A/N: Alright, I wanted to give you guys a heads up before reading this chapter. As I'm sure you're aware, the sexual tension between Link and Kafei is continually rising. This is one of the many chapters where Link and Kafei...help each other out a little bit. You have been warned.

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Chapter 3

They sat at the table talking and enjoyed the dinner well into the night. Link told his tale as best he could while Kafei interrupted a few times to explain things Link didn't quite have correct regarding the people or landscapes. They both purposefully left out Anju and the baby, although it forced them to stretch the truth a bit. Malon had asked if Kafei had anyone in Termina and he had denied it. It wasn't a complete lie but it also wasn't the complete truth. Link was glad they had only nursed the Kokiri Leaf, otherwise only the Goddesses knew what would have come spilling out of their mouths.

Malon stretched and gave a yawn before looking out the window. "Farore's wind, look how late it's gotten!"

Link and Kafei both looked towards the window. "Oh wow," said Link in surprise.

Malon stood up and began gathering their dishes.

"Let me help you." Link moved to assist her but she held a hand up.

"No need, love," she replied with a smile. "Why don't you show Kafei where he will be staying instead?"

Link gave a nod and, after he allowed Malon a peck on the cheek, he walked towards the door.

"Thank you for dinner, Malon, it was delicious," Kafei said with a smile.

Malon flushed again. "Of course, Kafei! Now please, go and rest."

Kafei nodded and followed Link out of the house and across the grounds. "She's very beautiful," he said after a few moments.

Link looked over at him. "Thank you. I've always thought so, even when we were children."

"She reminds me of Anju...slightly."

Link cocked his head. "How so?"

"Very smiley, enjoys cooking and taking care of everyone, and she's obviously very caring and trusting."

Link thought about that a moment. "Yes, I suppose they are similar in those ways."

Kafei nodded again but said nothing. Link turned to him after a moment, curious about his silence, and he saw Kafei's eyes. They were dull and a bit tight, and clearly not here with Link. "Kafei?"

Kafei didn't look up. "Yes?"

Link took his hand and they stopped walking. "Do you miss her?" he asked softly.

Kafei shrugged. "Not so much her as perhaps what we had together. But the baby...what if she already had it but refuses to tell me? Or decided to leave Termina all together? Or..." Kafei voice began to rise in panic. "Or what if something bad happened because of what I did to her? What if the baby is suffering because she's stressed, because she's hurt? What if –"

Link interrupted him by pulling Kafei closer and wrapping his arms around him. Kafei snuggled his head in the crook of Link's neck and Link placed a kiss on his soft hair. "Kafei," Link said gently, "you just say the word and we'll go back. I've no problem with that."

Kafei took a deep, steadying breath and pulled back to look into Link's eyes. "Thank you, Link," he replied. "I honestly may need to return to Termina once we've settled here, just to check up on things."

Link smiled and brushed Kafei's bangs from his eyes. "Then that's what we'll do."

Kafei smiled in return before his eyes roamed their surroundings. "Is this where I'll be staying?" he asked.

Link turned and focused on the tower-like structure before them. "Yes, it is. Sorry it's so far away from the main house but it's all we have as a 'guest-room'."

Kafei shrugged. "It'll be alright."

Link took Kafei's hand and led him inside and up the stairs to a door. He opened the door and allowed Kafei to walk in before he crossed the room and turned on the light, which illuminated the room. It wasn't a bad room. Although it was, indeed, far across the grounds, it was decorated quite well. There was a good sized bed in the corner and a beautiful quilt lying upon it. On the right of the bed was a little white wooden table with a lantern-lamp sitting on top that gave the room a welcoming glow. There was a matching white wardrobe on the wall opposite the bed with a long mirror beside it. In the middle of the room was a small table with burned down candles placed in the middle and a chair pushed against its side. The table sat on a beautiful, round, hand-woven carpet that varied in colors of red, pink, and blue.

"Malon's mother made that," Link said suddenly.

