Thank you for your reviews. I am very touched. I am very far from perfect but I do try. Also, thank you for the compliments on how I portrayed their relationship. It warms my heart and inspires me more to write when someone says that I did a good job. Also… I write faster if I get such reviews. *wink wink*.

I just thought that this could be a sequel to my other story, Adrift in Time and Skyward Bound. Or a prequel. Or whatever. I mean… They can exist in parallel in different worlds. I'm not yet sure if I will be including the other characters (like Ganon) into the picture. I have no definite plot for this. I'm making it up as I go. Haha!

If you are interested in the image of Link… And how I imagine him to look like specifically for this story, please check out "eori namo" on Insta. She's a fucking brilliant artist and looking at her drawings fuels the little perv in me. 3 And yes. That is what our model/actor Link looks like. Promise me, you will check her out, okay?

Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Zelda.

Fuck.

It takes all of my willpower to go back into that room when all I can hear pounding in my ears is how badly I fucked up.

Why?

Why the fuck was she in there?

As soon as I finish the take, I storm back into the dressing room where Lila is apologising to me over and over about not keeping watch over Zelda more. But I don't blame her. Zelda… she's… She's got a mind of her own. If she wants to do it—no one can stop her. She's not a fucking child.

Damn.

Damn it all to hell.

The look in her eyes… Betrayal and anger and disappointment and… disgust.

Mipha had volunteered to get out and look for her but I said no. Her cameo will be shot soon. The only one I can do is… finish this shit.

And hope.

Hope like fucking hell she's at home waiting for me.

I almost rip the script in my hands as Lila fixes my hair for the next scene—a confrontation about the cheating that the characters have encountered. But right now… I feel like I'm the one who's cheated on her in real life.

Just when… Just when I finally—finally confessed. Just when we are an official couple. Just when. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

"I should have told her. I should have shown her the script and explained or something." I groaned with my head in my hands as Sidon paced beside me.

"She shouldn't have gone out of this room. She didn't have to see that." Sidon says gravely.

"No. It's my fault. I should have… I should have explained it to her fully. She's new at this stuff. And she doesn't watch the show. She didn't know what to expect." I snap.

Sidon doesn't answer. But I can see his brows furrowing. My heart is pounding as I try to focus. I want… I need to get out of here. But if I leave in the middle of a shoot—I'd have to pay a hefty fine. Plus… this episode needs to come out next week.

Breathing hard, I try to call her again. My hand is shaking and my fingers are numb but she doesn't answer. The ringing goes on and on. This must be what… the tenth time I tried? Where the hell is she?! I need to explain—to tell her that what she saw wasn't real—I mean… it was just acting!

And finally—finally—she answers. But the explanation dies in my throat. And all I can croak out is "Zelda?"

"Link." Her voice is small and soft and I know—I know she's crying and shaking somewhere. I know that she needs me.

"I'm sorry." I whisper. Sidon and Lila leave the room tactfully. I give them a look of gratefulness. She doesn't answer. But I can hear cars in the background—is she outside? Where is she? Was that… Was that a subway? A train?

I can barely hear her breathing. "I'm sorry." I want to tell her to come back. But that's a bad idea… This place will just… remind her of what I did. "I'm sorry. Please…."

I don't even know what the fuck I am begging her for. "I'm sorry. You shouldn't have… seen that. I should have… made you left. I'm sorry."

She still doesn't say anything.

I want… I want to tell her everything. How I didn't like it—how it's just a job to me—a task that I need to do—how everything is fucking choreographed. I want to tell her that she's the only one—the only one I love. I want her to know that I am desperate for her and to please… please don't leave me.

But none of that should be said in a call. And it might drive her away. I'm fighting like hell to keep her as it is! Fuck. I don't know what to say!

I settle for, "I love you… Please." I am breaking and unraveling and desperate. I just… I need to feel her. I need to have her in front of me, warm and comforting and real. I'm scared… I'm scared that when I come home tonight, she won't be there. "Please, Zelda."

I can tell she's breathing hard—thinking. And I wait. I wait endlessly.

"I need time." She whispers and ends the call.

And I just… I try to call her again but it's off. She's turned off her phone.

I sit there frozen until Sidon comes back to wake me from my stupor.

Sidon doesn't trust me to drive because I'm a bundle of nerves. He asked one of the crew to take my bike back to the apartment and he takes me into his car. I try to keep my cool but I have this… foreboding. And I'm hoping like fuck that it's not true. I urge him to drive faster.

It's been seven hours since I last saw her and she hasn't answered her phone since. Who the fuck knows where she's been. I tried calling the house phone but there's been no answer. And what gives me dread is that I even called the doorman, Simon, and he told me… that he hasn't seen her nor anyone has come up to my apartment.

Fuck.

The only other person I know she can contact is Urbosa. But I haven't met her. Nor do I know her number. And I feel guilty about not making more of an effort to get to know her better—to know her world better.

"She'll be there." Sidon tells me as we wait for a stoplight and I tap my foot impatiently.

"I fucked up, Sidon." I say.

"This is the last scene for Happiness. This is the last shoot. If ever you're going back, it'd be for Scene 137 and that's a long time away. Or for dubbing. It'll all work out." He says.

"I just… I should have explained it to her."

