#just a few weeks ago at 20:30 THE SUN WOULD'VE STILL BEEN UP

[autogeneity]

attempting going to bed at 9pm (or earlier! technically. for falling asleep time) feels so ridiculous. like some sort of joke. and yet. purportedly this is what getting up at 5am would demand. is this really something people do wtf

[highwaytothedangerzone502]

India Lima Yankee - Chapter 31

Pairing: Rooster x Female OC

Word Count: 3498

Warnings: Mention of death

Summary: Juliette Kazansky discovers Maverick is back in town for a special training detachment, but she's more than a little blindsided when Rooster arrives too. Having not spoken to him for almost ten years after their less than amicable break-up, Juliette can only imagine how the next few weeks are going to play out when she remains head over heels in love with him while he wants nothing to do with Juliette other than to forget her.

Or so she thinks.

Notes: Chapters in italics are flashbacks.

Chapter Songs: Bring Me Back to Life Without You

Chapters: Chp 1 Chp 2 Chp 3 Chp 4 Chp 5 Chp 6 Chp 7 Chp 8 Chp 9 Chp 10 Chp 11 Chp 12 Chp 13 Chp 14 Chp 15 Chp 16 Chp 17 Chp 18 Chp 19 Chp 20 Chp 21 Chp 22 Chp 23 Chp 24 Chp 25 Chp 26 Chp 27 Chp 28 Chp 29 Chp 30 Chp 31

Juliette

Two days.

That's how many were left before the pilots shipped off. As Juliette helped her mom prepare the large meal to feed 18 mouths by setting places at the table, the sinking feeling settled in more and more. One or more of these people may not be coming home, Maverick now being included in that group. Juliette knew she'd had a part in that, even if it was Cyclone who made the final decision. Still, he never would've made it had she not suggested it.

At the thought of Maverick, she wondered where he'd gone. He'd arrived early with Juliette to help prep for dinner. Twenty minutes ago, Mav said he needed the bathroom and had yet to return. Glancing around the kitchen, dining room, and living room, even outside on the back porch, the aviator was nowhere to be seen. Juliette slipped out of sight from her mom and brothers and down the hall to the bathroom, just to make sure he wasn't actually still in there. She doubted it, and her feeling had been right. The door to the bathroom was open, and so was, strangely, the one to her father's office, albeit only slightly cracked. It'd been kept shut ever since Ice had died. 

Juliette poked her head into the room. In the golden light of the setting sun filtering through the semi-opaque blinds, she saw Maverick sitting in her father's chair, staring at a group photo of them back when she was in college. It was at her graduation. She was flanked by her father and Maverick. Bradley hadn't been able to come because of training, much to his dismay, but he'd surprised her the following week by showing up on her doorstep with flowers and tickets to a Rascal Flatts concert.

Juliette stepped inside the room and shut the door to give them some privacy. She grabbed a chair and sat across from him. "Talk to me, Mav. What's on your mind?" 

"I remember that day," Maverick said, nodding at the photo. "Your dad was so proud of you for graduating top of your class and having a job lined up with Lockheed. I remember him telling anyone and everyone on base."

Juliette smiled. "I could hear him yelling from the stands when I walked up on stage. You too."

"I was proud of you too. I think I was even prouder when you slipped and landed in a kneeling position and threw your hands up like you'd fully intended to do that."

"Whoever thought putting a tarp on the ground when girls are walking down a steep ramp to get to it in heels was a dumbass!" Juliette defended with a smile.

Maverick chuckled. "You had a hell of a bruise on your knee from that."

"I did. Rooster even asked me about it the following week."

"I'm glad you two are back together. You both seem to be better because of it."

"I think we are. He's been my rock since Dad-" A knot formed in her throat, effectively stopping all words. Rooster had spent each night with her since they'd gotten back together. Between having him around and working during the day, Juliette hadn't had time to think much about her dad or the hole in her heart from his death. It came back with a vengeance now. 

"Whether you realize it or not, you've been mine, Jules. I wouldn't have gotten that plane if not for you, nor would I be where I am now. I know it's because of you I got my position back, and-" Maverick eyed her knowingly- "I'm pretty sure you're the reason I'm flying as mission leader. Cyclone wouldn't have considered the idea unless someone brought it up to him, considering his opinions about me."

"I don't want you up there, but I know it's what you wanted. I'm not as worried about the pilots having you up there with them." Juliette clenched her jaw, her anxiety rising at the thought of her following words. "What scares me is knowing you'll do anything to protect them. Especially if you send Rooster."

