#legend of Zelda fanfic

[manias-wordcount]

um !! so ive totally been using ur page as my nightly routine teehee and like. sorry in advance if ur requests r clsoed , im new to tumblr so i seriously have no idea how to check😭😭

but i was thinking ;; could you please write a smut for totk link and fem reader ? in whichhh u both hide in a closet together in like the castle or smth.. and to calm u down he like lets u ride him HAJHAH

so embarrassed, but imagining the shakey breaths and sounds of his armour clanking against the wall as he thrusts upwar ds .....

i know im a slut but im only a girl !! i cant help it..!

- r 🍒

Hero's Duty (BOTW Link x Reader)

𝗔/𝗡: 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗼!

𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚: 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘃𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝘅, 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻�� 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝘀𝘀𝘆 𝗟𝗠𝗔𝗢

𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚? ⇒ 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩

𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙧?

𝙗𝙪𝙮 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚?

He shouldn’t be doing this. He shouldn’t be giving in like this. He should be stronger than this. He shouldn’t be thinking like this. He shouldn’t be  wanting  this. He shouldn’t. He shouldn’t.  He shouldn’t. 

  But fate is a cruel mistress. And he can’t stand it when you squeeze your thighs together and look at him like he’s the only thing you’ll ever need.  He can’t stand it.

  Still, He’s supposed to be a knight. He’s supposed to be a hero. Disciplined and proper. Courageous and strong. Polite. Gallant. Respect. Dignified.  Honorable.  He’s supposed to be  all those things.  And he is! He swears, deep down inside he is. He knows he is.  Everyone  knows he is. He’s been congratulated by the king directly before. Called upon by him to take up arms and join the fight. And He serves Princess. He serves the people. He serves the kingdom. Hell, he’s even wearing some of his royal armor right now. He’s supposed to be a knight. He’s supposed to be a hero. He’s supposed to be  protecting you  right now.

  Not lifting up your dress and gripping your hips as he bounces your needy little hole down onto his cock over and over and over and over again. 

  It’s not what he should be doing. He has a mission. He has orders. He has a task to complete. Duty to fulfill. People to  protect.  People who  need  him. But your pussy feels so tight and so warm and so  wet  around his cock it’s amazing how he managed to last this long. But now that he started, he knows he can’t stop. He  won’t  stop. Not until he’s finished. Not until you’re  both  finished. 

  “ Ah….um, Link- Ah~”

  However long it takes. 

  “You like that, princess?” He murmurs lowly, blue eyes narrowing in on your face as your eyes cross and your mouth falls open into a lewd expression. You don’t respond- at least, you don’t respond with words to his question. But at this point, he’s not even sure if you would have been able to hear him over the sounds of your cute little whimpers and moans as he thursts his hips into you. Or maybe it’s the dirty sounds of your  soaking  wet little cunt taking in every single inch of his dick that keeps you from hearing the sound of your lover’s voice. He doesn’t know for certain, but the selfish,  selfish  part of him likes to think it’s a combination of the two. And the rational part of him? “You’re taking me so well pretty girl.  So well. ”

  The rational part of him  knows  it’s a little bit of both. Plus the fact that you always manage to get a little dick drunk when someone fucks you good and proper. And luckily for you, Link’s happy to play knight in shining armor to his needy little princess and her  perfectly tight little holes -

  Fuck,  you bring out the worst in him. But you know that don’t you? He swears it. He swears you do. He swears you  have to .  Goddesses,  he doesn’t even remember what he’s supposed to be doing right now. He knows it was supposed to be something important. Something only he could do. But then you started getting anxious. After every battle, after every fight- you still manage to worry about him. You still manage to fear that your powers and your efforts as his support won’t be good enough. 

  It’s cute how you worry. It’s cute how you care. But he had a job to do. And he needed you in good shape to do it. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t quell your nerves. Your silent shaking. Your quiet whimpers. And worst of all? Every promise that he’ll protect was starting to fall flat in your ears. Every comforting touch didn’t seem like it worked. Didn’t seem like it was  enough . But he had a job to do. A job that included your safekeeping and your safe return. So he did what any good knight would do. 

  He pulled you into the nearest closet he could find and got you nice and relaxed on his fingers before stuffing you nice and full with his cock. 

  Now your moans bounce off the walls like hymns in a church. Now his name falls off of your lips like deities in a prayer. Now you can be protected. Nurtured. Cared for. All by him. All for you. 

  And maybe there were better ways of taking care of you and your fears. Maybe an orgasm and a good dicking down isn’t exactly what you need in this moment. But your precious little pussy is taking his cock so effortlessly that he’s starting to feel less of a knight and more like a man. A man who can’t help but have wants. A man who can’t help but feel lust. A man who can’t help but need to  fuck  a pretty girl when he’s not supposed to and make excuses about it.

  And he’ll do it again the next chance he gets. He’ll do it all over again. 

  “ Mmm, Link I’m…I’m close…”

  Your whimper is quiet, but within the four walls of this closet, it could be the loudest thing in the world right now. Louder than the loud slap of his pelvis hitting against your skin. Louder than his armor groaning and creaking under all this movement. Louder than the sound of you get exactly what you asked for when you look at your hero to distract you- to  save you - from this moment of fear. 

  “ Oh, yeah baby? You’re getting close? ”

  But that’s the thing… he knows. He knows because you’ve been getting louder. He knows because you’ve been getting  tighter . He knows because every single time his gaze falls back to the spot where your bodies join, and his dick gets swallowed up by your  perfect little cunt  time after time, he feels his own core tightening up in a way he can only assume will leave you nice and full and  messy  until he gets the chance to clean you up later on. He  knows  you’re close. He  knows .

  “ Well, that’s too bad, princess.”  He grinds out, eyes narrowing into slits as his hands tighten his grip on your hips. And  goddesses,  how you whimper. Goddesses, how you  whine . But no matter how many times you beg him and you cry to him he doesn’t change up like he knows you want him to. He doesn’t shift his angle to hit deeper. He doesn’t speed up his thrusts to hit faster. He doesn’t cater to your every whim. He doesn’t listen to your heavenly cries when you beg him to let you reach euphoria with every single breath you take. At least, not this time. At least, not yet. 

  But fuck,  you bring out the worst in him. You bring out the absolute worst in him. You bring out the  man  in him. So it’s only fair. It’s only fair that he takes what’s his. It’s only fair that he calls the shots. That he makes the orders on this battlefield. That he fucks you how he wants to. That he fucks you how he needs to. 

  That he fucks you like he absolutely should.

  Because deep down in his mind, he’s still a knight. He’s still disciplined and proper. Courageous and strong. Polite. Gallant. Respect. Dignified.  Honorable.  He can learn to say no to you. He can learn not to give into your every want. To your every need. He can learn. He can do it. He’s your knight in shining armor. He’s your one and only hero. Your one and only  everything . So he can do it. He can do it. He can. 

  Can’t he?

[athena-theunicorn]

Who wants to bet Link has an intense fear of robots after the guardians and has a mini heart attack every time a construct moves because they make similar machine noises.

[heyitsmechuey]

Splash Fruit - Sidon x Reader

Just a quick drabble regarding our favourite fish boy! Trying to include other characters in my stories besides just Rauru brain rot, and Sidon is just the cutest sometimes >_< I did proof read, but I have been drinking so please forgive that lmao Also shameless plug for my LoZ fanfiction/art/ fandom server! Feel free to stop by~ https://discord.gg/H8Y4R4fTBj Enjoy!

Word Count: 520 words -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Like this?”

You were uncertain as you inquired, thumb pressing into the bottom half of the blue-speckled fruit. Sidon chuckled softly when you struggled to apply enough pressure to complete the action, his own splash fruit nestled between his thumb and fore finger. “Minnow, you have to really push, or else it won’t work properly!”

He was oddly enthusiastic for what was akin to a child’s water toy as he explained to you, but you followed his instructions anyways, determined to at least prove you can do it. Your effects paid off when your thumb and the fruit’s peel effectively caved in, and an echoic *pop* coming from the top of the fruit; you jumped, not expecting it to be so loud. Basking in the glory of accomplishment, you smiled from ear to ear. After a moment of silence, your gaze followed the supposed trajectory of the watery liquid that splashed from the top but when your sight levelled, you were left staring at your boyfriend, hands up to his face, wiping and letting out a sputtered breath. There was a moment of panic, as you dropped the fruit and rushed over, frantically apologizing. “Sidon! I’m sorry! I-I didn’t realize it was going to-”;

Cold and wet made contact with you before you even got to finish, and your hands went up in defence, although not proving effective as the top half of your outfit became damp, all the while you were patting at your eyes to clear the blurry vision. Sidon raised the back of his hand to his mouth as he laughed with a juvenile arrogance and once you recovered, you gave him a look of loving annoyance, which then only amplified his laughter, nearly doubling over in front of you. You placed a soft, teasing slap to his arm, one that he ignored completely as you told him that he could have at least waited until you were prepared. He wiped a tear form his eye, struggling to breathe properly as he spoke, “P-Please! It was just the perfect opportunity for payback! The look on your face- it was cute!”

