Author's Note: This chapter was betaed by ZeldaElmo and hyylia. Enjoy!

Euphoria by Muse

Brooding. I need renewing. I want satisfaction…..It's been all work and no play - (Muse - Euphoria)

Throughout the concert, Link looked in Zelda's direction several more times, leading her to believe that perhaps he was as captivated by her as she was by him. However, doubt crept in when she remembered how brightly her white dress glowed in the black light. Logic dictated it was unlikely that he could see her clearly with the stage lights shining down so brightly, and simply, his eyes were drawn to the silvery bluish-white in a sea of faceless people.

With this realization, Zelda averted her gaze, focusing on Link's heavy black combat boots every time he looked her way. He probably thought she was some weirdo with a nervous eye tick if he could see her. During the final song, Revali knelt down and hauled Mipha onstage to bask in the spotlight with him. She looked delighted to be up there and fit right in with the band members, waving down at Zelda and the audience. When the final chord ended, the crowd erupted in wild applause, and Urbosa stepped up to the mic to thank everyone for their support. Standing under the colored lights as the audience screamed accolades, the diverse group represented the embodiment of perfection from every race in Hyrule. Zelda couldn't remember seeing so many pretty people in one place.

Zelda wanted nothing more than to melt back into the crowd when the lights began to rove over the audience, but there was nowhere for her to go except forward. Shielding her eyes, she looked up to find herself caught in Link's stare. Their eyes locked, and Zelda felt an immediate, intense connection to him. Time slowed down, and her stomach felt like a million butterflies were trapped within and trying to escape. She had finally gotten her wish, and she was certain he could see her because his bright blue eyes were burning straight through her, laying her soul bare right there in the middle of Milk Bar. She couldn't tear her gaze away, and as the lights dimmed, he began to step forward.

Revali intercepted his trajectory by sweeping Mipha in a passionate kiss blocking Link from Zelda's view. Unless she wanted to shove people aside and make a complete spectacle of herself by climbing onstage and attacking him like a rabid fan, Zelda had nowhere to sidestep to get him back in her sights.

Get ahold of yourself, Zelda! She shook her head and gulped down the rest of her now very warm drink. Ganondorf frowned at Revali, clearly not pleased with the display, and took Urbosa's hand, sweeping behind Revali and Mipha. As Ganondorf passed Link, he clapped him on the shoulder, steering him off the stage with them. Zelda thought she saw Link try to look back at her one more time, but that was probably wishful thinking on her part. Daruk followed close behind his bandmates. Unlike Ganondorf, he appeared to find Revali's spectacle entertaining and whistled his appreciation as he passed.

When they finally broke apart, Revali whispered in Mipha's ear before she hopped down next to Zelda, and Tulin returned to pack up the equipment.

"Urbosa has to give the band notes, so we'll meet them at TT's for drinks." Mipha hooked her arm through Zelda's, leading her off the dance floor.

TT's was short for Tetra's Tavern, and it was a quiet, low-key pub that served pizza and beer and had a couple of pool tables and dart boards. It was the exact opposite of Milk Bar and was frequented more by the university staff and grad students. Zelda knew she would feel more comfortable there but wasn't sure she could relax in the band's company. It was one thing to stare at Link when he was onstage, and there were several feet between them. But in an intimate setting, at a table in a quiet bar? She felt wound up tighter than a clock.

"I don't know, Mipha. Is everyone going to be there?"" Zelda waffled, wringing her hands together and biting her bottom lip. She was extremely enticed by the idea of being nearer to Link, but what if she embarrassed herself in front of him and the band? Zelda's track record in social situations was not stellar.

"I don't see why not. They always go there to unwind after a concert." Mipha leaned in and whispered conspiratorially in Zelda's ear, "Link's ex-girlfriend, Selmie, is a waitress there. She gives them discounts on drinks and free food. If you ask me, I think she still likes him."

Ex-girlfriend. So that meant he liked women–not that Zelda had been wondering that because she had just assumed he did, which was stupid. And it was more stupid that she was relieved to find out he did, and she should have stayed in with her spores tonight because her brain was turning to absolute mush. Maybe Mipha had gotten their drinks mixed up. It would be nice if Zelda could chalk this whole spectacle up to her being drunk.

"Does… uh, does he still like her?" Zelda couldn't believe she was even asking. It wasn't like she stood a chance of garnering his attention. She had to be drunk; there was no other explanation. With the concert over and the lights back on, the magic she had briefly felt when their eyes connected felt like something she had merely imagined.

"Not that I know of. So, you could definitely hit on him if you wanted. Let's freshen up." Mipha fanned her face with her hand, let go of Zelda's arm, and headed toward the restroom.

