A ZeLink Family

An Old Promise

The door slammed shut as Zelda returned from the store, holding many bags of groceries on her way to the kitchen. "I'm Home!" She called.

"Mommy!" She dropped the bags on the counter in time to see Cupcake barreling towards her. Zelda caught her and lifted her up, spinning the little girl around before hugging her tightly. Zelda lowered the girl to the ground and went back to the bags, unpacking them and placing things where they go. Link stepped into the kitchen, Andy on his shoulders, and went over to Zelda, helping her unload bags.

"Mom, watch this!" Andy said, making Zelda turn to look at him atop Link. Link grinned, holding a bag of pretzels.

"Andy, put these in the basket!" Link flipped the bag up over his head where Andy caught it and dropped it into the basket of chips atop the fridge. Zelda applauded the pair, watching Andy raise his arms in victory. "Alright, down you go." Link squatted, letting the boy slide off his back and onto the ground. Andy ran off into the sitting room and Zelda soon heard Cupcake's scream as Andy chased her. She grinned, placing a block of cheese into the fridge. She turned and watched Link place several items into the pantry.

"Hey Link?" She asked, taking more things from the bags. "Hmm?" Link responded, placing the last thing he had on a shelf and turning back to the bags. "Do you remember our first date?" She placed a gallon of milk into the fridge, turning back to see empty bags and Link leaning on the counter, his arms crossed. "Of course." He said, taking a cookie from the glass jar behind him. "Well I've been thinking about that-"

"Uh-oh." Link interrupted, a bite of cookie in his mouth. Zelda grinned and threw a dish towel at him. He deflected it and giggled. "I'm sorry, continue."

"Well, on that date, after the meal and when we arrived back at my apartment. We..." she trailed off, slightly embarrassed by what had happened all those years ago.

"We kissed." Link finished.

"Yeah, well you said something, after that, about your hair."

"Yeah, you asked if you could- oh no." Link's eyes went wide.

"When was the last time you cut your hair?" Zelda cocked her head.

"Not recently, several months ago... maybe even a year." Link braced himself against the counter.

"Perfect." Zelda approached him, and then grabbed his shoulders and shoved him towards the living room. She plopped him down on the floor and ran out of the room but suddenly slid to a halt. Zelda turned around and growled "Don't move." before running upstairs.

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Link huffed, cringing as his wife tugged at his hair, winding strands together.

"Are you done yet?" He looked up as if he could see over his own head.

"Stop moving." Zelda growled, taking more of his hair in her hands. Link rolled his eyes and watched with enjoyment as Andy walked into the room, noticed them and took a deep breath, about to scream. Link quickly slammed a finger to his own lips, gesturing for the boy to be quiet. Luckily, Andy remained silent, instead walking over to them and sitting beside Link.

"Dad, what are you doing?" The boy asked, leaning back to look at Zelda's hands working through his hair.

"You'll find out." Zelda responded curtly, not looking away from Link's hair. "Now go play." Andy didn't move, still curiously watching Zelda work. Link tapped his foot against the boy's foot and told him to leave. Andy reluctantly got up and walked out of the living room. "One more." Zelda groaned, and Link grinned when she released his hair and flopped back into the couch. "Done!" She exclaimed. Link stood and turned, pecking her lips.

"Hopefully it looks good." he whispered, heading to the bathroom. Link turned on the light and gasped at himself in the mirror. Zelda stood outside the doorway and cringed. "Do you hate it?" She asked, her arms slightly raised to cover her face. Link didn't respond, instead staring into the mirror. He then slowly turned to face Zelda, his face a blank expression. "You hate it." She looked down at her feet, wetness appearing in her eyes. But Link, faster than she could understand, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her passionately. "I love it." He whispered, when they had separated. He turned back to the mirror and Zelda beamed. "Dang, I look good with a braid." He turned slightly to see his hair and Zelda stood silently smiling. Suddenly she heard three sets of footsteps on the stairs.

"What happened?!" Hunter called upon reaching the bottom. "Go sit on the couch and you'll find out." Zelda herded the children to the couch and they all sat close together. "Close your eyes." She said and the kids all shut their eyes tight. Link stepped in front of them. "Open them!" Link said and three sets of eyes shot open, looking at him.

"Huh?" Andy said, all three children obviously confused. "Oh right." Link turned around and heard the cries of surprise. "What?" Hunter exclaimed, walking closer to Link and looking at his hair from every possible angle he could. "Why you do that?" The boy asked, stepping around to face Link. "You look like a girl." Link gestured towards Zelda, who was grinning at them. "Ask her." Link said. Hunter stepped away in time for Link to hear Cupcake's giggle. "It's so pretty!" She plopped down in front of Link, grinning widely. "Mommy made it." Link said to the girl, who then took off to bombard Zelda with questions. Andy then stepped in front of Link. The two stared at each other in silence for a few seconds before Andy spoke. "Ehh, it's not bad." Link chuckled and grabbed the boy, hugging him tightly. "Good to know I have your approval.