My eyes open heavily. I'm still holding Link's hand, the room is still cold, and the annoying machine next to Link's bed is still beeping irritatingly. Everything is the same except for the sun rays falling through the little gaps in the blinds. Is it morning already? Did I fall asleep?

In strain, I lift my head up from the edge of Link's bed and rub my sore neck. I've never slept in a chair before. I just couldn't bring myself to sleep on the little couch by the window because I was terrified of letting go of Link.

When I turn my head to look at him, I notice the nurse standing on the other side of the bed.

"How is he?" I ask her, panic and dread crawling up my spine. He survived the night, he must have! I mean—his hand is warm and his chest is moving!

The nurse gives me a soothing smile."He's stable for now."

As much as I have come to hate those useless words, I couldn't be more relieved to hear her say that. I let out a long breath and almost find it in me to smile. I know his battle is far from over, but when I entered the room last night and saw him like this... I felt so much despair. But he's still here, still fighting, and that gives me hope.

Mipha was right, he is strong and healthy, he is a fighter, and he will get through this. I should text her an update. I tap my phone but it doesn't turn on. The battery must have died.

"What time is it?" I ask the nurse on her way out of the room.

She checks her watch. "It's 9:30 a.m."

"I'm late for class," I gasp. And I don't even have my car, or a working phone! I already missed my first lecture and am likely going to miss the next. Maybe I should just... not go? I have never skipped school but... I don't want to leave Link's side. I wish I could at least send an email to my professors to let them know that I won't be coming.

I take another look at Link. He looks so calm. Peaceful. If it weren't for those horrible bruises coating his face and arms. I don't even want to imagine what his torso looks like. Gently, I brush his hair out of his forehead. The worst part is over...

Time passes slowly, doctors come and go. In the afternoon, distracting my mind gets increasingly more difficult. Especially once the clock hits 2 PM. It's been pretty much 24 hours now since Link's chest stopped moving.

Suddenly, Impa and Mipha walk into the room. Their appearance is unexpected enough to get my mind off of the baseball game.

"Hey, how is he doing?" Mipha asks softly, trying to fight the tears in her eyes with a hopeful smile.

"He's... stable. Whatever that means."

Mipha walks up to the bed and places her hand on his leg. She is so much stronger than she looks.

"I wanted to text you guys, but my phone died."

"I figured." Impa hands me a large plastic bag. "Your charger and a change of clothes."

"You're my hero," I hug her with one arm, not letting go of Link.

"I also had Mipha drive your car here so you're not stuck," Impa gives me my car keys.

"My super hero," I correct myself. "Not to sound rude, but how come you're allowed in here?" I ask them.

"Link's mother gave them a list of people who may visit him," Mipha says.

"How does she know our names?"

"I gave her the list," Mipha explains. "You're one of the 4 names I gave her."

"Thank you so much, Mipha." Bless her soul. "Who's the fourth person?"

"Daruk."

"Could you add Revali?"

Mipha nods without questioning it. "But the hospital only allows two people in the room, so I will go grab us some coffee."

"No, you should stay with Link," I insist. "I have to go get changed anyway. And besides... he needs you too."

Mipha's gratitude shows through her smile. She takes the seat by Link's side, the seat I sat in all night, wishing, praying, and dreaming of Link. I breathe in deeply, then I slowly retreat my hand. I will be right back, Link. Don't go anywhere...

After I plug my phone into the charger, I walk down the hallway until I find the nearest restroom. I splash some water on my face and try to clean up the smudged mascara. Luckily Impa packed makeup remover, along with a hair brush, tooth brush, two tops, a sweatshirt, a pair of jeans, and sweatpants, even though she knows that I don't wear sweatpants in public. She also packed underwear, three packs of tissues, To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, and headphones. Hero doesn't even begin to describe her.

I keep my eyes closed while I'm changing to avoid looking at Link's blood again. Carrying the dirty clothes in the plastic bag, I make my way down to the lobby to put them in my car. As soon as I step outside, fresh air and a nice breeze greet me–followed by a group of reporters!

Overwhelmed, I take a couple of steps backward, but they keep on coming closer from all sides. What is going on? A dozen cameras as microphones are pointed at me and everyone is trying to get my attention. The blinding flashes of their cameras and the fact that everyone is talking at once makes it impossible to focus on one reporter at a time.

