A/N: Holy cow. I just had the inspiration to write this. I'm replaying Ocarina of Time for the first time in years, relieving the good old days of 1999 when I used to play it when I was little. And yes, I support Link/Ruto, so shoot me. Fuckers. I finished Jabu Jabu's Belly and I left my game on and RAN here. Enjoy. I also tend to avoid using the character's names, don't I? Oh well, you know how it is.

Also, I don't view Ruto as being parasitic. She was a little forceful, yes. But she doesn't translate to me as being crazy and stalker-like. I wish Link fangirls would stop being so jealous and appreciate her character instead of envy. I mean come on; Link is ficticous for crying out loud… Go out and get a REAL boyfriend. Sheesh.

First person point of view from Link. Takes place in Zora's fountain, following Jabu-Jabu's Belly.
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Slowly, I clambered out of the water, hauling myself up onto an enormous fallen log.

It was a warm midday, and I was grateful to see the sun again at long last. Never in my life did I ever think I would have embarked on a journey – an adventure – such as I did. Much less, I never expected to venture into the belly of a large fish deity and fight a battle there.

Dripping with cool water, I settled myself comfortably upon the log and immediately begun to wring out my hat and tunic, paying careful attention to the folds of my clothes. To my dismay, the putrid, fishlike lingered still despite the fact that I had just bathed, and a thin coat of film seemed reluctant to leave my skin. Put bluntly, I smelt horribly and I was exhausted after that battle, although feeling quite satisfied in completing my task.

All too soon, she gracefully emerged from the water and joined me upon the large trunk. She sat, a satisfied smirk evident upon her youthful features, large lilac eyes gazing off into the distance as she enjoyed the warmth of the sun. Her scales glimmered a silvery hue, droplets of water upon her sleek, feminine body, glinting and glittering in the light of the sun. She fascinated me in every way possible. Coming from the forest and never seeing the outside world meant that I found her and all of her people to be unusual creatures… but at the same time, alluring in their deviance.

I stood up awkwardly, still tugging at my clothes to dry them as best I could, soon to inquire about the spiritual stone of water, focused as I remembered my mission and promise to Princess Zelda. She looked up at me for a moment, and I thought I saw something in her gaze – something that threw me off my speech entirely. Something like… affection? The feeling in her eyes reminded me of Saria's warm, friendly gaze, and swept me off my feet and to a faraway place, bringing back fond memories of my home.

Before I could string my words together once more, she stood up suddenly, once again startling me. There was a profound, beautiful silence about, the only sound to be heard was the gentle rustle of the refreshing breeze sweeping through the trees that bordered that place. Her eyes were glazed over with an odd mix of admiration and camaraderie, looking deeply into my own, and her expression was contented. Happy even. It was the first time I had truly seen her smile, as the warm sun beat down on us both as we stood together upon that log, both in a deep, yet comfortable silence. There was no need to talk. We were happy to simply be.

She timidly took a step forward, and her face was soon close to mine, close enough for me to feel the gentle, warm rush of air that escaped her quaint lips as she sighed gently. In anticipation, wanting? Perhaps. I did not know. But in a split second, I could suddenly hear my heart beating in my head, blood galloping to my cheeks as I came to terms with what was about to follow. I had the choice to move in and inch and close the gap between her mouth and mine, but my feet didn't give me the option as I found myself taking a small step backwards away from her – and before I knew it, I lost my footing on a damp part of the log and let out a scream of surprise as I plummeted into the water below.

I swum upward and broke through the surface of the water, gasping raggedly for a breath. I blushed even further upon hearing her hearty laughter, but she soon jumped in after me, holding my hands as we floated listlessly in the cool, refreshing water, and she told me of my bravery and valor, her tone of voice and the look in her eyes clearly communicating her feelings to me, although I did not understand that at the time. Upon my request, she entrusted me with the spiritual stone of water, calling it her most precious possession. She made me promise that I will look after it. And of course I did – I protected the Zora's sapphire, gathered the three spiritual stones together and protected her treasure from harm.

But in reality, I hadn't kept my promise.

Now, seven years later, I finally realize that the precious possession she had talked about was not the stone, but indeed, it was her heart.