A/N: This is it. The final chapter of Something Like Fate.
Thank you to: Hyrule Warri0r, Chicwa88, LinkOoT14, Oracle of Hylia, and Reptaliator for reviewing! Again, I have messaged you all back, and it seems as if there's an issue with PMs not notifying you unless you log in on a computer, so please check your inbox on a computer because I do reply to each review!
Once again, I cannot express in words with how much I'm thankful to all the love and support I've gotten from all of you for this story. I am extremely thankful for you, and extremely sorry for all these long hiatuses this story has went through.
Nevertheless, I am damn proud to finally present you the final chapter for this story. It's been a long ride.
(At the end, feel free to read my final author's notes on the next chapter as well. :) )
Link
Friday, 4 PM
I had woken up this morning with a great feeling of motivation for today. Ever since yesterday's sword training with Shade, I have decided that today, I will be the Hero of Legend, and I will stop being a coward, being that the play is happening in approximately two hours and oh goddesses I am admittedly quite nervous.
Nonetheless, I prove my point when I say I will be the Hero of Legend, because although my initial feelings are a gigantic swarm of nervousness, the feelings of 'I can do this' follow shortly afterwards once I realize that I do in fact know my play part really well. I think the reason is because I don't have many lines at all, and the actions I do is pretty easy because muscle memory comes more easily to me than intellectual memory.
This, of course, makes me admire Zelda even more.
As I'm watching her practice her scene with Midna right now at the cafe with all of our friends after school before the official showtime, I'm amazed by how she memorized all of those words and is able to say it like she really is the Princess of Hyrule. Granted, many people have a gargantuan amount of lines to memorize, but Zelda's script is about ten times larger since she appears ten times more in the play, which again, makes my jaw drop on how good she's doing it.
And...although I'm appropriately nervous about the play in a couple hours, I'm actually more nervous about after the play…
Dark.
My throat swallows a lump as I stare at Zelda, knowing I have to do something quickly before the play starts, since there's no way I can ask her out in the splat middle of show time. It's just that, I don't know how, time is running short, and...I might just be panicking right now. I don't think anyone noticed, but I'm the first to finish my drink, and the extra caffeine probably isn't helping my anxiety.
A finger nudges me on the shoulder.
Peering over, I see Mikau giving me a dubious look, probably being the only one noticing how jittery I look; Zelda and Midna are still practicing their scene, and everyone else is still watching.
What's up? Mikau asks me through solely eye contact, although I understand anyway.
I blink back, shaking my head lightly. Um...nothing. By his flat look, I know he's not buying any of it, but I quickly turn my attention back to Zelda and Midna, hoping it looked convincing enough.
Even so, after glancing at Mikau, his advice on how to ask Zelda out floats back to me, even though I still don't know how I'm going to do it.
Something unconventional…? Or just go classic? I can't just go classic though. I want it to be special for her...uh, given that I don't make a fool out of myself first, of course.
A rising feeling of anxiety surfaces once again, and I try to suppress this panic from overtaking me, although it's perpetually keeping my heart rate above normal. And as the seconds tick by, I notice that this distressing sensation remains festering even this moment in the middle of play practice in the cafe, and it's kind of making me claustrophobic and lose a little focus, which is obviously kryptonite if I'm going to be playing as large of a role as the Hero of Legend soon after.
It's a feeling of...urgency.
Ugh. I need to clear my head right now. I wish I could say that I'll just push it later and figure all of this out after the play, but…
...I don't have until after the play.
A couple customers enter the store, prompting me to ditch my seat for a moment and go tend to them. Throughout the whole time we're at the cafe, I can't bring myself to look at Zelda in case she'll read every insecurity written on my face, because I can sure as heck feel it myself. I just feel like there's now a certain expectation of me that I'm unsure if I can fulfill—for the play, for school, for the cafe, for my friends...and especially to her.
My hands mechanically pour the freshly steamed milk into two cups before snapping a lid on and delivering it to the waiting customers. Remember who you are—get into the mindset, Link. You are the Hero of Legend. You can do this.
After making sure the customers are happily on their way, I turn back to clean up the steaming pitchers and espresso machine a little, eyes absentmindedly sliding over to my table of friends. Almost naturally, they land on Zelda, now that I can admire her from a distance.
