you've been assigned to him for as long as you could remember. people have observed your bond, and it's quite obvious that you're the only reasonable match— the only one he's willing to let take care of him. you wouldn't want to change that fact either, but taking care of link comes with an unfathomable amount of responsibility. such as...
★ "put down that damn frog!"
you're the closest you've ever been to a heart attack at this point. taking the prince out on a voyage where there were monsters lurking about was the last thing you had wanted to do, but unable to resist his insistent, silent pouting, you couldn't exactly denyhim what he wanted.
he's cute when he's curious, which is everyday. you let him roam around with his large observational book, studying and taking notice of whatever shroom or flower was blooming by whatever random tree.
speaking of a tree, you figured to set up a small campsite under a large tree not too far away from the castle. there was a fire going in a pot, and the boy had been throwing random food stuff inside and hoping for the best dish to come from it. you watch with a soft smile— that is, until it deflates as you spot a few bokoblins a little too close and sigh, standing up.
"Stay here." you mumble softly, to which the boy smiles and nods, eyes glued to the way you reach up to grip the handle of your sword, pulling it up and out of its sheathe.
yoi don't take long— really you don't. the bokoblin type was blue, more than easy to take down. you don't even break a sweat until you begin walking back to the tree, only to feel your breath hitch and your heart stop. that damn monster of curiosity (or, link) was holding a poor frog over the pot, probably more than ready to drop it in for Hylia knows what.
your shouting startles the boy, making him go wide-eyed and sheepish as you storm up to him. you take a second to glare before snatching the creature from his hands and setting it back into the small body of water that he was most likely snatched from.
"seriously? I was gone for five minutes." you protest.
his face goes expressive,
'it's for science!' he signs
"I know, link... you always say that." you sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose, opening your eyes to see him flipping frantically through his research book before holding it open, shoving the open page in your face.
a silly healing elixir that he had been mentioning non-stop. it was probably the reason he was so adamant about tagging along.
"yes, my liege, I know about the elixir. but if you want it so bad, why don't you just simply buy one?" you suggest, exhaustion in your voice.
his face scrunches in disgust at the idea, throwing the book down before signing again,
'too far. want to experience creating it on my own'
you look from his hands to his face, being met with his saddened eyes. if he were anyone else...
"fine..." you mumble, to which he silently celebrates, "just, not in front of me, please?"
'thank you.' he steps closer, and you smile.
'no problem'. you sign back.
* * *
★ "please be careful, my liege." you voice to the blonde prince.
he'd gladly tell you that he was fine if his hands weren't currently full. if anyone else saw how you and link interacted outside of the castle, you're sure you'd be killed for your crimes.
maybe it wasn't a good idea to let the prince of hyrule use your sword and swing it around however he pleased, but in your professional opinion— he's a natural.
"you're doing great!" you smile, shaking your head as he was caught up in his own little world. and he really was. so great that he couldn't heat a word you said. holding a weapon just felt so natural to him, and he absolutely loved it when you offered it up for him to use during leisure time.
his swings are heavy and lethal, but it's obvious to you that he isn't pacing himself. the movements are so natural that he doesn't even comprehend the strain it's putting on his body— not until his swing is stopped.
link looks down at his tightened grasp on the handle, but looseness it as he realizes that you had caught his wrist. his disgruntled expression softens significantly as he looks up at you in awe and embarrassment as you hold his wrists with one hand, and remove the handle the handle from his grip with the other.
"that's enough," tour voice rings through his head as you chuck the sword to the side, face growing serious as you keep holding his wrists, "you alright?"
he can't respond with occupied hands, and so he nods, heart pounding at your serious expression. he wonders what he's done wrong, or what should be wrong, until he begins to feel an ache in his back and shoulders, making him wince. you notice.
"I know that feeling... it's why I stopped you." you explain whilst removing your hands from him. "you're good, but you're straining yourself. you're not fit for that type of intensity."
he mouths a small 'oh', and you sigh, frowning as he rubs his aching shoulder.
"it's alright... I've got something to heal you right up."
the male smiles softly, nodding in appreciation. you were always taking care of him like this. but your encouragement for him to get a little rough and rowdy is why he liked you so much. though you wanted him safe, you weren't constantly sheltering him. he hated that.
he taps your shoulder, to which you turn to him,
'sorry.'
you smile and shake your head, "don't apologize. you did really good my liege. wonder what you'd be like as a knight, actually." you chuckle.
he smiles back, letting the butterflies float around in his tummy.
* * *
★ "what do you think you're doing?"
you felt like you've done this... a lot. for the umpteenth time, you've caught the prince walking around the castle grounds, barefoot, and draped in a softened blanket as he attempts to protect himself from the nighttime breeze.
the look he gives you is one of disappointment as he thinks you're going to take him back inside, but he's pleasantly surprised when you shake your head and simply rest a hand on his shoulder, guiding him forward.
"Don't worry...I'll sit with you."
he smiles, clutching the blanket tighter. beyond the wall, he can spot the swaying of the grass, the wispyness of the clouds in the deep blue sky, and the stillness of the ancient guardians that settled into the ground. he truly loves his kingdom, and you can see it true. he walks until he reaches a spot that makes it easy to see the vast land and takes a seat on the edge of the castle walls.
"this is nice..." you sigh as you sit beside him
he nods, and your eyes glance over to him incase he's ready to talk back. and he does:
'I think I enjoy nighttime the best.' he signs, glancing between you and the beautiful view amongst him, 'sometimes, i think about running. I want to explore.'
you heart aches
"I know, my liege... I'm sorry you feel trapped." you whisper
to your surprise, he laughs softly, shaking his head, 'not trapped... just hidden potential'
you smile. such a purse and positive response. his head turns to face you, eyes so blue that you can't help but observe them thoroughly. he scoots closer beside you, careful, as to not fall, and rest his head on your shoulder.
"I think..." you wrap his blanket around him tighter, "I think we were definitely meant to be this way, my liege." you whisper, and watch as his eyes flutter shut
but not before he nods in agreement, and your heart tate spikes at what he says next.
his hands don't communicate, no. nit this time. instead, you're blessed with a sound ao angelic, so soft that you'd dread if you accidentally missed it.
“If this goes against your guidelines don’t worry about doing this, but could I request Sidon and Link hylian s/o being very busty? … I’d prefer this as a headcanon, but if you want you could do a scenario instead. Whichever you’d prefer. As for how the reader sees herself, she’s not super insecure about it, but she’s does see it as a nuisance, since she likes to travel and fight, and it’s a bit heavy on her chest. She mostly try’s to ignore the fact that she’s heavy on the chest, but sometimes people notice, because it’s a little obvious that her chest is big. But she has a curvy and slim body, and Sidon and Link will of course think she’s beautiful. Thank you!💚” - anon
and here’s Link!
enjoy <333
(Sidon can be found here)
Link ADORES you
and whenever you two are together, there’s never a moment he’s not gazing at your beauty
“Link…”
oh how he blushes when you catch him staring
he knows how much of a nuisance your breasts are
and he wishes he could do more for you
he does as much as he can to help
he takes some of your clothing to the great fairies
and they enhance your clothing, giving each top maximum breast support
it absolutely helps with compression and the feeling of heaviness
and you feel so much better when you’re traveling with Link
when you’re in more populated areas of Hyrule, some people do take notice of you
Link is extremely observant, and catches on rather quickly
and he’s SO PROTECTIVE
he wouldn’t say anything
he would just stare them down until they stop ogling you
and who wouldn’t be intimidated by the hero of Hyrule staring them down like that?
when you’re resting, Link loves to snuggle up with you
he lays his head on your chest
and it does feel quite comfortable
especially for him
not to mention how he drools over you when you wear your Gerudo set
again, Link loves every inch of your body
and he wants you to feel as comfortable as you possibly can
(a/n) sorry it took awhile! college is starting to pick up and senioritis is hitting like a truck. while i drown in various marine labs (not the fun ones with seals and dolphins, the scary ones that feature Excel and R), please enjoy this completely self-indulgent fic LOL
cw: how can i call myself a fanfic writer if i don't do the One Bed™ trope ;), some swearing, ya'll are just a pair of awkward lovestruck goobers, honestly just pure fluff :)
wc: 5.3k
♤♢ ~~ ♡♧
You watched the edge of the sun rake the tip of some far-off mountain, dipping lower and lower past the horizon; your heart followed the celestial body in its descent to darkness. Concern loomed over your head like a thick thundercloud and your bleary eyes focused on your companion's sun-washed back.
