"Ike!" The banging and yelling pulled Ike from his sleep with a jolt. Years spent working on an oil rig made him immediately think of fire, and it took him a second to remember he wasn't actually on the rig. He sat up, confused why the bed was empty of a pointed eared beauty he remembered falling asleep next to. "Ike! Wake up!" Roy's voice made him roll his eyes as he slid out of bed. He scowled at the floor, looking for a pile of clothes that didn't belong to him. His eyes found none and he sighed heavily.

"What Roy?" He asked as he walked to the door, cracking it to hide his nudity.

"Have a good evening?" Roy asked and Ike shut the door in his face. "Ike!" He banged on the door again and Ike growled out a colorful curse about his mother as he flung open the door. "Dude!" Roy turned away quickly. "Cover yourself! Shit!"

"I gotta shower, come in," Ike stepped back, Roy following him with turned away eyes. Ike felt the unspoken questions hanging in the air and waved. "Go on... Ask away."

"Did you fuck her?"

"Yeah," Ike nodded and walked to the bathroom, flicking on the light and the vent.

"Did you... kick her out or something?"

"No she was gone when you woke me up," Ike said flatly as he turned on the water. It sputtered to life, hissing from the shower head like a pissed off rattlesnake.

"Ouch," Roy sighed as he flicked on the tv. Ike nodded silently as he stepped into the shower and pulled the curtain. "You alright?"

"Fine," Ike shouted over the water.

"You don't do the whole one night stand thing," Roy's voice was closer and Ike sighed. "It's been how long since-"

"Look," Ike poked his head from the shower curtain, "she's gone it's whatever. I'm fine." He looked at Roy who tilted his head. "Now get out of the bathroom, it's kinda gay."

"Says the man with a gay friend."

"And I dress better because of said gay friend," Ike fired back and Roy scoffed.

"I dress just fine," he grumbled and Ike laughed as he showered.

"Get out."

"Yeah yeah... Wanna grab a bite? I could go for something greasy and artery clogging."

"There's a diner down the road," Ike said as he shut off the water. Roy tossed a bleached to death towel over the shower curtain rod and Ike mumbled a thanks.

"So we can grab breakfast?" Roy asked and Ike pulled back the curtain, stepping from the shower with the towel around his waist. "I love when you're romantic and we have breakfast the morning after." He batted his eyelashes and Ike grabbed him. "Let go!" He squealed and Ike planted a kiss on his cheek. "Ew yuck! I don't wanna know where your nasty mouth has been." Ike laughed and went to his bag, pulling out clean clothes.

"Grab my wallet man," he said and Roy scoffed as he knelt beside the discarded pants.

"If there's anything on these I swear to..." He trailed off and Ike turned to him, eyes falling on the photo paper in his hand. Roy looked up at him and Ike shrugged, stepping up to him quickly. "Ike-"

"It got me laid," he said with a shrug, snatching the photo from his fingers, "doesn't matter."

"Ike-"

"It's nothing," he warned, stepping back to the bag and trying not to look at the pictures. "Let's grab some food alright?" Roy gave him a look but nodded.

"Alright," he stepped from the room and shut the door, leaving Ike to stare down at the photos. Her smile was beautiful, her mid-laugh face in the second one was even more beautiful... He shoved the strip into his bag, pulling on his clothes with a scowl. He didn't understand why she left, but he sure as hell wasn't going to mope around over her.

XxX

Dressed and putting on his best front, they moved to the diner, Roy asking vague questions about one of two topics, how he was doing and, when Ike threatened his manhood, what Mist was up to. "You like my sister or something?" Ike asked and grinned as Roy stumbled on words.

"I don't uh... Well I-"

"Yes or no," Ike said and Roy shuffled his feet as they stepped into the eatery.

"Yes," Roy finally admitted and Ike laughed as he slapped him on the back. "You're not gonna kill me?"

"Not yet," Ike said and moved to a booth by the window, eyes hunting for a waitress as they sat. "You break her heart and that'll be a different story though."

"I wouldn't Ike you know that," Roy said and Ike gave him a warm grin, the best he had.

