The beat of the music was like a living thing. Reverberating through Zelda's body and pressing down on her like a heavy weight. It was a heady feeling and it suited her mood perfectly. She clutched the tiny sequinned purse like a lifeline while viewing the mass of writhing bodies on the dance floor. On whim she'd decided to go out and had picked the Silver Rupee as her destination of choice after seeing the splashy write-up it had gotten in the Entertainment pages of The Hyrule Times.

The Silver Rupee was Hyrule's latest Night club hotspot, seeming to pop up out of nowhere. The trendy bar made her feel out of place but she shoved that feeling deep down. This wasn't her usual scene but that was the point. She was tired of being a shy little wall flower. She was ready to step out of her shell. She was ready to be a new Zelda. A Zelda who was daring and mysterious. A Zelda who wasn't afraid to go to a new Night club to meet new people because that was why she was here. To meet new people.

She would never allow herself to go back to the poor little half-wit who'd been floored to find her boyfriend of 2 years in bed with another woman. When she'd caught Ralph in bed with Ambi, the floor had dropped out of her world. Looking back it, she was ashamed to admit her first reaction had been to runaway after finding the two of them in bed together. What she should have done was clawed that two timing asshole's eyes out. At least, that was what Ruto had wanted to do when she'd found her friend quivering on the couch with a box of Kleenex and a half eaten pint of ice cream. Thankfully Ruto's older sister Lulu had been there to stop her from hunting down Ralph. Though the look on Lulu's face had told Zelda she'd wanted to hunt down Ralph as much as her sister.

Instead the 2 sisters had encouraged her to leave Ralph. She was pretty sure Ruto and Lulu had been chomping at the bit to get her out of that relationship. The cheating had only been the breaking point for her. For 2 years she'd put up with being belittled and cut down by Ralph but she'd never had the courage before to take that step to walk away.

Zelda shook her head to clear the memory. She was past that. She was done crying over Ralph and was ready to move on. Straightening her shoulders with renewed resolve, she ventured away from the cool-lit entrance and crossed into the area of pulsating lights and heavy bass of the club's main floor. From her spot on the edge of the dance floor, she could see a second floor balcony that ringed the entire room. It looked like there were tables pushed against the balcony and that was where she decided she wanted to go. The suffocating mass of bodies vying for a place on the dance floor was a little too far outside her comfort zone and the second floor balcony would give her a nice vantage point to scope out the room. With a plan firmly set in her mind, Zelda wasted no time in skirting the crowded dance floor looking for the stairs.

"Well hello there."

Zelda froze at the words that were clearly spoken in her direction. She tried to calm her runaway heart. After all, wasn't this why she was out tonight? Hadn't she decided she was through moping over Ralph and was ready to move on? She nervously licked her lips and met the eyes of the man who was smiling lewdly at her. Her heart sank. At least he was tall but that was all he had going for him. Actually, she eyed his red hair. His pompadour added at least a couple of inches to his height.

"The name's Groose."

She curled her nose. Groose? Hopefully that was a nickname and not his actual name.

"You come here often?"

She grimaced. Was that his idea of-of flirting? "I...um, I'm meeting someone here."

"Oh." Groose's face fell. "Alright then..."

He looked like he was going to say more but his friends had returned with drinks and Zelda used that opportunity to slip away. She felt a little guilty but there was no way that man could ever be her "Wesley".

She tripped in her rush to slip away and she cursed her blasted shoes. This was what she got for letting Ruto and Lulu dress her. Her heels were an inch higher than she was used too and her skirt was shorter than she usually wore. At least the silver long sleeved top was hers. She tugged on the hem of the short black skirt as she stepped around a couple grinding more than they were dancing. Her face flushed and she lifted a hand to shield her eyes. Really, they should stop the pretense and just get a room.

Still shielding her eyes, she didn't see the man in front of her until she dug her stiletto heel into his foot. Mortified, an apology was on the tip of her tongue until she saw who she'd stomped on.

"That hurt you crazy..." Ralph paused mid-tirade as his eyes slid over her body. "Well hey now, aren't you a hot little thing. I can think of a few ways you could make it up to me for stomping on my foot..."

