Woo! Over 3,000 words! I'm excited to finally be posting this. As you know, this is Pipit/Link, also known as Pipink. It's one of my favorite pairings for reasons I can't really explain. I just like the fact that Link can be the submissive one, I guess. Anyways, on to the story!

Enjoy!

"You really need to tell him."

I groaned and pulled a handful of grass from the ground. Why did Zelda have to push me about it? I flopped down in the grass that I have been mutilating since we got on this topic. Couldn't she see that it made me nervous. "I'll tell him, when I tell him."

"Sure. But he is a handsome man, Link. People go after him everyday. You need to hurry up." I threw some grass at her. "Hey, I'm only speaking the truth."

"Bah! Fine. Tomorrow after the ceremony. Are you pleased, Princess?" I smiled and laughed when Zelda flopped down on me.

"Yes." She stuffed some grass in my hair and we rolled around, each trying to stick more to the other. "This was fun."

"Correction. It was dumb, but why else would you do it." That registered in my mind...

"Hey!"

I stumbled back. Karane just accepted Pipit's offer to be her boyfriend. I had never been in so much pain. It physically hurt to know that the one I love loves another. I could feel the tears steaming down my face, so I ducked my head to hide them.

"Link." I stiffened a sob. "When you told me about the letter, it was at that moment I finally realized. I realized... I love her. I thought to myself 'I can't let anyone else take her away from me!' If you hadn't told me, I might not have noticed my own feelings for her. I'm so grateful. I don't know how I could ever thank you!" He looked so happy, but I couldn't feel anything but sadness.

"No p-problem. Anything f-for you, Pip." And then I turned and ran. Away from the pain. Away from the hurt. I sprinted over to the door and flung it open. I didn't know where to go. I needed to release some of this before I spiral into depression.

"Master, might I suggest pushing on in your quest to alleviate your stress." My mind cleared at Fi's words. My mission could be a perfect distraction.

I was so close to Pipit's house. So very close. He would help me. Right?

I made a loud thud as my feet gave out and my head bashed against the wall, hands unable to catch myself. Seconds later, the door opened to reveal a Pipit on high alert. And then he saw me, struggling to stand straight.

"Link!" I tossed forward and vomited. I could see the color even as I passed out. Red. Blood red.

"Will he be okay?" Pip?

"He should be fine in a couple of days. He lost quite a bit of blood. I suspect the laceration he had in his throat didn't get proper treatment. Red potion doesn't heal all wounds. It must have drained blood into his stomach until it was too full. That would be why he threw up." I heard shuffling as Professor Howel spoke. "Link probably hasn't eaten very much recently since the blood would have taken too much space. So, he will need to eat when he wakes. Can I trust you to make him eat a little something, Pipit?"

"Yes, sir. Of course. Anything to make him better." I could feel tears well up at the corners of my eyes. Pipit cared for me.

"Good. I'll check on him as often as I can, but I suspect you will stay here with him." Whatever I was laying on, which I suspected to be an infirmary bed, shifted. Pip had sat down.

"I won't leave his side, Professor. Link is my best friend and I hate to see him like this." As he spoke, Pipit's fingers combed through my hair more and more. I was content with staying like this forever.

"Just his best friend, hm." I heard Howlan chuckle as he left.

"No... he's much more than that." My body refused to move even as something soft pressed against my forehead.

"You need to rest, Link." I groaned and struggled to rise from my bed, even as Pipit held me down.

"I need to leave today, Pip. It's been three days since I got here. I have to move on." I flopped back as a strong hand gently pushed on my shoulder.

"No, You need to stay. Your leg has a crack in the bone, the burns are still healing on your chest, your throat isn't healed yet, and Professor Howel says you haven't been eating or sleeping right for months. Not to mention all the other things the professor won't tell me because I worry for you, Link. Please stay. If not for you, then for me." I tried to look away from his deep blue eyes, but it was growing harder.

"Pip..." He was giving me puppy eyes.

"Please." I sighed.

"Fine." Pipit smiled triumphantly and I rolled my eyes. "But if I'm going to have to stay here, I might as well get ready for when you decide to let me go back."

"Only if I help you with it." I groan. Not because of having to stay, but because I would have to do it while Pip wouldn't leave my side.

"Right..."

