Hey there! This story is AU just so you know. Also I enjoyed writing this so I hope you enjoy reading it, and let me know your thoughts in a review because I'm not sure if it's written well. I need fresh eyes to look at this work and tell me if it feels rushed to you or anything. So please help me out. :D
Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda. And this applies to every chapter.
Zelda's POV
"So what do you think of..." I watch Midna glance around the canteen before her eyes lit up, as if spotting her prey far off into the distance, "Link?" She finishes, turning back to me with a sly smile.
I glance over in his direction, seeing him sitting alone in the corner of the room. We've been doing this for a while now, just picking out random people from our various classes and saying what we think of them. For lack of anything better to do honestly.
Ilia, Ruto, Nabooru and some others in our large cluster of friends lean in a little to hear what I had to say.
"Eh he's so shy so I barely even know what to think of him. We've never really spoken. But like I'd want to speak to him anyway." I shrug.
"Yeah, he's a total loser." Ruto adds.
"Nah I don't see what's wrong with him. If he were loud he'd be so popular." Nabooru comments, leaning back in her seat with her arms folded.
"Maybe you're right Naby, but moving on-" I start.
"Hey Zelda babe, how's my little goddess doing?" I hear his voice and turn around to see Dark standing with some guys in his rugby shirt and a ball tucked beneath his arm as he grins at me with his gorgeous smile. I smile widely and stand to hug him, burying my face in his chest.
"Hey Dark, I missed you." I say, pulling away to look him in the eyes. He smirks down at me before moving in to press his lips against mine. He pulls away after a moment and speaks, "I missed you too babe. I always miss seeing your beautiful face." He traces my jaw line.
I feel my cheeks heat up and turn away slightly, as if hoping he wouldn't see, "Oh stop it you." I say light-heartedly.
"I love it when you blush, it's so cute." He comments, bringing me in to hug me tightly. I giggle at his affection.
"Oh for the love of Din, get a room." I hear Midna groan in half hearted annoyance and I smile, pulling away just as the bell to signal the end of lunch goes off throughout the lunch hall.
"Wow is that the time already?" Ilia says, standing and stretching her arms.
"Yup. Zelda we got history now, right?" Midna asks.
"Yeah. We better head off 'cause it's some distance away." I answer, grabbing my bag and throwing it over my shoulder. I turn to Dark and stretch up to give him a peck on the lips, "I'll see you later." I smile.
"Yeah see you babe. I'll call you later." He says before heading off with some of our friends and I turn to leave with Midna and a few others.
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We arrive at our lesson and I take my seat, ironically next to Link. Sadly the classroom was laid out with two to a table, but at least I have Midna to the table on my right, and Karane behind me.
Our teacher, Mr Owlan stands at the front, leaning against the desk and waiting for the class to settle down. Once the volume has diminished he steps forward, his arms folded behind his back as he begins to speak, "So, as you all know we are studying the history of Hyrule and the legends that surround it. Specifically the beliefs of the Triforce and the legend of the hero."
I frown and support my head with my hand as he continues speaking. It wonders me why we bother learning these legends as part of history, they seem far too unrealistic to be true. Like something from a silly fairy tale. If this has to be taught as a lesson it would probably fit better with religion with all these beliefs.
"So as to conclude everything we've learnt in this section I am going to set you a homework project-"
Moans and groans sound throughout the classroom at the mention of the word "homework". I sigh along with them.
"Oh quit with the whining, it's not all that challenging." He dismisses light-heartedly. "I only want you to present a detailed report covering all the topics we've looked at to do with the legend. And to make it even easier, you'll be doing this in pairs. But this time I'm choosing the pairs and there will be zero complaints. You'll be working with the person you're sat by and this'll be handed in by the end of next week. And remember, this work will be graded."
A few more groans escape from the class and idle chatter begins to emanate from the students. I glance at Link and he catches my gaze from the corner of his eye. I look away quickly and turn to Midna, sighing, "Great, this'll be the most awkward experience of my life..." I semi-whisper to her.
"You think you have it bad? Look who I'm stuck with." She grumbles.
"Oh don't be that way Middie, you know you love me!" Sheik declares, poking her in the arm.
Her head drops to the desk, "Why me?" She whines. I laugh.
"You're doing well to keep her in high spirits Sheik." I comment sarcastically, grinning at the situation.
"It's true. Midna just can't get enough of me." He beams.
"Okay settle down class. The quicker you're quiet the quicker you leave. I'm letting you leave early to get a start on the project. If you choose not to start it in this time then that is your decision, but it will be beneficial to you the quicker you get it done. Now you're all dismissed."
The sounds of talking strikes up again, along with the scraping of chairs. I stand up and tuck the chair away before stuffing my books back into my bag. People pass by saying their farewells to me as they leave. Even Midna gave me a quick hug before she left with Sheik. Albeit whispering "Help me" into my ear. I just laugh again.
I zip up my bag and throw it back over my shoulder before turning to Link, "Coming?" I ask.
He glances at me and smiles lightly "Yes." He answers, placing the strap of his bag over his shoulder and walking past me.
