#zelda with short hair is always my favorite

[the-phantom-peach]

MORE ORIGINAL LINK?? PLS??

yaaa sure. here’s the bit i have of em that’s postable lol

I’ll have to post the other original link designs soon huhu

[lesbianlenas]

was talking to my friend last night abt totk since it comes out tomorrow & i was saying how i really like zelda’s short hair in it & she was like “the second i saw her in the trailer i thought to myself michelle is going to LOVE this” 😭😭 she knows me so well……

[ra-archives]

Icarus

- - - After two live writing sessions, I have a slightly mess fic for you all, so enjoy :D - - - 2/2 Chapters Complete Part 2 of 'Breaking Point' - - - TW: Temporary Character Death, Blood, Falling - - -

Wild has fallen. A lot. More than one would expect.

Wild falls when he takes the wrong step on sky islands, or when a lizalfos sends an arrow through his side as he glides past a cliff. He falls when he takes leaps off mountains or tumbles down to the depths. He fell when guardians ripped open his sides until he had nothing left to fight with.

He fell when Ganon crumbled that platform, sending him tumbling down to darkness with Zelda. He fell when every sliver of a memory comes back to him. He falls as he watches the world crumble underneath him, coming undone by rips and tears he cant do anything to stop.

Wild falls often. But he is also caught.

He's caught by brotherly hands on the back of his cape as he slips over an edge. He's caught by his own hands, fumbling for his paraglider in just the right amount of time. He's caught by ghosts, lending him phantom limbs to brace himself with. With every fall comes a rush of adrenaline, before stumbling into someone's arms, or his own. He's been close to the ground, too close for comfort, but he always makes it. Even if just barely.

Wild falls, often. Today, he's spit out of a portal, just a foot over the ground, and falls face first into the dirt.

Wild coughs as he jerks his head out of the dirt, spitting clumps of soil onto the ground in disgust. Someone taps him on the back as he curls in on himself, trying to get around the gross grittiness in his teeth. Distantly, he can hear Legend swearing up a storm about a thorn bush, and Four hacking his lungs up as well.

If Hylia has least favorites, Four, Legend, and Wild are competing for first.

Someone hands him a canteen, and he takes a swig to dislodge some dirt before spitting it out again. That someone, Wars apparently, gives him a hand to get up. Wild accepts, and stumbles to his feet, the captain steadying him when the lightheadedness hits. Legends been fetched out of the briar patch, and Four is hauled over Twilights back. Everyone's accounted for, at least they have that small mercy.

Wind interrupts the quiet murmurs to ask, "So, Skyloft?" while gesturing at the drop meters to Wilds left. A few members take some steps away from the edge, but Wild remains unfazed. A short glance around is enough for the champion to figure out that it isn't, "No, my Hyrule. Not sure where though."

The air is growing misty, and Wild shivers as his hair dampens, courtesy of a stray cloud drifting through the islands trees and to them. A variety of members mutter their annoyances, but Twilights voice rings out over them, "How are we gonna be gettin' down exactly?"

The silence speaks volumes.

- - - Read More Here! - - -

[lucky-clover-gazette]

Vio's Arms are for Grabbing Shadow's Snatched Waist, Shadow's Arms are for Holding Vio in 500-word Fluff Fics, Apparently

a short but sweet vidow cottage au fluff fic, belated birthday gift to @james-p-sullivan!

He can feel Vio’s heartbeat, watch as his breathing displaces chunks of blonde hair. He is fine, just a little roughed up from an unfortunate run-in with a Like Like (or, as Shadow now calls the creature, a Dislike Dislike).

Honestly, when he wakes up, Vio is going to be more pissed about the monster stealing his favorite scrunchie than trying to eat him whole.

read the whole thing on ao3 or under the cut:

Sometimes, things still go wrong.

Vio and Shadow’s life in the cottage is generally cozy, far removed from the drama and danger of their past adventures. While Castle Town is only an hour’s walk through the woods away, something about their little home feels deliciously isolated, much like the room they’d shared back in the Fire Temple. Back then, Vio and Shadow had awkwardly maneuvered around each other, both too preoccupied with their own anxieties to truly enjoy each other’s company. More often than not, their developing mutual fondness had been the main source of anxiety for them both.

