Chapter 6: Trouble in Paradise
Author's Note: Sorry for the time skip everyone, but I think if we're gonna get on with the plot and not go through like 10 additional chapters then this needed to be done.
A few months passed and Link awkwardly tried fitting into the life on Romani Ranch mostly since he never lived on a farm before, he had visited Lon Lon Ranch and Romani Ranch but only for a short time each time. But it turns out that it wasn't too much different from his past life in Kokiri Forest just with animals and people who actually care for him. The form of the Fierce Deity proved both cumbersome and beneficial to his new life. The massive height made getting into the house, barn and the upstairs room difficult due to the door frame. However his new form and its apparently unlimited stamina and strength that rivaled that of the form of Darmani, allowed him to do tasks that required a lot of stamina or strength to be done easily making more free time on the ranch. Link had learned that in his new form he didn't require to eat, drink or sleep as often anymore making management on food not as hard as the 3 had thought.
The three had grown closer – not just as friends but as a weird family. Link proved to be like an older brother to Romani and was more willing to play and practice with her than the more mature Cremia. However as much time Link enjoyed spending with Romani he found it more pleasurable to be around Cremia. Whenever they were close they would be constantly talking with each other. Link had discovered Cremia liked to read but had no time for it like Link had with his formally busy life. Link had self-taught himself to read much as Cremia had so they used their inexperience to grow closer. More than once had Romani come down in the middle of the night to find Link and Cremia passed out over a book they were reading together. The two could tell something more was developing but the two were often too afraid to express it in words or actions besides the cuddling they did when reading. They had found it easier to read while cuddling since Cremia could easily sit in Link's lap as they would both hunch over a book. At times the two only looked forward to their reading time together - which they did after Romani would go to bed – not to read but to simply be close together so they could get lost in the feelings they had for one another despite being too afraid to explore them.
There was one night in which while they happened to be reading a romantic novel that was lying around the house that they had mindlessly kissed. It was their first kiss and it was passionate even though it was mostly unintentional. It was long but simple as they had held hugged each other making the kiss stronger. It wasn't till it was over that they had realized that they had done so – but still; neither questioned it nor explored it more.
Deliveries were largely the same and thankfully the Gorman's hadn't tried to stop Cremia's deliveries since before the Carnival of Time. However Link could still sense a feeling of malice in the air that came from just down the road. Link hadn't stepped one foot out of the ranch gates since Cremia had saved him from his dreary life beneath the log.
Cremia would hear the gossip around town, trying to make sure that no one was still talking about "the demon that lurked out in the field". Many times during the weeks that the townspeople were still talking about 'the demon' Cremia had wanted to pick fights – something she would never do – to silence the harmful lies they created and spread of Link. However thankfully all such talk had ceased but still; even she could tell that the people of Clock Town kept firm gazes on the gates and the field beyond them – still wondering if the "demon" still lurked out there.
"Alright then, I'm going to town." Cremia said as she and Link finished putting the large bottles of milk into the carriage.
"Be safe." Romani said as she waved towards her sister. Link however remained silent as he simple stared at Cremia and then the carriage. Cremia blinked.
"Link… what's wrong?"
"I know it's been a few months now but there is stuff I left back at the grotto… and I was wondering if I could join you this time to get them." He asked – almost mumbling his question. Cremia looked towards the carriage then back to Link. They both knew how dangerous it was for him to leave the Ranch in this form he was trapped in.
"Why do you want to go back there?" Cremia asked sternly but with great concern in her voice.
"I was thinking if I could get my items and masks that I gathered during my first 3 days in Termina… I could maybe help out the Ranch in some way. With my Stone Mask – assuming it will still work while I am in this form – I can protect you from thieves or hunt in the fields for food without being spotted for example."
"Link you don't need to do any of those sort of things for us…" Cremia said.
"I know but I feel I should do more to help the ranch. I want to make it up for helping me, and saving me from a life on loneliness. He explained with a strong conviction in his voice as he stared into her gorgeous blue eyes. Cremia eventually sighed in defeat.
"All right, get in the back and hide under the sheet." She said as he smiled and did so. Cremia climbed into the front and began driving the carriage towards Milk Road and eventually Termina Field. Both of the adults' minds wandered to the nights of when they hugged and when Cremia had taken Link from his would-be life. Within minutes the carriage slowed to a stop next to the over-turned log. Cremia turned and whispered to her friend. "Link, we're here. Think you can wait here while I go finish making the delivery?" she asked as he removed the sheet. He turned and nodded and climbed out and walked into his former home, only turning once to wave to Cremia as she left. The log was just as cramped as he remembered – more cramped than the house but the flipside was that the entryway fit his tall form. He looked down to see the hatch which was covered in dirt. He kicked away the dirt and opened the hatch and jumped in.
