Chapter 1
Ike, Roy, and Pit arrived at the college bookstore at 8:10am, there was a very small number of people there which Ike was very happy about.
"Well Ike, it looks like you got your wish, " Roy stated.
"That's good, now let's just hope it stays that way." Ike started to walk into the bookstore, then he turned around just to see Roy's figure dart past him.
"Come on you two hurry up, we're burning daylight," Roy practically yelled.
Ike turned to look at Roy, "Patience Roy," then continued walking into the bookstore.
Pit caught up with Ike at the entrance as Roy darted even further ahead. Fortunately Ike and Pit managed to catch up to Roy just to hear him say, "I don't have any patience you should know that by now Ike."
Ike shook his head, "And that's the scary part, anyway let me go and get my books and I'll come back to help you two get yours."
With a smile Pit nodded, "Alright."
Roy looked like he was going to burst as he replied, "Gotcha," then he darted off again like a person strung out on caffeine or too much sugar.
Ike wandered off and when he arrived where the history books were, he happened to glance in the direction of the music books, where he saw a blue haired young man talking to a brunette woman and a blond gentleman. He didn't know why, but he felt his heart skip and was drawn to the blue haired man. Ike stared at them until they walked off toward the psychology books.
"What ya doing Ike?" Ike nearly jumped out of his skin as Roy had creeped up behind him, which was surprising considering Roy's energetic nature. Meanwhile Roy was looking around to try and figure out what Ike had been staring at. "What were you looking at Ike?" Roy asked, genuinely curious.
Ike calmed himself before responding, "None of your business Roy, by the way what are you doing here anyway? I thought you would be helping Pit get his books?"
"Nah, Pit's can find his own way around, besides he's off wandering around the electronics section anyway." Roy stated, as he rolled his eyes.
"I was hoping you would stay with him Roy," Ike sighed.
"Oh he'll be fine, he's an adult," Roy said exasperated.
"That's not the point Roy."
"It is for me."
Ike shook his head in disbelief, "Whatever Roy, now what did you want?"
"Well to see what you were up to, because Pit was starting to be a bore."
"Really Roy, you get bored so easily."
"Of course, I have ADHD, duh."
"Go get Pit Roy, let's get you guys your books."
"Ughh fiiiiine," Roy said in resignation and stormed off.
Ike turned around to search for the guy with the blue hair and was disappointed when he couldn't find him. Ike decided to wander around and search for the guy, not only to make Roy have to find him again, but also to try and figure out why he was drawn to the blue haired man. Unfortunately, Roy found him first and Pit was being dragged behind him like a rag doll.
'Damn it, can't Roy leave me alone for 2 seconds,' Ike thought frustrated.
"Ok Ike I brought Pit, now help us find our books."
"Why are you so demanding today, Roy?"
"Because I'm in a good mood," Roy said cheerfully.
"I don't care what type of mood you're in Roy, you gotta be more respectful." Ike lectured, a fatherly tone present in his voice.
"Jeez Ike I'm sorry, no need to snap," dejected, Roy walked silently with the others for several minutes.
Ike sighed after a few moments, "I didn't snap Roy."
Roy looked up, "What?"
"I said, I didn't snap, or at least I didn't mean to come off that way," Ike said apologetically.
Roy perked up, "No worries Ike, let's just get our books m'kay?"
"Ok, let's go." They all went around and picked up all their books, and when they were finished they headed to the register. Sadly however, there was a line to Ike's annoyance, it didn't last long though, because as he scanned the terribly long line he spotted the blue haired man and his two companions talking and waiting patiently in line.
"Ike what is it?" Pit said looking around Ike in curiosity.
"N-n-nothing Pit," Ike stuttered in surprise.
"You were staring at something."
"I know, he's been doing that all day," Roy chimed in with a smile.
"I have not Roy; you're assuming something that's not there."
"Am I?" Roy said mischievously.
"Roy."
"Yes?"
"Shut up."
"I can try, but I can't promise anything," Roy responded sarcastically.
"Ugghhh," Ike rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Calm down Ike, it's just how Roy is," Pit interjected.
"I know, anyway let's hurry up and get out of here," as Ike finished talking he saw the blue haired man walk out of the bookstore and felt somewhat sad to see him leave. As the blue haired young man reached the threshold of the bookstore, Ike forced himself to stop staring and refocus his attention on Roy who had resumed his torture of Pit.
Marth and his friends walked out of the bookstore and suddenly Marth turned around to look back inside, "Marth what is it?" Zelda had noticed Marth stop and turned around to look at him.
"I felt like someone was watching us the whole time we were in there," Marth replied as he turned his head from the entrance of the bookstore to look at Zelda.
"I know what you mean, it gave me the creeps," Zelda mentioned acknowledging that she had felt the same thing.
"Well I could always find out who it was and sell his or her organs on eBay while he or she is still alive." Link chimed in.
"NO!" Marth and Zelda yelled as they both turned abruptly around to look at Link in horrified surprise.
"I don't think eBay sells that type of stuff anyway Link," Zelda stated matter of factly.
"You never know, hey if all else fails I hear the black market is always looking. Plus I'd hate to see how they would come to collect the goods." Link chuckled as images of the horrifying scene played out in his head.
"NO!" Marth said rather forcefully, almost yelling."
"Awe, you're both just a bunch of buzz kills today." Link stated dejectedly as he started walking to his car.
Zelda walked after Link like someone with a purpose, "Yes Link I know we are, but you're still my boyfriend and I expect my boyfriend to have some ounce of decency."
Link glanced at Zelda with a cheeky grin, "I am decent, decent enough to sell the stalker's organs on eBay." Link gave Zelda a big mischievous smile.
