furrowed eyebrows, pursed lips, and a crease in his forehead is all you can see out of the corner of your eye. it’s been silent between you two since you had stumbled down the mountain, shock arrows in hand and a big smile on your face as blood dripped down the side of your head.

link had made quick work, guiding you under the canopy and sitting you down, hands already digging through his pouch for gauze and salve. he had tossed aside the arrows earning himself a sharp “hey!” before forcing you to sit, calloused fingers tilting your head side to side, up and down.

“you’re gonna make me sick.” you mumble, head trying to tilt away from his steely gaze. a second passes before his fingers soften then leave your chin, giving you a pointed look that says don’t move as he begins to clean your head.

biting back the slight wince of pain your gaze settles onto the vast lake, the never ending rain from vah ruta disturbing the surface leaving ripples behind. when you were informed about the state of the divine beast you knew you had to do something about it, which meant finding your way up the mountain and risking your life against a lynel, you know, your typical every day endeavors.

what you neglected to do was inform link of your decision. it was meant to be an easy deal: sneak around the mountain top and collect the shock arrows without getting caught by the big scary lynel. which you successfully managed until the very end where you had slipped against the slick ground and fell into a little body of water that alerted the lynel.

escaping with only a few bruises (and a gash on your head) you were quite proud of yourself, at least until the furious look on links face had greeted you. “why didn’t you tell me?” links rough voice brought you out of your thoughts, your head turning to meet his gaze. his eyes avoided yours as he moved closer instead of angling your head to its previous position.

sighing softly your teeth worried your lip, “i knew i could have handled it on my own. plus, you were busy helping the zora and i thought one less thing for you was easier on your shoulders.” that caused his eyebrows to furrow, his face ever expressive. “i’m never too busy for you, especially for something like this.” link wiped his hands clean before kneeling in front of you, your lips slightly parting at the action.

his hands held yours, bringing them up to his lips and leaving gentle kisses onto the cold skin. “when i saw you coming down the mountain with blood dripping down your face i thought the worst. all i could think about was what if you didn’t make it back next time? i should have been there with you, should have taken the hit instead of you, i could have been faster so you wouldn’t be hurt now.”

something heavy twists in your chest at his words, the vulnerability and pain in his eyes as he expresses his view. water drips down the side of his face and your fingers move to wipe it away, “i’m sorry.” hand cupping his cheek, his eyes close and he leans into the palm of your hand. “i shouldn’t have went alone. i should have went with you but i know how busy you can get and i just wanted to make life a little easier for you.”

thumbs stroking his cheek you continue, “i can’t even begin to imagine how i would have felt if i was in your position.” links eyes open and he peppers kisses up your arm to your neck then face. “i accept your apology. after all, if you won’t take care of yourself, who will?” a teasing smirk appears on his lips while you glare at him, “you’re so funny.”

★ "put down that damn frog!"

you're the closest you've ever been to a heart attack at this point. taking the prince out on a voyage where there were monsters lurking about was the last thing you had wanted to do, but unable to resist his insistent, silent pouting, you couldn't exactly denyhim what he wanted.

he's cute when he's curious, which is everyday. you let him roam around with his large observational book, studying and taking notice of whatever shroom or flower was blooming by whatever random tree.

speaking of a tree, you figured to set up a small campsite under a large tree not too far away from the castle. there was a fire going in a pot, and the boy had been throwing random food stuff inside and hoping for the best dish to come from it. you watch with a soft smile— that is, until it deflates as you spot a few bokoblins a little too close and sigh, standing up.

"Stay here." you mumble softly, to which the boy smiles and nods, eyes glued to the way you reach up to grip the handle of your sword, pulling it up and out of its sheathe.

yoi don't take long— really you don't. the bokoblin type was blue, more than easy to take down. you don't even break a sweat until you begin walking back to the tree, only to feel your breath hitch and your heart stop. that damn monster of curiosity (or, link) was holding a poor frog over the pot, probably more than ready to drop it in for Hylia knows what.

your shouting startles the boy, making him go wide-eyed and sheepish as you storm up to him. you take a second to glare before snatching the creature from his hands and setting it back into the small body of water that he was most likely snatched from.

