Bravely, Mipha steps between Link and Russ. Sidon and I step forward too while Russ takes a big step back.

"Dude, calm down, I'm not looking for trouble," Russ says, both hands in the air.

"What happened?" Mipha wants to know. We all want to know.

"Hey, are you alright?" I ask Link when he doesn't reply to Mipha. I put my hand on his shoulder, that's when he finally snaps out of it. His eyes shift to me and recover some of their color. It's almost as if he just woke up from a very vivid dream.

"I'm sorry," he says in barely a whisper.

"What's going on?" I ask quietly.

I'd assume that Russ and Link have some kind of troubled history, like he does with Ganon, but it appears that Russ met Link for the first time today.

"Nothing," Link shakes his head.

Russ approaches Link and I wish he wouldn't... I don't have a problem with Russ but right now he shouldn't be anywhere near Link.

"Listen man, I'm sorry if I overstepped a line or somethin'."

"You didn't do anything," I say to Russ. "It was a misunderstanding," I add, hoping it will keep Mipha and Sidon from asking for details. I believe Link when he says he doesn't know why he attacked Russ like that, but there must be a reason, even if it's subconscious.

"Im just gonna go," Russ mutters, stepping back with his snowboard in hand.

I don't know Russ at all, so I wasn't sure how he would react. Most guys would have hit back or started a fight. I'm extremely relieved that Russ is reasonable and walks away before anything worse can happen.

"I have to get back to Revali," Mipha says to us. She looks mildly concerned and can't take her eyes off of Link. "Will you be alright?" she asks him.

He gives her a nod without looking at her. The crowd slowly dissolves and after a short break, Link resumes his training... We don't talk much more throughout the rest of the day. He just seems too focused on his jumps and I don't want to bring up the fight. I decide to just ignore it. At least I'm trying. Part of me refuses to forget the look on his face when Russ ogled Mipha.

....

We are back at the same restaurant from last night. Their food was really good so we are having dinner here again. Tomorrow, Mipha wants to run errands with me while Link is training for the tournament; she wants to make dinner for us all for Christmas Eve and needs certain ingredients.

I'm sitting between her and Link. Although he is sitting right next to me, it feels as if he is sitting on the other side of the restaurant. I convince myself that he is so quiet because of the upcoming tournament, and not for any other reasons...

I can't stop thinking about it. I look at him now. He's eating his roast and doesn't notice my eyes on him. He looks calm and content. Like a totally different person to the Link who had Russ in his firm grip.

Russ' voice echoes through my thoughts. She your girlfriend?

No, we're just friends.

I wish I could find comfort in Link's words, but 'just friends' was our label for the longest time of our 'friendship'. It doesn't comfort me at all to hear him say that about Mipha. I know they aren't a couple, that's impossible considering I live with him, but that doesn't mean her love is automatically unrequited.

I'm nauseous... I can't finish my food.

"Hey, are you okay? You don't look so good," Mipha asks me quietly enough that nobody else hears it.

"I'm just tired," I mutter at my untouched plate.

Mipha is a really good friend and I love her for that but I just can't look at her right now.

"Do you want to go back to the lodge?" She asks but I shake my head. "Come, I'll go with you."

I don't agree but I also don't decline which leads Mipha to get up and help me to my feet.

"Where are you guys going?" Impa asks with her mouth full of food.

"We have a small headache so we are going back to the lodge for some Ibuprofen," Mipha says. I don't think she has a headache but I appreciate the lie.

"Meet us at the bar afterwards," Impa says.

"I think we will just lie down," Mipha speaks my mind.

"You okay?" Link asks me quietly. He can sense that it's not a headache that's bothering me. "I'll come with you."

I am halfway through declining when Link stands up to walk us to the lodge despite my partial objection. I don't really want him to come along. He has barely spoken since noon and I could have used the time alone with Mipha to talk about... Actually, I don't know what we could have possibly talked about. It's not like she can help with any of this.

Not many words are exchanged on the way back apart from Mipha pointing out that it is starting to snow again. When the three of us get to the lodge, Mipha offers to make me some tea but I tell her I just need to lie down. I thank her for everything and head upstairs, leaving her alone with Link.

