Chapter Text
Oh, she looked ridiculous, didn't she? The row of metallic lockers offered nothing but a blurry dark blue as a reflection, accentuated by a red dot that was her head. Could she meet him like this??? At least the belt flattered her waist. If only the cap wasn't so… formal. She pulled her hair into a ponytail, arranging the cap on the crown of her head. Better? Who knows. The engineers didn't believe in mirrors so it would have to do.
Heart hammering in her chest, she tiptoed through the door into the engineering hall.
Whoa, so many trains! She ducked down under a gigantic smother, waving her hands in front of her face. The screeching noise of metal meeting metal erupted and she flew around. Just another train. Phew! But how was she supposed to find Link in this chaos? Maybe it had been a stupid idea to come here…
"Can I help you, Miss?" A voice from inside the smoke cloud asked. The engineer wiped sweat and coal from his forehead. "Was the ceremony for the recruits today? I haven't seen you around here before."
"Oh…" She laughed nervously. "I'm not exactly one of them. I'm looking for Link."
"Not exactly a recruit, huh?" The man clicked his tongue. She followed him through the chaos of steam, metal and coal to the last platform.
A juvenile tune resonated inside the golden train, a harmony persistent despite all the noise. Grinning, Zelda tiptoed toward the two feet sticking out from under the locomotive. Engineers worked lying on those creeper things, right?
She grabbed his ankles and yanked. The tune morphed into a shriek and Link rushed out from under the train, his eyes wide. Oh, his face! Cackling, Zelda slipped and landed on the floor next to him.
"What are you doing here?" Link asked, a blush shimmering through the dirt smeared on his skin.
"I just wanted to say, hi!" His mouth fell open. Oh, had she been too forward? But they had been on a date last week! "Uhm, I thought you could explain a thing or two to me."
His frown turned into a smile and he offered his hand, pulling them both up. "Of course!"
He disappeared into the train and she trailed after him. "Here's the whistle, listen!"
Weeeek!
Zelda covered her ears and missed the start of his next explanation. Wait, where was he? His torso stuck in the roof hatch, leaving her… well. Blinking, Zelda stood in the tiny cabin. "Nice butt," she muttered, hands flying to her mouth belatedly. Oh, Goddesses!
"What did you say?" He shouted.
"Uhhh, nice date last week!"
His head popped through the opening. "That was a date…?"
"Yes? Or… not?" Her stomach dipped.
He laughed too loud. "Ohhh, of course, it was!” Oily fingers stopped right before her ponytail. “You're really c-cute with the c-cap."
"Oh? You too!"
"What did you say earlier? It didn't sound like ‘date’?"
Zelda blushed and pulled the whistle, shouting, "Nevermind!!!"