One night, Link started bringing up tea to her study. He brought some for her whole team, but hers was special because it would be a cup she favored and brewed how she liked it. She didn't think much of it, as she knew he liked tea himself and probably just wanted something to do now that he wasn't trekking across mountains.

It became a bit of a routine, but one she liked. At 7pm an herbal tea and a brief break for conversation. He always had something to tell her, some little incident that would make her smile, that would distract her.

He started wearing things she'd given him more often as well. She didn't think much of that either, until he gave her a fur cloak he'd made himself.

"I know it's a bit early for a birthday gift– or late depending on how you think of it– and you have stuff that's finer, but it's warm, and the winter will be cold," he said it all evenly, like he'd practiced it beforehand. She accepted his gift graciously, noting after she put it on, that it smelled like him.

It wasn't until they were in the study, not alone, because Zelda was never alone, but it was only Impa and him, that she put it all together. Impa was engrossed in wiring and double checking all her sodders, and so she felt more alone than she'd felt all day. Her hair was down and loose as she'd removed it from an up-do and was letting her scalp rest. But now her scalp wasn't bothering her, and her hair was.

Sometimes she wanted to cut it all off, but she knew she never would. Her mother had always loved her long hair.

Before she could even start combing it out to start a braid, she felt fingers doing it for her. She could feel her hair get caught in his calluses, and knew who dared touch her hair without asking permission. His hands stilled.

"You wanted it braided back," he said softly, "I could see you getting frustrated."

"Quite right," she said, trying to keep her voice level. "Continue."

He continued, brushing and braiding until her hair was firmly out of the way. He started to move away, but she reached up and grasped his hand. He froze again. She turned to look at him.

"Why have you been so…" She tried to think of the word. "Considerate?"

"Do you want me to stop?" he asked. The scruff on his chin had grown out again, and she wondered what it would feel like to caress his face. She wondered what it would be like to kiss him.

No. She didn't want him to stop, but he already knew that.

"You didn't answer my question."

He squeezed her hand. "You haven't taken a writing break yet this hour," he said, "let's go for a walk."

He let go of her hand and pulled her chair out for her. He was right, yet again, as her wrists were starting to hurt due to overuse. "Just a pace around the upper rooms," she concessed.

Link nodded with a smile.

"Impa?" Zelda called over to the scientist. She waited until she looked up from her work. "It's time for a break."

She could see Impa groan and silently gripe about being told what to do, but it was important for both their healths. Things were moving at predicted paces, so there was no need to rush if that rush would only hinder the quality of the work. That was the argument that had finally stopped Impa from her all-nighters. If they ever needed crunch time, Impa was free to work until she dropped. Zelda would work her hardest to avoid such a thing.

The three made their way out the room and locked it behind them. The walk was rather brisk, as Zelda was still thinking hard about why Link was acting the way he was. She couldn't ask about it now that Impa was paying attention to the two of them, but still it puzzled her. He wasn't pushing their intimacy– well he was, but not in the sense she knew young men often did. He did the things that made her life just a little easier.

After they'd gotten halfway around the circuit without speaking, Link spoke up.

"Princess…" he started.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering what you wanted for your birthday this year."

His voice was formal, like he was asking something very professional.

"My birthday?" she asked, "But that's not for another few months. And besides, that fur was more than enough."

"Well… these things can take time," he deflected.

She smiled. "You know, I realized this a while ago, but you've never told me your birthday."

They walked for a bit, a small smile working its way to his face as he formulated a response.

"I don't have one," he answered simply.

"Of course you have one."

"Rauru never said anything about it. I didn't know what a birthday really was until your birthday."

"How do you know how old you are then?" she asked like it was damning.

"Rauru knew."

She snorted, and he smiled wider as well. He spoke about Rauru more often now. He used to clam up and grow even more reserved, but the longer he spent with her, the more he opened up. At times she would wonder how he handled it, having the only family he knew die in such a way. She had never asked him.

Zelda stared out the window for a moment, brought out of thought by the playful tug on her hair. She looked to her right to see LInk twisting a lock of her hair over his finger. "It seems I did a poor job braiding," he murmured. He was closer than she thought he'd been. "You have such lovely hair."

She smiled ruefully. "Besides my parents, I think you are the only other one who likes my hair."

He looked shocked. "What's there not to like?"

"Do you know how hot it gets?" she asked, "How difficult it is to manage? So often I would want to cut it all off."

"You don't have to keep it long for my sake," he said honestly, though with snark he added, "I am flattered that you hold my opinion so high."

"It's not for you," she said, "My parents… they… I think my hair was the only combination of their traits. My brother favored my father, and I do too, save in having my mother's curly hair. They never said as much, but I figure…"

"Either way, there's a lot to love."

"You're one to talk, your hair has grown out a lot too."

"And at whose insistence did I not cut it?"

Had it been hers? "Well, it's such a lovely color! I don't see how you could part with it. I am glad you let that barber neaten it up a bit."

"I'm glad my princess appreciates it," he said cheekily.

Eventually the walk ended and they went back to work. Zelda found herself distracted with thoughts of the Hero. Of why he treated her so thoughtfully. Of how she could return the favor.

An idea hit her. An unprofessional idea. A distracting idea.

He was in love with her. She knew that. It was probably why he was doing the things he was doing. There wasn't a way for her to do the same for him due to her busy schedule but perhaps…

It was the end of the night and they were one their way to Paya, so Link could pass on his guard duties. Impa was asleep in the cot in the study, and Zelda knew Impa had such trouble falling asleep lately. She didn't struggle with sleep herself. No, if anything she struggled with waking.

Still, she and Link were alone for the first time in a long time and she was too tired to hold herself back. They were walking arm in arm how she liked. His arms were comforting, and she wished she could indulge freely, without feeling she was taking advantage or having something she shouldn't. She wasn't fair to him.

She stopped him and looked shyly at the ground. "Link, I want to thank you for all you've done."

Before he could protest, she kissed his cheek.

A kiss on the cheek was hardly anything to get excited about, but she could feel her heartbeat speed up in a way it hadn't in a long time. His skin was smoother than she'd been expecting, only his slight facial hair adding any roughness. Even his smell was attractive.

She withdrew as quickly as she had drawn in, almost amazed at her own boldness. She resumed their walk, not initiating any talk. Link didn't say anything either. He seemed to be in shock, but from the blush she could tell it wasn't the bad sort of shock. He was contemplative.

With some amount of amusement, Zelda decided it wasn't a bad look for him.

And then she wondered if she'd done it just for him. He was distracting her, which would do no good. She needed to stay focused on the task at hand. But without any immediate threats, not since the assassination, Zelda was having some trouble with staying ever vigilant.

This sort-of-thanks to Link would need to stay a one time thing, lest either of them grow too distracted by the other.