#but emmet has been clawing at my brain for a while

[soldotpng]

day 5: relationships

Terran's family and childhood best friend Sylvan

[imfluentinfangirlandgay]

Wordplay - Part 1/2

Got this idea from Discord, made a lil story, yall know the drill by now lmao

[Part 2]

Words: ~3300

The only thing Ingo had been able to remember was his own name. Even now, there was precious little his brain coughed up for him to go off of in terms of who he was. If anything did come to him, it was in the form of foggy half-dreams and vaguely familiar pangs he felt in his very soul, like anytime he saw Rei’s Typhlosion and the ghostly flames it had, or the smiling man in white at the edge of his consciousness that made him feel a deep sense of loss. The biggest mystery to him as of late was a small sentence.

It was only three words. Three little words that started out easy enough and sat stubbornly on the tip of his tongue, never quite within reach like a pesky berry in a tree. “I am ____.” He felt like that third word held much importance, as if it denoted something that he cared for greatly. Was it the Pokemon partner he remembered? The man who looked like him? Maybe his previous occupation? Ingo had pondered over this for hours, only ever getting “I am.” What was that third word?

Something else had clicked into place during a passing conversation. Rei had asked him what he thought about filling in Sneasler’s Pokedex entry with the Sneasler he had evolved, which he had introduced to Lady Sneasler. “Here’s what I’ve learned? What do you think of it now that more people can learn about Sneasler?”

Ingo had said warmly in response, “Sir Rei, I am elated-” and he had ended the sentence there because something had sounded so right there. “I am elated, I am ela- no, that’s not right. I am el- Eeeee” He sounded out the words, feeling them on his tongue. It had something to do with that sound. E.

“Uh, Ingo, are you alright?”

“Hmm?” Ingo blinked, realizing he had spaced out. “Ah, yes, I apologize, Rei, I must depart early, for I have some duties to attend to. I look forward to seeing more of your progress as you continue on this track!” he called off, briskly walking in another direction.

Another time, he had struck another syllable in the word. Irida had asked him how his day had been and was checking in with him about matters in the Coronet Highlands, and had brought up Melli. “Adaman says he told Melli to back down a bit, but I am worried he is making things difficult for you still. How are you holding up?”

“I’m quite alright, it takes a bit to grind my gears. He says that I am emotionless-” There it was again, another mental ding! that told him he’d gotten something else right. “Em… I am Em… Emersed? Embossed? I am Em…” He continued muttering along, Irida watching him with confusion.

“Did something happen?” Ingo shook his head.

“I feel I am on the precipice of remembering something, but I cannot tell what. It has to do with the phrase ‘I am _______’, and I have been filling in that blank slowly. I feel like I must know that last word, but I cannot remember why.” His eyes fixated into the distance again out of habit as Irida’s voice floated into his ears.

“I see. I hope you remember what it is soon… if you think I could help you, please let me know! I’d be happy to try to help you remember.” Ingo nodded, showing his appreciation as she left for the evening.

And now he sat, less than an hour after Irida’s departure, in Sneasler’s cave, watching her latest litter while she went about finishing her own tasks. One of the four laid in his lap, curled against his stomach. Another two played with each other, wrestling nearby. The last sat on his shoulder, messing with his sideburns. It gently petted them, holding the hairs between its claws and occasionally grabbing at his cap and putting it over its own head. Ingo held it’s leg to keep it from falling as he talked aloud to himself.

“I am Emm…a? No, that’s not right. Ember, Emch-, Embed, Emra- that’s not even a word… Emme-” he paused. “I am Emme..r? No, Emmeeeeep, Emmed, Emmek, Emmet-” Yes! His entire brain screamed out as he called out, louder than he intended, “I am Emmet!” It still sounded off though, too excitable. He did his best to lower his tone, especially considering the freshly frightened Sneasel kits, and tried again. “I am… Emmet. I am Emmet.” There, right there. That sounded right, like it was something he had heard a hundred times before. “I am Emmet.” He felt a wave of… nostalgia? Longing? He wasn’t sure. It wasn’t entirely a pleasant emotion, but it did feel like he’d finally just knocked out a particularly nastly piece of food from between his teeth.

