Seven Day Vacation

Chapter 3: Day One

The early rays of the day seeped through the window, bathing its warm embrace upon the sleeping duo. Midna's eyelids slowly parted upon feeling the sun's ray, she shielded her eyes from the sun's invading presence. Ugh… couldn't the blasted solar orb wait another hour or two? So annoying… Rudely awakened and pissed, she rose into a sitting position. She stretched her arms up as high as they could, her joints popping as a result. Once that was done, the Twili got out of her bed, snapping her fingers without even turning around, her 'bed' vanished into Twilit specks. With her sleeping accommodations safely stored in her pocket dimension. Goddesses she loves magic. She floated off the floor and swiveled around to face her partner in crime. He was laying down on his back and his limbs sprawled out with his blanket laying haphazardly on his sleeping form.

Midna couldn't help but giggle at the sight, he looked so ridiculous in that position, He might be the master of the blade, slayer of demons and the Hero of Hyrule. But his innocent, goofy demeanor still shone through, even within the depths of slumber. ("He's definitely the spitting image of a hero. Eee-hee!") The imp shook her head with a smirk at the thought. She was tempted to wake him up so they can start their day but decided against it. He needs rest after all those days of fighting and searching for a means to reach the sky, it's probably best if Link woke up on his own.

The imp felt her stomach growl slightly. Oh yeah, they didn't have dinner last night since they went straight to bed. Her hunger catching up to her, she just had an idea! She snapped her fingers as meats, cheeses, eggs and various other food orbited around her form. A grin adorning her face as she concocted a plan. He will be in for a surprise.

50 minutes later…

Midna was by a nearby table, an orange (sliced in half previously) was hovering above her glass. Using her telekinetic powers, she tightened her left hand into a fist, the orange was crushed, it's tangy nectar poured into the cup, rising until it was almost full. Once her drink was prepared, she snapped her fingers and the fruit vanished from sight. Where did it go? She probably warped it somewhere in the forest, some animal probably would be thankful. The imp grabbed her drink and placed it on a table. The table consisted of a pair of silverware and plates on opposing sides. Both dishes lay a spread of steak, cheese filled omelettes, slices of bread and two glasses filled with freshly squeezed orange juice for that vitamin C kick to start the day off right.

Normally, the princess didn't cook (at least in her time as an imp) but she still remembers to cook certain dishes from her teachings in the palace, especially cheese omelettes. She used a pan for the cheese omelette, which she had no difficulties with. But she wasn't sure how to cook a steak, she has seen Link cook meat over campfires on their travels. So she thought she should do the same, so she removed the pot from the (furnace?) and used her telekinesis to spin the slabs of meat like a rotisserie chicken. They seem… edible, but they looked a bit charred and she hoped to the goddesses it's not rubbery. Midna was hoping to surprise Link with some breakfast, but she was having second thoughts about the steak… maybe she should just throw them out? She knows the omelettes will be alright, they could just have those. Yeah! That will work. She was about to warp them away with a snap of her fingers...

...until...

The heavenly aroma of food invaded the hero's nose, he took a loooong sniff before his own stomach growled in excitement. Link burst to life, eyes as big as dinner plates. He tore his blanket off and threw it to the side, he then leaped out of his bed and onto his feet with a mighty thump. "Food!?" Link shouted in glee, his mouth watering like crazy in anticipation.

The imp froze in place, her pupils shrunk to the size of pebbles, her mouth contorted into a nervous smile and she could only think of one word: ("FU***********!") She quickly broke free from her shock and retained her spunky attitude, at least on the surface... She teleported in front of Link, hands on her hips and her trademark toothy grin bursting onto the scene. "Well, well! About time you got your sorry butt up! And here I thought you were going to sleep until noon." She flicked his nose and giggled in his face.

