Author's Note: Well, it seems the links I embedded in my previous author's notes aren't translating. Sorry about that. At any rate. You can find the song references on any music platform. I've used YouTube Music and Spotify in the past. This chapter's song:

Bliss by Muse

Everything about you is how I want to be. Your freedom comes naturally. Everything about you resonates happiness. Now I won't settle for less - (Muse - Bliss)

Hot. Link was hot, yet Mipha insisted he was incredibly shy. Zelda found that difficult to believe, especially when the roar of an engine outside pulled her attention to the window. She shifted the curtain aside in time to see Link pulling up in front of her graduate dorm astride a sleek, matte black motorcycle?! The bad boy image solidified when he braked, sticking a booted foot out to halt the bike, removed his helmet, and gracefully shook out his pink-steaked long blond hair, synchronized choreographed motions that took all of two seconds. You've got to be kidding!

The whole effect looked like something out of a Hebra Mist cologne ad, especially with his soft cotton blue t-shirt accenting his biceps and, when he moved, stretching enticingly over his sculpted chest and abs. A few women sitting outside enjoying the evening air sat up straighter, fluffing their hair and preening like colorful birds of paradise. All the while, a couple of men who had been showing off tossing a frisbee across the esplanade sent dark looks Link's way.

When he swung his leg off the bike, one of the women licked her lips and stared at him like he was a juicy piece of meat she couldn't wait to sink her teeth into. Link was oblivious to the attention he was garnering, which tracked with how he had acted on stage last night. Setting the helmet to hang precariously off his bike handle, Zelda watched him walk to the intercom, quite certain the expression on her face matched that of the women outside.

Zelda turned away from the window, allowing the curtain to fall back in place. Even though she was expecting it, she jumped when the jarring ring of the buzzer announced Link's final approach. Giving herself a last once-over in the mirror, she wrinkled her nose and tried to squash the feelings of inadequacy that threatened to overwhelm her.

When she had checked her reflection in the mirror earlier, she thought the teal silk blouse she'd layered over a white tank top accentuated the curves of her upper body in a soft, subtle, maybe even sensual way. Now, Zelda felt uncertain after watching Link's ludicrous display outside, but it was too late to change. She ran her fingers through her bobbed, golden blonde hair, flouncing the ends before finally pressing the button that allowed Link entrance to the dorm lobby.

Zelda's stomach somersaulted as she shut the door to her room, and her hands felt clammy. She rubbed them against her flared linen shorts as she walked down the hall to the lobby, immediately regretting the choice as faint, sweaty handprints remained in their wake and wrinkled the fabric. It had been much easier to be herself last night as part of the group at the tavern, but in the light of morning, she'd fretted. So, she'd spent most of the day writing conversation starters in a spiral-bound notebook. Things like, 'where are you from', 'siblings and pets names', 'have you always wanted to be a musician', 'do you know how beautiful you are'. The last one was just her fantasizing when her mind drifted, remembering how he had looked performing last night. Admittedly, she may have drawn a few hearts with their names written inside—like a silly high school girl—because he made her feel warm, fuzzy, and stupid with just how hard she was crushing on him.

She was so busy thinking about how foolish she was being over him that she missed the step into the sunken lobby and would have fallen flat on her face if a strong hand hadn't gently caught her upper arm.

"There's a step there," Link dead-panned, giving her a heart-stopping smile and revealing dimples she hadn't noticed last night that sent butterflies fluttering madly within her. "Hi."

He had no eyeliner today, but his blue eyes still popped because, dammit, he'd been blessed with long, dark lashes. Lucky bastard. Zelda felt red blooms burning her cheeks, and she had to swallow several times before she spoke, as her mouth had gone dry. "Th-thank you, and hi."

Still holding her arm, Link stepped back, taking in her attire, and ruffled the back of his hair with his free hand. "I'm glad you're not wearing a skirt. I should have told you I only have a bike. Sorry."