"People in the business like us… we know what we're getting at. But for outsiders—it's not… that easy. She needs time." Sidon says calmly.

I need time.

That's what she said.

I hope like fuck that doesn't mean time away from me. I cannot erase the look of disgust in her face. Her eyes were glistening with tears and I had another woman on my lap—grinding on top, her breast in my mouth—fuck.

Fuck.

I have a lot of fucks to give today.

I know she's not going to answer but I try to call her again. When that doesn't work, I ask Simon for updates. There are none. I call the house phone—no answer. I feel cold in my chest. What if…

What if she's not at home. I check her place. But what if she's not there?

Where the hell do I go to look for her? Do I scour the streets—go through every alley until I catch a glimpse of her long blonde hair?

We reach my building and Sidon waits for me downstairs. I am sprinting and running and Simon is ready with the elevator. "She's not here?" I ask him desperately.

But Simon shakes his head. "I manned the desk the whole day. She might have come up while I was on bathroom break but other than that…"

I press the elevator button again—willing for it to go faster. I am inside before the doors are opened fully and Simon comes after me. This fucking elevator is damn slow and I need to get to the top and her phone is still off.

I reach my door.

My hands are shaking as I take out my keys and I almost miss the keyhole and I am dreading what the apartment looks like but I need to know.

I throw the door open, calling out her name. "Zelda? Zelda!"

It's eerily quiet and dark. I rush to the bedroom and throw open the doors of the walk-in closet—I clutch my chest in relief at the sight of her clothes still hanging. But… she's not here.

Where the hell is she?

I check all the other rooms. There's no sign that she came home after leaving the set. I try to remember how everything looked before I left but—I can't. My brain is a mess.

I take out my phone and dial Sidon. He answers on the first ring. "Not there?" He asks. "No." I say gruffly. "I'll be waiting here."

I go back out and Simon is waiting for me at the elevator. "Can you check the garage if the car is there?" I ask him.

Simon nods. "Yes, Sir."

We reach the lobby and Simon checks the cameras. He shakes his head. "Car is not there." It means she has it. She could be anywhere. I leave without another word, hurrying outside where Sidon is waiting.

My phone rings and it's Mipha. "Did you find her?" She asks.

"Not yet." We're speeding down an intersection on the way to her house and the cold spot in my chest is growing bigger—spreading through my whole torso. Her phone is still off and she's still not answering.

"Okay. Call me if you have news." She ends the call.

"Did she leave?" Sidon asks.

I shake my head. "Her stuff is still there."

"That's a good sign. We'll find her, Link."

I'd rather have her than her clothes, Sidon. But yes. Right now, I'll take what I can get. That's a good sign. I still have her house key in my key ring and as soon as Sidon stops in front of her building, I rush out.

I race up to the second floor and I jam the key in the lock—not even bothering to ring the bell. I need to see her. I burst in, "Zelda? Zeldaa?" But I am greeted with darkness.

She's also not here.

And I realize… That I don't know anything about her. Despite the numerous information she told me before about she doesn't like cold floors and how she likes reading and the rain—I don't have a single clue as to where she goes when she needs time.

I rack my brain as I go through each room listlessly—knowing that she's not there but I still check every corner—every space.

Where do you when you're lost, Zelda?

Where do you go?

The first few days were wonderful. She's wonderful. But ever since the shoots start… I admit. I admit, okay. It was my fault. I was too busy to pay attention to her. Coming home late and leaving early in the morning didn't do much good to us deepening our relationship.

I was hanging on by a thread every time I see her passed out on the couch at two in the morning when I come home, a stale mug of coffee on the table.

I knew I was pushing it when I told her that I had a shoot the next day and her face fell.

I was hoping for time. More time. Hang on just a little bit, Zelda and I'll be back to woo you, to love you. And now…

Just when things are starting to finally get better, I can't find her.

I hear footsteps behind me to see Sidon breathing hard. "Not here?"

I shake my head dejectedly.

"Do you know… where she might be?"

I shake my head again. I don't even know where her office is. Goes to show how little I know about her.

"What about her friends? Maybe we can find an address or something." Sidon says.

Her laptop is not here. Nor is her tablet. And do people still keep around those phonebook things? "Urbosa is her name. But I don't know her last name."

"I'll try to get something from Facebook." Sidon says as he plants himself on a chair and goes through his phone.

I go back into the bedroom.

Just last night…

She told me she loves me. And I told her I love her. I showed her over and over again. Now… I don't even know. I don't even know where she is—where she could have gone. What kind of fucking boyfriend am I?

Where do you go when you're lost, Zelda?

Where are you?

"I found several Urbosas. But I don't know which one. Should I contact them all?" Sidon asks sticking his head into the bedroom.

"Please." I say desperately as I grab the pillow and inhale it.

It still smells like lavender and vanilla. My heart aches as I stare at the bed and remember how we made love. It was fucking but it was also making love and it was passionate and glorious and rough yet romantic.

I try.

I tried.

I try.

My fingers dial her number on my phone again. But it's still off. The place is empty and it's cold and it's late and dark outside.

Where are you?

"Link." Sidon calls from behind me. "Pull yourself together. We'll find her. She's not stupid. She just needs time to think."

I nod. "Okay."

"Do you want to wait here or back at your place?"

