Sometimes all you need is a second chance because time wasn't ready for the first one

-Will Smith

Chapter 37: New Beginnings

I woke up in the fetal position, my body feeling slightly cold. I rolled around and stretched out my limbs, screaming out a yawn, and opened my eyes. Only to see that I was not lying on the fine, sandy beach but instead stone tiles. I quickly sprawled to my feet and looked around to see that I was on the bottom floor of the tower, and I questioned why I was here. I know I fell asleep on the beach. I know I did. So how did I get here?

I turned towards the exit and walked out the tower, the sun's rays shining brightly in my eyes. I rubbed my eyes to adjust to the sunlight and looked around once more. I then heard shuffling in the forest beside me, I instinctively reached for my scimitar, only for me to remember that Lily must've taken it away as I didn't feel anything. I clenched my fists ready for a fight, only to see Link calmly making his way towards me, his hat being used as a basket to hold a pile of fruit. Which left his messy blonde hair out and in the open, the inside of my mind wanting me to run my hands through his hair.

His eyes met mine, Green on Blue, and I didn't know what to do. Link on the other hand, did.

"Good morning, want some fruit?" he asked invitingly holding out a ripe hyoi pear with a smile. But this smile… didn't seem forced. I just gave him a strange look, not expecting Link to greet me this way. I expected a cold stare or a rude insult, not… this. Not happy Link, not my Link.

"They're fresh," Link added. "I'm sure you're hungry."

I thought back to how I didn't eat anything yesterday, yet for some reason I don't feel hungry. Something's… not right. What happened last night? I mentally added eating as one of the things I don't remember from last night as I reached for the fruit that was still being held out. I tentatively went in for a bite, fearing that it could have been poisoned. But Link read me well as he casually said, "They're not poisoned. I just picked them myself, here look," and then took a bite of a hyoi pear from the pile in his hands. He chewed the fruit slowly showing me that it was okay to eat, feeling reassured I threw the entire thing in my mouth and chewed enjoying the usual taste of a hyoi pear.

"So… um, are you okay?" I asked. I didn't get an answer as Link took another bite of his hyoi pear and started walking down the trail away from the tower, his hand gesturing for me to follow. We made it to the beach and saw the ship still out in the sea, no doubt they were watching us.

"I've thought about it… and you're right, we should put the past behind us and just start anew. For Lily's sake. You are different now than the person who I reunited with a few weeks ago and I have not accepted that. I've let my grudge hold on for too long that it's blinded me from seeing how you've changed, No doubt you're close to Lily now, as she is to you. You… do care about her, despite the mistakes you've made, you have good intentions."

"So after arguing with… myself I decided that… I will… I can't believe I'm actually doing this, give you another chance." Link finished while looking me in the eye.

"You're serious?" Link nodded his head taking another bite out of his pear.

"This isn't a joke, you're not faking this?" Link nodded still chewing.

"You're really giving me another chance?" I asked, still in disbelief.

Link swallowed and rolled his eyes, "Yes Tetra. I really am. Now-woah!"

I had pounced onto Link, tightly wrapping my arms around him happily rubbing my face into his chest all whilst saying, "Thank you!" many times. I then let him go and looked at his slightly unsure face, as if thinking it wasn't the best idea now. "Sorry," I said.

"Now, I'm willing to give you a second chance but… you're going to have to do something for me," Link said as he dusted off his tunic.

"What is it?"

"I'm willing to stop hating you, but the problem is that when we become friends again and you are still… infatuated with me that's an issue. Right now I want us to be friends, and I'll let you know that's probably the most we'll ever be. So I will stop hating you and take you back as a friend with open arms but only if you are willing to learn to stop loving me and see me only as a friend."

"Oh..."

"Do we have a deal?" Link asked, his hand open for me to shake.

Shaking his hand would mean that he would stop hating me… but it would mean that I would have to stop loving him. How is that even possible, I mean a grudge is a grudge but how can you stop loving your soulmate? Knowing that they're destined for you?

