The Both Of Us | Zelink X The Last Of Us

Chapter Nine

Zelda's pov

We made it to Tennessee last night before stopping and we slept in the truck. I slept surprisingly well, I assume because of the cushioned seats instead of a hard floor.

We avoid Nashville for a very obvious reason. Cities are equivalent to hell on earth. We do stop near some cars again to get gas and I watch as Link sets up the siphon.

"Can I try?" I ask as I sit on the ground next to him. I've tried to get more comfortable with him. He's not any less terrifying but Impa wasn't scared of him so maybe I shouldn't be either. I don't want to be weak; I want to be strong like her.

"No," he says shortly and blows into the tube.

"Why not?" He glares at me and I know I'm pushing it.

"Because I said."

"Because isn't a reason," I quote my father. I probably shouldn't have said that but to my surprise, he hands me the tube.

"Go ahead."

I put my mouth over the end of the tube and blow. It doesn't feel like I'm forcing any air through. I struggle for a few moments before handing it back to him.

"There's your reason." He blows into the tube again and I hear gas flow into the can. At least I tried.

I stand up and look through the windows of the car to see if there's anything interesting inside. I try to ignore the baby seat in the back. I move to the passenger side and see another magazine on the floor. I already looked through the magazine I found at the gas station and I need something new to keep me entertained. I try the handle. Locked.

"Could you get this magazine out for me?" I ask Link. "The door is locked." I figure he could break the window or something. He has the arms for it.

"I'm busy," he says.

"It wouldn't take long. Please?"

"If you want it so bad, you get it out." I do want it badly but I'd hurt myself if I tried to break the window. Unless...

I start looking for something heavy I can smash the window with. My eyes settle on a large rock by the road and I lug it over. Link watches with an almost amused expression. Almost. He still looks angry.

I hold the rock in both hands and hit the window with it. It cracks. I hit it again, harder this time, and the window shatters. I've never broken anything like this before but it was kind of fun. I reach in and grab the magazine before walking around the car and hold it up proudly.

"Congratulations," he says sarcastically and brings the can over to fill the truck. I follow him again to watch. He took off his button up earlier because it was too hot and now he's only wearing the blue t-shirt. There's a faded logo on it and I squint, trying to read it. It says Champion as in the brand. I think it was an athlete brand if I remember correctly. I wouldn't be surprised if he was an athlete based on his muscular build alone. I can see his muscles more now that his arms are exposed and his chest is more sculpted than I'd thought.

I tie my own flannel around my waist. The sun is hot today and I'm standing directly under it. He glances up from the gas can for a moment and his eyes linger on me but his angry expression remains. He tosses the can back into the truck bed and goes to the driver's side door.

"Can you teach me how to drive?" I ask out of nowhere. It was more of an intrusive thought and I didn't actually mean to ask it. I've been watching him drive and it doesn't look that hard. The world ended before I could get my permit and I've never driven before.

"Absolutely not," he says.

"Why not? There's nothing for me to hit."

"We're on a schedule."

"I just want to try. I've never driven before."

He thinks for a moment and takes a deep breath before opening the door and holding his hand out. I smile and climb into the driver's seat. It's weird being on this side. I look at the dials on the dashboard and I mess with the mirror. This is cool.

He gets in the passenger side and holds the keys out to me. I reach for them but he pulls them away slightly before I can take them.

"When I say you're done, you're done." I nod. I'm surprised he's even letting me do this. He's not as bad as I thought. Is this how Impa saw him?

I take the keys and start the truck. It rumbles to life and I grin. I don't remember the last time I was excited about something.

"Push the brakes and put it in drive," he instructs.

"Which one is the brake?" I ask as I look down at the two pedals.

"Jesus Christ," he says under his breath. "The left one."  I have to slide down a little to reach the pedal. "Now put it in drive."

This part I do know. I've watched him move the lever between the seats down a few notches. I do and lift my foot off the brake. The truck starts rolling forward and I squeal in joy. I'm driving! I thought this was something I'd never get to do.

"Can I push the accelerator now?"

"How else are we going to get anywhere?" I press down and the truck lurches, scaring me. "Gently!"

"Sorry!" I press it lightly this time while I clutch the steering wheel with stiff arms. I press down a little harder and the truck moves faster. I grin at Link. I'm too happy to be worried about his demeanor right now.

"Don't hit that pothole."

"What?"

"Don't hit the-" He grabs the wheel and turns it to the right away from a giant hole in the road. "Pay attention! We can't go anywhere with a flat tire!"

I glue my eyes to the road and avoid driving straight at potholes. I drive for about an hour and I get better at it. My speed is very inconsistent and I lurched the truck a couple times, getting a glare from Link each time but I don't care. I'm having fun.

"Stop the truck," he says. He hasn't talked for the last hour. I'd say he was stressed if I didn't know any better. He just doesn't talk much.

I stop the truck. I'm not going to argue in the hopes he'll let me drive again sometime. I reach for the handle and he grabs my arm, stopping me.

"Just climb over me. I don't want you to go outside." I look around outside. Nothing looks off but I start to get worried anyway. He wouldn't say that for no reason. There's something he noticed that I haven't.

"Okay." I scooch over and do my best to climb over him without touching him. He holds my waist and lifts me over with ease before getting into the driver's seat.

I pull on my flannel again and get the magazine out from earlier. This one has home decor in it. I flip through the pages and remember my old home. My father being the Governor, we had a big plantation style house with expensive furniture and decorations. I liked finding cozy corners to read in. I had everything I could ever ask for. I went to a private school and had piano lessons. I could wear a different outfit everyday and I'd sit and look pretty in front of my father's guests. He would show me off and I'd shake hands, getting him points for reelection. The wives considered me a darling and would invite me to events. I loved and hated it. Sometimes I just wanted to be a wild little girl, climbing trees and screaming at the top of my lungs while running barefoot and other times I liked being the perfect, adored daughter. After my mother died, I became more of the latter. She was the one who encouraged my wild side but it started to fade when I lost her. I tucked that part of myself away when we buried her and I sat straighter for the parent I did have left. I craved his praise. I wanted to be perfect for him like I was perfect for my mother.

I stare out the window. I wonder if he's the same. I'm nowhere near the person I used to be. Will I still be good enough for him?