#Withdrawl | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

bepisbee · 1 month ago

Text

Temptation

second part

read on ao3

“Violet!” Blue’s yell echoed the stone stairwells. It was angry, but laced in concern. “I swear to Nayru- get your skinny nerd ass down here!” Vio paled. He was not in a state to be seen. The magic slowly terraformed him into a partial creature, nails stained black and sharp gradient black down his hands. His eyes remained as they were when he touched the mirror. He peered his head out of the bedroom door.

“Uhh aha heyyyyy~!” It was absolutely awkward, guilty, and not like him. “What’s up?”

“What’s up!? I am gonna tear you a new one, that's what!” As Blue rounded the corner, followed by Green and Red, he ducked back into the room. It was too late though, they saw where he went. “Violet Link Smith!” Uh oh, he hissed, this was going to be bad.

---

At first, Vio doesn't even realize the situation he’s placed himself in. He spent so long around Shadow and the dark mirror openly diffusing dark magic like a humidifier. Absorbing it through the air, through Shadow. Especially through Shadow. The gradual increase and consumption of dark magic energy. It started there. Spending time with him, sharing magic, even combining physically into one being. He didn’t even know that was possible! Vio had no idea they could separately combine with magic. He thought maybe the others could too, but he dared not bring up the idea. Sure they were parts of Link, it made sense for the colors but what he and Shadow did felt so much more intimate than that. Vio didn’t sense it at the time, but it had altered him. It changed his magical abilities, compatibilities, his very essence.

Until after they all finish the quest and suddenly he's not around it anymore. Vio is plagued with sweats, shakes, mood swings, blood pressure dropping, horrible nausea. He doesn't know why. He has a few ideas, but nothing certain.

But he does his best. Never tells the others and never goes back to the tower. He hides between the library and his room and becomes nocturnal to avoid the others seeing him. Eventually the major shock and withdrawal symptoms stop but there's still an itch he can't scratch that's always crawling under his skin. A longing, a deep ache that has settled into his core with only one solution: Dark Magic. He had the idea, sure, but he convinced himself it couldn’t be that. It couldn’t be that, he toed the line enough already.

So he searched elsewhere for answers and distractions. His recent line of work took him to strange sightings and puzzles in their area that appeared after a kinstone binge with the local library Minish. Maybe, he reasoned, he could find secrets that had answers for him. Or just distract himself from another wave of weariness and magical hunger he was ignoring.

The first thing he was conscious of was the sound of wet dripping on stone. A continuous rhythmic drip that for some people would be annoying, but for him it was calming. It was a focus, when everything was dark and fuzzy around his head. Then slowly as feeling came back into him the hard damp stone under his back, and a static with ringing in his ears. It had been harder to get up lately. Vio winced at the stagnant air.

Vio opened his eyes with a groan. The ice blue rings were very dull in their color. It took him longer than it should have to remember where he was. Vio sat up and shook out his hands, then arms, and stretched as he stood. He was finished here anyway, he just needed to rest so badly he’d passed out. This ominous riddle cave had no more answers for him than the books at Hyrule Castle. At least he had gotten some heart gem for his efforts. He sighed and winced at his sore muscles. He couldn’t tell if that was caused by sleeping on a damp hard stone, or his flaring symptoms. He groaned and brushed his fingers through dirty blonde locks as he walked out of the forest cave. Another damn dead end.

At this point maybe he really should go back to the tower of winds and hunt there for some scrap of anything. It would make him feel better personally to have some momento of Shadow, and maybe some more research materials. He was trying not to think about what deep down he already knew was happening. Vio mumbled to himself, maybe there would be spells he could cast to get this desire out of his system. Do a few shadow balls and fires and be sated. He nodded to himself as he situated his belongings, he would take a trip out there and gather materials. He reviewed his findings as he walked.

He had researched his symptoms. They matched up with a few things, mainly a flu, virus, or addiction withdrawal. Considering he didn’t do drugs and potions did shit he was left with more questions than answers. Something tugged in his core at the bouncing thoughts. Shadow. He really missed the bastard. The heartache didn’t help either. Vio asked a few trusted friends, and only time would heal. So far it has not.

