Hi everyone! First things first! I'd like to thank everyone for their lovely reviews. They made me feel better about these one-shots. I just hope this one will bring the same joy. Oh... and some time ago some of you may have received an alert saying I had updated. Sorry about that, I was editing my chapter and Iuse the the new chapter instead of replace chapter. Sorry again. Now the next one-shot is my fave season Winter and my fave couple Marth/Samus. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Winter
The time of the season was bitter and cold. Everyone was snug in their little homes under their warm fires or heaters. No one dared to go out in this frosty icy cold weather. What was this season? This season was winter. But one lone bounty hunter had traveled on her own through the icy streets, braving the cold. This bounty huntress went by the name of Samus Aran.
The young woman stared up at the star filled sky. Though she couldn't see the millions of stars past the snowy gray clouds, she knew the stars were illuminating upon her from their hiding spots. She wished she could see them instead of seeing the works of the season she loathed the most.
Stupid winter. Why have such a pointless and stupid season? She repeated in her mind over and over again. She looked up at the town clock reading Midnight on its hands. She knew she was supposed to be back at the SSBM mansion but she could careless on this night. Samus wished to be outside than be around her fellow smashers back at the mansion. No one wanted her there anyway and she didn't need them.
All they care about is their time they get to spend together since the tournaments are not held in the winter. It gives everyone time to be so happy and carefree. It makes me sick! She thought to herself.
While everyone had the time of their lives back at the mansion, this gave her time to think. To think about the time winter occurred and she found out the tragic things that happened in this season. She would think about the war that occurred when she was still an infant. The war of so many casualties with her people and her parents among them. They had died in the freezing blizzard of the winter. Luckily the Chozos found her after the aftermath of the war. She was able to live with them for some years but yet again she lost them and who knew it wouldn't be a coincidence that it would be winter that she was alone again. This was the reason she hated it. It seemed every winter she would increase on becoming lonely, but she didn't care.
She looked around at the empty streets as the cold breeze blew past her again. The cold was nipping at her face now. She grabbed the collar of her black coat and pulled it up to her face and continued walking down the sidewalk. There was another reason she was out in the cold and it made her angry just thinking about it.
Earlier on in the day, she was sitting outside alone minding her own business. When three swordsmen Link, Roy, and Marth came out in her thinking area. There was a heavy blizzard the day before and therefore, the surrounding area of the mansion was in about two feet of snow. They came out throwing projectiles of snow at each other right in front of her. She remembered trying to ignore them and their senseless fun, but it was addicting to watch them laughing and having fun. Yes, she was looking at them but she was keeping her attention mainly on Marth.
Samus couldn't deny that out of all the smashers she loved to see Marth the most. She didn't really know why she only took interest in him. Maybe because he was the first guy ever to be nice to her and acknowledge her whenever she was in his sight. He made Samus feel like she was someone around the mansion. His act of kindness made Samus develop (though she hated to admit it) a crush on the swordsman.
But she would drop dead before she would tell her feelings to him. She was a fearless bounty hunter and if she ever did tell him how she felt she would be considered a softy and that's the last thing she wanted. Besides all that, she was a bit afraid of what reaction she would get if she ever did confess the truth. She decided to just admire him from afar.
But on this day, afar was not going to be an option. She was watching them throw the snowballs continually but as she kept her eye on her crush she started to dreamily think about what it would be like to be with someone like Marth. But as she was thinking she failed to notice the snowball targeting her.
The wet slushy like snowball hit her directly on the side of her head. Having no idea what just happened, she wasn't able to maintain her balance on the wall she was sitting on and she fell off it, landing on her back in the cold snow. As her thoughts snapped back to reality, she sees Marth is now standing over her. He had a grin on his face and was…laughing.
"Sorry, Samus." He held out a hand still laughing. "I thought you were on the alert. I didn't know my snowball was going to hit you that hard."
Samus felt her anger boiling inside her. "You…threw that snowball?" she said through gritted teeth.
Marth kept his goofy grin on his face. "Yeah. You looked bored over there so I decided to throw it to get you in the game and-
Samus angrily cut Marth off by punching him directly in his stomach. Marth's breath burst from his lungs to out of his mouth in a giant mass, leaving the visible air in the sky. But Samus could care less. She glared at him. "YOU JERK! IT'S NOT FUNNY!"
