julies08

[julies08]

Opera house au thoughts plsssssssssssssss

Oh boy, I keep forgetting what I have shared and what I haven't! So apologies if this is redundant or repeats things I've stated before!

Warriors is not a social media kinda guy. he hams it up for the camera when it comes to work, but his private life is just that- private. The only social media he has is set so that only his family and close friends can see it (although he does have professional accounts as well, since all actors need to), and he's completely different irl than he is in front of a camera

Time's influence on Legend is subtle, but it's there. Only Twi and and Time know, but Legend is actually in a garage band on the side with his buddies Ballad and Myth (there was a weird naming trend a couple decades ago). Time is exceedingly proud but refuses to let it on to anyone except Twi, who just thinks it's funny that he'd bother

Dusk probably will end up having to face off against her parents eventually, but I think Twilight by that point is just barely holding himself back from going off at them, at least until she gets her chance, because he has words on Legend and his lost twin (Fable) Raven, and Dusk's behalves, but believes Dusk should get first dibs (she's too polite for her own good though and tries to keep it civil, so he does most of the yelling in the end)

Wars lives in a less than ideal part of town, which unfortunately means that if shit is going down and someone needs help, they usually end up crashing at his place. legend has ended up there a few times after going out with Lullaby/Sheik, and while Wars has questions, he never asks. He's the guy who always has an open door and a couch you can crash on, as long as you mind your own business in his home and respect his cousins

Fable and Wild have mutual crushes on each other but have no idea the other likes them, as Fable thinks Wild is sweet on Flora and Wild thinks she might have a thing for Legend or something

Legend reminds Fable of her dad for reasons she can't really name, it bugs her a lot, especially when she could swear she hears him humming songs Raven wrote, only when she listens really close, he's already stopped and there's no way of knowing

Hyrule's pretty good at memorizing stuff, and eventually, he and Legend start learning whole plays together, reciting them back and forth while doing prop prep and such. Sometimes someone will come to them and ask them to run a scene with them, and the two will play every part except the asker's in order to help them prep. This is what convinces everyone they need to get Hyrule on stage.

Legend's got something of a reputation in the acting community, albeit a weird one. Fans of the opera know him by face and sometimes by voice, but his name is unknown. There are theory boards. Hyrule accidentally joined one and spends a lot of time wondering what would happen if he told the others there the truth about their idol, or really anything about him. they don't even know if he's a guy or a girl, and when Hyrule posts anything about his time at the Opera, it tends to make them go crazy (he gets a kick out of messing with them)

Never carpool with Twilight, you think you're getting the sweet country boy, but it turns out he drives Time to work when Malon can't, and that man is scary. It's not worth it, walking is better. (Nevermind that Twi drives like a redneck)

Sun, Sky, Twilight and Legend go out for "family dinners" to a 50s style diner on the edge of town. it showed up in Mother's Day, and also in A Chance to Hold You Again, but I want to confirm that that is Their Spot. Dusk has no clue how much it matters to them, or the significance of Legend asking her to go there with him. He knows this and it's the only reason he had the guts to do it.

First sometimes flies in to check on the Opera, usually once a year, and sometimes Hylia tags along. The kids love them. They are the only people, everyone is convinced, who Time is afraid of. Everyone swears Time freezes on the spot if First is talking to him, and they're not sure if it's hero worship or something else (First doesn't like him, he won't explain why, not even to Hylia)

Hylia likes to play doting rich lady. Think Madame from the Aristocats; she's utterly adoring to all the kids and has a fondness for all the ladies as well. Sky and Time both don't like her, mostly because of the wealth flaunting/power plays they think she's employing.

Twilight spends his days off volunteering at an animal shelter that specializes in cats. If one of the strays/Impa's cats from around his apartment is having issues/has kittens, that's where he takes them.

Four is severely allergic to cats and as such refuses to let Twilight into the sound booth ever, because it doesn't matter how much that man showers, he's always got cat hair on him and Four refuses to deal with a sneezing fit while running sound/lights

That's all I got for now, sorry!

[julies08]

Hi this is the anon who asked if I could write a continuation to your Legend overworks himself fic, here it is:

"Legend, did you want to-" Time cut himself off mid sentence.

Legend was out cold already, eyes firmly shut and head resting against the car window. That must have been some kind of record, to pass out so soon. It also spoke to the level of exhaustion his coworker was somehow functioning at. Well, barely functioning still counts as functioning, right?

Time huffed with a small smile, turning his attention back to getting out of his parking spot. No sense talking to an unconscious man, especially when this rest was desperately needed.

He resisted the urge to turn on the radio or play his favourite cd. As much as his 'old man cds' (as Wind liked to call them) helped settle Time's brain after a shift, the man in the passenger seat needed every second of sleep he could scavenge from the unforgiving life they lived.

Call it overkill, but Time even decided the deviate from his usual route home to avoid any major bumps and potholes in the road. Sure, it took longer, but in Time's opinion? Worth it.

He remembered how the nurse was borderline delirious  when he'd come to collect him. He remembered the quiet anger in Wars' voice when he explained the situation to Time. He remembered Legend's addiction to caffeine and how the small man's guardian angel must work overtime to keep his heart from failing under the strain of caring for countless lives.

So it's the least Time can do to make sure his colleague's rest is as peaceful as possible.

However, one small problem lingered in Time's head as the ranch drew ever closer... how was he going to get Legend inside? The man was like a grumpy cat, and almost certainly would NOT tolerate being carried inside like a sickly victorian maiden. But also would probably fall flat on his face if he tried getting inside by his own power.

Ah, whatever. They're here now.

Time parked the car and got out, ensuring he didn't shut the door too loudly. He walked around to the passenger door and chuckled a little when he spotted the cloud of condensation Legend's breath had made on the window. The man's eyes remained firmly shut, his head at an uncomfortable looking angle with his forehead pressed against glass.

In his years of training critical thinking and decision making, Time had never felt more conflicted. That's a lie, but you gotta appreciate the humour of a tired man.

Time sighed. Then he opened the door and caught the sleeping nurse's forehead before it smacked into his shoulder, settling his head to rest back. Now the painful part.

Time crouched slightly and lightly tapped Legend's face, waiting until Legend's eyelids flicked and he let out a low groan.

"Link. We're at the ranch, I'm going to carry you inside. Is that okay?" Time kept his voice quiet and didn't touch Legend until he gave some kind of response.

The response came in the form of another low grumble, this time vaguely affirmative, and Legend's eyelids stilling. His head lolled limply to the side. It was better than nothing, and Time took it as his cue to unbuckle him and slowly slide an arm under Legend's knees and another around his waist. Then he hefted the man up as smoothly as he could, until Legend's head rested comfortably against his shoulder and Time was certain he was asleep again.

Hylia, what was Time going to do with these boys? He shook his head with a soft sigh. Making sure he had Legend securely in his arms(and internally worrying about how light the man was), Time shut the door and locked the car using his arm to support Legend's legs while his hand did the work.

Getting into the house wasn't an issue, because Twilight had seen them through a window and opened the door for the pair.

"Oh crap, what happened to him!?" Twilight asked in a hushed panic.

"Eleven. Fucking. Shifts. In a row." Time gritted his teeth at the memory, righteous anger flooding his mind. Warriors had been right; it WASN'T right. Or fair. Legend, the cactus he was, was left so exhausted he had to be carried  inside.

"I- eleven???" Twilight's eyes shifted between Time and Legend, growing in horror as Time's grave face and Legend's eyebags that looked almost painted on solidified the truth.

"Eleven." Time sighed. He shook his head and looked Twilight in the eyes.

"Crap... is there anything I can do to help?" Twilight murmured, the heartbreak audible in his tone.

"Can you prepare the spare room for him and help me change him into something more comfortable?"

Twilight was out of the room before Time even finished talking. Truthfully, the only thing Time wanted to do was take a long shower, eat reheated leftovers, and pass out. But what happens happens, he doesn't know how or why, but at some point he'd started seeing the boys in a more... fatherly way?

Nonsense. They're just coworkers that the old veteran cared too much about. Time hid his sigh with a chuckle and adjusted his grip on the still unconscious Legend. Though, what would Malon say if she saw this? Probably give him eyes  and coo about how good of a dad he'd make someday.

Well, at least he'll be practiced if that day comes. When that day comes.

Ah, he's caught in his own thoughts again. Twilight's probably done by now; the man was always a quick worker, and the guest room was never left untidy persay. Time should go check on him, so that's what he does.

And nearly bumps into the man in question in the corridor.

And laughs about it so hard it nearly wakes Legend, but doesn't.

But once the giggles subside, Time brings their sleepy nurse to his spare room, where he and Twilight hastily work to get him out of scrubs that smell of disinfectant, despair, and dried blood. They dress him in soft, slightly worn clothes that are clearly Twilight's but sue him; Twilight knew he had a knack for buying the softest clothes. Wild may tease him, but everyone had seen the gremlin steal Twilight's sweaters.

Yet despite being jostled and propped up at several points, Legend remained limp, face slack, limbs floppy. If not for his soft snoring, Time would assume he died.

Hylia, this really  couldn't happen again. Everybody knew Legend for his thorns keeping everyone beyond arms length, insults rolling off his tongue in place of admitting he cared. He'd work himself into ashes before asking for help; hell, he'd drag himself from beyond the grave if any of the Links needed his help.

But now.

Now he's no more than a hollow puppet, his strings cut and stuffing robbed by an insatiable need to help others that the damn hospital exploited. It took and took and took until an intervention stopped it. Though it couldn't stop the silent horror bubbling in Time's chest, nor the heartbreak wracking it.

If not for the fact Legend was his coworker, Time could easily mistake him for Twilight's patient as the man carefully tucked him into bed. Long awaited sleep washed his face clear of the stress weighing it down, leaving Legend looking so... young. Vulnerable. Someone to be protected, rather than a person someone had failed to protect.

