Closer

Malon hugged the light jacket she wore even closer as she walked out of the house. Fall was starting and, unlike summer, became cold rather quickly. Malon knew how low the temperature would get when fall came but that year was different. Fall not only started a little later, it had set a record for how cold it could go while still being fall. She sighed as she rounded the corner of the house to the garden Vincent created. Within all the vines were growing pumpkins, something Vincent planted without her knowing. But it didn't bother Malon, ever since she had gotten better she began to completely trust Vincent. She even went as far as hoped that Vincent would never leave.

She knew it would come though but, ever since her father told her how Vincent was during her time in bed, she saw him in another light. Malon thought back to when she saw Vincent and said he was nice, caring, and dead sexy. She still thought, but now with more endearment. Malon couldn't help but feel that Vincent was created just for her but her mind told her otherwise. She wasn't the real egomaniac at the ranch, but his ego didn't bother her much.

There was still a part of her that asked why she had kissed him. Malon believed that was just a show of friendship but why on the lips then? That small, insecure part of her wondered why did she do that when Vincent was never going to be in love with her. The part that felt she wasn't good enough for anybody. The part we all want to take behind the shed and put a bullet through. We want to see them together right? And so did the other part of Malon. The one who felt… who wanted… who wanted to just tell Vincent that she loved him.

Wait, a minute…

Malon bit her lip as she walked over to the corral. She really did love him. Did she? Her mind raced as she tried to think clearly about it all. Malon thought back to all the times and all the things she was with Vincent. There was the cut on his hand, the garden, the time she was sick, when he was about to murder Maxi. Malon wasn't quite sure with what to do with all the memories but she remembered most of them were good. Well, except the thing with Maxi. Malon, while she didn't really like Maxi's attitude, was sure that Vincent was just assuming his controlling nature. And Malon didn't want or like that, someone controlling wouldn't make her happy but she thought about that again. See, maybe because it's a really fine line but controlling isn't the same as trying to protect someone.

She heard the ranch door swing open and close. Malon turned around to see Vincent step out, messaging his neck. She theorized that he must've slept on it wrong. The soft touches to his outfit to accommodate the new weather gave another look at Vincent. Instead of his standard shirt, he now had a black turtleneck sweater. It fitted his body well, enough to imagine what he looked liked under it. But Malon already knew, and she liked what she saw. His slacks looked more rugged then the leather he used to wear as well. He smiled at her and went inside the barn to handle the cows.

She wanted someone to talk to. And it couldn't be Vincent this time; it had to be someone else. And she had the time for it now, Vincent worked so diligently that he himself could take care of the ranch and still be done by mid afternoon. So her father told her anyways. Vincent seemed to slow down lately, like he enjoyed working with Malon next to him. But we know he does, that isn't a secret. But with her prayer answer by the Gods… or some other, high, omnipotent being that can control situations just as easy, who were to walk into the ranch but none other than Princess Zelda.

Malon couldn't believe her luck. She ran forward and wrapped her arms around Zelda and the princess did the same. Just not with the same force of an anaconda. Malon couldn't believe Zelda's appearance, "Zelda, what are you doing here? I thought you wouldn't come without Link."

"Calm down Malon," Zelda said. She smiled at her best friend. "My guards are actually outside. I wanted to come visit you but Link was busy today so he couldn't come."

"Aw," Malon said, disappointedly. "That's a shame. But, oh right how silly of me. Come on, come on, let's get inside. You must be freezing."

"Malon, I came dressed appropriately," Zelda said, point out she was wearing the right kind of clothing. She did seem to overdo it a little with the pink scarf and the gloves but she must've had a good reason. It's easy to tell now but its better to wait and see. Malon dragged Zelda as the redhead grabbed her hand and led her inside the ranch house. Zelda stepped into the warm house and took off her scarf and hung it on the coat rack. She walked in more and took a seat at the table.

Malon turned to Zelda, "Do you want anything to drink? I'm making hot cocoa if you'd like some."

