#Hyrule’s cooking is lit

[zolanort]

so i had a stressful time with fire today

[tashacee]

Aspects of a Reveal - Chapter 3

Wild left his wagon parked haphazardly outside his house and all but abandoned his brothers as he barely managed to stop himself from sprinting to the front door. There was his garden! His koi pond! That was his door, his novelty lynel door knocker.

Behind him, he could hear his brothers laughing at his eagerness as they climbed out after him. That was fine. He could understand that. Didn’t mean he was going to wait on them though.

Eagerly, he tried the door and found it unlocked. Rumbling in delight, he ducked under the door frame - it was a little too small for him in this body, but that was okay. Surely he would be back as a hylian soon. He pushed his way in and looked around, mewling out a greeting. Zelda probably wouldn’t recognise his voice, but she’d know him on sight anyway.

The house was silent at his call, although the fire was lit under the cookpot and Zelda’s cloak was on the hook, although her garden boots were gone from their place by the door. She must have just nipped out to gather some herbs or a frog or something. She wouldn’t be far, and without her cloak he doubted she would be out long.

Rumbling, he stepped further in and inhaled deeply. The scent of his cooking, so normally pervasive in the house, was gone. That was to be expected; Zelda wasn’t exactly a keen cook, and even if she wasn’t on her travels across Hyrule then she would be more likely to eat out than to try and make something herself.

Still, the scent of the house was familiar in a way that he hadn’t even realised that he missed. The smell of paper and ink from Zelda’s study. The scent of the flowers on the dining table on the staircase. Polished wood and smoke from the fire and a thousand other things that just sang home! Home! Home!

He wanted to cry. He wanted to laugh.

read the rest on AO3

[across-violet-skies]

@unexpectedstormy Stormy!!!! a fic for you!!! this took me WAY longer than I'd like to admit, lol, but it's finally done and just in time too!!!

admittedly I don't know you as well as I'd like, but I do know you like Wild and Hyrule, so....... well, you'll see :3

I hope you have a super awesome day!!! enjoy it <3

(also, thanks to @anime-obsessed for coming up with the herb name!)

preview under the cut!!!

Wild hummed to himself, crouching in the tall grass to take a picture with his slate. “Hey ‘Rulie, do you recognize this?” He snapped the picture, examining it in his slate. “My slate can’t identify it!”

“Hm?” Hyrule glanced over at Wild. “What?”

“This mushroom,” the Champion repeated, pointing into the grass. Sure enough, a tiny, blue-tinted mushroom sat pretty in the parted lawn, round and innocuous and tempting.

Hyrule squatted down beside Wild, eyes shining with curiosity. “I’ve never seen it before, no,” he murmured. Hesitantly, he held out a finger, flicking the spongey texture with wide eyes. A small cloud of spores puffed out from the mushroom, cloudy blue in color. “Oh!”

“Ooh…” Wild took another picture, shutter clicking. “Should I take it?”

The traveler glanced around, frowning. “I don’t see any more of them around here…” He gently touched the mushroom, bending the stem slightly to get a better look at it. “I don’t think we should take it if there’s no more of them around. They might be really important to the wildlife here.”

Wild sighed, but put his slate away. As much as he hated to admit it, Hyrule was right. Taking that mushroom could prove disastrous for the local ecosystem, and who was he to cause harm to the planet? He loved the world– his nickname was literally Wild. “Yeah, you’re right.”

Hyrule’s ears perked as his head swiveled. “Oh, Wild, look over here!” A few quick paces led him to a new plant, one tall and leafy with pale yellow stripes tracing the leaf veins. It smelled strongly of herbs, like what Wild would sometimes toss in a meal to season it.

“Oh, I know this one!” The cook pressed the stem between two fingers, sliding his hand along to pick off the leaves. “This is Sunlight Sage. I use it in cooking all the time!” He stored the leaves in his slate, adding them to bolster his stock.

Hyrule hummed. “It smells nice,” he noted.

Wild grinned, nodding. “Yeah! Oh, here’s another one; let me show you how to pick the leaves!” he crouched down beside the second plant, pointing along the stem. “See how the leaves all point up like that? If you slide your hand in the opposite direction, they come off super easy!” He demonstrates, plucking the leaves off the top half of the stem. “And it makes your hands smell like herbs, too.”

Hyrule lit up, eyes sparkling. He grabbed the stem, pinching it in the same way he had seen Wild do it. Carefully, he moved his fingers, breaking off the leaves as he went. His lips split into a wide grin. “Oh!”

“Cool, right?”

“So cool!” Hyrule agreed, handing over the leaves he had picked. Wild stored them in his slate. “Wild! Look!” The traveler gasped, pointing into the grass. “Another one of those weird mushrooms!”

Wild didn’t hesitate. He laid flat on his stomach, at eye level with the strange blue mushroom. Hyrule followed suit. “Does that mean I can take it?”

Hyrule shrugged. “Probably!”

The Champion lit up, sitting back on his haunches. Hyrule poked the mushroom again, giggling at the way it sproinged back up. Another small puff of blue spores released from the fungus, dusting Hyrule’s nose with a fine blue layer. Wild plucked it from the dirt, pinching it at the stem. It got tossed in the slate along with the Sunlight Sage.

Hyrule wrinkled his nose, reeling back as a sneeze racked his small form. “Ugh,” he groaned, sniffling. “That’s a weird mushroom.”

Wild glanced over. Hyrule’s nose had a light coating of blue over it, the skin underneath already starting to turn an angry red. “Oh!” Wild grabbed the hem of his tunic, pulling it up to wipe the spores off Hyrule’s face. When he pulled away, however, it looked the same. “Uh oh…”

“What?” Hyrule tilted his head, brows furrowed. His nose twitched, and another sneeze sent a shiver down his spine. Tears pooled in his eyes, easily blinked away. “Is something wrong?”

Wild grimaced, grabbing Hyrule by the arm. “We need to get you back to the others,” he insisted. “You might be allergic to that mushroom or something! Your face is all red and blotchy.”

“It is?” The traveler blinked slowly, almost in a daze. He didn’t fight as Wild tugged him along, dragging him through the fields. “Mmm… yeah, I don’t feel so good, actually…”

They ran through the field, Hyrule stumbling on every step as Wild pulled him along. The traveler sneezed and wheezed and coughed, red in the face. The dusty blue coating on his nose stubbornly remained. “Wil’, I don’-”

A massive boulder slammed into them from the side, crushing Wild and snapping Hyrule’s left arm.

The traveler howled, gritting his teeth with a choked gasp. The force of the impact knocked him back, and broke his arm, sure, but it hadn’t been aimed at him.

Wild… Wild was underneath the boulder.

Through his daze, Hyrule stumbled back to his feet. He grunted, shoving at the boulder with his good arm, silently praying that one power bracelet would be enough to move it off his friend. And move it did, shifting slowly and agonizingly until a red-stained blue tunic was fully uncovered.

Behind him, another boulder flew by. Hyrule gasped, diving down into the grass. It was tall enough to hide both him and… uh… Blue Tunic. Peeking over, he could see a giant rock monster, lumbering aimlessly through the field.

Hyrule closed his eyes, trying to fend off the dizzy spell that threatened to take him down. He sighed, resting his head against the red and blue pillow underneath him.

It was warm.

And wet.

And… breathing?

Hyrule sat up with a gasp. No, it wasn’t a pillow. That was his friend, his friend who was dying after getting hit with… with…

The traveler squeezed his eyes shut. It didn’t matter. He needed to help his friend.

-> read the rest on ao3!!

[links-writing]

Family Dinner

Draw

Aim

Fire

Repeat

It was a habit Wild had gotten used to. The repeated motions sometimes helped to soothe an ache that lingered in his chest. Sometimes he could feel a sense of lightness take him. Bows always reminded him of the Rito, of Tulin...... of Revali. He tried to not hold to bow too firmly. He was with the other heroes of legends. And they tended to notice things that others wouldn't.

Stirring dinner made things both easier to think about and provided a plentiful distraction. The easy way he talked with Hyrule helped as well, watching the other heroes attempt to slice the carrot. "Here, if you place it down on this tray it may help a bit, " Wild says, placing down a tray with a stand attached. He had used it when he was first learning to cook, but he didn't need it anymore. Hyrule could use it anyway, as the hero of Wilds didn't want him slicing his fingers. "Oh, thanks! What are we having tonight?" Hyrule asked, his hazel eyes studying the carrot as he carefully sliced it. "Some stew." Wild supervised him for a bit, then grabbed the steak he needed from the slate. Cutting it over the pot, he let the smell of searing steak fill his nose. Adding seasonings to it, he stirred it around, pulling it out and setting it to the side after it was halfway done.

"So, uhhhh, do we peel the carrots too?" Hyrule asked from behind Wild, who had started grounded basil and thyme leaves. "Nope! I peeled the carrots a while ago but never got to making the meal!" He said in return, putting down the bowl. Grabbing all the vegetables Hyrule had cut, he look a brief look at them. "You're getting better with cutting 'em, traveler!" Hyrule flushes lightly at the praise, grinning slightly. Wild could sympathize. Neither hero had anyone to help them, to tell them that they were doing a good job. Anytime anyone did it, both were reduced to shy blushing messes. He supposed the same could not be said for Warriors, who had gotten many compliments from his Zelda and Impa. He supposed while each mission had been different, some had the presence of someone to help them through.

As soon as the stew was done, he scooped up some with a spoon, handing it to Hyrule. The moment the brunet tasted the stew, his eyes lit up. Wild thrived off the look the others had when he cooked. He knew why he loved the expression, the way the others relaxed, and the way the atmosphere grew happier than before. It made a sense, a feeling of being whole like he had completed a beautiful project and had done something great. He watched as the others tasted the stew, their expressions happier. The weather had gotten rougher on the heroes, and some had colds. To be specific, Legend and Wind had colds. The others had yet to get ill. He had placed some herbs to help with sore throats, to aid in supporting their systems to fight off illnesses.

A smile found its way on his face. Always, he thought as he curled beside Twilight, always they will be my family. The sweet lull of sleep lured him in, wrapping their arms around the not-so-young hero. Sleep came easily, sighing as Twilight let a hand rest on his head.

[mushroomwoods]

by the shore…

A calming vacation in Wind's timeline, seashell picking, storytelling, braiding and the navigation the sailor waited for so long. The downside? A vacation never last forever. 

character — Wind, platonic.

cw — mild angst (Wind recalls ww journey), fluff, reader is called young'un once (doesn't mean they're young if we consider who is talking), just Wind + Reader + Aryll moments.

reader is like the big sibling who Aryll and Link want to impress, i think it's a really wholesome setting so i vibed with it and threw the angst i planned for out the window. a plus: i believe in lineback personality development and that he visits wind from time to time.

It was a rare peaceful day. The group had landed on Wind's Hyrule after so long and he was excited to introduce everyone to his family and friends, and they were more than accepting to the whole group, even giving you all a true place to rest, a little cramped over some of their houses, but welcoming nonetheless.

You stayed in Wind's house, his grandma and sister telling stories of his even younger days, stories you had already heard from the boy himself, but were entertaining to hear over and over again.

The older woman offered you a bowl of soup, one the sailor relentlessly ranted on and on about how it was the best in the world, and honestly, you'd have to agree with him, it just had this taste that screamed home, unlikely anything you had eaten during the journey and reminded yourself of your own place. Not that Wild cooking was bad, of course not, it just didn't have the same feeling that made you feel like crying.

And when it was time to rest for the next day, you insisted on sleeping on the floor, which only ended with the three of you — yes, three, as his little sister glued to your side as soon as she locked eyes with you — sleeping sprawled to the floor, both of the kids pressed to your sides as they rambled about the games you could play together or even urging you to tell more stories about your own land. Of course Wind already knew them all, but the way his sisters eyes lit made him excited enough to hear them all over again.

And most importantly, the promises Wind made to show you all of the islands around, it'd be hard on his own, but Tetra and Lineback were... reluctantly convinced to allow them in their ship should the need arise, and of course he'd take this as a chance to show off his homeland.

It was a peaceful night, full of cheerful laughs and unfinished stories, and mostly, hopes for the next sunrise.

