★

“I am not late, I hope?” she murmurs in her silken tone that makes Link’s eyes finally give into that gorgeous eye smile. He shakes his head, the blue of his tunic muted in the moonlight as he reaches a hand towards her.

“... not at all.” he whispers gently as Mipha slides her hand into his and lets the champion pull her close. He knows how their reputations must not be put in danger yet he finds himself in the trance of Mipha’s gaze and cool touch. Mipha glides gently into his side, wet scales catching the threads of Link’s tunic and she fumbles with a sheepish hum.

Zora scales were harsh and yet slick, cool against Link’s thin and tough callous ridden skin. A single white scale hangs around Link’s neck on a thin chord, a promise of Mipha’s devotion and the physical manifestation of their bond. It was something Link wore everywhere to show his gratitude and respect for his partner beside him, respect in the Zora ways of which he’s fallen in love with.

Mipha’s gentle clawed hand runs up Link’s back and over his tense shoulder where she sighs briefly at the state of him. Link never knows rest unless Mipha or Zelda practically order it by a firm hand or in Mipha’s case, a gentle touch. The ebbing pulse of the Zora princess’ magic startles Link at first, sapphire eyes narrowing towards his love for a split second.

“When did this happen?” Mipha utters in that tone where Link feels a pit of guilt eating at the innards of his stomach so much so he goes quiet only to respond with a croak. “Think it’s just a sprain, ‘uppose I was over eager to see you -”

Mipha’s magic of healing is something that Link can never truly put into words. A cool embrace yet a warm fuzzy feeling that enshrouds his soul from the very tips of his toes to the tiny strands of his hair. A calming ooze of chu chu jelly on his skin, a balm of soothing cream on a burn that had been left unattended for too long… An electric pulse of pure life ebbing into his veins till it bursts into his heart making a giddy almost happy thrum in his mind’s eye. It was everything and yet nothing at all. For the more painful wounds … Mipha’s healing hands are stark, cold and hard like stone against a pulsing bloody wound, as though those sharp claws dig into his skin and tie together every loose vein and broken bone themselves. Fixing and stitching the muscle like fine silk and fabric as though putting up a new sheet on the bed.

But this, this gentle cooling hum into his shoulder is peaceful and almost as if Hylia herself was caressing his skin.

“So you decided to push yourself to reach Ralis Pond quickly, did you climb?” Mipha asks and Link nods, golden strands falling in his eyes as he looks towards her. Mipha hums and her head fin flicks; she's upset in a small way. “I climbed, yes,” he affirms.

“You pulled your shoulder, the muscle here-”

Link winces, his cheeks twitching and his lips set in a hard line as Mipha gently squeezes the champion’s shoulder. “- is awfully tight. Did you not stretch at all?” the red Zora asks and Link would’ve scoffed but he doesn't.

“Since when do I stretch?” he says back in that soft tone yet there is an air of teasing that Mipha doesn’t miss. “Even heroes need to train their bodies, Link,” she quibbles back delicately. This pulls a tiny smile to the hero’s face.

“Perhaps.”

Mipha’s hands leave his shoulder finally, the muscle loose and easy to move now. Link shifts almost immediately once he’s pain free, gently encouraging Mipha closer to his body as the cool water of Ralis pond laps at his ankles.

With a few moments of silence and a warm embrace, Mipha slowly pulls back and holds her beloved’s hands with gently tugging motions. “Hm?” Link cocks his head to the side, being pulled into the pond by the Zora.

{Description about kissing underwater here}

He has about a second to inhale deeply as Mipha pulls him under, her fins flicking in the crystal clear waters. It takes Link another moment to adjust his eyes, feeling Mipha’s lips to his own in a short chaste kiss. He doesn't get time to kiss back because Mipha is curling around him like a swan.

Cheeks slightly puffed from holding his breath, Link smiles as he turns in the water to follow his lover. The way the small luminous spots on the Zora’s head fin glow slightly makes the champion memorised.

Mipha can't help but admire Link like this, blond hair waving in the water and his stunning blue eyes are stark against the clear water around them. The Hylian’s legs kick slowly, keeping him a float as he treads water with hands gently waving. The subtle ripples of the water are obvious against Mipha’s sensitive scales, her body moving like an eel against the little current.

Seeing Link kick upwards, Mipha follows and her hands reach out to cup his face. Pale thin claws stroke the silly skin, Link’s face slightly pink from the lack of air.

“Mmm-” Link hums quietly, his lips fuzzy as he points upwards but Mipha smiles and leans forwards again to kiss him. The kiss is loving but Link has to breath -

Pushing his lips apart, Mipha and Link lock lips under the water, air being breathed into his lungs and Link settles happily. With one powerful push, Mipha guides them towards the surface with Link’s hands resting on her waist, they breach the water and Link gasps freely.

{End of underwater kissing here)

“Forgive me, my love.” Mipha says shyly, the whites of her scales ever so slightly going red. “No no, it's fine Mipha, I loved that-” Link says, affectionately but also to the point.

He reaches upwards, stroking her head fin before running a hand down her shoulders and back to hold her close to himself. He leans and kisses her sweetly, their eyes fluttering shut as he keeps himself afloat.

“Princess Mipha! Princess!”

Their evening is ruined by the calls of a guard for Mipha and Link chuckles a little to himself.

“I believe our night is drawing to a close.” He murmurs, his tunic weighing him down as they reach the shore. Link pulls Mipha close to his warmth, not wanting to part. Webbed hands stroke over his shoulders once more but there is no chill of Mipha’s power.

“Tomorrow is another day, perhaps I can find you in Hyrule Field?” Mipha murmurs, nuzzling her fin under Link’s chin gently as he holds onto her oh so carefully. The champion wraps his arms around her, nodding a bit as the calls of the Zora guards echo around the Domain.

“I will have to return to the castle at once before Zelda wakes. I believe we are to climb Mount Lanayru.” He mumbles out, eyes trailing over the stars above and the subtle glint of the water’s reflection. The surface shows a rippled image of the two, Link finds himself staring down at himself in a bit of melancholy.

“Lanayru… I'm sure Urbosa will gather us at Lanayru Road to meet you afterwards,” Mipha agrees with a subtle bob of her head, the luminous spots on her head fin dazzle Link for a second before he smiles and cups her face to angle her up towards him.

“I shall meet you there,” he whispers, taking in her perfect features. Soft and bright and her eyes clean with intention. Devoted loyalty almost and it makes Link’s heart thud wildly in his chest as he dips down to kiss her.

“Princess Mipha!”

The kiss is sweet, Mipha is dangerously intense for the champion who finds himself grasping her hip to pull her snug against him. The soft lip smacking barely disturbed the waters edge, a calm and quaint little picture of lovers on the sand.

“I really must go.” Mipha whispers when she breaks the kiss, scales damp and her heart thundering as she reaches to run a webbed hand into the champion’s hair once more to kiss him sweetly. Lips melting into one another, the subtle breath of air and the sensation of her claws gently dragging along his scalp makes Link shudder.

“Tomorrow, Lanayru road… no matter the outcome, I will always be beside you, Link.” Mipha whispers, thin lips pressing to the hero's forehead on a gift of love.