I light the big candle in my room and take a seat on the edge of the bed to remove my thick wool socks. My legs are sore, not just from ice skating but from walking around so much. The door swings open just as I lift my sweater over my head, and in walks Link.

"I'm changing," I squeak, hiding behind the sweater.

"Sorry," he says but walks in anyway. He closes the door behind him and takes a seat next to me.

"Turn around," I demand.

"Why? You see me shirtless all the time," he smirks but hides his eyes behind his hand before I can come up with a clever comeback. I grab a top from my bag and pull it over. I'm glad to see him in a jocular mood. I was getting a little worried. Maybe the competition really was the only reason for his silence and I am once again overthinking everything...

"I have something for you," he says and reveals some sort of white cloth. "It's a netsusama sheet. It sticks to your forehead. To cool it."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"You have a headache, right? This will help."

"Oh... I don't actually have a headache," I admit.

"You don't? Then why'd you leave the restaurant?"

"Because I'm exhausted," I say, looking the other way. It's not a lie, I really am tired, but I'm also a little stressed out and sick of worrying about our not-really-but-sort-of-relationship. This would be so much easier had Link just talked to Mipha when I told him to.

"Are you mad at me?" Link asks.

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"Because of the thing with that guy today."

"Do you know him?" Link shakes his head. I thought as much... "Do you know why you got so upset?"

"I overreacted. I know." He lowers his head.

"I'm not mad," I place my hand on his leg. "Just a little confused is all. Sometimes you disappear for a moment and I don't know what to do in those moments. It happened with both Ganon and Karusa but those guys--"

"How do you know his name?" Link interrupts me for the first time.

My mind is racing, trying to come up with some way of talking myself out of this when I realize that I don't have to lie to him. "Ganon told me. The day he... The day you two fought behind the gym. My point is, when you have those... episodes... it's almost as if you can't hear or see me at all. I understand that we can get blinded by anger sometimes, especially with guys like Ganon, but Russ? I've met him; he's not the type of guy who would hurt someone. He could have approached Mipha when he first met her but he didn't. I think that says a lot about him."

"Guess." Link shrugs. "I'll apologize tomorrow." He shifts uncomfortably and picks at the skin on his nails. "There's something else I want to talk about..."

I retreat my hand, cautious of his words. He doesn't often hold this serious tone when he is talking to me and it immediately pulls my eyes to him.

"Yesterday. You said we shouldn't kiss anymore. Then I kissed you anyway. I feel bad about it. I know you were being serious when you said that but I guess I kinda thought it was fine when we kissed."

"Oh. It's okay, I kissed you back."

"You sure? Because if you really want to stop, I won't kiss you again."

It warms my heart to see him so concerned. I know that he would never do something that I'm not comfortable with, I've never worried about that, but seeing him break his head over it makes me sad. I don't ever want him to frown after kissing me. And besides--

"I don't want to stop," I say out loud.

"You don't?" He asks softly and cups my cheek with his hand. My eyes fall to his lips without a single thought left in my mind.

"No," I mutter and he leans in.

"Good," he whispers. He's so close now that his nose is touching mine. Stop teasing me and just--

"Kiss me already."

Link doesn't hesitate to obey. He kisses me tenderly, setting a new tempo for my pulse. Who was I kidding when I banned kissing. I can't resist him. I miss him when he is in the same room, I can't stay away from him. I want him closer, closer than this. I want our hearts to sound in synchrony.

I gently push him down onto the mattress, never breaking the kiss. He sucks in a sharp breath when I place my cold fingers under his hoodie. I allow my hands to slowly trace the scars around his abs. 

His arms around my back, he pulls me closer and rolls us over so that I'm lying on my back. My hands move to his back and I feel his muscles moving beneath his skin as he positions himself on top of me. He opens his mouth to change the pace of our kisses and my lips follow his lead.

When he presses his chest against mine, no room is left for bated breaths. His hand leaves my cheek and wanders down until it finds my hips. Slowly, he moves it to my waist under my top. I have lost every bit of control over my body when my hands decide to tug on his hoodie in a failed attempt at pulling it off.