"Hit on him? Are you crazy?" Zelda followed after Mipha and went to a sink, splashing cold water on her face. She absolutely could not hit on Link–or anyone, for that matter. She was terrible at flirting. Only a drunk person (Zelda had to admit that she couldn't use that excuse now; it was clear Mipha was the drunk one) would think to suggest that she hit on someone. What Zelda thought was being coy came across as cold. How often had Mipha told her she gave off 'don't bother me' vibes? It was a curse that Zelda unconsciously pushed people away without even trying or realizing she was doing so. Well, minus the few times she knew exactly what she was doing and was quite adept at consciously turning on her 'bitch' mode.

Taking a paper towel, Zelda blotted her forehead and cheeks before looking at her reflection in the mirror. The glow necklaces made her complexion look sickly in the flickering fluorescent light. She removed the plastic jewelry and threw it in the trash.

"It's obvious you think he's attractive." Mipha pulled a tin of lip gloss from her purse and dabbed some on her lips, causing them to glisten enticingly. She offered the tin to Zelda. The gloss was tinted a dark, shimmery red.

Zelda smeared some on her bottom lip, tasting cinnamon, and pressed her lips together, spreading it along her top lip as well. Would Link like cinnamon-flavored lip gloss? She wondered if he wore make-up every day or just for the show. She didn't wear much. Would it be weird to date someone who could potentially be a person who wore more make-up than her? Why was she fixating on make-up all of a sudden? Zelda stared at herself in the mirror, eyes wide. She really needed to pull herself together; now even the word 'dating' came to her mind! He didn't even know her name!

"Maybe I should go home. You're making me nervous."

"You think too much,"–Mipha turned away from the mirror to gaze at Zelda–"And you look lovely. Stop fretting and just be yourself."

Somehow, the band arrived at TT's before they did and had already snagged a table when Zelda and Mipha arrived. A pretty, petite woman with pale green eyes and rainbow space buns was already setting two platters of appetizers on the table and a couple of pitchers of Goron Ale. Zelda didn't miss how she rested her hand familiarly on Link's shoulder when he thanked her. No doubt that was Selmie, and now that Zelda had seen her, she recognized Selmie as the MVP, All-Star player for CHUC's women's volleyball team. She'd led them to victory during her entire career at the university and was someone not afraid to take a risk or two. If Selmie was Link's type, Zelda didn't stand a chance.

Who was she kidding? She didn't stand a chance in hell to begin with.

Urbosa spotted Mipha and Zelda and waved them over, rising from where she sat. Seated at the head of the table beside her was Ganondorf, but while his three bandmates looked to see who Urbosa was waving to, he barely registered Zelda and Mipha's presence.

"Hey everybody, you all know Mipha, but allow me to introduce her friend, Zelda. She was at the concert tonight." Urbosa guided Zelda to a seat beside her and opposite Daruk and Link. As Zelda sat down, Urbosa continued introductions, pointing around the table. "This is Ganondorf, Link, and Daruk."

"Hi, Zelda!" Daruk's voice boomed, and he smiled warmly at her, his black eyes open and welcoming in his handsomely chiseled face. She returned his smile, already feeling more comfortable with his friendly demeanor.

However, it failed to comfort her enough to make eye contact with either Ganondorf or Link. Link, because she was afraid if she looked him in the eye, he would know she was a weirdo who was attracted to him, and her face would spontaneously combust from the heat of her embarrassment. And the charisma Ganondorf exuded on stage playing his keyboard was intimidating when you were sitting three feet away from him. He was cool confidence personified, leaning back in his chair with one foot on the seat, hand resting on the knee of his ripped jeans, looking like he thought he was the king of the world. He waved his fingers at her in silent greeting.

"Nice to meet you, Zelda." Link's voice was softer and lower than she expected, and she adored how her name sounded, dripping off his tongue. Oh goddesses, she would be up all night now thinking about him saying her name. She chanced a glance his way, and his eyes flickered with recognition. "Hey! You're the one in the glowing white dress. Nice choice."

"Thanks." Zelda winced at the squeak in her voice and felt a flush spreading over her chest, up her neck, into her cheeks. She sat on her hands to keep herself from pressing her palms against her face. He had noticed her, or at least her dress.

"Since you're Mipha's friend, you must already know the pompous ass at the other end of the table." Ganondorf finally spoke, lifting his chin toward Revali.

Seemingly not bothered by the jibe, Revali sat up straighter in his chair, beckoning for Mipha to join him in the empty seat beside him while looking shrewdly at Zelda. "Hey, Zelda. So, don't be shy; what did you think?"

