#ganon holding it over his head maybe

[lunavagans]

Very impulsive idea:

You know how stalfos are abound in most games? This demonstrates that 1. the undead exist throughout LoZ and 2. Ganon/whatever BBEG‘s turn it is has/could have control over the dead.

Anyway.

Shadow being a former hero that failed, died and whose body/soul is being puppeted. He doesn‘t remember anything from his life before basically being Adopted For Nefarious Reasons by Ganon. Some fairies still remember a hero long ago that befriended dragons instead of fighting them and liked to scare people, but they don‘t recognize him anymore; not that they interacted all that much with him, he had help from elsewhere. For more angst, Shadow tried to have the heroes killed in all places where he almost died on his quest because he still associates them with danger.

Now the difference between Shadow and the colours isn‘t just good/evil or different sides anymore. It‘s what makes one succeed in their quest and what makes the other fail. Extra kudos if neither ever find out what that is, because there‘s actually no reason at all. Victim-of-the-circumstances kind of situation. Shadow was screwed by coincidence and that‘s the only reason why he died and landed in Ganon‘s hands to fight the next hero, deal with it. Looking for a reason is useless.

Now, if Shadow died before his BBEG, then Hyrule would either be a shitshow or non-existent anymore (think WW). So I‘m thinking he took it down with his death, which would make his sacrifice at the end of the manga a repetition. History repeats itself yadda yadda. And if his personality stays the same overall, who‘s to say he didn‘t have a self-sacrificial streak before? Maybe that‘s why he chose to break the mirror so readily despite there potentially being a way to re-seal Vaati without his death (at least if his comment to Vio about it wasn‘t just showing off)?

[erimeows]

Habits

Sidon and Link walk side by side, silent as they approach the border of The Zora’s Domain, alone. 

Link arrived the night before with a massive gash that needed stitching and a weary look in his eyes. Sidon asked him what happened and received nothing but a mumble about some infiltration mission gone wrong.

Not fully recovered, Link has made it apparent that he needs to leave to continue fighting the monsters in Hyrule while researching the location of Ganon’s hideout. Or, that’s what Sidon assumes Link is going to do. Sidon doesn’t want to see him go, but he knows better than to object too aggressively, lest he scare the man away for good. 

It’s a cold day. Sidon’s body lets him exist in these temperatures without any issue, so he doesn’t mind it. Meanwhile, Link is shivering because he insists on wearing the same busted armor over the ridiculously thin shirt and pants that he showed up in. Hell, even his shoes have holes in them. Yet, when Sidon offered to have the tailors make Link new clothing, he denied it with a smile and a head shake. While not an unusual occurrence, Sidon wishes Link would put in more effort to protect his fragile Hylian body. It’s a miracle that the swordsman isn’t dead by now.

To make Sidon’s frustrations worse, Link keeps… Staring at him. Whether it’s intentional or not, Sidon isn’t sure. Link is an odd man who Sidon has learned isn’t used to socializing. As a result, Link is constantly staring at people, holding eye contact for far too long. Link continues to stare, even though neither of them are saying or doing much. Those prying, big blue eyes feel as if they’re peering straight into Sidon’s soul. The closer they get to where Link is going to depart, the more anxious Sidon becomes. He averts his gaze and asks-

“Link, won’t you stay a little while longer? We could call this a walk… Go back to the palace, allow you to recover from your injuries for another day or two, spend some time together…”

Link shakes his head, to which Sidon frowns. He assumes that will be the end of it- that Link will leave and not reappear until God knows how long, until he’s injured and at death’s door again, until he needs help. Sidon wonders, briefly, if Link would appear for the hell of it. If Link would show up for him. If Link would show up because he wants to, not because he needs to.

If there weren’t Ganon and the chaos he’s caused to connect them again, would Link ever want to be here? Sidon isn’t sure he wants to know the answer, so he doesn’t ask. Instead, he frowns and averts his gaze from Link. The rejection, even if it isn’t direct, hurts more than most anything. It being so silent yet so glaringly obvious makes it hurt even more. The worst part is that Link- sweet, sweet Link- is oblivious to Sidon’s feelings no matter how obvious the Zora tries to make them. 

Link tilts his head, beautiful cerulean eyes full of curiosity. He doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t have to, either. Sidon knows Link well enough by now to realize that the look isn’t just a look, rather, a question, a ‘what’s wrong?’ wrapped up in a soft gaze and pouty lips. Sidon shakes his head in response, just like Link did to him moments before, and blinks away the tears that threaten to fall from his eyes as Link turns his back to him and leaves his domain.

“Have safe travels, my friend!” Sidon calls out, and as per usual, Link doesn’t respond with anything but a small wave.

~

Later that night, Sidon sits on the edge of his bed, staring at the wall. He can’t help but worry about Link. Where is he at right now? Who is he fighting? Does he need help? 

Sidon wishes he could help Link by traveling with him, but with the responsibility he has to his kingdom, he knows he has to stay put. 

It must be hard to be traveling alone, always on your guard, with no one there to talk to but your own reflection and some avatars who can’t respond. Then again, Link isn’t necessarily the talkative type… Maybe he doesn’t mind all too much. Sidon almost wishes Link did mind the silence. Maybe then, Link would come to see him more often. 

Being in love with Link is hard. Harder than any battle Sidon has ever fought, harder than anything else he’s done. Sometimes he wishes he didn’t feel this way, but when Link is there, it’s hard to regret or despise the love he has for the man.

Yona is in the room. They’re married- they’ve been married- and she’s a wonderful friend. Still, Sidon wants nothing more than Link, and Yona knows this. Bless her, she’s fine with their predicament and is a kind and supportive friend, even encouraging Sidon’s feelings for Link. She’s the only one who knows everything, the only one who truly understands. She came to his personal room to talk about an issue concerning the domain, only for that talk to turn into an hours-long chat about life.

Yona sits next to Sidon with a hand on his shoulder, her soft gaze trained on him as he stares at the wall. The white paint seems to blur into itself as Sidon’s head pounds. Thinking about Link and his self-destructive habits makes him have the worst headaches…

No matter how many years pass, and no matter what Link and Sidon go through together, Sidon still can’t figure the Hylian out for the life of him. Link is so confusing at times… Sidon wonders if Link feels anything at all. But, if Link truly felt nothing for Sidon, why would he do so much for Hyrule? Why would he help the Zora so often? Why would he come to Sidon’s domain when in need of help, if he didn’t feel anything at all? Why would he be so prideful? If Link didn’t feel, his life would probably be much more normal, and much better. No, Link is full of feelings; he just refuses to express them. 

“Sidon, what’s bothering you?” Yona questions.

“It’s nothing, Yona,” Sidon sighs, shaking his head. Between the arranged marriage, promotion to queen, and the relationship she has back home, Yona is dealing with enough. The last thing she needs to have added onto that metaphorical plate is Sidon’s issues with Link… “I’d hate to trouble you.”

“Link left today, didn’t he?”

Sidon swallows, embarrassed.

He’s that obvious… So obvious that everyone aside from Link himself can tell.

“...Yes,” Sidon answers with a nod.

“You wanted him to stay.”

Yona doesn’t ask. Instead, she states the words plainly. 

“I did.”

“Then why didn’t you ask him to?”

Sidon twiddles his thumbs, turning his head to look at Yona. Her brow is furrowed, as if she’s worried about him. She probably is. Every time Link comes and goes, Sidon is a nervous wreck. She’d be a fool not to notice, especially with her knowing how he feels. 

“Isn’t that… Selfish?”

“Isn’t it selfish for him to come only when he needs to? And for him to always leave so soon with such grievous injuries… I’m sure you must be worried for him,” Yona continues. The more she says, the more upset Sidon becomes, because she’s right. “If you two are friends-”

“I don’t want him to stay because he’s my friend,” Sidon interjects with tears welling up in his eyes. As much as he would love to claim that he wants Link to stay out of exclusively concern, or out of something exclusively platonic, he can’t. Yes, he wants Link to stay and recover from his injuries, but deep down, it’s more than that. He wants Link to stay because he loves him. He wants Link to stay because he needs some sort of proof that Link loves him, too. He wants Link to stay because of so many reasons other than a reasonable concern for Link’s habit of overdoing it. “I want him to stay because… Because I…”

“I know you do… It’s hard, isn’t it?”

“What do I do…?” Sidon bows his head, holding it in his hands. “Isn’t it selfish to expect him to cater to my feelings when we’re about to have to fight Ganon?”

“I don’t know. I mean, I don’t think so, but you need to figure that out by yourself and do what you think is best. I hope you’re able to talk to Link and tell him how you truly feel. Regardless of everything, though, whatever choice you make, I’ll support it- and the two of you.”

Sidon is tempted to play off his feelings, to thank Yona for her advice and exit the room as calmly as he can. But then, her arms are around him, holding him close- and for the first time since Ganon came back, Sidon allows himself to be weak; allows himself to cry.

“Yona… Thank you.”

~

The next evening, Sidon finds himself talking with a soldier about some Yiga clan member sightings. Apparently, the nuisances heard that Link was nearby and have been stalking the area to find the swordsman. Sidon has ordered his scouts to capture and bring any Yiga clan members back to the domain for interrogation, but as stupid as the group seems to be, they’re also elusive and hard to detain. 

Unsurprising. With the way everything has been going lately, Sidon can’t bring himself to enthusiastically tackle this problem as he would have just months ago. 

“So… They escaped again,” Sidon mutters, to which the soldier nods with a frown.

“Yes, King Sidon. I apologize for our incompetence.”

“Please, don’t,” Sidon sighs and shakes his head. “We’re stretched thin right now as it is. The fact that you all have been working so hard is more than enough! I believe you’ll be able to detain them next time, so let me know if you need any help!”

“Oh,” The soldier seems relieved, a small smile taking over her face. “Thank you, sir! We’ll catch them next time.”

Sidon opens his mouth to excuse himself, only to catch a glimpse of blond hair out of the corner of his amber eyes. He pauses and turns to look at the men entering through the front door.

“Link!” Sidon calls out, amber eyes widening in horror as another Zora carries Link into the building. Though alive, Link is once again bruised and battered to the point that this soldier who was probably out scouting monsters and Yiga clan members felt the need to bring him back for medical treatment. And though Sidon has seen Link injured far worse than this, he plays the game that they’ve been playing for months on end and rushes to take Link off of the other Zora so he can drape the blond over one of his large shoulders. “What happened to you this time!?”

Link offers a shrug, which is unsurprising. He’s terrible at explaining himself when he’s injured- almost as if he’s more ashamed of showing weakness than he is concerned about his own health. That’s probably exactly how Link perceives the situation. Instead of seeing the concern in Sidon’s gaze, all he sees is judgment that isn’t even there.

Link doesn’t give any sort of verbal answer to Sidon’s question, even as Sidon stares him down, practically begging for one. Instead, he grumbles until he’s placed back onto his own two feet, and stumbles away to the guest chambers that he knows are already waiting for him- right next to Sidon’s room.

And as always, Sidon sighs, but can’t bring himself to say anything.

Yona, who is across the room chatting with his father, merely looks at him and shakes her head. Though she doesn’t speak her thoughts, Sidon can’t help but agree with whatever they must be…

~

By the time his work day is over, Sidon is so exhausted that he goes straight to bed. He debates on going to go talk to Yona, who is a few rooms over, but he’d hate to bother her over something so… Silly. Especially after last night. Crying in front of her over Link was embarrassing enough.

Sidon can’t figure out what he should do. Is it worth putting himself out there enough to go to Link’s room? What if Link sends him away? He’s already so straightforward about the love and admiration he has for Link, and it feels as if Link just ignores it- though the truth is that Link is clearly too distracted by his work to notice Sidon. Sidon can’t blame him. Link is trying to save the world right now- why would he care about Sidon’s feelings in the midst of something so much more important?

Still… Sidon can’t help but be upset over the fleeting moments he gets. He wishes he could tell Link the truth. He wishes Link cared a little more. He wishes lots of things. Maybe he really is selfish…

Almost as if on cue, Sidon’s bedroom door opens. He’s only given the key to a few people, so he turns, expecting Yona or his father. Surprisingly enough, he’s faced with Link, who looks unusually small while sheepishly standing in the doorway and clutching his blanket tight in his arms.

“Link?” Sidon sits up in the bed as Link enters the room and shuts the door behind him. “What is it?”

And for the first time in a long time, Link speaks.

“Please, don’t…” Link shakes his head and averts his gaze, all while climbing into Sidon’s bed and crawling beneath the Zora’s thin covers. “Don’t ask.”

Sidon doesn’t ask. In fact, he doesn’t say anything at all, because it’d take a fool to not realize that Link doesn’t want to talk. Instead, he moves closer to Link, wraps his arms around Link’s much smaller frame, and tries to slow his racing heart. Link falls asleep almost immediately. 

Sidon smiles, pulling back just enough to stare at Link. His hair is a mess, but he looks peaceful, small breaths falling from between his rosy lips. His skin is tan yet dull, covered in scrapes and bruises, and most of his body appears to be covered in bandages. Sidon wonders if he’ll be able to get Link to stay longer this time… If, in the morning, they’ll finally be able to talk.

