The chill of the late October air made Zelda smile as she stepped from her apartment. Snuggled into her thick dark gray coat and deep purple scarf she could officially say she loved the cold weather. Even as the wind whipped her brunette hair around her head she couldn't be bothered to be upset. Her life was great, she had a fantastic job, and her favorite holiday was around the corner.
As she walked down the sidewalk she checked her phone, responding to the most prominent emails first and rearranging her boss's schedule as necessary. Working for the fashion mogul was hectic, but Peach was such a fantastic boss that finding another job would never crossed her mind. Eyes on her phone, she missed the man she collided into. A surprised noise left her lips and large hands landed on her shoulders to steady her.
Slightly affronted, she looked up into deep blue eyes and an unshaven face littered with deep blue stubble. Chapped lips parted and the sexiest voice she had ever heard left his lips. "You alright?" He removed his hands from her shoulders and she had to resist the urge to shudder.
"Yes," she nodded quickly and ducked her head to hide her blush. "Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going."
"I'd rather you walk into me than a car," he said with a slight chuckle. "Be careful." With that he moved on and Zelda couldn't help but watch him walk on. Clad in some weathered jeans and a thin long sleeve shirt, she wondered idly if he was cold before her phone dinged and pulled her back to the present.

XxX
Lunchtime for Zelda was always hectic. She got an hour for lunch, but by the time she made it out the door that hour had always dwindled down to about twenty minutes of running to the nearest place that serves food and stuffing it in her mouth as she walked back. That day was no exception. She rushed to the elevator and down the five floors to the bustling street below, mind on the tasty and hasty Chinese food joint that made the best egg drop soup and the second best sesame chicken.
Her fast feet clicked down the sidewalk in her heels as she watched the latest email load on her phone. Arguing with their fabric suppliers was really a fun back and forth, and she always ended up making the better end of the deal. She paused to glance at the crosswalk quickly before looking back down and taking a step off the sidewalk. A large hand landed on her shoulder and she screamed as she was pulled back. A car horn blared as a flash of red zipped by and she gasped in horror.
"Oh goddesses I could've died!" She whirled to thank the protective hand on her shoulder, surprised to see the man she ran into that morning. "You-"
"You should put your phone away when you're walking," he chided lightly. He released her shoulder and moved to step around her. Something inside Zelda clicked and she quickly caught up to him.
"Thank you so much for that," she said earnestly. "I don't know what happened! I looked and there was no one-"
"Cars through here ignore red lights mostly," he explained as they made it safely to the other side of the street. "Always wait at least ten seconds before going. Keep your eyes off the phone yeah?" He gave her a small grin and Zelda felt the blush on her cheeks as he began to walk off.

