#Zelink oneshot

[dragongirlie56]

02-Suitors

This one’s a lot longer than my first Zelink oneshot! Hope you enjoy!

Happy Halloween everyone :)

Here’s the link to my other oneshots ——> Zelink masterlist

Ship: Zelink

Warnings? None!

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Link was a hair away from smacking the stuck up prince with the pommel of his sword. How he has kept his cool through countless suitors he didn't know. (That's a lie. He's been counting, and it's been twelve suitors.)

Prince Caro , with his brown hair and blue eyes, droned on and on for so long Link counted seven times since Zelda had zoned out completely disinterested with what the prince had to say. She normally never did that, she loved to listen to people as much as she loved talking. But the prince didn't even give her any space to get in a word. He didn't once ask about what she liked to do or where she went in her free time or what her favorite dessert was?

She glanced over her shoulder and met Link's gaze with knitted brows. He gave her a smile of pity that probably looked more like a grimace. He could tell she was hating this just as much as he was. No, definitely more than he was. He didn't have to talk to the guy.

"Does he have to follow us? You're perfectly safe with me. See we have guards stationed everywhere." The prince turned halfway to frown at the blonde hero. 

Link kept his expression level as the prince stared. He seriously considered jumping him. That would be truly reckless. Though he thought Zelda might be happy if he did and they could make their grand escape.

"But you know, there's a fine line between courage and recklessness! As brave as you are, that does not make you immortal." Link chuckled inwardly at the memory of him and Zelda—of course there was a difference between facing multiple lynels, lizafos, and bokoblins compared to one prince but he thought it would've been worth it. Though he would upset an entire kingdom and the King of Hyrule.

"Yes," she replied, glancing at a picture on the wall. "Link is always by my side."

"I didn't ask for his name, Zelda." Caro shook his head.

Zelda's eyebrows rose and she turned her head towards him. "You will respect my knight who is, in fact, the Hero of Hyrule. Without him and I, the calamity would've taken over your kingdom as well," she replied, her tone firm. "And we aren't on a first name basis. So that is Princess to you."

Link bit his cheek. He noticed it has been a lot harder to hide his emotions (especially smiles) ever since he'd grown closer with the blonde haired girl. 

Caro matched her raised brows, obviously not expecting a retort to put him in his place. The prince waved his hand and continued through the gardens. Link noticed Zelda's clenched fists and her apparent frown.

He flicked his eyes back to the prince and watched him walk down the hall. The brunette prince reminded him of a moblin: tall and stupid. Resembling the royal to a snout-nosed blue monster was being generous. Extremely generous. 

"You'll see here is my favorite part of the hall." Caro steeped his arm in an arc.

Of course it would be. Trophies were individually displayed in glass cases, many engraved with a bow and quiver of arrows. He only found one that said the prince's name, and it read, 'Participation award.'

Hylia, spare me. Link looked momentarily towards the ceiling.

"I'm an incredible archer so as you can see here I've won many, many contests." His smug smile almost made Link roll his eyes. Almost, Link wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

I could beat him, Link found himself thinking. Was it a bit prideful? Yes. But it was also humble because he said 'could' which gave the prince a slight chance against him. Link thought he was doing okay at balancing his jealousy.

Zelda, much to Link's delight, didn't really react much except for a "Very nice."

"Why thank you." The prince put a hand to his chest and continued on.

"Do you have a library?" Zelda asked, glancing down a neighboring hall.

"... yeah I think so?" Caro’s eyebrows furrowed.

"You think?" One of Zelda's golden brows quirked upwards.

"Why would you want to go to one anyways?"

Zelda let out a light sigh as she gestured forward with her hand. "Nevermind. Please continue, Prince Caro."

—————————————————

Orange and pink tinted clouds ribboned the tiring sky. Link and Zelda stood side by side as they took in the beauty of the setting sun. It has been a good hour since their agonizing tour with the trivial prince.

Link's blue eyes flicked to Zelda and he watched the way the fading golden rays framed her face. She was absolutely breathtaking. If Link had paint and an easel he could only dream of capturing her essence in this moment. 

He quickly noticed the shift in her eyes, an underlying thought she's held back.

"Link."

He hummed in acknowledgment and tilted his head.

"What would you do in my situation?"

Link cast his eyes toward the horizon. That was a difficult question considering he had an unspoken irritation regarding the princess meeting with suitors who could be potential husbands for her. The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth and opened a new door to a fear of his. He didn't want to stop being her knight. He didn't trust another man to protect her like he would—-like he does.

Instead of voicing any of his internal thoughts, naturally, he replied with, "I don't know." Because really what could she do? Deny the King's orders, her father, and run away? Abandon her duties as the future queen of Hyrule? He didn't know what he would do if he was forced into this situation of an arranged marriage.

Zelda nodded. "I don't know either. But I can't... I can't do this... None of them care about me. Or desire to get to know me. The feeling is mutual, don't get me wrong, but... I don't want to have to marry a... a ... mindless buffoon who only cares about his looks and the union for power. He'll take control over my kingdom and I will have no say in it. I'm sure he would forbid me from pursuing my studies."

I wouldn't. I would let you talk about them all day long. Link imagined them in Hyrule Field—like that one day where she showed him the Silent Princess—laying in the grass as she told him everything new she's read and discovered. Her green eyes would light up like they always did. He would be completely content hearing her voice from the waking hours of dawn to the darkening hours of the twilight.

His heart stuttered when she met his eyes. "Can you take me back, Link? Please? I- I can't stay here anymore. My father can't force me to love him or any of them. Not when I..."

Link's heart now pounded frantically against his chest, he was seriously going to have a heart attack someday because of her.

She didn't finish, much to Link's disappointment. "You don't have to-"

"Whatever you wish, I'll abide Z-" His pointy ears twitched as he heard footsteps against stone. "Princess."

Zelda raised an eyebrow but followed his gaze towards the cobblestone path. She let out a sigh and turned to greet the prince.

"Princess. It saddens me to say but this won't work out." The prince shook his head.

Link didn't miss the way the side of Zelda's lip twitched as she fought a smile.

"I must apologize for such a heartbreaking rejection but it had to be done." The prince put a hand to his head.

"I'll forgive you someday." Zelda sighed and started to walk away.

"Should I walk you...?" He trailed off, clearly uncomfortable and reluctant to do so. 

"I'm alright. I have Link," she replied simply.

"Right... you said that before. Anyways, farewell. I had a...lovely? Yes lovely... tour with you in the garden."

"Ah... yes... lovely." She gave him a small smile.

The pair watched him walk away until he disappeared around the corner.

"I would've taken you back either way, Zel." Link glanced at her sideways.

"I know. Thank you." 

"Always."

They sat in comfortable silence, watching as the last traces of golden light sank into the horizon.

"I'm going to talk to my father," Zelda announced and Link glanced at her.

"About stopping this." She gestured behind her towards the looming castle. "Stopping all of it."

"I'm with you." Link nodded once.

Zelda's eyes softened. "Thank you Link. Your support means more than you know."

He gave her a light smile and held out his hand. "Shall we head home?"

"We shall." Zelda nodded and accepted his hand with a smile that reached her eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Link noticed the way Zelda's arms trembled as she stared solemnly at the oak door of her fathers study. She inhaled shakily.

"You can do it, Princess." The blonde knight laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Zelda tore her gaze from the looming door and met his gaze. He could see the fear in her eyes.

"He'll be furious."

"You don't have to do this."

"No." Her eyes flashed with determination. "I have to." She raised her hand and knocked.

"Enter." The King's voice carried through the wooden oak.

Zelda took a deep breath. With one last glance at Link she turned the handle.

He followed in behind her and bowed before the King. Rhoam stood from his chair and walked around his desk that was filled with documents and empty ink bottles.

"Rise Link."

Link did.

"Leave us please. I must speak to my daughter alone. I'll send her for you once we are finished." 

Link briefly looked at Zelda, watching the way her face fell slightly. Zelda turned towards him and they shared a look.

He gave the King a curt nod and with one last glance at his princess, he exited the study.

——————————————-

Rhoam stayed silent until Link shut the door. His eyes flitted to Zelda and he raised his eyebrows. "Why is it that I've just heard of how difficult you were with Prince Caro? There's no chance of union between us and the Wiln Kingdom."

Difficult?

"I don't care." Zelda's words came out before her brain could process their meaning. Though she didn't regret them.

"Pardon?"

"I said I don't care," she repeated.

"Zelda," her father started, his tone stern. "I know you are having a hard time with this suitor situation. But it is my duty as King and your duty as princess to do what's best for the kingdom of Hyrule. Which is why I have promised you to the Prince Elok of Lon." 

Zelda's stomach dropped. "Promised? How could you?" Her voice broke. "What about your duty as a father? As my father? Do you not want your only daughter to marry for love? To be married to someone she trusts fully? Why do you want to marry me off to some random prince who doesn't care about me?!" She shouted with tears burning the edges of her eyes like wildfires. "I did what you asked. I trained relentlessly. You already took my childhood away from me... you can't take this away too. It should be my choice. I'm who I decide to marry."

"You are a princess-"

"Who sealed the calamity away! Don't I get points for that? I don't want to marry if it isn't for love!"

The king scoffed and shook his head. "What do you know of love, Zelda? You're eighteen years old."

"I'm in it! I'm in love with someone! Not with any of the suitors and I certainly won't be with this new one. Someone who wouldn't suppress my interests and who I am!"

"Who could you possibly-"

"Link."

Rhoam stared at her, stunned. 

"...Link? I thought you despised him."

Zelda's ears burned as she reminisced about her childish actions. Link and her did have a rocky start, much to her accusations and misunderstandings. But she apologized and they ended up growing closer. 

