escordvi | As We Stand Together by the Seaside of Blue

Entry tags:

darin altway,
zelda

As We Stand Together by the Seaside of Blue | CLOSED

Who: Darin and Zelda
Status: Closed
Where: A "certain location" on Eltrut
What: Darin has something really important to ask Zelda
Warnings: Saccharine shippy nonsense, you've been warned

[Deep breaths, Darin.]

[It's been almost a month since their Ghoul's Moon Masquerade date— a term that he'd only really come to terms with. After everything that happened, he really couldn't call it anything but. Since then, he and Zelda have been...well, it's been good. The dubious legality of their union aside, they've been happy. At least Darin has been. He doesn't want to assume anything of Zelda but if the way she clings to him was any indication, she was just as lost in the blissful haze of it all as he was.]

[But he hasn't been entirely honest with her this month.]

[The fact is, he's been working on a project. Something he'd managed to set into motion before she even woke up from her month-long sleep. Their time apart had only cemented his feelings for her and now that things have escalated...well, he couldn't put off his request any longer.]

[He'd already arranged to meet her for dinner— a special one according to his invitation. He'd told her that a big job was finished and he wanted to celebrate it with her. Which...wasn't a lie, but it definitely buried the lede a little. As such, he's not wearing his usual smith coat/black undershirt combo. No, today he's donned one of the outfits Zelda had picked out for him— a slate blue and white button down shirt with a clean white undershirt, both of which tucked into pressed khaki slacks and polished leather shoes. The shirts are even properly tucked, though he has the top two buttons undone and the sleeves rolled partway up his forearm to make the whole ensemble seem casual. He had to admit...he looked good. He really filled the shirt/button-down shirt combo out. He looked...]

[Normal.]

[Like a young man meeting his girlfriend for a date.]

[It felt good.]

[But even that confidence was a little shaken by his nerves. When he showed Zelda what he'd been working on...how would she react? He had to prepare himself for whatever the evening brought, even if it wasn't the desired outcome. But gods above it was hard enough to not just assume the worst. How did people live like this? Wanting things and caring about people? Trusting them and letting them know you? Darin would rather wrestle a wyvern while covered in steaks.]

[It's almost late afternoon as he makes his way to Zelda's apartment. Still plenty of sunlight left in the day but the sky was beginning to take on that golden hue. One that would gradually shift to orange and then twilight. If he timed everything right, they'd be able to have a nice evening dinner together, regardless of the answer she gave.]

[...He's been standing in front of her door for almost ten minutes now.]

[One more breath and he finally knocks.]

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[ Zelda has been on cloud nine since the Ghoul's Moon. Everything has changed between her and Darin and it's been wonderful... and at the same time, everything has stayed the same and that has been wonderful too. She once feared that, if she was honest about her less-than-platonic feelings for him, that she would lose his friendship. But in reality, the opposite happened-- he is now both her friend and her lover. They may not know what to call their relationship now, but at least they're fumbling through these feelings together instead of separately.

(Their unclear marital status is certainly not helping them make sense of their changed relationship, but since reading the "advice" the shellphone network had to offer, Zelda has decided to simply set the matter aside for now.)

There's a certain giddiness bubbling inside Zelda as she gets ready to meet Darin for dinner. This isn't going to be like their usual meals together. He said that he wanted to celebrate the completion of a big job; this is a date. (A word that, just thinking about, makes her heart flutter in her chest.)

Since it's a date and a celebration, Zelda has decided to wear something nice. Given the sort of work she's usually engaged in, it's impractical to wear dresses most of the time. But she does have a nice ocher colored dress that she can wear over long sleeves to combat the winter chill, mild though it may be.

She's ready almost an hour early, so Zelda busies herself with paperwork until she hears him knock at the door. Before she can even rise from her chair, Pumpkinpatch has appeared out of nowhere and is already sitting in front of the door. Darin will be able to hear a muffled "Pumpkin, move" coming from the other side as Zelda tries to push the cat aside enough to open the door just enough to get out. ]

Darin, good evening. [ She sounds just a little out of breath as she squeezes out of her apartment and locks the door behind her. ] Sorry, I didn't want Pumpkin to get out.