I don't know, Sidon. I don't know. Where will she go when she decides its time to come back? Here? Or there? Where? I am torn. I want to be in two places at once just in case. But… I have to trust her. That she'll go back to 'our' place. I have to trust her. I trust her. "Let's go back to my place." I hear myself whisper.

I feel Sidon touch me on my shoulder and lead me out the door. We leave her empty apartment. I feel just as empty as it is.

"I'll stay here with you. Just in case you need a ride." Sidon says as we enter my place.

I check each room again. But she's… still not here. I told Simon downstairs that if ever the car comes back, he needs to call me immediately. Any sign of her—call me immediately. Four of the Urbosas that Sidon tried to contact are not the ones we are looking for. I'm reaching a dead end and I'm grieving as I sit on the couch, staring at the door.

I feel a nudge. "Go take a shower. I'll keep watch." Sidon says.

I don't have it in me to argue. So, I nod and give in. I'll hear it anyway. I'll hear if she's back. Sidon will tell me. And I need to wash—scrub myself. I need to get rid of Nicole's traces on me. I doubt she would… want to touch me after what she just witnessed.

I put myself in her place.

I wouldn't want to touch me.

After my bath, I get back outside where Sidon is on his tablet. He looks up at me and I know I must look like a mess. He shakes his head at my wordless inquiry if we have any news from the Urbosas.

I sit down heavily on the couch beside him and resume my vigil at the entrance, silently praying that she comes through those doors. If not this minute, then the next. If not, then the next after that.

I love you, Zelda. Please come back to me.

I wake up groggily from the couch. My immediate thought is Zelda and I jump out of the couch to check the rooms again frantically.

But Sidon is at the kitchen making coffee and he catches my eye while shaking his head. He takes my arm and pushes me on a stool and thrusts coffee into me. "Link." He says sternly.

I look at him. "Yeah?"

He looks strained—I can see him struggling with what he wants to say. I wait. "I've never seen you… this lost before." He says after a minute.

That's easy. "I've never had a Zel—…someone like her before." I say softly. Saying her name makes me ache as I drink the bitter liquid. It takes a while for the caffeine to kick in.

"Can you work today?" He asks me.

No. Not really. I want to stay here and wait for her to come back. I want to stay here and I want to see her and I want to be here when she goes through those doors and I will hug her and never let go. I reach for my phone and try to dial her number again.

My heart leaps when it rings. And I wait. I wait—until the call ends. She doesn't answer. I try again only to be stopped by Sidon.

"Link. You are distraught. I cannot take you to work like this." He sighs.

"I'm sorry, Sidon. Can I just… can I have this day off? I… I need to find her." I say.

"Where? Where do we go to look for her, Link?"

"I… don't know." I feel empty and hollow inside.

"We can't just start driving around the city hoping she shows up on some random bus stop." Sidon sighs.

I look over at the wall—it's almost 9am. Where did she sleep? Is she okay? Where did she spend the night?

"Do you know where she works?" Sidon asks.

"I didn't… ask for the name." I know he's getting pissed at the abysmal amount of information I have. Don't worry, Sidon. I'm pissed too.

"Let's… wait until we have more information about Urbosa so we know where to go." He tells me as he starts opening cupboards and then the fridge. "I'll get some food ready."

I sit in silence but remember to thank him. "Thank you, Sidon." I mumble.

But he just shrugs.

It's past lunch time and there is still no word. Sidon has cancelled the rest of the day for me with the condition that I go to work tomorrow, no matter what. I have a dubbing to do for Happiness and a client visit for HyHo.

I am not… the type to fall apart. But now I'm stricken with such fear that she will never come back as I remember how headstrong and determined she is. But I trust her. I trust her. She said she needs some time—and time is something I can give. I will be patient. I am patient. I will wait for her as long as she needs.

I am at the couch and Sidon has given me a book. He's given me a book to read while he cleans up so I wouldn't be twiddling my thumbs. But I am staring at the same paragraph for the past hour and I haven't even gotten to page two. All the other Urbosas he's contacted have replied except one.

A professor and author—but according to her page, she's out of the country right now on some book signing tour. It seems… unlikely since she's several years older than Zelda is… But I am not about to lose hope and anything is possible.

Where are you, Zelda?

I wonder if she's okay… if she's eating… If she got enough sleep. Where did she stay? At a hotel? At another friend's house? The same questions race around in my head as I struggle with the fact that I don't have answers.

The doorbell rings and I jump to my feet.

Zelda, is that you?

My heart is thumping out loud as Sidon rushes out from the bedroom too. I take a deep breath and open the door without checking the video intercom. My face falls at the sight of… delivery men.

"Hi! We have a delivery for a… Mr. Link?" One of them says.

"I'm Mr. Link…" I say. I remember then what the boxes are for.

I had asked Sidon… to buy furniture for Zel—her office… So she'll have a desk and a chair and bookshelves… He hands me a clipboard and I sign it with my name at the bottom. "Where do we set up?"

Sidon pops over and takes the clipboard from me. He gives me a push towards the living room. "I'll handle this. Go."

I let him take the papers from me. And I go back to the couch and lie down. They haul boxes into the room at the end of the hallway and I find the noise… a little bit distracting. I close my eyes and concentrate on the thuds and drilling and sound of voices.

