Eight years ago today, I started Complement with the intention of distracting myself from school and having some fun with characters that I love. For some stupid reason, I set out with a goal of one hundred chapters of one-off moments between these two. And it took me EIGHT FUCKING YEARS, but today we officially cross my arbitrarily-decided goal.

I told you all that I'd do it. I just needed a shitload of time, that's all.

Anywho: here it is! At long (LONG) last, on the anniversary of its release date, chapter 100! And honestly, I think everyone could've guessed where this one was going. At this point with these two, there were only two directions this chapter could've gone, and one of those isn't really "appropriate" for the tone I've established thus far. So for those of you waiting for "that" moment of their relationship… That'll be (literally) another story. But for now, enjoy the long-long-LONG-overdue chapter 100!

(And no one ask when 101 is coming. I only got this one done because of the stupid anniversary. Give me some time, dammit!)

Love

Tetra let out a deep sigh as she dropped her quill and leaned back in her chair, massaging her eyes as she did. As much as she hated to admit it, not even she could stare at charts all day without needing to stop eventually. And she'd been planted at her desk pouring over the same maps of the same seas for… What time was it now, anyway? A glance at the candle on her desk confirmed that it had, in fact, burnt out some time ago, so obviously longer than she'd realized, at any rate. Probably explained why her legs didn't feel like working right now, she realized a moment before falling over her desk on her way out of her chair.

Gritting her teeth and pushing herself up, Tetra balanced herself on her still-tingling legs and swept her loose bangs out of her face before heading to the bed. Without even bothering to remove her boots, she fell face-forward and sank into the blankets, letting them consume her in a warm embrace as her eyelids fluttered shut. It was probably time to grab something to eat soon, but that could wait a few minutes. Right now she was content to just lie here and rest, without a care or thought in the world, letting her mind drift away to…

Oh, for Hylia's sake, how could someone knock on her door right this second? That never failed; there was never an emergency unless she was comfortable. Rolling over with a groan, she forced herself back to her feet and strode across the room to the door, taking the few seconds she had to try and smack some energy into herself. A quick ten-rupee bet in her head had her wondering if that was her boyfriend coming to find her and possibly persuade her into taking a break from her work. How in the Great Sea did he always manage to know exactly when to come? It was possible he was spying on her, though she supposed it was more likely that Link probably had better things to do with his time than needlessly stalk the one person he was already intimate with.

So that just left instinct and/or magic. The bastard.

She threw open her door to reveal none other than the hero himself, leaning casually against the door frame and shooting her a wink.

"Hey, pretty lady," he said smoothly, shooting a finger at her. "Come here often?"

She snorted and crossed her arms, both amused and bewildered. "And where did you pick that up?"

Link grinned. "What, I can't come up with my own material? I can be clever too, you know."

"Oh, yeah?" She smirked. "Am I ever gonna see it someday?"

"Ouch, you cheeky pirate," Link laughed as he pulled her into a hug. "Why do I put up with you?"

"I was just thinking the same, actually," she murmured into his chest as she nuzzled closer, enjoying the warmth radiating off of him. "You literally knocked on my door and asked if I-"

"Alright, shut up, move on," he chuckled, peppering the top of her head with kisses. "I was just coming to see how you were doing, out of the goodness of my heart. Like a caring partner would, right?"

"Oh, you're sweet," she crooned, then shot a glance up at his face. "That's what I'm supposed to say, right?"

"Well, 'You're the greatest boyfriend in the world' works too, but sure, I'll take sweet." He winked before leaning in and stealing a kiss before she could react, and she heard her heart drumming loudly in her ears. He'd done that countless times since they'd started dating, and it still had that effect on her if it caught her off-guard. "So how goes the work? No one's seen you in hours."

She sighed and traced a seam on Link's shirt with her finger, half-focused on his own patterns he was lazily drawing across her back. "It started okay. I was trying to narrow down a treasure chart I picked up the other day, but my map of that sea was pretty messy from all the notes and marks and shit I've made over the years. So I started redrawing it myself so I'd have a fresh one, but by the time I finished I knew that I could use a neater map of these waters, so I redid that one too, and then I just kept going with all the charts I have, and now I can't remember why I'm even down here, but my eyes frickin' hurt."

