-------------POV ------------

--------------Written By: Reality Obscured------------

Sheik's POV

You never knew me. We never knew each other as children. We were never friends. And yet, I have been one of your greatest allies on your journey. I've protected you, just as you've done your best to protect all I've ever cared for. Link.
As you stand there, your blue eyes locked with my crimson, I wonder what you are thinking. It reminds me of the day we met, the day I first laid this gaze of mine upon your muscled frame. I had only heard of you through the Princess and Impa, but still you were everything and more. Here we are, standing together in the Temple of Time, your hand clutched around the Sword of Evil's Bane for what could be the last time... I would like to ask you how it feels to hold time itself in your hands, but I won't. I already know your answer. The Master Sword is just cold steel, and you would say so. The artifacts you hold are only for the memories they bring. Memories seem to be the only things that keep you sane. When you replace the sword, the shining blade will dull once more. Your precious memories will fade, as will mine. Nobody will remember, Link...

"Thanks." Link said, his gloved hand lightly rubbing the back of his neck as he spoke. He tends to do that a lot when he's nervous, I've noticed. "For seeing me off, that is."

I would have guessed there would have been one or two more here for him. After all, he is the Hero of Time. Even with that thought in mind, I wouldn't have shown myself if someone else had been here instead. Only the absence allowed my appearance. I never did do well in crowds.

"You've done so much for Hyrule, Link." I say as the green clad Hylian stepped up to the Pedestal of Time. Only a couple of feet apart now, I could smell all the sweat and soot he had accumulated during the final battle with Ganon. As far back as I can remember, this is the closest I've ever let him be. "When you replace the sword, we'll likely not remember any of this"

As soon as I say it, I nearly wished I hadn't. I felt as though I was trying to keep Link here, something I know for a fact I shouldn't even think about. Everything which had been accomplished would have been for naught! But...Link only smiled, a soft expression that curved evenly on both corners of his mouth. Some people had lop-sided smiles. Not Link. He was perfect. "That's good." He said. "There are some things the people of Hyrule really don't need to remember"

Unselfish as always. I allowed myself the smile I felt tugging at my lips. It was something I hadn't done since the first day we had met. I hadn't had much to smile about since then.

"I don't know how the future will turn out this time, but it's guaranteed to be better." Link held up the Master Sword horizontally in front of him. "I just hope this sword sleeps for a long time"

He let his arm relax, holding the sword down by his side. I wondered vaguely how soon it would be until he would feel the weight of the blade in his hands again. He didn't seem like the type to stay down and out of an adventure for too long.

"Sheik..." He brought my attention back around to him. His expression had become one of neutrality, as though a disturbing thought had just passed through his mind. "I will see you again, right?"

It would be too easy to answer callously. My reply would be short and, while far from sweet, the word would be done. no. I wouldn't do such a thing. We'd been through far too much. "Maybe"

Link looked up from the floor to meet my gaze once more. Something new was there, something I had a hard time recognizing. "If you want to say no then just say it"

Perhaps I'm not lying as even I thought I was. I know of my lineage and duty. There is always the possibility. "While you are a child? No. After you are grown? It is possible our desinties will intersect again"

I barely realized what happened next until I was in the thick of it! Link covered the ground between us swiftly, his free arm pulling us close while is lips made contact with mine! When he had pulled down my face covering, I'll never know, but.
Words fail me. My body melted with that kiss!
Only when he let us part did I notice he had already stabbed the Master Sword back deep into its pedestal. The soft blue glow of time engulfed him as he disappeared from my sight. Actually, everything did, blackness slowly engulfing my mind even as I thought.

-------------FIN-------------