Comfort in Familiarity

Link came from a temperate island, so it was no surprise that he had underestimated the storm outside. The rain, which had been a light sprinkle just a minute ago, had increased in intensity and strength, now coming down in slanted torrents from the wind. Link pulled his hood down further to shield his face from the stinging cold drops and pulled his hands into his sleeves in an attempt to keep dry, dragging his feet through the muddy grass blindly. Water had even seeped into his boots and his socks squished with every shivering step he took. It was so cold, his bones felt brittle like ice, like he'd shiver and break apart into a thousand little pieces.

The small boy turned on his heel and pulled his wet fringe out of his eyes, peering back at his house longingly. It was probably warm and dry. He almost considered giving up and going back home, but then he caught sight of the lights on upstairs in Aryll's room and gritted his teeth determinedly. There was no way he would concede that easily. With a renewed sense of purpose, he made a dash Tetra's house, nearly falling into the mud when he clumsily climbed over the fence that divided their properties from each other.

There was only one more thing standing in his way.

Link stared intently at the front door, wondering if he should knock. Tetra had said that he wasn't allowed to come over, so it'd probably be a bad idea. There had to be another way in. He jogged over to the side of the house where Tetra's window was. He remembered there being ivy growing all along the wall, and indeed it was still creeping up along the wall like a fungus, but it was useless to him if he couldn't get inside the house. He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Tetra!" No answer. He tried again, but gave up when he realized that he could barely even hear himself over the howling wind. He felt around in his pockets for something to throw and pulled out the smooth black stone he had found in the castle. It glistened wetly and he smiled. Hopefully, it wouldn't break anything. Pushing his hair to the side again, he closed one eye and aimed for the window, lobbing the rock at it with all his strength. It collided and he flinched and covered his head with his arms.

There was no sound of glass shattering. He opened his eyes again and saw that the window had come open, swinging back and forth in the wind. This was his chance! Link ran up to the wall and tangled up his fingers in the slippery vines, trying to get leverage with the ridged bottoms of his boots. It was hard, but he managed to find a foot hold. He pulled himself up higher and blindly felt for another vine to grab onto, repeating the process in a slow, careful manner so he wouldn't fall and break his neck. The room was empty by the time he reached the top. There was Tetra's clothes laid out on the bed messily, but no Tetra. He pulled himself over the windowsill and tumbled into the room headfirst, almost landing on the rock he had chucked through the window. He groaned and rolled over onto his back, staring at the ceiling dazedly until he gained his bearings. After a while, the numbness wore off and he could feel the soft carpet underneath him. He sat up with an exhausted sigh and glanced around the room tiredly, as if Tetra would magically appear.

She didn't. All he could hear was the sound of running water and the shutters rattling noisily. Link frowned and staggered to his feet, leaning heavily on the window to force it shut against the wind. It shut with a loud thunk.

Click. The bathroom door opened hurriedly and Link turned on his heel with a grin, expecting to see Tetra. He did, but she didn't look very happy to see him. There was an awkward silence. Link swallowed nervously.

"...h-hi," he squeaked, his grin faltering slightly under her intense glare.

"Hey," she replied tersely and pulled her towel around herself tighter, "mind telling me why you're in here?"

"... I wanted to see you?" he replied with a hesitant smile.

"Naked?" she asked with a deadpan expression and Link shook his head furiously, flinging water everywhere like a wet dog. She dragged her palm down her face and sighed. She couldn't really give him a good thrashing if she was in a towel.

"Just- just turn around or something," Tetra snapped and he shuffled into the corner obediently. Suspicious, she pulled a face at him and stuck her tongue out, but he didn't react. Good. He wouldn't turn around. She pulled on her clothes and toweled off hurriedly.

"Ok, I'm decent," she announced and he turned around again, stifling a laugh at her messy appearance. Her hair was down from its signature bun and stuck to her face wetly, strands sticking up every which way. She gave him a nasty look that just dared him to make a comment on it, but he wisely refrained.

"So what are you doing here anyway, swabbie?" Tetra asked, her voice muffled as she dug through the closet for a spare towel. She didn't want Link dripping all over her carpet the whole time he was here.

"Got bored," he said with a shrug. Tetra scoffed and threw the towel she found at his face.

"Is that all? You could get us both in a lot of trouble. You do know that, don't you?" she muttered irritably and rolled her eyes at his childishness. Secretly, she was a little happy that he had made it this far. It was terribly boring in here without anyone to talk to. Link toweled off his hair and gave her a sheepish smile.

"I know," he answered and she couldn't help but sigh in exasperation.

"Well, since you're here already, I guess I could teach you a bit more on how to be a proper pirate." Tetra plopped down on her bed and crossed her arms and legs.

"Sit," she ordered and he walked over to her bed to sit beside her.

"Nuh uh, you get to sit on the floor Mr. Breaking-and-entering," she chided and pointed to the foot of her bed. Link blinked and absentmindedly took a seat on the floor instead, staring up at her expectantly.

"Alright, Lesson One: Always Respect Your Captain!" she proclaimed and held up one finger in her usual all-important way. Link snickered at her serious expression and she tossed a pillow at his head. It didn't hurt but he feigned a wince anyway, still giggling like a maniac.

"Pay attention, swabbie!" Tetra snapped impatiently. She was pretty short-tempered and violent for a girl.

Link wouldn't have it any other way.