Silence ✔️

• Thirty

A/N: this has over 4000 words oOOPSPPPS.

••

Link could consider himself a living reminder that things can and will get better if you give it enough time. Whatever he had been suffering through years ago was like an old, nightmarish memory to him now.

Graduation was today, and all the students of Hyrule High were clothed in the appropriate outfits for such an occasion. They wore their special hats for the graduation ceremony, the ceremonial gowns a navy blue color and adorning every person in the student body. Groups of students laughed and joked together, sharing memories from the four years of high school and predicting what their future would end up being like.

However, Link was the wallflower in this situation, as per usual. Although his mind was calm and peaceful now, that didn't mean his hate for huge public events diminished. Even before what happened years ago, he had always been a quieter person. Making a big scene and socializing with everyone he saw wasn't his priority. Then, there was the common stage fright—what if he tripped over his own shoes while accepting his diploma? That'd be embarrassing, and surely he'd be known as the clumsiest person to accept a diploma.

He also knew he was overthinking the situation. Another part of his conscious told him that he would do this perfectly without any fault. Everyone would cheer and clap, or just clap, but, they wouldn't laugh at a mishap he performed.

Standing up, he acknowledged a red Zora man rushing over to him with a very happy look in his eyes. This was Sidon, the slightly younger brother of Mipha, one of Zelda's good friends. Link didn't know how it happened, but he ended up becoming great friends with this overly-positive Zora.

"Link! Oh, aren't you excited?" Sidon exclaimed. He was so much taller than Link, and that was something the smaller Hylian teen noticed frequently.

"Mhm," Link mumbled. "When is it starting again?"

"Right now, actually," Sidon said, that positive smile never leaving his face. "I wanted to come and get you so you wouldn't be late."

"I appreciate it," Link said, his hands growing clammy as they began to enter the auditorium together.

There were so many people in this room, as opposed to the hallway that Link and a handful of other students lingered in moments prior to now. Everyone was shouting and yelling with excitement, and a small group of Zora girls began to squeal when Sidon came into their view. That was his small fan club, as they deemed themselves—the number one fans of Sidon to ever exist! Sidon was flattered that he had a fan club running just for him, but was also a bit disturbed by it. Nobody else had a fan club for just their being, not that he knew of.

"So many people..." Link commented under his breath.

Sidon suddenly turned to face Link, grabbing both of his hands. "Link! Please do not worry about this event, I assure you - and I know it! - that you'll be fine! You're amazing! You're incredible! I support you so-"

Link nervously laughed at his friend's overexcitement and positivity. Sidon was truly a wonderful person and Link was glad that they were friends. Aside from his constant reminders to Link that he was "amazing," Sidon was just a great person in general.

His older sister came running over to the two of them, followed by Midna and Zelda. Sidon let go of Link's hands and smiled at everyone.

When Link laid his eyes on Zelda, he felt a lot calmer in this situation. Zelda easily noticed his how antsy he was acting, smiling warmly and taking his hand in hers. Without hesitation, they intertwined their hands together, Zelda leaning her head on Link's shoulder.