ohmygodtherestrees

[ohmygodtherestrees]

“frankly a little terrifying.

Spooky.”

DAMN FUCKING RIGHT HE IS‼️/LH /POS

MY SPOOKY BOY

Written in the stars (forever on loop) chapter six - Black hole sun

Pairing: pre poly!chain x reader, Wind & reader

Rating: T

Summary: Your group finds a town which gives you the chance to visit the local library, it also gives Four the chance for a peer review and Time the chance to spiral. Dark Link watches from the shadows and you experienced another strange dream. (Aka: Dink kicks down the door to drop some lore and be in love, Four gets a turn to break down, reader ignores evidence, and I need to pay for the chain's therapy.)

Warnings: cursing, grief, plotting, possessiveness (Dink and Dreader/ Onyx)

Other: If I missed anything please let me know

Current curse counter: two :)

Previous masterlist next

-------

The group of you all find the next town the evening after your talk with Legend. It's a small thing by your standards but a large town by hylian standards. Watching most of the group get dragged away on side quests to help the residents within the first ten minutes isn't a surprise.

Time, Wind, and you are the only ones not dragged into work, and of course, Epona is with you.

You look around, able to read everything despite it being in hylian and not any language you remember learning. This goes promptly in the 'examine after your the boys leave' pile. This pile is always growing lately. It could probably build a fairly good giant sand castle at this point.

Wind stands on your other side, doing something to a small trinket of some sort in his hand.

"Are you going to be okay here?" Time asks you stiffly.

You nod, "I should be. Are you going to be okay on the road?"

Time gives you a strained smile, as if he's going through the motions. "We'll be fine. We've faced worse."

"That dosen’t mean it's easy, but I hope you're all able to go home soon," you say, trying your best to convey sympathy.

"Thank you. I hope you make it home soon too." Time says.

He dosen’t sound right. Something about the cadence of his words is wrong. Very wrong.

You can't name it, but it makes your brain scream.

It makes you want to wrap him up in a hug. It makes you want to ask him if he's hurt. You don't do either.

Wind has hisntounge poking out when you glance ovedthis time. At least he seems okay.

"I should probably try to do that, I don't want to be on buzzfeed unsolved." You say with a half shrug.

"I - have no idea what that is." Time frowns.

"It's a buzz feed series - It's like a video show about unsolved things." You try to explain, quickly realizing that you have to explain what a video is.

"Video?" Wind asks, finally piping up from where he's been fiddling with something in his hand.

"Like a moving picture with sound."

"That seems strange." Time says.

You have to bite back the laugh.

The man who can time travel, summon storms, summon a horse, and heal with a song thinks a moving picture sounds strange? The world of Zelda is bizzare.

Nope, we will examine that 'world of Zelda' bit later.

"There's a lot about my world that is probably strange to you," you offer.

"Perhaps," Time says.

"No, definitely. I think if you saw what light pollution has done to the night sky, you'd riot," You smile a little at the thought.

Time turns his gaze to you, heavy as ever. "What is light pollution?"

"Too much light blocks out the stars."

"How strange." Time says.

"That sounds made up," Wind scoffs.

You shrug, "That's how it's always been."

"Your world sounds wild," Wind laughs.

"You would love how to train your dragon, sailor," you grin, fairly confident in the idea.

"Dragons?" Wind frowns, looking somewhere between intrigued and disgusted.

Time also seems less than pleased. "Dragons are not easily trained."

"It's - like a video story."

"How odd. Tell me, does your world have a hero?" Time asks.

You aren't sure how to answer that. There's so many answers and viewpoints.

Time and Wind both watch you.

Time has an exhaustion you can't understand. There's a grief that you only ever see turned on you that's deeper than the grief he wears at all times.

Wind seems curious, with bright eyes and rapt attention.

"Sort of... There's no tri-force or anything like that back home. But heroes exist."

"No tri force?" Wind asks.

"Only in the stories." You say.

"Stories." Time muses.

"Is there a ganon?" Wind asks.

"Only in stories."

"Count yourself lucky." Time says.

Traveling with them, you definitely find yourself greatful that there's no Ganon nack home.

"I do." You say honestly. "Ganon is a real piece of work."

"He is." Time nods.

Wind laughs. "Sword through the head works wonders."

You snort, recalling that particular moment in the game - examine that later. "I'm sure."

"What's going on with you and Legend he went from being a major fucking asshole to stiff but friendly.... or friendly for him," Wind wonders to you.

"Languagyou. Time hisses.

"I'm a pirate!"

"We talked... He apologized. It's not perfect but he's obviously stopped being an asshole." You shrug.

"I'm glad. He was being rather rude," Time says.

You have to ignore the urge to roll your eyes. Time hasn't been too much better. He just hasn't been hostile.

The man has been a silent weight that's stiff and formal and distant.

"You've all been asses," Wind rolls his eyes.

You bite your cheek. At least Wind is on your side.

"Sailor." Time says with a world-weary sigh that might as well start in his toes.

"It's fine, Wind," you say quickly, not wanting to be the cause of any issues.

Wind rolls his eyes again. "You shouldn't let people treat you bad."

"Wind," you sigh, "It's okay. Time hasn't been bad to me."

"Whatever." The teen scoffs.

Time sighs, slow and heavy. "We'll talk later, Wind. (Y/n), I apologize if I have treated you poorly."

"It's okay. I think I'm going to go check out the library, I'll see you guys at dinner?" You ask.

"Of course." Time says.

You detach from the two heroes and make your way to the library, hoping to get some sort of answer about anything. Maybe they have something to explain the portals, or the dreams, or how you are in a video game world.

Alright, again, we aren't examining that until after the boys leave.

You smile at the librarian and go to the shelves to see what you can find.

There isn't anything too promising, but you find a book titled 'tales of heroes: a children's story collection'. There's that curiosity that wells up from where ever it is the dreams and half memories originate from.

You take out the book and go to sit at a table alone.

It's the introduction that makes your brain pause, something telling you that the words are important. That the words hold answers.

You just don't understand how yet...

' When you read the stories ahead, I caution you that they are centuries old and also aimed at children, but they stay true to the spirit. When you read these stories, you will see the soulmate of the hero never lives long, but how lucky is it to have a soulmate who reincarnates with you every time?

They say that the shadow version of the hero was created with a shadow version of the soulmate.

These stories are an ode to our heroes, princesses, and everyone else who has ever helped save our world. When you read them, may you find your own courage to pursue whatever you desire. '

Wow.

Okay.

First of all, the fact that the stories are passed down is good, your the heroes deserve that and more.

Secondly, the soulmate thing is new. You've played the games, read the lore, and seen playthroughs... but this is the first time you've ever heard of a recurring soulmate.

It dosen’t sound like the princesses are the soulmate either...

Since when does Link have a soulmate?

Maybe you can find more about this?

Is it rude to go looking?

Why does the soulmate never live long?

If it's common knowledge and in a children's book.... does it cross a line to learn more?

In theory, you won't see the boys again after they leave anyway... and you have always had a hard time ignoring your own curiosity....

You shut the book before standing to go see if you can find anything else about this supposed soulmate to the hero.

You're able to find quite a few things, especially after checking the 'triforce' section. You sit yourself down and start wading through everything you can.

' In the ever reincarnating cycle that is the triforce wielders, there is a soulmate to the hero that joins them every lifetime. Many believe that Ganon or whoever is following Demise targets the soulmate every time.

There is no proof of whether the soulmate truly dies early or simply steps out of the public light each time, and the further back in history, the more muddy the details get.

Many believe the soulmate is a late add-on to the already muddied stories of barely remembered heroes.

The most frequent account of the soulmate regards them as being named (Y/n), and they are often depicted as kind and loyal to the hero. '

Woah. Okay. Apparently, you have the same name as this soulmate. That's weird.

That... might explain the reaction the chain had to your name when you met, too.

If this is real, you think it's better that the media in your world never mentioned the soulmate... fans get a little strange sometimes.

You keep reading, there's so many questions you have now, but frustratingly few answers.

Any answers you do manage to find are either repeated everywhere or incredibly vauge. Sometimes both.

Apparently, most of this was passed down orally.

-------

After dinner, Time finds himself pacing in his room, mind entirely too loud. He is so - Time is tired of everything. All he wants is his lover. All he wants is his dearest.

Here he is, though, leading a group of heroes to hunt after an enemy he thought slain while juggling grief and duty.

Oh, it isn't your fault.

Time knows that.

But your presence is digging up a loss he thought he was over.

(How could he ever actually be over it? He spent a year of time loops trying to change their fate. He never ceased to fail...)

You are the best and worst ghost he's ever seen. You sound and act like his lost love, and yet you are not them.

If you were... You'd have thrown yourself into his arms when you saw him.

Though... his lover never did see him this old... did they? They didn't live much past twenty...

You aren't them, though. You would have recognized him by now.

You are the closest to them he will ever get now.

He groans lowly, pulling his hands down his face.

Hiding and pacing aren't going to handle his problems. He should really be checking on you and making sure you have enough gear to be okay on your own for a while.

He's a hero. He's a leader.

He already failed you when he let you get sent away with Epona.

You got ambushed all alone!

He was glad he found you and that you were still standing... but he still failed you.

Failure is not a luxury he can afford, it hasn't been since her was a boy the first time.

Time takes a deep breath and sets his shoulders. He has a responsibility to you as a hero to make sure you are going to be okay.

He leaves his room, going towards where he can hear Wind leading a sea shanty.

He hopes that you are near the sailor as you often are.

You prove him right, laughing next to Wind as he struts around on a table, leading the tavern in a sea shanty about drunken sailors.

Your laugh is the best and worst sound he's faced in a while.

He knows he should move, but he can't make himself.

Here, without you looking at him like a man you barely know, he can pretend that you're his lost lover.

Time lets himself pretend a moment that you're his Beloved.

He lets himself pretend they are here on this adventure with him, laughing as they cheer on the youngest of the group. Smiling as they clap along to a beat.

He lets himself pretend that they just haven't noticed him yet, and when they do, they'll run to him.

Time is a fool, a fact he knows all too well.

When you see him, your smile loses some of its brilliance. You offer a weak little wave to him.

Time waves back, heart cracking further still. He works his jaw to keep from letting his grief show. (He fails.)

He turns around and leaves because he can't look at you again without breaking. He will always be that scared little boy who had to rewind time over and over and over to finally save a town.

Time will always fall short, and others will always pay the price.

He supposes all he can do is try even harder next time.

Maybe his Beloved can forgive him for all his mistakes.

Maybe he can find a way to make up for everything.

-------

Dark sits in the shadows of the forest around the town, his darling lamb - Onyx - to his right. He holds their hand in his own, idily swiping his thumb across the back of their hand.

He allows himself to bask in the shadow and in the presence of his darling lamb. How he has missed them, the years without them have been nothing but torture.

Their place at his side being filled is a soothing balm to his festering soul.

He can't stop marveling at the ethereal beauty that is his darling lamb.

"Once your goody two shoes counter part is left behind, we can focus on tearing the heroes apart," Dark says with a sharp smile.

Onyx gives a hum, leaning their head against his shoulder. "Thank Demise, the heroes have been so obnoxious."

"I'm sure, being stuck in (Y/n)'s shadow until you were strong enough to move, you saw far more than I."

"I'm still mad about that," They say as they squeeze his hand.

It isn't quite mean, but it's tighter than usual. Perhaps a warning, perhaps only checking to be sure he is real.

"I know," he assures as he returns their squeeze.

The solid shadowy flesh in his grasp is cool to the touch and a perfect reassurance it's all real. He's had to many dreams of Onyx only to wake alone.

He both loves and hates those dreams.

"I meant what I said. If you ever send me away like that again, I will stay gone. Don't you ever fucking do that to me again," Onyx turns to give him a dirty look even as they lean against him.

The spite and dark promise in their voice is a beautiful steel blade that he will never tire of witnessing them wield.

How lucky he is to be given such warnings from his darling lamb. They never warn others, preferring the satisfaction of surprising others with their vengeful plans.

Dark smiles softer, the way he only does for them. "You won't get away from me again."

"Good. Being in that magicless realm was horrible."

"I know." Dark sighs, moving to press a kiss to their head. "I know, my darling lamb."

Onyx sighs heavily, "You're still a fucking asshole for sending me to that stupid realm."

"I won't do it again," He says.

He dosen’t apologize, he probably never will. He does know that he won't do it again, not when it weakened his sweetheart so much.

But he can't make himself be sorry for attempting to save them.

"Good." They say as they scoot a little closer.

"We need to get the heroes away from (Y/n), then I think we shall overwhelm the men with a few gleeocks," Dark muses, raising their hands up to press a kiss to the back of his darling lamb's hand.

Onyx laughs, delight drips from the sound. "Electric?"

"Of course."

"Good. They deserve it, they have no idea that their soulmate is right here and they're being fucking dicks."

"I don't doubt it."

"Thank Demise you saved them from those Lizafos."

Dark huffs, using his free hand to run through his hair. "Sending their soulmate away on a horse without the ability to fight atop a horse was reckless and incredibly poor planning."

Onyx laugh again, darker and meaner. Eyes crinkling with mirth they say, "They are the bumbling heroes."

He snorts, squeezing their hand in his once. "I wouldn't care if your life were not on the line too, darling lamb."

"You're a true saint, Dark," They roll their eyes, squeezing his hand back anyway.

