Disclaimer: Not mine, story is.
A/N: Hey, this came out rather quick, huh? Compared to the previous ones, that is. Well, that's because I've been inspirationally stuck on how and what to write because I DO have an idea although it's not 100% formed in my head. But it's getting there. I think I'm half-way through with Part Two, more or less. I'm already itching to write something else (not fanfiction. Original fiction that is) but I probably won't be posting that. If I post anything else it will be fanfiction, definitely. Hmmm, I'll try to get the next chapter out quickly…but I AM really short on time. Time time time. It's too fast and it's slipping away, away, away…
*important(?)*Um, this chapter rated mild R probably because of very, very, very, extremely mild yaoi. Which is probably too mild to even be yaoi. But you know, there are immature and sensitive people out there, unfortunately… Anyway the ridiculously mild "yaoi" (if you're exaggeratingly queasy or something) will be between "***" 's, so if you're looking out for that… (Come ON, that's not yaoi! Sheesh, it's just a bit more descriptive than normal. You'll see.) I'M exaggerating with rating it R, but…well.
Thank yous: Reviewers take the time to review; I take the time to reply. Thank you.
(*)Li Kayun: Yes, I'm cruel, I know, heh heh. It'll get even crueller, trust me. I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for seeing the madly-infuriatingly complexity that is Marth's character. He even frustrates me! And I'm so glad you think the Link/Sheik/Zelda relationship is developed. It's really hard to develop so many characters. But I struggle and try. And yes, Link is kind of wallowing in his own misery…which he shouldn't do. And actually, you were saying about not getting much insight into the other characters (apart from Link and Marth) that much? Well, this chapter is a bit dedicated to spend some time into seeing what Roy and Sheik/Zelda really feel at the moment. I feel I've been leaving a lot of characters neglected… (Oh, and one of my mates also adores playing Jigglypuff with her green bandana all the time, so that's where that idea came from, heh heh) *sniggers* (*)rex16: Thank you for your review, and I'll try to check out your fic, but I hardly have enough time to write my own, ha ha! (*)luna: Wheee, thanks for the hug! Thank you SO much, your reviews are always so spunky and full of energy and happy! Heh…I'm so exuberant for your like of my fic…I hope it can live up to your expectations. There are going to be some sharp twists in this story so I hope you don't hate me! Hee hee…Thank you! (*) Gyrfalcon and Kyoko (shadey): You never imagined it'd get this twisted? Oh, well hold on because it's going to get even MORE twisted…Trust me on this. *falls over laughing* I LOVED your "It's a giant love...square thingy! With a slashy line in the middle." That's priceless! It's probably the best description of my fic I've ever read! Oh, and about the indentation near the end of the last chapter: well in truth, all my paragraphs are indented but ff.net decided to screw up the format so I have no control over how it turns out to look like before I update. And…my leg cannot be comfortable if you cling to it all the time *grins* but thanks nonetheless. Thank you for the nice review. (*) VanillaFire: I think you understand Marth fairly well, eh. Hardly anything on Marth/Roy here but will be definitely implemented into the next chapter. You care about the characters? I fell SO honoured, you have no idea. I aim to make the readers feel so I deeply thank you. I feel so accomplished, heh… Your review was very flattering, heh heh…thank youuu! (*) L-Gurl (LilFilipinoGurl): From now on, I'm going to call you L-Gurl, short for your name, if you don't mind? Heh heh… Roy innocent? Not for long…I know, I'm eeeevil. I'll try to get the next chapter out soon…but be patient with me, heh… Thank you for the review, kay? (*) PrincessSwifty: O.O Whoa, we have violent readers, ha ha. Here's more angst… Ha ha, oh yeah! I had forgotten about Jigglypuff's black pen! Heh… thanks for the review!! (*) Danielle: Oh thank you! Here's more… The first time you ever wrote a review? Wow, I'm flattered! Thank you, really! Thank you, I hope you keep reading…(*) Super Sonic: Actually, of all the characters, Fire Emblem is the game(s) I least know about…What I write is my own fictional story based around the characters in Super Smash Bros: Melee for Gamecube. I've played most of the games that the characters are from so the story is my own