happy tuesday! back again with another interlude, made with love from me to you.

I beat age of calamity and it was...it was fine! very replayable, but hm...flat. still worth my money though because the stress relief I get from all the hack and slash is just. untouchable. you really can't beat that.

but anyway y'all ain't here to hear all that. you're here for the goods. all the cute stuff. off you go then.

She was being stared at.

There's a certain feeling that comes with it – one that she knows far too well, from her days before. A prickling on the back of her neck that trails down her spine. It's a sensation that urges Zelda to wake, and she sighs heavily through her nose as she pries her eyes open.

She could tell just from the lighting that it was just a little before dawn, the scenery around her drenched in a soft, hazy blue. It made everything feel cloudy and dream-like, and it made it that much harder for Zelda to stay awake. But she did, just to figure out the source of that feeling, and stared into wondrous blue eyes.

Memories of last night rose to the forefront of her mind, and she immediately felt like she was flushed hot all over because it wasn't a dream.

It had felt like one – she never thought something so wonderful would ever happen to her, that she could be able to have something so good.

Yesterday, she had never been brought so low; the only day that surpasses the feeling of walking through the reminder of what she lost was the very day she lost it all – her kingdom, her friends, her pride –

But that wasn't entirely true. She didn't lose everything. She was able to save something.

Link was staring at her like he was seeing her for the first time - like she was something miraculous. His eyes kept sliding closed before snapping back open, and it made Zelda feel so soft, that he was fighting sleep just to look at her. And her heart grew softer still when Link noticed that she was awake, and an awed little smile curled across his lips. At his smile, Zelda's heart raced, because she now knew how that smile felt pressed against her lips – she knew that, now.

How exciting.

She couldn't really explain what had come over her last night – what had finally pushed her to make a move. She was just – Zelda had felt like she had been wrung out, like everything was pouring out of her as she cried her heart out in Hyrule Castle, scraping her out until she felt hollow. But Link was there – he was there, and he held her, and comforted her, and promised her that she would never have to go back, if that was what she wanted. That he would help her tear the castle down until nothing was left. He had surprised her with stars, and when he placed that glowing star fragment in her hands, the gold light reflecting in his eyes as he smiled so sweetly, well –

She was moving before she could think.

Just like how she was moving now, reaching out to brush his bangs away from his sleepy eyes and trace the tip of her finger down the bridge of his nose. "Hi," she whispered, feeling so shy. "What on earth are you doing up so early?"

"I don't know." Link mumbled, and he looked equally as bashful. "Something just woke me up, and I – did I wake you?"

"I could feel you staring at me."

That just made Link look even more embarrassed, and that just wouldn't do at all, would it?

They were already lying so close together – it was easy for Zelda to wiggle a little closer on their shared bedroll and gently wrap her arms around his neck. Link stiffened up a little in surprise, but he relaxed as Zelda softly nudged her nose against his cheek.

"I don't mind." She mumbled, heavy eyes starting to slide closed. "It's cute. You're cute."

"You think I'm cute?"

He sounded amazed as he wrapped his arms around her, and Zelda was so sleepy she couldn't even feel embarrassed over being so honest. She leaned back a little to see his face, and Link stared back at her, looking a little dazed. "Maybe a little." She said loftily and puffed out a laugh when he made a face, nose wrinkling. "We should go back to sleep. It's barely dawn, and we didn't get a lot of rest the night before."

Mostly because they spent a good portion after their impulsive midnight run kissing; it feels like they only just went back to sleep.

"Yeah." Link's eyes softened, and Zelda wondered if he was remembering the evening the same way she was. She felt the familiar impulse to kiss him well up in her at the sight of him, so sweet and sleepy – and then she remembered that she could kiss him now. She was allowed.

"Link."

His eyes instantly focused on her face, and she smiled at him, rubbing her nose against his. "I want to give you a kiss." She admitted easily and watched with delight as Link flushed pink down to his collar. "Can I?"