He breaks our kiss for a fleeting moment to take off his hoodie and returns to my lips. The candlelight casts flattering shadows that accentuate his body... My mind is empty, my heart racing...

"Zelda," Link breathes and stops to look into my eyes. The reflection of the small flame is dancing in his pupils, chunky snowflakes are settling on the window sill, and my cheeks are burning. Everything is beyond perfect, from the tranquility of the night to the way he looks at me, and yet, when his fingers lift my top, my hand stops his motion at once. Breathlessly grasping his wrist, I shake my head.

"I don't..." my voice is barely audible. I don't have to complete my sentence for Link to understand; he gently pulls the top down to cover my skin. With flushed cheeks, he presses his lips together and moves to lie next to me. Embarrassed, I cover my face with my hands. I stripped him only to reject him, what am I doing? Why did I stop?

His gentle touch removes my hands from my face. When I tilt my head to look at him I am surprised to find a faint smile on his lips.

"Thank you for watching me today," he says in a low voice. I am taken aback by his sudden change of topic but I welcome it with a smile.

"I will watch you again tomorrow," I promise.

Instead of replying in words, he leans over to kiss my cheek. They must be glowing like Rudolph's nose... My mind is still caught up in that moment. Everything was happening at once and yet it seemed as if time was standing still. I didn't have to think about anything, I was just... enjoying the moment.

"I'll let you get some rest," Link sits up and reaches for his hoodie.

"Can you stay with me?" I say as quietly as possible, almost hoping he doesn't hear me. He turns around to look at me. "Until I fall asleep," I add.

He nods and leans back against the fluffy pillows, opening his arms for me to scoot in. He covers me with the blanket as I place my head on his bare chest and close my eyes. How am I supposed to move into my own apartment when I can't even sleep without him?

✤ ✤ ✤

An obnoxious sound shatters the beautiful dream I just had and yanks me into consciousness. I rip my eyes open and sit up. My hair is a mess and my eyes feel heavy. Link reaches for his pocket and pulls out his phone to turn his alarm off. Realization hits me at the same time as him; we fell asleep together.

How does this always happen to us? He was supposed to leave the room once I had fallen asleep.

Link gets up and pulls his hoodie over his head. "It's 7 AM, stay in bed," he tells me when I make an effort to get up too.

"Where is Impa?" I rub my eyes and tap my phone. No missed calls or messages. A few months ago I would have woken up from Sidon, Impa, and Revali getting back to the lodge but ever since I moved into the frat house I have gotten used to sleeping through noise.

"I'll check the living room on my way out."

"Wait, where are you going?" I get up too and bring the blanket with me to keep me warm.

"Training," he says. "Tonight's the superpipe competition."

"You're going to train all day?"

"Other's train an entire season. I only have today to make up for it."

"I'll come with you."

"I thought you and Mipha wanted to run errands today."

"Oh, right." We just left her alone last night. I hope she simply assumed Link went to bed too. His own bed.

On tippy toes, Link leaves the room first but reappears at my door only moments later. "I found Impa," he whispers, nodding at his room. Of course she would choose to sleep in his bed after finding him in hers.

I walk to his room. She is stretched out on his bed, still wearing her clothes from last night. I feel so bad, I never meant for Link to stay. I gently shake her shoulder until she growls at me.

"Unless the house is burning down, leave me alone," she mumbles in her sleep.

"Impa, I'm so sorry," I whisper.

"What?" She opens one eye. "It's still dark out, what do you want?"

"Are you mad?"

"Not yet," she warns, closing her eye.

"I didn't mean for Link to fall asleep in our bed."

"Oh that," she opens both eyes now. "No problem. I came back late last night and almost joined you guys because I didn't notice that he was there. I was too drunk to process any of it so I just looked for another room to sleep in."

"I'm glad you're not mad."

"Glad you're glad. Can I sleep now?"

"Link needs to grab his stuff."

"Already did," Link says from the door, holding up his gloves, scarf, and beanie. When did he-- How did he-- He's so stealthy.

I follow him out of the room and quietly shut the door. I don't think anyone else is awake yet; the house is dead silent. We walk downstairs; no sign of life. Dawn is brighter in the mountains due to the snow so it doesn't really feel like 7 AM. I walk over to the windows while Link steers for the kitchen. Mipha was right, the view really is fantastic.