"Hey... Link?"
The tips of his oranged ears twitched and he cast an indifferent glance past his shoulder.
"Do you see anything up ahead? A town or a stable, maybe?"
Link threw his gaze forward and 'hmph-ed,' jabbing his pointer finger to a bundle of dots precariously painted on the horizon. Your feet fluttered at the sight of civilization, momentarily forgetting the pins and needles that have been poking your legs and lower back for the past three hours.
"Oh thank Hylia--a town!"
Link had never seen you move so fast--he had to catch up with you! He lightly jogged to cover the distance.
"Slow down," he called out, voice barely louder than the winds, "you're not gonna make it at that pace."
"But Liiiink..." You whined. "A town! Civilization! Possibly with an inn! And beds!"
Not a moment later you felt your hand snatched in his as he practically dragged the two of you through the plains, exhaustion and aches be damned.
“L-Link! By the gods, slow down! You’re scuffing my boots!”
“Bed.”
“Link!!!”
You dove and ducked your head under whizzing branches, fumbled over a small brook, and ran what felt like an eternity before the rusted iron gates came into view. You were heaving at this point, each raggedy breath caught in the edges of your swollen lungs. Your stamina-for-days friend also seemed a bit spent, but he pushed onward and paid little mind to the blood rushing through his temples.
You practically collapsed at the gate, tumbling onto all fours and dry-heaving your next breath. Link, noticeably shaking, placed a trembling hand on the wall as he, too, fought to breathe. Hylia, he hadn’t run like that in years—even if he were the Hero of Hyrule™.
“Don’t,” you spat out in between heaves. “Ever do that again.”
“But we… made it… before they locked the gates.” Link was in much better shape than you (which wasn’t saying much) as he pointed to the town guards lowering the metal gates with a resounding clang.
A groan, a shuffle, followed by relief as you felt the wall’s cool stone ease the sweat and heat off your back. You threw your head up and took as deep of a breath as you could, dizzy from the bursts and sparks of colors behind your eyelids. You felt something hard slip into your laps and you winced your eyes open. A canteen?
“Drink some water.” Link’s lips were already moistened with the aqua panacea. You looked up at him gratefully and happily lapped up the rest of its contents, noting to fill his bottle later. The crisp spring water brought much-needed relief to the desert your throat had become; Link slipped the empty canteen into his pouch and looked around for the—
“What… Is that?”
You followed Link’s finger up and up and up to some… Structure? Spire? Shooting into the windows of an equally tall building. Your eyes bounced between the rickety invention and the bewildered blues of your companion, totally lost.
Only one way to find out.
After you got your bearings, you and Link slowly made your way over to the building, which happened to be… the inn? The structure grew clearer in your vision, but you still couldn’t make heads or tails of it. The main piece looked like a bunch of bamboo glued together by the ends, with some tubes sticking off to the side and into several rooms. The tail disappeared into the murky depths of a hot spring—HOT SPRING????
Link must have realized the godly pools the same time you did, his head whipping around to meet your excited gaze. You both slipped through the door and were immediately encased in a scent of steam and aromatics. It was as if the very essence of the hot spring was embedded in the inn's walls.
“Welcome, welcome! How can I— L-Link?!”
Link shot at the sound of his own name, looking over to the innkeeper who seemed… starstruck?
“I-It’s really you, sir! Wow, I… Wow!”
“I’m sorry but… Do we know you?” You chimed from the back.
“Oh! Um, I’m so terribly sorry. You may not remember me Link, but I remember you! This young man here has saved my life!”
“He did?”
“I have?”
“Yes! Do you not remember the weary traveler with the twisted ankle at the bottom of a ditch?" Link, in fact, did not remember. "That was me, sir! You took the time to tend my injuries and dropped me off right here in this very town!”
He bowed deeply, the little patch of hair on his head dipping with him.
“I’ve always wanted to thank you for your kindness, sir. Without you, I wouldn’t have realized my dreams of running a world-renowned inn!”
‘World-renowned?’
“It is by the grace of Hylia we meet again. For you only, I am offering you our premium room for the price of a regular one!”
Link’s ears twitched, no doubt in celebration of this seemingly once-in-a-lifetime deal. He turned to you, eager eyes bulging out of his head, and your laugh was all the okay he needed. He pulled out his wallet and paid for the night.
“What makes this room so special?” You interrupted before the innkeeper could grub the last rupee.
“I’m so glad you asked! Surely you have seen that tower outside our fine establishment, yes?”
You nodded slowly.
“With a lil’ bit of magic and Hylian ingenuity, we have devised a way to jet water from the hot springs straight to your room! Our premium rooms showcase the magic firsthand in the form of, what we call, a shower!”
“A… Shower?”
“Yes! You’ll see very soon, it is a wonderful addition to any room. We’ve really struck gold with this one…” He mumbled towards the end, not fully realizing he said it aloud. “Please, allow me to show you to your rooms!”
You two followed the short, stocky innkeeper up a few flights of stairs and down winding hallways. He stopped at the door to your room and plopped a golden key into Link’s hand.
“This is your room! Have fun with the shower, lovebirds!”
The innkeeper winked; a pair of mouths gaped open in heated protest, but he had already rounded the corner and returned to his innkeeper duties. A frazzled look sparked between two wide eyes and Link gulped, looking away to turn the key.
With a click, twist, and push, you were greeted by a grand bed spread across the middle of the room, dwarfing the moderately sized bookshelf packed with books and knickknacks. To your right was a gorgeous mahogany round table with matching chairs, a scene of woodland festivity carved about the curve of the surface. A wicket basket full of all kinds of goodies sat neatly atop the bed’s luscious sheets, vying for attention.
Like children in a candy store, you both fumbled right in and immediately made yourselves at home, kicking off your dirty and scuffed boots at the door ⁽ᵃ ˢᵐᵃˡˡ ᵍˡᵃʳᵉ⁾ and slugging your bag onto the round table. The silky sheets were practically calling your name, but the layer of sweat and grime accumulated on your skin made you hesitate to tarnish the clean bed.
The singular clean bed.
Your heart lurched to your throat and you immediately threw a hesitant look at Link, who was going through the gift basket and humming happily. He must not have noticed. He finally turned to you with a bright smile, spoils of the room in hand, and his features immediately fell at your concerned look.
“Is everything all right?”
“There’s only one bed.”
“What? No there isn’t, there’s…” He glanced around the room, his lazed looks turning into frenzied glimpses. Link’s cheeks darkened to a hue similar to the deep red bedsheet.
“Oh.”
"W-Well, it's not that big of a deal..." You two have clawed your way out of the deepest pits of suffering together, surely you could handle one measly lil' night in a spacious bed. In a bid to calm your racing thoughts, your head lolled to the side and frantically searched the rest of the room; an inconspicuous door caught your attention. Two weary bodies crept towards the door, giddy with anticipation.
