Cami wrenched back with his green eyes flashing with confusion behind his glasses. "What the hell, Link?! What was that!?"
"I'm not sorry," Link replied quickly, his ears burning red. "I'm in love with you, Cam. I have been for a while now. I was just 'too much of a dumbass' to borrow your phrase, to tell you sooner."
Cami shook his head and crawled backwards until he bumped into the stack of boxes. "No… you can't. I'm… I'm with Azzy. And I'm, I'm straight!"
"You say you're straight but you keep teasing me like you're not. I think you want me too," Link said in a low voice. "I could be wrong, but I know what I've seen. We're roommates, remember? I've spent three years knowing you better than most people."
Cami's face was dark red now as he shook his head. "No. I'm straight! I'll, I'll prove it to you! Kiss me again. I'll prove there's no attraction to you, or any other guys!"
Link chuckled in self-deprecation. "Good one. Now you're making fun of my feelings." He looked away, busying himself with the stack of anchovy cans they were still needing to pick up.
"I'm not! I'm not making fun of your feelings. I promise." Cami lunged for him, pushing Link back against the rolling rack and kissing him deeply.
Link moaned, his arms wrapping around Cami's back and pinning him in place. The kisses were rough, needy, and intense, leaving both breathless when Link reluctantly let them up for air.
"N-no… I can't… I'm…" Cami's words failed him. He shot Link a dark look that didn't fully reach his eyes. "You… why?"
"Because I'm in love with you," Link repeated, gently cupping the side of Cami's face. "I love our friendship, but selfishly, I want more… if you'll let me."
Cami shook his head slowly. "I can't. What about Azzy? And Zelda! Aren't you with Zelda?"
"No. We tried, but I don't have feelings for her. Not like I do for you… and Azzy."
Cami's jaw fell open. "Now I know you're messing with me. There's no way… how can you love both of us? Is this some sick, twisted trick to steal my girl?!"
"No! No trick. I'm in love with you, and with Azzy too. I think I've always been, since I first met you both. You're amazing people, wonderful friends, and yet, I've longed for more. I know you could never be apart from Azzy. You're too good together. But if you'd allow it, I'd like a chance to prove myself, and my love to both of you."
"By kissing me," Cami said flatly. "By leading me to cheat on her?"
"I didn't mean to do that," Link protested. "I wanted to tell you both together, but I acted in the moment. Forgive me. I really do hope you'll give me a chance."
He scrutinized the blond for a long moment. "I'll have to think about it. I'll let you know later tonight."
Link nodded. "Thank you. And… sorry for the awkwardness."
"Yeah, I know." Cami blew out his breath. "Been trying not to think about it. Or about a lot of things."
Link stacked the last of the cans up and pushed himself up to his feet. He ignored the faint bulge in his pants and busied himself shifting the boxes to free the hand truck they needed. "You're a good kisser, for what it's worth."
Cami whirled to stare at him. "What?"
"You're a damn good kisser." Link repeated with a faint, sheepish grin. "Just like I expected."
The brunet's face reddened, and he pushed up his glasses before looking away. "Thanks, I guess. Az is the only one who I've ever kissed."
"Wouldn't have guessed it. But how long have you been together? A couple years?"
"Yeah. Something like that." Cami didn't look at him. "Don't we have other things to focus on right now?"
"Right. Sorry." Link grabbed the hand truck and wheeled it to the front of the supply room. "List. Where's the damn list? Do you still have it?"
Cami fumbled around for a moment before finding the discarded list on a lower shelf. "Uhhh, the pounds of dry noodles, broth starters, bags of carrots and the jars of pumpkin puree. I can't make out what this says below it."
Link leaned over his shoulder and peeked at the list. "Oh, that's potatoes and flour."
"How can you tell?" Cami asked incredulously. "That looks like meaningless cucco scratch!"
"My dad's handwriting is worse." He shrugged. "I got used to reading cucco scratch and deciphering it."
"Kudos to you then," Cali grumbled. "I can't see for shit. And that's with my glasses."
"They look handsome on you." Link couldn't help the lightly flirtatious compliment. "I've always liked how they frame your green eyes."
Cami stared at him incredulously. "You literally can't help it now, can you? All the romantic shit?"
