V

The day hadn't quite fully changed to night when Sheik woke up. Stirring slightly, she looked around, feeling warmth around her. Looking up and turning very slightly, she saw her; Midna, fast asleep, holding Sheik close to her like a newborn to a mother.

"So I didn't dream earlier on… that really did happen."

She thought, her eyes focused on Midna's face; her eyes closed in peace, there was an air of tranquility that she never really would've associated with Midna before. It was definitely odd, but she didn't mind it. That was until she noticed; unlike Midna's heartbeat, which was beating steadily and at a normal rate, Sheik's heartbeat was close to going haywire. Truth be told, she'd never really been romantically involved with anyone, now or even really as a Princess. Of course, a lot of people suspected that Link would win her heart, and whilst at one point she harboured such feelings, nothing really materialised. But being here now, with Midna… she felt different. And she didn't know if she loved it or hated it.

Looking to the window, she saw the early evening twilight pouring into the room, the light hitting the floor at the end of her bed.

"Hah. How fitting for it to be twilight, of all things."

Just as the thought passed through her mind, tired eyes slowly opened in front of her, an uncharacteristically high pitched yawn coming from the Twili woman. Blinking a few times to adjust her eyes to the light of the room, she looked at Sheik, a tired smile on her face.

"How did I know you'd be up before me?"

"I don't know, how did you?"

The two women smiled at each other, Sheik's heart beating somehow even faster than it initially was before. Midna caught onto the change in her expression, and she took on a concerned look of her own.

"What's the matter? You're not… you're not still upset about earlier on, are you?"

"No, I'm not… I just… my heart is screaming one thing at me, and my mind another."

"Oh? You mean about going back home? I can definitely understa-"

"No, not that, Midna. I mean… specifically, issues and tribulations of the heart."

Midna looked at Sheik for a moment, confused at the implication, before it dawned on her; the kiss they'd shared earlier on, the way that they'd fallen asleep, the raw and volatile emotions that had formed from the argument. It all fell into place. Sighing, she took both of Sheikah warrior's hands in her own.

"You mean those tribulations. I… that makes sense. I'm just… I'm curious as to why you feel that way.. about someone like me."

"To be honest with you… I don't even know where it originated. I just… I guess the argument that we had, must have been some sort of catalyst. Given our history as well…"

"I always thought you were more into someone like Link. Or y'know, Link himself?"

"At one point, I had those types of feelings for him. But nothing really ever came of it. Since then… I don't know, Midna. All I know is, my heart calls for you… and feels.. oh, what's the word…?"

"Complete? Content? Whole?"

"...all of the above."

Sheik sighed into her hands, feeling Midna's on her back, rubbing her soothingly. Leaning down, the Twili spoke soft words to her companion.

"If what you say is true, then… oh! I have an idea."

Sheik looked up at her, raising a tired eyebrow. Before her, as Midna stood up, was a portal of pure darkness; she recognised this as the method of transportation that Twili like her and Zant used to get around quickly. Sensing that she was about to ask, Midna began.

"Hyrule Market has opened up again. Of course, parts of the main city and castle are still in repair. But the main market is open to the public. I wanted to know, if you wanted to… what is it the youth call this? Going on a date?"

Sheik's heart leapt into her throat, her words abandoning her in that moment when she needed them the most. On one hand, she wanted to practically tackle Midna through that portal, and spend all the time that she could with her. Then again, she didn't even know if she was ready. Sure, it had been well over a year since she left Hyrule after the defeat of Ganondorf and the breaking of the Mirror of Twilight. But it still hurt. And it was a huge gamble. Standing up, she blinked away a tear. She wasn't going to be scared anymore. She was going to live her life, like she wanted to in the first place.

Stepping carefully yet nervously over to Midna, she took her hand in her own, smiling at her, before kissing her cheek.

"I'm not scared anymore. I… what we have going on between us, is something special, yet fragile. I welcome it, and all of the love and emotion that comes with it. But… Midna, you will have to be patient with me. I've… I've not properly been in love before.

Midna gave a wide smile down at her, kissing her gently in return, holding her hand that bit tighter. Shaking her head, she put her free hand on Sheik's shoulder.

"I promise you, Sheik. We move at the pace we both feel comfortable with. I haven't been involved in anything like this before. But I'm excited, just like you are… so, is that a yes?"

Sheik leaned up, kissing Midna tenderly on the lips, nodding back at her, smiling.

"Does that answer your question?"

With that, the two stepped into the portal, as it closed behind them.

For the first time in a long time, Sheik felt at peace. Just like she had always wanted.

Author's Note

So, hiya guys. I've honestly been meaning to add to this. But, life happens sometimes. And with work and all, I don't always find the time to add to my story as much as I'd like to.

Our romance is beginning to bloom! It's exciting, and given I've never written anything that belongs to the romance genre, I feel I'm doing alright for myself. I love this ship, and I love this story. As always, I'd love to hear what you guys think!

Catch you on the other side.

Viva~