Musterion (A Zelda AU)

My Sun - Chapter 5

By the time the next morning has arrived, Ali still hasn't come back to the palace. Aabirah's just come back from an expedition, but I don't want to welcome her home by myself. I knock on Zelda's door, unsure that asking for advice about girls from Link is a good idea.

She opens her door ever so slightly, peeking at me before opening it fully. She's already dressed for the day, seemingly hard at work with the tech we got back from the Yiga. "Can I help you?"

"I was just wondering... let's say something happened between me and Ali... and things are a little awkward..." I pause, pulling at a strand of hair. "Should I leave her alone?"

"Well, it would depend on the context of the 'awkwardness'... but I think you should go visit her just in case."

"Okay, thank you." I nod, and head on my way, my pace increasing as time drags along. From a walk, to a speed walk, to a jog, run, sprint. Nothing seems to be fast enough. Her face keeps appearing in my head, how she was so disappointed and hid her face in her hands.

Once I arrive, I step inside, remembering the time Ali told me I could come in whenever I wanted to. Ali. Her face. Disappointment. Hiding. Secrets. My head begins to spin as I search the house, desperate for a sign, for anything. Something to lead me to her. Her house has a familiar scent to me, one that usually relaxes me. But now it only leads to more anxiety, more guilt.

"Gan?" Her voice calls out to me, soft, gentler than anyone else would ever dare be to someone like me. Her eyes hold a hidden truth, something locked deep in her heart that I could never pry out myself. Only time could ever get a hold of something like that.

I run over to her, tripping over the throw rug, regaining my balance as I wrap my arms around her as tightly as I can. Tears blur my vision, but for what reason? A voice cracks as it speaks, "Ali." Is it my voice? It isn't hers. But it can't be mine either, a true voe doesn't cry in front of just anybody.

"Are you okay?"

"Are you okay?" I echo back, unsure of how else to answer.

"I..." Ali hesitates. "I'm okay."

I let go of her, sitting down at her table. She sits next to me, grabbing a hydromelon slice from the bowl in the center of the table. I wipe my eyes, laughing a little as I grab a piece too. "Sorry, I don't mean to cry. I just got worried after last night."

"No, no it's fine," Ali smiles. "I'm glad you stopped by to see me. My mom isn't home right now, she... went out for a few drinks."

"Figures. She doesn't do anything besides drink."

"Hey! That's my mom you're talking about."

"What? You know it's true," I say defensively, crossing my arms.

"I'd prefer if you didn't bring it up though..." She looks down, swinging her legs. "Even if she spends all day drunk, she's still my mom."

"I- I'm sorry. Hey, um... let's go play with the sand seals."

"Let me finish my melon slice first," She sighs, taking another bite. 

Once we finish our melons, we head outside.

"You know, I don't think anybody besides you or the sand seals would notice if I disappeared one day, Gan."

"What makes you say that? Everyone here loves you to bits."

"What if I do go missing? My heritage makes me a target to the Yiga because they know about my power. Nobody would know that little Alibi'eh, the sand seal girl, would be someone the Yiga would want. They would all think I just went to the Bazaar, and that I'll be home soon." Ali jumps over the pen fence as she talks, helping me climb over as well.

"If you ever went missing, I would go find you."

"Would you?" A smile pulls at her lips as she looks down at one of the seals, kneeling and petting it.

"I'd be your knight in not-so-shiny armor," I tease, pulling on her ponytail. 

Ali laughs, swatting my hand away. She playfully asks, "What, you wouldn't wear a suit of armor just for me?"

"In this weather? You're just begging for me to not save you."

She lays on the sand seal, letting it carry her away as she half-heartedly cries out, "Oh, someone save me! Won't somebody save this poor soul?"

"Nope." I watch, restraining myself from laughing as she hits her head on the fence. 

"Ow-" She quickly gets off of the sand seal, patting it. 

"You good?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Ali mutters, rolling her eyes. "Can you grab the food and put it in their trough for me? It's heavier than usual since it's a more filled-up bag."

"Sure," I nod, heading back into her house. I grab the food bag, and walk back out, pouring about half of it into the feeding trough. I set the bag by the door, propping myself up on the fence. "So do I get a reward for feeding them?"

"No."

"I should."

"What would I even give you?" She huffs, walking over.

"How about... a 'thank you'?"

"Thanks, Gan."

"You're welcome." I offer her a hand so she can get over the fence. She takes it, and I pull her on top of it. She jumps down, stretching.

"Hey, Ali, can I tell you something?" I have to do it. Now's my only chance, I can't let it get taken from me again. I take her hands, holding them. The sun is warm against us, it's light bright. But hers is brighter. Her hands are warm, like the sun, intertwined with mine. She is the sun. My sun. "I.. you're..."

"I'm...?"

"You're- uh..." I hesitate, my throat closing up. "Sorry- this is kinda hard to say-"

Unfortunately, I find myself cut off again.

"Your majesty!" Aabirah's voice is urgent, as she appears from the marketplace.

"Not right now!"

"The Yiga are attacking!"