Remember When...(Link x Reader)

|| Chapter 27 || Talk

Edited 03.29.23

Lady Riju immediately cheers up upon your return being announced. Although she desperately tries to remain 'professional' and 'calm', the Chief can't help sitting on the edge of her seat, brimming with anticipation by the time Link and you actually make it to the throne room.

"Sav'saaba, Lady Riju. I hope we haven't kept you waiting for too long."

"Not at all," she confirms, then asks more nervously, "...Has your mission been successful?"

Buliara watches on, already prepared to send another search party for the Thunder Helm because if the Gerudos have struggled all this time trying to get it back from the Yiga, how could two little travelers have any better luck? Both Riju and her are pleasantly surprised when you smile.

"It has!" You signal to Link who wordlessly steps forward, holding the Gerudo Heirloom in his hands.

Riju beams at the sight, "I cannot thank the two of you enough! You have done not only me, but the whole of the Gerudo people a great favor!"

The small girl slides off her throne, stepping forward to take the Heirloom from Link. She tilts it around in her hands, checking for any damage while the smile never leaves her lips, "With this, we can now stop Naboris...You do still wish to do so, right?"

"Of course, it's our mission."

Riju nods, running a hand over the gold, "I shall help you then, if at the very least to stop Naboris' storm - Oh, but you've just returned from a long journey across the desert already. You must be tired and in need of proper rest first, yes?"

Link opens his mouth, about to disagree despite having been up all night, yet you beat him to the opposite answer, "We are. Some rest actually sounds wonderful even if just a few hours."

"Take as long as you need. Come to me once you're ready to set out."

"Sarqso," you dip your head to the Gerudo Chief, taking Link's hand at the same time and leading him outside before he can make any objections, "Sav'orq, Lady Riju!"

You don't say anything else after leaving the palace and neither does your companion, in fact not much has been said between either of you since leaving the Yiga hideout early this morning. So, instead of breaking that pattern, Link follows you silently as you take him to one of the quiet corners in town where there's a nice little waterfall and well. There, you sit on the edge, patting the spot next to you while looking at him expectantly, "Sit."

Obeying, he awkwardly sits beside you, his hands placed neatly on his lap with his arms held close to his body to avoid accidentally brushing against yours.

You sit in a similar position, the difference being that you're currently gnawing your bottom lip and tapping your hands nervously against your legs, but soon, you build enough courage to break this suffocating silence, "...I bet you have questions...a lot of them...Now would be a good time to ask."

Link doesn't respond which only worsens your fidgeting. Deciding to distract yourself, you search through your bag and grab a small wooden cup from its contents, planning to fill it with the well water while Link tries to collect his own jumbled thoughts.

There's so much going on inside his head...he doesn't know where to start. Shamefully, he still doesn't remember much about you - the you he knew before the Calamity, that is. He remembers giving you your necklace and with that small detail, he was able to piece together others...but he's afraid to admit this aloud. He still feels absolutely terrible despite all of your reassurances because how could he forget and still struggle with his memories of you when you're here, alive and well sitting right next to him?