#you'll know link is really upset if his appetite is completely ruined

[amiharana]

19 and 6 for the ask game?🙏🏻

oughhh anon... these numbers... i got the notification for this when i was at work and when i looked at the list, i was like 🥹🥹🥹 my scrunklies are fighting and they're sick nooo.....

you're actually going to want to sit down and make sure you don't have to do anything to read this one, shit is long af 😭

(ask game from here)

🫂 19. How they make up after a big fight?

first of all, revali and link definitely have little arguments and bicker, but they rarely ever have big fights for a couple reasons. mostly because they both hate the usual outcomes of their big fights, and do their best to never fight like that ever.

revali is definitely easier to anger than link is, because he's got some deep-seated insecurities (esp from my headcanon about his early childhood). but he honestly could get mad at anything depending on his mood, because he's already a very grumpy person. link lowkey just talks out of his ass without a filter sometimes and anything link says could piss revali off, intentionally or not. "you're being over the top, you're doing too much" "if you're gonna molt, can you pick up after yourself, your feathers are fucking everywhere" "stop putting your bows on the dresser or i'm gonna keep knocking them into the lake" or something dumb like the aforementioned can cause the both of them to start bickering out of nowhere.

but sometimes, they let that bickering get out of control and it spirals into a fight before they even realize it, where they both start saying things they don't mean.

the first time they really fought, revali missed a shot at the flight range during a training session and link jokingly said "how did you get chosen as a champion with that kind of aim?" to which revali replies, "even my worst shot is better than your best" and then it somehow goes from playful banter to bickering to actual arguing, culminating into revali's final straw when he says, "if you wanted someone that was perfect and could fulfill your every damn need like i supposedly can't, then perhaps you should have chosen to be with zelda or mipha instead of me," to which link yells back, "you know what? you're right, maybe i should have! at least zelda and mipha are actually in love with me." revali goes quiet, staring at link with burning green eyes, his crest feathers flaring.

link's eyes widen when he realizes what he said, and he immediately moves and reaches out towards revali, "w-wait no, i didn't mean that, i'm sorry, revali i—"

but the rito, stony-faced and silent, throws his swallow bow into the range, his glare stopping link in his tracks. "if you truly believe i don't love you," he says, voice scarily calm, "then do yourself a favor and reconsider what the point of this relationship is, to wonder why i still chose to tie my life to yours, knowing i couldn't give you even a quarter of what zelda and mipha can no matter how hard i try. if all of my efforts meant nothing to you, then at most all i could wish is that i gave you an enjoyable time." then, revali turns and uses his gale to launch himself upwards, disappearing from link's view. link falls to his knees on the platform, staring up at the sky, eyes filled with tears, guilt, and regret.

one of revali's biggest insecurities regarding his relationship with link would definitely be the fact that zelda and mipha loved him too, and he frequently wonders why link chose him when there were two princesses of great families vying for his hand. why would link choose him when a princess with control over the land's waters, who crafted perfectly-fitting armor with special abilities for him that would allow him to swim with her, desired him for far longer? why would link want him when a princess directly descended from this land's goddess wanted him too, who could actually give link a child of his own blood, who could give him the world's riches and all the power he could ever want? all revali can give link are feathers tucked into his hair and a piece of fabric that could keep him afloat for a couple moments. revali can't give him much more than that. but for link to openly acknowledge it, to entertain it even... it hurts him more than he can fathom.

revali is gone for the rest of the day, having fucked off towards the hebra north crest and taking his anger out on monster camps along the fringes of the hebra mountains. meanwhile, link returns to rito village by foot, every step heavy with guilt, and before he enters the village, he stops by one of the ponds in the island spires leading up to the village and grabs a few hearty salmon. link knows that what he said was a deep insecurity for revali and he used it against him; it's unforgivable, he shouldn't be forgiven at all.

but it makes his heart ache hard at the idea that revali would consider leaving him, tears stinging his eyes and feeling like his chest is going to collapse in on itself. he shouldn't be forgiven, but link will spend the rest of his life begging for revali's forgiveness if he has to. so he'll start with what he knows best: making a good meal.