Another small swat made contact with his arm, only this time out of embarrassment. He reassured you it was a harmless retaliation, bringing his hand up to your face, wiping the remnants of sweet, sticky juice from your cheek; he gave a playful smile as he brought his thumb to his lips, giving a soft lick to the pad.

“Sweeter than ever~”, he teased, leaning down to place a kiss on your forehead, before leaning further to catch your lips - you pulled away from him, popping your untouched lips together with a grin.

If he wanted to play games, then he would get games, you thought as you flashed him another fruit tight in your grasp, the playful glint in your eye making him look at you with confused rejection. “If the prince wants a kiss, he’ll have to catch me first~”, and you were off.

He let out a stunned groan as he watched you run down the stairs of the domain. He followed you though.

[lily-alphonse]

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

Category: M/M

Rating: Teen (Mild injury, mild violence)

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

Words: 4,160

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

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

➽───────────────❥

The first time it happened, Revali felt extremely foolish. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Link thankfully didn’t press it. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This whole thing was so stupid. 

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

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

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

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

If only he could give Link wings. 

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

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

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

No, that would be absurd. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

➽───────────────❥

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Tell you?” Revali asked. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Revali huffed a laugh. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fun, he signed.

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

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

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

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

➽───────────────❥

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

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

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

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

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

Link opened up the folded canvas and inspected it. 

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

Revali nodded quickly. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What?” 

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

You. Catch.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

➽───────────────❥

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

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

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

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

Link pulled back and signed, thank you. 

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

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

He signed again. And I forgive you. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

[secretlysheikah]

Hey~

Hey you~

Want another thing to read? I have another chapter for S. A. W. T. D. Lovingly written with @havenwitchworks about two Sheikah’s against the world and a hell of a lot of Yiga.

It’s super fun, full of drama, fighting, angst and

Mystery

If you’re curious, here’s the next chapter:

Want to start from the beginning? I have that here too! Get ready to delve into the mysterious world of the Sheikah clan, deal with strange magics and save some missing people.

[musical-chan]

Shadow of a Deity (A LU/FoT crossover)

Chapter 1: A Portal Awry

Link had a mask that was a deity. In one universe, that deity became a father. In another, he didn't. What happens when those two realities collide?

The portal was askew as the nine heroes named Link tumbled out of it. 

The journey had not been a good one. Something had gone wrong.  Instead of walking calmly between one time and the next, they had fallen into this new one.  All the other trips had been a seamless journey, instantaneous from one place to another.  This had taken too long, with a pressure that squeezed and pulled at them, like their destination was somewhere they didn't belong. Instead of an open door, the portal was a crack in a wall they had to force their way through.  When they finally found fresh air, they stumbled, fell and nearly lost the contents of their stomachs as they sprawled under the great, spreading branches of many trees in a deep, dark woods. 

"Where are we? When are we?" Legend climbed shakily to his feet, sharp eyes taking in every detail.  There were so many dark forests in Hyrule over many years that they could be anywhen at all.  He spun at the sound and feel of collapsing magic and watched as the portal fizzled away into nothing.  "Well, there's that. We're trapped here."

(Read the rest on AO3!)

Continuity for this fic is as follows: Father of Time: After the second Termina visit, before the Hebra trip, probably before the Navi reveal Linked Universe: After the whole Dawn storyline, most likely before the temple.

[iti-iskuna]

Mo's Zelink Week 2024 Master List!

damn sorry I'm late. yeah I'm walking in with coffee. what about it. anyways, here's a handy dandy list of all the fics I wrote for Zelink Week 2024, for easy access!

Day 1: Under the Stars -- The Wisdom to Know the Difference

Day 2: Fading -- In Every Shade of Blue

Day 3: Blooming -- To Sow You Back Up Like a Garden

Day 4: Enchantment -- Somebody to Love

Day 5: Spellbound -- head empty

Day 6: Sealed Fate -- Upon the Face of Fate

Day 7: Reunion -- no thoughts

thank you all SO so much for all the love you've shown me this week. you all rock my world! and a special thank you for @zelinkcommunity for putting this all together, thank you all for your service fr. zelink be upon ye all <3333

(p.s. i did end up coming up with ideas for days 5 and 7, even if i didn't get to writing them. i may try to write them this week as late submissions, or just write them at a later date for fun, so stay tuned!)

[queenofhyruleee]

Knight in Shining Armor Chapter 2

I did it!!

I continued the story!!

____________________________________________________________

Thud. Thud. 

The sudden noise kickstarted your heart, and your mind raced with all of the possibilities as to who could be at the door. Wrapping yourself up in your blanket for a bit more decency, you crept slowly down the stairs. 

The shop was bathed in moonlight, and through a window you could just barely make out a tall silhouette standing outside. It was not bright enough that you could make out who it was, but you could tell that it was definitely a man. 

A feeling of annoyance bloomed in your chest. Was it Elis? You had absolutely no desire to talk to or see him at the moment. The sadness you felt earlier had gradually faded into anger and you were afraid that if you had to look at his face in your current state of mind you would say something you would come to regret. 

Wrapping the blanket tighter around you, you stopped right in front of the door. 

“Go away, Elis. I don’t want to see you right now. If you wanted to talk to me you should have bothered to show up to Telma’s this evening like you were supposed to.” Your voice was clear and devoid of any emotion. You didn’t want him to know how hurt you were. 

“Well, then I might have some good news for you.”

Your eyebrows shot up, surprised to hear the voice on the other side. You immediately fumbled with the locks and pulled the door open. 

“Link?” 

Said man was leaning comfortably against a wooden beam that stood just a few meters away from the door. He was dressed in his casual civilian clothing, his fancy Royal Guard uniform swapped out for a loose fitting green tunic and tan pants. His blonde hair was partially pulled back into a half ponytail and the rest of his shoulder-length locks framed his face in a way that gave him a very ruggedly handsome appearance. He looked up as the door opened and gave you a soft smile. 

“Hey. Can I come in? I bring gifts.” He patted the bag that hung at his side. Still working through your feelings of surprise, you simply nodded and stepped to the side so that he could pass by you. 

After putting the locks back into place, you turned around and suddenly felt very self-conscious about your clothing.. or lack thereof. Underneath your blanket you were only wearing a large nightshirt that hardly covered your butt. You cursed yourself mentally for not having the foresight to put on some pants. 

“What are you doing here?” You asked, squinting up at your friend. Afraid that your tone was a bit too harsh, you immediately rushed to add, “N-not that I’m unhappy you’re here! It’s just late and you’ve had a long day, I’m surprised you’re not already asleep.” 

You certainly were not unhappy that he was here. In fact, you made a point to not acknowledge the relief (and maybe a bit of happiness) that had immediately washed over you when you saw that it was him at the door instead of Elis. His presence brought nothing but comfort, which you knew would not have been the case for anyone else. The only thing that made you nervous was the fact that he had seen you so upset earlier. You weren’t sure you were feeling up to rehashing the day’s shitty events and how worthless you were. 

Link just shrugged. “Even if I wasn’t here, I wouldn’t be sleeping. There’s a fancy party taking place up at the castle right now. I should be working, but I called in a favor with Zelda and managed to get out of it.” He grinned mischievously, clearly proud of his actions. 

You were surprised to feel a pang of jealousy at hearing how casually Link referred to the Princess. It was another reminder of just how close he was to the royal. You didn’t know everything about their relationship, but you did know that whatever connection they did have with each other was unlike any other. You’ve heard whispers and rumors about the true nature of their relationship, but Link had never confirmed or denied them to you and you never brought them up. 

But it would make sense if they were together. I mean, that is the kind of woman that Link deserves. Truthfully, she’s probably the only person worthy of him. 

“Well, I’m flattered that you chose to spend your night off here… but again, that begs the question: why?” You weren’t meaning to sound so skeptical and negative, but surely he had better ways to fill his time. 

Link cocked an eyebrow. “Is it not enough to just want to come and see you?” He asked. 

