Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Super Smash Bros. Melee characters, all are property of Nintendo and anyone else who helped create them. Don't sue me! I have nothing you want!
Notes: SLASH/SHOUNEN-AI/BOYS LOVE! Don't read if you don't like! To anyone who hates me for making Marth and Link gay - sorry! But I firmly believe they are!
Ages, Sheik: Please see the first chapter.
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An Unexpected Love, Part 2
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Roy lay motionless on his bed, staring up at the patterns of light shining on the ceiling from the lights outside. Though his body was still, his mind was going a million miles a minute.
Of course, he was pleased - more like overjoyed - that his and Zelda's plan had worked; for all he knew, Marth and Link were shagging each other's brains out right now. It had been a delicate matter to get into, not knowing how Link felt, but... well, some of the credit had to go to Zelda; she had had a large part in the whole scheme. Not to mention she was a very smart girl and had known Link was in love with Marth all along.
While all that was very well and good, however, a lingering sense of disappointment still bothered the red-haired duke. He had helped his best friend catch the man he loved - but he had totally missed out on catching the man he himself wanted.
What was with this mysterious Sheik guy? No one seemed to know anything about him; all Roy could figure was that only Zelda and Link really knew anything. And they didn't seem to want to share their knowledge. Roy didn't think they'd answer any of his queries about Sheik. And besides, what was he going to tell them when they inevitably asked why he wanted to know? Roy had never considered the possibility of being gay - and until he met Sheik, he had never been attracted to another man. But there was... an unidentifiable something about Sheik. He was... different. Something about him made Roy itch to hold him close and not let him go until he found out all of the blonde's secrets.
Roy's eyelids drooped as he considered things, and he yawned. It was very late, and he wouldn't do any good in battles if he was exhausted. With a sigh, he rolled over and went to sleep.
---
The Hylian yawned and pulled the blankets up further. He didn't really want to be bothered; he was in a nice warm bed with pleasant dreams of a certain prince still in his mind.
The soft voice in his ear was very familiar. Link had been hearing that voice in his dreams all night. He opened his eyes.
Marth was sitting on the edge of his bed, smiling down at him. Slender, gentle fingers reached down to brush his tousled golden bangs out of his eyes. Good morning.
Link sat up and pulled Marth against him; Marth shivered in pleasure as he was drawn against that muscular chest, feeling Link's strong arms around his waist. He leaned up slightly to kiss Link's cheek. You're awfully energetic for someone up this early.What time is it? Link murmured against the prince's neck.
Marth sighed blissfully as Link's warm lips moved against his skin. Almost five.Why did you get me up so early? Link pouted.
Because I couldn't stand another moment without you, came the shy answer. With a grin, Link flopped back on the pillows, dragging Marth with him. He smiled up at the blushing prince, his azure eyes hazy with what Marth realised was lust.
Do you know how beautiful you are?
Marth blushed even deeper red and avoided the Hylian's eyes. I wish I could have you right now, Link whispered, reaching up to touch Marth's cheek. It's all I can do to keep from pinning you down and tearing off your clothes... but I won't... not until you want me to. I want our first time to be absolutely perfect. I don't want you to be nervous, or scared. I just... I love you, and I want everything to be wonderful for you.Are you this poetic all the time, or are you still half-asleep? Marth teased. He was nearly purple with embarrassment, but the smile remained. He leaned down and kissed Link softly. I love you, too. And I- I want you too - very badly, but - I - um, .... I... I mean, oh -
Link kissed him, cutting off his stammerings. I think I understand. He looked pleasantly drowsy; he yawned and pulled Marth down on top of him. It's still too early to get up. Just... stay here awhile, okay? I'll sleep even better with you here. Marth closed his eyes as Link pulled the blankets back up, feeling drowsy himself lying in the warmth of the Hylian's embrace. He lay still, listening to Link's heartbeat, until he dozed off.
---
Roy received a slight shock when he went to rouse Marth in the morning; his bed was empty. However, he poked his head back into the hallway in time to see his best friend emerging from Link's room, the blond hero very close behind him. Marth's sapphire eyes met Roy's, and he smiled. Morning, Roy. Sleep well?Er - Roy's eyes traveled over Marth's mussed bangs and Link's wrinkled tunic. Both men blushed simultaneously, hurriedly straightening themselves up. Roy raised one eyebrow, and Marth let out an embarrassed chuckle.