It takes them a while to get done. And when Sidon invites me to check their work—I shake my head. I don't get off the couch.

"Link… Link…" I am being shaken awake and I open my eyes—sitting bolt upright. "What?" I say aloud—my head is pounding as I look around disoriented. Sidon's face comes into focus.

"I found Urbosa." He says.

I am instantly awake as I get up and get dressed.

We meet Urbosa at a cafe. She's a tall, brown-skinned woman with long hair tied back in a ponytail. She's dressed smartly too. She shakes my hand and then Sidon's. "Link." She points to me. "You need my help to look for Zelda?"

I nod.

She's looking at me intently. "I was surprised. I just got off the airport when I read your message." She peered at us over her glasses. "I used to be Zelda's professor and thesis advisor at the university."

"Thank you for coming." I say. Really—she cannot even grasp how grateful I am that she's here. Any clue—no matter how small—is fucking helpful right now since I got nothing.

"So what happened?" She asked, leaning over the table. Sidon gets up to order us some drinks.

"I… I don't know how to start." I admit sheepishly. But she doesn't budge. I take a deep breath. "She saw me shoot a bed scene."

Urbosa's eyebrows shoot up. "Like… A real one?"

I nod. "She came to the set to bring something that I forgot. And I was going to shoot a bed scene. I told her… not to look and not to leave the room."

"But she did." She interrupts, the corner of her mouth twitching.

Sidon comes back and hands us coffees. He sits beside me but otherwise stays silent. "Yes. She was just… there. In the room. I didn't know that she was inside until it was too late.

Urbosa leans back. "And now you can't find her?"

I nod. "Yes. My only lead is you. She told me you had coffee a few days ago. And she's mentioned you before."

Urbosa nods. "Hmmm… I can imagine how hard it was for her. For anybody, really."

Her face swims back into my thoughts. The betrayal and disappointment and anger… It's burned against my skull.

"I mean… for people in the industry… it is always difficult to discuss with your partner the scope of a project. It is difficult for outsiders… to be on the receiving end of a love scene." She starts as she drinks her coffee. "I am guessing that you didn't sit her down and explain to her what she should expect?"

I shake my head. "Not really. That's my fault."

"It could give her some form of understanding. A chance to see your world. So she won't feel threatened by it."

I do not mention the incident at the mall when we went on a date. My world, huh?

"There will always be people who will have a hard time adjusting to your… lifestyle… but Zelda is smart. She's not fragile. I think she was just shocked." She continues.

I nod. "I think so too. She told me she needs time."

"Time to think?"

I shrug. "That was the last thing she said."

"I like you, Link." Urbosa says quickly. "I can tell that you care for her… The fact that you're doing something speaks volumes. So, I'll help you."

I sigh in relief. "Thank you, Urbosa."

She taps her chin with her finger as she thinks about it. "Zelda… doesn't go out much. But she does frequent some places much more than others. For example… this cafe."

I look around—expecting to see her in a corner or something.

"We always meet here. Well, most of the time. She also likes going to the library back at the university. It's one of her favourite places in the world." Sidon is taking down notes on his tablet as Urbosa tells me most of the places she's gone with Zelda.

"Quiet places mostly. Oh and there is this cafe near the university as well—she used to study there a lot. And the last time… I had to go look for her—that's where I found her." Urbosa says. "When she's lost… she goes back to the university. It's the place where she learned how to be… independent from…" Her eyes flit between me and Sidon. I shake my head a fraction of an inch and she continues like nothing happened. "It's one of her safe places."

My hands are still shaking a bit but not so much anymore. Finally… Finally, I have something I can work with.

"And if she didn't come home last night… I think I know where she spent the night." Urbosa says with a smile.

"Where?" I ask her immediately. Anything—anything will be helpful.

"My place. She has a spare key." Urbosa drains her coffee. She stands up. "You coming or not?"

We arrive at her apartment and she opens the door for us. I am jittery—the prospect of being able to see her is hovering but I am also apprehensive of what her reaction would be. But we are disappointed when we find her place empty.

Well, not really.

There's a folded blanket and a pillow on the couch. And there is a note taped to the fridge.

Urbosa. I stayed over. See you when you get back. Thanks!

"Yes. So this is where she was last night." Urbosa says. "Sorry. Want me to come with you to the university?"

But I cannot impose on her any longer. "It's fine. You must be busy. But can I have your number? Just in case she comes back?"

Urbosa nods as she takes my phone and puts in her number. "If she comes here tonight, I'll call you."

"Thank you." I say.

"Go try the university." She advises me. "The library—then the cafe."

I can imagine her curling up on that couch, wrapped up in a blanket. But I shake my head and get myself together. "I will call you when we find her."

She nods and I follow Sidon out the door. "University first?" Sidon asks as we get into his car. I nod. She was just here last night and I'm getting closer at finding her.

It's a weekday and we see a lot of students outside. Sidon has given me a cap and sunglasses to disguise myself. We move quickly before anybody gets a second look and recognises me.

We scour the grounds as much as we can. Soon… the sun was setting. The library proved to be a futile attempt. Sidon had asked the librarian if Zelda—turns out she's pretty known here—dropped by. But the librarian shook her head, saying that it's been months since she last visited.

