#linked universe sickfic

[hyah-lian]

You think I would, now, wouldn't you? (LinkedUniverse fic)

For prompt 1. ‘Do You Know How To Take Care of a Sick Person?’

I felt like trying to take part in sicktember/whumptober 2022

I have a few written so far, but not a ton. I don't know if I will do every prompt/post every day, but why not do some writing and try to have fun, right? I love the cozy feels of ppl taking care of their friends and stuff, so I find this kinda thing cute. Also posted on A03 here

no real warnings, the only distressing thing is someone feels faint for a moment

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Legend coughed hard into his elbow. When he pulled back, his shirt stayed hooked over his nose for a second before falling away fully revealing his blotchy red face. And the scowl, of course.

“Do you even know how to take care of a sick person?”

Hyrule winced at the crackling behind Leg’s choppy words. His own face flared red for a moment before he caught himself and took a deep… deep ish… breath.

“‘Cause, I get you’re a great healer. Fantastic-” he paused to clear his throat, though it sounded more like shaking a tin of rocks in chu jelly, “saved our asses more than I can count.”

“Okay. What can I do, then?” Hyrule screwed his face up for a second before letting it go slack again. “What would help?”

Legend pulled his shirt up and turned to cough away from Hyrule’s direction for another long moment. By the time he came up for air, his eyes were watering and Hyrule was squatting beside him with some water.

“Thahsss-” He cleared his throat again, “Thats a good start.”

Hyrule sighted and plonked his head to his hand to pinch and smooth away the tension between his brows. Once Legend had enough, Hyrule took the cup and stood, turning to the low fire with warm honeyed water resting atop in a pot.

“No wonder everyone jumped to go out and try to find out where we are,” Legend stared at his hands in his lap, “Sorry, I’m being kind of an ass.”

Legend could see Hyrule stiffen a few steps away.

“It’s… not okay, but I know you don’t mean it.” Hyrule shifted his weight. Standing still with his back to Legend he continued, “Yer…. feelin’ crummy…”

Hyrule almost sounded like he was drifting away. Legend sat up a bit more, face pinched and voice dry and cracking out before he could say anything.

“Rulie?”

Hyrule staggered a step and crouched down. He plonked onto his ass and turned to give Legend a pale, shaky smile.

“‘M good,” he huffed out a laugh, “Just got lightheaded for a second.”

“Oh my god,” Legend dragged his hands down his face and whined, “we’re cursed. We’ve got to be cursed. You’re sick too, now, aren’t you?”

“What can I say to get you to not worry?” Hyrule shrugged. He started feeling a bit floaty-headed after dinner, and the sore throat and aches blooming throughout the morning really cemented his desire to stick with the veteran at basecamp.

“Grab two cups and get your ass over here and sit,” Legend paused for a moment, “please.”

“Sure thing,” Hyrule stood up more carefully and retrieved the sad excuse for tea and cough remedy, “so, when can I start being pissy and snarky too? It might be fun.”

Legend snorted himself into another coughing fit that kicked off Hyrule laughing and coughing along.

“I would kill to see you snark off to someone,” Legend took the warm cup while Hyrule settled down beside him.

[skyloftian-nutcase]

Wind felt miserable.

Not that he hadn't felt worse, of course. Because he totally had. Getting almost killed by Ganondorf? Way worse.

But still. He felt pretty bad.

His head was pounding. His nose was all stuffed up. His throat was scratchy, and his stomach churned uncomfortably. It wasn't the end of the world, really. It just... sucked.

Wind shifted uncomfortably in the bed. He could see dull light shining through the window, an indication that the others would likely be getting up. He wasn't keen on being the last one up (not that it was possibly - Sky would likely sleep another hour at least, if allowed); the last thing he wanted was for the rest of the group to think he couldn't handle a simple cold.

Sniffling, Wind slowly sat up, wincing as he swallowed against his worsening sore throat. He remembered when he got sick on his first journey. He remembered how isolating it was, all of a sudden, not having anyone to take care of him. He remembered learning that he had to rely on himself.

He knew he didn't necessarily have that same issue here. But everyone else had been babying him enough. He didn't need to give them an excuse.

But he felt miserable.

"Sailor?"

Wind jumped, startled, looking up to see Hyrule hovering over him. His friend had a strangely wary look to him, eyebrow raised.

"Yeah?" Wind winced at how bad his voice sounded.

Hyrule's eyebrows drew downward and together, concentration written on his face as he leaned forward to put a hand to the teenager's forehead. Wind immediately reeled back, swatting him away.

"I'll be fine," Wind insisted. He felt bad for rebuffing the traveler, but stubbornness and pride overruled. He was a Hero of Hyrule just like the rest of them, he didn't need special treatment for a cold.

"It's dangerous to assume so when you can sleep somewhere safe," Hyrule noted, letting his hand fall to his side. "Get some more rest."

"I'm okay!"

"It's way too freaking early for people to be yelling," Legend snapped as he stormed over. Wind shriveled back a hair, knowing how irritable the veteran hero could be this early in the morning, but then he puffed out his chest in defiance.

"Yeah, well, Traveler's babying me when I don't need it," Wind argued.

"You sound like a goose blowing through a bugle," Legend immediately fired back, crossing his arms. "We're not leaving yet anyway."

Wind was outnumbered and he knew it. It didn't help that his own mind and heart were at war, desperate for some comfort when he felt so poorly but also trying to save face.

The door opened as Wild reentered the room, having likely woken up ages ago. He paused when he saw the trio, tilting his head to the side. "What's up?"

"Our sailor is sick," Hyrule reported.

"Oh. Want some tea?"

Wind wilted into the bed. Tea sounded great, actually. But what sounded even better was his grandmother's soup, his pillow fluffed, the sound of the ocean lulling him back to sleep, and his family's warm presence. The fight was quickly draining out of him. He just wanted to stop feeling awful.

He tried one last time, though the sound of defeat was already in his tone. "I'll be okay, guys."

Legend hummed. "Wonder what the captain of the old man would think of that."

Wind stiffened. "Don't you dare!"

The veteran laughed. "Then lay back down, you congested goose."

Huffing, Wind irritably tucked his feet back under the blanket and glared at the trio as he laid down once more. Legend smirked in smug satisfaction, while Wild gave a gentler smile, leaving to presumably make tea. Hyrule watched him the longest, expression gentle, before nodding to himself and plopping on his own bed, fiddling with his bag.

