Since you came along

Who you are

Ever since that night, he saw her every time he could as Link and as her mystery man.
That night was two months ago.

The stars looked breathtaking in the clear sky. But Link was looking at her. She looked beautiful laying there, peacefully. A kind smile on her lips and her eyes shining in the moonlight. He studied her face as much as he could before he turned back to the sky when he saw her move her head towards him. "You know, I always see you the days I see Link." His body tensed up. 'Oh no. Does she know?'
"Really?"
"Yeah..."
"Coincidence?"
"I don't know. It's a little weird and too much for a coincidence."
He started to internally freak out thinking she worked it out. "Well, I think it could be. I think I'm overthinking that. Have you ever talked to him?"
"Yeah, nice guy."
"Yeah, he is."
He let out a silent breath of relief. But he knew he had to be more careful. That meant only seeing her once a day and picking if it'd be as himself or as her mysterious friend. This had been going on for over two months now. In this time, she grew very close with him. As Link, they were close enough that they could joke and carry a conversation but he was also cautious of how his voice sounded. At night, when he came to her as an unknown person, they were best friends. She would gush about Link, every now and then.

"I saw him again today. He hugged me for the first time. I was a bit shocked but I liked it."
He had finally found the courage to hug her as he bid her goodbye that night. He knew he was to see her again in an hour or so but at night he couldn't get near her. He never did in fear she would find him out. He felt bad about lying to her and hiding but he felt most comfortable doing this until he could see if she was getting to know him as Link because she genuinely wanted or if it was just because he was the Hero. "Took him long enough." She laughed.
"Jealous?"
"Maybe a bit."
In reality, he was jealous. It was crazy because he was jealous of himself. He was jealous that during the day he could hug her or something. At night he couldn't because he'd risk her seeing his face. However, at night, he could tell her everything and nothing and never worry. He felt he couldn't do this during the day just yet. He felt like two different people and he wanted to just be Link to her. He planned to tell her today.

"I think I might have feelings for him."
That ruined his plan.
"Oh, really?"
"I don't know. Maybe. He's a sweet guy and I like being around him. But I'm conflicted."
"Why?"
"Because I might have feelings for someone else, too."
That stirring feeling came back to his chest. He clenched his fist. "Really? Who?"
"Can't tell you that."
"What? Why? You tell me everything."
"Not this time. Not until you tell me your name and let me see you."
"One day, I promise."
"Okay...question. Do you ever miss your home?"
He thought about it. Sometimes, he did. But, it was more he missed his own bed. Actually, that's all he missed. Ordon didn't call out to him. He felt out of place there, sometimes. He didn't want to go back, in all honesty. He thought if he did, everyone would assume he was back for good when, in fact, he didn't want return unless he found what he was missing. And, so far, he hadn't. At least, that's what he thought. Even so, he didn't want to step foot in Ordon for a good while.
"Not really. I much prefer being here with you." That made her blush and give him a light punch to the shoulder. "Flirt."

A month passes. Their nightly meetings grow less frequent as he sees her more as Link. One day, though, she had an argument with Link. She asked him to come with her to meet him. He obviously said no and told her he was busy. She asked with what and he stayed quiet. She asked where he goes when he leaves so suddenly and he didn't answer. This upset her and she just stormed off. She came to their meeting spot and a few minutes later, he came to her with his hood on. They talked about what happened.

"I just wanted him to meet you. You're my best friend. I, also, wanted to spend some more time with him. I just wish he would tell me what's bothering him, I can tell there's something going on." There was. He was having a battle with himself about telling her. He felt guilty. "Maybe, he will. Give him time."
"I wish you would tell me something."
"What?"
"Who you are."
He sighed heavily. He couldn't do that. Not now. He needed to know who this other person was, he still hadn't figured it out. And now that he knew she had feelings for him, he needed to keep this secret. He had already messed up as Link. He could fix it when she told him at night. He could fix anything between them like this. He would fix this problem, eventually.

"I like this. I've told you."
"Well, I don't. And until you decide to trust me, I don't think we should meet anymore." At this he shot up to a sitting position. "What?"
"You know who I am. You probably even talk to me during the day and I don't know it's you. It's not fair."
"Y/n, I just don't want to-"
"-deal with the expectations. Haven't you and I grown close enough for you to get that I don't care about that?" Her voice sounded like she was about to cry. He looked at her with pain in his eyes, but she couldn't see that. She stood up. "I'm sorry but I can't do this anymore. It's not fair." She turned on her heel and ran off. He wanted to follow her.

But he didn't.
He knew he needed to give her space. It hurt him to be away from her but he didn't want to risk making her more upset when he tells her he's been deceiving her for months. He needed her. He knew if he told her, she'd never speak to him again.

Y/n's P.O.V.
I ran off and went into my shop. I slammed the door shut, locked it, and went upstairs to my room. I started feeling a tight feeling in my chest and my breathing was short and fast. I felt like I was suffocating. I sat down on my bed and tried to calm down. But it hurt. Link was keeping things from me and so was this guy I thought was my friend. I didn't like that I didn't know who he really was. Was I stupid for being upset over this? It's not as if Link is anything to me other than a friend. And this guy...I don't even know his name. Or what he looks like. So why do I feel something for him, too? I like them both and they're both keeping things from me. After a while, the thoughts ceased. I finally calmed down after what seemed like forever. I don't know how I did. I stood up and grabbed a bag and started packing up some clothes. When I was satisfied, I walked out of my shop to see someone. I walked a couple streets down and I knocked on the door.

"Y/n? Is everything okay?"
My friend, May, looked at me concerned. "I'm fine. I just need you to watch the store for a few days. A week, max. I'm gonna go home for a bit. Or to see my uncle. I don't know. But I need your help, if you can."
"Of course! Whatever you need. So...do you want to talk about it?"
"No...I'm sorry. But, I'll write to you about it. I just need to get away."
"Just be careful. Make sure you tell Telma. You know how she gets."

I said goodbye to her and walked to the bar. I heard the laughter of drunk knights and the giggles of the girls they flirted with. I rolled my eyes. I walked to Telma and told her of my plans. "Sweetie...this isn't because of another man, is it?" I looked down. "Not exactly. It's a friend. And they really hurt me." She hugged me and told me to be safe and to write her. I walked out and set off for the town.

Link's P.O.V.
'Damn it...I messed this up with her really bad. I can't leave it like this.' I ran to her shop and saw the lights completely out and someone locking the door. A woman. "Is y/n not here?"
"No...Link?"
"Yes?"
"Sorry, just shocked to see you visiting y/n at this time." May had seen me and y/n together, a lot. But never at this time. "Where is she?"
"She left. She went home for a few days. She's not feeling too hot. I just came to make sure she didn't leave anything."
"Home? Where is home for her?"
"A small town. But, I can't say for sure she'll be there. She could also be visiting her uncle. That seems more likely as she hasn't seen him in a while. She misses her cousins, too."
"Where does her uncle live?"

"Ordon."