The sentiment was something Twilight seemed to share, judging by the tender, bittersweet smile he gave Legend while he softly brushed hair from his face.

"We should leave water and something to eat, for when 'e wakes up." Twilight stood up straight and looked to Time. "I'll, um, go do that. 'm sure you wanna jus' have somethin' to eat and go to bed yrself."

Time patted Twilight on the shoulder with a weary smile. "You are... very correct. Thank you, Twilight, I appreciate it."

Twilight left the room with nothing but a passing smile to Time, leaving the man standing alone beside the bed. He looked to see Legend, cocooned in softness, at peace at last. His eyebags may still be an eyesore, but the peaceful sight of his slumber was anything but.

Before he left, Time texted Warriors an update and spared but a simple goodbye to him.

"Rest well, you idiot."

I'm just an amateur writer but uh I hope you like it :]

Awww my goodness this is fantastic! You’re a wonderful writer, I enjoyed this so much 😍😍

Poor Legend is STRUGGLIJG awww honestly so relatable lol, bless Twi and Time ❤️

Thank you so much for writing and sharing!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[julies08]

Knight and Prince

Fandom: Legend of Zelda, Linked Universe

Summary: Warriors takes a blow meant for Legend.

Word Count: 2551

Tags: protective Warriors, hurt Warriors, angsty Legend, siblings Fable and Legend

WARNINGS: blood, injury care

Written for @legendoflinkficfight Thanks to @cinis0, @A-walnut, and @not-freyja for the prompts!

<fic start>

It’s a cold day when the Chain says goodbye to Fable and Hyrule Castle. Warriors wraps his scarf tighter around his neck, then dips his face to hide a smile in the fabric when Fable bodyslams Legend with a hug.

“Zelda,” Legend complains, but she just laughs, and Warriors swears she hugs him tighter.

“I’ll miss you, Linky,” she whispers. The captain stiffens and turns away. He’s close enough to them that he caught the words, but they aren’t for him. “Don’t take so long coming home next time, okay?”

“I won’t, I won’t,” Legend grouses. His words are loud enough for Warriors to hear easily, and he glances back in time to see the vet finish prying his sister’s arms away. “Don’t you have to be all royal?”

“And not get a hug from my baby brother?” she teases. “Royal decorum can wait.”

“We’re twins,” Legend says flatly.

Huffing a laugh, Warriors turns away again to run his gaze over the courtyard. He’s met a lot of royalty in his time, from his own Zelda and visitors during the War of Ages to past and future Zeldas during his current adventure, and if he knows anything about them, it’s that most know exactly where to shove royal decorum when it suits them—not that he would phrase it like that to their faces. Royalty has the privilege of not always being decorous, but the people who serve them—people like Warriors himself—don’t have the same privilege.

Not that all of his brothers have the same experience, he thinks wryly. Tetra is Wind’s captain, but also a fellow pirate; Dot is Four’s best friend; Wild and Flora have told decorum to never grace their presence again.

There have been occasions when Warriors and Artemis relaxed together. Mostly after the War, when they were alone and away from prying eyes—but those moments didn’t come often. Not when there was so much to do for Hyrule.

So here, in this courtyard surrounded by soldiers and nobles, Warriors falls back on what he knows. His eyes trace the walls, noting the timing of the guards, and his ears listen for the wooden thud of spears crossing to prevent people from entering the yard. All the while, he stands with his feet apart, shoulders straight, and arms behind his back—the picture of a soldier ready for action—and he keeps within leaping distance of his liege in case of attack.

Technically, Warriors has only sworn an oath to Artemis, and she isn’t here. Sky will one day be king, but no one in this time period except the Links themselves know this.

Until this visit to Fable, Warriors thought the only liege he had was the individual Zeldas. Then she greeted Legend, not just like a brother, but as a brother.

Prince Legend, Warriors thinks, and holds back a snort. It sounds ridiculous. To him, Legend is the person who has cursed and sworn at every moment, who mocks Hylia and Links alike. Legend, like the rest of the Chain, is a person who Warriors has come to see as a sibling. To hear he’s a prince…

Warriors shakes himself and looks back. Fable has finally stepped away, giving Legend space, and nods at the small bow he gives her—the perfect length from a prince to his crown princess. 

So Legend does know decorum, Warriors thinks at the exact moment a glaring light hits his eye.

Everything else is instinct.

<line break>

Legend hits the ground, and the breath crushes out of him. Spitting curses in his head because he’s too busy wheezing for air aloud, he tries to get his arms under him, but there’s a heavy weight sprawled across his back. Legend is stuck on his stomach. His toes dig into the dirt behind him and his elbows jab into his own sides.

His cheek burns like someone took sandpaper to it, and when he finally gets his breath back and spits, it comes out bloody.

“Legend!” Someone is yelling.

“Close the gates!” Zelda?

“Your Highness, you need to go inside—”

“To your station, General. Before someone else gets hurt.”

Legend has never heard his sister so angry before. He shifts, trying again to stand, and his left elbow bangs against hard metal. The pain vibrates up his arm and he stills, groaning.

“Legend? Can you hear me?”

“Rulie?”

“Can you open your eyes for me?”

His eyes are closed? He tries to open them, squinting, and then they widen.

Legend lies flat on the ground. Hyrule kneels over him, freckles stark against skin bloodless from shock. Beyond him, there’s a circle of Links crowding in close, and beyond them, a wall of silver metal and blue cloth: The backs of his sister’s knights, closing them in. Legend thinks he’s had nightmares of this exact scenario, except then, the knights’ swords faced inward, not out.

“Zel?” he asks.

“I’m here, Link.” Zelda appears above him. Her eyes are wide, and for the first time since they were little, her hair is in disarray. “We need to get him off you, but it’s going to hurt, okay?”

“What?”

“It’s going to hurt, but it’ll be over quickly.” A hand squeezes his right one, and Legend darts his eyes down. Jewels click together where his sister tangles her fingers with his, but his attention is caught on the thin wooden length impaled in his shoulder. No, not impaled—the wood stops at a sliver of metal that gleams against his shirt, slowly being covered by blood dripping from above. Legend traces the blood upwards to green cloth and metal rings, torn open to reveal pale skin—

Then the weight over him shifts, the green and metal pull away, and Legend bites his tongue as the metal is yanked out of him. He catches a quick look at a small, razor-sharp arrowhead, and then the weight is gone entirely. Instead of sitting up, though, Legend lets his head fall back to the ground, energy sapped.

“Put your hands there, Sky.” Hyrule’s voice is distant. “Wild, a red potion?”

Weight presses on Legend again, but this time, it’s just on his injured shoulder. He jolts against it and glares upward.

“I’ll kill you!” he snaps.

Sky smiles, small and wobbly. “I’ll let you,” he promises, and Legend blinks. The pain coursing through his right side has woken him up more. Something about this situation isn’t right.

“What happened?” he asks.

Sky looks away.

“Tell me! Or I’ll pluck every feather from that overgrown—”

“Link!” Zelda reprimands, squeezing his hand, and Legend falls silent. He lifts his head up when Wild appears with a red potion and doesn’t protest when Zelda helps him drink. His mind races, and his stomach rolls when he remembers the bloody green cloth.

The royal family’s color is blue. Green is the hero’s color. And Hyrule isn’t at his side, even though he took an arrow to the shoulder.

“Who was it?” Legend asks. His voice comes out flat, and when Sky meets his eyes again, the first knight is holding back tears.

“Legend,” Sky starts.

“Who tackled me? I need to know, because they did a shitty-ass job—” Legend’s voice breaks. Done waiting, he shoves against the ground again. Sky is still holding pressure to his wound, waiting for the red potion to do its work, but it’s not the dead weight of an injured brother holding him down, and he manages to turn over and sit up.

Warriors lays on the ground before him. The captain is on his front, arms and legs limp, head turned to face Legend, with an arrow sticking out of his left side. A second arrow rests behind Hyrule, like it’s been tossed away, and the healer has both hands over Warriors’ right shoulder, magic radiating around them.

Someone shoves Legend right in his own wound. He groans, then protests, “I’m almost healed!”

But Four is stern and unrepentant where he glares up at him, palm pressed tight to Legend’s shoulder.

“Warriors just took those for you,” the smithy snaps. “Don’t undo all his work by stupidly bleeding out before the red potion finishes healing you.”

“I didn’t—!” Legend’s voice breaks again.

He wants to look away, but his gaze is caught on Warriors. Blood smears the ground between them where the captain’s body must have dragged when they pulled him off of Legend, and more blood pools in the creases of his clothes. His royal scarf, his prized possession, has been discarded to the side just like the arrow.

“I didn’t ask him to save me,” Legend finishes in a whisper.

For a moment, Four’s pressure falters, but then the smithy presses back twice as hard. “I didn’t say you did,” he replies. “It was his choice.”

“He didn’t hesitate,” Zelda adds. She twines her fingers with his again, but if she intends to comfort him, her words do the opposite.

Legend was raised to be a knight, trained by his uncle to one day stand at his sister’s side, and then magic ruined it all. Knights have hunted him across Hyrule and beyond, rarely giving him a day’s rest, and even in his sister’s castle, he feels their glares on his back.

And now there’s Warriors. A knight through and through, to the point Legend sometimes wonders if Hylia crafted him just to annoy Legend, but also someone who has become his brother. Someone who—

Legend’s breath hitches as he remembers the way Warriors has acted since meeting Fable. Standing stiffly, not cursing, shielding any and all emotion, he assumed it was all because Fable is royalty. But what if—

“Let me go,” Legend rasps, and then, when Four doesn’t move immediately, he shoves the smithy’s hand away, pushes to his knees, and lunges toward Warriors.

Voices rise around them, but all his focus is on the idiot lying unconscious before him.

Grabbing Warriors’ shirt, Legend says, “If you sacrificed yourself because I’m a prince, I’ll kill you. You hear me?”

