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attllhak · 3 years

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Adoption AU - Wild and Warriors: The Epic Quest For Taco Bell at 3 am

@tortilla-of-courage so you mentioned you’d be interested in my Adoption AU one-shots, and now that things have calmed down in my house a bit I figured I’d post the first one-shot I wrote; the one about Wild and Warriors going for a Taco Bell run. Theoretically, I was going to do a one-shot for each grouping of boys, as an introduction, but I don’t think that’s happening anymore. Either way, here’s the first thing I wrote!

(And, anyone else who would like to be tagged if/when I post more for this AU, let me know here and I’ll make a list or something)

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“anyone know any good substitutes for love and personal fulfilment?”

Warriors sent the tweet without much thought. He didn’t actually care about an answer, he just felt like venting about his most recent break up in a vague way, and thought he was being funny. He could already see Legend rolling his eyes.

His phone dinged a few times, one reply from Twilight, asking why he was up so late (which he’d responded to with the same inquiry, which had Twilight going silent), one from Legend mocking him, one from Hyrule trying to actually help. He was surprised how many of his brothers were up at this hour.

He dropped the phone on his bed, rubbing his eyes. He wasn’t actually all that tired, probably a consequence of having all afternoon classes and a habit of leaving his work to the last minute. Eh, the first year was supposed to be mostly parties anyways. (Not that Time would ever find out he said that.)

His phone dinged again and he groaned, eying the clock and the small bottle of melatonin next to it. 2:43 am. He should sleep. He didn’t have anything tomorrow, he finished his last final earlier that afternoon, though, so a few more minutes couldn’t hurt.

He picked up the phone and woke it up again. He blinked a few times at the new reply.

“crunchwrap supreme from taco bell”

He ignored Twilight yelling at Wild for being up, as apparently Wild did have a final tomorrow still. Not that Wild was paying any more attention.

He snorted, hitting the like button on Wild’s tweet and clicking off his phone. He reached up to stretch, yawning as he did. He eyed the melatonin bottle again. Technically, he didn’t need the supplements to sleep, but with how messed up his sleep schedule was, they did help him knock out when he planned on sleeping at a reasonable hour. This wasn’t a reasonable hour, but sleepiness hadn’t set in yet either.

Before he could decide, his phone lit up with a text notification. He tilted his head back and pointed his phone down to look at instead of dropping his arms.

Gordon Ramsey 2:44 am

lets go

Warriors blinked once. Then again. He unlocked his phone to type back.

what?????? go where?????

A second passed when he got a reply.

taco bell

for your substitute for love

since you got dumped and need something

oops was that too soon

sorry

Warriors blinked at the screen again. Wild lived twenty minutes away from the university Warriors was attending, and the nearest Taco Bell was no closer. Plus, Time had revoked Wild’s driving privileges after he crashed his bike into the barn and broke both and his arm. There was no way Wild was getting to the university, much less a fast food joint. Especially at this hour.

and how do you plan to do that? You aren’t allowed to drive yet Mr. Broken Arm

you have a care

*car

That was a very good point.

you are suggesting that I drive 20mins outside of town to pick you up, drive another 20mins back into town, then drive around downtown until we find an open taco bell, at 3am on a school night before you have a final?

There was a few seconds pause, just long enough for Warriors to consider that he’d given up on it.

we wont be driving all over town

i googled it and found one

its like 10mins form your collage

*from

*college

Warriors considered that.

twilight won’t be happy

only if he finds out

Wild made a very good point.

how do you plan to get out of the house without him noticing?

i have a window war

The response was so immediate, and he was probably sleep deprived enough, that he burst out laughing when it sent.

20mins

He clicked his phone shut and shoved it in his pocket, grabbing a jacket and his scarf on the way out of his room. He was struggling to shrug them both on at once when he realized his roommate was still up too. There was a tense staredown as their eyes met and they both froze.

Volga broke the standoff by closing his book. “And where are you going at this hour?”

Warriors considered that. “My brother bribed me with food to break him out of the house,”

“At,” he glanced at his watch, “two forty-nine am?”

“Yes,”

The silence was tense.

Volga sighed and opened his book again. “Don’t crash and die, I’d hate to have to get a new roommate when I’ve finally gotten used to you,”

“Don’t burn the dorm down while I’m gone,” Warriors joked back, finally getting the fabric to work with him.

“It happened once, and it’s not like you’re any better at cooking!”

“I don’t set what I make on fire, and then freak out and throw it when blowing out that fire doesn’t work,” he grabbed his keys from the dish by the door and waved behind him.

“It happened once, Link!”

“And it’s why we order out now,” he grinned, ducking out the door. “See you later, Volg, be back in an hour or so,”

He could hear Volga’s angry shout through the door, so hurried down the stairs to the ground level as quickly as he could, before Volga woke their neighbor again.

He was still giggling when he got to the parking lot. Volga was just too easy to rile up.

The cool night air woke him up a little more so, and he took a deep breath as he located his car. A hand-me-down vehicle, he inherited it from Time when he was old enough to drive. Mostly this was so he could stop asking everyone else for their cars when he wanted to go somewhere. A little elbow grease however, and no one could tell it was at least 20 years old and not fresh off the lot. He made sure none of his brothers were allowed to drive it, especially after Wild got his bike stuck in a tree, or Legend crashed into a lake, or Twilight picked up drag racing, or Wild got his bike stuck on the roof, or Hyrule lost his car, or Four rolled his truck, or Wild and the barn literally last week. A lot of the crashes in the family came from Wild going ‘oh yeah? Watch this!’ now that he thought about it. It was a miracle he still had the same bike.

The twenty minute drive to the farm was pretty boring, nothing of note really happening.

He turned off his headlights as he pulled into the drive, not wanting to wake anyone, especially Time, up. He shot off a quick text to Wild when he parked.

A window opened and Legend’s head poked out to glare at him. His phone dinged.

Royal Pain 3:12 am

what are you doing here?

He glared back at Legend and typed out a response.

taco bell run

Legend glanced down, presumably at his phone, then back up a Warriors with an incredulous expression.

at 3am????

and if so why are you /here/????

Warriors pointedly looked around the house where Wild emerged from the bushes. Said brother grinned and popped open the passenger door to climb in.

“Hey,” he grinned. His hair was a mess, with at least two visible sticks stuck in it, and he was still in his sleep clothes. Despite this, he seemed fine.

“Legend has us made,” Warriors nodded to their brother, who was still glaring with his head out the window.

Royal Pain 3:15 am

twilight won’t be happy about this

Warriors frowned, trying to shield his phone from Wild as he typed back.

twilight won’t know

Warriors did not like the look in Legend’s eyes as he got the next text.

unless i tell him

Warriors glared up at his brother, working his jaw.

what do you want?

He hated the pleased grin Legend shot him.

the most expensive thing on the menu on your dime

fine

Warriors shoved his phone away with a growl, flipping off the overly smug Legend as he put the car in gear. “Asshole,” he muttered.

“What was that about?” Wild asked.

“We’re buying him food too now,” Warriors growled, flicking back on his headlights.

“Oh, cool,” Wild leaned back into the seat and pulled out his phone. “So the Taco Bell we’re going to only has the drive thru open, and it’s just off main street,”

Warriors nodded, focussing on the road and not that Wild had found the aux cord.

About thirty minutes later, as Wild finally turned down the music to provide directions, he snapped and turned to Warriors mid direction. “Do you want to sign my cast?”

Warriors blinked. “Maybe when we stop, I’m not crashing to sign your cast right now.”

Wild nodded, and pointed across Warriors at the street they had to go down.

They pulled into the drive thru and ordered, then had to wait for the very expensive thing Legend wanted. Warriors turned to Wild as the car idled.

“Do you have a marker?”

Wild blinked at him, then brightened up and offered out a sharpie and his right arm. The cast, under the signatures and well wishes of their family and all of Wild’s friends, was painted in very poorly drawn flames. Warriors raised an eyebrow as he searched for a clear spot to sign.

“Hyrule painted it for me,” Wild explained with a grin.

“Ah,” Warriors hummed as he finally tracked down an empty space by Wild’s elbow.

He scrawled out his name, not much room for anything else, and then handed the capped sharpie back to Wild while he twisted around to accept the food from the drive thru worker.

He shot off a text to Legend to let him know they had his food, alongside an upset emoji. Legend sent him a devil face emoji back. Wild dug through the bag for his food, sharpie stuck in his hair alongside the twigs, which seemed to be multiplying.

Warriors rolled his eyes and pulled back onto the road.

At some point, Wild pulled the wrap out and handed it to Warriors, who ate one handed as he drove. Wild was right about one thing, the wrap did taste very good.

He pulled into the drive of the farmhouse, headlights off, just as he finished off the wrap. He phone dinged the second he put the car in park.

Royal Pain 3:58 am

where’s my food bitch

Warriors looked up to the window where Legend was leaning out and glaring at him.

Wild laughed at the surly look on Legend’s face, climbing out and taking the bag with him. “I’ll feed him,” he promised, grinning. “Thanks for the trip, War!”

“No problem,” Warriors grinned back. “Just make sure you get to bed once you’re inside, so Twi doesn’t suspect in the morning,”

Wild gave him a thumbs up. He shut the door a little too hard, making Warriors wince, and bounced up to throw the bag up to Legend. Legend caught it the second time, when Wild opted to use his not broken arm to toss it, and disappeared inside again. Warriors’ phone dinged again a few seconds later.

Royal Pain 4:00 am

thanks pretty boy

your secret is safe with me

for now

Warriors rolled his eyes and sent him a thumbs up back, then pulled out of the drive again to head back to campus. He was actually starting to feel tired now, so he figured he’d get home and just crash. It’d be like, 4:30 in the morning by then, and he was pretty sure Volga would be asleep. And if he wasn’t, they had a rule that after 4 am until 7 they were allowed to ignore each other, so it’d be fine.

Volga was asleep when Warriors snuck in, passed out in a chair with the book on his chest. Warriors took the sight in, then sighed.

He dropped his keys in the dish, then pulled off his jacket and scarf to hang in his room. He grabbed a bookmark off his shelf and wandered back out to pull the book off of Volga’s chest and set it down so the spine wouldn’t crease. He left Volga like that, however. He didn’t want the books to get damaged, but if Volga was dumb enough to fall asleep in the common room without a blanket, then he deserved what he woke up with.

He was very lucky that Warriors was too tired to find a sharpie.

He fell asleep before remembering to take off his shoes.

(---)

The next morning, so about noon, he was woken by Volga pounding on the door to put his phone on silent.

His phone buzzed on the desk next to him and he pulled it off and up to his head, hitting answer before looking at the contact.

“Hullo?” He slurred, still half asleep.

“Twilight knows,” Legend greeted him.

“What?” Warriors sat up, groaning as his back complained from sleeping on his stomach all night. It took a second for his brain to catch up.

“Twilight knows,” Legend repeated. “Hyrule sold you out, unintentionally, and I can hear him selling you both out to Time,”

Warriors blanched as the words registered. “Oh shit,” he threw himself out of bed, hissing as he realized he slept fully dressed, and scrambled for the things he’d need in order to flee. “How long?”

“Twenty minutes if you get lucky and Wind pulls through, less if not,”

Warriors cursed under his breath as he changed his shirt and tried to make it look like he hadn’t been sleeping in what he was wearing. “Thanks for the heads up, I’d say I owe you but,”

“You’d rather not owe me,”

“Yeah,”

“Look, if you get caught and cave, I go down too. This is self-preservation. Don’t cave and we’re even.”

“Got it, I won’t,”

“You better not,” Legend hissed. “Good luck,”

“Thanks,” Warriors nodded, even though Legend couldn’t see him.

He tossed the phone on his dresser as the line went dead and he went about trying to comb through his hair so he looked presentable.

A hard knock on his door came a few seconds later.

“I put my phone on vibrate, Volga!” He shouted through the door. “You can drop it now!”

“Link?”

Warriors paused, then opened the door. Lana, Impa and Artemis waited on the other side, Volga glaring at them and hovering behind them.

Warriors blinked dumbly at them. “Uh, hi?”

“Hi Link! Good morning!” Lana grinned and waved at him.

“It’s noon,” Impa reminded the group, eying Warriors up and down.

“Oh, right,” Lana nodded, then went back to grinning at him. “Good noon, Link!”

He snorted and shook his head to clear it. “Good noon to you too, Lana. Can I ask what you’re all doing here?”

“We were hoping you’d join us for something,” Artemis smiled at him, also looking him over, trying to find whatever Impa had picked up on. “We’re going on a small road trip since all our finals are over, and we were planning on hitting a few different cities over the week,”

“Mhm,” Lana nodded quickly. “We’re leaving today, and are taking no calls until we get back, and we’re camping in the car, which is why we’re using my van, and we were hoping you’d come with us,”

“I’m in,”

The three girls blinked at him. Maybe he answered too fast, but taking no calls, meaning no contact with his family, for a week gave them time to move past this, and he really didn’t want to deal with a lecture from Time. His friends just offered him asylum, whether they knew it or not.

Impa narrowed her eyes. “What happened with your family?” She asked, already onto him.

“Nothing that’s my fault,” he responded, ducking back into his room. “What should I bring with?”

Lana listed off what they figured they’d take and he pulled out a suitcase, nodding along as he started packing. He fired off a text to the group chat as he grabbed his jacket, tossed over one arm, and wrapped his scarf around his neck.

World’s Best Captain 11:39 am

Leaving on a road trip with some friends. Be back in a week, but I can’t take calls until I’m back. Don’t kill each other!

He put his phone on silent and slipped it into his pocket.

He might have a hellish text backlog when he got back, but it’d be better than the lecture from Time. And besides, he got to spend a week with the best girls he knew.

As far as he was concerned, everything worked out win-win for him.

Wild was right, the crunchwrap supreme from Taco Bell did work wonders in supplying love and personal fulfilment, even if not in the way he meant it.

He made a note to get Wild something as thanks while they were out. Maybe some crash pads. Goddesses knew that his brother needed them.

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itcantbe · 3 years

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Zelink Week 2021: Day 4

Hello and welcome to day 4 of @zelinkweek2021 (I remembered to tag it this time!). Today's prompt is "Trust: Broken/Forged." I tried to address both aspects in this chapter of "Under the Boardwalk." Just a reminder this story is rated M and will shift to E with the last chapter (but the E bit can be skipped if you want). This chapter takes place the night of the first chapter, if you're getting confused with the timeline. Yesterday's chapter took place sometime in the future. Enjoy!

chapter 1 | chapter 2 | Read chapter 3 on ao3

Under the Boardwalk: We'll be Fallin' in Love

Ice cream. Coffee. A movie.

“What’s in here?”

Dinner. Ice skating. Mini golf.

Link can’t help thinking of better date ideas than sneaking around the amusement park he works at after hours. He had hoped they might walk around a bit, Zelda would get her fill of the empty park and they could leave and go do something else. Though he holds out some hope that she might get a little scared, and maybe clutch his arm to her chest, crushing it between her breasts as she clings to him. He’s distracted by the idea for a moment, until he hears the rattle of a doorknob.

“Don’t — ! That’s an electrical room, it supplies power to some of the lights. It’s dangerous.”

“Then why isn’t the door locked?”

Link takes Zelda’s arm, hoping he can pull her away from the door plastered in signs that say WARNING! and DANGER! with pictures of little sad people surrounded by lightning bolts. He attempts a distraction.

“Why don’t we go look at The Molduga? We can sneak into the part in the middle where it’s like a little forest.”

He hears a little click before Zelda turns to him, flashing a brilliant smile that makes his insides go watery.

“Ooh yes! Let’s go!”

And then she does take his hand, and he feels a thrill, glad she can’t see the goofy grin that crosses his face as he turns to lead her into the park.

******

Link knew where there was an opening in part of the fence that surrounds The Molduga, the giant wooden roller coaster that’s the main attraction of Hyrule Castle Amusement Park. The Molduga has been the highlight of the park for decades, and over the years a mini-forest grew inside each of the loops and curves the ride takes as it sprawls around the north side of the park. Of course, they don’t want people going in there when the ride is open, so they put up a fence that surrounds the ride on all sides.

But the fence is nearly as old as the ride, and hasn’t been well maintained in all of its years of existence. Much like everything else at the park, regular maintenance was allowed to slide in the name of maximizing profits. The fence has developed several gaps and holes over time, and the wooded areas of the interior are a favorite place for park employees to hide out while on break, to have a smoke or a nip or just enjoy nature for a minute before you have to submerge yourself in the tourist hordes again. Link knows of a gap in the fence hidden in the backside of the ride, where the track runs by the main fence between the park and the parking lot.

Maybe she’ll get bored and we can leave, Link thinks as he leads Zelda there. Surely by now she has been satisfied with the relative spookiness of the park after closing and is willing to head off and do something that’s actually fun. He can barely see her in the darkness of this part of the park, the black ball cap she put on covering her golden hair, her dark shirt and pants hiding the rest of her. He had to admit he’d been hoping she would wear some night-time version of what she wore each time he saw her at the park, the little dresses that left her shoulders bare and showed off a lot of thigh. The dresses that often came to mind when he had some time to himself at night before bed.

He had been surprised when she arrived to meet him that night.

“You look … uh, you look nice,” he said, rather stupidly. She always made him kind of stupid.

Zelda saw right through him, smirking as he scrambled to seem gentlemanly despite his obvious disappointment.

“Well I don’t think strappy platform sandals would have been very practical for sneaking around, do you?”

No, but they did nice things for her legs and he liked the pretty pink nail polish she wore on her toes.

“I … uh … I guess not.”

He wasn’t an eloquent guy on the best day but this was getting pathetic. He was nervous, and she made him feel so flustered.

“Besides, this way I can blend into the shadows so we don’t get caught!”

She brought out a black ball cap with a flourish and put it on her head in one smooth motion before turning to him and winking.

“So let’s go!”

Link’s brain shut down when she winked at him, nothing but white noise for a moment, only coming back online once he saw her head off into the dark, and he scrambled to catch up with her.

Despite him being the supposed tour leader, it was Zelda who led him about the park, asking questions and taking off with “Ooh, what’s over there?!” so often that he felt like he was constantly just trying to keep up. He should be used to the feeling by now, he thinks. He’s always attempting to keep up, and never quite making it.

But this time he led her, pulling the fence open so that she could go in.

“Are there a lot of gaps in the fence like this?”

“Um … yeah. I only know about this one but there’s gaps all over. I don’t think they do a lot of inspections.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

“I guess.”

“Hmm.”

He followed her through, then took the lead again, hoping he remembered where the little clearing was that had the least amount of trash in it and had a fallen log they could sit on. It was a nice area, a little further in than most employees were willing to go, and so it was relatively clean and untouched. Maybe they could sit for a while. Maybe she would let him kiss her. Maybe she would kiss him. Maybe they could do a lot of kissing. Maybe she would push him down into the grass and let him run his hands up the inside of her shirt … Lost in his daydream, it was a minute before he realized she wasn’t behind him, and turned to see her jogging up to him.

“I stopped to tie my shoe,” she said by way of explanation.

“Oh,” Link said, confused. Why hadn’t she said anything? He would have waited for her.

“Just a bit more,” he told her.

He took a right where the tracks crossed each other, soaring a hundred feet over their heads, and followed the wooden framework that criss-crossed in a huge lattice to support the ride in the air around … and there they were. He stepped over a piece of the wooden framework that had fallen; there were a few of those around, pieces dropped off the antique ride frequently. Link realized what he’d thought was a log was actually one of the giant cross beams from the ride that had fallen who knows when and had grown soft and green with moss.

“Is this part of the ride?” Zelda asked as she sat next to him.

“Yeah, this ride is pretty old and parts fall off a lot.”

“That doesn’t seem safe!”

“Well, I’m sure they replace them.”

“When?”

How was he supposed to know?

“I dunno. I’m just. Sure they do.”

“Do they ever shut the ride down for any reason? Like for safety? Or if someone gets hurt?”

Link laughed.

“No, they never shut down the Molduga. It makes them too much money.”

She hummed thoughtfully at that.

It was a lovely night, the heat of the day having dissipated, a cool breeze soughing through the trees. Without the crowds of people, the noise of the cars and the roar of the rides, it was peaceful, the noise of the city distant and muted. It was, dare Link think it, almost romantic.

“Oh!” he heard Zelda exclaim next to him. “You can see all the stars!”

Link looked up. She was right, the sky twinkled with a number of stars that couldn’t be seen normally with the light pollution of the park and the city. He leaned in a bit closer to her. He could smell her perfume, the one she wore every time he saw her, the one that had rooted itself in his brain, that he thought he could smell every time he thought of her. Which was a lot. The scent pulled his attention away from the sparkling wash of the stars and back to Zelda, and he resisted the impulse to bury his nose into her neck and breathe her in.

“Zelda, can I k—“

“Do they ever shut down any of the other rides for repairs?”

They spoke at the same time.

“I’m sorry, did you say something?”

