(Hey guys! I'm posting an early chapter this week! Why? Because you guys are getting a BONUS CHAPTER tomorrow! As a little Christmas gift ;)

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"Got everything?" Link asks, picking up my bag.

"I think so." I can't believe I'm leaving the frat house. Despite the moldy fridge and paper-thin walls, my heart has grown accustomed to this house. It became, and continues to be, my home.

"If you left anything, you'll just have to come back to get it I guess," Link shrugs at me with a smirk.

"I'll come back either way," I promise him. I am already dreading the nights without him. Having him stay over at my house is an option I would rather avoid, so what else is there than to spend some nights at the frat house? Coming back here is a given.

Link's smile looks forced. It probably is. Even if he hadn't held me all night as if it was the last time, I could still see it in his eyes. He is kindly hiding it with a smile, but I am fully aware that he doesn't want me to move back in with Father. He is still supportive and helped me pack my bags last night. One of the many reasons I love him.

"Can you come back tonight?" He asks in the sweetest tone.

"Tonight? To spend the night?" He nods. "Link," I cup his cheek and hold his gaze. "You'll manage a week without me."

"A week?" He gasps.

"A few days then? I could stay Wednesday night?"

"Kinda sucks that the best days for a sleepover would be on the weekend but that's when we have parties. Sure I can't just stay at your place?"

"Father doesn't fancy that idea."

"You've talked to him about it?" Link asks surprised.

"I didn't have to. I know how he thinks about boys." Boyfriends, to be precise.

"Maybe we should just get our own apartment," he kisses my cheek and takes the bag to the driveway.

I remain standing by the door for a couple of seconds, frozen, as his words echo through my head. I know he is joking, but once we are in a serious relationship would it be impulsive to consider moving in together? Our own place, I daydream. I can already imagine what the living room would look like. I would have a large bookshelf filled with my favorite novels and Link could have his jerseys framed and hung on the walls. Large windows facing west, so that we can watch the sunset over the ocean, and the kitchen would be big enough for Link to experiment with all kinds of cooking techniques. A clean bathroom, a large bed, and–

"Earth to Zelda," Kafei snaps his finger in front of my eyes, popping that beautiful bubble.

"Sorry, what?" I look up at him and he laughs.

"I asked if you need any more help packing."

"Oh, no thank you. The car is packed and ready to go. I'm just going to grab my phone from the charger and then I will be on my way."

"We'll miss you."

"You'll miss the regular refill of your fridge," I chuckle.

"That too," he joins my laughter.

Revali has returned from his run. Drenched in sweat he walks up to the porch and passes us on his way inside. He stops when he spots the backpack on my shoulders. "Are you going somewhere?" He asks just as Link joins us.

"I'm moving out, I told you last night."

"Oh. I wasn't really listening," he claims. I know he was, he just wants to act like he doesn't care.

"You're going to miss me," I tease him.

"All I'm going to miss is the free groceries," he says, making Kafei and me laugh.

"All done," Link says to me, nodding at the car in the driveway.

"Thanks, I'm going to grab my phone and then I'm good to go."

"I'll come with you," Link says.

"To my house?"

"No, to grab your phone." He follows me upstairs and quietly shuts the door behind us once we have entered his room. I walk over to his nightstand to unplug my phone. I can't help my smile. Without even looking at him, I know that he is standing by the door, probably blocking it so that I can't leave him.

"Are you going to hold me hostage?" I turn around to share my smug smile with him and am surprised when he isn't standing by the door but right in front of me instead. He cups my cheeks and presses his lips against mine. I nearly drop my phone in his sudden act of affection.

When our lips part, he looks at my eyes, my nose, and back at my lips, then he kisses me again. I was doing fine, I was okay, I was ready to leave. Now I'm not so sure anymore. I miss Link when he is in the same room, how am I supposed to live 8 miles away, unable to see him, unable to touch him?

"Link," I breathe, grabbing a hold of his wrists as his hands hold on to my face.

"Sorry, I know," he nods breathlessly and leans his forehead against mine.

"I'm not going far," I try to cheer him up.

"I know, I know."

"I'll come back."

"I know."

"And it's not forever."

He backs away, just enough to look at my eyes. "How long?"

"Knowing myself, and knowing Father, I'll come running back in a week."

"As much as I want you to be with me, I hope that doesn't happen. I genuinely hope you and your dad work things out."

"And that's why I–" I stop myself and rephrase. "That means a lot to me."

"I'm probably going to hit the gym for a couple of hours but when I'm home, are you down to facetime for a bit?"

"I'd love to. Just call me whenever."

He kisses me a couple more times before we head back downstairs. By the door, he hugs me for a good minute, then he watches as I walk out the door. I don't look back until I'm in my car with the door shut. I wave at him and Kafei by the door, then I drive off. Having reached the first stop sign, tears start flooding my cheeks. I'm calm, but the pain still finds me through my mask.

