Ganondorf sighed as he walked the halls of the castle. The structure of this place alone nearly rivaled the fortress that housed the majority of his people. To think such prosperity could be his shortly…
That was a goal soon to be realized. This king was far easier to ingratiate himself to than the one from his own timeline. This one simply needed his ego stroked - King Ozen was the second son in a line of uncertainty, a male heir with no magic and the younger brother to another male heir who barely had any blessing from his divine bloodline. Ozen had spent his entire rule trying to prove his legitimacy, and it seemed the only way he’d succeeded was in having a daughter who was occasionally seen but never heard. Hyrule knew Princess Zelda had the gifts of Hylia and that had been enough for the common folk, though Ozen desperately continued his quest to gain respect. All Ganondorf had to do was lean into this insecurity and he would become a trusted advisor in no time.
Then he could learn the location of the Triforce.
His plans were falling into place, and in a far better way than he could have ever imagined. When he had started this venture years ago in his own time, he’d been alone. Yes, Twinrova and the Gerudo thieves had backed his mission, but…
It wasn’t the same. He was married now. He had children. And he would do anything to ensure their future.
Speaking of children, his current dilemma in this moment was that his daughter had agreed to meeting him in one of the great halls of the castle and she had not shown up. Ganondorf had a suspicion he knew why, having met the girl’s fixation a week ago.
Ganondorf still didn’t quite know how to feel about that situation. He’d seen it developing for months now - he’d assigned Hemisi to infiltrate the castle’s defenses while he and his son curried favor with the king. Merovar needed to learn how to manipulate and Hemisi was far more a warrior and strategist, so it made sense, but the Gerudo king hadn’t banked on his daughter falling for one of the Sheikah guards.
Hemisi had known Orik for months now, and the two spent so much time together that Ganondorf would be surprised if his daughter hadn’t memorized all the patrol routes just by wandering around with the kid. At least she was still doing her mission while getting distracted. After finally meeting the kid when she’d brought him home…
He just didn’t know. He wasn’t balking quite as much as he’d been the day he’d met him. But still. He didn’t trust anyone from Hyrule, especially someone who was part of a tribe that had sworn fealty to the royal family. But the kid was only half Sheikah, and perhaps that would benefit him.
He was certainly an impressive fighter. Ganondorf could respect that. He treated Hemisi with the utmost respect and clearly loved her as she loved him, and Ganondorf could respect that almost more so.
He sighed. Perhaps if they keep this up long enough the boy would… well. He doubted Orik would fight against Hyrule. But for his daughter’s sake it was a nice thought to entertain.
The real issue was ensuring Orik didn’t distract Hemisi from her goal, which he was clearly doing since she hadn’t met her father where she was supposed to.
Ganondorf heard hushed words ahead, recognizing the sound of his daughter’s worried voice, and picked up his pace. When he rounded the corner, he saw Hemisi sitting on the ground beside Orik, who was leaning against the wall in an awkward position and looking very unwell.
“What’s going on?” he demanded.
Hemisi jumped, startled, and turned to him. “Father! It’s L—Orik’s sick but he’s being stupid and refusing to leave his post!”
Orik’s gaze snapped up to the Gerudo king and he took a shaky breath, trying to rise out of respect. Ganondorf waved him off. “Stay down, boy.”
“He just threw up in that plant, so uh, don’t walk too close to it,” his daughter added, pointing to a nearby potted plant. Ganondorf scrunched his nose in distaste.
“Are you expecting an attack? Why are you insistent on remaining when you’re incapable of your duty?” He asked the teenager.
Orik blinked, clearly struggling to put words together. “N-no, sir. But I—my patrol is—I s-still have a f-few hours—”
“All you will be doing is sitting here being useless,” Ganondorf pointed out.
“I… just n-need a… a minute…”
Ganondorf watched the idiot dully. He glanced at Hemisi, wondering if she would have an answer to this question and dreading the fact that she probably would. “Where’s his quarters?”
Hemisi easily and immediately gave him directions. Ganondorf raised an eyebrow at her, and she snapped, “N-nothing’s happened, Father!”
Orik, whose face was already flushed with fever, grew even redder. Ganondorf looked between the two with scrutiny, and the Sheikah boy nearly melted into the stone floor.
“I trust not,” he muttered somewhat threateningly. Hemisi was strong and could take care of herself, and the boy seemed honorable enough, but they were both teenagers. Shaking his head, he addressed his daughter. “Inform his superiors that he’s ill and is going to bed.”