Her stomach rolled and she couldn't believe she once found him charming. His eyes seemed glued to her chest. Which was funny since he used to say some rather unflattering things about her body. He'd made it no secret that he'd found her unappealing. He'd even gone as far as blaming her for his cheating. Spouted some nonsense saying if she only been more attractive and willing to please him, he wouldn't have had to go out and find someone more to his tastes. There'd been a time she had actually believed it too, but not anymore.

"Look above my neck Ralph and you'll know my answer without having to hear it."

She drew a bit of satisfaction at the way he did a double take when he recognized her.

"Damn baby..."

"Don't call me that."

Ralph fixed a hurt look on his face. "Hey don't be like that. I've missed you..."

She crossed her arms. "Oh I'm sure you have."

He bristled at the sarcasm in her voice. "Hey come now. There is no need for the attitude."

"Why don't you just go back to whichever floozy you brought here..."

"Floozy?" Ralph broke into laughter. "Oh how I've missed your antiquated way of talking."

An uncomfortable blush coloured her face as she discreetly glanced around to make sure no one was watching them. "Will you stop it?"

"Awww still don't like to draw attention to yourself?" Ralph snickered. "Shouldn't have worn that get up then. You should see all the admirers you're getting with those legs of yours. You're lucky I'm not a jealous man."

"I don't care what you think you are." She crossed her arms and lifted her shoulders as if to curl into herself. "Your involvement in my life ended the minute I caught you in bed with Ambi."

"Aww are you still stuck on that?" Ralph leaned closer but she was able to duck out of the way when he attempted to throw an arm around her shoulders.

"No, I've moved on..."

"Let me guess." Ralph sneered, putting himself between her and any hope of slipping away into the crowd. "You've spent the last 2 weeks holed up at home watching every chick flick you could get your little hands on."

She bit her bottom lip. She wouldn't admit that had been exactly what she'd done.

"Last I heard from Nayru, you were still nursing your poor broken heart with a pint of chocolate mint ice cream and watching The Princess Bride on repeat. Are you out here looking for your 'Wesley'?"

Ralph laughed and Zelda shrunk away. She wanted to just curl up and die. She'd completely forgotten Nayru was close friends with Ralph. The poor misguided girl had even stood up for Ralph when she'd heard what had happened. Nayru had even gone so far as to hint that she should just forgive Ralph. Zelda had no idea what Ralph had done to deserve the girl's loyalty but she hoped for Nayru's sake that Ralph never did anything to destroy it.

"My reasons for being here aren't your concern."

"Don't be silly." Ralph once again tried to slip an arm around her but Zelda managed to sidestep him. "If this isn't fate stepping in to say we belong together..."

"It's called coincidence Ralph. Nothing more."

"The hard to get routine is getting a little old."

She shook her head. "It's not a routine Ralph. Please let me pass."

"Only if you agree to stop this charade and come home." He finally succeeded in pushing her into a corner but instead of slinging an arm around her shoulders, he used the opportunity to cage her in with his arms.

"Come home with me baby. Let me show you how much I've missed you."

He leaned in to kiss her but Zelda drove her heel down into his uninjured foot. "I told you to get away from me!"

Hopping in one place, Ralph howled. "You crazy bitch!" Straightening he lifted a hand and Zelda instinctively flinched and turned away...

"Is there a problem here?"

Ralph and Zelda both turned at the new voice. A blonde man stood behind them. Black jeans and a dark forest green t-shirt clearly outlined a lithe body and Zelda couldn't help but notice the white rag stuck in his back pocket. He must work here, she thought as she met his hard blue eyes.

Ralph, always quick on his feet, had used the interruption to throw an arm around her shoulders. She only realized this after he roughly yanked her into his side.

"Nope, no problem here. Just settling a small argument with my girlfriend here."

"Girlfriend?" The blonde stranger raised an eyebrow, a look of disbelief on his face. "Do you guys always go out separately?"

She frowned and tried to shrug off Ralph's arms but a hard pinch stopped her.

"What are you getting at?" Ralph's hand slid from her shoulder to her waist. She shuddered at the way he was casually touching her. The way he was trying to caress her was making her skin crawl but every time she tried to step away, he pinched her.