“Link—”

“I’ll kill him!” he spits, eyes meeting Zelda’s. “If he did that because—because—”

“Legend, let him go!”

Legend jerks toward Hyrule. The healer’s hands reach across Warriors, the remnants of his spell sinking in to the sealed wound, but his eyes are wide.

Legend looks down. 

Last he knew, Warriors was unconscious, but now he twists against the ground, toes pressing into the dirt and small moans falling from his lips before he lifts the hand closest to the arrow in his side. In an instant, Legend lets go of the captain’s shirt and seizes his hand instead, afraid he’ll disturb the arrow more.

But at his touch, Warriors pulls away and claws at the ground, fingernails catching on dirt and digging in till Legend couldn’t take his hand again if he tried.

Time leans in over the captain’s head, fingers hovering over his healed shoulder but not touching. “It’s just us, Warriors,” he soothes. “Just us.”

Legend opens his mouth, but for once, he’s speechless. No words come to mind. What does he say to someone when they’re in pain because of him? When his brother took two arrows for him, and all Legend wants to do is shake him for it?

“Can you hear us, Wars?” Hyrule asks. “We need to take the arrow out.”

“Can we do that now?” Four asks. “The shock alone might kill him!”

“Not with me here.” Hyrule’s eyes blaze with magic and determination. “I won’t let him go.”

“Do it.”

It takes Legend a moment to realize who the words came from, but then he jolts and looks down.

Warriors stares back at him. His eyes are half-lidded, his normally infuriatingly perfect golden locks plastered to his head with sweat, but he’s awake.

“Do it,” Warriors repeats. “Now.” He hesitates. “You—you do know how to—”

“Yeah.” Hyrule’s voice is soft now. “Yeah, I know how. You just—uh, will you let Legend hold your hand? So you don’t interfere?”

He doesn’t say “when the pain takes you out of your mind,” but Legend hears it, and he suspects Warriors does, too, because his gaze is wearily accepting.

Warriors tries to pry his hand from the dirt, but his movements are slow and fumbling, nails caught in the ground he’d dug into.

“Here.” Fable reaches for him. “May I?”

Warriors blinks, and Fable continues. Her hand rests on the captain’s, and a shiver goes up his arm, but he doesn’t stop her from pulling his fingers free or from cupping his hand in hers.

“You saved my brother,” she says. “Thank you.” Her words are for Warriors, but her eyes are on Legend, her face open and honest.

Legend’s heart burns in his chest. His sister is about the only person in the entire kingdom he can stand, and yet, circumstances—the lasting remnants of magic on the knights, his Hylia-cursed adventures—have dictated they rarely get to see each other.

But he sees her now, and because of Warriors, they’ll get to keep seeing each other.

“You’re an idiot,” Legend rasps. He rests his hand on his knees, palm open, and his sister lays the captain’s hand in his. Legend squeezes it tight. “Just—tell me you didn’t save me because I’m a prince.”

Warriors squeezes his hand back. Though he must be exhausted from pain, his grip is strong.

“Course I didn’t,” Warriors whispers. “I saved you ‘cause you’re my brother.”

Oh.

Legend tells people he’s a cold-hearted bastard because he ran out of tears long ago, but Hylia damn the captain, his eyes are watering now.

“Turn him now,” Hyrule says abruptly, and then Warriors is moving. The other heroes pull at his left side till he’s resting on his right side, head in Time’s lap and stomach off the ground. Legend moves with him, shuffling closer so they don’t lose contact. In the corner of his eye, he can see hands shifting Warriors’ tunic and chainmail away from his lower abdomen—then Warriors screams, hand tightening around Legend’s.

Legend squeezes back and turns his gaze to the arrow. The shaft has been stripped of its fletching and Four has one hand on the blunt top and the other on Warriors’ side where he’s slowly pressing the arrow through.

Legend tastes bile, but swallows.

“Almost there,” Four murmurs, and then—

There’s a squelching, sucking noise, and a steel arrowhead tears its way out of Warriors’ abdomen.

“There!” Legend says. “It’s through, it’s through!”

Even as he says it, blood seeps through the new wound and quickly turns into a stronger flow, red flooding downwards and soaking into the grass and Legend’s leggings. Sky reaches around him, grabs the wood behind the arrowhead, and pulls. In moments, the arrow is out and Hyrule presses his hands to Warriors’ side, one over the entry wound and one over the exit.

Legend barely breathes, watching Hyrule’s magic close the wounds, and then he turns to Warriors’ face again.

The captain’s eyes are closed, but Time smiles at him.

“Just sleeping,” the old man murmurs.

Legend is tempted to lie down and take a nap right beside Warriors, but he forces himself to stay upright. His brother still has a tight grip on Legend’s hand, and he doesn’t plan on letting go.

[julies08]

@pelicanpig Here you go!

Zelda put her signature on a scroll and placed it in a pile beside her. There was still more to do, and knowing that only made her eyes feel heavier. She glanced at the window in her room, the ornate frame paling in comparison to the vivid, blue sky. If her hero was here, he would've opened that window and extended his hand to hers.

She sighed, dipping her quill in ink. He wasn't here, and so she couldn't leave until all these papers were dealt with. Zelda noticed a letter from weeks ago, sitting on the shelf, and took it gently into her hands. She reread every word.

I don't know when I'll be back, the letter informed her and she could hear his voice from all the way here. There was ice in her stomach as she knew that there was a chance he might not be back anytime soon. She remembered finding his limp, ashen body, just barely clinging on to life. She remembered a broken raft and the feeling of seeing him so hurt after two months of not seeing him at all and waiting for his return.

She swallowed back her fear and rubbed her eyes. She needed him, and he needed her. Surely, he would walk right in here and help her carefully out the window, before guiding her through his orchard once again. She would listen to his grand tales and his simple updates again, or kiss him softly under the shade of his vibrant apple trees.

A knock sounded and she stilled. There were still tears on her lashes. She cleared her throat, "You may come in."

A servant let herself in, hazel eyes meeting hers with warmth and...something else. "His Majesty requests you to come down to the throne room at once."

"Oh, well, did he tell you the occasion?"

"I apologize if I am overstepping Your Highness, but I think you need to see this yourself. Let me escort you there."

Zelda felt suspicion brew in her gut but she nodded slowly. "You are alright. Let us go, then."

The servant led her silently down the steps blanketed in velvet carpet, though her smile had dimmed long ago. The anticipation was beginning to unsettle her but they reached the throne room. The servant dropped to her knees and the princess saw eight unusual warriors. "Father, you have called for me?" She inquired but her gaze was on the group, searching for a head of strawberry blonde hair.

"Yes. These are the Heroes of Hyrule from the past and future. They are briefly visiting before continuing another quest," The King answered, but his face was shadowed.

Zelda's heart began to race as she didn't see him among the group. "Where's Link? His letter said he'd be travelling with them."

Father's eyes softened, almost imperceptibly. "He has been sent to the infirmary. He arrived in an unstable state, but our healers are doing all they can right now."

Her breath caught, and for a moment there was silence. Father never said what exactly happened to Link. He had never said anything like this before. "Your duties have been dismissed today," The King assured. "Go and see him, Zelda."

Something was very wrong.

She thanked him and took off. Her breath came out shallow as all she could think about was him on that raft.

"Goddesses."

Nightmarish burns wrapped around pale skin. Violet eyes were closed, swelled and red from tear-streaks. His clothing was tattered, and he was thinner than before.

However, when she arrived at his bedside, there wasn't any surface wounds she could immediately see. He was unconscious, face a sheet of white. Purple hyacinths sat in a vase next to him. "I'm here Link, I'm here," She breathed.

Her words went unheard and she sat down, hugging her knees. Her heart didn't calm but her breathing did. She called for him through his mind but he didn't reply, for the second time in their lives. "I've missed you, but you know that. I was going to send you a letter because there's a ball very soon and I know how much you like dancing. The Lorulean royal family is attending, which means Queen Hilda will be there...and probably Ravio too."

The silence was deafening.

"Your Highness? A nurse came in. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I am. What--what has happened to him?"

The nurse took off the blankets with a roll of bandages clutched in her hand. "He's got a stab wound but that's unfortunately not the worst of it. He's developed an illness we call Dinnayru."

Fire and ice? Where had she heard that before? "What is that?"

"It's a deadly illness that causes delirium, vomiting blood, and in worst cases, seizures. I don't know if you recall, but the late Queen fell to it."

"Oh," She pressed her mouth into a thin line, blood turned to ice in her veins. "Will--will he be okay?"

"We'll do our best and see what we can do," The nurse tried to reassure.

Zelda blinked back tears and pulled up a chair, it's wooden exterior cold against her back. The light that was once spilling loftily into the room and illuminating the flowers was gone. The room became dim from dark clouds and the warm torchlight fell onto his still face.

"Your Highness?"

She startled and saw a man with dusky markings on his face. She recognized him as a hero from before. "Yes?"

"Our traveller's Life Spell hasn't done a thing for him, so we were thinking of taking him to a Great Fairy."

"That should heal his stab wound," She nodded.

"His illness too, right?" He pressed.

"They tried everything to save my mother but she's gone."

The man's face twisted in sympathy. "I'm sorry for your loss but don't you think it's worth a try?"

"It most certainly is, but we could lose him at any moment..."

"It won't come to that, princess. We'll find a way."

Something about the fire in the man's blue eyes made her rise. "You're right."

"We're at your side, Highness. The ve--er--Link is our brother."

She was ready to leave, until a sudden coughing filled the air. She looked over and Link whimpered, body trembling as he gagged. Zelda rushed over, eyes wide. "Link, say something!"

"Zel..da," He croaked and then blood spilled out of his mouth and nose in a vicious amount.

The red liquid pooled at her feet and she felt horror before her consciousness slipped away from her.

[julies08]

linked universe inspired Zelda painting!

