: viiChapter Text

The last night in Zora's Domain.

The week passed by too quickly for Link's liking. Perhaps it was those two lost days he spent resting, perhaps it was the fact that he didn't want to ever leave. He tosses and turns in his bed. It really is too big for just one person.

Still, he sheds no tears. He's stronger than that, and he has faith in Sidon that he will use everything in his power to ensure Link is safe in the domain and away from his life as a dancer in the desert.

Link can't keep his eyes closed. He's watching the wall, looking at the collections that line the shelves of the walls. Part of him wants to steal something, just in case he does end up going back to Gerudo Town.

That's when he remembers his earrings. What will the girls think of him coming home with handcrafted sapphire earrings given to him by the prince? His mind is wandering into worst case scenarios.

Try thinking about the best thing that can happen, he tells himself.

He stays in Zora's Domain, forever at Sidon's side. He recovers the mystery of the connection he shares with the hero that saved Hyrule all those years ago. He's able to live a long life in royalty, everything that is the opposite of the life he knows.

He can't take the thinking anymore. Link sits up in bed, and scoots away from the blankets and pillows until his bare feet hit the marble floor. As if someone is sleeping in his lonely room, he quietly makes his way toward the door.

The guards are talking. Link can hear them whispering from the other side. He presses his ear to the door to eavesdrop.

"Do you think Sidon has what it takes to rule the Zora people?"

"Well, he did make that deal with the Gerudo. It's no doubt that he has diplomacy skill."

"Yeah, but what about the Hylian? Are we sure we can trust the prince's decision making when he can't even choose a Zora for a mate?"

"Maybe it wasn't a choice. Maybe he's in love."

"You're a fool."

Link rolls his eyes, tired of the jabbering. Slowly, he opens the door, and creeps out the room. The guards on patrol are at the end of the hall, their backs facing Link.

He makes his escape. Link walks faster down the hall, making his way to the wing where Sidon's room is.

Does he just... knock? What if Sidon is sleeping?

Well, Link would rather face a tired, waking Zora than be alone on his last night in the domain.

But before Link even knocks at the door, it creeps open.

"My dear, what are you doing up?" Sidon asks in a tired, quiet voice.

Link quirks a brow and crosses his arms, as if asking Sidon what he's doing awake at this hour.

"I suppose I'm not one to talk," he forces a shy smile. Sidon looks down the hall at the patrolling guards and urges Link into his room.

"I thought about going to see you. I've been awake, thinking of what we can do to keep you here," Sidon speaks softly as he takes Link's hand and guides him to the edge of the bed. "I can tell you don't want to return to Gerudo Town." Link nods in response. "I thought about running away. That's how desperate I am. But I can't abandon my people when my father is dying."

Link sighs as a loss for a response. Instead of making any gestures or sounds, he leans forward and bumps his head against Sidon's chest. The prince rubs Link's back in a soothing motion.

"I don't like this. The way you're treated as the chief's property, like some kind of toy. I don't mean to speak ill of her, my dear. I just want you to be treated like a human being." Sidon grows silent for a moment. "I love you. Mysteries and all, I love every part of you."

The words sting a bit, Link having no way to communicate that he feels the same. If the goddesses could just grant him a voice...

"You don't need a voice to show that you love someone," Sidon smiles. "And I know you love me as well. Your actions since I met you have spoken louder than any voice I've ever heard."

Link makes a short whine and flops over onto the bed. Sidon laughs lightly.

"I see. You don't think yourself as special as I make you sound."

Link nods his head, looking at Sidon in his peripheral vision.

"You are special, dear Link. You'll see it someday. You'll shock yourself."

With a heavy sigh, Sidon falls back onto the bed as well. Link curls up next to him, wrapping an arm and leg around him securely.

"I have no doubt that we will overcome this, one way or another."

-

Link is to be handed back to the Gerudo chief herself, at Sidon's request. The Hylian wears his disguise, and Sidon looks sadly into the mirror at the boy.

"Here. Let me help."

The prince is the one to tie the veil behind Link's head.