"I'd love some, thanks Malon," Zelda reassured her. She watched as Malon got started on making the favored drink. "Listen, Malon, I wanted to talk to you for a while."

"About?" Malon asked, her attention not focused on Zelda.

"Malon, please keep this a secret." Zelda looked down and placed a hand on her stomach. She hadn't told anyone, no one at all. Zelda wasn't sure how long she could've kept it a secret. She needed someone to tell. But it couldn't be Link or her father. But she could tell Malon, she would be able to understand and be happy with her. "Please."

"Yeah, sure," Malon said. She caught the new tone in Zelda's voice and walked over to the table, taking a seat aside from Zelda. "So, what is it?"

Zelda looked up into Malon's comforting blue eyes. "Malon… I'm pregnant," she said with a smile and tear.

Malon gasped and hugged her friend. "Congratulations Zelda, I'm so happy for you!" Malon was happy for Zelda. She was going to become a mother soon and in a few short months experience the joy of life. But deep down inside, Malon was jealous of Zelda, for the exact same reason. Malon wanted to find someone close and to love, to start a family, to be a mother. That's what Malon wanted most in the world. And Zelda had it all.

"Thank you, Malon," Zelda said. She hugged her friend back. "I needed to get that off of my chest," Zelda continued. "I want to tell Link and my father but just not now. But there's no one I could turn to, except you, Malon. I'm so thankful for a friend like you. I'm sorry if I haven't been one to you."

"What do you mean, Zelda?" Malon asked. She was quite perplexed by Zelda's last statement. It threw her off guard and made her wonder what exactly did Zelda do. But Malon knew Zelda wouldn't do anything to hurt her. It would be hard to see, but…

"Malon, I know you don't hate me or whatever. But, I want you to know that I'm sorry if you did," Zelda said. It was becoming even harder to understand. But that's Zelda for you, always making something bigger then it already is. "I know you love Link."

"Oh," Malon said. It's true that Malon did love Link. She really wanted to be with him. Especially since he was as close as anybody could've been to a knight at the time. He was always caring and understanding. Not to mention handsome. But she counted herself a fool when she thought he would be with her. Why would he? You had to be blind, dense, and have your head in a hole to not to see that Link would fall for Zelda. Again, that part that needs to die arises. But then there was another truth, "I did love Link, I still love him… just not romantically anymore. There's nothing to worry about, Zelda. You two were destined to be together."

"But Malon-"

The ranch house door opened and Vincent walked in. For a split second, he stood in the doorway not knowing what to do. He was in the presence of royalty again and kneeling down to them wasn't really taught to him. In fact, his entire upbringing was intended so that Vincent could see the better future of Hyrule. It was radical but that's how it had gone. But Vincent has some sense and gave a small bow, "Lady Zelda, what do I owe this treat?" His voice sounded hoarse and dry.

At that instant, Zelda understood nearly everything. Why Malon was able to forgive Zelda so easily. Why Link didn't hold the same place in her heart. It all made sense to her. She remembered that Vincent showed up around the time she and Link were married. He was there for Malon. She mentally slapped herself when she didn't see it. That sounded fun. But… Zelda saw the awkward closeness Malon and Vincent shared. It was the same with her and Link. "Oh, Vincent, you don't have to do that. I came by to see Malon. It has been a while, you know."

Vincent coughed, "Your right."

Malon looked at Vincent. "Vincent, you sound a little rough."

"Sorry, the cold murders my throat," Vincent explained. "That's why I came in here, for a breather from the chilly air outside. Didn't expect to find the princess in here though…"

"Don't mind me, Vincent," Zelda said in response. "Just go about your daily business like I'm not even here."

"Do you want some hot cocoa?" Malon asked. She looked over to see that it was ready. "I'm sure it'll help your throat out."

Vincent held his throat and winced, "Sure, that sounds great."

