Pokémon

The research team is standing around a large table, trying to decipher photographs of an ancient mural. My heart is racing—Just a minute ago, Shad asked his graduate students a question, a difficult one, and without thinking, I answered it.

"These symbols here," he had guided our attention to a section of the mural, "appear to depict a celestial event. Some scholars believe they represent a solar eclipse, but the timeline doesn't quite align with known records. If not an eclipse, what else could this be referencing?"

I hadn't meant to speak, but the moment I saw the symbols, I knew the answer. "It could be referencing the heliacal rising of a significant star and thus signify a prophecy or the rise of a new ruling class rather than an actual eclipse."

I was just supposed to audit today; to observe, not participate. But the words slipped out, and before I knew it, everyone in the room was looking at me.

Atmus leaned back in his chair and muttered, "Damn." He is a third-year PhD student and an expert at reading old maps in order to locate where ancient civilizations might have lived, so I took his reaction as a compliment.

Shad didn't say anything at first. He just smiled, arms crossed, nodding. Then he told me to take a closer look at the mural on the table and elaborate on my theory.

He is sitting across from me now, flipping through pages of an old stack of notes, brows furrowed in concentration.

"Looking at the mural," I start, index finger gliding over a picture in my textbook, "the written histories of the royal family appear to include stories of a Great War fought long ago."

Shad looks up from his notes. "And?"

My eyes widen. "Well..." I sit up a little straighter. "We know that the war was a conflict between allied tribes and someone only ever referred to as the demon king. So I'm just wondering if it's possible that these murals depict the same Legend."

Atmus and another grad student, Zila, simultaneously raise their brows like they actually hadn't considered that before. I feel myself blushing.

"Yes..." Shad picks up one of the photos of the mural. "But more importantly... If these murals do depict the same legend, then it suggests that the conflict wasn't just mythologized after the fact—it was recorded contemporaneously, which would be incredibly rare." He glances at me. "Most ancient conflicts were passed down through oral tradition before being written down centuries later."

I wonder if he realizes how effortlessly smart he sounds, how everything seems to connect in his mind so naturally. His ability to recall details, to see patterns the rest of us miss, is incredible.

I want to match him—I want to keep up. I want to be just like him!

Shad scribbles something in his notes, his finger tapping against the edge of the photo.

"Let's call it a day," he says to the team. "It is Valentine's Day afterall. I'd hate to be the reason you all spend the evening with historical figures instead of living people."

Everyone starts packing up their things. I slide my notebook into my bag and follow Shad out of the room.

"Good work today," he says, stopping just outside the door.

"Thank you. I feel honored to be part of the team."

"We are honored to have you. Your observations are excellent."

"Really?" I beam. "Do you think it's possible that the tribe's understanding of history was far more advanced than we previously assumed?"

"Indeed."

"Then they were preserving not only a story, but their reality!"

"Yes," he says, smiling. "I appreciate your enthusiasm."

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling too much as a rush of warmth spreads through me. Being part of a research team, being on the same level as graduate students, doing hands-on work... I'm in love with all of it! This is everything I've ever wanted from an education. It's so much better than studying political science. I'd like to think that Father would not be disappointed, but perhaps slightly proud of my improvements. If I remember correctly, Father was always very fond of Shad, so surely he would be happy to see us working together. The understanding and mentorship I find in Shad and the way we build on each other's thoughts makes me feel like I truly belong. Like I don't have to slow down or hold back my passion anymore.

The tapping of nails against the tile floor catches my attention. I turn my head just as Navi rounds the corner, followed by Pik.

"Hey Pik," I say to make my presence known.

He slows to a stop, his head tilting slightly in my direction. "I knew I recognized that voice," he grins merrily.

"Shad is here, too," I tell Pik, unsure if the two are familiar with each other. They are both faculty at HU, but they work in different departments of the university, so they likely don't interact much with each other.

Shad acknowledges Pik with a polite, "How are you, Pik," then turns to me. "I'll see you next week."

"See you then."

With that, Shad walks away, leaving me alone with Pik and Navi.

Pik keeps smiling at me for a moment, one hand resting on Navi's harness. "What are you doing in the archaeology wing on a Friday night?"

"Discovering history!"

He laughs. "Do you ever stop working?"

"Never." I giggle, still feeling charged from my successful participation today. "I've been moonlighting as a grad student."

"Grad student? That was fast. You're not about to tell me you're getting a PhD, are you?"

I laugh. "No, I was just sitting in on one of Shad's research meetings."

"Wow, how'd you land that gig?"

"All you need is a fake ID that says you're 25 and smart," I joke.