"Oh, um." Zelda bit her lip as she tried to think of something to say. Of course, she had really enjoyed the concert, but all her attention had been focused on Link, the way his fingers moved on his guitar strings, the sound of the bass notes and chords he produced with such ease, and his smooth, warm back-up vocals. She barely remembered what any of the rest of the bandmates sounded like. Out of the corner of her eye, Zelda was very aware that Ganondorf was keenly watching her, running a finger above his upper lip. He seemed very interested in what she was about to say–at least until Link came to her rescue, speaking on her behalf, and Ganondorf's eyes flicked to him instead.

"Don't embarrass her by putting her on the spot, Rev. Maybe she just came along to keep Mipha company. Ignore him, and have a drink, Zelda."

Long fingers with painted black nails curled around a glass and poured her a pint of ale. Zelda followed the fingers, noting a Triforce tattoo on the back of Link's hand, with only the lower right piece filled in. The gold ink glowed beneath the lamp above the table. Looking past it, her eyes followed the tail of the green and yellow Farosh tattoo that wrapped around his slender wrist and wound up his well-defined forearm and bicep. In the back of her mind, Zelda calculated the pain and patience threshold required to tolerate the hours necessary to ink such an intricate tattoo. Farosh's mouth was open wide at the top of his arm, spewing electric-charged flames that disappeared beneath his plain black tank top. Her mind ran away from her, imagining where the flames ended. Parched. She was absolutely parched.

Mouth dry, Zelda accepted the drink and took a hearty gulp. The cool ale was already sliding down her esophagus, pooling in her stomach, before Zelda remembered she'd told Mipha she wouldn't drink that evening. She glanced over the rim of the glass at her friend, who was smiling at her, eyes shining mischievously.

"Thank you," Zelda said belatedly, casting her eyes in Link's general direction. Setting the glass down, she kept her fingers curled around the cool surface where his had been.

It felt like everyone was waiting for something. They sat quietly, eyes on her. Did Revali still expect her to answer his question after Link said she didn't have to? Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Zelda formulated an answer, which was the goddess-blessed truth, even if it was based only on Link's performance.

"And I am happy to answer your question, Revali. I think as much as Mipha has gushed, I was surprised to find you all are far more talented than I could've imagined. I was blown away, truly."

The answer appeased Revali, who preened and nodded his appreciation of her words. Zelda took another sip of the ale, sighing in relief. She could do this. She just needed to focus and stop thinking too much, as Mipha had advised her earlier.

"So, are you pre-med, like little Mipha?" Daruk inquired, reaching for a piece of rock-hard food from one of the platters that also contained an assortment of roasted nuts and spicy peppers.

"I'm finishing up my Master of Science in Biology. Focusing on a cure for Malice addiction. My final thesis and research grant project are dedicated to a cross-pollinated breed of brightcaps and sunshrooms." Her stock answer, whenever she was asked about her major, was out before Zelda could even think about what she'd just said. So that's what happened when she didn't think. There was no winning.

"That sounds fascinating." Urbosa rested her elbow on the table and leaned her cheek in the palm of her hand. "You must be pretty smart to develop something so innovative."

"I don't know about that." Zelda didn't want to bore them with talk of her research. "But I am passionate about it."

Selmie returned to the table with a couple of cheese pizzas, and the conversation dwindled momentarily as they helped themselves to a slice or, in Daruk's case, several.

"Ah! They're showing the trailer for the latest Guardians movie on TV. It looks awful." Urbosa laughed around a mouthful of pizza, pointing at a TV hanging above the bar, throwing her head back, exposing her long neck. Her long, curly hair nearly swept the floor, and Ganondorf reached over to grip it in his hand.

"Watch your hair, luv." He pulled a hairband from his jeans and restrained her hair in a loose ponytail.

Urbosa waved him away with an irritated flick of her wrist. "I mean, does anyone even like those movies?"

Ganondorf's expression darkened, and he narrowed his eyes at her before shoving his chair back with a loud clatter.

"I'm going outside for a hit." He patted the pockets of his jeans before pulling out a small plastic bag filled with blackish-red leaves and rolling papers. Zelda's jaw dropped, realizing it was an ounce of Malice. He didn't act or seem strung out like the drug addicts she'd seen during her studies. After what she'd just said about studying Malice addiction, she couldn't help but be shocked that Ganondorf was acting so cavalier and flaunting that he apparently took the drug regularly.

Link looked up at Ganondorf, brow furrowed. "Why not have another ale instead, Gan?"

"Zelda loves the Guardian movies! Purah is her favorite actress!" Mipha chimed in from where she sat perched on Revali's lap, slightly drunk and oblivious to the exchange happening at the other end of the table.

Link reached for the pitcher at the center of the table, filled Ganondorf's empty glass, and offered it to him, keeping his eyes on Ganondorf. "Stay with the group, Gan. You like Guardians, too. Admit it. Bosa won't hold that against you."