"The carpet?" Kafei replied.

"Yep. It was all of Malon's favorite colors when she was a child."

Realization dawned on Kafei. "So this was Malon's room?"

Link sat on the bed and Kafei followed suit. "Yes. But her mother died when she was ten and so she moved into her father's room. Talon was never well after Myla's passing and Malon had to look after him."

Kafei frowned. "Where is her father now? Has he passed too?"

Link sighed and cast his eyes to his hands. "No, although I sometimes wonder if that'd be easier. He lives in Kakariko Village now and a woman there takes care of him. Malon tries to make herself believe he'll get better but, honestly, he'll never return. He's too far gone. He hardly recognizes anyone anymore and he never remembers who he, himself, is. The nurse says there isn't much more she can do for him besides keeping him comfortable and happy."

Kafei placed a hand on Link's arm. "I'm sorry."

"Me too," Link replied. "It's been a long, tough road. I just wish it'll be over with soon, for Malon's sake. Don't get me wrong, I love Talon. He was a great father and friend, but Malon...she can't take much more of it. She's about at the end of her rope."

Silence settled between them once more. Kafei entwined his hand in Link's and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Link smiled and returned the gesture but he could suddenly feel an oddness coming from Kafei's person.

"Link." Kafei's tone was serious. "Are you sure you still want to do this? Malon doesn't seem like she can handle any more disappointment or stress."

Link heaved a sigh. "Yeah, I know. Trust me, I've thought a lot about that. But I know her well and I think I'll be able to go about the subject gently enough. I think she'll be alright."

Kafei nodded. "I hope she's not too devastated. I would hate for her to become ill as well."

Link grew still and silent. He was hoping that very same thing, though he didn't want to tell Kafei just how worried about it he was. It was his biggest fear concerning he and Kafei's future. Malon was already fragile enough without Link coming in and telling her he loved another and was leaving her. She would be absolutely heart-broken.

"Link," Kafei said again in a soft tone. "I can see how much you still love her and I can hear it in your voice." He stopped to take a deep breath. "If you were to back out...I'd understand. Especially since there are family and health issues."

Link blinked in realization. The oddness Kafei was emitting was due to him feeling Link may change his mind. Link shook his head and turned towards Kafei. "Kafei, I'm not going to back out or change my mind. I love Malon, yes, but my heart belongs to you and it always has. The past seven years of my life were nothing because I was away from you. Now that I have you back, I couldn't imagine my life without you. It would be as though Darkness took over my world.

"I can understand you being uncomfortable, especially now that you know of her father and the complication it provides. Because of that, I'm going to have to ask for your patience and trust. I cannot just tell Malon right now I'm leaving her. She needs time to get used to me being back home, as backwards as that seems, before I spring this new, life-changing bit of news on her. My arrival was surprise enough and I don't want to push her mind any further right now. But I need to know you trust me to stay with you. I need to know you trust me when I say I want only you. Do you, Kafei?"

Kafei's cheeks flushed and he nodded. "I trust you with everything, Link,"

"And you don't believe I'll choose you over her?"

He shook his head. "No, I'm sorry I even thought it."

Link smiled. "It's alright; I just wanted to make sure. I don't want to hurt you, nor do I want you to think I may."

Kafei smiled in return and such a look of affection sparked in his eyes. "I know you'd never hurt me, Link." His voice was soft and loving.

In just that instant Link was suddenly overcome with desire to touch the man before him. He pushed his lips against Kafei's desperately and buried a hand in his soft hair with a soft but demanding growl. Kafei gasped in surprise but reacted immediately. He opened his mouth to allow Link to deepen the kiss; he pushed his body closer and pulled them up onto their knees. Link raked his hands down Kafei's back while Kafei toyed with the beginning of Link's braid. His fingertips were brushing ever so slightly against Link's neck and he shivered in pleasure.

