A/N: I invite you to listen to this song while reading.

Couple: Twilight Zelink

Personal prompt: Iris by Goo Goo Dolls

~I Just Want You to Know~

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Zelda frantically tried to wiped away her running makeup, staining her fingers black. "One moment, please," she croaked. It was no use. Whoever was at the door would ask. She gave up on cleaning up her face and carefully stepped over the discarded jewels she had simply dropped on the floor. She wore nothing but her dress in her haste to strip away her dignity, not expecting any sort of visitors as this hour.

She was met with a warm smile that melted into concern. "Zelda? Are you alright?" Link asked.

"Yes, it had just been a long day," she replied, trying to locate whatever composure she had left. This was the exact reason royalty should be stoic outside of their private lives; too much emotion concerns the citizens and causes people to question their support system in the higher ups.

Link held his ground, seemingly unsure of what to do or say in the wake of a disheveled princess. Zelda wasn't even sure if he had seen her undecorated before, let alone in tears.

"Is there something you need?" she asked.

"I, um, I know I shouldn't be at your chambers but I told the guards I had something important to say, and they let me through given that this is my last night to speak with you…" he trailed off.

She held back a wince.

Three months. Three short months Link had come to Hyrule Castle to stay after some time at home with his village. The last of the Twilight had subsided half a year ago, and after Link's knighting ceremony and some time to rebuild the kingdom, Zelda sent him a request to help her strengthen her army. Time and time again she blamed herself for the weaknesses in her soldiers and even the war itself, no matter what Link said. He agreed to come train her men, of course, and because of his extra efforts Zelda had even begun to feel guilty for selfishly asking for even more help. Now it was time for him to return home, and she wasn't prepared.

"I am sorry for the mess, but you may come in." Zelda turned from the door, quickly gather her earrings, diadem, pauldrons, banner, boots, and everything else she had left of the floor. She avoided looking at her smeared makeup and tangled hair in the mirror and focused on Link awkwardly watch her clean up, shifting his weight and adjusting his red knight's cloak that he wore over the Hero's clothes. Visibly shaking, she turned to face him and inquired, "What was it you had to say?"

Link hesitated, considering his words, but started with: "This day came quicker than I had expected, and I wanted to tell you privately. It's been the highest of honors working with you and your men. I just wanted to thank you… for everything. All of the opportunities, my status… our friendship…" he glanced away from her face for a moment. "A year ago I would have never expected I'd meet you, the Princess of Hyrule! You've been so kind to me." He was becoming flustered, yet kept rambling every thought that came to his tongue. "This land doesn't deserve such a brave ruler, so generous, caring, b-beautiful." He caught himself.

"Link I-"

"I hope I have done the job well-"

"Link!" Zelda urged.

Her looked at her again, and when noticing her trembling lip, said, "I'm sorry. Did I say something wrong?"

Zelda fought the tears as hard as she could. The bravest man in all of Hyrule became but a blurry shape.

"I'm sorry! I knew I shouldn't be up here. This is your private hour and you've had a long day."

As he moved for the door, Zelda snatched his arm.

Slowly, he complied to her silent request and held her hands as she began to sob, completely at a loss for words. She held her eyes shut, face directed at the floor as she tried to stop herself.

A few minutes later, she choked, "I am sorry for this pathetic state. You should not have to see me like this. I cannot explain to you how much I am grateful for your services. It was selfish of me to ask you to come here again, for you deserve to be at home with your village, your family. This war, everything you have been through, none of it would have happened if it were not for me."

"Zelda, you had no way of know-"

"My citizens, even some of the members of my court, Link, look at me as if I were Ganondorf himself. I surrendered. I gave up. I let myself live and they paid for it."

Link frowned, "You know for a fact that Zant would have murdered you and taken your kingdom anyway."

"I put them through hell-" she sobbed.

"You saved them," Link said, squeezing her hands tighter. "Without you, Zelda, Midna would be dead, I would be dead… everyone would be dead. We all needed you as much as you needed me."

Zelda locked eyes with him, letting the tears free fall down her cheeks.

"Without your surrender there would have been ruin. I know you realize that, and those who don't see it too, don't understand you."

She smiled despite the dagger in her chest. "It would almost be easier if you agreed with them." Immediately, she regretted her statement.

"What?" Link narrowed his eyes. "I don't follow."

"It would be easier for you if I stop speaking right now."

"I would regret not knowing," he insisted.

Zelda glanced away, displeased with herself even more. "When I asked you to come I knew what I would get. Your services not only increased the power of my soldiers but their bravery as well. These people see you as a savior, and rightfully so. Yet again, without you I am not even sure if all of them would listen to me, and we would face a different sort of ruin. They see that you are on my side and that gives them hope of a new beginning under my rule. You, Link, have helped me gain some of their trust back. But… never did I expect…" Zelda forced herself to look at him again. "Never did I expect to fall for you so quickly."

Link was sent back into shocked silence, brows furrowed as he tried to comprehend her words.

"I was afraid your stay would bring me to this, but I had hoped the feelings would be manageable. You deserve to go home, Link," her voice starting cracking during every other word again. "Yet here I am, needing you as much as I did in the beginning. I should have resisted spending all of those evening dinners with you. Our strolls in the garden, our time in the library, everything. But I am selfish! I am a selfish ruler and could not help myself!" she wept. "I am the LAST person you deserve… but I just want you to know I am in love with you." Shaking uncontrollably, the princess waited for him to walk out, leaving all memories of her behind. In the morning he would be gone forever and could pretend like none of this ever happened. She shut her eyes as he let go of her hands, not wanting to see him leave.

Suddenly, he pulled her into an embrace, leaning over to grace her salty lips with a deep, emotional kiss. Afterwards, he pulled the weeping beauty into his arms and said, "My original intent of coming up here was to inform you of my own state of mind, but I knew saying such a thing before departure was wrong. I didn't think I truly belonged here and telling you could have ruined everything."

Zelda pressed herself against him, letting his words imprint her mind as she heard the thunder of his heart.

"As much as I miss everyone, I don't want to go home yet. If I do, I'd be leaving half of myself behind. Never have I met someone so beautifully flawed, so unaware of how she graces the lives of everyone, even her own critics. Your light shines through the cracks of this broken world, but all you see is the shattered pieces. You try to be perfect, but I fell for you and all of your imperfections. I love you too, Zelda."

A/N: Some background on why I did this one. My thanks was directed mostly towards my FB page fans, but I appreciate all of your support as well:

This is currently my favorite song. I think the chorus relates to me so hard because I just want people to know what I'm about and how much I can love no matter who you are, but in today's world I really don't know how much people would understand me. Sometimes I really just want to hide away but I know God has so much more in store for me. I try to be courageous and use whatever power I have to spread a little wisdom and love. I really want the chorus tattooed on me someday. I'm writing this information before I write my next one-shot based on this song and I am literally crying right now. I hope this turns out well because this song means so much to me. To anyone and everyone: keep trying to be the best person you can possibly be. You are here for a reason. Whether your life is amazing or really hard, use it as a tool to make yourself a better person and uplift anyone that you can. We're all here to make it in this world together. I'm not perfect, I have much to improve, and I fight my securities a lot, yet you all have stayed thus far. I know 99% of you don't know me personally, but even so thank you so much for all of your support.