Things are different now. Even when everything else is wrong, they know that they have each other. Even when they fight, they still have each other. Vio and Shadow share a profoundly tender kind of devotion, an unspoken agreement that the life they share together will always be enough. As long as they can fall into each other’s arms, the rest is ultimately just set dressing.

And what a beautiful set they’ve dressed together—an idyllic little home in the woods, full of books and artifacts and barrels of evil root beer, safe and comfortable in a way neither had ever felt before. Their rescued cat/roommate Pinecone is a treasured member of the household, along with Tingle whenever he needs a place to crash because the knights are after him for undisclosed crimes against the crown. They don’t let him stay inside the house, but they do turn a blind eye to the occasional tent in the backyard.

They have other friends in Castle Town, only some of whom are shared. Shadow and Zelda are incredibly close, and at this point Vio has a pretty solid connection with his former-present allies Red, Blue, and Green. It would have been difficult for Vio not to bridge the distance between them, given the missions that they all still occasionally do as a team.

The missions aren’t usually too difficult, mostly boiling down to simple combat and negotiation. But occasionally they find themselves fending off a legitimate threat to ensure that Hyrule remains saved. And every once in a long while, one of them manages to get hurt in the process.

Shadow reminds himself of all this as he holds Vio’s sleeping body—their peaceful life together, the devotion they share, and the inevitability of occasional bumps in the road. He can feel Vio’s heartbeat, watch as his breathing displaces chunks of blonde hair. He is fine, just a little roughed up from an unfortunate run-in with a Like Like (or, as Shadow now calls the creature, a Dislike Dislike).

Honestly, when he wakes up, Vio is going to be more pissed about the monster stealing his favorite scrunchie than trying to eat him whole.

Vio’s eyelashes flutter, his eyes opening just a crack. Shadow holds his breath.

“Ow,” Vio says, profoundly. His eyes land on Shadow’s arms, wrapped tightly around his body. His grimace fades to something much softer. “Aw.”

“A man of few words,” Shadow teases, nuzzling into the space between Vio’s shoulder and neck. It smells like home.

“Shadow,” Vio says sharply, scoldingly—but his body only relaxes further.

“Yes, my love?”

“… Shut up.”

[spectacular-supernova]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRESIDENT OF TONARI CLUB!

I, uh, m-made something f-for you.

Know that I'm totally embarrassing my ass over here, so... Don't laugh loud enough that I can hear you from over here!

Aaaaaand now, per Lyndis tradition, I'm gonna overexplain shits and turn a simple Ask into a whole ass Ramble!

-----------------------------(why is there no "Read More" partition in an Ask? I'm so embarrassed right now goddamn it)-------------------------

If you're short-sighted, try removing your glasses or contact lenses and look at this picture. I just did and it's suddenly even prettier!

I actually planned to draw your Sonicsona at first. And then I realized I deadass couldn't even draw Base Sonic. Then I thought I should draw a mole. I realized I also couldn't draw a mole. I thought I should just go for the easiest shit and draw ToFu. I realized I could not draw either one of them, too.

Because I cannot draw, I cheat! I mean I turn things into shapes (chiefly triangles, though not all of them) and then color them and hope that something shows up. This is me using this scientific /+ philosophical concept called Emergence.

No, I didn't just say THAT to sound like I have a technique of any kind, trust. It's so totally a technique—my very productive ass told me.

I remember you saying your favorite color is something like pink, blue, and stuff? It was from that tag game from last year. Hence, I decided I should create a context so I could draw an obscene amount of pink and blue.

If I'm being honest, it took me less than a millisecond to come up with the exact context—Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom is abundantly blue.

And since I always wanted to sneak ToFu in, I thought I would make a purplish-pink dusk. And then I will sneak those stargazing two in.

Come on. Everyone knows those ToFu panels. Even someone like me, who had not seen that part of the manga yet, knows.

Bless Tonari for being so relaxing to color.

HOWEVER! Fushi's limited-ass color presented a big problem for my cheat-drawing. How many combinations of "white" can you even make before you zoom out and see... nothing?! So I basically sabotaged them. That's what you get for being difficult, you mopey, neck-crick-possessing, fragile-enough-to-be-blown-by-the-wind cutie doofus.