"Only for you."

They hum once, low and pleased. "Good, I don't share."

"Neither do I."

They turn their silver eyes up to him, shadowy form flickering a little in the gentle breeze. They still haven't leveled out their magic levels, but they are better than when they arrived yesterday.

They offer him a sharp, borderline, vicious smile. As beautiful as it is deadly. "My strong man. Shall we arrange those gleeocks?"

Dark feels his chest swelling with pride and affection like flowers in the damnable season of spring. "Anything you want, my darling lamb, you shall have."

"And if I want your heart?" They ask sweetly, as if they don't already know.

"I shall serve it to you on a platter," He informs sincerely, giving them a soft look that is only ever for them.

They preen at that, moving to press a kiss to his cheek. "I think I prefer you alive over physically possessing what is already Mine."

"How generous."

Onyx scoffs, "Only for My beloved viper."

Dark hums, letting himself smile at them. He has never much enjoyed being owned. He is nothing but a pet to Demise some days... but he dosen’t mind belonging to them.

Why should he?

Onyx is His. They are his to cherish and protect through Any Means Necessary.

What is love if not reciprocation of all you are gifted? What is love, if not the willingness to do what you need to even when it hurts?

"Oh, my darling lamb, I shall not waste my time with you. Perhaps we will get a longer go around."

"I'm not so sure... That pirate already really likes (Y/n). The curse very well may already be tripped."

"That blasted curse! Of course, the heroes manage to trip it."

Onyx hums, sitting up and turning to fully face Dark. "We'll figure it out."

"Once we take down the heroes, Demise will break that damnable curse. Your life force will no longer be tied to the Hero's soulmate's. Never again will you face death," Dark declares with a grandeur he must have learned from Demise.

His lover just laughs a little, softer with him. They are always softer with him. "I look forward to eternity with you."

"And I with you."

Onyx leans in, pressing a kiss to his lips before pulling away with a vicious smile. "Let's finish this."

Dark returns their smile, wondering how he got so lucky to have such a spiteful sweetheart. "I think I like that plan."

"Good."

-------

Four finds himself alone finally in the night as he settles near the town garden. He lets the night air flit about as he finally lets out a deep, slow sigh that has his shoulders dropping.

His mind is still too loud. The colors all have their own thoughts, but being alone is far better than he expected.

He groans as he stands by the garden, looking up at the sky.

Splitting will help the headache, at least...

Maybe it will help the emotions, too.

He straightens up and holds his sword up to the sky.

With a flash of light, Four is split into his colors, and the headache of a week is gone.

"This is bullshit!" Blue hisses as he kicks the ground with a glare.

Green sighs heavily, "Blue, we can't control these things."

"I know this is hard, but we got (Y/n) to a town, and they'll be safe here," Red chimes.

Red offers a weak smile, as if trying to convince himself as well as the others.

Blue groans loudly, dropping his head back even as he stands. "So? The only good thing is we're leaving them behind."

Blue!" Green hisses.

Vio sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "No wonder I have to take control around them."

"Be nice," Green chides with a heavy tone.

Red sighs, "Guys, we've already gotten through the hard part!"

Blue rolls his eyes and shoots a glare to the optimist. "How do you want to go on knowing there's a perfect copy of them?"

"What choice do we have?" Vio challenges as he raises one brow.

He would like to know. Ehst other option is there but to suck it up and keep going?

"I don't know!" Blue scoffs, throwing his hands up.

"Guys, please," Green sighs.

"We have to figure something out. We can't keep going the way we have been," Vio crosses his arms.

Red bites his lip, raking his brain for some sort of helpful idea. Repression isn't working, obviously, but what else is there?

Perhaps there's crying?

There is also sleeping until things suck less, but that's not sustainable.

"Why don't we talk about it?" Green suggests.

"Yeah!" Red agrees immediately.

The relief that floods Red at not having to offer a solution is immediate, which makes his throat feel thick anyway.

"You want to talk about it?" Blue scoffs and rolls his eyes, "I'll fucking talk about it."

"Go for it," Vio motions to the ground with one hand while watching the other.

Blue gives a dirty glare. "Our soulmate is fucking dead and there's a perfect copy who isn't them. I miss our soulmate, Vio. I really fucking miss them and I am so fucking mad that they aren't actually here!"

Red frowns, hugging himself. "Blue, we all miss them."

"Yeah, I know. But it's like our soulmate is right there! But they fucking aren't! They're still gone and this is just another fuck you from the goddesses!" Blue snarls as he balls his fists up and starts to shake.

Green winces, realizing just how much they've actually been repressing.

If Blue is this worked up... it's no good.

That can only mean they are even worse off than they thought.

"You can't be mad at (Y/n)... They didn't do anything wrong," Red says with a sigh.

"I'm not mad at them! I'm mad that they're fucking with our heads because we're too fucking stupid to stop missing someone!" Blue crosses his arms again, nails digging into his arms

Green sets a hand on his brother's shoulder, trying to will something softer to the other. All he wants is to help Blue...

Vio sighs. "So we should get it all out there then? I am barely holding on because the resemblance to our angel is too much to bear."

"You're telling me," Blue huffs, letting his hands loosen against his arms.

Red sighs, "I can't help hoping that it's them somehow..."

"I miss them so much," Green breathes out.

Blue clenches his jaw for a moment. Then he sighs heavily. "I would do anything to see them one more time... What would they even say to us? They passed before - before we ever touched the four sword."

"Do not insult them by insinuating they would turn on us," Vio warns in a low hiss.

Green frowns, "I'm sure that's not what Blue means."

"We don't know what they would do!" Blue scoffs.

"I think... I think we're looking at this wrong," Red says as he looks at each of his brothers.

"Oh?" Vio prompts.

"Maybe... instead of being upset that (Y/n) isn't our soulmate like we want we should focus on the fact that someone so much like our angel is living a life away from all the danger that follows us," Red suggests.

"That's... not the worst idea we've had," Vio hums, allowing himself to sit with the idea.

Blue just glares at the ground, kicking a small group of pebbles away from himself. All he wants is his angel here. Apparently, that's too much to ask.

Green bites his lip before he sighs. "That's probably a better solution than what we've been doing."

"We can try it," Vio reasons.

"I think we should," Green offers a weak smile.

Red smiles back, "Okay."

"Blue?" Green prompts.

Blue sighs heavily, looking up to the stars. "I guess."

--------

You allow yourself to bask in the forge, soaking up the heat after the cold air outside thanks to winter. Watching your boyfriend at work is interesting as ever. His blacksmith work is something he enjoys.

Watching his muscles flex is always a treat, too. Your sweet boy works so hard.

"Are you sure you don't mind staying until I'm done? I don't mind if you want to go home." Link calls, turning to look at you during a break in his work.

You shake your head with a smile, "I'm sure, Link. I like to be around you."

"If you're sure."

"I am."

Link flashes you a smile over his shoulder, hair falling a little out of his headband. His blue eyes all but sparkle.

You let yourself settle into the chair you take up.

You listen to him work, muttering to himself as he hammers out the metal into whatever form he needs it to be.

It's hot in the forge, but you expect that.

Existing within the same space as Link is relaxing, soothing to your heart.

It's nice, being able to watch him working at his craft. He's good at it. Everything Hes ever given you from his work table has been amazing.

You absolutely adore the damascus steel dagger he gifted you for your last birthday.

Minutes and hours feel the same as you bask in the atmosphere.

It's not until your stomach growls that you give in to the fact you should really go make dinner.

You stand, stretching your arms above your head before you call out to Link. "I'm going to start dinner."

He turns to look at you over his shoulder, flashing a smile. "Thank you, angel."

"Of course."

You exit the forge and go into the house to start dinner.

It's been a good day.

You enter the kitchen humming -

You bolt up in bed, head spinning like a broken carousel.

What on earth was that?

--------

After one last breakfast made by Wild, you stand at the edge of town with the group of heroes you've been traveling with.

This is it.

The boys will leave and you will stay.

For reasons you doubt you could name at sword point you crave to follow them despite all danger and strange attitude. Despite the video game thing, your dreams, and all safety, you want more than anything to go with them.

You shove that into a far away box in your mind.

"I guess this is it," you say with a weak smile.

"You promise you'll send the letter for me?" Wind asks.

You nod, "Of course I will, sailor."

"And you'll write me?"

"If you want me to."

Wind hums, then snaps his fingers. "Hold on, I have something for you!"

"You don't have to do anything for me, I'm just grateful to have your friendship," you counter quickly.

Wind rolls his eyes.

The others stand behind him, all looking somewhere away from you except Legend, who just stares at you with a strange, almost seasick look.

At least you won't have to deal with all the tension.

Wind pulls something out of his bag with a triumphant grin. "Aha! Here, I wanted you to have this. It can be a good luck charm for you."

You smile a little, looking at the hand he holds out and finding a small seagull figurine carved out of a dark wood. It's small enough to fit in Wind's palm and your own as well.

"Really?" You ask.

Wind nods. "Of course! You obviously need it. You fell out of the sky."

You laugh, "I did. Thank you."

You take the small figurine and smile at the boy.

Wind grins up at you, "You better write me."

"I will. Don'tcause too much trouble."

"Good, and I don't cause trouble!" Wind grins before he hugs you tightly around your middle.

You smile as you hug the boy back.

When Wind steps out of your arms, Legend steps up to you, holding something behind his back. He gives you a straining smile.

"Hey, I have something for you too." The veteran says.

You smile a little at him, "You really don't have to do that."

"Consider it an apology for being an asshole?" He offers after a moment, voice half playful.

There's a choking sound from someone in the group behind him.

You snort a little. "You already apologized."

Legend rolls his eyes, "Then call it me, taking a step to do better by you."

The words are easy enough, but there's something weighty in his gaze and tone.

His eyes are like lavender, and for a second, you swear you can remember them lightning up just for you.

You hum once, considering. "Alright."

Legend pulls his hand out from behind his back and holds out a red health potion. "This is for you."

You gasp, well aware that the potion isn't cheap to obtain or to make. "Legend! Are you serious?!"

He gives a nod, "I am."

"You're sure that for me? Those aren't cheap."

He rolls his eyes this time, "Yes, I'm sure it's for you, trinket."

Your brain short circuits.

Trinket?

("It's for you, trinket," a man with lavender eyes smiles as he presses your favorite candy into your hand.)

You smile as best you can. "Thank you, Li-egend."

You catch yourself halfway through his name, but hopefully, no one notices or calls you on it.

Legend presses the potion into your hand, "Try not to die, okay?"

You laugh, "You try not to die too."

He frowns, looking you over.

Whatever he was thinking seems to pass, he gives you a lazy smirk. "Take care of yourself."

"I will." You say.

You put the potion and the little wooden seagull into your bag.

Legend steps back, falling into the group.

No one else comes forward, not even Sky.

Sky looks rough, red eyes and staring at the nearest tree...

Maybe it was a bad night for him?

"Well, I 'spose this is it... Take care of yourself." Twilight says.

You smile, "I will."

Epona walks up to you, nudging your shoulder.

You laugh, patting her neck, "You be good, sweetheart."

Epona knickers a little, nipping your shirt before she backs up, trying to pull you with her.

You stumble but catch yourself, "Epona hey, I'm staying here."

"Damn." Wind sighs.

"Language." Time calls.

Twilight grabs Epona's reigns, "I'm sorry she dosen’t usually act like this."

"It's okay, at least she isn't being mean," you assure as you gently pull your shirt from her.

You step back again, readjusting your top.

"Don't be a stranger." Time says to you, stepping forward to put a hand on your shoulder.

You look at him, trying one last time to make sense of the man. "Okay."

The man squeezes your shoulder, nodding once before he steps back.

"Remember you have a shield for a reason. Okay?" Warriors asks as he looks at you with a pinched expression.

Seriously, what is it about you that upsets them all so much? Is it their soulmate? Maybe it's your name.

That makes sense.

They just miss their soulmate. Too bad you can't help them.

You nod, "I definitely will."

"Keep your weapons sharp," Four chimes in helpfully.

"Stay safe," Hyrule says with a weak smile.

Wild steps to the front of your group, offering a fairly convincing smile. "Try to have some fun too."

"Good luck," Sky tells you absently.

You smile a little sad this time. "You too."

"Stay outta trouble if you can," Twilight says.

That's the last thing any of them seem to need. All of them turning and leaving, though Wind waves to you as he leaves, and Epona trails behind.

Legend shoots you a smirk as he leaves at least.

You wave them off and wait until you can barely see them before you turn to go back to town.

Everything is so strange...

You sit yourself on the edge of the town square fountain, trying to figure out what you do now.

Sighing, you look towards the library again. Maybe you could go read more?

There's a low meow that makes your attention jerk to the right - and holy fuck that's a panther!

What the fuck?!

The heroes leave and now the animals decide to attack?!

The panther stalks towards you, tail swishing slowly.

You can't remember if you're supposed to get big or small. Running seems bad though...

You won't out run a panther probably...

In a moment of desperation you take a deep breath and decide to try taking your way out if this one.

"Heeeeey, pretty kitty," you manage in a mostly steady croon.

The animal keeps stalking until it's a foot away from you.

It stares at you with an intensity that's frankly a little terrifying.

Spooky.

That's not really enough of a descriptor but it's what your brain has.

"Who's a good kitty?" You ask.

