#hyrule-symphony

[portraitofalinkonfyre]

Some Bunny Loves You!

Pairing: Legend x Reader

Warning(s): Completely shameless smut. You're welcome.

Notes: Written for the amazing @h4wari, I SEE YOU BESTIE!!

Masterlist

If there was one thing you loved about traveling with a bunch of heroes on a quest to save Hyrule, it was that you were never alone. Having lived quietly for most of your life, their rambunctious presence was nothing short of a godsend, even if it meant you had to walk over ten miles daily and occasionally suffer at the hands of Hyrule's "delicious" cooking.

The forest was unusually alive–the chirping birds and rustling leaves creating a symphony that weaved through the trees with unusual grace–as you trudged down the worn path, heading for the river Sky had offhandedly mentioned over last night's salmon risotto. It had been a bit since you'd treated yourself to a proper bath, and you were determined to make the most of the rare time off.

You followed the path as it veered left, adjusting your heavy pack over your shoulders, already imagine how good the water would feel–once you got over the chill, of course. A glance over your shoulder confirmed that you were indeed alone, not that you expected anyone to follow you when you announced your intention to bathe. Legend had even walked in the opposite direction of the river in a supposed quest to gather berries for Wild's next cooking creation, which was honestly amazing of him.

Rustle.

You stilled as a quiet rustling noise came from a large shrub on the outskirts of the path, instinctively reaching for the dagger Legend had gifted you a few months ago. "Who's there?" you called out, giving whatever was out there a chance to come out before shit got nasty. "If you don't come out, I'm going to–"

Rustle.

You advanced on the bush, the gleaming blade clenched tightly in your fist... until the bush shook thickly and a pink blur shot from the bottom of it. You yelped, gingerly sidestepping the blur as it shot straight for your feet, revealing a... was that a rabbit?

You immediately dropped to a squat, sheathing your dagger as you studied the creature. It was on the larger size, fur pinker than the horizon at dawn, wearing what appeared to be a little red vest.

"Oh my Hylia," you breathed, unable to comprehend the cuteness before you. You took a deep breath, plopped down on the ground, and squealed: "You are so cute!!"

The rabbit's ears twitched adorably as it turned to face you fully. You reached a hand out, moving torturously slow until your fingers brushed the sinfully soft fur at the top of its head. It was a full-on battle to keep your squee!!! of joy to a reasonable level for the sake of not scaring away the creature, but you somehow managed, lip trembling from the sheer amount of effort you were employing to contain yourself. "Where did you come from, handsome?" you cooed, because that vest was nothing short of dapper, fingers trailing to rub tenderly at the rabbit's soft ears. "It's a good thing I found you, Hylia forbid you run into Wolfie."

The rabbit hopped closer when you added the very tips of your nails to the scratching process, and your heart damn near melted at the sight. "I could just hug you right now," you scratched harder, earning yourself a small thump from one of the rabbit's hind legs. Your hand swept down to caress the bunny's back, and it was then that you noticed the brownish tone of the fur around his rump and legs.

"You're all dirty," you mumbled slowly, running your finger through the slightly clumped fur. It was a shame, really, because you couldn't recall ever seeing such an astounding creature.

Wait...

"That's it!" You cried, hands cupping under the rabbit's chest and butt before you hoisted it up against your chest. The creature squirmed, legs kicking gently against your ribcage, and you rubbed its back softly. "It's okay, sweetie, we're just going to take a bath together and get all clean, alright?"

The bunny wiggled more, but you held it steady, continuing down the path to the river.

Legend knew he was in deep shit.

He hadn't even meant to follow you, having stayed true to his goal of gathering berries for Wild... until he caught sight of your swaying form walking along the trees, and something deep inside his chest demanded he follow you. The woods could be dangerous, so it couldn't hurt to have an extra layer of protection, especially when you were in such a... vulnerable position, he convinced himself, allowing the transformation into a rabbit to wash over him like water.

With swift hops, he followed you through the undergrowth, carefully avoiding anything that would alert you of his presence. You didn't know about his ability, but the others did, and he'd rather not have to explain anything to anyone. Legend wasn't embarrassed to admit that his gaze lingered on the subtle curve of your ass through those leggings of yours for far longer than appropriate, mostly because he knew no one was around to hear it.

Rustle.

Legend cringed as his hind leg brushed the shrub he was hiding under, and full-blown terror engulfed him when your head snapped in the direction, hand already reaching for the dagger he gifted you a while back under the guise of protecting you. In truth, he really liked seeing you in the fruits of his labor, but since nothing between you was even remotely past friendly, he had to be sneakier than piling protection rings on your fingers like he wanted.

The ground crunched beneath your boots as you took a cautious step further, expression grin. Legend tried to scurry deeper into the thick leaves, praying that you hadn't seen him, and brushed the shrub again in his haste, sending a resonating rustle through his temporary residence.

"Who's there?" your voice, typically filled with mirth, called dangerously, and he knew he had to act fast. There was no way he could transform like this--then he would really be done for. "If you don't come out, I'm going to–"

As the bush rustled one final time, Legend made his choice. His hind legs, tucked under him like two loaded springs, pushed him forward faster than the wind. Your yelp resonated in his ears and you jumped to the side to avoid the undoubtedly pink blur shooting out from the shrub. He landed on the ground a few feet from your form, turning his head just in time to catch the moment your expression changed from shocked to disbelieving to absolutely awestruck.

"Oh my Hylia," you said, and he wanted nothing more than shoot away, but that was far too incriminating, especially since he was positive you would tell the others about your encounter with a fucking pink rabbit. "You are so cute!"

Cute...? You thought he was cute? Legend had to remind himself that you thought you were speaking to just an animal, because the notion that you were speaking those words to him was far too poignant to consider if he wanted to remain sane. Legend had always liked you, perhaps a bit more than he should have, which is why he remained still when your hand reached out slowly, obviously not wanting to scare him, and allowed the tips of your fingers to graze his head.

You cooed some more, and, this time, he was embarrassed to admit the very noticeable swell of heat in his chest. "Where did you come from, handsome?" Legend just knew you were looking at the vest, unable to find a rebuttal to that particular statement; it was pretty neat, he had to admit. "It's a good thing I found you, Hylia forbid you run into Wolfie."

Right. Twilight. Legend cringed at the mention of the hero who had gotten him into this mess in the first place, but his annoyance was quickly rectified when your fingers stroked down the length of his ears, sending tremors of... well, pleasure, sliding down his spine. Hylia, was he even supposed to be feeling this good? "I could just hug you right now," you stated, hand sweeping down to caress his back, and Legend was the first to notice when the adorable look in your eyes morphed into concern. Every nerve in his body bristled at the mere notion of upsetting you, you, and the urge to shift right then and there nearly consumed him. "You're all dirty..."

He was? Legend shot a glance at his backside, cringing when he noticed the massive splotch of mud right above his rump. It must have happened while he was under than bramble bush earlier, having been too preoccupied with watching over you to mind his own appearance.

Legend nearly yelped when your hands cupped his body, lifting him in the air before he could curse Hylia for putting him in such a predicament, all the while you crowed "That's it!" while moving him to rest directly on your chest. Directly. "It's okay, sweetie, we're just going to take a bath together and get all clean, alright?"

You... you were going to what? Legend could hardly think as his hind legs kicked gently against your ribcage in a last-ditch effort to free himself, but your grip held true, keeping him exactly where you wanted him. His paws rested on your collarbone, dully registering the warmth flowing from your skin, but he had far more pressing matters to worry about. For one, you were heading to take a bath, and he was positive one didn't bathe with their clothes on, which meant...

"Hey, it's okay," your hand smoothed down his back as he began to struggle anew. This wasn't what he had in mind when he decided to watch over you, and the wrongness of the situation twisted his soul like a wet rag. For Hylia's sake, he wasn't a pervert!

Yet you walked on, blissfully unaware of the complete and total turmoil raging within him. He was going to hell for this, Legend was sure, if the others' teasing didn't send him there first.

After a few minutes, you made a noise of satisfaction, stepping into the clearing, where a medium-sized river resided. The water looked gentle enough, but he was more preoccupied when you abruptly dropped your pack, kneeling down to set him on the soft grass. "You stay here, okay?" Your smile was softer than silk and brighter than the master sword... and Legend found himself unable to move; as if his small body had simply stopped working, even when your hands pulled your tunic from your body, revealing miles and miles of smooth skin for his perusal. If rabbits could blush, his face would have been redder than a strawberry.

Legend's heart nearly stopped beating as your hands deftly untied the cloth binding your breasts, sighing softly when they were released. Everything felt hot, too hot, when you slid your leggings and undergarments down in one fell swoop, kicking them to the side as you advanced on him with a grin sweeter than honey.

"Hey, bunny, ready to get clean?"

Fuck, was Legend's only thought as he was hauled against your chest once more, breathing deepening when the hard nub of your nipple poked his fluffy stomach. Your hands pulled off his vest, tossing it atop your pack.

You carried him to the shallows, where you sat down cross-legged in the sun-warmed water, gently placing him in the space between your glorious thighs. Legend's paws scrambled against the smooth skin of your thighs as he attempted to climb away, but your hand grabbed the scruff of his neck with an iron grip, tenderly pulling him back down, and he realized escape was no longer an option. "You're too pretty to get dirty," you mused softly, dousing his back with a cupped handful of water, working those nimble fingers into the tangled fur. It felt good–really good, if he was being honest–but that wasn't the point.

You were naked. He was naked. In a river. Alone.

It was a recipe for trouble, and Legend was afraid of what he would do if he turned, of what he would do to your prone, willing form. His hands ached to smooth over your skin, drawing countless whimpers from those pretty lips of yours, until you couldn't take it any longer, eventually dipping down to the treasure between your legs. He imagined bringing you to climax over and over again on his fingers alone, then, while you were most sensitive, bending down to sample that delectable cunt, only giving you his cock when you begged him with pleasured tears gathering in your fluttering lashline–

No! Legend surged forward and bumped his head on your calf. You made a noise of concern, hands immediately reaching to comfort him. "Oh, baby, did I scare you?"

Fuck yeah, you scared him, not with how big or strong you were (though you were unadulteratingly both), but of the sheer amount of power you held over him. You could ask him to jump, and after sneering at you for a few minutes (he had a reputation to protect, after all), all he could ask was 'how high'? You could take anything you wanted from his collection, and he would let you–though not without some grumbles to save face–and your smile could literally bring him to his knees.

Legend was completely head-over-heels for you... and it scared him, the man who thought he would never love again after Koholint. He had fallen for your smile, your kindness, even the way you hummed to yourself when you thought no one was listening. He wanted to wake up to your sleepy kisses in the morning and fall asleep to your gentle breaths in the evening.

There was so much he wanted to do with you... and it felt as though this one moment was bringing everything he had ever planned crashing down. He had it all planned out: a sunset picnic of his and your favorite foods, nestled far away from the prying eyes of the others, so he could finally kiss you if you allowed him to.

But now... now it was ruined. He had ruined it by being so goddamn nosey, and the mere thought of you discovering his secret sent uncomfortable shivers down his spine. At least he could enjoy the feeling of your nails scraping all the grime from his fur, Legend thought glumly, resigning himself to his fate--

"Fuck!"

The word slipped from him like a knife through butter when your nail graced his lower rump, and Legend could have died right there, having completely forgotten he was still capable of speech in this form. Your motions immediately halted, and he could feel your eyes burning into his back... until you lifted him by the scruff and they burned into his enflamed face instead.

Your voice was low, with an undercurrent of complete disbelief, as you brought him closer.

"Did you just speak?"

Legend's soul withered.

You were completely and utter lost for words when a sudden expletive cut through the still air, coming directly from the pink rabbit in your very bare, very naked lap. You felt as though you had finally gone mad when you lifted the creature by its scruff, eyes practically staring holes through its poor chest.

Not that you were particularly concerned with fictional harm, because you knew you had good hearing and were positive that the muffled "fuck" you heard wasn't a figment of your imagination. The voice was too deep, too... unfamiliar to be your own, yet there was something about the tone that had you wondering if you had heard it before.

"Did you just speak?" You whispered, expression completely serious, and the rabbit seemed to shrink under your gaze... as if it understood you in a fundamentally different way. For an animal, at least.

Silence.

"I said," your hand began to tremble from holding the bunny up for so long, so you set him in your lap, never once breaking eye contact. To your surprise, the creature seemed to shrink even more, practically cowering against the inside of your crossed legs. "Did you just speak?"

Still nothing, so you let out a heavy sigh and stood up, casting a shadow over the trembling rabbit. Okay, now you felt a bit bad; you were confused--and frankly a bit terrified--but that didn't give you any right to be a jerk about it. Forcing your expression to shift into something vaguely neutral, you turned on your heel, walking towards your discarded clothes. You hadn't gotten that wet, so it would be easier to dress, but the thought of your ruined bath was a painful one. Hylia, what did you have to do around here to get five minutes of normality?

There was a splashing sound, followed by a soft grunt, and a very Hylian-shaped hand wrapped around your wrist. You shrieked, spinning around to face none other than a buck-naked Legend.

"Legend?" Was the first word to leave your slack-jawed mouth, followed by a very appropriate: "what the fuck?!" when you noticed his nakedness.

