Link's POV

After a peaceful night under the stars, Dark and I continue on our journey toward Kakariko Village. As we approach the main gate, the familiar sights and sounds of a village bring a wave of nostalgia and a longing to return home to Ordon.

Nestled in the Eldin Province, just southwest of Hyrule Field, Kakariko Village is a haven of tranquility. The quaint homes, bustling shops, and soothing hot springs paint a picture of a simpler life—one I hadn't known for a while.

"We're almost there," I say, glancing at Dark, who seems to be in a great mood after last night.

"Yeah," he replies with a small smile, "Let's get this over with."

We enter the village, and I immediately feel the villagers' curious and wary glances. Our presence seems to unsettle them, but I try to ignore it, instead focusing on reconnecting with a part of myself that had been left behind.

As we made our way to the sanctuary, I couldn't help but feel nervous. I've heard stories about Renado, the village shaman. He is a wise but intimidating man known for his healing abilities. We enter the sanctuary and my eyes go to a young woman working beside Renado - it's Ilia, Mayor Bo's daughter from Ordon Village, my childhood friend.

"Link!" Ilia's face lights up with surprise as she sees me enter. She hurries over, eyes shining with relief and happiness. "It's so good to see you!"

"Ilia," I reply, matching her smile with one of my own. "What are you doing here?"

"My father sent me to Kakariko Village," she explains, her smile fading slightly. "He thought it would be safer here than Ordon. I've been helping Renado in the clinic."

Her presence brings back a flood of memories—carefree days in Ordon, her laughter, our friendship. I feel a pang of longing for those simpler times, but I am aware of Dark's piercing gaze watching the two of us.

"Ilia, this is Dark. He's been traveling with me."

Dark's eyes narrow as he looks at me then back to Ilia, I could sense some jealousy and hostility beginning to simmer. "Nice to meet you," he said tersely, his tone anything but welcoming.

Ilia seems taken aback by Dark's demeanor but manages a polite nod. "Likewise."

After finishing with his patient, Renado approaches, his calm presence a soothing balm to the tension between the three of us. "Link, it's nice to finally meet you. Ilia has told me so much about you"

Even though I'm not looking at him, I can sense Dark rolls his eyes.

"It's nice to meet you sir. We are actually on our way to Death Mountain" I reply, "But we could use a place to rest for the night."

"Of course," Renado says kindly. "You are welcome to stay at the inn. Ilia can show you around."

As we make our way down main street and towards the inn, the tension between Dark and Ilia is palpable. Dark walks close beside me, his posture rigid and his eyes glaring at anyone who dared to look our way. Ilia, sensing the animosity, kept her distance slightly ahead of me, her eyes full of concern.

As we reach the inn, Ilia slows her pace until she is standing next to me "Link, are you sure you're okay?" Ilia asks softly "You seem... different."

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "It's been a long journey, Ilia. A lot has happened."

"Well, if you need anything, I'm here," she says, her voice filled with genuine care.

Dark's eyes flash with anger, and he steps closer to me, his voice low and dangerous. "We should be moving on, Link. We don't have time for this."

"We need rest, Dark," I reply, trying to keep my voice calm and steady. "We'll leave first thing in the morning."

Dark's jaw tightens, and he turns away, heading down the hall towards our room for the night.

—

Dark's POV

The night before had been perfect. Under the stars, we shared tender kisses, the warmth of our bond soothing the ever-present darkness within me, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of peace and belonging.

But as we approached Kakariko Village, the feeling began to fade. The villagers' curious and wary glances were like a thousand tiny needles pricking my skin. It made me want to snarl, to show them the darkness they so feared.

"Let's make this quick," I mutter to Link, my irritation barely contained. "We need to get to the Fire Temple."

Link nods, but I could see the longing in his eyes as he took in the village. "I just need to check on a few things. We'll leave soon."

We headed to the sanctuary, where the village shaman, Renado, presided. As we approach the shaman, I notice a young woman with him—Ilia. The moment Link saw her, his face lit up with a smile that made my blood boil.

"Link!" she exclaims, running over to him. "It's so good to see you!"

"Ilia," Link replies, smiling back. "What are you doing here?"