"I'll make us some breakfast and then I'll head to the superpipe," Link informs me.

I'm too mesmerized by the view to form a reply. Standing here, with a sight like this, a house so quiet, a furry blanket wrapped around my shoulders, and a handsome man turning on the stove, it almost feels like ours. His and mine. All of this. Just the two of us. I walk over to him and hug him from behind. Right now, for a brief moment, we are all alone. I plant a tiny kiss on the back of his neck and feel his chest quiver as he lets out a hushed chuckle.

You are perfect. I want to tell you, but I don't know how. So I'll just hug you. Kiss your shoulder. Wrap my blanket around your arms. Love you unspokenly.

"At what time does the competition start?" I ask him as he places the bacon into the pan.

"At 6. It'll go at least an hour and a half. Afterwards we should definitely go into the Jacuzzi."

"I didn't bring my swimsuit."

"On purpose? Do you hate hot tubs or something? Because you can just sit in it with your bra too. It's almost the same as a bikini."

"Change of topic, please," I blush and let go of him to take a seat at the counter.

"I have... a gift for you... So we'll do that after dinner."

"It's not Christmas yet," I say, confused.

"It's the 24th," he argues.

"Ah, the culture of the East: Celebrating on Christmas Eve."

"Christmas is a little different in Japan anyway."

"Different how?"

"Um... Well... Christmas in Japan is more... for couples."

"What do you mean?"

"It's a little like the American Valentine's day I guess, you wouldn't give a gift to just anyone. Usually you ask someone on a date. Also, we don't really have Christmas for its religious stuff, so the 25th is a normal day for us."

"Odd. Impa always celebrates on the 25th. But she also grew up in the US."

Having eaten breakfast, Link leaves the lodge before 8 AM to train for his competition tonight. Once he is out the doors, my head begins to rattle. He said he has a gift for me, which is all the more special knowing his Christmas traditions. I was planning on giving him his gift tomorrow morning but perhaps tonight will be the right time.

Around noon, Mipha and I make our way to town to get her the ingredients she needs for dinner. I know I have been very skittish throughout this trip but I made a promise to myself that today I will be completely calm about everything. It's Christmas eve and we should enjoy each other's company without feeling either guilty, jealous, or betrayed. I really, deeply care about Mipha and our friendship and wouldn't want to lose it over some stupid drama. 

When the time comes and Link tells her, I will fight for her forgiveness and do whatever it takes to make it up to her and prove that I care about her. She is a mature and rational person, hopefully we can just talk it out and move on.

"You seem quiet today," she notes as we walk out of the tiny grocery store.

"Sorry, just lost in thoughts," I smile at her.

"Is there something you'd like to talk about?"

"No, I was just thinking about dinner. Some of the ingredients I have never even heard of, so I was trying to figure out what you're planning on making."

"Link and I are going to make something Japanese. Usually we eat KFC on Christmas but today we wanted to make something a little fancier to celebrate the ending of this year and the beginning of new friendships."

"That is really sweet. So Link will be helping you in the kitchen then?"

"Indeed. He is a very gifted cook and offered a hand."

"I'm getting really excited," I chuckle. "I love the Japanese kitchen. But you already know that; you've seen me at Vah Rudania."

We walk past the town square; a couple of kids are having a snowball fight and we are trying not to get hit by flying balls of ice. The sky is grey; heavy clouds hang motionlessly in the tips of the mountains. It seems quite possible that--Ouch!

"I got her!" a kid yells proudly, pointing his finger at me. I look at my snow-covered jeans and aim an angry glare at the kid. Now he looks like he's regretting throwing a snowball at me.

"You better run," I threatened with a grin and pick up some snow.

"Oh-oh," the kid giggles and rolls up some snow in his hands.

Mipha giggles and shapes a snowball herself. We fire at the kids and fill the town square with laughter. Mipha gets hit on her back and I pretend she got shot by a bullet. I can tell that she is a bit shy and miles away from her comfort zone, but her smile isn't lying and when she goes along with my little act and puts her arm around my shoulder to be carried out of the battlefield, I am convinced she is loving this just as much as I am. 