“Ah, forget it,” he mumbled, the moment gone. “Um, I don’t think so … Can’t we … can’t we talk about something else? Why do you even want to know?”

He could see her eyes widen in the dark as she looked at him.

“Oh … I was just curious!”

He’s struck with the realization that they rarely talk about anything else. Even before, when she would come and talk to him at his booth. Questions about the security at the park. About the rides. About the money. About Mr. Ganondorf, like Link would know anything about that. An icy tendril of dread began to worm its way through his middle, wrapping around his stomach and snaking its way up to his heart.

He stared at his hands, not really seeing them, but unable to look at her, either.

“You’ve been asking me a lot of weird questions. And wanting to look at a lot of weird stuff.”

Link began to feel very, very foolish. Foolish for ever thinking someone like Zelda would actually be interested in him. He should have known.

He squeezed his eyes shut tightly.

“What is this really about?”

Because it's not about me, is it, he thought.

He heard Zelda sigh.

“Link … I’m so sorry.”

He couldn’t help the groan of dismay that crawled out of his throat at her words, pushing his hands into his hair as he dropped his head onto his knees. He laced his fingers over the back of his head as if shielding himself from more disappointment.

It had been such a shitty year. After struggling through a few semesters of college, anxiety had finally gotten the better of him, and he dropped out when his grades slipped and he was in danger of failing. He had taken the amusement park job because it was easy, and he thought it might be fun, and it would keep his dad off his back. But it turned out standing in a game booth all day was really boring, yet also exhausting, leaving him with just enough energy to get on the bus home and collapse in his bed. Of course once he dropped out his student loans had come due, and all of his income went right into the payments. He had no degree, no goal in life, no energy, and no money. And no Zelda.

His voice was hollow and muffled as he spoke into his knees.

“Do you even have a sister?”

Her silence told him all he needed to know. Zelda had told him that her family had a season pass to the park and she was chaperoning her sister while she ran around the park, which is why she was there so much.

“No,” she whispered. “I’m an only child.”

Link sat up, covering his face with his hands as if he could hide from the truth. Zelda had been the bright spot of the summer, appearing at his booth one day like some gift from the goddess. She was so beautiful, and he couldn’t believe it when she came up to talk with him one morning, not long after he started working at the park. He had mumbled and stuttered, and yet, a couple of days later, she’d come back and talked with him some more. And then a few days later, again. Soon he was jumping at every blonde head of hair he saw, scenting the breeze like a dog seeking her perfume. It made coming into work bearable, almost exciting, the hope he might see her enough to get him through the day.

She had played him. She’d used her short dresses and big green eyes and played him for the horny idiot he was. Link felt like his heart was going to crack in half.

“Why?”

He jerked his hands away from his face and looked over to her. Zelda sat on the log next to him, shredding a dead leaf in her fingers. She continued to stare at her hands as she spoke, as if she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes.

“I’m a reporter with the Hyrule Star Fragment. I think something bad is going on in the park. I needed some way to get access to the inner workings of the park so I could gather evidence.”

“And I was that access.”

Link gave a bitter laugh.

“I should have known,” he said, as much to himself as to her. “I should have known someone like you wouldn’t really want someone like me. Well, I hope you got all the information you needed. I hope it was worth it.”

Link stood up to leave. He didn’t need to sit here and continue to be humiliated.

“Come on, I’ll show you back to your car.”

“Link, wait! Please, let me explain.”

He stopped, arms wrapped around his middle like he could hold all of his heartache inside of him. He turned around to look back at her, still seated on the log, face just a light blur in the deep shadows of the trees.

“Mr. Ganondorf is not a good person. This park is dangerous, and people are getting hurt.”

“So? What does that have to do with me?”

Zelda huffed in exasperation, then stood and came over to him. She stood close to him, so close he could feel the heat of her body. It seemed so intimate, like they were the only ones in the whole world, and he felt the stupid animal part of him react to it. He squashed it down and took a step back.

“People’s lives are ruined because they get hurt here and Ganondorf just covers it up. They are injured and he makes it out to be their fault and then they lose their jobs and their homes because of their medical expenses. That he should have paid for! The rides are dangerous and are in disrepair and it won’t be long before someone is killed!”

Link really didn’t want to listen. He didn’t want her to make him care. But the park employees talked. He’d heard some stories, stories about people getting injured, employees disappearing. He’d chalked it up to gossip, but maybe there was truth to it. Maybe it wouldn’t be long until he was next.

“I’m trying to gather evidence so I can write an exposé for the paper. Help people to learn the truth about this park and what happens here. But I can’t do it alone. I’m sorry I misled you—”

“Lied to me.”

Zelda sighed.

“I’m sorry I lied to you. I didn’t think … I didn’t think you’d want to help me. So I did what I thought would work. I didn’t think I’d …”

She dropped off there, leaving whatever she thought he’d do unsaid.

“You didn't think you'd what? You used me. How far would you have gone to keep me on a leash, telling you whatever you wanted? Would you have kissed me? Would you have fucked me? And then what, just dropped me once you got what you wanted?”

Link’s hurt and anger had boiled up so hot in him it made him nasty. He never talked like this to anyone, but it was as if all of his pent up rage at failing out of college, having to move back home, having his dad on his case at all times, had come pouring out. He hated himself more in this moment than he had all year. And he already hated himself quite a bit. But the words had been said and there was no taking them back now.

“No! I’d never!”

Link suddenly felt very weary, the rage flooding out of him almost as soon as it had filled him up.

“Then what?!”

Link had wanted to shout at her, but instead, his question came out as a quiet plea. His anger was quickly replaced with desperation. He just wanted to know how he fit into her grand scheme before they left the park and he never saw her again.

Zelda was silent for a moment, as if she battled over what to say to him. Or maybe she was just cooking up more lies to string him along some more.

“I didn’t think I’d actually like you,” she said, sounding defeated. “I thought I’d … I thought I’d just flirt with you, and ask you some questions, and maybe you’d show me around the park like you did. And once I knew where to go to get the answers I needed, I could disappear from your life and do what I needed to do.”

Link scoffed. He didn’t think his self loathing could get any worse but the way his heart lifted when she said she liked him proved him wrong. He just wanted so badly to have one right thing in his life.

“I hated lying to you, but by this time I didn’t think I could tell you the truth. I had planned to do as much as I could tonight and then …”

“And then drop me after that, right when I thought I had a chance.”

The fact that she wouldn’t meet his eyes confirmed that theory.

“Let’s just go,” he sighed, and started to walk away.

“Link, please!” she cried, and grabbed his hand. In his mind he yanked his hand out of her grasp and stalked away, indignant. In reality, he stopped, once again relishing the feeling of her hand in his.

“I promise, no more lies,” Zelda said, quietly and urgently. “But I do need your help. I need employee access into the park. Ganondorf cannot be allowed to continue to ruin people’s lives just to make himself richer. And I’ll try to make it up to you.”

He huffed a disbelieving laugh.

“How?”

“Let me at least buy you dinner, and I’ll answer any of your questions. And if you want to part ways after that, then fine. And if not … maybe we can do this together.”

He looked at her, her hopeful face bathed in the light of the newly risen moon. Despite the lies, despite all of the deception, he believed her. He still felt like he should say no, remain on his high horse and leave her behind, drop her just as she had planned to drop him, but as usual, he was weak to anything she asked from him. It was just one night, Link reminded himself. He wouldn’t have to see her again if he didn’t want to.

“Fine,” he said with a sigh. “But I pick the restaurant.”

Zelda exhaled in relief.

“Oh thank you, Link! I promise you won’t regret it!”

Before he knew what was happening, she’d leaned in and kissed him on the cheek before yanking on his arm and dragging him out of the trees, through the gap in the fence, and out of the park, all without being spotted by security, just as he’d said.

Link thought he probably would regret it. But in the end, he decided he didn’t care.

#zelink week 2021 #my writing #my fic #under the boardwalk #legend of zelda #zelink #zelink fic #modern au #theme park au #Poor Link #I'm sorry I enjoy making you sad #but it gets better I promise #zinkwink2021

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fatefulfaerie · 4 years

Text

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know”

Febuwhump prompt #10/28

Franchise: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of Wild university AU by the wonderful, magical @snickerduu like honestly don’t even read this just go follow them

Word Count: 1,454

“So,” Link said as he handed her the cone of ice cream he had bought her, a heap of strawberry ice cream piled on the top. “You’re a biology major, huh?”

His fingers had brushed hers as he gave it to her, but he tried not to blush, sitting down with his own cone packed with peanut butter ice cream.

“How did you know that?” Zelda asked with a smile. Link looked over with a similar expression, the natural upwards curve of his lips showing his happiness with his present company.

“The flash cards?” Link tried to remind her. “On the subway? Last week when we met. I trust you haven’t forgotten already.”

“Of course not,” Zelda insisted. “I could never forget my knight in shining armor, waking me up at the correct stop. I would have missed my exam if not for you.”

Link chuckled.

“And your shoulder made a pretty comfortable pillow, too,” Zelda continued, bumping Link’s shoulder playfully.

They both laughed before entering the tentative, pondering, and shy silence that comes with all first dates, licking their ice cream on the bench they sat. Link in particular was trying to find any topic of conversation to make him worth her time, but it seemed she beat him to it.

“What is your major?” Zelda asked.

“Undeclared,” Link said, turning to face her with on knee bent against the back of the bench and the other leg straight and dangling off it. “I’m sort of just going through the GEs while I figure out the answer to the big ‘What do you wanna do when you grow up?’ question,” Link chuckled and Zelda found herself absolutely loving the noise. “I haven’t exactly figured it out yet.”

“That’s okay,” Zelda said in reply, now facing Link as well, except her legs were crossed in front of her. “You’ll sort it out when the time is right. Do you have any hobbies? Things that interest you?”

“I basically play every sport under the sun,” Link said. “But that’s just because I like to keep active. It’s never been a career thing for me.”

“Honestly, I envy you,” Zelda said. “I find myself with a serious lack of hobbies at all. I suppose I lack the courage to try some.”

“I like cooking too,” Link said. “You could try that. It isn’t too hard and it’s like science…but fun.”

“Science is fun.”

“If you say so,” Link said just before Zelda grabbed the side of her arm with sudden and heavy breaths, eyes frolicking with panic and ice cream splattered on the floor.

“Zelda?” Link asked, a similar worry in his expression. “What’s wrong?”

Zelda was literally gasping for air, Link standing up and trying to figure out what was wrong with impatient, scanning eyes and timid hands.

“Bee,” she barely managed. “Allergic.”

“What can I do?” Link asked immediately.

Zelda shook her head, Link refusing to believe that he really could do nothing when she was literally dying in front of him. But that was exactly what she meant as she quickly rummaged through her small pastel blue purse with a golden chain still around her shoulder. She pulled out a small cylindrical object that Link had never seen before. Zelda aimed it near her thigh.

“Zelda, what are you doing?” Link asked. Zelda closed her eyes. “What’s going on?”

“No!” Link yelled as she stabbed the cylinder into the side her of thigh. But, instead of roaring with pain like Link expected, she instead started to breath easier, withdrawing the cylinder. She placed it back in her small purse as she slowly reclaimed normal breaths, head drooped around the back of the bench, eyes on the sun, the leaves of the trees, the blue sky and the small birds.

“I’m allergic to bee stings,” Zelda explained.

“Zelda, I…” Link said, “I…I’m so sorry, I didn’t know. I shouldn’t have asked you to the park.”

“Could you call UPD?” Zelda asked, almost interrupting him. The lack of accepting his apology worried him until he figured that perhaps he didn’t deserve an acceptance from her. “I’m fine for now, but I should get to the clinic on campus. I can’t drive in my condition.”

“Yeah…yeah, of course,” Link said, scrolling through his contacts as he sat back down on the bench. This was the first time he had actually called the university police department since they told him to put it in his phone on orientation day last month. At the time, he wondered what on earth he would use it for, but put it in anyway. As he clicked on the number and heard his phone ring, he actually silently thanked that boring orientation session for at least one beneficial thing.

“Yeah, hi,” Zelda heard after a few moments. “I’m a student at Hyrule State University Necluda. I’m with another student who just got stung by a bee and has an allergy. She poked herself with some plastic thing…oh is that what it’s called? Anyway she used her epi…whatever you said, but she says she still needs to get to the clinic on campus…Yes! A ride! That would be great! We’re at Blatchery Park. Okay…okay…yeah, yeah that’s fine, thank you so much!”

“They’re on their way,” Link said, turning to Zelda, who was still looking up at the sky. Link worried that she was mad at him, and so he tried to lighten the mood.

“I’ll fight any bees that try to assault you again, I promise.”

Zelda cracked a smile.

“Aren’t you a real Necluda Knight?” Zelda said in jest, Link absolutely thrilled she that didn’t seem to be mad at him. “You should sign up to be the mascot. Walk around in that heavy armor at all the games.”

Link laughed.

“Not a chance,” he said.

They engaged in conversation until the transport came, taking both of them back to campus.

Zelda expected Link to go about the rest of his day when she went through the doors of the clinic.

But, an hour later she found him sitting on the curb looking out at the horizon. Her cheeks blushed and she knew for certain that she really did like this guy. She knew love wasn’t something that came too quickly, but she could see herself loving him eventually.

“Are you okay?” She asked him, Link turning his head immediately around and standing up messily quickly.

“Hey!” He said as he jogged towards her. “That’s my line.”

Zelda shrugged playfully.

“I thought I would beat you to it,” she said.

“But you are okay, right?” Link asked, concerned.

“Yes,” Zelda said. “Of course. The doctor said I’m in perfect health. The epinephrine did just fine, but he was glad I came in anyway just in case.”

Zelda took Link’s hand.

“I wanted to thank you,” Zelda said. “I was going to text you later but since you’re right here, I just want you to know how grateful I am for your help. I think I was too busy managing my symptoms and trying to breathe earlier to really convey that.”

“It was really no problem,” Link said. “I’m glad I could help, but…”

Link seemed to hesitate.

“I’m sorry this wasn’t much of a first date,” Link said. “I understand if you don’t want another, but…well…I actually really like you and—“

Zelda interrupted him with a kiss, one he was more than happy to reciprocate, only the moonlight to bear witness where they stood on this empty campus. There was an odd yell from one of the nearby dorms but they both knew that as part of the university ambience by now. Zelda in particular remembered a night where she couldn’t focus on studying because a group of intoxicated males where roaming the halls singing off-key the latest hit song from that tacky pop rock musician Robbie Cherry.

But this moment was so much more important, her heart filling with warmth and her lips obsessed with his until they mutually withdrew with smiles and melted eyes.

“Are you free Friday night?” Link asked.

Zelda nodded.

“Good,” he said. “I’ve got a hobby of mine for you to explore. I’ll take you down the list. See what you like.”

“Any hints?” Zelda asked playfully.

Link twisted his lips, looking up at the moonlight.

“Dress sharp,” he said before pecking her cheek and taking her hand into his.

He walked her to her dorm thinking of all the hobbies he would run her through, all the moments he would love to share with her, in particular the first one on his last and how he couldn’t wait to dance with her this coming Friday.

#febuwhump #febuwhump2021 #febuwhumpday10 #tloz #botw #the legend of zelda #breath of the wild #hope you guys like it #zelink

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katedoesfics · 5 years

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Shadows of Hyrule | Chapter 77

Just as Link expected, the media had gathered around the hospital, anxiously waiting for Hyrule’s Champions to make their appearance. But to his relief, they were also greeted with heavy security detail, and despite Revali’s eagerness to brag to the cameras, they made it through the crowd without incident and into the awaiting town cars.

All Link wanted to do was go home and sleep in his bed for the rest of the summer. But even though the war was over, there were still some loose ends that needed tying up. For one, the sword needed to be returned to where he found it, which would - hopefully - close the last portal, sealing Ganondorf away once and for all.

Secondly, there was the matter of Revali’s mysterious remark to him and Zelda. Something still weighed heavily on the minds of the Champions. Something that Link and Zelda were completely unaware of. Link hadn’t the slightest idea what had happened while they were seperated, but the thought festered in his mind and made him sick to his stomach. He wanted nothing more than to put the entire thing behind him.

And as he thought about it, another realization came to mind. There was still the unanswered question about the Yiga Clan. Zelda had her suspicions that there was a mole among the Sheikah entrusted with the safety of the royal family. She had mentioned that Impa had warned her not to look into the Yiga Clan. Surely she wouldn’t have made such a warning if there was nothing to hide.

He hoped, at the very least, the hardest part was over.

The Champions found themselves in each other’s company once more. They were gathered together at the park. The same park they so frequently visited. The park where their last soccer game was suddenly interrupted by Ganondorf’s return. On this cool, summer evening, however, the park was empty as they huddled together, keeping their voices low as they spoke.

“So,” Link started, shoving his hands in his pockets. “What’s the deal?”

The four Champions exchanged wary glances for a moment before Revali spoke.

“We think the Yiga Clan is still in business, and we think there’s a mole in the Sheikah. Someone is working with them.”

“Right,” Zelda started, slightly hesitant. “I know.”

Urbosa narrowed her gaze on Zelda. “What do you mean you know?” she hissed.

“I mean. Well. I… had my own suspicions,” she admitted.

“Since when?” Daruk asked.

“For a while,” she said.

“And you didn’t think to tell us?” Revali said.

Zelda narrowed her gaze on him. “It was just a suspicion.” she said. “It’s not like there was anything I could do about it unless it amounted to something. I have no proof.”

“Well,” Revali started, crossing his arms and turning his attention to Link. “If it’s proof you need, your father’s got it.”

Link’s brows furrowed. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“It seems he and Dorian are out to kill each other,” Daruk said. “It’s a wonder they haven’t offed the other yet.”

Link shook his head. “They’re best friends.”

“So, threatening each other with loaded weapons is your idea of friendship?” Urbosa said.

“I wish I had known that,” Revali said with a grin.

“What are you talking about?” Link sneered.

“Look,” Daruk started seriously. “After you got gutted for a second damn time, we thought we were fucked. Zelda was holding that dickwad back with everything she had, and we needed to get her out of there and come up with a damn plan.” He hesitated. “We went to the base outside the city, but your dad had other plans. I thought he and Dorian were going to kill us all right then and there.”

“He said he should have killed Dorian when he had the chance,” Revali said simply.

“And he was the reason everything happened,” Urbosa said.

“Everything?” Zelda echoed. “Like…”

“Like opening the portals and giving Ganondorf every advantage he could, probably,” Daruk said.

“Exactly what a Yiga bastard would do,” Revali confirmed.

“No,” Zelda said quickly. “Dorian… he’s not with the Yiga. He’s Impa’s second in command. She trusts him.” She grew angry. “And don’t you dare tell me she’s one of them, too!”

“Probably not,” Urbosa said. “But it’s likely she doesn’t have a clue.”

“Or she does,” Daruk pointed out, “and she’s just not telling us.”

“And she won’t say anything,” Urbosa said.

“No, she won’t,” Zelda said slowly. “She knew I was looking into the Yiga Clan. She pulled me aside and told me to stay out of it.”

“That’s enough for me,” Daruk said. “Sounds like the Yiga Clan is still a very real threat. And if Dorian is a mole, that’s even more bad news for us.”

“What do you think they’ll do?” Mipha asked.

“I’m sure they’ll do everything in their power to bring Ganondorf back and fuck up everything we’ve done to get rid of his sorry ass,” Revali said.

“How could they do that?” Mipha’s brows furrowed together.

“I’m sure they have their ways,” Urbosa said. “And we shouldn’t wait to find out. I’m not doing a second war with that giant dick.”

“What do you want me to do about it?” Link muttered.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Revali said, rolling his eyes. “Get your dad to talk.”

“He won’t,” Link said. “He won’t tell me shit.”

“How can you be so sure about that?” Zelda said. “After everything we’ve been through already -”

“Because he’s been hiding shit from me since the beginning,” Link snapped. He hesitated and kicked the toe of his shoe into the dirt. “And he probably has every reason to. If I needed to know, he would have told me.”

“I’d say if it has to do with the safety of Hyrule, you should know,” Urbosa said. “You are the Chosen Hero, after all.”

“Yeah,” Link grunted. “Let me know what that means anything to anyone. It doesn’t give me any special treatment.”

“So, you can’t put that on your resume?” Revali said.

Link sighed. “Are we done? I have a sword to get rid of a portal to close.”

“I’ll see what I can find,” Zelda said. “About Dorian and the Yiga.”

Urbosa pinched her lips together. “Be careful. Don’t do anything without us.”

“I’m the princess of Hyrule,” she said. “What is he gonna do? Kidnap me in my own home?”

“I’m not coming to anyone’s rescue,” Link said, turning his back on his friends. “My job is done.”

“Don’t relax too much,” Revali warned him. “We may be kicking Yiga ass next.”

“Sure,” Link said over his shoulder. “As long as I can sleep the rest of the summer away, first.”

*****

His father was home when Link got home. He and Aryll were happily stuffing their faces with pizza when Link entered. He sat himself at the table with a heavy sigh and reached across to snag his own slice.

