#but he would never kill Twilight or Warriors

[birb-boyo]

I don’t know if anybody wants it but here

There’s a ten picture limit so this is pt.1

Linked Universe(but not really) Hunger Games

[inkedinshadows]

What Truly Matters

Pairing: Azriel × reader

Summary: After the war, Y/N has fallen into an unhealthy routine of training and pushing everyone away. But Azriel had enough of it and wants to know why she's doing it.

Warnings: angst, language, mention of child death

Word count: 4.5k

֍֍֍֍֍

Sweat was dripping down her forehead, and Y/N took just a moment to wipe it away with the back of her hand before she got back into position in front of the target and started training again.

During the war with Koschei, the Illyrians had suffered substantial losses. Their victory felt almost like a defeat, and Rhysand had been trying to get them back on their feet since. Y/N was stationed in one of the camps with Azriel to help him do just that, though she had no idea why. As if being female wasn't enough, she wasn't Illyrian. She wasn't even a warrior, for that matter. She didn't understand why Rhys thought she might help. He must've known the Illyrians were only going to sneer and laugh at her.

But she didn't mind. Staying at the camp meant she could train all day. To get better, stronger, faster. So that what had happened during the war would never happen again. She'd fallen into the habit of arriving at the training ring before dawn and leaving after twilight. It helped take her mind off things.

She swung her sword at the dummy target, aiming for its chest, then arms, then head, just like Cassian and Azriel had shown her. She did it again, over and over. Her breaths came in sharp pants, but she never stopped.

She knew Azriel was watching her. He always was these days, but she always ignored it. She ignored him, just like she ignored all her friends and anything that didn't involve physical exercise.

“Y/N.”

From the corner of her eye, she saw Azriel take a step forward. She didn't even look his way as she kept hitting the target.

“Take a break,” he said. She'd heard him use that tone before with the Illyrians. It wasn't a suggestion; it was an order.

Too bad she didn't answer to him.

“I don't need one.” Her words came in between one lunge and the next, her eyes never leaving the dummy.

“You do need one.” Azriel stepped even closer but still kept his distance. “You're going to hurt yourself if you keep pushing like that. Your body needs to recover. You need to rest and eat.”

Y/N gritted her teeth as the next hit reverberated along her arm. Her limbs were sore, yet she welcomed the pain. “I don't. My body is fine.”

Azriel spoke again, something about her unhealthy habits and how she should stop. She did no such thing, and instead put even more effort and strength into her blows.

“You're distracting me.”

He was close enough now that his shadows pooled at her feet, sliding up her legs as if they could stop her. She glared at them for just a second before resuming her movements.

“Do you think I can't see what you're doing?” Azriel’s voice was cold as ice, colder than she'd ever heard. “You're punishing yourself because you think you deserve it. But you're just going to collapse if you don’t stop. Are you trying to die or something?”

“Maybe.”

The word was out before she even realized it. But there it was: the truth, now out in the open. The thought that had been lingering in the back of her mind for months. That maybe she did deserve to die for what she'd done. Or rather, for what she'd failed to do.

She finally looked at Azriel then. She saw the shock on his face, the hurt in his eyes. His shadows retreated back to his side as if even they couldn't stand the truth she'd revealed.

Unable to bear the sight any longer, Y/N wiped her sweat away again, tightened her grip on the hilt, and went back to jabbing, hitting, lunging.

She suddenly stopped mid-blow, her sword raised, the tip just a few inches from Azriel's neck. He'd stepped in front of her faster than she could see and didn't even flinch when her blade almost cut through him.

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” she yelled, her arm falling back to her side. “I could've killed you!”

Azriel didn't look bothered. Whether it was because he knew she'd be able to check that swing or because he would have stopped it himself if she hadn't, she couldn't tell.

“What do you mean, ‘maybe’?” he asked instead. “Do you really believe you need to punish yourself like this?”

She snapped then. “So what if I do? Why do you care? Shouldn't you be overseeing the Illyrians?”

Hurt flashed in his eyes and his jaw set. “You know damn well why I care, Y/N.”

She might know, but she didn't care. Couldn't bring herself to, not anymore.

“What I know is that you should go back to do your job.” She stepped around him to position herself in front of the target again. “And let me do my thing.”

Azriel gripped her elbow, forcing her to turn around and face him. “You're not doing ‘your thing’,” he growled. He was getting angry now. Good. “You've let your training become an obsession. You never stop. You barely sleep. You barely eat. You're hurting yourself, Y/N.”

He was right, and she knew it. But why couldn't he understand? Why couldn't he let her go so she could go back to training? But despite her effort of freeing her arm, his grip didn't loosen.

“So you've noticed things. Congratulations, you're good at your spymaster job.” She bared her teeth at him. “Now let me go, Azriel.”

“No.” His voice was firm and low. It was the voice of the feared Shadowsinger of the Night Court. Y/N might have flinched, if she'd only cared about it. “You're pushing yourself beyond your limits. And you want me to stand by and let you continue like this?”

“Yes, that's exactly what I want you to do. Consider it a favor, an order, a command. Whatever you want as long as you do.” She tried to yank her arm free once more and when she couldn't, she glowered up at him. “Because you know what the alternative to training is?”

He didn't answer, but she noticed the tic in his jaw, the way his brow furrowed for just a second. He was trying to figure it out.

“Did you know,” she started slowly, “that they don't let females buy alcohol here? Especially if they're not even Illyrian. So it's either training or sex, Azriel.” She raised an eyebrow, staring right into his eyes. She stopped struggling against his grip. She knew she was being a bitch, and that none of this was his fault. Just like she knew her next words were going to hurt him, and yet she said them anyway. “Would you prefer that? Would it make you feel better if instead of training, I'd let every Illyrian in this camp fuck me?”

She could tell the exact moment her words struck home. Azriel froze. He went completely, utterly still. Even his shadows halted their usual swirling around his body and wings. But his eyes… She might as well have been staring at rage itself.

“Don't you dare,” he said. His icy tone, so at odds with the anger burning inside him, would send wiser people running from him. But Y/N wasn't exactly being wise right now.

“It's your choice, Azriel.” His grasp on her arm tightened so much it almost hurt, but the slight pain was a welcomed friend. “What will it be? Training or fucking?”

He was silent for a long minute, his eyes locked on her face. And for a moment, she could see it: the Spymaster, the Shadowinger, the one whose sight was enough to frighten people.

They were both aware of what Illyrians would do to her if she sought them out willingly. To them, she was little more than an object, and they'd stayed away so far only out of fear of Azriel's wrath. But if she was the one who approached them, things would be different. Y/N didn’t have any particular desire to let those brutes anywhere near her, but if Azriel was going to take away her training and she wasn't allowed to drink… she had to find another way to either feel something other than grief and guilt, or to numb everything.

“No one is allowed to touch you,” Azriel said through gritted teeth, as if struggling to control his rage. “I won't let them touch you.”

Y/N bit her tongue to keep quiet. A part of her, the one that was hurting and just wished for relief, wanted to lash out and tell him to fuck her himself if no one else was allowed. But another part of her, the one that still cared, knew she couldn't cross that line. She was acting like a spiteful bitch, but she still had limits. She wouldn't hurt Azriel more than she already had.

“Then let me train,” she replied instead. “Let me go, move aside, and let me finish what I was doing.”

“Over my dead body.”

They stared at each other, his hand still on her elbow, hers still holding the sword. She had to find a way to make him leave. She didn't even know why he was still there, still not giving up. She'd pushed everyone else away in the last few months: Elain, Nesta, Rhys… even Feyre and Cassian. All of them. And yet, Azriel was still here.

“Is this because of the children?”

Her heart stopped. Her body froze. Memories flooded her mind: screams and blood and cries; unanswered prayers, ignored pleas and evil laughs.

Suddenly, she moved, too swiftly for even Azriel to react. Yanking her arm away, she stepped back, pointing an accusatory finger at him. “Don't,” she spat. “Don't even mention the children.”

Azriel's shoulders slumped as he realized what was going on. His anger seemed to disappear, and his gaze softened as he took a step forward. But she couldn't bear the pity in his eyes and retreated a step. She'd much rather face his rage than his pity.

Azriel's voice was calm and collected when he spoke again. “I know you're hurting. But this is madness, Y/N. Why are you doing this?”

“Because…” she started, her voice still loud with anger. But just the mention of the children left her feeling drained. Empty and spent, she stared at him without really seeing. There was nothing left inside her but an overwhelming void she had no idea how to fill.

“It should have been me,” she whispered in a flat voice. “It should have been me, Az.”

Her sword clattered to the floor and the cold ground bit at her knees as her legs gave out. Azriel was there in an instant, crouching before her and placing his hands on her shoulders.

“It was the only thing Rhys asked me to do,” she murmured. A sob shook her and tears followed short after. All the tears she hadn't shed since it happened were now flowing like a tidal wave. She didn't care if anyone passing by could see her. “To protect those children and lead them away from the battle. But I failed, and now they're all dead. Because of me.”

“Y/N–”

“The only thing, Az.” She shook her head, her eyes closed. “And I failed him. I failed them. I failed their families. I failed everyone.”

His grip on her shoulders tightened, and then it was the only solid thing as the world turned into shadows and wind. When she looked up, she realized Azriel had winnowed them away from prying eyes and into the cabin they shared at the camp.

“It's not your fault, Y/N,” he said gently. “No one blames you for it.”

“I do.” She pushed away from him, though she didn't try to stand up. Her legs were too sore from all the exercise, and now that she'd stopped and the adrenaline of training had worn off, it would take a while for her body to work the way she wanted it to.

“It's my damn fucking fault and you know it. Everybody knows it, and yet no one acknowledges it.” Anger surged once more and she almost screamed. “No one! Not even Rhys!”

Azriel’s eyes remained soft, his voice still gentle. “Because we know there was nothing you could do, Y/N.”

She couldn’t bear it, that pity. She wanted him to get mad at her, to yell and scream at her and give her the confrontation she needed.

“Nesta took out the soldiers all by herself,” she retorted. “Five soldiers. All by herself.”

“Nesta is a Valkyrie. She has more–”

“More training and experience,” she interrupted, rolling her eyes. “She had the element of surprise and all that. Can people stop repeating that already?”

Cassian had told her. Rhys had told her. Nesta herself. Yet it didn't change the simple fact that when those soldiers had found Y/N and the children, they caught her so off guard she barely had time to draw her blade before they seized her. And then made her watch as they killed the children. They were getting started on her when Nesta found them. Too late. Or too early, by then. A few more minutes, and Y/N would have died too. At least she wouldn't have had to live with that guilt and pain.

“I thanked her, you know,” she added in a whisper, meeting Azriel’s eyes. “Nesta. I thanked her when she saved me. But I didn't mean it.”

Realization dawned on him, and she didn't resist when he pulled her to him. She allowed herself to be enveloped in his arms, and in that moment, with just the two of them, she let go.

Azriel caressed her hair, unfazed by her sweat or the tears soaking his clothes as she cried into his chest. “Shhh,” he whispered in a soothing voice. “It wasn't your fault, sweetheart. Why do you keep punishing yourself like this?”

Deep down, a part of her knew he was right. That even if she'd got the chance to fight back against those soldiers, she wouldn't have been able to take down more than one and the others would have gotten to the children anyway. It didn’t make it any easier though.

“Do you know how old the oldest child was? Did Rhys tell you?” Her voice was muffled by her sobs, her face pressed against the crook of his neck. She continued before he could answer. “He was nine, Az. Nine. The same age my brother was when he…” She trailed off, unable to say the words even after more than a century.

She swallowed in an attempt to calm down and lifted her head to look at Azriel again. “What I'm trying to say is, I know what kind of pain their deaths brought to their families. And knowing I was the reason for it… it's just… it’s too much.”

A flicker of anger sparked in his eyes. “You know what kind of pain it brings,” he echoed. “So why push yourself until you collapse? Why would you bring that same pain upon your own family?”

“You know my family doesn't care if I live or die,” she retorted, her voice a bit sharper.

Azriel clenched his jaw. “Not your parents, Y/N,” he growled. “Your real family. Cassian would be crushed. Feyre broken. Even Amren. And… and me.” There was a vulnerability now in his voice that she'd never heard before. “I would care. I would be devastated. Not just as your friend, but… No, not just as your friend.”

She could only stare at him. Her real family. Not the one she was born into, but the one she'd chosen. The one that had chosen her back. How could she ever forget that?

Cassian, Feyre, Rhys, Nesta, Elain, Mor, Amren. All of them.

Azriel. Did he know?

Not just as your friend.

He probably did. But it didn't matter now.

She had pushed them all away. Because it was easier than accepting that they were right, that there was nothing she could have done to save those children. It was easier to stay away than to see their faces and know they weren't angry at her for failing, when she couldn't forgive herself.