Wind wasn't sure when he had fallen back asleep. All he knew was when he woke it was to someone brushing hair out of his face, it was to the smell of peppermint, the gentle murmurs of several voices, the pitter patter of rain on the roof, the soft glow of candlelight. He peeled one eye open blearily and saw Time sitting beside his bed, gaze elsewhere while his fingers mindlessly twirled a lock of Wind's hair. Someone was talking to him, it seemed. A cup of tea was on the nightstand, nice and warm as steam curled lazily from its contents.

One last, tiny, stubborn voice protested the scenario, eager to prove himself. He ignored it. He felt miserable, and he wanted comfort. Wind let Time continue to card through his hair for a little while longer. Then he'd sit up and drink the tea Wild had made.

Then he'd let his newfound family take care of him, just like he always did back home.

[breannasfluff]

Don’t eat that. 

Three words. 11 letters. Don’t; do not. Eat; the act of consuming, tasting, or chewing. That; what in the name of Ordonia are you holding—?

If Twilight was human, he’d consider beating his head against a wall. He’s stuck as a wolf, though, so he settles for head-butting a tree. 

Okay? Time asks, watching. 

No, he says, petulant. 

Wild, for his part, is happily munching his way through another mysterious mushroom. If he doesn’t get food poisoning he’s going to get actually poisoned from something toxic. 

Somehow, Twilight doesn’t think the Goddess will accept he’s a gremlin as the cause of death for her hero. 

No, instead the rancher has the dubious honor of watching any and everything go into the cub’s mouth. The kid is a blank slate; a little too blank. The world is an amazing discovery to him and muscle memory seems to be the only thing left. 

Cub, no! Time interrupts Twilight’s thoughts. He looks up to find Wild contemplating—is that another rock? 

No, no, no! Twilight abandons his tree to jump at the cub, knocking the rock back into the underbrush. 

Wild howls, batting at him. Snack! Tasty?

No! Don’t eat that! Not food!

Snack?

No!

The cub gives him a sly look. Only testing.

He’s not and he knows it. Good with kids Twilight might be, but that’s when he’s Hylian and can hold a full conversation with the person in question. Time isn’t much help, through no fault of his own. He may have appeared to Twilight as a golden wolf, but it’s clear he’s not used to a canine form like Twilight is. His body language is rusty for communication and he’s pretty sure Time tripped over his own paws at least twice. 

Still, this is a side of Time the rancher is happy to get to know. Sword skills may have helped on his journey, but this experience is deepening their bond. 

No! Once again, Time’s bark has Twilight jerking back to the situation at hand. 

Wild pauses, berry halfway to his lips. 

With a sigh, Twilight trots over to sniff the berry. Yes, okay, he says with an exaggerated nod to get the point across. 

Wild pops it in his mouth, followed by three others. Juice smears his lips and his teeth are purple when he grins. Here! Share! He tosses a berry to Twilight, who catches it out of the air with a snap. 

Time’s berry bounces off his nose and he has to hold back a snicker. The stink eye he gets in return says his mentor knows he’s laughing anyway. 

~

Pup. Here, now. Time’s bark is all serious and Twilight wakes groggily. 

Standing, he yawns and stretches his front paws, claws digging into the dirt. 

Pup! 

Time’s not really saying pup; it’s more little-pack-protect-young, but the rancher’s wolf-minded brain easily translates it for his Hylian half. 

Coming, coming. With another yawn, Twilight ambles to the outskirts of the clearing where Time was keeping an eye on the cub. 

Help. The whine needs no translation and Twilight is instantly wide awake. 

Wild is curled on the ground, half under a bush, and whimpering. 

Cub? Hurt? Twilight steps forward and nudges him, nose wrinkling at the sour smell around him. 

Wild only moans, pressing his forehead to the ground. His cheeks are flushed red and he’s sweating. 

What? What? Twilight turns back to Time for an explanation, but the other wolf is as lost as he is. How can they help a Hylian without hands? 

Twilight tries again, Hurt? Sick? Why are they locked to this pantomime of language? He can’t help if he doesn’t know what’s wrong!

The cub doesn’t answer, just jerks away to be sick. His lips are stained nearly black, matched by the dark color of his vomit. 

Time whines steadily, crawling on his belly to Wild and looking to Twilight for help. He nudges the hero again and his hands unclench, something rolling free. 

It’s smashed, but Twilight recognizes the sharp, sour smell. Poison berries. 

He runs through every curse he can think of and makes some up for good measure. How is he supposed to care for a sick Hylian like this? 

Sick, bad, do not eat. 

Hurt? Time’s attention is sharpening at Twilight’s words. 

Hurt, he confirms. Danger.

The two wolves turn to look at their cub. Wild whimpers and curls in a tighter ball, clutching his stomach. They have no fairies or potions, or any way to provide first aid. The most the wolves can do is keep him company. And pray. 

It takes two full days of sickness and misery for Wild’s body to stop rebelling. Partway through Time helps Twilight bully the cub onto his feet and lead him to a stream for water. 

His whimpers cut, but it’s better than him becoming dehydrated on top of it. Nothing will stay down, but hopefully, it means the last of the poison is expelled as well. 

Time’s wears his paw pads raw pacing and Twilight can barely keep his eyes open. He appoints himself on watch most hours, even though he can do little while Wild sweats and pants. By the time the color fades from the cub’s cheeks, everyone is exhausted.

Hungry. 

It takes a long, dull moment for Twilight to focus on Wild and translate body language into words. He gives another yip, repeating it. Hungry!

Stay! No hunt! Time’s snarl has Wild cowering back into his shallow cave-den

Twilight shoots his mentor a tired look before crawling in next to him. Safe, peace, food yes.

Time seems unconvinced until Twilight gestures with his head. He will stay with the cub and Time can find him food. Safe food. 

It takes a while for him to return and when he does he’s covered in dirt. However, he’s gripping a large radish by the stalk. It may not be the best food for a sensitive stomach, but it doesn’t need to be cooked. 

Wild snatches the vegetable, then begrudgingly washes it in the stream when Time snarls warningly. The first few bites stay down and some of the clamminess fades from his skin. 

Twilight wiggles into the cave first, flopping on his belly so Wild can cuddle into his fur. Time joins on the other side, sandwiching him. 