He laughs along, despite my joke's lack of actual humor. "Got any exciting plans tonight?" he asks me. "I assume Link has a date night planned for the two of you."

"Not really. I told him I didn't want to go out—it's been an exhausting week of assignment due dates and research proposals—so he suggested we could just stay in, make popcorn, and watch a movie."

"A low-key Valentine's Day. I respect it."

"A few weeks ago, he played chess with me even though he hates chess, so I'm thinking of returning the gesture by playing Pokémon with him tonight. He's been begging to show me that game for months now but I've been reluctant because I'm not a fan of video games."

"Every relationship demands a small number of sacrifices."

"Precisely," I chuckle. "What about you? Any Valentine's plans?"

"Nothing romantic, but my family is doing an early birthday thing tonight."

"Who's birthday is it?"

"Mine."

I blink. "Your birthday is today?"

"No, it's a week from today, but since my parents are both out of town next Friday, they wanted to celebrate early."

I feel a small pang of guilt. I totally forgot that Pik's birthday was coming up.

"I love how thoughtful your family is. My Father never celebrated unless there was a reasonable occasion. And even then, celebrating early was a big taboo."

"To my family, every day is worth celebrating."

Even if I'm not the biggest fan of birthdays and never really celebrated them myself, I should do something nice for Pik. For the past two years, he and Impa have surprised me on my birthday.

"If your family is gone on your actual birthday," I say, "we should all get together as friends and do something fun."

Pik grins. "Bold of you to assume I don't already have plans."

"Oh, do you?"

He nods. "I was planning to take the yacht for a little weekend trip along the pacific coast."

"...Your what?"

"What?"

"Did you say yacht?" I stare at him, trying to process that information. Pik has always given off the impression of someone who grew up pretty middle class. "Be honest," I say slowly. "Are you secretly a prince?"

Pik snorts. "I wish. But no, no royal bloodline here. Though one of my ancestors did apparently write poetry for the royal court. Hence my last name, Curia. Anyway, You should totally come along."

I freeze. "Sorry?"

"On the trip," he clarifies casually. "You invited me to the mountains, so now I am inviting you to the ocean."

"For a weekend trip, you said?"

He nods. "Link is invited too, obviously." Pik gestures vaguely. "The boat has four rooms, so bring whoever you want."

"Four rooms?" I echo. "How big is this thing?"

"Big enough." Pik's smile grows. "Could be fun, no?"

"Could be."

"A heat wave is supposed to hit California. A weekend on the water sounds just right. Add some music, booze, and a jacuzzi..." Pik trails off, lost in a day dream.

"All that sounds more like Impa territory."

"So bring her," Pik says. "Kiroh, too. The more the merrier."

I hesitate for a second, then ask, "Are you messing with me?"

He gives me a reassuring smile. "I'm dead serious. Which part don't you believe—the yacht or the invitation?"

"Both, I think."

"My parents are big zodiac fans. Since I'm a Pisces, they always made sure that I spend my birthdays near, on, or in the water. It started as a joke but over the years turned into this nostalgic thing. A family tradition. So even if my parents are unable to participate this year, I want to keep the tradition alive."

I ponder quietly, nodding along. "I see now why this means so much to you. If it's something you've always done with your family, I imagine it wouldn't feel right to skip it." I offer a small smile. "Besides, a weekend by the water does sound like a perfect way to escape the heat."

"Right? You're all welcome to join."

"What about Malice?"

Something in Pik's face shifts, just for a fraction of a second but I catch it. His smile turns more laboured, and a flicker of doubt crosses his eyes.

He doesn't let it show for long. With a casual shrug, he says, "Sure. If she wants to come, she can."

. . .

As I tell Link about the invitation later today, I don't even get to finish the sentence before he sits up, eyes wide, nearly knocking over the soda on the coffee table.

"A yacht?" He exclaims. "And it has a jacuzzi?"

"That's what he told me."

Link claps his hands together and lets out the most delighted, childish laugh. "We're going on a yacht. A yacht with a jacuzzi! Oh thank Hylia, our hot tub date has come at last."

"Pervert." I chuckle, shaking my head as he gleefully lists all the things he wants to do—jump off the side, steer the wheel, play hide and seek...

I wait until his excitement settles. Then I ease into our Valentine's night. I brought his favorite snacks—some of which took an embarrassing amount of effort to track down, including some YouTuber's candy brand that can only be found at Target.

"Joyride is the best candy you'll ever taste," Link says as he dangles a berry rope in front of my mouth. "Should we eat it Lady-and-the-Tramp style?"

"That's quite alright. I'll just eat it like a human." I pull one of the snake-shaped candy sticks out of its pink bag and take a small bite.