We found the cafe that Urbosa mentioned. It's full of students hunched over books or hidden behind laptops as they studied for their lessons. We find a spot in a corner and Sidon orders some drinks.

I stare out at the darkening sky.

Zelda, where are you?

"Link…"

I look over at Sidon. "Maybe, we should go home?" I know he's uncomfortable saying this to me. But I do owe him for staying. Besides… he might have a point. "She asked for time. There's a reason why we can't find her. And going after her like this…"

I drink the coffee and think about it. "I guess, you're right."

"Don't get me wrong. I know how much you love her. I want to find her too. I feel… guilty about this, as well." He scratches his head. "I should have kept a closer eye on her."

A small smile escapes me as I shake my head. "She's stubborn. She would have fought you off."

"Let's go back. Who knows she might be waiting for you at the apartment. Urbosa will call us if ever Zelda ends up there."

I nod…

Is this it? Am I accepting defeat? I feel like it's a betrayal of my love for her.

"Let's just take a step back for a bit. She did ask for some time to think about it."

Think…

I understand that perfectly. We're alike in some ways—how we're both comfortable with silence. How at one weekend, I left early in the morning and she was reading by the window and I came home to find her in the same spot. She had said that she's spent the whole day just… relaxing. And thinking.

And I joked that if she thinks too much—she might end up realising how great she is and will probably leave me.

This memory sends a pang deep in my gut. Probably why I'm fucking panicking right now. I'm scared that if I leave her alone for a long time… she'll get ideas. That she deserves more. Someone more than me.

But that's her. Sidon is right. I can't put everything on hold just because she's not here. I can imagine her voice now… "You spent all day looking for me, you dumbass. You're an adult!" I hold my breath to keep myself from laughing. She wouldn't like it if she knew I'm this pathetic.

Nodding slowly, I look at Sidon who is waiting for my answer. "Let's go home, Sidon."

In a seemingly better mood than before, Sidon perks up just a little bit and grins at me. "Right. Then come on, I'll take you home."

He gets up to pay for our drinks as I rearrange my cap and pull it low over my head. I look around the cafe and imagine Zelda—maybe in a high ponytail and one of those backpacks as she buys coffee. I can totally see her in my mind's eyes—dumping her stuff on an empty seat, sighing. She would be opening her laptop and then getting started on studying.

She would have been awfully cute. "Oh, Zelda. Where did you run off to?" I sigh loudly as Sidon chuckles. Just then, the waiter comes back with the receipt and he does a double-take when he hears me.

"Did you say Zelda?" He says excitedly. He's middle-aged with dark hair and thick glasses.

"Yes. Why? You know her?" I ask him quickly.

He nods. He fucking nods. "Long blonde hair, green eyes, killer smile?"

I nod frantically. "Yes. That's her. Have you seen her?" My hands are balling into fists as I try to control myself.

"Everyone here knows her. She's a regular. She was here this afternoon. Left around an hour ago."

I stand up quickly and fix my cap. Sidon does too. "Did she—did she say anything before she left?"

"Come to think of it. She looked troubled. I asked her what's wrong and she said needs to go 'high up' to think." He says slowly.

"High up?" Sidon looks puzzled.

"Yeah. She said she needs to feel invincible." He says with a short laugh. "She's a very nice kid. You her boyfriend?"

I nod absent-mindedly and he leaves.

It clicks. It finally clicks.

Like a distant memory, her small voice echoes in my head. "Up here… problems seem minute. Up here… I feel invincible—untouchable."

Fuck.

I cannot believe it's taken me this long to realise it.

I know where she is.

I feel her before I see her.

There she is sitting on the grass—overlooking the view. Her back is turned to me and I feel relief in my whole body. "Found you." I breath out.

She gets up slowly, surprise in her face that quickly dissolves in a small smile. "Hi."

With tired legs—I come up to her and I take her in my arms and she's immediately warm and with me. There are no words to describe what I am feeling right now. Immense relief? Not enough. I hold her close and she's perfect in my arms and I can feel her shaking. I feel wetness on the front of my shirt. "I'm sorry it took me so long to find you." I whisper.

But she shakes her head and gingerly… She's… a little stiff in my arms. I try to ignore it. I've been going around the city trying to look for her and here she is in my secret spot that's now hers as much as its mine. She's right in front of me.

"How did you…?"

"Sidon dropped me off." I answer. I let her go and her fingers are fidgeting. "And you left a clue."

I watch as she sits back on the ground and I follow suit. There's something… about her that doesn't want me close. It hurts that I know why but I… give her space. I give her time.

"Clue?"

"The cafe by the university." I take a deep breath. The air is fresh and cool.

"How did you find—"

"We tracked down Urbosa. I met her." I say simply as I rest my elbows on my knees and start playing with the grass. I want to kiss her. I want to hold her. But I don't want to drive her away.

"Urbosa?"

"I just realized… that I know nothing about you. About where you go when you're… lost and you need to think… or who your friends are." I say. I try to keep the hurt away from my voice. But I can't so I just gulp. "I'm sorry. I should have made more of an effort to get to know you better."

"I'm sorry I'm using your secret place." She whispers.