I hit a little kid and don't feel bad about it when he falls. Mainly because he's laughing louder than anyone else. After a few minutes of carefree fun, I am the first one who has to quit because I am so out of breath that my throat is burning. Mipha and I pick up the grocery bags and say goodbye to the children.

While we were busy dodging bullets, it began to snow. It's just light snowfall for now and we hope it stays that way because Link and Sidon still have their competition tonight. The sky is so dim already. The dark clouds make it feel like night. 

As we approach the lodge I see that the lights are on, even though I know I turned them off. My first thought is that Father is here, I don't even know why I am suddenly thinking about him when he is all the way in Europe. We enter the house and are greeted by Revali and Impa in the living room.

"You're back early," I say to them as Mipha walks to the kitchen.

"Gotta get ready for Link and Sidon's thing," Impa says coolly, warming her feet by the fire.

"How was it today?" I ask.

"Good. So much powder." She is radiating less excitement than I expected.

"For us normal skiers a grey sky and snowfall are awfully annoying." Revali counters. He's less miserable than expected. Did they swap roles or something? He gets up and leaves the living room.

"I'll go change and get ready to leave," I say to Impa. She nods and dismisses me.

It takes me a few minutes to decide what to wear tonight. It's going to be freezing cold. I pick the chunky leggings with the furry inside and a heavy wool sweater. I curl my hair and apply some light makeup, then grab my bobble hat, coat, and gloves, and head to the basement. Hanging my boots on the heated rack this morning was one of the best ideas I ever had; they're five times cosier now. Before I leave the basement I pick up Impa's boots from the floor and hang them on the rack too.

Just as I reach the stairs that lead back upstairs, I hear Revali's voice and stop in my tracks to find out where his voice is coming from. It's muffled and quiet, but as I walk down the hallway, I spot him by the glass door. It's dark out but a light on the outer side of the house is illuminating the snow. I can see not only Revali's silhouette in front of the glass but Mipha's too.

"I found this on the ground," Revali says to Mipha, holding up the keychain.

"Oh my," her soft voice sounds. "I thought it was gone for good... You're a lifesaver!"

"Well, um, you're welcome." He sounds so timid. He is a different person when he's with her.

"Listen, Mipha..."

My heart just skips a beat. I am nervous for Revali.

"I... I didn't ask you here just to return the keychain... I wanted to talk to you about something."

"What do you want to talk about?" She asks after a short pause.

"Us," he says. "I know I'm not... the kindest person... I often lose my temper and find a way to compete against everyone and everything, and I know that a lot of people can't stand that I'm confident in myself, probably because they're all pitiful loafers who bathe in their insecurities, but... You make me want to be... kind. I don't know why you have this effect on me but whenever I'm with you I feel like I can be a better person... I want to be a better person. For you. I hate it but I also kind of really like it, and... I like...... you."

"I..." Mipha looks at the floor. With regret and rue, she speaks in the smallest voice. "I like Link..."

The anxiety in my head is screaming so loud that I am deaf to the rest of the world... but I still hear Revali's heart shatter.

"Yeah... Go figure..." he mutters in a sarcastic tone.

"I do think you are a great person," Mipha begins but he cuts in.

"You don't have to lie to me."

"I'm not lying. I enjoy spending time with you it's just that--"

"It's fine, Mipha. You don't have to justify your feelings."

"Revali..."

He exhales slowly. "I knew you probably didn't feel the same, I still wanted to tell you."

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't. I'm not going to apologize, neither should you. I needed to know. Now I do."

Pain is laced into his words and my heart is aching for him. I don't want to sit here and listen to them any more than I already have. I didn't even mean to hear their conversation but I'm glad I did... Now I know how Mipha feels. This makes things a little more complicated but I believe it was good for her to witness firsthand that unrequited love isn't the end of the world. Maybe? Ugh, I don't know, I'm just downhearted right now and want to see the silver lining.

I take my boots upstairs to the living room. Impa is still staring at the fire with her toes so close to the flames that they have turned an unhealthy red. I take a seat next to her on the carpet and place my head on her shoulder.