Legend's face was flushed beyond belief--fuck, he was red down to the shoulders--and he held his hands out defensively, tone weak and stuttering, all traces of his usual sarcasm gone. "I'm so sorry, I just wanted to make sure you were safe, but you started undressing and I–"

"Slow down," you commanded, surprising even yourself. "Why were you spying on me?"

"I wasn't spying–!" You glared at him and he immediately backed off. "I mean– it's dangerous in the forest and..."

"...And?" You prompted, beginning to blush yourself as you became more aware of your lack of clothes. Dear Hylia, he had seen everything!

"I wanted to protect you!" Legend blurted, his sincerity palpable, but it did nothing to quell your annoyance.

"Then why didn't you, I don't know–" you pinched your temples. "–tell me first?!"

"You would have told me no!" Legend said, expression falling when the wrongness of that particular sentence caught up to him. "Hylia, kill me now," he groaned.

You folded your arms under your chest; he had seen everything already, so why bother hiding it? "Then who would protect me?" you asked in a snarky tone of voice. "Make up your mind, Legend."

"I–... what?"

"Do you want to protect me or not?" You could hardly believe you were saying this, but the words just kept coming. You took a step forward, and he stiffened. "Or are you really just a peeping tom?"

It was almost satisfying how quickly he bristled. Almost. "I'm no such thing–"

"Then prove it," you said as you brushed past him, heading for the water. You'd be damned if you let him ruin your bath time, no matter how annoyingly hot he was.

You didn't bother waiting for a response, entering the water with a soft sigh. It was blissfully cool against your blazing skin, and the first thing you did was submerge your entire body with a loud splash, stretching your arms out to let the water wash over every part of you–

Until there was another splash and you were manhandled out of the water by your shoulders. You yelped in outrage as Legend hoisted you up, muscles flexing deliciously as he held you firmly. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" you screeched at him, annoyed beyond belief.

"Protecting you," his expression was a mix of stony determination and, well, you didn't want to even think about the other emotion you saw shining in his violet eyes. "Or does that make me a peeping tom too?"

That little shit!

"Let me go," you ordered lowly, and he did so, making sure you were balanced before releasing you fully, the water reaching just under your breasts. "Hylia, you are a piece of work."

Legend blinked, the remnants of his earlier blush still clinging to his sharp cheeks, and you refused to acknowledge how you knew they were sharp in the first place. "I am?"

You crossed your arms beneath your chest once more, pushing your boobs up, and his gaze fucking snapped down to ogle you for a split second before returning to your face.

"Did you just check me out?" you gasped, mouth hanging open in disbelief.

Legend's cheeks pinked some more, but he made no move to affirm or deny your accusation, choosing to wade back to the shallows, staring guard with his back to you, revealing a delicious ass for your perusal. You had no qualms staring after the stunt he had just pulled, and, Hylia, was it a fine ass. You doubted you had ever seen anyone with that much cake, no matter how lewd it was to acknowledge such an observation.

'You're staring," Legend's voice broke through the fog, and you snorted.

"Says the peeping tom."

Abruptly, Legend turned. Apprehension filled you as he stalked through the water, but you held firm, going so far as to meet him in the middle, the water pooling just above your belly button. "I'm trying to bathe, hero."

"And I'm trying to protect you, citizen."

...Well, he had you there. Unfortunately for him, you refused to acknowledge it after the madness he had just pulled. "With what weapons? Or are you going to use bunny kicks to fight off the fish?"

Legend's eye twitched, expression darkening, but you didn't care. "Maybe I'd be able to do my job better if you weren't so intent on distracting me," he ground out, and it had you feeling all sorts of ways.

"Oh yeah?" you reached over to poke him in the chest. "I thought you'd be over it after, I don't know, peeping on me."

"That's not true and you know it," his tone sounded exactly how you felt; irritated out of your mind. Good.

He was getting closer... and you found yourself too annoyed to care. "Fuck you, Legend; I don't need your protection more than you need a reality check."

For a moment, he was silent, simply studying you with those mesmerizing eyes of his, and you felt fully prepared for anything he could throw your way.

"You're right."

...Except for that, apparently.

"Excuse me?" You blurted.

"You heard me," Legend mirrored your pose, crossing his arms across his... incredibly toned chest. "It's already hard enough protecting you from monsters, so adding myself to mix definitely complicates things."

Your brain dam-near short-circuited. Did he just...?

"You look surprised," Legend observed with what you could only describe as the most self-satisfied smirk that surpassed anything you'd seen in your life. "What, remlit got your tongue?"

Hylia, when had he gotten so close? You could practically feel his breath fanning over your chilled skin. "You're..." you trailed off, taking a step backward in an attempt to put some space between the two of you, but Legend's smirk only grew as he followed you. "You're insane."

"Maybe," he said, and you were finally forced to acknowledge the second emotion in his eye: lust. You couldn't say you were surprised, considering the current situation, but it was still jarring to see him so... arrogantly confident instead of his usual snarkily confident. "But you don't seem to have any complaints."

Was... was this really happening? Steeling your nerves, you reached to poke his chest again, snarling "you're delusional", but he caught your wrist in a surprisingly firm grip.

"So are you," he was even closer now, practically pressed against your chest. You could feel something hard nudge the inner edge of your thigh, and it took everything in you not to reach down and find out what it was for yourself.

"The fuck are you on about?" you said, internally cringing at the shakiness of your tone.

The twinkling in his eyes was nothing short of evil. "You really don't think I'm the only one enjoying this, do you?"

Your eye twitched, and you harshly yanked your wrist free, replanting it on his chest as a sort of barrier. "What are you on about now, asshole–"

You were cut off when Legend leaned forward, capturing your lips in a passionate kiss. Your head jerked back, just as his arms began to slide around your back, lightly pinning you in place. "What in Hylia's gotten into you–"

"You," Legend cut you off, staring deep into your eyes with that dumb smirk on his face. "You've gotten into me."

It was official; he had finally gone nuts. "Have you gone crazy!?"

"Only for you," he responded, glancing down with a chuckle. You became distinctly aware the heady press of your boobs against his chest and used your free hand to smack him upside the head.

"You pervert!"

He raised a perfect eyebrow and you nearly combusted. "What does that make you, then?"

Fuck this, you had enough of his bullshit. Planting your hands on his chest, you gave a hearty shove, successfully dislodging his arms from you. "That's fucking it," you snarled, moving to the shore. "I hope you're happy, you little shit."

"(Y/n)," the use of your name stopped you in your tracks. With an annoyed expression, you spun around.

"What?"

"I'm sorry."

...Huh?

In all the months you'd known Legend, never before had you heard a sincere apology fall from his lips. It was enough to make your irritation ebb like the water you stood in, especially at the regretful look on his face.

"It's... it's fine," you ran a hand down your face with a sigh. "I just... we're always traveling and there's no time to relax. Ever. I get being alert and all, but it's been so crazy and I–"

"I understand," Legend cut you off, wading into the water until he was all but two feet from you. "It's hard to remember you're not on the same level as us... you hide it well."

Was... that a compliment? From Legend?

"I..." he seemed to hesitate, averting his eyes, and you waited patiently for whatever revelation he was about to bestow upon you. "I like you. A lot."

"Oh," you were helpless to stop the small smile forming on your face. "I like you, too, Legend."

"Don't play coy with me," he growled, stalking closer until only an inch of air separated your bare skin. Violet eyes burned holes in your own. "Do you have any idea what you do to me?"

"Not a clue, so how about you tell me," you shot back.

There was a beat of silence. Legend's brows furrowed for a split second before his expression turned to nothing short of devious.

"I could show you."

You gulped at the look in his eyes; it was dangerous, so very dangerous, but you found yourself not giving a single fuck as you closed the gap between you, snarling three simple words right into his smug little face. "I dare you."

Legend was on you in a flash, arms wrapping around your body to pull you flush against his soaked form as he kissed you with such fervor that you nearly saw stars. His tongue prodded gently at your bottom lip, and you opened your mouth to allow him access with a shaky sigh. You shivered when his tongue slid into your mouth, running over every surface you had to offer, and you moaned lowly at the taste of him; warm and somewhat spicy, like cinnamon with the tiniest twinge of Goron Spice.

It was intoxicating, and you were determined to return the favor. Legend groaned when you wrapped your arms around your neck, arching your back so your chest pressed firmly against his own, all the while slipping your own tongue into his mouth, mimicking his previous actions with rare gusto.

Legend's hands slid down to your hips, though he didn't dare go further, gripping your flesh with purpose when you separated, panting for breath.

"Well?" his voice was far breathier than before, and you resisted the urge to chuckle.

"I think I need a... longer demonstration," you responded slowly, making sure to bat your eyelashes at him. Legend's cheeks flushed a deeper read than a health potion, and you knew you had him hook, line, and sinker. "Unless...?"

"Oh no," he dipped forward to plant a kiss on the side of your neck, and you shivered, thighs clenching together. "No takebacks, (Y/n)."

"G-Good," you said as he peppered the skin of your neck with more open-mouthed kisses, sucking lightly enough to be felt, but not enough to leave marks, no matter how desperately he wanted to brand you as his.

You barely held back a whimper when Legend's tongue slowly glided over your pulse point, eyes trained on your face to watch your reactions. You bit your lip when he lightly grazed the spot with his teeth, a small whine escaping your pursed lips, and he perked up, repeating the action until you relented; a broken moan filling the air between you.

Something hard prodded your thigh, and you just knew it was his cock. Your hand drifted down to wrap gently around his length, slowly stroking him from base to tip beneath the water, and Legend's motions faltered as a groan tore itself from his throat. "(Y/n)..."

You smirked, tightening your hand ever-so-slightly. "Feels good, hero?"

"Keep going," he mumbled into your neck, and you obliged, unoccupied hand tangling in his hair as you pumped his cock faster. "Please, (Y/n)–"

That was new. You hadn't expected him to beg, and you certainly hadn't expected yourself to like it, but here you were. His hands dug harder into the flesh of your hips, likely enough to bruise, but you couldn't care less; it wasn't like anyone but you and him were going to see them.

"Look at me," the words surprised even you, but he snapped his gaze to you and it all became worth it. The sigh alone was enough to make the building anticipation in your gut roll desperately, core clenching around nothing. In true you fashion, you rewarded him with a swift squeeze of your fist, drawing a loud groan from his lips. "That's it, hero."

"Nngh..." Legend's eyes fluttered closed and he buried his face in your neck, breaths turning ragged as you increased the pace. His hips began to rock against your hand, and you let it happen, holding him as best you could. It was a sight to behold--the typically sassy veteran practically reduced to putty beneath your fingers.

"Are you close?" you whispered in his ear, gently taking the outer edge in your teeth.

"Y-Yeah," he said, as if you didn't already know.

"Good," you pumped harder, and he made a noise of surprise.

"W-Wait–... you haven't–"

You cut him off with a single heavy swipe over the head of his cock. Legend shuddered, grasping at you tightly, and you nipped the earlobe in your mouth. "It's fine, you can pay me back later."

"But–"

"Just let go, hero," you tilted his head up by his hair and kissed him like you would die if you didn't, only separating to whisper: "I've got you."

Legend came with a shout, cock throbbing harshly as you stroked him through his orgasm. The water felt sticky as his cum joined the flowing stream, but you didn't mind, especially not when he all but collapsed against you, just barely catching himself as to not topple the two of you.

"Hylia, I love you," he breathed, and you giggled, planting a kiss on his temple.

"I love you too."

Two glimmering violet eyes snapped to you, wide as saucers. "You.."

"–love you, too," you finished, wrapping an arm around his waist to guide him to shore. Legend collapsed on the grassy bank as soon as he reached it, and you settled beside him with a sigh. "How do you feel?"

"Like I just had the best orgasm of my life," he snarked, and you chuckled, turning on your side to sling an arm over his heaving chest, breasts pressed firmly to his left arm. "You do know it's your turn, right?"

You faked a yawn, nuzzling your boobs against his arm. "I dunno, there's no shame in being tired, hero."

There was silence, long enough that you truly thought he had tapped out, which was fine by you. You could have your fun later, hidden in a grove of trees like you usually did when those urges arose.

"...Is that a challenge?"

Or not.

You turned your head to find him staring at you with a mix of mischief and desire, twinkling darkly in those eyes of his. You shifted slightly as your pussy throbbed with need.

"Do you want it to be?"

Legend rolled atop you, drawing a surprised gasp from your throat. His cock, already half hard, rested against your thigh, a thick bead of pre sliding down the flushed tip. "Anything you say is a challenge," he leaned down to capture your lips once more, Your mouth had long since opened, allowing him to have his way with you, until his hips jerked suddenly, forcing the head of his cock to settle at the apex of your thighs.

"Nghh...."

"What was that?" Legend asked teasingly, grabbing your chin when you refused to respond. "Tell me what you want, (Y/n)."

"I want--" the words caught in your throat when he slid his cock up to bump your clit, spreading his pre over the aching bundle of nerves. "I want you, Legend!"

"Mhm," you could see his grin without having to open your eyes, another languid thrust of his hips parting the soaked lips of your cunt. "And what about me do you want?"

You gritted your teeth and glared up at him. "I want your cock, so shut up and give it to me."