The panther sits down, yawning at you.

Wow that cat has giant, pointy teeth.

"You're a good kitty! Look at you, not attacking, such a good panther," You say in what is probably terror.

The large cat stretches it's front paws our until it's laying down, paws two whole inches from your boots.

Well... they aren't attacking. That's good! You like not being attacked by large ambush predators!

It's still fairly spooky to be so close to the animal... but if they aren't attacking maybe they'll let you try to touch them?

There's the animal loving part of you that starts to awaken now that you aren't positive you're going to be attacked.

You move so you are crouching, holding your hand out to the panther.

The animal sniffs your hand carefully, then immediately nudges your hand with it's nose as it shuffles closer.

Well fuck.

Okay.

Are you the animal whisperer now? First Epona, now this panther?

There are probably worse things to be.

You cautiously try to gently scratch their chin, almost preening when they lift their head to allow you better access.

Smiling, you wonder if you'll see them around more?

Maybe you can call them Spooky, the previous descriptor seems a nice.

Forget the library, you're going to soak up this previously impossible experience.

As you move to use both hands to dole out gentle scritches Spooky begins to purr.

A low rumble that makes you want to giggle.

Maybe it won't be so bad here.

-------

Taglist:@danyzta @vrsin @silver-the-pendejo @tulip-does-stuff @justanotherweeb666 @yourlocaltreesimp @blueberrysungie @victoryssong23 @shu-leepy @sleepifonlyigoti @sour-patch-delight @phlying-squirrel @pumpkincitrus

Next - Wip

[ohmygodtherestrees]

Sky only one bed

One bed (morning confessions)

No warnings just some fluff

Your excitement to sleep at an inn is only half diminished when you find that you've been paired to a room with only one bed. It's not the end of the world. Traveling with this group, you've seen everyone hurt or in various states of dress.

The issue is actually just that there's only one bed and the person you are sharing the room (and apparently bed) with is Sky.

That... makes it sound bad. It isn't!

Sky is wonderful, kind if a little prone to teasing. After all every Link is a gremlin at heart.

The problem, or the root of it, is that you have feelings for the man... and you are worried about making a fool of yourself.

"Well, I can take the floor?" Sky offers from the doorway behind you.

You stand in the middle of the room and turn, "Absolutely not."

"I don't mind."

"I mind." You cross your arms.

You know that if you offer to sleep on the floor he'll shoot it down. Which, if nice because that would probably mess up ypur back and neck.

You know the bed is big enough.

Well... You suppose you'll just have to suck up your feelings about this and share. The bed is big enough for it.

"We can share." You say, hoping you come of as confident.

Sky smiles even as his cheeks dust pink, "Are you sure?"

"Yes. It's big enough anyways." You offer a smile back. "Besides there are worse people to share a bed with."

"Oh yeah?"

You laugh a little. "Definitely. Wind kicks in his sleep, little monster."

"You don't say." Sky laughs.

You snicker again. "I'm pretty sure. Come on it's been a long day we should try to sleep."

"Probably so." Sky says as he steps fully into the room and shuts the door.

You cross to the corner of the room, setting your things down before stripping into your under layers. An under shirt and underwear is much better to sleep in than full gear.

You can hear Sky doing the same somewhere on behind you.

It's almost scary to bear so little protection after so long with this group, but you know you're safe here. Regardless of any reciprocation Sky may or may not have for your feelings, he would never hurt you. Not on purpose.

Crossing to the bed and getting in is more daunting than you want to admit. It's a comfortable bed, at least.

You watch Sky get into bed, laying like a stiff log beside you.

"That's got to be uncomfortable." You say with a soft smile.

"It's fine. I don't want to encroach."

"I'm not going to die if you end up touching my arm, but thank you for thinking of me."

Sky looks at you with wide eyes. "I sprawl out usually I just don't want to bother you."

A rather silly idea occurs to you. "Would it be easier if we cuddled?"

You can feel your face heat up, but it's a genuine question. There is no answer that will be easy on your heart, but you've already asked.

Sky flushes a little. "If... you don't mind?"

"I offered." You manage.

You both shift until you're comfortable. The soft 'is this okay' or 'can I do this' is asked until you settle down.

Sky lays on his back in the middle of the bed, your head on his chest and his arm wrapped around you. His heart beats rapidly in his chest like bass drum beating along to a fast song you don't know.

It's nice.

It's torture because this isn't quite what you imagined this situation would be. There's no kisses.

It's okay though, because Sky is a good friend and you feel safe.

"Are you going to be able to sleep?" You ask.

Sky hums, "I should be. Why?"

"Your heart's fast is all."

"Oh." Sky says.

"I didn't mean to be rude-"

"You weren't." Sky assures you.

"Okay."

You let yourself sink into the comfort and safety, relishing the warmth of the man holding you.

Sky's breathing is slow and steady. Even as his heart continues it's rapid staccato.

You lay there long enough that you are all but asleep when you hear it.

"You're beautiful like this." Sky whispers.

You manage to open your eyes, face warming. "Thank you."

"Oh- I thought you were asleep. I mean it though."

"Thank you."

"Go back to sleep, sunshine."

You feel far more awake at this new nickname. "Sunshine?"

"Oh. Uh-"

"I like that one." You decide, ignoring the hope blossoming in your heart.

"Good." Sky says.

Sleep finds you both, the embrace of dreams is nothing new.

-------

Sky wakes and immediately closes his eyes again the sunlight streaming in from the window. He pulls the thing again his chest closer in protest-

That's not a thing that's a person.

Sky opens his eyes again, quickly looking down and seeing you.

Right.

Goddess above, Sky was such a fool last night. Letting his feelings fall all over the ground. It's a miracle he didn't make you uncomfortable on accident.

"I'm so lucky." Sky mutters to himself.

You groan, burying your face in his chest before you bolt up with a gasp.

"What- Sky?" You ask with blurring vision.

"Morning." Sky says.

You blink a few times, the sigh. Lowering yourself back down to your original position with your head on his chest you just pout. "No."

"No?" Sky chuckles.

"Don't wanna."

"Fair enough."

"I was having a nice dream." You sigh, sounding a little out if it still. "Was nice, we were married and having a picnic."

"Oh?" Sky asks.

"Yes."

"Sounds nice."

"It was. Too bad it's not real." You yawn, burying your face in his chest again.

"It could be." Sky offers on instinct.

"What?" You ask, looking up at him.

Sky gives a nervous smile. "It could be real. If you meant that, if you actually want a life with me. If I'm miss reading-"

"Really?"

"Yes." Sky breathes out.

You smile, giddy and adoreable. "We're so talking about this later."

"After breakfast."

"Sounds lovely." You say, setting back down and closing your eyes. "I just want to lay here for now."

"Sounds perfect." Sky says, pulling you a little closer while fixing the blankets.

[ohmygodtherestrees]

I love Jinshi from the apothecary diaries because yes he's the most gorgeous man to ever walk the planet but he's also the most pathetic wet cat of a man to ever walk this planet

[ohmygodtherestrees]

[ohmygodtherestrees]

[ohmygodtherestrees]

The first addition to my Linked Universe AU!!

I have plenty more notes on him but I overestimated the space I had on the canvas… if anyone has any questions about him or the AU I’d be glad to answer!! My ask page is always open

[ohmygodtherestrees]

image i am in love with

[ohmygodtherestrees]

What A Doll!

In which Hyrule gets revived in our world (he’s my favorite and I wish I could write for him more often 😭)

It was just supposed to be a fun little project. You were playing Adventure of Link, struggling through each battle as expected. Of course you had to go and die, only to be revived by your last extra life. That’s when the thought hit you.

You should totally make a Life Doll! It would be a better pass-time than trying (and failing) to beat Adventure of Link. Plus, after you’re done, you can have a little Link to support you through the rough challenge you’re trying to complete.

So, you look up a pattern online, make a quick stop at your closest craft store, and go back home to start on your project. There are a few mishaps, an entire hour of your day is spent trying to fix your sloppy stitching, and you’re pretty sure his little button eyes are uneven, but he’s beautiful and he’s yours.

You end up toting the little doll around for the rest of the day, sitting him on your table for meals and propping him up beside you while you try to complete his game. His very presence seems to inspire you, as you don’t die a single time for a couple hours, not counting a couple close calls here and there.

It’s only once you enter the final dungeon that your luck seems to take a turn for the worst. Link is taking some serious beating, but somehow, someway, you make it to the Thunderbird. It’s a stressful battle, and you end up using the last of your healing items while trying to beat him, but you do succeed. There’s only one opponent left. Shadow Link.

It’s time to conquer yourself.

Considering it’s a 2d fight taking place on the NES, it’s a surprisingly epic fight, in your opinion. Link's shadow is frighteningly good, and you’re gnawing on your bottom lip the whole time, stressed that you can’t heal and are running dangerously low on magic. The shadow only has a single hit point left before you can beat him, but Link himself can’t take another hit. You go for a risky move, knowing that it’s all or nothing- only to watch Link fall as he takes an attack from the shadow instead.

You groan, quickly raking your hands through your hair, but immediately focus back on your game, knowing that Link will revive from one of his extra lives sooner rather than later. Sure enough, the screen turns white while Links sprite wholly blacks out, and you watch one of your lives tick down.

Strangely, though, when the screen goes back to normal, Link isn’t on it. The shadow is still there, looking ready for a fight, but Links sprite is nowhere to be seen.

“A bug?” You wonder, pressing a few buttons on your controller, only for nothing to happen. Shadow Link isn’t even moving, although the music is still playing. Clicking your tongue, you stand up to fiddle with your console, whispering a few choice words under your breath as you do so. This was probably the best run you’ve had, and of course, the game decides to glitch out at the last second.

Unfortunately, the game doesn’t even go back to normal once you turn off the console and turn it back on. You unfortunately lost all of your progress before the castle but that doesn’t seem to matter- Links sprite is still not in the game, and trying to move around doesn’t do anything. The game card is pretty old, to be fair, but you’ve never heard of a glitch where Link just stops existing in the game. Sighing, you take the game card out and turn off the console, deciding to try again later.

“I totally would’ve won anyway…” You mumble under your breath, leaving the room, and subsequently, the Link Doll who you forgot about in the heat of the moment.

~~

It’s probably the middle of the night when you hear some crashing and banging coming from your living room. It’s loud enough to wake you up, your heart pounding in your throat, and you hurriedly jump out of bed. You’re barely wearing any clothes, you sleeping bottoms having been kicked off some time in the night, and your shirt rucked up to your chest. You barely have the common sense to pull it down while simultaneously reaching under your bed for some sort of weapon. All you find is a super old book you completely forgot about, but it’s better than nothing.

With the police dialed on your phone in one hand, and your book in the other, you carefully creep out of your room, squinting down the hall to see if you can catch a glimpse of the intruder who’s still rummaging around inside your living room. Whoever they are, they’re super loud, which either means they’re super confident in their burglary abilities, or they’re super bad at burglaring. You pray that it’s the second one and finally step out into the hall.

What you see is not what you were expecting. Maybe a shadowy figure dressed in all black, with, like, a ski mask pulled over their face and a comically large rucksack thrown over their shoulder. You know, the classic robbery getup. Instead, you find a young man with poofy brown hair, a green tunic, and a cute little green cap on his head. Is your robber dressed up in a Link cosplay? That’s actually kinda cool. Unfortunately for him, you aren’t looking to get robbed from anyone- not even a Link cosplayer.

“Hey! What are you doing?! I have the police on speed dial, so you better answer!” You shout, hoisting the surprisingly heavy book in your arms up, ready to attack. Funnily enough, the man looks absolutely startled, like he didn’t think anyone would catch him Gary loudly rummaging through your living room drawers. He drops a switch controller with a clatter that makes you wince and internally bemoan the stick drift that will surely start plaguing said controller- it was one of your last good ones, too.

“I-I’m sorry! I just- I just- died?! I think?? And woke up here. I was just looking for some information on where I am, I swear! Please don’t hit me!” The man cries out, cowering, looking clearly shaken. Is he on something? Though, even if he is, he’s clearly very shaken. You should offer him some grace.

“Okay… Tell me what happened, and I’ll see if I can help you.” You wave your hand through the air, trying to get him to calm down, but he just shrinks back from the motion. Pretty skittish little guy, isn’t he? Maybe you should try to sober him up before asking him more questions.

“Are you thirsty? I’ve got some water. C’mon, it’s a little awkward having you just stand around my living room like this…” You mumble, tilting your head towards your kitchen. The man is shaking like a leaf still, but nervously follows you into the room, giving your buzzing fridge an oddly suspicious look.

“Never seen a fridge before?” You joke, opening it up and reaching inside for a couple bottles of water. He’s obviously paranoid, so maybe he’ll be more comfortable if the bottles are obviously sealed? And if he’s really suspicious, you can offer him your own bottle like they do in the movies.

“Thank you…” The Link cosplayer mumbles, taking the bottle with shaky hands. You hum, tilting your head towards your table and taking a seat for yourself. He climbs into the seat across from you, still staring you down suspiciously.

Shrugging, you uncap your water, taking a couple sips from it while you wait for your uninvited guest to do that same. He struggles with the twist top for a few seconds, and at first, barely takes a single sip, before proceeding to chug the whole thing in one go.

Guess he was thirsty. You snicker, pushing your bottle his way and he pauses, stares you down for a few seconds, then takes the water, sipping at it more carefully this time.