It isn't what you think... I was just helping Link get dressed -Yeah, okay, Roy cut him off in a hurry. He really had no wish to know what had been going on behind closed doors, and the way Peach and Samus clutched each other and giggled, blushing wildly, as Marth and Link passed them holding hands didn't make him feel any more comfortable. It was confusing. Why was he so uncomfortable, he wondered, averting his gaze as Marth stood on tiptoes to kiss Link's cheek, watching his best friend with his lover, but not bothered at all by the strange infatuation with Sheik that he had developed seemingly overnight?
There had been definitely something, Roy admitted reluctantly to himself as he sat down for breakfast. An attraction. Even arousal. But why was he feeling like this? Sheik was a guy! And up until the moment he had laid eyes on the mysterious golden-haired Sheikah, he had always thought he liked girls. Well, maybe Sheik didn't count as a guy, Roy thought hopefully as he tucked into his scrambled eggs. He was way too pretty to be a guy.... hell. He stabbed at his eggs. There should be a law, he muttered to himself. Guys just shouldn't be that pretty.Talking to yourself?
Roy jumped, and looked up. Zelda was standing beside him, carrying a stack of unbuttered toast in a napkin. No - uh, just thinking out loud, he mumbled evasively.
Zelda smiled at the flush spreading across the redhead's cheeks. He really was quite cute - the only boy she'd actually thought of as cute. Link was more the ruggedly handsome type (in a blonde-haired, blue-eyed beach bum kind of way, if that made any sense), and Marth was possessed of an ethereal, almost other-worldly beauty. But Roy was just... cute. She smoothed her skirt and plumped down in the seat across from him, her eyes wandering to the table where Marth and Link sat, heads close together, taking no notice of what was going on around them. Not even the sight of Captain Falcon not-so-secretly pouring bourbon into his coffee drew their attention.
They're getting on quite well, aren't they? Zelda asked, sweeping her hair off her shoulders and beginning to eat.
Roy watched her nibbling daintily at her toast. So that was how she stayed so skinny. Marth and Link? Yeah, I suppose our experiment was a bigger success than we had hoped.He paused, wondering if he should drop the bombshell. What the hell.
He cleared his throat, and took a sip of orange juice when Zelda looked up at him. Marth was coming out of Link's room this morning, he remarked casually, dabbing at his mouth with a napkin. (He was trying hard to improve his atrocious eating habits, at Marth's insistence.)
Zelda stifled a schoolgirlish squeal behind her hands.
Roy laughed at the look on her face, convinced that girls were extreme perverts when it came to guys being alone together. Marth says it's not what I think.
Her cobalt eyes were sparkling, and she seemed to be breathing a little heavier than normal. Yeah, right. How did they look to you? Roy grinned cheekily.
She squealed out loud, catching the attention of everyone in the cafeteria. Blushing furiously, she waited until everyone had returned to their own conversations before impatiently pushing her toast crusts aside and leaning forward. I'll pay five hundred rupees for proof, she said.
Pfft. We don't take rupees where I come from, and you, miss, are a pervert, Roy said airily.
Zelda burst into giggles, her laughter tinkling in the air like chimes. As he sat there watching her, Roy felt his stomach give a funny sort of leap. It was the same sort of feeling he had felt when he had first seen Sheik. His heart seemed to twist a little. He felt... strangely drawn to Zelda, as if... he was falling in love with her?
It was all too strange. Roy absently rubbed his forehead. He had been so sure not twenty minutes ago that he was in love with Sheik; and now, he was feeling the same way about Zelda.
He excused himself and carried his empty plate back to the kitchen, then headed upstairs to his room to fetch his sword before the battles began. Life had suddenly gotten a lot more confusing.
---
Over the next few weeks, life continued pretty much normally for everyone. A catfight ensued when Jody Summers came for a visit and discovered that Captain Falcon was sleeping with Samus; Fox McCloud and Falco Lombardi had a falling-out over some misplaced punches in a Team Melee; Pikachu destroyed half of the Game & Watch stage with a Thunderjolt that went way off course. All pretty ordinary things.
