?"
"No... Why would I be?"
"...I thought you were... You seemed it."
"Well," he sighed himself now, trying to figure out a way to get his point across without inflicting another war.
"You seemed rather pissed yourself," he stated bluntly.
"I was," Marth admitted. ", but not at you."
"Coulda fooled me..."
"Look, I'm sorry, okay," Marth huffed, seeming more annoyed now than anything. Ike shifted onto his uninjured side and watched the boy ignore him for a moment.
"What's wrong Marth?," he finally asked.
"..."
"Hello? Earth to Mar-"
"I can hear you!," he snapped.
"Then answer."
"Augh! Just shut up for one minute, okay! Just one!" Ike closed his mouth, his teeth making a click sound and started to count the seconds. He didn't make it past twenty eight. Marth took a deep breath and eyed him as if daring him to interrupt. "You didn't answer my question. I asked if you like me, because..." He huffed and folded his arms and grumbled as if Ike were forcing him to do this. ", because I think I like you, alright? But I'm not gay!," he added with a snarl.
"...Um... If you like me... than you're gay Marth. Unless you're bisexual-
"NO! You're just an exception."
"But you can't just say-"
"Shut up and kiss me!"
"..."
"..."
Wow. Did he actually just say that? Ike didn't know whether to laugh hysterically, clasp his hands together, bat his eyelashes and coo, or maybe just oblige. Marth was a bright crimson as if he realised just how lame that had sounded as well. Finally Ike just decided to carry on as if Marth had said something super cool instead, so leaning across the small space in between the cots he took Marth's cheek in his hand and...
"Well, how are you'a both doin' in he-"
Ike slammed his foot into the medical tray that was on wheels at the end of the bed and it, in turn, slammed into the door, knocking the door closed and consequently, the doctor onto his back, outside the room. He moved forward again and let his lips brush Marth's before he became a little more courageous and full out kissed him.
Marth made a little whine as if he didn't know whether to like it or not. Ike didn't give him time to make up his mind as he let his tongue slip past Marth's ill guarded teeth, but the latter didn't seem to want to protest. Soon they were both into it, Marth returning the kiss with just as much vigour and then all too soon, it was over...
Well, if it had of been up to Ike and Marth, it would have gone on for much longer, but unfortunately fate always had a way of screwing them over, for standing in the doorway, his elbow a bit bruised, his feet carefully avoiding the lump of a physician on the ground and his blue eyes boggling out of his head... was Link.
"Oh," he said in a faint voice. "Now life makes sense."
And he closed the door, his scarred eyes burnt into the blunettes' heads.
And so there you have it. Nothing was going to interupt the boys this time. From here on out, if I can actually get into writing again, there will be a couple interesting twists. I do have them planned, I just need to work up the inspiration. Comments, faves, yadda, yadda, all appriciated. Thank you, and Merry Christmas you guys!
