Can you write us a starter pls and what breed are your dogs?
//The youngest is a black mouth cur and the oldest is a Lhasa Apso mixed with another dog breed I can't remember. And sure!//
Calamity Ganon was gone, they have been gone for a while, yet his influence still plagued the land of Hyrule. The remnants of his power laid inside the scatters of monsters and damaged Guardians, weakened but still present. It was that phenomenon that had Zelda in her study or in the field day and night, wanting to understand just what makes such a power linger so long inside something; that was the reasoning she told herself or others when they asked.
Though lately, others wouldn't really have a chance to ask, since she kept to herself in her study with her research. The Princess would come out for important matters, but as soon as they were resolved she was back into her work. The only person who really saw her on a almost daily basis was Link, and even then that was turning into the times they would eat.
She had been like this for two weeks...Hylia knows whether she has even had a moment to sleep.
"Just what could be keeping it bound to them..."
Zelda was current hunched over a set of notes she wrote during a night trip close to a Bokoblin camp, drawings and diagrams of various monsters and machines etched along with them...scattered on her desk or pasted on the wall. Small towers of books found purchase next to the chair she sat in, and near the window sill was a guardian core connected to a machine she was borrowing from Purah.
What was most worrisome of this scene, besides from how worn out the Princess looked, was the sight of her bed...fully made and untouched. For how long, only Zelda would know.
Link was worried about how long Zelda worked for so he did what he knew must be done. He entered her room, tapped her shoulder and gave her the sleep sign. He wanted her to take a break and get some sleep. (I was thinking that unless the vow is allowed to be broken, link isnât allowed to talk)
//That's a good idea!//
Zelda's ear had twitched slightly at the sound of the door creaking open but didn't look up, her focus zeroed in on what she was writing. Besides, she knew it was Link by the sound of his steps on the wooden floor; even with leather boots his steps were almost silent, practiced within his times of a knight in the castle she once called...
She pushed that thought aside as the tap finally garnered her attention, blueish-green eyes glancing at the knight... technically former knight.
"It can't possibly be mor- Oh..."
Exhaustion was easy to distinguish in their eyes as Link's sign confirmed that he wasn't here to say breakfast was ready, seeing as she had now noticed it was still dark out...but that he was looking after her health.
It was quite sweet...
"I will in just a moment, I swear Link...I think I'm finally at a breakthrough..."
Those weren't the first times those words had been said unfortunately...and it's clear that she hadn't slept like she said she would last time...not to say she hadn't tried when he did.
He shook his head, picked her up and carried her to bed. He tucked her in and gave her water. He put the research away neatly and signed âgo to bed please. You need a break and itâs not healthy to not sleep for days. Youâre putting too much pressure on yourselfâ
It was in Zelda's mind that Link would trust that she would do as she said she would, so it came as a surprise when he picked her up as she tried to get back to work.
"Link!"
She had tried to scramble out of his grasp originally, though rather weakly due to her lack of rest, until he had handed her the water.
A soft sigh of defeat left her lips before she drank, not even realizing how thirsty she was until she had drunk the whole glass...
'I really have zoned out of how long it's been... haven't it?'
Zelda thought to herself as her eyes glanced at Link sorting her notes, the urge to sleep there...but the anxiety of what came afterwords following suit.
She didn't want to face it.
"I...I have been taking breaks! I've gone out of here to eat...I...I've gone out to explore..."
"And...I have slept...a few small naps..."
"...at my desk..."
Link shook his head and signed âyou need more breaks and go to sleep please. I hope you have sweet dreams and Iâll be here if you need anythingâ he sat next to her on the bed, holding his knees
The Princess was silent as she watched Link's hands sign her need of sleep, although her mind was running circles in her thoughts. It was the small gesture of sitting next to her that had broken her out of her mind...her voice speaking softly, barely into a whisper.
"You promise?"
Blue eyes glanced up to Link's own once Zelda shifted to hold her knees to her chest, the memories of all those years trying to keep Ganon trapped all alone...of Link protecting her against the Guardians...threatening to resurface...
"Link...please...please tell me that you promise..."
Zelda knew he would, she was wise enough to know that...but her worries needed him to confirm she'd be alright...that she wouldn't be alone...
Link crossed his heart and laid next to her. He had his shield and the master sword nearby. He hugged her tightly
The Hylian felt some of the tension leave her body once she saw Link cross his heart to confirm his promise, appreciative of the warm hug that was truly a welcomed surprise.
"Thank you..."
Her own arms wrapped around Link while her face hid itself in his chest, not wanting him to see the slowly forming tears of relief that her fears aren't needed...that she wouldn't be alone...
"Please... don't leave..."
Link held her and rubbed her back, nodding and giving her a thumbs up. He kissed her forehead
"Hmm..."