“I'm sorry.” Another sob tore through her as she hugged Azriel. “I'm so sorry, Az… you're my family. I don't know why I lost sight of that.”

His hand drew soothing circles on her back. “Grief and guilt can do that,” he said softly. “They make you forget who you are and what truly matters… who matters.”

Azriel rested his chin on top of her head. They stayed like that for what could have been hours. Y/N kept crying all the tears she'd bottled up since the war until she was spent and her eyes stung, but never once did Azriel’s embrace falter. He held her through it all.

“Do you think they can forgive me?” she eventually asked.

“Yes,” he answered without hesitation. “I know they will. They're your family, Y/N. They're just worried about you.”

She lifted her head then, looked in his eyes and found concern staring back at her. “Can you forgive me?”

“Y/N, sweetheart.” Azriel cupped her cheeks, his thumbs brushing away the last of her tears. “Of course I can. I already have.” He smiled, and it started to heal something inside her. “Just promise me you won't push us away again. Let us, let me, help you.”

Y/N closed her eyes and took a deep breath before nodding. Azriel was right. She couldn't keep pushing away her friends, her family. And maybe she'd never get to the point of not blaming herself for the death of those children, but with some help she could learn how to live with the guilt.

“Good. That's the Y/N I know.”

She looked at Azriel again, only to see that soft smile still gracing his lips. She’d always loved that smile.

Azriel stood up and offered her his hand. She took it immediately and let him help her up. And then she realized there was a small smile on her own lips, the first one in months. Since the children.

“Now, will you let me cook you something?” Azriel let go of her hand and turned around toward the small kitchen counter. “You need to start eating healthy again.”

Y/N appreciated his thoughtfulness, but she still found herself saying, “I thought it was the other way around.”

“What was?” he asked with a glance, his focus already on this new task. Tendrils of shadows were spreading around as if eager to contribute.

She didn't know why she'd said that. Maybe she could still change the subject or come up with some other stupid answer. And yet she couldn't stop the words already on her tongue. “Isn't the female supposed to be the one offering food to her mate?”

Azriel turned to her then. His face seemed a bit paler than before. “You know.”

She smiled. A real, full smile as she nodded. “If I hadn't known already, you kind of gave it away earlier. ‘Not just as your friend, but…’?” She shrugged. “It was pretty obvious, to be honest.”

He still looked a little wary, though. “How long have you known?”

“Since last spring.”

“That was more than a year ago.”

Y/N cocked her head. “So how long have you known?”

“Just a couple months.” Azriel's gaze bore into her. “Why didn't you say anything a year ago?”

This was not how she had imagined this conversation to go. Not in a cabin in a war camp lost in the Illyrian mountains. Definitely not after months during which she hadn't allowed herself to feel anything beyond grief and guilt until she was drowning in them. But she was glad that the truth was finally coming to light, no matter how unexpected it was.

“I wanted to, Az, trust me. But I didn't know how, and… a part of me hoped you'd want me regardless of the bond.” Y/N sighed and she shook her head, as if to chase away her thoughts. “But the war started soon after that, and everything happened, and I just… I shut everything out. Even the bond.”

“Y/N.” He closed the space between them and took her hands in his, giving them a gentle squeeze. His eyes were soft, his tone gentle. “I've wanted you for a long time. Long before I even knew you were my mate.”

She hadn't seen that coming. Azriel wanted her? And he had for a while, apparently. “Why didn't you say anything then?” she questioned without even trying to hide her surprise.

“Because I was afraid it'd ruin our friendship.” The vulnerability in his voice made her brace herself for what he might say next. “That you might not… love me the way I love you.”

Her heart was pounding and she could only stare into his eyes. He loved her. There'd been a time when hearing him say those three little words was everything she hoped for. But he didn’t think she loved him back. Well, she couldn't really blame him for it. Not after how she'd been acting lately.

Y/N let the wall she'd erected around the bond come down. She let her feelings flow toward Azriel’s end of it. She held back her pain and her guilt and her grief, but the love she'd pushed down and refused to acknowledge for months flooded the mating bond.

It was met halfway by Azriel’s love.

She shuddered at the intensity of it all. After all the time feeling barely anything, it was almost overwhelming. Y/N welcomed it in her soul and let it wrap around the broken pieces of her heart.

Azriel's smile was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. “Does that mean you will accept the bond?”

She nodded, smiling as well and holding his hands a bit tighter. “Of course I will,” she answered. “But not now. I want to get better first. To learn how to cope with all this guilt. And then I'll cook you anything you want.”

He seemed surprised and for a moment Y/N thought he might not understand her decision. But then he cupped her cheeks. “That's very wise,” he murmured, leaning in to brush a kiss on her forehead. “You can take all the time you need, sweetheart. I'll be with you every step of the way.”

She hugged him tightly, with no intention of letting him go anytime soon. New tears swelled up in her eyes, but she tried to hold them back this time.

She'd ignored her feelings for Azriel and their mating bond as an additional way to punish herself, but a part of her also believed she didn't deserve him after her failure. But now… maybe it had all been a huge mistake after all.

Azriel wrapped her in his arms and wings, his chin resting on the top of her head as his scent enveloped her. Night-chilled mist and cedar. As familiar as her own, if not more. It soothed her, made her feel safe. It was a beacon toward the light, toward home, after months lost in the darkness.

“You know, I should thank Rhys,” she whispered after a few minutes.

“Rhys?” Azriel pulled back to look down at her, confusion clear on his face and in his voice. “For what?”

“Well,” she started with a little shrug, “we all know you don't really need my help with the Illyrians. I'm kind of useless. And I doubt I'm here so I can train till I pass out.” She gave him an apologetic look before she went on. “I think Rhys sent me here because of you. Because he knew that if there was someone who could help me, it'd be you, Az.”

Azriel thought it over, but she could see he was inclined to believe it too. “Do you think he knows we're mates?”

Y/N frowned. “I don't know. I never told anyone.”

“Me neither.” He shook his head. “But you're right. We'll thank him when we go back to Velaris.”

“Hopefully soon,” she muttered with a sigh. “I have a lot of apologizing to do.”

Azriel caressed her cheek, forcing her to look at him. “They'll forgive you, Y/N. What matters to them is that you get better. I can promise you that.”

It was her turn to bring her hands up to his cheeks and gently cup them. She was so grateful to have him at her side. “I'm glad it's you,” she said, her voice soft. “I'm glad you're my mate, Az.”

His smile lit up his whole face. He slowly leaned in, and she held her breath as he brushed his lips against hers. It wasn't exactly a kiss, more like the promise of one, but it was enough to leave behind a tingling sensation when he pulled back.

“And I'm glad you are mine, Y/N,” he murmured, smiling down at her. “But now you should really eat something. Go take a bath, maybe, and food will be ready when you come back.”

Y/N chuckled as she took a step back. “That's why you didn't kiss me? Because I stink?”

Azriel's eyes widened, but he quickly relaxed again. He looked relieved that she was trying to joke. It was a step toward getting back to her usual self.

“I did not say you stink. But you've been training all day and you're all sweaty,” he answered, continuing before she could reply. “And I didn't kiss you because I know that if I start… I might never want to stop.”

She studied him for a moment, her brow furrowed. “I'm not sure I believe you, but that's a better reason for sure.” Y/N left a light kiss on his cheek. “Thank you. For everything.”

Azriel was already shaking his head. “You don't have to thank me. Not for helping you. I'll always do it gladly.”

“And that's exactly why I'm thanking you, Az.” She smiled, brushing his hand while she turned to walk out and toward the bathroom.

The path ahead might be full of obstacles and setbacks, and she wasn't foolish enough to believe she could wake up tomorrow without feeling guilty, but she had Azriel to help her now. The rest of her family as well, once she apologized and explained why she'd shut them out.

More importantly, she was willing to let them help and to heal. She was tired of feeling this way and wanted to get better. For her own wellbeing, sure, but also to give Azriel the best version of herself because he deserved no less than that.

And when she was ready, she'd accept the mating bond and they'd start their life together.

[rupeenotruby]

I see all this discussion of who should pair up but may I suggest who should not pair up. (continued below)

Sure Hyrule has done dungeons but his puzzle solving techniques are:

kill thing(s)

push block

get key

bomb wall

walk through wall

maybe set something on fire???

Like there are a few unique puzzles (like the one with food) but in general... Yeah. And don't get me started on dungeon items. Very few of the items in loz1+2 are even necessary for completing the dungeon you get them in. (this is especially pronounced in aol as only the handy glove is used to complete a palace?? (I think??) The other ones just let you get to the next palace.)

Thus Hyrule would not be the best Link to pair with the one who's never done a dungeon. All he really brings is knowledge of dungeon monsters and the ability to kill them but I think Wars has the killing part covered. Might be a funny though...

Personally the most interesting Link to pair with Hyrule would probably be Wild as Wild doesn't have much traditional dungeon experience (and even less with dungeon monsters) but he does do a lot of unique puzzle solving. They balance each other out with Hyrule being able to kill things and navigate and Wild being able to better solve the puzzles. I mean Hyrule isn't stupid (or has at least 6ish years of Triforce of Wisdom radiation in him) and could probably solve a new-fangled puzzle but they are a team for a reason! Also Wild has infinite bombs. Which is very important.

Frankly the I'd like to see paired up the least are Warriors (for above reasons) and Legend. LOOK!! here me out. I like the downfall duo as much as the next guy. It's just when it comes to dungeons Legend outclasses Hyrule in every aspect. There's no puzzle Hyrule's done that Legend hasn't and there is no item Hyrule has that Legend doesn't (or doesn't have an equivalent to. Ladder my beloved). I feel like Hyrule wouldn't really have anything to do? Legend is just to op in this scenario. I mean if they do end up together I trust jojo to make it work. But right now... I think there are better options.

I also think that Sky and Twilight would work well with Hyrule (though I want to see Sky go with Time) as from my impressions of the games (still working on SkSw though) is that their dungeon items are used really well in the dungeons (I've heard that SkSw does it better though) which would contrast nicely with Hyrule. Plus Twi owes him one.

I don't think I'd mind Wind or Four either I just don't know much about their games and thus their dungeons.

(Also not the best text art I've done. This was supposed to be quick. Still took me two days. (lol))

Back to our regularly scheduled stuff after this!

[tenderleavesbob]

Wild's era was great and vast, filled with things which loved to ruin Warriors's day. It certainly wasn't Warriors's favorite era.

Sometimes, though, it wasn't bad. Warriors grinned when Wind yelped and tightened his arms around him. "Different from a boat, huh?" Warriors called.

"You're all crazy!" Wind snapped. Wild and Twilight rode alongside them, both grinning at the boy. The stallion under them tossed his hair, as if hearing Wind's insult.

Wild's era was vast, with open fields which were great for riding. Time led the way on a giant horse Wild called "Bob." Sky rode a gentle mare, having insisted that he could ride by himself. It wasn't too different from a loftwing, he said. Warriors thought he seemed to be enjoying himself, at least. Four rode with Time, Legend with Wild, and Hyrule with Twilight. Warriors was shocked that so few of them had riding experience. He was even more shocked when their veteran admitted to preferring traveling by foot and avoiding horses when offered.

"We could have walked!" Legend shouted now.

Warriors laughed. If looks could kill, Warriors, his horse, Wind, and everyone at the stable where they obtained the horses would all have fallen then.

"Kakariko is too far by foot," Wild retorted. "We would never get there!"

"I've walked farther!"

"It would take days."

"I still prefer my boat," Wind grumbled against Warriors's back.

Warriors couldn't stop grinning. "But this is fun, right?"

"You don't -- We be losin' Sky."

Warriors looked up and started calling out, but Wild was already veering his horse to where Sky was turning southward. There was a small grove of apple trees not far away, and Warriors bet Sky's mare had seen them. "On it!"

Time slowed his horse in front of them. With all of the extra weight, Warriors knew they would need to take a break soon, anyway. Four sat in front of Time, and to Warriors's amusement, he looked fast asleep. He guessed horseback riding didn't bother him too much. "Everyone all right?"

"Help!" Sky called.

"Let's go that way!" Hyrule cheered. "I want to see what's over there."

"We're fine," Warriors replied drolly.

"Mostly," Twilight added.

Time sighed and looked over the small group. Wild urged his stallion to run fast to catch up to Sky, and Warriors could hear Legend yelling insults.

From this angle, Warriors could also see his smile.

"We should --" Time started.

"Go a little further and then take a break," Warriors interrupted. His cheeks were beginning to hurt as he smiled at Time. He knew Legend would enjoy himself if given the opportunity. "It'll be lunchtime soon, right?"

"Don't you dare jump that fence, Wild! Don't!"

