Heroes Between Realms

Link

Link took the splint off his leg and tossed it to the side. He shouldn't need it anymore. He pulled the sticks from his hair. Half of it fell down while the rest stayed clumped together with dry blood. He pulled the top over his head, and was glad his side only ached. Link looked down at the scar, black flesh surrounding it. This would never go away.

    He stripped down and climbed into the tub. The cool water felt nice on his skin, calming his nerves. He ducked farther in.

    Link worked out the dried blood in his hair, tossing the little flakes to the side. He scrubbed his body clean, making sure to be gentle with his side. The bar of soap kept sliding from his left hand, and it made him angry. Link brought his hand closer to examine his missing thumb.

    The limb now stopped before it was supposed to reach the second joint. It was clumsy at holding things and felt weird against his hand. Somehow, if Link looked away, it felt like he had the rest of his thumb, like a phantom. But if he looked back, he could feel the end of the stump. He toyed with it, pressing the spongey skin on the end and flexing his hand into a fist.

    Link was a little disappointed the fairy hadn't given him the full extremity back, though he didn't really know what to expect when something like that happened. This was something he would have to get used to.

    He finished cleaning himself, then got dressed in his trousers and Champion's tunic. He dried his hair and pulled it back. When Link slung the Master Sword on his back, the leather strap rubbed against his side. He wrapped the wound in bandages so it wouldn't get irriated.

    Link opened the door and stepped into the hall. He walked back to the main room, sitting down on one of the cushions as he waited for Zelda.

    "How are you, Link?" Impa said, catching him off-guard.

    "Fine. Why?"

    "Why?" Impa repeated with a laugh. She stood and walked to be right infront of Link, eyes on the same level. "You were covered in blood when you got here. You could barely stand. Your thumb is missing. It's reasonable to ask how you're doing."

    "You don't have to worry about me." If the old woman did, it would be the end of her. Link was always fighting, getting hurt around each corner. It was a miracle he even lived passed age five.

    "Yet I still do." Impa's gaze turned to the painting hanging on the wall to the left. It depicted the place Link died a hundred years ago. He really had protected Zelda with his life, right up to the end. But it wasn't the very end, and he still had to protect her. Jenkins was proof of this, even beyond the grave. However, Zelda was no longer the innocent little princess. She was strong and powerful and capable.

    And Link loved her for it.

    A moment of thoutful silence passed, then Zelda, wearing her own set of Sheikah armor, walked into the room. She looked good in the armor, but her eyes are what caught Link's attention as he got to his feet. Zelda's hair was pulled up into a tight bun, complementing her sparking emerald eyes along with the dark shades of the outfit. Link's eyes fell to her lips, but he quickly flicked his gaze to the floor.

    "Thank you, Impa," she said. "We must be going now."

    "Of course." Impa paused before adding, "Epona is still out in that field."

    Zelda nodded and smiled. She turned to Link and continued out of the house. Link followed behind.

    At the bottom of the stairs, Zelda walked beside Link. Neither said a thing as they trotted through the village, then onto Sahasra Slope.

    "Are you okay?" Zelda asked, breaking the silence.

    "I'm fine."

    Zelda turned and stopped infront of him. Her eyebrows were shaped with worry. "I don't believe that."

    "Princess, I'm okay," Link persisted. He grinned as if to prove it.

    "But you got hurt, because of me. I keep putting you in danger, and you keep paying the price." Her eyes watered.

    "It's my job. Better me than you." Link watched a single tear caress her cheek. He reached to wipe it away, getting reminded of his stump if a thumb. He removed his hand, staring down at it sadly.

    "Link, your hand!" Zelda cried, taking his hand in hers. More tears streamed down her face. "This happened because of me! It's all my fault!"

    "No. You didn't do this." He had to find a way to make her believe him. All Zelda ever tried to to was good.

    "You must hate me! I treat you so poorly!" She dropped her head into her hands, still clutching Link's.

    "No, Princess, no. I don't hate you. Infact I-" Link's heart beat faster. "I-" Giving up on words, he placed his hands on either side of Zelda's face. He gently angled her head up, then leaned in.

    Link pressed his lips onto Zelda's. He felt her gasp, but he didn't open his eyes, afraid. She melted under his touch, tentatively setting her hands on his arms.

    Link pulled back a centimeter, resting his forehead on her's. "I love you, Zelda. I love you, and nothing will change that." His chest heaved with adrenaline and his head buzzed with excitement. He smiled at his confession, waiting for a response.

    "You called me 'Zelda,'" she whispered. He didn't expect that.

    Confused and scared, Link pulled back a little more. He dropped his hands in embarrassment, placing one on his neck. "Sorry."

    He barely got the word out before Zelda smashed her lips against his. "I love you, too, Link!" She kissed him again, tangling her fingers in his hair.

    Link pressed a hand to her back, reeling her closer as he kissed his princess.