"Are you trying to cook your toes for dinner?" I ask.

"I'm aiming for medium rare. But I already know they are going to turn out like those chicken nuggets you buy at the frozen food section; burned from the outside, frozen on the inside," she chuckles lightly.

"I put your shoes on the rack for you."

"Thanks. We'll be leaving soon though so they won't be dry in time."

"You can borrow my other pair."

"Thanks..."

"Hey, everything okay? Did something happen?" I look at her as she shrugs.

"Not really."

"You seem a little off."

"Huh. I don't know what to tell you. Maybe I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Pun unintended."

"Again, sorry about that. I told Link to go back to his room but he fell asleep."

"Yeah about that... Was he naked or was I just wasted?"

"He wasn't!" I whimper.

"Phew, good, because for a second there I thought you guys... you know." I arch my brow in confusion, waiting for her to complete her sentence. "Sleeping in the same bed, no clothes," she hints.

"No, we didn't," I tense. I can't believe she thought that we... No, I wouldn't... I mean, I don't know if I wouldn't. I haven't put too much thought into it until last night... "Would that be so bad?" I ask her.

"Huh?"

"I mean.... If it happened."

"The fuck? Yes, that would be bad."

"Why?"

"What the fuck Zelda."

"Please stop saying the f-word, I'm just asking for a reason."

"I don't think you should sleep with him."

"But what if... I feel ready..."

"Stop."

"What's your problem?"

"Just don't do it, okay?"

"Why?"

"'Cause."

Her short answers are starting to irritate me! "Why?" I press. 

She should be supporting me. She is the one person I can always count on for support. Unless it comes to Link... I suppose she has always been hostile to our relationship. Oh no... Her flustered expression combined with that scowl... I can't deal with this on top of Mipha and Revali... "You like him, don't you," I confront her.

"You're out of your fucking mind," she rudely laughs.

"Just say it and we can talk about it like adults."

"Say what? That I've been in love with him all along and plotted to steal him from you? What the fuck Zelda. I don't care about Link. You don't have to worry about me getting between you two."

"Then explain why you were praising him when you first told me about him, but then as soon as I started to like him your opinion suddenly changed."

"Isn't it obvious?" Revali interrupts disgruntled, standing near the basement door. His cheeks are pink and his eyes have narrowed to poisonous slits. "She's in love with you and hates the idea of you with someone else."

"Revali! For once in your life, just butt out!" I shoot an angry glare at him. I get that he's upset about Mipha but he doesn't have to let it out on us. This doesn't concern him and the thought of him hearing what I said about Link makes my stomach twist.

When I look back at Impa, her eyes are tear-stained. She is biting her lip and clenching her jaw.

"Impa?" I mutter nervously. The sudden silence sucks the air right out of the room. She is glaring at Revali as if he actually hurt her with his words. "He's wrong," I say mousily, expecting her to laugh or confirm it.

"Both of you just... fuck off," Impa turns away and leaves through the doors to the terrace.

It takes me a few seconds to find myself still standing by the fireplace. I try to comprehend what just happened but my mind is blocked, refusing to think about any of it. I turn toward Revali. He doesn't look complacent or satisfied at all. His eyes are red and full of spite, and they don't hide when I glare at them.

"What's wrong with you?" I hiss at him.

"Nothing you can fix."

"You weren't supposed to hear any of that."

"Same to you. I know you were spying on me."

My eyes gape in shock as I realize that... "Where is Mipha?" My hands are trembling, my throat is dry... If she heard what I said about Link, I--

"She's not here. She left early to support Link at the superpipe." When I sigh in relief, he steps daringly close to me and the shadows under his features darken. "How can you think about that right now? Impa is outside in the cold and you're acting as if you are the only one with problems."

"What am I supposed to do?" I ask without the slightest hint at sarcasm. I honestly need him to tell me because I feel like I am about to pass from everything that is happening right now.

"Go talk to her!"

"I can't..." I have no idea what to say... I am horrible when it comes to communication. Another trait I inherited from Father. How can Impa expect me to understand this? What kind of reaction does she expect?

