A/N: Ahh sorry for such a long time between updates! School started and it's draining. I had pretty bad writer's block for the first few weeks, and then I saw the Zelda Symphony and I was writing non-stop. And then I've had some computer issues (aka, two have crashed. gone for good) so I've had to work on the story from my phone which is really a disservice but oh well. I saw some mixed thoughts on aromantic and asexual Zelda, but eh, I like her like that! Enjoy!


Midna sighed as she looked out the window in their room; the moon was high and stars shined brightly down on Hyrule. The time didn't matter to her – it was late and she should be asleep, but she wasn't. She was wide awake with an arm around her husband's torso. She felt his returning figure underneath his skin and grinned. It pained Midna to see him so ill for such a long period of time. To know he was bouncing back to his normal self was a pleasing idea.

Removing her arm from Link's side, the Queen rolled onto her back and faced the ceiling. The thoughts that raced throughout her mind consisted of Zelda's behavior from earlier in the evening. She knew Zelda fairly well, and the timbre she spoke her words in was not normal. Her voice usually resonated the insightful mind of a leader; her dialect of the previous night, however, only mirrored Zelda's worry and doubts.

And Eric also ran rampant in her mind. Midna felt as if it was her question that provoked his sudden anxiety. She knew the basics of what had happened that day, but she never knew the specifics. Meaning, she had no clue where Eric had been in the whole event and what happened to him.

With a groan, Midna sat herself up, dragging her feet out of the bed. Lightly placing them on the floor, she stood, attempting to avoid making the floor-beams squeak from under her weight. She knew she had gained a small amount over the past few months, but she thought nothing of it. There were too many other things on her mind that were much more important. One of which, she was about to straighten out.

Careful in the placement of her steps, Midna slipped on her robe and made her way to the bedroom door. As quiet as possible, she turned the doorknob and exited the room, gently closing the door behind her; not making a single noise as to disturb her husband. He needed his sleep. Herself, not so necessarily.

Tucking her arms by her sides, Midna looked to her left and right, trying to pinpoint the room that Eric stayed in. Although, she wasn't so sure if he even roomed at the castle anymore. He did say that he had a boyfriend now. He could be staying with him. Stopping in her tracks, Midna turned herself around and went towards the hall of stairs that she passed. Rolling her eyes, she slowly made her way down the spiral, careful not to trip in the dark.

At the bottom, Midna saw the poorly illuminated desk of the night guard. He had a pen in his hand, glasses resting on the bridge of his nose, as he furiously wrote away on a piece of staff paper, it looked like. Gentle as to not catch the guard off duty, Midna almost silently approached his desk.

Hearing the light pitter-patter of feet on the floor, the guard looked up from his work and met eyes with Midna, his face flushing red. "Queen Midna..." He muttered in astonishment. "H-how can I help you this late at night?"

Grinning warmly, Midna raised her brows. "I would like to know if Eric Koriku is still rooming in the castle?"

With a quick nod, the guard quickly flipped through a book at his side, and sighed. "I'm sorry to say but he has moved out. He's staying with his boyfriend now. His boyfriend doesn't work at the castle. I have their address, though. Would you like it?"

"Yes, please." Midna nodded her head. "And, I'm just curious, but what is that you're writing?" She pointed to the half written sheet of music.

The guard's eyes followed Midna's finger to his composition and his face again turned rosy. "That's just a piece of music that I'm writing. It's for the cello. Eric's boyfriend plays the cello. It's a song to be played at Zelda's coronation. It's months away, but I've already gotten a score written out and I have to make the parts now. So... Yeah, that's what that is."

Smiling, Midna took the small piece of paper the guard handed her with Eric's address. "Ah, I bet it's lovely. I can't wait to hear it when Link and I return for the ceremony!"

"Th-thank you... Your majesty." The guard faced his desk.