Marth's mouth hung open by her sudden rash anger. "Samus! I didn't…"
"DON'T TALK TO ME!" Samus screamed angrily as she stormed out of the backyard leaving shocked looks on all the swordsmen's faces.
Samus kicked a nearby lamppost letting the pain shoot up her leg. She didn't know why she reacted in such a cruel way to him. But when he threw the snowball at her, the only thing she could think about was Marth being just like everyone else. He wasn't different at all. He was just as big of a nuisance as everyone else at the mansion.
She pulled a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. He made it seem like it was an accident…but what if it wasn't? What if someone bet him money to be nice me to get me to fall in love with him? Just to toy with my emotions? That…stupid… I hate him! She shook her head. Marth wouldn't do something like that to me. No, he's too kind. Too sweet. Too…too handsome. I don't know what to think.
The lights of the mansion awoke Samus from her thoughts. She didn't know why so many lights were needed to announce where the mansion is. It was like following the North Star or something. The troubling thoughts in Samus' head, ended for the time being and she changed her navigation to retire back to the house of misery. The walk back was raising her depression. The fact that she was out here alone was making her feel so dejected. It wasn't because she was scared or anything but she longed for someone to walk home with.
Winter was the season of bringing people together. The feeling of warmth and comfort came with this season and it wasn't just because of coats and warm fires even if they did contribute. It's the love from others. From your parents, from your friends, and even pets. It all came from loved ones and people you cherish, exactly what Samus didn't have. For years now, it had been a cold deserted winter for her and sadly winter had just started.
As the mansion came into close view, Samus started to hear faint humming. She stopped dead in her tracks as her ears picked up to the tune. She didn't know what song it was but the music was soothing. Curious, she slowly walked around and listened for what direction the song was in. Heading to her left the sound was getting stronger and more audible. Soon she reached a lake known very well as Tranquil Lake. From her knowledge it was named that because when you come to this body of water, it's always very serine and quiet. But right now the lake was a temporary ice path.
Meanwhile, there was another person sharing the same lake but he was lying down on the ground hidden by the packs on snow. He went by the name of Marth Lowell. Marth loved being out in the snow and he snuck out from the mansion to just sit and embrace the weather. But it wasn't the only reason why he wanted to be outside in the snow. He wanted to think about a certain bounty hunter.
He didn't know what he was going to do about her. The numerous times he tried to get her to open up and talk to him never worked. His plans would somehow backfire on him and just recently the snowball idea blew up in his face too.
Unlike the bounty hunter, Marth liked being around the mansion everyday. The time spent there was never a disappointment to him. He had many friends there and luckily he was liked by almost all the smashers. All except one named Samus Aran. For Marth, she was one stubborn woman.
For a long time now, Marth had been keeping an eye on Samus whenever he could and from what he could see she was off doing things on her own. He wouldn't say there was anything wrong with it if it wasn't for the fact she looked so lost. He remembered he caught her by herself last winter in the library. She was silent about it, but he could see tears of pain and hurt fall down her cheeks. Since then, Marth had sworn to find some way to make her smile and possibly his friend.
He had to admit, if he could get past being just a friend, he wanted to be with her. He did find love in the bounty hunter and her mysterious ways. She and him never really found time to talk to each other. There would be the original passing "hello and how are you?" but that would be it. He wasn't shy about admitting his feelings to her but he just didn't want to rush it on her and freak her out.
While he was thinking he started humming a song about winter his mother taught him when he was a child. But as he saw Samus come to the lake he stopped humming. He didn't expect to see her so soon, since she took off earlier in the morning and never did return. This named his third reason for sneaking out.
Samus had stopped looking at the lake when the soothing humming ended. She started to look around to see where it came from. Marth started to shrink in the snow. I can't let her see me. I'm sure she's going to put even more of a beating on me if she sees my face. But… maybe she's over it. I'll go for it. He sat up and slowly opened his mouth. "Samus?" he said as if he didn't know if it wasn't her.
Samus turned in the correct location and saw Marth sitting in the snow. She gasped beung a bit scared that he was here, but she stood her ground. She stared at him and didn't say a word waiting for him to speak.