invention but (usually) the character's pasts are real, as in that's what happened to them in their respective games. Some things I mould and other things I invent completely. My writing style? Well, you don't need my permission to 'study' it…although I'm very flattered you wish to do so. I think everyone has their own style of writing…Two things have really helped me in writing by the way, if you really want to know: Practising writing (anything- actually I keep a diary and that also helps to keep my practising) and (probably the MOST important of the two) reading. I happen to read a LOT (anything and everything) so that helps vocabulary, grammar and subconsciously you 'study' other people's writing as you read. It's better to read a LARGE variation of authors so you can get ideas from many people and stories and then create the style that suits you. By the way, THANK you for your review! (*) Link the Hero of Time: Thank you, I try at least. Heh, I try to give the team essence and all the characters personality…it's hard sometimes 'cause they're so many! But I'm glad you appreciate it…Thank you loads for your review! I will, thanks! (*) Burra: Yes, suspense kills! Heh, thank you for reviewing and for reading all my fic up to the last chapter so far. (*) Kadevi: "Smile moronically"? Hahaha! That's true…Nice tension-breaker. Thank you! Wonderful review, thanks, I'll try to keep up…*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Shackled like an animal
Chained to my desires
Just another sacrifice
To love's eternal fires
Tame me with your tenderness
And break my brittle heart
Easily and elegantly
Tear my world apart"
~Depeche Mode, Surrender
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
SSBM Tournament
Round 1
Match 4
…
Young Link vs.…
Pichu
Location…
Eagle land
Onett
A terrified squeak emitted from Young Link's mouth and he whirled around wildly.
"You'll be fine!" Zelda laughed. She bent down a little and ruffled Young Link's golden hair, smiling benevolently. The little elf gulped and flushed.
"But…I'm going to SO fail!" He whispered loudly under his breath to Zelda. The princess giggled, "No, you won't!" And in a softer tone, "It's only Pichu…" Young Link grinned lopsidedly and fixed his hat on straight. Young Link glanced up at Link, who seemed more pensive than ever, and coughed. The older elf looked down at his smaller copy and smiled a little.
"You'll do fine…" Link smiled wider, "you are me after all." Young Link tilted his head at his older clone's unusual conceit, slight as it was. But the little elf bared white teeth and stuck his thumb up.
"Thanks, yeah! Wish me luck!" With that, the young Hylian hurried into the Melee Building, shortly followed by a small Pichu with blue goggles on his forehead. In a few seconds, they materialised onto the hanging screen. Young Link rocked on the heels of his feet, looking prepared and excited. Pichu slapped the goggles on his forehead onto his eyes and the match began.
Young Link, over-confident and underestimating the little pokémon, was the first to lose a life but returned and, with a vengeance, knocked the yellow rat off the stage. Young Link uncorked his bottle of milk and began gulping it down in satisfaction but failed to see the blazing Pichu behind him who had reappeared. Pichu screeched, his ears flat against his skull, and thunder rained down. Young Link collapsed to the ground, twitching. But before Pichu could strike, the young elf sprang up and swung his Kokiri sword causing the pokémon to get disorientated and took this opportunity to deal out vicious combos. This time when Pichu returned, Link wasn't as healthy as last time and with ease was thrown off because of some stupid car that had smashed into him as he was trying to flee from the pokémon's annoying electric volts.
Link felt a gaze on his back and quickly turned his head to see Marth look away immediately and stare fixedly at the screen. As if his body remembered, Link's shoulder began to throb slightly. He hadn't done anything to help heal it. He'd just soaked his bare shoulder in water and used an old cloth to wind it up tightly. The pain had abated slightly, but not completely. Link suddenly felt loathe towards a certain prince with royal-blue eyes and swallowed thickly to help calm the fierce feeling. Why? What had Link ever done except offer his heart so freely? What had he done except care? Sheik had been right. Link's destiny was only turmoil.
Screaming and cheering jolted Link back and he blinked up to see the screen fade into darkness.