when link reaches their shared roost, he sets up the cooking pot in the center, lighting the fire and clearing the table to set up his materials and utensils. tonight, he'll make revali's favorite meal, hearty salmon meunière. it's not an entire apology, but it's a good start to one. in the open air of their roost, link desperately hopes that its aroma will lead revali back home to him.

revali returns just as the sun is beginning to dip below the horizon, thoroughly calmed and worn down from the massacre he's inflicted upon the monster camps at the fringes. who knew so many had settled back there? he'll have to return again soon to finish them off. instinctually, he flies straight to their shared roost before remembering his earlier fight with link and hesitates, wondering if link is there, if they should see each other right now. but a particular scent catches his nose and all uncertainty disappears. revali wants to go home now, and he hopes his home is still there when he arrives.

link is sitting by the cooking pot when revali descends on their roost's landing, curled in on himself, his head nestled in folded arms atop his knees. revali's heart pangs at the sight, fingers twitching to comfort his beloved jewel until he remembers that link was the reason he flew off in a rage in the first place. he should be angry, but he's fought it all out now and he can't find it in him to be with his songbird in distress right in front of him.

as he approaches, link startles and looks up, meeting revali's eyes and the rito's heart pangs again at the sight of link's eyes rimmed red and puffy, his nose pink clearly from crying. "hi," link says, voice hoarse. "welcome home."

revali hums in response, acknowledging the greeting. "did you start eating without me?" he says gently, sitting beside link, folding his legs, and studying his face. in the flickering firelight, link's face looks pale and gaunt, saved for the crying-induced pink splotching across his nose and cheeks. it unsettles something in revali.

"no," link mumbles, looking away. then he uncurls to reach in front of him, and pulls back revealing a steaming hot plate of hearty salmon meunière. revali's eyes widen as link hands it to him. "made this for you."

"you did?" revali says, taking the plate and staring at it in surprise. link hums in affirmation. the meat of the fish is glazed and enticing, and his stomach rumbles at the delicious smell of it. "it's my favorite..." he looks back at link, who has curled back into his initial position. he feels that twitch in his fingers again, to hold link, but resists. "what's the occasion?"

"to say sorry," link says softly. "for earlier. i didn't mean what i said."

revali hums. "thank you," he responds in similar volume. "i appreciate it. we both said things we didn't mean, so i apologize as well. i forgive you." he looks around but there's only his plate by the cooking pot. "i thought you said you didn't start eating yet. where's your food?"

"didn't make any," link mumbles.

revali pauses and blinks. "and why is that?"

"can't eat," his little songbird replies and revali feels his heart plummet, somehow dreading the answer. link lays his head down atop his arms but faces away from revali. "can't eat if i don't know if you'll come back." oh.

finally succumbing to his instincts, revali immediately sets the plate aside and grabs for link, to pull him into his lap, and link squeaks but is nonetheless pliant in revali's hands. revali situates them so that link sits sideways in his lap, his head on revali's left and his legs on the right. cradling link, revali places his beak on his mate's mussed hair (he needs to rebraid it soon, hm) and hugs him tight. almost instantly, he feels link cling to his armor and gasp shakily, burying his face in the space between revali's shoulder and neck. "'vali—"

"did you really think i would leave you for something like that?" revali murmurs, maintaining his steady hold as link begins to shudder and cry in his arms. "link—"

"please don't," link begins to blubber, his voice wavering. "please don't leave, don't leave me! i'm sorry i'm sorry i didn't mean it, i love you and i know you love me too, i was just saying shit to say it 'cause i was mad, i love you, revali please—"

"breathe, songbird," revali whispers, leaning down to press his forehead against link's and cupping his cheek. link gasps out a sob, his hands clinging tightly to revali's wrist, like he's afraid revali will slip from his grasp. "breathe for me, darling, you're going to choke." so link forces himself to breathe deeply, hiccuping and shaking as he attempts to calm down, his eyes shut. "that's it, little jewel. i'm not going anywhere, i'm right here. i forgive you already."

