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“How about a spar?”
It was a friendly suggestion, a spur-of-the-moment idea to idle away the time. Link grinned up at Sheik, a hand shading his eyes from the sun. He quirked an eyebrow when she didn’t answer, not even bothering to rise from where he was lounging on the ground.
“I hardly think that would be a fair fight,” Sheik responded flatly, crossing her arms in defiance. She had spent far too much time with the hero that day so far, and already the sun was inching closer to the horizon. He always seemed to do this. As the sun set and her duties called her away he would suggest a random activity in hope that she would stay. It also seemed that she always caved to these suggestions.
“That’s not fair,” Link protested, head lolling dramatically, “I think you’re just scared.”
It was a childish bait, but Sheik found herself being lured in faster than a fish on a line. A simple spar couldn’t hurt too much, could it? Link had certainly grown in his combat skills over the last few months of traveling Hyrule, and after a couple of stressful days, Sheik could use a distraction. She would leave after an easy round. A bit of unwinding was exactly what she needed.
“Far from it,” she replied evenly, “I’m simply hoping for a challenge.”
Link was on his feet in a matter of minutes, his grin giddy and eyes alight with mischief. He dusted his hands off on his pants, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet. He had already long discarded his tunic and boots as well as the many belts and pouches he usually carried, allowing for more agile movements. He pressed each knuckle one by one, silently taunting her forwards.
“No weapons, then?” he asked, stretching out his shoulders while Sheik watched with an amused expression.
She nodded silently, continuing to watch as he loosened his muscles. Looking on, it might seem like an unfair fight. Link was both taller and broader than Sheik, his muscles toned after countless hours wielding a sword and performing all sorts of impossible feats. Sheik looked considerably less impressive when compared to the hero, her small and lithe body toned and powerful, yet far less flamboyant. Most would say she didn’t stand a chance against the powerful hero- but most would forget the years she’d spent tirelessly training under the watchful eye of the Sheikah.
Their match began with careful steps, each watching their opponent carefully as they circled each other like a couple of predators, ready to pounce on their prey. Neither moved to attack first. Sheik waited patiently, taking note of every slight movement, a shift of balance, or tensing of muscles. She read him like an open book, as she had been trained to do. Impa’s words flooded her ears as her body flooded with adrenaline at the prospect of a fight. Never make the first move, look for an opening, and never lose your patience. The grin never left his face as he inspected her closely too, his patience running out far faster than her own.
Sheik braced herself when she noticed the shift in his weight. It was thrown forward onto his leg nearest her, his movements quick as he shot out. He threw out a quick jab which Sheik dodged- deflecting the punch with a smooth wave of her arm, before stepping carefully behind the hero as his weight followed the new momentum of the hit.
Link recovered quickly, his grin still cheeky as he spun around to face her again. It wasn’t long before he attacked again, this one coming to hook Sheik in the side of the head. The attack was fast, but Sheik was faster. She ducked quickly and clasped her hands together, using her forearm and lower center of gravity to attack his exposed ribs, knocking him off balance.
Once again the blow only left the hero reeling for a few seconds before he shifted his weight with expert precision. Sheik had to admit he was good and had come a long way since he’d started- but he was still lacking in a few areas.
They continued on like this, circling each other carefully, Link making bold and quick attacks. Sheik always dodged or deflected them, sometimes getting in a few hits of her own. She was content to wait for him to waste his energy with fruitless attacks, but he wasn’t even breathing hard or relenting in the energy of his attacks. Again Sheik was impressed by his determination. Most opponents would be a bubbling pot of frustration when she avoided their attacks. Often they lost to that frustration and made blundering mistakes; but Link kept his composure, his grin never wavering as he continued to fail at making solid contact.
Sheik found herself allowing him to get closer to her, dodging his hits at the last possible moment, a rush of exhilaration as she narrowly missed his attacks. It may have been cruel of her to tease him- taunting him closer, but she couldn’t ignore the sense of thrill it brought. It did earn her a few bruises as his quick jabs and kicks landed briefly, but she couldn’t really mind. Impa would have been appalled to see her throwing caution to the wind and taking unnecessary risks, only to hear Link’s little triumphant laughs when he grazed her side, or the feel of him so close to her.
Sheik thought she was completely in control of their little match, that allowing him to get closer was all a part of her plan. She didn’t notice the glint in Link’s eye as they continued their dance, neither one landing a winning blow.
