Link had forgotten just how intense Zelda's parents were.

As soon as Ramus had been assured of—and filled in on— Zelda's health, he'd gone straight to the nurses' station and begun demanding that Zelda be moved to a private room for the night, especially when they said they wanted to monitor her for a few hours. They said it wasn't necessary, and that she could leave as soon as they were pleased that she wasn't getting worse.

One sizable donation later, and Zelda was in a private room on another floor.

Gabe visited her to see that she was okay, but didn't want to overwhelm her, so he said goodbye when Makeela promised to give Link a ride home. Ramus had gone down to meet Arina, and Makeela had gone to the vending machine near the elevator.

"Do you regret me calling them?" Link asked, sitting on the bed beside her, watching some poorly acted soap opera quietly playing in the background.

Zelda tugged Link closer and leaned her head against his shoulder as he made himself comfortable, dangling his feet over to the side to avoid his shoes on the blanket, and shifted as much of his weight into her on the small bed.

"No. It was so nice to see my dad here. And my mom's coming. You know, my dad hugged me. I can't remember the last time he did that. It was so nice for a change. Have they spoken to you yet?"

Link scoffed. "Not really, thankfully. I've already braced myself though, so don't worry."

"You could say 'hello' and they'd find a way to take offence. They don't know you."

"Maybe your father has a secret past that only your mom knows. Like, he was me, kind of thing."

Zelda laughed and wrapped her arm around his. "You think you're a writer for Moonlight Howl now?"

Link gestured at the show on the television. "Maybe this show. Not a gem like Moonlight Howl though."

Turning to Link, Zelda's eyes widened playfully. "You're a gem, Link."

He chuckled and shook his head. "Don't say that in front of your parents. They'll think it's code and kill me."

"Start calling me 'babe.' They'll love that."

"Fed up with 'Princess?'" Link tried to control the smile that spread over his face, but the endeavor failed the more he spoke. "You know I'd face your parents for you, babe?" He punctuated the word with a kiss that had her heart rhythm beeping faster on the machine. "I'd sit down and take every jab they want to throw at me." He kissed her again, and smirked into her as he heard the beeping increase still. "But I will never call you anything other than Zelda in front of them." He pressed his lips to hers again, though this time was playful, and had Zelda laughing.

"Ew!" Makeela muttered, walking into the room with a Keese Krunch Chocolate Bar with roasted chickaloo nuts in her hand that she tossed at Link. She pulled a second one from her pocket. "Not what I expected to see coming in here."

"Thanks," Link said, peeling the chocolate and eating it.

He felt Zelda's eyes on him, shooting daggers as he and Makeela maliciously ate the candy next to her when she was currently only allowed Chuchu Jell-o. The green kind, she'd requested. But the taste was nothing in comparison.

Link glanced at the door and then again at her big sad eyes before handing it to her. "Listen," he said, poking her nose. "You better not need to get rushed to surgery. Do not pass out again while this chocolate is in your system."

"I won't!" she laughed. "Give!"

"Zelda!" Makeela scolded, though she laughed and did nothing to stop her.

Zelda closed her eyes and let out a long hum as she chewed. "Oh gods, this is good."

Suddenly, they could hear Zelda's parents' voices ringing though the hall, asking a nurse something that no one could make out.

Zelda shoved the rest of the candy into her mouth in a panic and threw the wrapper onto Link's lap.

"They'll see you eating something!" Link hissed, panicking. He sighed and reached for the Chuchu Jell-o, ripped open the plastic cover, and took a large bite before handing the spoon to Zelda. The face he made at the sour taste was priceless, and Zelda began to laugh.

"Don't choke!" Makeela warned.

Zelda cleared her throat and reached for the water, swallowing the chocolate as quickly as she could before she took the plastic cup from Link's hands.

He grimaced. "I want you to know how much I love you, because I fucking hate green Chuchu Jell-o."

Zelda took his hand, squeezing tight. "Thanks, babe."

Link snorted and nudged his shoulder into hers. Makeela looked on in amusement, though she realized that there was some joke she was missing.

Just then, Zelda's parents burst through the doorway.

They stopped at the sight of Link on the bed, laughing with Zelda, but he quickly hopped off and grabbed the candy bar wrapper, tucking it into his pocket as he stepped away.

Their eyes were on him for a moment before they both turned to Zelda. Arina wrapped her arms around Zelda, muttering something into Zelda's ear.

Link watched on with curiosity as Zelda stroked her mother's hair and started soothing her, wondering what words were passing between them. But neither of them acknowledged Link, especially when he shrank himself into the corner and stayed quiet, only earning a silent and empathetic 'sorry' from Zelda that he had to sign, "Please stop apologizing," to her just for her to stop.

Instead, much of her parents' attention was on Makeela, questioning her about what Zelda had been doing at her house. And as much as Link hated seeing Makeela under their intense scrutiny, another part of him breathed out a sigh that it wasn't him they were interrogating. Again.

Out of sight, out of mind, he figured. It was a good tactic.

Until he heard his name.

"—but Link answered since they got ahold of him first."