Time rolled his eye, but Warriors saw him smile a little. "Right. Let's give them a chance to catch up and then we'll keep going."

"It looks like they need help, Twilight!" Hyrule said. His eyes were sparkling. From his angle, Twilight couldn't see it, but no one could mistake the glee in Hyrule's voice.

"Lots of help!" Wind chirped. "C'mon, Captain!"

Warriors winked at Time and steered his stallion southward. "I suppose you're right, Sailor."

"Make sure to go that way," Hyrule added, pointing at the fence Wild had just jumped. "It looks the quickest!"

"The quickest," Twilight echoed. He met Warriors's eyes, and the pair grinned at each other. With a sharp shout and a nudge of their heels, their horses sprinted toward their lost team members.

It turned out jumping over the fence was the quickest way to get back to where Time waited, too.

[c0smoshit]

Hug headcanons!!

⋆ ࣪. ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤 ≫ time, warriors, twilight, wild, sky and sage (totk)

⋆ ࣪. 𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 ≫ don't read if you hate awful amounts of fluff, not proofread!

⋆ ࣪. 𝔸/ℕ ≫ I'm planning on writing more headcanons about not only linked universe but other fandoms, let me know if you like them :))

Time

★ Def wouldn't hug u at first ( he is the princess knight after all )

★ But when he warms up to you, be ready to recieve the biggest hugs ever

★ Would hold your nape, pulling you closer to his neck, letting your arms freely wrap around him

★ Idk but he gives off the vibes of pulling off long hugs, just breathing into you and taking all of you in

"We're ba-"

He didn't even finish his sentence as he felt his breath being violently taken away from his lungs. And when he lowered his eyes to see your head crushed into his chest, he let down his guard.

Some stared at you, others whispered under their breaths and the rest just didn't care. And he didn't either, he enjoyed the warmth you seemed to pass to his cold body, pressing your front closer to him as a hidden grin painted itself on his lips.

But he was happy to be back with the rest of the group, and he ceirtanly wasn't the only one.

Warriors

★ This cocky mf acts like he doesn't care if you hug him, but he is dying inside

★ He finally got to feel you closer to him, and he would kill to have you this close once again

★ And that's a win win

★ Expect some unexpected bone-crushing hugs after your first one as he has already taken the clue that you weren't uncomfortable

★ This boy is desesperate

"I'm alright, I'm alright"

He then patted your back, his other arm still grabbing his sword. Although you couldn't see it, he had a huge smirk plastered on his face that soon would be pried off his face.

"Oh? Alright then"

Your teasing tone never failed to leave him blushing under his cocky facade, so when you pried yourself off his chest mimicking his smirk he was so confused.

Your back was soon turned to him and he wished he hadn't opened up his mouth in the first place.

"Wait-"

Twilight

★ He literally can transform himself into a wolf so expect the warmest hugs ever

★ He would always try to be as close as you as possible, always using some excuses as if to lend you his hand whenever you had to climb something, shield ready to protect you from any attack

★ The fur he has on his tunic doubles up cozy points ;)

★ He would definitely be the type to cuddle anywhere right after you gave him a small hug

"You're freezing, y/n"

Your eyes found his own ones, bathed in the comfortable hues of orange that the makeshift fire was able to emit. You tried to nod it off, telling him that you were okay, but he saw the way you were trembling under your clothes.

"Come here"

In just two words he got you entirely over him, the moment he opened up his tunic for you to sit on his lap as he tried to warm both of you up, you were at his complete mercy.

"Much better"

Your muttered out words made his heart ache, seeing your form clinging into him as you hid your face on his neck was definitely something else. His surprisingly hot hands soon travelled to your back drawing soothing circles into your skin.

Wild

★ He goes absolutely mad

★ The moment you wrap your arms around him he is absolutely at your mercy

★ He could spent days with you clinging on him, and he surely would cling onto you all day long

★ He would and will give you surprise hugs, whenever you are doing some tasks outside or just whenever your back is facing him

★ Absolutely adores teasing you ;)

Your loud shriek filled the whole inn you guys stopped by to rest.

The reason?

A sneaky bastard that happened to wrap his arms around your waist and lift you up in the air. Thanks to the corner of your eye, you could see his characteristic blue tunic, so you were a bit less spooked out.

"Link!"

His chuckle mixed with the soft sway of the afternoon leafs were the only thing that filled up your mind now. That and his strong arms placing you back down on the ground, your hands holding them for dear life as you felt his face smashed on your shoulder.

He really acted like an hyperactive puppy

Sky

★ Okay so this man, sleep

★ Loves, loves, loves deep and prolonged hugs. He feels as if you were a blanket surrounding his body.

★ So whenever he had to share a room with you in a inn or something he would "accidentaly" book one with only one bed available

★ wink wink

★ And god, the way he cuddles 10/10, would recommend

His legs were a mess mixed with your own ones, your nose pressed into his collarbone as he snored peacefully into the dawn. His arms secured you by your back with a force you didn't even know where it came from since he was asleep.

You didn't notice the way he had enveloped your body with his own one but you were too tired to care. Happily snuggling into his neck as you enjoyed this restful moment.

Looking up into his face before your weary eyes closed themselves, you saw the most serene expression you had ever seen on anyone before.

The perfect cuddle buddy

Sage

★ I see him as a more chill version of Wild

★ Always ready to recieve and give the greatest hugs you or he could give

★ Would literally think you hate him if one day you forgot to hug him before waving him goodbye

★ Adores being as close to you as possible, listening to your endless anecdotes

"Hey there"

Your soft voice never failed to make him weak on the knees, arms wrapping themselves around your waist as he looked over your shoulder to whatever food you were making.

Silence fell over the room, just both of your mixed breaths and the sonorous sound of your knife chopping some vegetables.

He would often whine when you had to move from your spot, reaching some other utensil. He also weighed heavier as his body would slump into yours, snoozing into nirvana on your shoulder.

He never failed to make you feel so cheerily dumb

[maple-the-awesome]

Body Swap || Part 2/2

Part 1 ||

Pairings: Legend, Time, Twilight, Warrior x Reader

Overview: A wizard's spell leaves you both in a state of confusion, especially upon realizing you're no longer in your assigned bodies. No Wind for this one, so we'll just give him a cookie and spare him the trauma for today -.-/🍪 The other boys are at my mercy, though

Zelda Masterlist 💙Fandom Masterlist

Panic ensues nearly the second your situation becomes realized. Legend frantically tugs at his hair and clothing, hoping this to be some sort of illusion cast by that wizard, however his senses only confirm his fears: you've switched bodies.

You're him and he's you which probably shouldn't be as big of a deal as he makes it out to be considering how much worse this could've gone, after all, a greater enemy might've caused actual harm, yet that doesn't stop him from being upset.

Out of everyone this could've happened with - out of all nine of his traveling companions - why did this have to happen with you, the only girl in the group?! Nevermind that you're also his crush!

"I can't believe this..." He groans, picking at another strand of hair and holding it in front of his face. Alas, the color isn't the same as his usual faded pink, "Give me back my body!"

You whip your head around at Legend's demand, finding yourself mildly offended by it which is shown through the placement of your hands on your hips, "Don't you think I would if I could? Like it or not, I think we're stuck like this –"

"- Are you kidding me -?!"

"- Until the spell either wears off or we find a way to reserve it," You narrow your eyes when he interrupts. Standing, you dust yourself while he copies the action except with some added complaints and curses mumbled under his breath.

"I can't believe this. Of course, this is how my day would end. I can't ever catch a break, can I?! The others are never going to let this go. It's all we're going to hear about for the next week!"

"Geeze, I didn't know a day in my body would be so terrible for you."

Legend frowns, not intending to make you feel bad. It's not like you asked for any of this yourself. You’re equally as inconvenienced. It's just...reeeally weird and uncomfortable knowing that he's technically you right now. He's currently in the body of the girl he finds most attractive and sometimes daydreams about –

"I'm sure you're not having any more fun than I am. Let's just get out of here and find a solution as fast as possible, okay?" Legend hastily grabs your hand, intending on getting you both out of this dungeon before you can notice the redness to his cheeks (at least, he's sure he'd be blushing if in his own body right now. Is it even visible on your cheeks, though?), however almost as soon as he pulls, he's nearly thrown back against your unmoving weight.

Kill him now. He isn't used to not having his power bracelets.

"Did you...want me to follow you?"

"...Obviously..."

"Do you also want me to hold your hand so you don't get lost?" You give his hand a squeeze, all the while wearing a shit-eating grin that makes his face even warmer than before.

"...Forget it and fuck off," With that, he drops your hand and marches off, yet you aren't far behind, chasing after him while clearly having too much fun with his reaction.

"You know, this is usually the point when you ask me if I'm on my time of month! Is that your problem, Vet? You're already hormonal after just a few minutes in a girl's body?"

Has his laugh always been this obnoxious? Does he owe Warrior an apology?

"...Well, this is troublesome."

Your eye twitches after Time's calm 'evaluation' of the situation, "...'Troublesome'? You THINK?! You know, when I woke up this morning, I did not expect to end up becoming a sixty-year-old man -!"

"- Sixty? Is that how old you think I am?"

"Well, you act like it sometimes!" You defend, huffing at the end of your sentence before trying to rise onto your feet which still feel wobbly due to that wizard's spell. It takes you a second - and you almost tumble forward like a newborn giraffe, causing you to start swinging your arms around in a desperate attempt to regain balance - but eventually you do succeed in the basic human function called 'standing', "We need to find the Veteran. This is his stupid world, so I'm blaming him for this happening!"

Time, meanwhile, takes pity upon you by letting your previous comment slide. Unlike you, he easily gets to his feet as if ending up in someone else's body is an everyday occurrence for him. His new height is something you take immediate notice of, mentally noting how strange it is to be looking down at someone – let alone him – from so far up. Is this how it always feels for him? No wonder he took on the mantel of being the 'dad' of the group so quickly. You all probably look like literal children to him!

"Thank Hylia we camped close to the dungeon. The others should be getting ready for dinner at this point, so they'll all be in attendance to take joy in our misery," You smile sarcastically with a wave of your hand, however you only take a few steps forward before turning around and realizing that Time isn't following you. His face also looks rather...alarmed?

"...You okay there?"

He hums and gives you an awkward thumbs up, yet that doesn't change his expression any nor does he immediately move to follow you. He simply stands there, his face bright with embarrassment until he finally clears his throat, "I...think I might've had an accident?"

"An 'accident'...?" You scrunch your nose, needing a moment to understand what he could possibly mean. Did he just piss himself as you? You would've thought he'd have more self-control even if he isn’t technically himself. Sure, it might be scary opening your eyes to find yourself in someone else's body, but it's not that scary to warrant - ...Oooh...You get what he means now...

When the realization sinks in, you can feel your own face grow warm. You had forgotten all about that, "Oh shit. I, um...Yeah that's not – It's harmless, really. You'll be fine, it's just -...You know what, just don't worry about, okay? Let's focus on getting ourselves switched back around first. You, uh...gonna be okay dealing with it for now?"

Sympathy laces your voice, however it isn’t exactly strong enough to hide your embarrassment. Seriously, could this get anymore modifying? You weren't trying to think about the whole 'my-crush-is-currently-in-my-body' thing, but you definitely can't ignore it now! Out of all the days of the month this could happen - How embarrassing for you both!

Fortunately, Time, ever the brave gentlemen, nods, that be it slowly and unsurely, "If you can do it your whole life, I can manage for a day..."

"That's the spirit!" Please, please, please say Legend knows a solution for this because you will absolutely die if you have to talk Time through a 'change' of certain materials tonight.

“Oh no…”

“What do you mean by ‘oh no’? What happened? Are you hurt?” Twilight’s voice – which doesn’t really sound like his own – gets progressively more concerned by each question until he finally manages to escape the wall of smoke around him. Once finally receiving a clear view of his hands, he suddenly understands the meaning behind your less-than-thrilled expression.

“That’s what I mean by ‘oh no’,” You frown, watching as he flips his hands around front and back to confirm the notable difference he sees. It would be difficult to ignore how much smaller and smoother they’ve gotten…or to turn a blind eye to all the other major variations throughout the entirely of his body.

“Has anything like this happened to you before?” Whatever surprise you have towards your shared predicament is either quickly recovered from or masked well, because you don’t hesitate to pick yourself up and start collecting your fallen belongings – or rather Twilight’s – from the ground.

“Can’t say it has. I’m guessin’ you’re in the same boat?”

“Yeah, this is the first time I can knock ‘switching bodies’ off the bingo board,” You shake your head, pausing to watch him stand as well, “I know Wind mentioned being able to control other people’s bodies or something like that before. ‘not sure if it’s the same or if he’d know how to fix this.”