"Oh, um, yes. I noticed that." Zelda wished there was a way to calm her racing heart without hyperventilating. "It, uh, definitely turned some heads out there." She pointed vaguely towards the women still lingering by the door. One of which had followed Link inside and was trying to look inconspicuous, sitting on one of the lobby's worn couches, gaping at him over the top of a magazine. Too bad it was upside down. Zelda followed the woman's line of sight to (and Zelda had to swallow several times) his faded, ripped black jeans hugging his muscular thighs and calves, leaving very little, if anything, to the imagination.

"Have you ever ridden on one before?" Link was asking, letting go of her arm to hold the door open for her. "If not, I'll have to give you a crash course, pun intended, in riding."

"Uh! I haven't, n-no." She tittered at his terrible joke and prayed to all four goddesses that he hadn't just noticed her checking him out. Zelda tried to ignore her wobbling knees when she stopped beside the motorcycle, which, up close, she saw had brushed gold chrome accents and rims. Standing there, she suddenly realized she'd be pressed up against his back in mere moments, her arms wrapped around his waist. Link didn't seem phased by the prospect at all and pulled a helmet off the back of the bike and handed it to her.

"I hope you don't mind if your hair gets messed up." She shook her head no because she'd lost her voice thinking about what it would be like to touch him. He went over the basics, which, the parts she was able to focus on, seemed simple enough. All she needed to do was follow the movement of his body when he leaned into the turns; it was just aerodynamics, but she must look as stiff as she felt because Link's brow furrowed. "Remember to relax."

"Remember to relax." Zelda parroted, which elicited another smile from Link. He helped her put the helmet on and adjusted the strap beneath her chin before pointing out where she would sit and place her feet.

Then he straddled the bike, holding it steady for her, and looked over at her. "Ready?"

Zelda nodded and shook her arms and hands, trying to psyche herself up. "As I'll ever be."

She hoped the tremor in her voice sounded like excitement to Link's ears. She glanced nervously at the women who still lingered outside her dorm and silently prayed to the goddesses that she didn't make a complete spectacle of herself clambering onto the back of the motorcycle. What if she slid off the other side and face-planted on the concrete? Just thinking of how mortifying that would be caused her cheeks to burn, and she really wished she didn't have such pale skin that showed off her nervousness for the whole world to see. Like a flashing red sign blinking, 'Look, everyone! Zelda is nervous - again!'

She looked at the bike, biting her lip, trying to figure out how to seat herself gracefully. "Um."

Link deduced her dilemma and took her hand, smiling softly at her before placing it on his shoulder. "Use me for balance."

His lustrous hair fell over his shoulders when he bowed his head, revealing another intriguing tattoo adorning the back of his neck. Zelda couldn't resist and brushed his hair aside as she gingerly grabbed his other shoulder, revealing the purple hilt of a sword. The flared edges peeked above the crewneck of his t-shirt. Focusing on the tattoo, she settled on the seat behind him without making an utter fool of herself. His tattoos fascinated her, and Zelda couldn't help but wonder about the stories behind each one she had observed thus far. Maybe at some point later in the evening, she would feel comfortable enough to ask.

Once she was settled, Link tucked his hair behind his ears; the movement sent a faint piney scent with a hint of smoke to tease Zelda's nostrils. Unhooking his helmet off the handlebar, Link settled it on his head, hiding the tattoo again, as his thick hair covered it. Zelda slid her hands off his shoulders and tentatively wrapped them around his waist.

"You'll probably have to hold on tighter than that." Although tinny through the helmet's internal headset, Link's voice was warm and comforting.

Blushing, Zelda tightened her grip, her heart racing with excitement. She blew her breath out, ruffling Link's long hair.

He chuckled and patted her hands reassuringly. "Don't worry. I won't let you fall. Just hold on and enjoy the ride."

