— Welcome to my castle.

     It’s said entirely in jest, Link standing with one hand on his hip, the other gesturing around the simple Hateno house. Link had managed to buy the home during his travels to stop the Calamity, and while at the time it had seemed like a fool’s choice - what if he did not survive? - it was now a blessing. He had survived. SHE had survived. And now? They had somewhere to stay. Somewhere to live. Somewhere… to rest.

     The hand falls as he lets her get a good look around, his attention turning to the door to close it and then to put his things down. His sword is propped against the wall, his shield next to that. Boots pried off with great effort, hopping on one foot before being freed. Link had had to pry her away from the ruins of Hyrule Castle - brimming with dangerous debris and at risk to collapse - and he couldn’t blame her. How many days did he remain in Mabe?

     Too many.

     Bootless and weaponless, he turns to look at her finally, an easy smile on his face. The silence was… awkward, but the two of them had been the type to enjoy quiet silence over conversation when in each others company. This might be another one of those times. ❝ Do you… need anything? ❞ He asks in a soft voice, knowing this could very quickly become overwhelming.

@fatesgoddess

It had been with great reluctance that Zelda had left the ruins of Hyrule Castle behind, her heart heavy in her chest as they walked away from the castle grounds. For a hundred years she had watched as the Calamity’s corruption slowly spread across Hyrule, as monsters roamed freely and put innocents at risk. Despite the feeling of failure that weighed heavy on her shoulders, Zelda knew that she had spared Hyrule a worser fate.

Blue eyes slowly work across the interior of the home as the door is thrown open, unable to hide the curious light that had sparked the moment everything came into view. Though she had been aware of Link’s progress and his travels, the finer details had been lost to her. Though she had been aware of a home that he would occasionally take refuge in, its decor was completely unknown.

The first thing she notices is an immediate homeyness that the castle couldn’t hold a candle to. Its interior was candle-lit and warm, as well as more decorated than she had expected. The princess can’t help but watch it a small smile as the former knight removes his boots - nearly toppling himself over in the process - before she is removing her own riding boots and setting them neatly beside the door after closing it behind her.