The quality is killed so bad, but i did this zelda painting over march break, it’s about three and a half feet long and it took me over 45 hours to sketch and then paint! Very much linked universe based, lol. Sorry spirit tracks and trigorce heroes- you got kicked, unfortunantly…

[julies08]

a mix of old art of first link and orville for the three orville fans that exist, i dont think ive posted any of these before?

[julies08]

Legend and Warriors with F?

F: Cuddly

-

A rustling sound and the creak of feet on floorboards grabbed Warriors' attention. He watched Legend, eyes squinty and cheeks red, slowly stagger forward. They had been cycling through watch duty, because even a sick Legend was stubborn, and feverish though he was, kept trying to go places.

Where, they weren't sure, but it was up to them to keep him in bed.

"Where are you trying to go now?" Warriors asked, getting up from his chair and putting steadying hands on Legend's shoulders.

Legend didn't reply, just continued squinting forward. He tried taking one more step but didn't go anywhere with the captain holding him back.

"Do you need the bathroom?"

That would be a worthy cause for venturing out, but the teen just huffed, shook his head ever so slowly, and began to slowly sink to the ground.

"Oookay, no, no we're going to lie back down in bed, not on the floor," the man chastised gently. It always surprised him how lightweight Legend was - it was a piece of cake to keep him upright and direct him back towards the bed. He tried to get him settled, but the boy seemed fussy, so Warriors sighed and sat next to him, rubbing his back as Legend stared at nothing with a disgruntled expression.

It sure was odd, to not be smacked away. Not fever-Legend surely wouldn't have ever let him do this.

Then, in a sudden, decisive movement, Legend flopped to the side, arm thrown over Warriors' lap as he pressed his face into the captain's scarf.

Warriors blinked in surprise and then fought off a laugh. Oh, how he wished Wild or Wind were here to snag a photo. It would be such good teasing material once he was better.

"Who'd have thought you'd be so cuddly?" Warriors murmured as he attempted to shift into a more comfortable position, only for the veteran to curl into him more tightly. The captain rearranged his scarf more like a blanket over the boy and leaned back against the headboard.

"You better not get me sick," he added like an afterthought, even though Legend already fallen asleep again.

[julies08]

This was supposed to be for the weekly challenge (Fierce Diety), but I didn’t finish on time… plus I forgot what i had planned as the dialog. 

I’m still a subscriber to the Fierce Dad-ity headcannon…. 

but angst, man!! ANGST!!!

Maybe I’ll color it…. ffftt yeah right. Until then, enjoy the Linkwork XD

Hope you all still enjoy it!!

[julies08]

Three more of the same series :

Legend

Hyrule

Twilight

It will take some time before I post the three last, they are still rough WIPs at best

[julies08]

Here are new photos of my first Link cosplay, inspired by the pre-Skyward Sword manga !

Except I didn't have time to brush the wig so I didn't put it lol

[julies08]

My Athena cosplay, inspired by Epic the Musical, is finally done !

[julies08]

Hiii so here are my different cosplays

Athena cosplay, inspired by Epic the Musical :

And here is the process :

- for the helmet

- for the shield:

- for the spear :

- for the shoulder pad :

The first Link cosplay, from the pre-Skyward Sword manga :

[julies08]

Hi I loved your sicktember series you did last year (only just found out you have tumblr XD) !!!!!!

Do you have any information about the 'Time is batman' au? I love it so much

AHHH THANK YOU 💖💖💖

I have... quite a lot about that AU actually. The basic jist is, of course, Time is Batman and adds each of the Links to his family. They're all still named Link in this AU but they still use their LU nicknames. The vague idea I have is to have a series where each of the boys get their own book about how they end up getting adopted by Time. Some will get more books loosely based off their games or if the plot deems it needed, but everyone gets at least one.

So, all of them live in Termina City, which is this universe's equivalent of Gotham. I'm not quite sure how the wider world works yet, but most, if not everything, should center around Termina City. Also, this universe's Justice League is called the Council of Courage.

Ummm I guess here's a rundown of the Links, Malon, and Granny? (putting it below a cut because its kind of long)

Time (Link Treewood I) - Bruce Wayne/Batman equivalent. He's called The Mask. Was formerly a superhero known as the Fierce Deity, but that hero began becoming a symbol of fear instead of hope, so Time changes his persona to be The Mask instead. He's divorced (with an eventual remarriage to) from Malon. He was adopted as a kid by a guy named Deku Treewood, and after Deku's death, was taken care of by the house maid, who insists on being called Granny.

Warriors (Link Castle I) - Called Warrior 16, and he doesn't really have a stand-in. I didn't want Time to adopt him so he became Time's cousin. He has a whole Plot with getting kidnapped somehow, then saved by Lana, and then training with the Sheikah Clan (namely, under Artemis). I'd say more but this whole plot is the B-plot for book 1 lol.

Sky (Link Loftson II) - The superboy stand-in for this AU, except of course he's adopted by Time. He's the son of this world's Superman, called Loftwing (*cough* First *cough*), and a hero called Hylia, who both come from another planet. His parents die and the entire first book would focus on him tracking down their killer and meeting Time. His final hero name is Crimson.

Twilight (Link Treewood II) - his final hero name is The Wolf, and he's the stand-in for Dick Grayson/Robin/Nightwing. He's Time's biological son with Malon, who lives with Malon, and ends up getting wrapped up in the hero stuff because his aunts Romani and Cremia (who work for the circus) get murdered, and his mom gets hurt, so he wants to track down the guy who did it and make him pay. When he's older (like, 18-20) he gets a plot about Midna (who's a witch/magician in this AU) but idk what it is quite yet.

Wild (Link Tearbreath) - The Jason Todd of this AU, but a little more stable (and also mixing in some Stephanie Brown/Spoiler). This special guy has 2 books (at least. Maybe 3)! Indeed, he dies and comes back to life. He knew Twilight as a kid before Twi moved to Termina City permanently. Wild and his family eventually moved to Termina City but tragedy struck and he was left alone on the streets. Cue him getting adopted by Time after trying to get revenge on the guy who conned his family out of money (Khoga). He goes by Zero then, eventually becomes a Champion for the Council of Courage, dies, and is ressurected because of the Sheikah. Legend ends up training him and helping him get back to Termina. Also, he's a mix of Age and Wild. In the beginning, he's called Age, but changes to Wild after being ressurected. He also gets amnesida from being ressurected.

Four (Link Smith) - This universe's Time Drake, except he's poor. Is fascinated by The Mask and figures out who everyone is, but unlike Tim, somehow ends up getting himself in trouble with a derranged scientist named Vaati and getting his soul split into pieces. That's... about the extent that I know his plot. I keep going back and forth about making Shadow the 5th piece of his soul, or his twin brother. It could go either way right now. Oh, and his hero name is Doppelganger because he gets his splitting ability after his soul his split.

Legend (Link Treewood III) - The Damian Wayne of this AU. Also Time's biological son, though this time with Lullaby, who's part of the Sheikah. He's pretty much raised to be a weapon, but when the Sheikah end up going through a civil war or schism of sorts, Lullaby takes him to Time to keep him safe. Cue a whole plot about him trying to re-gain his mother's favor by tracking down Majora (this universe's version of The Joker). What could possibly go wrong?

Hyrule (Link Advent) - He also doesn't have a clear-cut equivalent, bit I also take elements of Jason Todd's backstory for him? And a bit of Duke/Signal too. He's basically a street kid who ends up helping Time during a tough moment and Time immediately is like "I'm keeping him" and no one argues with that because Hyrule is a sweetheart. I think he's going to join the family the same time that Wind is going through his own plot. His hero name is Fairy because he can heal.

Wind (Link Castle II) - illegitamite son of Warriors and Lana. Lana gave him to Wars to keep him safe, so Wind grows up in Termina with Warriors. He doesn't know about the heroing stuff until he's about 8 and accidentally finds out, and ever since then dreams of helping them out. He ends up making up his own persona. As of right now, it's Spirit, because he can see ghosts, but I kind of want to change in case I want to somehow insert Spirit later. Anyways, Wind begins going out on his own in secret. He makes friends with a Robin Hood-type girl named Tetra (alias: the Swindler), and her gang called the Swindlers. When Warriors (and Wind's step-mom, Artemis) find out, Warriors is extremely upset about it initially and this will absolutely become the B-plot of one of these books.

Malon Lon - called Agent M, she doesn't really have an equivalent. She's Twilight's mom, but she ended up divorcing Time when Twi was around 5 because she thought Time was cheating (Time was actually just doing his Fierce Deity thing but never told her about it so he could protect her) and couldn't trust him. Eventually, she agrees to give Time a second chance and ends up helping adopt all these tramatized boys. Of course, there will be a re-wedding for her and Time. Eventually. She goes by Agent M when she's helping from the Depths (this universe's equivalent of the Batcave).

Granny Waker - the Alfred equivalent in this AU. She was a maid for Deku Treewood, and ended up raising Time after Deku died. She's spunky, and she cares so much for the boys. They all swear by her soup. She's known as Agent G when she has to help, though she doesn't like that they're endangering themselves by being vigilantes. Oh, and no one knows her actual name. She just goes by "Granny"

That's it for the main characters! I hope to add in as many extras from LoZ as possible. I already have plans for most of the Zeldas, as well as the main companions (so, Midna, the King of Red Lions, Ravio, Linebeck, the Champions, etc.), and most of the villains. Please lmk if you want to know more!

[julies08]

The Many Languages of Love - Friendship (LU in Healthcare)

Summary: Legend calls out for work. He never does that. So his friends check up on him.

Setting: Healthcare AU

Warriors frowned.

He was looking over the staffing sheet for the night shift to help the night charge nurse coordinate getting coverage, and the latest person to call out was… Legend.

Legend. The same guy who would work eleven nights in a row, who would come in half dead because he didn’t want to get an occurrence and leave the ED short staffed.

Something was very wrong.

Whipping out his phone, Warriors texted Wild first, knowing he was off. When he sent the message, though, it never indicated as delivered.

