The Hero King

Chapter XXV

"I'll marry you."

Amelie took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling, remembering she and Ike's earlier conversation.

"Are you sure?" he inquired, "If you aren't there's no need to push yourse-.."

"I'm positive."

"Then I ask one thing of you."

"Yes?"

"Don't let this be a way of repaying me, marry me of your own accord, your own desire."

Ike had walked out about an hour ago, saying he was gonna go train and that if she needed him she knew where he'd be.

Letting out a shaky breath, she ran her hand through her hair. 

Could she really marry Ike?

She thought back to everything they had been through, all the time they had spent together this past year. How protective Ike had been, how he supported her and helped her through all of this.

How could she not want to repay him?

Still, the question did stand, did she really love him? 

When she had learned of Marth's marriage to Caeda she had thought it completely impossible to get over the King, and yet, day after day with Ike it became easier until she found she no longer even thought of Marth.

He wasn't a replacement for the King, he completely abolished the desire for him.

If that wasn't love, Amelie didn't know what was.

With a smile on her face she sat up and walked from her room, she got an orange from the kitchen and began to peel it.

She turned when she heard the front door open and smiled meekly at Ike when he entered.

"Eat any more of those and you'll become an orange." he chuckled and walked up to her, shutting the door behind him.

Amelie blushed slightly and looked up at the man with a small giggle.

"I guess I'll have to eat myself when that happens." 

Or you could eat me.

She looked away as the thought skirted through her mind, shaken by the vulgarity of it.

"I'll bet you taste sweeter than these oranges."

Amelie blushed a deep red, and looked up at Ike in shock. His face was stoic as ever, making it impossible to tell if he was joking.

She let out a deep breath as a low chuckle came from the man.

"Your reactions are too adorable." a hint of a smile played on his lips.

"You're evil." she said, shaking her head, "Saying such filthy things."

"You wish me to be your husband, yet you cannot handle a little teasing." Ike's voice had become more stern, his words rattled Amelie.

"Marriage is about love, not sex." she stated blatantly, her eyes meeting Ike's boldly.

"I wouldn't know of either."

Amelie blinked, his words finally soaking in.

"You're a virgin?"

"Mm." he gave a nod.

"A-as am I.." she responded, feeling her face grow hot once more.

"Really? I figured you and Marth would've.." he seemed to falter, obviously unsure about bringing up such a touchy topic.

Amelie shook her head no.

"I'd rather not think of him while speaking of this topic." her words came out more icily than she had intended.

"Fair enough." he responded.

Amelie heard movement, and went stiff at the feeling of Ike's arms at either side of her, pinning her between him and the easel. Her hands shakily tore apart the orange, and her breathing quickened.

"Are you scared?" his gruff voice sounded in her ear, she could feel his hot breath feather against it.

She turned to look at him, her eyes meeting his, faces mere inches from each other.

Ike pressed his forehead against hers gently, closing his bold azure eyes.

Amelie relaxed and leaned into the contact, closing her own eyes. They stayed like that for what seemed like hours, before Ike pulled away marginally.

"Mind sharing?" he asked, his eyes going to the orange in her hands.

"Of course." she said, giving a small chuckle.

She tore a piece of the fruit off and lifted it up to Ike's mouth, getting a mischievous idea, she bit the end of the orange poking out from said mouth.

Ike seemed somewhat surprised as his eyebrows raised, he used the gesture to close the space between their mouths, giving Amelie a gentle kiss before pulling away to chew his half-slice of the orange.

"I think I'll have another." he said with a small grin.