#hylian revalink

[avenin7]

most canon revalink I’ve drawn

[luchaaa]

I am totally in love with @amiharana‘s revalink flowershop/tattoo artist au and.. needed to indulge in thebrainworms a little bit :3

this au is everything I could want and more 

[inkprovised]

Revalink Week 2024 Day 7

Gentle

[enigmaticfossil]

//WIP//

Yes yes I’m aware the warm cuddles have been done to death, but I can’t get tired of it 😭

I’ve made a Revalink playlist for my partner and I’s roleplay of them and spend most of my days crying to it and wishing I had more art Inspo.

[cryiling]

some revali sketches 🫶 can u believe this is only the second time I've drawn his rito form LOL

[the-knife-consumer]

Baby posting

[amiharana]

i come bearing a revalink suggestion,, they’re friends?? rivals?? but Revali’s been trying to rile Link up in a more flirtatious way and it all comes to a head when the champaign’s are out on an expedition with Zelda and oops! someone forgot to bring enough bedrolls for the night, enter: sharing a bed

yk what i mean

HI ANON i'm sorry i took so long to answer 😭 but thank you for the suggestion 👁️👁️ i've written about revalink sharing a hammock, but that was them in an established relationship, so this.... and they were hammockmates (oh my god they were hammockmates)

the premise of my canon-based situationship fic (if i ever get to write it LOL) was going to kinda be like this, a pre-calamity revalink who have decided they are no longer going to be rivals, but not necessarily friends, and then somehow revali catches feelings for link 😄 i just love the idea of revali seeing link and being like "this fucking idiot. i want him so bad." and reluctantly attempting to court him even if he knows that link doesn't understand what he's trying to do. my favorite part of this is that link is completely clueless. he has no idea what the hell is going on but he appreciates that revali is nicer to him :D

(warning: long ass fucking post. but we are so fucking back baby)

imagine revali trying his damndest to work up the courage to go give link a bouquet of swift violets, because (1) he knows it's a hylian courting ritual and link is a pretty simple guy, so he'll probably appreciate flowers, right? (2) revali thinks swift violets are very pretty flowers actually, and (3) they have a functional use in increasing link's speed during a fight when cooked into a meal, and with how often link gets injured in battle, goddess knows he needs the extra boost. imagining revali trying to give the bouquet to link on several occasions, but he always ends up chickening out or he waits too long so the bouquet gets ruined or dies so he has to gather more flowers for a new one, and when he finally gets to actually hand the bouquet to link, he gets nervous and insults link like the dumbass he is 😭 ("being the one with more foresight between the two of us, i predicted you would be in great need of something as simple as these swift violets. perhaps you could stand to learn a meal or two utilizing their innate effects on the field.") and then it turns out link is actually allergic to swift violets KJDHFKJSHDKFJH and revali has to take him to the infirmary in shame

just an endless string of the most cartoonish failures of revali's attempts to court link ☝️😹 because it either ends in disaster or link completely misunderstands the situation, and of course revali gets frustrated that link isn't understanding his advances, what an idiot! and it makes him want link even more! so his advances become more and more obvious until even daruk is like. hey man. please calm down now it's not that serious. and revali is like NO he's so stupid daruk how can he not understand that i am trying to court him!!! how much clearer can i make it? (meanwhile daruk is like 🧍)

but revali's desperate pleads are answered when zelda calls the champions early in the morning into the throne room for a mission 🙇 i'm thinking maybe there have been sightings of a lynel up in the northernmost part of akkala and it seems to be much more powerful that the citadel squadrons can handle, so they've called in the help of the champions. not that i'm actually gonna write about them fighting the lynel though 😹 you know me, i just be creating context and circumstances wherever i go

"they couldn't handle one lynel? revali says, when the princess finishes. "you would think a fortress chock-full of hyrule's greatest soldiers would be able to take at least one down."

"well, i don't see you volunteering," urbosa says crossing her arms, a faint smile on her lips. "would you like to show them how it's done?"

revali shoots her a glare and then tilts his beak up, tossing his braids over his shoulder. "hmph. i normally don't waste my time on something as savage as a lynel, but if it could inspire better archers of the citadel, then i suppose my extraordinary skills may be necessary there." out of the corner of his eye, he glances at link; the little hylian doesn't react at all to his boasting, continuing to stand calmly at attention. it irks something in revali, but he blows air out of his beak and turns his head again. stupid link.

zelda sighs. "well, if we are all settled then, i dismiss you all to begin preparations to leave. we hope to leave just past noon and make it to foothill stable by nightfall."

"that'll be right in between our homes, miphy!" daruk says, placing his hands on his hips and leaning backward to laugh heartily. "ah, we've stayed at the castle so long i almost forgot what the heat of death mountain feels like!"

"i feel similarly, daruk," mipha says, giving a small smile. "i wonder if my father and sidon are doing well..."

zelda bows her head in remorse. "i apologize for keeping you all from home for so long. i did not intend for you to stay this long, either."

"it's alright, little bird," urbosa says, stepping forward to place a hand on zelda's shoulder in reassurance. "it's our duty as champions to serve the land of hyrule and protect it from all evildoing. if staying a little longer is what will ensure this era of peace and prosperity, then so be it; we can be patient." she smiles at the princess, and zelda stares at her with wide eyes for a moment before returning the smile.

"thank you, urbosa, i appreciate your kind words," she says. zelda turns back to the rest of the champions and bows her head slightly again. "i will see you all in a few hours. thank you."

SORRY FOR WRITING OUT THINGS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PROMPT LMAO. ONCE AGAIN. I JUST LOVE TO SET THE STAGE AND CREATE A CIRCUMSTANCE. i also just miss the lack of champions in totk 🥹 but anyways! zelda & the champions meet at the front of the castle and with some extra personnel (hi impa!) & a battalion, they all set out towards the akkala citadel as the sun hits its peak in the sky.

at this point, you might be thinking, why don't they just travel in the divine beasts since they're bigger and can cover more ground in a shorter period of time? and to that i tell you, 🌸 shut the fuck up 🌸 KJDFHKDFJKH nah but in my head in this point of time, the champions all left their divine beasts in their respective regions because they're all still learning to control them and they would rather not go stomping around on random civilians while traversing hyrule. do you know how insane it would be to be a traveler going through hyrule field to visit the coliseum or something and then all of a sudden, a gigantic stone camel with long ass legs nearly squashes you flat? i would die of a heart attack on the spot.

i also think it's important to romanticize the naturalness of traveling on-foot and it would also be interesting to see how they would accommodate for each champions' needs or habits as they travel together; they have to travel near water so that mipha doesn't dehydrate, revali and daruk leave the main group momentarily every now and then to go burst into the sky or roll down further along the path respectively bc they're sick of walking, etc.