“S-sorry,” Wild whispers. Then again, sorry, with a duck of his head and low whine. 

Oh, Cub. Scared, worried, keep you safe. 

On the other side, Time thrums, packmate, safe, love.

Finally settling, Wild rumbles back his own love, love, pack before drifting into quiet sleep. 

Also posted on A03 here!

[occasionallyprosie]

"Hiding Behind Plaster and Ceremics"

Chapter 1

Legend had one job the second time he was dragged on a quest that involved time travel and ancestors, and the second time a quest involved meeting other heroes: Don't get attached. Thankfully, the other heroes seemed to believe the mask he wore, and most of them didn't bother with him as a result except to argue, especially Twilight and Warriors. Now, if only someone could tell the kid behind the mask to stop reaching out to the brothers he lost after Hytopia, that would be great. And if they could stop the frigid downpour so Legend wouldn't get even sicker, that would also be great.

Febuwhump 2024 | Prompt 13: "You weren't supposed to get hurt"

Next>>

Event Masterlist

Read On AO3 Warnings: mild swearing

Legend knew the role he was playing.

His whole life was just one role after another, his main one of "the hero" constantly being reprised, but changing with each installment.

His first casting, he had been a terrified child, doing his best, trying to fulfill his uncle's last words. His second, he was an excited, bubbly child gaining two older brothers who shared separate yet similar pasts. His third was a kid with too big a heart and a burn to protect, giving everything he had including the clothes on his back to a dimension traveler who helped him in turn. His fourth and fifth was of a kid in a new land, wearing his heart on his sleeve, helping everyone he met even when it burned him. His sixth was the turning point for his role, he began it as the sweet kid and ended it heartbroken and begging to never feel such pain again.

His seventh was starring him as a broken teenager doing everything he could to fix things, to do the right thing and help people, without getting attached and heartbroken again.

Like any other tragedy, that teenager failed in the end and Ravio went back to Lorule, their worlds closing.

The next reprisal, lucky number eight, was of a slightly older teenager who was determined to get through this without opening his heart to a single soul, even if it hurt those around him.

So that's the role Legend played. He was the hoarder, but he coveted items and people were a danger to those belongings, he was the scholar, providing information to those who asked, who found solace in books and scrolls, and he was the veteran, tired and done with the lives they led.

The longer it went on, the harder it was for Legend to suppress that terrified child who just wanted to help out. The longer it went on, his mask was trying to crack from overuse.

It's a shame for that mask that he was a hoarder and always had something to hold it back together.

It was also a shame for the excited, bubbly child inside to watch as his older brothers failed to even recognize him with the mask he wore and the many new years he bore.

Legend recognized Ocean and Forest immediately, the moment his eyes landed on them, he knew who they were. Ocean hadn't changed much, but Forest was taller, bigger, more muscular and he had face tattoos interestingly enough.

He met their eyes and saw not a flicker of recognition appear in theirs, he supposed that was fair, he looked different and he had changed. He'd be surprised if they figured him out by anything but the fact he wore the same tunic.

They went weeks into this adventures, Legend doing whatever he thought helped him maintain that distance, strengthen that wall, that kept the other heroes out of reach of his internal child and kept his heart safe.

He couldn't do Ravio again, or, he supposed, this was more like Raven all over again. He refused to do that again.

But that child really wanted out, it was begging to be released, to call out to the two heroes he once called brothers.

No, Legend reminded himself. They don’t even remember us.

So he shut up and kept to his corner, he stitched and bandaged his own wounds and snarled at anyone who dared to approach. Especially the ones who he knew he would trust easier--the Sailor, the Rancher, the Traveler, and the Skyloftian.

Legend was sick. He knew he was and he blamed that cold storm they'd got caught in not two days ago for it. When they'd made camp, most of them bundled by the fire but Legend had stuffed himself away out of stubbornness and pride, using his fire rod for heat and wrapping an extra blanket around his soaked self.

He wasn't surprised by the turn of events, but he wasn't certain how to approach it.

Clearly, as they walked and he focused hard on keeping steady steps and maintaining pace with the others that he'd missed the entirety of Wind's story, he wasn't great. He usually listened, even if he feigned otherwise, it was a good distraction and he liked stories. It was the only thing he granted to himself, listening to Ocean ramble on about events he'd already heard the stories of. Now he was struggling and normally he would've stayed in the cave from the other day or even backtracked to it to rest and maintain a safe space, but that wasn't much of an option.

The cold of Warriors' Hebra region was piercing, and darkened clouds still rolled overhead but didn't open for much more than a sprinkle. Though humid, all the humidity did was prevent their clothes from drying, it didn't further soak them. Frankly he preferred the cold storm over a blistering, tropical hot storm.

But goddesses, he needed to take a break or he'd pass out and he didn't know how to say that. His mask was cracking, he knew it, and he was running out of energy to fix it while also trying not to stumble and fall in the mud.

To his luck, Sky called for a break, explaining the wet air was getting to his high altitude lungs. Legend didn't bother trying to understand that, which was rather telling. Instead he followed to the side they'd went to and tucked himself under a tree, letting his eyes shut and block out the painful, headache-inducing light.

Too soon, someone called to him.

"Hey Hoarder, get off your ass and let's go," Warriors snapped at him.

Legend dragged up his energy to shoot a glare at the knight. "You'd know all about sitting back on your ass, wouldn't you, soldier boy?" He snarled, pushing off the tree. The rest was helpful, but not sufficient. He really hoped he wasn't assigned a watch tonight, he wouldn't stay awake.

"One of these days, you’re going to get what's coming to you and that goddess-awful attitude," Warriors warned him.

Legend rolled his eyes. "Whatever comes for me for "this attitude" is going to get the exact same treatment as everything else that has come for me. A sword through its heart."

"Oh right, how could I forget, the Hoarder just kills everything that comes near him," Warriors spat.

Twilight got between them, shoving his way in and accidentally helping Legend hide the flinch that broke through from Warriors' words.

"Alrigh', that's enough. We have a lot of ground to cover and not enough patience to deal with you two."

Legend scoffed and he trudged off after the others who had already began to leave them, probably at Twilight's suggestion and Time's agreement. His boots threatened to get stuck in the mud and he feared his dwindling strength would have him unable to pull them from the sucking sludge, but he had the strength for now.