"Tetra, do we have a deal or not?" Link asked furrowing his brows, slowly retracting his hand.

I slowly reached out and grabbed his warm, calloused hand and shook it, questioning myself if this is for the best. Lily flew past my mind and I knew that this is the right thing to do.

Link smiled at me, not one of the fake ones like the one I got yesterday, but actually genuine. His smile reminded me of Lily and I couldn't help but smile back, same as always. Link got up and used our conjoined hands to pull me up in front of him.

"Let's get started shall we?" Link asked.

"Lets," I agreed.

"Okay, so first thing first, trust fall." Link then quickly turned his back to me facing the ocean. Not giving me time to get ready he began falling back and since I wasn't in the right position I took a step back and prepared myself. Although I was too late.

Link had already hit the ground.

Now I'm not sure if everyone on the ship is watching… but I think they are. Because when he fell, I could feel everyone on the ship facepalming themselves as they watched my act of stupidity.

"You're kidding me, right!?" Link asked, getting up and dusting himself off, then giving me a stern look. "You had one job Tetra, one job. Catch me. It's not that hard."

"You didn't give me anytime to get ready," I exclaimed. Link sighed.

"Y'know what maybe we-"

"No. Do it again, I'm ready now," I said holding my arms out as if he were already falling. Link huffed and turned around once more.

"Ready?"

"Yep," I answered. With that Link fell backwards…

And I caught him. Thank Din.

"Well that's a relief," Link said as he stood straight up, "If you didn't catch me that time… that'd be a huge problem."

"I could only imagine," I muttered as I sat down in the sand, Link doing the same.

"Ok, now throughout the day I'm going to be randomly yelling out trust fall, give you about five seconds to get ready and then fall, sound good?" I nodded. "Alright, now we work on your issue. Tell me Tetra, why do you still love me? Even though up to this point I've treated you like dirt?"

"Because…" I trailed, then stopped. For once I didn't know what to say.

"Do you just miss the way things used to be perhaps, maybe you're not in love with me but instead the memories?" Link interpreted.

"No, I… I love you because of who you are."

"You mean who I am right now, or who I was?"

"You're still the same, you said it yourself yesterday, I was just an exception."

"So you're saying it'd be better if I just treat you like I hate you?" Link asked, sounding serious.

"No, no! It's just-"

"I'm joking," Link interrupted, "Look maybe we'll get the emotional aspects down. I'll have you adjust to my personality in time. For now, I need you to look at me like… how do I say this? Like I'm average attractive, not like I'm the most attractive person to ever live."

"But you are!"

It came out before I could think.

"I am not that attractive. I honestly think I'm average at best," Link said modestly.

"You're kidding me… right?" I asked.

"No, I really think I'm average at best."

"Link, you're the hottest guy alive! I mean… are you blind!?" I asked astonished. Link looked like he wanted to protest more, but held back. "Link, where do I even begin? Well… you're well muscled, but not to the point that you're huge. You're lean, that's the word. It also helps that you're above average height giving you that perfect balance between muscle and height. Your hair looks so soft, I'm always tempted to run my hands through it. You have a great face. Like, your jawline… I could use it as a knife. You smell nice… which is hard to come by. You have this natural vanilla and grass scent to you that's just intoxicating. And… I'd say the most beautiful thing about you… are your eyes. When you're not angry or… feeling anything negative, they're a beautiful rupee green. They practically shine and I can't help but get lost in them."

Once I finished rambling Link looked confused, shocked, and a little bit flustered. He scratched his cheek and bit his bottom lip for a few seconds not knowing how to respond.

"Look, thank you for telling me why you think I'm attractive, I am flattered but what's important now is that you need to see me as average. So can you think of anyway how that's possible?" Link asked me. I shook my head no. He put his palm to his chin in a thinking position, trying to think of a solution.

