Link's sick (Link x Zelda) (smut later on)

Link's sick. (BOTW Link x Zelda) (future smut)

I grasped the reigns of Storm, etching him onwards along the path just on the outskirts of the Rito Village. Epona whinnies at the sudden speed increase and matches Storm's stride a few steps behind me, Link pulling her back to stick to his usual guard-respectable distance. I huff in anger, displeased with Link's sudden aloofness as of the past few days. You see, it's about three months post the defeat of Ganon and we're checking up with the status of recovering Hyrule, now in the Tabantha region heading to one of the stables farther south. He has always not been one to talk much, but I personally felt a closer bond with him after, you know, putting him in the chamber of restoration for one hundred years, and fighting for my life and my kingdom, and well, for him (but that's besides the point,) and we were actually getting more comfortable with each other, closer, even (if you consider getting some smiles and conversations with Link, getting "closer".) Then suddenly a few days back I noticed I'd seen him much less frequently, and to be perfectly honest I sort of missed being cross with him for following me everywhere. Now we were on our second day of traveling and—

I yelped, "Damn it!" As a sudden blast of cold air shot forwards, breaking me from my thoughts and sending Storm into a rearing hoof-kick. As he settled I heard the familiar slice of Link's Master sword unsheathing from behind me, and him command Epona to a trot and stopping in front of me. I attempted (although foolish and child-like) to send him a glare, hoping to catch a glimpse of his face after what seemed like decades. Oddly enough, I did, but it wasn't as refreshing as I would have liked. His face was pale as death and I could see the dark purple circles looming -and dampening- his azure eyes to grey. Before I could get a closer look he was past me, searching for any enemies. Spotting an ice-breath Lizalfos, he swiftly grabbed his bow and drew it, evaporating it with one fire-arrow shot to the head. He slid his bow back.

"I think it might be wiser if I walk ahead?" A husky, strained voice sounded in front of me, so foreign I had to look up to realize it was Link's. When my eyes matched his I rendered that he was asking me, not challenging my word politely, but 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 me.

"I - me - yes, yes that makes sense." I choked over my words, finally gaining a grip on them at the end. He gave a nod and turned back, trotting off. Before I could give him the command, Storm followed.
•••••••••••
We reached the stable, putting our horses next to a few of the barn ones. I gripped Storm's mane, kicking my leg over and slid off. I usually ignore Link's outstretched hand-of-help, but it wasn't even there to ignore. Epona whinnies and I hear a soft, muffled groan. Immediately I run over to her, and see Link facing the mountains and hunched over. I thought surely he must see a moblin, or something like that so I reached over, jostling him on the shoulder a bit.

"Link..?"

He turned towards me, a pained look hiding in the back of his gaze.

"Link! What's the matter? You look so... awful!" Alarm struck me as I felt over his flushed face, warm and slightly sweaty.

"I'm... alright, Zelda - er - Princess,"
He unsteadily gripped Epona's saddle and pulled himself to his feet, using the collar of his shirt to wipe the sweat from his face.

"Zelda." I corrected him sternly, forgetting myself in the moment.

"Tonight," I declared in my most strict "princess" voice, "You will get some rest. I do not require guarding."

Link's quiet feverish gaze looked up but even still, I saw in the depths of it, a small want to argue.

"But -" He protested.

"Nothing." I finished for him, tying up Epona and yanking him, gently, off the ground. God, he was heavy. You'd think he wouldn't be for looking so lean, but, I suppose "muscle mass." I rolled my eyes at that thought, insisting to myself, again, that he wasn't attractive to me in the slightest. But, his blonde hair and striking blue eyes and jawline... and he does handle himself and the sword so well... I shook my head, clearing the thoughts and scowling at myself, how childish was I?

A small groan from Link awoke me from my thoughts as I reached the stable caretaker, ready to rent a bed for the night. I tapped my fingers on the purchase window.

"It's okay, I've got this," Link appeared once again by my side, his posture hunched, he looked like he was barely keeping on. Before I could detest, a small child ran up to us, greeting me and Link with a small but cheery:

"Hiya! I'm Daru!" He reached into his bag, pulling out a fragrant apple pie.

"Would you like some?" Daru held it out a little, smiling. I was about to answer but glanced to the side after hearing a small moan. Link was tightly gritting his teeth, turning a little green. My eyes widened and I looked back at Daru,

"Uh- thank you so very much but -" My sentence was cut short.

"Here, Mister! I'm sure it'd make you feel better!"

He shoved it towards Link. I sighed in defeat as I knew what was coming. The Hero of Hyrule's hand shot to his mouth and he turned, retching into a bush beside the stable. He stumbled farther from the front of the stable, gasping for breath then vomiting again, not facing us. I grimaced, thinking I might be sick too, then took a breath to calm myself.

"I don't think that worked." Daru's grin faded and he stuffed the pie back into his sack. "Well, when he's done turning his insides into outsides, tell him I said sorry, please, Princess?"
He looked up at me, wide-eyed.

"Sure thing..." I murmured as he bounced off.

The clerk for the stable took one look off to the side at the situation. "No charge, get him better." He slid a glass of water, two buckets, and a blanket towards me. I thanked him, grabbed the goods and walked back over to Link. When I approached him he was dry heaving, one hand pressed against the stable exterior, seemingly holding him up, the other clutching his stomach.

"Hey there.." I greeted him.

No response, of course. I crouched a little ways away from him (germs, right?) and rested my head against the wood for what seemed like who knows how long. Actually, I would say I sat there for about a half hour listening to Link being sick and coughing, without saying a word. Look at me go! Not babbling, maybe this was a good thing, I thought to myself, opening my eyes and lifting my head from leaning against the outside of the stable. Link was slumped over the side of the bucket, fast asleep, though he still looked in pain. Pity struck me, and I realized I had never felt that way about him, as he had always (probably, probably not) been the one to pity me. I wondered how many times he had. Time seemed to tick by slowly as I stared at the sky, then the sleeping Hero. He looked so... helpless? Was that the right word? No, he looked sort of peaceful? Well, not with the pained look that returned every few minutes, but, him asleep, not stern-faced, not ready to fight, but him. Just Link. Not the hero of Hyrule, but a 17 year old boy, tired and without the weight of a whole kingdom on his shoulders. (Not for now, at least) I saw him as he was, dragged away from everything he ever knew to become the person who everyone depended on. And to take the duty without refusal or complaint, ever. As I stared at the exhausted lanky figure of Link, I felt a hot tear well up in my eye and slide down my cheek, and I turned away to look at the sky once again. I felt so, achingly sorry for him, that I was 𝘤𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨. Crying over this boy. I took a shuddering breath that exhaled into a sob, curse me.

"Zelda..?" A raspy voice sounded from my right. Link was staring at me, unsure of how to deal with this.

"Are you upset?" He asked.

"No, Link, no I am not." I used my palm to wipe the tears from my cheek. He groaned in pain as he sat up, coughing into the bucket again.
"Go back to sleep!" I directed him.

"I can't." He responded groggily.

"And why is that?" I spat unintended venom into my words, mostly upset at myself, I did this to him, he has a life he didn't want because of 𝘮𝘺 stupid prophecy.

"Because you're upset."

My shoes scraped the ground as I stood up from against the wall, quite sore.

"I am not UPSET!" I yelled, my eyes shooting
sapphire daggers at him. Link flinched. He 𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 at my words.

"I - I'm-" I hurried away, fearing I may cry again, and feeling Link's stare bore into the back of my neck as I walked towards the river.

Next chapter soonnn