She wanted to say, 'If you had paid any attention at all then you would've realized I don't hate him.'

But instead she said, "No."

"Why didn't you come and talk to me about this?"

Zelda's hands shook at her sides. "You never gave me the space or safety to do so. All you do is lecture me."

"I-" Rhoam's hand covered his mouth as he stared out the window. He was silent for a long time.

Zelda's eyes fell to the floor.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I was so harsh on you."

In time she would find it in herself to forgive him. She knew that. But now, it wasn't the right time.

"I know it was what you believed was best for me," she replied instead.

"Yes, but I should've thought of you. You're my daughter and I didn't protect you."

She didn't disagree with that. 

They were both quiet for a while.

"How did your powers awaken?" Her father broke the heavy silence.

Zelda's mind flashed back to the rush of guardians, the gleaming fires, the harsh rain, and the anxiety that grew in her chest.

But none of that mattered when the guardian aimed at Link. Her stomach dropped to the floor and she felt this overwhelming urge to save him without any fear for her own life. She couldn't let him die, not when she...

Not when she loved him.

She remembered thinking of every moment she shared with her blonde haired knight. Every smile, conversation, and burden they shared.

When she pushed him back to stand in front of him, her hand grew warm and a blinding light erupted from her palm.

"I let Link in," Zelda paused. "...and there wasn't anything more important in that moment than saving him."

Rhoam nodded. "I see... You have my blessing."

Zelda's eyes snapped to him. "What?" she found herself blurting, unsure if she heard her fathers words right.

"No more suitors. If you want to marry Link and if he accepts, I shall accept your wishes. I'll discard the letter I've started for giving your hand to Prince Elok."

She couldn't help the happy tears that sprung to her eyes and the glowing smile that overtook her lips.

"Thank you, Father."

He smiled and shooed her. "Go to him."

Zelda didn't need to be told twice. She threw the doors open and ran down the corridor. She rounded the corner and nearly ran into one of the maids.

"Princess?!" The maid exclaimed, holding her white bandana in place.

"So sorry Ronda!"

Zelda's only thought was to get to her knight. 

——————————————

Link's ears twitched at the rapidly approaching steps. He tensed as he reached for the handle of his sword and whipped his head towards the possible threat. 

His eyes locked onto golden hair and he lowered his hand slowly as he realized it was Zelda. He scanned her expression and his shoulders relaxed when he realized she wasn't in danger.

Though his brain did short circuit when she ran into his arms and hugged him around the waist. The tips of his ears turned pink and his face went slack. She's hugging me. She's hugging me?

He tentatively wrapped his arms around her shoulders. His heart thundered in his chest and he wondered if she could hear it.

She pulled away—much to Link's dismay—and stood in front of him with a bright smile, one that could light the night sky—-his favorite smile of hers. 

Though he was very confused, she never came back from a talk with the King in good spirits. She always sulked and not even her research could pull her out of it.

"Link, you won't believe it!" 

He raised his brows as he waited for her to continue, praying his face wasn't as red as it felt.

"No more suitors! No more awful tours!"

"Wh-what made him change his mind?" Link found himself asking.

"Well..." Zelda's eyes shied away from him. He was surprised he was waiting for her to look at him rather than the other way around.

"I told him I was in love with another. And if it wasn't him I would marry. I didn't want it."

"Oh... who?" A small sliver of hope shone through the doubts crushing his stomach. 

Zelda took in a breath and released it before meeting his gaze. "You Link. I'm in love with you."

The world seemed to tilt beneath the blonde hero's feet as he stared at her with his mouth slightly agape. He was surprised he didn't pass out or wake up from this insane dream. Because it had to be a dream, right?

"B-but don't feel the need to reciprocate my feelings because I'm a princess. Rejection is a part of life. The last thing I would want is to pressure you especially when you don't feel the same way. What I'm trying to say is you don't have to accept my- my proposal. I know the duty alone would be a huge step and a life change, naturally, but-"

"I- Can you say that again?" Link fell deaf to the rest of her ramble, his brain zeroing in on the fact she declared her love. For him. A mere knight.

"What?" Her hands fell to her side.

"What you said before- are you really in... love with..." His eyes flitted from the side to her. "Me?"

Zelda's eyes softened. "I am in love with you, Link."

He definitely wasn't dreaming.

"I'm in love with you, Zelda. I always have been." He felt like a weight had been lifted off of his chest. 

"Really?"

"Really." He held out his arm. When she carefully placed her hand in his, he boldly kissed the back of it. A sly smile twitched at the corner of his mouth.

"You missed." Mirth twinkled in her emerald eyes.

"Did I?" He raised a brow at her.

"Mhm." A chuckle escaped her chest. Sliding her other hand behind his neck, she gently placed her lips on his.

He kissed her back and slid an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

"I love you." Zelda said once they broke away and she started to cry. 

Link tucked a stray piece of hair behind her pointed ears. He wiped away her tears with his thumbs before pulling her in for a hug. "And I love you."

[hlizr50]

Zelink Week Day 7: Reunion

I love a badass FMC, so finally seeing a Zelda game introduced where you play as Zelda is NEARLY everything I could ever want.

But… I want her dripping with daggers and arrows, as well as lit from within with magic.

Reunion was a perfect prompt to write a little Echoes of Wisdom oneshot, though, where we get an iconic reunion between the princess and the hero. Even if it’s a little… unconventional.

Read on AO3

Or read below!

Stiffness and ache had been near constant companions in the past months, and it was no different as she silently slunk through the dank, dark corridors. Below the earth, everything felt clammy and damp, and the chill mist over the sweat dotting her flesh made her shiver. But, then again, the other had been that way since she’d taken that daring plunge, allowing herself to sink into the rift and be consumed by the unending indigo of twilight.

Still, Zelda would not allow darkness nor bone-chilling cold, illness nor injury, to prevent her from fulfilling the destiny she’d been given. She would lay her life down for her kingdom, her people, time and time again. But, though Hyrule would be spared if she were successful in her endeavor, her near-singular focus since falling into the dark was finding her hero.

Her Link.

She was so close that she felt emboldened enough to battle the dark king himself, regardless of the condition Link would be in when she found him. Yes, it would be smart to spirit him away, help him recover, and face Ganon when they were both at their strongest. But she would allow nothing to keep her from him, not after how far she’d come.

Not even if the evil king appeared right before her, wreathed in hell, itself.

Lost in her own determination, the princess rounded a corner with little concern for stealth, and found herself staring down two towering moblin guards. The first was too close for magic, and she grimaced as she drove her beloved Sheikah dagger into the flesh below the creature’s ribs, earning a howl that had her ears ringing. She hadn’t seen many other guards, monsters or otherwise, as she’d wended through the labyrinth of stone and iron, so she prayed the moblins’ screams wouldn’t attract an army of new enemies to fight.

Wrenching the blade from the beast’s side, she plunged it into its neck, using her other hand to summon the scepter she kept sheathed at her back. Pointing it toward the ceiling, she conjured the image through the rod and into the air, the magic congealing into a boulder that crushed the other moblin before it could advance. In another time - another life - she may have been alarmed at the ease with which she’d dispatched the creatures, and so many before. While she had been the protector of Wisdom, a practitioner of magic and light, the courage for combat had never flowed freely in her blood. But now the strength was an elixir, the victory an addiction. What a novel thought: a damsel that didn’t need to be saved.

Zelda was still no great fighter, but it would have been foolish to set out upon her quest with the belief that she would never need to learn. So, in every new town she’d visited, she’d found a teacher. Discovered her skill with a bow and practiced for innumerable hours with a dagger; swords were too heavy and long for her to balance easily. Magic was always her strongest weapon, but the dagger at her hip had proved life-saving on more than one occasion.

The constant struggle - the training and the wilderness, the hunger and hurt - had finally brought her here. To the iron bars of the only cell in the maze that had been guarded by two of Ganon’s most formidable beasts. Even without the guards, she would know he was there. Her soul called to his, longed for his nearness. She hadn’t had the chance to thank him, to hold him, before he’d been dragged into the otherworldly depths, and her fingers ached to feel the warmth of his skin and delve into the silken gold atop his head.

So she wiped her blade clean on the worn fabric of her breeches, sheathed it at her side, and padded toward the beckoning bars. Why wasn’t he waiting there, investigating the violence that had clearly occurred? Was he injured? Ill? Restrained?

The dim light of the torches revealed little, but when the princess-turned-warrior peered through the bars, her gaze was met with piercing, crystal blue.

”Zelda?” The voice was a disbelieving rasp, and yet it still kindled every fire within her and made her eyes sting.

”Whoever could have imagined that it would be the princess that arrived to rescue the hero?” Her voice was thick with emotion as they stared at each other - wonder and wide eyes. “How very unconventional. The gossips at the Castle Town fountain are sure to talk.”

Link’s movement only made the barest rustle of sound, and then he was at the bars, his hands curled around hers and his nose brushing over the tip of her own.

“You’re here,” he breathed, the words warm against her mouth.

”Of course, Link,” she whispered back, determined to keep things light so she wouldn’t burst into tears in stark relief. “Did you think you were the only one who could galavant across Hyrule and save the day?”

His lips were on hers in the next instant, a hand buried into the hair at her nape to hold her steady. For the first time in months, Zelda relaxed, her shoulders sagging under the weight of how far she had journeyed and the evil she had faced. Releasing the bars, she slid her fingers around his neck and deep into his own tresses, unkempt as always. And longer than she remembered.

”You need a haircut,” she murmured when their kiss ended, and her heart jumped as the corner of his mouth tipped up.

