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The chain stumbled out of the portal one by one, with Time in the lead in case anything happened, and should there be looming danger on the other side, Time would be able to take the hit and make sure none of his boys would get hurt. As the last of them stumbled out, the portal sucked itself shut just as quickly as it had opened in Wild’s Hyrule. Wild was lucky enough to warn the chain about the monsters around them before the attack else their fate would’ve been much worse than a few scars and bruises covering their bodies.
“Thank you, Champion…that was quite the close call,” Time trailed off, heaving an exhausted sigh.
Wild nodded in understanding, falling back against Twilight who was quick to hold his younger brother figure up from crashing to the ground. The Champion mumbled a tired ‘thanks’ before resting his eyes a little after the horror they just faced. Of all the monsters Wild came to know in his Hyrule, why had it been golden lynels to be with that group of monsters that attacked. Was Dark Link that petty to make them suffer so much?
“That was… interesting , to say the least..” Sky commented, his face filled with concern for the champion’s kingdom.
“No…kidding??” Wild sassed tiredly before letting out a breathy chuckle.
“Cub, you can’t keep charging them like that. You’re bound to get hurt like that!” Twilight scolded him, his face filled with disappointment of an older brother.
Wild waved his hand in tired dismissal before leaning further into the rancher, which earned him a small chuckle.
The rest of the chain huddled around Hyrule to see if he had any red potions on him for their injuries. Hyrule reached into his bag to hand them out before he was stopped by Time.
“Old Man?” Twilight called, concerned.
“Leave the potions for later, I can sense some evil around us so save them,” Time explained as his grip on the Gilded Sword did not loosen one bit.
The heroes got up on their feet and readied themselves behind their father figure, eyes, ears and senses alert for anything that would come to harm them. Twilight kept a firm hold on Wild to make sure he wouldn’t run off and do something absolutely stupid. But that was to be expected from him.
Time stalked forwards, his senses sharp and alert as he realized the portal had dumped them into his Hyrule. Of course it was his Hyrule. Why else would the Shadow be after him the most? After further inspection, Time realized they were at the Sacred Forest Meadow. He sighed in relief, knowing that there was going to be a fairy fountain nearby for the chain to heal all their wounds instead of putting more pressure on Hyrule to give them their last red potions. Time ushered the chain forth as they smiled and followed him off through the meadow, assuming they were clear and there were no monsters in sight.
Oh, how wrong they were in assuming so.
Time was knocked back a couple feet as the moblin towered over the chain with its gigantic blade, eyes as red as blood with nothing but murderous intent in the crimson orbs. Time was quick to recover before the chain all scattered around into pairs to try and defeat the other moblins following the one that knocked the Old Man back. And so, yet another battle was waged.
Metal clashed against metal and arrows notched themselves into the tough skin of the moblins. Battlecries echoed in the empty forest as the blood of the heroes and moblins was splattered everywhere, painting the lush green a daunting crimson. But the crimson was from the heroes, not the moblins.
“Watch yourselves, now! These moblins have black blood inside of them!!” Sky called out.
The others were quick to fall back to reorganize their thoughts. But not Wild. Of course, knowing him, Wild charged straight into each of the moblins without a second thought to his actions as he slashed away. This was short lived, however, as the champion was quickly, and quite ruthlessly knocked down unconscious.
“WILD-” Twilight cried out before he nearly had the same fate as his fellow hero, stumbling back from the moblin’s attack.
The chain was quick to follow in panic, one after the other, toppling to the ground like bowling pins being knocked down.
Was it fortunate or unfortunate that Time was the only one standing?
He gazed at the heroes all knocked down to the ground, some unable to stand, others unable to grab their weapons that had been knocked out of their hands, lest they jeopardize their lives at the cost of a lousy weapon. But the fire to keep them safe burned brightly inside, and his hand slowly reached down to his waist to an item he had sworn to himself he wouldn’t use unless it was too dire of a situation.
‘Do I risk it?’ Time asked himself, hesitant to place the mask on his face.
‘Would you rather watch those you love disappear in front of your eyes as you stand there, watching their life fade away?’ the familiar voice boomed inside of his head, startling Time quite a bit.
He shook his head and gripped the mask tightly in his hand, silently praying he’d make it out of this sane. He placed the mask on his face and felt the power of the war god pulse through his body. Time felt himself change physically before his mind was slowly numbed to the sole thought of destroying the moblins before they took those he cared for away from him forever.