“Did they have pizza in the olden days?” Aryll asked with a mouthful of pizza.

“The olden days?” Rusl repeated.

“Yeah. Like. Do you think Hylia liked pizza?”

“I don’t think they had pizza, Ary,” Link said.

Aryll frowned. “Those poor people.” She shrugged and took another bite of her slice. “So, tomorrow,” she continued, changing the subject. “We’re gonna get a puppy, right?”

“I don’t think so,” Rusl said.

“But you said if we won we could get a puppy!”

“In my defense,” Rusl said. “I was fairly sure we would lose.” He grinned at Link.

“Ha. Ha,” Link said sarcastically.

“Well,” Aryll said. “We win. And I get a puppy.”

Rusl put his chin in his hand and sighed. “We’ll see.”

“When I’m a Mom, I’m gonna get all the puppies and do what I say!”

Rusl laughed sharply. “We’ll see about that.”

“Yeah huh!”

“That’s the best part of being a parent,” he said. “You get to be the biggest hypocrite you want, and your best excuse is ‘because I said so.’”

“You say that all the time, Daddy.”

His grin widened. “It’s a wonderful world, Ary. Someday you’ll appreciate it.”

Aryll turned a helpless gaze to Link, and her brother simply shrugged.

“Why do you bother, Ary?” he said. “You’re old enough to know by now.”

“I’m six!”

“When I was your age,” Rusl said, “I had to walk -”

“Uphill, both ways, in the snow,” Link said dryly.

Aryll gasped at Link. “You’re turning into him!”

“No way.” Link shook his head. “I have a better excuse than that.”

“What, saving the world?” Rusl said. “That won’t get old fast.”

“I’m milking that one forever.”

“Does that mean you and Mipha are gonna have babies?” Aryll asked.

Rusl snorted and Link choked slightly on his pizza.

“Hylia, I hope not,” Rusl said. “Do you really think he could keep a damn kid alive?”

“He could make them peanut butter and banana sandwiches!”

Rusl nodded. “Ah, yes, a key category in the food pyramid, with all the nutrients a growing child needs.”

“Don’t you have to go to bed or something?” Link said to his sister.

Aryll shook her head. “No! It’s summer! I get to stay up all night!”

“Go to bed, Ary,” Rusl said.

Aryll frowned. “Do I gotta?”

“Yes,” they said in unison.

Aryll turned her gaze to each of them, then sighed. “Alright,” she said as she slid off the chair. “But only because I’m gonna build a fort in Link’s room and play his video games.”

“Have fun,” Rusl said as Aryll skipped out of the room.

Link listened as her feet hurried up the stairs and waited for the faint sound of a closing door before he spoke.

“So,” he started, taking another slice of pizza. “What’s the deal with Dorian?”

Rusl met his son’s gaze, his brows furrowed.

“Come on,” Link said. “Don’t do this shit. Everyone told me what happened.”

Rusl still did not answer his son. He picked at his pizza for a moment.

“Is Dorian working with the Yiga Clan?” Link pressed, his gaze narrowed on his father. “Is he going to fuck up everything we’ve done to stop Ganondorf?”

Rusl met his son’s gaze once more. If there was anything he knew, Link could not have guessed what it was. His father’s expression was completely void of any emotional response. He held his gaze on his father, and when endless minutes passed of no response, he got to his feet angrily.

“Stop hiding things from me!”

Rusl smiled and returned to his pizza. “Your job is done. There’s nothing more you need to worry about.”

“There is if the Yiga Clan is going to undo everything we’ve done,” Link sneered. “I’m not doing this again.”

Rusl’s smile disappeared. He regarded his son once more. “I won’t let you do it again,” he said softly. He took a bite of his pizza. “Stop worrying. You’ve done your part. Leave the rest up to us.”

Link hesitated. “What about Dorian?”

Rusl leaned back in the chair and met his son’s gaze. “Don’t worry about it. It doesn’t concern you.”

Admittedly, Link was not happy with this answer, but he trusted his father. “I thought you were friends.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Is that what your Facebook status says?” Link grinned.

Rusl smiled and got to his feet. “Promise me you’ll drop it,” he said fiercely.

Link hesitated, then nodded. “Fine,” he said. “But I can’t promise Revali will, or anyone else.”

Rusl considered this with a shrug. “Convince them. I don’t need any more trouble than I already have.”

Link frowned. “I don’t like this.”

“I know.” Rusl sighed. He patted his son’s shoulder as he left the kitchen without another word.

#legend of zelda #breath of the wild #fic #fanfic #loz #botw #shadows of hyrule #soh77

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notajinn · 5 years

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Top 10 Games I Played in 2019

IMPORTANT NOTE: I am finishing this at nearly 2 AM in the morning, so I did not proofread. Excuse any typos.

With 2019 closing out the decade, I want to make a "Top 10 Games of the Decade" list, but first I have to point out my favourites of the year. I actually played over 10 games this year (which is very unusual), so I chose my top 10. As usual, these are not all games that came out in 2019, but I played them for the first time this year. I'm not ranking carried over mobile games this time, although at this point the only mobile I play is Dragalia Lost.

Let's go.

10. Untitled Goose Game (Switch)

There's a lot to love about this game concept alone even though I ignored it for the longest time pre-release.

Pros

The entire goal of the game is just that you are a goose and also an asshole. I've talked many times about how I think being unique is overblown in place of being high-quality, but this is a unique take that really works.

With a vaguely open-world that you're thrown into with no real purpose, you really capture the feeling of just setting out that day to be a jerk. I appreciate that there is a progression system with a list of mischievous tasks you have to do to reach the next area, but it's still presented in a very free way. You'll do some of them accidentally just trying to be a jerk, and others you'll really have to think about. Eventually there will come a clear end goal, which I was pleasantly surprised by.

Controlling the goose is also perfect in how unwieldy and overconfident you feel. You don't exactly move quickly, and there's no attacking, but you still feel better than the humans around you.

The minimalist art design helps sell the really low-stakes nature of the goose's quest. Sound effects are also pronounced thanks to this, and sound is very important for the goose. I also like the slight stealth gameplay that's not at all punishing, as someone who enjoys but is bad at stealth.

Cons

Even for a budget game, it's quite short to reach the "end goal". It's very much a game you can continue to mess around in, and there's a "New Game+" set of tasks you receive, but as far my "have to reach the end" mindset...I was expecting it to take a little longer. I'd say it was maybe 3 hours max, including lots of goofing around.

I also found that I VERY much don't enjoy being a jerk to children (see screenshot), and very begrudgingly did the minimum mean things to get past the kid. Luckily there is only one kid.

Final Thoughts

Honestly the lower ranking is not so much because of negatives, but because I played so many good things this year combined with this being mostly a fun little novelty. I feel like people who are interested would have already played it (if they have the console). Really you can go with your gut instinct of whether or not being an asshole goose sounds fun for you.

9. Kingdom Hearts III (PS4)

If you told me Kingdom Hearts III wouldn't even make my top 5 in the year it was released, I'd think you were crazy. But here we are with the long-awaited game.

Pros

So much of this game is fanservice for the series, and I had fortunately caught up on the spinoffs enough to enjoy it. Seeing the 358 crew and the BBS crew, all the Organization members...there's a lot of love here.

KH3 also has some of my favourite worlds in the series in Toy Story and Pirates of the Caribbean. Pirates in particular managed to scratch that Wind Waker sailing itch just enough. Meanwhile Toy Story going for a unique plot really helped pull me in, and there's that now infamous Woody scene that I love. Even other worlds like Monsters Inc get some great scenes (like Vanitas and the doors). Tangled is also one of my favourite Disney movies, so while the world itself was pretty average, I was happy to be in it.

Combat-wise, I appreciate getting so many options like dodge roll and blocking right off the bat regardless of your initial choices; previously I always forced myself to take the Shield so I could start with the super-useful dodge roll.

The music is as stellar as ever, although they loop far too quickly given how much time you'll spend in a single area sometimes (looking at you, Toy Story). I especially love Don't Think Twice, which had the bonus of being a complete surprise.

Cons

KH1 was the first Aladdin. KH2 was Return of Jafar. So logically KH3 should have been King of Thieves. Instead we get no Aladdin at all! Just the Genie as a summon I think?

For all the character fanservice, it still feels like only the main trio, Riku, and Mickey are really useful. I can't believe how poorly Aqua does as a Keyblade Master. I can't believe Kairi and Axel's training basically amounts to nothing. I know it's Sora's game, but it's still so frustrating.

And the final fight with everyone is very much so "good idea, bad execution". It just feels so messy. The entire climax is just not paced very well.

The Frozen world is one of my least favourites in the series. Nearly nothing interesting happens (outside of one good Larxene scene), you don't get Elsa as a boss or a party member, and the progression is just "got to get to Elsa's castle, oh no we fell" repeated three times. Also did they really need to put the full Let It Go song in there? I say this as someone who likes the song. This whole world is just a mess, and I think we'd be better off it was cut. And replaced with ALADDIN 3!

Where is the Wreck-It Ralph world? You know, the Disney movie about video games?

The combat somehow feels less smooth than KH2, possibly because of so many things constantly going off. The Park Attraction skills are fun at first, but later they take so long and often aren't worth bothering with. But I think HP of the enemies assumes you'll use it, because some enemies get really spongy later on.

There was also literally no reason not to end Sora's plot with this game; they had a very easy chance. But they also had an easy chance to end at KH2 and they didn't. I don't know why they're so afraid to use a different protagonist. Even if they don't want to make one, there's so many other potential-protagonists in the game already. Some of whom are also technically Sora!

Also the stupid Toy Story music loop is like 10 seconds long. Stop it.

I was actually originally going to put this at 8, but after typing out these Cons I moved the ranking back.

Final Thoughts

For as many pros and cons as I wrote out, the biggest thing about this game is that it's somehow incredibly forgettable. Kingdom Hearts 3, the game we waited over a decade for, is forgettable. And that really hurts.

The ReMind DLC has some real potential to help with this, but it also costs $40 CAD. If you're on the fence for KH3 as a whole, maybe wait and see what people say about the DLC fixing stuff.

8. Cadence of Hyrule (Switch)

It really hurts to put Cadence of Hyrule this low, because there's so much I love about it. And I want to see more third-parties work on Nintendo IPs.

Pros

You can finally play as Zelda in a proper Legend of Zelda game! Yes there's the rhythm mechanic and roguelike nature, but you're ultimately still going around a 2D LoZ overhead map in the same way you would a mainline game. But now you can have Zelda go around and play a little differently. For example, you have no regular shield but you have the Nayru's Love barrier which can work defensively in a different way. I appreciate that the characters all play differently when the developers could easily have easily given you three different sprites with one moveset.

The rhythm mechanic of moving on the beat works very well with the LoZ map style. Being able to see the bar speed at the bottom also helps a lot to learn in the first place. Most importantly, you have the option to completely turn it off to play this like a classic LoZ. Obviously the soundtrack itself is full of great LoZ remixes.

The difficulty is just right without being too rough or too easy with only occasional exceptions, and the game is fairly forgiving about respawing when you do die; it usually doesn't feel like a BIG deal. There's tons of LoZ equipment to use, which I really appreciate after how barebones Breath of the Wild was in that regard.

As with any roguelike, you also have a lot of replayability with the map changes and different characters and equipment to try out.

Incorporating classic bosses with musical instruments is also really fun.

Cons

It's as short as you would expect a budget game to be, but it's more expensive than your average budget game. I'm going to chalk that up to using a first-party Nintendo IP, but the price fools you into thinking the game will be longer.

I also personally don't really care for roguelikes, so the selling point of replayability isn't for me. It's a bit unfair to judge the game for something the genre is supposed to do, but I don't think it's a bad game for being like this. I just think it's a game I like less because of that emphasis.

There's also one boss in particular that was super frustrating, and I think it's because I didn't understand the "trick" to beating it.

Final Thoughts

I do honestly recommend this if you like classic LoZ, but just know what you're getting into; something that emphasizes multiple playthroughs and won't take too long on a single run, but which executes the LoZ formula itself really well.

7. XCOM: Enemy Unknown (PC)

I can't believe how long it took me to play XCOM: Enemy Unknown given that Fire Emblem is my favourite series. I also owned it for years on Steam, but it was just this year I finally booted up this strategy RPG.

Pros

You want a challenging SRPG? Here you goddam go. This game is punishing as hell, but as long as you don't play Iron Man mode it's still reasonable to deal with. I don't usually care for games that sell on difficulty, but I've played enough SRPGs that I don't mind more difficulty in the genre that's not cheap. XCOM very closely skirts the line of difficult and cheap, again if you are not playing Iron Man (which prevents you from restarting missions).

There's so much dumb RPG numbers to gloss over and spec, and I love it. Things to research, order to research, facilities to build, equipment to craft, skills per each character to learn. If you like pouring over resources like me but don't like the real time nature of an RTS, this is perfect.

I also like the idea that you start off so overwhelmed against an absurdly powerful alien force, and everything you're doing is basically just trying to survive while looking for a way to hold your ground. There's a real desperation in the gameplay that captures the feeling of war in a way that Fire Emblem struggles with.

Cons

I haven't seen RNG that hates me this much since Fire Emblem: Sealed Sword. And it seems to be a universal experience that the RNG is more stacked against you than it leads you to believe.

I've also seen many people online suggest Iron Man for a person's first run, but that is AWFUL advice. It's why I almost quit the game twice, but ultimately just made a new file without Iron Man. It sounds fun for a second or later playthrough, but there's so many unknowns happening constantly in your first run that it just feels unfair to go Iron Man.

The aesthetic is sci-fi apocalypse; two designs I generally hate. Everything is so gloomy and blue and tech. It's all very forgettable to look at.

Healing options are so limited, at least in the relatively early sections I'm in (I did not beat this). Actually this is one of the very few games I started but did NOT beat before playing something else, which in itself means there's something that I really disliked. At this point I can't remember what that is.

Final Thoughts

If you like Fire Emblem gameplay but want it to be even more resource management based, and can deal with a drab aesthetic, absolutely grab this. Especially since it gets really cheap on Steam. Just do NOT start on Iron Man mode.

6. Telltale's Batman: The Enemy Within (PC)

There was a Joker live-action movie this year; an entire movie dedicated to him. And yet Telltale managed a better Joker.

Pros

I am one of those weirdo people who considers Joker one of his favourite comic characters. I'm a sucker for a good villain, and it was probably Joker in Batman: The Animated Series that is responsible for that. So I love seeing a good fresh take on the character, and Telltale delivers. This is season two of Telltale Batman, and we briefly got to see "John Doe" in the first season as a proto-Joker who's definitely a violent jerk, but not necessarily a villain just yet. While there are many plot threads in Enemy Within, the main one is about how John grows among the mess that is Gotham. Depending on how you play, you can actually push him to become a vigilante and ally of Batman instead of the villain. This is itself not only a fun take on the character, but also the most uniquely any Telltale game has branched.

I remember explaining once that Telltale is not so much "choose how the story ends", but more "choose how your character's relationships with others changes". But there, you get a wildly different final chapter depending on whether John is a vigilante or villain. I really appreciate the effort it took, but it's also bittersweet since this was one of the last games the studio worked on before being closed.

Telltale gives us other character portrayals that range from standard to occasionally good. They have Harley play the big mob boss who has John wrapped around her finger this time, and they do a good job selling it.

You'll get some great dialogue options, and it seems almost impossible to please everyone. Being forced to make hard choices that will inevitably make someone mad at you is what this genre is about, and it's often not exactly clear cut what the consequences will be.

Cons

Like other Telltale games, action sequences are done with QTEs. These are relics in this day and age, so I really didn't care for them. It's a good way to get around a probably costly combat engine, but it's ultimately filler to me to get back to the plot. Since this is a Batman game, it has more action sequences than the average Telltatle game.

Other sequences like searching for clues are less annoying, but still not really fun. I did not grow up on point-and-clicks, but it seems the developers did.

You also can't easily restart sequences if you selected an option by mistake; you have to restart that entire chapter. And a chapter is multiple hours. I get the implication of "you have to live with your choices", but when it's an actual mistake because I'm using a PS3 controller on my PC mapped to Xbox buttons...I get a little annoyed.

Final Thoughts

It's a little weird to start at Enemy Within if you didn't play the first season, and it will retroactively spoil things, but you honestly could. It is more fun than the original (which is also good). Easily the big selling point is being able to shape John the proto-Joker; if that doesn't appeal to you, this may not be for you.

5. Super Metroid (SNES Classic)

Not only is 2019 the first time I played (and completed) Super Metroid; it's also the first time I completed a Metroid game at all! I had played a decent amount of Fusion and the first Prime before, but fell off both of them. This time, I absolutely saw Samus reach her goal.

Pros

How do you talk about such a beloved game? First of all, the SNES era is still visually my favourite in video games. This has a lot to do with nostalgia since I grew with the SNES, but also because it was the height of sprites before the industry turned to 3D models. And as amazing as N64 and PS1 graphics looked back then, they did not age well. The SNES, however, still holds up so well visually.

For a game with a sci-fi aesthetic that heavily takes place underground, I loved the variety and colours Super Metroid offered outside my expectations. This is definitely up there as one of the most beautiful games of the console.

Where I think the game excels the most is Samus' controls. The level of precision they built into her abilities is nuts. Obviously there are games where characters have larger movesets (such as fighters), but for a platformer I love how well you can maneuver Samus. For example, when you do a moving jump. If you hit the D-Pad and then jump, you do the Spin Jump. If you jump and then hit the D-Pad, you do a more standard jump. It may not seem like much now, but I feel like for the time it's very impressive.

There's so many fun abilities you get, and the majority of them can be used simultaneously for some really fun platforming.

You also learn very quickly even without text based on the way power-ups and obstacles are laid out. Even storytelling is done well simply through gameplay; no cinema scenes or text explanations needed.

The bosses feel stressful but almost never too cheap; you always feel like they're possible to deal with. Occasionally you may need more missiles or energy, but it's usually learning and countering patterns.

Music can effectively be atmospheric or lively depending on where you are, and I retroactively wish we had a few more Metroid tracks in Super Smash Brothers.

Also even though I'm not a 100% completion-ist type of person, I appreciate when I do find some secret missile tank by really examining the area.

Cons

When you're not used to the controls early on, it can be tricky to handle Samus. Mostly those spin jumps. The wall jump also never really got easier.

Weapon switching is a weird situation. I appreciate you can do it on the fly with the Select button, but the fact it always goes in a certain order means it can often take a while to get to what you want.

Personally I also thought Ridley was a hell of a difficulty spike, and the game actually calmed back down in difficulty afterwards? Maybe I'm just bad at fighting such an aggressive and fast boss.

Phantoon was also a tough boss made tougher by the fact the closest working Save Point was a good 5+ minutes of platforming away for me. I like that the nearest Save Point doesn't work because the electricity is off, and it builds on the haunted ship atmosphere, but boy was that frustrating to jump all the way back nearly four times to fight that boss.

Final Thoughts

If like me you've somehow not played Super Metroid, you really should. It still holds up, and it's relatively short (my time was about 6 hours). It may be a little weird at the start with the limited abilities and getting used to the precise controls, but if you stick with it you're in for a good time.

The reason it's number 5 and not higher is not due to any particular negatives, but simply because the next few games left me with more positives.

4. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (PS4)

The fact that this game exists is incredibly stupid, and I love it.

Pros

Persona 3 is not a happy game in a traditional sense. There are happy moments, but most are bittersweet. It's a game about dealing with and overcoming tragedy, and has a dark visual atmosphere to match.

So the fact we get to see that cast dancing around with bright colours is nuts. But not at all in a bad way. These characters go through so many difficulties; they absolutely deserve to have a fun dance party where they don't have to think about anything else. This isn't the happy kids deciding to dance; this is a bunch of stressed out people who need a break. And as someone who loves Persona 3, it makes me so happy to...well, see them happy.

The majority of the original voice actors were brought back (the main exception being Elizabeth), and they do just as good a job as in the old days.

We get mostly great remixes of the P3 songs, and the original versions of others. Each song has a particular character assigned to it so they can more effectively match their dancing style. The models look amazing.

There's also minor Social Link elements which are used in place of a story, and their personalities are mostly intact. There's certainly some Flanderization, but it's not as bad as Persona Q.

You also get a decent progression system of unlocking songs in batches, and needing to beat them to get the next songs. The Social Link requirements help make repeating the songs fun while giving you something to work towards.

The rhythm game itself is hard to judge since I play very few rhythm games. I found it fun once I got the hang of it on normal difficulty. There's tons of modification options to make it easier or harder depending on your preferences.

Cons

As with every modern Persona game, the DLC is awful. Tons of Day One DLC, and they even locked Shinji to DLC! Does he not also deserve to have fun without paying extra? There's also a few songs I would have liked, but not at those prices. Otherwise DLC is mostly costumes and accessories which I both don't care about, and which are overpriced.