"Hi," He said hesitantly with a very nervous wave.
Samus returned the same wave, but much weaker. "Hi," She said softly.
Marth started to grow some backbone and decided to push the conversation a little further. He readied himself. "Is it okay if we talk for just a second? I'll be brief."
Samus kept the same perplexed stare. not knowing how to answer. Could she go and have a conversation with someone she wasn't sure she could trust? Though her mind kept telling her to just walk away she really wanted to know what was on his mind. She nodded slowly and walked over to him. She didn't release her gaze on him until she found herself staring in his icy blue eyes. She shifted her eyes away quickly and sat down next to him in the snow. It was a very freezing feeling but Samus tended to ignore it since she was interested in what he was going to say.
"What do you want to talk about?" she asked without glancing at him.
"Well…its about what happened earlier when the guys and I were throwing snowballs. I wanted to apologize for hurting you."
"Oh…that's right. I just don't understand why you threw the snowball at me and continued to laugh about it even when I fell."
Marth tried to look at her, but her eyes were purposely avoiding his. He sighed. "I wasn't trying to do it as a prank or anything, I just wanted to maybe make you laugh or even smile."
Samus gripped the snow under her hands roughly. "Well, it really wasn't funny at all. What are you trying to pull?"
"Pull? Pull what?" He looked back at Samus but she was already looking at him dead in the eye with of very suspicious look. Her eyes were burning into his.
"Who bet you money?" Samus demanded. She could see Marth's confused state but she knew he couldn't really be this nice to her. No one could be, no matter how nice they portray themselves. "There's nothing I ever did for you to make you be nice to me all the time. So there must be some reason."
Marth returned his eyes back to the snow. He didn't know if he could tell her. He remained silent once again.
Samus bit her lip. "You're just like everyone else. You wouldn't want to be friends with me because of how I am. Right?"
Marth gently grabbed Samus' gloved hand making her stop her ranting. "Wrong, Samus. I have no problem with the way you are. Ever since the first time we met, all I ever wanted to do was get to know you. But you keep me locked out of your life and you never want me to talk to you. As for someone betting me money, I would never think of such a thing. I wouldn't need to because I already just want to be able to be your friend, Samus Aran."
"Friend huh?" Samus laughed as if it were a joke. "Friendship is built on trust and you and me are far away from trusting each other. I don't know what to believe about you."
"You can believe that I didn't mean to hurt you like before can't you? Do I ever seem like I love to torment people? Even you?" Marth questioned her.
Samus looked deep into his eyes. Guiltiness was making her feel like she did take it a little over the edge. She closed her eyes. "No. Not a chance," She muttered.
Marth heard her loud and clear. He left her gloved hand to placing his hand on her shoulder. "I know you're feeling like it's your fault."
"Don't try to tell me it isn't. I've been paranoid all my life. I always think someone is always trying to make me feel even worse. So then I try to defend myself by keeping everyone away from me. I had no right to punch you like that. I never even let you explain."
"It was a mistake Samus. Everyone makes them. Though I should have tried a less reaction occurring approach." He chuckled hoping to get even a small smirk from Samus. No avail, she was still feeling bad.
"If there is anyway I can make it up to you, I'll be willing to do it."
Marth groaned. "For the last time Samus. There's nothing you can…" he paused for a moment. A small smirk spread across his lips. He turned his eyes back to Samus. "You'll be willing to do anything?"
Samus realized what she had just said. Her feelings had bothered her so much she wasn't being careful with her words. She gulped nervously. "…yes?"
Marth leaned into Samus' face.Noses inches apart. "Okay…"
I've got a bad feeling about this. What does he want me to do? Samus thought to herself. She waited patiently for his next response.
"I want you to go ice-skating with me." He said softly.
"Ice-skating?" Samus repeated. "Right now and right here?"
"Yes right now and of course right here. Ice-skating usually involves an ice rink doesn't it?And look what we have here." He answered sarcastically.
Samus looked at him crazy. "You can't be serious. You really want to skate with me? I-I can't…I…I don't even have any ice skates."
