K's Writing Blog

- Link likes to set up targets outside and practice archery. He used to do it by himself, but eventually, the other Links and Pit began to join him.

- As far as anyone else knows, the Sheikah Slate can only summon bombs. Aside from the camera, Link hasn't used any of its other functions out of fear that the villains might try to get their hands on it. If they knew what it was capable of, Hylia knows what lengths they might go to to get it.

- When Link first joined Smash, his original boomerang shattered after only a few matches, so Young Link and Zelda worked together to make him a new one. Thanks to Zelda's magic, that boomerang has much higher durability than any he's owned before.

- He made a request to add breakable pottery to the training room, which Young Link and Toon Link were also really on board with. Master Hand thought it was weird, but seeing as the urge to destroy clay and porcelain pots seemed to be a common trait amongst all Links, he decided to allow it. Needless to say, their spin attacks have never looked better.

- He keeps his Ancient Arrows under lock and key, only retrieving them if he needs to get ready for a battle. If they got into the wrong hands, all hell would break loose.

- Link enjoys doing yoga with the Wii Fit Trainers once a week. Not only does he get a lot of physical benefits from it, but it also works wonders for easing his mind. Each yoga session is a rare moment in which he can lower his guard and feel completely at peace, not having to worry about his duties or others' expectations for a little while.

- Because of how different Ganondorf looks compared to Calamity Ganon, Link didn't recognize him at all when they first met. He had an odd feeling about him, especially because the Master Sword would start glowing in his presence, but he didn't understand why. After talking to Sheik about it, he found out that Ganondorf was a past incarnation of the Ganon that he knew, and unfortunately, he's just as evil. Link's kept his guard up around him ever since.

- Sheik was the one who informed Link about the whole reincarnation/past lives thing and the fact that his soul, as well as the souls of Zelda and Ganon, is forever bound to an endless cycle of fate. It took a while for the young hero to wrap his head around all of this, but he eventually started to understand it. Needless to say, Sheik is his go-to person for information on the subject. Their wisdom is invaluable to him.

- Link often goes on quiet walks by himself. He visits the stages that his past lives would have recognized, hoping to feel more connected to them somehow.

- That being said, he does feel connected to some of the items in the item storage room, like the Beetle and the Bombchus.

- Sometimes, if he's out for a walk and needs a snack, Link will use his arrows to shoot down fruit from tall trees. Or he'll just make a quick pit stop at the mansion gardens and pick something ripe from there.

- During his first-ever match in the Brinstar Depths, he thought Kraid was just some random monster and tried to slay him. Crazy Hand was in charge of matches that day, and he conveniently "forgot" to tell Link about Kraid beforehand just to see what would happen. He was not disappointed.

- He did a great job at hiding it, but Link felt incredibly nervous upon first coming to Smash. He was essentially replacing the Hero of Twilight, whom many fighters considered a close friend, so he worried that everyone would feel awkward around him or even resent him. On top of that, he wasn't sure whether he truly deserved a spot on the roster. However, to his surprise and relief, that didn't end up being the case. He was welcomed with open arms, and Princess Peach even baked him a cake to celebrate!

- That's not to say there weren't at least a few fighters that quietly resented him though, but I'll touch upon that in the future.

- Link enjoys hearing stories about the Hero of Twilight but is also silently crushed by a self-imposed burden to live up to those standards.

- He brought along the Champions' weapons and has them displayed in his room. The other Links love hearing the stories behind each weapon and their previous wielder. Toon Link especially loves Revali's bow. He thinks it's very cool and enjoys hearing stories about the Rito from a different era.

- It didn't take long before he built a close bond with the other Links. They've become like younger brothers to him, and he's willing to fight for them at all costs. They have an interesting dynamic; Young Link is pretty mature, Toon Link is goofy and lighthearted, and Link lies somewhere in between the two. The three of them like to pull pranks on each other now and then, often roping Villager and Mega Man in as well.

- He has a Hylia statue in his room that he prays to every night. Sheik, Zelda, and the other Links frequently join him. Nights like this are incredibly important to all of them, especially if they're in a time of need. Ganondorf may or may not have tried breaking into his room and destroying this statue on several occasions.

- Sometimes, Link can't help but feel guilty for the hospitality that the other fighters, especially the other Links, have given him. They should hate him for being here instead of their beloved friend, but they don't. In fact, they're the most accepting and welcoming, and he's become just as beloved to them as those who came before him. Despite everything, they all still made a great effort to make him feel at home. Toon Link had the deepest connection to Twilight, yet he still found it in his heart to love the new Link despite how much he missed the old one. One night, Toon Link confided in him and told him that if Twilight were still around, he'd have loved him just as much. Link hadn't felt that emotional in many years.

- Similar to himself, Zelda has had past incarnations of herself fight in Smash. They share that same initial awkwardness that comes with being a successor to a past self, seeing tons of faces that recognize you while you don't recognize any of them. Because of their shared experiences, they'd quickly grown close.

