The Legend of You (Link x Reader)

Road Back to Hyrule Castle

We had departed from Zora’s Domain several hours ago, after we had formally introduced all of the Champions to King Dorephan and—painstakingly—said goodbye to Sidon again. I had promised him I’d return, but as always, he had clung to my leg, pressing his smooth cheek against it and begging in that watery little voice for me to stay. If it hadn’t been for Muzu prying him off, I might’ve caved. The little guy had perfected the art of heartbreak.

Now, though, we were far from the damp, shimmering light of the Domain. Waterfalls and glowing coral gave way to the wide, sun-drenched expanse of Hyrule Field. The air smelled of grass and sun-warmed earth; wind tugged through my hair and rippled the tall green blades around us like waves. Clouds were sparse, white and lazy, drifting against a sharp blue sky.

I rode atop Lucy, the mare’s chest rising and falling beneath me in a steady rhythm. Her hooves beat softly against the packed dirt trail as the sound of conversation—half-banter, half-argument—buzzed ahead. Don’t get me wrong, I could still hear every word (I’m nosy, not deaf), but my attention was elsewhere. Specifically, on what sat in my lap: a bundle of fresh pastries tied up neatly in a white cloth.

Cinnamon buns, sugar cookies, mini cakes, crepes dusted with chocolate—everything still warm and smelling sinfully good. The sunlight glinted off the icing in sparkles, and if divine punishment existed for temptation, I was probably earning it right now. I’d gotten them in Goponga Village, where a brand-new bakery had opened its doors this very morning. Of course, I had begged Zelda to stop.

And of course, she’d agreed—though I suspected it wasn’t just out of kindness. She still carried that look of guilt, the kind you couldn’t quite hide even behind royal restraint. The Yiga attack from days ago had shaken her more than she’d admit.

Far behind her, Link rode on Epona, silent as ever. The image of the perfect knight—back straight, shoulders set, jaw locked. His eyes flicked from shadow to shadow, always scanning, always ready. But I knew him too well. This stiff, distant version of Link wasn’t him. The real Link joked, smiled, grumbled about rations, got crumbs in his hair, laughed when I tripped and fell face-first into campfire smoke. This one—the one who kept his distance—was performing.

My gaze slid to the sword on his back, catching glints of sunlight. The Master Sword—an unavoidable reminder of what Hyrule demanded of him. And what he probably thought he had to be. My chest tightened.

He must feel all the eyes on him again… Zelda’s included. I caught her glancing back once or twice, her lips pressed thin. Her posture was tense—like someone trying to look strong when they could barely breathe. I knew what she was thinking: her sealing power still wouldn’t awaken, and her father’s patience was a thread about to snap.

I couldn’t take the silence that stretched between us forever.

Tugging lightly on Lucy’s reins, I slowed her down until her gait matched Epona’s. The horses’ sides brushed, their shadows merging on the trail. Link looked up briefly—eyes softening for a moment before darting forward again toward Zelda’s figure. Typical.

So I did what any reasonable person would in my place. I grabbed a cupcake from the bundle and wiggled it right in front of his face.

His lips curved, just barely. That hint of warmth flickering behind his stoic act. “Y/n,” he murmured, voice quiet enough for only me to hear. “What are you doing?”

“Offering the hero a snack,” I said, feigning innocence. “You’ve been eyeing these since I bought them. Don’t even deny it.”

“You’re imagining things,” he said, though his eyes betrayed him.

“Uh-huh. So if I dropped this right now, you wouldn’t lunge for it?” I teased, leaning forward, holding the cupcake just out between us. The frosting shimmering like bait.