Her hand is on the grass beside me. I want to hold it… I feel like she's slipping through my fingers. I feel the distance between us growing and I'm afraid of where this conversation might lead. Fuck me and my romantic notions. I did something wrong… I expected her to jump into my arms and kiss me and then we'll go home and all will be right. But life is not a fucking fairy tale.

The truth is when she saw me—surprise was on her face and the hint of the same betrayal is behind her eyes that used to look at me like I'm a piece of art. The images of me… fucking Nicole… will haunt her.

And that's exactly what's holding her back now.

I can't blame her. I can't. I just. Fuck. She's so calm.

"I'm sorry… that I left." She says.

I watch her at the corner of my eye. The guilt in me is immense and I don't know what the fuck I should do. Do I get down on my knees? Do I beg? A thousand apologies won't change the images burned in her mind. I'd rather she shout and or hit me or something. Like this, she looks… defeated.

Please, Zelda. Please. I am dreading what comes next. Every time she opens her mouth, I hold my breath like I'm fucking waiting for a death sentence.

"I'm sorry… that you had to see that." I say softly. Desperate, I move to face her and take her hand. She flinches but relents. I feel the sting in my eyes as I bit my lower lip. "Zelda… Please, look at me."

Her words, as soft as a feather, stab me like knives. "I can't."

A lump has formed in my throat. I didn't… I didn't do anything wrong… But it's not a matter of right or wrong… I hurt her. I hurt her feelings—after promising over and over again that I won't. Fuck.

"Do I disgust you that much?" I ask—my voice broken. I am torn. If I could… just turn back time. It wasn't… I want to tell her that I didn't do anything wrong. That it was my job! I am paid—paid to act and pretend. I want to tell her that none of it was real—that the kisses mean nothing—that I didn't feel anything the whole time. That it was her on my mind.

But even in my head it all sounds like bullshit. It all sounds like an excuse.

I can't force her to understand my side. What she witnessed… is enough to send anyone running. I bow my head and blink back tears when she doesn't answer. Yes… Yes, I do. I take deep breaths to calm myself down. You are disgusted by me.

"What do you want me to do, Link?" She says softly—almost a whisper. I hear the pain in her voice and it hurts me double to know that it's my fault.

"If I could turn back time, I would." I swear.

"When I close my eyes, I see it." Her voice is faint. "I see… you and her. And it's funny. Because I know… that… that it's just pretend. And that you're not… really doing it." She takes a deep breath. "But… I can't forget it."

The night moves arounds us slowly and we are silent. She's still sobbing but I don't… I don't dare touch her. I don't say anything.

I remember what I told her that morning… She calls the shots. I'm literally at her mercy. "I'll quit. I won't do that anymore." I say. I am determined.

"I can't ask you to sacrifice your creativity and passion for my insecurity." She says after a while.

But I shake my head. "I quit. As of now, I quit. I won't do those scenes anymore. I won't act anymore." I tell her desperately. Anything. I'll do anything.

"Your like what you do. You're passionate about it. Your work is important." She says.

"You're more important." I say loudly. She looks up at me. And her eyes are wide and surprised at my outburst. "Can't you see? I… I don't want to do those things at your expense. I'd rather quit if it means losing you." I squeeze her hand and it's limp and cold in mine. But I don't give a fuck. I hold it tight. "My life is yours. I live for you."

I watch her expression change from sadness to surprise to disbelief then… understanding? "Link…"

"I know you don't want to touch me right now. I know you can't bear the sight of me. But I can't—the last 30 hours was a fucking nightmare, Zelda! I cannot lose you."

"Link…"

"Zelda, please. Please. There's this distance between us now… that if… if—if we don't get past it—there's no going back! I've had you for a month. I need you for the rest of my life. If you… If you can't be with me. That's fine. I'll stay away. I'll sleep on the fucking couch and give you space but please… Please…" I'm rambling I know it but I don't care—"come home. Come back to me." I take a deep breath, desperate. I am crying and I must look like total shit— "I'll get you your own room if you want. But I need you… to not run away… Please stay."

"I can't… ask you to quit."

"You're not. I'm deciding on my own." I say firmly. She has not wrenched her hand out of my grasp. I take it as a sign as I lean closer slowly… giving her every chance to pull away… —until my forehead is pressed against hers. "I'll do anything and everything. Love me again, please?"

And like a fucking miracle… her small hand comes up to my neck and I let myself exhale slowly. But I won't move unless she does.

"Take me home." She whispers.

The drive back to the apartment was silent but it was… not uncomfortable. She's in the passenger seat. I asked if I could hold her hand. She agreed. I do not let go unless I really have to. It has suddenly become my life line. It's the only thing that makes everything real.

I feel like if I let go… I let her go and she'll go running away again.

Fuck.

I do not entertain the other possibility—the thought of what if… What if she broke up with me? Because I know. I know it was there. With the way she acted and the way she talked and refused to look at me… I know it's there… hovering.

I do not think about it. What's important is we are… on our way home. And she's here with me now. And I will not let her go.

I need her to know… how serious I am about giving her the space she needs. I need to show her that I can keep my word. So once we were inside the apartment, I lead her to the bedroom. She sits down on the bed slowly—still quiet.

"You can sleep here. I'll be outside." I say in a low voice. I go into the closet and I get a spare blanket and a change of clothes. I move slowly… I don't want to startle her. I come back into the bedroom… She hasn't moved.

