A/N: Thanks to the combined efforts of you guys and Ao3, we made it over 10,000 views. Give yourself a pat on the back, we wouldn't be here without you guys. That being said, we're still a ways from the goal I set for the story. So let's keep it up!
Zelda was sure she was hearing things. Surely, he couldn't have just said he loved her, right?
"W-What did you say?"
"You heard correctly."
"I just wanted to make sure."
He removed his hand from her chin, allowing her to finally break his piercing gaze. And it wasn't long before the subtle shaking in her shoulders started happening.
"Why are you crying?"
She wiped away at her tears, though it was in vain as they simply continued to free flow.
"I'm just so happy! You have no idea how long I've waited to hear those words. I never thought I'd hear them again."
"Again?"
She nodded, "Yes, you told me once before. Sort of..."
He retraced his memory, hoping that maybe he unlocked something that had once been stored away.
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"T-There..." she muttered with tears in her eyes, "I said it. I... I love you, Link."
He couldn't believe it, she actually loved him?
Her voice shook, "Say something... please..."
Link realized that he was staring blankly at her. He tried to say that he loved her, that he felt the same way, but the words just wouldn't come out.
Taking a deep breath, "Zelda, I..."
It would take everything he had to remain strong in front of her.
The tears began to free fall down her rosy cheeks, "W-What?"
"I can't be with you."
Her gaze shifted to the ground before she covered her face with her hands as she sobbed into them. She felt embarrassed and stupid for confessing her feelings now.
Seeing her in such a vulnerable state, and having to tell her that he couldn't be with her tore him up inside, it truly did. Link had never loved a woman more in his entire life, and here she was offering the very thing he desired, but he had to put his own feelings away for her sake. Even if that meant she grew to resent him for it.
The woman I've grown feelings for just admitted her feelings to me... and yet, when I try to tell her that I feel the same way, I can't.
Why?
As he repeatedly asked himself that question, it became more clear why he couldn't be with her.
If I'm speaking the truth, I don't have much to offer her. I'd give her late nights, long hugs, someone to talk to, someone to care for, someone who will always be there, a hand to hold, somebody to lean on. I'd give her everything I possibly could. But... that is the exact reason why I can't do it. If I take this next step with her, and something were to happen to me, she'd break. I'd lose the Zelda I've grown to love and admire to despair.
She has enough on her plate as it is. She wants to help carry my burdens, but what she doesn't realize is that no one can help me. I must carry the weight of everyone alone, and if that means I crumble under that weight, then so be it. If I fail, I refuse to bring her down with me.
"Remember when you told me that there would be a life for me after Calamity Ganon?"
She nodded sheepishly.
"I don't know how things will play out with Calamity Ganon, but... If you're able to wait until after this is over... Then I know I'll be able to fulfill my promise to you."
She sniffled, "W-What promise?"
"This one..." he grabbed her hands into his, "If I make it through this final battle. I promise to reciprocate those three words that you told me. To the end of time itself. Until then... I can only ask that you wait for me, and understand why I can't commit to... this, right now."
Wiping away her tears, she nodded with renewed vigour, "I'll wait for as long as it takes, because you're my other half, and I can't imagine getting through to the other side without you," she hugged him and whispered into his ear, "I want to hear you tell me those three words."
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"Link?" Zelda was staring at him concerned.
"I... remember..." he muttered.
"Remember what?"
"The promise I made to you."
Her eyes widened, "You remember?"
He nodded, "I remember you confessing to me, and then me telling you why I couldn't return your feelings. However, I made a promise to return those feelings if I somehow survived the final battle."
She nearly tackled him to the ground she was having that hard of a time containing her emotions. Something his body heavily disagreed with, but considering the circumstances...
"You remember! That makes me so happy!"
"I'm sorry that I couldn't fulfill it sooner, and for forgetting it."
Zelda shook her head, "I'm just glad that you were able to in the end. I said I'd wait for as long as it takes. Although, you did make me wait for quite a while."
He scratched the back of his head, but before he could apologize, Zelda cupped both of his cheeks.
Her smile was as bright as the sun, and the warmth it radiated couldn't even begin to compare.
"Link..."