the group reaches foothill stable just after sundown; revali complains that they should have just brute forced it to the citadel since it was just further down the road, but zelda insists that it could be dangerous since ganon's power seems to be growing and they could be ambushed by monsters in the night. as safe as the citadel seems, they shouldn't let down their guard! so revali, not wanting to fight with the literal princess of hyrule, just shuts his beak and trudges along after the rest of the group, the calm warm glow of the stable in the distance growing brighter as they approach. he won't admit it out loud but he's a little weary from travel too 😹

link and zelda board their horses at the stable, and everyone else sets up camp just off to the side of the stable, pitching tents, starting campfires and cooking pots, and passing out bedrolls. but as they unpack and pass out bedrolls, they realize that there's not enough for everyone to sleep comfortably through the night. zelda pays for the rest of the beds in the stable to cover for the rest of the battalion, but it leaves out one soldier who link knows happens to have sleeping problems or something. so he decides to give up his bedroll to the dude; it's not like he needs it as much, he could probably fall asleep straight in the dirt right now if he wanted.

"ah, champion link! i couldn't take this from you—" the man starts, but link just shakes his head and pushes the bedroll into his arms, giving him an insistent look. the soldier accepts the bedroll in defeat, but bows his head. "oh... well thank you, champion, i appreciate it very much!" link nods and turns away before returning to the rest of the champions.

"hello, link— where's your bedroll?" mipha says, noticing the lack of one in his hands. link tilts his head back towards the soldier he had given his bedroll to. "oh, what about you?"

he just shakes his head. "don't need one," link says softly. though he's comfortable speaking with the champions, he's still not used to the way his own voice reverberates against his throat; he hasn't used his voice as much as he should since he took his 'vow of silence'.

"what do you mean you don't need one, little guy?" daruk says, scratching his head. "i might be a goron, but fleshy little hylians like you are made for fluffy beds and—"

but link pays him no mind and strides over to a nearby tree (one that happens to be near the two that revali has set his hammock up at 👁️), drops his stuff on the ground and sits next to it, leaning against the tree with his arms crossed. mipha and daruk both open their mouths to object, but urbosa places a hand on both of their shoulders.

"leave him be," she says, as all of them watch link settle against the tree. "that boy is far too stubborn for his own good. once he has his mind set on something, he won't give up."

"you sure the little guy's gonna be alright?" daruk says, face contorted into an expression of concern. "i know he's tough, but i can't imagine that what he's doing is comfortable at all."

"he'll be fine," urbosa reassures him. she glances to the side, where revali is already keeping an eye on link, sitting at the tree where the farther end of his hammock from the little hylian is tied and tending to his bow. she smirks knowingly; "he's already in good care."

so everyone gets ready for the night; the battalion soldiers are already fast asleep, zelda, urbosa, and impa are sleeping in the stable beds, daruk is rolled up closer to the rockier terrain near the stable, mipha is straight up sleeping in the nearby cephla lake, leaving link and revali to be the only people awake. they're both still sitting against the trees, revali making the final tweaks to the great eagle bow and link polishing the master sword. revali has been stealing glances at link the entire time, watching and waiting for an opportunity (and also working up the courage) to say something. even at the base of death mountain, the cold night wind perseveres and revali catches every single tremor that goes through link's body as he shivers. maybe he could offer to...

"why did you give up your bedroll?" revali says finally. to be honest, he could probably already figure out an answer if he wanted to, but he asks anyway.

link pauses and glances up at him, before returning to polishing. revali's feathers ruffle at the lack of answer and he looks away, beak clenching. while he cared not for link's stance on verbal speech, acknowledging him and not giving an answer was rather unnecessary, wasn't it? especially since link had grown comfortable speaking with the princess and the champions, that should have included revali as well—

"i don't need one," link says suddenly, so softly, revali has to hold his breath, straining to hear the little hylian. link's voice is so quiet, it could be carried away by the night wind and revali is borderline obsessed with it, but the answer he gives is the same one he had given to the other champions. so revali says nothing and stares at link, prompting him to elaborate. "torin needed it more than me."

"torin?" revali questions. he wonders how much of the hyrulean army link knows by name.

"the man i gave my bedroll to," link replies, still wiping at his blade. "excellent fighter, great with a sword. but his chronic pain makes it difficult for him on the field." he sets down the cloth he was using to polish the master sword with and holds it up, appraising the blade. it glints in the moonlight quite elegantly. "giving him my bedroll is the least i can do to aid his comfort."

for a moment, revali is speechless; he had known that link was rather altruistic, always offering to help out even if it was inconvenient to himself. perhaps he shouldn't be surprised at all.

"you didn't have to do that though," revali says. he has stopped tending to his own bow at this point, letting it lay across his lap instead. "isn't it 'first come first serve' with you hylians? you were one of the first to receive a bedroll. you could have kept it to yourself, and i doubt anyone would complain since you're their champion."

link only shakes his head. "he needed it more than me," he insists, still in the same soft voice. "as a captain and a champion, it's my duty to care for my fellow knights. we're only as strong as our weakest member."

"then what about you?" revali says, staring straight at link. "if that's true, you're in no better of a situation than he was in previously."

"i'll survive," link says simply, and then, he yawns. at the same exact moment, another cold night breeze passes by, tousling link's bangs and once more does revali watch, completely entranced by the way link's body shivers in reaction. then, he slides the master sword back in its scabbard before raising his arms to stretch and yawn again. "sleeping on the ground for one night isn't that big of a deal."

and revali sees his chance and it stares right back at him like it's a challenge, like an eye glowing bright gold in the darkness; this is now or never.

"you don't have to sleep on the ground," he says quietly, but he looks down at the bow in his lap when he says it. in the corner of his eye, he sees link's arms pause mid-stretch before he slowly lowers them. he can feel the piercing blue gaze of link's eyes searing right through his cheek feathers and in turn, his heart skips a beat. stupid, stupid link. revali wishes he could despise the effect that a hylian of all people has on him.

"what do you mean?" link says in similar volume.

revali looks up to meet his gaze and swallows at the sight of those terribly beautiful blue eyes sparkling at him in the moonlight. now or never. "you could stay with me," he says softly, before he loses his nerve.

and link's eyes widen. if revali lets his vision blur a little, perhaps he can convince himself into thinking that the pink flush on link's cheeks is just the natural color of hylian skin, or just a trick of the moon's light and the glow of lava oozing down death mountain above them. but nothing can change the fact that he can see the entirety of link's irises, or the slight part in his lips.