"revali," link whimpers, but revali just shushes him, leaning back and beginning to rock slightly. revali should be angry with link, but he just can't bring himself to be; he's too soft-hearted when it's about link.

after a couple more moments, link is placid and his breath has evened out, sobs reduced to sniffles. he still clings tightly to revali, still fearing the idea of revali leaving him. only then does revali decide to speak again.

"why did you think that i would leave you?" revali murmurs, turning his face slightly to nuzzle at link's jaw. link relaxes in his hold by a margin, but relaxes nonetheless. "in fact, i would have thought you were going to leave me with the way we were talking." at the thought of link leaving him, revali shivers slightly, a pit growing in his stomach; perhaps this is what link had felt, had let that pit grow and consume him and take over.

"never," link responds immediately. "i'd never leave you." link pauses, and then speaks again. "but i thought you were gonna leave 'cause i fucked up. i shouldn't have said that, and i didn't mean it at all. i'm sorry. i don't care about zelda or mipha or if they do love me, i love you." link curls up further into revali's lap before mumbling, "i don't need or want anyone else. you're the perfect one for me, so please don't leave me and find someone else. i don't think i could bear it."

"i wouldn't," revali says softly, and holds link a little tighter. "i don't want anyone else either." they stay like this for a little while until—

"your food's cold now," link mumbles against revali's chest. "i worked really hard on it and you're just gonna make me cry so that you don't eat the food i worked so hard on." revali's beak parts and then he snorts at the utter audacity of link's comment.

"we just had our first actual fight as a coupling, and you're worried about the food?" revali teases. link hums in affirmation and revali rolls his eyes. "alright, well let's just put it back in the pot to warm up then."

"it'll ruin the texture," link mumbles, but he uncurls from his position in revali's lap to reach for the plate. using the knife, he slides the fish into the cooking pot and then curls back up into revali. the action reminds revali of another critical detail—

he nudges link's face with his beak. "will you really not eat? you haven't eaten anything since before we started training."

link shakes his head. "lost my appetite," he murmurs. "just wanna be with you right now."

revali makes a displeased noise. "but you have to eat something," he insists. "i refuse to let you go hungry tonight. i'll make you something then."

"no, you suck at cooking," link mutters. "i'll just eat an apple or something."

"that's not a meal, you have to eat a proper supper."

"well, i don't wanna eat anyway."

"link." revali's tone is a warning. "i don't want to fight with you again so soon."

link huffs and shifts in revali's hold. "fine," he acquiesces. "i'll eat a little bit from your plate." he uncurls and takes the plate and knife again, pushing the fish out of the pot so that it plops back onto the plate. "let me go get a fork."

"that's not a meal either," revali sighs, but he lets link stand and keeps his eyes on the little hylian as he grabs a fork from the table, then returns, making himself comfortable in revali's lap once more. revali holds the plate and they share the hearty salmon meunière, link slicing off tiny pieces to chew on, revali's right wing hooked around his waist when he isn't slicing food to eat. they're okay. as they eat, their hearts are full again and if link holds revali a little tighter in the hammock that night, revali doesn't say anything, wrapping his wings around link a little tighter, too.

now if it's revali saying the fucked up shit, it takes a lot for link to get actually upset, especially with revali because he's so used to revali being harsh or mean without really meaning it all the time. revali usually says shit like "your aim sucks" or "you're really sloppy and look like a mess, you need to clean up" and those sort of things don't bother link very much because revali is so whipped for him, he either lets link get away with it or helps link himself, e.g. extra practice with archery lessons or combing and braiding link's hair himself. sometimes revali just says things to say something fr.

so when revali says something that genuinely upsets link, he does similarly to what revali does and goes completely silent and fucks off to somewhere, but the difference is that he doesn't come back at the end of the day.

in the rare instances that link gets upset from a fight with revali, he can disappear from a couple days to a few weeks at a time. and revali can't find him, because link has explored nearly every nook and cranny in this goddamn country and playing seeker in the most emotionally charged hide-and-seek game across the vast lands of hyrule is a game revali has never been able to win. when link runs and hides, he doesn't want to be found. it's why revali avoids trying not to upset link to that degree as much as possible, because every time he's tried, he can't find link and he's afraid link won't come back, either from finding someone else or leaving himself to be found by revali in... undesirable conditions.

