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“Do you remember me?”
Mutely, Link nodded. It had taken him some time, far too long, in his opinion. But now, he remembered her. How he’d watched her from afar as a child, always drawn to her but never understanding why. How he’d become her bodyguard and how little pleased she’d been in the beginning. How they’d eventually become friends. Even how she’d risked her life for him in the end.
He’d thought that all his memories had come back to him by now. But apparently, he’d been wrong.
With a smile softer than he’d ever seen before, she made another step toward him, her hands resting on his chest, and kissed him. And the moment her lips brushed his, another set of memories exploded in his mind, flooding his senses with images, sounds, and sensation long gone.
Her hand in his and soft caresses.
Stolen kisses in hidden corners of the castle’s dark corridors.
Heated night in her bed, covers sticking to sweaty skin.
Her lips at his ear, whispering, “I love you.”
Her beaming smile as they swore their oaths before the Goddess.
Gasping, Link pulled back from her, his eyes wide. He remembered her, knew her every feature by heart, but still it was as if he was seeing her for the first time. Slowly, carefully, reverently, Link cupped her face with both hands. Her smile grew even softer, and as if she could read his mind, she nodded.
Letting out a short, disbelieving laugh, Link surged forward to kiss her back. Harsh, almost bruising even, it was what they both needed. The reassurance that this wasn’t a dream. Zelda’s arms wrapped around his back, and with surprising strength, she pulled him close, her tongue diving deeply into his mouth, reclaiming what always had been hers, anyway. In return, Link’s hands moved down her sides, rediscovering her body as if he was starving, hot breaths mingling.
Link became dizzy, but even as breathing became a necessary distraction, he still didn’t want to pull away. It had been too long.
Eventually though, they had to part. Gasping for air, they leaned their foreheads together, eyes closed and fingers entangled. With a slow, deliberate motion, Link first lifted their hands to his chest and pressed them to his heart, then repeated the same gesture at her chest.
I remember you.