She explains that her father had sent her to Kakariko for safety, and as she spoke, I felt an irrational surge of jealousy. Her presence brought back memories for Link, and I hate how easily she is trying to slip back into his life, making him smile and forget, even for a moment, the urgency of our quest.

"Ilia, this is Dark," Link says, his voice a bit strained. "He's been traveling with me."

I narrow my eyes at her, barely managing to keep my voice civil. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise," she said, her polite nod not hiding her unease.

At this point, Renado steps in, his calm presence doing little to soothe the anger roiling inside me. "Link, it's nice to finally meet you. Ilia has told me so much about you"

I roll my eyes.

"It's nice to meet you sir. We are actually on our way to Death Mountain" Link replies, "But we could use a place to rest for the night."

"Of course," Renado said kindly. "You are welcome to stay at the inn. Ilia can show you around."

As we follow Ilia to the inn, I walk close to Link, daring anyone to approach us. Ilia, clearly sensing my hostility, keeps her distance.

"Link, are you sure you're okay?" Ilia asks him softly once we reach the inn. "You seem... different."

"It's been a long journey, Ilia. A lot has happened," he replied, running a hand through his hair.

"Well, if you need anything, I'm here," she said, her voice filled with genuine care.

Her words grate on me, and I step closer to Link, my voice low and dangerous. "We should be moving on, Link. We don't have time for this."

"We need rest, Dark," he replies, trying to keep his voice calm. "We'll leave in the morning."

My jaw tightens, and I turn away, heading towards our room for the night.

Link follows shortly after and as night fell, we settled into our room at the inn.

"I don't like this place," I say bluntly. "These people are weak. They can't be trusted."

Link's response was calm but firm. "Dark, these are good people. Not everyone is out to get us."

I scoff, unable to mask the darkness in my voice. "You trust too easily, Link. That's going to get you killed."

He sighs, and I could see the frustration and sadness in his eyes. "Maybe. But I have to believe that the people of Hyrule are good, Dark. We can't do this alone and I have to believe that they want to support us."

For a moment, I soften. The fear of losing him gnaws at me. But just as quickly my anger returned, and I hardened again. "I don't need anyone else. I only need you."

My words were meant to be reassuring, but they came out possessive and aggressive. I see a shiver run down Link's spine, and I know that I am pushing him away. My nightmare at Lake Hylia echoes in my mind and does nothing to soothe the tension.

—

Link's POV

I am not sure what inner demons Dark is facing today, but I need to do something to break him out of his dark thoughts. I make a bold move, stepping behind Dark and sliding my arms around his waist. He tenses but says nothing, as I move my hands to his shoulders and begin to massage. Gradually, he starts to relax under my touch.

"Link," he murmurs, his voice a mix of surprise and relief.

"Just relax," I whisper. "You need to unwind. I know this would be better with some of that Gerudo spice body oil, but we will have to manage without it."

Dark's cheek flush, for once he is the one embarrassed. I know he is recalling the same memory as me.

—

We are in a tent, deep in the Gerudo Desert. The air outside is hot and dry, but the shelter provided by our tent offers some cooling relief. The scent of exotic spices fills the air, mingling with the faint hint of sweat from our recent sparring match. Dark is lying face down on a plush mat, his shirt discarded, revealing the toned muscles of his back still glistening with perspiration.

I kneel beside him, a small vial of Gerudo spice body oil in my hand. The oil is known for its warming properties, and as I pour a few drops onto my palms, I can feel the heat radiating from it. I rub my hands together, spreading the oil evenly before placing them on Dark's back.

He sighs deeply as my hands begin to work, kneading the tension from his shoulders and down his spine. "You always know how to take care of me, Link," he murmurs, his voice muffled by the mat.

I smile, my hands moving in slow, deliberate circles. "You deserve it after that sparring match. You were incredible out there."

Dark chuckles softly. "You weren't too bad yourself, hero."

As I continue to massage him, the warmth of the oil seeps into his skin, intensifying the heat between us. My touch grows more intimate, tracing the lines of his muscles, feeling their strength beneath my fingers. Dark's breathing deepens, and I can sense the shift in his mood as the massage becomes something more.

