Kali had to beg Galena to not quit her job at the mere sight of her when she and Link finally made their way to her room again - both of their cheeks and mouths flushed pink beneath the brown stain of quickly drying mud. The old maid stared daggers at Link, who then suggested perhaps he could go clean up in his own rooms.
"You'd best get then," the old maid spat, her eyes narrowed threateningly before she slammed Kali's doors.
Even Galena's bad mood couldn't dim the heart fluttering, elated feeling in her chest. He actually, really wanted her. She was sure her maid didn't miss the way she would smile idly as her thoughts drifted back to the way Link had looked at her, the crushing relief that was so plain on his face when she admitted that she wanted him. She did, only him. And she could scarcely believe he wanted her too, despite everything she'd done, all she had become. A sharp tug at her hair or a particularly rough swipe of the scrub brush on her skin would draw her back to the present. Kali would only laugh shyly. Galena couldn't seem to hold that bitter, sour lipped expression as long as she might have otherwise.
When Galena stepped out of the bathroom as Kali was pulling on a fresh tunic and pants, the old woman gave an indignant squawk of surprise.
"You! You pesky, lovesick, ignorant boy!" Galena seethed out the bathroom door as she dropped a basket of soiled wash clothes in her fright, and probably irritation. "Don't you have somewhere more important to be?"
Kali moved to peak out the door from behind Galena, and Link was rushing forward, looking a little flustered as he attempted to help pick up the basket. She only swatted his hands and hefted the basket herself. To answer her question, he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck as he straightened and chuckled softly, "Not really anymore."
Galena only grunted irritably and rolled her eyes, adjusting her large circular glasses on her face before whirling on Kali. "You can finish getting ready yourself." And she moved in on her, wagging one threatening, wrinkled finger in Kali's face, "But mark my words girl, if you come back looking a sight like that one more time - I'm retiring."
With that, Galena stuck her nose in the air and walked out of the room with as much dignity as she could muster. The door shut with a loud bang.
Kali and Link just stared at each other for a few moments, and then burst into laughter. She felt a little bad, being more than a handful of trouble for even the maids. As the laughter subsided she went to have a seat at the vanity, picking up the brush to run through her still wet hair. "So, nowhere to be?" Kali prompted, curious as to what exactly he meant a moment ago.
He flopped with a long, but not unpleasant, sigh onto her newly made bed. She watched his reflection in the vanity as he wrinkled the coverlets by rolling onto his side to peer at her. His cheeks were a little flushed as he answered. "Like I said, not anymore. Not now that you're back."
Her heart gave a little leap at his words, and she felt warmth creep back into her face. She couldn't fight back the shy smile on her face when she noticed the way he studied her in the reflection. He looked at her like he was memorizing the shape of her, not wanting to miss a single detail - like she might vanish into smoke or something. Then his expression twisted, perplexed. He tore his gaze from her to roll onto his back again. She blinked and set her brush down before working the damp, blonde hair into a braid down her back. A silence weighed heavy in the room, and a trickle of panic worked its way into her. She began to fear their new, more fragile development in their relationship was already creating an awkwardness between them. That was the one thing she feared the most before, this romantic affection ruining what started out as their friendship. A friendship she cherished. Before she could think more into it, Link spoke up, "I was just wondering something."
She finished the braid and smoothed back her hair before twisting in her seat. He did indeed seem to be thinking very hard about something, her gut twisted. "What's that?"
He sat up, as if whatever he was thinking made him uneasy, like he couldn't remain still for too long. He pressed his lips into a fine line and rubbed the back of his neck, "Your memories...which ones did you actually lose?"
Oh, that was all. Kali thought, slightly relieved. He was only concerned about what Pallas took from her. The answer took a little bit of thought to put into words, and after several moments she laughed without much humor, and shook her head. "There isn't really a way for me to tell you which memories I lost if I don't remember them." She touched an idle hand to her chin with thought, "But...hmm...it's more like lost connections in my memory. Like earlier, for example...I remembered that I love the feeling of the air before it storms, but I don't remember where my love of that comes from."