A startled laugh left Legend at your admission, clearly having expected you to put up more of a fight. You growled, pushing at his chest, but he deftly captured your wrists, pinning them above your head. "No need to get violent, I'll give you what you want."

"Oh, I'll show you violent–" you were cut off when he slammed into you with a grunt, bottoming out in one fluid motion. Your back arched off the ground as you cried out, cunt fluttering around his length. Legend, however, gave you no time to adjust, pulling nearly all the way out before slamming into you again, starting a pace that had you seeing stars after only a few world-shattering thrusts.

Your legs wrapped around his waist, ankles crossing, as you struggled to meet him thrust for thrust, but Legend was having none of it, leaning down to lave his tongue up the quivering column of your neck, rendering you helpless to do anything but take what he gave you.

"L-Legend!"

"That's it," he groaned, releasing your hands to grab your hips. Your arms immediately flew up to wrap around his neck, pulling you chest-to-chest as every slam of his hips against your own had you screaming: "F-Faster, please–!"

"Don't have to tell me twice," he huffed into your neck, and your back nearly broke from the force of his next thrust. The coil in your abdomen grew tighter and tighter as he fucked you like a man starved, releasing your hips to fondle your breast. You moaned when Legend took a bouncing nipple in his mouth, carefully grazing his teeth against the pebbled nub, and screamed when he moved his free hand between you to rub enticing circles on your clit. "Are you close?"

"YeAH," you cried out at the onslaught of pleasure, writhing like a fish caught in a net. The hand on your breasts moved to press against your hips, holding them still while he pistoned inside you. "P-Please, Legend!"

"It's okay," he murmured, leaning up to press a sweet kiss to the corners of your mouth. "Cum for me, (Y/n)."

And, as if his words weren't enough, his clever fingers pressed down on the center of your clit, sending bolts of electricity shocking through you as your orgasm hit you like a tsunami. Your body spasmed under him, head thrown back while chased his own high, pounding desperately into your cunt like he would never get the chance again, only for him to absolutely slam home as scalding cum filled you.

With a heavy sigh of exertion, Legend slumped over you, head resting between your breasts as he panted for breath, arms wrapping tightly around your spent form.

"That was amazing," you breathed, allowing yourself to relax against the soft grass. One of your hands came up to card gently through his hair. "I love you."

"Love ya too," Legend mumbled into your boobs, and you laughed as his breath fanned over the sensitive flesh.

"You know," you grinned when he squinted suspiciously up at you. "You're a pretty good protector."

"...Are you trying to get me hard again?"

You snorted. "Hell no, but you know what there is time for?"

Legend raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."

"A bath."

You both laughed.

Hot damn, this was fun to write, hope y'all enjoyed!

[luimagines]

Since requests are open... may we perhaps have the Chain with an SO who's really into astronomy and space? Just the biggest star and planet nerd to ever walk Hyrule.

(Totally not inspired by my own geeking out over how gorgeous the night sky is in TOTK, nope, not at all).

I'm going to have to do some research for this one. ^.^* But I'll do it for you, Nordic!!

Masterlist

Content under the cut!

The ship rocked softly back and forth on the seas, cradling the sleeping heroes as the moon gently draped the bedazzled sky with it's softer toned light.

Wind was still awake, as were you. Both of you were trying to keep the course of the ship on the right track.

Your lantern light was the closest thing you had for a light source to look at your maps and charts. You consider yourself lucky to have this on hand. Only Wind seemed as well versed in the stars as you were, hence the agreed upon decision to leave you both to your devices while everyone else went to sleep in the hammocks the small ship provided.

Wind was silent as he stood by the wheel.

You mapped out the course for the next island you were to make land, following your previous notes and comparing them to a map you had purchased before you had set sail.

A short sigh escaped your lips as you started to pack up. You couldn't keep doing this. Your eyes were strained and the moon made it difficult to see the needed stars for you figure out if you were going the right direction. You'll give it an hour or two- let the moon move further across the night sky and then start recharting what you needed.

"Going to bed?" Wind asked quietly.

You shook your head. "I'm tired, but I'm not going to leave you alone just yet."

An bitter chuckle tumbled from your lips as you stretched. Your spine and ribs popped and cracked from the needed release of strain. You saw Wind flinch but ignored it.

"If only it wasn't the full moon tonight. It would make this a lot easier."

"I can't even see the Farore Constellation." Wind sighed in despondent agreement. "I know these stars... but we're technically sailing over an island right now, so I doubt I'd actually be of much use as a navigator."

You snort. "That's why I'm up with you and not sleeping in the hull of the ship with the other guys."

There's no other sounds afterwards. There's a moment of stillness, save for the callings of the wind and the waves in their frequent call and response symphony.

"I've actually never been on a ship before." You admit, breaking the moment.

Wind jolts, almost as if he was startled awake. He tilts his head with a cheeky smile growing on his face. "Really? You're a natural at navigating. I never would have guessed."

That sets your frustrations at ease for a bit. You sit down against the railing, turning your body to talk to more experience sailor. "I just like looking at the stars for fun."

"Fun?" Wind gets a credulous look as he giggles. "I just knew the stories I was told as a kid. But I wouldn't say that comparing them to maps was fun."

"I know the stories too, sir and it's fun for me." You rolls your eyes playfully. "It just means we make a good team. I wouldn't be able to steer the ship for the life of me."

"You literally just turn the wheel left or right."

"I'd steer us right into a cliff face."

Wind giggles again.

"You actually know what you're doing but I actually know where we're going." You grin. "It works out."

"I guess so." Wind shrugs. "Better us than any of the others guys."

"They'd capsize the ship."

"Don't joke like that. Bad luck."

You smile. You don't necessarily believe in luck, but you've heard sailors to be the suspicious sort. You'll let him have this. "I retract my statement then. How far along are we following The Star of Demise?"

"About 15 knots, why?"

"Change coarse to sail towards Nayru's Trident." You grin. "We'll hit land fall by morning."

"Perfect."

[skyloftian-nutcase]

Malice's Stain (Imprisoning War)

I set out to write one thing, stumbled onto something I had written weeks ago, and was inspired, so have some post-war PLOT for y'all! >:D I feel like this can be read even if you have no idea what's going on, but whatevs, read as you please. <3

X

The smell of autumn was in the air.

Crickets chirped, a symphony of oncoming coolness and stillness, a song of farewell to the warm, moist summer nights filled with twinkling fireflies that replaced the stars. The sky sparkled, gracing the land with a preview of the splendors a cold winter night sky could provide. Flames burned quietly from torches, casting shadows taller than the castle’s turrets.

Link stared blankly out at the courtyard from the balcony.

He knew this feeling. Or lack of it, really. It took every ounce of energy to just breathe. Here he stood, permanently planted in this spot, not tolerating moving but not wanting to stay still. His mind was filled with cotton, half-thoughts trying to formulate sentences and failing to even convey anything beyond a dull ache, a shadow of what should have been an emotion.

This was becoming a problem, but he was far beyond the point of caring at the moment.

There were a million stressors on his mind, yet none truly seemed to stress him out. It was just another thing to be done, another item to obtain, another person to look out for. Day in and out, watch the children, watch the military’s progress in training new recruits, watch the Sheikah scientists continue to come up with new creations and make new breakthroughs.

Smile, say a few words, rinse, repeat. Go to bed, never fall asleep, get up, do it again.

He gave up even trying to go to bed tonight. He’d tolerated his son’s presence today. Tolerated it. What sort of father tolerates his children?

Link felt a twinge of something pull at his chest. His lips trembled. He leaned heavily on the balcony railing, sagging as if the weight of all the stars in the sky were bearing down on him.

There was a low rumble, a voice that practically growled as it chuckled. “So this is the fate of the Hero of Hyrule, then. You’re just as pathetic as I figured you to be.”

Link stiffened a moment at the voice, at the way his body physically reacted and wanted to scream and claw at the man. But no. He wasn’t there. He couldn’t be real. He’d sealed Ganondorf away years ago. Besides, last night Link had seen the Gerudo general he’d murdered when he was sixteen; he’d figured, after a week without sleep, he’d probably start seeing things. He’d gotten close to this level of exhaustion during the war, and he remembered he and Hemisi had nearly lost their minds.

It didn’t make it any more tolerable, though.

Link didn’t dignify the hallucination with a response.

“I’m grateful you didn’t marry my daughter,” Ganondorf continued, pacing the length of the balcony behind Link like a predator stalking its prey. “You would have ruined her.”

It stung, for a moment. Then Link almost laughed. “The only one who ruined her was you.”

“Imagine if I had won,” Ganondorf continued, either oblivious to his words or ignoring him. Could a hallucination ignore its creator? “Imagine the different state of things.”

“Hyrule would have burned,” Link snapped, glaring at him.

“Would it?” Ganondorf questioned. “Is it not burning slowly now, withering away as its nobles poison it from the inside out?”

“Zelda is working to fix that,” Link argued.

“Ah, yes. Zelda.” Ganondorf spat out the name like it was a curse. “How Nayru ever favored such a dim-witted child is beyond me.”

Link reached for a weapon before remembering he wasn’t armed. “You are the only fool I had the displeasure of knowing. Thinking you could control everything and in the end all you did was destroy it. Tell me, when you first came up with the plan to steal the Triforce, was murdering your entire family part of it or just a side quest for fun? You stood tall and proud like some king but you were nothing more than a clown, lapping at power like the pathetic boar that you were!”

“And yet here you stand,” Ganondorf hissed, motioning towards him. “The man with all the power in the world, and you are completely helpless.”

The fight drained out of Link, and he felt his face grow cold and pale. Rage filled him and exited just as quickly as he had no rebuttal.

Pathetic.

…He wasn’t wrong. Link was pathetic. He was weak and he knew it.

Years ago, he’d tried to end it in an act of desperation and fear, wanting to escape his imprisonment and avoid becoming a monster that he thought he was turning into.

Had he succeeded in avoiding such a fate? Was he not a monster?

He supposed he wasn’t. He was no Ganondorf. But… he was pathetic. Despite all his attempts to be otherwise, here he stood, arguing with thin air and unable to win.

“You were supposed to be the pride of the Sheikah,” he heard beside him, and he turned to see Lady Impa looking at him disappointedly. “Yet all you do is wallow in self-pity. Our duty is to the royal family, and you can’t even do that.”

“You’re no Hero,” Ganondorf sneered. “Heroes are powerful.”

“Heroes are selfless,” Impa added, walking up to stand beside the ghostly Gerudo man.

“How could anyone love such a wretch?” Ganondorf finally said.

“I don’t need your love or approval,” Link spat, though the fire had mostly drained out of him. It was less of a rebuke and more of a plea, a petition to himself to believe it.

He was over this conversation. He turned sharply, growing dizzy, staring down at the ground so, so far below.

Softer footsteps came next, lighter feet than the thundering steps of the monster he’d faced years ago but not as purposefully quiet as his chief. He caught sight of red hair in his periphery, and he saw Hemisi watching him, bubble ponytail over her shoulder, amber eyes reflecting the firelight.

Link bit back an exhausted sigh, squeezing his eyes shut. He should’ve known she’d inevitably appear in this insanity. He really should try to get some sleep. Would Zelda appear next? Or would his mind turn images of his own children against him?

Honestly, he probably deserved that more than anything.

“You look like shit,” Hemisi commented, an echo of her remark when they’d seen each other for the first time since Sonia’s baby shower. He recalled the incident fondly and forlornly, an event that probably should have never happened. But that had been years ago.

He wasn’t sure it was worth indulging this hallucination as well, and had very little energy to do so, but if he ignored it things would probably just get more out of control. “I haven’t slept in a week.”

“Why?”

Hell if he knew. He’d tried. He used to sleep too much. Now, suddenly, his body decided he just shouldn’t sleep at all. He’d had sleepless nights before, but never for such a long stretch. He felt like he was about to burst out of his own skin. He wasn’t entirely sure why any of this was happening.

“What’s wrong, Link?”

Her voice was so gentle. It made him want to scream.

But what was wrong? He had episodes where he felt down or unmotivated, but he hadn’t felt this insane since Sonia’s birth. His daughter was eight years old now!

“I don’t know,” he admitted quietly. “Maybe I’m just tired.”

Hemisi snorted. “I’d say so. You haven’t slept in a week.”

He supposed that was a silly remark to make, given the circumstances. But he really couldn’t fathom what was causing this.

Link smelled lavender all of a sudden, and he turned, noticing that Hemisi had vanished, and only saw a silhouette in the entrance to the balcony. The curls that haloed their head, as well as the mildly heavier build from childbearing gave away the person’s identity, her lavender soap carried in the chilly breeze.

“Zelda?” he asked hesitantly, wondering if this was somehow a more vivid hallucination or if the queen really was there.

The silhouette stepped out of the castle entirely and into the open air, and the torches cast their light on her. Zelda watched him, hands rising to hug her bare arms as she shivered a little.

She was responding to the environment. She had to be real.

“Link,” she said softly, green eyes roaming the area. “Who were you talking to?”

Great. The queen overhearing her husband steadily losing his sanity was the last thing he needed right now. He felt irritation sting, pulsing angrily behind his eyes with his ever-growing headache.

“Myself,” he answered truthfully. “Long night. Do you need something, Your Majesty?”

Zelda hesitated, noting, “Are you not cold? It’s getting chilly out here.”

