Extra chapter, Merry Christmas!!! 

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Link's POV

For the first few seconds after waking up, I have no idea where I am or how I got here. The ceiling above me is unfamiliar, and it takes a moment to remember: the townhome. We moved in less than 24 hours ago. I hadn't even noticed the ceiling until now or how tall the windows are.

I try to look between the gaps of the blinds. The sky still looks pretty dark, but there are some pink clouds that pop out. Sun must be rising soon.

I stretch my arms and legs, the air mattress rustling and squeaking with every movement. When I roll to my side, I see Zelda lying next to me.

When did she come to bed?

Her hair is a little messy, and it smells faintly of lavender from her shampoo, mixed with the scent of my cologne. Looks like she decided to wear one of my shirts to sleep. No bra from what I can tell. I lift the blanket a little. No shorts either. Bold move, Ms. Hyrule. Couldn't find any clothes last night or are you just trying to tease me?

My movements wake her and she slowly opens her eyes. I greet her first.

"Morning beautiful," I whisper.

She shuts her eyes again and lets out the cutest little groan. "Good morning."

"I didn't notice you coming to bed last night," I say.

"Because you sleep like a rock." She scoots closer and places her face between my chin and chest. Her nose is ice cold.

"I checked on you before I went to bed. You fell asleep with Malice, sitting up against the wall. How does that even happen?"

"We must have both been quite exhausted," Zelda says.

"Yeah, I bet."

"Why didn't you wake me before you went to bed?"

"I wasn't sure if I should. I didn't want to startle Malice by barging in."

"Thank you for being so considerate." Zelda lifts her head to look me in the eyes. "You're the best."

I smile and kiss the tip of her icicle nose.

"So what exactly happened last night? I thought you were just gonna talk to her real quick and meet me downstairs."

Zelda explains that Malice broke down and cried for a good while before she fell asleep. "I think she really needed to just... let it all out."

I nod in agreement.

"I need to take it slow with her," Zelda goes on. "All of this must be quite overwhelming."

I'm sure Malice will be fine. Zelda has this way of making people feel safe and welcomed and cared for. It's one of the reasons I love her so much.

"I think you're doing great with her," I say. "The fact that she cried in front of you, then leaned on you, AND fell asleep on you shows how much she trusts you now. That, and the fact that she hasn't stabbed you."

"I just... I really hope I'm doing enough for her," Zelda murmurs, her brow furrowing. I kiss it softly, my way of telling her she's doing more than enough.

Her face brightens and a big smile appears on her tired face. "You truly are amazing, Link."

"What'd I do?"

"You're supportive and caring. I love you!"

I cup her face, pulling her in for a long kiss. She returns the gesture. When her bare leg hooks around my waist, my hand automatically moves to her thigh. I give it a light squeeze, making her grin against my lips. I do it again because, yeah, that smile is everything.

"You're cute," I say.

My hand slides up her leg, brushing the curve of her hip. That little breathy sound she lets out drives me crazy—can't get enough of her, and judging by her body language, she feels exactly the same about me.

She moves closer, slowly so the mattress doesn't make a sound, and her nails lightly run over my skin. Gives me shivers in the best way possible.

"I love you," she says again.

Something about the smile she gives me feels different. Not the usual playful one or even the big, bright one she gives everyone else. This one's just for me. And that's all it takes. I move on top of her and kiss her again, deeper this time.

My hand slides to her back, pulling her closer even though her body is already pressing up against me.

I have to remind myself to slow down. Then again... what if she doesn't want me to stop? For a second, I play with the thought of taking it further.

Her cheeks are flushed, her kisses calm but eager. I can tell she's thinking the same thing by the way she runs her hands over my shoulder blades beneath my shirt, down my spine, and back up.

One hand resting on her ribs, I allow my thumb to brush along the bottom fold of her boob. I can feel the goosebumps on her skin.

"I love you too," I say, and she giggles. It's quick and controlled, but natural and perfect. I pause for a sec. Then I ask, "May I?" while moving my hand just enough to indicate what I'm asking.

Her smile feels like permission, and so my hand pushes further up. She doesn't pull away. Leaning in, I plant a necklace of kisses along her collarbones. Zelda tilts her head back, giving me more space, her breathing uneven.

Her hips press closer, my pulse quickens, and whatever part of me wanted to hold back no longer exists. But, as much as I want to keep going, I know I need to be sure she's comfortable with all this.

I part our kiss and pull away. Before I get a chance to ask if she's cool with this and if she wants to keep going, she tugs on my shirt and bites down on her lip in an attempt to hold back her smile.

"Take it off," she whispers.

"Only if you do too," I say back, already pulling mine over my head. I let the shirt drop to the floor, watching her smile break free. Her legs tighten around my waist, leaving no space between us. This settles the last of my hesitation. She's not holding back, and neither am I.

But then we hear footsteps, followed by a harsh knock on the door.

Zelda and I freeze, holding our breaths. We stare at each other, unsure what to do.

"Princess!" someone's voice hollers. If I didn't know better, I'd guess it's Impa, but last time I checked, she didn't live here.

"Don't make a sound, maybe she will just... go away," I say as quietly as possible.

"Rise and shine," Impa sings, hammering her knuckles against the door. "I know you're up, I heard y'all moving around in there!"

"Did you lock the door last night?" I ask Zelda while slowly pulling my hand out from beneath her shirt.

Zelda shakes her head, eyes widening as the realization hits her. She panics and blurts out, "Don't come in, Impa!"

I mentally facepalm. Knowing Impa, this will definitely make her come in.

"Hey, you two better not be doing anything gross in there!"

"We're not!" Zelda replies, sounding as nervous and guilty as a convict on death row.

"Real subtle," I mutter.

"I'm coming in!"

"Impa, no!"

The door swings open faster than I can process. I'm still on top of Zelda when Impa marches in, hands on her hips, shouting "Aha!"

"Impa!" Zelda gasps embarrassed, trying to hide away. Unfortunately, her human shield, AKA me, quickly gets up to grab a shirt, leaving her fully exposed to the intruder.

Zelda pulls the blanket over her head as if that'll make things less awkward. At least she's not shirtless like me.

"What time is it?" I ask, reaching for my phone on top of the cardboard box.

"Six," Impa says as I tap the screen.

"Why are you here so early?" I groan. "And who let you in?"

"She let herself in," Zelda says.

"She broke in?"

"She," Impa butts in, "possesses ninja skills none of you untrained commoners could possibly understand."

"She did that at my old place all the time," Zelda continues, ignoring Impa. "I never knew whether to be annoyed at her for breaking in or impressed that Cado didn't catch her."

"Be impressed, obviously," Impa says, plopping herself onto the edge of the bed like it's hers. Her eyes meet mine. "Stop glaring at me. At least I knocked!"

"Real thoughtful," I say sarcastically while trying to find clean clothes in my duffel bag.

"Cheer up, buttercup, it's Christmas! Be thankful I showed up in time to save you two from ending up on the naughty list! Santa doesn't visit horny jail." She laughs at her own joke and looks back at me for some kind of a reaction.

I just stare at her for a moment, no clue what to say to that. It's too early for this. Zelda is apparently used to this, so she can deal with it. Have fun.