"Link, I got the oil you needed." I looked up from sharpening my sword to see Pipit's cheerful face. He refuses to let me leave my room, so I sent him to run some errands.

Barely any pressure caused a small cut to my finger as I pressed it to the blade and I smirked. Sword has been prepped. "Great."

I was wiping the bit of my blood off on a rag when Pipit sat down on the end of my bed. "What do you need this for, anyways?"

"I have to make sure my equipment is in prime working order. I'd hate to be over a gap when my clawshots lock up." Pipit's face went a little white at that.

"Are you sure about all this..." Pipit sighed. "I mean, I haven't heard much just like the rest of the villagers. We just know that you are fighting some crazy things down there and that it is dangerous. I... I think I would feel better if you would tell me more than it is simply something dangerous."

"You don't want to know, Pip." I cast my eyes down to the weapon in my hand to avoid his glare.

I took in a deep breath and then looked over at the collection of items on my desk. Sword and shield. Bow and arrows. Weapons that I had killed things with. Fought against Ghirahim with. "I thought we told each other everything, Link."

"Yeah, well times change." I could see the way his face changed and slowly began to turn red.

"We're best friends... How can things change enough that we keep secrets from each other." I could hear how badly Pipit wanted to scream at me. Maybe I would force him to. Then he would leave me and I could escape to the surface. As I am, Pipit is a lot faster.

"Mhmm. So, when had you planned to tell me you liked Karane. Cause I sure don't remember that conversation." I crossed my arms and glared right back at him. I knew I had got what I wanted when Pipit's jaw dropped open.

His mouth slowly set into a firm line. "Why does that have anything to do with this?"

"You have accused me of keeping things from you and yet you don't even share with me a simple thing like what girl you like. Perhaps even love." I stopped myself and pretended to ponder. A wicked smile formed on my face. It was forced, but I needed to get away and if this was my chance, I would take it. "Or am I wrong and Karane is just someone you like to fool into warming your bed. Must be terrible walking all the way home after patrol and the night is cold. Make a girl believe you love her, then you get a closer bed and sex. What a crafty devil you are."

Just as I thought, Pipit grabbed me by the collar and shoved. I groaned as my back bent harshly over the headboard and my head bounced off the wall. But it was worth it. Pipit snarled and his temper was at an all-time high. "You have a lot of nerve making me feel like an arse just because you can't seem to get Zelda to date you. I bet you thought she would agree if you saved her from some big, bad guy. Sleeping with the headmaster's daughter. I bet that would just feel great!"

He let go of me and I felt my own anger boil over. Pipit yelped as I punched him in the jaw. "You think I want Zelda! Are you kidding me?! Why the hell would I want some pretty girl that can't decide if she likes me or not! I've never wanted her in that way. I never wanted any of those woman." I spat the word and Pipit's eyes widened.

"Link... Are you..." I forced my body up off the bed and started to collect my things. I was leaving whether Pip was okay with it or not. I cringed at the hand that grabbed my shoulder. "Answer me, please."

I sighed. "Yeah, Pip." I didn't hear anything and the hand moved away.

"You must be disgusted with me. I guess I should have told you. But why outcast myself more. Zelda knew about me and it was why she tried to keep herself from falling for me. I planned to tell you after the Wing Ceremony, but Zelda fell below and I just never got around to it. I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to stay away from me." All my things were back in my pouches and I grabbed my knight's uniform from the back of my chair. I'd change into it down there.

"I'll be back in a week or two. Not that it matters to you anymore." I gripped the doorknob and sighed. "Don't worry about my injuries. Bertie has been working on some stronger potions with the materials I brought back. I'll be fine without your help."

And then I left.

I decided something while speaking to Zelda in the past. I will tell Pipit of my love. Even if Pip refuses me, I'll stay by him. Our friendship will be enough as long as he is happy.

The island grows larger as I float down and my legs give out when I touch the ground. I may have pushed myself a little too hard by finding out about the Song of the Hero from Levias and then headed to Grannie for advice, followed by getting flung into Faron Woods by Groose. Plus the huge fish and holding my breath for much longer than I usually would. And all those stupid fish note things...

I'd rather not continue to think on it. My whole body was sore from swimming.