Wild was likely out exploring his namesake. Typical.

Twilight was working. Four should be awake after his night shift, so maybe he’d try him next. Sky was off too. He’d just seen Time, so he knew he and likely Malon as well were both here. Hyrule was off as well. Wind had school.

Warriors reached out to who he could, and Sky replied first.

He called out? Is he dying?

Idk, Warriors replied. But somebody should check on that.

I’m on it, Sky said.

XXX

The day hadn’t exactly been going the way Legend had planned.

He’d thought the cough was due to the weather change. Sniffles with the shift in temperatures was pretty normal. But when he’d woken up today, he’d felt like he’d been hit by a truck.

It made no sense! The patients he’d taken care of last night hadn’t even been all that sick! The only one who stuck out to him was that awful trauma that had kept him busy for six hours, and then the next hour of time he’d spent with the trauma patient’s family while working on the death packet paperwork. None of the family had been sick, had they?

His symptoms hardly added up. He felt exhausted, and was vomiting so often he could barely hold anything down. But yesterday he’d just had the sniffles like a cold or flu brewing. Maybe it was the flu, he wasn’t sure, but the respiratory symptoms were gone.

In either case, he was too weak to get off the couch, let alone go to work.

It sucked.

Worst of all, his stupid pride prevented him from texting anyone about it. Even though he knew damn well Warriors would get nosy once he saw that Legend had called out. He wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or annoyed about it.

He could take care of himself, and he didn’t want anyone else to get sick. His stomach churned as he thought, it’s a good thing Ravio’s travel contract ended and he’s somewhere else now, or I’d have to drag myself back to my room.

He missed that moron. Living alone was not new to him, but he’d gotten strangely used to having someone else around. Maybe he’d put the word out to get another housemate.

But he certainly wouldn’t do so right now, while he felt like freaking death.

His phone buzzed. It had been buzzing. He didn't care. He saw that there were texts coming in, but his head was full of cotton and he hardly had the strength to keep his eyes open and hydrate.

He should probably start an IV on himself. He'd hoarded enough supplies to do it. But they were all in his bedroom, and he was out here in the den on the couch. Could he even make it that far?

His phone buzzed again. Then there was a knock at his door.

Legend lifted his head from his pillow before plopping it back down and throwing the cover over his entire body, hiding himself from the world. Between his shift last night and how he felt now, he certainly didn't want to deal with people, didn't want to move, didn't want to think.

The person knocked again. Louder. Legend growled and burrowed further into his blanket. Eventually they would go away.

XXX

Ok, so hes not answering his phone OR his door??

What if he's like dying

Maybe somebody should call 911

Twilight stared at the group chat, brow furrowing. Warriors had started texting everyone together after people had passed messages to each other in worry, trying to keep things organized. Time and WIld had yet to reply, but everyone else had chimed in.

Well... except for Legend himself, obviously.

Twilight had been busy ambulating a patient, but he had a moment to sit, and no call bells were going off, so he replied. 911 seems a bit much. I can leave early and check on him.

But I'm already at his door and he's not answering. How are YOU going to check on him too? Sky asked.

I know what I'm doing, was all Twilight said before texting Sky privately, asking him to get some supplies for him.

Twilight glanced towards the manager's office. He could potentially leave early. He would get a write up for it, even if it was for a family emergency, but he didn't care - if Legend was legitimately ill, then he'd take the smack to the wrist. Hospital policies were stupid anyway. Besides, it wasn't like they could afford to fire him, with as short staffed as they were.

He tried to ignore the anxiety building up in his chest. He hoped he was right when he said not to call 911.

When he reached Legend's apartment, Sky met him at the door, holding a small leather pouch. "This is what you wanted from the ranch, right?"

"Yeah, that's it," Twilight replied before grabbing it and opening it. All his lock picking tools were there, and he nodded to himself.

Sky glanced over, eyes widening. "Oh, you have one too?"

Twilight blinked, looking up at Sky. "What?"

His friend smiled innocently. "It's nothing. Can we get inside now?"

Twilight stared a moment longer before shaking his head. Legend could be dying for all they knew, he had to focus. He quickly picked the lock, opening the door, only for a bolt to stop it as soon as he attempted.

Cursing under his breath, Twilight tried to push another tool through the opening to work the latch off the hook.

"Whoever you are, I'll fucking cut you," a hoarse voice threatened quietly, not sounding threatening at all.

"Legend!" Sky called. "Legend, it's us! Are you okay?"

"What the--Sky??"

"Ledge, open the door or I will," Twilight ordered, growing agitated.

There was an incoherent string of curses before a loud thud rang across the way. Sky called out to Legend, who didn't answer.

Twilight had had enough. He kicked once, twice, and the door swung open, latch flying off the frame. He and Sky rushed in to find Legend, pale and sweaty, half collapsed and tangled in a giant comforter, eyes wide with both alarm and annoyance.

"You broke my fucking door!" Legend wheezed before groaning and putting his head on the ground.

"I'll fix it," Twilight answered easily, hauling his friend over his shoulder. "Let's get you to bed and figure out what's happening."

"What the hell, Twi, put me down--"

Sky smirked, relieve his friend was alive and awake. "You should be used to this by now after Time had to carry you out of the ED."

Legend's pale face grew even whiter. "That son of a bitch talked, didn't he, I'm gonna--"

"Enough, save your strength," Twilight interrupted. After he settled their friend in bed, he knelt down to be at eye level with him. "What happened? You look awful."

"Well, now that my door is destroyed--"

"Legend."

"I don't know!" Legend squeaked before moaning, squeezing his eyes shut. "I just feel like shit."

"Well, don't worry about it now, we'll take care of you," Twilight said gently.

Legend puffed out his cheeks to argue before giving up.

Twilight and Sky rotated being by his side and taking care of the apartment, which was a disaster - Legend had been working the last four nights before falling incredibly ill. He never spiked a fever, but he threw up whatever they tossed his way.

"G-gonna n-need an IV," Legend mumbled, exhausted. "Twi... can you...?"

"No," Twilight immediately shook his head. "No, the last time, I--Malon was--no."

"Do you have a drill?" Sky asked. "I bet I can figure out an IO."

Legend glared at him. "You are not drilling into my bones."

"We'll get Wars--"

"Just let me die."

"Legend."

"Where the fuck is Hyrule."

"I'm right here."

Sky and Twilight turned to see Hyrule walking into the room.

"Wait, I swear I locked up," Sky noted.

Hyrule shrugged. "I came in through the window."

Twilight stared. "We're on the fifth floor."

"Yeah?" another voice asked as Wild traipsed into the room. "And?"

Sky shrugged. "I mean, it works."

Twilight chewed on his tongue, opting to thank God they hadn't died rather than chew them out at the moment. "Ledge needs an IV."

"Oh, okay," Hyrule said easily. "You got supplies or do you need me to get some?"

There was a knock at the door as Legend spoke to Hyrule, and Twilight sighed, rising to answer it. He hadn't paid attention to his phone, so when Four and Wind almost barreled him over, he yelped in shock.

"We've been texting, dude, what the hell," Wind snapped. "Is he dead, is he okay, what is--"

"He's sick, but he's stable," Twilight reported as he steadied himself. "I took his vitals, they aren't terrible. Blood pressure's a little low, but not worryingly so. Heart rate's rate at the edge of tachycardic. He's probably dehydrated."

"We should take him to an urgent care so he can get some IV fluids," Four said firmly.

"Hyrule's giving him fluids now."

"He--he is?" Wind's eyes widened. "Wait I wanna see! I never get to see IVs started!"

Wind dashed into the room, leaving the other two and giving Four just enough time to warn him, "Wars is coming up, he just had to park the car. Time and Malon are on their way."

Twilight nodded, listening as Wind chatted and checked on Legend in the bedroom.

By the time he got back to the others, Hyrule had taped his successful IV and was running a fluid bolus into his friend. Twilight sighed, sitting on the bed, watching Legend squirm uncomfortably and try to rest.

Eventually, the entire group was there. They cleaned the apartment, they relaxed in the den and watched a movie, rotating in and out of Legend's room. When the initial fluid bolus was done, Legend's relief was visible.

"You certainly were thirsty," Wild noted. "You feeling better?"

"Still nauseous as hell, but yeah," Legend reported. Then he smiled, looking at all of them. "I... I'm sorry you guys had to come here. But... thanks."

Twilight tipped his head to the side. "That's what friends are for, Ledge."

"Yeah," Sky agreed. "But Twi did totally wreck your door, so we decided we'd take you to the ranch to stay there for a while."

Legend's eyes widened, smile fading. "What?"

"Okay, so we're good to kidnap him now?" Wild asked, glancing at Time.

Time checked his phone. "Malon says the room is ready, yes."

"You little--you guys--you're all assholes--"

"Now, now, Legend, you said you were thankful," Warriors tutted.

"I hate all of you," Legend grumbled, though there was absolutely no bite to it.

"Relax, we'll bring your stuff too," Four assured him. "It's best to be somewhere where others can help you."

Legend said nothing, growing grouchy and exhausted. This work stretch had been longer than most, and he could still hear the family members crying over their lost loved one, could still hear the red alarms. He was beginning to wonder if he was even truly sick at all, having never spiked a fever or been around anyone with similar symptoms. Either that, or his immune system just crashed after...

Well. He didn't know. Heavy stress could lead to illness, but...

Whatever. He would never admit it, but he was grateful to be going to the ranch.

But he knew, he knew he would never hear the end of it once Warriors found his pet bunny.

[julies08]

Heyyyy @mirensiart, remember months ago when I asked if writing fics based on your pain sharing AU was allowed?

I know the merfolk transformation doesn’t hurt Legend in your comic, but Legend angst is my jam. And apparently Time angst. Parts of this have been sitting untouched since last year, and recently I finally got around to finishing it and polishing everything up (not that polished tho). Consider it a late birthday gift?