I made up the color of their pants. I didn't even refer to their Nameless Boy drip when I decided on the color. I assed that part.

Yes. I admit I put a shit ton of effort into coloring Zelda. This version of Zelda is my kin, you know. Anyway, I like the way her, uh, shirt turned out.

I also like how the Master Sword turned out, but there was so much blue I ended up requiring outlines to distinguish it from Link's shirt and the sky. Told ya I have no technique or skill. I cheat through and through

I was too lazy to draw those sky islands. Besides, the ToTK side is already saturated with details.

What the fuck issa "proportion?" Everyone's head is an orange. The difference, Nova, is whether it's a Mandarin Orange or an Orange.

I don't know if I overdid Dinraal's draconic mane. It looks like she's wearing a wig. At least she is different from how she initially looked—a red tapeworm outfitted with chicken legs.

I admit I put more effort than any Past Me would have into Dinraal because a certain mutual is very, ah, particular about dragons.

Drawing two of your favorite ships for their show of devotion was a completely deliberative choice on my end. Did you also realize that both Link and Fushi had a short, small, low ponytail and that both Zelda and Tonari had similar hair? I believe it's due to me hitting my drawing skill limitation.

There is actually an Easter Egg of some sort in this picture. It's not the ugly doodle thing, no. That thing is me. I'm not an Easter Egg; I'm a ghost.

I'm not telling you what that Easter Egg is. I'm fine with it never being discovered; it'd be like those secret levels in old video games.

But if you DID discover it, come tell me what you think it is!

---------------

I hope you like it enough! Instead of it giving you a migraine, that is. Surely my """art"""... doesn't require a trigger warning... right?

Have a good one, mai bruzha!

---Lyn

A RAMBLE FROM YOU LYN IS THE BEST POSSIBLE BRITHDAY PRESENT I COULD HAVE EVER RECEIVED!!!! COUPLED WITH ART BY YOU????? AND OF MY FAVORITE FELLAS????? What did I deserve to be so blessed ;A; 💕💕💕

I’ll spare us all a little extra scrolling on my part by adding that read more you were fretting about, I have my own ramble upcoming!

I KNOW YOURE ON YOURSELF ABOUT NOT BEING ARTISTIC OR WHATEVER BUT THIS IS ART!!! AND DAMN GOOD ART TOO!!!!!!! This is!!!!!!!!!!! I want this made into stained glass I want to make this the permanent window to me bed roOM LYN THIS IS AMAZING THIS IS ALMOST CERTAINLY GOING DOWN AS ONE OF MY FAVORITE ART STYLES!!!! There’s no such thing as cheating in art, it’s all art!!! “Cheating” is a style, no technique is a style!!! I should know I have none either, hehe -w-‘ your art may be some type of cubism? Hehe idk I’m not an art student :3 Either way this is absolutely gorgeous I’m in LOVE!!!

It’s so creative and well done and I LOVE your eye for detail, the lighting is inspired!!!! Like the way the sun hits the space behind Zelda is so pretty, AND ZELDA IS SO PRETTY!!!!!! EVERYRHING IS SO PRETTY, I CANT FOCUS ON ONE THING BECAUSE I KEEP JUMPING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN ALL THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT IT (every thing, every last detail!!! Is that a little you in the middle? Is that the Easter egg???? I could just pick you up and pat your little head!!! 😭 I know you don’t love hugs but that’s how I’ll be standing if you’re ever ready for one!!!)

I should slow down maybe and pick a few things to focus on BUT I JUST CANT I LOVE IT ALL!!!! The two scenes just blend so well into one another that my eyes are just naturally being drawn back and forth between both of the scenery! Dinraal, who turned out AMAZIING BY THE WAY, ABSOLUTELY NOT OVERDONE, if anything I’m so glad you had fun working on her!!! She’s so gorgeous!!!! I bet your friend is so so proud of how well she looks!!! Oh but anyway, Dinraal naturally leads my eyes over to the sun/moon (and the 24, hehe, thank you!!! /)//(\ Your memory is astounding!!), which have their own beautiful rays of light leading down onto the adorable couples 😭 I love love LOVE the moonlight leading down onto Tonari and Fushi, and the fact that she’s pointing at it too like she can almost reach it? Beautiful! Gorgeous!!! And it just leads my eyes down to them too, there’s just such a natural circular flow here, no wonder I keep getting caught in a loop of admiration! 😁

