The trees parted to reveal her and Gladiator nearly collapsed from the relief. She was perfect, bright and warm and real. Even as she rushed to them, scanning them critically for injuries with an expression capable of leveling mountains. They'd give their afterlife for a chance to see what kind of havoc she'd wreck with that expression if only she'd taken them up on those fighting lessons.

Cave, they panted, out of breath despite having walked here on plodding limbs. Spooky cave. Went to face my fears. She took a single step forward. It was all she could manage now that the adrenaline of the night had started to wear off. They wanted to bury their face in Zora's fur and stay there forever. They wanted to melt from the heat of their bodies perfectly intertwined, but that would have to wait. Gladiator had something she needed to say, first.

I love you, they said, finally, before something interrupted them or they thought about it too much and changed their mind or worried about what she'd think or say or do once they did. Like a lot. I have for a really long time.

You don't have to say anything. Just thought you should know. Though, they had to admit they'd be pretty fucking embarrassed if she actually didn't and they just had to stand here with that hanging between them in awkward silence. I saw some real fucked up shit in that cave, they amended quickly, by way of changing the subject.