((lmao you know you screwed up the ending when literally every review asked for a continuation. So by popular demand, I've decided to continue this. It's several months into the future, and Link and Zelda are doing much, much better—hope you enjoy tooth rotting fluff 'cause that's what you're gonna be getting today. And if you like this, please review! I really loved getting to read your reactions to this fic.))

-0-

"Ready this time?"

Zelda's coy tone made her husband laugh. If it weren't for the overdramatic way she'd flicked her nightgown's shoulder off its rightful perch, he might have taken her seriously. But as it was, Link couldn't keep a straight face. Instead, he sat closer and fixed her gown for her, thumb tracing over the soft skin of her neck.

"I've been ready for a while, Zel," he said. "Come on, shut the light off already."

"Oh, I don't know." Zelda cupped his cheek and leaned closer, lips brushing against his forehead. "Last time you said that, you ended up getting up twenty minutes later to get a glass of water. Now, I'll ask again," she said. "Are you ready for bed or not?"

Link laughed again, sidling closer to her and wrapping an arm around her waist. "I'm ready," he said, mocking the same faux-seductive tone Zelda had used earlier. "Now shut off that light before I start without you."

"Start?"

"Sleep," Link whispered, a little quieter. "Careful or the maids will hear. Goddesses know what they'll say if they overhear these parts of our conversations."

Zelda knocked her hand against his shoulder, as if scolding him for such a tasteless joke. "If we were really trying to convince them of what they think we ought to be up to, we'd have to be much more passionate about it—and louder. Not to mention I wouldn't be turning off the light."

"You wouldn't?" Link sat up a little, brow furrowed. "What if I wanted it off?"

"You'd have to deal with it, because I want to be able to see my husband." She finally flicked the lamp off, then came down under the covers to join him, voice a conspiratorial whisper. "And just maybe I want you to see me, too."

Link hesitated, laughter coming a beat too late. "I'd like that," he said. "Bet you're absolutely beautiful, Zel… Sorry that I, uh, haven't…"

Even in the dark, Link could tell she was rolling her eyes. "You know I don't mind. When you're ready, I'll still be here. Even if you're never ready." She wrapped her arms a little tighter around him, pulling him half onto her chest so they'd both be comfortable.

After all, in the months that had followed the festival, they'd learned plenty about each other's sleeping habits—among other things. They'd made changes, learned to accommodate each other's fears and regrets, learned the best and easiest ways to help each other overcome their problems.

But there were still certain bridges that had yet to be crossed.

For all the progress they'd made, Link knew he wasn't ready for the final step. Not yet, anyways. And he knew Zelda was alright with that. He could take all the time he needed, and his wife would respect that. Not out of obligation or the need for a clean conscience, either; he knew she was waiting because she truly wanted him to want it.

But to be able to joke about it so candidly was certainly a step in the right direction.

"I love you," Link finally said, giving her a few kisses along the jawline.

"Love you, too." Zelda returned the kiss with a few more of her own, smiling at him in the light of the moon. "Now, I believe it really is time to sleep, my king."

"So long as you're not going to keep teasing me, my queen."

Zelda laughed, and the sound was musical as ever. "Would I do that?" she said softly, tracing her thumb down his cheek. Link rolled his eyes but soon took hold of her hand, pressing a soft kiss to her palm before Zelda finally admitted defeat and pulled her hand back to its rightful place. She was back to holding him, now, and Link rested his head against her chest once more.

Everything was quiet after that, and soon Zelda had drifted off. She was dreaming now, Link knew, and he prayed that she would have peaceful dreams tonight—just as he prayed every night.

Link stayed awake long after her, though, her even breathing providing a safe space for his thoughts.

And he certainly had plenty to think about—like when he'd finally tell her everything about his quest. Lately, he'd told her bits and pieces. She knew about the attack on his village that had prompted him into action, and she knew about the different stages to his adventure, how he had to collect ancient artifacts—once known as Spiritual Stones—and how he'd had to rescue the sages from their prisons after. He couldn't mention too many details yet, and he purposefully avoided anything that had too painful a memory.

But he was doing better, and he wanted to be able to fill in the gaps for her.

So for the first time in months, he purposefully got up and stayed up. This time, it wasn't to avoid nightmares before they came, but to write down his thoughts.

To make a guide of the things he wanted to tell her, so he wouldn't leave anything out.