What you didn't expect however, was to have Aryll shaking you awake in full strength — and what an amazing strength she had for a kid —, not even caring for your bleary eyed state as she pushed you through the door and outside the house, a basket full of food in hand, as she happily screamed her brother's name, which in turn took the attention of all the other eight heroes, who were all idly by the shore.

You nodded to the heroes who greeted you back, then turning your attention back to the pair of siblings as they almost hung off your arms, fighting about what you should see first, going with the final decision of visiting the watchtower.

Warriors went along with the three of you, mostly to “keep the kids safe” he said, but you knew he was as curious as you about the whole place, and when Wind didn't offer more than a “I'm not a kid” as a protest he knew it meant he was partially allowed to tag along.

The group of four, with the newly acquired addition, took off, not taking long to arrive in your destination as you ran behind the youngest hero, barefooted and gleeful.

“Were here!” The sailor giggled, not minding as Aryll started climbing the stairs first, barely looking back at the group. “Now you'll see just how beautiful my Hyrule is.” His chest puffed up proudly and you laughed, following as he urged you to climb too.

You could hear the captain and the sailor discussing right below you, the older man giving the whole ordeal a whole pass when he noticed just how much he had to climb, carrying along his weighty armor, to reach the topmost part, listening as the younger one snickered a “lazy”, quickly going up the stairs, before the man could get him.

When you finally reached the top, you could feel your legs would definitely be sore later. You laid on the floor, barely caring as they fought over who would use the telescope first, not minding when a pouty Link came over to you, a triumphant Aryll holding the object she had successfully stolen from her brother in hands.

You patted the blonde hair of the boy, but when Aryll noticed it a huge whine left her lips.

“It's not fair! You spent all this time with [Name] and you still get their attention now?” She pouted, running to your side, clutching to the sides of your shirt.

You could only laugh at their antics, extending your arm so the girl could curl up to your other side, which she promptly did, the item still tightly clutched in her arms.

With a quick glance to the side, something caught your attention, a huge tower rising from the depths of the ocean, completely unlikely any other construction around.

“What's that?” You asked, propping yourself in your elbows as both of the kids followed your line of sight.

“The tower of the gods.” The sailor answered indifferently, as he leaned closer to the watchtower edge to have a better look.

Aryll beamed, puffing proudly as she retold the tale she heard many times from her brother.

“It's were he got the Master Sword capable of defeating the evil. He wiped the monsters around and the gods recognized he had the spirit of a true hero!” She said as the boy ruffled her hair, shushing her.

“It's nothing special, the sword lost it's power as soon as I defeated the big bird, so what use was it? A whole month just for that.” He sighed, eyes looking distant as he stared into the the tower as if remembering something, someone, far beyond his reach, eyes then shifting to another isle.

Aryll turned eerily quiet after that, mouth pressed to a thin line, her expression made you sure of something.

It was way more than a month.

The boy had spent so long in that hellish place, he probably wasn't even able to keep track of time, besides, who knew what else could've happened for him to look so distant when just the sound of another adventure would make him bounce back to his feet.

“Then... Is there any island your particularly like over the others?” You tried, gauging the younger one reaction.

He stared over for a moment, seemingly thinking, before he brightened back up.

“A few actually!” He looked around as if looking for something. “There are the Fairy Islands—” He pointed to four directions, to which you could barely see a tiny island holding what looked like a giant seashell. “The Pawprint Island—” Then at another one, close enough for you to distinguish the funny shape that was just like it's name. “And then my Oasis!” Now he directed to a far bigger island, not that far out of reach.

You were going to ask him about the islands, when he suddenly jumped to his feet, hands clasping together.

“Right! My oasis! Follow me! ” He didn't look back before sliding down the stairs, running back to the village, looking for someone.

You and Aryll didn't have much choice but to follow him, barely catching with the little pirate as he stopped right in front of a black haired man, who looked eerily like a scammer, the boy ranting something about a SS Lineback as the man seemed just about ready to keel over and cry.

“I can lend it to you, but please, please, don't try any of that funny business of yours again. I see a scratch on it and I'm gonna fine you, boy.” The man, Lineback as he introduced himself, lectured the blonde, tired face enough to tell you he knew those words would go in one ear and out the other the moment he turned back.

“C'mon, I already said I'll take care of it! I didn't even damage it too much last time.” Link pouted and Lineback looked ready to throw hands, sighing as he ran his hands through his face.

“Alright, alright, do what you do, boy, I know you're not gonna listen anyway. You know how to start the thing, so go on your way before I regret it.” He waved the boy off, turning back when the young hero started to run back to the beach.

“You're not gonna come with us... Mr. Lineback?”You asked unsure and he looked back at you, scoffing without much ill intention.

“Just Lineback is fine, young'un, and I'm never getting into the same boat as him again, he gave me enough troubles back in the time.” He smiled, and only now you could notice his laid back nature, somehow reminding you of a true sailor, the ones from old fashioned tales.

You nodded in agreement, turning back when you heard the siblings shouting your name for you to go over to them, waving to the man and running back to them.

The party of ten was ready, only waiting for you, the last member to join them. Warriors and Twilight chatted away with the pair of elderly brothers, Sturgeon and Orca, who for once seemed to be agreeing on something. Wild seemed to be teaching Hyrule and a few kids how to catch fishes barehanded, Four seemed to be rambling about the quality of the boat husk to Wind who just nodded along while setting the sail so they could depart.

You couldn't spot Time, Sky and Legend, so you could only assume they were at the lower deck preparing things.

Aryll hurried you into the steamboat, the sailor soon whistling so everyone would get on board.

It didn't take long for you to take off, the young hero using the Wind Waker to guide the boat along the way.

The vehicle moved much faster than you could imagine, and the air around the group was light, except for the few that seemed down with seasickness, it was a good journey, the sound of the waves crashed against the wood and metal plates, almost licking into your face when you leaned a little too close to the rails keeping you inside the boat, the pair of siblings starting a chant only the two of them knew, but seemed familiar enough so the rest could follow along in the noise.

The travel was filled with laughter and jokes, barely three days turning when you finally reached the oasis, much sooner than you had expected at first.

Aryll happened to be feeding you some fruits she had taken along the food supplies, as you ran your hand through Wind's hair, the sleeping boy sprawled across your lap while you stayed at the deck, along with a few resting heroes.

Time walked down the stairs, announcing the arrival, wasn't the rumbling of the docking enough of a tell to all of the others.

As much as everyone wanted to jump right into action and explore the whole island, the navigation had left them much worse for wear than they expected at first, so it was mostly a relaxing day, holed up into the fancy, little — it wasn't little, really, it was actually far bigger than any vacation home you had ever seen— cabin, getting to know the grumpy, yet dextrous butler and about the last few owners of that place.

That night everyone had plenty of rest, resting finally each into a real bed, tranquil and unbothered by the evil that they would have to battle sometime soon, only relaxing for now, allowing themselves to forget about their destiny.

The next morning had the same air of serenity, Wild helped the butler as they cooked and shared recipes, a group of few feeding some seagulls who Aryll seemed to have attracted near the house, others sunbathing near the lake.

You made part of the latter, stretched out in the grassy field as Wind and Twilight made it a game to throw themselves into the water, splashing water everywhere, including in you.

Just as you were about to cuss at them, the Twili hero pulled you to the water, brute, unfiltered strength sending you toppling into the water, far too disoriented to even react as the water entered your lungs. Fortunately you were quick enough to grab at the man before fully submerging, evicting him to the same fate as yours, his arms snatching around you before pulling out of the water with a clear pout from his failed stunt.

You tried to frown at his antic, however when you saw the strange shape his hair stood in, covering almost all of his face as some of its strands stood up like crooked ears, you could only laugh, comparing the man to a wet dog, his pout only getting bigger.

The sailor didn't wait before joining in making fun of the rancher, even blowing some wind so his hair got even messier.

At noon you were already out of the water, belly full with the hearty fish meal Wild had learned how to cook with the butler, you sat leaning against the old leather sofa, little Aryll sitting in between your legs as you tried to braid her hair, Wind lazily dictating how you should twist her hair so the braid would turn out pretty enough, as he laid on the sofa right behind you.

It could be only a few days you had spent lazing around, soon having to depart to chase after the evil yet again, but it was a much needed vacation nonetheless, one that certainly would stay in your mind for the many years to come.

[enigma-the-anomaly]

Botw/Totk Link has always been unusual. He hardly speaks and is typically stone-faced, but when he does talk he can be incredibly funny and he will break into a smile upon cooking a nice meal. He eats rocks with gorons, befriends the princess of the Zora, and is determined and persistent to the point of nigh-stupidity. And after the defeat of Calamity Ganon, and the complete restoration of Link’s memory, Link manages to become even weirder. The experience of a kingdom’s fate being thrust into his hands alone, while he doesn’t even remember the people or home he’s fighting for. Foraging for food, scavenging for every scrap so he could live another day. Running low on rations and being forced to consume botched concoctions. Sweating and trembling with effort while he climbs a mountain or tower, praying to Hylia that his muscles don’t fail him and cause him to plunge to his death. Desperately fending off a hoard of monsters that were resurrected just when he thought he was safe. Bloodied and exhausted, finally finding a place to set up a fire, only for the rocks around his feet to start moving and assembling to form yet another beast that wants him dead. Gratefully joining a traveler at a lit cooking pot at the stable, and getting to sleep in a real bed for just one night, only to wake up with the reminder that he’s resting on borrowed time, the heaviness of his duty and reality settling on his shoulders. Avenging the deaths of his friends and fellow warriors, but feeling hollow that he was unable to lend them his aid when they needed it. Looking at the Malice-covered tower, or a small makeshift grave, feeling ravaged by guilt. His torn clothes, barely-held-together weapons, and constant glancing around for threats or something to be grabbed and stored for later use earns him concerned stares or distrustful looks. Every person he saves is equal to one person he failed to protect during the Calamity. Eventually all the frustration and despair builds up until he runs blindly into a bokoblin camp and leaves nothing left, his anger fueling his sword strikes.

That wildness, that feral and desperate demeanor, it stays with him after Calamity Ganon’s defeat. It shows in the way he savors every meal like it’s his last, the way he holds on to any vaguely useful item, the way he reaches for his sword in response to every unexpected sound. And everyone sees it, and while they are grateful for his sacrifice and bravery, they can’t hide their confusion and awkwardness. Some treat him like a living legend incapable of having faults or problems. Some treat him like an unpredictable creature. Only a select few people treat Link like he’s any other person.

Link doesn’t regret saving Hyrule, but he does sometimes wish he could act a little more like a conventional hero: well-mannered, personable, and not like someone who has nightmares of one-eyed beasts and living skeletons and dead friends.

[artemistorm]

Stew Pot Plot pt 4

Alternate Whumptober prompt #9: Drugging -- Time, Everyone

TW -- drugging, unconsciousness

733 words

Read it here or on AO3!

******

Time brought the ocarina to his lips and played the Sonata of Awakening.

“THAT ONE’S AWAKE!” One of the Yiga yelled shrilly. “STOP HIM!”

As Time let the ocarina fall away from his lips and come to rest on his chest, the magic of the song swirled around the camp repeating and echoing in the wind, rousing the sleeping heroes.

“Uh oh, what’s going on? What kind of magic is that?!” The other Yiga exclaimed as all around them, the heroes stirred and opened their eyes.

Time himself felt his strength return in a wave and his mind cleared. He pushed himself up as the last of the tiredness vanished. He swiftly lit a lantern and illuminated the sleepy camp and the red-clad invaders.

“What’s going on?” Hyrule asked stretching.

“Who are you?” Wind asked the stranger in red backing away from the camp.

“That’s a Yiga!” Wild exclaimed, suddenly very alert. “Asssassins!”

“Everyone up on your feet!” Time ordered. Legend was on his feet firing off an arrow before Time even finished his sentence. One of the Yiga grunted and clutched at the arrow protruding from their shoulder.

“Abort! Abort! Mission abort!” The Yiga yelled.