"How serious are his injuries?" One of them asks.

"What is the history between the two players?" I catch a woman say.

"Isn't it true that you are his girlfriend?"

"How do you feel, knowing your boyfriend might never play sports again?"

My jaw drops. I blink in terror and take another step back but they keep on closing in. "Excuse me," I breathe and storm back inside.

Thankfully there is Security that keeps them from entering the building. Breathing heavily, I skip the car and hurry back to Link's room.

"You could have told me the press is outside," I pant.

"Shit, sorry. Forgot to tell you that we parked in the parking garage."

"They are vultures! They were ready to pick me apart like a piece of leftover carrion. Have they no shame?"

"Nope," Impa shrugs. "You should also stay away from the media. It's everywhere."

"What exactly are the media talking about?" I ask her and notice Mipha holding Link's hand. It hurts but what kind of a person would I be if I got jealous over that? I chose to keep my eyes on Impa.

"Um, most of them are talking about the fight and Link's injury," Impa answers. "Everyone's praying for Link. The whole world seems to be talking about nothing else. Every post on Instagram is about him, every tweet has the hashtag PrayForLink. It's kinda crazy how fast everyone found out."

"I suppose that's a good thing. The prayers I mean."

"Yeah, you probably didn't see but some people also lit candles outside the hospital."

"No, I didn't notice that. By the way, thank you for the clothes and everything else."

"You're welcome," she grins proudly. "How was skipping school, rascal?"

"I felt anxious. Like breaking the law."

"Nerd."

"I should send an email to my professors, explaining my absence."

"I don't really think that's necessary. Everyone knows about Link and... Well everyone knows you're dating him now, so I think your profs are able to guess why you were skipping class today."

"Still, I should at least apologize for my absence." I turn on my phone and instantly get flooded by notifications. Never have this many people texted me before.

"I was gonna bring you your laptop, but I couldn't find it anywhere."

"It's in my backpack, which is probably still in the back of my father's car."

"Are you going to stay here again tonight?"

"Probably. Yes."

"Then I'll bring you your laptop. Anything else you need?"

"Nothing I can think of right now."

"Have you eaten anything?" I shake my head at her, finishing up an email for my professors. "Wanna grab a bite in a bit?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Come on, Princess, when was the last time you ate?"

I have to think back, past the ambulance, past the game, past asking Link out... "At the pier."

"Saturday night?" she gasps and I nod. "Girl! You have to eat!"

"Just thinking about food makes me nauseous."

"Yeah because you haven't eaten."

"I don't think that's the reason," I say, looking at Link. The sight of his wounds still twists my stomach. "Do you know what's going on with Karusa?"

Impa and Mipha both look at me, unsure what to say. They know something but don't want to tell me. "What? What is it?"

Their hesitation tells me one thing for certain; more bad news. Immediately, my mind goes over all the options. What if Karusa had to go to the hospital too? What if he is on this floor? Maybe just a couple rooms away?

"Go on, tell me," I urge.

"Karusa..." Impa pauses. "He's fine."

"What do you mean?"

"He's pretty beat up, but other than that, he's fine."

"He... No, he was unconscious. How can he be fine?"

"He has a concussion and two black eyes, a broken nose and just an overall fucked up face, but... yeah, apparently he'll be back to continue the season."

I almost want to laugh. This is ridiculous. "What about the police? Wasn't he arrested? He nearly killed Link!"

"No. Technically Karusa just defended hims–"

"Bullshit!" I cuss! "Karusa attacked Link and beat him–"

"Zelda, I know," Impa quickly interrupts me before I throw another tantrum. "The law fucking sucks, but technically Karusa can't be held accountable." I don't believe this. This can't be true. "They arrested Ganon though. I don't know what's going to happen next but at least one of them is gone for now."

I'll admit, deep down I'm celebrating Ganon's arrest, but my frustration is overbearing. The dark thoughts breeding in my mind should worry me but I just don't care anymore. I'm going to make Karusa suffer.

In the evening, Impa drops off my laptop and some snacks. She stays for an hour, then she heads back to the dorms. I try to get some school work done but more notifications keep flooding my phone. Vexed, I open a new tab and enter Link's name in the search bar. Recent newspaper articles pop up. Already regretting my actions, I click on the first link. A picture of the fight shows up. What a harrowing sight to see this from the spectator's point of view, but standing down there on the field was a thousand times worse.