"I know. Why don't you come home with me for the rest of our break? Try to hang out with her a little." Roy's eyes lit up and Ike held up a finger. "No shit though, that's my little sister and if you even try to fuck her I will kill you. Take your sweet time on that, understood?"

"You got it," Roy smiled and Ike smirked, waving as their boss strolled in.

"Mind if I join you?" His voice growled out and Ike slid over, allowing Snake to sit beside him. "Much obliged."

"I don't think they allow smoking in here," Ike pointed out and watched his boss hesitate, his hand halfway to the pocket on his shirt. He growled out a curse and Ike shook his head. He liked the bearded chain smoker, he was a hard ass on the job, but when you got him on dry land the man had more going on than you'd expect.

"Nowhere allows smoking nowadays," Snake grumbled and Ike clapped him on the back.

"It's probably for the best," Ike said and looked to Roy who seemed nervous to have the boss at the table. "I'd like your input here Snake. We were just discussing Roy's attraction to my sister. You met her, Mist."

"Yeah," Snake smirked up at Roy who paled. "Is she even old enough for him to like her?"

"Yeah but... I don't know about him and her," Ike teased and Roy opened his mouth.

"Nah," Snake shook his head, "kid's fine."

"If you say so Boss," Ike smiled at Roy who relaxed at that, a smile coming back to his lips slowly. Their waitress sauntered up to them with a smile, her eyes running over them and lingering on Ike.

"What can I getcha?" she asked and he motioned for them to order first as he glanced down at the menu. A bright green flash caught his eye and he looked up to see a fancy sports car rolling to a stop at the sign up ahead. He shook his head before ordering something called the 'Pianta Special' and telling her to make it spicy. She smiled and walked off, Snake's eyes on her as Ike glanced at the car driving off. He briefly wondered how much a car like that costs, knowing there was no way in hell he'd ever be able to afford it. 'Wonder if it comes in dark blue though...' He smirked and shook his head of the mental image of him and Zelda driving along together.

"Waitress is sweet on you," Snake pointed out and Ike turned to him with a scowl.

"Not happening," he said and Snake scoffed.

"Why not?"

"'Cause Ike fucked a different chick last night," Roy piped up and Snake laughed.

"Romeo broke down and got him some?" Ike shoved him and Snake shoved him back. "What? I'm impressed."

"Shut up," Ike picked up a sugar packet from the cheap cracked plastic holder and tossed it at Snake. "When she comes back ask if that's her name tag."

"Fuck you," Snake tossed it back at him. "That's the worst line in the book."

XxX

Ike laughed to himself as he tossed his dirty clothes in the machine, his mother telling Roy what mischief had Mist out of the house that weekend. He joined them in the small living room, Roy looking at his boots in sadness. "Mom," Ike called as he leaned on the doorframe, "Mist isn't dating anyone is she?"

"Oh Ike," the dark blue hair now streaked beautifully with gray turned to him and he smiled at his beautiful mother, "you know that girl has no interest in any man right now. All she wants is to finish school."

"And she will," Ike said as he moved to collapse by Roy on the couch, "with me footing the bill."

"You insisted," Elena reminded and Ike shrugged, relaxing into the worn floral print.

"You get the money I sent you?" He asked and she nodded. "Good."

"You don't need to send me so much Ike," she scolded and he smiled at her worried face.

"What am I gonna spend it on?" He asked and she pursed her lips.

"A girlfriend," she said and Ike gave her a look. "It's been awhile Ike, a mother worries about her only son-"

"I'm fine."

"Every man needs a good woman," she continued, "and let's not forget about the fact that I'm growing older and I would like to see my grandchildren before I die-"

"Mom you're fifty, stop that crap," he warned and Roy chuckled next to him. "Oh you think it's funny? Why don't I tell my dearest mother why you accompanied me?"

"He wants to go on a date with Mist," Elena said and they turned to her with surprise. "What? You boys aren't very subtle. And at least he is interested in someone." Ike opened his mouth and shut it slowly, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "Now, who's going to help me grill up those ridiculously spicy steaks?"

XXX

Thanks for reading! And a big thank you and hug for concisponci and the Guest for reviewing! Until next time! Much love, Leigh