The effortless way he said that, as if it were the most obvious answer in the whole word, made your heart flutter. He intentionally made time to come see you? He wanted to come see you in the first place? 

You opened your mouth, struggling to find words. 

“Do you have any clean forks?” He asked suddenly, changing the subject. His random question seemed to snap you out of the stupor you had found yourself in. 

“What?” 

“Forks. We need some forks.” He turned then, making his way upstairs to where the living area and small kitchen were. You followed behind, still feeling very much confused. 

Link rummaged through the kitchen drawers as if he lived there, taking no longer than a few seconds to produce two forks, one of which he gave you. Then, he pulled a small container out of his satchel. You frowned at it, trying to figure out what it was. 

“I managed to snag a piece for us before I left the castle,” he grinned, setting the container down on the counter. He took off the lid, revealing a gorgeous slice of white cake. It was topped with thick white frosting and decorated with blue and gold flowers. It looked delicious. You stared at it with wide eyes, then looked up at Link. He waved his hand at it. 

“Well, ladies first.” 

You didn’t even pretend to be polite and deny the offer. Instead, you happily dug in. You tried and failed to hold in the moan that came from the back of your throat as you took the first bite. It was absolutely delicious, practically melting in your mouth. 

“Lingk, dish ish amazin’!” Your voice was muffled, but happiness outweighed the shame of forgetting your manners. 

He nodded, taking a bite of the cake for himself. But unlike you, he waited until he was finished swallowing to speak. 

“I know how much you love sweets, so I figured that if I brought you a piece you wouldn’t be so angry with me for potentially waking you up. A peace offering, if you will.”  

You shook your head. “You could murder my family and I’d still forgive you if you gave me a piece of this cake.” 

Link laughed, the warm sound almost as satisfying as the food. “Alright, noted.” 

The two of you finished the treat in a comfortable silence, and Link insisted on cleaning the forks himself once you were done. You sat on the counter next to him as he scrubbed the utensils with a rag and some water. Watching from the corner of your eye, you were amused at how concentrated he was. He carefully inspected each fork, rescrubbing when he found even the smallest fleck of cake or frosting left behind. 

“Slayer of monsters and dirty dishes. What can’t you do?” You joked. 

He hummed, considering the question. “I’m not really a fan of laundry.” 

“Oh ho, so the great Link does have a mortal enemy then.” 

“The very sight of a pile of dirty clothing strikes fear right into my very soul!” He exclaimed dramatically, turning to give you a look of exaggerated fear. He paused suddenly, frowning as he looked at your face. He took a step towards you and leaned in. “Hold still..” 

You froze as he reached out towards you, unsure of what was happening. His warm hand cupped your cheek gently, and your heart started to pound so loud you were positive he could hear it. Before you could ask him what he was doing, he brushed his thumb over the corner of your mouth a few times. 

“There,” he said quietly, a look of concentration on his face. “All gone.” 

You just looked at him with wide eyes, and he met your gaze with a soft smile. Your cheeks burned underneath his palm. Both his touch and his proximity made your heart race and clouded your mind.

What is going on? Why am I reacting like this?

He held your gaze for what felt like forever, and you weren’t sure but you could swear you felt his thumb softly brushing over your cheek slowly. His touch was so light, however, that you could have just been imagining it. 

You found yourself feeling a small sting of disappointment when he seemed to snap out of whatever trance he was in and pulled his hand back quickly. Your cheek suddenly felt ice cold and you almost wished he would put his hand back where it was. 

“Sorry,” he said, clearing his throat. “You had some frosting on your cheek.” 

You let out a nervous laugh, and the quiet that enveloped the room as Link finished cleaning the dishes was awkward and not as comfortable as before. When he finished, he turned to face you and leaned up against the counter. You scrambled for anything to say, hoping to break whatever weird tension had built up between the two of you

“Thank you for bringing me the cake. It was so good, I might have to break in to the castle sometime to get some more.” 

Your joke seemed to do the trick, and Link visibly relaxed a bit. “Well, good thing you know one of the Royal Guards. I’m sure he could be persuaded to help you on your mission.” 

You grinned. “Maybe I could offer to do his laundry for him, think that would work?” 

The tension in the air was shattered by the sound of both yours and Link’s laughter. Whatever that awkward moment was, it was gone now. Though you could still feel the ghost of his hand resting gently on your cheek. 

Link’s laughter died down, and his face slowly morphed into something a bit more serious. He crossed his arms and his eyes bore into yours. “So.. do you want to talk about it?” 

You froze, and your smile slowly dropped as your brain took a second to register what exactly it was that he was talking about. 

Of course he wasn’t going to let you pretend that he didn’t see you crying like a baby in the midst of a large and happy crowd. 

You bit your lip and suddenly found a very interesting piece of fuzz on the blanket that was sitting in your lap. As you picked at it, you tried to fight off the tears that had begun to prick at the corner of your eyes. 

“There’s nothing to talk about.” You worked hard to keep your voice steady. 

“Where was he?” It was a simple question, but it cut through you like a knife. What hurt the most is that you couldn’t even answer it because you didn’t even know where he was. 

You ignored the tears as they began to slowly slip down your cheek. You kept your head down, continuing to focus on the blanket, but soon the piece of fuzz was joined by small water marks as the tears dropped down around it. 

“I don’t know.” You muttered. 

“What do you mean?” 

You sniffed, feeling slightly embarrassed to admit the truth. “He never showed up. I don’t know where he was.” 

The silence that followed spoke volumes. Looking up through your lashes, Link’s face was difficult to read. The muscles in his face flexed beneath smooth skin as he clenched his jaw. 

You laughed weakly. “Pathetic, right?”

“Something is pathetic, that’s for sure,” he muttered darkly. 

“This keeps happening. I don’t know what I did but obviously,” your lip started to quiver violently and your voice shook as you struggled to speak, “I’m not good enough for some reason.” The last word came out as a sob, and you slapped your hand over your mouth to try and keep the rest from coming out. It didn’t help. 

There was a long pause where the only sound in the shop was the sound of your crying. Then, “Get dressed.” 

You hiccuped, trying to catch your breath and calm yourself down. You looked up in confusion, wiping your nose in case any snot had started to make its exit from your nose. “What?” 

“Get dressed,” Link repeated, a serious look on his face. “We’re going out.” 

It took a few seconds for his words to register, and you shook your head vigorously. “No, Link, I don’t-”

His warm skin was once again on your cheek, the back of his hand softly brushing away the tears that sat there. 

He leaned in suddenly, his face just centimeters from yours, and there was a sparkle of something almost mischievous in his blue eyes. A stark contrast from the stoic expression he had been wearing moments before. 

“Last one to the castle entrance is a rotten cucco egg.” His voice was a soft whisper, nearly inaudible. You stared up at him, a dumb look on your face. 

“Wha..?” 

But before you could ask any more questions, he gave you a delishly grin and took off, running out of the room and clunking down the stairs loudly. 

“I - what? Link! Hey, wait!” You shouted after him, but got no response. “Oh fuck me,” you muttered. But you couldn’t deny the childlike giddiness that was bubbling up inside you as you ran to your room and pulled on some decent clothes as quickly as you could, determined to catch up with your friend. He had challenged you, and he knew that you weren’t one to back down from a challenge. 

As you exited the shop, you saw Link standing a few doors down, obviously waiting for you. He didn’t let you catch up, however, and with a quick grin he was off again, running through the streets of Castle Town. 

“This isn’t fair!” You shouted as you sprinted after him. “You got a head start!” 

He looked back as he ran. “Don’t blame me because you’re slow!”

You stuck your tongue out at him, and then watched in horror as an unsuspecting couple walked right into the path of an inattentive Link who was charging like a bull. You opened your mouth to warn him, but luckily he turned back at just the right moment. He managed to jump out of the way, mostly avoiding them. But he still tripped over the man’s shoes, stumbling forward wildly. You didn’t even bother holding back the laughter as you followed behind, watching as he struggled to regain his balance. 

“Sorry!” Link shouted, not even bothering to stop as he apologized. The couple gave him a nasty glare, then made to keep walking. However, they were once again abruptly stopped as you ran right into their path. You didn’t even need to look to know they were also giving you a dirty glare as well.

“Sorry!” You copied Link, also not even bothering to look back. 

You couldn’t stop the laughter that was spilling out as you ran. The sadness from earlier seemed to melt away with each stride you took. All you were focused on now was keeping an eye on Link and trying to catch up. He kept glancing back to check on you as well, and the smile on his face as he did so gave you butterflies. 