Link and Marth's relationship seemed to be growing stronger by the minute; they were hardly ever apart, and in secret Zelda and Peach had a bet running about how long it would take before they went to bed together. Both young men were struggling to keep their urges under control. Finally, one night after they had been together for about a month, Marth told Link he couldn't stand it anymore.
I want you, he whispered huskily in his boyfriend's ear. I can't... I can't do it anymore. It's so hard to hold back, my love... I want to be in your arms, I want to know how it will be...
Link kissed him softly. You're sure? It's not too early? Marth sighed, his slender fingers unlacing Link's tunic. No. I love you, and I know you love me. We're both ready for this. I know you've wanted it for so long....
A half-moan, half whimper arose from Link's throat, and he got up and left Marth long enough to cross the room and lock the door. He returned to the bed, shedding his clothes as he went, watching hungrily as Marth slipped delicately out of his own clothes, dropping them beside the bed and holding his arms out to his lover. Link went into the prince's embrace, placing kisses down his neck, one gentle hand running down Marth's side, his hip, his thigh.
Marth reached out with one elegant hand to dim the lamp beside the bed, casting mysterious shadows across their bodies. He closed his eyes and put his arms around Link's neck, letting his lover take control. He moaned in encouragement and ecstasy, pleasure running along his spine and dragging at his hips, as Link made love to him once, twice, three times. Finally, the Hylian relaxed in his lover's arms, breathing heavily. His bangs were damp with sweat and hanging in his eyes; Marth brushed them gently out of the way and kissed Link's forehead.
I didn't... hurt you? Link asked softly, as Marth turned out the light and pulled the blankets up over their bare bodies.
Not at all. It was heavenly, Marth murmured. His eyelids were drooping as he smiled lazily up at his lover. Goodnight, Link. I love you.I love you, too.
---
As her best friend and his boyfriend were consummating their relationship,. Zelda was wide awake, staring out her window at the stars. She had been preoccupied all day, resulting in a lump on the forehead (Ganondorf had hit her with a Koopa shell, but she hadn't noticed until much later). Try as she might, she hadn't been able to concentrate on anything.
It was Roy. Zelda hadn't been able to banish him totally from her mind ever since the day they had shared breakfast, and just lately he had taken over her thoughts completely. His lopsided grin , dark red hair, and aquamarine eyes were with her all the time, his teasing laugh echoing in her ears. She supposed she was in love with him. It had come as a surprise at first. Zelda had always thought that when she fell in love with someone, it would be someone like Link - daring, brave, charming... she hardly expected to fall in love with someone like Roy, who still couldn't remember to put his napkin in his lap, or didn't even know the meaning of the word etiquette.
But what was she going to do about it? She just couldn't come out and tell Roy herself... she'd rather die than do that. With an aggravated sigh, the princess headed over to the wardrobe and pulled out her baby-blue nightgown. She began getting changed, her mind working furiously.
Dropping hints wasn't an option. She was sure to make an idiot of herself trying to make Roy understand her, and besides, - though she hated to admit it - Roy was too dense to get it anyway. She climbed into bed and snuggled under the blue comforter. She made herself think of Link and Marth. What were they doing right now? She stifled a giggle behind her hand as several possibilities occurred to her, then sat up as a thought popped into her head.
Link and Marth! She could get them to help her. After all, she and Roy had helped them, so why shouldn't they repay the favour? And after all, Link was her best friend. If she told him what was going on, she was sure he would help her out.
That figured, she flopped back on her pillows and was asleep in seconds.
---
The next morning, Zelda was ready to put her plan into action. She got up early and dressed quickly before heading to Link's room. She rapped impatiently on the door. After nearly twenty minutes of steady knocking, just as her knuckles began to bruise, the door opened.
About t- Zelda cut herself off when she realised that it hadn't been Link who had answered the door, but Marth. He looked sleepy, and was wearing nothing but a sheet clutched around his waist. He jumped when he saw who was at the door, his face going beet-red.
Zelda -!
She couldn't help but giggle as she brushed past him into the room. Din help him, he looked like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. It's nothing, Marth. I expected you and Link to be getting it on long before this.
