Now.

You’re walking around the beach, the cool breeze waves in your hair and across your face.

Both yours and Spencer’s hands are intertwined and even though he’s lost in one of his usual ramblings, you can tell something is off.

“And this is why the Red Sea carries its name. But what’s truly interesting is that…” he goes on. You look at him and this is where his words drift off to little sounds in the background, meddling with the timid ruffling of the water you’re walking next to.

His eyes always lighting up when he rambles seem to deal with something deep that he hasn’t dared to share with you yet. Which is why you hold his hand tighter.

Spencer’s eyes softly look at you for a second before looking back in front of him. You frown but quickly mask it as he finishes his story about the Red Sea.

Once he’s done, you squeeze his hand gently to catch his attention.

“Mhm?” Spencer looks at you again.

“You okay? You seem distracted.” But he doesn’t reply, he simply takes a deep breath and shakes his head. “Spence?”

“Yeah, I’m just thinking about work… I’m sorry” he says, looking apologetic enough. He’s fast to look away and stops walking. You come to a halt as well.

“Work? Here? In Greece, with this beautiful landscape before us?” You chuckle.

Spencer looks at you and takes another huge breath, as if somehow there wasn’t any oxygen left in his lungs.

Concern etches your face. “Spencer you’re scaring me, what’s going on?”

“I… I love you so much…” He takes your hands.

You frown once more. “I know… I love you too. Where is this coming from?”

Spencer gathers his courage and takes you in his arms.

“I love you so much it hurts. Like… my chest gets tighter every time I think of the future because it scares me to think that I’m going to crave for a family with you… hell I already do. I want everything with you. But what if… my job comes in the way or… if… my genes…”

He shakes his head before continuing. “I know it’s probably irrational but nothing seems to be rational with you. You make my brain freeze in ways I’ve never experienced before. And it feels so nice to not be overwhelmed by daunting thoughts and only rely on thoughts of you, of your smile, of your voice. I want everything with you, the late night confessions, the grocery shoppings just the two of us, the historical movie dates, and the museum ones.”

His voice cracks and he holds your tighter “I love the way you braid my hair when you’re bored or how you ask me to read to you while clinging to me when you’re tired or how you take care of me when I’m sick. And if you’d let me, I’d devote myself to spend my life trying to make you happy. I want nothing more than you cherish you.”

Soft tears spill from his eyes “I never thought family could resume itself to one person… before I met you. And I’m so thankful for everything that has happened between us. You’re… You’re the most precious creation this world has ever beared and the most breathtaking girlfriend any man could’ve ever had. So please…”

He gently lets go of you and kneels, his hand meets his pocket and he pulls out a velvety box. Your entire body is shaking and tears threaten to spill out of your eyes.

“Please… give me the honor of being the one I’ll call my wife. Be mine to love and adore for eternity, until death do us apart. Marry me.”

You drop to your knees, catching a sob and hugging him tightly. You nod rapidly. “Yes. Yes yes yes.”

He’s quick to hug you back, his sobs escaping as well.

“I want to be your wife.”

He pulls back only to slide the ring on your finger. It fits you perfectly, the same way your heart fits next to Spencer’s.

You two lock eyes, and this is it. Your fiance, the love of your life, looking at you in a way that reveals more than words could’ve ever said.

This is the relief you needed.

Pure happiness.

You and Spencer are engaged.

——————

Thank you for reading this !!

Just so you know, English isn’t my first language, I hope that was good 😭

Not long after that blissful day in the schoolyard, Link asks Zelda to marry him. Sitting on the sandy shore of Hateno Bay, toes digging into the cold, wet sand, the blazing sun warming their blond heads, and having just broken apart from a kiss, he hands her a perfectly shaped scallop. Something flashes between the creamy pink shells, and her already racing heart from the heated kiss, picks up speed, as if heading to an unseen finish line.

When Zelda carefully lifts the top shell, an exquisitely handcrafted ring of Zora silver and Gerudo gold filigree, dotted with tiny polished Rito sapphires and Goron diamonds cut to look like silent princess flowers sparkles in the sunlight.

Zelda tries and fails to swallow the sudden lump in her throat and blink away the tears springing to her eyes before giving it up as a lost cause. When she looks back at Link, he’s shifted to one knee and says simply:

“Marry me.”

Her ‘Yes’ comes out as a cracked, blubbery noise she barely understands, but the way Link smiles crookedly at her with shining blue eyes that match the glittering ocean before them, tells her he needs no translation.

Plucking the ring from its case, he wordlessly slips it on her finger. It fits perfectly, and he tells her he commissioned the ring long ago when he’d taken his Zora armor to Yona to be repaired. When he explains that the gold, silver and gemstones came from the former Champions weapons, her heart breaks just a little. Not for herself, but for those dear friends from another time who never had the chance to love and be loved the way they so richly deserved. Zelda nods, feeling tears pricking her eyes once more.

Link gently cups her face and wipes them away with the pads of his thumbs. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“No, it’s beautiful… perfect, Link. I’m just… it’s just… we’re getting married.” Zelda can’t seem to get a handle on her emotions. They’re a swirling mass of happiness, sadness, fear, and excitement vying for dominance. The combination makes her lightheaded, as if she’s been drugged. She smiles widely, tears still streaming down her cheeks. She thinks she might look deranged.

“You’re practically speechless… and turning purple.” Link’s own cheeks are pink, reflecting her giddiness. He kisses her with smiling lips.

She covers his hands with hers, and happiness bubbles with her. Never in her wildest dreams since the first time they kissed had Zelda ever dared to think this day would ever come. If her father were still alive, would he give them his blessing? Zelda has no doubt Rauru and Sonia would be the first to announce the glad tidings.

Link wraps an arm around her shoulders, and pulls her close. Resting her head on his shoulder, she holds her left hand out, focusing on the facets of the gems glittering in the bright afternoon sun. The familiar sensation of Link’s hand, gently running up and down her arm, along with the smell of the briny sea and the rhythmic crash of the waves soothes her chaotic thoughts and emotions.

“I would have waited, but…” Link trails off, his hand absently continuing its course along her arm.

She hears the worry and concern in his voice and draws her arm back, wrapping it around his waist. The weight of the ring, connecting Zelda even further to Link, is comforting. Pushing the veil of any lingering fear and uncertainty aside, Zelda focuses on this precious moment. If they’ve learned anything through all the trials and tribulations that have been thrown at them they need to cherish the here and now they’ve been given.

“I’ve never been happier in my life, truly, Link. I’m ready to leave our past behind us and focus on our future and rebuilding a better Hyrule together.” She turns her head, tilting her chin toward him.

As their lips meet once more, Zelda’s eyes flutter close and she surrenders herself to the crashing tide of her emotions. She allows herself to be swept away, fully embracing every dream they’ve ever dared to hope for.

One day in this quiet village, they will start a family. In the years to come, with Link by her side, Zelda is certain Hyrule will overcome its past and be on a path toward eternal peace and prosperity. They will share their incredible journey with their children and show them the beautiful home in Akkala where, despite all the odds, their love triumphed for the third and final time.