Link nodded, his face carefully drawn into neutral calmness as he seemed to comprehend her explanation well enough. He opened his mouth, she assumed to speak but he didn't get the chance as someone knocked on the door.
"Come in!" Kali called.
A servant entered with a bow, his eyes pointedly avoiding the fact that Link was in her room, on her bed. "Pardon, Lady, but her Majesty has summoned you both to a war council meeting. She has received news of Kakariko Village."
Her eyes widened slightly at the mention of Kakariko, and she shot a questioning glance at Link. His lips pressed into a serious line that hardened his features as his eyes met hers and he rose. "Thank you, I'll take her." He said kindly to the servant as he moved to entangle his fingers with hers.
He led her by the hand down the hall, towards wherever the war council met. She sensed he was intentionally avoiding her questioning glances. What about Kakariko? Had something happened while she was resting that she wasn't aware of? She felt the comforting squeeze of his calloused hand against hers, and she willed herself to wait in pensive silence.
When they entered the long room, she found it was one of the larger, brighter studies made of ivory and gold bookshelves, and pocked with shining vases that held massive bouquets of pale blue and white flowers. In the center of the room was a massive round table laden with scattered papers, books, journals, and wooden figurines that marked significant spots on old, yellowing maps. The rest of the room appeared to be occupied by the rest of the sages, as well as Kiden and Zelda - all of which looked like they were just standing up to leave.
Link didn't hesitate. His eyes found Zelda as he prompted. "Kakariko?"
His hand still squeezed her fingers firmly, with anticipation she realized. Zelda's eyebrows shifted upwards only a fraction as she took in their held hands, and then Link's anxious face. "We've taken it back." she answered cooly.
It was as if something in Link had deflated with the relief of the news. Taken it back? Kali's brows pinched together with confusion as she glanced between Link and Zelda. Then her mind quickly worked to piece together the situation. "There was a battle?" Kali asked, suddenly breathless at the thought of the war destroying the village that had once been her home.
Darunia, with Saria perched on his shoulder shifted clumsily past them and out the door along with Ruto following close behind. They didn't interrupt but Kali couldn't help but notice their quick escape into the hall. Zelda nodded, "You were resting when I sent out troops. We figured that while the gerudo were holding off the lost army in the wasteland, it was an opportune time to take Kakariko back with what forces we have here. We have succeeded."
Kali bit her lip and her hands reflexively tightened on Link's. Just because they succeeded didn't mean they didn't lose soldiers. "Casualties?" she managed to get out.
Zelda only smiled softly at them both, "Minimal. Our numbers were enough to overwhelm the small camp while the rest of the army was well out of reach."
Kali felt the tension leave her shoulders at that. Nabooru strapped a new pair of swords to her hips, and moved to step out the room as well. She didn't miss the wink the gerudo shot Link's way as her amber eyes took in their held hands. The tips of Link's ears reddened slightly.
She absently wondered at that, but then he turned towards her, a smile starting at his lips. That was unmistakable hope that glimmered in the blue of his eyes. "That means we can go back. The village is secure again." he said, sounding overjoyed by the news.
Kali couldn't resist the smile that he managed to pull out of her when he grinned at her like that. She struggled to pull together a poor imitation of an irritated look, "Why didn't you tell me there was a battle sooner? I could have helped."
He only laughed, sounding breathless with relief, "I'm sorry, I didn't want to get your hopes up in case things went sideways. And you were in no condition to help. You needed the rest."
He turned to the princess, his eyes eager, "Are we going now?"
At the princess's nod, Link grinned wider and stepped away from Kali, releasing her hand. "I'm going to get our horses ready then. I'm sure you'll want to go too." He started out the door, but then halted.