He doesn’t dare disturb Link’s much needed rest to ask questions, especially when Link requested he not do so. Instead, Sidon cuddles up to Link and falls into a deep slumber, knowing that while this is only the first time they’ve done something like this- knowing Link- it could very well be the last.

~

Unsurprisingly, Sidon wakes up to an empty bed. He almost tricks himself into believing that Link coming to his room in the middle of the night was a dream, but when he sees blond hairs on top of his pillows, he remembers everything from the smell of blood wafting off of Link’s bandages, to the evidence of the many fights he’s been in on Link’s skin, to how fragile Link’s voice sounded. 

Sidon gets up, does his work for the day, sneaks into the kitchen, and then heads to Link’s room with a hot cup of tea in hand. He knocks on the door, to which Link quickly opens it. Link is covered head to toe in clothes prepared for him by the other Zora- they’re too big, but better than the tattered rags and scuffed armor Link had shown up in. Sidon can see bits of bandages peeking out from the sleeves and collars. He still reeks of blood. Even a small chunk of Link’s hair is missing. Whatever battle he was in the other day must’ve been rough… 

Upon seeing him, Link raises an eyebrow. Sidon quickly explains.

“I just- well, I wasn’t sure how you’d be feeling- so I thought you might prefer me over one of the servants!”

Though he doesn’t respond, Link seems to accept the explanation. He opens the door further for Sidon to come into the room and returns to the bed, which is far too large for a Hylian. SLink doesn’t complain about how comically small he appears when he sits with his legs folded on top of the mattress. 

Sidon closes the door behind him and brings the cup of tea into the room. He feels too awkward right now to try and push it into Link’s hands, so he sets it on the nightstand instead. Link grabs the cup of tea from the plate it’s on and taps it with a questioning look before swirling a fingertip in it and giving it a sniff.

“Oh, I made it! There’s no need to worry- it’s safe. Don’t tell me you really have to worry about having your drinks poisoned…?”

With that, Link sips the tea and lets out a sigh. He gives a nod in thanks, but nothing more. Sidon wishes the man would speak to him more. Link is quiet- silent, really. Sidon remembers hearing Zelda say that it’s because he has the weight of the world on his shoulders; because he feels as if he’s meant to silently take on every burden that comes his way. Sidon wasn’t sure what to believe at first, but now, he realizes that Zelda was right. Especially after what happened between the two of them in Sidon’s room…

“So, what fight did you get yourself into this time, my dearest hero?” Sidon questions. “These injuries appear to be worse than the usual ones… And though you’ve shown up here worse for wear quite a few times now, I don’t believe I’ve ever known you to be found defeated on the battlefield either.”

Link’s face turns bright red. 

“Yiga clan members,” He whispers and bows his head in shame.

“You… Got jumped by the Yiga clan members that were looking for you,” Sidon gasps in disbelief. He’s seen Link perform miracles, fighting hoards of combatants and giant monsters single handedly, yet he was taken down by the Yiga clan? “And you actually lost? Link! How exhausted were you to have been defeated by them!?”

Link shrugs yet again. 

And then, Link stares at Sidon as if he has no idea why he’s still there. As if he should’ve left by now. It takes everything in Sidon not to tear up at the look Link is giving him. He rapidly blinks his eyes and stares at Link’s frame. Though Link tries to hide the damage to his body, the blond can’t fully mask his injuries- his face twitches every time he moves with the effort it takes to hold back a grimace of pain, and he’s avoiding putting weight on certain areas. 

Yet, Link quickly finishes his tea and stands, looking around. He shoots Sidon a questioning glance before gesturing to the empty room.

“You…” Sidon pauses as he puts together what Link is wanting. Then, he comes to the conclusion that Link is looking for his things so he can get ready to leave. Again. “The others who found you claimed that you didn’t have anything on your person aside from your sword and the clothes on your back.”

Of course, Link does everything he can to avoid showing his disappointment, but Sidon feels it regardless. Months of gathering weapons, elixirs, clothing, and food- all tarnished because Link decided to overexert himself.

Sidon continues.

“Don’t tell me you’re actually thinking of leaving. Link, you’re not even close to recovered yet!” As Sidon argues, Link walks to the window. He opens the curtains and looks outside. Sidon groans upon seeing Link’s cerulean eyes land on the blood moon in the sky, that of which drowns the entirety of Hyrule in a crimson-hued glow. “I already know what you’re thinking, and no, you are not going to fight them- not tonight, not in your condition!”

Link raises an eyebrow in bafflement as Sidon walks over to where he’s standing and yanks the curtain shut. 

“Usually, I would ask you to stay, Link. Tonight, I am telling you. You are going to stay here until you get better, and then, you are going to stay for a few days after that, until you are well rested, well fed, and…”

Link tilts his head, so against his better judgment, Sidon decides to finish the thought.

“And until we’ve gotten to spend quality time together again.”

“I can’t,” Link finally says something, but it’s not enough- no, there’s hardly any feeling in his voice. It’s a plain statement, an observation, with a blank expression to match. “Not now.”

Sidon sees red. 

It’s unsurprising. He shouldn’t even be mad, just exasperated, but he can’t help it. Link working himself to near death, finding his way to whatever place to recover for the bare minimum amount of time, and then rushing back to work, is so him. Weirdly enough, Sidon loves him for it, but at times like this, all he wants is for Link to learn how to prioritize himself. Worst of all, Sidon knows that he’s more angry about Link ditching him yet again than he is angry about Link’s lack of self-preservation instincts.

“Link, with all due respect, they make squads for fighting these monsters- you shouldn’t be going and doing it by yourself! You need to stay here and recover or you’re just going to go back out and get hurt again! You got lucky this time because whatever Yiga clan members you ran into were incompetent, but next time… Next time-”

“I’m not going to let myself die until Zelda is safe.”

“That’s the problem, that’s it right there,” Sidon points out. Link’s face remains unchanged, unwavering, and it makes Sidon more angry than he thinks he’s been in his entire life. “You don’t care about yourself at all! Zelda would be heartbroken if she knew you were working yourself to death to try to save her! You need to rest or you’re going to die and Zelda may never be found.”

Link fucking shrugs. Again. Sidon, usually so happy and easygoing, wants to send his fist flying through a nearby wall. He’s so frustrated that he could scream. Somehow, he manages to restrain himself to sit down next to Link on the floor. With him sitting down and Link still standing, they’re almost eye level for once. 

“Zelda could die if I don’t hurry up and find her, too.”

“Are you never tired?” Sidon demands, to which Link’s eyes widen. It’s like Link had never considered the possibility of being tired. “Are you never sad? Never in need of a break? I don’t believe I’ve seen you cry before. Even in the worst of pain, you shield whatever you’re feeling, so why do you do it? Do you think I’m judging you? Because I’m not.”

“It’s not…”

“Then why don’t you talk? Why won’t you be honest about your feelings? Why won’t you ever rest and let me help you? You have friends who have made it very clear that they’re here for you, and I am one of them, but you’re not letting me act as a friend.”

“It’s because-...” Link begins, only to cut himself off, shaking his head to indicate that he’s not going to speak any longer.

“No,” Sidon reaches over and grabs Link’s hands. They’re so small within his much larger ones that he can’t intertwine their fingers, so he settles for simply holding them instead. “What is it, Link? Someone needs to know what you’re thinking, and I want that ‘someone’ to be me. Please.”

“Because I’m afraid that if I start talking to you,” Link swallows deeply. His expression shifts from the blank, soulless look that he tries to maintain, into an expression so pained that it makes Sidon realize it’s physically hurting Link to try to open up like this. “I might not be able to stop.”

“Why would I ever want you to stop?” Sidon questions. 

Before he can think better of it, he lets go of Link’s hands, wraps his arms around the man’s body, and pulls him into his lap for a hug. Link freezes, going tense from head to toe. Link grumbles and struggles against the hug until Sidon lets go and sets him back down on his feet. 

“I can’t do this,” Link starts walking towards the door again, running his hands through his tangled hair.

“Do what?” 

“I’ve already started talking to you,” Link answers, as if it’s obvious, accompanying the words with wild hand gestures that Sidon has never seen Link make before today. “And I can’t stop myself, so I need to leave.”

Sidon rises to his feet again and rushes to the door to block it. 

“Link-”

“I love you, Sidon,” Link damn-near yells.

Both of them freeze as Link slaps a hand over his own mouth. 

Sidon’s knees go weak. His amber eyes scan Link’s face, looking for some sort of sign that Link is lying- for some sort of sign that this is a cruel joke, or maybe a dream- but he finds nothing. All Link appears to be, aside from injured and exhausted, is embarrassed. 

“...What?” Sidon’s voice comes out in a whisper, uncharacteristically quiet and unsure.

Silence falls over for them long enough for Sidon to figure it out.

Link does love him. Link is in love with him, and he’s been hiding it.

He leaves because of his obligation- but perhaps- he also leaves because he’s scared, and the weight of all the time they’ve lost falls onto Sidon all at once. How many nights have they spent awake thinking about each other, that could’ve been spent together instead? As Sidon grapples with the reality of the time they’ve wasted, Link sinks to the floor and holds his head in his hands.

“I love you, and I hate it,” Link cries while sitting curled up on the floor. It’s the first time Sidon has seen him cry- the first time Sidon has heard his voice waver and crack like it is right now. This is why Link doesn’t talk. Because when he does, things like this happen. It all starts to make sense. For all these years, and for the months since Ganon’s return, Link has been a dam of emotions just waiting to be broken. “I hate it because I never get to spend time with you, because you’re married, because… I’m scared. What if you die or go missing or get taken away?”

Sidon kneels to the floor on one knee. He doesn’t want to startle Link by hugging him again, but he doesn’t know what else to do, so he stays still and reassures the man in front of him.

“That won’t happen-”

“That’s what everyone else has said,” Then, Link is resting his head against Sidon’s chest and sobbing. Sidon feels his heart shatter in his chest. “And that’s why I hate feeling- feeling like this- and talking about it… I can’t believe I’ve told you these things. I need to leave.”

Link scoots back against the door, to which Sidon captures both of the Hylian’s wrists within his large hands.

“No, you need to stay and get some rest!” He argues. “If you want me to return to my room and leave you alone for the rest of your stay, fine, but I refuse to allow you to endanger yourself any more!”

Now, Link won’t even meet his gaze.

What the hell is he thinking right now?

“I can’t be here you after everything I’ve done and said-”

“What, as if you’ve done anything wrong!? I just wish you would’ve told me sooner!” Sidon exclaims. “I love you, too!”

Link freezes yet again, his blue eyes as big as dinner plates. If Link was making this face in any other context, Sidon would probably laugh.

“...What?”

“I love you, too,” Sidon moves to drop Link’s wrists and hold his hands instead.  “You’re my hero, and I will always be here for you… Not just because of our friendship, but because of my undying love for you. I want you to stay because I want you to spend time with me, and because I want you to be safe. I’m not like the others you speak of. I’m not going to leave you, not ever.”

“You don’t… You can’t really promise… You can’t really feel like-”

“I can, and I do,” Sidon sighs. “You have this idea of yourself that you’re an average man, but half the people in Hyrule would marry you at this point given the impact you’ve had. That includes me.”

Link looks to their joined hands and frowns.

“...What about Yona?”

“We are married, but an arranged marriage and a legitimate committed relationship are two different things,” Sidon explains. “Yona has a lover back home and has voiced that she would support me if I chose to pursue… Us. Though I understand if me being married makes you uncomfortable-”

“I don’t believe it… No, I should go.”

“Don’t believe what?” At this point, Sidon is exhausted. Between the mutual love confession, Ganon, becoming king, getting married, and everything else, all he wants is for Link to be happy and safe. Yet, Link is somehow still making an issue out of his feelings- still trying to escape this situation. “Link, if you want me to leave, that is fine, but you can’t leave in the condition you’re in!”

“I don’t want you to leave! That’s the problem,” Link jerks away from Sidon, storms back to the bed, and lies back on it so he can peer up at the ceiling and cover his face with his hands. “I want…”

Sidon stands once more, going to sit next to Link and resting a hand on the other man’s knee. 

“What is it that you want?”

A pause. A pause that goes on for so long that Sidon suspects Link is going to go silent again.

“You,” Link speaks after far too long. Sidon lies next to him.  “I just… I’ve never wanted anyone like this.”

“This is new to me as well,” Sidon confesses. “And as much as I hate to admit it, I am also scared, but… I believe we could make this work.”

Link uncovers his face and looks to Sidon, meeting his eyes.

“...Is this really why you wanted me to stay?”

“It’s not the only reason,” Sidon answers. “But yes.”

“Then… I’ll stay, at least for tonight. I may have to leave tomorrow… Just to keep up with the monsters. I’m sorry,” Link apologizes, and then clarifies- “For always leaving.”

Sidon shakes his head.

“Don’t be. I just… Want for you to be safe. At least accept some help, if you are going to leave tomorrow,” Silence falls again, but this time, it’s much more comfortable. Sidon briefly wonders if he could get Link to stay until he’s fully recovered from his injuries for once- if they could go fight the Yiga clan together, or if Link would at least accept help from some of Sidon’s most trusted soldiers. “Link… Come to my room for the night. We can spend more time together, and if you need anything… I’ll be there.”

And, finally, Link accepts Sidon’s help.

“Alright… Let’s go to bed together, then.”