- Falco painfully reminds him of Revali. From appearance to demeanor, everything about him just makes him think of his old friend. Just being around him makes his heart sink a bit. Link figures this is probably how most of the fighters might have felt around him when he first arrived.

- He often ventures off to explore the Light Realm. He initially would go by himself, but as time went on, the other Links, Sheik, Zelda, or one of the original 12 would accompany him. He takes pictures of all the local flora and fauna and makes note of each in his Sheikah Slate. Sometimes, he'll forage for berries during his travels. Thanks to Donkey Kong, he knows which ones are safe to eat.

- Link trains a lot with Sheik, both in the way of combat and the way of music. Link can now play the harp, which is something he'd never thought he'd learn. The other Links are excited and want to start a band.

- In his free time, he studies a lot about his past lives and listens to as many stories as he can. His favorite one so far is the legend of the Fierce Deity who slayed a scourge within the moon.

- Link will often find himself defaulting to his knightly duties and following Zelda around the mansion. She constantly has to remind him that he isn’t required to be by her side and that he’s free to do whatever.

- Thanks to the power of Assist Trophies, Link has had the pleasure of meeting Midna, the Hero of Twilight's former companion. They were quick to hit it off, and she's officially become one of his favorite people to pull pranks with. Whenever they're on the battlefield together, it's ultimate chaos.

- Also thanks to the power of Assist Trophies, Link has unfortunately also met Ghirahim. From the moment they locked eyes, Link could tell they used to be enemies. The Demon Lord went on forever about how fate brought them together once more, his vengeance was eons in the making, this, that, and the other thing. It was all kinda typical stuff until he teleported behind him and stuck his tongue out beside his ear. As soon as that battle was over, Link immediately filed a harassment complaint to Master Hand. Afterward, Link felt really bad for whatever past life had to deal with Ghirahim being so grossly obsessed over them.

- Link sometimes has nightmares about a dark version of himself stalking him, which he's only ever told the other Links about. Young Link has personally lived those nightmares, and Toon Link mentioned that the Hero of Twilight had similar dreams as well.

- He and Young Link are in charge of feeding the Cuccos and tending to the stables together. There, he's introduced to Epona, who takes a quick liking to him.

- Link is quiet and heroic, but once one really gets to know him, he has a pretty chaotic side. He's surprisingly down to do a lot of stupid stuff. As he got more comfortable at the mansion, he started taking part in shenanigans with the younger fighters. If they get caught doing something reckless, he'll gladly put himself forward and take the fall for it so the others don't get in as much trouble.

- Wolf once made fun of Link for using the Master Sword, ridiculing him for having a "giant glow-stick" as a weapon. One match later, he learned never to make that comment again.

- Pac-Man, Kirby, and King Dedede have all become big fans of Link's cooking. Every time it's his turn to make food, those three are always first in line for whatever he's serving. His meat skewers and fruit dishes have become quite popular amongst the roster.

- The other fighters had been used to reminding each Link to take care of himself every now and then, but it had never been that bad before they met BOTW Link. For a while, he was so focused on contributing to the mansion, helping out other fighters, and honing his skills to stay sharp on the battlefield that he neglected some of his own needs. It wasn't because he hated himself or anything, he just kinda... forgot. It took him a hot minute to establish a good routine and remember to take care of himself. He's a lot better now, but Zelda still has to remind him to eat every now and then.

- He really hopes it doesn't ever come to this, but he has another super secret stash of Ancient Arrows set aside in case any of the villains go rogue. The powers of the Smash Ball may keep them from atomizing people on the battlefield, but if he were to use them elsewhere, they would work like they're supposed to. He hates to think about it, but if it means keeping innocent people safe, then he will do what needs to be done.

- Link and Cloud have become good friends as well. Cloud knew Twilight Link pretty well, and it took him a little while to warm up to Wild Link. As time progressed, they started becoming friends and training partners, but they became closest when Sephiroth first arrived. Since then, they've had each other's backs.

- Over the years, Donkey Kong has gotten better at controlling his strength, but every now and then, he'll still accidentally send someone through a wall.

- DK lost his bongos somewhere and can't remember where he put them. Diddy Kong is currently making him some new ones for his birthday.

- He usually volunteers to go out to the gardens and pick the ripe fruits and veggies. Peach will accompany him to make sure that he doesn't end up eating whatever he picks (the bananas always look far too tempting).

- Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong have always been close, but their time in Smash together has made them inseparable. Whether they're training for battles, helping out around the mansion, or just goofing around, they always do it together. That being said, Donkey Kong is protective over Diddy Kong and is always putting his safety over his own. If an occasion arises where he can't look after Diddy Kong, he trusts Mario, Luigi, or Peach to take his place.

- He has a giant wooden pole in his room that he uses as a punching bag, which has a drawing of K. Rool's face taped onto it. He used to have a regular punching bag, but it got replaced so many times that the other fighters decided it'd be better for him to have something less destructible instead.

- DK and Diddy Kong may not be able to speak English fully, but they do understand it. They also understand a very limited amount of Japanese.