With that, he started the engine, and the rumble filled the air as the motorcycle roared back to life. Zelda felt the vibrations through her thighs and the palms of her hands pressed against Link's abdomen. She glanced over her shoulder at the women who still watched from the stoop of her dorm. Zelda couldn't help the smile that curled the corners of her lips, and her heart raced at the thrill that, at least for today, he had chosen her.

Link revved the throttle before releasing the brake, and Zelda bit back a surprised shriek as the bike shot forward. They drove down the main thoroughfare of the college campus, the wind rushing past, whipping their hair about them. The world around them blurred as they picked up speed, and Zelda found her apprehension fading and laughter bubbling up within her. All those hours spent in a cold, sterile science lab when she could have been experiencing moments like this. Thinking back, she suddenly realized she couldn't remember a single other time she had felt as free as she did in this very instant.

As they exited the campus drive and merged onto the main road leading away from the university, Link's voice whispered in her ears, intimate and close within the helmet. "I need to stop for gas before the movie."

Zelda nodded her head before remembering he couldn't see her and vocalized, "Ok." Her hands reflexively flinched when he leaned into a turn, and she followed him like he'd instructed her before they left her dorm. Motorcycle riding 101. She felt the subtle flex of his abdomen through the soft cotton of his t-shirt. The hem was inches away from her fingertips, and allowing her hands to slip beneath was very tempting indeed.

"Favorite color." Link's voice filled her head.

"Huh?"

His laugh was warm and soothing. "Sorry. What's your favorite color?"

"Oh." Zelda's cheeks flamed with the simple question. What would he think when she told him her favorite color? Maybe she should lie. But that could lead to the beginning of little white lies that led to big black lies, and… she was getting ahead of herself. "Turquoise."

"Heh. Is that before or after you met me?"

Her mouth dropped open. "Before!" She managed to squeak. "And that is not a lie! Mipha wore my favorite sweater last night."

"Oh yeah? She looked cute in that, but I bet you'd look even better. Maybe you can wear it for me sometime."

Holy! No. Mipha was dead wrong. He wasn't shy. He was anything but shy. Mipha hadn't had his number at all. A thrilling chill ran through Zelda, and oh goddesses, she was thankful the engine rumble masked how her body was trembling.

"In case you were wondering," Link continued. "My favorite color is emerald green. And before you ask, it was forest green before I met you."

Oh, Zelda was in trouble. She had no idea how to keep up with him, but she could certainly try. "All right. I can play your game." She bit her lip as she thought of something to ask him. "Favorite food."

"Hmmm. That depends, appetizer, main course, or dessert?"

"What? You can't answer all three?" She almost missed his small huff at her cheek, and she smiled, patting herself on the back that she'd maybe surprised him just a little.

"All right. I see how it's going to be, Cheater. Sauteed peppers, curry rice, apple pie."

"Are you a vegetarian?" She couldn't say she'd be surprised if his answer were yes. Zelda supposed she was jumping to conclusions, but now that she thought about it, all the food they had at the tavern last night had been vegetarian. Since Selmie was his ex-girlfriend, it stood to reason she would know that fact.

"I already gave you three answers for the price of one question."

Zelda scoffed at his answer. "Then I will have to deduce that the answer is yes."

"And what scientific method are you using for your hypothesis?" She could hear the smile in his voice, and another thrill ran through her.

"Process of elimination." Zelda ticked her fingers. "All meatless options last night, all meatless answers today."

"I think you'll need to gather and collate more data before coming to a final conclusion, Science Officer Zelda. Okay, your turn."

"Oh, that's easy, fruit cake." Zelda quickly answered and snickered when she heard his exasperated sigh.

"What about the other two courses?"

"Fruit cake, fruit cake." What could Zelda say? She had a sweet tooth.

"Not a health nut, then. That's a relief. But, fruit cake, really?" He made a sound of disgust.

