Hero by Heart

Chapter 22

Link and Zelda spent the entire day roaming through the Divine Beast. It was less hot inside, enabling them to take off their heavy armor and feel some relief.
     Before they had gone in, Yunobo said his goodbyes and made his way back down the mountain. He told them he would be back in two days, to help them descent again.
     Link had thanked him and received a big Goron hug in return, together with a broad grin. Before Yunobo had broken away, however, he had whispered loudly into Link's ear: 'She is really pretty.'
     Link had chuckled and nodded, casting a glance in her direction. It was obvious that she tried her best to look interested in some rocks near her feet, but she had definitely heard. The Goron wasn't exactly subtle in his whispering.
     She hadn't said anything about it, not even once they had gone inside and found themselves alone again, in the silence of the giant machine. Off in the distance, they could faintly hear the wind and an occasional rumble from the volcano, but everything else was dead silent.
     The entire machine had died down, every moving or mechanical part frozen in place. Something about the enormity of the rooms and the eery silence made it feel a little menacing.
     Link definitely made sure not to let Zelda out of his sight, despite being able to hear exactly where she went. He could never be too sure, with this unfamiliar place.
     While the princess was investigating the designs of the first terminal, Link set up camp not far from her. As long as they stayed inside they could sleep without the intense heat, something they were both eager to do.
     A fire wasn't needed or very practical, so they ate fresh fruit and vegetables with dried meat, which wasn't too bad. At the very least they both had an appetite again, after the exertion of the day.
     Link was grateful for the help of the young Goron, who had brought most of their gear up with him. When they first met he had been timid and insecure, but it warmed Link's heart to see he had slowly evolved into a fine young man and a great friend.
     No matter how much he liked Yunobo, though, he was glad to have some time alone with Zelda. She seemed a little off. Her mind was far away and sometimes she didn't even answer Link when he asked her a question.
     When he was done laying out their sleeping gear, he walked up to her beside the pedestal and put his arm around her waist, pulling her close to his side.
     She didn't look at him, her eyes focused on the Sheikah designs, but he could see a smile forming on her lips.
     He wanted to give her space to do her research and focus her attention where it needed to go, but right now he figured he could distract her, just for a bit. Before she could tell him that she was busy or shove him away, he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
     When they slowly pulled away he could hear her exhaling softly, before she looked him in the eye. The most beautiful smile decorated her face and Link felt his heart flutter.
     'What was that for?' She asked, amusement clear in her voice.
     'Just because.' He shrugged. 'You're beautiful and I've been dying to do that.' Link smiled and intertwined his fingers behind her back.
     Zelda's cheeks flushed a little as she put her hands on his shoulders.
     For a while neither of them spoke. All they did was look at each other.
     Link bit his lip as he took it all in. He tried to hold back on the impulse to kiss her again. She was truly the cutest person he had ever met.
Eventually it was Zelda who pulled him closer and kissed him, taking him by surprise. It was a soft, lingering kiss, which made Link's insides turn to mush.
Gradually it became more passionate, the kiss turning heated as they set out exploring each other more.
Link's hand roamed up and down her back, while Zelda softly tugged at his hair, her hands buried in it.
When Zelda let out a soft, almost inaudible moan, Link felt like his knees would give in. He gently pulled back and looked at her, his chest rising and falling in the rhythm of his panting.
Zelda too was panting slightly, her cheeks flushed bright red and the sweetest smile on her lips.
'Wow,' he whispered, extracting a chuckle from her.
'Indeed,' she said. 'Wow.'
They now both laughed aloud, breaking the rising tension between them.
'I should really continue this, though,' Zelda said, averting her eyes and pointing at her journal that lay open on the pedestal.
Link could tell she was torn on the inside between wanting to do her research and not wanting to break this moment, but he understood.
'Yeah,' he said, untangling his arms from around her. But before she could turn back towards the machine, he gently grabbed her face in both hands and kissed her forehead.
As he turned away he caught her beaming smile and her glimmering eyes. It took everything in him not to look back at her and keep his hands to himself.
     She was so damn perfect.