XxX
October turned into November, the chill in the air became almost unbearable, and Zelda found herself neck deep in ordering the latest spring fabrics as fast as Peach could spit them at her. Peach was obsessed with the color pink, apparent in her choice of office decor, and was determined to bring the color back into the spotlight she felt it deserved. Every shade, every fabric style... if the assistant was being honest she could go the rest of her life without seeing pink again and be just fine. Since she valued her job she kept that tidbit to herself and did as she was told, only cringing slightly at texts showing off two shades of the light red that looked so similar she wondered if there was really a difference.
With an exhausted sigh Zelda shut off her computer and stood from her desk, the slight rumble in her stomach reminding her of the lunch she skipped in order to take a conference call. She felt like splurging on herself a little and decided that she could enjoy a hot coffee and a pastry from the cafe around the corner on her walk home. Happy with herself, she left the building and began her trek. Not five feet from the front door she saw him.
It had been awhile since she had seen her hero and in those short two weeks he looked almost unrecognizable. His slight stubble had morphed into a full beard, and his cheeks seemed thinner. He was standing beside the bus stop, obviously using the overhang for the minimal shelter it was against the slight mist falling from the sky. It hit Zelda hard in that moment that he had to be homeless. His jacket looked ratty, his hair long enough to show that it needed a decent cut, and as she drew closer she saw the dark circles under his eyes.
A feeling of empathy reared its head in Zelda's chest and she watched as he scooped up a tattered backpack and moved on. Curiosity filled her and she followed him. Was he really homeless? It seemed so odd that a man who had literally saved her life could be, but as they neared the coffee shop and he ducked into an alley she was forced to admit that he had to be. Her steps slowed as she neared the alley, apprehension filling her stomach. Was he dangerous? He had saved her life...
With that thought she passed the alley and looked down it, her heart breaking to see him hunkered down by the cold and wet brick wall. Determination filled Zelda to the brim and she moved to the coffee shop with renewed vigor. She ordered herself a warm and delicious looking muffin to go with her caramel cappuccino, and added another blueberry muffin and a black coffee to her order. As soon as she had both drinks in hand she left the shop and peered into the alley. There he was, still against the damp looking wall.
"Hey," she called out as she entered the alley. He tensed and she watched as his hand gripped his backpack possessively. He kept his eyes on the dirty concrete as she approached.
"I'm not bothering anyone back here, I'm not begging, just leave me alone." His voice was still deep and almost tantalizing, but it held a hoarse quality that worried her. She frowned and stepped even closer to him, leaving about two feet in case he reacted badly. He had yet to look at her so she sighed and jiggled the bag holding his muffin.
That made him look up and she felt her heart break even more. His eyes looked haunted, like he hadn't slept since they had last met. Recognition dawned on his face and he lowered his gaze. "I wasn't dirty when I grabbed you, don't worry. Just go Phone Girl."
"Phone Girl?" Zelda questioned with an amused grin. He shrugged his shoulders in response.
"Seemed fitting," he mumbled after a moment and she let herself laugh softly.
"Here," she held out the large coffee for him, angling the bag holding the muffin so he'd know to take both. To her surprise he shook his head and somehow sank lower to the ground.
"You don't owe me anything, I would've grabbed anyone." She couldn't help but smile at that and, feeling bold, she crouched before him. Silently she marveled at how such a tall man could make himself so small against the dirty wall, then felt even worse as she wondered what brought him here.
"I didn't buy it because I felt like I owed you, I did it because I wanted to." He finally looked up at her, wariness written across his face as he eyed the bag and coffee in her outstretched hand.
"I'm not some charity case," he finally said and she rolled her eyes.
"You're ridiculous," she managed to get the words out with a strained smile before she tossed the bagged muffin onto his lap. "I don't think handing over the coffee the same way will work out too well," she warned. With a huff of either annoyance or amusement he leaned forward and grabbed the cup, careful to not touch her hand. Zelda saw the redness to them, saw how the cold had made the skin rough, and she wished she could do more.
"Thank you," he said as he pulled the cup closer, already raising it to his lips.
"Its probably really hot," she warned and he snorted as he took a big gulp.
"It'll be cold before too long if I let it cool." An icy wind whipped through the alley, making Zelda shiver as she stood up in her incredibly warm coat. He nodded his head towards the entrance of the alley as he took another sip. "You should head home Phone Girl, you don't need to be out in this."
"Are you... staying here tonight?" she asked haltingly, not wanting to offend him but insanely curious.
"Probably. Cops don't usually check down these alleys and after my other bag got stolen I'm not going to a shelter. Look," he sighed and gave her a grin that didn't reach his eyes, "don't pity me. Go home, I've survived worse than this." Zelda worried her lower lip between her teeth for a moment before nodding.
"I hope you like blueberry, they looked the best at the cafe."
"No complaints here, now go." He made a shooing motion with his hand and she gave him an awkward wave as she turned to leave.

XxX
The stupid weather app made Zelda stay up half the night. As she laid in her bed, snuggled up under a soft and warm blanket, all she could think of was her homeless savior. Out there in the freezing cold wind and rain in a ratty looking jacket... He had to be beyond miserable. How could she just lay there in comfort when he was suffering? How could she live with herself when the damn app was promising the coldest end of autumn on record, leading into the coldest winter?
When her alarm went off Zelda was already awake. She showered quickly and dressed as warmly as possible against the cold front that was flirting with bringing snow early. She left her apartment earlier than usual, setting off for the alley she had seen him at last night. There was no real plan in her mind for beyond that moment, but she knew she had to try to find him.
As soon as she saw the alley was empty dread settled in her stomach. Had the police come by? It's not like she could bail out a homeless man when she didn't even know his name! Annoyed at herself for not thinking of that sooner, she vowed she would get his name next time she saw him.