"seriously? I was gone for five minutes." you protest.

his face goes expressive,

'it's for science!' he signs

"I know, link... you always say that." you sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose, opening your eyes to see him flipping frantically through his research book before holding it open, shoving the open page in your face.

a silly healing elixir that he had been mentioning non-stop. it was probably the reason he was so adamant about tagging along.

"yes, my liege, I know about the elixir. but if you want it so bad, why don't you just simply buy one?" you suggest, exhaustion in your voice.

his face scrunches in disgust at the idea, throwing the book down before signing again,

'too far. want to experience creating it on my own'

you look from his hands to his face, being met with his saddened eyes. if he were anyone else...

"fine..." you mumble, to which he silently celebrates, "just, not in front of me, please?"

'thank you.' he steps closer, and you smile.

'no problem'. you sign back.

* * *

★ "please be careful, my liege." you voice to the blonde prince.

he'd gladly tell you that he was fine if his hands weren't currently full. if anyone else saw how you and link interacted outside of the castle, you're sure you'd be killed for your crimes.

maybe it wasn't a good idea to let the prince of hyrule use your sword and swing it around however he pleased, but in your professional opinion— he's a natural.

"you're doing great!" you smile, shaking your head as he was caught up in his own little world. and he really was. so great that he couldn't heat a word you said. holding a weapon just felt so natural to him, and he absolutely loved it when you offered it up for him to use during leisure time.

his swings are heavy and lethal, but it's obvious to you that he isn't pacing himself. the movements are so natural that he doesn't even comprehend the strain it's putting on his body— not until his swing is stopped.

link looks down at his tightened grasp on the handle, but looseness it as he realizes that you had caught his wrist. his disgruntled expression softens significantly as he looks up at you in awe and embarrassment as you hold his wrists with one hand, and remove the handle the handle from his grip with the other.

"that's enough," tour voice rings through his head as you chuck the sword to the side, face growing serious as you keep holding his wrists, "you alright?"

he can't respond with occupied hands, and so he nods, heart pounding at your serious expression. he wonders what he's done wrong, or what should be wrong, until he begins to feel an ache in his back and shoulders, making him wince. you notice.

"I know that feeling... it's why I stopped you." you explain whilst removing your hands from him. "you're good, but you're straining yourself. you're not fit for that type of intensity."

he mouths a small 'oh', and you sigh, frowning as he rubs his aching shoulder.

"it's alright... I've got something to heal you right up."

the male smiles softly, nodding in appreciation. you were always taking care of him like this. but your encouragement for him to get a little rough and rowdy is why he liked you so much. though you wanted him safe, you weren't constantly sheltering him. he hated that.

he taps your shoulder, to which you turn to him,

'sorry.'

you smile and shake your head, "don't apologize. you did really good my liege. wonder what you'd be like as a knight, actually." you chuckle.

he smiles back, letting the butterflies float around in his tummy.

* * *

★ "what do you think you're doing?"

you felt like you've done this... a lot. for the umpteenth time, you've caught the prince walking around the castle grounds, barefoot, and draped in a softened blanket as he attempts to protect himself from the nighttime breeze.

the look he gives you is one of disappointment as he thinks you're going to take him back inside, but he's pleasantly surprised when you shake your head and simply rest a hand on his shoulder, guiding him forward.

"Don't worry...I'll sit with you."

he smiles, clutching the blanket tighter. beyond the wall, he can spot the swaying of the grass, the wispyness of the clouds in the deep blue sky, and the stillness of the ancient guardians that settled into the ground. he truly loves his kingdom, and you can see it true. he walks until he reaches a spot that makes it easy to see the vast land and takes a seat on the edge of the castle walls.