“Do you feel any better?” You ask once he’s finished his bottle, trying to not push him too much, but feeling like you’re entitled to a couple answers.

“…Yes. Thank you.” He dips his head in a single nod. You notice he’s protectively wrapping his arms around his midsection; is he injured? You don’t see any blood, though. It could be a bruise of some kind.

“Can I ask you a few questions, then? You can ask me anything, as well.” You offer, leaning back in your chair. Fear flashes in the man’s eyes, but he doesn’t immediately bolt. That has to count for something.

“Sure.” He mumbles after a few hesitant seconds. You shoot him a grin, happy to be making progress.

“What’s your name?”

And immediately, you’re back to the suspicious stares. It really shouldn’t be that hard of a question, why is he acting like you’ll jump him the second you know his name?

“Link.” He answers shortly, and you give his outfit a long look. Either he’s delusional, or he’s not telling you his actual name for personal reasons. Either way you shrug, deciding to just roll with it.

“Nice to meet you, Link.” You smile, and introduce yourself in turn. Link copies your name, saying it like it’s foreign. To be fair, he has a bit of an accent- maybe he’s foreign himself?

“You said you died. Can you elaborate on that?” You ask, genuinely curious. Now that you’re getting to actually talk to him, you don’t think he’s on anything, but that just makes the whole ‘I died’ thing more weird.

“I was battling… My shadow, I guess. I was already pretty injured, but I thought- I thought, if I could just push a little bit further, just one more hit, I could beat him. He beat me, of course, stabbed me right through my stomach, and I died. Luckily, I had an item called a Life Doll. It was supposed to revive me good as new, but when I woke up, I found myself here instead.” He explains, and you draw your lips into a thin line. That sounds… suspiciously familiar.

Almost exactly what happened in the game before it crashed on you.

If you choose to believe what this Link fellow is saying, he died in your game, and what, revived in your living room outside of it? How would that even happen?

And then it hits you. The Link Doll you made. You left it in your living room. But earlier when you went in there and first saw Link, it was nowhere to be seen. Did this Link… manifest from your Link Doll? It sounds absolutely ridiculous, like something out of a fantasy novel, but it’s hard to deny the man right in front of you.

His sparkling green eyes, freckles cheeks, nervous smile and curly hair. His green tunic and matching hat- not to mention the suspiciously realistic sword and shield strapped to his back. You doubt a casual cosplayer would be able to get the sword and shield one-for-one like that.

And then your eyes land on his ears. Perhaps the most obvious trait, and irrefutable evidence that he is no normal human. All you need to do is make sure they aren’t very realistic prosthetics, and you’ll know for sure if this man is Link or not.

“One last question, if you will. Can I touch your ears?” You ask, grinning nervously. You watch in absolute awe as his ears flick, pinning back against his head in a way that you’re pretty sure would be impossible, even for a robotic prosthetic, but for some reason, that fact just makes you want to touch them more. You have the confirmation you need, but the question is already out in the open. You wait with bated breath for Links answer.

“Uhm, sure. Sure, why not.” Link smiles nervously, and you practically jump up from your seat, scurrying around your table to touch his pointed ears. They’re the real deal, alright, twitching under your touch, and you notice the tips growing red and hot. That’s honestly adorable, and you let out a little squeal before finally letting him go and returning to your seat.

You have the real life Link from the Legend of Zelda sitting at your dining table. The impossibility of the whole situation makes your heart thump in your chest, but you hold in your more extreme reactions. You can freak out about it later, for now, it looks like Link has a few questions of his own he’d like to ask you.

“Okay first of all- Where are your pants?”

[ohmygodtherestrees]

the heroes to your heroes?

i’m never moving past this

Written in the stars (forever on loop) chapter five - I will wait

Pairing: pre- poly! Chain x reader, Wind & reader

Rating: T

Summary: You spend the day telling people you're leaving, getting dragged into a fight, and having a somewhat honest conversation with Legend. Hyrule is having a very bad time, Four would like everyone to get their shit together so he can have a turn with a breakdown, and Epona is definitely my favorite. (Aka: I drop a bunch of information, smack everyone with the angst stick, and gloss over like three sort of concerning things)

Warnings: cursing, Canon typical violence, angst, blood

Other: If I missed anything, please let me know.

Previous masterlist Next

------

Morning comes with little fanfare.

Warriors wakes you up carefully, informing you it's time to be alert. You groan, but get up.

You set about getting ready for the day and putting things in the enchanted bag Wind gave you. (The kid is a life saver!)

Once you've gotten your things packed, you find yourself pulling Wind and Sky aside to tell them about your decision before everyone else.

You consider simply not telling them. You could just slip away. You could avoid saying goodbye.

You hate goodbyes.

You could avoid any possible confrontation.

That isn't right, though. Even with all the strange tension the group deserves to know you're leaving. They deserve to know there's one less person to feed.

Wind and Sky especially deserve to know. They've both been so good to you.

It would be a coward's choice to simply disappear and appealing as it is... you know it's wrong.

Wind and Sky deserve better.

Being a better and more healed version of yourself is hard and sucks sometimes. Making mature decisions sucks.

You take a deep breath and try to prepare yourself before you do this.

"Can I talk to you two?" You ask as you approach Wind and Sky.

"Yeah, of course!" Wind answers.

"Sure." Sky says.

You offer a soft smile. "I wanted to tell both of you something before the others."

"That's ominous." Sky says with a weak smile.

"What's going on?" Wind asks, tilting his head.

You take a deep breath. "I'm staying at the next town."

"What?" Sky croaks, eyes going wide.

He looks a little sea sick, but you can't imagine why.

"I'm not going to leave with you, I'll stay at the next town."

"Why?" Wind asks, sounding tense.

You give a weak smile. "I'm not a fighter like you guys. Besides... I'm slowing you all down. I think we can all agree I'm not exactly an adventuring expert."

There's a beat of silence.

"No one is at first," Sky says gently, quick to reassure you.

"Maybe not. But I'm staying at the next town." You say, trying to sound firm without sounding callous.

Wind rolls his eyes. "If this is because Legend is being a little bitch-"

"It's not." You say quickly. "I'm having a lot of things going on in my head, and I need space to sort through them."

"Oh." Wind deflates.

Sky gives you a look somewhere between guilt and relief. "If you're sure."

"I am." You say.

It really does seem like the best plan anyway.

"You're sure this isn't about Legend being a dickbag?" Wind asks.

You snort, "It's not that."

"Fine." Wind sighs. "If this is what you want."

"It is." You say.

Sky gives you a tired smile. "I'm sorry you got dragged into all of this."

"It's not your fault." You say, "Thank you for helping me out."

"Of course." Sky says with a strange hitch of his breath.

Wind rolls his eyes, "What were we supposed to do, leave you there?"

"You could have."

"Who does that?" The teen scoffs.

You shrugs, "Some people."

"Not us." Wind says.

"Not you." The agreement is pulling itself from wherever those strange dreams are from. You believe it, though.

Your The heroes aren't the type to leave anyone stranded like that.

Wind sighs. "Does anyone else know?"

"Time, and Four because he was there when I told Time."

"Four?" Sky blinks.

You nod. "Yes."

"If you're staying at the town, could you send a letter for me?" Wind asks.

You agree, of course you can! It's no work and he's done so much for you.

You let the news sit until after Wild has given everyone breakfast. You sit with Wind, of course. The boy is currently glaring at Legend as if the man did something personal.

Weird.

Why is the sailor so mad at Legend?

Did the veteran say something?

"I have something to tell all of you," You say, words feeling far heavier than you want to acknowledge or admit.

It shouldn't be so hard to tell a group of people that don't seem to want you around that you're leaving.

But...

The dreams....

Something makes it feel wrong to leave. Something is your heart says you're meant to he with this group.

(But that is absolutely ridiculous... right?)

All eyes turn to you except Wind, who is still giving Legend dirty looks.

"What is it?" Warriors asks, brow raising as he appraises your behavior.

"I'll be staying at the next town we find." You say, trying to bite back the abject bitterness about leaving.

"What?" Wild manages.

"Why?" Hyrule asks, face looking like you've struck him.

Okay...

Why do any of them care? You seem to just make them uncomfortable anyway.

"I've got some things to sort out, but I'm also not really a fighter. We all know I'm slowing you down."

"You are not." Sky says.

You smile, "I definitely am."

"It's- not your fault." Wild tries to reassure.

That's very sweet of him.

You laugh a little, "Either way, I'm staying at the next town."

"Are you sure?" Warriors asks.

"Yes."

"Well... Good luck." Four offers tightly.

Legend stays silent, not looking at you. The break is nice, in all honesty.

"I do want to say thanks to all of you, for helping me out and making sure I don't die." You offer with a smile.

"It's not a big deal." Twilight waves off.

"It's what anyone would do." Hyrule says.

You shake your head. "Not anyone."

"It's what we do." Time says.

"You are heroes." You smile a little.

"So we hear." Legend scoffs, glaring at the ground.

You sigh, turning back to your breakfast. This hasn't been the worst interaction, but it hasn't been the best either.

"Don't let him bring you down." Wind nudges you.

"I'm not." You say.

"Good." Sky smiles weakly.

Wind just sighs. "I'm going to miss you. No one else is as fun."

"Hey!" Wild gasps.

You laugh, letting the apprehension from before melt away. There's still an ending that almost seems to loom despite the relief you know you'll receive... but things are good.

Here, in this little bubble made up of you, a teenage scallywag, a grieving but friendly bird lover, and a horse, things are good.

Here you are safe.

All you have to do is ignore the dreams and half memories of your boys the heroes you travel with.

-------

You take the extra sword and shield that Wild gives you, wearing it on your belt easily enough. Traveling seems both easier and harder now that you know you have a set end point for your adventure.

You may not know how many days before you find a town, but you know every step is a step closer to leaving this group. A step closer to leaving Wind, Sky, and Epona.

Today, you travel beside Four. He's rather quiet, but at least he isn't hostile.

Though... Legend hasn't said but one thing to you since yesterday. He won't look at you now...

It's an improvement.

His constant anger is exhausting.

Four may not be as fun to be around as Wind, or as friendly as Sky, but he does at least steady you if you trip.

He dosen’t give you dirty looks.

Four answers any questions you have with a steady patience, eyes almost glinting violet in the light.

The dirt road you trek along is as monotonous as you may think.

Epona keeps falling a little behind Twilight to get your attention. If you slip her an apple at some point, that's really just between you and Epona. Isn't it?

(Wind notices, and he accuses you of being a pushover for Epona. But what if you are? She's an angel!)

Blue skies with big puffy clouds seem to be common here. Today is no exception.

Wind is just behind you with Hyrule, in front of you Time and Twilight walk.

Epona trails a little behind Twilight, choosing to walk at your side instead.

You pass Epona a bit of carrot while you all stop before a rickety old bridge.

"How many is that?" Wind asks from behind you.

"Not as many as she deserves." You flash a grin over your shoulder.

"Why do you like her so much?" Four asks.

You turn to look at him, and for a moment, you swear his eyes are red...

You hum, "She's a good girl. How could anyone not like her?"

"I guess that's fair." Four says, voice a little too far away.

"You okay, smithy?" Wild asks.

"I'm fine." Four says.

The man isn't particularly convincing, but you aren't sure how to bring it up.

There's the sound of rustling and hooves.

You turn, several others turning with you to find the new sound.

A blue lynel surges forward.

"Fuck me." You hiss.

Maybe it's not polite but really, lynels are evil and awful.

"You have the worst curses." Wind snorts.

Twilight turns and presses Epona's reins into your hands without warning, "Take Epona and get outta here. We'll find ya later."

You feel like you're supposed to argue and try to pull your own weight... but you've never fought a lynel in real life, and getting killed seems bad.

So, taking Epona and leaving it will be.

You grip her reigns and take a deep breath.

Scanning the area, you see a path through the trees that is more of a dirt road truly.

Epona can run faster than you...

The boys launch into fight, and you make the executive decision that riding Epona is a great idea.

You clamber up onto Epona, clumsy and panicking. As soon as you settle your weight on her saddle, you click your tounge, squeezing your knees to her sides for a second.

Regardless of your level of experience with horses, you can safely say you've never had to ride a horse while running from an evil centaur being.

Epona takes off into a gallop towards the path in the trees.

You can hear the others fighting, but for your own sanity, you focus on the reigns in your hands.

"When did they learn to ride a horse?!" Someone calls from behind you.

"FOCUS ON THE FIGHT!" Legend calls back, making more sense than you want to examine.

("Focus on the fight, firefly!" A man calls to you, the smell of malice wafts through the air.)

You need your brain to stop doing these things.

Epona breaks the tree line and jumps over a fallen log without stopping. She dosen’t seem to need much instruction.

"You're doing so good, sweetheart." You tell her, white knuckliing the reigns.

You don't pull on the leather in your hands.

If Epona has a plan, you aren't going to argue.

There's a whistling before a pain blooms in your shoulder.

An arrow connects in your shoulder. And you curse.

Looking over, you see several lizafos and a few like likes.

Shit!

You snap the reigns and squeeze your heels to Epona. "Come on, girl, hurry up."

You glance back and nearly scream. There's a shadow there - ripping through the enemies. It looks a lot like dark Link-

You snap the reigns again. You are not dealing with this.

