So, hello again. Long time no seen. It's been a while, I know. For those that were following the story, I apologize for the huge delay. A lot has happened since I last posted a chapter for this. Job crisis, death, stress, grey hair and a little more. Things are better now and I missed writing this cute story. I pretty much left it in a cliffhanger. So I hope that you enjoy reading and please leave a review! :)

Kafei and Sheik were walking through the crowds of Clock Town. Sheik walked close to his older cousin as he guided them both. "I forgot that the farmer's market goes on today," he added.

Shiek smiled in return and shrugged. "It's fine. Part of being normal."

Kafei chuckled and nodded, "indeed. Which means Anju should be around here somewhere."

They both stopped at a souvenir tent to look at the tiny replicas of the massive clock in Clock Town. Sheik took one and studied it carefully. "They did a fine work on this one." And put it down.

Then they began to walk side by side. People walked in front of them, across from them, everyone happy and busy. Sheik wasn't paying attention to the crowd as he looked at his cousin, who was trying to find his wife. "I may have an idea where she could be," he said.

They turned to a corner and were walking to a flower stand. There were many in the small city, but this one was Anju's favorite and she always loved to buy flowers from this stand to decorate their cozy inn. The crowd started to disappear and before they knew it, Anju was in sight, visiting that precise flower stand that Kafei had mentioned. She had her back to them. The older Sheikah stopped walking.

"What's the matter?" Asked Sheik concerned.

"Anju," he said with a frown. "She's not alone."

Sheik looked at the person in question. As Anju was cheerfully looking at the flowers, she was talking to this young man who was carrying grocery bags and managed to hold flowers that Anju handed to him. He was tall, blonde, mysterious. Like Anju, he had his back to them. But then, Sheik heard it. The young man laughed. He knew that laughter. Sheik's entire body froze as he grabbed Kafei's arm.

"Sheik," Kafei said startled. "What is it?"

"H-he..." Sheik stuttered. "He..." And took a deep breath.

The young man turned sideways and looked around. Sheik could hardly believe it. Am I dreaming? That's Link! No, it can't be...

Both Sheikah stood frozen looking at Anju and Link. As Anju paid for the flowers, she took them from Link. They started to walk away when suddenly...

"HERO!"

The person in question looked at the source of the scream. Sheik inhaled deeply. Tears started to run his face as Link looked at him. But the hero didn't know what The Sheikah looked like without his cowl. He was about to go and explain when...

"Sheik?"

Sheik let out a sob as he began to openly cry. Words wouldn't come out so he nodded eagerly. He closed his eyes for a moment to later find himself in a tight embrace. He nearly lost his balance, and was pushed back a little, but he held on to his hero. Link.

"I found you!" Sobbed Link into Sheik's shoulder. "Oh, Sheik... I have finally found you." Link was also crying.

Sheik couldn't believe it. Were the goddesses playing twisted jokes on him now? He needed to be completely sure. He put his hands on Link's shoulders and pushed him back to get a good look at him. Both were panting heavily from all the crying.

"How can..." Sheik panted. "You're here! How?"

Link let out a joyful laugh. "I didn't go back in time! I just couldn't! I had to find you." He wiped his tears away and stared at Sheik in wonder. "You're so beautiful," he said as he cupped Sheik's face and traced it with his fingers. "I finally get to see you."

Sheik gasped and blushed at the intimate comment and gesture. It was all happening too fast and to make matters worse, they were in public. Thankfully, Kafei and Anju stepped in.

"Sheik," Kafei said with humor in his voice. "Would you like to introduce us?"

Sheik laughed embarrassed as Link stepped away with his face red as he scratched the back of his neck. "Kafei, this is Link. The Hero of Time."

Kafei extended his hand as Link took it. "Link, it's wonderful to finally meet you." Link smiled broadly as he shook Kafei's hand.

Sheik was still in shock. "Link, this is Kafei, my older cousin."

"This is so cool," Link said in awe. "I'm so happy you still have family, Sheik."

"Yes," Sheik agreed. "I am very fortunate. And I am sure you met Kafei's sweet wife, Anju."

Anju was standing next to Kafei, she was also crying and she nodded. "Link has been staying at the inn for the past couple of days waiting for Sheik. We were planning a surprise dinner but this was so much better," she laughed.

"Come," Kafei announced. "Let's go back so that we can have a proper meal and reunion."

Kafei took the groceries from Link and winked at him. Anju put her arm around her husband's as they walked. Link and Sheik walked side by side, stealing glances at each other and blushing furiously. Their bodies were getting closer and closer and their hands touched. Sheik decided to risk it and laced his fingers through Link's, who held on eagerly. Both looked at each other and grinned. Sheik felt like he was on cloud nine.