The blues and the pinks, and the stars on the ToFu side!!! I just noticed them and they’re everything to me!!!! Hahaha I’m so glad Tonari was relaxing to color hehe, same for me, something about her is just so lovely and calming when she’s relaxed 🥰 As for Fushi’s colors, I didn’t notice! Even after you pointed it out it looks good to me! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ this is from someone who never references colors though, I’m so loosey goosey about everything -w- BUT YOUR SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM WAS GREAT, THEIR SHAPE IS VERY VISIBLE AND EASY TO MAKE OUT hehe :3 I love their crossed little legs 🥰

Zelda being your kin is so good to know hehe, I’ve always been drawn to all versions of Link myself! I think we’ve been perfectly set up to “play dolls” with these characters in the future, so to speak! Aaaahh they can’t have been easy to draw, there’s a reason I almost never dabble in drawing those two and their intricate outfits, but you make it look effortless!!! Zelda’s shirt turned out amazing, and I’m stuck looking at her little triangle braids!!!! I don’t know why I’m so fixated on that it’s just adorable!!! 😭💕 What a lovely technique, man, I’m so enchanted! AND THE MASTER SWORD, I know you called it cheating BUT I LOVE THE LINE WORK, it makes the sword stand out, almost like you lined that specific part with some sort of melted gold??? Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!

This is gorgeous and beautiful in every which way and thank you!!!! For everything!!! For this beautiful drawing and for giving me a chance to ramble and giving me something gorgeous to look at for the rest of my day, and for indulging in both of my silly little ships /)//(\ I’m so glad I don’t need glasses because I love every inch of your art, thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!!! Gosh it’s so so so lovely 😭💕 you’re so lovely!!!!

I don’t know how to say goodbye so I guess I’ll just say good night for now! Thank you for thinking of me… I’ll have a wonderful day, so long as you promise me you’ll have a wonderful night along side me 🥰

Goodnight, Mai Bruzha!

- Nova

[randomwriteronline]

@cantankerouscanuck i offer thee... a sacrifice (of midnas sanity)

Learning the redhead Twilight had been talking about was the ruler of a realm parallel to theirs had been surprising, but more or less normal for their standards.

Learning she was also the beloved loving wife of queen Zelda and that they’d had a child already had been noticeably more unusual.

Learning the farmhand was the newly born princess’s godfather had finally been just plain delightful.

Twilight had been absolutely, positively, utterly radiant with giddiness from the second the ten of them had entered the Castle Town, power walking his way directly to the palace with a grin wider than his own face and Skull Kid passively bouncing off of his back with their claws sunken into his pelt, blinding everybody who might have so much as glanced at him with the brilliance of his uncontainable joy at the prospect of seeing his favorite baby in the whole entire universe ever, as he himself had described her. The uncontainable power of his godfatherly love was so strong that the others genuinely struggled to keep up with him as he zoomed through the streets with unparalleled ease and a gait so fast they were constantly on the verge of losing sight of him.

They finally caught up to him just in time – otherwise, they would have never managed to enter the castle without introducing themselves as his companions.

The queen was instantly recognizable when she approached them. Her countenance and clothing made her role in society so apparent that it was impossible to mistake her for anything but the ruling monarch, that went without saying; but to so many heroes who had all met cubs born of her same blood before, she couldn’t have been anybody but Zelda.

They recognized their own friends, sisters, lovers, captains in her – not so much in the slope of her eyes or the color of her hair, which could not match any of the ones they individually knew so well enough for them not to pick out a million differences, but in the air around her, the silent sound of her smile, the trepidation in her hand as she moved it.

Twilight brought it to his lips without touching it as he hastily offered her a half-kneel that made her laugh a little.

“Aren’t you in a rush, my valiant hero,” she said with a stern sweetness.

He simply grinned at her, pulling himself back up: “Your Majesty!” he replied so very excited, and opened his arm to draw her attention to the awestruck faces of the men behind him: “I present to you some friends I’ve made along the way: the heroes of Hyrule’s past and future.”