A heavy silence fell between them, both thinking about the impending mission that Maverick and the pilots would deploy for in just a few days and the ramifications that could come from it. Juliette studied Maverick's face, noticing his green eyes welling with tears. Seeing him about to cry made the knot return, and it took a Herculean effort for her to speak in a steady voice. "What is it?"

Juliette followed his line of sight to another photo. In it stood Bradley and Jules, flanked by Maverick and Iceman, respectively. It was from Bradley's high school graduation, one of the last times the two men had been on speaking terms. "If I send him on this mission..." Maverick began, sniffling. He could barely look Juliette in the eye. "He might never come home. And if I don't send him, he'll never forgive me. I don't know what to do, Juliette. I know now is not the time to be thinking about this because we're about to have this dinner as a- as a way to decompress from the stress of the mission. Still, I see this photo, and I see a man who I consider my son. I see you and realize you might never see him again if I send him up, and I can't do that to you. You would never look at me the same, and I don't-"

"Mav-" Juliette reached over and placed her hand on his knee- "listen to me. Don't think about me when choosing whether or not to send him up. In the event you do, and in the unlikely event he doesn't make it back, it would not change how I see you because I know you would've done everything in your power to save him. It's not time to make the decision yet, but I know you'll make the right one, and if you need me to help you make it, I'm here."

"I know you are, but you shouldn't have the burden of helping me make that decision on your shoulders. It's not a light one to make."

"It's not, but I wouldn't offer it if I wasn't willing to help carry that burden. You don't have to bear it alone."

Maverick rested his hand atop hers. "You've done so much for me already, Juliette. I can't ask you for this too."

"You're not. I'm offering."

A ghost of a smile tugged on his lips. "Be on standby for my call when I'm on the carrier. If I need a shove to make the right decision, I know you'll do it."

"Whatever you need, whenever you need it, I've got your six, Mav. Always." Juliette squeezed his knee reassuringly, heart aching at the vulnerability in his face. She wished he didn't have to make the decision at all because he'd been through enough when it came to Bradley. Now, he had an opportunity to reconcile with him, but it came with a near impossible decision.

The doorbell rang, breaking the moment. They stood up, but before leaving, Juliette pulled Maverick into a hug, hoping to convey her support and sympathy for him through the gesture. 

"I love you, Jules. Thank you for everything," he whispered.

"I love you, too, Mav." They broke apart. "What do you say we both push aside our worries for tonight and focus on having fun?"

"Sounds like a plan." Maverick and Juliette left her dad's office, and she shut the door behind them. While Mav went to the kitchen, Jules opened the door. She found the twelve pilots and Hondo on her front porch, all carrying a homemade dessert save for Rooster and Phoenix, who both held bouquets.

"What's all this?" Juliette asked, looking at the food and flowers. 

"We wanted to bring flowers for your mom," Phoenix said, glancing at the arrangement of white roses and blue irises. It reminded Juliette of the bouquet she'd received from them, and she had no doubt the color scheme chosen for her mom was intentional. "Rooster thought it'd be nice to bring some for you too, as a thank you for the invite. The rest made desserts."

Juliette quirked an eyebrow, unable to imagine some of the pilots baking the desserts they'd brought, especially Hangman, who appeared to have made a pecan pie with the nuts placed in a neat and orderly circle spiraling outward. 

"This is absolutely amazing, and the flowers are beautiful," Juliette said sincerely, taking the bouquet from Rooster. "You didn't have to do all this, but it's very much appreciated. Come on in. We can put any desserts that need to be refrigerated in the outside fridge."

One by one, the pilots stepped inside and made their way into the kitchen. Juliette introduced her mom and brothers to each aviator, keeping a careful eye on Joey. Her eldest brother smiled as he shook each pilot's hand, but she could see the calculating look in his eyes, analyzing how much she meant to the pilots and if it was equal to how she felt about them. Joey was no idiot, sadly, and he knew there'd been an ulterior motive to this get-together. As Juliette walked past him to put her flowers in a vase, she warned him, "Play nice."

"Don't worry, Mom already warned me," he mumbled, reaching over her head for a drinking glass. Juliette took a deep breath, forcing herself not to let her brother get to her. She planned on enjoying tonight and letting his words annoy her would do nothing to help her endeavor. 

"All right, everyone!" Sarah clapped her hands, garnering everyone's attention. Grab a plate and help yourselves!"

