What the humans and Hylians say about death is only partially true. While your life does in fact flash before your eyes, it only really focuses on the things that you'll miss and the people who will miss you. 3 months ago, Volga would have bet his armor that no one would miss him. But now while he floated back and forth between pain and relief, he kept seeing the faces of his comrades. His friends and his…well. And Link. Volga saw a lot in that time. He saw the grand expanse of Hyrule field and almost felt like he was soaring over it again. The comfortable heat of Eldin Cave and rolling around in the lava rocks for fun. He saw Lana's cheery smile, felt Zelda's light touch. He could have sworn he heard Impa scolding him for something. Volga would miss these things and people greatly. More than he ever thought possible. More than they would ever know. But it hurt so much. All he had to do was let go, and the pain would stop. He would be at peace for once in his short life. But then something changed. Something in the air.

Suddenly there was a scent floating along the breeze. It smelled like hay and grass. A tinge of metal thrown in. It was a familiar scent. It was Link's scent. Volga suddenly became very aware of his floating into nothingness. He tried to straighten himself, waving his arms about like he was swimming. The darkness was right behind him. How did he let himself get that close? Volga kept struggling, trying to use his wings to hurry along but he stayed in his human form. Pain began to rise in his chest.

What was he thinking? He couldn't die, not now that he knew. Not now after he had finally come to terms with his emotions. Link… Link needed him. And the dragon knew that he needed the Hero. The smell was growing fainter, the darkness creeping up behind him. Volga swam as fast as he could, fighting to get away. He needed to live. For his friends. For his… love.

The words echoed around his skull and seem to resonate deep in his heart. Just then, a blinding light cast away all the darkness. Volga covered his eyes and let the warmth engulf him.

"Link, you need to eat something." Proxi's tiny voice rang. The fairy was hovering near Links hunched frame. Sitting next to Volga's bed, his leg bouncing incessantly while his hands were clutched in front of him; trembling. "Link…?"

"Not hungry." He didn't even look up when he spoke.

"But it's been two days since you've…"

"I'm not hungry." He nearly growled.

"You should listen to the fairy, Hero." Volga mumbled. Links head shot up and turned to Volga. The dragon cracked his eyes open and managed a half smile. "Don't you look terrible?"

Link slowly smiled as the realization began to wash over him.

"Volga… yo-you're alright." his voice was shaky. Link pushed off from his chair and knelt by the dragon's bedside. Proxi squeaked in the background and began shouting and flitting about, telling everyone about the good news. Volga couldn't stop staring at the worn hero and soaking up every bit of him.

"Don't worry, Hero. I'm not ready to leave you yet." Volga coughed out the last word sending shock waves of pain down his body. He yelped in pain, but Link was there immediately. He grabbed Volga's hand and held it fast.

"Hey you're alright! Proxi's gone to get Zelda. She can help with the pain. Just, stop moving." Link's eyes began to well up expectantly. Volga stopped and stared. Tears made him uncomfortable.

"H-hey don't cry. Goddess, Hero I'm fine you can stop now." Volga had never tread this line before and was rather wishing that he was on the battlefield instead. Fights are easier and make more sense to him then people. Link blinked away the tears, wiping away a stray on his sleeve.

"Sorry, I'm not usually like this it's just I was- scared is all. You didn't wake up. No matter what Zelda and the other healers did. Everyone thought that whatever it was that Cia did, that it- it wasn't fixable. We all thought you were going to die." His features hardened and he closed his eyes as if trying to escape the words. Volga studied him; his messy blond hair, the few random freckles that appeared on his cheeks, a healing cut on his jaw. It was odd for the dragon to see someone so concerned for him. The feeling that welled up inside of him could only be compared to the joy and thrill of free-falling. Ignoring his damaged body, Volga lifted himself up and cupped Links face with his other hand. Before he could protest, Volga kissed the Hero. It lasted longer than their first kiss but it was just as thrilling. The two leaned into each other in an almost practiced rhythm. Link's hand ran though Volga's hair, making the dragon pull the Hero closer to him.

"I TOLD YOU!" Link jumped back so far he crashed into the chair behind him and fell to the floor. Volga felt an unusual heat rise in his cheeks as he spotted Lana in the doorway.

"BLUE. Wha-what… how? How long have you been there?" Volga sat up, suddenly aware that did not have a shirt on. He glanced behind Lana and saw Zelda and Impa behind her. His embarrassment grew.

"Oh long enough, dragon boy. See? I told you, Zelda." Lana turned to the princess who seemed to be holding back a laugh. In a breath she regained a bit of her poise.

"I had a sneaking suspicion, but I have to say; I thought it would have taken much longer."

"I agree." Impa finally spoke, not hiding her smirk.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Volga growled.

"Mind you tongue dragon." Impa lashed back. Lana giggled and went over and helped Link up. Link for his part, was doing quite well hiding his embarrassment aside from his ears which were a rosy pink color. He glanced over at Volga, who looked back and the two exchanged a smile. Who cares if they all know? They certainly did not. Zelda strode over to Volga and began treating his pain, all the while Lana kept asking the both of them about their brief courtship.