I didn't expect him to smile, so it makes me pause for a moment before I come to my senses and follow him out of the classroom.
The hallways are pretty clear since it's still lesson time, save for the few people who were dispersing quickly.
I walk up to Link where he'd stopped to wait for me and we continue down the hall.
"So, we heading to the library?" I ask, for lack of something better to say.
"Yeah." He agrees. "...But hey, Zelda?" He says calmly, slowing to a pause.
I walk ahead a few steps before realising he's stopped and turning to face him, tilting my head to the side questioningly. "Yeah?" I ask.
He glances off to the side, gently biting his lip and I notice his ears droop slightly before he faces me again, "It's, pretty clear you'd rather not work with me, so if you'd like I'll just do all the work alone. No worries though," He smiles, beginning to step forward, "I'll give you credit as well."
And he passes me by. I stare into the place he was standing just a moment ago.
Is he mocking me?
My eyes narrow and I spin around to catch him walking away. "Hey!" I shout down the hall and run to catch him up.
He pauses and turns back in surprise. I stomp the rest of the way up to him and stand on the tip of my toes in order to reach his level, my face inches away from his as I scowl in indignation in an attempt to look menacing, "What's your deal Link? You think that I'm too stupid to do the work or something? You think you're better than me? Because I'll have you know that just because I HAVE friends does not make me a total idiot!"
His surprised look turns to one of anger at that, "Actually Zelda, I never thought of you as stupid. I heard what you said to Midna. You're just conjuring silly scenarios and believing what you want to believe." He says in an angered yet controlled temper. "So if you've finished insulting me and throwing false accusations around, I'll be leaving now." With that he turns away and continues on down the hall.
I stare after him with my mouth slightly ajar, a little flustered and embarrassed by my outburst now. I think back to what I said to Midna and sigh as a feeling of guilt settles into the pit of my stomach.
Still, I'm not leaving him to do this project alone. Who knows, he'll probably not give me any credit after that incident so I may as well take part with the project so he can't have an excuse to get me expelled, or anything.
Oh who am I fooling, In truth I just feel the need to apologise...
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I enter the library and search the tables between the large book shelves for Link when I spot Midna and Sheik seated at one of the tables.
"Hey." I say as I approach them, disrupting them from a dispute it seems.
Midna swivels around in her chair to face me and her face noticeably brightens, "Oh Zelda thank the Goddesses you're here," She turns back to face Sheik, folding her arms and narrowing her eyes darkly, "Can you please inform this nitwit that the Hero of Time did not have magical powers. He had the Triforce of Courage and it gave him courage, it didn't give him the ability to burst people into flames as Sheik so believes."
"Hey it's true okay! You're just a non-believer Midna. I pity you." Sheik responds, crossing his own arms and sticking his tongue out at her tauntingly.
"Ugh, you see what I have to put up with!" Midna exclaims, holding her arms out at him pointedly.
I grin at the two of them and chuckle, "Well I heard that the Hero was granted magic from the Great Faries that lived in fountains. So in a way, you might both be right."
They both glance at each other.
"You see Midna, I was right!" Sheik declares, rising from his chair and pointing his finger at her dramatically.
She goes to bite him but he retreats his arm quickly, "Cannibal!" He exclaims.
"Uh, hey," I speak up, "Have you guys seen Link anywhere?"
"Link?" Midna ponders, "You mean, you lost him?" She asks, trying hard to contain her laughter, "How can you just lose a person like that Zel? Did he walk off or something?" She grins.
"Midna this isn't funny!" I complain, "Do you know if he came by here or not?"
"I think I might've seen him walk by," Sheik says, "Try checking the rest of the library, Zellie."
"Okay thanks, see you guys later."
"See ya Zel."
"Bye bye."
I head off after waving goodbye and head through the rest of the library. There weren't too many people in here so it shouldn't be too difficult finding him. If he is in here.
I round the next shelf to the next set of tables and finally spot him sitting over the far side, near to the windows. I take a deep breath and approach slowly, because I don't really know what to say to him now. But I know I should apologise.
He keeps his head down, reading and writing as I approach his side and pull out a chair, sitting down beside him. I take a book from a pile he has collected and open it up in front of me.
I notice him pause in his writing briefly, and after a moment he continues to write. Though much more slowly.
I focus my attention on the first page of the book I had just opened. 'Chapter 1, The Hero of Time'
"...Why are you here, Zelda? You don't have to be if you'd rather not. I'd still give you credit for helping." Link says, and I glance over to him to see he's placed down his pen, yet his eyes remain downcast.
I bite my lip and turn my attention to a book that jutted out from the bookshelf over in the corner, "Well... I..." What do I say? I turn to face him sharply and he meets my eyes, "Because I want to prove to you that I can do this work, and that I'm not as useless as you may think." I huff and look away, folding my arms stubbornly.
And that I'm kinda sorry...
I catch him smiling as he glances away in my peripheral vision. I bite my lip and look away again.
"I forgive you." I hear him say and I face him in surprise.
"Wha-what?" I stutter.
He just smiles knowingly. And his eyes shine with his smile.
...And I can't help but smile.
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