Sneasler returned before long, taking her kits and her Warden and curling up on the blanket he provided into a sleep pile, forcing Ingo to sleep.

—-----------------------------------

“I am Emmet.” A voice that was his, and yet wasn’t his, floated through his dreams. “I am Emmet. You are Ingo.”

“Who is Emmet?” Ingo heard himself ask. The black lifted revealing - him. But not him. It was the man in white, with the smile! But now, his eyes were no longer obscured. He stared directly into his own eyes, his own nose, his own chin (clean shaven on his doppelganger). The figure had a smile affixed to his face, his posture relaxed. His hands were behind his back as he kept his back straight.

“I am Emmet. And you are Ingo,” the man repeated.

“Who is Ingo? Who am I? And who are you?” Ingo asked the man, desperation and fear making his voice raise in pitch and volume. He was terrified he would forget again, he would forget this man that made him feel calm and safe, this man that he knew was important to him. Emmet continued to smile. He posed, pointing his left hand directly at Ingo and his other hand at the floor, exactly like Ingo did.

“I am Emmet. I am a Subway Boss. I like Doubles Battles. I like combinations of two Pokemon. And I like winning more than anything else.” His smile widened, reaching his eyes. Ingo couldn’t look away. “I am Emmet. I won together with Ingo. But if we fight again, we won’t know what to expect. Thats why we are waiting for you to come back!” Something was forming, some pressure building in the back of Ingo’s mind. Emmet glitched, his body suddenly in a different position for a split second. He was kneeling, in his hands a Pokemon that Ingo knew he recognized, but didn’t know how. He only saw the flames and glass before his attention was quickly diverted to the tears on Emmet’s still smiling face. Emmet seemed to be hugging the Pokemon as if it were his lifeline, clutching it to his chest. And then he was back in the previous position, pointing at Ingo. "Follow the rules. Safe driving! Follow the schedule. Everybody smile! Check safety. Everything's ready! Aim for victory! All aboard!" The last word left his mouth and Ingo’s eyes widened.

Emmet was suddenly on the ground again, holding the fiery Pokemon, but now there were others around him. A Pokemon with long steel claws and brown fur had one of its claws on Emmet’s shoulder, its eyes downcast, a large Pokemon with massive blades in its jaws was standing behind him with tears in its eyes, making a pitiful sound, another Pokemon with claws and a large rock settled on its back chittered sadly, on Emmet’s other side. All looked heartbroken. The chorus of cries grated against Ingo’s ears, tugging at him in a way he hadn’t previously thought he would have felt.

The loudest of all was Emmet. He wailed, openly and loudly crying into the black. He held onto the Pokemon at his chest, almost screaming until his voice was hoarse. “What do I do? Without Ingo, I’m just Emmet,” he murmured. The Pokemon in his lap gave a long, moaning cry. Emmet’s red eyes gave out a fresh round of tears as they squeezed shut, burying his face back into its body. “I want my brother back.”

The scene lifted, Ingo was falling, falling through the black with those last words reverberating in his head.

I want my brother back.

I want my brother back.

My brother.

I want my brother.

Ingo startled awake to something prodding him. He shot upwards, breathing heavily. He whipped his head around in the black. It was still nighttime. He heard Sneasler to his side, churring lowly at him, asking him if he was alright. Ingo could barely remember to breathe, not to mention talk.

“I-oh, I- uh.” He faltered, remembering to keep his voice down, trying still not to wake the young Sneasel. “I-I apologize, Lady Sneasler. I just had a dream… it was not a bad dream, per se, but it was definitely not the best dream I’ve ever had, and it showed me things but it was so saddening to see and I know it may not have even happened but I know it did, I looked at it and I could tell it had happened at some point and I don’t know-” A claw gently laid on his shoulder. He was rambling. He took a deep breath as Sneasler lifted her young off of him, allowing him to stand. “Thank you, my Lady. I will get some air.” He briskly left the cave, having to stop himself from running. He stepped outside, walking a bit past the mouth of the cave so his loud voice wouldn’t carry too much back into it.

