Chapter 4
"I'm fairly certain that isn't a word, Link." Zelda's voice was think will skepticism, as she studied the game board on the table. Link raised his eyebrow, and crossed his arms defensively.
"Well, I'm fairly certain it is a word! You always act as if you have such a superior vocabulary! I think you're just jealous because I made a kick ass word!" Sheik studied the word as the siblings continued to bicker. Zyzzyva. Sheik wasn't quite sure who was correct about the word.
"I guess we should consult Google." Sheik tried not to laugh outright. Link quickly yanked out his phone and furiously typed in his word. A huge grin split across his face and he loudly cleared his throat before standing up in a dramatic display.
"'Zyzzyva is a genus of tropical American weevils often found in association with palms. It is a snouted beetle.'" Link was using a posh accent, and kept his hand over his chest in a superior manner.
"Oh, please! Like you knew that word! You just got lucky!" Zelda was red in her cheeks, but Sheik could tell that she was holding back her laughter in order to save face.
"I was saving the 'Z' tiles for a reason..." Link's voice trailed off as a distinct buzzing could be heard from his phone. His brows creased and he turned around before answering his phone. Sheik peeked at Zelda, and noted the change in her demeanor. She was biting her lip and her eyes looked worried.
"Hello?" Link's back grew straighter as he listened to his phone. "No, Sir... Yes, I know...I'm with her. Okay. Yes, Sir." With that, Link sighed and stuck his phone back into his pocket. He turned around and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Sorry about that. Father wants to have dinner with you this week, Zelda."
"Okay... Was he upset? That you stayed out last night?" Zelda stood up and was nervously fidgeting with her fingers.
"No, no. It was nothing." Link forced a smile on his face to try to reassure his sister. "I'm not on duty until Tuesday." Sheik felt awkward as he observed what was happening. It set a weight in his stomach, and made him desperate to fix the situation.
"Maybe we can walk to the park?" Two sets of eyes locked on him as he spoke. He saw a slight smile on Zelda's face and decided to commit. "I saw on the news that the super bloom has started, and the whole North Hill is covered in flowers."
"That sounds awesome! I missed the bloom last year, and I'd really like to sketch the hill." Sheik smiled at the excitement that was back in Link's voice. Zelda gently squeezed his shoulder in a show of gratitude.
"Alright!" Zelda's voice rang out like the pealing of bells. "Let's head out!"
X
Sheik watched as the siblings rushed into the park ahead of him. They both stopped at a small hill that was covered with bright orange flowers. Sheik looked around and noticed that anywhere that was usually green look almost completely orange as well. The only lapse in color were the occasional tree and the bright blue stream that cut through the entire park. The soft babbling of the water could be heard amongst the sounds of various creatures skittering around the park. Sheik heard a yelp and watched as Zelda chased a frog towards the stream. Link was trying to yank her away from the water, and the scene made Sheik's chest warm. It was nice to see Zelda let loose in a more childish fashion.
It was also very nice seeing the huge smile across Link's face accompanied by the loud bursts of laughter.
Sheik walked to the nearest tree and settled against the trunk. The shade of the tree was sublime, and kept the sunshine out of his face. He watched Link take a few photos of the hill on his phone before Zelda yanked on his elbow. She was pleading with him by the looks of it. The defeated look on his face showed that her pleading had worked. Sheik rose his eyebrow as he watched Link pull off his socks and shoes before rolling the legs of his pants up. Link then padded into the stream and glared at his sister who was perched on the edge, pointing into the water.
He watched in wonder as Link's arm swing down in a quick motion. When he hand resurfaced he was holding a shiny frog. Sheik felt impressed as he watched Link hand the creature to his sister before sloshing out of the water. Link scooped up his shoes and walked barefoot to where Sheik was sitting. Link plopped down with a huff, and watch as Zelda took a few pictures of the frog in her hands.
"Zelda should have majored in biology." Link laughed quietly as Zelda started to talk to the amphibian in her hands. "I've captured more animals for her than I could count."
"She's lucky you actually help her." Sheik wondered what it would be like to have a sibling. Link and Zelda seemed so close. Like two halves of a whole. Sheik always felt so alone growing up. Even with the multitudes of cousins, he never had a bond quite like the siblings before him. "Zelda had asked me a few times to catch something, and isn't thrilled when I just laugh at her."
He chuckled quietly with a soft smile on his face. Link turned so he was fully facing She'll now. His ue eyes were clear, but looked a bit unsure. "I'm sorry about being in you bed this morning. I don't usually-"
"It's okay," Sheik smiled as he waved his hand, "we were both a little tipsy. I'm good if you are." Sheik wasn't sure if he should mention that he had enjoyed waking up next to Link. His anxiety about Link's feelings kept that particular feeling in his head.
"Oh. Well, thanks then. It was nice." Link's face was burning and he was struggling to maintain eye contact. "I had fun with you last night."
"I had fun too." Sheik felt like an idiotic school girl trying to confess. He took a deep breath and tried to release the tension he was feeling in his shoulders. "Maybe we can hang out again? Next weekend. Like a proper…date?"
Oh, Din. Why can't I be smooth for one minute.
"Yes! I mean," Link's exclamation was nearly instantaneous. Sheik let a smile break out across his face as Link tried unsuccessfully to tone down his excitement. "I would enjoy that. Although I'm not sure what a proper date entails. This feels like a pretty nice date, too."