"Cooks go first," Rooster said, motioning at the Kazansky's to dig into the array of food. The rest of the pilots agreed, so Juliette, her mom, and her brothers chose not to argue. Everyone piled their plates with food and crammed together at the table. Juliette sat between Hangman and Rooster. Maverick, her mom, and Hondo sat across from her. For the next hour, everyone ate, drank, and chatted. Even Joey, who had gone into this dinner with more than a few reservations, was joking and grinning alongside the pilots. Juliette mainly talked to those around her until she heard Payback and Fanboy mention her name.

"Are you gossiping about me down there?" she asked, staring pointedly at them.

"Just telling Joey here that you're the reason we had to do two hundred push-ups our first day of training," Payback said drolly.

"It's the last time we ever make a bet with you," Fanboy joked, pointing his fork at her. "Never underestimating you again."

"You'll never underestimate Maverick again, either," Juliette said, smiling proudly at the man across from her. 

"You had too much glee in your voice when I got shot down," Hangman remarked, smirking at her. "How'd you know Mav was going to use the sun as a blinding technique to get behind me?"

"How do you think I got the idea?" Maverick said, grinning.

"That wasn't my intention. The nickname slipped out because you-" Juliette looked up at Hangman- "were way too happy during that first fight."

Hangman snorted. "So what you're saying is if you hadn't been there, I might actually have shot Mav down?"

"Don't flatter yourself that much, Sunshine. He still would've kicked your ass."

"You sound very confident about that."

"That's because I am."

"All right, Maverick-" Hangman turned to his instructor- "one day, I want a rematch, and I want Princess here with you because whoever shoots down the other first has to do two hundred push-ups."

"Got yourself a deal," Juliette declared, offering her hand to the pilot. He shook it. "It's a good thing you work out a lot so you can handle all those push-ups."

"Dude, I'm sorry, but I'm putting my bets on Maverick and Princess," Omaha said. 

"No faith, huh?"

"Well, yeah, but it's in Mav and Jules, not you."

"Rooster tried to warn you," Maverick added, chiming into the conversation, much to Juliette's surprise, "but I interrupted him. I couldn't let him spill my secret."

"I know what you're capable of," Rooster replied, shocking Juliette even further. Her boyfriend typically tried to avoid any interaction with Maverick outside of training. For him to willingly engage in conversation with him gave Juliette the slightest hope that perhaps his resentment was slowly melting away. 

"You've all come a long way from the first day of training. I'm proud of all of you," Maverick praised, looking each pilot in the eye, although his gaze rested a fraction longer on Bradley. 

"I'm glad you and Jules are both still here leading this training detachment," Phoenix remarked, smiling at them.

Joey frowned. "Were they not supposed to be?"

Shit... Juliette hadn't told her mom or brothers about Maverick being temporarily removed from his position, nor had she told them that she'd helped him commandeer an F-18 to prove a point. Her mom and Jack would understand, but Joey would throw a fit.

"Cyclone grounded me for a day, and Juliette helped me get my place back," Maverick answered swiftly, meeting her gaze. She could see that he recognized her family didn't know what she'd done and that she wanted to keep it that way. She shot him a grateful smile.

"Still don't know how you pulled it off, Juliette," Payback mused, shaking his head. "God help the poor souls who owed you favors."

"Who on base owes you favors?" Joey prodded, locking eyes with his sister.

Juliette didn't back down. "They weren't mine. Dad told me about them in case I ever needed to use them. I simply cashed in on them."

"I still want to know what kind of favors these people owed you that let you take up an F-18 at the last minute without Cyclone's approval," Harvard added. The others, save for Maverick, Hondo, and Rooster, nodded in agreement.

Jack choked on his drink while Sarah Kazansky raised her eyebrows at her daughter. Meanwhile, Joey demanded, "You stole an F-18?" 

"No, I called in a favor with someone other than Cyclone who could get us the plane. It was all done by the books. We merely took a different, more discreet route to do it."

Jack snorted. "I'm sure Cyclone wasn't happy about that."

"No, he was not, but it's all fine now. Maverick is back where he belongs."

"So are you," Maverick said, smiling appreciatively at her.

Hangman lifted his glass. "To Maverick and Juliette!"

"To Maverick and Juliette!" the other pilots cheered, lifting their glasses. Rooster discreetly placed his hand on Juliette's leg, smiling adoringly at her. Her heart soared at the toast. As sweet and simple as it was, it meant the world to her.

