Just so Perfect – chapter 3

It had taken a very long time for Zelda to get Green away from her. Green kept on insisting that birthday or not, his duty was by Zelda's side and refused to budge from it to join the party, even though Zelda was attending the party too. In the end Zelda had ended up ordering him to go and have some fun, and physically pushed the whining man away from her and into the crowds, unable to keep the laugh from her lips at the pouting face that soon disappeared amongst the fans that surrounded him.

It was mid-afternoon, the party had been going for many hours already, with hundreds of people filling the great hall all laughing and dancing, drinks in hand, and food covering dozens of long tables set up against the walls of the room. Music played from a large orchestra at one of the room, and those who weren't dancing and talking amongst themselves were gathered in groups around the birthday boys.

Well, all but one of them.

There seemed to be a good 12 foot empty radius around Blue, who stood alone with his arms crossed glaring furiously at Green, his glare occasionally turning to the huge crowd around Red. The glaring and pissed of aura that surrounded him seemed to keep at bay any fan who wanted to get close to him, some people physically jumping back as they tried to approach him as Blues glare turned on them.

Not only did he hate these parties, which the others all know about, but Green had totally ruined his morning, interrupting what he had hoped was going to be a very nice start to the day…

Earlier that morning…

It was the rare sound of the morning twittering birds that rose Blue from his slumber, rare because it was usually a blaring alarm clock. Shifting slightly and turning his head, Blue peered up with one eye at said clock only to find he hadn't set the alarm, which would explain why it was nearly 9.30 in the morning. He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept this late.

Yawning and closing his eyes again, he tried to remember the dream he'd been having. For once it wasn't a dirty dream about Red, although Red was in it….or actually, was it dirty? Blue opened his eyes and frowned, wasn't there a bowl of whipped cream in that dream somewhere?

"Nn."

Blue glanced down to the blond head of hair resting on his bare shoulder, a sleepy murmur coming from the soft lips pressed against his skin as Red slept.

Immediately Blue's heart rate shot up. Of course, it was morning, they were all 18 today, and that meant…that right now….

Without a sound or a thought Blue gently shifted away from Red's arm draped across his chest, ensuring not to wake him as Red's head left Blue's shoulder and sunk down into the soft pillow beneath. Blue leant up on his elbow and stared down at the cute sleeping face of his now 18 years old boyfriend. Not that Red particularly looked that much 18, he was the only one of them all not to really have changed that much. Red would always look cute, it was just impossible for him to be anything else.

Blue brushed away a few strands of hair from Reds closed eyes, and a brief small smile fell on Reds lips as he slept. 18 years old. 18. Blue still couldn't believe it. It had always seemed such a long time away, and now all of a sudden, it had arrived. 18.

18…

A small blush appeared on Blues cheeks as he paused in brushing those same strands of hair away again. He slowly leaned in closer, eyes not leaving Reds lips, his tongue absently licking his own lips at the thoughts that were suddenly running around in his head. Ever so gently, he closed his eyes and softly pressed his lips against Red's, just a butterfly touch, slowly moving and gently enticing Red to wake up. After a moment sleepy eyes began to flicker open, and upon returning to the world of the awake and the recognition of Blue and what he was doing, Red's eyes closed again in a smile and his arms rose to wrap themselves around Blue's shoulders, pulling him further down.

Blue's gentle kiss slowly moved from Red's lips and across his cheek, bathing in the warmth of Reds arms for a moment before whispering against his cheek, "Happy Birthday Red."

A small giggle came from Reds chest, before he said sweetly, "Happy Birthday Blue."

Still without looking at him, not wanting to feel the embarrassment of showing Red the blush on his face, Blue continued to move his lips down Red's cheek, over his slender jaw line and slowly down his neck. A small contented sigh escaped Red's lips as he leant his head back to give Blue better access, eyes fluttering closed again, the tip of Blues tongue leaving a small glistening trail across Red's pale skin.

"Red?"

"Hn?" Red opened his eyes when he realised Blue had stopped and was now looking down at him. The soft blush on Blues cheeks made Red smile warmly, "What?"

"Um…you err…" Blue had no idea how to phrase this, and could feel the heat rise on his cheeks at the embarrassment, "D-do you…wanna, you know….…now?"