[syndxlla]

Some Wholesome Post-Calamity Zelink Thoughts

the pre-calamity thoughts

Link awkwardly offering her his rito garb to wear after the battle concludes. She’s in shock, and needs to wear something more practical than her ceremonial attire. Her other clothes have been destroyed after all these years. He turns the other way as she changes in some ruins. Her dirty hands run along the crumbling stone.

She can’t help but bury her face into his smell, trying desperately not to cry. How different will he be? He still smells the same. He smells of pine and charcoal.

Touch is completely different now, they are both deeply traumatized and absolutely terrified of losing one another again. It’s a hot and cold push and pull type of thing. they constantly want to hold one another and never let go, but are terrified of the other one being afraid of them.

Link still putting his hair up the same way as he did a century ago, his hair tie in between his teeth. Zelda’s heart softens when she notices it.

Zelda laughing for the first time in one hundred years. She cackles at something Link says. It was along the lines of “one hundred years of sleep and you’d think I’d be able to keep my eyes open for longer than an hour” as they travel to Kakariko for the first time since Ganon was destroyed. Her laugh surprises both of them, it’s music to both of their ear’s. But especially Link’s.

Zelda being nervous around the Horses at Dueling Peaks stable, everything is strange to her again. Link speaking softly and gently to both her and the horses, taking her hand and guiding it to pet the velvety nose of the steed. Her sigh of relief.

Both of them wanting to be with the other the way the pined for in their youth, but being too scared to try anything.

Link eventually takes the initiative after they watched the sunset together on the cliff at the Tech Lab in Hateno, the sun painting orange over the ocean. Zelda’s head rests on his shoulder, he takes her hand and loops his fingers with hers. They stay like that till the sun rises the next morning.

Link giving Zelda a gentle forehead kiss one morning when she burns breakfast again. She quietly apologizes as he takes the pot away from her, fixing it.

Link braiding her hair back, letting his fingers linger in her golden hair. He smells the top of her head, closing his eyes. He remembers more when he does, ever since she came back he seems to remember everything all the time.

There are two beds in their home in Hateno, but both of them have nasty nightmares. Zelda is the first one to crawl into his bed with him. They never sleep apart now if they can help it.

Zelda admitting how much Link gets along with the kids in Hateno. Playing games with them, teaching them basic defensive combat, he’s opened so much since she first knew him.

Zelda waking up before him one morning, just looking at his scarred back. Tracing feather-light finger-tips along the new scars.

Link cutting her hair after she has a break down. He tells her something Riju told him: Hair Holds memory. He’s spent the last two years regaining his memories, maybe it was time for both of them to lose some.

The two heading out into Hyrule for the first time, stopping by all the major cities to thank them for their help. To start rebuilding Hyrule. Link walks side by side with her now, their hands typically intertwined.

Their first kiss.

It happened at the outskirt stable on their way to Hebra and Rito Village. Link had a nasty sunburn from the desert. They listened as music played and life danced through the stable. A fiddle and accordion played a folky jig and they couldn’t help but dance to it. Both of them are awful dancers, tumbling all over the other. They laugh and cheer and hold one another and when they make eye contact it happens. It’s so fast and short but felt like second nature. They both wished they had done it early. A century earlier.

[crazylittlejester]

for prompt

“I’m not a child!” With wind

(A.k.a just the “I’m not a child! I grew up faster than other people I didn’t need a stupid stuffed toy!” Audio hut with wind)

I was gonna make this like, hardcore angst and then I got a much sillier idea, I hope you like it!! (309 words)

“I’m not a child!” Wind hissed, glaring at Sky with all his might. “I don’t need you to baby me!”

“Wind, come on…” Sky sighed, but the sailor didn’t give him time to finish.

“I’ve done the same thing as most of you! I’ve defeated Ganon too! All of you were my age once, and I know you guys probably didn’t like being treated like a defenseless child, so why would you treat me that way!”

“Wind!” The sky knight cut him off sharply, and the sailor’s jaw audibly clicked shut.

He hadn’t meant to get so worked up, but he was starting to get frustrated with how the others were assuming that just because he was the youngest they needed to be softer with him or watch out for him more than the others, and when Sky had asked if he wanted the stuffed remlit, it had pushed him over the edge.

“I’m not babying you,” Sky told him, still holding the stuffed little guy who was admittedly very cute. “I’m literally just asking you if you want one because I got one for Wars and Twilight too and I thought you might also want one.”

Wind’s eyes widened in shock and he looked behind him to find the captain and the rancher giggling and playing with their stuffed remlits like they were giddy five year olds.

…If two grown men in their twenties could play with stuffed toys, maybe Wind could too.

“I’m sorry,” he ducked his head, accepting the very soft little guy when Sky held it out for him again.

“It’s okay, sailor,” his brother smiled, pulling him in for a quick side hug. “We were all thirteen once, it’s stressful, I know. But you ARE allowed to act like a kid, you know? We know you’re strong and we won’t treat you any differently.”

[skyloftian-nutcase]

Miphlink comfort of some sort? Maybe a hug?

Cold water trickled down from his hair, shocking him into reality as Link splashed his face again and again by the reservoir. The nightmare was still fairly vivid in his mind, though not as much as it had been when he’d first awoken, startled and skin crawling and heart racing.

When he cupped his hands to fill them with water once more, fingers gently took hold of his palms, and he noticed that Mipha was floating in the water in front of him, having swam over from wherever she’d been resting.

“Link?” She questioned softly, voice so gentle it may as well have been a caress in itself. “Are you alright?”

Link blinked away the images of her broken body, of Waterblight Ganon succeeding before he could rescue her. He hesitated in admitting the issue, nearly trying to brush it aside, but they’d both been working on trying to be more open with each other. So instead, he said, “Nightmare. But it’ll pass.”

Mipha watched him a moment, seeming to be debating something. Then she smiled, releasing her hold on his hands and emerging out of the water to stand beside him. She held out an inviting hand, which he took, curious what she was doing.

When Mipha guided him back to the bed in the little awning built for him, he felt his cheeks blush a little. Mipha reached forward, hugging him silently, and his racing heart finally started to relax. This was a familiar gesture, comforting and surprisingly warm, despite Zoras running a little cooler than Hylians. Her head rested against his shoulder, and he let himself lean on her a little. Her breath tickled his neck, water slowly trailing down both of them.

Link slowed his breathing and closed his eyes, his hand tracing down her shoulder, thumb feeling every small scale, every nick from battle. It was beginning to become a reassurance in itself, a reminder that she was still here, that Ganon hadn’t won that day, and that despite the war they were now fighting, they still had each other.

“Is it… all right if I join you in bed?” Mipha asked, and he felt her tense a little in awkward anxiety at the prospect.

Link smiled and nodded, humming a little, and the couple carefully slid under the covers before resuming their hug, settling to sleep in each other’s arms.

[kaisers-house-of-desires]

Hello! Not to send in another Ganondorf request (I'm sure he's popular lmao) but if you wouldn't mind, maybe some soft smut would be fun? I'm specifically thinking a reader who just doesn't have a whole lot of experience with sex, if any at all, and now Ganondorf would treat him and whatnot.

Thank you for your time, I love your writing!!

Not a problem at all! Ganon is a personal favorite of mine so I'm always excited to write for him~!

Thank you for your kind words, and I hope you enjoy~

Title: Inexperienced Lover

Characters: Ganon x m!reader

Contains: inexperienced sex, soft sex, fingering, pet names(love, dear)

Fandom: Legend of Zelda

Full request below the cut

All characters are 18+

MINORS, FEM ALIGNED, AGELESS/BLANK BLOGS DNI

Reblogs > likes

"W-Wait!" Your voice startled Ganon into stopping immediately from entering you.

"Yes, love? Is...everything okay?"

All your breath came out in a rush, having held it until he spoke. "I-I...it's my first time. I-I'm sorry, I should have told you. I-I just..."

Given your position on top of him, you buried your face in his chest. His hold on your legs loosened from the slightly firm grip, and he replaced the area with gentle strokes of his fingers.

"You don't need to apologize, dear. I should be the one to do so. I never did ask if you were capable of withstanding such a size. I merely assumed."

You let out an amused huff, turning your head to the side to speak. "H-Honestly, I thought I could handle it. But I guess I wussed out."

"Don't say such a thing. You just aren't ready." He moved a hand to pet at your head, large fingers gently playing with your strands of hair. "Are you wanting to continue at all?"

You nodded. "Is there...anything else we could do? Or...how could I...be better prepared?"

"Hm...well. You mentioned you were not prepared for my size." A hand traveled down to the soft mounds of your butt, gently kneeding them under his grip. "I know of a way. That is, if you will allow me."

Swallowing down your fears, you nodded once more, silently enjoying the feeling of his hands on your bottom. "You're free to do anything except use your...um...y-y'know..."

Ganon couldn't help but chuckle. "Are you that inexperienced that you refuse to say 'penis?'"

Your flushed red, lightly slapping the Gerudo's chest. "Y-You hush! S-So what if I didn't want to say it?!"

His chuckled turned into a soft laugh. "I jest, love. I jest."

With the two of you settled and relaxed, Ganon returned to what he had in mind. He gently massaged your soft behind once more before spreading the cheeks. You immediately reminded Ganon of earlier, to which he assured you he wasn't inserting his shaft into you.

No no. Instead, the Gerudo gently teased your entrance with a finger, circling the tight ring with gentle movements. You relaxed against him, humming in delight over the sensation.

Okay, you thought. This feels fine. I can manage this.

Once you fully relaxed, when Ganon was able to see you were ready, a finger slowly slid inside. Granted his fingers were thicker, but they were still much smaller than his cock, so he figured this would be the best way to get you adjusted to him. He was slow, gentle, stopping whenever you made the slightest sound of pain and only continuing when you gave him the word.

"F-Fuck...e-even your finger is thick," you breathed, gently gripping at the man below you.

"You're okay, though, right?" Ganon's voice was gentle, careful.

You slowly nodded with a hum of confirmation, allowing Ganon to slowly slide his finger fully inside. He gave you further time to adjust, moving when you patted his chest.

The movement of his fingers was slow but calculated. He slowly pulled them to the closest knuckle before slipping back in, giving you about an inch of movement with every slow thrust. You felt tight around him, but that was the point of this; to gently work you up.

He kept this pace until he felt your hole loosen a bit, using that chance to gently speed up, making his movements a bit deeper. Such a change urged your hips to rock, your cock grinding against Ganon's muscular form. The two of you let out such pleased hums as the moment passed, Ganon keeping such a close eye on you and your reactions.

It wouldn't be long until, with this current pace, you could manage full movement of his finger, lewd, squelching sounds echoing into the air with every thrust, causing you to bury your head into your lover once more. Ganon chuckled at this, slowing his movements some.

"Love? Are you alright?"

You were too shy to answer at first, but with a teasing push of his finger, Ganon urged you to speak.

"I-It's...loud back there," you breathed. "I-I'm making...dirty sounds..."

"My dear, those sounds are nothing short of bliss." The Gerudo's voice rumbled in his chest, allowing you to not only hear, but feel how aroused he was by the sound. "You are feeling good, and that's your body reacting as such."

You were feeling good...Yeah. You were so embarrassed to say it but he was right. This was all wonderful. You never knew his fingers alone could feel like heaven. You almost thought you were ready for his dick, but a part of you still shuddered at the idea.

"C-Could I get more of this for a bit? P-Please?"

Who was he to deny his love?

Ganon even surprised you with a second finger, repeating the actions he did with his first finger: slow, stopping when you showed pain, and resuming when you called for it. Hylia, you felt full, but knowing it was just his fingers eased your anxieties. Just like before, he would move shallowly, letting you adjust before you were loose enough for him to move more. In all honesty, your mind was nearly mush from this by itself. Your mouth hung open in soft, breathy moans, your eyes staring at nothing in particular before fluttering shut.

"How is it, dear?"

You almost didn't realize he spoke. It was the vibrations of his chest that jolted you back to reality.

"S-So...nice...~ G-Ganon~ I-I think I'm ready."

"You think or you are ready?" For a man hellbent on ruling the world, what king would he be to his partner if he didn't let him decide if he was ready for such an experience?

"I-I'm ready," you breathed. "I'm ready. P-Please."

He was careful to remove his fingers, a whine leaving from your mouth at how empty you felt. Though you wouldn't have to wait long, as you felt the head of his shaft pressed at your opening.

"We're on the cusp. Are you sure, love?"

For the first time tonight, you sat up against him, gently taking the king's face in your smaller hands as you gazed up at him with pleasure hazed eyes.

"My king...you may enter me."

Your words nearly broke the man, but Hylia bless him for having composure. He slowly slid his cock into you, treating it like he was using a finger once again. The difference was that this was still thicker than two fingers, but on the bright side, the fact he stretched you out beforehand was enough to loosen you up and allow him to slide in with some ease. He wrapped his arms around you like a protective hug, and with each movement, he treated you like a fragile glass doll.

His thrusts were nothing short of careful, moving inside of you with such care, fearing he would break you if he went even a hair faster. Your moans fueled him, aiding him into keeping his gentle pace, and his moans, in turn, only made you shudder. You could make this Demon King moan, make him whimper with how tight you were, and you both relished in this moment.

