#zelink was relevant again. i hate zelink.

[a-bee-wizard]

now that the dust has settled: can we all admit that totk just. wasn't really anything. it was just botw again. and i played botw in 2017.

[stormtwaa-blog]

just wrote a lil zelink bc of brainrot

conviction

I don’t know how to explain things in ways that make sense. In abstract equivalencies and callously worded metaphors, I can dance around the meaning forever. I guess…

It’s just hard being you.

Finding the courage to remain stalwart and committed to convictions I’ve long since forgotten. To bear the weight of expectation, and to brandish it with no hesitancy. To see in your piercing eyes, a calmness; a sense of understanding. At first I hated it. You would always stand by my side, so silently, the breeze would hide away even the sounds of your breaths. Shocks of blonde hair would slowly fade into the bleeding sunlight from the horizon, and I would find myself surprised each time the warmth in your hands would reach mine, always to help, always to protect.

But instead, I hid away from your reach. For each time you reached out, you would kneel, and each time I tried understanding your fierce silence, unspoken yet profoundly expressive, your eyes would turn away, and your golden hair seemed to mock me as you stared at the ground in deferent respect.

I was just the princess and you were my knight. You were Link to me, but…. What was I to you?

Your duty had always taken priority, you had dedicated your every breath to mastering the glinting blade by your back after all. Is that why then?

Is that why these ugly beasts reared their heads within me? This boiling anger which seemed to rage within me like a storm at sea. Your calm eyes seemed to mock me, calm waters in contrast to my own and my words grew coarser and more callous by the day, worsened no doubt, by the lack of confidence I had in not just my abilities but…. Honestly, in the worth of my character.

You still stayed however. By obligation, or by choice, I could not ascertain, as I hadn’t yet heard your voice nor seen past your perfect defence.

However, I realised that day, when you stood silently before me, the blood curdling cries of the Yiga soldiers ringing in my ears, that regardless of the motivation behind your commitment, it was driven by real principles; a real person. And your dedication to keeping me safe was genuine. Though I had yet to understand its purpose, I started to see colours between the shades of grey I had acquainted with your each action; quirks in each small expression.

The way you would soothe your steed with a small self-satisfied smirk, the way your eyes would turn to faraway places when polishing your blade, reminiscing about people I’d loved to have known. You would listen to me talk, finally having learnt to hold my tongue from spouting spiteful jealousy, and in feigning understanding, or in trying very sincerely to emulate it, would try and bring me things you’d deemed relevant to my research.

Really you were just so sincere.

And I think that’s what changed things for me, anyway. To know one’s legacy isn’t burdensome should you find a way to carve it out in your own way. To find something to fight for that would place principle above passion.

I guess that day, in the rain-stricken nightmare that befell Hyrule, seeing that bright blue tunic sullied with mud, mixed in with a shade of crimson that made the breath leave my lungs….

I raised my hand in one desperate attempt to prevent your feeble grip from holding your sword one last time.

And I would do it again and again if I needed to. 100 years now and 100 years again.

For you always reminded me that courage need not be remembered as it is never forgotten.

And I had to make sure that that legacy remained.

Tysm for reading!!! I really wanted to mention that the beautiful line about courage was actually from an absolutely amazing zelink video here:

[fatefulfaerie]

The Moon, the Stars, and the Sky

Zelink Week 2019 prompt #2/10

Subdued Ceremony: Link’s POV

“That boy is a living reminder of her own failures,” I heard Urbosa say to the left of me, “well, at least that’s how the Princess sees him.”

With my eyes closed and my head angled down, all my senses had to quench their curiosity was the voices of the Champions, talking about me.

Of course, with the full knowledge that I could hear them.

I could hear Zelda’s voice too, yet there wasn’t much in the apathetic scowls that accompanied her words.

Before long, I heard small, yet quick footsteps trailing off towards the castle. I lifted my head as my single opened eye saw the silhouette of the princess slowly getting smaller.

Standing up and opening both eyes at the realization that the ceremony was over, I watched Daruk and Revali follow Princess Zelda back towards the castle.

Mipha was next. She shot me an innocent smile before following the other champions, my gaze soon returning to the distant blue silhouette.

“Beautiful, isn’t she?”

“What?” I replied nervously as I looked to Urbosa, whose arms were crossed staring down at me.

