Link's POV

The journey away from the Forest Temple brings a mix of emotions, both triumph and anticipation. Our first victory has given us a taste of what we are capable of together, but it has also revealed the depth of the challenges that lie ahead. As we make our way toward the Water Temple, nestled in the heart of Lake Hylia, my thoughts are increasingly occupied by Dark.

There is a connection between us that goes beyond words, a shared understanding that seems to grow stronger with each passing day. Despite our short time together, I find myself drawn to him in ways I can't fully explain.

We continue to follow the dirt path along the eastern outskirts of Faron woods, eventually we will be able to catch Zora's River and follow its flow towards Lake Hylia.

The second evening after leaving the Forest Temple, after we make camp by the river shoreline, I find myself watching Dark as he tends to the fire. The flickering light casts shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp angles and the intense focus in his red eyes. He moves the fire-tending stick with the same grace as his sword, every motion deliberate and controlled.

"Dark," I begin, feeling the need to break the silence that has settled between us. "Do you ever wonder what life would be like if we weren't caught up in all of this? If we could just… live normal lives?"

Dark looks up, his eyes meeting mine across the fire. "Sometimes," he admits, his voice low and thoughtful. "But our destinies are intertwined with the fate of Hyrule. We don't have the luxury of normal lives."

I nod, understanding but not entirely satisfied. "I know. But still, it's nice to imagine. To think about what could be, even if just for a moment."

He smiles, the expression sending warmth through my chest. "What do you imagine, Link? What kind of life would you want?"

I hesitate, self-conscious. "I suppose… I'd want a life of peace. A simple one, like back in Ordon. A small home by a river, tending to the land, helping neighbors. And…" I pause, feeling my heart race a little. "And maybe.. to share it with someone who understands me." I meet Dark's gaze from across the fire.

Dark's eyes widen slightly, and he moves around the fire to sit beside me. "Link," he says quietly, his voice full of emotion. "It would be an honor to share that kind of life with you."

Our shoulders brush as he settles in next to me, and I feel a spark of electricity at the contact."Being with you… it feels right. Like we're meant to be together, not just as partners in this quest, but as… more." I confess, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dark reaches out, his hand finding mine in the dim light. His touch is gentle, his fingers intertwined with mine in a way that feels both natural and exhilarating. "I can see the cabin now, modest, even though you are Hyrule's savior and could live wherever you please." He talks excitedly, the hand not holding mine waving in the air for dramatic effect. "There's a vegetable garden out back and every morning we wake to the sun shining in our bedroom window. And there's wildflowers too, every night I bring home fresh wildflowers for the kitchen table."

My heart flutters hearing him describe a life together. I lean closer, driven by the magnetic pull between us. "Dark, I—"

He silences me with a kiss, his lips crashing against mine with a fervor that takes my breath away. The world seems to fade away, leaving only the two of us in that moment. The kiss is intense, electrifying, filled with the unspoken words of everything we have yet to say and everything we have yet to feel. His hand cups the back of my head, pulling me closer.

My hands find their way to his shoulders, gripping tightly as if anchoring myself in the storm of emotions swirling around us. The taste of him is intoxicating, a heady mix of warmth and desire that sends shivers down my spine. The heat of the fire pales in comparison to the fire igniting between us, each touch and caress fanning the flames higher.

When we finally pull apart, we are both breathless, our foreheads resting together. I can see a new light in Dark's eyes, a vulnerability that mirrors my own. "Link," he murmurs, his voice husky with emotion. "Whatever happens, I want you to know that you're not alone. We'll face everything together."

I nod, feeling a sense of completeness that I have never known before. "Together," I echo, squeezing his hand. "We'll save Hyrule, and then… we'll find our own path. Our own happiness."

We spend the rest of the evening close to each other, the warmth of the fire and our newfound connection wrapping us in a cocoon of intimacy. The journey ahead is still daunting, but for the first time, I feel a sense of true partnership. With Dark by my side, anything seems possible.

As the stars sparkle above us and the night grows deeper, we finally lay down to rest, our hands still clasped together. In the quiet of the night, I whisper a promise to myself and to him: we will see this through, and whatever the future holds, we will face it side by side.

The next day, we continued our journey with high spirits. As we approach Lake Hylia, the landscape changes. The prairie land gives way to rolling hills, and the sound of rushing water grows louder. Finally, we reach the shore of the lake, its surface glistening in the sunlight. The Water Temple entrance awaits us on the central island, from there we will descend to below the murky depths of the lake.

We hunt around the shore until we find a small boat moored to a wooden dock. I step onto the dock, eager to continue onward. But as I turn to Dark, I notice a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, something uncharacteristic of him.

"Ready to go?" I ask, gesturing to the central island.

Dark nods, but his response is slower than usual. "Yeah, just... give me a moment," he says, his voice unsteady. He seems to be avoiding eye contact, his gaze fixed on the water.

I watched him for a second, curiosity piqued. "You okay?" I ask, trying to keep my tone light.

"Of course," he replies quickly, a bit too quickly. "Just thinking about the temple and what we might face inside."

His explanation seems plausible, but I can't shake the feeling that there's something more. I decided not to press him further, respecting his privacy. "Alright, let's get going then."

I step into the boat first, turning to offer him a hand. Dark takes it, his grip tighter than usual as he climbs in. Once he's seated, I notice him subtly gripping the sides of the boat, his knuckles white with tension.

We begin to row across the lake, the water calm and clear. Dark remains quiet, his usual confidence replaced by a tense silence. I can't help but notice the way his eyes dart to the water, a flicker of unease in his gaze.

"Dark, if there's something bothering you, you can tell me," I say gently, hoping to ease his nerves.

He looks at me, a forced smile on his lips. "It's nothing, Link. Just... not a fan of boats."

I nod, sensing that he's not telling me the whole truth but deciding to let it go for now. "Don't worry. We'll be across soon."

As we row, I make sure to keep the boat steady, hoping to make the journey as smooth as possible. Dark's tension doesn't fully ease, but he seems grateful for my efforts, his grip on the boat relaxing just slightly.

When we finally reach the entrance to the Water Temple, I see the relief wash over Dark's face. He lets out a breath he seems to have been holding the entire time. "We made it," he says, his voice tinged with relief.

I smile, and offer him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Told you it'd be fine."

Dark chuckles, the tension easing from his body. "Yeah, you did. Thanks, Link."

We step out of the boat and towards the stone steps leading down into the temple. As we walk, I can feel the air grow cool and damp, the sound of dripping water echoing from below. The stone walls are covered in moss, and the glowing stones lining the walls give the place an almost ethereal feel.

Our descent continues on for several minutes, before we reach the temple entrance and push our way inside.