Ike was known to be a patient man. He'd wait his turn and prepare himself until he was ready; rushing into things head on just wasn't like him.

But when it comes to the prince, he made an exception.

----

TIME UP

----

It's been half a year now since Ike first confessed to Marth. Half a year since he'd first uttered the words "I love you" to the stunningly beautiful prince.

It's also been half a year since Marth first rejected Ike.

Honestly, it had hurt back then. Ike wasn't one to show his feelings often and having finally worked up the courage to confess to the prince, he was disappointed that Marth didn't feel the same way. But, luckily, the prince was a kind spirit and an understanding person. He didn't swear to avoid Ike for the rest of his life (which would've been the end of Ike). Nope, they were still the best of friends. Ike just wished it was something more.

----

"Please, Marth. Just once?"

"No."

"Oh, come on. I'd really appreciate your help here."

"Ike, this really isn't something appropriate for me to help you out with... Can't you just go out to town and find someone?"

"You know I'm not that kind of person... Plus, I want that someone to be you. It wouldn't be the same otherwise."

"..."

Marth sighed. He closed the book he had been attempting to focus on ever since this conversation started. Ike, who had decided that early in the morning was the perfect time to ask him such questions, was not planning on letting him walk away without agreeing.

"Ike, I am not having sex with you. End of discussion." He stood up and tried to leave, but the other swordsman had his arm in a second.

"But Marth, I'm a healthy young man. Imagine all the sexual tension built up in me right now, it's not even funny!" The other occupants of the lounge perked up due to the volume and stared at the dual. Aware of the extra attention, Marth's face reddened and quickly pulled the mercenary into the halls. When he was sure that no one was around, he thought he'd make an attempt to help Ike deal with his... problem.

"Look, Ike. You're a great friend, but I don't think we should go beyond that and destroy what we have now..."

"I know, I know. But it's been so hard for me to even focus on my battles recently; I don't know how much longer I can take before I go insane." Ike looked genuinely serious as he gestured to prove his point. He really did need Marth right now.

Although Marth did notice the other man's lack of concentration as of late, he didn't think Ike would come running to him for that kind of help. "Can't you just... do it yourself? I mean you could..." The red blush on the prince's cheeks spread to the rest of his face. "...You could use your imagination?"

"... So you're willing to be the subject of my imagination instead?" Ike just couldn't help but grin. It took a lot from Marth not to deck him that instant.

"... As long as I don't know the details of it. In fact, don't even talk to me about it at all."

"You do realize I share the same room as you?"

Marth connected his face to his palm. It was already bad enough that he had made the suggestion. "I'll be in Zelda's room for tea; you'll have the room for the whole afternoon."

"... I think I'd prefer you stay in the room though." Ike turned, heading down the corridor to return to said room. He had a feeling this was better discussed in private.

Marth followed shortly after, finally uttering a "No." after a series of sighs and massaging of his temples.

"It won't work very well if I'm supposed to be thinking of you when you're out at Zelda's."

"...What if I just go training with Link then? And before you say anything, Link's not into men."

"What's wrong with staying in the room though?" Having arrived at their destination after the short tread, Ike quickly opened the door for the prince to enter. Sadly, Marth hadn't noticed what a gentleman he was as they had more important matters to discuss. For Ike at least.

"...But why does it have to be me?" The door closed as the prince strolled over to his bed, plopping down on it in pure exhaustion. These types of conversations always seem to wear him down faster than any brawl could.

"To put it in simple terms, Marth," Ike propped himself on the bed just above the prince, placing a hand on the other's cheek. "It's because I love you."

By now, Marth's only words were "wuh" and "uh". He'd heard the phrase directed to him countless times before, but he couldn't recall the last time Ike had said it with such affection and need. While he was struggling to think of a proper response, he heard a muffled laugh coming from the mercenary.

.....Ike was laughing? At a time like this? That bastard.

"Why're you laughing?" The mercenary opened his mouth, only to have his speech cut short by more laughing as he turned to look away from Marth. The monarch scowled. He wasn't fond of being toyed with. "If you're done fooling around, please get off so I can head over to Zelda's." This time, Ike really did stop. He faced Marth once more; a softer expression on his face as he placed his hand back onto the royal's cheek.

"Marth, I'm not going to move. Not when your face is that red from my little show of affection."

Hmm. So that's why it was suddenly much warmer than befor-WHAT.

"You're imagining things!" If he could, Marth would've covered his face in embarrassment with the pillow on the bed. But that'd be like silently admitting that Ike was right. No, Marth knew better, and he would turn away from Ike calmly and... "My face is always this red."

And utter the dumbest lie he's ever uttered. He knew he wasn't fooling anyone when he said that, but hey, it was worth a shot.

"Either you're drunk, have a fever, hold your breath twenty-four seven or... you actually like me a lot more than you think." Damnit there was that sly grin on the damn mercenary's face again.

