Part of Your Realm: A Twilight Princess Fanfic

The Other Side of the Mirror

*Ordon Ranch*

"Is that all, Link?" You tried to keep your voice neutral in spite of the exhaustion you felt. If this is what he did prior to becoming a hero, he shouldn't have had to endure much training. You waddled over to where the other bales of hay stood. You threw yours on top, completing the perfect triangular stack Fado asked you to make. 

Link folded his arms in response to the pride you were displaying. You turned to catch him watching you as a grin unfolded on his face. 

"What?" You barked at him. 

"Oh, nothing. It's just for someone who told me Twili don't have emotions; you sure are demonstrating a lot of hubris right now. You could admit you're tired. This is tiring work for someone who isn't a ranch hand." 

"Yeah, this isn't work for a delicate lady such as yourself." Fado seized the opportunity to swoop in as the savior. He laid a gentle hand on your back. You could feel the sweat from his palms saturate your clothing. "Link, why are you making her do the bales of hay? You can handle them yourself. I would have had her do something less strenuous. She could gather the eggs from the cucco coops." Fado turned to you with a flirtatious glint in his eyes. "He's just grumpy these days because he's about to lose his freedom." 

You found the expression odd. Any time someone said something you didn't quite understand, you simply repeated it. Often times, they would reiterate, helping you understand what they meant. "Lose his freedom?" Fado gave a loud chortle, "Link? You didn't tell her you were engaged?" Then he lowered his voice, attempting to keep Link out of earshot. "He's engaged to the mayor's daughter. I am single. In case you're wondering." 

"She isn't." Link walked up, clearly irritated. You couldn't help but notice the change in his demeanor whenever there was mention of his engagement. How you wish you could connect with Midna. There were so many things about the Realm of Light you wanted to ask. Link had an edge to him sometimes. One that intimidated you. Although, he did have a lot on his plate. You were kind of an inconvenience in his life. Perhaps it would be best to at least try to seek lodging elsewhere. He didn't deserve to have his life put on hold by your selfish mission. Once I meet Zelda, we will part ways. You inferred that this was the right thing to do. Yet the thought of leaving Link was heavy on your chest. 

"Y/N?" You cast your widened eyes toward Link. He gave you a suspicious look. As if he knew you were mentally planning something. Link brought his face slightly closer to yours. He was close enough that you could see the pores on his face. There was a sheen of oil cast on the apples of his cheeks that made his face shine. You wanted to touch his skin. To feel it beneath your eager fingers. You wanted to feel his human qualities, which made him the living hero you were taught to deify. "Whatever it is, don't think about it." 

"What?" 

"Your face always gives you away. We need to teach you how to have a poker face." Link's lips curved into a tired smile. You felt your chest constrict. You instantly reached your hand up to your heart. As though you could grab hold of it through your chest wall and make it stop its arrythmia. 

"What's a poker face?" You gave him an inquisitive glance. You doubted that you made many other faces besides that. 

"It's keeping a neutral facial expression. So that you don't give away your feelings. As a Twili without feelings, there is no reason to use a facial expression to hide them." He sounded dejected.