His own cheeks started to flush, "What is it?"
She started to close the gap between them, "I love you."
"Ahem!" came a voice from behind them.
Zelda nearly shrieked out from embarrassment, frustration... among a many other great deal of things. She was inches away from finally having what she wanted, only to get interrupted.
Link stood up, and gave a slight nod of respect, "Elder. Good to see you."
Kaneli rubbed his chin, "Am I interrupting something?"
Seriously...
He was very much interrupting something! The fact that he was unaware of what was happening was completely and utterly asinine.
"No, not at all," waved Zelda, though she had to hold her tongue from giving him some choice words. "Link, finally woke up. So, I wanted to get him moving as soon as possible."
"I've caused you a lot of trouble. Thank you, for looking after me."
The Rito elder laughed, "Not at all, Champion descendant. After your deeds of freeing Rito Village from Medoh's grasp, we owe you an unrepayable debt. Actually, I was in search of the princess in hopes of finishing the discussion we had earlier."
Link looked over at Zelda in confusion.
"About my plan to unite the provinces. I guess I didn't put it completely on hold."
"Yes, well I've come to a decision."
"And?"
"You will have the Rito's support. We believe that a unified Hyrule will be beneficial for all of us. With the descendant of Hylia herself guiding us, this is a sign we cannot ignore."
Zelda's smile beamed brightly once again, "Thank you! With everyone working together, I'm sure that we will bring a new age of prosperity to all of Hyrule."
He nodded, "I agree. We must stand together in times of need. This Champion descendant showed me the importance in that."
She looked over at Link with a grateful expression. Though he didn't think there was any need to show him gratitude. After all, he was only doing what he had to.
With the matter settled, the three then engaged in mindless banter for the next hour; well Link wasn't really participating in the conversation, but he didn't mind listening. Once Kaneli decided to turn in for the night, Link informed him that they would be leaving as well.
"Of course. The life of a Champion's descendant is never easy. No doubt, you must return to the arduous task at hand. I understand. When you're ready for me to do my part, I will come."
Kaneli then returned to his hut, leaving the pair alone once again.
Zelda turned towards Link with a worried expression, "Leave? But, your injuries are still pretty severe. We don't have to rush."
"I'll be fine for the road. Besides, I think it's time to return home for a spell. Wouldn't you agree?"
She blushed at his words. Since they were now considered lovers, her mind had wandered into the realm of possibilities when it came to what new couples typically did when returning home for the first time.
"O-Okay," she replied sheepishly.
"Then it's settled."
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After gathering their things from the room they were staying in, Link called upon the Master Cycle in front of Rito Stable.
"Are you sure you're okay to travel?" asked Zelda once again.
"I'm still pretty sore, but it shouldn't be bad as long as we don't run into any trouble. Travelling at night is actually better to avoid trouble, since monsters typically sleep through it. And with where we're going, we shouldn't have to worry about the nocturnal ones."
"As long as you're sure. Then, I won't question it any further. But, don't overwork yourself. If we have to stop for a bit, then we have to stop for a bit."
He nodded before hopping on the Master Cycle, with Zelda following suit.
Link grimaced in pain when she wrapped her arms around him, but thankfully it didn't alert her. If he was being honest with himself, he probably should've stayed for a while longer to recover. However, with what had happened before, he didn't want to push his luck. Besides... he had begun to feel unsettled after Kaneli disappeared. Like he was being watched. Maybe he was imagining things, but he figured that he likely wasn't. If he was putting Rito Village in danger by extending his stay, then he would leave. Simple as that. After all, the road he walked on always led to collateral damage when other people got involved. Even if it was inadvertently.
It was the main reason why he was hesitant about opening up to Zelda in the first place. But after seeing her resolve about wanting to stick by him, regardless of the hardships ahead...
He caved.
Slowly but surely. Zelda broke down his barriers, and before he knew it, she had already been walking beside him for a while. Once he realized that, he knew that there was no point in holding back his feelings for her. It would only serve to hurt them both in the end.
"Hey, Link?"
He hummed his acknowledgement.
She shifted her head so she could speak more clearly, "The elder called you, Champion descendant. Why is that?"