"Link, Link! Did you see?!" Zelda clapped enthusiastically and shouted at the elf. When Link shook his head the princess frowned momentarily before screaming again, "Young Link won!"
When the young elf and the young pokémon emerged from within the building, Link could see his smaller replica glowing with pride. Link smiled when the little elf rushed forward and sprang into Zelda's open arms.
"Did you see?? I won, I did it!"
It was the first time Link had heard Zelda laugh so heartily and full of joy; and then something happened that the Hylian couldn't quite comprehend.
He felt jealous.
He felt… guilty. Zelda never laughed around him, and when she did, it was a sad little chuckle full of hidden despair and grief. And Link knew it was because of him and that made him feel terrible. How could he have been so blind? But he suppressed it now as Young Link wriggled from his princess's arms and clung to Link's waist with a face that demanded compliments.
"You were excellent," Link said, small envy towards the happiness the little elf emanated. His childhood had never been so carefree. The little elf beamed and turned back, to be happily consumed within the assailing crowd, with bright features. Zelda turned to smile at Link briefly before hurrying into the crowd. Link, not knowing why he felt so sullen, trudged back into the SSBM House. He was going to storm through the living room when he halted suddenly as soon as he heard voices. With learned stealth, Link peered around the corner to see a prince and a general conversing loudly in the middle of the hall.
"If you don't love him, why are you so afflicted?" The red-haired one crossed his arms with an unreadable expression. The teal-haired one paced back and forth, a flustered look on his face. He'd wring his hands, look up at Roy, and then shake his head and keep on pacing.
"Because, because…"
"So you're still-"
"No!"
Roy sighed, exasperated. "Your doubtfulness can hurt not only yourself, you know…"
"What?" Marth stopped, looking confused at what Roy had said.
"Link used to be my friend too, you know…And…I miss him." Roy's face was obscured by his messy, auburn hair.
Marth's face contorted, "It's not my fault."
"Oh, isn't it?"
Marth scowled, looking hostile.
Roy continued, "Why exactly did you run away from Link?"
"I didn't-"
"You didn't just leave because of your whim, right? At least, that's what you like to think.
"There must have been a reason, not matter how small and insignificant at the moment. Was that reason temporary because now, it seems, your feelings for Link are the same as before. Or maybe you're just…"
"Just what?" Marth barked, not liking where this conversation was going. The prince's dark mood fired up Roy even more into what he was going to say.
"Selfish. If the reason's still there, then you feel jealous someone else is taking Link's heart again because you're selfish. Only you can break hearts, right? Only, the person eyeing Link's heart will not break it."
Marth gawked with quiet fury and shame at Roy's words. They couldn't be true; the little brat was just…just…
"Jealous!" Marth yelled in panic, "you're just jealous, Roy! That-That I still- still…"
Roy made a disgusted face. "So, it's true then?"
"No! I mean- What do you want from me?!"
"To know the reason why you left your precious elf."
Marth's head bowed in defeat.
Link's heart pounded in his chest…a question he himself had wondered for a long time. His long elven ears pricked with eagerness and fear. He wanted to know and yet…his heart wasn't fully repaired yet.
A long pause, a loud sigh and deep sorrowful eyes, "I couldn't…stay with Link…knowing…knowing I'd only hurt both of us…I would hurt him deeper by lying…and hurt myself by pining after another. I…couldn't love two people…and…I was so confused, I didn't know what I felt…so I shattered my bond with Link foolishly…but I couldn't do that with you…"
"Yet you still care for him…"
"I…do. I deeply do…I was just afraid and confused…and I never wanted to hurt him in any way…" And in that moment, while Roy stared at the floor in thought, Marth glanced Link's way and their eyes met with such force that the elf was forced to stumble backwards with the inertia of the pain and regret the prince's eyes reflected.
Why then? Link thought frantically, feelings resurging with alarming speed, why did you reject me? Why did you leave? Why did your blade pierce, not just my shoulder, but my heart as well???
In a flash, the moment passed and Marth was looking back at Roy's bent head, as if nothing had happened. Roy, in the meantime, had noticed nothing and was deep in thought.
