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A/N- (m/n)- male name.
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It was evening by the time you reached the ranch. You had stopped on the way to speak to Ilia, a good friend, who knows of your harmless little crush.

You had told her what you overheard. With occasional gasps and giggles, Ilia found your little incident quite interesting. Sighing, you bid her goodbye and continued on your way.

Unsaddling the horses, you hum. You groom the five ‘noble steeds’ and feed them.
You are so caught up in your humming, you don’t hear the slow rumble from the skies.
Only when the droplets hit the ground do you realise that it’s raining. You peek outside and decide that it is too heavy to go home. You close the barn doors.
You’re spending the night in the barn.

Thankfully, Malon had left you dinner by the stables. Grabbing the small loaf of bread, you make yourself comfortable on the haystack.

You open your mouth to take a bite, when your ears pick up on some rhythmic sounds.
Clip.
Clop.
Clip.
Clop.

Sounds like a... Horse? What’s it doing out in the rain?

You put the loaf down and reach for the barn doors. The door opens, revealing a wet Epona and a shivering Hero.

“Link! What are you doing? Come inside quickly.”,
You lead Epona to an empty stable and dry her with an old towel. Link steps inside, and shakes his wet hair like a dog would do.

“Hey. What were you doing out in the rain?” You turn towards Link, who was squeezing out water from his tunic.
With a sheepish smile, link replies. “I was... Uh.. Looking for you, (m/n).”
You raise your eyebrow.
“Uh.. I mean, I wanted to talk to you about what happened in the morning.” Link scratches the back of his neck.

You feel the atmosphere thickening. Does Link know how much you had overheard?
You gulp.

“Link..” you begin, “I’m sorry I disturbed you and Princess Zelda. Was it something important?”

Link smiles a little. “No, It wasn’t important at all. I was actually glad you fell. On the princess wasn’t the most ideal of locations, but anything was fine. You allowed me to get out of an awkward conversation.”

“Awkward? What do you mean?” Why am I asking him that? I already know the answer!

Link internally debates on whether he should tell you or not. He reaches a consensus and starts to speak.
“The Princess, confessed to me.” You widen your eyes. “I refused, of course.” This causes you to hit him.

“Who in the right mind would reject the Princess!” (m/n), stop this acting now.
“The Princess herself asked you, and you said no. Oh, Link, what is honestly wrong with you?!”, you say in exasperation. I really hope my face is straight. Why am I doing this?

“I like someone else.”, he says. You look at Link.
The Hero stands in front of you, water drops gliding down his face and arms, his azure eyes focused on yours.
“Whaaaat?! Hero! Tell me which damsel has captured the heart of the fierce!’’ , you chime. No. I don’t want to know. Please don’t tell me.

“I wouldn’t really call that person a damsel..” Link mumbles.

“Ah! Then a country girl! Someone from the village perhaps? Beth’s too small. Ilia?” Stop, (m/n). Stop now.
“Uh.. No.”

You put on a sombre face. “It’s.....It’s Mido, isn’t it?”
You face Link, who looks stricken.
You guffaw, which leaves Link red in the face.
“(m/n)! That’s really mean! I shouldn’t have told you.” Link crosses his arms and pouts.

You put your arm around the sulky, drenched hero and say softly, “If you need advice, you can talk to me. I’ve had years of experience, unrequited love and all that crap.”

You let go of the green-clad saviour and walk towards the loaf of bread, neglected in the corner.

“Unrequited love?”

“Forget it.”, you say, chucking half the loaf at Link. Sighing, you open the barn doors and close it again, after being greeted with an ice cold breeze.

“It looks like the rain isn’t letting up.”, you state.
“Guess I’m staying here for the night!” Link smiles and stretches on the haystack.
You shake your head and blow out the lantern before heading over to Link.

“Goodnight, Hero.”