"with you? in your...?" link whispers, but in this moment, his voice is the only thing the rito can hear at all. revali gives a single nod. "why?" there's not a single hint of mirth in link's voice, only genuine surprise.

revali looks away. "your heroism makes you foolish enough to give up the supplies necessary for your own survival in order to ensure the survival of others," he murmurs. "look at you, you're shaking in the cold like a loose feather. if you were a rito like i, you wouldn't have this problem."

he hears link snort and glances up at him. link is looking at him fully, a small smile on his face, and perhaps they are far too close to death mountain with the way that heat floods revali's cheeks and makes his limbs melt into the ground.

"and we wouldn't want the princess and the hyrulean army to wake up in the morning finding that their beloved champion froze to death in the night," he continues softly.

"no, i suppose not," link replies, still smiling. but the smile fades in the next moment or two, the pink flush revali had tried to pretend was just the color of his skin returning to link's cheeks much darker than before, as if to goad him. "s-so... how are we going to...?" he trails off, staring at revali with wide blue eyes.

revali blinks, and then swallows. truthfully, he didn't think he would get this far, but there's no backing out now. with his heart grabbing the bones of his ribcage and bashing its head against them, revali stands dusting himself off and hangs the great eagle bow on one of the branches of the tree. then, he turns back to face link, who's still staring at him with wide blue eyes and his pretty pink-flushed face from the ground. he walks towards link until he's standing in front of the little hylian, and then offers a hand.

"well firstly, are you ready for bed?" revali says, attempting to sound irritated, like his own offer is an inconvenience to him. but it's all in vain; his voice comes out too soft, too tender, too fond.

link stares up at him for a couple moments more before nodding, so revali extends his hand a little further out. "hurry up then," he says, voice still so unbearably soft. "i wouldn't do this for anyone else."

so link takes his hand and revali pulls him up in one swift movement. but he pulls too hard, because before he can even register it, suddenly both of link's hands are on his chest, his body pressed up against revali's. instinctively, one of his arms goes to circle link's waist, pushing them closer together, and the rito's ears are full of the sound of link's quiet gasp at the pressure; is he depraved to want to push him closer, to hear it again?

"s-sorry," link whispers, just slightly pushing off of revali's chest. "i didn't mean to—"

"it's fine," revali whispers back. with all his will, he lets his arm fall from link's waist to let him step away, resisting the urge to pull the warm little hylian back into his embrace. hylia above, how could revali ever have offered to share his hammock with such depravities rotting his mind?

revali turns away to walk towards the hammock, desperately trying to ignore the electric pull of the string tying him back to link. he looks over his shoulder back at the little hylian. "come on," revali says, feigning all the coolness, all the suaveness he can muster. the show must go on, after all.

revali slides into the hammock easily, settling into a comfortable position, and then he looks back at link. the little hylian stares down at his body and suddenly he feels self-conscious, his crest feathers ruffling. "are you getting in or would you rather stand there until sunrise?" revali snaps, and then cringes at his own tone.

but link only looks at him with the same wide, blue-eyed gaze sparkling in the moonlight. "yeah," he whispers, "i just..."

"just get in," revali mutters, looking away. "i won't fall out unless you're trying to make me fall out on purpose."

and slowly, so slowly, link grabs the edge of the hammock closer to him with hesitant, gentle fingers. he looks up at revali, who gives him a nod of encouragement, so he continues, reaching over revali's chest to grab the opposite edge of the hammock and begins to climb in. with some fidgeting and struggling, link lies atop revali's chest, their legs somehow tangled together. revali hopes the little hylian can't hear his heart drumming its high-strung song against his ribs.

"you're so warm," link whispers. "i didn't think you'd be."

"how do you think the rito are able to live so close to the hebra mountains?" revali murmurs back. "our feathers are insulative and keep us warm even in the most bitter of winters." he pauses, considering his next words, and then continues. "if you ever return to the village... our artisans are working on a prototype of an outfit to help featherless hylians like yourself brave the frigid temperatures of hebra. they are... using some of my own plumage to make it. if you wanted to truly experience the power of rito feathers yourself, i extend an invitation for you to come visit rito village at your earliest convenience."

"i'd like that a lot," link murmurs in response.

the rito hums in acknowledgement and they both fall silent. another cold wind breezes past and this time, link curls closer around revali's body, sighing quietly. instinctively, the rito raises his wings and drapes them around the little hylian's form in response, pressing him even closer than before. they stay just like this, beginning to drift off to the sounds of nature around them.

"revali?" link says suddenly, pulling revali a little bit out of his drowsy.

"mm?" revali replies. he doesn't try to summon the energy to even pretend to be irritated, only wrapping his wings tighter around link's body.

"thank you," link whispers. "for this. you didn't have to."

revali just hums back, letting the drowsiness pull him under. "go to sleep," he mumbles. "there will be more time for gratitude in the morning."

"okay," link whispers back, and revali feels him snuggle closer. there's a moment of hesitation, and in the next, it dissipates as revali finally falls asleep, feeling link's arms circle his torso, embracing him gently.

in the morning, the champions find them wrapped around each other in the hammock, urbosa being the first. she smirks down at them, a hand on her hip and shaking her head in amusement.

"ah, urbosa, where's link—?" mipha says as she approaches the chieftess. but she spots them right away, snapping her mouth shut and blinking owlishly until it grows in a held-back grin.

"i told you, link is already in good care," urbosa says. she looks past mipha to see daruk and zelda walking over, the latter yawning and tying her hair up. when they see the predicament that revali and link have gotten themselves into, daruk has to hold back a guffaw and zelda just rolls her eyes.

"they took their time, didn't they?" zelda grumbles.

"with all due respect, you should not be the one to talk, princess," mipha says, smiling politely. zelda wrinkles her nose at the zora princess, who giggles behind her hand.

"none of you should be talking at all," comes revali's voice, gravelly and hoarse from sleep. the champions turn back to the hammock, where revali gives them a dirty look with only one eye open. he remains in his position in the hammock, wings still wrapped around link who's asleep on his chest. "speak louder than a summer breeze and i'll show you the true strength of a rito's shot."

"my, my, so aggressive," urbosa muses. "has he made you soft for him already?" revali's glare only intensifies, so she holds up her hands in playful surrender. "alright, i'll leave you two alone. everyone, let's go start making breakfast. we have some time before we need to be at the citadel."

the rest of the champions begin to walk over to the cooking pots they've set up, zelda's head on mipha's shoulder and daruk listing off what his favorite types of rock meals are for breakfast. when they're out of earshot, revali relaxes and lets a breath out through the nares of his beak.

