‘Time to deal with a raging lion…’
Musing to myself, I walked through the streets, my presence quickly disappearing among the seas of students as I appeared above a tall building. Its sightseeing view overlooked the beautiful city-like Academy, and sitting on one of the edges was Zelda. Her shining brown and golden hair, which looked like a mane, floated with the wind, while her two brown feline eyes narrowed a little in happiness as she gazed at me, a very ladylike behavior enveloping her as she spoke.
“You are a bit late.”
“My apologies, the tasks I had to do took a little more time than I thought.”
‘By task, I mean playing with a Vampire princess…’
“It’s not a gentleman-like behavior to keep a lady waiting.”
Zelda spoke with a soft smile to which I gave an apologetic nod. All of her actions, speeches, and moments showed maturity beyond her age, her true sense of self that lived in a time of war. She was a woman who led wars and had several students, a woman hailed as a hero. The true complexity of that woman was slowly opening up to me.
“You look different…”
I spoke with a questioning tone as I sat beside her at the edge of the building, the light wind hitting my face as I looked at her. My words brought a nostalgic look to her face as she gazed through the bustling grounds below. No doubt her mind was quite complex considering the current situation of Babylon Academy. After all, she did have a part in building this.
“I just feel a bit different…”
Her words were quite heavy, masking her peaceful look. Seeing this, my left hand slowly made its way to Zelda’s right hand as I gently took it. Our hands slowly intertwined as her eyes subtly looked toward me before focusing back on the scenery in front of her. The light blush on her face was very cute as I spoke.
“If you don’t want to say it, then don’t. But know that you are not alone, and you never have to bear the weight of something alone. I can be there for you…”
My words traveled in the air as the peaceful silence fell between us. Slowly yet firmly, Zelda’s head started to move until it was placed on my shoulder, her hair gently tickling my neck. I could feel the warmth of her presence, and it was as if time itself had slowed down to a serene standstill. The world around us, the bustling Academy, the students going about their business, all faded into the background, leaving only the two of us in our own little world.
Zelda let out a soft sigh, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. “Sometimes, Austin, it’s just difficult to put everything into words. The burden of history, the weight of my past… it’s all so much.”
I tightened my grip on her hand, offering her a silent reassurance. “I understand, Zelda. You don’t have to explain it all. We all have our own battles, our own scars. But remember, you are not defined by your past. You are defined by the strength and goodness in your heart, by the courage that led you to move forward in life”
She nodded against my shoulder, and her fingers interlaced with mine tightened. It was a subtle gesture, but it spoke volumes. In that moment, we were connected by an unspoken understanding, a shared sense of purpose. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of affection for this remarkable woman who was not just a friend but also someone I ‘secretly’ admired beyond measure.
“Thank you, Austin,” she whispered. “Your presence, your support, means more to me than you can imagine.”
I smiled, even though she couldn’t see it from her position nestled against my shoulder. “Zelda, I’m here for you, always. You’re not alone in this journey. We’ve all got our secrets and burdens, and that’s what makes the mark of the living.”
Zelda raised her head, and her eyes met mine, searching for something she might find in my gaze. It was then that I saw the tiniest hint of uncertainty in her eyes, a vulnerability that had been hidden behind her strong exterior.
“Do you have secrets too, Austin?” she asked, her voice soft and hesitant.
I took a moment to consider how to respond. I couldn’t reveal my knowledge of her true identity, not now, not when she wasn’t ready to share that part of herself, nor could I say that I am fucking a lot of powerful women and she too would soon be added to that list, plus the secrets that I want her to know will be the ones of use to me, So, I chose my words carefully.
“We all have our secrets, Zelda,” I admitted, maintaining eye contact. “But the real question is, when the time is right, will we have the courage to share them with the people who matter? Secrets can be heavy burdens, but they can also be bonds that connect us in unexpected ways.”
Her gaze lingered on me, and I could feel the weight of her unspoken thoughts. There was a quiet, profound intimacy in that moment, as if we were communicating on a level that transcended words. I had touched on her secret without directly addressing it, and it seemed to have opened a door between us.
We sat there in silence for a while, just appreciating the shared moment. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the Academy. It was a beautiful sight, and it felt like the world itself was giving us its blessing.
As the last rays of sunlight danced on the horizon, Zelda spoke again, her voice filled with a newfound determination. “You’re right, Austin. Secrets should be shared when the time is right. And when that time comes, I hope I’ll have the courage to tell you everything.”
I gave her a gentle, reassuring smile. “I’ll be here, ready to listen whenever you’re ready to share. Until then, we’ll face the world together, one challenge at a time.”
Her smile mirrored mine, and it was as if a new understanding had solidified between us. We were more than friends, we were confidants, each carrying our own burdens, but ready to share the weight when the moment was right.
The evening had fully settled in, and the stars began to twinkle above us. It was a breathtaking sight, and I couldn’t help but feel ‘grateful’ for this unexpected connection, for the privilege of knowing the true hero behind the facade of a humble student.
Zelda’s eyes sparkled with gratitude, and she leaned in to press a tender kiss on my cheek, a silent promise of trust and affection. The touch of her lips sent a shiver down my spine, and for a brief moment, time seemed to stand still. In that fleeting instant, I couldn’t help but hope that our connection went beyond friendship.
Our shared moment of ‘vulnerability’ and understanding had deepened the bond between us. The weight of her secrets and the knowledge I held about her true identity only gave me more ways to deal with her but it has to be subtle for she is no idiot.
Zelda pulled away from the kiss, her cheeks flushed with a delicate blush, and she offered a soft, heartfelt smile. “Thank you, Austin. I’m grateful to have you by my side.”
I returned her smile, my heart brimming with emotion. “The feeling is mutual, Zelda. We’ll face whatever challenges come our way together, and I’ll be there to support you every step of the journey.”
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a mesmerizing palette of colors across the sky, we remained perched on the edge of the building, hand in hand. The bustling Academy continued its activities below, but our world was one of shared moments, unspoken truths, and a connection that felt like destiny.
In the quiet of that evening, we watched the stars emerge one by one, a reminder that even in the vastness of the universe, our bond was unique. It was a bond built on trust, understanding, and the promise that, when the time was right, Zelda would share her deepest secrets with me.
For now, the Academy stood as a testament to her strength and resilience, a place where countless students found solace and purpose. And in the heart of that remarkable woman, Zelda, the reincarnated hero, there was a story yet to be told, a story of courage and vulnerability, a story that I hoped to be a part of when the time was right.
We continued to sit there, hand in hand, gazing at the Academy that stood as a testament to our collective efforts. It was a symbol of hope, of a better future.
