#teba wants to drink with urbosa

[askthenewritoelder]

Have you met the other champions? What are your thoughts on them?

I’ve had the opportunity to meet them on multiple occasions, mainly on official business.

Lord Daruk has a strong personality and a heart of gold. I don’t get to see him as much as the others…trekking Death Mountain is always difficult, especially for us Rito. If I didn’t drench myself in fireproof elixirs then I’d burn to a crisp before I even reach Goron City, though I guess that’s something universally shared amongst non-goron folk.

Lady Mipha is soft spoken and kind. She often offers a quick check up when I visit Zora’s Domain. Her healing powers are extraordinary and extremely helpful on the battlefield, but her spear wielding skills are second to none. It’s always nice to see her interact with Prince Sidon.

Lady Urbosa is definitely not how I initially expected her to be. She has an unyielding aura; fitting for the Gerudo chief, and yet she seems to get tired from discussing official business easily. When I have the chance to speak with her, she’s quick to ask about Saki and Tulin, or suggesting activities for the future. I’ve never participated in sand-seal racing, but I’m open to the idea after some practice. I’ve heard she has a strong tolerance for alcohol…that could be a challenge I’m more than willing to partake in.

[gensnix]

Who wants some headcanons because the aoc dlc didn’t satisfy me enough and it’s not 2022 yet

Great! Especially since you don’t get a say in this!

Link has a very heavy southern accent when angry and they only discovered that fact because some unlucky fool was swearing at Yunobo and Link cussed them out

He doesn’t speak like that all the time cause back when he was training to be a knight he got ridiculed by his superiors and got self conscious  

Link bets that if everything went right 100 years ago he would have talked to baby Sidon more in that accent to see if he could force the baby to have the same accent

Now the new champions keep thinking back to baby Sidon in the new timeline

It's a well known fact that Zelda can't cook for shit

Her cooking is so bad that not even Link can keep it down which is amazing considering all the garbage he puts in his mouth

Link has somehow convinced the new champions that you can and should drink the potions instead of putting it on their skin

Urbosa witnessed Riju drinking a fire proof potion and heard her say "mmm lotion good"

Link doesn't understand why but he really likes masks and he thinks they tie into his past somehow

Link has always wanted to learn to play an instrument since he recalls his family was very musical

Teba and Sidon are both really good with children which is great since more than half their team are kids

Now I just can't see Riju ever accidentally calling Teba dad. Especially since she lives in a town filled with only women

However I can see her calling the only other tall redhead of the new champions mom

Which she has! Multiple times. She's embarrassed each and everytime

She's not the only one who's done it

One time Link got super sick and mistook Sidon for his mother

Teba had found out that there use to be bomb flowers. now they're his favorite and wishes that they would come back

Teba was basically raised by the village elder since he was abandoned at a young age

Sidon wasn’t really looked after when he was younger. Which factors in why he misses Mipha so much

She was the only one who really looked after him

Riju's mom died of the same illness as Zelda's

Yunobo only recently gotten good eating habits and he thanks Link for that

None of the new champions have any friends outside of their group except Teba.

But he's only got one friend who calls him a moron when presenting ideas and now he's got 4 more friends who willingly join in his choas

Sidon's gotta live with the fact that he's gonna outlive all his friends

Everyone who lived 100 years ago really thought Link had a little sister and where really persistent about it when he asked about his family

But no. In reality he doesn't. That girl everyone thought was his sister was just a neighbor who bothered him a lot. This makes Zelda feel like shit since now it really shows that no one including her really knew Link

Astor could have won if he didn't add yiga souls in the malice

I mean think about it. Calamity ganon only ever willingly absorbed creatures that wouldn't think. That wouldn't talk. That wouldn't keep screaming in pain

Astor was only absorbed to get him to stop and used as a vessel to give the calamity a humanoid form

When they first started piloting the divine beast the new champions swore they heard voices. Familiar voices

The ancient champions bodies (maybe souls??) Are trapped inside those weird flower things that are in each of the divine beasts

Kass once described his relationship with the new champions as "raising five more children"

[into-the-linkverse]

Age of Calamity characters as stupid things I said while doing voice impressions of them:

Link: HYAAH HIYA HEEEEEEEYA

Zelda: fuck therapy I'm becoming a SCIENTIST

Impa: Hey Link go eat grass for a minute I'm taking Zelda out for a date

Mipha: what do you mean "my fish lips aren't kissable"? Link, you son of a bitch

Daruk: Go on, little guy, eat these rocks! They definitely aren't my newborn children!

Revali: Some say I'm a chicken because one, I bring that chicken salt and two, I'm a COCK

Urbosa: why do I call Zelda "little bird"? Well, you see, her mother was big bird-

Hestu: oh I forgot you feeble Hylians still beileve in the pathetic concept of P A N T S

Sidon: Dearest Sister, I am gay for Link, I'M CARRYING ON YOUR WISH TO KISS LINK

Yunoboo: I'M A HIMBO

Riju: I am 13 I am ALLOWED to drink Noble Pursuit!

Teba: I miss my wife, Link. I miss her a lot. I'll be back.

Master Kohga: The Yiga Clan's banana recipes are delicious and all, but not as delcious as my husband's DIC-

Sooga: I will banish you from this plane of exis- yes Master Kohga is my husband what of it?

Astor: I WILL DESTROY THESE FO- oh, what was that, Ganon? You want to possess me? Oh yeah hold up- ARREOWOOKSNABQ

King Rhoam: it's me KING RHOAM BOSRAPHOUS HYRULE HOLY SHIT

Great Fairies: oh linky why don't you come feast on my- oh wait I don't have legs

Maz Koshia: HMAMQKQPASNASBABQBAG

Terrako: *sadly screams along to Zelda's Lullaby*

Purah: Check it, Impa! You're the disappointment of the family

Robbie: HEE... HEEƏĖÊĚĘĒƏ

[aspiringhorrorauthor]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Mipha/Revali (Legend of Zelda), Mipha & Revali (Legend of Zelda) Characters: Mipha (Legend of Zelda), Revali (Legend of Zelda), Teba (Legend of Zelda), Urbosa (Legend of Zelda), Mentions of other Champions Additional Tags: Mutual Pining, First Dance, Very brief mention of teba/saki Series: Part 1 of Miphvali Week Summary:

King Rhoam is holding a fantastic ball to celebrate the defeat of Calamity Ganon, and all the champions were invited to eat, drink and dance the ngiht away. Revali wants to dance with Mipha. Mipha wants to dance with Revali. But just admitting that to each other sounds like too much work.

(Miphvali Week Day 1-Mutual pining)

I’ve been writing for Miphvali week, if you’re into Mipha/Revali check out some of the stuff we’ve been writing

[zzariyowords]

alright, alright. i’m posting this in hopes that it’ll push me to finish the actual update.

here’s a 5 page worth of words I wrote out for the next update when I was so invested in my thoughts of meelo that I totally and completely forgot how the climax and ending was supposed to go and didn’t think of how this would rock the boat too much. i hope one or two people will get a kick out of this. maybe foam a little at the mouth like i did. i’ll consider it a piece of my AU’s AU lol

there’s like. A spoiler but it’s not much of a spoiler, I think. Also I haven’t looked at it or edited it in a while so there may be some mess ups.

____

They went back to drinking their tea until mid-sip, Revali asked, “Speaking of, why did you follow me up there in the first place? Was there something?” Immediately, Meezuli’s whole face tightened and it was clear that there was definitely something.

“I-Well, you know-” She was tripping over what should have been a simple question, averting her eyes from Revali until she gave an awkward smile and blurted, “I originally came up to punch you for upsetting Meelo.”

They both blinked.

Revali frowned, as his first reaction was to be insulted that she came to hit him, up until he thought about how shocked and sad Meelo looked after he overheard him and Teba. And then his stomach dropped the same way it did then.

He had just assumed, or rather, hoped, that Meelo left because he genuinely felt like he was interrupting, not because he was that upset. Stupid.

“I upset him that much?”

Meezuli ground her beak and nearly tossed her saucer onto the floor so she could slap her hands on her knees. “You did! And I wonder why. Maybe ‘cause you screamed about fucking Link in front of him, you idiot!”

“But why would he be so upset to warrant you to punch me?” Revali squawked back.

Instantly, Meezuli’s face went blank and she was quiet for a second. “Oh. Oh, you don’t know, do you?”

Revali folded his arms. “What don’t I know?”

“How Lo feels about you…?”

His cheek feathers ruffled. He scratched his face and looked away. “Well...I...I know that sometimes things got...Well, maybe a little intimate between us, but I didn’t that it-”

Meezuli ground her beak again. “That it what? That it didn’t mean anything?” She threw her hands up to grab onto Revali’s face and knocked on his skull. “For our Champion, you really don’t have anything knocking around in that giant head of yours, do you?!”

With what limited control he had of his face with Meezuli’s clutching onto him, he grimaced and spat, “Excuse me?”

As a response, Meezuli started to shake him and yelled in his face, “Meelo is head over heels for you, birdbrain! Totally nuts, bonkers, wacko over you!”

Every feather on Revali’s body stood on end. And his skin underneath it scorched.

He had known that there was something, but nothing that serious. Not serious enough that knowing what happened between him and Link would hurt him.

Revali was caught between feeling immeasurably guilty and inexplicably happy, knowing how Meelo felt. Knowing the real meaning behind Meelo's words when he told Revali how much he meant to him. 

“Everyone in the village knows it. Except you, apparently!”

“For...For how long?” He hesitantly asked, his beak bone dry.

“Basically since the beginning! How could you not-” She released Revali, groaning, then balled up her fists. “Din Almighty, I want to punch you so hard right now.”

Revali tried to flatten his feathers, trying to get them to stay down, but he couldn’t. All he could do was think of Meelo. Think of how during all the nights Revali was thinking about Link, Meelo was probably thinking about him the same way. About all those moments that Revali brushed off to go back to thinking about Link, and much they probably meant to Meelo.

“But...I…”

Meezuli let out a guttural sigh, rolled her head. “Meelo was so upset because he’s so into you and lately really thought he could have a serious chance. Even when Link was here and you two were attached at the hip, both me and Teba told him he didn’t have anything to worry about. Because, you know, everyone in Hyrule knows he’s engaged to that stuck up fish prince. But then you-” She balled her fists up and groaned again, loudly, up at the roof.

“I thought you said you were on my side!” Revali spat, brushing down his crown.

She huffed, then waved her hands. “I am, I am. I just can’t help but be mad on Meelo’s behalf, okay?” Clasping her hands together, she went on. “But, because I know Meelo can get over this and you’re dealing with a lot more...I will try to be unbiased. And from my unbiased standpoint, I gotta ask this again.” Meezuli leaned in and pointed her hands at Revali. “How do you feel about Lo?”

Revali sputtered and had to work on flattening his feathers again.

“Is he just a friend to you? Did all that 'intimacy' you mentioned really not mean anything?”

She might've said that she would be unbiased, but the pleading look in her eyes said otherwise. It was intense enough that Revali had to look away and think, all the while brushing his cheeks to flatten the feathers.

Maybe it should’ve been a simple answer, but it wasn’t.

After all the time he spent with him. After all the gentle smiles and soft laughs Meelo gave him, it wasn’t easy.

