Never Without You │ BOTW modern AU fanfic

よろしくおねがいします

When the doors open and a man steps into the living room, my muscles freeze. He looks so serious and cold! Although he is rather skinny than brawny, he looks strong and his chest appears toned beneath his old gray tank top. His hair is a light gray and his eyes are even brighter than Link's. So much so that I catch myself staring at him. 

I move my eyes to his hands. They are dirty from soil and hard work. He's not very tall, hardly taller than Link, but I can tell he's in very good shape for his age and even though he just came home from a long day at work, he doesn't appear as exhausted as others would be. I look back up at his eyes; those bright blue eyes. Link and Aryll definitely got their genes from him.

Link greets the man first, but his fathers eyes remain on me. Instinctively, I make an excessive bow and pray to the goddesses that I don't butcher this greeting!

"Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!" I spit, holding my bow at a stiff 90 degree angle. I give a subtle glimpse at Link and wait to be corrected but he doesn't say anything.

"Hyrule-chan," the man returns calmly. When I look up at him, the corners of his mouth lift vaguely. Is that a smile? Did I do it right? "It is nice to meet you."

"You speak English?!" I say excitedly, returning to my former pose.

"Little bit." His accent is strong but I can easily understand him! What a relief!

He passes by me to walk up to Link. He is now standing in front of his son like a general in front of an army. I'm so anxious! Why is this whole situation so tense? Are they not on good terms or something? Are they going to shout at each other? 

"Miyamoto-kun," his father says in a sharp, quiet tone.

"Miyamoto-san," Link returns emotionlessly, holding his father's eye contact with fearless intensity.

Suddenly his father's laugh breaks through his tough exterior and his hand reaches up to mess with Link's hair. He gives it a thorough shuffle as he chuckles from joy. Link tries to fight it but his father has the upper hand. Literally.

"Welcome home, son." He pulls Link into a very brief one-handed hug and leaves a quick kiss on his messy hair. The first thing Link does as his father turns his back toward us is fix his hair. He's smiling which tells me that their cold and heartless greeting was just an act and nothing more. I'm relieved!

"Flight was okay, yes?" The man asks us, walking into the tiny kitchen to wash his hands. His voice has a warm and calm ring to it now.

I drop my shoulders and exhale in relaxation. I instantly feel a bit more welcomed and at ease. It's like Link's father's mood and behavior reflects on me. 

"It was okay," I answer for us and nod one too many times even though he isn't even looking at us. I'm just so happy that somebody in this house speaks my language!

The kitchen is so compact that he can barely pass his wife to get to the sink where he cleans his hands. I notice a limp. I wonder if it's a temporary or permanent injury.

"Dad," Link follows to the kitchen but doesn't enter. "I had the best flight ever. Zelda bought first class tickets! It was still super long but at least it was comfortable."

It's so adorable to see him this excited with his father.

"I slept for most of it," he continues and his father replies with a chuckle.

"Of course. You always asleep."

"So true," I laugh along and when Link rolls his eyes at me I stick out my tongue to tease him further.

"We are happy you are here now," his father says to me, walking out of the kitchen. I hide my silly expression and return to a serious posture as I nod. "We hear a lot about you," his eyes shift to Link. "A lot."