BotW Zelink Oneshots

A Moment of Mutuality (T)

Despite boasting torrid temperatures during the day that made it seem as though one's skin could start to peel off at the slightest touch, I spent most nights in the Gerudo Desert huddling for warmth under what few layers of blanket the local hotel had to offer. But that night, there was something else keeping me awake aside from the chill in the air.

"Ever since she was a young girl, she's gone through rigorous daily routines to show her dedication. She once passed out in the freezing waters trying to access this sealing power." I couldn't get much rest after hearing about this earlier that night from Lady Urbosa. I'd been a fool not to have put together the reason for the princess' resentment towards me sooner. But that was the least of my worries. Whether she enjoyed my company or not was of a far smaller priority than her safety. And so it was heartbreaking to learn that she'd been tormenting herself like this all along without my knowledge. After hearing what the Gerudo chieftain had to tell me, my intentions to guard the princess with my life became more inflamed than ever.

~ • ~

The princess and I were on our way back to the castle after she'd taken care of her business with Lady Urbosa in Gerudo Town. We had set up camp for the night in a somewhat compact hole in the wall of the canyon. "Link..." the princess murmured, not turning her gaze from the campfire. "What you did back there... I honestly have no words for it." Earlier that afternoon, as we had departed from Kara Kara Bazaar, a trio of Yiga Clan assassins had surrounded the princess. The damned amateur that I was, I'd just so happened to pick that very moment to turn my attention away from her. I feared for what would have happened if I hadn't heard her terrified cry for help in time. "You saved my life..."

"It was my duty," I said simply, reassuring her with a small upturn of the lips.

"Yes. Yes, of course," she replied as though she'd forgotten my purpose. Gesturing for her to lift her sprained ankle—I'd had to carry her on my back for several hours until we'd found shelter—I placed a relatively smooth piece of sandstone beneath her calf so that she would have a way of elevating her injured foot off the ground. "Thank you."

I nodded, finding some cool safflina in my bag that I'd foraged earlier and wrapping it around her ankle. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Your Highness?"

"No, that's quite alright." She watched closely as I tended to her wound, putting great care into the way I treated her and hoping my calloused hands weren't too rough for her pristine, royal skin. Usually when the princess looked at me, it was with an unmistakable chagrin in her stare. But now, I felt the warm rays of admiration shining down on me. It filled my chest with pride and confidence, feelings which I hadn't allowed myself to feel in quite some time.

I looked up at her when I was finished. She instinctively glanced down at her lap but looked back at me again a few short moments after. In a moment of forbidden closeness, my heart was bouncing off the walls of my ribcage, and yet I couldn't bring myself to look away and bow my head. She didn't seem to mind my blatant disrespect, however. I noticed I'd left my hand resting on her bare knee when she tentatively placed her own hand atop mine. Her tiny, maidenly hand then glided up the length of my arm and perched itself on my shoulder. Still feeling a bit bold from earlier, I let my hand wander from her leg to her waist, never breaking eye contact. She continued to gaze back at me through half-lidded eyes, without speaking a word. Her lips were parted. I tested the waters by slowly leaning in towards her, angling my head slightly. She responded by letting her eyes flutter closed. Unable to restrain myself any longer, I closed the gap.

Before I had the chance to even begin moving my lips against hers, she beat me to it, leaning in toward me even further. It took me by surprise. I stayed frozen for a few seconds until she pulled me closer with both arms around my neck. A bubbling sigh flowed past her lips and into my mouth. I cracked my eyes open, and instantly shut them again. My ears burned at the sight of her completely lost in this lust-drunken daze or whatever it was that had come over us both. The small cavern grew hot. I felt my body starting to overheat with the added effect of the roaring flames beside us. Taking hold of the hem of my tunic, I was about to toss it over my head and discard it off to the side somewhere. But before I could, my good sense came rushing back to me like a wild boar. I jerked away from her.

"Link...?"

"You should get some rest," I said firmly. "I'll keep watch."

She stared at me a moment, appearing as if in some sort of state of hypnosis. Then, keeping her lips parted, she said, "Alright."

Even if for some reason I'd decided not to stay up and keep watch, I was certain I wouldn't have gotten any sleep that night. My heart continued at its quickened pace.