A/N: The wolf moment was cool, wasn't it? It was originally going to be a bear, but I think wolves are cooler. Has anyone figured out the metaphoric meaning yet? Me neither XD (not really MWAHAHAHA) Again, I do not Legend of Zelda or the songs used. Enjoy chapter four!

Neither Dark nor Link told about their moment in the woods with that wolf. They kept it a secret; one of the little things that only they would know.

Both boys were still trying to figure out the significance of that moment; they'd been texting, calling, and emailing each other for three days. They were still stumped.

Now it was audition day. So the two didn't have to talk about it, they instead discussed the wolf as an excuse when they saw each other.

"What are wolves a symbol of?" Link asked Dark. They had chosen an empty table in the cafeteria for lunch.

"I don't know. Bravery or something." Dark shrugged, taking a sip of his Coke.

Link furrowed his eyebrows. "Bravery," he repeated.

It still didn't make sense.

(Link's POV)

After school, in Ganon's basement, I had to force the wolf out of my mind and focus on my audition. I tried my best not to get nervous, and the guys really helped. None of them seemed very scared. But still, my stomach swirled and I debated wether or not I should run to the bathroom.

"Are we not going to totally kill this?" Ganon reached out to high-five Kafei.

"We're going to kill this," Kafei promised.

An arm appeared around my shoulders. Dark.

"You okay?" He gave me a light shake.

"I think I'm gonna throw up," I said honestly.

He laughed, pulling me close to him. "You won't. No way. You're going to kill it."

It was hard not to believe him.

The plan for today was to warm up in Ganon's basement with 'That's What You Get' by Paramore, practice each of our audition pieces one more time, then ride in Ganon's car to the theater where the auditions were being held. It was the Hyrule University theater; singers would be on the stage, and the other instruments would all be in different rooms. Just the thought of being up on that stage, lit up by a stage light, all alone with everyone staring at me, was enough to make me seriously consider puking.

"'And that's what you get when you let your heart win...'" And I knew I just had to relax and have fun with it. If I was too stressed, I'd mess up somehow and not get into the program.

"'Pain make your way to me, to me...'" I was surprised to hear Dark's voice with me, harmonizing. We hadn't sung together since that day in the clearing. It was lovely.

After that song, I watched everyone perform their pieces for the last time. I couldn't pick out anything that any of these guys could do better; they were all amazing. The only question was wether or not I could be as good as them.

I stepped up to the microphone.

Okay, Link. You're fine. Let's do this.

"'From the day we arrive on this planet...'" I let my eyes slide shut. The image of a rising sun appeared on my eyelids... and there was that wolf again.

I opened my eyes.

I opened my heart too.

I allowed myself to feel, and to enjoy the feeling, of the song rolling from my soul like an easy river. I embraced that I was nervous, but I wouldn't let it faze me. Yes, I could do this.

(Dark's POV)

"Hello, Mr. Dark Link, I presume?"

I nodded. "Yes." My hands felt sweaty and slippery on my guitar.

"Welcome. You are auditioning for the guitar program, I assume?" The two men (only one of them speaking) behind the table were both very severe-looking, but the one who was speaking looked a bit friendlier than the other.

"Yes."

"Well, you may begin when you're ready."

I willed myself not to freeze, choke on my own saliva, or vomit. My fingers found the first note, and I tried my best to ease the calm I'd felt before about this audition into my head. Funny how Link had been the scared one, and now I was more terrified than anyone to be standing here. I was completely alone with the judges, and poor Link would be on a stage in front of all the other singers that would be auditioning. I put things in perspective... then wondered why I was thinking about Link.

I started up, playing 'Guilty All The Same'. I didn't need to fake it for a second; I felt it immediately. A strength stronger than any I'd ever felt flowed into my bloodstream, charging every note that my guitar spiked into the room. The power and intensity of the song matched that of my own emotion, and I felt like the guitar was an extension of my soul as the song exploded from the electric's strings. I think I got a little carried away; I exaggerated the whole thing a little bit, showing off, but only in the way that passionate guitarists do. Otherwise, watching you is boring.

By the last note, I was sweating and gasping for breath. I felt exhausted when the piece screeched to halt, and I just wanted to get to the theater and watch Link audition.

"Thank you, Dark. You'll receive a letter with our decision within this week."

"Thank you." I nodded. Then I left.

(Link's POV)

My heart pounded. I was waiting outside the theater doors; the singers weren't allowed to enter yet. Not sure why; I think it was technical difficulties with the mic.

I was stuck in the tenth spot, with eighteen people behind me. Being in the middle is awful; it's best to be last so the judges don't forget how talented you are.