He looked so amazed that Zelda almost said the words ringing in her head right then and there – but she refrained. Just because she got lucky and he actually liked her doesn't mean that there was anything more than that. She needs to be careful; she doesn't want to scare him away.

"Yes." Link blurted out. "Yes, you can kiss me – please. You can kiss me all the time. Whenever you want."

She laughed a little, watching his eyes dart down to her mouth, and pressed close to grab the kiss she asked for. It was a lazy press of lips, slow and languid enough that it made his fingers curl against her back, and Zelda immediately wanted to kiss him again – she wants to kiss him forever - but she wanted to go back to sleep even more.

"Can we go back to sleep now?" She murmured the question against his lips, and she could feel the flutter of Link's eyelashes against her cheek.

"Mm-hmm." He hummed, and Zelda didn't have to open her eyes to know that he was smiling – she could feel it just fine. "We can sleep."

They didn't say anything else after that, the sound of the wild slowly waking up filling the silence, and the last thing she remembered was Link letting her go to pull the blankets higher over them before falling asleep.

The next time she woke up, it was much later in the day, guessing early afternoon at the latest after squinting at the sky. And for once, she was up before Link – a rarity. But she didn't mind it at all because that meant she could stare as much as she liked.

Zelda sat up and stretched her arms upward, yawning and swiping at her eyes before looking down at the top of Link's head, curled up by her hip. Automatically, her fingers found their way into his hair, combing through it as she stared out past the rolling hills towards Hyrule Castle. The wind pulled at her hair, loosened from its braid, and some of the strands seemed pulled in the castle's direction – like she was being called.

She frowned a little.

It was rather emotional at the time, but she had meant what she said to Link; to attempt to go back to the castle and make a home of it was impossible. Even at this distance, the proximity to the castle made her skin prickle; it was the Malice – she could feel it. A century's worth, melded to the stone, seeped into every plank of rotting wood. Walking through the halls had been agony; it stirred her blood, powers ready to tear through the castle and remove every last trace of the Calamity so they could breathe easier – so she could breathe easier.

But something felt…incomplete. Vaguely, Zelda remembered the dreams – the last one she had on the way to Gerudo, specifically. She remembered the feeling of being pushed, of something whispering to her you must, you must go. She remembers the shrines, still activated across the land, and the look on Link's face when she wonders if Hyrule isn't finished with them yet.

Maybe it isn't.

Zelda knows she will never be able to return to the castle to make it a home, but – but she knows in her heart that one day, she will have to return.

"You're thinking."

A warm, calloused hand touches her wrist, and Zelda looks down into sleepy blue eyes. She smiles down at Link as his hand slides to the fingers she has in his hair, gently prying them away so he can curl his fingers around her palm.

"How can you tell?" She asks and he scoffs, bringing her hand to his lips.

"You always think so loudly. And you get a little dip between your eyes."

"A dip, really?"

"Mm."

He pressed his lips to her knuckles, and his eyes crinkled in the way that let her know he was smiling, and she couldn't help but smile in return. "I was thinking." She finally admitted, and he rewarded her with another kiss to her knuckles. "It's nothing serious – or at least, it's not anything that currently needs addressing."

"You sure?"

"I am. I'll tell you if it changes."

Link hummed in agreement, shimmying around until his head was resting in her lap, and he rested their joined hands over his heart. Zelda would have been content sitting there all day, proximity to the castle and all; it was comforting, sitting in a place they had been at together a century ago. It was one of the few places that they had fun together; she wondered if that was why Link brought her here – so that they could be surrounded by a happier memory.

"Hey."

Link punctuated his call for Zelda's attention with another kiss pressed to her knuckles. "Let's go somewhere."

"Go somewhere? Link, we're going somewhere every other day."

"Yeah, but you know what I mean. Somewhere that's not part of our schedule."

"We don't have a schedule!"

"We kind of do." Link stated, and she just wrinkled her nose at him. "Just a bit."

"Is this another one of your surprise destinations?"

"It doesn't have to be." He says. "You can pick this time. We can go someplace you've never been, or we can go back to one of the places we visited. It's your choice."