"what'd they mean, 'take our time'?" link suddenly mumbles against revali's chest.

revali blinks in surprise, staring down at the mop of dark gold hair atop him. "nothing you need to concern yourself with," he says, eyes wide. "when did you wake up?"

"been 'wake since 'fore sunrise," link mumbles. "jus' too warm 'n comfy to get up. hope you don't mind."

revali relaxes and sighs. "you're lucky i'm too comfortable to care either," he murmurs. he adjusts the way his wings are wrapped around link's body, and the little hylian hums and snuggles closer. suddenly, revali feels wide awake and he swears his heart could jump right out of his chest right now. "do you plan on remaining shackled to my body for the rest of the morning?"

"if you'll let me," link murmurs in response, and the rito feels like the breath has been stolen from his lungs.

"fine," revali acquiesces, once he feels like he can breathe again. "just this once... you'll have to get up to eat anyway. everyone here knows about your voracious appetite. you're incredibly insatiable for a hylian." it's not like he truly wants link to leave anyway... but link doesn't need to know that part.

link hums. "okay." they're both quiet for a couple moments, until the little hylian speaks again. "thank you again for this, revali. i appreciate it a lot."

revali pauses, his heart skipping several beats now. "good to know you possess enough of a developed brain to not take my gifts for granted," he replies, barely keeping the tremor out of his voice. but the rito's voice softens as he continues. "and... you're welcome. my kindness is not a gift i grant as often as you might think. so treasure it now; you may not be so lucky to receive it so freely again."

"i will," link replies, his voice muffled in revali's feathers. the rito swears he can feel link smiling into his skin. "so thanks again."

revali blows air through his nares of his beak. stupid, stupid link. try as he might to reject and dislike the effect this little hylian has on him, he can't help but crave it more and more. perhaps the bestowal of more of revali's gifts onto link are in order...

[muchmossymess]

It might be the weirdo in me but imagine an anamatic to the song shiny from moana with an evil/antagonist revali as the crab and link trying to recover the master sword as maui and zelda as moana

[grooviestsadpapaya]

I've always wondered how Revali must feel knowing that Tulin the rito that surpassed him, was trained by none other than Link, the Hylian that he wasted no time putting down whenever he had the chance too, and deemed himself superior than.

(AKSJSJJSJDJ personally I’m a Revalink shipper which honestly makes this a bit funny but it’s okokok)

He’d be proud! I think his faith in the Rito would surpass his saltiness, and seeing that the youngest Sage - one of his own - is equal in power to the others, would make him happy.

He should’ve been in totk. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN TOTK 😭😭😭😭

[britcision]

My brain will not be silenced nor dissuaded from considering what baby Sidon thinks of Revalink

Since we all like to joke that Sidon imprinted on Link like a baby goddamn bird and that is why he is so in love with him later

And Revalink is just Revali and Link doing full enemies to lovers with but a single side speaking aloud

Just

Revali: …. Mipha your little brother keeps bearing his teeth at me

Mipha: hmm? Oh! Yes, young zora can get very possessive of those they become attached to, but don’t worry, his baby teeth have only just come in so they almost certainly won’t break skin

Revali, concerned: so he’s definitely going to bite me then???

Mipha, happy as ever: absolutely! But he’s just a baby, you will be an old man before he gets a growth spurt and it’s anything to worry about

Revali, already fucking worried he has seen her dad: why???

Mipha: probably because he sees the way you… “argue” with Link. Sidon just adores Link, and you take his attention away

Revali: what?! No! Why would I possibly care about that hylian’s attention, Sidon is welcome to him!

Baby Sidon, behind a pillar: 🥹😊

Revali, bird of ultimate denial: ugh imagine thinking I had such awful taste as to care for Link…

Mipha: … so you recall I just said possessive? You should probably not insult Link in front of him

Baby Sidon: ❇️❇️

(Sidon has definitely also bitten Mipha for hanging out with Link and when she was younger she 1000% bit him back so he has learned better because she got her first growth spurt and is much bigger than him now

Also, y’know, adored big sister > bitchy bird)

[lily-alphonse]

To Be Young and Stupid by Lily Alphonse (Revali x Link)

Category: M/M

Rating: Teen (Mild injury, mild violence)

Rito have a habit of playfully pushing each other off ledges without a second thought. This becomes a problem though, when your friend doesn't have wings. Or A very cute glider origin story.

Words: 4,160

Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Mute Link, Poor Communication, Pre-Calamity, Rito Culture

Posting this for Revalink 2024, for the prompt Youth! I actually RACED to write this today. I wrote my ass off. Posting the whole thing here but I will also add an edited version to my AO3 soon.

➽───────────────❥

The first time it happened, Revali felt extremely foolish. 

They had been sparring, and Link turned it into a game to see if he could reach Revali’s braids. He hadn’t given their precarious location any thought before shoving Link over the edge. But Link’s frightened gasp as he fell shocked Revali into action. 

He leapt off the edge after him, talons grabbing him by the tunic and the thick leather of his sword harness. Hylians were not large, but with the momentum it was hard to lift him, and for a panicked moment he considered they might need to glide down into the water. 

He pumped his wings harder, straining against gravity, until his gust shot them up higher and over the edge again. 

They landed roughly in the grass, Revali narrowly avoiding slamming into a tree stump. 

Link looked cross with him. He had a bit of twig stuck in his hair and dirt on his chin. 

Revali meant to apologize, he really did. Instead, what came out was an admonishment of Hylians’ inferior biology; and how lucky Link was that he was in the presence of a Rito fast and powerful enough to catch him. 

Link rolled his eyes and stomped off, but he still stayed in the village that night. Revali gave him an additional fish kebab, keeping only two for himself. The Rito champion could feel Link’s eyes on him, but avoided his gaze. 

Link thankfully didn’t press it. 

Revali worried that he would ask if he had done it on purpose. Because he had, and he also hadn’t, and he wasn’t sure what was worse. The truth was that it came naturally because pushing each other like that was something Rito did when they were comfortable with each other.

It had been a long time though, since anyone had played with him like that. Playing. That's what it was. 

Ever since becoming a Master warrior, it was like there was an energy around him that warded people off; that commanded respect. Revali stepped into the role and acted in a manner expected of him. But part of him still ached to be young. To be played with. To be loved for his laugh and not his precision or his speed. 

He felt safe with Link. And Link felt safe with him, and in a messed up way it made Revali a danger to him, since he could not fly. 

Link was a bit jumpier after that, and it hurt Revali’s heart to see, though he knew it was only fair. But over time, things eased up again. They had to trust each other when they fought side by side. And they could, they were unstoppable together. Revali was the only one of the Champions with eyes fast enough to track Link’s movements when he was a blur on the battlefield. 