He began to pace, rubbing his chin. Emmet, his brother. Brother? Those Pokemon? Where were they? Were they alright? He had to get back to them, now, to show them that he was alive and well. “Emmet, my brother.” As he spoke the words, he felt something move in his mind, a mental blockade slowly coming down, some dam inside his own head allowing things to trickle by. “That Pokemon… fiery, ghostly… Chandelure,” he said suddenly as it popped into his head. “And the others… that one with the claws… master of earth… Excadrill! And Haxorus and Crustle!” More and more was coming back to him, the dam quickly disintegrating. “I am a Subway Boss. I live in Nimbasa City in Unova with my brother, Emmet. My twin brother. I am thirty-one years old.” He rattled off facts to himself in this fashion, in quick sentences before he could forget everything. He paused momentarily, as the weight of his situation crashed down on him. “I miss Emmet,” he murmured, forlorn.

His legs nearly gave out with the flood of memories his brain thrusted upon him. One after another after another, year after year of his life before Hisui came upon him and overtook him, making him black out.

—-------------------------------------

Ingo knocked on the door. He shifted his hat awkwardly to cover the spot that he knew had caked blood on it from his fall the previous night, trying to cover it from passersby. He tapped his foot. He could hear people behind him pausing while going about their mornings, whispering amongst themselves. He hoped that they couldn’t see the spot on his head, though that was the least of his worries. He raised his hand to knock again when the door slid open.

Rei had clearly just woken up, which was not a surprise as the sun was just rising. His hair was disheveled under his cap, his eyes crusty and narrowed in the hard morning sunlight. “Akari, I swear, if Kamado asked for me again just now- Ingo? What are you doing here? You don’t look good.” His expression shifted as soon as he saw Ingo in the doorway, from irritation to surprise to concern.

“Rei, I need to speak with you urgently. I need help,” was all he said. Rei held the door open for him and he shuffled inside, Rei closing the door behind him. The inside of Rei’s home was neat and tidy, the bed currently unmade. Ingo left his shoes near the door and stood awkwardly in the middle of the home. Rei crossed the dirt floor, sitting on the edge of the wooden platform and motioning for Ingo to sit. He did not.

“What’s going on?” Rei asked.

Inog paused. “I remembered. I know where I came from. I have a brother, a twin brother. We run a Subway together and battle together and live together and do everything together and I need to find him. I need to get back to him. You’ve been everywhere and have caught almost every Pokemon. Rei, if you think any of the Pokemon in your care may be of assistance, would you be willing to lend a hand?” Ingo knew that he was pleading, begging, for Rei to help him at this point. He needed to get back to Emmet, no matter what it took. He needed to get back to Unova.

Rei watched him silently for a moment. “I think I know just the ‘mon.” He stood. “I just want to get dressed, do you mind waiting outside for a minute? I promise I won’t be long!” Ingo nodded and numbly walked outside. He stood by the door, facing the street as he waited. People walked by on their way to the market and the clothetier, not making eye contact with him. He understood he was a little… cold in the face, even if he did not mean to be. Thankfully, he did not have to wait long before he heard the door slide open and Rei let out a gasp.

“Ingo! Your head! What happened?” Ingo turned to see the boy looking at him with open concern.

“My engine malfunctioned after regaining my memories, resulting in a small crash. It merely set me behind schedule, though. I have more important matters to deal with at hand.”

“At least let me take you to get that bandaged up! I swear, I will get you home as soon as possible, but that looks painful-” The sound of pounding feet cut off the rest of Rei’s sentence. They both looked at the gate to see Sneasler pounding into Jubilife, people running and hiding inside buildings as she did so. She ran at full speed, something that she did not do often. The basket on her back thumped with every step she took. She skidded to a halt in front of Ingo and Rei, breathing heavily.