The article talks about the fight, the players, the arrest, speculations... There is a picture of me holding Link... One of Mipha performing CPR. I can't look at these. I scroll down to the next paragraph.

"Link Miyamoto has been suspended for the rest of the season for aggressively initiating the altercation by shoving Karusa Valley, resisting and injuring one of the attending security guards in a hostile manner, and instigating the overall incident by throwing the first punch."

Are you kidding me? Link is in the hospital and gets suspended? My wish to break every bone in Karusa's body is getting unnervingly stronger. The fact that they dare to blame Link for any of this is disgusting!

I forcefully shut my laptop and text Father to meet with me for dinner tomorrow night to talk to him about this suspension. Even though Link will likely not recover in time to play baseball this year, I still want his suspension to be retracted. It's downright disrespectful.

✤ ✤ ✤

The next day, I decide to watch my lectures online instead of driving to campus. The doctor enters the room in the middle of my last class. Without hesitation, I shut the laptop and watch anxiously as he examines Link. I swallow a painful chunk of dread and sit up straight, bracing myself for his words.

"The swelling in Link's brain has gone down and the respiratory therapists ran their tests. It's safe to wake him up now."

"Wake him up?" I repeat with a racing heart. "Really? Already? Are you sure?"

"Yes," he gives a reassuring smile. "The anesthesiologist is going to withdraw the medication for his induced coma. Once the phenobarbital and paralytics are removed, he should gradually wake up."

"Link is going to be fine?" I ask excitedly.

"We won't know until he wakes up."

"And when will that be?"

"It's hard to say. It might take a couple of days for him to regain full consciousness. We will monitor his brain activity until then."

"And what is going to happen after?"

"More tests, followed by rehab and physical therapy."

That sounds so promising! That sounds like he'll get back on his feet! He has done it before, he can do it again! "Thank you, Doctor!"

I take Link's hand into mine and suppress a wide grin as I kiss it. My last words to him weren't a lie after all.

Just before I drive home, I share the news with Mipha, Daruk, Impa, Revali, and Father. The first thing I do at the house is shower and change into something comfortable while Father waits for me in the dining room. I wear my wet hair in a messy bun and head downstairs to join him at the dinner table.

"It's good to see you," he starts. "I received your message. Link will be waking up soon then?"

"Yes! In a couple of days at the most, but..." I stop, feeling this awful pressure on my heart again.

"But what?"

"I was so happy when the doctor told me... but now I'm beyond terrified of Link's recovery. Even if his brain turns out fine, he might never play sports again. His career might be over... If that happens, I don't know if I'm enough to make his life a happy one."

"You worry too much," he speaks softly.

"No, you don't understand. Every time I've been downhearted in the past year, Link was there to make me feel better. I could always rely on him. He always prioritized my happiness... I don't think I can do what he did."

"Knowing Link, and knowing his past, he is more than capable of fighting for what is important to him. I can't speak with certainty, but I do know that your support will help tremendously."

I nod slowly. "Thank you. I feel... better." Father Has been extremely understanding and patient with me. This dinner might go better than I expected. "Can we talk about his suspension?"

"Yes," he answers as if he expected this conversation.

"It's not fair to take baseball away from him."

"I am afraid I have to."

"You are the president of the school, you don't have to if you don't want to."

"That is not how it works."

"Whose side are you on? Karusa should be the one to get suspended!"

"Link could face serious charges," he suddenly says in a grave tone.

"No," my mind refuses to accept that. "No. Just–no."

"Zelda–"

"Link is in a coma for crying out loud!" I see the maid coming out with the food just as I slam my hand on the table. Her eyes nearly pop out of her head as she turns on her heels and swiftly returns to the kitchen.

"Zelda, calm down so we can talk about this."

"What is there to talk about? Sue Karusa, sue Ganon, sue the whole school. Link is innocent!"

"I am afraid he is not."

"This is..." I laugh and shake my head. "This is seriously fucked up."

"Zelda Hyrule! Enough with the inappropriate language! Behave like an adult if you want to be treated like one! I can either keep you informed or I can exclude you from this matter completely. The choice is yours. But I will not discuss this with you when you interrupt me every two seconds."

"I'm sorry," I mumble at my chest and cross my arms.