"Link," he whispers, turning his head to look at me, his eyes dark with desire. "You know what else we can use that oil for, don't you?"

I nod, my own heartbeat quickening. "Yes, I do."

He reaches up, grabbing my shirt collar and pulling me down towards him for a kiss.

Our bodies mold together, the warmth of the oil heightening every sensation. We kiss deeply, our hands roaming, exploring, and claiming each other.

—

After a few minutes, I lean in closer. "How about we sneak out to the hot springs?"

Dark stiffens again, his skepticism returning. "I don't know, Link. We really should be getting some sleep."

I smile, playing to his mischievous nature. "What's the matter? Afraid of getting caught?"

He narrows his eyes at me, a hint of a challenge in his gaze. "Oh please, there is no one stealthier than me."

I grin. "Prove it then. Let's go."

He hesitates, then a smirk tugs at the corner of his lips. "Fine. Lead the way, hero."

We move quietly through the inn, careful not to wake anyone. The cool night air greets us as we step outside, and we make our way up the hill towards the hot springs. The water looks warm and inviting, the steam rising in gentle waves.

We strip and slip into the springs, letting any remaining tension melt away. Dark moves closer to me, his eyes searching mine.

"Link," Dark murmurs, his voice soft and filled with an unusual vulnerability. "I'm sorry for earlier. I just... I don't want to lose you."

I move closer, the water rippling around us as I take his hand in mine. "I know, Dark. And I understand. But we have to trust each other, and trust that the people of Hyrule are willing to help us."

He nods, his eyes reflecting the shimmering light of the stars above. "You're right. I'll try."

The proximity of our bodies in the water creates a charged atmosphere, the warmth of the springs enveloping us in a cocoon of intimacy. I see a flicker of emotions in Dark's eyes—lust, longing, and a deep, unspoken love. I decide to make the first move, leaning in and pressing my lips gently to his.

Dark responds immediately, his arms wrapping around me and pulling me closer. The kiss deepens, becoming more urgent and passionate. His hands roam my back, tracing the contours of my muscles as if memorizing every inch of me. The warmth of the water mingles with the heat of our bodies.

"Link," he whispers against my lips, his voice husky with desire. "I've wanted this for so long."

"Me too," I reply, my hands sliding up to gently tangle in his dark hair. "I've wanted you for so long."

Our kisses grow more fervent, filled with the pent-up desire we've both been suppressing. Dark's hands move to my waist, pulling me against him, our bodies fitting together perfectly. The sensation of his bare skin against mine sends shivers down my spine, and I can feel the evidence of his arousal pressing against me.

I tilt my head back, giving him access to my neck, and he takes full advantage, trailing kisses and gentle bites along my skin. Each scrape of his canines ignites a fire within me, and I can feel my own desire building. I reach between us, my hand wrapping around him, eliciting a groan of pleasure from his lips.

"Link," he moans, his grip on my waist tightening. "You drive me crazy."

"Good," I murmur, my lips finding his again in a searing kiss. "Because you drive me crazy too."

The water laps around us as our movements become more synchronized, our bodies responding to each other's needs and desires. Dark's touch is demanding, and I can feel the intensity of his love and longing in every caress. The world around us fades away, leaving only the two of us in this moment of pure connection.

As we move together, the sensations overwhelm me, each touch, kiss, and caress building towards an inevitable climax. Dark's hands grip my hips, guiding our rhythm, and I can feel the tension coiling within me, ready to snap.

"Link," he breathes, his voice heavy with need and adoration. "I love you."

"I love you too," I groan.

The world seems to shatter around us as we reach our peak together. In that moment, we are not warriors or reincarnated souls—we are simply two people, bound by love and desire, finding solace in each other.

As the waves of pleasure subside, we hold each other close, our breath mingling in the cool night air.

Dark nuzzles my neck, his lips brushing against my ear. "We'll face whatever comes next together, Link. Always together."

"Always," I agree, tightening my hold on him.

We stay like that for a while, simply enjoying the closeness and the serenity of the moment, before grabbing our discarded clothing and sneaking our way back to our room.