#post totk

[boomxyzu]

She can’t remember anything, but he will remember her every day how much she means to him.

​

what if Zelda doesn’t remember anything after her dragonification.

>>1<<

>>2<< you are here

>>3<<

[achiepy]

Rest easily

[mmmn-thirsty-for-vinegar]

Another Post TOTK design idea

Man how far my boy has fallen from being a silent royal knight

Also, RIP my boy Warriors- taking a metal prosthetic to the face

And before you say anything, my boys are dumb ass hell and have never seen a robotic prosthetic before so they just thought it was a weird piece of armor

The are Heroes of Courage not Wisdom your Honor

Plus small headcannon that Wild has bitten Gannondorf at some point during their fight

Edit: I FORGOT HIS BLACK ARM MARKINGS

[sehaniine]

zelda is proud of her hair braiding abilities and link is happy to oblige

[ginger375]

Snippet Sunday

Post-TotK, the Chain learns about Wild’s new ability he learned from the Yiga

He hadn't meant for his brothers to find out about his new skill that way.

Wild still hadn’t told them everything about his second journey. Not that he didn’t want to, but there was so much that happened, he couldn’t always recall certain things until something reminded him.

Like when his sword broke and rather than wasting time pulling out a new one he just used the Earthwake technique he picked up from his infiltration of the Yiga Clan to force a bokoblin away from Four so he could get a better swing at the monster.

He may have forgotten to mention said infiltration. And his learning of said technique.

“Okay, explain it to me one more time,” Twilight said as he paced in front of his wayward brother. “Just so I have this right.”

Wild looked to the skies as if some deity would swoop down and save him from this conversation, but none did. Figures. “I found a Yiga costume on my travels—“

“Right.’

“—And I used it to get into their hideouts—“

“Uh huh.”

“—and they offered to teach me the Earthwake technique.”

“Because your little disguise was that convincing?”

Wild rolled his eyes.”Obviously.”

Twilight was practically vibrating between wanting to wrap Wild in a hug and never let him go and throttling him for doing something so dangerous. Fortunately, Time came to Wild’s rescue, sort of. “What exactly did you have to do to get them to teach you this technique?”

Wild bit his lower lip and mumbled an answer.

“Sorry, what was that?”

“I passed the blademaster exam, okay?” Wild exclaimed as he preemptively winced at the scolding he was going to get. When it didn’t come,he opened an eye and peeked at his companions, who were all gaping at him with varying looks of incredulity.

After several agonizing seconds, Twilight finally found his voice. “You’re a Yiga Blademaster?” He asked slowly.

“I mean, technically yes?” Wild shrugged.

Twilight took a deep breath. “That is—“

“—SO FUCKING COOL!” Wind interrupted as he barreled into Wild. “Can you teach other people?! Can you teach ME??”

“Uhhh…” Wild spared a glance at Twilight’s paling face and Time’s stern glare. “Maybe some other time.”

[wild-dagon]

Sometime I think about totk taking place after the Linked Universe adventure finishes.

Wild is 17 in LU. I don’t know if it’s official cannon but most works I’ve read have Wild join the chain around two weeks after his official quest ends.

So with that in mind Wild is with the chain at 17.

Totk takes place about 6 years after Botw. Making Wild and Flora around 23.

So let’s say Wild went on his adventure with the chain. Who knows how long it takes 1 year? Three years? Who knows but they all have to part ways when it’s over. Maybe the mailman can run in between timelines still but they can’t.

Wild’s back in his ear helping Flora rebuild. It’s going well and he’s as happy as he can be with out his family.

But then TOTK happens. The story goes as it does and it ends with Flora returned to her Hylian form.

Flora who has traveled to the distance past once. Flora who had 10,000 years + as a dragon to have her powers grow. Flora with a sacred stone of time.

Maybe Flora as she watched over all the prior ears saw some of the Chain and their adventures. Maybe she saw Lullaby and Time’s adventures with the Ocarina. Or maybe once she’s back she works really hard to master her time powers.

Either way she decides to surprise her knight with a trip. A trip through time.

Flora was always a little jealous that Wild got to meet and learn from other hero’s it’s her turn to meet other Zelda’s. She rationalizes trip to Impa this as an opportunity to learn how best to help her kingdom from the Zelda’s who came before. And if Wild gets to reunite with his family well that’s a bonus. (In reality this is the only reason they are going)

What have the others been up to during their time apart?

Has Sky and Sun gotten married?

To Time and Malon have kids yet?

Has Twilight found pieces of the mirror or has he moved on with his life?

What is a grown up Wind like? Has he established New hyrule yet with Tetra?

Does Four still travel or has he settled down and running his own blacksmith shop? What of Shadow?

Has Hyrule found peace or is he still being hunted?

Has Legend finally moved on from Marin (maybe with a certain merchant?) is he still adventuring or has he been able to let go and relax?

What is Warriors life like with no war? How will Cia handle multiple Links and Zelda? Traveling through time?

It’s so fun to think about. You can make it super slice of life where Flora is hang out with the other Zelda’s while the Links reunite. Or you can add a driving problem and plot.

You can make it so only Wild and Flora can move through time. But where’s the fun in that. Obviously not all the Zelda’s can travel but you can bet Sun and Tetra are all over this adventure.

I personally think Flora and Wild’s first stop is the period of Twilight to pick up their wolf.

What do you guys think.

[breannasfluff]

Sky meets Wild’s gaze steadily. “What did you have in mind for a challenge?”

“First to yield?”

“That’s fair. Weapons?”

“Non-magical; otherwise, whatever you want to use?” Wild is adept at a multitude of weapons, a skill he’s counting on swaying the fight in his favor.

Sky nods and retrieves the sword he’s been using for dueling. “Any combat rules you want to institute?”