Orik perked up a bit, apologetic but stubborn. “Lord Ganondorf, p-please—with… with all d-due respect… L-Lady Impa…”
Ganondorf watched the boy struggle for words and then groan, squeezing his eyes shut. He let the boy fester in the misery for a moment and then knelt down to be at eye level with him. “This Lady Impa will recognize you’re incapable of fulfilling your duty. If she doesn’t, she’s as foolish as you’re being.”
Orik’s gaze sharpened a hair, clearly offended for his commander’s sake, but was respectful enough to say nothing.
“It would be wise of you to listen to me,” Ganondorf noted. “If you’re going to be my son-in-law someday, I will expect obedience.”
The fight immediately drained out of the boy, who blushed so brightly his cheeks practically matched his red eyes. Hemisi snorted into her hand behind him. Ganondorf glanced at his daughter once more. “Once you inform Lady Impa, meet me where you were supposed to. Your brother is waiting.”
“Yes, Father,” she replied with a nod, though she didn’t budge, watching Orik hesitantly.
Ganondorf rolled his eyes at it. Children, honestly. He reached forward, grasping the boy’s wrist and pulling him to stand. “Go, daughter. I’ll take care of him.”
Hemisi dipped in for a quick hug, but Ganondorf pushed her back—“He’s sick, you’re not getting sick too”—and she huffed, leaving.
Orik nearly face planted the instant she was gone.
The Gerudo king caught the boy, somewhat startled, and helped him stand again. “Get yourself together, boy.”
The teenager nodded, stumbling ahead, and it became very apparent that his dizziness and weakness were going to be a problem.
Ganondorf sighed heavily. This was becoming tiresome. He stepped forward and scooped the boy into his arms in one fluid motion—the kid barely weighed anything—and started heading for his quarters.
“S-sir—”
“Be silent,” he ordered, and then added on, “If you throw up on me you will no longer be able to date my daughter.”
Orik sucked in his lips like he’d tasted a lemon, and he hesitantly settled into the hold.
When they reached the boy’s room, Ganondorf was grateful to find it empty. He figured as a soldier the boy had shared barracks, which seemed to be the case given the number of beds, but everyone else apparently was on patrol elsewhere. He plopped the boy on the nearest bed and moved to stoke the dying fire - it was raining outside, filling the castle with a cold dampness, and that was the last thing the kid needed.
Orik hesitantly moved to get up, and Ganondorf glared at him, making him freeze. “F-forgive me, Lord Ganondorf… this isn’t my bed…”
Exaspersted, the Gerudo said, “Tonight it is. Now get under the covers.”
Orik obeyed, finally getting some sense, and Ganondorf threw more wood on the fire. He then grabbed a nearby bucket that contained some extra firewood, dumped out the wood, and put the bucket by the bed. “In case you get sick again. You have water in here?”
When he got no answer, he looked back at the kid to see that he had fallen asleep.
Ganondorf sighed again, though he was less exasperated than before. He didn’t have time or concern to dote over the kid much more, but…
Seeing him sleeping like that reminded him of his own son.
He closed his eyes and looked away. Orik was still an enemy. Until he pledged himself to Hemisi and, through her, to Ganondorf himself, the boy was not his own.
But, perhaps, Ganondorf was less reluctant for him to become one of his own.
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Snow Day (Sk8 The Infinity)
Hey hey y’all! I hope you guys are having a great winter! Since it’s the snow season (and I rarely get snow where I am, boo) I figured I make some good ol’ Sk8 fluff! (With the tiiiiiniest dash of angst) Hope you like it!
Summary: During a cabin trip with the squad, it starts to snow. Reki and Langa decide to have fun in it.
CW: Mentions of grief
Cloud 9 (Taglist)
@myreygn, @dirtpie39, @duckymcdoorknob (tagged you because I know you like Sk8 jlkerjakejr)
“A cabin trip?” Langa asked when Reki placed the pamphlet down before him.
“For winter break! Plus it’s team bonding!” Reki grinned, tapping the photo. “Joe’s paying for it, and the whole gangs gonna be there! Isn’t that great?”
“Wait-how’d you convince Joe to do that?” Langa asked, raising a brow when Reki looked away. “Reki?”
“I may have convinced him…in exchange we help out at his restaurant.” He dared a peek at Langa, bowing at his deadpan expression. “I’m sorry! It was the only way! We just have to help out for a week- and we get to keep the tips!” He looked up, smiling sheepishly. “Plus he’ll give us food.”
“Done.” Langa nodded, his ultimate weakness prodded at.