"Me?"

She felt oddly touched at that, and her eyes drifted away shyly. "So," she said slowly, "if I wanted to climb a mountain in Hebra, or go back to Lurelin –"

"We can." Link said easily. "We'll go wherever you want. I can make a nice lunch for you, too."

"Are you trying to take me out?"

Link looked a little embarrassed at the question, but he didn't look away from her. "…Maybe."

Zelda bit at her lower lip to try and hide the way a giddy smile began to curl her mouth at the corners. Wherever she wanted…that gave them quite a few options, didn't it? Her mind had started to race with the possibilities until her wandering eyes landed back on Hyrule Castle, and then she remembered the promise she had made.

"Ah…" Her smile wilted a little bit. "We should probably, um…we should check the fields first. For any remaining Guardians. We didn't get to it since –"

A stab of pain lanced through her just from remembering yesterday's events, so she pushed it away, lest she started crying all over again.

The eager sparkle in Link's eyes dimmed somewhat at the reminder of the task they had yet to fulfill for Kaneli, and Zelda honestly hated to see it go. "You're right. I guess we should get up and get ready, huh?"

"Yes…"

She was loathe to get up and start their day, but the sooner they completed this, the sooner they could leave the fields behind.

"I guess we can check near the sacred grounds." Link sat up to stretch, and Zelda mourned the loss of having his warmth so close by. "There were a lot of Guardians around there, last I remembered. Ah, but before we get up – there's something I want to do first."

"Wha -?"

Her question was cut off with a little squeak when Link reached out and cupped her face in his hands, leaning in with a little smile. "Good morning kiss?" He asked. "Don't wanna start the day without it." And – well. It wouldn't be right, not starting the day on the right foot, wouldn't it?

Zelda giggled lightly, leaning in to meet him halfway.

-o-

Returning to the sacred grounds had felt utterly surreal.

Zelda traced the toe of her boot along the cracked stone, staring at the moss that had appeared in the grooves. Link was a few feet away, scoping out the fields that lay south, just beyond the grounds – but really, he didn't have to. The evidence they were searching for was only lying a mere few feet away.

She could still see it, just there – through the trees. A Guardian stalker, collapsed on its side, its metallic, spindly legs splayed across the ground.

Deactivated.

Her heart raced in terror at the sight of it just as much as it ached. Her feelings on the Guardians were – complicated. As were her feelings on most things, nowadays. She feared them, yes, but also – also, she had put so much time into studying them. So many days. Truly, she loved learning about the ancient technology of the Sheikah; it had been so exciting, making new discoveries, figuring out how a Guardian ticked, or how to make a Divine Beast work just so. It was why she had grabbed as much of her research as she could from the castle – because maybe…just maybe…

Despite the disrepair of the stone, the triangles she knew so well stood out, bold as ever, the symbols of the Golden Goddesses etched within. The Triforce. She traces the symbols with her boot, mouthing their names as she went. Nayru…Din…Farore…that, at least, they made sure to drill into her head during her lessons– as if maybe the knowledge of her heavenly mothers would awaken her powers that much faster.

Lacing her hands behind her back, Zelda closed her eyes and breathed out a little sigh.

Goddesses, it was so odd, being back here – especially when the last time she was here went so poorly. She soon pulled her hands from behind her back to stare at her palms, feeling the humming in her blood, and wondered if she could do it, now – a proper blessing from the Goddess.

Before, she was too full of resentment and doubt to try and preform a proper blessing. She had felt like too much of a failure, then – that she didn't deserve to do such a blessing. She still feels like that, some days. But now…

"You were right."

Zelda turned her attention on Link as he jogged towards her, coming from a completely different direction from where he ran off. "I warped to a tower nearby to check." He explained to the confused rise of her eyebrow. "There were a lot of Guardians around that tower, and none of them woke up or anything when I got close. And then I looked through the scope function on the slate – most of the Guardians I was able to see around here have been deactivated. So I think it's safe to pass through the fields now."