"Ordinarily, it is potentially criminal to shove another person, or at least the possible basis for a civil lawsuit. In sports, however, neither prosecutions nor lawsuits generally result from this behavior."

"So... Link won't get arrested?"

"I said generally. The California Penal Code defines battery as any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon another person. The absence of consent is an element of battery, which means that if an athlete consents to the use of force, then there is no crime."

"Did the Boars consent to violence?"

"Yes. When they agreed to play sports, they effectively consented to physical contact. By stepping onto the field, athletes assume the risk inherent in the activity. Unfortunately, this fight wasn't just the result of a pitcher throwing a ball at the batter. Shoving might be forgivable.... Punching not so much."

"Karusa is healthy enough to play baseball while Link had his skull opened and metal plates screwed into his spine, and let's not forget to mention that his heart gave out! Father, I'm sorry for coming across as slightly agitated but he was dying in my arms!" I gasp for air. "I don't see how any judge could put the blame on Link."

"Since one of our players publicly assaulted one of Lorule's players, Link and the school may face the consequences in a lawsuit."

"And you just accept that? Even if Link threw the first punch, Ganon nearly committed murder in front of everyone!"

"Exactly."

"Exactly what?" I bark.

"Both schools are responsible for the extent to which this fight escalated."

"So what is going to happen now?"

"The schools will pay fines. Ganon is going to be on probation until everything is settled and Link is–"

"I'm sorry, Ganon is on probation? I thought he was in jail!"

"His father paid his bail."

"Of course he did," I puff and get up. "Excuse me, but I lost my appetite."

"Zelda..."

"No," I raise my hand. "Please, just... stop. I can't hear any more of it right now. I'm hurting, I'm scared, and I'm fuming! I'm so angry but I don't want to let it out on you so... do us both the favor and let me walk out of here."

"Don't just leave in the middle of the conversation," he says in a collected manner.

"Please, Father. I'm asking you kindly. I need to be with him, can't you understand that?"

"I understand quite well," he returns dolefully. "Go then. But please remember to keep your phone charged so I can reach you."

Ignoring his last comment, I leave through the front door, and drive off. Clutching the steering wheel and screaming at the traffic light only feeds the fire burning in my throat. Ganon is a free man, Karusa is well off... I don't know how much more my heart can take.

When I enter the ICU, my anger dissolves. I don't want to bring those negative feelings near Link. He needs me to be strong for the two of us. I just have to stay optimistic. It could always be worse, right? Ugh, I don't even know anymore.

Quietly, I open the door to Link's dark room. Somebody else sitting on the couch. Somebody I never expected to see here. His head in his hands, he doesn't notice me until I step inside the room, but as soon as our eyes meet, he rubs his wet cheek and jumps up, ready to bolt.

"Zelda–shit, sorry!" Pik stammers. "Impa said you were at your dad's for the night."

"Impa?" I ask bewildered.

"She sort of smuggled me in. I thought you weren't going to be here, sorry, I'll go."

I have so many questions. "What are you doing here?" I completely forgot about Pik. I never even replied to his texts. To be fair, I haven't replied to a lot of texts lately. But he is clearly not here for me, which only confuses me more. "Pik, what are you doing here?" I ask again.

"I just... wanted to see how he's doing... I..." His voice is on the verge of collapsing. "I feel so horrible."

"Why?" I would show more compassion toward his emotions if I wasn't so puzzled by them.

"For saying the good guy always dies! This is not what I meant," he cries.

"Oh..."

"I never wanted him to get hurt! I swear!"

"This isn't your fault," I try to ease his guilt.

"That doesn't pardon my words or the way I behaved..."

"No, but it's still not your fault. Are you–are you okay?" I thought he hated Link.

Pik shakes his head. "I'm so very far from okay."

"What's going on with you?" I step closer, unsure how to comfort him.

"I'm fucked up..."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing, I'm sorry for coming here," he attempts to leave but I block the exit.

"This is not your fault, Pik. Blaming yourself won't change what happened."

"I just feel like shit for all the things I said about him. He's going to make it, right?"

"Yes, of course," I assure him.

"I never should have said those things to you... I'm so sorry, Zelda."

"It's okay." With so many emotions battling inside of me, I don't have the energy to hold a grudge against Pik.

"It's really not okay. I practically told you he was going to die just because you rejected me and then this happens barely two weeks later. I'm so sorry. I'm so fucking sorry."

