A/N: Hello and welcome. I uploaded this years ago but took it down because of lack of direction, pacing, etc. After reading through it again I actually quite like it and decided to rewrite it and give it another chance. Depending on how it's received, i'll continue it.
I leaned up against a tree near the entrance of the village and waited for his return. He had been gone for a few days on a delivery and I was getting restless as the sun rose higher in the sky. I pushed some of my jet black hair behind my ear and folded my arms across my chest in an attempt to calm myself but I couldn't stop my leg from shaking. Breathe I reminded myself. He's fine just breathe. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and finally regained my composure.
My eyes shot open as I heard a bunch of loud shrieking and slowly turned my head in the direction of all the commotion. Link had finally arrived and he greeted everyone with a tired smile and a weak wave. Most of the younger kids crowded around him asking him questions I was too far away to hear. He put his hands up in an attempt to quiet them and scanned his surrounding area. Link's ocean blue eyes met my hazel ones and he subtly pointed in the direction of our normal meeting place. I gave him a slight nod and retreated back into the forest.
I made it to the spring after walking for a few minutes and managed to perch myself atop a small cliff overlooking the area. After long journeys' he usually brought Epona back here to rest though, at first, it was usually at Ilia's request. He arrived some moments later holding the reigns of his steed with a blonde haired female in tow behind him, his expression never wavering from that of a permanently exhausted pigeon.
Link and I have known each other for a few years now. I was new to the village and didn't know how to talk to people. Everyone seemed to have their established cliques and I was far too shy to attempt to claw my way into one. One day, Link caught me watching his friends from a distance and struck up a conversation. I was embarrassed and definitely tripped over my words as I attempted to explain what I was doing but he only laughed and gave me the most unperturbed smile. After that he introduced me to his friends and while I didn't actually get along with them, it was nice to feel included.
I was pulled from my thoughts at the sight of Ilia retreating back into the village. I noticed Link heave a sigh of relief before tugging on Epona's reigns to bring her further into the spring. Soon after beginning to wash her coat he seemed to lose himself in his thoughts. He was always calmest when he was with her in this environment, always getting lost for long stretches of time. I'd been told that long before I arrived at the village, he had to go on a journey across the land to defend it. They-Ilia said that since he had gotten back he hadn't been the same.
"Link!" A gruff voice called from behind us. I turned my head slightly to see a rotund man sprinting towards the young boy. This man was in his late forties and balding with his most defining characteristic being that caterpillar above his lip he had the audacity to call a mustache. He skidded to a halt near the waters edge. "I need you to make a delivery." He put his hands on his knees in an attempt to catch his breath. The boy in question slowly made his way over to the bigger man. They spoke in lengths about what I could only assume was his next job. I was too far away to read their lips but there was a great deal of nodding going on. The rotund man briefly glanced in my direction before turning back to Link and speaking again. When the blonde boy gave him an approving look and a thumbs up, the bald man bowed and trotted off.
Link waited for a few minutes before turning his head in the direction of the older man's gaze. When his eyes met mine he gave me a lopsided smile and waved. I returned his smile with one of my own though compared to his it was much more of an awkward one. I slid down from where I was sitting on the cliff and took my place next to him which garner a laugh from him.
"You're really good at hiding your presence." He said with a lazy smile.
In response to his words I gave him a half smile and a shrug. "I've had a long time to practice."
He nodded slowly and turned his gaze towards me, his tired eyes now twinkling. "Do you want to come?"
"Where...?" I eyed him cautiously. Despite the giant bags under his eyes he looked incredibly excited about his question.
"On my next delivery! We'll be heading to castle town!"
"No." I answered flatly.
"It'll be your chance to get out of the village for once!" He gave me a cheerful smile. "C'mon! For me?" He looked up at me through his lashes and ever so slightly stuck out his bottom lip. I sighed, putting up my hands in defeat.
"Ugh fine. I hate it when you do that." I rolled my eyes at him and he chuckled.
"You're cute when you're pouting." Satisfied with my answer, he ruffled my hair as he passed me and headed back towards the to village.
I turned back and looked at Epona wondering briefly if he was going to leave her there but my thoughts were quickly quelled when I saw Ilia approach from the other side of the clearing. I quickened my pace to catch up with Link who was already a few steps ahead.