The flick brought him out of his food crazed trance. "Huh?" He shook his head a bit to wake him up further, soon grinning at the Twil once he recovered. "Oh, good morning, Midna!" He exclaimed gleefully."Pfft!" Shaking his hair like a dog. Typical. "Good morning, sleeping beauty. Rest well?" She asked nonchalantly, lazing backwards with her hands behind her head. Link nodded happily. "Mhm! Best rest I had in a while!" He sniffed the air again a few times, remembering why he had woken up in the first place. "Oh yeah." He peaked over the imp's shoulder, looking at the food quizzically. "So, uh… did you make all this?"

Midna puffed out her chest and pointed a clawed thumb to her face. Pretending to be proud of her work. "Yeeeeeeessir!" On the outside she appears collected, but on the inside, she is screaming internally about this situation. ("Please, please let this situation end well!") She begged to whatever deity that would listen to her. Midna coughed into a balled fist and gestured to the table. "Anyway, let's eat before the food gets cold!" She warped to her side of the table, but instead of sitting like a normal person, she leaned back in the air and pillowed her head. Using her magic to cut a piece of meat for herself and being fed like how servant would feed their master grapes. Link walked eagerly over to the wooden table and sat in his chair, eyes scanning over the food. They all looked delicious! Where to start-where to start?

Midna meanwhile continued to chew the piece of steak in her mouth, trying to find any flaws in it. It had a crunchy outside due to it being charred, but it was burnt on the inside and had a horrible aftertaste. She tried with all her might to hold back a scowl. This tasted disgusting! Ugh, she knew she should've known it was overcooked. Great, the first meal she cooked for her friend was going to turn out horribly. Midna observed the warrior cautiously but put on a pretty decent poker-face, awaiting his no doubt disgusting reaction to her cooking. Finally making a decision: he went for the steak, he's been eyeing it for a while anyway. He grabbed a knife and fork, then sliced off a piece for himself and plopped it into his mouth. He began chewing it slowly, his face remaining neutral.

("Well… he doesn't look disgusted… nor does he look happy. Ugh, what if he gets sick? Great, first day on our vacation and he's gonna get sick!") Midna was silently worried, growing more and more nervous with each passing moment. Damn it! Why didn't she throw it out when she had the chance!? Midna, you are such a stupid, slow bit- "It's good!" Time stopped for the imp. Did she just hear him say…? "You did a great job!" Link gave a thumbs up to show his gratitude and winking his left eye.

Midna was left speechless, her face was completely dumbfounded. How could he like that disgusting piece of cow flesh? Even she doesn't like it! But then again… he has eaten weirder things on their travels, so maybe he can stomach this junk? Perhaps she shouldn't be questioning fate. ...But in reality, Link was trying to hold a scowl of his own back, The piece of meat he was chewing was absolutely revolting! Desperately trying not to throw up… however, Link doesn't want to say her cooking is gross. She went through all this trouble to make him a meal. What kind of friend would he be if he just told her cooking was terrible? The last thing he wanted was for her feelings to be hurt. So, for now he's just going to stomach it and try not to die.

They continued eating their meal in companionable silence. Sometimes sparkling conversion about their journey together thus far and cracking the occasional joke about one another, like Link brought up that Midna was annoyed at him when he kept calling her when he fought that giant toad in the Lakebed Temple, noting it was one of the few times she completely lost her composure. She really hated slimy and warty things. Yuck! Then she retaliated by bringing up how he screamed like a little girl when he tried fighting a Poe in that one cave in Lake Hylia, only for them to retreat as he flailed his arms out of fear. This of course was before they had the capability to transform Link into his lupine form, and at the time they thought that cave was the only way out, then they found out they had to launch themselves out of cannon a few days later. Like, why would that be their first guess?! It's insane! But, while they are throwing jabs at each other, it's all in good fun.

