Okay. So I do live…and well, I feel this isn't up to par as my usual things, but I wanted to post something so that you guys and gals know I'm not officially dead. And neither is this set of one-shots.
If you really want to know what's up with my life, read my author's note at the end. Otherwise, feel free to skip it.
Important Info:
1) Meta Knight is based on the anime Hoshi no Kaabii, where he's more of a father/teacher figure to Kirby
2) Lucario is female and Greninja is male.
Disclaimer: Characters belong to their rightful owners. I just like writing about them!
Beating Around No Bush
Sum: Ike was never one to stew on something for very long.
~ ~ ~ Us ~ ~ ~
He really, really...REALLY didn't like feeling this. Ike paced the floor, thankfully alone in their shared room. Last he heard Meta Knight was out with Kirby, Luigi and Yoshi. And Marth...was with Roy...
There it was again...that feeling.
A groan before the vanguard collapsed into his bed face first. It didn't last long and he rolled onto his back, lacing his fingers and resting them behind his head. Of course that had been early this morning...the Crimea native glanced at the clock. It was late afternoon...
No doubt Marth was with Roy still…
The feeling grew.
Sure he felt like this when Sword and Blade came around the first time. But it was okay. Because Sword and Blade turned out to be good guys.
But most importantly, they were leaving.
They weren't permanent residents of the mansion.
That was the difference.
Roy?
Roy was a Smasher. Well, he was a veteran Smasher, much like Ike himself. One could even argue that the Lord of Pherae was more of a veteran due to the fact that he had participated before Ike.
And Roy wasn't leaving. He was a permanent resident. He probably was a great guy too...but...
Ike frowned, that stupid feeling bubbling up again. Irritated, he sat up. "Okay, enough." When he felt like this before it turned out better to admit it to Meta Knight and everything smoothed over. It should be the same now, right? Right. So with that in mind, the Crimea native left their room to find the emperor. Barely a foot from their door, Meta Knight was beside him.
"AH! Meta Knight...!"
"Ike." The puffball greeted. "How are you?"
"...I'm...I'm good...yourself?"
"Well, thank you." The Star Warrior replied, his golden eyes studying Ike. "Emperor Marth and I just finished a Smash Run. He was conversing with Samus when I left. If you hurry you will find him there."
"Thanks." He quickly walked to the transportation room feeling the puffball's gaze. Ike won't be surprised if their knight knew about his feelings. And he was grateful Meta Knight refrained from telling the Emperor of Akaneia. It was something Ike had to do. As he approached his destination he spotted the bounty huntress down the hall. "Hey, Samus!"
She turned to him. "What is it?"
"Is Marth still in there?"
"Yeah, probably not for much longer."
"Thanks." The Crimea native said and quickly opened the door, only to almost run into the Emperor of Akaneia. "Whoa!"
"Ah...Ike?"
"Hey, Marth...sorry about that..."
"Not a problem..." He smiled brightly at him. "How was your training?"
He offered his own grin in return. "Alright...it's been a while since we've been together."
Marth nodded, slowly. "Yeah...a couple of days…"
"Listen...I need to talk to you about something."
The emperor nodded and the two left. Apparently, he knew their conversation should be in a private area, as Marth led the Crimea native to an empty lounge near the back of the mansion. It was probably the smallest out of the living rooms, holding only two couches, a pair of small tables and six chairs; three per table. There was even a small bookcase that held a few odd stories. Ike hadn't read them, but Pit said they were strange. Granted, the angel had read one of them partially; something about a depressed robot and the end of the world and some poor soul as the main character. It certainly didn't sound that enticing to him.
But books weren't the focus right now. Ike all but collapsed into one of the chairs and watched fondly as the Emperor of Akaneia gracefully sat in another.
It felt nice to be with Marth again even if there was an underlying tension between them. The vanguard knew the emperor was irked and troubled due to how he's been for the past couple of days. Guilt started to eat at the vanguard, and he mentally cringed.
"...Ike...?"
Ah…yeah. He needed to tell Marth. He took a breath, and opened his mouth. "Marth I-"
"Roy?"
Ike deflated. Of course...The vanguard turned to see the Lord of Pherae standing in the doorway, a book in hand. Ike mentally groaned before saying, "Damn it."
The lord raised an eyebrow at the vanguard. "Am I interrupting?"
"No." The words left his mouth immediately. Ike gestured at a chair. "Actually it's probably better with you here."
The emperor and lord exchanged glances, but the Crimea native just waited until the red haired swordsman sat down.
"Listen, Marth, Roy...I...ugh..." A hand rubbed at his face and then raked through his hair. Was there an easy way to say this without sounding like a child?
"Ike?"