“No.” Wild has no qualms about fighting dirty if needed. Keeping to the rules doesn’t keep you alive. As long as he doesn’t go Hyrule’s route of overzealous attack, he should be okay.

“Time, will you count us in?” Sky holds up his sword and steps into the clear area near the trees where he dueled before.

Wild doesn’t move from his spot on the shifting sand. Instead, he taps the pad and withdraws Urbosa’s scimitar and shield. He could try a spear, but the scimitar is a unique shape the other hero likely hasn’t encountered.

Sky frowns—either at the weapon or that Wild hasn’t moved—grabs his shield from the pile of gear, then nods to Time.

“Three, two, one…start!”

Wild stays exactly where he is. Sky raises his sword and shield and paces the hard ground. The Master Sword is long and, while it can be wielded with one hand, two make it easier. To hold it easily as well as a metal shield? Sky’s strength is clear.

Finally, Wild edges a little closer, still sticking to the shifting dune sand. Sky is forced to leave the hard-packed ground to meet him. It’s a good strategy for Wild—he’s trained with the Gerudo and spent a lot of time in the desert.

Sky’s stance is firm, but there’s an uncertainty in how he places his feet that has Wild surging forward. Rather than fight the shifting sand, he lets his body relax into it. The continual shifting is an advantage against the enemy.

Their swords clash and scrape. Sky goes to break away, but stumbles in the sand. Wild is there, pushing his shield against the other hero, trying to throw him back.

Sky might have stumbled, but he’s not so green as to go down under the attack. He holds Wild off with his own shield, shifting to get his footing under him. When they disengage, Sky follows it up immediately with a vicious downward cut.

Wild catches it on his shield, grimacing at the shriek of metal skating off. Sky stays on the offense, raining blows without giving him a chance to counter. The sand is still a slight hindrance, but he adjusts quickly to the terrain, and the tenuous advantage is lost.

Wild skips backward, putting space between himself and Sky. They’ve made it down to the firm-packed sand of the beach. The rest of the group range in a semi-circle; watching, yet not so close as to be a hindrance.

Sky circles Wild and both look for an opening. If the terrain isn’t his advantage, maybe Wild can capitalize on his scimitar.

This time when they clash, Wild focuses more on his swordsmanship. The scimitar is different from a sword and has two hooked arcs at the end. It’s shorter than the Master Sword, forcing him to move in close.

Sky lets him, rather than fending him off with length. It makes his sword harder to control up close. It also means he can lunge forward and slam his shield into Wild.

He goes down with a grunt; rolling to avoid a follow-up blow and coming back to his feet. He turns the motion into a forward lunge, hooking the scimitar of seven against the master sword. With it trapped in the hooks, it only takes a sharp yank to send it flying from Sky’s hand.

Wild doesn’t give Sky time to retrieve his weapon. Dropping the shield, he scoops sand and runs at the other. At the last second, he throws it, blinding Sky before using the flat of the blade to smack into his shoulder.

Sky yelps and goes down. 

Read the rest here! Reblogs appreciated.

[the-depths-au]

Zelda never returns after the battle with the Demon King. Link is determined to bring her back, no matter what it takes or where it takes him. So when the Light Dragon starts to dive into the Depths, which have remained dark and uncharted since the Gloom faded away, he prepares to descend as well.

the depths

a post-totk bad ending au.

Rated M: CW for mature themes, violence and blood.

beta-read by the amazing @zeldaelmo ❤️

[previous]

chapter 2 excerpt

The Forgotten Temple isn't particularly dangerous, but Link never likes to stay long. He’s spent the majority of his life venturing into places much worse than this–underground caves swarming with monsters, a castle dripping with poisonous rot, the belly of a labyrinth filled with hostile guardians–but everything about it just feels wrong. The moss and the decay and the heavy taste of mineral in the air suggest it’s been here for a very long time, likely built into the earth itself as Tauro surmises in his notes, but it feels out of place to Link. A temple of the Goddess at the bottom of a treacherous gorge? The largest recorded statue of Hylia hidden in the dark? He’s no architectural expert, and he doesn’t know how it would even be possible (then again, there are islands in the sky and an entire underworld beneath his feet), but it feels like the Forgotten Temple was once somewhere else entirely, transplanted into the canyon wall, and eventually abandoned.   

Read the rest on ao3!

[archerlullaby]

There aren’t enough TOTK comes back to the Chain fics out there so I figured I would write one. Hurt/Comfort, some angst, and some self-worth doubts. TOTK Link needs a hug tbh. Also, This is a Zelda slander fic, though I don’t directly hate her she kinda gets on my nerves in totk. MY BOI IS JUST SO TIRED LET HIM SLEEP PLZ.

Weariness and Worth

He was just so damn tired. He tried to be patient. He tried to put on the “Hero Façade”. But his resolve had begun to splinter with each passing moment alongside the princess.

He dragged his feet to the nearest cooking pot as Zelda strode purposefully up the Lookout Landing staircase. As soon as she got her wits about her after falling from the sky, she vehemently insisted that Purah is the first one she needed to see. It had only been a few hours since he had dragged her out of that lake, his body aching from his fight against the literal incarnate of evil, and the first thing she focused on was how she was home. How she needed to talk to Purah. How she needed a change of clothes. How she, who was a dragon for 10,000 years thank you very much, would like a good, hearty, home cooked meal, so Link, could you whip something up while I talk to Purah, please and thank you? He sighed, and all but collapsed at the edge of the fire, eyes starting to close of their own accord. The others in Lookout Landing all but ignored him, the Princess taking up all the attention while she smiled and waved as the individuals around her practically worshiped the ground she walked on.