"this is nice..." you sigh as you sit beside him

he nods, and your eyes glance over to him incase he's ready to talk back. and he does:

'I think I enjoy nighttime the best.' he signs, glancing between you and the beautiful view amongst him, 'sometimes, i think about running. I want to explore.'

you heart aches

"I know, my liege... I'm sorry you feel trapped." you whisper

to your surprise, he laughs softly, shaking his head, 'not trapped... just hidden potential'

you smile. such a purse and positive response. his head turns to face you, eyes so blue that you can't help but observe them thoroughly. he scoots closer beside you, careful, as to not fall, and rest his head on your shoulder.

"I think..." you wrap his blanket around him tighter, "I think we were definitely meant to be this way, my liege." you whisper, and watch as his eyes flutter shut

but not before he nods in agreement, and your heart tate spikes at what he says next.

his hands don't communicate, no. nit this time. instead, you're blessed with a sound ao angelic, so soft that you'd dread if you accidentally missed it.

"I think so too..." he whispers.

The crash caused the prince to shoot up in fear as his heart hammered wildly in his chest. He panted for a moment before finally slumping back into the tide pool. 

Sidon rubbed his face. It was always the more intense thunderstorms. It only reminded him of the day he lost his dear sister.

She had run by, stopping a moment to kiss Sidon’s head. “Hurry to Father. Tell him it’s time. I have to go. I’ll be back soon.”

Mipha never came back. She had gone into Vah Ruta and the storm suddenly overwhelmed the domain. He watched the glow shift to red and the storm was overbearing.

For days, Zora’s Domain was buffeted by the storm when Vah Ruta suddenly stopped. Silence settled over not just the domain but over Hyrule as a whole.

A small hand dipped into the water, gently waving to get his attention. He surfaced to see Y/N sleepily watching him with worry.

“Si?” She mumbled.

He sighed and came out slowly, clinging to the smaller Hylian. “Sorry. Did I wake you?”

“Uh uh. The storm startled me. What happened?”

“Just…it startled me too,” He muttered.

She hummed for a long moment before nodding to the bed. He smiled and carried her there, laying in it with her. 

They put a tide pool in a small room just for her. Something about Hylian comforts? It didn’t matter. They shared a room, though he tended to slip out of the bed once she’d dozed off to sleep in the water.

Though, this seemed different as she moved to lay over his chest, smiling softly at him as she brushed the fin by his face aside.

“What aren’t you telling me?” She asked.

Sidon smiled. “Never a secret with you,” He hummed. A deep sigh escaped him as he rubbed her back, looking out to see the ruins in the sky, sludge falling from them. It had only just started the day before. He was exhausted but… “It reminds me of the Day of the Calamity,” He confessed.

Y/N blinked at that, waking more. The day she’d only heard about from her grandfather’s mother. Something that had only recently been resolved. And yet…

“The storm went on for days. It was horrible. When Vah Ruta finally stopped, she…” He gulped thickly as he clenched his jaw.

Her lips pressed against his nose, making him sigh in relief as he nuzzled her gently. “I know just how to distract you,” She hummed, startling him when she slid down to grind against him.

His breath hitched as her thighs tightened against his hips. “Let me give you a reason to love storms?” She tried, nuzzling his chest as she kissed it gently.

Sidon let out a breath as he gripped her hips, bucking up against her. “You’re so tiny,” He muttered in leiu of an answer.

She smirked and moved up, kissing him as she shed her clothing. Y/N only barely heard his joke about moving to wearing more traditional Zora garments instead of her Hylian clothing but it fell on deaf ears as she moved down and kissed along his lengths. She stroked one slowly with her hand and kissed the tip of the other.

Sidon moaned and let himself relax into the bed. When a rumble of thunder made him flinch, he was shocked by the warmth engulfing one head and moaned lowly.

Y/N moaned as she slowly ran her tongue around the head and sucked gently. Her chest swelled in pride when he whined and twitched reflexively, bucking his hips as she squeezed his other length gently.

Once he was lubed up enough, she moved until she was straddling him and slowly sinking down.

“Oh goddesses!” Sidon grunted, biting his lip as he gripped her hips tightly. 

He would apologize for the bruising the next day, but he could hardly apologize when she bit her lip as her eyes rolled back when she had fully seated on him. His second length was twitching against her stomach, leaking precum as it ached for its own attention.

