The Melee Chronicles

By: Ultimavara

SUMMARY: A special chapter dedicated to Link and Young Link. It's short, but I just had to do it.

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"Are you sure I'm OK?" Young Link asked his older brother. "I knew I made a mistake when I jumped out."

"I'm sure," he said. "Mistakes are mistakes, and just as I told you, everyone makes them... for a purpose. Just remember never to do anything like that. Learn from other's mistakes." Link got up from the table and began to go up the stairs. "I'm off to see Zelda now, alright?" Link pushed his chair into the table.

"NO!" Young Link called out very loudly, almost giving Luigi a heart attack and having to start again on Bowser's Castle.

Disturbed, Link turned around. Young Link yelling was totally unexpected, again. "Why?" Link asked as he turned around to see Young Link, clenching his fists. His blue eyes were also filled with tears. He gritted his teeth and hung his head.

"You never pay attention to me anymore!" Young Link yelled. "You're always off with Zelda! I think I finally have a chance to talk with you, and you're off to go kiss on Zelda some more!" By this time, Young Link was obviously crying. He buried his head in his hands.

Link suddenly felt ashamed of himself. He hadn't realized it, but Young Link was telling the truth. He had spent almost evey possible minute he had with Zelda, leaving Young Link either with Ness or with Popo and Nana.

Link sat down on the sofa, trying to understand what had happened to him since Zelda came into his life, not just as his Princess, but now as a friend, and a lover. He loved Zelda with all his heart, but there was a little brother shaped place in it that needed to be filled.

Young Link continued, interrupting Link's thoughts. "You're the closest thing I've ever had to a mom and dad!" Young Link ran over to where his older brother was sitting and jumped in Link's lap, giving him a gigantic hug. "I love you," Young Link said softly, crying on Link's shoulder.

Link let a few tears of his own stream down his face. He hugged Young Link back, understanding his fear and sadness. Link knew what it was like to not have parents like the other kids at school. He also knew what it was like to not be exactly who you thought you were. Of course, he understood all of this, because the tiny boy he has holding was like a younger version of himself. "I love you, too," Link replied. "We have to look out for each other. I'm so sorry, I didn't realize I was hurting you."

Young Link weakly lifted his head off Link's shoulder. He sniffled and said, "It's okay, I guess I was being mean by not letting you go see Zelda. I should apologize, too."

"No, you shouldn't. It's my responsibility to make sure you're taken care of and that you're happy. Why didn't you tell me how you were feeling?"

"Because, I wanted to be tough, just like you."

Link let another tear stream down his face with those words. "And you will be, I promise. But you're only 10. Live the life that I didn't have the chance to live, for me?"

Young Link smiled and nodded. "Go and see Zelda, now. I'll go get my homework done and go straight to bed."

"Are you sure?" Link let Young Link slide off of his lap.

"Yes. Go see Zelda! I'll be fine. If I want to be tough like you, I have to start acting that way." Young Link turned and ran to his room to start studying.