A room adorned with all the regular happenings of a bathroom filled your vision, but off to the corner was a... long, rectangular, glass box? With a spout carved into the wall? As you neared the contraption, still unsure of what to think of it, a golden gear caught your eye, as well as various sprigs and bunches of mint and lavender. The gear turned with a squeak, and steamed water poured forth in a steady stream. A holler left you and Link as you watched the technological marvel steam up the room. You squeaked the faucet close and turned to the man behind you.
"So who's gonna go first?"
"You can," he stepped out, "I need to stop by the market before it closes."
“What? Are you sure?”
He nodded; you waved goodbye to the blonde as he slipped on his boots, tucked his wallet in his pocket, and left. While his footsteps disappeared down the hall, you slipped out of your grimy clothes, fetched fresh ones from your sack, and waltzed into the shower.
With a quick turn of your wrist, bullets of warm water pelleted all the sore aches knotting your back and shoulders. You let out an audible groan, slinking against the heavenly sensation. The steam coddled the mint and lavender, drawing out the former’s nippy spice before dulling it with the latter’s soothing fragrance. Nature’s finest aromas settled onto your skin and snuggled into your hair. All the cool streams and frigid lakes you’ve been forced to skinny dip in for the past several weeks melted into a distant memory as the heavy fog clouded your thoughts.
But not your sense of awareness.
You poked your head out of the shower, straining your ears for some type of sign that Link had returned. There was stillness on the other side of the door; a relieved sigh slipped out of you.
You felt your throat strain a tad, disuse rusting your vocal cords, as a melody you had since forgotten until this moment clawed its way out of you. A long inhale filled your lungs with scented steam and growing bravado as your quiet, cautious mumbles turned into full-on melodies. You checked every now and then, gear turning slightly to slow and quiet the flow, but the unclicking door assured you were still alone.
And hey, so long as you were quieter than the jetting water, it should be all good… right?
And so you sang your heart out, your rationale loosening your tongue and diaphragm to fill the bathroom with your beautiful voice. You sang a bunch of tunes, from hype music to mournful, soulful ballads. You were performer and audience all bundled in a steamy, mint-kissed, lavender-lapped, package.
If the vapor plumes tickling your ankles were any testament to how long you’d been there, you’d have to admit that your simple shower had turned into a luxurious escape from the cold confines of reality. The last note you sang rolled into a sigh as you turned the gear, the barrage of water turning into a mere trickle. Your reddened body longed to feel the water's hot caresses, but alas, you had to leave your watery sanctuary at some point. Pruny fingers grasped the soft cotton hanging off a hook and you scrunched your hair of excess water before patting yourself down.
You had never felt so clean in your life.
Your warmed pajamas did wonders for your already relaxed muscles and a yawn lapsed out of you. You drowsily clicked the door open, a cloud of steam rolling at your feet, and smiled dreamily at...
Link.
Who was looking rather... flustered.
And amused.
Your heart dropped to the soles of your feet as a cold sweat beaded your brow, a dark realization settling in. Feigning innocence as best you could, you tilted your head.
“… What?”
He stood up from his chair, tossing his locks from side-to-side, and sauntered over to you with his pajamas bundled in the crook of his elbow. As he passed you by, the ghost of a whisper tickled the shell of your ear.
“Nice voice.”
Dear Hylia if you’ve ever loved me strike me down right fucking now
You turned to him, mouth agape and heart reeling, only for his outline to disappear behind a wall of hot mist and wood. The silence on your side of the room was suffocating; Link’s happy little hums funneled the tension out of the situation through the thinnest straw that ever strawed.
Maybe you misheard him? It wasn't like he was much of the teasing type... How long had he been here anyway? Maybe he just walked in as you finished and and and and happened to hear the faucet turn and maybe just maybe it sounded a bit like a squeak that could maybe pass off as a person's voice?
The bracing breeze of the night nipped your sensitive skin and calmed your overstimulated brain. You didn’t remember your journey to the window, but you were thankful your feet had guided you to a refreshing anchor for your frenzied thoughts. You took a deep breath in… and out. Innnn… and out…
This wasn’t so bad. Okay granted, you completely embarrassed yourself in front of your crush whom you’ll be traveling with for the foreseeable future but it’s not all that bad. At least you got this gorgeous view! And wow, birds! Nature! That’s cool!
After several minutes of trying to keep your dooming thoughts at bay, the faucet squeaked a dying note and the last deluge of water dripped into soft drops. Link—still humming and noticeably more at ease—shuffled a fair bit before he made his entrance into the bedroom, hair damp and skin blushed a faint pink and wow he looks so good right now—
You damn near slapped yourself and flashed him a warm (albeit awkward) smile, noting his very shirtless form and the pajamas still scrunched in his arms. He motioned to the parts of the fabric that were darker than usual.
“It fell in a puddle, so I’m letting it air out a bit.” With a whip of his wrists, a worn shirt and matching shorts snapped in front of him and settled on top of a chair. “Hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
Knowing that the towel tied around his slutty lil waist was the only thing separating you from a great night got you feeling weak. You hastily turned your gaze to the outside before your blatant staring could turn into gawking.
A silence eclipsed the room as your eyes wandered over the town’s nightlife. Specks of Hylians dotted the dimly lit square; further below, a decently-sized crowd congregated the hot springs, traces of idle chatter floating to your ears. The stars poked an indifferent glow past the cloudy streaks in the sky and although the lunar body had yet to grace you with its presence, its soft light was still felt and appreciated by all.
You felt the air beside you stir and a loud gasp escaped you, jolting at the sudden appearance of the still-shirtless man. He rested his frame against folded arms as he peered off into the night, aestheticizing like you were only moments before. His skin had paled into its familiar alabaster, and the whitish glow of the moon circled a halo about his figure. The familiar sprigs of aromatics tickled your nose, tinging his cypress and amber scent with a fragrance of cleanliness.
“Lovely night.”
“Y-Yes.” You coughed out, still unused to the proximity. Gods, if he already got you acting up like this, how much more during bedtime?
“Did you find everything we needed?” You continued, hoping to make some light conversation about nothing.
“Yes. We’re all stocked up.” A flit of blue met your (E/C)s. “We leave at dawn, so we should head to bed soon.”
"Ah... Are your clothes dry now?"
"Hopefully my shorts are."
Link went to collect his clothes and 'tsk-ed' at the still-damp shirt. His scarred hands ghosted the knot tied right above his pelvis. He eyed your back as he discarded the plush white towel for his shorts, the fabric thinning and pilling from overuse.
"Are you decent?" Your tone lilted mirthfully. You heard fabric creasing and shifting from the bed, and you turned in response to his quiet ‘mm.’ Your core warmed at the sight of a toned, combat-kissed back and you mentally flogged yourself for your ridiculous bashfulness. With your heart pounding a quickening pace in your ears, you sallied over to your edge of the bed and sunk down.
The air was honeyed with sexual tension and you pawed and balled the silky sheets. Link’s heavy gaze rested on the same spot on the wall, fully expecting two holes to drill themselves into existence under his scrutinizing watch.
Why were you so panicked? This wasn’t the first time you found yourselves in rather... intimate situations.
A sudden movement made you flinch and you craned your neck to see behind you. With a long sigh, Link ruffled his hair and blew out a candle, muffling a ‘goodnight’ under his breath. The same silence blanketed you again, suffocating coherency out of your racing thoughts.
You pulled your knees over the edge and adjusted yourself under the covers, relieved at the plush mattress coddling the sore gaps in your body. Your head fell to the side and was once again met with Link's back (that was scooted to the very edge of the bed). You didn’t know if you should feel offended or grateful.