Which was a relief to hear, of course, but she was still so distracted, caught up in the stream of memories this place brought.

"Link."

He straightened up at the tone of her voice, hands falling to his sides.

"Do you…remember? The last time we were here, together?"

She knows he does – she remembers it, remembers trailing after him and greedily watching him retrace the steps they had taken together with her own divine eyes. But she wants to hear him say it, regardless.

"I do." He answered. "It was one of the first things I remembered about you."

His brow wrinkled, eyes going far away as he walked forward until they were a few feet apart. In one smooth motion, he kneeled at her feet, and the amber gem in the hilt of the Master Sword glimmered over his shoulder.

"You were there." He continued. "And the Champions. You were saying something – a blessing."

He looked up at her, and his eyes were electric. "Will you say it again now?"

Zelda felt pinned in place on that platform, staring down at Link from the center of the Triforce while he looked up at her, waiting. She moved without thinking about it, raising her hand and letting it hover over Link's head, palm out. She opens her mouth and – hesitates.

Even now, after everything, part of her was still afraid at – at nothing happening, at her not making a difference. But Link was staring at her, eyes so bright and open; he believed in her – she knew it.

So the words rose up in her, and tumbled over her lips.

"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, and have proven yourself worthy of the blessings of the Goddess Hylia –"

As soon as she spoke, she knew right away that this would be different; the air practically hummed around her, and she could faintly hear the Master Sword ring in reaction to her words.

"Whether skyward bound, adrift in time, or steeped in the glowing embers of twilight…the sacred blade is bound forever to the soul of the Hero. We pray for your protection – and that the two of you will grow stronger together, as one."

It was still so surreal, being here, saying these words – but it felt good, being able to right this one small wrong out of thousands. Being able to finally do this one thing right.

"– Guardian of Hyrule, ancient steel, forever bound to the Hero – in the name of the Goddess Hylia, I bless you and your chosen Hero –"

Link's eyes stayed locked on hers the entire time; she wasn't looking at the top of his bowed head, and that made this – much more intimate than she expected. She had to check and make sure that her skin wasn't glowing, from the way she felt so lit up inside. She was here and there; she was caught between the present and the past, Link's eyes on her and the presence of her Champions hovering just past the edges of her senses.

"- Again we pray that the two of you will grow stronger…and be together as one."

Fingers wrapped around hers, pulling her back, keeping her grounded. Zelda blinked rapidly as she came back to herself, watching Link slowly rise to his feet, their hands still joined. When her attention was on him, he gave her a smile, raising their joined hands to press a kiss to her knuckles before leaning in to brush another kiss against her cheek. "Thank you." He murmured, and she shivered a little as his breath glanced against her skin.

"I – that felt different. This time. Last time -"

Zelda's voice caught in her throat, and she couldn't finish the sentence, falling silent. But Link seemed to understand what she was trying to say, and he hummed a little, pressing another kiss to her cheek. "It's different now."

Yes – everything was, wasn't it? Different.

She sighed lightly and reached out with her free hand to unclip the slate from Link's belt. She could feel his eyes on her as she pulled up the map, eyes roving across the expanse of land before finally making a decision.

He did say they could go wherever she wanted.

"I'm guessing you're ready to go?" He asked, and she smiled, reaching for his hand to place it on the slate.

"Yes. I'd like to disappear for a while."

He grinned at her, and Zelda was happy to finally, finally leave Hyrule Castle and all the memories that came with it behind.

-o-

She decides to take them to Faron.

She had only intended for them to stay in the area for the day before finally going to Zora's Domain, but Link wasn't lying when he said that it was easy to lose track of time. They had decided to go exploring, and everything was so lush and warm and green – Zelda was captivated. She skipped lunch entirely, and it was almost evening by the time Link put his foot down and grabbed the slate, pulling her close and warping them to the shrine behind Lakeside Stable.

"That was unfair!" Zelda cried out as soon as they materialized on the platform. "Link, I was examining the ruins – who knows if we'll be able to stumble upon them again!"