Malon got up from her chair and poured a cup for Vincent. Zelda looked over to Vincent who kept his throat held. It must've really bothered him for him to do so. Zelda wondered about Vincent. He was odd in a way, even down to the way he dressed. Zelda shifted her attention to Malon who came over and handed the cup to Vincent.

"Thanks, Malon," Vincent said as he sipped at the hot drink. His face became relieved of pain as he drank more. "That's better. Tastes superb, like everything else you make."

"Vincent," Malon said sternly. "You cant like everything I make."

Vincent scoffed and laughed. "Says you."

"Vincent?" Zelda began. "What's your full name?"

Vincent raised an eyebrow to the random question. Seriously, it came out of nowhere. Things like that would seriously bug a person wouldn't it? Your talking to someone about something and one of your friends come in and asks to borrow something. Well, that's something else, anyways, Vincent looked over to Zelda, "Vincent Dante Aegis II, why?"

"Just wondering," Zelda said.

Vincent shrugged and downed the rest and placed the cup on the table. "That worked wonders. I'll see you at dinner Malon, nice seeing you again, princess," he said before departing for the outside.

Zelda sat in her chair, smiling ear to ear. She found it hilarious what was happening between Vincent and Malon. And Malon caught the amused smile on Zelda's face.

"What is it?" she asked. The smile on Zelda's face just sat there and waited for someone, like Malon, to say something. "What are you so happy about?"

"Its nothing," Zelda said with restraints of laughter in her voice. "Just… its cute how you two act with one another. You two are almost so picturesque that it makes me smile. It was sooo cute."

"Zelda," Malon sighed. "Nothing's going on between us if that's what you're getting at. We have a strict relationship of employee and employer. Nothing more and nothing less." That came out to be a horrible excuse.

Zelda stared at Malon skeptically, "Right, so what was just going on? Was that just an employee almost flirting with his employer as she did the same thing? That's a new business relationship if I ever saw one." Then a light bulb went off in Zelda's head, she knew who exactly Vincent was. The name was familiar enough and just speaking with Malon let the idea surface.

Malon sighed, "You've become delusional in this state."

Zelda got up from the chair, "I'll be right back, Malon, I have something to discuss with Vincent."

"Wait," Malon said, gripping her arm. "What do you think your going to do?"

"Nothing, Malon," Zelda retorted. She smiled, "Why, I'm not going to say anything to Vincent about you. Not unless… you do have a thing for him."

Malon instantly let go, "I do not. We're just really good friends."

"And now your friends?" Zelda asked. "Really good friends? Oh, Malon, you're just making this easier for me. I can see it as clear as day, as probably everyone else."

"Uh," Malon stammered as he face turned red.

"Don't worry," Zelda reassured. "It isn't going to be about you or him, or whatever you two have together. Its about him personally…" Zelda smiled gently at Malon and walked out of the house. She looked around the ranch and found Vincent passing hot water bucket into the barn. It must've been for something but that wasn't part of her thoughts. "Vincent," Zelda tried to say as he passed. "Could we talk?" she tried again his second time back.

"Walk and talk, princess," Vincent said. Zelda did what he suggested, "Now, what is it?"

"I know who you are," Zelda teased.

"Oh really?" Vincent asked. "Not for nothing, but that isn't saying much. I'm Malon's new employee."

"Okay, we could go with that," Zelda said. "Vincent Dante Aegis II, perhaps the son of Vincent Dante Aegis I… president of the Aegis Corporation that started as nothing more than muscle for hire and grew into the leading import and export, inn branch, and iron distributor. Or am I mistaken?"

Vincent stopped what he was doing and turned to Zelda. "You also forgot to say that I'm also the child that suppose to take control soon enough. I guess you know who I really am." Vincent walked forward to Zelda, "Anything else?"

"You rich, right?" Zelda asked. "Why are you working? Cant you easily just pay Malon to do all the work? You can afford it and all. Its hard to understand why your sweating in the winter."