You followed suit, turning your body to meet the window. The moonlight was brighter now, casting a gentle spotlight on the floating dust particulates and water specks that traipsed through the window.
Your ears strained to hear and hope for the familiar deep breaths Link drew in the throes of slumber. The deathly quiet was all the sign you needed to know that he was still very much awake (and listening for your soft snores as well).
The soft sheets and the heat radiating off your partner beckoned you further into bed and away from the cold night air that had begun to blow drizzles of rain. Get your rupees’ worth, you told yourself. A tiny voice unfamiliar to you peeped out a,
“Hey… Link?”
He twitched.
“Um… I’m scooting closer, just so you know.”
He doesn’t respond. Or move. Or breathe. While you debated whether he was fast asleep or crossing a boundary, you heard a quiet sigh and a,
“Me too.”
A pair of bodies shuffled closer. His heat spilled past his body and bled into your vicinity; you held back a pleased groan. You shared many a night shivering under the cold misery of wilderness and rain, pressing into each other to preserve what little heat was left between yourselves. Your eyes fluttered shut as the rain outside tapped the roof harder and harder.
♤♢ ~~ ♡♧
“Link…” You looked up at him, teeth chattering as he beheld you with a warm gaze. He tugged the corners of the cloak closer together while your shaking hands combed matted gold off his forehead.
“Are you warm?”
“As warm as I can be.” Eyes studied your makeshift shelter—a tree’s grove—helplessly. Your wet back was pressed into mossed and ivied bark while your companion’s was bulleted and blown by the storm’s raging tempest. You pulled his shaking body closer, closer, closer, until he was practically on top of you. Still, the winds whipped something nasty against his soaked back, his drenched shirt adding to the frigidity like some sort of reverse blanket.
“I-I don’t know how, but we can try switching…” You hissed through clammy lips. He shook his head, a stray droplet landing and sliding down your cheek.
“Nonsense. You are much colder than I am.”
“Link, you’re literally shaking.”
“And your lips have turned blue.” He pulled the hood further down your face, obscuring your vision, as he took your hands in his and futilely huffed warm air. His leather gloves rubbed and chafed your pruned, muddy digits and he blew again with greater gusto.
“You’ll be okay. We’ll be okay. This rain has got to let up at some point.” He murmured, his hot breath tickling your neck. You shivered from the sensation, which he mistook as the cold seeping into your bones. Muscled arms wrapped around your frame and he rubbed your sides, head burying into the crook of your neck.
“We’ll be okay… Just think of something warm, all right?
♤♢ ~~ ♡♧
The warmth of his skin seeped through your thin pajamas and you let out a yelp.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t realize I was rolling into you!”
“It’s okay,” a pause, “you can… Stay there if you’d like. I don’t mind.”
“Oh… Are you sure?”
He hums. “…warm…”
“Sorry? Did you say something?”
“You’re warm, so it… feels nice.”
“Oh...” Your heart thundered against your ribcage. “T-Thanks.”
Quietness cloaked the room once again; neither of you were going to sleep any time soon.
“So uh,” you started, “what are you gonna do when you get back?”
He was silent for awhile, and for a second you thought he had fallen asleep (wouldn’t be the first time he fell asleep mid conversation).
“Report our findings to the princess.”
“Ah… makes sense. How ‘bout after that?”
The male pondered your question and answered with a huff.
“Wait for my next mission.”
That’s… kinda sad..
“Well, is there anyone waiting for you? Y’know, like a…” You gulped, unsure if you wanted to know the answer. “Like a lover or something?”
You felt Link’s breath hitch and your heart sank. Of course he would have someone waiting for him, just look at him. Handsome, chivalrous, kind, strong—you wouldn’t be surprised if he had a thing going on with the princess herself.
“No.” He said at last. “I don’t have anyone in that regard.”
He said it so placidly; you couldn’t detect a hint of emotion behind that matter-of-fact statement. An inconspicuous sigh left your frame.
"Oooh, has anyone caught your eye?" You shimmied up to him before laughing at his flinch. Again, you were unsure if you were ready to hear the answer, but anything felt better than the silence you would otherwise be subjected to.
"Mm..." Was his only response.
"Aww, c'mon! Aren't we travel buddies? We've faced dozens of unimaginable horrors together. Your secret's safe with me."
"Do you have someone waiting for you?" He countered.
"Hey now, don't avoid the question!"
"I'll tell you if you tell me."
Well... It's not like you had anything to hide...
"No, I'm very much single." You laughed, a glimmer of despondence streaking your voice.
. . .
"Has anyone caught your eye?"
"Mm... Pass." You giggled, turning to face him fully now. He felt your shuffle and cast a glance over his shoulder. "Do you like anyone? Or at least find mildly attractive?"
His eyes fluttered shut and he exhaled slowly, the gears in his head turning even slower.
"Yes."
Your sinking heart juxtaposed the overly-hyped "Ooooh!" that left your lips.
"IS IT THE PRINCESS?!"
"Definitely not."
You practically got whiplash at the suddenness of his response; that could mean one of two things: he either really liked the princess, or he wanted nothing to do with her past their 'protector-protectee' relationship.
"Damn, that was fast. Seems mighty suspicious to me..." You nudged the space between his ribcage, plucking a light chuckle out of him.
"I really don't," he laughed dryly, "she's lovely but... Not really my type."
"So what is your type, O Hero of Hyrule?"
He hummed lowly before snapping his body to face you.
"My turn." He chirped through a boyish grin. His hot breath trickled across your cheeks and you swore you could drown in the oceans of his eyes.
"Has anyone caught your eye?"
You didn't think the question could be taken so literally. You blinked multiple times and looked away.
"Uh... Y-Yeah, I'd say so."
An iota of emotion brewed in his eyes, imperceptible to everyone but himself.
"Okay, my turn." You chortled, looking back up at him. "Can you describe your ideal partner?"
Eyes closing and head tilting upwards, Link dissected and analyzed the simple question with care.
"Smart, kind..." A small smile tugged his lips. "Curious, compassionate, brave, selfless..."
He angled his face into the pillow, the softness muffling his lips.
"ᵍᵒᵒᵈᵃᵗˢᶦⁿᵍᶦⁿᵍ"
"Sorry, what?"
"Nothing. So wha--"
"Nonono, you said something! What did you say?"
"Um... Good at..." A pause. "Mingling."
"... Mingling?"
. . .
"Yup."
Maybe facing Ganon with only a cheese grater wasn't such a bad idea after all
You supposed... That made sense. You could only imagine how awkward he must feel at royal banquets and dinner parties. You laughed and lightly flicked his forehead.
"You're such a dork." If you squinted hard enough, you could trick yourself into believing he was blushing. His eyes brightened at the realization it was his turn.
"So who's your ideal partner?"
"Well..." You looked down, fumbling with the hem of your shirt.
"Well...?" His chest rumbled with baited anticipation.
"Loyal, caring, respectful, courageous..." You nudged the lower half of your face into your pillow, hoping to hide the blush creeping onto your cheeks. "Something like that."
He nodded slowly, the gears in his head slaving away--at what, you had no idea.
"You seem to have a pretty clear idea of what you're looking for."
"So do you!"
"Yes..." He sighed dreamily, lips warming into a rare and genuine smile. "I do."
;)
"Heheheh... Whatcha thinkin' about? Or should I say... Who?"
Panic swirled behind his eyes. "N-No one."
"I heard that stutter!" You exclaimed. "C'mon, we've practically spilled everything to each other--now all I need is a name!"
"You... may not approve."
Your heart crunched in your chest, mind spinning from all the possibilities.