"How long has it been since you've slept?"
He blinked once very slowly before answering me. "A while."
"Nightmares?"
He rubbed his face with his hand and nodded but didn't make eye contact. Against my better judgement I reached out to touch his shoulder but he flinched and moved a few inches away from me. I let out a silent sigh, crossed my arms over my chest and tried to think of something to say. Unconsciously I started chewing on my bottom lip, trying to come up with anything to ease the tension in the air. I hadn't noticed I had stopped walking until Link was in front of me with concern reflected in his eyes.
"I'm fine." I tucked some hair behind my ear and slightly tilted my head to the side. "I'm worried about you though."
"Don't be."
"You look a wreck. Why don't you come over and relax a bit."
"I was going there anyway. I've got to pick up those packages your dad was talking about." He scratched the back of his head. "I can't stay long since i'm heading out tomorrow morning."
"No you're not." My tone was deliberate signifying that this was not up for debate. Pushing past him, I headed in the direction of my house never checking to see if he was following or not. After a few painfully quiet minutes I made it to my front door and halted to a stop. Behind me I could hear another set of feet shuffle to a stop as well so I cocked my head to the side. Link had followed me though his tired expression had changed to one of annoyance. I hid the growing smile on my face as I pushed the door open and disappeared into the shadows.
Link followed me inside and huffed when he noticed I had disappeared. I stifled a giggle while watching him walk over to my father and have a very animated conversation with him. My dad was handing him boxes and pointing to different things that were written. Link nodded along seeming to follow the conversation quite well and asking questions when he needed more clarification but for the most part it was a rather uneventful exchange. As the younger boy turned to go my father put a hand on his shoulder to stop him and Link shuddered. My dad pretended not to notice and opened his mouth to speak.
"I know you're going to convince my daughter to go with you but those two don't exactly have the best history."
"I'm sure it'll be fine." Link said and gave my dad a weak smile.
"Well i'm sure you're right but in the event something does happen do I have your word that you'll protect my daughter?" He gave Link a steely gaze as he spoke. Who were they talking about? The list of people I didn't have the best history with was extensive and after a few minutes I let out an exasperated sigh. There was no way I was going to come up with that answer on my own. Shaking my head I started to walk towards the two men.
"I'll obviously end up being the damsel in distress." I deadpanned. They nearly jumped at the sound of my voice but attempted to play it off. As they turned to me, I was relieved to see Link with a genuine smile on his face.
"Will my fair maiden need rescuing?" He bowed, a grin pulling at the side of his mouth. I huffed at his words, a smile slowly tugging at my own lips.
In the distance I heard the sound of a door closing and turned to look. My father had retreated back to his room much to my surprise. I exchanged a look with the blue-eyed man in front of me and decided to use this opportunity while I had it. Motioning him towards my room, I grabbed a blanket off the couch and headed inside.
"You know I always get worried when you invite me into your room." He said after watching me lay the blanket down. I turned my head towards him with a questioning look in my eyes. "W-well you know." He trailed off with no intention of finishing his thought.
"I have a balcony." I sat down, pulled my knees up to my chest and shrugged. "Plus since it's so nice outside I figured you wouldn't mind looking at the stars." I paused. "Don't think you're going to sneak out of here early. I will drag you back here kicking and screaming if I have to."
To my surprise Link gave me a hearty laugh reached up and ruffled my hair affectionately. I felt some heat rise in my cheeks as he sat down and faced me. I did my best not to break eye contact and he kept rubbing my head which, to his credit, was very soothing.
"I'm lucky to have you looking after me." He said a serene expression overtaking his features. His hand slipped from my head and back down to his side. He leaned back on his hands and turned his attention to the sky. "If we leave by mid-day," He began. "We should get there by evening. If you're up to it I mean. You don't have to come if you don't want to." He brought one of his hands to his face to cover his mouth as he yawned.
"I don't." I said bluntly. "But you asked."
"I only asked because..." He yawned, laid on his side and mumbled a few words as his eyelids fluttered shut. I waited a few moments hoping he would speak again but was only greeted with the steady rise and fall of his chest.