"Boy, when you set your mind to something…" Link trailed off with a grin, and Tetra swatted his arm before re-situating herself in his embrace. "Would you ever think to stop if I didn't make you?"

"Yes! I'm not completely hopeless!" she answered indignantly. "I was going to stop for supper. I assume it's soon."

"Close," he replied lightly. "It was a couple hours ago. No one had the guts to disturb you."

Oh. She slowly turned to glance out her window, only to be greeted with darkness. So it was evening now; that wasn't very encouraging. When had the sun disappeared?

"So that being said," she heard him say as she refocused her attention on him, "do you fancy a break? Also, I'm not accepting 'no', so…"

She giggled and slipped her hand into his as he led her up the steps to the deck. Link tossed open the door and she smiled softly as the evening air swept over her, tousling her hair as they joined the night life already enveloping the world around them.

She inhaled deeply and stretched, enjoying both the pops in her arms overhead and the saltiness of the air on her tongue. It was a beautiful evening, and she could easily lose herself just staring at the stars overhead. Link seemed to have something similar in mind, for he was already climbing up to the crow's nest and motioning for her to follow. She grinned and quickly set up after him. Always the romantic, him.

And even more-so than she'd thought, she realized as she approached the top and noticed the warm glow of candlelight. She climbed up onto the platform and gasped as she stood beside Link. He had set out a few candles on one end of the nest, along with a pile of blankets and a bottle at the other, creating a rather cozy 'nest' in their nest. The shock must've been prevalent on her face, as Link laughed heartily and slipped an arm around her shoulders.

"Will this do for a break?" he murmured, gently brushing his lips against the side of her head. "A little cozy, romantic stargazing with your favourite person?"

Her heart felt like it was going to explode, and she pulled him into a fierce hug. She wasn't sure she would ever really get used to the feeling of someone looking out for her; not on such a personal level. Link knew how to respond to every problem she had. He always seemed to have the answer for her, especially when she didn't even realize she needed one. He'd become such a focal point in her life, she'd begun to realize that he was her life: that the very thought of her, today, tomorrow, all the way down the line, always came with the thought of him being right there beside her. It was a closeness and assurance she'd never had before she'd known him, and the point they were at now was well beyond what she could have imagined experiencing. It was almost too much for her to even comprehend. But something else was blindingly clear to her now, and she couldn't understand anymore why she'd put off saying it for so long.

The words made her heart flutter as they came to her, but the thought also brought a smile to her face as she reached up and gently traced her thumb over his cheek.

"I love you, Link."

This time it was his turn to be surprised, as the smile froze on his features for a moment before breaking out even wider, his eyes dancing with joy as he swept her up in a kiss. When they parted she felt dizzy, but she giggled and rested her head against his chest as he affectionately squeezed her tight.

"I mean, I think I had a pretty good feeling about that, but hearing it is surprisingly reinforcing," he chuckled as they sank to the floor, though he was beaming wider than his tone let on. "I love you too, by the way. I don't really know how long I have, but it's been a while now. Longer, depending on who you ask, but I'd prefer if you didn't."

"But you were waiting for me to say it first," she said with a start as the realization hit her like an arrow. "So I wouldn't feel obligated to say it back if I wasn't sure?"

He grinned and planted a kiss on her forehead. "You're so smart."

Unbelievable! "You are so caring and sweet, and I don't know whether I should be flattered or annoyed with you," she pouted jokingly. "But I know it now, and I can say it all I want. I love you."

She grinned as the thought settled in her head, and she turned to face him directly. "I love you, I love you, I love you." She happily punctuated each expression with a kiss somewhere on his face. Her heart was racing, but she didn't care in the slightest. "I rather like saying that, actually."

Link cocked a brow as he wrapped a blanked around them and reached for the bottle. "Making up for lost time?"