Though when the time came for it, Ganon didn't expect you to pass out soon after cumming. As he was when you were awake, Ganon was sure to take care of you before he settled you in the bed, admiring your sleeping form before following in your footsteps.

[skyward-floored]

Whumptober Day 22: Glass shard, “Watch out!”

Folks I’m ngl, this one is very intense. The first bit is the worst, but the end is kinda creepy too, and overall it’s just bad times, so uh, you know. There’s your warning. Per usual, if you think this needs more warnings, please tell me :)

Read on ao3

Warnings: see above, canonical character death (...sort of) blood, significant injury, brief mention of vomit, and creepy vibes

————————————————————

Somehow he knows it’s over.

His breath is coming short in his chest, blood dripping through his fingers as he tries to hold it in from too many injuries to count. The Master Sword was knocked from his grip ages ago, and he’s not sure what happened to his shield.

Something moves in the corner of his eyes, but there’s blood on his forehead and he moves too slow, Navi’s chime frantic in his ears.

“Watch out!” she shrieks, but Link can’t move fast enough, can barely breathe anymore, and when the huge sword cleaves his chest, he knows it is over.

He doesn’t know if it’s him or Navi who screams, or Zelda maybe, wherever she is. All he’s really aware of is the white hot agony ripping into him, the yellow eyes that stare into his, Ganon’s face upturning in a wild grin when he realizes what he’s accomplished.

A bellowing laugh of victory blots out any other noise, any cry Link might make as Ganon raises him into the air, still impaled on his weapon. His vision goes white at the edges as Ganon lets him hang there, and he knows he screams when the blade is ripped from his chest, dropping him to the ground with a sickening noise.

There’s a desperate wail he thinks comes from Navi, but all there is is light and sound and shattered glass beneath his broken body, only spilling more of his blood onto the floor.

You failed, his mind whispers, even as his eyes flicker and Navi wails again. You failed.

Something warm is spilling from his mouth, his chest, pooling rapidly beneath him. There is a new voice now, shouting something that makes bright lights appear in the edges of his vision, and he tries to turn to them, but can’t.

Zelda, his mind whispers. Trying to fix your mistakes.

He closes his eyes, grief and shame and horrific pain so intense that he can’t handle the weight of them. Something in his chest moves when he breathes, something that’s not supposed to, and it joins the rest of the agony pounding through him, breaking him into pieces like the shattered glass beneath him.

He wants to go home.

A cough bubbles out of his chest, something thick on his tongue, and wings suddenly brush his face.

“Link,” Navi sobs as she nearly falls onto his cheek, clutching at him with tiny hands, “Link no, I’m so sorry, I was s-supposed to protect you—”

Link lets out a sound somewhere between a cough and a sob, and Navi cries, her tears falling to his cheek like glowing snowflakes. He wants to reassure her, gently cup her in his palm, but he knows it���s the end.

Nothing can save him now.

Zelda’s voice sounds choked as it echoes along with six others, almost like she’s holding back tears. Ganon suddenly screams, and Link feels the tiniest wave of hope as his senses desert him, his ruined body failing.

He hopes that Zelda and the sages will take care of Ganon, that they’ll stop him, seal him, won’t let him destroy the kingdom more than Link has already allowed him to.

But he’ll never know for sure.

Link takes in one last gurgling breath, blood almost stopping him from breathing his last. Navi holds him tighter, and Link exhales, blood dribbling from the corner of his mouth as his body falls still.

His fairy’s sob is the last thing he hears as his world disappears into nothing but velvety darkness.

—And Time bolts upright with a choked off scream before he even fully realizes what’s happening.

Images swirl in his head with such dizzying clarity he can’t focus on any of them. Blood and weapons, blue and yellow, stairs and music and the booming laugh that haunted his nightmares as a child—

Time clutches his chest, gasping in a shaking breath. He feels sick, horribly sick, phantom pain slicing into his stomach, terror sinking its freezing claws into him. Sweat pours down his face as the laugh echoes in his ears again, a shrill scream, and he tries desperately to reassure himself it wasn’t real.

That’s not how his fight against Ganon had happened. It wasn’t, he was fine, but his heart was pounding and his lungs were still straining like they couldn’t get in enough air—

(A trident, ripping through his chest, choking on blood, too much, too much—)

Time gags, and someone’s hand lands on his shoulder as he vomits into the grass, holding him steady while they wait for him to stop.

He finally catches his breath, head spinning, stomach still unsettled. The emotions from the dream sharply linger, failure and hopelessness and a fear so intense that Time is nearly sick again. The hand on his shoulder squeezes, and he finally looks up, meeting Warriors’ worried blue eyes.

The captain doesn’t say anything at first. But he hands Time a cloth to wipe his face, and steadies him when he gets to his feet, legs still trembling.

Warriors leads him to the fire, and Time sits down, forcing the shaking in his body to still. But it’s impossible, not when he can still hear Navi’s shriek ringing in his ears, feel blood pouring down his chin. Ganon’s triumphant laugh booms in his ears for the third time, and Time hunches down in his seat, mind unwillingly going through every single detail of the dream.

Just like he has for the past half a week.

The detail of the dream has increased each time he’s had it, but tonight’s was the worst yet. Time clutches at his forehead as his head pounds, and lightly rubs the bridge of his nose.

Nightmares rarely effect him to such a degree, but this... this time it had felt real.

What’s happening to me?

Warriors sits next to him without a word moments later, holding a water skin. A scarf settles around his shoulders, and Time nearly gives in to the childish desire to bury his face in it, hands still shaking.

“Time, are you... well?” Warriors asks finally, his voice gentle and worried.

Time sips the water he’s been given to give himself more time to reply, and lowers the skin with a quiet swallow.

“It’s not a sickness,” he croaks finally, hating how shaky the words come out. “I know it’s not. It’s...”

(Navi crying, Ganon’s roar, the rich tones of an organ as tears fall down his cheeks—)

He shudders.

“It’s the same dream. Every night,” he whispers. “Exactly the same, only they’re getting... worse. More real.”

He doesn’t explain what happens in the dream, but Warriors doesn’t push, instead staying silent as he thinks for a moment.

“Every night?” he asks finally, voice soft and worried.

“Tonight was the fourth in a row.”

Warriors goes silent again, the crease on his forehead deepening.

“Something must be going on,” he says finally, firelight shimmering off of the embroidery on his scarf. “Things like this... they’re very rarely a coincidence.”

“I know,” Time whispers, voice still terribly small. “This... this isn’t natural.”

“Could this be the work of the enemy?” Warriors muses, staring at the fire. “A spell? A curse?”

Time shakes his head, feeling at a loss. He knows the feel of curses, and the dreams don’t feel like that. They have more of a... heft to them, like anticipation before a battle, or the pressure before a rainstorm.

They feel more like the nightmares he had as a child, visions of Ganondorf’s attack, leading up to the day he left the forest. There’s a weight to these dreams, one that boasts of nothing good in store for their group.

But Time doesn’t voice any of this. Warriors doesn’t need yet another thing to stress about.

And besides, perhaps I’m wrong.

So instead of saying anything further, Time silently rests his head on his brother’s shoulder, scarf still warming his arms, and listens to the sound of his breathing, steady and strong.

He misses the look Warriors gives him, and at some point, falls back asleep, a hand carding through his hair.

(...)

The dreams don’t stop, their violence and clarity only getting more intense.

The others are aware something is wrong now, Time waking them all up with a bloodcurdling scream the very next night. They discuss ideas, but nobody has a clue what’s going on, what’s affecting him so deeply. Time sees several of them having conversations out of his earshot that day, furtive glances cast his direction, but he pretends he doesn’t notice.

If they want to talk about him behind his back, so be it.

They all generally give him space at night, but with the repeated nightmares, now his boys have take to sleeping much closer. And when Time wakes up heaving for breath, someone is inevitably there to calm him down.

After a week goes by with no relief, Time admits to Warriors and Twilight, quietly, what his nightmare consists of, in hopes it will aid in solving this. All it really does is make Warriors’ face twice as concerned when he wakes him from a nightmare, and Twilight’s eyes hold a nervousness when he looks at him now, like he’s afraid his dream might suddenly become reality.

Time debates not sleeping to escape the nightmare as it continues to plague him. He’s barely getting any rest anyway, he might as well skip sleep entirely.

He’s had plenty of practice, after all.

But after three nights of no rest, the others put a stop to it, several of them nearly shouting at him they’re so worried. Time nearly yells back, but he stops himself at the last moment, weariness settling upon him.

He does want to sleep. Desperately. But he can’t so much as close his eyes without the nightmare creeping up on him, blood and screams and pain pain pain—

Staying awake is almost more restful.

The others gang up on him that night though, and bury him in a pile of limbs and blankets, Wind settling himself right by his head. Time falls asleep feeling hopeful for once, but he still wakes up with a scream later that night, and Wind ends up calming him down as he tries not to sob.

He feels even worse after that (it’s not Wind’s job to comfort him, it should never be—), and pointedly moves himself away from the others at night, in hopes they’ll get the hint.

They don’t, really. In fact, they pointedly ignore it and continue to sleep by him, even when he wakes up thrashing and sick and nearly gives Hyrule a black eye one night with how frantically he’s moving.

He knows they only want to help, but he only feels like more and more of a problem.

They go through a portal and end up in Legend’s era, and Time wonders if the nightmares will stop with the changing of location. But if anything they get even worse, starting earlier in the fight, each slice in his skin burning when he wakes. He’s barely sleeping now, the shadows under his eyes nearly as obvious as the tattoos on his face.

No matter what he does, he can’t seem to break the grip of the nightmare, and he’s becoming a liability, slow in traveling, clumsy in fighting. They try everything to help him, healing, potions, magic— they even visit a doctor in a town they stop at, but he can’t tell them anything they don’t already know.

Time even writes to Malon about them, desperate to get his thoughts out to someone who understands, but he folds it up and doesn’t send the letter in the end, finding himself veering into questions even he doesn’t want answers to.

Has it finally been too much? All of what’s happened to me? he wonders as he tries his hardest not to cry in Warriors’ arms one night after the nightmare.

Am I going insane?

With the amount of sleep he’s been getting as of late, he wouldn’t even be surprised.

They make tracks for Legend’s house, hopeful that a real bed for Time to sleep in will help somehow. Legend also has a vast amount of magic objects and items, and he seems hopeful that at least a few have a chance of helping him.

And if not... well, perhaps the Zelda of this time will have some ideas.

But the night before they’re set to reach Legend’s house, weeks— has it truly been weeks? A month?— after the nightmares start, something finally changes.

Ganon stabs him and he breathes his last, Navi sobbing as Zelda and the sages desperately seal the beast away. He fades into darkness, simultaneously light and heavy, warm and cold, and knows without a shadow of a doubt that he’s dead.

But the dream flickers here.

It’s as if an impossible amount of time goes by, and yet equally mere seconds, and the darkness falls over him again.

It seems to last for an eternity, wrapped around him, coating him in its hold as it intensifies, and suddenly Time is aware this is a dream, and snaps to sharp attention, looking around at the void.

It’s pure black, deeper even than the night sky, and Time feels his heart speed up at the suffocating thickness of it.

He’s not injured anymore. In fact, he’s himself, not the version of him that fought Ganon all those years ago, and Time stares, looking frantically around at the void.

Why hasn’t he woken up? Why is he aware, for once, that this is merely a dream?

Why is it continuing?

He doesn’t have long to ponder this, as the darkness parts eventually to show a room, stone walls, stone floor. Time has only just begun to study it when a noise hits his ears and he turns, watching in horror as a body falls to the ground, bloodied and broken.

Something moves out of the shadows and grabs the body’s face, and Time squints, trying to make out both the body and the figure shrouded in darkness.

But he can’t make out any features, the room too dark, dream too uncertain and wavering. Time feels something tense inside of him as he makes out the three gouges that mar the body’s chest, and tries even harder to see the other figure as well.

All he can make out are robes swishing over feet, in a color almost as dark as the room.

The figure studying the body finally lets out a quiet chuckle, leaning back as a hand caresses a chin.

“Oh I’ve waited a long time for this,” the figure hisses in a voice that seems as if it could be familiar, and drops the head none too gently, blood still spilling to the floor.

Darkness suddenly snakes from the figure and trickles towards the body, thick and unnatural. Time has the urge to grab the body and pull it out of the way, but he’s unable to do anything but watch in horror and disgust as the darkness reaches the body, wrapping around it like only tentacles, holding it tight. It seeps into the countless wounds, and the figure lets out a laugh as the body gives a full-body shudder.

The figure straightens suddenly, standing up from where it had kneeled beside the previously very much dead body. Something moves by the figure’s face, and suddenly it falls to the ground, robes rippling as it collapses onto the floor with a very, very faint moan.

But whatever had moved by the face stays up, floating somehow, and bobbing very faintly up and down.

Time feels the slow horror he’d been experiencing suddenly increase, familiarity freezing him like a blast from an ice rod at the sight of the dark shape floating in front of him.

He knows what it is. He’s sure he does, but his mind won’t even let him entertain it.

It can’t be.

The hovering shape turns slowly to the bloody body on the ground, then floats almost leisurely towards it, watching as the tendrils of darkness continue to weave through and around it. The body gives another shudder, and the thing suddenly slips down and latches on to the body’s face.

