Author's Note:

I named this chapter well…thanks a bunch…Link DX


As the sun's rays reached into the room, Link found himself waking. He stretched and sighed, staring up at the ceiling. The sound of footsteps coming from the hallway getting louder. Now they were in the room and Link looked over, his visitor closing the door and climbing back into bed. He yawned.

"Morning." he said, nuzzling the pillow. Link smiled weakly as Ike stroked his cheek.

"M-morning Ike." he said. He felt his cheeks turning red and then…

Ike looked away before Link narrowed his eyes. Their was something welling up in Link's stomach. Guilt was it? But why…Link was so confused. His feelings confounded him. Ike's voice reawakened him from his thoughts.

"You hungry? We could get some food if you want." he said. Link nodded slowly.

"Y-yah…that'd be great. I'll catch up though, you go on ahead." he said. Ike smiled and leaned over, kissing Link's forehead. He got up and walked out to the hallway. Link sat up, and stared at the window. Why did he suddenly feel so…

No, forget it you're just not used to it yet. Ike's a good guy…I'm just being a prude. Link thought. He rubbed his temples and sighed, trying to break away the morning fogginess. Besides, it was a kiss. Nothing more…

He got up and changed into a new tunic, then began to walk out. He stopped then shook his head and continued down the hallway, deciding against putting on one of his signature sock-shaped hats. As he walked he felt his stomach getting weaker. Something wasn't right…and it bugged the hell out of Link. It wasn't right…it just wasn't…

I have to talk to Zelda he decided. He went over to Zelda's room, knowing Ike would wait for him, and knocked carefully. The door opened to Zelda, who was pulling her hair up and seemed to be just waking up. She smiled and ushered him in, then she noticed Link's expression and pulled him a chair.

"What's wrong?" she said, worried. Link felt shaky now. His demeanor faltered and Link's confidence melted away. Why did he feel so…

"I'm just confused…I don't feel well."

"Well explain what happened." Link lowered his gaze.

"Ike and I…we kissed last night. And at first everything was fine but I…woke up with this horrible…guilt feeling. Like I've betrayed myself or someone else…I don't get it." he said softly. Zelda nodded, understanding, and scrunched up her face in disgust.

"I think…you should talk to Marth. Whatever your heart decides of course." she said. Link smiled weakly, but sadly, felt no better. He left with the same guilt bugging him.

Maybe…I have to do this on my own. I think…I have to tell Ike what's wrong. he thought. He agreed with it and began to make his way down the hall, coming up with a tune in his head for his Ocarina. As he turned the corner he ran into Marth.

"Sorry." said Link softly. His heart sank as he noticed Marth's expressionless face. He said nothing and simply moved past Link. He turned and watched as Marth walked on.

"Marth…"

"Something wrong?" Link whirled around and blushed as Ike wrapped his arms around Link's middle and kissed Link. Link shakily put his arms around Ike's neck, but the guilt remained. Ike noticed Link's expression and decided to try cheering him up.

"Hey…let's eat outside. The air should make you feel better you know?" he said. Link smiled. It was so sweet of Ike, trying to cheer him up. Link nodded.

"Yah that sounds great." Ike nodded too and lightly grabbed Link's hand, leading him outside. As they ate and talked, Link felt a little better. Ike managed to bring the humor back out, but Link couldn't shake the memory, of Marth as he walked away silently.


I hate you.

Today I didn't want to wake up. I had a raging headache not to mention…

Link. MY Link. With, of all people, IKE. I know you'd have laughed if you were here but…I'm really scared. I wish you were here.

I wish, Roy, that'd you'd never left. I don't know what to do. I spend each day wondering whether I should even try. But now I keep thinking it isn't worth it.

Dammit it's not fair! I'm trying Roy I really am! But it's so hard…Ike he's…so much more than me. He's funny and strong, and…everything I'm not. Is that why Link likes him so much? Is that why, despite all that I've tried so far to get his attention, he pays me no mind? I don't want to be his friend!

I admit it! I wish I had been there last night. The one with Link. I wish it would've been me. But I'm not. I wasn't worthy enough for Link. I know, you would tell me not to give up. To try more…but I don't have the resolve Roy!

I walked down the hallway, beating myself up as usual, when I ran into him. You should have seen him…my angel…Link…

The look on his face. He seemed so…sad. I'd give anything to kiss his sadness away. Anything in the world…and he'll never know it Roy. Never…because he's Ike's. And now I find myself trying to find the strength to fight in all my brawls. I go through it so easy that I don't find any meaning in brawls anymore.

I found them later, sitting together on the grass. That bastard…he had his arms around Link! I wish I could punch him. I wish…

But why am I so angry!? Ike is a…friend. No, would have been…a friend. I'm angry because he has what I cannot have. I want to scream so loud. I can't believe the emotions he's brought out of me. And now I realize how selfish I am. For wanting you here instead of him…so he wouldn't have gained Link's trust. But more importantly, for wanting Link and wishing Link would've rejected him.

