A/N: I just want to thank a couple of very special reviewers, really all of my reviewers, who are really the only ones keeping the updates coming (at least for this site).

Judiro(I love getting reviews from you!)
Kazuki-san
Zippay
iAxel
Yumistar

Thanks so much, guys. It really means the world to me to get your reviews. Much love to you all! :)

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Chapter 4

When Link awoke the next day, he was surprised to see a late morning sun shining brightly through the window. He sat up and stretched and a note on Malon's side of the bed caught his eye. He picked it up and read:

I hope you find this letter long after I left it!I decided to let you sleep in this morning.Breakfast is made and is keeping warm over the fire.
Kafei's as well. I didn't wake him either.I'll be dabbling about the ranch when you're ready.
Love Malon

Link chuckled and placed the letter on the bedside table. It was just like Malon to leave him sleeping. She was so considerate...and it suddenly made his stomach churn. He heaved a sigh and rose from the bed to wash up before his day began.

Link walked across the ranch grounds, his still damp braid resting gently against his green vest, and saw Malon in the corral. She was kneeling beside one of the horses while she wrapped a bandage around its front left leg. Link frowned and wondered what had happened, but didn't move to go towards her. Instead he continued onward, eager see Kafei as though it had been ages since he had seen him last and not just one night. Link couldn't help but chuckle.

When he reached the top of the stairs outside of Kafei's room, he paused. Should he knock or just walk in? Link raised his hand and gently rapped on the door. He figured he'd give Kafei the same privacy Kafei had given him in Termina. "Kafei? Are you up?"

There was no sound from the room and so Link assumed his friend was still asleep. As quietly as he could he opened the door and slipped in. Sure enough, Kafei was curled up on the bed, snuggled deeply under the covers and sleeping peacefully. Link smiled and couldn't resist the temptation to crawl into the bed with him and so he tiptoed over and climbed onto the bed. He wrapped his arms around Kafei gently and nuzzled into the soft, blue hair. Kafei made an adorable little cooing sound and leaned back into the embrace while Link's name slipped from his lips in a sleepy murmur.

Link's heart swelled so much his breath hitched in his throat. He tightened his hold and planted a soft kiss on the back of Kafei's neck. And then another. And then another. Before too long Link had Kafei breathing out hushed whimpers and writhing against his body. It was very erotic, the sound of Kafei's pleasure and the feel of his backside rubbing his groin. Link fought back against his own moans as he did not want to miss a single of Kafei's, and moved his light teasing kisses to the backs of his friend's ears.

This time Kafei's breath hissed out through his teeth and he shifted his body so that he was facing more towards Link. The movement did not stop Link's assault on his ears.

"This better be the start of something, otherwise I order you to leave me be." Kafei's voice was breathless and the demand almost died on his lips.

Link chuckled, which caused Kafei to shiver, before he pulled reluctantly away. "Alright, fine."

When Link had moved Kafei sat up and rubbed at his eyes in the most adorable manner. "What time is it?"

Link shrugged. "About midmorning I'd say."

"Hmm, I thought it seemed late. Why are we still in bed?"

Link laughed. "Technically, you're still in bed. Malon let us sleep; she left a note saying she knew we'd be tired."

Kafei raised his eyebrows. "Well that was kind of her."

"She's a kind woman. Anyway, breakfast is waiting for us in the kitchen whenever we're ready. Wanna get dressed?"

Kafei laid back down, snuggled deeper under the covers and nuzzled against Link's neck. "No, not really. Can't we just stay in bed together?"

Link knew Kafei was only kidding but he still found it hard to deny him. "Kafei, you know I'd love too. But if Malon caught us it's bound to raise some questions."

Kafei grumbled but caved with a sigh. "Yeah, you're right." And with that he threw the covers back and rolled out of the bed.