Thinking that is good enough, I'm surprised by a new feeling of dissatisfaction, and I realize that I don't just want to see her from a distance, but up close too, near her, and rather...to protect her. I wonder if this was how the Hero of Legend felt about the Princess of Hyrule despite going through all his reincarnations in a crap ton of different bodies.
By the time I make my way back to the table, I'm dragged into a practice scene with Darunia, then Mikau, then Midna, Ruto, and Malon. Man, I really do meet a lot of characters in this play. Again, I'm glad I don't have to memorize too many lines, because I definitely wouldn't remember which responses goes to whom (and once more, I admire Zelda and everyone else for being able to do all of this).
Malon clears her throat, about to recite her lines to me, and I get into focus. "Oh… a visitor! It's been a long time since we've had a visitor here…"
As I practice my lines with Malon, I am horribly aware of Zelda watching me, like every single other scene before. Once more, I haven't been able to muster enough courage to look at her much tonight, but whenever I do, she's always staring back at me, and I just smile involuntarily. It's automatic.
But I know that a smile won't cut it for tonight. Something big has to happen tonight instead.
"Alright! Last scene to practice!"
Midna juts a finger at me and Zelda and tossing her arms upwards, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Zelda and Link has one more scene, and then we'll call it good! AND THEN IT'S SHOWTIME, Y'ALL!"
Not just showtime, I think solemnly. Something else I must do…
Zelda and I stand and make our way out into the open area of the cafe. Peering at her, I notice her slight jumpiness and try to comfort her, figuring she's just nervous from the play even though I know she'll ace her part. "It'll be fine. We practiced this scene many times already, so it'll be a surprise if we do mess up."
To my relief, she chuckles. "Right."
I lower myself towards the floor, getting into position for the scene and trying to push out any more distracting thoughts. First, focus on practicing for the play, Link.
With my head bowed, I await for Zelda's voice, which comes quickly and calmly, giving me a sense of consolation and assurance. "Hero of Hyrule, chosen by the sword that seals the darkness...You have shown unflinching bravery and skill in the face of darkness and adversity…"
As her voice sweeps over the cafe, despite what I keep telling myself, I'm rather taken over by a new thought invading my mind, that same feeling of urgency pounding in my heart. Involuntarily, I start counting down the hours until showtime.
Two hours...or is it one hour now...?
Goddesses, I lost track of time. And I still haven't figured it out.
What should I do?
I have to ask her out before the play, before...
...before...
"Arise, sir."
My mind snaps back into reality, shocked that I almost missed my cue, and I bring myself back up, taking my 'sword' (a straw—I'm in love with how she improvises with these parts), before bowing my head again. I hope she hadn't seen the dilemma or trouble etched on my face or what I'm really thinking.
How...When should...no, when CAN...I ask her...?
"Will you hereby have any further inquiries or questions about this conferment of espousing the duty of knighthood?"
And then I know.
It hits me square on after hearing her line, and it takes me every fiber of my being to keep in character.
I know exactly what to do.
Lifting my head, I follow my script in my mind and shake my head to complete the scene, despite a million thoughts now running rampant in it.
"Aaaaand SCENE!"
Both Zelda's and my shoulders relax from Mikau's cut, and we are soon swarmed by compliments, relieving me even more. Even though I know this is one of our most perfectly practiced scenes, it's still reassuring to hear that we didn't flunk any part of it.
I hear Zelda exclaim that there's only about an hour before the official showtime, and we all take this hint to start packing up. But my mind is absolutely flooded with new thoughts and epiphanies, making me take longer to pack up, so before I know it, everyone has exited outside.
I now look up to see Zelda approaching me with a small smile. "Hey. You ready?"
For the first time tonight, I don't sense a hopeless urgency in me when I see her. "Yeah I guess. Are you?..."
We make small talk as we exit the store ourselves, passing by Telma who's ready to take over for the rest of the night at the cafe and who gives me a good luck wink. Zelda begins flipping through her script again, which makes me a little disappointed that our conversation ends here (since I feel like she wanted to keep talking for a second), but I can't give her a speck of flack for wanting to practice more. And although I really should too for good measure, I'm rather distracted by a new drive to carry out a new plan tonight.
Soon, we're following our friends towards the school, the place that'll certainly make up the night of the year.
And I know exactly what I'm going to do when it's time.