[Darin's words catch in his throat as he sees Zelda. They've been out and about so many times both before and after the Masquerade but today felt decidedly different. It really felt like it might be their first date...not to a formal gala or anything where they had to wear outfits or costumes. No this felt informal. Cozy. Like a life he'd always wanted but had both denied himself and had denied for him. And seeing Zelda in that cute dress certainly wasn't helping his nerves any. Was that the ensemble she tried on when they went clothes shopping for him? Was she saving it?]

[His mouth opens and closes like a fish gawping for air before he finally manages to collect himself. He lowers his head and runs a hand through his hair as he laughs bashfully.]

N-No, it's okay. I'm sorry he couldn't come with us...! [He lets out a gentle chuckle as he tries to hide the rosiness in his cheeks.]

You look...really pretty. Sorry if the invitation was a little short notice...

[Normally, he'd thrust his hands into his pockets and offer her the crook of his arm...but today he offers his hand.]

Are you ready...? It's a little bit of a walk...

[ With door closed and cat escape foiled, Zelda gets her first proper look at Darin. Oh, he's dressed nicely as well, in an outfit that compliments his physique instead of straining against it. (Not that that doesn't have its own appeal...) Is this something that she picked out with him a few months ago? What a funny coincidence-- her dress is as well. She hasn't had an opportunity to wear it before now because... well, the occasion never felt right.

But for whatever reason, this one does. ...And Zelda has no idea what the occasion is. Darin said he wanted to celebrate a completed project, but he hasn't told her what the project is or where they're even going to celebrate it. ]

Thank you. [ She smiles softly and nods in answer to his compliment. ] You look nice as well. It suits you.

[ Zelda is a little surprised when Darin offers his hand instead of his arm for her to hold. She looks from his hand to his face curiously, but ultimately decides not to ask. Instead she places her hand in his... an action which brings a bit of warmth to her expression. This feels different. Date-like.

It's nice. ]

I don't mind to walk. Do you plan to tell me our destination now or shall I continue to wait in suspense?

[Come to think of it, they hadn't really held hands since that moment before the candles at Ghoul's Moon. And back then, she was wearing full length gloves. Now, Darin can feel every contour of Zelda's soft hand and he hopes to the gods that his palm isn't sweaty. But he smiles nonetheless as he takes her hand in his...a smile that turns into a mischievous smirk when she posits her request.]

Well...I can probably give you a little background before we get there, but I'm afraid my Dear Zelda, that I'll have to keep you in suspense for just a little bit~

[His natural showman energy bubbles to the surface as his smirk turns into a grin and he leads her away from her apartment.]

[Casually, they walk hand-in-hand through the more cramped neighborhoods that riftfarers have taken to calling their homes. Both Darin and Zelda have made their homes here over the last half year and while they didn't live far apart, the accommodations left something to be desired. Darin himself had done plenty of work on Zelda's apartment just out of sheer boredom but his own apartment was cramped and overflowing with clutter. After all, he was really only there to sleep when he wasn't crashing at Zelda's. But even so, Darin had decided that if he was to spend any length of time in this world, he could at least work towards making the stay a bit more comfortable.]

[Before long, the dense apartment buildings give way to smaller but still tightly packed homes. The neighborhood starts to sprawl a bit. The sun is starting to take on that warm, orange hue and the evening sea breeze is just starting to fill the air. There's still a couple of hours of daylight left but people are beginning to head home from their various excursions.]

So...the forge itself has been doing...well, it's been doing well. And you know I've been busy with side-jobs and the like. I was balancing my books a couple of months ago and...well, you've seen the books. [He snickers a bit. He's never attempted to hide the finances of the forge from Zelda, who does more than enough tinkering there.]

So, about a month or so ago, when you were asleep...I decided I wanted to make a little bit of an investment.

[ Their walk takes them past familiar streets and onto unfamiliar ones, into a little neighborhood that Zelda doesn't often have reason to visit. It's an attractive place, notably nicer than where she lives... as well as more expensive. The princess, ironically, lives by more limited means than her blacksmith. She manages to earn enough coin to get by, plus a little to save, but not much beyond that. Her little apartment is the best she can afford-- a place which has become much more comfortable with all of the work Darin has put into it. (She does wonder sometimes why he puts so much work into her apartment and none into his own.) ]

Yes, I've seen the books. [ She confirms with a laugh. The Starmetal Forge account books are a sight to behold-- and not for the reasons most might assume. Darin can come across as foolish, but he is not unintelligent by any means. He is as capable a businessman as he is a smith and the forge has been incredibly lucrative. The first time she saw the books, Zelda couldn't believe it. Surely he had made a mistake somewhere, this was far too much profit. But after checking the math for herself, she didn't find a single error. He's actually just surprisingly wealthy.

