Zelda and I exited the Gerudo Canyon just as the sun reached its peak, the bright rays beaming down on the hot sands. Zelda had woken up halfway through the canyon, providing some welcome conversation. I wasn't really tired, even after driving all morning, but driving through a dark valley got boring quickly, even with all the interesting rock formations. The heat of the desert was a sudden, but welcome, change. The wheels of the Master Cycle spun in the sand for a moment before the tires shifted, forming wide scoops that propelled the bike across the dunes.
"There's not a lot of people out. I thought with how remote Gerudo is, there wouldn't be as much concern about monster attacks," Zelda said, looking at the few people walking, most of them being Gerudo women.
"I think there's not that many people here to begin with," I said, curving around a dune. "Even that town just before the desert only had a few people out and about. Plus, I think the remote location only attracts more monsters. Before they all disappeared, the desert was supposed to be crawling with all sorts of nasty creatures. If the monster resurrections are happening everywhere, I imagine the desert is the worst place to be."
"I suppose you're right," Zelda said thoughtfully, looking out over the shifting sand. I glanced around, imagining the number of things that had died under this relentless sun. It had only been a few minutes, but I was already feeling the heat through my thick biking gear. I could imagine Zelda was feeling it too.
"The Kara Kara Bazaar is just ahead; we should stop there and change. I'm already dying in this leather," I called back. Zelda quickly agreed and a few minutes later we were approaching the edge of the oasis town.
Zelda and I walked in, not wanting to throw sand everywhere with the Master Cycle, taking our time to appreciate the brightly colored stalls. The bazaar was mostly quiet, but a few groups of people were walking around, again mostly Gerudo women, though there were some Hylian men and women around as well. Piles of shining fruit, diaphanous fabrics, and goods from all over Hyrule were on display for the few buyers wandering the stalls. We pulled our jackets off as we wandered through, leaving me in my tunic and Zelda in a pink t-shirt, but the dry heat was still overwhelming. We ended up dipping our feet in the oasis pool the bazaar was built around, the presence of moisture alone helping to cool us down a little.
"Vasaaq, dearies. You must not come to the desert often if you're dressed like that," an old Gerudo woman said from a nearby shop, one that just so happened to sell clothes. "I hope you're not planning on going far like that. You'll pass out from heat stroke."
"I suppose you have a suggestion for something more suited to the desert," Zelda said wryly. The old woman merely smiled and bowed slightly.
"I would hate to have such a lovely couple ruin their trip to our beautiful desert by being unprepared. For the vai, I have plenty of beautiful fabrics. I could prepare an outfit just for you. And for the voe…I have something I've been holding on to for a long time, something that I think would suit him perfectly."
"We don't ne-" Zelda started to decline the offer, but I quickly cut her off.
"That would be wonderful, thank you," I said, pushing Zelda towards the older woman, who was smiling slyly. Zelda sputtered as I encouraged her towards the Gerudo woman. "You just agreed that you were hot, we should dress for the weather. It'll be my treat, just go," I said, getting Zelda close enough to the woman for her to grab her hand and drag her away. She cast one last look at me before she and the old woman disappeared into a brightly colored building.
I decided to stay nearby as I waited for Zelda to come back, enjoying the cool water of the pool. I bought a few fruits from a nearby shop, picking out a few durians and an apple for a few rupees, and ate them by the water. I was surprised I didn't feel more tired, given I had fought a small army of monsters and then driven for at least six hours. Still, I was good to go. Maybe it was the fact that we were so close to the last piece of the Triforce, or the energy and encouragement from the people at the Temple, or just that I was determined to be done with this quest. Regardless, I was ready to finish Ruin, sleep in my own bed, mess with Shade, and punch Sheik. It's the little things.
I was kicking at the water again when I saw the old lady come out of the shack, turning around to say something to someone inside, probably Zelda. The doorway stayed empty for a moment before a long leg I was all too familiar with appeared, with the rest close behind.