Link glanced down at his attire. He was still wearing his summer clothes, the bright red tunic laced with golden embroidery overlayed by the dark forest green cloth that draped over his left shoulder and across his chest, cinched at the waist with a brown decorative belt made of leather and beads. There was no need to wear trousers in the summer for nobles in formalwear, something Link had never really enjoyed, but he’d adopted the dress as he was expected, wearing sandals with it. At least the tunic went to his knees. Nevertheless, Zelda was right – he was underdressed for the weather, but… he’d chosen to wear his summer attire as it had been warmer in the day and he’d wanted the nighttime cold to slap some semblance of clarity into his foggy mind.

The hallucinations did not seem to be indicating that it was working. The way he only just noticed he was shivering didn’t help, either.

Deflecting, he jutted his chin towards her briefly, his earrings jingling in the breeze with the movement. “And you?”

She was, after all, in her own warmer weather clothes, a sleeveless ocean blue knee-length simple dress overlapped with a milky white overdress that crossed over her chest, shoulder to opposite hip, before encircling her legs, more in the back than the front. She had a thicker belt with cloth bearing the symbol of the Triforce resting over the area the overdress left exposed. Her curly brown hair was pulled out of her face, though styled in its usual half-up/half-down manner, so at least her neck was likely somewhat warm. He could vaguely make out goosebumps over her light skin, despite her hands covering her upper arms and the bright blue skin paint that decorated her from upper arms to wrists.

“I’m freezing,” she admitted. “Come inside, Link.”

Did she actually need something? It was strange for her to seek him out this late. They certainly weren’t on as bad terms as they used to be at the start of their rocky marriage, but given her actions over Sonia’s training, Link had distanced himself and their son from her. He hadn’t wanted Orik dragged into her scheming like his sister had been. It had left their relationship… cool, to say the least.

Sighing, he complied. There was nothing left to do at this point, and he didn’t have the energy to argue further. His eye roamed the balcony, scanning for any more hallucinations, but his mind seemed to be having some mercy on him; the demon king, Link’s chief, and his former love were all gone.

His fingers stopped stinging from the cold as he followed the queen indoors, though the air was still fairly chilly. Zelda didn’t speak, instead wrapping an arm around him and guiding him along. He glanced at her, almost wanting to ask what this was about, but not caring enough to do so. With the minor alarm of haunting images of his past disappearing, he’d grown numb to the world once more.

Goddess, he just wanted to sleep.

The couple eventually wound up at the door leading to Zelda’s chambers. Link glanced at her again, wondering if she wanted what he thought she did. They hadn’t been physically intimate in years—early in their marriage it had been a push between the two, Zelda needing an heir and Link needing a release from everything, but as they had matured and had two children and steadily avoided each other, neither really wanted to instigate anything all that often.

So why did she want it now?

Zelda opened the door, guiding Link inside, and then sighed, releasing him and heading towards the roaring fire. Link looked around, feeling out of place, and honestly just wanted to leave. He watched the queen a moment longer, watched as she took off her belt and outer dress before grabbing a robe and bundling herself up.

“Come to bed,” she said. It wasn’t quite an order—he was very familiar with what those sounded like—but it still seemed firmer than a request.

Link sighed again. Debated the matter for a moment, growing annoyed at being stuck here, but quickly acquiesced, giving up on the matter. The bed was unbelievably soft and warm, yet simultaneously too hard and cold, his back hurting, hair on his body rising in anxiety, muscles aching, mind still unable to focus.

He… wasn’t sure he’d ever felt this awful. Had he felt this bad during the war, perhaps?

Maybe the night before Hemisi and I fought Ganondorf, he mused. But back then, he and Hemisi, despite how nervous they’d been, had also had each other. There had been a little comfort in that, in the promise of a future after everything, in the hope that the world wouldn’t end the next day as Ganondorf held Zelda and the capital hostage.

He was far over the bitterness of how everything had unraveled between him and the new chief of the Gerudo, but his heart still hurt thinking about the war, about a time when he knew what hope felt like. And he wanted to smack himself for it. His children brought him hope and joy.

Well. They had. Until whatever the hell this funk was had started poisoning him.

He had episodes like these, but they’d never been this awful. Nor this agonizing. He’d be exhausted, paralyzed, but it would last maybe a day or two, a brief spell before Lady Impa would track him down and help him, or his children would find a way to fetch him (he still was too scared to let them know where his room was, terrified of what he’d do if they startled him awake—his reactions weren’t as severe as they’d been, but he still worried).

Zelda slowly got in bed as well, watching him a moment. She no longer hid her expression, worry clear on her face, and it made Link feel like he was under scrutiny.

She was trying to be nice. That’s what this was. Perhaps she did need something, but not now. But he knew she could be kind as well, and that seemed to be her only motivation. He knew that. So why did he feel like a caged animal?

Link waited. Time passed. The fire died. Zelda fell asleep. He was still wide awake.

A whisper behind him made him turn sharply, though he tried to be quiet for his wife’s sake. He caught sight of a silhouette, and alarm made his eyes widen as he slinked out of bed, looking desperately for a weapon.

The person vanished.

Link wanted to scream. He couldn’t stay in here. If these hallucinations got worse, he could hurt Zelda. So he made his way back outside, hoping the cold would slap some sense into him.

He never made it to the balcony, though. Something else caught his eye. It sparkled in the night, like an ember from a torch, but it was darker.

The crispness of the early spring air froze over as if winter had come anew, and Link felt like the wind itself punched the air right out of his lungs. It was unnatural, like he was being squeezed, like something was crawling inside his skin and tearing him apart. His head pounded, and the world darkened, surrounded in purplish burgundy energy, like blood and poison mixing together in a sickening magic that could only be produced by someone who had let evil stain them to their very soul.

Ganondorf disappeared as he screamed, encased in the dark essence, and Link clutched Hemisi more firmly. She was still limp in his arms, having taken the brunt of the lightning attack he’d sent their way, able to redirect it before it could kill all three of them.

When the vicious tornado of malice dispersed from the center of the dark storm, a massive beast stood before them, and Link felt as if his heart stopped. It roared ferociously, and he rose to its threatening call, drawing his blade once more, surprised to see it glowing bright blue. Behind him, Zelda cast a spell of some sort, and Link could see the borders of the dark storm held in place by a golden light, the same barrier she’d used to protect herself in the castle.

The real fight had begun.

Link felt his blood freeze.

No. No.

It was a single spark, and he’d been hallucinating. Nothing was wrong. Ganondorf had been dead for years now, soul split viciously into four to prevent the demon he’d sold himself to, the demon he’d become, from ever returning. The cycle was broken. It was over.

Paranoia overrode reason in his mind. There was no way everything they’d done, everything he’d sacrificed, had been in vain.

Link moved quickly, foggy head gone, filled instead with frantic thoughts, one overlaying the other, choking him as he hyperventilated, barely able to make it to the stairs as his vision started to blur, as his fingers tingled and grew numb. He pulled a torch off the wall, nearly falling down the next flight, and tried to slow himself down, tried to tell himself this was just another hallucination.

“Is it, though, boy?”

Link whirled, seeing nothing, but that voice had been clear, as if he—

He shook his head. You just saw him on the balcony. It’s not real. You know that.

Yes, yes. Yes. It… it wasn’t real. None of this was real.

Yet there it was again. A dark spark, a piece of that awful, hellish storm that had eaten away at Ganondorf’s flesh, that had tried to consume all of them. The reveal of the true evil, the physical manifestation of how far the former Gerudo king had fallen, the…

The day Hemisi’s father had died. The day the man Link had viewed as a father had…

Link bit his tongue. Focus! You haven’t viewed him as a father since he captured you during the war!

It was beyond infuriating that such thoughts still lingered, but he blamed it on being sleep deprived. He had to think!

Link took a steadying breath, and he continued descending into the depths.

Hyrule Castle was a large and formidable fortress. It had been rebuilt and fortified after the damage from the war, after that final fight when Ganondorf had taken the capital. During the reconstruction, they’d created an inner sanctum in the lower levels, accessible only by the most trusted Sheikah and the royal family themselves.

Zelda had been trying for years to learn how to access the Sacred Realm so they could properly hide and protect the Triforce. Link knew little of her research, but he did know it existed. He was no sage, and his magic was practical, not fantastical. He had no way of knowing how to access such a world, and had left such sacred matters to her. In the meantime, though, it was heavily guarded in a vault near the Temple of Time, returned to its holy resting place from which it had been stolen years prior. But the inner sanctum…

Ganondorf’s soul had been split into four pieces. Three had disappeared into the sky, vanishing beyond anything they could find, no matter how many scouts they’d sent, no matter how the Sheikah had torn Hyrule apart to find it. Zelda had theorized they’d moved into a different realm entirely, as the Triforce could of course do such a thing. But one piece…

One piece had remained.

The Master Sword, a sacred blade constructed by the goddess, refined by her divine Hero, was specifically designed to seal away evil. And it held a piece of what Link had killed that day.

After what felt like an eternity, the king consort finally reached his destination. Two Sheikah flanked the entrance, noticing his approach, and knelt. He passed through the door without delay, walking through a room with false entrances to misguide anyone who might get this far.

“Love, what’s wrong?”

Link jumped, startled, turning to see Hemisi watching him.

Goddesses, not now, he grumbled, returning his attention to the doors.

“Link, you really do look awful,” Hemisi noted. “You need to sleep.”

“I know,” he snapped, still trying to focus on finding the right door. He knew which one it was, dammit, he just couldn’t think straight!

He heard a young man’s voice next, still somewhat tenor in youth, almost unfamiliar as it had been so long, but it made him freeze up.

“Stop trying to convince him, Hemisi, he’s too stubborn,” Merovar, Hemisi’s long dead brother, grumbled from Link’s other side. The hero turned, looking at the teenager, but despite how alive Merovar looked, all Link could see was the broken body on the battlefield, the bleeding stab wound, all he could hear was Hemisi screaming—

Link squeezed his eyes closed, putting his hands over his face, pushing on his temples, begging Hylia for help.

He heard a whisper, the same one from the queen’s bedroom, so, so distant but somehow so much more visceral than either hallucination. It was deep, rumbling, but too far away to be discernible. The Gerudo royal twins grew silent, disappearing from the room, and Link thanked the goddesses over and over as he finally found the door he needed, rushing to it and opening it.

The air froze, stealing Link’s breath away. His left arm lowered, torch nearly falling out of his numb grip.

The inner sanctum was a large, stone room, four corners posted with guardians affixed in place, large heads swiveling constantly to seek out threats. Their usually blue and amber lighting was flashing purplish red as they all focused on the center of the room, though there was no true target to fire at yet.

Yet.

Malice swam in the air, peeling off the Master Sword like smoke from a flame. The blade sat on an altar in the center, surrounded by a light blue barrier of Sheikah technology and magic, the eye of his people still glowing brightly to ensure the seal.

“Link.”

The torch dropped entirely, and Link scrambled back towards the door, terrified, breath coming out in rasps. No, no, NO!

The fear at hearing Ganondorf’s whisper faded though, morphing into rage. That monster would not return, would never return, and he would die before he let him hurt his children, his queen, or his kingdom!

The seal was still holding, but he wasn’t sure if it would continue to do so. He had to find a way to figure out why the sword wasn’t enough, why that piece of Ganondorf’s soul was seeping out like blood from a wound. Had the sword weakened?

He needed Ze—

“Link!”

Gasping, Link turned sharply, finally losing his balance entirely in his exhausted state. Zelda leapt forward to try and catch him, hands scrabbling for his tunic to help ease him to the ground. He reached for her desperately, gripping her shoulders, breathless, speechless—

He refused to be helpless. He refused.

“The seal,” he rasped. “We have to repair the seal!”

Zelda’s expression grew frantic as she looked up, examining every inch of the room. Link couldn’t fathom why she didn’t just look at the sword itself, but—

The world spun and then grew unnervingly, disturbingly still. Link held his breath until his vision grew hazy around the edges. The queen’s green eyes examined everything at least five times before she slowly looked back at her husband. When Link saw the concern, the anxiety, but a lack of overwhelming dread, he slowly glanced around the room as well.

The sword was dormant. The guardians were swiveling their heads as usual, a reassuring scrape of metal, blue eyes passive.

Had… had it all been…?

“I’d been having strange dreams,” Zelda said quietly, kneeling down to be at eye level with him. “A strange, impending dread. I thought… perhaps one of the nobles were going to try something. But… Link, I think my dreams are about you.”

Link swallowed, but he could only scrape the back of his throat, dry as it was. “M-me…? You… you think I’m the threat?”

The queen slowly moved her hands from his tunic to his face. “No, Link. No. I… I think you need to rest.”

You’re becoming a threat.

But he… he could’ve sworn—!

What if you’d broken the seal in your panic?

Oh, goddess. Oh, goddess.

He heard footsteps behind the queen, and Impa came into view. The look on her face mirrored the nervous energy she’d had as she’d taken care of him all those years ago, when he’d tried to take his life.

“I—I swear, I—” Link tried to argue, but found his voice failing him, and suddenly, just like that, he was helpless again.

Weak. Pathetic. The words spat in his mind through Ganondorf’s own voice, and he whirled to look at the sword once more.

Nothing.

“Link,” Impa called gently, hand warm on his tense, shivering back. “Come on. We’ll get you something to drink to help you sleep.”