So the prince had ambivalent feelings…and yet Marth had decided to stay with him after all the tumult. But now…the monarch's feelings seemed to have been salvaged in a recent act of shame and regret. Maybe Marth's loss of the elf was finally hitting him after having seen the Hylian with someone else and the prince realised his true feelings: that he really did love Link. Maybe Marth had been afraid of those feelings and replaced the fear with the excuse that he felt something for someone else. But, was the truth out now? Had Marth really mistaken his love for someone else to be nothing more but an excuse to run away from such a strong and tenacious emotion? Roy gulped, trying not to feel something he had repressed for a long time. He had vowed he wouldn't be hurt that way again. So, having been taught like a general, Roy decided he would take action.
Link was back in his room as per usual. Link snorted at this, somewhat amused. After having overheard the Fire Emblem warriors, the Hylian had slipped away another way as soon as he had heard the rumble of the approaching Melee fighters. Marth and Roy had also departed with unusual coldness, uncomfortable silence and an absence of shared looks between them.
In the middle of quiet and darkness, the elf had thought and thought about what he had heard and of Marth's look. The prince had noticed Link's presence…and what had he implied? What if the monarch was finally feeling regret? What if Marth wanted him back? No; how absurd. Link shook his head vehemently. The prince couldn't, not after all he had brought upon the brave elf. And even so, Link – how could he take the blue-haired warrior back? Not after having been pushed away blindly. The problem wasn't so much Marth's betrayal (although that had wounded the elf profoundly)…it was that now Link could no longer ever trust in the prince again. Link would never believe in Marth's word ever again. And in possibly no-one's either.
Link shut his eyes and was about to give up his pondering when he heard someone step cautiously into his room. The sound, to the elf's senses, had been somewhat sinister…and it definitely wasn't Zelda or Sheik's soft footfalls. Link tensed, senses going immediately into alert, hand slithering beneath his blankets towards his sword that now lay by his bed, ever since the incident with Marth. Link hoped the darkness would veil his hand that was reaching out and grasping firmly around the hilt of his sword. Within the pulse of a heartbeat, Link held his breath. The hissing sound of a blade being pulled out of a sheath was unmistakable. Link gasped and leapt out of bed. Quickly he noted the black shadow by the door and bent to prepare an attack. The Hylian jumped and two swords clanged in the darkness. Link stopped. Heaving and staring dumbstruck, the elf met narrowed royal-blue eyes lighted by the meagre moonlight in the room.
A dark crimson attire, a short scarlet cape and wild auburn hair. It was not Marth.
"You!" Link breathed, not daring to say it louder than that, lest he wake from the twisted dream.
Roy nodded grimly and sheathed his Sword of Seals. Link was too dumbfounded to react, sword still poised in hand. "You?" was all he could utter.
"Yes," Roy mumbled, his face (Link just now noticed- his eyes growing accustomed to the little light) aflame and cheeks almost glowing with the colour of his hair.
There was a silence between them that none knew quite how to break. A lot of thoughts were racing through Link's mind right now but they were so fast that the elf couldn't catch a hold of even one. Roy, on the other hand, had come for a reason.
"Link…" the general was the first to speak, "it's…good to see you." Link blinked back shock and quashed down a rising grudge. It wasn't Roy's fault that Marth had become a traitor. So the elf smiled weakly and quizzically.
"Link…the reason I came…" If possible, Roy's cheeks burned even more with a glowing florescent blush. "Look, I know a lot of things have happened…but I never wished to lose your friendship and…I'm…sorry."
"What?"
"I'm sorry…about everything. And…about Marth…and for what has happened…
"And…you and I were also best friends, right? If anything meant something to you…I was wondering…I was thinking…hoping…er…"
Link shook his head and lowered his sword, "I'm sorry, Roy…it's just…this is all so sudden…and I don't understand. Why are you here?"
"Well…er…first…do you hate me?" The boy fidgeted and quickly ducked his head, eyes squeezed tightly together. Link couldn't stop blinking and feeling surprised.
"Uh, well…no, I don't hate you…" I might hate Marth though.
"And, er…" Roy mentally sighed, relieved, "what do you feel for Marth?"