The next time happened when they raced, Link running and Revali flying. 

Link was remarkably fast. He might have actually beat Revali, though he didn’t want to consider that a possibility. Instead he flew too close to him at the end of the race, clipping him with his wing enough to knock him back. It was meant to be affectionate, mostly. But once again, Link was standing too close to the edge. And how was Revali supposed to remember he couldn’t fly? 

They both should have known better, really, but they were young and stupid. 

This time when Link fell he almost said something. The beginning of a word, “nn-“ swallowed up by the wind as he fell. 

Revali groaned and jumped after him, though this time the Hylian had the sense to catch himself – if barely – on a lower ledge. 

He allowed himself to be pulled up by Revali, but when they got topside, Link didn’t give him a chance to apologize (or say something arrogant meant to be an apology). Instead he removed his sword harness and threw it at him, his eyes brimming with tears. 

Revali dodged it and watched dumbly as Link removed his tunic and threw that at him, too. This time it hit Revali’s breast. He watched it fall to the ground in confusion, but then he saw Link’s body. 

His arms, where he had caught himself on the rock, were scraped bloody and raw. His chest already bore a red and purple bruise from impacting the stone. 

But his face was the worst, so angry, breathing hard with nostrils flaring, eyes red with tears. Eyes daring him to say something cocky and dismissive again. 

Revali didn’t. He didn’t say anything. 

He knelt to pick up the discarded tunic and sword harness. He stayed kneeling and held both out for him. 

Link was the mute one, but in this moment Revali could not speak either. He could not say what he needed to. He could barely look him in the eyes. 

This whole thing was so stupid. 

Link took his things back from him. Revali stayed kneeling and looking at Link’s boots, beak set. This was the closest Link would get to an apology. 

Link allowed him to clean his wounds by candlelight. Revali’s beak hurt from clenching it so tightly. He’d barely said anything since the incident, just mumbled commands to remove his tunic again and move his arm this way or that. 

He couldn’t explain why he kept doing this. Why he kept breaching Link’s trust, just because he actually trusted him so much. How he wanted Link to push him too, and how it would actually be fun if he did it to him, and not this horrifying ordeal. 

Link had long stopped bleeding but the rag Revali cleaned his wounds with was red with it. 

If only he could give Link wings. 

Or if only you had an ounce of self-control, a spiteful voice hissed in the back of his mind.

He stared at the canopy basket the medicine man had lowered down to his hut. The baskets were descended on ropes, but still had small canopies attached to slow their descent. Maybe something similar could be employed for Link? 

He could ask Maro, the Rito craftsman who made the baskets, to make a larger canopy with handles for him. 

No, that would be absurd. 

Link tapped his wing, shaking him from his thoughts. Done? he signed. 

Revali supposed he had been done for a while, and found himself stalling. He dropped the rag in the soiled water and nodded. 

Link stood and replaced his tunic and sword harness. Revali stayed sitting cross-legged on the floor of his hut, eyes on the flickering candle on the table. “Will you stay tonight?” he asked quietly. 

Link might have shaken his head no, but Revali did not look at him to see it. His response was clear enough when he walked out. 

Revali sat for a moment, still staring at the flame. He listened to the Hylian’s steps fade on the boardwalk, drowned out by the singing of crickets and wind. 

It was absurd to continue on like this, but wouldn’t it be more absurd to gift him something? With no idea how Link would rationalize the offering, it was too risky. Even aside from it being a gift, it would mean admitting there was something more between them; since it wasn’t as if he was throwing any other Hylians off of tall perches. Or anyone at all, really. No one came close enough, metaphorically or physically. 

He stood abruptly and hurled the water bucket out of the hut in a rage. 

➽───────────────❥

“This is awful, really. I don’t know how you live like this. Walking everywhere. Don’t your feet hurt? I suppose that’s why you wear boots,” Revali mused as they walked to the lake. 

Link was back in the village with Zelda, Revali didn’t care what for, just that Zelda was busy enough with the elder that he had Link to himself. It took some convincing for Link to come with him this time, though. His eyes were hard to him now, suspicious. But Link was a people pleaser to a fault and Revali was not above using that against him. 

“I’ve flown you plenty of times. We could fly there so much faster than this,” he continued. 

Apparently tired of his complaining, Link stopped and signed something like drop, and that shut Revali up until they made it to the lake. 

It was uncomfortably warm in the summer sun, and Link immediately stripped to his undershorts as they arrived. Revali found a spot in the shade of the cliffs near the lake to set up with his fishing spear.

In the distance, Link dove into the water with a loud splash. 

Revali set aside his spear and splashed himself with some water to preen, getting comfortable. He watched as Link disappeared under the sparkling water and reappeared further into the lake, popping up to wipe his long hair back from his face and settle on his back to float. 

Two thoughts warred for dominance in Revali’s mind. The first, (being a thought that occurred unfortunately often now) was that Link was quite captivating. The second, that Hylians were adaptable, but did not seem well suited to any environment in particular. Link survived fine in water. He moved in it almost successfully, but nothing like a Zora. And his survival in the sky was even poorer.

He continued to float on his back in the sun until Revali got bored of watching him and tried to catch a fish. 

He watched them float idly beneath the surface, most of them too deep at this time of day. He tried to spear one and failed, the splash sending the others racing away. Revali cursed and sat back down on the rocky outcropping he’d chosen as his perch among the reeds. 

Glancing back up he noticed Link was slowly floating closer, pushed by the slow lap of waves. He seemed to almost be sleeping, his face loose of its usual tension. If he was closer, Revali would have impulsively splashed him. He chuckled to himself for the childish urge and checked the water again to see if any fish had come back. 

One was coming closer, but so was Link. He would find himself in the reeds with him if he didn’t correct his course soon. Revali sighed, giving up on the idea of getting any fish today. He contemplated calling out to Link, instead choosing to wait until he came within spearing distance. 

Closer now, he saw how his injuries had developed, the bruise on his chest partially visible above the water. It had spread since that first day, but it was more yellow now than red. 

Revali flipped his spear and poked Link’s leg with the butt of it. “You’re scaring away my fish.” 

Link blinked his eyes open and brought a hand up to shield his them, turning to stand in the water. He grinned and shook his head, pointing at Revali. No, you, he seemed to say. Revali rolled his eyes, but was secretly delighted to have his friend acting normal again. 

Link stretched and looked around them, then seemed to consider something for a moment. Revali barely had a moment to stand, feeling what was coming by the mischievous look on the Hylian’s face. “Don’t-” he started, but Link had already wound up his arm and sent a splash his way. 

