A/N: Art is not mine. Credits go to Kawacy.
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There was a silence. Zelda looked at her hands that were resting in her lap. "How do you feel?" she asked. "Tired. Like ran for miles", was the only explanation Link could give. His head still felt like someone stuffed cotton in his scalp instead of a brain. His muscles felt sore with every movement. But he could sit up and did just that. Zelda wanted to help, but Link shook his head. "I've got this. I've been through worse", he simply stated. "I actually thought you were dying", Zelda finally said. "What do you mean?" her knight asked while swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. The princess looked up, her face painted with worry and fear. She was searching for the words, but her mind stayed blank.

Link didn't unterstand what got the princess so afraid." If it troubles you that much, you don't have to tell me. I'll be fine", he said. Zelda nodded. Another time would be better. She was still too shaken up to talk about it. Link stood up. "Are you sure you should be walking around?" Zelda asked.

"Staying in bed does not improve anything. I'd rather walk around. Besides, it's helps me to clear my head."

"Do mind if I come with you?"

"Go ahead."
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Leon was back doing his duties when he heard voices. He walked out of the room where he was busy in and saw Link and Zelda walking in the hallway. He put away his stuff and walked up to the pair. "Link, can you never scare me like that?" was the first thing he said. Link looked up from his conversation. "I have litterally no clue what you are talking about", he said. "You don't remember?" Leon asked.

"Not much. Last thing I know is that I was in a fight with you and I walked off."

"Didn't Zelda tell you?"

Zelda shook her head in response. "She didn't. It clearly upset her", Link said. Leon nodded in response. "Do you want to know?" he asked after a few minutes of silence. "Why is everyone so cautious about spilling the fucking beans! It's not that I lost control or something! I have gone through a war, died, fought again and defeated the calamity! I BASICALLY FOUGHT A DEMON!" Link yelled. "Litsten! You did lose control. I don't what it was or why, but you did! Zelda  was going after you when we fought and you walked away", Leon said, "I continued on with my things when Zelda here, screamed like someone had been killed. So I ran to her. When I got on the bridge at the training grounds she was sitting on the ground", Leon took a deep breath, "you were in her arms and, I shit you not, it looked like you were shot repeatedly with shock arrows. Like, holy fuck! You were shaking," Leon finished his explanation. Link just looked at his fellow soldier. "Well then. At least I am not dead",  he said even though deep down he wished that was the outcome, but he didn't express that feeling. He had decided to not express his thoughts and feelings, since it only ended up in him being saved. And others getting hurt.
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Zelda was back with her duties to rebuild Hyrule. She had Link at her side again, like the last couple of weeks never happened. The only things that were a reminder of what happened were the scars on Link's arms, but she decided not to look at them. "So, we still need to travel to Goron city", she said, "since we didn't have that chance". Link didn't know how to respond to that, so he chose to ignore it and stay silent. "I want to leave tomorrow morning at dawn", Zelda continued. Link simply nodded. He loved traveling with the emphasize on loved. He was losing interest in the simplest things, yet he didn't spoke about it. He knew how much the kingdom meant to Zelda and he didn't want to fuck it up for the second time. "I'll make sure the horses will be ready for tomorrow", he said. The meeting was over amd they both went their own way.
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The next morning Link was up before dawn to make sure he had everything packed for the trip. Actually, that was a lie. He didn't sleep the whole night afraid of nightmares knocking on his conscious. For the first time he was scared to go on a trip since almost everything in Hyrule was a trigger. He still decided to be stubborn and follow through. Zelda wanted this, so he had to be on her side as he was still her appointed knight. "I will not fuck this up again", he said to himself. "What won't you fuck up?" a voice asked. Link turned around and was met with the curious face of Zelda. "Nothing, just making sure I got everything ready. I know myself, I will forget shit", Link said. He was happy he could just be himself around the princess as she was too with him. Still he didn't want to to upset her or have her hurt. "Are you ready?" he asked. Zelda nodded. "Let's go", she said.
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"After this, I actually want to go to Zora's Domain. It's closer than Rito village", Zelda said. Her voice pulled link out of his thoughts. They had been traveling for a few hours and Link noticed himself getting back into his thoughts. Stay awake, Link. You cant have the princess in danger because of you poor mental health and fucked up sleeping rhythm, Link scolded to himself. "We could do that, but let us focus on getting to Goron city first", he said. "You're right", Zelda agreed.