- That being said, both DK and Diddy Kong have been able to pick up a few words in different languages from other fighters. Sometimes, if the two show interest, whoever's around will teach them a few words and help them pronounce things. Most of the fighters usually teach them English, but sometimes they'll learn Italian from Mario and Luigi, or Japanese from Ryu and Cloud. If Wario's around, he might introduce them to a new swear word or two, as long as no one else is there to witness him do it.

- He loves going to the beach and running around along the shore! The other fighters have to be careful around him though; if anyone gets near him, they will get splashed. He'll happily enter a splashing match with anyone and everyone.

- Everyone is familiar with Donkey Kong's goofy and lovable nature, but if anyone dares threaten the lives of his loved ones (especially Diddy Kong), he becomes aggressive and feral. The veteran fighters have only seen him like that once, and it was terrifying.

- No morning is complete for him without a nice run through the forest surrounding the mansion. Nothing gets his day started like a few minutes of climbing and swinging through trees!

- Towards the end of the day, DK and Diddy Kong like to unwind by watching TV. They're not picky; they'll watch anything, usually plopping themselves beside whoever's already using the TV. They'll watch fights with Ryu and Ken, cartoons with Ness and Lucas, and even soap operas with Peach and Bayonetta. As long as there's good company and something interesting to stare at, they're sure to enjoy themselves.

- DK is super intrigued by other fighters' technology, to the point where it gets him in trouble sometimes. One time, he got ahold of Samus' Plasma Whip and nearly cost the roster half a million in property damage.

- If his beloved tie gets destroyed, whether on the field of battle or by accidentally getting too close to the garbage disposal, Isabelle will gladly sew him a new one.

- He loves climbing the tall buildings that appear in some of the stages. He enjoys using them to gain high ground during matches.

- Sometimes, he and Diddy Kong wake up hungry at night, so they sneak into the kitchen to get some food. Unfortunately for them, DK grunts and stomps super loud without even realizing it. Diddy Kong tries so hard to keep him quiet during their midnight snack runs, but more often than not, they wake everybody up.

- DK still has a piece of moon rock that he got from punching the moon a while ago. He kinda wants to do it again just to see if he can. Bayonetta frowns upon this.

- When it comes to communicating to anyone who isn't his nephew, DK makes sure to use big gestures and, if applicable, words he's learned to help him get his point across.

- Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and Villager make for a pretty chaotic trio. The Kongs love it when Villager lends them their rocket or their balloon hat to mess around with.

- He's grown incredibly loyal to Mario and the rest of the gang through their time in Smash. He especially loves Princess Peach and is always super excited when she's around, like a pet when they see their owner.

- Sometimes, he and Diddy Kong will accompany Mario to New Donk City. Since they're so used to living in the jungle, they're curious about everything the big city has to offer. They can often be a little too curious, though, which usually lands them into trouble.

- Donkey Kong is notorious for leaving trails of banana peels and being partially responsible for people receiving injuries due to slipping on them.

- DK taught half the roster how to tie a tie. Some were impressed and grateful for the lesson, while others were embarrassed that a gorilla taught them, of all things.

- He's strictly an herbivore, so anything that gets served in the mansion has to have a vegetarian option for him and his fellow plant-eaters. Mario has a special "meatball" recipe made just for him, which consists of a mixture of bananas, strawberries, and various kinds of seeds.

- He and Diddy Kong send letters to Cranky Kong to check in, say hi, and let him know they're doing okay.

- He's friendly rivals with Mario and Captain Falcon, always willing to have healthy competition with them.

- Meanwhile, he and Bowser are not-so-friendly rivals. On the surface, it seems like DK doesn't like him very much, but in reality, he has a lot of mixed feelings towards the Koopa King. He knows he's a villain and that he's done bad things, but he feels that there is some good inside Bowser that just needs to be brought out a little more. DK wants to try being a little friendlier towards him, but Bowser's insistence on being one of the bad guys makes it really difficult.

- DK will set up obstacle courses and games outside, playing with and competing against anyone who wants to join in. With Donkey Kong involved, even a simple game of cornhole can become an intense battle. Mario, Captain Falcon, and the Pokemon fighters are their most frequent players/competitors. Sometimes, even K. Rool will try to get in on the fun just to attempt beating DK at something (he never does). Bowser and his kids often join in for the similar reason of trying to beat Mario at something, but that usually fails too.

- Every Christmas, DK enjoys dressing up as Santa Claus for the younger fighters. They know that it's just Donkey Kong under the beard, but they play along because they know it makes him happy.

- He has broken into the item storage room and gotten caught for playing with things he shouldn't have. As one could guess, Diddy Kong was also there, and Villager may or may not have had a hand in it too.

- Ever since King K. Rool joined the roster, Donkey Kong has had to keep his banana stash in a safe so that it doesn't get stolen.

- He loves carrying people around on his back! Whether they want a piggyback ride through the jungle or just need a stepstool to get the pickle jar, Donkey Kong is happy to provide.