“I told you this wouldn’t work!” The other shouted in reply and fired an arrow back at Legend. Warriors lifted his shield just in time to save Legend from getting skewered and the arrow thudded embedded into it.

Thunder rumbled louder and louder and had the heroes and Yiga alike looking up into the sky above and the dark cliffsides searching for whatever storm or landslide or earthquake was the source of the noise.

A fierce and angry neighing and the pounding of hooves startled the heroes and Yiga and Epona charged into the camp leading a herd of wild horses, galloped straight at the Yiga with righteous fury.

“You haven’t seen the last of us! We’ll get you, Hero!” The Yiga screamed and vanished into the cloud of kicked-up dust and stampeding horses. The horses continued to circle and stamp and make angry horse noises for another minute as the rest of the heroes got to their feet, weapons in hand, searching for the enemy looking confused.

“What just happened?” Sky asked when the dust and the horses settled.

“I found a packet of sleeping herbs in the stew: we were unknowingly drugged and the Yiga tried to capture us,” Time explained and motioned to the herd of horses that now encircled the camp. “I told Epona to go get help, and she did.”

“If we were drugged unconscious, how are we awake now?” Warriors asked.

“I played the Sonata of Awakening” Time said holding up his ocarina. “You can stand down now, the danger has passed.”

“That explains why I fell asleep in the middle of cooking last night,” Wild said. “I kept tasting the stew as I went along to make sure everything was cooking alright.”

“You must have tasted a LOT of it to get knocked out like you did,” Hyrule said.

“Uhh maybe??” Wild grinned sheepishly. “What? I was hungry.”

“I don’t feel sleepy anymore, not even a little bit,” Wind said. “Which is weird because I was suuuuper tired earlier and it’s still the middle of the night.”

“That’s a side effect of the song; no one is going to get any more sleep tonight,” Time admitted.

“Strangely, I’m not even upset about it,” Sky said. “I’m completely wide awake… you should play that song more often.”

“What do you guys think about leaving and heading on to the stable now?” Four asked.

“Thanks to Epona, we now have enough horses for all of us to ride,” Twilight said rubbing Epona’s nose and slipping her a little treat from his pocket.

“We can make it to Gerudo Canyon Stable in no time at all on horseback,” Wild said. “As long as you guys can tame the wild horses.”

“Shouldn’t be any trouble at all,” Twilight said, already trying to pet and befriend the blue spotted horse, much to Epona’s annoyance.

“Breakfast at the stable?” Wind suggested. “A biiig breakfast? I’m hungry again.”

“Again? Already?” Legend said.

“Yep, growth spurt for sure,” Warriors laughed.

“I’m just glad we didn’t get captured and no one got hurt,” Sky said. “Thank you, Time.”

“Don’t thank me, thank Epona,” Time said. “Shall we get ready to go?”

“Breakfast! Breakfast! Breakfast!” Wind chanted and everyone laughed.

The End.

[zellink]

nearer, my god, to thee

a post-botw zelink fic. [ one-shot // 11k words // E-rated for sexual content ]

>> Read on AO3

Summary: Link finally understands that it isn’t him who has absorbed this kingdom into his bloodstream—it is the kingdom, it is her, and she is surrounding him, swallowing him whole. A tent in a forest, a summer night full of stars, and two people who have always been part of the wild.

Notes: Written as part of Zelink Hype Squad server's Hestu Gift Exchange 2023-24 for @spices28 ⭐️ Special thanks to @1up-girl and @mustardcheesedog for being such amazing betas. ✨

nearer, my god, to thee

Hyrule has always been a beautiful land.

Rolling hills that bleed into meadows. Verdant canopies of trees that shield and cover whatever creature that wanders beneath. Rivers that run wild into everywhere and nowhere, into seas that lead to places unknown. Mountains that seem to scratch the sky. Canyons that go so deep, one might think the core of the earth is visible from a bird’s eye view.

And Link, upon waking up from his long slumber, has laid his eyes on every inch of the land. Has seen it all through summer’s rage and winter’s wrath, underneath stone archways in front of mansions long gone, from behind overgrown vines that wrap around fallen citadels. He’s lost and found himself, time and time again, in the Lost Woods and the Hebra Mountains and the far-flung corners of Gerudo Desert. Has absorbed this land into his bloodstream until he becomes one with it, until he’s just another permanent fixture of the landscape—another mountain in Lanayru, perhaps. Or another river that flows through Faron.

But when all is finally said and done, and he has bled and bled in the bowels of the castle and in the field, and a golden light shines in the sky and descends gently onto the grass, he realizes, finds—

That there is just one more part of Hyrule that he hasn’t absorbed into himself at all.

And that part is living and breathing and sitting in the saddle atop her white stallion, riding alongside his brown mare. Her cheeks are flushed from the late summer’s heat. Her long blonde locks are blown back by the evening breeze, the top a little bit mussed up and the braids across her crown slightly loosened from the day’s hot journey eastward.

The urge to extend his arm outward and run his fingers through those tresses claws inside him.

He clenches at the reins a bit tighter instead.

They continue to ride.

To their right, Wetland Stable is all lit up for the night. Link has been there before, too. A few months ago, he slept in a cot underneath that very roof after he had chased down a particular landscape portrayed in an image on the Slate, hunting it all the way into the forest just across the river.

In the end, he had come out of it with a singed brow and an arm covered in burns—classic memento from the Guardians—and the haunting fragment of a memory from one hundred years ago, where the woman he ached to bring home had despaired and cried in his embrace, among the rainfall and the mud.

The woman’s voice is what slices through his thoughts.

“Gods, I’ve forgotten how muscles can ache from too much use,” Zelda says. “I think we should stop for the night and get some rest. What do you think?”

Link smiles at her. There is no mud nor rainfall on her face anymore—only a few beads of sweat that his fingers long to wipe away. “Yeah, I agree.”

“Shall we head to the stable, then?” she asks.

He turns his head to look at the stable again. It’s not especially crowded—Wetland Stable never is, unlike Riverside or Dueling Peaks—but he sees a few visitors sitting around the communal cook pot, sees some other patrons conversing with the stablemaster, and thinks that they’ve had their fair share of strangers’ eyes upon them for the past month in Hateno.

They’ll have more of that in their destination, too: Zora’s Domain is filled with people who know exactly who they are, beyond their unassuming appearance. People who know of the titles from their former lives, know of the hefty past that they carry upon their shoulders.

He wants to take her somewhere else. A place unknown to anyone else except for him. No prying eyes, no whispering mouths. Only boughs of trees overhead, the soft sloshing of water from leaping frogs, and the chirps of restless crickets.

Wants to share that piece of wilderness with her. Consume it together.

“There’s this spot in the cove of Crenel Peak,” Link says. “There’s a pond and a lot of trees and sometimes there are fireflies, too. We can pitch a tent and rest there.” He pauses. “If— if you want.”

Zelda’s lips curve into a smile—wide, dimpling her cheeks, and his heart twists and twists. “That sounds lovely, Link,” she replies. “Let’s go there, then.”

They change course, pulling at the reins to keep left on the dirt path, then turning at the intersection and heading a little further north. Past the quiet fields and open meadows and the unobstructed view to the castle—all black and gray and no wisps of crimson at all against the twilight sky—until they reach the base of Crenel Peak, where the hills part to reveal an opening to a tree-filled recess in the side of the mountain.

Link dismounts first, hitching his mare onto a trunk on the outskirts of the small forest before offering Zelda his hand—gloved palm facing up. He knows she’s more than capable of sliding off her stallion herself, but, well—he’d never pass up the opportunity to have her touch grace his skin. She takes it, and he feels her lean her weight onto his hand as she dismounts. Feels the warmth even through her glove, feels his blood rushing towards where their bare fingers meet.

When she lets him go to hitch her own steed, Link lets out a slow exhale through his mouth.

Blames his sudden breathlessness on the summer heat.

He unfastens their shared traveling pack and tent from their horses’ backs while Zelda takes the bedrolls. Lets muscle memory from a hundred years prior overtake his body because this—working together with her like clockwork, preparing themselves for a night in whatever pocket tucked away within the kingdom—is something even a long slumber can’t ever erase from him.

They walk further into the cove until they find a small clearing where the pond awaits, right at the base of the hill. He takes out the sheets of canvas and the poles, and begins pitching the tent. Assembles the poles, connects one end to another, then inserts each pole into its corresponding grommet. As he stakes the corners of the erected tent into the ground, he sees her build a fire in his periphery, steel against flint atop a bundle of wood. Orange sparks fly, and then their camp for the night is finally illuminated, ready for their rumbling stomachs and aching bodies.

And anything else that might unravel as the night progresses, a voice within him says, though he chides it, pushes it away.

Link unlaces the traveling pack and searches for some wooden plates and spoons. Fights off a smile from breaking across his face when his fingers brush over their tangled belongings—the clasp of his additional pair of pants catching the strap of her silk camisoles; her hairbrush that somehow got stuck to his robe.

Eventually, he finds those wooden plates and spoons.

He sets the utensils atop a nearby tree stump, places a cook pot on the fire, and says, “I think there’s plenty of mushrooms around. Do you want stew or skewers?”

Zelda purses her lips, mulling over his question, and something warm shoots through his nerves as if it’s the very first time he’s uttered such a question to her in this century. He supposes he should start getting used to this—asking mundane questions about nothing, about everything. Where to stay for the night, what to have for dinner.

“Skewers would be better, I think,” she replies as she settles on a fallen log in front of the fire. Gives her sweaty forehead a cursory wipe with the back of her hand. “It’s too hot for a stew, don’t you think?”

Oh, he really could get used to this.

“Yeah, skewers sound good.” He smiles at her.

So Link spends the next ten minutes foraging for Hylian mushrooms around the area, putting each that he has picked into a cloth bag Zelda had fashioned out of his worn shirt back in Hateno. In the end, he’s gathered enough mushrooms (and some Hyrule herbs, too) to feed six: one portion for her, three for him, and two for leftovers that can serve as a light lunch tomorrow for the rest of the journey to Zora’s Domain.

He returns to the cook pot, procures the jars of oil and crushed rock salt from their pack, and begins cooking their dinner. Pouring a little bit of oil, then hovers his hand above the pot, gauging the heat before pouring all the picked mushrooms into it. He stirs and stirs with a wooden spoon, trying his damndest not to look her way too much lest he makes a mistake and burns himself on the hot iron.

(But then any burn or cut is worth it when it’s for her.)

Once the mushrooms are cooked through, Link realizes that he doesn’t have the wood sticks, so he serves the food in the bowl and hands it to Zelda.

“This is just… a bowl of cooked mushrooms,” he says, bashful. “Don’t actually have the sticks to skewer them. Sorry.”

A laugh bursts from Zelda. “That’s no problem, Link,” she says, grinning. “I don’t think we would be eating the wood sticks anyway,” she adds, before reaching for the bowl from his hands. Covering his fingers with hers, pressing slightly before taking it away.

His breath becomes ragged in an instant, though he knows how to quickly regain his composure, because it has happened many, many times before. In Hateno, in their shared home and on the streets and every place in between. A lingering touch here and there, fire through his veins. The air turning heavy each time, but holding themselves back as they ride out the initial shock of being alive together in this century, as they parse through their grief and loss and shared wounds.

But now they are outside and there’s a certain lightness that percolates through him that he knows hasn’t been there in ages, and they are alone together—so alone—and he knows it will snap.

It’s just a matter of when.

So he shoots another smile at her and goes to serve a bowl for himself. Settles on the log next to her—the side of his thigh touching hers all the way to their knees. Feeling his skin sizzle even through the fabric of his breeches. Eats and eats with barely any words exchanged because their shared silence is as natural as breathing. When they break it, it’s for her to comment on his talent of making even just mushrooms seasoned with salt and herb taste good, and he replies with thanks and heat rising on his cheeks.

It doesn’t take long for them to finish their meals. It has been quite a long day, after all.

He takes the bowl from her and washes their dishes by the pond as she takes their pack inside the tent, fastens the flaps together, and changes into her sleepwear. With a rag he scrubs and scrubs the grime off the cook pot, averting his thoughts to anything else other than the sound of fabric rustling from beyond that layer of canvas, which proves futile anyway.