The rest of the dinner went off without a hitch. Joey remained relatively quiet after discovering how Juliette helped Maverick, but she didn't care. She was having too much fun with the pilots. After picking up the dirty dishes and placing them by the sink to be cleaned later, they played a few rounds of volleyball until they'd worked off dinner. Then everyone piled their plates with different desserts and migrated back outside to the fire pit. Juliette and Rooster snagged one of the love-seat Adirondack chairs, trying to sit close enough that they could touch each other but far enough away that no one got the wrong idea about them, even though it'd actually be the right one. Juliette still didn't want them knowing she and Rooster were dating, afraid of being accused of favoritism when it came time to choose them for the mission. 

Still, as the night wore on, and as she watched the pilots laugh, joke, and chat like there wasn't a care in the world, Juliette found herself spiraling more and more at the thought of losing any of them.

Juliette couldn't stand the idea of not seeing Hangman's cocky smile or Phoenix's sly smirk that suggested she knew the secrets of everyone here. She couldn't stand the thought of not hearing Bob's sweet southern drawl or Coyote's boisterous cheers when he scored a touchdown in dogfight football. Juliette couldn't fathom not listening to Fanboy ramble on about Star Trek and all his other favorite shows and movies or Payback humming the song 'Payback' ever since he discovered that's what Juliette's ringtone for him was. She dreaded the idea of not hearing Omaha try to convince everyone that his hometown of Omaha was a great city, or Harvard and Yale playfully bickering about which of their alma maters was better, or Fritz complaining about his tech issues on his too-old laptop, or Halo gushing about her nieces and nephews.

Most of all, the ones that nearly paralyzed her with fear were the ideas of never having Rooster or Maverick around again. Juliette couldn't bear never again receiving one of Maverick's fatherly hugs and hearing stories of his antics from his younger years, or never seeing Rooster belt out to 'Great Balls of Fire,' of never seeing her boyfriend swagger into the room in the Hawaiian shirts only he could pull off, of never having Rooster's arms around her again and making her feel like she was home. 

Heat rose in her cheeks, and it had nothing to do with how close she sat to the fire. Juliette quietly excused herself, stating she needed the bathroom and was going to get more dessert. No one batted an eye, continuing on with their conversation. It wasn't exactly a lie. She did need the bathroom and wanted more dessert, but Juliette didn't head back out the moment she'd completed what she'd gone inside for. Instead, she began unloading the dishwasher, needing to give herself a mindless task, something she knew the outcome of, in order to lessen the anxiety of the unknown ending of the mission.

While Juliette put a new load in the dishwasher, she heard the sliding glass door open. If anyone asked, she already had a plan to tell them she saw the dishes and simply wanted to help her mom by getting another load going. That plan flew out the window when Rooster entered and said, "I came to check on you. You've been gone a little too long for a bathroom break and to grab some dessert, and judging by the fact you're cleaning-"

"What does that have to do with anything?" Juliette countered a little too quickly.

"You clean when you're anxious." Rooster joined her side and, much to her relief, didn't prod about what was on her mind. He probably already knew anyways. It's what was always on her mind: the impending mission and her dad's death. Instead, he silently helped her finish the dishes and clean more of the kitchen. On the one hand, Juliette wanted him to pull her into his arms and hold her, letting the stress she was holding in momentarily melt away. On the other hand, she knew if Rooster did such a thing, she would most likely break down with the thoughts that had just been in her head mere minutes ago, and she didn't want anyone walking in on that.

As they finished up and were about to head back outside, their group entered, yawning and stretching.

"I think we're going to head back," Phoenix said, setting her plate down next to the sink. "Do you need help with anything before we leave?"

"Absolutely not," Sarah Kazansky declared, shaking her head. "I want all of you to go back to base and get some rest for training tomorrow. You have a big mission coming up, and I want all of you at the top of your game for it."

"Yes, ma'am," the pilots echoed.

"Rooster, you're staying, right?" Jack queried casually. "We still need to catch up. It's been too long."

"Wait-" Coyote motioned between the two men- "you know each other?"

"Yeah. We go way back." Jack walked past Juliette, winking at her on his way as a silent 'You're welcome.' She smiled gratefully at him. They could be the best of friends or the worst of enemies, and tonight, Jack was on her side. 

"We're all old friends," Juliette added, wanting to avoid her brothers spilling the beans about hers and Rooster's past. The pilots didn't need to know that. Not yet.

