>>3654054othan than SS Zelda, the closest Link has had to a romantic relationship imo is skull kid. Saria almost, but they really strike me as just childhood bffs ("you're like a sister" vibes) and kid Zelda does have a mysterious girl-next-door kinda vibe, but they only just met so lack chemistry, and we know he leaves hyrule after OoT.
Skull Kid to me feels like one of the few people on a similar wavelength to Link, who could understand him, but also share new things with him, unlike Saria who wouldnt help link grow. Skull Kid and him even have a breakup.
Canonically OoT Link wants to be remembered. Skull Kid is the only person who does, he remembers Link's scent in the forest that day. He remembers him as the Fairy Boy. And, Skull Kid has what Link wants: a Fairy. Fairies represent childhood in OoT, and Friendship in MM, and Skull Kid is the one person now who can share that with Link in any honest way. Link borrows Skull Kid's fairy, and the goal of the game is to bring it back and show compassion for Skull Kid. When Link gives the fairy back its a bittersweet moment he couldnt have with someone he hadnt shared feeling with. A thing that doesnt change with time, a memory of younger days.
He and Skull Kid have changed, and things can never be again how they were that day in the woods. Saying goodbye is the only thing they can do, but they will always keep those memories of childhood sweetness.