"Calm down, Pik. I'm not angry at you."

"What?" He sounds genuinely surprised.

"I'm sorry that I haven't replied to your texts."

"No, it's fine... I... You're not angry?"

"No. I understood what you were going through."

Now that we have both calmed down a little, I check Link's chest; he is still asleep, still breathing. Pik walks to the window and looks out into the night. He pushes his hair back and quietly sighs.

"Can I ask you something?" He says in a low voice. "It's bad timing but I need to ask you this so my mind can comprehend what happened between us..." Pik looks over his shoulder and I give him a subtle nod. "If you hadn't met Link, let's say he never transferred to HU, would you have agreed to a date with me?"

Looking back at Link, I answer, "Let's talk somewhere else."

We find a bench in the little garden area behind the hospital and take a seat there. The flowerbeds are beautiful, even at night. We are all alone, and apart from the brushing of palm tree leaves and the occasional car horn in the distance, there is almost an utter lack of noise out here.

"So?..." he quietly reminds me to answer his question.

"Pik.... Before I met Link, I was prejudiced, impulsive, reserved, and very scared of the world. I met you at the same time as I met him. One look at you was enough for me to decide that I don't want to be associated with you because I assumed that my academic performance would suffer from it and Father would punish me. You remember how I was back then... I always pulled away, I lied to you, I lied to myself. I put myself last, even when I made selfish decisions, I never made them for myself. But when I chose Link, that was the first time I chose me. I chose happiness over success.

Link and I didn't start off like your typical love story. We fought a lot. Correction, I fought a lot. I blamed him for every bump on the road and tried to convince myself that he and I weren't fit for each other. That is the greatest lie I ever told myself. But when you confronted me the day after Valentine's Day, I wasn't lying to either of us. I know better than to lie about such things now.

Looking back, a lot of things have changed since last semester. I have changed a lot since last semester. I can't know for sure, but I think if Link hadn't stepped into my life, I wouldn't be who I am today. I'm not saying I stopped making mistakes, but I think I would still be very prejudiced, impulsive, reserved, and scared of the world."

"I tried to give you the world so that you wouldn't have to be scared anymore. I tried to show you how invigorating it can be to just let go of your fears."

"You've been an amazing friend, yes. You pushed me to step out of my comfort zone more than once. But that's just the thing... With Link, I actually want to step out of my comfort zone. He motivates me to be a better version of myself and inspires me to be brave, and strong, and kind. Never has he tried to push me to do something."

Pik sighs. "So I penetrated your boundaries..."

"Honestly? Yes. But I know you didn't mean any harm by it. And I also agree that sometimes friends should push each other to try something new and scary, but you can't force them to live a completely different lifestyle."

"I think I got it all wrong when I compared you to a plant. If you're a houseplant, I'm the ludicrous idiot who tried to be the fitting pot while Link was giving you the freedom and space to grow on your own. I'm the embodiment of a bêtise."

"You're not. But perhaps you could refrain from comparing people to houseplants?" I give him a shy smile.

"Good point," he returns half the smile. "I'm sorry. Sometimes I talk in colors and shapes instead of using normal words like every other human being."

"I like that you're different from everyone else. It makes you special."

"Special?" He chuckles. "That's just another word for crazy."

"You are a little crazy," I joke.

"My parents always say crazy beats boring," he shrugs amused.

"Sounds like they are artists too." 

"You're not really wrong. My Father is a writer, my mother an actress. My home couldn't have been any more colorful. I was pretty much raised by books, songs, poetry... Like a Christian is taught to believe in Jesus, I was taught to believe in love at first sight, in soul mates, the one true love, miracles, and destiny. In short; anything you see in a poorly scripted infantilized remake of any of the Grimm's fairy tales."

"You say that as if that's a bad thing."

"No--I don't know. It's not that bad, I guess. I mean, I love my parents, they're great, but I always felt like the odd one out. I practiced the arts in hopes of building that connection to love my parents longed for me to find, but nothing truly sparked that flame. All I saw were clichés... Eventually I fell in love with the arts but that wasn't the kind of love my parents wanted me to find. I never believed I was one half of a whole with the purpose of finding my better half. But when I met you, I felt something... Something pulled me in.

