Chapter Text
Everything was the same, the rolling and lush grassy hills, the Sheppard herding their flock down the dirt roads, the calm flowing river, exactly how Link remembers his hometown. It’s been months since he last visited Resembool for only a brief time of minor tune-up for his automail and was gone just as soon as he showed up continuing his search for the legendary Philosopher’s stone in order to return his original arm and leg. But let’s hope that he’ll live through his mechanic’s outrage once she sees what he has done to his arm.
Zelda was an interesting girl, unlike the other girls she found enjoyment in studying and crafting automail, even making a living of it turning her home into the most successful automail shop in town. While she was practicing, her dog Den began to bark drawing her attention to her bedroom window and to her surprise she sees him all over her childhood friend Link, who is also accompanied by a very large man. “Well, it’s about time.” She drops what she was doing and hurries to the front yard to greet him. He gives her a warm smile waving to her, “Hey Zelda, long time no see.” Zelda gives him a hug, “Welcome ho-” she cuts herself off noticing something off about Link, he was missing something very vital.
A loud cry of shock echoes through the empty house frightening the large man, “When you said she would be upset you didn’t say it would be this bad.” Link bowing his head in shame lets out a sigh, “Is it that bad?” He asked her. Zelda, whose face was redder than ever, turns to him and gives him a good scolding while Link nods and agrees, “Link! How many times have I told you to be more careful with my arm?!”
“Many times.”
“I spent months of research prepping it just to your liking! I’ve even used a high-grade iron ore just for it!”
“I know...I’m sorry...”
“And you just go and wreck it!?”
“I’m sorry, I really did try to take care of it.” The large man intervenes hoping to ease the tension, “It’s true, it was my job to help him during a fight with a fugitive-” Zelda’s jaw drops, she knew Link was reckless but a fight? With a fugitive? That was enough to push her over the edge, “What are you doing fighting with criminals?! If it wasn’t your arm that was the destroyed you would be in the hospital! Or worse!”
“Zelda it’s not-”
“Don’t ‘Zelda’ me! Did you even think about what could happen to you in that fight?! How that would make me feel if I found out you died in a stupid fight?!”
Link noticed at that moment Zelda was on the verge of tears, did this really upset her that much? He was only expecting to get a lecture from her but tears? He reaches out his hand to comfort her only for her to shoo it away drying her tears, “Just put your arm on my desk and I’ll have it ready in three days.” She says coldly before heading upstairs to her room.
Link left the shop for a bit to give Zelda her space so, for the time being, he went to visit his father’s grave. When he was only eleven years old, his father lost his life in the front lines during the Ishvalan Civil War leaving him alone to take care of himself. Along with the loss of his father, Link lost both his arm and leg during one of many battles that took place in Resembool. Though all wasn’t lost for him, he was taken in by an old woman named Impa who not only cared for him but taught him alchemy along with receiving an automail arm and leg specially crafted for him by Zelda.
“Hey Dad, I’m home.” He greets his fathers gave with a smile, but his voice was very somber. He takes a seat right in front of the headstone giving his offering of flowers to it, “Have you been doing well while I was gone? I hope so, you weren’t looking too well the last time I was here. How are things at work? Well, Colonel Revali is still full of himself as usual still thinking he can be Furher, heh, like that’ll ever happen. It’s a good thing Lieutenant Urbosa is there to keep him in line. She does more than be his babysitter though, she helps me with my training if I’m gonna be a soldier I have to know how to fight right?” He nervously laughs remembering the fight he had, “Though I may have not put everything she taught me into a fight I had in East City, I ended up losing and needed to be rescued by Major Daruk. He’s a nice guy though, even came along with me as protection. And Zelda, boy she sure did chew me out.”
The conversation then became heavyhearted as Link remembers the outburst he caused Zelda to have, “But I made her cry too, and I never make her cry. The last thing I want to do is to make her cry, not again at least. She’s cried enough already, she’s lost her mother, he father has practically disowned her for staying here instead of moving to live with him, and unlike me, she’s had no one to help her recover from it all. I just...I didn’t want her to shed tears for me of all people, I am a soldier after all.” Link lets out a sigh, he truly does care about Zelda but he can never be there for her like he wishes. Aside from his goal of obtaining the Philosopher Stone he has the responsibility as a State Alchemist as well. If he were to be called in for war then he would have to drop everything he’s doing and fight for his country. The only way he can ever see her is whenever he needs a tune-up and that’s it and is that even enough? “...I have to go now Dad, thanks for listening.”
Link bypasses Daruk chopping wood with his bare hands checking to see if Zelda was okay. To no surprise though when he peeks into her workshop she was at work on his arm, typical Zelda. “Hey.” Link said only to be greeted with silence, was she still mad at him? Link takes a seat next to her watching her concentrate ready to make his apology, “I’m sorry for breaking my arm, I know you worked really hard on it-”
“You think I’m mad about the arm?”
“You’re not?”
“I was, but what angers me more is that you were so reckless with your life. I understand that you’re a soldier and that you may make a lot of enemies but could you at least be more cautious with your life?”
“...You’re worried about me?”
“Of course! You never come home and the only time you do it’s for maintenance every other month.”
“I’m sorry,” Link embraces Zelda causing her to pause in the middle of her work, “I really do want to be here for you Zelda, I hate seeing you so alone.” Zelda removed her goggles to dry her eyes yet again letting Link continue what he had to say, “If it makes you feel any better, after I leave, I’ll call you every day.” Zelda then hugged him, “It doesn’t have to be every day, just let me know you’re doing okay.”
“I will.”
“And stop ruining your arm!”
“I’ll try.”
“Link.”
“But you like working on it.” Zelda ready to retort back only pouts, he wasn’t wrong about that, “Go make dinner.”
“With one arm?!”
“Shoo!”
After three days as promised Link’s arm was as good as new and ready for his trip to Central. As Zelda saw them off though she made sure that he follows her regiment, “Now remember, I made it with extra chrome to make it rust resistance not indestructible.” She didn’t show it, but she wishes he didn’t have to leave. The last three days felt like they were kids again, just hanging out. She would tell him about the knew things she learned during her research on making the perfect automail with him listening, well more like he was intrigued by her passion. All of their conversations were always of her doing most of the talking and he did all of the listening, only this time around he had stories of his own to share. She didn’t like to her about the fights he has been in but she was impressed on how many people he's helped in the process; helping a young girl find her way, saving a mining town from a crooked lieutenant, he truly is everyone’s hero.
Link wasn’t the only company she had enjoyed though, Daruk was a lovely guess as well. During his stay here, he took care of the firewood, help Zelda prepare meals while Link was out of commission(though Link did make dinner as a thank you to Zelda once his arm was done), and even kept her company while Link went to visit his father’s grave. She’s gonna miss them both.
Zelda give the two one last hug before the depart, “Come back soon okay?” Link nods, “Will do.” He’ll make sure to come back to pay a visit to his girl.