Does a rose by any other price still smell as sweet? This chapter is quite short, but I'll make up for it in the next chapter ;) Thank you to ADashOfInsanity, Kufuffelupagus, AlteaAuroraRia and Nayunari 'Ayu' Tsuki for reviewing! Reviews really do keep me going :)

After lunch the lounge was done. Around the fire place the wall was painted in a beautiful shade of sunset which blended out either side to a bright yellow which blended into a paler and paler yellow around the rest of the room.

"Just the bathroom and the other bedroom to do now," Ike informed Marth.

"How long will that take?"

"I should have it done by the end of tomorrow."

Marth's sudden disappointment took him by surprise. "Ok."

"Thanks for letting me get rid of some Magnolia."

Marth laughed. "You're welcome."

"Mind if I take a break for now and stroll round your garden?"

"Um…sure."

They both walked into the garden, Ike stretching dramatically like a contented cat. Without speaking he headed out at a leisurely stroll around the edge of the garden, humming to himself. Marth, watching him, noticed for the first time how the shadows under his eyes had deepened. He must have been working late, Marth thought. Ike turned around, surprised to see Marth standing still by the patio door.

"Won't you walk with me?"

"Sure."

Marth caught up with him as he was coming round the back of the garden. Ike, pausing to admire some roses, suddenly asked,

"Do you ever wonder what it's like to be pregnant?"

"Um…"

"You know, like fat in a nice way. And with cravings and mood swings and stuff."

Marth laughed. "You say the randomest things."

"Mmmm. Here, have a rose." Ike pulled one free from the climbing rose on the back fence and tucked it gently behind Marth's right ear.

"Lovely." Ike smiled. Marth smiled back.

I like you. I really like you.

"So have you got any ideas for the bathroom?" Ike continued. "I was thinking perhaps of a sort of mosaic…"

They continued to walk around the garden, discussing designs – but every now and then Marth would reach one hand up to touch the rose Ike had put behind his ear and smile to himself. After a few more rounds of the garden they returned to the house. Ike made for the front door.

"Think I'll stop for today if you don't mind. Need to get some resources if I'm going to do a mosaic tomorrow."

"Oh, Um, ok, sure."

Ike nodded and was about to leave when something occurred to him.

"One last thing." He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a chequebook and a pen, filled out a cheque quickly and handed it to Marth.

"I've been meaning to give that back to you but I kept forgetting," Ike apologised. Marth looked at the cheque. It was for £260.

"Oh God." He put one hand over his forehead and took a shaky breath.

"What is it?" Concerned, Ike put a hand on his shoulder comfortingly. Marth shook his head and swallowed. He was always going to give the money back.

"Marth? Are you okay?"

He hadn't needed to sell the painting.

"Marth?"

Marth moaned miserably. "I didn't think you'd… I sold it…" he whispered.

"What?"

Marth let his hand drop away from his face and looked back at Ike as squarely as he could manage. "I sold the painting."

"What painting?"

"The portrait you did of me."

A terrible silence followed his declaration.

"How much did it sell for?" Ike asked eventually.

"£5000."

More silence. Marth watched Ike's expression but it was impossible to guess how he was feeling.

"I'll give you the money," Marth blurted out, ready to go back into the house and find it.

"No," said Ike blankly, "keep the money. I gave it to you to do what you liked with, after all."

"I'm sorry," Marth whispered. "I didn't expect it to sell for so much…" It was the wrong to have said. Ike's expression hardened.

"When it comes to art, people pay what they think the piece is worth," he explained, not without a hint of venom. He shook his head slowly. "Why?"

"I didn't know if you were going to pay me back the £260… I couldn't afford…" Marth trailed off under Ike's steely gaze. "I'll get you the money," Marth tried again. "Wait right there…"

"I DON'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT THE FUCKING MONEY!"

Marth jumped, terrified. He'd never seen Ike angry, let alone as furious as he was now. But a second later Ike calmed down.

"I'm sorry… I don't know where that came from… I'm sorry… Look…" Ike ran a hand through his hair distractedly. "…I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" And without meeting Marth's eye, he turned and left. Marth closed the door behind him. For several seconds he lingered there, his hand on the handle, not knowing what to do, and a few seconds later the first tear made its way down his cheek. This was succeeded after a moment by a second, and more quickly a third. Marth sank to the floor, burying his head in his hands.

Roy's attempt at romance the following day had never been worse timed. Marth could think of nothing but Ike. With blind indifference he accepted the bunch of flowers Roy handed him, ignoring his accompanying compliments and smashing two mugs as he headed for the tap to fetch water for the flowers. Roy did, at length, pick up on his mood.

"What's wrong?" he asked as Marth spilt hot tea down himself and swore for the first time in months.

"Nothing," Marth mumbled sourly.

"You're obviously upset. What happened?" Roy tried to hug him from behind but Marth shoved him away.

"I'm not in the mood, Roy."

"What happened yesterday? Did something… Hang on, is that artist bloke still around painting your walls?"

Marth didn't reply.

"It was him, wasn't it? I don't know what he's done but I swear to god I'll –"

"Roy, stop."

"Why? He's made you miserable!"

"Roy, please."

"Is he coming round today as well? Let me meet him I'll –"

"Please."

Roy sighed and dropped the subject, much to Marth's surprise. He felt bad for pushing Roy away but even though he had always wanted Roy to get closer to him romance would have to wait until he could get the guilt he felt over Ike out of his system.