Since you came along

Shadow

Against Link's wishes, Y/n tried her best to remember her time with the Shadow. In the end, she had taken to calling him a name. If she could remember that, she might be on the way to recalling her memories. The journey to Kakariko was silent as Link seethed over the day's discoveries. His grasp on Y/n's hand was even more possessive. "Link." They had reached the entrance to the village but he stopped them. "Come here." She pulled him in behind the Sanctuary. Her hand never left his, and she placed the other on his cheek. She felt a pinch in her chest as she gazed into his eyes. "Link, I'm fine. I'm still here, I promise." Her promise seemed to break him from his thoughts, and he savored the feeling of her hand resting softly on his face.

"I can't let anything happen to you, again."
"Nothing will. So long as I'm with you." She moved their joined hands to her chest and felt the pinch grow to a sting. She made no reaction to not alarm Link, but her brave front threatened to break when Link began to lean down. His lips hovered just above hers, and she could feel that ache begin to drum in her chest. Her breath grew short, but she couldn't move.

No pain in the world could ever compare to the sweetness of his lips on hers. She might've gotten to experience this once more had it not been for the sharp pain that shot through her when his lips brushed hers. She groaned and dropped his hand, her legs giving out on her and making her fall to her knees. Link was on his knees in a second, his hands reaching out to her and holding her steady as she breathed through the agony. "This is the second time this has happened." She shakily spoke.

"Link, do you think this is because of that dust?" He hadn't considered fully what it could do to her, but it made sense. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her inside the Sanctuary, where Renado was. He was sitting silently in peace until Link barged in. Link muttered an apology before setting Y/n comfortably on the floor above a blanket. She laughed quietly before her serious expression returned. She began explaining what had happened to Renado, who frowned upon the news. "It most likely is an effect of what's happened to her. However, I believe it only pertains to Link."

They both tilted their heads in confusion. "Y/n, when you show affection to anyone else, does it hurt you?"

"No. At least, I've not had any interactions with anyone else concerning affection."

"I see. The only way to find out is to test it. I recommend going to Ordon and being with your family. It'll show if familial affection is one of the triggers. Though I will say, you and Link do not have typical affection. Romantic attraction and intimacy are...deeper. More intense. It's an entirely different experience. If things are how you say, this Shadow may only be interested in hindering your relationship with each other." Link took in his words and considered them while Y/n furiously blushed. They hadn't told Renado what they were doing when the pain occurred, just that it was with Link, but the man was no fool. He'd known since the day he witnessed Link seeing Y/n for the first time. "We'll go soon. I honestly would rather rest for a couple of days. All this back and forth, it's quite exhausting." Link felt a little guilty dragging her around, so he took her to the Inn to sleep.

"Link, do you mind if I go to the Spring? Alone?" He was hesitant, something could happen to her. "I need to get a minute of peace. This is all so disorientating, I feel split at the seams." He reluctantly agreed but asked her not to be gone too long. She happily agreed and gave him a quick hug, ignoring the pierce it caused to her chest. She walked over to the Spring and removed her boots and socks, and rolled her trousers up to her knees. She stepped in slowly, allowing the healing waters to soothe her tired and aching feet. A pleased sigh left her lips. Right as the calm took over, she could feel something else.

An ominous presence.

"Here to take me, again?"
"Knew who I was without even a look. Smart girl. As much as I would like to, I'm not." She opened her eyes back up and glanced over her shoulder. There, the Shadow stood carefully, avoiding the sacred water. "You like standing in that?"
"It's relaxing."
"If you say so." He moved to the side to see her face better and watched her intently. He took in every move she made, from the flicker of disdain in her eyes to the twitch in her lip when he grimaced at the water. "If you're not here to abduct me, then?"
"You think about me too much for me not to show up, sweetheart." She scowled at the nickname. "Not quite nice coming from my mouth?" He teased. "You're correct. Anyway, I'm not thinking of you out of choice. It's a necessity." She said bitterly.
"Necessity? Am I so essential to you that you need to think of me?"
"Hardly." She scoffed at his ridiculous statement. She crossed her arms defensively. "Why can't I remember you? Why can I only remember when we met in Kakariko?" He tensed up. At this, she turned abruptly and marched up to him. Despite the height difference, she stood her ground and planted herself firmly in front of him. She still remained in the water, a small flicker of hope in her that it might help her keep her confidence.