It's been so long since I've touched her… But I promised. I cannot rush her into forgiving me. When she doesn't say anything else, I take my leave of the bedroom but stop… I feel a tug at the back of my shirt. I look back to see Zelda behind me. She's clutching at the hem of my shirt.

"Zelda?" I ask her softly. I don't know… what she wants from me. But there's a small spark in me that hopes… That hopes… I don't know what exactly I'm hoping for.

"I can't… You're…" She's mumbling. She takes a deep breath. "Can I… have a hug?"

I melt. I fucking melt. This is a step. It's a step. I put the blanket on the bed and then slowly, I wrap my arms around her. She's so soft… So fucking soft. I hold her… loose. Not so tight. I don't want to smother her. I don't want to pressure her. I don't want to… scare her away.

It's a minute or more… before she pulls away. She doesn't meet my eyes but stares at the floor. "Thank you."

I can't help but smile. This is doable. I can work with this. We can fix this. I take the blanket again from the bed and I make my way out. But before I close the door behind me, I hear her voice.

"I'm sorry. I love you." She says so softly.

It takes all of me not to walk up to her and kiss her breathless. But I don't. I don't. She's in the middle of the room where I left her.

I know she still loves me. I know we're going to get through this. "I love you too."

I am lounging on the couch, the TV is on but on mute. I cannot sleep. I called Sidon and Urbosa and Mipha. I updated them that I found Zelda. And she's back at home with me. I tell Sidon that I'll be back at work tomorrow. If I'm being honest, I don't want to. I want to stay with her here. But I know that won't work… And she wouldn't like it.

But I have to go back to work. Thankfully, Sidon has agreed… to stop accepting acting gigs for a while. I cannot be even more grateful… But he's seen me lose my marbles over Zelda and he knows more roles or scenes like that are off the table.

Still… The same haunting feeling is here. What if I leave in the morning and then I come back to see that she's left again? I just… I'm scared okay. The thought is enough to keep me up and thinking.

It must be midnight… But I'm wide awake. I take another sip of my beer as I stare at the movie figures on the screen. I keep on telling myself… that Zelda is here. She's back. She's safe. She won't leave again.

But now I know what she's capable of. I know that I scare her. I know that she can leave me. And that scares the fuck out of me. I groan inwardly. I have to keep her. I'm so scared. I've never been scared of losing something so important to me.

I take another sip. It's gone lukewarm and I don't care. I stare off into space as thoughts run around in my head. I cannot go through losing her again. Our first major… is this even a fight? And she leaves. She leaves. She walked out. Is that… I feel insecure… Do I not deserve some sort of explanation? I groan aloud and look up at the ceiling.

She walked out on me. She can do it. I can't. I can't even imagine it. I handed her a gun that's pointed at me. I trusted her not to pull the trigger but right now—I'm scared that she will. Because I know that she can. I'm just not sure if she knows what will happen if she does.

Does she… not realise the intensity of my love for her? Does she not… realise that I am absolutely in love with her? Unconditionally? Truly?

"Link?" Her small voice comes up behind me. I twist in my seat and see her in my shirt. My heart leaps. She likes wearing my shirts to bed and I let her. It's cute and I love seeing her in them. Her long blonde hair is cascading down her shoulders, tucked behind her ears. She's barefoot and fidgeting.

My first thought is… "Where are your socks? Your feet'll get cold." I put the beer bottle on the table and get up. "Your fuzzy socks are in the drawer. I washed them this morning." I come round the couch and lead her back to the bedroom.

She follows behind me softly. I enter the bedroom and go inside the closet. I can tell she's behind me. She's like… a little puppy, cautious and curious. I tread carefully and don't make any sudden movements. I open the drawer. Her fuzzy socks are right on top and I take them.

I turn around and she's a few steps behind me. Her hair is covering her face. "Want me to put them on you?" I ask softly. I might be pushing it but she nods. With a small smile, she goes out of the closet and sits on the edge of the bed.

I get down on my knees and slowly take her foot on my lap. I unroll the socks and put them on her. "Why… are you still awake?"

"Couldn't sleep." She whispers. Her voice is so soft I can barely hear.

I take my time. But you can only stretch putting on socks for so long. I sigh. "Okay. Done. You should get into bed. It's very late." She doesn't answer. I want to… touch her. Tuck her in. Take her into my arms and hold her all night.

But I won't. Not unless she asks for it.

I get up on my feet but her hand reaches out and touches mine briefly.

"Link." She whispers.

"Hmm?" My heart is pounding.

"Help." She whispers.

It takes a second. Or two. Or a minute. An hour, maybe? I stand there frozen. Her plea breaks me and I kneel in front of her, our faces level. I hold her by the waist gingerly. She doesn't move away. "How? Tell me?"

She raises her head and I see her puffy eyes, all swollen from tears. Her lips are quivering with tear-stained cheeks. Her emerald eyes are glistening as she looks at me. "I want to forget." She whimpers.

But… I don't… I don't know how…

"Tell me what I have to do." I am desperate. I'll do anything.

Her arms wrap around my neck and pulls me closer. I hold my breath but mould her to my chest as she clings on to me almost helplessly. I thought you didn't want to touch me… But she continues to hold on, breathing heavily as she buries her face in my neck.