(Is that why they're in this neighborhood? Is he taking her to a nice restaurant to celebrate... whatever it is they're celebrating?) ]

An investment? [ She gives him an inquisitive look, then glances around their surroundings, as if they might give her a clue. ] I assumed you were working on a large project that could not be done in the forge.

[That draws a hearty laugh from Darin.]

Well, you're right about that. This project was something that had to have its own site. It won't be much longer.

[He guides her through the neighborhood as the housing starts to grow a little more sparse. The plots of land grow a bit bigger and the properties more spaced out. They pass parks and gardens as the sun begins to hang lower in the sky in front of them. Whichever way they're headed, they're heading westward towards it.]

[He stalls for time by regaling her with some of the more lucrative ventures he'd pursued. The elemental stones were a large boon, but working on Emet-Selch's engine as well as taking on that whole tapir plushie caper paid out well. Not to mention the troubling mystery of the children afflicted with crystals.]

[Darin doesn't need to tell Zelda he's a man of modest tastes. He's happiest when he can work and create and his home has never needed to be more than a place to sleep. That is...until recently. Recently, Darin has questioned exactly what a 'home' should really be...and that's in no small thanks to Zelda herself.]

[Eventually, the homes thin out and they come to a small cobblestone street. The sound of the sea can be heard lapping at the coast and the breeze has picked up. They're not exactly being buffeted but there's a telltale freshness in the air; crisp and salty. The smell of an adventure. Of the unknown.]

[Darin stops a few paces down this cobblestone path and gestures to a cottage sitting atop a small, grassy hillock. It's far enough away so has not to be crowded by other properties and raised up enough that the view from the front would give a rather nice view of this neighborhood.]

Well...here we are.

What do you think?

[ As the neighborhood starts to thin and the houses get further apart, Zelda finds herself reminded of Hateno Village-- the cobbled streets, the cozy cottages, the sprawling land, and the sounds and smells of the sea not far beyond the horizon. It's nostalgic.

At the end of the cobbled path sits not a restaurant, but a cottage. Built atop a grassy hill, it overlooks the other cottages in the area, all of them a sizeable but walkable distance away. The breeze carries on it the scent of saltwater from somewhere past the opposite side of the hill. ]

It's quite lovely. [ Zelda remarks, in a manner that's probably much more tame than Darin was expecting. ] It reminds me a bit of the Ancient Tech Laboratory-- the lab sits on the edge of Hateno Village on a seaside hill much like this one.

Does this belong to your client?

[ Was Darin crafting something for whoever owns this cottage? Maybe he wants to show Zelda the finished product before they go to dinner. She certainly wouldn't mind! It must be quite the project, considering how busy it's been keeping him. ]

[Honestly, he was hoping for this reaction. He can barely contain the grin pulling at his lips. He releases her hand and runs up the small path, stopping right before the stoop to the front door. He gives the metal postbox and playful whap as he spins to face her.]

[The cottage behind him is practically gleaming in its newness. Built of stone, wood, and mortar it stands two stories with large windows spaced evenly across the front. There's some plain drapery keeping people from looking in— placeholder curtains for the time being.]

[He fishes around in his pocket and withdraws a key, his grin widening.]

I suppose you could say that. If you mean to ask if I'm the client...then yeah!

It's mine!

[ Zelda's eyes go wide. ]

Yours?

[ All of the sudden, she's overwhelmed with an intense feeling of deja vu. It's like she's been transported back in time five years, to the day Link brought her to Hateno Village for the very first time. He lead her an attractive cottage built on the outskirts of the village-- one story tall with a loft on one side and a large sloping roof.

Zelda remembers clearly how Link walked up to the door, then paused to turn back to her and invite her inside. When she asked if the owner was expecting them, Link's lips curled up in a cheeky little smile when he answered yes... because he was the owner.

She stared at Link the way she stares at Darin now-- completely taken by surprise, her mouth hanging open agape. Then she collects herself and smiles. In Hateno, Zelda's smile was small, laced with worry-- a sunbeam cutting through clouds. Barely more than a few months had passed since Link freed her from the seal; the princess was still trying to find her way in this new Hyrule.