Time charged the monsters and slashed mercilessly at each of the moblins with the Double Helix Blade, watching them collapse and dissipate one by one until they were quickly gotten rid of. But not before Time made sure to get rid of their presences completely, watching them all dissipate to dust. He huffed and watched the Fierce Deity mask fall from his face and drop to the ground, laying motionless and empty, just like it should have stayed. There wasn’t a trace of evil around as Time collapsed to his knees, the power too much for him for such a short notice.
Was it dramatic? Maybe. Did it get the job done? Absolutely.
“You’re all-” Time started, hacking up a cough. “You’re all safe…”
Those who were able to move slowly and painfully got up to grab their strewn weapons, helping the injured up on their feet as Hyrule passed around some of the red potions, getting the green light from Time that it was alright for them to use their medical items. It was a sad sight to see their friends injured, but what could they have done? It was a complete blindside.
“Old Man, are you alright?” Sky asked, going over to hand him a potion.
Time took it and nodded in thanks, answering, “I should be alright, but I’m not your greatest concern. The Champion is.”
Sky turned to find an unconscious Wild being cradled by Twilight, his face troubled with worry and concern. The Skyloftian grew concerned at the sight of him and rushed towards the rancher, quickly handing him a potion in hopes that it would help Wild’s condition a little. Twilight grabbed the potion and practically shoved the potion down Wild’s throat as the champion gagged at the taste a few moments after. Twilight sighed in relief as Wild slowly came back to the world of the waking.
“Good to see you back, Wild!” Wind exclaimed cheerfully, despite his beaten up self.
Wild blinked and gave the heroes a confused look.
“Who’s…Wild?” he croaked, his voice filled with question.
If there was a sound for the breaking of a heart, it would be echoing in the Meadow.
“Y-You’re kidding…right? It’s you!? You’re Wild!” Twilight exclaimed, his voice wavering with disbelief.
Wild shook and rubbed his pounding head, slowly sitting up as he looked down at his hands, guilt ridden. Twilight noticed the look in the younger hero’s eyes and his heart broke even more at the sight.
“Champion,” Time started.
Wild looked up at him with glassy eyes.
“Do you remember where we were and what we were doing before you lost your memory?” Time inquired, hoping to jog his memory.
Wild sat there for a little bit before he blinked a few times. The others sat around him in anticipation before Wild’s eyes grew wider each passing moment.
“We…we were in my Hyrule, and- and we got attacked by monsters…” Wild started, his voice growing more confident.
“And we ended up here in this meadow before we all got attacked by moblins that were infected!” Wild exclaimed, the blue in his eyes shining.
Time smiled and pat him gently on the shoulder.
“Atta boy. Seems like you’re still as strong as I know you are,” the Old Man remarked.
The rest of the chain sighed in relief before they all got up and began collecting their things, waiting for the next command from Time.
“You boys should follow me, I know where a fairy fountain nearby is located. There, we can stock up on all the helpful little magic healers we need before continuing onwards,”Time explained to them all.
The chain nodded and got up as Time led them off in the direction of the fairy fountain. Each one walked in and waded the waters of the fountain, sighing in relief at the magic of the fairies before they all restocked their bottles. The chain then made their way off and out to Hyrule Field in hopes of getting a much better view of the kingdom and where they would need to go.
“Wouldn’t it be wise to just head straight to the castle and execute our plan from there? Y’know, let the Princess know about how there’s more of the infected monsters?” Twilight suggested.
Time’s eye lit up with excitement at the mention of ‘the Princess’ and Wild took note of the look before snickering a little.
“What’s with the look, Old Man? Excited to see your princess?” the champion teased.
Time sent the younger hero a flustered glare.
“Hush, you.”
Wild laughed and clapped him lightly on the shoulder before getting a light whack to his head by Twilight.
“Oww!! Why’d ya smack me??” Wild cried, rubbing the back of his head with a pout.
“Don’t mock the Old Man, Cub,” Twilight said bluntly.
“Oh come on! All he talks about is ‘Her Highness’ this, or ‘Her Majesty’ that. When are you going to introduce her to us, Old Man??” Wild exclaimed, flailing his arms up dramatically.