-0-

Back at the inn, all four went upstairs to the apartment and settled in the loving room. Kafei sat on a single couch as Anju sat on arm set. Sheik sat on the other longer couch and Link sat next to him. Link never taking his eyes off Sheik, he scooted closer and held his hand. He laughed.

"I'm so happy that I found you," he confessed. "I have been walking non stop to get to you."

Sheik blushed, smiled and looked down embarrassed. "I thought you were gone. I thought I lost you. I am so sorry things got out of hand."

Link frowned and shook his head. "It's fine now," he said as he stroke Sheik's cheek. "Nothing and no one is going to stop us now." Sheik leaned into the touch and closed his eyes.

"But," he said as he looked at Link. "What happened after you defeated Ganondorf?"

Link smiled. "Zelda told me everything and she told me when she found you and your duty and stuff."

Sheik shook his head. "I didn't follow her command, that's why she had me exiled."

"No," Link shook his head. "Zelda wanted me to become king, but I told her that it was you that I love."

Sheik's eyes went wide and he held his breath.

"I didn't go back in time because I love you, Sheik," Link confessed as he leaned in to kiss Sheik's cheek.

"I've loved you ever since the first moment I saw you," Sheik blurted out. "I wasn't supposed to, I tried to deny these feelings but... You made it difficult every time I saw you."

Both Kafei and Anju chuckled. "Link," Kafei said. "What happened with the princess?"

"She accepted and supported my decision. She gave me a new sword."

"The Master Sword needed to return to its resting place after the quest was over," Sheik finished.

"Right," Link nodded. "The Royal Family secretly forged a special sword many, many years ago and they kept it hidden. It was saved for the land's savior. It's called the Hylian Sword. It looks like the Master Sword but with different colors. I love it."

Sheik smiled as he saw his hero talk delightedly about his new sword. He still couldn't believe that Link was there with him.

"Sheik," Link turned to his Sheikah. "I talked to Zelda a lot. She wants you to come back to Hyrule."

Sheik frowned, clearly not happy. "Why?"

Link sighed. "She wants to apologize to you properly. She also said that she has an offer for you that would benefit us greatly. That's what she said."

"I do not wish to see the princess," he said in a cold voice. "At least not now."

"Sheik," Anju called out gently. "She wants to make amends. She knows she made mistakes."

Sheik sighed as Link squeezed his hand. "I'm just not ready to go back to Hyrule." He sighed deeply. "For once, I'd like to do what I want."

Link cocked his head to the side. "What do you want?" He asked curiously.

Sheik bumped his forehead against Link's gently. "I want to stay in my new home, with my new family," he looked at Anju and Kafei and smiled. He turned to Link and kissed his forehead. "I want you to stay with me. Enjoy this peace. You were forced to grow up and have been like this for a few months. I also want for you to get to know yourself."

"Will you help me?" Link asked hopeful.

Sheik smiled tenderly at the question and nodded. "Of course I will. For I will get to know myself too. I've been a warrior all of my life. This is the first time I've been granted freedom and I plan to seize it!"

Kafei chuckled. "Something for both of you to do together. As friends and lovers."

Anju smiled as she stood up. "I best be going. I have to put the flowers in their new vases and start supper."

Kafei stood up as well. "I'll help you." He turned to Link and Sheik. "You two go spend some time together. Be back for supper at six." And with that, they both left the room.

Sheik saw them leave and turned to Link who was staring at him. He felt embarrassed. "What is it?"

"You," Link said in wonder. "I finally get to see your face. I had dreams of me seeing your face. But I had your eyes, and that was good enough for me."

Sheik held his breath. No one had ever said these words to him and now they were being said from the one that he loved. His hero. Sheik thought he was going to spend the rest of his life grieving. It's amazing how things change in one split second. He couldn't contain his emotions, so he began to weep.

"Sheik? What's the matter?" Link asked worried as he touched his friend's face.

Sheik closed his eyes, basking in the feeling of Link's warm hand. "I can't believe you're here," he sobbed. "I thought I had lost you forever. These days have been very difficult for me."

Link's tears began to fall as well. "I know," he nodded. "Anju told me how sad you've been. I'm so sorry."

Sheik opened his eyes and frowned. "Don't you dare apologize to me," he said as he stood up and paced the room. "Non of this was your fault. You were forced into this."

"So were you," sniffed Link.

Sheik looked at Link, who was still sitting on the couch. He looked very vulnerable and very much like a child. He's still a child. Sheik smiled as he extended his hand. Link took it and stood up. They stood close to one another. Sheik wiped Link's tears with his thumbs. "We're not at war anymore thanks to you, my hero," Shiek whispered as he held Link's face gently. "I want to write a letter to the princess. We can go back to Hyrule in a month. I want to spend time with you."

Link nodded. "I want to spend time with you too," he whispered.

Sheik smiled. "Let's go write that letter."

Thanks for reading and reviewing! :D