The stranger had a keen eye. Zelda noticed how his eyes zeroed in on Ralph's hand. Had he noticed?

"Look, why don't you get back to wiping tables or whatever it is you do here." Ralph dug his fingers into Zelda's side as he spoke, forcing her to walk with him. "My girl and I are going to call it a night. Now that we're not fighting, I'd like to take her home. I promised to show her how sorry I was and how badly I want to make it up to her." Ralph grinned and Zelda was sure she would have crawled right out of her skin had it been possible.

"Then I suggest you go home with the lady you brought here." The blonde said, causing Ralph to stop in his tracks.

This time Zelda yelped when Ralph's fingers dug into her side but he had yet to let her go and she was at a loss as to how to get herself away from him. How could she have forgotten this part of him? Ralph could be charming when he wanted to be (or if it benefited him in some way) but he was also very controlling. His favourite trick to get her to go along with him was to pinch her. He'd learned very quickly she'd do pretty much anything to make him stop hurting her. His methods were always discreet and any bruises from his treatment of her were kept to places covered by her clothes. His hand slid along her waist to the small space between the small of her back and her hip where he could easily pinch her skin and give it a harsh twist. Her body went rigid and she knew, from experience, the spot would be black and blue in the morning. She also knew what the pinch had meant. He wanted her to keep quiet, let him do the talking.

Tears welled up in her eyes but she stayed where she was. She'd forgotten, gone complacent. When Ralph's attentions had shifted elsewhere so had his abuse. Without even being aware of it, Ambi's presence had given her a reprieve. One that allowed her to climb back to her feet and see that this wasn't the type of relationship she wanted. It had given her the courage to run away. It had still broke her heart but tonight she'd gotten the courage to try her luck at love again. To try to find her "Wesley", to find her "Natsu". The one who would always come for her, no matter what.

"Stop pinching her like that!" The stranger stepped forward and pulled Zelda away from Ralph.

Zelda blinked, a confused look on her face when her view was replaced by a broad back covered in dark green material. It took her a minute to realize the stranger had placed himself between her and Ralph. She hadn't realized he was so tall. She tried to look around him but he seemed to sense the movement behind him and moved to block her view. Her cheeks puffed out in frustration. She wasn't going to let him shield her...well, ok maybe a little bit if it meant Ralph left without her. Standing on her tippy toes, she peeked over his shoulder.

Ralph was giving the stranger a bewildered look. He obviously hadn't expected the man to put himself in the middle of a fight that had nothing to do with him.

"Ralphie baby, there you are!" A tall statuesque woman with gleaming blond hair and pale blue eyes glided over to them. The black sheathe dress she wore hugged her slim curves and made Zelda feel frumpy.

Ralph glowered at the woman when she casually hooked her arm through his. "I told you to go home Faith."

Faith pouted her rouged lips. "But Ralphie..."

"Soooo, you came here to patch things up with your girlfriend huh?" The blond stranger piped up with a lift of his eyebrows.

Zelda stepped around the stranger and this time he made no move to block her. She couldn't help the stab of pain she felt at seeing the beautiful woman hanging off Ralph's arm. Perhaps she wasn't quite over him after all, even after all the things he'd put her through. "Go home Ralph."

Ralph's lip curled but Faith replied first. "Oh is this the little blonde you were talking about earlier?" Dropping Ralph's arm, she walked towards Zelda with a curious tilt of her head. "Well you're certainly a cute little thing."

Zelda tensed at the calculating way Faith's eyes traced over her every curve. "Poor girl, you never stood a chance of keeping his interest. No wonder he threw you out like yesterday's trash."

"Well that was unnecessarily cruel." The stranger once again stepped in and gently pushed Zelda behind him. "Now will you do as I ask and leave?"

"My, my but you have a high opinion of yourself for a lowly bus boy." Faith sniffed and returned to Ralph's side. "Ralphie, this man is upsetting me. Please do something."

Ralph grinned, a dark glint in his eye. "Oh with pleasure." His eyes shifted to where Zelda was peeking over the stranger's shoulder (again). "Then we'll continue where we left of Zelda. Maybe Faith could teach you a thing or two."