He heard Twilight mutter to Warriors. "Look, yer not wrong, the Scholar's f'r sure quick t'fight an' his whole personality leaves much to be desired, but none of us wanna listen t'ya two hurlin' insults no matter how much truth is with them."

Warriors groaned lowly. "You better not even try to lecture me, Rancher. I won't start a fight, but I'm not going to just take it."

Twilight backed off, surprisingly. Those two were at each other's throats just as often as Legend was with either of them.

The bubbly kid held back a sob hearing Twilight's--Forest's-- words. Legend trudged through the mud and plastered over the crack in his mask.

He wouldn't let them see how much that hurt.

He didn't kill everyone who came near him, he thought to himself pleadingly. Then names flickered through his mind and the plaster cracked too.

He was too exhausted from the growing fever to actually try and fix it back, it began to pour again and he had to keep moving.

Keep going, Link. He told himself. Keep going, then when they finally say stop we can rest. It'll be fine, just hold out a little while longer... please.

They couldn't make camp early enough. Hyrule found a cave again and Legend went as deep as he could until Time told him to not go that far. He came a bit closer and rolled out his bedroll.

He tucked his two fire rods in the blankets, then promptly collapsed, ignoring the others set up their camp.

He never usually helped, helping meant interacting and interacting risked attachment.

He wouldn't risk getting attached. He just had to hope the heat of the fire rods and the blankets would burn out his growing fever before dawn. With their chatter, they didn't seem to hear him down a health potion before passing out without dinner.

Dawn came and he felt no better, but he wasn't worse. It took way too much energy to get up when he heard the others rousing, it took too much focus to realize the sounds he heard was the others rousing.

He dragged himself to his feet, packed his things away and pulled on his mud covered boots. Nobody bothered him aside waiting at the entrance until they were all gathered, him included, to leave. Sky, as usual, greeted him with a good morning and Hyrule tried to fall into step with him, but a glare and a snap had the other hero retreating to Wild reluctantly.

It was raining the moment they left and continued to rain throughout the whole time.

He wasn't the only one slipping and stumbling through the mud, Four was struggling bad, as was Wind and Sky. Wild seemed to stumble but had a certain step of understanding, like he'd had to do this before, and Hyrule was similar though struggling far more. The three tall heroes, Time, Twilight, and Warriors, still slipped a bit but the knee deep mud for Legend was only halfway up their shins.

He lost his battle with the sickness and he nearly fell, barely catching himself and kneeling.

Distantly, he was aware of someone calling for him to keep moving over the roar of the heavy downpour.

He couldn't stand. His vision was bad and his body was trying to give out. He couldn't stand. He couldn't hardly move.

Come on, Link. Just a couple more hours, you've made it through worse!

Except the worse was fighting Ganon with an infection blossoming. Except the worse had adrenaline pumping through his veins and Raven at his side to help out. Except right now, one step took as much energy as a whole spin attack back then.

He had to stop. He had to breathe--

A hand landed on his shoulder and he flinched, but it tightened before he could fall back.

"Hoarder. Get up," Warriors ordered and it sounded like he was underwater. "There's no way with how much you slept you’re this tired, even the Skyloftian and the Sailor are handling."

Legend wheezed softly. He knew that. He knew he had to stand.

His body wouldn't cooperate, but he managed to smack Warriors' hand away and push against his knees to painstakingly stand.

The blur of green moved away, Warriors going on ahead. He tried to drag a foot ahead again but collapsed again. This time falling face first into the mud was a near thing, only barely avoiding such a fate.

Stand, damnit! He wanted to cry. He couldn't get his body to move, he couldn't find safety. This was why he took sanctuary whenever he got sick, so he wouldn't be a sitting duck.

He hated this. He hated it all. He hated them, those damned heroes, their stupid, stupid idea of correct and good. He hated everyone who left him, everyone who'd abandoned him. He hated himself for being so damned soft and attaching himself way too easily to others.

It wasn't supposed to hurt. Loving people wasn't supposed to hurt. He wasn't supposed to get hurt for caring.

Yet here he was, close to tears because he couldn't stand. Because he couldn't admit to weakness, because being weak meant needing help, and needing help meant letting people come close.

And he was too soft, to quick to care, to let anyone come close and not get attached. He couldn't get attached again, he couldn't lose someone again.

He glanced up briefly, just enough to know none of the blurs were approaching and were in fact moving away. He shakily took out a green potion, took way too long to uncap it and drink some, and used the forced energy to stand again and keep moving.

He'd never had to drink a green potion to keep moving before, but as it turned out, this whole quest was just a mess of "do this" so they wouldn't notice him, so they wouldn't get close, so he wouldn't get attached.

Goddesses, being alone wasn't supposed to hurt.

Legend genuinely didn't know how he made it through that day, but what he did know was that he wasn't getting up from where he had collapsed in the wet cave they'd once again made camp within.

He pressed his burning head against the cold stone and just let out a shuddering breath, eyes slipping shut and staying shut. He had made it to the back of the cave again and Time hadn't yet made him move closer.

He just needed to rest. He had to rest. His whole body ached, his insides twisted, and nausea rolled in his stomach and wound around his throat. He could hardly inhale through his mouth without wanting to throw up, but he couldn't breathe through his nose either, so this was what he had to deal with. He didn't even try with getting out a blanket or his fire rods for some heat, just curled up and hoped to the goddesses it passed tonight because he wasn't getting up until it was.

He slipped asleep quickly, but was startled back awake.

A haze settled over his mind but that didn't prevent the world from shaking and then someone grabbing him, or maybe it was the other way around and the grabbing shook him? He didn't know.

All he knew was that the light of the fire was gone, his body hurt, and he had been tackled or something by someone.

There was talking--no, yelling but he couldn't bring himself to actually process the words.

He just blinked dazedly up at the darkness and the barely-visible silhouette above him, they were shaking him. His brain rattled in his skull and the shaking grew painful fast.

"--t! Link! Come on, wake up--"

He whimpered. "St'p... 'urts."

"Oh. Link, hey--" cool hands brushed his face and he inhaled sharply, only to exhale softly. The coolness pulled away fast and he whined at the loss. "Oh Ordona, yer burning up."

The cool hand returned and he managed to lean into it.