The unexpected pomp made Sky, Hyrule and Four snicker a little, very quietly, still a little intimidated by her stalwart appearance; Wild and Warriors instead instantly kneeled to her, whilst Time and Legend simply bowed - followed by Wind after a moment, who had been too completely destabilized how larger than life her presence seemed to react appropriately in a timely manner.

Her eyes passed over each of them, bubbling with curiosity despite her stony gaze to try and recognize any of the faces, armors, swords before her, and eventually settled upon the oldest of the group with a gentle gasp.

“I’ve only heard tales of you, sir,” she murmured.

Time bowed deeper: “Only good ones, I hope.”

“I’ve only heard tales of you,” Warriors mumbled as quietly as he could, in a reverent tone.

She heard him, of course – nobility always has a knack for hearing when they’re talked about, a defense mechanism fairly common inside palace walls – but the intention behind the words kept any animosity from forming. She invited both knights to stand with a gesture, smiling kindly: “I doubt I would be a good subject for any legends.”

“You sell yourself short, Your Majesty,” the captain replied softly, still somewhat embarrassed at being found out.

Twilight was vibrating.

Zelda huffed at the sight of him, beyond amused, and bowed her head to her guests: “I’ll love to better acquaint myself with all of you,” she gently said, “But if you could excuse me, I first need to escort my daughter’s very special guest to her lest he begins crying.”

The farmhand shot her a glare; Legend’s tongue was quicker than his however, and the shorter man made a courteous gesture: “Fret not, we know exactly how he gets.”

Before he could be incinerated by a positively furious look, the queen saved his life by pushing Twilight away into a door.

His rage melted away when a small voice cooed with untold amounts of joy at him: his head whipped around, his eyes glimmered bright, his smile widened impossibly, and his face made an instant beeline straight into the fat grubby hands of a one-year-old girl with burning maroon eyes eager to pull at his cheeks and try to eat any slightly longer strands of hair that so carelessly fell anywhere near her. The little princess dribbled all over herself and gave a high pitched laugh when he stuck out the tip of his tongue to carefully touch her nose with it, so overwhelmed with the mirth of “baby” to completely forget that he was currently a whole entire human man.

Not particularly far away from the two of them a familiar voice reprimanded him: “Oh, I see how it is, huh? You get yourself another favorite girl and don’t even say hello to me anymore?”

“In my defense, I’ve seen you plenty of times,” the rancher replied with a grin, though he did actually go hug the queen of the Twilight Realm tight as he spoke instead of completely ignoring her - after parting from his goddaughter with a kiss on her forehead, of course: “And you don’t look like you’ve grown as much as her since the last time I was here.”

“So I should get taller? Is that what you’re telling me? Do you want to feel like an ant? Because I’m sure my wife would love that, but you’d probably end up so small I’d accidentally run you over because I can’t even see you!”

“Shut up! Keep your bedroom affairs out of my ears!”

“Trust me, the bedroom is the last place I could sweep her off her feet! There’s already so many walls and corners and–”

“I said shut up!”

Slender dead pale hands ruffled his hair in a loving noogie, making him laugh and half heartedly thrash against her grasp.

Zelda would have also chuckled at their silliness if she hadn’t been absorbed in something else entirely.

She leaned her head a little closer to better observe every detail of the strange doll sharing her state of complete unbroken focus despite the chatter between her wife and their friend - though in its case, it was directed at the child babbling safely within its thin arms and trying to eat its fingers.

“Hello,” she said with a curious inflection.

The doll turned its somewhat cockeyed stare at her: “Hi,” it replied curtly.

Since the gaze wasn’t exactly pointing at anything, she imagined its eyesight was likely not the best: “What might you be?”

“Skull Kid.” then it sniffed, and added: “You smell nice.”

Not a common compliment, but.

“Thank you.”

She’d take that.

Midna evidently would not take that, apparently, because the moment she ever so briefly laid eyes on the imp she did a horrified double take, gave a short strangled shriek instantly followed by a “THAT FUCKER”, and murderously lunged towards the wooden kid with the fairly clear plan to tear out their joints with her bare hands - a plan she would have executed with close to minimal effort in the span of more or less three seconds had Twilight not immediately realized what the problem was and locked her in an iron grip over his shoulder, pressing her arms tight against her body.