"He doesn't believe that I'm the same Champion from 100 years ago, rather, a descendant. His reasoning is pretty justified. Hylians don't typically live past 80, let alone over 100. Not to mention, it became public knowledge when the Champions were wiped out."
"I suppose so. But, he believed me to be the same princess so easily. I didn't even have to say anything, he just... knew."
He smirked, "You're a pretty unique case."
"So are you."
"Only to you."
"Still... you deserve far more recognition than I do. The least they can do is remember who you are."
"It doesn't bother me. So, don't get upset for my sake."
"But-"
"I wasn't doing it to receive their praise. I had my own motives behind my actions, and that's enough for me."
Zelda didn't say anything, but instead, gave a soft squeeze against him as an apology. And Link gave a soft pat against her hands to let her know that all was well.
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It was well into the night, and the two were now sharing a companionable silence. A little while after Zelda apologized, she began asking him questions about things he did on his journey. People he met, places he'd been, small things which wouldn't put him too deep in thought that could also bring up something... undesirable. He figured that she was only asking because she was falling asleep, but he didn't mind sharing with her nonetheless. Zelda was always eager to listen, feeling that even the small details of his journey were worth remembering.
They had just finished passing the Forest of Time when Link came to a sudden stop.
"What's wrong, Link?" Zelda asked, though half asleep.
That feeling of being watched was nagging at him again.
"Nothing to worry about, thought I saw something."
"And?"
As much as he didn't want to say it, "There isn't anything. Maybe it was a forest spirit."
Her hands shifted from his waist to stomach and chest, after giving them a soft squeeze she said with a drowsy voice, "Let's hurry home."
Link wasn't sure why he felt that he was being followed, there wasn't any signs of a pursuer, and nothing was able to keep up with the Master Cycle. Not for this long.
To be feeling this way since Rito Village... Maybe I'm just being paranoid.
He gave the area one final scan...
If there was something following us, it's gone now.
Deciding to give in to the benefit of the doubt, he continued on towards Hateno Village.
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Thanks to the Master Cycle, they were able to return home at dawn. Zelda had been up for nearly 24 hours at this point. So when Link hopped off, he decided to carry her via piggyback inside the house.
"We're home. I'm going to put you down, okay?"
Zelda nipped at his ear, shaking her head against him in her dazed state.
"You want me to you carry to bed?"
She didn't say anything, deciding that a sleepy nod should suffice.
He rolled his eyes, but it didn't bother him. Not really. He did ask her to just up and leave after he woke up. With a new objective now set. First, was the matter of getting her boots off. Easier said than done when he wasn't allowed to set her down. The way he ended up doing it, was by wrapping her legs around his torso and holding them together with one hand, then using the other to slip each boot off.
Once that task was done, next was getting her up the stairs and to bed. Again, easier said than done. Almost the entire time she had been nibbling at his ears and nape of his neck, then lapping at them with her tongue before repeating the process.
Was she always this... intimate when half-asleep?
He didn't know the answer to that, nor was he necessarily complaining, but it did cause him to stutter step a few times up the stairs when she became more... aggressive with her ministrations.
The final task, was the removal of her clothes before tucking her in. They were covered in filth, from the dirt that had kicked up while riding, and from whatever else she was doing earlier in the day. He rolled her off him onto the bed, much to the displeasure of Zelda.
"Liiiink..." she grumbled.
"I'm still here," he reassured her. "Just wait a litt-"
She blindly reached up, and managed to pull him down on top of her.
"You're not going anywhere," she cooed into his ear before sucking on the tip of it.
Link wasn't expecting her sneak attack, therefore, the way he was positioned was incredibly dangerous. She had tucked his head between her breasts, and had wrapped her legs around his torso.
Most would become incredibly flustered in this situation, but for Link, dealing with it was second nature. He didn't know why he was like that, after all, it wasn't that he didn't find Zelda attractive. In fact, it was quite the opposite. He thought she was the most beautiful creature that he's ever laid eyes upon, but maybe that was his answer. Like all beautiful things, one false step and that was usually all it took for it to be whisked away. So, maybe subconsciously he was scared of doing something that could harm their relationship.