Roy's bullet-quick questions kept penetrating Link's defences and he felt more vulnerable and strange by the second. "I…I used to care about him…but now…I don't think I could again…" Link had a million questions swimming through his head. The elf also didn't miss the slightly relieved smile that graced the boy's features.
"A-And, I thought…" Roy hid his face behind a crimson mop, "I…we could…if you'd let me…com-comfort…er…er…um…"
"What? Comfort me how…and why?"
"In a manner…like…um…
Can I kiss you?" Roy blundered; quick like a plaster being removed with velcro-speed to allow the pain to flare only briefly.
Link's eyebrows shot upwards and his eyes widened like never before. Now he was confused. Utterly.
"E-Excuse me?!" Link hacked. The boy averted his blue eyes in shame.
"It doesn't have to mean anything…I…I just want to…experiment…and…you don't have to and…please don't get offended!"
Link held his head as if it were so heavy it would fall off at any time.
"First you burst in here, Roy, after I haven't spoken with you for ages…and then you request a kiss with no other reason except for experimentation! What the hell is going on?!?" Link moaned. His head ached. The general looked hurt but he wasn't overly surprised. He would have been if Link had accepted right away.
"I'm sorry, it's just…" Roy looked crestfallen and…love struck. The elf blinked wide in sudden epiphany. How had he not seen it? Marth's charm had finally broken the headstrong young boy's wall. Link thought that maybe Marth hadn't even noticed yet. The prince had done it…once again. He'd conquered Roy's flaming heart. Finally. Since how long ago? The general sure didn't show it publicly. But, now that the elf thought about it, of course! Roy's devotion to Marth. Roy's complete and utter trust in the prince. Their reconciliation some time ago…Roy didn't want to part with the monarch. But the boy was inexperienced…and Marth wouldn't pull the first move. And the general was desperate, now more than ever, because… Link remembered the conversation between those two some hours ago.
"You're afraid of losing him," Link stated quietly. Roy was afraid that Marth had tired of waiting – had given up – and that his heart was returning, with regret, towards the direction of Link, thinking the prince had never stopped caring for the elf. Roy needed to make sure…to be able to make the first move since Marth would not. And Link was the only one Roy could think of to 'help' him.
The boy silently nodded, head bowed so low. Link smiled wryly. He couldn't blame Roy. The elf himself had fallen for the prince once, hadn't he? He could understand the boy. Yet it angered the elf to think Marth could so easily break hearts. Look how he had the boy begging, terrified of losing his prince's interests. And, well, Roy had once been his best friend, right? Not only could Link give the boy this favour but…at the same time…avenge. Link had never liked revenge but…but a part of his heart had been soiled by a prince. And now, he had the chance to soil the one treasure Marth had waited so patiently for. It was bittersweet.
"All right."
"Huh?!" Roy snapped his head up, eyes failing to hide the surprise and hope in them. In that moment he looked so much like the boy he was.
"I agree to your proposal. But…only if you're sure."
Roy felt light headed and he could hear the blood in his ears and feel the red-heat in his face. "I-I'm," a little hesitation, "I'm…sure."
Roy took a hesitant step forward. Link was standing stock-still, watching him with something like uncertainty in his azure, elven eyes. Link was definitely putting up a front. Roy briefly wondered why Link had agreed before diving into his first kiss: With a quick gulp of air, Roy leaned in quickly, mouth crashing into Link's. The elf grimaced.
Roy broke away hastily, fumbling around, "Sorry! Sorry, I just-"
"Don't…worry." Link sighed, an amused smile trying to tug at the ends of his lips. Roy's flush glowed. Link, although still trying to get used to the whole situation, decided to take things into his own hands. After all, Roy had already given away his first kiss and Link couldn't say he stole that away. Now he was free to continue freely.