He closed his eyes for a moment to brace himself before turning to the four pairs of eyes now on him.

"Why didn't they contact me?" Arina asked, looking first to Link, who shrugged, and then to Zelda, who gave her a bland look, as if to remind her that she'd been passed out. So, Arina's eyes flickered to Link. "Why didn't you contact me immediately?"

"I tried, ma'am. I tried to get ahold of both of you for the longest time."

Arina looked around and grabbed a napkin from under Zelda's Jell-o and took a pen from her blazer pocket before jotting something down. She thrust it at Link. "Keep that number in your phone. It's my secretary. She can get ahold of me no matter what, but only use it in emergencies."

Link grabbed his phone and nodded. "I'm sorry. I didn't see anything like this in Zelda's phone."

Zelda leaned forward. "Because she's just Cremia in my phone. It's not 'mom's work' or anything. You wouldn't have known, so don't worry."

After typing the information in, Link set the napkin back down and kept his eyes on the floor. He could feel the air get tighter as they watched him, unsure what to do or say in his presence.

After all, he was the one who stole their daughter.

He could feel that more than ever. He knew them well enough by now to know that before they left this room, they were going to try to convince Zelda to return home.

And after a few hours of sitting in completely tense silence, watching the horribly acted show on the television, they did just as Link predicted.

"Zelda, darling," Arina started, sitting on the bed beside her. "Don't you think it might be beneficial if you were to convalesce at home? Your bed is bigger, your room is bigger. You'd have the entire house, and there's more food in the refrigerator."

Link rolled his eyes and leaned his head back as he listened.

"Mom, please, leave it alone."

"No! I want my daughter to recuperate in the comfort of her own home."

Resting her head in her hands, she felt her temples begin to throb. She was not interested in this fight again. And a glance at Link told her that he was feeling exceptionally uncomfortable by the veiled insults her mother threw his way yet again.

Arina followed Zelda's eye's and sighed. "Link is welcome to visit of course. And Link, I'm very grateful that you've been caring for Zelda this whole time, but perhaps Zelda's return home would benefit her physically, and you financially."

Link bit his lip and ran his hand through his hair. "Zelda contributes to everything. I haven't been 'caring for' her as if she's incapable."

Arina jerked her head back and gestured to Zelda. "I'm aware that she's not incapable, but as I remember it, you have more than one job and she has an intern-level job. Therefore, you make more money and my point stands."

"Link," Zelda said. "Leave it. Please, Link."

Unlike her mother had, Link nodded and returned his glare to the floor, as much as he wanted to keep talking, to prove her mother wrong about her.

But he didn't need to.

"Mom, I work here. And one day, maybe I'll work here as a nurse. I'm going to do a job that makes me happy."

"But it won't make you money, Zelda. You should at least consider being a doctor. A surgeon, perhaps."

"A nurse, mom. I don't want to be a doctor. I want to be a nurse. And I want to stay at Link's house, especially if you are still refusing to accept that I make my own decisions. I'm deciding not to return home to a large house with no one in it. And I won't be bullied into working for some big corporation just to make money. Besides, this isn't the time or place for use to even consider this conversation. I don't feel good, and I was hoping you'd let me rest for a few hours. All of you."

"Zelda," Ramus muttered as he reached out for his daughter's hand. "Of course. Your mother and I will go grab something to eat at Jabu-Jabu's Seafood. Want something?"

"I don't think so," she shook her head and pulled the blanket up higher. Thank you though."

"Okay. Arina? I'll buy. Let's give her some time to sleep."

"Fine. Darling, we'll be back later then. I promise."

Zelda nodded solemnly, and watched them go.

Makeela stepped towards the bed. "Okay. I'll text you—"

"Oh no, I didn't mean you two. You can stay. If you want. You can go if you've had enough of this place. I know I have."

Link chuckled and sat back down, Makeela taking the space beside him. "Neat trick."

Zelda made a face and turned to Link. "I'm still glad you called them, but they're good in short doses. Thank you for trying to defend me to my mom, but she just won't hear any voice that isn't hers. It's not even worth bothering with."

"It's worth bothering for your sake," Link grumbled.

There was a loud chatter in the hallway, laughter. Well, Zelda thought as her head whipped to the doorway, that wasn't going to be her parents.

But someone did come through her door, a tray of food in hand and a forced smile on his face.

Komali.

He stopped and looked at her. Bruised face, torn lip, arm in a cast. He just barely hid his grimace. "So it's true then."

"True?" Zelda echoed, though her smile was real upon seeing him.

"I heard Impa on the phone in the cafeteria, and then I got your room number." He set the food down in front of her. It was a sandwich and a drink, nothing too special, probably in case he'd been wrong. "Are you okay? I didn't hear what happened. You didn't get… hurt right?"

Komali's eyes darted to Link and offered him a quick smile, devoid of any actual emotion, just politeness. Link returned it with as much enthusiasm.

"I mean, it was a car accident," Zelda said and waved her cast around. "I did get hurt. But nothing too serious."

"Oh, thank the Goddesses! I'm glad. And was Luke with you?"