“You look pretty worn out there son,” the elderly stablemaster chuckled, startling Link out of his stupor. This old man was the only one not rushing to greet the princess, and is instead settled a couple yards away from the cooking pot, his gnarled walking stick leaning against the inside of his knee. Link did his best to give him a smile, but only came up with a strangled-looking grimace. In the very least, he was grateful somebody at least acknowledged him. The stablemaster sighed.

“If only I was younger, maybe I’d have a chance with the young lady. I used to be something of a hero myself back in the day. Now all I got are my horses and these old bones!” He laughed, rapping a knuckle against his knee. “You are one lucky young man!”

Link’s grimace turned into a scowl. Yet again was he fooled into thinking someone cared about him. How naive of him. He stood and turned away from the old man, taking the Purah Pad from his hip. After stoking the fire, he decided on meat and rice balls. However while flicking absentmindedly through the Purah Pad for ingredients, he felt a very deep, sharp ache slam into his ribs. The pain gnawed at him like a wild beast, quickly buckling his knees and knocking the wind out of his lungs as his butt hit the ground. He gingerly felt around his chest, and came to the conclusion that becoming a dragon’s chew toy probably wasn’t the healthiest thing for ribs. He chuckled darkly. At least his shining sense of humor survived. The amusement was short lived, however, and tears pricked the corner of his eyes when he realized he used all his healing potions during the fight against Ganondorf, and that nobody, not even the stablemaster a stride away, cared enough to come to his aid. Everyone was so enthralled with that Princess. He fought the urge to bury his face in his arms and cry because he’s the Hero, the Chosen One, the Sworn Protecter of the Crown. Instead, he gathered himself quietly, stood, clipped the Purah Pad back to his hip, and hobbled out the southern gate without barely a glance towards the gathered crowd.

It had been an hour when he finally stopped walking, or rather, when his legs gave out and he flopped to the grass. The sun was just touching the western edge of the world, dew and darkness creeping into Hyrule Field as crickets began to sing. He knew he should go somewhere safer, somewhere where the wolves and the monsters wouldn’t catch his scent, but he could hardly keep his eyes open, and the smell of the earth and grass was so encompassing that he couldn’t bring himself to care about the danger. So instead, he closed his eyes and peacefully listened to the sounds of the coming night. That is, until his thoughts caught up to him. Coward, they called him. Abandoning duty for some pitiful, self-absorbed notion that he should be recognized, awarded, for accomplishing that for which he was destined to accomplish. These thoughts swirled through his head and screamed in his ears until he thought he would be deafened by the voices themselves.

That is, until the familiar and oh-so-welcome sound of time and space being torn open met his ears. Link blearily stumbled to his feet, and was met with the sight of a portal suspended in air just to his right. It couldn’t be. It shouldn’t be. He’s Link, he doesn’t get this type of fortune in his life. He felt like he could cry as he tripped over his feet and fell just a step away from the entrance, the burn in his side stealing away his breath. He only paused for a moment as he considered what this meant. He would disappear again, the people of Hyrule clueless as to where he went. Zelda clueless as to where he went. He bit back a bitter smile. She’ll just have to find him this time. Perhaps it was cruel, but he found that he couldn’t bring himself to care. So, on his hands and knees he dragged himself to the very edge and lurched through the swirling colors.

It was so warm, so gentle, so peaceful to just lie floating in the darkness. This didn’t feel like the icy cold waters of the shrine of resurrection, nor was it similar to the dark and damp cave he woke up in on the sky islands. No, this felt like a warm, thick wool blanket wrapped itself around his body, a soft embrace. Perhaps it was the downy feathers of the soft bed in Rito Village. Or maybe, Link mused, this was the water bed at the Seabed Inn in the Zora Domain. Sidon had spoke about a warming technology for the beds Kayden was trying to develop. Whatever it was, Link wanted to stay in it forever. Unfortunately, this peace was cut short.

“Cub? Wild, please look at me.” A familiar voice cut through the fog as he started to come around. His body changed from warmth to and almost refreshingly cool, as if aloe had been spread over a burn. A gentle magic encompassed him, one that was similar to Mipha’s, though less like a bubbling stream and more like that of the sun in the deep woods. He sighed, and snuggled further into the comfort that called to him. “Cub. CUB. Link!” Something tickled his nose, and it quickly pulled him away from soft darkness and into an irritating light. He blinked his eyes open all the way and was met with the welcome sight of a face donning a single black mark upon his forehead.

“Twi?” He muttered, voice raspy from lack of use.

“Oh, Wild, what happened to you?” Twilight asked, voice thick with emotion. Wild opened his mouth to reply before Twilight shook his head. “It doesn’t matter right now. All that matters is that you’re okay.”

“Damn right. You fell through that portal and straight into Time’s lap. You’re lucky he wasn’t wearing his armor. You would’ve ended up with a concussion to add to your broken ribs!” Several chuckles came from the group, and a hearty laugh rang from Warriors. Hyrule, with his hands alighted on Wild’s side, looked pleased with his joke. Twilight merely shook his head and brushed his hand through Wild’s bangs. Wild had a thought to bat the hand away, but the worrying felt so good, so needed, that he found himself leaning into the touch, and, as Twilight continued his ministrations, Wild couldn’t help the tears that began to leak from the corner of his eyes for a second time that day. He brushed them away quickly and palmed his eyes.

“Sorry. M’fine,” he said gruffly, “Help me get up please.”

Twilight opened his mouth to protest, but Wild was already trying to shuffle himself out of Time’s lap when large hands, one on his forehead and the other on his shoulder, gently pushed him back down.

“Rest, Wild. You have no need to push yourself now. Your family is here to care for you,” Time’s voice rumbled from his chest, soft but demanding.

“But—”

“No arguing.”

