Link woke up early the next morning in his usual manner. He stretched, feeling refreshed, and walked over to his dresser. Making sure that Zelda was still sound asleep, he slipped off his champions tunic and trousers, grabbing a hylian tunic and a pair of similar trousers. He walked downstairs and through the doors, stepping out into the sunrise.
"Could it be?" Link heard a voice outside. "My most favorite boy? Link?"
"Hey Bolson," Link sighed, a little smirk rising on his face. Bolson and Karson were sitting at their usual spot by the cooking pot next to Link's house. Link looked over as he shut the door, and Bolson giggled. "Oh, you're looking perky today aren't you hm?" He said.
"Just going to clean up" Link replied, walking toward the pond on the opposite side of his house. "Oh don't you worry!" Bolson practically sang. "I could never judge. Be free little one, be free!"
Link set his clothes down alongside the pond, and walked in. He dove under, waking up more in the slight chill of the water. After a bit, he stepped out, dried off in the wind, and got dressed. He strode back inside, grabbing ingredients for a fruitcake for Zelda and himself. He brought everything to the pot, and sat with Bolson and Karson, preparing his meals.
"Ooo what are we cooking today?" Bolson asked excitedly. "And cooking for two I see. One for me?"
"No," Link replied, laughing slightly. "Sorry Bolson."
"So you must have a guest," he leaned in. "Maybe that would explain you're look this morning-"
"No." Link snapped, face reddening. Bolson smiled. "Well, I do hope you introduce me, at least." He grinned.
Zelda's eyes opened slowly, blinded for a moment by the sunlight coming through the window. Window? She thought, as she sat up. She was tucked in a small bed, surprisingly comfortable, with soft blankets and a large, fluffy pillow. Where am I? She wondered, looking around. She swung her feet around to get out of the bed. She walked over to a dresser, with a picture hung above it on the wall. She recognized the photo; it was one of her and the other champions, taken before the calamity. Is this... Link's house? She questioned. But how did I get here? She remembered riding away from Kakariko village, she must have fallen asleep on the way home. Zelda turned around. She spotted a journal on the small desk behind her, and she opened it to the first page, curious. Link was written on the inside cover. Zelda shut the book, feeling as though she should not read more. That was his personal property, and she shouldn't be snooping around, right? But, she didn't have to decide, because the front door burst open downstairs, letting in a delicious smell of fruits and sugary goodness. Zelda walked to the stairs, and made her way down just as Link was setting two large plates on the table. He looked up at her as she stepped onto the first floor. "Morning, Zelda." He said with a warm smile. "I made some breakfast again, if you want to eat."
"It smells delicious," Zelda replied, eyeing up the plates. "What are they?"
"Fruit cakes."
Zelda's eyes widened. That had been one of her favorite dishes made at the castle. "I love fruit cakes!" She said excitedly.
Links smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know."
"You remembered?"
"Well... I found the recipe in a book at the castle and, it mentioned it was your favorite so..."
Zelda smiled and blushed lightly. Sweet.
The princess sat down at the table, and began to eat her cake. "Delicious." She whispered as she ate, smiling at Link who shaded red in response. As the two finished, Zelda looked around the room. It was small, with various weapons, bows, and shields mounted on the walls. There was a bookshelf and a cabinet in the corner used to store cooking supplies, and a wooden table in the center that they were seated at on two wooden stools. There were flowers sitting in the center of the table, something Zelda found curious, firstly because it was Link's house, and secondly because they were fresh. He must have just put them out. She smiled to herself. Sweet.
"So... this is your home?" She asked.
Link grinned. "Yeah." He looked around the room, eyeing up the whole place. Zelda must think this is a dump. "Its... not much, I know it's kinda small and not very fancy but-"
"Link," Zelda interjected. "It's lovely."
Link rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks warming up. "Oh, well, thanks."
Link cleaned up breakfast and looked over toward Zelda. She was trying to knock one hundred year old dirt off of her gown, and was looking at herself with a face of disgust. Link offered up the idea of a bath in the pond outside, which Zelda happily agreed to. Link planned out the rest of the day for them, something he usually did not do, but he was sure she would agree to what he had in mind.