Kafei then grabbed Link's hair and jerked his head to the side with gentle force. He began planting kisses all along Link's jaw line, down his neck to his collarbone and back up to his ear. He then added slight nibbles and Link moaned in his throat. Kafei chuckled, his breath ghosting over Link's skin, almost tickling.

Link couldn't take anymore and he crushed his mouth to Kafei's again and stole back his control. He brushed his tongue against the roof of Kafei's mouth and relished in the taste and the way his friend whimpered. Link pulled back and gently nipped at Kafei's bottom lip before pushing them both onto the bed and pinning Kafei beneath his body.

The look he saw in those eyes almost made Link's breath hitch in his throat. Kafei's eyes had gone dark with lust and his hair was splayed out all around his head like a blue halo. He looked so unbelievably sexy it took every ounce of control not to rip the man's clothes off and take him right there.

Instead he dipped his head down and began to tease Kafei's neck with deliberate slowness. Kafei hissed and arched into the tormenting mouth, a silent plead for more. Link covered every inch of skin he could reach and delighted in the way Kafei writhed and whimpered. Link knew he was driving the other man crazy and the thought alone made him almost groan and his manhood ache. When he found a particularly sensitive spot at the juncture where Kafei's shoulder met his neck, Kafei gasped and arched his hips up and unintentionally bucked against Link's swollen member. Link dropped his head against Kafei's shoulder with a groan.

When the flash of pleasure dulled a bit Link lifted his head to meet Kafei's eyes. He saw the gleam in those blood colored pools but it was so darkened by lust and desire that Link knew he could deny him no longer. The look in Kafei's eyes was by far the sexiest thing he'd ever seen and it went straight to Link's already aching groin and his hips twitched involuntarily. Link grabbed Kafei's arms and pinned them above his head. With a devious smile he roughly ground his hips against Kafei's and they both gasped in pleasure. Link did it again and he felt Kafei's arms tense as he tried to pull away.

"No Kafei, you're mine now."

"Then kiss me," Kafei grunted in frustration.

Link complied immediately with another grind of his hips and hissed in pleasure at the pure sensation sent reeling through him. He tried to keep the pace slow as he rotated around. Kafei moaned and arched towards Link to add to the already unbearable friction between them. Link broke the kiss and Kafei ran his tongue teasingly over Link's lips who replied with a moan and a harder thrust.

It was then that Kafei shifted around beneath Link and managed to wrap his legs around the back of Link's thighs and tug him up a little higher. This provided a much more pleasurable angle. Link had to fight even harder to keep the rhythm steady and slow, despite his body's aching demands. Even though he knew they were pressed for time, he had never had Kafei in such a position and it was too delicious to rush. It wasn't until Kafei arched up and whimpered Link's name that Link broke his resolve and increased his speed and aggressiveness.

He pulled back from Kafei's soft, intoxicating lips and moved to his hypersensitive ears and slowly and teasingly slid his tongue around it. Kafei cried out and thrust towards Link with a desperate keening sound. Link grinned and gently nibbled the ear, not missing an inch of skin, his hips still moving mercilessly.

"Oh...ungh..." Kafei whimpered, eyes tightly shut in ecstasy. "Link, I'm gonna..."

Kafei's words went straight to Link's groin and he felt his own climax building. "It's okay," he moaned into his ear, "I want you to come. Come for me, Kafei."

Kafei let out another moan upon hearing his name uttered from Link's mouth. Link felt Kafei's body tense beneath him as he neared the precipice. Link moved even faster, eager to bring Kafei over the edge, eager to bring him that bliss and be able to join him in his cries of pleasure. He could feel Kafei reaching the brink...it was almost time...Kafei was panting harder...his face was set in concentration and his mouth parted slightly...

There was a sudden knock on the door. "Kafei?"

Both men froze in fear and looked towards the door. Kafei's body was trembling under Link's and he could feel the man throbbing beneath him. Kafei had been mere seconds away. Guilt raced through Link's veins and as he looked at him, Link saw his eyes were closed in irritation. "Yes Malon?" His voice was shaking. As Link moved to rise, Kafei tightened his grip. "If you move now, I will come. Just give me a moment." He was whispering but Link could hear the anger and frustration as clearly as though Kafei had shouted it. Link sat still.