The grotto was just as he remembered it. A wide open cavern with the magic torches, a make shift bed made out of leaves and hay he had found in the field and a large chest which contained all his items from his adventure in Termina months ago. He walked over and opened up the chest and looked for the Stone Mask. He found it and his bag; he placed the mask and several other items and masked – mostly ones that held sentimental value to him. He stepped towards the exit but looked back at his short lived former home. "I hope this is the last time I ever have to come here." He said to no one. He then looked forward and stepped into the light and rose up and exited.
Link didn't even need to sit and wait for Cremia had already begun rolling up the log. "Got what you wanted?" she asked with a smile when she saw his as he stepped out from the shadows of the log.
"Yup, I did. I'm ready to go home. But um Cremia…" he hesitated as he stepped closer to the ranch girl who was still sitting in the carriage.
"Yes Link?" she asked as she cocked her head.
"There… has been something I've been meaning to tell you… for a while now." He said looking away as a blush formed on his face. "But with Romani around… I haven't had the chance to tell you this…
"You know you can talk to me about anything." She said with a reassuring smile.
"I… I…" he hesitated as he choked on his own words. The words were in his head and he desperately wanted to say them but his mouth refused to utter them. After a moment of battling he decided to take action. He quickly stepped forward, reached up took Cremia from her seat and brought her down to the ground in front of him. And then without warning he suddenly kissed her on the lips. He could have sworn he heard something from a far but his mind was blank and too preoccupied with just the action of kissing the one he had realized he had fallen for to process anything that had to do with the outside world. Cremia hadn't resisted any action he made and she certainly didn't resist this kiss, instead she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened this kiss – their second kiss.
It wasn't till they heard a voice that had snapped them from the world of their kiss till they realized that they had been caught. The two looked to see who it was that had caught them – only for them to gasp in fear. It was the Gorman brothers who were each holding their own bottles of milk and goods on their way to the Milk Bar. The faces of the Gorman Brothers shifted from disgust to an evilly cocked smile.
"Well, well, well… look what we have here Brother." The younger of the two said. "It seems we've found the 'demon' that everyone in town has been talking about."
"I'd say so Little Bro." the elder sibling stated with contempt in his voice. "And what more? Looks like our little neighbor Cremia, has been fraternizing with the demon! I'm sure everyone in town while be very interested to know that their favorite milk was the product of some deal Cremia has made with the demon!"
We made no deal. Was the words Cremia wanted to scream at the Gorman Brothers but she knew what this now meant. Those brothers have always been losing business due her ranch so they have always hated her and have tried a few times to stop her. Now she was seen making out with the demon that everyone in town had at one point feared. Instead of anger and hate she felt shock and horror as she knew that Gorman's would surely tell everyone in town and likely come to her ranch to kill Link.
"It seems she has no words for us big bro." the younger sibling said. "I guess it must be true. Now no one will ever buy their milk ever again."
"Oh I think it will be worse than that Little Bro. I think once everyone knows what kind of freak she is the good people will… well… I'm sure I don't need to explain it. I'm sure we all know what will happen!"
"Please don't!" Cremia pleased as tears began to well from her eyes as she broke away from Link. She fell to her knees in mercy.
"Save it for the judge, Little Missy!" the younger brother said with a smile. Link couldn't think of what to say during this exchange – his mind was still blank from the shock and fear that overwhelmed him too. Neither Link nor Cremia could say anything to defend themselves.
"Well, we'll just leave you here so ya'll can think about it. And actually; I'm feeling mighty generous so I'll give you all time to run away before we and every one in Clock Town comes to burn your ranch to the ground. You have until dawn." The elder brother said. "It's the least I can do for my neighbor!" he finished with a laugh which his brother joined in on as they two rode off towards the Eastern field and the gate.
A long silent moment passed with Link just standing completely still as he looked down towards the still kneeling Cremia. He snapped out of his fear and walked over to Cremia and reached out a hand. She looked to see the strong gloved hand that was offered to her. She took it as she let Link bring her to her feet and then embrace her in a hug. They felt their bodies tremble in fear but they knew they couldn't hang around. There was no telling who might find them now. "Cremia… we need to go home…" Link whispered into her ear that was hidden behind her beautiful red hair. She nodded and sniffled in agreement. Link lifted her bridal style and placed her in the seat at the carriage, then climbed into the back and moved so he was closer to the front where she was. No words passed as they strode their way home, trying to figure out what they were going to do.
Author's Note 2: Yeah, well I think it's another 2 more chapters (maybe 3) still this story is over. And yes; if you are wondering; I did give the elder brother a bit of a heart to give them time to do that one thing! Lol So yes; next chapter will have the long awaited lemon.
