"Think about how many times Link has ever been hugged. This is likely the first one he's received in quite a while: Link grew up with the Kokiri, who are perpetually young and mostly innocent (i.e. not the affectionate type) and was ostracized by nearly everyone until he left. He spent a good deal of time getting abused as a child in Hyrule (and when offered a Goron hug he seems genuinely terrified of being crushed and runs away screaming), and even as an adult he only got to know girls on a temporary basis before they became Sages. All his (likely painful) exploits as an adult were lifted clean out of the stream of (this) history, including his relationship with Zelda. On coming to Termina, it's possible all physical contact he's ever known has been painful. When he finally gets a hug, getting used to a warm and fuzzy feeling has nothing to do with being on the cusp of puberty; this is quite possibly the first time in his life Link has ever felt physical affection. The fact that his face is pressed into her boobs is just a bonus."
"Think about how many times Link has ever been hugged. This is likely the first one he's received in quite a while: Link grew up with the Kokiri, who are perpetually young and mostly innocent (i.e. not the affectionate type) and was ostracized by nearly everyone until he left. He spent a good deal of time getting abused as a child in Hyrule (and when offered a Goron hug he seems genuinely terrified of being crushed and runs away screaming), and even as an adult he only got to know girls on a temporary basis before they became Sages. All his (likely painful) exploits as an adult were lifted clean out of the stream of (this) history, including his relationship with Zelda. On coming to Termina, it's possible all physical contact he's ever known has been painful. When he finally gets a hug, getting used to a warm and fuzzy feeling has nothing to do with being on the cusp of puberty; this is quite possibly the first time in his life Link has ever felt physical affection. The fact that his face is pressed into her boobs is just a bonus."
Beautiful quote.
That said, I feel like Link, whose eventual decedents become the next Link, don't understand sexuality or affection at all. When it's time they just mechanically propagate with whatever looks like it can keep the image of the hero intact. Like a program code, never varying.
Good quote. Though it's probably safe to say that saria hugged him enough. She seemed like the kind and supportive sort.
Though when you really consider it, it's kind of interesting that cremia is the first to do this considering he's come into contact with some pretty nice and outgoing girls and he's been immensely helpful in their lives as a pretty cute kid. You'd think anju/cucco lady would do something like this. The original Malon. Great fairy even? I'm just saying it's not like the opportunities weren't there.
Funny thing is, he seems to get cockblocked(in a manner of speaking) by fate. It's heavily implied that ruto and nabooru were gonna go a little farther than this.
Zelda, at least OoT version, I never saw any romantic connection between them. Hell I never even got friendship vibes. She seemed to have a sort of platonic and detached respect for link at best, or see him as not terribly much more than a blunt object to use against ganon at worst. I mean not that she can be blamed. They speak for maybe seconds at a time every time they encounter eachother and she's off doing other things as sheik most of the game.
But yeah it is interesting when you think about it, how isolated and lonely link is even as he encounters and gets involved with so many people's lives. He's like an onlooker. Especially in Majoras mask when he's the only one experiencing things. There have been many statements about the affects that the events of Majoras mask must have had on him, if you've ever seen/read higurashi it must have been like that.
I can honestly imagine him rewinding time, just to do this quest and receive affection again. Probably never even thinking about just asking normally.