Link's breath hitched in his throat. Kafei wasn't wearing anything except a pair of green boxers and Link found himself entranced by the sight before him. Link had never seen him in so little clothing and it only reinforced just how beautiful Kafei was. His porcelain skin was defined in all the right places by muscles that rippled beneath his skin. Link had never noticed before now just how graceful Kafei was when he moved. He found himself wanting to shuck those boxers and see how graceful Kafei could really be. Link felt his cheeks flush and he forced himself to look away.

Link adamantly stared out the window for the next few minutes until he heard Kafei's voice.

"Okay, ready."

Link turned around to see Kafei fully dressed in a brown shirt with long, white sleeves with blue markings on the tips and a pair of loose, purplish pants and brown shoes. Even in casual wear Kafei looked spectacular. Link couldn't help but smile.

"You looked great," he said as he crossed over to him and wrapped his arms around his friend's waist. He planted a sweet kiss on those soft lips.

Kafei smiled into the kiss. "Thank you," he murmured.

The two exchanged a few more sweet kisses before they pulled apart.

"Good morning," Link said, as though in afterthought.

Kafei smiled. "Morning."

They both headed downstairs and back out into the grounds together. It was there that Malon saw them and bounded over. "Oh good, you're both awake!"

Link nodded. "Yes, thank you for allowing us a lie-in."

She smiled and waved it off. "Of course. Have you eaten yet?"

"No, not yet. Link only just came to wake me," replied Kafei.

Malon gave a nod. "Alright. Well the food is in the kitchen, and I don't mean to rush you so please take your time, but when you two are done I have something I need help doing."

"Okay. We'll be right out when we're done," said Link.

Malon smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before returning to her morning chores. Link chanced a look at Kafei who was determinedly looking anywhere but at him. Link suppressed a sigh and walked on towards the house.

Breakfast wasn't much. Malon had whipped up a fair few eggs, made some bacon and sausage, and had some sweet bread warming in the stove. Link and Kafei ate heartily until they leaned against the backs of their chairs, hands on their bellies and content looks on their faces.

"Malon's a great cook," said Kafei.

Link nodded. "Yes, she always has been. Once Myla died someone had to do it and Goddesses knew Talon was not that person."

They sat in a companionable silence for a few more minutes before Link rose and gestured for Kafei to follow suit. "We'd better get started on helping Malon if we still want some daylight to see more of Hyrule."

Kafei's eyes lit up. "We're going to do more today?" he asked with excitement.

Link chuckled. "Of course, Kafei. You didn't think I'd stop at just the forest and lake did you?"

"Well I thought you might be too busy once we got the ranch to really be able to show me too much. At least until we've...finished our task at hand," he finished lamely.

Link smiled. "Don't worry, my friend. I'm not going to forget, nor will I let my time become so consumed I don't get chances to be with only you."

Kafei smiled in return but after a moment it slipped. Link noticed and frowned. "What is it?"

Kafei sighed but didn't reply. Link could tell Kafei was uncomfortable with what was on his mind. Link stepped forwards and took his friend's hands. "Please, tell me. You should know it drives me crazy when you don't tell me what you're thinking."

Kafei blinked but Link saw the walls come down. There was another moment of silence before Kafei gave a resigned sigh and looked at their hands. "I was just thinking how I can't wait until it's only you and I, no one else."

Link squeezed his hands. "Neither can I. I have never been more anxious for anything in my life."

Suddenly, Kafei's arms snaked around Link's neck and pulled him in for a rough kiss. Link smiled. Kafei was so easily satisfied. At that thought his mind immediately went to a far naughtier place and he wondered how easily satisfied Kafei could really be. A rush of excitement raced through his veins and he kissed back with vigor.

But before they could get too far the front door opened and they leapt apart as though the other one had just caught fire. Link looked fearfully at the door, guilt written all over his features, but by a miracle of the Goddesses, Malon was looking over her shoulder when she entered. Both men rearranged their features just in time for Malon to turn around.

"Hello boys. All finished up here?" she asked, completely unaware of what had just transpired.

Link gaped at her in awe for a moment before finding his voice. "Uh, yes. We were just about to head out to give you a hand." Link fought to keep his voice steady despite the erratic pounding of his heart.

