Disclaimer: GrimGrave does not own Legend of Zelda or its characters; they belong to Nintendo and Shigeru Miyamoto. GrimGrave does not make money out of writing fiction.

Possession

Chapter 13

For a New Day, and Forevermore

"You know, we should get you to the hospital."

Link scoffed, albeit playfully, at Ghirahim's suggestion. Granted, he had aching pain stinging in various parts of his body – thankfully his head remained un-bloodied – but in his opinion it wasn't enough to have a doctor check him. His head still ached the entire time spent on driving to the police, told them everything as well as providing the evidence, then lastly driving away to a remote parking lot. His knuckles stung from their earlier impacts as well, and blood was smudged underneath his nose.

"I'm serious Link. We may have taken Groose down, but being such a jock that he is, he's trained and trained for years. He did get a good punch in, you know." Ghirahim said. He wiped off the blood with a napkin, a small package which he had forced Link to stop the car in order to buy.

"I have been working out myself you know…" Link replied. "Not nearly as much as him, but I can take a hit…"

"Have it your way then." Ghirahim said with a roll of his eyes. "Still though, now that all of that has been taken care of, I can finally be honest without having to ruin the moment." Link eyed him puzzlingly. "Back there, you looked fucking hot. As in unbelievably sexy! Seeing you fight him like that…"

Link edged away at first, but his slight fright turned into laughter as he leant back into his seat. "That's too much information, Ghirahim. You might want to keep that to yourself, or my girlfriend will be crossed with you."

"A cat with claws huh? Alright, alright; I'll keep my mouth shut… For now." He snickered softly, eventually prompting Link to laugh again. The rain was still falling outside. "Looks like the rain won't stop anytime soon… So what are you going to do now? Zelda has been avenged and all, but I doubt you're going back to her."

Link glanced back at his friend momentarily. There wasn't a need to answer that question really. After all, how could he go back to her? He cared for her – but did he love her? – No. In his mind, they could be, at best, friends. His heart belonged to a woman now. "…No. I won't."

"I figured as much. But at least things will work out for her, right? I mean, I know we never got along too well, but in the worst case scenario you would be together with Veran while Zelda was stuck with Groose – and you would unknowingly keep branding her a cheater."

"Yes… I'm glad that she can at least move on now. I can't help but think though, what if she had just told me right from the beginning?"

"You would still be together with Zelda, but probably eventually cheat on her with that frisky neighbour of yours. That's what I reckon at least." Ghirahim said with a grin. "But what do I know? Anyway, you're as patched up as you can get outside a hospital… You'll be heading home then?"

Link nodded. "That's where I am supposed to be."

"Alright then. Mind giving me a ride home first though?"

"Not at all." Link replied with a smile. "It's the least I can do. Again, thank you for your help Ghirahim." His white-haired friend laughed and patted his head despite the slight sting it caused Link.

He flashed a grin. "You're ever so welcome. And this is the time where I so inappropriately comment that you're practically my bitch since you owe me greatly for this."

Link just gave him a cautious glance. "Ghirahim, I am happy to repay the favour, but get your mind out of the gutter."

"I never suggested anything of that nature. What were you thinking about, Link?" Ghirahim snickered. "I'm just messing with you! Anyway, let's get out of here."

:::::::::

With Ghirahim back home, Link continued on his way back to his own home; his decent-sized apartment that would be somewhat warm enough for his return. He would have to get a change of clothes; his current garb was soaked due to the exposure to the rain. Almost naked would he look for a change of clothes, and maybe Veran would drop by unannounced, warming him up in a way that no flame could ever do-

He shook his head as he made a turn for the right. A chuckle escaped his throat as he caught himself dwelling on the erotic antics he and Veran had, and would, be doing.

As he drove down the watery streets, he came to realize; while his time with Zelda, and all the aspects of their relationship, had been enjoyable it was only now when he was with Veran that he came to enjoy sex all the more – too much perhaps? – And catch himself actually daydreaming about their lovemaking. Not that he could possibly complain, but it was a though he was sure to dwell deeper on in the future. Did his sex-life with Veran differ that much from his and Zelda's?

Yes.

Did he feel like he was in a proper relationship, instead of spending time with what could be considered a high-school crush?

Though he felt like slapping himself, yes. There was a difference, a noticeable one at that. One that mattered no less; while he had felt happy with Zelda, of that there was no doubt, he felt more certain with Veran. As if this could eventually lead to something more than just "being together". This was almost funny, considering that they hadn't known each other for that long. Things had been moving quite fast, but with Veran it almost felt natural. But perhaps they would take it a bit slower from here, and move gradually forward?

Countless thoughts like this one occupied Link's head, but they all soon dispersed into clouds as he gazed out of the window at the building just a bit further ahead.

:::::::

It had been hours now. Regrettably, Veran had paid too much attention to the clock that she knew it had been roughly 2 ½ - 3 hours since Link had left to talk to Zelda; far too long for a simple talk! Thoughts of endless possibilities gnawed at the back of her head, irking her, taunting her with the dreadful possibility that Zelda might have tried to swoon Link back to her.

She didn't like it. Not one bit.

What took Link so long? Could it be possible that he had ended up with second thoughts? It seemed plausible even if Veran didn't want to admit it. A last-minute change of heart thanks to Zelda might have happened and thus causing Link to doubt what he had now, and damn it all Veran knew Link had it a lot better with her than Zelda! Right?

Was she starting to doubt the situation?

Now that was something she doubted on. She didn't have anything to fear when it came to her relationship with Link; they had finally proclaimed each other's love after all. So why was it that she felt so anxious, unnaturally anxious even? It wasn't like her at all to actually worry.