Today, she beams-- like sunlight on a clear day-- and runs up the path to meet him. ]

You bought a house? Darin, it's beautiful! How in the world did you afford this? I know the forge has been profitable, but this...! This is incredible!

Well, I had to do something with everything I'd saved up!

[Darin is drinking in these reactions. If she loved the idea of the house so much...then maybe she'd be more amenable to what he had in mind.]

And it's not like I've just been saving money from the forge either. I've been exploring those underwater ruins and taking other random jobs too! I've had a huge nest egg for awhile! And I thought that maybe it was about time to leave that cramped apartment.

[Considering his apartment looks like a disaster area— inundated with technical manuals, books, notes, and random treasures he's found. Darin barely even sleeps in the lumpy bed. Zelda has, on several occasions, gently chided him for passing out everywhere but his bed. But honestly, it was Zelda's desire to give him a place, a home, that ultimately persuaded him to consider his own wants. And when Zelda had fallen into her month-long slumber, it was those wants that spurred him into action.]

[From the start, Darin had been heavily involved in the design process. And now, he turns and slots the key into the lock. The clacking of the locks tumbler seems appropriately weighty for such an occasion and with a turn of the knob, the door creeks open.]

So, what do you say? Want me to give you the grand tour?

[ The remark about his apartment gets a laugh out of Zelda. 'Cramped' is an understatement-- Darin's apartment looks like the contents of a library and a workshop were jumbled together and then dumped haphazardly all over the floor. It's always been a mess, but it's somehow gotten worse over the months she's known him. Little wonder he stays at Zelda's apartment every chance he gets.

Zelda nods excitedly as Darin unlocks the door. ]

Yes! I want to see everything!

[Darin steps aside and bows playfully, allowing Zelda to enter first before he follows after.]

[The house is devoid of furniture for the moment. Darin plans to spend the next few days selecting everything he believes he'll need to properly furnish the cottage but the layout already lends itself to some ideas. The floors are all polished hardwood and the first floor as a large, open floor plan. There is a grand, stone fireplace in the living room, the first room that they enter. Beyond that, the hardwood gives way to slate tile for the kitchen that already has the necessary space for an ice box, a stove top, and plenty of cabinet space. There's even an island in the center for food prep adjacent to two twin sinks. To the right, a dining area, large enough for a table that can comfortably seat six people. The whole back of the house has tons of natural light from the bay windows which afford a view of the beach just beyond the back of the house. Beyond that? The sprawling sea. A constant reminder of the wide world out there still yearning to be explored.]

[There's a back door between the kitchen and dining areas that leads to a spacious sloping back yard with a path that leads right down to the beach. There's already lumber piled up on the sand, no doubt so Darin can build himself a small fishing pier.]

[To the right of the living room, two empty rooms sit by the stairs leading to the second floor.]

Well? How's it look? I'm not sure what I want to do with those two rooms yet. I'm thinking a workspace and drafting area for one...

[Darin's been carefully watching Zelda's face as he leads her through the first floor, shifting with both anxiety and energy from foot to foot.]

I may be open to suggestions...

[ Zelda's eyes sparkle with enthusiasm as Darin leads her around the first floor of the cottage. While it reminded her initially of the house in Hateno, it's actually quite a bit bigger. A large living area, kitchen, dining space. She marvels at the incredible view from the bay windows, excitedly pointing out how close his home is to the beach (something which, of course, Darin already knows). ]

It's stunning! All this space, all these windows... Darin, this must have cost a fortune!

[ She peaks into the two empty rooms at his encouragement, nodding along with his ideas. ]

Those are excellent ideas, but I believe you need in dire need of a dedicated library. Books should be stored on shelves, not in stacks on the floor! [ Zelda grins as she delivers the pointed jab at the current state of his apartment. ] Why, it would be downright criminal to treat such a beautiful house the way you treat your apartment.

A library, huh...? Sounds like a great idea but I don't know if I can fill that many shelves all by myself~

[The fact that he's all smiles helps hide the fact that he's having a hard time to keep from smiling at his playful allusion. She really has no idea as to the real reason why he's brought her here.]

You should come check out the upstairs!

[He leads her upstairs to a long hallway that runs left to right at the top of the landing. Darin first leads her to the bathroom, newly finished with a large tub and shower combo.]

Check it out though...no more ice cold showers!

[He hurries out before she pays too much attention to the twin sinks and the large mirror and starts to show her the remaining rooms.]