"I mean... Whether I like them or not shouldn't matter. Your feelings for that person, whoever they may be, are valid."
The way your eyes crinkled so... lovingly at him made him want to curl into a ball and melt into a lovestruck puddle. How could you be this cute? This sweet? And single? Maybe... Just maybe...
"You really think so?"
"Of course! Well, if you had a crush on Ganon then we might have a problem." Your lips relaxed into a small smile. "But so long as they aren't him, I don't think there's anyone out there who I would hate."
Link balanced his chin between his pointer and thumb. Your lips curled thoughtfully, forming your next question in a bid to loosen his tongue.
"When you think of them, do you think of what could be? Where life could take the two of you?"
"Of course." He answered instantly, then reddened at how quick he responded. "I've thought about it for... awhile."
His bashfulness was met with one of your angelic chortles and you looked at him head-on.
"You deserve to be happy, Link. You deserve to live the life you want with the person you love."
His breath caught in his throat as he drank in the sincerity in your eyes. Eyes that beheld him with grace and acceptance for all his failures and shortcomings. Eyes that saw him past his title of Hero. Eyes that could lift an entire kingdom's burden off his shoulders with a simple crinkle and twinkle.
"It's you."
You laughed, not quite processing what he said until--
"Wait, huh?"
"It's..." He gulped, reminding himself which piece of the Triforce he carried. "You."
"M-... Me?"
"Yes. You are who I love. You are who I want to spend the rest of my life with. It's... you."
"Oh, Link..." His heart cracked at the quietness in your tone. For once, it hurt hearing his name leave your lips.
"If you don't feel the same way, I understand. I promise I won't let this interfere with our mi--"
"No, Link! I love you too!"
Life filled his eyes, piercing a ray of light through his darkened visage.
"You... You do...?"
"Yes!" You cried out, wrapping him closer to you. "Gods, I've loved you for so long...!"
"R-Really? Me too!”
:O
“Since when?!” You both exclaimed, new love jolting a shock of energy that mismatched the time of day.
“You go first.” Link spurred, giddiness rocking him to and fro.
“Ever since that night in the tree… Do you remember? It was pouring and you were shielding me from the storm.”
He pulled away from you slightly to stroke your hair, relishing how your soft, newly washed strands laced around his fingers.
“We had just embarked on our journey.”
“I knowww.” You drew out, giggling and nuzzling into his bare chest. “What about you? When did you fall for me?”
“It was… Before our trip.”
“What?! Really?!”
He nodded.
“I saw you feeding some strays while I was patrolling the castle one time and, well…” He rubbed his neck embarrassed. “I knew you had a heart of gold the moment I laid eyes on you.”
“That was so long ago…" You reminisced about the glowing gaze your animal friends reveled you in. "Boy, I had you whipped for that long, huh?”
“You could say that.” An airy breath stuttered out of him. “You looked so beautiful… I couldn’t get enough of that look in your eyes. Pure, selfless joy. It was… mesmerizing.”
His eyes caught yours, almost as if they were searching for the same joy he spoke of. The glimmer in his seafoam pools must have meant he found it and more.
“So how’d you feel when we were assigned to this mission together?” You laughed, clearly picturing a flustered Link pacing around his room as he just about melted through the floor.
“I felt many things—panic, for one.”
“Aww, lil' ol' me got your heart racing?”
“Yes.”
Now it was your heart’s turn to race, so touched by his candor.
"You were as beautiful as you were kind; as clever as you were tough. How could I have not fallen deeper in love?" He coughed out, a hand masking the blush that promenaded his cheeks. "You always took such good care of me after our battles... Patching me up before you even wiped the dirt off your face."
"Well, you'd do it for me, no?" You jibed, fingers raking through his hair. He chuckled fondly at the form of aftercare foreign to most couples.
"And to top it all off..." He leaned down, the surface of his lips tickling your earlobe. "You have the loveliest voice in the world."
A light slap stung his chest and he roared in laughter.
"Gods, you really heard that...?!" Your hands cupped your heated cheeks and you rocked backward, jaw clenching and legs squirming from mortification.
"It's okay! More than okay! You sounded gorgeous, (F/N)."
Your heart fluttered at the sound of your own name, unused to the way it purred so perfectly out of him. Your sheepish side glance happened upon his heartfelt visage, which did wonders to ease any discomforts you had.
"Your voice was beautiful. Like a-- Like a--"
A chorus of chirps announced the arrival of morning; you both shared a horror-struck look before shortly bursting into laughter. You talked the whole night away!
He kissed your eyelids and draped the blanket over your shoulders, wrapping his arm about your waist.
"We can stay another night if you'd like. Spend a day in town." His suggestion was met with fervent nodding. "Our duties to the throne... Our mission... All of it. It can wait."
Word count: 3.1k
Summary: you've long travelled with Link. now having a small rest between travelling and aiding Hyrule, you find yourself facing a vast expanse—of questions, and the possible future. the hero speaks so little, so many things go unsaid. but is it right that they do?
Warnings: unnecessarily flowery description? none
AN: this is an old piece i had lying around that i always meant to fix up a lil bit and i finally have! it's not really what i'd write for here (i did it more as a writing exercise years ago, so it's a bit... dense lmao) but i still think it's quite cute!
{Gender Neutral reader}
Link does talk, but only rarely (if i was to write this now, i would write him signing as i much prefer that interpretation!)
☾ ₊ ˚ ✩ ˚ ｡ ☽
the rain had long passed but the two of you remained huddled beneath the stone canopy of an overhang you’d found. the evening was cool, the clouds slowly clearing to reveal a dusk sky adorned with stars. the moon was peeking above the lanterns of a stable below in the valley, and though it promised warmth, you knew you were heading in the opposite direction.
relishing in the peace and quiet, you leant back on your cloak, which was sprawled upon the ground to offer a protective layer against the cold stone and the odd crumpled leaf.
the small orchard across the path bristled in hushed tones, melding with the crackle of the campfire by your feet. their crimson leaves shivered in the night, knowing that there was no relief for them.
as a shimmering trail cut through their branches high in the darkness beyond, you couldn’t help but grin.
“hey, did you see that?” you asked quietly, not looking over to him. you’d been travelling for so long together alone, that there was never any other person you could be talking to. despite the odd occurrences that led up to your strange companionship—things you perhaps regret but would not change for the world—the two of you made a seamless team, and an inseparable one at that.
you’d forgotten to count how many days your time together was supposedly overdue moons ago; caught up in the excitement and awe of visiting new places and meeting new people. as well as facing monsters so gruesome your nightmares could never have festered them.
even now, you didn’t even consider beginning to trace it all back, despite the lull in the pace of your travels.
after he remained still in the corner of your eye, you glanced over as you spoke louder this time. “there was a shooting star! not too far from here i bet…”
your words gradually became quieter again.
of course he had heard you.
Link was without a doubt shorter than you, by quite a bit too: you could lean on his head with a slight stretch and you knew that from playful experience. but he wasn’t small—he never appeared to be.
whether it be how he charged into battle, a force to be reckoned with. how he glowed when he cooked, and practically cackled when he soared into the air on a fiery updraft of his own making. or how he rose to any challenge put before him, clambered up cliffs for absolutely no reason other than because he could, or how his eyes would glint so mischievously to the point that you wouldn’t dare turn your back to him, lest he spring chuchu jelly on you again.