Was he… really…?

Link shivered, curling in on himself, feeling more humiliated and useless than he had in a very long time. The two women flanked him, gently holding him.

“I’m sorry,” he choked out brokenly.

“It’s okay,” Impa assured gently, oh so gently, that same soft tone she’d used so many years ago.

“We’re going to help you,” Zelda affirmed, her own tone softer than he was used to.

Slowly, Link let them help him stand. He took one last look at the room, at how peaceful it was, and felt like he was going to be sick.

Why did something still feel wrong? Was it just him?

The three made their way back up the countless stairs. The queen let out a small sigh – despite the worry she had for her husband, she couldn’t help but feel somewhat reassured that there wasn’t something else going on. She’d never had visions that pertained to Link, though, and it was frankly a little terrifying that he’d gotten this bad. The chief of the Sheikah watched her boy worriedly, wondering if he’d been on the brink of something far worse, remembering how bad he’d gotten when he was eighteen, terrified that he could’ve almost broken the seal himself without even realizing it. The king consort felt miserable and petrified in his own right, wondering if he should even be allowed anywhere, ignoring how his cheek stung over his old scar he’d gotten from Ganondorf.

But it didn’t matter what the three thought. Plans were in motion. A former ruler sat in the dungeons, awaiting his triumphant return. And farther in the depths than the former King of Hyrule, the inner sanctum remained spotless.

Except for one little spark.

[sunny-porridge]

Listen, I think I spent a good two months drifting in and out of the fandom, accumulating a shameful pile of subscription updates and unread recommendations. But hey, that’s not what you’re here for. Behold, the

fics that revived my Linked Universe energy in November

Crystal Symphony - by @starwolfie

This was exactly what I needed to remind me why I started participating in this fandom. It’s sweet, and it’s fun, and it builds on a dynamic between Hyrule and Sky that just feels so natural and also fresh. 

The boys are fine: as much as my lovely, sweet friend Mel likes to torture them, this one is pure fluff, but with the depth and attention to detail that makes it a wonderful piece to read over and over.

--

Year of the Rabbit - by @blindbrilliance

Be honest, was I the only person in the world that hadn’t read this fic?

Year of the Rabbit starts with a crack premise (one some friends and I call “Pinkie AU”): what if it was Legend who accompanied Wild during Breath of the Wild, instead of Twilight? 

It starts out with a very humorous tone, but with a lot of heart, giving little glimpses into Legend and Wild’s depth and the true weight of their fates. What surprised me the most was how it slowly turns into a unique re-telling of Breath of the Wild with a far more serious tone, exploring a fresh take on Wild’s Hyrule, his relationship with his people, his past, and the destiny he has to grow into.

Fair warning: the latest published chapter ends in a huge cliffhanger! If you’re like me, though, this is merely an opportunity to spin this fic like food in a microwave and think about every possible outcome.

--

Korgu Chide’s Favorite Hero - by @wolfsong6913

A new challenge has appeared in everyone’s favorite isolated island that steals all your clothes. And sure, the Sheikah monks committed to helping a hero in the future, but who’s to say they can’t look to the past for inspiration?

The heroes find themselves in one of Wild’s most polarizing shrines, and we get to explore Wind’s ingenious mind as the stakes grow higher and higher, culminating with a lovely tie-in with the world we explore in Tears of the Kingdom.

And yes, everyone needs to be naked. Well, almost naked.

--

NSFW Zone !!

hand in hand - by anonymous

This moody, sulky piece is filled with familiar –but unique– headcanons, characters that feel both impossibly larger than life and simultaneously intimately relatable, and an atmospheric setting that sells the scene.

It’s provocative, it’s desperate, it’s sweet and spicy and rich, an intimate encounter between two unlikely lovers who suddenly feel safe enough with each other to just unravel.

Enjoy!

[cloudninetonine]

My depression is kicking my arse rn, like, at dangerous levels ouhgfofiu

So here's a little vent story <3 It is angst <3

If I don't feel better soon you're gonna get more angst posts

Warnings: Implied character death(s), implied child/teen death, descriptions of gore and implied fight with monsters, implied self sacrifice (???), description of missing limbs (arm and eye)

“...(na…me)?”

The pain was unbearable, your body broken and bloody on the sands of Hyrule shore as you stared at the endless expanse of midnight blue with dotted points of spatial beauties staring back at you. You could almost feel the pity, the sadness and the mourning all the way from down here, on an earth you didn’t quite know in a universe that wasn’t your own.

Shuffling sounded from your right, the sound of something heavy dragging through the sand slowly getting closer and closer until finally the presence was right next to your, a hand resting on your arm- well, what was left of your arm. That was gone, the stump bleeding profusely with the jagged chunk missing from your side that seeped the red onto the once pristine beach beneath you.

…you were so tired.

In so much pain.

…this was it, wasn’t it?

“...(name)...” The hand moved to grab your shoulder, dislocated from his position and painful as the person squeezed the area- you couldn’t blame him, you knew his body was probably just as broken as your own. “Are…are you…still- there?”

As much as you wanted to, you couldn’t turn your head- the pain from your neck was a dull thump in your throat but you knew it would be excruciating if you tried to move.

“Yeah…” You croaked, surprised but slightly happy you could still manage sound. “...can you…can you see me anymore?”

Wind sniffled; wobbly and scared, a normal reaction for the child he was.

A child…

His grandmother was probably so worried about him…

The sailor coughed. “They…they only took one eye…”

You choked on a sob, eyes watering. “An eye…?”

“...just one.”

Just one.

It was just one monster earlier. Then it was two, then three, then four, five, six- you counted 20 before you and Wind were finally overwhelmed, subjected to the unbearable torture that soon followed for what felt like hours after. You were sure the rest of the boys could probably hear your screams from miles away, probably heard the terror and the pleading as you begged for them to come and save you, rescue you from this horrid suffering.

…why weren’t they here?

Wind sniffed again, hacking a little right next to your ear- the feeling of liquid just grazing the shell as the young hero coughed up some blood.

“...I’m cold.”

A tear ran down your cheek. “...me too.”

You’d both lost too much blood.

It probably wouldn’t be long now…

The waves nearby crashed rhythmically against the sand in an almost hypnotic symphony that your ringing ears honed in on. White noise, calming and serene despite the aching agony that every last part of your felt, imagining yourself walking against the beach barefoot with the water just tickling your skin. The beach spanned on for forever, disappearing into the horizon as you continued to walk and walk without a destination. There was no need to think about the time passing as the sun began to set just off the coast, diving into the ocean and leaving a beautiful sunset that your eyes would memorise for all of eternity.

Wind grunted as he crawled a little closer, the feeling of his body burrowing into your less injured side a comfort in the isolating feeling that…death seemed to be bringing forth. His head was gentle to rest on your chest, curled into you like a child with it’s mother as they slept, your void arm trying to desperately wrap around him in an act to bring that feeling of reassurance.

…you instead moved your other to hold one of his hands, using as much strength as you could to interlock your fingers.

You could feel the warm blood drip, drip, drip, from his empty socket.

“...I’m tired.”

You slowly blinked towards the sky. “...me too…”

“...I don’t…think…the others are…coming…”

Your eyes blurred from your tears, running down your face like a gentle spring. “...yeah…”

The young boy sniffled once more, a silent teary hiccup leaving him. “...I’m gonna…gonna sleep…”

You tightened your fingers; Wind tightened his.

“....yeah me too, Link…”

The natural ambience was a nice thing to hear. The waves, the gentle breeze, the rustle of palm trees- you didn’t mind these sounds being the last things you heard. Natural and beautiful, like a lullaby sending you beyond, into the great unknown of death. It was calming. The frantic palpitations of your heart, fighting desperately to keep your battered body from buckling under the weight from all the pain, slowly falling into a more gentle pace that grew weaker and weaker with each passing second.

You glanced at the mess of blonde hair laying against you.

“...Link?...”

You could still feel his breaths, slow and weak against your chest, but you knew that wouldn’t last much longer.

You glanced back up at the sky, eyes moist from your uncontrollable crying- reflecting the ethereal glow of the stars from above.

“...Take me…”

Silence.

“...I know you can fucking hear me…” Anger was in your voice, mixed with desperation and fear. “...He’s already gone through enough…Let him live and take me…instead…I’ll go willingly…I won’t fight it…just don’t let him die….”

The stars blinked, something gold shot across the sky…A shooting star…

Your vision began to blur and darken, the world slowly moving further and further away as the exhaustion took over your entire being.

“...This is all…I’m asking…my only..prayer..

Let...Link...live…”

Fade to black.

[zarvasace]

Four Swords Manga Jukebox Musical

I was going to add all the songs as audio tiles but I guess there's a limit, so there are YouTube links now! I have a definite musical taste so that bleeds through a lot.

This is very silly, please forgive me. There are more songs here than I would likely actually include in a hypothetical jukebox musical, but hey it's fun.

Chapter 1: Four Links

Opening image: Don't Stop Me Now, Queen

Draw the sword, battle Vaati: Battles, Alpine Universe

Chapter 2: The Fall of Hyrule Castle

Shadow gets mad: Hate!, London After Midnight

Chapter 3: Erune and Rosie

Background stuff is creepy: Gutter Glitter, Switchblade Symphony

Chapter 4: Links Torn Apart

Beginning and Green: The Prince of the World, Heavenly

Blue: I'm Born To Run, American Authors/Cold, The Cure

Red: Helios - Burn Me to the Sky, Alpine Universe

Vio & Shadow: Bottom of the River, Delta Rae

Chapter 5: Deadly Battle at the Pyramid

Green: Spellbound, Siouxsie and the Banshees/Blood Moon, Christian Death

Red & Blue: A Little Respect, Erasure

Chapter 6: Temple of Darkness

Shadow & Zelda: The Dark Side, Muse

Red & Blue: The Fear, The Score

--- (volume break)

Chapter 7: Climb Death Mountain!

Reunited: Battles (acoustic), Alpine Universe

Green vs Vio: Stand Your Ground, Confrontational

Chapter 8: Sad Shadow Link

Vio & Shadow: Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now, Starship / Paint the Town, LOONA (flash warning on that video)

Vio with hammer: No Respite, Confrontational

Rescued: Dracula's Castle, New Order

Chapter 9: On to the Tower of Winds

Start the battle: Enter the Sphere, Perfume

Chapter 10: A Fight Against Father

Never Say Die, 69 Eyes

Chapter 11: The Immortal Demon Vaati

General battle music: Rise and Shine, Christian Death

Shadow & Zelda: Into the Light, Siouxsie and the Banshees

Chapter 12: The Four Sword Forever!

Shadow mirror: Set the Night Ablaze, Confrontational

Guess this means another reprise of Battles by Alpine Universe

The end: Feel My Rhythm (Orchestra Version)

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

How would Ganondorfs (Wind Waker, Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, Hyrule Warriors, and Tears of the Kingdom) & Demise react to a modern smartphone? If explained all the things it could do, what would they use it for?

If the Ganondorfs and Demise were introduced to a modern smartphone, their reactions would range from curiosity to amazement, with each of them finding different uses for the device based on their personalities and goals. Here's how each would react and what they might use a smartphone for:

Wind Waker Ganondorf

Initial Reaction: Wind Waker Ganondorf, who is more philosophical and reflective than his counterparts, would be intrigued by the smartphone’s potential to access vast amounts of knowledge. After a brief period of suspicion and doubt, he’d be captivated by its ability to show him things he’s never imagined.

What He’d Use It For:

Research & Strategy: Wind Waker Ganondorf would use the smartphone to gather information on the world, learning about history, geography, and strategies from other cultures to enhance his tactical thinking.

News & Global Information: He’d use the phone to monitor global events, especially geopolitical conflicts, finding parallels to his own goals.

Music & Art: Given his reflective nature, Wind Waker Ganondorf might also be interested in music and art, possibly developing an appreciation for symphonies or visual art from different eras.

Scene: Ganondorf sits in the ruins of Hyrule, staring at the small device in his hand. The world had crumbled beneath the waves, but this... this small box contained all the knowledge of the modern world. He swipes through images of landscapes, battles, and cities, his mind racing with possibilities.

"So much knowledge... hidden in the hands of mortals," he murmurs. "I could have ruled this world with such tools."

Ocarina of Time Ganondorf

Initial Reaction: Ocarina of Time Ganondorf, a megalomaniac with ambitions for total domination, would be both suspicious and fascinated by the smartphone. After understanding its potential, he’d see it as a tool for expanding his influence and power.

What He’d Use It For:

Social Media Manipulation: Ganondorf would use social media platforms to subtly spread his influence, sowing discord and manipulating public opinion to create chaos.

Surveillance: He would use the phone’s ability to track locations and spy on people via cameras to keep tabs on enemies, potential threats, or even allies.

Commanding Armies: The communication abilities of the smartphone would allow him to organize and command his followers more effectively, giving him the ability to control vast networks from a distance.

Scene: Ganondorf's eyes narrow as he watches a video of a global leader addressing a crowd. The people hang on every word. He smirks, fingers tapping against the phone. "I can make them follow me," he mutters, scrolling through comments and noting how easily opinions are swayed. "This world will be mine before they even know it."

