silent memories // botw link x reader

the lake

it was around 1 pm, and you were growing tired of sitting on epona's back all day. it's been 2 days since you've left rito village and the tension between you and link lifted, as if the goddesses above had heard your wish. 

you two grew to be closer friends and link felt like he could share almost anything with you. you felt the same, and you felt like you've known this boy your whole life. despite only being seventeen years of age, the feeling in your heart told you that you knew him for almost a century. but that was impossible...

you neared the bridge that connected to central hyrule, and link shifted every now and then. you wanted to question what he was so jumpy about but you knew he'd never tell you. you thought about what teba has said and how link thought he was a burden to you. you, on the other hand, felt the complete opposite and thought that link was probably the best thing that has ever happened to you. you wanted to tell him that so that he wouldn't always doubt himself, but you knew he would always have that thought of him being a burden in the back of his mind. 

"are you alright, link?"

-

"..yeah."

link's voice was barely a whisper and you started to get worried. you thought about what he was so nervous about and you decided that it was maybe because he wasn't sure where he was. link hasn't gotten all of the shiekah towers yet, and central hyrule was one of them. you placed your hand over his shoulder, and gave him a reassuring smile. he jumped a little at the sudden contact and he returned your smile with his dazzling one. 

link knew where he was, he was more nervous about what might happen if you two stayed in this area...

he let epona walk some more on the path and he checked his sheikah slate. the time read 1:05 pm, and link thought of an idea.

"hey..y/n?"

-

"mm?"

-

"there's a small lake nearby, maybe we can rest there? for the night?"

-

"sure, link. i don't mind we what do."

you replied to him with a yawn and he chuckled to himself. he sped up epona and you eventually reached the lake. the pond of water didn't have a name and it connected to the river that went all across hyrule. you trotted for about 10 minutes and until you reached your destination. 

the view was quite pretty, the lake was covered by small oak trees that were surrounded by the soft grass and pale flowers. the lake was in the middle, some of it being covered by fallen leaves and petals that were blown in the wind, and the water was clear and sparkling in the sunlight. you smiled and felt link jump off epona and he reached for your hand. you gladly took his in yours and made it onto the ground safely, making a small 'thud' with your boots. link went over to epona and took out the camp essentials and motioned for you to do the same. you took out some ingredients for food and helped link find scattered wood for a fire. 

the embers of the fire was nice and welcoming. the soft orange glow made you relax and you stretched your limbs, grabbing a water skin beside you. you looked towards the sky, and saw that it looked like it was only about 1:45 pm. you closed your eyes slowly, wanting to take in the nice aroma around you and you started to drink the water, when link's soft voice crept its way to your pointy ears. 

"hey, y/n."

you hummed in response and opened one eye, looking into link's blue ones. 

"how about we go for a swim?"

you nearly choked and spat out the water that was in your mouth. 

"huH?!"

-

"you heard me. now come on!"

link stood up and immediately started stripping. you covered your eyes and squealed at him to strip somewhere else. he only laughed, and told you to 'just turn around'. you slowly shifted yourself, away from link and you reopened your e/c eyes slowly. you were about to call out his name, when you heard a splash coming from your left. 

you turned and saw a blob of blonde hair, gliding through the blue water and you rolled your eyes playfully. you stood up, about to walk over to a tree to change, when you stopped and saw link emerge from the water. 

you couldn't help but stare at how incredibly toned his body was, and how you could see his muscles were defined, even from a few metres away. his blonde hair was sticking to the sides of his face, only showing parts of the redness on his cheeks from swimming so much. he was panting slightly and you let your eyes go up and down taking in the hero's appearance. you couldn't help but feel yourself shiver slightly when you saw all the battle scars, decorating his pale and clear skin. you took in everything, his biceps, abs, veins running through his arms and his defined jaw. the battle scars showed you loyalty, strength and determination. you wondered if the girls back at that stable would faint if they saw him right now.

link's bright and smouldering eyes suddenly met your wide e/c ones and he chuckled deeply. you went red and looked everywhere but him and spoke in a loud and unsure voice. 

"u-um, i'm just gonna g-go over there and...uh do my thing."

you heard link laugh and say a small 'okay' and 'be quick'. you quickly went behind one of the large oak trees. your back hit the stiff wood and you sighed. you touched your face and you thought you had a fever for a moment. 

this boy was surely going to be the death of you.

you started to strip, taking off your f/c tunic and brown legging-like pants and took your brown boots off. wait a minute...

your eyes widened at the thought you just had and you covered your mouth in surprise. 

"is link wearing any underwear?!"

you wanted to desperately check, but were scared that you might see...something else. you were sure that he'd leave them on, since you guys were only friends. nothing else.

right?