“Why would she ask me that?,”  I thought to myself, “I mean, sure, the Princess is beautiful, she’s gorgeous, in fact…but why does that—”

My trail of thoughts stopped when the tall, Gerudo chief smiled at me.

I followed her changing gaze to the bright sun in the distant sky.

“The sun,” Urbosa said, “is quite beautiful. She’s always there, even when we can’t see her. She’s powerful, too. Even more powerful than she knows. We depend on her when she smiles brightly during the day and we depend on her to return when she cowers in the night. But, you must never forget that even she, the brightest of them all, has her dark times, especially when the weight of the world is upon her. All we can do is wait for the day when she smiles again.”

I watched Urbosa head towards the castle, leaving me in the lingering dust of her words.

Urbosa’s Hand: Zelda’s POV

I leaned my weight back into my hands as I sat on the red cushion next to Urbosa. I had been on a survey all day and the Gerudo chief invited me to sit with her atop the Divine Beast. Enjoying the view of the calm desert night, we sat in a comfortable silence until she said,

“My, is he handsome.”

“He?”

“Is she talking about him?”

“That knight?”

“I mean, sure he’s handsome. Very much so…but…”

“Why does he matter?”

“The moon,” Urbosa continued, “at first sight, almost perfectly so. He protects us from the darkness, yet knows to not shine too bright. He’s elegant, silent, mysterious, resplendent, with an almost royal countenance about him. He upholds the burden of driving away the darkness as much as the sun must provide the light. He is perfect in every way except one. He keeps to himself, like the lonely wolf that howls to him. He is alone in the sky until the sun returns, until the beautiful sunrise shows a coexistence, a cooperation, an unbreakable bond. A moment of clarity in the enlightenment of the others’ purpose. A kinship that surpasses the barriers of the horizon.”

“Urbosa,” I said as I turned my head to her, “that’s very nice…but what does it have to do with anything?”

“My dear, in time you will learn that some things are more relevant than you believe and other things are less relevant than you think.”

I looked back at the night sky.

“Is she talking about my powers?”

“Is she to join them too, the kingdom of people who look at me and see, not a princess, not a queen, but a failure.”

“I have at times considered her a mother to me, but…”

“It’s gotten to that point, hasn’t it? Where everyone hates me? Isolated, alone from the world that needs me. The world I fail every day that I am deaf to the goddess’ call.”

My eyes started to water.

“For goodness sake, don’t cry now. Don’t get caught in this state of vulnerability. What good am I if I can’t even hold myself together here?”

“I’m a princess. I must be strong, regal, exemplary.”

“I can’t fail at that, too.”

Yet, an uncontrollable sniffle of my nose deceived me, alerting Urbosa to the knowledge that I was, in fact, crying.

“Oh, little bird,” Urbosa said with a heartbroken sadness as she came closer and placed her arm around me, allowing me to rest my head on her welcoming shoulder as I bawled out the emotions I could not say.

She placed her right hand on my left cheek and I sat there for what seemed like hours, crying out my fear, my anger, my frustration, my loneliness, my fatigue. 

And, before I knew it, my wet eyes had drifted off into a sleep.

[katedoesfics]

Shadows of the Yiga | Chapter 3

It was a couple hours before the bar started to empty out, and despite what he had said earlier, Kit reluctantly agreed to serve Link two more bottles. It was close to midnight when the last of his customer’s had gone, leaving Kit and Link the only two left in the building. Kit stretched his arms over his head, opting to close up early by simply locking the door and flipping the sign in the window. He then poured himself a couple of shots and took them one after the other before helping himself to two more.

Link raised a brow at him. “Really?”

“I’ve got some catching up to do,” Kit said between shots.

Link grinned. “You’ve been drinking all night.”

Kit shrugged. It was true that he had been helping himself to the occasional beer or shot between serving patrons. He and Link even toasted to some nonsense he couldn’t remember earlier in the evening. He finished another two shots, then worked at clearing the glasses along with Link’s empties. He wiped the bar down quickly with very little effort, then joined Link on the other side of the counter, taking up the empty barstool next to him. He pulled out a tin that Link was all too familiar with, along with a lighter, and he offered one of the joints to Link.

Link rolled it between his fingers in between inhalations, watching it burn. They smoked quietly for a moment before Kit finally spoke.

“When are you gonna sack up and talk to Mipha? Get back together with her already.”