“Is that the best you got?” He shouted over his shoulder. 

“You know, it’s amazing you can run so fast with a head that big!” You shot back. His laughter carried down, filling your ears. 

“It’s part of the Royal Guard training!” 

Big head aside, by the time you got to the castle entrance out of breath and sweaty, he was already there waiting, looking completely unfazed. Not even a drop of sweat on his brow. 

He pretended to yawn as you dragged yourself up to him. “Well, it’s about time.” 

You glared at him as you leaned down and placed your hands on your knees to try and catch your breath. He just smiled innocently. 

“How does it feel?” He asked. 

“What, the stabbing pain in my side? The sweet embrace of death herself?” You panted. 

“Being a rotten cucco’s egg, I mean.” 

You couldn’t even pretend to be mad, a loud laugh escaping your lips. He joined in, and next thing you knew, the both of you were in tears and struggling for air. 

Once you two gained your composures, Link straightened up and gestured to the paved road that led up to the castle. 

“There? Link, we can’t just walk into the castle!” You looked nervously at the very large guards that stood on either side of the entrance. They looked straight ahead, their faces completely blank. But you knew that they weren’t zoned out and would not hesitate to use the very sharp looking swords they had strapped to their hips if need be. 

“C’mon, it��ll be fine. I promise.” He held out his arm to you. Hesitantly, you linked your arm with his and let him lead you. As you walked up to the guards, Link simply nodded to them. They returned the nod, and let you walk by without any issue. 

“Wow, must be nice to be the Hero of Hyrule,” you muttered sarcastically. He shrugged. 

“I guess putting my life on the line to save Princess Zelda and all of the people of Hyrule, yourself included, comes with the added perk of being able to enter and exit the castle freely. I mean really, that’s what makes it all worth it if I’m being honest.” 

You rolled your eyes at him and gently smacked his arm. He rarely ever made jokes or even talked about the events that led to him being hailed as a hero, so it was strange to hear him acknowledge it, even if he was just joking around. He just smiled down at you, and the two of you continued the walk in a comfortable silence. 

You weren’t exactly sure where he was taking you but as you approached the grand steps leading up to the front door of the castle, he quickly whisked you to the side and instead led you down a small path that disappeared around the side of the castle. 

“Where are we going?” You finally asked. He glanced down. 

“You’ll see. We’re almost there.” 

After a few more minutes, you ended up in front of a small arched gate. Thick green vines covered most of the silver metal, and you wondered if it would even open at all. But without any effort Link pushed one side and it swung open easily. He held out his hand, which you took, and led you through. 

The air grew thick with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Crickets sang from their hiding places, competing with the sound of the leaves on the trees gently rustling in the soft breeze. The garden you had stepped into was filled with lush greenery, more vines climbing up the castle walls in a race to get to the top. The small area was dimly lit by the light of several small fairies, much to your wonderment. Some floated through the air, their tiny wings shimmering in the moonlight. Others sat perched on flowers or the trees, beautifully twinkling in the dark. 

The sound of water trickling drew your attention to a small pond that sat in the corner of the garden. The water was calm, the reflection of the bright moon and stars dancing on the surface. Small ripples danced throughout as water traveled down a small waterfall made naturally by large rocks. You saw other sporadic ripples in the water further out, hinting at tiny creatures who have made the pond their home. 

You truly had no words as you stood and absorbed the sight before you. The garden was small and magical, a sense of peace and serenity washing over you as you took in the beautiful sights and sounds under the lights of the moon and the fairies. From the corner of your eye, you could see Link looking down at you with a strange look on his 

face. 

After a few minutes of stunned silence, you finally found your voice. “What is this place?” You whispered. 

Link gently grabbed your arm again, guiding you to take steps forward. “Come on, let's sit.” 

A small bench sat at the edge of the pond, and the two of you took a seat and looked out at the water before you. You felt almost hypnotized watching the small stream trickle down the rocks and listening to the soft bubbling that accompanied it. 

“After.. everything,” Link started, his quiet voice pulling you out of your trance, “I spent a lot of time here.” 

You looked up and saw that he wasn’t looking at you, but rather looking out at the pond with a faraway expression on his face. You decided to stay silent to see if he would continue. He did. 

“It was really difficult at first. Well, it still is honestly. But those first few weeks, months, after Zelda was back and we were picking up the pieces left behind after so long of turmoil and destruction.. I really struggled.

The transition from being constantly on the road, constantly fighting, constantly throwing myself into the face of danger and being unsure if I would live to see another day, another hour even..” 

Your heart ached as you listened. You had only ever known Link to be courageous and brave. Hearing him talk about his struggles was difficult, and you didn’t want to think of him in any pain - emotional or otherwise. 

He sighed, shaking his head. “When nobody knew who I was, it was easy. I mean obviously what I was doing wasn’t easy, but before I felt like I was only responsible for myself and…” his voice trailed off, and you sensed there was something painful in the word that was supposed to come after “and”. But it never came. 

“I had pressure to succeed of course, knowing what fate would await Hyrule if I didn’t. But I didn’t have much time to stop and consider things. I just did what I had to do to get through each day.”

He nibbled anxiously on his bottom lip. A rare display of doubt and worry. “Now everyone looks up to me. They put me on such a high pedestal and for so long all I could think about was how much it was going to hurt when I fell. Because nobody really knows what I did. They don’t know the choices I had to make. The mistakes I made. How could I possibly be deserving of their love, their unwavering trust, with how many things I’ve done wrong?” 

Gingerly, you placed your hand on his knee. You weren’t sure what to say, or if he even wanted you to say anything. But you wanted to comfort him somehow. For him to know that you were listening and there for him. 

“I used to come out here almost every night. I had.. I had trouble sleeping for a while. And when I did, it was mostly nightmares. So I would come here and think about the questions I was too scared to ask out loud. What could I have done differently? Did I save everyone I could have saved?” 

You could feel your heart breaking with that final sentence. The look on his face and the pain in his voice. You had no idea how he could doubt himself when he had saved so many people, but you also couldn’t pretend to understand what he had gone through either. 

He turned to you, and you could see the vulnerability written on his face. “Luckily my nights out here have been becoming fewer and fewer in recent months. I don’t think I will ever be able to fully feel like I deserve any of the praise I get, but I am coming to terms with it. Learning to live with it. The voices in the back of my head will always be there, but they’re getting quieter and quieter with time.” 

Silence once again fell between the two of you, and you waited to see if he was going to continue. He did not. So you focused on the sounds of the night while you tried to think of the best way to respond to him. 

Link was one of your closest friends, but he had never been so open and honest and.. raw with his feelings before. While it hurt you to think of him struggling through all of those emotions alone, part of you - the selfish part - was over the moon that he had chosen to share these things with you. This was a whole new side of Link you were experiencing, but you decided that this was the most important one. This was the side that showed you the real Link. And he trusted you with that. That was no small thing. 

“Link, I’m so sorry.. I had no idea you were dealing with all of that.” Your eyes searched his, hoping he could hear and see the sincerity in your words. He gave you a small smile and shrugged. 

“I didn’t tell anyone. With all of the eyes on me, I didn’t want anyone to think I was ungrateful. Everyone believes me to be a strong and heroic person, so that’s what I’m going to show them.”

You shook your head. “But Link, I don’t think there’s a single person out there that would blame you for feeling the way you did. I mean, none of us know what it was like for you and you’re right. As soon as the dust settled, you were thrust into the spotlight and given all those fancy titles and promotions. There wasn’t much of an adjustment period, which I’m sure would be hard for anyone.” 

He was quiet for a minute before laughing softly, which confused you immensely. Had you said something funny? 

“Did I ever tell you what my life was like before? Back when I was just an average person who had never even been in a physical fight, nevermind battled monsters and evil rulers.” When you shook your head, he continued, a hint of longing in his voice. “I was a cattle ranch hand. I spent my days on my horse, rounding up the goats, cleaning stalls, and working on random projects around the ranch. Occasionally had to go and wrangle a goat or two that had gotten loose and tried to make its way down to the village.” 

You couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped your lips as you tried to imagine Link wrestling with an angry bleating goat. He raised an eyebrow and pretended to look offended. “Don’t you laugh, it was serious business. To this day I think I’d rather take on Ganondorf than a pissed off goat charging at me.” 

You nodded furiously and closed your lips together tightly, pretending to zip them up, lock them, and throw away the key. Link rolled his eyes but grinned at your foolishness. 