The TV wasn't showing anything distracting enough either. If it wasn't re-runs then it was new shows that just didn't suit her taste and did nothing but allowing her to dwell even more about Link's tardiness. She couldn't even sit down anymore, having instead begun to spend the time pacing from room to room, scowling. It didn't help her cope with the uneasiness but it was better than just sitting around, rolling thumbs. She wanted him back, and she wanted him now, in every sense of the phrase.

"Link… Just where are you?"

::::::

Link rang the doorbell. His head still ached, but it had grown more bearable by now. An icepack might help with that later, but now he had other concerns to deal with before he could close the book. As the handle gently shook and the door began to unlock, Link thought of how bittersweet this situation was, but it had to be done. Or rather, it was for the better if it was to be done. Eventually he stood face to face with the azure-eyed brunette, whose eyes were widened and brimmed with joy. Link smiled slightly back.

"Sorry if I intrude, but I just wanted to check how things were… Has the police-"

"I figured you had something to do with that." Zelda suddenly said, interrupting him. She smiled greatly. "The police called and even came over… They asked me about Groose and told me someone had told them and given them evidence of what he had done to me. They asked me questions… But it was you, right?" Link merely nodded. Zelda's smile grew, and hints of tears threatened to escape her eyes as she grabbed his hand with hers, squeezing it tightly. "Thank you… Thank you… Thank you so much, Link…!"

He patted her shoulder, caressing it gently. "You can start over now, Zelda. It might not seem like it at first, but despite what you've been going through, you will definitely find happiness again. Of that, I'm sure."

"Thank you Link… Honestly, thank you so much. Despite how I made you feel you still rescued me… my knight in shining armour." She wiped off the tears with the back of her hand. "Veran is lucky to have you now… I hope she will treat you well. I… I suppose this is goodbye then?"

"Yes," Link said with a nod. "but not a permanent one. In time, we will be able to hang out again, as friends. Eat lunch together at school, help each other with homework… What we had prior to our relationship doesn't have to go away. Just… Give it time."

"I understand Link… But do you really have to go right now? Can't you just stay a little while longer?"

Link smiled apologetically at her. He patted her shoulder in a friendly manner as he shook his head. "I'm sorry Zelda. But this knight in shining armour has another princess to return to." Just as their exchange had been brief, so was their farewell – a hug, nothing more or less, was shared before Link jogged over to his car and eventually drove off to where he was supposed to be. To where he needed to be.

:::

The road back home wasn't taking as long as he had thought it would. It felt like merely few minutes when he parked his car and once again was exposed to the rain. He was home. Now he could finally feel a weight lift from his shoulders. He could end up catching a cold at this rate, but he didn't mind – it was finished. A chapter in a book that finally was completed, with an ending he had not thought would happen. And now, soaked and beaten he took his first steps towards the first chapter of a new book who would hopefully be longer than the last. And it all began when he walked up the stairs and rang the doorbell. Just as he thought of pressing it again he heard heavy footsteps, rapid as they were, coming towards the door until it quickly was unlocked and opening up with enough force to bash his head, had it hit. Veran's flame-coloured eyes met his, and for a second Link thought he saw spite lingering in them. Now they were almost shockingly wide as she eyed him over.

"What happened to you? You… You look ruffled!" Veran said in a tone that was indicating disbelief. Link managed a dry chuckle, wincing as his head still ached a little.

"It's a long story that I will happily tell you tomorrow… For now, I can give you the short version and tell you that it's officially over between me and Zelda." He reached out for her hand and caressed it softly before he lifted it up to his lips and kissed them. "I'm home, sweetheart. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting…"

The older woman felt her features grow a bit warmer at the gesture – it took most of her willpower to stifle the smirk that threatened to show. Nevertheless, swooned, she leant towards her man, kissing his cheek. "Welcome back darling. And yes, you definitely kept me waiting. I was starting to worry…"

"My apologies." He replied with a smile. "Allow me to make it up to you?"

Veran arched an eyebrow, showing off her victorious smirk. "Oh? Well that depends, what did you have in mind in order to gain my forgiveness?" She gently scratched his chin seductively. "You have to be very persuasive, since I might not feel like forgiving you right away."

Link laughed softly. "I have a certain idea in mind. It involves a certain book called Kama Sutra – is that persuasive enough?" He smiled at her, a hint of a grin showing as he pulled his older girlfriend towards him. A bit startled, Veran still laughed out loud, breaking free from his grasp while grabbing him by the wrist.

"Kama Sutra? Don't be coy with me!" Her eyes glinted with a luscious mirth. "When I'm done with you, we will have written our own book – a sodding saga! Honestly, showing up on my doorstep looking all ruffled and vulnerable? I hope you're feeling up to it!"

As the front door closed behind them – and this time locked – Link pondered if they might have gone too fast even now. But after all, he had started it, therefore he wanted it; a bit unorthodox start, but a start nonetheless. And it was with this beginning that Link knew for sure that his life with Veran would eventually bear fruit to something more than just a relationship. Not today, nor tomorrow; not even a few weeks or months later. But someday, of this he was sure of.

As he woke up in the next morning and saw the clear sky and the sun above outside the window, he knew definitely for sure. Even more so when he turned to his right and saw the orange-haired woman sleeping peacefully by his side, he knew it. This would grow into something of higher significance, and he would do all he could to help it flourish. But now, he was content enough to simply feel Veran's warmth against his body, just as she could feel his, and smell the scent of her air every morning, every night.

"Good morning, Veran…"

Her eyes slowly opened up. They blinked, adapting to the light after her sleep, meeting Link's. She smiled.

FIN

There we go. It's finished! It's actually finished! I really hope you all enjoyed this last chapter, short as it may have been. But if anything, I would like to thank you for your reviews and/or for following this story from start to finish! It's been quite a ride, and I had alot of fun writing this, a simple idea of a pairing I had started to enjoy.

See you all around!