Never Without You │ BOTW modern AU fanfic

You and Me, No Lovers

"Why? Do you miss him?" I tease, getting an honest but very fleeting laugh out of Revali.

"I know one place he certainly isn't going to be tonight," he says. "The frat party."

Impa whispers in my ear, "He didn't deny that he misses Link!"

I try my best to suppress the laugh that tickles my throat after her comment, then I whisper back to her, "You will make a fantastic lawyer."

"I don't even blame him anymore," Revali continues his rant, taking a sip from his glass. "That place sucks."

"You know, I always hear you complain about your fraternity, yet you are still there. If you hate it so much, why not just live somewhere else?" I ask him.

"It's expensive to live alone," he explains.

"You're not alone though," I nod at Mipha but she doesn't say anything in return. It's probably too early for them to move in together.

It's unfortunate how expensive the living costs are in California. Even a studio apartment is barely affordable anymore. That's why I sought shelter in the fraternity last year after I ran away from home without any money of my own. Thankfully Link took me in and allowed me to stay with him for free. Now it's my turn to give back and take care of him when he has nowhere else to go.

At first, I was worried that leaving him alone at my house would have the same effect on him as it did on me whenever Father left me alone as a child. But when I told Link that I'd be going to dinner with Impa, he just smiled and said he'd watch a movie in the theater and swim a couple of laps in the pool. I think he enjoys living in a mansion, even though he says he wants to find a cheap apartment downtown.

I don't understand why he is so determined in finding an apartment. He could be living at my house for free, but I suppose he is too selfish to accept such an offer. Especially after all the help that Father has provided him this year he feels it's his responsibility to be independent and strong. I wish he knew he didn't have to be, not anymore, not with me by his side.

When Daruk comes out of the kitchen to serve Revali's and Mipha's sushi, he nearly drops the plates as he jolts from excitement!

"Zelda!" he roars! "Impa!"

"Hello Daruk," we grin up at him, affected by his excitement.

"Haven't seen ya in ages!" He says. "Usually summer break is when I see you guys the most!"

"This summer break has kept us quite busy," I say.

"Yes! I heard!" He laughs heartily. "Revali here tells me you traveled to Japan!"

"Did he now?" I smirk at Revali but he looks the other way. I think it's cute that he talks about me when I'm not around. I bet he missed us at least once, even if he will never admit to that.

"So! How was it?" Daruk asks me full of elan, having forgotten all about the food he is holding only inches away from Mipha and Revali. "Did Link show you his hometown?"

"Yes, he showed me around Kyoto and Tsumago."

"Oh! Kyoto and Tsumago are great places to visit! Did you know that I am from Kyushu?"

"Where's that?" I ask curiously.

"It's pretty far from Kyoto, almost 8 hours by train if I'm not mistaken! But it's worth the visit. We have one of the largest and most active volcanoes in Japan! And in the world!"

"And why is that a reason to visit?" Impa laughs.

"Uh, Daruk?" Revali nods at the plates in the big man's hands, "Our food?"