Chapter 4

Previously: Link and Zelda are accompanying Ganon to Gerudo Town, where he expects to be executed for war crimes, Link expects to save his crush from himself while dying of pining inside, and Zelda mainly expects to laugh at Link. Slight warning for cursing.

Link POV

Link maintains that things were going fine right until they reached the canyon. Then he begrudgingly will admit to Zelda that he should not tempt fate by saying things like nothing bad will happen ever again. It was as they were walking through the cool shade of the canyon, almost within sight of the stable, that they heard manic laughter echoing around them. Three Yiga clan members appeared out of thin air, threateningly twirling bows.

Link drew the master sword upon first hearing their laughter, dropping the slate on the ground as he charged one of them immediately, vanishing them to dust before the other two even drew their bows. The others vanished to reappear further away, drawing back bow strings. Link whirled around to see Zelda drawing her own bow back, looking calm and determined as her arrow flies true and knocks down another member as they clutched at their impaled shoulder.

"How many times have I told you not to drop the slate?!" Zelda yelled, quickly drawing two more arrows, and firing them into the body of the downed Yiga member who then vanished. Ganon looked shocked standing beside her and Link grinned, feral. Zelda was so cool. He wished he could stay watching, but he needed to find the other Yiga. He turned at the sound of a hiss from his left, spotting the remaining member crouched above a rock, letting loose two arrows at Link, one of which he dodged and the other he deflected with the master sword, while sprinting towards the Yiga. The Yiga panicked, as many would when faced with a feral Link madly charging at them head on, and tried to vanish. Link drew back his arm- "Link!" Zelda cried – and chucked the master sword at the Yiga, skewering him at once, the sword then clattering to the ground when the body vanished.

Link turned to grin at Zelda only to blink up at a Blademaster standing directly behind him, raising his Windcleaver sword to bring down on his head. Weaponless, Link could only watch as the blade got closer to his head, thinking Zelda's going to kill me for throwing the master sword.

A loud clash! rang out of steel meeting steel. Ganon held a claymore against the Windcleaver, effortlessly pushing the Blademaster back from Link with a hard expression. The Blademaster skidded back, grunting in surprise, but was given no time to recover as Ganon pressed the advantage, slashing at the Yiga member with ferocious, precise swings that he had no choice but to evade. The Blademaster grunted again as two, then four arrows sunk into his back, courtesy of Zelda. He vanished in a poof of smoke, leaving Ganon and Zelda breathing hard while Link blinked in shock.

Ganon whirled to face him. "Are you alright?" He asked frantically, eyes sweeping down Link form which he would normally appreciate way more, but right now he was highly aware of Zelda stomping over towards him.

I'm fine, he signed. Though not for long.

Ganon just started looking concerned when Zelda strode past him, straight into Link's face.

"What, the fuck, was that?!" She hissed. Ganon looked shocked at the curse, though Link was nonplussed.

Ambush, I suspect, he signed.

Zelda's face turned red with rage. "I am referring to whatever the hell you call the attack you did where you THREW YOUR ONLY WEAPON AWAY!" Link winced. In hindsight, that had been kind of stupid. "Goodness sake Link, you gave me a heart attack! Don't do that. Ever. Again." She pointed at him threateningly.

Link sheepishly agreed, apparently to Zelda's satisfaction as she then turned to Ganon. Ganon startled out of his growing bemusement watching them.

"You saved Link's life." Zelda smiled at him, then bowed her head. "Thank you."

True to form, Ganon sputtered, face red as a tomato. He looked away from Zelda abashedly, towards where Link stood beside him.

Link beamed up at him with an enthusiastic nod and a signed thank you! as well. He paused a moment, debating how to thank him properly before throwing caution to the wind and simply throwing his arms around Ganon's huge form to hug him. His face rested just below his chest, and Link had time to mourn the recent presence of Ganon's new clothes. Why didn't he think of doing this sooner?

Ganon froze, and Link debated pulling back since that seemed like a bad sign, but then he hesitantly returned the hug. Link relished the feel of those huge arms swallowing his form completely, so gentle as though Link were made of glass. He lost himself in bliss for a moment until he felt a strange hiccup from Ganon's chest. Link pulled back in confusion, looking up to find Ganon's eyes suspiciously shiny, expression as shocked as Link's.