"Perfect."

There's a sadness in Sidon's voice. He sounds so... defeated. Link looks up at him, sharing that same, sad expression. He reaches a hand to gently caress Sidon's cheek.

"I'll be alright, my love."

Link tries to tell himself that yes, Sidon will be fine... but as for himself, he isn't sure quite yet.

The meeting takes place in the throne room. Link stands by Sidon's side, clinging to the prince's arm. Even though his future is on the line, he shows no fear.

Sidon is the first to speak. "I have a request of the Gerudo people-"

"The answer is no," the chief speaks. Link's headmistress is standing next to the chief with her arms crossed. "You may not keep Link here."

Sidon is taken by surprise, but continues. "If it's a matter of trading, I will not. Link is to be treated as a human. He wishes to stay with me, in Zora's Domain. Why won't you let him go?"

The chief hums. "For you to think he's like my pet or even worse a toy is insulting, dear prince. Link is more like a son to me. He has no family, no knowledge of the outside world-"

"He can't have any knowledge of the outside world if he's kept in the walls of Gerudo Town, cursed to do nothing more than dance. He can't even be seen as a man there. What happiness lies in that?" Sidon retorts.

Link's heart begins pounding as his hold on Sidon tightens. This isn't going well.

"I didn't come here to argue," the chief puts her hand up, a simple command to end the discussion. "If you want him, our deal is void. I will declare war."

"War? Over one human?" Sidon questions. "You can't be serious! Peace between the Zora and Gerudo has been kept for centuries, and you're willing to throw that away, just so you can keep this boy locked away forever?"

Link frantically looks between Sidon and the chief. Goddesses above, he's never felt more helpless.

"It is what it is, my prince. So, will you hand him over now?"

Sidon is torn – the good of his people, and countless lives saved, or the love of his life at his side while both their people are turned against each other.

"...Link, I can't... I can't let..." Sidon pleads.

Link hangs his head. Though he understands, it still feels as though his heart is being crushed.

Slowly, Link lets go of Sidon, and walks across the room to his chief's side. He's greeted with a warm embrace. "It's for the best, my dear," she smiles as she brushes his hair from his face.

Is it really though, Link wants to ask.

"Now, are we finished here? I want to get him back to Gerudo Town before his night shift."

No no no no no no, Link pleads in his mind, looking back at Sidon. The prince looks as though he's been struck by lightning, frozen and in pain. Until he meets Link's gaze. He mouths an apology, and Link can see that there are actually tears welling in the prince's eyes.

"Let me say goodbye."

"No. He's to leave immediately. Don't make this more painful for yourself, prince Sidon."

Having the final word, Link is guided away.

-

Months pass in Gerudo Town. Link rarely leaves his quarters. He barely eats or sleeps. His body is growing weak, but he doesn't care.

When he hears a knock at the door, Link doesn't respond. The headmistress makes her entrance anyway.

"Alright, up and at 'em," she claps her hands a few times. "You've been in here for too damn long. You're better than this, being depressed over a man."

Link glares at her.

"The real reason I came in here is because I want you to eat something. Even if it's something small. And I want you out of your room," the headmistress sighs. "Let's go."

Link drags as he makes himself presentable. On his vanity set is his Sheikah slate, that picture of Sidon always visible as a constant reminder. But it hurts. Link has to turn it facing down.

His troupe looks at him when he enters. He just shrugs and carries on, sitting on a cushion at a lonely table.

Kevum plops across from him. The scene is familiar. Link has no energy. Let her take what she wants. Let her pull his hair, take his earrings, any dignity he has left in himself.

But she looks more sympathetic than anything. "Must've been nice," she sighs dreamily. "A week alone with a prince. Not really into the fish thing myself, but hey, you do you."

Link deadpans.

"Don't give me that look, I'm trying to be nice-"

Oh no. Her eyes catch the earrings.

Link is ready to make a run for it. Her eyes are glistening, he swears he can see sparkles in them as she stares at the obviously expensive jewelry hanging from his ears.