"There's ruins like that all over the jungle!" Link said. "And it's nearly nighttime – you haven't eaten, I haven't eaten, and there's no way I'm going to camp in the middle of the jungle with Hylia knows what out there –"

"It's not like we haven't done it before! What about when we had to visit the Spring of Courage, or –"

"That was different! Anyway – you're fussing. Why are you fussing?"

"Because I – I just –" Zelda huffed out an irritated breath. "I don't want to leave yet! There's – there's so much to explore, here, and I –"

She didn't want to leave for Zora's Domain tomorrow. It made her feel terrible, having them wait for so long, but…

"Oh. Okay, then. We don't have to leave."

"We don't?"

"No rushing, remember?" Link reminded her. "We don't have to do that anymore. We can show up to the domain whenever we're ready. If you wanna spend more time here, we can. But I have a condition."

"Oh?"

"I want to go swimming."

Zelda blinked at him. "Swimming? Is that all?"

"Zelda, I don't know if you knew, but Faron is ridiculously hot. Especially with us being in the height of summer and everything. We can spend the morning exploring tomorrow, but I wanna swim after to cool off. I know a couple places around here."

She pursed her lips, considering it. "Alright." She finally agreed. "I accept your terms."

"Good. It's a date. Now come on –"

He pulled her away from the shrine and towards the warm light of the stable, grinning at how she blushed and sputtered at the mention of this detour being a date. And to further cement that fact, he made poultry pilaf for dinner, using the best cuts of meat, and carrot cake for dessert. He rarely made dessert – that's how Zelda knew he was serious.

She gave him a dozen kisses in return, so she figured that the day ended rather nicely.

"Are you having fun, though?" Zelda asked him as they slipped into bed later that evening. "It's not boring, is it? Just exploring the jungle?"

"I spent a lot of time exploring on my own before I went to get you." Link reminded her. "But I don't mind. Exploring is a lot more fun with you, anyway."

"Really?"

"Of course. This was what I always hoped for."

Zelda wasn't planning on kissing him in front of all the patrons at the stable – but she remembered how she immediately tossed that feeling away after dinner, so she tugged the blankets over their heads and pulled him close.

The next morning it was cloudy and humid, the jungle cast in a misty green cloud. Zelda had assumed just by the looks of things that it was going to rain, but Link squinted up at the sky for a moment, checked something on the Sheikah Slate, and reassured her that there was no rain in their future. It was so humid out that Zelda decided to forego her blue blouse, instead wearing one of her tunics Link bought for her.

After a quick breakfast of leftover carrot cake and sweetened milk, they set out, Link handing Zelda the slate and letting her lead the way. She took them along the path that led to Lake Hylia, occasionally wandering off the path to take a picture of crumbling stone, or to pick up a stray herb or flower.

She felt something in her relax the longer they walked; the air was filled with the cries of creatures that lived in the jungle, and something loosened in her chest as the warm air combed through her hair.

"Link," she said absently as she took a picture of another stone dragon, "do you know what these remind me of?"

"What?"

"When we were in Hebra, and you showed me the leviathan bones – the stone arch leading to it…the architecture was somewhat similar, don't you think?"

"Mmm…" Link cocked his head to the side, squinting a little. "Maybe a little? There were some structures from the other lost tribes."

"That's true…"

"Like further out in Tabantha – I'm talking the middle of nowhere – I found this maze?"

"A maze!"

"Mm. I couldn't pin the architecture, but…there was a shrine in it. Maybe I can take you to it one day. There was another in Gerudo, too."

"Link!"

He always had a way to stumble on the most interesting things! It was so frustrating. He promised to take her to the mazes to examine them some time in the future, but still! And they still had to find the leviathan bones in Eldin!

No matter – one thing at a time. But she did give Link another look over just how lucky he was to be able to just find things before stalking off into the thick foliage of the jungle.

It was tempting to keep walking around; it seemed that everywhere she turned there was something new to look at or pick up. But she remembered the promise she made to Link and knew that it was getting close to lunch time, anyway.