With that said, no one else inquired about Rooster's relationship with the Kazanskys, and the pilots bid everyone goodnight. As they shuffled down the sidewalk, Payback and Fanboy shouted over their shoulders, "See you at training, Princess!"

"See you tomorrow!" she hollered back, grinning. While her mom, Rooster, and Jack returned inside to continue cleaning the kitchen, Juliette and Joey remained outside. They stayed there until all the aviators had gotten in their cars and drove out of sight. Then, as Jules shut the door, Jack asked, "Can we talk?"

***

Tags: @lgg5989 @shanimallina87 @polikszena @summ3rlotus @souslesyeuxde @gleasonmalfoy @icemansgirl1999 @supernaturaldawning @thedarkinmansfield @lyannaforpresident @lapilark @getmyprettynameoutofyourmouth @simpofthecentury @shadeops21 @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy @double-j @picklejuicesposts @bradshawsandbridgetons @majdoline @ophesworld @jakexfmc

[senor-cummies]

I request that you ignore how cringe the first part of this is lmao i wrote it like 2yrs ago. Happy post a wip Saturday! this is for my wip 'to covet anonymity' which is the prince!link/bounty hunter! revalink au, or, as my horrible disgusting friend mike likes to call it 'the revalink mandalorian au'

--

The sound of thundering hooves still echoed in the forefront of his mind. It soaked him in a fear that was completely alien to him. The fear of being caught. The fear that, despite his efforts, he’d fail. That he’d be taken away from the confines of his safehouse and thrown in a jail cell, or worse, into the bed of the person he was meant to marry four days ago. The fear swamped him, overwhelmed all of his senses until he knew nothing but it. Until he was lost in a thick fog of immeasurable consternation with no means of escape.

He was drowning in it, a thick, viscous, never-ending ocean of horror that permeated his tight-wound barrier. A constant pounding, taunting, sense of vehement trepidation that struck him with a force that rivaled a title wave. The salty winds off the Akkala Dead Sea, running through his hair even at this low point on the Ulria Grotto where he was seeking refuge, carried with them the twinge of dismay, each rise and set of the autumn sun that brought him closer and closer to his judgment day.

To the inevitable.

Overstimulating anxiety pounding against his skull, screaming for any way to escape besides red hot tears and muffled screams into his bedroll. He willed for sleep to take him, to succumb to something other than existential dread, for a break from perpetual suffering even if only for a moment. And all he got in return was the sound of cool wind and rushing water.

No rest, no sleep, no freedom, just crickets, and owls. Deer in the distance, mysterious rustling that made him go reaching for the broadsword sheathed at his bedside.

He’d never get any sleep at this point, any attempt to do so was worthless. He had to head to the stable up the coast in the morning anyway and, given by the moon, he only had a few hours of night left till sunrise. He’d just hoped, wished, he might be able to sleep. Link hadn’t gotten a good night’s sleep, even a bad night’s sleep dammit, since before this whole engagement nonsense. Maybe, if he was willful and believed hard enough, he could manage to milk even 30 minutes.

With a deep breath, he settled into his bedroll, holding his blanket tight to his body, before shutting his eyes and trying one more time to rest.

A drop of water fell on his cheek.

Then another.

And another.

One more...

A shower of rain poured down upon him as if the goddess herself was telling him to move. That it, too, was fate.

Still, he stayed laying in his covers that slowly got wetter and wetter as time went on. He could afford to lay a bit longer, at least until the first thunder crack.

(he tried his best to pretend he just didn’t hear the quiet rumble of thunder in the distance as he rolled over onto his other side.)

alpha

Link stared at the bounty poster of himself on the stable wall, next to an advertisement for Beedle's new Akkala shop location and a warning sign for a lynel herd that moved into a field in the gulch. It was like looking at a ghost. He could barely recognize the hylian looking back at him.

He looked so...Sad. So out of place. He fit in much better out here.

Link frowned, ripping the poster off the wall and stuffing it in his bag of tinder.

He turned, walking over to the check in shelf to peruse the newer, dry, non falling apart at the seams, tunics.

"How can I help you?" The clerk greeted. Link looked him, bringing his arms out from under his cloak.

'I'd like a child's traveler's shift.' The clerk reached behind him, grabbing it.

"Just the shift right?" Link nodded, looking around the room as the clerk sorted through to find his item. He looked back at a navy blue rito.