“Seems like you have some experience with that,” he answered, studying her. She’d spent so many weeks without the flowing locks, she’d almost forgotten that it would be a surprise for him to see them gone. The decision to cut her hair had been entirely practical, after having been snagged by her braid one too many times by branches and creatures that would do her harm.

Now, staring at the man who held her heart, she felt the smallest prickle of self-consciousness. But, as if he could sense her uncertainty, his battle-roughened palm cupped her cheek and his cerulean gaze held her with so much intensity, she thought it might send her to her knees.

”You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. And so brave, and strong.” Link’s thumb brushed over the apple of her cheek, and it was the most comfort she’d experienced in… Goddess, she didn’t know how long. “And you have moblin blood on your face.”

His husky voice, the adoring sentiments he whispered across her skin, and the mischievous glint in his eyes had her frozen in place. The Zelda of old would have reared back, wiping at her face to clean it off. But she could do nothing but mutter a quiet, “Oh.”

His thumb stroked again.

”It suits you,” he said, sending sparks crackling in her veins. “A warrior princess. Ganon should be quaking in his boots.”

The mention of the evil king struck like lightning, and Zelda remembered the urgency of the situation they were in. As much as she hated to do it, she pulled away from Link’s tender touches.

”Let’s get you out of here,” she turned back to the prone bodies, spying a ring of keys on a belt. Ganon was still alive, potentially prowling above. They were on borrowed time - had perhaps wasted too much of it already. When she turned back to the cell bars, Link was simply staring at her with a warm, appreciative gaze. Was it awe? That was what she had felt when he’d stepped into the chamber where she’d been held by Ganon. Awe and love and terror and adoration. With a timid grin, she held up the keys, jingling them.

Link’s answering smile was radiant with pride. ”My hero.”

[looniez]

thinking about link going back to hateno after the upheaval and as soon as he’s through the door he’s so bothered by the incessant silence without zelda’s rambling and laughter and the table is still set for them for when they got home and there’s traces of her literally everywhere and he just lays in his and zelda’s bed and cries because he feels like he failed her again hahhahaaaa im so normal im so normal im so nor

[fioreofthemarch]

repast

Fandom: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Pairing: Link/Zelda Words: 880 [✨read the oneshot's two companion pieces: yearnings and kin]

The first thing Link began to wonder about the Light Dragon – once his tears for her ran dry and his grief made room for a growing curiosity – was whether she ever got hungry.

In her previous life, she’d had a utilitarian relationship with food. Link had cooked all manner of dishes for her, and each one she would eat in a straight-forward, disciplined manner, dutifully setting about tidying up once she was done. If he asked what her favourite meal was, she’d say, ‘All of them!’

Now, it was possible that dragons didn’t need to eat. Immortality, its terribleness aside, probably had benefits like that. The question was, would they want to?

Link hadn’t paid the Light Dragon much mind during his travels. Dragons seemed to be ten a rupee these days, arising out of chasms, swimming over villages, winding through canyons and so on. Now that he had learned who the Light Dragon really was – telling himself he’d known for a long time to muffle the anguished guilt he felt at not having known right away – he had begun to track her movements. Occasionally, she would break her kingdom-spanning flight path to spend a few hours circling the skyward Temple of Time. It was there that he waited for her now.

“Zelda, I’ve come to make your favourite,” he called up to the Light Dragon from the roof of the temple, unsure if she’d heard. Undeterred, he set up a cookpot and began, sauteeing a dozen apples in a hefty amount of goat butter – this being the only meal Zelda had ever requested of him, maybe two winters ago on a freezing evening camped somewhere in Hebra. She’d said if she had one wish, it’d be a hot buttered apple, and with pride Link had made that wish come true.

At first, the Light Dragon didn’t seem to notice him. He considered hitting her with an apple-fused arrow to get her attention, but was worried he’d discover, in retaliation, that dragons had a taste for humans. Over the course of an hour however, she circled lower and lower towards the temple and the cookpot, until she gently touched down, her body wound around the outer perimeter of the roof. She rested her head by the cookpot, a huge bright eye fixed directly on Link. He froze, unsure if she was really in there, and also what the proper etiquette would be when dining with a dragon. As if in answer, she sniffed at the pot of apples. Taking one in hand, Link offered it slowly out to her; she sniffed it again and opened her mouth just enough for him to push the apple between her teeth. In astonishment Link watched as the otherworldly creature munched carefully on the apple and opened her toothy jaws for a second.

Half a dozen more he fed her this way and each one she ate faster, opening her mouth wider to demand more. By now the supply of savoury-sweet apples was running low. “I’ve only got a couple left, Zelda, but I can come back—”

Chomp! The Light Dragon snapped its jaws down around the cook pot, sending apples flying in all directions. Link reached up and grabbed the edge of the pot, trying to yank it free. “Stop! You can’t eat this! Let go!”

Then he was falling, relinquished from the Light Dragon’s teeth when she roared, and he landed on the gravel just before the cookpot landed on him. He cried out in pain, and in response the Light Dragon recoiled, drawing up into herself, the roof shingles crunching under her claws. 

Dusting himself off, Link set about collecting the apples, finding them flung across the roof and soiled with gravel. With a sigh, he prepared to throw them into the cooking fire when, at his side, something soft nudged his arm. The Light Dragon, or Zelda, or whatever mix of the two she was, tapped him with the very tip of her snout, having crept back towards him. In Link’s hand was the final apple, mostly intact. The Light Dragon nudged him again, making a low rumbling noise, barely more than a whine. 

“It’s okay, apology accepted,” Link said. “Glad you still like my cooking, old girl.”

Then, the idea coming upon him with a laugh, Link threw the apple as high as he could. There was a tornado of rushing air and dust as the Light Dragon soared upwards, unwrapping herself from temple and launching herself in pursuit of the apple, which she caught with a swift snap of her jaws. Her prize seized, she descended again to fly past Link, so fast he could barely touch her, before rising into the sky and out of reach. Her way of saying thank you, he supposed. 

Later on, returning to the surface and Demon King-shaped task at hand, Link would horde apples by the dozen and spend even his last rupee on goat butter whenever he stopped by a town. From then, he knew that if his grief struck stronger than he could handle, he could return to the Temple of Time with as many apples as he could carry, and dine with Zelda again - just like they once had, in times gone by. 

[echoingvoids]

Just wanted to share a sneak-peek at prompt 2 "Singing" from my book of short oneshots for @zelinktines!

The above is part of my oneshot collection "Notes", where I'm hoping to write at least a little bit for each prompt. First oneshot will publish February and the goal is to release one every day! (Who knows if that'll actually happen. I'll try!)

If you're interested, I'll be publishing the "Notes" collection on AO3, Wattpad, and here on Tumblr (I'll make a masterlist on here). Enjoy!

(art by Bangju on Lofter!)

[frickingnerd]

life or death (or confession)

pairing: riju x gn!reader

summary: in a life or death situation, riju confesses to you!

“b-before we die here, i need to tell you… i love you–!”

riju had yelled out those words, closing her eyes as those last three words left her lips. she was waiting for the inevitable to happen; being killed by the enemy. but after a few silent moments, she slowly opened her eyes again, finding the bokoblin that had corner you dead on the ground.

“w-what…?”

as riju looked up, she spotted link and zelda, who had rushed to your aid together. slowly, riju tilted her head, to make sure you were fine as well, but dreading your reaction after what she just said.

“are the two of you okay?”

zelda noticed the tension as riju stared at you, but riju was quick to look away again and brush the whole situation off.

“y-yeah, we're doing great! i– i wasn't worried a bit! i knew you'd come save us��� a-and… i didn't say anything either–!”

before you could reply to anything riju had said, she hurried ahead, still acting like nothing happened. but as nobody followed, she turned around again.

“c-come on! let's leave before we get attacked again…!”

[skyward-floored]

what all would you include in a post game Skyward Sword story? 👀

- hero-of-the-wolf

Wellll let's see... I think I would start with Link and Zelda getting married.

I know maybe it would make sense for them to wait a bit, but after all they went through and the nature of the work they're doing I honestly can't see it being more than about a year or two after the game when they get married. So the fic would start with that.

I guess I'd just go through showing all of what it's like for them building some kind of settlement on the surface, discovering what it's like to live on the surface all the time, explore areas they didn't go before, experience things like rain and snow and changing seasons. Maybe meet more Sheikah (there's GOTTA be more somewhere).

There'd be some kind of problem they're dealing with with Surface life (monster problems? trouble surviving? possible Ghirahim return?), and also some interpersonal problems with Link and Zelda just grappling with the Hylia stuff and figuring out how to be married and then Zelda probably gets pregnant somewhere in there so that's a challenge to. Idk. Just them figuring out life along with some loz flair in there.

Eventually I'd probably switch to largely family shenanigans since you know I'm all about that XD I'd also love focusing on side characters I haven't written very much or at all, like Groose and Gaepora, and Fledge and Pipit and all of those other people. It would be a lot of fun :)

[writingpages]

pull me back from things divine

Summary: up here, there were no gods. there was nothing divine in these sheets. and that's just how they prefer it.

Rating: M

Ships: Ocarina of Time Link/Zelda

Notes: written for @linktheacehero for merry midna mixup gift exhange! hope you like it! bit of angst, bit of fluff, bit of hints towards sex.

read on ao3 / support me on kofi / join my discord (18+)

Phantom pains continued to plague Link from injuries he didn't always recall getting - as if it radiated from things that could have been that never happened. The scars that were real were almost grounding in that way, where he could see some injury that should have been there. Link would wake up from dreams of realities that seemed to twist around him, shattering like glass in front of him. He'd jolt awake from a nightmare of Ganon's laughter as a beast to Zelda laying next to him, grounding him yet again. Link wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him as he buried his face into her neck. It was easy to fall back asleep with her this close to him, a reminder of everything he'd ever fought for. She'd been there when he was running through Hyrule, trying to set the world straight. The world had ended, but he still stood here. They were still here.