Hear me out... I tried to find the one; I've been with a lot of girls in the past, been with a couple of guys too, I even thought I was in love once, thought maybe she'd be the one that could finally change my view on love, but nothing I ever felt in the past compares to what I felt the moment you walked through those library doors. I pointed you out to one of my friends that day and she told me all about you. She didn't speak fondly of you and yet I wanted to get to know you. I don't know how to explain it. Call it destiny, call it love at first sight... but when I looked at you, something just felt different. It sounds like such a cliché, I know, I am cringing at myself, but at that moment I just knew something in my life was about to change. I followed that feeling like my very own religion."

"What happened to the other girl? The one you fell in love with?"

"We were dating for a little over five years. Met in high school and dated all the way through to the second year of college. I went to Julliard, she went to Hyrule University. Since our schools were on opposite sides of the country, we barely got to see each other in person anymore. She didn't like the long distance and one day decided that we should break up.

I respected her choice. I thought if she really feels that way, maybe I should let her go. If she doesn't want to fight, I can't force her. Right? But after a few weeks, I realized that I didn't want to give up on us yet. So, as you may have guessed, I applied to HU. I found a nice apartment close to campus, filled it with all the paintings she adored and spent my last money on a car for us to share. Then I drove to her dorm... I didn't tell her about my plan; I thought I was being romantic by showing up unannounced. Her new boyfriend thought otherwise."

"Oh no," is all I can think of in response to that. I can't imagine planning something so big, for months, only to find out it was all in vain.

"Yeah... I was pretty devastated when this jock–who was totally not her type, just saying–opened the door."

"Are you sure it was her room?"

"I recognize my girlfriend's nude body when I see it," he remarks and proudly adds, "I've painted on it."

"So she really did have a new boyfriend. After everything you did."

"For months, I kept thinking... If I hadn't waited so long, or if I had just kept fighting in the beginning, I could have changed the outcome. Maybe she would still be with me. I swore to myself that if I ever leap into love again, I won't give up."

"That's why you wanted that date with me so badly?"

"I'm sorry that I was so pushy. All the regret I felt after giving up so easily kept shaming me. My past and the fear of losing something special drove me to ultimately push you away."

"So..." I'm afraid to ask. "Does that mean you love me?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"You don't have to tell me."

"I would rather save those words for the right moment," he says, looking up at the moon.

"Wouldn't that be a cliché though?"

"Yeah but when it comes to you, somehow clichés are a little less derivative," he laughs lightly. His head tilts to look at me. "You love him, don't you?"

Caught off guard, I answer without thinking. "More than I ever thought possible."

"What a cliché," he teases.

"Oh shush," I laugh. This is nice. We are talking, we are being honest and fair. I like this side of him. After a moment of silence, my smile fades away as I look up at the hospital windows. "Have you ever been so sad that you didn't know if you were going to survive the heartache?"

"Once."

"When your girlfriend broke up with you?"

"No."

"When you found out she was dating someone else?"

"No. It hurt, still does sometimes, but there was only one time in my life when I felt absolute despair. And believe it or not, it had nothing to do with love."

"Now I'm curious."

"I'll tell you if you can keep it a secret," he smiles faintly.

"I'm a master at keeping secrets."

"Promise me," he holds up his pinky.

"Okay," I chuckle and give him the pinky swear.

With our fingers still interlocked, he takes a moment to study my eyes. He lets out a timorous breath before he reveals his secret.

"Exudative retinal detachment. Try saying that three times as quickly as you can; it's quite the tongue-twister."

"And what exactly is that?" I ask nervously.

"It's an illness that will inevitably turn me blind."

My lips part involuntarily. I loosen our fingers, still holding his gaze. "Are you serious?"

"As a heart attack. Oops, wrong place to make that pun. Or is it exactly the right place to make that pun?" He gives me a self-congratulating smirk.

"Can you stop joking around for a second? Are you really going to lose your sight?"

"No." He presses his lips together and waits two long seconds. "And to answer your second question: yes."

"How can you take this so lightly?"

"I'm not taking this lightly at all, trust me. Finding out was my moment of absolute despair."

"But you're treating this like a joke."

"When irony laughs in your face, laugh along. At least I'm not going mute, or worse, deaf. Like Beethoven. Maybe this will actually contribute to my fame, who knows?"

"So how good is your vision now?"

"Good enough to see how absolutely stunning you look in the moonlight. If the title wasn't taken, I would compose a moonlight sonata just for you."