Wild relented, and settled back into Time’s embrace, eyes feeling heavier than he would like to admit. Though despite the welcoming tendrils of sleep that curled around his consciousness, he couldn’t find it within himself to give in, not yet.

“What’s the matter, Cub?” Twilight still knelt next to him and Time while the others had begun to set out their bedrolls. Wild merely shook his head.

“It’s just-” he swallowed, “I’m afraid if I fall asleep, everyone will be gone when I wake up,” he whispered, embarrassment turning his head and closing his eyes so the others couldn’t see his face. “That always happens to me.”

He shouldn’t be saying this. He’s the Hero. The Savior of Hyrule. He doesn’t get to show weakness. Wild doesn’t want to open his eyes and see what surely must be disappointment on Time’s face, or disgust in Twilight’s eyes. Only a gentle warmth along his side breaks him from his thoughts. He looks down hesitantly and is met with the wide eyes of Wind, who has taken residence tucked along Wild’s hip, an arm thrown across his chest. The youngest gave him the biggest smile he could muster.

“It’s okay to be scared. I promise I’ll stay right here until you wake up in the morning. Even if you snore,” Wind said, and snuggled closer into his side. Time shifted, lying down close as Twilight tucks his pelt under Wild’s head.

“We all will,” the eldest reassured. It was only then Wild allowed himself a small smile. The doubts still ate at him, but they were lessening in their ferocity. The tiredness he felt before settled deep in his bones, an exhaustion so deep it slowed his breathing and finally closed his eyes, and finally, finally, he could sleep.

[tearsofthekingdomcountup]

144 Days since Tears of the Kingdom Released. Happy Wednesday my dudes (yeah I know for many it’s probably Thursday already.) Good time zone be upon ye.

I have something I gotta say about the TOTK ending.

LINK’S ARM ISN’T FIXED. Nope nope nope and nope. In my heart of hearts, Link caught Zelda with his only remaining hand and then later they made him a cool shiekah prosthetic. I take no criticisms… actually fuck that the only other options I accept are goes through life without a prosthetic because he can fight perfectly fine with one arm or he just keeps Raurus arm forever. Yoink it’s his now. Also Zelda is forever changed so sometimes her eyes go all dragon like and she gets like scales when she uses her powers and her teeth are sharp. Zelda with permanent fangs. There I said it. Maybe horns too.

[bahbahhh]

For this who voted yes to “bad ending” Link

The Depths AU concept art

[boomxyzu]

“I missed you, my brave and courageous knight. I missed you, my Link”

[wouldyoustilllovemeifiwasawyrm]

The Gem of Hateno

The grass underfoot made no noise; heavy boots stepped silently through the glade. The rays of the afternoon sun filtered down from the thick canopy of broad-leafed trees. An inhale, held in the nose. Tall antlers poked out of the underbrush; wild, curious eyes peeking out, scanning the forest for threats.

One arrow nocked. Another dozen in a quiver at his hip. The bowstring groaned softly in his ear as he pulled it taut, lining up the shot.

Exhale.

The buck let out a half-strangled cry of surprise as the arrow lodged itself in his forehead. A loud thump shook the ground as the animal fell.

Silence once more.

Link crept through the grass and bushes, careful not to get himself tangled in any stray climbing vines that snaked across the forest floor. He stopped where the buck fell, whistling low to himself as he counted the points on the antlers. Fourteen. His best one this week. A quick scan of the buck solidified his estimations. He’d get a good price on this one. The muscles were thick, and the pelt unscarred.

Grabbing the buck under the front legs, Link hoisted it onto his shoulder. The antlers dangled back and forth as he walked it out to the edge of the forest. A black-dappled horse nickered as he approached. Foxes and ducks hung by ropes on the saddlebags – the morning’s hunt.

Link clicked his tongue in reply, grinning at his companion. He patted the white part of its neck before tossing the buck across the horse’s hips. “Not bad, huh, Spot?” Link secured the buck with ropes, giving them a few tugs to ensure their strength. He climbed onto Spot’s back, taking the mount’s reins and turning them back toward the village. A distant bell chimed, its hollow clanging ringing through the valley. He counted four tolls.

The children would have gone home two hours ago. Dantz’s shop will close in an hour. Link grinned to himself, remembering the last time he walked up that hill at five. Dantz saw him coming a long ways off and stood at the edge of the farm with his arms crossed. “I should have known I wouldn’t get to close up early today.” The older man huffed, shaking his head. “There is such a thing as being too good of a hunter, you know.”

Thadd waved as Link rode in through the gate. “What, not a Bokoblin this time?”

Link laughed. “’Fraid not. Why? Seen one?”

Thadd shrugged. “Not personally. Met a traveler earlier who said there was a camp near the Cliffs of Quince.”

Link raised a brow, his grip on the reins tightening. It would take two hours to ride out that way, even at a moderate clip. He’d have to drop off the haul first…

Thadd waved his hands. “I’m sure there’s no need to go bolting off that way now. It didn’t sound urgent. A couple of red ones, no more than three, and they didn’t even notice him on the road. He just heard them squealing up on top of the cliff.” He scratched his chin. “If you do go hunting them tomorrow, I know a few of us are interested in joining you. Don’t head off too early without us.”

Link nodded, half-listening. Just because monsters weren’t a present problem didn’t mean they wouldn’t be a problem later. Too many travelers had fallen prey to even the weakest ones on his journeys. The monster control crews couldn’t be everywhere at once. Toren’s crew last sent word from Akkala two weeks ago. Some Bokoblins escaped the raid. Maybe they moved further south…?

No, that would have head them through the Domain. They wouldn’t have made it past Sidon’s patrols.

“Link?” Thadd’s voice cut into Link’s thoughts. “Don’t tell me you were really thinking of heading off there tonight.”

“What? No, no…” Yes. Link shook his head. “Only three red ones?”