link has only disappeared twice thus far. the first time, he was gone for a couple days, revali practically tearing up the entirety of the hebra region looking for him, nearly pulling his feathers out. squadrons of rito warrior search parties are sent out too to look for link, to quell their champion's panic, but link just shows up back at the village after five days and revali has half a mind to chew him out, absolutely fuming.

but he takes one look at link with his scruffy hair, the dark circles under his eyes, and the wrinkled fabric of the clothes link was wearing the day they fought, and without a word grabs link by the hand to pull him towards the communal rito bath. link is nonverbal, staring blankly into space, and completely unresponsive as revali strips him of his clothing and places him in the bath. it starts to worry revali as he washes link's hair and body; where did link even go? what happened to him out there? this version of link... it reminds him of the link he met after windblight ganon was defeated; a link with no recognition in his eyes, no warmth or soul. it terrifies revali.

link is still nonverbal and unresponsive when they return to their shared roost, still staring blankly into space, body rigid and unmoving. revali can't even remember what they argued about at this point, he's so consumed with worry for his mate and why he's acting like this that whatever he said, he'll forgo his pride and take it back so that this doesn't happen, now or ever again.

but when he seats link in front of him and begins to comb through his wet hair and separate the strands to braid them back into their usual look, link slowly begins to relax. carefully, revali massages his fingers into link's scalp and his mate hums in response, leaning into his touch. there he is, his little songbird. so revali continues as he does; massaging, combing, and braiding, and then he begins to sing quietly, hoping to get link to sing with him, to respond to him.

it works, link humming along to revali's song and slowly beginning to sing the words too. by the time revali has finished rebraiding his feathers into link's hair, his precious songbird is back to him with those wide bright sapphires for eyes.

"where did you even go?" revali says, as link leans completely back into him, still humming to revali's song.

"the forgotten temple," link says breezily like it's nothing, but revali freezes.

"what? why would you even go there? it's still infested with guardians."

"because i knew you wouldn't follow me there," link says softly. and that takes the breath out of revali's lungs. link turns to look up at him. "after we fought, i was just so angry i didn't even know what to do. so i went down to the rito stable, i took epona, and i kept riding until i got to the snowfield stable. then i boarded her there and i jumped into the canyon to enter the temple." link turns back around. "it's not as bad in there as you think it is, once you get rid of all the guardians. it's not infested anymore."

"... you took out the guardians there?"

"yeah. let's go there sometime, it's pretty even though it's in ruins. i think zelda would probably like to study the ruins too."

link treats the whole situation like it's nothing and evades revali's every attempt to discuss what happened, both the fight and his disappearance. "it's fine," link insists. "i forgive you and you're fine. i just had to be by myself to process it for a while. i'm all good now, please don't worry anymore."

so revali tries, but it still bothers him. something must have happened, but link won't tell him what. he decides to leave it for now, but they eventually have to talk about it. it can't be avoided forever.

the second time it happens, revali lets his pride get the best of him. they're fishing for hearty salmon in the hebra plunge when link decides to throw his square and circle bombs into the water and detonate them. it yields quite a few chillfin trout and hearty salmon, and link cheers. revali, however, is displeased.

"will you always resort to that sheikah slate to assist you?" revali grumbles after he finishes collecting the fish from the lake.

link places his hands behind his neck and whistles. "well, it makes fishing a lot easier for both of us!"

"yes, but it takes away the art of hunting," revali sighs, "and it's incredibly loud. do you wish to scare away the prey?"

"as if the fish can go anywhere else," link says. "can they even climb waterfalls? i don't think so!" he sticks his tongue out at the water. "checkmate, fish."

"careful, you wouldn't want mipha hearing you insult her kind."

"oh, shut up—"

and just like when they fought the first time, it goes from banter to bickering to a full blown argument faster than either of them can register it. but this time, revali makes the mistake of bursting and using one of link's deep insecurities against him...