Unexpectedly, he turned on his heel and reached back to cup Kali's face, pulling her in to plant a quick kiss to her cheek before rushing away. The suddenness of it both stunned her and left her grinning after him. She didn't remember deciding to touch the spot where he'd kissed her, yet there her fingers were. She felt pairs of eyes on her, and it drew her from the daze. She realized both Kiden and Zelda were studying her, both with drastically different reactions. Zelda's eyes glittered in a way that looked….nearly pleased with the interaction? While Kiden's expression looked like it was hewn from stone, as carefully carved to be as uncaring as he could. But she knew he couldn't just feel nothing about that exchange. Kali's neck and cheeks were hot like fire, and she cleared her throat awkwardly. Something dark slung at Zelda's hips caught her eye, and the embarrassment was quickly forgotten. Her fingers twisted together with the suspense she felt beginning to clutch her heart. "The dagger?" she questioned, her brows raising hopefully.
Zelda glanced down at the cursed thing like she just remembered she had it strapped to her, and she frowned. Her eyes found Kiden's, as if indicating for him to speak. Kali followed her gaze to him, and he had his arms crossed over his chest, one hand stroking his chin thoughtfully. There was the barest hint of blonde stubble there that she'd never seen before. He must have been working hard. She saw the spatter of blood in her mind's eyes when she watched him for too long, so she glanced at her boots instead, willing the panicked pounding of her heart to slow.
"The only conclusions we've been able to come to while testing was that the dagger does as you said. The only difference is that we've specified that it can draw out any power or energy that's not originally native to the wielder and can be redirected in any way they choose." Kiden explained.
"Not native?" Kali asked, her eyebrows furrowing once again. She briefly wondered what exactly they did to test the properties of the dagger. "What does that mean?"
Kiden and Zelda exchanged a significant look before he went on, "Well, if Pallas was able to use this on his teacher like he claims, it means that both Pallas and your time manipulation abilities do not originally belong to either of you."
She couldn't even begin to break down the implications of that statement. And either way, it wasn't the important part. They both had powers now, and she was beginning to care less and less about where they originated. "Is there a way to alter the dagger so that it can take his powers without killing me in the process?" Kali asked, her fists tightening. She wanted so badly for there to be a grand answer, some secret method of finishing this, of finishing off Pallas for good.
At this question, Zelda stepped in, "We have been trying to find a way to shift the enchantment to do just that. To contain that energy within it as well as the lifeforce that appears to play a role in the manifestation of your powers without it fading or needing redirection. But...it appears that Pallas has locked this dagger up tight with his sorcery. It's very slow, delicate work."
Kali's shoulders sagged. Of course it was. Zelda's eyes caught her own, and she offered a comforting smile as she stepped towards Kali and pressed a hand gently to her shoulder. "But it's alright. We will keep working at it. In the meantime, I have it on my person at all times."
She considered the princess for a long moment. Her eyes were unguarded, completely open and self assured. Zelda really believed they would figure it out, that there was a solution to this mess that didn't end with Kali's death. "Thanks." Kali muttered, reaching up to squeeze Zelda's hand.
"Now, I'm sure our horses are waiting. Let us be off to your old home." Zelda said, her tone catching that same hint of excitement that Link had before floating elegantly from the room.
Kali couldn't help but compare this elated, bright Zelda to the stone cold, sharp tongued princess she'd met….how long ago had it been? She was starting to lose track. Or perhaps that was yet another gap in her memory that would never be filled again..
Then it was only Kiden and Kali left in the room. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, and he was shrugging on a maroon vest over his linen shirt. "Are you...coming with us?" Kali asked hesitantly.
Kiden eyed her carefully, still guarded. "Would you like me to?"
Kali's fingers twisted together nervously. Did she? She wouldn't have asked if it were otherwise. But the better question was, what did she want him to join them as? The party alchemist? The potion maker? The ex lover she could barely look in the face without seeing the traumatic events that led to the death of her teacher? While he was all those things, what had he been to her before they ever become something more? She remembered all the times he was there, working alongside her friends. How he was working alongside them still, even upon her return.