“That’s what the guy said.” Thadd replied, crossing his arms.

Link chewed the inside of his cheek. Yeah. It could wait. He flicked the reins, bidding Spot to walk on. “I’ll meet you in the morning.”

Three Bokoblins. He could dispatch them by himself. But if anyone wanted to join the hunt, he wouldn’t stop them. They might come across something more dangerous lurking the caves. He’d flushed out as many as he came across on his travels, but that was no guarantee that nothing else moved in since then. More swords would be helpful – just in case.

The sounds of the village surrounded Link down the main road. Children ran through the fields, laughing and playing, swinging around sticks like swords and axes. Shopkeepers called out to tourists and locals alike, advertising their wares. CeCe’s mushroom fabric brought as many new faces to town as the rediscovery of cheese did. Though both of these influences paled in comparison to the real gem of Hateno: Princess Zelda.

His heart still swelled. Scouring every inch of the Depths and Sky, awakening the Sages, facing the unimaginable ancient evil that slumbered for so long beneath Hyrule Castle (twice, he might add)… it was all worth it to see her bright smile when she finally came home to Hateno. And while he thought himself the most excited to see her safely return, his own enthusiasm could not compete with the combined exuberance of her students.

The very same who now ran in front of his horse!

He pulled back on the reins just in time to avoid trampling Azu. Spot whinnied in surprise as the boy whirled around, seemingly unaware of his own near-imminent injury. The boy jumped back and dropped his stick, his eyes wide.

“S- sorry, Mr. Link!” The boy stammered, his face turning red.

Sefaro snickered from the side of the road, having darted across earlier. “Some hero you’ll make, Azu! Heroes don’t get trampled by horses!”

Link patted Spot’s neck, assuring him that the boy wasn’t a danger. “Usually, anyway. You okay?”

Azu’s face still burned red, though he met Link’s gaze. “Yeah. We were playing Heroes and Monsters. I guess I got a little carried away being the hero…”

“Guess which one I am!” Sefaro called out, making his best monster face, baring his teeth and shaping his hands like claws. “Rawrrrr!”

Link tilted his head. Not any monster that he knew. Bokoblins didn’t roar, if that could be called a roar. Lynels roared, but they didn’t use their claws. The stance resembled a Bokoblin, hunched over at the hips. “Even monsters watch out for their friends.” That was a lie, but it got the point across.

Sefaro had the decency to look almost ashamed for leading his playmate into the road. The boy frowned, dropping his monster-pose. “Yes, sir.”

With a nod, Link flicked the reins again. Spot walked on.

Dantz looked up as he heard Link’s approach up the stone-lined road. The man wiped his hands on his apron and stepped out from around his shop stall, crossing his arms and looking the younger man up and down. “Well now, what have you got for me?”

Link pulled back on the reins, bidding Spot to stop so he could dismount. “One buck. Three foxes. Four ducks.” One skillful tug at the rope and the knot came loose, freeing the buck to slide off Spot’s back and into Link’s arms. He raised a brow at Dantz, glancing behind him to the hooks where other game was being drained and processed.

The older man scratched his beard. “Don’t worry about hanging it. I don’t have the room for something like that at the moment.” He gestured toward one of the goats, dried scarlet staining white fur down its neck. “I’ll take that one down tonight and put the buck in its place. You can set that down on that spare table there.”

Old wood groaned as Link set the buck as carefully as he could on the wobbly surface. He’d offer to repair it himself, out of courtesy, except the last time Link tried to help build or repair anything without Ultrahand ended with a chunk of birch in his palm. He flexed his hand at the memory. At least that wasn’t the new one… He didn’t know whether to thank Hylia or Rauru or both, but he was glad to have his own flesh back. Even if the powers were pretty useful.

“Eh, these are a little scrawny…” Dantz commented.

Link turned, glaring at Dantz.

“I’m just saying!” Dantz replied, shaking his head. “These foxes are probably out-competing each other. Fox meat’s already tough enough as it is. These aren’t worth preparing for sale.”

The three foxes, lined up next to one another on Dantz’s work table, did have a little less flesh about the ribs than usual. The foxes that darted through Hyrule Field, and especially those in Tabantha, always fetched a good price. Hateno foxes… not so much.

“The ducks look good, though.” Dantz continued, examining the wings and weighing the birds in his hands. “I’ll give you ten each for the ducks, fifty for the buck, and five for the foxes. Their pelts are still worthwhile.”

Link considered the offer. Fifty for the buck? With antlers like that? “Seventy-five.”

Dantz gawked. “You messing with me? No way I’m doing seventy-five. Fifty’s more than fair for this animal.”

“The meat and pelt, maybe.” Link replied. He took hold of one of the antlers at the base, showing it to Dantz as if it escaped the man’s notice. “These alone are worth thirty.”

The older man ground his jaw, reluctantly considering the antlers. “Hmph. Sixty.”

“Seventy.”

“Sixty-five.”

“Deal.” Link stuck out his hand, grinning broadly at the much-bewildered Dantz.

The butcher shook his hand, clicking his tongue. “Who woulda thought the hero would be such a haggler?” Dantz released Link’s hand, heading toward the farmhouse door. “The princess placed an order for sausages this morning. I’ll send you back with those, too.”

Link leaned against one of the stall’s support pillars, looking out at the pastures nearby. Cows and sheep lazily grazed bright green blades of grass, lowing and bleating to each other. Tokk, ever on his stool beside the apple tree, dozed in the shade, occasionally pretending to keep a watch on the sheep by opening one eye before resting his head again on the bark. The pond rippled and shimmered in the afternoon light. Birds chirped and sang, flitting through the orchard. Were it not for the stench of blood, it would have been quite a pleasant afternoon. The occupational hazard of butchers and hunters.