I also hate that we had an EASY chance to get the FeMC Minako in this fun low-stakes plot game, but didn't. It's not like Atlus forgot about her either; she was in Persona Q2 which came out a little later. If anything, SHE should have been DLC and Shinji should have been in the base game.

The jump in difficulty between Hard and All-Night is absurd. I can beat most songs on Hard with good ratings, but I can't beat the first song on All-Night at all.

Koromaru is not in the game, which inherently prevents it from being perfect. He could have jumped in during Fever Time at least!

Final Thoughts

This game is only for Persona 3 fans, but boy is it some great fanservice for us. If you're a Persona 3 fan that at least slightly enjoys rhythm games, this is for you.

3. Indivisible (PS4)

As of writing this, I have not actually beaten Indivisible. If I had to guess, I'm at the 2/3 mark? A big plot thing just happened, but it's clearly not the final plot thing.

Since this game is less known, it's a platformer/fighter/RPG hybrid with a heavy South Asian influence.

Pros

It's a platformer/fighter/RPG hybrid with a heavy South Asian influence.

Look at that sentence! These are all things I love!

I grew up on platformers and RPGs, and I have a lot of fun when I get into a fighter. And as someone who always desperately tries to find even one brown character in most video games, I'm all about a cast that is mostly South Asian!

The combat system is really fun. It utilizes something similar the classic Final Fantasy ATB style system, but at a very quick refresh rate and tons of fighting game elements thrown in. For example, a key is doing combos with your various party members. Each character has 3 standard moves, and knowing when to use what depending on the enemy's position is where the strategy comes in. There's also one party-wide meter that everyone dips into to use Supers. It's a very aggressive and offense-oriented battle system, but they manager to incorporate healers and support units comfortably. But yes, everyone is basically a fighting game character in an RPG battle system.

The platforming starts off very basic, but you get access to so many moves and can use them all fluidly together. There's some really fun platforming segments that really force you to use everything Ajna can do.

The character designs are top-notch, even removed from how ecstatic I am about the diversity. Again, they are designed as fighting game characters who have to be distinct and high-quality. Everyone also feels extremely unique in combat.

I wouldn't say the overall story and writing is amazing, but there's some good moments here and there. It also follows a somewhat less traditional path for Ajna so far, even though I'm expecting a fairly traditional climax.

Cons

Okay, so this is in some ways a fighting game. Which means you should have a move list you can look up. While you get a brief explanation of each character's gimmick when you recruit them, there's NO MOVE LIST!

That sucks, but you can go into Training and figure out the moves for yourself, right? Yes, except you don't unlock Training until almost 10 hours into the game! Which means for the early part of the game when you're still learning the mechanics of the system as a whole, you also have more trouble learning what each character can do. Combined with a very high rate of recruiting new characters early on, this can be overwhelming. If they didn't want to make a move list, they should at least have made Training available from the beginning.

Backtracking can be a bit of a pain; there's minimal fast travel points. Ajna doesn't cover as much space as Samus relatively to the game world, so it really takes some time to go around. Enough that it sometimes discourages exploration, which is not good in a platformer.

The sense of progression is also pretty slow once you get past the 1/3 mark. You don't get new characters quite as quickly, and it's not as though your characters learn new moves (they shouldn't, based on how the battle system works). You also only have levels for Ajna, which in my experience don't make a huge difference. And there's no equipment or items give you that sense of growth. What you have are the Ringels; collect enough of them and you can get a major defense upgrade, or add an additional attack slot per turn to every character. They're great upgrades, and fun to explore and find, but it's a long time between upgrades.

I also feel like healers and support are tough to use well in such an aggressive battle system, which is unfortunate because I traditionally love support-type characters.

Final Thoughts

Despite liking it more than most of the games on this list, it's a tough recommend. It's very specific to what it is, and there's nothing to really compare it to. However I really like it, and I especially love the South Asian influence.

2. Celeste (Switch)

If you showed me a 10-second clip of Celeste gameplay, I'd dismiss it as some easier Super Meat Boy clone.

I'm so glad I didn't.

Pros:

In many ways, Celeste can be called a long series of platforming challenge rooms. Basically once you clear a distinct "screen" and die, you move forward. You die, you restart on the same screen in seconds. There's infinite lives and no timer. You take as long as you need, and you keep pushing forward. It's a compromise of making a classically difficult platformer that removes all elements that make the classics feel cheap. And it's also a great representation of the story Madeline is going through.

Having a young-life crisis, non-mountain-climber Madeline sets out to climb the famously difficult mountain Celeste. There's a few other characters to deal with, but the majority of the game is spent with Madeline and the reflection that represents another side of her. A side of her that's always bringing her down and trying to force her to turn backIt's a short and well-written story, and absolutely worth experiencing. I love the weaving of the "keep trying" gameplay and story, and the fact an Assist Mode to make the gameplay easier is available from the start is important.

The music also nails that Super Metroid feeling of atmospheric or lively depending on what's happening.

Controls are similarly precise but reasonable, and the incredibly low stakes of failure make even the cheaper platforming segments doable. Some of the platforming is legitimately annoying, but being able to try again in literal seconds makes it less frustrating than easier platformers.

Cons

I don't care for the character sprites. They are small and faceless. You understand what they're going for, and I know they have to be small in relation to the area of the game. But it's just not visually appealing.

...I can't really think of any other cons.

Final Thoughts

I feel like Celeste is an important game that will stay with me, far beyond just a good game I played in 2019. It's short, it doesn't cost much, and it's absolutely worth your time if you have any sort of anxiety or self-esteem issues.

1. Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Switch)

My favourite series finally returns to a home console after nearly a decade. And boy does it deliver.

Pros

There's two critical things I look for when judging a Fire Emblem game; the cast, and the core gameplay.

The cast in Three Houses is nearly fully presented to you from the start of the game. You have your three separate houses with their individual students, and you choose one to lead. Fortunately you can recruit most students from other houses with some work, so you don't have to worry too much about mutually exclusive units. You will see a few new faces over the course of the game join your team as well, so there's still some surprises. At first glance, many of the characters can be relegated to anime tropes. Claude is the charismatic schemer, Marianne is the quiet girl who likes animals, Hilda is the lazy high-confidence girl, etc. But as you progress through the story and the Support conversations, you'll find that nearly every character has a lot of writing effort put into them. I do not want to give any examples because it's better to get to them yourself throughout the game, but don't take the characters at face-value. Don't expect a full 180 personality shift, but do expect lots of depth to explain both currently personalities, and being able to see the growth of these characters. There's some very relatable issues some of the characters face.

Honestly, it's not a stretch to say Three Houses has some of my favourite characters in the series. It's a big plus that one of the main Lords is dark-skinned for the first time in series history.

Then we have the gameplay. Off the bat we're into some very non-traditional Fire Emblem stuff with the academy system; you use things like lectures to build the weapon levels of your students. Also Cavalry, Heavy Armor, and Flying have their own weapon levels now? Also you don't buy spells, you learn them with weapon levels? There is a LOT that's different.

But what remains the same is the core formula of the strategy-RPG battles. Your process to build your units may be different in many ways, but you're still using the tactics you would expect in an FE game. There's just a few other things to consider now.

Basically I feel that Three Houses' new systems are a good compliment to the classic system as opposed to being a full replacement. Which is why even as an old FE elitist, I absolutely loves playing out the fights. Also they brought back Fog of War!

I really love the incorporation of visible agro lines. Basically when you move your character within enemy range, you actually see direct lines from the enemies so you see who will attack you. Combined with ability to go back to a previous turn, this helps make bad RNG feel less frustrating.

The story is also hands-down the best of the modern Fire Emblem era (everything from Awakening and beyond). It may start off as anime high-school, but having a cast of characters from entirely different countries attend school together as teenagers and then skipping forward to when they are leading their respective countries to war against each other...it's a lot to take in. And you have four different ways to experience the game, all of which are fairly distinct.

New gameplay elements like the lectures and academy activities are actually pretty fun, and dip into a bit of that Persona itch. You also get a better feel for the cast as you see them going about more normal activities. And it's all done in voice acting. Even every generic NPC dialogue in all four routes. Honestly the level of voice acting is incredible for a first-party Nintendo game. Voices also help the game feel so much more alive.

As always, the music is wonderful. The main theme Edge of Dawn is up there with Kingdom Hearts songs among my favourite video game vocal tracks.

Seriously, listen to it:

youtube

The option to freely change class so long as you can pass certification is weird, but feels far less busted than Awakening and Fates due to skills taking longer to learn, and mostly being less overpowered. It's also great aesthetically. Being able to use any weapon with any class was also an interesting change.

Also we have gauntlets as a weapon in Fire Emblem now. Which means you can run up to a goddam Wyvern Rider and punch them in the face. This is amazing.

Another plus is that despite incorporating a time skip, there is no child system. Which means Support is not longer a means to getting a perfect gene child unit, but instead to see how characters grow together while also getting a slight stat boost.

Cons

I kind of miss the Weapon Triangle. I know it's not even the most important thing in the old game, but I have nostalgia for it? You can sort of get the Weapon Triangle abilities once you raise your respective weapon levels enough.

As for more of a real problem...gender locked classes. It's very frustrating that there is only one class that focuses on Gauntlets, and it's locked to males. Like, have you seen Leonie? She's made to be a puncher! And I made her one, but I had to make her a Warrior.

Similarly, the only Master class that focuses on magic is locked to females. It didn't present a problem for me in the Golden Deer route, but I'm sure at one point during the other 3 routes I'll want to make a male magic user. Oh, the Dark Mage line is also locked to males, but doesn't have a Master class.

Master classes in general are a problem. Nearly all of them are Cavalry or Flying, and it's visually annoying. Also because most of my Advanced classes were infantry, so my characters didn't really learn Cavalry or Flying with certain exceptions.

I wish there were no gender-locked classes, and more infantry Master classes.

Also I know it doesn't make sense story-wise, but I wish I could recruit Claude to Blue Lions or Black Eagles because I really don't want to hurt him when I play those routes.

Final Thoughts

I mean, it's number one on my list. Obviously I love it. But it's important to note this is my favourite Fire Emblem game in a long time. I feel like I need more distance from it (and to play the other routes) to really compare it to my favourites, but for now it's at least my favourite game of 2019, and my favourite Switch game.

#games of the year #games of 2019

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innerpowercounseling-blog · 6 years

Text

Doing the Hard Stuff

Over the last few months I have found it harder than usual to do the things I need to: finishing paperwork and notes, doing the dishes, taking my 3 year old son for walks. I was still taking care of the adult pieces of my life (building my business, going to work, caring for my son and playing with him) but in a diminished capacity that lacked the joy and fulfillment I wanted. I’ve been under heavy personal stress that has taken its toll on my family, and while I’ve been trying to hold my experience lightly, staying aware of how it affects me, there are many difficult moments.

About a month ago I saw dishes piling up in the sink, and I was aware (as always) that it bothered me. I value being clean and taking care of what I own. But in that moment, it felt easier to play Zelda than clean, and that was all I wanted to do. I had passed the kitchen on other days and let it go, opting for something that seemed easy or fun. But it never felt right, leaving me unsatisfied and sometimes more depleted that before. I started to reconnect with the part of me that knew avoidance wasn’t actually easier. Yes, it allowed me to skip out on a chore, but it didn’t leave me feeling fulfilled or energized. I always felt worse, and even Breath of the Wild lost its luster when my own wilderness was growing up around me.

So in that moment, aware that I wanted Zelda but needed to do the dishes, I chose the dishes. I fell into the rhythm of soaping and rinsing, and soon felt a sort of zen mode kick in. I let my mind wander to questions in my mind and parts of my life I was curious about, and found that the dishes were over before I knew it. I was reminded of the reflective nature of chores, enjoying the same mental space that I often I get when driving, showering, or taking a walk. Not only that, but I felt energized and proud of myself. Suddenly I was bursting with the desire to clean and organize everything! And I felt confident in my ability to do so. By the end of the day I had a much tidier house and bags filled with items for donation. I was happy and filled with life—not because of the outer accomplishment but because I took care of my internal needs. My house was still organized chaos (just how I like it) and probably didn’t look different to anyone but me, but that wasn’t the point. I had listened to myself and done the harder thing, which turned out to not be hard at all.

Doing one hard but meaningful task unlocked the doors to other tasks and released the useful energy inside me that I couldn’t have found a few hours before. And as a bonus, my day didn’t fly by in a meaningless blur. Often when spending hours doing something mindless that I was not truly connected with, I would look up and see that hours had flown by, but that I didn’t feel any more rested or content. I felt like my day was gone, and I had missed it. Instead, this day felt like it stretched out its hands to me, and showed me just how much I could do with the time I had.

The next day, I went on a walk with my son. Instead of playing inside where it was warm and easy, I said yes when he asked to go for a bike ride (which means me pushing him on his tricycle that still has the adult handle on it). We got out his little bike and bundled up to face the crisp day. As soon as we reached our condo parking lot he was filled with stories about the world around him. A pile of gravel became a volcano with an ash pit for finding treasure in. He searched carefully for special rocks and placed them delicately on the curb between the splotches of moss. We listened for dinosaurs and hunted for bad guys. So many adventures in such a tiny person, and I felt transported. We spent hours outside, talking and exploring. The next day, we did it again. Being outside with him was energizing and magical, and I noticed parts of our neighborhood, even our parking lot, that I had never seen before and certainly hadn’t appreciated. What hits me is the fact that I have gone with him on many, many walks. Nothing about the scenery was new, but when I just let myself be with him and not think about what was next or what I left behind, I was gifted with something new and inspired by it.

These experiences rekindled what I already knew inside of myself but had lost sight of in my sadness and stress. The whole time, I knew what I needed in order to help myself and move through the difficult times, but I chose not to see it or not to act on it. I chose to avoid it and make excuses, despite the voice inside me that knew I was making unhelpful choices. I don’t tell you this because I think my experience is a revelation. I’m sharing it because I think it is what we all know but cannot always see. I tell you this because I need to tell myself, again and again. For the last month I have been telling myself, and more often than not I’ve been choosing the road that seems harder. Then, when the dishes are done or my admin work is finished, when my son is asleep after a day of playing, I can do the fun things that I love without reservation. I can explore Hyrule with a full heart, giving my whole self to my passions and feeling filled in return.

#doing #mental health #self help #healing #heart #wholeness #productivity #zelda #the legend of zelda #breath of the wild #chores #video games #zen #peace #inner power

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marvel-and-more-fandoms · 5 years

Text

The Gray Hair

Today, my father appoints Link as my bodyguard. I'm nervous. Excited. Scared. He's seventeen and I'm sixteen, so if we were made for each other we wouldn't be able to tell until I turn seventeen.

I put on the ceremonial dress that I made, and prepared myself for the ceremony. Okay, Zelda, I thought to myself. Don't let your family down.

There was a lot of pressure on me. I was the one who chose the champions, with the exception of Link, so if they fail it's on me. I have faith in them, but not in me. Nobody has faith in me. My seventeenth birthday is coming up, and I still haven't unlocked my ancient sealing power.

I shoved the thoughts out of my head. Don't think like that today, Zelda. You have to be confident.

It was almost time. I took a deep breath, and headed towards the Sanctum. The ceremony was boring, but my father seemed to be genuinely proud of me when he spoke. How he beamed about the way I had made the champions guards.

Once the main ceremony had ended, we went over to the Sacred Grounds. Some of the other champions had wanted me to put on a special ceremony to welcome Link. I was excited for it, but I acted bored the whole ceremony.

I could hear them talking about me as I recited my lines, but I didn't really care. I was just focused on the blonde haired boy with bright blue eyes in front of me.

Gosh he looks good in that tunic...

The mini ceremony seemed to take longer than the actual ceremony. Once we had finally finished, I showed the champions the Sheikah Slate.

There was an odd feature on it, one where it can somehow capture a true to life image and save it. It was called a "picture," I believe.

Mipha asked if we could take a picture of all of us together. I, of course, said yes. Daruk decided to photo bomb the picture, but it was still good. After all of that was over, Link and I mounted our horses and rode towards Sanidin Park.

Once we got there, we dismounted our horses and I walked over to the part of the the park that looks towards the mountains.

"See that mountain?" I asked. "That's Mt. Lanayru. It takes its name from the Goddess of Wisdom. Lanayru's decree is very specific. It says: 'No one is allowed, under the age

of seventeen, for only the wise are permitted a place upon the mountain.' I've prayed at the Spring of Courage and at the Spring of Power,

yet neither awoke anything inside me. But maybe up there, perhaps the Spring of Wisdom, the final of the three, will be the one.

To be honest, I have no real reason to think

that will be the case. But there's always the chance that the next moment will change everything. Tomorrow... is my seventeenth birthday. So then I shall go. And make my way up the mountain."

He didn't say anything. He never does. I was thinking something I didn't say, though. His birthday is before mine. Tomorrow I will turn seventeen. I will be able to see if I've met my soulmate. I can't help but hope that it's Link...

...

Today's the day. It's my seventeenth birthday, and the day I go to Mt. Lanayru. And the day I can tell if Link's my soulmate or not...

...

Link and I climb back down from the mountain, my head hung low in defeat.

"Well? Don't keep us in suspense. How'd everything go up there on the mountain?" Daruk asks.

All I did was shake my head, still looking down in shame.

"So you didn't feel anything?" Revali chimed in. "No power at all?"

"I'm sorry, no."

"Then let's move on." Said Urbosa. She had always been like a mother figure to me. "You've done all you could. Feeling sorry for yourself won't be of any help. After all, it's not like your last shot was up there on Mt. Lanayru. Anything could finally spark the power to seal Ganon away. We just have to keep looking for that... thing."

"That's kind of you. Thank you." I said, feeling a little bit better.

"If I may," Mipha said. "I thought you, well, I'm not sure how to put this into words. I'm actually quite embarrassed to say it. But I was thinking about what I do when I'm healing. You know, what usually goes through my mind. It helps when I think - when I think about -"

She was cut off by the entire world shaking. Revali shot up into the air and gasped. There was an - an entity coming out of the castle.

"It's here." Said Urbosa.

"This is it, then." Said Daruk.

"Are you sure?" Mipha asked.

"Positive." Said Revali.

"It's awake..." I said, my voice trembling. "Ganon!"

"Let's stop wasting time!" Shouted Daruk. "We're gonna need everything we got to take

that thing down! Now Champions! To your Divine Beasts! Show that swirling swine who's boss! Link will need to meet Ganon head on when we attack! This needs to be a unified assault! Little guy! You get to Hyrule Castle. You can count on us for support, but it's up to you to pound Ganon into oblivion!"

"Come." Says Urbosa, gently grabbing my shoulders. "We should go. We need to get you someplace safe."

I thought for a moment. You're the princess! You're supposed to have this "ancient sealing power" that can seal Ganon away! You can't just sit back and watch from afar, you have to do something!

"No!" I shouted, getting out of Urbosa's grip. "I am not a child anymore! I may not be much use on the battlefield, but there must - there must be something I can do to help!"

"Go with Link." Said Revali. "He is your knight, after all."

Urbosa looked at Link. "Is that okay?"

He gave a curt nod. Why doesn't he ever talk? I thought.

And with that, the champions all ran to their divine beasts. Who knew they were also running to their deaths.

...

Link and I were running. Running anywhere, really. Anywhere but here. Where our friends, our families, our homes, had been destroyed. I broke down, falling onto my knees. I must've looked so weak. So broken. So useless.

"How..." I said to Link, who was on his knees in front of me now. "How did it come to this? The Divine Beasts... the Guardians... they've all turned against us... It was... Calamity Ganon. It turned them all against us! And everyone—Mipha, Urbosa, Revali and Daruk... they're all trapped inside those things... it's all my fault! Our only hope for defeating Ganon is lost all because I couldn't harness this cursed power. Everything—everything I've done up until now... it was all for nothing... so I really am just a failure! All my friends... the entire kingdom... my father most of all... I tried, and I failed them all... I've left them... all to die." I was sobbing into Link's arm at this point.

He tucked some of my blonde hair behind my ear, and then looked shocked at something.

"What?" I asked. "What is it?"

He shook his head. "Nothing, Princess."

Did he just talk to me? I thought, and despite myself, I smiled.

Our moment was interrupted, however, when the ground shook once again.

He took my hand again, and we continued our running.

...

There were guardians. Everywhere you looked, there were guardians. We were hiding behind some of the remains of ones that Link had killed. He was so beat up, so bruised and bloody. He couldn't take much more.

"Link, save yourself!" I shouted at him. "Go! I'll be fine! Don't worry about me!"

He struggled to get up as I heard the noise. The noise of another guardian.

He stood in front of me, ready to die.

"No!" I said, getting in front of him as the guardian took aim. "No!" I shouted, louder this time. I put my hand in the air, as if trying to signal to the guardian to stop.

Then I felt something. I can't quite describe it, it was like there was sadness, and love, and anger, all coming off of me. Something gold flew out of my hand as the Triforce symbol appeared.

"Was, was that...? The power...?" I heard a thump behind me as I questioned what just happened.