You need a huge pay raise to deal with this, starting with getting paid at all.

Sometimes fighting is a great choice. This is not one of those times. Fighting an evil demon version of a hero seems like a great way to lose.

Epona starts running, clearing obstacles.

You lean forward, dropping the reigns to hug her neck. You might actually die.

"Fucking Bezos." You huff.

You aren't actually sure how this could be his fault but it sounds good.

The shadow ir whatever that is seems focused on the monsters while Epona runs.

Epona runs until she sees a clearing and then she stops.

You groan, getting off her back and looking at the artow in your shoulder. Ow.

This is such-

There's a panicking whiney from Epona.

You turn, eyes falling onto the Bokoblin who just attacked her with a bat.

What an ass! No one hurts Epona!

Ever.

Rage courses through you.

You take your sword in hand, using the arm without the arrow, of course.

Rushing forwards you engage with the blue bokoblin.

"Not my horse, fuck head!" You growl.

You dodge a sweep of the beasts' club.

Swing.

Duck.

Stab.

Pivot-

Epona nickers, bucking the air and slamming her back hooves into the beasts head.

"Good girl!" You praise.

You deal the finishing blow while the beast is down.

The moment the threat is gone you begin to crash, pain flaring in your shoulder where the arrow still is. Exhaustion seeps into your body.

Epona comes over and nudges your good shoulder.

"Hey, sweetheart." You smile softly.

She chuffs at you.

You laugh softly, "Are you okay, pretty girl?"

She nudges you again before walking forwards so your good arm brushes your arm.

"Are you offering to let me lean on you?" You ask.

Epona chuffs again.

You laugh weakly, energy waning too fast as you lean on her with your good side.

"What a sweet girl." You smile softly.

You sigh, looking at the arrow in your shoulder. The next town can't come soon enough.

Unfortunately you have no fairy or potion, so you suppose you'll just have to wait for the boys to find you.

Hopefully it isn't Legend, you aren't sure you can deal with his attitude right now.

You hear movement before you see it.

"(Y/n)?" A voice calls.

That sounds like Time.

Time emerges with Hyrule amd Wind in tow, gaze falling to you with a hiss of "Goddesses."

"Hi." You say, going to wave with your bad arm and wincing.

"You're hurt." Hyrule frowns.

"At least you left it in." Wind sighs.

"Are the others okay?"

"They're fine." Time says firmly, voice stern even though his hands shake.

You nods. "Good."

"Let me heal you." Hyrule says.

"You don't have to. I'm sure I'll be fine-"

"Don't be stubborn." Wind snorts.

"Fine. Thank you, Hyrule." You say.

Hyrule swallows hard as he comes closer. He won't look at your face but he is unnaturally pale while he stares at your wound.

His hands shake as he reaches up to break the long end of the arrow.

"You have monster blood on you." Wind says as he looks you over.

"Good." You manage, "Stupid thing attacked Epona."

"She isn't bleeding, at least."

"Just bruised- Shit!" You hiss out as the arrow his pulled from your shoulder.

"I'm sorry, honeybee." Hyrule says.

What did he just say?

"What?"

"I know it hurts." Hyrule soothes.

Why did he call you 'honey bee'? Maybe... maybe you misheard?

(You can almost imagine his voice calling you that as he points out stars above you...)

Hyrule's magic washes over you and it feels like the sun coming out from behind the clouds. It's like honeysuckle and summer night breezes.

It feels right. The magic feels like coming home to hot chocolate in a blizzard. It weaves into your being like it's meant to be there.

Those dreams are really messing with your head....

"We're glad you're okay." Time says tightly.

"I'm glad you're all okay." You offer.

"We're heroes, of course we're olay!" Wind declares with a grin.

You can't figure it out.

Time looks like he's pained but you can't find any injury.

Hyrule pulls his hand back from you, magic leaving with them. "Feel better?"

"Yes. Thank you." You smile.

"It's what I do." Hyrule waves off.

"We should go back to the group." Time says.

"Sure, just hang on." You say, procuring another bit of carrot and turning to Epona.

She takes the carrot from your hand happily.

"Really?" Wind laughs.

You nod, putting both hands on Epona's cheeks. "You're such a good girl, sweetheart. You kicking that beast was awesome!"

"She- she kicked a monster?" Time asks, sounding like he might fall over.

You nod happily, "Shs did! It was amazing!"

"Epona is pretty good." Hyrule nods.

Epona just gives a happy snort at your shoulder, as if she is checking that it's better now.

"She is."

"She must like you." Time says.

"I hope so." You smile.

"Let's head back, Wild is making lunch." Wind says, tugging you firward by the hand.

You let him lead you back to the group, Epona, following you with Time and Hyrule in the back.

The walk is slower on foot but you don't mind. Epona deserves a break.

Wind tugs you along until you break the trees and can see the others.

Sky sees you and makes his way over. "Hey."

"Hi." You offer. "You okay?"

"We're just tired. That thing had black blood." Sky waves off. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, Hyrule healed me so I'm good." You shrug, grateful to be pain free in your shoulders.

Sky frowns, "What happened?"

"An arrow got me, but I'm okay."

Wind grins. "They had the good sense to leave it in until it could be treated."

"Oh." Sky squeaks.

You are sure why. Maybe Sky is squeamish? Maybe Hyrule is too actually...

Weird.

But monster blood is different...

Oh well.

"Wild should be just about done with lunch. Come on!" Wind says as he tugs you over to the cook.

Things aren't perfect, and you're still going to leave them behind... but it's nice right now.

Wind's enthusiasm and some good food do wonders for your mood.

You even get a little cat nap in thanks to Sky.

-------

Legend takes second watch, sending Four off to bed with a yawn and a knowing look. He knows he needs to do perimeter, but first, he wants to make sure everyone is okay.

Sky is half out of his bedroll, face in the pillow and snoring lightly.

You and Wind are near Sky. Wind is sprawled over you, acting half as a blanket thanks to his propensity to moving in his sleep.

You seem peaceful enough, face pressed into the pillow.

Wind flips over and is no longer on you, sprawling sideways out of his bedroll towards Wild. The champion is sleeping like a log.

Hyrule and Twilight sleep near the fire.

Four goes to sleep near Time, the two of them both closer to the fire.

Warriors sleeps on his back, near Sky again.

Legend sets about doing a perimeter check, careful to be as thorough as he can be. He won't let haste doom them.

After his check of the perimeter, Legend goes to sit near the fire again. He's awake enough, but the warmth is always welcome.

After all of his adventures, he's chronically a little cold.

He hears shifting, looking over towards where it is coming from, he finds you.

You're struggling against the blankets in your bed roll, brows knit together.

You make a soft sound.

"Link!" You manage weakly, still asleep.

Legend just stares at you. What are you dreaming that has you acting like this?

You kick your blanket off, continuing to fight against some unknown force.

There's a traitorous part of him that wants to comfort you. The part the hopes against reason that you're his lover who's been reincarnated again, just like always.

He pushes that part down.

"Link look out - she's behind you - Link!" Your voice is small even in your panic. He only hears you because he's awake.

Your face is scrunched up as your arm reaches up.

You bolt upright, eyes flying open with a choked gasp of a name. "Hilda -"

Oh.

Oh no.

You're breathing heavy and Legend -

Legend is having a breakthrough.

"You good?" Legend manages to get out.

Your head whips towards him, shoulders loosening when you see him. You swallow thickly.

"I'm - yeah... yeah... sorry." You manage to get out.

"It's fine." Legend says.

It isn't fine, actually, but that's not your fault.

What he just witnessed shakes lose memories of his lost lover who had the same nightmares about Hilda hurting him over and over.

They - the dreams looked just like whatever you woke up from.

Little details start falling into place.

It's you.

You're here.

What are you doing here?!

Oh.

Oh no.

Legend has been so rude to you. He's been a real piece of shit.

Honestly, he's ashamed. Even if you weren't his soulmate, reincarnated how he's behaved is atrocious. Wild is right about that.

You're still sitting up, trying to slow your breathing down when he looks over again, trying to slow your mind and heart down.

You're- as breathtaking as you've ever been. You always have been, even before he figured out that you really are - well... you.

Have you been having dreams like this from previous lives... the whole time?

Does your Link know?

Where is your Link? You haven't said anything about him at all.

Do you... have a Link? Did he pass?

Have you met him yet?

Legend has about a million questions and no voice to ask with.

He can't help wondering if you know. Do you know who you are?

What you are?

Do you know why they've all been struggling around you?

Can... Can you forgive him for how awful he's been to you?

Legend could kick himself for all of it.

Should...

Should he tell the others?

Is it kinder not to tell them because you're leaving again and staying at the next town?

He probably shouldn't tell them.

What's one more secret?

Legend absolutely owes you an apology, though. Maybe a hundred apologies.

He looks at you again.

You're sitting up, knees drawn to your chest as you try to slow your breathing. You look exhuasted.

How long have you been having dreams from past lives?

"It's not real." You whisper.

Legend swallows hard. He closes his eyes before he opens them and does what he should have done before he ever figured out that, in fact, his beloved trinket.

You are a person, and ever reincarnation soulmate or not, you deserve better from him.

"Do you want to join me?" Legend asks.

Your head whips over to look at him. "I don't want to intrude -"

"I'm offering." He says.

You get up, silently crossing the space to sit on the log with him. There's space between the two of you.

Legend can feel the urge to reach out and pull your close bubble up.

He dosen’t. He dosen’t have that right anymore, especially not after his behavior.

He shouldn't have taken his grief out on you at all, regardless of if you're you or not.

Goddesses. How long has he wasted with you?

"Bad night?" He asks stiffly.

You nod. "Yeah."

"Damn." He says.

You snort, side eyeing him. "Thanks."

"Do you... want to talk about it?" He asks as he looks you over.

You shrug. "Won't matter. Just a lot of weird dreams. Some are nice. Some aren't."

"That sucks."

"It does." You agree. "It's not the biggest problem, though. My sword skills are hit or miss, and I think I might have to fight Twilight for custody of Epona before I leave she seems to like me."

"She does." He agrees, trying to ignore the twinge in his chest at the reminder that you are leaving. "It drives Twilight up a wall. He's jealous."

He knows it's better this way.

He knows that the town will keep you safe from the danger of this quest.

He knows it's for the best.

But it's still losing you.

Again.

He's not even sure he'll find the words to apologize properly before you leave

"He shouldn't be, Epona adores him."

Legend just shrugs. "I don't understand cowboy feelings."

You laugh a little, tense and shaking. But it's the first laugh he's gotten out of you in a long time.

He's missed it. He's missed the way your laugh sounds.

"He's a boyscout who loves his horse." You muse, eyes softening in the firelight. "I guess you don't have Boy Scouts here, do you?"

The question is a genuine one, your gaze turning to him again.

"Uh, no clue what that shit is." Legend shrugs.

Goddesses! How is he supposed to act?!

You obviously don't know about the soulmate reincarnated thing. He can tell, he knows you, and your mannerisms are the same.

If you knew... You'd confront him about it. You wouldn't let them agonize like this if you knew.

He doesn't want to tell you. You don't seem familiar with Hyrule, so he's not sure you've even heard about the soulmates thing.

Besides, before just now, he's been a complete jackass to you!

He's kicking himself for it, but he would bet if he went from that to saying your his soulmate that your head would spin. You wouldn't believe him.

"It's something kids do. They learn survival and camping and sell popcorn." You explain.

"Huh." Legend manages.

"Can... I ask you something?" You ask.

"Sure."

"Did I do something to you?" Your question is fair, but the way you stare into the fire to avoid looking at him hurts.

"No. You didn't..." Legend weighs his options, the way this could play out. He makes his decision. "You just - You're too much like someone I lost."

"Oh." You say, understanding blooming in your lovely eyes.

"Look... I know I've been a real shit, and I know taking my problems out on you isn't fair. I'm sorry I've acted like a real..." Legend pauses, looking for the right words.

"Fucking asshole?" You offer with a half smile.

"Yeah," He breathes out. "I've been a real fucking asshole."

"Your behavior sucks. But, I forgive you, as long as you try to do better." You tell him. "I don't understand it all, but I know grief."

You have always been too forgiving of him.

Legend snorts. "Yeah."

"I don't expect you to be warm and cuddly." You crack a weak smile. "If you could just stop glaring at me all the time, I'd be thrilled."

"Yeah... I've really been an asshole."

"A little." You agree.

Legend raises one eye brow. "Just a little?"

"Okay a lot."

"I know." Legend says.

He does know. He knows because Wild shouted some sense into him. He knows because he examined himself. He knows because of how you watch him wearily.

Legend feels his fingers twitch with the urge to pull you close and keep you warm and safe in his embrace.

He ignores that urge for so many reasons. The biggest reason being that you have shown zero inclination to want that from him.

You seem less tense now, shoulders only a little tense as you watch him.

It's a start.

-------

Hyrule spends most of the morning hovering near you, right up until Four pulls him away to go gather more firewood for the slate. The fae wants so badly to fight but he knows he is being strange about you.

It's just-

Everyone has a capability for magic, even if the ability is technically so minute it's inconsequential. As a fae Hyrule is very good at magic and can sense magic in others.

When he was healing you yesterday... he felt your magic.

Your magic isn't anything particularly impressive. The magic you possess is enough to use potions and elemental rods but not enough to do a whole lot more.

