#they just. literally hand you what you need in totk and it usually amounts to ‘use ultrahand’

[waywardsalt]

dungeons in linear loz games made you feel stupid because you’d sometimes be wandering without a clue until stumbling over a little detail you’d overlooked; dungeons in totk make you feel stupid because they hardly seem to trust that you have any more than very basic problem-solving skills

[dragongirlie56]

04- A Fresh Milk Light Mocha with Two Extra Shots of Hylian Espresso

Honestly that drink sounds fire.

PFFT anyways!

Ship: Zelink BOTW or AoC, or Totk? I mean u can imagine any Zelink if you wanted.

Warnings: None! Just cute ol fluff!

Impa is young in this guys like in AoC!

Coffee Shop Zelink AU ;) Need I say more?

———————————————————————

When Zelda was a child she had her life planned out to a ‘T’. At the buttcrack of dawn aka 6 am, Zelda was awakened by a maid to get ready for the day. She had breakfast at 7, reading at 8, and she had piano lessons at 9. She had a break between 10 and 11, before lunch and so on. (Her father made sure she didn’t have much time for research… he wanted her to pursue business.)

Naturally, the old habits never left her. She had to have a schedule, even though sometimes she hated it. As an adult now, her routine consisted of going to the same coffee shop everyday and she orders the same thing: a Fresh Milk Light Mocha with two extra shots of Hylian espresso. She always ordered this drink before attending her classes at Hyrule University—-with the amount of classes and extracurricular she was taking she definitely needed that espresso. She was guilty of going twice in the same day.

Zelda knew every employee and even knew both of the managers: Urbosa, her aunt basically, and Sidon, her best friend’s brother.

She knew people, she knew her schedule, and she was prepared.

However, what she wasn’t expecting was a wrench to throw itself into her life. Not literally a wrench, more of she wasn’t expecting the unexpected.

This new employee made that list. He was definitely just hired, Zelda would’ve remembered him. It was hard not to notice him, in her opinion.

Warmth flooded Zelda’s face upon making eye contact with the boy. His eyes were the brightest sky blue and, Great Hylia, he was cute. His dark blonde hair was tied into a small ponytail—-with a turquoise band—-and he had bangs that swept across his eyebrows. She didn’t understand how someone could be so good looking. Didn’t mother nature have laws against this?

Not that I’m complaining, per se.

Sidon’s voice burst through her thoughts. ”Zelda! What a delight to see you this morning! The usual?”

“Huh?” Her eyes snapped to the red haired boy who towered over her. It really baffled her each time she saw him, he was extremely tall. A bright grin stretched across his lips, revealing his perfect white teeth to which she swore she saw a small sparkle appear. It must’ve been a trick of the light. Also, does his face never hurt from smiling so much? “O-oh yes of course!”

Her face burned, she hoped she wasn’t staring at the boy for too long.

”Coming right up! Link, can you ring her up for a Fresh Milk Light Mocha with two extra shots of Hylian espresso. Regular discount.”

The cute guy nodded once and dropped his gaze to the register.

Zelda’s hands started to sweat against her purse strap—-she was gripping it for dear life. Oh my Hylia. Oh my Hylia. Oh my Hylia-

“S-sorry…” His voice was so quiet. “Was that Lon Lon Milk or Fresh Milk?” He asked, scratching the back of his head. Their eyes met briefly—-making Zelda’s stomach drop—-before he snapped his gaze back to the register screen.

“Hm? Oh!” Zelda’s heart threatened to beat out of her chest. “Fresh Milk, please.”

He nodded again and punched in the order. “No whipped cream?”

She shook her head. “No, thank you though.”

“Uh, yeah.” He nodded his head once. “Total is five rupees.”

Zelda normally had her money out and ready but man was she out of it. “R-right!” She fumbled for her pouch and handed over a rupee, nearly dropping the blue crystal all together. Their fingers brushed, sending a soft flutter through Zelda’s chest.

“We’ll have that right out.” She could listen to him talk all day.

Zelda that’s creepy.

”Thank you.” She managed a smile—-hoping he couldn’t somehow read minds (that would suck)—-and stepped back from the register.

”C’mon Link, I’ll show you how to make it. She is a regular so this will be good to know!” Link nodded and followed the tall barista.

Zelda’s face burned. She felt extra clumsy today as if her limbs forgot how to function. He’s just another guy, a normal guy. Pull yourself together, Zelda.

“Um… Zelda right?”

“Huh?” Her shoulders jumped slightly. Her green eyes flicked from his blue gaze down to her coffee. That was fast. “Oh! Yes- Thank you.” She practically begged her fingers to stop trembling as she took the drink from him. Maybe he didn’t notice.