Time can only watch in horror as the body’s back arches, like it’s trying to fight back, even just a little, but then it goes unnaturally still again.

Then it sits up almost calmly, facing away from Time as it looks at its hands and feet. The body gets to its feet then, shuddering slightly as more blood drips off of it and falls to the floor.

Time wants to look away, but he can’t, all he can do is continue to watch in absolute horror as the body straightens, dusting off its ragged tunic, brushing a hand entwined with darkness over the injuries gouged in its chest.

“I’ve always wondered what this body would be like,” a voice muses, even more terrifyingly familiar, and Time sees a flicker of yellowy-orange eyes. “And now I’ve finally got my chance. How fun.”

The yellow eyes turn and stare directly at him, framed by a heart-shaped mask.

“Isn’t that right, Hero of Time?”

And the dream shatters, Time jerking awake with a name and a scream on his lips.

[hydrangeyes]

Unnamed

So if you don't know, Yes this already existed, my old account was deleted (accident but I can tell I won't be getting it back), and am reposting my old x male reader works!

I don't know if I saved all of them but here is one that was saved to my AO3 account.

Edit: So shuffling through my docs It's been brought to my attention that wattpad (who I use as backup) Cut a lot of my fics in half??? anyway I'll be trying to fix that also

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Edit Nov.8.2023:

*Looks everywhere but at you* it..it was going to be pwp.

Botw link x male lynel hybrid

Warning: kinda slow burn, romance is there????, it is, courting, violence, slight misunderstanding, belly bulge, big dick, cum play, ass eating, blow jobs, pet play, overstimulation, nipple play/light torture, somniphilia, crying, light angst, public sex, voyeurism, switch link, switch oc, updated as I write lmao, this is pretty slice of life tbh, just with porn, ruts/heats, This is some wild shit, Wow google search please don’t 

Are you telling me lynel's exist and someone hasn't once thought "maybe 👀 these centaur babes can get it?" Cause I honestly don't believe that.

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Chapter 1: I love Chabi, I feel like she would be a gremlin.

Note: Puuuuuure self-indulgence. Like listen my brain went brrrrrrrrr, this is for fellow monsterfuckers

Traveling after fighting Ganon all at once was rather...fun. Maybe it’s because he went straight to the source of evil and somehow lucked out. And now don’t have a sense of urgency to get to that end goal. The collecting of his memories happened right after as well and by then the princess herself wanted to truly rest up before traveling with him.

He didn’t like the thought of leaving her behind, but he felt a little more at ease that at least she would be staying with Purah for the time being.

Link shivers as he tugs up the fur around his neck. Snowfield was feeling extra chilly for some reason.  He moves a little faster, shuffling through his pockets as he ate one of his emergency peppers. Imagine his relief when he sees the stable just up ahead with a few of the tiny town’s stacked together houses.

“Ah, link!” A voice calls to him once he steps in. The tavern/horse stable wasn’t too packed thank goodness but there was a familiar face. Chabi grins waving at the surprised Hylian.

Chabi and he became pretty good friends after the handful of times Link has saved her as well as traded monster parts with her. She mainly stuck to warmer places and just barely the edges of goron city. It seemed she was acting as an in-between for Kilton and fellow travelers. But being so far from the usual land she would circle in?

“Chabi? A bit far from the base aren’t you?” Link said softly with gesturing to the whole thick woven sweater she was in. Giggling chabi smirks puffing out her chest. “Call me the official Monster tradesman! I’ve started traveling a little further out for those rare materials. Kilton even gifted me with some weapons that’ll protect me better!” she starts up, gesturing him to join her at the little table she was sitting at.

“And so I thought why not start the one place I know the boss doesn’t care to visit. He doesn’t like the cold, he says it makes his feet clammy.”

Link holds back the many questions that pop up in his head about that. Best to store that away with the other questions he has under Kilton’s name. “I..see. So Snowfield was your first stop or?”

“Hm? OH no hehe. Rather some interesting rumors brought me here.”

Feeling like this will be a long one Link waves over a barmaid to buy some spicy curry and hopefully a few fish skewers. Maybe buy a bed for the night as well, just in case, the others get taken.

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“-And so there I was! Hearing about a lynel wandering between the mountains and near the ruins! And oh I just had to see for myself, maybe ask for a few loose fangs or toenails you know?”

“No. I don’t know.” Link muttered into his drink. It felt like hours since she started this story, before finally getting to the point. He learned way more about how to skin mokoblin guts than he wished. Anyway- “I doubt they would give you a fang but what’s this about it traveling to the ruins?” As far as Link knew most lynels up here were feral or didn’t live anywhere close to the ruins.

“Well, which ruins now that I think about it…” Link asks as Chabi finishes up the last fish skewer. 

“Mhh, Well I say ruins but really it’s the forgotten temple.”

Now that got his attention. What could a lynel want in that guardian-ridden place??? Link frowns leaning back o think about it. That temple of any was the most dangerous and well...Link couldn’t help but feel a little responsible since he didn’t exactly break down the guardians still in there. He was still getting the hang of dealing with those, much less the mobile ones.

The thought of those stalkers since a bone-deep type over shiver. “Why don’t you let me check out if the rumors are true or not. I know you can take on a hoard of bokoblins but even when they’re going easy on you lynels are tough, and rather approach you than vice versa.”

Chabi yawns pouting a bit, sleep probably just now getting to her. “Mm, I suppose. If you can leave them a welcoming message to trade with me please?” she half pleads and half demands. Link nods getting up for a stretch, absolutely happy that she didn’t stop him. He was ready to collapse on the nearest free bed. “I will, soon as I get up I’ll head on over okay?

“Link if I wasn’t so devoted to the boss, I could just kiss you right now!”

“Please don’t.”

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End Notes:

Basing a lot of this on my 3 playthroughs of botw. And I played them chaotically, as well as just overall making some things up. I kinda want there to be a lot more people in the botw world, like stables have small villages of their own (tarrey town size at least).

 I have a whole dnd esc Au for this where most monsters have their own tribes etc. but lynels, Lizalfos, and maybe wizzrobes interact with humanoids and trade with them. Except for maybe wizzrobes, I feel like they’re more steal your shit and bargain it back, type people.

This issss planned to be very long like, there’s a whole courting arc I have in mind, If you’re here just for the porn, it’ll be marked.

Anyway, this will all probably be unedited and sloppy. It’s for fun and the chapter lengths will probably vary as well. Idk why but I like the thought of the monster appreciators hooking us best friends (or partners) and link is just there, rethinking his life choices. 

But again real talk I right this whenever my mind gets staticy so please excuse any grammar issues, the many run-on sentences, etc etc 👍

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Chapter 2: O-oh someone fucked a Lynel.

If there's one thing he loved about the snowy areas it was waking up to fresh snow in the morning or nights.

Breathing in that crisp air and starting his journey. Link rubs his cold cheeks, face a bit flushed.

But Chiba woke him up first thing and he will admit he was also wondering about this traveling lynel. The locals (at least the ones up) all mentioned how the lynel kept to themselves, and only came to buy directly from the farmer.

Makes him wonder if the lynel was checking out the area to maybe start up a new home. Shaking his head Link focused on climbing the hill and not sliding off. 

[lawyernovelistpersonal]

Robin Hood Legend of Zelda

So I stumbled on @skyward-floored's suggestion of a Legend of Zelda game based on Robin Hood, in which there's a huge monster problem, an evil king (probably Ganon, unless Ganon/Ganondorf is the power behind the throne, which I agree could be fun) taxing the people for everything they have and not using the money to do anything about the monsters, and Link starts doing something about the monsters and gathers a ragtag band of people to help.

This idea has set up home rent-free in my head.

First of all, I love the idea of Zelda as Maid Marian, but as well as being the damsel at court who's interacting with Ganondorf she's also gathering intelligence and working with Link as Sheik - it's been a while since we've had Sheik. She's introduced soon after the inciting incident and she's bringing Link information about the monsters and what's happening at court, but it's not until midway through the game that he finds out what Sheik's deal is. One option could be that the first plot point/dungeon boss fight is actually that Link has to fight Sheik to prove himself. Sheik then concludes that this guy can actually do something and isn't just another poser or some kid who's not actually as badass as he thinks he is.

Ganondorf has some other powerful minions of one sort or another to serve as dungeon bosses - they can have various quirks and powers. One of them could even be holding onto the Master Sword - I like the idea of it being in a vault in the castle and Link finds out about it from Sheik and then has to sneak in, maybe beat a dungeon, and grab it.

The mechanic of stealing things from the castle (or other enemy strongholds) could work on some combination of the mechanic for learning echoes in Echoes of Wisdom and the popular fanon in the LU fandom of Wild storing things in his Slate (plus something like the way cartoon!Link pulls things in and out of his belt pouch in a little sparkly pixel cloud). Link has a magic pouch with an inventory size and maybe some sort of mechanism for controlling the size of things he can take in and out and when the player goes up to something they want to put in the pouch they go up to it, hit a button, and Link magically dissolves the object into the pouch. Then he gets it out again the same way. The inventory and the input/output bandwidth are both upgradeable, so to begin with Link can only pick up small things and can only carry a limited volume of stuff, but by the endgame he can steal entire carts and that kind of thing.

As well as defeating bosses, part of the goal is to put a team together and there are recruitable NPCs with different skills. Some of these people can be rescued from monsters, some have to be won over with specific sidequests. Their skills can vary such that only particular ones are good at combat; maybe some are good at crafting (or dismantling) and mending equipment and maybe that's how upgrades could happen and would be a way of handling weapon durability: Link can steal weapons from monsters, but if he gets something particularly good (maybe stolen from the castle or a dungeon boss or something) it can be maintained. However, the "Merry men" who are good at combat could have a mechanic like in Hyrule Warriors attached to them, where the player can set up strategies and send them to different parts of a battlefield or dungeon to help him, taking advantage of different skills as well as having multiple not-quite-playable characters to use.

One option for stealing things (and getting loot from monsters, finding resources, etc.) could be that different things are more or less easy to repurpose or sell to travelling merchants (Beedle). A team member who can break down something large could therefore be useful so if Link does something wild like steal Ganondorf's bed right out of his bedroom, it can be converted into wood, fabric, precious metals, nails, etc. that can be used. Link can then use those resources for himself or give them to ordinary people in need in the traditional Robin Hood way.

And there could also be a mechanic that incentivises helping ordinary people on top of it being thematically appropriate and giving the player warm fuzzies. I really like the idea of this being how this game has an equivalent to spirit orbs. Kind of reaching to the Robin Hood roots, people Link helps can't pay him with anything - that's kind of the point - so there aren't rupee rewards for doing side quests or saving people from monsters or anything, especially in the early game where people are under the heel of monsters. However, what they can do is pray for him. As more people are praying for Hylia to bless him because he helped them, Link is able to pray himself and gain hearts that way (and maybe something like stamina vessels, maybe special upgrades or abilities, that kind of thing).

So the gameplay loop is first trying to protect people from monsters, then moving on to stealing from the rich ((monstrous) minibosses) and giving to the poor, and these things allow Link to gain more powerful equipment and strength in the form of things like hearts, stamina, and so forth. Sheik becomes aware of him and vice versa and that's the first dungeon - trying to get through something to talk to Sheik and then fighting 'him' to prove himself. After he's defeated Sheik, Shiek offers to help him with information and things like warnings of monster movements. On an open-world any-order basis, he can then work his way through other dungeons, including sneaking in and out of the castle, building up his team of merry men and taking down Ganondorf's minions, all the while protecting and helping the common people of Hyrule and gaining more strength and ability himself. Midway through, Shiek gives him information that leads him into the castle and to getting the Master Sword from its vault, a little after that - maybe something to do with the sword or the triforce or something - he finds out who Sheik actually is and that Zelda, who he's seen from a distance while sneaking around and maybe she's covered for him or hasn't reacted to seeing him or something, is also the person who's been feeding him information and maybe training or something. Then, gameplay-wise, once all the sub-bosses have been dealt with something happens and Ganondorf finds out about Zelda/Sheik, turns on and probably kills the king, kidnaps Zelda (I mean, it's a LoZ game, it's a little bit mandatory) and then Link gathers his resources, leads his merry men in an attack on the castle, takes down Ganondorf, Zelda becomes queen, we all live happily ever after.

And the whole time he's getting tips and suggestions from his fairy companion Little John :P

[rawliverandgoronspice]

Gantober #30 - The Pond

I see we're all in a Termina Ganondorf streak, so I'll add my own piece to the pile!

[Majora's Mask, Termina Ganon AU, no other warning]

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When evening came, the swamp adorned itself in a purple sheen that seemed to muffle the whole world. Frogs rumbled under the mud, and insects weren’t so loud that time of the year as to become overbearing. Earthen scents deepened as the water cooled.

Ganondorf took deep, grounding breaths as he untangled the fishing lines back into tight bundles that wouldn’t make knots during the night. Spending time with the occasional client was always nice —tales of the buzzing preparations for the festival in town always more engrossing to learn about from a safe distance— but the aching satisfaction that came with the end of a good work day was what he preferred above all else in life. The pirates he grew up with would have called it cowardice; but Ganondorf wasn’t one to pursue thrills for their own sake. Habit always reassured him.

