The final day of the festival dawned clear and bright. Link was relieved to hear that apart from the tea ceremony assistance that had been requested of them specifically, they would have the day off to enjoy the booths and activities as participants.

After an hour of rehearsing with Urbosa, the trio was given their freedom along with their return time. Link stretched and grinned before sparing a glance in Cami's direction. "It's a good day for a ride, don't you think?"

"Oh, I would think so. Azzy? Wanna grab your bike out of storage and join us?"

Az crossed her arms under her chest and gave him a look. "You're not planning on doing that stunt with the skateboard, bike, and the rope again, are you?"

Cami feigned innocence as he pushed his glasses up his nose. "I don't know what you're talking about. We just wanted to ride around and have a bit of fun before we head into the festival this afternoon."

"I haven't ridden in awhile," Az acknowledged slowly. "But I should be checking to make sure everything is set up for the festival…"

"You've checked and double-checked everything already," Link pointed out. "They'll be fine. Have a little fun with us. Please?" He reached out a hand towards her in silent invitation.

Cami grabbed her wrist and tugged her over until her hand was resting in Link's. "She agreed. Let's go!"

"Wait! Cam–" Az protested, but the two boys just laughed and took off running with her.

"Wait for what?" Link asked, his voice full of mirth.

"You can't just make that decision for me!" Az laughed and shook her head at the boys. "I can choose for myself when I want to have fun!"

"You can, but you weren't going to that time. C'mon, Azzy. The festival only happens once a year. You did all the prep, and the double checks. Let your hair down. Relax. I dare you to skateboard with me." Cami's green eyes danced with mischief.

"What?!"

"Ride my board with me. C'mon. Live a little." He challenged with a grin. "It's a lot of fun."

Az hesitated, looking more wary by the second. "With the rope? But you crashed before! It's dangerous…"

"No more dangerous than riding a bike. Don't you trust Link and I to keep you safe? How about this then? If you ride with me now, I'll make it up to you later. Give you something special?"

"What do you have in mind?" she asked. "Something tangible or like an experience together?"

"Whichever you prefer, but my first thought was to have a glass of strawberry milk when we get back to the festival." Cami watched her face. "At least as a start."

She lit up. "Strawberry milk?!"

"Anyone who knows you knows how much you love strawberry milk." Link chuckled fondly. "Tell you what. He gets you that, and I'll get you the lunch of your choice."

"Ramen!" Az said immediately. "I want strawberry milk and ramen."

"That sounds like a pretty good combination, honestly. I'm willing to try it with you." Link stretched and unlocked the shed to retrieve his bike. "Just the skateboard then?"

Cami grabbed his board. "Yup! We're gonna live dangerously." He wrapped an arm around Az's waist before kissing her soundly. "I'm proud of you. This should be fun."

"Am I going to regret this?" she murmured as he started the ascent.

"Not if we have anything to say about it," Link replied cheerfully. "Cam's going to take care of you to the best of his ability. And I'll make sure to warn him when we're coming up on turns or large bumps. Just promise you'll hang on tight."

"I am hanging on tightly!" Az gestured to the grip she had around Cami's waist.

"Let's go then!" Link pedaled harder as they took off, exhilarated by the shriek of excitement from behind him.

The ride started off smoothly, with Link calling out periodically, and Cami adjusting for the changes in terrain and altitude. Az squeaked now and then but kept her balance surprisingly well.

Link found himself relaxing, enjoying the ride and the company, so much so he forgot to pay attention to where he was going. He slammed the bike sideways and skidded to a stop, narrowly avoiding going off an embankment. "Watch out!"

The edge of the skateboard caught on a bump and stopped abruptly. With the expertise of an experienced rider, Cami tightened his grip on Az's waist and kicked the board, flipping it over the edge of the lip and landing the two of them safely on their feet just shy of where Link was stopped with his mouth agape.

"Tell me that just happened," Cami laughed incredulously. "Tell me you just saw that!"

"Oh, I saw it alright!" Link shook his head in amazement. "Whoa! You guys okay?"

Az giggled and kissed Cami. "That was scary but fun!" She reached out a hand towards Link, giving him permission to join the other two for a hug and a brief kiss.

"Bet you couldn't do that again if you tried." Link teased. "That was a fluke."