He gave a small smile and nodded. “Have a good day.”

”Thanks! You too.”

She internally punched herself in the gut as she exited the shop. I was so lame in there. Great Triforce, spare me.

Zelda balanced her coffee on the roof of her car as she blindly dug in her bag, waiting to hear the clink of her keys. Once she acquired her blue lanyard, she unlocked her car.

Coffee and chocolate with a hint of vanilla filled her senses and she sighed; a sweet smile twitched into her lips. If someone made a candle scent the exact same as her drink, she’d buy their whole stock no questions asked.

She sank into her seat as she sipped her coffee. Her eyebrows raised nearly to her hairline as her eyes widened. The drink was amazing, better than usual.

Now she didn’t want anyone else to make her drink.

Link, huh? A thrum of excitement settled in her chest. Maybe they could become friends?

———————

A heavy sigh escaped Zelda’s lips. She couldn’t focus on her tedious assignment no matter how hard she tried. All of her thoughts revolved around the blonde barista, like a moth to a flame.

You’ve never been so interested in a boy so why now?

Another 15 minutes went by. Words on her assignment started to blur together so much her eyes started to strain. She shut her laptop with a groan. At this rate she’d never finish her work before next week.

Zelda opened her phone and immediately clicked on the phone icon. She needed to talk to her friends about this.

Her thumb came to a stop on “Miph Bestie 💕”. The phone rang and she propped her phone against her mirror, making sure Mipha was able to see her on the video.

“Hi!” Mipha waved on the video and grinned.

“Hey Miph! Wait, hold on…let me add Impa to the call!”

Impa’s face appeared on Zelda’s screen. “Heyyyy! My favorite girlies! How are you?”

“Good! Just finishing up school work, you?” Mipha asked.

”Just chilling, at least I was until you guys called. Soooo, what’s up?” She wiggled her eyebrows.

”Yes, Zelda. We’d love to know.” Mipha rested her chin in her hands.

“Haha okay, okay!” Zelda brought her knees to her chest, her feet slightly hung off her chair. “You guys know that coffee shop I always go to? The one your brother works at, Mipha?”

“Oh yes! The Korok Cafe! What about it?” Zelda watched as Mipha set her phone against the wall.

“Um well. I was going to get my usual, y’know, before I went to the university… and… there’s this new employee…”

“A new employee?” Impa leaned forward.

Mipha tilted her head and raised her eyebrows.

“Yes…” Zelda trailed off.

“What about this new employee?” Mipha inquired. If you looked at Mipha you would never guess she had the capabilities to tease someone. ’She’s so sweet,’ and ‘she’s so kind’. Which weren't wrong observations, Mipha was kind and she had a gentle soul. But when she teased she was quiet about it. The only thing that gave her away was her light smirk—-which was what she was doing now. Much to Zelda’s dismay.

”Well. I was surprised to see someone new and… he’s cute.” She waited for a few beats, but she couldn’t hold it in any longer. “No, really, you should’ve seen him guys. He had beautiful blue eyes, dark blonde hair, and his smile? I nearly died. He seems really sweet too and he was kind! And wow can he make a coffee! It was the best one I've ever had.”

Impa gasped. “Ms. Zelda, do you have a crush?”

”…Maybe.” The blonde looked off to the side and she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “I think I might.”

Mipha suddenly perked up. ”You know what would be fun? Double date with me and Vali!”

”Hey!” Impa gasped. “Don’t take her away! We hang out when you and Revali go out on dates! Now I’m going to be the fifth wheel.”

”You can come with us, Impa!” Mipha countered.

“Fifth wheel, remember?”

”You guys are talking like me and the guy are together!” Zelda interrupted.

“Manifestation, Zellie, is a thing.” Impa gave her a wink.

”What’s his name?” Mipha spoke.

“Link.” Zelda couldn’t help a smile from making its way to her lips. Link was a unique name, she had never heard of such a name before but… it suited him. She liked it.

“Link and Zelda hm?” The red head looked up at her ceiling. “Lelda? No I don’t like that.”

“…Zink?” Impa offered to which Mipha shook her head.

”…Zelink? Zelink! Ooooh yes I love it!”

”Perfect!” Impa agreed, nodding enthusiastically.

“Oh Hylia, not the ship names already.” Zelda’s face fell into her hands.

Mipha laughed softly. “You need to tell us what happens tomorrow.”

”Bet you he already has a crush on you, Zellie,” Impa added, pumping her fist in the air.

I wish. ”Delusion isn’t always the solution, Imp.”

