As the Days Go By | Legend of Zelda AU (ONGOING)

4. Going Overseas

It's June and the godsend that is summer break had started. Apparently, Zelda's dad planned us a trip overseas toward the end of the month and we'd be coming back the end of the first week of July. I heard from her that some of her friends were going to join us—and to hear that included me was nice. I'm not sure exactly, but I guess that's what compelled me to ask to invite Mipha, Sidon and Neji much to my own chagrin.

I'll never forget the look Mr. Harkinian gave me. It was the most nerve-wracking, incredulous glare I've ever seen in my life, and I thought Impa's glares were impossible to top. Again, to my own chagrin, it was just an act and he allowed them to come along.

Sidon and Neji were more than happy to tag along, but apparently Mipha didn't go because of gymnastics which I never realized she did. I'd guess she has a knack for it with that elegance and grace she carries. I could tell Sidon was upset, but his sympathy was his downfall.

As for Neji, he's been pretty popular with the ladies at school. I couldn't imagine a glutton like him to be a ladies' man, but the world yet continues to surprise me. I mean, I can almost see why. Despite how unhealthily he eats, the man continues to stay in perfect shape.

Anyways, on a yacht, we were heading for a string islands far off the east coast supposedly named after three "fairy" brothers. The history behind it was pretty strange, but I just accepted it for what it was. Apparently, they were beautiful islands according to Zelda who was backed by her friends Agitha and Midna.

I was standing at the bow of the ship, leaning over the pulpit. I gotta say, I'm not sure what I was so worried about before. The salty ocean breeze, was a nice change of pace from the dull, carbon dioxide choked urban air.

It felt like things were a little too perfect.

I heard footsteps coming from behind me, so I turned to see who it was. It was Zelda Harkinian herself, the girl I've been living with for the past three months. We haven't talked much after my tour around the house. She just offered assistance on schoolwork, asked if I needed anything, or just check on me or try to strike up a conversation.

If I didn't know any better I would've thought she was intentionally being annoyingly incessant, but she's not so bad.

"Hey," Zelda said.

Her hair was sailing in the wind. Seriously, ladies or people with long hair in general, how do you deal with it? I mean, I myself am overdue for a haircut, but my question still stands.

"Hey," I said back. A part of me hoped my bored tone would tell her off while another part scolded me for that train of thought. "What happened to your friends?"

"I formally reflect that question back to you." She sighed. "Is it so bad that I want to check up on you?"

I snickered. "I plead the fifth." She laughed back. "I wouldn't go as far as to call them my friends, but they're not bad people. I guess..." I said the last part to nobody in particular. I leaned back against the railing. "Now that I've answered your question, I believe it's only common courtesy that you answer mine."

"Like I said, I wanted to check up on you."

I rolled my eyes. "I don't need a babysitter, 'mom'." I was surprised at even myself with how bitter that sounded. I don't think she caught onto it because she just smirked and brushed her hair from her face.

"Well, someone needs to keep you out of trouble," she said sarcastically.

Looking past Zelda, I saw a peculiar white-haired boy trying to sneak up on us with a  smirk and shrimp cocktail in one hand. That boy is a damn food dumpster, I swear.

He wrapped his hand around his mouth like a megaphone and shouted, "Hey! You two should kiss!"

"I don't wanna hear your shit, Neji!" I shouted back.

"Woah, woah! Watch your profanity!" He was laughing, but not at me it seemed.

I looked at Zelda whose face was just barely noticeably pink—no thanks to the sun. She was looking away uncomfortably. It was a whole lot like the situation with Paya three months ago when I first arrived—

Oh... Oh my Hylia... I'm a dense, god damn idiot. So that's what happened...

I let out an exasperated sigh and shooed Neji away who was snickering and saying things like, "I see you, wanting alone time with her." I didn't respond knowing it would only provoke him even further. I managed to push him to the back deck— though it wasn't like he was trying to fight back whatsoever —where Sidon was sunbathing on a lounger across from Zelda's chatting friends.

"Sidon," I said.

He sat up, lifting his sunglasses off from his face. His eyes were squinted as if to scrutinize us and understandably so. He was lying down looking directly up at the brightly sunlit sky after all. Though, it'd seemed he already recognized my voice.

"Oh, hey. What's up?" he asked.

"Can ya watch this little twerp?" I asked, to which the little twerp retorted, "hey!"

Sidon gave a bemused look. "Erm, okay?"

I grabbed Neji by the shoulders and looked
him dead in the eye with the most condescending smile I could muster. "Now, Neji. Big bro Sidon is going to watch you, okay?" I looked over to Sidon. "Right?"

"Um... Yes?"

"Aw, come on! It was just a prank, bro?" Neji complained, writhing in my grip.

"Uh... A-am I... missing something...?"

I left him with a bewildered Sidon, the latter of whom I actually felt bad for, with a sensation of satisfaction. I could imagine Neji pouting in contempt with his arms crossed. Ah, sweet, petty revenge.

I went back to where Zelda was. She was leaning over the pulpit. I realized our positions were swapped. Not that it was of any importance. I just thought it was a funny thing to note.

I cleared my throat loudly which garnered her attention. I wasn't sure if she was still uncomfortable about earlier. Oh man, the air got awkward fast. I wasn't fit for these types of situations.

Damn you, Neji.

I scratched the back of my head. "Uh, I'm sorry about... earlier."

"It's... alright." Then her face brightened and she beamed the most beautiful smile anyone could ever produce. She pointed her finger away from the boat. "Forget about that, look!"

I looked in the direction she was pointing and... Holy shit...

I'm not even sure how to begin to describe it in words. Pristine, white beach surrounding the shoreline. Beyond that, lush green trees and other foliage hiding all sorts of secrets. It looked so damn alive. The sea coming in and out along the shoreline and the calm sea breeze lightly rustling the greenery.

"Holy macaroni..." Neji said.

I turned around and saw him with Sidon and the others. For that moment I forgot why I was upset with him earlier. It was hilariously comical to see his mouth wide open in awe and the glass holding the remains of his snack slowly slipping from his grip.

Behind him was Sidon who was also in a dazed state of awe. It's an understandable reaction, and although Neji's was maybe a bit over-the-top, it's still understandable nevertheless.

Gut feeling didn't have to tell me this was going to be great. I knew it was going to be damn great.

A/N: Putting this out there cuz I wan to. Too lazy to do edits lmao I'll do that when I'm done with this story or as I go

Seriously, thank you again, CapricornSiren for letting me use Neji. He's so damn fun to work with and I again, hope I'm doing the source material justice whilst putting my own spin on him

"Seriously, ladies or people with long hair in general, how do you deal with it? I mean, I myself am overdue for a haircut, but my question still stands."

This is a legit question I have. This passage was based on my own thoughts dammit! And yes, I am very overdue for a haircut and yet, while I have this question I wanna grow out my hair