Goddesses, I'm about to faint.
My heart is pounding like no other, regardless of me trying to keep focused on my last minute practice scene with Beedle. He's faring quite well, but I don't want to be the source of our mess up, especially if I'd been practicing this stupid script for the past thousand weeks.
However, by now, I already know that this extreme pounding in my heart isn't due to the play happening in literally ten minutes.
For the past hour since we arrived, everyone immediately split ways into the vanity room, changing room, or backstage to get themselves and their scenes set up. I've ducked into the all of them—the vanity room to make me look 'beat up' (haha, thanks), the changing room for my usual green tunic and chainmail, and backstage to practice scenes with people like Beedle. Although, I've really been looking for someone else, but everything is now so fast paced and I haven't got time to breathe—again due to so many scenes with so many different character roles.
"Great, thanks Link!"
Once I finish my scene with Beedle, I immediately resume my hunt for a certain Princess of Hyrule, my master plan screaming in my brain to hurry up and do it.
Where...where is she?
Many people are also in the green room, chilling out, but that's soon to change as Ms. Anju hollers, "Five minutes! The first roles, please be on standby!"
Shoot. That's me.
A small shot of panic enters my heart, and I know I have no more time now. A flood of students exit the green room, ready to enter the stage appropriately for the introduction, and I can't stall for much longer. Chancing it, I dash towards the green room and peek in. Perfect. It's empty.
I whirl around, my eyes immediately find the back profile of a dazzling flowing dress, and I know exactly who it is. Wasting no more time, I rush up to her. "Zelda!"
Zelda jumps, turning around, and I sputter a quick apology for surprising her. Even so, her expression remains startled, her eyes wide and face white. Inwardly, I grimace—I hope doing this right now won't screw up her ability to act coherently if she's so nervous now, but right now…
Right now, I have to do it, and I have to know her answer now.
There's absolutely no way I can push this until after the play, because someone else is going to do this exact same thing then if I don't.
Erasing all negative thoughts, I blurt, "Can we practice that one last scene from the cafe again? The knighting one? I think we should run it really fast one more time…?" I already know she'll be utterly baffled by this request right out the blue, because that scene is near perfection and is completely pointless to practice any more, especially since we're currently on a time crunch.
But I have to do this now.
"Oh...now? There's only five minutes…"
"I know...just really fast. We can do it in the green room. I think...I really need it."
I can hear my own vagueness in my voice, but I'm just praying she'll agree to my abrupt request, me rotating and rushing back towards the green room. Please...if she follows me, then it's a good sign from the goddesses.
Once I arrive inside, I quickly get down into the knighting position as we practiced earlier today at the cafe, holding my breath...and...
She scampers in.
Yes!
Holding my prop sword out, I sheepishly apologize to her about this entire shenanigan, already feeling a little guilty, but thankfully, Zelda takes the sword, smiling. "No, don't be sorry. I think I need it too."
Goddesses, she's too good for this world.
A new feeling sprouts in my core as I feel the tip of my prop sword rest on my right shoulder. My heart is now pounding in my ears, making it impossible to hear many of her words as she recites her lines.
"Hero of Hyrule, chosen by the sword that seals the darkness…"
I am not turning back.
"...Whether skyward bound, adrift in time, or steeped in the glowing embers of twilight, the sacred blade is forever bound to the soul of the Hero…"
I can do this.
"...We pray for your protection, and we hope that you and the sacred blade will grow stronger together as one."
I am the Hero of Legend.
"Arise sir."
I slowly rise from my position, jaw clenched with anxiety. For the first few moments, it's hard to look at her.
"Will you hereby have any further inquiries or questions about this conferment of espousing the duty of knighthood?"
There it is.
Time slows as I force my jaw to open through what files like sludge, mouth numb, by the cue of my life.
However, despite that effort, a surprising, almost alarming, sensation of calm floods my insides as my next word flows out, frustratingly, easily.
"Yes."
Quiet.
Now I return her gaze, only smiling fondly at her even more confused expression by my breach of the script. Not screwing up my chances, I know exactly what to say next.
And I say it.
"...Will you go out with me?"
...
...
...I said it.
Time pauses, and against my expectations, I don't faint. I don't even die of a heart attack from a heart going overdrive.
