"Hup!"

Captain Link nodded in approval, his arms crossed. "Good work, Angus. I can tell you've been practicing."

Angus grinned happily, and approached the sparring dummy with renewed vigor.

It had been two weeks since Angus and Mical were approached in the dead of night by the injured Sheikah and an unconscious captain, and Angus wasn't about to be the first person to bring it up. There were some things that just didn't need to be dug into.

Also, he was simply glad Captain Link was back. The other guy was kind of a wet blanket.

After a while, he doubled over, huffing at the exertion. Mical was off somewhere getting his ass kicked by Reuben again, and the rest of the battalion were busy minding their own training. Angus's eyes wandered, and he saw out of the corner of his eye that the Sir had tied his tunic around his waist and was sparring with… wait, who was that?

Hm… Angus squinted so he could see better.

Expensive-looking clothes, gelled back hair, wimpy grip on the blade, as if he had no experience wielding it…

Ah. Another one of Zelda's suitors, then? Angus thought, amused.

And he didn't even last a minute against Sir, the poor bastard.

"W-wait, there was something in my eye!"

"...So… you want to go again?" Link asked, bewildered.

A sputter. "H-how dare–!"

Angus rolled his eyes, and went back to training. Honestly, he didn't understand why Sir wasted his time on these idiots. He lunged towards the dummy again.

After I dismissed my men for the evening, I wiped the sweat from my eyes and slowly made my way towards the copse of trees at the edge of the castle grounds. I felt eyes on the back of my neck the moment I stepped into the shade.

"Link, why do you keep accepting those duels? It's starting to get ridiculous."

Sheik hopped down from the tree branch above my head and landed like a cat next to me, silent and soft. The sun was low in the sky, bathing the landscape around us in a soft orange. Birds called above us, and cicadas were happily buzzing.

Sheik stretched a little, and said offhandedly, "I'd almost say you were doing it out of spite."

I didn't respond, but I threw my practice sword roughly onto the ground and gave him a dead look.

Something finally, finally seemed to click in those beautiful crimson eyes of his.

"...Oh."

"Do you really want to talk about this now?" I asked, grinning tiredly.

Sheik raised an amused eyebrow. "You're right. Let's go hunt some more poes, then. I'm feeling spry."

I flopped down onto the grass, grumpy. I splayed out like a starfish. "When Death Mountain freezes over," I grumbled, throwing an arm over my face.

Sheik laughed, and sat down on the ground next to me, leaning his back against the trunk. He pulled me halfway into his lap, and slowly carded his fingers through my hair. I closed my eyes at the gesture, feeling the ache of the day gradually drain away as I finally let my guard down. I let out a breath.

"Sorry I haven't been able to visit recently," Sheik said, but I just hummed a response, bones going pliant at his touch. I knew he was busy. We both were. I had to catch up on six months worth of incorrectly filed reports (Din dammit even I could have done those reports better, and I have the literacy skills of a toddler), while Zelda had to add another entry into the archives about the shadow mimic, along with catching up on her own neglected royal duties (I felt a little guilty once I found that out).

I was only released from bedrest just a few days ago, even though I personally disagreed with all the fuss. I was totally fine by the end of the first day.

…Though… it was nice to have someone worry about me for once.

"...ink? Link," Sheik said, exasperated, "Are you even listening?"

"Mhm, something about work," I mumbled, not opening my eyes. Sheik poked the pressure point on my neck hard and I jolted upright, betrayed. I was met with mildly annoyed crimson.

I shot him a cheeky grin and propped myself up on an elbow. "All ears, princess."

Sheik rolled his eyes, and yanked me back down into his lap. I landed with an oof.

"I said you might soon lose your favorite pastime. I was thinking about asking Father to stop entertaining suitors."

…

…

…

WHAT.

I jolted upright again, as if he had jabbed me in the neck a second time.

"...What? Why?" I finally forced out, panic making my fingertips grow numb. Who was it? Who did he choose?

"..." Sheik looked away, face carefully blank as he mumbled, "I finally found someone that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I found him a long time ago, actually."

His eyes, the deep red of wine, finally drifted down towards me. I was pinned in place as I slowly began to realize what he meant. It was hard to breathe.

"He acts like a child, would beat a mule in a stubborn contest, and is more than mildly infuriating on a good day–" I gave him a flat look. Where was he going with this? Sheik huffed a laugh when he saw my expression.

"But he's also courageous and selfless, reliable, and understands me more than anyone else… To the point where I trust him with my life," he stopped suddenly, as if searching for the right words.

"I just never knew if he felt the same," Sheik finished quietly. He caressed my cheek with a tender, bandaged hand. And, like the hopeless fool I am, I leaned into his touch.

I heard a sharp intake of breath, but his hand didn't pull away.

"I still don't know for sure if he feels the same, but it's impossible to imagine my life without him. I–"

"Zel, you're overthinking again." I said simply. Sheik blinked, and huffed another laugh, the tops of his cheeks dusted with pink. I gently tugged down his cowl, and Zelda gave me a sheepish, nervous smile.

"You're not opposed?"

I couldn't hold back a grin of my own as I pressed a gentle kiss to the palm of her hand, my chest feeling light and giddy.

"Wouldn't dream of it," I murmured.

She laughed, and it was the most beautiful sound in the world. She wrapped her arms around me, and I crushed her close, both of us laughing to the point of tears. Zelda peppered my face with kisses, as if she had wanted to do that her entire life, and I was helpless against the onslaught.

A soft breeze blew through the leaves above us, and lifted the heat from my cheeks as we sat underneath that tree overlooking the empty training fields. The setting sun painted the sky a vibrant red, reminiscent of Sheik's eyes.

Everything was finally… peaceful. It was a strange feeling.

"Did that bookshelf knock my head too hard, or are you real?" I murmured, suddenly suspicious. I was half-tempted to poke her for good measure.

Zelda laughed again, and rested her forehead against mine. "I could show you it's real through another sparring match," she suggested, voice full of mirth.

I sighed. "There you are."

She made an unladylike noise and smacked my arm indignantly. All I could do was grin back, and I promised myself that I would never leave her side again. I wanted to always be there to protect her, just as she has protected me. Past, present, and future.

Always.

[AAAAAND THAT'S A WRAP! All that's left is the extras, and I'm thinking of writing a kick-ass wedding and bachelor party shenanigans

("Hey Sir, where's that Sheikah you're always hanging around? Shouldn't he be your best man?"

Link: "...He caught a cold?"

Sheik: ":3")

lol

Well, to whoever has made it this far and wants to come scream at me or rant about anything Zelda, feel free to either PM me or hunt me down on Tumblr or insta ( gummiiismiles). I'd be happy to talk with you about whatever, I'm not picky :)

Thank you again for reading, and for bearing with me for this long, and I love you. Drink water and take care of yourself, because you deserve to be treated kindly.

Happy summer, and I hope to see y'all again soon!

-Puff]