There's nothing wrong with that, you have rather average magical thresholds so you aren't in danger of potion sickness.

The problem with your magic is that it is yet another almost identical trait you share with his honeybee. Your magic feels like home in ways he thought he could never feel again.

Hyrule has to be losing his mind.

"You need to get your head on right." Four says, interrupting the other man's spiral.

Hyrule looks over and swallows hard. "Right."

"What happened yesterday?" Four asks, eyes almost looking red for a second.

Hyrule takes a slow breath, readjusting the wood in his arms. "They got hurt yesterday... when I was healing them- their magic is- Why do they have to be so much like my honeybee?"

Four sighs. "I don't know."

"Is there any chance they're our (Y/n)?"

"I wouldn't get your hopes up." Four says firmly, eyes glinting blue for a moment.

Hyrule feels his face crumple. "I just-"

"I know." Four says, "We all know. But getting your hopes up is only going to hurt yourself worse."

"It already hurts."

Four takes a slow breath, pushing Blue's anger and Red's tears away. He understands both feelings and would love to give in to either, but he can't fall apart right now.

Right now, the blacksmith needs to keep it together against the grief beating in his heart and the splitting headache he can't escape.

"Hyrule, grief never goes away completely but you can drown in it. Our soulmate would hate to see you drown I it."

"Four..."

"You just have to hold on until we reach the next town."

Hyrule winces, "I don't know if I can."

"You have to." Four says with nothing but empathy. "We all have to."

"Just until the next town?"

"Just until then."

Hyrule sighs, swallowing hard. "Okay."

Four looks back the way they came, "We should head back."

"Who's supposed to be protecting them today?" Hyrule asks.

"I think that's Twilight and Wild."

"Okay." Hyrule says.

Four gives a weak smile, eyes almost looking green. "We're going to be okay."

"I know."

"Come on, we should hurry. Legend was being weird and I really don't want to deal with Wind trying to set the vet on fire with dirty looks." Four says as he turns to head back.

Hyrule gives a weak, performatory laugh. "Yeah... me neither."

The two make their way back to camp, silence filtering heavy in the air.

When they get back they nearly drop the woof in their arms.

You and Wind are sparring with the wooden swords again, except this time Legend is laughing when you trip over air but he offers you his hand silently.

Four is pretty sure something is weird. Legend went from so hostile you two didn't share any positive interactions to withdrawn, and now he's offering to help you up.

"Is that a changeling?" Hyrule whispers.

"I don't know."

"What did we miss?" Hyrule wonders.

Four just sighs, "Who knows."

They watch you take Legend's hand with a 'thanks'.

Hyrule sighs. "At least Wind dosen’t have to be pissy."

"Be nice." Four huffs, the tug of his lips gives him away, though.

Hyrule and Four take one last moment to remind themselves that this is just until the next town. They can pull through.

They have to.

--------

In the trees, a panther lounges, watching the group of heroes, but the animal's interest lies far more in the horse and the non-hero.

It's almost time for the large cat to introduce themself. The next town is soon, and the feline is tired of playing the long game.

By nightfall, the panther should finally be able to get to the non-hero.

Soon.

Soon, everything will be much better.

-------

Next - wip

Tag list: @danyzta @vrsin @silver-the-pendejo @tulip-does-stuff @justanotherweeb666 @yourlocaltreesimp @blueberrysungie @victoryssong23 @shu-leepy @sleepifonlyigoti @sour-patch-delight

[ohmygodtherestrees]

[ohmygodtherestrees]

ah yes, the two genders:

man and bath

[ohmygodtherestrees]

My submissions for the @zelda-the-sacred-realm art competition.

Alcohol markers and Oil pastel

Click for better quality!

[ohmygodtherestrees]

Warmth

Pairing: Sebastian Solace x gn!reader Summary: You're a former researcher that was working before the blacksite lockdown. Forgotten and abandoned, you have no other choice but to work with a certain shopkeeper. Needless to say, you have your differences. Warnings: Explicit mentions of blo/od and inj/ury in the beginning. Not beta read Word count: 4,191 (This is a drabble I plan to include in a long list of loosely connected ideas. Consider it the middle of an enemies to qp partners plot :] )

...The low, ominous groan and creak of metal is enough to put anyone on edge, you think, as you traverse the seemingly endless halls.

Rifling through the cabinets and drawers, scrounging up scraps left behind by hasty thieves, the unsettling ocean ambience is all you have for company. You wonder, just when did your life derail so horrifically, when the sight of a crumpled body on the ground fills you with elation. The heavy, steel doors slide open with little fanfare. Beyond the mangled corpse, your eyes immediately set on a black light laying just a few feet away. Stepping over the expendable, you collect the item. There is little battery left in the light you note, before stashing it in the worn messenger bag slung over your shoulder.

With a heavy sigh, you eyes scan below. Scarlet scatters across the floor in a chaotic spray, drawing your eyes towards the deep crimson pool steadily crawling towards the toe of your shoe. In the center of it all, lays the head of a late expendable, expression locked in a display of permanent shock. From below their eye, a coat of flaky, dry red webs down from their chin to all the way down their shoulder.

The collar of the expendable’s wet suit is torn completely; black shreds of neoprene fray out from below the sternum. It's hard to tell the rubber from the darkened crimson spilling out from the brutal tear in the prisoners neck.

Z-90– the Wall Dweller, you determine. Recent too, if the wet shine on expendable's neck is anything to go off of. The considerably uneaten state of the body leads you to believe it might still be in the area, biding it's time until it can claim the expendable's companions as well.

Or, well, possibly even you…

With that thought in your mind, you crouch down, your hands roaming over surface of the expendable’s clothes for any other possible hidden goods. Sparing glances every so often behind you, straining your ears all the while, you’re cautious during your search.

Any research the expendable might have had is completely useless now, waterlogged with sticky blood and pasted to the body. Attempting to reach into the pockets only rewards you with a sharp jab in your palm, the tips of your fingers cold and wet with spilled vial fluids.

Withdrawing from the body, you finally stand back up to full height. The sudden rush to your head is enough to make you sway, your stomach starting to pinch from the overwhelming, metallic stench permeating the room. With a shaky exhale, you urge yourself forward.

The persistent stinging in your eyes doesn’t do any favors for you as you try and navigate the dimly lit halls of the facility, an incredibly sore ache pulsating in your feet with every step. You are… so tired.

A distant roar of an entity sounds suddenly, reverberating across multiple rooms and rocking the facility. The floor rumbles faintly below your feet, and you can almost barely make out the disorderly sound of blinking lights. Bracing yourself against a wall, you wait out the tremors.

Though exhaustion tugs at you, you acknowledge that you cannot rest here. The dark corners of the room whisper dangerous promises, and as you traverse the rooms you can’t shake off the ever persistent feeling of being watched.

Any human in this place is simply prey, and as you tuck your hands into the pockets of your tattered, beaten white coat, your mind rings out with a grim thought; if every human here is prey, you are high game.

Approaching the next door, the screen doesn’t label it with a number but instead a red line. Taking the keycard from your lanyard, you unlock the door, and step inside. Instead of being met with lockers and scattered drawers, you find yourself in a familiar office. The small room is crowded with desks, computers that have long since powered off, and fake potted plants that fill you with a bittersweet sense of longing. Tucked under the desks, the rusted office chair beckon you to rest, but you push the thought out.

There is no doubt in your mind that he is getting aggravated over the fact that you’ve taken this long already.

Behind the desks there is another door, bracketed by two item lockers long since rummaged through. It’s marked by another red line, but you already know where it leads.

The door opens with an exhale, the frigid air greeting you as you walk on through. Unlike the rooms before, this room is brightly lit, the florescent lights buzzing loudly. Your eyes burn momentarily from the sudden change, taking a moment to adjust. The hall is short this time, and in your view you see another door marked ‘50.’

Your bag is disappointingly light on your shoulders, only holding a gummy flashlight, a few batteries, and the black light you just found. You’re not looking forward to the condescending comments that awaits you behind that door.

Resigning to your fate with a heavy sigh, you begin to trudge forward, but stop short suddenly when you hear what sounds like a loud flash, followed by a furious shout and the rush of footsteps. You only have a split second to react, hastily throwing yourself into a locker, the clang of the metal door muted by the hissing of an opening door.

Laughter rings out in the room, accompanied by a multitude of heavy footfalls. The light peaking through the vent of the locker momentarily obscures as you count three expendables pass by, completely unaware of your presence. They are loud and boisterous, a harsh rhythmic squeak of their boots resounding as they run through the hall, the dull thuds of drawers being pulled out to their full extent in a fruitless endeavor to find more loot. They don’t stay long, and soon enough you hear the hydraulics of the door once more and the footsteps dissipate.

You wait a minute before exiting the locker, hurriedly making your way to the fiftieth door. There is a low, agitated hiss drawing out low from the ground, echoing through the tunnel next to your calf. Crouching down, you crawl on into the vent, your elbows clanging against the thin metal.

Emerging on the other side, you find yourself once more in the confinement of Sebastian’s shop. It’s possibly the smallest room in the facility, the walls looming over you in a claustrophobic fashion. Or, perhaps, it’s just overcrowded with stacked crates strewn about, the floor littered with various gadgets inoperable by you, and piles of paper files scattered across the floor. Your eyesight leads to probably the most useless thing in the room, roaming over the giant tail fin flicking against the wall and up the elongated tail it was attached to.

Sebastian is rubbing furiously at his eyes, lure blinking not dissimilarly to the way the room lights do when in the presence of Z-283. He’s grumbling low beneath his breath, mumbling incoherently between rushed clicks and growls.

When he’s done, he acknowledges your entrance with very little care,

“About time. Stock’s so low, I’ve had to sell half-charged flashlights to the last gaggle of idiots,” his arms drop, and he glares to you. “What the hell took you so long?”

The messenger bag drops from your shoulder with little care, the metal of the flashlights clinging with the floor through the thin material. You fix him with a similar expression to his, squinting up at him.

“Trying not to get caught, asshole. If you want shit sooner get it yourself next time.”

He chuckles sardonically at you.

“Please, I’ve got better things to do,” he responds. “You keep up your half of the deal, and I keep up mine.”

You roll your eyes pointedly, breaking away from the staring match when the brightness of his lure starts to cause dark spots to swim in your vision. Crouching down, you begin to rifle through the bag. He looks unimpressed at the pitiful amount of batteries you set beside yourself, but you do notice the room getting ever so slightly brighter when you pull out the black light.

“Just keep being a good little errand boy, and your efforts won’t go unpunished,” he purrs. You clench your teeth, face warming in anger.

“Oh yes, your part. Totally. I go out, digging around for junk, risking my neck to monsters and delinquent prisoners, while you get to sit in here and play retail worker,” you ramble, frustrated, rolling the gummy flashlight over to his general direction with a not too gentle shove. “Fairest trade in the world.”

Your heartbeat picks up ever so slightly as you feel a shadow cast over you, the bulb of Sebastian’s lure hanging overhead as he leans down towards you, slow. You urge yourself to keep his gaze and stay there as his smile stretches into a sharp grin, light glinting off the razor sharp fangs. His hand stretches towards you, and your shoulders jolt in a half-flinch as they reach towards your neck. You don’t look down from his eyes as his claws pull at your lanyard, the thin fabric brushing against the nape of your neck. Your eyebrows furrow as he pinches the card between his thumb and index, his claw sweeping over it’s laminated surface.

“Would you like to switch roles, ‘doctor?’”

You reach up, and promptly slap his hand away.

Instead of retaliating, Sebastian merely laughs at you.

“I didn’t think so,” he drawls, before slowly ascending back to full height, away from you.

The bag, now empty, sits lightly on your shoulder as you pull it over your head. It’s weight is nearly nonexistent. You approach one of the stacked storage containers and with a tired groan plop down, leaning back and stretching your legs out in front of you.

It’s instantaneous relief, you note, your joints popping in rapid succession of one another as you stretch your arms up, crossed at the wrists. Your shoulders are practically buzzing, no doubt having been pinched at some point during your venture in the facility. Your knees creak and ache from crawling through vents and desks, your legs stiff and feet beyond sore. After your stretch, you slump down in your seat with a sigh. Finally, you get to relax.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?”

Ugh.

“Resting, Sebastian.” You respond dryly. “I’m freaking tired, okay? Leave me be.”

Sebastian simply scoffs. You don’t acknowledge him as your eyes draw shut.

“Go somewhere else for that, I have a business to run.”

“And where do you suggest I go? Where is there that doesn’t have a wall dweller lurking or some other hellish atrocity waiting to get at me?” You argue, opening your eyes to challenge him with a glare.

“That isn’t my problem,” he leans down slightly, arms crossed and third arm tucked in awkwardly. “Leave before someone comes in.”

You mirror his pose, crossing your arms and tilting your chin up at him.

“Get out.”

You shuffle in place, legs crossing. Sebastian scowls, growling low in his throat. His arm shoots out, pointing to the vent and shouting.

“Get OUT!”

Your shoulders jump, but you’re stubborn. Drawing your arms around yourself tightly, you shout back.

“Screw you, man! There isn’t anyone coming!”

Sebastian hisses, the only warning you get before he darts down toward you, your arms pushed into your chest as he holds you in a tight grip, claws pinching your skin underneath the thin fabric of your coat.