Vio trudged his way back towards the castle, cringing that it was turning daytime. He had gotten into a more nocturnal schedule. Firstly to avoid his siblings and anyone who would care enough to tell something was wrong with him during the height of his withdrawal- symptoms- he corrects himself. Secondly because it felt natural. Ever since doing so with Shadow. Nighttime was best for them, peak of his powers, no draining light, sneaking around behind a tree and making out. Nowadays too long out in the daytime gives him a nasty sunburn. It should have been a sign to him, having light sensitivity.

He smiled to himself at the thought of Shadow calling him a lobster. If only he hadn’t converted Shadow too late, he might still have a corporeal form. His smile slipped off. They still might be together, in more ways than one. Vio shook his head, and started back to the castletown. It was going to be a long day and the sun was just rising on the horizon.

He snuck in through the back. He wanted to avoid anyone, at least until he could get a bath, fresh clothes, and some caffeine. While it had been maybe an hour at most, he was feeling tired from the light.

One well needed hot bath later, Vio slipped into the castle kitchens. Just his luck it was bustling with cooks, making breakfast for the castle, and Red. He blended in at least, wearing a simple lavender undershirt and trousers with his belt and dagger, and a spell tome tied up. He’d never get caught without a weapon. He was too paranoid for that. He thought he was getting away unseen, staying off to the side.

He lifted a kettle full of water, to the stove. Just because he wanted tea didn’t mean he would be a dick and not make some for the workers in here too. Especially being in their way. Vio jumped when Red hugged him hard, squishing with surprising strength.

“Vio!! I was worried a magical book ate you!” he giggled. Vio instantly felt bad. What had it been, four weeks since he had shown his face? Maybe this time slip up was a blessing in disguise. While he didn’t want to worry them with his strange state, he did miss them. “Are you okay? You look pale. Well, paler than usual haha, you always look like you haven’t slept.”

Vio glanced and analyzed his stance. It was open and friendly and relaxed. He was in a bright red cooking apron, sewed for him by Blue as a birthday present last year. He felt a genuine soft smile curl up on his face. Red’s hair was up and away from his face, but a few pieces hung out haphazardly. It was so Red.

“Believe it or not, I did sleep well actually. Too well, which is why I am up at this ungodsly hour instead of bedding down as the sun rises,” He chuckled and patted his side in a return hug gesture. Red let go. “Would you like some tea? Little chilly this morning. I’ll make that Blueberry one?”

“Ohh that sounds nice, yes please!” He grinned, happy to see him and even happier Vio seemed alright. “With-”

“Two sugars and a spoon of honey, yes.” Vio finishes with another smile. Familial warmth spread across his chest, lessening the pit that begged for something he had been refusing to identify. “I remember,” he set up their cups, a small splash of heavy cream in his. A bad habit he knew, but oh well. Vio added the correct loose leaf mix with dried berries into the steaming kettle water and shut its lid. Carefully, he took it off the stovetop with a towel for the heat. “What have you been up to?” he asks before Red can get curious about his own fairings.

“Pastries! And hand combat! I won in a ring fight!”

“You what!?” Vio whipped around to him in shocked concern, he almost overfilled the cup. Looking him up and down and inspecting his hands revealed no injuries. Only calloused hands from cooking and combat. Although, his knuckles looked like they could have had old healed bruising very faintly. He narrowed his gaze.

“It was funnnnnn!” Red defended, taking his hand back and putting it on his hip. “I was fine. Plus I won a hundred rupees and busted the underground ring for Zel.”

“You fought in an underground ring!?”

“And won!” Vio rubbed his face.

“Good fuckin’ Farore.” Maybe he should crawl out of his book hole more often. Red just giggled.

“What have you been doing? Besides making the librarian mad you never return your books.” He teased, “What have you been researching? She said you had so many different book kinds it was hard to tell the theme. Medical books, magic books, traveling books? Ohhoh! potions??”

“Mmm.” He hummed an agreement. “Something like that.” it was partially true anyway. “I tried a potion for insomnia a few weeks ago, but made some alterations.” for his withdrawal symptoms. And magical extractions.