She gave a hard sigh, frustrated with all of the internal conflict. Link was the one she wanted, the one she suspected she'd always wanted but had been too afraid to have. But the burden of all of her own errors involving both of them still hung heavy on her back. Then she remembered she didn't have to bear it all alone. This particular weight was one that she didn't have to bear at all if she could just let it go. She had made a lot of mistakes in the past, and she suspected that Kiden felt much the same way. But the past needed to stay where it belonged - behind them both.
"Are you my friend or not?" she asked flatly, nearly sarcastic in it's tenor - but there was a hint of caution there too. It was both a joke and an invitation to do just what she wished for them both. Drop all pretense of whatever had been between them, because when it all is said and done - they still cared for each other. Just not quite how it was before. It wasn't exactly the most tactful way to ask, but she was beyond tired of acting so carefully, in deceiving people and playing word games - it felt good to be her normal, confrontational self again.
Kiden's fingers made to fasten his vest, his eyes considering his golden buttons with an intensity she couldn't read. She waited in tense silence as he crammed his backpack full of clinking bottles and a variety of ingredients spread over his work table. When he turned towards her again, his expression was still wary as he studied her face. But a familiar, albeit slightly restrained smirk pulled at the corner of his lips as he said, "Of course I'm your friend, Kali."
Relief shot thought her, crushing the weight that she'd been ready to let crumble from her shoulders. The weightlessness of it brought a smile to her lips, and she gave a grateful sigh. "Now come on, or we will be left behind." Kiden said, nudging her shoulder with his before striding past her.
Zelda had arranged transportation for practically the entirety of the residents of Kakariko village. They crossed Hyrule field in a swarm of horse drawn wagons and carriages. Kali found herself surprised that she knew how to ride a horse as her body adjusted smoothly to the rocking gallop of the horse beneath her. She noticed Link shooting her a look after taking in her puzzled expression as he rode on Epona next to her. When had she learned to ride a horse? Regardless, her beautiful cream and dark haired mare seemed to like her just fine when they'd met. Link told her that the horse's name was Corra. His expression had tightened with concern when Kali cooed to the horse about how nice it was to meet her, but he said nothing. Perhaps he was just concerned about how the trip would tax her. It was already creeping into the evening.
By the time they arrived at the village, the sun was setting and the rain clouds were finally parting. It cast a comfortable warm glow over the entirety of the village and their entourage slowed as they approached the wooden gates. Kali's was assaulted by several complicated emotions that tightened her throat shut at the sight of the old windmill she'd become so familiar with. It was no longer turning in the way she knew so well. The grass beneath them was cut up in patches, clumps of dirt where a battle must have occured littering the ground like the carcasses of small animals. Some of the houses had broken windows, some with doors off the hinges, some with burn damages. She could see the scorch marks where the enemy camps had set up bonfires on the ground. The village was damaged….It was familiar, and yet not. She felt Link's eyes on her as their mounts came to a stop with the rest of the group.
The villagers did not have the reaction she expected. She expected keening wails of sorrow at what these monsters had done to their village, their home. She expected slumped shoulders and mouths agape at all the work they would have to do to repair it all to make it even resemble what the village had been before all this. But instead, the villagers rushed from the wagons in droves, clutching to each other. There were tears, but they appeared to be sobs of joy as they skittered to their homes, their shops, to the old windmill. The sight shifted something in Kali's heart that had been preparing to crush her spirits, and was replaced with something much lighter. Something that warmed her to her core. She slid from her horse, giving Corra a friendly pat on the snout as she observed what appeared to be preparations for a celebration of the villagers' return home. She felt Link's hand slide into her own, and her fingers squeezed his automatically. When she glanced at him, he was smiling softly at her, "It's still Kakariko Village. It's still their home. It can be fixed."
And that was all the explanation that was needed. Kiden joined them moments later along with Princess Zelda, and they all watched as the villagers got to work on salvaging what the monsters left behind. Kali felt a soft touch on her shoulder, and when she turned it was Zelda, watching her with startlingly sad eyes. "Come with me." Zelda murmured softly before steering them all in the direction of the stairs that led to the old well.