The thought was ridiculous. He had just got her, why was he scared to lose her so quickly? It was because he had lost her, more than once already. Part of Link still felt that he didn't deserve to be with her. A seed of doubt that had been planted long before he rescued her. He had lost her to death already, but if she chose to not be with him anymore...
He didn't know if he could recover.
But, maybe that was it. He knew logically what he was doing was justified. And that was what allowed him to keep his cool, because he played it safe when it came to Zelda.
But is that what Zelda wants? Someone who plays it safe? Is it what I want, or am I letting my fear of losing her decide for me?
Breaking free from her grasp, he eyed the now sleeping Zelda.
What is it that I want?
There were two options presented before Link, and what he ended up deciding would give him his answer.
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After taking a few minutes to ponder the thought...
He planted a kiss on her forehead before first taking her shirt off, careful as to not disturb her peaceful slumber. Next, he lifted her legs onto his shoulders, then slowly glided her pants off.
Never in a 100 years did he imagine a scenario such as this, but he took it in all the same. Her half naked figure appeared ethereal when it became basked with the dimmed light coming through the window. The sight was enough to leave him stunned. Link had seen many things. Things that were beyond beautiful, things that were beyond horrific, and some things that there was simply no words for. But in all cases, Link had never been left completely stupefied by what was presented before him.
Until now.
However, as much as he would've like to enjoy the moment longer, he had appreciated her features for long enough. There was still the task of tucking her in. Changing into his shorts, he managed to successfully tuck her in before joining her.
Link tucked her head under his chin, and she nuzzled against him for his efforts. After a few minutes, Link drifted into sleep. The weight of the day finally overtaking him.
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When certain he was asleep, Zelda opened an eye to admire his sleeping figure.
She then kissed the tip of his nose before reassuming her position under his chin.
Sleep well, my love...
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Where am I?
It was a swamp. On either side, there were trees on fire riding along the edge of a waist deep trench that he was in.
Does it go on forever?
He walked aimlessly for about ten minutes, which was when an eerie mist suddenly covered the swamp.
What in the...?
There wasn't any point in thinking about it, whatever was going on here didn't make any sense. And that feeling only intensified when he noticed something floating towards him.
Is that...?
Indeed it was. A detached limb; Hylian by the looks of it, floated by him.
The current grew stronger, and to make matters worse it started thunder storming.
He managed to make it a little further when a mysterious figure in a trench coat emerged from the water.
"Who are you?" he asked, ready to go on the defensive.
Now levitating, the figure moaned out, "Sad... so sad... A host of sorrows..."
It pointed at Link, "And you are one of them."
Removing the trench coat hiding its body, the figure revealed that it, was a she. Her body was voluptuous, and the way she wore her black wrap dress didn't leave much to the imagination. Her white hair was long, like Zelda's, but there wasn't any particular style to it. And her violet eyes were tantalizing, which seemed only fitting considering how the rest of her looked. She was young, or at least appeared young. A couple years older than him at most. Clearly, she was beautiful.
She continued, "Like you, I, too, am filled with sadness. This world is one of sadness... Battle brings death. Death brings sorrow. The living... may not hear them. Their voices... may fall upon deaf ears. But make no mistake... The dead... are not silent."
Her eyes began shedding tears of blood, "Now you will know the sorrow of those whose lives you ended."
The woman floated upstream, looking at Link expectantly.
Looks like I have no choice.
He only had to walk a few paces before another person became visible in the distance.
Another person? Here?
When the person in question became clearly visible, it was obvious that something was wrong.
"Help me... Help me..." groaned the Rito.
He was missing a wing, and his head was nearly decapitated. Blood was spewing out from both wounds as he collapsed into the water.
Along with the deceased Rito, more detached limbs floated past him, the water becoming stained red with how much blood they were excreting.
Soon, more people became visible. A Hylian child and what was likely her parents behind her. Each with very distinct holes in their chests.
"Mama!" cried out the child running towards her parents.
"Don't hurt my baby! Don't-" the mother cut herself off and began screaming uncontrollably.
The little girl had face planted in the water. Dead.
Picking up her now deceased child, the mother and father huddled together as their wails echoed throughout the swamp.