"Ike, I only like you as a friend; we've talked about this for the past half of a year."

"Half a year is a lot of time for things to change." A second hand made its way to the other ivory cheek. Now that both his arms were no longer supporting his weight, Ike was practically sprawled on top of Marth. Lowering his hand to loosen the golden clip on Marth's collar, Ike pushed the fabric aside and nipped at the skin hidden underneath. Marth made no complaints, but refused to look down at Ike as parts of him were revealed to the other man.

"...Ike, I like women."

"So do I."

"You don't have boobs."

"I didn't know you were such a pervert, Marth."

"I'M NOT!" Just as Marth tried to sit up, Ike bit harder on the soft skin. A slight shock shook his friend, back resting once more on the mattress below.

"...Does it feel good?"

"Wuh?"

"What I'm doing to you. Does it feel good? Answer me honestly." If Marth's arms weren't crushed under Ike's weight, the prince would've hit him. The questions this man had been asking lately made his head (and other places) pound.

Finally, the Altean took a peek at his friend who happened to be staring at him intently. What did he expect? Was Marth supposed to agree? Criticize? Unleash his trusty Falchion (which was inconveniently placed by the door, on the other side of the room)? He thought for a moment; anything that would free him from this situation would be nice.

"I'll tell you if you get off of me." Ike instantly frowned. Marth was always a stubborn one. But he already knew that.

"I can always find out for myself, you know." He pressed himself onto his companion, hearing a hitched sound coming from below. If he played his cards right, he might actually get more out of Marth.

SLAM!

"Hey, Marth, Zelda's starting to worry abou- Oh shit."

The pair lying on the bed turned to the intruder. No one could intrude at such a right time other than the Hylian Hero.

"No. Down, Ike. You don't want to be raping any Marths today." With a quick 'tch', Ike slid off his roommate, tidying up his attire before leaning on the desk with his arms crossed. He glared at Link from under his long bangs.

"Th-Thank you for reminding me, Link." After a quick fix up, Marth was out of the room without a second glimpse at the two remaining. Ike took note of the red tint that was still evident on Marth's face. Not long after, he was back to glaring at Link and wished misfortunes upon the Hero of Time.

The silence was unbearable for Link. He wasn't afraid of gigantic spiders, zombie skeletons, killer plants, or anything of that sort. But Ike. Ike was a swordsman to be feared. Ike was his friend. Ike was also an insanely mad friend that was probably wishing Link would be buried alive 'by accident' and found dead the next morning.

"So... I saw improvements in your relationship with Marth?" He literally saw and saw too much.

"There would've been more to come if you would just knock on the damn door." Ouch. That death glare was like a needle poking at the Hylian's eye.

"You need a 'DO NOT DISTURB. IKE IS FEASTING' sign to put up. In fact, when's your birthday-"

Ike's left eye twitched. "Shut up, Link." Exhaling a deep sigh, he walked towards the door, holding it open and looking at Link expectantly.

"...What? I'm not welcome here?"

"You're a smart one."

"Ike, you jackass. Just because I came in at a bad time doesn't mean you have to-"

"Get out before I hallucinate from all this tension and see you as Marth."

And that was all the convincing Link would ever need.

----

Marth had walked right passed Zelda's room just now. He needed to calm down. From the point when Ike had climbed on top of him on the bed, his heart had not stopped its rapid beating in his chest. He had no clue why he didn't protest when the mercenary started to explore his body. A part of him was even inclined to letting Ike have his way.

'What I'm doing to you. Does it feel good? Answer me honestly.'

Oh god, this can't be happening. Yes, it felt good. But no, he wasn't attracted to Ike in that way. He's been telling Ike for half a year.

Trying to wrap his mind around this new possible interest of his, Marth started pacing in the hall until he was once again by Zelda's door. He just didn't expect it to open on him though.

"Marth? I was worried that you couldn't come! How long were you standing here?" Zelda tilted her head, giving the prince a brief analysis in search of signs of fatigue.

"I just got here, sorryfor being late." He quickly bowed his head in an apologetic fashion. "But thank you for your concern. I was just... having a conversation with Ike."

"Oh, I see." The princess held a hand to her mouth to suppress a light giggle. Like many in the mansion, Zelda knew about Ike's attraction to Marth. In fact, she and Link actually knew before Ike confessed. It was actually a shock to them both when they found out the mercenary was rejected, but they continue to support Ike in his endeavour. "Please, come in! The tea is cooling down as we speak. I've taken your advice in trying the exotics this world had to offer and blended them in."

Taking a seat by Zelda's balcony, Marth blew gently at the cup to make sure it was cold enough to drink. Tea under the bright sun was bound to take his mind off the events of the morning. But once the smooth liquid touched his tongue, the prince gagged and choked. What was wrong with this tea!?