"I have my reasons," Vincent answered coolly as he went back to work. He heaved the hot water in the buckets on the harness on his neck and moved them to the barn. Zelda was there too.

"Tell me," Zelda said. "I want to be your friend too, just let me listen."

"No," Vincent bluntly replied. He went back over to the heating water and filled buckets with water. Zelda followed him there too. "Okay, that's annoying."

"Then?"

Vincent sighed. "Reason one, I deemed it necessary to see how a ranch works and see how can it work efficiently so I can add more the Aegis empire. Two, Ingo seemed just a few seconds away of trying something. Three… I thought… Malon was cute. Are you happy now?"

Zelda gasped, "So, tell me, how close are you two?"

"I'm not telling you a thing," Vincent said.

"Vincent, I'm not playing this game again," Zelda started. "You tell me or I will march back into that house and tell Malon that she mean a lot more to you than a boss or even a friend."

Vincent stared down Zelda. He tilted his head, "Oh really now? The n How about I break the news to Link that you're pregnant?"

Zelda's eyes widened. Either Vincent was something else or he was just too good. "Ho- How did you know that? I just told Malon. Were you listening in?"

Vincent smirked, "I sort of overheard the part about not wanting anyone else to know. I was close by but I didn't care too much. But, I can tell when a woman's pregnant. Its like my sixth sense." He could tell the odds were in his favor. "So either stop intruding or I will reveal that joyous secret you rather keep… a secret."

"Vincent," Zelda said. "Why be so secretive? Does Malon know that you're who you are? You aren't being fair."

Vincent sighed and looked down at his feet. He really needed some new boots. His were scuffed and really dirty. He looked at them to avoid Zelda. "I'm sorry princess, that was terrible of me. I apologize, but as there is nothing between us. I can assure you of that. I keep secrets because there's no need for me to tell her. Me being rich doesn't change a thing nor will it. Money can never buy me the courage to… never mind."

"Vincent," Zelda repeated. "I promise not to tell her."

Vincent thought about how many times he told people this. How many times he repeated it and yet he cannot tell the person who counts? He was tired of it, but there was not much he could do. "I… love her."

Zelda smiled. "Is that all?" She took Vincent's hand and started to drag him to the ranch. Vincent, though, ripped his hand away. "What's the matter? Trust me on this Vincent… you can tell her."

"No, I can't," Vincent said. "I've tried and tried but the words wont come out. Zelda, please, I can't tell her now. I will, trust me, I will because I want to tell her. But I can't do it now. There isn't a way I can tell her that wouldn't…. I don't know. Please understand that."

Zelda sighed, "I'm not going to force you now, but I'm not going to forget either." Now that Zelda knew, she was determined to see them together. The only excuse I really see why Zelda didn't know was she was way to busy with Link and didn't pay attention to Vincent or Malon.

"Why don't you want to tell Link you two are pregnant?" Vincent asked. It baffled him. He couldn't see the reason why someone would keep that from somebody. "I don't think he'll run off or something."

"I- I just don't think we're ready," Zelda answered. "Parenthood can really change a marriage. I just don't know if we can handle it."

Vincent smirked and almost started laughing. "Oh Zelda, do you really think anything in the world can prepare anyone for parenthood? Trust me, you two will do fine." Vincent then turned Zelda around and pushed her back to the ranch, "Now go talk with Malon about whatever you girls talk about. Remember no blunt hints or outright telling her anything. Got it?"

"I promise Vincent," Zelda said. "Now can you stop pushing me?"

"Fine," Vincent said. He stopped his forceful riddance of her. "Zel," he looked away. "You are a friend to me, just so you know."

Zelda smiled, she really wanted to tell him the Malon seemed almost as infatuated as he was to her. But she didn't know but she wasn't going to give up. She'd have Malon tell her and then it'll all be a simple push to each other by herself. Then they will marry and have children together. Zelda really wanted Malon to be happy, and Vincent was the answer.