“I got sucked into a brain hole after that. Looking into ingredients and then their origins, and then their locations, and then the history of the plants and then history of the people who made them…” Vio rambled. “Ah, you know how my brain is.” He sipped the tea. “I just stayed up all night a few times and suddenly I was in that pattern. It was much quieter to read as well.”

“That makes sense.” Red nodded. “Surely that wasn’t all you looked at in the last six weeks?” Six!? Vio frowned. Oops. “You could do that in days, haa!”

“I didn’t want to ramble on too long.” Vio excused, fidgeting. “There’s a lot more than that, yes. I’ve also been doing some puzzle solving. I got tbis heart gem in a cave last night, actually.” He showed Red, be hadn’t consumed it yet. “I uh… actually wanted to talk to you guys about something. A little road trip so to speak. I’m not sure how well Green or Blue would react.” He frowned. “They’re a lot more wary of my relationship with Shadow and… that theme of things.”

“Why, where do you wanna go?” Red leaned on the counter with his tea, brows a little furrowed.

“I wanted to scour for research materials within the tower of winds.” Vio sighed, “I know it gives you guys the creeps, but there could be some honestly useful things in that place. Plus it would be better for me to find them than some random wandering adventurer. Also,” he looks to the side, unsure if he should mention. But it’s Red, he would understand. He looks back to meet his eyes. “I… wanted to grab something from Shadow’s room to keep.”

“Oooh.” Red understood as he assumed. “Yeah, I get that.” he patted his shoulder. “I miss him too, I know it’s not the same as how you feel but I get it. One of us can come to help!”

“That’s nice of you, but you all have important jobs here. Mine lets me step away awhile. I just didn’t want to go without saying something to one of you.” He puts his now empty cup by the dirty dish sink. He doesn’t want interruptions, and if he breaks down? He sure as hell does not want to do that in front of them. “I am.probably going to spend most of the time in Shadow’s old room, reading what I find. It would be boring to any of ya- you.” he corrects his almost use of ‘yall’ he had picked up from his partner. “And quite frankly I would rather be alone for my first return there. I’m going in a few days, for probably a week at most with travel time?”

“I’ll make some bread!” Red bounced on his heels in excitement. “I love baking breads!”

“Thanks Red. I knew you would understand where I'm coming from.” He hesitates and pulls him into a short hug that makes him giddy.

Red beams and runs back to his kitchen work. Vio laughs and shakes his head. Well, that's part of the plan done then. He snatches a dried meat stick hanging up and makes his way back to his room in the castle. Thankfully it was uneventful, aside from the castle workers' stares. He wasn’t sure if it was him, or the fact he was awake and about at this hour that drew their gaze. Vio looked at himself, suddenly self conscious. Maybe he should have laced this undershirt higher to his neck…

He distractedly ran nose first into his door and some maids giggled at him. Vio flushed and quickly ran inside, locking the door. He lightly smacked his cheeks.

“Focus! Dumbass!” Vio shook his head and went to make plans for his trip. Starting with a good old fashioned checklist.

He didn’t mean to, he had just been so tired! He had been awake for well over a day anyway. Vio had fallen asleep right there on the floor, surrounded by books. He was a foot away from Shadow’s damn bed and he slept on the floor. A laugh bubbled out of him, startling him. He covered his mouth and took self stock. He felt normal.

That was not normal.

Vio scrambled to his feet, running. Not only did that mean he actually had an addiction, it was his worst theory. He was addicted to darkness. But that also meant somewhere here there was darkness. Vio turned into the room where they had placed the mirror and its shards. It felt so good. He swallowed, cheeks flushing as his heart raced. The air was tangible with the delicious magic. He stepped to the remains.

Familiar whispers caressed his skin, wrapping around him. He knew that tone, not quite words but still understood.

The mirror.

He touched the frame, rewarded with that magic seeping into his flesh, rushing into the magic veins coursing through his body. He licked his teeth, a little too sharp on the incisors. His pupils dilated, scleras around the ice blue turning black and inky, he watched in a dangling shard. Getting up close, the blackness was shifting around. It was dying his sharp color a purple hue. He took his hand off, but the color remained. His face had”t looked healthy in color in years. Vio swallowed thickly and looked around the room

“Okay,” he steadied himself. “Okay. So it’s magic. It’s…” he took a deep breath and let it out. “Okay. Fuck that feels good.” he shut his eyes and hummed in satisfaction. He hadn't felt like this since the first time he and Shadow had fused together. A shudder ran up his back, the mirror becoming clearer. Begging to be taken with him. Vio tilted his head, he was sure it would have wanted to be repaired but that wasn’t so. Did it recognize him??

