Bruises- Modern Zelink- discontinued :(

Plan

*Wednesday*

Link got to class just before the last late bell rang. He looked exhausted. Again.

As soon as he sat down, he immediately put his head down on the desk, sighing.

"Hylia I'm tired and I have no idea why."
Zelda reached forward and pushed him gently.
"It's because you don't eat enough."
"I fucking know, idiot."
"Oh."

He lifted his head a little and looked back at her.
"Oh? Is that all you're going to say?"
She looked down.
"I... I don't..."
"It was a joke. Dumbass. Bet you just get all that extra credit shit cuz you'd be failing without it."
"I- Link! Why are you being so rude?"
"I'm just teasing you, jeez."
"You think that's teasing?"
"Whaddya mean?"

Zelda laughed. "You aren't just teasing me. You're just being rude and insulting."
"I've been doing this for years. That's how you tease. You find something somebody's sensitive about and you joke about it."
"Okay, that's just bullying."
"Oh. My dad- oh. I see my mistake."
"You said that last time I called you out."
"I- I know. You don't have to point it out. Anyway, class is about to start. You do want to do some work, right? Nerd."

Zelda just rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Link seemed to be in a bad mood or something. Probably because he was tired.
Whatever. It didn't matter. She wouldn't bother him right now.

<<×>>
*after school*

He had been awfully rude to Zelda lately. Maybe he should do something for her.
...
Valentine's Day was tomorrow. He could get her something. But what? He had no money. And he didn't want to ask her for some. You can't use someone else's money to get a gift for them.

He did a thorough search of his room to find some money, and he found about... 6 dollars. Great. Just great. He could buy her a shitty little toy bear and that was it. Maybe a little bit of candy instead.
Maybe he could ask Sean for some money.

He picked up his phone and texted him.

~

L: hey
S: sup
L: do you have any money I could borrow
S: no, why
L: I'm broke as fuck
L: so how much money do you have
S: um..
S: like, $40
S: not much
L: the fuck
L: in cash?
S: no
L: oh
L: so how much in cash
S: 20
L: can I have like $4
S: fine
L: good cuz I have exactly 6 dollars and 3 cents
S: damn lmao
S: what did you spend all your money on
L: I just don't have any money to begin with lol
L: I'll come over to your house to get it, okay
S: got it
S: see ya

<<~>>

He went to Sean's house, then snuck out to the store to buy something for Zelda. He found a little toy owl and a nice box of chocolates. Well, as nice as he could afford. Sean ended up giving him another five dollars when he found out what it was for.

He was amazed that he could buy a toy and chocolate with just fifteen dollars, but it worked. And, he had 3 dollars left over, so that was pretty sweet.

As soon as he got home, he stuffed the gift into his backpack so his dad wouldn't see.
Luckily, his dad never found it.

<<×>>
*Thursday*

Link walked into class late. When he sat down in his usual spot in front of Zelda, he quietly whispered to her,
"Meet me in the courtyard during lunch break. You might have to wait a few minutes for me."
She nodded, smiling.

<<×>>
*lunch*

Zelda stood outside, rubbing her arms in an effort to get warm. She looked around, wondering where Link was.
She had something to give him, which she had in her bag. It wasn't much, but she knew he'd like it.

She saw him open the door, holding something. As he got closer, she saw it more clearly. It looked like his guitar case, but smaller and much less beat up.

He stopped in front of her and said, "Follow me."
She nodded and followed him to a tree. He instructed her to sit down, and he put his bag down and opened up the case.

"My friend let me borrow his ukelele for this."
She smiled as he adjusted it.

He started playing.
Then, he sang.

"I've got miles of regrets and confusing friends
But perhaps it's just my stupid head in the end
Thinking, should I wait here or make my way home?
You said go
Making up problems that don't exist
Why do I let myself dream like this?
We're floating away, my body's in space
We are going home

Missing pieces of my skull
I'll sew on patches of my own soul
There's nothing you or I can do so let the stars fall
Cause from up here the sky's my thoughts and were all so small

Meteor shower, quick take cover
But the hues in our hair compliment one another
I'd sell my own bones for sapphire stones
Cause blue's your favorite color

Missing pieces of my skull
I'll sew on patches of my own soul
There's nothing you or I can do so let the stars fall
Cause from up here the sky's my thoughts and we're all so small
We're all so

My heart and the earth share the same rule
It starts with Love and it ends with U
But don't go outside, it's dangerous tonight
Without me here right by your side
Take it slow, you'll know
Which way to go
Sew up your skull take your time
And we'll be just fine

Missing pieces of my skull
I'll sew on patches of my own soul"

She stood up and ran up to him and hugged him as tightly as she could.
"Thank you! I love it! That's my favorite band!"
He just stood there, shocked, before he gently pushed her away, put the ukelele down, then hugged her back.

This was the best reaction he could have hoped for.