"I…um, sorry. It's just been a long time since anyone has done that. I can't really remember…" He trailed off, gaze distant in some past remembrance as his brow furrowed.

Link and Zelda shared a look of heartbreak. She forgot her anger at Link, expression overcome with determination before she stepped forward to hug Ganon as well. He sucked in a breath.

"Well, we'll get you used to it again, don't worry." Zelda voice was muffled against Ganon's side as his arms hesitantly opened to include her as well. Link adjusted to include Zelda in the impromptu group hug, nodding against Ganon's chest. Zelda and he had become quite tactile with each other over time, each understanding that they had been alone for so long, they wanted all the comfort they could get. They were perfectly willing to extend that comfort to Ganon as well.

Neither of them moved until Ganon shifted slightly, taking that as the signal to step back from his personal space. Link beamed widely up at him again as Ganon flushed. Feeling ridiculously brave in the moment, he took up Ganon's hand and pressed a chaste kiss to the back of it. Ganon sucked in another quiet breath, watching Link with wide eyes as he dropped his hand to sign.

Seriously though, thank you. You're my hero. Link grinned cheekily, catching Zelda's eye roll.

Ganon blinked. "Oh. Oh, yes, of course, you're… welcome?" He seemed flustered, then suddenly remembered the sword, which he stooped to pick up off the ground where he'd dropped it. "Oh, here!" He held the claymore out to Link along with his dropped slate, from which he must have grabbed the claymore to begin with. Zelda took the slate before Link could, fiddling with the controls presumably to test it hadn't been harmed. Link rolled his eyes. He'd once dropped that thing off the great plateau once and it had been fine. Best not to tell Zelda that though.

Link shook his head at the pro-offered sword. Keep it. May need it again.

Ganon shook his head in return, keeping the sword held out, hilt first. "It's best I don't have a weapon, I believe. In case the Malice returns," he said the last quietly.

Link turned to leave without taking the sword but was stopped by Ganon's hand on his arm. "Please." Ganon stared at Link, desperately gesturing to the sword again. Link slowly reached out to take it with a sigh, causing Ganon to slump in relief. Obviously, the possibility of the return of the Malice worried Ganon more than it did them.

Zelda would handle it if it did you know. Link signed to him, dropping the claymore point unceremoniously to the ground and causing Ganon to wince at the clang of steel against rock.

Ganon smiled at Link sadly and looked towards where Zelda was still slumped over the slate, muttering to herself with her bow slung across her back. "I don't doubt that she would."

Zelda POV

Zelda was concerned about the attack. The Yiga they had fought had felt strangely…different. For one thing, they moved in a much jerkier manner than before. Whenever they had caught her and Link in their travels before, they generally mocked them as they fought or spat insults once defeated. But the ones from the attack yesterday hadn't said anything; just that malicious laughter. They smelled disgusting too, almost like the pure Malice of the castle. It was strange; Link hadn't seemed to notice but then he may just be desensitised to Malice in general, and Zelda knew Ganon didn't have any prior encounters with the Yiga to compare it to. It was likely she'd only noticed because of her connection to Hylia. Regardless, there wasn't any investigation she could launch right this moment, so she endeavoured to push it from her mind for now.

By the time their group reached the stable, she was exhausted from thinking herself in circles. Getting to stay the night in a stable was a luxury that Zelda relished. Link didn't care either way really, she knew, but she loved being able to sleep in a bed for a change. She was convinced Link was part wolf or something, so he didn't really count anyway. Ganon seemed uncomfortable at first but relaxed when no one seemed to recognise him. It helped that his new his travel clothes from Dorian were quite unassuming, if a little tight.

The next day, she'd all but forgotten the Yiga problem as they got changed into clothes more suitable for the desert climate. Zelda couldn't help smirking at both Link and Ganon resolutely trying not to look at each other's bare chests, though every time Ganon looked the other way Link would stare unabashedly.

"I think you might have a bit of drool there Link," She whispered to him on the way out of the stables. He flushed and smacked her arm when she giggled. They came to walk on either side of Ganon, and simultaneously reached out to grab his hands together. Zelda smiled reassuringly at Ganon's surprised hesitation before he curled his fingers around her hand in return, his hand nearly swallowing hers whole. Link hummed happily when he did the same on the other side.