It’s painfully familiar, because he knows he’s been here before, regardless of the scantness of his memories. He’s felt this so often, if not always. A century ago, in other places, bearing skin with fewer scars but one that still aches to touch her all the same.

With everything cleaned, he sets them on the same nearby tree stump to dry. Takes a deep, deep breath, then takes his bedroll and pulls at the laces to unfurl it atop the grass, in front of the tent.

Link stares at it for a while, just as he has done for the past three weeks—the same bedroll set on the floor beside the bed in their home. Imagines two bodies atop it instead of just one, pictures two sets of limbs searching for one another and tangling and joining. Swallowing those images down his throat, where they sear until they settle inside his stomach, dormant and docile, before they come up into his mouth again the next night. Over and over and over, because he knows that they have all the time in the world now and all that’s left to do is wait.

And he intends to swallow them all down and wait again tonight, though something in his gut tells him that maybe, just maybe, the trees and the open sky overhead might catalyze a bolt from the blue.

There’s more rustling from inside the tent, so Link decides to distract himself by undoing his baldric and belts, taking off his gloves, carefully setting the Sword against a tree, and then sitting down and unfastening the leather vambrace from his right forearm. Then it’s the patterned strip of cloth that he peels off from his arms, unwrapping, unraveling, until he’s only in his Champion tunic with the cotton shirt underneath, his pants, and his boots.

As he sets his protective leathers aside, Zelda comes out from the tent with her cream-colored nightgown finally wrapped around her figure—loose and sleeveless, with the thin straps hanging on her shoulders and the hem falling down to her mid-calves.

The sight knocks all the air out of his lungs.

Then his eyes settle on her face and he notices the furrow between her brows.

“Why are you setting the bedroll outside?” Zelda asks.

Link gulps. “I’m here to keep guard.”

Funnily enough, even he can hear the slight question mark that follows that sentence.

Zelda actually appears surprised by his reply. “From what? Hot-footed frogs?”

“There were bears here before,” he feigns obliviousness. “When I found this place the first time around.”

“Which I’m sure you’ve dealt with since I don’t see or hear them anywhere,” she says. There’s something fond in those emeralds of hers, like she understands exactly the predicament he’s found himself in because she’s in the thick of it, too—in the knowing and not-knowing, wanting to end it in the most perfect way possible—softly, gently.

“I’d like to keep watch with you, too, then.” A shy smile forms on her lips. “If you need the additional set of eyes, that is.”

Link knows she isn’t talking about bears anymore, knows that she knows he doesn’t need the additional set of eyes, because protecting her comes as natural as the blinking of his eyes, as inherent as his fingers around the indigo hilt of the Sword.

He doesn’t need the extra guard; he just needs her.

“Of course,” Link replies.

>> Continue reading on AO3

[science-lings]

Prompt idea: Wild presenting Koko to the rest of the Chain

"I don't know how helpful Impa is going to be, she has a tendency to go on long rambling tangents that probably won't actually give us any answers but we can try," Wild said as they entered Kakariko Villiage, the old woman that liked to hang out by the entrance gave them a wave after she spotted him among their colorful group.

"It's worth a shot, at least she may be informed of any incidents that may be connected to the shadow," Warriors shrugged and glanced around the village. He had expected more of a trace of the ancient sheikah tech they had seen all over Wild's Hyrule.

"LIIIIIINNNK!" a shrill voice shrieked, originating from a little girl who was barreling at Wild at a tremendous speed. Thankfully the champion was able to catch her in a hug before she crashed into him like a cannonball.

"Hey, Koko!" Wild laughed as he let her go, "If you guys think I'm a good cook then you all have Koko to thank for that. She taught me everything I know. These are my uh, close traveling companions?"

"Koko thought you were gone for FOREVER!" she frowned dramatically.

"You must be really good if you taught Link how to cook, what kind of things did you teach him?" Wind interrupted and Koko immediately lit up with a grin.

"Well, Mother really liked apples, so she taught Koko a bunch of apple recipes! Koko taught Link how to cook them with honey and butter!" She exclaimed.

"Oh, those are so good! I love it when he makes them for us!"

"She's a great teacher, anyway, Koko? Can you go tell your dad that Impa is getting some visitors?" Wild interrupted.

"You got it! But Koko has recipes for you to learn, so you better not disappear again!" She demanded, running off before he could utter an answer. He smiled at her unending enthusiasm.

"Is there a single child in your era that you don't get along with? First, the chief of the Gerudo and a whole hatchery of Rito fledglings, now you almost get pummeled by a toddler," Time smiled, it was nice to see that one of the things most of them seemed to have was an aggressive older brotherly streak.

"I don't think so, I think it's one of the things I retained from before the calamity. I used to be an older brother," Wild mentioned far too casually with a little sadness behind his expression.

"Come on, I think Impa is sick of waiting for me," He jogged ahead of them, which Time accepted easily because he had no idea how to respond to that.

Send me prompts?

[cloudninetonine]

*walks on in tiredly, downs coffee like a shot, waves* 'Sup, has existence been treating you well? Hopefully so.

So uh, while working on that Lora one shot I mentioned, I may or may not have done a thing- *drops this here and runs away, throws a basket of apple pie at you* It's just a snippet of a draft that I'll expand on later (maybe) and wholly unpolished, plus English ain't my first language, but thank you for inspiring me and listening to me ramble! Regularly scheduled content at another day!

-Just a Tired Summertime Musician.

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These past few months just couldn't get easier, could they?

Of course not, clearly that was too much to ask that fucking Shadow.

You never thought you could hate anyone as much as you hated it, yet here we are.

You're on a dark, deep cave system, far underground, farther than you've ever went back in your world, sure, it wasn't that uncommon for you to camp out on caves now ever since you started traveling with the chain, but none of them could compare to the deep chasm you found yourself lost in ever since the Shadow separated you all again. It had been a miracle you didn't crack your head on a rock after it had herded you into one of it's portals, it had been cornering you and Wild, losing your heads was not an option as you quite like living so you've jumped out of the way, not expecting to be pushed in, not expecting to see the horror in Wild's face as he reached for you, only to be tackled out of the way by a monochrome Lizalfo with red eyes.

Although, give the dark spots in your vision you weren't quite sure were just the luminous stones dotting the walls, and the weakness in your hand carrying a torch you'd set alight to carry with you and the twisting in your stomach you weren't quite sure was just worry for The Chain or hunger, maybe it wasn't going to matter anyway. There wasn't a single opening down below in the cavernous ceiling, so you couldn't be quite sure how long you've been trying to find your way in the twisting, oddly barren and silent tunnels like a restless ghost without at least a sign of water, and the silence of the tomb set your hair on edge.

You remember the first time the Shadow had separated you from the group quite vividly, you had no wish for a repeat performance in a place practically tailored for it to thrive in. You're getting really sick of this "Princess in another castle" routine.

"Come on now, (Player)... Just a little more, either you'll find a way out, or they'll find you." You muttered to yourself, leaning against the wall of the cavern. You had found an open space, dimly lit by the stones and fatigue was starting to overwhelm you, the rest was necessary even if you really, really, didn't want to, "You just need to press on, get out of here, see your boys, obliterate that edgy fucking, dollar store budget unversed knock off bastard's knee rights and move on to find a way home." You sigh, closing your eyes for a single moment, even if it was unwise, you'd just need to be prepared to move, allowing yourself respite for a small nap.

It wasn't as simple as that, not by a long shot. But you were really livid by now, nobody ever said you were fully rational anyway, you deserved to be angry over your circumstances, didn't you? You were tore from your home, from your world and the life and people you cherished, from your new home in the Chain, with Hyrule, Wild, Wind, Time, Twilight, Sky, Four, Warriors, yes even Legend for all he got on your nerves on a daily. You missed laying with Hyrule in the sun, missed cooking and peaceful walks with Wild, missed getting up to all sorts of shenanigans with Wild and Wind, missed late night talks with Time and caring for Epona with Twilight and cuddled with Wolfie, impromptu duets with Sky that always left your voice hoarse but you both smiling like fools before going to nap, how Warriors could always put you at ease and make you smile or laugh, how you'd help Four with smithing as you learned from him and his calm, if somewhat snarky sense of humor, you'd even take arguing with Legend right now, for all his accusations and sassy, almost cruel words grated against your skin you knew it came from a place of concern, that he cared.

... You didn't want to be alone. And for all you knew they'd be fine, you didn't want to leave them alone either.

Suddenly, something caught your ears, faint at first, but steadily louder, footsteps on cold, unforgiving stone and the faint swish of a cloak, so light one would think it a trick of your tired mind, and faint humming. You couldn't tell if the voice was male or female, but some part of you could tell you were safe. It makes the part of you that had been terrified of falling asleep for fear of getting attacked again relax, your eyelids were getting heavy, you think you feel something brush through your hair, but maybe it was a breeze? It wouldn't be unplausible, the tunnels were ascending rather than descending, after all.

You couldn't identify anything more than that, you were barely there as is, the last of your provisions and a handful of underground plants you'd scavenged hardly enough to convince your body to stay awake much longer. But you could tell the voice was bittersweet, it's tone just slightly sad but comforting.

"Hello my old heart, how have you been? Are you still beating in my chest?

I've been so worried, you've been so still... Barely beating at all...

Oh, don't leave me here alone

Don't tell me that we've grown

For having loved a little while

Oh, I don't wanna be alone

I wanna find a home

And I wanna share it with you."

'Is that...?', that was a song from your world, you were sure of it, but before you could think upon it longer, your tired mind had already taken you to dreamland, were you dreamt of soft, gentle voices, fingers gently carding through your hair, and forest green on the corner of your vision under the view of a lovely, Hylian sky on a hill.

----------------------------------------------------------

"There, there... Now that's a good fledgling." The person's smile was soft, as they watched over their reflections sleeping form, silently cursing Hylia for her half baked plans, and lamenting for those who must succumb to her whims, it felt like a bad joke as they chuckled, "... You're very far from your nest, little bird, sleep. I'll keep watch until help comes."

After all, birds of a feather must watch over one another, until the other is fully ready to take to the skies.

----------------------------------------------------------

"... H-!"

What...?

"Hey th-"

'What is it?', you though to yourself, annoyed beyond measure as you grumbled. You were having such a good rest...

"There are better places to sleep than on the ground, you know."

Yes, but also consider this, mysterious voice currently interrupting your well deserved sleep: you're tired and have no interest in those other places, so take your sales pitch and shove it-

Wait.

A voice?

A person?!

Snapping your eyes open like you've been shocked, you shoot up, the person leans back as if to avoid getting headbutted, though that doesn't matter as you grab a sharp chunk of luminous stone by your side and lobs it at their head with all the strength your fatigued body could recover.

The man shifts to the side, the rock clatters uselessy against the stone wall, damnit.

You both stare at one another for a few seconds, before the man snorts, shoulders shaking lightly, before evolving into a full laugh, warm like the flames of the campfire you use to sleep nearby with Wolfie as it echoed through the walls, his long, red-gold hair gleamed against the faint green of the stones, and when his eyes settle on you your breath is stolen from your lungs by their beautiful, cerulean shade with just the barest hints of green, reminding you painfully of your Champion but just a tad looser, wolf eyes, closer to Twilight's, he's crouched by your side on the ground, his tone amused, "That is certainly one way to greet someone upon just waking up, seems like you're my kind of company."

You flush, embarrassed, sitting up with a faint wince, sleeping against bare rocks is not good for someone's back or neck, but you'd be damned if you let yourself be open, "I am so sorry! You just startled me badly." You pause, studying his green and white tunic held together by several brown beads the shade is different from all the other's and dark brown sandals in the place of boots, and the style certainly doesn't match any of your boys, even Wild's and Legend's extensive wardrobes didn't have any similar clothing like that, for some reason, the style nags at you, like you've seen it before back in your world, but you cannot remember from where. Until your eyes catch from his chest to his arm; his clearly artificial arm. Dark against the his lightly tanned skin and stark against the pale light of the Luminous Stones, with many golden ornaments with intricate, circular design that for some reason always struck you as being reminiscent of Celtic, even before you had seen it on Wild in that trailer and could only see it through a pixelated tapestry, with clawed tips that a part of you was certain could likely cut through bone.