He is directly in your face, eyes glowering at you as he spits,

“You absolute, goddamn MORON. If you do not LEAVE-”

He cuts himself off suddenly, and in your peripherals you catch the way the fins on the side of his head seem to twitch bizarrely. Soon you hear the pang of metal resounding off the walls of the vent and echoing into the room. With a quick, uttered curse, Sebastian quickly draws back, but he doesn’t let you go, instead pulling you up and with him.

Your arms sting in his hold, your face twisted in a grimace as suddenly your feet are no longer touching the ground. The weight of your body hangs as he effortlessly lifts you up.

“What the hell???” you wheeze. “Let me go!”

A cold hand slaps over your mouth harshly, clasping your face nearly entirely as Sebastian growls.

“Shut the hell Up!”

You get little warning as Sebastian all but stuffs you behind him, crowded by his tail. You try and leverage yourself with his tail, pushing up with your arms as your chest pressing uncomfortably against him. His tail coils and folds in response, pushing over your chest and weighing heavily till you fall back to the floor. The air punched out of your lungs, and you let out a strangled gasp. Panic seized you as you wriggled beneath him, writhing in place to try and breathe. Noticing your struggle, Sebastian lifts his tail ever so slightly, no longer crushing you. You jumped at the opportunity, attempting to sit up before Sebastian’s third arm came down, hand tangling into your hair and shoving you back down.

“Stay down,” he says, low, with a hint of a threat tracing the edges of his voice.

The weight of his hand on your head disappears, and you watch from behind him as his attitude immediately shifts from disgruntled to a calculated calm.

“Welcome, welcome!” he greets, near automatic and practically off a script. You cannot see who he is talking to from your position, but based off the sound of shuffling and whispers, you assume another group has just entered. “Don’t be afraid, I’m not gonna hurt you. Despite what you have seen, heard and/or been told, my name is Sebastian.”

He goes on with his typical spew, and you surrender to the solid weight laying over you. It’s a bit awkward for Sebastian, you realize, as he attempts to move along with his usual transactions now that the upper part of his tail is occupied keeping you hidden. You feel almost smug about it, counting it off as a win in the mentally constructed chart in your mind that keeps loose tabs on the constantly tipping scale between you and Sebastian. It’s not like you want to be seen by the expendables, as it risks the possibility of them reporting back to Urbanshade that one of their esteemed researchers were still alive down here and working against them with the active saboteur. Though, given how long you and Sebastian have spent down here, you highly doubt that is likely to happen anytime soon. The expendable project was a long going mission that has yet to bare any fruit.

As Sebastian drawls on, you can feel his voice reverberating through his tail. As much as you hate to admit it, the rumbling was soothing. The weight of him was less of a burden than it was before, instead it became rather pleasant in grounding you, not unlike a weighted blanket… and a cooled one, at that.

The transaction seemed to be dragging on longer than usual, or maybe that was just you. The events of the day quickly starting to catch up with you, slowing your perception of time as you stared up hazily at the ceiling, with Sebastian’s elbow and back occasionally coming into view. Pressing against the wall, you could feel the way the facility subtly rocked in the waters. Holding your ear to the ground, you could almost hear the ocean, the cold metal soothing against your flushed face.

You could barely make out the voices of the prisoners, and what you could you pieced together that they must be attempting to negotiate. Puffing under your breathe, you smiled, bidding them luck with that endeavor as your eyes drew shut.

When your eyes opened once more, the room was dark. You could no longer hear the prisoners, or even Sebastian for that matter. Lifting your head, you realized also that the weight over you seemed to have disappeared. Sebastian was no longer laying over you.

You couldn’t make out what was in front of you, but you still attempted to look around. Your thoughts were slow and disorientated, but slowly you discerned that you must have fallen asleep. How you managed in such an inconvenient expression, next to Sebastian of all things, you couldn’t fathom. You suppose you were more exhausted than you originally thought.

He must’ve moved you, you think. You could imagine the sneer he must’ve made at realizing you had fallen asleep. Where did he put you, exactly? You jostled awake fully at the thought that perhaps he threw you out in the cold, or simply dumped you in the nearest, darkest room to be preyed on by the experiments.

At this thought, you rushed to push yourself up with your hands, having awoken on your stomach. The floor was… odd in texture. It was rougher, not the smooth, biting cold metal that you were accustomed to. It was, also, ever so slightly warm. As you pushed against it, you noticed that while it was solid it also had a little give to it. Your mind reeled for answers, trying to piece together just exactly where or what you were laying on, when all of the sudden you realized you were moving. Or, more like, the ground was moving.

Your breath quickened as you slid ever so slightly down, and it registered finally that your legs weren’t supported by anything, instead hanging over an edge. Your thighs held together as your arms scrambled to hold on to whatever it was you were on, leaning forward with your face pressed up against something cool.

You could smell an an odd, distinct combination of what you could only describe as leather and fish. Cold air gently brushed down your forehead as you heard someone sigh.

Adjusting to the darkness, you could finally make out what was in front of you– or below you, rather.

Below you was a chest belonging only to Sebastian.

Clad in a white dress shirt and draped in a rough leather jacket, his chest rose steadily under you, raising you in tandem. Looking to his face, all three of his eyes were closed and you couldn’t make out his lure in the darkness. His expression was… peaceful. Relaxed. Despite this, you could see the dark crevices in his forehead and eyes, groves crafted and paved by long-term stress that he refused to let on existed. He was completely unguarded and vulnerable, and considering your position you concluded that he had willingly put himself there.

But why?

You couldn’t comprehend it. Maybe it was a mistake? You had never seen him asleep before… Given all of the traits he was spliced with, you wondered how long he could really go without sleep? Maybe he slept when you were gone? That wouldn’t make sense. He’s a research-fiend by nature, he’d never let a potential customer pass him by.

However, looking more closely, you took in his features. Unlike the rest of his body, his face was smoother; More akin to a human. Between his eyes and on the bridge of his nose, there was a very faint line– barely noticeable even in the light– a paler blue than the surrounding skin. A scar he had when he first came into the facility as a convict. As a human…

You doubt even Sebastian could reject the very notion of sleep. Beneath it all– the razor sharp teeth, the blue scales, and thin web veils on his ears and clawed fingers, you never stopped believing that he was human. You doubt he did, either.

It still didn’t make sense for you to be here, but that didn’t matter, because there was the definite possibility of him screaming at you when he woke up and saw you there in despite of his protests.

You gently tried to creep down, stretching your leg and trying to feel the ground with your toe. You stretched and stretched, flexing your foot before realizing that even at this angle you couldn’t feel the floor. You were up too damn high. Looking down, you could hardly make out the messy floor.

In the midst of your struggling, you felt a rumble pass through you from Sebastian’s chest. His hands, which you hadn’t at first noticed were resting on your hips, slowly caressed over your back before stopping at your shoulders. You laid there, frozen, peaking cautiously up at Sebastian to see he was, thankfully, still asleep.

Your situation got that much more difficult, you realized, as his arms laid heavy over your back and prevented you from moving any further without disturbing the serpent, likely into waking.

Huffing a sigh, you relented.

You still couldn’t see very well in the darkness, and you would no doubt sprain something trying to dismount Sebastian. He’s so cranky awake, you don’t want to imagine what he’d be like shorted a few hours of beauty sleep.

And as much as you loathed to admit it, the position wasn’t… uncomfortable. You felt warm, but not stuffy despite the room. Sebastian was like a pillow with two cold sides, and you discovered that as you sunk back down into him, that his skin seemed to absorb your heat.

You shut your eyes.

There was no point in struggling to leave, or worrying about Sebastian’s reaction right now. Bottom line is, you could go for a couple more minutes of rest. Chances are Sebastian would tell you to hop right back to work first opportunity he got, so you might as well take advantage of the situation.

Your breathing slowed, and as you relaxed you could just barely make out a very soft rumbling crackle coming from Sebastian’s chest, reminiscent of a cat’s purr. His fingers absently curled over your shoulders, the weight of them strong and comforting. You could get used to this, you thought, and didn’t bother to fight against the absurd belief as your thoughts slowed down, sleep creeping in.

A shrill scream roars outside, and the body beneath you jolts violently, jostling you in the process. You hear lights flicker discordantly, before hushing entirely.

You don’t dare to open your eyes as you feel Sebastian move under you, hearing him exhale loudly. From behind the lids of your eyes, you notice the room get slightly brighter. Sebastian is awake.

You brace yourself to be grabbed, or even thrown, as his claws curl that much tighter over your shoulders. But that doesn’t happen.

His hands go lax, and you feel him sink back down, his third arm coming to rest over your lower back. The upper arms gently soothe down your back before brushing back up. Your brows furrow in confusion when a hand rests on your head, combing through your hair.

Warm breath ghosts over you as he leans down with a sigh, arms pulling you further up his body as his chin sets down over your head.

You dare to peek your eyes open, met with the light blue hue of Sebastian’s neck, gaze tracing over the smooth transition between human skin and scales. You feel Sebastian’s clawed hand leave your scalp, once more joining it’s counterpart in soothing up and down your back, the third hand picking at the frayed edges of your shirt.

You can see the bob of Sebastian’s throat as he swallows, coughing lightly in an attempt to clear his throat. His nose presses ever so slightly further into your hair, and you have to suppress the sudden need to jump when the third hand traces up your back, under your shirt.

Your hands brace against him, ready to launch yourself upward and ask just what the hell he is doing, before acknowledging that his hand doesn’t go any further than that. You decide to wait it out, see what he does. Maybe you can catch him doing something embarrassing, and use it as leverage in your next argument. Another point to your metaphorical score.

The other arms continue to stroke over your back, albeit more slowly, as his third hand continues to trail up your spine, leaving a path of goose bumps. The hair of your back raises at the temperature change. His hand is freaking cold. Colder than the rest of his body. Why is that?

As this continues, you feel him slump ever so slightly, all three of his hands slowing to a stop. His chest evens out once more, and you realize, he is asleep.

The hand under your shirt has become significantly warmer, and that is when you realize; Sebastian is cold blooded.

Well, you didn’t just realize, you knew this from the start. It explained his bizarre actions though, and as you took in your position you pieced together you were no different than a weighted blanket you accused his tail of being not long ago. A heated rock for his comfort. Like a snake or lizard basking in a lamplight, you were his source of heat.

Your mouth twitched into a smile. You were totally going to hold this over his head.

[ohmygodtherestrees]

@trippygalaxy

Moonlight (Himejima Gyomei x Reader)

Title: Moonlight (Himejima x Reader)

Word Count:  3232  words

Warning/s: This fan fiction may contain disturbing content that may not be suitable for readers.

Description: Days and days you wait for this torment to end, but under the glow of the moonlight you encounter a man that will change your fate. 

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You’ve been forced into marriage with a man you do not love. The family you were born into was unfortunate–you were poor and powerless. In spite of your unfortunate family background, it has always been your dream to start a family–a better one. Being sold to marry a drunk prodigal husband who spends most of his nights in the night district and wasting his days as a slothful being did not contribute much to your dreams. He was from a wealthy family who was desperate to marry him off to someone to try and change his ways. His family’s plan was far from successful as you only had to endure the misery of his well-being. Three months of suffering and disgust from the torment of being married to your husband changed everything in one night. 

It’s been a long day and looking at the hour from the clock, your husband came home earlier–drunk as you assumed from his usual nightly activities. As you hear him walk his way towards your house, there are shivers from your spine and your heart races fast. You were in the kitchen, gripping the end of the knife tightly to ease your anxiety and prepare yourself for the obstructive thoughts meddling in your mind. This shall end soon, you thought to yourself. 

“Honey, I’m home.” You froze and noticed that the voice doesn’t come from your husband but rather from an unfamiliar individual. You turn to see who the voice belonged to while gripping on the knife you held onto. A fearful sight of a demon has appeared in front of you covering his face with your husband’s head. This sight has made you terrified and weak on your knees. 

The grip on your knife has become loose as your body has weakened due to what you have witnessed. You knew you’d be happy to escape your agony from your husband, but the demon standing in front of you is not a sight one should celebrate. With all of your body in shock, you knew you had to escape. You ran to the exit of your house with the hope of escaping from the demon who has killed your husband. 

As a normal human being, you can never outrun a demon. However, you can only try and survive as much as you can. The demon followed you as you ran outside your house and through a small forest. With the weight of fear on your shoulders, you lost your senses and energy which caused you to be on your feet as you slipped on an inclined slope of the forest. You screamed your heart out–you thought you could be free from your husband, but you were nowhere near to that thought. You could only cover yourself from the sight of the end of your existence and hope for a miracle to come your way. 

The sound of metal and chains around the air was present. You were too terrified to open your eyes and witness a flesh eating being devouring you the same way he did with your husband. 

“Worry not, I am here to help you. Please, let me bring you to safety.” You hear a calm, yet rich voice speak to you. You slowly unfold your arms. A tall, muscular, huge man with black spikey hair stands before you lending his hand. It was a strange moment, but tears suddenly fell from his eyes. Still terrified from everything, you look around to see the sight of the demon has vanished. You felt a relief, but still hesitant to accept the help of the giant standing in front of you. His tears fall from his eyes. “My name is Himejima Gyomei from the Demon Slayer Corps.”

Hearing his introduction gave you more comfort, you have heard of the demon slayer corps and what they do, but never thought you would encounter such a situation. “May I ask for your name?”

