"so, what now?"
the question had been pestering Link endlessly. he defeated ganon, saved Hyrule, and helped restore it, even. it's been five years. now that they've almost done everything, now that Link has nearly fulfilled his part – what was the point? what now?
Link was exhausted. he must've spent nearly a year running around all of Hyrule and beyond, doing everything for everyone else, whether it be doing small favours for villagers or, oh you know, saving fucking Hyrule. it's always been about what everyone else needs. whatever Link does, it all must be in favour of everyone else.
even living, for fuck's sake, was in favour of everyone else, not him. did they really think he enjoyed being the hero? quietly doing everything? sometimes he truly wondered if people just saw him as an empty husk, a machine built for fighting with no emotions or burdens.
but goddamn, did things weigh in on him.
Link could never be angry at people, though. to be fair to them, he really acted like he had no emotions, and he barely talked. Zelda might've been one of the only few people he's actually spoken to.
sitting at the edge of the cliff, Link thought to himself quietly. sure, there were many reasons for him to stick around. he's been needed for the past twenty-two years of his life, after all. maybe ganon will come back, then who will fight him? though, was Link really the only one who could wield the Master sword..? surely there must be others. the Goddesses will probably take care of that anyways. besides, how fucking cocky is it of him to think he's the only one who can fight ganon?
but his life really made it seem like so. what a strange life he's had.
what a draining life he's had.
but in a single push, he could be free of it. free of responsibility. free of his traumatic memories. free of the pain of missing his friends. damn zelda and impa, if only they had not insisted on him regaining his memories. if only he knew how painful they would be. as disrespectful as it probably sounds, he would rather forget everything and everyone from one-hundred years ago. it just hurt too much.
Link figured he'll spend hours just thinking about everything, so he decided to come late at night and watch dawn rise; to see something beautiful before he drops dead.
now that dawn was approaching, he started to doubt himself. isn't Zelda in enough pain over everyone else already? should he really be doing this? maybe he'll be okay..?
but he knew all too well that this is just wishful thinking. as if he could ever move on past his trauma and everything he's witnessed. and surely Zelda will be fine. it's just so damn easy to replace one swordsman.
he watched the sun rise with tired eyes, and admired the view. not a single cloud. it would be one of those sunny days with a clear, blue sky to accompany the unbearable summer heat.
Link recalls reading Zelda's diary and how it made him feel. someone acknowledging him as a human with feelings and troubles of his own was a first in a long time. while many would want the glory he has, the twenty-two year old always wished to be treated as a human, not as Hyrule's hero, not as a killing machine that will surely protect you because that's its' only purpose in life, right?!
one fell, then another followed. they merged, and became two thin streams on his young face. desperately trying to wipe them away, they only came on stronger, and his heart hurt more. how long has he held back?
it should be fine, since no one ever comes here.
that realization crashed into him like a wave, and the young man was now crying out full-force. his weeping and screaming merged, his voice being muffled by the sobbing. just how long has he been wanting to express the pain in his heart? how many scars are on it?
over twenty-two years, he's collected many, but never treated them or sewed them up. neither did anyone try to treat them. except mipha.
remembering the beautiful Zora, the one being that seemed to care for him and see him as Link, and not as Hyrule's hero, only forced out more weeping and sobbing. he couldn't control himself any longer; the seemingly cold-hearted, emotionless hero was letting his tears fall. he felt ashamed, relieved, sad, all at the same time.
"m-mipha…" he cried out in-between sobs. she would've understood. she would've been here and held him and…
well, what's the use thinking of what could've been? she's gone. everyone is.
Link must've spent hours on that cliff edge, curled into a ball, just crying his heart out. and even when he felt arms wrap around his torso, and heard her sobs, he didn't stop. he couldn't. this is years of pain he never let go of. he didn't want to stop.
Link cried until he had no more tears left, despite being embarrassed, despite the princess having to witness him like this.