With a nod, Midna turned and made her way out of the palace and to the courtyard. In the moonlight, she took a look at the slip of paper. If she remembered castle town right, the apartment was near Telma's. She practically knew the way, she hoped.

Bypassing the guards that made their rounds around the castle, Midna shivered as a small breeze blew through the courtyard. Once she reached the streets of castle town, she gazed left and she gazed right, and all she saw were a few stray dogs and utter darkness. No lamps were illuminated; nor did porches have small torches lit by their doors - it was just dark.

Thankfully, she was used to darkness because of her own realm. With a shrug and roll of her eyes, Midna carried on, quickly walking down the streets. She picked up quickly on tuning out the sexist, drunk, men sitting in random alleys, giving her catcalls as she went by. The first few made her whole body shiver due to their creepiness. But as it reoccurred, Midna only had to roll her eyes and continue.

In the near distance, Midna saw the dim lighting of Telma's pub and grinned. She felt accomplished, going somewhere, at least. Hurrying her strides, Midna held her robe together a little bit tighter and quickly made it to Telma's. Halting outside the door, Midna took a deep breath in and glanced over her shoulder. From what Zelda had told her before her and Link's wedding, some tragic events had happened on an evening in this part of town.

Apprehensively, Midna turned back to the door and gripped the handle, pushing it open and entering the small pub. Although she remained quiet, she did gather the attention from the few people sitting at a table in the back. Telma was only behind a counter drying a few glasses. With a smug grin on her face, the plump woman placed the glass down and came out from the counter.

Placing a hand on her hip, Telma approached Midna. "What brings you out here at this hour?"

"I need to find Eric." Midna folded her arms to hold her robe together. She had noticed a wandering eye from what seemed to be a scholar in the back of the bar. Turning her head to face him, Midna retorted, "And I don't need you looking at me like that, unless you want my fist to meet with your face."

Quickly, the man's face flashed red, facing his lap and readjusting his glasses. "I apologize, miss. I... you just seem awfully familiar."

Midna rolled her eyes and groaned, turning her whole body to face the scholar, raising one brow and pursing her lips. "Well I'm pretty sure if you recognize me you've met me. I've never seen any twili in Hyrule besides myself, and Zant and his crew back then."

Standing from his seat, the other people at his table paid close attention to their friend. "I know that I have met you, I cannot recall your name, however."

Apprehensively nodding, Midna made an audible grunt and turned back to Telma. "The name's Midna. You probably know my husband more than me."

"Oh, who's your husband?" The scholar raised his head, shyly glancing at the twili.

"Link, the Hero of Twilight," Midna muttered, only making stares through the corner of her eyes.

Without having to see his face fully, the scholar jumped from his seat and ran towards Midna's side. He grabbed her arm and fell to his knees, his head facing the ground. "Oh god, queen Midna, I hadn't realized… I had only seen you in your imp form, I didn't recognize you. I apologize dearly."

Brushing the the man away, Midna grinned and gestured for him to rise to his feet. "Shad, it's fine." Looking past him, Midna saw the rest of The Resistance, except for Rusl. "So, how are the rest of your buds doing?"

Shrugging, Shad had a lighter bounce to his tone. "Ah, all is well. We're going to be researching the Yetis up on Snowpeak. We are staying here before we head out tomorrow."

"They're a very nice couple, I can tell you that." Midna grinned, looking over her shoulder, she remembered what she had came for. "And I hate to leave so early, but I'm looking for somebody and it's important."

Taking a step back and shaking his head, Shad replied, "Oh it's fine! I must be getting back to our research anyways."

With a nod, the two separated, Midna returning her attention to Telma. "So, back to Eric? His place is near here?"

With a smirk, Telma nodded. "Yeah, he is. His boyfriend's place is just down the street, and then you take a right. It's on that road."

"Ah, thank you." Midna shrugged and gathered the fabric of her robe. "What's his boyfriend's name?"

"Cain." Telma crossed her arms. "Used to be Cameron before he came out. That was a few years ago, though. Don't call him that, ever." Midna received a stern glare from Telma.