Link was never small.
and yet here he was, eyes glazed over as he stared into the glowing embers, gold dancing across his face and casting his hunched form partially into pure shadow. his rough hands were pressed into the pebbles and dirt by the wooden pyre and you couldn’t help but wonder if that was a more accurate descriptor than you first thought.
despite how long you had spent in his company, you hadn’t heard his voice anywhere near as much as people thought you had. they would ask you in fake-sweet tones what he sounded like, how much he actually spoke, why he withheld his voice from them, as if there was something malicious in his silence. you never spared them your time and at most offered them an underhanded comment before following after him.
and so it remained that Link rarely spoke, and you did much of the talking for him. you didn’t expect him to speak, and never wished him to, and he seemed relieved by this. but as you felt an unfamiliar pang in your chest, you began to wonder if there could be an exception.
there was a lot of weight on his shoulders—not only the fate of the kingdom and its future, but the past as well. there were an awful lot of words on those lips that were never spoken. the thought of the sheer weight of them worried you, and carrying them around without respite even more so.
but you reminded yourself that the two of you were inevitably different. perhaps that’s why you worked so well together. although, it remained that talking problems out wouldn’t help him in the same way as it helped you.
frowning for a moment, you had an idea and shuffled across to sit on the edge of his cloak. he didn’t register your movement, so you carefully placed your hand on his shoulder.
Link snapped out of his stare, eyes meeting yours before the air that had been caught up in his chest slowly left him. he was trying to be subtle—you knew that before he offered that small smile he always used to cover stuff up—but you didn’t mention it.
“back in Hateno, when i was younger… my mother used to help me cope with my worries and fears, even though she didn’t know what to do,” you began, avoiding his gaze to look at his dirty cheek. there you met the familiar sight of the scar levied across his jaw.
you always found yourself gravitating to the lines of his past, now light and melded with his skin near perfectly; so many were invisible until his cheeks reddened in the cold or he stayed out in the sun for too long.
you could never work out what drew you to them. whether it was astonishment, in how they were etches of a century ago, trapped in the skin of a living being. or if it was curiosity, to know every detail he was willing to spare, even if they were morbid.
whatever the reason, you ignored it and pushed yourself to look him in the eye once more.
“what she did wasn’t… well, I haven’t done it in a long while, but… then again I haven’t needed it.” you smiled at him warmly, knowing full well he was the reason why. “and now that I think about it, it might help you.”
his gaze softened. he nodded silently, and watched intently while he waited for you to show him what you meant.
shifting behind him, you subtly admired his form. he was sat up straighter now, no longer as still as a corpse, instead poking the fire with a half-charred stick.
you readjusted your weight on your knees as you spotted a hole beginning to form by the collar of his tunic. you poked it absentmindedly, signalling to him its presence, before attempting to draw your fingers up to his hair.
at that moment, apprehension rushed through to your stomach and brought your hands to a halt.
you questioned yourself then, as you studied your weak hands. why would you stop?
it wasn’t like you were strangers, far from it.
you’d helped adjust his straps and bags numerous times before to save time in the desert. he’d untangled you from your own clothing mishaps when the storm whipped your cloak round your legs, and chased after your hat flung far off in the distance. you’d washed his clothes and he’d washed yours, and upon so many mornings had you awoken to yourself swaddled into his side after the night grew too cold and the fire had cooled.
and yet, nerves began to ripple through your stomach, like the pulses of butterfly wings, at the idea of touching his hair. of running your fingers through it, seeing it loose. somehow, this was different, and you couldn’t put your finger on as to why.
Link turned to look at you, his head tilting. knowing well what that gesture meant, you chuckled sheepishly.
he looked away from you again, nodding knowingly whilst he became focused on his hands. he began rubbing the dirt off his fingers, and with his distracted attention you took the opportunity to recompose yourself. with a brief sigh, you pushed through the apprehension while it was off-guard, and gently pulled the cerulean ribbon out from his hair.
the dirty blond tresses hardly caught the wind once they were freed, retaining their tied back shape. too long of a time spent in bonds, you reasoned, and the knots between your fingers seconded that as you gently combed through his hair.
you tried to catch a glimpse of his reaction by placing the tie on his knee, though to little success. he was looking beyond into the valley so you would have no trouble, but it meant that whatever he was thinking was an utter mystery to you. delicately threading your fingertips past his ears, you finally spoke up.
“my mother, when i was worried, used to sit me on her lap and get me to think about everything i was upset about. and while i did, she would weave a plait in my hair.” you took a lock of his and split it into three. “it would only ever be small, and we would just sit in silence as she wove.” you followed your own words, beginning to entwine the strands sitting in your palms, paying extra care to not accidentally tug. “when she reached the end, however, she never tied it, and just left it open. and then she would say, it’s all to the wind now.
"the first time she did it, she didn’t explain what she meant, and i didn’t work it out until later that day, when i pushed my hair out of my face one windy afternoon and found it missing,” you chuckled. “the wind had pulled the plait apart naturally without me noticing, just as it was supposed to do. it was supposed to take your fears away with it, though i never felt that it did—i found ranting to Ivee much more helpful personally, which is… hardly surprising.”
you waited for him to laugh at that, but your quip was met with silence. you leant round with a faltering grin to see if he was just smiling too, but you found you couldn’t lean quite far enough to see properly with his hair in your hands. all you could note was that his eyes were closed.
diffused, you continued nonetheless, “she often said things like that. Like, the wind would fix it all, and you just had to wait as the… that patience was the purest trial of them all and… other things that didn’t make a lot of sense. i’ll admit, it never got rid of my worries, but i did always find it soothing.” you pulled a final weave into the plait, your laugh fading into a small smile. “so, maybe it’ll help you.”
tracing your fingertips carefully over the rises and falls of the new braid, you waited for him to respond.
in the silence your mind wandered, and with every hush of the breeze your thoughts grew louder. Link remained still, offering neither a shake of his head or hum of disapproval.
no longer preoccupied, you peered round to see what was wrong, only to find his eyes still closed. his hands were still in his lap, the twig discarded by his knee, while his breathing was steady.
“Link?” you whispered, amused by how he’d seemingly managed to doze off sitting upright—it would be a first! Though before you could place your hand on his shoulder his eyes flickered open. You barely got the chance to be startled because of the way he was looking at you. And because of how close you were to him.
“sorry,” you stuttered, suddenly unable to look away from the bright dawn sky of his eyes. you tried to ignore the comments suddenly fluttering about in your head, and the one word they orbited. “i thought you’d fallen asleep, i didn’t mean…”
he was drowsy, but he smiled nonetheless. it’s ok, you recognised.
it most certainly isn’t, you thought, the voice in your head flustered. you’d never felt this hazy before, this giddiness in your chest. not when just looking upon someone's face.
you were about to make an excuse so you could move back to your side of the campsite and catch your breath when he looked back to the valley, frown sweeping across the horizon’s mountains to where that star had fallen.
and to your surprise, he spoke. “did you make a wish?”
you thought about it for a few seconds, unable to remember if you had or hadn’t. it had only been a few minutes since you’d seen it arc across the sky, yet it felt like hours had passed since then. “no… no, i didn’t. i guess… i’m not sure what to wish for. there’s so much in the world that it’s hard to choose. greater good, personal regrets, revenge, mercy…” you paused for a second once he had nodded in understanding. “did you?”
“no,” he answered. his lips remained parted as if he wanted to continue, but after a few moments they returned to a sad smile, his eyes dropping back down to the ground.
the crackling of the fire became the only sound to be heard once again as you watched him from the corner of your eye. he picked up the stick and poked at the silvering wood. still knelt behind him, you were thankful he couldn’t see your face. you struggled to hide your emotions, at least with him, and you were aware that your expression was likely one of blatant concern. yet there was little that could be done. there was a reason why he wasn’t talking about it, and it wasn’t tough to work it out.
in that moment, you felt a wave of powerlessness wash over you. your heart was no longer racing, and instead ached. your limbs felt like they were laden with iron.
the weight that he bore was not something that you could bear with him. there were no words you could offer that would make the absence formed of what little he could remember cut any less deep.
your arrow could not pierce the Calamity’s brow, and you could not wield the blade that could. after all that you had accomplished together, it was nothing in comparison to what he faced.
you swallowed thickly, finally pulling your hand away. slipping off your knees, you wrapped your arms around his waist and let your head rest against his shoulder.