“My Lady-” Sneasler took off the basket and opened it on the ground, revealing a very confused Irida. “Lady Irida?”

“Ingo?” Irida stood on wobbly legs, to which both Ingo and Rei offered an arm out to her. She took them, legs moving unsteadily like a newborn Stantler’s. “What’s going on? Sneasler showed up and literally grabbed me out of my tent and brought me here. She seems agitated. What’s happening? Is something wrong?” She stepped out of the basket carefully, Sneasler making distressed sounds.

Ingo felt guilt curl up in his stomach. “My apologies for this, Lady Irida, this is my fault. Last night, after you left, I finished the sentence I was trying to complete. Then I had a dream and upon awakening, all my memories returned to me.” Irida’s eyes widened. “I remember who I was, who I am. I have a twin brother who misses me dearly, as well as a whole team of Pokemon. Emmet, my brother, I cannot keep him waiting. I saw him, he was devastated, he was…” Ingo trailed off as, to his surprise, his voice choked. “I need to get back to him. I didn’t realize it, but I feel empty without him. He’s my other half, I need him. And he needs me. I came to Rei immediately and I did not inform my Lady of my whereabouts, so I assume she was distressed.” He turned to Sneasler, who had quieted down. Her fur was sticking up everywhere, as if she hadn’t groomed before leaving. Her chest was heaving, her eyes wide and watching him frantically. Ingo looked up at her. “I am deeply sorry for making you worry like this, my Lady. It was not my intent to cause such concern over myself.” Sneasler gently took his chin and twisted his head to the side before shrieking.

“Sneasler? What-”

“He’s injured, too! He said he fell when he remembered stuff but he won’t let me take him anywhere to get it checked.”

“It does not matter, it will heal. I need to find Emmet.”

“Ingo,” Irida cut in sharply, making him halt in his tracks. “I will not hear of you refusing treatment. You will get that wrapped and treated properly before anything happens or by the almighty Sinnoh itself, me and Sneasler will hold you down to make it happen, is that clear?” She gazed up intensely at Ingo, who was just reminded why she was made Leader in the first place. Ingo nodded, holding back the wince at the sharp pain from the back of his head.

“Yes, my Lady. I apologize.”

“Stop apologizing, too! You just got your memories back, you don’t need to be sorry for everything!” She stomped her way into the Galaxy Headquarters, leaving Rei, Ingo, and Sneasler outside Rei’s house still. They stood in silence for a couple minutes until she returned with a nurse, who took one look at Sneasler and shrank away. It took a few words from Irida, but ultimately the nurse must have decided that Sneasler was less scary that Irida’s wrath.

Ingo sat, taking off his cap for the nurse to work her magic. It was matted with blood, as was his silver hair. It apparently trailed down onto his coat collar. The poultice stung slightly, and the bandages applied around his head were a little tight, but he did not complain. It was not until after the nurse had fled, Irida thanking her for her work, that the conversation continued. Ingo gently replaced his cap, conscious of the fresh bandages.

“Now,” Irida sighed, “what was your plan, Ingo?” All four of them had sat on the ground beside Rei’s house now, Sneasler closest to Ingo, a claw laid on his shoulder. He wondered if it was for his comfort or hers.

“I knew that Rei had seen Pokemon with extraordinary powers and abilities, so I came to him upon waking to see if he knew of any that could aid me. He had said that he may have one, before you came into Jubilife.” Irida nodded, looking at Rei.

“And what Pokemon is this?”

