It had been Zelda's idea- all four of the Four Swords had decided to take a short vacation together to celebrate Vaati's defeat. The Princess had taken it upon herself to arrange for their departure to a small cabin up near a mountain lake- her reasoning was that it was the least she could do for all they had done to save the kingdom.

"We'll be more than fine while you're away- go off and have some fun together for once! Goddesses know you deserve it!" She released then with a smile. "Go on, go!" Red, in particular, was overjoyed at the prospect of going on a vacation.

"This is gonna be so great!" He bubbled, packing up his clothes in his backpack for the trip. "We'll go swimming, hiking, build campfires, wake up whenever we want, and everything!"

Green laughed at Red's contagious joy. "Yes, Red, it's going to be lots of fun," He chuckled. He buckled his backpack securely and slung it over his shoulders, picking up his fishing pole as well. "Vio, don't bring more than five books, 'kay? There's no way you'll be reading all the time."

"Mm-hm," Vio rolled his eyes. "We'll see about that."

"Blue!" Red grinned. "What're you looking forward to the most? I can't wait to go swimming!"

"Mm, I don't really care," Blue grunted and shrugged, folding his clothes very carefully before putting them into his backpack. "I just wanna get there and do my own thing."

"Aww, Blue, c'mon!" Red pressured. "Don't be so negative!"

"Yeah, Blue, don't be such a downer all week, okay?" Green grinned. "Let us have some fun even if you're pissed off, okay?"

"Whatever," Blue snorted, shouldering his backpack. "So, are we gonna get going or what? If we wait much longer, it'll be dark before we even make it halfway there!"

"We actually have about four hours before that'll even happen," Vio countered in a bored tone of voice, "but I agree- let's get started." In varying degrees of excitement, all four of the heroes picked up their things and headed out of their house.

Contrary to Vio's prophecy, it actually was getting dark once they got there. "TOLD ya we needed to get going quickly," Blue rolled his eyes.

"Oh, Blue, be quiet! Look at how gorgeous this place is!" Red gushed. It was true- the lake was clear and deep, reflecting the pinkish-orange sunset. Pine trees ringed the lake, and on an outcropping from the mountainside was the small cabin. It was quaint and picturesque, the whole scene looking just like a painting.

Even Vio looked impressed, and Blue stopped acting grouchy long enough to appreciate how pretty everything looked. They were all removed from their stupor when Red let out a small whoop and ran towards the cabin, grabbing Blue by the wrist and dragging him along. "Come on!"

"Hey, let me go! Red!" The remaining two laughed at Blue's loud protests, walking after them at a slightly slower pace. Predictably Red arrived at the door of the cabin first, Blue in tow. He relinquished his grip on Blue's wrist, ("Good goddesses, you're stronger than you look!" Blue grumbled,) unlocking the door to the cabin and darting in.

"Oh, wow, it's so lovely in here!" Red gasped. Inside, the entryway to the house was furnished in a rustic country cottage style. Branching off the left of the entryway was the sitting room, consisting of a couch and a few chairs circled around a small coffee table facing a fireplace.

The kitchen was off the right of the entryway, and Red bounded up the stairs to check out the upper level. At the end of the hallway was a bathroom with a shower and separate bathtub, with two sinks and a large mirror.

On each side of the hall was a door, and in each of the two bedrooms there were two twin beds. Red poked his head into one of them, calling out, "Guys, look! We're gonna share rooms!" He turned to smile brightly at Blue. "Ooh, Blue! You can sleep in that one and I'll go in this one!" He pointed at the bed farthest from the door, then the closer one.

"Aw, I've got to share a room with him?" Blue groaned loudly.

"It could be worse, Blue- you could share a room with me," Vio raised his eyebrows with a smirk. "Remember what happened last time?"

There was silence for a moment. "Fine, fine, I see your point." ***

"I thought so. Green, I get the bed in this room that's closer to the window."

"Vio, both the beds have windows."

"Well, I want this one, then."

"Whatever, Vio." Green rolled his eyes. Blue sighed loudly and trudged over to his side of the room, setting his backpack down heavily on the foot of the bed and pulling out his things. As Red began to chatter incessantly he nodded distractedly, re-folding his clothes so the edges were crisp and pristine before setting them neatly in the trunk at the foot of his bed.

Since it was so late in the day, Blue just decided to change into his pajamas. "Red," He said as he pulled his tunic over his head, "you know I'm not really listening, right?"

"I know, Blue," Red sighed and grinned a little, changing as well. "I just wanted to sort of get it out to somebody. And you always put up with me, even though you don't really say much, so I just like talking to you." He finished with a bright smile.

"Heh…" Was Blue's only reply. The four of them had eaten on the way there, so there was really nothing to do but head to sleep. Blue climbed into bed and laid down on his back, sighing and tucking his arms behind his head. He closed his eyes, and was about to start drifting off to sleep when-

"Hey Blue?"

He exhaled loudly and turned his head to the left- Red was curled up on his side, staring at Blue through the semidarkness. "What, Red?"

"What are we gonna do tomorrow?" The scarlet Link asked, his eyes shining happily.

"I dunno, Red- whatever you want to do," Blue sighed.

"D'you think we could all go swimming?" Red sat up and reached to the foot of his bed, rummaging around in the trunk and pulling out his fluffy teddy bear. He snuggled back down into his mattress, facing Blue and cuddling the plush.

"Sure." Blue shut his eyes and nodded. Red giggled and was silent. Blue thought he was finished, until-

"…Blue?"

"What?" Blue replied, his tone slightly grumpy. When Blue was tired, he only became gruffer and surlier; not even Red was totally exempt from this.

"Can we hang out together tomorrow?" Red's voice was small and hopeful.

Blue gave another tired sigh, rubbing his forehead. "Why not? Sure."

Red giggled happily. "Yay! I can't wait!" Another short pause. "I'm sorry, I'll shut up now."

"Please." Blue grumbled under his breath.

"Sweet dreams, Blue!" Red called out, snuggling his teddy bear and shutting his eyes.

"You too, Red." Blue mumbled, rolling again onto his back and drifting asleep.

End chapter 1!

*** I have a funny little extra scene that goes in here- perhaps I'll post it later as explanation. XD

I'll try to get chapter two up soon!

~Artimus-Maora