It hits you like a lightning bolt, even as he raises an eyebrow at you, it's not done out of irritation, like he expected a reaction like that. He's waiting, patient like a predator studying a human, deciding whether it should regard it as prey or leave it be, after you finally gather your thoughts and your voice works again you ask what's been on your mind, slightly relieved disbelief coloring your voice, because if you were right-

"Is your name Link, perchance, sir?"

He smiles, it sends a tingle down your spine, it's Wild's smile, the same unrepentant barring of teeth that on anyone else it could likely make them flinch back, but on him it just looked warm as he gets up, tilting his head lightly, "None of that, formalities give me hives. But you'd be correct, I can clearly tell, you reacted like a spooked deer, but it's understandable, it's not the strangest way I've met someone before so don't worry, alright?" His ear twitches, and he cocks his head to the side, with a frown that borders on troubled, but turns into firm determination as he glances back at you, offering his hand (not his artificial one, it seems he'd caught how you reacted to it, part of you was grateful, while the other one twisted a bit, in worry or shock you couldn't say), "You shouldn't be here, or at least linger here for much longer. Come on, you look exhausted, I know somewhere you'll be safe to at least drink and eat, then I'll get you out of here once you've recovered your strength, it's not safe."

It's the Hero from the tapestry, Wild's predecessor, the Hero from 10.000 years ago. Your mind whispers to you, as you numbly take his hand, trembling a bit from lingering exhaustion, then it hits you again once he's grasped it, gentle but firm as he pulls you to your feet, holy shit I've just tried to yeet a rock at Wild's predecessor's head, talk about fucking up a first impression, "W-wait! Wouldn't you at least like my name? And I am so sorry again for throwing a rock at you, just because it's hardly the weirdest way you've been greeted, doesn't mean it's okay for you to brush it off!"

He pauses, tilting his head to the side again (listening?) Before turning to you, amused even if still serious, "Introductions can wait, besides, I'd recognize you even blind and deaf, Guiding Light. So that's unnecessary for now, and I mean it, it's alright, no need for apologies." He gently grasps your hand, squeezing it lightly to get your attention, tilting his head to one of the tunnels, "Come on, everything else can wait. Trust me."

You study him, the words die on your throat, you can see his urgency, even if he kept his voice steady for your sake. You questioned how he could recognize you, when it usually took longer for any of the other Links to believe you, you had so many questions, how was he here? What happened? How is he still alive after so long?

But his eyes were warm, his smile like the sun, even if tired. It made you miss your Champion, but overall, it reminded you of the certainty you always had when you joined the Chain.

This was Link, still Link, your hero even if not quite the same, so even if you had questions, you'd be safe with him, he'd make sure you'd be okay.

So you squeezed his hand back and nodded silently, the man with fiery hair sending you a smile, warm and relieved and familiar, before turning and walking hand in hand with you through the dimly lit tunnels, guiding you away from danger as you've once guided him.

... You haven't noticed the green flames at his steps, or the faint scraping of metal against stone just yet, but maybe that was for the best.

----------------------------------------------------------

Not pictured:

Dink, rolling up of whatever dark hole he crawled out of: Aww, scared, little Guide? We both know I probably don't bite-

Craein, keeping watch over their sucessor with bared teeth, READY to shank him with a sharp rock if possible: But I do, should have know it was you when I smelt something nasty skittering up this way. Heya Killer. Missed me?~

Dink, peacing out because he remembers what happened in the Ancient Au: Oh fuck not this crazy bitch again-

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA SUM I FUCKING LOVED THIS AND THAT LITTLE PLOT TWIST AT THE END, I WOULD SCREAM IF IT WASN'T 20 TO 11

[uni-writes-things]

Whumptober Day 4: “I only sink deeper the deeper I think.” Scented Candle | Troubled Past Resurfacing| “What happened to me?”

The chain had been travelling for awhile, fighting monsters non-stop, and had just taken a well-deserved break at an inn in the champion’s Hyrule. Some of them were napping, utterly exhausted, and injured. While others were going around town and buying supplies, or simply exploring. Wild had stayed behind at the inn, relaxing on one of the beds, arms tired. The cook had done a lot of archery during the many battles fought. He had lit a candle, one that was scented to smell like what Flora called ‘Vanilla’ which the cook did not know was a thing. He took a deep breath and sniffed the good-smelling air, pleasantly surprised by the amazing smell. Flora had such good taste, he thought. He recalled the exact moment.

-/-

They were out in a field, the sun shining bright and Flora was examining the plant life and insects, desiring to find out more about the world that she lived in. “Oh look, Link! Is that…” She had called, searching the blades of grass for whatever she had set her eyes on.

Wild had made a noise of acknowledgement, waiting patiently for the researcher to find the thing.

“Ah, I was mistaken.” Flora sighed sadly.

“What did you see?” Wild had asked, curious.

“Well I thought I saw a vanilla plant, but it was just a flower. I seem to have lost the image of it.” Flora mused.

“Vanilla? What is that?” Wild tilted his head, genuinely confused.

“Link you…sorry. It’s a plant that was often used in baking and more, but it had only grown before the Calamity. It had died out during the time the Calamity rampaged, but at that point no one was concerned for the little plants. According to Purah, everybody sort of forgot that vanilla had existed, it had been scratched from all the recipes somehow. Hylians today, have created candles with the scent of vanilla. Or what researchers think it to be. See, they have only been able to replicate what the books say about the smell but a lot of books had been damaged. So of course there are probably some errors in the smell, but I still think it is incredible that our generation has been able to even create such a wonderful smell through reading a book. Even if it may not be accurate, it still smells great. I want to accomplish something as great as this in the future Link, and with the help of Purah and her spectacular research team, we might be able to create more advanced technology. Isn’t that just wonderful?” Flora explained, grinning.

Wild had simply nodded, fascinated with the ramblings she had just shared. “The question is, how much could we accomplish in the future with more technology? What could we possibly do?” He added on.

“Exactly! I hope to work on this after all the rebuilding is finished. Which will be years, but maybe I’ll have learned many more things by then.” Flora beamed.

-/-

The champion sighed. At the time he hadn’t imagined he would be going on another adventure. Oh how wrong he was. Wild took a deep breath, the vanilla smell still enveloping him. If it was even vanilla, he reminded himself. Something came over him, and he thought over what Flora had said.

“It had died out during the time the Calamity rampaged, but at that point no one was concerned for the little plants.”

And then guilt came. For reasons, Wild didn’t know. Maybe it was the reminder his brain had just given him that he had failed. Maybe it was the fact that whenever he felt guilt over something, it stuck to him, its grip never failing to keep him. Even a sliver of guilt could drag him down into a deep abyss, the champion inevitably doomed to the endless thoughts about his past failures.

The cook couldn’t help but wonder what other plants and possibly animals had been erased because of the Calamity. The Calamity he had let run free across Hyrule. Wild’s thoughts trailed to the many families lost because of him.

____________________________________________________________________

“If you don’t train hard enough, the Calamity will succeed in destroying the land. I imagine you don’t want that. Your family will be the first ones fed to the beast if you fail.”

Link nodded stiffly.

“And that is becoming more of a likelihood considering your presentation in battle. Your efforts have been in vain recently, and I will not stand for it young man.” The captain grabbed Link by the collar, glaring at him threateningly.

Link didn’t dare struggle, if he did, he could anger the captain more. Instead he hung in the captain’s grasp, staring straight into those emerald eyes.

“You have a week to get yourself together. I am to present your progress to the King soon, and I cannot be disgraced by the supposed hero. Remember what is at stake if you fail to meet the expectations of those around you. You will train every hour at the day, with little rest and you will only be served food if you do well enough during training. Am I clear?”

Link nodded once more, face stubbornly impassive, but tears pricking at his eyes.

“Good. Now go young man, and show me what you’ve got.” The captain hissed, and threw Link to the ground.

Link pulled out his sword and braced himself for the torture that was about to come. _______

_________

_______

_________

_________

Link parried each blast with determination, standing in front of the princess. She had never been that kind, but Link could not fail his kingdom. There was his loved ones depending on him. The red guardians, that were once peaceful, shot blast after blast at the two Hylians. “I can’t believe they’ve turned against us.” Zelda announced, voice wavering as the situation unfolded.

One more blast threw him off to the side causing the hero to spit dirt out of his mouth, injured. “LINK?” Zelda cried out.

Link got up anyway and pulled out the sacred Master Sword, ready to risk everything. Suddenly, it wasn’t about his duty. Suddenly it was about Zelda, and her frantic face and ruined dress. Giving a battle cry he slashed at the guardian, until he felt something pierce his chest. Gasping for air he stumbled to his knees, watching as many more guardians crawled around. “Link, save yourself! Go! I’ll be fine don’t worry about me.” Zelda promised, laying her hands on his shoulders.

“Run!”

But Link refused to leave her. He would be a coward, and a liar if he did. So instead he stood up, stumbling back at the overwhelming pain it caused him, but managed to stay upright. A guardian, its blue eye piercing through him, began to aim at Link, a red dot pointed at his head. Link supposed if this was how he was going to die, at least he was protecting the princess.

“NO!”

Zelda.

Link had witnessed a golden light envelop everything, a soothing feeling sinking into his bones. Everything felt so heavy as he dropped to the ground, feeling numb. His vision was drifting, the last thing he saw that fateful day was Zelda’s shocked and tear-stricken face before everything went to black.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Back at the present time Wild had crashed to the ground, the memories slamming into him.

What was that first memory?

When was this?

Who was his captain?

Why was he training?

Why had he let that jerk of a captain boss him around?

What was at stake exactly?

The cook let out a shaky sob, the last memory also replaying in his head. It had been so long since he had that memory. He had finally escaped that horrible image, until now.

“Wild, there’s—…Wild?”

Said Hylian looked up to see the one and only Twilight, standing over him, concern clear in his eyes.

“Yeah?” Wild responded. Even that sounded weak. “Are you okay?” Twilight asked.

“M’fine…” Wild muttered.

“Cub, don’t lie to me please. What happened?” Twilight requested.

Wild looked up to his mentor, and softened.

“I got a memory again…” He admitted.

“Oh? Was this one like the others?” Twilight questioned, taking a seat next to the champion.

“No, it had more meaning. And I got the memory of my death again too…I don’t know why…” Wild broke off, stifling another sob.

Twilight wrapped his arms around the champion. “I’m sorry. Let it all out Link.”

Wild let out a few weak breaths before breaking down.

Twilight had just accepted it, letting tears soak his tunic, and cries fill his ears.

Wild didn’t know why the rancher had allowed it, but he kept on crying despite the shame he was feeling.

What had happened to him?

[breannasfluff]

Festival Cafe Booths

There’s a street fair by the Lucky Rabbit Café today, which means the boys will have booths set up. Legend drags Wild with to join him, which means Wild invites Twilight, who reaches out to Time and—well, it’s a big group by the time they are done.

The joke is on Legend, Wild will take any excuse to dress up. He and Hyrule got ready together, giggling as they tied bows on their yukatas. Some of the boys are dressed up while others are in streetwear.

It’s a lively group that reaches the start of the fair.

“Tickets! Get your street fair tickets here!” Gold waves from the booth he set up at the start of the fair. Decorative tickets are stacked on the table in front of him.

“One, please,” Time says, looking past the color to the booths. It’s late afternoon, but colorful lanterns are already lit. Lights crisscross the street and the smell of cooking food is tantalizing.

Gold makes change and passes over a ticket. “Next!”

Sky steps up. “Two please, my girlfriend will be here later.”

“Excellent choice! A perfect reminder of a night out.” He holds out the tickets.

Legend pushes to the front before anyone else can pay. “Gold, isn’t the street fair free?”

“It is!”

Time and Sky both look at their tickets in confusion. Legend just rolls his eyes, used to Gold’s antics from his time with Pink. “So, what are you selling?”

“Commemorative tickets.” At the flat look, he clarifies. “Merchandise!”

Time joins Legend at the table. “I’d like a refund.”