The Shiekah continued to monitor his movements silently, watching and waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Link shifted his weight forward once again, his leg striking out to sweep her feet out from underneath her. Sheik moved on instinct, jumping back and out of the way. As soon as she moved she notice her blunder as his leg didn’t finish the full arch; he had feigned the attack. Before she could regain her balance, Sheik saw a blur race towards her as Link finally used his advantage: size and weight.
Sheik let out a small gasp as Link tackled her to the ground, the breath knocked from her lungs. It wasn’t the fairest or most practical of moves, but it certainly was effective. Sheik lost her bearings for a moment as they tumbled in a knot of limbs, not sure what was up and what was down until they came to a halt, a victorious-looking Link grinning down at her.
Despite the rough tackle, Sheik’s pride was more hurt than her body. She was already berating herself for falling for such a simple trick, and for dragging the match out for longer than it needed to be. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who knew how to play the long game.
Sheik didn’t try to throw him off, her mind still reeling as she caught her breath. She was almost tempest to wipe the smug grin from his face, but stopped herself, caving to the small voice allowing herself this small moment of indulgence.
Link’s breath was heavier now, his blond bangs hanging like a curtain over her eyes. “So,” he started slowly, face sly like a fox, “it looks like I’ve won, princess.”
Time seemed to slow as Sheik’s blood turned to ice. She had almost forgotten what it was like to be called by her true title. For years she had lived not as royalty, but as a hardened warrior, safe from the clutches of evil that had taken hold of her kingdom. She wasn’t sure what to say or think, her mind stumbling to find where she had gone wrong- what she had done to jeopardize the disguise she had worn for seven years.
Link’s expression mirrored Sheik’s, both Hylain’s eyes widening in surprise. “What…what did you say?” Sheik stuttered.
“I- I,” Link stuttered, quickly attempting to scramble off of the Sheikah warrior, his face flushing red, “I meant to say, Sheik, not pr-,”
Shiek lunged on her knees and clamped a hand over the hero’s mouth, casting a wary eye to their surroundings. She knew the extent of Gannondorfs army, and that he had eyes and ears everywhere. Just the mere mention of the title princess would attract more attention than they could afford to have.
“How?” she whispered, leaning close to his ear and pulling down her mask so her words were clear to only him, “how did you discover my identity?”
She needed to know. For months she had longed to tell him, to hear her name on his lips once more. But the reality of it was much more frightening than she had imagined. Was Gannondorf already on their trail? What did it mean for her? She couldn’t hide from Link anymore, disappearing behind a flash of smoke and leaving him to fight a battle that wasn’t his to fight. She had yearned for this moment for months, and yet she couldn’t decipher the emotions coursing through her veins.
He was still redder than his Goron tunic, his hand shaking as he removed hers from his mouth
“I-, do you mean you’re really-?” he looked closer at her face, eyes softening in recognition, “It was only a hunch really,” he breathed, reaching out a tentative hand, “When we first met I felt something in my hand, then once again when I was with you in the temple. But you’re really Zel-”
“Shh,” Sheik panicked and held a finger to his lips to stop the words before they came, “It’s not safe to say such things when there are ears everywhere.”
He had almost said it. Her heart soared with those few sounds but seized in panic only a second later.
Link simply nodded in silence, his expression filled with so many emotions Sheik couldn’t name them all. She was in a similar state, still not believing her ears and her eyes. It had only been a matter of time she supposed. She knew it had been dangerous spending so much time with him- getting closer than was wise. But she felt that if she hadn’t, she might’ve combusted from the feelings she’d been keeping tucked away. For weeks she had wanted nothing more than to rip off her mask and wrap him in a warm embrace and beg for his forgiveness, or to explain everything that had happened and was still yet to pass. She wanted his company, yet feared as the cloth of her disguise was ripped from her- leaving her emotional and vulnerable.
“I still can’t believe-,” Link laughed, running a hand through his hair, “I don’t know what to say-”
“Neither do I,” Sheik admitted honestly. “Link, you must promise to keep this to yourself,” she whispered, leaning in once more, “it is with good reason I am hidden.”
“Of course,” he murmured earnestly, his breath warm as it played over her cheek. “You won’t believe how relieved I am to see you again,” he reached out a gentle hand, pausing for a moment before he reached her cheek.