As time passed on, he finished his steak (managing to keep it down somehow) and moved onto the omelette and beamed with joy! He had no problem telling Midna her omelettes were the best he's ever had, the now bashful imp responded with a smirk of gratitude. A feeling of warmth spreading across her white-furred cheeks. Upon seeing her tomato-colored face, Link erupted into a fit of laughter, commenting on how adorable she looked. The Hylian was silenced seconds later by a thrown slice of bread to a face by a grumpy and embarrassed Midna. Link merely sighed as he continued to eat with Midna doing the same. Can't she take a joke? Despite her pouting expression: She's beginning to feel more confident about her culinary skills, even though she despises her steak. She has to find out how long you're supposed to cook meat for. Though, perhaps it's best to think about that later. After all, they do have a day to enjoy and… she knows exactly what they're gonna do. Eee-hee! Once they were both done with the meal, Midna suggested they head out to Hyrule Field to begin their first activity. Link was puzzled as to why she wanted to head out there first, but then when they got to fields it became all too clear…

"You want me to what!?" Link shouted, now in his wolf form.

"I want to play with you~!" She chirped with a smirk. She tossed a black ball with cyan webbing patterns in her hand a few times, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Okay, I get that… but why do I have to be a wolf!?" Link growled.

"Well…" She landed in front of the wolf, petting his snout lightly. "We never really got to time to have fun on our journey, and admittedly I wanted to play fetch with you in your wolf form ever since you got the Master Sword." She squeaked the ball a few times in her hand in front of his face. "So… please, just this once, Link? Pretty please~!" She gave him the dreaded puppy dog eyes.

He tried looking away from her, shutting his eyes hard in an effort to avoid her adorable gaze. But he can still feel their presence trained on him, and it was becoming overwhelming. "Ugh, fine." He admitted in defeat. "But." He fixed his eyes on her. "You. Owe me."

"Thanks Link, you're the best!" She briefly hugged his neck before flying off a few yards away. "Ready!?" She shouted at the top of her lungs as she waved the ball back and forth frantically.

All Link responded with was a deadpanned "Woof. Arf. Arf. Bark." Ugh, could this get anymore demeaning?

She merely giggled at his lack of enthusiasm. "That's the spirit! Go long!" She spun her throwing arm a few times before chucking the poor ball as hard as she physically could. It whizzed past Link so fast that a gust of wind blew across his fur. He reluctantly turned around and ran after it. Why is he doing this? He clamped his jaws around the toy and padded back to his 'master'. The hero couldn't believe he was doing something soooo embarrassing, thankfully only she would know about it since she wants to keep a low 'profile', well… except when they're off terrorizing the citizens of Castle Town in his wolf form and the imp cackling her head off.

He released the ball from its prison and let it hit the ground with a few bounces. "Bow. Wow." Again, not showing any signs of joy or pleasure. Sigh.

"Good boy!" Midna beamed, patting his head a few times for a job well done in a mocking fashion, Link merely grumbled. She ceased her taunting gesture and flicked one finger to the sky, the ball orbiting around her finger. "Okay. Ready to go again?" The wolf merely huffed out air as he nodded reluctantly.

They continued playing this game of fetch for most of the day. Link was still in a sour mood for the first hour. But, eventually he found himself giving into his canine instincts and became engrossed with the game. His barking was more joyful as he brought the ball back to Midna, earning more affections from her in the form of head-pats and ear scratches, but in a more genuine way, as he panted gleefully. He hasn't really thought of a time in his life where he has had so much fun! Zipping back and forth like Epona on a crap-ton of caffeine, the adrenaline pumping in his veins gives him a rush like no other and seeing Midna's cute smile and hearing her mirthful laughter is like a drug to the wolf. He hasn't really seen her so happy before, usually her smiles are drenched in cocky, sarcastic and mischievous smirks. But now, he is seeing her in a new light… a brighter and beautiful one. Not at all reflecting her once cold-hearted behavior, and he couldn't be happier for it. And he desperately wants to see more of that joy.

