This chapter is Rated M to be safe!

Summary: Settling back into the Ordonian lifestyle isn't easy. Link has been home for three years and is having a rough time falling back into his old routines. Of course, his best friend Ilia is there for comfort; however, peace never lasts very long in our hero's life. Murders are increasing in number in Castle Town and the Royals are becoming antsy. Princess Zelda is discreetly sent to a quiet village for safety and that village happens to be Ordon. Jealously arises quickly and soon Castle Town may not be the only place racking up a body count.

Warning: This chapter is a little steamy. If you don't want to read, that's okay. To sum it up, Ilia goes to check up on Link because he hasn't been well the last few days. The two of them are being cute together before they decide to head up the ladder and make love. I do not own any part of the LoZ franchise, beeteedubs. Also, a few characters from other games might be present; however, you won't have to have played the games to know them. I just threw them in because I think they'll fit well in the story. Hope you think so too. Enjoy! [/Heart].

A/N: Also, I'm writing this SLOWLY, so it's okay if you never come back to read this. But, please, for the one time that you are here can you please drop off a comment? I'd like to know how I'm doing plot and writing wise. I'll be eternally grateful. ; w; [/Bows].

In the middle of the night, Ilia found herself panting outside the hero's doorstep, her hand frozen in midair as if she planned to knock. The swift gust of wind that pasted carried away the female's anxieties and she found confidence. Her knuckles rapped at the wood of Link's door and she breathed deeply as she waited patiently for the Ordonian to respond. Honestly, she had no idea what drew her to his home at this ungodly hour. What had she been thinking? Ilia began to fear that Link would be mad, but then she recalled her earlier concern for him and the hesitation instantly disappeared.

It had been three years since the hero returned from his long journey; however, he never spoke about what had happened over that course of time— not even to Ilia, his best friend. Those journeys with Midna were sealed shut in a treasure chest and the key to recover and unlock them did not exist; although, Ilia figured that whatever it was that he kept to himself was what had him feeling ill as of late. Lately, the hero had been and looked exhausted; sleep deprived symptoms were obvious, he did not eat, and despite his overworked state he still pushed himself at work.

"Ilia?" Link finally opened the door to reveal a shivering female in her night gown. The mayor's daughter began to regret her decision for coming to his doorstep once more; it appeared that Link had actually been getting some shut eye and she hated the fact the she'd disturbed that. She managed a meek smile at him when he questioned as to why she was here.

"You were worrying me." She said simply, lacing her hands behind her back and stepping into the hero's home. She glanced around for a quick moment, welcoming the familiarity of Link's home and the warmth it brought her soul. Fond memories overwhelmed her and she turned to Link with the joy of their times together reflecting in her gaze. The male clad in lobster pajamas grinned at this.

"Well, I'm fine. I had just fallen asleep when you knocked." He awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, but gave Ilia's fretful expression an easy smile. "It's alright though."

"You promise?"

Link nodded, walking over to the giant cooking pot over the fireplace. "Do you want me to warm you up some soup?"

"That's okay. I just came to check on you." Ilia's palms started to sweat as she became nervous. Link was so sweet and kind and the mere image of him making soup just for her was a very tempting sight to witness. Fearing her face would showcase her thoughts, she turned to gaze out the window; from inside the dark home, both the stars and moon cast a celestial light on the two.

The hero's face grew puzzled and he stepped toward her. "I don't mind. Really. It'll only take a minute."

"I'm positive. It's not healthy to eat in the middle of the night anyway. Don't want to get fat, ya know?"

He shrugged. "I guess."

A silence fell over the two and Link soon joined Ilia's side to stare out at the endless sky. "Why did you really come here?" He suddenly asked, not looking at her face.

Ilia frowned. "I told you that I wanted to make sure you were alright."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Ah," The mayor's daughter's face flushed a bright red and she abruptly turned from the hero when he glanced at her. She placed her palms on her burning cheeks and was able to feel heat leaking from them. "W-well, you're my dear friend so why wouldn't I?" Link did not answer for some time and Ilia feared that she'd said the wrong thing, yet when she turned back around she saw that that was not the case.

Link had leaned down so that they were on the same, close level. Ilia's mind told her to back away, but her heart said to lean forward. She forced herself to remain still, waiting for him to make the first move.

"You want to know what's bothering me?" He asked very slowly, almost as if he were planning to stop mid-sentence and not say a word.

The voice of Ilia decided to keep silent, so she nodded. "The love of my life was taken from me three years back. Because she severed the bond between our worlds, I won't ever see her again. I've been alone. Trapped in my mind. Trapped in my home. Trapped in this life. After so long it gets tiring to have people constantly replying on you for things they should be doing themselves. I just want a normal life and I want it now. With—"

"Why are you telling me this?" Ilia's whimpered softly. Her heart clenched tightly in her chest. Couldn't he see that his words were hurting her? There wasn't any comfort provided, for all Link did was shrug. Who exactly was this female Link once loved? "Is it... Is it Princess Zelda?" The mayor's daughter dared to ask. She braced herself for the impact the answer would surely have, knowing that if Zelda was indeed Link's love interest and she returned his feelings Link leave Ordon. "I don't want that." The words escaped her mouth before she could care to stop them. Ilia covered her face with her tiny hands as sorrowful tears fell and she slipped to the floor in quiet sobs.

Link stood as he watched his best friend cry, wanting to comfort but felt unable to because of the uncanny sense her words made. In many past lives, he and Zelda shared many adventures together and because of that a bond had been created that even Time could not break. It only was only a matter of time before they'd one day fall in love. However, despite their past and Link's feeling of obligation to love her, the hero held no romantic feelings toward the princess. Those emotions were directed to someone else. Someone nearby.

Courage dominated the male's emotions and he enveloped the trembling Ilia in his arms. Naturally, she fought: clawing at the arms coiled tightly around her, pushing away at the head lying in the dip of her neck, and the mayor's daughter only froze when delicate kisses began following the line of her collar bone.

When Ilia grew still in Link's embrace, the hero pulled back to stare. He ran a thumb across the single tear brave enough to escape on his watch. As he did so, Ilia's breathing gradually began to stutter along with the beat of her heart. This isn't right. Once more, she attempted to draw away from her friend, but to no avail. "What are you doing? I thought you loved the princess."

"I didn't say that." Link held onto the treasure in his arms more securely and nuzzled his face on the side of hers, giving the lobe of her ear a tender kiss.

Ilia shivered in delight. "You did." She barely managed to whisper, her voice cracking as a result of the emotion swelling in the pit of her stomach. Almost instinctively her hands drew themselves around his neck. The hero's eyes lit in surprise and he took that as permission to continue.

The mayor's daughter gave pause when being ushered to the ladder leading to Link's bed. She gripped the stepping planks tightly as she spoke through a closed, dry throat. "You were quiet when I asked about the princess—"

"That was you assuming." A small smirk made its way to the hero's lips as he put light touch on Ilia's bottom, encouraging her to climb the ladder. The female made her way up without another word, for her voice permanently abandoned her as a burning embarrassment settled over her features. Once they were steady on the bedroom platform, Link cupped his hand on the back of Ilia's head and laid her gently on his bed, sticking one of his knees between her legs as he lowered himself down to her mouth. "I love you," He murmured, their lips meeting and locking before she had the chance to respond.

The remainder of the night, and even to the early streaks of dawn, the only sounds made and shared were of love.