"revali, it's really not that serious! i did what i had to in order to defeat the calamity once and for all, and if i had to do it again, i probably wouldn't even need the master sword! i could beat ganon with only a bow if i wanted to."

"well, you couldn't even defeat ganon the first time round and you needed our help to do it this time, so i doubt that you would ever succeed."

it stops link in his tracks, brows furrowing. "... what are you saying?"

revali rolls his eyes. "don't play dumb. you hold yourself in such high regard as a hero, but i would presume that most of hyrule would either blame you or aren't aware of your biggest failure. do they know that you couldn't stop the calamity the first time? that you let their champions die, and left the princess on her own to hold back the beast until you woke up from your little nap like a child? there's no way you could have beat calamity ganon with only a bow if you couldn't have beaten him at all the first time."

when revali looks back at link, he's immediately filled with regret. link is shaking — from the cold, from upset, from barely concealed anger, revali doesn't know — his eyes downcast and his jaw tight. his fists are clenched at his sides, knuckles turning white. revali shouldn’t have said that, an apology lining his tongue and his fingers twitching to reach out for link but instead, he resists and turns away.

“shut up,” link mutters. revali looks back and link is staring at him dead in the eye. the wide glimmering sapphires that revali has grown to be so fond of have disappeared, replaced by shards of clear blue glass accompanied by the growl of a wolf. it’s unsettling and revali should take it back and apologize, but he can’t shake the grasp of his pride.

“you know i’m right,” revali hears himself say and the regret burns like lava down his throat. link’s eyes darken, his brows furrowing deeper and his face morphing into one of fury and of betrayed anguish.

“do you really believe that?” link says, gritting his teeth, anger barely contained. revali only looks away. link scoffs in disbelief. “fuck you, seriously,” the little hylian spits, spins on his heel, and stalks away.

revali stares after him. he should move, he should be running after his precious jewel, should be holding him close and apologizing and doing everything to regain link’s forgiveness. he shouldn’t have said any of it. but his pride, curse it, keeps him staunchly in place like it’s attached weights to his ankles, imprisoning him in the cold bitter loneliness of the plunge.

“fuck,” revali whispers, when link disappears from his sight. “fuck. i really messed up."

that night, link doesn't return and the hammock feels emptier than it did the last time link disappeared. it heightens revali's anxiety, twisting and turning reaching out for his little songbird who's not there, who he's driven away. the emptiness is choking revali half to death.

the next day, link doesn't return either and when revali sets out to find him too, there's nothing. no tracks, no signs, no one has even seen link leave the tabantha frontier. revali's anxiety and guilt grows worse.

days pass, and link still hasn't returned, and revali still can't find him. he's taken to searching past hebra, into the hyrule ridge, the gerudo highlands, even near great hyrule forest. link isn't there and there aren't any signs of him.

on the sixth day since link disappeared, revali goes to the goddess statue in rito village and kneels before it with an offering of amber and rubies. "i know it's not much," he murmurs, placing the gems in front of the statue. "but it's all i can give. please protect link, wherever he is, and keep him warm. and please... let him come home to me unharmed. i'll take it from there."

nearly two weeks pass, and revali thinks he's actually going insane. since the champions' revival, he hasn't spent this much time away from link. he feels like he's dying again, but this pain is much worse than his first death. revali's search has extended now into hyrule field and the great plateau. his efforts are still fruitless.

it's not until he runs into urbosa and zelda at the ruins of hyrule castle, where attempts to restore the palace to its former glory have been started, that he drops in exhaustion from days of constant flying with barely any rest. the anxiety is still coursing strongly in his blood.

"revali!" urbosa shouts as revali lands, falling to his knees and crumpling into a ball on the ground. both her and zelda rush towards him, lifting him up and placing his arms around their shoulders. "what in the name of the goddesses has happened to you?!" they carry him to pieces of rotted stone that serve as makeshift benches to seat him upon. zelda rushes to go grab water as urbosa sits beside revali, letting him lean on her shoulder as he breathes heavily.

"urbosa," he whispers, desperate and tearful, "urbosa, i messed up really badly. i shouldn't have said any of that."