Instead, I'm peaceful. Calm. Awaiting her answer, whatever it may be.
The entire world freezes for solid seconds, and all background noises outside the green room fade out of my ears as I continue staring into her deep eyes, patient. It feels like years, centuries, forever, and every single second feels like nothing yet going a thousand miles at the same time.
And then, at last, her voice, yet soft, blissfully shatters it.
"...Yes…"
I blink, now my turn to look at her with wide eyes, not quite believing this is a reality now, as my eyes bulge and heart finally going onto that marathon it wanted to for the past day.
She...she said…
"...Yes...yes!"
Zelda's entire face lifts, lighting up the entire room, and nothing in the entire world can stop my smile from spreading over my face.
I...did it. And, she really…
"Yesyesyesyesyesyesyes!" Zelda's voice is like a song to my ears, flooding my entire body with a feeling so good that's more than just relief.
It's...pure happiness.
"Goddesses, finally! Yes, Link! I do want to go out with you! Yesyesyes!"
And in the next split second, without me needing to even hint at it, Zelda throws herself onto me and plants a large smooth over my lips. "Yes yes yes!"
I can now laugh, freely, after I belatedly (from shock) yet very gladly return the kiss before we separate. Her eyes sparkle, and my mouth aches from how big of a smile it's holding right now, but oh yes, I want it to stay.
She said yes.
I can die a happy man now.
We can't split our hands from each other, and neither can our eyes. "I'm...I'm really glad," I sputter lamely, not knowing what else to say, but it's the pure, flippin', truth.
Zelda nods violently, her smile so sweet. "Me too! Me too, Link! Oh goddesses, I don't know what to do, I wonder if we should tell anyone…"
Click!
To both our extreme shocks, we whirl around at the sound of a camera instantly to see Midna unceremoniously lowering her phone, revealing a flat smirk...and four other heads.
My jaw drops to the ground to see Darunia, Mikau, Malon, and Ruto all gawking at us.
"...Got it," Midna quips before all our friends erupt into squeals and rush towards us.
"Omgomgomgomgomg you guys did it!"
"You guys are official now!"
"Invite us to your wedding, okay?"
"Wow you really did it, Link! Didn't think you had it in you, like, ever!"
"Zelda, you looked like you were gonna gobble Link up with that kiss!"
"WE RATE THIS MOVIE FIVE STARS!"
I'm wholly overwhelmed but even more relieved that no one else outside the green room seems to notice this entire show. Speaking of which…
"Alright, alright guys!" I squeeze myself out of the group, hoping Zelda's okay too. "We can talk about this later, but we got a play to do."
"No crap, Sherlock!" Mikau gushes. "And you just asked Zelda out! Finally!"
Before another round of squeals get out of hand, Zelda finally escapes from amidst the herd, giving her friends a good whack on the shoulder. "Okay, we get it! C'mon, let's go before Ms. Anju or anyone else realizes we're gone."
"Awww are you sure you won't break out giggling in the middle of your kidnapping scene?" Malon giggles to Zelda, earning another whack.
"Or that you're going to not let go of Zelda's hand when you're supposed to send her off scene?" Darunia coos to me, earning a smack himself.
"Shut up guys," I snort. "Yes, this happened. Can we now focus on what's more important now?"
"What's important is that you two are now going ou—"
"LET'S GO!" Zelda and I shout in unison, marching out the green room and blocking out all immature guffawing in the back. I shake my head. Gosh, those idiots...
As we walk back into the backstage, we thankfully begin calming down. My heart rate begins slowing, much to my relief, as all that adrenaline and euphoria is finally getting under control.
Zelda nudges me, and my heart leaps in that awesome sensation again as I match her gaze. I did it. I really did it.
"Thank you, Link," she says, cheeks adorably pink (although mine are probably a deeper shade). "I'm so happy."
"Oh goddesses, me too..." Again, I know, lame answer. But I couldn't find anything else to say because now my tongue is tied into knots. So much for Hero of Legend now, hm?
"Oh, Zelda, here you are!"
We're interrupted out of the blue by Ms. Anju, who bustles up quickly towards the person in question. She gives us a frazzled yet apologetic look. "You're wearing the wrong dress for the first scene, so we're going to have to switch out your dress real fast—you're supposed to represent a normal Skyloftian first before being the Princess. Come quickly to the vanity room!"