"What's wrong with fruit cake?" She couldn't believe someone who liked apple pie, of all things, would be opposed to fruit cake.

"What isn't wrong with it? All that sickly sweet candied fruit with whipped icing. It's all yours."

"Insults coming from someone who likes syrupy, glutinous apple pie?" Zelda felt his shoulders flex with his shrug, and she realized during the conversation she'd leaned closer to him without having realized.

"Touché." Link turned into the gas station and pulled up to a pump. Zelda reluctantly let him go when he turned off the engine and slid off the bike. "You ride like a pro." He complimented her as he helped her off the back of the seat.

"Well, I had a pretty good teacher." Zelda had no idea where her newfound confidence came from, but she liked it - a lot.

Link chuckled as he removed the gas pump and unscrewed the gas cap. "Just pretty good? Wow, hurtful, Zel."

Zel? No one had ever called her by a nickname, and Zelda wasn't sure she liked it, but the way he just said it gave her pause. It sounded endearing—like they were so close, they were comfortable enough to be at the stage of a relationship where nicknames were possible.

"Do you give everyone a nickname?"

"Oh, sorry, Zelda. Force of habit, or maybe I'm just lazy." He ruffled the back of his hair as he pumped the gas, and Zelda realized that she may have just discovered a nervous tick. He'd done that earlier when he realized he hadn't told her about the motorcycle.

"I don't mind." And the smile he gave her, revealing those dimples again, and causing her to want to press kisses to them before finding his mouth, made her statement become the truth.

Link tapped the nozzle against the interior of the tank before removing it. "I'll be right back."

Zelda watched him walk into the gas station and, as soon as the door had closed behind him and she was certain he couldn't see her, silently clapped her hands together and danced a little jig. She was just settling to lean against the bike when the jingle of the gas station door signaled Link's return. He had his hands behind his back and a grin that reminded Zelda of a cat who had just eaten the canary.

"Close your eyes and hold out your hands." Link waited and, feeling foolish and cheeks pinking, Zelda did as he asked. Closing her eyes, she held out her hands and a moment later felt something small, plush, and fuzzy settle in her palms. She'd been expecting candy or a package of gum. What in all of Hyrule was it? She opened her eyes, and a stuffed bean bag Terrako, the baby Guardian from Guardians III was nestled in her hands.

"Can you believe they had this at a gas station? After the micro-robot conversation last night, I had to get it for you." Link shook his head, narrowing his eyes at the harmless stuffed animal. "You'd better lock that thing up at night when you sleep, though, just in case. He proves that you cannot judge a book by its cover. I still can't believe he ripped Purah's heart out at the end of Guardians III."

"Thank you." Zelda absolutely would not be locking it up. She would tuck it beneath her chin when she went to sleep tonight.

"You know, Purah has top billing. So what do you think? Flashbacks?" Link mused as they settled back on the motorcycle. This time, Zelda didn't hesitate to wrap her arms securely around his waist.

"They'll find some way to bring her back. It's not a Guardian movie if Purah isn't in it."

It was a short drive to Lon Lon Ranch Theater, and when he parked the bike, Link helped Zelda off, but this time he didn't let her hand go. As he threaded his fingers through hers, an electric jolt ran up her arm and settled warm and cozy in the middle of her chest. He didn't let go until they reached the ticket counter, and he turned away to purchase the tickets.

He handed her a ticket with a smile. "Want something from the concessions stand?"

"Oh, you don't have to do that. Let me pay for our snacks, at least." Zelda reached for her wallet. She knew all about being a poor grad student living on student loans, and while Hyrule Warriors was gaining an audience, she doubted they were paid much, if anything, for their current gigs.

"Don't worry about it. I'm friends with the owner's daughter. She'll hook us up." Link winked at Zelda and took her hand again, leading her toward the concessions stand where a buxom woman with curly auburn hair, pulled through the back of a baseball cap, was helping another theatergoer. When she spotted Link, the woman's perfect bow lips spread in a friendly smile, and she waved, brown eyes shining. She quickly finished up with the customer and waved Link and Zelda over.