Dantz returned shortly with a sack weighed down with what Link assumed must be sausages, given the shape of the lumps inside. After handing the sack to Link, he offered a silver rupee. “Sixty-five for the buck, thirty for the ducks, and fifteen for the foxes, minus ten for the sausage.”

Link opened his mouth to protest that there was no way he was actually selling venison sausage for ten rupees, but Dantz cut him off before he got the chance.

“I’m sure the princess is waiting for you, Link. I’ve got work to do on what you’ve brought me, and standing around arguing about it isn’t going to put dinner on the table any faster for either of us.” Dantz, despite the dismissal in his words, still held a twinkle of teasing his eyes.

With a huff of annoyance and resignation, Link pocketed the rupees. He would discuss the price of sausages with someone. Either Dantz or Zelda. Ten was ridiculous…

Spot started trotting away as soon as Link mounted him again, snorting the smell of the shop out of his large nostrils. The trip back down the road and across the bridge always went by faster with a lighter load, and Spot’s eagerness to get back home rivaled only Link’s. Hay, salt, and a cozy stall awaited one, and for the other…

No matter how many times he rode across the bridge, Spot’s hooves clopping onto the wooden planks, he never tired of the sight of the front door swinging open.

His heart leapt into his throat.

Her blue eyes sparkled behind wind-teased blonde hair, her radiant smile lighting him up from the inside out. Her lean frame, dressed in the plainness of a Hateno apron with a streak of Champion blue about her waist, stood as a goddess amongst mere mortal trappings.

Five months. For five months he’d had her back, thanked Hylia every day for her smile, her hand in his, her laugh in his ear, her wit, her sweetness, her intelligence, her beauty, her.

Zelda.

Goddess above, when she turned that lovely smile on him… he could forget.

“Welcome home, Sir Knight.” Her old pet name for him rolled so easily off her tongue and into his soul. “How was the hunt?”

“Good.” He answered, hopping off Spot a little quicker than he probably should have, almost stumbling to keep himself upright with the jolt of impact that lurched through his bones. His cheeks warmed, especially as she laughed softly. “Ah, I’ll put Spot up for the night.”

“I’ll be waiting inside. Have you brought the-?”

Link held up the bag, which made Zelda’s smile even more. He’d bring her sausages every day, even if they cost fifteen rupees.

“Excellent. I’ve this new recipe I’d like to try.” She took the bag from his hand, her soft fingers brushing against the scars on his knuckles. “The East Wind had Goron spice for sale today.”

Link’s heart could practically melt just standing in her presence, and almost broke when she waved him into action. Such sweet tragedy, to leave her for a moment to put Spot away. He imagined this is what a puppy feels like when its owner closes the door – he didn’t think he whimpered like one too, but there was always a chance.

Fresh hay and water from the well filled Spot’s troughs. Link led his horse into the stall, locking the door into place once the tail finally swished inside. Their evening ritual nearly complete, Link plucked a ruby-red apple from the tree behind the house and held it out in his flat palm for Spot to take.

“Beats mountain-climbing, huh?” Link joked as Spot sent sloppy chunks of apple tumbling to the grass. “Get some rest. Bright and early tomorrow to get those Bokoblins.” He patted Spot’s nose once more for good measure before heading inside.

The smell of sizzling sausage wafted into his nose as soon as he opened the door. His stomach growled loudly, which alerted Zelda to his presence before he even said a word to her.

Zelda merely laughed, a tinkling bell in his ears. “I’m glad you’re hungry. I probably made too much.” She stirred something bubbling at a rapid boil around in the pot on their stove.

Sausage. Goron spice. Tomatoes. And… he gave the air a curious sniff. Fresh bread? She doesn’t bake… A quick glance at the table confirmed. No, she didn’t bake that loaf. The tell-tale flower-shaped scores gave away the true origin: Prima.

Link plopped down on the stool by the door, tugging off one boot at a time. His feet ached from the day’s work; the freedom afforded by just his stockings a much-needed relief. Maybe he’d gotten soft in the months following the battle. He marveled at how he used to climb mountains and swim rivers day in and out without needing much rest at all. And that time he’d jumped into the Depths and emerged with sackfuls of Zonaite, amazed to discover a whole week had gone by without sleep or sunlight. Now, he was spoiled. And, if he really thought about it, probably gaining a little weight. He curiously pressed a hand against his own waist as he watched Zelda cook, muttering recipe details to herself. A measure of flesh gave way under his fingertips before a layer of hard muscle. Yep. He was spoiled. And he was more than happy to let Zelda spoil him as much as she desired. Goddess knows he does the same for her.

With the boots kicked off by the door, Link joined Zelda at the stove, watching her progress with intense curiosity. “I thought you didn’t like curry.”

Perhaps another would assume that the redness in her cheeks emerged from the heat of the cooking. Her blue eyes darted toward him a moment before looking away. “Yes, well… I wanted to try it again. Tastebuds can change over time, you see. And it has been a long time since I’ve had it. Tens of thousands of years. I might as well give it another go.”

“Mhm.” Link kissed her blushing cheek, his heart beating faster at her smile. “Do dragons eat curry?”

“I don’t know what dragons eat. If they eat at all. They’re immortal. They probably don’t need to.” She frowned, the question tumbling over in her mind. “Which doesn’t make any sense at all, if you think about it. They fly around constantly. That must have been exhausting. And yet I don’t think I- they ever ate anything. Where do they get the energy, I wonder? Some connection to the goddess? Not to mention the harvesting of dragon parts. Those scales and horns do break off sometimes and-“ She stopped suddenly, looking very intensely into Link’s eyes. “Darling, did you… harvest from me?”

Now it was Link’s turn to blush. He laughed sheepishly, rubbing his neck and glancing anywhere but her accusing eyes. “What? No! That’d be so disrespectful!”