Zelda was a tactile person, as she'd discovered when her and Link had started travelling together after the Calamity. Once they had started the friendly touches it was like neither of them could get enough of it. Her heart ached for Ganon being locked up alone for so long. Her hand tightened on his. She was determined to openly show her growing affection for him, having grown up so deprived of such comfort herself. Zelda knew Link was determined to do the same, even if his affection was of a slightly different sort.

The trip into the desert itself was calm, if near unbearably hot. Zelda's Gerudo vai costume was much better at dealing with the heat than her travel leathers though. She liked how it felt, a little thrill of rebellion from how conservatively she used to be forced to dress. She knew that although Link often spent time running through the wilds in his underwear without a care for clothes, he was partial to his own vai outfit too. Currently he wore his voe costume and Ganon had put on the Gerudo trousers he'd woken up in, freshly cleaned.

By the time they reached Kara Kara Bazaar, the heat was getting to them all despite the clothes. Ganon looked uneasy at the whispers following him, though no one had made any overtly threatening gestures yet. Link strode right to the water's edge and then belly flopped into the oasis to float face down, causing both Zelda and Ganon to wince in sympathy.

"Um-" Ganon started only to be cut off by another splash, this time of Zelda canon balling into the oasis and nearly drowning Link in the process. Ganon blinked from the shore, tepidly dipping his feet into water, but otherwise content to watch. Zelda sighed in bliss from the cool water, then flinched as Link splashed her in vengeance from her attempted drowning of him. With a shout, an impromptu splash battle erupted between them, each trying to get the upper hand and going under more than once when splashing the other became more important than trying to keep themselves afloat. They exhausted themselves after five minutes from the heat, flopping onto the bank with wild grins and Zelda raised a fist in triumph.

"I splashed you last, so I win!" She proclaimed as Link made a noise of offense, protesting wildly with his hands. They argued over the facts, until they were both left sputtering from a massive wave of water washing over them.

Stunned, they looked at Ganon still bending over the water where he'd evidently splashed them both, looking a little stunned himself.

"Um…I win?" He looked so unsure.

Zelda and Link were delighted; Link collapsed into huffing laughter as Zelda chuckled. "I reckon we all agree you won that round, but I shall prevail next time!" She declared dramatically, drawing further laughter from Link and a self-conscious smile from Ganon, as was the goal.

It took until after lunch before their giggles fully calmed, and Link was the first to stand. I'm going to head into town to talk to Riju first. I'll come back to get you in around two hours, he signed, then picked up his slate to head into the inn to change.

Zelda looked to Ganon shifting uncomfortably on the opposite bench. Right, she'd almost forgotten what they were here for in all their banter. At least the Gerudo at the Bazaar seemed, well not quite friendly, but definitely not as outright hostile as the Sheikah had been. Hopefully, that was a good sign. Since she was watching Ganon, she saw his eyes go wide and a faint blush rise to his cheeks which she assumed signalled the return of Link. Turning to confirm for herself, she saw him emerge from the inn in his vai clothing this time, no doubt the cause of Ganon's sudden…interest. She choked back a snicker, clearing her throat, and pointedly ignoring Ganon's face turning redder than a hearty radish.

"We'll meet you back here then," Zelda offered, waving a hand in farewell as Link nodded and returned the gestured.

"Yes, ah, safe travels," Ganon stuttered. Link grinned and blew a kiss to them both, causing Zelda to roll her eyes. She turned back to Ganon as Link trotted off, smiling softly when she saw his face buried in his hands, mumbling something about "stupid heat" under his breath.

An hour later found them both refreshed, sitting by the oasis bank as they waited for Link to return. Zelda was leaning against Ganon's arm, content with the skin to skin contact. He had yet to initiate any touch himself, but she remained hopeful that he would eventually feel comfortable enough to do so. Until then, he certainly didn't seem to mind the touch and even leaned slightly towards Zelda unconsciously.

"You know, I think you should talk to Link," Zelda started casually. Ganon's brow furrowed in confusion for a moment before clearing in apparent understanding.