"Yeah, one that worked out after you forgot to pay attention and warn us." Cami faked a scowl. "You're lucky you're so damn hot or I'd have to kick your ass."

"Yeah, yeah. I love you too," Link leaned over and kissed him while Az sighed behind them.

"Are we done? I'm getting hungry," Az pouted. "I think we should put the board and bike up and go back."

"Works for me." Link ran a hand through his blond hair and grinned at Cami and Az. "No riding back to the shed? You prefer to walk?"

"Please. I can hold your hand though," she offered, slipping pale soft fingers to intertwine with his.

"Hey, what about me?" Cami complained. He kicked up the skateboard and shoved it under his arm before taking her other hand. "You weren't gonna leave me out, were you?"

"Never." Link grew quiet for a moment. "Is that something you worry about? Being left out?"

Cami paused, his face twisting in concentration as he gave it some thought. "I suppose I do. I'm afraid you guys won't want me because you've got each other."

"That's how I felt yesterday," Az chimed in. "It's something we all are going to need to work through. Nobody is being replaced or forgotten. I love you both. You love each other and me. We can do this!"

"Yes. But first, ramen and strawberry milk!" Link declared with a grin. He broke into a jog, pushing the bike back to the shed.

Fifteen minutes later, the trio was seated in the picnic area outside the food stands, each with a steaming bowl of fresh ramen and a cool glass of strawberry milk.

The moan that escaped Az's mouth when she took her first bite had both of the boys biting their lips hard and suddenly very interested in their own food. "This is soooo good!" she exclaimed as soon as she could speak again.

"Well, I'm glad you're enjoying it," Link said finally, a faint blush creeping over his ears. "But can you keep the moaning to a minimum? It uh, puts thoughts in our heads that aren't appropriate for being in public."

Az cocked her head slightly, then realization hit and she blushed madly. "S-sorry!" she squeaked, taking a long drink of her milk.

"It's alright," Cami assured her with a kiss to her forehead. "Don't mind too much, long as you're doing that for me later."

Az didn't reply, her cheeks flaming while she busied herself with her food.

Link and Cami exchanged glances and a chuckle over her head before similarly focusing on their meal. The afternoon sun was shifting over the festival booths when the trio made their way toward the tea shop setup for the special performance.

Urbosa hustled them behind the screens to change into the ceremonial kimonos she had chosen for the afternoon. "Hurry up and get dressed. We've got a few minutes to set up and rehearse before people arrive."

"Yes, ma'am," they chorused before working on changing.

"Link?"

"Yes, ma'am?" he called from behind the screen where he was struggling to get the robe to cooperate with him.

"Have you put any thought into your plans now that you've graduated?" Urbosa didn't wait for a response before she continued. "You'll have to be out of the dorms by the end of next week."

There was a faint gasp from the women's side of the dividers, one that Link tried desperately hard to ignore. "I haven't decided yet," he replied honestly. "I have several opportunities that have presented themselves to me recently, and I'm going to make my decision after the festival is done."

Cami shot him a look as they heard a faint sniffle from behind the other divider. Link winced in response and mouthed a silent apology. They would have time to talk later.

Link checked his kimono in the mirror. The green suited his skin tone and hair just fine. Beside him, Cami fidgeted with the collar of his matching blue one, only stopping when Link slapped his hand away.

"Leave that alone. Urbosa will fix it if it's messed up." Link hissed at him.

"Can't help it," Cami scowled back. "The collar won't lay straight."

"It's because you're not," he quipped below his breath, earning a punch in the shoulder from the pissed off brunet. "Owwww."

"Shut up, would you? You're making me nervous."

Link rolled his eyes and stepped out for inspection. His eyes met Azzy's and he immediately regretted it. Her pink eyes were puffy from crying, and her makeup was streaky, earning a disappointed tsk from Urbosa who bustled over to fix it.

"I'm not going anywhere," he hissed under his breath. "We'll talk later."

She silently nodded before being ushered over to the mirror.

Ten minutes later, the trio stepped onto stage, all fresh-faced, smiling, and carrying a microphone. At a silent, off-stage cue from Urbosa, Cami began with a soft, low note of an acapella melody. Link joined him a moment later with a higher harmony. And once the two boys had hummed through a refrain, Az found her voice and sang the lyrics.

