Fubuki no Kaen
(MarthRoy)
Authors: Xan and Vallen
Rating: R
Warnings: One thing… Or, lot's of things: This is a story with yaoi/shounen
ai/slash, whatever you want to call it. If that sort of stuff isn't your thing,
then don't read it. But, we hope that you do…
Disclaimer: The characters Marth and Roy, plus "Altea", do not belong to us. We
just use them for our pleasure.
Feedback: Yes. (That means we would love to hear from you and what you think!)
Notes: Vallen: Ah, so fast already? I couldn't resist typing this one.
Xan: Yes, yes… Poor Marth. *sniff*
Thanks to, with vallen speaking: (From the last chapter: pokennicole (It's a deal. If you learn to use photoshop and we type faster… We'll both be happy!), Marth-Roy-Fan (Love your nick… They're getting together! Eventually!), Hiru Kirugami (strange… A number of people thought they were going to kiss too… Death to Mr. G&W), The Flame Panther (*BLINK* Warcraft? Ooookay, whatever you say… Love your opinions, tho! Xan and I have no clue what Warcraft is even about…), Sake Girl Duelist (Confused… But okay… Wow, you sure did leave a lot of reviews.)) And now for the thanks for "Learn": Spade (Glad to have an old follower around! And about the fic-reading bit… I do that as well with the fics I read! Just can't contain myself!), Sinnatious (*drowns in the angst… and loves it too* We're keeping it up as best we can, wanting to please readers every time!), Asudem (O.O I'm glad SOMEONE liked the fact that Roy wasn't sympathetic. It's part of his character…), YoshiMars (We are SO glad that you guys like Rowen so much… Really! So, now you see why Marth always acted so cold and quiet all those times… And still.), Li Kayun (Ha. Yes, I keep telling Xan that Marth is a "One-Man Soap Opera"… And she just hits me.), Mel (*saves Marth from suffocation* Heh. Thanks for the extra-long review and you are quite welcome for Marth's character. Xan loves him that way too!), LiL PriNCeSs Me (Heh. We know you secretly hated the ending… Cliffhangers, cliffhangers…), turquoisefox (Hello fellow group member! I can't really answer your question right now, but I can promise you that things WILL GET BETTER… the sun shall come up!!), VV (Noooo!! Please don't hate my Roy-chan!!), olashorty (Naw, that's okay. We care just as long as people read it and enjoy. Yes, Roy get thrashed because I am a horrible person. ^_^), PandaBear007 (Exactly! That's what you're supposed to say! Hey, I think we've brainwashed the readers…) Pichu*Star (Heh! Gaimen NEEDS to get hit with a hailstone. And I'm not a big fan of chocolate, so Xan can have all of it! Popcorn is my fave… But thanks! Mm.) kyuusei (Wow, you are the first person to say "Poor Gaimen", but I'm glad you added the "or, not."), Dark Comet (Nononono! We are not joking about the sequel! We have a title already!), and Valimalirit (*blinks* You don't like the fact that Marth and Roy love each other… eventually? *pouts* I am SO sorry… Oh, and you're on Xan's side… Me and my hordes of Roy fanatics will conquer, tho!).
Marth smiled evilly to himself, despite the fact that all his energy was being poured into his mage power, which had now gathered in a gigantic force around him. The entire room was glowing blue because of the power that was gathered in Marth's hands. Lightening had struck perilously close to the cabin several times.
Rowen burst out of his room, robes flowing behind him, to find Roy standing outside his locked study, looking almost upset. With a strong gesture of his hand, the door to the study was flung open and the mage stormed inside.
"Marth, stop!" He commanded.
The icy ex-prince jumped at Rowen's words and tried to cut off the magic, but he had poured too much power into it and it and it took a moment for him to get it under control.
He leaned heavily on a table, the blue light slowly fading from his body.
"What were you thinking?! Or wait, don't tell me- You weren't thinking at all…" Rowen was angry for the first time that they had seen.
Roy hung back outside the room, looking at the two of them curiously with his face crossed in a frown.
Marth closed his eyes painfully as the last of the excess magic had drained from him. Rowen's words hurt badly, but what was even worse was that Rowen was right- he hadn't been thinking. A wave of nausea came over him and he sank to his knees, fighting the urge to vomit.