I was thinking of using this as a spare bedroom in case anyone needed to come over. It's got a nice sized closet for storage too.

[The bedrooms all have finished hardwood flooring and this one in particular has two windows, one that faces the front and the rest of the neighborhood they passed through to get here. From there, Darin takes her down the opposite hallway, pointedly walking by a room whose door is slightly ajar, to the last room. This one, similarly, faces the front and is a bit more spacious than the previous room.]

I've decided that this room is gonna be my room. It's practically bigger than my entire old apartment!

[He steps in and holds his arms out at the sides to demonstrate the space.]

Not bad for a smith, huh??

[ Zelda quirks a suspicious brow at way he says he couldn't fill an entire library all on his own. Darin is clearly teasing her... but she has no idea why. She keeps the question to herself as she follows him upstairs.

She continues to 'ooh' and 'ahh' as he shows her the different rooms. Her sharp eye does catch the twin sinks, but she assumes that was by design of the architect and doesn't think anything of it. What does surprise her is the way Darin leads her straight past one room without going into it. He's showed her every other room in the cottage-- why skip that one? But once again, she decides not to ask and follows him into the final room.

Zelda looks around in amazement at the spacious room as she walks around. It is bigger than his apartment. And it has a beautiful view, just like the other rooms. ]

For an ordinary smith, perhaps. [ She turns to Darin, grinning cheekily. ] But for a master blacksmith, I would say it's perfect.

Edited 2024-12-01 02:06 (UTC)

[Darin's cheeks take on a rosy hue when Zelda teases him. It's like how she flusters slightly when he addresses her by her title. It's teasing and cute and makes his heart flutter like the wings of a dove in his chest.]

I'm...really glad you like it. Actually, there's one more room. I...saved it for last.

[The mirth melts away to something softer as he escorts her out of the room, back to the one they had passed. In fact, his entire countenance has shifted to something more nervous. Carefully, he pushes the door open and gestures for her to enter.]

[This is the largest bedroom in the house by far. The back wall has a large alcove with bay windows, each with a flower box already built into the frame. Beneath the windows is a ledge, perfect for sitting and reading or wiling away the hours. On either side of the bay window alcove are two larger windows, flooding the room with light. This room faces the back...which means the beach and open sea, sunset included, are all in perfect view. There's a large, double door closet to the right of the door once you walk in with more than enough storage for three people, let alone one.]

[The room itself is bare save for one item on the floor. It's a wooden plate, like one would see hung on a door to a room or a post box. It's hand crafted with the name 'ZELDA' carefully woodburned into the placard. On either side of the name, matching flowers; sweetbriers, a flower that symbolizes 'home.']

[And in front of the plate, a little, handcrafted metal keychain of a cute frog. Attached to a key that is identical to the one he very blatantly showed her before they entered.]

[Darin steps into the room carefully, a lump in his throat, waiting for her to turn to him before he begins to explain himself.]

Edited 2024-12-01 04:18 (UTC)

[ Zelda expects a retort from Darin, as he usually keeps up the teasing between them. So when his response sincere and subdued, she looks at him questioningly.

Instead of following behind Darin into the last room, he ushers her to enter first. Her questioning look deepens, brows furrowing, but she does as directed.

Zelda steps into what must be the largest bedroom in the house. Its large windows overlook the sea, each with a flower box built into its frame, as well as a cozy window seat. An exquisite sunset streams in through the windows as the sun sinks below the horizon, the sky and clouds awash in streaks of orange, burgundy, and violet.

As she looks around, her eyes fall to a small object on the floor. The rest of the rooms have been empty, so this couldn't have been left here by accident. It must have been placed here intentionally.

Zelda crouches down to examine the object. It's a small wooden plaque bearing her name, with matching flowers on either side. On the floor in front of it is a key that looks just like the one Darin used to unlock the front door. Except this one has a keychain in the shape of a frog.

She stands, plaque in one hand and key in the other, looking back and forth between them. It makes sense that Darin would give her a key to his new home; she has one for his apartment, as he does for hers. But why leave it on the floor like this for her to discover? And why is there a plaque with her name and wild roses burned into it? It must be a gift, but why give it to her in such an unusual way?

Zelda turns slowly, eyes still on the flowers. Why wild roses? They're lovely, unquestionably, but--... No, not wild roses. ]

Sweetbriers?