- Donkey Kong is currently trying to convince Master Hand to let him build a treehouse within the forest. Master Hand sees it as a pointless waste of wood, as the fighters already have their own rooms within the mansion. He may not like the idea now, but DK believes that one day his dream will become a reality.

- That being said, he did get permission to build barrel cannons around the grounds as a means of quick transport. Master Hand may or may not have regretted this idea afterward.

- If he's feeling extra goofy, he'll run around the mansion pretending to "shoot" others with a banana. One time, he aimed it at Peach and accidentally squeezed it too hard, causing the fruit to shoot out of the peel and onto her face. Mario was pretty upset at him for that one.

- He's gotten quite good at identifying different types of berries in the Light Realm and determining whether or not they're safe to eat. Poor Kirby had to get food poisoning a few times to get to that point, but hey, it could've been worse.

- Donkey Kong and Little Mac want to have another boxing match, but once again, Master Hand does not think that it's a good idea.

Sneaking into a den of thieves was never exactly on your bingo card before you met Nabooru.

Now here you were, standing in front of what was arguably the most intimidating and dangerous fortress in Hyrule. Under any other circumstance, you probably would have been anxious, especially since the only thing you were armed with was a basket of your lover's favorite snacks, but knowing she was in there and that there was a chance you'd get to see her was enough to send all of that caution down the drain.

Or, most of it, anyway. You knew Gerudo didn't typically take kindly to men, or "voe" as they would say.

In past conversations, Nabooru gave you hints about what to expect when going there. She joked around with you about sneaking in, but she never actually expected you to try. Coming to visit would be a big surprise, and you couldn't wait to see the look on her face when you made it in.

Your first attempt did not go very well at all. You knew going up the staircase would be a bad idea, so you decided to climb up the rock face beside it instead. You tied the basket to your waist and began climbing. When you reached the top, you laid on the ground, exhausted. Unfortunately, you didn't have much time to catch your breath before you were surrounded by a bunch of guards on patrol. They did not care who you were or why you were there; you weren't one of them and therefore weren't allowed. Luckily for you, they decided not to make you their prisoner, instead merely kicking you off the property. You figured you wouldn't receive a very warm welcome anyway, so you weren't exactly surprised by the treatment you received.

It didn't matter though. They weren't going to deter you from seeing the love of your life.

The second attempt didn't go much better. You scaled the same rock face you did before, but this time you wasted no time getting to a hiding spot (which took the form of a conveniently placed box). You laid low, carefully listening and watching out for nearby Gerudo. You peered around the corners of the box and analyzed your surroundings. You had a rough idea of where Nabooru would be, based on what she's mentioned to you before. Now, you just had to figure out how to get there without getting caught.

Once the coast was clear, you attempted to sneak around the box and hide behind another, but someone from above spotted you and alerted the guards that were on your level. Once again, you were thrown off of the property.

Believing the third time was the charm, you repeated all of the steps you did before, this time making sure to check above as well. When you got to the second box, you noticed that it had a lid. An empty crate! It was as if Hylia herself sent you a gift to help you out. You carefully flipped it upside down and hid inside. You could somewhat see outside through the gaps between the wood. Perfect. With this, there was a chance you could actually get inside!

The plan was simple: move when no one was looking and stay still when there were people around. As long as you stayed along the wall of the fortress, it shouldn't have been too obvious that some random crate was magically moving on its own, right?

Or so you thought. Apparently the Gerudo were really keen when it came to how many boxes they had in certain spots. You had almost made it to one of the doors when you suddenly heard, "Hey, who put this extra box here?"

Not even two seconds later, the box was lifted, revealing you on all fours underneath. Once again, you'd been caught. "You again?!" exclaimed the guard. She and another grabbed you, pinned your arms behind your back, and hoisted you off the ground. They walked you toward the entrance, their grips constricted tightly around your wrists and biceps. "Listen carefully, voe. We're giving you one more chance. Leave and never come back. You don't appear to be any sort of threat, but if you dare try to enter one more time, you will receive no mercy. We've been more than generous towards you so far, but you'd be a fool to believe we'd be gracious if we find you again."

So it turned out the third time was not the charm. Not only that, but you've tried to enter three times and not once have you actually made it inside. Stealth might not be your strong suit. That's okay, though. Maybe you just needed a different approach...

You went back home and donned your amazing Gerudo disguise.

You never thought that you were going to need this. This was something you merely joked about with Nabooru, something that was only put together to make her laugh and nothing else.

Until now. Now, it could be your only ticket inside the fortress.

You stuffed a bit more sand into the chest area, hoping it looked convincing enough, and ventured out once more into the desert. Before long, you were approaching the fortress for what would hopefully be the final time today. You stopped in front of the staircase and took a deep breath. With as much confidence as you can muster, you walked up the stairs, entering the jaw of a beast that has chewed you up and mercifully spat you out several times. This time, however, would not be so forgiving---one wrong move and it would swallow you whole.

