Archive of Our Own

Sam hates Zelda’s weirdo boyfriend for perfectly reasonable reasons, and not out of any misplaced jealousy. Like he treats Zelda as an afterthought okay? And he doesn’t respect her as her own person, and he has horrible fashion sense, and he’s weird. And yes she does have evidence for all of these claims, but no she won’t lower herself to discussing them just in case it got back to Zelda and what if Zelda interpreted it as if there was something wrong with her?

So yes Sam is perfectly reasonable in her animosity like she is a perfect performer, and has wonderful fashion sense and never ever forgets about Zelda or leaves her behind. And Sam always makes sure Zelda knows how important she is to her. Sam is the one whose car has Zelda's name embroidered on the front seat passenger seat. So why doesn’t Zelda ever look at her with heart eyes? Not that Sam wants that of course, Zelda is her best friend.

Sam does not like herself a lot of the time. There is one truth she hates and that is if she hadn’t been in that stupid crystal ball, if Penelope had never betrayed her like that, she probably would never have seen Zelda. Let alone talk to her or about her in anything other than a derogatory manner. She would probably have continued dancing to her self-destruction. Throwing herself on the sharp rocks of the possibility of Penelope loving her back, cutting herself open for the socially acceptable bad boy to slum it with Johnny Spells.

But she’s grown. She’s a better person now. She only indulges in self-destructive behavior for hours or days instead of weeks or months or years. And yeah that’s a way to get Zelda’s attention and care and maybe Sam has a theory. Maybe Zelda only likes the jerk because he is a jerk. Which she knows what you’re thinking, why would she act like a jerk to Zelda then, cause no she doesn’t want Zelda to like her that way, they are best friends. But maybe it will help Zelda see how much he sucks and how he would make a much better disappointing friend than a weird boyfriend.

Sam hates Grogooug most of the time. She will begrudgingly, very very begrudgingly, very very very begrudgingly, admit that he did good by creating the cell tower. But! He should have gotten the stupid phone thing in the first place! He shouldn’t have forgotten to say goodbye to her in the first place! He didn’t see her tears. Okay he maybe saw a few tears.

And it is terrifying being part of such a good adventuring party, an excellent adventuring party. She has so many more people she actually cares about, and knows they care about her and what if something happens? Zelda is a vision in combat. And Sam would know all about performing in combat, so trust her when she says it is something to behold. Zelda dances and is graceful and confident and if Sam had wishes she would spend one to on having Zelda know, know with all her heart, how amazing she is (and maybe another wish to dance with her- she looked so beautiful at the masquerade and things went south so fast and can’t they have a dance together?).

She bets what's-his-name wouldn’t use a wish on Zelda, and does he even try to boost her confidence? Is that why he is the worst? He knows if she knew her worth she wouldn’t stay? It seems to Sam like their relationship is based on him leaving her in doubt.

The most terrifying thing about Zelda though is that Zelda knows her. Knows her better than anyone. Sam wants to know Zelda better than anyone. But apparently that honor is being attempted by Gregorg. And what if Gurugong asks Zelda to quit? And what if Zelda decides he is worth it and leaves them?

There is a fact that Sam loves, high school sweethearts rarely last outside of high school. Zelda is part of Sam’s adventuring party which can last forever. And she and Zelda have longer lifespans and maybe Zelda will see Sam a different way. Sam (does) doesn’t know the different way she wants Zelda to look at her in a different way, but like relationships evolve and change and Sam thinks it might be nice to get heart eyes from Zelda.

Sam loves Zelda all the time. So what if sometimes she stays up thinking about how adorable it is when Zelda’s bangs fall over her eyes? Or goes over and over how Zelda, who won’t speak up for herself, but always speaks up for Sam? How that makes her feel safe and warm. Which yes these are normal thoughts and feelings to have for your best friend.

Gargle is just her first love which is fine. Totally fine. Sam has had other loves.

And like what is the point of being friends if you’re not a little bit in love with one another? And maybe Sam does know his name, but she will never use it (Sam would love Telemaine Lomenelda but she will probably never meet him). And maybe, maybe, she is not just a little in love with Zelda. But right now? Right now there is nothing to be done.