Agreeing, Midna slowly nodded her head. "Okay... Thank you." Her gaze drifting to the floor, the twili took in a deep breath and turned on the balls of her feet towards the door.

"Are you heading out already?" Telma's words stopped Midna in her tracks. "Wouldn't you want to share a drink with me before you go?"

Sighing, a small grin came upon the queen's face, and she whipped herself around to face the plump woman again. "Sure, why not?" Midna laughed, taking a seat at the bar counter as Telma went behind and grabbed bottles and glasses.

After pouring two small glasses of mead, the plump woman passed one to Midna and then raised her brow. "Shall we toast?"

"Nah," Midna laughed, picking the glass up to her lips. "I'd just say screw it and wing everything."

Giggling and shaking her head. "Now that sounds like something you'd say."

In sync the two women raised their glasses and down with the alcoholic liquid inside them. After setting the glass down, the twili noted the time spelled out on the clock.

"Gosh, I better get going," Midna quickly said, standing from her chair. Hurrying herself, she made her way to the door, and waved to Telma before running out.

She knew her time at the bar was rushed, but she didn't want to show up terribly late at Eric's. With streetlamps still dimly lit, Midna easily found her away around the streets of the town, arriving at what was apparently the right address. Looking up at the building, she saw several lamps lit through the windows, making herself feel a slight bit better about the time of her arrival.

Taking steps up to the door, Midna took a deep breath and knocked once or twice. As soon as she did, she heard some stringed music stop, and feet race down the stairs. The door opened slightly, as Midna saw Eric's eye peek out. As soon as he spotted her, Eric fully opened the door and welcomed her in with a quick gesture of his arm.

"Midna! I didn't expect that you would drop by so late... Where's Link?" Eric looked around for her husband.

"Asleep." Midna smirked. Looking around Eric's apartment, the twili smirked. "So, where's your boyfriend?"

Immediately, Eric's freckles were covered in his blush and his eyes widened. "He's upstairs. He was practicing his cello before you came."

"Ah... May I meet him?" Midna asked, slowly taking strides to head to the stairs.

Rushing to lead her, Eric nodded his head in a nervous manner. "Y-yes. But I must tell you something first."

"What is it?"

"Cain, well... From first glance you would think he's a girl."

"How so?" Midna cocked her head.

"He used to identify as a woman, now he doesn't. He still has the body of a girl." Eric sighed. "Please don't say anything about it. I'm trying to make him as comfortable as possible with the transition."

Smiling, Midna nodded. "Oh it's fine! I respect him one hundred percent."

With a shy smile, Eric's shoulders fell in relief. "Thank you, Midna." Shiftily moving his eyes around, he asked, "So why did you just leave Link at the palace?"

Chuckling, Midna looked away and grinned. "He sleeps like a log. And I couldn't sleep, there's too much on my mind. And, I felt bad for freaking you out earlier. I shouldn't have asked what happened. Obviously, it was a lot to you."

Shrugging his shoulders, the red head passed it off as nothing. "I don't mind. Besides, one day it'll be a story I'd probably tell to my kids."

"Kids?" Midna raised her brows.

"Well... I mean," Eric mumbled while slowing turning his head away, rubbing the inside of his forearm. "I think Cain's the one. I love him so much. And if he's comfortable with it, we could have kids. That's only if he's comfortable, though."

Grinning, Midna placed her hand on his shoulder. "Well, I wish you both the best of luck with that."

"Thanks... Mids," Eric laughed. "Anyways, there is no way that I was the only thing on your mind keeping you awake... What's going on?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Midna's eyes met with the floor. "Ah, it was just something I discussed with Zelda. She knows something and hasn't told me yet."

Nodding his head, Eric sighed, "Ah... I get ya'... And, I have to ask, are you still bothered by the loss of the baby?"