"what happened?" urbosa says, searching revali's face and taking in his disheveled appearance. "where's link? why isn't he with you?"

"i messed up," revali repeats, his voice shaking. "i said something i shouldn't have to him and now he's gone. i can't find him. i can't find him, urbosa, i drove him away and it's been weeks since then, it's all my fault."

"what did you say to him?" zelda says gently, having returned with a satchel of water.

"i told him he couldn't beat ganon with only a bow," revali whispers, the entire conversation flashing vividly in his mind like it has been for the last two weeks. "because he failed to beat him the first time, that he failed to save us and the princess, because how can he beat ganon with only a bow if he couldn't finish him off in one go the first time. i shouldn't have said that, and now he's disappeared because of me. shit i—" revali hunches over, curling in on himself, the guilt tearing a hole straight through his chest.

urbosa and zelda look at each other with shared grimaces, because yeah while it might have some truth to it, it's still pretty fucked up to say to link's face. at least revali recognizes that it's not a good thing to say at all. they help revali breath and stabilize before talking again.

"has this happened before?" urbosa says. "i figure you two must have had plenty of lovers' quarrels before."

"we've bickered, but we rarely ever fight," revali says softly. that surprises both urbosa and zelda. "we've only fought twice before this, and it never ended well. the last time was the first link disappeared, but he returned after five days and was in the forgotten temple during that time."

"the forgotten temple?" zelda says, face lighting up. urbosa gives her a stern look, because now is not the time and zelda shrinks a little, but her curiosity is still piqued.

"yes," revali says, staring into space. "he wanted to take you there, now that's he rid it of guardians. he thought you might appreciate it and want to study the ruins."

"that's... very kind of him," zelda murmurs, eyes shining in excitement. urbosa rolls her eyes, then speaks.

"do you think he might have returned there?" urbosa says.

"no, i've already checked," revali said, eyes downcast. "the guardians are gone, but he wasn't there either. he's never been gone this long..."

"i'm sure we'll find him," urbosa asserts. "if zelda and i find him before you do, we'll make sure to bring him directly to you." she places her hand on revali's shoulder, prompting him to look up at her. "fights between lovers like this happen. it's good that you've recognized how harsh your words were to him, but you still have to talk this out. you must be prepared to do everything you can if you wish to gain his forgiveness and to stay together as a coupling."

"of course," revali answers immediately, resolve returning and hardening his face. "do you take me for someone who gives up easily?" he turns and looks upward to the sky, and his voice softens. "my heart belongs to him now. i can only hope that still wishes to keep it with him." urbosa and zelda look at each other again, where zelda rolls her eyes and urbosa's lips twitch; sappy lovesick idiots.

revali decides to return home to rito village to rest. he's been flying constantly for two weeks searching for link and his efforts will continue to be fruitless if he's not in top condition. with food and water from zelda and urbosa, he thanks them and sets off to return home.

and would you imagine his shock when link is already back home in their roost, standing in the center. unlike the last time, he looks clean and well-rested, his hair rebraided (not as perfectly as revali's handiwork, but reminiscent of it; link has taken notes), and he's wearing his hylian tunic and pants rather than the snowquill armor he was wearing when they fought. a myriad of emotions swells in revali's chest, ready to burst out of his ribcage and splash all over the floor.

"hi," link says timidly. he won't look at revali in the eyes, his hands behind his back and one foot hooked around the ankle of the other. "sorry i was out so long. um—"

but revali doesn't let link finish his sentence, instead rushing forward to engulf link in his wings, hugging him tightly. link is home, he's here in revali's arms and he's safe and unharmed. "goddesses," revali whispers, tears threatening to spill. "you're going to be the death of me, link."

"sorry," link murmurs back, returning revali's tight embrace and burying his face in revali's neck. "i didn't think i would worry you this much."

"you were gone for two weeks, you absolute imbecile," revali whispers. "you disappeared without a trace, of course i'm going to worry. i searched almost half of hyrule for you, link, fuck."