After Meelo shielded onlookers from seeing Revali when he was torn after finding that old letter from his parents like it was the obvious choice. 

After Meelo found Revali when he was falling apart from his visions in front of Medoh, using his taller frame and hand as an umbrella for Revali from the pouring rain, and held him tightly until he calmed down.

After Meelo tried to be brave at the ball, even though he was completely out of his element. And after they waltzed together, their bodies closer than ever, both ruffling up when they held hands, hips, and shoulders, breathing each other’s air. Even after Meelo snapped at Link for putting Revali in danger; It was wrong, but he had only done it because he cared so much for Revali.

After he took down a Grizzlemaw, almost singlehandedly, showing just how brave and bold he could be when given the chance.

After Meelo worried about it him all the time, fretting over his wellbeing constantly. Waiting by his bedside when he was with the doctor and always being there when he was hurt.

After Meelo never failing to be amazed by him. Always in awe of everything that Revali did, never ceasing to hang on his every word with stars in his eyes.

After always predictably puffing out his cheeks when he was mad or frustrated, stuttered and fidgeted when he was nervous, cocked his head slightly whenever he asked questions. His crest always gave him away and he was always so easy to read; he was always so expressive in the funniest and most adorable ways and it was one of the most endearing things about him.

After always being so thoughtful and gentle. Being surprisingly smart and cunning. Being headstrong in the softest way; never giving up even when it was hard, despite how he thought of himself. Generally being wonderful and perfect. Softening Revali and making him want to be a kinder person.

After all of that...It wasn’t easy. It was not easy at all to come up with an exact answer to how he felt about Meelo.

Especially after the night where they were so close to kissing. So close to Revali throwing away all the years of yearning for Link to start something new. He had wanted to kiss him so bad. To turn over a new leaf with someone else.

But that was the question.

If Link was out of the picture, would Revali even want to be with Meelo?

Revali had pulled away when he realized that he was only putting Link in Meelo’s place because he was so much like Link before the Calamity happened. And while still wanting a future with Link, it felt so wrong.

But if Link was gone, if Link never gave Revali the time of day, if Link was untouchable enough for Revali to finally give up, would that piece of him still...Still want to kiss Meelo? Did he only feel the way he did because of his likeness for the old Link and he was a stand-in, or was he so special to Revali while Link was still invading his head?

Should it even matter, anyway?

It was impossible to keep ignoring how Meelo made him feel. He felt himself blush around him, felt his heart skip beats and his stomach flop. Felt butterflies in every inch of his body. A future could be possible. A new future. He could be the key to moving on, to finding a new life far from all the pain of the past. Just like Urbosa said. Maybe that was what was meant to be.

But how could he? How could he do that now that he already dug his own grave, done what he had done with Link. Was this new future even possible with the past, with what could have been with Link, still plaguing him and refusing to let go?

Revali closed his eyes and rubbed his head.

“I don’t...I don’t know.”

Meezuli squinted at him and furled her arms. “Waddya mean you don’t know?”

“Alright, alright! Fine!” His eyes shot open so he could glare at Meezuli. “I admit it. I like Meelo. I think I might really really like him.”

Meezuli’s whole face widened into a gigantic grin that was too big for her tiny face.

“But it’s very complicated, Meezuli. Extremely complicated.” He pinched the bridge of his beak in exasperation.

And instantly her smile fell. “Oh, whatever.”

“No! Seriously. Listen to me,” Revali snapped. “I...I left this part out because I’m not proud of it and I doubt Meelo ever brought it up with you, but-”

Meezuli’s eyes were so wide and expectant that Revali had to look away again to finish his sentence.

“...Meelo and I almost kissed.”

“For real?!” She shrieked. 

Revali grabbed her beak to clamp it shut. “Quiet! I don’t want all of Tabantha to know.”

When he let go, she clicked her beak a couple times before asking, “Well, why didn’t you? What’s the problem?”

“The problem is that no matter what I do, no matter what happens, I just can’t let go of Link. I still want to be with him. I still want to have a future with him-”

“You still want to bone him.”

“That could be said more eloquently, but yes!” He barked. 

“Well, after all you told me, I can see why it wouldn’t be easy to shake off. Not everyone gets to spend a century dreaming about boning someone.”

Revali covered his face with his hand and let out a sharp groan before continuing on. “The point is, I pulled away because I realized that I wasn’t completely thinking about Meelo. I was thinking about Link, too. And I’m afraid that I only like Meelo since he reminds me so much of how Link was before the Calamity.”

“But that Link is gone, right? He’s a totally different person now, through and through, so that shouldn’t matter that he makes you think of someone from the past, yeah?” Meezuli said, drinking more tea.

“Again, it’s not that simple. As I said before, Link is regaining more of his memories and is becoming more and more like the person he was before. So, it’s almost as if the person I loved before is slowly coming back.”

Meezuli whistled. “Wow, yeah, this is a toughie.”

“You are doing the opposite of helping.”

“Okay, okay, fine. As your unbiased pal, lemme put this on the table.” She took a giant gulp of her tea and practically tossed the empty saucer onto the floor. “The thing is, Link is engaged to someone else. Before you even came back from heaven or wherever the hell you were. And to the prince of the Zora, for Farore’s sake! Teba’s right, there’s a lot of politics, that honestly I don’t totally get, involved. Things are weird enough between us and the Zora as it is without you, someone who’s already hated by those fish, messing it all up. It’s hairy stuff.”

“That sounds pretty biased to me, Meezuli.”

“I’m just listing the cons here, sir.”

“But Link said he would take care of that. That he would break it off so that we could be together. So that can’t even be considered a con because that won’t be an issue anymore.”

Meezuli gave him a flat look.

“What?”

“You can’t honestly believe that he’ll be able to do that, right? I think he just said that in the spur of the moment. There’s kingdom politics, then there’s that lunatic involved…”

“That’s another thing! Link wouldn’t have to deal with that wretched royal anymore-”

“Sir, that’s a pro for Link. Not for you. Yeah, Link should get away from him if he can, but that doesn’t mean he has to be with you instead.”

Revali set his head in his hands. That was...shockingly smart of Meezuli to say.

“You wanna know what I think?”

“What do you think, wise sage Meezuli?”

She gave him a snide look and then went on. “I think Lady Urbosa is right, too. You all need to move on and find new lives for yourselves. That’s the best thing you can do after all you’ve been through. Leave the past in the past. And I think that you should do that…” She sheepishly shrugged and smiled. “By getting with my number one buddy who is your biggest fan.”

Revali’s brow deepened as his feathers lightly ruffled. “You’re really pushing your Meelo agenda, aren’t you?”

“I told you, I can’t help it!” Meezuli laughed, despite herself. “I know, you’re still in love with that hero. But, that ship might have permanently sailed. And all that ship has done is make life harder for you. So, that’s why I genuinely think Meelo is your ticket to happiness. Even if you’ve fudged it up a bit.”

He scratched his face, thinking. “I don’t know.”

Maybe she was right. She probably was.

But she was really downplaying how in love she was with Link. It wasn’t something you could easily break off just like that.

Meezuli rubbed her chin for a moment, thinking, before snapping her fingers. “Tell you what. How about you think it over tonight and then in the morning you can go talk to Link in person about it, without all that romance getting to both of your heads. Really mull it over with each other. No secrets, just straight up. I’ll go with you, since I have letters to deliver in the Domain anyway.”

Revali wasn’t too keen on going to that place. He might as well walk into a Bokoblin camp with his arms bound and an apple stuffed in his beak. “But… shouldn’t you have left tonight?”

“Tch. I’ll just tell ‘em there was a storm. How are they supposed to know?”

He stared at her and she stared back, again with her massive, expectant eyes. 

“For the love of- Fine. Fine! I’ll go.”

“Perfect! You can stay her tonight, too, since-”

“Yes. Thanks for reminding me. We can take Medoh, too.”

“Oh, geez. As long as you two can take it easy on me this time.”

Revali smirked.

“No promises.”

[totk-headcanons]

There be Zora in the ocean, and they look more like cetaceans than fish! What would each of the Champions, Zelda included, as well as their modern counterparts' reactions be to seeing whale/dolphin Zora living along Hyrule's beaches? Plot twist, the queen of the Ocean Zora, who looks like a massive blue whale, is Dorephan's cousin.

Link

He's young when he find out about the other zora. He watches them with a childlike wonder, eyes wide. And Mipha laughs at him, smiling widely, watching him stare at her distant relatives.

Zelda

She immediately starts asking questions about them, writing notes and theorizing under her breath. They ocean zora are amused by the princess so enthralled with them.

Mipha

She's delighted to see her cousins again, splashing and playing with them. The pod doesn't often come this close to shore, so getting to spend time with them is always a cause for delight.

Sidon

His reaction is much the same as Mipha's. He tends to always ask where the queen is though, always wanting to debate policy with her. She humors him, grinning all the while, pleased to have someone not of the pod that doesn't flee from her massive form.

Urbosa

Urbosa doesn't trust the ocean on principle, because she is of the desert and the ocean is an endless expanse of water. And you can't even drink it! She trusts the zora, but seeing the queen that would tower over even Dorephan convinces her she's never going swimming in the ocean.

Riju

She's enamored. She enjoys the world outside the town, enjoys discovering new things, and this is a new type of zora! She's stunned and very intimidated by the size of the queen, but she manages to keep her cool.

Daruk

His reaction is basically "that's different." It's hard to faze the goron champion, and he just stares for a second before he starts chatting with them, asking about what kinds of rocks they have out in the ocean, asking if he can try some next time the pod comes by.

Yunobo

He's fairly calm, he's had everything explained to him, he knows what to expect. And then the water swells and he freezes. A massive head breaks the surface and his shield forms as he curls in on himself, opening an eye when he hears massive, booming laughter from the queen of the ocean zora. She grins at him, says he is quite different from his predecessor. She likes him. He isn't sure if that's supposed to be calming or not.

Revali

Much the same as Urbosa, he mistrusts the ocean. He isn't intimidated by any of the zora until one of the larger ones laughs, showing off a single row of teeth that could easily spear him. And then he notices how very many have teeth that look very good for gripping, glances at Mipha, and sees very sharp teeth on her too. He no longer trusts the zora in general.

Teba

He's fairly calm, and when they challenge him to a hunting competition, he smirks a bit, nods. And he flies out over the water, scanning the waves, shooting what he sees. He doesn't see the zora for the full three minutes he's out there, returning with a fair haul. One of the larger zora places a handful of fish on the beach. It's a pile that outweighs Teba's by a large margin. He gives a respectful nod, says they're incredibly skilled hunters. And the large one laughs, says they shouted the fish to death. He's confused until Sidon explains.

*Blue

[katedoesfics]

Shadows of the Yiga | Chapter 33

Zelda stood at the edge of the circular drive as Paya approached. Being under Dorian’s and likely her father’s watchful eye left her unable to find opportunities to sneak away and discuss her plans with Paya and Teba, but she hoped being far enough away from the palace and other buildings would them out of range of anyone - or anything - listening to their conversation.

“Did you learn anything?” Zelda asked.

Paya shook her head regretfully. “Not much,” she said. “Aunt Purah doesn’t think it will be able to help him. She believes that Kohga was able to completely alter the purity of his spirit. It will take much more than just a simple healing shrine to fix it.”