~~~
Link took Roy's face in his hands, palms splayed on either warm cheek, and bent forward. Their lips met in a soft mesh of heat; more action on the elf's part. The Hylian brushed and pressed and massaged the boy's lips with his own in a slow, pulsating rhythm. The general's eyes fluttered close, mouth still tightly shut due to the fact he had no idea what to do, and let himself be carried away with the breathtaking kiss. Link crushed his lips with Roy's one last time before leaning back to look at a dazed-looking general. Roy let his mouth fall open, lips still harshly tingling from the passionate kiss. The elf allowed himself a smirk before taking advantage and quickly covered the boy's mouth with his own again. Roy gasped when he felt something hot dip into his mouth before quickly retreating again and the kiss being broken.
"That's the next step in a kiss…" Link informed, letting go of Roy's face and this time having a blush fan across his cheeks. Roy coughed nervously into his fist. Link raised an eyebrow.
"Um…could I…maybe…try what you did?" Roy asked, mortified with himself.
"I won't stop you."
Roy nodded weakly before capturing the elf's lips; this time with much more grace than last time. Link didn't move and allowed the boy to do the exploration. Roy felt the elven lips against his own, like mint leaves drenched moonlight. He stayed lip-locked like that, with no movement, for a minute before pushing forward tentatively. Link was slightly pushed back before he resisted and leaned into Roy's kiss even more. Both felt the crushing pressure on their lips, the blood starting to tingle and tickle in them. Roy pressed forward once more before letting his lips brush Link's one last time and pulled back. Roy felt as if his face were on fire and he could swear his vision was more hazy than before. Link took Roy in his arms and pulled him into another kiss. Link nuzzled and fussed over the boy's lips before catching the lower lip gently with his teeth and wetting it with his tongue. He proceeded with the same ministration on Roy's upper lip. He then slowly and carefully drew in the general's lower lip again and squeezed it with his mouth using his tongue one last time before letting go. Roy shuddered, having never felt anything like that before. He felt so hot now that he was sure he would spontaneously combust in any second. He had never imagined…
***
Link let go, uncertainty seeping back in again. Maybe he shouldn't… But seeing Roy's eyes, heavy-lidded with lust, was all the elf needed to come undone. He led Roy to the bed… and the general, in his lecherous stupor, allowed himself.
They fell unceremoniously onto the bed, tangled up in each other, and continued kissing- their breaths erratic and ragged. The air around them shimmered with hazy heat; so thick, they felt they were drowning in flames. Roy, now more confident, pushed the elf back onto the bed and, without breaking the fiery kiss, clambered on top of him, relishing the feel of an aching body beneath him. Link moaned. He had to stop…
"Roy…" Link grunted, pushing the boy off him, none too gently. Both warriors, panting heavily, couldn't look at each other in the eyes, their faces red with shame and embarrassment.
***
"I-I'm…sorry…" the general croaked, staring dazedly at a spot on a wall. Link shrugged, trying to look, and feel, indifferent but couldn't keep a feeling of guilt from gnawing at him. Roy coughed.
"I, er, should get…going…" the boy looked up, cheeks still glowing but a strange light in his bright eyes, "Link…" Roy embraced the elf tightly, eliciting a small noise of surprise from the Hylian.
"I'm so sorry…" the boy whispered against Link's shoulder, "I'm so sorry for everything…I…I'm sorry…I'm sorry…" Link, after his initial shock, relaxed and looked down at Roy's messy, auburn hair. He understood what the boy was trying to say. It wasn't his fault that Marth had taken Link's heart and replaced it for Roy's. Link still felt bitter but…he was used to shouldering a lot of burden on his shoulders and coping with a lot all at once…and Sheik had said that was his destiny…Link closed his eyes briefly, trying to reign control of his feelings, and sighed deeply.
"Roy…it's…fine…Just…just be careful. Just…don't get hurt."
The general let go of Link and, much to the elf's bemusement, kissed him tenderly. "I'm sorry Link and…thank you. I hope…I-" Roy cut himself off, not knowing what else to say and rose from the bed, gathered up his sword and, with one last soft glance at Link, left the room.