Her princess-y eyebrows knit together, her lips pursed. “Hm. A shame. I have no doubt that such concentrated divinity would have been extremely useful to you in your task. There’s no telling what sort of energy could have been channeled through even one scale.”

Link blinked, too stunned to speak.

Zelda spoke enough for the both of them. “It’s of little concern, I suppose. I don’t know how I’d feel about seeing a shard of my former self. I wonder if it’d be like a piece of broken nail or a fallen strand of hair. Inconsequential, you know?. Though it may be much more than that. Maybe there’d still be some divine radiance about the shards. If the other dragons can impart elemental energy to their scales, those of a light dragon would have abilities yet untested. By me, at least. Necessarily.”

He couldn’t keep the goofy smile off his face as she talked herself through a theory. A new chance to marvel at her intelligence presented itself with every dawn. He could listen to her talk for hours about science and speculation. The way her eyebrows worked and her lips pressed together and her tone shifted in pitch as she considered different angles of a problem. “You’re my divine radiance.”

“Ah, oh.” Zelda blushed again. “Thank you. And you’re my…” She scrunched up her nose, trying to think of something clever and poetic. “Darling hero.” She nodded to herself, confirming her best effort at romance.

Despite himself, Link snorted a laugh in response. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve heard all day.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled his head against her neck. “And I’m not just saying that because you’re cooking delicious food.”

“Hm.” Zelda hummed softly, resuming her stirring. A new sound rose in her chest, vibrating through her body and into his. A soft tune, only loud enough for the two of them to hear, warbling only when Link kissed her neck and her breath caught.

He missed her. He missed this. Humming her songs to himself when he cooked was a poor substitute for her voice. His arms tightened around her. Meals tasted better with a song, she’d said. He’d hummed so many in her absence. He hummed clinging to her fur as she wound a slow pace through the skies. He much preferred her like this, where he could wrap both arms around her and hold her and kiss her and listen to her song jump whenever he nibbled at her ear. Soft fur and a gentle glow were nice, he supposed. A poor substitute for the real thing.

“Link, I…” Zelda paused her song, her voice just as quiet in speech as music.

“Hm?” He pressed his lips to her jaw, trailing kisses down her neck and to her shoulder. Her chest expanded with gathered breath. He loosened his grasp to accommodate.

“I need to ask you something.” Her tone held a note of seriousness that made Link look up, breaking him out of the trance she’d put him in. “How would you feel if… a child lived with us?”

The question stunned him. A child? Which one? For how long? That was quite a question! Are their parents that desperate for a break? He couldn’t blame them. He’d probably be exhausted and looking for someone to take the little menaces off his hands for a couple days too. “Not Sefaro.”

“What?” Zelda turned in his arms, facing him. The wooden spoon slid, forgotten, into the curry. Well shit. He’d have to grab another from the wall rack. “No, not Sefaro. A… a different child.”

Link released his princess, getting another ladle off the wall. The length of this one wouldn’t fall into the curry so easily. The other kids didn’t annoy him so much. Sefaro was the odd one out. The boy had threatened to dye Link’s hair in his sleep, and Link wasn’t sure the kid wasn’t capable of carrying it out. As long as it wasn’t Sefaro… “Sure. When? For how long? I promised Thadd I’d go monster hunting tomorrow morning. We won’t be back until late, so I can’t watch-“

“Forever.” Zelda interjected, nervously pulling at her apron strings.

Link nearly dropped the spoon from his hands. He frowned, setting it down into the bowl before answering. His estimation was right. There was no way that would fall into the pot. “Are one of the kids in danger?”

Zelda shook her head, biting her lower lip. “No. I’m not speaking of the children you know.”

Not a child he knows…? “Zel, I’m not following. How can I agree to watch a kid I don’t know? Doesn’t that seem a little unsafe to you?”

She was never very good at hiding things from him. Though he didn’t recall much of his previous life, he knew the way she shifted when she didn’t want to admit something she was ashamed of. The way she balled her fists before mustering the courage to speak. For the years after the Calamity, he’d seen it so infrequently that he wondered if she was still capable of such hesitation. And yet here she was, in their kitchen, trepid as a newborn foal. He wracked his brain to think of why she would suddenly stop trusting him. Had he done something to weaken that trust? Granted, he did let her fall into a crumbling pit of darkness and get sucked into the ancient past and turn into a wyrm. But other than that, he was a model husband!

Her lips parted, and her blue eyes met his. “I mean… a child of our own.”

His heart slammed inside his chest. Could she hear that? There’s no way she couldn’t hear that. All the water left his mouth in an instant as he pieced together what she was trying to convey. He tried and failed to produce words several times, his brain short-circuiting without forming a coherent sentence. He finally managed to eek out a cracked “Really?”

His princess nodded, taking his hands in hers and… placing his palms against her stomach. “Really.”

He couldn’t help it. His gaze stayed transfixed on his hands, broad against her waist. A soft waist, tied round with Champion blue. An odd lump rose in his throat as he tried to process it all. A child. Their child. His and Zelda’s. Their. Child. A real actual honest to Goddess baby.

“Holy shit.”

“Link!” Zelda snapped. “That’s not exactly the response a lady wants when she tells her husband that she’s pregnant. Something a little more refined or reverent even would be more appropri- Mph!”