“What about the spring?” Zelda asked, growing desperate. “The Goddesses? They must be able to do something.”

Paya nodded. “I believe they will have the best chance,” she started. “If they are willing.”

“We have to try.”

“We will,” Paya said. “But I believe we will need to deal with the Yiga Clan, first. As we expected, they were waiting for us at the shrine. They knew we would be investigating. Of course, I think they were disappointed to see that you and Link were not there.” She met Zelda’s worried gaze and quickly reassured her. “They were no problem for Aunt Purah and I,” she said. “But I believe it would be in our best interest to destroy the shrine to prevent it from getting into the wrong hands.”

Zelda hesitated. “But couldn’t it be of use to us?”

“No more use than a modern hospital or even my own healing powers,” Paya said confidently. “At a time, it was a necessity. But that no longer applies.”

“How do we go about destroying it, then?”

“I believe the Champions will be able to handle it,” Paya said.

“Don’t you think that’s just what the Yiga Clan want?” Zelda said carefully. “They’d be walking right into their hands.”

“Perhaps,” Paya started. “But there’s no one else that can take care of it. And you don’t trust Grandmother or Dorian to ask for the aid of the Sheikah.”

Zelda sighed. “We should try the spring, first,” she said. “Link does not have a lot of time left.”

“That may be,” she started. “But good luck trying to convince him otherwise. He’ll want to take on the Yiga Clan, first.”

“I know.” Zelda hesitated. “I know Teba won’t let me leave. Will you go with them?”

“Of course.”

Dorian stepped out from around the corner. He held his gaze on Zelda, who regarded him strongly, though her face had whitened slightly. He said nothing as he moved passed her and Paya, leaving them alone once more. He made his way into the palace, trotting up the grand staircase to the second floor and towards Roham’s office. Roham did not greet him when he entered, but his hard gaze met Dorian’s.

“They plan to destroy the shrine,” Dorian said simply. “This will be our chance.”

Roham’s expression softened slightly. “Fine,” he said. “Let them. But be waiting for them. Take Link in now while you have the chance.”

Dorian said nothing further and left Roham alone in his office. Roham turned his gaze back out the window where he watched Zelda and Paya walk across the grounds, deep in conversation.

“And what about Rusl?” Paya asked.

Zelda hesitated. She kept her eyes on the ground as they walked. “I don’t know,” she admitted. She met Paya’s gaze. “Do you think we should be concerned?”

Paya held her gaze on Zelda’s for a moment before looking towards the horizon. “It’s very easy to put them all together,” she said after a moment. “Rusl, Dorian, and your father. They’re all involved, and they have been for a long time. That can mean so many things. If they were all involved in Rusl’s faked death, then there’s a reason for it. Something they are hiding. We could naturally assume that means Yiga involvement, too.”

“What could my father possibly gain from that?”

“It’s very possible Rusl and Dorian are going behind his back, as well.” She paused. “Or Dorian is going behind their backs. Or Rusl.”

“Right,” Zelda muttered. “The possibilities here are endless.” She sighed and pressed a finger against her temple. “We can’t trust any of them, is what you’re saying.”

“Actually,” Paya started. She sighed and her shoulders relaxed slightly. “I think we can trust Rusl.”

Zelda narrowed her gaze on her. “How?”

“I believe Rusl plays a bigger role in this than we realize,” she said. “He may be keeping secrets, but I believe there is a good reason for that.”

“But you have no proof.”

“No,” Paya admitted. “I don’t.”

Zelda nodded. “I’d like to think we can trust him,” she started. “But.” She sighed. “Move forward with the plan. Destroy the shrine. Then seek out the spring. We need to do everything we can to fix Link. I’ll do my best to keep tabs on my father and Dorian.” She met Paya’s gaze. “And keep an eye on Rusl.”

“And if I find proof he’s working with the Yiga?”

“Kill him.”

*****

It was late in the evening when Paya made it out of the city and back to the ranch. The air snapped as she appeared in the drive where the Champions had gathered in drink and conversation. They turned to her as she appeared and grew quiet.

“Nice to see you, Paya,” Revali said dryly. “I’m guessing you’re not here to hang out?”

“No,” she started sheepishly. She briefly met Rusl’s gaze, then pulled away uneasily to address the group. “Actually, I’ve got orders from Zelda.”

“Finally,” Daruk said, punching his palm with a fist. “Let’s fuck up some Yigas.”

“You will,” she started. “But we need to get to the shrine, first, and destroy it.”

Daruk’s shoulders slumped, and Paya smiled apologetically.

“Queen’s orders,” she said.

“Destroy the shrine?” Urbosa repeated. “What for?”

“It’s of no use to us,” Paya explained. “It won’t help Link. But it could be useful for the Yiga Clan, and that’s the last thing we need.”

“Then shouldn’t we try the spring?” Riju asked. “I mean, we’re kind of pressed for time here, aren’t we?”

“And if I’m gone before the shrine is destroyed, you’re all fucked,” Link muttered. He ignored his father’s hard stare.

“We don’t need you to destroy a shrine,” Revali hissed.

“I can’t believe we’re going to destroy a shrine,” Mipha muttered, shaking her head.

“Zelda’s right,” Link insisted. “We do it now. And then we fuck up the Yiga Clan.”

“And how do you expect to destroy this shrine?” Daruk asked with a raised brow.

Link grinned. He still had some left over C4 in the car. He couldn’t wait to blow shit up.

“I don’t like that look,” Aryll muttered.

Link moved to the car and threw open the trunk. The Champions gathered behind him, staring at the C4.

“Where the fuck did you get this?” Revali said.

“I know a guy,” Kit said with a grin.

“The fuck does that mean?” Daruk muttered.

“We weren’t interrogating anyone,” Kit said. “We were stocking up.”

“For Link’s suicide mission?” Urbosa said, her eyes narrowed on Kit.

Kit threw his arms in the air defensively. “Hey, I knew nothing about that.”

“You know,” Daruk started. “Roham already wants your ass. You’re not exactly in good standing with the kingdom. This doesn’t help your case.”

Link shrugged. “What have I got to lose?”

“I like it,” Revali said with a grin. “This is the most ballsy thing you’ve ever done. Let’s blow some shit up.”

“From hero to anti-hero,” Riju said excitedly. “Chaotic good. I like it! Kicking ass, escaping the law, and still saving the day!”

“The Yiga Clan will be expecting you,” Paya said. “They’ll be waiting for you. You cannot let your guard down.”

“Even better,” Link said.

“What’s your plan?” Rusl asked, narrowing his gaze on his son. “Waltz right in and hope some meeseley C4 will work?”

“Do you have a better idea?” Link sneered.

“Of course he does,” Daruk said, crossing his arms. “He’s trained for this. We’re not.”

“I’m trained,” Link said. “Trained to kick ass and take names.”

“You swung a sword around and hoped for the best,” Revali said.

“It worked, didn’t it?”

“You got gutted twice,” Mipha reminded him.

“Well, obviously,” Riju said. “It wouldn’t make a very good story if there wasn’t a little drama. Just wait until this hits the big screen!”

“Really, Riju?” Urbosa said in an exhausted tone.

“Link needs to get paid!”

Link nodded. “Yeah. I have yet to see any benefits from my heroic actions.” He crossed his arms. “This kingdom is ungrateful. Maybe I should let the Yiga Clan bring Ganondorf back.”

“You’re a wanted criminal,” Daruk said. “You’ll be lucky if you don’t see jail bars for the rest of your life.”

Link rolled his eyes.

“Is this how you idiots work?” Rusl chimed in. “For the love of Hylia, it’s a miracle you were able to stop Ganondorf in the first place.”

Riju nodded. “They do more bickering than anything else,” she said. “It was way worse in high school.”

“Ganondorf would have this world in chaos if it weren’t for us,” Revali said. “Link would have been dead a long time ago without us.”

“That’s not true,” Link muttered.

“Do you know how many times I’ve had to save your ass because you were careless?”

“You think so,” Link started. “But if you weren’t around being a pain in the ass, I bet we could have even taken out the Yiga Clan.”

“And you would have been gutted a third time.”

“No, but I would have let them kill you.”

“And without me to save your ass, you’d be dead. Again.”

“Oh, yeah? Well then why don’t you do all the hero work, then, since you’re so fucking good at it?”

“If I was the hero, we would be far better off. But unfortunately, Hylia didn’t seem to appreciate my worth.”

“Because you have the spirit of an arrogant jackass.”

“At least I don’t go running around on suicide missions and getting gutted!”

“I’m gonna kick your ass!”

“Let’s go, Hulk! I’d like to see you try!”

Urbosa sighed loudly. “Stop it!”

“Holy fuck,” Riju muttered. “You both have big dicks now simmer down.”

“We’re all gonna die,” Rusl muttered.

Mipha turned a helpless gaze to Daruk, and Daruk grinned.

“You mean you didn’t miss this?”

“Are we going to blow shit up or are just keep acting like sixteen year olds?” Kit said.

Link slammed the trunk closed. “Yeah, grow up, Revali.”

Revali grinned but said nothing further.

“So, what’s the plan?” Daruk asked. He turned to Rusl expectantly.

“No way,” Rusl said. “You fuckers are on your own. I want no part of this messed up group of heroes.”

“Well, that’s encouraging,” Mipha muttered.

“Link will get us all killed if you don’t talk some sense into him,” Revali pointed out.

“What’s your plan, then?” Rusl asked his son.

Link shrugged. “Walk in and blow it up?”

Rusl pinched the bridge of his nose. “For fuck’s sake,” he muttered. “I should have been the one staying home and sent you into the army instead. Maybe you’d be a little damn smarter.”

“I certainly wouldn’t have had to fake my own death,” Link muttered.

“No, but we would have had to come rescue you,” Revali said.

Aryll raised a hand in the air. “I did it. I rescued Link from the Yiga. Just putting that out there.”

“Can we not start this again?” Urbosa muttered.

“Look,” Rusl started. “The Yiga Clan will be expecting you. They’ll be waiting for you. You’ll be lucky if you even get near that shrine.”

“So, what?” Daruk asked. “There’s only one way in. There’s no getting around that.”

“Urbosa and Revali will be your best options for the front lines,” Rusl said. He turned his gaze to Daruk. “And you protect your healers. And Hulk. The Yiga Clan may have already gotten their hands on him, but if they see an opportunity to get at him again, they’ll take it.”

“What about me?” Riju asked. She jumped up excitedly. “Do I get to be on the front lines, too?”

“No,” Urbosa hissed. Riju frowned.

“Ha, ha,” Kit teased.

“You, too,” Rusl said.

Kit pouted. “What? Why?”

“You’re useless.”

“So are you!” Kit pointed out.

“Yeah, that’s why I’m not getting involved.”

“You’re the only one who knows what the fuck they’re doing,” Revali said. He shook his head. “Nice try. You’re not sitting this out.”

“Link’s useless, too,” Riju said. “Why does he get to go?”

“Because there’s nothing anyone can say to make him stay,” Rusl said with a sigh. “You should know this by now.”

“So, what’s your excuse?” Revali said. He crossed his arms. “Shouldn’t you be willing to fight and defend?”

“The difference between you and I,” Rusl started, “is I use my damn head. I know when I’ll be useful and when I won’t be.”

“And if shit goes south, you’ll have a much better plan to get us out alive than we could,” Daruk said. “Besides. I won’t let your ass get fried. Not this time, anyway.”