"I won't break them," she promises. "But I can't promise that I won't snatch those while you're sleeping."

Link rolls his eyes.

Talking with Kevum just makes him tired. He's bored. She can sense something, and she glares at him.

"You know, you think you're so special," she spits. "With your fancy getaway with the prince and your fancy dressing room. You aren't that special."

Finally something they can both agree with.

"I mean, he clearly didn't see much in you if he let you come back here."

Link snaps. His eyes go wide and he lunges across the table. Immediately, girls are around them, cheering them on – mostly Kevum, but that's besides the point – as they grab each others hair. Kevum is the one to first go for the throat. She starts to choke Link out, but he's stronger, and kicks her back. Their veils are off, and Link already has a bloody lip from when Kevum's fist connected to his face.

"Alright bitch, let's go," Kevum growls.

But the cheering has stopped. In the fight, part of Link's top had slipped.

"Eek! A voe!"

Link doesn't bother trying to cover his chest up. Let them see. Let them scream. Kevum is shocked too, taking a step back.

"He hit me!" She cries. "Headmistress, there's a voe, and he touched me!"

"What is going on in here-"

The headmistress sees Link's distress. He wobbles a bit and wipes the blood from his lip as he stares at her.

"He's probably seen us naked!"

"How did he keep this up for so long?!"

"The chief should throw him out!"

"Girls, out," the headmistress demands.

No need to tell them twice. They scurry out like their lives depend on it. Even Kevum.

"Link," the headmistress calls in a soft voice. "Are you okay?"

Link's eyes are watering out of frustration as he nods his head.

"Come on. Your cover is blown. Let's see what the chief will do next."

-

Link stands before the chief in a change of clothes. The wound on his lip has closed, and a bruise is forming on his cheek.

"So, he's been discovered," the chief muses. "Interesting. How did this happen?" Her eyes narrow on the headmistress.

"The girls got into a little argument," she explains. "He was defending himself." She gives a wink in Link's direction. At least someone has his back.

"I see. Well, I suppose he'll have to leave the entertainment district..." The chief hums. "Maybe he should stay with me."

No, Link wants to say. There's no place for him in Gerudo Town anymore. It's pointless.

"Or perhaps outside of town. He'll have to deal with the desert though. Hot mornings, cold nights..."

Cold nights stick into Link's mind. His hands ball into fists, and eyes widen at the thought that he'd have to endure it all over again.

"Chief, with all due respect, maybe you should send him back to Zora's Domain," the headmistress speaks.

"Nonsense. I want to keep him nearby."

Cold nights.

"It shouldn't be that bad."

Cold nights, alone.

If the goddesses would just give him a voice-

"No."

The headmistress and chief both look in Link's direction.

"Was that him?!"

Link is just as surprised. His eyes narrow on the chief.

"I'm not spending a single night in the desert. Not again."

Her eyes widen, and the guards by her throne take a stance. "How brave of you," she laughs, calling off the guards with a wave of her hand. "A voe, speaking out against the chief."

"I've held my voice long enough," Link responds. "If I am ever to speak, it should be now."

"I'm surprised," the chief says as she leans forward. "Perhaps your courage was the secret all along to finding your voice."

"Perhaps."

The chief stares at Link for several moments, before leaning back on her throne and crossing her legs. "Go," she gestures to the door. "Go to him. If you want to leave so bad that you've found your voice, then go to him."

Link isn't sure if this is a prank. He looks at the headmistress, who is gesturing for him to leave. She looks sad. Really, she was more of a mother than the chief was. He takes a few steps toward her.

"Thank you," he says. "For everything. You've given me a home, and even though it was temporary, I'm grateful."

Unable to speak, she just nods her head, still in shock that Link is actually speaking.

Link turns to the door and runs.

-

There isn't much thought to his plan. Link just wants to leave. He outruns guards, and just keeps running. Out the gates to Gerudo Town, passed the oasis, and the only thing on his mind is to keep running to see him.

He's able to make it to the gates of Zora's Domain before nightfall, after 'borrowing' a horse. He's out of breath, ready to pass out from exhaustion - but anything is better than spending another night in the desert.

