#that being said i will not be doing it again anytime soon <3 zelink content will Resume.

[verflares]

or is this what it means to be a human being?

[cyraclove]

noceur - one who stays up late (maybe pre-calamity zelink but if inspiration strikes you for another incarnation then go for that) I love your work!!

noceur - one who stays up late _ _ _

Zelda had always favored the night. She found solace in the silence, the contented emptiness left behind after everyone else had gone to sleep. It was then that she could finally think, the din of the day put away to be dealt with some other time. In the pitch of night is when she could crack the spine of any book she pleased and read by candlelight until dawn crested over the horizon, reality following close behind it.

Lately, however, she had come to crave nighttime for an entirely different reason. It was the only time that he was not constantly watching, his eyes trained on her like a hawk on its prey. Privacy had become a myth since Link had been appointed as her knight attendant, only stoking the embers of her ire for him.

Perhaps the reason for her otherwise inexplicable dislike of the young man was because he had come into his power effortlessly, his purpose finding him with ease. The very moment Link had curled his fingers around the hilt of the Master Sword, he was proclaimed champion in the name of The Goddess herself. The very same Goddess, Zelda thought, whose blood supposedly flowed through her veins, whose power lie dormant in the depths of her soul.

Her skin prickled hot with agitation as she recalled the day that he pulled that damned sword and became a permanent fixture of Zelda’s life. Every waking hour he was there, mouth pressed into a tight, silent line. It made sense that she would be plagued by a man whose only purpose was his duty when she had been unable to fulfill hers. His very presence was a nagging reminder of her incompetence; her inevitable failure.

And yet, as she sat on the edge of the landing overlooking Lake Totori, she failed to keep her mind from wandering to his eyes. Always deep and pensive, she often wondered what they had seen. The moon’s glow on the snow tipped mountains reminiscent of their color, Zelda thought of how intently they focused on her as she spoke, like Link wanted nothing more than to memorize each word. 

Sometimes, he looked at her like it was the last time.

Maybe it soon would be.

“Well, now. I was under the impression that royalty required beauty sleep.”

Zelda’s head whipped around, the sudden voice startling her from her thoughts. Standing behind her was Revali, looking just as incredulous as ever.

“Oh,” she said, voice tinged with a nervous chuckle, “you frightened me.”

“I wasn’t expecting anyone else to be up here,” he drawled. His eyes swept over the platform. “Where’s your shadow?”

Zelda scoffed. “Looking for me, I’m sure. He’s likely noticed that I’m gone by now.” She rolled her eyes to the point of pain. “In fact, I’m fairly certain that he only feigns sleep. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen him close his eyes.”

His handsome, sea-like eyes.

Wait. Wait, no—

Revali let out a laugh.

“It would seem as though we share the same attitude towards your attendant, princess. We may be kindred spirits, after all.”

She grinned in spite of herself. Not the kindest thing to have in common, perhaps, but she had to admit that someone who didn’t fawn over anything that Link had ever done was a nice change of pace.

“Would you like to join me?”

The Rito cocked a feathered brow. “And do what?”

“I don’t know,” Zelda shrugged, “Talk? Enjoy one another’s company?”

He was quiet for a moment as he considered the proposal, eyeing her as though trying to decide whether or not she had some sort of ulterior motive. He sighed.

“I don’t have much experience with the latter,” he conceded, “but I suppose I have no reason to decline.”

He nearly fluttered down beside her, seating himself in a cross-legged position. They sat in silence for a moment, watching the wind send tufts of fresh, powdery snow swirling across the mountain range. Zelda inhaled deeply, relishing in the pleasant sting of the pine-scented air.

“So. Snuck off, did you?” Revali asked, tilting his gaze just slightly in her direction.

She nodded. “It’s rather humiliating that it can even be called that, but, yes. I suppose I did.”

“In need of a respite,” he mused. It wasn’t a question.

“Yes. Very much so.”

“I can’t blame you. I know that I’d certainly need one. Being around that kind of unwarranted pomp and pride all of the time must be exhausting.”

Realizing that he spoke without a shred of irony, Zelda said nothing in response, focusing instead on stifling the grin that tugged at her lips. Revali and Link were almost matched in skill, but the fact that Link had just the slightest edge over him was undeniable. It was evident that Revali was more than aware and that it drove him perfectly insane—something else that she could relate to. However, for all of Link’s skill, he did not boast.

Admirable, albeit irritating.

“He’s really rather humble, actually, though I can see how—”

“You’re defending him now?”

“What? Well…no, what I mean to say is—”

Revali nodded knowingly, softly chuckling to himself as he shook his head disconcertedly. He regarded Zelda with sly eyes, an impish expression on his face.

“I should have known,” he tsked. “An unspoken attraction.”

Zelda bristled immediately, turning to stare at him in disbelief. She felt her hands involuntarily clench into fists as she stammered an attempt at a response.

“Attraction? Have you lost your mind?”

“I’m merely making an astute observation.”

“Attraction. Ridiculous.”

“Tell me, then…why are you so flushed?”

Zelda’s hands flew to her cheeks, cursing under her breath when she found them hot to the touch. Revali cackled, the shrill sound echoing throughout the night. Zelda could do nothing but bury her face further into her hands and wish desperately to disappear. The Rito champion extended a wing, placing it lightly on her shoulder. She couldn’t decide if it the gesture was one of comfort or pity.

“Don’t fret, your highness. Your secret is safe with me,” he said. Shrugging, he added, “Well, relatively, anyhow.” Before Zelda could register any sort of response, Revali stood, adjusting his scarf. His attention was diverted by the sound of footsteps from behind; someone was bounding up the spiral steps, nearing swiftly.

“It seems as though you’ve been found out, princess. A shame, really. I was just starting to enjoy our conversation.”

Zelda damned her heart for leaping the way it did when Link inevitably appeared on the landing, brow furrowed and chest heaving. She saw him visibly relax the moment he had her in his sight, only to watch him tense again as soon as he glanced at Revali. Link’s eyes darted between the two of them, consternation morphing into confusion. The Rito chortled again, leaving Link with a smack on the back as he passed by and made for the stairs.

“Oh, you needn’t worry, hero. She’s all yours.”

“Revali!” Zelda hissed, eliciting even more laughter from him.

“Goodnight, your highness,” he purred, sending a wink in her direction, “and do have a pleasant rest of your evening, won’t you?”

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First of all, @fatefulfaerie I am SO sorry that this took me so long!! Second, this prompt sort of ran away from me and became something else entirely? I apologize, though I hope you enjoy it anyhow. 

You are always so kind and supportive and I would be more than happy to write for you anytime! Thank you so much for your request!! <3