Part of Your Realm: A Twilight Princess Fanfic

A Toast to the Restless

* Ordon Village*

Link hurried to his house after his pep talk from Rusl. Because of his code of honor, he'd respect his crush on Y/N. He would uphold boundaries to prevent himself from doing anything ignoble. As for Ilia, he needed to do something that would help ignite his feelings for her. He needed to reconnect with her as a friend. Lately, they haven't even felt that much for each other.

Yes, Link was going to do right by all parties. He just couldn't help but wonder if doing right for all parties was really doing right for himself.

Link approached his door and was greeted with a delectable smell. Goddesses, is Ilia here cooking? We just spent all day together. Link turned his doorknob, hesitating. He realized whatever he was smelling wasn't something Ilia would make. Ilia was many things in their village; a renowned cook was not one of them. It took her months to perfect mashing pumpkins into soup consistency.

Link could hear a soft humming coming from the other side of the door. He didn't recognize the tune, but he recognized the voice behind it. He slowly pushed his door open, holding his breath.

There stood Y/N, filling two empty bottles with milk. The table was set with pretty ivory linen. The center of the table was decorated with wild yellow daffodils. It was the prettiest pop of color in Link's drab home. Two place settings sat vacant. Each had plates with steam vaporizing the air above them and the fresh milk Y/N just poured.

"What's all this?" Link exhaled, amazed.

"I... hope this is alright. You made me breakfast. I thought maybe I should make dinner. If you wish for us to be lodged together, then I will work for my lodging. I hope you like this. It's a Twili dish. People in the Realm of Light would also eat it. It's baked cucco with potatoes. So, I-." Y/N was rambling.

Link's heart fluttered. Not only at the kindness of the gesture but at the effort she went through to make it special. Even after how foolish he acted. Now she stood, prattling on in fear.

"I must save some for Fado. By the way-"

"Y/N." Link slowly walked towards her, remembering his resolution to keep boundaries. Which he was reminded once again why this would not be an easy task. He wanted nothing more than to hug her. To apologize for how ridiculous he had acted.

"You did all this for me?" Link peered down at her face, his eyes melting into hers.

"It isn't much, Link."

"It's much for me, Y/N." Link got down on one knee and took one of Y/N's hands like he had at breakfast. He pressed his forehead against the back of it. "You have shown me kindness I do not deserve. I am sorry for my actions. You see me as a hero, but what you saw today was me as a human. Forgive me."

Y/N looked down at him with empathy. "I forgive you. Do you forgive me?"

Link lifted his head, confused. "Forgive you for what?"

"You must think me selfish. I come to your realm and thrust myself upon you and your life with my agenda. It was never my intention. Now you have to accompany me and-"

"Ah, now it has become clear to me." Link stood. He pulled out a chair for Y/N. "Please sit. Let's discuss everything over dinner. "Link patted her seat. Y/N came and sat as Link made his way to his own seat. He insisted, "I just want you to know that I never once in the past two days have felt you were inconveniencing me. I assure you. You will remain here with me, under my protection. I will take care of Ilia. "

The ravenous growl from Link's stomach contested his statement. Y/N giggled at the sound. Her laughter was sweeter than the honey in bee larvae ice cream.