Things are quiet in the domain. Not much has changed, and Link grew familiar with the layout during his stay, so navigating isn't too hard. He passes the statue of Mipha, bowing his head in respect, before carrying on.

Two guards block entry into the throne room.

"The king has no business with a Hylian," the guard spits. "He requests to see no one at this time."

"I'm here to see his son," Link pants.

"King Sidon has no son."

Link freezes. King Sidon? That means his father... Although Link's heart is heavy for his lover, he has to fight on. Show courage, and stand tall, he tells himself.

"I'm here to see king Sidon then. It's an important matter."

The guard, however, is stronger, and towers over Link. They have a stare-down for a moment, and the guard notices something.

"Those earrings... they're sapphire. Surely you can't be Link, the Hylian king Sidon once spoke so highly of!"

Breakthrough. Link nods his head. "Will you let me pass?"

The guards exhange looks, before they step aside, giving Link access to the double doors that lead to the throne room.

Portraits of kings and queens passed line the walls of the throne room. There's a new addition.

After looking around the room, Link sees Sidon on his throne, speaking with Muzu. Oh goddesses, Sidon looks so sad. He looks as if the last few months have aged him by decades. Sidon's eyes are tired and heavy as he talks to Muzu.

But then his gaze lands on the specific Hylian that enters the throne room. He has to look twice – this can't be...

"What trickery is this?" Sidon's broken voice booms, echoing in the throne room. "What spell do you dare use to torture me so?"

"This isn't a trick," Link speaks, taking a step closer to the throne. "It's-"

"He doesn't speak," Sidon's teeth are bared as he speaks. "For you, a clear imposter-"

Sidon narrows his eyes and tries to get a good look at this boy.

"Come closer."

Link can tell these months apart have turned the prince – the now king - bitter and hurt.

"The slate on your hip. Where did you get that?"

Without a word – it's a little easy to forget he now has a voice to speak with – Link takes the slate into his hands. He flips through pictures, until he comes up to the very first picture he had taken of Sidon, during his first swimming lesson.

Sidon's eyes widen, and his whole demeanor changes. It's as though he was shot with an arrow, completely taken by surprise.

"It can't be..." Sidon stands from the throne. "Link? My dear desert rose, could it be?"

Link nods. "This isn't a trick. It's me."

"You can speak," Sidon says enthusiastically as he steps away from the throne and towards the little Hylian.

"I'm free," Link adds.

Unable to hold back or keep his composure, Sidon steps in front of Link, kneeling onto both knees. "My dear, please forgive me, I... I can't believe it's really you."

Link smiles fondly. "Of course I forgive you."

"Let me look at you, please..." Sidon pleads as he cups the side of Link's face with his hand. "You are just as beautiful as I remember. I can't... I can't believe you're here, after all this time."

While the pair reunite, Muzu slips away to give them privacy. Link notices the elder Zora has left, and he turns his full attention to Sidon.

Link's hand rises to rest atop Sidon's.

"I love you," he says finally.

Sidon's heart visibly flutters, and tears are forming in his eyes. "To hear you say it... even though I had known it all this time, to hear you say it makes my heart soar."

Unsure of how to respond, Link leans forward to place a long, lingering kiss on Sidon's lips.

"I'm gonna have to get used to calling you king," Link speaks softly.

"I'll have to get used to hearing your voice. Goddesses, it sounds so beautiful, like a choir..." Sidon plants a final kiss on Link's lips. "Does this mean... you're staying?"

"Of course it does. I'm not going anywhere."

Overjoyed, Sidon lifts Link into a hug, giving him a twirl.

"Incredible! My dearest, you are amazing," Sidon laughs as Link is planted back on the ground. "I will shower you with love, and not a day will go by without you by my side. You will be my equal, until death parts us."

Link sweetly takes Sidon's face in his hands. "We'll uncover all these mysteries together."

"Together," Sidon confirms. "Anywhere these mysteries may lead us, we will be together."