It took half the night, and the last few pages were hardly legible, but he'd finally gone all through his adventure and taken note of the most important details. Just as he'd closed the notebook and flickered off the light, though, he heard a voice.

"Link?"

Zelda, who must have woken just a few moments ago, walked towards him with candle in-hand. "What are you doing up so late?"

Link stood up and approached her, careful not to trip over anything in the dark. "Nothing—nothing, it's nothing. Just wanted to write something down, that's all. I'm headed back to bed now anyways."

"I should hope so," his wife said around a yawn, regality all but lost in the dead of the night. "It's only a few hours till morning… Have you been up all this time?"

Not wanting her to worry, Link took hold of her hand and led her to bed, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek when they arrived. "It's fine," he insisted, already back under the sheets. "It's just something I needed to write down before I forgot."

Perhaps it was just the lateness of the hour, but Zelda, in all her sleepy wisdom, didn't question him. Instead, she blew out the candle then tucked close against him. By now, it must have been second nature to her, because she pulled his head onto her chest and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a single, fluid motion. "Sleep now," she said. "And don't complain if you're tired in the morning."

Times like these, Link wondered how he could have ever been startled by her touch. But it was late, and he'd done more than enough introspection for the night, so he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

-0-

"You want to do what?"

"Tell you. I want to share it with you, Zelda. To—tonight," he said, suddenly switching his plans to the night rather than the day. Link had the feeling he wouldn't be able to go through with it without the cover of the night. "I think I can do it this time. Honest."

The look on her face wasn't the one he'd expected. Zelda, proud, wise Zelda, usually kept her expression guarded. She was skeptical of sudden insistence on his progress—as she ought to be, considering how he'd lied in the past about what he could handle—and she never accepted spur-of-the-moment offers, either.

But the skepticism, the cynicism, the concern—today, it was nowhere to be found.

"You really think you're ready?" she asked, but it wasn't an accusation—it wasn't something he felt he needed to defend himself against. She was just surprised—just wanted to make sure he was sure before he got her hopes up.

So he nodded and watched her eyes light up. "I think I'm ready. But—tonight, okay? Not… not right now."

Her happiness didn't shrink. Instead, she pulled him into a brief, tight hug before letting him go and looking him up and down. "If you change your mind I understand," she said—and Link knew it was a force of habit by now, reminding him that he didn't have to stick with decisions about these things. But this time… this time, he was sure.

"I know," he said. With a tentative smile, he pulled her down for a kiss. Happy though he was that this news made his wife so happy, he didn't want to get her hopes up too high. Even if all went well tonight and he told her everything he needed to, there was still the possibility that she wouldn't like what she heard. That in mind, he pulled away and kissed the back of her hand, eyes pleading when he looked back up at her. "Just promise me that…"

Zelda waited patiently as he trailed off. It was with some difficulty that he picked back up again.

"…That you'll… that you won't be disappointed if it's not what you expected," he finally said. "I know you've waited a while. But a lot of it's… it's not easy to explain, some of it. I still can't believe some of it, and some of it I'll probably never understand. So I won't be able to explain everything—but I'll tell you what happened, and why, if I know. And I… You… You might not like hearing about some of it, either, like how I… my…"

Zelda cupped his cheek and tilted his head up, effectively cutting him off before he got too caught up in his worries. "I don't need to like it, love," she said softly. "I just need to know."

Link looked up into those blue eyes and couldn't help but trust her. "Okay," he said. "Okay." He pulled her down into a quick kiss, less conflicted when he pulled away. "And… maybe this way… I won't, I mean, maybe I could…"

When he trailed off this time, Zelda let him. It was almost time for her to get to her meeting, and it was about time for him to get to his training practice. So she pressed a quick kiss to the top of his head then took a step back, an apology in her eyes. "You can tell me later, Link. When we… When we see each other tonight."

He could tell she was in a hurry, so he let her go. "I'll see you then," he said, watching her go.

Once she had turned the corner and was gone, Link couldn't help but slump against the wall. Happy as he was to talk to her tonight, it was emotionally draining just thinking about it.

"Come on," he said to himself, taking a deep breath. "You can do this. Just talk to her."

Goddesses, he felt like he was talking to her for the first time again—like he was a hero fresh from the battlefield with a crush. But he knew her now, and she knew him. They were a team. Talking to her shouldn't be this hard.

But this was a conversation he hadn't been able to have with her yet. This was something new, and as much as he tried to tell himself that this was just another conversation, he knew all too well that this was different. This was what he'd been building up to. He'd been trying to get to this place for so long, and now, he'd finally arrived.

