Love's Many Forms

Desperate Measures

The dual swords shared one sheath, but were able to separate outside of it. Lin slid them gently out of the sheath and handed it back to Mr Edwards. On impulse, he stepped back to watch her.

Lin drew the two apart and made a few experimental swings with them, first in sync and then in different directions. The concentration and skill needed for that was ridiculous. Then, after she finished, Lin tossed the one in her left hand into the air. Her right hand caught it, and swished the swords in a seemingly memorized move. In, out, twirl. The she raised them both and slid them down her back, as if to sheathe them. When they didn't find the sheath, her eyes widened and she brought them back around.

Midna stared in shock, along with the rest of the girls.

"I'm sorry, sir. I don't know where that came from...."

"Where did you learn swordplay?" Mr Edwards asked with a curious smile.

"....I didn't." Lin answered quietly.

Mr Edwards blinked, seeming to realize something. Then Mrs Flint stepped forward.

"Well then. From now on, Lin will take swordplay from Mr Edwards. If you all will head to your lessons now, please?"

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"So, how are your lessons with Mr Edwards going?" Midna asked three weeks later in their dorm.

"Well." Lin replied from her bed. "He's a great teacher."

"That's good." Midna said, smiling. She pulled out her pj's from her set of drawers. "How do you feel with two swords? You looked like a natural."

"I really don't know where it comes from, but I feel like I learned swordplay in another life." Lin responded slowly. "I know, it sounds crazy..."

"No, it doesn't." Midna corrected, shutting the drawer loudly. "I believe in reincarnation. If we didn't already have a Princess Zelda currently, I'd say you were her." She continued teasingly.

Lin blushed a bright red. "I don't know about that..."

"Unless you think you're more of the hero type." Midna continued her teasing, reaching for the hem of her shirt. Lin's eyes widened.

"Are you gonna change in here?" She asked, her voice uncharacteristically high.

"Yeah. Why not?" Midna asked. "What's there to hide?"

"Well, I mean..." Lin stuttered.

Midna huffed. "Well, fine. I'll change in the bathroom if it makes you uncomfortable."

After that, Midna made it her mission to break Lin out of her shell. She tried everything: stripping, walking in on her showers, even hugging her in a way that shoved her face between her breasts. But Lin was always one step ahead: she refused to look when Midna stripped, she always managed to be already in the shower when Midna peeked, and she stood on her tip-toes to avoid Midna during hugs.

Until finally, one day, Midna timed her shower peeking perfectly. She had always tried to look a minute after Lin entered the bathroom. This time, she decided to look a minute after the water turned off.

When she peeked in, Lin had a towel around her waist. But something about that bothered Midna. When Lin turned in shock, Midna finally understood. She stuttered out an apology and closed the door. A minute later, Lin came out, completely frazzled.

"Damn it. You weren't supposed to see that." Lin said, completely out of character. She ran a hand through her hair.

"You're.....a boy?" Midna asked.

"I........." Lin trailed off, putting a hand to her face.

"How?" Midna asked, curious.

"It's a long story. I've had to pretend all of my life." Lin responded, sitting down on the bed.

"...because Gannon killed all of the boys your age."

Lin nodded. "My birth mom had to take me to her friend's house. Telma raised me, and very well under the circumstances. I don't know what my birth name was, but Telma renamed me as Colin."

"Lin for short." Midna said quietly, sitting down.

"I never had to lie to anyone." Lin said. "It actually made it easier. Everyone just assumed I was female. The haircut, name, and my age hid me. So far, I can pass as an underdeveloped girl." Lin paused. "But it's getting harder. Without Telma to help me, I don't know what to do. And if I start growing..." Lin dropped her head into her hands. "They'll kill me, Midna."

Midna made a quick decision, then and there.

"Lin, we'll get through this." She said, grabbing Lin's shoulder. "I'm gonna help you. We can do it. Together."