Carefully placing the last bundle of lines into a basket nearby, Ganondorf clenched and unclenched his calloused hands before grabbing a bag of fish food and a mug of piping hot tea, and he moved from behind the counter of his fishing stall to the wooden deck overlooking the pond. Carps, eels and snappers circled the support poles crowded by waterlilies and moss and fireflies, expecting their meager part of the deal they had going on; then furiously nibbled on what he gave them with absolute focus. Ganondorf sat cross-legged on the deck to watch them, bringing the herbal tea to his lips. It didn’t taste good, but Kotake, the local apothecary, had insisted the beverage would ward off the cold he had been fighting for over a week —and he knew better than to deny the swamp witches’ doting nature. They had been looking over him every since he had decided to leave the pirate fortress, a good decade ago. The first time he had called them grandma, they had both squealed with joy. They visited each other regularly, knowing what to cook and what jokes to make and what subjects to avoid. Maybe it was the stillness of the swamp water, that allured wayward gerudos who had grown sick of the sea. He couldn’t say for sure.

Ganondorf sighed in contentment, and looked upward at the evening sky. Stars dwindled at the edge of puffy clouds, and most of the sun’s orange tint had given way to deep violets, pinks and blue. He had picked the pond for his fishing stall to be set halfway through a clearing just so he could get that sort of view —the one thing about the ocean he did miss.

That night, the moon stared back at him.

It seemed closer than before. Angrier too, if that made any sense. Some kind of furious, pained, hateful expression sundered deep through blisters of stone. The moon seemed like it wanted to scream.

Ganondorf drank another sip of the boiling tea. His fingers almost burned against the ceramic, but the pain gave him something concrete to hold onto. That, and the earthen scents, and the insects, and the frogs, and the gurgling water, and the faint buzzing from the Deku Palace nearby.

Still, the moon’s eyes kept him captive for a while longer. Their cosmic pull seemed to tug at his bones, at something worse. A command for him to come crash himself upward. A pervasive whisper, that somehow, somehow, those eyes had something to do with him. Something so large, so wrong, so inconceivable, that mere words would not convey the foul dread that washed over Ganondorf whenever he would look up at the sky.

An impossible sense that, in some form, in some way… this was his doing.

He did that.

Ganondorf wrenched his eyes back down, nauseated. The fishes were done gobbling their food but still circles his location on the deck, expecting more. He took a deep breath. Earthen scents. The bitter tea on his tongue. Mud and buzzing. The good ache of an honest life.

He stood, returned the food bag to the stall, and headed to his shack to spend the rest of the evening reading a book under the soft covers of his bed, under a solid roof he built himself, under the canopy of his chosen home; as far as he could from the purple sky.

[catyo90]

Fighting Fate: Chapter 8

Ganondorf was still, his heart was racing along with his thoughts for what felt like hours to Zelda who awaited to see what he would do after her request. The sudden feeling of him climbing onto the bed and crawling over to her as he carefully held himself up towering over her, she could feel he was slightly tense as he paused in his movements. She brought a gentle hand to his own that laid beside her, gently she brushed her hand over his arm up, in doing so she couldn't help but trace the tattoos along his arm bringing her other hand to match the other as she held his face in her hands and gently spoke.

"Ganondorf?"

He said nothing as he looked down at her, her face so similar to Sonia, but the slight differences were clear. His breathing was heavy as he lowered his head a tad bit closer to hers, his hair falling around his shoulders as the feeling of her hands on his cheeks felt so welcoming. Compassion was not unheard of for him, but this kind...it was something he hadn't felt in a long time.

Suddenly the glow from the stone along her necklace started to glow, the golden glow took both of their attention away from the other. His eyes shone from the light and his mind began to wrestle with the thoughts once again. His breathing became unsteady as he looked away from the stone with his eyes closed, Zelda could see his chest breathing faster and his eyes twitched as she could see and sense the stone was effecting him. It pained her to see him like this, he never asked for this curse. None of them did. Why did the actions of gods from eons ago still echo in them. For her and Link it wasn't the same, she couldn't imagine how Ganondorf felt when he figured our that all he was to the world was a incarnation of Demise. But he wasn't just that...not anymore. She suddenly realized what the stone was doing. It was amplifying her bloodlines power, light, pure light.

Zelda removed one of her hands to hold the stone tight before taking it off her neck in one swift motion as she laid it down beside the bedside table, her power of light slowly diminished away as she brought her attention to him seeing his eyes were still closed but his breathing had steadied. A small sigh of relief came to her as she brought her hand to the side of his chest where his heart laid.

His eyes opened at the feeling of her touch as he looked down to see her eyes fixed on his.

"Are you alright...?"

He closed his eyes once more a he brought his hand over hers gently rubbing his thumb along her skin. His heartbeat started to slow down as his pain dimmed away as he looked at her. He said nothing as he moved her hand away from his chest and slowly sat up now sitting on the side of her as he laid her hand down on the bed. Zelda turned her body toward him seeing he was still holding her hand.

"That was unpleasant...but this." he gestured their intertwined hands.

"I will not lie...is nice. Different but nice."

"I must apologize, my powers effect you in both good and bad. I did not think about the repercussions of the stones effect...perhaps this arrangement...maybe I was wrong." she slowly turned her gaze away from him lost in thought as her grip on his hand loosened. But he would not allow it as his grip tightened.

"Whatever pain I feel, if I must bear it to break this curse. It will be worth it."

What she saw in his eyes was both fear and determination. And with it came a feeling of exhaustion. Clearly the pain from the light took a toll on him and in turn while it didn't show easily, Zelda felt the presence of Demise in that moment, it may have only been for a few seconds but it was more than enough for her to understand. Ganon felt her hand loosen a bit as he looked down to see she had fallen asleep making him sigh as he felt the exhaustion of the day wash over him. He gently and carefully removed his hand from hers before laying the blanket over her small form. He stood up and walked out of the room he eyes glancing at the stone on the table for a moment.

Link POV

It had been a few hours since he left to head toward the Gerudo town, he figured it would be important to find anything about Zelda and now even Ganon. Fortunately Riju had sent word that she and a few other warriors discovered ancient writings, what of though said could only be known in person. In case the Yiga clan tried to cause any trouble. Though it had been some time since he ran into the banana loving clan. Link looked out toward the horizon and saw what he despises every night, a red sky and with it those damn hands again. Every since the day he lost Zelda in those tunnels under the castle those accursed hands would follow him almost every day. He drew his blade and prepared to fight them off, the desert sand would slow him down and with nothing to climb he had no choice.

The hands started to rush him as he jumped up in the air managing to strike two of the hands down before being grabbed by one of them, he quickly felt the gloom's effect on his body as he raised the blade upward to strike once more, causing the hands to let go and shriek in pain. Link looked up and quickly drew his bow shooting a few thunder arrows off at them, luckily he had managed to finish off the last one. But that was far from over, he knew what was to come next. The phantom of Ganon, he quickly drew another arrow this time watching where the shadows were gathering, but something was off. The red shadows started to set ablaze and the form unlike before was not a reflection of the mummified version that he saw underground, the form was covered in black scales and a large x scar on the figures heard burned a bright white. Whatever this thing was, it was different.

The form rushed at him with such speed he almost didn't dodge it. If it weren't for his reflexes he would have been struck. He quickly used Sidons summon and guarded the next strike. But it only managed to stop the horrifying form for a moment. A waited to feel the pain from the blow but it never came. In an instant a bolt of lightning stuck the form causing it to vaporize before him, he looked behind him to see Riju holding her snapped fingers up at the now smoking pit of sand.

She had her signature smirk and her dual blades on her hip. And to match her look, the newly refitted crown of the Gerudo. A sight he was always grateful to see, especially when he needed to fight enemies.

"Seems you ran into the same trouble we have Link." She said lowering her hand to him offering him help to stand, which he took gladly. He brushed the sand off of his skin and the new arm. He gave her a smile before signing to her.

"Glad you showed up when you did...whatever that thing was...it was different from the phantoms I've fought before." He signed as Riju looked with concern.

"Your not the only one to face that demon. Some of our finest warriors have come into contact and for that reason that's why I've called you here. We might have an idea on what it is."

Link smiled as he followed Riju back to the village, where he was secretly glad not having to sneak in like before. Though he did find wearing the clothes to be comfortable it was a little odd for other hylian men to swoon over him. The sounds of the Gerudo children running up to both of them made him smile as they welcomed him.

"Alright children come along...time for your lessons." Riju said as they sighed but they all turned to Link with smiles on their face.

"Will you come by later Link. Please." All of the children started to plead, Link smiled as he nodded and watched as the children ran off to continue their teachings for the day.

Riju motioned for Link to follow her as she they walked down the stairs to the secret entrance to the underground hide out, since the rise of the phantoms and the Gibdos the Gerudo have had to stay on alert. Fortunately though Riju was not one to back down from a fight, Urbosa's blood ran strong with her. Link saw no doubt in her leadership and thanked the goddesses that he had an ally like her. He followed her down to a hidden chamber where he saw across from him a mural with seemed to show a sort of shrine and a way to make it appear. But Riju turned away from it and struck a hidden mechanism on the side making it open to reveal another mural hidden behind the first.

Link took it in, the sight he saw made him worry and wonder. The mural showed the Demon King split into three forms, one of a boar like monster, one of a simple Gerudo man and the last of a dragon. And above the Demon king was a carving of what looked to be Zelda using the stone to split them apart. Link had faced the monster before but the man and the dragon. If he had to face them he would.

"It seems this mural depicts Princess Zelda trying to separate the evil form Ganon. Wither it was a success of not. I'm not entirely sure of which has happened. You faced the boar monster years ago, so perhaps she was able to rid him of that power. You've seen the phantoms of his regular form, but that dragon. I fear that is what to come."

Link feared that what she tried to fix in the past was not possible. The dragon shown may be something he would soon have to fight. A fight he felt could not be avoided. Though what he found odd was how the regular was not angered or rageful but instead bore an expression of gratitude. He saw Riju walk over to a small shelf and grabbed a large red book with the initials N.D.

"We found these a few days ago, they seem to be the few surviving writings of Naboris Dragmire. From what we have been able to translate Naboris claims that one night both Princess Zelda and Ganondorf found out their powers can cause not only harm to the other but in a way negate their own. He would stop feeling the eons of rage he was cursed with, and Zelda was able to keep the words of the goddess at bay." Riju said opening the book revealing some of the text along with very old paintings of the events mentioned.

"But one record has us concerned. it's fragmented and unclear, but it seems the Demon king came to be when a Hylian Royal died, while its unclear as to who this was, some of the writings claim that Ganon was not in control of his own when the deed was done. The rage of eons of bloodshed and wraith made him break."

Link paused for a moment as he signed to her.

'The tear I saw of Zelda and Queen Sonia, it showed the queen's death. I saw him kill her and take Queen Sonia's stone perhaps thats what was written.'

Riju thought on it for a moment and nodded in agreement.

"If so it seems one difference though is the Ganon you saw wasn't in control. He may have been taken over by the ancient incarnation of Demise and that caused him attack but if that were the case. What would have made Demise finally appear after all this time."

-

Ganon was sitting in his throne, contemplating what he would do in his next act. His mind racing with too many thoughts. This union to Zelda was a valuable asset to getting rid of this curse. But he knew that Rauru would never stop until he swore fealty to their kingdom, peace between all of the realms but only the Hylians had true peace guarantee. The night air welcoming as he pinched the bridge of his nose, wondering where everything became too much for him. The sudden sound and feel of someone nearby made him react. He sighed when he realized it was Naboris, ever the thorn in his side when he was troubled already.

"What is it now sister."

"You seem to be lost in thought again...is the idea of the ceremony coming up making you get cold feet?"

"No. I'm starting to think this marriage will be nothing but a fraud."

"You truly think Lady Zelda would do that? Lie just to make you behave?"

Ganon sighed as he stood from the throne and turned his gaze toward her.

"She is hiding something, either about me or herself. Possibly even both. I see it in her eyes every time her stone glows."

Naboris watched as he started to pace back and forth as she removed her sage mask. Her long red hair cascaded around her face as she placed it down on the throne.

"Brother...She and Sonia are not the same. What happened all those years ago was not for you to question and you know it."

Naboris sat on the throne as she crossed her legs thinking on her next words.

"Rauru and Sonia married and you can see they are powerful, but theirs was not a political marriage like yours will be. They love each other. And while I know you were pained by it... perhaps Zelda offering you such a chance at peace...is worth the secrets she keeps."

Ganon scoffed as he ran a hand through his hair, perhaps he was right. She was the hylian the seemed to treat him as a equal. But he knew that behind that look was one of fear, an emotion he was all too well with. He looked at Naboris and smirked seeing his little sister. She looked like an actual queen...one he knew could lead his people. Some nights he wished that she was born first...or that he had never been born. A fate it would seem he would never be permitted.

"Perhaps you are right...you are wiser than I would have thought Naboris. If it were possible I would relish the crown to you, a proper leader."

Naboris was about to speak but he held a hand up to pause her.

"No need to worry. It is a role I know you would never truly accept...at least for now."

He walked up to the throne standing beside it placing a gentle hand on her shoulder looking up at the full moon.

"Naboris. If Demise ever returns, I would ask that you do not hesitate. End my life as quick as you can."