“Anyways, I just never would have imagined what my future would hold. And don’t get me wrong, I am immensely grateful for Zelda and the people of Hyrule and everything they have done for and given me. But a part of me I think will always mourn the life I could have had. Simple but pleasant. With the freedom to exist without the weight of all this pressure.” He sighed wistfully, looking once again back out across the pond. 

“Well, for what it’s worth, you are deserving.” He turned away from the pond to look back at you, and you continued. “You’re deserving not only because of what you did, but because of who you are. You are kind, you are caring, and you have the biggest heart of anyone I know. You intentionally go out of your way to help strangers, you play with the city’s kids during your free time, you visit other villages around Hyrule to make sure they have everything they need and if they don’t you make sure they get it, you share your food with starving potion makers.. I could go on, but I think you get the point.” 

Link pursed his lips and tapped a finger on his chin as if he were thinking hard about something. “No, no I think I’d like you to continue.” 

You scoffed loudly. “Fine. You also have the biggest head of anyone I know. That’s quite an impressive feat.” 

His laugh was loud and genuine, and you didn’t even mind that it disrupted the peaceful quiet of the garden. You shoved his shoulder with yours, and he gladly returned the gesture. The two of you battled it out for a minute or two before Link put up his hands in surrender. With a triumphant smile you leaned back on your hands and looked up at the sky. 

“Thank you.” He said after a few moments of comfortable silence. “For listening to all of that. It was nice to get it off my chest finally.” 

You sat up straight and gave him a serious look. “Anytime Link. I’m more than happy to listen when you need it. That’s what friends are for.” 

He stared at you for a few seconds before nodding and smiling, though for some reason it didn’t quite reach his eyes. It almost looked.. sad. Before you could ask him about it, he looked away and changed the topic. 

“Well, this is my special place to come and think about my life and whether I’m deserving of love and kindness. So I brought you here because I want you to do the same.” 

You took a sharp breath, suddenly being reminded about the situation with Elis and why you were even out of your bed in the first place. Since stepping into the garden you hadn’t thought once about it all. 

“What do you mean?” You asked. 

“I mean,” his voice was stern, “That you need to realize that you are also deserving. And to accept anything less is just cheating yourself.” When he looked at you, his gaze was intense and it seemed to cut right through to your very soul. 

Listening to Link talk about his feelings had been easy, but now that the attention was turned on to you, you suddenly felt very uncomfortable. You didn’t want to sit and list out all of the reasons why you were certainly not deserving and make yourself look even more pathetic than you already were. 

“It's hardly the same,” You said quietly. “You’re.. you. And I’m.. me.” 

He shook his head. “Our situations are unique, sure, but that does not mean that you are any less deserving of happiness.” 

“I am happy.” You knew it was a pathetic lie, and you knew that Link would absolutely not believe you. And by the look on his face, you could tell he certainly did not. But before he could lecture you any further, you suddenly stood up. 

“It’s getting late, and I’m very tired. Walk me home?” 

He looked like he wanted to protest, but eventually he nodded. Once again he held out his arm, and you took it, welcoming the sense of comfort and security being close to him brought. You did feel guilty that he had been so open and vulnerable with you tonight, only for you to immediately shut down when he tried to get you to do the same. But you hoped that he would realize that it wasn’t worth the discussion and would give it up. 

The walk back to your home was silent, neither of you knowing what to say. It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence per se, but the journey to the garden had certainly been more fun. You kept stealing glances at Link from the corner of your eye as you walked, but his face was unreadable. You had no idea what was going on in that mind of his. 

When you reached your shop, you were both relieved and disappointed. You dropped Link’s arm and unlocked the shop door. When you turned around to say goodbye, you were surprised to find that Link was much closer than you expected. 

Your heart began to beat rapidly at the proximity, which was silly because you had just spent the whole walk home arm-in-arm with him. But something about the way that he was standing, looking down at you just a step away, felt different. More intimate. 

You looked up at him - goddesses, he was tall - with wide eyes. He said nothing as he brought his hand up to your face. With a gentle touch, he caught hold of a lock of your hair and tucked it back behind your ear. His fingertips brushed your neck softly, sending tingles down your spine and butterflies erupting in your stomach. 

“Please just think about what I said,” he murmured, his voice so soft you almost had to strain to hear what he said. His hand was still holding the side of your neck, however, and really that’s all you could focus. Link probably could have shouted his words directly into your ear and you still wouldn’t have heard him properly. 

You nodded, unable to form words or even a single coherent thought. His thumb delicately stroked the sensitive skin behind your ear, triggering another wave of tingles and butterflies. 

“Promise?” His blue eyes were pleading and sincere. 

You nodded again, not even able to imagine how you could possibly say no to him in this moment. 

He stared for a moment longer before nodding, seeming to accept your answer. You expected him to pull his hand away, but instead he pulled you into his chest, catching you completely off guard. His one hand stayed placed at the base of your neck while the other snaked around your back, pressing you to him.

You momentarily forgot how to breathe. 

Had he ever hugged you before? 

Why was he hugging you? 

WHY did he smell so good?? 

You felt brief pressure on the top of your head, and then he released you and stepped back. As he did so, you finally took the breath you hadn’t realized you were holding. 

“Sleep well.” His smile was warm and damn it, when did his smiles start to make your stomach flip so violently? 

Ever so smooth with words, you replied “Uhh okay.” 

Link gave a final wave goodbye and you stood there like an idiot, watching as he walked down the road until he turned and was out of sight. 

Then, as if a switch had been flipped in your brain, a million thoughts and emotions slammed into you at once. Giddiness, guilt, sadness, confusion, admiration - you felt it all. You had no idea how to even begin to process anything that had happened that night or the emotions that you were feeling. You were like a zombie as you wandered upstairs to your room and changed back into your sleep clothes, your head swimming with so many things. 

When you laid down finally, you decided to just push all of the thoughts and emotions away and shut your brain off. You would think about it later. Put off sorting out your feelings for later as you always did. 

But there was one feeling you couldn’t push out of your head no matter how much you tried. The feeling of Link’s touch. His hand on your cheek wiping away the tears. His thumb stroking your neck softly. His arms wrapped around you as he pulled you close. And how utterly empty you felt when he pulled away. 

Groaning, you smashed your face into your pillow and pulled the covers up over your head until you were enveloped in total darkness. 

“Sleep well.” 

“Fuck off,” you muttered to yourself, knowing that the very person who said those words would be the exact reason why you would not.

[hlizr50]

Happy Zelink Week 2024!!!

Day 1: Under the Stars

The Oblivion of Sleep

Read on AO3

Or check it out below!

Goddess, she was tired.

It was more than mere sleeplessness. No, it was a bone-deep, soul-crushing exhaustion, beneath the weight of her sacrifice and the abject terror that she would close her eyes and lose everything again. She didn’t regret the choices she’d made. She would do it all again, if it meant that her people would survive.

If it meant that he would survive.

She hadn’t spared a thought for what might happen after. The impossibility of the notion made the consideration an exercise in futility, and a temptation to somehow find another way. But how could she cling to her life as she’d known it when the very future was at stake?

And so she’d paid the price - not with her life, but with her very soul and self. With only a blind faith that the man who meant more to her than nearly anything would understand and forgive her.

The Goddess must have taken pity on her, because her eyes had miraculously fluttered open once more, to the most heart-rending cerulean stare, her body wrapped in the warmth of an unyielding embrace.

Link’s gentle touches had been a near constant comfort since she woke. She couldn’t quite wrap her mind around how many days had passed, her insomnia-addled brain growing more muddled every minute. But the tender brush of battle-calloused fingers was never far. It was as if the hero needed the constant reminder that she was real. That she was at his side.

Truth be told, she was glad for the reminder herself.

Still, her guard’s constant vigilance made it more and more difficult to hide the drag of her feet over the dirt paths of Hateno, her meager appetite, and the bruises of sleeplessness below her bleary gaze.

Goddess bless the nights when he slept soundly, and she could slide her trembling form out of bed, pad down the stairs, and sit herself at the table with a candle, her beloved texts, and the blank parchment where she would write and write and write in an effort to keep the oblivion of sleep at bay. The night before, he’d woken calling her name, and it had nearly killed her to hear the agony that cracked his typically soft voice. Then the stark relief that filled his eyes when she’d appeared at his bedside, whispering brokenly that she was there.

The guilt that consumed her when she lied to him - when she’d shrugged and simply explained that she couldn’t sleep, and that was why she was at the bed’s edge and not in it… It was slowly slicing her open, bleeding her dry.