Zelda's legs were bare up to just above the knees, a flowing skirt of multiple layers of loose purple fabric falling down from her hips. A gold and leather belt secured it around her waist, small ornaments dangling off it. Her waist was bare, showing off her slim muscles and curved figure. A top of the same purple, diaphanous fabric started just below the underside of her breasts, another gold belt holding the material in place. The royal purple fabric clung to the slopes of her chest, thin enough to leave no doubt as to the refinement of her curves but thick enough to avoid being compromising. A gold band around her neck was fit with a sparkling gemstone, doubling as adornment and a clasp for her top. A delicate crown rested on her head, the same one she wore with her white Hylia dress, along with a thin wrap the same color as the rest of her outfit. Her hair was tied back in a traditional Gerudo knot and purple slippers covered her feet.
I tried very hard to not stare as she walked towards me, hips swaying in that little way they did. She was so ridiculously, undeniably attractive that I couldn't help but stare.
"Ohhoho, I told you your voe would approve," the old Gerudo woman said, grinning widely. I quickly tried to pick my jaw up off the ground, forcing myself to look away from Zelda.
"It just feels very…airy," Zelda said, spinning slightly, making the fabric of her skirt swirl around her legs. I very nearly died on the spot.
"Gerudo clothes always are, it helps to circulate the air and keep you from overheating. The desert can be as fierce and unforgiving as a woman. Now, come, voe. I must find your piece." I reluctantly followed the old woman, shooting one last glance backwards as Zelda sat down in the same spot I had been.
"First of all, take off those stuffy clothes, I feel hot just looking at them. I think…" she rummaged around on one of the racks of clothes for a moment before pulling out a red pair of pants with swirling green patterns out and throwing them at me. "Put those on, they should match reasonably well. I'll just be a minute." The old woman disappeared into the back of the shop, and I could hear her rummaging around for something.
Not wanting to get on her bad side, I quickly pulled my green tunic off and pulled the loose pants on. They billowed around my legs, the fabric extremely breathable. If this was what Zelda's outfit felt like, no wonder she was a little trepidatious. While extremely comfortable, it hardly felt like I was wearing anything at all. I cinched a belt around my waist just as the Gerudo woman came back.
"Hmm, yes, very nice," she said, her voice a little too appreciative as she looked me over. "Such a shame you're taken and I'm not a few decades younger. You'll have to be careful though, young voe. I imagine a number of vai would love to eat you right up. Your beloved included." She chuckled a little and held out a chunk of fabric and metal out to me and dropped a pair of metal and cloth shoes to the floor.
"This is for you; it should be perfect. The young vai said you were going into the desert cliffs, so I thought some armor would be appropriate as well. The sapphires are enchanted to keep you cool as well, so you should be more than fine. Here, here, put it on," she urged me, leaving no room to refuse.
On one hand, it didn't take long to put on. On the other, it didn't really cover much. The top consisted of a single sleeve of green fabric, strapped across my chest to hold it against my skin. It covered my left arm, shoulder, and a bit of my chest, but everything else was left exposed. Simple but durable plates of armor worked as bracers and a shoulder guard, giving me at least some protection. A fancy belt sat on my waist, two thin pieces of armor sitting over my hipbones and thighs.
"Hmm, yes, a good fit. Hardly any adjustments needed," the woman mumbled, poking at the fabric stretched across my chest. She pulled and tightened, adjusting the sleeve slightly. She did the same for the pants and belt, shifting them around. I jumped a little when she covertly pinched my butt, but when I opened my mouth to protest, she just shushed me and continued to adjust bits. I pulled the boots on, wiggling my feet to get everything comfortable. I took a few steps to make sure everything was in place and was surprised at just how well everything fit.
"I knew it would be perfect for you," she said, handing me a cloth band to pull my hair back, getting at least some of its shaggy length out of my face.
"Thank you," I said, looking it all over again. Despite how little the 'shirt' covered, it was insanely comfortable. Stuffing my clothes into one of my pouches, I pulled out a sack of rupees and counted out 300 and put them on a nearby table. "I hope this is enough for our outfits."
"More than enough, I think," she said, glancing at the money. "You're a very generous voe."
"I'm not sure I can really thank you for how you made Zelda look, so we'll have to call it even," I said. The Gerudo woman chuckled dryly.