He took a cloth from his bag and wrapped a large shard, tucking it safely away. “I’ve got you, if you’ve got me,” he whispered. “May I study you? I’ll be careful.” magic wisped around him playfully and he smiled.

That was two months ago. So it really shouldn’t have surprised him when he heard the colors enter the base of the tower.

“Uhh aha heyyyyy~!” It was absolutely awkward, guilty, and not like him. “What’s up?”

“You have to promise not to freak out! Or punch me! I have too pretty a face!” humor will get him nowhere but it was his natural defense. He blamed Shadow for that one. “Let me explain first!”

“Blue, hear him out.” Green reasons. “He wouldn’t leave us for that long without a damn good one.” The veiled threat was clear.

Blue sighed but didn’t yell again. He took that as a go ahead.

“Ah- okay. So… the short version is: you know how I talked about my time with Shadow?” he gets an affirmative answer and sounds. “I haven’t told you nearly all of it. Time in the dark world runs differently, slower. I spent a lot more time with him than the month in this world implied.” He talked with his hands despite the door being shut. He was nervous. “The whole time I was in and around the natural magic of the dark world.”

“This is the short version?”

“Do you want me to explain magical adaption, veins, capabilities, compatibility, and such?” he snarks back. “I didn’t think so.” he pauses to collect his thoughts and continues. “I think the best example would be water. Say you go into the lake and it is cold, but after a while it doesn’t feel cold anymore. The lake didn’t get warmer, you got colder. Does that make sense so far?” he waits for more affirmation, “So, The Dark World magic is that lake. I adapted to it. Except uh… it’s magic. And dark magic naturally has physically addicting properties to lightworlders. My slow exposure from the tower before being there built up a tolerance and when Shadow and I- …” there was an awkward silence and he just omitted something entirely. “Doesn’t matter- it- made me not only compatible with his magic, but reliant.”

“So…?” Green prompted.

“The mirror is still alive, and albeit much weaker by thousands of degrees, is enough to trigger that response. It has… affected my appearance some. It’s similar to-” he mumbled something that sounded like “Nightshade,” but they weren’t certain, or what that meant. “So: I’m still me, don’t punch me in the face please.” he ends and finally opens the door to Blue’s unimpressed expression. “I am sorry for losing time. The last thing I ever intended was to concern you guys.”

“Holy mother of Din.” Green blinked at the man before him. “That’s…”

“So cool!” Red had a very different reaction, eyes sparkling. “You kinda look like Shadow!” He took his hand and examined it. “Isn’t it hard to write with these?”

“But you’re okay?” Blue emphasized, “You said you needed this uh magic but you haven't been here in literal years.” his eyes narrowed at Vio who gulped. Busted.

“Ahhahahaha,” he laughed nervously, avoiding his gaze. “Uh…”

Red gasps, “You were avoiding us to hide something! Violet!” his turn to scold Vio, “I knew that wasn’t all you were up to.” he pouted. “You made me look like an ass, defending you.” he swore! “Were you okay? Did it hurt??”

“I’m sorry, Red.” he fluffed his hair, despite being shorter than Red. “I- would rather not talk about it.” he winced, “It was not pleasant and that is all I am willing to tell you.”

“Vio!” He smacks his arm. “Idiot. Are you okay now? Actually?”

“I’m okay,” Vio sighs, “Probably. I got a little lost in research… and the bed still smells like Shadow…” he mumbled the last part under his breath. They caught it, but knew better than to comment. “It isn’t anything I can't take home. Give me a few and I’ll pack up.”

Vio was cautious around the mirror shard and took papers and books with him. A few bottled vials of strange liquids, some the same weird flowy blackness as his eyes. Green made small talk on the way back, which he appreciated. It was nice to learn what had been going on in his absence. With some prompting he gave condensed versions of what he was working on, with the disclaimer he knows there’s no guarantee on anything.