"A-ah, right, sorry!" Zelda hastily steps after Ms. Anju but pauses as she gives me an apologetic look herself.
"You should go—it's important," I say quickly.
She nods, giving me another regretful glance before turning and running after Ms. Anju.
And now, alone, I let out large breath.
I really did it.
The smile doesn't leave my face, even though it really should—I'm supposed to be a beat up Hero right now.
Getting my mind straight, I hurriedly search for the rest of the students and where they are. I'm supposed to go out first, and after seeing a large group of people crowded around the opening that leads to the stage, I feel a drop in my stomach as I realize what's really going to happen now. Just now, I finally hear the audience's applause from the other side, and…
Oh my goddesses, I'm going to be out there in less than five minutes.
In front of everyone.
Despite my happiness now, I realize that it won't prevent the inevitable from happening.
That is, the play, of course.
My heart speeds up for the umpteenth time, this time, from a new nervousness. I'm the Hero of Legend...but I'm also a nervous teenager. Gah...I need to get my priorities figured out FAST.
Sucking in another breath, I will my legs to move towards the group and the door to the stage.
Just as I'm about to move, a small knock echoes from outside the backstage door.
I screech to a stop, caught off guard by the noise. By the looks of everyone else up front around the stage door, I'm the only one who heard it.
Sigh. I guess I should open it.
A little antsy from the time ticking, I hurry up to the door and open it to see who it is that wanted to join us backstage so close to showtime. I swear, if it's someone who's late—
I freeze immediately once I see who it is.
Dark stares at me for a moment, seemingly amused once again by how surprised I must look.
Dark...?
Casually, he stuffs his hands into his pockets but makes no move to enter backstage, if he ever wanted to.
"...Hello, Link."
"Oh...Dark," I force out after a few seconds of startled silence. What...why is he here…?
"...You need something?" I say, unnerved by his sudden visit and his entire presence, rather. Immediately, I'm glad Zelda isn't with me right now, and even gladder that...I already asked her what I wanted to ask her.
This guy's timing…
And now, I want to tell him straight.
"Zelda said yes," I tell him straight away, keeping my voice as steady as I can. "I don't think you'll need to ask her out after the play, because...I already did. And she said yes." Goddesses, that felt good to say.
Against my expectations, Dark doesn't even so much react as he takes in my words, a silence stretching between us.
"...You did?" he says, not one inch of his demeanor changing.
I nod sternly. "...Yeah. I did."
"Hm...okay."
I blink, not quite believing how calm he's being. Shouldn't he be cursing me out right now? Blowing up at me? Maybe even bawling his eyes out that the girl he said he's going to ask out said yes to me instead?
And finally, a smirk slips out, and I hear Dark chuckle for the first time, further confusing me with the way he's acting completely opposite of how I would act in his place. Really, why is he like this? It's really unnerving.
He now matches my gaze, amusement dancing behind his eyes at my bafflement.
"...Finally," he says.
...Wait, what?
Now my eyes widen, my breath gone as I stare at Dark with complete and utter stupefaction. No way…
He gives me a sinisterly entertained look. "...You were so slow."
Oh...my...goddesses. No way…
He...All these times...he kept telling me his plans to ask her out, including going as far as directly telling Zelda herself that he likes her...was to…
...play wingman?
Dark now chuckles again at my silence, knowing that I caught on now. Even so, I quickly leafed back through my memories and just now recall that this guy, Dark, just seemingly popped up out of nowhere. This only makes me question how he even...saw this about me. And why he did it, as if his motives were mine.
I'm unable to read into it much further as his voice breaks me out of my thoughts.
"Link," he says, now eerily calm again. When I look up at him, he's staring back as serenely as normal, just like he always is, but doesn't follow up with his words. Again, I use this opportunity to demand an answer to my own question.
"...Why...?" I whisper. "Why did you…?"
"Why?" Dark repeats, now regarding me that same dry amusement, as if he knows much more than I do, before continuing.
"...You once said I was like your shadow. Maybe I am. After all, I'm everything you're not. I pursue what I want. Directly and immediately."
He pauses, giving me another small cryptic smile. "Rather, I'm your complete opposite. I'm just like all your hidden desires… Right?"
I blink at him, now annoyed and rather unimpressed. "Your point?"
