(4482  words) 

(y/n)'s POV 

Moving under the covers I leaned against something warm. Feeling an arm wrap its way around my waist I opened my eyes as I was met with a tanned chest. Smiling as I realized that we had fallen asleep, I looked up. 

The man that laid in front of me, snored gently. Moving in his sleep, he pulled me a little closer to him, as if he was a child clutching a teddy bear. Kissing his chest gently, I felt his finger twitch as he hummed. Looking up at him I saw his eyes open a little. Seeing his emerald eyes look down at me I smiled gently. He cupped my face gently before he leaned down and kissed me. Returning the kiss I looked at him. 

"We should get out of bed before Link sees us." i said. He rolled onto his back as he hummed. Rubbing his eyes I kissed his chest again, he laid his arm over his eyes, 

"You're going to get me going again if you keep that up" he said as I saw his lips curl in a smirk. 

"That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing" I said. He looked at me before he rolled on top of me. He ran his hand through my hair before he planted a kiss on my lips again. Looking at him I frowned gently. 

"As much as I would love to spend the entire day in bed with you, we have to get up and help Link. But before we do that, I want to ask you something" I said. He hummed and laid his head on my chest and I played with his hair. 

"Are we together now.... or are we a friends with benefits?" I asked. He sat up and looked at me. Looking surprised he blinked a little. Sitting up, he pulled me onto his lap. "That's a rather simple answer actually. If you'll have me then I would be yours until the day I died" he said. Biting my lip as I leaned on his shoulder I looked at him. 

"Yes" I said as I looked at him. He rose a brow and looked at me. "Yes to what?" he asked as he tilted his head. "Yes, I would love to be yours" Smiling wide he leaned down and kissed me before he hugged me tightly. Pulling away he kissed me for a moment before he stood up and sat me on the bed. 

Getting dressed quickly we heard the footsteps of the hero. Knowing he was back from talking with Oshus I looked at Linebeck. He turned and smiled gently at me. "We should tell Link, about us" I said. He put his hands on his hips and nodded. 

"When did you want to do that?" he asked as he walked over to me. Wrapping his arms around my waist he pulled me closer. "We can right now, if you want" I said. He hummed and hugged me for a moment. "I would scream it to the world that you're mine if I had to." 

Blushing gently I smiled and looked away. Touching my chin he turned my head and kissed me gently. "Linebeck! (y/n)! We need to get to the Temple of the Ocean King for the Southeastern Sea Chart!" Hearing Ciela we pulled away from each other. 

Turning to the stairs I saw the Little Hero reach the base of the stairs. He looked between Linebeck and I and furrowed his brows. Without needing to say anything we knew what he asked. Linebeck and I looked at each other and he gave me a nod. Walking to his desk he grabbed the chair and sat down on it with his arms resting on the back of the chair. Kneeling down in front of Link I smiled at him gently. 

"We have something we think you both should know" I said. Link and Ciela nodded and I picked up Link gently. Putting him on the table by Linebeck we looked at him. Standing next to Linebeck, he looped his left arm around my hips. Link swung his feet as he looked at us patiently. 

"Linebeck and I are together now, but with that said, we will stay focused on helping you on your journey. We will put everything on hold with our relationship in order to get Tetra back to normal." Link looked between us before he smiled wide. Hopping of the desk he walked over to me. Kneeling down to him he hugged me tightly. Wrapping my arms around him I smiled. It was one thing to be able to see him grow during his journey, but being able to hug the decedent of the Hero of Winds was another. 

Leaving the Control Room we made our way to the deck. Looking towards the temple that barely peeked over the cliffs towards the north side of the island. Looking at Linebeck, I watched as he had his hands on his hips. 

"We'll be back as soon as we get the Southeastern Sea Chart" he nodded as he looked at me. Turning to leave we had barely stepped off the plank that let us get to the docks. "Hey..." Looking back at Linebeck we saw him rub the back of his hands out of shyness. "Be careful... Keep each other safe" he said. Smiling as I looked at him we nodded. 

