"I'll see you later tonight?" He asked me, chuckling and smiling brightly.

All of a sudden, I started to get this weird feeling.

My heartbeat got faster, like it was beating out of my chest. My face began to warm up, almost like I was sweating.

What's going on? Am I experiencing pain?

While waiting for a response, Marth began to notice the way I was acting. Tilting his head to one side, he spoke, "Ike? Is.. everything alright?"

I blinked rapidly and quickly responded, "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

Marth shrugged. "If you say so. Well, I've got to go get ready for tonight. If there's anything you need, I'll be in my room."

I nodded and watched him slowly walk away, down the hall.

But I still don't understand. What was I feeling earlier? Should I ask Marth about it?

Maybe he'd know.

Looking around me, I walked as fast as I could towards Marth's room, Room 23.

I knocked twice, then waited. Soon enough, the door cracked open and Marth's face peaked through the gap.

"Ah, Ike. Do you need anything?" He questioned, smiling.

I rubbed the back of my neck and laughed awkwardly. "Is it ok if I tell you.. inside your room?"

Marth chuckled and nodded. He opened the door wider for me to walk in.

Sitting down on his bed, Marth made room for me.

"So what was it you wanted to tell me?" He asked, patting the spot next to him.

I sat beside him, feeling on edge.

"Hear me out." I began. "I was talking to... someone the other day and I suddenly got this strange feeling."

Marth looked at me intently. "Please elaborate, if you don't mind."

I sighed. "It was unusual. My heartbeat sped up and my face started to become hot. I even started to mess up with my words. I don't know what was happening, so I thought that maybe you'd have an idea."

He started giggling and glanced at his bed. "I know that feeling fairly well."

I raised my eyebrow at him. "You do? What's it called? I was thinking it might've been pain."

Looking back up at me, he politely smiled and breathed out quietly. "It's love, Ike. Whenever you get an immense amount of affection or emotion towards someone, you begin to... love them.

Those feelings are normal to have.

If you ever see them or are face-to-face, you can't help but feel drawn to them. Their looks, personality, everything.

It's almost like you and that person were made for each other. As if it were meant to be."

It went silent between us.

That's when I noticed that we were so close together to the point where it seemed like we were... about to kiss.

Marth rested his hand on mine, our eyes locked together.

There it was again. That same strange feeling of... love, was it? My heart pounding—my face warming up.

I mean, I've taken an interest in Marth, but I've never thought about me loving him.

After he blinked, however, he quickly jerked himself backwards.

"F-Forgive me. I don't know what was going on in my head." Marth apologized, covering his mouth.

"No, no, it's ok." I said, trying to persuade him. I gently put my hand on his shoulder. "You were just—"

Marth brushed my hand off and scooted farther away from me. "You know what? It's, um.. a-almost time for you to get ready for tonight!"

"Wait, wh—" I attempted to say.

He forced me off his bed and outside his room. Marth quickly told me, "See you tonight, bye!"

The way he spoke so fast, it was almost hard to understand what he was saying.

"Hold on. Please let me ask you something." I pleaded.

He looked at me, his eyebrows beginning to furrow.

"Do you... love me?" I asked.

Before I knew it, the door shut and I couldn't see him anymore.

"Marth? Marth, please." I begged, knocking on his door once more. "At least answer my question."

He didn't reply.

I sighed in defeat as I trudged back to my room.

He's hiding something from me, isn't he?

With the way he just forced me out of his room after I asked him if he loved me—no.. It seems all too cliché.

There's no way he'd love me, right?

After all, we're just friends. Even though... that's not how I view him.

I have to find out his answer.

—Later that night—

Stepping into the dining hall, I looked around.

It seems that the long table in the center of the room was moved to the side, food laid out on top of it.

Another table mirrored the position, showing off drinks and dessert.

I scanned the area. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find a table that was empty or with my friends.

"Hey! Ike, over here!" A familiar voice called out to me.

Turning my head to the direction of the person's voice, I spotted Roy, Lucina, and Marth sitting together.

I smiled as I walked over to their table, taking the remaining chair next to Marth.

We made eye contact for a split second and darted our eyes away from each other.

Roy grinned at me. "So, how was your day?"

I shrugged. "It was alright. Nothing... special... happened."

Marth shifted in his seat. I could tell that I accidentally said something that made him uncomfortable.

Before I could apologize, he abruptly got up from his seat and said, "I'm going to get my dinner. I'll be right back."

The 3 of us watched Marth as he walked away from the table.

I looked back at them and nodded. "I should... probably get my food too."

I followed Marth as he got his fair share of food, just like I did.

That's when I snapped. I couldn't wait any longer.

Once Marth and I put our plates back onto the table, before he sat down, I grabbed his wrist without warning.

"I-Ike? Let me go!" Marth exclaimed.

I shook my head. "No. We need to talk."

I saw Roy and Lucina give us weird looks but I didn't care about them right now.

Pulling Marth with me, I led him outside of the dining hall, just by the doors.

Marth struggled to get free from my grip.

I sighed and let his wrist go.

"What was that for?! You could've just asked to talk outside!" Marth complained to me.

I crossed my arms and shook my head. "You didn't answer my question.

Do you love me?"

I could tell that Marth was about to scold me once more, but he stopped talking and immediately turned nervous.

"Well?" I asked, impatient.

"Y-You know, why don't we—" Marth tried to say, attempting to go back inside the dining hall.

I grabbed his wrist once more and pulled him towards me.

At this point, Marth had to look straight up at me.

Staring at him dead in the eyes, I mumbled, "Do you love me or not? Answer the question. No excuses."

He began to struggle with his words.

Eventually, he managed to answer my question.

"Y-Yes. Yes, alright? I do. I love you.. very much." He responded, taking my hand off his wrist.

I looked at him, surprised.

He looked away from me, his face turning red.

"I love you, ok? A-And... I know that I'm not the person you like, but I can't keep it a secret forever.

At some point, I'm just going to break.

Listen, this is hard, telling you how I really feel. It's not as easy as you think.

So, if you d-don't like me, that's fine..."

"Marth..." I muttered.

He looked at the ground, embarrassed.

I smiled as I embraced him. "You're not the only one who has feelings here."

I could hear him make a quiet gasp. His grip suddenly tightened around my back.

"Do you mean..." He mumbled.

I nodded my head and chuckled. "Yes, Marth. I do love you as well."

He smiled and I felt him hug me tighter.

It was great, honestly.

Now, I know that I'm going to love Marth for as long as I live.

I'm sure he'd do the same as well.