Link said nothing. He brought the joint to his mouth and inhaled. A single light lit the bar leaving them otherwise sitting in the dark. It felt better to be there in the dark than at home where the darkness only made him feel claustrophobic.

“Or are you still on board the Zelda train?” Kit continued.

“There’s no Zelda train,” Link said simply.

Kit grinned. “That’s not what I’ve seen on tv.”

“Do you really believe everything you see on tv?”

Kit nodded. “When the reporters say ZeLink is a thing, I do.”

Link raised a brow and inspected his joint. “ZeLink?”

“Your celebrity couple name,” Kit said. He inhaled deeply, then added, “Obviously.”

Link snorted. “That’s not a thing.”

“Don’t lie,” Kit said. “You’re totally banging.”

Link took another hit and stood. Without another word, he left the bar, leaving Kit to scramble to catch up to him. He waited outside in the cool night until Kit caught up, stumbling and swaying for a moment.

“Fuckin’ shit,” he muttered under his breath as he caught his balance. He brought the joint to his lips, inhaled, then sighed dramatically. “The night is ours,” he said with a grin. “What kinda trouble should we get into?”

“Zelda yelled at me last time,” Link said.

Kit laughed. “Hey, you’re not a thing, what does she care?”

“She can’t be associated with my antics,” Link said with a smirk. “Makes her look bad.”

“Well, not for nothing,” Kit started, pausing for another hit. “Your presence can make anyone look bad.”

“That’s what I aim for.”

“I still think you should make up with Mipha,” he said. “She was the one thing you got right.”

“She doesn’t need to be dragged down into my shit,” Link muttered. He took another hit, speaking again as he blew out smoke. “She’s better off.”

“I disagree,” Kit said frankly. “The way I see it, you’re just a stupid ass who pushes everyone away.”

“No, I’m just a stupid ass that everyone leaves.”

“Are you gonna cry about it?”

Link snorted. “No. I drink.”

“Poor Link has no friends,” Kit mocked.

“Look who’s talking.”

Kit nodded. “No shit, huh?” He paused for a hit. “Guess that makes us a pretty good team.”

“I prefer to run solo.”

“You do a lot of things solo,” Kit said with a grin. His face turned serious as he spoke again. “It’s been like, five years. I don’t think either of you are better off.”

“Well,” Link started, “I’m not about to start taking relationship advice from you.”

“You should,” Kit said. “Because whether you believe it or not, you would have been better off.” He paused for a long inhale. “You’re not the hero anymore. You don’t have to do what you think is best for everyone else.”

Link took one last hit, inhaling deeply. He blew the smoke out with a sigh. “You’re a wise man.”

“I know you’re being an ass, but it’s about time you recognize and heed my wisdom.” Kit stretched his arms over him, working out the kinks as his body cracked and he groaned. He muttered about getting old as they made their way through the city.

“I haven’t heard any Aryll stories lately,” Kit said thoughtfully. “Anything new and exciting?”

“She’s gonna get expelled if she doesn’t get her shit together,” Link muttered.

Kit frowned. “What did she do this time?”

Link shrugged. “Punched some kid.”

“Why?”

Link sighed. “Conspiracy theories.”

Kit grinned. “Oh, I love hearing those,” he said. “I’m still convinced that Yiga Clan is up to something.”

Link shook his head. “Zelda was pretty adamant about that.”

“Well, maybe she should get her head out of her ass.”

He shrugged. “It’s been ten years. Don’t you think if they were an issue, they would have been, you know, more relevant by now?”

“They’re waiting for something,” Kit said. “Plotting.”

“Right,” Link said. “Nothing I can do about it, anyway. I don’t exactly stand a chance against an army of rogue Sheikah.”

“Too bad,” Kit said. “You could use a good comeback.”

Link smiled. “Yeah. You’re right.”

“So, since we’re on the topic of crashing on your couch,” Kit started.

“We weren’t.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it. Pretty sure my landlord is going to kick me out. He hates me.” He shrugged. “I know Aryll hates me, too. But I don’t owe her money, at least.”

“She hates me, too.”

Kit frowned. “I don’t believe that for a second.”

“Well, she’s pissed at me. Hasn’t said a word to me.”

“I’m sure you put in the effort,” Kit said, and Link shrugged.