Time smiled and ruffled Twilight’s hair which earned him a childish glare from the Rancher.
“Easy, Rancher. I’ll introduce her to all of you once we get to the castle,” Time answered, smiling even more at Wild’s excited reaction.
Wild cheered and jumped up in excitement, earning himself a laugh from the chain as they all headed in the direction of Hyrule Castle. Each pair was conversing about how vast and open the Kingdom of Hyrule in the Era of Time was. Twilight and Wild, one of the pairs, decided to run off to Time like two little children to their father. Time gave the two curious looks as they marched to the rhythm of his footsteps.
“Yes?” Time crowed, trying to keep the big smile from finding its way to his lips.
Wild couldn’t keep the grin off of his face, answering, “So? What’s your Zelda like? Does she have her nose in the Royal Library like mine? Or is she more on the ruling side, not fun?”
The last comment earned the champion another light whack to his head. He whipped his head toward the culprit and Twilight sent him yet another disappointed older brother look.
“Are you serious?!” Wild complained, rubbing his head.
“You can’t just go calling the Princess of Hyrule ‘not fun’, Cub!” Twilight exclaimed, flailing his arms up.
Time chuckled and ruffled both their hair, smiling even more at the way Wild described her.
“That girl…oh Farore, she’s quite the princess. You’ll know what I’m talking about the minute you lay eyes upon her,” he explained briefly, his smile only growing wider the more he thought about her.
Wild snickered a little at the look on the Old Man’s face before quietly thinking to himself just how much she really meant to him. Twilight caught the look as well and held back the comment to mock Time for looking so in love.
“Tell her a single thing about me saying these things about her and I will make sure you two won’t have a single night of sleep,” Time warned them, flustered.
His face was growing redder at the little grins making themselves present on the faces of the younger heroes.
“We promise!!” Twilight and Wild defended, laughing at the flustered expression engulfing Time’s face.
Sky heard the laughter and told Warriors he’d catch up with the other three. The Chosen One marched up to the three heroes and was happily greeted by a pair of grinning heroes.
“What’s with the red face, Old Man?” Sky asked, trying to hide his mockery.
Time shook his head and huffed in embarrassment.
“Nothing, other than the fact that these two little shits won’t stop mocking me,” Time answered, sending Twilight and Wild a flustered glare.
The pair snickered and assured him once more that they wouldn’t speak of his embarrassment to Zelda. Sky snickered along with them and gave a light pat to Time’s back.
Had he heard Time humming the familiar tune of Zelda’s Lullaby? Sky quirked an increasingly curious eyebrow at the older hero.
“That’s a rather calming tune,” Sky started, biting his lip to keep his laughter inside.
“Is it? Perhaps I’m a little homesick…” Time answered, not realizing what Sky was doing.
Twilight and Wild looked at each other with just as much confusion before shrugging and watching it play on.
“No…I don’t believe so…” Sky continued. “...These notes tell a different tale.”
Time blinked and realized that he had said those exact same words to the Knight of Skyloft some time ago before his face increasingly grew more crimson than the red markings on his cheek. Sky noticed the shift in expression and burst into laughter. Time nearly ran him through as he covered his face from the growing embarrassment. The rest of the chain links made their way over to the group, trying to figure out what had gotten Time redder than a ruby.
“Listen to me and listen to me well-” Time started, trying to keep his composure. “You little shits bring up ANY of this to Zelda and none of you are allowed to-”
“Yes, Old Man, we know!! Lighten up a little!!” Wind exclaimed, laughing.
Time huffed and crossed his arms over his chest as the chain continued to tease him, all the way up until they made it to a pair of closed off gates. They had calmed down a lot more when Time’s face grew more serious.
“Are we here?” Sky asked, his playful demeanor vanishing like a whisp.
Time nodded and approached the soldiers guarding the gates. The chain followed him before the pair of soldiers stopped them immediately, pointing their weapons at the heroes. They all grew defensive, naturally.
“What are you doing here? What goals do you plan to execute in the castle?” the soldier on the left demanded.
“Soldiers!” a sudden powerful feminine voice called out.
The soldiers stiffened up and saluted.
“Lady Impa, Sir!!” they answered firmly.
Time perked up at the name and turned to where the voice came from, only to be greeted with a confident smile.
“These boys mean no harm to Her Majesty, I can assure you that,” the Sheikah assured them as they nodded in understanding.