Sidon whined softly as she finally calmed on his length, watching him with a loving smile before she rocked her hips slowly.

“You’re my beloved prince,” Y/N said gently, squeezing his hands as he moaned under her. “You’re my brave prince who always wants to save me, wants to satisfy me–” She dropped down hard as she spoke, making him choke a moan. “And I can’t help but want to be my prince’s little girlfriend.”

Sidon groaned and bucked his hips up before flipping her under him. He smirked as she squeaked and mewled in pleasure as he began to pump into her rapidly. “You’re so mcuh more than just my little girlfriend,” He whispered as he leaned down and kissed her, practically folding himself to dote on her.

She whimpered. “I’m supposed to help you.”

“You are,” He chuckled before growling as he began to rut into her more aggressively. He wanted to tell her how cute she was riding him. Instead, he showed her in the way he began to thrust and growl out her name under his breath.

The next morning, Sidon let out a deep sigh, seeing the sludge. He wanted to find a solution quickly. Instead, he heard Bazz making a comment.

“If that huge storm comes in tonight, it might get worse. Or better? I really don’t know.”

“It’s going to storm?” He asked before following Bazz’s finger to see him pointing towards the stormclouds heading their direction. “I’ll…need to tell Y/N then.”

“She’s scared of storms? Surprised.”

she skipped further ahead, towards the edge of a nearby pond. the surface was dappled with ripples, silvered from mirroring the clouds. you flicked through the journal, landing on a page marked with a woven stripe of leather twine. titled 'tireless frog,' Zelda's calligraphic handwriting swept across the paper. she had clearly detailed its habitat, appearance, diet, and more. her theories lined the edges in a thinner pen, mainly on the species' innate stamina-related properties.

the words sounded all too familiar—they resembled the ones she'd mused to you on the way up the ridge. she'd been so animated then, talking so much that she very nearly forgot to take a breath now and again. it didn't matter if you didn't understand some of the more scientific things she spoke about, you always listened intently.

her excitement was practically tangible now, and you couldn't help but smile as she peered carefully into some bushes. tucking the journal into your pocket, you joined her at the pondside. "they like the rain, huh?"

she hummed, straightening herself as well as her satchel. "there aren't any in the bushes..." her crown was decorated with droplets, loose locks of hair beginning to stick to her forehead. but as she turned to you, her grin couldn't be any bigger. "we're going to find one today, I'm sure of it!"

you tucked her hair behind her ear, before gently pulling the hood of her coat to cover her head. "I know we will."

she rolled her eyes at you playfully, but when you cupped her cheek, she leant into your touch.

"don't want you catching a cold," you said warmly, running the pad of your thumb across her skin. her skin was mottled with rain and pink from the cold, but still smooth to the touch.

it was if your hand was made to hold her. her fingers slipped between your own with ease as she gently eased your palm from her cheek. your hands fit together perfectly.

"I think it's going to take a little more than some rain to stop me." she insisted. "did I tell you about the time when I single-handedly held off a creature of pure malice for 100 years?"

you searched her eyes her carefully. it wasn't often she mentioned her direct involvement with the Calamity. but there seemed to be a smile on her lips, still. "I think I've heard the legend before, maybe," you chuckled.

"do you want to hear it again?"

it took you a moment, but there was no doubt about it: she was teasing.

your thoughts flashed back to the dark nights, the quiet ones, where Zelda had clutched onto your hand so tight she'd turned her knuckles white. the ones where she'd spiralled, spilling blame all over herself.

that Zelda morphed into the one that stood before you. the one with a resilient gaze, her head tipped higher than she'd dared before. she was joking. about it.

your heart swelled, squeezing her fingers. "no need, I understand. rain's got nothing on a hero."

her chuffed expression morphed into a flustered blush which she immediately tried to shield from you. letting go of your hand, she turned back to the pond. "the frogs are this way!"

in two steps she was shin-deep in murky water. with only mild hesitation, you were right behind her. icy cold drenched your feet in an instant, your leather boots well worn and offering little protection against the temperature. Zelda only seemed mindful in her step so not to slip, and remained completely unfazed by the cold.

keeping an eye on her as best you could, you aided her search. "so, how long are we going to hold onto one?"

she tutted, scouring the surface for any sign of movement. "only for a brief moment! now be careful, they're quite skittish..."