For Zelda, the dreams felt like echoes. She'd had prophetic dreams since she was a child, and she didn't always understand them In some ways, the mistakes she made in on version of reality were completely gone through her eyes. Zelda, however, didn't live it the same way Link had. In some ways, she felt the phantom pains worse than him. She had no explanation for them save for vague dreams that often left her with more questions than answers. What mistakes had she made? Zelda didn't know, and Link evading answering the question. All she knew was that sometimes, looking at Impa filled her with an unexplained sorrow. As if there was a series of mistakes that she couldn't quite remember. All she knew was that when she laid next to Link in their shared bed, it felt like nothing could possibly touch them.

Every time Zelda rested her head on Link's chest, she entered a dreamless sleep. One that could actually allow her to rest her weary bones, and give her respite from the long work days. When she awoke in the morning, the sun was streaming in and Link was still under her for once. Most days he was awake before dawn to train, but on days like this, it was clear that he'd been staving off sleep for far too long. She traced her fingers along the scars on his chest, frowning at the fresh ones. He'd been pushing himself too hard again; he always did. There wasn't much Zelda could do about that. She'd done her best to assure him that he didn't need to push himself the way he did, but each time it was like he knew something she didn't.

Whatever Link knew honestly scared Zelda a little bit, to the point where she avoided asking any question. She didn't want to know, but she did want to at least keep him grounded here. As far as they were concerned, the biggest threat to their safety and happiness was eliminated. At least... as far as Zelda knew. Sometimes she considered the Goddesses, and wondered what the actual end game had been. It'd been too easy, she knew. Getting Ganon imprisoned and that was the end of it? No, something had to be on the horizon. Something that Link knew and wasn't telling her. But he smirked at her, brushing her hair out of her face and she found it difficult to care about anything that needed a divination table to figure out. He pulled her closer to him, and Zelda fell into him.

Up here, they were safe from any prying eyes. Zelda didn't have to think about what the Goddesses had planned for them, and Link didn't have to think about the horrors he'd witnessed far too young. Link had seen the world come crashing to an end, and he didn't want to talk about it. He just wanted to be here in the moment with her. Every single night, she grounded him. She reminded him that they were right here, right now, and he didn't have to push himself anymore. Her gaze was piercing through him, right through the kink in his armor. Link shattered under her, and was rebuilt stronger for it. Just how did she always manage to do that? He didn't know, and he didn't care. He kissed her, the night starting to fall.

Morning or night, she was there. Just like she'd always been, even when she'd hide away under a disguise. There was a loyalty between them, an unspoken bond of trust. Only Link knew just how deep it ran, but Zelda had an idea of it. She knew that she'd do anything to keep him safe, even if she wasn't aware of just how far she'd go to do so. The chill of the air sank in, and the blankets were pulled around them. History couldn't touch them, and whatever was to come didn't matter. All that mattered was her touch felt like a healing balm to his very soul, as if she could reach the parts of him that had been torn asunder.

Link gasped as her lips found his neck, pressing kisses that felt like he was being made new. Under her gaze, it was like nothing had ever had happened to them. Up here, they were brand new to each other. They explored each other as if it was all new, every single time. Zelda would chide him for new scars, but she would kiss them all the same as if she could remove them. And some nights, Link thought that she might be able to. It was like the world didn't matter when it was just the two of them.

Up in their bedroom, they could simply be two people who were world weary, and just too tired to talk about any of it. The ache in Zelda vanished when Link's hand was over hers, and the void that lingered in Link was filled by her touch upon his cheek. She pulled him in for a kiss, and there was no divinity to be found here tangled up in these sheets.

And that was how they both preferred it.

[captainn-hook]

The Hero’s Fall:

TW: descriptions of injury and allusions of death

They were running, running for their lives, running for the lives of their people and running for the sake of their kingdom.

Fire raged around them, clawing at the trees and screaming at them, threatening to engulf them in their hatred, yet even as the smoke built up inside their lungs and choked them from the inside, they continued to run.

Despite hell consuming their land and explosions rousing the flames around them, it was raining.

Once upon a time, it seemed like such a beautiful thing. The memory of gliding through a gentle sheet of rain while her grace filled his vision, the ghost of her touch lingering in his hands, as if she were there, guiding him through the blinding darkness of the wet night, even as the heavens wept and the moon bled. Even as the night tinted with the malicious red of hatred and demise. Yet he knew she was elsewhere, caught up in her own battle.

And so he took the hand of her highness, his princess, the one he was sworn to as her protector and knight, and pressed on. Even when she panted and gasped for air that had long since fled in the wake of smoke, even when he heard her dress ripping and the mud under their boots splatter on her pristine skin, he pressed on.

They reached the end of the forest, the ashes of what once was littering the ground they trampled through, ruins of their fallen kingdom and the empty vessels of the dead scattered across the plain.

Then they heard it. Knight and princess halted their escape with the realisation that they could not flee the chant of death. As machines rose from waste and decay, their eyes illuminated, producing a laser that set its targets on her highness. Her knight spared no second, leaping at the metal beast with what was left of his strength, destroying it beyond repair in one slash of his goddess blessed blade.

He held his own as more and more metallic beasts surrounded them. Taking out his shield, he deflected blow after blow, watching his step, careful not to tread on his princess’s feet as she stood behind him, for even in the midst of battle, even as execution loomed over him, he minded his etiquette around her royal highness.

His muscles burned with fatigue and his arm twisted on impact as his shield gave in to the continued assault. Still, he persisted.

Gripping his sacred blade, he pressed off of one of his attackers and launched into the air, bringing his blade down on the creature and all others in the vicinity.

He fought and fought until his legs gave way and his lungs caved.

Yet he could not abandon his divine duty to serve his goddess, he could not forsake his princess to the hand of misery incarnate.

So he rose once more.

His fingers trembled at the loss of strength, trying desperately to hold onto the hilt of his sword as he claimed his place in front of his princess once more.

He was useless, if only to use his body to ensure her safety.

He took blast after blast, the overwhelming force of explosions and the heat of fire that licked his skin tortured his nerves and shattered his bones. One blasted the side of his face, leaving ringing in his ear and darkness in his vision. One took its hit to his abdomen, destroying his organs and spraying his blood. Another to his legs, another to his torso, another to his back, another, another, another, until one set its laser on his chest and fired.

He felt he would not be able to ever forget the pained scream of his name leaving her lips if there was a chance he were to survive after this. So he took comfort in knowing he wouldn’t. He felt a calm wash over him as peace was promised to him, as cold, dainty hands grasped at his body and pulled him close, desperate to piece him back together in the hopes that he will live in spite of his injuries, in spite of his missing organs and the gaping hole where his eye used to be, in spite of the grainy texture of his shattered spine against hands drenched in blood that had not come from its owner. In spite of it all, just so he could live to see another day, just so he could return home to his betrothed and his family and his simple life before destiny wrapped its unforgiving fingers around their souls and mercy distanced itself just as the goddess did.

But it was no use.

The princess wept. Sobs racking her body as she clutched her broken knight to her chest, listening to the pathetic attempts he made at drawing even the shallowest of breaths.

She looked down to him, his face drowned in his own blood and his hair soaked by the rain that had yet to let up.

And then he looked towards her, his eyes meeting hers, and for the first time, he smiled.

[red-gekkouga]

(I first started this before TotK came out and finished it after. For those new here I ship Link, Zelda and Paya together so that’s why the kids call her mom too. This is my second time having Paya in a little fic so I hope she’s not really ooc. Also, I should write something for this too, but I wanted her to be able to use Sheikah magic since she’s chief now and she’ll need to protect the village. My friends helped me decide the weapon she’d have. We love a badass Paya!)

“Are you sure you’re up to this, Rylo? You look like you’re already scared!”

“I’m not scared, I just don’t want us getting in trouble! Mom and dad told us to not go near the woods. It’s called The Lost Woods for a reason.”

“We’ll be fine, we’ll just go into the woods for a few minutes and come back out. We’ll be back before our moms and dad notice!”

Rylo gave an annoyed look to his sister, they had heard about the woods from their parents and how creatures called Koroks lived there. They were even told about how a "Great Deku Tree" resides deep in the woods as well. They were curious enough to have slipped away from their parents while they were distracted with talks about new trade routes connecting to towns.

A sly grin placed itself on Prestille’s face, looking back at her brother and pointing to the woods. “We’re literally right at the entrance. I promise, as your sister, to protect you from anything. Even though I doubt there’s going to be anything in there except those forest fairies mom and dad talked about.” She turns to face him completely, tilting her head to the side. “Aren’t you curious if those fairies are real or not?”

Rylo nods hesitantly. “Of course I am.. but who knows what punishment we’ll get if they find out!”

“They’re not going to. Like I said, we’ll just be in there for a few minutes and then go back to the stable! Now, are you coming or not? Unless.. you’re not brave enough?”

Rylo scowls, pointing his toy sword towards the woods. “I’m not a coward! I bet you won’t last one minute in there without wanting to leave!” He quickly charges towards the woods, still holding his sword forward. “Let’s go!”

“Hey, wait up!” Following suit, she runs into the woods with him. They just have to see the fairies for themselves!

Back at the stable, Link, Zelda and Paya were still immersed in the conversation with local traders. It had only felt like a few minutes had gone by, but Paya was soon to realize it was starting to reach sundown. She knew the twins would normally be tuckered out around this time, so she was quick to turn to check up on them. Except she didn’t see them anywhere. At first she didn’t expect much of it, perhaps they were playing outside? She decided to pull herself away from the group, just to confirm they were still nearby. Fear quickly set in once she realized that they weren't outside either. “Rylo? Prestille?” Panic soon took over, they were just here a minute ago!