“Even if not, we’re in Legend’s world. He’d have to know some kind of solution,” Twilight sighs, going to place a hand on his hip out of habit, but he instantly decides against it in a quick movement he hopes wasn't too obviously. Even if he's consciously in this body, it's still yours. Touching his hip now would be no different from touching your hip any other time which is NOT a friendly place for hands to be! At least that's what his awkward brain tells him.

Trying not to dwell too much on any of that, he makes himself useful by plucking your dropped sword off the ground and returning it to your scabbard the same way you had done with his before reaching down to grab -

“- Don’t touch that!” You’re startled to a halt by Twilight’s sudden shout and turn to give him a puzzled look as he gulps while eyeing the shadow shard you were inches away from picking up next, “It, uh…It’s sharp.”

You narrow your eyes suspiciously at him, and for a second he’s worried he might just have to tackle you to prevent you from touching the object in question (which now that he’s considering it, would probably only be as effective as a sparrow attacking a horse seeing as you’ve switched bodies not to mention you’d only have more reason to question him in that case but -)

“- All you Links are such terrible liars,” You huff after a minute. Nevertheless, you step aside and allow Twilight to pick up the necklace himself. He’s careful to only touch the string and tuck it securely in a pocket because the very last thing he needs added to this day is you finding out one of his greatest secrets by literally becoming it yourself which would then undoubtably lead to his second greatest secret being discovered, after all, it's one thing for a random wolf to let you give him kisses free of charge, but there'll be a lot more to unravel there if you find out it's been your travel companion the whole time.

"Okay. Try not to panic. There has to be some way to reverse this - ARE YOU CHECKING ME OUT RIGHT NOW?!"

Warrior jumps with a start after having been caught, although he must not be too embarrassed because he doesn’t immediately remove his hands from their place on his hips nor does he show much shame in currently having his body turned at an angle to look at his – or more importantly – your back side, “What?! You do it to yourself all the time!”

"T-That’s not - When I'm in my own body!” You stammer, blushing at the realization that you apparently haven’t been as subtle with your habit of checking your own appearance here and there, “Excuse me if I don’t want to walk around looking like a mess with dirt and leaves stuck to my backside! I’m not over here looking at your dick!”

"I hardly think you can equate that to an ass," He deadpans.

"Well, I'm not looking at your ass, either, pervert!"

At last, something you say seems to get to him, your words causing Warrior to bow his head with a pout and that shared discomfort he should’ve had from the beginning, “I’m not a pervert. If it’s such a big deal, then you can come over here and fix the backside of this tunic. It’s riding up on me and it’s driving me crazy.”

You blink then glance around him to notice that your tunic is indeed all out of sorts, one end lifted and tucked in your belt. It must’ve gotten stuck that way during your fight with that wizard…Now you just feel like an idiot…

“…Oh.”

“Oh,” Warrior mocks with a roll of his eyes, not saying much else – perhaps out of pity - as he waits for you to help fix the tunic correctly, although truthfully he’s just busy redirecting his eyes and cursing himself internally for not having explained the situation from the start. He maybe-kinda spaced the fact that he’s currently in your body and didn’t consider the implications of what it would look like for you to see him fussing over your back end. How were you to know he was simply fixing your tunic? He really did probably look like a massive pervert.

“There,” You finally step away.

“Thanks,” He coughs into his fist awkwardly with his opposite hand rubbing the back of his neck. Even in a different body, he carries the same nervous habits, “Uh, sorry. I didn’t mean to –“

“- No. No, you’re fine. I, uh, should’ve had more trust in you," You mumble, running a hand over your hot face before shaking your head. You need to get it together, "Come on. Let's just get out of here and find a way to fix this before any other misunderstandings can happen."

Warrior nod and follows after you out of the dungeon without another word to be said. He won't say it aloud - He refuses to even admit it to himself because he's supposed to be a gentleman and what if you've suddenly become a mind reader?...But if you were to for some reason ask his opinion, you do in fact have a fine ass.

[bokettochild]

I just saw a post asking which Link would make the best villain and....

It's Time guys

Like, I love the man, but let's be real; he's a second from snapping and committing atrocities.

Twilight is so thoroughly traumatized by the vision the spirits gave him and Fi's judgement of him that he literally can't stand messing with magic that isn't actually his own or connected to him. And while, sure, he doesn't need magic to be a villain, let's be real, it'd take something magical to force him to turn his back on everything he's ever fought for.

Similarly, Wild fought and died for his kingdom, and his people. There is nothing and no one worse than what he's already seen that could possibly make him turn his back on it all and throw his work down the drain just to destroy everything he'd built himself.

Legend is the same. he's been doing this far too long to ditch now. Granted, he's a grump, but if you look at his games, you see he's a highly empathetic and caring person. Unlike the others, who were tasked with saving the world by a mentor or friend, or had to go and save a friend or family member, or who where sworn to duty; Legend was literally some kid who was asked by an utter stranger to help, and did. Six times. No way someone like that is going to go and destroy everything.

And Wind! Wind is a moral guy, with a good heart. he set out for personal reasons and saw in his journey that there were bigger fish to fry, and he fried them. He had no reason to take it on, no call of the goddess, no responsibility, no reason for him, a child, to go and save the world as well as his sister, but he did it anyway.

Sky and Warriors are simply too devout. Warriors to the kingdom and it's people; with everything he suffered for them, you can't tell me the man isn't dedicated to serving his country. And Sky is loyal to Sun, who is Hylia, so he literally would never go against her. And by the law of the Zelda universe, villains are those who go against Hylia and Hyrule.

Four is an iffy one. Most people might say "but Vio was a villain!" but let's be real; if you read the manga, you know Vio was bluffing all along. If Vio, part of Four, didn't bow even under Shadow's influence, and Vaati's, and Ganon's, then again; who and what would drive this man to become a villain? Granted, the persuing of dark magic to bring back his lost friend could be argued, but is more likely to lead to his corruption than his attempting to take over Hyrule and kill innocents.

Hyrule is tough, since we have very little to work off of in cannon, but come on, even if Hyrule did turn to evil, he wouldn't exactly be able to do much. Hyrule's already in ruins in his time, and the monsters wouldn't hear of working beside him. He'd have everyone against him, and even if he does hold the triforce in it's entirety and thus could do all sorts of horrible things, he has neither motivation nor reason to turn away to becoming a villain.

Time though......

Time has watched the world burn and all his efforts be turned around and lost. He has lost everything so many times, usually with no reward or reason. In the end, Time, though a good man, cares more for the individual than the country. He cares about his wife and his boys, and based off the scars, we can only guess what lengths he's already gone to in order to accomplish his goals.

Time, if faced with the right issue, has every risk of dropping from defender to threat. Hyrule be damned, this man cares for his wife, his kids, his home, and if you threaten that, no matter who you are, he will go after you. He's one second away from going after Hylia and all she has done to him and those around him. He detests the Blade of Evil's bane, the symbol of Hylia's blessing. He borders every moment on the precipice of taking power beyond mortals to fulfill his own wishes, even if it is to help those he loves.

Put Malon in danger, heck, one of the boys, and Time won't let something silly like morals stop him from doing whatever it takes to protect what little that is still his and hasn't already been taken from him. He will fight tooth and nail not to lose anything else, and he won't let even the goddesses stop him.l

[weepingtalecowboy]

Fanfic prompt : Wind has the most ridiculous most overpowered skill set ever created

Like he can hold an entire pig over his head and throw it (with no trouble he probably got banned from handling animals at Lon Lon ranch very quickly)

He can hold a rito and throw her as well (and a korok too I suppose but Makar probably weighs like less then four apples)

And he can carry a hammer heavy enough to kill a monster on impact (and for that you need a force of at the very least a car crash at 180 miles per hour and the skull hammer has a very small impact Area so it probably needs even more force to kill at impact) and swing that thing with no trouble and even jump with it (Warriors probably exploded when he tried to carry it for wind and face planted)

He can walk in boots heavy enough to weigh down a child effortlessly (that kid never skipped leg day to do that a kick of his probably can kill a man with minimal effort)

And with the power bracelets he can pick up entire boulders the size of buildings and throw them very far and most importantly he can throw them hard enough that they shatter into dust

He can get flung across the entire great sea with no problem and hit a wall at full speed and not die (when the first attack on ganondorf failed and when the weird pearl carrying things exploded one after another)

Like that is some great ability to tank damage

Nobody in the chain could win in an arm wrestling against him and the kid isn’t even an adult yet (even twilight who can carry goats is still not capable of yeeting them would have a lot of trouble and twilight is an fully grown and trained adult not a 13 year old )

And that is just the physical part the magical part is even more horrifying

He can use fire , ice and light all with his own magic (even Hyrule is incapable off using light and legend still needs a fire rod for fire)

He just collects arrows and and then uses magic on them (he can probably use it without arrows because the arrows have little to do with innate magic)

He probably can heal someone with the light magic too (and ice a bruise at once)

And start a fire

The chain is probably going to taverns and then starting shit by betting on Wind while he murders the competition (and then collecting an easy profit from it)

And we are not even talking about the Wind waker because that stick absolutely annihilates the power scaling of the chain

He can Mind control with the command melody (a safe way to let time use the fierce deity mask because he can canonically control goddess statuettes a mask is much easier)

The blood moon is rising

No it’s not now it’s day again (song of passing and then constantly changing the night to daytime)

Hurricanes to fast travel well obviously why the fuck not (if he can take an entire boat with him 8 extra people are an easy job)

Change the wind back and forth just because it is convenient

In phantom hourglass :

Seeing ghosts

Stopping time

Walking through walls

And he had used the life force of a literal god to have enough life force to make it through temples (like that definitely has consequences)

And incapable of getting nightmares (because Cielia promised to forever protect his dreams)

Like I’m sure the chain thought that wind is an actual god or divine mercy for their adventure

If Wind thinks he is the weakest and that his ability is pretty normal and not trying to hide anything it gets so much more ridiculous

Like little guy is a god and didn’t notice

[uniquevoidflowers]

I made a fic for @kikker-oma’s art~

Ao3 link:

Link to art:

Warnings: Blood, Temporary Character Death

Legend sat down at an inn bed with his thoughts. He tapped his foot on the carpeted floor, and looked up at the white ceiling.

“Don’t be a bully, vet. Sky doesn’t deserve that.”

Twilight’s words rang through his head, his eyes stinging. He had been pretty mean hadn’t he? 

The ranch hand was right, the chosen hero didn’t deserve Legend’s remarks. Sky was the kindest and most heroic soul the vet had met.

So why had he said those things?

The vet rubbed at his eyes, not wanting to cry.

A bully.

It made Legend want to scream. His goal was to help people right? If he couldn’t do that…if he was the exact opposite then…what use was Legend? 

The veteran wouldn’t give up so easily though. He’d try to change, and apologize to Sky. He thought over it, trying to picture what he was going to say. He hoped Sky would forgive him, no matter how futile it was. 

The veteran stood up off the bed, pulling off his blue cap and laying it on a side table. He took a deep breath and opened the door when—

“HELP!”

Legend rushed out the door and followed the cries of help, heart pounding. He found a young lady, crying and holding a man’s body. “What happened? Is he breathing?” The vet asked as he heard footsteps.

“No!” She cried. “I don’t know what to do. There are horrible monsters out there and he-he tried to fight ‘em but they were too strong.” 

He heard the captain’s voice, calling out for an explanation. The lady explained with a trembling voice and Warriors took one look at the limp, unmoving man before using chest compressions. Legend bit his lip, not sure what to do.

“What happened?” Time’s low, concerned voice made the veteran turn around.

“The lady said he tried to fight some monsters outside but couldn’t.” Legend informed.

The old man’s stoic eye trailed to the lady. “Where are these monsters and what specifically happened to him?”

“Oh Hylia.” The lady shuddered and then took a deep breath. “They have a camp real close to the inn and he didn’t wanna risk anything. One of the Moblins grabbed him by the neck and squeezed. He-he tried to get out but I heard a crack and he went unconscious. Out of blind rage I rushed at the Moblin and stabbed it with my pitchfork until it released my husband.”

“Was there any black blood?” Legend asked.

“Ye-yes. Come to think of it, I never recognized the Moblin. I just assumed it was one.” The lady mused.

“I’ll take care of the camp.” Legend decided. 

The lady’s eyes widened. “Are you a warrior or a knight or something?”

“Something like that yes.” The veteran shrugged.

“Well…I can’t stop you but, be careful.” The lady warned.

Legend gave a nod. “Slow down, vet.” Time interrupted. “You’re not taking on a camp alone.”

The vet scowled. “Why? On my adventures I was alone.”

“I don’t want to risk anything. I’ll grab the others, and we’ll all go together. Stay here.” Time said sternly.

“Fine.” Legend grumbled and the old man ran up the stairs.