The Mage shook his head, but walked over to where the young man was and put a hand upon his shoulders. Rowen acted as a strong foundation for Marth to hold onto if needed.
Marth reached for Rowen's arm and tried to stand, but a second wave engulfed him and he fell again to his knees. He did vomit then, the little contents of his stomach coming up. Once it was done, he sat back and felt much better.
"I'm sorry…" He whispered, face burning with shame so that he was glad that his hair covered it anyways. He wiped his mouth.
"Do not do that again in my house," the longhaired Mage reprimanded. "Now just go to bed and sleep until I call for you again. If you don't, I will put you under a sleeping spell."
The exiled prince nodded, slowly getting to his feet, legs trembling. He began to walk carefully to the room that he and Roy shared, feeling ashamed but still strangely satisfied. His power was indeed great. He fell asleep in his cot, again deeply asleep.
Roy watched the weather Mage sit down at his desk with a heavy, leaden sigh and rub his temples. The teen turned away and left in the direction Marth had went.
'Already sleeping,' He commented inwardly.
This time, Roy stood hesitantly over the blue haired man before climbing into the small bed with him. He made sure their bodies were touching as less as possible, but would be there if Marth had another nightmare.
Marth felt warm, only it wasn't an unpleasant kind of warm. It was soothing, like a cool wind.
He opened his eyes and found that he was lying in bed next to none other than Roy himself, his arm draped across the boy-general's chest and his head resting on his shoulder. Roy was still quite asleep.
Instinctively, Math kept very still and very quiet. He had no idea if Roy had meant to do this or not, but if he hadn't and he woke up and caught Marth snuggling up to him like a lovesick girl… Marth winced. He didn't even want to think of his general's anger.
But… As the prince lay there, watching Roy's sleeping face, a feeling of content washed over him. He had often watched Roy as the general had slept, when they had been slaves at Trave's manor. He admired Roy's beauty, his sculpted face, soft hair and smooth, flawless skin… Marth had never thought himself attractive, despite his throngs of admirers.
Marth caught himself staring at Roy's lips and scolded himself, but he couldn't help it. The feel of those lips against his with the taste of blood was branded into his memory.
Slowly, ever so slowly, Marth moved so that his face was barely an inch from Roy's. He hesitated for only a moment before pressing his own lips to Roy's in a soft kiss.
'Please don't wake up. Please don't wake up.' He prayed.
The prince's prayers were answered when Roy did not stir, lying completely still except for the rise and fall of his chest with his light breathing. Math was lucky that the auburn-haired teen had been worn out from sparring the other day.
"Mm…" the teen murmured softly, the only audible noise he made.
Marth broke off the kiss and settled back into his former position, with his head on Roy's shoulder. If the general exploded at him in the morning, so be it. He could have one moment of happiness like this. A small smile curled Marth's lips and he remained very, very still as he waited for Roy to wake up.
The boy-general did wake up a little while later, rolling over as he did.
'Uh… Feel so sore… Cursed old man,' He thought incoherently and then glanced over at Marth, sleep in his blue eyes. "You awake?"
"I'm awake," Marth said softly, glad that Roy hadn't noticed anything… yet.
Roy shook his head and sat up, brushing his hair out of the way. Then he blinked in surprise and looked at his surroundings… Himself. Marth. Bed…
"Wait, what am I doing in bed with you?" He questioned, then paused, remembering something. "Oh."
The ex-prince had slipped out of the bed quietly while Roy had gotten over his shock. Now he pulled on his tunic and ran his hands through his tousled blue hair.
"Thank you for staying with me last night," He said quietly before going off to find Rowen.
The weather Mage wasn't in the kitchen and Marth hesitated a moment before knocking softly on the study door. Rowen had ordered him to sleep until called, but since he was already awake, there wasn't much he could do.
'Yes, Marth?' came Rowen's gruff voice in the ex-prince's head. 'Come in.'
The door opened with a loud creak, revealing the brown-haired mage seated at his desk, surrounded by books. He looked expressionlessly at Marth.