“Kids? Where are you?!” Surely they couldn’t have gone far. She was full on panic mode now, she couldn’t think straight. All she remembered next was sprinting down the road looking for them.

The forest was not quite what they expected, it was dark and foggy, with a very eerie feeling to it.

“I feel like I’ve seen that torch before.. I think we’re going in circles.”

“We’re not going in circles, Rylo. Trust me! I know we’re going straight ahead!” Prestille points forward to emphasize her statement.

“Then why do I remember seeing that same tree?”

Prestille rolls her eyes. “All of the trees look the same, dummy!”

“That one seems very suspicious!”

“Fine.” She sighs. “Why don’t you lead the way then?”

“Maybe I will.” Rylo is quick to stand in front of her, pointing his sword again as he walks ahead. “This way!”

A sudden cracking sound stops them in their tracks. “AHHH!! I- uh.. I mean, what was that?!” Rylo tries his best to brush it off.

“S-See? You are scared!” Prestille is quick to point at him in a 'I told you so' manner.

“You’re the one who’s scared! Do you hear how you’re talking?” They’re quick to startle again as a flock of birds flew overhead.

“It’s just b-birds, dummy! Nothing to be w-worried about!”

“…. Um… Prestille, where are we?” They both look around, suddenly the atmosphere seems to have shifted slightly. Now everything seemed.. darker.

“I don’t know…”

They turn around as another noise caught their attention, this time sounding like rattling. Three skeletal creatures were staring at them with big glowing eyes, letting out a horrible screech as they waved their spears around.

“What are those?!” Rylo screamed and was quick to hide behind his sister. “I d-don’t know!”

The two were quickly cornered by the disgusting creatures and one had already pointed their weapon at the children. “I told you this was a bad idea, Pressy! Now look what’s happening!” Rylo was crying now as he tried to hold his wooden sword up at the offenders. “You don’t have to rub it in! Just stay behind me, I’ll protect you!” Truth is, she has no ideas on how to escape. This was all so sudden, weren’t the monsters spoken of by their parents supposed to be dead and gone? Were these zombies of the monsters their father had fought so long ago?

“I want to go home! I don’t want to be here anymore!” Rylo closed his eyes, hoping this nightmare would end and he’d be safe back in his mother’s arms.

Just as one of the zombified monsters started to thrust their spear at them, a sudden crack was heard. The others looked over in confusion as their comrade stood still for a few seconds. Then, slowly, the head of it fell off and turned to smoke. The fiends looked and screamed at each other as if to ask “What just happened?” Then another crack, and another. Soon both of the zombies had fallen to the ground.

“W-What’s going on..?” Prestille looked on with confusion as both the attackers disappeared into smoke as well. “Are they gone?” Rylo asked as he peeked his head over Prestille’s shoulder. “I think so..”

“Are you two alright?!” The two turned to face a very concerned Paya, who was holding a naginata in her hand. It looked to be made of Sheikah magic and disappeared quickly a moment later. “Mommy!” They said in unison and ran towards her. “Mommy I’m so glad you’re here! It was so scary and I thought those monsters were going to eat us!” Paya leaned down and hugged them tight, they were shaking. "Rylo, Prestille.. Thank Hylia you're okay. What are you two doing here? You know the woods are off limits!"

The two look up, seeing the disappointment on her face. "We're sorry.." Prestille says, wiping her tears away. "It's my fault! Rylo didn't want to, but I made him go in here with me. We just wanted to see the forest fairies.." Paya sighs and picks them up. "You know your mother and father are going to be very mad about this.." She turns and walks back the way she came from, hoping she can find the exit soon. Rylo puts his hand on Prestille's shoulder and tries to comfort her. "I'm sorry, little sis.. I was supposed to protect you like every older brother does, not go and hide." Prestille shakes her head. "No, I brought you with and we almost died!"

"You're both okay and that's all that matters. It's okay, I'm here." She gives them a slight squeeze to hug them. "Aren't you mad too, mommy?" Prestille dreads the answer. "I am, but I was more scared that I wouldn't find you." In fact, her nerves were still high from the unknown of the forest. She didn't want to think about if she didn't make it in time. Who knows what monsters or animals live here? By the time she had made it back to the stable Link and Zelda were searching frantically, calling their names. Link was first to notice them and get Zelda's attention. They both run over and hug them.

"Where were you? We were worried sick!"

"They.. went into the forest." Paya's ears lowered a little. "I managed to find them, though!" Against her best nature, she decided to keep the Stalkoblin encounter secret. They were worried enough already.

"You two are in very big trouble! You could have gotten lost, or hurt! What were you thinkin-"

"It was my idea! Don't be mad at Rylo!" Prestille interrupts. "I told him we should go find the forest fairies, but he didn't want to go!"

Zelda furrows her brows, then sighs. "Link, we're going home now. Let the stablehand know we're leaving." Link nods and turns to leave. "Prestille, you're grounded for a week. Rylo, you're grounded for two days." Rylo looks at Prestille, and then back to Zelda. "No, I'll stay grounded too. We both got in trouble!" Zelda blinks and looks at Paya, who gives a surprised look back at her. "Uh.. Alright.. Then you two are both grounded for a week. Now let's go home. It's been a busy day." They begin the journey back to the horses, talking about the business plans on the way.

"Why did you do that?" Prestille whispers. "You were going to get two days."

"You and I are twins! Where you go, I go. Even if that means dangerous and scary places! If you get grounded, it's only fair that I do too." He smiles and playfully bumps her shoulder with his hand. She smiles back, having a twin is awesome!

[dragongirlie56]

03- Crying in the Rain

Ship: Zelink

Modern AU!

I started to write this YEARS and i mean years ago. I decided to continue where my younger self left off and fix up a lot of things! :)

Warnings: Zelda gets in a verbal fight with her father Right at the get go. So that might be triggering! But it’s very short!

Not a warning: lots of zelink fluff and hugging because I love hugs. And the both of them need hugs.

(Also… I apologize if there are random ‘I’ and ‘my’’s in there. I changed the perspective from first person to third halfway through but I hope I got everything!)

If you liked this one-shot here’s more ———> Zelink Master list

////////////////////////

“Well I’m not my mother!” Zelda’s clenched fists shook at her sides. “She wasn’t a failure! She. She-“

“That’s enough Zelda!” Her fathers words cut through her own, automatically making her eyes fill with unwanted tears. “You will continue your studies. That. Is. Final. Do I make myself clear?”

Zelda clenched her jaw until her teeth hurt. She swallowed a forceful sob and nodded once.

“You may go.”

His tone was light but the words were cruel. Zelda turned her back on him and grasped the golden knob. The door clicked behind her and she wasted no time breaking into a sprint. She weaved through the vast, tiled hallways of her father’s abode. Her blue converse squeaked against the slick flooring as she avoided cleaning staff members and potted plants. A bubbling need to escape the confines of the house nearly ate her alive.

She ripped the front door open and slammed it behind her. Cool air rushed through her nose and a shudder tore through her chest. Her emerald eyes landed on the cloudy sky. It mirrored exactly what she felt at the moment: a gloomy storm cloud with a chance of rain at any second.

She needed someone to talk to. She needed a safe place.

Link. Her shaky fingers grasped her phone from her jean pocket. Only a few taps away. He’s only a few taps away. His name popped onto the black screen and Zelda raised her phone to her pointed ear as she walked away from the annoyingly perfect grass, the disgustingly perfect flower beds, the outrageously perfect image her father created. All of it made her want to cry.

It was too much. His expectations were drowning her.

“Please pick up. Please pick up.” Zelda’s short breaths were dangerously close to falling into sobs. She stared at the sidewalk, distracting herself with the lines and cracks as she walked.

Voicemail.

The blonde girl’s stomach sank.

“No. No. No.” He always picks up, always. Unless he’s at work or in the middle of a soccer/football game… or he’s sleeping.

Zelda shook her head. “It’s okay. It’s okay. Just call… Urbosa.”

Voicemail.

“Mipha.”

Voicemail.

“Aunt Sonia.”

Voicemail.

“Revail? No, he wouldn’t be great for this… and Daruk is on a cruise. Yona and Sidon are on their honeymoon.”

Zelda scrolled through her limited contacts, finding no one. She let her screen turn black. She was alone, she couldn’t talk to anyone, and she didn’t feel safe. Link was her safe space.

Her legs seemed to move on their own, trailing a familiar path as she started to run. Her pace lined up with the beats of her thundering heart. He didn’t live that far away right? She didn’t stop running. Not when her lungs gasped for air or when her knees started to hurt. Raindrops fell from the clouds, batting her forehead and peppering her clothes.

Normally, she drove to Link’s. But it was just her luck that her car broke down yesterday. Something about the engine.

Zelda skidded to a stop, nearly slipping on the slick sidewalk, when she felt a repetitive buzz in her back pocket. She fumbled for her phone and her eyes snapped to the caller.

White lettering glowed against the new water droplets on her screen. Link. Oh thank Hylia.

She pressed the green icon and held the phone to her ear. “H-hello?”

”Zelda?” Aryll’s voice rang through the speaker. Zelda’s eyes blinked in surprise, she was not expecting to hear from her boyfriend's younger sister.

“A-Aryll! Hello.” Zelda swallowed a lump in her throat, attempting to sound happy.

”What’s up?”

”Nothing. Everything’s fine.”

“Oh Zelda what’s wrong? You sound sad. Wait, Wait. Let me grab Link. The idiot fell asleep on his math papers.”

”Okay, okay.” She nodded along as she felt her breath hitch in her throat. Everything was going to be fine.