"Now go get that sea chart!" he said and looked at us. Nodding we headed for the temple. Entering the temple we looked at the damp walls of the ruined temple. It was old, now doubt but I never got used to the eerie atmosphere the temple had. 

Going through the entrance we were at the floor we met Linebeck at. Running to the first basement floor, we watched a couple Phantoms appear. Ciela started talking. "Why are those Phantoms red?" she asked. Leaning around the corner I looked at the phantom as he was patrolling. Turning to look at Ciela I sighed. "Those are red because they're Swift Phantoms. They move faster than the regular blue ones do. But since we aren't wearing all that armor, we're faster" I said and looked at Link. 

"Ready?" I asked. He gave his heroic single nod and we looked at the rest of the room. Going to the left from the safe zone we went around the corner at the end of that hall and to the stairs that went down to the next basement floor. Throwing a bomb at the boulders and stepping on the switch, we grabbed the small key and ran down the stairs. 

Waiting for the normal phantom to turn the other way we ran for the wall that had a crack on it. Throwing a bomb at that and hitting the switch, the phantom headed towards us. Moving around to he right of where the phantom was standing, we hit that switch, dropping the key in the area we opened up with the bomb. 

Avoiding the phantom we went to the switch and got the key. Going down the hall we dove for a safe zone as a phantom saw us. Feeling the hair on the back of my neck stand up, I shuddered. Seeing those things was scary enough, but having them see you is worse. Waiting for it to leave we booked it for the stairs. 

Getting down to the third floor I looked at the map. Running to the left of the room, we waited for a couple strips of spikes to lower. Turning the corner we used the shovel on a wind geyser and stepped on the switch to get rid of the phantom holding the key. Using the bow I hit the eye switch and we went to the big chest to open it. 

Getting a power gem when we open it, Link put it in his pocket. Running across the safe zone we got to the other side, while he bombed some blocks for a yellow vase that had some Sand of Hours in it. Throwing the boomerang and hitting a switch, it kept the spikes lowered. 

Getting the key we ran down the eastern wall and grabbed the force gems. Doing the same with the other two and putting them in the pedestals. Walking down the stairs to the next basement floor, we looked at the Phantom Eyes and hit those as we went around corners. Hitting the eye switch at the northeastern corner it turned the gusts of wind off that were blocking some parts of the room. Running south we broke a vase getting more Sand of Hours. 

Breaking a cracked wall and hitting the switch we were able to get the key that we needed to get back to the room with the red door. Reaching the next floor, we ran around a couple corners and into a battle room. Defeating the Red Bubbles that were there, we were able to continue. 

Stretching a little, I felt my back crack a bit. Moving on, we went down the hall and into the second battle room, defeating the centipede enemies we were able to head to the northern side of the room. Shooting an arrow at the Eye Switch a chest appeared and gave as a Big Green Rupee. 

Going down the stairs and getting to the sixth basement floor, we ran the Red Door and drew a Triforce on it. Walking through the door way the room was different. 

"This room is different than the last time... Maybe we went to a different place when we used the crest that Zauz showed us." Ciela said. Link nodded and we turned to the door that was at the end of the room. 

"This is the Door of Courage. Only the power of courage can open it. Come on guys! Get your courage up and open it" Link ran over and pushed the door open easily. He turned around and smiled wide at me. Turning around we looked at a skeleton. Walking over we talked to it. 

"...Hey! Dark terrors lurk ahead... I'll share something with you that'll help you survive..." Hearing something happen behind me, I looked over my shoulder. There was a yellow portal flower behind us. "Step into the yellow light to save your journey time and return to the entrance. Step into the yellow light at the temple entrance to return here instantly. In other words, this is the midway point, understand?" 

Looking at Link I smiled. "We made it, we're halfway done with this temple. We'll be able to save Tetra soon!" He smiled as he looked up at me. Then you'll have to go home. Feeling my heart throb in my chest I frowned gently. Link turned to talk to Ciela and then ran to the Door of Courage he opened. 