Rei rested his chin on his palm. “Dialga, Lord of Time, the almighty Sinnoh that the Diamond Clan recognizes. Though you may need help from Palkia, too. Otherwise you’d just be in modern Hisui, not your region.” Rei stood, brushing off his clothes. “I don’t think we should do it in town, though. It’d freak out the townsfolk.” He paused, looking at Ingo. “Is there anything you need to do before you head back? I’m assuming Dialga and Palkia can take care of it, but if not, I have some other ideas. Arceus could also take care of it. Maybe even the Lake Trio if I goaded them into it? I’m not entirely sure of all their powers yet,” Rei rattled off.

“I… now that you mention it, I would like to entrust my team to the care of a good Trainer in Hisui, so they can stay in their own time. And maybe a moment to collect my things.” Rei nodded.

“How about I meet you in the Highlands this afternoon? By the Heights camp?” Ingo considered for a moment.

“That should work. I will wish all those I need to well.”

Sneasler grabbed his coat as he stood, still sitting. She was watching him sadly. Ingo realized what this meant.

“Give me just a moment to take my team to Zisu, and I will come with you for a proper farewell, my Lady. You have given me much in my time in Hisui, and I still need to repay you for it.”

[championofsanghelios]

Personal AU Story - “Home”

A little story from my Sidlink archives. Again this one is set in an AU. There will be some TL:DR and notes at the end, so scroll down if you wanna understand what's going on here.

This was written by me, remember...so expect the usual errors, typos and word bugs (bzz.)

|HOME|

It was one of those rare moments where Link could be at peace. He couldn't actively recall the last time he'd been able to relax and let loose, which said a great deal for his lifestyle. Having the entirety of Time itself under ones charge tended to be a little taxing on occasion.

Whenever he had moments like this he'd come back here, to the Zora's Domain, a place he called home, a place he truly felt safe enough in to relax. Somewhere he could just be himself, no Inheritor, no grandeur, no nothing. One of his favorite things to do upon returning and catching up with everyone there was to take a swim in the thermal baths in the guards barracks. These pools were unique in that their inflow systems directly connected to the Domain's heat springs, sourced from Mount Lanayru, a network of channels that ran across the entire region, heated by the very molten innards of Solae itself.

This allowed for the installment of a vent regulator system, a small valve on the end of the pool which allow whoever was using it to adjust the heat levels from freezing cold to considerably hot. Link's personal preference was cold initially, with the gradual increase of temperature as he swam, relinquishing himself of any pent-up energy that remained in his bones.

By the end of it, he was usually exhausted to enough to retire to his room and collapse into his bed, which after the recent period away from it all, was a prospect he found too tempting to pass up on.

However as he's preparing to haul himself out of the waters and dry off, he's interrupted by the sound of the barracks door in the other room opening up. He doesn't bat an eye-lid to this, it was probably one of the Guards returning from their assigned post, or a shift-change in progress...usual business.

Which means it's no surprise...that he's surprised...when a familiar voice calls to him from the rooms entrance. So startles him does it that he lets out a near squeal, leaping up from where he is sitting and clambering to fetch the Master Sword which is laying among his personal effects.

All it takes is one glance however to realize who it is and that he really shouldn't be afraid at all. Sidon filled the opening in the door, wearing his full royal regalia, minus his crown, which according to him was "a dreadful thing, all spiky and weighted." It also had a habit of giving him headaches, something which in Zora was more pronounced and extreme than in their Hylian counterparts...something about their brains being wired differently

The King let's out a hearty laugh at the look he receives, which is one of both relief and irritation. "That has to be the best one I've heard come out of you yet."

Pushing himself away from the door frame, he walks over to him, taking in his form and scent with a deep breath through his gills. "I see you've taken a liking to this place..."

"I like the thermal regulation." Link says, placing the Master Sword down next to his armor, which had been dumped rather hap-hazard on the floor near the wall. "Loosens up the limbs...and the core."

His hand runs over his abdomen as he speaks, something that Sidon can't help but observe as well. "You've gotten thinner."

"I've always been thin." Link sighs, looking down at himself. The only thing he was wearing were his shorts, those old, but very durable shorts that clung to him tightly. "Part of the problem with having your processes time-locked is that it's difficult to put on any real weight...or bulk up or anything like that."