When Link's eyes burned with the light filtering into his small room, the elf groaned and rolled over. His now rising consciousness detected the sounds of far away cheering and shouts before he registered that a match had begun and he had woken up late, having been undisturbed for the first time in days. Link rubbed at his eyes and stretched before padding over to his window and blearily peering out. From what he could discern…Link's eyes widened in realisation. The battle was almost over, it was Roy against Sheik – and he was not there. Link stumbled from his room and broke into a run to be present at his best friend's, and her alter-ego's, match.
When Link arrived, out of breath and bent over trying to catch it, both combatants had one life remaining and Zelda's health was looking really bad. The princess' face was contorted with pain but she held her form with determination. Roy, looking like a Greek angel of war with his golden armour on, tilted his sword back into an odd position and Zelda, too tired to notice in time, took the boy's stillness as bait and lunged forward. This proved to be a fatal mistake as the Hylian's attack was viciously countered. Everyone watching winced as Roy counter-attacked with an arc of fire, flinging the princess to her doom.
The general and the elven princess made their way outside the Melee building with varying expressions on their pale faces. Roy was not ashamed to hide his pride and his fiery hair and glinting golden armour gave him a look of proud triumph. Zelda, on the other hand, was serene and demure, a tiny smile on her lips.
"Wonderful fight!" Mario clapped and Roy was patted on the back. Young Link, who had noticed Link's rushed arrival, gave his older replica a harsh glare before trotting off to shove past fighters and congratulate Zelda. The older Hylian sighed and slowly walked over to where Zelda was being hassled by an enthusiastic little elf.
"I thought you wouldn't come…" Zelda smiled at Link, albeit with a wistful look in her eyes.
Link's heart twisted strangely. "How…could I not?" Somehow, last nights events caused Link to shudder guiltily under Zelda's gaze. But that slight movement was not lost on the princess and she surreptitiously narrowed her eyes. Young Link, however, was oblivious to the silent exchange and noisily declared that the three of them should eat lunch together. Zelda's face fell. Both Links turned to stare at her.
"Are you okay??" Young Link asked quizzically. Zelda smiled sheepishly at the little elf and tucked a strand of yellow hair behind her ear.
"If only you would have proposed that some other time…As lovely as that sounds, I'm afraid I cannot eat with you both today."
"Huh?!" the little Hylian placed his fists at his sides in puzzlement.
"Peach invited me to eat with her today…"
"When'd she ask you that??"
"Today…just before my match…" Young Link scrunched his face up, displeased, and jutted at the ground with the toe of his boot.
"Aww, that's not fair…"
"Tomorrow then?" Zelda quickly amended. The small elf sighed defeated.
"Aaaaall right…you promise?"
"Of course," the princess knelt down smiling and then she looked up at Link expectantly, "you'll come too, right?" Link, having been watching Young Link's and Zelda's banter with sad eyes, nodded quickly.
The crowd had already dispersed when the Hylians parted their ways and Zelda met up with Peach at the foot of the Melee building.
"You put up a hard fight, Zelda," the mushroom princess praised kindly.
"Well…thank you. I suppose I could have done better if I…"
"Yes, you did seem rather distracted."
Zelda blushed and looked away. Peach decided to ignore that reaction for the moment and smiled warmly.
"Lets go sit somewhere nice and warm," Peach said and they made their way over to a white bench at the far side of the SSBM grounds. The sun's rays trickled down on top of their golden heads and they basked in quietude for a while, Peach preening her un-gloved hand and Zelda lost in the eternal cerulean of the sky. When it was this colour of blue it reminded her of Hyrule…and of Link's eyes.
"So, what's on your mind?" Peach asked suddenly, her eyes still intent on her nails.
"I suppose…I'm homesick," Zelda said after much thought.
Peach finally looked up, covering her hand with her glove again, and said sympathetically, "I know…you miss your kingdom…but…not only that…?"
Zelda blinked at the mushroom ruler's perceptiveness. She opened her mouth, searching for the reasons. But Peach continued.
"You miss having things to do other than fight. You miss your territory, your own peace, the place where you can be you…"
"Yes," Zelda said miserably, acknowledging the reasons of her sorrow, "and I miss being in control of the situation and having a larger part to play in my life…I miss my independence and most of all, I miss-" The Hylian princess stopped abruptly, having been in denial about that feeling.
