Marth's POV

I rapidly tapped my finger on my bedside table as I stared at my phone screen.

Was I really going to buy this...?

I shook my head as I shut my eyes and pressed the "Buy Now" button.

"Your order will arrive tomorrow. Pete is on his way!"

I sighed to myself and fell onto my back, lying on my bed. My feet were still touching the ground.

I rested my hand on my stomach and groaned as I covered my face.

"Why did I buy it?" I hit myself on the head. "I'm so stupid."

Once I sat back up, I looked at my phone screen once more and frowned.

It's not like I even have the courage to just go up to him and say, "Hey, wanna cuddle?"

Of course, that would be weird. And even if I did, he would reject me.

Besides, no one will find out I have it, since I'm going to leave it in my room.

Oh, hold on a moment. You're wondering what I bought, aren't you?

Well, let's just say.. it's a plush.

—Next Day, skip to breakfast—

After we all walked out of the dining hall, I felt my phone vibrate in my hand.

Obviously, I wanted to know why. I looked at my phone screen and a notification popped up.

"Your order has arrived. Pete is waiting outside for you!"

I quickly glanced around to see if anyone was watching. Thankfully, the coast was clear, so I made my way to the entrance.

Opening one of the doors, a white pelican was standing before me, holding a white box that was taped shut.

Pete smiled at me brightly. "Good morning, Marth! Here's your package."

I kneeled down and took the box from his wings. "Thank you."

He nodded and replied, "No problem. Oh, and don't open it until you get somewhere private."

Pete chuckled. "I don't think you want anyone finding out you bought that."

I shook my head and stood back up. "I won't. Nice seeing you, Pete."

"Nice seeing you too! Bye!"

I waved as I closed the door and stood there, staring at the box.

How am I supposed to take this back to my room without drawing any atten—

"Hey Marth."

"What?!" I whirled around in shock. "Oh, Ike. It's just you."

I saw his eyes travel towards the box in my hands. I began to sweat nervously.

"What do you have there?" He asked me.

"Nothing! It's nothing of your concern!" I quickly responded, faking a smile.

I rudely pushed past him and quickly went over to my room.

"See you at lunch!" I called out.

Once I made it to my room, I breathed out a heavy sigh of relief and shut my door.

If Ike managed to find out what was in this box, I would've been done for. Fortunately, for me, he didn't.

Sitting on my bed, I rummaged around my bedside bureau, looking for scissors.

I carefully cut the tape and lifted the flaps of the box.

I smiled to myself as I pulled out a small plush of Ike.

Now, do you see why I can't let anyone find out what I bought? I think it's quite obvious.

I giggled as I tightly hugged the plush.

Ike's POV

That was odd. I don't know what's in that box, but now I want to.

If Marth was trying to hide it, my guess is that it's something important.

Eh, whatever. It's his business anyway.

Marth's POV

Lying on my left side, I gazed at the small plush as I held it in my hands.

It looks just like him.

I sighed. This is the closest I can get to Ike, in general.

Whenever I'm around him, I become a nervous wreck. But with this plush, I don't have to worry.

"You know, if I was just able to talk to you properly, everything would be much easier.

I don't get it. Why is it so hard for me to tell you how I feel? All I need to say is that I like you.

Apparently, it's not that simple."

I clutched the plush as I slowly closed my eyes, ready for a nap.

—Time Skip (again)—

As people were leaving the dining hall, stuffed from dinner's food, I happily skipped over to my room.

I hummed to myself a familiar song as I walked inside my room and got a change of clothes.

As I lied down on my bed and pulled the covers over me, I reached for my plush and held it close to my chest.

"If only I could do this to the real you.."

In case you're unaware, I've had this plush for about a month now and found out that it's impossible for me to sleep without it.

Every night, before falling asleep, I'd make sure the plush was in my hands.

I sighed and laid on my back, raising the plush into the air.

"Maybe... if I was able to tell you the truth, I wouldn't have bought a plush that's lasted at least a month.

I don't get it.

Why..?

Why did I buy this?"

After talking to myself and the plush for what seemed like an eternity, I checked the time on my phone.

It read... 3:00 am?!

I shut my phone off and quickly closed my eyes.

Hopefully I don't wake up too late in the morning..

—Next day—

Ike's POV

Once I walked into the dining hall, breakfast was already laid out in front of us.

I sat down at my usual seat as I watched others slowly come in.

Although, something felt off. The chair—which belonged to Marth—next to me, was empty.

He's usually here before me, complaining that I needed to get up earlier.

And no, it doesn't bother me. We've already addressed the fact that he is joking.

Maybe I should check on him.

I quickly stood up from my chair, which caught a few people's attention, unfortunately.

Roy stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "Mornin' Ike. Leaving so soon?"

I crossed my arms. "No. I just forgot something in my room." I lied.

Before Roy could ask me what I was going to get, I walked around him and went over to Marth's room.

Of course, I need to be polite, so I knocked on his door.

There was no answer.

I raised an eyebrow at myself. That's really strange..

I kept knocking on his door, each time, the sounds getting louder.

I sighed in frustration and tried twisting the knob on his door. To my surprise, I heard a "click" and the door cracked open.

"Um.. I'm coming in." I called out before fully opening the door.

To my surprise, he was still sound asleep.

This is weird. Checking in on someone while they're in their room is what couples would do.

Let me be clear that Marth and I are not a couple. We're merely friends. Dating him would be awkward.