"No worries." Marth turned to his side and picked up two black pairs of ice skates. "I got a pair for me and a pair for you. I even think the pair is in your size." He gave Samus' skates to her carefully so she wouldn't cut her hands on the sharp blades. "Here you go. Let's hurry up before it gets too cold." He started to remove his own shoes to put on the skates.
Samus opened her mouth for another excuse but dropped her hand and gave in. She knew he wouldn't listen to reason. She quickly placed her ice-skates on and laced them up tight. Just as she finished, Marth grabbed her hand and helped pull her up. As she stood, she almost lost her balance but she maintained.
Marth headed immediately on the ice. When he was able to hold a steady balance he turned back to Samus. "Come on. You said you were willing to do anything."
Samus swallowed her nerves back and walked over to the ice. She stopped inches away from the ice and looked down her feet. "I can't do this. I don't even know how to skate," She said shyly.
Marth skated towards her and gently held her hands again. "I figure that much. But don't worry we'll take this one little baby step at a time." He slowly led her onto the ice. "Take it slowly."
"Okay." She moved her skates little by little. She could stand straight on the ice without falling but her knees were locked in place.
Marth laughed. "Don't look so scared." Without waiting for a "ready," he slowly skated backwards dragging Samus along with him. "Pick up your feet like you're walking but then drag them across the ice."
Samus listened to his words and soon she was skating along with him. As they started to circle around the rink, Marth started to go a bit faster and Samus was able to keep up. She kept her eyes down at her feet to make sure she was still following the directions Marth had given her. She had to admit it was a little bit …fun.
Marth started to loosen his grip on the bounty hunter's hands. "I'm going to let go of your hands now."
Samus snapped out of her thoughts. "What…" Before she could stop him, she was already released from the warmth of his hands and was now skating on her own. Or so to say it was skating for about three seconds. She automatically started to panic. No. I don't fall on my face in front of him! That will give him something else to laugh about! Her poise was leaving her and she jumped a bit forward holding her hands out to Marth. "Marth, I still can't skate! Don't leave me here!" she blurted out.
Marth quickly skated back to Samus seeing her getting ready to fall flat on her face. He caught her quickly by using his body as a cushion as she started to fall forward. He encircled his arms around her to keep her still. "Relax. I got you." He said soothingly. She was gripping tightly onto his jacket her fingers trembling against him. "I would never let you fall." He felt Samus' nerves starting to calm down. She then looked up at him and he was amazed. He never really looked Samus in the eyes much but for some reason there was a bright little light shining in her emerald green eyes.
"Wow…" he said almost in a whisper. "The moonlight really brings out your eyes."
Samus' cheeks turned a rosy pink. "Yours too," She softly replied. "They remind me of the snow."
Marth smiled. "Thanks. I...ah…ah... AAH-CHOO!" Marth's high-pitched sneeze made him skate a bit backwards while he covered his mouth. But as he scooted back, he lost his balance and fell down on his rear end on the cold ice. Marth rubbed his sore spot. "Ow…"
Samus gaped at Marth. Suddenly, Samus put an expression that she nor Marth had never seen come on her face. A very large smile appeared on her face. Soon the smile turned into chorus of giggles. Marth could not believe she was actually laughing.
"I have never seen anyone sneeze like that," She said through her giggles. "It was like a girl's scream, that was too, too funny!"
Marth was just too amazed. "So I can't laugh at you but you can laugh at me?"
Samus covered her mouth to hide her laughter. "Sorry." She slowly bent down and held out her hand. "Here…you clumsy little fool." She said still smiling.
Marth laughed as he took her hand and stood up. "I can't believe you're actually smiling. It looks great on you Samus."
Samus touched her face. "It feels weird though."
"I guess your jaw bones aren't use to something like that. They're used to only being sappy." Marth saw her smile get even brighter. "If we keep working at it you'll be a smiling pro. I think I see a friendship growing here."
"Maybe." Samus looked up at the sky. She could finally see the stars as the snow fell upon them. "Winter… the season of comfort."
"The season of comfort?" Marth asked.
Samus turned back to Marth. "This may sound stupid but don't laugh okay? Every winter it seems everyone comes together and they're at peace. Its as if they become one and they know nothing will tear them apart as long as they have each other." Samus felt a little embarrassed telling Marth what she thought about winter. "Sounds dumb doesn't it?"