It wasn’t long before they got to the house. It was completely dark, and Link wondered if Aryll was asleep, or if she had taken advantage of his absence and snuck out for the night. He decided he should at least own up to his responsibility as her guardian and check in on her. He knocked softly on her bedroom door, and when no answer came, he poked his head inside. If she had attempted to fake her own sleeping body with pillows, the blonde hair poking out was a nicely added detail, but Link felt confident that it was indeed her, sleeping soundly, and he wasn’t about to wake her.

What he didn’t realize, however, was that Aryll was awake. Though she comforted herself in her nest of blankets, she hadn’t found a moment of sleep. She called her brother’s name softly, but he apparently had not heard her as the door closed again.

“Is she out terrorizing the city?” Kit asked when Link returned.

He dropped onto the couch beside Kit and took the beer Kit handed him. “Don’t think so,” he said.

“You don’t think so,” Kit said, then shrugged. ��You have such a natural, fatherly instinct.”

Link snorted. “I learned from the best.”

Kit frowned. “Are you suggesting your father was terrible at the parenting thing?”

“A bit unorthodox.”

Kit shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“You didn’t know him,” Link pointed out.

“Maybe not,” he said. “But I can’t imagine he was that bad.”

Link shrugged. “Guess not.” He paused. “He did let me play with a ten thousand year old sword.”

Kit grinned. “Every sixteen year old’s dream.” He flipped through the channels on the tv, settling on some late night talk show. They continued to chat casually with one another. When the late night commercials came on, they teased one another about dialing the 900-lines. At some point during the night, they both finally passed out where they sat, not stirring until morning when Aryll slammed two pans together above them. They jumped violently, then groaned loudly as Aryll let the pans drop noisily onto the counter.

“I'm going to school, idiot,” she called over her shoulder.

Kit waved a hand over the couch. “Bye, Sweetie.”

“Get the fuck out, Kit,” she shouted before slamming the door behind her.

With another groan, Kit rolled over, falling off the couch and onto the floor. He lay with his face down on the floor for a moment, then let out a heavy sigh.

“What time is it?” he muttered.

Link's hand felt for his phone on the end table. He clicked it on and squinted his eyes. “Seven.”

Kit sighed again. “Three more hours before I gotta get to the bar.” He slowly pushed himself to his feet, wavered for a moment, then moved across the living room. “I gotta take a leak.”

Link let his arm rest across his forehead. His head was pounding, but it was hardly his worst hangover. After a few moments more of laying on the couch, he got to his feet and moved toward the bathroom. He leaned against the door and banged on it.

“Get out, Kit,” he grunted.

The door jerked open and Link nearly fell through. “Can't a guy take a piss?”

Link pushed Kit out of the way. “I need a shower.”

Kit scrunched his nose and smirked. “Yeah, you smell like ass.” The door closed behind him and he lifted his arm, smelling his pit. He shrugged. “You going to work?” he asked through the door.

“Unfortunately.” The shower turned on.

“Cool. I'm sleeping on your couch for two more hours. Don't wake me.”

“Whatever.”

“See you tonight?”

“Sure.”

Within fifteen minutes, Link was showered, dressed, and headed out the door, taking a moment to throw a pillow at Kit who was stretched out on the couch. In another fifteen minutes, he was grunting a good morning to Sera before hiding behind the desk where he hoped he could sleep most of the day away.

*****

“What's up with you?”

Aryll looked up from her untouched lunch, only noticing then that Anju had sat in front of her. The cafeteria was buzzing loudly with afternoon chatter, though Aryll had managed to tune it out completely. She had floated by through half the day already, not paying attention to a single thing in her classes, her mind elsewhere. “Hm?”

Anju frowned at her best friend as she sat across from her. “I'm worried about you,” she said. “You've been super emo for the last couple of weeks.”

Aryll rolled her eyes. “I'm not emo.”

“You look like you're going to kill yourself.”

Aryll frowned down at her lunch.

“Why won't you talk to me?” Anju’s voice softened.

Aryll sighed. “There's nothing to talk about.”

“I know there is,” Anju pressed. “Is it still Link?” Aryll didn't answer, but that was answer enough for her. “Don't you think you should talk to him?”

“Clearly you don't know my brother at all,” Aryll muttered. “He doesn't talk about shit.”

“What about Aryll's hot brother?” Cremia slid into the seat beside Aryll, grinning. “When are you going to give me his number?”

“Gross,” Aryll muttered.

“Hot,” Cremia said. “Hot damn. I could look at him all day long.” She put her chin in her hand and batted her eyelashes playfully.