Going to Goron city took one day. They arrived in the evening and Zelda decided to stay at a stable at the mouth of Death Mountain. Zelda paid for the beds while Link had the horses taken care of. "I think we should go on foot to Goron city. It's too hor for the horses", Link said. Even though he didn't like the idea of walking. "I think you're right", Zelda said. "But it is still hot as hell there, so I have two sets of armor to ptotect us,", Link said. "I know it's not really princess-like, but it's better than getting burned alive". Zelda nodded. She agreed on both statements. "Let's get some sleep", she said and headed inside the stable. Link followed shortly and just laid down. He didn't want to sleep, but it was a losing battle.

Soon he was sound asleep.
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And woke up one hour after experiencing a string of flashbacks. He knew he wasn't going to be able to sleep, so he just stood up and walked outside. If he didn't get to sleep, he might as well stand guard so Zelda could sleep.

Zelda indeed slept through the night and woke up refreshed and ready to take on the day. When she walked out she saw her knight waiting. "Good morning, Link", she greeted. When Link looked up she saw that he had dark circles under his eyes. "Good morning, Zelda", he greeted in return with a smile, "did you sleep well?"

"I did, but I could ask you the same question."

"I'm okay."

Zelda nodded but decided to keep an eye on him. Something was off and she wanted to know what it was.

"Ready?" Link asked. He stood up, stumbled a bit, but regained footing quickly. "Yes, let's go", Zelda said. They started walking to the giant mountain. Link kept looking around for monsters that might lurk around. "Link, everything died with the calamity, you can relax", Zelda said, noticing how tense her knight was. "The Yiga might be still around", Link retorted. Zelda couldn't do anything but give in to that statement. But at the same time, the Yiga clan hadn't shown themselves after Ganon was destroyed.
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Eventually they made it to Goron city without any trouble. Zelda made way to the Goron leader to ask for help and make plans. Link followed.

"Princess! What brings you here?" the Chief asked. "I've come to ask your help", Zelda said. The chief nodded and motioned to get into his house to talk privately. The two Hylians followed.
"What is it that you need my help with, princess?" the chief asked. He sat down on his chair. "I want to rebuild Hyrule, but I need builders. I was wondering if your people could help out", Zelda started. "Of course! Anything for you, princess!" the chief said.

Link was standing a few steps behind Zelda, but didn't really pay attention to the conversation. He couldn't focus, because of the lack of sleep. He didn't want Zelda to notice. "Hey, little guy, are you okay?" the chief's voice sounded. Little guy. Daruk use to say that, Link realized. The room was suddenly much smaller. "Excuse me", he managed to say and left. The chief looked at Zelda. "What's up with him" he asked. "I think it's just tough on him to be here", Zelda said. She would have to talk to Link later.

"Is it something I said?"

"I don't know. It's been a few weeks since I have seen him like this." Zelda thought for a moment, but decided that it probably was nothing.
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She was wrong. Link tried to find a way to the exit but his mind was so occupied with not having a panic attack, that his just walked around like crazy. He eventually walked into someone and looked up to see Yunobo  standing in front of him. The yellow Goron smiled when he saw the Hylian. "Link! I haven't seen you in weeks! How are you?" he asked. Link couldn't utter out a word. The fact that his path was blocked made him paranoid.

Yunobo was happy to see his favorite Hylian. He smiled at Link, but soon noticed nothing came back as response. He now saw the wild look in Links eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked. The fact that he didn't get an answer worried him. Eventually Yunobo took Link with him to his house, Daruk's old one.

Link saw this and yanked himself loose from the Goron, only to run. Being here felt like a bag was pulled over his head and chocking him. The heat didn't help any of it.

Zelda was still busy with the chief when Yunobo ran inside. "I need help", he said. "What's wrong?" the chief asked. Zelda rushed out and saw a group of Gorons surrounding someone. She ran to the group and pushed herself though them, only to find Link sitting on the groud in the middle of a severe panic attack. "MOVE!" she said. She sat next to her knight who tried to get himself under control. "Give the boy some space!" the hief said. The group moved out of the way.

Zelda was trying to get Link to listen to her. "Focus on me okay. It's just me and you now", she said. Link nodded through his ragged breaths. "Tell me everything you see on me. I want you to concentrate and name everything you see. I don't care how ridiculous it is", Zelda said.

Link looked at the princess. Her green eyes were filled with concern, but also determination. "I-I see.. Your eyes", was the first thing he said. "Go on,", Zelda said, feeling her cheeks turn red.

"I see the armor."

Link noticed he calmed down more. He was more focused on Zelda's eyes, because that was te first thing that brought him back to the reality. He just stayed still and looked in the eyes of the princess. Then her chest. Not like he was looking at her in that way, he was focused on her breathing pattern and instinctively followed it. His racing heart slowed down and the tingling in his fingers stopped. Soon he was grounded. "Thanks,", he said.

"Anytime."