#tloz hcs

[lluvguts]

i saw this one post circling tloz twitter about link and i just think it’s so absurd. warning for some small totk spoilers. this is a big post because tloz is my special interest atm and i have things to say  

people are berating the devs for botw/totk for not giving link enough personality or outstanding attributes to his character, or “putting his exuberance in his personality in the wrong places” (i.e. link’s excited gestures and expressions when cooking, excited over the pony points in totk, generally any small bit of narrative that is not drawn toward the central plot versus his near expressionless face, stoic demeanor whenever zelda is in a cutscene with him in it) and i actually think, whether it was intentional or not, it’s completely understandable why link’s character acts the way that it does. 

this is the direct link to the twitter post in case the screenshots are difficult to see. no hate to op i will just write my opinion on my own blog because twitter is ruthless and stupid about people who don’t believe the same things as them lol

i know the devs aren’t trying that hard when using link’s century-long sleep + amnesia as a focal point to his character arc, but they should, because his entire personality in these two games literally is justified because of this. he’s one of my favorite reincarnations aside from oot and twilight princess link, because i feel as though the absence of this lore behind everything is even more reason to further his development and understanding of him as a fucking character. 

i headcanon link as neurodivergent, for many reasons, but i will only mention this as a small point in the overarching reason but anyway

these small scenes where link’s personality show through while interacting with people who do not directly interfere with his trauma, and have nothing to do with zelda and/or ganon/calamity, because there is no traumatic influence that would make him feel as though he has to hide what small bits of his own inner self that is left 

in these scenes where link is with zelda in present botw and in his memories on the slate, link is silent, blank face. in reality, for someone suffering from amnesia, and autistic, this will be the blueprint for this character to go, “hmm, i really don’t know anything about myself right now. but these pictures and glimpses of my past are the only way i can understand who i was before this happened. so i will only act on the behaviors i understand from memory.” 

totk link seeing zelda outside of his tiny bits of memory irl, and people are angry that he’s not expressive enough in the game? he just reunited with the person he is sworn to protect, and he’s supposed to feel all lovey-dovey, happy-feely?? I would assume link must think that zelda hates him, tbh, because we don’t GET this conversation in the game, all that link understands is the weight of his own responsibility and his own fuckups

this silent suffering knight is not link’s character. this is not his personality. this is the person that he thought would best suit this situation, much like how many neurodivergent people can quickly read a room, and chameleon themselves to best fit the people around them, and make them happy. the bits and pieces we see when link is not directly interacting with people associated with his past and trauma are the glimpses into his true self imo

link doesn’t try to bond with any of the other characters outside of the ones in the linear plot probably because he doesn’t fucking know how to. almost all of the memories in botw (i haven’t played totk yet but i know at least 50% of the plotline) link is either practicing fighting, guarding zelda, or just being zelda’s silent guide and companion, because yes, that’s his job, but that is also the only persona that makes sense to him. 

he wasn’t given his position to make friends with every other person in the game, screw the devs just because link got excited over the damn pony points apparently

in botw link very obviously doesn’t have any grasp on his own personal identity and the role he plays in the fate of humanity because of his memory loss, the fact he is thrust into this world that has essentially forgotten of his existence is pretty fucked up 

do people really expect a switch in link’s brain to go off and for him to suddenly assimilate this strong, knightly bravado, now with 1000+ unique expressions, just because zelda gave link very small bits of his memories back? just because he can see her face to face now? hell no. amnesia and trauma responses don’t work like that 

botw/totk link had NO backbone on how to move forward in his own character arc, because the only people that new about his existence other than zelda and the elders of the hyrule regions, were dead. like. would link really be smiling and excited around zelda and everyone else after the fact? 

OP in the tweet had mentioned that SS link behaved much differently than botw link does, he had life and was much more excitable and had complex emotions written on his face. well. obviously. because this is not the same link as SS link, they are in a different life path whereas SS link was not killed and then preserved for 100 years with all of his memories forgotten. SS link was still a young adult, a child even, he had fun character traits and cute expressions because could still enjoy life in skyloft and be a kid before fated responsibility and demise hit. like, at least oot link had a second chance at his childhood, botw/totk link was probably thrust into responsibility before he could even fathom what types of roles he would need to play when he grew up. 

link remains silent and because of this, probably masking his inner emotions 

he doesn’t know or think that anything other than his vow of silence is the best option. he’s probably terrified of fucking up again even if it means just expressing verbal or physical concern, sadness, joy--literally any emotion. i really can’t think of this link having any other thought processes other than this one. he isn’t a silly, mindless child. he’s an adult, or at least was forced to act like one before he was ready. 

anyway thank you to anyone who read this :> i write fics if anyone wants to indulge a shameless self promo after i word vomit/defend botw link

[phantom-peachie]

hhhh,,, skyward sword,,

screams incoherently

[nell0-0]

I was just having a bit of fun with incorrect quotes stuff and. well-

Look, do I love Fi? Yes.