He looks up at the King, pointing at him. "I sometimes wish I could have muscular structure like you do...but it's far from the realms of possibility."

"Then just remove the time-lock." Sidon says, stepping closer to him, his large hand coming to rest on his arm, it left arm, it was a subconscious movement, they'd not seen each other in quite some time...it had been a couple of months for him, but Usurper knows how long it had been for Link.

He never showed any signs of age, or wear...even if it was blatantly obvious. Link was able to integrate right back into the world like he was gone. At first this was a confusing and at times infuriating quirk about their relationship...particularly for Sidon who needed him around, despite always insisting that he could come and go as he pleased...so long as he stayed alive. It was a mutual agreement.

Link would head out for a while, do his job as the Inheritor, then return to the Domain for a few weeks and just...be himself. No worries, No stresses, No nothing. It was an arrangement that, so far, worked and Sidon looked forwards to their time together increasingly each time.

Link also needed Sidon too. Life as a Time traveler was a hectic and at times hard existence. So the option of coming back to something stable, and normal was a real help. Sidon didn't know it, but Link looked forwards to these moments just as much as he did, if not more...they restored normalcy to his life and added contrast. Nothing was more relieving and cathartic than saving all of creation for the billionth time only to head home and crawl into the arms of his King, his worrisome, adorkable fish husband. It was what he lived to do.

Which is precisely why after a moments silence, the Inheritor closes the gap between them and practically jumps into his arms, wrapping his arms around him and hugging him as best he can, despite their size difference.

"Oh I've missed you..." Link says into his chest, he would have fallen asleep here if he wanted too, but he needed to get his stuff over to his room before he did that. "...you have no idea how much I've been looking forward to this."

"Me too." Sidon beams, holding onto him as if he would drop to the ground when he let go. "It's been a quiet old place without you around...most boring."

"I think I might stick around a little longer this time." Link glances up at him. "And I really mean it...I-...well I need a break."

"Give it 2 weeks, you'll be practically clawing at the walls." Sidon shakes his head with a chuckle. "Stay as long as you wish, husband...it's your choice."

SOME TIME LATER

"...and that's not discounting the Lynel ambush we had in the forests of the Central Plains." Prince Akau says with a sigh, taking a drink from his goblet. "If it hadn't been for Emmet and his quick thinking, we'd all be dead."

"You boys took on 3 Lynel?" Link raises an eyebrow across the dinner-table, currently the middle of eating a bowl of something he couldn't pronounce the name of properly, only that it was amazing and he could eat it forever. He glances at Sidon who is at the head of the table, listening intently and nursing a full belly of steamed salmon. "Seriously?"

"Yes, he has the scars on his chest to show for it." the King nods. "He left a boy and came back a man."

"Says you." Akau snorts, placing his goblet down and sitting forwards. "I still don't believe there could have been an Oktoroc that big..."

"One of these days I'll have your father take you back to that day and show you in person." Sidon let's out a quiet belch, covering his mouth with his left hand as to hide it some. "You wouldn't be so incredulous then would you?"

"We've already been back there twice." Link shakes his head. "It's unlikely I could even find us a good vantage point."

"It's amazing." Sidon can't help but smile at his current thought. "I was fighting that thing to the death, completely oblivious that my future husband and myself were watching from a distance and loving every second of it...twice might I add."

He looks at Link fondly. "To think it was you...of all the people I met."

"Ghirahim once told me that people who are destined or fated to meet, shall." Link finishes the contents of his bowl, dropping the silver spoon into it and sitting back on his chair. "I guess you could call it a matter of fate, huh?"

"The best kind of fate there is..." Sidon says, his eyes flitting over him for a second. "I can't imagine knowing you and not falling in love with you."

"I once visited a timeline where you were never born..." Link shrugs. "It was just Mipha and your Father...it just felt off, really off."