"No, no..." I said as I saw Link collapsed on the ground behind me. "Link! Get up! You're going to be just fine..." He looked at me one last time. His eyes were apologetic, like he was saying sorry for dying. His eyes closed as his head fell onto my shoulder.

I put his head down and cried into his still chest. I looked at his face, and the closed eyes that used to be bluer than the sky. I tucked a stray piece of hair out of his face, and gasped at what I saw.

A piece of gray hair, right behind his ear. "What...?" I said. "Oh no," I looked behind my ear. Sure enough, there was a matching gray strand right were Link's is.

"No!" I shouted. "No no no no no! We were soulmates! We were going to grow old together! Why?!" I was sobbing into his chest.

Suddenly, I heard an odd noise. I looked up, and the Master Sword was flashing.

"The sword...?" I said.

Take him to the Shrine of Resurrection. Said an odd voice inside my head.

"So he can, he can still be saved?"

Yes. It said. There, he will be healed. He will have no memory when he wakes up, and his body will not be like it used to be, but he will still be the chosen one. He will always be the chosen one, for courage need not be remembered.

My head perked up when I heard Sheikah warriors coming towards me.

"Princess!" They shouted. "Princess! Are you alright?"

I had a gleam in my eye. I knew what I had to do.

"Take Link to the Shrine of Resurrection. If you don't get him there immediately, we are going to loose him forever! Is that clear?!"

They nodded.

"So make haste and go! His life is now in your hands!"

They took my soulmate, and as much as it hurt to see him go, I knew that I'd see him again.

I stood up and looked at the castle, where that evil creature that ruined my life was making itself at home.

"I'm going to see him again." I told myself. "I don't care if I have to wait a hundred years in that castle, I'm going to see him again!"

My head held high, I marched towards the castle.

...

Finally. The time has come. It's been one hundred years, and it's finally time for Link to wake up from the Shrine of Resurrection. Who knew that when I said I'd wait a hundred years I actually would?

"...Open your eyes..." I said, or at least tried to. It took a lot of my energy to talk to him, so it would take a bit of time until he could hear me clearly.

"Open your eyes..." I tried again.

"Open your eyes." This time, I got through completely. "Wake up, Link."

He sat up, and looked around confused. It pained me to see him like this. He didn't remember me, or Mipha, or Daruk, or Revali, or anybody else. All the memories we shared... they were gone.

He walked to the pedestal that the Sheikah Slate sat on. "That is a Sheikah Slate. Take it. It will help guide you after your long slumber." I had always known that the Sheikah Slate was meant for the hero who weld the Master Sword, but I had grown quite attached to the object. I would give anything to him, though.

He continued to walk into the other room, and opened the two chests that contained his clothes. They had been brand new a hundred years ago, but now they were old and worn down.

He walked over to the other pedestal. "Hold the Sheikah Slate up to the pedestal. That will show you the way." He followed my instructions, and walked through the door once it opened.

He ran outside, and looked off of a small cliff at the world around him. The world that he used to know like the back of his hand. The world that was completely new to him all over again.

"Link..." I began. "You are the light - our light - that must shine upon Hyrule again. Now go." I stopped using my energy to talk to him, but continued to watch.

He talked to my father, who he didn't recognize, and then started walking again. I stopped him, using my energy again.

"...Link..." Come on...

"Link..." Almost there...

"Link." Yes! "Head for the point marked on the map in your Sheikah Slate."

He got out the Slate, and confusedly looked at the point and started towards it.

I continued to focus my energy on talking to him, because I knew it wouldn't take him long to find the tower.

Sure enough, he found the tower and put the Sheikah Slate on the pedestal. He fell back as the tower, along with all of the other towers, rose from the ground.

My heart hurt. He didn't remember me at all. I was his soulmate, he should at least remember me!

"Remember," I said. "Try - try to remember. You have been asleep for the past one hundred years. The beast - when the beast regains its true power, this world will face its end. Now then, you must hurry, Link. Before it's too late..." I faded off in the end as I was completely drained. I was using too much energy.

...

Oh my gosh. It's finally happening. He remembers, he's fully recovered, and he's about to fight Ganon. I'm more scared then I've ever been in my life, but also excited. Excited that I'll get to see him, I'll get to talk to him, I'll get to touch him.

But I'm so weak. I know that the moment he walks in I'll have to let Ganon go. I just hope Link is strong enough...

He finally walked in. I used the last of my energy to talk to him.

"...Link.."

"Link..."

I didn't even wait until I could fully talk to him. "I'm sorry... but my power isn't strong enough..."

Ganon moved, like he knew he was about to be set free. "I can't hold him."

And with that, I let go. I let the beast that could possibly kill my soulmate go. And I fell, I fell into the sky. I don't exactly know how it works, but I fell into the sky.

It was like the sky was the ground, and I could see right through the ground. Below me was Hyrule Field. I panted, lying on the "ground."

Rain had started as the castle shook. I began recovering soon, and within an hour I felt normal. I had forgotten what normal felt like. It was not being surrounded by a wall made of goo on all sides. I could breathe. It felt wonderful.

I wondered if I could watch Link. I just kinda... I don't really know. It was like I willed myself to the castle and I went there. I was still in the air, but I was watching it. Soon, Link delivered the final blow.

But something wasn't right. Ganon turned to dust and flew out of the castle. Oh no, I thought. He's going to turn into Dark Beast Ganon! I quickly teleported Link to Hyrule Field, and also grabbed one of his horses.

"...Ganon..." I said. For some reason, I was still struggling to get through to him.

"Ganon...

"Ganon." I finally got it.

"Ganon was born out of a dark past. He is a pure embodiment of the ancient evil that is reborn time and time again." The form Ganon was taking started to appear now. It was a giant warthog like creature, completely covered in malice.

"He has given up on reincarnation and assumed his pure, enraged form. If set free upon our world, the destruction will be unlike anything ever seen before."

My mind raced, thinking of what I could do to help him. To do to save him. Then I thought of the most powerful weapon that the goddesses ever created, the Bow of Light.

I used my powers to bring it down out of the sky and give it to Link.

"I entrust you with the Bow of Light - a powerful weapon in the face of evil."

I suddenly remembered what the Master Sword had said to me one hundred years ago. If I ever wanted to touch him again, he would need to win this fight.

"Link, you may not be at a point where you have fully recovered your power or all of your memories, but courage need not be remembered."

With that, he mounted his horse and rode towards the giant beast before him.

I made glowing Triforce symbols where he needed to strike with the Bow of Light, so that he knew where the weak spots were. Eventually, he shot the last arrow into Ganon's eye.

And then, the ground fell. I shot down, but for some reason I was going up. Ganon was whipping his head around as I came out of his body.

I was surrounded by the yellow light of my power. I bowed my head, and let out a silent prayer.

Please, I prayed. Let it end here.

I floated down onto the ground so that I was facing the beast. I looked up, and Ganon lowered his head to, as if he was going to buck me away with his head.

I didn't even flinch.

As I erupted in a flash of golden light, Ganon tried to get away. He didn't think he was going to loose. He was attempting to enter the stages of reincarnation again.

Sorry, I thought. I can't let you do that.

I watched him for a bit with fake pity in my eyes. Toying with him, just like he had toyed with me. I raised my arm as he swooped back down towards me, and delivered the final blow.

A giant orb of gold came out of my hand, trapping the beast. A large Triforce symbol was on the circle. It and the orb got bigger as Ganon struggled more.

Then, it all stopped. The giant, golden, orb shrunk into a small, black, one.

It's over. I thought. After all this time, it's finally over.

The sky opened up, and the awful mixture of red and black turned into a beautiful blue.

I faced the castle, and spoke to Link.

"I've been keeping watch over you all this time." I said. "I've witnessed your struggles to return to us, as well as your trials in battle."

He began to walk towards me, but I still faced away from him. I was afraid. Afraid that when I looked into his eyes, I would see no recollection. I would just see a boy.

"I always thought," I continued. "No, I always believed, that you would find a way to defeat Ganon."

I turned around, deciding I couldn't wait any longer. I kept my eyes down, though.

"I never lost faith in you over these many years. Thank you, Link. The hero of Hyrule."

I looked him dead in the eyes as I asked the question I waited a hundred years to ask.

"May I ask, do you really remember me?"

My heart was beating so fast, I thought it was going to jump out of my chest.

He ran over to me, and tucked my hair behind my ear, exposing my gray strand.

"How could I forget my soulmate?" He asked.

I smiled. I tackled him, and he fell on the ground. With my arms wrapped around his neck, I placed a firm kiss on his lips.

I had expected him to be surprised, but he immediately started kissing me back.

I pulled away after a little bit, and looked into his eyes.

I was scared to say what I was about to say. But I needed to get it out. I couldn't hold it in any longer.

"I love you, Link."

He looked shocked at this one. His blue eyes sparkles and his eyebrows raised.

"I love you too, Zelda."

I've never been so happy in my life. I tucked some hair behind his ear so that I could see his gray strand.

I looked into his eyes and kissed him again.

The hundred year wait was so worth it. I thought.

18 Years Later

...

"Urbosa Link! You get right back here and apologize to your brother!" I shouted at my daughter, with blonde hair and blue eyes like Link's.

"Yeah Urbosa, you come apologize to me!" Shouted my son, Daruk, the one with blonde hair and green eyes like mine.

"You're in trouble too, Daruk." I said sternly.

The boy let out a sigh.

Their full names are Urbosa Mipha Link, and Daruk Revali Link. And in my stomach is Rhoam Bosphoramus Link. After Rhoam I want an Purah Impa Link, and then that's enough.

The godmother of Urbosa is Riju, the godfather of Daruk is Yunobo, the godfather of Rhoam is going to be Robbie, and the godfather of (hopefully) Purah would be Symin, Pikango, Cado, or Sidon.

Link came in after Urbosa apologized to Daruk.

He gave me a small peck on the lips before greeting the children.

I loved him so much, and he was great with the kids. We both looked like we were 35, because the hundred years we were apart didn't make us age.

The children ran away to play, and he walked up to me.

"Hello, beautiful." He said, kissing me again. "How's little Rhoam?"

"He's doing good. Just one more month and then he'll be out."

He put his hand on my stomach and whispered in my ear seductively. "Do we still want to try for a Purah?"

"Definitely." I replied, grinning.

We were knocked out of our moment by a crash in the other room.

We both sighed, and then laughed.

"I'll get it." He said.

"Thanks."

I love him. And I love our kids. I can't wait to grow old together.

And see even more gray hairs.

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liv-andletdie · 6 years

Text

PUPPY LOVE

Author: liv-andletdie Rating: Teen and up Pairing: TP Zelink Modern AU Notes: Link is a vet at Ordon Veterinary surgery. Zelda is an Aristocrat with a dog who is sick… surprisingly often. Though nothing seems to be wrong with them

Available on Ao3

Chapter 7: The Reunion

Days at the surgery were, in a word, tedious. Depending on the time the building could be flooded with a never ending stream of patients. Cats, dogs, mice, hamsters, birds, gerbils, even reptiles were all frequent visitors to the small country clinic. And as such this made work very difficult for the small team of veterinarians who worked there. Some days it would a be a challenge to get everyone seen and make it through the day without cat scratches or pecks from annoyed parrots.

And then you had some days where it seemed like nothing happened, like the goddesses had met up for tea and decided that,“No, Ordon shall not face any great medical disaster with its animals today,” and given everyone the day off. Days where the only people to enter the building were delivery men and staff returning from their lunch break.

Link hated the quiet days.

He’d never normally hated them. Sure, he used to get a little restless with nothing to do, but he’d never go so far as to say he hated them. Mild dislike yes, but never hate.

But then, he supposed, he’d never normally had the need to distract himself as much.

Every free second was spent thinking about Her. The way she walked, the way she talked, the perfect curl of her smile, the dazzling blue of her eyes! He’d half expected himself to be over her by now. Iit had been four months since Zelda Harkinian was last in town, and yet his every waking moment was devoted to wondering about her, and wondering if she was thinking about him too.

He wanted to blame Rusl. The elder vet had put that ridiculous mantra in his head, There’s always a chance, even if that chance grew less and less with each turn of the minute hand that he was currently staring at.

Link was sitting in the waiting room, his white coat thrown over one of the chairs as he fixed his eye on the clock. The monotonous ticking marked the slow march of the day. Half past four, only three and a half hours left to go. In the corner of the room Ilia sat at her desk, methodically reading through her coursework, the sound of paper turning breezed through the air in rhythm with the never ending thud of the clock. It would have been almost peaceful if it hadn’t been so warm.

“I thought you had a summer break?” Link asked, his voice shattering the fragile silence of the waiting room. He watched Ilia jump, accidentally flinging her pen up in the air. She scrambled to try and catch it, wincing as it hit of the rim of her mug and fell to the floor.

“I do,” she huffed, leaning down to rescue her pen. “But there’s nothing wrong with trying to keep my mind sharp. Better than just sitting around in this heat”

Summers in Ordon were known for their warmth. A damp humid air from Faron rolling across the winds, only made worse by the unrelenting sun up above. The storms offered little respite from the omnipresent heat, only really clearing the air for a day or two until the Faron winds choked them once more.

“I don’t know how you can concentrate,” he muttered, tugging at the collar of his shirt. He’d already unbuttoned the top two buttons, unbuttoning the third would just make him look silly. Well… sillier than he already did. The heat had no doubt turned his cheeks and ears bright pink.

“I can’t,” Ilia sighed. A soft thud indicated that she’d shut her book, apparently giving up on studying for the time being. Link would have laughed if he didn’t feel so lethargic, doing nothing was exhausting. At least I don’t live in Gerudo, he thought as he wiped a hand across his brow, I don’t think I could handle this kinda heat all year round. The Gerudo desert would be unbearable right now, but maybe Castleton would be better.

He wondered how hot it got in Castleton. Would the pavements sizzle? Would the smell of exhaust hang heavy in the air? Would people flock to the park in their lunch breaks? Would Zelda’s office have functioning AC?

Zelda… how was she dealing with the summer heat?

Tipping his head back to stare at the ceiling, Link let out a mournful sigh, all air leaving his lungs in a defeated rush. He was doing it again, thinking about her. He needed to stop otherwise he was going to drive himself mad. Zelda was gone and there was nothing he could do to change that.

“What’cha thinkin bout?” Ilia mumbled, her voice pulling him from his thoughts. He turned his head to look at her, taking in the way she slumped over the desk, her cheek resting in her palm while she fanned herself with a pamphlet on, what looked like, deworming cats and dogs.

“Nothin,” he lied, eyes turning back to the clock on the wall. Four fortyfive. How has it only been fifteen minutes?

“You’re not thinking about Zelda again are you?” Ilia sighed softly, the arm holding her makeshift fan landing against the desk. She looked as tired as he felt, shoulders sagging and eyes drooping. Even the curl of her hair seemed to have given up the ghost as it hung against her neck.

“Why would I be thinking about Zelda?” he scoffed, trying not to choke on his sarcasm.

“Because you’ve got the biggest crush on her in the history of Hyrule,” Ilia huffed. It wasn’t a secret. At this point practically everyone in Ordon knew of Link’s feelings towards the brunette heiress. They’d all agreed it was a damn shame to see him so heartsick, some even going as far as to call it cruel. Link disagreed with that; afterall, it wasn’t Zelda’s fault that he’d fallen for her as hard as he had. “Honestly Link...it’s been months. I don’t th-”

“I know,” He cut in, wincing at the acid in his tone. “I’m sorry, Ilia… I just… I know it’s been ...I can’t stop wondering...” Where would I be if she’d never left?

Ilia pushed herself back in her chair, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth. “I know,” she sighed, fingers tugging at the hem of her T-shirt. “I know, Link, I do. But maybe it is time to move on. Get out there, meet someone new”

Link sighed. She was only trying to help, he knew that, but the idea of going out and trying to find someone else to fall for… it all felt rather empty. Though he couldn’t bring himself to admit this to Ila. He saw the way she looked at him, worry causing her shoulders to go tense, a false smile always plastered to her lips. She just wanted him to be happy.

Closing his eyes, Link let his head fall back against the chair. All energy leaving from his body with a deep and tired sigh. “Maybe it is,” he murmured, trying not to notice how heavy Ilia’s silence felt now.

Quiet filled the air once more, the repeated ticking of the clock seeping into the spaces left by the absence of conversation. Outside the sun beat down against the dried earth filling the room with a blazing heat. Not for the first time that day, Link wondered if this was what the evil realm was like.

His wondering was halted when Ilia gave a loud sigh from across the room, throwing her makeshift fan at the desk with a ferocity that he’d never seen from her before. “How does Rusl do it?!” She cried, red faced from exertion.

Rusl was one of the lucky few who rarely seemed affected by the heat. Every year the Faron winds would blow and every year the elder vet appeared to ignore them. It was one of the great unsolved mysteries in the surgery as to how he managed to accomplish such a feat (along with “who’s sandwich is that in the fridge?” and “why are there never any gummy worms in the vending machine”) Link’s money was on the theory that Rusl was part Goron and was therefore used to the heat, Ilia didn’t seem to agree.

“You know my theory,” he sighed running a hand through his hair.

Ilia ignored him, pushing herself away from the desk. “I’m gonna go find a fan,” she declared “Watch the desk for me? I doubt anyone’s gonna show up but, y'know, just in case.”

Link gave a small nod of his head, watching as Ilia fled down the staff corridor. With a sigh he pushed himself from his seat, grimacing at the feel of sweat rolling down his spine.

The desk was placed right in front of the door, open and vulnerable to the blistering sun. No wonder Ilia was so uncomfortable, he thought reaching a hand up to tug at his collar. It was much warmer in this part of the room. He hoped she’d be back soon as he dropped into her chair, he didn’t think he could stand sitting in the sun for too long.

Now I just need to find something to do.

There was only three hours left of work and Link doubted that anyone would show up in that time. Five pm wasn’t exactly their most active hour at the best of times, let alone on days where nothing happened. Running a hand through his hair, Link searched the desk for something to do. It would be better to keep busy he reasoned as he rifled through the drawers, maybe he’d find something interesting?

His heart sank at the sight of paper, bills, and a bag of hard candy that had gone sticky. Nothing he could use to entertain himself! Well… he could make a paper airplane? It had been years since he’d last made one but he was sure he could figure it out if he had enough time. But then again… Ilia probably needed the paper for something, he couldn’t just use it all up without asking.

Resigned to boredom, Link gave the drawer a sharp kick. It made an almighty thud as it collided with the desk, slamming shut and then opening again from the force. He could feel his frustration grow the longer he sat in the sun. It seemed that everything was going wrong, he couldn’t even kick a drawer back into place without having that backfire!

Link debated just leaving the drawer open. If it didn’t want to close that wasn’t his problem, and there was no way he was going to lower himself to the level of disobedient furniture! He wasn’t going to fight with a desk, he was not! He refused! Why should he get down on his knees to close a stubborn drawer when a kick would have sufficed? It was unnatural, the desk was getting ideas above its station if it thought it could treat him this way.

I’m going mad, he thought sliding to his knees under the desk. He pulled the drawer open fully to inspect it, frowning at the sight of the sticky candies littered against the bills and papers. Suddenly every complaint Ilia had ever made about ants made sense, if this was how she stored her sweets no wonder she was popular with the insects. Swallowing his discomfort, Link began sweeping the candies back into their bag. He really needed to have a word with Ilia about how she organised her desk drawers.

“Hello?” A voice called out, musical, romantic, and achingly familiar. “Is there anyone there?”

Link jumped, electricity arcing through his body with every word that passed the strangers lips. Power charged through his legs and he rushed to stand up, the stubborn drawer and the disgusting candy all but forgotten to his frantic mind. Pushing himself upwards with all his might, Link tried to hold back a yelp as his head cracked against the underside of the desk.

Smooth one, Wolfe, he thought, a hand pressed against the steadily growing lump on his scalp, his eyes shut tight at the pain. From the otherside of the desk he heard the voice again, beautiful and soft and tainted with worry. “Oh my goodness! Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” Link breathed, standing up slowly this time to preserve his remaining brain cells. “My dignity took the worst blow.”

The laugh that followed was nothing less than magic, a pure symphony. Wonderful lilting notes hung in the air around him as he straightened, soothing his injuries and his pride. He could listen to that laugh all day and never get tired of it. He eased his eyes open, trying to find the source of such an enchanting giggle, and his heart stopped.

He knew the voice was familiar, why it caused such a powerful reaction in him. He’d heard it before, he’d listened to it in his dreams, he’d spent months replaying the last words she’d ever said to him. He’d recognize her voice anywhere.

She stood in front of him, brown hair piled in a messy bun at the back of her head, her face and neck flushed pink with the summer heat. At her side sat a large husky.

Zelda was back.

“H-hi,” he gasped, suddenly lost for breath. It felt like all the air in the world had vanished, leaving him floundering like a fish out of water.

“Hi,” she sighed, a heart stopping smile curling over her lips. Screw suffocating, he felt like he was drowning! This couldn’t be real, there was no way! The heat had finally gotten to him, he’d hit his head to hard, he’d fallen asleep and this was all just a dream.