After a few minutes of waiting the urge to leave and help was getting stronger. He needed to help. He was just about to go out the door when Twilight rushed over and stopped him. “And just what do you think you’re doing?” Twilight blocked the doorway.

The vet rolled his eyes. “I thought it was pretty obvious. I’m going to go help.”

The rancher shook his head. “Time gave you an easy task. To stay here. Why are you so insistent on making a choice that could get you hurt, or killed? That’s not helping anyone.” 

“B-but…” Legend’s protests stuck in his throat.

“That’s not helping anyone.”

“Bully.”

The veteran stared at the ground, trying to make a retort, prove that it was better that he did go but nothing came out. The ranch hand crossed his arms and leaned against the door, as if Legend would try to rush out now. Soon the others came, armed and ready to go. The rancher opened the door and the vet followed everyone silently. Hyrule nudged him as they walked to the camp. “You okay?”

Damn it of course his sweet successor would notice. “Yeah.” Legend nodded.

The traveller didn’t seem that convinced but he didn’t say anything. They crept to some bushes near the camp. “Four Moblins from

Hyrule’s era. Two red Wizzrobes from Wild’s era. Ton of Bokoblins from Wind’s era, and a…Lizalfos with an axe?” Time guessed.

“Daira.” Hyrule muttered.

“Weaknesses? Things to look out for?” Four prodded.

“That axe can go through shields. The Daira will throw it. Long range weapons are our best bet.” Hyrule advised.

“Wild, I suggest you fire arrows at the Daira. If it throws its axe at anybody, dodge don’t block.” Time commanded.

The champion nodded and climbed up a tree. “Two of us should go after the Wizzrobes, always keep an eye on them.”

“I can.” Hyrule and Four said at the same time.

There was an awkward pause before Time cleared his throat. “Yes, both of you can. The rest of us can do with the Moblins and the Bokoblins. Do not take more than one Moblin at once.” 

The veteran readied his sword, unsheathing it. “Let me distract them first.” Wild called in a whisper-shout.

The monsters looked at the trees, but then looked back at their fire. The cook shot an arrow at the ground near a tree, far away. The Bokoblins and Moblins went to inspect it while the Wizzrobes looked up where the arrow had been shot. Hopefully, Wild wasn’t caught. “On three.” Time whispered.

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three!”

They all leapt out of the bushes and Legend sprinted over to the Moblin with the pitchfork holes on its side. He sliced his arm clear off, and sure enough, black blood spilled out. The Moblin let out a roar and turned around, eyes fierce and hungry for revenge.

The veteran dodged a spear and ran up it, standing on the Moblin’s neck and slashing the monster’s neck repeatedly. The Moblin wailed and flung Legend off its neck. The vet landed on his neck but he got up before the spear could pierce his chest. He let out a battle cry and as Fi began to glow he impaled the beast. The Moblin whimpered and fell to the ground, disappearing in a puff of smoke. The only remains of the monster was the black blood staining Legend’s tunic. He turned around just in time to miss a sword. 

Another Moblin, snarled and picked up its dead friend’s spear. It wielded both the sword and the spear. Legend dodged both weapons with a hint of fear. He had never seen a monster double-wield like this. His resolve hardened an he grabbed his ice rod and froze it in place. He was running to lunge at it with his sword when agony reached his chest and he stumbled to the ground. 

Someone cried out his name. He had no warning when he was suddenly flung across the battlefield and he landed on the cold, bloody ground. He screamed, as his chest burned. He spotted the Moblin raising his sword to finish the veteran and Legend whimpered and tried to move but his limbs refused. He closed his eyes, heart racing as he readied himself for the blow.

It never came.

Instead he heard the beast roar in pain and the battle cry of the skyloftian. Soon something picked him up and there was a hand on the wound in his chest. “Legend?” Someone said frantically.

The vet managed to open his eyes a little and he could see the chosen there. “You’re going to be okay.” 

Sky reached to hug him, and Legend could see the tears streaming down his face. The vet coughed, a thick warm substance spilling from his mouth. Blood? That isn’t good.

“Time has the healing supplies.” Sky bit his lip, looking worriedly at Legend. “TIME COME HERE!” Sky shouted.

Sky? Oh yeah Legend was going to apologize to him. Realizing he might not make it he took a breath. “I’m so-ory I was so m-mean to you…” He coughed again. “Sky…I was-wasn’t very nice…was I?”

He hadn’t pictured apologizing like this but he hoped it worked. The grip on him got tighter as Sky held him closer. “NO! Don’t ever say that! Y-You’re the kindest of us all.” Sky shouted.

Legend blinked slowly, surprised. That…That couldn’t be right. 

“Bully.”

Sky was kind to say that. “I love you…Sky…” Legend slurred as his eyes began to droop even more.

“I love you too, Legend, so much.” The chosen replied.

Legend gave a small smile as his eyes began to close. 

At least he got to apologize.

————————————————————

Sky heard footsteps and Time’s voice as the vet’s eyes closed. “Vet, stay awake. Legend, please.” Sky begged.

The vet’s head rolled to the side, his mouth not opening or moving. The old man pulled out a fairy, both of his eyes open. “I couldn’t get here. The monsters were blocking my path.” Time panted.

The skyloftian’s heart twisted painfully. He grabbed Legend’s limp wrist and searched for a pulse, only to find nothing. The vet wasn’t breathing either. Sky let go of the veteran, kneeling beside him. Sky remembered his knight training and he put all his might into chest compressions, trying to revive the vet. After what felt like forever, he heard a small weak gasp and Sky stopped. “Fairy!” Sky cried out.

Time uncorked the bottle as quickly as he could and the fairy flew out and noticed the bleeding out hero. The fairy circled Legend and the wound glowed a bright pink before it was gone. Sky picked up the veteran and thanked the fairy who chimed and flew away. The battle was done, when Sky checked. “I’m so sorry.” Time choked out. 

The chosen swallowed. “It’s not your fault.”

If only Sky could’ve done something. The old man scoffed and left to tell the others what had happened. Then they began walking back to the inn.

In those moments before Legend had died he had apologized, said he was mean. 

Where in Hylia had that come from? 

The Legend he knew was soft, with a guarded exterior. He had once seen the vet with a bunny. Legend had scooped the animal up gently cheeks burning but his violet eyes were  filled with happiness. He had also been kind to people, helping out whenever he could, lightening the mood, offering advice. 

Why had Legend thought he was mean?

“Sky, come on.” Wind’s voice brought Sky out of his thoughts.

He came inside. The man from earlier was gone and the lady from earlier was talking to the innkeeper. She noticed everyone come in and gasped. “Are you all okay?”

Four nodded. “We all just need rest. The monsters are taken care of.”

“Thank you so much. Here, have this purple rupee.” The lady handed it to the smithy and looked worriedly at the vet. “What happened?”

“He took a nasty hit, but we got a fairy.” Time informed.

Well, Legend had also died but Sky guessed the old man didn’t want to worry the lady too much. “Well I hope he’ll be alright.” The lady hummed.

Sky nodded and began to carry Legend upstairs, and bumped into the captain. Warriors paled. “Sky?”

“I’ll explain later.” The chosen murmured and set Legend gently down on the inn bed. 

He pulled out a chair and sat down, relief making his eyes sting with tears again. “Sky, you’re covered in blood.” Warriors said. “Go clean up, I can stay here with him.”

The skyloftian stood up, nodding and grabbed a spare tunic. He headed to the inn’s bathroom to clean the blood off, and he gagged at how much of the blood-Legend’s blood- was there. 

He covered his mouth as a sob escaped his throat. Hot tears poured down his cheeks and he couldn’t stop them.

He had seen Legend die.

A knock. “Sky? S’that you?” 

“Y-yeah.” Sky responded, voice thick.

“Can I come in?” Twilight asked.

“Mhm. Just washing off blood right now.” Sky answered.

The door opened and Twilight came in, looking concerned. The chosen turned on the water and began to wash the blood out of his hands and nails. “Are you okay? No wait that’s not a good question.” Twilight sighed. “How are you feeling?”

Sky watched the blood wash out of his hands and stain the water that was draining a foggy red. “M’fine.” Sky spoke softly.

“Don’t give me that.” Twilight tried. 

“What do you want me to say?” Sky asked in a cold, icy tone.

He hadn’t meant to say it like that. “Sky.” Twilight didn’t seem to care though. 

He stepped forward and hugged the chosen. “Legend’s going to be okay. It’s okay, Sky.” Twilight reassured.

Before Sky could stop himself, he sobbed. “Twi-he died.” 

“I know. He ain’t dead anymore though. It’s okay.” Twilight continued.

Sky could still feel the blood on his hands. 

[crazylittlejester]

honestly, the fandom dismisses wars trauma a little too much. Have you noticed it’s always never brought up in his character studies? And when it is, it’s totally brushed off him and cia had a WEIRDDD age gap. It’s also weird hyrule warriors never acknowledges this. I honestly don’t think it’s gonna be recognized in LU but idk. It’s just weird how quickly the fandom brushed over all that. What’s your opinion? Cuz you have cool opinions lol

Disclaimer: Everything you’re about to read is my opinion and my interpretation of a game. I’m not talking about headcanons (unless otherwise specified), I’m just talking about my experience with the game and everything else. All of this is from MY perspective interacting with the canon material from both Hyrule Warriors and Linked Universe. Also! I am dyslexic, my bad for oddly autocorrected words or weird spelling mistakes

A huge reason I started yapping so much on this blog was because I saw a lot of people either actively disliking Wars, making fucking INSANE comments about his body, overly sexualizing him, or just straight up dismissing him all together and it helped me get over my posting anxiety because it genuinely made me so upset. He’s been my favorite character since only a few posts into LU (i originally liked Twilight better based sheerly on design but it took like only a few posts before that changed), and I love HW Link in general, and I thought it was actually crazy that more people didn’t like him. I’ve written several of my own characters studies on him, some of which I’ve posted, others lay trapped in my old laptop in the form of a full on analysis paper, never to see the light of day

You can send a full grown man to war and he will come back with trauma, imagine what happens when you grab some poor teenager and tell him everything relies on him. Literally forget Cia for a minute, Link as a teenager was taken and shoved into a full on war where his men turned on him and in order to survive, he had to kill. Monsters and hylians alike, it was him or them, and he’s the one who made it out. Not to mention he was constantly running all over the battle field trying to prevent the hylian captains from being defeated, and he most certainly lost many people he cared about just because he couldn’t get there in time. He had to carry around the guilt that this war was started because some sorceress was obsessed with him ON TOP of that

This was said earlier by an anon on a post I reblogged, and I’ve been saying it myself for months but I will say it again: If Warriors had been a girl and been obsessed over that same way, I fucking GUARANTEE you people would be taking it more seriously

I literally just typed in the character name and the game she’s from and that is what google had to say about her. If an older man was described as ‘harboring serious affections’ and having a ‘desire to claim’ a teenage girl I literally don’t think it would’ve been glossed over or ignored like it is

I don’t think nintendo was ever gonna elaborate or really recognize it in the game, they never go super in depth on anything in Zelda games from my experience, and I doubt Jojo will really get into it in LU mainly just because she has so much going on with eight other dudes and potentially two more (based on the header on the linked universe blog)

I saw a lot of characterizations of Warriors and opinions of him that made me so confused and also a bit mad, such that he is a womanizer or a stupid twink (of which he is neither), and that’s a huge reason I started writing fanfiction for this fandom. Firstly to just create more content for my favorite character because I rarely saw any that focused on him, and secondly because I didn’t like some (NOT ALL) of how I was seeing him characterized. (i cannot emphasize enough: NOT ALL people in the fandom characterized him this way, I saw plenty of amazing and beautiful characterizations of Warriors)

I do not think he is a womanizer at all, in fact I fully believe his flirtatious behavior is a defense mechanism. I think his ‘woman problems’ are the fact that he’s afraid of women (especially older women) he doesn’t know or trust, but also that’s just my opinion. And I am genuinely a bit worried that now that people have stopped talking about how they noticed he seemed off a few updates ago and now that they’re saying he’s back to normal that people are going to start reducing him to a stupid dramatic twink again, as if Warriors was not the one who came up with the initial plan to fight Dink and was not the first one to fight him. As if this is not a man who lead a god damn army. As if everything he’s done and everything he is no longer matters because he’s ‘pretty’

anyways I have a lot of thoughts about him in general and im just glad the fandom has been treating him better as of late, but i am a bit worried it’s just gonna go back to how it was

thanks for the ask!! sorry i got a bit carried away 😭

[undertheopensky]

Extinction

Whumptober Day 27: I misread Alt Prompt #7 Examination, so I guess this is now a Skies-specific prompt of Extinction. Though if you wanted to get poetic about it, I guess ‘Scars’ would also work.