Turning when he realized I wasn't following he looked at me. Ciela had said something but I didn't catch it. "(y/n)!" Blinking I snapped my head up and looked at them. "Hm? What?" 

"Are you coming?" she asked as they looked at me. Nodding gently I walked over to them and caught stood next to them before following him down the stairs. Stepping on a square platform we dodged the arrows that were shot at us. Walking over to the area we were at we stepped on the blue floor that rippled. Looking at Link I smiled gently. "I have an idea, get into the safe zone." I said. He nodded and stood there. Going to the corner of the blue floor I sighed gently. Taking a breath I remembered the dance that Linebeck had taught me. 

~Flashback~

"Linebeck, I can't" I said as I held onto the bed frame. He had held my hips as he chuckled, trying to pull me off of it. "You mean to tell me you can slow dance, but not dance any other way?" he asked. 

Looking back at him I nodded gently. Turning around I let go of the bed post. He smirked gently before he threw me over his shoulder and carried me up the stairs while I tried to get him to put me down. "In that case, we're going to the bar. The best way to learn is to watch the drunks dance on the counter!" he said as he put me down on the deck. Standing in front of the door to go below deck, I sighed gently. 

Trying to get around him as he blocked the way, I let my head lean against his chest. Rubbing my head he hummed gently. "It'll be fun I promise." he said as I nodded. He grabbed my hand gently and pulled me to the bar. Getting inside, we immediately saw drunks dancing on top of tables. 

Hearing the sounds of heels smacking the floor, hands clapping and an accordion playing I tried to turn and leave the bar. Linebeck had wrapped his arm around me and pulled me back in.  "I'll be right here, don't worry" Blushing I nodded gently. The bartender saw him and the rest of the drunks turned and looked at him. 

"Come in and sit, Linebeck. Bring that pretty little number on your arm with you!" Blushing I grabbed onto his jacket as we walked over to the bar. Pouring a drink the bartender slid the glass to Linebeck, who downed it in one shot. Looking at the rest he smirked. 

"I think it's time to dance!" he said. They cheered and continued to play. I looked at Linebeck as he winked at me. Blushing gently I laughed as he crawled onto the counter and started to dance. His boots hit the counter hard enough that it picked up a couple glasses of liquor off the counter. Making the liquid get all over to the counter. 

I watched as he danced wildly to the music. The music cut out and all you could hear was the sound of his boots hitting the wood counter. With a final stomp the accordion sounded again and everyone cheered. I had to admit it, he was a damn good dancer. Too bad he wouldn't admit it to anyone else. 

Looking at me he took off his jacket and threw it to a nearby chair. Kneeling down he reached his hand out to me, wanting me to take it. Biting my lip I hesitated for a moment. Looking up at him, he flashed me a smile. I didn't think about it, I took his hand and he pulled me onto the counter. 

He took a couple steps and taught me the moves. Soon enough we were dancing side by side, a perfect reflection of each other. 

~End~ 

Smirking as i stood on the blue tiles I remembered how being with him that night made me feel. I felt free... I was happy. Seeing him so high spirited made me realize something. That I love him. It was before we had spent that night together, and a week before he had written the letter, but one thing was sure. I was in love with none other than Captain Linebeck. 

I started to dance on the blue floor as the sounds of my boots hitting it and the chimes from the floor alerted the phantoms in the area. Seeing them look at me I ran towards one and slid under it, leading them away from Link. 

Hiding in a safe zone I watched as Link waved at me and the phantoms started walking back. Seeing them and using the secret path that the red phantom on the right side of the room walked across, he ran over to it. Heading down the stairs to the next room, and I followed not long after. 

Panting when I got down the stairs I leaned against the wall. "I didn't know you could dance like that, it was amazing!" Turning to the voice I saw Ciela and Link. Link nodded in agreement. Standing up slowly I smiled. "You'll have to thank Linebeck. He was the one who taught me." Nodding as she looked at me, we got ready to get through this area. Running around the phantom near us, we grabbed a red pot and smashed it on the ground. Standing in it as the phantoms walked over. 

Watching them leave I grabbed the boomerang and hit the switch by the phantom. Lowering the fire by the moving plat form we were on earlier, we ran for it and got on it in time. Riding it to the northern side of the room, we could open a chest. Getting the round crystal we ran all the way around the corner and down to the stairs by the phantom. Going up the stairs we got to the previous floor. 

Taking the crystal to the other side of the room over the secret bridge, we put it on the pedestal. This activated a wind geyser and lowered some spikes. Stepping over where the spikes were at we went down the stairs and opened a chest there, getting the triangle crystal. Back up the stairs we ran to the geyser. Getting to the ledge we were able to head to the north side of the room, putting the triangle in the pedestal. Having the spikes behind us lower and a big chest appear, I ran for the chest while Link hit the switch with the boomerang. 

Getting a courage gem I made my way back to the safe zone  at the triangle pedestal. Hearing the door lower I watched as Link ran for the door. The Swift Phantom came around the corner and we both ran for Link. I grabbed him and dove into the safe zone with him on me. Sitting up I turned his head different directions as I looked at him. 

"You can't be doing that, you need to look at where you're going!" 

He jumped and looked at the floor when I yelled at him. Sighing gently as I felt bad instantly I went to say something. He didn't look at me and went down the stairs. Fuck. You really did it this time (y/n). Following him down the stairs we got to the Northeastern corner of the room we got the Triangle Crystal from. 

Turning to see a skeleton talk to us I looked at the spirit as it floated in place. "I had the feeling that something was behind me.... but when I looked there was nothing there. Before i knew it the sand in the hourglass was powerless."

Remembering the Wizzrobes that were on this floor, and how they liked to sneak up on people before they hit them. Taking the bow, I shot at a the ones that I remembered the location of. Getting all four of them, a big chest appeared that had a Wisdom Gem in it. Hitting the Swift Phantom with an arrow he dropped the Square Crystal. Picking it up I went for the pedestal at the Northwestern corner of the room. This put out the flames that let us get the round crystal from its pedestal. When the spikes towards the south end of the room lowered, we could step on a switch to get rid of the phantom. 

Doing that, it gave us a chest with a ship part in it. Getting the demon anchor I hummed a little before we went to the last floor and grabbed the Triangle Crystal. Taking it to where the three pedestals were at. Throwing it in there I went back and got the round one, using the geyser nearby to get over the spikes that rose when the crystal was moved. Putting that in the same safe zone as the Triangle one, I went and grabbed the square one. 

Looking at Link as I walked by him he looked away from me. Shaking my head I put them into the pedestals and the door lowered for us to get to the next room. Crossing my arms as we stepped into it I looked around. There were stairs on either side of the room that both met at the top with a Big Chest on it. Going to get it, I got the Southeastern Sea Chart. Stepping into the blue flower we went back to the entrance. 

Link ran off towards the harbor and I walked slowly behind. Linebeck met me at the break in the cliffs that led to the northern side of the Isle. As soon as he saw me, he didn't have to say anything I already knew what it was. Feeling my eyes water he grabbed me quickly. I held onto his captain's jacket as I cried into his chest. 

I was sure that Link was mad at me, and didn't want to talk to me again. He put his hand on the back of my head as he held me close to him. Waiting for me to calm down, he wiped the left over tears away, and kissed my forehead. 

"What's going on?" he asked as he looked at me. "Link didn't talk to me when he got back to the ship" he said. Biting my lip I breathed in deeply. 

"We had just opened the door for the next floor, Link must have been excited since he ran for the door. He didn't see the Swift Phantom that was coming around the corner. Both of us ran for Link and I got to him first, thank the oceans, but I yelled at him. I didn't mean to... Seeing that Phantom run for him like that terrified me." Putting my face into my hands I heard him sigh gently. 

