Well, that was quite a hug.

I found Link's reaction odd, at first, but pretty quickly realized that the kid was probably on the cusp of puberty. Boys. Still, he probably won't have nightmares tonight, so it shouldn't be as hard to wake him up tomorrow.

As Link and I approached the inn, I noticed that the boy had suddenly became less... Enthusiastic. A quick glance was all I needed to see he was lost in thought, but I ignored it. He'll either tell me, or he won't. We stepped inside, and Link slowly walked upstairs into the Knife Suite.

He was trembling as he opened the door. "Link...?" He didn't respond, removing his belt and climbing into bed.

Nobody ignores Tatl and gets away with it.

"Link!" I shouted in his ear. I couldn't quite make out his response, if he even gave one, only that the boy was crying.

It was times like this when he reminded me of Tael.

"Link... Is something wrong?" I lowered my voice. As I expected, his eyes were puffy. He sat up, pulling his knees closer to him. I moved in front of him, hovering about two feet off the top of the bed, so that we were facing each other. "Link, whatever it is, I promise I won't make fun of you for it."

"I don't-"

"Link. I don't care if you need to tell me your entire life story, I will not drop this issue until you tell me what's wrong!" I could have phrased that better. He proceeded to tell me his entire life story.

"I... I grew up in Kokiri Forest among the Kokiri." Link began. "I wasn't one of them. I was the child of a Hylian couple. I never got to know my parents." He was still crying, but made the extra effort to annunciate his words. That kid was just too nice sometimes.

I was surprised to find out he was never accepted by the other Kokiri, given how much everyone seems to adore the kid. He was the only one in the forest without his own fairy companion, and it stayed that way until he was about 9.

The same day he got his companion, the very same friend he was searching for when we first met, Link watched the Great Deku Tree, the closest thing he ever had to father, die. He left soon after, carrying only a sword, a shield, and a slingshot.

And in all his life up to now, the only hug he was ever offered was a Goron hug.

I fluttered over to his shoulder, resting on it. "Link. I'm here. We may not get along very often, but I'm here. And once we stop that moon, and we WILL stop that moon, I won't be the only one here for you." I could hear a strained 'thank you.' I shushed him. "Don't mention it, kid. Now get some sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow."


This is my first (posted) fanfic, so give me some constructive criticism. Tell me what you liked, tell me what you hated, give me a review that will help me grow as a writer. That is all I ask.

That, and to be forgiven for having a brief summary of Link's life as the main body of this fic. Mostly constructive criticism, though.