Chapter Text
If anyone had told Zelda Link regularly attended the Voe and You class as a 'special guest', she would have told them they surely were mistaken. There was no possibility that her shy, soft spoken Link would willingly put himself in a position to be fawned over by beautiful women. It had taken him weeks to work up the nerve to ask her to dinner. And he had yet to make a move beyond pleasant strolls from the Hateno school to their home (a home where they have cohabitated for years) to share quiet dinners. No kiss, not even a good-night hug. Every night they parted, her to the bed in the loft, him to the futon he rolled out in the alcove beneath the stairs.
Surely, she was dreaming. That was the only explanation for the reason her former, often silent and always stoic, knight-turned-friend-possibly suitor was currently standing beside Ashai allowing four gorgeous Gerudo women to ply him with baked goods. Zelda knew he loved food and had a very discernible palate, and she now berated herself for never trying that tactic herself. Perhaps if he had come home from hunting to the aroma of a freshly baked apple pie, he'd have already tried to kiss her.
Squeezing her eyes shut, Zelda pinched her arm until the sting brought tears to her eyes. Tears caused by the pain and not because her heart was breaking at the possibility that Link wasn't interested her in the same way she was interested in him. Unfortunately, she was still awake, and when she opened her eyes Link was still standing in the very alluring voe armor. For a race who eschewed men from entering their town, the Gerudo certainly knew how to dress them in a way that showcased all their positive attributes. The single leather pauldron accentuated broad shoulders, and the billowy sirwal pants drew the eye to finely sculpted abs and calves.
It didn't help matters that Link wasn't like most other Hylian men. He was all lean muscle, sun-kissed skin, and bleached blond hair. He wore that armor like it was made specifically for him. He was beautiful. Not to mention kind and gentle. It was no wonder the women were falling all over themselves to have an opportunity to practicing their flirting skills on him.
Riju giggled beside her and Zelda's face blazed when she realized she was licking her lips.
"Were you aware of this?" Zelda hissed, ducking behind the half-wall and dragging Riju with her when Link glanced their way.
"I knew Ashai had roped a voe into assisting her with the class, but I had no idea it was Link."
Zelda rolled her eyes, not believing for one second that Riju hadn't been aware of the fact. Why else had she dragged her down into the caves below the palace, under the pretense of showing Zelda the secret passages that led to the lightning temple? "What other man has free rein to go where he pleases in Gerudo Town?"
"Fair enough." Bluff called, Riju smirked and raised an elegantly penciled eyebrow. "So, now that you know, what do you plan to do about it?"
Zelda gave her friend a hard look before peeking back over the wall. Even from this distance she could see that Link's cheeks were as red as the sun setting over the desert sands of Gerudo. Perhaps because a particularly forward vai was pushing her way through her more timid classmates to reach him.
"Link, my one true love. I've missed you terribly. I made your favorite dish!" She thrust a ceramic tureen into his bare chest, and Link had to quickly grab it before it crashed to the floor.
"Calyban," Ashai gently chided. "It's impolite to shove your fellow vai aside to flirt with a voe."
"It's not my fault they're as skittish as sand seal pups," Calyban retorted, tossing her bobbed hair out of her face. She lifted the lid off the pot and a cloud of black smoke billowed out. Zelda bit back a snicker when a grimace crossed Link's face before he schooled his features once more. Brandishing a wooden spoon, Calyban didn't appear to notice and scooped out a purple glutinous mass that didn't look edible in the slightest. Whatever it was, Zelda was certain it was far removed from Link's favorite dish, which she happened to know was curried mushroom balls.
"If you make him sick with that slop he won't be able to try the wildberry crepes I made for him!" Nali, a pretty Gerudo exclaimed, her high ponytail swishing about her shoulders.
"If he does fall ill, I'll toss him over my shoulder, tie him up, and nurse him back to health." Link's eyes widened to the size of saucers at the sly smile Risa gave him.
Zelda stifled a giggle, all while her stomach performed a series of acrobatic feats at the way his turquoise eyes glittered in the torchlight.
"Looks like your hero may have gotten himself in over his head," Riju observed nodding her head at a vai who had overcome her shyness enough to grip his bicep.
"You may be a tiny voe, but I bet you could handle me."
"Ladies! Please go back to your seats before you scare our volunteer away." Ashai shooed the four women away from Link who breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Zelda turned away and slumped to the floor, pressing her back against the cool stone wall. She held no claim over Link, and truly wasn't upset that four beautiful women were vying for his attention. If she was being completely honest, she was angry at herself. There had been plenty of opportunities to tell Link how she felt. As long as she kept her feelings to herself she would never know if he felt the same. It was clear, even if he did, he wouldn't make the first move. Though they had gone well beyond merely being a princess and a hero, that was a line he would never cross unless she gave him some indication that it was acceptable to do so.
"Maybe you should sign up for the next class."
"Why would I do that?" Zelda's heart rate picked up at the suggestion. "He'd be mortified if I showed up."
"Well, yes, if you show up, but what if a new Gerudo vai joined the class?" Riju's teal lined amber eyes twinkled when Zelda gaped at her. "Maybe you'll get lucky and find out who he really likes."
It was a good suggestion, but also risky. Link was very observant, and nothing escaped his notice. He commented if she changed the color of her lip balm or if she cut a fraction of an inch off her hair. The chances that he'd recognize her were extremely high. But, maybe this was the opportunity she had been waiting for. This might give her the chance to find out how he felt about her, if he was inclined to reveal his feelings to a perfect stranger.
Turning back around, she peered over the wall again. He was standing at parade rest by the large portrait of a vai kissing a voe drawn on the chalkboard. Surely, they didn't practice kissing in the class, did they? All the more reason for her to take the bull by the horns.
"All right. It'll be risky, but I'm in."
Riju gleefully rubbed her hands together, her glossy red nails flashing in the light. "This is going to be so much fun! By the time we're done making you over, he'll never recognize you!"
Zelda hoped so, because otherwise, she might never be able to look Link in the eyes again.