As you neared the top, two Gerudo guards came into view. Upon seeing you, they turned to you and gave you a friendly nod. "Greetings, traveler," said the one on the left. "Are you lost?"

It was expected, but the change in demeanor still gave you whiplash. They were nowhere near as hostile as they were before.

You cleared your throat and replied in the most convincing voice you could muster. "Actually, I came to visit a friend of mine. You see, I'm a wandering poet and we met during one of my many journeys to the desert."

"A poet, you say?" asked the guard on the right, her face stern. "Would you mind reciting a poem for us?"

You started sweating, and it wasn't because of the valley's scorching heat. "Oh, um, I'm not that great when put on the spot---"

"That's quite all right, she's just messing with you," said the left guard, giving her comrade a firm elbow. "I have a sister who is the same way, so I understand where you're coming from. Anyway, you mentioned that a friend of yours was here?"

"Yes."

"And what is her name?"

"Nabooru."

The left guard's eyes widened. "You know Nabooru?"

"Yes, I do," you said, blinking perhaps a bit more than you should've.

"Interesting. I've never heard her mention a poet before. That's nice."

The right guard crossed her arms, her eyes falling to the basket. "What's in there?"

"Oh, just some snacks that she likes. I was in the area, and I figured she could use a pick-me-up," you said, your grip tightening on the handle. "Being second-in-command for the Gerudo must really work up an appetite, I'd imagine. Being a guard alone seems like incredibly difficult work."

The left guard smiled and chuckled. "It sure is."

"It has its ups-and-downs," said the right guard, who didn't take her eyes off of the basket. "You know, that looks awfully familiar."

You decided to play dumb. "What do you mean?"

"The basket," she replied bluntly.

The left guard's smile dropped. "Hmm, now that you mention it, it does."

"Oh, I'm sure that's just pure coincidence. I haven't been to this part of the valley in quite a while. Honestly, I would have missed the fortress if not for the fact that it was so huge."

"Right." The right guard's gaze locked onto yours. "What did you say you say your name was?"

"Oh, um, I don't think I gave it to you. It's, um---"

"You know, we had a few run-ins with a voe attempting to sneak into the fortress, carrying a basket just like this one." The right guard took a few steps toward you. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

"No, of course not!" you exclaimed, causing a few others to look over. Your eyes darted around. "Um, I mean, I haven't seen anyone around here. And the baskets, well, maybe he just got one from the same shop I went to?"

"A basket shop?" asked the left guard. "I didn't know there were any basket shops around here."

"Well, it's not just a basket shop, they have other things too---"

"And all of these baskets just so happen to be adorned with the same pretty ribbons?" asked the right guard.

"Yes," you responded quickly. "They're all quite lovely."

"Okay," she said. "Now what about all of those scrapes on your body? How do you explain those?"

"Well, I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I'm... a bit clumsy," you said, your eyes moving shyly to the side. "Especially with all of the wind and the shifting sand. I lose my footing very easily."

She was silent, her narrowed eyes searching your wide ones. Your whole body froze, confidence fading rapidly with each passing second. It might take a miracle for you to get past these front steps.

Finally, she spoke. "Lower your mask."

Oh no.

"Okay..." You lifted your hand to pull down the mask, but before you could, her hand swiped across your face and ripped it off for you. Everyone witnessing it audibly gasped. "Um... hi again," you said awkwardly.

"A-ha!" the left guard pointed at you. "I knew there was something up with you!"

The right guard rolled her eyes. "Oh sure, like you weren't trying to act all buddy-buddy before."

In sync, they lifted up their weapons. The guard that spoke to you previously approached, her scimitars drawn. "What part of that final warning did you not understand?! You voe are so dense!"

You threw your hands up in defense. "Wait, please, I'm not an enemy! Just hear me out!"

"Save it! Prepare to face your doom!"

The chaos was broken by sharp laughter. Laughter you've heard many times before.

The Gerudo turned to see Nabooru, their respected superior, standing behind them, throwing her head back and laughing. When she finished, she used a finger to wipe her eyes. "Oh my, that's hilarious. I've seen many things throughout my time as a thief, but this! This is by far the most entertaining thing I've ever witnessed."

"Nabooru..." you trailed off.

She gave you a warm smile and walked towards you, the crowd parting to make way for her. She stood by your side and faced her comrades, putting one hand on her hip and the other on your shoulder. "Fall back, everyone. He's with me."

The entrance guards were in disbelief. "What?! You actually know this man?!"

"Yes, I do. And from now on, he is granted access to the entire fortress."

"Even the training grounds?" asked one of the guards.

"Yes, even the training grounds."

Everyone groaned in unison. Nabooru turned to one of the Gerudo, who you assumed was one of the fortress leaders. "I promise I'll explain everything later. For now, just have everyone return to their positions."

"Understood. Everyone, get back to work!"

Nabooru turned to you. "Come with me."

The two of you went to Nabooru's quarters, where you gave her the basket. "Aw, how sweet," she said warmly. "You know, you really caught me by surprise. I know I've made many jokes about this, but I never thought you would take any of them seriously."

