Free to Love - A Zelda x Link Fanfiction

XVI: Free Fall

Zelda's Perspective:

I was terrified of falling. I didn't know why, I wasn't terribly high up, but I figured that falling would injure me somehow. With the addition of being assaulted by branches on the way down, I figured I could end up with anything between only a few bruises or a broken bone.

But somehow, through the fear, I trusted Link. And when I was midair, glancing at the ground from between my boots, arm outstretched, Link's hand grasped mine. I couldn't help the frightful and girlish yelp that escaped my lips when I was suddenly yanked to a halt. I heard Link laugh breathlessly through the pounding of blood in my ears, moving away from the trunk to make room for me.

He helped haul my hands to the base of the branch, allowing me to hoist myself up. As I finally managed to plant myself steadily on the precarious arm, I let my head fall onto Link's shoulder. He chuckled, his arms wrapping around my shoulders to steady me. I giggled as well, a small blush creeping over my face.

"It's easy climbing from here," he laughed, somehow managing to climb to his feet without falling. The next branch wasn't far, so he managed to pull himself up easily, helping me along the way. It was tedious for him, I figured, but I appreciated the help.

"Remember... Remember how we climbed trees when we were younger?" I panted, hauling myself in between an intersecting cluster of branches and twigs. Link, laughed, politely offering me a hand, which I declined. He wasn't even out of breath.

"Yes, yes," he recalled, scratching his chin as though he was thinking. "I recall you hiding from your personal guards in the trees. Very unladylike." He wagged his finger at me comically.

"I remember... you helping me climb said trees... Very unprofessional," I responded, wagging my finger in a mocking gesture. He jokingly frowned and I mimicked his expression. He crossed his arms, his pout now turning into an exaggerated not-smile. I copied him, my feet wobbling on the branch as I let go of the overhead limbs that I was using to balance.

Link stood, trying to mimic me as much as possible, until I felt the branch begin to bend more beneath my feet. I glanced down, my heart leaping into my throat. I grabbed at the next branch Link had pointed out for me when I heard the snap. The footing disappeared from beneath my feet as I made a second and more desperate grab at anything to prevent me from falling. I prepared to free-fall and most likely break a few bones at the bottom, when suddenly, I was dragged into another foothold.

Somehow, Link had managed to grab my elbow right before I fell and hauled me out of danger's way. He pushed me against the trunk of the tree, looming over me, his eyes wide and frightful. My breath was ragged, from both exhaustion and adrenaline. I was shaking, trying to mentally recover from what I presumed would be my death, while Link just stared at me.

It was only now that I realized how awkwardly close we were. He whole body was pressed against mine, steadying both of us. His arms were on either side of my head, trapping me between him and the tree. Our breath was mixing as we both panted from the adrenaline rush.

Link's eyes glazed over as we stood there awkwardly, both of us beginning to flush. His soft eyes glanced at my mouth and muttered something that I thought I had imagined if I wasn't so focused on the current events.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered.