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She heard him before seeing him enter the room, little bells jingling to alert her of his presence. Yet it was not until he climbed up into her lap that Zelda set down her book to truly take in her boyfriend's beauty.
An oversized brown hoodie adorned him, the sleeves long enough to cover his hands should he so choose. At the tips of his fingers, each nail had been painted an inky black. And Hylia, he was even wearing a skirt - an adorable plaid one that rested mid-thigh, showing off his soft, smooth skin.
The scent of flowery perfume drifted through the air - he must have just sprayed some on before coming to see her.
But what caught her eye most of all was the two accessories that he had chosen - a pair of light brown puppy ears sat atop his head, the band hidden smartly beneath his tousled blonde hair. And in his mouth he held a small red collar complete with a heart-shaped buckle.
Link looked up at Zelda expectantly, straddling her lap with his head tilted to the side.
"Look at you, puppy!" Zelda said, smiling wide. "Is it playtime?"
Link leaned down to place the collar upon her chest and let out a soft bark before shaking his head yes.
"Okay, baby - how about you sit while Mama gets your leash, hm?"
He quickly obliged, hopping off of the couch to kneel and wait for further instruction, making Zelda giggle. So pliant for me, she thought to herself. Thank the goddesses for blessing me with such a perfect pet.
She stepped over to the main entrance of their apartment to take the leash hanging near the front door - a small light blue leather strap with a clip at one end. They had initially considered buying one with more heft to it, so as to reduce the risk of it snapping or tearing should Link become a bit too uncooperative during their play sessions (she always had to be careful of his sharp canines while he was in a more dominant mood), yet she soon realized that nowhere was he more calm and obedient than on the end of a leash.
After grabbing her favorite pair of slippers, she settled back onto the couch to meet the eyes of her love. He had not moved but an inch since she left, and his ocean eyes sparkled with reverence as he looked up towards hers.
"Come here, pup," Zelda said softly, and he crept closer, proudly displaying his collar and allowing her to clip the leash on. She tentatively tugged lightly. "Does that feel alright?"
Link shook yes again, and as soon as Zelda's hand reached out to caress his left cheek, he just about melted into it, closing his eyes and nuzzling slowly into her soft touch. The tips of her fingers grazed across his skin and tucked a small strand of hair away, scratching gently just behind his pointed ears and eliciting a little whimper.
"Good boy."
He blushed a bright shade of pink.
"My very good boy!"
He hid his face behind his hoodie paws to conceal his tomato-red face, but when he saw her loving eyes looking down at him, he couldn't hold back anymore.
"Aaah! Link!" Zelda laughed as her puppy scrambled up to be held in her arms. Link straddled her lap before wrapping his arms around her neck and leaning in to give her a soft kiss, which she reciprocated by placing one on his forehead and ruffling his hair - she knew how much he loved to be taken care of.
I love you, he signed.
no u , she responded, which was met by a snicker.
They sat that way for hours, until Link fell asleep in Zelda's loving arms.
When Link awoke, it was late in the afternoon, yet Zelda still held him close. He yawned to get her attention before pointing at the collar and ears.
"Off?" she asked, before removing both and setting them aside on the coffee table. "How do you feel, sweetheart?"
He started to sign, but decided against it.
"I love you," he said deliberately and quietly.
You're the best owner ever, he added.
"I'll always be here for you, my prince."