Sheik didn’t wait to lean into his touch, his fingers warm and comforting. After years of wearing a mask, she reveled in the feeling as the soft breeze that kissed her cheeks. Their little sparring match was now long forgotten, the two Hylians staring at each other in disbelief, eyes full of endearment, still a tangled mess on the ground. Sheik grabbed onto his wrist, not wanting the feeling to end. Hadn’t they suffered enough? Didn’t they deserve a small break?
Link had moved closer to her, close enough to be so near and tempting. His eyes were drawing her nearer, luring her in with their soft welcoming angles and deep blue irises. Sheik didn’t dismiss or suppress the thoughts telling her she belonged in the arms of the man in front of her. The past seven years of her life had been spent hiding, running, and waiting for him. It had all happened so fast, and yet she found herself enjoying herself as time continued to tick on. She didn’t have to hide anymore. Even though he hadn’t said her name, knowing that someone, for the first time in seven years, knew her true identity… it was more relieving than Sheik would have thought.
The distance between them was closing at an agonizing pace. Link still caressed her cheek, moving forward, as if unsure of his movements- nervous even. It was adorable in Sheik’s eyes, but she took pity on him, her hand reaching out and gripping the fabric of the light mantle he wore. For a moment she feared that perhaps he didn’t share her feelings, that he wasn’t longing for her in the way that she did for him. How could she explain the way she felt drawn to him? He felt so familiar to her, like she could see memories of their life together and even their lives to come. Then she looked in his eyes, those moments that they had shared under a bright blue sky as they sat upon crimson feathers seeming to play out in his reflection. She could recognize the look that adorned his face as he experienced emotions both old and new- an unmistakable glance of longing as he recognized her. With a slight tug of his tunic, their faces bumped together, albeit a bit roughly, but it wasn’t long before their lips found each other.
Link gave a short gurgled cry of surprise at the sudden contact, his muscles freezing under Sheik’s touch before relaxing a moment later. Neither had much clue of what to do; where their hands should go or how their mouths should move, but they let their emotions take control and do the work. Sheik’s hands’ found their way into Link’s hair and his around her waist, pulling her closer as their heads tilted to deepen the kiss. It was rough and far from perfect, but still a thrilling sensation. They could feel the smiles of the other when their noses knocked clumsily together, or their bangs ended up wedged awkwardly between them.
If only it could have lasted forever, the looming threat of Ganondorf erased from their minds for just a moment. Link felt so warm as he pressed against her, their hands both wandering towards dangerous territory, but Sheik couldn’t find the strength to stop herself. She could smell the scent of pine needles and freshly cut grass that always seemed to hang around the hero, rich, sweet, and oh so alluring. Their faces were hot and flushed, the moment so perfect and blissful.
Sheik felt alarmed when Link gave a small yelp of pain, pulling back quickly, his face livid with anger. She thought for a moment that she had crossed a line, or perhaps touched an old wound, but that was when she noticed the little blue fairy hovering by his ear. Though Navi was just a blue orb, she looked furious.
“And just what do you think you’re doing?” She asked, shrill voice clearly irate.
“Why did you burn my ear?” Link shot back, equally irritated as he rubbed his red ear.
“Why were you trying to eat Sheik’s face,” the little fairy huffed, “and I thought the redeads were bad.”
Link’s already red face deepened to shades Sheik hadn’t even known were possible, slowly untangling himself from her, “We weren’t doing anything,” he insisted as the fairy flitted about his head.
“And I’m a lizfaos,” Navi chided, tugging at a lock of his hair, “now get your tunic and boots back on, we have work we have to do.” She flew off without another word, leaving behind an embarrassed hero and amused princess.
“I should let you get back to saving Hyrule,” Sheik added after a few minutes had slipped by, rising to her feet and adjusting the pieces of her uniform that had been set askew.
“Yeah,” Link mumbled, making no move to get to his feet. He watched as she set her mask back to its rightful place, his grin creeping its way back onto his face as he reached up a finger to touch his reddened lips. “I’ll see you around soon, then?” he asked once she’d gotten herself back in order.
Sheik dug in her pockets for a few smoke bombs, a smile under her mask. She held the small object between her fingers, lips still buzzing as she gazed down at the hero. “I suppose you will,” she murmured. The two exchanged one last glance before the Sheikah threw the objects onto the ground, a great plume of smoke engulfed her as she disappeared from sight.