Link is the strong one. He is the pillar of my life. Whenever he shows weakness, I feel my life shaken. I can't bear the look on his face when he is unhappy. In times like this, I have to be the strong one. Even if it tears me apart on the inside, he needs me to be that pillar too sometimes. But once I'm out of sight, I break. My chest is aching and I already want to turn around.

I keep driving. Distracting myself with music only helps so much. I still think about Link all the way home. Every song reminds me of him. I should probably change the playlist but I secretly like feeling this attached to him. I enjoy the heartache because it proves that there is somebody giving me the love I crave to hold on to.

When I reach the house and park my car, it doesn't feel scary for once. The sun is shining, birds are singing, it's almost too good to be true. I get out, grab my bags from the trunk, and walk inside. It's quiet. Even quieter than last night.

The maid takes my bags upstairs to my room. My room... It feels awfully strange to be back. I stay back in the hallway while she drops the bags next to my bed. My bed. It's so big. Everything here is big.

"Is there anything else you need?" The maid asks on her way out.

I shake my head. "Is Father in his study? Or is he at the library?"

"He is not home," the maid reveals.

This was to be expected... He is gone for business. I can't believe he didn't tell me. I will have to address this when he is back. If he wants me to inform him whenever I leave, he has to do the same.

"When will he be back?" I ask the maid, not hiding my annoyance.

"He usually returns at 4 o'clock."

"What?"

"He is at the country club, Miss." Golf, I forgot. So he only left for a couple of hours...

I have to be careful not to be so... Out for blood, as Impa would say. I don't want to be a prejudiced hypocrite and I want to turn into my father all the less. I am desperately searching for reasons to be angry at him, I can feel it. Everything he does triggers my anger. I question everything he does and forbid myself to show him even the slightest bit of trust. I have to work on that...

I thank the maid apologetically and enter my room. It's clean. Very clean. The last time I was here, clothes and personal items were littering the floor. Now the floor is sparkling clean without a single item out of order. The bed is perfectly made and the closet is tidy. Even though I have missed this excessive sense of order, it doesn't feel like my room anymore.

The first thing I do is place Terrako on my bed. It's a start. Then I hang the pictures of Impa and me. Technically I could print and hang photographs of Link as well. But I think I will wait a little longer before I give Father an accidental heart attack. I need to be sure that he won't behead Link as soon as he finds out about us. If Father lets his anger and frustrations out on Link by taking his scholarship away, I could never forgive him.

His reaction last night was expected. I knew he wouldn't like the idea of me with a man. I applaud the way he handled himself and accepted my condition. Still, his first reaction was to accuse me of things I haven't done, and if I had done them, it wouldn't be any of his business and wouldn't excuse his behavior.

I wonder how he will take it when the time comes. Is Link someone he would want to see by his daughter's side or is it the opposite? He has said good things about Link in the past and spoke of him as a determined and dedicated young man. So I wonder, perhaps Father will be... I don't want to get my hopes up, but maybe he will be thrilled about Link and me.

Just as I am done unpacking, Father knocks at my door and makes his presence known. I am greeted with a smile when I open the door. He takes a look inside. His eyes settle on Terrako.

"It finally looks like someone is living here again," he awkwardly comments.

I give him a stiff nod. "How was golf?"

"Splendid. You should join me next week."

My first instinct is to decline. Golf puts me to sleep and spending a full afternoon with Father sounds like torture. On the other hand, Father doesn't usually invite me to casual activities. He only drags me along when it looks good for him to show off his perfect little marionette. So this is an act of kindness–I think.

"You are aware that I am horrible at golf, right?" I half-laugh.

"To be fair, I'm not that good at it either," he whispers with a smile. This is a totally new side of him. It will take me some time to get used to this lighthearted version of my father, a version that smiles, and jokes.

"Okay, sure, we can go to the club together next week."

"Wonderful. Are we having dinner together tonight?"

"I was going to ask you the same."

"It is up to you."

"Let's have dinner together, then."

"Gladly. And what would you like to eat?"

"You choose," I smile up at him as he nods at me with an equal display of joy. This is weird. After a few more seconds of cramped smiles competing against each other, I slowly close the door. I listen closely as his footsteps fade away. So weird. This whole Father-daughter thing is very confusing. Hopefully it will feel more natural in a week or two.

I check my phone for messages from Link. Nothing yet. It's so quiet in the house. I can't help but notice it. I keep expecting slammed doors, yelling from downstairs, deafening music that shakes the walls, or-- my personal favorite pet peeve-- moans traveling down the hallway. I have missed the calm but I have gotten so used to the chaos that the quiet is almost a stranger to me.