Considering her wife’s absolutely furious wriggling to escape the farmhand’s grasp to rain hell upon the completely innocuous arboreal beast, Zelda imagined they had some kind of history.

“Put my daughter down, you woodland pest!” Midna continued yelling: “I’m going to tear off your face and feed it to the frogs!”

Twilight struggled to keep her put: “They’re fine! They’re fine, they won’t- they won’t hurt her!”

“Who’s that?” Skull Kid asked serenely.

“My– Midna, calm down - my friend, you remember? Red hair? Her name’s-”

“Let her go or I’ll fuckin–!!”

“-Her name’s Midna, you remember her, right?”

The imp did not respond, but instead carefully balanced the baby to properly be rested on one arm, making sure the neck and head were properly supported.

Then they smacked their hand on her face.

The suddenness of the action was so intense that she stopped her thrashing for a moment.

“No she’s not,” they finally sentenced.

“Please don’t slap my wife,” Zelda mildly protested, doing nothing to stop them.

They continued off from their train of thought: “She’s not your friend. Her head was huge and she didn’t have a nose.”

Midna looked straight into their eyes.

Her lips thinned into a snarl as she hissed, positively seething: “I’m going to kill you.”

The imp held her gaze: “Ok,” they said, and then they stepped a little further away and continued coddling the princess in their arms like a perfect nanny.

A knock on the door very kindly intruded in the general insanity of the conversation.

“Is everything alright?” Sky’s voice came through the wood, made clearer as he opened it up a sliver to peek through: “There seems to be a commotion…”

He was then shoved with varying degrees of forcefulness into the room by the rest of the heroes, all of them worried or curious or somewhere inbetween. While most seemed to notice Midna first and bowed their head at her as proper etiquette would dictate even in the case a queen was currently being hoisted up like a very rambunctious goat, Hyrule fixed his eyes on the little princess.

“That’s a baby?” he asked softly, full of awe and clearly having never seen one before: “They’re larger than I imagined…”

Wind turned to him with his brows tightly knit in bafflement: “What?”

“I’m not sure what’s happening there,” the queen of the Twilight Realm decreed as she briefly looked at all the excessively similar young and less young men slowly wedging themselves past the door and decided she currently couldn’t be bothered to ask, “But all explanations will be put on hold until someone gets that horrible thing away from my baby.”

“That’s mean,” Skull Kid and Time noted in unison.

She shot both of them a glare.

“Zelda, darling, sunrise for my weary eyes, please.”

Her wife too betrayed her, however, merely looking at the imp without moving a muscle: “I don’t see what is so bad about them holding her, since they are so attentive,” she replied calmly: “They seem to have quite a lot of experience with children this young.”

Skull Kid didn’t even raise their face from the little girl as they simply said: “She reminds me of Goats and Mouse and Bell.”

Warriors gave them a look: “Excuse-”

“What do you mean by that?” Four cut him off, equally puzzled and somewhat alarmed.

The kid blew a raspberry at the baby, who giggled.

Fairly certain she’d misheard, Midna asked: “Reminds them of who?”

“Goats, Mouse and Bell,” the shortest of the heroes replied lightning quick as he pointed at Twilight, himself and the captain as he rattled off their nicknames, repeating then his question with increased urgency: “Skull Kid, what do you mean by that?”

The little princess’s fat, eager fingers grabbed onto an amber eye tight and popped it right out of its orbit with a triumphant cry of joy: she swayed her bounty left and right for a moment, enjoying its color and texture, before showing it right in her mouth.

“Gross,” Skull Kid only commented.

[shannonsketches]

Unsure if anyone’s asked you this before, but since Ganondorf was close with the queen, does that effect his feelings toward Zelda at all? (also sorry if this has been answered before, my time online has been spotty)

I also can't remember if anyone's asked me about this because I've been yelling about it in other spaces!! I can't find anything about it here other than my piano/hair/twinrova-related headcanons, but, in short: YES. YES IT DOES. sorry for yelling this is another one of my favorite eidolon headcanons

So I have a lot of thoughts about this which I can happily break down but generally speaking, I really enjoy writing Ganondorf and BabyZel's relationship as kind of tragic, in that they are (in the way that I approach them, at least) characters who could have been very good for one another.