"Maybe."

"Guess I'll have to catch up then," he answered as he handed her the bottle. "I love you too, I love you too, I love you too," he said, enunciating each one as he matched her kiss-for-kiss. "That does feel nice, doesn't it?"

She smirked as she finally turned her attention to the bottle in her hand. "And the wine? This really is a fancy occasion, isn't it?"

"I just thought it was something a little different," Link said with a shrug, setting out two cups as he took the bottle from her. "I didn't realize we were celebrating milestones tonight, but I guess I'm glad I brought it."

"Shut up," she laughed as she nudged him with her elbow. "How do I know your plan wasn't to get me drunk after I've spent the day locked up with charts and no food? Pretty suspicious convenience, if you ask me."

"Right," he drawled as he poured, "no one could've predicted you skipping a meal because you were too engrossed in your work. Never happened before today, right?"

"Well… It's not like it happens a lot. I don't see the harm in a little extra work every now and then."

"Mm." Link handed her a cup and scooted in beside her, pulling a blanket tightly around them as they settled against the wall. "What's the saying? 'Two is a coincidence, three is a pattern'?"

She frowned as she began counting off the instances she could remember missing a meal due to locking herself in her room. "It's only three? You sure the bar isn't higher than that?"

Link let out an exaggerated sigh and shook his head. She simply rolled her eyes at him as she lifted her cup to her lips, letting the fruity flavour of the drink sit on her tongue. Quietly, they turned their attention to the sky overhead, which was clear and brightly lit with gleaming stars. A content sigh passed her lips as she leaned against her boyfriend, settling her head on his shoulder as they watched the heavens. A shooting star shot by towards their left, and they both instinctively raised a finger to point it out, only to glance at each other in surprise and laugh.

"We've done this a lot," Link said happily as he sipped his wine, wrapping his other arm around her waist.

"Mhmm. Ever since the day we met, right?"

"Oh, yeah, I guess so," he replied slowly, his eyes growing faint as he disappeared into a memory. "That was such a stupid birthday. But I guess it ended kinda decently. I mean, I got to meet you, and here we are, a few years later." He frowned. "We haven't changed our habits much, huh?"

"What, the stargazing? What's wrong with that?" she asked innocently, taking another sip to accentuate her point. "Besides, pretty much everything else has changed. How we're stargazing, for example."

"You got me there." Link chuckled and kissed her head before squeezing her tightly. "I have to be honest, I didn't predict this outcome back when we met."

"What, and you think I did?" She shook her head, amused. "Link, that day we first met- And no offense! But a naïve island boy didn't really impress me at the time," she admitted with a helpless shrug. "But, I will confess that you started changing my mind that night, the first time we were both up here. After that, I wasn't really sure what to make of you. But I definitely wasn't expecting to see you much more after the Fortress. And that was even assuming you came out of there alive."

The memory of Link's first failed foray into the Fortress was still a clear memory for both, and Tetra decided to nudge the conversation in another direction to avoid dampening their evening. Entwining her fingers in his after feeling around for his hand, she placed a kiss on his nose and cuddled closer against his side.

"Of course, you ended up becoming the most stable part of my life, and now look at us. We've even been dating for a few months and haven't made any major screw-ups," she observed with a small smile at her partner, and Link grinned and nodded.

"True enough. And look at what else has happened since then. We've charted new waters and lands, we've unearthed ancient lost history, we've met all kinds of new friends, we've made all kinds of new enemies, we've thrown down with the very incarnations of evil itself, we may have met your dad…" He trailed off, lost in thought while taking in the glimmering treasure of a view overhead. "M'kay, so not all of it was good, per se, but you can't argue that we've been busy, at least."

She didn't answer for a moment, her own thoughts swirling in the void as she stared out at the horizon. After a moment she simply sighed and shook her head. "Yeah, we've done a lot the last few years. And yet it still feels like we've barely done anything, you know?" She searched Link's expression for a clue that he understood what she was trying to say. "Like, yeah, we've accomplished more than some can say, I'm sure. But it feels like we've only just begun. Like everything up to now was… I dunno … Like training, you know?"