If you have an Ao3 account, you can read it here. If not, click Keep reading :)

The day was actually going quite well, which should’ve been the first clue.

Legend was wary, sure, but only of the water. They were in Wild’s Hyrule, walking alongside a lake to some town Legend had forgotten the name of. He made sure to stay far away from the water. He’d prefer if that secret didn’t come out at all, let alone when they still had that pain-sharing curse the stupid wizzrobe cast on them.

Even when they reached a half-ruined dock, and Wind convinced some of the others to join him in the water, Legend was only a little concerned. Not for Wind’s safety, he could swim just fine and Wild said this river was safe. He was mostly concerned that someone might shove him in as a joke.

He knew it was an unfound fear. He’s made it clear that he didn’t want to get in water. That opened him up for jokes about being unable to swim, but nobody went as far as to see if that was true. They respected every other boundary he set, why would they ignore this one?

The wariness and concern started to grow when they were attacked.

It was at least a dozen lizalfos, mostly Wild’s, and a few of Wild’s moblins. They would’ve gotten in a sneak attack, if Hyrule hadn’t noticed them from where he was showing off his magic boots. Everyone sprung into action immediately.

Time and Warriors leapt to their feet in unison, blades meeting those of the charging moblins. Wild, sitting on a rock on the far bank, jumped to his feet and summoned a bow from his Sheikah Slate. Hyrule, standing beside him on the water, ran back to the others and tugged Wind onto land. The Four Sword and the Ordon Blade swiped at lizalfos, their wielders bedraggled and wet, and the Master Sword followed suit as a lizalfos tried to shove Sky back into the water.

Legend had just enough time to notice all that before joining the battle, ducking under a whip-like tongue before swiping his ice rod at it, encasing it in glittering white ice. His blade then met a green lizalfos’ metal boomerang, and the two of them went toe to toe for a moment. Wild had told them about the strength scaling based on pelt colour his monsters had, but Legend couldn’t remember what green scales meant on a lizalfos. He just hoped its blood wasn’t black.

Unfortunately, when Legend managed to chop off its tongue, it bled black. He swiped at its side while it screeched in pain, then slashed at the slowly defrosting lizard monster behind it, managing to shatter its leg. Revealing red veins and muscles, hm.

Shortly after, a small, stinging pain made itself known below his knee. The cut was small and didn’t belong to him anyway, so he ignored it and kept fighting, practically dancing between two lizalfos trying to slash at him. He always hated it when the monsters had weapons.

These lizalfos were annoyingly fast, too, something made clear by the sudden throbbing pain of an impact against his shoulder. Legend himself was fine, but out of the corner of his eye he could see Four on his back with a lizalfos over him. Thankfully, a few of Wild’s arrows were enough to get him back up, and the pain didn’t make anyone stumble.

That pain didn’t, but unfortunately, the next phantom injury sent Legend’s way interrupted his footing. A sharp pain right on someone’s ankle, maybe from a lizalfos’ tongue. Legend’s ankle, despite being perfectly fine, gave out for a second, forcing him to drop to the ground to dodge a swipe. He’s back on his feet in an instant, thankfully, freezing two lizalfos in place and then shattering one of them.

A third swiped at him from behind, this one with black and red scales, and when Legend’s sword met its blade it pushed back with much more strength than he expected. He took a few steps back, swiping at the monster’s muzzle. His boots clicked against the edge of the wooden dock.

The lizalfos was back on him immediately, tri-boomerang glinting with as much malice as its eyes. They danced around each other for a moment, before an arrow hit it in the shoulder, revealing blood as black as coal.

With a hiss, it leapt back, and made the clicking-gargling noise in its throat that signalled an attack.

Legend had just enough time to raise his ice rod, only to realise how bad of an idea that was as the lizalfos’ tongue ripped it from his hold.

Okay, time to get serious. Legend activated a power bracelet as the monster darted back up to him, and met its blade with equal strength, then shoved it back and swiped. The lizalfos dodged the swipe then darted in close again, and Legend’s next attack took out a tooth.

Growling in rage, the monster put all its strength into its next few swings, all fast and dangerous enough that Legend had to repeatedly step back out of range.

Another arrow embedded itself in the lizalfos’ side, before Wild’s voice called out, “I’m out of normal arrows!” Legend knew, from the distinction, that the battlefield was too chaotic to risk any elemental arrows.

That was fine. Legend wasn’t that concerned, still. Anything with black blood made a difficult fight, but he had no handicapping pain or injuries.

The lizalfos jumped back again, lowering to all fours. Legend prepared himself for the oncoming rush attack, only to be blindsided by what actually happened.

It did launch itself at him, but not before dropping its weapon. As it tackled him it grabbed his wrist, forcing his sword to a relatively harmless angle. The force of the impact threw him back, and before he knew it he could no longer feel the dock beneath his feet.

The river slammed into him with a rush of cold and a burst of bubbles. The transformation was far less lenient.

—

Time wasn’t that concerned when Legend was thrown into the lake.

He knew Wild’s lizalfos were terrible to fight in their own element, but Legend could hold his own. One hit with his ice rod and that lizard would be toast. The fight was winding down, too, they’d be able to help in a minute.

Then he remembered Legend’s aversion to water.

And then the pain started.

It slammed into him with no warning, with so much force and intensity it rivalled Twilight’s wolf transformation. All at once, he felt the pain of every bone in his legs breaking, every muscle tearing, every inch of skin ripped and ligament shred. It rushed up his spine like a tidal wave, consuming his hips, enveloping his lungs, ripping open his throat. It spared no mercy for his face, burning his ears and seemingly taking a cheese grater to his cheeks, while his eyes felt as though they’d been scooped out with a rusty fork. Even his hands ached like they were being taken apart.

The agony consumed so much of his attention, so many of his senses, that his reaction was very delayed when a lizalfos landed on top of him.

Its jaws slammed shut around his shoulder, teeth scraping against his armour. Time blinked at it dazedly, dots swimming through his vision. He was lying down? He had collapsed.

The lizalfos scraped its claws against his chestplate, and Time remembered he could move, and, in fact, should. His gauntleted hand, burning with pain, tightened around the hilt of his sword, and he managed to slam it through the monster’s side. The thing screeched then went still, heavy body slowly sliding off him, jaws going lax.

The pain in his lungs and throat was throbbing, pulsing as if with the rise and fall of breath. Time’s own breath didn’t match the tempo, as his lungs were apparently convinced breathing at all would worsen it. The pain through his eyes and skull did not lessen nor worsen when he closed his eyes, and the agony in his fingers spared no reaction when he flexed them. The worst of the feeling was still centred around his legs, from tailbone to toes and from skin to marrow, the suffering so overwhelmingly strong it was hard to think past.

It was lessening now, though. Rapidly, even. A few more moments of catching his breath, and it had dulled enough for Time to drag himself up. An ache remained through his legs and throat, and a burning sensation of someone’s wound over his thigh, as well as the usual sting of small cuts and bruises that weren’t his own, and a few that were. Time’s eyes scanned the battlefield as he slowly stood, finding the others similarly incapacitated, with the exception of Twilight, who desperately fought against four lizalfos over an unconscious Wind and an unsteady Hyrule.

Warriors was still on his back, just barely managing to skewer an attacking lizalfos. Sky had the Master Sword jammed into the jaws of one on top of him, and Time felt the way its claws were scraping against Sky’s chainmail. Four was stumbling to his feet with his eyes on Twilight.

Time found his head turning away from the battle, feeling like he was forgetting something. Wild was across the river, slowly dragging himself further upshore. The water—

The water was churning, a trio of shapes flickering beneath it. The black of a lizalfos, a smaller red shape, and a long something that flashed orange, silver, blue, and black. A light blue cap floated serenely beside the decrepit dock.

That’s what Time was forgetting.

Dropping his sword to the ground, Time rushed to the water’s edge, fumbling with his bag. He drew out his bow and quiver and nocked an arrow, firing first away from the water, to a lizalfos fighting Twilight. Warriors and Four joined the fight soon after, and shooting became too risky for someone with Time’s archery skill. He instead shot the one that had Sky pinned. It got him enough of an opening to shove it back and jump to his feet, slamming the Master Sword through its spine.

Time turned back to the water, unsure if he had time to swap his armour for his Zora tunic. He noticed Legend’s ice rod, abandoned by the foot of the dock. The water continued to churn and shapes continued to writhe beneath it. Time aimed in the direction of the disturbance, holding still until he could get a clear shot.

Abruptly, he felt claws scrape against his side, raking over his ribcage, followed shortly by the stinging impact of a lizalfos tongue. He glanced at himself despite knowing the pain wasn’t his. With a look over his shoulder it became clear the first injury must belong to Legend. Sky had joined the lizalfos fight, which Twilight had stepped away from to search through his bag. Wind had woken up with Hyrule’s help.

Another few tense moments passed. Red began to subtly stain the water. Time felt a lizalfos jaw clamp over someone’s shoulder and tug, hard, and at the same time a large tail fin splashed through the water’s surface. Dark blue and turquoise, with black edges and flashes of orange; it disappeared back under with a splash just as Time adjusted his aim. His arrow soared through the air and then the water, straight towards the giant tail connected to the fin—

Pain slammed into Time and everyone else full force. A piercing, sharp pain, a deep puncture, in the back of someone’s calf.

The blood in the water thickened, swirling around the lizalfos, Legend, and whatever other river monster must be underneath.

Nobody said it out loud, perhaps in fear of the emotional pain it might cause, but they’re all thinking the same thing.

Did that arrow hit Legend?

The possibility was already sending a wave of pressure through Time’s chest, dread and apprehension clawing at his lungs, no doubt spreading to the others.

He stayed perfectly still, fighting to breathe, while the others sprang into action. Warriors and Sky and Four quickly finished off the last of the lizalfos, while Hyrule and Wind hurried to the water’s edge. Twilight came next, running across the dock while pulling something over his head, before he dived smoothly into the water.