"You can do this," he repeated.

And with that, he started for the training grounds. Maybe if he distracted himself enough, he wouldn't have to think about it till it was finally time.

-0-

The day passed in a blur. Between too-short meal breaks and too long training soldiers (not to mention the guards and nobles asking for his advice and attention), he was surprised he'd had enough time to breathe. Though he wore no crown or royal robes, the weight of his duties was still heavy enough for stiff shoulders and a constant headache.

Goddesses knew he hadn't wanted to be a king—knew he wasn't cut out for a political position, knew he wasn't a large-scale tactician like his wife—but he'd loved Zelda too much. Even if it meant being drafted into a royalty position, he was grateful to be by her side.

At least Hyrule was set up so that she retained the ultimate power and responsibility. Neighboring kingdoms believed that the husband—rightful heir to the throne or not—deserved overruling authority, but here in Hyrule, the people believed strongly in divine blood.

And Zelda being a direct descendant of Zelda the first… Well. It was very unlikely that the people would ever try to claim that an outsider was more fit to rule Hyrule than a direct descendant of the goddess Hylia. Her Triforce of Wisdom didn't hurt, either.

All it meant for Link, though, was that he was more of a consultant than a decision-maker. He knew the people better, knew what their reactions would be, so often Zelda would ask him what effect a new law or a new tax might have on the people. Nine times out of ten, he was right, so their partnership was a genuine help to the people. Goddesses knew the trouble that would happen if it was up to Link to create those ideas, though.

No, sir, he was much happier training the soldiers and keeping the people happy.

That didn't mean his days weren't busy, though.

By the end of the day, he'd nearly forgotten his promise that morning. If it weren't for nearly tripping over his notebook, he might have forgotten it entirely. With a sudden flash of realization, he picked it up and flipped through it till he found the pages he'd marked late last night.

Goddesses, nervous as he'd been this morning, he couldn't remember feeling so scared.

But he'd made a promise, and he was too honest a man to go back on a promise. So he took a deep breath and readied himself. This was going to take hours, and he was sure it would be as difficult as he feared, but he knew he could do it now. It wouldn't be like the festival.

This time, he was ready.

That didn't mean he had to be uncomfortable doing it, though. As a boost to his psyche (and a comfort to his form), he changed into his night clothes and helped himself to an early dinner. Zelda was having a meeting through her dinner tonight, so it would be pointless to wait for her. And as night was drawing closer, he knew he'd have less and less of an appetite, and he'd if he didn't eat soon, he wouldn't eat at all, and he'd just be skittish and jittery all through the night. It was times like these that he had to appreciate his learned self-care; when he'd first come back from his quest, he'd continued to be quite rough on his body.

But the months after the festival had done him good. He and Zelda were partners in the truest sense now; they'd worked together to find solutions for nearly every problem he faced. Whether it was his guilt getting too big to handle, or his memories starting to overpower rational thinking, or an oncoming panic attack, he knew what to do now—and Zelda had been a huge part of that.

In many ways, it was the little things that helped him most. Eating was an easy way to remind his body that he was no longer just trying to survive—it was a way to prove that, at bare minimum, now he could eat when he wanted. He'd learned that if he couldn't find a nook to hide in, finding a wall and pressing his back to it could work wonders—especially if he could sit down and bring his knees to his chest to feel smaller. He'd learned to describe his surroundings and recount significant events of the months since his journey's end as a reminder that he was in a new place, in a new time. He'd learned to give his knights-in-training prior warning, and they'd learned to give him space and keep their own fighting to a minimum so as not to remind him of his own combat.

He'd also learned to be comfortable in Zelda's touch, whether he was hiding in a tight space or not. It was a learned skill more than the others, but Link was more satisfied with his progress there than anywhere else.

Link was grateful in a way, though, that he hadn't been the only one who needed help and found it. In the last few months, they'd worked together to find peace for Zelda, too.

Zelda's dislike of enclosed spaces was easier to avoid, but they were working together to slowly break her of it for good. They slept with the bed curtains drawn, these days—usually on her request. Link knew she'd suggested it to help him relax when they slept next to each other, and he couldn't help but admire his selfless queen—even if he wished she didn't prioritize his comfort over her own.

But she was brave, and he knew she showed love by doing what she could to help. It was how she loved her kingdom, it was how she loved her family and friends, and it was how she loved him. And when he considered it that way, he couldn't help but feel giddy, even after so many months into their marriage.