"Link!" The call was a bit whispery; I looked up to see Dark hurrying towards me.

"Dark!" I threw my arms around him, and he gripped me tightly.

"I'm going to be watching and silently cheering you on, don't worry. Break a leg."

"Thanks. How did your audition go?" I held him at arm's length.

"Great, I think. I'm pretty confident about it. How are you feeling?" Dark's ruby eyes looked genuinely concerned.

"Not that bad anymore. I'm trying to relax. I felt like I had to puke before, but now I'm feeling better about it." I was actually honest.

"Good. And if you-" Dark was cut off by someone yelling, "ALL SINGERS ENTER THE AUDITORIUM!" in an unnecessarily loud voice.

"Break a leg. Again." And, just before I had to go in, Dark kissed my forehead.

Then he was gone.

"May I have the next person?"

I leaped out of my red velvet theater seat and practically sprinted to the stage. I'd been getting itchy to perform; I wondered how the last person in line felt right now.

I climbed the steps to the stage and stepped to the up center section of the stage; directly under the spotlight, in front of the microphone.

"Hello," I addressed the two judges.

They nodded back. "You are Link Avalon, correct?" one of them asked me.

I nodded, smiling. "Yes."

"And you will be performing 'Circle of Life' from The Lion King?"

"Correct." I smiled again.

"Alright. Begin when you're ready."

I took my patented deep breath and began.

"'From the day we arrive on this planet, and blinking, step into the sun...'" I thought of Dark in the audience, watching me, hoping that I'd do well. He knew I could be amazing; I just had to show that to these judges.

"'It's the circle of life, and it moves us all...'" Power and emotion flowed into my voice from my soul strings. I didn't have to force anything; the sound and the feeling came naturally. I felt that strong passion that I always felt when I sang; I felt a connection to all of the great singers of history- Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney, Aretha Franklin, Idina Menzel, all the way back to the early church choirs with their voices shining to the eves, the war chants of the Samurai, the rising and falling of the Amish's hymns, sailors singing sea shanties on the water- as their craft that I'd adopted filled the entire room and hovered there like a great maelstrom. Everyone in the room hung on my every word, felt my every emotion. And, in the very back of the theater, I saw Dark, waving a lighter, illuminated by the soft glow and grinning a crooked grin.

"... the circle of life,'" I sang. The last note resonated around the room, echoing back as the song ended but never leaving anyone's ears.

There was a beat of silence, and then everyone burst into enthusiastic applause.

Dark showed off his wolf-whistle.

I fought the urge to bow; instead, I just grinned.

"Very nice. You're very talented." The judges both had entranced expressions on their faces.

"Thank you very much!" I beamed.

"You'll receive our decision in a letter soon."

"Thank you." I nodded again, then descended the steps to the theater aisle.

I stood for a moment and sighed as the stress I hadn't realized was there evaporated, swirling up from my chest and leaving through an imaginary vent in the ceiling.

Then I watched in amazement as nine of the waiting singers got up and left.

I stopped one of them; a petite girl with green eyes and a stylish green bob.

"Why is everyone leaving?" I asked her.

"Because you were amazing. There's no way any of us are getting in over you. Only ten are being accepted into the program for singing; my chances weren't high in the beginning, and are even slimmer now." She smiled at me when she spoke, not sounding or looking bitter.

"Thank you. That's a really high compliment. Sorry for ruining your chances. Well, I don't believe I did, but people should make their own choices."

"True." The girl nodded. "I'm Saria, by the way."

"Nice to meet you. Good luck with your future work, Saria."

"You too."

We parted on friendly terms.

I exited the auditorium through doors that opened into the lobby and looked around for one of the band guys.

Dark was standing in the center of the crowded lobby, arms spread wide as his smile. Feeling a burst of glee, I ran for him and literally leaped into his arms.

We laughed as he spun me around and around. When he set me down, I stumbled even closer to him. His arms looped around my waist and I pressed my hands to his back. I tucked my chin over his shoulder, smiling.

I loved him. I loved him a lot.

"You were incredible!" Dark gave me a final squeeze and then let me go so he could look at me. His hands were on my shoulders, and I couldn't think of anyone else I'd rather have here for me right now.

"Thanks, Dark." I rested my arms on his hips.

"No. Really. You were freaking fantastic. Better than perfect. You were... magical. Almost otherworldly. Link, it was utterly beautiful."

Tears of joy trickled down my cheeks at Dark's meaningful words. I actually believed him.

"You're the best, Dark. Thanks so much!"

"I'm just telling you the truth."

I grinned, nuzzling my cheek against Dark's hair. "Never lie to me if the truth sounds like that."

We laughed again.

"Link?"