"Alright, Sir Knight." Zelda says imperiously, holding out the slate. "I do believe it's time to break for lunch. And I remember a promise made about swimming…?"

She would readily admit that it was rather hot out; spending the rest of the day swimming sounded like a fine idea.

Link had brightened up at the reminder, and he scooped up the slate, quickly tapping at the screen. "Do you mind going back to the stable for lunch?" He asked as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

"That's perfectly fine. And then we'll go swimming after?"

"Sure thing." He promised, and the slate quickly swept them away.

They had a quick lunch of salt grilled mushroom skewers – chillshrooms, to help beat the smothering heat – and then they were on the move again, Link warping them away to the tower nearby. "I had found this while climbing around," he explained as blue light gathered in his hands, "but this way will make getting there a little easier."

The paraglider formed in his hands, and he helped Zelda climb onto his back, making sure her grip was secure before walking to the edge of the tower. Seeing the long drop down made her stomach swoop, and she tightened her grip on Link's tunic, even though she knew to her bones that he'd never let her fall.

"You ready?" He asked, and she nodded, making a noise to let him know. "Okay. Hold on tight, alright? And, um –"

He handed her the slate, and she slowly grabbed it, confused.

"There were Octoroks." He explained. "And there's been a couple Blood Moons since I was last here, so…"

Ah.

"What do you want me to do?"

"I think throwing a couple bombs at them should do it. There shouldn't be that many."

They took off soon after that, the familiar swoop coming to Zelda's stomach as they took to the skies, and sure enough, as they drifted closer to a small body of water, she could see the leafy tops of Octoroks poking out of the water. It took some maneuvering, and Zelda had to move very quickly, but just as Link said, a couple of bombs fixed the Octorok problem right away – and gave her some monster parts for future elixirs.

She happily scooped up the parts once they landed, adding them to the slate with Link's paraglider, and then she took in the scenery, hands on her hips. It was a very nice little pond, secluded by the foliage and tall grass; it was a very well-hidden place, and it was amazing that Link was able to find this at all.

"And you found this while climbing?" She asked.

"Yup."

She heard the clink of metal and looked over to see Link removing his sword belt and moving to work on his vambrace, and Zelda jerked her head away, hoping she can blame the growing flush on her face form the heat. This was ridiculous – she was being silly. They didn't have any swimming clothes, so she knew that they would have to strip down to get into the water. And what did she have to be so embarrassed for, anyway – it's not like this wasn't new. They did the same thing when Link took her to the hot springs!

The answer came to her rather quickly; it was because they had changed. It was because this, between them, was so new.

Zelda risked another glance at Link and found him fiddling with the hem of his tunic, a flush gracing his cheeks as he looked anywhere but at her.

Somehow, that made her relax. It was good that she wasn't the only one that was nervous.

She huffed out a quiet laugh. This was so silly; they've seen each other stripped down before. And honestly, it really was hot out – she didn't want to stand here being nervous forever.

So Zelda began to take out her hair clips and undo her braid, and she heard Link let out the funniest little squeak when she grabbed the hem of her tunic and yanked it over her head. She was wearing her usual cotton chemise underneath, which he has seen before at least twice, so really –

Her thought process crumbled to dust when Link finally took his shirt off, though, so maybe she could understand his reaction.

They couldn't stand around forever, though; it was still ridiculously hot out, and only getting hotter as the afternoon dragged on, and the water was right there – Zelda was positive that it would be so cool and refreshing that she would forget any worry she had about being undressed around a boy she only just started kissing yesterday.

With that in mind, she kicked off her boots and shucked off her trousers, making sure to fold her discarded clothes and place them into her bag so they wouldn't get wet. Her theory was proven right as she waded into the water, immediately sighing in relief at the cold, and she quickly dived under, cutting her way through the water with one strong kick. The water was so clear she could see a few fish darting back and forth in front of her, and surfaced with a quiet gasp, pushing her sodden hair away from her face. Link had removed the rest of his clothes and had gotten into the water while she was occupied, and he was currently swimming towards her.