Rusl shrugged. “It’s not my call. I don’t run this circus.”

Link stared at his feet, feeling their gazes on him. He didn’t really want his father involved. It wasn’t worth the risk of losing him again. He hated to admit it, though, but Revali had a point. His father was much better prepared for this sort of mission. He really didn’t have a plan at all, and he knew he couldn’t be so careless. But plans… they just weren’t his forte. His plan was to get in, cause destruction, and get out, and keep everyone alive in the process. That was always his plan. And at times, it was a weakness. A hinderance. He only wanted his friends to stay alive, at whatever cost, which more often than not, only blinded him and made him careless. He knew he needed their help, but he wished he was strong enough to be able to do things on his own. He worked better that way.

“I don’t care what you do,” Link finally said. He met his father’s gaze. “But if you have no faith in our abilities as heroes, then maybe you should tag along on the fun.”

“Alright,” Revali said, clapping his hands together. “Enough wasting time. Let’s do this!”

[lesserfandomappreciation]

Any headcanons on the Champions, Teba, and Sidon are like when they are drunk? Their tolerance level, and how they act with both normal people and their s/o? I'm not sure if Mipha is old enough to drink so I leave that to you to decide, I know Link isn't. You are amazing to finish all those asks so fast. I'm happy the ask box is open, and sorry you will be flooded again.

Thanks! I like to get these out as fast as I can, so that everyone can enjoy them as much as possible! 

But I’m happy when I get flooded occasionally. It means I’m doing a good job!

Thank you btw for taking the age into consideration, I really appreciate it!

-Mod Pinks

When Drunk 

Urbosa

Can she get drunk?

Is the sort of person who can handle her alcohol very, very well

0/10 would not try to drink her under a table, she’ll win every time and assuming you survive the alcohol poisoning, there’s not enough pain meds to make the hangover even slightly bareable

If she somehow gets buzzed, Urbosa becomes more boastful, but not even of herself.

Sure, she’ll boast of her achievements, but most of her achievements are others, including her s/o!

“Look at this incredible person! They are mine!”

Revali

You know the term ‘feather-weight’?

The Rito are the reason that drinking term exists.

Can’t drink a whole lot before the effects start kicking in.

Is the definition of grateful drunk

“You... yooou guys aaaare my best -hic- bwest fwiends... I ‘ove you gwuys... where’d ma cup gooo...”

Ten-fold that for his s/o, who’ll be the unfortunate person hauling his drunk ass home.

Daruk

“Another round for me and my friends!”

Second only to Urbosa in alcohol tolerance

I’d say 10-12 mugs of strong brew before he’s out.

In the beginning he’s a cheerful drunk

Brings his friends into hugs, is just overjoyed to be with them

Then it happens.

The Emotional Drunk Daruk arrives

“I... I don’t deserve you guys..!!! Yet yer still here.... You guys are so sweet!!!”

It’s around that point that his hugs become a bit too tight, as there is no escape from his tears

S/o can’t lift him, so they’re stuck with him at the bar, handing him a lot of tissues as he cries on and on til he sleeps.

Teba

Also a proud example of the term ‘feather-weight’

Slightly better than Revali if only in the sense you can’t really tell he’s drunk at first.

He’s as quiet as ever, swaying a little and a blush flushed on his face, but beyond that, good luck telling the difference between him sober and him drunk.

It’s until drink number 4 that it hits.

Deep Teba

“What if... we’re just grains of sand in the beach that is the universe... Do we matter, or do we not...?”

Is usually kicked out of the bar for bringing everyone’s mood down.

Treats s/o as his philosophy theory partner til he passes out.

Sidon

“This is excellent! Hahaha bring another to celebrate!”

Daruk would have been thrilled to have Sidon as a drinking buddy.

Also a cheerful drunk

The only difference/problem is that he is also a lovey-dovey drunk

S/o had better escape his arm reach if they want to avoid getting pulled into his lap and staying their possibly until the next day!

Sidon is giving them lots of nuzzles and little kisses until the alcohol wears out of he passes out, one of the other.

Still can’t escape though, his arms are not moving

[katedoesfics]

Shadows of Hyrule | Chapter 60

Link awoke with a start. His head was pounding. He opened his eyes and waited for his vision to focus. He didn't recognize the room he was in. Where the hell was he? There was a grunt at his side, and he turned over and almost rolled over Daruk who was also laying on the floor. His eyes were closed, but his waving hand indicated that he was not completely asleep as he waved off Link.

“Five minutes,” he grunted simply.

And then it all came back to him. The club Revali dragged them to. The loud music, the drinks, the dancing. He remembered the stares as they walked through the city. It had been a while since the big media blow up, and since then, they had basically been preoccupied with school. But as they hit the town, they were noticed. Revali picked a fight with a few of them, but others looked upon them with admiration. Young kids ran up to them excitedly, asking for their autographs. It was unlike anything Link could have imagined.

And it surely explained why they got into the club without so much as a glance at their IDs. Link didn't exactly plan on drinking, but when the drinks came for free, it would have been rude of him to say no. Mipha, on the other hand, had no problem refusing the drinks, and Revali gladly accepted the ones offered to her.

At some point in the night, Zelda had disappeared completely. The only thing he could remember clearly was Daruk and Urbosa dancing together. And damn, they made a good team. It seemed to Link something straight out of a movie. Of course, that could have been the alcohol clouding his brain.

“Wassup, bitches?” Revali called loudly as he burst into the room. He looked down at Link and grinned. “Aw, is little noob hungover?” He tossed a bottle of pills at him, and they landed in Link's lap.

Link winced and his lips pulled into a snarl. “What the hell, man?”

Revali's grin widened. Teba appeared over his shoulder. He, too, was grinning.

“Aw, man,” Teba said. “Do you remember anything last night?”

Link hesitated, then shook his head. “No, not really.” He rubbed at his forehead, then opened the bottle and quickly downed two pills.

“Yikes,” Revali said. “Let's hope Mipha doesn't.”

Link's face whitened, and Revali and Teba exchanged gleeful glances.

“What-what does that mean?” Link stuttered. “Is she okay? What happened?”

Revali laughed loudly and Link winced further. “Oh, man, what didn't happen?”

Daruk sat up at that moment, practically hissing. “Shut up! ” He looked around, blinking for a moment as he took in his surroundings. “Where are we?”

“In my basement,” Revali said with a shrug.

There was a shriek from somewhere above them, and this brought Link and Daruk to their feet. They pushed passed Revali and Teba, who were laughing together, and ran upstairs to the source of the yell.

“Revali!” Urbosa screamed at the top of her lungs. “You're so immature!”

Daruk and Link skidded to a halt in front of a door where Urbosa was standing in her underwear. Her nostrils flared as her gaze landed on them.

“I swear to Hylia,” she hissed threateningly. “I will kill you all.”

Daruk blinked blankly at her, still groggy. He rubbed at his eyes. “What's wrong?”

“That asshole put plastic wrap on the fucking toilet!”

Mipha came out of a door just down the hall, rubbing her eyes. When she lifted her arm, her t-shirt slid up slightly, revealing her bare thighs. When her vision focused and her gaze fell on Link, she yelped in surprise and fell back against the wall. She scrambled along it before falling back into the room, the door slamming behind her.

“What the fuck is happening,” Link muttered to himself.

“I need a fucking shower,” Urbosa hissed.

“I need an adult,” Daruk mumbled.

“You are the adult, man,” Link said.

“Shit.”

Fuming, Urbosa slammed the bathroom door closed, leaving Daruk and Link standing dumbly in the hallway. Daruk turned to him, and it was then that he realized what exactly Link was wearing. He snorted first, then burst into laughter.

Link looked down, first at his bare chest, then at the skirt that he recalled Urbosa wearing earlier in the night.

“What the fuck,” he muttered.

“And take off my skirt!” Urbosa yelled through the door.

“Dude,” Daruk gasped between bouts of laughter. “What the fuck?”

Link turned and snarled at Revali as he and Teba made their way up the stairs.

“I have to admit,” Revali said with a grin. “You do pull it off.”

“Don't worry,” Teba said, his face serious. “Most of the craziness happened when we got here.” He turned to glare at Revali. “I made sure of that.”

Daruk wiped at his eyes, tearing up, still grinning. “Why?”

“You guys really don't need any extra media attention,” Teba said. “Despite how Revali thinks he can win them over with his charm.” He air quoted the last word with his fingers.

“Revali, I'll fucking kill you!” Urbosa called from inside the bathroom as the shower turned on.

“Where are my pants?” Link said with regret. He never thought he'd ever have to say those words. “Will someone tell me what the hell happened?”

Teba threw Link's jeans at him. “Don't listen to Revali,” he said. “Nothing happened.”

“Why do you have to take the fun out of everything?” Revali whined.

“Give him a break,” Teba said. His lips curled into a smile. “He has a lot of feelings to sort through.” He and Revali broke into laughter.

“Man, you like to talk when you're drunk,” Revali said.

Link traded the skirt for his jeans quickly. “I will kill you both if you don't start giving me answers,” he said in a deep growl.

“That's so scary coming from Mr. Feels-a-lot,” Revali said with a grin.

Link lunged at him then, knocking them both to the ground. It didn't take long for Link to pin Revali, despite his struggles.

“When the fuck did you get that strong?” he grunted under Link's weight.

Urbosa stepped out of the bathroom at that moment and stared at the two men on the floor. She was dressed, her hair pulled back in a wet ponytail. She shook her head at them. “Do I even want to know?”

“Link's butt hurt because he acts like a gossipy girl when he's drunk,” Revali snarled.

Urbosa frowned. “Stop teasing him,” she said. “You wouldn't know the pain that comes with being in love.”

“I – what?” Link sputtered out.

“Don't worry,” Urbosa said. “You only confessed everything to me. Revali, unfortunately, just happened to overhear.”

“Great,” Link muttered, not daring push the conversation forward.

Revali grinned up at him, grunting slightly when Link pushed him forcefully against the floor. He opened his mouth to speak further, but it snapped shut when a door opened from behind them.

Mipha squeaked when she stepped out into the hallway. Link turned and glanced at her over his shoulder, then pushed himself off of Revali, shooting him one last dirty look. He turned back to Mipha, noticing then how white her face had become. “What's wrong?”

Mipha blinked at them for a moment. Her eyes dropped to the phone in her hand, then back to Link. “Termina is under attack.”

[katedoesfics]

Shadows of Hyrule | Chapter 59

It was almost an hour before Dorephan and King Roham emerged from the palace, strolling across the manicured courtyard where the six champions waited. To their surprise, the two men seemed relatively relaxed, even cheerful in each other's company, as if an old friendship had been rekindled. Mipha stood as they approached, watching with anxious eyes to hear her father's decision.

“There is an important matter we must tend to in Termina,” her father said to her. “However; I will agree to let you stay here in Hyrule under the condition that you no longer concern yourself with the impending war.”

“Alright,” Mipha said quickly. “Fine.”

Dorephan narrowed his gaze on his daughter. “Do not take this lightly, Mipha,” he warned her. “Step one toe out of line and we will go back to Termina.”

Mipha said nothing, holding her gaze on her father until he turned his back on her. He made his way back to the palace, leaving King Roham alone with them for a moment.