Pulling my hands from my face he cupped my face and looked at me. "Stop it, I hate seeing you like this." Wiping my face he leaned down and kissed me gently. Pulling away he hugged me again. Letting me go he gently, laced our fingers together. Smiling a little he looked down at me. "I'll talk to the kid and let him know that you didn't mean it" he said as we walked back to the harbor. He squeezed my hand gently and I returned it. 

Linebeck's POV 

I felt my heart hit my feet as soon as i saw her start to cry. I couldn't handle it. I wanted to take the way she was feeling and I would suffer with it, if it meant she didn't have to. Holding her hand as we walked back to the ship, I didn't care who saw us. It didn't matter to me. I was proud to be with her. 

Getting to the ship I left her on the deck where she wanted to be. Going down the steps I leaned on the doorframe as I looked at the boy. 

"Hey, kid. I heard what happened" I said as I pulled a chair over and sat on it. Leaning towards him as he sat on his bed, sharpening the sword, I looked at him. "She didn't mean to yell at you. It was only an accident, you understand that right?" I asked as he didn't look at me. Getting out of the chair, I knelt down in front of him, and put my hand on the sword. Taking it from him I got his attention. 

"She was only worried about you getting hurt. Seeing that phantom run after you scared her, a lot." I heard the kid sniffle. Standing up and putting the sword on the chair, I ruffled his hair under his hat. "Go see her, she's on the deck" I said. Hopping from his bed he ran up the stairs. Smiling to myself that I had been able to get him to talk to her, I followed him up the stairs. 

(y/n)'s POV

Turning when I heard footsteps on the deck I saw Link. Standing in front of the door, his eyes had watered a little. Sniffling as he saw me I turned and knelt down. Opening my arms, I watched as Linebeck leaned on the doorframe, rolling around in his victory of getting Link up here to see me. 

Link ran at me and jumped into my arms, knocking me onto the deck. Wrapping my arms around him, he hugged me tightly. Feeling him shake under my arms, I put my hand on his hat, rubbing his head a little. In between his sniffles and sobs, I heard his voice. 

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to s-scare you." He hiccupped as he rubbed his eyes as I looked at him "I'll be c-careful next time" he said. Looking at him, I smiled before I wiped his face gently. "It'll be okay honey I'm not mad at you, I was just scared you were going to get hurt." I said. Nodding gently, he hugged me again. Getting off the deck as I held him in my arms, I walked over to Linebeck. Moving from the doorway he let me go down the stairs as he followed. 

Putting Link on his bed after I moved his sword and hung it on the bed post, I grabbed his blanket. He was beat from running around through the temples lately. Kissing his forehead as he fell asleep I turned and grabbed Linebeck's hand as he was standing behind me. Leading him to the stairs we turned the light off and went to the Control Room. Linebeck was looking at me as I sat at the table that was covered with maps. 

"You're really good with him" he said as he sat next to me. Nodding gently I looked over to him. "Hey may be the hero that'll save the World of the Ocean King, but he still is just a kid. He experiences and sees things as a normal kid would. Just because he spends his time fighting evil, doesn't mean he has to be mature. It's all right for him to cry, sometimes everyone needs to every once in a while" 

He looked at me and smiled gently, reaching for my hand he let his lay on top of it. Moving his thumb back and forth he thought for a moment before he looked at me. "You would be a good mother." he said. Smirking I tilted my head. "Are you offering, Linebeck?" I asked. Watching him turn red he stammered a little. 

"N-no! I- I mean.... Not right now. If you wanted that, we could-" Getting up and stepping over to him, I sat on his lap as he leaned back in his chair. letting his hands rest on my thighs, I looked at him. Smiling I kissed him gently. "You're cute when you're shy" I said as he buried his face in my neck. Holding me close to him, we waited for the hero to wake up so we could get to the next clue.