Link's grip tightened on her hand, and his expression was drawn tight, his jaw set. Wherever Zelda was leading them, Kali anticipated it wasn't going to be pleasant. They took a turn around the mill, down a path that Kali had never had cause to travel before and Impa had never pointed it out to her before. But when she realized where she was being taken, it felt like a bucket of ice water was dumped over her head. Dread coiled in her stomach like poison as she took in the towering wooden fence that contained dozens of old, worn out gravestones behind it's entrance. Kali paused, her hand resisting Link's firm grip. She knew who they were going to see, and she couldn't be sure if she was ready for this. She hadn't expected to be faced with this kind of darkness.
They others halted with her, watching her with sympathetic eyes. Link's gaze was piercing, it felt as if he saw straight through her, like he could actually read her thoughts. "None of us were ready the first time either, dearest." His voice was softer than usual, and the name got her to tear her eyes away from the newest looking gravestone that she'd locked her focus on.
She must have looked frightened, because Zelda moved to her other side, squeezing her other hand gently. Kali watched her, and there were already tears in the princess's eyes. "We are here." Zelda managed to mutter, although her voice sounded strained.
Kiden moved to stand behind her, in the position of support, or perhaps to keep her from fleeing. "We've got you." he assured her in a steady voice.
With all that, Kali swallowed and nodded. She let herself be led to the gravestone. It was all in Hylian, but it bore the unmistakable symbol of the Sheikah eye, and the Triforce. The silence of the graveyard filled her ears like white noise, threatening to swallow her whole until a soft, sorrowful hiccup escaped her own lips. Burning tears poured over Kali's cheeks as the reality of this being Impa's grave hit her like a punch to the chest. Of course they'd buried her body at some point, probably held services for her death after Kali had disappeared with Pallas. She wasn't sure what else should have been expected, but for some reason, seeing the grave struck her like Impa's death was fresh, horrible news. Her chest heaved with the beginnings of sobs. She wanted to reach into the earth and pry her friend from it's dark, cold grasp. She wanted to be able to pull her out from beneath her, whole and alive and stern as Impa always had been. But she couldn't, and it made her feel so impossibly helpless that she feared her legs may buckle from beneath her as a keening sound escaped her throat. Zelda held tight to Kali's hand and arm as her body also began to shake with restrained tears. Link's arm was secure around her shoulders, while he gripped her other hand firmly, tears shone in his eyes and his jaw quivered. She felt Kiden's firm hands at the small of her back, supporting her as if he believed she might faint. All of them collectively seemed as if they could not physically rip their eyes away from the gravestone as, for the first time in a long time, they could actively grieve the loss of their friend together.
The sun dipped below the horizon, and darkness fell over the graveyard by the time the group began the walk back. Kali felt so, so tired as she let Link steer her down the path, her arm caught in the grip of his own. When she thought of Kakariko, she hadn't originally anticipated this level of heartbreak, of regret. She wanted it to feel like her home again, and she was unsure if she could see it that way anymore with the dark fog of loss that clouded her vision. Zelda's voice registered somewhere in her thoughts, drawing her from the depths of them. She had been speaking directly to Kali, and watched her with concerned eyes. Kali blinked a few times and shook her head as she sniffed, "I'm sorry. What did you say?"
Zelda only offered a sympathetic smile as she repeated herself, "I said, once this is all said and done, I've decided that I will pass Impa's home along to you if you wish to reside in Kakariko"
"You-...What?!" Kali sputtered, coming to a full stop, jerking Link to a stop as well. Somehow Kali's brain refused to form whole sentences. "No, Zelda. I...I don't deserve...I could never…"
It was ridiculous. Impa's house couldn't be her home. She wasn't her daughter, or her next of kin. She wasn't even Hylian. Kali believed herself to even be the direct cause of Impa's untimely demise! If anyone had a right to it, then it would be Zelda herself.