[ Zelda looks towards Darin, her eyes full of questions. A key with an ornament clearly made for her and a plaque with her name flanked by flowers that symbolize 'home.' ...No, not just a plaque; a nameplate. ]

Darin, I... I don't understand.

[ No, she actually does. But this can't be right. She must be misinterpreting these objects, because it almost feels like their intentional placement in this room is his way of offering it to her-- her own room in his home.

Zelda shares a home with Link in Hyrule. It has always made the most sense, given their relationship and their frequent traveling together. She thought little of the arrangement at first, but after awhile, that house in Hateno came to be home.

This... This does not feel like that at all. This feels... bigger. ]

[Darin steps in and waits for her to question the somewhat obtuse gesture. And as she turns, he runs his hand through his hair. He's nervous. Worried. Scared. Anxious. He knows what he's about to ask— that he's about to allow himself to be seen. Perceived. That he's opening himself up to be hurt. That his mask is off and he can't rely on it anymore.]

Zelda...I...

[He clears his throat, fumbling for words. He'd rehearsed this whole speech a dozen times before today but now all words have left him. It's just...emotion. Raw and pure. Darin doesn't realize it, but he tends to do his best when he speaks directly from the heart. When he lets the words write themselves rather than relying on scripts. He lives in the moment, and right now he wants to live in this moment with her.]

Ever since I washed up here...I didn't really know what I was going to do with myself. I had just learned exactly what I was and I figured that if I just hid here...maybe I could get by long enough to keep my world safe. I thought I could just...sequester myself away. Hide until I either made it back to Anmaral or...didn't.

[The unpleasant implication hangs. He had really decided to hide here for the rest of his life. He was prepared to live alone for the rest of his days, a world away from the only man who ever cared for him like family. A lonely existence— a penance he was forcing upon himself for the crime of merely existing.]

[Slowly, he makes his way into the room. He walks by her to stand at the windows, gazing out at the effervescent sunset. He feels the warmth of the setting sun on his skin and he's reminded how her presence is like the sun in his life. Her presence fills him with life and light and joy.]

Then I met you...

[He turns to her and offers her a soft, sincere smile, backlit by the splendor of the sunset lighting the sea on fire behind him.]

And we fought. Gods we fought. [A soft chuckle escapes his lips as he bows and shakes his head, remembering those early days. Gods what he would have done to escape her. Now, all he wants is to be near her.] I really made you work for my trust and I feel like such an idiot for all of the times I pushed you away...

But you never once gave up on me. You learned who and what I was and instead of running away...you ran towards me. You taught me what it was like to actually be wanted and...because of that...I started to trust people. I owe you...more than I could ever hope to pay. Because you taught me that maybe it was okay for me to want a place somewhere...

So...I built one. [He gestures around at the room and, by extension, the house.] I built one with hard work and faith and a desire to belong somewhere. And...when you were asleep, I realized that any place I built was going to feel empty if it didn't have you there...

[Slowly, he turns to her right and begins to pace as his nerves start to catch up with him. As he speaks, he keeps his eyes trained on the floor, gesturing emphatically with his hands. Occasionally, he reaches up and runs one through his hair, his tell that he's nervous. Scared. He's baring it all. He knows what he's asking her.]

A-And...And look, I know that a lot has changed in the last few weeks between us. And I know that it seems fast and we're trying to figure everything out but...I've been so happy. Happier than I think I've ever been! For the first time in my life, the world seems bigger. Like every day is a new adventure or a new project. Something new to learn and experience! Gods, Zelda...I feel like a better man just because you're near me. And even after everything that's happened...you're still my best friend.

[Before he gets too far along— too swept up in his fervent emotion, he whips around and emphatically places his hands up, in a placating gesture, as if she might get upset at his insinuations. As if she might start to panic spiral that he was asking for more than he thought either of them were ready for.]

A-And I know that you have a home in Hyrule. I know you have Link and that you will eventually go back there and I would never dream of asking to replace them. I know I can't be with you forever...I know your home is someplace...

...Someplace else...

[He looks at her, emerald eyes full of equal parts fear and hope. He knows he can't be her home forever. She's a princess. She has a role. A duty. A knight and hero waiting for her. And at the end of every blissful day he's spent with her, he knows what he is. He's just a blacksmith, so utterly undeserving to stand on equal footing with a man who has saved her, her kingdom, and brought so much joy into her life.]