"Link is much more than I am." Midna crossed her arms while leaning against a wall. "I know that we'll eventually have one, but I'm afraid he feels that the mess all happened because he couldn't protect me."

Eric opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by yell from the upstairs.

"Eric, who's that?"

"It's an old friend of mine!"

"Well can you bring them upstairs to talk? A peg slipped and I can't get it back in place."

"Yeah yeah." Eric began his way up the stairs, gesturing to Midna to follow.

As they went to the upper floor of the home, there were papers scattered all over the floor. Staff paper, to be exact. Papers with notes and rhythms written all over them. In the center of the room was a smaller person, instrument faced towards them, as they messed with the pegs that lined up along the scroll. In front of them was a stand with pages of music resting upon them.

As Eric approached them, he asked, "Is it sharp or flat?"

With an irritated groan, the smaller twisted the instrument to face him, revealing the dangling string in the middle. "What do you think?"

"Flat. Very, very flat." Eric sighed, slightly taken back. Taking the instrument in hand, he grabbed the top peg on the right and began to twist it forward with one hand, while continuously plucking the string with the other. "Just tell me when it's in tune."

Midna watch from the side of the room as Eric and his boyfriend worked in agreement to get the string back in its normal pitch. Once finished, the smaller took his bow in hand, took his seat, and then played the two strings at the same time, to confirm it's intonation.

"All done!" The smaller grinned over at his boyfriend.

Smirking, Eric crossed his arms and faced Midna. "Good. Now, Cain, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine." Pointing his hand at the twili, he introduced her, "Cain, meet Midna. Midna, meet Cain."

Cain turned to take a look at her, and for once the twili saw his full face. Eric was right, he did look a bit more feminine. His face was round and his cheeks soft. His frame was smooth and flow-some, like a woman's. Plus, he stood a lot shorter than Eric. His dirty blond hair was smooth and shiny, and was parted on the left side of his face. His nose was rather stubby and round, but it fit with his eyes. And on the bridge of his nose rested a pair of round spectacles, giving him the 'scholarly' look.

"Nice to meet you, Midna!" Cain beamed. His voice was higher pitched, too.

"It's nice to meet you too, Cain." She smiled softly. "What are you practicing?"

Shrugging, the smaller rested his instrument on its side, to the right of his chair. "Ah, it's just some music for the festival to celebrate the victory in the war of twilight."

"Oh, it's almost that time of year again?" Midna asked.

"Third anniversary!" The smaller gleamed, holding up three fingers and crossing one leg over the other.

"Ah, Link will be happy to hear that." The twili nodded to herself.

"Link? As in, hero of twilight, Link?" Cain's eyes widened and his mouth hung opened slightly. "You know him?" He turned to Eric as well and spaced out his hands. "You know him? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Cain, honey," Eric laughed. "Midna is his wife. She is married to him. And Mids… how long will it be since you two tied the knot?"

"Almost a year, I believe."

Cain gaped over at Midna and you could hear him trying to keep his screaming internal as he covered his face with his hands. "Oh my goddesses, I can't believe this!" Uncovering his face with his hands, showing off his glowing, red cheeks. Slowly dropping his hands to his sides, he asked, "C-can I meet him? I've heard so much about him… he sounds so amazing…" His faded away into nothing as he began to stare down at his hands in shock.

"He really is," Midna chuckled. "If he weren't so sleepy all the time."

"Oh goddesses." Eric threw his head back, grinning, while lightly laughing. "Tell me about it. When he was ill and Zelda 'n I were watching over him… he slept so much. I mean, it was expected because he was sick, but man. Days straight. He'd be out. I'd have to wake him to feed him."

Cain looked over at his boyfriend, smiling. "Wow… what a hero, hehe."

Midna rolled her eyes and smirked. "I'd have to say… what he did was pretty amazing. But sleep… no no no… couldn't interrupt his sleep. He hated when I'd wake him up and such."

Cain giggled, "Ah, man. He sounds more dorky than heroic."