Link’s mouth slammed against hers, suddenly desperate for her again. His arms snaked around her shoulders, sliding down her to waist and pulling her as close as he could manage. A baby. A baby! No other thoughts jumped about his mind so much as that single word. Not even the delicious scent of curry could pull him away from her. And when he felt her nails gently combing across his scalp, he needed nothing else in the world to be so incredibly, incandescently, perfectly happy. He thought Zelda was all he ever wanted. All he ever needed. And yet, a baby? Their baby? He’d considered it, as a distant possibility, many times. Among other idle daydreams that kept him going on endless nights of restless travel… Yes. He’d imagined this. He’d imagined holding a toddler’s hand and teaching them to walk. Correcting a child’s form as they held a sword or pulled back a bowstring. Carrying a little Zelda on his shoulders as he traveled. All of these were fantasies. Were fantasies. And every single one, in a moment, might become real.

He pulled back, his desperation for her giving way to his lungs’ cries for air. He sucked in a warm breath, unable to keep the grin off his face as he leaned his forehead against hers. “I love you.”

The pads of her fingers traced small shapes at the nape of his neck, her pinky curling around the tiny hairs that escaped his ponytail. “I love you, too, my handsome knight.” She placed a quick, closed-lips kiss on the tip of his nose. “So much.”

His heart might give out right here and now, with how hard it beat against his ribs. He’d faced down white-maned Lynels with less adrenaline in his veins! He laughed softly, as it seemed the only way to diffuse the excess mirth that bubbled out of his chest. “So, what now?”

“Now?” Zelda repeated, a little confused. “I guess we prepare. Starting with-“ She gave the air a sniff. “Oh! Stopping the curry from burning!”

[delinkquent-archives]

Linked Universe Daily fic idea #26:

Sky and Wild are told to go get firewood for the chain. On the way there, Wild shyly tells Sky about how the master sword broke. Before letting him finish, Sky gets angry and yells at Wild. He pushes a little too far.

Optional material:

Post-totk Wild, mention anything you want about the master sword or Totk, BAMF!Sky, etcetera. (Anything you want to add)

No credit necessary.

[karakulialiny]

Surprise, surprise! Dragon siblings are back and got a little redesign, so they look more like the Light Dragon.

I originally created AU, where Zelda is a half dragon, and she has hybrid babies with Link just to troll people who think it’s a great idea (below @redundantz sketches with hybrid Zelda from Instagram) and show them how much cringe their dreams actually are. But then I realized one thing: such transformation makes my ZeLink kiddos much more original than anyone else's. I’ve traveled across different fandom corners, and I’ve noticed that a lot of ZeLink fankids have similar designs because artists were inspired by each other. Even Mark’s design (blond boy with a tail) was based on Ferisae’s Daphnes. But the dragon features help him to stand out somehow.

Moreover, this AU would show how much Link loves Zelda. He wouldn’t care if his girlfriend was half-beast. The main thing is that she is close to him, can communicate with him, and hugs. After all, it is still better than the scenario from @bahbahhh Linktober comic.

But if you're not satisfied by this modification, I completely understand why. These three have normal forms that you can see here.

{Previous drawing] [Next drawing}

[ginger375]

LUtober Day 18: Thrill

See the full collection on AO3.

“It’s called the Isle of Courage. Seemed fitting.”

Sky nodded and smiled. It was a joy to have Wild back with them after his abrupt departure, and while it was astonishing what happened to his Hyrule, the appearance of actual sky islands had Sky’s heart singing.

They were much higher than any of the other surrounding islands, at least as far as Sky could tell. The air was so crisp and so much thinner than down on the surface. Sky took a deep breath and felt his lungs fill properly for the first time since they were last on Skyloft.

“How’s that feel?” Wild asked with a knowing grin.

“Incredible,” Sky said with relief just dripping from his voice. As much as he loved being on the surface, nothing compared to being in the clouds. “So what exactly was thus island used for?"

“The constructs said it was a challenge for Zonai when they came of age. They had to dive from here and hit the pool below within a certain time.”

“And that’s how you got the bird suit?” Sky asked, gesturing to Wild’s ensemble. He was wearing an outfit that looked like an imitation of a bird, with what appeared to be wings attached to his arms that connected to the back of the suit. In theory, it would likely help him glide as he fell from the sky.

“It’s the Glider Set,” WIld said as he held the mask up to his face. Sky laughed at the green goggle eyes and beak of the mask. Wild chuckled before putting the mask away in his slate… pad… whatever he called it now. “Sooooo, wanna race?”

Sky’s eyes lit up. “Oh you are so on!”

“This one doesn’t have any obstacles, it’s just straight down,” Wild said as he pulled Sky back to the start line. “Think you can beat me down there?”

“You only visit the sky, Wild. I was born to it,” Sky said with a wry grin. “Ready set go!” he shouted before taking off to the edge and leaping into the abyss.

Sky didn’t hear WIld’s shout of protest once the wind started rushing past his ears. He instinctively shifted his body into the proper position to take the fall, arms and legs spread so he could see the pool below. His clothes rippled from the wind resistance as the thrill of falling returned to him in a way he hadn’t felt in ages.

Gods, he’d missed this.

He heard a holler above him – Wild was starting to catch up. Sky maintained his position; fancy glide outfit or not, Wild hadn’t been doing this since he was a small child. He saw a figure start to appear in his peripheral vision. They were about halfway down now and Wild was shifting into a dive.

Too soon, Wild child.

Sky held his position for just a biiiiiiiit longer, watching Wild get ahead of him. The Champion seemed to realize he’d dove too soon and tried to adjust, but he was too late. Sky shifted into a dive and watched as the pool rushed up to meet him.

He broke through the water with a decent splash and let himself just exist in the water for a moment. Another body joined him underwater a few seconds later.

Sky broke the surface of the water with a joyful gasp. He treaded water as WIld came up for air.

“Guess that settles that?” Sky asked with a laugh. Wild returned his laugh and made his way to the edge of the pool.

“I bow to the master,” he said as he climbed out of the pool. “Next we’ll go check out the low-gravity islands, they’re super fun,” he added as he gave Sky a hand.

“The what?!”