[He can't be her hero because she already has one. His role has always been to support the heroes. To give them means and tools. To prop them up.]

[Heroes are main characters. At worst, he's the villain. At best, he's the support. The friendly tradesman. The background character.]

[Background characters don't get the princess. They don't get to live 'happily ever after.']

[All he wants is to live 'happily.' For as long as the universe will allow him this one kindness. This one ray of Sunshine.]

B-But I thought...as long as we were here. Together. I...I wanted to offer you a place. A home. Like you always wanted for me...

[He visibly swallows. Gods above, what was he thinking? Asking her to move in with him when she already had a home? He has to bite back the retraction already working its way to his lips and it takes every ounce of his willpower to do it. Instead, he speaks his feelings plainly. It's all he has left.]

I want you to live here. With me. I want to share my home with you...

Edited 2024-12-01 08:09 (UTC)

[ Zelda remains in the center of the room, absently hugging the carved nameplate to her chest as she listens to Darin speak. There are a few points where she's tempted to interrupt, whether to go to him and offer comfort or to refute his mistaken assumptions. But she holds herself back, giving him enough space to say what he wants to say.

A home with Darin... The thought brings all sorts of feelings to the surface of her mind. Happy feelings-- because she is happy with him. She's been so happy these past weeks, enjoying the intimacy they've been exploring together. He spends so much time in her apartment that it almost feels like they live together already... Sharing a house wouldn't really be that big of a change, would it?

And yet, the thought makes something in Zelda's chest begin to ache. This is just for as long as they're here in this world, he said. He can't be with her forever. Her home is someplace else.

That thought... it hurts somehow. Her home is in Hyrule.... She loves Hyrule. She misses it, and Link, and all of her friends so dearly. She wants to return there someday. So why does thinking about that make her chest hurt?

Instead of searching for an answer, Zelda decides to push that feeling aside for now. She's not in Hyrule right now. She's on Eltrut, in a brand new cottage with Darin. A home he's built for himself, just like Zelda has always wanted for him. Somewhere that he can belong. This world, and the people in it, they accept him. They could be his home.

...She wants that too. It can't be forever, but at least for now, for a little while, she can be his home too. ]

...I'd like that.

[ She looks at Darin, at his worried, hopeful expression. It's so honest. He really lets her see him now.

She can do the same. ]

Ever since the masquerade, since you've been staying at my apartment more often, I've been so... so happy. I never knew I could have something like this with someone. Starting and ending each day with you... I feel like I'm home. --Not home in Hyrule, I mean. Simply... home.

I would be very happy to call this place home with you.

[Darin stares at her. From word one his eyes are wide enough they might fall out of his head. He tilts his head as if she were speaking an entirely different language. He was all set to play off her refusal as something that was no big deal. He was ready to put that mask back up— to pretend that this didn't mean as much to him as it actually did. He felt it. It took everything he was to not retract his desire before she could answer.]

[But then she answers.]

[He takes a cautious step toward her, hands tentatively in front of him, as if she might blow away with the wind or shatter into a million pieces.]

[Did she really just—?]

[But she continues. She's been just as happy as he has been. She never knew she could have something like this with someone? But...what about Link? Obviously they weren't romantically involved but did she really see him so differently?]

['Not home in Hyrule. Simply...home.']

[He takes another heavy step forward and his hands hover awkwardly about her shoulders. And when he speaks, his voice cracks.]

Y...Y-You want to...? Did you say—

[His hands gently grasp her just above her biceps and he lowers himself to look her in the eye. Even after everything they've shared, he knew how big of a commitment this was. And she can see it plainly. He doesn't want to tie her down— tether her to him when she has a life someplace else.]

[He licks his lips, his mouth suddenly dry.]

S-Say...C-Can you say it again...? [And slowly, his voice returns; energetic and filled with disbelief. She can already see the way the corners of his mouth are curling up into the beginnings of a smile.]

Say it again...!

[ Zelda watches as Darin slowly approaches her, working through his disbelief. How nervous he was-- had he somehow convinced himself that she was going to say no? It seems almost laughable; after all, he basically lives with her in her apartment nowadays. It would be more practical for them to share the same house, rather than for Darin to pay rent on an apartment he never uses.

But this is about more than just practicality. This is about the two of them and whatever their relationship has become. They are best friends. They are lovers. They may or may not be considered legally married in the eyes of the law. Sharing a home will be yet another snarl in the knotted mess that is their relationship. The more they get tangled up in each other, the harder it will be to disentangle themselves when the time comes.