"sorry, i—"

"stop apologizing," revali grunts, holding link tighter. "i should be apologizing. i shouldn't have said that to you. i regret it and i'm deeply sorry. it wasn't your fault that you couldn't defeat ganon the first time, it took us all by surprise. we had no idea that he'd infiltrate the beasts, or the guardians. none of us stood a chance with our disorganization and lack of power, so it wasn't only your fault. the blame should be shared by all of us. i really didn't mean it and i'm incredibly sorry, but i understand if you don't wish to forgive me."

"revali," link whispers back. "revali, it's okay."

"it's not, what i said was unbelievably fucked up, link. i don't even want to forgive myself for what i said. i was very harsh with you over something that wasn't a big deal and it drove you away from me. i don't ever want to cause you pain, and yet i've done it twice—"

"revali, stop, please," link says more firmly. he pulls back and looks at revali with a furrow in his brow. "i said it's fine. i forgive you, so please stop."

revali stares at link for a moment, before sighing and shutting his eyes. "alright," he relents. "but i really am sorry, link. you mean everything to me and i couldn't live with myself if i drove you away for good." he lifts link's face with both of his hands and presses their foreheads together, nuzzling link's nose and mouth with his beak as gently as possible. his sweet little songbird sighs and returns the gesture, cupping revali's face with his hands. they stay like that for a couple moments until link speaks.

"you're not calling me any nicknames," link murmurs, eyes still shut. revali makes a noise of question and link continues, but hides his face in revali's shoulder; he's embarrassed, revali realizes. "you're being too serious and calling me by my name... not calling me 'little jewel' or 'songbird' or shit like that..."

revali hums in amusement. "you want me to call you those things?" he feels link nod into his chest, hands clinging to his shoulders and armor. revali snorts. "alright, my love, i'll do as you wish." link hums, a light, happy sound and revali's heart flutters briefly. he wraps his wings a little tighter around link's waist. "where did you go this time?"

"a bunch of places," link mumbles. "i used the sheikah slate to warp, that's why no one saw me leave on foot. i went to hateno first, since they kept the house as mine even though i said they could use it to house other people. i slept there first because it was far from here, then i warped to the korok forest to talk to the great deku tree about... what you said." revali tenses but link reaches up to caress his beak, to tell him it's fine. "there's truth to it, you know, even if you want to deny it front of my face. the great deku tree told me all the heroes before me were able to stop ganon the first time; i'm the only one who failed at first and was given a second chance to finish him off. i'm the loser in this legacy." revali bristles at the self-deprecation, but link only chuckles softly. "you would have loved to hear me admit that out loud, before we became a thing."

"in the past, of course i would," revali grumbles. "it's different now."

"it's still true, whether you like it or not," link says softly. "and you're still right. letting you and the other champions die is one of my biggest regrets and failures, and i honestly don't think i'll ever really be able to forgive myself for it no matter how many times you forgive me. it was my one duty as the chosen hero and i fucked it up. i really did sleep in like a child and let zelda do all the heavy lifting."

link tilts his head so that his ear is on revali's chest instead of his face. "after that, i just kind of wandered around necluda doing some thinking and soul-searching. i went to kakariko to talk with impa about the same thing and she was really insightful and kind about it. then i went down to fort hateno and blatchery plain, where i died the first time."

revali tenses again, but link caresses his beak comfortingly again. "said hi to naydra at mount lanayru and prayed a little at the spring of wisdom. it reminded me of the day ganon was revived. did you know it was zelda's birthday that day? what a terrible birthday gift. went back down to hateno to help the farmers gather the new wheat and joined in on their harvest festival.

"then, i went to lurelin to watch the sunset. it's not as pretty as here, because it's in the southeast and the sun sets here in the west, but it was still nice. it made me miss you." revali blows air out of his beak and link giggles. "but i had one more stop before i decided to come home. i went to pray at the spring of courage, too."

"at wisdom, i understand," revali mutters and link swats his chest gently. "but why at courage?"