But the princess merely shook her head, silencing Kali's stammering. She pulled Kali along to continue walking down the path towards the heart of the village. "I have no need for it. Of course, if you prefer to live in the castle-"
"No!" Kali squeaked.
Zelda only laughed softly, but the humor didn't reach her eyes. "As I thought. I want you to have that home, it would be the least I could do to thank you for everything you'd done after this mess is over. I insist."
Kali opened her mouth to protest once against but Zelda's next words silenced her, "It's what Impa would have wanted."
When confronted with those nearly strangled words from Zelda, the princess of Hyrule, who looked at her with such mournful eyes - Kali was loath to refuse her. She couldn't form a single argument, and Zelda took Kali's tense silence as a contrite agreement.
But the words were out of Kali's mouth before she could think better of them, "If we survive."
She felt Link stiffen next to her, as if the alternative had never been a possibility in his mind. Zelda tossed her a tight lipped smile and another squeeze on her hand, like she was trying to turn the statement into a joke that landed badly. "If we survive." she agreed.
After several moments of silence on the path Link pressed a kiss to the top of her head as they walked and murmured, "Let's get some rest. You've had a long day."
He met the eyes of Zelda and Kiden, who both nodded before heading towards the village center. Kali vacantly wondered where they would be sleeping. Perhaps the villagers would put the two up for the night. She couldn't imagine any of the villagers turning away the princess of Hyrule. Meanwhile, Link guided Kali to the familiar path, up the slope, to the worn white stone, red roofed house. Impa's house. The curtains were closed, the windows dark. It didn't look like the house sustained any damage, and she furrowed her brows with mild confusion at that until she remembered that the house had been warded. At least that small part of Kakariko had gone untouched by Pallas's disgusting soldiers. Link opened the heavy wooden door for her, and she stepped inside. The hearth was barren, and cold whereas before she felt like it was almost always burning - giving it the homey feel she remembered so well. But with nobody to tend it, of course it was empty. Link went to light the candles to provide the home with more light than only that of the rising moon. It was full again, she noticed as she peered out the small window as she parted the curtains. The house still smelled like Impa somehow - like woodsmoke, she assumed from keeping the hearth burning.
As Kali stepped forward, her fingers stroked the wood of the old table where they'd eaten their meals together. It was getting dusty, and her hand swiped at the dust. Her throat tightened and she could feel the sting of tears coming. Her swiping became more frantic, panicked that anything associated with her lost friend would be coated in a layer of dust. She needed to clean it all away. A deep ache formed in her chest, growing into a sharp pain. Why did something this small set her off? Something so simple as Impa's dusty table...with nobody to keep it clean anymore….She felt a solid body behind her, steady hands reached around her to grasp her hands to cease their rushed cleaning. Her fingers were trembling, now coated slightly grey with dust and she was breathing hard. "We will clean this place up tomorrow. Together." Link promised, his voice only a whisper as his lips pressed into her hair. His arms curled around her from behind and squeezed, as if holding her together so she didn't have to try so hard to do that herself. "I know it's hard. I know you haven't had enough time to process this, but you're not alone." he went on, soothingly. His low voice was so steady, so calm. It held her attention as she swallowed, and closed her eyes to focus on the solid warmth of his body against her, around her.
Her free hands wiped at the tears on her cheeks, and she sniffed loudly. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." he cut in, giving her another squeeze, "Don't ever be sorry for feeling anything."
Then he turned her to face him, his smile was gentle but his eyes always gave him away. He was still worried about her. The candlelight cast shadows over the planes of his face, making his cheekbones and the line of his jaw more striking, his eyes seemed deeper set than they really were. His fingers brushed her cheek and she pressed her forehead into his shoulder, her hands coming up to clutch his shirt while he stroked her back. The tightness in her chest eased with each stroke, and her breathing steadied again with his reassurances. She was exhausted.
"I'm going to make you some tea." she heard him speak while her eyes remained closed, "I want you to get ready for bed, and I'll be in soon."