”Ew and he’s drooling. Your professor is not going to want your work now, Big Brother.” That caused Zelda to chuckle a bit. Leave it up to Aryll to calm the growing pit in my stomach.

“Link. Liiiiiiink. Wake up. For the love of- he sleeps like a rock. Link-“ Zelda’s ears picked up on a low groan. “Oh thank Hylia! Link, now that you're out of what seemed like a 100 year nap… the love of your life is on the phone! This is urgent and you can resume your beauty sleep later….. which you definitely need.”

Oh she really had no filter sometimes.

“Thanks Aryll.” Zelda heard her boyfriend mumble. To which Aryll responded with a ‘Duh’.

“Zel? Hey, what’s up?”

The sound of his voice made her throat close up and brought tears to her eyes. “Link, hey,” Zelda managed to croak out.

“Zelda.“ She could picture the immediate crease of his eyebrows. “What’s wrong?”

No, I don’t want to say it now. I can’t.

“Is it… is it okay if I come over?” Zelda replied instead, barely able to voice her words.

“What? Of course, you’re always welcome over-“ A truck siren blew over his sentence and she whipped her head towards it. A small red car decided it was a smart idea to swerve in front of a huge truck… while it was raining. Some people really shouldn’t have licenses.

”Zelda? Are you outside?” Her eyes snapped back to her phone. “Where are you?”

“Hyrule Park. I’m at Hyrule Park.” A gust of wind shot past her, ruffling her long golden hair and sending a shiver up her arms. She couldn’t tell if her sniffles were caused by the freezing rain or her own tears.

“Hyrule Park?! That’s far from your house and it’s going to… it is raining! You’re going to get sick.” He paused. “….Zelda, did something happen with your dad?”

She sucked in a sharp breath, the sting stabbing at her lungs. “Yeah.”

She could hear the wooden creak of his old stairs and the jingle of car keys. “Stay where you are, Zel. I’m coming to get you.”

“Link you don’t-“ she started to say. “I’m not too far from your house-“

“It’s a 15 minute walk. I’m not letting you do that.”

“I-“ Zelda stop it. she chided herself. “Okay.” A sniffle escaped her reddening nose. “Thank you, Link.”

“Always.”

“Can… can you stay on the phone too?”

“Of course.”

———————-

“I’m just around the corner.”

“Okay.” Zelda leaned against a tree trunk. Rain pattered onto her skin and into her hair, every drop sent prickles of cold into her veins. She had found a nice spot under the tree but it didn't stop the rain from finding its way to her. Her damp clothes made her tremble slightly, it probably wasn’t good for her to stay outside.

The rumble of Link’s truck made Zelda’s head turn. Wow. That was fast… Almost too fast. She pushed herself off of the tree trunk and waved at him.

His truck came to a stop and he immediately hopped out of the driver's side.

Zelda knew she was lucky. Of course Link was handsome with his beautiful ocean eyes, his dirty blonde hair, and his light smiles. She knew, everyone knew. (they did not hesitate to tell her and she couldn’t help but agree.) But she really loved his soul and his heart. He was a sweet, genuine, selfless guy who had loyalty and compassion for his friends and loved ones. She just couldn’t fathom how someone like him could exist.

“Hey,” he breathed out once he reached her. He hugged her against him and she wrapped her arms around his waist. ”Zel, you’re shivering.”

She sniffled and hid her face in his chest, leaning into his warmth. ”And you’re warm.” Yeah, I’m so lucky.

”C’mon, I already have your seat heater on.”

“Oh you’re the best. Thank you.” Zelda smiled at him as she allowed him to lead her away.

“You got here pretty fast…”

He shrugged.

“Link, did you speed?”

“What? Zel. Of course not.” His eyes crinkled in mirth and an easygoing smirk tilted his lips.

“Liar.” Zelda rubbed her eyes and let out a laugh. He squeezed her shoulder and let out a chuckle as he led her to the passenger side of his truck.

Zelda didn’t realize how cold she actually was until she found herself sinking into the heat of the chair. Bless Link and his thoughtfulness.

“Here, I brought you a blanket.” Seriously bless him. Zelda would fight anyone who tried to hurt him.

Link signaled to pull away from the curb and they were on their way. Zelda watched the trees zip by as they drove and snuggled into the soft fabric of his green blanket.

“Aryll put some hot cider on the stove.” He glanced in the rear view mirror before switching lanes.

Zelda perked up at this. “Aw really? You guys are too good to me.”

“She insisted.” He shrugged.

“She’s so sweet.”

“Yeah. To you.” A smirk tilted his lips.

Zelda laughed. “She loves you a lot, you know.”

“Deep down.”

“No, I can see it plain as day.” She placed her elbow on the center console and rested her head in her palm.

Link chuckled and shook his head.

He held out his hand and she placed hers in his.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Zelda sighed, her conversation with her father left a bitter taste in her mouth. “…I told him I didn’t want to go to school for a business degree any longer and instead I wanted to pursue a degree in engineering. Which I argue is just as good! I get to create things and research! I wanted to even take a minor in biology! But he blew up at me. I’m the one supposed to inherit the company. To be the CEO… I sound so ungrateful. I know. Anyone would love to inherit such a thing but I just… I don’t have a choice and that makes me angry.” Her eyes dropped to the keys lightly rattling in the cup holder. “I know my mothers death was hard on him and raising a young child alone is no easy feat. Especially one so strong willed as I am. I get it. But her death was hard on me too. I had to grow up without a mother for Hylia’s sake. But I know she would have wanted me to pursue anything I want. I just wish she were here to tell him.”

Link squeezed her hand.

“It’s so… it’s so silly. I’m an adult yet I’m still afraid to stand up for my father.”

“I don’t think it’s silly. It can be scary to stand up for yourself.”

Zelda nodded as he turned into his neighborhood. She didn’t know how else to ‘stand up’ to her father. She could get another job and tell him she’ll pay for her schooling instead. It would be a lot but she didn’t shy away from hard work.

Link pulled into his driveway and turned off the engine. He hopped out of the truck and walked around the front to her side. He opened her door and she met his eyes, water droplets glittered on his blonde bangs though he didn’t seem to care. His eyebrows were creased and a light frown tugged down at his lips.

“You can do anything you want to do, Zel.” He placed his hand on her cheek and she covered it with one of her own. “It’s your life you should be able to pursue anything…But, that being said, I know that has to be hard when you don’t have his support.”

Her breath hitched in her throat and she nodded as tears clouded her vision. He said it perfectly. She covered her face with her free hand and let out a sob.

Link’s hand fell from her face. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her out of the seat. Once he set her on the ground, she hugged him around his neck and hid her face in his collarbone.

The only thing that filled the silence was Zelda’s muffled sobs and the rain pattering against the cement.

“I’ll support whatever you decide to do. I’m here.” His hand slid into her wet hair as he pulled her closer.

She nodded.

“C’mon, let’s get you dried off and into warmer clothes, yeah?”

“Yeah.” Zelda wiped her nose with her sleeve.

She let him guide her away from the truck and her shoulders relaxed as she turned her attention to his house. The familiar clinking melody of the wind chime reached Zelda’s ears. The chime had metal silent princesses dangling from the chains, her favorite flower. Potted plants with various flowers lined the walkway.

Warmth and cinnamon hit her nose when Link opened the front door.

“Aryll?” Link called out. “I’m back.”

“Coming!” Aryll yelled. “Zelda!” Zelda watched as she raced down the stairs and crashed into her.

“Woah! Hey Aryll!” She returned Aryll’s bone crushing hug.

Aryll pulled back and grinned up at her. Her blonde hair was up in her signature pigtails and she wore a blue shirt that made her sea blue eyes pop. She looked so much like Link it still baffled Zelda.

“I’m so glad you’re here! Aw, I knew you were sad.” Aryll pointed at Zelda’s eyes and frowned, her eyebrows falling. “Wait here.”

Zelda raised her eyebrows at Link and he shrugged before taking off his shoes. Zelda followed suit.

Aryll sprinted down the hall with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. “This is my favorite blanket.” The fabric had mini seagulls and pirate ships scattered around the blue fluffy sea. “You can use it while you’re here. I hope it makes you feel better.”

”Thank you Aryll. I feel better already.” Zelda accepted the gift with a warm smile.

“Oh! And the cider! Come.” Aryll ran down the tiled hallway and slid with her socks at the last second, almost tripping.

“Be careful, Aryll!” Link’s eyes widened.

“Ah!” She caught herself on the doorframe and looked back with a thumbs up. “I’m okay!”

Link let out a sigh and laughed lightly, tugging Zelda down the hall and into the kitchen.

They didn’t even make it through the doorway before Aryll was shoving a steaming mug in Zelda’s hands.

“Oh! Thank you!” The warmth of the mug immediately combated the ice of Zelda’s fingertips.

“You bet! I hope you like it!” Aryll’s giddy smile made Zelda grin back. She took a sip of the honey-colored liquid and her mouth dropped.

“Wow! What did you put in here? This is amazing!” It really was, there was just enough cinnamon and apple and it was sweet but not too sweet.

Aryll puffed out her chest and put her hands on her hips. “Secret recipe. You can know it when you’re officially part of the family.” She winked.

Zelda choked on her cider and coughed. She didn’t oppose the idea of her and Link getting married, she knew there was no one else for her, but they were both too young. Though she was happy to have the young girl’s approval.

“A-Aryll!” Link stuttered out. His ears were tinged red.

“What? Did I say something?” She tilted her head and gave him an innocent smile. Zelda knew it was far from innocent.

“N-nothing. Nothing. Zel, I left some of my clothes on my bed that you can use. Did you want to get changed?”

Zelda nodded, her face still hot. She set the mug on the counter and briskly walked away from the siblings.