She blew out a breath and continued before he could say anything. "I'm trying to say that things don't feel… Goddesses, I don't know. Final? Does that make sense? I thought I'd feel like I had come further in life by now, and I suppose I have, but I still just feel like me. And that's fine! I just… I thought I'd feel, like, older or wiser or something by now."

She sat on those words for a moment before shaking her head again. "That's not to say I haven't changed, because I have. Like, a lot. And it's really because of you," she added to him with a gentle smile as she squeezed his hand. "Man, I was a bitch back when we met. Not just that day, but, like, in general. I don't know how the boys put up with me so much."

She pouted slightly as Link let forth a loud laugh, and tried pulling away as he leaned in to kiss her. It didn't work and she quickly relented, based on how cute he looked silently asking for her lips. How could she ever deny him that?

"We were both different people back then," Link said as he uncorked the wine and topped up their cups. "Grandma and Aryll told me the same when I finally saw them again. And I know I have you to thank for that. We've been helping each other grow ever since we first met." He nodded with satisfaction as he retook his spot beside her. "Isn't that good?"

"Of course it is," she answered with a chuckle, but fell silent as Link's gaze continued to hold on her. Without a word, he took her drink and set it aside with his. Then, wrapping his arms around her, he brought her in close for a kiss. She eagerly reciprocated, but after a moment she sank in further and gently pushed him down onto his back, climbing on top of him as she continued to pour all of tonight's emotions into this one action. Link's hand snaked up to her hair, and she let out a small shudder as she felt his fingers lightly dancing across her head. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gently probed his lip with her tongue, and she felt him smile against her mouth as he returned the gesture. Her head was spinning from what she imagined was a combination of reasons, but that was the last thing she cared about right now. Here, underneath her favourite view with her favourite person, she'd never felt happier.

Link was eventually the first to break away, allowing both of them a chance to catch their breaths. But he never took his eyes from her, as if he still sought to absorb as much of her as he could.

"I love you," he said quietly, and she knew in her heart that he meant the words as strongly as he could. His eyes were shining with affection, the same look they held every time he looked at her, and she felt her stomach twinge with the sincerity of his gaze. This boy, this man, who'd always looked out for her, who'd always tried his best to help her… Where would she have been without him? Who would she have been without him? She wasn't sure she wanted to know, but she most definitely didn't care. All that she cared about now was him, and this moment they could share together, stolen away from the rest of the world.

"I love you too," she answered simply, for it was all she could think to say that could even begin to convey the magnitude of her feelings for him. And she knew, just as it was for her, that it was enough for him to understand. "And I'm going to tell you that every day from now on. I'm going to make sure you know it, each and every day. Is that acceptable?"

Link grinned and nuzzled her head with his own. "More than acceptable," he whispered in her ear, and she smiled to herself even as her toes curled in her boots. "But you know, that means I'm gonna have to tell you every day too, to make sure that things stay fair." He placed another kiss on her head and slowly ran his thumb over her knuckles. "Can you live with hearing how much you mean to me every day?"

She pondered for a moment, smiled, and nodded. "That sounds good to me," she murmured, settling down onto his shoulder again. Together, enveloped in blankets and warmth and the other's arms, they took in the starry sky and relaxed into each other. Tomorrow, their adventures would continue, and Hylia only knew what they would encounter. But whatever it would be, they'd do it together side by side, just like the friends, lovers, and partners that they were.

Just like always.

Thank you so much for reading! If you've read from the beginning to now, I honestly can't say anything beyond thank you for sticking it out this long. It's been such a joy to create this, and I adore how well it's been received! Obviously this chapter was meant to book-end chapter 1, as a sort of 'closure' to the "main story" (yeah right). I can't say if I'll add more to Complement from here (though let's be real, I probably will), but even if I don't, I hope you've enjoyed what it's been! Thank you again so much for reading! Take care, and see you next time!