Twilight Princess Ganondorf

Initial Reaction: Twilight Princess Ganondorf, who exudes a more cold and calculated demeanor, would see the smartphone as a tool for both control and knowledge. He’d be less fascinated by its entertainment features and more focused on how it could serve his plans for domination and control of the Twilight Realm.

What He’d Use It For:

Hacking & Control: Ganondorf would likely develop an interest in the more technical aspects of the phone. He might even try to learn hacking to break into systems, control information, and manipulate governments.

Communication: He would use the phone to keep in contact with his spies and agents, communicating in secret codes and issuing orders from afar.

Twilight Magic Research: Ganondorf might be curious about scientific advances and new technologies that could be twisted to serve his purposes, particularly anything that could amplify his connection to the Twilight Realm.

Scene: Ganondorf stands in his darkened throne room, the soft glow of the smartphone illuminating his face. A security camera feed flickers on the screen, showing him the movements of a key political figure. "So easily manipulated," he mutters, tapping the screen. "This device gives me more power than they could ever know."

Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf

Initial Reaction: Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf, the most battle-hungry and aggressive version, would initially scoff at the smartphone, thinking it weak and beneath him. However, once he realizes its potential for organizing large-scale assaults and coordinating his armies, he would embrace its power.

What He’d Use It For:

Battle Coordination: He’d use messaging apps and other organizational tools to coordinate attacks and manage his armies in real time.

Media Control: Ganondorf would use social media to spread propaganda and increase his influence over the masses, twisting narratives to present himself as a conqueror worthy of respect.

Entertainment: As a warrior, he might actually enjoy certain fighting games or watching videos of historical battles for entertainment and inspiration.

Scene: "Such a small device," Ganondorf grunts, turning the smartphone over in his hand. "And yet, with it, I could command legions." His eyes gleam as he sets up group messages with his generals, issuing orders with a few taps of the screen. "This... this could be my greatest weapon."

Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf

Initial Reaction: Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf, who is intelligent and deeply strategic, would immediately see the smartphone as a means to gather knowledge and increase his hold over Hyrule. He would appreciate the breadth of information at his fingertips and the potential for subtle manipulation.

What He’d Use It For:

Historical & Tactical Research: Ganondorf would dive deep into the smartphone’s access to history and tactics, using it to learn about modern warfare, diplomacy, and advancements that he could incorporate into his strategies.

Social Influence: He would use the phone to spread subtle misinformation, manipulate public perception, and undermine the authority of those in power.

Mapping & Exploration: Ganondorf might use modern GPS and mapping technologies to expand his reach, exploring unknown regions of the world with ease.

Scene: Ganondorf scrolls through articles and maps, his mind racing with possibilities. "All this knowledge," he murmurs, tapping the screen. "Centuries of history, at my fingertips." He smiles, dark and cold. "I can twist it to my will. This world will never see me coming."

Demise

Initial Reaction: Demise would view the smartphone with disdain at first, seeing it as a weak human tool. However, once he learned about its ability to manipulate information and control masses of people, he would see it as a valuable asset in his quest to conquer all.

What He’d Use It For:

World Domination: Demise would see the phone as a tool to conquer not just Hyrule, but all realms. He would use it to study modern civilizations, finding weaknesses to exploit.

Manipulation of Fear: He would likely use the phone to spread fear and chaos, taking advantage of the interconnected world to stir unrest and manipulate leaders through fear.

Surveillance: Demise would love the idea of watching his enemies from afar, tracking their every move and waiting for the right moment to strike.

Scene: Demise stares at the smartphone in his hand, the glowing screen a stark contrast to the dark aura surrounding him. "A tool for the weak," he growls, but as he watches the world news flash by, his lips curl into a slow, menacing smile. "And yet... with this, I can spread fear faster than ever before. They will fall before they even realize what’s happening."

Overall Uses and Thoughts:

While each version of Ganondorf and Demise would initially react differently to a modern smartphone, they would all eventually see it as a tool for manipulation, control, and enhancing their ambitions. From social media manipulation to real-time battle coordination, the smartphone would become an essential part of their plans for domination.

************************************************************************

Bonus: HW Ganondorf, Ghirahim, and Zant Group Chat!

Group Chat: Forces of Darkness

Ganondorf: I have gathered you both here to discuss our next move. Hyrule is vulnerable. We must act soon.

Ghirahim: Ooooh, our glorious king is feeling impatient~ 😏💅 But of course, my liege, your wish is my command. 🌹✨

Zant: yEs tHe vEry FoUnDaTiOn oF hYruLe WiLL fALl UnDeR oUr miGhty bOOts!!! 😈👑

Ganondorf: Zant, I need you to speak coherently. We cannot conquer anything if I can’t understand what you’re saying.

Ghirahim: Yes, Zant, darling, try to keep up. We can’t have you tripping over your own madness during battle. 🤭💀

Zant: lOl i HaVe mAdNeSs On mY siDe, GhirAhIm. tHaT’s mY pOwEr!! 😵‍💫✨

Ganondorf: Enough. We have no time for your childish games. Focus. Our next target is the Hyrule Castle. Ghirahim, you will lead the vanguard. Zant, you will handle the diversion.

Ghirahim: Awwww, leading the charge? You're making me blush, Kingy~ 😘💖 Consider it done, my blade is ready. 🔪🖤

Zant: bUt wHy am i tHe dIvErsIoN?? i WaNt tO lEaD tOo!! 😡😭

Ganondorf: Because you lack discipline. That is why. If you want to lead, prove yourself first. And stop typing like that. It’s irritating.

Zant: 😒 fInEeeE… I’LL sHoW yOU whO lAcKs dIscIplInE… i’LL dEstROy tHem aLL!!!!

Ghirahim: Zant, darling, sweetie, please. You'll give yourself wrinkles. Now then, King Ganondorf~ Shall I prepare an ambush? Perhaps a little surprise for those meddling heroes? 🎭✨

Ganondorf: Yes. Proceed with your plans. I want them caught off guard. If all goes well, their precious kingdom will fall. Failure is not an option. Do I make myself clear?

Zant: yEs!! wE wiLL rAiSe tHe bAnNeRs oF dArKnEsS!!!

Ghirahim: Crystal clear, my king~ 😏💋

Ganondorf: Do not fail me.

[generalluxun]

My TotK experience and how it shaped my TotK shipping.

I'm writing this out because I got static on a random post for mentioning my headcanon, and I figure my own blog is a safe place to write it all down and get my experience in one place for better or worse. I'm a mutishipper by temprement, so you can and should ship what you like. Do not think by outlining my experience and thoughts I am trying to invalidate your own. Totk and BotW are both games with amazing emergent gameplay. The written narrative is only a fraction of the tale as you write your own version of events by what you choose to do and in what order you do it.

My wife is a huge Zelda fan. I enjoy the games, but she is the one who keeps them coming in. She's got a Triforce Engagement Pendant(try putting that on a ring!) we saw the Symphony of the Fates on our wedding night(and our first not-date years before) Zelda is a thing.

So I played BotW, and I played TotK. I enjoyed them both! At the end of BotW I was sure Zelink was a cute sure thing. I was happy! (My wife was frustrated Zelda didn't tell Link how she felt 😆)

Then we played TotK. Six years later, Zelda and Link are spelunking and boom the game yeets Zelda away. Couples-time, we barely knew ye. Now, both my wife and I play our own separate saves. We generally avoid spiling for each other, and we play quite differently. (In BotW I went right for the castle, found the basement, and ended up fighting the Stalnox that protected the Hylean Shield with 4 hearts. In TotK she mapped the entire underground early on)

My TotK experience began with me making a bee-line for Gerudo town after talking to Purrah/Robbie and exploring the castle a little. I liked the Gerudo plotline in BotW and wanted to see what was going down over there these days.

The Gerudo plotline is definitely fun (uh spoilers I guess?) Seeing Riju grown and trying to be a strong leader was awesome. (I have a headcanon she's still short because she met Link. She knew exactly how tall the strongest warrior in all of Hyrule was, and so why get any taller than that?)

I completed the temple, got my first sage power, and now several things converged.

1)Okay, so Riju's crush on Link in her Diary is cute. Not unique, everyone crushes on Link!

2)I decided to explore after completing this quest. Checking out the corners, completing my map, gaining some shrines, etc. This means I spent a lot of time with Riju as my only sage. We crossed Hyrule and back time and time again, checking on people, visiting old haunts, and fighting enemies way past my weapon's abilities thanks to her lighting.

3)Riju is the most interactive of the sage powers. Activate the power, and then you have to actually work with her to trigger it. It's not temperamental like Yunobo's either. Riju will hold ready for you for quite some time. It's also very versatile. Explode enemies, blow up mining points, and one of my favorites- Light the underdark. There's something deeply intimate about being surrounded by darkness with only your partner's power to light the way for you.

It made Riju one heck of a travel companion. Just having someone *anyone* along with Link, him not being alone, felt so good after being alone in BotW. The Warrior of Light and his Sage companion. Little tales wrote themselves, like an epic saga.

Still, Zelink was still a thing, right? Then You run into Link's old home in Hateno. It's changed, definitely. You find Zelda's lab. You find her Diary. -Now, here I know the Japanese version has a very different tone, but I didn't have that version so I only got the English- reading Zelda's words painted a picture of a close bond, but also not a classical 'ship' one. Combine this with some of the other tidbits and memories collected on the journey and it just painted a very different picture for me(and my wife) There may have been dialogs we missed too, it's a vast open world game, and this is a retelling of my playthrough, not a comprehensive thesis based on all the lore available on a wiki.

This Zelda, being Aro/Ace. Or at least if not, being so immersed in her work and duty that something like a traditional relationship isn't on the radar for her. She's got her Science. She's got her Kingdom. She's got her curiosity. These things Matter to her. A romantic relationship? Just didn't feel like it did.

Link is still the most important person in the world to her. He's her Knight. He's reliable, supportive, dedicated, brave. He's as vital to her as her own two hands. A respectful Link could easily be seen accepting this role. Zelda's vital to him too. He cares for her and will always be there. It's his duty, and his passion. The two are inseparable. They're just not a *couple*

So, where does this leave us? Link and Zelda will travel together always. Riju is Queen of the Gerudo and cannot just leave her people. She's also someone who my TotK Link spent time with (in my writer's brain the sage-mirages actually sent impressions back to the Sages in their dreams, and as time went by the link between the two could be two ways, like a form of active astral projection in a crisis)

So a RiLink relationship that is built on respect and trials together, but that understands the duties placed on both just seemed cute. He's still with Zelda, she's still with her people. She'll eventually end up with a hero's child, and the one male ever allowed into Gerudo town will be able to visit his future child and maybe even pave the way for a more open Gerudo society in the long run.

Zelda and Link are still constant companions day-to-day though. She's the Queen(eventually? Still princess?) he's her Knight. Their relationship is still built on respect and shared hardships(much like RiLink) They're just not an 'item'. They're liege and retainer.

I did the 'Wait how old is Riju?' thing as this was starting to come into focus, because she was young in BotW 😅 She's 17... I think? Fantasy setting, it seemed fine to ship. I mean, everyone thinks Mipha crushing on Link is adorable, and she saw him first when he was a little tot! 🤣

So, that's it really just kind of laying out my ship and why I think it's cute. I welcome any and all comments provided they're couched politiely.

[summertimemusician]

Linktober Shadow Day 6

Shadow Beast

The Twilight Princess fan in me really came out on this one huh? I blame the sleep deprivation. We never quite addressed the effects of the Twili Magic on Twilight and how it's only sheer force of will and the fact he's so darn kind, Midna's influence and Time teaching him the Song of Healing first being the main factor in making sure he doesn't fall huh? Even more so than the One Cutscene. We also need to talk more about the fact we technically kill Midna's people and how by the end of it all Twi is so changed by the Twilight Realm who's it's own can of worms that, much like Time he can't quite go home as himself me thinks, as a treat to myself

Mostly Twilight x Reader, this goes out to all of the folks who never quite recovered from Twilight Princess and the fact we never got that sequel (I mean it gave us BOTW and TOTK and Wild, but at what cost?), but can be read as Link x Reader either on the platonic or romantic.

Don't think there's any warning this time but might edit later if needed.

Actually yeah there is one warning

TW:

References to body horror typical to Twilight Princess, though I recommend not reading it I'd you're squeamish period.

Even after so long, you and Twilight could still remember the beauty and solemnity of the Twilight Realm, with it’s zircon skies with clouds of trapped fire and rains of viper obsidian.

The silence of the infection upon the realm of light broken only by the echoes of the howling elegy of the Twili and Interlopers who came before creeping over the land like rot and wither over flowers, the lament of the lost spirits of the people and animals of Hyrule falling over your spirit like a shroud, a shared hymm from two worlds reality had been twisted, only both of it’s princess, one filled the luster of empyreal sorrow in her mind and one with the scorch abyssal fury in her heart knowing to see the reflective tragedy befallen to their people. With Link as the one who restored the memory of what once was in both worlds as divinity and calamity sang in his bones and you a witness to the restoration of harmony to the discordant symphony, the two different songs of light and shadow refusing to let go of either of you in an eternal duet.