The awkwardness in Blues voice, and the eyes that didn't seem to know where to look, just made Red giggle again. With one arm still wrapped around Blue's shoulders, Red placed his other hand at the back of Blue's head and leant upwards, kissing him softly, "I wanted to do it yesterday." He said, a definite tone of seduction somehow mixed in with that innocent voice. Blue blinked down at him, his heart suddenly beating madly at that tone, before Red kissed him again, "And the day before that," another soft kiss, "and before that…", another kiss, softly dancing across those stunned lips.

Red trailed off there and let his head fall back to the pillow, looking up at Blue with a sparkle in his eyes. Blue certainly got the idea, he had kept his eyes open as Red had kissed him, and the honesty in Red's eyes over such a matter was so…endearing, and it just made Blues heart swell and melt all at the same time. Red hadn't exactly made it a secret that he wanted Blue, all those little touches and suggestions, and yesterday especially! Blue perhaps had more self-control than Red but he wanted Red just as much.

As he lay there staring down at Red, his cute face framed by his blond hair against the pillow, Blue couldn't help but smile. This really was happening; Red really had stayed with him all these years, despite Blues totally deformed personality, and now they were going to be together, for real.

Shifting on the bed Blue placed one knee in-between Red's legs, and his arms either side of Red's shoulders, taking his weight as he lay there with Red cuddled beneath him, their bodies, although still clothed in night-time wear, pressed together. Red never took his eyes off Blues for a moment, still with that gentle smile on his lips, though with the start of blush that was deepening by the second, especially when he felt his body responding to Blue's.

"Blue…" he whispered against Blues lips, as Blue leant his head down and captured them once again, one hand moving to the buttons on Red's pyjama top, his tongue sweeping over Red's making him melt into the mattress beneath them.

*knock knock*

"Hey guys! Ready for our party? Zelda's come down here to bring you to the castle in the royal carriage! Let's go!"

With the familiar voice from the front door Red suddenly jumped up into a sitting position with a happy grin, Blue tumbling to one side, "Green!" he exclaimed, before clambering off the bed towards the front door.

With the front door yanked open, voices exchanging Happy birthdays and excitement for the party drifted through to the bedroom, where Blue lay on the bed, face down in the pillow where he'd been kissing Red.

"I really 'ate you 'reen." came the muffled voice, as the aroused and very much ready-to-ravish-Red Blue sighed defeated into the pillow.

Back at the party…

Deciding he'd given enough glaring time to Green for the moment, Blue turned his glare back to the large crowd surrounding Red. Red looked so happy, talking and laughing with all these people, the occasional person asking for an autograph which just made the smile on Red's face grow even wider. Even if no one had known he was a hero, Red was now famous for his shop, and had made countless friends through his customers. He was the most popular one out of all of them, and it riled Blue so much that the hairs on the back of his neck stood up like an angry cat at how close everyone was getting to him.

"You know if you keep glaring at him like that you're going to bore a hole through his head."

Blue didn't remove his sight from Red at the comment from Vio who walked up beside him, Vio's (and Shadows) fans now joining the circle radius unable to approach him while he stood next to the silently fuming Blue.

"Why have they got to be all over him like that!" Blue said through clenched teeth, his fingernails digging into his sides where his arms were crossed.

"You really have to learn how to relax Blue." Vio smirked, "As if it wasn't obvious enough that you and Red are a couple with how lovey dovey you are with each other in public, this jealously radiating from you would be enough to prove to anyone that two are together."

"I am not lovey dovey!" Blue snapped at him, head turning swiftly to glare at him, "If anyone does know it's only because of that damned pictograph you took!"

"Oh believe me I wasn't showing people anything they didn't already know. You don't realise how obvious your feelings towards Red are."

"Shut up." Blue grumbled, turning his glare back to Red, "And people don't know, I am not obvious."

"Uh huh, sure." Vio smiled, watching Blue's reaction as a young girl suddenly hugged Red, Blue's eyes going wide for a moment, his eyebrow twitching and jaw still tightly clenched shut.

Vio softly patted him on the shoulder, "I'll leave you to your jealously, but do try not to scare off those few fans that you have."

"I'm not jealous!" he seethed after him as Vio walked away.