Characters: Sky, Four, everyone’s kind of there especially in the first part

Trigger warnings: Panic attacks, grief, dehumanisation, it makes sense in context

Read on Ao3!

–––

“No, see, wolves are to wolfos what unicorns are to horses,” Hyrule is explaining to a perplexed Wild. “And rabbits to a pols voice. Y’know, the non-monstery version.”

“Out of curiosity, what the fuck do you think a unicorn is?” Legend asks, visibly fascinated by the whole conversation.

Hyrule thinks for a moment. “I’m pretty sure it’s like a horse with fairy wings? That doesn’t want to kill you.”

“Okay, I think we need to introduce you to more horses than Twilight’s monster.”

“Oi!” Twilight protests, looking up from his leatherwork.

“Last week she stomped and then ate a deku baba,” Legend says flatly.

“So?”

“Oh my god,” Legend mutters. Then, as Time walks up, his patrol apparently finished, “Hey, old man! What’s a unicorn to you?”

“Horse with a horn,” he replies easily.

Wild wrinkles his nose, clearly struggling to imagine it. “What’s the horn for?”

“For stabbing people, obviously.”

“What?! No!” Indignant, Four looks up from his book. “They cleanse water and purify poisons! There are no legends associating them with the battlefield, except for one country that uses them as the heraldry device for medics!”

Time shrugs, clearly unbothered.

“No wings, then?” asks Hyrule, slightly crestfallen.

“Nah, that’s a pegasus,” says Warriors.

“Like the boots?” Legend squints at the wings on his own.

“I think so? It’s a horse with, like, bird wings. One of the noble families back home uses them in their heraldry. There’s a lot of mythical creatures on heraldry, actually.”

“Rabbits ain’t mythical,” says Twilight.

“I’ve never seen one before.”

“Wait, back up – what’s a rabbit?” says Wind.

“A non-monstery pols voice.”

Wind isn’t pleased with Hyrule’s answer. “And what the hell is a pols voice?”

“It’s like…” Hyrule is stumped by the question. “It’s like… a, a blob with whiskers and long ears, except then it opens its mouth and it’s ALL mouth, and all teeth, and –”

“Oh, those! Huh, I never knew what they were called. I only came across ‘em once. And a rabbit is…”

“Smaller and less evil,” says Legend dryly, which which for some reason makes Twilight sputter with choked laughter.

“Oh, yeah - Sky,” Hyrule turns around to address him, “Sky, you’re the earliest -”

“I have never seen a unicorn,” Sky interrupts. “And I’m not sure what a rabbit is, but there’s a lot of flora and fauna on the Surface we’re still struggling to figure out, and I haven’t seen much of it that’s familiar while travelling with you. Things must change a lot through the eras.” He feels his face fall as his heart does. “Like loftwings, I guess.”

“What are loftwings, anyway? You’ve mentioned them before.”

Sky’s brow furrows. “Have I not explained loftwings yet?”

“You got partway through and then we were attacked by those chuchus and got distracted,” Wild offers.

Sky pulls a face. Right, and then cleanup had taken forever, because chuchus. Of all monster species, why were those ones so universal? They were barely even functional! “Okay. Loftwings are… huge birds, I guess is the easiest way to describe them. Each Hylian gets a loftwing partner when we’re young, and we grow up together. It’s - everyone has one. It’s been really weird to me that none of your eras have them. Since we’re on an isolated series of islands - or, well, we were - loftwings are essential to carry us from place to place.”

“They carry you? How big are they?”

“Pretty big.” Sky squints for a moment. “Crimson’s wingspan would stretch between that log and where Twilight’s sitting, easy.”

“Giant birds?” Wind screws up his face. “Like the Helmaroc King? Don’t like that.”

It’s Hyrule’s turn to make a face. “What’s a helmaroc king?”

Wind shrugs. “Massive bird monster. Oh, hey, maybe that’s what happened to Loftwings?”

“Hm?” Sky blinks back from where he’d been imagining Crimson sitting between Twilight and Warriors, sneakily tugging the captain’s scarf whenever he looked away. Goddess, he misses him. “Sorry, what was that?”

“You said it was weird that they don’t exist in any of our eras, right? Maybe it’s because they turned into monsters over time, like wolves and rabbits!”

Sky doesn’t know what noise he makes at that, doesn’t know what his face is doing. He feels cold, and sick, and horrified, because no no no that can’t be what happened please tell him that’s not what happened -

But why did the loftwings disappear? Left behind only in heraldry and insignia, not even their names left to history? How could they have been forgotten so completely?

“No,” he chokes out, “no, that can’t be. Loftwings aren’t monsters.”

“But sometimes animals can become monsters when they’re exposed to lots of dark magic over many years, like with wolfos. It would make sense why we’ve never heard of them, right, if they all became, like, kargarocs or something.”

The voices of the others die away to an indistinct hum. Sky thinks he should be concerned about that, except he’s already occupied with the sudden chill against his skin, the way his heart feels simultaneously too large and too small for the space it occupies, straining and racing, the way his lungs burn when he tries to breathe and ache when he doesn’t.

His head hurts.

His heart hurts.

Slowly, the buzzing fades.

“If we find a unicorn, do you think we can smuggle it back to my Hyrule?” Hyrule is asking.

“The hell do you want one of them for?”

“If they can really purify water, then –”

They’ve moved on from the conversational bomb that had rocked Sky to his foundations. Accepted the explanation without comment or question. To them, it’s just another strange fact about the world, like the way monsters in Wild’s Hyrule will all spring back to life when the moon turns red, or that there’s magic trapped in music. Over time, animals can turn into monsters.

And Sky just – doesn’t know how, doesn’t have the vocabulary to explain to them that loftwings aren’t animals – they’re people.

(He’s never had to explain it before. On Skyloft, everyone knows this, from the smallest child to the most forgetful elder: loftwings are your partner, the other half of your soul. They’re people.

When they can’t even understand that much, how does he even begin to explain how horrifying it is to think of them becoming nothing more than monsters, over the millenia?)

–––

Maybe this time, Sky thinks. Maybe this time the portal will take them home.

To his home, at least. He’s never been away so long before. And his jaunts to the Surface had in no way prepared him for the loneliness of being eras and countries away from his friends and his family and his loftwing. And maybe - maybe with it all close to hand, the feelings at his fingertips - he’ll be able to explain it better to the others. Explain it so they’ll understand.

The saturated colours and faint burr of magic through the earth raise his hopes briefly, but - no. This isn’t Skyloft. Isn’t even the Surface beneath it. It’s - it’s easier to define it by what it isn’t. The Surface has lain untouched by Hylian hands for centuries, ancient and wild. This place - it feels tamer. Steadier. Young, almost, but not in the sense of age - in the sense of, of rawness in its magic. It feels new.

And for all that - he knows the days of Skyloft and her Knights are long behind this place.

“Mine,” announces Four, unknowingly confirming Sky’s thoughts. “We’re not far from Lake Hylia, from the looks of it. Anyone wanna watch Wild go fishing again?”

“Hell yeah!” Wind cheers immediately, over Twilight’s groan of frustration.

“Cub, really -”

Wild brightens. “We should compete! See who can catch the most fish for dinner!”

“Now that’s jus’ not fair, Wild, yer explosions will scare off any fish they don’t kill -”

Always happy to stir the pot, Legend says, “Sounds like a skill issue,” and grins at Twilight’s dark look.

Sitting at the base of a tree - or slumping, more accurately - Sky watches their antics with a quiet gaze and no interest in joining in himself.

He’d known it wasn’t likely. The number of times they’ve gone to a familiar Hyrule are far outnumbered by the times no one can identify, and even then, there’s eight other time periods they could land in. He can’t help the disappointment, is all.

Is this what homesickness feels like?

It kinda sucks. No wonder Wind was so miserable.

He’s drawn from contemplating the pooling unhappiness under his ribcage by Four inching closer, hands tucked behind his back. He looks - nervous. Not like he’s going to try to drag him into the water fight now happening on the lake’s shore, at least. Just uncertain. The smile Sky musters for him is probably not a very good one. “Something up, Four?”

“I, um.” Four rocks on his heels, looking almost uncertain. “I… wanted to show you. Something.”

Sky doesn’t actually want to be left alone with his thoughts, so he nods agreeably and hauls himself to his feet. “Lead the way, then.”

Four takes him far enough into the forest that the shouts and laughter and echoes of Wild’s small explosions fade entirely, before choosing a wide clearing to pause in. “I, um.” Four spins, clasping his hands behind his back again. “I noticed that you - well. When the others were talking about loftwings the other day. You got really upset when they were talking about them becoming monsters, or going extinct.”

Ice shoots through Sky’s heart, freezes over his throat for one critical moment. “Yeah,” he finally rasps. “I don’t - it’s - they don’t -”

Four shakes his head. “It’s okay. You don’t need to explain it. I just wanted to show you -” He fumbles with his pouch, pulls out a child-sized ocarina that’s not quite too small for his hands.

The tune he plays sounds almost like a birdcall.

It’s pleasant, if mournful. Sweet-toned and piping like wind instruments tend to be. Sky wonders why Four had moved them so far away just to play him a short song, and then -

Wingbeats. Loud and unmistakeable.

He startles and looks up as a shadow passes overhead - a shadow too large to be any of the birds of Four’s era - and all he can see is a half-silhouette framed in the sun, but his heart leaps at the familiarity.

And when they land -

A loftwing.

Small, but distinctive: the beak broad and long and golden, the curl of their crest and their tail. Pure white, save the bars of colour across the feathertips - Sky’s never seen one like them and he’s never been so relieved.

“Her name is Zeffa,” Four says, from where he’s half-wrapped around the loftwing’s neck in a hug.

“You never told me you had a loftwing,” Sky breathes, stepping forward to greet them - to greet her, as she reaches out in curious welcome.

Four shrugs, feathers ruffling against his back. “I never knew what they were called. She was always just Zeffa, to me. She came to me when I was eight, in the middle of my first adventure. She saved my life,” he adds, snuggling his face into the side of hers as she ducks down and croons at him.

Sky takes the opportunity to look her over more closely. Definitely smaller than average, but with Four as her rider they’re perfectly proportioned. Her feathers are all clean white, no countershading or freckles or markings except the traditional wing bars, the gold fringed by something he’s never seen before. He’d thought it was a simple deep blue at first but it keeps changing colour as Zeffa shifts and the light hits it in different ways. Green one way, red another; a rainbow trapped in keratin fibre.

Sky can feel the grin creeping across his face; wouldn’t dream of trying to stop. “She suits you.”

Four grins back. He looks so comfortable, standing in the shade of Zeffa’s beak and leaning up against her. “She does, doesn’t she?”

Her mind is different to Crimson’s, all shades of cool water instead of open sky and cloud, but it’s still crystal clear. Greetings, Chosen Hero.

“Been a while since I heard that one.” Been a while since he’d last spoken with a loftwing, for that matter; he hopes he’s not rusty. Hopes she can sense his delight and fondness and gratitude, for the care she shows to Four.

She clacks her beak at him, pleased.

“Do all the loftwings call you that?” Four asks, riveted, and Sky’s heart swells at the knowledge that Four can hear her too.

“Usually just the ones who don’t know me personally, or the ones who are making fun of me.” He steps closer, with her approval.

The top of her head barely clears his own. Taking that into account, Sky thinks her beak is a little smaller, too. She smells of feathers and ozone and rain. She smells like home.

“So loftwings do still exist.”

She regards him with something like sorrow, and his heart drops.

I am the last.

I was born towards the end of your reign; the last true loftwing born to Skyloft. And I knew even then that I would be waiting a long time for my beloved. I was born knowing it.

You grieved that, even then. I was too young to tell you, but I will say now, in hopes you will remember: I do not regret the waiting. They were worth waiting for. She tugs Four’s headband playfully, making him shout in protest when it slips over his eyes.

“How long did you have to wait?” Sky whispers, heart aching. Even if she says - he knows it’s a long, long time between Four’s era and his own.

She shrugs, wings settling back against her sides. Who can say? What is time, and how does it pass? Is it truly waiting, to simply live?

And oh, her personality is shining through - mischief hidden under patience, the glee of being deliberately and annoyingly cryptic. No wonder Four didn’t know what she was. Every attempt to ask was probably met with a riddle until he gave up. Sky finds himself smiling again. Even though it hurts. “You still had to be alone, and for that, I’m sorry.”

There is no fault to claim. All things change. From the kikwi to the zora - as the world changes, all must change with it, or be left behind. She runs her beak through his hair, an attempt at comfort.

Sky buries his face in the side of her neck.

I am the last. But do not grieve us.

Four tugs on his sleeve, breaking the focus of his connection. “C’mon, I wanna - I’ve still got something to show you, Zeffa’s not all of it.”

