Heroes Between Realms

Link

Link layed on the bed, one hand behind his head, one hand drumming a fast beat on his bare stomach. He hadn't yet changed, still dazed by the moments of that night. His hand tingled where Zelda had touched him.

    Maybe she did like him that way. Maybe.

    Link's hand grew tired from the tapping. He fully relaxed, clearing his head. He closed his eyes, calling back the moment on the wall with Zelda. His fingers closed around air, but in his mind, he was holding Zelda's hand.

    Through the silence came a small whimper, bursting Link's dream. He frowned and stared up at the ceiling, listening for the noise. Again it came, along with a muffled voice. Then the sound of something bumping against another thing.

    Link swung his legs over the side of the bed, staring at the Master Sword propped up against the wall. A voice came again, sounding scared and distressed. Link took the sword from its sheath and opened his door a crack, listening.

    "Link. . ." said the dry voice. It came from Zelda's room.

    Link stepped across the hall, rapping on her door with his knuckles. "Princess?"

    "Help. . ."

    Link shoved open the door, searching for the danger with his sword held up. His eyes landed on Zelda struggling on her bed. Her eyes were shut tight, face scrunched up in terror.

    Link dropped the Master Sword with a clatter, rushing to her side. "Princess?" he asked, frantic.

    "I can't. . ." Zelda gasped.

    Link grabbed her shoulders, hoisting her up to a sitting position. He knelt beside the bed, ripping the mask off his face. "Look at me." When she didn't, he shook her a little. Fear welled in his stomach. "Look at me."

    Zelda turned to face him. Her eyes opened for a split second before shutting. She tried again, but to no avail. "He's right there," she cried.

    Link took her hands in his, rubbing them. Jenkins had done this to her. He traumatized her. Link would kill Jenkins himself. "I need you to look at me."

    Zelda opened her eyes. They didn't close, but they slipped to look at something behind Link. He put his hands on either side of her face, forcing her to stare down at him. Zelda's eyes were round and bloodshot, filled with unshed tears.

    "Look at me, okay? You're safe. He's not here." Link's hands warmed where his skin touched hers. Something fluttered in his chest when he said, "I'm here. I'm here, okay? You're safe. Nothing will hurt you. I won't let that happen."

    Zelda nodded. Her lips parted as she placed her hands on his shoulders. She sank to the floor with him.

    Link shut the door with his foot and kicked the forgotten sword so it wouldn't cut them. He sat with his back against the bed, an arm around Zelda. Her breaths began to even.

    Link dropped his arm from the princess's back. It tingled from the rare contact with another's skin. Zelda began to lean on him, and he became rigid.

    Zelda's head fell onto his shoulder. Link shifted to see her calm, sleeping face. He sank to the floor, positioning her body next to him. Link pulled the pillow from the bed to place under her head.

    He layed an inch away, gazing at her beautiful features. A chill ran up his body. Link remembered how cold the desert could get at night and draped the blankets from the bed over Zelda.

    Zelda's faced started to scrunch up, she sturred. Link moved that one inch closer, eliminating the space between them. Not knowing why, he crawled under the blankets, pressing his body against her's. Link longingly stared at her, stroking her arm with his fingers. This reminded him if when Zelda cried in his arms after they lost the other champions and their king, only this time she relaxed instantly.

    He didn't care what was proper or not as he layed with Zelda, never once thinking about sleep. She was all he needed right now, and she needed him.

    Link vowed he would have Jenkins's head.