The entrance to the Bazaar comes into view as I walk up the steps. I can almost taste the sweet rolls and potato soup. Then the flap opens and Pipit, of all people, walks out. He spots me and I sigh as his expression becomes serious.

"Where the hell have you been? I thought you said a week or two. It's been a month, Link. A whole month!"" He gets a closer look, seeing the various injuries I've sustained, or had by the blood on my tunic, and I cringe at the rage swirling in his eyes. "I thought you said you would be okay."

"I told you not to worry about me." I go to pass him and Pipit grabs my shoulder, stopping me.

"I can't stop just because you happen to like guys, Link." My eyes widen at how easily he says it. Maybe he has been working on confronting me since I left.

I'm suddenly nervous. "Pip, don't say that so loud."

"And why not? It isn't like there aren't others like you living their lives." Something inside me clicks.

Pipit isn't disgusted by me. "You... You don't hate me?"

He gives me a sympathetic look. "Goddess... Hate you, Link. Why would I hate you?"

"You're so perfect." I blush when Pipit gives me a weird look. "A-And-d people like me aren't exactly held in high regard. I thought you would think I was disgusting."

"Naw. Our friendship means more to me than a little thing like that." My heart was beating rapidly. Pipit was excepting me.

The news of it overjoyed me and I flung myself into him, clinging to the friend I thought I had lost a month ago. "Thank you, Pip. Thank you. You have no idea what it means to me to know you won't leave my side."

"So, I take it calling me out on Karane was to get away from me while I was angry, huh." My ears twitched and I grinned sheepishly up at Pipit.

"Sorry?" Pipit pulled me in tighter and I sighed happily.

"Wanna go get a bit to eat? I'll pay." I nodded, though I would slip some money into Pipit's pouch while he wasn't looking. I had been doing it for years and he hasn't noticed yet. I snickered to myself and Pipit gave me a look.

"Nothing." He gave me the signature Pipit look and I held up my hands. "I swear it isn't something bad, but I'm allowed a few silly secrets, right?"

He frowned, but nodded. "I guess if they won't hurt you in the end." I knew he was referring to what I do down on the surface and it made me cringe. I'd probably tell him all about it later before my confession. Perhaps, if he knew I could die any day, he wouldn't scold me so badly for loving him the way I do.

I ended up being able to pay for the whole meal because Pipit's wallet went missing. He apologized, but I had no issue paying, for some reason. Luckily, he found it on his bed when we went back to his house.

"I swear I took it with me." He frowned and rubbed his head.

I smiled and batted his hands away when he tried to hand me a few rupees. "It's fine, Pip."

His face turned confused when he peeked into the pouch. "What the hell. There's even more money in it than I thought."

"That's a good thing though, right. I mean, you can buy a little more food this month than you had planned." I didn't see the suspicious look Pip sent my way. "Or maybe put it towards your tuition."

"You stole my rupee pouch so you could pay for the food and then stuck it back in here on my bed with extra money in it." I shrank back. Caught.

"Are you mad?" I glanced at him to see Pipit holding back laughter.

He calmed and then grinned at me. "You could have just asked to pay or asked me if I needed the money."

"Yeah, but you never except it. That's why I started putting money in your pouch when you weren't paying attention." I bit my lip when Pipit's eyes stared me down.

"You did that." I nodded. "Thank you, Link."

I chuckled dryly. "I have like five pouches full with rupees back at my room. What do I really need it for anyways." I shrugged.

"But you have been doing this for years now. Far before whatever you're doing down there now." I found the floorboards more interesting.

Pipit finally sat down on the bed next to me and his breath hit my ear. I could feel my face heat up. "It was nothing." I moved away from Pip and barely saw the disappointment on his face.

Pipit began to speak, but I cut him off. "Hey, I've decided to tell you about what I'm doing."

I noticed he sat up a little straighter. "Really?"

"Yeah." And so I went on to tell Pipit of Faron Woods. How I had found the Kikwi and when I fought the massive fish. I continued to tell him of the temple and the lake. How I had battled a demon lord and met a dragon. He listened as I talked about the Ancient Cistern and the Sealed Temple. I told him of my many encounters with the massive creature, The Imprisoned. The volcano intrigued him and the Mogmas even more so. I had always been rather gifted with my hands, so I shown him the pictures of the amazing creatures I saw as I spoke their names. Pipit gasped when I relived my second run-in with Ghirahim and commended me on my bravery in the various silent realms. I had to stop and breath when I rambled about the desert. Its shifting sands, times stones, and the Temple of Time. My third time meeting Ghirahim. The huge scorpions I faced time and time again. The times I had almost found Zelda. His eyes shined with all different emotions as I spoke and it was thrilling to finally be able to share this with someone.