"Yeah, I've actually been trying to get in all day. The first three times, I tried to be stealthy, but---"

Nabooru's eyes widened. "Three times?!"

"Yep. And I was quite literally thrown out every single time."

"What number attempt did I find you on?"

"The fourth?"

"Really?"

"Yep."

"Huh, I'm surprised they didn't just throw you into a prison cell."

You smiled. "Me too, honestly. But I guess none of them saw me as much of a threat, so they probably didn't think it was worth it. Still, I would think you would've gotten some sort of report about it, no?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. In fact, the only reason I even found you was because I heard the commotion coming from the staircase. I suppose as a respected thief, I should've kept my composure a little better, but you caught me so off-guard with that ridiculous disguise that I just couldn't help myself." Nabooru chuckled softly.

"Well, regardless, I'm happy that you came when you did. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't be here."

Nabooru's eyes became remorseful. "I'm really sorry about that, and I'm sorry I didn't find out sooner. I should have, but I didn't."

"That's okay, I was hoping for it to be a surprise anyway. Don't be too hard on yourself."

"Well, it certainly worked." She stood up and gave you a hug. "Thank you, truly. You went through so much just for me, and I'm more grateful than I can properly express." Nabooru pulled away and took your hands into hers. "But next time, for your sake, perhaps tell me? Hylia may have smiled upon you today, but that doesn't mean she'll do that all the time."

"I will, I promise. Though, next time shouldn't be too much of a problem since I have free reign of the fortress now, right?"

"That may be the case, but things have been... interesting around here lately. The Gerudo have been more hostile than ever toward voe like you, with Ganondorf being the only exception. I'd feel much better to be by your side if you choose to come here again."

You could tell there was a lot more to the story, but you knew now was not the time and certainly not the place to press further. You nodded your head. "Got it."

Music blared, people downed shots like water, and conversations faded into a great sea of noise around Nick. The bar was usually packed on Friday nights, but tonight was far more chaotic than usual. Not that it mattered, though. Nothing was loud at all for him. Compared to the sound of his pounding heart, everything else seemed quiet.

You and him had just gone for a regular guys' night out. That was all. The two of you were just buddies. It couldn't have been you that sent uncomfortable, blazing heat rushing throughout his body. It couldn't have been you that made him feel like he was about to blow chunks even before the alcohol entered his system. And it certainly couldn't have been you that was making his heart drum against his sternum so incessantly.

Or... could it have been?

No, that wasn't possible. Even if it was, he'd never admit that to himself, let alone admit that to you.

His leg bounced up so high that it hit the bottom of the counter with an audible thud. You jerked your head in Nick's direction. "Dude, are you good?"

His jaw clenched, and he let out a small grunt. "Yeah." Calm the fuck down, he told himself, grabbing the shot glass in front of him and downing it in half a second. Nick set it down and waved the bartender over. "Yo, can I get a couple more of these?"

Once the bartender came back with more shots, you leaned towards Nick, eyes filled with concern. "Hey, man, are you sure you're all right? You've had a lot of those already. Honestly, I'm surprised you haven't fallen off the stool yet."

He glanced at you, and a new wave of jitters hit him like a freight train. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Nick downed another shot before forcing himself to face you. "Yeah, man, I'm good. More than good. Great actually." He gave you his signature goofy grin and raised his other shot. "I ain't lookin' for nothin' but a good time, my friend." God, he hated how heavy those last two words felt on his tongue.

You chuckled a bit and raised your glass to clink against his. You were used to him and his antics, and on nights like these, it wasn't uncommon for Nick to want to get fucked up. Something still felt a bit off, but you decided to just brush it off for now.

The two of you talked and joked around for a while before Nick had to use the bathroom. "Be right back," he said to you, patting your shoulder before stumbling onto his feet. You watched keenly as he made his way toward the restroom across the bar, ready to spring out of your seat in case he fell.

After Nick washed his hands, he gripped the sides of the sink and leaned forward, staring through the rusty drain. His mind swirled with so many thoughts of you it made him dizzy. This isn't good. This isn't working the way he was hoping. Sure, he wasn't nervous anymore, but now too many of his walls were starting to come down. Fine, he likes you. He likes you way more than he should. Hell, he might have even started to love you at some point. You were perfect in every sense of the word, how could he not? Honestly, he couldn't even believe that he was allowed to cross paths with you, let alone get close to you. Did he deserve it? No. Does he feel selfish sometimes? Maybe, but fuck all of that---he wanted to get closer. He wanted more than friendship. He wanted your love, your time, your adoration. He wanted your heart to bleed for him as much as his did for you.

He wanted you. All of you.

His fingers curled tighter around the edge of the sink. Nick will finally admit all of that to himself, but he sure as shit wasn't going to tell you. Nope. Not a chance. When he walks out of that door and takes his seat next to you, he'll stuff everything down again and keep it there. He'll make sure of it. It doesn't matter that your smile alone is enough to send him spiraling---his hidden feelings were going to stay hidden.