“How have you been, Link?” She asked and he wanted to faint. She was here, right in front of him!

“Swell,” he lied. “Just...great.” He could feel his cheeks begin to ache from how wide he was smiling. “A-and you? How’ve you been?”

“I’ve been good,” She said, nodding a little too enthusiastically. “Busy...work’s been a little frantic”

“Yeah,” he breathed lamely. Why was it so difficult to talk around her? She was just a person it shouldn’t be so hard to just open his mouth and make conversation like a normal person! Comeon, Link. Think! get back on track. “What uhh..what brings you here? Is Naru okay? What’s up?” Perfect.

“Oh! No, she’s...she’s fine.” Zelda started, her eyes flashing quickly to the Husky at her feet. Naru sat on the ground, her tongue lolling out of her mouth as she panted through the heat. “She’s good there’s nothing wrong with her. I just thought that...it’d be a good idea to get her checked over just in case. I mean what with the… heat…” Zelda trailed off, lifting a hand to pull at the messy bun at the back of her neck. She looked… nervous? “I-I can come back later if now’s not a good time”

Link gave the room a quick glance. He took in the still chairs resting in the sunshine, the gentle and never ending tick-tocking of the clock, the fine dust motes floating in the air around them illuminated only briefly before fading away again. It was utterly devoid of life, save for the three of them. Ilia hadn’t even returned yet.

“Now’s fine,” He practically cried as he moved away from behind the desk. “Now’s a great time. Examination room three is open, I’ll take you in there…” The double entendre fell from his lips I’ll take you in examination room three, come on, Link be subtle at least! “I didn’t mean like… I’ll just show you the way”

Link wasn’t sure but he thought he saw a blush rise across Zelda’s cheeks, the already pink skin turning rosy as he moved past her towards the chairs to collect his coat. He’d rather not wear it in such warm weather, but it was always best to appear professional. Biting back a grimace he tugged it over his shoulders before ushering Zelda towards the small examination room.

Pushing open the door Link revealed the modest space. A long metal table took up most of the room, behind it sat a series of cabinets, the tops littered with jars filled with cotton and boxes of latex gloves. A small sink sat at the furthest end from the door, a small trash can placed beneath it. An old computer sat in the corner, it’s screen lighting up as Link pushed at keys to wake it up. With one hand he directed Zelda to sit in the only chair in the room whilst he pulled up a small plastic stool.

“Right, so, just a couple of routine questions,” He started, pulling up Naru’s medical charts.

“Lay them on me,” Zelda smirked, making herself comfortable in her seat. Naru curled around her legs, the strange and unfamiliar environment making her feel anxious.

“Have there been any changes to her eating or drinking habits?”

“No.”

“Good, any weight gain or-”

A sharp howl cut through the air, halting Link in his tracks. He saw Zelda flash him an apologetic look as she reached down to try and calm the animal. “I’m sorry, I know it’s impolite but I gotta ask,” Link continued, earning a smile from Zelda that made his chest feel tight. Ignoring the feeling he asked again, “Any weight gain or loss?”

“No,” she giggled, her hand scratching behind Naru’s ears.

“She up to date on her vaccines?”

“Yes, she got her boosters just last month.”

“Any coughing or Diarrhea?”

“No, thank goodness.”

“Balance issues?”

“Steady as a rock.”

“Excellent, let’s get her up on the table.”

Naru was not a fan of being lifted it seemed as Link wrapped his arms under her. She squirmed in his grasp, letting out another howl as she did so. Zelda stood to the side, muttering apologies and assurances that normally she’s much more well behaved, offering a hand to help calm or distract the wriggling canine. Eventually the two got her on the table, Naru letting out an indignant whine as her claws made contact with the cool steel surface.

Link began with checking her vitals, starting with her pulse and respiration rate before moving onto her temperature (and apologising profusely while he did so) all the while rolling back and forth on his stool between the computer and Naru.

“Vital signs are good,” he murmured half to himself as he stared at the screen. He could hear Zelda behind him blow kisses to her furry friend, the mental image causing him to smile. How was it that she was able to make him feel so happy with the simplest of actions?

Rolling back to the husky, Link started to conduct his physical examination. Naru seemed calmer than she had before, probably soothed by Zelda’s kisses and pats. He watched as she tilted her chin skyward, bright blue eyes sliding shut in pleasure as Zelda scratched at her neck, her tail creating a steady drumbeat against the table.

“I take it she ain’t a huge fan of vets,” he joked, reaching his own hands forward to press against Naru’s abdomen.

“Just the examination rooms,” Zelda confirmed as she pulled her hands back to her lap. “This is the fastest I’ve gotten her to calm down though, there must be something in the room that’s putting her at ease.”

“Could be the wallpaper?” Link snorted jerking his head towards the garish blue and green diagonal stripes that decorated the room. Zelda rolled her eyes at him but she laughed, rewarding him with another heart stopping smile.

Swallowing he turned back to the task at hand. Pulling a stethoscope from the wall behind him, he began listening to Naru’s heart and breathing. She gave a quick twitch at the feel of cold metal against her ribs, blue eyes snapping open to glare at him silently. shrugging his shoulders in a half hearted apology, Link couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up at his throat.

Across from him, Zelda sat back in her chair. She’d taken the messy bun out of her hair, running through the strands with her fingers to tidy them. Naru’s check up was forgotten as he watched her, nimble fingers pulling the hair into a perfect plait, a serene expression on her face.

He knew he’d missed her, the entirety of Ordon knew that he’d missed her! He’d thought about nothing but her for the past four months, just praying he’d get the chance to see her one last time. Having her here, now, in front of him, he hadn’t realized how desperate he’d been for that prayer to be answered.

“It’s nice to see you again,” he said, so quiet he wasn’t even sure that he’d said the words out loud. Zelda’s eyes turned towards him, the beginnings of a blush painting her cheeks and ears a light pink.

“Well…” she swallowed, hands dropping to her lap. He watched as she clutched at the fabric of her skirt, her knuckles going a bright white. She tilted her head towards Naru on the table. “She missed you”

“I wasn’t talking to the dog.”

Zelda's eyes grew wide, cheeks turning scarlet and lips parting in a quiet, surprised gasp as she lifted her eyes to his. All air seemed to rush from her lungs and for a moment Link was scared that she was going to faint or curse him out. But instead she seemed to gather herself, eyelashes fluttering as she searched for something to focus on that wasn’t him. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips and Link felt his chest grow hot.

“It’s nice to see you again too,” She’d gone bright red, her nerves masterfully hidden as she gazed up at him through her lashes. The room seemed to grow warmer but he couldn’t bring himself to care, her words were echoing around his head like the chimes of a cymbal. Maybe… just maybe, she’d missed him as much as had missed her?

Naru’s sharp, annoyed, howl wrang through the air, shattering the moment and drawing his attention back to her and the stethoscope still pressed against her ribs. Fighting back the rising flush of embarrassment he felt at being called out by a husky, Link quickly returned to his work as he examined her eyes, teeth, and ears. Once he was satisfied that she was alright, Link pulled his stool over the computer.

“Naru looks fine,” he murmured, hands moving across the keys. “She’s recovered well from that cold she had a couple months back, so that’s good. As for dealing with the heat I’d recommend just brushing her a whole lot to get rid of any excess fur, but don’t trim her. Also, if you’ve got a pond in your garden she might like to swim in that to keep cool? A kiddie pool would also work. I actually knew a guy who’d freeze fruit for his dog so she could play with it. Just took an old ice cream tub and filled with water with an apple in it”

“Thank you,Link - uh Doctor Wolfe.” He watched, out of the corner of his eye, as she showered Naru with affection. Pressing loving kisses against her forehead and gentle scratches under her chin and ears.

“Just doing my job,” he sighed, as he shut the computer down. She turned to him, something shining in her royal blue eyes that made him weak at the knees. It really was good to see her again. “I’ll walk you back to the desk.”

<><><>

The lowering sun cast a deep orange light over the waiting room. Tall shadows of the trees outside curled over the room through the windows like the cracks in a vase. The clock continued it’s resolute march and somewhere nearby an electric fan whirred, pulling and pushing the heavy air around the space.

“How long have you been back in Ordon?” Link asked, holding the door open for Zelda and Naru to walk past. Her perfume tickled his nose as she got close, lingering in the back of his throat. The scent of fresh roses following in the air after her.

“Not long, I just got back really,” she said, pulling her braid over her shoulder. “I’ve not even been up to the estate yet, I just... came straight here.”

“Worried about Naru?”

“No...I…” She trailed off, a hand coming up to tug on her braid, a nervous smile curling over her lips. “I just wanted to come here first”

It was impossible to hold back the goofy, idiotic, grin that plastered itself across his face. Even the most miserable of people would have failed when faced with the knowledge that Zelda Harkinian had wanted to get to the surgery before anything else. He’d managed to compose himself earlier when she had said that it was nice to see him again, but she was quickly breaking down his defences. He’d be a dribbling pile of nerves by the time she left and all she had to do was smile at him!

Turning towards the desk, in an attempt to at least hide his grin, Link began drawing up her bill. The fan that Ilia had placed on the desk only worked to increase his discomfort, blowing hot air directly into his face as he tried to work. The secretary herself, however, was nowhere to be seen. A small yellow note stuck to the computer monitor was the only clue to her whereabouts.

Uli’s stuck at the bakery, Rusl’s at the ranch. I had to take Colin to cricket club, desk is all yours. -Ilia x P.s. don’t root around my stuff!

Suppressing the urge to rub his eyes, he fished a pen out of the pot she kept there to write his reply.

Clean your candy. Ants love it, I don’t. -L P.s. the fan is useless

“That’s forty five ruppees for the consultation. No other charge because she’s a perfectly healthy dog.” He held the card reader out towards Zelda, looking away as she typed in her pin. He could hear the sound of Naru’s tail thumping against the floor in time with the clock on the wall in the otherwise silent room.

“How long are you in Ordon for?” he asked, pulling back the reader as it began to print the receipt. He’d been aiming to break the silence before it got too daunting, to make casual conversation like two friends do. And yet his mind had leapt to the first question he’d wanted to ask. He felt the tops of his ears grow warm as he handed her card back to her. No turning back now.

“I’m here for a month,” she explained, seemingly not noticing his sudden nerves. She tucked her card back into her purse. “I’m taking a break from work for a little bit.”

“Cool, cool.” Now what? He’d hit a dead end. Cool wasn’t a way to continue a conversation, nor a way to end one properly. He couldn’t just stop talking, but then what should he say? You’re gonna love the weather? No, he doubted anyone could love this weather. She might take it as sarcastic, but what if she didn’t? Then he’d have to explain himself and that would be awkward. Not to mention that it was a pessimistic statement to make for no reason! Talking about the weather was off the table. Any plans? might be a good choice. Unless she thought he was asking her out… would that be such a bad thing? He could ask her out right now! It’d be easy, just say Well if you’re here for a month do you wanna hang out sometime? There was nothing stopping him! That’s it! Link decided I’m going to ask her out.

“We might see each other around.”

You coward.

“We might,.” She agreed, pulling her hand bag up higher to her shoulder. He couldn’t tell, and he didn’t want to assume anything but… she seemed disappointed. “It was nice seeing you again.”

“You too,” idiot! idiot! idiot! “Take care.” By Farore, he was stupid! Saying goodbye to her now? Well she probably had somewhere to be, shopping to do or something. There’d been no one at the estate so she’d need to air it out and clean the sheets maybe. He couldn’t keep her here any longer than he already had. He was a veterinarian, he’d done his job, she had no reason to stick around.

“I will,” She smiled, taking a step backwards towards the door. She was almost hesitant.

Realistically, when am I gonna run into her again? I don’t even have her number.

“Uh, wait...”

She stopped. Bright, royal blue, eyes staring at him. The whole situation was vaguely familiar, only this time they were standing in a sweltering waiting room instead of her driveway under freezing cold rain. Back then, all he’d wanted was for her to stay. That wasn’t an issue now, she was staying albeit only for a few weeks. But a few weeks would have to be enough time.

“Yes?”

Screw half-cooked Ramen. It was now or never.

“Would you… I mean it’s… there’s a… do you wanna get coffee sometime?” He choked. He’d envisioned this moment before, except he hadn’t been stumbling over his words and he’d swept her off of her feet in a display so romantic that cheesy romcom movies would look tame in comparison. But he’d done it now, for better or worse. He couldn’t even look at her, his eyes staring at the pen he’d left lying out on the desk. She was probably going to say no, maybe she’d let him down gently if he was lucky.

“I’d love to.”

Wait, what? His heart skipped a beat in his chest. Had she just… she’d said… she wanted too…

“Great. Great! I’ll… uhh give you my number,” He began patting down his pockets in a frenzy, searching desperately for his phone. His mind and heart still reeling from the revelation that Zelda-Goddess-Damned-Harkinian had just said yes to going on a date with him. Only one problem remained… his phone was charging in the break room. Resisting the urge to slam his head against the desk he continued. “I don’t...I don’t have my phone with me. Uhh I could run back and-”

Zelda reached forward faster than he could comprehend, a hand expertly wrapping around his forearm, keeping him still as she pushed up his shirt sleeve. He watched breathless as she grabbed the pen from the desk and began writing on his skin in short, elegant, cursive.

0145 712598 - Miss Harkinian x

“You’ve got my number,” She breathed, a coquettish grin pulling at her lips. Link felt faint at the sight of her smile and the feel of her hand on his arm, her thumb tracing small circles over his skin.

“I do,” He said dumbly, his heart kicking back into gear at the realization. “I have your number so I’ll call you and then we can arrange something.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Her smile is gonna be the death of me, he thought as she pulled away. But damn, what a way to go. Zelda’s hand dropped from his arm, her attention drawn towards Naru as she gave a low howl.

“I gotta get her home,” Zelda giggled, leaning down to pat her husky on the nose. “I’ll hear from you later?”

“Absolutely,” He gasped, nodding his head so fast he was sure he was going to do himself an injury. “You’ll hear from me later, 100%.”

“Goodbye, Link,” she sighed, her lip caught between her teeth in a way that made his heart race.

“Bye, Zelda.

And just like that she was gone, walking out of the door, her husky in tow. He watched her till he couldn’t see her anymore,till she was nothing but a spec on the horizon, till the setting sun began to shine in his eyes and the clock struck the hour. Pushing away from the desk, he ran to the break room with all the power he could muster.

His phone was right where he’d left it, plugged in next to the toaster of all things. He practically ripped it from the wall in his haste. Adrenaline was rushing through his veins as he punched her number in, causing his whole body to shake with anticipation. Pressing the phone against his ear he waited, counting the rings until she picked up.

Ring ring

It was torture. Two seconds felt like five hours. He couldn’t stop moving, constantly tapping his feet against the floor. He thought he was going to explode until he heard her voice, sweet and melodious, echo down the phone line.

“Hello, Zelda Harkinian speaking.How can I help you?”

“Hi, yeah, I’m Doctor Link Wolfe with the Ordon veterinary surgery. I was wondering if you were free this friday?”

~Fin~

<><><>

The final chapter? What? no? Yes. This marks the end of the FIRST installment of Puppy Love. I'll be taking a short break after this but when I'm back I'll be starting work on the Puppy Love Short stories and lots of new fics as well. I'll write a sappier Authors note for the Epilogue which I'll be posting up in a week I promise haha

Massive Thanks to @zeldasdiaries/ @missdellarosa, @andelynk, and @electragoob for helping me so much during this process. I couldn't have done it without them. And thank you all so much for sticking by me through this, I'm so grateful to each and every one of you

#tp zelink #zelink #tp zelink fanfiction #puppy love #tp zelda #tp link

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ask-thehappykids · 6 years

Note

I think a roleswap AU with Dandory would be interesting! There are a ton of possibilities of course, like Daniyal being the seer and Andy maybe being a princess from Hyrule and Rory being the android, haha. I feel like that one has the most variety in it, but of course you can do it any other way you want, too!

I did my best with it but I think I’m just super rusty with writing! hopefully you like what I ended up doing with it haha. but also for context: instead of just seeing futures through touch, I gave Daniyal something more intimate, in that he has to kiss someone to see their future, but he can also see their past and their “present” or current situation haha. I figured he’d be more powerful than Rory because Rory’s powers were oppressed as a child.

But also Rory is still blind, even though he’s an android, his eyes just kinda...don’t work haha

“We’ve been seeing each other for a while now,” Andy said. It was just a statement of fact, nothing that could be disputed, but it still made Daniyal nervous. He had a feeling of what was coming next, but he wasn’t sure he was ready to go through it. “And we haven’t even kissed yet. Is that not something you do in this realm?”

They had given him an easy out. ‘No, things are a little different than they are in Hyrule.’ But Daniyal’s stomach felt heavy with the thought of lying. He couldn’t do that to Andy of all people. Even if they didn’t have the intimidating air of a princess, how could he bring himself to lie to them?

Daniyal looked down at his hands in his lap, fidgeting desperately for something he could say that wouldn’t ruin everything. “It’s…complicated,” he started. “I don’t know if…If I can—“

A gentle hand rested on his shoulder, pulling Daniyal’s gaze up to meet Andy’s bright blue eyes. “It’s okay. If you’re not comfortable, we don’t have to do anything different.”

An ache filled Daniyal’s heart. Something about Andy’s expression was sad, the slightest hint of disappointment. But the look quickly faded into a soft smile, those same blue eyes sparkling with so much love and understanding. It only made Daniyal want to tell them the truth more.

“We can just sit here for a while longer,” they continued. “I do love spending time with you, and the sunset is always so beautiful, isn’t it?”

“It is,” Daniyal agreed, but he wasn’t looking at the skyline anymore. He watched Andy’s profile and the way their hair gently blew in the soft spring air. The park was mostly empty since it was beginning to get dark, but this was their favorite time to come, so Daniyal couldn’t help but oblige. Before he could lose his nerve, Daniyal spoke again, “But I think…I’d really like to try. Kissing, that is.”

Andy turned back to him, eyes wide. They searched him for any uncertainty, then laid their hand on top of his. “Of course. Let me know if you need to stop.”

Daniyal smiled, his heart swelling. Slowly, the two of them leaned toward each other. It was nerve-wracking, but eventually their lips met and for a moment, it was the most pleasant Daniyal had ever felt.

Then he shuddered. Andy’s entire past, present, and future flashed before his eyes. Daniyal pulled back just in time to avoid seeing their last moment. All of a sudden, making eye contact seemed like a monumental task.

“Are you alright?” Andy asked, grabbing Daniyal’s hands in their own. “What happened?”

“I…We need to talk.”

The grip they had on his hands only grew tighter, and their voice was earnest. “Of course, love. Whatever you’d like to do.”

————

“I don’t really think it would work the same, Daffodil,” Rory pointed out, running his thumb across the back of Daniyal’s hand. “I’m made of metal. It’s a bit…different, isn’t it?”

Daniyal bit his lip. He wasn’t sure either, but that didn’t stop him from being nervous about it. At least he’d gotten the truth out sooner than he thought he would. And Rory had been wonderful about it, too, thankfully. But still, there was the actual kissing part.

“You’ve got a past. And surely a future, too,” Andy piped up, entering the room. They’d agreed to make dinner for Daniyal and Rory’s date, if only to encourage the date to happen at all. They set the plates down in front of the two of them and stood back with their hands on their hips, waiting for the verdict on their food.

“Yes, that’s correct. I’m just not sure if an android is the same as a human in regards to magic.” Rory politely began to pick at his meal, if only to appease Andy, but Daniyal knew he didn’t need to actually eat it.

Daniyal couldn’t bring himself to even pick up his fork. The food looked lovely, but the churning in his stomach was a warning to not rock the boat too much. He looked down at his arm lying across the table, fingers intertwined with Rory’s. “I’m willing to give it a shot though,” he said suddenly. As an afterthought, he added, “I-If you are.”

Rory’s blank eyes looked up, not seeing anything, but still giving off the feeling that he could see right through Daniyal. He put the fork down and squeezed tightly to Daniyal’s hand and smiled sweetly. “Of course, Daffodil. Whatever you’d like to do.”

#fic #andy tag #rory tag #friendo tag #ship: dandory #au: roleswap #cantolopejeevas #ask

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fearofaherobrine · 8 years

Text

Roleplay server Log #162

“Hyrule the water Baby”

[TLOT] Poor Notch... He won't be getting any sleep at all

[CP] - Exactly, where as I'm trying to coax Lie into sleeping again

[TLOT] Poor Lie, she's still having those nightmares?

[CP] - Don't know, she hasn't fallen asleep yet

[Doc] at Steve- you found the gems?

[Steve] Yeah! Here, My love has some of them as well. Here's the diamonds - holds out the blue rock candy-

[Doc] makes a click copy and offers the gem to the little dragon

[Yaunfen] Sniffs and starts to happily gum on it-

[TLOT] Well... She is a brine, she doesn't have to sleep if she really doesn't want too

[CP] - I recall you telling me how well that worked last time...