She loved him. Goddesses, the thought was still incredible.

The first day they'd met, they'd saved each other once and for all. Him with the Master Sword, her with her archery and light arrows. Link wondered if she knew how much he prized that memory. In some ways, he valued it even more than his memories of Ganondorf's actual defeat. Because not everything in his quest was bad—and he certainly hoped she knew that—but of the good memories, that was the best. Better than reuniting with old friends, better than rescuing the sages—better than even saving Zelda. She had been willing to fight by his side, and that meant the world to Link.

Everything he'd fought for was finally coming to a head, and with her strength added to his, he knew that they could finally succeed at taking Ganondorf down.

She'd been his comfort even back then.

It had been second-nature to seek her out after his success in the final battle. Their relationship had blossomed so naturally, so easily, that sometimes it felt too good to be true. Sure, they weren't a conventional couple, and the kingdom hadn't been easily convinced that they were together at first, considering their general lack of touch and how proper they acted in public. Indeed, some maids seemed upset at first—the Princess and the Hero as a couple was a goldmine of scandal, yet they'd failed to deliver.

But they were good to each other, and slowly the kingdom grew used to their relationship. And as it blossomed into an engagement, and then into a marriage, they'd become something of a star couple. Which, naturally, had only meant that maids and butlers were on the lookout for gossip all the more—and it created more gossip considering how chaste they were even within the walls of the castle—but these days, even that was winding down.

Maybe someday he'd be comfortable enough that they could contribute to all the gossip in the world, but as for now, the biggest step in their relationship he was worried about was tonight.

Tonight, where he'd finally, finally tell her everything. More than just the gist of it, more than just "I went here, then here, then did this here."

He'd tell her the good, the bad, the worse, and the almosts. His worries, his fears—he'd explain them, and where they came from.

It was enough to get his heart beating too-fast again, and just in time for Zelda to walk through the door.

"I'm home," she announced, hardly looking up at him as she immediately set to work on removing her jewelry. Link still didn't know how she made it through the day wearing such a heavy crown and gold shoulder-plates, but she told him his chain-mail was even heavier, so he supposed she had a point. Miraculously, she didn't seem to notice his dinner dishes still lying about, because as she was removing her earrings and starting to remove her makeup, she asked, "Did you eat dinner? I'm sorry I couldn't join you, the council is considering a tax on fishing—can you believe it? I told them it was only the outlying districts that would be worth it to organize and spend the money to collect the tax, but they're struggling enough as it is, so it'd be worthless, and it'd just lead to the outlying districts feeling abused, but you know how the council gets. They want to find money to organize all the high-society events, and… Ah, I never let you answer, did I? Did you have dinner already?"

Link couldn't help but smile. "Yes, I ate," he finally answered, sitting back against the pillows. "And there's nothing else you need to do tonight?"

Zelda shook her head and gestured to her face, finally clean of the makeup. "Like this? I should hope not, or there might be a scandal." She finally noticed the robe and comfortable clothes, and a wry smile appeared on her face. "Long day?"

"Very," he answered, sitting up to fix his robe where it kept falling off his shoulder. Had he still been alone, he might not have minded, but as it was… The thought of baring his skin on top of telling her everything seemed a bit ambitious for one night.

It wasn't as though she'd never seen him without a shirt—they'd shared a room too long to avoid that—but he wasn't fond of having her see his scars up close. Link wasn't embarrassed, exactly, but if he could keep her from worrying, then he'd put off showing her for as long as he could.

A few moments later found Zelda clad similarly and crawling into bed with her husband.

After she came close, though, she couldn't help but notice the notebook beside him. Realization dawned on her, and she suddenly sat up. "Link? Did you—this morning, I completely forgot—"

"I did too, till I got home," he said with a smile, shaking his head and pulling her in for a quick kiss. "Don't worry about it. If you're tired, though, it doesn't have to be tonight. I'm fine waiting for a better day if you—"

"Are you kidding? I've been hoping for this night for months," Zelda said. "I'm ready to hear it whenever you're ready to start."

Her eyes were so bright that Link had trouble looking away. Once he remembered how to breathe, he nodded, voice soft and hesitant as it would be for much of his tale. "Alright," he finally said, taking hold of her hand. With trembling hands, he pulled out his notebook, turning to the start of his notes.

Finally—after months, and months, and months of waiting, he was ready.