“i’m sorry, Link,” you murmured, voice weak.
you didn’t dare look up when you felt him turn to you. whether it was a quizzical stare or a blush you knew you wouldn’t be able to handle it. and you were right to think so, because as soon as he leant his head against yours you felt your heart pick up tenfold.
you didn’t want to think how he must feel it racing against his back.
“you shouldn’t be sorry,” he explained quietly, his thumb coming to trace across your wrist, “you’re here. just like the others.”
the wind picked up and you felt the light dim across your closed eyes as it played with the fire. you tried to commit his voice to memory, gather words and phrases to try and describe what it sounded like, to yourself. just in case the wilds finally did creep back to collect what they once gained and now had lost. there was always that innate fear that gnawed at the very base of your stomach, those ‘what if's' of catastrophe.
“i’ll always be here,” you insisted, clutching onto him just that little bit tighter, “no matter how far we go.”
the cool of the night began to seep further into your campsite, the fire beginning to dwindle at the will of the weather, and Link made no effort to rekindle it.
you could see why you had shifted towards him in your sleep these recent nights; he was so warm to the touch, his strength a blanket of security as he cradled you.
you did so again now, still holding him as if he was your only shelter. in some ways he was. you almost had the thought to wonder why you hadn’t done this sooner, but you knew exactly why.
as tiredness began to seep into your eyes, Link shifted. he tapped your hand to gain your attention, and you quickly unwrapped your arms. however, before you could apologise and make your way back to your cloak, he held onto your fingers.
“stay.”
his expression was forlorn, but hopeful. there was a tension in his jaw as he waited for you to say something. his other hand gripped at his knee.
you didn’t want to leave him hanging but there was a problem with your breath being hitched in your throat. his fingertips were rough against yours, yet still so gentle. they sought your palm, following the lines that were etched into your skin. the lines of fate, as fortune tellers called them. and yours were alight with warmth, now.
you slowly exhaled as he’d done earlier, trying to be subtle. if he noticed he didn’t show it, simply offering a flicker of a smile.
it reminded you of the ones he gave you when he asked for a favour, to be the one to grab the apples off the tree or track down the cuccos yet again.
however, this time his favour was quiet, so much so that he didn’t want to ask for it. his grip on your hand could barely be called that, his fingers were so flighty and ready to pull away at any moment.
but he had asked, despite everything.
silently, you let him guide you back down to earth, into his lap. and there, you curled up in his arms. he leant against your bags as a makeshift pillow, and then pressed you gently into his chest, as close as he could get you. the chill of the wind could no longer reach you, as you were under his protection now. but he was also under yours.
finally, he relaxed, resting his chin on your head. his heartbeat thrummed by your ear, gradually slowing, beat by beat, until it was a soothing rhythm; one of near sleep. the crickets’ chorus began to outsing the crackle of the flames, with darkness having now fully fallen across Hyrule, you spoke up for the final time that night. “goodnight, Link. sleep well." your voice was barely above a whisper, and spoken into his tunic so that you weren’t sure he would hear you. but the hand nestled in your own squeezed your fingers.
a gust of wind blew the remaining flames out, and as shadow engulfed the camp your eyes fell shut, the heartbeat of the hero soothing you to sleep. and with the fire lost, the brightest light upon Hyrule became a fallen star, glowing upon the mountainside above.
↳ content: fluff, first kiss, cuddles, mutual pining, comfort for inadequacy & self-doubt
↳ words: 2k
⇢ summary: you and link have been traveling and training together for months. with your insecurities baring down on you, you let him know just how bad you feel.
also available on ao3
⇢ note: i had a lot of fun writing this, i got my start writing with loz fanfiction -- haha! i like to think that gremlin boy botw link is a huge softy, it made me want to write more between link and this particular reader.
With the way the sky was beginning to glow with hues of pinks and oranges, you concluded that you weren’t being dramatic, you really had been here for hours. Your arms were feeling heavy bearing the weight of your sword and you were unsure how much longer your legs would be able to hold you upright.
You tried to steady yourself wholly as you watched the young man in front of you; he seemed calm. He always seemed calm. You tried desperately to ignore the doubt that was creeping in as he circled you.
Your eyes darted from his feet to the ornate sword held between his hands, to his bright, focused eyes and back again, you really were losing focus.
I have to get him this time.
You planted yourself on the heels of your boots, the ground beneath you dry from the day’s heat, and you scouted the gap between you; it was no more than a few feet. You applied effort to ease your uneven breathing, just like he’d taught you, even if it was just to listen to his footfalls.
You were sure he was smirking as he closed in on you, slowly and deliberately. It was agonizing and you wanted nothing more than to strike.
That’s just what he expects.
His words echoed in your subconscious: patience… you just need more patience.
His sky blue tunic fluttered in your peripheral vision. He was ridiculously quick, he wasn’t holding back now. You exhaled, emptying your lungs of air, before spinning on your right foot. You yelped as your left shin made contact with the butt of his sword as it swung out.
An unfortunate mistake that he’d easily countered and would no doubt reward you with a bruise.
Stumbling backward, you let go of your weapon as you tripped-up over yourself, hoping you might break your fall with your hands. Your fumbling was in vain as you fell on your rear with a soft thud. You stared up in horror, the tip of his sword directly in your line of sight as he stood over you.
“I’ll never get this right!” you protested, balling up your hand and hitting the ground.
Your cheeks burned bright and hot when he laughed.
“You’re a terrible teacher, Link,” you told him, pouting rather playfully as you folded your arms. “Goddess knows why I asked you for help.”
“What?! Come on!” His eyes widened, mortified at the accusation. “That’s hardly fair.”
You watched as Link took his sword in one hand, sheathing it in the worn scabbard at his side. He reached a slender, weathered hand out for you, motioning with a nod of his head for you to take it.
Appreciatively taking his hand, you let out an uncontrollable groan as you stood up. Even with Link taking some of the strain from you as you eased yourself upright, the sudden weight of your efforts bore you down. Link held you steady, but he was trembling as his hands held onto your biceps tightly.
“Maybe you’re right,” he began. You felt your bottom lip quiver and your eyes sting with the threat of tears. “You’ll never get this right if you continue to push yourself like this.”
Your beaten body deflated with a heavy sigh when Link let go of you. You watched as he knelt down.
“It’s been months,” you murmured, feeling ashamed, “I haven’t--”
“Stop,” he interjected, you were taken aback by his abruptness. You watched as he took your weapon into his hands. “I hear the way you talk about yourself,” Link confessed as he stood with ease, but you heard a sense of sadness in his voice, “about your training and this and that.”
He presented your weapon to you on two open palms, his arms stretched out. You grasped your sword by the hilt and let it hang rather unenthusiastically at your side.
“You have improved, you just don’t notice it because I’m so hard on you,” he enthused.
You didn’t have to look at him to hear that he wore a grin on his face, the pride he held for you was almost overwhelming.
“You have to understand,” he continued as he gently placed his palm on the small of your back, urging you to turn around, it was a gesture he probably thought nothing of but made your heart leap, “I was easy on you when you needed me to be easy on you.”
You nodded, beginning to understand, but maybe not believe him.