He wasn't jealous. He wasn't! Red had every right to have friends…lots of friends...lots of friends who gave him lots of hugs…lots of friends who gave lots of hugs that lasted for a long time…a long, lingering time….

Blue was un-aware how the empty radius of people around him suddenly grew, his cheeks getting redder in an anger that everyone around him could easily sense. It looked like he was going to explode at any moment.

Everyone expect one little girl, a little girl with long black hair, one of the children Vio had met yesterday. She bravely ran forward up to Blue, a huge smile on her face.

"H-hello Blue!"

Blue's fierce glare shifted down to her, but the girl was un-fazed.

"I, hehe, I've been really looking forward to meeting you!" she giggled, a blush on her face as she looked lovingly up at him "T-This is the first time my mother has let me come out to one of your birthday parties! And…and I was wondering if…if maybe I could get your autograph?" she hesitantly held up a piece of paper, but Blue's expression didn't change, neither did he un-cross his arms.

"Sorry kid," Blue said, his heated eyes returning to Red, "I'm not in the mood for signing autographs."

The smile on the girls face fell, and she turned to look at where Blue was looking, before looking back up at him "Oh…um…please?" she tried once again, holding the paper a little higher, "I-I really like you Blue, you're my favourite. I'd be really grateful and really happy if you could. I'm sorry, I just…I really like you."

"I said no!"

Without a look at the girl Blue walked away, prying his eyes away from Red before he did something to someone that he'd regret, the empty radius following him as he walked, leaving the little girl in the crowd looking shocked and close to tears.

There was another thing that Blue hated about these birthday parties. They lasted ALL day, morning till evening, giving a chance for all people in the town to attend if they wished, fitting it around their own work hours and responsibilities, but meaning Blue never got to spend hardly any of their birthdays with Red.

To the others this was fine, this was fun, Green re-telling their heroic tale to the kids, then Vio re-telling it later without all the added scenes Green puts in to make himself sound even more heroic (much to Greens disappointment). It also gave a chance for Shadow to enjoy himself, with the party lasting after sunset anyone who wanted to meet him could do so as well, and even though he still wasn't used to people liking him, it didn't stop him from gaining an ego with any praise he received.

Every year it was the same, every year he couldn't just spend a nice day alone with Red, or even just with the others altogether in a group! They hardly saw each other that much, and on the one day they were guaranteed to have off work at the same time, they had to spend it with people from the town!

It was entirely un-fair as far as Blue was concerned, and even though he felt rather guilty at shouting at that little girl earlier, he just couldn't focus on anything but the affection Red was getting from other people, people Red obviously knew but Blue had no idea who they were. Red was so happy and carefree he probably didn't realise people may have other intentions towards him, and as two young men put their arms around each of Red's shoulders, all three of them laughing about something, Blue couldn't take it anymore.

Walking through his empty radius, Blue stormed past Shadow (who was lounging on a chair and openly flirting with about five very voluptuous girls around him) and pushed through the dense crowd that surrounded Red.

"Blue!" Red exclaimed happily when he saw him, but the smile was quickly wiped of his face as Blue shoved one of the young men away from Red and grabbed onto Red's upper arm, pulling him away from the second man.

"Come on, we're going home."

"What? B-but Blue!" Red tried to protest, but was being forcefully dragged away from his friends and fans, all of whom were now caught in Blue's empty radius, not daring to go to Red while an infuriated Blue was hanging off him arm.

"Happy birthday Master Blue!" came a chorus of voices from somewhere in the distance, Blue looking up briefly to see it was three of his students, but too pissed off to acknowledge them so ignored them and continued to drag Red towards the main doors to the hall.

"Blue! Blue wait!" Red said, trying to dig his heels into the stone floor, "What's wrong?"

Blue stopped walking and turned to him, releasing his arm "What's wrong?" he said harshly, before the hurt and confused look in Red's eyes made him realise what he was doing, and he scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"Nothing's wrong." He said more calmly, looking away for a moment in guilt, "I just…I wanna go home…please?"

As Blue looked back up at him, Red could see a silent pleading in his eyes, so he smiled softly, "Okay Blue, let's go home." Red said, taking Blue's hand in his own and making a turn for the door.

"Excuse me! Um, Red and…and Blue!"

The two of them turned back around to see another little girl looking up at them, her big eyes sparkling at being so close to the heroes.