He only flushed darker, holding the sheet tighter around him. At the same time, the bathroom door opened and Link emerged, wearing a towel around his waist and rubbing his hair dry with another. Zelda allowed herself a moment's ogling of his muscular, half-naked body before perching herself on the edge of the bed (after a quick look to be sure there were no mysterious stains on the spot where she intended to park her butt) and smiling cheekily up at her friend, who looked bemused. Marth, his arms full of clothes, ducked into the bathroom, then opened the door again to hastily pull the rest of his sheet in after him. Link gave his hair a casual shake, making it fall neatly into place, and plopped down beside her.
What is it, Zelda?
She giggled. Wanted to see how you and Marth were getting along. Pretty well, I'd say.
He glared. We'd have been getting along better without any interruptions. And I know that's not what you want. We've known each other for years, and I can tell when you're lying.Oh, all right, she pouted at him. I want you to help me.With what?
She looked at the ceiling. I'm sort of in the same situation you were in. Unrequited love.With who?
She kept her eyes determinedly on the white plaster above her, as if the solutions to all the world's problems were there.
There was silence. Marth stuck his head out the bathroom door (obviously, there was one prince who wasn't ashamed to eavesdrop), his eyes wide. Link blinked rapidly. My Roy? Marth inquired.
Since when was he your Roy? Link asked Marth, looking injured.
Since I'm forever following him around and correcting his manners, I expect I own at least part of him, Marth said. No need to play the jilted lover. You're the only one, okay?Can you two discuss this later? Zelda asked impatiently. I don't care how many lovers either of you has had! I was asking you a favour, Link, if you recall.I recall, all right, he grumbled. What is it you want me to do?Simple. Find out if Roy likes me.So not simple! Link protested, getting up and heading to the wardrobe for his clothes. In amusement, Zelda noted that he chose his red tunic to match the red-and-black ensemble Marth was wearing. When would something like that come up in ordinary conversation?Oh, come on, you're not stupid - you can steer it around to that topic - like this : Say, Roy, I sure do feel thankful for you getting me with Marth, by the way, how do you feel about Zelda?'I can't do that - !
Marth cleared his throat loudly. When Link and Zelda turned to him, he smiled and reached up to brush his cobalt bangs out of his eyes. Might I suggest I talk to Roy? he asked, eyes wide and innocent. I think I might have the finesse it takes to get something through to him. And if he doesn't give me a straight answer, I can drop a few hints for you, my dear.Now that's a gentleman, Zelda said haughtily to Link before smiling at Marth. Thank you, Marth.You're welcome. But, Marth wondered, was it going to be so easy?
---
Roy was sitting under a tree, absentmindedly playing with the hem of his cloak. His mind was obviously elsewhere - he had a longing expression on his face. Marth raised a slender eyebrow as he approached his friend. The duke hadn't even given any sort of sign that he knew Marth was approaching. As he got closer, Marth realised Roy had the same sort of dreamy expression he himself had often seen in his own mirror shortly after meeting Link. Was Roy in love? And if so, with who?
When Marth sat down beside him, Roy looked around, blinking in surprise. Hey. I didn't think you'd pull yourself away from Link long enough to come over here.
Marth laid a hand on his arm. Roy... I'm your best friend. Come on, I still want to know what's up with you.What could be up with me? Roy asked, his voice suddenly much higher than usual. I'm... fine, nothing wrong here...
Marth fought back a giggle. Roy's face was almost as red as his hair. Pleased, he pressed a little. Come on. You can tell me what's bothering you.
Roy looked away. I can't, he said, flustered. I... I mean, I would, but I don't... I don't know what I'm feeling. It's... complicated, Marth. I... I mean, I like her and all, but it's nothing compared to what I feel for him...
He cut himself off as he realised what he had just said. Marth's eyes were wide, and Roy cursed mentally. There was no use pretending now, was there?
What are you talking about? Marth asked.
Roy grumbled and looked down at the grass. I dunno, he muttered. I don't get it, Marth... I never thought I was gay, never, but that day we saw Sheik in the tree... I just... felt attracted to him. I can't explain why. It was like... I just wanted to kiss him. And it confused me... but just as I start to figure I'm in love with him, I have breakfast with Zelda, and damned if she didn't affect me the same way. I... can't figure it out. I'm just.... confused.
There was silence for a moment, while Marth chewed this over.
he said thoughtfully.
Maybe what?Maybe Zelda and Sheik are related, Marth said slowly.