Time’s hand twitched. He didn’t dare draw an arrow, but didn’t put his bow down either.

Green joined the flashes of colour beneath the water. The rest of the Chain gathered by the river’s edge. They watched as the shapes moved. The colourful fin splashed through the water again, but no one fired at it. Wild, on the other side of the water, summoned some clothes with his Slate and dived in. More pain joined the collection of injuries the Chain was feeling: the rake of claws across someone’s feet, a rough impact spraining someone’s rib, the stinging impact of, probably, the lizalfos’ tongue. Slowly, the strain on someone’s lungs caused by holding their breath became present.

At last, after what felt like years, the churning of the water ceased. Wild’s head broke the surface, a dark blue cap on the back of his head Time recognised from his own Zora armour. Wild panted desperately, eyes wide as he caught his breath. The feeling of breathlessness eased.

After another few moments, Twilight’s head popped up, wearing another Zora-made headpiece that covered his nose and mouth. He was staring into the water next to him, eyebrows furrowed in confusion and worry.

“Wild? Twi?” Sky asked. “Where’s Legend?”

“Uh—” Wild joined Twilight in staring at the water, seeming distinctly lost. The blue-turquoise-orange-silver shape still sat close to the riverbed, unmoving beside the red one. Twilight said nothing, staring at the water expectantly.

Finally, the shapes shifted and another head poked up from the water’s surface, only peeking out enough for his eyes to be visible. This head had light blonde hair with a streak of pink. Clearly it was Legend, but…

Iridescent orange and green scales shimmered over his cheekbones. His purple irises were larger and his pupils were slit like a cat’s. His ears had been replaced by fins; tall and transparent, colour drifting between blue and turquoise.

“What the fuck,” Wind whispered. No one bothered reprimanding him.

Legend’s gaze landed on Time’s bow. His pupils narrowed, his brows pinched, and although his expression was half hidden beneath the water Time could make out his anxiety plain as day. He could feel it, too.

Time’s heart fell through his chest and settled somewhere at his boots.

Legend was afraid of him.

[julies08]

apparently i like making myslef hurt and suffer

because i'm wondering

how would Sablya react if she heard about "Mrs. Kitt Tailor" and their MANY kids?

i know she's from another au but dang it my mind is wandering and it hurts

I will be entirely honest, I have had thoughts on this SO MANY times, but never been sure if there was a point in writing it! That said @apparitianhanako actually asked me a while ago to write this! It just fell by the wayside.

I got hit by a wave of inspiration when I saw this ask though, although unfortunately I am running on like...four hours of sleep, and, thus, brain function is CRAP, so I cannot vouch for the quality here, but I guess here's an answer fic! (NOT Violet Incident canon or TBBU/BoHH canon)

-

 It’s one of those days that’s actually not as bad. 

 There aren’t a majority of either the good or the bad, mostly just a sort of lingering gray that overtakes it all. A grey unlike the twilight, unlike the shadows, and very, very different from even those long stormy nights that Link loved so much. 

 To look at him, you’d never think a man like that would love storms, and yet he does. Many’s a night they’d curl up before the fire, huddled in close under some quilt or another that his mother and sisters had made and he’d tried his very best to add too, even despite his trembling hands. Many’s a night she’d brew them tea and he’d hold her close, eyes turned to the windows and sharing story after story from his childhood, from his homeland; the fae stories that even her grandfather doesn’t know, and never could tell with the eloquence of the man she’d loved. The selkie stories he’d learned from his grandmother and passes on to anyone who’ll listen. The stories of the old, the new, the unknown, the unexplained. Her Link may not have been rich to the world’s eyes but he was rich in stories, and to the two of them that was often better. 

 They had been anyway. She still loves them, but there’s something lacking in new ones now, maybe the roll of his voice or the intent way he’d tune his telling to its listener, engage and entrance them with his words until they’d feel there themselves. A book’s pages don’t capture it right and no one knows how to say it. 

 Sometimes she wonders how he’d describe the greyness. Would he spin it like the deep sea that drinks down whatever is cast within, leaving a peaceful stillness above and a roaring torrent below? Would he tell it like a sky before a storm? The wind before a blast? The air in a second before magic speaks its words over the earth? 

 But he’s not here to say it. 

 That’s sort of her own fault though. Proud though she is, Sablya knows the faults not solely his, and that’s the source of the grey. 

 Pride’s a dangerous thing; she’s been warned all her life. It’s the thing that sends soldiers to their deaths and ruins lives and loves. Still, even with that knowledge, it’s a powerful force to try and deny, and it’s the only one that’s stopped her on some days from straying towards the castle to try and fix things. 

 And then, some days, it’s weak, so very weak, and she manages to step out anyway, heading for the gates and intending, with all her heart, to wander in to his office and ask, like anyone who comes to him, if he can help her to restore the family that she lost in the war, to bring her Link home to her. 

 Something always stops her though. 

 Pride, perhaps, stops her at the gate. Doubt and anger at the steps, her own unwillingness to face the world some days stops her making it past her own doorstep. But the times she’s made it to his door, hand on the knob and ready to knock, it’s the voices inside, the tired sound of his voice and the tears he’s no doubt meaning to ease from whomever it is that’s come to see him, seeking, like herself, to find what was lost. It’s doubt then, and fear, and bitterness that has her certain that he’d say the same to her as he’s said in her hearing to so many bereaved; “your soldier isn’t coming home, ma’am. I’m sorry.” 

 Today though isn’t a day where that doubt creeps in. It's one of those ones where even pride has taken a backseat and she’s got a moment to look about her home and feel the most dangerous feeling of all; hope. 

 Link’s a man who’s good to his word, who never breaks a promise, never defiles a vow. The vows they made on their wedding day, surely, were meant with as much if not more heart than any other he’s made. They’d sworn ‘through good and bad, easy times and hard, sickness and health’, and though she’s failed, broken that promise, on a day like today, she has faith that he wouldn’t. 

 He came home after all, and he never pushed when she’s said no, said go, said leave. He’s never failed a vow yet, so surely, this is one he will keep. Surely, he’ll at least let her try to speak to him, if only enough to discuss, to give words to the greyness that bubbled up that day that the war ended and he’d come home. 

 On another day, maybe she’ll laugh at herself for her hope, for the naivety, but on this day, Sablya Taylor has no intentions of letting a past or future version of herself stop her for at least today. After all, she’d heard from a neighbor that Link is back. Wherever it is that he’s gone, he’s back now. 

 “And looking a good deal in better health then last I saw him!” The old lady had chirped at her over the garden wall yesterday evening as she’d been working at the wash. 

 It’s a spark, a bit of hope that’s dangerous but oh so powerful, and it has her setting out that very morning. 

 She’s not sure if it’s the castle or an inn he’ll visit, because Hylia knows it won’t be his mother’s place, not on the slim chance that Mister Taylor the senior will actually be there. Of all the things that have changed, she knows for a fact that Link’s relationship with his step-father will be the last to do so; the two men despise each other, and to have them in the same room, never mind sleeping in the same house, would take a genuine miracle! 

 Gossip is a sure compass though, and she’s only got to say his name before some shopkeeper or market vendor is pointing the way they last saw a blue scarf trailing. 

 It’s not long at all either before she sees it for herself. 

 There he is. Standing tall only a short distance from some stall or another, chatting away in an almost animated fashion with another man.  

 For a second, her feet stall, freezing. 

 He looks himself again. Gone are the heavy bags beneath his eyes, the near perpetual five-o'clock-shadow and scowl from too long hours in the office, too many nights in a bar. He’s clean shaven (but gosh does she miss his beard, patchy as it was!), combed but not coiffed, clean but not polished, a laugh on his lips and a scowl on his brow as he nudges at the man beside him. 

 A man who looks a shocking about like a certain best-friend she knows is dead, hair just a shade or so darker, with hints of auburn, but smile just as toothy and the voice that sounds in answer to her Link just as tinged with Ordon’s drawl. 

 For a minute, she has to shake herself and question if she hasn’t traveled back in time somehow. Except... except she can’t have, because the scars over his eyes aren’t familiar and the blue scarf is somethings he’s only seen once; when he came home. He’d not had that before, so she knows it can’t be the past 

 She sort of wishes it was though. It would certainly make this much easier. 

 Sablya steps towards the two men, lips parting even though she’s got no clue what she’s about to say. 

 And then they move. 

 It’s not far, just to another stall, but then the man who could be Gassun’s twin is stepping away and another, brown haired and with a near angelic smile on his lips, takes his place, trading softer words that earn kinder smiles and easier motions than the last. 

 It takes her a second to work up her nerve, but the moment she does, they’re drifting off again, and once more, another lad comes, though the second man stays, and a boy who she thinks she’s seen linger by her husband’s side before joins the conversation. 

  It keeps happening that way. She’ll be a second from stepping over, only to start and lose nerve when Link goes to speak to someone else. It’s annoying. She’s annoyed at herself and her own lack of nerve. Pities sakes, what would Mother and Father think o such behavior? What would her grandparents think? Bushka? They’ll all tell her to buck up and talk to her husband! So, with a huff and a heave and as strong of steps as she can manage considering she knows she’s wronged him, Sablya steps over. 

 And then her feet stop cold again, just an arm’s length away, as another figure glides over. 

 It’s not the fact that the person is there, not when she’s expecting it now, it’s the way their hand slips into the crook of Link’s arm with a familiarity none of the rest had shown. Its the way they turn to speak to him, drawing his gaze, something dark and dangerous deep in their own. It’s the fact that, unlike the rest who’d come and gone, the figure at Link’s side now wears a skirt and has the fine features of a woman, not a man. 

 “Darling,” the word is tense, the grip the same, but the dark stare that lifts past heavy lashes, pressing and pointed, has her heart catching up in her throat to see directed at her husband, “I fear I must ask your help.” 