Link then got an idea of a 'revenge' scheme, he laughed internally at the thought. Once he brought the ball back to Midna again. She lowered to his height to offer more affection but was caught off guard by a canine tongue bestowing her cheek with a nice, good lick. Midna's eyes widened in shock and let out an ear-deafening shriek, the canine's ear was ringing in pain for being in point-blank range. Ow... "Gross-gross-gross! Ew!" Midna chanted in disgust, trying to wipe the saliva out of her fur. She glared daggers at Link. How dare this mutt lick her!? "Why you!" She attempted to slap him, but he easily dodged the killing blow and bolted away cackling in victory. "Catch me if you can~! Ahaha!" Link chortled. ...The dog dies, pure and simple. The imp zipped after him, pointing a finger at the wolf as she swung a fist back and forth in anger. "You're dead, Link! Hear me!? DEAD!"

Midna chased Link across Hyrule Field, zooming past bulblins with cocked brows in confusion, running past the man on a mission: The Mailman on Eldin Bridge as he was doing his goddess sworn duty of delivering his parcels! All the while, Midna cursing her pretty little head off towards the wolf, the ladder brushing off the insults like they were nothing with a grin adorning his snout. But like all good things, tragedy has to come at the worst of times. Link stopped in place with widened eyes, crumbling to the ground near Castle Town and whimpering in pain. Gah! What is causing this agony!? Wait, all that running must have disturbed- Oh no... "Finally caught up to you, bas-!" She reached him, but she slowed her floating speed, her rage subsiding. Her face softened in concern upon seeing his trembling form, wondering why he was in pain. Did she make him run too much? "Link…?" She placed a comforting hand on his head as she landed near him. Something built-up in his mouth and dashed to the bridge that leads to Castle Town, he stood on his hind-legs and placed both paws on the fence. "Link!" The imp yelled in horror. The dreaded steak from earlier came back with a vengeance and was desperate to break free. Its wish was granted unfortunately…

An hour later…

The duo were resting in Ordon Spring, Link was back in his human form laying on his side, rubbing his gut as he moaned slightly in pain. Midna sat next to his head, her legs tucked beneath her, hands at her lap and using her hand-hair as a pillow for Link. She breathed out a sigh as her gaze lowered to the shimmering water. "Sorry, Link…"

The warrior looked up at her. "Don't worry about it, it wasn't your fault." He coaxed.

"Yes it is, you got sick because of the steak, didn't you? I should've realized it was overcooked…" another sigh escaped her. First day of their vacation, and she got him ill. With her numerous failures of her past, she wonders if she's good at anything besides screwing up. Her frown only got wider at the thought.

Link's heart broke at the sight of her saddened expression, he pondered a way to make that frown vanish. Maybe.. Being truthful would be a good idea. He shakily got into a sitting position. The imp turned to watch him in bewilderment, but she blushed as he placed a hand on her cheek affectionately and gazed into her ruby irises, much like how she did it to him back in Gerudo Desert. "Midna, to be honest… the steak was terrible." The Twili's heart sank at the sound of his words and shut her eyes tightly. Link scolded himself quickly before continuing. "But… that doesn't mean you can't improve, instead of thinking you failed, take this as a learning experience and improve!" He grinned at her in a goofy way.

Midna opened her eyes and took his words into consideration. Maybe… but she needs a teacher. She cupped his cheek as well, and now it was his turn to blush madly. "Can you… teach me, Mr. Important Hero?" She smiled hopefully.

"Of course!" He pumped a fist into the air with determination. "You'll become the best damn cook in the world under my wing!" He boasted proudly as he slammed a fist to his chest.

She nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Link."

They both sat up and began to make their way home as the moon rose to bath the land in its lunar energy. While he wasn't looking, Midna flew to his side quickly and pecked his cheek with a smirk before flying away towards his house. "Catch me if you can~! Eee-hee!" She needed to get even with him for that stunt he pulled back in Hyrule Field. Link blushed madly, a bit stunned by the action before shaking his head and crafting a smirk of his own. "You're on, you sneaky devil!" Link cackled as he chased after her in the moonlit night.