Finally, I spoke of Zelda and Pipit's arm came around my shoulders when I started to shake with emotions I had bottled up. "She said she had used me. I know it was for the greater good and that it wasn't really her, but it still hurt."

"Something like that... She had no control over it in this life. It was all prepared long before we came into the world." Pipit comforted me and I smiled shyly. Here was the part I was afraid of.

"Pip... I spoke to Zelda about something I've been keeping a secret most of my life. She made me promise I would tell you and I will. Don't think this means I want anything to change..." He looked at me, eyes narrowed in confusion. I took in a breath and readied myself. "I love you, Pipit."

"Wh-"

"I know you won't return my feelings. I just need you to know in case I go down to the surface and... don't come back." Tears caught in the corners of my eyes. Not only at the fact that I knew I would be rejected, but that I might die and end up leaving Pipit.

Pipit was slow to speak and when he did, he was quiet. "When did you start to feel this way?"

"I'm not sure myself. I admired you, still do. But one day I realized I wanted more than friendship. I had planned to confess after the Wing Ceremony." It felt amazing to have all this off my chest at once.

"Zelda knows?" I blinked as I gazed into his eyes. He put that together quickly.

Then I flushed and turned away. "She's been the one pushing for me to act. I'm a fool for not doing so sooner. Maybe if I had, we could have... But I doubt anything would have come of it. You aren't... You have Karane." I was rambling and missed the gentle smile Pipit had on his face.

"Link, Karane broke up with me a couple weeks ago. She said I had someone else on my mind and in my heart." My eyes widened, but I dared not look at him. "Care to guess who she told me I really loved?"

My mouth was suddenly dry as I glanced at Pipit. "W-Who?"

"You aren't going to guess even a little?" He looked a little disappointed as I shook my head. "You aren't that hopeless, are you, Link?"

"I don't want to get my hopes up. So, yes. I suppose I'm hopeless at the moment." Pipit laughed at my sarcasm.

"You, Link. Karane suggested I love you." He rubbed his mouth and I could see the grin Pipit was hiding. "I'm not sure when, but I found my mind leading my thoughts back to you. I think it started when I saw you outside my door, puking blood in my yard."

Pipit chuckled and smirked at me. "I've had a lot to think about when it comes to you. Seeing you in pain made me want to hold you and will the hurt away. Waiting on you hand and foot was fun. Not to mention when I got to watch you sleep." I blushed and sucked in a breath. Pipit only laughed. "And then you confessed to being gay. I was so confused because my thoughts weren't on anything else anymore. It was only ever you at that point."

He smiled softly. "I guess I ended up just excepting the fact that I was falling for you. I love you, Link."

"Really?" He nodded.

Pipit opened his arms as I shifted over to hug him. I barely heard his whisper in my hair. "Best decision I've ever had."

An extra little something I came up with while I was writing this. The idea just came to me.

I used you.

She... used me... Were we truly friends or did she always want to turn me into her faithful dog. I spent countless days searching for a trace of her, always being too far behind. Numerous scars mar my skin from the monsters I slain in my quest to finally bring her back to our home.

And yet I was going to wake her up when the evil was finally gone. I would stand by her as we built a colony down below. Be her knight as we made a place for ourselves in the huge world of the surface.

But I would never be the same. I would never feel as close to her as I did when we were young. I would never look to her for guidance because I would fear being used once more. I would never be able to remove the ache in my chest.

And yet I would never abandon her because it is my duty to protect the goddess reborn. The essence of the hero inside of me would not allow for me to turn my back on her.

In a way, I do love Zelda. I love her as a child loves their mother. Like a wounded bird cares for the gentle hands that slowly help it to fly again. She is the reason I became who I am and how I found my place in this world when I feared I was nothing.

So I will fight for her.

And we have reached the end. So, feedback is nice. I enjoy that.

Review. Reviews are nice as well.

Love and love, (Lots of love this time.)

~Annoying :)