[Doc] I think we hit the jackpot in more ways then one, was that what you wanted little one?

[Yaunfen] Happy squeaks-

[TLOT] flustered- well it's hard on your psyche if you don't let your main-frame rest, but it can be done!

[CP] Sighs- Come on, let's get going

[CP] Opens a portal to the digital realm and steps through, once everyone is through he closes the portal and turns to Doc- Okay, find the server

[Doc] is just floating in the nothing and holding Yaunfen- ummm I think... - they're looking for something that feels like hir lover- that way!...?

- the vanilla cow seems distressed and Steve puts Stevie on its back

[TLOT] I can feel it too Doc... Go that way

[CP] - Consider this training for going out into the real world, because getting back is just as important

[Doc] Oh.... - Is casting about and starts going in a slightly different direction. - I do feel something familiar close by.... over this way...

[CP] Is fighting down his snickers-

[TLOT] Uh.. Doc I'm not sure that's our server.

[CP] Motions for TLOT to shut up-

[Doc] I think you're right, but it is one I know. - reaches out with hir free hand to touch the faint square.

[Doc] Walks forward and emerges into Cp's office. - Ah fuck.

[CP] Bursts out laughing-

[TLOT] Not nice Cp. They did find someplace we've been before, it wasn't a random seed.

[CP] - Oh but it is funny, and hey, at least they didn't find a way out to real world first

[Doc] Looks around for a moment and gets a naughty idea. Xe takes out one of the lollipop flowers and gives it a big lick before sticking it to the seat of Cp's desk chair and pushing it back under the desk.

[CP] - Come on Doc, I'm sure your mate is eager for you to get home

[Doc] Comes back out - Dammit.... Okay, I'm trying... - starts headed off in a different direction.

[TLOT] Just relax and feel around.

[Doc] This is odd... - Xe puts out a hand and touches a different pane. - it feels like... BEN actually...

[CP] - That's because that is Majora's Mask

[Doc] Ech... I don't have good memories associated with that game... Still feels a bit like his energy though.

[CP] - Probably not his copy

[Doc] Makes a suddenly brighter face and points a ways away. - I know there's at least one Pokemon game that direction, I don't know which one though.

[CP] - No

[Doc] I wasn't suggesting we go. Though I'm sure Stevie and your Honedge would enjoy it. - Is moving along at a walking pace.

[Stevie] Is lightly kicking the cow he's on-

[Steve] Be gentle Stevie, I think this cow is a bit freaked out being out here.

[Stevie] - Okay

[Doc] Actually there's a place here you don't know about, I bet. - Trots a bit to one side. - This one is where our friends Richtofen and Takeo came from. I can hear the zombies screaming from here. - It's also a good place for... aquiring unusual equiptment for experiments....

[CP] Growls a little-

[TLOT] That's a shooter isn't it.... Let's not...

[Doc] I wouldn't. The cow would get infected and it would be far too dangerous for Steve and Stevie.

[Stevie] - No zombies, zombies are bad and they bang on doors really loudly...

[Steve] playful- They're also stinky and bad tempered.

[Stevie] - Uh-huh!

[CP] Flicks a hand which forces a stray bit of coding farther away-

[Doc] Gets a devious look and sticks a hand into a rather dusty pane. Xe pulls hir hand back out with a large green leaf and tosses it at Cp. - Hey Cp, think fast!

[CP] Swats it away-

-As he touches it there's a VOOFP noise and suddenly Cp has a pair of raccoon ears on his head and a racoon tail on his rear.

[TLOT] Nearly chokes with laughter

[CP] -Doooooooooc....

[Stevie] Giggles as well-

[Doc] If you wag it you'll fly faster and I bet Stevie will laugh in a very sweetly endearing and childlike way at his funny big brother.

[CP] - How about I ram my sword up your ass instead!

[Doc] Yikes! Okay! I'm going! - Scoots out of reach and starts sniffing around for the feel of the server before heading off in a determined way.

{Stevie] - Let's go moo moo

[Doc] Ohhh. Cp... we should come back to this one just you and me later....

[CP] - What asinine thing are you talking about now?

[Doc] It's Vice City. I could go for some crazy driving, and I think you'd enjoy the flamethrower.

[CP] - I don't need a tool for that

[Doc] Then the plethora of targets would be to your liking at least.

[CP] - Whatever

[TLOT] Puts his ear near a pane. - I hear roaring...

[CP] - That's a Jurassic Park game

[Steve] Swallows - No.. dinosaurs please...

[Doc] Don't worry, I want to go home too.

[CP] - If you can find it

[TLOT] I really don't think we should be out here longer then nessesary. NOTCHs can seed hop too you know.

[CP] - Yeah yeah

[Doc] If holding Yaunfen close with one hand and touching pane after pane with the other. - Good gods there are so many Minecraft seeds...

[CP] - Yup, oh hey, that's one of the ones I used to be on

[TLOT] does that mean your NOTCH wrecked it already?

[CP] - Nope, I did

[Doc] Has caught a scent now and is starting to run.

[CP] - I don't feel like running

[TLOT] Then walk. - Hurries after Doc pulling the cow along with Steve beside him.

[CP] Decides to float along instead, setting the tail and ears on fire to destroy them-

[Doc] Is inputing a complex passcode onto a pane that's much shinier then the ones around it. - I found it!

[CP] - Found what?

[Doc] Opens the wall to show the savannah and an afternoon sky- Home.

- There's a bit of bellowing as the mammoths react to the humans and brines and shuffle farther away.

[Stevie] - What are those!

[TLOT] Leads them inside after Doc - They're mammoths Stevie. Lie took a liking to some on an outing with Doc.

[Doc] I couldn't resist rescuing a few. They're so fuzzy and majestic.

[Stevie] - Look brother! Home!

[CP] - Yeah yeah

[Doc] I wonder how Aven and BEN are faring? We're near their house.

[aven] -is siting outside with hyrule in her arms-

[CP] - I don't know or care right now

[TLOT] Leads the cow towards Gem's house since they can see it from where they are anyway.

[CP] Groans and follows to keep an eye on Stevie-

[Steve] Runs up ahead of the others - Hey Aven!

[aven] oh hello.

[Steve] Awww, how are you holding up Aven?

[TLOT] I smell something stinky...

[aven] I was going to have gem give hyrule a bath when she got back while I distracted ben because he is over protective.

[Doc] Walks up as well - Hey Aven. Ah, that sounds like a good idea. Look what I have, you're not the only one with a little babe to tend now. Meet Yuanfen.

[Yuanfen] Still gumming on the candy diamond-

[aven] is it made of candy while eating candy?

[Doc] They just look like candy as camoflage I think. But yes, Yaunfen likes candy. Their whole home seed is candy and cake and ice cream. It's heavily modded. The cow came from there too.

[TLOT] The milk is vanilla flavored, want some?

[aven] yes that sounds good.

[Steve] Pulls out the bucket again and fills it for her before passing it.

[TLOT] Um Aven... I could wash Hyrule again if you want, it smells like he needs it.

[Stevie] - What's the tiny thing?

[aven] -takes the bucket in one hand while holding hyrule- I will have to distract ben but sure it would be helpful.

[TLOT] It's a baby Stevie. A tiny person.

[Doc] Where is BEN anyway?

[Stevie] - How did it get here?

[Steve] Aven made him. With some help from BEN.

[aven] he should be inside -takes a sip of the milk- oh this is good.

[Stevie] - So a boy and a girl can make a baby?

[Steve] Yep. That's not the only way you can do it, but I think it's the simpliest.

[Stevie] - So brother could make one with miss Lie?

[TLOT] Takes out some of the lollipop flowers- Looks at this haul Aven, you should have seen it. It was crazy pastel everywhere.

[aven] that seem like a lot of candy.

[Steve] Well... no because Lie gave up one of the parts she needed cause she's not ready to be a mom just yet. But she could if she changed her mind.

[TLOT] Oh yes. Toffee for gold, rock candy diamonds and sticky strawberry lava.

[Stevie] - But I want a little brother so I can play the big brother!

[Steve] Aww. What about Ashe? You're older then he is.

[Stevie] - But he's already bigger than me sometimes

[Steve] Bigger doesn't matter, you're still older. Besides. He could use someone strong to help him out.

[Stevie] - But his momma is really strong!

[Steve] Yeah but she's not a kid and she has to look after Willow and Oak too. It would be a big help.

[Stevie] - Okay

[aven] gem would have a field day with that candy she has a huge sweet tooth

[TLOT] I didn't know that! Hang on, I'll copy some of this and give it to you.

[Doc] Just not the endstone sponge cake. It seems to expand if you leave it anywhere.

[CP] - Stevie, do you wanna head home? You still have that... Blanket, fort to work on...

[Stevie] - I wanna keep riding the cow!

[TLOT] Gives Aven a big handful of candies and cake blocks - Here you go. And you should let me take care of Hyrule. Is it better to tell BEN or just be quick about it?

[aven] then lets head inside the main area there is a caldron in the bathroom there.

[Steve] I'll stay out here and watch Stevie and.. Moo Moo?

[Doc] Do you need help TLOT?

[TLOT] Only if BEN attacks me.

[Doc] I'm coming with you.

[BEN] Has barricaded the bathroom door and hung a sign- NO BATHING THE BABY IN WATER!

[aven] -starts to head inside-

[TLOT] Hmm... should we go in the kitchen instead?

[aven] yep.

[BEN] Is in the kitchen eating-

[Doc] Offers Yaunfen hir shoulders - could you crawl up and lay down?

[aven] -hands tlot hyrule-

[Yuanfen] Scrambles up, digging hir claws in a bit-

[Doc] Winces a bit, but hir coat mostly protects hir from the dragons thick claws. - What do you need TLOT?

[BEN] Glares at TLOT- Why do you have Hyrule?

[aven] -goes over to ben- because you need to chill

[TLOT] You know why BEN, he's stinky. I just came over to visit, but it looks like you needed help anyway. -turns to Doc- Just a diaper and some bone meal.

[BEN] Is immediately between TLOT and the water source- Don't you dare

[aven] -trying is dragging ben away upstairs-

[BEN] - NO! MY SON WILL NOT DROWN!

[TLOT] Come on BEN, I didn't hurt him last time, what makes you think this would be different?

[aven] I will get one of gem's guardian to carry you upstairs he won't drown I promise.

[Doc] BEN, it does make my hearts happy to see how much you care about him.

[BEN] Is snarling at TLOT-

[TLOT] I'll make it quick. Trust me. - He switches the baby to one hand and puts some water in the cauldron sink before turning up his glitch around his fingers to make it a bit warm.

[aven] -yells- hey vin can you help me carry ben upstairs?

[vin] -comes downstairs and because he is very tall picks up ben-

[BEN] Struggles desperately to get out of Vin's grasp-

[vin] -is strong and carries him upstairs-

[Doc] Sets out some cloth for a diaper and a bone meal blob.

[TLOT] Lays the baby in the bit of water and starts washing him gently.

[BEN] - HYRULE! DON'T DROWN!

[Doc] Oh hush, you'll make him cry yelling like that.

[hyrule] -starts babbling and bouncing once he sees the water-

[CP] Is snickering at BEN-

[TLOT] Is making silly noises at the baby and playing with his teeny fingers and toes.

[hyrule] -is giggling trying to grab tlots fingers-

[TLOT] makes tiny splashes with his fingers for Hyrule.

[hyrule] -splashes along with tlot-

[BEN] Can be heard yelling upstairs-

[TLOT] Gives the baby a through washing and reaches for the towel Doc is holding to pat him off. - Man you really like a good bath. Somehow two hydrophobics equaled one hydrophilliac.

[Doc] Yeah, he's gonna have an interesting childhood.

[aven] yeah ben is going to be going insane over it and gem will probably teach him to swim.

[BEN] - HYRULE!

[aven] ben chill he is fine.

[BEN] - HE GOT WET!

[aven] wet doesn't equal drown ben.

[BEN] - YES IT DOES!

[aven] unless hyrule breaths though his skin he isn't going to drown by being wet.

[TLOT] Powders Hyrule's butt and ties a clean diaper around him. - There we go! All clean and not even a teeny bit drowned.

[Doc] Unless BEN considers that his last name...

[BEN] - THERE IS SUCH A THING AS DRY DROWNING!

[Doc] Oh is that when your lungs fill with fluid and you choke?

[aven] -is facepalming-

[BEN] - USUALLY AFTER A NEAR DROWNING!

[Doc] Shush, he's fine. Look he's smiling. Ready for his proud parents to coo over him some more

[hyrule] -is giggling-

[BEN] Get's free of Vin and darts downstairs again-

[snake] -kazoo's loudly at ben as he almost stepped on him-

[TLOT] Is holding Hyrule gently

[BEN] - Hyrule!

[Doc] Is scratching Yaunfen's chin lightly.

[TLOT] Here you go- Holds the baby out for BEN to take.

[BEN] Takes Hyrule and floats up by the ceiling holding him protectively-

[Doc] Looks up - So apart from the conniption fit, how are you doing BEN?

[BEN] - Okay I guess...

[TLOT] Losing sleep? I hear babies cry a lot.

[hyrule] wa-er

[BEN] Freezes-

[aven] well it looks like hyrule's first word is water

[Doc] First word! Awww!

[BEN] - noooooooooooooooo

[TLOT] I guess he really does like getting a bath.

[hyrule] wa-er wa-er

[BEN] - No, how about lightning?- Brings a little of his green electricity into his hand

[Doc] Too many syllables for a first word.

[hyrule] wa-er

[BEN] Groans-

[BEN] - Aven! Our child is defective!

[aven] hyrule is fine the only reason he isn't scared is because he never drowned and I would like to keep it that way.

[BEN] - Are you sure we can't trade him in for another?

[aven] -face palms- that's not how that works

[BEN] - Are we sure?

[aven] one hundred percent

[BEN] Whines-

[hyrule] wa-er

[BEN] - No, lightning

[hyrule] wa-er wa-er

[BEN] - Light-ning

[aven] I don't think he is going to say lightning

[BEN] - Shut up

[hyrule] wa-er

[BEN] - No, light-ning

[hyrule] wa-er

[BEN] - Light-ning

[hyrule] wa-er

[BEN] - Light-ning

[hyrule] wa-er wa-er wa-er

['BEN] Groans- I will find a way to remove that word from your vocabulary

[aven] ben let him say it

[BEN] - No way, water is evil and dangerous and why aren't you on my side? You were killed by it too!

[aven] only my ben half drowned

[BEN] - That's not the point!

[aven] the point is our kid doesn't have hydrophobia like us.

[BEN] - HOW CAN HE NOT HAVE IT!?

[aven] because where you born with hydrophobia I know I wasn't

[BEN] Grumbles a little-

[aven] he was just not born with any fear of water

[BEN] Turns his attention back to Hyrule- Say light-ning

[hyrule] wa-er

[aven] try some thing easyer like mommy or daddy

[BEN] - ANYTHING, but- grimaces- water...

[hyrule] wa-er

[BEN] - No

[hyrule] wa-er

[BEN] - NO! Light-ning

[hyrule] -starts crying because ben yelled-

[BEN] - Shit! Aven!

[aven] give hyrule to me

[BEN] Hands Hyrule over before pulling out his ocarina and begins softly playing Zelda's lullabye-

[aven] -starts rocking hyrule in her arms-

[hyrule] -slowly calming down now-

[BEN] Keeps playing-

[hyrule] -falls asleep in aven's arms-

[BEN] Lets the music dwindle away before lowering the instrument-

[aven] -quietly- I think it's time to put hyrule in his crib

[BEN] - Just no more water

[aven] hyrule is already clean

[BEN] - No more water ever...

[aven] if hyrule likes water then sooner or later he is going to want to swim

[BEN] - NOOOOOO!

[aven] shush you will wake hyrule.

[BEN] Whimpers-

[aven] there will be water in hyrule's future but not drowning

[BEN] Growls- No water, ever!

[aven] -is already starting to bring hyrule upstairs- it's not just your decision

[BEN] - Watch me!

[aven] -is already halfway across the hallway upstairs-

[BEN] Grumbles-

[snake] -he is on the edge of the stairs- hyrule needs baths ben.

[BEN] - No he doesn't... Neither do I...

[snake] you both do -kazoos at him-

[BEN] - Bath's are over-rated!

[snake] even aven knows when to keep her self clean.

[BEN] Growls-

[snake] -kazoos at ben because he growled-

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fatefulfaerie · 4 years

Text

Castle

Linktober Prompt Day 9/31

Incarnation: Breath of the Wild

Word Count: 2,018

Triggers: Anxiety

“Do you think strong hands can be gentle?” Zelda asked, her chin in her hand and her gaze out the window.

“Depends,” Urbosa said before looking from the book she read to the princess, trying to find where the question came from. The reason came quickly.

Outside the window of the Sheikah lab was Link, slashing the air with the sword that seals the darkness. Urbosa continued to lounge in comfort eyeing the princess, who had obviously gotten distracted from her own studies.

Urbosa coughed a small laugh.

“You’re really head over heels for him, aren’t you?” She asked, expecting from the princess a hurried, insistent, and embarrassed regret that she ever told Urbosa of her feelings for her knight attendant.

“Mm,” Zelda hummed in reply, obviously not paying attention to Urbosa’s words in the slightest.

Urbosa stood up with a smile, her heels clunking and her Gerudo fabrics swaying as she made her way over to the princess. Urbosa waved her sun-shaded hand in front of the princess’ green eyes.

Zelda blinked herself out of her trance and looked up at Urbosa.

“Did you say something, Urbosa?”

“Nothing worth repeating, little bird.”

Zelda shook her head.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know where my head is today,” Zelda said.

“Right up against your knight attendants, I’m sure,” Urbosa stated, with that signature Gerudo frankness. Zelda’s cheeks blushed pink almost immediately.

“Urbosa!” She said in a whispered exclamation. “He’ll hear you!”

“Unlikely,” Urbosa argued with a glance out the window at how he fought, before returning her gaze to the pair of youthful green eyes, which soon averted themselves.

“It’s my fault, isn’t it?” Zelda asked, Urbosa listening attentively. “Studying guardian schematics here in this lab when I know father is in his afternoon meeting and using you as my alibi that I spent the hour praying. No wonder the sealing power won’t come…I haven’t been praying enough. Perhaps my father is right, perhaps the goddesses want me more devoted to the practice.”

“Zelda if you were any more devoted—”

“I’d have the sealing power,” Zelda interrupted with lifted eyes.

Urbosa exhaled an exasperated sigh.

“So you spend an hour a day out here studying Sheikah technology. Everyone needs a break, especially people who spend the rest of the day praying to a cold and silent statue. It’s no big deal.”

“Then why don’t I have the sealing power after so many years?” Zelda asked. Urbosa inhaled to answer, but it seemed Zelda wasn’t yet finished with her panicked monologue. “And then on top of my studies I do something as frivolous as to ogle over my knight attendant? Hyrule is frankly screwed.”

“Zelda—”

“I’m a curse!” Zelda exclaimed, standing up. “A curse to Hyrule wearing the mask of a blessing! I’m fated for failure, aren’t I?!”

Tears had gathered at the bottom of Zelda’s eyes. She closed her eyes and bowed her head, letting a tear fall down her cheek.

Urbosa’s heart was breaking as she looked at the princess, her little bird locked in a cage. She wanted to free her from her prison, but she knew the kingdom needed her sealing power. Zelda would have to withstand the pressure tomorrow, there was no choice. But today…

“We travel to Lanayru mountain tomorrow,” Urbosa said, her soothing voice like honey. “Your father expects you to unlock the sealing power at the Spring of Wisdom and that pressure is eroding at you.”

Urbosa placed her warm, comforting hand on Zelda’s shoulder. The princess looked up.

“You need a bigger breather than just an hour out here, especially before tomorrow. Take the afternoo—“

“Urbosa, I can’t afford to—”

“Take the afternoon,” Urbosa insisted slower. “Travel somewhere with your knight attendant, not too far from the castle but somewhere distant from it. I will make an excuse to the King.”

“I haven’t seen my father since he forbade me from studying the technology,” Zelda said. “If I squander the rest of the afternoon, he will only hate me more, not to mention the goddesses will never forgive me.”

Urbosa looked up to the doorway at the sound of soft footsteps, Zelda did the same with a soft gasp and, at the sight of who it was, turned away and attempted to wipe her tears to make herself presentable. Urbosa had already paced towards Link.

“Take her away for the afternoon,” Urbosa commanded, “somewhere distant from the castle.”

“Is she okay?” Link asked. His eyes danced with concern and Urbosa wondered if he too, harbored feelings for his companion.

“She will be,” Urbosa said. “She just needs a break. I will make an excuse to the King.”

Link nodded as Urbosa departed, his piercing blue eyes watching her leave before they settled back onto Zelda, who had a hand on the desk and was facing away from Link.

“We will leave when you are ready, Your Highness,” Link said, turning to leave and prepare their horses.