A soft hum left Zelda's lips as soon as she felt the Heroes hand rub her back to have her focus on something and to calm her, the exhaustion she had been staving off starting to creep up on her with a yawn.
'So warm...and so sleepy...'
The kids on her forehead prompted the Princess to glance up at Link with tired eyes, the exhaustion causing her to act without second thought as she kissed the Heroes cheek...
"Good night...my hero..."
Zelda rested her head back onto Link's chest while her eyes started to flutter shut, her body finally relaxing against his as she slowly drifted into her slumber.
He smiled and blushed, kissing her cheek. He held her and fell asleep, protecting her and comforting her the best he could. He loved Zelda and would do anything for her. He just wished he could actually say his feelings into words
Zelda's smile formed slowly as her unconscious mind comprehend the kids to her cheek, her arms staying wrapped around Link as she slept restfully for the first time in a long time.
There was a moment where her eyebrows furrowed and a soft scared whine left her lips; but once she cuddled closer to Link and could feel his heartbeat, whatever nightmare she was having disappeared.
Soon it came to the time where the sun started to peak through her windows onto her face, Zelda groaning from the light and hiding by burying her face against Link's chest.
She didn't want to wake up yet, she was too comfortable...
Link woke up and yawned. He held her close and played with her hair. He planned on giving her a full day of relaxation time
It was the feeling of her hair being gently played with that had Zelda slowly joining the waking world, a quiet yawn leaving her lips as the first thing her eyes opened to was the sight of Link.
It was truly a wonderful sight to wake up to...
"Hmmm...Mornin' Link..."
He smiled and singed âgood morning Zelda. Today I was thinking we could just have a day where we take it easyâ he played with her hair more
Zelda felt the corners of her lips twitch up into a smile as she watched him sign the plan for today, the idea being one she usually was very hesitant on joining...
But after how long she had studied and the lack of sleep she had until now? By Hylia, it sounded like an amazing plan!
"That...sounds really nice..."
She closed her eyes as she focused on his hands messing with her hair, a satisfied hum leaving her lips...a few thoughts drifting off into her mind about last night.
"Link...I want to thank you again...about last night..."
"I just...I haven't been...I haven't been able to sleep soundly...for quite a while..."
He nodded and signed âyouâre welcome and I can sleep with you from now on if you want. I like being able to spend time with you and I like protecting and showing you affection. You mean everything to me Zeldaâ
Zelda opened her eyes so she could see what Link was saying to her and felt her cheeks warm up at his sweet words.
'He always did have so much compassion and care...even in those early years...'
She felt her heart tug at the last words he signed to her and couldn't stop herself from hugging him, some hidden weight she didn't know she had on her shoulders lifted.
"I...I would like that..."
The Princess's words were a whisper meant for only Link as she stayed in that hug...but it was only for a moment longer until she pulled away to look at Link.
And her hands slowly, almost unsure, tried to sign...She had tried to learn a few phrases herself so if they both needed to stay quiet, they could speak...but she had, for a time, tried to learn a few specific phrases she felt she couldn't verbalize yet...
But she wanted him to know, even if she felt she couldn't bring it to words.
I care about you.
You were there with me.
You protected and saved me.
Not just from Ganon...but from my fears.
Zelda found her cheeks warming up both as she tried to gain her courage to keep signing, her eyes glanced down to her own hands to focus on doing the right movements.
You listen and you care about others before yourself...
You are a light in the darkness.
You are...
Her hands stopped for a moment due to her nervousness, but she forced herself to continue her last phrase...
You are a light within my life, my Hero.
He smiled and teared up with joy. He hugged her tightly and signed âI care about you too and you have no idea how happy it makes me feel when you say that. I will always protect and be here for you not just because itâs my duty but because I really like you a lot. I like you more than anyone Iâve ever met or spent time with. I love you Zeldaâ
Zelda accepted the heroes hug with open arms as she saw the tears form in his eyes, her own eyes tearing up at his words...
Neither of them were alone in their feelings.
Her hand cupped the Champion's cheek to wipe away his tears before her forehead rested against his own, her heart soaring at the confession she never thought would happen.
"Link, I...I love you too...I have for a while..."
He smiled and felt his heart race. He kissed her lips gently and lovingly. He held her close and signed âmay I be your boyfriend, Zelda?â
A soft hum left Zelda's lips at the gentleness of Links lips on hers, his being the first to ever grace her's. After all, as a princess, there was a while courting process she would of had to go through...which meant kissing was saved for when she was wed.
But with the castle, and essentially the kingdom she knew destroyed...there really was no reason to uphold such a ridiculous rule to herself.
It was Link's next words signed that had made her heart soar, engulfing him in a hug as she cracked the biggest smile she's had in...well, ever.
"Yes, yes, by Hylia's Grace, yes!"