Lips of an Angel

Link had an ear-to-ear smile on his face. Almost like a harlequin that pranced in the streets of the marketplace it was except without the ridiculous make up. Why was he in such a happy mood? Well, wouldn't you be happy if you confessed your love to someone only to find out that they loved you back? Of course you would, unless you were an emotionless husk. But that wasn't Link and he was near drowning in his own happiness. And that flowed from him as he walked to a little store nudged away in a tight corner. The biggest mistake anyone could've done was ask how Zelda was doing to Link. In that instant from the transfer of dominance, Link would swell and unload all that was Zelda on the victim.

In good fortune, no one did ask him. It didn't matter though; Link was on a special agenda that day. While telling Zelda how he felt was a step forward on its own, the next step would be like when Link had gone from simple child warrior to Hero of Time. It seemed that the Goddesses did have a great reward for Link for doing his duty.

And so he stepped into the store that was alienated away from the rest. Link knew that there were stores just like the one he was in closer to all the hustle and bustle but they would only have common trinkets. No, Link was looking for something one of a kind for the woman he loved. And the tucked away store was the place Link thought would be his best shot at finding one. The stagnant air hit his nose hard and made breathing difficult inside. One could say that it was more like a place that had things from all across the globe. Ancient tribal masks, mounted trophies, everything occult and foreign lined the walls and made the product for the establishment. Link ventured in farther, trying to find the owner.

"Hello?" Link called out into the dark. He took another step before a very wheezy voiced answered him.

"I knew there was someone," it said. From deep within the shop came a frail old man. He walked in a shuffle and used a cane to help him move. He was almost completely bald except for a few hairs at the back of his head. Contrary to his head, he had a long, white beard that was close to the floor.

Link walked closer and was stopped by a wooden counter.

"Well, come on, out with it," the elder said. "Not a lot of us have time to dawdle."

"Sorry," Link apologized. "I'm looking for something special."

"Everyone does," the old man said. He reached into his pocket and took out a pipe. "Mind narrowing down that vague request? My old mine can't catch everything you say."

"I want a ring, a ring that can let someone know that they are special. Ordinary jewelers have ordinary rings. I want something no else has. That can ever have. You have traveled this world and picked up things from across the globe. Maybe you can help me."

The old man pondered Link's words for a minute. He combed his beard with his fingers and went behind the counter. Link tapped his finger excitedly on the countertop as he waited for the old man to reemerge. The old man groaned as he stood from his bent position. Years of living life had given him an uncomfortable body for his old years. He brought up with him a small oak box. He coughed into his hands and, with trembling fingers, slid the top of the box off.

Link stared in splendor at the rings neatly arranged inside. Each was a testament of design and artistic creativity from wherever they were from. With his gloved hand, Link reached down and picked the one closest to him. He plucked it from its resting place and raised it to eye level. The ring itself was two golden circles interwoven with one another with a emerald and sapphire sitting at the top, one on each band.

"That one caught your eye?" the old man said. He gave a coarse chuckle and stroked his beard. "That one is quite a beaut. I can let it go, I suppose. I see you fancy a girl enough to be eternally bonded to her."

Link nodded while keeping his eyes on the ring. "She's the woman I want to marry. No… that I'm going to marry."

The shopkeeper admired Link's certain love for the woman he came shopping for. It did him good knowing that the younger generation wasn't all about sex. And they kept reminding him each time he took a step outside to shop to see so many children with very few fathers. But he hoped that Link wasn't like that.

Then came the ruckus from outside. It was loud enough to make both of the men inside turn and look to the door. A minute later, it swung in violently and then it was slammed closed. At the door, breathing hard, was another young man. The old man could determine that he wasn't much older then Link. The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow at the newcomer. He was clothed in black, from his heeled boots to his leather slacks to the v-necked shirt he wore. In contrast, his trench coat was a pure white, except for the red lining.

But something else caught Link's attention. At his waist, on the right, hung two swords. Link figured that they made a clink whenever the man walked due to their proximity. What made things more intriguing for Link is that the man must've preferred his left hand over his right. If his swords hung at his right, then he would be drawing with his left. All assumption but Link didn't depend on only fairies and potions to make it through dungeons. He needed to use his mind and that was a more dangerous weapon than any razor sharp sword.