The ballad spoke of love, and not giving up now that they had each other. Cami picked up the second verse, leaving Link to carry the low tone in the background while the couple harmonized. Then Cami and Link switched, and it was Cami who held the long notes while Link sang with Az.

The final chorus arrived, and all three of them paused, then harmonized through the lyrics, promising to never let the other one go. Their voices rang out over the silence in the tea house, perfectly blending then fading out, giving way to applause from all gathered for the tea ceremonies.

Link put Az in the middle and took her left hand while Cami stepped forward and interlaced fingers with her right hand before the trio took their bow. Claps and wolf-whistles from Urbosa greeted them as they walked off the stage towards the dressing rooms.

"Brava! Perfect. Now, get out of here you three." She shooed them towards the door.

"But what about our costumes?" Az protested. "I have to cover the cost of dry-cleaning. You have to be able to use them again."

"Girl, just go! Keep the costumes as my gift to you for making it through a grueling year. Now scoot." Urbosa shook her head when Az opened her mouth to argue. "Take it, or I'm giving you extra assignments when you're starting with me in the fall."

Az let out a faint squeak and hugged her tightly. "Thank you," she murmured.

"Don't thank me. Just go enjoy the end of your festival." The redheaded professor grinned and went back to clearing away tea dishes from a vacant table.

Link didn't need a second invitation before he took Az and Cami's hands again and led them outside.

"What? Hey!" Cami was the one to raise a fuss, trailing along as Link wove through the booths and throngs of gathered people.

"C'mon! We gotta grab a lantern before they're all gone." He dropped their hands and slipped into the crowd, vanishing out of sight.

"Well, shit," Cami cursed, grabbing Az's hand so she didn't get lost. "C'mon. Let's stand by the cotton candy. There's way too many people wanting the lanterns."

"Got one!" Link triumphantly carried the paper lantern above his head and the crowd, weaving his way back to his companions. "Now we just need somewhere to sit so we can fill out the paper thingie."

"Paper what now?"

Az led the two boys to an empty bench at the far end of the festival tents, and sat in the middle, putting her hand out for the piece of paper. "Did you grab a pen too?"

Link shook his head. "No, those were all gone."

"What's with the paper?" Cami asked again. "Where the hell is that supposed to go? The lantern's made. It's gonna burn up as soon as we light it."

"No, it's a special paper that gets attached to the side of the lantern so it doesn't burn once it's been lit up." Az scanned the area around before darting over to a nearby crafter's tent. After a brief discussion, she returned with a blue pen in hand.

"So, what are we writing on it?" Cami inquired, shifting so Az could sit with Link on her left and himself on her right. "Resolutions or something?"

"More like our hopes and goals. We don't have to sign it. In fact, it's better if we don't, so if anyone finds it, it would remain anonymous." Az tapped the end of the pen against the side of her face. "I'll go first, then the two of you can write yours down."

"Maybe you should be the one to write for us. Y'know, since your handwriting is so much prettier. Mine is barely legible." Cami felt two pairs of eyes land on him. "What? Mine's shit, and we all know it. Besides, I'm super slow at writing."

"I'll write them down, don't worry. But that means you boys are going first." Az grinned at them in turn. "Link, why don't you start? What's your hopes and dreams for the future?"

He paused, his expression serious while he contemplated the question. "My hope is to be able to provide for the people I love, and to not lose what I've got right now."

Cami's hand reached over and squeezed Link's knee. "You're not gonna lose us. Promise."

"Double promise, sealed with a kiss." Az looked up from her writing and kissed her blond lover. "Cam, what about you?"

"I want to protect the people I care about," he replied immediately, pushing his glasses up his nose. "To do… I dunno, more, I guess?"

"I understand." Az kissed Cami gently before neatly writing down his hope.

"What about you, love?" Link asked quietly. "What's your hope for the future?"

Az didn't hesitate. "I want happiness. I want to be able to offer happiness to the people I love, and just live a life that's full of peace and love."

Both boys wrapped their arms around her at once, hugging her tightly.

Az squeaked and buried her head against her chest. "Ack! I'm sorry! I don't know why I thought of that, but it's true. It's what I want for the future. For myself and for both of you."