Do I...Know them?

They stared back at him, eyes slits. Link scrunched up his face, pulling his hood over his eyes.

"Alright, that'll be 20 rupees for the shift." Link nodded, reaching into a small pouch on his hip.

There was a loud ruckus outside, the sound of pounding hooves, casting over the clerk's voice as he attempted at small talk.

"It's probably the knights again," theg groaned. Link tried to silence his anxiety.

"Oh, he comes around about twice a week looking for that 'lost prince'. You know, I don't think he's lost. I don't think he was abducted at all, I think the poor sap ran off. You hear he was supposed to be shipped off to Ganondorf? Join his harem? I woulda done it too." Link tuned him out, his breath picking up.

The hooves grew louder and ceased at the stables entrance, the entourage casting a shadow over the inside of the stable. Link gulped, giving the man his rupees taking his shift and leaving, stuffing it into his bag as he made a mas face and he gulped.

“No one leaves until we’ve searched the entire premises, okay?” Link made a mad dash to the back door, covered in the bedlam that was the King’s arrival. A large wing was shoved into his face, the impact of it knocking him to the ground.

“Are you deaf, elf? Nobody leaves.” Link cursed, moving to pick up his things that were dropped in the collision.

"How many times are you going to keep bumping into me, bird guy?"

"I don't like it any more than you do." They crossed their arms, watching Link scramble to pick up his things. "And don't call me bird man."

"Don't call me elf,"

The rito huffed, leaning down to help.

"I'm fine," Link mumbled, voice quiet in an attempt to not be recognized.

"I don't care about you, it's just taking you a pathetically long time to pick up your things." Link rolled his eyes, picking up his books and clothes.

"Well, would you look at that..." Link looked up from the shirt he was refolding to the rito's wing. Sitting in it's navy blue feathers, was the diadem he'd snagged off his bedside table. His eyes widened.

"Give me that!" He cursed, snatching it up out of his wing.

"Now, now, I recognize this." Link whined, following their wing to try and grab it.

"Where did you get this?" Link huffed, dropping his arm, the rito inspecting his diadem closely.

"Where did you get this?" They repeated.

"I don't see how that's any of your business." Link hissed, grabbing the rito's wrist and snatching thr diadem out of it's wing. Link shoved it into his bag, stomping away from the stable. He could hear the rito behind him.

"What do you want?" Link groaned.

"That's the prince's diadem." Link bit the inside of his cheek, still walking back towards the grotto.

"If it is, than I bought it for a hell of a steal."

"Bought it from who?"

"What's it to ya?" He yelped as he was grabbed, slammed against the hard bark of he tree. He looked up with flushed cheeks to meet piercing green eyes.

It only made him blush harder.

"I am going to make myself clear, hylian. I ask a question. You give an answer. I asked who you bought it from." Link panted quietly, shaking like a leaf. Somehow, he still managed to muster up a smirk.

"What's it. To ya."

The rito struggled not to slam him into the tree again, for fear he might knock thr hylian out.

"If I tell you why I'm asking, will you answer?" Link shrugged. The rito gripped him harder, grinding him up against the harsh tree bark.

"Yes! Ow!" The rito dropped him, backing away. Link groaned, rubbing at his arm from where thr Rito had him.

"My name is Revali. I'm a bounty hunter chosen by the king to lead the search for the Lost Prince. That is the prince's diadem, now, if he give two shits about your life and your freedom I'd say who sold it too you. Withholding this information is a crime, you know?"

Link nodded.

"Yeah. Yeah, I know. I bought it off a pawner at the Ridgeland Stable, near the Coliseum? Sold it to me for 800 rupees. Had I known it was Prince Link's I would've asked for more..."

Revali stared at him, his hood and hair still hanging in his face. They sat, staring at each other for a few minutes before Revali sucked in a gasp.

"Put it on." Link's eyes widened in panic.

He doesn't...How could he?

"Doesn't fit."

"Put. It. On."

Link rolled his eyes, trying to conceal his fear as he reach into his satchel, pulling out the diadem. He pulled his hood back, his hair spilling out in long, silky, tendrils across his shoulders. Slowly, fearfully, he placed the crown on his head, staring at the bounty hunter.

Revali stared at him in shock and awe.

"Are you--"

"No." Link took the diadem off, putting it in his bag.

"I'm not the prince, I've never been to the castle, my name isn't even Link!"

"You look like a Link..."

"You look like an overgrown cuckoo!"