[aurathian]

To the Moon and Back: 2. to the moon,

AO3 | Written for @zelinktines24 #6: moon. Reblogs appreciated if you enjoy!!

Fandom: Breath of the Wild

Rating: G

Ships: Link/Zelda

Description: Under the light of the sun, the moon, and the stars, Zelda and Link travel to the Spring of Wisdom so the princess can perform one last prayer.

Read the full fic below or read it on AO3.

The sun had been sleeping for a while, but Princess Zelda was wide awake, fueled by the freezing spring and her own desperation. Behind her, Link waited in silence, posture upright and sword at his palms, protecting her from nothing but the moonlight.

Her muttering was the only thing that filled the soundscape–no breeze nor wildlife interrupt. It was only her and Hylia on this mountaintop, as close to the heavens as she may ever come. What lay up there, beyond the clouds where the dragons of Hyrule so often disappeared? Maybe it was the Goddess herself.

She recited the usual prayer. I come seeking help regarding this power that has been handed down over time. Prayer will grant me the power to seal Ganon away. Hylia, please grant me your powers so that I may protect the land of Hyrule and all its inhabitants.

It was similar to the cogs which turned within ancient Sheikah tech: automatic, never stopping, one after the other. Princess Zelda was a machine, designed to beg and plead and pray and nothing more. Her mind went other places while her mouth continued to move, speaking things she could no longer believe or rely on.

She thought of her research, of her messy study brimming with ancient objects and journals and plants, of the lab where Robbie and Purah surely were right now, tinkering away on something. She thought of the shrines scattered around Hyrule and the mystery of what was in them. Perhaps she would never know. Perhaps she would never see any of her research end in solid conclusions and answers.

Perhaps Hylia would never help her and the sun would not rise tomorrow, swallowed by the moon and Hyrule would be plunged into eternal darkness. Sometimes she could feel it, creeping into her skin or seeping into her bones, that darkness that loomed always over her head. It was worse when she would sleep, plagued by nightmares and visions of it–the Calamity–taking over.

“Why do you forsake me?”

She remembered this frustration from when she prayed at the Spring of Power. 

“What have I not done? Am I not worthy? What test must I pass?”

And now in the Spring of Wisdom, that same darkness crept back into her soul.

“Have you abandoned us?”

Anyone speaking so harshly to the Goddess would usually receive some divine punishment. She could not stop the words that poured from her even though her mind screamed at her to think of what she was saying, to think of the offense she was making to the Goddess. 

“Why not me? Why must you play the waiting game? Why must I continue down this meaningless path? Only a death at the hands of the Calamity would be appropriate for me, it seems. You certainly think so.”

A piercing cold on her chest snapped her out of it, leaving her words dangling in the air. She touched a ginger finger to the spot. A tear. She tapped her face. Tears. The Goddess Statue before her did not stop smiling, did not shed tears of its own. The Goddess Statue never cried or frowned or shouted. It sat perfectly, happily still.

It was cold. So very, very cold on this mountaintop where there was nobody but her and Hylia and empty promises and…

“Zelda?”

…Link.

The Princess meant to turn around to face him, to run to him, to abandon these freezing waters and sag into his hold, but a sudden weak spell sent her splashing into the spring and turned the moonlit world black.

[spaceless-vacuum]

Ok so I read how if Zelda knows all about Link's yandere tendencies and how she's all for it, but what if they're both yanderes for Reader?

I have several small fics in progress that involve these ideas but I think that this is a really fun deal to play around with. Especially if the darling isn't that easy to get to. Having a Hylian darling who can easily be swooped away to share under the safety of the castle is really fun but I favorite ones where the darling isn't so easily taken. If you wanted me to talk about how the two of them interact with each other sharing a darling that’s cool as well but for now here's this.

So to start I love the idea of a darling who's royalty or a noble from a different nation. The dynamics of how the three would have to interact through the lens of civility and politics. God I love it so much. Link being praised for his skills and resting himself as a hero by taking care of problems around the kingdom. Using the praise he gets to curry favour so he can get closer to you.

What? Don't you want the hero to guard them? He's the best you've got might as well use him.

Zelda plays into this. He stays by your side and reports back to her while she gathers information and starts to formulate ideas for how to get you into her kingdom for a change. All they would need to keep you there is to extend a formal invitation, something to keep the two places together. Who could deny such a request made by such an impressive princess after all?

The hard part is figuring out how to keep you there. Messengers could only be stalled for so long and the lie of a troubled road delaying your return can only keep your nobles happy for so long. If you're just a noble from a small house then it's not a big deal. However for people who are higher up and have more sway things like this are a more delicate matter.

Yet her highness isn't just here for pleasantries. If the hero and princess have returned that can only mean one thing and that's possibly facing an inevitable collapse.

I can so see the two of them taking you to Hyrule a before the tragedy (Twilight realm, Ganon, calamity, or whatever else hit) and having you never return home because of it. Maybe they told you that either you died. Why would anyone come to look for you? The worst came to fruition and now that everyones done mourning they've all forgotten about you. Not a single soul is coming to your aid.

This would only work assuming they could keep you safe while the storm hits but I have a feeling that it wouldn't be too difficult for them to plan something out. If the castle isn't safe they can send you anywhere else and have you guarded by the greatest warriors. Just stay away from where the fires are and you'll be fine.

Not to just talk about royalty but imagine if you were part of a nation waging war against Hyrule or at least on their enemies list. Kidnapping is bad but if they're your enemy then it’s just ransom! Them placing a huge price on your head, and sending back a duplicate. They not only get to bleed your nobility's pockets dry as a way to make you repay the damages your country has done but it will also double as a way to keep you even after filling their end of the contract.

Zelda watching you plan and offer any help you can to the war effort. She's both challenged by you and in awe as you hold your ground as people talk over you and chatter about issues that don't currently need your attention. She waits patiently as you throw out excellent ideas only to have them all shut down. Meanwhile she's controlling several heads of states and making sure you're discredited and seen as someone who can't be trusted. She's placing evidence for after you leave to make sure even if you get back to your homeland it'll be in disgrace so there's no nowhere to run.

Taking the field in battle and having Link absolutely decimate you. You think you could handle yourself in a fight against a bunch of common soldiers only to be relentlessly targeted by the best Hyrule has to offer. Watching helplessly as he just won't stop chasing you into swathes of enemy soldiers. He’s rushing across the front lines and enemy fortifications just to make sure he can have his hands on you before you can rush away. Everyone is horrified and shocked as he just sweeps the floor with your people only to find you and drag you to a secluded spot where Zelda can pick him up.

Both of them pick you up and carry you away to Hyrule. Your whole life is flipped upside down. No you can't go outside because they don't need an enemy making plans and trying to sneak away. Yet that doesn't answer the questions as to why you're still here if they don't trust you.

Man this scratches an itch in my brain because of the tension of the reader not wanting to give up their country or homeland but also it's so hard when you're being swooned by these two gorgeous individuals, and by god they know it. They have access to everything they need to make you talk but they never seem to focus on that. Rather the interrogation in a large comfortable room with lots of snacks and refreshments is far too comfortable to hold any real threat. Sure Link is standing in the corner but he seems to be antsy. He looks away and blushes whenever you turn around to focus all your attention onto him so it can't be helped when you notice that it isn't so bad here.

Yet you can't relax because these are the hostile enemy! The bad guys! Yet this tea is really good.

Plus it's hard to ignore how bad it can be since they control everything now. Maybe this is all so they can drive you deeper into misery when they act on their inevitable betrayal. Even if they never tighten the rope too much there's so many complex layers to this idea and I adore it. Sadly the war is messy so they can't tell you anything about it. Which just means you need to lay a price on how far you're willing to go for them to tell you anything; which is a double edged sword because how can you know if any of it’s true!!

Gah the concept is so interesting to me!!!

I think that's it for now but come back at any time and I’ll rant to you more about these two.

[haveievermentioned]

Beedle & Link

Ideas:

<Link is hungry and for once has very little to trade.>

<Link finds Beedle out in the wilds a bit over his head.>

<Beedle sees how monsters are getting more daring and asks for some pointers from his legend of a friend.>

<Link is victorious from a tough fight, but not unscathed- and Beetle knows just how to patch him up again.>

<Business is going QUITE well. Beedle comissions a business cart from Link. He knows exactly what he's gotten himself into, and no one will doubt who it came from.>

I'll go ahead and give it a shot! This is for my "I need to do write some vareity to get over writer's block." ask. If you want one, please send one with a fandom I know! Please note I'll only do friendships. **** "Hello! Nice seeing you out here." Beedle called out to his loyal customer. The young man, probably called Link, a lot of people were. (if that is the name of the hero that gets reincarnated, parents do name their kids that in hopes their child will be the next hero. No one ever thinks of the toll that takes on the hero or the parents the next time Ganon comes around. Fortunately, Beedle's parents had named him after a bug.) The man whirled around, sword in his hand, until and dropped it when he saw Beedle. He gave a wave, then kept on walking. Beedle hurried to catch up, his large pack trying to hold him back. Clouds were creeping in front of the sun, and Beedle noticed the wind had started to pick up. The man, Link, must have too, as he pulled some heavy shirt from somewhere and put it on. "Where are you going?" Beedle asked. Link pointed off into the distance towards Hateno. "Excellent, I'm heading there too. Maybe we can tag along?" Right as Beedle said it, a storm broke. Beedle ran towards a nearby shelter someone had set up and forgot about, but Link plowed ahead. "Link!" Beedle called out. The man jumped, it must be his name. He looked at Beedle for a second, his eyes wild and... what was with that hand? "Please, get in the shelter. I can't let my best customer get struck by lightning!" Link, clearly sulking, followed Beedle to it. As Link stood beneath the overhang, looking up at the sky, Beedle set up a fire. "What do you want to eat?" He asked. Link glanced at him. Beedle grinned and pulled out a trusty pan and a metal structure to keep it safe over the fire. "It looks like it will rain for a while, why don't I cook for you." Link shrugged, put his hand... somewhere... and pulled out some prime meat, rice, and Hyrule Herb. Beedle pulled out some Goron Spice and some of the vegetables from Hateno Village. They worked together, quickly and quietly, until soon the curry simmered in Beedle's pan. "You're always so busy." Beedle said as the rain continued to pour down. Link glanced at him from his own spot on the ground. "Whenever I arrive at a stable, you're always coming or going or I hear you were just by. And that's not counting what I hear you do in the cities and towns. Sometimes it feels like half of Hyrule owes their life to you." Link shifted uncomfortably. Using his normal hand instead of the odd colored hand, he made a movement as if to dismiss the conversation. "It's fine by me. I just wonder if you actually like it the way Beedle likes being a merchant." Link shrugged. It almost seemed like he was saying "If not me, then who else?" Who else indeed. "Well, I hope the food is too your liking." Beedle said as it finished simmering. He poured it into the spare bowls he carried and gave the first to Link. Link made a movement to indicate he was grateful, then dug in. Beedle followed. It was delicious. Food always tasted better with others, and outdoors, but with the addition of the food Link had brought, it made it a real feast. "Do you know why I travel, Link?" Link looked up, face partly covered with sauce, and shook his head. "It's so I can meet so many interesting people in Hyrule. And I'm very glad you are one of them, and my favorite customer." Link grinned, gave a thumbs up, and they both went back to eating as the storm began to fade away.

[booksofadventures-archived]

Triforce brothers - blue exorcist notes

I have yet to fully decide on weilders in this universe, maybe I might even have it that Zelda, Link and Ganon do have lives in this timeline but this is some specific notes for the boys! basics for them all is they all have physical forms in this one and all are at the academy or exorcists in some shape or form. - of course these may be added to and changed with time and developments!

Let's start with Torin!

Torin is the head of the library at the true cross academy. He has always been fascinated with new knowledge and hoping that the information in this lifetime with the demons might hold some hope or help in regards to the Demon King.

Future references for things with @patetpluvia as we have discussed this heavily ooc on discord that Nix and Torin do have a romantic relationship. Crushing and all. But we may jump around their timeline for this as cute fluff things and it has been agreed upon and geeked over a lot already XD

Torin is protective and proud of his brothers that they can work together as exorcists. Though Torin himself is not much of a fighter, he can keep up in one if needed, however he supports his brothers and others by quick research and being able to give information he's read already back to people - this also means he is quite versatile in covering for teachers if needed; at least some of them.

Next up is Leon!

Leon works with his older brother as an exorcist pair, something he is proud and happy about. He tends to play support to the powerhouse that is Emery. A mix of his air magik, medical & healing support as well as being able to summon the two demons - a familiar looking wolf and a bird like one; references to Wolf Link and Link's loftwing from his past.

He and Emery tend to take a certain Ex-Wire with them on missions - Edward Elric { from this blog }. This is because they at least remember being from Hyrule too so can sympathise. The other reasoning is also for Leon is curious of the other's skills but also that it does allow for Nix and Torin to have some time together as he also sympathises over Ed's protective nature of Nix as he feels over his older brothers too.

Last and not least Emery!

Emery is more of knight but does dabble in the ways of the dragoon. He knows it to help him be a little more versatile and helpful. Of course he has his fire magik but he tends to try not to use it as sometimes it can get out of control just a little bit!

He is so happy he can fight alongside Leon for a change than against him and it is what he fights to protect. Both his brothers and this life that they can have together.