I take a seat on my desk. My desk. So much space. No monitors, no half-empty energy drinks or open bags of stale chips, no clothes hanging over the chair, no sticky surfaces, no dust bunnies snuggling up to my feet. This is... nice. I guess. Ugh... I miss Link.

I check my phone again. No new messages. He is probably at the gym right now, lifting weights. I send him a gif of a panda doing sit-ups while eating bamboo. I wait for a minute to see if he reads and replies to my message but nothing arrives so I put my phone away and get started on next month's homework. Getting ahead at school is one of my favorite things to do and will keep my mind off of Link for a bit.

Shortly before 8 PM, Father and I finish dinner. No shouting, no blackmailing, no guilt-tripping. So far so good? It was actually bearable. He didn't interrogate me, I didn't accuse him. Still, it felt like a 5-hour dinner when it was really just 45 minutes. It's because I can't talk freely around him. I am always cautious not to say things that could upset him or put me in a bad light, and from what I can tell, he is holding back too, afraid he will say the wrong things or ask the wrong questions. It will take some time for us to find a way to communicate faultlessly but we are both trying, which is comforting.

I am so eager to get back upstairs to check my phone, but Father insists on having dessert. After trying to fit the Swiss Lindt chocolate in my stomach he got on his trip to Europe, I am finally excused and free to return to my room. Still chewing, I pick up my phone. This chocolate reminds me of Link and the fact that he once said he wants to go to Switzerland with me. Why do I have to connect absolutely everything with him?

My heart skips a beat when I find his name on my lock screen. I swallow the last piece of chocolate and unlock my phone. Link sent a gif of a panda dropping onto a bed of leaves. Why is he so cute?

*Exhausted?* I ask him through text.

*Dead* he answers.

It's a one-word reply, nothing romantic at all, yet here I am, grinning at my screen like a compelled idiot.

*You're so dramatic.* I reply.

*Me? How dare you hurt me in this way! I am never dramatic NEVER*

I giggle at my phone and shake my head at his goofiness. *I miss you* I type and delete. Am I being too clingy? No, I am being honest. *I miss you* I type again, add a heart, and hit send. Anxiously I wait as he is typing something.

*Come over* His text reads.

*I want to.*

*I'll pick you up rn*

*May I offer you a facetime instead?* I ask, checking the mirror to see if my flushed cheeks are as evident as they feel.

*Seeing you in person vs facetime? Bad trade* he says with an emoji of a guy crossing his arms.

*I'll wear your t-shirt.*

He sends a panel of some cartoon with the subtitle You son of a bitch, I'm in.

Dork, I think to myself smiling. I walk over to my closet to find Link's t-shirt. I'll have to find a better hiding spot for it. It might look like an ordinary Hyrule t-shirt, but it smells like Link and if Father finds it, he will accuse me of having slept with yet another boy. I hate thinking like this, but it's true.

I change into the white t-shirt, fix my hair in the mirror, sit down on the bed, and fix my hair again in the camera roll before I call Link. He picks up within seconds. My lips curl up into an uncontrollable smile when I finally see his face again. My ancestors would be ashamed of me... Women used to have to wait for their men to return from war with barely more than a letter to hold on to, meanwhile, I can't even last 5 hours without my brave fighter.

"Hey there." Link smiles at me.

"Hi," I giggle abashed.

He is lying on his bed with wet hair and a hoodie, one hand behind his head, the other holding his phone. I would love to lie next to him right now. His hair always smells amazing after his showers. Sometimes I use his shampoo but my hair never smells like his. It's just not the same. You can't fake or replicate that feeling of having your other half right next to you to complete you.

"Why do all my clothes look so much better on you?"

"I--that's not even--" I stutter and hide my face behind my hand. I don't know how to deal with compliments. And he knows it. This is the reaction he is looking for and even though I try not to be like this, it's almost like an instinct.

I lower my hand to take a glimpse at him. He is so handsome. Mischievously, I take a screenshot without his knowledge. A giggle falls from my lips before I can stop myself.

"What's so funny?" He asks amused.

"Nothing," I chuckle. "I just missed your face."

"I missed your face too."

Shit, why am I tearing up? Stop it, you stupid emotions! Stop this at once! No tears, no sadness. This is a happy moment, act happy.

"What did I say?" Link frowns.

"Nothing," I sniffle and catch a tear with my palm.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Link sits up with furrowed brows, worry laced into his voice.

"I miss you already," I weep. If this doesn't make him run, he is probably as deranged as me.

"I miss you too, Zelda..." My heart... It's missing a piece.

"But I... I miss you so much and it's only been a few hours," I sob and cry like a broken dam.

"Shit... Can I come over? Do you want to meet somewhere?"

I shake my head and rub my cheeks. "I have to be able to last a night without you..."

"Bullshit, you don't have to," he says as kindly as possible. "I'll pick you up, you can spend the night."