"I hope to one day travel time." Akau says across from him. "I wonder what it's like."

"It's great." Link smiles, genuinely, warmly. "It's so...wonderful and exciting..."

His smile fades however as the reality hits him. "...but it's also a terrible burden...a responsibility that if abused, could spell disaster for everyone and everything that has ever lived."

"Will I be your Inheritor?" Akau asks next, something that seems to grab the attention of the King who looked like he was about to doze off. "Will I claim that blade when you are gone?"

"I don't know..." Link shakes his head, he was being truthful when he said that. There was no way of telling who would come after him. If it would be Akau, or anyone. It wasn't his place to know. "The Sword doesn't have the final say anymore thanks to 'Dorf...I guess we'll see when I die."

"That's unlikely to happen anytime soon." Sidon shuffles on his chair.

"You never know." Link looks his way. "I could die tomorrow."

"No." Sidon shakes his head quickly. "You're not going to die before me..."

"Me too." Akau adds. "It's unlikely I'll ever see that Sword in my hand..."

"Really?" Link suddenly stands up, walking across the room to the door, which he'd left the Sword of Time sitting by, along with the Master Sword. He picks it up in it's scabbard and paces over to where he's sitting.

Turning it in his hands, he holds it out for him to take. "Let's see if it would accept you then."

"Seriously?" Akau glances at the blade, then to the King who nods his head encouragingly. Taking the scabbard from Link he places his hand around the hilt and pulls the blade out fast. It was light in his hand and seemed to resonate with his touch. "Whoa...it's lighter than it looks."

"No." Link shakes his head. "It's not light at all...it's just light for you."

"For me?" Akau looks along the length of the blade. He'd seen his Father using it before, creating portals that led to Usurper knows where, and he'd always wondered how it worked, how it charged up and what use it had outside of time-travel. "What do you mean?"

"It sees you as an ally." Link explains, gesturing to blade. "It recognizes my blood within you...and it accepts you as one of it's wielders. Just like it does Sidon, Ganondorf, Zelda...and others."

"But not it's Master...right?" Sidon asks, a knowing smile on his face. "It doesn't recognize anyone as it's Master but-"

Akau gasps as Link raises his hand, the Sword of Time flies out of his hand and he catches it by the hilt mid-way. "Good Goddess above."

"No." Link does the same with the scabbard, to Akau's increasing wonder and amusement. He slots the blade back into it's scabbard before tossing it over his shoulder onto his back. "That title is reserved for I, and I alone."

It had been too long since Link felt like this. Since he could just let go and come apart without any feeling of guilt or burden. Many of the people he'd met in his travels had commented about his inability to relax, or indulge in himself, in his own desires and needs...and they had a point...he really did find it hard, namely because he believed his job came first. He was their protector, their guardian, their servant. What he wanted and needed wasn't important when time and history itself was at stake...

...this was one of the many reasons why he looked so much forward to coming home, to spending time at the Domain with his family and his friends. He had a chance to stop playing the role of the hero, the role of the ancient traveler who stopped horrible events from claiming everything, and just be...Link.

Sidon was one of his biggest comforts. He'd always been like this, from the moment they met on that bridge so long ago to right now in this very moment. Gentle, Tender...and oh so soft.

Despite popular belief about Zora scales, Sidon wasn't nearly as tough and "sharp" as many would claim him to be. If anything he was much softer, smoother, and oh so warm. Sure he was "a fish" but he was warm-blooded, and that made snuggling such a delight.

It was a strange juxtaposition. Often it felt to Link like he was holding onto the world and everything in it, hugging it close and keeping everyone who inhabited it comforted and reassured. Telling them it would be okay, even when he wasn't sure if it would be...telling them that time moved on and losses, though not forgotten, got easier and wounds healed.

But here he was, in the worlds arms. Sidon was one of the most important things in his life, he was his world...and there weren't enough words in the common vernacular to describe just how much he adored him. He often got misty eyed just thinking about how much he cherished him, and felt cherished in return whenever he came home.