King Roham turned to follow Dorephan, looking over his shoulder just long enough to issue his own warning to the Champions. “Our alliance is on thin ice, Zelda. I support Dorephan's decision to the fullest. You should know that I expect you to cooperate in the matter. However, as Hyrule's Champions, the fate of the world lies on your shoulders, and I expect you to make the decision necessary to keep this world safe. Those... decisions... do not need to be of my knowledge.” And with that, he followed Dorephan back to the palace.

“Cryptic,” Revali said.

Zelda stared blankly after her father. Once they were inside, she cursed under her breath. “That bastard,” she hissed. “Why would he put that on me?”

Urbosa shrugged. “So our choices could make or break a very important alliance,” she said. “No pressure at all.”

“Well, as long as he doesn't know about it,” Daruk offered in an attempt to be helpful.

“Great,” Revali said. “We're on our own. No surprise there. Why would anyone want to help us?” His light laugh grew slightly panicked as he continued. “It's okay. We don't need help. We got this, right guys? Guys?”

Urbosa patted Revali's head and his shoulders slumped. “It's okay,” she cooed to him. “You're a traumatized flight risk, aren't you? Well, Momma's gonna get you some beer and we're gonna work through these feelings.”

Revali snarled and shrugged her off of him. “Cut it out.” He folded his arms over his chest, still slightly sulking. In an attempt to lighten the mood, he turned his attention to Link, who had been way too quiet through the entire ordeal. “Hey! Earth to Mr. Hero. Care to weigh in on anything, or are you just going to keep brooding?”

Link glanced at Revali and narrowed his gaze. “I'm not brooding.”

Urbosa nodded in agreement. “You're brooding.”

Daruk narrowed his gaze on Link. “He's hiding something.”

“I'm not hiding anything,” Link said. He had to practically bite his tongue to keep from snapping in response and seeming more obvious than he apparently already was.

“Nah, he's brooding,” Revali said. “Almost got his girlfriend taken away from him.” He yelped when Urbosa elbowed him sharply in the rib cage.

“Girlfriend?” Mipha repeated, her cheeks warming suddenly.

“Is that not a thing?” Revali said with a disinterested tone. “I thought that was a thing.”

Link pinched the bridge of his nose. He had a headache the size of Hyrule. He listened as his friends bickered, though it was mostly Urbosa trying desperately to cover up the awkwardness that had risen after Revali's comment, and Mipha stuttering in a desperate attempt to deny all accusations. At some point, Daruk chimed in, making some crude joke to Revali, but Link hardly noticed any of this. It wasn't until Zelda spoke when his mind was grounded in reality once more.

“Alright,” she said sharply. “I'm done with you. Get out of here so I can study for finals in peace.”

“Shit,” Mipha hissed. “My first final is tomorrow!” How did the weekend get away from them?

“Suckas,” Revali said. “All we have to do tomorrow is walk across that stage.” He and Daruk high-fived.

Zelda practically pushed them through the courtyard. It was already late in the afternoon, and she wanted to use every minute she could getting some final studying in.

*****

The last week of school brought on an alternative schedule that crammed two classes worth of finals in the morning and giving the students the afternoon free. As the school rules stated, the free time was to be used for studying, or, with a note from a parent, they could be excused from the property all together. Of course, hardly any of the students had followed that rule, casually walking out of the building to meet up with their friends the second they were finished with their last final of the day.

On Monday morning, Mipha's parents left early for the airport to make their trip back to Termina, promising her that they would be home before the end of the week, though to Mipha, it seemed more of a threat. We'll be home before the end of the week... don't get caught up in any hero work or you'll be on the next plane to Termina. Of course, she had no intentions in backing out now, despite her parents' beliefs. Still, the way the media had been involved, she knew it wouldn't make her sneaking around any easier.

Mipha, Link, and Zelda made it through their first two finals, and by the afternoon, they were sitting in the bleachers outside, cheering for their three senior friends who were officially high school graduates. The speeches were long and chalked full of cliches. The ceremonial accepting of the diploma was even longer considering the number of students in the senior class. And the summer sun didn't make things any better. But by the time the pomp and circumstance had finished, the bleachers started to empty out as friends and family hurried onto the field to meet with their new graduates. Caps were thrown in the air, bouquets were passed around, and cameras and phones flashed as students hugged their parents, brothers and sisters, and fellow graduates, their images frozen in time.

They were chatting among themselves at the edge of the field when Urbosa, Daruk, Revali, and Teba found them, still dressed in their gowns with the exception of their caps.

“Hey, losers,” Revali said with a grin. He waved his diploma in the air. “See you next year, not!”

“Revali,” Mipha said, shaking her head. “Really? That's so ten years ago.”

“I'm bringing it back,” he said with a shrug. “'Not' should never have left. It's so much better then some of these other words you basic bitches come up with. Like, what the hell is a fleek?”

Zelda snorted. “Wow,” she said. “He graduates, and suddenly he's an eighty year old man.”

“Shove it, Princess,” he said. “Are we gonna smoke this joint or what?”

Teba shook his head. “You're embarrassing yourself, man.”

“C'mon,” Revali said, leading the way. “It's time to party and drink.”

“If it's at your house,” Mipha started warily, “you can count me out.”

“A guy throws one helluva rager and all you can think about is that one douche bag that had to shut it down.” He draped his arm around Mipha. “Did I, or did I not, have your back?”

“Oh, Revali,” she said dreamily. “Thanks for providing us with an escape. I had a great night throwing up my insides.”

“Thatta girl,” Revali said, patting her head. He leaned in closer to whisper in her ear, but he was still loud enough to be heard. “I know all the tricks, Mipha, and I know you were playing the jealousy game. Did it even work?”

Mipha blushed and scooted out from under his shoulder.

“Is it just me,” Urbosa started, “or is he extra douchey today?”

“That piece of paper is getting to his head,” Daruk said.

“I was starting to appreciate the more humble Revali,” Teba said.

“Yeah, but that was getting to him, too,” Urbosa said with a frown.

“Will you quit it?” Revali snapped over his shoulder. “Can't a guy have a meltdown without ya'll throwing it in his face?”

Teba shook his head. “Sorry, man.”

Revali threw his arms in the air as he walked across the parking lot.

“Where are you going?” Urbosa called after him.

“Partying,” he said simply.

[katedoesfics]

Shadows of Hyrule | Chapter 53

The next day wasn't any easier for the Champions. The stares from their peers continued. They gossiped quietly among themselves, silencing only when one of them was near. Most of the students stayed away from them all together, but a few regarded them with respect and awe, speaking to them even though they had never spoken before. Still, the attention was unwanted, even from those who believed in what they were doing, and the end of the day couldn't come soon enough to provide them their needed escape.

Per Zelda's request, they met at the park after school, only then noticing Revali's absence. She sighed in annoyance when they realized no one had seen him all day, and calling his phone only brought Daruk to Revali's voicemail.

“We need to plan our next move,” Zelda said. “I think I've found some answers that could help us. He needs to be here.”

“Well, he's not answering,” Daruk said, his voice hard in frustration. “I can't make him appear.” To his surprise, his phone rang, but it was only Teba. He answered it, muttering under his breath, and listened as Teba spoke. “What?... For real?... Alright, we'll be right there.” He shoved his phone back into his pocket and sighed. “Revali's in jail.”

“Seriously?” Urbosa practically moaned.

“The cops picked him up in some parking lot with a case of empties throwing up on some chick's car. Teba's at the station trying to get ahold of his dad to bail him out.”

“Fucking idiot,” Link muttered.

“Come on,” Urbosa said with a sigh. “We should give Teba a hand.”

*****

By the time they reached the station, Teba had gotten through to Revali's father, and with only a small amount of begging, he agreed to bail his son out of jail once more. Revali leaned against Teba as Teba guided him out into the parking lot where the others waited outside their cars. They stopped for a moment as Revali heaved, but when nothing came out, they pressed on until they reached the cars.

“'Hanks, man,” Revali slurred. “Y-you're... good. Ma bes' friend.” Revali patted Teba's head and Teba rolled his eyes, irritated.

“The fuck is wrong with you,” Daruk said. “You couldn't get drunk at home?”

Revali shook his head lazily. “Nah, man. Can't. Ol' man kicked me out.”

Teba propped him up against the car. “What happened?”

Revali sighed and shrugged. His body swayed despite the support from the car. “I dunno.”

“He needs to get sober,” Daruk said.

“Can I – can I crash withya, man?”

“Yeah,” Teba said with a sigh. “Okay.”

“Teba,” Revali said.

“Yeah, dude?”

“I want out.”

“Out?”

Revali slid down the body of the car until he landed on the ground. He leaned his head back against the car door and turned his gaze to Link. “I can't.”

“Goddesses,” Urbosa muttered. She turned to Mipha. “Can't you heal this or something?”

Mipha shook her head. “I don't think so.” She sat on the ground beside Revali and he leaned against her, closing his eyes. Mipha patted his head.

“We're gonna die, you know,” Revali said. “I can't watch e'ryone die.”

“No one's gonna die,” Mipha said softly. “That's what I'm here for, right?”

Revali sighed. “This'n't as cool'z I thought it'd be.” He was quiet for a moment. “I'm scared.”

“Let's go, Captain Depressing,” Daruk said as he hoisted Revali to his feet. “Now I need a drink.” He passed Revali off to Teba and Teba pushed him into the passenger seat.

“I've got him,” he muttered, then, into the car, he said, “No more parking lots for you.”

Revali leaned his head back. “I'm gonna throw up all my insides,” he muttered.

“Please don't,” Teba said with a frown. “I like this car.”

“Are you sure you don't need any help?” Link asked.

“I'm fine. Thanks.” He slid into the driver's seat.

Urbosa sighed and shook her head. “Text us and let us know what's going on,” she said.

Teba nodded once. The car roared to life, and after pushing Revali off of him once more, he pulled out of the lot.

“Why did he kick you out?” Teba asked as he navigated the city.

“Mad,” Revali hiccuped. “Nuthin' I do's good 'nuff.” He sighed loudly. “Um only going to tha' dumb college 'uz his makin' me. Iss what 'e wants. Iss always been what he wanted.”

“It doesn't have to be like that,” Teba said.

“You don't get it,” Revali snapped. “Iss not... Iss not even about that.” He paused for a moment, groaning, and slunk down into the seat. “After the las' 'tack... After everything we've been through... We're all fucked. We're in way over our heads. An' I can't watch them get hurt anymore. We've all been on the brink of death. If it weren't for Mipha, we would have all died a long time ago.”

Teba's brows knit together, but he focused on the road, glancing only momentarily at Revali as he started to break down.

“Dad thinks... he thinks I'm dangerous,” Revali continued. “An' um an idiot. An' no son of his is gunna be playin' pretend with the king's dumb daughter. I told 'im ta go ta hell. 'E 'as no fuckin' clue wha's goin' on.” He paused. “He's disowned me. Um shit to him.”

“That's not... that's not true.”

“He took everythin',” Revali said. “Said if I didn't quit this fuckin' game, he'd take everythin'. An' he did. College kicked me out before I even started. Pulled my scholarship. Fuck, I bet he a'ready changed the house keys.” He hesitated. “I've got nothin' left. Even if we win this, what am I supposed ta do afta?”

Teba frowned. “Give yourself a curly-cue, put on some glasses, and get a day job?”

