Chapter Text
The box contained an assortment of Gerudo chocolates, and Link was tempted to try one, but decided he'd rather share them with who he hoped would be waiting on the roof of the Gerudo palace. As he was closing the lid, his chest tightened when it occurred to him that Zelda must know he assisted in the class. If so, what had she thought when she saw him? It was purely innocent, he mostly stood there while the women tried to talk to him or ask a question or two. Would it look like that to a casual observer though?
The new vai had been the most talkative, and interested in hearing who had stolen his heart. He hadn't seen the harm in telling her, but as soon as he'd said Zelda's name, Musu had clammed up and her ears had flushed a pretty pink. Ears, Link now realized he recognized. No wonder she had seemed familiar. And he'd blurted out who he was in love with without a second thought.
And today when he'd bumped into her, she probably had just finished writing the message and leaving the gift. It was his turn for his ears to burn. When he looked up, Ashai was leaning against the chalkboard studying him. She gave him a knowing smile when their eyes met. She was an expert in romance, and knew all the signs and tells a vai or voe had.
"So, you figured it out."
"I think so." Link tucked the box beneath his arm, and returned her smile. "Thanks for your help."
"Oh, I had nothing to do with it. This was all your vai's idea." Pushing away from the wall she ushered him toward the stairs. "Now, you should go before my class arrives, or you may never leave. I'll give them your regards."
With a parting nod, Link took the stairs two at a time, Ashai's quiet chuckle following after him. When he reached the courtyard, the sun was kissing the horizon, streaking the sky in red, orange, and yellow. A few stars were already winking into existence as it dipped lower. Link wanted to scale the walls to the roof immediately, but paused on the first step leading to Riju's throne room. A strange feeling was overtaking him. It was similar to how he felt right before a battle. His body practically vibrated with energy. Link couldn't decide if he was nervous, excited, or anxious about where this was headed, but he couldn't wait to find out.
Taking a breath to still his racing heart, Link ascended the stairs, bypassing the throne room and bedroom suites. A desert breeze greeted him when he reached the roof, ruffling his hair and bringing with it the scent of sand and spice. The view of endless sky and desert from this vantage point was breathtaking. He walked along the aqueduct through air filled with a sparkling mist from the splashing waterfalls. He couldn't think of a more perfect tableau for a love confession.
He found her on the far side of the waterfalls sitting on a colorful blanket spread in the middle of the flat roof. She'd removed the red wig, but still wore the simple white halter top and sirwal pants all single vai wore. Her back was to him, and he paused, admiring how the rising moon kissed her bare shoulders. Her willowy silhouette was far more stunning than the star-studded sky she gazed upon.
But she was more than that. She was generous and kind—giving herself fully to Hyrule and working tirelessly to fulfill the needs of her people. She deserved to find her own bit of peace and happiness. No matter what happened in the future, Link vowed she would know how truly wondrous and special she was.
He was still staring at her when she glanced over her shoulder, and the corners of her lips (lips he hoped he would be kissing before the end of the night) turned up into a shy smile.
"Did you like my surprise?"
"Best quest I've ever been sent on," Link replied. "Thank you for the thoughtful gifts."
She knew him better than anyone else, and the same could be said for him. After cohabitating for years, he knew she was fastidiously neat, and his messiness drove her to distraction. She enjoyed baking, and in the last few months had been working on perfecting her crusts. She had a bottomless sweet tooth and and her least favorite food was fried wild greens. He looked forward to sitting by the fire in the evening, listening to her lyrical voice as she read aloud. Of sharing hopes and dreams of what their future could bring.
His stomach fluttered as they stared at each other, the silence stretching taut between them until Zelda finally broke it.
"Won't you join me?" Her cheeks flushed when she patted the blanket beside her. After he'd settled beside her, she kept her hand resting between them, leaning on her arm. She didn't look at him when she spoke again, a teasing lilt in her tone. "I was surprised when I saw you assisting Ashai with her class the other day."
Link grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. "You mean standing there awkwardly?"
"It was amusing." Zelda giggled. "Risa and Calyban seemed especially interested in winning your affections. Should I be concerned?"
"Risa's going to wind up in jail one day, and Calyban's cooking will send any voe to the doctor." Link grinned, nudging her arm. "Now the new vai, Musu. She was cute. She might give you a run for your rupees."
"Is that so? I'll take my chances."
She leaned against him, and Link breathed in the sweet scent of her. He'd dreamed of this moment for so long, but now that it was here and she was so achingly near, a wave of nervousness washed over him. Did she feel as deeply for him as he did for her? A shooting star streaked across the indigo sky, and Zelda gasped, shifting to look at him.
"Link, did you…"
Her voice trailed off, green eyes shimmering brighter than the stars in the sky when he seized the moment. Pulling the silent princess from his top knot, Link tucked it behind her ear, before cupping her cheek. Her skin was soft as silk against his fingers and his heart began hammering wildly in his chest when she rested her forehead against his.
"I've been waiting for this," she whispered, her lips a hairbreadth away from his.
"Then let's not waste another minute." She melted against him, softly sighing when their lips met and he wrapped his arms around her. The kiss was better than he could have ever imagined, and this tender moment shared with her was everything he'd wanted and more.
When they pulled apart, Zelda kept him close. A pleasant feeling rippled through him when she linked her hands behind his neck. "Will you be my voe?"
"I thought you'd never ask." Chuckling softly, Link kissed her again beneath the star-filled Gerudo desert sky.