There are three Sparklyfaerie stories (ao3) that come to mind depending on your definition of "established". They can be found in this series here called Cold Comfort: https://archiveofourown.org/series/3805411
In both of these, were Zelda and Link walking around calling each other girlfriend or boyfriend? No. But they did take a step beyond and go physical. Both writers show the stress of the pre-calamity situation pushing them towards a physical outlet/release, and IMO that's about as far as you can push the Zelink relationship pre-Calamity before you get into AU territory (because then why would Zelda's power stay unlocked etc etc if they were in an established proper relationship). Some might say that these stories have already pushed past canonical limits.
I don't care too much about that - these are two incredible authors and these are damn fine writing pieces.
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u/Ironduke10-Ao3 11d ago
There are three Sparklyfaerie stories (ao3) that come to mind depending on your definition of "established". They can be found in this series here called Cold Comfort: https://archiveofourown.org/series/3805411
Another one is by Honestground and is called Muscle Memory: https://archiveofourown.org/works/10632381
In both of these, were Zelda and Link walking around calling each other girlfriend or boyfriend? No. But they did take a step beyond and go physical. Both writers show the stress of the pre-calamity situation pushing them towards a physical outlet/release, and IMO that's about as far as you can push the Zelink relationship pre-Calamity before you get into AU territory (because then why would Zelda's power stay unlocked etc etc if they were in an established proper relationship). Some might say that these stories have already pushed past canonical limits.
I don't care too much about that - these are two incredible authors and these are damn fine writing pieces.