“Sorry, I’m not able to—”

The old man leans over the table, looming above Gold. “A refund, rabbit.”

Gold squeaks and hands the bills back over. Then the group looks at Sky.

“Oh, I don’t mind. Supporting local businesses, right? And Sun will think they are cute.”

Legend points at the color. “No more scamming my friends!”

“It’s not a scam! I’m a legitimate businessman!”

Wild loops his arm in Hyrule’s and pulls him around the table. “What do you want to do first?”

His friends' eyes sparkle under the lights—probably the glitter eyeshadow he applied. “Want to get a snack?”

“I want to eat everything!”

Legend joins Wild on the other side. “Come on, Purple and Pink are supposed to be running the café booth together.”

“Are they selling those little shortbread cookies?” Wild’s only visited the café a few times, but they have excellent baked goods.

“Depends on who was in charge of baking this time. Gleam’s banned, so it should be safe.”

Well, that’s a worrying statement. Still, Wild isn’t going to be kept from possible baked goods. Hyrule’s shoes clatter over the stone as they follow Legend.

“Bun! Bun! Over here!”

Legend turns in the direction of the voice and Wild recognizes Pink, nearly falling over the table as he leans out to wave. Purple is next to him, yanking him back.

Lighting up, Legend heads for the booth. “Hi, Pink! Hi Purple.”

Pink squeals and darts around the table to throw himself in his boyfriend’s arms. Wild rolls his eyes and pulls Hyrule around the kissing and babytalk. And Legends pretends he’s cool. Pushover.

“Hey Purple, how’s it going? We saw Gold at the start of the fair.”

Purple rolls his eyes, straightening the bags of baked goods Pink knocked over. “Let me guess, something that makes money?”

“Commemorative tickets.”

“…you know what? That’s not even that bad. I’m not stopping him.”

Hyrule giggles and looks over the table. “Legend says something about baking depending on who made them?”

“I did and Pink helped, so no need to worry.”

Pink finally unsticks himself from Legend to say, “I decorated mine pink!”

Hyrule starts picking up bags and Wild scans the table until he finds the packs of shortbreads. He grabs a few and passes over rupees. “Where’s Cyan and Gleam?”

“Cyan is selling Café clothes at a booth further down. Gold set him up and he seems happy enough.”

“And Gleam?”

Purple winces. “He’s running a Test of Courage.”

“Did I hear something about courage?” Warriors joins them, making use of his height to lean on Hyrule’s head.

“I really rather you didn’t—” Purple tries, but it’s too late.

“Come on, I want to check that out!” Then he makes a face at Legend. “Are you coming?”

Their friend makes a rude gesture and doesn’t let go of Pink.

“Fine! See you later, Purple. Wild, Hyrule, let’s go check it out.”

“But my pastry!” Hyrule gives the table a longing look as he’s pulled away. Wild passes him a bag of cookies.

They find Cyan before they find Gleam. The color is showing off the merchandise, decked out in one of the café themed Lolita dresses. Suspiciously, there are only shirts and butler outfits on the hangers.

Hyrule ditches Wild’s side to rush the booth. “Cyan! Where did you get that dress? I need one.”

“We’re sold out.”

“Already?”

Wild frowns as he looks around. The chances of every person here buying a dress are…low. Cyan does like clothes. He squints at a large pile behind the table with a blanket thrown over it. A ruffle peaks out.

“Cyan, those wouldn’t happen to be the dresses you are sold out of, are they?”

The color looks and winces. Grudgingly, he pulls back a corner of the blanket. Hyrule joins him, pulling dresses out to look at and passing them back. Wild leaves them to it—even if it looks like a shady back alley deal.

Warriors has little interest in the clothes, still looking for Gleam’s booth. “Wild, I think I see it! Come on, we can go together.”

Hyrule is absorbed and will be for a while, so Wild shrugs and joins him. Gleam stands in front of a curtain and stares at them.

“Two for the test of courage!” Warriors says.

The color doesn’t move.

“Ah…do I need to pay?”

No answer.

Warriors looks at Wild, who shrugs. He has very little experience with Gleam. Warriors turns back to the color. “Do I need to do something?”

“Go in,” Gleam says like it’s obvious. He makes no move to usher them through, so Wild follows his friend through the curtain. It’s dark inside; a boxed-in space.

“This seems a little small,” Warriors says. “Think they—ah!”

Silence.

Wild blinks, trying to adjust his eyes to the darkness. “Wars?” Then he shuffles a step forward. “Hey, stop playing—ah!”

His foot hits the air and he’s falling. He hits something puffy with a grunt. “What was that?”

“Wild?”

“Warriors?”

“Welcome to the pit,” a third voice says.

“The what?”

“The pit. We’re stuck in here. Can’t climb out.”

Wild taps his slate until it lights up the area. Multiple pairs of eyes look back. “Maybe the test is to get back out?” He moves to the walls and feels them. “Yeah, there’s enough rock I can climb back up.”

Warriors grumbles, leaning against the wall. He’s going to get his scarf dirty. “Not all of us are monkeys, Wild.”

He just laughs. “I’ll ask Gleam for a ladder.” Then he turns to the wall, feeling for handholds and hoisting himself up in the darkness.

Gleam’s mouth forms a little O when he emerges. “You’re the first one to complete the test!”

Wild’s pretty yukata is now dirty and he had to hike it up and retie the bow around his waist to get out. “Yeah…about that. There’s a lot of people stuck in a hole in here?”

“I know,” Gleam says with a nod. “They all failed.”

“Are you…going to get them out?”

“Purple told me not to leave this spot.”

Wild looks at the color. Gleam stares back, perfectly serious.

“You know what,” Wild says with a smile. “I’m going to go find a ladder. You ah…stay right there. But maybe…don’t let other people do the test while I’m gone.”

Gleam cocks his head and doesn’t answer.

By the time Wild pulls the curtains to the side and feeds a ladder into the hole, more faces are looking up at him. The rest of his group must have fallen for Gleam’s test. Legend’s face is bright red when he climbs out.

“I’m going to wring his neck. I don’t care if he’s Pink’s…family. I’m going to back over him with my car. I’m going to—”

“Okay! Thank you, Legend.” Wild pushes him out of the way so Hyrule can climb, teetering in his wooden sandals. He’s somehow escaped the dirt, although he frowns at Wild’s yukata.

“Aren’t festivals fun?”

Wild rolls his eyes. “It’s been an adventure; I’ll give you that.” Maybe someone should tell Purple about Gleam’s test. Well. Legend is the one dating Pink. He can do it.

Finally, everyone is out. Wild leaves the ladder in the hole in case more people fall in. Hyrule helps him brush his yukata off as much as possible and reties the bow.

Time looks them over, defacto leader. “I think we stick together and get some real food. There’s supposed to be a fireworks show soon.”

“Sounds good!” The boys follow and Wild loops his arm in Hyrule’s again. The street is lit with warm pools of light and steam curls through the air. Somewhere further down there’s a drum performance, rumbling through the stone.

Wild leans his head against Hyrule’s, soaking in the ambient energy. “Yeah, festivals are fun.”

[linksthoughtbrambles]

The First Step in All Cases

A little totk fic for Linktober 2023 Day 8 Prompt: Constructs. 1200 words.

AaaaaAAAAND face-plant.  Of course.

Somewhere along the line, he really thought he’d gotten better at this.  All that Calamity-smiting might’ve gone to his head.

(Definitely, it definitely had, because he let Zelda he let Zelda fall)-

“No,” he said with a sputter of grass, grit, and adorable little purple petals (What were those?  They didn’t taste half-bad) from his mouth, the sting of a long scratch the full length of his face an annoying reminder of his utter lack of elixirs and determination to find out where the frick they went whenever he got home.

He ignored the downed wing behind him and jogged toward the nearest ruined foundation.  The conditions here had preserved materials so well.  Maybe he’d find something to patch himself up-

-like a cookpot!  Link smiled, huffing at the similarity between those strewn about Hyrule and this ancient example, sitting near the center of a home from far longer ago than the previous Calamity.

“Okay, except I don’t have any monster parts.  Could make myself some dinner, though-“

“BrbrEEEEEbr.”

Link’s feet returned to the stone, his first coherent thought being gratitude at not face-planting for the second time in two minutes.

“Allow me to offer unsolicited advice,” the sneaky steward construct said.  It meandered toward Link, though it didn’t enter the ancient footprint of the house.

“…Uh,” Link said.

“Are you going this direction?”

Link glanced at the hands it held loosely, the fingers dangling and not at all pointing any particular way.  “…Uhh-“

“This mountain path is especially rugged.”

Link looked around.  “What mountain pa-“

“You must take your environment into account when traveling.”

“…Right.  Hey, I don’t know how much Rauru clued you in, here, but I kept my memory this time.  Totally got this.“

“I have developed guidelines for traveling this mountain path.”

“Guidelines, really?  That’s great- I think I’m all set, though-”

“Shall I tell you them?”

“Uh.  I think I got it.  Stay warm, right?  Yep.  All set.”

The construct cocked its head at him.

Its strangely adorable head.

“…Don’t give me those dangly robot earrings.”

“Allow me to offer unsolicited advice.”

‘Please?’ its sideways face said in a way only mysteriously non-metallic rigid features can.

Link loosed a sharp sigh, nodding to himself.  He could spend a few minutes listening to a robot who’d been lonely for tens of thousands of years, couldn’t he?  Zelda was safe and here, right?  Of course, she was.  He saw the glow lift her up.  She’s up here in the temple, and he just has to get in.

“Let’s hear it!” Link said.

Something vaguely stern seemed to enter the construct’s inanimate stance.  “Very well.”

Link swallowed, hands on his hips to ride this out.

“Fire is a crucial tool when traveling the mountain path.”

Oh dear Hylia.  “Damn right!”

“A fire can be used either to cook or to warm yourself.”

“Yep.”

“I recommend using flint as a Fire starter.”

“Fantastic recommendation.”

“Place flint next to a bundle of wood. Then strike it with a metallic or stony weapon.”

Dear Goddess, it really does think I have no idea.

“This is my recipe for fire.”

Link blinked.  “That’s- amazing.  It’s mine, too!”

“There are several other methods.  But it is best to internalize the basics first.”

“Makes sense.  You know, you can also use red chu chu jelly-“

“Would you like to hear about cooking?”

That sounded more interesting.  Ancient cooking?  “Yes, please!  Teach me about cooking!”

“You can cook anytime and anywhere.”

Wow.  Optimistic robot.

“All you need is a pot with a lit fire.”

“Oh.  I- know about pots-“

“One method of cooking-“

“-I use them all the time.”

“-is simply to throw random ingredients into the pot.”

“I’m a pretty good cooOOH RANDOM?”

“Others are more careful.”

“I’m sorry, did you just start a newbie’s cooking lesson with ‘put RANDOM things in a pot?’”

“This is the best way to make meals that can warm you up.”

“Wait wait wait, careful how?  You have to be specific!  A newbie needs clear instructions!”

“Other effects are also possible.”

“Yeah, true, but let’s start with the basics-”

“Insects and monster parts are not edible.”

“No no no no, you don’t start with stuff you don’t put in the pot-“

“Do not cook horns or guts with food.”

“I don’t tell people ‘by the way, don’t put a bunch of soap in a cookpot’ and then send them off to cook their first meal!”

“Save these parts as materials for elixirs.”

“Elixirs?!  You haven’t talked about cooking normal food yet!”

“Elixirs are also helpful in the mountains.”

“So are pants!  That doesn’t make them part of a good first cooking lesson!”

 “They are an alternate way to warm your body or recover stamina.”

“Noted, but-“

“The first step in all cases is to start a fire.”

Oh- okay, maybe this is where the cooking lesson starts.

“This is all I can tell you.  Take care.”

Link’s palm struck his forehead with a loud smack.  “You’re- kidding me!”

“Do not worry if you forget any of this.”

“I wish I could, but I think my forgetting days are over-“

“I am not going anywhere.”

Link stared at the construct.

10,000-plus years… for this?  This poor thing knew literally nothing about cooking, yet was doomed to wander the sky island for all eternity to expel its meager wisdom to random passersby?

