Selfish

Fragility

Link went to his bedroom alone. He crawled into bed alone. He slept alone. He woke up alone. Link was alone. After King Dorephan gave Link and Sidon advice, things between them quickly changed. Sidon did not utter a single word to Link once they left the throne room. Sidon went to his chambers immediately without saying anything to Link. It was as if Sidon was ignoring Link.

Link laid in bed. He thought about Sidon. He thought about what had happened. He thought about what King Dorephan told the two of them. His mind raced with questions with no answers, only theories. Suddenly, there was a knock on the guest room door. It was a soft knock. Link prayed that it was Sidon. Oh how Link yearned to feel the touch of Sidon's lips again. He wanted to see that pearly white smile.

"Come in." Link choked.

The door slowly swung open. The shadows behind the door became light that illuminated the person pushing the door. It was none other than Zelda.

At the sight of her Link jumped out of bed and began putting his clothes back on.

She came into the room and closed the door behind her. "There's no need for formalities, Link. I'm here to talk." She giggled. Link stopped putting on his pants and laid back down on the guest bed, relaxing his body into the enveloping softness.

Zelda ambled over to the bed and sat down next to him. "When did you get here?" Link asked her.

"About an hour ago. I'm here for the Royal Ball that's tomorrow night."

"TOMORROW NIGHT?!" Link yelled.

"Yeah, hun. It's tomorrow." Zelda giggled.

"HOW?!" Link yelled, again.

"Well, Sidon told me that after preparations tripled, they finished extremely quickly. Turns out they were already almost done before King Dorephan decided to triple production."

Link felt saddened by the mentioning of Sidon's name.

Zelda spoke delicately, "Speaking of Sidon... I take it that things aren't working out between you two?"

Link rolled onto his side, so Zelda couldn't see his face. "I don't know what happened. One moment we couldn't keep our hands off one another, and the next, he won't even look at me, let alone speak to me."

Zelda placed her hand gently onto Link's back. It reminded him of Sidon.

"What happened?" Link cried. A tear streamed horizontally down his face, landing on the bed sheets.

"You don't have to hide them, you know."

"Hide what?"

Zelda paused for a moment and thought about whether or not what she was doing was the right decision.

"Your tears, Link."

Another pause.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Link said defensively.

"Crying doesn't make you weak or imasculine, Link. It makes you more human. You can be the stoic knight all you want, but you need to have moments where you're comfortable being yourself."

"What if being myself is being a stoic knight?" Link retorted like a child sticking their tongue out.

"Would a stoic knight cry over boy problems?"

"Ac-.... Good point..."

Zelda stood up from the bed. "I know how to cheer you up!"

"Get your clothes on and come meet me at Marot's Market!" She pronounced as she skipped to the door.

"Zelda, wai-"

"No ifs, ands, or buts!" Zelda grabbed the door and opened it.

"Don't keep me waiting!" She zoomed out of the room into the hallway and closed the door behind her.

Link rushed out of bed and began donning on his clothes. It was essential for him to wear his Zora armor, especially in such an aquatic area like Zora's Domain. He grabbed his stuff and hurried out of the room without even making his bed.