The water hit his bottom half mostly, and wasn’t enough to actually get beyond his top layer of feathers. “Dangerous to provoke me unarmed, Hylian,” Revali said, shaking his spear at him. 

Link laughed, a sound that always sent a delightful shudder through the Rito since he so rarely heard Link’s voice. 

He disappeared under the water and swam away. Revali smiled to himself, though somewhat disappointed. 

He sat back down. At least he might be able to get some fish to come back now. 

Link’s head popped up in the distance and he swam in long fluid strokes until he reached the other bank, where he pulled himself out of the water. Revali watched as he walked around where the rocks rose up in a formation beside the lake, disappearing out of sight. 

Revali did not think much of it, assuming he was going to relieve himself. 

A few moments later, when he had a fish in his sights again, a wordless shout from above shocked him just before an enormous splash sent water all over and around him. 

Link had jumped from the edge of the short cliff above. 

His grinning face emerged from the water with another laugh to see the Rito thoroughly soaked now. Revali leveled his spear at him in threat. Link yelped and disappeared under the water again, so he dropped the spear and removed his leather fauld, dropping it onto a nearby boulder to jump in after him. 

It was a stupid thing to do, since as much as he looked down on Hylians’ swimming ability, most Rito were even worse. But he made an attempt to chase him regardless, which resulted in another splash, this time to the face. But Link was laughing, so it was worth it. 

Revali sputtered and wiped the water away from his face. “I’m going to have to preen myself for hours after this,” he groaned. 

Link looked at him with a curious expression before pointing to himself and making the sign for help. 

Revali’s feathers would have ruffled if they could, as embarrassed as he was by the insinuation. He looked away quickly and folded his wings tightly around himself under the water. “I… Link you know disgustingly little about Rito,” he huffed.

He cocked his head and made a sign Revali didn’t recognize. “I don’t know what you’re saying,” he sighed, looking back to the bank. 

Link swam closer to him and pulled his attention back. He pointed at him, then made the sign for speaking. 

“Tell you?” Revali asked. 

Link nodded with a determined expression. Revali noticed a dusting of freckles on his shoulders and cheeks in the sun. 

“It’s…” he clamped his beak and looked up as if the sky held some kind of answer. He didn’t want to talk about it. But he did want Link to know. Part of him wanted Link to know in case Link turned out to want that level of closeness with him. “It’s an… intimate thing.” He finally spit out. He immediately looked away and nodded to himself, satisfied that it was a serviceable explanation. 

When he glanced back at Link his cheeks were pinker. Sorry he signed. 

Revali rolled his eyes and took the opportunity to splash him this time, his wing doing a better job of it than the Hylian’s puny arms. It was Revali’s turn to laugh as Link spit and wiped his face. 

He turned back to the bank. ���Come on I’ll drop you in,” Revali called over his shoulder before he could second-guess himself. He ruffled and shook out his feathers after stepping out of the water, most of it thankfully coming away, though he’d certainly look a bit more haggard till he could properly groom himself. 

Link followed him out. He stood dripping on the rocks with his hands on his lean hips, grinning at Revali. 

“What?” he asked, quickly skimming his beak over his flight feathers. 

Link made another sign he didn’t understand. Revali made a mental note to learn some more of Link’s sign language because this was getting exhausting, as much as he liked to be the only one speaking. Revali shrugged at him and Link sighed. He held out his hand expectantly and Revali gave him his wing. It was their last resort when all other signs failed, for Link to spell the word in his hand.

He spelled a short word, slow and deliberate. C-U-T-E. 

Revali yanked his wing back and began walking to the path Link had walked previously. “I’m not cute,” he spat, trying to smooth back the feathers sticking out on his crest. His insides felt like they were on fire. 

Link laughed from behind him, following him up the rocky slope. The further they climbed, the more Revali’s heart raced. This was an opportunity for Link to understand what he had meant to do all this time. He wondered if Link would piece it together himself, or if he would somehow find the courage to explain that he’d never meant to hurt him. At least here, with the water below, Link was safe. 

At the ledge, he turned to look at the Hylian. The sunlight was sharp in the late afternoon, it would be setting soon. Revali liked the color it cast on Link’s skin. 

“I can take you up higher,” Revali offered. 

Link continued to stare at him, an unreadable expression on his face as if maybe he was piecing it together. Then he made the signs for Rito and thing. A Rito thing. 

Revali huffed a laugh. 

Link smiled, and suddenly grabbed his arm, yanking him towards the edge. 

“Oooh no,” Revali growled in amusement and wrapped his wings around Link’s warm body as he fell, taking him down with him. For a blissful moment they laughed, holding each other close. 

Then they hit the cool water, abruptly plunged beneath the surface. It was uncomfortable to be submerged, but Revali was more awed and overjoyed that the Hylian had finally gotten him back. And he understood. At least he seemed to. 

He had never wanted to kiss him so badly as he did now, seeing Link erupt from the water laughing, the orange sun illuminating his wet skin. 

Instead, he left the water, shaking himself off again. 

He turned back to Link who was still making his way back to the edge. “Come on, I’ll drop you from the sky this time,” he called back excitedly, unable to contain his child-like giddiness anymore. 

Link mounted his back and they flew up over the lake, the sun fully setting now. They didn’t have much time left. 

Link’s first dive was impressive, a backflip off of Revali’s back. He shouted the whole way down and Revali couldn't help but laugh. 

He also couldn’t help but feel like a bad influence; he’d never known Link to be such a showoff.

He flew down to the water to meet him, hovering over the middle of the lake where Link landed. 

Fun, he signed.

“One more, hold your arm up,” Revali smiled down at him. 

Link did as he asked and Revali gripped his forearm with his talons. It was an odd angle they hadn’t tried before, but worst case he would just fall back into the water, which was the point anyway. He pumped his wings hard to pull Link up, his foot cramping by the time they made it back into the sky. 

This time, just before dropping, he could swear Link winked at him. 

And suddenly every apprehension he had about the glider was gone. He didn’t care. He was definitely going to have that glider made for him after all.  

➽───────────────❥

At Revali’s request the glider was done in three days, but it took another week for Link to come back. The Rito champion was irritable the entire week, snapping more than usual. The old doubts were back. But he was stubborn, he would see this through. 

He buzzed with anticipation on the day of Link’s return, going through the motions of formalities, greeting the princess and waiting for Link to be dismissed. He almost grabbed his hand in his excitement, but held back just in time, clasping his wings behind his back and motioning with his head to the general direction of his hut. Link nodded at him with the small grin he wore when others were watching. 