”Zelda.”

She nearly flew from her seat, even though the voice was just as warm and comforting as it had always been. And, yet, there was something else there. Something deep and determined that kept her from lifting her gaze to meet his. She was afraid of what she might see.

”Are you unable to sleep, Link?” Goddess, her voice was shrill as she pushed back from the table and rose to her feet. “Let me whip up a draught for you, so you can —“

His fingers seared her skin where he caught her elbow before she could scurry to the hearth and avoid the intensity of his questioning eyes. Still, she refused to look at him. She was not the courageous one, after all.

”Zelda, please.”

She couldn’t bear the way his plea scraped over her flesh. She was hurting him, and that was the last thing she ever wanted. But she was just so incredibly afraid.

Link’s fingertips were heartbreakingly gentle on her jaw, turning her face to him. And when she saw the shimmer of concern in his crystal blue depths, her own eyes began to burn.

”You’re not sleeping,” he murmured, scouring her face for answers, for any hint to her troubles. Her answering smile wasn’t nearly as convincing as she wanted it to be.

”Not tonight, but —“

”Not since you came back.”

The strangled whimper that crawled out of her throat was that of a wounded animal cornered by the startling realization that he knew everything that she’d been desperate to hide. The bitter taste of self-reproach burned upon her tongue as her eyes filled with tears. How gloriously stupid of her, to think he wouldn’t notice. Link, the man who had spent years by her side, whose talent for quiet observation had molded him into a brilliant strategist and an even more incredible friend.

He had always seen more of her than she’d ever meant to show.

She loved him for it.

The princess stared into those piercing eyes as the silence suffocated her. Her greatest fear before swallowing the stone had been that Link would never forgive her. He would understand why it was necessary - he was too good and too honorable not to. And she had every confidence that he would be victorious over the Demon King. But would he be alright? Would the times they’d shared be enough for him to know how completely he’d captured her heart? Would those last moments, her reaching out to him, be a source of comfort, or of anguish?

Now, after finally being forced to gaze back at the man she’d given everything to protect, all she could see was concern and confusion and a tenderness so deep she could hardly comprehend it.

The pad of his thumb brushed over the apple of her cheek, wiping away the tears that had begun to fall, traitors that they were. His other hand released her arm and moved, cupping her face.

”My princess,” he breathed, “why do you cry?”

The floodgates opened, and Zelda let herself fall apart, once again, in the arms of the only person she’d ever allowed to see her in such a state. And he comforted and soothed, silently stroking her hair and her arms and her damp cheeks, waiting until she was ready… now that he’d slipped past her defenses.

”I’m just… just so…” she huffed between sobs. Big, gulping breaths. “I’m so afraid, Link.”

Once the words began tumbling from her lips, there was no stopping them.

”I don’t want to close my eyes, because what if this is all a dream? A fantasy crafted by a long-dormant, desperate soul? What if I close my eyes and the only thing I see is oblivion? And even though it makes no sense - even though I know I wouldn’t be conscious of it…” Zelda sucked in a stuttered breath, her whole body trembling. “I know I wouldn’t survive losing you again. Even if my mind wouldn’t realize, my heart would be irreparably shattered. There would be nothing left, no reason for me to go on.”

Her hands found the collar of his lightweight linen tunic and curled her fingers into it, looking desperately, frantically between his tear-filled eyes. “I can’t lose you. I can’t. Not again.”

Link’s gaze shimmered silver in the moonlight, but his face… He wore the same peaceful, steadfast expression he always had, strength and support wrapping her in their warm cocoon.

He did not speak, but his palms found her cheeks, his thumbs scraping across them as he brushed away her tears, the lingering terror and desperation. Link was captivating, the calm center within the maelstrom of her existence. His presence settled her in a way that no one else ever could, and she felt the pounding of her heart begin to ease.

”It is not a dream, Zelda. I swear it,” he promised, those penetrating eyes never cowering. “You will not lose me. I could never leave you.” In one swift, graceful motion, the princess was swept up in her hero’s arms. His strength and steadiness had always fascinated her, seeing as he stood an inch shorter than she. Still, he carried himself like a man of twice his stature, with all the well-earned confidence of the warrior he was. The savior of the world, twice over.

Link carried her back up the stairs, cradling her close, and paused with his knees at the edge of the bed.

”Do you trust me, Princess?” The question was hot against the shell of her ear. And even as her pulse began to race, she answered.

”With my life.”

A whine escaped her lips as he climbed onto the mattress, walking on his knees to the center.

”And you know I would never let anything happen to you, right?” His lips were soft and warm against her temple, a brand of protection.

Laying them both down, he slid Zelda to one side, but kept her cheek pressed against his chest. She didn’t know how long they lay there, as he combed fingers gently through her hair and whispered hushed words of comfort and encouragement until her panic ebbed.

Link drew one of her hands up to rest at his collarbone, thumb dragging back and forth over her knuckles. “Listen to my heartbeat, Zelda. Feel the rise and fall as I breathe in and out,” he murmured, so softly. “Do you hear it, love?”

She barely had the strength to nod as his words and his touch and his heart’s rhythm soothed her.

”Let it comfort you. Anchor you. Let it guide you through the night. You are safe, and I will not let you go. Not ever.”