He took a few labored breaths, steadying himself against the sink. After a few minutes, he straightened up and left the bathroom. He probably should've stayed for a little longer, but he figured this was as composed as he was gonna get, given the circumstances.

As soon as he walked out, Nick's eyes immediately fell on you... and the woman taking up what was originally his seat. She was talking up a storm, touching your arm and leaning towards you. Nick had no idea what she was saying, but from the looks of it, she seemed to be into you. He should've been happy for you, but he couldn't keep his chest from caving inward. Suddenly, he felt wobbly all over again. He was about to turn heel and walk straight back into the restroom, but your eyes caught his before that could happen. While the woman looked like she was having a great time, you, on the other hand, were not. You seemed more tense than anything else, your eyes darting between Nick and the woman as if pleading for a way out.

Nick sighed, the load in his chest lightening. He made his way over, only getting about halfway there before someone else decided to join you. Some random dude, lean but with well-defined muscles, aggressively grabs your shoulder.

"Yo, dude, that's my girl! Back the fuck off!" he yelled, loud enough for the entire bar to hear him.

Your eyes widened. "Listen, man, I---"

Nick raced over, pushing the guy's hand off of you. "Hey, what's your fuckin' problem?!"

The guy scoffed. "My problem is this asshole's flirting with my girl!"

You put your hands up in defense. "Dude, I wasn't trying to do anything! She came up to me and just started talking to me." Your eyes darted between Nick and the angry guy. The woman just sat still, in shock.

"That's bullshit!" the guy screamed. His burning gaze landed on the woman. "Right?!" She didn't respond. She was frozen still, too stunned to speak, watching him with frightened eyes.

"Listen, man," Nick said, his nostrils flaring, "I hate to break it to ya, but it's not his fault that your girl invited herself over." He looked at you. "Did you even want her here?"

You shook your head. "No, I just-"

"You piece of shit, you're lying!" The guy grabbed your shoulder again, harder this time, with his other hand clenching into a fist.

Nick shoved him off of you. "Get your fuckin' hands off him, you bastard!" You could clearly see the look on Nick's face. The darkened eyes, the flared nostrils, the clenched jaw---you've seen this expression before, and it usually meant that whatever was about to happen next would be terrifying.

The guy's attention shifted, his sights now trained entirely on Nick. "Yo, why do you care so much, huh? You want a piece of her too?" He got up in Nick's face, their noses nearly touching. Between the two of them, the scent of alcohol on their breaths was overwhelming. He grinned slyly. "Or is it because he's your little boyfriend?" he mocked.

Nick grunted and shoved him again, harder this time, and sent a right hook straight to the guy's jaw. The guy staggered and tried to punch back, but Nick swooped down, grabbed his legs, and tackled him straight to the floor. He straddled him and raised his fist up behind him, ready to send that punch and many more flying towards the guy's face. Before he could make contact, you leaped out of your seat to try and hold him back. You and a few other patrons grabbed Nick and yanked him off of the stranger, while another group of customers dragged the other guy away. The two of them struggled against those holding them back, their eyes locked onto each other as they writhed to get free.

You were calling Nick's name, trying to get him to calm down and focus on you, but he didn't hear you. Everything was muffled except for the sound of his own grunts. All he saw was the stranger, now on the other side of the bar, who dared to insult not only him, but you. He had his hands on you. Nick wanted to make him pay. He wanted to make him bleed for what he did.

Everything that followed was a blur. Shouting voices fell deaf on his ears as you and a bunch of others dragged him out of the bar. Suddenly, he was outside, seated on the curb. Even amongst all of the chaos, he could easily pick out your voice. He could vaguely make out you thanking everyone who helped you carry him out. You talked to them for a little while longer, bidding them a good night before making your way over to Nick. "Hey man, are you alright?" you asked, kneeling down next to him. He nodded, but he was clearly upset. "We should probably head back." He grunted in response, stood up, and followed you to grab a taxi.

The ride back was silent, but Nick's head was screaming with thoughts. Rage. Regret. Confusion. It was all so much to take at once, especially with you sitting next to him, glancing at him once in a while to check up on him.

When the two of you got back to your place, you suggested that Nick stay the night, as he was far too drunk to drive home. Begrudgingly, he agreed. He should've been happy, since you'd get to spend more time together, but right now, he wasn't sure if he could handle being under the same roof as you. Everything inside felt messy, churning violently like water during a thunderstorm. in this state, Nick could barely look at you out of fear that everything he'd bottled up would just come pouring out. He just stared blankly at the floor, back against the wall, arms crossed not only to protect himself, but also to protect you from how he felt.

It didn't even register that you were talking to him. "Hello? Earth to Nick?"

"Huh?"

"Dude, are you sure you're all right? You've been acting real weird since we left."

His jaw shifted slightly, his eyes still fixated on the floor. "Yeah."

"Liar. You haven't said anything for the past hour. If you're not talking, there's a problem," you said, taking a couple steps towards him. "What's up?"

No response.

"Is this about earlier?"