"A fine work, both the clothes and the vai. I think she'll be as happy with you as you were with her." With a slap on the butt and a quick push, she sent me stumbling towards the door. "Go on then."
I stepped back out into the sun, raising a hand until my eyes adjusted to the light. "Oh gods…" I heard Zelda say as my vision cleared.
There she was, legs tucked under her by the oasis pool, laying on one arm and looking stupidly sexy, eating one of the fruits I had bought. What's more, she was staring straight at me with her glittering blue eyes. Her face was probably a good approximation of what mine was when I saw her after she changed.
"Like I said, just as happy," the old woman said, stepping around me.
"Y-you look good," Zelda said, stuttering slightly.
"You like it?" I asked, tugging at the fabric on my arm. "It feels pretty good, I just hope it's loose enough to fight in.
"I think you'll be fine," she mumbled. I couldn't help but notice she wasn't exactly looking at the armored sleeve. More like she was looking everywhere else. I felt my cheeks flush as I realized just how much skin I was showing, a thought mirrored by Zelda if her own face was any indication.
"Heheh, youth," the old Gerudo woman cackled. "If you are heading for the cliffs, you'd be best to either leave now or wait for evening. The desert will soon be too hot to cross, regardless of your clothes. I would suggest you wait; it is never wise to tempt fate."
"Thank you, I think you're right; we should wait until the sun starts to set."
"Aren't we in a hurry?" I said, lowering my voice so only Zelda heard my voice. She looked at me with fierce eyes.
"Link, I don't care how much you slept yesterday, you fought all night and then drove through the morning. You need to rest now, while you can. Who knows when we'll be able to again." I wanted to argue, but she was clearly leaving no room for it. Another look at her determined face was all it took for me to buckle. Was it just me, or had she put makeup on?
I sighed. "Fine." I wasn't going to win this argument. I heard a chuckle and turned to see the Gerudo woman still standing there.
"Those trees will give you plenty of shade. And privacy," she said, pointing across the pool, smiling slyly. Neither Zelda nor I missed the woman's insinuation, but we both ignored it.
"Thank you again for the clothes," I said, making the woman smile genuinely.
"It was my pleasure. If you two are ever back, do stop by. It does an old vai good to see young people living so fully. Sav'orq." With a final wave, she turned away, walking back to her shop.
Finishing the last of the fruit, Zelda and I started circling the pool, looking out at the windy desert past the trees of the oasis.
"You really do look beautiful," I said after a minute, slipping my hand into Zelda's. She looked at me with a cute smile.
"I know. Your face made that plenty evident," she teased.
"Hah, like you can talk. You were practically drooling over all this," I scoffed, gesturing to my mostly exposed chest. Zelda flushed red again.
"That's not fair, I hardly ever see you without a shirt on. Besides, it's different." She trailed off, mumbling something about sexy boys under her breath.
"What are you saying, it's different? You think I get to see you like this often?"
"Comparatively, yes."
"Oh yeah? Name them," I challenged, sitting down in the sand under a cluster of trees.
"Well," she said, sitting down next to me. "There was at the pool in the hotel. Plus, you were letting those girls ogle you, so I'm counting that twice."
"Hey, that doesn't count! First, we weren't dating yet. Second, how am I supposed to keep someone from looking at me? And third, that bikini you wore was made to tease me. You were basically flaunting yourself at me."
"That's not the point," she said, literally waving away my objections. "Though it is nice to know that you noticed."
"So you were?!"
"Next was at the Temple when you almost died."
"You mean when we almost died."
"I had to tend to your injuries afterwards, right after you kissed me for the first time I should add. I could barely restrain myself."
"And I'm sure you weren't at all concerned about the throbbing gut wound you had."
"Not at all, I was too shocked after being stabbed, stabbed again, kissed, and then hauling my unconscious boyfriend off me." I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her obstinance. I didn't doubt that that was exactly what she had been thinking. "The time after that would have been…I'm counting that day after we got back from the castle, because you were very sweet and I can. Then-"
"When we stayed at the castle and you made the Princess of Hyrule think we were sleeping with each other." Zelda blushed at the memory.
"You're not allowed to bring that up, I was so embarrassed. Besides, I seem to remember you propositioning me at that point."