I can't look inside her head. But I remember the day at the pier when I wanted to talk to Link and didn't know what to say... I talked to Impa about it and she told me what to say to him... I didn't follow her advice back then, but if by chance she remembers it, it might cheer her up...

I take a deep breath and slide the doors to the terrace open. An icy wind snakes its way into the living room as I step into the snow. I shut the door. Impa is looking over the railing, her fingers are a bright red from the cold. She is barefoot too... I need to get her back inside before she gets sick.

Here goes nothing....

I clench my fists and close my eyes.

"Hey sexy, nice ass," I say timidly.

Impa chuckles and sniffles. "Okay, I did not expect that."

"You told me to say that to Link once. Do you remember that?"

"Mhm... You should have listened... It's a great conversation starter."

I'm relieved that she remembers it. It would have been hard to explain that one.

"Can you come inside?" I ask.

She shakes her head and loses that faint smile she wore so bravely a second ago.

"Please don't shut me out."

"I don't want to fight, please just go."

"We don't have to fight. I'm sorry I yelled at you." I need her to talk to me about this... She sniffles and rubs her red nose. "Is it true?" My voice is shaking.

"Does it matter?"

"It does... Of course it does."

She shrugs and keeps her eyes on the village below. "No. Maybe. I don't know. Do you hate me now?"

"I could never hate you! I just feel a little awkward to be honest... I don't know what to think... Please help me understand."

"Shit, I don't even really know," she leans closer to the railing. "I wasn't really sure at first. And it definitely wasn't always there... But I kinda figured it out when I got jealous of Link all the time."

"That's why you didn't want us to be together..."

"I know I was a selfish bitch..."

"No... Don't say that... You've been so supportive of me and Link in the past couple of months. I could never show that kind of support if Link decided to be with someone else... Even if it was a friend."

"Yeah well... I've never seen you as happy as you were with him. And I've known you for my entire life. Obviously I'm going to support you... Still sucks that I can't make you happy the way he does..." She turns her head slightly to look at me. "When you kissed him in the stadium, it broke my heart... But I cheered anyway, because you were happy... And that's all I ever wanted for you. Be it with or without me."

"I could never be happy in a world without you."

"You know that's not what I mean. I mean as more than just friends. But you said it yourself; we are friends and that will never change.

"We are not just friends, Impa. We are best friends forever..." I take her hand into mine and look up at her. "Maybe it's not the kind of love you want, but I love you with all my heart, more than anyone in the world. You came first, and no one could ever take your place in my heart."

"That's cheesy." The corner of her mouth lifts slightly.

"How are you feeling now?"

"I'm... embarrassed. I didn't want you to know. There was no reason for you to know anyway."

"I mean about me..."

"Oh. I don't know to be honest. I'm fine with you and Link. I was just thrown off when you said you want to sleep with him. I didn't expect that."

"I don't know what exactly I want to do. But I know that I wanted to talk to you first."

"Yeah, I know. And I'm sorry. You can still talk to me about that stuff. I just lost my cool for a moment." She brushes some of the snow off from the railing and bites down on her lip. "I don't think I'm in love with you. But sometimes I have feelings for you that I can't really explain." She pauses but not long enough for me to find a fitting response. "You have to go to the tournament now."

"You aren't coming?"

"I need a moment. I might join later...

"But..." I bite my tongue... I shouldn't push her... I understand that she needs some time. She won't come inside as long as we are still at the lodge; she would stay out here even if her toes turned blue. That's just the way she is... Strong but stubborn.

"Please talk to me when you're ready." I take my boots off and place them next to her. If she decides to stay out here she should at least keep her feet warm. With drenched socks I walk back inside and prepare to leave the lodge with Revali.

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(Hey hey! I'll be streaming the Q & A at 2 PM EST this Saturday (11/27). I'll be playing some Breath of the Wild and just chat with you guys for an hour or two. Can't wait to talk to you guys, so make sure you set an alarm and stop by to say hi! :) My Twitch is TheNebulace

If you have any questions about Thinking About You that you want me to address in the stream, comment them on this paragraph.

Since I'm streaming on Saturday, I'm going to post the next chapter on Friday instead of Saturday! Xoxo -Ace)