Revali snorted. “Funny.”

“Why does it matter right now?” Teba said. “You've got the rest of your life to figure that shit out.”

Revali only grunted in response. His eyes were closed in the passenger seat.

“Dude, don't pass out, or I'm leaving your ass in the car.”

“Mk.”

“I'm serious,” Teba continued. “I'm not dragging your ass in the house.”

“Mhm.”

Teba pulled into the driveway and put the car into park. He looked over at his friend who, despite his warnings, seemed to be out cold. Teba sighed and punched Revali in the arm. Revali grunted and opened his eyes. He pushed himself up in the seat, looked around for a moment, then opened the car door and tumbled to the ground.

Muttering to himself, Teba stepped out and moved around the car, pulling Revali to his feet. Revali burped and giggled, leaning against Teba.

“Hey, hey,” Revali whispered loudly. “Is Suki here? Can I say hi to Suki? Are you guys gonna fuck tonight?”

Teba rolled his eyes and guided Revali into the house. “No, Revali,” he muttered. “It's only Thursday. Suki has finals like we do next week.”

“Shit,” Revali spat. “Fuck finals, right?”

“Sure,” Teba said as he pushed him through the door. “Go to bed.”

“Your parents are gonna hate me, too,” Revali whined.

“They've always hated you,” Teba said with a grin.

“Aw, for real? Why? I'm a wonderful person.”

“Oh, yeah,” Teba said, rolling his eyes. “They love the fact that I've had to bail you out of jail twice already.”

“We should get an apartment together,” Revali said excitedly. “After graduation. We'll have all the babes.”

“Whatever you say, man.”

Revali hit Teba's shoulder repeatedly as he stumbled into the bedroom. “Fuck yeah!”

Teba pushed Revali onto the bed. Revali proceeded to pull his shirt off, but Teba punched him in the arm. “You're not sleeping naked in my bed,” he hissed.

“I always sleep naked!”

“I'll fucking kill you,” Teba muttered. “I swear to Hylia, Revali.”

Revali grunted and let himself fall onto the bed. Just as soon as his head hit the pillow, he started to snore lightly.

“Don't throw up on my bed, either.” But Teba's words were not heard. He sighed and made himself as comfortable as he could on the floor, making sure to keep out of the path of any projectile vomiting. Revali murmured in his sleep, then turned over with his back to Teba and curled up on the bed.

[katedoesfics]

Shadows of Hyrule | Chapter 29

“So, how was everyone's weekend?” Teba asked. They were gathered together behind the school at the end of the day, none of them really in any hurry to get home.

“Uneventful,” Urbosa said.

Teba nodded. “Right, right. I'm sure it was considering you bitches all jumped ship Friday night.”

Daruk shrugged. “The Captain told us to scram, so we did.”

“We had our own issues to deal with,” Urbosa said, narrowing her eyes at Teba.

“Oh, yeah, me too, like busting Revali out of jail.”

Daruk whistled. “Nice. What was he busted for?”

Teba rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. “Well, let's see.” He looked up thoughtfully. “There's the loud noise ordinance, the underage drinking, the drugs, assault, and somehow attempted murder.”

“The fuck?” Link muttered.

“Yeah. Turns out trying to choke a guy doesn't fly well with the cops, especially when the guy's a fucking bitch.”

“Huh,” Link said. “I thought they were getting kinky.”

“How did he manage to get out?” Daruk asked.

“Oh, you know how it goes,” Teba started. “His dad pulled some strings.”

“So, where has he been all day?” Urbosa asked.

Teba shook his head. “Maybe his father finally killed him.”

“You don't know?” Link said. “I thought he was your boyfriend.”

Teba sneered at Link. “I don't spend every moment of my life with him. I haven't seen him all weekend. I've been with Suki.”

“No one has thought to check on him?” Urbosa said. “It's not like him to go silent like that. I don't think he even knows how to shut his beak. He practically announces his presence whenever he enters a damn room.”

“And I suppose that's my job?” Teba said. “It wasn't my turn to babysit him.”

“Not it,” Link said, putting a finger on his nose. “Not it times infinity.”

Daruk sighed. “I'll call him.”

“Cool,” Teba said. “Let me know how it goes. I've got shit to do. But if he's in jail again, don't call me. I did my time.”

Daruk pulled out his phone and dialed Revali's number as Teba left them. It took three rings before Revali answered.

“Yo.”

“Hey, man,” Daruk said. “The hell have you been?”

“I dunno,” Revali said. “I found this feather and I followed it.”

Daruk raised a brow and turned to his friends. “Huh?”

“Yeah, you'll never fuckin' believe it,” Revali continued. “It's a fucking feather, man. Like, the prettiest looking feather I've ever seen.”

“Is he on crack?” Link asked.

“The fuck are you smoking, dude?” Daruk said.

“No, guys,” Revali continued, sounding excited. “You gotta check this shit out. It's fucking magic, man. A fucking magic feather.”

“And where did you find this feather?” Urbosa said in a bored tone. “He's fucking with us,” she said to them.

“I swear to fuck I'm not,” Revali shouted. “I had this wild ass dream last night and this feather was in it, and when I woke up it was on the fucking window and I followed it.”

“Why the hell would you follow a feather?” Daruk asked.

“Because of the dream, man! The dream!”

“He's lost it,” Mipha said. “He's high as a kite.”

“Shut the fuck up, guys,” Revali said, still shouting. “Its magic! I'm a fucking legend! Just get the fuck over here and check it out!”

Daruk's brows furrowed. “Where are you?”

“I dunno,” Revali said. “Outside the city. Who the hell knows. I wasn't paying attention.”

“Fine,” Daruk said with a sigh. “I'll just stalk your phone. We're coming to get you.”

“Hey, wait,” Revali said. “Don't bring Link. I hate him.”

“You're a good friend, Revali,” Link said. “I don't give a damn about your stupid feather, anyway.”

Urbosa nudged Link's ribs. “Sounds like some magic shit you may want to look into,” she muttered. “You know, something to help with anondorf-gay.”

Link raised a questioning brow and Mipha giggled. Urbosa rolled her eyes and beckoned with her chin. “Come on.”

*****

The tracker on Revali's phone brought them right to him. To their surprise, he was much further away from the city than they realized. In fact, he was just on the edge of the Hebra region, almost a four hour drive from the city. The sun was already sinking low in the sky, threatening to dip behind the distant mountain range, still capped with snow despite the warmth of the approaching summer.

Revali stood atop the hill, playing with the feather that dangled from his wrist. He turned to his friends as they crested the hill, leaving the car behind on the side of the road.

“You're not just outside the city, dude,” Daruk said angrily. “We drove almost four hours to get here.”

“Really?” But this didn't seem to interest Revali. He held the feather up for them to see and grinned.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Daruk said. “All over a damn feather?”

“Hell, yeah,” Revali said. “Check this shit out!” Revali raised his arm with the feather around his wrist and a bow took shape in his palm, materializing out of thin air with an angelic flair. Specs of glittering dust moved together to form the structure of the bow, emitting a soft, golden light as it took form. His fingers wrapped around the wood of the bow, and with his other hand, he pulled back on the drawstring, and an arrow took shape in a similar manner. He pulled the arrow back, waited a moment for the world to fall still, then released. The arrow soared through the air, a light blue hue around it, flying gracefully toward the horizon. When it didn't make impact with a target, it simply burst into a glittering blue dust, catching the rays of the sun until it dissolved completely.

“Guess we've got our ranger,” Daruk muttered.

“Perfect,” Urbosa said with a hand on her hip. “We've got our Dungeons and Dragons team.” She rolled her eyes.

“Please tell me there aren't going to be dragons,” Mipha muttered.

Revali turned back to his friends proudly. “You bitches can't do that.”

Urbosa looked up and smirked. “Actually.” She snapped her fingers and lightning struck the ground just yards from them.

“Holy fuck!” Revali shouted, springing backwards. “What the fuck?”

“Yeah, you know something,” Daruk said with a hand on his chin in thought. “Link's the only one without cool powers.”

Link crossed his arms. “I have a sword,” he said. He dropped his arms after a moment, defeated. “And... a triangle that glows.”

“Wait,” Revali started, putting a hand in the air to stop them. “Rewind. You all have cool powers?”

Mipha shrugged. “I'm the healer.”

“The healer?”

“Yeah, so stay on her good side or she'll let you die,” Link muttered.

“You're serious,” Revali said slowly. His brows furrowed. “Wait... do you guys know about Ganondorf, too?”

Urbosa raised a brow. “How do you know about Ganondorf?”

“He was in my dream. It was like... like I had to stop him or something.”

“Something like that,” Daruk said.

Revali turned his wide eyes to him. “He's real? He was like, trying to take over the world!”

“Yeah,” Urbosa said. “So, he kinda needs to be stopped.”

“Well,” Revali said, straightening. “If this world needs a hero, a hero it will get!”

“Actually,” Link said with a grin. “That's my job.”

“Fuck off, loser.”

Urbosa sighed. “Yeah, that's Link's job.”

“Shit,” Revali spat. “We're -”

“We know,” the others said in unison.

“Shut the fuck up!” Link barked.

“So, this is real,” Revali said. “This is happening?”

They each nodded. And one by one, they each told a part of the story; of the legends, of how their own powers came to be, and of the recent attack by the Shadow Beasts. When they were finished, Revali stared at them dumbly. After a moment, he finally spoke.

“Why the fuck am I the last to know about this?”

“Because you're an unobservant loser,” Link muttered.

But Revali did not react to Link. He looked at the feather looped around his wrist for a moment. “So, if we're gonna be superheroes,” he started. “What's our name? We need a cool name.”

“The L-men,” Link said with a grin. “For Link.”

Revali snorted. “More like L for loser. That name sucks.”

“You suck.”

“I vote Justice League of Hyurle,” Daruk said.

“The Fantastic Five,” Revali said, then added, “and Link.”

“Those all suck,” Urbosa said.

“I agree,” Mipha said. “If anything, Zelda gets to pick the name. She is the princess of Hyrule, after all.”

Revali rolled her eyes. “She'll pick something stupid, like Unicorns or something.”

“You know her so well,” Link muttered.

“Fine,” Revali said. “But for the record, if you let Link be our little leader, you're all stupid.”

Link turned around and made his way down the hill, toward the car. “We're leaving him here, right?” he said over his shoulder.

His friends – and Revali – followed suit behind him.

“What the hell was Hylia thinking, anyway?” Revali said. “How can the fate of Hyrule rely on such an incompetent, lazy idiot?”

[katedoesfics]

Shadows of the Yiga | Chapter 47

It was early in the afternoon the next day when the Champions found themselves gathered together inside the palace. They kept inside the walls of the palace, away from the crowd and reporters, as Zelda held a press conference. Link, however, paid no mind to the coverage on the tv screen, and instead searched for his sister, somewhere within those same walls. It didn’t take long to find her, having a good hunch of where she would be.

He stood in the doorway of the small temple inside the palace, his hands shoved in his pockets. He watched as Aryll stood over their father. Though she spoke softly to him, her voice carried.