“That’s my guy!” Reki laughed, celebrating. “That’s next week though. This week, we’re staying at a cabin with the gang!”
~~~
“Langa- Langa Langa Langa!” Hands were shaking him, pulling him free from the clasp of his dream. When he turned to look, Reki was over him, smiling wide. “Langa!”
“GAH!” The blue haired skater yelped, sitting up too fast. Heads collided and shouts of pain escaped their lips as they held their faces, groaning in unison. “R-Reki, what’s going on?” Langa groaned, somewhat dizzy from the pain.
“Gee, my head feels great. Thanks for asking.” Reki rolled his eyes before shooting up, sprinting to the window. “Look!”
The curtains were drawn. Langa nearly forgot how to breathe.
“It’s snowing! Snowing!” Reki cheered, turning back to his friend with childlike glee. “I can’t believe it- we’ve got snow!” He took in Langa’s expression, deflating with guilt at the grief within. “Sorry, this is probably a lot-”
“No it’s…it’s wonderful.” Langa shook his head, putting on a gentle smile as he turned to Reki. “Come on, let’s go play in it.”
“Really? Are you sure?” Reki was already sprinting for the door, his giddiness returning. “Race you out there!”
Langa shook his head as he turned back to the window, the weight in his chest tightening his throat.
“Hey dad…guess you came to visit today, huh?”
~~~
“Oh my god it’s COLD!” Reki squawked upon running out the door, laughing hysterically as he spun amongst the flakes. “It’s so pretty! Come on, guys!”
“Reki, get back in here right now- you’re not wearing your gloves!” Cherry fussed from the door, in hand a red scarf and mittens.
“Oh let him have his fun, Kaoru.” Joe grinned as he cooked breakfast, the smell of Miso soup and rice filling their rental cabin and making Langa’s mouth water. “Besides, he’ll be back in soon enough.”
“Along with a cold. I don’t plan on watching over him if he gets sick. Speaking of, where’s your shirt?” Cherry turned an annoyed look to the other, narrowing his eyes at the bare chested man. “Aren’t you cold?”
“I’m too hot for winter. The season can’t handle all of this.” He flexed, earning a scoff from the other. “Come stand by me- I’ll keep you warm.”
“Mom and dad are flirting again.” Miya groaned around his game, bundled up like a cocoon in his blankets. Shadow snickered around a cup of coffee as he watched the younger boy play.
“I’ll take them out to him.” Langa spoke up before hell could break loose, gathering up the winter items. “I’ll make sure he’s wearing them.”
“Thank you Langa.” The older man looked at him curiously, probably just noticing the redness around Langa’s eyes. Langa went to wave it off when Joe suddenly swore, jumping away from the stove and swatting at his chest.
“Damn oil! It’s hot!” He yelped, still patting his skin.
“What happened to being too hot to handle, you thirsty gorilla?” Cherry turned his attention back to Joe, giving the younger man a chance to escape. This would probably come back up later.
He’d deal with it then.
~~~
“Reki? Where are you?” Langa called out, searching the open field. He swore he saw the redhead earlier. “I have your gloves-”
A snowball flew across the wind, smacking Langa in the back.
“Gotcha!” Reki cackled from a nearby tree, another snowball in hand. With a flick of his wrist, he sent another snowball flying, smacking Langa in the chest this time. “You dare approach the snowball champion, Langa?”
“Snowball champion by ass! I’m the real champion here!” Langa grinned as he bent down, gathering up a snowball of his own. “Let me remind you who’s really the champ-”
A third snowball- this time right in the face.
“BOOM!” Reki guffawed.
“Oh that is IT!” Langa cried back, throwing his snowball with perfect accuracy. Reki’s laughter was cut off with a yelp, making the other giggle. “Come at me!”
“You're on!” Snowballs flew from one side to the other, their laughter mixing with cries of shock and glee as they pelted each other repeatedly. At some point the snowballs from Reki’s side stopped, making Langa blink.
“Reki? Where are you-” Langa called, only to let out an embarrassingly high pitched squeal.
“Sneak attack, achieved!” Reki hooted, nearly doubled over with laughter as Langa attempted to shake out the snow shoved down his back. “Cool dance moves, Langa! Teach me them sometime?”
“Oh you wanna learn? Come here, I’ll teach you!” Langa grabbed more snow, a glint of mischief in his eyes as he turned to the wide eyed redhead. Reki yelped and bolted, running for the safety of a tree.
Only to slip and face plant the snow.