Sky glances back towards the lake. “Is it far?” They’ve been gone long enough as it is, really, and he doesn’t want the others wasting their time searching for them in a panic.

Four shrugs. “It’s fine. I told Time where we’d be going. C’mon, hop on, it’s not far by air but I wouldn’t wanna walk.” He follows his own advice, clambering up Zeffa’s side with ease and sitting across her shoulders, legs in front of her wings. He doesn’t even seem to notice the lack of saddle.

Why would he? Sky thinks with another pang. Loftwing saddlers haven’t been needed for centuries. Does Four even know they existed? “Are you sure she can carry us both? I’m pretty heavy.”

Four looks offended on Zeffa’s behalf. “She’s not that small! And she’s taken multiple people before!”

I will be fine, your majesty. Zeffa clacks at him, amused.

Sky deliberately does not pay attention to that last part. “If you’re sure I won’t hurt her…”

“You won’t,” says Four, and he’s so confident with him that Sky believes him.

There’s nowhere to jump from so like Four he mounts up on the ground, Four in front and Sky behind. It makes him nervous, riding without a saddle - not because he thinks he’ll fall off, but because what if he hurts her? Crushes her feathers the wrong way, clamps down too tight without leather to buffer the force? And is Four sure she can take off from here, getting airborne is hard enough without carrying so much extra weight -

She turns her head to laugh at him with one large, dark eye.

Her wings spread wide. They’re beautiful in the sunlight, red and green flashing at the edges of her primaries. There’s even some purple in the shadows closest to her body, all four of Four’s tunic colours shining through her wings. Goddess, she fits him so beautifully.

Two steps and a powerful wingbeat and then the air is rushing up around them, catching them like they were already falling, and they’re in the air. It can only have been magic but Sky doesn’t know where it came from; can’t bring himself to care, when the forest is getting smaller and blurrier under their feet and the wind is streaming ice-cold against his face and neck and ears.

Goddess, he’s missed this.

The sky looks so much more beautiful from up here; the clouds like they could be solid enough to walk on (though he knows that’s not true). Laid out beneath them is the kingdom, in lines and squares and patches of colour, abstract and strange. Could he draw a map of this, Sky wonders? Could he figure out where things used to be, if he can find the right landmarks?

Four grins at him over his shoulder, delighted by Sky’s happiness.

True to Four’s word, they’re not in the air long before Zeffa is banking, beginning a descent that for the first time in years makes a pang of disappointment rise in Sky’s gut. Goddess, he wants to go home.

Four lets him jump off when they get close, but doesn’t follow. Sky has a moment of panic before remembering Four definitely has a gliding item, he’s not trapped up there, and then Zeffa’s actually landing with the Hero of the Four Sword still perched on her back. There’s another blast of definitely wind magic as she touches down, cushioning what might otherwise have been a heavy landing. That explains it. Does that happen every time? Is it something Zeffa learned, since there are no sky islands to jump off of here? He’ll have to ask her, later.

“Where are we?” Sky says as Four swings off the loftwing’s back. The ruins they landed in are ancient and unfamiliar, but he thinks - he can almost understand the text carved into stone, if he tilts his head and squints. He doesn’t know this place - it just - echoes, somehow.

“The Fortress of Winds,” Four says. He hasn’t moved from the centre platform, still pressed up against Zeffa as he watches Sky move around. “This is where I first met Zeffa.”

“Uh huh?” Sky’s listening, he swears, but there’s something about the letters on this stone tablet, almost but not-quite the same as his own. If he squints just a little - no, maybe this way -?

Four comes over to tug on his sleeve again. “C’mere, I think you’re moving too much.”

They both sit in the shade thrown by Zeffa, as she spreads her wings to sunbathe.

“Are we waiting for something?”

“Shhhh,” is all Four says in response.

Sky gives up and settles in. With Zeffa’s wing breaking the worst of the wind, and her dusty feather-smell surrounding him, Sky’s the most relaxed he’s been in weeks.

Then he starts to hear something.

High-pitched chitters and whistles, the beating of small wings. Four had said there were no monsters left in the fortress, but that sure sounded like keese to Sky. Slowly, so as not to attract attention, he turns his head to peer around the edge of Zeffa’s wing.

His heart leaps into his throat and stays there.

Birds. Brightly coloured, greens and blues and oranges, perching on the rockwork and hopping around the lichen-covered floor.

Their beaks are short and sharply curved. They’ve lost the long, flexible tails that streamed out behind them in flight, replaced by a fan of feathers that seems impractically small. The feather banding is missing, the white and gold of the goddess and the contrasting partner flashings.

And of course, they’re tiny. Small enough to sit on an outstretched arm; the smallest could sit on his hand.

But the crests are still there, three wispy, curling feathers on the back of the skull that flex and stretch as they chatter amongst themselves. There’s still a flash of intelligence in their small, dark eyes. The nearest hops closer and chirps in greeting, and he feels a press of joy! and welcome! and sneaky, mischievous play? Play! Play with us!

Sky doesn’t realise he’s crying until the tears spill over in hot rivers. Four shoots him a worried look.

“They’re still here,” he chokes out, and smiles.

After everything, the loftwings are still here.

[justakidicarus]

Linked Universe AU idea: All things come in Three’s

Inspired by being a writer and how all interactions are best done in groups of three or less cause otherwise you always forget someone.

The entire premise is that instead of the chain all meeting each other at the same time or one after the other, the Link’s meet two others, jointly with them for at least 2 months, and then all three groups meet each other and suddenly the group dynamics have been thrown into wack and they have to figure out where 6 others fit into their little world.

Endgame is canon LU dynamic except they fucking tell each other their secrets and shit (Except the Hero’s Shade Twilight is taking that to his grave).

The groups in question:

Wolf Trio - Time, Twilight, Wild

I couldn’t split these three up they are literally the succession line. This groups dynamic is probably the most chaotic out of the three (surprising I know) with Time being the defacto leader, Twilight being the second in command, and Wild being the attack twink. This group may seem to be the quickest to adjust but once the rest of the Chain crack just a little bit under their exteriors they realise the rabbit hole goes deep and they have only barely scratched the surface. Probably the last group to fully open up to the rest of the Chain but never become problematic to the group dynamic. This group faced more savage and ruthless variants of black blooded monsters together, and the occasional dangerous normal monster such as Lynel’s and Iron Knuckles (I haven’t played TP idk what Twilight has)

The Mature Trio - Sky, Four, Warriors

I shoved all the brain cells together. This groups dynamic would be a lot more team based, as these three have all relied on others throughout their journey in meaningful and significant ways. Wars is the main strategist, while Four and Sky’s opinions are respected and incorporated into their resulting battle plans. This group would have the easiest time integrating into the greater Chain, and probably the quickest to share information about themselves. These three faced the more dangerous black blooded monsters during their time as a group of three, alongside large hordes of regular monsters at once.

Chaotic Good (debatable) Trio - Wind, Legend, Hyrule

The rest of Time’s succession line. The most Chaotic group, these three sum up to about twice the craziness Wild gets up to. Legend is the undisputed leader of these three and the other two are content with this, as Legend has some of the craziest battle plans with the most amount of explosives. Also the entire group can’t/refuse to swim. Wind and Legend take turns cooking after Hyrule cooked once and nearly killed them all via the Bubonic Plague. The group (mostly legend) would be the most problematic when joining the greater Chain, but that’s mostly authority issues. Getting Legend to open up is like pulling teeth, Wind does not want to talk about his fear of water or his imposter syndrome but surprisingly Hyrule is the last to open up concerning his Ganon curse, and y’know the fact he has The entire Triforce. These three faced black blooded monsters with gimmicks during their time together.

The meeting

I was thinking they would meet in War’s Hyrule. Time and Wind, having already been there for the War of Era’s and recognise it, both of them taking their groups to the castle to meet Artemis and presumably Wars while the captain in question is taking his group to the castle for some much needed R&R. Wars is talking to Sky and Four about the other Heroes he’s met, Mask and Sailor, when he arrives in castle town, sees six links in the square, and almost nopes out.

Yeah the War of Era’s Trio is the bridge between the three groups.

Don’t really have anything else for this AU, just an idea I wanted to share

[yourlocaltreesimp]

Yan!Chain Headcannons

part 1(Hyrule and Legend)

This episode is dedicated to @mushroomwoods and our conversation on how we want to marry Twilight

Tw: Yandarism and it’s accessories, violence, obsession, cannibalism mentioned, Twi has wolf mannerisms, Time has FD living vicariously in his mind

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Twilight

Absolute gentleman when you first got to know eachother, one of the more willing ones to give you trust without falling head over heels. Became close friends before he realised your part as his guide.

Speaking of, there’s a lot of guilt to say with Midna. He never really got to know if she loved him back. All he knows is that he fell in love with his guide and then, they were gone. If you see where this is leading then you know.

When Twilight rather abruptly remembers that you were in fact his guide alongside Midna, he doubts his own feelings. Especially considering all of the protectiveness he’d had to repress from the wolf which still made its place in his mind. But… you came back. And you cared. So, he must’ve loved you, right ? He’d be blind if he didn’t.

Main love language is probably physical touch and words of affirmation. It’s what he grew up with in Ordon and it’s what’s comforting to him. So, it’s what he extends when caring for you.

He also has the tendency for acts of service while he’s crushing. Will drop whatever he was assigned to do so you can sleep, talk, have company. Or do things you didn’t ask for like mending your clothes, restocking your bag, killing a man.

Absolute sweetheart. Cuddle buddy. Guard dog. Will cannibalise someone who’s rude to you as Wolfie and won’t bat an eye. Your safety is the most important.

Speaking on Wolfie and guard dogs, I mentioned this briefly before. Twilight has some left over effects from his wolf form. Keener senses, sharper attention, as well as various other side effects he’s taken in. They all manifest as an extra voice in his mind. Not like a separate person per say, just a separate intelligence. Like when you’re panicking and that primal voice tells you to run. He just has it all of the time. Especially in regards to you. As far as that little voice is concerned, you are his. Not shared with anyone. Not part of any other universe. Not by anyone else’s side. His. His love, his deity, his light, his mate (such term of endearment making the little voice keen with happiness). All his. And he’d do anything under the stars to keep it that way.

He’d love to just keep you in Ordon, where the people are tight knit, and where you can’t wander off without him knowing. He’ll work so you can stay at home and rest, maybe even look after the kids he’ll stick you with. It’s a dream of his, actually. The only thing him and his primal side agrees on.

They also agree that kidnapping you is Ay okay if it means that picturesque comfy living is the end of it.

Preferred nicknames for you: Darlin’, Love, Sweet Heart, Sugar, Babe, Honey

Bonus: He and Warriors had a bet on who could make you the most flustered. He’s a bit of a flirt with accent of his, especially after he learns of its affect on you.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Time

Absolute last when it came to falling for you. He doesn’t even know why in hindsight, he’d always taken a shine to you. He just… never noticed. dense as mf Anyway- You were definitely friends, or at least reliable source of comfort and calm. You’d talk him off the ledge of his panic attacks, cradling him like he was so precious and in turn, you never really worked as a part of the chain. Well, He never forced you at least. You always did anyway.

The deity was the first to point it out, being the one to live in his head. Pointing out his Time would never let anyone else do what you did, never. But alas, the deity still regarded you as a weak spot in Time’s bleeding heart, and there was nothing he could do to change that.

The others were next, teasing him about it. They didn’t think their suspicions were real, however, until they saw the frozen look he had on his face.

He was the last aside from you to realise it, coming swiftly after remembering your guidance. He’d always thought your caring nature as a rouse. But seeing how you never gave up on him, growing up alongside him, keeping him safe from dangers he was forced into… he was a fool for you.

Love language is Quality time and Acts of service. Loves just simply being with you, enjoying one another. He has to repay the favours of what you’ve done for him. A nice massage, a rest day, a nap. Anything your heart desires.

That said, you not only have one overly protective mf on your hands… but two! FD, while originally seeing you as an oversight, fell like an angel from heaven. I’m scared for whoever throws disrespect on your name because they will be delt with, By both the Hero of Time and the Fierce Deity of War.

Time would court you traditionally. Flowers, Gifts, Poetry. Whatever he could truly accomplish given the circumstances. You are pampered more an any of the Zeldas in any of the timelines. So much as make a single comment of how much you like something and his wallet is open.

Might genuinely think you’re a deity, you’re the only one FD likes enough to seek out approval from, so that must mean you’re something.

Worships the ground you walk on. Kills any nonbelievers. That’s his motto

Would definitely kidnap you. Between him and the deity, you’re not leaving. But depending on how cooperative you are, he’ll be a little more lax. Might even let you get a job if you’re good enough, so long as he can walk you to and from home like a good partner.