“I could possibly at least contact him through it. If he’s… uh… there.” he chewed on his lip as he thought. Vio had his cloak hood up, the sun feeling more harsh than ever before. “It’s all theoretical of course, I know not to get my hopes up over anything.”

“The idea behind it is solid. What about a rune in the mirror’s back to prevent interference with other worlds or realms?” He had actually been listening? Vio gave an impressed look.

“That’s a good idea. Shouldn’t be too hard to make one…” he babbled some details Green didn’t fully understand but gave supportive feedback where he could. He promised to do this with them.

Vio did not do this with them. His appearance didn’t go down, but he didn’t mind. It reminded him of how they looked together. He sat on his bed, mirror shaped into a frame runed and spelled. He dribbled the blood from his palm onto the surface as it whispered in excitement. He focused, fidgeting in his excitement.

“.....”

“io? Vio!?” His chest panged as a lovely sight greeted him. Shadow in the mirror. He looked to be his age now, face slimmed out and hair longer. His eyeliner was stunning. Vio laughed and hugged the mirror to his chest.

“Shadow! Fuck. Hey, hi.” he pulled back and looked him over. “Where are you??”

“Vi.” He looked just as lovestruck. “I miss you so much. Uh- I’m in my room? Sorry that wasn’t helpful. In the dark world. None of my world hopping powers work anymore. How are you here?”

“I’m not actually there,” he chuckled. “I’m in my room uh at the castle. This is a shard of the mirror.” he moves it around, comically making his own face fly around on Shadow’s plain. He giggled and Vio’s heart melted.

“I love you. I love you Shadow. Gods you have no idea…”

“I'm pretty sure I do.” he smiled and leaned in closer. “What’s up with the eyes and claws dear?”

“I’ve uh- so funny story.” He explains the magic alterations and addiction.

“Soooo you’re saying you’re addicted to me?~ I can always help with that. You aren’t the only one with a massive craving.” Shadow teased, enjoying the blush he caused.

“Yes. I just need to figure out how to make the image a portal. Or how to make one myself.”

“I can try to walk you through it, but it’s difficult magic. Most people can’t make one on their own.” he watched Vio’s face turn away and address someone else, a busted look on. “Babe?”

“Uh haha sorry Red’s caught me.” he turned the mirror and Red appeared instead, but blurrier.

“Hi!” he waved. Red squealed and disappeared, running out of the room. The sound of Vio’s genuine laugh warmed his heart. “Wanna try?” he comes back into view.

“Yes.”

They gather around in Vio’s room while Shadow talks him through magic steps and feelings. At one point he scares them all when Shadow vanishes and Vio has to add blood to the surface to work again. That had not been part of the explanation.

He sits the mirror up and stands, ready. He takes a breath and focuses inward. Pulling on the dark magic in his veins, rushing through. It would use up his supply but he felt he could do it.

He weaved the magic, earning an impressed woah from the crowd. The circle sparked to life and through stepped shadow. As it shut behind him, Vio fell forward into him, fainting.

“Vi-woah!” Shadow caught him. “Hey!” he brought him back up, getting blinked at deliriously. He still held him upright. “Are you okay??”

“Uh-huh. Used all reserves.” He grumbles into him. He wobbled as Shadow walked him to the bed. “Little vial, left drawer dresser. top row.” Blue nabbed what he was talking about and handed it over. Vio downed it and made a face. “Blugh. Ewugh.” his color recovered. “Phew, thanks.” Shadow caught him in a deep kiss the second he saw he was okay again. “Mm! Mmmh…”

“We’re right heeeee--!” They flashed for a second and molded into a single being before falling back apart.

“Oop- sorry love.” Shadow flushed. “I got excited.”

“What the hell was that!?” Green demanded.

“Oops.” Vio scratched his cheek. “Uh that’s a thing I have also been meaning to mention. I believe we might be able to do that as well. Like how we can combine into Link? We can do that in a way with just parts. I’m pretty sure.” Vio yawned. “Another time. If you don’t mind, I am going to pass out now.” He slumped into Shadow.

“Uh.”

“Well. Welcome back?”

Vio slept in Shadow’s arms that night and had the best night’s sleep he had gotten in years.

Later he would gift him with the piece of heart he had found.

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