Do I think Mask would be a tad salty and sensitive about that specific subject? Also yes.

[sheikfangirl]

During the events of Tears of the Kingdom, Link is so tired, sleep deprived, gloom poisoned, unhinged and filthy...He is devoid of what makes Link himself: his warmth, his humor...

And that's why no one in Hyrule but his close friends recognizes him💔

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Note: I know it's Linktober but life got in the way and gave up at "mirror prompt". I'm busy and whatever free time i got goes on Echoes of Wisdom (which i ADORE btw) So please accept this random doodle from my folder 😘

ALSO: I was overwhelmed with the positive reaction to my FF8 inspired Zelda and Hero's shade reunion. Seems like the Internet loves bittersweet angst as much as i do. And YES, there's a sequel in progress ;) I was already drawing it when i posted my first batch of panels.

Cheers!

[kenneduck]

Drew some Zelink based on my AOC/BOTW Sheik Zelda design!! 🌸💕

[verflares]

as always, everybody should make sure to wish a big happy pride to whatever these two have going on 🎉

[shellshooked]

the hyrule warriors design stays 🔛🔝

[mercurymoths]

17 and Sky

17 - The Balancer’s eye by Lord Huron !

Oh mann What a good pick ! My favourite number and one of my favourite songs and Links !!

This is kind of funny because this song is actually on my linked universe playlist in the Hyrule section, but this prompt made me totally rethink it because it fits really well with Sky aswell !

I loved getting to make this little comic, The whole demise curse is such an interesting point for Sky’s character and his relationship with the others, and I love putting my favourite guy through situations :]

Thank you so much for the ask! <3

[good-advice-ganondorf]

Okay, so we got all advices.....But there is one we must face.....DAD ADVICE DEMISE-

[kaiju-dayo]

SCHOOL AU REVISED! 🥳 With #updated designs and character profiles!

*If you don’t already know, this little project (titled Hyrule High: School of the Wild) is part of my final year research. I’ve been given the green light to proceed with this au; the purpose of my research is to study the concept of adaptation in character design. So like if you ever want to read the short comic, let me know!

[lilyblossom-art]

idk why but trans boy Malon has been living rent free in my head

(I’m thinkin he changed his name to Malen, so you still say it the same it just looks more masculine and good for him Tbh, Epona supports him and so does his dad)

I love this! Tboy Malon/Malen weeee!!

Btw he doesn't have to have short hair i just didn't know how to imply he was supposed to be ftm here 😭

[prisiidon]

Avatar!Sidon headcanon 👀 angst

May I present: Sidon can feel what the Avatar!Sidon companion feels. Avatar!Sidon also being a personification of Sidon’s soul and true feelings. The avatar cannot speak therefore simply shows what Sidon wishes to do through small gestures (and as protector in general). Meanwhile, King Sidon in the Domain feels a strange tingle in his hand as the avatar traces a hand over Link's cheek...

[frickingnerd]

traveling together with link

pairing: link x gn!reader

tags: wholesome fluff, (implied) romantic feelings (link for reader), scared!reader acting tough/fearless, friends to lovers

both you and link had been traveling on your own, before the two of you even met for the first time

one evening, link joined you by your campfire as you rested for the night and the two of you realized you were both traveling hyrule on your own

so, you decided to team up! 

with no concrete destination, your goal was to see as much as you could together! 

during your trips, you often came across enemies or had to hunt for food and link always admired your strength and courage

you were often the one leading the expeditions and walking ahead to clear an area, despite link being plenty capable himself

link genuinely admired you, thinking he had found an equal in you – or maybe even someone who outshined him! 

though one night by the campfire, the two of you were talking and you ended up confessing to link that you weren't as brave as he thought you were

you only pretended to be fearless, hoping that one day you really wouldn't fear anything anymore… 

despite that confession of yours, link refused to change his mind about you! 

doing the things you fear was the definition of being brave! 

if anything, he only admired and loved you more now…

[ganondoodle]

monk miz kyoshia (engl. maz koshia) somewhat redesign? rehydrated? doodle bc i listened to his soundtrack and wanted to draw him

[proudchimera]

Rauru is truly THE wifeguy

—-

Kind vibe a lot with this adult Rauru design :3

Probably is going to be pretty close to the final design for my comic!

—-

OG idea by @Jayvgc

Rauru’s VA: @/Jordysword on twitter

[kenneduck]

Doodled BOTW / Age of Calamity Sheik! I had fun with this!! I imagine Zelda to have gotten fed up with her assigned knight keeping a constant eye on her. She wants to find other ways to prevent the Calamity without the obstacles of being the princess, so one night, she steals some of Impa’s garments to sneak from the castle.

Though, Link is quick to take notice of the princess’ disappearance, and a sneaky figure venturing from the castle.