"That is quite the truth," the twili laughed herself. "But less about my husband and I, I really wanted to meet you after Eric told Link and I about you."

Noticing his face turn red, Cain turned away rubbed the nape of his neck with his palm, crossing his legs, and swinging his feet back and forth underneath the chair. "Well… my name's Cain, as Eric already told you. I've known Eric for a few months now. He just moved in with me… I'm Zelda's cousin, I'm her dad's niece…" As his voice fade off, his eyes widened and face turned red. "I mean nephew… dammit, sorry. Um.. anyways… my mom is the princess' aunt."

Nodding her head slowly, Midna acknowledged his identity and carried on as if nothing had happened. "Ah, that's nice. So, I hear you're playing at her coronation?"

Trying to laugh off his previous mistake, Cain shrugged. "Yeah, I'm the best cellist she can find. Technically, it's a violoncello and I'm a violoncellist, but it's too long to say on a day to day basis…" Taking a pause and making eye contact with the twili, he took a breath and carried on. "Anyways… yeah, I'm given a solo, which the arranger is still copying the part for me. It's the theme played at major events of the royal family. But, in a grander key. With grander harmonies. And pauses. And rhythms. It's just… grander."

"I see… can I hear you play?" Midna asked.

"Of course, of course!" Cain quickly lifted his cello and rested it between his legs, taking his bow in hand. "What would you like to hear?"

"Your favorite piece. Something you just put all your passion into."

With a weak grin, Cain sheepishly placed his fingers on the strings and placed his bow. "Th-this is the Song of Time... It's said that once it was played on a magic ocarina that could alter time."

With an inhale through his nostrils, Cain shut his eyes, and his hands worked together to create the melody passed down. His vibrato created warmth for the minor key. And with a crisp cut off, he opened his eyes.

"That was beautiful."


Link groaned, feeling light, that he hadn't seen in almost a year, hit him in the face. Rolling across the bed, he felt Midna's side cold and sat up in an instant. His heart calmed a bit when he saw her standing in the washroom, dressed in her formal gowns while putting her hair up. In the mirror, Link saw he made eye contact with her, and she smirked.

"Well hello, sleepy head." Midna turned to face Link, lowering her hands from her hair. Approaching the bed, she sat on the edge and faced her husband. "Didn't think that you'd ever get up, heh."

Shrugging his shoulders, Link yawned. "Neither did I. Why are y'all dressed up?"

"I'm going off to meet with Zelda," Midna slowly spoke, making direct eye contact with Link. "And I told Eric and his boyfriend that you'd go to the archery range with them today."

"What time did you tell them I'd be there?" Link stared at her with wide eyes.

Looking back at the clock, Midna folded her hands in her lap. "In about an hour. I'd suggest you'd go and get ready."

Standing from the bed, Link made his way to the washroom as Midna headed towards the door. Stopping at where their paths intersected Link looked up at her and smirked.

"How long will you be with Zelda today?"

"Ah… I really don't know. There's much political matters to be taken care of." Midna shrugged her shoulders. "You'll have a fun time with Eric, though. You two can do some catching up, anyways." Leaning down a small bit, Midna met her lips with his, and then pulled away. "I'll see you tonight, hon. I love you."

As Midna walked passed him, he turned quickly and softly said, "I love you, too." Grinning as she walked by, his face turned red. Quietly, he mumbled to himself, "Still can't believe she agreed to marry me."

Taking his time to ready himself for the day, Link noticed his old tunic stuffed in the dresser. Carefully, he held it up, letting it unfold and hang from his hands. Taking a quick skim over the olive green fabric, he saw the mended tears and stains. With a sigh, he loosened the fittings on the sides and slipped it over his head, shoving his arms through the sleeves. Once on, he tightened the fittings, tied the belt around his waist, and slipped the cap on his head.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Link twisted around to get a look of the tunic and grinned. "Just like the good old days." Grabbing his boots, he sat along the edge of the bed and put them on. Standing, he placed his hands on his hips, and smirked before leaving the room.