"Uh. Zelda. What did you put in this?"

"Star Rod powder."

"Come again?"

"I double checked with Kirby and Metaknight to see if it was useable. Adds quite the flavour, don't you think?"

"It tastes like feet."

"It's just... unique." She took a sip from her own cup, completely unfazed as she placed it back to her plate. "So, what happened?" Marth, who had been thinking of ways to dispose of the liquid, looked up to meet a pair of vibrant blue orbs.

"If you mean the conversation I had with Ike, I'd rather not say." He twirled his finger along the brim of the cup, eyes casting back down on the so-called tea.

"I'm sure something happened." Finishing off the tea in her own cup, she set it down and smiled at Marth. "Your face was as red as the most brilliant rupee when you came in, you know." Marth quickly put his hands to his cheeks as if it would help. The Hylian princess continued smiling as she poured another cup (how she could even drink that concoction was beyond the prince).

In an almost whisper, the prince revealed the truth. There was no hiding from Zelda when she caught on that quickly. "...Things... got a little out of hand."

"Out of hand?"

"Well...you know how men... are usually only thinking about sex?"

The princess immediately frowned, reminded of the other contestants that she was not so fond of. "...Yes, unfortunately."

"Ike was complaining that he'd go insane if he didn't release any of his sexual tension."

"...And he told you that because...?"

Marth rested his chin onto his hand, mortified by what he was about to say. "He wanted me to help him. As in making love to me."

Zelda took a quick sip of her tea. "So you had sex?"

Slip. SMACK. Marth found his face landing none too gently onto the table as his arm gave way and lost support of his head. Blood was pumping to his face faster than it ever did in his entire life. He shot up immediately to object to the comment.

"NO! NO! Absolutely not! He just... just..." Damn, Marth really hoped he wasn't going to die from anxiety. "I was on my bed, and he climbs on top. Next thing I know, I'm crushed beneath him as he strips me and kisses my skin. If Link didn't walk in to get me, I don't know what would've happened."

"What did you want to happen though?" The prince's eyes grew two sizes. He hadn't expected the princess to be asking him such a question. "Can you honestly say you didn't like what he was doing to you?"

Not this again.

"No, I don't appreciate being touched."

"Marth."

"...Yes?"

"Look at me when you're saying it."

"I don't like Ike that way."

"Look at my eyes."

"...I don't-" Who was he kidding. Zelda practically knew him better than he himself did. "...Okay. I... enjoyed it. There. I said it. I enjoyed being touched by Ike. I'm a healthy male who also desires sexual attention!" He proclaimed his points like a seasoned politician. "Happy?"

He definitely had Zelda's vote. "Very. You've finally decided to open up and see the truth."

"...Bad time to come in?" The royals looked towards the door. Link, who was kicked out of Ike and Marth's room not too long ago, found it best to seek refuge at Zelda's.

"L-Link! When did you get here?!"

"Just before your speech. Wait till Ike hears about this." Link walked in, grabbing at the tea Zelda had set aside when she was interrogating Marth.

"Please, don't." The worry in the other male's eyes were evident.

"Why not?" Link was positive that if Ike knew about how Marth felt, he'd be the happiest guy in the world.

"I'm... still unsure of my feelings at this point. Yes, I enjoyed his touch, but it doesn't prove anything. Maybe... he's just good at what he does."

"...That's a disturbing thought."

"Sorry."

"But, I know what you're getting at." He set the cup onto the table. Zelda picked it up again a put it back onto the plate. "I guess I really shouldn't be butting into people's business anyway. But, I fully support you and Ike, no matter what happens." The Hylian smiled at his Altean friend. The princess nodded in agreement as the prince turned towards her.

"Thank you both, kindly... I'll need some time to think this through though, but hopefully I'll have an answer soon." He made his way to the door and shut it gently behind him. Once he sorted through his feelings, he'd be able to see Ike again.

"By the way, Zelda." Link pointed at the cup on the table. "What was in that tea? It tastes horrible!"

"You think so too?"

"W-wait. Why are you drinking it if it tastes so bad?"

"Star Rod powder seems to help digestion. I have to diet if I want the body to fit in Sheik's clothes again."

"...You know. I'm also a healthy male..."

"...Sheik? Really? Link, that's disturbing."

"N-no I wasn't talking about Sheik."

"...Are you sure? He has a whip."

"ZELDA, STOP! Dear gods, my head. It hurts."

Zelda smiled triumphantly as she downed the last of the tea.

---

TBC.

It's not a one-shot! Surprise, surprise. I actually intended it to be a long one-shot, but it just kept growing and growing. I don't think many of you are willing to read ten thousand words of bad fiction at once, so I'm cutting this piece up. I have the ending planned already, but the middle might be a bit rocky depending on ideas sprouting here and there. Thank you for reading! Any feedback is always appreciated greatly.

- Fhal