"You forget after we both showered. You were very unashamed about looking me over."
"Yeah, but so were you," she said, smiling slyly. I squinted my eyes at her as she teased her long blonde hair.
"Fine, we'll call it even. And I think that incident at the hot spring…"
"I think we can call that a draw too," Zelda said, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye. "We can talk about that more another time, I think."
"That's fair," I said, leaning against her shoulder, my eyelids starting to feel a little heavy. "You know I love you, right?"
Zelda didn't say anything for a second before shifting her weight. "You're really heavy. Here, do this." She moved a little, making my head drop from her shoulder and land a little lower. "Okay, not there. No boobs for you." She shoved my head of her chest.
"Awww…" I whined, settling my head against her soft thighs and the silky fabric of her skirt.
"You don't get to complain, I'm already giving you a lap pillow. Now rest," she said authoritatively. I gave in, letting my eyes close, soaking in the warmth of the sun and my girlfriend. For how bad a rap the desert got, it really was peaceful here in the small oasis town, the quiet lapping of the water against the dirt and sand becoming a soothing counterpart to the wind outside the shelter of the trees. I felt myself slipping into a nap when Zelda leaned over me.
"I love you too," she whispered, her breasts pressing against my head for a second as she kissed my hand before she leaned back and started running her hand through my hair. The gentle pressure of her fingers was all it took to lull me fully to sleep.
Damn, that was quick. I told you guys I had plenty of time to write. Plus, this was pretty easy to write. Lots of fluff and cuteness. For context, I'm imagining Zelda to look like a great picture by Linarahe and Link to be pretty close to one by Merwild. Shouldn't be too hard to find if you want to see my inspiration for their outfits. And to anyone complaining about this chapter being all fluff, I shall remind you that I appreciate all your feedback and constructive criticism. Oh yeah, and fuck off, it's my story, I'll do what I want. With all due respect, of course. (I'm being sarcastic, please don't be offended, I love you all.)
I'm actually annoyed this chapter is a little short, but that's just how it's going to be. We'll get into the fun, dangerous, life-threatening stuff next time, so hold tight. I just liked where this chapter ended and though Link and Zelda deserved a chapter to be cute at each other. It's going to be a while until they get the chance again. (Ooo, ominous. Not really though. Not yet.)
Okay, time for a few reviews. Everyone please note that Twilit Lord is not a fan of being compared to Greek heroes. I'm guessing there's some history there (get it, because it's Greek history...heh...help), but I'm not brave enough to ask. Not after last time...*shudders violently*. Oracle, thank you, thank you, thank you. I tried to put a lot of awesome into that chapter, and I'm really glad it came across effectively. I'm particularly happy you caught on that they were singing the 'Song of the Hero' aka the main Zelda theme. Trust me, it was totally epic in my head. Nightwing, yeah, it is a lot to attack the spiritual center of Hyrule, currently housing a ton of people, which has repelled multiple previous attacks. Might as well throw everything and the kitchen sink at it at this point. Also, I was thinking Beamos more than Guardians, they're a little less terrifying. Though the thought of Zelda absolutely obliterating a Guardian with a hail of absolutely huge golden lasers is pretty damn cool.
Hope you guys all enjoyed the rapid update speed. Like I said, I have no idea how long I can keep this up, but my policy for this story is 'post chapters when they're done', so you guys will continue to get them as soon as they're done, with minimal proofreading to boot. I actually can't wait to finish this story so I can go back and adjust all sorts of bits of phrasing and conversation. Some of it just kind of...hurts to read. Not much, but I cringe a little.
Anyways, enough complaining. Thank you all for reading my story and I'm so glad so many of you are enjoying it. If you really want to show your appreciation, drop a quick review, I do appreciate each and every one. Other than that, I hope you are all staying safe and not wandering around outside for no good reason. If you want some good reading, head over to Lyxie's page here and read 'Order Up'. It's a bunch of oneshots based on user reviews, including one by yours truly. If you want to see some really great trashy fanfiction, go give it a read, you will not be disappointed. So much Zelink. Until next time, eat some pizza and don't forget to be polite. Dasvidanya, sayonara, and cheers!
~Aro