His eyebrows furrowed before he sighed and stood back up and held out his hand, I took it and he helped me up. We then headed back to the direction of the tower, silence lingering between us. My hand felt warm and I looked to see that Link was still holding my hand, I didn't say anything as to delay the event of him letting it go.

"Alright, so… oh sorry!" Link apologized as he let go, "Didn't know I was doing that."

"It's fine," I said, missing the warmth of his hand in mine already. "Why are we here?"

"We need… privacy for what I have planned," Link muttered. I couldn't help but let my imagination get the best of me and my face became red due to my lewd pirate thoughts. After walking back into the jungle and making our way to the tower he went inside and I followed. "I can't believe I'm doing this…" Link muttered to himself.

He began to strip.

First his hat. Then his tunic, his chainmail shirt, and his undershirt. Leaving his chiseled chest, arms and six pack abs out for me to admire.

"Uh…?"

"I need you to look at me like I'm somebody you see everyday, not like a newfound treasure to stare at. So my theory is that if you get used to the sight of me… exposed, then you'll get over my physical appearance," Link said, his face slightly red. If anything mine was worse.

"Ok," I said, not knowing what else to say. I then resumed staring at his perfect hairless body, his broad shoulders connecting with his chiseled chest and beefy arms, leading down to his sexy six pack, which lead to me looking down at… at his pants… area. Link then scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, involuntarily flexing his muscle making me swoon slightly, and cleared his throat.

"Um… I think that this is the most I'm going to expose for the day. I was going to do more, but I think we should just take baby steps. We'll get to the rest of my body… eventually."

I pouted slightly as I did want to see more of his blessed body, but if I can barely control myself from trailing my hands throughout his entire body I think it's better for the both of us if we wait. Thinking of touching his body I involuntarily started to walk forward towards Link, who looked confused as to what I'm doing.

"What are you doing?" he asked standing in place. He was about to take a step back but before he could I put my hand to the front of his chest, right where his heart was, I could feel the beating of his heart.

"I'm just… familiarizing myself with your body. That's what you want right?" I asked, only for Link to hesitantly give me a nod and continue with my actions. I walked around him, my hand grazing his body, re memorizing every inch of his perfect form from the nights we spent together. Memories of the two of us… going at it filled my mind, thinking of how right his body felt at my touch.

"Tetra, I think you've-"

"No," I said too suddenly, "Sorry, just… not yet."

I walked around him one more time and stood in front of him once more and looked him directly in the eye. "Link, can I um… give you a hug?"

Link seemed shocked that I asked this and he looked down at his feet, but then looked up and answered me.

"If it will help you get over me, then go right ahead," he said opening up his arms.

I took one more step closer to him and wrapped my arms around him, my ear resting against his heart listening to the old melody that used to bring me to sleep. I breathed in his scent and snuggled even more into his warm body. It was like his body molded perfectly with my own.

I felt strong hands lightly grab my shoulders and push me off of paradise, Link giving me a concerned look. "I think that's enough for today," he said sternly letting go of me and reaching for his discarded clothing, he put it back on covering up his… everything. "We'll continue this tomorrow, let's head back to the beach."

I nodded disappointed but followed him back towards the beach, his hands swinging back and forth as he walked, his hands begging to be held by my own. I was very close but I stopped myself before I could, I don't want to screw this up.

"Ok," Link said once we got back to the beach, "You get some branches and make a fire while I go and get the food."

I nodded in agreement and he turned and left back into the forest, leaving me to go and collect firewood. Walking around the beach I gathered a few sticks lying around and easily made a fire, as I had done it many other times before. The flames soon trickled my face and I threw in a few more sticks and a pile of leaves to feed the flames, and waited for Link to return.

I stared out into the ocean, my ship still sitting in the middle of the ocean as if taunting me, that I'm stuck here doing something that's literally impossible. To stop loving Link.