Sheik chuckled and picked a one of the bright orange flowers. He gave it a quick sniff before reaching over and sticking it behind Link's pointed ear. Sheik enjoyed the wide azure eyes his actions caused. His fingers drifted slightly to graze against a rosy cheek before they fell back into the plush grass.
"It does, but my idea of a proper date would mean no nosy sisters eavesdropping the entire time." Sheik turned to glare at the back of Zelda's gently tilted head. He saw a slight twitch in her ears before she turned around. Her face held no shame.
"Sorry I have impeccable hearing, Sheik. I understand though," Zelda smiled as she wiped her hands on her pants. She stood up and gracefully walked over before placing herself against Sheik's side. "A date is much more romantic when your family isn't there."
Link's fingers delicately touched the petals sitting against his ear. He shook his head with an easy smile on his face. "Say what you want, but I won't let Zelda ruin any romantic feelings I may or may not have had today." Link pulled his phone out and seemed to take a quick selfie. Sheik raised his eyebrow at the action.
"What are doing with the photos you've taken today?" Sheik watched as Link scrolled through his gallery on his phone.
"I'm hoping to sketch them. Maybe do an oil painting if I find the time?" Link studied Sheik's face before he abruptly scooted as close to Sheik's left side as he could get. He held his phone up and Sheik stared at his own face on the screen. He could feel his cheeks heating up. "Say cheese, Sheik!"
Sheik didn't have time to say the word before he heard the shutter click as it captured the moment. Link immediately opened the picture to review it.
The picture was the perfect brightness from the warm sunshine surrounding them. Sheik enjoyed the happy expression on Link's face. His smile was wide and brightened his entire face. He had the eye closest to Sheik's face closed, and his other eye look the bluest Sheik had ever seen it. The Abundance of orange blooms in the background really allowed his eye to pop. Sheik studied Link's face for a second more before he left his eyes fall on his own visage.
Sheik's cheeks were a soft shade of pink. His mouth was curved into a small, soft smile. His eyes were the most striking to him. Sheik's deep crimson eyes were glancing at the blonde head next to him. His eyes were surrounded by that telltale crinkle that conveyed true happiness. Sheik felt his chest warm up as he continued to inspect the photo.
"That's a fantastic picture!" Zelda grabbed the phone and studied it closer. She was sighing dramatically and Sheik rolled his eyes. He looked at Link and smiled.
"It is a nice picture. Thank you, Link." Link nodded as he removed the flower from behind his ear. He quietly stuck it in it's mirrored spot behind Sheik's ear. He gave a soft tug on Sheik's earlobe before basically diving over him to tackle Zelda with a exaggerated yell. Sheik touched his earlobe And watched as Link grabbed his phone back, and used his empty hand to tousle her hair. He saw Zelda say something back to Link. He could heard her voice, but her words were drowned out by the loud thumping of his heart in his chest.
Sheik tried to organize his thoughts into less of a tornado and more of a semblance of coherence. He was interrupted by Link's outstretched arm and his offer to help him to his feet. Sheik grabbed the hand without any thought and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. Link's hand was strong and warm, but also incredibly soft in his own. Sheik enjoyed the gentle squeeze from Link before he released Sheik's hand.
"I'm starving. Do you want to pick up some pizza, and head home?" Zelda's voice brought Sheik back down to earth as he nodded his head.
"That sounds good. Uh, Link? Do you like pizza?"
" I do, but I should probably head home." Link checked the time quickly before he let his hand rub nervously at his neck. He looked disappointed, and Sheik felt the same. "I can walk from here without taking a bus."
"That's lame." Zelda pouted a bit before giving her brother a quick tight hug. "Come to dinner with Father this week. Please."
Link patted her head lovingly. "I'll try my best, Zel. Thanks for inviting me." Link's eye met Sheik's before he continued. "Seriously. Thank you."
Zelda laughed before she skipped to the sidewalk. "I meet you at the entrance of the park Sheik. Text me when you get home, Link!" Sheik and Link watch as Zelda happily strolled into the distance.
Sheik felt himself starting to clam up a but, but he worked hard to suppress the awkward feeling trying to settle in his stomach. He cleared his throat and brushed his hands against his pants.
"I had a fun couple days with you. I'm sorry you woke up in my bed though… and I'm sorry about my first impression. I don't usually let someone into my bed the first time I meet them." Sheik breathed out deeply before meeting Link's amused stare.
"I had fun too. I tried to sleep on the couch, but you were adamant about me being a bit too talked for it. I don't usually sleep in a stranger's bed, but you were very convincing." Link laughed at Sheik's embarrassment before he let his hand sit on to the Sheikah's shoulder. "Thank you, though. I feel more relaxed than I have in a while. I hope we can do something fun this weekend, too? I know you're still in school for a few more weeks, so if you're too busy I understand."
"This weekend is perfect." Sheik watched as Link checked his phone again and smiled. "You should go before it gets dark." Link nodded before he quickly embraced Sheik in a pleasantly firm hug. Sheik returned the hug, and was about to say something, when a soft pair of lips landed in his cheek. The kiss was so soft Sheik was almost sure he imagined it. Link released him, and with a smile a wave started to walk away.
Sheik felt a soft breeze blow his hair, before he let his hand cup his freshly kissed cheek and walked back to reality where Zelda was waiting.
I haven't abandoned this fic. Life gets busy with a 10 month old! Hope you enjoy this chapter!!