"for the courage to come home and face you like this," link replies softly. "i had to accept my fault and my failures, but it felt like shit, you know? you were right but i was having a hard time accepting it. they say the hero is blessed by the goddess of courage and that their spirits rest with her at her spring. so i went there and i prayed to all of them, to the goddess and heroes past, for acceptance, for forgiveness, for courage. thankfully, they granted it to me, because now i'm home with you and i'm at peace with what has happened."

link sighs. "i'm sorry it took so long for me to come back to you. believe me, i wanted to go back home to you too. but it wouldn't change anything if i came home with that still messing up my mind."

revali tilts link's chin up and presses their foreheads together again, and link's eyes shut as they graze each other's faces once more. "it's alright, little jewel," revali murmurs. "you can take all the time that you need. i'll still be here for you when you ready. though, i'd prefer if you told me where you were going first so i wouldn't have to pick the entirety of my plumage out of stress."

link laughs. "okay, i'll try to remember that the next time we fight. before i go fuck off to some random place in hyrule, i'll be sure to come back and let you know where i plan to go. 'hey 'vali, i know we just screamed at each other for an hour, but i'm gonna go hang out in gerudo town until we're down being mad at each other. cheers.' was that good?"

revali snorts. "gerudo town of all places, where men can't enter." link swats at his chest again, laughing. the rito only pulls link closer, keeping their foreheads pressed together. "i'd prefer it still if you stayed home." link hums, rubbing his thumbs against the gape of revali's beak, then reaches up to press his lips there.

"my heart's always at home with you," link whispers. "so no matter how far i am, i'll always be with you." he presses another kiss to revali's beak. "i love you, revali. i'll always be yours."

revali's eyes fall shut at the kiss and he chirps lowly. "my beloved songbird, i love you most. wherever you go, you have my heart with you."

they're so soft i'm crying ; ;; dumb stupid idiots in love with each other so bad, can't be away from each other for too long or else they start acting like they're gonna die... anyways yeah revali and link do not like to fight with each other like that past bickering like dummies because link is stubborn and revali is an asshole and both of their pride are bigger than the entirety of the hyrule landmass combined. if they were always fighting like that^, zelda would get so pissed she'd kill the both of them out of irritation.

🌡️ 6. What they would do if the other is sick?

i'll make this one shorter since i pretty much wrote two entire fics in that last number 😭 if you would like a fic version of this, let me know and i'll post that one to ao3 instead skdjfskjdf

both revali and link pretend that they're fine in the beginning and try to get on with their daily errands, but the difference between them is that revali will collapse after a day because he's dramatic and link will collapse after a week from exhaustion because he's an actual idiot.

revali is super dramatic about being sick, lying on the floor of their shared roost acting like he's going to die from illness meanwhile link is at the table, mixing herbs together to help with the symptoms and giggling at revali's antics. every time he bursts into sweet laughter, revali can't help but gaze fondly at his mate from the floor, falling in love with link a little more. link also still sleeps with revali in the hammock when he's sick and as a result, gets sick too. but even as he's coughing and sneezing in bed, link insists that getting sick for cuddles was worth it.

link hates it when revali molts though, because his feathers get fucking everywhere and he is sick of waking up with his mouth literally stuffed with revali's old feathers. they always move down to satori mountain right before revali's molt week because the warmer weather is better for his growing feathers and also because link doesn't like sleeping that close to revali because of the mouth-feathers. consequently, revali also hates molt week for this reason because he gets clingy and wants to cuddle link, but because of mouth-feathers, link doesn't want to cuddle. they're both suffering.

when link gets sick, he tries to push through the illness to keep running errands, train, and whatever is on his usual daily agenda. revali is not a fan of link being out of bed when he's sick, mostly because he instinctively wants to take care of his mate; to tend to link in the nest, feed him, preen him, and protect him as he recovers. link also likes being taken care of by revali, but he's also like. I promise tulin i'd train with him at the flight range today, and revali is like Too bad you're sick i'll tell teba to call off. even tulin is like "awh it's okay, master link! get better soon so we can train together! :>" and link wants to cry, because tulin is a cutie and he feels bad for having to call off. revali rolls his eyes and makes him get back in the hammock.

so what's new? nothing, because they're both dumb idiots when they're sick, as usual.