Zelda recoiled. Was he...suggesting a threesome? Zelda's could feel her face burning from her blush. This night was turning into a nightmare and to make things worse? The kind stranger who'd stepped in to help her was about to get his ass kicked. There was no way for him to know that Ralph was a trained black-belt in Taekwondo.

Ralph cracked his knuckles. "I'm going to enjoy this."

Zelda closed her eyes and wished she could do the same with her ears. She didn't want to hear or see this. She didn't want to hear Faith's tinkling laugh either.

"Oh how sweet, she closed her eyes. What's wrong sweetie? Are you scared?"

Zelda pressed her lips together but they still quivered from the tears welling up in her eyes. She shouldn't have come out tonight but how was she to know that Ralph would come to the Silver Rupee too?

"Awww and now she's going to cry." Faith pried one of Zelda's arms away from her body and hooked her arm around it. "Ralphie won't get hurt. There's no need to be afraid." She pressed her body against Zelda's side. "Should we give him a little show? Let him see what he gets to look forward to once he wins?"

Zelda nearly gagged and pulled her arm free. She took a step away from Faith. Anything to get a little distance between the two of them. "I-I won't be going anywhere with either of you."

"Oh silly girl." Faith smiled smugly. "You speak as if you have a choice."

"She does have a choice."

Both women turned to see the blonde stranger stepping over Ralph's prone body. Faith's cool attitude completely slipped at the sight of Ralph sprawled out on the floor. "What did you do?"

The stranger ruefully rubbed his jaw. "He threw the first punch," his face split into a roguish grin. "I threw the second. Whoever gave him his black belt should have taught him the dangers of being over confident in your abilities."

Faith knelt at Ralph's side and gently lifted his head. He mumbled something too incoherent to make out before his body went limp. "He-he's out cold!"

"He's lucky I don't have him arrested." The stranger snapped.

"Him!" Faith screeched, getting to her feet. "I'll have you arrested for assault!" She looked around wildly searching the crowd. "Where's a bouncer when you need one! I'll have you thrown out and-and..."

"Did someone ask for a bouncer?" A gruff voice asked.

The stranger looked over his shoulder, a welcoming smile already on his face. "Darunia. Just the Goron I needed!"

Zelda blinked. Goron? She pivoted around to see that there was indeed a Goron standing behind them. She gulped. Their race was known to be tough so it was only natural to employ Gorons for security. Not much could get by that rocky exterior and they were impressively strong.

"Perfect!" Faith stepped over Ralph's body and dramatically pointed to the stranger. "He assaulted my boyfriend! I demand you detain him and call the police!"

Darunia gave her a cool stare before shifting his gaze to the stranger. "Is that so, Link?"

Link? So the stranger's name was Link. It suited him. Zelda watched Link rock back on his feet with a sheepish look on his face.

"He was harassing the lady." Link nodded in Zelda's direction. "I couldn't just stand by and let that happen."

"She's his girlfriend!" Faith protested, stepping between Darunia and Link. "I demand you detain him immediately!"

"Girlfriend?" Darunia looked between Faith and Zelda. "I thought you said he was your boyfriend."

"I..." Faith broke off, unsure of how to continue.

"I'm guessing she's his ex-girlfriend." Link gave Zelda a pointed look. "Am I right?"

Zelda couldn't speak, she was so confused. She nodded instead.

Darunia sighed and shook his head. "What are we going to do with you, Link?"

"We'll figure that out another time. Right now I'd like these two," Link pointed to Faith and Ralph's unconscious body still on the floor. "Out of the club."

Darunia gave a mock salute and moved to pick up Ralph but Faith blocked him. "What. The. Hell." She emphasized each word individually, a look of outrage on her face. "He's the one who assaulted Ralph! Why are you kicking us out?"

Darunia gave her a bemused look. "Well, usually when the boss says someone's harassing the customers, I listen."

"So go get your boss and tell him what really happened!"