It was why he made sure to take Edward under his wing with Leon when they go on missions, he senses a fire in the young man and it's something he wishes to help him.

[webarebares]

Back to Back

I wrote a little post TOTK Zelink fanfic a few days ago and wanted to post it here <3

Ao3 Link | Rated G | Word Count: 2,958

They sleep back to back. Link can feel Zelda breath through the night in two different patterns. The first one is offbeat. She goes through moments of holding her breath and then short breathing. She’s mentally turning herself inside out and upside down, and he can’t do anything about it. The second pattern goes off after maybe two or three hours of slight shifting and an occasional heavy breath. It’s steady. It’s quiet. It means she’s finally asleep.

Then and only then is when Link will close his own eyes to sleep. He could sleep right away, really. He likes to sleep a lot these days. But there’s a chance Zelda will slip out of bed to go for a short walk, and he gets to follow and tell her that he wasn’t sleeping anyways without lying. They spent so much time apart that he doesn’t want to spend any of it being dishonest.

It is a strange little relationship they both have. Preceding the first rise of Calamity Ganon, they never vocalized any deep feelings other than the one time Zelda said to him, “You are my best friend.” He didn’t even remember that until he made her the first meal she had in one hundred years. After that, Link stayed at the inn and Zelda stayed at his house until one day he fell sick, and she made him sleep in her (their?) bed to take care of him. He hasn’t slept elsewhere since.

They sleep back to back. Before the fall, before the loss of his arm, Zelda would wrap her arms and sometimes legs around him and fall asleep in an instant. Not every night, but Link liked to keep a hand on her waist or her back. When she was surely asleep, he’d give an experimental squeeze to know she was real and not a memory. She was living, and he could feel her under the hand that fought to bring her back.

Now, he tracks that she’s real through her breathing. The one week she had a stuffy nose was hell because she could go so long without letting out a single breath, and he was always on the brink of sitting up to check her pulse before she moved, and he knew she was alive. Maybe he’s too paranoid now. Whatever she replays in her head every night, he knows that she can’t tell her not to worry about it without sounding hypocritical. He worries just as much even though Ganondorf literally blew up before all of Hyrule’s eyes four months prior. He’s already worrying for the next fight in the next life and how he’s going to protect her then.

Since Hyrule is still going, that probably means he’s never failed. But maybe, maybe, maybe he will fail one day. One day he won’t be strong enough or dodge fast enough and then, then, then, he will fail her. He can’t tell if he already has because they sleep back to back.

Zelda sits up and right away, Link’s eyes fall wide open. Their loft is dim in the full moon, no longer red. Just like she has every other time, Zelda tries to slowly move to the end of the bed to get off without having to climb over him. He saves her the trouble of being sneaky and sits up, her neck quickly turning to him.

“Oh, Link,” she says. She doesn’t sound surprised. “I had a feeling you’d be awake. I am going to go on a stroll. Would you like to join me?” Link nods and gets his legs out of bed and slips his feet into his sandals. Zelda, wearing her white night dress, grabs her a blue coat from a hook in the corner and slips into her own sandals. Link bought her that coat recently, and she wears it often. Link’s pajamas are made up of a thin green long sleeve and matching pants. Zelda cut the right sleeve and sewed it into a neat fold, as well as his other clothes. He decides he doesn’t need his coat, but he makes a note to suck it up if it does get cold.

He settles the Master Sword on his back and follows Zelda down the stairs and out their front door into the cold air of the night. Goosebumps move up his arm, but he closes the door without going back for his coat. He doesn’t want to go back up and plus, Zelda is already at the suspension bridge. She’s always moved very fast, since they were teenagers. Get here, do that, now onto the next thing.

Recently though, she’s seemed to slow down. As if she’s afraid to make progress because she’ll be ripped away from her life again. Link doesn’t know how to communicate that he feels the same way. How to communicate that he’s waiting, cowering, and afraid. And still, he’d do it a third time, lose another limb, run straight into malice if it meant they’d get to sleep in the same bed. Even if it’s back to back.

They take the path through Hateno Village. It’s a calm quiet Link sometimes can’t believe exists in this world. If he listens too hard, he can make out sounds of monsters but really, he’s only seen Keese in the distance since it all went down. It makes it easy for him and Zelda to walk through Retsam forest in peace.

There’s enough light from the moon and stars to see them through late dusk as they venture into the trees. Link can make out mushrooms and stops to look at an ironshroom.

“Zelda,” he says her name. He doesn’t say it much. It’s only when he absolutely needs her attention. He wants it all the time.

“Yes?” She walks back a few steps to meet him. He crouches down lower and points at the mushroom.

He says, “Let’s bring the students to pick mushrooms. You can talk about the science part of it, and I can teach them a few recipes.” She smiles under the lighting they are given, and he cherishes it.

“I like that idea.” He likes the validation he gets from her. “We can do a few field trips now that the forests are safe.” Because their lives are a reality show for Hylia, they hear a wolf’s howl in the distance. Link immediately stands and puts his hand on Zelda’s hip, over her coat. They don’t touch as much as they used to before. It’s much rarer now. Just in moments like this or Zelda tying Link’s hair back for him. A lingering hand touch as they pass spices in the kitchen, Zelda picking lint off his shirt, Link taking grass out of her hair after she lays on it to cloud watch. Much rarer.

He doesn’t expect to hear her laugh, but he finds himself smiling with her. “Well, I think we can scope out for wolves in the morning before we bring them along. And the foxes will just flee. Oh, maybe you can catch a fox for us.” Zelda puts her fingers under her chin like she always does when she’s thinking. Link has copied her a few times, and she’s yet to notice it’s something she does. “Maybe next year when they’re a little older we can dissect a few things like fish or frogs. Wouldn’t that be exciting?” He nods.

She turns herself towards him and leans her hip more into his hand, and he’s basically holding onto her now. There’s no danger and still, he doesn’t want to let go. She starts talking about getting tools for dissections and tells him to remind her to ask Robbie about borrowing some. He listens because he loves to listen to her. She has so much energy even in the midst of the night. Her brain never stops.

“I think I’m getting ahead of myself again,” she says nervously. The excitement got sucked out of her with the realization. There it is. This fear of planning for the future.

“Who cares?” Link says. Maybe not the most comforting thing, so he tries to save himself “Plan ahead. It’ll be fine.”

“Yeah.” She still sounds unsure, and her anxieties are the one thing Link can’t slash with a sword. It fills his chest with deep lament. “It should be fine.” Link realizes how close she is to him. He can see how her eyes change from enthusiasm to fear. The chili weather is nothing amidst all these trees and their proximity, but he feels cold for other reasons.

“I’m scared,” he says. Is he making this about him? Or has this always been about them, together? Zelda looks at him curiously, a tilt of the head and studying eyes. He’s not sure he’s ever admitted to something that can come across as weak. He’s been strong his entire life, and in order to balance out the weight of brute immortality versus humanity, he’s gone silent. Still, he knows he can speak all he needs to with Zelda. He can be vulnerable with her. “I’m scared it’s all going to happen again. And again. And again.” Zelda steps closer to him and brushes some hair that had fallen into his eye. “Maybe I can do it one more time in this life but after that? I only have one arm left.” He moves his hand off of her and wiggles his fingers in front of her face, making her giggle.

“It will not happen again,” she says to him. She takes his hand between hers and gives it a gentle squeeze. “Not now at least.” They hear two wolves howl in the distance, one right after the other. Maybe they’re looking for each other, and Link can’t find the danger in that. “But we’re going to worry about it forever, aren’t we?”

“And ever.” So much for being comforting. But it does feel good to get things out in the open. Zelda can figure out why he still takes the sword to school but maybe she’s always known. “How do we move on?” he asks.

“How we did the first time,” she shrugs. “How was that?”

“Dragon brain get you again?” he asks. She lets out a full laugh that comes from her stomach, and Link feels happy to be alive. Her hands still hold onto his, and he frees it to flick off a leaf that has fallen on her shoulder. Naturally, he then sneaks his hand past the open front of her coat and settles his hand over the waist of her nightdress. Touch. Laughter. Exploring. This is how they moved on the first time.

Zelda’s voice lowers to a whisper and she says, “I think we need to sleep at better hours. It isn’t good for us to sleep so little when we are already in such state. We slept so much that first year after the calamity.”

“Second year,” Link corrects her. “You were so excited to be out and about again that you ran yourself to the ground that first year. Then we forced you to sleep a little more, and your body had to play catch up.”

“I remember that,” Zelda says. She starts laughing under her breath. “I remember the one time I didn’t sleep for about two days, you made me get in bed and then fell asleep on top of me so I wouldn’t sneak off.” Link’s fingers involuntarily squeeze her waist. He’s so fond of her, truly.

“You can laugh, but I was so worried. I still am.”

“Please don’t worry. I’m safe even when you’re sleeping.” Zelda’s hands go into her coat pockets, locking Link’s hand inside of it. He’s not sure what to make of it. “Speaking of, you should really try to sleep even if I’m still awake. I know you refuse to fall asleep until I do, but I feel quite bad.” Link feels his face turn red. He didn’t think she knew.

“I’m sorry,” he says. “It’s a habit.”

“I know. That’s why I don’t nag you about it. But I’d like it if you tried.”

“Would you sleep easier?”

“No.” She is honest as well. “My mind has to tire itself out first. Then I can sleep.”

“It’ll get easier,” is all he can muster to tell her. It’s not a lie. It’s not a desperate promise, either. It’s a fact.

“It will, won’t it?” she says with an air of calm. Her eyes go up to the sky that’s blocked by the tree they are next to. They move to Link and then down to the nook of his arm. She is almost too quiet when she asks something so bold, “May I ask, why don’t you hold me to sleep like you used to?”

Link can’t stop it from coming out of his mouth. “Oh.” He feels a little stupid for letting it slip out so fast because he sounds as stumped as she is. “I just.” This is so complicated. He should have kissed her years ago and every time he’s ever wanted, maybe it’d be easier. He tries to act like he didn’t think that.

“It’s okay if you need space. We’ve been through a lot, and you most likely got used to having a bed to yourself.” Link was the one that insisted he wanted to share beds with her when they got back four months ago. He knows that they grow a bit distant and weird after reuniting because they’re both processing so much, and he didn’t want to lose the one intimate connection he’d for sure have with her.

“I thought you were the one that wanted space.”

“I wish you gave me less.” Her eyes dance with his. Her mouth is in a thin line, so he knows this conversation is costing her all she has. Somehow, he is thankful.

His hand pulls her closer by the waist, and she steps into him. Her face is in his, and he can feel the warmth of her breath. “Like this?”

She can barely get the words out to confirm. “Exactly like this.” Link doesn’t waste another second and kisses her, Zelda wrapping her arms around him to place her hands on his back. He’s not cold at all anymore.

He pulls away to admire her before pressing another soft, chaste kiss on her lips. He tells her, “We should go home. And maybe get some decent sleep.” She agrees, and he grabs her hand, leading the way back to their home.

“We do this on and off,” she points out to him, holding their interlocked fingers up for a second. “We get closer and then when we survive a tragedy, we separate. I don’t like it. I never know how to act around you afterwards.” She sounds humored. “Not that I’ve known how to act around you even after all these years.” He was a fool to think he could stop her thoughts from spinning so fast with a kiss. He’s not upset about it, either. Somehow this is the most relaxed he’s felt in so long.

“I’m sorry.” He understands every word that comes out of her mouth. He knows her so well. They feel the same things in such a similar wavelenght, and he wonders if that comes with centuries of being reborn for the other. “I don’t think I’ve ever known how to act around you. You’ve always taken the reigns. Even today,” he says. “You go, I follow. But we can talk it all out. I’ll listen.”

“Are you okay with that?” She squeezes his hand as they enter the village. The sun is vaguely rising in the distance. They can catch a few hours of sleep.

“Okay with what?”

“Following me.” Zelda has felt guilt for this before, and he’s by her side because it feels right.

“I’m going to follow you into the next life and smile while doing it.” It’s the truth and although heavy and laced with dreadful knowledge, there is light in being in love.

“Despite it all?”

“Despite it all.”

They cross their bridge and enter their house. Zelda removes her coat, and Link leans the sword against the wall next to their bed. Baby steps.

The two slip under the covers, and Zelda and him are forehead to forehead. She plants on last kiss on his nose for the night and lets her arm lay over him, Link doing the same and resting his hand on her back.

Link decides to get it out before they fall asleep. “I love you. I want you to know that. I always have.”

“You always have?” Zelda’s eyes were closed, but she opens them just for this. The subtle grace of dawn is starting to dance through their window. They can sleep in with no worries. They don’t have to save the world anymore.

“I’ve loved you for ten thousand one hundred and seven years.”

“That’s a long time.” She’s smiling, looking at him fondly with a face he makes note to kiss every inch of when he gets the chance. “I’ll have you know I’ve loved you for ten thousand one hundred and eight years.”

“That’s a long time.” Joy comes naturally with her. He can sleep, but he gets more happiness in staring at her face. “Can you say it once before I fall asleep?” His body is starting to crash, but he’s trying to savor every moment of this without dreading a possible end.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.” He has to say it twice. “Just in case you didn’t hear it the first time.”

“So considerate,” she mumbles. They’re both asleep within minutes, nose to nose.