Still nothing.

"Forget about it, man. It's all good. According to some of the people there, he starts fights over nothing all the time. That woman wasn't even his girlfriend. The guy sounds like a lunatic, but based on what they were saying, I don't think he's gonna press charges, if that's what you're worried about."

Again, more silence.

"Are you worried about me? I'm not hurt or anything."

"Good," Nick muttered.

"Are you hurt?"

For the first time since the fight, he locked eyes with you. Suddenly, it felt ten times harder to breathe. Your face had concern written all over it. God, he was really hoping that he could've avoided this. If he didn't say something quick, then you were only gonna press further. The sooner Nick could clear this up, the sooner this would be over. He wouldn't have to sit and stare you in the eyes for the rest of the night. That would be long enough for him to get his shit together. If he could just say something, if he could just make it through this one moment without fucking everything up, then it'll all be okay. It'll all be over soon. Just tell him you're fine. That's all you have to do.

You took a step closer. "I mean, from where I was sitting, it seemed like you smoked the guy. I didn't think you had a scratch on you, but..."

Nick's mouth hung open slightly, but nothing came out.

Then another step. "Was it something he said?"

Do it. Tell him you're good.

Then another. "What was it?"

Say something, goddammit.

Then two more. "Please, Nick, can you just say something already?"

He would have loved to, but his throat felt like it had closed up. It slammed shut so tight that words couldn't escape. Not a single sound could wriggle through. Nick felt like he was suffocating, choking back so many truths that he couldn't cough up a single, small lie. It didn't help that you were now much closer. Now able to see the minute details of your handsome face, he had so much more to get distracted by. So much more to tempt him to tell the truth. So much more to break down the walls he'd worked tirelessly to build. You looked so perfect...

"Whatever's going on, you know you can tell me, right? I know you're not big on heart-to-hearts, but sometimes it feels good to get stuff off your chest. I'm not gonna judge you or anything, I promise." Nick scoffed and shook his head. Easy for you to say. You had no idea. "I'm serious, Nick," you said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You can tell me."

Your gaze pierced through his, and Nick felt himself slowly coming undone. While your grip remained firm and steady on his shoulder, his grip on himself was slipping. He had tried so hard to hold on, but looking into your eyes, it was clear that letting go was inevitable. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and within yours, he could see so much care, so much concern. He could only imagine what you saw in his. Fear, maybe? Or was it obvious that he had feelings for you? Could you already tell without him having to say a single word? Would you be shocked? Horrified? Or maybe, just maybe, have you already accepted it? Accepted him?

Was this tension that hung so heavily between the two of you normal for a friendship? Or was it indicative of something deeper? Friends are supposed to care, but you seemed to care... a lot. Maybe even too much. Is this just what friendship is supposed to feel like? Or did Nick actually have a chance in hell with you?

"Fuck it," Nick muttered. "Do you mind if I show you instead? You know I'm not much of a word guy."

Without waiting for a response, he pulls you in for a steamy, sloppy kiss. His lips collide quickly with yours, hungrily devouring them with all of the passion he's forced himself to hold back for so long. His mind, his heart, his entire soul spilled out of him and into the kiss. It felt good, but it also scared him to death. He expected you to recoil, to berate him and look upon him with disgust. But instead, you melted into it, reciprocating with a ferocity that hinted at this being something you've been waiting for, too. Nick's feelings flowed into yours, and your feelings flowed into his.

When your lips parted, your gazes fell on each other once again. The taste of you lingered so sweetly on Nick's lips. He couldn't believe it, and judging by the look on your face, you couldn't either. Your eyes, rather than being filled with disdain, were glistening with excitement and tenderness. Nick couldn't recall a time when someone's looked at him like that. Hell, not even his own mother had ever looked at him with that much love.

Once again, Nick was at a loss for words, but this time, it was because everything he had to say had just been laid out for you.

Eventually, he was able to get something out. "So, uh... you're not upset or nothin'?"

"Well, that depends. Are you being serious about this or are you just trying to mess with me?" you asked.

"I'm dead serious."

"You're not just doing this because you're drunk?"

Nick shook his head. "No."

"Then of course I'm not upset. In fact, this is probably the happiest I've felt in a while," you said, kissing him a second time.

When you pulled back, Nick smirked. "So... does this mean I get to share the bed with you?"

"Nope."

"Oh, come on, I'll make it worth your while." The usual sparkle in Nick's eyes had finally come back again, now far brighter than you'd ever seen it before.

You chuckled. "As tempting as that sounds, I'll have to pass. I'd rather wait until you're sober and able to stand on your own."

"Pffft, what are you talkin' about? I can stand on my---" As soon as Nick stepped away from the wall, one of his knees wobbled and gave out, causing him to stumble into you.

"Yeah, right," you said, dumping him onto the couch. You put a pillow under his head, gave him a blanket to use, then shut off the light. "Good night."

Nick chuckled. "G'night to you too, asshole."

"Sweet dreams and all that," you said, disappearing into the hallway.