As I slowly inched closer towards his bed, I saw Marth tucked under his covers.

He was smiling to himself in his sleep. It's almost... cute.

After I blinked, however, I caught sight of something in his arms.

It seemed to be a toy. I saw faint colors of blue and beige. I was able to make out a face, with light blue pastel eyes.

A little above the pair of eyes was a dark green, almost black headband around its head.

Once I realized what it was, I felt my heart sink and my stomach drop.

"Is that a plush... of me?" I mumbled under my breath.

Why does he have that?! Where did he even get that from?!

"What in the world?!" I exclaimed.

My eyes widened and I immediately cupped my mouth with my hands.

I messed up, badly.

Then, I heard Marth yawn as he started waking up.

Once he got off his back, he caught sight of me and shrieked.

I covered my ears.

"What are you doing in my room?!" He questioned, demanding to know.

I could hear the embarrassment and shock in his voice.

I shook my head as I uncovered my ears. "Now hold on just a moment! Why do you have a plush of me?!"

We looked at each other in silence, neither of us wanting to speak.

Eventually, Marth snapped. When he tried answering my question, he kept stumbling on his words.

"Th-That's none of your concern! You... You shouldn't even be in my room!"

I furrowed my eyebrows. "I was just checking on you! What, do you not want someone to be concerned for you?

Fine, then! I won't even pay attention to you! Geez, I was just trying to be nice!"

Marth crossed his arms. "I appreciate you checking on me, but can't you knock first?!"

"I did! But you were sleeping, so what was I supposed to do?!" I fought back.

I could tell my cheeks were beginning to redden the more I talked.

I don't get it. Why, of all things, would Marth have a plush of me?

"You haven't answered my question! Why do you have a plush of me?!" I exclaimed.

Marth stood up from his bed, revealing his sleeping clothing. I could almost laugh at him, even though I was still furious.

"Why do you need to know?! I bought it, it's my business!"

"It's my business because you literally have a
plush—of me!

Why wouldn't I be curious?!"

Marth opened his mouth, but no words came out. I think I got to him.

When I took a closer look, Marth's face was flushed.

It's like his face was pale, yet also a pink tint. Is that even possible?

I tried calming my voice and keeping a cool tone.

"Marth, I'm serious. Why do you have a plush of me?"

He threw the plush at me and yelled, "It's none of your business!"

I watched it fall to the ground and picked it up. I was able to hold it in one hand as I stared at it.

"Of all things..." I mumbled, looking back up at him. "Why do you have this, and why is it me?"

Marth groaned. "Fine! You want to know why?!

I like you, alright?! I just can't tell you because I'm dumb and a nervous wreck!

But it's not like I can walk up to you one day and say, 'Can we cuddle later tonight?'

No! One, you would absolutely hate me! And two, I'd feel awkward around you from then on!"

He crossed his arms and pouted.

"N-Not that I want to cuddle with you—of course I wouldn't want to."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Marth... likes me?

"Hold on. You like me?"

"Well, of course I do!

As if I haven't made it obvious enough—you just had to find out that I have a literal plush of you."

I jerked my head back in surprise. " 'Haven't made it obvious enough?'

You've been dropping hints?"

Marth huffed as he yanked his plush out of my hands.

"Yes, I have. Although, I doubt you've noticed, since you're always oblivious to everything I do.

I've smiled at you, more than usual.

I've been dressing nicer, hoping that I'd catch your eye.

I've always been near you, whenever I have the chance.

I sometimes touch you while we're talking!"

I was in pure shock. How could I be so blind?

"You never even notice that I hold your hand!" Marth yelled. "Look at what I'm doing right now!"

I glanced down and saw my hand being held in Marth's.

Slowly looking back up at Marth, I saw the fury and embarrassment in his eyes.

"You..." I trailed off, my words unable to come out.

Marth abruptly let go of my hand and turned his back to me.

"Get out of my room, and we shall never speak of this again." He said to me, sternly.

I couldn't help myself. I laughed.

Marth turned back around and yelled, "What's so funny?!

You think this is a joke?!"

"No." I laughed once more. "If you want to cuddle, just ask me."

"But wouldn't you—"

"I don't mind. Really, I don't.

Honestly, I'd prefer cuddling over you having a plush of me." I replied, shrugging my shoulders.

Marth went silent.

I could tell he wanted to ask me, but he was probably too flustered.

I tilted my head to one side and smiled. "Do you want to cuddle later tonight?

You can keep your plush if you want."

Out of nowhere, Marth wrapped his arms around me, hugging me tight.

I hesitantly embraced him.

He was on the verge of tears, wasn't he?

I heard a muffled sniff. Yeah, he's going to cry..

"Marth, come on. Don't be like that."

He looked up at me, revealing his teary eyes.

"Are you just feeling emotional?"

Marth nodded as he hid his face in my shoulder once more.

"That's alright. Don't overthink it—I'm not upset."

"You're not?" Marth asked me.

"Why would I be?"

I chuckled. "I find it cute that you have a plush of me."

Marth pushed me away and wiped his tears.

"Shut up."

I saw his mouth crack a smile.

"What? Don't like compliments?" I jokingly asked.

"..."

I hugged him once more. "Come on, get dressed. We have to eat breakfast."

"Can we stay here a little longer?"

I blinked twice. "Why?"

Marth sighed. "Don't question it! Just... let me have this."

I smiled. "Alright, alright."