He would? He wasn't leaving her there alone? At that, she raised her head and quirked up an eyebrow questioningly. He only smirked and raised his eyebrows in response, "Unless you'd prefer I go."
Kali shook her head, and Link chuckled gently, "I thought so. Go on."
She complied, drifting numbly back into her old room that hadn't changed since she'd last seen it. The familiar shelf of pots and books she could never read before, but now she could. The small bed with maroon coverlets and cream colored sheets, the night stand. A smaller table with a chair as well as a small wooden armoire in the corner where all of her clothes were stashed. Her old sketches were pinned at random intervals to the walls. She peeled her clothes off and found there was still water in the pitcher next to a small basin on the table. She dampened a washcloth and wiped her face and body down after the days events - trying to calm her fried nerves. She had just slipped on a white chemise when the door opened. Link had already stripped off his leather gauntlets, his boots, his equipment, even his hat had been left in the other room. She swore every time she saw that stub of a ponytail on the back of his head, she wanted to rip the strap free and run her fingers through all that golden blonde hair.
He jerked his chin towards the bed, holding a steaming mug of tea for her. She obeyed and slipped under the blankets, taking the tea from him gratefully when he handed it to her before sliding in after her. It was a snug fit due to the size of her bed. She knew it was the tea he used to make for her often, when nightmares would plague her every night. This stuff would put her out in maybe 10 minutes once it was gone. It smelled distinctly floral, but had a slightly bitter taste to it, the bitterness cut with some sort of mint. She sipped delicately at it as his arm slipped around her shoulders, pulling her in tight. As she continued to drink, a thought tugged at her mind, and had her lips wobbling with the smile she tried to fight back. Link noticed and tilted his head at her, "What is it?"
Kali took a long sip before glancing up at him through her lashes, "Dearest?"
That had Link's cheeks flushing pink in record time, and he laughed nervously. He glanced away and rubbed the back of his neck, "Ah...It just sort of came out. You don't like it?"
She giggled softly and leaned into him as she warmed her hands on the nearly empty mug, "I like it just fine. I just didn't know we were giving each other names is all. I'll have to think of something clever for you."
Link's chest rumbled with his answering laughter. His hand came up to tilt her chin up, and his lips captured her own - wiping any thoughts of clever pet names from her mind completely. Every kiss still sent the world turning like a top beneath her feet. When they parted he gazed into her face, memorizing every inch of it, "I guess I picked mine because you really are the dearest thing to me. In one way or another, since we brought you back to this house, romantic or not, you've been my quest and become my dearest treasure. My dearest friend, my dearest girl."
Her heart ratcheted in her chest at his words, warming her entire body with the affection she now couldn't possibly put a leash on or hope to control. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss of her own to his lips. It was gentle, lingering and long. When she pulled back, he was leaning forward as if he didn't want the kiss to end. He blinked like this time she'd sent his world spinning. She smiled at him, her voice barely a whisper, "Be careful with those honeyed words, or you might keep me up longer than you'd want."
At that he laughed softly and took the mug from her to place on the night stand. Then pulled them both down under the covers, scooting so that their bodies were flush to each other. Their legs tangled together to create the illusion of more room on the small bed, and he tucked her tight to his chest. One hand traced calming, invisible circles over the planes of her back, while the other traced her side. She felt the warmth of his breath where his lips settled into her hair, and he murmured, "Very well, dearest."
—
Authors note: I totally meant to add this before! there probably won't be a new chapter until a few days after my trip next week. So perhaps expect an update next weekend. I will admit, I have been doing some really cute KaLink doodles on my twitter - I cannot be stopped LOL
Update 5/21/21: I've returned safely from my trip! And I have been working on the newest chapter.
While I was on the plane I got bored and made a spotify playlist for this fic
If anyone is interested in that I'll leave the link on my profile but its a pretty cracked up mix of rock, love songs, zelda remixes, and musical numbers hahaha!