if i die tomorrow - permanent hiatus

pain

     "You'd better leave my line of sight before I do something violent."

     Your voice was icily calm, but your eyes sparked with flaming rage.

     I lowered my head to glare at the ground, staying stubbornly rooted. I rather enjoyed this, watching you slowly blow up and, if I was lucky, today would be the day you either punched me or let it all out on me.

     Either was fine. I would welcome the pain, both ways.

     "I am warning you, Link." You took a step closer, so that we were face to face. A dangerous storm was brewing in the shadows embedded in your face. "Go. Away."

     I hid my smile well. I did not move. In that moment, I felt no pity for you, no sympathy for the turmoil barely contained inside your crumbling body. 

     Do it. Just do it.

     I was ready. It would be much better for the both of us.

     I narrowed my eyes slightly, my muscles tense with anticipation.

     I was done being shoved around by your hatred, your uncontrollable anger, your baseless frustrations. I was done being a punchbag. 

     If you slapped me right here, right now, then I would have a dim flicker of kindling hope, a reason to believe that things could get better between us. 

     Experience had taught me as much. Sometimes, the most sincere and unshakable friendships started with a punch thrown at the culmination of burning dislike. 

     Your fist connected with my right eye, and I staggered back, my hand flying up to the blossom of pain exploding over my eye socket.

     Your chest was heaving as I reeled back, your eyes unfocused. You looked surprised, as though that movement didn't belong to you, your mind.

     But you didn't apologize. You never apologized.

     "...Good." I rasped, a savage smile tearing my face. "Do it again."

     These were the first words you had ever heard me say. Only a moment of shock took over your features at my rough voice, scratched from underuse.

     You punched me again. Harder. In the exact spot.

     I was laughing, laughing freely, with a note of hysteria ringing through my tones. "Yes, yes. You've got a nice bite to your punch. With a bit of training, you'll be a fighter worth your salt, all right."

     "Why?" Your voice cracked slightly, and you stood taller as though to cancel out your moment of weakness.

     I rubbed the nasty bruise forming over my eye, still laughing. "Why not? Do you not admit that it felt good?"

     "It did." You admitted, and for the first time, a true, viciously pink blush took over your cheeks.

     I smiled to myself. I could almost see the stress and bitterness leaving you. Your face seemed lighter, less burdened by the constant reminder of failure. 

     "I'm sorry."

     I raised my eyebrows. "You're apologizing? To me?"

     "For punching you." You added with a hint of sass.

     "There you are. I was wondering who this stranger was and what she had done to the Princess Zelda."

     You laughed, flexing your fingers as though you were going to punch me again. "I was stupid, huh?"

     "You totally were."

     You extended a hand. "Friends?"

     I hesitated for a moment, staring at the offer of peace between us. A princess. And a knight. Nearly suffocated underneath the looming cloud of the Calamity.

     Then I took it, accepted your wordless apology. 

     And we shook.

A/N: The only unedited chapter in this entire story so far. Sorry, couldn't force myself to do it. Lol. I hope it's readable.

I like where this story is going, both of the storylines. I find it funny that a punch ignited Link and Zelda's friendship. Feel free to comment your thoughts!