Spring | Hateno Village

Zelda felt like a creep, watching him like this.

A slow sunset plants a kiss on the welcoming village of Hateno. A gentle summer wind allows the long stems of wheat and corn to dance. A bench just off the large acre of land, beneath a large willow-like tree, sat a conflicted Zelda. Her long, golden hair sauntered against the wind, casually reminding her of its beautiful length. Her body was hugged loosely with her old white dress, which was kindly repaired by Sayge. Emerald eyes flicker in desire.

Her eyes were glued onto Link, who was on the farm, gathering what was sowed much time ago. Brown trousers that were tied desperately with old, thick twine. His hair was messily put in a bun, with several strands sticking out and flyaways ornate on his head. He long was stripped of his shirt, revealing that toned yet lean torso, shining from sweat. He was working on picking the crops, tossing them carefully in the woven basket that sat comfortably against his hip.

It wasn't that Zelda was ogling him. No, rather, she was appreciating him without removing him from her sights. She has yet to meet a Hylian who hasn't looked at the Hero of Hyrule without admiration in their eyes and words. It wasn't surprising that she, too, would join the boat, considering she's the captain of it. It felt like yesterday that she was out in Hyrule Field, her feet touching the grass, the sun loving on her skin after a century of believing she'd never come back to those feelings. And before her, the young hero who she risked her life to guarantee his return. Looking at his proud stance and determined eyes, it was as if time didn't pass them at all.

But now here they were at Hateno Village, where the hospitality of the villagers began fixing both of their traumatic experiences of saving Hyrule. "It's late," Zelda coos, finally breaking from her fix on him. Link straightens himself and looks her way, nodding at her words. He quickly runs to the owner's home, dropping off half of what he's gathered. They insisted on giving him the rest, thanking him for his help while also parting with a bit of bread and cheese for him to eat as dinner. He jogs over to Zelda, presenting the basket of his reward. Zelda giggles, as his smile was wide enough to mimic a giddy childs. "I see you got paid," Zelda jokes with a small giggle. She offers her arms out to him, "let me carry it."

Link nods, grabbing his beige shirt from beside her before sliding it over his torso. Zelda watches pensively, unsure what to make of her subconscious lip biting. He bends down a bit, placing his arms behind her back and under her knees before lifting her up. Though adrenaline allowed Zelda to stand when freed from Calamity Ganon's malice. But after that, her legs haven't been the same before. She can walk, but she can get exhausted quite easily. And Link, of a saccharine heart, always makes sure to carry her whenever she needs it.

She uses one hand to hold the basket, while the other drapes around Link's neck. His body felt hot, with his accrued sweat making itself known against Zelda's arm. But Zelda would bite her tongue, knowing the foul thoughts that brewed in her mind whenever they were in contact like this. She… didn't at all mind his sweat. In fact, she was very taken to his smell and body after he works or trains. She enjoyed his natural musk, the smell of frankincense and myrrh emanating from his skin. It was a rancid thought that she knew she'd have to bring to the grave.

"There's a bit of jam at the house," Zelda hums brightly as the two make it into the heart of the town. Many of the older villagers pass by, greeting the two warmly with wide smiles and earnest waves. Children left and right are running around, soon to be subdued back home from their caretakers. Shops were in the middle of closing, preparing themselves for yet another calm night. Few villagers still bow curtly, though Zelda continues to remind them that there was no point. As far as she was concerned, there was no Kingdom of Hyrule.

A few villagers chimed, "goodnight, Princess!"

"Have a good rest, Master Link!"

It was strange to think about. The idea that before, Zelda had been in a cocoon of malice while Link was busy fighting a world of enemies to get her out. Now here they were, being warmly hosted by a lovely village without the constant concern of the calamity looming over them. Even so, the Princess couldn't bear the thought of not sticking close by to Link. Not now, and possibly not ever.

"I'm thinking we use the remainder of our butter to toast the bread," Zelda suggests sweetly, her eyes narrowing down on the fresh piece of bread they had received, thanks to Link's effort. "We can eat it with the cheese and tomatoes, and use the jam with the shortbread we have left in the pantry as dessert."

She looks up to see Link, who despite his straight face, had his stomach growling in hunger. Her words guided his desire to eat, and he started speed walking back to the now shared house. Zelda giggles, amused by his sudden pace. "You have to wait for me to cook anyways, no need to go so quickly!"

As the two walked past the colorful townhouses, they were greeted with the usual Hyrulean knights that remain posted and ornate all over the village. After confirming her safety, the Hyrulean knights have slowly turned back to their positions, while newer knights have been eagerly waiting for their chance to be trained. Informally, but have been well guided thanks to the Sheikah clan in Kakariko.

Zelda gives a light pat to Link's chest, who nods before carefully putting her down. He still instinctively puts his arms out around her, in the case that she may fall. His gesture always makes Zelda smile as she fishes out the house key from her pocket and opens the door. When they two entered, they jumped from the sight of someone being in their home. And that someone was none other than Impa.

Zelda went a bit pale, her grip on the basket slightly getting weak. Link immediately felt the tension in the room, with Impa lacking a smile on her face. The hero quickly takes the basket from Zelda's arms and guides her over to the dining table, where Impa waited at the other end of. He pulls out the chair for her, and holds out his hand, allowing Zelda to use it in order to slowly sit herself down. But even Link could tell that Zelda was uneasy, as she squirmed like a kid in her chair.

"Good evening, Zelda," Impa greeted quietly, still a hint of that sweetness of a Sheikah elder and long-time friend of the princess.

"Good evening, Impa," Zelda murmurs, suddenly as quiet as a mouse. She anxiously taps against the old wooden table before her, unable to meet Impa's gaze. "I thought you were coming in a few weeks…"

Impa's stare doesn't relent, "I made the executive decision to come earlier than everyone else. I believe the two of us need to have a talk before the other leaders of Hyrule come." Link tries to give Zelda a break by returning with a cup of water for Impa. "Good evening to you as well, Link. Thank you very much for the water."

Zelda uses this as an attempt to leeway from the serious air that's collected in their home, "would you like something to eat? We just received delicious goods from one of the villa–"

"Zelda," Impa urged, "I'm not here to eat a meal. At least not at this moment. As your advisor, we need to talk about addressing your position as the current and only living member of the royal family."

Link could see the dread within Zelda's dim eyes. He knew that she had been uneasy about it for a while, considering she would always just gloss over the subject. But he has never seen her so closed off without being able to hide. All he could do was start a kettle of tea and remain close by her while Impa performs her duty not only as her advisor, but as one of her closest friends.

"Okay," Zelda whispers, her hands finding their way to the sides of her chair. Her hands grip the edges, her nails digging into the old wood.