Marth finally caught up with them in time for him to hear Link's last statement, "Link!" Marth yelled at him for the second time.
Link sighed in resignation, "Ok fine, but only because Zelda asked me too, besides I was only joking anyway."
"Sure you were, just like I'd be joking if I said I was female." Zelda stated sarcastically.
"Wait you aren't?" Link's eyes got big with mock surprise.
"Smartass."
Link burst out laughing at Zelda's reaction. "So what now Marth?"
"Well I figure we could get an early lunch."
"Oh that sounds like a splendid idea, I know this quaint little place in the plaza we could go to, shall we Link?" Zelda walked ahead of Link, then turned to look at him with her hand extended.
"I'll buy then," Marth said while he resumed his path to Link's car.
"Oh don't be silly Marth, Link is treating us, aren't you Link?"
"Why me?" Link complained.
"Because I said so," Zelda glared at him and Link knew if only looks could kill he would be a dead man. Link in resignation, sighed, "Fine let's go." He stormed off to his car in irritation. They went to lunch and for the rest of the day nothing particularly interesting happened, the same went for Ike and his roommate after leaving the bookstore.
Days later Ike was at the grocery store when he spotted the blue haired man again, and just like last time Ike was flooded with emotions and thoughts he was not used to. Ike felt like he should say something to the man, but he couldn't seem to get enough gumption to do so. Instead he just stood there looking like an idiot. Marth on the other hand, caught a glimpse of Ike staring at him and it unnerved him slightly; he tried to shrug it off and continued with his shopping.
'What a dumbass I am, seriously, what has gotten into me, he probably thought you were a weirdo or a stalker, nice going Ike.' With a heavy sigh Ike went about his shopping and never again saw the blue haired man. That weekend Ike went to a local coffee shop to get away from the chaos which was Roy. As he walked in, he saw the blue haired man behind the counter taking a person's order. As Marth finished, Marth noticed the strange man from the grocery store standing by the entrance. A little freaked out, Marth still did his best to do his job.
"Welcome my name is Marth, how may I help you today?" Marth said as Ike proceeded to the counter looking a bit hesitant.
"Umm…I'd like a vanilla latte please," Ike responded trying desperately to gather his wits.
"That will be $3.55 sir." Marth said as cheerfully as he could. Ike handed him the money from his pocket which hadn't done the dollar bills any good and Ike berretted himself yet again for not having a wallet. "Thank you, your vanilla latte will be out shortly," Marth stated, then turned to his co-worker, "one vanilla latte Rosalina." She shook her head and got started on it right away, he turned his head back to help the next customer.
"Thank you, um…Marth, was it?" Ike said nervously.
"Yes?" Marth now curious as to why this man lingered at the counter.
"By chance, you wouldn't happen to be enrolled in classes at the local university would you?" Ike fidgeted.
"As a matter of fact I am, but how do you know that, and more importantly, why do you ask?" Marth said, now extremely suspicious.
"I saw you at the university bookstore with some friends this past Monday, I assume they were your friends at least."
"Oh, well, we may see each other in classes then," Marth said this, but truly hoped that he wouldn't.
"Maybe, my name is Ike, I'm a history major, what are you going for Marth?"
Marth calmed down a bit, though still suspicious of Ike, "Music."
"Nice, anything in particular?" Ike being truly interested and hoping to open Marth up a bit.
"Musicology."
Ike had truly never heard of that subject before, "What's that?"
Marth lightened up even more as he was starting to realize that Ike wasn't the creepy stalker he had initially thought he was. "It's the history of music."
"Oh wow."
Marth got a tap on his shoulder, "Ah, your vanilla latte is ready, here you go." Marth handed Ike his latte with a genuine smile this time, his opinion completely changed about Ike.
Ike smiled, "Thank you."
"Anyway I should get back to work, it was nice meeting you, Ike."
"The pleasure was mine Marth, and I'm sorry I kept you from your work for so long."
Marth smiled, "Don't worry about it, see you around Ike."
"See ya." They both waved goodbye and then Ike turned and left the coffee shop glad to have made a new friend, or so he hoped. The rest of the weekend was uneventful other than mounting tension due to the start of the college semester. Marth and his friends went and saw some movies while Ike bunkered down in his room to avoid the humanoid typhoon known as Roy. On Sunday night, however Ike decided to go out for a walk in the park to get some fresh air. To his surprise, when he arrived in the park, no one was there except a solitary man sitting on a bench in front of the central fountain. As he walked closer to the man he recognized him, it was Marth.
Ike walked over to Marth, "Hello Marth, funny meeting you here."
"Oh hello again, Ike was it?" Marth scooted over to give Ike room in case he wanted to sit down.
"Yeah, so what are you doing out here so late?" Ike sat down in the offered spot next to Marth.
"I needed some fresh air away from my roommate, and what about you, why are you out this late?"
"Same reason," Ike smiled.
""Are you ready for classes tomorrow?" Marth asked, though in a half hearted way, but not so much as to be rude or mean.
"Not really, but I'll manage, you?"
"Sort of, not sure what to expect, that's the problem." Worry evident on Marth's face as he looked up at the stars.
"You'll be fine, you seem smart and intelligent enough to overcome any obstacle."
Marth chuckled a bit at the compliment, "Thank you Ike, it's a little nippy out here tonight."
"It is," Ike turned his head upward to look at the stars as well.
Marth rose from the bench and walked a few paces, then turned to face Ike, "Well I better head back before I'm missed, good luck with your classes tomorrow, good night."
Ike watched as Marth walked out of the park and out of sight. He continued to sit in the darkness of the park a while longer as he pondered his own thoughts about Marth, eventually he got up and headed home and went to bed.