Darunia's roar of laughter caused a few people to look over. Faith couldn't see what was so funny but Zelda had gone completely still. There was just no way. She stared at Link. He couldn't be that Link could he? While she was getting ready, Ruto had shoved the paper into her hands as a distraction so she couldn't protest to their make over plans. She'd given in and had tried to read the paper but had been too distracted to read little more than a few sentences. One sentence stood out though. The owner of the Silver Rupee was named Link...

"Don't just stand there! Get him!" Faith stomped her foot as if the show of temper would actually intimidate the Goron.

"Y-you're him." Zelda spoke up, finally finding her voice.

Link turned to her. "I'm who?"

Zelda studied him. She was certain he was the Link mentioned in the paper but…what if there was a slight possibility she was wrong? She glanced over at Darunia. He hadn't moved, even after Faith's little fit. Catching her eyes, Darunia gave an almost indiscernible nod. She smiled, her confidence growing.

"You're the owner of the Silver Rupee. When Darunia said his boss told him someone was harassing customers, he was talking about you."

Link grinned. "Guilty as charged."

"You're a bus boy!" Faith snarled, stomping over to Link and Zelda. "How could you possibly own the hottest club in Castle Town?"

"Bus boy?" Darunia's laughter once again drew some curious stares. "He actually tends the bar but when Saria noticed our beloved manager had slipped his post –again I might add." Darunia shot Link an amused look. "Saria is going to want to speak to you about that, by the way."

Link rolled his eyes. "My night wouldn't be complete without her nightly lecture."

"Anyway, "Darunia chuckled and went back to his story. "Saria sent me off to go find our MIA manager. Should have known you found another damsel in distress to rescue."

Zelda stiffened. Damsel in distress? Was that all she was? She grimaced, yes, that was all she was. A pathetic girl who couldn't even enjoy a single night out on the town. She glared at Ralph's prone body. If only she hadn't run into him tonight…

"See them out Darunia." Link said, drawing Zelda's attention. "I want them both put on the list."

Darunia nodded. Faith was too shocked to say anything more as Darunia scooped Ralph off the floor. Throwing the unconscious man over his shoulder, he gestured for Faith to follow him. "Your boyfriend is gonna wake up with a helluva headache. I'll have Urbosa call a cab to take you home. I'm afraid you're on your own with moving him but maybe he'll be awake…" The rest of what Darunia said was lost as the trio was swallowed up by the writhing mass of dancers.

"And what about you?"

Zelda jumped. She hadn't realized Link had moved to her side. "I…I should go home I think."

"So that you're right where he wants you when he comes to?" Link frowned. "I don't think that's a good idea."

Zelda scrunched her nose. He had a point but where else could she go. If Ruto or Lulu found out what happened there would be no stopping them this time. They would hunt down Ralph and Zelda wasn't so sure if she wanted to stop them. No, best she went home. There she could regroup, lick her wounds…and maybe clean out the rest of the ice cream in her freezer. Her shoulders sagged. Getting over someone wasn't supposed to be this hard. Especially when the someone was an abusive asshole.

"I have friends I can stay with." She lied. Link didn't have to know her plan was to still go home.

Link watched her with a concerned look on his face. "Why don't I believe you?"

Zelda blushed and looked away. Ralph always said she was a terrible liar.

"Stay for one drink."

She blinked and looked back at him. "A drink?"

"You came here to enjoy yourself didn't you?" Link smiled. "Don't let that asshole ruin your plans for the evening. It's not that late. Have one drink and I'll have Nabooru call a cab to take you home."

Zelda let him lead her towards the bar. One drink should be alright…right?

The gleaming black bar spanned the entire length of the back wall. The top was polished black marble, silver bar stools with dark blue leather sat at intervals in front of the bar. Zelda went to sit at one of the stools but Link gently guided her towards a quiet corner at the end of the bar. A woman, Gerudo judging from her dark complexion and amber eyes, stood behind the bar cleaning a glass. Her red hair was pulled up in a tight ponytail atop her head but it was her attire that caught Zelda's attention. Low-riding dark jeans, and a white bandeau top hidden beneath a black vest was the extent of her outfit. Chunky bracelets circling her right wrist were the only pieces of jewelry that Zelda could see and the understated jewelry suited her. When the Gerudo woman winked at her, she blushed. Zelda hadn't realized she'd been caught staring.