As he made his way down to the archery yard, Link realized how empty the castle felt. And then he remembered the events of the previous night. He still had to tell Midna of what Kokau told him. Last night, he was in too much of a shock to really think it through. And she was already gone this morning before he remembered. Link grumbled to himself, wishing he had remembered, and only hoped he would recall it when he saw her again later in the evening.

Once down in the archery yard, which again, seemed oddly empty, Link retrieved a bow which was similar to his. He shot a few arrows, realizing how out of shape he still was, before hearing a familiar voice call him from behind.

Before he could even turn around, Link was trapped in an arm lock from a much taller, Eric. "Hey, hey, hey!" Link grinned, trying to maneuver himself out of the red head's grip. "What's with all that?" Link laughed before seeing the shorter person behind Eric. "Who's that?" He raised his voice in question.
"Link, this is Cain, my boyfriend. Cain, this is Link." Eric introduced the two.

Link approached Cain, who he realized was about the same height as him, and stuck his hand out. "Nice to meet ya'."

Cain sheepishly took his hand and shook it, a wide grin on his face covering his red cheeks. "Nice to meet you, t-too… I've heard so much about you, it's an honor to meet you." He spoke in a nervous tone.

Link shrugged his shoulders and smirked. "What I did doesn't make me any higher up than anybody. I don't really like being treated so differently because of that." Reaching down to grab his bow and an arrow, he set the arrow, but didn't pull back on the string. "Do you guys wanna shoot some with me? I need to get back in shape anyways."

"Sure." Eric went back to grab a bow, and turned to Cain. "Do you want one?"

Shaking his head, Cain crossed his arms. "No thank you, I'll pass. I'd rather watch from the sides."

Shrugging, Eric sighed, "Whatever suits you."

As Cain went to sit on the edge, Eric stood himself right next to Link. "So, I talked to Midna last night."

"Yeah." Link pulled back the arrow and aimed it at the target. "What about?" Releasing the arrow, it flung across and missed the target completely. With a bitter curse underneath his breath, Link reached for a second arrow.

"You." Eric smirked, releasing his arrow, watching it hit the bulls-eye.

Dropping his bow from his stance, Link dropped his shoulders and faced Eric. "What about me?"

Not picking up a second arrow, Eric faced Link. "Well, first, you tell me how you're doing about the loss of the baby."

His jaw gaping, Link furrowed his brows, placed his second arrow, and pulled back the string on the bow. "I don't want to talk about it." Releasing it, the arrow again missed the target. "Goddesses damn it." His face grew red with his frustration.

Placing his hands on the shorter's shoulders, Eric sighed. "So you're not really handling it well?"

"No." Link looked away from Eric, crossing his arms.

"It wasn't your fault," Eric tried to reason with him. "You didn't know it was going to happen. You had suspicions but they weren't enough to give you an idea. It's okay. It's not like you two still can't have children."

"I love her and I couldn't protect her." Link dropped his bow and stared at the ground. "I can protect the whole goddesses damned light realms and twilit realms but I can't freaking protect my own wife."

"Link it's not your fault." Eric wrapped his arms around the shorter and held him close. "You couldn't have done anything about it. And you two got justice. You can still have kids... it's okay."

With a frustrated huff, Link steered his way out of Eric's arms. "It's not okay and it never will be. I couldn't protect my own wife." Taking another arrow, Link held it up to the bow and pulled back the string, releasing it, watching the arrow fly and hit the center of target.

With a concerned sigh, Eric continued to shoot arrows alongside Link in silence. He felt the burning stare of Cain watching them. He would have to explain it to him later, what was going on. He hoped that he would be able to help. Eric wanted to help Link and Midna as much as he could. He cared for them like they were his brother and sister.

"Link, I just want you to know that I'm always here for you."

"I know."

And the arrows continued to fly.