“But now, well,” he let out a chuckle, “I think you’re starting to give me a run for my rupees.”
You let out a hearty laugh at the audacity of his claim as you strolled in the direction of your shared camp, you felt the warmth of his palm that was still firmly planted at your back.
“I’m sure I would, Link,” you responded, overexaggerating the rolling of your eyes.
Your hands were busy while your eyes focused on something else entirely, hypnotized by the shadows that danced across his features as he tended to the fire. Your eyes slowly inspected each and every detail, from the way his own azure eyes were fixated on the flames, jostling the logs, to the way his dirtied, unruly blond hair framed his face, the way it had unraveled from his ponytail. You watched, utterly entranced as he lifted a hand to his face, somehow graceful as he gently tucked those stray strands behind his pointed, Hylian ear.
Beyond the crackling of flames and the creatures that sang their evening chorus, you heard the unmistakably soft hum of Link’s voice. Your gaze drifted down to his lips where he wore a soft smile tinged with a faint sadness. You felt a heaviness in your chest.
While Link had certainly softened during the long months of traveling and the countless hours of training, you found yourself craving these rare moments of vulnerability from him. You knew there was so much more than he might ever tell you, but it was in these fractures in time that you truly noticed how tragic his kind-hearted eyes were.
You watched as he threw his stick on to the make-shift fire and wipe his hands together on a rag tucked into his belt. You didn’t hear him when he called your name, only startled out of your daydream when he frantically waved an arm at you.
“Are you alright there?” Your cheeks reacted voluntarily to the concern in his voice, feeling them grow warmer by the second you quickly averted your eyes to look at your feet. Your heart fared no better when he quickly jumped to his feet. “I said, are you okay?”
He took hold of your wrist and shook it up and down. His face suddenly came into view; Link had bent down, awkwardly twisting his neck and torso to look up at you.
That damned cocky smile of his.
“Or are you just hungry?” he asked, followed by a toothy grin.
Link’s laugh was so care-free and childlike, even after you swatted his arm, but you felt nothing less than blessed to hear him laugh like that.
“I may take my time,” he reminded you, returning to his seat by the fire, “but I can be sure it’ll taste good.”
You watched as he sat down, patting the ground beside him.
“I’m not so sure about that, Link,” you mumbled, pulling a face at him, “I don’t want to eat Moblin guts again and you can’t make me, either.”
Link chuckled half-heartedly, shaking his head, as you settled down next to him. He watched as you pulled your knees to your chest, as you clutched your arms around your shins and your shoulders heaved with a rather heavy sigh.
You thought yourself silly for hoping Link might start humming again; you wished for anything that might relax you, relieve you of your burdening inadequacies. You felt the uncomfortable sting of tears, far too exhausted to halt the rampancy of your thoughts, you set your chin in the dip between your knees.
You felt indifferent when Link presented the roasted vegetables and meats in a large serving bowl. Under different circumstances, he might playfully wave it about in front of you, tonight he saw just how upset you were.
You heard him shuffle beside you, afraid that if you moved to look at him your tears might fall, you kept your stare low and ahead of you. A gentle weight fell around your shoulders and you realized that Link had draped a blanket over you; you finally felt a tear fall as he tucked it around you.
Link reacted quickly when you heard you sniffle, his hands placed firmly on your shoulders while he moved his head to look at you. He caught the sight of the wet trails your tears were making as they glistened in the light of the fire. When you saw yet more concern on his face, you wanted to let go and bawl.
“I’m sorry,” your voice was small, trembling.
“Excuse me?” he asked, his brows furrowed with genuine incredulity.
“I’ll never be--” you choked on your words as you pushed back your outburst. You appreciated Link’s patience as he waited for you to continue, “I was so foolish to think I could ever be good enough.”
You felt your shoulders shudder beneath his hands as your sobs came freely, you wouldn’t know if he would ever understand just how loaded your statement was. You wanted to tell him that it wasn’t just about today. There was too much to say, too much you felt, it was crushing and overwhelming.
“Good enough?” his voice was soft as he brought one of his hands close to your face, gently brushing tear-soaked strands of hair behind your ear. “Maybe I was too hard on--”
“It’s not that--” your words escaped your mouth quicker than your brain could process, the immediate regret showed in your wide eyes.
Instead of backing away from you, as you had so expected, you felt Link’s hand brush along your jaw to hold your chin between his thumb and forefinger. You didn’t resist when he gently lifted your face to look at him, your arms relaxed to your sides and you let your knees rest in front of you.
You watched his eyes as they danced across your features.
“You’ve always been good enough,” he told you, you were barely able to make out his words as he let go of your chin.
You felt yourself relax as his fingers danced across your cheek, up to your eyebrow where he gently brushed at it with his thumb. He caressed your face as he brought his hand back down where he rested his thumb on your bottom lip.
Your lip quivered, his unexpected, but welcomed touch made you more nervous than you had been in a long time.
“And you’ve always been enough,” he continued, the slightest bit closer to you.
You felt the pull of your instincts as you moved with him, ever so slightly, feeling dizzy as your lips finally met. You felt Link’s thumb gently brush at your tear-sodden cheek, wiping under your eye; his gentle gesture almost made you burst.
Softly taking either side of your face in both his hands, he gently relieved your lips of his. You opened your eyes to meet his face looking as flushed as yours felt but his eyes appeared serious as he looked at you.
“You’ll always be enough,” he meant it.
You felt the tickle of a smile at the corner of your lips just before he pulled you into an awkward hug. He made an unintelligible sound before returning to his original seat in front of the fire, you let the smile beam, rubbing at your now-dry cheeks as he began patting the space in front of him.
Pulling the blanket with you, shuffling as best you could, you curled yourself in between his legs. Link gave a soft chuckle when you lay your head against his broad chest, pulling the blanket into place around the pair of you.
You both sat there, basking in the warm, amber glow of the fire, lost in the pools of each other's eyes.
(a/n) my heart has been aching for something soft and gentle, and if life won't give it to me, i'll give it to myself lol
extremely short and written in 30 min
cw: fluff
wc: 325
♤♢ ~~ ♡♧
"You're radiant."
Your pruned hands froze in the sudsy basin, nearly dropping the half-washed plate into a pillow of bubbles. You turned to meet your lover with his head cocked and hip pressed against the threshold.
"H-Huh?"
"(F/N), you're glowing." His voice was kind, like the soft glory of the setting sun. "You're... beautiful."
Link's quiet eyes crinkled; he could not believe that Zelda was the Goddess incarnate--for Her Divinity was standing before him. How he envied the softness the twilight beheld you in; his own brutish and wartorn hands were incapable of such gentleness. He loved the way your eyelashes caught the sun, loved how they shone off the glistening pools of (E/C).
Oh, how he had fallen so deeply into everything that was you.
"Link..." Red looked wonderful on you. "You're embarrassing me..."
A cherubic chortle left him and he found himself drawn to your glow, like a moth to a flame--a flame that shone so brightly but never burned. A love so steady, so deeply devoted, he could count on your presence the same way he could count on his next breath.
"I'm grateful to have you in my life." He pressed his forehead against yours, feeling the sun's warmth transfer to his own skin. "I just wanted to let you know."
You wrought your wet hands into your apron before throwing them around his neck. A tender look shared only between lovers, followed shortly by the purest form of love.
Your lips melted into a soft reunion and moved in perfect dance, with a degree of synchrony brought only through time and ardor. His sigh tickled your cheeks and you felt yourself smiling, then laughing, then pressing your face into his chest as he laughed with you.
You were his never-setting sun. His eternal illumination. You were soft-handed and warm in a world where you were expected to be cold and calloused. But you were kind.