"Hiya, Link! Long time no see!" This woman was a little too excited to see Link, if you asked Zelda. Zelda's earlier delight waned in the presence of yet another beautiful woman who was his friend.

"Hey, Mal." Link tugged on Zelda's hand, and she trailed after him. "Yeah, it's been a while. Malon, this is Zelda. We're here to see the Guardians movie."

"Hi Zelda, nice to meet you." Malon was warm and vivacious and absolutely, disgustingly radiated cheer.

"You too, Malon." Zelda squeezed the stuffed Terrako she held in her hand behind her back and returned Malon's smile, hoping the insecurity that was slowly creeping to overtake her wouldn't start to show.

"What can I get you guys?" Malon turned away to pull a large popcorn bucket off the stack. "Popcorn, for sure. Soda, candy?"

Link looked over at Zelda, raising his eyebrows. "What do you like, Zel?"

"Oh, um, Voltfruit soda sounds good."

"Hey, that's my favorite soda, too." Link squeezed her hand and gave her a crooked grin before looking back at Malon. "Two voltfruit sodas, and can you throw some chocolate-covered wildberry gummies in the popcorn, Mal?"

While Malon prepared the snacks, Link leaned against the counter and asked after her father. Zelda learned that he worked at the theater as an undergraduate but had to quit when he and Ganondorf formed Hyrule Warriors, as the band took up most of his free time.

"My graduate assistantship helps pay my way at school now, and loans cover the rest."

"Well, try not to forget about us little people when you hit it big." Malon teased as she handed over their drinks and snacks. Link ruffled his hair again when she said that and thanked her. Malon bid them a fond farewell before moving down the counter to help another customer.

When he turned away from the counter, Zelda was surprised to see his cheeks were pink and his brow furrowed. "I hate it when people say that."

Zelda looked over at him, feeling her insecurity waning as quickly as it had started flaring up. It was silly to let an old friendship cause her jealousy. This was only their first date; she had no right to lay sole claim to his affections. She was being completely irrational.

"Say what?" Zelda took a sip of her drink as they headed for the theater.

"Oh, yeah, sorry." Link shook his head. "I just don't understand why people think if Hyrule Warriors gets a record deal, it will go to our heads. I just like to compose and play music. I could care less about any of the rest of it."

And with that simple statement, Zelda understood why Mipha had said Link was shy. Just because he didn't act like Revali, it didn't mean Link was reticent, but Zelda could definitely tell that he was not egotistical. "Well, Link, Revali is in Hyrule Warriors. If you become famous, it most definitely will go to his head."

Zelda was pleased when her remark made him laugh, and his eyes lit up when he looked at her. "Zel, you have a catty side. I like it."

They found seats and had just gotten settled when the lights dimmed in the theater, and the movie began. Zelda was disappointed; since they'd eased back into such an easy conversation, she didn't really care about watching the movie anymore. She wanted to get to know him better, and her stomach knotted at the thought that, hopefully, he felt the same.

The movie faded in on a sterile white room with a single biobed sitting in the middle on the grated metal floor. A control panel on the side of the bed lit up, and blue Sheikah writing began scrolling across the screen. Hissing, the clear plexiglass lid of the biobed lifted up as the camera panned in to show famous Sheikah scientist and Guardian expert, Purah lying in a pool of blue liquid, sound asleep. Her eyes moved rapidly behind her eyelids, and her fingers twitched as the liquid drained from the bed into the floor.

Buzzing offscreen is quickly followed by the swooshing sound of a door opening. A short-statured male Sheikah scientist wearing absurd aviator goggles on his forehead stepped into view.

"Eureka!" he whispered to the empty room. "She's alive!" He bent over the bed and whispered in her ear. "Open your eyes…open your eyes…wake up, Purah!"