But, seeing the disbelief in Darin's gaze as he grips her arms, Zelda can't bring herself to be concerned about that. Whatever this is, whatever they are, they're figuring it out together.

And whatever this is, it feels like home. ]

I want to live here. With you. I want this to be my home too.

[He didn't imagine it. She wants to live with him. She wants this to be her home. Even if it was for just a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of things, she wants to live with him!]

[Zelda is so often the first to throw herself into his arms. To leap into him and throw her arms around his neck and shoulders. He loves it when she does that and he's come to do things specifically to illicit that very response. She's the warmest person he knows and when she holds him close, he feels like nothing else in the world matters.]

[But now, in this moment, he scoops her and buries his face in her neck and shoulder. Gods above, if they weren't inside he'd leap a mile into the air with her. But instead, he settles for spinning around while he holds her close, all the while laughing like she'd just given him the best news of his life.]

You said yes! You really said yes!

[It still sounds so crazy to him! He kisses her cheek excitedly and pulls away to twirl once more.]

A-And...just so you know...you can still have your own room. We don't...need to share. Or anything. If you don't want to! I had this room built for you and I'm totally fine with mine...!

[ Zelda laughs as Darin sweeps her up into his arms and immediately drops his face into the crook of her neck. She extracts one of her arms from between their chests and puts it around his shoulders as he spins. His laughter in his ear fills her heart with joy. It isn't living together that makes it feel like home-- it's this, the warmth and comfort and joy they share when he holds her in his arms. This is home. He is home.

She's still laughing as he lifts his head and plants a kiss on her cheek. ]

I am perfectly happy to have my own room... so long as we can still share sometimes. [ A thought which makes her giggle girlishly. ] Perhaps we might be able to share your room on occasion instead of always using mine.

Y...Yeah! Yeah, of course! I still need to go furniture shopping! And...we need to bring your things over! And Pumpkin is going to have all of this space now!

[He has to physically stop himself from continuing as more and more ideas pop into his head. He's getting ahead of himself— his unbridled happiness just ushers in a wellspring of ideas. Of possibilities.]

[With a spin he walks her over to the bay window alcove where they can look down at the beach and the ocean beyond. The sun has all but set the water aglow. The distant sound of the tide is both exhilarating and calming.]

...I used to have a view kinda like this. Back in my Old Man's house in Kenmore. I used to love looking out on the bay and just...imagining what else was out there.

Now I get to do that with someone else.

[He turns his gaze from the window and gingerly presses his forehead to hers. A nudge of affection.]

You're...really sure about this? You want this?

You're not just...just trying to make me happy, right...?

[Because this only works if this is something they both want.]

[ Zelda looks out over the glimmering sea. This is what Darin used to see every day in his home world? He's told her a lot about his life-- the hardship and misery he grew up with, alone but for his foster father-- but rarely does he mention the more mundane details. Zelda is certainly curious; she wants to know everything about his life before he arrived here, especially any little thing that brought him joy. She doesn't press him with questions, though; Zelda doesn't want Darin to dredge up miserable memories just to sate her curiosity.

But knowing that he used to look out over the sea like this, it makes her feel a little bit closer to him.

She hums softly as he touches his forehead to hers. ]

I am certain. I truly want to live here with you. The days when we go to sleep together in my apartment are my favorite, and the days when you go back to yours are when I miss you the most.

[ A soft laugh. ] Besides, you know I would never try to lie to you to make you happy. You hate liars.

[Darin feels his cheeks burn with color. It felt so strange and wonderful to have someone miss his presence in their life. He often wondered if anyone would miss him save for Acteon and Kessler...and now here's Zelda admitting that when they're physically apart, she longs for him. The same way he does for her.]

[A soft laugh similarly escapes his lips.] You're right...I can't stand liars. And you'd never lie to me. You've proven that much...

[He wants to bask in this moment forever but he knows that they'll have plenty of other exciting moments together. So, for now, he moves to the seat built into the bay window alcove and sits, bringing her with him.]

We...really should get to dinner before it gets too late but before we do...there is one thing I was really hoping I'd get to say.

[Darin pulls back a bit while still embracing her and clears his throat.]

...Welcome home, Zelda.

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As We Stand Together by the Seaside of Blue | CLOSED

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