As they floated past him, the mother screamed at Link, "Why?! Why did you let my baby die?! You were supposed to protect us!"
Link flinched at her words.
I'm sorry...
Next he seen a Rito flying above. All appeared to be well, that was until his wings were suddenly chopped off. The Rito came crashing into the water, then floated listlessly past Link down stream.
Hundreds of Guardians; of all types, started appearing in the tree-line, constantly shooting their lasers. And all Link could hear was the screaming and utter chaos that ensued afterwards. More bodies plopped into the water one after the other. Some were cut in half, some were scorched beyond recognition, some looked like they were sleeping. It wasn't even five minutes before Link lost count of how many people there were.
I'm sorry...
They all said in unison, "WE DON'T WANT YOUR APOLOGY! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT US!"
The rising body count made traversing the water difficult. The cries of the people were growing louder as they tried clinging onto his body, begging for salvation. The rain turned into blood. And Link became bathed in the blood of the people he was responsible for killing.
"Save us... Save us... Save us..."
"Stop it!" shouted Link.
But things didn't stop...
Yiga clan members appearing.
One of them violently shook Link before saying, "I didn't have a choice when I joined. It was either that, or have my entire family killed. I just had a newborn son. How could I refuse?"
Another that had three arrows in his head stopped in front of him and said, "They were holding my wife hostage. Said if I didn't work for them that they'd kill her. I was powerless... What choice did I have?"
"I was born into the Yiga Clan. I didn't have a choice, but to serve them. For generations we served the Yiga, and I didn't get a say whether or not I could pursue another option. For I would bring great shame and dishonour to my family name. With the weight of my burden, how could I say no?" exclaimed another.
Dozens upon dozens of Yiga members showed. Some were just screaming in pain from their injuries, others would profess why they joined and how they couldn't escape their fate, and some would simply curse Link for existing.
"Stop it!" yelled Link.
It was becoming too much to bear. The constant screaming, watching the people he was supposed to protect be dismembered one after the other, everything...
However, things didn't end there.
"I stand by what I said. It was a mistake to put our lives in your hands."
Revali?
He had his wings crossed, and had his usual scowl.
"If they would've just made me the chosen hero, we could've easily dispensed with Ganon."
The Windblight suddenly appeared, and the terrain changed to that of Vah Medoh.
It was here that Link bore witness to Revali's final moments.
He had just gotten his wing blown off by its canon, and was now struggling to recover on the ground.
"Move Revali!" yelled Link.
His voice fell upon deaf ears. The blight stepped on Revali's chest, ripping his other wing off like fine paper before shooting him in the head.
Once.
Twice.
Even after his skull had been completely disintegrated, the blight just kept shooting the same spot. Once it finally seemed satisfied, it picked up a now headless Revali, and consumed him within its Malice.
He was... eaten?
Link was now back at the swamp.
What was that?
Daruk then appeared, but something was off about him. The usual upbeat and charismatic Goron seemed to be anything but that. He didn't even so much as glance in Link's direction before they were teleported to Vah Rudania.
The battle was intense, Daruk put up a good fight. However, the fire axe it wielded was finally able to cut clean through his weapon, and subsequently him as well. The Fireblight picked up one half of the Goron in each hand, then tossed him into the heart of the volcano.
Link was then immediately taken to the battle between Urbosa and Thunderblight.
Urbosa was highly regarded as the best warrior in all of Hyrule, second to of course Link. If there was anyone that stood a chance, surely it would've been her.
That wasn't the case.
She was never able to keep up with its attacks, and was ultimately, completely outmatched. The fight did last longer than the other two, but it almost seemed that the blight was intentionally letting the battle linger. Toying with her. It was only after Urbosa couldn't maintain her stance anymore that Link realized what the blight was doing.
Death by a thousand cuts... To pull this off in the midst of battle...
It was one of the most disrespectful things he could've witnessed happen to a warrior; a Gerudo Chief no less.
The Thunderblight impaled her, using electricity to disintegrate Urbosa to nothing but dust.
Link was once again returned to the swamp, where the final Champion, Mipha, was waiting for him.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke, "There... There was so much I wanted to do. So much I wanted us to do. Instead you were focused on her. Everything became about her!"