Link shrugged. "I had to tell you. No reason not to now."
"I guess." He pushed past the blond and stacked the rest of the boxes onto the truck. "Just don't pull that shit when we're in public."
"Wasn't planning on it." Link swallowed back his nerves as he gathered the two boxes that wouldn't fit into his arms.
The two boys were quiet on the walk back to where the food stalls were set up, but the faint blush never left Cami's face.
"You good? You look like you've been wrestling or something. Your face is bright red," Revali said helpfully as he walked past with his arms full of archery equipment.
"Screw off," Cami snapped irritably.
"Tell me that you weren't fighting again," Az moaned as she came around the corner of the booth.
"What if we were? It helps blow off steam now and then," Link explained with a sheepish grin.
"I refuse to heal you if you fight!" Az declared with feeling, shaking her head at the boys. "You're not hurt, are you?"
"No, we're not." Link replied before Cami could say anything.
"Oh, good. You got the supplies. Daruk needs help setting up the special high tea ceremony that he and Urbosa are hosting. After that, check in with Revali. Thanks, boys." Zelda checked off a note on her board.
"Right. Thanks!" Link left the hand truck beside the grateful food vendor. "Race you again, Cam!"
"What if I don't want to race?!" Cami still took off after him when Link bolted for the far side of the festival.
The day passed quickly with the setup for the festival, and the opening activities. Link found himself working with Zelda for opening, then paired alongside Cami and Az for assisting in the tea ceremony. He tried to get Az's attention at the end, but Zelda snatched her away before he could say a single word.
His head drooped as he followed Cami out of the tea shop setup, watching the girls make their way back towards the female dorms. He wasn't going to have the chance to talk to her that night. That much was becoming more evident with each passing moment.
Cami stopped beside him and just gave him a look for a long moment before letting out a huff. "You need to talk?"
Link hesitated then shook his head. "Not really, I don't think? Just disappointed that Azzy's attention is so divided. I mean, I understand. She has to soak in as much as she can for planning next year, since Zelda won't be around to take the lead."
The brunet grunted in agreement, watching the girls walk away. "Yeah. She's been really distracted."
"I'm going to head back to the dorm and take a cold shower." Link stretched and rolled his shoulders before glancing back at Cami. "You got plans this evening?"
"Probably going towards the girls' dorms to wait for Azzy," he admitted. "But I'll walk with you back to the dorms first if you'd like."
Link flashed a wry grin. "Don't force yourself. You're the reason that I'm needing that damn cold shower, y'know."
"Oh, I'm aware." The brunet pushed his glasses up his nose. "I've been thinking about what you said earlier… and even if you don't get a chance to talk to Azzy tonight… I think I will if she's not too tired. At least ask if she's willing to entertain the notion, or something. I know she likes you."
The two boys walked in silence for a few moments before Link replied. "I just hope that she's not going to think it's illegal or immoral. I know her family is a lot more conservative than most out here in Central Hyrule."
"They are, but they're also good people. Not judgmental." Cami paused and looked over at him. "I was born before my dad pulled his head out of his ass… was a bastard 'til he finally decided to wise up and do the right thing with Mom. I told Azzy that, and she gave me a tight hug. Told me that it didn't matter as long as they were happy and so was I."
"That speaks to how well she was raised. Non-judgmental and all that," Link agreed. He gazed up at the stars and sighed. "It's gonna be nice to see the lanterns filling the skies tomorrow. That always was my favorite part."
"I prefer the food," Cami said bluntly.
"Food is good too. You know how much I enjoy a–"
The brunet's hand clapped over his mouth. "Unless you've got something else in mind besides the obvious innuendo, I think you should reconsider before that phrase crosses your lips."
Link pulled the hand away before wolfishly grinning. "You should know, I showed real self-restraint. I licked Zelda's hand when she covered my mouth earlier."
"What are you, five?"
"Six, actually, and big enough to kick your ass and correct you if you cross me," he said cheerfully. He paused by the door of the dorm building and glanced towards the girls' dorm across the courtyard. "Tell her I said 'hi' and send my love, will you? I always say that to her, so she won't think it's unusual."
"Right." Cami looked around the notably quiet courtyard before pulling Link against him. "I'm gonna regret this, but dammit, I don't care much right now," he mumbled, stealing a quick kiss from the blond.
