Link had a problem. He wouldn't readily admit it. In fact, if anyone asked, he would vehemently deny it. After all, he valued the position he was in, and the relationship he had with Tetra. But at the same time…
He had a burning need to see how she would react if he managed to pull off the best prank he'd ever thought of.
Pranks were nothing new to the crew. Even to this day, Link blushed at the memory of being sent out onto the upper decks for watch with nothing but his skivvies on, all because he was told he was an hour late, and the captain was on her way. Only to find out he wasn't late, and it was merely an excuse for her to laugh at him. And that wasn't even getting into the whole 'catapult' incident.
But Link didn't get mad. No, it was much more fun to plan on how he was going to get even. But how? That was the question.
Reciprocating a similar prank was out of the question. Everyone knew that Tetra was not one to easily let her guard down, even when she was supposedly 'resting'. There was too much at stake. She had to make sure her crew was safe and stayed on target.
Fortunately, a most unique opportunity presented itself the next time the ship caught up with Beedle's Shop Ship.
"What are these?" Link asked curiously.
"Potions! I've been collecting them as I find them. They're all labeled similarly but the brews have different effects on the person who takes them. I've tested them all. Stamina, strength, love, and I think this one's a failed experiment, honestly." Beedle awkwardly chuckled and gestured to several bottles that faintly glowed in a strange shade of purple. "I tried it and nothing happened, but I couldn't bring myself to waste it entirely. So the batch is free if you want to buy one of the other brews."
Link studied the choices for a brief moment, his expression turning thoughtful. "How long are they supposed to last?"
"Couple hours? I didn't really pay that much attention to the time," the merchant sheepishly admitted. "Never lasts for too long, least for me. Still should give you what you're looking for. Have you decided which ones you want?"
"Strength, and the one you're giving for free." Link paid the rupees and accepted the three bottles. "Two of the free ones? I only needed one."
"I know, but consider it a freebie to get it off my hands. Just bring the bottles back next time if you can. Saves me some hassle."
"Will do. Thanks." He tucked the bottles into his pouch and turned to leave.
"Don't mention it. But hey, let me know if that one ends up doing anything for you." Beedle waved as Link took his skiff back to the larger ship.
Link didn't reply. Beedle didn't need to know that he was planning on using the potion on Tetra. Even if the strange concoction did turn out to be a dud, at least it had the chance of tasting vile. And Link couldn't wait to see the look on her face when she tried it!
Now, he just had to wait for the chance to give it to her away from the prying eyes of the crew. Link wasn't in the habit of purposefully humiliating anyone, let alone doing so in front of a crowd.
The opportunity came the next day when Tetra brusquely pulled him aside. "Crew is going ashore on Windfall today. You are staying with me to ensure we're not raided. We've come too far for me to risk losing our treasure to ruffians!"
Link feigned a scowl and sighed. "If you insist."
"It's not up for discussion." Tetra turned on her heel and took the stairs two at a time up to the ship's wheel. "Set course for Windfall Island!" she bellowed.
Link grabbed one of the lines connected to the sail and watched the ship turn towards the tiny island on the distant horizon. At least he knew he'd get a chance to give the potion to Tetra without the crew's interference. Providing he found a way for her to drink it.
Simplicity proved to be his best friend as he took his place beside her while they watched the crew scatter as soon as their feet hit the docks.
"You didn't have anything you needed from the island?" he asked conversationally.
"No. I can go later if I think of something." She glanced over at him. "You didn't put up much of a fight when I told you to stay."
Link shrugged it off. "Didn't feel much like being catapult fodder again."
Her face broke into a grin. "Your loss. That was pretty fantastic."
"Hah. For you, maybe."
"Exactly."
A companionable silence fell between the two before Link exhaled. "Did you replenish the bombs yet?"
Tetra snorted. "What do you think the crew is doing today? They're getting supplies for the ship, including more cannonballs and bombs. Only thing I didn't have them get was potions."
"I got a strength one if we wanted to use it for sparring," Link offered.
"Sparring?" Tetra sounded vaguely intrigued.
"Little swordplay," he hinted again, while reaching into his bag. "This one is a new potion he was trying. Might give you more energy, if you want to check it out."
"Who made these? Beedle?" She sniffed and made a face when Link handed her the purple potion. "It smells ominous."
"The stamina one is awful," Link agreed. "But this one should be better."
"Cheers," Tetra said wryly and raised the bottle to him before rapidly gulping it down. "Ugh! It tastes like… sour fruit and toe cheese!"
Link couldn't help the snicker that burst out of him. He quickly covered it with a cough when she glared at him, then his mouth fell open in surprise.
"What? Something funny?" she snapped. Her countenance suddenly changed and she clutched her stomach, groaning in pain. "Oowww, what was in that potion!?"
"I'm not sure," he replied honestly. "Whoa! What's happening to your head?"
"What?!" Tetra's hand flew to her head and she let out a very girly yelp of surprise and terror. "What is that?! What did you do to me, Link?!"
He could only stand back and stare as two blonde furry cat ears poked out atop her head. A long, fluffy tail sprouted from behind her, and as he watched, her tanned hands vanished, replaced by a pair of brown cat paws with white pads on the palms.
An incredulous laugh broke from him and he doubled over, laughing as the irate pirate stalked over and swatted him with her right paw.
"This isn't funny, Link! Change me back!" Tetra demanded.
"I can't."
"What do you mean, you can't!?"
"It'll wear off in time. He didn't make an antidote or anything. He told me it didn't even work!"