When they made it back to his hut, he was tempted to close up the sides to hide them, though the speculation from his neighbors would likely have been worse. So he settled for sitting on the ground away from the entrance where they could not so easily be spotted. 

Link simply followed his lead with a curious expression and sat cross-legged on the rug with him, watching as Revali pulled the glider out from under his low table. He slid it over to Link and said nothing, for a moment wishing he wouldn’t have to say anything, but knowing he should. “It’s um..” he cleared his throat, “It’s for you.” 

He folded his wings in his lap and looked down at them, nodding to himself again. That was all he should have to say, really.

Link opened up the folded canvas and inspected it. 

After a moment Revali felt a hand on his knee and looked up at him again. Flying? Link asked. 

Revali nodded quickly. 

A grin stretched across Link’s face before he jumped up.  

“Link…” Revali said hesitantly, standing to join him. The Hylian stepped around him and made his way out of the hut onto the boardwalk. “It hasn’t been tested!” Revali called after him, suddenly worried he was going to throw himself to his death.

Link ran to the nearest landing and stopped, Revali jogging to catch up. He was fiddling with it, checking the canopy and where he should put his hands. 

Revali looked around to see if anyone was watching. There wasn’t anyone in their immediate vicinity, but prying eyes could be anywhere. In the huts around them, in the boardwalk above. 

“I thought maybe we should test it at the lake,” Revali said in a low voice, folding his wings behind his back again. 

Link shook his head absentmindedly, still looking at the glider. Then he folded it under one arm and signed a string of words too quickly for Revali to interpret. 

“What?” 

Link groaned, and then made two simpler signs, clearly exasperated. 

You. Catch.

Revali felt flustered again, the feathers on his face pricking up. Was he really that confident in his ability to catch him? 

He smoothed his feathers and nodded. “Alright then. Have it your way.” He jumped off of the platform and turned, hovering nearby to watch him, bracing himself. 

The Hylian opened the glider again and tested its resistance a few times by running a few steps and stopping, then turning around and doing it again. Revali’s heart raced embarrassingly fast the entire time, expecting him to drop each time he got to the edge. 

You threw him off multiple times yourself, idiot, he chided himself. 

But those times were an accident. This was purposeful, and he was trusting the gift he had made for him (and his strength, if it came to it).

Finally, Link ran off the edge, and Revali held his breath. 

The wind caught the glider and anticlimactically blew him back onto the platform. 

Link laughed, and Revali echoed him, coming in to land next to him again. 

“Seems like it works. But… how about we go somewhere you can really fly?” Revali asked with a mischievous smile. 

➽───────────────❥

Revali flew them to the peak of Cuho mountain, the closest place with a moderately high elevation that wouldn’t require Link to get into snow gear. 

Link was excited, jumping off his back as soon as they landed. 

He expanded the glider again and looked at him with a wide grin. Then his smile faded, and he closed the glider, tucking it away in a side pocket of his pack. Revali watched with growing concern as he stepped back towards him, almost too close. 

“Are you–” he started, before Link suddenly hugged him, his arms low on his midsection due to their height difference. Revali’s insides lit up again, and he warred with himself as to whether he should hug him back, or kiss him, or push him away, and so he did none of it. 

Link pulled back and signed, thank you. 

“Yes, well,” Revali cleared his throat again, a single traitorous arm resting on Link’s shoulder. “Don’t go boasting, I have a reputation to uphold.”   

Link chuckled lightly, not quite making a sound. But he could feel it, with Link so close. 

He signed again. And I forgive you. 

Revali scoffed and rolled his eyes, but could not help the smile taking hold on his beak. “As if I ever apologize,” he mumbled. 

Link chuckled again, then stopped as if noticing something. He pointed at Revali’s abdomen with a confused expression. 

Revali craned his neck down to see what he was looking at, just for Link to suddenly place a kiss on his beak. 

He’d barely processed the action when Link jumped away from him with a shriek of a laugh, apparently afraid of whatever retaliation was in store. 

He’d kissed him. He’d actually kissed him. His fingers brushed the spot in blissful shock, before he snapped back to the moment. Link was running for the cliff’s edge, still laughing. 

“Oh you’re going to get it now,” Revali threatened playfully, racing after him.

[avenin7]

a kiss with the og botw revalink color palette

[abirdthatdrawsthings]

Heya! It’s me again! And today I’ve risen from the dead to hand you all some art!! (Tried procreate as I listened to “as the world caves in” and this was the result. Anywho)

Warning: Blood, bruises, (talk of death in my ramble), and overall angst!

So, I made this thing based off a fanfic I’m yet to write. Highly inspired by the fact that technically Revali and Link may have met one last time that being in castle town… and yes I know Revali was BOOKING it to Vah Medoh but… just imagine… (large ramble under the cut. Sorry I am SO ill abt them rn gsgvshd)

…The two having one last meeting. One last goodbye. Because no matter how much they reassured themselves they’d meet once more… they felt deep inside that wouldn’t be the case. Revali whispered a desperate plea for Link to run the other way, saying he had already lost enough friends today and just couldn’t afford to loose his knight aswell. And Link wished Revali could stay there.. or run with he and Zelda. Because he heard the cries of help from Daruk and Mipha… he knew something awaited his lovebird at his divine beast… but unfortunately.. his lovebird just so happened to be the stubbornest Rito in all Hyrule. The two departed, refusing to say goodbye… but rather a “we’ll meet again” .

A few hours later… a horribly loud and desperate SOS call was heard.

And a hour or so afterward, the knight succumbed to his wounds.

And even though 100 years later… Link and Revali would look upon eachother again… Link would no longer remember those times he and Revali would sit together as they watched the snow fall or fire crackle. Link would never remember the day he was gifted a paraglider so the two could soar high above together. Link would never remember the playful banter, those quiet yet comforting nights, the way the Rito gazed at him softly… the day before the calamity where the Rito champion wove a bracelet representing his love for the Hylian champion…

But all he remembered now was a prideful gaze upon that first meeting. And forgot all that followed.

And Revali would soon settle with the fact… even though Hyrule’s hero now stood before him… just as they had said they would.. Link… his Link had died that day just as he did… and being honest… Revali felt almost as if he had died once more upon that realization… because the way his heart felt now felt even worse than it did when Windblight had created that gaping hole in his chest.

…Anywho so yeah. Even tho I’m not all for pre-calamity revalink let’s just say the angst potential of such a thing had me in a chokehold and I NEEDED to make something. Anyways!! Sorry if this is bad I just NEEDED to get this out of my brain. But!!! I hope you guys like this art and ramble. Maybe I’ll make this an actual fanfic later! who knows! But!! I promise I’ll make some revalink fluff next i PROMISE it’s just been a VERY emotional summer ok?!? Bsvsvdv. Anywho hope y’all like this. I’ll try posting more! Till then, cya!!

