When people see me, and recognize my eccentric clothes, they all ask one question. Can you cry?

I watch them as they expect an answer, and when no witty remarks come, I shrug and walk on. I have better things to do than answer complete stranger's questions. People ask me all the time. They know I lost much, but they don't see me cry about it.

They see the strong boy with the long sword, with the green clothes, the one that saved the world. But that's not me. When I did that, it was like playing a role in a movie, and wearing a costume. That's all behind me now. I don't think I could do it again even if I tried.

Can you cry?

There is an answer to that question. I'm a man, I shouldn't cry. But when I don't, people believe that I'm coldhearted and mean.

I lost everything when I saved the Hyrule. I lost my friends, my loved ones, and, I lost me.

That little boy that left the forest with a solemn promise to return, he grew up. He aged until he was seven years older. When he went back to the forest, no one knew him. They didn't see Link. They saw a strange man imitating him. Kokoris don't age.

I was a kid in a man's body. This is the perfect use for the phrase 'sheep in wolf's clothing', I suppose.

I lost Zelda, when she was forced into hiding as Sheik, when she couldn't be herself any longer.

I lost Malon, when she was killed by Gannondorf for not giving up Lon Lon Ranch.

I lost me, when I was in another body, as a grown man, and had to save the world.

I couldn't cry, even if I wanted to. I had too much to do. But once Gannondorf was vanquished, I had all the time in the world.

Can you cry?

I cried for the loss of seven years. All the people I could have met, friends I could have kept, lives I could have saved. Regrets…

I cried for Zelda, whom I haven't seen since.

I cried for Malon, and what could have been.

The answer to the question? Yes, I can cry. I keep quiet about it, hiding it so I seem strong, so I can prove it to myself. I don't even know what to do with myself anymore, but, I try.

Every day, I wave to the guards by the bridge as I make my way from my house out in the fields. Every day, I meet someone new.

Every day, I piece myself back to together, my life, who I used to be, and now am.

I weld the pieces into place, making sure they fit to the millimeter. I sandpaper the edges, to smooth out the kinks, and I watch it, for any moment, something could break.

One day, I will be able to say, "Yes, I have cried. I know misery and despair." One day I can nod, answering the question. One day, I will have pieced myself together.

For now, all I can do is shrug, and keep walking.

One day, when the time is right, I will nod…

A/N: Hello faithful readers! It's a bit short, and I'm not sure if it came out good. Please, R&R, I'm begging.