"What the fuck?" Link glanced over at Zelda with wide eyes. "How the hell is she alive?" Zelda shook her head and shrugged.

The camera slowly panned back to Purah, whose eyes were now open. Slowly, she sat up and looked about her surroundings, mouth a grim thin line, and her pale eyebrows bunched together as she tried to understand what was happening.

The male Sheikah gently took her hand and guided her so her legs dangled off the edge of the bed. "Do you know where you are, Purah?"

Blinking slowly, Purah peered at the man. "Who are you?"

"I'm Robbie, Sheikah scientist extraordinaire!" He waved his hand with a flourish and struck a pose, pointing his finger to the ceiling.

Purah shook her head. "Where am I?"

"We need your help, Purah! The Guardians have risen and taken over Hyrule! No one knows how to defeat them, so we resurrected you!" Eyebrows bunching together, Robbie's pale blue eyes stared earnestly at Purah, begging her to understand.

Purah's eyes widened, and she raised a shaking hand to slap her brow. "Check it! You did what, you mother******?!"

"Oh, this movie is going to be ba-had." Link must have been reading her mind since Zelda had just been thinking about Urbosa's warning. Reaching over, he took her hand, and every time something happened that one of them thought was utterly ridiculous, they squeezed hands.

Rising silently from the depths of the lava pit below him, a Guardian's towering figure lurked menacingly behind an unsuspecting Robbie, raising one of its clawed arms with malicious intent. Without warning, the monstrous machine lashed out, striking Robbie and quickly withdrawing its claw, sending Robbie's goggles to soar through the air before tumbling to the ground.

Wide-eyed, Robbie slowly reached behind his head, a horrified expression overtaking his face. Holding his hand in front of his eyes, he examined the gray, pulpy mass he held between trembling fingers.

Realization hit him like a thunderbolt. "Ho—hoooooooo! Is this — brain?!"

Zelda squeezed Link's hand.

Robbie's pale blue eyes lit up with equal parts delight and horror as if a switch had been flipped. "Eureka! I'm aliiiiiive!"

Link squeezed Zelda's hand.

Those were the famous scientist's last words before the Guardian struck again with excessive force. With brutal precision, it lifted the Sheikah scientist above its head, tearing him limb from limb; his screams echoed through the speakers scattered throughout the theater. The Guardian tossed the lifeless remains into the churning lava pool below the catwalk, faint splashes, and steam vented as Robbie's body sank beneath the fiery depths. The Guardian resumed its silent vigil, its eerie red eye sweeping across the screen.

Zelda's jaw dropped, and she wrapped her arm around herself at the excessive violence. Link squeezed her hand tightly and looked over at her. "Uh, he should have brought his shield."

With his whispered words, Zelda's shoulders began to shake, and she soon giggled uncontrollably. She had to cover her mouth to keep her laughter from disturbing the audience members around them.

"Awwwwww no!" Purah entered the scene with a repurposed Sheikah Slate and quickly chose stasis. Aiming the slate at the looming Guardian, she froze it, and then, pulling a humongous sword off her back, she ran down the gangplank and took a flying leap. Raising the sword above her head, she landed on top of the Guardian and sunk the blade deep into its blazing red eye.

"Click!" She twisted the sword and wrenched the Guardian's power cell from its dangling eye socket. "Snap!" And swinging the sword like a baseball bat sent the glowing cell flying off into the lavafall behind her.

"Awwwww yeah!" She raised the Sheikah slate above her head triumphantly. "Check it! Nobody messes with Purah, Sheikah scientist extraordinaire!"

Link squeezed Zelda's hand and leaned over to whisper in her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "She's got nothing on Zelda, smokin' scientist extraordinaire."

Holy!

Author's End Note: This chapter was betaed by ZeldaElmo and hyylia. Feel free to follow me on Tumblr - mistresslrigtar Fantasy Fan Lrig :)