—————

After Zelda dried out her soaked hair with a towel she tied it into a loose braid. She placed her hands on the counter as she observed herself in the mirror. Link’s green hoodie looked as comfortable as it felt (she really needed to know where he bought his sweatshirts.) Her eyes were still puffy and her cheeks were still pink. I’m okay.

And she would be. Eventually. Once she set a plan for her future and stood up for herself she would be. But that was for another day. Today she wanted to spend the rest of it with her favorite person.

She nodded at herself and grasped the door handle. Her footsteps were light as she ambled down the hall. She turned into the kitchen and grabbed her abandoned cider. Her eyes flicked to Link—-who sat at the counter with his phone in hand. She walked toward him and he glanced up at her and smiled, pocketing the device.

“Hey. Nice hoodie, where’d you get it?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

Zelda chuckled, stopping beside him, and shook her head. “It’s my boyfriend’s.”

“No.” His jaw dropped. “You’re taken?!”

“Happily taken.” She grinned and sipped at her cider.

Link sighed. “Just when I was about to profess my undying love for you.”

“I fear you’re too late. My heart belongs to another.” She rested her hand against her forehead.

They stared at each other before erupting into giggles.

“That. Right there,” Link said suddenly.

“What?”

“That’s my favorite smile of yours.”

She looked between his eyes and raised her eyebrows. “What smile?”

“When you’re just being you.” He rested his head in his palm as he stared at her.

“Well…” Heat crept up her cheeks and she placed her mug on the counter. “…it’s easy to be myself with you.

“I’m happy to hear that.”

Zelda smiled again and moved to wrap her arms around his neck. He hugged her waist and pulled her close.

“Thank you, Link.”

He hugged her tighter. “I’d do anything for you, Zel… I love you.”

Her heart never failed to speed up at those three words. “I love you more.”

“No way.”

She shook her head and a chuckle escaped her. “Yes way.”

“I definitely love you more.” His breath tickled her ear.

The blonde laughed again and rolled her eyes. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He pulled away and swiftly kissed her lips to which she smiled in response. “Want to watch a show?”

“I’d love that… wait where’s Aryll?”

“She’s playing her game she’s been talking about. Something about a hero and a princess? I need to ask her about it.” He grasped her hand and walked toward the couch. Zelda noticed there was a stack of neatly folded blankets sitting on top of the ottoman.

Link picked up two of the blankets and tossed them on the cushions before grabbing a few pillows and creating—-what Zelda could describe it as—-a makeshift pillow throne.

Link hopped into the mountain of blankets and held out both of his arms toward her. He raised his eyebrows as if to say, ‘What are you waiting for?’ “Snuggles await, Your Highness.”

“Oh my Hylia. Link, you didn’t just say that.” Zelda giggled into her hand.

“What?” He grinned.

Zelda shook her head and laid on top of him. She nestled into his warmth and rested her head on his chest. His heartbeat softly thumped against her ear and she slowly dozed off into a peaceful slumber.

——————

Link lightly massaged Zelda’s back as he flipped through the TV channels. Her breathing evened and she passed out. It didn’t surprise him that she did, especially with all the stress her dad put her through.

He didn’t hate the guy. He was just frustrated with him. Very frustrated. She clearly had a passion for something else so let her do it. It wasn’t that hard of a concept, at least that’s what Link thought.

“Well excuuuuuuuuuse me princess.” He flinched at the sudden voice. He had completely forgotten about this show. He also forgot that he and the protagonist shared the same name. Nope, he did not want to remember anything else. The whole series felt like a fever dream.

He flipped to a baking channel. The contestants each had to create a dessert based on the different regions of Hyrule. I could get behind this.

The front door opened and Link flicked his eyes away from the dimmed TV screen. His mom was hanging up her keys.

“Hey honey! Oh!” She glanced at the sleeping blonde in his arms. “Zelda’s here!” she whispered excitedly.

Link returned her smile. “Hey Ma. How was work?”

”It was great.” His mom motioned toward Zelda. ”Is she okay?” She tilted her head, worry lacing her frown.

“I think she’s okay now.” Link ran a hand up and down Zelda’s back. “She’s had a long day. I’m just trying to make it better.”

”Aw. Poor girl.” She shook her head and placed her bag on the counter. “Do you think she’d like it if I made fruitcake? I thought I heard you mention something about that.”

“Yes, that's her favorite. I think she’d love it if you did that, Mom.”

”Alright, I’ll hop to it.”

“Thank you.” Link heard the oven beep behind him

”You know…” He looked over his shoulder to meet his mom’s gaze. “I’m proud of the man you’ve turned out to be Link. You’re just like your father.”

His eyes softened. ”Thanks Ma. That means a lot coming from you.“

She sent him a smile and dropped her gaze to the worn out recipe on the counter. “Just so you know, Zelda’s welcome to stay the night, anytime. For as long as she needs. Don’t let her forget that. She’s basically family.”

It made Link’s heart warm that his family loved being around Zelda. “I won’t.”

He returned his gaze to the tv. Apparently, he missed a lot since the contestants were already being judged.

The next round was based on the three goddesses, and halfway through Link felt Zelda stir.

She lifted her head and sniffed. “Is that fruitcake I smell?” she asked, her voice sleepy. Link laughed lightly.

“It is!” His mom’s voice rang through the kitchen.

“Oh! Ms. Hero! You’re home.” Zelda blinked in surprise.

“That’s Nayra to you, Zelda. I thought since Link mentioned it was your favorite and I do make a good fruitcake I wanted to make you some.”

Link watched as Zelda’s lips quirked upward.

“Oh! That’s so sweet, you didn’t have to.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

Zelda moved to get up but Link held her tighter.

“No.” He pouted and she rolled her eyes.

“Link, I'll cuddle more with you after.”

“But the cake needs to cool down… right?”

She raised an eyebrow and he sighed.

“You promise we will?”

“Yes. Of course.” She held out a pinky and he twisted theirs together.

“….fine.” He watched as she walked away from the living room and into the kitchen. She gave his mom a hug.

“Honey, are you okay?” His mom asked, holding the sides of her face.

“Yeah.” Zelda nodded once. “I’m okay now. I have your son to thank for that.”

Link pushed away from the couch and walked towards the two.

“Ah yes, he’s behaving I hope?” His mom asked behind her hand.

“Ma.” Link raised an eyebrow which made Zelda giggle.

“Oh honey I’m just teasing.” She reached up to ruffle his hair. His mom handed Zelda a plate with a slice of the fruit delicacy. “I hope you enjoy!”

“Thank you.” Zelda sat beside Link and took a bite of the colorful treat. “Mm! It’s very delicious, Nayra.”

“Glad to hear it! You two can have as much as you want.” Link didn’t need to be told twice.

He flicked his eyes between his cake and Zelda’s expression, his eyebrows creasing slightly. He studied the way she nudged her cake pieces around with her fork and the way she breathed in to speak but she never did. Something was either bothering her or she was working up the courage to ask something.

“Zelda. What’s up?” Link set down his fork and pivoted toward her.

She turned her head to him. “What?”

“I know you. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, it's just… Can I stay? I’m not… I’m not ready to go back there yet.”

Link raised his eyebrows. She didn’t even have to ask of course the answer was going to be yes. “Yes, Zel. You can stay as long as you want.”

“Longer than that,” his mom chimed in. “Just move in at this point!”

Link’s ears burned and Zelda giggled lightly. That was two comments from both Aryll and his mother. Hylia spare me.

“Thank you, Nayra,” Zelda responded.

“Of course, honey. You’re always welcome here. And I mean it.” She pointed a wooden spoon in their direction.

Link resumed eating and wolfed down his two pieces of cake before going for a third piece.

“I forget how fast you eat.” Zelda raised her eyebrows.

“It’s my talent.” He grinned.

Zelda snorted and finished off her last piece.

“Back to cuddles?” Link clasped his hands together.

Zelda laughed through her nose and placed her fork on her plate. She reached up to wipe the stray crumbs from his cheek. “Yes. Back to cuddles.”

[tallyacestories]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Legend of Zelda & Related Fandoms, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Link/Zelda (Legend of Zelda) Characters: Link (Legend of Zelda), Zelda (Legend of Zelda) Additional Tags: post tears of the kingdom, Spoilers for Tears of the Kingdom (Legend of Zelda), zelda assumed that after living together for five years she and link were dating, no one else came to that same conclusion, zelda is discovering link's tony hawk effect, Love Confessions, Living Together, Happy Ending, Misunderstandings

Summary:

“You bought a house?” She asked after an eternity of tasting the dryness of her tongue and scrambling through her own thoughts for a perch to keep her from drowning beneath them.

He hummed and dragged the stained rag along the grain of the wooden floor, leaving behind a trail of soapy water that seeped into the imperfections in the old material. “Rhondson cut me a deal on a plot of land, so I took it.”

“Why?” The single word tumbled from her hollowed lungs before she could register that the question had even crossed her mind. But her heart slammed against her ribs and throbbed through her ears, so she could barely even hear her own voice.

“I didn’t want to impose on your house while you weren’t here.”

...Her house?

He didn’t see this as his home? Their home?

Zelda was still sleeping. Surely, she was having some twisted nightmare trapped inside of her own body and mind. There was no other explanation.

[theskullkid]

i welcome 2025 with intense Zelda-playing and Criminal Minds binging. this year is gonna be snazzy

[celestial-crows]

This is a very, very late addition to the “Just After Midnight” prompt by @zeldaelmo , but hey, better late than never. Enjoy some Pre-Calamity BotW Zelink fluff :)

"Zelda's eyes widened. Link didn’t hate her. In fact, it seemed like the opposite. Her heart began to race. They both knew that this was a bad idea."