XxX
It was an absolutely dreadful day. Peach was on a tirade about one thing after another, and for the first time since she had been hired Zelda thought of quitting. Walking out with a middle finger raised in salute really seemed to be a viable option. When her day finally ended Zelda couldn't leave fast enough. She tore out of the building like it was on fire, only to find herself standing on what had to be three inches of snow.
"Shit," she cursed as she pulled her gloves from her pocket and slid them on. She hadn't really expected it to snow, nor that heavily, and the worry over Ike and his plight hit her again full force. She had to find him. With that thought her awful day slid from her mind and she trudged through the slush, hoping he was in the alley.
When she made it she almost cried in relief to see the bump against the brick wall with dark blue hair.
"Hey!" Her relief was apparent in her voice, and he raised his head to eye her suspiciously.
"Are you stalking me Phone Girl?" The question barely left his lips before a vicious cough rattled his frame.
"No," she said with a wince she failed to hide, "but I did try to find you this morning."
"Gotta clear out before the shop opens," he said with a weak shrug. He met her gaze and she could see that one night out in the weather, and the entire day spent in the elements, had done him no favors.
"Don't you have anywhere you can be warm tonight?" Zelda questioned with a tilt of her head.
"I'll be fine," he managed before he coughed again.
"Can I ask you something really personal?" This was pushing it, and she knew it. He eyed her, distrust making his brow furrow in an adorable sort of way. "Why are you homeless?"
"That is personal Phone Girl," he admitted with a slight wince. He shifted on the ground and Zelda realized with a pang that he was sitting in the dirty slush. "I uh, I went overseas and... well, short story is my girl moved on and I had nowhere to go."
"You were military?" He nodded.
"Honorable discharge due to injury. I came home to see my girl and she had found herself a new man. So, here I am." He licked his cracked lips and nodded to the end of the alley. "Go home Phone Girl, I don't need you getting sick because you're chatty."
A scoff left her lips at that and she placed a hand on her hip. "You can't stay here all night. It's supposed to snow more and-"
"I've got some protection against the elements," he cut her off with a dismissive shrug and she shook her head.
"Not good enough. Stand up."
"What?" He looked so adorably affronted that she smiled.
"Stand up I'm not letting you stay here."
"Where do you think I'm going?" He raised an eyebrow like it was a challenge and she was suddenly glad she spent half her work days arguing and bickering.
"You're not staying here, I won't allow it. So you're coming with me."
"No," he shook his head and glared at her. "Not happening."
"Why not?" she asked incredulously.
"One thing? You don't know me Phone Girl, I might be some crazy lunatic. Another? I don't know you. You might be some crazy lunatic who wants to harvest my organs for the black market. And, here's another, you still haven't said where we're going."
He had very good points, Zelda had to admit that, but she wasn't so easily deterred. She cleared her throat and stuck out her hand for a handshake. "Hi, my name is Zelda. I work for Peach, the fashion mogul, as her assistant." He did that huff again, and once more she couldn't tell if it was humor or annoyance that caused it. Finally he reached out with a bare hand and clasped her gloves fingers.
"Ike Greil, marine corps, discharged." She smiled at him and used her grip on his hand to tug him up. The element of surprise worked in her favor as he rose halfway before he realized what she did. "Where are we going?"
"We are going to my apartment," she decreed as he finally rose to his feet. He froze, eyes wide.
"Look Phone-"
"Zelda."
"Zelda... I don't think that's the best idea."
"So a hot shower, free laundry service, and the promise of Chinese food isn't the best idea to you?" Zelda asked with a slight pout. He hesitated and she took the opportunity to take in the tall man. He had obviously lost muscle mass being out on the street, but he was still muscular and tall, made more prominent by the militaristic way he held himself.
"I think you're crazy," he finally grumbled as he pulled his backpack to his shoulder and she smirked in triumph. "And I'm crazy for agreeing to this."
"Come on," she grabbed his arm and began to haul him from the alley, a warm feeling of happiness pooling in her gut as they moved. Finally she was doing something helpful for him. He might be rather difficult, but she felt that this was the right decision. She would make sure he didn't regret this, and she was certain she wouldn't either.

XXX
Well this started as an exercise to help with a bout of writers block and I couldn't stop. Let me know what you think. Much love, Leigh