“Let the Hero of Time and his fellow heroes through,” Impa ordered and watched their eyes grow wide.
“Y-You mean the legendary Hero of Time?? The little 17 year old who saved our kingdom from Ganondorf’s hands??” they both exclaimed in disbelief.
“Is that how you all remember me? The little 17 year old??” Time complained, giving the soldiers an unimpressed look.
“Hylia, it really is you! Welcome back, Link!!” the soldier on the right exclaimed cheerfully.
Time smiled and thanked the pair of soldiers for their much warmer welcome before the pair stepped to either side and opened the gates for the chain, saluting to Impa once more.
“Come, I’m sure Her Majesty, Queen Zelda will be thrilled to see you lot here,” Impa ushered them, heading off in the direction of the castle.
The chain quickly followed behind her like little ducklings.
“I assume you all travelled here by those odd portals that keep appearing?” Impa asked in confirmation.
Time’s expression changed into that of a worried one.
“Is that why there were more infected moblins inside of the Sacred Forest Meadow?!” he demanded, clenching his fist when Impa nodded.
“Old Man, I’m sure the Princess will explain everything when we see her,” Twilight assured him.
Time nodded and sighed.
“Did she fight any of them?” Time asked Impa, his tone filled with hidden anger.
“And what would you do if I told you she did?” Impa retorted, her tone the same.
Time’s eye grew noticeably darker before he exhaled an exasperated sigh.
“Will she never learn to not fight danger when it rises? Honestly, that woman is going to drive me to grey ha - ” Time cut himself short before he heaved another sigh at the cackling in his head.
‘Is that so, brat?’ the God of War teased before Time rolled his eyes in annoyance.
‘Shut up, Deity,’ Time groaned in thought.
Impa laughed at the fond annoyance on Time’s face before they reached the Royal Courtyard. The chain stared in awe at how beautiful it was engulfed with vines and ivy of all sorts before they all laid eyes on another figure standing at the opposite side of them. They turned, their dress twirling around with their body.
“Your Majesty, you have some guests visiting the kingdom,” Impa announced, a smile etched on her face at the shock on the figure’s face.
“Link?!”
Time dropped everything on him and bolted towards her, lifting her up from her waist before he spun her around, his grip on her hip almost bruising. His face wasn’t anything short of absolute ecstasy as he pulled her into his chest, hugging her tightly, stuffing his face in her golden locks.
“Zelda… Gods above I’ve missed you so much…” Time mumbled into her hair, taking in her everything, relishing her just being there in his arms.
“Is that Lullaby?” Wind asked.
“Is that what you chain links call her?” Impa scoffed and nodded. “Yes, that’s her alright.”
The chain watched the two of them embrace each other like they’d lose the other in a second before they nearly recoiled at the sight.
“Old Man?!”
Time, and Lullaby as well, looked years younger, almost as if they were their 17 year old selves. It was quite the sight before they all blinked and the pair looked normal.
“Ah, yes. The magic of those two is quite remarkable,” Impa commented, laughing.
The chain smiled fondly at the sight; it was rare to see the Old Man so happy like this.
Time only hugged Lullaby tighter to him, sighing in utter content; it was almost as if a weight was lifted from his chest and he could breathe without feeling choked out. Lullaby mirrored him, smiling into his hair before she lifted her face and caressed his cheeks with her softer hands.
“Look at you…” Lullaby started, her smile reaching her ears.
Time pressed a finger to her lips, an ear to ear grin on his face, earning himself a blushing face from her. Lullaby, in retaliation, pulled his face into hers and pressed her lips against his in a sweet, dire, needy kiss. Time gladly kissed back, his grin only growing wider against her lips. Lullaby sighed in content against his lips before breaking off to gasp for air. The two were breathless in each other's arms, for it had been far too long since they last shared a proper kiss.
“Seriously, Old Man?!” Legend cried in mocking disgust.
Time chuckled and ignored them, entranced by her ocean eyes, the ones he fell in love with, the ones he was willing to sacrifice everything for. Those eyes of hers that he grew to love and adore oh so much. Lullaby stared back at him with just as much love clouding her eyes. He was there in front of her, there and real. He was as real as the love she felt for him.
Time lifted her up and propped her up on his shoulder, keeping a firm hold on her as he turned to the chain.