"On the contrary. Unlike winter, it seems on the other seasons,everyone tries to stray away from each other and do their own thing. But winter is about many things, but especially coming together." Marth held her hands in his. "For warmth."
"You took the words right out of my mouth." Samus arched an eyebrow. "Have you been spying on me?"
"Not the way you think. I always wondered the same thing about this season. I've noticed around the mansion that everyone seems to stop their rivalry and worst enemy status when it comes to winter and they all are serine. That was everyone except you. Is that why you're never around during winter?"
Samus' face saddened. "Mm-hmm. It was…but I don't feel that way anymore. Thanks to you." Marth. There's just no way I can think to express how sincere and caring you are. She thought to herself.
"So now you have your warmth," Marth explained.
Samus smirked. "Well I have my warmth. But it seems you're still a little on the cold side." She looked at Marth. "At least around you face."
Marth laughed."I've been out here for hours sitting in the snow. I just need to warm up my ears when I get inside the mansion and I'll be fine."
Samus stopped examining Marth in the face and looked lovingly into his eyes. "Who needs the mansion?"
Before Marth could comprehend what she meant, he felt the warmth of Samus' lips pressed against his frozen ones. Besides Marth's ears, his whole body warmed, no... heated up. Without hesitation, he responded to the kiss by pulling her closer to his body and she placed her hands on his chest. Their kiss lasted for a few more seconds before Samus pulled away slowly.
She smiled up at his shocked face. "Warmed up?"
Marth grabbed at his jacket. "Actually, I'm feeling a little hot. I mean I knew you were hot in figure but…"
Samus lightly shoved him as she giggled. "Shut-up!" she said playfully.
"Sorry. You know I didn't mean it. But you didn't just kiss me to warm me up did you?"
The bounty hunter shook her head. "No. I never knew how to tell you. But for a long time I… had this feeling that…maybe in some weird way we were meant for each other. So I went along with it and I started to…" Samus felt a blush rise to her cheeks. "And now I feel stupid for doing that and..."
"I love you too Samus." He said cutting off her sentence. He laughed at her embarrassed manner."You don't have to explain. I've felt the same way about you, throughout the years we've spent here at the mansion. I've never met someone as stubborn and hardcore as you."
"And I've never met someone as clumsy and corny at romance as you." She flicked her finger against his warm nose. "But that's what I like about you. I think I can finally enjoy winter," Samus claimed.
"So do I," He whispered in her ear.
Samus saw the mansion from behind the trees. " Think we should head back?"
"Nah, let's keep them wondering," Marth answered. "I want to stay out here a while longer. What's the worse they can do to us anyway for being out past curfew? " He looked into his love's eyes. "Besides, I want to get to know a little bit more about you as we skate some more."
Samus smiled at her prince. "As long as we get to talk about you later. Let's skate."
"Fine. But…" Without warning , he placed one arm under Samus' calves and the other behind her back scooping her in his arms making her blush even more. "I want to go at a faster pace with this skating. No offense, but you're a bad skater."
Samus placed her arms around his neck and stuck her tongue out at him. "And you have a weird sneeze, so we can't all be perfect. I hope you can hold me."
"You're as light as a feather," He said as his arms started to get comfortable. "Even if you weren't I wouldn't care. I love the feeling of you in my arms."
She nuzzled her head against his. " Absolutely, positively corny. Just how I like you. Now where to start…" she said as Marth started skating down the ice.
The two began talk about their lives as the warmth of being in each other's arms comforted them. Winter, the season of comfort and now…love.
A/N: Aah! I'm not to sure about this one shot. I really find romance one-shots very difficult and challenging. But trying new things. Now, I have something to point out so no one will say it in a review. These thoughts on winter, are my opinion. They're not facts. I repeat NOT FACTS. So if anyone doesn't like the description just remember what I said down here. Oh and if there is even one single run-on or spelling error, please let me know because it's really messing up my writing and I had to edit this chapter a few times now. Anywho let's see... the next season is Spring and here's the good news about this season. Think you guess which couple it is? It goes well with them. I have an idea already locked and it will soon be loaded! Yay! Okay you know what to do. Please Read and Review!
Royal Kenya