Sidon was like a love-sponge. He'd soak up all of his affection and pent-up need and become all water-logged and dredged. Only to need one squeeze, or in Link's case a cuddle, for everything to come flooding back out, but ten-fold.

He wasn't aware of what brought them together, but whatever it was, be it fate, divine intervention, coincidence or just luck, something Link rarely believed in, there was no denying that Sidon was the best thing that ever happened to him. He found a companion in him, a friend, a confidant, a lover and later...a husband and King in...he was perfect.

"...I like this." Sidon says after a long silence. "I love these moments. You and me, and the stars."

He says this as he looks out of the Kings suite onto the mountain landscapes that encompass the entire Domain. In his previous room, now Akau's, he hadn't been able to see the skies, but up here in what was originally his Father's suite, everything could be seen.

Link was laying atop him, mainly across his chest, with his head resting in the crook of his neck. This is often how their nights of reunion and love-making ended, with the two of them just laying in the water...sleeping off their exhaustion.

At some point Link would be moved, as almost every time he would awaken the next morning, he'd be in the bed just across the room. Sidon always took care of him, and preferred to tuck him where he would be warm, rather than let him catch a chill in the pool. Not that he could given just how warm they were right now.

"You said you were going to stay a little longer this time..." Sidon comments, reaching up, his large hand running through the Inheritor's hair. "Is there any particular reason why?"

"No..." Link replies, or moreover drones into his neck. He turns his head slightly opening his eyes and looking out over the balconies ahead at the starry sky above the mountains. "I just think I should stick around longer..."

"You think?" Sidon asks next, his hand slipping down to his back.

"Sometimes you just need to stop running, you know?" Link says, taking in a deep breath which turns to a yawn half-way. "...I think now would be a good time for that...I want to do it...I...I need to do it."

"It would be nice to have you back...as I've said." the King smiles at the thought, with Link around more he'd be able to involve him more in the day to day running of the Domain. "But you don't have to be bound here. It's your choice."

"No..." Link shifts a little, looking up at him. "I mean it. I want to stick around some more. Spend time with you, Akau and...everyone else."

"Okay..." Sidon's smile widens to a grin. "I'd like that, Link."

"Yeah..." Link lowers his head, kissing him on the neck. "...me too."

...

TL:DR

LINK WANTS TO TAKE A BREAK FROM BEING INHERITOR TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS FAMILY BACK AT THE DOMAIN. SIDON IS VERY HAPPY ABOUT THIS, AKAU TOO.

NOTES AND OTHER STUFF

This story takes place some centuries after the birth of Prince Akau, Sidon and Link's Son, who has now, much like his Father before him, embraced and taken on the role of Crown Prince.

In this story, Sidon has been King of Zorana for a while, and he and Link are married. This takes place after a major incident in my personal story-arc called "the Resurrection". (Perhaps I'll explain later, for now just know that time has passed and things are slightly different now.)

The Sword of Time, I've mentioned this before. But to give you a basic run down of it. It's a blade that was once weilded by the Hero of Time. When Link became his Inheritor, he was given the blade, along with the responsibilities of keeping the timelines of Solae safe and protected.

Solae is the name of the world that the events of the Legend of Zelda take place on. This not an official canon, just one I made up for my own world. It gives a name to the place they inhabit, and opens the way for other worlds and such.

(Side Note: I have a map of the entire land-mass of Solae, including the Kingdoms of Hyrule, Termina, Ardenfall and others. I'll see about posting it at a later date.)

Link and Sidon HAVE DEFINITELY traveled through time in the past. I like to think they have done this several times, namely for romantic purposes.

Akau MAY or MAY NOT be Link's successor as the Inheritor of Time. It all depends on where the story goes. I've not actually written that far yet.

There's a mention of the Sword Demon Ghirahim in there at one point. He plays a key-part in my AU versions of the Linked Universe characters. (Again, I'll get to that another time.)