(Once touched by magic, it shall never leave the one if holds onto Twilight may have been the one with the Beast in his soul, with the howl of a wolf, the bite of shades in his veins and the lament of innocents taking precedence over anything purely because he learned how to silence the whispers of the one’s who made a grab for heaven’s throat and we’re pushed in the cracks of reality for their prideful vánitas even as he could taste it in the back of his tongue, twining around his ribs and overgrowing into his shattered mirror heart like vines, flowering with the divinity and eternal nature of the Hero’s Spirit, already having the hunt of the Fierce Deity in it’s veins and the remains of cursed divinity welcoming the new aspect merrily so he could bear it. The song of the innocent wrongly punished among the sinners rang into your mind, scratched at your skin and dug it’s claws around your throat, chocking you with sorrow and regret, more willing to leave gouges than to let go of someone’s who’s looked into the reverse side of the sacred realm and wept with grief for it’s people and the curse of it’s beauty.

It would never leave you, Link or Zelda, who learned who love the darkness the way Midna did, madness and unsightly delight and all.)

While the people of Hyrule merely became trapped as observers at best, if they were lucky, Midna’s raging grief and resentment quickly became obvious, once she revealed that rotten Zant had done to her and her people, twisted into a new form, distorted in body and trapped in mind like the animals and beasts of Hyrule, their pain driving them in becoming feral attack hounds for the usurper, their howling screams as much sorrow, wailing in an attempt to let their agonized, tortured souls to escape from it’s mouth, a futile attempt to flee from the strain of reality forgetting their true form in favor of Zant’s twisted design, of being used as sentient canvases for cruelty and ruthlessness, of their will being stepped over in favor of corrupting recreation.

Of how it only didn’t quaff down at Midna’s mind because of the nature of her ephemerality, fully beloved by the Realm of Darkness, of how she loathed him for it and wouldn’t wish her fate of that of her people’s on any living or dead soul, once she came to love the Realm of Light through Zelda’s sacrifice.

Which was why, when you saw three of the victims of the telltale twisting from darkness utilized with the intent to drive one insane, a familiar looking plate of stone engraved on the remains of ashes from their identity, the curling of distorted, solid darkness making crooked mishapen manes, bent out of shape from their too long torso and long, long arms adorned with twitching, deformed claws, you feel very justified in way your blood froze, holding onto Wild’s arms and yanking with all you had so his shot will miss, his yelp of surprise swallowed by the bone cracking, blood curdling screech from one of the beasts as a Skyward Strike grazed it’s petrified flesh.

You feel something warm drip down your ears, taste the promise of violence and the cry of lost souls on the back of your tongue and swallow it down as the memory of the Twilight Realm attempted to bite and crack your ribcage to quaff down your heart, to devour it bones and all, calling out in desperation, “Don’t! That’s a person!”

Sky freezes, as still as a statue, Legend curses the heavens crimson in a way you are so glad Wind isn’t around to hear as he retreats Twilight snarls, the wolf in him revolted and disgusted, you wonder if the Twilight is singing in his mind too as he restrains himself from reaching for the crystal as nails just a tad too sharp invite droplets of blood to one hand, grimm as a graveyard “We need to get them together anyway, felling just one won’t be enough.”

You grimace, releasing Wild, keeping your eye on the Shadow Beasts and another on your group, pointedly not mentioning the twitch in Four, amethyst clouding his gaze and the prism of his eyes turning gray with memories you and Twilight both knew all too well, of the grimace in Time’s otherwise stony countenance, you’d wished to avoid bloodshed of whoever was turned against their will, but you and Twilight both knew that might not be possible, death, unfortunately, might be the greatest mercy you can grant these poor souls.

(The Twilight is harmonizing in your ears, jeering, you feel the Interlopers insanity and the Twili’s lament on your teeth. As lovely as it could be cruel, the merry feeling upon meeting, the sorrow at a parting.

If you ever see the Shadow, you might just try indulging the echo by offering it’s blood as tribute. You'd make it hurt. The fact it learned the spell used to deform reality in such a way was cruel and vile.)

“Legend, how is your magic?” shoots Warriors, analyzing, calculating, it snaps the purple back into Four’s gaze, brings his mind back to focus as he reaches into his inventory for his Moon Pearl, Twilight is circling the beasts with single minded purpose, herding them together and prowling as he would as a wolf, Wild thankfully listened to your warning and had switched from the more destructive Flame and Lightning Arrows to ice ones. It doesn’t contain them for long but it gives a few precious seconds to strategize.

Legend catches on, switching to the Ice Rod on one hand and grasping his own Moon Pearl with the other, Sky has another Skyward Strike ready, but doesn’t release it, you switch from your sword to accepting a Magic Rod tossed at you from Wild, “Good enough.”

You breath in shakily, the symphony of the Twilight Realm has quieted, more lament than anthem as it’s Hero steps back, returning to your side, he nods grimly, “... Then, let’s end this quickly.”

You know your will boys will do their best to heal them, and failing that, you hope that they’ll hear the requiem of the Twili rather than the lament once they’re at peace, that they'll find some form of threnody.

It is a horrible thing, to be forced to die as a beast.

[mistresslrigtar]

First off--booooo to people being rude in your asks! I'm sorry you had to deal with that. It's always a bummer whenever someone brings bad energy into fandom spaces.

Second, as an actual ask...since I'm FINALLY trying to catch up on Love Is Forever. You use a lot of Radiohead lyrics as epigraphs and inspo for Link's band. Do you picture him having a Thom Yorke sound? What other bands do you image him/them sounding like? (Also I just realized while writing this out that I totally picture Link as Kurt Cobain if he'd been more punk and less into drugs.)

Thank you so much for the ask!

The actual inspiration for Hyrule Warriors is the band Muse. I was going to use Radiohead (because they are my favorite alt rock band) for the prequel, I Belong to You (the complete fic is available on AO3!), but not a lot of their songs worked.

I listened to other alternative rock bands and discovered Muse. Before I wrote I Belong to You, I was only familiar with Knights of Cydonia by Muse because there’s a cover on Guitar Hero 🤣😅 Now, I’m addicted to them. So many of their songs are zelink coded I was able to use only their work for the prequel titles. Their lead singer, Matt Bellamy is who I picture as far as voice type - tenor.

Another reason I decided to use Muse is because in I Belong, Link is the bass guitarist (not the lead guitarist/singer) and Muse has some sick bass guitar riffs. Namely the very first song Zelda ever hears them play:

Hysteria click the song title to hear - if you like metal guitar, you'll like this song and the bass line is absolute 🔥

But, there are two Muse songs that sold me:

Falling Away With You - I immediately thought of TotK when I heard the lyrics: (it's a gorgeous song)

And I’ll feel my world crumbling

I’ll feel my life crumbling

I’ll feel my soul crumbling

And falling away with you.

The other is Exogenesis Symphony Movement Three: Redemption

Link and Gan are best friends, formed Hyrule Warriors, and are composition/piano performance majors.

This excerpt from I Belong to You is the scene Zelda realizes she’s falling in love with Link: (it's my favorite scene/chapter in the entire series)

Zelda looked at the sheets covered in penciled-in music notes and Link’s messy scrawl that began halfway across the score. “I can’t read music very well.”

“That’s okay. I can’t read scientific equations for shit. I just wanted you to sit by me.” He gave her a one-dimpled crooked smile. Oh goddesses, the tightness in Zelda’s chest grew. Maybe asking him to play for her had been a mistake, but it was too late to change her mind. His fingers had already settled on the keys and were beginning to play a simple repeating rolling chord with his left hand.

“This is the third movement. Gan titled it Redemption.” After a few more measures, he began playing with his right hand, simple at first, building to a more complex melody. “Here’s where the string section would come in, with a counter melody. Gan can play a little violin, but we have some friends who will play for us once we complete composing the orchestration.”

The melody grew, and the theme changed. Then he took an audible breath and, to Zelda’s delight, began to sing:

“Let’s start over again

Why can’t we start it over again?

Just let us start it over again

And we’ll be good

This time we’ll get it, hmmm get it right

It’s our last chance

To forgive ourselves.”

Zelda’s throat constricted, and the exhilarating feeling (that she absolutely refused to name because she would be forever lost if she did) blossomed within her, threatening to overwhelm and consume her.

If you haven't read I Belong to You and are enjoying Love is Forever (another Muse song, btw 😉) I highly recommend my own work 😂😅 They are both rated E for adult content (I mean rock star 😂), but it's more plot than the sexy fun times (imo)

[vifetoile]

Tagging @mudora because I really liked their Ocarina of Time analysis of the Zonai and the Golden Goddesses and @roy-dcm2 because i liked their analysis of Majora's origins

I was seeing some meta about the goddess Hylia and her "chosen" and it seemed to boil down to the idea that in the legend of zelda, destiny is all-powerful and imbues all story beats, major and minor. And something about that just rubbed me the wrong way and it's not because i just find hylia and demise very boring

There may always be lads in green, and there always be a princess or two, but I think free will is still very much a force in the world of Hyrule and its neighbors.

Destiny is a powerful force, that cannot be denied. Revali, for instance, never could have been the Hero himself; that role always belongs to a Hylian youth named Link. A Sheikah named Impa will invariably be tied to the Princess. And yet I can't shake the feeling that free will is present in the lives of everyday people, and even those destined to live the cycle over and again, they can chose how they will express their destiny.

Free will is what builds Tarrey Town and what enables Impa to open Kakariko Village (OoT) to the common folk. Free will is what Midna exercises to break the mirror of twilight. Groose's character development is free will. FURTHERMORE in Termina, Link comes as a reminder of people's agency. He helps the people who have lost all hope. What do people do when they've lost hope? They forget they have free will.

Free will prompts Zelda in OoT to bisect the timeline and break her own heart in the name of childhood & love. Bisecting the timeline doesn't serve any purpose of destiny, in fact it throws destiny into a big ol tizzy. It's not a divine act, it's a human one from a human perspective.

Hell, if there is no free will, then the gods laugh whenever Zelda and Link fall in love.

Video games are an interesting medium in which to discuss free will versus destiny--- I mean, you're controlling a little dude but you yourself are following breadcrumbs laid down by a creator who definitely exists. But I think that Hyrule is meant to be a setting where free will matters, even if only to contrast when the overwhelming symphony of Destiny does come to town. Hyrule is a land to explore and find joy in discovery, for the player and for Link, and I can't square that with the idea that Destiny is everywhere and no one has any choice at all.

[taffywabbit]

buny stream, hop in

Now for my ACTUAL vaguely-halloween-y stream plans: tonight I'm gonna try to beat Cadence of Hyrule's funky lil Skull Kid DLC, Symphony of the Mask! It's quite challenging iirc, so I have no idea if I'll actually succeed, but we'll see! Let's boogie!

[akihabaradivision]

Glory or Dust - (Otaku Corps Ver.)

[Keiko:]

I spit wisdom like scrolls inked in ancient lore

Learn from our blunders, rise higher than before

Mistakes are stepping stones, paving our path

Knowledge is the currency; let's do the math!

Friends by my side, like Naruto and Sasuke

Bonds unbreakable, stronger than a jutsu

Anime worlds collide, our hearts ignite

In this life's epic saga, we script our own fight!

Spit out all your emotions

You'll find every reason

Right here to lay it out in the open

Even if our bodies are ground to dust

We'll spit in the face of the heavens

No limit to our ascension

How many reasons do you have by now

To be a chicken and drop out?

Win, steal, make a get away

Let out everything built up inside

A fearsome fight against those on high

Hypnosis Mic

The spark that binds rhyme and rhyme

Is focused and refined by our minds

[Criss:]

In the shadows I roam, seeking truths untold

Paranormal whispers, secrets to unfold

Ghosts dance in moonlight, cryptids in the haze

I'll unravel dimensions, pierce through cosmic maze

EVPs echo answers, orbs flicker bright

My pen's my Ouija board, I write into the night

From Roswell's debris to Bermuda’s triangle

I’ll chase the enigma, unravel the spectral tangle!

Spit out all your emotions

You'll find every reason

Right here to lay it out in the open

Even if our bodies are ground to dust

We'll spit in the face of the heavens

No limit to our ascension

How many reasons do you have by now

To be a chicken and drop out?

Win, steal, make a get away

Let out everything built up inside

A fearsome fight against those on high

Hypnosis Mic

The spark that binds rhyme and rhyme

Is focused and refined by our minds

[Nikki:]

In this mundane realm, life's grayscale hue

Concrete jungles echo, skies a faded blue

But my mind's a playground, where pixels ignite

I level up in dreams, where fantasies take flight

From Hyrule's green fields to Rapture’s abyss

I dance with Chocobos, wield the Master Sword's kiss

Web-comics weave tales, pixelated and grand

In this virtual symphony, I find my wonderland

Spit out all your emotions

You'll find every reason

Right here to lay it out in the open

Even if our bodies are ground to dust

We'll spit in the face of the heavens

No limit to our ascension

How many reasons do you have by now

To be a chicken and drop out?

Win, steal, make a get away

Let out everything built up inside

A fearsome fight against those on high

Hypnosis Mic

The spark that binds rhyme and rhyme

Is focused and refined by our minds

Spit out all your emotions

Your resolve is already broken

How do you live with yourselves

Acting like you’re above everyone else?

We’ll spit in the face of the heavens

No limit to our ascension

However weak and fragile they may be now

They won’t stand down

A catastrophe, a rewritten story

Mightier than the pen and the sword: Hypnosis Mic

The spark that binds rhyme and rhyme

Is focused and refined by our minds

[manganyeh]

Character Tags

once again shouts out to my online sister @serendipminie she rules!!!