"Sweet Ordona, Link, how long have you been sick?" They said, and the sound echoed almost painfully. He tried to curl back up into the ball he had been in before he'd been disturbed.

He slipped back asleep, finally just resting, finally letting the exhaustion take hold.

They'd made camp in a cave again, and Twilight was a bit relieved by that. He was tired of the rain and mud, the hard rock walls was a boon.

They'd made a fire, Wild was just beginning to start it when the ground trembled.

"The ceiling's caving in!" Four yelped, his eyes flashing purple. How he knew that, Twilight really didn't need to know nor did he care to.

They all moved fast, but Twilight spotted Legend still unmoving and curled up deeper into the cave.

"COLLECTOR MOVE!" Hyrule screamed, clearly having seen the same.

The cave ceiling began to break. Twilight ran and he managed to pull Legend deeper into the cave as the ceiling in the area they'd begun camp in collapsed.

Thankfully, the cave in ended far enough back that Twilight got them far enough away. He just had to hope the others got out on the other side.

To his absolute surprise, Legend had barely startled at the tackle and was currently limp beside him. Twilight's night vision was improved due to being attuned to his wolf form, but it was not perfect.

Legend's eyes fluttered open part way, half lidded and looking dazedly.

"Collector?" Twilight prompted, hoping the other hero didn't have a concussion. "Collector!" He called again when he didn't even respond, shaking his shoulder. "Link! Come on, wake up--"

A whimper, an actual whimper escaped the other hero and Twilight faltered as he heard the quiet plea for it to stop, that it hurt.

"Oh. Link, hey--" Twilight tried to move his bangs to check his eyes, to look for a concussion, but the skin he felt was far too hot for the frigid caves and storms they've been in for the past three days. He'd jerked away from the unexpected heat on instinct before it set in what was going on.

Suddenly it made sense, how quiet Legend had been the past couple days, the way he had struggled to keep up and stand. Twilight had taken it as just having a restless night and being tired, he'd clearly been exhausted the other day with how quickly he'd gone to sleep and he wouldn't have been surprised if he'd been caught unable to fully rest with how soaking wet and cold it had been. However this just... Why didn't he expect someone to get sick with how cold and wet it's been?

"Oh Ordona, yer burning up," he breathed. He placed his hand on Legend's forehead and the collector leaned into it. "Sweet Ordona, Link, how long have you been sick?"

He watched Legend's eyes slip shut and then not open. He'd passed out, oh that was not good.

Twilight tug the smaller hero closer and picked him up. He... He never realized how small Legend was until he had the Scholar curled up in his arms, shaking like a leaf and whimpering.

He delved deeper into the cave, hoping for an escape or at least for the cave to get warmer.

Light Spirits, was he so blind by his own judgment and dislike of a person as to not notice them get so sick they had struggled to stand?

He didn't find an exit but did find an underground river but a dry shore, probably a lot higher of a shore than it normally was considering the amount of rainfall. He managed to set out enough blankets, decently dry, that he thought he could bundle the collector up.

Muttering an apology, he stripped Legend of his soaked clothes, leaving his shorts, and wrapped him tight in four dry blankets. He did take the time to try and clean both their boots of mud, but was careful with Legend's precious Pegasus boots, he knew the Hoarder would kill him if he messed any of his items up.

Then he settled on the dry rock, Legend's bundled form in his arms as he tried to provide what heat he could to lessen the amount of shivering the other hero was doing.

He let himself fall asleep at some point, only to wake up a few hours later with an inkling of light above.

He looked up and there turned out to be an opening in the ceiling, rainwater a steady trickle into the cavern. From what he could tell, he could probably hookshot out, but definitely not with Legend.

So he waited.

Legend was remarkably warmer but he woke up, with the light Twilight could actually see his glassy red eyes fill with confusion.

"Where..."

"It's alright," he murmured on instinct, if Legend was more coherent he probably would've been hit. But as it stood, he had someone small and sick in his arms so he acted instinctively, pulling them closer and promising safety. "It'll be alright, just rest, kid. I got you."

Legend twisted a bit, dazed and distant eyes settling on his face. He frowned, and Twilight was struck by how much younger Legend looked when he wasn't glaring and snarling at anyone who neared like an injured animal.

"Oh..." he muttered and he went limp again, curling willingly into Twilight's chest. "It 'urts," he mumbled and Twilight felt his heart constrict.

"I know," he promised. How sick was he? Why didn't he say anything? Was it out of pride? "It'll be alright."

"Where's Ocea'?" The hero in his arms asked and Twilight froze.

Oh goddesses no.

"Apple?" Twilight croaked.

"Mm... yea?"

No, no, no.

"F'rest?" he called, voice weak, and Twilight struggled to breathe out a response.

Legend hummed. "M...M'kay."

No. Twilight felt his blood run cold, his heart beat too fast and too hard, because suddenly everything went extremely wrong. Legend --the group's Collector and Scholar, the harsh, rude, snappy, violent one who had nearly bit Hyrule's head off only that morning-- was Apple, the kid that had broken his leg in Hytopia after slipping off a roof that he'd climbed on a whim. The nine year old kid who sang songs, hummed tunes, who fooled around while Twilight and a younger Wind who they nicknamed "Ocean" did the walking. The same kid who earned his keep and, when given the chance by the two older heroes, absolutely slaughtered any monster in his path so long as he had a blade and a magic rod in his hands.

Legend, the distant, snarling, cold, bully of a hero... was his sweet little brother. Legend was the same kid that had asked Lady Maud nicely to not make Styla wear clothes she didn't like, because he said it was mean to make people do things they didn't like even if someone else was doing something to you that you didn't like. That kid was Legend?

For a moment, Twilight couldn't believe it. There was no way that Legend could be Apple.

Then, he looked at the hero in his arms and the fact he had to be at least ten years older had probably embarked on a third quest after Hytopia...

Twilight's own quest changed him for the better, he'd been a prideful brat of a teenager and became... well he wasn't sure, but he hoped he was a better person now. So who was to say Legend's didn't turn him from a bright kid to a violent and harsh man.

"You weren't supposed to get hurt," Twilight croaked. "You were supposed to go home and be happy."

Legend didn't respond, after all, the collector was out cold. He couldn't give Twilight any explanation for why he was so jaded and... and so angry, why he was so harsh.