Yes I willing admit that I wish he had rejected Ike. I know it's selfish. I know it and yet I…

You wouldn't be able to read some of this Roy. I'm laughing now, imaging you trying to read it. I couldn't help but cry. Sorry, about the tear stains…

Marth gritted his teeth and shut his eyes hard as tears streamed down his face. He closed his notebook, finding comfort in 'talking' to Roy through the pages. Through his writing. But now he could feel his heart breaking again. His mind torturing him, for the millionth time, with the image of Ike and Link locked in that passionate kiss. He had had a nightmare as well. And now Marth felt his confidence had been shaken to it's last. He sank to the ground and sobbed again, his chest aching.

Why…why does it hurt…so much…


She sighed as she came down the corridor. Maybe Link was right about his feelings. Maybe…

She rounded the corner and stopped abruptly. She had reached his room and now lightly pushed the door open. It had been cracked previously. She stepped in and looked down. Marth was on the ground, sleeping. She then realized, Marth had been crying. His face was still slightly tear stained.

"Marth?" she questioned. She sat down next to him and lightly tapped his shoulder. Marth stirred and blinked a few times before realizing that Zelda was beside him. He pulled away and stared wide eyed at her.

"Wha…what do you wa-want!?" he said, his cheeks turning red. Zelda smiled warmly and offered her hand to him.

"I know. You have every right to distrust me but…I want to make it up to you. I know you love Link…a fool could see it." she placed her hand on Marth's. "I want to help you."

So Marth told her. Everything. How he had first been Roy's target and how it had built a good starting point for he and Link but then how it all crashed down when Ike came and Roy left.

Then he told her of how Ike was better than him. Taller, funnier, more muscular, warm hearted, friendly…all the things that Marth wasn't. He told her about seeing Link and Ike on the balcony the night before, and how he had run into Link only to later see Ike with him again.

When he came to an end he sighed and hung his head, waiting for Zelda's reaction. She nodded.

"Link came to me this morning, asking for guidance. He was upset because…he felt some sort of guilt left over from that night you mentioned. He said something didn't feel right." Zelda sighed. "I believe he has feelings toward you Marth, that he has yet to acknowledge. And I believe, it's only a matter of time, before he realizes these feelings exist."

Marth nodded. His heart was lifted at this. Maybe Roy wasn't wrong. But of course, there could always be something to destroy that. Something that would pop up and kill the moment. They spoke a little longer before Zelda apologized for her previous attitude towards him and they bid each other farewell. Marth's hopes were lifted, but he knew his struggle was far from over. There was no way he could get Link that easily.


Now what… Link sighed. He had thought all day about his decision. Be with Ike? Or leave him…

Ugh! This is so hard! he really did care about Ike. And his feelings toward Ike were growing promisingly, but Link knew deep down that he couldn't love someone while his heart ached so much. Something inside him was holding him back…how do you go through the relationship, not mentioning to them that even while their together something burns in the pit of your stomach and tells you that all you really want is to go curl up in a ball in peace.

No, Ike would understand. But it would break his heart and Link knew that that was out of the question. He had to find a way to conquer his feelings. Somehow…for Ike's sake at least.

Link sighed and stared at the clouds. No, there's no point…I have to tell him…

"Hey Link?" Link drifted out of his thought bubble and turned to Ike. Ike was messing with some sort of daisy he plucked from the ground and seemed to be trying to distract himself with it.

"I uh…had something on my mind. Something I can't shake." he said softly. Link felt his heart begin beating rapidly. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion as his sudden reaction. What was wrong with him?

"I've been thinking that…well…that I don't want you to leave me. I mean, after the tournaments and all…eventually we'll have to go home. I want us to…be together…even after all this…you know?" he said. Link felt shaky but nodded. His body did things his heart disagreed with, and Link was aware. He bit his lip.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is that I…love you…and I want, to be with you…un…less it's a problem." he said, glancing over at Link. Link did his best to give a genuine smile.

"I…I agree. It's a great idea and…I…love you too…" Ike pulled Link into a hug and nuzzled him.

"I'm glad you feel the same." he said smiling. But Link knew he didn't. Why did he have to lie!? He felt tears threatening to fall. He wanted to cry, because he knew sometime soon, he'd end up hurting Ike.

But he tried to compose himself for now. He'd figure a way out…somehow.

"Yah." he laughed nervously, which to his surprise, sounded like a normal laugh. Ike pulled away and then looked up. Link suddenly felt his heart sink once more as Ike stared at their visitor.

"Oh…hey Marth!" he said cheerfully. Link turned to see Marth, who stood paler than usual in the doorway.

That's it…he's the reason… Link felt terrible at this realization. Dammit why couldn't I have figured it out sooner! He…heard it all…I just know it.

"What's wrong?" said Ike. Marth stared at them, his eyes wide and, to Link at least, his knees beginning to buckle. Then a tear streamed down his face and Marth turned on his heel, walking quickly down the hallway. Link felt like crying too.

What have I done… Ike's arms were around him.

"Guess he's a walking zombie or something. You know, he could be sleepwalking…poor Marth." he said, chuckling. Link buried his face in Ike's shoulder. It seemed over between him and Marth. Whatever there was before…it had disappeared now. He looked up and kissed Ike on the cheek.

I can't let Ike get hurt too. Link smiled and Ike smiled back, unaware of the pain Link and Marth now went through. I'll do whatever it takes to make Ike happy…


Author's Note:

Like I said, serious point of the story. But no one should worry about Marth…I like him better than Ike anyway :3

Review please :D