Link let out a faint sound of surprise in the back of his throat. He returned the kiss, cupping Cami's face in his hand. A second kiss quickly followed the first, but this time, Cami lingered, seemingly unwilling to pull away.
The blond had no hesitations, since the coast was clear. He pushed Cami's back against the wall of the building and kissed him feverishly, his hands ghosting slowly over his chest through the thin fabric.
"Ah!" Cami gasped softly, and pushed him away after a moment. "Save it for when we are away from the public," he admonished. "Now I'm gonna go see Azzy. Enjoy your cold shower."
"You're a cruel jackass, you know that?" Link replied, shaking his head at Cami. "You could've just told me that you were going to see her, and that I needed to watch myself so I didn't get you too riled up."
"Do you see me caring?" Cami shook his head. "I'll catch you later." He adjusted his pants, trying and failing to hide his arousal.
Link waved and headed upstairs. The shower he took was anything but cold, and did nothing to quell his own desires.
He laid half-naked on his bed for a long time, staring at the ceiling, his hand resting behind his head.
A lot had gone down over the course of the day. But Cami's reaction had surprised him. To think the brunet had initiated the kiss that evening— it boggled his mind that he'd warmed to the idea as swiftly as he had.
He heard the door open when Cami returned a few minutes later. His head came up when Cami paused in his doorway.
"Everything okay?"
Cami shook his head. "I think something is up with her. She claimed she was just tired but I'm not buying it. Azzy is never too tired for a kiss goodnight."
Link's brow furrowed. "What? No, that's not like her at all."
"Yeah. Because her mood was so low, I didn't get a chance to talk to her about much of anything. Just gave her a hug, let her cry. Seems her day with Zelda was really stressful."
Link swallowed down the knot of anxiety in his stomach. "Alright. Well, I'll try and talk with her tomorrow. Both of us should, if we can."
"Yeah, that's my plan." Cami turned to leave. "Goodnight then."
"Leaving so soon?" Link teased. He laughed when Cami flipped him off, looking back at the ceiling. Perhaps in the morning, everything would change. He could only hope it would be for the better.
Something was off. Link could sense it from the moment they arrived in the quad to get their assignments for the day. Revali was absent, suffering from a stomach bug of some sort that had cropped up overnight.
"You mean he's hungover and puking his guts out," Cami corrected, earning chuckles and nods of agreement from the rest of the group present.
"We cannot confirm that nor deny it. I would recommend we refrain from conjecture of that sort. In the meantime, Az and Link, I want you taking care of the archery booth today. Cami, you'll be assisting the food stands, and I'll be checking up on everyone throughout the day to see how things are progressing." Zelda handed out assignments quickly. "Festival opens shortly so make sure you're fully set up before then."
Link turned to Az, only to find her back as she was practically running to the archery butts. "Az? Wait up!"
"We've got a lot to do!" She called without turning or slowing.
"I know but that's why you have my help." He caught up with her and matched pace. "You okay?"
"Just fine," she said too quickly, unwilling to look at him. "Here. You set up the quivers at the different intervals. I'm going to adjust the target heights."
"Wait, Azzy. We can do it together." He caught her by the wrist and turned her towards him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing! Please let go. We've got work to do." She pulled away from him, her voice shaking.
"Don't lie to me. Something's wrong. I know it is. I thought we were friends." Link dropped her hand and took a step back.
"We were, until I saw you kissing Cami last night! How dare you!" Az's pink eyes flashed with fury. "You claim to be a friend and yet you dragged Cami into cheating on me!"
"You saw last night?" Everything clicked into place. The strange behavior Cami had experienced the night before. Her avoidance and anger that morning.
"Of course I saw it last night! You kissed him outside the dorms, in public!"
"I did, because I'm in love with him," Link admitted, the words tumbling from his lips.
"Unbelievable! You're stealing my—"
"But I'm in love with you too, Azalea," he interrupted, stunning her to silence. "I have been for quite awhile now."
"What? But…." Az's anger faded, her hands unclenching at her sides. "But how?"
"It started gradually. We've been friends since we were children. I've always admired you for your kindness, your generosity and your sweet nature. It just, sort of, happened." Link took a step closer and cupped the side of her face in his hand.