I stroke her hair and her lower back, inhaling her scent. I feel like we've been apart for such a long time and I am starved and hungry for her touch. Time passes. I don't know how long I've spent kneeling in front of her, holding her to me.

Then I feel her lips nibbling my neck. And I hesitate. I don't know what she wants exactly. Will this help? Should I… offer myself to her? Won't this remind her? But if she keeps this up… I can't… I cannot resist her. She knows this. The number of times I've demonstrated this is evidence enough. "Zelda…" I whisper.

But she doesn't stop as I hear her gasp. Her mouth travels up the column of my neck and traces my jaw. I feel the familiar stirring in my groin at her tender ministrations. "Zelda…" I say a little louder. I don't know if she can even hear me.

She traces the shell of my ear with her tongue, her breathing heavy. I cannot help it—a groan escapes my throat. "Are you listening to me?" I ask her.

Can she hear me? I need to… Stop this unless…she's sure that this is what she wants. Before I could ask her again, she gets up on her feet. I follow her with my eyes but she takes my hands and drags me upwards too. I get on my feet slowly and feel her hands on my chest. She turns me around and pushes me to sit on the bed.

"Zelda?" I ask her again. She still doesn't answer but instead she takes the hem of my shirt and tugs it upwards. I let her take it off. The room is dark except for the moonlight streaming from a crack in the curtains. I watch mesmerised as she stands in front of me and gathers the hem of my shirt—my shirt that she's wearing—and she pulls it over her head.

With one arm covering her breasts and clad only in her panties, she's bathed in the moonlight. She looks like a fucking goddess. I inhale sharply at the sight in front of me. "You're perfect." I cannot help but say it. There are not enough times to say it.

Slowly, she gets down on her knees. And I flinch. "Zel—" But my words are cut short as she comes closer and takes hold of the waistband of my boxers. She tugs at them and I lift my ass as she drags them downwards—exposing my growing length.

Fuck.

Is she going to do what I think she's going to do?

The anticipation… excites me. She's… never done this before. But… is it the right time? Once more… like a fucking idiot… "Your knees—" But she takes me in her hand and I gasp aloud. "Fuck—"

I lean back on my hands as she works at me with her two hands, teasing me into an almost painful erection. I bite my lower lip and close an eye at the sensations that are electric tendrils igniting me from within. This is… This is fucking glorious.

But what happens next has me cursing and reeling. She leans forward and with all of her hair over one shoulder—before I could stop her—not that I will because who fucking would—I disappear into her silken mouth.

"Holy fuck—" I could only grip the bedsheets underneath me as my thighs go rigid. "Fuck—Zelda-nngh!" I moan helplessly as her tongue swirls around my head while her hand continues to stroke me.

She said… she's never done this before. Her eagerness makes up for her lack of technique but I don't care—I don't give a fuck. It's her. Zelda, my love. She's got her mouth wrapped around me and I'm twitching. She pulls back with a pop and she runs her tongue flat against my length and I literally fucking shake underneath her. "Zelda—nghh!" I groan aloud. She takes me in. She takes me deep and expletives rain from my mouth as I am rendered incoherent.

Her teeth grazes me slightly and I wince but she doesn't stop, opening her mouth wider. My hips are involuntarily bucking on their own and I try—I try so fucking hard not to thrust into her mouth—but I hear her whimper while I'm in her mouth and God-fucking-damn-it-all-to-hell—the vibrations at the back of her throat makes me go insane!

I know I am almost there. I am amazed at my self-control —not even knowing how I lasted all this time. "Zel—aah! Aah—" Her free hand that was on my thigh is digging into my skin. Groaning helplessly, I try to still her head by cupping her jaw with my hand as she bobbed up and down on my length. "I'm almost—there." A groan tears from my throat as I warn her. "Zelda!"

But she doesn't stop. Instead she sucks me harder. I try to hold back—not to give in—not to let go—she still has me in her mouth—and she won't let me go.

I cannot wait any longer. I cannot hold back the fucking dam—tremors running down my spine as my hips buck off the bed and I thrust hard into her open mouth.

It takes a while for me to calm down as I fight to catch my breath. I feel a blast of chill air as she pulls back, licking her lips. I see her swallow and fuck… it's the hottest thing I've ever seen in my entire life as I look at her in awe. I just finished but I feel myself lengthening again immediately. She gets off her knees and in one swoop, she removes her panties and it drops to the floor. She steps out of them and clambers up on my lap, a leg on either side.

I twitch automatically as I graze her entrance. I take a sharp breath and look into her eyes. "Love me." She whispers. "Make me forget. Make me forget everything." She breathes.

If this is what it takes.

Yes. I will. With one hand on the back of her neck, I kiss her as tenderly as I could. Our lips brush against each other and I can taste the saltiness on her tongue. "Link…" She moans aloud as I trace her jaw with my mouth.

Slowly, I twist and put her on the bed. She lands with a soft thump. Here is my goddess—bathed in moonlight—flushed and perfect. I descend upon her and make love to her—worshipping her with promises that I cannot convey into words.

Every thrust speaks of longing—every bite speaks of love. Her nails raking down my back as I pleasure her repeatedly spoke of lust and desire.

And just as she asked me to—no matter how long it took—I make her forget over and over again.

- Mackenziiee