I blinked at him. "Yes?"

Dark leaned forward to whisper in my ear, his lips brushing softly against it, nothing but the ghost of a kiss, "Midnight. Peaceful place. Me and you. You in?"

"Sure!" I nodded with excitement. "Oh, and I think I figured out what the wolf thing means."

"Go on." Dark's eyes were wide.

"Wolves are strong, brave animals. When we perform on stage, we feel the same sort of strength and bravery that the wolves feel when they're hunting. The wolf sensed that and realized that it would be like eating his own kin, so he backed up and left."

Dark was staring at me. He raised both eyebrows. "You, sir, are a genius."

I laughed. "Not really. I didn't get it until I went up on that stage and I felt it."

"You're right, though. I felt it too." Dark grinned. "Okay, enough serious stuff for now. Let's go get ice cream with the guys. They all finished their auditions minutes ago."

Sure enough, Kafei, Ganon, and Mido were at the base of the stairs, looking around for us. I waved both arms at them, looking like an idiot, but it worked. They saw us and hurried over (and I made sure to let go of Dark while he dropped his arms to his sides).

"Hey!" Kafei beamed at us. We all high-fived and group-hugged, laughing in our happiness. All of the stress was gone now; we knew that there was nothing we could do now. It was in their hands; not ours.

(Dark's POV)

I didn't have to sneak out of the house to go to my peaceful place; no one really cared what I did, and everyone was so used to me being out at midnight that it wasn't a big deal.

Link was waiting for me at the edge of the woods, smiling. I smiled back, remembering when we'd all gone out for ice cream after our auditions, then promised to meet up tomorrow at Ganon's before splitting up for our own houses. Link had been so cute, blushing when I bragged about how amazing he was to the guys and ordering the same sundae as me.

"Hi, Link." I folded him in my arms, darkness settling around us.

"Hello, Dark." His lovely voice was whispery in my ear.

"Ready?" I took his hand.

"Ready." Link nodded resolutely, and we started into the woods.

Half an hour later, we were perched side-by-side on Platform 9 3/4. I had the guitar in my lap and Link had his voice ready. I started to play a new piece we were learning; 'Chasing the Dragon' by Epica.

"'Free my mind, heal my scars, erase the past...'" Link's voice was so beautiful when he sang this song, it was difficult to believe that he wasn't an angel as he'd looked that first night I met him.

"'Poison is slowly seeping through my veins, stealing the only dignity in me...'" I harmonized with Link, the both of us casting our voices around the forest. Nearby, a deer lifted its head to stare at us. It didn't flee; it didn't even look scared. In fact, it stepped closer, seeming intrigued by our music. An owl, clipped to a branch above our heads, let out a perfectly timed hoot, as if it were trying to sing along.

By the end of the song, half the animals in the forest were watching us. At least, it seemed that way.

"I'm going to put away my guitar. I just want to hear you sing." I rested the guitar in my lap, fixing my gaze expectantly on Link.

He blushed a little. "Okay." Though still a bit awkward about displaying his talents, he'd definitely grown a bit more confident since the audition today.

"This is called 'Sally's Song' and it's from Nightmare Before Christmas."

I nodded, not really listening, just wanting to hear him sing.

"'I sense there's something in the wind, that feels like tragedy's at hand...'" Link's gorgeous voice made my heart pound.

The simple, beautiful song seemed like an extension of Link's emotions as he hit each note flawlessly. He sounded, as before, like an angel.

"Link," I said when he finished, placing my hand upon his cheek. "You never fail to amaze me."

And then I kissed him.

(Link's POV)

Oh.

My.

God.

OMIGOD!

Dark.

Was.

Kissing.

Me.

Yes, my fangirly reaction was legit.

Dark's lips were soft and warm against mine, his hand on my cheek gentle. My eyes, on impulse (though I'd never kissed anyone before), flickered shut and I wound both arms around Dark's neck. His other hand brushed against my arm and came to rest on my shoulder.

Love decanted into my heart from some unknown vacuole in my chest that held every flutter I felt when Dark touched me. Filled to the brim, my heart grew two sizes larger than the Grinch's (after his heart grew). My entire body buzzed with an energy I didn't know was possible, and I realized that there really was nothing I wanted more than for Dark to be my boyfriend. Even over Hyrule University. Well, not quite- they were about the same.

But I loved Dark. I really did.

When he pulled away, he gave me a crooked smile. "Sorry. You're just so great."

I grinned back. "No worries." I ran my fingers through Dark's ebony hair. "You love me, don't you?"

"Hell yeah."

I chuckled at his typical answer. "Well, I love you too, you dork."

And I pulled him towards me to kiss him again.