#they've had many encounters where they shouldve died like that trauma and fear catches up to you

[ferallymine]

TP: Let Us Be Here

a/n: twilight princess link and iris finally say the words

“I promise it didn’t go to the bone,” Iris held her arm while Link gripped her wrist.

 He didn’t respond, instead his jaw tightening in an attempt to force out his anxiety. The bandage roll he tightly wound around the gash in her palm and up her arm took all his focus. Their breaths were visible in this temperature but his seemed more labored- wet cliffsides along Lake Hylia grew surprisingly cold in this night air. The fire in their cave hideout providing moderate light, but mild warmth.

 Shad had combined the information the Owls had about the Sky people, leading them to the lake for takeoff. A thunderstorm combined with delayed repairs had unfortunately postponed the heroes’ launch. The stone beneath them gathered water and mud from their soaked supplies and bodies; drenched and torn armor was shed for the night.

 Which leads to the current predicament… Prior to finding shelter from the storm, bulblins had surrounded them. Iris hadn’t realized one of the downed bulblins wasn’t dead, which led to a lucky strike. After fixing her wounds, Link promised to mend the tears her armor had gathered.

 “Your turn,” Iris flexed her bandage, a smile on her face, “I know the arrow that grazed your shoulder couldn’t have been pleasant.”

 He smiled, peeling off his shirt and offering her the bandage roll. She never realized just how many marks, cuts, scars dotted his body like constellations in the night sky. He didn’t have this many when they ventured into Death Mountain. Had the journey been that cruel?

 “Not all of them are from battle,” Link began pointing to different scars as if her thoughts were loud enough to hear, “This one’s from the ranch. One of the goats got tangled in a briar bush and thrashed about when I helped it.”

 “This one?” Iris tapped his left arm.

 “Ah, that’s from one of those plants in Faron. Coro fixed it up when I bought lantern oil.”

 “Here?”

 “Probably when the Elder grabbed me in the sumo match. There’s a couple more of those on my back.” He shifted for her to see better, “They’re truly tough as stone. Hylian skin’s no match, haha.”

 Iris chuckled, removing her shirt to point at a similar set of scarring, “When we got to that room, I remember how tight their grip felt around my arm.”

 “You didn’t tell me it made a mark!” He turned, instinctively grabbing her arm.

 “I didn’t know about all these scars on you, Mr. Hero.” A playful laugh, “I’m still here, nothing to worry about.”

 “I’ll bear any scar if it means you’re safe.” His voice a wavering whisper. Iris noticed that his gaze was no longer on her arm, but on her abdomen. The scar from that attack in the Water Temple still prominently displayed like a badge of honor.

 She placed her hand in her lap, an attempt to block it from him, “You shouldn’t have to.”

 “It’s so dangerous out there… anything could happen and I… I get thrown back to that day…” His shirt in one hand, the other guiding her touch to his heart, “Feel my scars and callouses. All these remnants of terror and survival still carried on my body, my soul.”

 Her breath hitched as her cold hand felt his warmth. His fingers tightened around her hand, as if she’d disappear if he let go. She knew he could take it: the fighting, the adventuring, the survival by grit alone. Didn’t he know she could stand with him in it? What else did she have left to prove after all the battles they’d fought? Didn’t he-

 “Feel how my heart beats for you.”

 Everything in Iris’ head stopped. He’s scared because he loves you.

 “I have loved you since we fought by Kakariko.” Both hands held hers in place, “I know you are so strong, so capable, so kind... I genuinely think I would lose my mind if you died. If you hadn’t turned around right then, I-” He choked, eyes forced shut with tears escaping. “And then back in the temple…”

 Both of you should’ve died. “It was scary thinking I’d never see you again.” Iris shifted her hand to interlock their fingers. “I can’t imagine how you felt seeing me there. This journey has been long and difficult. Hopefully it’s over soon.”

 A small glimmer of hope for the end. Goddess, how much longer was their sanity required? How much longer could their mental fortitude stand against these repeated assaults? How much longer before their bodies gave out under the swords and attacks of monsters no one should see?

“It’s rough and harsh out there. Tomorrow we need to be heroes again, steeling ourselves for death and blood.” Link kissed Iris’ newly bandaged palm. “I want to be selfish for only one night. I want to forget how to be a survivor and only be warm.”

 Iris had a somber sort of love behind her eyes. She moved her hand to his cheek, letting her thumb wipe away the tears. Link let out a breath, melting into her touch, leaning in until their foreheads pressed together.

 “In here, for a few hours until daylight, let us be gentle,” His voice was barely a whisper, only for them to hear. He kissed her forehead, “…Kind,” a kiss on her cheek, “…loving.”

 Link’s lips hovered over hers for a second before Iris pulled him close. Arms wrapped around her waist, softly pulling her forward until she lay on top of him. Her lips trailed kisses, roaming his face. The noise that escaped his throat when she kissed his neck was heavenly. Another day she would sink her teeth in, leave marks on what was hers. Another day she’d ask him to do the same.

 Link held Iris tightly against him, wishing this moment to last. “I love you.”

 “I love you, too.” Her voice like music in his ears.

 The dying fire gave just enough light for her to see his bright blue eyes contrasting his flushed face. His chest rose and fell with each attempt to slow his breath. His hand came up, cradling her head against him while he rolled them over.

 Please, goddess, delay the sun. Let us be here longer.

 No temples. No monsters. No destiny.

 Let us be human. Let us be in love.