Shooting stars always signal truly magical moments.

[fioreofthemarch]

kin

Fandom: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Pairing: Link/Zelda Words: 1270 [✨this is a companion piece to repast and yearnings]

When at last Zelda was returned to the present, it was all she could do not to dwell on the past.

The memories of her time as a dragon were gone, but the subconscious remained. She felt unsteady on her feet, disliked being cooped up without a view of the sky, and often dreamt of flying, always waking with a lingering sense of loss. 

It was a guilty feeling. She had gotten everything she’d wanted. The Demon King was gone, Hyrule was saved, and Link - Link! - he was alive and they were finally free to go about their lives in long-awaited peace.  

And yet?

“You look as though you’ve forgotten something,” Purah had said to her when they’d last spoken in Lookout Landing. Zelda agreed, but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was. 

An answer came to her in Hateno, while she and Link were visiting their house by the river. Link had built them a new home in Akkala, and was sure that Zelda would enjoy rearranging it to her liking, if she didn’t mind moving house. So there in Hateno, while Zelda was sorting through her things and trying to decide what to take, something bright and blue caught her eye – a dragon! A spirit of cool, calm wisdom, passing silently overhead. 

At that moment, what was forgotten became clear. She burst from the house, arms waving, crying – “Sister!”

But the dragon never slowed, only kept on as sure as the wind. Then she was rounding north, slipping down towards the horizon, and then she was gone. 

Zelda sank down onto the grass, hands clasped tight and catching tears she didn’t know were falling. Naydra no longer knew her; they’d shared the skies for millenia, and yet! 

“Maybe she just doesn’t recognise you,” Link said upon finding her like this, his voice a steadying presence, as were his sure hands leading her back inside. “You’ve changed since she saw you last.” 

“For the better, right?”

He grinned, “I loved you just as much either way.”

After this Zelda tried, earnestly, to let life go on. The Akkala house was perfect, and only needed some nicer furnishings, maybe a painting or two, or a bigger garden. When not working on that, Zelda found her thoughts returning to the dragons – she charted Dinraal’s path over Akkala, drawing it on a map she kept in her study. Then, when the need arose to travel to Hateno, she did the same for Naydra, and later Farosh too, when she and Link travelled south to visit the Gerudo. Once the map was complete, it occurred to her that the three dragons formed a distinct triangle, each guarding their own corner of Hyrule. And that’s when knew what to do. 

“I was here for longer than I can even say,” she explained to Link, after convincing him to take her to the Great Sky Island. “The three dragons visited me here every day, at the centre of the Kingdom.” 

They stood on the roof of the Temple of Time, where Link had landed the ballooncraft he had made them. The skies were clear, and all of Hyrule could be seen below. He asked Zelda what exactly she planned to do, and she admitted she didn’t really know. She just had to try something. Link gave her an understanding nod, and stepped back to let her proceed. 

Zelda clasped her hands at her chest. She focused, felt all the yearning and regret, all the nostalgia for younger days, and let them flow from her like a lighthouse beacon – a single wish that cascaded from her very soul. Her secret stone, still worn around her neck, began to glow hot against her skin, in concert with the ancient royal mark on her right hand. I am here. Come to me!

How long she stood like that she did not know, but eventually she felt the air grow hot and cold all at once. 

The sight when she opened her eyes was all but beyond words; three great and immortal dragons, servants of the very Goddess herself, gathered together before the Temple. Their bodies flowed like rivers, irridescent scales scattering light, long horns shimmering with diffuse elemental power. Summoned here, the dragons hovered in place; Dinraal to the left, Farosh to the right and Naydra in the middle. 

Zelda bowed. She shook from nerves. Did the dragons hear her call? What was their answer? There was silence, except the wind, until at last Zelda heard a voice.

Sister, the dragon Naydra said, you are changed. 

You have become small and fragile, said the dragon Dinraal. 

You have joined the swordsman as a mortal, said the dragon Farosh. 

“You know me?” Zelda said, barely able to breathe. Behind her, Link stood tall and firm, though his body was tense. It was no small thing to treat with the gods. 

You were not easy to spot, Naydra said. Your light however was very familiar.

A great power summoned us here, sister. We are impressed, Dinraal said. 

As are we curious, Farosh added. Speak your command. 

Still Zelda did not know why exactly she had called them. There had to be something that she had wanted to say…

“Zelda… are you okay?” Link said, with a hint of fear in his voice. It was enough to steel her. She couldn’t tarry here. Immortal though her sisters were, she did not want to waste their time. 

“I am okay,” she answered, and she knew why.

Turning to Naydra, Dinraal and Farosh, Zelda bowed again, long and low. Rising, she said, “I was no one, adrift in an open sky, until I awoke in your company. I had done something terrible and forbidden, but you accepted me as one of your own, and stayed with me until my task was complete. And even now that I have left you, you remember me. This kindness…” she brushed tears from her cheeks, composing herself. “I must thank you. I wish there was a way to repay your generosity.” 

The dragons hovered, eyes bright and piercing. Zelda felt foolish; sentimental words probably meant little to them. But then, together, they bowed their heads in return. After a long moment, they broke formation and began to move through the air once more, silently circling the Temple of Time in a spiral of ice, flame and static.  

“Was that ‘offer accepted’?” Link asked with a nervous laugh. 

Dinraal departed first, heading north for Akkala. Then Farosh followed, turning south for Gerudo. Only Naydra remained. She flew down towards the roof of the temple, and landed on its parapets gentler than a feather. Placing her head down so that her and Zelda’s eyes were level, she blinked slow and calm. 

Beloved sister, she said, things done for kin need never be repaid.  

Then, a single tear falling from her eye, the dragon Naydra ascended from the roof, and flew east. Zelda watched until she disappeared from view, her own tears falling free. Not all memories were lost, she realised, but the past would always be the past, and that was its own kind of loss. 

Still, the future was calling. It came in the form of a warm and gentle hand – Link, threading his fingers into hers. “Home?” he said. Zelda nodded, knowing what he meant, but feeling that she was already there as he wrapped his arms around her. 

“Good, I’ve got an apple pie in the oven that you might like.”

With a laugh she returned his radiance, fresh but happy tears falling. “I think I might,” she said. And so they went, leaving the sky behind. 

[echoingvoids]

I totally think Link would've done something like this for Zelda at some point.

@zelinktines Read my other oneshots on Tumblr, Wattpad, or AO3!

Link takes some risks to make a certain princess smile

Pre Breath of the Wild

\^_^/

Link knew just how lonely she was. Zelda was currently locked in her room, under orders by her father to study ancient texts that could help her unlock her powers and wasn't allowed to leave or let anyone in. It was one of the few times Link was off-duty and thinking of just how miserable she was made risky ideas flood his head. 

He really shouldn't.

Yet here he was, with a piece of fruitcake carefully wrapped in his bag and standing outside the tower to Zelda's room. Night was falling, giving him the advantage of darkness. He knew exactly how far the guards could see and where they'd be looking and when. He waited for the perfect moment before taking a deep breath and beginning to climb. 

Like most of the castle walls, Zelda's towers were fairly smooth and difficult to climb. But there were bricks that stuck out and little crevices that he could grab and climb up with. He knew he fell it would be deadly, especially because he was getting fairly high up. But he was willing to risk it to get Zelda to smile.

He pulled himself up to the window that mostly cloaked by the falling night shadows, peering inside. Zelda sat her desk in the corner, staring aimlessly with a horribly sad look on her face. Looking around, Link carefully stretched up and tapped lightly on the glass, just loud enough to get her attention.

She jolted to attention, looking to the window and even through the glass, he could see her eyes light up. Just a few months ago, she would've killed him for something like this but now...now they were friends. Or some semblance of friends. 

She hurried over to the window, carefully opening the panes and stepping back so he could climb in. She had the window shut in a heartbeat. "Link! What are you doing here?"

In response, he opened his bag, carefully pulling out the cake and unwrapping it, offering it to her. It had only lost a few crumbs in the process of him transporting it and she smiled, taking it. "You risked getting seen to bring this to me?"

He nodded. "You...I wanted you to feel better."

She looked into his eyes and the sweetest smile ever seen in Hyrule landed her face. "Thank you, Link. I truly appreciate it. Will...will you stay?"

"Are you worried about anyone coming in?"

She waved a dismissive hand. "I'm not to be disturbed for two hours anyway."

"Two hours?"

"Mh hm. You don't have any utensils, do you?"

He nodded and paused, reaching into his bag and producing a fork. "Here."

She smiled again. "Thank you."

She set the cake on her desk and sat back down, gesturing for Link to join her. He joined her at the desk, standing respectfully next to her. He was aware of every sound, and knew that they would both get in trouble if someone found Link in here. 

Zelda didn't seem to care. She ate her cake, shoving one of the books over so Link could see. "Take a look. Does that make any sense to you?"

He stared at the page for a long moment, nearly going cross-eyed before shaking his head. Satisfied with that response, she pulled the book back towards herself. "You see, Father thinks something in these tomes will help me. It hasn't so far. I think we risking too many lives on some ancient, cryptic books."

She sighed, leaning back in her chair and looking up at him. He stared calmly back, and after a moment, she asked, "Will you take me to the Tech Lab tomorrow?"

"Sneak you there, you mean?"

She laughed, tossing her head back. "Yes. We may risk my father's wrath but if he tries to do anything to you, I'll say I forced you."

Link let a chuckle slip. "Whatever you ask, Princess."

Her gaze softened. "Thank you, Link."

He nodded.

By the time two hours was up, Link had slipped back down the tower and was found whittling in his room. No one else knew he was there that night...but Zelda remembered it fondly. Even when Link forgot.