“Ah! Langa! Langa I’m sorr-EEEEEH!” Reki arched with a squeal of his own as Langa sat on his back, shoving snow up his coat. “Laahhahahahahngahahhahha, it thiihhihihickles!”
“It does? Wait, you’re ticklish here?” Langa grinned, abandoning his snow for tickles. The gloves limited his fingers, but the effect was the same. “I think you’re the first person I know who’s back is ticklish!”
“Shuhuhuhuhut uhuhuhuhuhp gehahahahhahhahaha!” Reki flailed and squirmed in the snow, his feet kicking the ground behind them. “Iihihihihim cohoohohohold sthahahahahap!”
“Oh, are you cold? So am I.” Langa jeered as he reached up, pressing his snowy hands into Reki’s armpits. “You’re pretty warm here- mind if I come in?”
If his back was bad, his armpits were way worse. Reki howled in laughter, pressing his arms down tightly as his squirming increased, bucking Langa off and sending him tumbling into the snow.
“Oh thahahhat does it! Take thiihihis!” Reki twisted and pounced, shoving his own hands up Langa’s coat and scribbling along his belly. “You feel pretty warm here- and my hands are cold! Warm them up for me!”
“Reehehehehehehehkiihihihihi!” The blue haired teen arched with a squeal, finding himself in a similar predicament. “Wahahahhait ihihihihim shahahhahhaharry!”
“Hi sorry, I’m Reki!” The redhead snickered, earning a handful of snow thrown in his face. “Ah! Oh, you’re gonna get it now!”
“Rehehehehheki noohohooOOOHOHOHOHOHO!” Langa all but howled as the other blew a massive raspberry into his stomach.
~~~
“Heh..hehe…I win.” Reki declared after some time, side by side with Langa against the mushed up snow. His hands were now gloved, the red scarf tied nicely around his neck.
“No way…I within.” Langa argued back, a smile on his lips as stared up at the sky. The sun was finally starting to rise up, indicating midmorning. It made everything glitter like jewels around them.
“Ehehe…truce.” Reki declared, letting a comfortable silence call over them. Then he turned to Langa, eyes soft. “Hey…can I possibly ruin the mood for a sec?”
“Is it about this morning?” Langa returned his gaze.
“Yeah…how are you? You looked so…” He waved a hand to find the words, the unspoken truth between them. “I want to make sure you’re okay.”
Langa nodded, turning back to the sky. “I’ve told you this, but my dad loved snow. He and I were big on snowboarding, but we did all sorts of things. Build a snowman, have snowball fights. My mom would make these massive mugs of hot chocolate for us when we came in. Dad would always try to kiss her, but she’d say his beard was cold.” He laughed at the memory, eyes misting. Reki reached out and squeezed his hand tightly. “I miss him so much…”
“He sounds like a great guy.” Reki nodded, wanting to reach out and wipe away the tears rolling down Langa’s cheeks. “He’d be so proud of you, you know? He’d think your skateboarding would be amazing.”
“You think so?” Langa asked, lips pulling into a wobbly smile.
“I know so.” Reki nodded, giving in and finally reaching out, brushing his cheek. Langa closed his eyes, taking a shaky breath before reaching up, squeezing the hand against his face.
“This is the first winter where I can think about him without it hurting, you know? Before- I’d only feel sad when it snowed. I didn’t want to get out of bed.” Langa opened his eyes, a fondness in them that made Reki’s chest squeeze. “Thank you. If it weren’t for you- I don’t think I’d be able to enjoy winter like I did before.”
“Come now- don’t tell me things like that.” Reki blinked rapidly, fighting off his own tears as his cheeks warmed. “You’re gonna get me all soft and shit.”
Langa laughed, the sound thick with emotion. Reki put the sound and that smile deep within his chest, locking it away within his heart forever.
~~~
“Everyone- I have an idea.” Reki announced later that day, furrowly warmed up after being more or less forced to drink Miso soup by Cherry. Granted, it was grand soup, so he wasn’t complaining. “Let’s build a snowman!”
“Haven’t you been in the cold enough today?” Miya asked, though he was already shoving off his blankets, perking up at the idea.
“Come on- we don’t know how long we’ve got this snow! Besides, that’s probably one of the most important parts of winter!” Reki nodded. “Let’s make a memory!”
“I’m in. Bet I can make a better snowman than you, precious.” Joe grinned towards Cherry. “Hope the snow isn’t too harsh on those delicate hands of yours.”
“These ‘delicate hands’ are perfect for strangling dumb brutes, sweetie.” Cherry replied with a dangerous smile. “They should have no problem making a snowman.”