I miss the old us, husband and wife, lovers, but most importantly… best friends. Something I don't want us to be. I want us to go back to the way things were, but Link… I don't think he'll ever feel what he once did for me all those years ago. He'll never love me again. If I try to do anything against that, he won't even stay as my friend. I need to learn to just see him as a friend, but how is that possible when I know what I need to do is make us what we used to be?

"I've got the food," Link said emerging from the forest with a pile of fruit in his hat. He placed his hat on the floor and poured out the collection of fruit that we ate when we got here. I took the hyoi pear and took a big bite out of it, enjoying the sweet and savory flavor. "You want to talk?"

"I'd like that," I said, my mouth still full of food.

"Anything in particular or…?"

"Link, why did you give me a second chance? I know that you argued with yourself over it but… why did you start thinking about it in the first place? Was it Lily or something else?"

"It was… " Link trailed.

"You don't have to-"

"I'd rather not," Link cut off with finality.

"Ok, that's fine with me. Um…" I trailed, not able to think of anything.

"What did you do during the ten years that we were apart?" Link asked, catching me off guard.

"There's not much to talk about actually," I said.

"Well I want to know what you were up to. You know that in our time apart I spent finding and building Hyrule. It's only fair for me to know what you did" Link persisted.

"If you want to be bored then fine," I muttered.

"The pirate life not as exciting as you thought it to be?"

"No… no it really wasn't. Things were never the same after we separated, it didn't feel right. I mean it was fun for a little while I guess, a few years at best, but it got… boring. There was nothing out of the ordinary, it was like I was living a routine. Finding treasure became more of a job than it did an adventure, running from the bounty hunters became annoying, and all of the pirate ship we plundered… it was like they all sucked at fighting. Everything lost its kick, y'know?"

"I know what you mean, being king is tedious most of the time. It gets boring sometimes and I wish that I was out with Lily more often or just doing something different. But in the end I still enjoy it," Link agreed.

"It… it didn't help that my mind was constantly focused on you," I added to which I got no response. I sighed and decided to pour out my thoughts onto him.

"I couldn't get you out of my head, still can't most times but, it was way, way worse. I tried dating a few other guys, but I would always compare them to you. I couldn't help it. They never made me feel the way you did, everything they did paled in comparison to what you did. I missed you, a lot. When I tried finding you I continued to lose hope. I almost gave up, but I didn't… I had still feared the worst though. So while still searching for you, I just kept on going through my routine for about nine more years and… I ran into Linebeck. He brought me back to you. Then we had our little reunion, and I met Lily. Now we're here… but nothing's the same."

I felt a hand place itself on my shoulder in comfort, "Tetra if you really want this, we'll be friends again soon enough. I'm sure of it."

I looked up into his warm green eyes, wanting to tell him that I want to be more than just that. I want us to be the way we used to be, I want us to be more than friends. Best friends, boyfriend and girlfriend, lovers. I want us to get married, officially. Lily being the flower girl and happily watch us get married. I want us to be a family.

Instead I just tried for a smile and said, "Sounds great."

"Good to know, now get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a bit troublesome, so get some shuteye," Link said as he walked around to the other side of the fire and laid down. I watched as he drifted off to sleep. I stared at his sleeping form, remembering the nights when we were together that I would do the same.

I wanted to crawl into his arms, and drift off to sleep. I crept up on him, and stared at his adorable sleeping face, watching as a string of drool began to trail down from his mouth.

He's such a kid.

I was so close but he rolled away and I realized that I didn't want to screw this up so I slowly walked back and laid down staring up at the stars, my head resting in my hands.

Like Link, I soon drifted off to sleep.

Author's Note

Updated, self high five! Okay so how do you think this whole give the two a week thing is going to work out? Will they become friends again, maybe less, maybe more? I'm still deciding how this is going to play out. Remember this story was only suppose to be 20 chapters max, and here we are closing in on 40. This story could quite possibly reach 70 chapters… you never know. I sure don't.

So tell me what you think of the chapter and I'll see you all next week. And of course, thank you for reading!