“I say it works. It gives you confidence, no?” The sheikah tilted her head.

“Not really.”

”Welllll…” Mipha rested her face in her palm. “He’s just a guy if you think about it.”

Zelda raised an eyebrow and smirked. “This isn’t how you felt before you were going to confess to Revali.”

”Oh yeah, I remember you were so nervous.” Impa matched Zelda’s coy expression.

Mipha let out another soft laugh before yawning. “Touché.”

”Bored of us already, huh?” Impa raised her brows.

”No not at all!” Mipha waved her hands in the air with a sheepish smile. “I’ve just been up since four.”

“Four?!“ Impa’s jaw dropped. “Girl, get some sleep.”

Zelda rolled her eyes with a laugh. “Night guys, thanks for listening.”

“Anytime. Call us right after okay?” Mipha replied.

Impa nodded. ”Yes! Right away!”

“Sounds like a plan.” Zelda ended the call with a light chuckle.

She raised her arms above her head and stretched before pushing herself away from the desk. Her feet squished the soft padding of her slippers as she walked over to her night stand. She flopped onto her blue sheets with a sigh.

She’d worry about her assignment tomorrow.

Probably…

—————

Ding!

The cafe door shut behind Zelda, pushing a small gush of cold air toward her. A chilling shiver ran down her body as she glanced toward the counter, clutching her bag close. No one was at the front.

”Be right with you!” She heard Sidon’s cheerful shout.

”No problem!” She called back.

She couldn’t make out the slight chatter in the back but eventually, Link emerged from behind the curtains. He made eye contact with her. She swore she saw a flash of surprise but it was gone before she could say for sure.

“Hey Zelda.”

He remembers my name. Please say my name again.

Her heart picked up as she walked toward the front register.

”What was your drink, again?” He scratched his cheek before peeking up at her. “Sorry, I’m still new at this.” Blue eyes escaped hers once more before they returned. He had a light smile on his face and to her delight she noticed he had dimples. They were faint but she could still make them out.

“I get it.” Zelda mirrored his upturned lips. “It’s a Fresh Milk Light Mocha with two shots of Hylian espresso.” She tried to say it as slowly as possible without being awkward, emphasis on the awkward.

His turquoise earrings swayed with his nod. He has earrings. Holy Hylia.

“Total is- Oh thanks.” Link took the blue rupee from Zelda’s hand.

”Are you liking it here?” Zelda found herself asking.

Link shut the register before preparing her order. ”Yeah, I am. Everyone’s easy going and… the customers aren’t too bad themselves.” He glanced up at her with a small quirk of his lips before returning to her drink.

Did he just…? No… definitely not… Zelda squashed her drifting thoughts. She opted for a chuckle. “That’s good, I'm glad. I like the staff here too.”

“You know, you’re the team’s favorite regular,” he whispered behind his hand.

Zelda let out a chuckle and shook her head. “I think they’re biased, Urbosa’s basically my aunt and Sidon is my best friends brother.”

“I’m not biased,” he said quietly—he didn’t look up at her. He definitely didn’t mean for her to hear that.

Link cleared his throat before handing her the drink.

“Thanks, Link.”

“Anytime.”

————-

Zelda peeked around the counter, hoping to find the familiar blonde boy. But, instead of Link, Urbosa walked through the curtain with her apron and manager badge .

“Oh Urbosa.” Zelda replied, hoping she didn’t sound disappointed. She glanced around the store again, trying to make it seem like she was just looking around.

“Link isn’t here today, Little Bird.”

Zelda’s eyes snapped to her aunt and she stared at her like a deer in the headlights. “I-I wasn’t. What? I wasn’t looking for him. I’m happy you’re here!”

The tall red-head laughed and poured the coffee mix into a blender. “Oh don’t be silly. You’re fooling no one. I know everything,” she whispered the last sentence as she wiggled her fingers.

Zelda felt like a child caught stealing cookies from the pantry as a midnight snack. Not that she ever did that… Never. “How do you-“

Urbosa’s hand rested against her hip as she tilted her head. “Sidon isn’t as clueless as he lets on, Little Bird. Also I was here yesterday, in the back but I was here none-the-less.”

“You were eavesdropping?!”

“Of course.”

“Urbosa!” Zelda exclaimed to which Urbosa laughed in response.

“…What did he tell you?”

She only smirked. “He’ll be here tomorrow and the day after y’know.”

Really? ”That’s… nice.”

“You should go for it. He’s a sweet kid.”

”Urbosa.”