“Bring it on! I’m gonna make the baddest snowman you’ve ever seen!” Shadow burst in, full makeup and everything. Reki nearly choked at how serious Shadow took things. “The rest of you aren’t ready for what I can do!”
“Well, what do you say, Langa? Are you in?” Reki asked, turning to the other. Langa, who hadn’t spoken up yet, looked surprised. Then he smiled, a warm genuine one.
“Yeah. Let’s do it.”
~~~
That night, six snowmen of various styles and techniques guarded the cabin. One was big and lumpy, slapped together with their sticks held up in a “rock on” position. One was small and neat, the spheres measured and carved to absolute perfection. One was more or less a half-snowman; originally meant to be bigger but was forgotten about after his creator got snowballed. Another was also massive, standing tall behind the perfect snowman with its branches in a flex-like position.
Between them all, two snowmen with scarves- one blue and one red, sat side by side. Their little branches were twined together like they were high fiving, though to some it looked like they were holding hands.
Langa smiled around his mug of cocoa, warmed by a burning fire as Shadow and Reki duked it out in Uno, losing again and again to Joe to a point where they were convinced he was cheating. Miya was sound asleep, leaning into Cherry’s own sleeping form on the comfortable couch just behind the group.
‘Hey dad.’ He thought to himself, smiling out the window. ‘This turned out to be a great snow day. Thanks for visiting.’
Thanks for reading!
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Simon grinned at himself through the mirror like a stupid teenager in the changing room as Price, god bless this man and his father figure behavior, tugged on his tie to keep it straight and clean.
Wedding Day had come. His wedding day had come.
“Mate, you must be shakin’ with excitement to marry the pretty face.” Gaz grinned from his spot on the couch, all three of them dressed in their best attire. Even Soap hadn’t complained once about wearing a tie.
Simon’s mind wandered to you in the other room, he hadn’t seen you since last night, tradition, that’s what they called it.
He hoped you were having a blast, because you had to spend so many days and nights over the wedding plans that he had to get you to the hospital once after you broke down from exhaustion.
“Anyone ever thought big bad ol’ Ghost gets married?” Soap teased as he rummaged through the drawers at the desk. What exactly was he searching? Simon didn’t know or maybe he was too happy to question his best friend’s motives for now, they usually end in chaos and today was meant no chaos.
“I always believed Simon would find the one true love one day.” Price nodded and patted Simon’s chest, telling him he was done with the tie.
“Liar.” Gaz laughed and shook his head. “If you want to know who always believed in you, Lieutenant, that’s me. Ol’ Captain and MacTavish over here said you would die a virgin. We got a bet running for a while.”
Simon wasn’t even surprised or mad, maybe tomorrow, or the week after. But tonight he wanted to be on Cloud Nine and looking through the pink tinted glasses of love. Tonight he would say ‘yes’ to the person he loved the most, the one that kept him alive and sane and put up with his antics.
“I’m getting married.” He smiled at himself in the mirror.
“You’re getting married, son.” Price looked at him, through the mirror, a proud smile hidden under the beard.
A minute later his phone rang, your name and picture on the screen.
“Yes? Everything alright, darling?” Simon asked and looked at Price, worry flashing behind his brown eyes.
“I’m scared, Simon. I… I know this will sound crazy and you probably think I’m mad. But… I wanna run away.” You say, followed by a shaky breath. “But at the same time I don’t wanna run away but stay and marry you. Does it make sense?”
Simon relaxed immediately, you were nervous, as you should be. Just like him.
“How about this then, darling, we run away together until you know what you want.” He grinned and picked up his suit jacket.
Soap and Gaz were gasping at him.
“Let’s run away together and if you still feel like running, we blew off this party. And if not, we come back, say yes to each other tonight and live our happily ever after.”
Gaz asked if he was insane. Soap was looking between Simon and Price, who simply had the time of his life while opening the door for Simon to leave.
“Are you sure… do you… I mean…?” You started to ramble and mutter under your breath.
“Darling… For you I would go through hell and back. I am not complete without you anymore. There was a time before you, sure. But there will be no time after you. Together.” Simon spoke gently and could see through the phone who your cheeks turned pink and tears pricked your eyes. “I’ll be out in two minutes, don’t let me wait.”
(Spoiler, in the end Simon and you got married surrounded by friends and family. Price lost a bet to Laswell because they both know you two and knew you would pull such a stunt. Soap had gained a few more grey hairs than necessary and Gaz was pretty sure this was some kind of punishment, why else would you two pull something like that.)
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