Roy started to laugh. What? Come on, they don't look a thing alike.Fraternal twins don't have to, Roy, Marth said crossly. He frowned and rubbed his chin. But still... maybe that's it... I mean, if Sheik and Zelda were related.... you might feel an attraction to both of them.... his blue eyes were troubled. I'll... I'll talk to Link about it, okay? Roy brightened. He's the only person around here who seems to know anything about Zelda or Link.
Marth winked at him and stood. Okay. I'll do my best.
---
Late that night, after making love, Marth decided to interrogate Link over the mystery of Zelda and Sheik. He propped himself up on his elbows, looking down at his blonde lover, and asked, May I ask you something?
Link smiled up at him. Of course you can.Er - what is it about.... Sheik? For some reason, Link looked highly disconcerted. Why do you want to know?
Marth paused for a second before blurting : Because, Roy likes him, but he likes Zelda too, and now he's so confused. He doesn't know what's going on, all we can figure is that Sheik and Zelda are related somehow...
There was a pause, and Link sighed.
Well, I suppose she'll skin me alive for telling you. But I suppose you and Roy can keep the secret. Yes, Zelda and Sheik are related. But in a much closer way than you'd expect. See, they're the same person. Marth asked., very much wrong-footed.
Sheik is the disguise Zelda assumed to help me through my quest. When she's disguised as Sheik, she uses an entirely different brand of magic, the magic of the Sheikah, that has no connection to her usual magic. She had to do it, to hide from Ganondorf, but she's found her powers can come in handy. And, apparently- he scowled - she uses the disguise to go hinting around about my love life.Well, why wouldn't she tell that to Roy? Marth asked.
She's very tetchy about who knows what about her. But here, we have a good situation - Zelda likes Roy, he likes her. We just have to tell Roy that Zelda and Sheik are one and the same. Actually, I think Zelda should tell him herself.
---
Zelda swallowed hard, straightening her top and smoothing her long skirt. She felt more nervous now than she ever had in her life. She had been confronted by Link and Marth almost as soon as she had gotten out of bed. They told her that Roy liked her, but also had strong feelings for Sheik.
He has to know, Link had said gently.
He was right. Roy had to know. As scared as Zelda was to admit it to him, the truth needed to be told. The walk over to where he was sitting seemed to take hours.
Hi, Roy.
Roy smiled up at the princess. Hi. Have a seat? She sat beside him and began fiddling with a strand of hair. She bit her lip. After several minutes passed in silence, she drew a shuddery breath and spoke. Um, Roy.... we need to talk.
He looked surprised. What about? she said softly. And Sheik.How did you -?Marth. And Link. she said quietly. I'm sure they wouldn't have told me if circumstances were different. But you need to know this, Roy. I... I know you like me. And I know how you feel about Sheik. I.... I think I love you, and this only makes it harder for me to tell you. But I... Sheik and I are the same person. He was... is... my disguise. When I am him, I use a different sort of magic, I look different... Sheik is my disguise to throw off my enemies. Her head bowed. I'm - so sorry, she whispered. I should never have kept it a secret from you. Especially not after I realised that I loved you. It wasn't right.You're... Sheik? Roy whispered.
She stood, mumbled something, and a flash of blue light appeared. When it faded seconds later, Sheik stood before him. She knelt and looked pleadingly at Roy. See? It's the truth. Her voice sounded a little deeper, but suddenly he felt very stupid - it was obvious that Sheik and Zelda were one and the same.
Sheik transformed back into Zelda, looking worried at Roy's silence. Roy just stared at her, not knowing what to do or think. He jumped to his feet and fled.
Roy -! Zelda cried helplessly. He didn't turn back.
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(A/N: Yes, there WILL be a part 3. I really enjoy this story, but my inspiration for it fades in and out. I'll try my very hardest, okay? I promise! But still, this chapter wasn't a waste of space, was it? I mean, Marth and Link have gone all the way, and I've gone a little farther with the Roy/Sheik thing. Trust me, I WILL finish this story! I mean it! It just might take me awhile, is all. Forgive me. Still, rest assured this will probably be updated sooner than Back From Beyond the Veil'... That poor story....
Anyway. Any tips, hints, comments you want to give about where this story is going would be greatly appreciated! I could use an idea or two! Thanks!!)