Dawn [Young!Link x Young!Reader]

The beginning of a new day was a welcoming feeling. New possibilities opened. New adventures awaited, and new explorations were in store.

Alas, at this moment, it was the closure of another chapter, the end of a significant part of your life.

This morning meant the departure of your dearest friend.

Waking this morning left you empty. Not the cheery song of nearby birds or the warm, golden rays of the sun encircling your bed could bring a smile to your face. An unidentifiable fear struck you; racing heart, blood running cold, mind spinning.

All you could think about was one thing.

I don’t want him to go.

Jumping from your bed, you rushed from your home through Kokiri Forest. The canopy of trees cast a golden shadow over the haven. Silence still enveloped the land as everyone still remained nestled in their beds, still waiting for the full greeting of the morning.

But, not him.

You knew he would soon depart for the open lands of Hyrule for a journey he refused to speak of.

A part of you always felt this would happen. He was not a true Kokiri. He came here alone, no fairy, no memory of his past, no foundation to rest on. An inkling always tickled the back of your mind that he might leave someday.

But, even with that thought, you could never brace yourself for the reality coming into play.

You stepped through the wooden portal. Your eyes ached at the small space of open sky allowing pure sunlight to come through. A gentle breeze softly rustled the trees and rocked the bridge, causing the planks to creak.

Just as you expected, you found him, eyes of crystal blue lost gazing past the horizon. Already equipped with his sword and shield, he seemed to be saying one more silent farewell to his woodland home, so willing to take in a foreign child. Biting your lip, you approached him, tentatively, attempting to construct something, anything at all.

But, all you could think was very desperate, even selfish.

Don’t go.

Please, don’t go...

Breaking from his trance, he turned to you. You stopped.

He tilted his head and raised an eyebrow.

Swallowing the lump in your throat, you lowered your head.

“Link...”

Your voice cracked.

He waited, face softening just a bit.

“Link, I just wanted....”

Again, your voice trembled and broke as your throat constricted. Your eyes began to burn as tears started to gather at the rims of your eyes. Biting your lip and clenching your fists, you fought the urge to weep, only to find the warm fluid trickling down your cheeks. You felt a flush warm your face, and your heart pounded.

Ah, you promised you wouldn’t cry...

Suddenly, you sensed two hands cup your cheeks and thumb wipe the tears from beneath your eyes. When you raised your head just a little, you were greeted with a soft smile. Eyes cool and clear as water captured your attention, and somehow, a wave of calm washed over you. With shaking hands, you held his wrists, pulling him just a little closer to you.

Please, don’t go...

It was all you wanted to say, but in all honesty, you didn’t need to.

He already knew.

Alas, he still had no choice but to embark on his journey, his destiny.

And you knew.

You hated it, but you couldn’t deny it either.

After his hands fell to your shoulders, he delicately pressed his lips to your forehead. Your heart leapt, and then slowed as relief began to settled.

I’ll come back, he seemed to say.

I’ll come back for you.

Even as he turned from you finally to make way to the fields of Hyrule, you were confident in this fact.

You would see him again, even if it meant waiting here forever.

You would wait,

because you knew he would keep his promise.


The distant crow of a rooster echoed across the land, announcing the breaking of the dawn.

Morning shown through,

and another day began.