“No.  No, this is not cool,” Link said.

“BrbrEEEEEBrrr,” cooed the construct.  It turned as if to attend its other duties.

“Eh- Allow me to offer unsolicited advice!” Link said.

“BrbrEEEErrEebr?” Its head cocked at Link.

“I happen to actually be a good cook,” Link said.

It stared at him.

“I- gh- hmm.”  Link grimaced.  “I… have developed guidelines for cooking simple, nourishing meals!” he said with a smile.  “Shall I tell you them?”

The construct’s head shifted back, the earring-like structures jangling in a way reminiscent of a Hylian retriever’s ears.  “I will listen.”

Link approached the construct with a grin and took its hand.  “Follow me to the cookpot, please.”

“Brr-brr-eEEe.”  It didn’t budge.

“What is it?”

“I have not been invited into my masters’ home.”

A small, half-smile touched Link’s face.  “I… live here, now.  I’m inviting you in.”

“BrbrEEee.”

The construct crossed the threshold without resistance.

“Okay,” Link said with a clap of his hands and a delve into his Korok pouch.  “There are three ways to cook in a cookpot.  You can cook in water, cook in fat, or you can dry-roast.  Um.” Link pulled out a raw pigeon carcass he’d already cleaned—he’d had half a mind to cook it before the construct spoke to him anyway.  “Perfect.  This is raw bird—pigeon!—it has some of its own fat, so we’ll just go ahead and roast it.”  Link smirked and eyed his artificial friend.  “…What do you think the first step is?”

“The first step in all cases is to start a fire.”

Link nodded.  “You got it.”

-----

Epilogue:

“And if you collect enough of these and grind them down really fine, you make flour, and if you cook that in fat you make a roux, and there are all sorts of things you can do with that!”

“Brbrrreeee!” the construct chimed.

[links-in-time]

Link Fanfic

The beginning of something.

Not sure what this might become but I wanted to write something with my BOTW original character Maari.

Hopefully this will be a long running fic. Or at least as long as I can come up with a plot!

Possibly some 18+ content in the future but will proved warnings if we get into that territory.

Please do not tag as Linked Universe, this is my own story based on the 9 Links.

Part 1

A chilly breeze ruffled the stray hairs poking out of Maari's hood, she tucked them behind her ear and refocused her attention on the group settled in the clearing ahead of her. Maari had been tracking the group of nine for three days since they had arrived in Hyrule. Impa had sensed the presence of a strange portal and sent Maari on a mission to investigate. After she had witnessed the nine figures emerging from the portal Maari followed them at a safe distance, learning all she could about them before she could report back to Impa at Kakariko village.

They were settled around a campfire in the middle of a forest clearing near West Necluda. Maari took the opportunity to get a little closer while using the trees as cover. She scanned each of their faces lit by the flickering fire. Some were young, no older than twelve or fourteen, the rest appeared to be in their mid to late teens, but one seemed quite a bit older than the rest.

One of the young men walked over to the fire where a cooking pot was hanging over the fire. Maari's eyes went wide. The fire illuminated the familiar figure of Link, the Hyrule champion. He smiled at his companions as he stirred the cooking pot. Maari turned again to look at the rest of the group. The more she looked the more similarities she could see between them. Not just their hair or their eyes, but their smiles, their gestures and the way they sat together.

Perhaps they shared some relation to Link. Maybe Zelda would know, but last she heard Zelda was in Rito Village studying ancient verses with Kass. Impa might know if Link had relatives. But there was something odd about each of them. Some wore strange clothes, or had strange marks on their faces. None of them seemed particularly of Maari's Hyrule.

One of the men got to his feet, stretched for a long moment then ambled off into the trees. He had the darkest hair of all and a dark green tunic and matching hat. Maari paid him little attention, he was probably off to releave himself. She continued watching the others as the younger two settled down for the night and the others pulled out their bed rolls.

SNAP

Maari span on the spot at the tell-tale sound of a twig breaking in the forest nearby.

Too heavy to be a small mammal, and the deer of the forest are too careful to make such noise when there are people nearby. Maari thought to herself.

She drew a small blade from her belt and held it ready for any attack. A rustle in the brush drew her attention to the left. It sounded much closer now. Maari narrowed her eyes and tried to make out any movement in the darkness.

A large dark shape flew at her from the undergrowth, throwing her to the ground and pinning her shoulders against a fallen tree. Powerful forepaws dug into her muscles as a growling muzzle lowered itself to her face.

"Urgh!" Maari squinted at the sudden pain in her head. She opened her eyes to look the creature full in the face. A great grey wolf with slate grey eyes stared back at her.

"I mean you no harm," she said softly. "My mission is to observe those people over there." She inclined her head back towards the clearing. "I am sorry if I, or they disturbed you tonight."

The wolf huffed and seemed to consider Maari for a moment. She knew it couldn't understand her words but the Sheikah had long known that all animals understood feelings. What Maari did not know was that this was no ordinary wolf.

Suddenly it lunged forwards and grasped the shoulder of her clothing in its powerful jaws. It released its grip on her shoulders and began to drag her across the forest floor.

"Hey!" She protested. "What in Din's name are you doing?"

The commotion alerted the group to Maari's presence and they were almost all on their feet with some sort of weapon in their hands as the wolf hauled her into the clearing, dumping her by the fire.

"Look what the dog dragged in," a young man in a dark red tunic smirked, he held a strange looking staff in both hands and Maari noted a hint of pink in his otherwise blond hair.

"A spy?" Asked the eldest, a long sword pointed in Maari's direction. He squinted at her through one eye, his right appeared to be blind and a pale milky-white.

"She's Skeikah, from what I know that's kind of their whole thing." This remark came from one of the other young men. He tossed a blue scarf around his neck which had blown astray in his haste to get to his feet.

Link then came into Maari's field of vision, he looked more concerned than the others, and he bent down near to where she lay.

"Hey, what's your name?" He asked in a quiet tone. Maari was a little taken aback, she couldn't recall ever hearing the hero speak before. She had always seen him signing.

"Maari, of the Sheikah," she replied. "We had no idea you were back in the region Sir Link."

"Sir Link!" The man in the red tunic mocked Maari's words, bowing deeply in the champions direction. Link waved him off and returned his attention back to Maari.

"Just Link is fine. Can I ask what you're doing out here in the forest Maari?"

"She said she was following us." A voice to her right spoke up.

Maari had seen some unbelievable things in the last few years. The calamity swarming around the palace, enormous islands appearing in the sky. But watching as the wolf transformed into the dark haired Hylian was certainly unexpected.

"Are you spying on us?" Asked Scarf.

"In a way, I suppose so yes." Maari admitted with a shrug. She pulled her legs under her so she was kneeling a little more comfortably and tried to regain her composure. Her cover was blown but even a well trained Sheikah couldn't have predicted being set upon by a shape-shifting Hylian.

"I was sent by Paya, the leader of the Sheikah to investigate a portal. When I saw you all emerge I decided to follow to see who you were. I had no idea at the time that you were among them Link."

As she said his name, more than one of the men seemed to catch her eye.

"Actually, we were headed towards Kakariko when we arrived. I wanted to see if Impa had any information about the portals," Link replied.

"Then our paths lead us in the same direction," Maari mused.

"It seems they do," Link smiled, and Maari couldn't help but take a little comfort from his crooked smile. "Oh I should probably introduce my travelling companions. Actually," he scratched his head, "it's a little complicated. Perhaps introductions can wait until morning."

Maari noticed that although the younger boys still held their weapons, their eye-lids were growing heavy and the smallest failed to stifle a yawn.

"Alright everyone, excitements over." The eldest announced, sheathing his sword and taking a seat on a tree stump. "Legend and I will take first watch, Wild, you and Four take over in a couple of hours. I'd like everyone to keep an eye on our guest here. From what I recall Sheikah have a habit of disappearing."

Maari frowned. She had been caught fair and square and she had no reason to distrust Link. Any companion of his would therefore be trustworthy. What reason would she have for sneaking away now?

Arguments aside, Link offered her a spare bedroll while the others settled in for the night. The eldest and Pink Hair (who Maari assumed was known as Legend) sat up on watch as the crescent moon rose higher into the sky. As the rest began to drift off to sleep one thing was for sure, Maari would be careful about talking to wolves from now on.

Part 2 >

[regnantlight]

Zelda has seen her cousin’s passionate outbursts before, as a child and as a young woman— but not at her. Never at her. And so it is with wide eyes that she watches the words fly from about the warmly lit kitchen, open only for the two of them long after dinner hours have passed.

She isn’t certain what prompted her to divulge such a guilty confession to Honey. It was the crackle of the fire, the bubbling pop of soup, the smell of fresh bread; all of it comforting and safe and soothing, and, Zelda supposed, it brought out something bitter in her.

For Honey had so perfectly found her place in life, a talent which she took to well and adored, and was adored for in turn. But for the Princess of Hyrule…for Zelda, it was all wrong.

Her interests were wrong.

Her talents were wrong.

Everything she did, even her accomplishments, was, in the grand scheme of things, wrong.

And some part of her whispers (in her fathers tone) that someone like Honey could never understand. That she, too, was wrong. When you were a public figure, the public opinion was all that mattered—

But Zelda had an inkling of what her cousin would say to that, and the thought made her smile.

She wasn’t entirely certain who was in the right; Honey, the talented cook, or King Rhoam, ruler of Hyrule. Yet Zelda could not deny that she had a…preference.

“I shall take your word for that,” she responds in a soft voice made tender with emotion. “Thank you, Honey…”

𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐒 | accepting

@regnantlight asked: “ am i not good enough? ”

it's the kind of question which can knock the wind clean out of you– landing on Honey like a punch in the throat, with the sudden aching tightness to match. certainly more than the usual drop-of-a-pin which is necessary to stir the fairy girl to tears, hence the quick silvery trace which frames violet eyes. and yet, it isn't tender sympathy or overwhelming compassion which furrows golden brows, but... irritation. anger, even.

“ uuuUUGH that's such a stupid question! I'm so sick of hearing it! ” she shouts. not at her cousin, but rather into her own palms, half-covering her face in a moment of frustration. a beat passes, and her hands travel to gesture widely out on either side, as if addressing an audience. “ 'good enough' for what, huh? for who? and who on the godess' green earth gets to decide that anyways? ”

“ it's, like, all the best people in my life that are constantly mooning over this impossible ideal and making themselves miserable over it, and for what? So they can doubt and worry and anguish themselves to a sad and premature end? it's bullshit! ”

“ —because y'know what? as long as you keep asking that question, the answer is always going to be no. because you'll think of something that you 'should' be able to do, someone's expectations you haven't met, or whatever; and you and every other decent person who can't accept being anything less than, like, everything will go on thinking that you're right. that you aren't good enough, because you can't be everyone's perfect idea of what you should be, all at once, or because your life is still a work in progress. ”

Fury, fury, fury; at the 'fates' they supposedly inherit, and all the people who instilled the idea in her– as well as anyone else– that she was anything less than 'good enough.' Which means there is some wrath spared for Zelda, there— if only for the venomous little part of the princess which reaches its claws in from the edges of her thoughts to poison her self-perception.

There's nothing wrong in always striving to improve, in believing you can be 'better;' but there's no reason that pursuit should come at the expense of her happiness, or anyone else's for that matter. Nobody will thank you for your misery, at the end.

...but the wrath subsides. Gives way, at least a little, to the tenderness which was denied at the start; if still colored by frustration.

“ you're one of the most– if not the most– incredible people I know, Zel. you work harder and longer than anyone, you're brilliant in ways I wouldn't even dream of being if I live another hundred years, and you've already done so much for everyone... if you aren't 'good enough,' I don't think anyone ever could be. ”

[eventid1ngs]

[ D u t y . ]

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The sun was setting as they finally arrived at Hateno Village. The Princess of Hyrule and her appointed knight had been on the road for several weeks and were exhausted not only from their travels but also as a result of all of the various political negotiations they were both required to participate in. Rebuilding the kingdom after the fall of Calamity Ganon was proving to be as daunting of a task as defeating him in the first place.