Honkai Star Rail

#bittersweet symphony: robin tag

#be cleansed of sin: hanya tag

#spider's web: kafka tag

#skysplitter's herald: yunli tag

#whistling flames: tingyun tag

#scent always lingers: lingsha tag

#debt collection: topaz tag

#dazzling ninjutsu: rappa tag

#written in the stars: asta tag

#crimson tears: acheron tag

#biology experiment: ruan mei tag

#a grand performance: mr reca tag

#three bullets, one gun: boothill tag

#sparkling monodrama: sparkle tag

#skysoaring: yukong tag

#bonajade exchange: jade tag

#harmonious crescendo: xipe tag

Genshin Impact

#shredding waves: mualani tag

#depths of the seas: freminet tag

#floral sample: emilie tag

#say cheese!: charlotte tag

#some like it spicy: xiangling tag

#akademiya's sage: faruzan tag

#the show must go on: furina tag

#from the spina with love: navia tag

#dance of sabaa: nilou tag

#flames of judgement: arlecchino tag

#flowerfeather protector: chasca tag

#a dutiful maid would: noelle tag

#guardian of irminsul: nahida tag

#a spark, an explosion: yoimiya tag

#qixing secretary: ganyu tag

#bubbles and sango pearls: kokomi tag

#master tinker: xianyun tag

#a thrilling story: xingqiu tag

#lady of ice: ayaka tag

#new shoots from old branches: tighnari tag

#flames burn bright: mavuika tag

#gem-studded rhythm: xilonen tag

#wish i may, wish i might: layla tag

#dandelion knight: jean tag

#opera finale: yunjin tag

#heir of the raven: fischl tag

#ignition key: dehya tag

#hypostasis emulation: sucrose tag

#windborne traveler: lumi tag

Zenless Zone Zero

#shockwaves: anby tag

#criminal investigation captain: zhu yuan tag

#mouse trap: jane doe tag

#master proxy: belle tag

#or a little flames!: burnice tag

#a guide for the living: rina tag

#need a light?: lighter tag

#calydon's kin: caesar tag

#head hollow investigator: yanagi tag

Honkai Impact Third

#fenghuang of vissitude: fu hua tag

Wuthering Waves

#sleepy shielder: taoqi tag

#a work of art: zhezhi tag

#we promise we deliver: lumi tag

Reverse 1999

#twirling nightingale: isolde tag

Super Mario

#lipstick kisses: peach tag

Cookie Run Kingdom

#sugar paradise: eternal sugar tag

#intoxicating scent: white lily tag

Demon Slayer

#love hashira: mitsuri tag

Legend Of Zelda

#princess of hyrule: zelda tag

Dragon Ball

#satan's spawn: videl tag

Alien Stage

#my clematis: mizi tag

[thearttomb]

Forgive me, but I’m going to do something very stupid.

This will be based both on the comic I sadly didn’t get to finish, which was going to be “Like Ashes in the wind” , pretty much a side story for one of the characters in Fallen Symphony universe that has different versions of the characters I chose. Shadow was added along with Bendy and Herobrine because my stupid younger self made a multiverse that included them together as a friend group.

The comic takes place between the early and post-Ballad of the Damned, and the reason why Shadow returned to talk to Vaati was because of vengeful reasons.

Just years earlier, Vaati escaped from his prison once more. Shadow had to return back to his world to reunite with his friends after being absent for so long. After he returned to fight Vaati alone (which was a bad idea..) he got captured. The Links tried to save Shadow, but it was too late. Shadow lost his shadowy form due to him betraying Vaati and Ganon in the past, yet Shadow is still very sensitive to the light.

The Links arrived only to see Shadow, chained down in the middle of the area, slowly shred into ashes. Vaati then used the power he took from Shadow to become stronger, and he successfully defeated the rest.

Vio, buried deep underground within the forest he and Shadow made an encounter at.

Red, left shining bright at the burning forest where he had his fire rod snatched. (The forest was on fire already because Ganon ordered his minions to attack each place in Hyrule)

Blue, froze in solid ice back at the cave he was lured in, despite being cold towards Red at certain points, he no longer be cold towards him, he is cold.

Green, blasted into the air, yet didn’t make it far towards the Gerudo Desert, he got carried towards the Forest of Spirits, but the wind was too strong that he didn’t make it in one piece.

The princess herself had been captured with her power slowly fading. Hyrule was doomed as the heros failed their mission, but who said that they won’t be returning alive? Here in this timeline of a world filled with spirits, angels, and demons…

Unfinished business.. is what kept them tied to this world, and they won’t stop until they finish their job, to bring those that gave them no justice down with them.

The wails of the fallen will be heard, so the living shall know that the dead are out to retrieve the souls that sinned.

Shadow won’t forgive Vaati for hurting his friends, and mostly Vio. Let’s say that Shadow will have a family reunion and Vaati will be at a permanent stay at someplace so they can go over what happened in the past.

[zitasgalaxy]

Mercy

chapter 1

first/previous/next

summary

After the calamity, Link and zelda set off to recover what is left of hyrule as well as their past.

Pre AND post calamity fic

⚠️tears of the kingdom spoiler free⚠️

if you know me in real life....no you don't

see end for notes

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If the winds were a hum, then the leaves below their feet were a full symphony. Crunching and shuffling past each other, creating a strange cacophony of sound that only emphasized just how silent everything else was around them.

Wordlessly, they watched forward as if that is all they knew how to do at that moment. Possibly because that's all they could do at that moment. 

Quiet. A kind of quiet that was isolated but not uncomfortable, just distant as if they weren't a mere 3 feet apart. A type of silence that was shared together, separately.

Lifted on the horse above, Zelda made no effort to initiate anything towards Link who was holding the reins guiding the horse on foot. This wasn’t from lack of want, but more from lack of reason. For her, they already finished the one thing they were there to do. Rid Hyrule of Ganon once and for all.

She was sure Link felt the same. 

For him, that sort of pragmatic thinking was more natural. There was no doubt in her mind that when Link, without suggestion, hoisted her up to the horse and started to lead them toward Kakariko village, it was a calculated and thought-out decision. She could appreciate that fact in silence without verbally acknowledging the obvious.

There was simply nothing to be said at all. 

For Link, the princess’ silence was an act of mercy. He was forever grateful to not be put in a situation to sound even more closed off than the Link she was familiar with. He would not ever try to sound cold toward her. Especially in the fragile state she was in now. But, he knew that anything he could say to her would ring empty. 

For him, seeing her was like seeing a ghost. A distant and transparent vision of what once was. But he imagined that for her, seeing him was like seeing flowers bloom just for them to wither away. Or maybe it was more like watching flowers drying up in the hot sun. It was possibly both, but over and over again. A cycle of hope and disappointment.

Of course, Link could scold himself for the implication that he occupies her thoughts in that way, but he could only imagine that any sort of familiar face was enough to garner that reaction. So he used the distance between them to his advantage so he could stall just long enough to figure out what she needed from him. 

As they headed out of the wooded area, Zelda was able to turn her attention to the sunset just over the mountains. Even if all the terrain has become foreign to her, that orange hue was just the same. That reminder was enough to calm her senses enough to take in the moment. Smiling softly and shutting her eyes, she let out a satisfied sigh and took a moment to breathe in the dewy air of a peaceful and quiet Hyrule.

A version of Hyrule that wasn’t allowed that peace for as long as she could remember. 

She let herself get comfortable in that peace, and maybe to too much of an extent.

She didn’t quite realize just how exhausted she was until she felt her leg start to slip off the side of the saddle. Dipping a bit before jolting to her senses, her eyes shot open as she let out a less-than-proper yelp. And instantaneously, as if the universe wanted to embarrass her more, Link stopped with urgency to turn and see what could have possibly garnered such a sound.

After that moment of humiliating pause, Zelda spoke up while keeping her gaze on the forest below her. 

“S-sorry… I must have slipped for a moment”

 Zelda whispered out, feeling as if she owed an explanation. She then fell silent, knowing that if things were anything like before, Link would pass his silent judgment.

To no one's surprise, he took one glance over to see if he believed her response before one of his classic, assuring nods. That in itself was comforting enough due to its familiarity, but not comforting enough to let the embarrassment subside. 

Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, Zelda was determined to make the rest of the trip there not about her. She wanted to show that it was no longer the days of her needing to be coddled from the wild. Not to prove this fact to Link, but more for herself.

 Snapping out of her admittingly distracted state, She finally seemed to notice that they haven’t started moving again. And as she turned her head to question that, the knight without any prompting hoisted himself onto the horse behind her.

An action that would take anyone by surprise, but an action that Zelda specifically was very unprepared for.

Perhaps she should be more used to his sudden and unspoken ideas but it can be very hard to find a normal when your relationship was as tumultuous as theirs was.

She couldn’t help the jolt reaction, causing her to sway once again. And in another truly ironic endeavor, Link managed to extend his arm to shield her from falling once again. A fact that she was equally mortified and thankful for. 

 If this was her first attempt to show that she was ready to fend for herself in the wild, then she was off to a rough start. 

As soon as she got her bearings she felt herself unable to hold back her tongue as much as she wanted to. 

“W-what are you doing???”

Zelda asked incredulously but without hostility. 

In response Link could only look a bit off, hoping that whatever came out of his mouth was enough to keep the conversation from going south.

“So you can rest”

he spoke, barely above a whisper. Distracting himself by taking the reigns and keeping his eye line off of her. 

“For what reason would I rest?” 

“For…rest”

“Do I look tired?”

“Very”

That seemed to be the wrong answer as she turned back forward with a haughty sigh. At least her temper was something Link could recall way too well. In some roundabout way, it could comfort to know that her attitude is not something even a calamity could not take down. It could comfort, but it very much doesn’t. 

 To her, his reaction proved the instinctual need to coddle, but to him, it was just as he expected. A successful way to ruin that interaction in less than a few seconds. 

Truly if you had asked him what the nature of their relationship was he’d be lost. He had thought that they were close enough considering the last memory he has of her is her confiding in him the day of his untimely death. Perhaps something happened after that moment that would make the princess rather upset with him.

Maybe he really was overstepping a boundary with brash actions. He could be more mindful of her state and possibly not assume he knows what she wants, because truthfully he doesn't know her at all.

He had plenty of time to think through the logistics of this the many months before taking on Ganon, but of course, this worry only occurred to him in totality the moment they first spoke again.   

For him, the very few memories that he collected felt less of his own thoughts and feelings and more like a factual retelling of times long past. The memories themselves unfortunately left a lot of things unanswered for Link and for that reason, when Zelda stood there on that field he wasn't able to give her any sort of answer.

The least he can do now is get her to a safe place and not insult her in the process.

Even if she is like a ghost to him.

Even if seeing her is just as foreign to him.

Even if they're in different worlds. 

Riding once again, it allowed for the silence to become something welcomed. Letting Link a moment to focus once again on getting them to the village as soon as possible. Admittingly, him being on the horse helped them go from a walking pace to a canter and maybe if Link let her know that he would earn a bit of respect back he thought. But he knows that there is no guarantee that he wouldn’t put his foot in his mouth the second he spoke again. 

Even if she wanted to hold her anger she couldn't really. Besides, it's not like he never assumed this position just to let her rest, in fact, it was more strange he did so now. From his reaction to her question earlier she had assumed that most if not all of their previous interactions had been lost on him.

If that was the case, was he subconsciously repeating his behavior, or was it just the practical thing to do?

 She could spend the rest of their ride dwelling on this matter, or the slight that he gave her previously, but when you hear the rhythmic tamping of wet leaves below you, the soft breeze of a damp and free Hyrule, and a warm and begrudgingly comfortable surface behind you, the sleep beckons. 100 years of unease will do that to a princess. 

Eyelids closing on their own, Zelda’s head bobbed lightly with their riding before slipping forwards subconsciously. Luckily for her, though not appreciated then, Link very quickly brought a hand to stop her from falling fully as he clumsily pulled the reigns to slow down.

Eyes wide at the princess’ sudden dip, he tried to slowly and gently lean her back on his chest as he intended in the first place.

The wind continued to lightly blow as the sky above lost its orange hue, but for Link, his only objective was to stay extremely still until he was sure that she wasn't going to stir again.

He understood that all those years ago that she found ways to keep him on his toes but he never thought that she’d find so many ways to do so.

Let alone in her sleep.

As she stilled once again, the knight kept a very close eye on her as he carefully unclipped his cloak and laid it on her as much as it could cover. It's the least he could offer her considering she must have been cold in her beat-down prayer dress.

Considering that, Link could only wonder if the Link she was familiar with would have done something about that sooner. He reasoned that he owed it to her and to the Link in his past to get her to Lady Impa in one piece. 

So swallowing his pride, Link took the breath he needed to take in order to act in such a way and did what he had to for both of their sakes. 

Shifting forward he arched an arm over her to pull her close and secure and looped the reigns around his palm once over. Giving a tug and a silent order to his horse before taking off once again. 

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This is my first fanfic ever and Im starting to write this as an excuse to feel more confident about creative writing in the future! I have no been approved for an a03 account just yet so this is the platform this is on so far.