"Aren't they so good? Thanks for getting me these!"

"I have more for you." I reveal a pair of matching Pokémon socks—one for him, one for me—and hand him a Nintendo Switch controller.

His mouth drops open. "No way."

"I know you've been wanting me to play with you."

His eyes snap up to mine, shining with emotion, as if I just gifted him his very own jacuzzi.

"And," I add happily, "I bought a TV for our room so we can connect the Switch and play in bed."

That's when Link collapses to one knee, clutching my hand as if he's about to propose.

"Zelda," he breathes dramatically, "you are the single greatest human being in existence. Your kindness, your beauty, your generosity—it knows no bounds."

I laugh. "Link—"

"I am but a humble peasant, undeserving of your greatness."

"My goodness."

"I will spend my days in eternal servitude, repaying this act of divine love."

I smack his arm playfully. "Sit down, you absolute dork."

At that moment, Revali walks into the living room. He stops, taking in the scene with a blank expression. Without a word, he turns right back around and leaves.

"It's not what it looks like," I call after him, but he doesn't come back.

Link stands, grinning, and pulls me into a quick kiss. "Ravioli is just jealous. because I have the coolest girlfriend on the planet."

"Don't let them hear you," I whisper.

Link yells, "RAVIOLI IS JUST JEALOUS BECAUSE YOU'RE THE COOLEST GIRLFRIEND—"

I press my hand against his mouth, both embarrassed and flattered by his words. "Calm down."

He shakes his head against my hand and starts kissing my palm. First just a peck, then it turns into a make-out session.

I pull my wet hand away. "Gross!"

"You love it," he laughs.

I rub my hand against his cheek, making him squeal "Gross!" like a little girl.

We carry the TV from my car up to the room and set everything up together. The next hour is spent battling Pokémon from the comfort of our sheets, laughing and arguing over which starter is superior.

At some point, Link gets up and rummages through his nightstand. When he turns back around, he's holding a small gift bag. "Almost forgot."

"You didn't have to."

"Don't be so selfless. It's Valentine's Day."

"Yes, but spending time with you is the only present I wish for."

Link raises an unconvinced brow. "You bought us a freaking TV. Just take the damn gift bag already."

Curious, I pull out the first item—a cherry blossom scented candle. I bring my nose to the wax, smile from its scent, thank Link, and set the candle down on my lap before proceeding to the next item. It's a pair of books... Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice.

My breath abandons me. These were two of my absolute favorite books on my shelf. I swallow the lump in my throat, tracing my fingers over the covers. "You remembered..."

"Of course I did." His voice is soft. "I know how much they meant to you. And I'm sorry that you lost your original copies in the fire, but maybe now that you're older and wiser and all, you'll notice or think different things when reading them again, and so your new annotations will be just as unique as the first ones."

I close my eyes for a second before setting them aside carefully. Then, I pull out the last two gifts—a small box of Lindt chocolates and a rose-colored keychain with a Spotify code engraved on it.

I turn it over in my hand. "What's this?"

"Scan it."

I pull out my phone and do as he says. The second the code loads, a song pops up: Soul Mate – Flora Cash. The lyrics hit me almost instantly. It speaks of two souls eternally bound across time. It's about a love so deep, so fated, that no matter how many lifetimes pass, they always find their way back to each other. No matter how the world changes, no matter what forms they take, they are drawn together again and again—meant to grow old side by side in every lifetime.

"So much better than a TV and socks," I mutter quietly.

Link rubs the back of his neck. "I know you don't believe in soulmates in the fairytale sense. But if anyone's mine, it's definitely you."

I glance up at him. He's watching me, a little nervous, like he isn't sure how I'll react.

So I do the only thing I can—I launch myself into his arms.

He laughs as he catches me, falling back onto the bed. I press my face into his chest. "I love you," I say. "And if I still believed in fairytales, you would be my knight in shining armor."

His arms tighten around me. "I love you, my princess."

We stay like that for a long moment, the song still playing softly in the background. Eventually, Link shifts, tucking my hair behind my ear.

"So," he murmurs, his thumb brushing my cheek. "Should we spend the rest of the night professing our undying love... or should we... you know..."

"If you're about to say something naughty."

He gasps, all mock offense. "Me? Naughty? I was going to suggest we keep playing Pokémon like the wholesome, responsible adults we are." His grin turns wicked. "Not my fault your mind went straight to that kind of game."

My mouth falls open. "Excuse me?"

"You're excused." He closes my jaw with his hand and kisses my lips as if to keep it shut. "Come on, I'll show you where you can capture Pikachu."