“Anyway,” she said. She paused to sniff and wipe at her tears. “I dunno. Maybe it’s dumb. But I just wanted a chance to say goodbye this time.” She shrugged. “No one gets a second chance like we did. Only you would manage to pull something like that off.” She smiled to herself, then after a moment, she sighed shakily. “Thank you for coming back,” she whispered. “I wouldn’t change that for the world. Link, either, I know. You guys...” She chuckled lightly. “You guys are both so damn stubborn. I guess there’s a lot of you there. So, that’s not so bad.” She forced a smile. “I know you’d be like, making a stupid joke right now or something.” She paused. “I know we’ll be okay. You made sure of that.” She allowed the tears to roll down her cheeks. “And don’t worry. I won’t burn anymore books.” She hesitated, holding back a sob. “I love you, Daddy.” After a moment, her ears twitched, and she turned her gaze to the ceiling and smiled.

She noticed her brother then, and turned toward him. She offered him a smile as he approached her. He stood at her side when he reached her, but his gaze was fixed on the casket in the front of the room.

“Do you resent me?” he asked quietly.

Aryll’s brows furrowed. “What? No. Why would you ask that?”

“Because everything's my fault.”

“Why would you say that?”

“I didn’t… I could have… prevented this.”

Aryll wrapped her arms around her brother. He stiffened in her hold.

“It’s not your fault,” she said softly. “I know it’s not.”

Link’s shoulders dropped and he wrapped his arms around his sister. “Okay,” he said simply.

Aryll pulled back and met his gaze. “Don’t you believe me?”

Link forced a smile. “Yeah.”

Aryll raised a brow. “Really?”

Link sighed tiredly. “Yes, Aryll.”

Aryll smiled. “Good.” She made her way out of the room, not bothering to check to see if her brother was following her. “I think we should get pizza again tonight. This time, I’m thinking a veggie lovers.”

Link turned his gaze back to the casket. He remained standing in the middle of the room, his hands back in his pockets. It felt strange to be back in the city, as if all that had happened over the last couple of months was just a distant dream. He didn’t particularly feel any better about being home and instead found himself wishing he were back at the ranch. Despite it all, at the ranch, everything felt right, even if for just brief moments. Aryll happily grooming the horses. His father smoking a cigarette against the fence as his daughter pressed for a ride. Staring at his father’s casket didn’t necessarily make his death feel any more real, but it made those small moments more concrete in his mind. And he smiled.

Aryll was right. They were given a second chance. And despite how they were torn apart once more, he wouldn’t have traded those moments for anything in the world. He tore his gaze away, turned around, and followed Aryll back into the hall where she waited just around the corner with the rest of their friends.

“Who knew she’d be so comfortable making speeches,” Daruk said.

“I knew,” Revali said with a nod. “This is Zelda, we’re talking about. All she ever does is lecture us and make speeches.”

“Are you guys leaving, now?” Aryll asked with a frown.

Revali draped an arm around her shoulders. “Not me, kiddo. I’ve still gotta recruit your brother to work for me.” He looked up, meeting Link’s gaze, and gave him a wink.

“I already moved in, and out, and in again,” Mipha said. “I don’t plan on going anywhere for a long time.”

“I was actually thinking about moving back for a while,” Urbosa said thoughtfully. “You know, in case Revali really does need a lawyer.”

“Oh, so I’m the asshole that’s not going to stay?” Daruk said.

“Pretty much,” Revali confirmed.

“You’re breaking us up, man!” Aryll scolded him.

Daruk sighed. “You guys have never been to Eldin,” he said. “It rocks over there.”

“I never thought I’d say this,” Revali started, “But I’m going to Kit’s bar. Guess it’s time to be a regular there.”

“Kit has a bar?” Urbosa asked with a grin. “Jeez, he never talked about it.”

They turned as footsteps rounded the corner and Zelda greeted them with a tired smile.

“We’re going drinking, apparently,” Daruk said. “You coming?”

“I don’t think so,” Zelda said with a frown.

“This is it,” Revali said. “This is where she leaves us to be a boring queen.”

Zelda offered an apologetic smile.

“Ah, we don’t need her,” he continued, waving her off. “Let’s go.”

“Have fun,” Urbosa said. “Zelda and I have our own plans.”

“Whatever,” Revali grumbled.

“I’ll meet you there,” Link said. There was still something else he had to do. Someone else he wanted to see. He parted from his friends, wandering the palace halls aimlessly until he rounded the corner to the temple once more. The doors were closed, now, and two guards stood on either side of it. A third person - and just the person he wanted to see - stood in front of the doors.

Dorian stared at the closed doors, his face torn in grief and regret. It took him a moment to notice Link’s presence, but when he did, he turned to him. His expression hardened once more, offering him no greeting, and he watched as Link approached him.

“What’s up?” he asked simply.

“I, uh just wanted to apologize. For not trusting you.”

Dorian seemed to study him carefully. He pulled his gaze away. “That’s not necessary,” he said. “I did nothing to earn your trust. You had no reason to trust me.”

“But Dad did,” Link said. “And that should have been enough for me.”

Dorian said nothing.

“And,” Link continued. “I wanted to say thanks. For everything you did for him, and for us.”

“Ah, don’t thank me,” he said, his shoulders dropping slightly. “I only did it because your father would have killed me otherwise.”

“Right,” Link said. The corner of his lip pulled into a crooked smile. “Like he could have killed a Sheikah.”

“You underestimate him,” Dorian said. “He was terrifying when he wanted to be.” He turned his gaze back to Link. “Is that all?”

Link raised a brow. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

“Well, no offense, but you’ve been my problem for the last twenty-six years.”

“Right.” Link’s lips pulled into a small smile. He put his hands in his pockets and turned away. “See you around, D.” He could practically feel Dorian’s furious gaze on him as he walked away and rounded the corner.

*****

To his surprise, Kit’s bar was lined with bodies. As expected, Daurk, Revali, Mipha, and Aryll were there, along with Teba and even Sera. They took up a majority of the bar seating while the rest of the room remained relatively empty, one other patron sitting alone at a booth in the corner. They all turned to see who had come through the door, and upon seeing Link, Sera jumped to her feet and ran to pull him into a hug.

“For fuck’s sake, Link,” she barked at him. She pushed away at arm’s length and looked him over. “Please tell me all of Kit’s wild ass stories aren’t true.”

“They probably are,” Link said. He stepped around her, ignoring her angry gaze, and joined his friends at the bar, sitting himself beside Mipha.

“You didn’t believe me,” Kit said. “Why else do you think I’ve been MIA? I’ve been helping his sorry ass!”

Sera returned to her seat at the bar, her head shaking. She glanced at Link. “For real?”

Link shrugged. “He was an annoying presence,” he said simply.

“If it weren’t for me -”

“If It weren’t for you,” Mipha sneered, “he wouldn’t have run off on some suicide mission.”

“But then he wouldn’t have found Dad,” Aryll pointed out.

“Oh, that guy would have found you one way or another,” Revali said.

“Wait,” Sera started. “You left out that part.” She sneered at Kit.

Kit cleaned an empty glass absentmindedly. “It’s a touchy subject right now.”

Sera frowned. She turned back to Link. “So, now what?”

“Do you think I can get my job back?” Link asked.

“You defeated the entire Yiga Clan, and you’re worried about getting your job back?” Sera stared at him in shock.

“Heroes gotta get paid,” Link reminded her.

“Oi.” She pressed a finger to her temple, then sighed. “The office has been pretty boring without you.” She opted to turn her attention to Aryll, and smiled. “Are you going to make it through your last year of high school? Or is Link going to have to bust you out of jail or something?”

Aryll shrugged. “We’ll see how I feel come September,” she said with a grin.

“Does that attitude run in the family?” Sera asked.

“Yes,” Link and Aryll both confirmed.

Sera smiled.

“Refill?” Kit pointed down the line of patrons seated at the bar. When he got to Link, he skipped over him, and pointed at Aryll. His gaze narrowed for a moment on her, then shrugged.

“Beer, or fruity drink?”

“Beer,” Aryll confirmed.

“Do you want to lose your license?” Sera sneered.

Kit straightened and spread his arm out before him, indicating the very empty bar, then laughed. “Like I have one of those.” He turned to fetch their drinks, speaking once more when he returned. “Besides. Girl could use a drink or two right now.” He handed Aryll a bottle and winked at her.

“You’re a good man,” Aryll said. “A gentleman and a scholar.”

“She’s drunk,” Revali said.

“Hey, fuck you.”

Link peered at his sister curiously. “How many have you had?”

Aryll held the bottle up proudly. “One.”

“And before I got here?”

“Three!”

“What a lightweight,” Revali said.

“You didn’t learn your lesson last time?”

Aryll slunk back in her seat.

“Oh, shit,” Kit said, remembering what had happened last time. “I can’t encourage that behavior.” He moved to take the bottle from her.

“I’ll be good!” Aryll said. “I’ll pass high school and everything! I deserve this drink!”

“That’s how it starts, you know,” Kit warned. “Your brother is an expert.”

Aryll frowned. She turned her gaze to the bottle in her hand. When her brother patted her head with his hand, she met his gaze.

“You are smarter than me, remember?”

“This is true,” she confirmed. She lifted the bottle as if in toast, and drank.

The man that sat alone stood at that moment and mosied over to the bar, pushing himself between Link and Aryll.

“Son of a bitch,” he said, looking Link over. He held a card between his fingers and handed it to Kit. “They’re drinks are on me.”

Kit eyed him carefully. “Sure,” he said with a one shouldered shrug. “You’ll regret that.”

The man leaned against the counter. “I don’t think so,” he said with a grin. “So, Rusl really did find himself a chick and a couple of kids.”

Link narrowed his gaze on him. “Excuse me?”

“I grew up with him,” he said. “At Telma’s. I’m Karsen.”

“Telma’s?” Aryll echoed. Karsen turned his attention to her. “Were you guys like, foster brothers or something?”

Karsen made a look of disgust and laughed. “I guess so. Shit, last time I talked to him was almost thirty years ago.”

“He never talked about you,” Aryll said frankly.

Karsen smiled. “I’m sure he didn’t talk about any of it,” he said.

Aryll considered this. “Yeah. That’s true.”

“Camilla’s been up my ass about finding you two,” he said.

“Camilla?” Aryll raised a brow.

“Telma’s daughter, that old hag.” He straightened and took his phone out of his pocket. “I dunno. She promised Telma she’d give you some shit Telma had been holding on to. Said Rusl wanted you to have it.” He showed his phone to Link, a number displayed on the screen. “Give her a call, I guess. I did my part.”

“Stalking us?” Aryll asked, narrowing her gaze.

“Well, it’s not that hard when the entire kingdom is hearing about some shit with this Yiga Clan.” He shrugged. “I always knew Rusl was living in the city. Figured it was likely you were still here. Once I started seeing all that shit on the news, I decided to come around and see if I could track you down.” He let Aryll take the phone from him, and he wiped his hands together. “I did my part. That’s all I came for.”

After taking down the number, Aryll handed the phone back to him. “Where are you going?”

Karsen smiled and pocketed his phone. “I dunno,” he said. “I usually just wander around and see where life takes me.”

Aryll raised a skeptical brow. “Right. You’re weird.”

“And you are totally Rusl’s daughter.” His grin widened and he turned away from them. “See ya later.”

Revali watched him leave, his gaze suspicious. “What the fuck was that about?”

“I’m gonna call,” Aryll said, jumping to her feet.

“No, you’re not,” Link sneered.