Link's eyes wandered upward to see the genetic wonder that was the man. Most Hylians had blue eyes or eyes colored near that spectrum. If that weren't enough, Hylians had fair hair ranging from dirty to light blond or brown. Simple, fair colors. Not the young man. He, on the other hand, had strong, red piercing eyes. To compliment, every strand on his head was the very same scarlet red. Link only found those traits in Shiekah and Gerudo respectively.

"Can I help you?" the old man said.

The young man turned to the two before him. He took a deep breath and then gave a smirk. "Not really. Sorry that I just busted in here but some royal guards are just a bit too anal."

"What did you do?" Link asked. Essentially, he had a hard time finding any likeable qualities in the redhead. So far, he showed that he had little respect for the guards and was competent enough to elude capture. Not good for a resume set for Link's respect.

The redhead walked closer to Link and the shopkeeper while looking around. "See, I found this really cute girl right and I tried to swoon her. Can't hold a grudge for that right? Anyways, I seemed to have made a mistake and bumped into one of those armored fellows and bam! Here I am explaining myself."

Link could picture it. It redeemed the redhead a little.

He now stood close to Link. He held out his left hand, "The name is Vincent Dante Aegis II, I'm new around here."

Link looked down to the ungloved hand. As close as he could examine, he could not see any calluses or cuts on his hand. That was rarity for someone who practiced with swords. Reluctantly, Link grasped Vincent's hand and shook it. For a few tense moments, they each tried to squeeze the daylights from each other's hands but it led nowhere.

"Tell me, what brings you to Hyrule?" Link asked.

"Let's call it a business venture," Vincent answered. "But who says I can't take a break here and there right?"

"Of course," Link answered.

Vincent turned around and listened at the door. Link saw a smirk crawl onto Vincent's face and it later turned to a grin. Vincent looked back to the shopkeeper and Link. "Sounds like the excitement has died down. You guys have been a blast to be around with but I got to get home."

Link watched Vincent walk to the door. He watched the redhead's white jacket flow behind him. His lips created another smile and his hand waved goodbye. He opened the door and disappeared into the bright outside.

"That was… sudden. Nonetheless, is this the one you want?" the old man asked. After those few minutes, both of them had nearly forgotten the reason why either of them were talking.

Link turned back and examined the ring once more. He looked into the eyes of the old man. "Yes it is. Give me a box, if you please…"

( . ) -----------\

Link quickly hurried back to the castle. He didn't notice how long it took to find the perfect ring. He hoped that Zelda wouldn't cause too much of an uproar. Link knew all too well what happened when Zelda begins to panic. Those little fits were adorable to Link but he didn't want one focused on him. He rounded the corner and ran through the first gate. The sun was beginning to set behind the western sky.

Link cursed his tardiness.

Gasping for breath, he arrived at the courtyard. Link looked around but his beloved was not present. "Damn it! Now Zelda must be pissed."

"Where did you pick up the sailor mouth?" said the sweet voice Link fell in love with. It came from behind and Link almost fell to the ground as he whirled around.

"Oh, sorry about that Zelda," Link apologized. "I guess it must've been that time I had to sneak into a pirate fortress. I kind of let it slipped when I didn't find you here."

"Wow, guess I cant leave here for a glass of water without you worrying," Zelda said. She smiled and kissed Link.

Link sighed as the two parted their lips. He gulped in anxiety and nervousness. He was going to ask her, and he wasn't going to beat around the bush any longer. Not that he did, but he wanted to get it over with and he felt like he was behind schedule. He reached into his pocket to make sure the velvet box was still there.

"Zelda I love you," he said.

"I love you too, Link," Zelda said.

Link looked down at his feet for a second. His time was up and he hoped that their lives together would commence soon enough. He took out the box and opened it before Zelda.

A/N: Boo! Ha, you don't get to see it. Nyah nyah. I decided to leave his proposal open, something about doing that makes it more… insert correct word here. I just can't wait till we get to the meat of the story.