"You weren't supposed to get hurt," Twilight repeated weakly, because that sweet, bright little kid was supposed to go home to that aunt he spoke the world of and be happy, not go on another adventure or whatever had happened that turned him into this... broken, cold, harsh hero.

Next>>

[runecatwrites]

To Lean On (3+1)

A Linked Universe Fanfic

Read it here on AO3!

Word count range: 4-5k

Characters: Wind-centric, feat. Four, Legend, Sky, and Time

Summary: Wind is a bit self-conscious about his status as the youngest member of the group. But as time goes on, he learns just how much his new brothers love him and would do anything for him, and he wholeheartedly reciprocates as he settles into his role.

Or, 3 times a member of the Chain were there for Wind and 1 time he stepped up for one of them.

[quartzlightz]

Sick brother

Legend, face down, groaning: Get the fuck of me

Sky, laying sprawled out on top of him: No, you are on strict bed rest until you’re better

Legend: fucking din’s tits, do you have to be crushing me though.

Sky: If it means you’ll stop trying to get up, then yes.

Legend: Ugh, I hate you.

Sky, pulling Legend’s ear: Awhh, Love you too, you sickly brother.

Legend: Agh, hey! Stop that!

Sky just laughs but also stops. He settles comfortably onto the veterans back and Legend gives up and melts into his bed roll; letting his tiredness take over and falls asleep.

[echoing--stars]

I am asking v kindly for a lil Legend sickfic prompt <3

As angsty or fluffy as u want

It's getting late here, so it ends kind of suddenly. Don't worry though, Legend will get lots of comfort as he recovers!

(If you read this and would like to request a short snippet, see this post!)

Legend was sick of coughing. Or, he supposed, he was sick of trying to hide his coughing. He was sure that he was doing a terrible job of it, but for once the others were leaving him well enough alone. Maybe it was because they were all miserable enough already. It had been raining off and on for a few days, they were slogging through mud and wet grass, and their layers did nothing against the biting wind. But there was finally a town in sight, and the promise of a night at an inn in actual beds had them picking up their pace. Within the hour, they’d paid for a few rooms and dropped off their things. Legend tuned out the conversation around him in favor of pulling out dry clothes from his bag and stowing away most of the items he kept on his person. The inn seemed safe enough, and while he always kept a weapon in reach, he was more than ready to put the rest away for now. Before he could be tasked with an errand in town, Legend headed to where the innkeeper had indicated the washroom was. He was sorely in need of a good bath and he wouldn’t let anything stop him. The steam from the bath only seemed to loosen whatever was in his lungs, and Legend couldn’t hold back his coughs as he tried to relax. His very bones seemed to ache, and if it wasn’t for his sore chest and persistent cough, he could have fallen asleep there. As it was, he pulled himself out of the water, dried off, and changed into the sleep clothes he’d brought with him. He didn’t know what time it was, but he didn’t care. He was tired and sore and he just wanted to sleep. The light from the lamps in the hallway stung Legend’s eyes and a steady ache was growing in his head.  Fuck. He was actually sick, wasn’t he? Legend groaned as he flopped face first on the bed he’d picked. The impact made a sharp pain burst through his chest, and he turned over onto his side and pulled a blanket over his head. He coughed again, and he could feel the crackling in his lungs as he wheezed in a breath. - Legend didn’t remember drifting off, but when he came back to awareness, there was a weight on the bed next to him and muffled voices in the room. He couldn’t make out most of the words, but he thought he caught a few. Fever. Cough. Rain. He wanted to go back to sleep, but he could feel another cough coming on. It tickled his throat, and he took a breath in through his nose, hoping the urge would die down. He kept his breaths shallow, but his lungs rebelled, and soon he was coughing and wheezing around the mucus in his lungs. A cloth was pressed against his mouth to catch what he coughed up and a hand was rubbing his back. He thought someone was talking to him, but he couldn’t hear them over the coughing. Finally, the coughing settled down, leaving him with watery eyes and a stinging throat. “How long have you been feeling ill, vet?” Of course it was the captain.

[unexpectedstormy]

Wild was a windmill that was slowly grinding to a halt. Everyday he felt a little worse than the day before. Run down. Tired. Weary and exhausted. His head hurt, his whole body was sore from the constant walking and frequent battles. His mind was strangely spacy and he'd lose parts of conversations and zone out for parts of the day's walk. It wasn't until his apetite dwindled and he stopped eating enough to sustain himself and rapidly lost strength that he said something.

There was a conversation happening around him, but he hadn't been listening. Someone tapped his leg to get his attention which sent a startling zing of electricity up his nerves.

"So what do you think about all that?" Four asked.

"Uh... " wild stared into his bowl of food that he hadn't eaten any of but had spent all of luch stirring. Thwre was an awkward silence for a moment as Wild tried to collect his thoughts but gave up.

I don't feel good," Wild answered. Nobody said anything for a moment and then Wind spoke.

"Wait what?"

Sky came in front of Wild and looked him up and down.

"How do you feel bad?" He asked.

"Tired. Can't think. I feel weird all over."

"Are you hurt? Did you hit your head?" Twilight asked from the other side of the circle.

"No and no."

"He's probably just nervous about whatcwe're asking him to do," Lenelgend said.

Sky put a hand on Wild's cheek. It was so warm and Wild leaned into it. He didn't even realize how cold he was. Sky put another hand on his forehead and Wild closed his eyes for a moment.

"You are quite warm," Sky said with concern.

"Is he sick?" Wind asked.

Sick? Wild wondered. Is this what being sick felt like? This was awful.

"Just our luck," Legend sighed. "This complicates things. What happened to your superior immune system?"

"Uhh..." wild couldn't think of anything to say so he just laughed then blushed with e.barrassment.

"Oookay something's drfinitely wrong with the Champion," Legend said.

There was more conversation around Wild, followed by people moving around him, but his mind slipped to somewhere faraway and underwater until someone gently shooke his shpulder.

"Hop up Champ," Warriors said sympathetically and patting Epona's side. "This isn't a good place to camp so you and Sky and Four are going to head back toward the lake."

Something didn't add up about that, but Wild didn't argue. With Warriors to steady him, he climbed up onto the horse and Sky took the reins. Warriors and the others left in one direction but Sky and Four led him and Epona in the opposite direction.

"What? Where are they...? This is the wrong way," Wild's brain stumbled over the words.