His trainee entered the room, guilt and shame pressing heavier upon him with each step until he stood directly across from Rowen.
'Please accept my deepest apologies, Master Mage. I am aware that I acted badly and foolishly to use my powers for my own personal vengeance, especially when my training isn't anywhere near complete and I'm aware that I abused my privileges as both your student and a guest in your home. I am ready to submit myself to any punishment you deem fitting.' He Sent, head bowed and face formed into an icy mask.
There was an uncomfortable silence in the room before Rowen's judging amethyst eyes rose to meet Marth's.
'You speak well. You'll make a great king one day, Marth, but now, I am glad that you have thought your mistake over and realized the consequences. Your first punishment is a full day of non-stop training with me, and the second, after you've done the first, is to spend some time with your companion.'
The Mage's thought-voice was hard, but not unkind, and his tone was forgiving, but had the hint of a warning to tell the blue-haired young man not to pull a stunt like that again.
Had Marth been anybody else, he'd have flinched. An entire day of continuous training with the mage was punishment indeed and Marth was only too aware that Rowen was not going to go easy on him.
'Rowen, I understand the training, but why would you command me to spend time with Roy? What's the purpose?' He asked, a little confused.
'I'm sorry, but I do not want the emotional unrest in my house any longer. Either you two come to terms or you face me. I don't know how I'm supposed to train a young man who always has other things on his mind, aside from what I'm teaching. Get your problems fixed after we train, though…' Rowen stood, dressed for heavy training in a pair of black breeches, sturdy boots and a deep green tunic.
'We begin now.'
The training was long and difficult and Marth's apprehension was more than justified by Rowen's rigorous methods. By the end of the day, he was exhausted and sweaty, yet triumphant. He hadn't asked to stop nor slowed the pace once. Gratefully, Marth drank the water that Rowen offered him.
'You know, I rather like this all-day training. Perhaps we shall do it often, not that I know it works and the results are to my liking,' Rowen Sent, leaning against a tree. He too looked tired, but happy as well.
Marth winced inwardly, but remained passive and icy.
'As you wish, Master Mage.'
The older man dismissed Marth with the incline of his head.
'You may leave, Good Student.'
The exiled prince began to walk off, then stopped.
'Master, can I train all night in addition instead of going to Roy?'
Rowen's surprise could be felt though their mindlink.
'Hey, I thought you two were trying to establish a relationship.'
'He hates me. A blind man could see that he hates me. It's stupid to pine for someone who wouldn't give you the time of day under normal circumstances.' Marth's voice became soft. 'That kiss was a fluke.'
He turned and walked to the stables, where it was quiet and alone.
But it wasn't that way for long. Rowen followed him there, stopping at the doorway. The mage put a hand on the black mare, smoothing out her hair.
"You have to think about this rationally," He told the ex-prince. "I mean, what is it going to take for you two to love one another? Are you just following your feelings and not using your head? You're a young man, Marth; perhaps you shouldn't follow your heart wherever it leads you. I think you should reconsider this whole thing."
"I'd settle for friends. He said we were once and yet he still can't stand me." Fatigue crept into Marth's voice. "Please leave me alone. I just need to think."
"Fine. I was only trying to give you my advice," Rowen replied tightly, then turned on his heel and left Marth to his own silence.
Roy's horse snorted and stamped a hoof with a snort, exhaling air from her nose, almost in annoyance. The black mare tossed her head and stepped forward to snuffle Marth's hair, seemingly looking for hay.
Marth patted her nose with a sigh.
"What is it with you horses and my hair? You both seem to think its food."
Cloud walked over and sniffed in Marth's hair as well, nibbling on it lightly. He then turned to Roy's mare and nuzzled her affectionately. She nuzzled the grey stallion back and they stood side-by-side, content in each other's company.
Marth watched them and felt his heart grow heavy. He hugged his knees to his chest, staring blankly out at nothing. He knew what he had to do.
'I'll never speak of love again,' He thought.
To Be Continued…
Vallen: Whee! Now you HAVE to admit that this chapter was cute! Come on… *puts on a gypsy costume* I can read your thoughts… You thought it was cute…
Xan: Hope you liked it!