"I don't mean to bother you," Malon said softly, her voice unsure and nervous, "but is Link in there with you? I thought he'd be back by now..."

Link looked down at Kafei who, after a few moments, nodded with a resigned sigh. Link rose and immediately began straightening his clothes and hair, trying desperately to hide the raging hard-on just below his pants and tunic. He quickly helped Kafei fix the sheets on the bed but winced at their pink cheeks. Link hoped to the Goddesses Malon wouldn't notice or would simply blame in on the Kokiri Leaf.

He rushed to the door and opened it to see a very shy looking Malon standing just outside. Her face lit up when she saw Link. "Oh you are in here. What took you so long? I thought you'd be right back?"

Link gave a simple shrug. "We were talking," he replied with nonchalance. It was true...to an extent.

Malon gave a nod and smiled. "Of course, I understand. But let's leave our guest alone for the night now, shall we? I'm sure he's exhausted, as you must be."

Link nodded. "I'll be down in just one minute, okay? Wait for me and we'll walk back together."

"Alright. Good night, Kafei." And with another smile, she descended down the stairs.

Link turned back to Kafei, shame written all over his features. "I'm so sorry, Kafei."

Kafei sighed. "Don't be, it's not your fault. But you should go." His tone clearly said it wasn't okay. When Link wrapped his arms around his waist, Kafei shrugged away. "No offense but that isn't really helping."

Link nodded in understanding but the hurt still twanged against his heart at the rebuff. "Kafei, I know this is hard," he said. "But it won't be long now until it is you and I heading to bed together."

That brought a small smile to Kafei's face but his eyes were still bitter. "I know."

Link gently took his hand and kissed it. "The washroom is through that door over there." Link pointed to a door that hadn't been noticed before. "Goodnight."

"Night," Kafei replied quietly.

Link reluctantly pulled away and left. He shut the door behind him and sighed as he leaned against the frame. He hated to think Kafei was in pain but they both knew this was a necessary act to play. Still...it didn't make it any easier. It took Link a moment to be able to wrench away from the door and head down to Malon. He wanted nothing more than to stay with Kafei, both his body and his heart craving his heated touch. Link vowed at that moment to try to hurry this process up as much as he could.

With a forced look of calm, Link walked down the stairs to Malon who was trailing her fingers against old pictures idly, humming to herself. The last stair creaked and brought Malon's attention to her fiancée. "Ready to go?" she asked.

Link gave a nod and they silently walked back to the house. Malon entwined her hand with Link's and rested her body softly against his arm as they traveled. When they reached the house and entered the bedroom, Link couldn't hold back his sigh of happiness. Though he ached to be with Kafei, he couldn't deny he was happy to be home. Malon had changed nothing in the few days he'd be gone, and that included the laundry basket still on the floor with the dirty clothes. Link frowned as he recognized a few things on the top had been things he packed for Termina.

"I've already unpacked your things," Malon said with a giggle.

Link chuckled. "Of course you did. Thank you."

She smiled. "You're welcome." And with that, she leaned up and kissed his lips lovingly. For one panicked moment Link feared she'd taste Kafei on him. It seemed she didn't but Link refused to allow the kiss to deepen and instead faked a yawn that made Malon step away. "I'm sorry, Malon," Link said.

"Don't be, I can't imagine how beat you must be. Let's go to bed?"

Link nodded eagerly and as he started taking off his clothes he realized he hadn't quite cooled off yet. He needed to take a cold wash immediately. "I'm going to clean up first. Won't take long but you should go ahead and lie down without me."

"Okay."

Just as Link was entering the washroom, Malon's voice carried over to him. "I'm so happy to have you home, honey. I missed you dearly."

Link smiled. "Me too." He chose not to specify which statement he was agreeing with and instead headed off to get rid of his...excitement.