Never Without You │ BOTW modern AU fanfic

All the Things that Hurt Us

(Hey guys! Just a little heads up: this chapter is a liiiittle bit shorter than usual. The good news is that next chapter is waaayy longer than usual. It's because this was the best way to split the two chapters and you'll see why 💜 thanks for reading this story, I love all of you! xoxo -Ace)

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"I texted Karusa."

Link's lips part in silence, his voice nowhere to be found.

I'm still staring straight ahead at an empty wall when he removes his hands from mine.

The words just fell out of my mouth. He's been so honest and when I said those things about forgiveness, I really craved to be forgiven. I want my heart to be free of the chains too, but I have to be honest about my mistakes first... It's time I tell him everything, so that there will be no more walls separating us from having a healthy and good relationship.

I look at Link.  Emotions have been wiped from his face as he is processing my confession. Is this worse than what he did to Ruto? I wonder. Does it hurt him as much as it hurt me to find out about his past? Does it scare him as much as it scares me? Is he trying just as hard to hold back any anger and disappointment?

"Karusa? Are you serious?" He asks and I nod.

"I was curious why he texted me back then," I say. "I wanted to find out what he wanted, so I texted him back."

Link's breaths are heavy but calm. He probably doesn't know how to respond properly, and to be honest, neither do I. Maybe he's just quiet because he wants me to continue, just like I wanted him to earlier.

"He said he wanted to meet up with me and discuss something important. I refused. Then I asked him to tell me why it was important for us to meet. He said--"

"Zelda," Link exhales and shakes his head.

"No, let me explain," I beg and continue at a faster pace, scared of being interrupted again. "He said it's something private and something we shouldn't discuss over the phone. I waited to hear back from him but when he didn't respond for weeks, I blocked him."

He barely lets me finish before he throws a harsh "What the fuck?" at me, his anger slipping through. "You texted Karusa?"

"I'm really sorry," I whisper in fear of getting into another fight. I want to make things better, not worse.

"Are you trying to get hurt? Are you purposefully trying to screw yourself?" He asks in a judgmental tone. How can he even ask this? I don't like Karusa any more than he does, but if an enemy reaches out in desperate ways, anybody would be a little curious. "Why the hell would you text him back? I thought we blocked him months ago!"

"I was curious, I can't help it! My mind is wired that way!"

"What does that even mean?"

"That means that I am a researcher seeking answers. I can't just live in the unknown and forever wonder about the what-ifs."

"Bullshit," he shrugs in frustration. "You just don't know how to let things go!"

"Says you!" I roll my eyes.

"Excuse me?"

"After everything you just told me, you don't get to be angry at me," I snap. "I admit it, I don't know how to let things go, but at least I'm trying to use what has happened in the past to learn and do better in the future. And I'm trying to forgive myself for all the mistakes I've made. Can't you?"

"I'm not saying you made a mistake, I don't even think I'm necessarily mad at you." Link is actively trying to avoid eye contact. "But I'm really furious at Karusa! He put his hands on you, Zelda! He touched you, he gave you a hickey! Against your will!" Now his eyes dart back to mine, piercing through me like two fiery arrows. "And I am so disappointed that you would even think about reaching out to him or letting him anywhere near you."