 

It seemed like every individual—or at the very least: every race, class, sect, et cetera—in Hyrule had a different opinion on how the kingdom should move forward from the ‘Hundred Years of the Great Calamity’ (as the time period came to be called in history).

 

At any rate, it was a headache, both literally and figuratively.

 

The Princess, who was generally spirited and highly communicative, was as silent as her knight while the two of them made their way into the village. Their steeds trotted slowly, their heads hung low in exhaustion.

 

It was nearly dark when they reached Link’s little house just outside the village. He assisted the princess in dismounting her faithful white mare (whom she had named Cordelia), but not without difficulty. Zelda glanced at him once just as he reached up to help her with an arm around her waist. He winced—only barely, but she noticed, of course—as he held her full weight for a few seconds before setting her down gently.

 

She had opened her mouth to speak, but Link immediately proceeded to lead the horses down to the stable. Zelda stayed put and watched as he tied up the horses, offered them food and water, and stroked their manes as they whinnied at him, weakly but affectionately. He was talking to them, too, but she couldn’t hear what he was saying at all from where she stood. Zelda observed several more discreet winces as he unhooked their packs and other belongings from the horses’ saddles, setting them aside as he removed the saddles and hung them on their hooks on the wall nearby.

 

Link was very methodical; every movement, every action, and every step that he took had conviction and purpose. Zelda had always found this curious—and admirable—about him. He never fumbled, never second-guessed. He always knew exactly what to do, or so it seemed—and that was enough. Even when he was in pain he rarely showed it, so in seeing him now, the princess knew that something was wrong and it wasn’t insignificant.

 

She approached him and offered to help with carrying their things inside, which, of course, he refused. Zelda knew better than to protest, but oh, how she wanted to! His irrevocable sense of duty was getting in the way of his well-being again and the princess found it to be deeply irritating. She knew that he was achy and sore from his fight earlier against that massive Hinox. She also knew that he was injured, and, per the usual, he was trying to hide it from her.

 

But she knew, just as she always knew.

 

….She decided to leave it… for now. Quietly, she followed him into the house.

 

“I’ll make you some food.” Link said after he had locked the door and set down the various items that he had been carrying. He walked into the kitchen and lit a candle near the sink to provide some light.

 

“I’m fine.” Zelda answered, picking up her pack from the floor to retrieve the Sheikah slate and her journal.

 

“...You should eat.”

 

“I’m not hungry.”

 

“Still–” he insisted, but she shot him a look.

 

“I’m much too tired. And I know that you are, too. If I do get hungry, I’ll have some bread. Please, go get cleaned up. I’m going to finish this letter and then head to bed.” she spoke plainly.

 

Link stood where he was for a moment, stuck somewhere between being annoyed by the princess’ usual obstinacy and being relieved that he wouldn’t have to cook anything. He wanted to say “It doesn’t matter if I’m tired. You haven’t eaten since breakfast. And it isn’t healthy for you to skip meals.” but his lack of energy got the best of him this time. He retrieved his pack and headed for the back door.

 

“I’ll be right outside.” he said.

 

“I know.” She had sat down at the kitchen table and was arranging her things before her. She lit the candles on the table for some additional light.

 

After she heard the door shut, however, she promptly got up and went to the kitchen window. She peered outside. Link’s head hung over the washbasin; his eyes were closed, and his arms shook ever so slightly as they tried to keep his body propped up.

 

He remained like that for a few minutes before he stood up straight, popped his neck, and shook his head in a somewhat vain attempt to shake away the violent onset of tiredness that came from being home at last and the anticipation of sleep.

 

Zelda watched as Link turned on the pump and began to remove layers of clothing. His gloves came off first, followed by his harnesses and belt. When it came time to pull his tunic off over his head, however, he paused mid-attempt with a sharp inhale.

 

He decided to take a break from that and light the fire under the washbasin so he would at least have some warm water to clean up with instead. He wished that the weather was warmer so he could just jump into the pond instead, but alas.

 

From her spot by the window, Zelda rolled her eyes. She decided at that moment that she refused to stand by any longer. She went to the cabinet to acquire a bowl and a few towels. Grabbing a small vial of medicine off of the shelf, she proceeded outside and without a word, filled the bowl with water from the washbasin and emptied the contents of the vial into the steaming liquid. Link eyed her. Finally, she looked back and met his eyes.

 

“Let me help.” she said, and she made it clear that it wasn’t a request.

 

Link, also, knew better than to protest.

 

“Raise your arms,” she commanded. He did, but he couldn’t stop the flush that rose in his cheeks as the princess firmly grasped either side of his tunic and slowly helped him navigate the fabric off of his body. Her eyes immediately locked on his left side; the red-stained fabric of his undershirt. “I knew it. I knew that it was worse than you assured me it was...” but she trailed off, very obviously fighting against her anger.

 

“It’s nothing.” was Link’s response, but something in Zelda’s expression prompted him to quickly add: “It’ll be fine in a few days.” The princess clenched her jaw. It’s not nothing. You’re injured. And I don’t care if it will be better in a few days. She helped him remove the undershirt, a little less carefully than before, and he had to bite his lip to stop himself from swearing as a searing pain shot up and down his side.

 

“Sit.” she said, gesturing towards a wooden box nearby. A faint blush had also appeared in the apples of her cheeks (this was only the second time she had seen his bare upper body; the first time being before he had been sealed away within the Shrine of Resurrection, and he had been a lot less… built… back then), and Link couldn’t tell if she was just angry and some sort of lecture was bubbling under the surface, or if it was something else. He watched her silently as she rolled up her sleeves and dunked a towel into the medicinal water she had created.

 

“I wish… you could tell me when you’re hurting.” she said.

 

That calm and collected remark surprised both of them, and Link looked at her inquisitively.

 

“I just wish you would tell me when you’re injured so we can take care of it right away and— and— you don’t have to suffer in silence, you know? I’m here. And I can help—“

 

“That’s not—“

 

“Not what?” Zelda wrung out the towel, her knuckles turning white as she did so. “...Not what, Link?” He didn’t answer. “Not my place? Not my responsibility? Not my duty?” The muscles in Link’s jaw and neck worked to keep in a verbal affirmation that what she had said was correct in his mind. “Well, I don’t care.” She gestured for Link to raise his arm again, which he did, and she pressed the hot towel to his side. He hissed from the pain, and Zelda stared at him with an angry, languid gaze that made Link feel uncomfortable.

 

“I’m sorry if I’ve upset you, princess.” he said, through gritted teeth, swiping his other arm across his face to shield his embarrassment. “But you don’t need to worry. I’m fine. This isn’t something to make such a big deal of; I’ve been through much worse. And I’ve always taken care of myself.”

 

“That’s not my point. You don’t have to—“

 

“It’s just part of my duty.”

 

That word again. That. Word. That Goddess-forsaken word! The single, solitary entity that stood between the two of them like a wall and made Zelda feel like Link was always an eternity away from her. It was a door that seemed to be shut whenever either party tried to step over the threshold. It was an awkward, empty void. A hindrance—

 

An obstacle.

 

“You don’t have to.” she repeated, in a softer tone this time. Link watched as her expression fell and she let out a long sigh. There was more that he felt that he should say—argue his point further— But what was his point, exactly? He pressed his lips together. Zelda’s face was unreadable as she continued to clean his wound.

 

There was an odd change of atmosphere that occurred within the few minutes of relative silence that followed. A cricket song could be heard from somewhere in the distance… Fireflies floated in the darkness above the pond and a soft breeze rustled the leaves of the trees on the cliff above. The princess felt her apprehension melt away, gradually, and it showed in her features as she carefully applied medicine to her knight’s side.

 

Link shivered.

 

He was staring at her, and he knew it, but he couldn’t bring himself to look away. His eyes followed the smooth expanse of the princess’ forehead, across her thick brows that were knitted in concentration and down the bridge of her small nose. In the low light, her eyes were the color of moss that grew along a riverbed; veiled by a golden halo of lashes that fluttered as she proceeded to bandage his wound with tender care.

 

She’s beautiful.

 

Her lips slightly parted as she let out another sigh—

 

Link snapped from his moment of stupor just as Zelda looked up at him. He pointedly averted his gaze, finding a suitably uninteresting fence post a little ways off to focus his attention on instead.

 

She pressed a warm towel to a spot on his forehead, just above his eyebrow. “How did you get this cut?”

 

He shrugged.

 

“It’s going to scar.”

 

“I have a lot of those.” he answered, further brushing it off. His curt answers often annoyed Zelda, who much preferred to be verbose, but she knew that was just who her knight was… and she tried not to chide him for it. She did not expect him to change that about himself, but deep down, she so very much desired it. More often than not, his simplicity had far outweighed the lack of conversation, but that was… before. Things felt different now. And Zelda wanted to hear anything and everything that he had to say.

 

With her free hand, Zelda brushed her thumb over a scar on the right side of Link’s jaw. It was a small scar; a thin, raised white line about an inch long that ran perpendicular to his jaw, right at the base of his ear. She felt him shrug off a shiver as she stroked the sensitive skin there with her thumb. To her surprise, he let her.

 

“Fishhook.” he said, thickly.

 

Zelda blinked. “...What?”

 

“That scar was from a fishing accident… Not one of my better stories.” She giggled, and he smiled, relieved that he was able to further hide the color that was rising in his cheeks.

 

But she was looking at his lips then, and he couldn’t seem to stop his gaze from wandering to her face again. Her thumb touched his bottom lip, pulling it down gently. Link’s heart dropped in his chest when he remembered the scar that was there, on his lip. Oh, that. He opened his mouth to speak, intending to say something about the scar, but suddenly Zelda was closing the gap between her lips and his and the ability to form words in his mind escaped him. She stopped when her face was mere centimeters from his and he forgot how to breathe entirely. Looking up at him, she smiled.

 

“…How does someone get a scar on their lip?” She chuckled softly, “...is there any savory answer to that question?”

 

He desperately reached for the words. “I– I don’t—remember—“ But he didn’t have to struggle anymore because her mouth was on his and he let out a breath into the kiss that was not only an overwhelming amount of immense relief but also an unfathomable amount of affection for his princess.

 

The kiss itself was brief; Zelda angled her head slightly so that she could kiss that tiny scar she had pointed out. Unlike the one on his jawline, this one was pink and smooth. Her eyes caught movement on his neck when he swallowed dryly; another scar bobbed along the surface of his skin as his Adam’s apple moved up and down. Without even thinking twice about it, she ducked down to kiss him there, too. Link’s hands moved to her upper arms, holding her gently, but pushing her back a little. They locked eyes again and before Link felt that he should say something, Zelda said:

 

“If you insist upon ‘doing your duty,’ then you must allow me to fulfill mine as well.” She moved to press her lips near the fresh cut on his forehead, the pink spot on his lower lip, and to the white line on his jaw... He was intoxicated by her—her everything—her lips, her skin, her scent, her voice. She was warm and gentle and she was here. He was just too tired to fight his own inhibitions anymore, and he let himself slip away.

 

Link closed his eyes; his grip on Zelda’s arms loosening as she continued to speak: “...Each of your scars is a precious monument erected in remembrance of Hyrule’s fall to the evils of the Calamity, and in celebration of our inevitable rise that is all but upon the horizon… And as this land’s crowned princess and future queen, it is my duty to pay reverence to each and every mark that the goddesses have deigned to be left upon you.”

 

It was too much. He felt as if he was quite literally on fire; his skin burned everywhere that she touched. “Princess—“ he breathed, unable to say anything else.

 

“Zelda.”

 

“Zelda…” But he found that he had simply lost the ability to think of words to say, much less say them. He sighed as her lips continued to travel from place to place and all he knew was warmth that came over him in waves and a wildfire that coursed through his veins until his mind and heart were racing, set free, entwining itself between an intense love for this woman and utter exhaustion from the various activities of the day. Eventually, he was entirely lost.

 

The night was far advanced by the time Zelda felt that she had, sufficiently, fulfilled her duties. And the princess, persuasive as she was, coaxed the knight into participating as well.

 

That night, the hero lost a battle, and he found the repercussions to be swift, and sweet, and altogether memorable.....

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[ F i n . ]