Arcadia Resurgence, Vague Vermillion [best book club books for discussion .TXT] 📗

with his sleeve. How was Midna fairing right now? How was she doing? How did she cope with all of this – were she even thinking about him? Questions had been left unanswered for a full year, driving the poor Hero almost mad.

"…I wish I could see you again. Just once." He closed his tired eyes and sighed. "Just once more and at least have a proper farewell this time."

…

The sky was a lovely mix of gold and red. Observing the beautiful sky, those wonderful colours suddenly became warped and…dark? It wasn't the dark of night, but a black veil that just appeared out of nowhere, warping and changing—

A light emerged from the bizarre darkness, illuminating the spring to the point that Link could see nothing.

There was a scream, followed by a splash. The splashing of water continued and someone was clearly spitting and sputtering out the clear liquid as they struggled to get up.

The light faded. Link's eyes regained vision, making out the dark figure a few feet away. Alarmed, he reached for his axe he had meant to chop wood with—

"Link?!"

He froze. That voice…There was no mistake. That voice belonged to—

"Midna…?!"

Clear, azure eyes stared right into flame-coloured ones. His heart skipped several beats, his breath hitched in his throat and mind reeling. It couldn't be—

"Midna!"

The tall Twili dashed across the shallow waters and leapt into his arms, a cry of joy upon her lips. They embraced each other, laughing and crying with uncontrolled elation.

One year suddenly felt like it had been a lifetime.

"I can't believe you're in my arms again," the Twilight Princess exclaimed. "It's not a dream! Not anymore!" Tears welled up in her eyes. "Link, I understand if you're shocked—"

She glanced down. The Hylian, being shorter than her, was stiff and barely moving, his head firmly between her shapely breasts.

"…"

Mischievous in nature, Midna grinned and hugged him tighter, squishing her bosom around the blonde's head even more, feigning ignorance.

"It's so good to see you again, Link!"

She laughed as Link's response came out muffled. Impish traits aside, the Twili released her beloved Hero from her hold, glancing down and meeting his eyes.

"It's…It's really you," Link managed, his voice weak and eyes watery. "This isn't a dream, right…?"

"If it is, then let's never wake up," Midna responded. "I've returned, Link."

"But, how—"

"Magic," she stated. "The Mirror of Twilight was the only link between our worlds that was on a physical plane. However, after much studying, I found out about ancient magic that would allow me to travel between our worlds."

His eyes briefly flashed with worry. "Midna, I'm glad you're here, but that sounds highly risky—"

The Twili staggered and slumped forward, with only the blonde to prevent her fall.

"Midna?!"

"The magic sure took its toll on me…" she said. "Forgive me. I need to rest."

"Can you still hide in my shadow?"

She blinked. "Yes…?"

"Then do so. I'll take you back to my home; it's just a stone's throw away."

Midna smiled at him. "Thank you, Link."

"Don't mention it. It's a given, at this point."

The two shared a bright smile.

And as the Twili quickly vanished into the Hylian's shadow, there was a happy spring in his steps as he jogged back home.

x.x.x

"The humble home of a Hero… It's been a while since I've been here."

Link just chuckled as he watched his friend walk around, admiring and inspecting every nook and cranny. It was a completely different kind of culture from her tiled and dark home, after all.

However…

His heartbeat spiked sporadically. Whenever Midna moved, she did so with the gait of a woodland predator – almost like a wolf, ironically – with those long, slim legs of hers. The memory of having those shapely breasts all up in his face wasn't helping either. Even with that long, hooded cloak she wore, whenever Midna leant forward for closer inspection, Link could make out the firm, round butt of hers behind it, silently appreciating it as blood rushed to the apex of his loins and heat rising through his body.

Midna really was beautiful…and drop-dead attractive. Not that he wielder of Courage had the guts to say that out loud.

"What's this now?!"

Snapping out of his reverie, Link jogged over to his guest and immediately stopped in his tracks. On the small table lay a small, small fragment of the Fused Shadows; so small that it no longer had a somber glow to it. Yet it was impossible to not know what it was.

"I, uhm…I found it in the sands, after you left," he admitted. "Figured I'd kept it for safekeeping and…well, to remind me of you." She turned to him. Their eyes met and he smiled sheepishly. "I missed you, you know."

Flame-shaded eyes welled up. "…It must have been lonely, especially with the way I left," Midna stated. "…I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I'm just glad to see you again."

"As am I, Link…" Her voice trailed off, her gaze shifting between the blonde and the fragment. "…How have you been fairing since then?"

He rubbed his neck. "I've…been well. All things considered. I'm still a rancher, living the humble life. And you?"

"…Could have been better. My people have recovered, but…Well, I would be lying if I said I didn't miss the adventure we had."

"Mhm…Same here."

"It…truly was something, wasn't it? The forest, the lake…the desert…even going back in time; it was fun, despite it all."

"I would not trade it for anything. I still remember how we first met, too. I have kept the shackle as a memento, you know."

Midna laughed. "Are you serious? I don't know whether or not I should find that sweet or not." She paused, calming down. "You know, I suppose it actually is pretty sweet of you. Even if we got off from the wrong foot back then."

"Perhaps," Link said. He grabbed the Twili by the shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. "But like I said, I would not trade it for anything."