“Boys, this is Zelda. She’s my dearest and most beloved wife, and, as you all know, the Princess-” Time started before she gave him an unimpressed look.
“Excuse you, it’s queen now,” Lullaby corrected him, her face as sassy as her tone.
Time rolled his eyes and huffed.
“As you all know, the Queen of Hyrule,” Time sassed, emphasizing ‘queen’.
Lullaby smiled and pressed a kiss to his temple before she gazed at all of the heroes before her.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet all of you. Link’s told me so much about you all and how courageous and heroic you lot are!” Lullaby welcomed them. “I hope this lug hasn’t been too much of a hassle?”
Time glared at her with a flustered face.
“Excuse you!?” Lullaby only grinned cheekily before pressing another kiss to his temple.
She wriggled out of his grip and jumped off of his shoulder, dusting her dress off before smiling at the chain.
“Welcome to Hyrule Castle! Please feel free to make yourselves at home here!” Lullaby exclaimed cheerfully.
The chain all grinned happily in return.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet the person who the Old Man won’t shut up about,” Wild teased.
Lullaby sent Time an amused look before his face grew crimson once again.
“Wait- so if you’re his queen and you said she’s your wife, does that mean the Old Man is a king?!” Wind asked, his voice filled with utter excitement.
Time blinked and realized just what the Sailor was talking about before his face grew even more crimson than before..
“I- I suppose that does make me a king…” he stammered.
Time then turned to Lullaby to give her a fond look. She returned it and kissed his cheek gently before turning to the chain once more.
“Well, I’d love to catch up with you all later but you all need your rest. Impa, take them to the guest rooms please,” Lullaby commanded.
Impa nodded and wrangled the chain off into the castle’s interior, leaving the hero and his princess alone.
“And as for you,” Lullaby turned her full attention to Time, whose face was redder than a ruby.
“Spare me the teasing, Zel. Please-” Time begged her before his face only grew redder at the sight of her amusement.
“That’s it-” he started and picked her up from her waist, throwing Lullaby over his shoulder before walking off in the opposite direction of the chain and Impa.
“Wh- HEY- LINK PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT!!” Lullaby cried, smacking his back repeatedly.
Time only grinned and held her tighter as he made his way off to her, and soon to be their, room. Lullaby huffed in exasperation before she resigned herself to her fate.
“Link?” Lullaby called before her eyes fell on his shift in appearance.
Time’s hair was as silver as the moonlight shining in the hallway of the castle’s interior. His hair grew longer; spiking in some places but still quite soft to the touch. Lullaby blushed as she gazed at his face, realizing she was much higher off the ground than she initially was.
‘Oh Hylia…’ Lullaby thought to herself, gazing at the god carrying her off.
“The brat’s getting some… payback , if you will. I suggest you not tease him furthermore, else he loses full control over my power,” the Fierce Deity crowed lowly, a cocky smirk etched on his lips.
Lullaby blushed harder at the tone of his voice before she recollected her thoughts quickly.
“And what are you going to do if I don’t stop teasing him?” Lullaby challenged, her voice clouded in a teasing tone.
The deity made it to her room before setting her down on her feet gently, chuckling before answering her.
“I’ll let him decide that. It’s a pleasure to be at your service once again, Princess,” the Fierce Deity knelt down, bowing.
Lullaby smiled fondly and pressed a kiss to his forehead, holding his face gently as she caressed the markings on his cheeks.
“Thank you, Deity. You’ve saved his life countless times, it’s only right of me to be by your side,” Lullaby expressed, watching him give way back to Time’s features she loved so much.
“Taking a liking to him already?” Time teased, his hands moving up to hold her face.
Lullaby giggled and pressed her forehead against his, sighing in content once again. Time mirrored her action before he got up, carrying her bridal style as he gently placed her on their bed. Time got up and took off the rest of his armour, leaving him in his tunic before he heard the clang of a piece of metal armour; what he presumed was her pauldron.
“Gods…” Zelda huffed, heaving a sigh of exhaust.
Time chuckled and returned to the bed, resting his back against the headboard before he brought her back against his chest, nuzzling his face into her neck. Lullaby sucked in a quick breath as her face turned red once again.
“Link I swear-”
“Don’t worry, darling. I’m not going to do what your beautiful mind thinks. I’m just getting used to the fact that it’s really you in my arms,” Time explained, cutting her short.