"Well, well Link, she's quite a cutie." The woman set the glass aside and threw the cloth she'd been using with it. Leaning forward, she propped her elbows on the bar top and cupped her chin her hands. "Is she why you took off so suddenly?"

"Something like that." Link replied while pulling stool out for Zelda. "Can you get her something to drink Nabooru?"

"Of course." Nabooru pushed away from the bar to grab a glass. "What can I get you sweetie?"

Zelda licked her lips and thought for a moment. "A Lon-Lon paralyzer?"

Nabooru chuckled. "Is that a question or what you want?"

Zelda blushed but Nabooru had already started to mix her drink so she figured the Gerudo woman had only been teasing her. She snuck a side glance at Link. He had yet to leave her side. She'd expected him to leave the minute she'd sat down. The fact he was still there (and occupying the bar stool beside her) made her wonder what his plan was.

"There you are!" A petite girl suddenly appeared at Link's elbow.

"Ah Saria, I was wondering how long it would take you to find me."

Nabooru set Zelda's drink down in front of her. Zelda barely noticed. Her entire focus was on the petite girl with green hair. If she had to guess, she would have to say Saria was of Kokiri decent. Most Kokiri were petite with an almost child-like appearance. Saria certainly didn't look like a child with the way she was glaring at Link.

"It's not funny Link. Aryll is going to be so upset when she finds out you've been fighting again."

Link rubbed his jaw. "Is it that obvious? I didn't think Ralph had hit me that hard."

"Will you take this seriously?" Saria hopped up onto the barstool on Link's other side.

Zelda picked up her drink. As much as she wanted to listen she should probably mind her own business. Aryll must be his girlfriend…she slid down from her stool and gave Link one last lingering look before she slipped away into the crowd.

Link sighed as Saria launched into one of her well-rehearsed lectures. He'd lost count of the number of times he'd heard it. Nabooru grinned and crossed her arms. He supressed a chuckle. He swore Nabooru enjoyed this. After all, she'd been the one to point out that their blonde charge had entered the club.

When his friend Mikau had called asking to keep an eye on Ruto and Lulu's friend, Link had nearly said no. He really was trying to keep a low profile nowadays. After that embarrassing incident with Malon, he really didn't want to get in the middle of another broken up couple. He'd even said as much to Mikau. If this girl's boyfriend wanted her back so badly, why should he step in? And honestly, what were the chances her ex-boyfriend would be here anyway?

He'd been about to hang up when Mikau blurted out the reason why they needed him to look after their friend. They suspected the ex had abused their friend but she would never admit to it. The ex cheating on her had been just the excuse they'd been looking for to get her out. Link had given in and agreed to look after her.

"Are you even listening to me?"

Saria's shrill voice broke through his train of thought. "Sorry, Saria."

His friend crossed her arms and shook her head. "I'll get some ice for your jaw. You're just lucky that Aryll decided to stay home tonight."

Link gave her a distracted smile. Saria was probably right. His sister was always saying he couldn't save everyone. Her greatest fear was he would some day challenge someone he couldn't beat. It drove her crazy every time he told her he'd worry about that when (and if) it ever happened.

He swiveled in his seat and finally noticed it was empty. "Where'd she go?"

Nabooru knowingly smiled. "She scampered away about 5 minutes ago during Saria's rant."

"I wasn't ranting!" Saria jumped down from her seat. "What does it matter any way? Tomorrow you'll probably find another helpless girl in need of rescue."

Link didn't answer. He just continued to stare at her empty seat. He wanted to say it was because she was different, but Saria would never believe him. He slid off his stool. "I'm going to find her."

Nabooru's smile turned smug and Saria looked confused but he ignored them both. He pulled the white cloth from his back pocket and tossed it to Nabooru. "Consider me off the clock. Do you mind closing up?"

Catching the cloth easily, Nabooru nodded. As he turned to leave, he caught Nabooru's teasing words. "Go find your Princess."

