Sheik took a deep breath as he inhaled the salty breeze. He was in the patio of a small hut in the Great Bay. The sound of the waves hitting the coastline relaxed him. Kafei was right, the sound of the ocean would calm him down. The skies were blue and the water was clear. Sheik could see some of the coral and Zora swim around.
He still couldn't help but still feel sadness for his loss. It had been a week since the defeat of Ganondorf and Link's, well, departure. He was sure the blue-eyed hero would love this setting. Link always seemed to love things... Oh, Link.
"Are you alright, cousin?" Kafei asked from the other chair.
Sheik nodded. "Yes," he replied. "This is beautiful, Kafei. Thank you for bringing me here."
Kafei smiled and nodded. "You are my only living blood relative. From now on, we need to take care of each other, no matter what."
"Of course,"'Sheik said almost dutifully. "I appreciate everything you have done for me. I have been just... A grieving mess."
Kafei waved him off. "You suffered a big loss, Sheik. You need to grieve as much as you can. Time will heal your wounds. Me and Anju will be there for you for everything. You are not alone."
Sheik smiled and nodded. "I, I, don't," he stuttered. "Thank you." He felt a ball of emotions crash into his heart and tears came out. He laughed embarrassingly and wiped them away.
"Tell me," said Kafei as he took a sip of his tropical drink. "What was Link like?"
Sheik smiled lovingly as he pictured his hero laughing in his thoughts. "He put everyone's needs ahead of his own. Even mine. He rescued me in Kakariko after a monster escaped from the well. Link took care of me. He was so... Gentle with me."
Sheik opened his eyes and he could hear people screaming, the sound of the rain and the smell of the fires that almost consumed the buildings of his beloved Kakariko village.
He tried to sit up, but the throbbing pain that hit his head was too much to handle. The Sheikah did a breathing technique that his aunt had taught him if he ever encountered himself in scenarios like this.
He heard a pained moan as he looked to his right. The Hero of Time. He was also on the ground. "Looks like you're coming around," Sheik rasped.
"Are you alright?" Link asked as he got up and reached for Sheik's head, there was some blood by his left brow. Link used his Goron tunic to clean Sheik.
"No," pleaded Sheik. "Your tunic! You'll ruin it!"
Link chuckled followed by a pained expression. "You need it more than I do. And don't worry, I'm not going into that blasted volcano again." He smiled. "Now let me take care of you."
The rain fell down hard on them. Sheik was soaked to the bone and his clothes were uncomfortable but he was lost in the young hero's gentle care. The way he moved his bangs out of his Sheik's face. The way his soft calloused fingers touched his chin to lift his head to take a closer look at the wound. The way he looked so concentrated as he cleaned Sheik's brow. The gentle ministrations. Those intense blue eyes. His beautiful lips...
This had gone too far. Each time, their encounters had been getting more and more intimate. The last time they had seen each other before this was when they were in each other's arms in the Gerudo Valley. But right that very moment, Sheik wanted to desperately kiss Link. They were so close. He could even see the hero's blush and that made Sheik smile.
"All done," Link whispered as he caressed Sheik's cheek.
"Thank you," whispered Sheik.
They looked into each other's eyes, it felt like an eternity. Link's hand never left Sheik cheek. The Sheikah thought 'to hell with it', and was about to pull down his cowl when they heard the monster Bongo-Bong growl and the spell was broken... That was the last time they would see each other before the reveal.
"Oh, Sheik, I didn't mean to bring painful memories," apologized Kafei. "I only tried to bring good memories."
Sheik shook his head as he wiped his tears away. "It's fine,"'he assured. "No matter what kind of memory it is, it's still going to hurt."
He stood up from his chair and stretched. He saw the ocean and how inviting it was, it felt like it was calling to him. "Do you mind if I go for a swim?"
"Of course not," Kafei laughed. "I'll be here."
Sheik smiled. "Thank you, cousin."
Sheik took off his shirt, leaving him in his bathing suit, or trousers, whatever Kafei called them. He ran into the cool sea water. It felt wonderful on his skin, all the stress leaving his body. He swam close to the shoreline so that he wouldn't get lost.
As he was swimming, a few Zora swam by and waved their hellos at the Sheikah. After a few minutes, he arrived at what it looked like an abandoned beach. He decided to walk around and explore. There were a few fish here and there on the shallow parts and that's when he heard it.
The Great Fairy Fountain song.
The melody was distant but it was also clear. It was without a doubt the Great Fairy Fountain song. But why of all places here? Was somebody playing a trick? He had to investigate.
Sheik followed the music. It got louder and louder after every passing minute until he stopped in front of a cave. He swallowed and went inside.
The fountain was surrounded by a gentle waterfall. In the middle of the room, there was a pool. He approached it and looked into it. He saw his reflection. Then a fairy jumped out, laughing joyfully. Sheik stared wide eyed at the creature in front of him. She was exactly the way Link had described them.
"Ah," said the fairy. "You were able to hear my song."
Sheik frowned. "You were calling for me?"
"Yes," giggled the fairy. "I am one of the Great Fairies that reside in Termina. I know about you, Sheik of the Sheikah."
"H- how?" He asked with wonder in his eyes.
"You carry a heavy burden," she smiled sadly. "You have been struck by tragedy and a great amount of loss." She paused her speech, but he didn't say anything so she continued. "Yet, your greatest loss is the one that will not let you move on with your life."
Sheik chuckled bitterly. "I just don't know what I'm supposed to do with my life. Everything was taken from me, including the one that I love. I feel... So lost without him... I can barely breath... It hurts," he said as he put his hand on his chest, over his heart. "I don't know how long I can continue like this!" His tone was desperate and filled with sorrow.
The Great Fairy nodded. "I understand your grief, young Master Sheikah. I will help you with some comfort and relief. When you leave this cave, you will feel at peace with yourself... I see... Things coming your way and by then, you will know the way."
She extended her hands as magical particles surrounded Sheik. He closed his eyes and felt the pain in his heart slowly go away. He opened his eyes and smiled at the fairy.
"If you ever feel troubled or in conflict, come see me," she offered. "I will help ease your pain."
"Thank you, Great Fairy," Sheik said as he bowed. He turned around, took a deep breath and left the cave.
Kafei sighed with relief when he saw Sheik coming out of the sea. He feared his young cousin might have done something. He was glad he was wrong.
"Did you enjoy your swim?" Kafei asked as casual as possible as he approached Sheik.
"I did," Sheik panted as he stood in front of Kafei. "I was able to do some reflecting."
His older cousin nodded. "Good, are you hungry? The restaurant is ready to serve dinner."
Sheik smiled and nodded. "I could use and bite," he chuckled.
Kafei laughed and gave Sheik his shirt. He put it on and both cousins walked into the Great Bay Restaurant as the sun started to go down.
So pretty much here you have Link and Sheik's first romantic scene, per say. I also wanted a little tension between them. I hope I did good.
Thanks to all of that are reading, favoring the story and reviewing. It's because of you guys that I continue this silly story.
On a separate note, I'm going to give myself a small break for a few days. I got some bad news and I haven't been myself in these past few days. I'm feeling a little better but I'm not my joyful self for now. I actually finished this chapter on Tuesday and was going to post it Wednesday night but that's when I got my bad news. Please bear with me and thanks for reading again.