Preferred nicknames for you: my Love, my Beloved, Dearest, Darling, anything classy.

Bonus: He’s definitely thought about how similar Twi and you can be, down to comparing what traits were passed down the lineage to his successor.

[skyloftian-nutcase]

Healthcare Quotes!

(dark humor)

Four: My patient really needs a liver transplant. I want tonight to be the night he gets it. Legend: What’s your blood type? Four, rolling his eyes: Not my liver. I want to see him recover and all! Sky: That would be the fastest way to procure it, though. The ultimate sacrifice for your patient. Truly being a patient advocate. Legend: Let us know when you off yourself and we’ll give it like six minutes so you can be properly brain dead and all. Four, huffing: How about Warriors? He’s strong, healthy— Sky: Nah, he drinks too much, you don’t want his liver. Wars: >:O I DO NOT Legend: *wheezing*

…

Mo: *coughing* Hyrule: You good? Mo: I’m dying Aurora: None of that crap until the shift is over, we’ve had enough call outs tonight! Mo, sadly: Aw man

…

Warriors: *exiting a patient’s room laughing* Legend: What’s so funny? Wars: This dude has the absolute best insults ever. Legend: Who was he insulting? Wars: Me, because he didn’t get his water fast enough, but man was it amazing. Legend, interested now: So what did he call you?? Warriors, smirking evilly: You’ll never know. Legend: Wha—YOU CANT LEAD ME ON AND THEN LEAVE ME HANGING LIKE THAT

…

Twilight, staring into the void: Ilia: What’s wrong? Twi: The girl in 15 said I couldn’t play with her ponies because I wasn’t cool enough. Ilia, biting back laughter: That’s rough, buddy

…

Wild: This one teenager I was transporting to MRI said I was so bad at directions I couldn't find my way out of a paper bag. Twilight: She ain’t wrong. Wind: Did you say anything back? Wild: I said “Actually I can, animal control tried to use a bag to catch me and I found my way out of it just fine.” Twi, sighing: I can believe it

…

Time, stopping a surgical resident from doing something: That is what we call an artery. When I said don’t kill the patient, I meant don’t kill the patient. Since you were about to cut the artery, I think we need a lesson really quickly on what does and does not kill a patient. Time: For example. Bleeding to death leads to dying. I know this might be hard for you to understand but— Malon: *narrows eyes, raises eyebrow* Time:…But I understand you’re still learning.

…

Fable: Yeah, so she was supposed to get a mini-MVR, they perfed her LV, then they fixed that and her papillary muscles tore, then they tried to fix that and she got a VSD, so they just put her on ECMO and balloon pump and shipped her to us. Wild: What does—what?? Time: Her heart woke up and chose violence. Or her surgeon did, I’m not sure which.

[tenderleavesbob]

Twilight's money was on a cat. It fit Warriors perfectly. Pretty, elegant, and with sharp claws which left nasty wounds. He hoped Warriors was a cat. He would pick him up and cuddle him and it would be great. He bet twenty rupees on it.

Everyone had a bet, and everyone watched as Warriors stared doubtfully at Twilight's crystal. Warriors and Four had both been leery about Twilight "playing with dark magic," but Twilight had argued that it was safe enough. It spiraled from there, and now Warriors's hand hovered over the crystal.

Even Time had made a bet. He sat on a log by the fire and watched. He always paid attention when it came to Warriors and Wind, Twilight had noticed. Twilight told Warriors once that he was Time's favorite, and he didn't understand why Warriors laughed so hard he doubled over. Twilight thought it was obvious.

"Just do it already!" Legend snapped. As if a dam broke, the others started shouting, too. The anticipation was killing everyone.

Warriors rolled his eyes, but he still seemed wary. Twilight was curious but was also beginning to regret all of this. "You don't need to do it, you know," he said, starting to pull the crystal back. "The first time you transform, it can be awful and weird and --"

"Oh no you don't." Warriors scowled and wrapped his hand around the crystal. The response was immediate. He blurred and shadow magic rippled through the air. He made a sound like Twilight had punched him. Twilight flinched and stepped back. He remembered his own transformation and how scary it was. He shouldn't have pushed. It was nice now, yes, but then?

Everyone leaned forward even as Twilight pulled back. Warriors was shimmering into something larger than Twilight expected.

Very large. Sky pulled Wind and Wild back as Warriors kept growing. The magic blurred and coalesced into a familiar shape.

Mostly familiar shape. Twilight had never met a horse with a giant horn on its head.

"A unicorn," Legend breathed. Only he could manage to sound both indignant and awed. "Of course pretty boy is a damned unicorn."

And a big one he was, too. Warriors whinnied and wobbled on four long, muscular legs, and Twilight, Time, and Sky all threw themselves forward to help steady him. Warriors trembled and whinnied again, shaking his massive head, and his long golden mane rippled in soft waves around him. The Triforce shone around his giant silver horn. The horn itself looked like a sword emerging from his head.

"A war unicorn?" Wild mused, stepping up, too. Before Twilight could stop him, Wild reached up and started stroking Warrior's muzzle. Twilight flinched but it seemed to steady Warriors. That was all the encouragement Wind needed to step up and start stroking Warrior's long neck.

He was even bigger than Epona. Twilight thought he had only seen one horse bigger than Warriors, and that was the massive terror Wild had caught in his era.

"A war unicorn," Time agreed, sounding smug. "Now pay up."

One day, they would all learn to stop betting with Time. Today was not that day.

That day, though, was the day they learned that Warriors could kick a moblin's head off with his back legs and his horn was strong enough to pierce a thick tree trunk if he rammed into it. He needed Twilight's and Sky's help to get free, though. Wind and Wild took pictures for posterity.

[tashacee]

Imagining a scenario where Wild gets turned back into a Hylian but the others just freak out and reassure him that it's fine they'll figure out how to turn him back to normal no don't worry everything will be okay you don't have to pretend to like being Hylian for our sake, they're all brainstorming and Wild is just in the corner shrieking with rage because nobody will listen (the others think he's scared and keep trying to help which only makes him scream louder)

You know, I was going to do a short response to this but have a crack fic of my crack fic instead:

Aspects of A Misconception

“It’ll be okay, Wild.” Sky’s voice was soft and soothing, and any other time Wild might have been convinced.

But it wasn’t any other time. It was today, and today was going badly.

It was funny. Months of hoping and trying and the Aspect had just fallen off by accident. One minute he had been fighting a wizzrobe with the others and the next its spell had hit him and the Aspect had gone flying off. Wild had been sent tumbling across the field in his underpants, unprotected against the rocks and rubble on the ground.

Things happened very fast then. Hyrule and Warriors had dashed to protect him while the others killed the Wizzrobe.

Wild was… disoriented, to put it mildly. He hadn’t been hylian in a long time. He hadn’t been short in a long time. And he had no tail! How was he supposed to balance? He tried to scramble upright, to try and help in the fight, but he tripped over his feet and stumbled. If Wars hadn’t caught him he would have fallen flat on his face.

“Unnghh” he slurred. Dammit! It had been months since he had last spoken, since he had last had the ability to speak. When he had first come out of the Shrine he had to learn to speak again, like a small child, and it was happening all over again. “Whnnnnn.”

“It’s okay.” Warriors was saying, his voice unusually gentle and concerned. “It’ss okay, we’ve got you. We can fix this.”

Wild tried to stand again and fell again, and this time Hyrule pushed him down with a stern frown on his face, beginning to set to work healing the scrapes across his body.

Beyond them, the battle had ended and the rest of the Chain came jogging up to him. Twilight pushed through and knelt at Wild’s side, taking his hand. He looked horrified.

Was there something on Wild’s face? He reached up and gingerly felt his face - no, it felt the way it was supposed to, furless, scarred, no whiskers or snout.

“Hyrule, can you fix it?” Four was asking. Hyrule shook his head.

Fix what? He had literally just been fixed. He tried, unsuccessfully, to speak again.

“Hyruuuhhhg.” he coughed. Talking was hard! How did he go around doing it all the time? “Fiiihwaaaach?”

“Alright, everyone, move.” Time’s voice, as ever, had its low and commanding tone. “You’re crowding him. Wild, can you walk?”

Wild blinked and then nodded. “Yhhhhn.” shit this talking nonsense wasn’t working. Still, he accepted Twilight’s hand up onto unsteady legs. He was upright. Score! He took a step forwards.

His knees buckled and he fell with a shout into Twilight’s chest, weak as a baby. It was so hard to balance without a tail! How did these people manage?

“Okay.” Time stepped forwards and scooped Wild up in his arms.

“Yeek!” Wild screeched. This was just weird! He’d never been smaller than Time as long as he’d known him, it just felt wrong for the Old Man to be able to lift him up like a child. He tried to kick but his legs weren’t obeying him.

“Here.” Sky pushed his sailcloth onto Wild’s lap. “You must be cold, wrap this around you.”

Wild grunted. He was kind of cold, now that he didn’t have fur to keep him warm, not to mention that he was also, you know, in his underwear. He covered himself as best he could, but he still wasn’t sure what was going on, what was worrying everyone so much.

“Tahhhn,” he tried to say, tapping a hand on Time’s breastplate. “Whhn?”

“It’ll be alright.” Time murmured. “ Come on, we need to find somewhere to set up camp, then we can figure out how to change you back.”

Wait.

What?

No!

Ah shit, the Chain, the sweet, kind, well-meaning Chain had got it so very, very backwards. They thought that the Aspect was his true form and that he had been cursed into a hylian form by the wizzrobe.

“Nnnuh.” Wild tried to protest. “Ugh. Nnnnnuh.”

“It’ll be okay.” Time just repeated, completely misunderstanding but so very well-meaing,

Wild groaned and leaned back. Whatever. He would have to wait until they made camp to explain, but that was okay. Maybe by then he would have better control over his speech. He could explain then. It would be fine.

-

It was not fine.

“It’ll be okay, Wild.” Sky’s voice was soft and soothing, and any other time Wild might have been convinced.

But it wasn’t any other time. It was today, and today was going badly. Time had carefully set Wild down as they made camp and Twilight had hovered at his side, working with Sky to surround him with blankets and pillows, trying to make him comfortable. Wild still didn’t have enough control of his limbs to stop him.

“Ugh.” he tried to protest. “Twaaah, nuh.” this wasn’t working. He didn;t need swaddling like a child, he needed clothes. His clothes. He pulled out the slate and clumsily flicked through, selecting the champion’s tunic and a pair of shorts. Thankfully the Slate was able to put them onto him automatically. He probably would have died of embarrassment if he had to ask for help.

“Wild?”

Wild looked up. Wind was hovering a few feet away, chewing at his lip. He looked nervous, uncertain. Of course, normally he would be cuddled up to Wild at this point, running his hands through his fur.

Wild held out an arm, inviting him over.

Wind took the invitation and rushed to his side, curling into a ball and burying his head in his chest.

“Careful, Wind!” Sky admonished, but Wind ignored him, wrapping his arms tighter around his brother.

It was weird. Wind was still smaller than him but no longer by that much. Wild barely knew how to process it.

“We’ll change you back, Wild.” Wind was saying, his voice muffled as he buried his face in the tunic. “It’ll be okay. We’ll get you your body back.”

“Ugh.” Wild couldn’t take this any more, he had to figure out a way of explaining. He held up his hands, asking for patience. He could sound it out if he just had the time.

Wild sighed. “Hmm.” he said. “Aaaa-ah. Aaa-ii. I. I ahhhmh. I ahhhhhhm huh. Ugh.” he cleared his throat, checking that his brothers were still with him. Yep, they were watching with wide eyes. Well, he supposed, it was the first time he had ever actually spoken to them. “I am. Huhhhhn. Huuuhhieee. Hyyyyllah. Hyliieee-yuh. Ugh. Fuchhh. I ahhm Hyliaaahnnnh. I am Hylian.”

Hell yeah! He did it!

Wind burst into tears.

Oh shit, he’d fucked up. He wasn’t sure how but he’d fucked up.

The sailor was hugging him again. Twilight looked pained as he gripped his hand. Sky was shaking his head.

“It’s okay, Wild, you don’t have to be brave about this.”

Wait.

“Nuh-ho.” Hell yeah, he was getting a handle on this whole speaking thing again. “No - I ahm hylian.” he pressed a hand to his chest. “Me. Muh-my bodiee. Me. Huh-hylian.”

“You don’t have to be brave for our sake.” Sky soothed. “I can’t imagine how frightening it is to be shoved into the wrong body.”

OH REALLY?

Wild wanted to scream. But he was pretty sure that screaming would only convince his brothers even further that he was just putting on a brave face.

So he took a deep breath, did his best to smile pleasantly, and tried again.

It was going to be a long day.