He winked at Urbosa, who had quickly caught up to what was happening and nodded. "Yes, luv. At least not much." She gave Ganondorf a wide smile, patting the chair beside her. "I'm sorry and do appreciate your attention. Stay."

Ganondorf hesitated a moment before pocketing the bag, accepting the drink from Link, and taking his seat. He gulped half the glass, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Urbosa wrapped her arm around his shoulders and leaned in to kiss him.

"I liked the artistry and the unspoken message the first one delivered." Ganondorf placed his hand on Urbosa's bare thigh, squeezing it lightly. "We need more movies that feature strong, intelligent women saving the day. But the sequels are cash grabs and a mockery of the original."

"What was the tagline for the first one?" Link squinted, trying to remember, tapping his fingers against his forehead.

"Caught in Hyrule Field, better hope you bought your shield." Zelda automatically answered, still flummoxed at what had just transpired, but her admiration for Link grew by the minute. He was handsome, talented, and clearly cared deeply for his friends. What did she have to do to stay on his radar besides attend all of Hyrule Warriors' upcoming concerts?

"I don't like those movies." Daruk helped himself to more ale and another slice of pizza. "They're too scary."

Revali looked down the table at Daruk. "It's an asinine movie about robots. Completely unrealistic. What's there to be scared of?"

"I think it's the notion that such a thing could become reality." Zelda paused, gathering her thoughts to shift from musing about Link to joining in the conversation. "We haven't developed such advanced technology yet, but eventually we could. The untapped potential and adaptability of AI is terrifying. There was a fascinating development with micro-robots coded to play hide-and-seek in a maze. One of the robots cheated the system and figured out how to climb the maze walls, and that cunning behavior wasn't part of its initial coding - it discovered it independently. Which is kind of scary."

Raising his brows at Revali, Daruk pointed at Zelda, pounding the table with his fist. "See, even the tiny scientist understands me."

Zelda laughed. "I do, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy those movies, no matter how bad they are. I like a good jump scare."

"Yeah, me too. Let's hope we're smart enough to not equip any robots we build in the future with deadly lasers and claws." Link trailed off, eyes going distant, and Zelda wondered what was going through his head. He looked across the table at Ganondorf. "Gan, I have an idea for a song. Got a pencil?"

Ganondorf snorted as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a pencil. "Sure." He handed the pencil over, and Link pulled a pile of unused cocktail napkins in front of him and began scribbling.

"I draw the line at singing about killer robots, Link. So don't waste your time if it'll be drivel like that." Revali called down to him before laying a sloppy, wet kiss on Mipha. Mipha giggled.

Zelda covered her mouth to hide her own laugh when Link continued to write but raised his right hand to flip Revali the bird.

"Goddesses! Get a room, you two!" Urbosa shouted over to them before turning to Ganondorf to give him an intimate kiss of her own.

Zelda had never been around such free spirits before. The atmosphere buzzed with their camaraderie, and she was surprised at how comfortable she'd become despite having just met the group. She took a sip of her ale and settled back into her chair. Link peeled a cocktail napkin off the pile he was writing on and slid it across the table toward her, fingers slightly spread so Zelda could see there was writing hidden beneath. She risked looking over where he sat across from her. His shoulder-length, pink-streaked, dark blond hair was tucked behind his perfectly pointed ears, which she now realized were pierced with hoops that matched his turquoise eyes. Eyes that were shining brightly at her while their friends drank, talked, kissed, and laughed uproariously around them.

Daruk slapped him on the back, knocking over his tall pint of ale in the process, and shouted something in Link's ear, completely oblivious to the huge spill he'd just made. Link's beautiful eyes widened as the force of the blow jarred him, and with a resigned shrug that sent the Farosh tattoo rippling down his arm, he gave Zelda an apologetic grin before turning his attention back to his friend.

His fingers disappeared from the napkin to help mop up the mess. Zelda reached out to snatch it off the table before the amber liquid oozing over the tabletop smudged the inked note.

Wanna go see the movie tomorrow?

Her hand clenched the napkin, wrinkling the note. He'd asked her out. Her cheeks flushed, and her heart felt like it was trying to beat its way out of her chest. Swallowing, she looked back at him; he dropped a wad of soaked napkins in the middle of the table and pushed back his chair. Daruk wobbled beside him, suddenly looking green as he stumbled out of his chair. Link steadied him by grabbing his elbow before sparing Zelda a parting glance. Spying the napkin still tightly clutched in her hand, he raised his eyebrows in question.

Feeling her cheeks burning even brighter, Zelda jerked her head in what she hoped was a nod and mouthed her answer. "Yes." Giving her a smile that made Zelda's heart do funny things, Link guided Daruk toward the door for fresh air. Watching him retreat, Zelda knew she was a complete goner.

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