"It's very you," Cami chuckled. He kissed her cheek and took the lantern from Link. "So you're gonna attach this to the side over here?"

"Yes." Az carefully finished writing her hope down and capped the pen, tapping it against her face again while she reread the three sentences.

Link silently read over her shoulder. "Hey, you know what? Our hopes match up with the three aspects of the Triforce."

"You're shitting me," Cami said flatly. "There's no way."

"No, no. I'm serious. Think about it. You want to protect the people you care about - that takes power. I want to provide for the people I love - that's courage to fulfill whatever role needs to be done. And Az wants the happiness and peace of those around her, which takes wisdom to recognize it's not all about her." Link leaned back on the bench. "It makes sense."

Az cocked her head to the side. "You're right! I hadn't looked at it like that. But that's really cool."

Link shrugged. "I can't help it. We had so much focus on the Triforce and the attributes each section means in church that it became second nature to look for it every time I see things in threes."

Az took the lantern from Cami and gently attached the paper to the side of it. "Is there anything you want to say before we light it up and send it off?"

Cami shook his head. "Nah. Can't think of nothing."

"I'm determined to make this work."

Pink and green eyes stared at him.

"What?" Az asked. "What do you mean?"

"I just graduated, and I've gotta get out of the dorms within a week, since I'm no longer a student. But that doesn't mean I'm going anywhere. I love you both, and I'm gonna make this work, one way or another," Link explained with a fiery light in his eyes. "With the degree I've got, I can go anywhere. I've got some savings and with Zelda's help, I'm sure I can get an apartment close to campus while you two finish your final year."

Cami and Az exchanged glances. "We were going home to Tarrey for the summer and not coming back until the fall. What about that?"

"Then I will follow you to Tarrey Town. Find an odd job or two to pay my way for the summer, then look for real work when we come back in the fall. If you'll have me, that is."

"Of course we'll have you!" Az handed the lantern to Cami and hugged Link tightly. "You'd really do all of that for us?"

"Yes. I would. In a heartbeat." Link returned the embrace.

"But why?" Az searched his face. "Are we really worth it?"

"Yes. I'd go to the ends of Hyrule and back for you and Cam. That's what love does. Love will always prevail. Hylia will bless us and our love will be strong." Link said with confidence.

"Then let's send the lantern up with that conviction and the prayers for Hylia's blessings." Az's face shone with hope and love.

"Here." Cami handed over a small lighter. At Link's questioning look, he scowled. "Leftover from a time when I was into a lot of shit. I keep it in case of emergencies."

"Thank you, Cam. You've always got what we need." Az kissed him briefly before carefully lighting the lantern. She cradled it in her hands and closed her eyes, breathing a silent prayer over it.

Link's hand covered it from one side, and Cami's fingers rested on her knees. After a few moments, Az's head came up, and she looked around. While the trio had been conversing, the sun had sunk behind the ridge, and the twinkle lights of the festival had become illuminated. Lanterns dotted the skies already, and Az exhaled softly in wonder.

"It's beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you are," Link murmured. "Are you ready to send off our lantern?"

She lifted the lantern upwards, and sent it up into the sky. The trio watched it join a multitude of others filling the sky above the festival.

"I love you. Both of you," Az murmured, settling back against the bench. "Thank you… for choosing me. For not giving me up just because you have each other. I'm going to do my best to be good enough for you."

"Oh, Azzy…" Cami rested his head on her shoulder. "You've always been good enough. If anything, we don't deserve you."

"By all accounts, I have no right to be here with you. Either of you. Yet here we are. Things have a way of working out in ways that we least expect." Link exhaled and wrapped his arm around both Az and Cami. "I love you both, and I'm grateful for the opportunities that I'm being given to prove it to you."

Cami and Az made soft sounds of acknowledgement and cuddled closer so the trio was pressed together while they watched the lanterns and listened to the people bustling around.

Link was quiet but content. The last couple days hadn't gone how he had anticipated his final summer festival at the university to be. But he wouldn't trade a single moment of them away or change a word that was said. In the end, he was with the two people he loved more than anything in Hyrule, and the future looked bright. Hylia's blessings were already shining upon him.

These final Days of Summer Lights had been truly magical indeed.