[His laughter simmers enough that he can truly appreciate the sound of Zelda's own laughter. It's astounding how this is the same girl who can have such a commanding presence...how her every move is graceful and practiced. A show of propriety for the world. And yet here he gets to see her for who she is. It was like basking in radiant sunshine. Warm and bubbly, it rolls over him in waves.]
[His wide grin softens into a look of pure adulation. It's like all at once he understands why knights would go to war and die for their princesses. Why they'd compete for their favor. An entire kingdom could rally behind such a beautiful smile.]
[His heart pounds and he's forced to acknowledge something he never thought he'd truly get to experience.]
[Darin might have a crush on Zelda.]
[It's a bittersweet thing because he knows that he could never act on it. She has a home someplace else. But what he can do is make her life here as happy as possible. He can stand with her against Gaondorf. Safeguard her and see her through until she can return to the kingdom who needs her.]
[So, that's what he'll do for her. As her support. Her smith. He'll forge a path to her future with his own hands. Even a future without him.]
[It's the least he could do for the care she's shown him.]
[She might find him staring at her with that same warm smile— his green eyes seeing nothing else in the room but her.]
no subject
[His wide grin softens into a look of pure adulation. It's like all at once he understands why knights would go to war and die for their princesses. Why they'd compete for their favor. An entire kingdom could rally behind such a beautiful smile.]
[His heart pounds and he's forced to acknowledge something he never thought he'd truly get to experience.]
[Darin might have a crush on Zelda.]
[It's a bittersweet thing because he knows that he could never act on it. She has a home someplace else. But what he can do is make her life here as happy as possible. He can stand with her against Gaondorf. Safeguard her and see her through until she can return to the kingdom who needs her.]
[So, that's what he'll do for her. As her support. Her smith. He'll forge a path to her future with his own hands. Even a future without him.]
[It's the least he could do for the care she's shown him.]
[She might find him staring at her with that same warm smile— his green eyes seeing nothing else in the room but her.]
I think the bed passes my test. What about you?
How's it feel...?