”Sorry, I just… want you to be happy, Little Bird. I know you’ve been through a lot. How much you’re still going through with your father. If you need me to, I’ll talk to him-“

Panic settled in Zelda’s chest. “No! No, please not that Urbosa. He’s already angry that I continue my research as it is. I can’t risk… business is my goal so that’s what I’m going to do.”

Urbosa sighed and placed her drink on the counter. “Okay. Just… are you happy?”

Zelda took in a breath to speak but nothing came out. Was she happy?

She had friends. Mipha, Revali, Riju, Purah, Impa. Despite her lack in interest for her major, she was happy with her horse lessons, chemistry club, and her daily coffee routine. Just not what she was going to do with the rest of her life. It would be nice to have a partner and to have someone who knows you completely.

“Just… think about what I’ve said, please?” Urbosa slid Zelda’s coffee across the counter and she grasped it with a nod.

Zelda sipped her coffee as she walked out of the shop and to her car. A light frown dusted her lips. It didn’t taste the same.

ZELDA. This is actually unhealthy now. The drink is just the same as it always is. She scolded herself. It isn’t different just because Link makes it.

She closed her eyes and sighed.

—————

Zelda’s smile brightened upon seeing Link cleaning one of the nearby tables. His gaze met hers and he stuffed the rag in one of his pockets, his lips rested in a small smile.

“Zelda.” He gave her a small wave. “Fresh Milk Light Mocha with two extra shots of Hylian espresso?” he asked as he walked behind the counter.

Zelda grinned. “You remembered?”

“Third time’s the charm, right?” He gave a shrug and tilted his head.

Zelda fought the urge to drive home to scream into her pillow. He was too cute for life itself to handle. It wasn’t fair.

A laugh bubbled in her chest. “That is how the saying goes.”

He chuckled as he punched in her order.

“What’s your favorite drink?”

Link glanced up at her in surprise. “Um. Hah.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “The Vanilla Dragon’s Tear Latte.”

”Hm.” She nodded. “That sounds really good actually. I’ll have to try it next time.”

”It won’t disappoint.”

“You’ll be the one to make it right?”

His eyes met hers and he smiled. “Definitely.”

She matched his upturned lips.

“You go to HU?” he questioned as he grabbed ingredients.

”Yes, I’m studying business there.”

“Wow, that’s cool.”

Hardly. “Yeah, it’s interesting…” It wasn’t a total lie, some stuff was interesting. Despite her dislike for the major, she managed a slight smile. “What about you? Are you in school?”

“Yeah, I go to HU too. I’m studying to be an athletic trainer.” She could definitely see him doing that.

”Really? You go to HU?”

“Yeah. It’s a nice school. I like the campus and the programs are pretty good.”

“What days do you go to school? We should hang out!” Did I really just say that out loud? Oh Hylia I did- Though her spike of anxiety was short lived when Link gave her a smile.

“Yeah I’d like that a lot. I’m at the school from Monday to Thursday.”

“Same here!”

“Sweet.” He poured the coffee into the cup.

“What sport?”

“Hm?” He glanced up at her briefly before placing the lid on top.

“What sport do you want to train others for?”

“Oh! Baseball… I’ve always loved it.”

“Baseball? I’ve heard of it, is it the one with the stick- no the bat?” Zelda remembered going to restaurants and seeing glimpses of the game on the TV’s but she never sat down and watched one.

“Base- You’ve never seen a baseball game?” His blue eyes were wide with surprise.

“Is that bad?”

“Well no it’s just- how?”

Never had time… She laughed. “My father never took me.”

“Okay, we’re gonna change that. I’m taking you to one.” He declared then he sheepishly averted his eyes and scratched the back of his neck. “Uh- I-If you want.”

Zelda’s heart raced against her chest. Did he just ask me out? “I’d love to!” She picked up a napkin and scribbled her number down with a marker. “Text me, yeah?” She handed it to him.

He nodded and Zelda noticed his face was flushed with pink along with his pointed ears, she knew she likely looked similar.

He pushed her drink across the counter and Zelda accepted it.

“Thanks! See you tomorrow?”

Link chuckled. “Yeah, I’ll be here.”

————————————————-

I’ll likely make a part 2 of this!!! Where they go to the baseball game or something?

But I will write this particular one shot from Link’s POV if anyone wants it 👀

I set a goal of 2,500 words but I passed that!! so yay!!! Gotta celebrate the small things :)

Zelink Masterlist here!

Masterlists here!

Requests here!

Working on requests! Taking longer than I thought but hopefully within the next couple of weeks!

[justlikeheavenfest]

register now for access to passes, on sale this friday at 11am PT. May awaits with arms outstretched. 🫶 $49.99 down payment plans available. www.justlikeheavenfest.com