Work Text:
Link stepped back and raised his sword to block the incoming blow. The offending sword clashed against his, he pushed back and tried to apply pressure to his foe. Sometimes offense was the best defense, this one-on-one fight certainly felt like one of those times. He stepped forward and used his larger build to his advantage by shoving himself into his opponent’s side.
Twilight huffed in surprise and was forced back. But he was no scrawny recruit fresh from the barracks, he certainly looked like he frequently carried hay bales with ease. Link refused to give him a chance to recover and retaliate, he continued to barrage Twilight’s side with his shoulder. At one point, Twilight tried to slash at him in a vain attempt to gain distance. That was a mistake. Link dodged the strike and grabbed the offending arm, he twisted it back and shoved Twilight again until he fell to the ground.
He knew all too well to never turn his back on a downed enemy, he loomed over his opponent and kicked the sword out of reach.
"Ya'know," Twilight started with a sly smile, "most people buy me dinner before we end up like this."
"I'm not-," Link balked, he stepped away so he was no longer standing over Twilight. He knew he was being goaded.
"You're blushing."
"No," he denied, despite feeling the heat in his cheeks and ears, "you are infuriating."
"Gonna do anything about it?"
Link didn't dignify that with a response. He turned around and averted his gaze. It didn't take much for him to get flustered, he hated that Twilight had uncovered one of his weaknesses so easily. Before he could turn back around, he felt the tip of a sword jab lightly between his shoulder blades. With a begrudging sigh, he raised his hands in surrender.
The weapon was withdrawn and he sheathed his sword before facing Twilight.
“You know, Captain,” Twilight said while putting his sword away, “you could at least pretend you’re having fun.”
“I am,” he replied a bit more harshly than he intended, “you’re a formidable sparring partner.”
“Right,” Twilight said dejectedly, his bright smile faltered.
Link regretted ever opening his treacherous mouth, he didn’t know why he was like this. His friendship with Twilight was new and fragile, he didn’t want to ruin it. Damage control was necessary.
“What I mean is,” Link started and ignored his nerves, “you’re very strong. I’m impressed with your ability to face and defeat me in combat.”
Twilight stared at him blankly. Then he started to laugh. Link wanted nothing more than to hide.
“That’s cute,” Twilight said after he calmed down.
Link wanted to run. Compliments weren’t normal for him. At least not genuine ones. Every ‘pretty boy’ was laced with venom, each ‘he’s a ladies man’ was filled with jealousy. ‘You’re so handsome’ was often met with women invading his personal space, he was far too afraid at the time to inform them he preferred men. ‘Keep me company tonight’ was always an exchange, usually his time was rewarded with extra rations for his troops. But being called cute by someone who didn’t really know who he was? Unheard of.
“Are you okay?” Twilight asked and kept his distance.
Link was at a loss for words. He meant it when he said he was impressed with Twilight’s fighting abilities. In truth, he enjoyed their sparring sessions. It was nice to have someone who wasn’t trying to use his hero status to further their own agenda. Plus, Twilight was kind and funny. And comfortable to be around. And attractive. And…oh no.
He broke one of the most important rules; don’t fall for your sparring partner. Admittingly, he was curious to know if Twilight was being serious, or if he was using his words as a weapon like so many others before. There was no good way to say ‘hey, I have deep-rooted issues with flirtation and relationships, can you tell me if you’re being serious’. Talking didn’t come easy to him, despite what many back home assumed. He didn’t plan on sugar coating anything.
“Did you mean those things you said,” Link said and Twilight tilted his head in confusion, “do you find me cute, or are you teasing me?”
“Oh, um,” Twilight stuttered, his usual confidence vanished as he fiddled with the hem of his poncho, “both. If it’s making you uncomfortable, I will stop.”
“It’s not,” Link assured and felt his heart race, he wasn’t expecting that response. He didn’t know what to say now. What did normal people do in this situation? “I’m terrible at this.”
Twilight smiled at him, so that was probably a good sign.
“It’s endearing, if I’m being completely honest,” Twilight said, still sporting that warm smile of his.
Link took a deep breath, he was in disbelief. He felt frozen in place, and he could tell his face was red. Leading battles and fighting enemies came easy to him. But admitting his feelings? Forget it. Still, his heart fluttered at the idea. With what courage he could muster, he was able to speak again.
“Do you want to get dinner with me?” He asked and ignored the obvious nervousness in his tone, he waited patiently for a response.
“I would love to,” Twilight replied with a laugh that never failed to put his mind at ease.
Link wasn’t good at this sort of thing. But he smiled back. He was going to try as best as he could.