Chapter Text
Link could never quite say when his relationship with Mipha had become romantic. He could, of course, remember when it had become intimate; that evening on Vah Ruta was burned into his mind, but even before then, he was no stranger to Mipha’s touch. He thought it was only natural; she was his best friend and personal physician. All throughout their adolescence, he would return to the Domain with some injury or another, and they would steal away to a remote location where she would heal him. It just so happened that, as they grew older, their hands began to wander. Hers became accustomed to the warmth of his skin, and his the coolness of her scales.
“You’ve finally stopped growing,” Mipha said. They were sitting on the bank of Ralis Pond, enjoying the sunset in quiet seclusion. Link had been granted leave, yet he would be expected to return to Zelda’s side and remain with her the full month leading up to her seventeenth birthday.
Currently, he was sporting a severe injury; his shin had been completely crushed by a Hinox that he had dispatched nearby.
“How uncharacteristically rude of you,” Link responded dryly.
“Please, you know I didn’t mean it that way. In fact, I can think of a couple of reasons that it might be something of a blessing in disguise.” The bone mended quickly, so Mipha turned her attention to the musculature and tendons surrounding it.
“How’s that?” Link asked, his interest piqued.
“Well,” Mipha paused as she considered how much she wished to divulge. “The first is a secret, but I will say that it does involve your measurements.”
Link thought on this for a moment. He dared not voice what immediately came to his mind, that would be far too presumptuous.
“What about the second?” He asked, deciding to push the thought to the back of his mind.
“I’m tired of being shorter than you,” she said with a smirk. This elicited a good-natured laugh from Link. When they had first met, Mipha had been more than a head taller than him, but he had rapidly made up the difference in the years that followed. As a Zora, her growth was markedly slower, but would continue all her life. Were they to stay together, she would eventually tower over him, perhaps clearing 3 meters by the time he was a shriveled old man. It was a funny thought, though not unwelcome.
“Well excuse me, Princess, but I don’t control the speed at which Hylians grow.” He leaned over, kissing her forehead softly. The warm contact made Mipha blush, though she was still able to maintain her concentration. His muscles now repaired, she then worked to mitigate any scarring.
"Perhaps in height,” She agreed. “Though if you could, please do me a favor and lay off rock-based meals for a while." Mipha felt Link’s abdomen with her free hand. He pretended not to be affected by her touch. "I promise you it will be worth it," she added.
"That I can do. The last rock roast I had didn't really agree with me anyway," he agreed matter-of-factly.
Mipha finished her task, leaving no indication that Link’s leg had been damaged at all.
Link stood, bent his joints every which way, and then paced around the pond before returning to Mipha’s side. “Perfect, as always,” he remarked.
“I am glad it is to your liking. It wouldn't do for the Hylian Champion to lose his balance while taking a leisurely stroll. Do try to take better care of it though.”
Link nodded his assent. This seemed to satisfy Mipha. She looked out across the pond; there was still some daylight left. "I think I shall go for a swim. Would you care to join me?” she asked.
"Of course." Link replied. After taking a moment to disrobe, the pair entered the water. Link was considered a strong swimmer among Hylians, but next to Mipha he appeared rather clumsy. She cut through the water effortlessly, incorporating dives to the bottom of the pond and great leaps into the air. Link’s path was comparatively simple; he merely swam laps back and forth across the pond. All seemed well until several minutes in, when Link began to flounder. Seeing his distress, Mipha immediately came to his aid, dragging him like a ragdoll to the shore. "Was it your leg?” She asked worriedly. “Did I miss something?”
Link shook his head. "Rock roast," he managed, now clutching his stomach. Of course, he had neglected to mention just when he had eaten the damn thing. They waited for the pain to subside on its own; Mipha generally tried to avoid interfering with internal organs unless absolutely necessary.
When he was comfortable enough, he addressed her with a sly smile. "You know, I'm surprised at you, Mipha.”
She gave him a quizzical look.
“When you invited me to swim with you I half expected you to pull me under and have your way with me."
Mipha gave him a light slap on the shoulder, blushing profusely. "Must you say such foolish things?"
"Only to you." Link responded, still grinning.
“You flatter me.” She replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes. Even so, she could not help but smile.
They settled into a comfortable silence as they watched the sunset. The last light faded over the western mountaintops and they were left only with the light of fireflies drifting lazily over the pond. The two of them sat side by side, leaning against one another. And, for a while, they allowed themselves to simply exist in each other's company.
Finally, Link broke the silence. "I've given some thought to what you said the other day."
Mipha blushed again, her memory of their conversation was clouded by that of their bodies entwined up on Vah Ruta.
"After we defeat Calamity Ganon, I'm going to retire. I've already seen enough combat for a lifetime, and I've little desire to spend the rest of my days as a third wheel to Zelda and Impa."
Mipha broke from her reverie and giggled. "As if Impa would let you."
"Exactly.” Link said, chuckling a bit himself. “But I’m serious, I want to retire out here, Lanayru or Necluda. That way I can visit you and our families more often. How does that sound?"
Butterflies filled Mipha’s stomach. It sounded too good to be true. If only she had finished her gift sooner, now might have been the perfect time. "I must confess, that would make me very happy, but are you certain? What would you do with yourself?"
Link smiled sheepishly and scratched his head. "I was thinking of opening up an inn. I'd brew drinks and cook food. Maybe set aside a room for you and Sidon so you could stay whenever you like.”
"That sounds wonderful," Mipha said wistfully, taking his hand in hers and resting her head on his shoulder. Link’s faint smile turned into a large toothy grin, and his back muscles relaxed, a tension he was previously unaware of leaving him. They remained there together as long as they could, but as the night dragged on it became apparent that they would have to return to the Domain.
Later that night, Mipha floated comfortably in the still water of her sleeping pool. Her proposal armor lay half-finished on a desk in the corner of her room. It would be ready in a month and a half by her estimation. Not as soon as she would like, but the Zora Princess owed it to herself to get a good night’s rest, lest she fall to some stray bokoblin’s spear. As Mipha closed her eyes, she tried to envision the future Link had spoken of. There was still so much uncertainty, she could not say if it would truly come to pass.
But they could dream.