"It's alright. Don't worry about it," Sky told him. "We aren't going far."

"But what are they... where are they..."

"We'll see them soon," Four added.

Wild didn't really understand but he trusted his brothers. All of them.

[miladyh]

Time Loop (Febuwhump 2024 - Day 11)

Summary: Time gets a poisoned wound in battle. Unfortunately, the antidote has some...interesting side effects. Rating: G to possibly PG Content Warnings: nothing in detail. Mentions of stitches, vomiting (no detail), and interesting medicine side effects.

Word Count: 8k

Ao3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54073882

Excerpt:

While Warriors was away, Four observed the older hero laying on the ground. He didn't like seeing him struggle like this. None of them did. It was...troubling to see someone you looked up to, someone who guided you, laid low.

The smithy had taken everything in silently. As the Captain returned and began wiping down Time's face, the two began to converse in hushed tones.

“He wasn't sick this morning. We all saw him, and none of us noticed anything out of the ordinary. He sustained a moderate wound in battle, but that was taken care of quickly. So why is he suddenly getting sick now?” Four rocked back on his heels as he rattled off these important points.

Generally speaking, Four was a logical being. He liked puzzles and he liked finding answers, looking over things with a critical eye in order to find the best solution. If there was one thing Four didn't like, it was an unsolved mystery, especially if it involved his companions' well-being. He stilled, and his face darkened as he looked up.

The other paused in his ministrations, fixing him with a look. “Do you know what's causing this?”

“No, but...” his brow furrowed. “I have a suspicion. Can I get a look at that wound on his side?”

Read more on Ao3!

[ohlookanothercartoontofallinto]

So started thinking about all the Sickfic I’m seeing and while I do think they are all adorable, and I love. I think you guys are missing the logical fact that the moment a member of the chain were to get sick. They would have to isolate Wind and Sky away from that member, for their own safety. 

Why because neither of them have natural immunity to probably any of the common place illness of the other’s Hyrule’s. Like honestly I would not be shocked if every time they switched Hyrule’s Wind or Sky became violently sick. What do they have? A common cold. 

Remember Wind grew up on a isolated island, that probably had the same established trade routes, so no new disease would be spread. Also due to the fact Hyrule was flooded, it probably killed off anyone who were sick at the time because they were all ready in such a weak state, they would be unable to escape the flood waters. Most likely in Winds world the most basic level illness are like the plague to them. 

Same situation with Sky, boy lives in the literal SKY! My guess is he probably does have a bit more immunity to illness then wind, only because I’m sure there were sick people on the island as it was being raised up. Also during his time on the surface he probably built up more to. 

However, both boys have limited to no exposure whatsoever. Then you look over there at little survival boy Hyrule, who I’m pretty sure is patient zero for some diseases. So yeah, all it would take is any of the other boys to get a cold or stomach bug, and if Wind and Sky are espoused, it just wreck them. No doubt scaring the rest half to death because that’s not normal. At the very least if they both get sick sky and wind can comfort each other. 

However being isolated from the others probably is very frustrating for Wind, because he’s a big bro and needs to take care of his sick brothers. To bad if he does it could kill him. 

[bokettochild]

Sicktember Day 2!

(Yes I know I'm late)

This one was for me. i got the idea on Friday so I had to do it. I'll be back with more requests tomorrow!

[hyah-lian]

Ao3 link here!

I was feeling really bleh today and slept on qnd off a lot(I overdid it and went way past my comfort zones and limits yesterday), so yesterday and today's prompts are still blank. I did write one for Sick on Vacation a bit ago and I want to post it early bc I'm not sure if I'll have time tomorrow. I hope you all like it. It'll stay on tumblr for now, but I'll update to ao3 once I feel more capable.

Lowkey also some sunburn, but not counting it for the prompt bc I have another idea for that Frostbite/Sunburn one. Wind and Four and Granny! Set up: Wind woke up sick the day after they landed on his home island, and is confined to the lowest bunk in the house with cold cloths to fight the heat and fever.

Does it count as a vacation if you're at home?

---------

Four pushed open the window’s shutters and popped his head out into the sun filled day.

“Hey!” They whisper-yelled, “quiet it down, or move along!” 

Wind whined and slammed himself back into the pillows. Four turned back and raised an eyebrow at the sailor. The chatter of the rest of the chain outside on the sandy clay path heading to the beach filtered in past Four with the sea breeze.

“I can’t believe it! Its so unfair!” Wind scowled, squinting at the thatched ceiling. He knew he was whining, but couldn’t help his voice pitching while he was so busy trying to stop the spinning room and rocking head.

“Nothing ever happens when we come to Outset,” he scrubbed at his eyes. Damn it. “Its always sunny, and fun, and nothing happens, and-!”

“Settle down, Link,” Grandma petted back his bangs from his roasting forehead. She tossed Four a sly wink, “your friends, here, are going to want some cheese to go with that vintage whine of yours.”

“Gramma!” Wind rolled his eyes in an exaggeratedly wide arc as she laughed into the kiss she placed on his forehead.

He laughed anyway, and Four smiled along. Their face stung with the sunburn, but chapped lips be damned. Wind smiled despite his own chapped lips and poorly appearance. Four wrung out and passed a new cooled facecloth to Grandma.

“Thank you, Four,” Grandma smiled over at him after plopping on on Wind’s forehead, “do you want anything for that burn of yours, dear? I’m grabbing our esteemed pirate some more ice and some ingredients for dinner from Beedle’s float, so if he’s got anything you boys need, I can get it.”

“No thank you, ma’am, I think what we’ve got in our bags is alright for now.”

“I bet you Wild and Sky are gonna swim out to his dingy and torment him without us,” Wind pouted.

“They shan't be dear,” Grandma patted Wind’s shoulder, “Beedle has set up on the dock lately. With you gone on adventures nobody swims out to meet him anymore.”

Wind rolled over to face the wall, sniffling. Four didn’t dare mention the watery look in the sailor’s eyes. It felt a bit like prying to be sitting in the small house with the family while Wind was upset like this.

“I want to go swim out to his boat and torment him.”

“I know,” Wind’s grandma rubbed his back a little more roughly than Four thought one should do to someone who is laid up with a fever. “I know. You will.”

“I can go get those errands done for you, if you’d like? I think if I borrowed a hat with a brim it would be okay-” Four offered.