Malon seemed not to notice the slight tremor in his voice. "Oh wonderful. Let's get started, then."

She left the house and Link and Kafei quickly followed behind her, determined not to look at each other as though in doing so would give away what they had just been doing. She led them to the corral where a section of the fence had collapsed. It looked as though it had been knocked down from the inside. Link wondered why he hadn't noticed it before.

"Malon," he said, his voice leveling out, "what happened?"

"There was a thunderstorm a few days ago and one of the horses got spooked. She started bucking and kicked out the fence. Could you patch it up?"

Link noticed a pile of wood, a hammer, and some nails awaiting use on the ground next to the whole. He nodded. "Of course I'll fix it. But then, if you don't mind, Kafei would like to more of the Hyrule. Visit some different areas."

Malon smiled. "Oh I don't mind. This is the only chore I was going to bother you with anyway."

Link smiled in return and hoped it didn't look as forced as it felt. "Thank you. We'll get to work then."

It didn't take very long to repair the fence with the two of them working together. After about an hour, Link stood up and stretched and wiped sweat from his forehead. Kafei did the same and they both collected the wood and the tools and returned them to the shed. Link spotted Malon hosing down the taller fences surrounding the ranch and he headed towards her.

"Malon?" he called.

She turned the hose off and turned around. "Yes, dear?"

"We're all finished. Are you sure you don't need anything else?"

She shook her head. "Nope. You boys have fun!"

Link flashed her a smile. "Thanks." He gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

Malon laughed. "Yes, yes. Now go!" And she waved them away.

Link and Kafei headed off towards the gate but stopped at the corral on the way to grab Epona. Just as Link reached his horse, a memory from long ago slammed into his mind and a grin crept onto his face.

"Kafei," he said as he turned towards the other man, "there is no reason for us both to ride Epona now that we have access to more horses. How about you ride on your own?"

Kafei's eyes widened and he stared a Link a moment. "I dunno, Link. I haven't ridden by myself since I was a child."

"What better time than now to start again?"

"What if I fall off?"

"You won't fall off."

"But what if the horse doesn't like me?"

"Why wouldn't he like you?"

"He's going to buck me off."

"He is not going to buck you off."

"You can't know that for sure."

"Kafei." But Link couldn't keep the amusement from his voice. "Just trust me."

Kafei heaved a sigh. "Fine. Who am I riding?"

Link led Kafei across the corral towards a horse that was grazing calmly away from the rest of the horses. It wasn't a horse Link saw often but every time he did his beauty blew him away. His name was Shadow. He had a deep blue, almost black coat that shone brightly in the sunshine. His mane was white and longer than the average horse's. He was tall and strong and when he moved, his muscles rippled beneath his gleaming coat. Link heard a gasp beside him.

"Is it that one?" Kafei asked in a soft, awed voice.

"Yes, I think he's perfect for you. His name is Shadow and he's very tame and very intuitive. Much like Epona, you give him a destination and he knows exactly where to go. And he's in need of a master."

Kafei started. "A master? Surely you're not giving him to me?"

Link nodded and had to fight the urge to take Kafei's hands in his. "I am, Kafei. I've never given you a gift before but I've wanted too. I think Shadow makes the best gift."

Kafei's crimson eyes darted between Shadow and Link for a moment before he threw his arms around Link's neck and hugged him fiercely. Link breathed a chuckle and nuzzled his face into the crook of Kafei's neck.

"I've always wanted my own horse," Kafei whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

"I know. I remember you telling me that the first time you met Epona."

Kafei pulled away but kept his arms around Link. "Wow, you really remember that?"

Link had to smile. "I remember everything from back then, everything about you."

Affection flashed through Kafei's eyes and Link barely had time to pull away from the inevitable assault on his lips. "When we're away from the ranch," he promised.

Kafei blinked but nodded and reluctantly untangled his arms from Link's neck.

Link winked at him and, when Kafei turned to look back at his new horse, Link glanced towards Malon to make sure hadn't seen their embrace. She was still hosing down the fence, completely oblivious.