silent memories // botw link x reader

meaningful embrace

ok i know i promised this chapter you show up, but it was getting a little long, so definitely next chapter! (this chapter is more like an introduction to you, the reader!)

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link traveled through the eldin region, and decided to take a small break at the hot springs from the burning and agonising heat. he stripped down to nothing, making sure no one was around and jumped in. 

the water was refreshing, and it soothed his aching body. some of his injuries from the fight earlier on were starting to heal as well. except for that big one on his shoulder blade. he winced in pain and got out of the pools. 

he put on his champion tunic and hylian pants, and wrapped his arm with some torn fabric he tore off from his other shirt. it wasn't perfect, but it'll do for now.

— later —

"you'd like to take out epona?"

link nodded.

"aight, here ya go mister."

the stable people handed epona back to her rightful owner and she was delighted to see link. link smiled and caressed her mane. the young hylian handed his trusty steed with a fresh apple and she ate it without hesitating. link jumped onto epona's back, and gently tapped her on the sides to indicate to start walking. 

link breathed in the fresh air, and slouched his shoulders out of relaxation. 

he checked his slate, and looked over at the region he was in. he didn't really know where to go, since he's only discovered two areas of hyrule; eldin and the great plateau. however, the was a bright yellow dot south-east of him, and another west from him. link closed his eyes and thought for a bit.

he told epona to start walking, towards the west side of hyrule.

— later —

link neared the woodland tower and he stopped epona in her tracks. he silently went through the bokoblin and lizalfo camp, and climbed the tower with ease. he activated it and looked around. 

hyrule was and is certainly beautiful. the way the castle is in the centre of the land, overlooking a large green field filled with tiny flowers and how you could see all of the emerging mountains in the back along with a large desert. link really liked the view from up here. 

he jumped off the edge, and flew down to epona on his paraglider. he landed on her back perfectly and started to trot off. 

link held onto the reigns of epona, but then slowed down when he recognised the area. he realised he was in hyrule field, behind the castle. he jumped off epona, and landed gracefully on the grass. he grabbed his slate and went to his photo album. he went to the next page, and saw that he was not far from one of his memories. he left epona to graze in the grass, and walked around until he reached the area that would be identical to the one on his slate. 

he noticed a large tree, giving some shade around a bunch of yellow, pink, and blue flowers. he walked towards it, and stopped. this was one of his memories. 

he felt himself closing his eyes, and he remembered.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

it was a nice, calm and sunny day in the land of hyrule. 

link noticed that the castle was looking quite pretty in the distance. he breathed in and out slowly, taking in the aroma of the flowers around him. forgetting about everything that was currently happening. 

"is something bothering you, link?"

the hero opened one of his eyes, glancing over at the girl next to him. 

( link saw that her face was blurred out and her voice was muffled ).

link hummed, and shook his head. this made the girl next to him giggle. his eyes traced her (h/l) (h/c) and he smiled to himself. his eyes started to take in her whole body and figure, noticing every little detail about her.

"what are you staring at?"

link's cheeks turned a slight pink and he looked away. not wanting to say anything. it appears he was daydreaming and he zoned out while staring at her.

"hmm, fine don't speak then."

link looked over at the girl apologetically and she laughed. 

( her laugh was gorgeous, it was light and hearty and it calmed link ).

"don't worry about it,

you know i don't mind if you don't want to speak.

i respect that."

link smiled and saw that the female hylian started to shuffle closer to him, and she looked at him, staring into his blue eyes. 

( even though link couldn't see her face that clearly, he knew she was staring straight at him ).

"link...

i want you to know, before you go off and battle against ganon,"

link's heart started to beat furiously.

"i-i want you to know, that i-"

the girl got cut off when she noticed someone coming towards them in the distance.

it was zelda.

"oh, it looks like zelda's here for you, link.

i'll just, i'll just leave you two. thanks for hanging out with me."

the two stood up and she embraced link. link was sure she could feel his heart, hitting his rib cage and he awkwardly hugged her back. the hug felt like it was going to be the last one she'll ever give him. he hoped it didn't mean that.

"ah! link! there you are. i've been looking for you."

the girl unlatched herself from link, and walked away, not looking at either of them as the princess approached link.

however, link looked straight past the princess, watching his friend walk away.

she looked back and saw that link was staring at her.

she gave him the most beautiful smile he's ever seen.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

link came out of his trance, and looked around. he felt something inside of him, it felt like his heart was aching. link didn't understand why he was feeling like this, and why he acted like that towards the mysterious girl. the hero shook his head and rubbed his eyes, and realised there was another memory. he took one step forward, and his mind was showing him his past. 

— later —

link jumped onto epona and started to walk away from the field. he just experienced two memories; one of his long-lost friend, and one of the princess. 

link didn't even realise that the sun went down, and he stopped epona. 

"we'll rest here for the night."

link set up camp, and he climbed into his rolled-up bed to rest. he couldn't stop thinking about the (h/c) haired girl he saw.