And upon that final vow, Zelda’s eyes fluttered closed. She surrendered to the consuming dark, to whatever tricks fate may have had in store.

~~~

She had to squint when she opened her eyes - or tried to. The morning sun cut a path like a knife across the room. Across the bed, where Link still lay beneath her, the steady thump of his heart against her cheek. When she tilted her face up, she was met with a warm, adoring smile that made her lungs falter.

”Good morning, Princess,” he offered as he tucked a lock of hair behind a pointed ear. Joy filled her chest as the realization dawned on her: she had not fallen into the endless dark of draconian sleep. She was well and truly awake. Alive. She was home. As her lips stretched into a bright grin, Link asked, “How are you feeling? Did you sleep well?”

Before she could answer, her body lurched, a great yawn bubbling up from her chest. Goddess, she’d slept very well, indeed. But she could still feel the weariness in her limbs and in her heart. It was not enough, not after so many sleepless days. With a snicker, Link pulled her closer to him, dragging her further up against his sculpted, scarred torso, and pressed a kiss first to her brow, then her hair.

”Go back to sleep, my princess. I’ll be right here when you wake.”

”Promise me?” She felt his answering contented sigh throughout her entire body.

”I swear it, love. I will not let you go.”

Another deep breath lifted her, melted her curves into his angles. And as she drifted away into much needed rest, his solemn vow followed. A protector and a beacon.

”Not ever.”

[manias-wordcount]

Could I request a part two for your Ganondorf wedding night story? I loved it a lot… Tysm <3

Wedding Night (Ganondorf x Reader) PART TWO

𝗔/𝗡: 𝗶𝗺 𝗻𝗴𝗹,,,, 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗵𝗲

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁: 𝗼𝗻𝗲 || 𝘁𝘄𝗼 || 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲

𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚? ⇒ 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩

𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙧?

𝙗𝙪𝙮 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚?

It’s a monstrous thing, you can’t help but think as soon as your husband lowers his bottoms and reveals the rest of himself to you. It’s a monstrous thing and you have no idea how that’s ever supposed to fit inside you.

  “We’ll go slow,” He promises you as his eyes meet your nervous expression. “I’ll make sure you’re comfortable. You have my word, my dear.”

  You nodded, your chest heaving up and down as your heart threatened to beat out of your chest. But to his credit, he absolutely does everything in his power to keep you comfortable and turned on despite his hulking figure and intimidating size. His voice got even quieter after you orgasmed. His touches got even gentler too. And everything he did was nice and slow and steady as if not to scare you. Including when he pulled his fingers out from inside of you before bringing them to his mouth and licking at them sensually. 

  But even so, you still can’t stop thinking and thinking and thinking about…about it…

  “It’s big…” You murmur breathlessly, eyes darting down to look at your husband’s member. It’s your first time seeing one. And although you’ve had a few people share some descriptions of what to expect, you still feel a little bit blindsided. After all, nobody ever told you that it would be like this. “It’s…it’s really big.”

  It’s just longer than you expected it to be. And much, much thicker. It’s a shade darker than the rest of Ganondorf’s body. Towards the very top, it takes on a very distinct mushroom-looking shape. But it seems just about as big and intimidating as the rest of his member. But despite its heavy and full appearance, it seems to almost stand up by itself with the slightest curl towards his body. Almost like it had a mind of its own.

  Another thing you noticed was the distinct, slightly raised lines that seemed to bulge every now and then lining his member. They reminded you of the lines on your husband’s arms- the veins on his muscles that seemed to ripple and move as his body naturally flexed with each action. Could that be what it is? You’re not quite sure. You’re still not quite sure of a lot of things when it comes to this.

  “It is.” He agrees, amber eyes looking deep into yours with a serious expression. He leans down to get a bit closer to where you’ve propped yourself up on the bed before speaking and trying to ease your concerns. He must have noticed your expression getting increasingly frightened, despite your best efforts to hide it. Sure, your mother had taught you the basics of what to expect. And some of your already married friends had shared stories between giggles and with hands over their mouths. But when the indicated size, they never said it could be this! And yet… “And we don’t have to do this tonight if you-”

  “NO!”

  You still really, really want to try.

  At your outburst, you immediately feel your face burning up with embarrassment. Your newly appointed husband just raises his eyebrow at you, but you can tell that there’s an amused smile just waiting to spread across his lips now that you’re starting to look as needy as you were back when he was curling one of those big fingers of his inside of you. 

   “No…I…um…”

  You start to speak again, but immediately trail off. You try to think long and hard about what to say and how to say it. You know what you want. You know exactly what you want. You want him! There’s just no easy way to say it without vocalizing something you’ve never said in the company of someone who wasn’t one of your closest friends. And although he’s now your husband, you don’t know Ganondorf very well. 

  He’s been great to you thus far. Perfect even. But he’s also done everything for you. Undressed you. Initiated every kiss. Explored your body and explored it well. All without asking for anything in return. But this is your chance- your chance to give him something in return. To make him feel as wanted as he has made you feel thus far. But how do you express something like this? How do you say it without sounding too demanding? Too inexperienced? How could you even begin to find and form the right sentences? He seems so much more experienced than you. So, so much more. 

  That’s why it doesn’t even surprise you when he managed to take control of the reigns again. He was born to be a ruler, after all. It’s only fair if he starts with you.

  “What is it?” He asks you, voice firm with a sliver of authoritativeness seeping. He still has that gentle look about him. The one that makes you feel comforted and safe and secure despite not knowing him all too well. Yet now that he’s leaning in so close, there’s a part of you that knows deep down inside that you should be hanging off of his every word. That you should be listening to what he has to say. Opening your legs a little wider. Rubbing at that extremely sensitive spot a little faster. And spreading your lower lip. All for him. Only for him. “Use your words.”

  “I want…I want it inside me…please?”

  But for yourself too.

  “Oh, my dear~” Your husband purrs, his grin widening as amber eyes narrow in something a little more dangerous. “Is that so?”

  Lust pours from his voice as if it were sand being dumped out into the desert. More onto of more. But there’s there’s no better way to describe your new husband’s growing excitement. He looks proud- regal even- as his hand starts to ghost over your lower lips once more. In an instant, you’re back to being breathless as his fingers brush against your most intimate parts. But you’re feeling a little more sure of yourself. A little more sure of what to say. And how exactly you should say it.

  “I want you…my husband.” You tell him finally. And for the first time tonight, you don’t avert your gaze. You don’t try to be a blushing bride. You be yourself. You become yourself. Just a girl who wants the man in front of her. The man who will do absolutely anything to make you feel safe. To make you hot and bothered and desired. So you tell him that. “I want you.”

  And honestly? You couldn’t be more glad you did. 

  Because you’ve spent countless nights dreaming of this. Imagining what this would feel like as you writhed around your bedroom sheets and conjured up a lover. And maybe you’re not in love yet. Maybe you’re too naive, and this relationship is far too young for you to fall in love yet. But your mother said that said if your husband was kind to you- if he was good to you, you would have nothing to worry about. Because love can grow. And so can attraction. And so can confidence.

  But right now? You don’t need anything more. Because you’re sure that what you’re working with? What he has to offer? What he has done for you so far?

[athena-theunicorn]

I'm screaming y'all.

I just got my first ever fanart for my fic and I-

STFU ITS INCREDIBLE? I'M IN LOVE WITH THEM ACTUALLY. ITS EXACTLY HOW I PICTURED IT BUT BETTER? AND SHES WEARING THE RINGGGGG I CANT BELIEVE THEY REMEMBERED AHHHH. i HAVEN'T STOPPED SMILING IM SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL. I CANTTTTTTT TAKE IT AHHHHHHHH

The wonderful Chihua_draws made if for me on Twitter! Go follow them! Show them all the love they deserve!

Oh, and go read the most recent chapter of Between Them if you want context for this beautiful drawing :)

[novantinuum]

Fandom: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Rating: G Words: 1.9K~ Summary: heart•song (n.): An expression of our most inner being, identity, and reason for existence – what twists and turns of life have led us here, to this dangerous place? And by what strength do we keep enduring? - Or: For a sage to give one their vow, first there must be vulnerability. (A collection of shorts exploring the bond between each sage and Link.)

Yunobo is my OTHER little scrunkly rock boy ;w;

Enjoy!

____

The blunt reality of the sweltering, hellish place he finds himself in this afternoon still brings him pause.

A volcano.

He— Yunobo— jumped straight into the actively erupting maw of a freakin’ volcano. What in Darunia’s cliff-splitting name was he thinking, goro?

It’s not that he doubts he can handle whatever Death Mountain can throw at him— he’s been really practicing with his swings lately, and of course the fiery roll attack he developed will be a huge boon to their offensive arsenal— it’s that he took the leap without sparing even a single thought towards all the potential consequences first. The old him… the cowering but practical him… wouldn’t be caught half molten making such impulsive decisions. The old him would’ve waited on the rim, would’ve watched Link paraglide down into the Depths with a solid wall of anxiety clawing at his core, chained to the surface by the fears of his own timidity and inexperience. Yet somehow, this time, not a single one of those thoughts even briefly skimmed across his consciousness. Instead all he could think about were the faces of his fellow brothers. His people’s plight… hijacked by their bottomless craving for marbled rock roast, wholly uncaring of all the pressing needs of their youth and elders. Oh, this is a mess, all right… and one that his own foolishness caused.

So this time, with the wellbeing of his city at stake, not only did he take the leap; he leapt first.

And isn’t that what courage is supposed to be? Shouldn’t this be a good change? It probably is, but if so, then… why does he still feel so icky inside?

Yunobo continues to pace across the course sands scattered in concentric circles beneath the lightroot his companion activated just now. He wishes he could find it within him to relax like Link is— sitting cross legged under the root’s regenerating aura as he works to tighten one of the strings on his bow— but instead his mind keeps returning to that damn mask… to the glamor he escaped from under the thumb of only hours ago. At this point, he can barely remember anything from his time under its sway. But with the way young Slergo and Offrack looked to him with such worried relief when he came to, and what little context he gleaned from them and his Hylian friend… plus the distant glimpse he caught of his city while riding up the side of the mountain… things must have been bad. Really, really bad.