“My name…my name is (y/n).”

“(Y/n), please come with me. I shall bring you to our base where you will be treated well and safely be taken care of.”

Weakened from the attack, the man carried you on the way to the place he promised you could seek a sanctuary. It did not take you long to reach the headquarters Himejima was referring to keep you safe and get your wounds treated. As you arrived there, you were accompanied by the hospitality of the people there.You also seemed to notice how well-respected the man is by everyone in the headquarters. It makes you wonder what kind of person he is. The staff set you up in the infirmary and healed your wounds. They advised you to stay and recover for some time.

“You should be better soon (y/n),” said a girl named Aoi, who is one of the girls who took care of you. “I’m happy that Himejima-san was able to save you from that demon. He is the strongest hashira anyway, so that demon didn’t take long for him to kill.”

“Hashira?” you were oblivious about the whole idea of the Demon Slayer Corps, but quite intrigued about Himejima Gyomei. Aoi briefly continued explaining to you the idea of Hashiras. “Without Himejima-san and the others, we wouldn’t be able to be here right now.”

Hearing Aoi’s talk about the strongest and biggest hashira has piqued your interest quite more. He has caught your eye and you did not want to accept the fact that you’ve somehow had the attraction to him, but you do. Aoi also discussed how gentle and calm Himejima is which fueled your attraction even more towards him. How can a man that size be as gentle and soft as he is? You did not expect him to be the way how Aoi has described him to be. A few moments later, the giant entered the room as Aoi left you both alone. 

“(Y/n),” he called your name and walked towards you. You try to look away from him as much as possible as he gets closer to you. He sat beside you on a stool. “How are your wounds?” 

There’s something about his voice that also gets into you. Your cheeks are flushed and you feel the shyness at your core. You try to find the courage to find the right words to say. As you were unable to respond, Himejima felt that your shyness was rather fear. “I apologize (y/n). I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I know you’ve had a hard time after what happened.”

This caused you to freak out more knowing that tears started to fall from his eyes again. “Oh no! It’s not like that! I’m fine! I’m really fine!” You wave your hands frantically, flustered. You can sense that it has become an understanding between the both of you already. Your hands reached his face and wiped away his tears. Himejima lifted his head up to you and paused for the moment that the two of you had. He was in awe by the way you wiped the tears running from his eyes. 

“I’m sorry,” you pulled back your hands as you thought that it was an unusual encounter for the two of you–too personal. Your cheeks burned hotter. "I... I just didn't want you to be sad," you stammered. A small curve formed from his lips. "It’s all right (y/n). Your touch brought me comfort."

There’s a relief that could be found in your core. Himejima was called upon by another and left you with words of encouragement for your recovery. When he left the room, you’ve never felt this happy in your life. You lied on your side hugging the pillow that you have on your bed. The pillow does not make up for the comfort and small time you’ve spent with Himejima, but it was sufficient for now.

Days have passed since your recovery, the Demon Slayer Corps were aware of your story as you shared it and decided to give you a position in the headquarters to help out in any way you can. You informed them that you used to be a housewife tending mostly to your husband’s meal and chores and they put you on duty in the kitchen to prepare the food. This was the main headquarters and where Himejima stays often when he’s not on a mission. Being assigned in the same area as him made you more motivated to work harder. You were self-aware that you knew you had feelings for the stone hashira. Despite that, you still wanted to serve him for the kindness he has shared with you. He’s the one who saved your life after all. 

Everytime you cook from the kitchen, you get a nice sight of Himejima–either strolling around for a walk or just simply fulfilling his duties. Thus, each time he passes by you he never fails to greet you or have a small conversation with you. He usually goes around the mountains to train himself or the other members as well as meditate and pray. You were aware that he once practiced as a monk. 

You usually have lunch together with the other staff of the headquarters, but most of them seem to be occupied. You decided to eat your lunch in a river bank nearby to get some fresh air and a change of scenery. You cleaned the rock you chose to sit on while whispering to yourself, “okay, this is the spot.”

“(Y/n),” a familiar voice called your name which caused you to jump. 

“Oh, it’s just you, Himejima-san.” You heaved a sigh. There were barely any people in the headquarters so you brought extra onigiri. Quite many to be clear. This gives you a bright idea of sharing it with the giant who startled you. “Do you care to join me for lunch?”

Himejima sat beside you, you were on top of a rock while he was sitting on the ground. Both of you were in silence. Silence seems to be his demeanor considering how stoic and calm he is. You enjoy the peaceful and tranquil environment you shared with Himejima while eating lunch together. You have always been curious with Himejima so it would be the perfect moment to interrogate him some questions. “Himejima-san, I have a question.”

“What is it, (y/n)?”

“How come you knew it was me when you cannot see? I’m starting to think you’re just faking it,” you jokingly said to him. This comment made the stone hashira let out a small laugh. “I was born blind (y/n). I had to rely on my other senses to make up for my loss of vision. I can hear you whisper to yourself.”

This came as a surprise to you, but gained an understanding. “So this means you know a lot of things that’s going around then?” He lowered down the onigiri he was holding as he was preparing an answer for your question. "It takes more than just sight to be a Demon Slayer, (y/n). The world holds a symphony of information for those who know how to listen," he rumbled. 

Himejima is too good–perfect even. From staring at the symmetry of his facial features, scars, and smile to the way his mind works–you are in awe of his being. Though you feel emotions for the stone hashira, you feel hopeless that you’re not enough for him that you’re never gonna be. This makes you feel blue. In spite of that, you can only allow yourself to admire him from afar. 

After having lunch with Himejima, you take a walk with him back to the headquarters. “(Y/n), that onigiri was delicious. I cannot thank you enough for your service in the Demon Slayer Corps,” he comments.

His words made you feel flattered and so much more–it makes you feel acknowledged for your hard work that you put into. “I should be the one thanking you, Himejima-san.” You took a pause from your walk as you were nearby the headquarters. “If it weren’t for you, I would have never gotten free from my sufferings and possibly would have been killed by that demon.”

The seven foot two man looked down on you, as there was a difference between your sizes. You can see the delight painted on his face. “I am pleased that you have been freed (y/n). I could only hope that you are able to live your dreams.”

This man was never at a loss of words for you. You have never felt appreciated your entire life. Himejima makes you feel seen. It’s something you could have only hoped for after the years of torment from your tragic past. Himejima left to get caught up with his duties and you returned to your daily tasks as well. 

It’s been days since you shared lunch with Himejima. That moment is a blessing only you could thank the heavens for. Spending time with the stone hashira has made you feel better. It also made your feelings stronger for him. There are days you try to fight off your feelings because you are knowledgeable of the fact that Himejima does not exhibit the same feelings as you do.

Everytime you see him, your heart flutters even more. He is too kind hearted and gentle around you–but you know that it is in Himejima’s demeanor to be like that. Thus, he treats others the same way so it’s impossible to think that he would feel the same way. Nevertheless, he was on a mission for days and you did not have a sight of him. It was a good thing for you as you try to push away the feelings you had for him. 

One particular day, gossip around the headquarters spread around. The stone hashira should have been home by yesterday, but there was still no sight of him around the place. “Did you hear? The village Himejima-san was assigned to have an upper moon demon.” 

“There’s still no report from his crow. I wonder if he’s holding up.”

“They said they sent out the other hashiras for back up.”

All of the nonsense you hear. This gave you a little anxiety about Himejima’s well-being. For your knowledge, you knew that they shouldn’t underestimate him considering he is the strongest hashira. Though, you prayed for his safety everytime. Hoping that he would come back to the headquarters. The next day, you heard from the other staff that he already came back and was in recovery. This gave you solace and you cannot thank your prayers enough. 

Even though you have heard the news, you helped yourself not to look for him immediately. You are still trying to eliminate your feelings. Out of sight, out of mind. Himejima still crosses your mind. However, with his current absence around the headquarters, you were confident that your feelings were gone for him. 

One night, you woke up from your sleep to the bathroom to ease your bladder. As you return to your bedroom, a familiar voice calls you, “(Y/n).” This caused you to jump and frightened you half to death. Only to see the towering giant who you swore you had no feelings for anymore. “What are you doing awake at an hour like this?”

“H-himejima-san! Oh, it’s nice to see you…doing w-well,” you replied with a sense of demurral. “I..uh..c-came from the bathroom. Anyways, I have to go.” You ran away from him back to your room. It was a rude gesture, but you had to escape from him. It was over, you thought that your feelings were all gone. You knew you still felt strong emotions with him. This did not make you feel better. You were glad to see him, but not pleased with how you felt.

The next day you made sure to stay close to the kitchen area to not see any sight of the stone hashira. This was not the way you planned it to be. You followed your duties and tried to not think about him as much as possible. As the night falls, you are disturbed by the thoughts of Himejima. There were barely any demons near the headquarters and it was safe. So you decided to sneak your way out to get some fresh air nearby the headquarters to unwind. 

“I cannot fall in love with him!” you whisper to yourself. “This is not how it’s supposed to be.”

“(Y/n).”

Yet again, an encounter with the seven foot two giant you are quite familiar with. This caused you to scream and be scared for your life. “H-himejima-san! How long have you been there? You should stop sneaking out on me like that,” you mumbled. 

"I'm sorry, (y/n). You shouldn't be out at this hour," he said, his voice softer than the usual rumble.

You bit your lip, the memory of your behavior from yesterday is still stinging. "I know, I just have trouble sleeping," you admitted. "I just… needed some air."

“It seems we both did.” There were no other signs of injuries with Himejima’s physical form, only the wrapped bandage around his arm which was noticeable. “How’s your arm?” you questioned him.

“Nothing to be worried about,” he answered. Under the soft glow of the full moon, Himejima seemed even more captivating than usual. His gentle nature, the way he always prioritized others... your heart hammered in your chest. You could feel the words bubble up, a confession threatening to burst from your lips.

“Himejima-san,”His brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of concern replacing his usual calmness. "What is it, (y/n)?"

You met his gaze, your cheeks burning red. "It's about... how you make me feel. Every time I see you, I feel different. I feel things that I only hold with you. I know this might be sudden," you rushed on, "but I can't keep these feelings bottled up any longer."

Himejima’s tears fall down from his eyes. The stone hashira knelt down to meet you. His hand rose, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from your cheek. You can feel the weight of his fingers which felt rough, he then cupped the side of your face. “(Y/n), seeing you here tonight… It made me happy too.” His face felt closer when he knelt in front of you. With a flickering gaze, she met his eyes, unsure of how to respond. A part of your system feels shaken by his response. Your breath hitched, and a barely perceptible tremor ran through her fingers.

"Perhaps," he finished, his voice dropping to a low murmur, "these feelings are not entirely one-sided."

The stone in your chest, a weight that had been crushing you for so long, seemed to crack under the gentle pressure of his words. Suddenly, all of your torment has soon ended. The trickle of consolation that has soothed the ache of your heart allowed you to heave yourself to pull Himejima for an embrace. The stone hashira froze for a certain while, but gracefully pulled you closer to him–for a tight hug. The night is still young, the fresh breeze of air can be felt through the night, and under the moon's watchful gaze, the two lovers sat bathed in its tender light, a silent promise of a love waiting to unfold.

[ohmygodtherestrees]

Click for better quality as always!

Alcohol markers and oil pastels

[ohmygodtherestrees]

epona bouta be horsenapped.

look me in my eyes and tell me that isn’t foreshadowing

[ohmygodtherestrees]

Chain x Space Orc! Human! Reader

Been thinking about those humans are space orcs posts. I know I'm not the first person to think of this, but the idea of humans just being built different than Hylians has been living in my head rent free.

You had been traveling with the chain for a while now. Long enough for them to notice you were different from them. For one, your ears were round, not pointed, but that difference was easy enough to dismiss. No. It was apparent that you were built… different.

It had all started when the group was transported into Wild’s Hyrule, directly onto Mount Hylia. Wild had been quick to pull out warm clothes for the group, but even bundled up in cloaks everyone couldn’t help but shiver in the icy wind. That is, everyone, except for you, who had declined Wild’s offered cloak and seemed completely unbothered by the fact that you were on top of a mountain in nothing but shorts and a T-shirt. When asked, you merely commented that the wind was a bit brisk, but not too bad.

 Then there was the incident with the Wizzrobe. Legend had reluctantly agreed to give you and Wind a tour of one of the dungeons he had cleared during his adventure. Unfortunately, whatever dark entity that seemed to be toying with the group had uncleared the dungeon. Legend saw the magic hit you square in the chest. He expected to see you at least stumble backwards from the blast, but you didn’t. You didn’t even flinch. You just looked down at where you had been hit, then back up at the Wizzrobe.

“Umm… Was that supposed to hurt?” you asked. The Wizzrobe responded by teleporting away, never to be seen again.

The final nail in the coffin was when you, Time, and Warriors had been cornered by a Lynel. The rest of the group was off exploring, so you couldn’t wait for backup. Before Time could even try to formulate an attack plan, you had up picked both him and the captain, tossing them over your shoulders as you sprinted away.

“HOW ARE YOU LIFTING US? WE’RE WEARING ARMOR FOR HYLIA’S SAKE!” Warriors yelled, a bit indignant at being carried like a sack of potatoes.

“Do we even weigh anything to you?” Time pondered, resigned to his fate.

“Nah,” you grinned, still running, “It’s like holding a bunch of grapes.”