“No, no,” Grandma stood up and started making her way to the door, “it’ll be good for these old bones to move around. And it’ll do you both good to keep out of that sun and heat today.”

[skyloftian-nutcase]

Last sickfic! Can you believe that September's over?

Mood music that helped inspire the writing :)

Voted Sicktember prompt - Time cares for a delirious Warriors

The room was bathed in a warm, orange glow, but it couldn’t be colder. The light of candles danced merrily, but he couldn’t feel more somber.

Hands trembled as they reached out. Illness, the stench of it, ripped through the air.

The golden locks, usually fluffy and perfectly tamed, lay in tangled clumps, plastered to too hot skin. Lungs that usually bellowed with laughter or barked sharp orders were wheezing, pitifully letting air try to move through restricted passageways.

Since when had such battle-hardened warriors been bested by such an invisible enemy? Since when could a war go to a standstill as his army fell apart from the inside? He couldn’t let this happen, but he couldn’t do anything to stop it.

The once proud, tall warrior looked so small in the bed. The dependable captain had fallen, succumbing to something he couldn’t combat with a sword. A small part of Time squirmed in painful, righteous anger – of all the ways to die—

Pale, blue lips, sunken eyes, wheezing and vomiting. His troops were dying. His troops were dying and he couldn’t do a damn thing.

Warriors shuddered, eyes staring off into the void, his mind lost far, far away. He hadn’t slept in nearly four days due to his illness, and it was finally taking his mind as a result. Time did everything he could to soothe the captain’s anxiety as he tried once again to prop himself up in the bed. He’d already fallen twice getting out of bed – that was when the eldest Link had decided to stay in the room with Warriors. He couldn’t be left unsupervised, even in the safety of his own ranch.

The men looked to him for help, for answers. He couldn’t provide any. General Impa wasn’t here, the princess wasn’t here. It was just him and Lana, and she was doing all she could but—but it—

It wasn’t enough. And she was beginning to grow ill as well. And they couldn’t lose her.

“Help,” Warriors whimpered, confused eyes glistening with tears.

“I’m here,” Time immediately whispered, taking the younger man’s hands in his own. “I’m here, Link.”

They were all going to die. He couldn’t do anything to stop it. Would he die too? Was this how the Hero of Hyrule was destined to fall? He hadn’t even defeated the enemy. Would an illness take him? Would he disgrace his destiny in such a manner? How many lives would be lost because of it?

“I’m sorry.” The captain’s voice broke, actively crying. He stared at the ceiling. Time could only imagine who he was apologizing to.

“It’s okay,” he soothed, brushing hair out of the man’s face. “You’re okay. Don’t apologize.”

Warriors’ gaze remained distant. Wherever he was, Time couldn’t reach him. But he would try, blast it. He would try.

What if they all die because of me? What if… what if I don’t want to die?

I… I don’t want to die.

A sob choked with a cough, and Warriors’ face turned red as he gagged on phlegm and spit alike. Time stood, quickly turning the captain to the side so he could cough up whatever was stuck in his throat. The door to the bedroom creaked as the others peeked in worriedly. When Twilight caught Time’s eye, the elder shook his head, and the younger retreated, herding the others away.

The flame on the nearest candle flickered from Time’s movements and nearly went out. Time held his breath as he watched it a moment, hand on Warriors’ back. The flame pulled left and right, nearly extinguishing. Warriors’ breaths rattled as if death itself were stealing air from his lungs.

The wick slowly burned, flame settling in a stubborn pattern of gently rocking to and fro. Warriors took a deeper breath. Time released the one he’d been holding.

A hand brushed Time’s knee, and he looked down to see Warriors trying to crawl out of bed again, halfway off the mattress. Time bent down, hands wrapping around his arms just under his shoulders, and gently pulled the young man back to the center of the bed.

“Link,” Time said gently, kneeling to be at eye level with him. “We’re at the ranch. You’re safe. You’re very sick. You need to stay in bed.”

Soulless eyes stared into his own. The face was far too pale, the chest far too still. Would they all look like this? There wasn’t even blood. He was used to seeing blood.

Eventually the wick would burn to its end. Eventually the gentle light in the room would vanish. Would it last the night? Would it hold on to whatever it could grasp, burning away at what little remained? Would it stubbornly cling to life until the sun could rise?

“Captain,” Time said, louder. “Captain, come back to us.”

Warriors’ hand snaked around Time’s wrist, making the elder jump slightly.

Everything was so far away. So quiet, muffled, like he was buried alive. Goddess above, he didn’t want to die, please, he didn’t want to die. Not like this. Let him die on his feet, in battle, like it was meant to be.

It was meant to be like that, right?

“Help,” Warriors pleaded, eyes almost seeming to look at Time for the first time all night.

Time’s heart and stomach clenched. “I’m trying, Link.”

The candle abruptly went out.

Time’s head whirled to the nightstand, an irrational fear gripping his soul, and he immediately felt out for Warriors, who was trembling.

“Captain,” Time said warily, holding the man tighter. “Come on now, Link. Talk to me.”

Warriors grew still.

“Link,” Time pleaded, shaking him.

A warm glow filled the room alongside a cool breeze. Time blinked tears away, his distress hidden in the darkness that was quickly receding, and he saw the others in the doorway once more, a candle in each hero’s hand.

Twilight entered first, eyes flicking between Time and Warriors, face stony. The others filed in behind him, expressions far too eerily familiar to the night Time thought he would lose his descendant.

No one dared say a word. Time’s death grip on Warriors slackened only a hair, land he looked at the ground, unable to offer the others any comfort. The flames flickered brightly in the quiet night, holding the darkness at bay, encasing Warriors in light.

[somer-writes]

If you’re in the mood for a sickfic, your loyal fan would love some sick/hurt twi being taken care of by malon and time content💖

yeah!!!

enjoy a bonus chapter for A Breeze From the South!

being sick in the summer is such a weird experience but also napping in bed on a summers day is a weirdly nostalgic thing for me

heres malon doting on her New Boy XD

[skyward-floored]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/43380480

In a group of nine heroes, when one of the Links gets sick, it’s only a matter of time before the rest follow.

The RATHER LONG sickfic is finally done! Please enjoy the entire chain with the flu ✌️

(@silvercaptain24)