He was then forced to watch the fight between her and the Waterblight.
As expected as one of the Champions, Mipha also put up a hard fight. However, she, too, became overwhelmed by her assailant. Zora's were typically able to take advantage of water, but if their opponent is able to freeze the water at will... It took away any advantage it could've posed. As a result, Mipha was never able to get off the defensive, and it would eventually cost her. The Waterblight had been making icicles in attempt to impale her, and Mipha could only dodge for so long.
Link wasn't able to tear his eyes away from the scene. He could only watch as Mipha's life force soon dwindled down to nothing. The Waterblight then froze her in a prison of ice before shattering it to a thousand pieces with its spear.
When he returned to the swamp, Link realized that he, himself was crying. However, these were no ordinary tears, they were tears of blood.
"Why did you force me to watch that?"
The mysterious woman reappeared in front of him, her tone sultry when she spoke, "It is as I said. Nothing more."
She smiled when another body came floating towards them.
"Familiar?"
It was very familiar. It was him!
"Mhmm... Right after you fell in battle. Your heroic death sent shivers of excitement across my body. Against overwhelming odds, you almost pulled off a miracle. Watching you struggle to eventually fail... I love it! I can't help, but get turned on by it."
She licked away his bloody tears, sighing in happiness afterwards.
"This has been fun, but it's time you return back to your world."
Before Link could say anything she snapped her fingers, and several detached limbs sprung up from the water to latch onto him.
"But before you go. I have a parting gift."
Closing the gap, she stole a kiss. And she didn't hold back either. Slithering her tongue into his mouth, she caressed every crevasse that was presented to her and then some. Finishing with a few extra long smooches on the lips.
"Now, off you go. Or else I really won't be able to hold back," she teased.
The limbs dragged him underwater.
As Link started to inevitably struggle from drowning, the woman straddled him.
She then began grinding her hips into him, and Link was forced to hear her moans of pleasure throughout the whole ordeal. As he blacked out, she cried out her release, vibrating uncontrollably against him when he eventually succumbed to drowning.
"Ah... I can't wait until we meet again."
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When Link came to, that feeling of drowning didn't cease.
What?! Where am I?!
For whatever reason, he was on the cusp of drowning in Hylia knows where!
He managed to make it to the surface. Fortunately, land was only a few dozen metres away.
He collapsed in the sand after crawling onto shore. Throwing up the excess water that built up in his lungs.
...How did I end up here?
It was midday, meaning that not too much time would have passed from when he fell asleep. And he had a pretty good idea of where he ended up.
Did I sleepwalk all the way here? Wouldn't Zelda have-
Speaking of which...
The memory of Link "disappearing" resurfaced. He recalled the fight that he and Zelda had during the occasion. Which brought up memories of his time with her in the Gerudo Desert...
I need to make sure she's safe in the event that I wasn't sleeping walking. Once I get back, I can try to get my bearings straight.
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After dodging the townsfolk; for obvious reasons, by taking the long way back. Link arrived at the house just over an hour later. He was expecting the worst, but was surprised to find that wasn't the case.
Thank the Goddess... She's still sleeping.
As much as he'd like to rejoin her, Link knew that he wouldn't be able to return to bed. Not after what he just experienced. If anything, he'd be content on staying awake forever.
I'll make some coffee, and soak in the tub for a bit. Maybe that'll help.
Once he settled in the bath, his thoughts wandered back to the dream he had.
If I can even call it that. It felt more like I was being pulled from one reality and put into another. Is that even possible?
If he learned anything so far, it was that anything was possible within the realm of possibilities.
Which posed another question.
Who was that woman? Was she the one that summoned me there, or was she a manifestation my mind came up with within that reality? It's hard to say.
He took a sip of his coffee before he washing his body.
I didn't even catch her name, yet, somehow she seems familiar...
He couldn't put his finger on it. He'd like to say that she was the face behind the voice in is head, but there was no way to prove that. Not right now, anyways.
But her personality is similar... I think. I've never talked to her for more than a few sentences, and I think I talked to her only once? Maybe twice? Doesn't leave me with a lot to go on. Still...
"But before you go. I have a parting gift."