Through the night, Link's voice stayed strong, if soft. A few times it wavered, speaking of some of the horrors he had seen, and some of the fights he nearly hadn't come out of. But the fear couldn't creep in with Zelda sitting so close to him, reminding him that he was in the here and now. Though he could still practically feel his aching muscles and the trickle of sweat on his back, or taste the blood between his lips, he couldn't focus on them with such an intent listener in front of him.

And Zelda, Farore bless her, seemed to know how important that was to him. Occasionally she stopped him to ask what he meant if something hadn't made sense, but save for those few times—and the rare gasp of disbelief at particular surprises—she was quiet. Zelda knew how difficult this had to be for him, and she seemed to know that frequent interruptions might have reminded him just what he was doing—might have distracted him from the bigger story and would have him focusing on the details.

As he came to the final battle, though, Link couldn't help his hesitation.

Their first meeting was something they didn't discuss often—unsurprising, considering Link's condition up till tonight—but Link could tell this was something Zelda wanted to hear with her own ears.

"I knew this had to be it," Link finally continued, having stopped a moment to find the words. "Because it was the first time I'd seen Ganondorf with my own eyes. I knew he was going to make sure only one of us made it out—that he wouldn't stop fighting me until I was dead. If I wanted to make it out, I had to defeat him once and for all."

Zelda looked up at him, concern in her eyes, and reached out her hand to him. Link took it and pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles.

"And then… there you were." For the first time throughout his story, Link made proper eye contact, not flinching or looking away. "I hadn't… I hadn't expected that you would be there at all, much less willing to fight by me. You surprised me." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, then continued. "It was a good thing, though. Before… before you promised to help, I… hadn't really been sure, you know, that I could win. This was the man that had created those monsters, and had organized the capture of the sages, and who'd been unstoppable in his conquest. I'd fought a lot of things that were bigger than me, sure, but… even though Ganondorf was smaller than most of those monsters, he made me feel so much smaller than they ever had. As if I was this pathetic thing, daring to fight him. Like I could never win."

Link bit the inside of his cheek, embarrassed at admitting such an insecurity. But he didn't have the Triforce of Courage for nothing. He was brave enough to admit when he wasn't feeling strong—and more importantly, brave enough to continue.

"But then there you were," he repeated, warm cheeks turning warmer just at the memory. Zelda hadn't looked her best after such a long captivity, no, but in Link's mind, there had never been anyone more beautiful. Here was a princess willing to fight and die for her nation—here was someone who wanted freedom for herself and for her people more than her own life. "I heard you say that you'd fight by my side, and I couldn't believe it at first. I'd had a few sages help me a bit, but… not once had someone told me they'd fight with me. Zelda, I…"

As he trailed off, Zelda leaned closer and cupped his cheek, prompting him to continue.

"The people of my homeland… there was a saying, that it's not possible to fall in love with someone after just meeting them. Because when you're really in love with someone, you have to know them, inside and out. If you don't know their faults, their shortcomings, then you're in love with the idea of them—not them themselves." Link closed his eyes, leaning into her touch before putting his hand on top of hers, savoring the warmth of her hand. "But when you said that, and when I realized you were serious, that you genuinely wanted to fight by my side, I realized… I realized that you had a heart I wanted to be a part of."

With his story over—or as over as it could be, since Zelda knew all the rest—he fell silent, embarrassed at such an ending to it.

But then he noticed the tears trickling down his wife's eyes, and the bittersweet smile on her face. Link reached forward and wiped the tears away, careful not to let his calloused hands roughen her soft skin.

Once Zelda's eyes were dry, she laughed, just once, a bubble of overwhelmed relief before she pulled him into a tight hug.

"I'm glad you told me," she finally said, voice thick with emotion. "I'm so glad you told me, Link. I… I know there's only so much I can do to help, even hearing all of it, but… to know that you're—that you're alive, and well, even after all that… To know that you trust me enough to tell me…"

Link wrapped his arms tight around her.

"It's alright," he said softly, kissing the top of her head. "I would have told you earlier, Zelda—I wanted to. I'm just glad I finally could."

Zelda nodded, staying within his circle of arms as long as she could bear.

After several minutes though, she had the sense to check if the story and the affection were overwhelming Link, and she pulled away. To her surprise though, she found that his expression was peaceful.

And that, more than any story, more than any exercise in trust, was worth the wait.

Her husband was alive, and with her, and peaceful.

Zelda wouldn't have traded that peace for all the world.