Link snorted and bit his lip. Gods, this kid was frustrating. "No, I wasn't."

Zelda rolled her eyes. "It's 'Link', not 'Luke.'"

"Oh, sorry." Decidedly not sorry. "That's good though. I'm glad you weren't hurt as well." He turned back to Zelda. "Are you staying here for long, or are you going home?"

"I think I'm going home in the morning. My dad basically bought me a room here for the night, which is awful, and then I'm going back to Link's." She turned and shot him a smile.

"Oh," Komali said quickly, looking away from Zelda. He ended up staring at Makeela. "Are you okay?" he asked, as if needing to keep the conversation going.

"Yes?"

"Good, good."

Zelda leaned forward and grabbed the drink off the tray. "Thank you for this. How much do I owe you?"

"On the house."

She twisted the lid and took a swig of the drink before setting it back down. "Still cold. Perfect. Thank you so much for bringing it up. And I'll be back to bother you on my breaks soon!"

"You're never a bother," Komali said, taking a few steps towards the door. "I do have to get back though. I'll see you whenever you come back in."

"Okay. See you then. Get better, Zelda."

Komali left the room, the sound of his retreating footsteps echoing in the silence for a while.

It was only when they were sure he was gone that Makeela let out a laugh, one she'd been holding in. "Oh gods! That was so painful! He loves you, Zelda!" She nudged Link's shoulder. "You've got competition!"

"You don't have competition, Link," Zelda said, throwing the cap to her drink at Makeela.

Link grabbed the cap before Makeela could pick it up, and he spun it in his hands. "Do I need to up my game, Zel? I can bring you two drinks."

"Shut up, both of you! He's a friend!" She couldn't even say it with a straight face. "Okay, he's a friend with a little crush on me. But I've squashed it! I can't be any more clear to him that I'm with Link, and it's not like you can stop having a crush on someone just because you want to stop. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dated Link!"

He snorted and tossed the cap back at her. "Thanks, Princess."

"You know what I mean! Everyone was like 'oh, he's so bad! He's a criminal! He's an arsonist!' And I didn't plan on liking you, but you made it so easy! The day you gave me your jacket, I was just doomed. There was no escape." She laughed as she re-capped the drink and pushed the tray away from the bed.

Link hopped off the radiator and joined her on the bed again. "Nope. No getting rid of you now!"

Zelda scooted closer to Link and patted the other side of the bed. "Come on, Makeela! You're stuck too!"

Makeela rolled her eyes and crashed down on the other side. There was a loud creak, and all three froze for a moment before they felt stable again. "The nurse is going to come in here and kill us."

Zelda shrugged. "Oh well. Turn up the volume, Link. I can't reach the controls now."

"Gods, I wish this was Moonlight Howl," Link groaned as he contorted his arm to reach the dangling remote. But he didn't turn it up. Instead, he turned to Makeela. "Are you and Pipit going out this weekend?"

Makeela's face turned bright red and she suddenly looked really interested in the show. "I don't know. You know what, we should all get together on Sunday for Moonlight Howl. I'll bet Amalia is going to flip this week when she sees what Castor did."

Zelda started to chuckle. "Yeah, we can definitely do that! And you can both tell us all about your date!"

Whining, Makeela gestured to the remote. "Turn it up. I can't hear."

Link turned up the volume and started cracking up.

"Anju," a purple haired man said, grabbing the woman's hand as he stared into her eyes oh-so dramatically. "We can grab a cup of coffee. It doesn't have to be a real date. But it can be."

"Oh, Kafei!" she'd exclaimed. "I've been waiting long enough for you to ask me that! Of course I'll go on a date with you!"

"Gods…" Makeela groaned as she sank further into the pillow while Link and Zelda just laughed.


A/N: I intended to have this chapter done before the new year, but then I binged every Pirates of the Caribbean movie plus rewatched the first two seasons of Black Sails, and then started a Zelink Pirate AU fic instead. Whoops.

BUT HAPPY NEW YEAR! HERE'S TO 2021 BEING BETTER THAN 2020! I feel like there's a joke in there somewhere about hindsight being 2020, but I just can't see it right now...

Reviews: Nightwing2013: Right? And then they go and ruin their reasonable moment yet again here! ElenaGilbert24: I debated going two chapters without her being awake, but that stressed even me out! Hahaha! I also wanted her to go home, at least for a bit, but every time I write her parents, I can't send Zelda home to that! I JUST CAN'T (or can I? I'm sure I can... decisions, decisions!) lol! Leafy: WOW That's a lot to read in one day! Give me some of your super reading powers! But I'm glad you're enjoying it! Guest: No problem! I always try to reply! Not driving totally works out if you live somewhere that's big on public transportation! But otherwise, I totally hear you about driving anxiety. I've probably projected some of mine in this fic! AdamIsmiddle9: Not sure if you made it here because your comment was on chapter 1, but I'm glad you were hooked! Zeedry: Also don't know if you made it here since you were on 26, but THANK YOU! That's suuch a nice comment! I'm so glad this fic has hit you in the feels! That's goals there! Lol! Made my day!