“Oh my goddess,” Aryll said, burying her face in her hands. “Shut the fuck up.”

“I bet redheads are definitely his type, so I’ve got an edge there.” She sighed dreamily. “I'd let him do anything to me.”

“Cremia!” Anju narrowed her eyes at her.

“Oh, come on,” Cremia said. “I am so not the only one. He’s got stupid ass fangirls all over the world.”

“Like you?” Anju said, pointing at her with her plastic fork.

“Can we talk about something else?” Aryll muttered.

“Fine,” Cremia said with a sigh. “We should make plans this weekend.”

“Agreed,” Anju said. “Aryll needs to get out of the house.”

“And her brother needs to get into me,” she whispered.

“Cremia!”

“Oh my Goddess,” Cremia whined loudly. “Let me have my fantasy!” She closed her eyes and smiled. “Mm, mm, mm.”

“For the love of Hylia,” Anju said, shaking her head. “Keep it in your fucking pants.”

“Fine,” Cremia said, coming back to reality. “So, sleep over at my place? We can totally get crunk!”

“Crunk?” Anju said with a frown. “Really?”

“Live a little, Ary,” Cremia said. “You could use a night to loosen up.”

Anju shrugged. “She’s not wrong.”

“One of these days,” Cremia started, “she’s gonna come in with black hair and black lipstick and stupid black skinny jeans and then I’ll have to kill you. For your own good.”

“So, this will happen if I don’t go out and get crunk with you?” Aryll said dryly.

Cremia nodded. “Most def. And I’m your best friend. I won’t let that happen to you.” She straightened and grinned. “So, it’s settled. Maybe we’ll sneak into some clubs. Meet some hot guys. Get laid.” She put her head in her hand and spoke into her lunch. “And then I’ll go over your house and seduce Link.”

Anju punched her shoulder. “What is with you?”

“I appreciate hot men! Why is that a crime?”

“You’re an animal.”

“What about Revali?” Aryll asked. “Can’t it be anyone else besides my fucking brother?”

“Hm. Yeah. He’s hot, too.” She sighed. “Alright, fine. For the sake of our friendship, I’ll put Link on the back burner.”

“I am so uncomfortable,” Aryll muttered.

“I’m almost afraid to go into her bedroom,” Anju said. “I bet she writes terrible smut starring herself.”

“I don’t need to hear this.”

Cremia slapped Anju’s shoulder excitedly. “Dude! You should see some of the fics out there!”

“Fics?” Aryll questioned hesitantly.

Cremia nodded. “Oh, yeah. I’m tame compared to what those fangirls want to do to your brother.”

“What if I got my tongue pierced?” Aryll asked in a desperate attempt to change the subject.

“Don’t be a cliche,” Cremia said. “We all know you’re going through your angsty teenage phase. No need to fucking announce it to the world.”

“I don’t know why I’m friends with you,” Aryll said.

“Funny how that happened?” Cremia said. “It’s almost like I planted myself in your life to get closer to your brother.”

“Sounds about right,” Anju said. “Actually. I thought he was with Zelda or something.”

“No,” Aryll said fiercely. “Why?”

“Well, they were all over the news for a while,” she said with a shrug. “Hanging out, being secretive.” She wiggled her eyebrows at Cremia. “I don’t think you can compete with the Queen of Hyrule.”

Cremia made a face of disgust and disapproval. She scoffed. “Please,” she started. “She ain’t got nothing on me.”

“They’re not dating,” Aryll insisted.

“But they’re probably fucking,” Cremia said.

Aryll frowned down at her lunch. “Link’s gonna get back with Mipha,” she said softly.

Cremia rolled her eyes. “Right.”

Anju bit her lip. “Why are you like this?”

“That’s how this friendship works,” Cremia said. “You can baby her and let her be emo all she wants. But I’m a realist. I’m gonna talk some damn sense into her and pull her up on her feet and push her forward whether she likes it or not.”

“Lucky you,” Anju said to Aryll sarcastically. “You get the best of both worlds.”

Aryll smiled. “Alright,” she said. “Let’s get crunk. But under one condition.”

“Anything,” Cremia said excitedly.

“Stop drooling over my brother!”

Cremia frowned, then turned serious. She put her hand over her heart. “This is how much I love you, Ary. For you, I will never say a thing about your smoking hot brother ever again.” She grinned and winked at her. “Starting now.”