This is inspired by a one shot from bbub14. If it sounds similar, that's why. I kinda wanted to take the idea and give it a little more. So credit to them for the idea! I would highly recommend some of their stories.

Warnings: Bathing scene
Gender: Girl

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We had been on a simple mission, take down some bandits by a village who were causing issues. While the job was easy, it took us all day, and we didn't want to travel at night. Thankfully, the villagers offered us food and board for the night as thanks for taking care of their problem.

However, the village had some hot springs not too far from where it was located. I thought I was the only one who knew about it, so I waited until everyone was eating dinner before I snuck out to go take a dip. Supposedly according to rumors, these springs seemed magical, able to heal the most grievous of wounds. Something I absolutely needed after my recent string of failures in battle.

A bit away, I took off my clothes, hanging them on a branch from a tree. The springs were on a slight cliff of sorts, and I was at the top. Water came from a hole in the cliff to fill the pond as overflow from the pond streamed down into the river close by. I went to look down, but gasped in a high pitch, and knelt lower to hide myself.

Ike was already in the springs, chest deep with his eyes closed and a slight smile, clearly enjoying his R&R. "I had thought I was the only one who found these out! Oh what do I do?! I can't go down there now..."

However, it seems like fate wants to be a bitch today, because I felt a shake in the earth, and the ground below me gave way. I yelled in fear as I fell and tumbled into the water below. I hit the surface, and was met with a warm relaxing feeling as well as a large splash.

Ike had been a little shocked when he heard the scream, then felt the water splash on his face and hair. "Who's there?" He asked, sounding ready to be defensive and fight.

I jumped up, gasping for air, but instantly had to pull myself down under the water to cover myself. The steam began to disappear, and Ike and I both looked in complete awe at each other. I could see Ike was red in the face, but I couldn't tell if it was from the springs or the sudden surprise of me falling in.

"(Y-Y/N)!?" He asked in a bit of a panic, clearly not expecting to see a girl in the hot springs with him.

"Aghghgh!!" I responded in complete gibberish as I backed myself to the opposite side of the spring, glaring at Ike.

"What are you doing here?!" He demanded to know, not sounding angry but rather embarrassed.

"I-I was g-gonna take a dip b-but didn't think you'd b-be here!"

"B-but... you must have seen me before diving in!" He retaliated. Now I could tell his face was going red not from the steam. Admittedly, it was kinda cute.

"Do you think I purposefully dove in?!" I recoiled. "The ground gave way!" Looking back, it was a miracle I survived. That was about a 25 foot drop. If I had been even slightly off, I would have gone splat on the ground. "Look, I-I know a-and I did s-see you, but I h-had already taken my clothes off and I--"

"Then why didn't you turn around and put them back on?!"

"SHUT UP, I DONT KNOW!" I yelled, then splashed water right in his face. He flinched a little at first, then gave me the most 'really?' looked face ever. He proceed to do the same thing, and we soon got into a water fight.

After having it go on for about three minutes, we stopped. Ike's blue hair was now soaking wet, as was mine. I watched as he shook his head to get the water off, slightly fluffing the damp hair up a little. When I saw him shake, I could see the healed scars of previous battles. His powerful muscles straining as she shook himself. Now I found myself red in the face, and not from the steam. "Let me out, damnit!"

"Can't you relax?" He demanded, but not in an aggressive sounding way. No it sounded like he was trying to defuse the situation. "We can both share the hot springs."

"IKE! A GIRL AND BOY CAN'T BATHE WITH EACHOTHER!"

"No one else is here." He recoiled. "So the rules can't stand against us." He seemed to give a caring look to me, almost like he wanted me to stay, or like he was worried about something.

I was at a loss for words. "I... er... um... do... erg..." I couldn't find the words I wanted, I was too overcome with embarrassment at the entire situation. "T-true but... I don't like the idea of bathing with a man!"

"Well I'm not moving." He splashed some water up as he threw his arms up, then crossed them.

"Fine!" I did the same action. "Two can play at this game!"

Now I sat glaring at Ike from the opposite side of the spring, with only the steam and water between us. I saw Ike close his eyes, possibly trying to get back to relaxing after the embarrassing event of having a girl walk in... ok, more like fall in, on you while bathing.