"Be serious for a moment," I beg, worrying for his health.

"My eyesight is... It's okay. My left eye has about 75% eyesight, my right eye more like 25%. It gets slightly worse each week. Until the day my shadows consume me, I'll just spend my time cherishing the beauty of the world around me. Because I know it's mortal.... Because I'm mortal."

"Pik... I... I don't know what to say. I had no idea you were dealing with this..."

"Of course you didn't. I haven't told anyone. Feels weird to finally say it out loud." He lets out a soft chuckle. "I pitied him in his blindness, but can I boast "I see"? Perhaps there walks a spirit, close by who pities me. Poetic, isn't it?"

"That's Harry Kempt," I nod.

"A woman of culture and good taste," he applauds.

"When did you find out that you were going to lose your sight?" I redirect our focus to his illness.

"I knew something was wrong for a while but didn't get diagnosed until last year. Since I'm over 18, I have no legal obligation to tell anyone."

"Why are you keeping it a secret?"

"Because words don't come true until spoken. In other words: denial. I don't want to go blind and I don't want to think or talk about it."

"I understand. I'm sorry." I should stop asking questions. He has told me more than he feels comfortable sharing.

"May I be so blunt to ask for a favor?"

"Of course. Name it."

"Smile more often. The moon is stunning but nothing tops a sunset."

"I've heard that line before." Without having to force my lips, a genuine smile appears on my face. "You know that's pretty cheesy, right?"

"Say that again?" He gives me that dimpled smile of his.

"It's pretty cheesy."

"One more time please."

"Cheeeesy," I grin.

"Gorgeous."

"Shut up," I shove him lightly. "Maybe you would be better off mute."

"Probably," he laughs and aims his eyes back up at the moon. How much of it can he see? Is he so fascinated with astronomy because of his dwindling eyesight? Does it bring him closer to those celestial bodies?

I steal a glimpse of him. His eyes, in full admiration for the brilliance of the firmament, remind me of one of my favorite lines from one of the world's greatest authors; His eyes were nothing more than great glassy orbs, sprinkled with light from the stars they could not see.

"Pik?" I nearly whisper. "Are you doing okay?"

"You already asked me that."

"I'm sorry."

His smile is evergreen. "I'm alive. That is better than okay, isn't it? Every day I visit wonderful places, like the aquarium, theaters, and galleries... I've traveled a bit around the country too. And then I paint a picture of what I see, not only on canvas, but in my mind. I believe that even in blindness, I will see more beauty in the world than those who walk without a cane. I look forward to writing poetry about the pictures in my memories. I do want to apologize for all the times I made you uncomfortable by staring at you. I just wanted to remember you."

"It's okay," I say and mean it.

"I stare at the moon too but she doesn't mind."

"She's used to people staring."

"Aren't you?"

"Yes but I mind. The attention makes me uncomfortable."

"Attention is great. It's a reminder that you're not all alone on this planet."

"Too much attention will make you feel lonely."

"Fair."

"And sometimes... Being alone isn't so bad."

"What about right now?"

"Right now I'm glad I'm not alone."

"Me too..." 

He takes his eyes away from the moon to look at me. I can only do the same to him. His eyes draw me in, they always do. For as long as I've known him, I've been mesmerized by the way such gray eyes could display a most colorful assembly of feelings; from playful lust and confidence to admiration and sincerity. But when I look at them now... I suddenly see all the raw emotions behind them. So much pain, and yet they are still full of light. 

Lost in the moment, Pik's eyes shift to my lips, surging the rhythm of my heart. His eyes don't rest for long; they quickly look the other way, never losing their charm. He backs away slightly to create some distance between us. 

"You're not going to give up on Link, are you?"

Scared of hurting his feelings, I slowly shake my head. "No..."

"Good." His answer surprises me. "If you keep fighting for him, I'll stop fighting for you. At least I'll know that I didn't lose something I could have had, but instead let go of something that was never mine."

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(Hey guys! Isn't it crazy to think that the 100th chapter will go public next week? Technically the 99th chapter if we don't count "Quick Hi" but still! That's insane! I'll keep this author's note short since the chapter was already long enough; just wanted to say that the news article about Link's suspension and Rhoam's explanation of the California Penal Code were altercations of real articles! ^^ Hope you have a fantastic rest of your week! See you Saturday! xxoo)