 It’s nothing, she tries to assure herself It’s normal. Women throw themselves at her husband even with her at his side, they always have. He’s a good-looking man and an honest one too, and she’s never minded before that the world can see it. Now though, now after the war, after everything, after the sorceress, her gut still churns a bit. 

 She wants him to catch that nimble yet firm hand and tug it off, to step back and ask, in that not yet cold, but very much warning tone what it is that the lady wants. Because, beautiful though the creature on his arm is, enchanting as her gaze must be up close, what with how hypnotizing it nearly is from afar, he’s still a married man. He made a promise, and whether or not they’ve spoken in ages doesn’t change that. 

 Link’s brows furrow, and she’s ready to see the gentle push, but instead he leans in, just a bit closer, head down and whispers soft as he answers, nearly too low to be heard. “What happened this time?” Fervent, worried, attentive, not a bit of hesitation in his manner and gaze fixed solely on the vision beside him. 

 There’s a wince, the grip of that hand tightening and his coming to settle over the top, assuring, comforting, promising in motions she herself knows so well and hates to see granted to another. As though unawares though, the other woman goes on. “I fear our girls have gotten to mischief.” 

 Our girls? Surely, she doesn’t mean- 

 Link stiffens slightly, tensing in the shoulders. “All of them?” 

 A nod. “Five magics, all going mad, and believe it or not, dear captain, they’re scattered.” 

 Link sighs. That great, heavy sort of thing he won’t sound unless he’s truly comfortable in a person’s presence. It’s a sort of pride of his own, she’s often thought, that he won’t falter before any save those he trusts, and the implications of it sounding in the space between himself and this other woman makes her heart scream. “Why did we think this was a good idea?” 

 “Having kids?” The woman sighs in kind, “we didn’t. It happened, and now we have seven gremlins to mind and stop from destroying this city.” 

 “Let’s get to it then,” and he’s striking out a couple whispers late, parting now but with a wry smile that the other echoes, moving off in the other direction calmly as though trying her hardest not to attract attention. Link doing the same in the opposite direction, no doubt with direction from the dark-eyed lady on where to go. 

 She could follow him. 

 She could follow the lady, but desperately, she both does and doesn’t want that woman to know. There’s no ring on his hand, not with his profession being what it is, so, surely another woman might make a mistake. The fact of it is clear though; she is something to him, but the desperate hope that the lady didn’t know battles with the wish that Link has somehow been tricked, seduced by the siren’s song of that woman’s sweet voice, perhaps under the spell of the magic that drapes over her like a cloak. She wants to believe it’s not his fault, yet the idea of blaming the lady seems so wrong without knowing for sure. 

 She should follow him. 

 She should stalk after and drag him to the side, out of sight and earshot and demand to know what she just saw. Yes, they’re separated, but could he not do her the basic dignity of divorce if he was so set on starting again? She has her failings, and she’s aware that they’re significant, but regardless, that isn’t an excuse! 

 Or is it? Is she to blame? Was it her words and actions? 

 And yet, her feet move without though, mind spinning, there were children mentioned. Not one- seven. Seven children, and while certainly the lady looks young, she’d also said it happened by chance. No one in their right mind, not even Link with his bleeding heart for strays and street kids, would adopt or take on seven children. She knows he took two, in the war, under his wing. She knows she’d been bitter, thinking he was replacing their own lost little one with blonde-haired boys he hoped would fill a hole. 

  But seven? With a woman like that? And all old enough to wander, freely? To have magic? 

 The captain’s wife has the sinking feeling that such a thing wouldn’t be possible in the time since the war ended and their marriage had followed suit. Even if her words did somehow drive Link to break a vow, a promise, his own honor and her heart with it, the times wouldn’t match. 

 He’d have to have had met this woman long before, and the children- gods, is she the second woman? 

 Her mind spins and trips on itself, feet the same until she finds herself on a street she can’t name, ducking into the nearest ally to drop her head to her hands and breathe. 

 She can’t cry. She won’t cry. If she cries than she’ll never stop and- 

 “Are you okay, miss?” 

 Sablya starts, dashing what tears had escaped away and turning about to the source of the voice, finding a young figure before her. It could be a child, but then again, it might not be. Whatever they are, boy, girl, young or grown, they’re staring at her with warm amber eyes and a worried frown. 

 “Pardon?” 

 “You seem upset,” the short figure observes, blinking up at her slowly, gaze weighted more than it should be for so young a person. “is everything alright?” 

 She means to answer, to say she’s fine. Regardless of anything, she won’t be admitting her troubles or ruined marriage to a random stranger, but it’s at that very moment that Fate chooses to spit in her face and another figure darts around the corner on the far side of the alley, calling out. “Scarlet, luv, come along, your sister-” and the words cut off. 

 She stares. 

 The dark-eyed woman stares back. 

 Of all the chances, of all the people, she does not expect it to be the same lady as took her own husband’s arm with such certainty, but yet, here she is. Here she is, pretty and powerful, if not physically than at least with magic far exceeding Sablya’s own. 

 Link likes powerful women, she finds herself thinking, bitter. He likes strong women. He likes women who stand with confidence as the lady before her does now, even as confusion touches ethereal eyes. He likes women who entrance him, and no doubt, anyone would be so before this figure. 

 “Mama,” and oh gods, is this one of those seven? “I don’t think she’s okay.” 

 The strange lady steps forwards, magic reaching, cautious but gentle, eyes searching and ears flicking. “Are you hurt, miss?” 

 Her heart is irrevocably shattered into a million pieces, if that answers the question. 

 The sweet face of the strange, young yet world weary, and still somehow near regal despite tattered dress, creases up in a frown. “Is there anything we can help with?” 

 She wants to say yes. She wants to demand answers. She wants to whisper a plea to tell her it’s a lie, that she’s wrong, but in the same breath, she’s looking into the face of the younger, the child, her Link’s child, and wondering how on earth she could dare to shatter a second family after ruining her own. Does this kid deserve to be told something so terrible? Does this lady? Could she leave them in peace and let Link go on, happy as he’d looked beside them, weary but warm, himself again like he hasn’t been in forever? 

 As though to add insult to injury, the man in question himself rounds the corner a second later, four more children, near identical save the one’s dark hair, all on his heels. “I see you found Perri and Scarlette already, which is a blessing because-” the words die as he looks up from small figures to where she and the other woman stand, now both having turned. 

 Link’s eyes widen, feet stuttering as he draws up sharp. “Oh shit.” 

 “Language!” One of the kids pipes up, only for a sibling to slap a hand over their mouth. 

 She can’t move. 

 Link doesn’t seem to be able to either. 

 “You know her?” The lady asks. 

 Link’s gaze is heavier than the very sky and it’s every star, his words clipped and short. “That’s my wife.” 

 Dark eyes turn on her in a moment, now also wide. She expects a scream, a hiss, maybe tears exploding forth as they threaten to from her own soul, perhaps a fit of rage as magic snaps and growls. Instead though, the strange lady just sags, hands over her face and a heavy sigh seeming to carry her last breath intro the alleyway. “I hate my life.” 

 “Second that.”   

 “Well thanks,” and the sugar sweet tone is abruptly gone, the gentle manner lost as a scowl, so drastically different from the angelic expression before that it would almost be comedic if it wasn’t so confusing, is shot Link’s way. “Stick a knife in my heart yourself, why don’t you.” 

 “Vet!” 

 “A wife?” and there it is, “you didn’t think to say something?” 

 “What, like you would have believed me?” 

 “I procured you a fake wedding ring and- you know what, no,” hands fly up and the stranger, who is suddenly so much less gracious and gentle and is now a whole new person altogether, something that leaves Sablya floundering at the sight of, is turning to look at her. “You must be so confused.” 

 “Oh shit.” Link sounds again, more emphatic this time. 

 “Hi,” and the expression of exhaustion that joins an outstretched hand held her way nearly makes her feel ready to keel over herself, “I’m terribly sorry. I’m a friend of your horrid husband and I would like to assure you right here and now that I am not sleeping with him, nor will I ever.” 

 Link chokes. 

 Sablya stares. 

 The... lady(?) draws back, apparently realizing her hand won’t be taken and that Sablya herself might not be able to even properly think at the moment. “I can only imagine what you just saw, or are thinking, and because Link here is shit at explaining crap to do with anything in this regard, I’ll do the honors.” Words followed with a mutter to the ground of “someone kill me,” that, despite everything, she somehow doesn’t manage to take personally. 

 Which is how she ends up leading six strangers and her estranged husband back to her house and the privacy it offers, to be told a story around her kitchen table by a boy who looks like a goddess about how he, a wolf-man, and four of the five not actually children in the current company had accidentally convinced not only Castletown but the whole country, in multiple eras of history, that Link was married to a goddess and the father of seven children. 

 In short, it is not how she expected to finally sit down with her husband, but after the whirlwind she just suffered, it does ease some tension between them when the story ends and she finds herself breaking down into a hysteric combination of laughter and tears that leaves everyone else staring awkwardly and her own husband, her Link, her not a cheater and, in fact, still true to his word Link, trying his very best to help her calm down enough to breathe again. In all honesty, it’s almost all worth it. Especially when Link gives up talking and she finds him setting an arm around her shoulders instead. He’s all hesitant and slow, wary, but when she doesn’t push him off, he eases and, a second later, tugs her in close like he used to on grey afternoons before the fire. 

 They're both shaking. 

 She’s not sure if or when her hand will ever unwind from that blasted scarf of his, but, somehow, she doesn’t think it will happen before his head lifts from her shoulder. 

 Blessedly though, her husband’s friend sees fit to usher the rest out, leaving them alone. 

 It’s not how she planned to sit down and talk things out with Link, but if anything, this will most certainly make for an interesting story for him to tell someday. Once, of course, they’ve made up and a very, very long time has passed so that she can actually laugh at this all. A very long time indeed. 

 As long as he wants that time, that is. 

 She hopes he does. She doesn’t want it without him. 

[julies08]

"It's ok to cry"