"…Link?" Peach ventured for her. Zelda looked away, struggling to deny it once again.
"But I…I can't miss him because he's here…with…me…" She realised how absurd and silly she might sound. In actuality, she was here for Link. Her hero had always been the one travelling for new challenges and adventure and the honing of his skills when he wasn't saving something or other.
"But…" Peach's large pretty eyes widened as she tried to stress her point, "you do miss him. You miss…"
"Having him all for myself?" Zelda said bitterly, "I've never really had him so I can't miss something I've never-"
"Of course you can!" Peach cried in mock anger, "If you miss having him all for yourself, even if you say you've never had him, that still doesn't cancel out the fact that you feel loss. Is that not true? Do not lie to yourself…
"Sometimes I…no never mind." Peach brushed back some of the hair in her face. Zelda, having been listening to Peach's outrageous truth, didn't hear her quiet avoidance of what she had been about to say. "Link…"
"You should talk to him," Peach beamed, clasping her hands together and looking hopeful. Zelda looked terrified, though.
"Talk to him? What shall I say? That I miss him? He'll only grow more uncomfortable."
Peach squinted at the elf, "Are you…scared of what he'll say? But you two love each other, right?" Zelda reddened and stuttered.
"I- well- really- I only…" defeated she bowed her head, "I…do…at least. But he might not…"
Peach huffed and lifted a white-gloved finger at her friend. "Shame on you! You're saying you want him to love you back, right? But it's Link's choice, not yours, and if you love him and care for him then the most important thing would be to make sure he's happy. All I want is for Mario to be happy and vice-versa. Sure, sometimes he's a dope and his negligence allows for me to get kidnapped…countless of times…" she grimaced uncharacteristically, "but if he's happy, I'm happy. I don't need anything else. It's selfish to want someone to love you back when it's obvious that that will be difficult."
Peach was only trying to help and her words, concentrated with the truth, stung all the more badly at Zelda's open wounds. Her head bent over her lap, the elven princess trembled, not knowing what else to say.
"Do you really think it obvious," Zelda whispered, "that Link…could never love me back?" Peach, realising what she had said and how it must have affected the Hylian maiden made an "oh" sound and kindly placed an arm around Zelda's shoulders. The elf sniffed quietly. Then she sniffed again, this time more loudly.
"Zelda?" Peach worriedly tried to peek over her friend's head and see what was going on. She suspected…and then Zelda covered her face in her pink-gloved hands, her shoulders racking with sobs. "Oh, Zelda…" Peach breathed, half exasperated and half pitying, and promptly held the weeping elf tighter with her one arm and stroked her hair with the other, a small frown on her sympathetic face. Maybe it's hard for her to accept…something like that. Zelda; always in control except when it comes to Link. He affects her more than he can know… The mushroom princess shook her head sadly.
Unbeknownst to Link that his best friend was crying (much less, because of him) at that very moment, the elf was currently behind the SSBM House, where hardly anyone visited the perpetually-shaded (because of the large edifice) bit of garden there. His trusty Master Sword was out, gleaming dully, and he was dancing with it. As useful as the new Training Centre was, Link missed the old-fashioned way. The Training Centre honed your skills for the melee but it wasn't real so Link handled his sword expertly, training his mind and his body. In one of the Hylian's twists, Link's sword connected with that of a naked blade. Blinking, Link's eyes met Marth's. The prince lowered his sword and tilted his head. The elf, on the other hand had done a double take at seeing the prince. Link was tired. He didn't know if he should feel hurt, confused, angry, sad…or just not care at all.
"What are you doing here?" Link chose to ask accusatorily, feeling his privacy had been invaded yet again. Marth lowered his eyes at the grass beneath them and then lifted them so they lingered on Link's bandaged shoulder.
"How is it…?" Marth asked quietly looking pointedly at said shoulder.
"It's-" Link had begun to snarl and then his voice softened, "fine…" There silence that permeated was heavy with pain and resignation.
"I…" the monarch began, "saw you come here and…followed you."
"And?"
Marth flinched at Link's curtness. "And I…
"I'm sorry."