“Aw, come on,” she whined. “I wanna see what stuff Dad had laying around.” Her face brightened. “Maybe we have an inheritance!”

“Unlikely,” Link said.

“Never know unless we call,” she said, already dialing the number. She tapped her foot as she waited, then beamed when a voice answered. “Camilla? Karsen gave me this number.”

“Bless Hylia,” Camilla’s voice said. “If it isn’t little Aryll.”

[katedoesfics]

Shadows of the Yiga | Chapter 45

Dorian caught Link as he fell forward, unconscious. He looked him over quickly, ignoring Revali’s angered shouts.

“The fuck did you do?”

“He’ll come to in a bit,” Dorian said. He set Link against the ground and stood. “He’s been through enough. Let him rest.” He pulled at the radio on his vest and spoke into it sharply. “Get the med flights in here. Now!” He regarded Revali. “Our power has run thin and we need to focus on healing those we can. We can only get you out of here the old fashioned way.”

Revali looked down at Link and frowned. “Fine,” he said simply. He looked up as the others made their way over, and Dorian disappeared into the the bustle of the other Sheikah as they worked to heal the wounded.

Mipha dropped to the ground, pulling Link onto her lap. Her fingers brushed his hair out of his face as she cried softly. The Champions stood together silently, looking to the sky as the engine of the first helicopter neared. It flew low as it came in sight, the Hylian Crest emblazoned on the side. The Sheikah were helping limping bodies over to it before it even landed, and stretchers were quickly taken out and moved to retrieve those who could not walk.

Over the next half hour, helicopters flew in and out of the desert, each one taking as many of the wounded as possible. As they waited, Link finally came to, slightly disoriented. His head throbbed, but otherwise, he felt fine. Calm, even. He looked around him until his gaze landed on Mipha, her brows furrowed in concern.

“Hey,” she said softly. “Are you okay?”

He couldn’t hold it back any longer. He let himself fall into her arms, and he cried.

*****

It wasn’t long after he came to when a helicopter finally arrived to take the Champions out of the desert. They boarded it eagerly, despite the force of the breeze that almost pushed them backwards. Once they were all on board, it climbed into the air before turning around and soaring over the vast, empty desert. Within a couple of hours, they made it out of the desert, landing at one of the military bases just outside of the desert where a van waited to bring them across Hyrule and back to the ranch.

They sat in the back of the van, bench seats lining both sides of the vehicle. In one corner, Link sat with his legs pulled to his chest. He leaned his head back against the corner, occasionally looking out the window as they drove, but mostly keeping his tired eyes closed.

Mipha sat beside him, his hand in her’s, but she didn’t dare to force him to come out of the shell he had put himself in. When the pain started to overwhelm her, she let herself lean against Urbosa and allowed the tears to fall down her cheeks. Between Mipha on one side of her, and Zelda on the other, Urbosa felt determined to provide comfort to her friends, which only proved to be difficult for her as they each broke down into quiet tears.

Across from them sat Daruk, Revali, and Teba, each equally as quiet, struck with remorse. After the first hour of driving in silence, Teba pulled a flask from out of his vest and offered it wordlessly to Revali beside him.

“Dude.” Though Revali’s voice was soft, it seemed much too loud in the quiet van. “I love you.” He took the flask from his friend eagerly and drank.

Teba smiled, and when Revali was finished, he passed the flask to Daruk, who took it was a shrug before drinking.

The drive was painfully quiet, each of them lost in their own thoughts, with war still weighing heavily on their minds. Though they had ultimately won the war against the Yiga, none of them felt particularly victorious, suffering too great a loss for them to feel any relief.

Despite their feelings of helplessness, the sun broke through the clouded horizon, bringing the promise of a new day and warming the land. It hadn’t occurred to them that they had fought well through the night, and now it was morning. Though the van pressed onward, their eyes closed, and for the rest of the day’s drive, they slept as much as they could.

They drove through most of the day, stopping late in the night at a rest area off the highway where they opted to stretch their legs and grab a pizza. They were gathered around the van, chatting quietly among themselves, and from time to time, Teba answered a call and took to pacing the lot as he spoke into the phone. All the while, Link remained in the van, refusing to even respond to Mipha when she tried to talk to him.

After a couple of short hours, they continued their trip across Hyrule, driving straight through the night and into the early morning hours. It was nearing noon when they finally arrived at the ranch. Aryll was sitting on the front steps of the porch when the van pulled to a stop. She jumped up excitedly as they climbed out, but her smile quickly faded when she realized her father was not among them. Not only that, their faces were somber as Aryll made her way to them, her pace slowing.

“No,” she said, meeting Link’s gaze. Her face quickly paled. “No. Where is he? Where’s Dad?”

“Aryll,” Link started, his voice breaking. He pulled his gaze away from her.

“No!” she shouted. “What did you do?”

Link winced as his sister shouted at him. “Aryll -”

“How could you?” She was sobbing now. Her hands moved to her face and she shook her head. “He just came back! He came back, he came back…” Her voice trailed off as her body shook. Link hurried to his sister and she fell against him, sobbing into his chest.

“I’m sorry,” Link murmured against her. “Aryll… I’m sorry.”

Aryll wrapped her arms around him and her sobbing quieted for a moment. “Is it over?” she whispered. “Please tell me I won’t lose you, too.”

“It’s over,” Link said softly. “I promise.”

Her body relaxed slightly in his arms. She stared at the ground, watching as her tears splashed against the dirt drive. “What happened?”

Link said nothing as he stared at the ground. Aryll pulled away and regarded him angrily.

“What happened?” she repeated, louder this time.

Link hesitated. “It doesn’t matter.”

“I want to know!” she insisted. “I want to know why he’s dead!” The tears returned quickly, running down her cheeks.

Her words caused him to wince again and he pulled his gaze away. Without another word, he pushed passed his sister.

“Where are you going?” Aryll snapped at him.

“I need a shower,” Link hissed. “I have his fucking blood on my hands.” He hesitated and his face whitened. He looked down at his blood stained hands, then immediately turned away again. He could feel the anxiety rising once more in his chest, and it took all his effort to remain calm. He didn’t want to break down in front of his sister, so he forced himself into the house, slamming the door behind him.

Aryll stared after her brother for a moment, then turned back to the Champions. Mipha hurried to her, and Aryll let herself fall into her arms where she sobbed.

*****

Link didn’t see Aryll or his friends for most of the afternoon, though he didn’t exactly search for them, either. He was sure they were around, somewhere, but it was for the best; he didn’t particularly want their company, anyway. Instead, he leaned against the top rail of the paddock. It felt like a century ago he stood there with his father. Nothing that happened since then felt real. Not their battle with the Yiga, or his father’s death, or even his new found power that now slumbered deep inside of him. Though he was clearly mourning his father’s death, part of him expected his father to turn the corner at any moment with a cigarette between his lips. He felt stuck between the real world and the shut out world he put himself in, though he felt certain that would only meant it would hit him much harder when he found his way back to reality.

At some point during the afternoon, Link had managed to wander back into the house where he absentmindedly helped himself to the beer in the fridge. When evening turned the sky to an array of darkened watercolors, Link found himself sitting on the hood of his father’s car, his knees pulled up to his chest where he rested his chin. One arm was wrapped loosely around his legs while the other was at his side, a beer in hand. He absentmindedly turned the half empty bottle in his fingers as he stared out toward the horizon. After a moment, the bottle slipped out of his hands. It rolled down the hood of the car, then dropped to the ground where the rest of its contents drained out. His gaze was still fixed on the horizon, listening as the bottle dropped, and with it, a few stray tears rolled down his cheeks.

He watched silently as the sun started to dip below the horizon, until only a sliver of it remained. But as the last of the sun sunk below the horizon, a flash lit the sky around it, as if making one last desperate attempt to bathe the world in light before finally succumbing to the mercy of night.

Link watched in awe as the rest of the sky grew dark, and slowly, one by one, the stars began to dot the sky, until Link finally pulled his gaze away. He slid off the hood of the car, letting his fingers run along the body as he walked around it. He watched his fingers move along the paint until he reached the end of the car. He looked up then, catching a figure standing before him. His heart lept as he swore he saw his father, but as soon as he glanced toward the figure, it disappeared in an instant. A light breeze blew his hair around him as he stared at the empty space.

After a moment, he realized how exhausted he felt, causing him to become oblivious to the presence watching him. He turned his gaze to the porch where Revali stood. He made his way up the front steps, his hands shoved in his pockets, and he stopped at Revali’s side. After a moment, Revali spoke.

“Teba said Dorian sent his guys to scout the area,” he said. “Once they’re sure the Yiga Clan is no longer a threat, we can go back home.”

Home. The word felt foreign to him. It felt like such a long time since he had been home. And even when he was home, home didn’t feel like home. It felt like a deep, vast hole where he was trapped with only his memories and thoughts of what could have been. It was a broken, lifeless void where he had lost himself. Home hadn’t felt like home since his father died - the first time. It was just a painful reminder that he was powerless to stop the true evils of the world. He couldn’t return to that home. It would have been too painful.

But Aryll needed to be home. She needed stability now more than ever. Would he be able to provide that for her?

“Link?”

“Yeah,” he said. “Home.”

Revali narrowed his gaze on Link. “This is… a really stupid question.” He let out a breath. “Are you gonna be alright?”

Link hesitated. He knew too well what Revali was referring to. But he forced a smile. “Yeah. I’m not going anywhere.”

*****

In his exhaustion, Link finally settled onto the couch in the living room. Most of the house was dark, but he could hear voices coming from the kitchen were Mipha, Urbosa, Zelda, Revali, and Daruk had gathered to talk quietly. He didn’t have the energy to listen in, and before he knew it, he had drifted off to sleep.

He awoke to the feeling of something in his palm. Warm fingers placed themselves delicately in his hand. He opened his eyes, half expecting to see Aryll, but was instead greeted by Mipha, who he was just as grateful to see. He blinked for a moment before relaxing back against the couch.

“Sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Link sighed through his nose. “I wasn’t sleeping.”

Mipha frowned. “What can I do?” she asked softly.

Link pushed himself up. His head was pounding, and his eyes felt hot and tired. He shook his head. “Is Aryll okay?” He should have been with her instead of dozing on the couch, especially considering the last thing he had said to her. He was far from comforting to his sister, and he regretted being so cold with her.

“She’s fine,” Mipha assured him. “She’s sleeping.”

This relieved him. He couldn’t be sure when she last got a decent night’s sleep. Despite all that had happened, he was grateful she had at least found a chance to rest. They would have to return to the city - and their lives - soon, and Link wanted nothing more to give her a sense of normalcy once more. He felt Mipha’s hand on his cheek and he met her gaze.

“Stop worrying,” she said with a soft smile.

His face relaxed - he hadn’t realized how tightly his brows were furrowed - and he sighed. He put his hand on top of hers and pressed his lips against hers.

“You should get some sleep, too,” she said softly.

She was right, of course, though he wasn’t sure if he would be able to sleep as easily as Aryll. And in truth, he was terrified. Terrified that the nightmares would return and he would fall into the same dark pit he barely escaped from. Still, he didn’t resist when Mipha pulled him up, and he followed her tiredly into one of the bedrooms. The moment his head hit the pillow, sleep overcame him, and to his relief, it came quietly and uninterrupted.