Yet the steam and warm feel of the water and air surrounding me was absolutely heavenly. That, alongside the shock of having the rocks break and causing me to fall was a lot for my mind to handle in one day. While I tried to retain my focus, it was becoming harder and harder, as my mind kept dozing off. It seemed like my emotions had completely calmed after the embarrassment of falling on top of Ike in the springs. My mind kept dozing off... the water felt wonderful...

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I felt harsh hands roughly handling my right shoulder, yet they were gentle enough to make me not realize they were touching me at first. It was relaxing, almost like I was just waking up from rest, but I heard someone talking.

"(Y/N)... you reckless little... you haven't been taking care of yourself, have you?" A voice echoed.

I slowly felt my eyes open, and glanced to my side. There, I saw Ike with a worried look, holding onto me as he lightly splashed water over my shoulder, having it wash a nasty scarring wound I had gotten a few battles ago.

It took my mind a moment to recognize and process what was going on. When I turned, half asleep, towards Ike, I felt like jumping a little, but I didn't. I just gave a small gasp, but didn't move. Ike stopped for a moment, still with his concerned look, before going back to splashing water over my wound.
"You really need to take care of yourself, (Y/N). This looks like it could have gotten infected."

I was shocked by Ikes actions. Yes, he cared about the Mercenaries, as we needed to be in our best shape to fight, but he was always a little harsh to me I particular. In return, I was usually just as harsh to him. Everyone liked to joke we had a love/hate relationship, but others just would joke saying we both liked each other and just couldn't swallow our pride and say it outload. I would proceed to slap those people in the face

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like?" He responded in a matter-of-fact tone. "You aren't the only one who knows about the rumored healing powers of these hot springs. I know you try to be strong and tough out your injuries, but something like this can really make you sick... or worse."

"Why are you doing this?" I sounded angry in my question, but not as angry as more confused.

Ike stared at me for a moment and I saw his face go red. "I... I..." He looked away and took in a breath. "I have feelings for you, (Y/N)."

Such a response was not what I was expecting. I felt myself get warm in the face and a massive blush overtaking me. I must have been as red as a ruby. "C-come again...?"

"I have feelings for you, alright?" Ike looked just as embarrassed as I did. "No matter how much you annoy me or I bother you, I have... feelings."

"But... I'm mean to you. I'm always trying to out preform you, show you up, be better then you. And that causes me to get into trouble which you have to come save me from."

"I know, but you have reason to be." Ike looked away for a moment, then back to me. "I know your father always put pressure on you, saw you as inferior to your brothers, so trying to upstage a man is just in your nature. But that... that's what makes me like you. I've just... been afraid to admit it."

"I..." I couldn't find the words. I was never put on a spot like this before. "I... kind of... like you to..." I smiled. "But I will only say it once!" I then snapped. I couldn't let my guard down.

A slight smile etched on Ikes face. "I can live with that. Would you...um... would you be... m-my lover?"

Wow, put right on the spot there, but I had a large smile on my face, despite me trying to hide it. "Yes... I would b-be happy to... but don't rush this! I've never been in a relationship, I don't know how to act."

"I understand." He smiled back to me. "I feel... relieved to have gotten that off my chest." He seemed to give a small laugh as he turned away. "Like a huge weight is off my shoulders."

Then, he turned back to me. I felt him grab my hand under the water and pull me close to him. Then I felt his other hand wrap around my torso underwater, almost like he was hugging me. "C-can I... um... Can I... k-kiss you? I mean, y-you can say n-no..."

"Well... if you want to..."

Ike gave a loved filled smile, and came close. There, he locked his lips with mine. It wasn't long, it lasted about a second, but the whole event felt like a dream. Him and I just kept looking at one another, holding each in our arms.

I had loved Ike, but I could never find the courage to admit it to him. Until now, I could never tell him how I felt. But perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that I fell from that cliff, because if I hadn't, I wouldn't be here right now, sitting next to my new lover. We just kept staring at each other until I leaned in on Ike, almost resting my head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around me, holding me close.

A passion broke between us; A passion that burned bright, and finally I was able to admit my feelings to him. I loved him, and I wouldn't have to hide it any longer.