[revalinkweek]

Long day, huh ☹️

Revalink Week 2024 Day 7

Gentle

[cryiling]

first art of 2024 and it's revalink fanart OKAYY 🤭

this is for @amiharana's prince x prince au for just one day go read it rn 🫵 I LOVEEE ROYALTY AUS esp where it's hylian revali 🙈 i was supposed to finish this like. 5 months ago oops LOL. sorry i was too mesmerized by the amazing character design !!

btw im rlly sorry abt the bad bloom quality. if u mention it i will cry myself to sleep <3

[tirsynni]

I’m unsure everyone’s thoughts on TotK spoilers at this point, but just to be on the safe side, putting my thoughts Sidon and Link and other under a cut. Just ramblings and some mild cackling.

Okay, so TotK presented a new fun facet for Sidon: they gave him a bride. Obviously, Sidlink fans went completely nuts. Makes sense. This is a big change from the BotW dynamics. So first things first: my thoughts on the betrothal itself.

Some people went batshit and accused Nintendo of queerbaiting. Of all things, they insisted that Nintendo saw people so excited about Sidlink that they inserted Yona to break up the pairing. I have multiple thoughts on that, which will be split up a bit through my flailing meta. Most obvious first, though: Sidon is the Prince of the Zora. He is the only heir left. A betrothal makes sense! Yona was known to him, trusted, and she seems to have a solid head on her shoulders... and is also good for not taking Sidon’s shit. She is a good choice for a Queen, both for the Zora people and for Sidon personally.

I love Sidon to death, but he absolutely needs someone to balance him out. The Zora people are a monarchy. While they lack the divine rule of the Hylian Royal Family, they do have a definite strictness and structure. There is a great deal of respect for the royal family, for the structure that is in place, and the Zora people also rely on the royal family for multiple things. The Zora royal family is clearly not symbolic or there for show: they are the guardians, protectors, and leaders of the Zora people. Whoever would be paired with Sidon would need to fulfill those roles. 

From what we’ve seen of Link, he has two sides: feral little warrior or duty-bound Knight. He doesn’t try to take leadership roles: he hears of a problem, sighs a little at how the problem isn’t being solved, and does it by himself. He works with teams, but there’s no indication of him ever leading. He’s the Tony Hawk of Hyrule. He’s the guy who does things so quietly that people are baffled when they’re successfully done.

So where does all of this leave Sidlink? I think there are a couple takes on it.

While Sidon is canonically marrying Yona (and absolutely no Yona bashing on my blog: I adore Yona), I think if Sidon married her and Yona acted as his queen and the Queen of the Zora, and yet he still had a full relationship with Link on the side... he would do so with everyone’s blessing. Dorephan’s, the Zora people’s, Yona’s... Fuck, he literally put a ring on it, and he was congratulated. He has a statue of him and Link, and everyone honors it. He has it literally in writing on the wall how much he adores Link and wants everyone to know how awesome Link is. And fuck, did everyone talk to Yona after Link successfully finds the Zora greaves? Sidlink isn’t even my ship and it seems like she is giving her blessing and sounds thrilled that Sidon found such a great side piece.

Seriously, my favorite pairing is Revalink, and every Zora interaction seemed like Sidon was madly in love with Link, and despite marrying Yona, everyone in the kingdom was cheering Sidon on. Wouldn’t be the craziest thing, really, and would require no effort to make Sidon/Yona a political, if happy and respectful, marriage, with the King (and really, the Queen, providing no children come from it) having concubines/lovers/etc. Which makes the second possibility for this subject even funnier.

This is my go-to, although, again, even for a non-shipper, Sidlink is amazingly easy in TotK: Sidon and Link have nothing going on. It’s completely platonic. It never occurred to either of them that people interpret their interactions and Sidon’s comments as romantic. Everyone -- Dorephan, Bazz, Yona, everyone -- is convinced Sidon and Link have been fucking for months, if not years, and they’re okay with it. Hell, they’re thrilled by it. Yona adores Link and is fine sharing Sidon with him. Hell, she encourages it (with neither Link or Sidon understanding it but happy to have some time to hang out together). Dorephan is convinced that he has a pseudo-son-in-law and couldn’t be prouder. He expected to have Link as an actual son-in-law a century ago, anyway. Everyone thinks they’re screwing, and everyone is happy with it, with Sidon and Link never catching on. 

Bonus points if Link is actually in another relationship, and one day, I might write that little bit of crack.

More bonus points if Sidon is actually ace (which is really, really easy to headcanon, honestly) and Yona attributes his struggles with babymaking to his love for Link.

There’s possibly Link struggling to figure out where he fits with Sidon after learning about the engagement, with most of the kingdom (including Yona) taking it for granted that of course Link would stay with Sidon. There’s Sidon struggling with figuring out how to insert Yona in his life and the canon struggling of having someone else to lose. (At least he’s confident that Link can and will survive, even though Link vanishing must have scared the shit out of him.) There’s possibly Link knowing that such things exist due to his travels and his own history with royals but not connecting it to himself, especially when he sees Sidon struggling with his relationship and upcoming marriage to Yona. Multiple opportunities for both fluff and plotty tension.

But yeah... at no point do I see Yona actually being a barrier to Sidlink. It’s amazingly easy to see her as a fucking Sidlink shipper, whether the pair or actually together or not.

(And honestly, I think she did what it wouldn’t have occurred to Link to do: yell at Sidon to put aside his personal feelings and fears and fulfill his damned responsibilities. I think Link would have just accepted Sidon’s actions and tried to solve the problem on his own, as he does. It is Yona who recognizes that it shouldn’t just fall to Link and that Sidon has to take care of his own responsibilities, too, and get out of his head.)

Of course, for the people who want to write Yona and Sidon breaking up the marriage, write Link taking up a leadership role and stepping up as a fellow ruler, whatever... this bit of meta absolutely is not critiquing any of those takes. I’m of the firm mindset that people should write what they want, that fanfiction is amazing for exploring, and if people dislike a certain writer’s takes, they should just leave the fic instead of going “Well, I disagree with what you did here and here’s why.” Hell, even if it’s not with my headcanons or whatever, Sidlink writers are awesome in this fandom and write many solid fics, both with worldbuilding to back up their choice and with fics without the details and background and just happy fluff (and porn). If you like the above takes, awesome! If you prefer for it just to be Sidlink (no Yona bashing, please, though), also awesome. It’s fanfiction. Have fun with it.