"...I..." He looked between the two. Marth was pretty concerned, and Roy was watching with an unreadable expression. "I've...Marth...I'm..." Ike wasn't sure how to continue. Admitting he was jealous of Roy was…sort of easy to admit to himself. But to actually speak those words out loud? To Marth? And Roy? In hindsight it was probably a bad idea to have the lord stay, but what's done is done. Ike just couldn't find the words…well, at least the words that help him save a little of his pride.
"Ike, you're starting to worry me more so than before..." Marth voiced. "You've been distant lately...I know you said you were training...but the multitude of matches...I asked Master Hand and he stated you weren't given any more than the usual amount."
"...Sorry...sorry for worrying you and…for lying about my fights..." The vanguard apologized softly.
"It's okay...you must have a reason for your avoidance." Marth replied, his voice just as low.
He felt an ache inside of him, as despite the fibs and his avoidance, the emperor still trusted him. Ashunera why was this so hard?! Okay, enough! He was annoyed with himself and even more so with the fact he was making Marth worry so much. The vanguard gritted his teeth, took a deep breath and said, "I'm jealous!"
"You're jealous?" Marth echoed.
Ike resisted the urge to slump in his seat and he could feel his face heat up. "Yeah…" He waited letting the words hang in the air. Marth glanced at Roy.
Did they really need clarification?! The Crimea native could've sworn his face got brighter. "Of you and Roy..."
The vanguard watched the Emperor of Akaneia's eyes widen. "Oh...Oh! Your jealous of how much time I've spent with Roy?"
"...yeah...?" He cringed at his own voice. And then Marth was next to him and hugging him. At least the best he could with him standing and Ike seated. It was a bit awkward, but the Crimea native embraced the emperor the best he could. For a brief moment, the vanguard was content with the warm arms around him and the familiar presence so close.
"I'm sorry Ike," was the muttered apology.
Ike winced, "Why?! Marth! There's nothing for you to apologize for!"
"Yes! There is!" He pulled back. "I've been spending so much time with Roy I neglected you!"
"No, you didn't neglect me! You're not to blame!"
"How can I not be?!"
"If anyone's to blame it's me and how I've acted for the past couple of days!"
"No you're not! You're just acting on your emotions."
"Then the same could be said about you! You're so happy to see Roy again! Ashunera...! I'd be the same if I hadn't seen or heard from a dear friend with no way to contact them for...years or however long it's been!" Ike countered. "And I didn't want to ruin your happiness that just because I'm jealous!"
"That's not an excuse! And one I won't take. Oh Naga! I've even neglected Meta Knight!"
The Crimea native knew he had to stop Marth, least this spiral into something, while born of good intentions, that would harm their relationship and Roy's as well. But he couldn't think of anything to say. "I-...Marth...You're not to blame..." He repeated.
"Marth." Roy was suddenly beside the emperor. Neither had noticed the lord leaving his seat during their argument of who was guilty and who wasn't. He gently pulled Marth away from Ike and led him back to the chair. "You and Ike are talking in circles. You're intentions are admirable; however you and Ike need to calm yourselves. Refrain from a making an imprudent decision."
"Ah, yes..." The Emperor of Akaneia nodded. He sat back down and took a few deep breaths. "Thank you Roy..."
Ike also voiced his gratitude. "Yeah, thanks."
The lord nodded.
And the Crimea native decided that it was actually a good thing Roy was around. He couldn't help but feel like a weight had been lifted. And that everything would be better.
Okay, so my current job has me so exhausted and just brain empty that all I do when I get home is eat and then collapse and either watch something on the internet or Smash for an hour. I'm searching for a new job, one that doesn't consume my life and energy and brain. Because of that (the lack of writing), I feel that this isn't quite up to par as my others, but I still hope you all got some enjoyment out of it. Probably should get a Beta Reader or something…
Now for the story...I've never pictured Ike as the type to really sit and think and let things, more or less stew. He's practical. So feeling jealous of Roy and Marth I don't believe he'd let that go on for too long. At most a couple of days maybe a week or two? In my opinion, before he'd try to fix it in some way. I sort of skimmed over that fact, only having Ike and Marth mention his avoidance/absence. I felt if I wrote that out and this, then it would be far too long, probably would have to split into two chapters...and well...I'm not great when it comes to writing jealously. Granted, it's still hard to picture Ike being jealous, but I hope it was portrayed well enough. Oddly it was interesting and a little fun writing Marth and Ike trading blame.
On another note...! TriForce Heroes anyone? I got a demo code. But since I have no friends…at least one's with 3DS, I played with random people during those specific times. I've got to say, when it was first announced, I wasn't too thrilled. It wasn't on my radar. After the demo? Yeah...it's fun! I plan on getting it later...after my next paycheck...which is this weekend! Psshh...who needs candy, when a brand new shiny game is enough for me to rot my teeth out?! Lol.
Have a good one readers! I hope the next update won't be as far off as this one….Oh geez…I didn't update this since July? Oh boy...*cringe*
ZeroGravityDog is out...hopefully not for long.