His smile only widens slightly, but his gaze distances. "...Anyway, I'm just here to tell you that I won't be working at the cafe anymore."
"Wait, what?" I blurt, now taken aback by this news out of nowhere. "Where are you going?"
"I found another job."
"Oh…" I can only remain blinking at him, not quite believing he won't be working at the cafe anymore, since he made it seem he'll be staying there long term. This guy really is full of surprises, hopping from conversation to conversation when I still hadn't made sense of the previous one yet.
"And...why?" I ask. "Why did you quit?"
Dark shrugs. "Mido's there now. My job here is done."
For some reason, his logic seems flawed. I don't think Mido joining the cafe is the reason why his 'job' is done...and that if this 'job' even refers to the cafe.
Before I can interrogate him about these new sprouting questions, Dark turns his back to me. I, panicking, quickly blurt, "Where are you working now?"
There's a brief silence.
Slowly, Dark twists back briefly, matching my gaze.
"...A water park," he says. "Called 'The Water Temple.' I'll be working under the boss, Ganondorf." He tilts his head. "Feel free to visit, Link."
Again, I'm about to bombard him with all these questions I have, but he turns away from me once more, and this time, I feel like he won't be looking back.
"...Goodbye Link," he says. "I'll enjoy the play."
Speechless, I can't move my body for some reason or produce any words as I watch Dark slowly shrink into the distance as he walks away. And before I know it, he has turned the corner, in the direction opposite of that to the auditorium.
And now, I have this irrepressible feeling that he meant what he said...and that I won't be seeing him again.
"Link! Hey, sorry for taking so long, but I'm ready now! You didn't have to wait for me!"
I smile genuinely, seeing Zelda scamper up to me in a cool looking set of traditional Skyloftian clothing. She looks so cute.
"No worries at all," I assure her. "We've still got a couple minutes, and I didn't want to wait next to the stage door crowded with everyone else."
Zelda laughs and grabs my arm, rushing both of us closer to the stage standby door. I sneak another glance at her as we make our way up, another smile instinctively slipping out.
I don't think I'll tell her about Dark, and to be honest, I don't think I'll ever think about him again. In a way, I feel like there's nothing to worry about anymore, despite his rather questionable departure before. But whatever it is, if I don't need answers, I won't search for them.
And now, I can only stare at her, not believing I truly have her by my side.
Everything just kind of feels...something like fate.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to finally present the school's renowned play of our ancient history…"
I hear Zelda squeak in surprise at the sound of our principal's voice from behind the stage door, making my anxiety spike too. Any second now.
"Link! Zelda! Get ready!" Ms. Anju shouts, seeing us run up to the stage door. All students part to let us through, many giving us encouraging pats and high fives. "Go get 'em!" Darunia hoots while Mikau cheers in the background. Vaguely, I hear Midna holler our names in encouragement, and Zelda is excitedly waving to Malon and Ruto.
I'm doing it. I'm really doing it.
And finally, we're upon the door separating us in the backstage from the stage in front of the audience, and the entire backstage is now pindrop quiet in a split second, awaiting our cue. Everyone is holding their breaths, listening through it to our principal's voice.
"...so please, without further ado, welcome our first actors to our first scenes, and…"
A loud, nerve-wracking pause.
"...Enjoy the show!"
A powerful round of applause resonates fiercefully into even the backstage, and I feel the vibrations from the noise ride up my legs. Now that we're closer to the stage, I can feel just how many people there are out there.
For a second, Zelda tenses next to me, and I also panic once more. However, after one more glance at her, I take a deep breath, my arm separating from her hold and instead dropping to directly hold her hand. She gives me a surprised look, and I toss her a smile that I hope is encouraging.
It'll be okay.
Her mouth slowly melts into a smile, and, mission accomplished, I turn back to face the nondescript, gray door. This is it.
I can do this.
I pause.
...No.
We can do this.
Zelda and I face the doors, Ms. Anju showing a countdown on her fingers before it reaches just her index finger. Then, the doors split open before us like the gates to paradise, and we're blinded by the brilliant fluorescence of the stage lights, enveloping our entire visions into a secondary world as different people. My grasp still on Zelda's hand, I squeeze it, feeling a squeeze back.
After another breath, we take our first step at the same time, walking into the blazing light.
Together.
-x- end.