"Oh, I intend to. I do know I need to, I am simply working up the courage," He admitted.

Zelda's eyebrows shot up, impressed. "That's very brave of you." Then she blushed, embarrassed as she pulled away from him to wave her hands in front of her face. "I do not mean to say that you are not normally brave or anything, forgive me, that came out wrong. I just meant that feelings are hard and whatnot," She trailed off lamely.

Ganon gazed at her solemnly. "I do not think it is brave to do what is necessary, it simply must be done and that is that." Now it was Zelda's turn to look confused. "I have resolved to do it after the trial once the outcome has been decided. I will speak with Link then. And of course, to you too," He added.

Zelda's heart stuttered. Oh shit, this was awkward. "T-to confess your feelings?" The stuttered question came out at a higher pitch than she intended.

Ganon's brow furrowed, then his eyes went comically wide. "What? No! What? How did we- that is, I wasn't-" He was flabbergasted.

Zelda sighed in relief. "What are you talking about then?"

"We were talking about- that is, I thought we were talking about- well, what were you talking about?" He finished, short of breath.

Zelda shrugged. "You know. The whole-" She flapped her hand uselessly in the air as she searched for the words- "thing you and Link have got going on."

Ganon spluttered, then groaned once again burying his face in his hands. "I am that obvious it seems. I am sorry, I have made you both uncomfortable and-"

"What?" Zelda cut him off, bewildered. "No, you have not. If you mean Link and I, than have no fear; we are not together. I don't exactly, um, like people like that. Like, ever." She flushed, shifting uncomfortably at putting it into words. It hasn't gotten easier despite having told numerous people including Link, Purah and Impa. All of which were incredibly awkward, though Link's one had become funny lately with the passage of time.

Ganon blinked. "Oh. That seems… quite nice actually."

Zelda smirked. "Well, I think the thing you two have right now seems quite nice too." He groaned again, and she took pity. "If it's about him not reciprocating then don't worry there either; he gawks at you more than you do at him, which is saying something. I love him dearly, but he is also very oblivious. I doubt he has noticed your feelings." Ganon breathed a sigh of relief. "Although, he is usually very overt once he decides he likes someone. He'll probably confess before you do." Zelda chuckled when Ganon sputtered at that, before he abruptly sobered, looking vaguely anguished.

"How can you say things like that? Even if I hadn't done all those horrible things, even if I wasn't the embodiment of everything you hate, I am still a hazard to those around me! The Malice could return at any moment and force me to hurt people again, make me even think that I want people to hurt and to die, and to plunge the world into darkness once more! So how can you sit here as though that isn't even a possibility that has crossed your mind?!"

Zelda stayed silent through his rant, his voice booming louder and louder with near panic until he reached the end, breathing as though he'd just sprinted the Castle Town circuit. She placed her hand on his arm, staring straight into his tortured eyes. "I understand your fears, Ganon. But please believe me when I say that Link and I will both do everything in our power to stop Malice from touching you ever again. And I say that with the full force of the goddess Hylia behind me." Her eyes glowed slightly with power and Ganon's expression was overcome with awe. "Plus whatever feral wild gods have obviously adopted Link as their chosen," She added as an afterthought.

She counted it as a silent victory when Ganon chuckled weakly in response, opening his mouth to reply when two distant claps caught their attention towards the inn. Link was walking towards them, grinning and waving, happy to see his two friends again.

Ready to go? He signed. Zelda hoped his good mood was a sign that things had gone well with Riju, though the two guards she spotted following him at a bit of a distance would seem to indicate otherwise. Zelda looked at Ganon, who stood up to his impressive height with a hint of trepidation, but also looking determined.

"Let us finish our journey together," He stated quietly, holding out a hand to help her to her feet. She grasped it and stood, then did not let go as she led them towards where Link was already rapidly signing at them both, gushing over some garden of wildberries that he'd gotten typically side-tracked over. Zelda smiled fondly at Link, then at Ganon.

"Together," She repeated firmly.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed all the fluff! The next two chapters are a bit longer than the others have been so far. Next up is the trial! Please leave a review! I have no idea if anyone is actually reading this, but if so, I hope you're enjoying it. Until next Monday.