A calm breeze blew across the great plateau, sweeping through blonde tresses in the ruins of a home long since consumed by time and ruin. The inhabitants of the homestead were dead for over a century. Only one remained, scrolling through his Sheikah slate as birds circled overhead.

"I know there's more than this slate shows. Could have sworn I heard a Gaebora's Great Owl in that forest. Oh well. Time to get going."

Link saddled up his horse. He had been thinking about a lot of things lately, ever since the foul beast, Calamity Ganon had been disposed of.

Questions still lingered. Would he return yet again, as always? Would there be a vacuum left for some greater threat to fill? How long would it take to rebuild the land of Hyrule? Would it ever be completed in his lifetime? Probably not, even if he was around 117 or so now (going on 118). He thought a lot about things, especially since he preferred to keep his thoughts to himself.

He hadn't always been so stoic, but the pressures of his duties and the losses he had witnessed (and those he had missed during his long slumber) certainly changed him. It was up to him and his princess now. Perhaps that's how it always went.

Cycling through the eons, the princess with the blood of the Goddess and her chosen champion. It is told in legend that they were very close, sometimes even lovers. Link, however, did not feel that way about her.

He would certainly die for her (he came close to that a century ago), and he cared for her deeply, not just out of a sense of duty or common goal, but because, for as stubborn as she could be, she was wise, kind, and a pleasant person. The Hylian swordsman felt a twinge of guilt over not feeling that way about her, as he had been able to tell some time ago that she had harbored such feelings herself.

Alas, the Hylian's heart had belonged to another, and she was now long since dead. Links thoughts drifted to the beloved princess and champion of the Zora people, someone whit whom he was well acquainted. It brought back long buried memories that stung like a bari. His childhood friend and sweetheart, Mipha, had been slain when her Divine Beast, Vah Ruta, was overtaken by Ganon. And when he fell in battle, those memories were washed away by time and healing technology. It hurt that he had even forgotten. He still loved her. Perhaps he always would. She was with him now, in heart and spirit.

That is what he felt, and when he finally did snuff it for good, he had no doubt they would be reunited. So, he felt more guilt stabbing through his heart, when he had started developing feelings for another.

Link had told himself, he would have to move on. Mipha wouldn't want him to stand still. He always pushed through the pain, and as reckless as it was, she loved his resolve. But dead fiancée or not, it still felt like cheating to him if he so much as looked at someone else. And he had looked. He had talked to some charming people, some of whom he wouldn't deny were attractive.

Heck, even Mipha's brother, Prince Sidon, gave link pause for thought on a few occasions. There was one, though, that he had been growing closer to, over the course of his quest and after. Someone who was bit shy and quiet, especially around men, but who had come out of her shell gradually as Link made more visits. Her name was Paya, granddaughter of Impa, an old friend of Link's from before his century-long sleep. Hell, she was one of the few old friends and acquaintances he had from the old days who wasn't dead now. He was always happy to see her, even though he hadn't aged a day while time had clearly caught up with her. He was not going to visit Impa, however. Not exclusively.

Link was there to see Paya, the sweet, kind, reserved girl who was strong in her convictions and her dedication to her family. He could certainly relate to her on some levels and he was grateful of her friendship. However, over time, he noticed she had been developing feelings for him (reading her diary had certainly confirmed it all as well). What's more, he was certainly starting to reciprocate. He made up his mind and prepared himself for his journey.

He gathered up some supplies, saddled up Epona, and left a note on the table at the stable lodge he and Zelda were staying at, near the Dueling Peaks. She was out observing local fauna so she could take some notes. Sure, they both had roles to play in restoring their kingdom, but that didn't bar them from having hobbies or lives outside that. He didn't want to disturb the Princess with his personal matters. He just left a brief letter saying that he was headed to Kakariko for a few days and that he would meet her in Hateno.

They had business with Purah in a week anyway. He could show Zelda his house. He was sure his Princess…no…. his friend would love it and that they could reminisce and talk about new goings on over a nice dinner. He would even lend her his bed while he slept downstairs on the floor. She was an esteemed guest. He wouldn't let her forgo comfort for his benefit. Once his affairs were in order, Link jumped on Epona and rode towards Kakariko, and Paya.

Paya was stretching out on her porch before opening her eyes and slumping onto the railing and staring out towards the outskirts of town. She didn't get out that much. She would go out to buy supplies for cooking and cleaning, or to pray to the small Goddess statue near the pond. Or to bathe (when she was sure nobody could see her. She would likely die from embarrassment if anyone did). Aside from that though, she really didn't socialize or take many risks. She performed her duties, barely changed out of her outfit, and wrote in her journal. She would start to get lonely sometimes, but she was mostly at peace with this.

She talked to her grandmother and some of the villagers, with the occasional correspondence with her Auntie Purah. Besides that, though, she really didn't get out much. She can't even remember the last time she left Kakariko. She had heard stories about the areas outside her home, but she hadn't dared see for herself. She had duties after all, as well as terrible anxiety. However, any time Link came to visit and talked to her, she started to become more open, not just in conversation, but in thought. Heading to visit her Aunt in Hateno might be fun, or seeing Tarrey Town, which she had heard about from Link once. She blushed just thinking about him and sighed blissfully.

"Master Link…" She couldn't help but smile, but was nervous that he didn't feel the same, or that he would recoil from her if he knew. He and Princess Zelda were likely an item, she imagined. Still, regardless of outcome, she was grateful to him for his kindness and for bringing out these feelings in her. That wouldn't stop her from day dreaming. She couldn't help but imagine that bright confident smile of his as he rode into town on his horse and dismounted in front of her home. She imagined he would say something, like "Paya! It's been a while."

Paya snapped out of her thoughts and saw that, sure enough, there he was glistening with sweat and wearing Sheikah clothing. She was taken aback a bit. Was this still a dream? Before she could think, he hugged her, causing two things to occur. Firstly, she realized that, yes, it was real and she was so grateful. She leaned into his hug instinctively and returned the gesture.

The second thing to occur was her turning into a blushing mess and crying "M-Master Link. It's so n-nice to" He interrupted her with a warm chuckle.

"Please, just Link is fine, Paya. I think we have known each other long enough to drop formalities. Still…" He kneeled before her, causing her heart to skip a beat.

"Lady Paya. May I come in for some tea."

She blushed and stared before smiling kindly back.

"Of course, M…Link. Come in. I'm sure my grandmother will be happy to see you. "

Link got up and shrugged. "Perhaps. I came to see you though. I…" The young man of around 118 at this point looked down and patted the back of his head. This was way harder than he prepared himself for, and he had already dealt with guilt and fears of hurting the lovely Sheikah.

"

I missed you." he blurted out sheepishly.

Paya blushed and shook. She was awestruck, as well as bashful. Above all else, she was thanking her lucky stars. He could have meant platonically, but she was so overjoyed and filled with love, that she didn't care right now. She was just happy to be with this charming man who had taken her heart.