"And then? What about tomorrow night? And the night after that? I can't just get in my car and drive to your house whenever I miss you."

"Sure you can," he sounds just as desperate as me. "I guess driving back and forth all the time wouldn't be good for the environment but screw Earth, I want to see you," he offers me a shy smile. Between my sobs, a laugh escapes through my lips and my heart flutters.

"It really would be bad for the environment if I came over every time I long for a hug."

"Yeah but it's kinda romantic how we're willing to destroy the planet just to see each other."

"Very much. But you're a hero. And the hero is only willing to sacrifice one person to save the world while the villain sacrifices the world for one person."

"For you, I'll become the villain."

You could never be the villain. Your heart is too pure. Even though you get into fights, you would never hurt the innocent, let alone sacrifice the world for one person. "I will just buy myself a Tesla, problem solved."

"There you go," he laughs.

"But for tonight... I will survive without you."

"I know you will."

"And you will survive without me."

"Eh, maybe Revali will find my corpse in the morning, who knows," he chuckles. "Kidding. I'll be okay for tonight. I keep finding your hair everywhere so that's a nice little souvenir."

"Sure it's mine?" I test him with a smirk.

"You're the only one with golden hair, this straight and this long."

"What about Rapunzel?"

"Fair, but she hasn't spent the night in like four months, so..."

We both laugh. He has rid my eyes of tears and magically returned a smile to my face. I don't know how he does it, but whenever I feel down, he picks me up. This is bittersweet. It hurts to see him when I can't be close to him, but... it's incredibly nice to see him when I can't be close to him.

We talk for hours until my eyes get too heavy to stay open. I am surprised Link hasn't fallen asleep yet. He has been exhausted since we started the call.

"Hey Link?" I mutter, opening one eye to look at his adorable face.

"Mh?"

"You're cute," I giggle and hide my face.

"Yeah?"

"Mhm. And handsome."

"If you're trying to make me blush–--it's working."

"And funny," I continue my late-night stream of compliments.

"You too."

"And smart and kind."

"You too, you too."

"And soooo talented."

"Are you a little drunk?" He raises a brow.

"Nope, just tired."

"Don't fall asleep on me."

"I won't."

"You sure? 'Cause your eyes are closed and you're mumbling."

"Mhm." Sleep sounds nice right about now. I don't want to go to school tomorrow. I'd rather talk to Link all night.

"Cutie," he chuckles. Maybe if I pretend to be asleep, he will whisper those secret things to me he only says when I can't hear him. "You're pretty talented too, you know? I think you're really cool."

"Really?" I merely whisper. No, Zelda, we are not tearing up over this. Get a grip on yourself.

"Really. And you're beautiful, even when you're about to pass out."

"Why thank you, Handsome," I chuckle and open both eyes to take a look at his gorgeous self. He looks a little tired himself but he is doing much better than me.

"No problem, Babe," he laughs. "You're also pretty hot," he adds.

I suck in a sharp breath and hide my face again. "You..." my voice loses every bit of confidence. "You too."

Now he's just smiling at me. He is trying to hold back but he can't. And I think it is the most adorable thing to see him losing against himself when he tries to fight his own smile.

"You look really good in that t-shirt by the way."

"I know, you've told me," I giggle. He bites his lip but that doesn't stop his smile from growing. "I love your smile," I tell him.

"He turns his head to the side as his smile stretches from ear to ear. "You should get some rest, it's already midnight."

I nod at his wisdom. "You should sleep too."

"I will, as soon as we hang up."

"Okay."

"So I'm going to hang up now," he says as more of a question.

"Or..."

"I already know where this is going."

"Do you now?" I laugh. He knows me too well.

"You want me to stay."

"Would that be weird?"

"If it helps you sleep," he shrugs. "Just don't forget to plug in your phone."

"You know me too well," I repeat my thoughts out loud and stretch my arm across the nightstand to grab my charger.

Falling asleep with Link on the line is oddly satisfying. The subtle white noise coming through the speakers and the faint sound of his breath calm me and guide me to sleep. However, I wake up more times than any other night, always searching the bed for him. Each time, I check my phone to see if he is still there. I don't mind waking up every thirty minutes since he is always there with me, but the temporary shock of finding nothing but empty space next to me really pokes my heart.

This will get easier over time, is what I tell myself to bear the heartache. This not-so-long-distance not-yet-relationship will get easier. The same goes for those stiff interactions I have with Father. I'll give it one month. In one month, everything will feel normal again.

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(Me again, hi :) To all of you who are celebrating tonight: MERRY CHRISTMAS! Y'all are beautiful people! I love each one of you! Thank you for all your support and love, there is really nothing more I could wish for!
Tell the ones you love how much they mean to you! It'll make their day, even if it's as simple as a heart emoji or silly gif 🐼!!)