Az flinched but didn't pull away, her face red with fading anger.
"I love you, Azzy. I've been trying to get up the courage to tell you and Cami both how I felt about this." He was nearly pressed against her. When she didn't move, he hugged her close then lowered his lips to gently brush against hers.
Az didn't move, didn't respond or react until he broke the kiss and went to step away. Then she reached up and kissed him back, even as tears fell from her eyes.
"Azzy?" Link whispered brokenly as she wept against his shirt.
"Damn you," she murmured. "Damn you, Link! Why did you have to wait so long?"
"What do you mean?" Link asked in confusion.
"I'm in love with Cami! I convinced myself you didn't care about me like that. I waited ages for you to say it. And now…" she cried harder against him and pounded her first against his chest. "I'm so confused!" She wailed.
"You don't have to give an answer yet. Just… know I love you and Cami. If you'd give me a chance to prove how much, I will work tirelessly to prove my love for you." Link hugged her tightly.
"I need to think about this." Az sniffled and dried her eyes on the edge of her pink ruffled sleeve. "I'm sorry."
"Take the time you need, Az," he murmured. "We can talk with Cami tonight too. He was going to tell you last night—"
"But I brushed him off. I wasn't in the mood to hear what he had to say last night." Az sighed and grabbed the quivers they needed for the archery sets. "I was trying to get the courage to break up with him tonight… because both of you didn't want me."
Link's mouth fell open. "What? No! That couldn't be further from the truth. We both love you and want your happiness. Desperately."
"But you were kissing him," she mumbled miserably. "You looked like you wanted him and didn't care about me." Her fingers traced over the feathered ends of the arrows in her hand, her voice dropping to a whisper. "...Like I didn't matter at all."
"Azzy, you DO matter! I love him but I love you too. And Cam, well, he almost told me to screw off because of how much he loves you." Link paused and chose his words carefully. "It's my hope to bring the three of us together, not be the roadblock that ends your relationship. If you need to talk to him without me, that's fine too. But that's my hope and my goal, if you'll have me."
Az didn't have time to respond before the first eager festival-goers made their way over. Her face shifted to one of determination, focused on the task at hand. Link could only watch her from the corner of his eye while he assisted the incoming crowd of people.
A part of his heart broke inside. She saw him with Cami and assumed they didn't want her. It was only natural, he supposed. But it couldn't be further from the truth. He loved her so much it hurt to know that she felt herself to be so disposable.
He had to make it up to her. Help her see how valuable and special she was. Cami loved her. That much was evident. He did too, but needed to prove it.
He felt her eyes on him periodically as the day passed, but he didn't say anything. He kept his attitude light, the playful, supportive behavior she expected from him long before he admitted to loving her. There would be time to talk later, after the festival concluded for the night.
As fate would have it, Cami made his way to the archery area while Az and Link were putting away the last of the supplies used from their busy day. "Hey. How'd it go?"
"Nonstop people, all day," Az said. Her voice betrayed her exhaustion as she walked straight into his open arms and rested her head against his chest. "We barely had bathroom breaks. No food either."
"Guess it's good that I brought these then." Cami brought a wrapped package out of his pocket and offered it to her. "Not too many, but at least there's a few rice balls."
"Goddess bless you, Cam," she breathed. Az tugged down his head and tenderly kissed him before claiming one of the rice balls and hungrily devouring it.
"What, none for me?" Link teased, feigning a pout.
"Get your own, asshat," Cami groused, but without any venom.
"Sure. That'll give you some time to talk anyway. See you in a few minutes," Link said cheerfully. He started to walk away, but two voices in unison called out to him.
"Link!"
He turned back to them in surprise. "Hmm? Something the matter?"
"Yeah, your ass is walking away instead of joining us to talk about what you started." Cami crossed his arms over his chest.
"I thought you wanted some space to talk about what happened, without me. I did start it." Link shrugged. "I don't want to be in your way."
Cami and Az exchanged glances. "We want you here for this discussion," Az said quietly. "For all of it."
"Well, if you're certain." Link rejoined the couple, standing awkwardly a few paces away. "Are we going to talk here, or somewhere else?"
"Fireworks are starting soon. Maybe we can go sit away from the group so we can talk until they set it off?" Az suggested. "It's going to be a really fun show!"
