#genuinely tho you're absolutely brilliant so TY for the addition

[illegiblehandwriting1]

oh my god you're a genius.

And Link, too? Nearly out of his mind from the pain, so certain that he's going to die but content in the knowledge that he won and the world was saved, almost unconscious and barely able to even register that he's back in the Sealed Grounds. And he's tired. He's so tired and alone, but great Hylia would it feel nice to rest.

What if he heard her, but in his delirium, didn't register who it was? What if he felt cold, polished, metallic, ethereal sleeves encircle him, drag him to his feet, and force him to keep going? That can't be Fi. She's always there for him, yes, but she doesn't push him forward, he's the one dragging her along for the ride. She's his equal, yes, but she was also built to serve him, so she's always tolerated his choices. Most days, he's not even sure she's tangible. So it can't possibly be Fi.

But whoever it is seems familiar. Trustworthy. Always correct. They're someone he should listen to, and so even in his agony, he lets them pull him along. He stays awake, just like they tell him to.

Later, Fi doesn't remind him of it. Later, he doesn't remember.

Her moment of ultimate humanity, and she has no one to share it with. No way to recreate it without endangering the world once more. So she keeps it close, remembers it often, and whenever a new hero comes to wield her, revels in the moment she was able to truly save their Spirit.

hey, can Fi touch Link? Like, interact with him physically.

If not, all I can think of is Link, bleeding from everywhere, unable to stand, barely clinging onto consiousness as he is transported back to the Sealed Grounds after the Demise fight. All I can hear is Fi informing him that Zelda's spirit has returned to her body, knowing that it will get him into the Sealed Temple to get help. All I can see is Fi hovering beside Link, unable to touch but desperately wanting to, as he claws his way up the slopes of the Sealed Grounds, crying in agony while using the Master Sword as a crutch. All I can think of is Link putting all of his weight on the Master Sword at each step, and Fi goading him, encouraging him, knowing that she is supporting him but still feeling so utterly powerless.

If she can touch him, though, all I can think about is Fi, this perfect, untouchable, pristine embodiment of the holy blade of Hylia, letting her feet touch the ground for the first time. I can imagine her throwing one of his arms around her shoulder, her shining fluttery sleeves getting muddied with dirt and blood as she drags Link through the Sealed Grounds with the same single-mindedness she was created with. I think she would look ahead with her permanently impassive expression, measuring every step and calculating how much more blood he can lose. I can see her, bloodstained and wet and dusty, moving with such a lack of grace only this once.

Not matter what, I think she would view keeping the Chosen Hero alive as within her jurisdiction, but more importantly, I think she'd be scared for the first time in her life. I think she'd want her dear friend to survive.