She beamed at him. "This was a wonderful idea!" She told him as he swam closer. "The water feels so nice."

"Good, right?"

He smiled at her, but there was a certain look in his eye – one that made Zelda squint at him. She felt like he was plotting something.

"Yes," she said slowly, "very good. Though the Octoroks were a little annoying, but that wasn't too terrib – Link?"

He suddenly swam into her space, moving close until they were nose to nose, and Zelda's heart slammed into her throat at the feel of his hands sliding up her sides.

"Link." She whispered. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing." He said casually. "Just – this!"

Zelda squealed when he suddenly picked her up, a wicked grin on his face as with a heave he sent her flying, her yell cut off by her sinking into the water. She came up sputtering, and Link was laughing loudly, cheeks flushed as he kept himself afloat.

"Oh, you -!"

She swiped her arm through the water, sending a wave of water at his face, and all decorum was lost as they quickly dissolved into a vicious splash fight.

Zelda leaned back against the rocks to catch her breath, watching Link as he carefully pulled his hair tie out of his soaked hair, pushing his sopping wet bangs out of his eyes. She laughed breathlessly. "Serves you right, for throwing me like that."

Link made a face at her, making her laugh again, and she raised a hand out of the water, beckoning him closer. "Come here." She called, and she thrilled at how easily he came to her, grabbing her outstretched hand.

"This was really fun." She said, and he smiled, treading water in front of her. "We should probably buy swim clothes though, for next time."

"That'd be a shame."

Zelda blinked rapidly at him, and Link stared back, his face placid except for the blush that was slowly spreading to the tips of his ears. She let out a little giggle when Link finally cracked, covering his burning face with his free hand, and she used their joined hands to pull him closer.

"You flirt." She teased, pulling his hand away from his face to lace their fingers together. "How cheeky!"

"Don't," he groaned, "it was terrible. I don't know what I was thinking."

"I don't think it was terrible! I like you flirting with me."

Link peeked at her through his lashes. "You do?"

Oh, he looked so sweet – Zelda couldn't resist letting go of his hands to wind her arms around his neck, pulling him close. "I don't mind at all." She reassured him, and then she leaned in to give him a kiss – just because she could.

She could feel Link's breath stutter against her lips as their chests pressed together, and Zelda felt her hair stand up at the sensation of every line of his torso pressed against hers. Her chemise was so soaked through that being pressed so close like this almost felt like there was nothing between them - and wasn't that a thought. His skin was so warm in contrast to the cold water – and the heat of his mouth as his lips parted was even more shocking. Her hands slowly dragged across his shoulders and up his neck to tangle her fingers in the damp hair at the nape of his neck, and Link shuddered against her, his hands pressed at the small of her back dipping beneath her soaked chemise to press against the skin there.

The feeling of his fingers pressed against her skin made her lightheaded, and Zelda would be happy to keep kissing him if it weren't for that pesky need to breathe. She pulled away, just a little, and preened a little to herself at the dazed look in Link's eyes.

"Do you want to keep swimming around?" She asked against his lips, and he hummed a little, eyes half lidded.

"No." He mumbled, already pressing close for another kiss. "Let's just do this for a while."

And that, Zelda thought as she let Link press into her space, was a suggestion she could find no complaints in.

okay. so guys...I think we're getting close to the end. I feel it in my bones. I feel like maybe three or four more chapters? maybe five at the most? I've been playing it by ear mostly, as I usually do, but I've got a gut feeling and I'm listening to it.

but for now - another interlude done! and now, we make our way to zora's domain.

I don't have much to say! it's almost 11pm and I'm getting tired. just lemme know what you think! comments and kudos are loved forever!

thank you all so much for the comments on the last chapter - I'm glad that you all enjoyed it! I know y'all were waiting so long for that kiss. and now you get to have more kisses, so hey!

anywhoooo, until next tiiiiiime!