P/N: [That stands for Pioneer's Note] I never imagined I would be writing one of these. I liked it, but really... A Link/Malon? When I'm a vivid Link/Zelda fan? Oh, well people have their moments... here's a bit of fluff... [directly from the clouds :) ]

A Simple Cloud

by Pioneer Pipe

"Link?" A sweet voice inquired, breaking the boy's train of thoughts. He turned to look at the speaker. A very pretty red-head with beautiful blue eyes stared directly at him. Her eyes seemed to be sparkling more than usual, giving her face a glowing touch.

"What is it Malon?" he asked curiously. Sitting down next to him, near the edge of Lake Hylia, she sighed.

"Do you think about the future?"

He frowned and opened his mouth to answer, but she beat him to it.

"Oh, of course you think of the future. Who doesn't?"

Rolling his eyes he said, "What is it you really want to ask me?"

Hitting him playfully on the shoulder she added, "You know me too well."

"That's good, isn't it?"

"Yeah, that's good." She agreed. After a few minutes of silence Malon leaned back so she was now laying on the grass. Link looked at her and taking off his green cap said, "What are you doing? You seem .. gone."

Without looking at him, she responded, "Looking at the clouds. They have so many cute figures and are so.. so.. fluffy."

He lay next to her and squinted, "They're clouds."

Exasperated she said pointing at a cloud on top on them, "See that one. It look like a bunny."

"No it doesn't. It looks like a cloud."

"Link!"

"What?" he said laughing quietly, "Why exactly are you looking for figures. They're clouds."

She looked at him and pouted. Looking at her pout made him smile. He always did say she looked cute when she pouted.

She turned back to the clouds and said as if it were his fault, "See. Now the bunny's gone."

"Aw." He said mocking her tone, "Poor bunny."

Before she had a chance to hit him, he started tickling her.

"Link." She managed to gasp out between her laughter. "Stop!"

Amazingly, he did as she said."

Laying back they focused their attention back to the fluffy objects. They were so engrossed in the clouds and enjoying their time together, time flew by. When the sky turned a beautiful mixture orange, pink, and purple, Link said softly, "You were right."

"I – I was?" she said just as softly. "Why?"

"You can see shapes. See that one over there?" he said pointing to a pink one, "It's a-"

"—heart." She finished, a small smile on her lips.

He stood up and helped her to her feet. Taking out his bow and arrow he shot it to the sky. Wrapping his arms around her, they saw the arrow shoot up the sky and pass through the heart-shaped cloud. She turned around and raised her head to look at him in the eyes.

"You are amazing. Did you know that?" she whispered.

Leaning closer, so that their lips were almost touching he said, "I try."

Closing the tiny gap between them, she kissed sweetly. He kissed her back gently, as though he thought she would break. Panting slightly they broke apart.

- Their first gentle, loving kiss.

Smiling down at her, Link claimed her lips again. The sun's last rays disappearing through the horizon.

~*~*~*~*

"You never did ask me whatever you wanted to ask me."

~ Fin ~