"I…I was wondering if I could have your autographs? I've got Greens and Vios and Shadows and would really love it if I could get yours too!"

Her big toothy grin made Red grin just as happily back at her, and Blue couldn't help but roll his eyes at Red's kindness.

"Of course!" Red said happily, taking the piece of paper she was holding up to them.

"Erk?" Blue stared at the paper in Reds hands in shock, Red smiling wildly when he too saw what was on it.

"Oh look Blue!" he said happily, holding out the paper to Blue, the paper which was actually a pictograph, a copy of the pictograph Vio had taken of Blue and Red kissing in their back garden.

"See I told you everyone knew." Vio smirked as he walked casually past behind them.

Only once they'd walked through the front door of their home did Blue finally relax. A thankful sigh left his lips, grateful to be away from all the noise and the people, especially the people around Red.

"You okay now Blue?" Red asked as they walked into the living room, Blue turning around and half leaning half sitting on the back of the sofa.

"Yeah." He said quietly, before looking up at Red, "Look I'm…I'm sorry I snapped at you, I didn't mean to."

Red smiled, "It's okay, I know you don't like those parties much."

Blue looked away again, "It's just…eurgh I know Zelda means well but I just…I want to spend a birthday with you for once, that's all." He added quietly. Red watched him, cocking his head slightly and smiling warmly at that annoyed and…jealous look on Blue's face. "And jeez haven't those people around you ever heard of 'personal space'? I hated the way they clung to you, it made my skin crawl." Blue didn't notice Red's quiet giggle, not realising just how much he was pouting and just how sweet and cute Red thought that was. "And what was with all the hugging! I mean for Goddess's sake don't any of them realise that you're-"

But Blue was cut off. Red had taken those few steps towards him, wrapped his arms loosely around Blues waist, and kissed him. He kissed slowly, very slowly, teasing Blue's bottom lip with his tongue. It took a moment for Blues brain to get working, but his eyes soon drifted close, wrapping one arm around Red's shoulders and the other placed at the back of his neck, gently encouraging that slow kiss to deepen, Blues own tongue slipping against Reds before pushing past those loveable lips and causing a small groan to rise up through Red's throat.

Red stood in-between Blues legs where Blue sat on the back of the sofa, and found himself leaning in to him, pressing their bodies together as the kiss became more heated. Blue removed his arm from around Reds shoulder and instead cupped his cheek, keeping his head in place as he kissed him hungrily, tongue sweeping the roof of Red's mouth, Red's knees beginning to buckle under him, his head spinning, small groans escaping as Red now clung to the front of Blues shirt.

After what felt like a short eternity, the need for oxygen forced their lips apart, but they kept their foreheads pressed together as they both panted for the much needed air. After a moment, Red smiled.

"That I'm yours."

Blue, taking one last deep breath, blinked at him, "What?"

Red giggled, "The end of your sentence: 'don't they realise that I'm yours'."

Red didn't know if Blue realised that a look of absolute love spread across his face at that moment, but whether he did or not it made Red blush deeply, and his eyes darted to one side before looking back up at Blue and smiling shyly.

Blue was looking at Red like he was the most precious item in the entire world. There was something in his eyes, something that told Red that what he'd just said somehow meant so much to Blue. Red stood there as Blue slowly encircled his arms around him once again, but this time didn't kiss him, but hugged him, holding him closely, nuzzling his cheek against Red's hair. He held him protectively, like cradling a fragile cocoon, and Red blinked over Blues shoulder, wondering what had suddenly come over him.

"Blue?"

A short silence filled the room, before very quietly Blue whispered, "I love you Red."

A warm smile spread over Reds lips, and he closed his eyes, snuggling against Blues chest, "I love you too."

Blue so rarely plucked up the courage to say those words, so Red knew that when he did, he truly and utterly meant them. To the eyes of the rest of the world, Blue was still the hot-headed, angry Link that always took action before thinking, always picked the fights, never admitted he was ever wrong. But to Red, he was the most wonderful, loving person he could ever have wanted, his shyness towards affection just making Red love him that much more, and when he held him like this…it just made Red want to stay with him forever.

"Blue? Let's go back to the bedroom." Red squeezed him gently, relishing in the warmth and the love that radiated from Blues embrace, "Let's finish what we started this morning."

To be continued…