"how do we decide which one to take? is there a specific thing you're after...? ooh!" you pointed to a ripple of movement off to the left. "was that one?"

instantly Zelda was making her way across the pond. "we choose one that's easy to catch. one which is a solid specimen, of course."

you nodded knowingly. it was a lie of course. "oh yes, of course... and a good specimen looks like...?"

"a good specimen is... very..." Zelda thought for a moment. "round."

"round?" you echoed, spluttering into laughter. "oh that's brilliant! i love spherical animals! spherical frogs sound—you should've said that sooner!"

Zelda scoffed, about to argue that you should be interested in the frogs regardless of their chunkiness, until she spotted one. the princess' hands could very well have cracked like a whip by how fast they darted into the water. before you could be startled, in her palms was a wiggling frog. and yes, he was positively rotund. "aha!"

you were speechless, simply watching with wide eyes as she began to lead the way out of the pond.

"I know, sir, this is rather sudden. I do apologise for this impromptu excursion! I assure you that you will be back in your pond in no time."

it took you a moment to realise she was talking to the frog.

boots meeting unsubmerged grass once more, you grimaced at the cold sensation seeping into your feet. but before you could think about it any longer, Zelda called for you. "y/n, do you mind getting the pen out of my satchel? my hands are occupied with this little one."

you sprung into action, rummaging through the bag. glancing up, you had meant to catch Zelda's eye to compliment her on her accomplishment. however, you met the frog's eyes instead. they were a bright amber, and ever so slightly turned outwards away from one another. you giggled. it was quite endearing. "he's no longer wriggling!"

Zelda admired the creature's webbed feet with soft delight. "no, he's being very well behaved."

the frog blinked slowly, letting out a single long croak. his throat engorged, giving him the appearance of a balloon. pulling the small wooden cage out of her bag, you pouted. "he's adorable. he needs a name."

"absolutely not!"

"why not?!"

"I should've known you'd get attached." she shook her head, brushing her shoulder into yours. she quickly plopped the frog inside the holding pen and latched the little gate closed. the creature sat still for a moment, before beginning to have a little waddle around. "we're not keeping him."

you pouted even more, gesturing to the frog who appeared to be quite content. "but—!"

"no buts!" Zelda pressed a playful kiss to the tip of your nose. it worked like clockwork, your cheeks heating up as you sighed a bittersweet 'fine.'

her lips did crumple though, feeling a little bad for your poor heart. she glanced at the frog, who croaked pleasantly as if on cue. he was very cute. very relaxed. very round.

"come on, y/n, I need your help recording my findings. I can't feed him while writing things down."

‎

⌖˚‎٭ ﴾﴿ ⌖˚‎٭⌖

later that day, you'd left your boots and cloaks to dry by the fireplace. and now, on the table not too far from the warmth, was a glass terrarium filled partially with water. Zelda was focused, adding some moss and a small fern.

you meanwhile gazed at your frog, sitting patiently in the wooden cage. "what crimes did you commit, Mr Pickle?" you mused.

Zelda sighed, not looking away from the glass. "none! he's going to get a lovely new home that's going to mimic his natural habitat perfectly! he's going to be well fed and become even more rotund as all frogs should be."

"I know, I know, I'm only joking," you chuckled, cocking your head at Pickle. "all that food and space, all to yourself." you tutted. "what did you do, stinky man? to deserve solitary confinement?"

"don't call him that!" Zelda whined. "he's not stinky! he just has a protective layer of mucus that makes him smell very earthy! it's not his fault!"

you would've responded, doubling down on your affectionate teasing of your new friend. but you were too busy mulling a new thought over in your head.

"Zelda..."

"what?"

"he's going to be all on his own."

for a moment, only the crackling in the hearth could be heard.

"y/n, we are not getting another frog—!"

☾ ₊ ˚ ✩ ˚ ｡ ☽