Chapter 2

Zelda

The second Zelda saw that symbol, she knew it was going to be an awful day.

She glanced over at Link. He was clearly trying to hide how afraid he was, clenching his jaw and hands to keep them from trembling. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Do you... want to leave? Call your grandmother? Or something?" He didn't respond. Instead, Link turned and strode purposefully towards the doors. Zelda followed after him, wanting to make sure he didn't do something rash.

Following him quickly ended with them at Principal Impa's office. She could see Link willing himself to move, to knock on the door. "Do you want me to do it, Link?" He nodded, looking a bit ashamed. She placed her hand on his to comfort him, then knocked with the other

The Sheikah opened the door. "Zelda? Link? What are you-"

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but there's a... situation in the gym. Please come quickly," Zelda responded.

"Would you like to explain?"

Before Zelda could even try and find words, Link managed to speak up. "Yiga eye, on th-the wall in the g-ym." Zelda squeezed his hand. He was trembling terribly, perhaps in rage, fear, or both.

Impa's lips thinned, and she began marching out, before pausing and turning. "Zelda, you may stay with Link for the time being. Link, if you need anything, do not hesitate to call for the nurse." Zelda nodded in response before gently leading Link to a chair.

A few minutes passed, with Zelda trying her best to comfort Link, tracing circles on his back. "Why," he whispered, "would s-someone do this?"

She couldn't respond. What could she even say? Zelda knew nothing of the pain he had endured those seven years ago. How in Hyrule can I comfort him? I can't tell him how much I care for him, that I always want to be there for him in these dark moments, he'll be embarrassed and that's not even really comforting HIM , it's me... oh, not now, stupid, selfish girl, Zelda. THINK!

"Um, Link. Is there anything I can do? I mean, I want to help you but I don't really know how and-"

He gave her a wane smile. "Just being here - it's enough."

Zelda tried to come up with something else to say. "Do you want t- hold up, you look exhausted. Did you even get any rest? You know you have that competition today, right!?"

Link sighed, then fidgeted. "I didn't get much sleep. I went to bed late, and woke up early too."

Zelda slapped her forehead. "Honestly, when are you going to start taking proper care of yourself?! You ought to go home right now! In fact, I will take you there myself if I must! Plus, you definitely don't need to be here right now."

Link just stared at her for a couple of seconds before grinning. "What," she demanded.

"I just sometimes f-forget how intensely overbearing and pr-protective you can b-e."

"Liiiink," she whined, "I'm not that bad." She frowned as he laughed quietly, but quickly joined him as she knew she actually was. Plus, she wanted to give him a bit of levity after what had just happened.

"Do you need me to drive you," she asked.

"Yeah, I don't w-want grandma to have to come aft-er me."

"Okay then, let's head out."

Before they left, Link insisted on writing a note to Impa to let her know that they'd left. Once at Link's home, he invited her inside, which she accepted. Just gotta make sure he ACTUALLY takes care of himself. Link's grandmother was concerned that he had come home so soon, and once she learned of what happened, forced some cookies onto Zelda and told Link he was to stay in his room for at least a few hours. He did so gladly, clearly exhausted despite how early it was in the day.

_/|||\_

Zelda sat in her car in the school parking lot, knowing that she couldn't go home, but also unable to focus on anything but what had transpired. Poor Link. And there's nothing I can really do to help him.

She sighed, and began to reflect on what had happened seven years ago...