"How long has it been? Was that your first kiss? It was wasn't it! Do you love each other? Link! Your probably so happy right now! You've been in here all week; OH! Volga, are you alright? I forgot to ask I was so excited-"

"I have a question." Volga finally found a way to interrupt Lana.

"Yes?" Zelda answered.

"Where are we, Princess?" Volga had finally taken a moment and looked at his surroundings. They weren't in a tent like so often before. The walls were solid stone and the room he was in was large and ornate. There was a window, several in fact that looked out into the bright blue sky. This wasn't your average house.

"I'd almost forgotten. We are in Hyrule Castle." said Zelda. The dragon's look of confusion asked the question for him.

"Cia is gone, Link saw to that. We have won." It was Lana who had answered. Her eyes and voice were unexpectedly sad. Volga glanced over at Link who was now leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. Link looked so unimposing, but Volga knew the strength he possessed. Relief filled his mind.

"She was a part of you, Lana. I am sorry for your loss." Volga spoke to the girl with as kind of a voice that he could muster.

"It's alright." Lana smiled. "She…she had lost the best part of her, and in doing so corrupted herself. There was no going back. But still something confuses me?"

"What?" asked Zelda.

"Well, Cia's power. It wasn't exactly her own, was it? It was more, well more than I'd ever known. Something else must have given her that strength. Ohhh I just wish I knew what it was." Lana sighed and rocked back and forth on her heels. Everyone stopped and took in her words, slowly realizing what it meant.

"So that means that this war isn't over." Link spoke first.

"No I don't suppose it is." added Impa. The Shekiah strode over to Zelda and place a hand on her shoulder. The two looked at each other and had a silent conversation. After a moment of silence, Zelda nodded and stood.

"The battle is over for now. We have fought with all our strength these past few months and it is high time we had a proper rest. This evil, this being that gave Cia power, it can wait for the time being. For now I suggest we spend time with those we care for," Zelda glanced at both Link and Volga. Her all-knowing eye sending another wave of embarrassment to his cheeks. Her gaze rested on Impa and she smiled in a way Volga had never seen before. Impa smiled back and reached for the princesses hand; together they walked out of the room.

"I knew it…" muttered Volga. Lana and Link had apparently missed that little exchange and looked at the dragon curiously. Volga wave his hand to dismiss the comment and leaned back on the bed.

"Well, I'm gonna leave now too. There's plenty of things Cia messed up that I need to fix. I'll leave you two love birds alone, hehe!" Lana skipped out of the room before Volga could shoot her a death glare. He and Link were alone once again. At first, neither knew what to do. They had never really had calm moment before. All of their previous encounters had always had the threat of war or injury hanging over them. While yes there still was an evil lurking out there, the threat didn't seem real. It was so far away and vague that the two didn't even consider it a problem. After a few more moments, Volga made to stand.

"Hey! Be careful, you just woke up not an hour ago." Link rushed over and threw Volga's arm over his shoulder to steady him. The dragon wavier for a second, his legs getting use to the weight of him all over again.

"I want to go outside. It's too small in here." Volga stated. After he got his bearings, he pushed Link away and showed him that he could stand on his own. "Now, where is my shirt?"

Volga wandered over to a tall wardrobe and began shuffling thought the clothing inside. Link stayed where he was, something burning on his mind.

"Thank you, Volga."

The dragon stopped and turned towards the Hero. "What was that?"

"I said thank you."

"Why?"

Link chuckled. "You saved my life remember. Twice actually."

Volga was taken aback. He actually did forget for a moment, and this little show of gratitude caught him off guard.

"You don't have to thank me." He huffed. "I was just doing what was right. It's not like I went out of my way. You needed help and-"

"Just say your welcome and get it over with, you stubborn ass."

Volga took a step back as if the words actually shoved him. He couldn't help but laugh a bit at his brazenness. Link tried to keep a straight face but was failing horribly.

"Your welcome, Hero." Volga spoke quietly, the words foreign on his tongue. Link grinned triumphantly and strode over to the open wardrobe. He tossed a tunic at the dragon and then made for the door.

"C'mon, I know a nice spot by a stream just outside the castle walls." Volga slowly put on the tunic, careful not to raise his arms too high. The dragon followed, taking his time as to not upset his aching body too much.

"If you say so, Hero." Volga rested his arm on Links shoulder. "Lead the way."

"Where we goin' guys?" Proxi appeared seemingly out of nowhere and began fliting between Link and Volga. Link sighed and Volga let out a puff of smoke. His eyes narrowed at the fairy.

"Don't even think of tagging along, sprite." He hissed, annoyed.

Proxi whimpered like child and flew right at Link's face. "C'mon Link! You'll let me come right?!"

"Sorry Proxi, but not this time." The fairy wilted a bit before flying off. Her bell-like voice continued to ring down the hall; shouting betrayal to whomever would listen. Link laughed and Volga huffed in delight. "Now come on, dragon. There's a nice shady spot waiting for us."

"That there is, Hero."

THE END

goodness that took forever, but hey i finished! i hope you all liked this- this weird little story. I don't think i'm quite done with this iteration of the characters. i'm playing around with ideas dealing with Ganondorf and such, but this part of the story is over. it was a bit messy and confusing at times, but thanks for reading.

now i'm gonna go play video games.