Closing the gap, she stole a kiss. And she didn't hold back either. Slithering her tongue into his mouth, she caressed every crevasse that was presented to her and then some. Finishing with a few extra long smooches on the lips.
"Now, off you go. Or else I really won't be able to hold back," she teased.
He dumped the bucket of water on his head.
There isn't any point in getting down about it. It was an unavoidable situation. Still, why go that far? What was her angle?
After drying himself off and putting on a fresh pair of pants, he headed back inside house. Left with a lot more questions than answers.
He downed the rest of his coffee as he opened the door.
Damn.
"Afternoon, Link," yawned Zelda from the top of the stairs.
When he looked up at her, he noticed that she was wearing his Champion's tunic... and that was it. The tunic was a bit oversized, and Zelda was a little taller than he was. Meaning...
"I hope you don't mind me borrowing it. I didn't want to put on my clothes until after they got washed, and I only got one set of clothes..."
He had been staring for too long, "No, it's fine."
She came down the stairs, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
"But before you go. I have a parting gift."
He clutched his head.
Her expression turned quizzical, "Link?"
He waved her off, "My injuries are just acting up is all," he lied.
Well, not completely. He was still far from 100%.
"I've been thinking about that, too. There's a few things we can do to help accelerate the recovery time. I did a lot of studying on the subject 100 years ago when you became my appointed knight. And again when you were comatose."
"What did you find?"
"Hot-Cold contrast, Deep Tissue work, and Nutrients. I'll spare you the details, but these methods are proven to work!"
Scientifically anyways...
"You don't need to go that far for my sake. I'm sure-"
"No buts! Let me do my part, Link."
He gave a slight nod, "I'll be in your care then."
"Excellent! Then let's get started right away. First we'll need..."
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She seems a lot more... energetic today.
After a carefully planned brunch, they did some deep tissue work outside.
"And that should just about do it," said Zelda.
"I feel more sore than when we first started," he said struggling to his feet.
"That's the whole point," she said without skipping a beat. "Now for the contrast. I've prepared the bath with hot water. You'll first hop in the pond for eight minutes, then the tub for three. Do this three times, and that'll be it for today."
Link did as he was instructed. It wasn't as bad as initially made it out to be, and by the third set it became a breeze. By the time he was done, he was beginning to notice the fruits of his labour already taking shape.
"Well?" she asked before taking some of her tea.
He shrugged, "Maybe you're onto something."
She gave him a smug look, "Naturally. I spent a while doing research on the subject. Though, the injuries I dealt with in my research were never as severe. Still, same principle."
"I appreciate you going out of your way for me. Normally, I'd just do what I can to push through whatever injury I had. Time was never on my side to rest for anything longer than a day. I was always needed somewhere. Which meant some injuries lingered for a lot longer than they normally should've."
Putting her tea down. She made her way towards him, and placed a hand on his chest. Tracing some of his scars that adorned it.
"I know things were difficult for you. It still surprises me to this day how you managed to stay strong through it all."
He placed his hand on top of hers, "I reminded myself why I was fighting. Why I was given a second chance."
"Link... I..."
He cupped her cheek, "It's alright."
Their eyes locked.
Zelda's eyes became drowsy, and her breathing ragged. Opportunity was there for the taking.
A silent question lingered.
However, the state of abeyance remained unchanged.
"But before you go. I have a parting gift."
He stumbled backwards, clutching his head in again.
Not now!
As quick as it arrived, opportunity vanished. And the silent question was left unanswered.
Her expression quickly turned into that of concern, "Feeling ill?"
He nodded weakly.
"I'll make some herbal tea to help with the nausea. You take a seat by the fire."
He nodded once again in thanks before doing as he was told. Inwardly cursing at himself the entire way there.
Something hasn't been right with him today.
She snuck a glance over at him while preparing the tea.
Am I just imaging things, or...?
Zelda had to get to the bottom of this.
She handed him the tea, but before he could thank her, she straddled him. Leaving him with no opportunity to escape.
"Wha-"
"I want you to tell me what you're hiding from me."
A/N: In the dream sequence, whoever can figure out where I got that scene from. I'll give you a shoutout in the next chapter.