——————————————————————————————————

“I’m trying to bit a bit more empathetic,” Zelda said. “Benefit of the doubt, you know.”

Link’s gaze lingered on her as their horses paced calmly to Sanidin Park, even as Zelda returned her eyes to a forward gaze.

“Towards me,” Link prompted as he did the same.

“Yes.”

“Not yourself?” Link asked.

Zelda looked to Link immediately. She wanted to reprimand him for his bluntness, his bluntness that brutally exposed her vulnerability, but she couldn’t bring herself to. She was beginning to love every part of him, and beginning to understand that his words were meant to expose her in a way not meant to hurt but to help.

“No,” she finally said. “You deserve empathy, I don’t.”

Link took such a long pause that Zelda figured the conversation was over.

“I can’t think of a way to convince you that you deserve to give yourself empathy, so I suppose I’ll have to give you all the empathy I can muster to make up for it.”

Zelda’s heart swelled and she cursed it. Her feelings for Link were a distraction she couldn’t afford, but she couldn’t deny that every passing day she found another reason to be in love with him. She tried not to think of his statement as meant in a romantic way until she kidded herself that it could have been.

The princess, freed from the castle for just the afternoon, had cheeks adorned with a warm blush.

They dismounted their horses in silence, Zelda taking the lead as they approached the falling sun. Link paced behind her with eyes that swam with an unrelenting focus on her. Call it concern, call it lust, call it empathy, whatever the word was, he was definitely distracted from his role protecting her.

If a Yiga came up from behind them, they would be screwed.

“See that mountain?” She asked. Link looked out at the horizon, the view aglow with an orange sunset, the mountain ranges outlined in the warmth of the sun. “That’s Mount Lanayru. It takes its name from the goddess of Wisdom.”

“Lanayru’s decree is very specific. It say no one is allowed under the age of seventeen…for only the wise are permitted a place upon the mountain.”

“I’ve prayed at the Spring of Courage and at the Spring of Power, yet neither awoke anything inside me. But maybe up there…perhaps the Spring of Wisdom, the final of the three, will be the one.”

“To be honest, I have no real reason to think that will be the case. But there’s always the chance that the next moment will change everything.”

“Tomorrow…is my seventeen birthday.”

Zelda turned around and Link’s heart skipped a beat. The horizon was beautiful when coated with the sun, but the princess had a beauty that ached his heart, the sunset behind her making her resemble an angel, a goddess, a divine entity Link wasn’t worthy to see, let alone exist alongside, let alone protect, let alone be in love with.

Yes, love.

That was the word.

Love.

How could he not love this girl, her shining green eyes, her resplendent golden hair, her lovely voice, her immaculate mind, her soul that was as troubled as his, her heart that didn’t know its power.

Her lips moved and Link heard no words.

“I-I’m sorry what?” Link said with a couple blinks of his eyes, breaking away from his trance.

Zelda narrowed her eyes, swearing she saw a blush on his cheeks but soon attributing it to the way the sun shined upon him. He wouldn’t betray his emotions so easily like that, especially not for a failure like her.

“You weren’t listening?” She asked. Link could hear the sadness in her voice, he could hear her heart breaking and panicked. He didn’t know how to explain his way out of this one without confessing right here and now, or lying and saying he spaced out because he didn’t care for what she was saying.

Link parted his lips. He didn’t know what to say and hated more than ever how he always lost his words at the worst time.

Zelda’s eyebrows furrowed, her balls fisted and she stormed off towards her horse, Link inwardly fearing that they had regressed to the tension of their very first interactions.

He wanted to stop it, find any word, as he turned around to her angry silhouette, walking towards her horse. Any words but ‘I love you’. Any words but ‘I love you’. Any words but ‘I love you’.

“I’m sorry,” Link said. Zelda stopped in her tracks. Link in particular looked at her hands, watching for when they would soften from tight fists. “I was listening…intently…but…I got to worrying about tomorrow and I spaced out for your last sentence.”

Zelda showed no change from what Link could see.

“I do care about what you have to say, Princess…more than you realize.”

“Because it has to do with the calamity?” She asked with a turned head to her shoulder.

“Because it has to do with you,” Link corrected.

Zelda exhaled a sigh, her hands finally softening.

“I’m sorry,” she said as she turned back around. “I’m just stressed out and I’m afraid I’ve taken it out on you. I merely said that we would be going up the mountain tomorrow. It is a fearful prospect, my potential failure, and that is something you understand.”

She shook her head.

“You didn’t deserve my anger,” she said. “You never did."

Link nodded.

There was only twice in those beginning times where the distance between Link and Zelda was any less than eight feet.

The first time was a ceremony subdued, where Zelda recited old tomes about the sword that seals the darkness with Link kneeling before her. The King hoped the ceremony would wrest the sealing power from where it slept somewhere within Zelda.

The second time was when Link rescued Zelda from the ruthless blades of the Yiga Clan, the gallant knight just in front of her and scaring off the insect-like Yiga footmen with nothing but his piercing blue gaze.

After that they became closer, physical and emotionally, bonding over their shared burdens and gradually, Zelda became comfortable with Link being right up against her. It wasn’t long before that comfort became flat out lust.

The closest they had ever been was when they danced together at the ball, Zelda and Link fearing their hearts would beat out of their chests and expose their feelings for the whole court to see, let alone each other.

So when Link walked forward with the intention of comforting Zelda, she didn’t move. She guessed at what he would do when, for the first time ever, he hugged her.

They spoke no words as they held each other, hands all at once gentle and rough. For longer than either of them expected, the other clutched tight.

“We’ll face tomorrow together,” Link finally said. “I will be by your side no matter what.”

Link felt her nod.

“Just promise me one thing,” Link said. “That you won’t forget it’s your birthday.”

Zelda smiled.

“I promise.”

#linktober #tloz #breath of the wild #the legend of zelda #botw #zelda #link #zelink #urbosa #hyrule #to mount lanayru #memory 14

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katedoesfics · 5 years

Text

Shadows of Hyrule: Chapter 4

Link sprinted through the forest, though he wasn't entirely sure where he was going. Yet something in his gut guided him over the fallen trees and rubble that littered the forest and he pressed on as fast as he could. Something was wrong, but he didn't know what. All he knew was that he needed to get somewhere. He needed to save something. He needed to save someone.

He caught a glimpse of something shining in the corner of his eye. It was a warm glow; a comforting glow. It was a sign of hope; a promise. He followed the glow. The Triforce was illuminated on the back of his left hand. The more he ran – the closer he got to his destination – the brighter it seemed to glow. But it didn't scare him. It encouraged him. It reminded him of who he was and what he had to do.

And suddenly, he remembered why he was running. He remembered his destiny. But more importantly, he remembered who he was fighting for. His family. His friends. The people he cherished most. The people he loved.

He would give his life for them if he had to.

The forest thinned suddenly and the world opened up to him. The rolling hills of Hyrule's old countryside stretched towards the horizon. An old, forgotten castle was all that marked the landscape, and it was shrouded in an unsettling darkness. The darkness moved about the castle, swirling through the air around it. The glow of the Triforce brightened significantly. His fingers tightened around the sword in his left hand, but he did not move further.

“Link! You are the light that shines upon Hyrule! Only you can save us!”

The darkness that surrounded the castle shot into the sky suddenly. It swirled and stretched until the sky was no more and the land was shrouded in an eerie, twilit haze. The darkness then shot across the sky towards him, and all he could do was brace himself.

Link awoke with a start, panting. He blinked in the darkness, waiting for his eyes to adjust and his pulse to slow. It was just a dream. He looked around his room, noticing then the glow that came from under his closet doors. He scrambled out of bed and across the room, pulling the doors open. The Master Sword leaned against the corner, a soft glow pulsing around it. Link stumbled backwards in surprise, falling to the floor as another glow came from his hand. He stared in horror as a piece of the Triforce showed itself on his hand. Link groaned loudly and buried his face in his hands.

“I’m not doing it,” he said loudly. “You can’t make me! It’s not real!”

“Link?” A soft voice spoke behind his bedroom door.

He got to his feet and slunk over to the door, opening it slightly. He peered down at his little sister who stood concerned on the other side. She cocked her head at him.

“Did you fall out of bed again?”

Link scratched at his head and looked quickly up and down the hallway. “Yeah. Sure.”

She smiled up at him. “Can I come in and sleep with you?”

“No,” he said quickly. “I… have to do homework.”

His sister giggled. “You never do homework.”

“Yeah, well,” he started. “If I want to graduate next year, I should probably start.”

Aryll peered around him. “Are you watching Netflix again?”

Link glanced over his shoulder. The Master Sword was still glowing faintly. He turned back to his sister. “Go back to bed, Ary,” he said sternly. “Dad’s gonna be mad if he hears you’re up.”

Aryll crossed her arms, sulking. “Fine,” she said. “But I’m telling Mipha you were mean to me.”

Link sighed. “I’ll tell Mipha that you still wet the bed.”

Aryll’s brows knit together and her mouth opened angrily. “I do not!”

Link grinned and pushed her away from the door. “Good night, Ary.” And he closed the door. He stood, listening as she muttered for a moment, then her little footsteps moved down the hallway. Her bedroom door closed softly.

Link moved across the room towards his bed, pausing in front of his closet. He glared at the sword for a moment, then sighed. “Fine,” he muttered. “Fine, fine, fine. Have it your way.” He pushed the doors closed forcefully and let himself fall face down onto his bed with a groan.

*****

“Link!”

Link pulled his eyes away from the back of his hand. He had been inspecting it most of the walk to school, completely ignoring whatever story Mipha was telling him.

“Yeah.”

“Yeah?” Mipha raised a brow at him and looked at his hand, still raised in front of him as they walked. “What's wrong with you?”

Link shoved his hands in his pockets. “Nothing.”

“Are you on drugs?”

“Yes.”

Mipha shifted her bag to the other shoulder. “You're not funny.”

“I was up late doing homework.”

“I'd believe the drug story before I believed that.”

They strode across the parking lot towards the corner of the building where Daruk, Teba, and Revali stood, too deep in conversation to notice the arrival of their friends.

“I'm telling you,” Revali said. “There is no definitive correlation between a man's car and the size of his dick. If that were the case, I'd be driving Ingo's stupid beefed up pick-up. Now that's overcompensation.”

“For you or Ingo?” Teba muttered.

“All I said was I wouldn't be caught dead in that chick car.” Daruk crossed his arms.

“Well, that's one way to start my morning,” Mipha said.

“Are we making fun of Revali?” Link grinned. “Daruk, you promised you wouldn't start without me.”

Revali snorted. “Oh, don't worry, we won't leave you out. Plenty of insults to go around.”

“Alright,” Link said. “Let's hear 'em.”

Revali hesitated, then turned to Teba, but his friend did not acknowledge him.

“What's the matter? Didn't have time to prep your daily insults this morning?” Link taunted. “Too busy measuring the size of your dick?”

“Goodbye,” Mipha said with a loud sigh. Without another look in their direction, she hurried towards the front doors of the school.

“Why does it always come down to dicks with you two?” Teba muttered. “C'mon, Daruk. Let's let them sort out their feelings towards one another.”

Daruk grinned down at Link. “Where were you yesterday, anyway?”

“Huh?”

“We were supposed to hang out.”

“Oh. Yeah.” Link shrugged. “Forgot. Muller gave me a ton of extra credit shit to do to catch up.”

“You went home and did extra credit?”

“Of course not,” Revali said. He smiled slyly at Link. “He didn't go home at all.”

Daruk looked between Revali and Link. “What do you mean?”

Link looked equally as confused.

“Link's totally banging Paya.”

Daruk raised a brow at Link. “Isn't she a sophomore?”

“I'm not banging Paya,” Link snarled.

“You two seemed awfully cozy yesterday.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Or was that a cover up? You did get in a marked car. Banging little miss Princess, are we?”

“You're full of shit, Revali,” Daruk said. “There's no way Zelda would have any interest in Link.”

“Thanks, man,” Link muttered.

“I'm just saying what I saw. Link and Paya got into one of those fancy town cars and took off.”

“We're doing a project together, alright?”

“Right,” Revali said with a grin. “A project.”

“Dude, she's a sophomore,” Daruk said disapprovingly.

“I'm not screwing her! I'm failing and she's smart. It's an easy A and it gets me through the stupid class.”

“That sounds believable,” Daruk said with a nod. Then, to Revali, “He is an idiot.”

“And balance has been restored once more,” Revali said. “Let the Link-bashing continue.”

“Whatever,” Link muttered. Not in the mood to deal with Revali's relentless teasing, Link made his way into the school. Mipha was already long gone, leaving him no choice but to trudge to his first class. It should have been illegal to make biology his first class of the day.

#legend of zelda #breath of the wild #loz #botw #fic #fanfic #shadows of hyrule #soh #soh4 #chapter 4

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jbhenwiler · 5 years

Text

David’s Memories: The Day the Gems Invaded

David Memories 01: The Day the Gems Invaded

Author’s Note: This is going to be a bit of a departure from my other stories involving David. These are basically flashback episodes, a window into life on David’s world before he got transported into Steven’s universe. These are called “memories” but they’re not being told in first-person like real memories are. Any of you guys ever played “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?” Having to go around Hyrule to specific locations where you could play a cutscene showing Link’s past life before the Calamity? Those scenes weren’t being told exclusively from Link’s perspective, and in one case the scene kept playing even after Link was unconscious, plus the Zelda and the Master Sword memory in which Link wasn’t even present! Anyway, this is the memory of the starting point of David’s adventure; the day Gems destroyed his hometown along with every other human settlement and enslaved humanity. You may notice some differences in the events here and the ones that transpired in David’s nightmares in Redemption from a Dark World. Those were nightmares, not David’s exact recollection of the time. Therefore, these flashback episodes can be considered officially canon to the RFADW universe, or at least more exactly canon compared to the nightmares. Enjoy. Oh, one last thing! Since this is David’s world we’re talking about, these stories are going to be much darker than the rest of the series. This is basically an apocalypse world, after all, so expect lots of death and destruction, and a few very emotionally gripping scenes.

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Waitress: Here’s your meatloaf, David. (Sets a plate down on the table)

David: Thanks, Emily. (Begins to eat)

In the background, the sky begins to darken, but nobody seems to notice. David’s phone lights up and vibrates. He looks at the text message from his mother.

SMS>> Mom: How did you do at your new job, David?

SMS>> Me: Fine. Clocked out. Having dinner at Maxwell’s now.

` ……………………

SMS>> Mom: OK then. Come home soon, it looks like there’s a storm kicking up.

SMS>> Me: Got it.

David puts his phone to sleep and slips it into his pocket. He continues to eat. A faint rumbling can be heard outside. Some people out the window in the front of the restaurant are running past.

Random Citizen: What is that thing!?

David looks up from his meal. Seeing people running past, David begins to suspect something’s wrong. At that moment, a colossal explosion shakes the entire building. Everyone screams and David, his food forgotten, stands up, and runs for the exit. Outside, the sky is dark red, and David looks up. The camera dramatically zooms out behind David to show the sky. Hanging in midair are two gigantic metal hands, green in color. Suddenly, the hands begin to shoot things at the town.

David: Oh, shi-- (Runs for his house)

Panicking citizens are running away from the invading forces, the entire town’s population creating a tide that David must swim upstream through to reach his mother. A laser blast hits a house nearby, causing it to explode into a cloud of smoke and splinters. David begins to search for his mother in the crowd.

David: MOOMMM!!!

He can’t find his mom. More buildings explode, and fires can be seen raging all around; the famed Henleaf Woods are now engulfed in an inferno. As David runs, he sees that some people are lying on the ground, bloody stab wounds visible on their backs and necks, awash in pools of their own blood.

David reaches his home street, and he continues to run until he sees something that makes his heart stop for a second. A gigantic, red-bodied being with five red gems set into its body, is cloaked in flame and is setting homes on fire.

David: (Panicked voice) What the hell is that thing!?

Then he sees his house. It is completely engulfed in flames.

David: Oh no! Mom!! (Takes off for the house)

Thankfully the creature doesn’t notice him as he races for the front door of his house, and throws it open. Inside, the burning home is showing signs of beginning to collapse.

David: MOM!!

David’s Mom: David!! Over here!!

David grabs a fire extinguisher from the kitchen and makes his way through the flames, shooting as he goes to the living room, where his mother is pinned underneath a bookcase.

David: Mom!! (Puts down the extinguisher and struggles to lift the heavy shelves)

The bookshelf is too heavy.

David’s Mom: David… It’s okay. Save yourself, get out of here!

David: No, mom! I’m not leaving you behind! (Pushes himself past his limits, but to no avail)

David’s Mom: David, this house has gas appliances; it’s going to blow any second! Go, David, NOW!

David: (Soot and tears staining his face) Mom…

David’s Mom: It’s okay, David. You’ll be just fine. I’ll always watch over you, but you need to go now!

David: (Gives up on lifting the bookcase, gets up, and turns to his mother one last time) Goodbye, mom… (Tears are freely flowing down his face)

David races through the flames for the door. He makes it near the sidewalk when the house he grew up in explodes violently. David is knocked off his feet, and he flies straight into his mom’s car parked on the curb, cracking the side window where he crashed into it. On impact, David blacks out.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

The camera vision fades in and out, flickering a bit. A heartbeat and the sound of ears ringing is audible. The view focuses in to show David laying on his back, buried in a coating of ash. His eyes flutter and he slowly wakes up, raising himself into a sitting position. He checks his surroundings. Everything is gray. Ashes are slowly falling from the sky. Nothing is left, Henleaf Town had been replaced with an endless and bleak landscape, completely devoid of life, punctuated with the charred skeletons of buildings and the jagged tips of tree trunks.

David: Everything’s… Gone… …………………. ...Mom! (Scrambles to his feet)

David runs down the ashen sidewalk to where his house used to stand.

David: Mom! Mom!! Mo--

He sees a bone jutting out of the ashes and rubble, in the middle of what must have been the living room. David immediately has a flashback.

Child David: Mommy, where’s daddy?

They’re in a hospital. Doctors and nurses are bustling about. David’s mother, visibly distressed and on the verge of tears, looks at the young David, around the age of three, and runs over to him, her face awash with tears and sadness. She picks up David and locks him in a tight, sobbing hug, her whole body shaking.

Child David: Where’s daddy?

David’s Mom: Daddy’s not with us anymore, David. I-It’s just us now… (Sobs)

Child David: Where’s daddy!? (Begins to panic and cry) WHERE’S DADDY!?!?

The camera zooms out to show mother and son locked in grief and mourning, and the flashback ends, bringing us back to the ruins of Henleaf Town, showing a closeup of the bones in the rubble, which are being pelted with teardrops from above. David falls to his knees, tears beginning to fall from his eyes in droves, his body shaking with sorrow.

David: No… Nononono… MOM!!!!! (His anguished cry echoes around the area)

David sits there sobbing his eyes out for what felt like forever, and when he has run out of tears to cry, he gets up. With an empty look in his eyes, he strolls down what used to be the street. With no clear destination in mind, he wanders the wasteland, his limping, ash-covered body making him look like a ghost. He passes what’s left of Maxwell’s, the restaurant he had ate at just hours ago. Nothing is left of it, except for the skeletons of the cooks and waiters littered around the foundation.

David: That’s it then, everyone’s gone… Everyone I know is dead…

He continues walking…

David: T-This has to be a dream, no, a nightmare! (Stops) That’s it! I’ll just pinch myself, I’ll wake up, and everything will be OK again!

David pinches himself multiple times. Nothing happens.

David: W-Why isn’t this working!?

About half an hour later, David reaches the site of the Forest Guardian’s Shrine. With all the trees now gone, the charred but still standing monument now sits atop a hill overlooking the ruined landscape. A gem of some sort, resembling a Pearl, lay in pieces at the foot of the statue. Suddenly, David has flashes of vision, seemingly from another being’s viewpoint. For a few brief moments, David is a wolf, running for his (Or her?) life through the burning forest, pursued by a group of mysterious humanoids with crystals on various parts of their bodies, all carrying weapons like swords and spears. The vision abruptly cuts out.

David: (Holding his head) What… was that? I better get out of here.

As David walks down the trail, he begins to have a feeling he’s being watched.

David: H-Hello? Anyone there?

A shadow appears above him. He turns around, to face a large, muscular gem-being wearing a crash helmet looming over him.

???: You lost, little boy?

David: W-Who are you!? What did you do to my town!?

???: (Chuckles) The name’s Jasper. And you’re coming with me. I know just the place for you.

Jasper strikes David in the head with her helmet, barely avoiding cracking David’s skull but still instantly knocking him out. She chuckles again and hefts the limp human over her shoulder as she made her way to the landed hand-ship.

End memory.

Author’s note: In the Gem invasion of Earth in David’s timeline, hundreds of millions of human lives were cut short. And yes, the Jasper who captures David is indeed the same Jasper we all know from Steven’s Universe. In David’s world, Jasper is one of the lead generals leading the invasion of Earth. Her forces were responsible for the total destruction of Empire City and all the surrounding area, including Henleaf Town.

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