"Link…"

…

…

"Right!" Midna suddenly exclaimed. "Now that I'm here, and seeing it's evening already, andthe fact that I'm your guest, I'll leave you to handle dinner whilst I inspect my bedchamber! It's up the ladder, if memory serves! Besides, I'm rather tired from the spell…"

Link chuckled. "Of course. Just don't trip and fall down now." However, as his guest made her way to the ladder, his eyes immediately became fixed upon her shapely rear, despite himself.

The Twili scoffed as she began to climb. "I would not give you the satisfaction of seeing me humiliate myself—"

She had glanced over her shoulder and upon doing so, noticed the way her host had been silently appreciating her backside. They exchanged looks and the Twili smirked, wider still when she noticed how his features became a lovely a shade of red.

"I had suggested we could share the bed, but perhaps you should sleep on the floor," she said with a giggle. "This posterior might be a little too much for the wolf, no?" She teasingly shook her butt at the blushing Hylian, whom had to force himself to look away.

Distracted as she was, however, the Twili missed a step while climbing – the surprise came as a shock and soon her grip faltered and gravity did the rest.

The fall didn't hurt – on the contrary; it was soft, all things considered – and the Twilight Princess quickly sat up-

"So much for elegance," she stated sarcastically. "Thank you for catching me, Link-"

She glanced downwards. While Link had indeed responsible for dampening her fall, it hadn't been done in a gallant way of catching her mid-air and carrying her bridal style. No, the Hero of Twilight was on his back, sprawled on the floor, with the fiery-haired princess right on top of him.

More specifically, Link was right underneath the Twili's shapely rear. Even more specifically, his face was underneath said posterior.

Turquoise cheeks reddened as realization kicked in.

"I'm so sorry, Link!" Midna cried out. "I'll get off immediately!"

She began to move but immediately froze. Her eyes were firmly trained on the protrusion in the blonde's pants and her mind reeled. The outline on his pants was enough to stimulate her fantasies; her body was flushed hotter the more she gawked and saliva pooled in her mouth at the sight, lips curling into a wicked smile as she absentmindedly rocked her hips against-

Link's face! A sharp exhale against the princess' posterior snapped Midna out of her reverie. The Twili, utterly embarrassed, quickly got up (but not before glancing one last time at the impressive protuberance, blushing as she did.)

"Are you alright, Link?" she asked, worried sick. "I am so ashamed about this…"

The Hero didn't reply at first. They barely made eye-contact for a brief moment before averting their gazes as he got back up on his feet, rubbing his neck with a blush of his own.

"…I'm fine," he finally replied. "I'm fine."

"I cannot express enough how embarrassed I am for this…"

"Don't worry about it, Midna."

"And don't fret about your…" The Twili eyed his lower body. "It's only natural for males to react like that in the presence of—"

"Let's not discuss that any further," Link said, still unable to look Midna in the eyes. "Just…"

"I am merely pointing out that you shouldn't feel ashamed for how your body reacts…" She paused, lips quirked into a grin. "I mean, I am aware that I'm beautiful enough to render you speechless, but it's nice to know you appreciate my true form."

"Can we just skip this, please?"

Midna giggled – that mischievous laugh which brought back memories – and patted the young man's head. "Don't fret, I'm just teasing you."

He looked at her. His expression was unreadable at first but finally he cracked a smile, and the sight of it warmed the Twilight Princess' heart. "You haven't changed, Midna."

"And neither have you, Link."

They shared a good-natured laugh but the atmosphere between them grew awkward, unbearably so. They refused to meet one another's stares and simply stood there in silence.

"…"

"…"

"…So."

"Right."

"…Perhaps we should sit down for this," Link stated.

"Perchance that would be for the best," Midna agreed and nodded. Following the blonde, the two sat down on the opposite ends of the small table.

The awkwardness of the situation was thick enough, you could cut it with a knife.

"Why are you here, Midna?" The way Link said it came off as rude – he seemed to have caught on to this and cleared his throat. "Don't get me wrong; you have no idea how happy I am to see you again, after so long." His voice trailed off. He sighed. "But you only arrived here because of this… "forbidden magic", right? I can't imagine you went to such great strides simply to meet me."

A chuckle. "Yes and no, really. Light and Dark shouldn't mingle together…But ever since we parted ways, my dreams and thoughts have always been of you. Not a day has passed when I haven't missed you, Link."

"…"

"I might seem as…selfish. I'm aware of it. I left and destroyed the Mirror of Twilight because I thought that, even though it would hurt me, it would be for the best, not just for me but for you as well. Far too late did I realize that I was wrong – I was wrong and I needed to rectify this. So I dabbled with the "forbidden" magic; to see you."

"…"

"Aren't you going to chastise me?"

Link sighed. "…No. I should, but…" His voice trailed off as he thought things through. His brow was furrowed. "I missed you, more than you could possibly imagine. I would be lying if I claimed that I didn't think about you every day since we parted ways."

"Link…"

Perhaps it was the undying love for him she held for him, perchance the contact of her hand against his cheek, but warmness it brought upon touching sparked something; their eyes met, speaking for their feelings that words possibly couldn't convey, and soon they had both leant in to kiss.

Warm. Soft. A tingling feeling that had their cheeks flared hotly red and a Desire burning within them.

They watched each other for a second that felt like it lasted for eons before they kissed