Fury flashed in Tetra's eyes. "What. Did. You. Say."
Link realized his mistake and started backing away slowly. "I, uh, well, you see, I thought if it was a dud like he said it was, there'd be no harm in you trying. You'd make a face, I'd laugh, and it'd be getting you back for the whole catapult incident."
His heels knocked against the railing of the ship. He was in for it now.
"You mean to tell me that you gave me a potion without knowing what effects it would have?" Tetra asked slowly.
He nodded, raising his hands defensively. "I'm sorry. I thought it was just going to be a harmless prank."
"Harmless prank," she echoed. "I have paws, Link! Paws! And a tail!"
"It's a good look on you," Link murmured before he thought better of it.
His brain barely registered the pain on his face before he was falling, then hitting the cold sea water with a splash. He coughed and sputtered as his head broke through the surface. "I deserved that."
"Of course you did." Tetra hissed over the rail at him. "Now get back up here so we can figure out how to fix this!"
Link nodded and swam around to the dock before hauling his now-drenched self back onto the boat. He wrung as much water off of himself as he could and followed Tetra into her quarters.
The blonde pirate paced back and forth, stopping only when she saw the puddle of water forming from his dripping clothes. "Put on a dry tunic, would you?" she snapped, throwing a blue one with a crawfish on it towards him.
He shrugged off his wet one and hastily put the dry one on. He pretended not to notice the lingering gaze on him. He had nothing to hide. Not from her. It was just Tetra.
"How long has it been since I took the potion?"
"A few minutes. Maybe half an hour?" Link leaned against the edge of the table and eyed her. "How do you feel?'
"Angry. Oddly furry… and I hate it. I'm trying to decide how severe your punishment should be." Tetra glowered at him. "I can't believe you… or Beedle for making this swill!"
"I don't know why he made it. But I'm sorry it made you like this." Link lowered his head and couldn't meet her gaze. "It was supposed to be harmless."
She sighed heavily and sat on the edge of her bed. "I suppose it is harmless enough… even if it is rather annoying."
Link looked up in time to see her bat at her ears in frustration before burying her face into the paw pads. He hesitated for a moment before going to sit beside her. "Look on the bright side," he said weakly. "At least it's not a silly love potion? He had that too, but I didn't get it. I didn't want to humiliate you."
"You didn't… and yet here we are." Tetra bit out a mocking laugh yet didn't uncover her face. "If the crew sees me like this, I'll never hear the end of it. Never, do you hear me?!"
"They won't," he quickly assured her. "I'll make sure they don't come in here if it hasn't gone away by the time they return. But we should be okay, regardless."
In an oddly uncharacteristic move, Tetra dropped her head against his shoulder. "Are you happy now," she mumbled against his tunic. "Go ahead and laugh. I deserve it."
Link's stomach twisted and he wrapped his arm gently around her shoulders. "Nah. It was funny at first, but seeing you miserable doesn't make me feel good," he admitted in a low voice. "I'm really sorry, Tetra. I promise I won't do it again."
"Let's agree to only harmless pranks like tripping each other on deck or something. Deal?" Tetra lifted her head to look at him.
Link swallowed thickly, realizing for the first time just how close she was sitting. "D-deal," he replied.
"Did your voice just crack?" she asked incredulously as a lopsided grin crossed her face.
"No! What made you think that," he protested, his cheeks flaming.
"Must've been hearing things." She dropped her head back against his shoulder and nuzzled into his neck. "You smell like saltwater and fish."
"Can't imagine why," he said wryly. "Someone must've pushed me off the ship and into the water. And we had salted fish and fruit for breakfast."
"Did we? I forgot. I had a rather eventful hour and my memory was slipping."
"Did you just purr?" The words tumbled from his mouth before Link could stop them.
"And what if I did? You smell good." The sound vibrated through his chest again while Tetra rubbed her cheek on his chest. "Link?"
"Tetra?"
"Why didn't you give me the love potion?"
Link was at a loss for words. Of all the questions he anticipated, that was the last on the list. "Uhhh."
"And don't say 'curiosity killed the cat,'" she quipped with a slight giggle. "I don't want to die. Not for treasure. No way over the question."
"I didn't want a potion to affect any feelings you may have about me or anyone else." Link reasoned aloud. "I don't think it's funny to mess around with love."
There were a few moments of silence before Tetra spoke in a voice so low that if it weren't for her head on his chest to confirm it, Link would assume it was his imagination.
"Thank you, Link."
"What are you thanking me for?"
"For letting me do this." Tetra lifted her head and lightly brushed her lips against Link's.
It took Link a second to recognize what was happening before he returned the kiss. It was brief, gentle, and soft, perfect for a first kiss. His cheeks flamed as Tetra pulled away.
"Don't dwell on it," she murmured. "I'm still mad at you."
"I won't." That was a lie and both of them knew it.
Her head rested back against him, and she sighed. "The paws are annoying. I want to smack you again for this."
"Would that help you feel better?"
"... maybe a little. Not really."
"Wanna stay like this for a few minutes then?"
"If word of this gets out to the crew, I'm filling your bed with crabs," Tetra warned.
"Aye, aye, captain."
"... then yes."
Link wrapped his arm a little tighter around her shoulders while she curled up against him. Her tail wrapped up over her hips. Within a few short minutes, her breathing slowed as she dozed off in a catnap to the gentle rock of the ship in the waves near the coast.
The prank had definitely not gone to plan, but at least one thing was clear to Link. It was a day and a memory that neither of them were soon going to forget.