Out of nervous habit, he grinds his molars together unnecessarily hard as he continues to chew over this puzzling quandary. How could he let any of this happen? He genuinely thought he was becoming a better leader. A positive role model actually worthy of all the affection and encouragement his two little tagalongs constantly supply. Maybe, though, he hasn’t grown as much as he hoped. Maybe he’s always destined to be a bumbling screw-up. Maybe he’s—

“Yunobo.”

His friend’s voice cuts through all the murk and mire like it’s little more than the thin, newly hardened crust of a cooling lava flow. Humming in idle curiosity and ceasing his paces, his attention snaps towards the Hylian’s face.

“What’s eating at you?” Link manages to coherently sign through the thick glove of his volcano-proof armor, his expression blown wide with palpable concern. His weapon lays momentarily forgotten at his side.

“I—“ he scratches at one of the patches of hardened stone jutting out form the back of his neck— “I guess I’m just thinking about what I can’t remember. Which… means I’m thinking about nothing? Or everything. Gah, I don’t know. It’s… all so confusing.”

Heaving a large sigh, he finally resolves to park himself on the ground. Just for a few minutes. Just until Link’s had enough time to recover from that last camp of lizalfos they had to take care of and fix his bow.

“But if you really wanna know,” he continues, “then I guess what’s actually bothering me is just… that mask. And the fact it could control me like that so easily. Am I…” he pauses, his brows scrunching inwards amidst the thick coils of shame he suddenly feels brimming within, “really that weak-willed, goro?”

“You were tricked,” Link responds in a few swift motions, his expression softening with empathy. “Your agency was stolen from you. That’s never the victim’s fault.”

“But I shouldn’t have been a victim in the first place!” Yunobo blurts out, throwing his arms in the air. “I’m Daruk’s descendant, so everyone’s always counting on me to be the strong one, and I—“

His voice cuts.

There’s a thousand clamorous words piling up behind the face of all this self-directed anger, but no easy way to vent them out. No way to truly make sense of them all unless he digs deep within himself and starts asking the big questions:

What is he really ashamed about?

He sinks into himself, his volume dropping lower. Meeker.

“…and I just hate always feeling so helpless,” he admits, truly feeling the weight of such a statement as he droops his head low. “My brothers need me right now, and I’ve been letting them down. I’ve been letting them down for a really long time…”

Link purses his lips, thinking for a moment.

“Do you wanna know something?” he eventually signs.

“Yeah, goro?”

“Even I feel helpless at times.”

“Wha— really? You??” Yunobo says, his tone unbelieving. “But you’re Link! You’re the hero of all of Hyrule! You never give up for anything!”

He shrugs. “Trying your best to do the right thing doesn’t mean you never feel helpless.”

“Huh. That’s… actually a good point.”

“When I…” his friend inhales deeply, taking a quick moment to center himself before continuing. “When I lost Zelda, and lost my sword, and woke up alone in the sky, it was hard to not feel that way. But—“ he gazes out towards the vast ruins looming in the distance, nestled against the side of a cliff beyond a cluster of bokoblin encampments and a rather majestic lava fall— “life moves on. Sometimes all we can do is move on. Our enemy is powerful— ungodly powerful. So how is it fair to blame ourselves for falling victim to its influence? How is it fair to assume we need to fight this alone, when the enemy is backed up by an entire army of monsters?“

The faint glimmer of fire in the ruins up ahead easily draws his attention as he churns over what Link is saying. This forgotten fortress— forged of igneous stone that looks to have been mined directly out of the heart of Death Mountain herself— is unquestionably of Goron make, and unquestionably ancient. And given its locality, resting this far beneath the familiar slopes of Eldin, the only historic setting he can possibly connect with it is—

Gorondia.

It has to be.

Even thinking the name fills his soul with a swell of unspeakable awe, like a succulent bite of half molten rock roast warming his body from the inside out.

It’s the lost city of an era long past. The crown jewel of endless centuries of Goron artistry. A place so steeped in legend that it was only ever mentioned in the context of make-believe and fairytales. And yet he managed to find it anyways! Him! Cowardly ol’ him! Despite all the odds stacked against this quest (a two person quest all the way through, far different than last time), Yunobo succeeded where generations of Goron scholars failed, and he wasn’t even trying to unearth old history. All he wanted to do was make up for the damage he caused, but then— following in Link’s courageous footsteps— one thing led to another, and now they’ve fought their way through all the terrors of the depths right to Gorondia’s doorstep, vying to liberate his people from gloom’s control altogether. It really goes to show just how much one can accomplish with a friend by their side.

Link, for the record, seems to agree.

“This war is not one man’s fight, and I’m done with pretending otherwise,” he continues, briefly pausing as he uses his hands to push himself back up to his feet. “It’s teamwork and goodwill between regions that aided me in ending the Calamity, and it’s that same kind of companionship that will save us now. I helped you, and now you’ll help me, and if we work together with the rest of Hyrule, I truly believe we can stop this calamity too.”

He clasps his hands together, large rocky nails scraping along his inner palm.

“I… I think that’s the most words I’ve ever seen you say at once, goro,” he says with a soft chuckle. “You’re really passionate about this, aren’t you?”

Link bobs his head in an affirmative.

“Well—“ he picks himself off the ground and trundles to his feet as well— “even if I do still feel out of place, it’s pretty amazing that we’ve made it this far, huh?”

The barest corner of his mouth tilts upwards. “I couldn’t have made it here without your support.”

“And I still would’ve been dealing marbled rock roast to all my brothers if it weren’t for you showing up! I guess we have a lot to thank each other for, huh?”

A rush of emboldened warmth surging all the way from his dense, molten heart to his furthest extremities, Yunobo glances at the road behind, at the winding path they took from the chasm’s opening all the way up to this very lightroot at the highest rim of Death Mountain’s lake. Link’s right. It truly is a wonder, how far they’ve journeyed together. Companionship… all the connections he’s nurtured with folks of all shapes and sizes these past few years… they’ve forged him into the dependable, occasionally courageous (he’s still working on that) Goron he is today. Connection makes them all stronger. Knowing Link has made him stronger. Not too long ago, back when he still hid idly behind his ancestor’s protection, he wouldn’t have been caught dead leaping into the maw of a volcano, let alone working to infiltrate a whole ancient Goron city overflowing with monsters.

But things have changed. He’s changed. He doesn’t need Daruk to shield him anymore, because he’s got his own fire stirring within. That fire is what drove him towards a position of leadership in his city, and— in both a figurative and a literal sense— it’s what’s led him here into the deepest caverns of the Depths today.

So he can’t let himself give up after coming so far, no how, no way! His brothers need him right now. And he needs them. His fault or not, his earlier influence tipped his home into complete disarray, but by Din’s eternal light he swears he’ll be the one to fix it.

Together… hand in hand with his most loyal friend.

Freeing the remainder of his stressors within a deep, sonorous sigh, he bends down to grab the leather wrapped hilt of his most cherished weapon, a Boulder Breaker Link himself passed on to him that used to belong to the great Daruk.

“I’m ready when you are, goro,” he says, hefting the sledge over his shoulder and clenching his opposing palm into an assured fist.

He’ll see this quest through to the end this time, he swears it.

[sokkas-first-fangirl]

Rhoam had called him a knight. Then he called him Your Highness. But what was Link a prince of? (Assuming he even was, assuming Rhoam wasn’t screwing with his head for Link’s disrespect). He wasn’t Prince of Hyrule, surely. Was he…not from Hyrule?

It all made his head ache.

“Zelda?” he asked aloud. “Was he serious?”

There was no answer. Just the wind.

Link grabbed the paraglider. He wouldn’t get any answers in these ruins. He needed to get off this plateau at last.

He’d follow the slate. He’d find Impa.

And then he’d find whoever gave him his locket.

*

100 years ago, the Great Calamity ravaged Hyrule. In the chaos, Princess Mipha and her husband, Prince Link, lost their lives. Until Link rose from the Shrine of Resurrection that is. Needless to say, the Zora aren't too happy about their amnesiac prince wandering the country alone. It looks like he'll need a guard...

OR: Link and Mipha were married. He's joined by some over-protective friends on his quest to save Hyrule.

(Also known as Sidon, Bazz and Rivan being the best hype men and bodyguards ever. No, Sidon absolutely does not have Dorephan's permission to be here.)

[sparklyhyperbole]

Happy Birthday, @mistresslrigtar!!

So thrilled to have you rocketing around on this small blue planet. You're a treasure. So here's your birthday drabble; in which we crack Link's brain open for a small moment post TotK.

She works the garden and all I can think is Please Stay.

A smudge of dirt on her nose, and all the glistening treasures of my love in green, green eyes. Knees in the soil, fingers working and worming like roots of her very own.

All I can think is Please Stay.

Stay down here and twine your roots with me among the helianthus you planted, and then never—never!—return to the skies. Let's wear soil instead of scales. Let's trickle down laughter into the earth instead of tears.

All I can think is Please Stay with me, Zelda.

[musical-chan]

Father of Time Chapter 77: Hiking in Hebra

Hebra knew every stone, every source of water and every bit of plant matter in her territory. 

She knew this because for many years she neglected her Siblings for her grief.  After Warm Waters and (she believed) Western Oceans had been defeated, her only duty was to her mountains.  Nothing else mattered.  She did not reach out to the others, could not face that she had survived where her Siblings had not, didn't even speak to Eastern Oceans as he limped back to his watery home.  She let time pass her, watching the seasons cycle and mortals move and shift around her like snow.  She Protected them as best she could but not many chose her frigid home as their habitat.  Everything was there one moment then gone in the blink of an eye.  The steady, solid presence of deities was gone, a wound in her soul she didn't know how to heal. The music didn't touch her sorrow.  The Mothers offered words but they felt hollow.  There were so few of her Siblings left.  Sometimes Aevum would check in on her but she pushed her Sister away. There was no reason to mingle when all they had to look forward to was death.

And then the Protector of Night returned.

(Read the rest on AO3!)

[anardilyas]

early falling in love Zelink AU anyone? Pre-calamity? ✨