Lullaby sighed and leaned back into him, her body relaxing completely in his arms. Time only held her tighter, leaving little kisses everywhere on her; her shoulders, her back, her head, her cheeks, her temples, everywhere. Lullaby only relaxed more in his embrace, craning her neck up to stare at Time with a smile etched on her face—both her ocean irises and her soft lips. He stared back at her with nothing but love clouding his eyes. Lullaby smiled more and pulled his face down to kiss him once more. He welcomed the feeling and kissed her softer, pecking her lips repetitively. Lullaby giggled and blushed at the gesture as Time’s own smile made its way onto his face.
“Zelda?” She hummed in response.
“Have I ever told you just how much I love you?” Time asked, his low tone of voice slithering into her head and numbing her senses.
“I can’t count how many times you’ve told me, Link,” Lullaby answered, a little laugh escaping past her lips.
“And you never will, because I’ll keep saying it over and over again because it’s true. Words can’t express how much I love you, Zelda,” Time hummed, watching her face grow red.
“Link I-” Lullaby started before his lips were on hers again, cutting her off.
‘I suppose he’s right…’ she thought to herself before kissing him back.
“Don’t you ever doubt my love for you, got it?” Time ordered, staring at her intently, all intentions clear.
Lullaby nodded and rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat as the rhythm calmed her senses down.
“I won’t. I never have and I never will. That’s a promise I’m willing to take to the grave,” Lullaby answered, sighing.
Time shook his head and held her tighter, much more overprotective than before.
“Don’t- don’t do that. I don’t want to lose you again…” Time mumbled into her hair, his tone saddening.
“Link, I’m taking it to the grave whether or not. That won’t change, darling,” Lullaby retorted, turning herself to face him.
She reached up to his face and held it gently, her eyes sincere. Time sighed and kissed her forehead, nodding in understanding.
“Besides, I don’t want our future kids going to the Kakariko Graveyard to find out how cheesy you are~” Time snickered, his voice teasing.
Lullaby looked just about ready to throw him off of the bed at the little joke he made. Time noticed her expression and burst out laughing before she fumed.
“LINK I SWEAR-” Lullaby shouted flustered.
Time only laughed harder, falling back into the bed with her still in his arms. He heaved a sigh of contentment as he held her there.
“Ahh, I love you so much Zel,” Time cooed, smiling.
Lullaby shook her head and cuddled into his side, bringing the blanket over her shivering body.
“What, cold? Why didn’t you say so?” Time asked, sitting up before taking off his tunic.
Lullaby blushed and did her best not to stare at him, ultimately failing when he caught her. Time smirked before she shoved him, absolutely fuming and flustered. Time only laughed before she reluctantly took off her own undershirt, if only to achieve maximum skin-to-skin contact, something she missed dearly from him.
“I’ll never not get used to how warm you are, Link,” Lullaby sighed, nuzzling herself into his warm chest, smiling contently.
Time hummed and hugged her closer, smiling as he kissed her cheek again. Lullaby giggled and held his arms over her chest tighter, enjoying the feeling of safety he gave her. It was such an intoxicating feeling to her, her senses nulled out by his utter comfort.
“Call me hot then~” Time teased her.
It earned himself a smack at his arm and a flustered plethora of incoherent stammering from Lullaby. Time chuckled and hugged her tighter, lacing his fingers into hers as he secured her in his grip. Lullaby returned the favour, gripping his hands tightly before Time squeezed back in reassurance.
“Thank you, Hero of Time,” Time gasped at the name. “For everything you’ve done for both Hyrule and myself. I can’t thank you enough, Link…”
Time sighed and kissed the side of her head once again.
“I’d do it time and time again, Princess of Destiny,” Time answered, just as emotionally.
“I love you. I love you so much, Link,” Lullaby expressed, closing her eyes and taking in his powerful aura.
“I love you so much more than that, Zelda. You have no idea,” Time mumbled, sighing in content.
Lullaby smiled and let the rest of herself relax in his arms and presence. Time smiled and kissed her softly on her lips once more, loving the mood in its entirety. It was far too long since he last saw her- at least almost a year, if not longer. He finally had her in his arms, and could finally embrace her. He could finally give her the love the both of them had been missing out on, and that couldn’t have made him any happier.