"Works for me. You know a good vantage spot?"
"Yes." She took Cami's hand and led the boys across the field until she found a low grassy slope facing the university. "This will be perfect."
"You're right. Great view of where they're going to be launching the fireworks." Link sat on the grass and laid back, staring up at the fading light in the sky.
"Will you tell me something?" Az began, cuddling against Cami's chest a couple paces away.
"Anything."
"Did you ever love him more than me?" The question tumbled from her mouth unchecked.
"What? No! Never!" Link leaned up on his elbow and looked straight into her pink eyes. "I love you both. My feelings for you started first but I was a dumbass and didn't say anything when I should have."
"How long?" Az stared at him. "How long have you loved me?"
He stole a glance at Cami. "Since you and he became a thing. I fell for you first, then him when we became roommates."
"Link!" Az buried her face in her hands. "You idiot. I have loved you since before middle school. But you never said anything! I thought you didn't return my feelings. So I focused on Cami."
Cami gently stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "I'm glad you gave me a chance."
"You are good together. I don't want to ruin it for you." Link exhaled. "I just want a small part of it."
"Nothing small about you," Cami mumbled. "You're still taller than I am."
Az snorted out a giggle. "You're still upset about that, after all this time?"
"Until the day I outgrow him."
"In your dreams, Cam." Link laughed aloud. "I just want to make sure that you're willing to give me the opportunity to prove my love and loyalty to you both."
Azalea looked at Cami. "How long have you known that he was in love with us?"
"Since yesterday afternoon," he replied immediately. "He kissed me in the storeroom. I was going to tell you last night, but well–"
"I saw you two kissing before you could." Az shook her head at Link. "Impulse of the moment?"
He sheepishly nodded, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. "I meant to tell both of you together… but here we are."
"Here we are indeed." Cami sighed. "Oh, before I forget, I'm supposed to have you both meet Urbosa tomorrow morning with me before the festival opens."
"Oh? What for?" Az asked, her pink eyes narrowing in confusion.
"Something about wanting a special performance for the closing tea ceremony and how our 'auras have this perfect harmony'. Daruk was eating up that shit, like it was the coolest thing he'd ever heard." Cami rolled his eyes and laid back on the grass as the first of the fireworks exploded overhead.
"He's sweet on her. I think they might be dating," Link said absently, his attention being drawn to the sky.
"They are. I saw them holding hands in the teacher's lounge earlier in the year. He's head over heels for her," Az replied dreamily. She glanced at Cami, then silently gestured at Link who was silently staring at the fireworks from where he sat a few paces away.
Her boyfriend nodded and let the blonde girl crawl over him to snuggle against Link.
Blue eyes widened in surprise when his arms were suddenly filled with a curvaceous platinum blonde who tucked her head into the crook of his neck while she pressed her body against him from the right. A moment later, he was flanked on the left by Cami who sighed as he lounged against them.
"So…" Link started, then stopped. He licked his lips, trying to find the words to convey the thoughts that were vying for attention in his mind.
Warm lips pressed against his, while another set found his cheek. "Don't say anything. Just enjoy the moment," Az advised when she broke off the kiss.
Link leaned over and kissed Cami in turn too before laying flat on his back, cuddled between the two people that he loved more than anything in the world. He didn't deserve the chance they were giving him. Not after the way he botched up his confession. Yet here they were. The Goddess had truly blessed him indeed.
"Hey, before I forget, I planned on getting a lantern for tomorrow night. I was thinking we could do that for all three of us." Az looked over at Link. "They can be filled with either thoughts or gratitude, or hopes for the future, or a combination of both."
"Ours will be both," Cami decided. "I've got a couple things I'm thankful for, but some hopes and goals for this next year that I want to set too."
"Me too." Az's voice was soft, nearly lost in thought as she watched the fireworks.
Link had reasons for gratitude. That much was clear, easy to come up with. But hopes and goals for the year to come? That was more challenging, especially given the developments of the last day. School was complete for him. He had his degree. But what came next?
His thoughts were cut off by the couple on either side of him reaching over to kiss his cheeks in unison. Worries about the future could wait. For the evening, and the remainder of the festival, Link wanted to be present in the moment and simply enjoy himself.