Zelda swirled her straw in her drink, watching the ice chase her straw around her glass. She'd only taken a couple of sips. It wasn't like she was worried the drink was spiked. She just...wasn't thirsty. She wanted to go home but...she hadn't paid. She should have returned to Nabooru and asked how much she owed but...she was positive Link would still be there. So she'd found the stairs and had gone up hoping to find another bar so she could pay for her drink. She ended up with her back against the wall instead, watching the people clustered around the numerous tables. Everyone looked like they were having such a good time and then there was her. Her hand tightened around her glass. She should stop this. Find another bar, pay for her drink and go home.

"You don't look like you're meeting with anyone."

She looked up from her drink. It was the man from earlier. What was his name? Bruce? No, that wasn't it. She hadn't noticed he'd spotted her and was now trapped. He leaned forward with his hand planted by her head on the wall.

"Couldn't get Groose out of your head right?"

Groose, of course. Zelda shifted uncomfortably and looked away. "I..."

"It's ok, I told my friends to take off too." Groose lifted his free hand and traced his fingertips over her shoulder. "Why don't you join me for a drink?"

She shrunk away from his touch. "I was just..."

"Waiting for me." Link said, removing Groose's hand and tucking her into his side. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Groose? Don't you have somewhere to be? I saw Stritch and Cawlin looking for you."

"Uh ya sure Link." Groose grumbled walking away. He gave one last lingering look to Zelda, his eyebrow raised as if to ask if she really wanted him to go.

She looked away (again) and inadvertently pressed her nose into the hollow of Link's throat. Her face grew hot. He smelled nice aaand she really shouldn't be smelling him. She yelped and scrambled back, pushing away from him. Luckily, Groose had already left so he hadn't seen her pushing Link away.

"S-sorry." She pressed a hand to her flushed face.

Link chuckled. "It's alright but why did you leave?"

"Leave?" She nervously stirred her straw. She licked her suddenly dry lips. She hadn't realized he'd wanted her to stay. "I um didn't want to cause anymore trouble for you. With..." What was the name Saria had used? Oh, right! "With Aryll."

"Aryll? What's my sister got to do with this?"

Sister? She looked up from her drink with wide eyes. Aryll was his sister? Seeing her surprised look, Link grinned. "Oh, I see. Yes, Aryll is my sister. My younger sister actually. She hates it when I get into fights."

"I would too." Zelda mumbled before she realized she'd spoken out loud. Judging from Link's growing smile, he'd heard her too. "I-I mean..."

"Don't backtrack." Link interrupted. "I'm flattered you would worry. You hardly know me."

She bit her bottom lip. Ralph always said she liked poking her nose in where it didn't belong. "S-sorry."

"It's not something you need to be sorry for." Link gently lifted her chin so she was looking at him. "You have a kind heart. We need more people like you in Hyrule."

She wanted to duck her head and look away but his fingers under her chin made that impossible. At this rate she would end up with a permanent blush on her face. He made her feel special...she frowned. Hadn't Darunia said something about him finding another damsel to save? Maybe...maybe she wasn't special. Maybe he sounded sincere only because he'd gotten a lot of practice saying the exact same thing...to a bunch of other girls.

"What?" Link canted his head to the side. "What are you thinking?"

"Y-you're very smooth." She pulled her head back and stepped away from him. "For a minute there you had me actually believing I was special..."

He frowned. "You are special..."

"And how many other girls have you said those exact words to?"

His face darkened. "Ah, I see now." Now he took a step back too. "Well since I'm nothing more than a playboy to you..." He spread his arms wide. "I won't bother you again."

"Thank you." Her hand tightened around her glass. Why did her stomach turn at the idea of watching him walk away? It was what she wanted...right?

His eyes fell to her glass having caught the slight movement. "The drink is on the house. I'll leave instructions with Urbosa to call you a cab when you're ready to leave."

"I don't need you to take care of me." She spat the words out but they left a bitter taste in her mouth. Why did this feel so wrong?

"As you wish." Link turned on his heel and walked away.

A/N: So not sure if there will be more to this story. Right now it's a one shot and yes, the reference to Wesley is from the Princess Bride. For those of you wondering, Natsu is from a favorite anime of mine, Fairy Tail.