Unfortunately, (my) Ganondorf does not have the emotional skills to properly cope with the loss of someone as close to him as the late queen was, and does not have any real experience spending time with children. Both of those circumstances put him at absolute odds with Zelda, despite her having fundamentally more in common with him than anyone else in the cast:

Born into a role you didn't ask for

immense pressure and expectations from a very young age

being Othered by way of your society's religion

being isolated from the community you're intended to lead

All of which he had in common with the late queen, too, and is indeed what made their traumabond uniquely their own. But additionally, now he and this tiny princess both know how it feels to know your birth mother died as a direct result of your birth.

For Ganondorf, though, he doesn't think about it much. Twinrova has always been transparent about not being his birth mother, but he's never heard anyone else speak of her, and he assumes that is by design. For Zelda, there is open scorn for the loss from her father, and castle full of people who loved their queen and miss her every day.

For Zelda it's just this one ghost haunting every aspect of her life, all the time. That's something Ganondorf could've helped her navigate, because despite him not being told about it, he's certain there are people he knows who knew and cared about the woman who bore him. But unfortunately he, too, carries a quiet disdain -- but he knows it's irrational, and Impa has pointed out that it would upset the late queen to see it.

So it's this weird line he toes of 'This is my friend's baby, who she loved' and 'This is my friend's cause of death, which I hate', and it mostly comes across as polite indifference toward her, which may or may not be worse than just hating her outright.

I have a blurb drabble thought vomit about a moment between them regarding this exact thing. I sent it to some friends, but I could post it here. I'm not sure if it will make it into the comic, but I like it lol

[zuzuzuko]

10 characters | 10 fandoms | 10 a negotiable number of tags

tagged by @dangerousdan-dan <3

Damian Wayne: DC (Robin). I adore characters that are rough around the edges but ultimately have a good heart and I just think that's 100% Damian. He was the Robin when I got into Batman comics so he will always have a special place in my heart.

Zuko: Avatar the Last Airbender. Zuko's character arc will always be one of my favorites. I don't even know what to say I just love him so much and I will rotate him in my mind for the rest of my life probably.

Clint Barton and Kate Bishop: Marvel (Hawkeye). I'm breaking the rules because you can't make me choose, I love them both equally. Plus they're both Hawkeye so I feel like it's not cheating. Anyways, please go read the Fraction Hawkeye run because it is fantastic. Like I can not stress enough how good this run is.

Dustfinger: Inkheart Series. This was probably one of my earliest fandoms. I loved this book series with my whole heart. I just thought Dustfinger was so interesting and so tragic (he just wants to go home and will do anything to get there).

Zelda: Legend of Zelda. Link may save her all the time but let's be real Zelda is way cooler.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya: Bleach. Short character with white hair and cool sword. It's that easy to draw me in. But also I love characters that have like a prickly personality.

Roy Mustang: Fullmetal Alchemist. I just think he's neat and also an asshole but also neat. Snap fingers and things go boom??? Yes, tell me more.

Finn: Incarceron Series. I haven't read this book series in so long but I remember being so intrigued by it. I honestly don't remember a lot about this character but I do remember he was my favorite. I can't even like describe this book series to you but it was excellent and you should read it if you like fantasy.

Katniss Everdeen: The Hunger Games Series. She made me want to learn how to shoot arrows. I never learned. But I wanted to. She was honestly the biggest badass.

Near: Death Note. It was honestly hard picking a character from Death Note because all the characters are so important to the story in their own ways. But I just remember being so excited every time Near was in a scene. Sometimes you just gotta stan a little autistic dude who is smarter than everyone in the room.

No pressure tags!! @aingeal98 @lorena-art @transuncletaylor @sukidude @potato-cerealkiller and anyone who feels like playing!!

[sugar-petals]

Hi Caro! How are you? I hope you're good and in a place where it isn't very hot (my friend living in England had a very rough time). I'm just here wondering why my type is cute subby twinks, and why is close to impossible to find them in Argentina (I still remember the day I took one of those online test about the type of men you like and the answer was twinks and I was like WELL DAMN I FEEL ATTACKED). My name is Victoria, idk if I ever told you, but everyone calls me Vik or Vicky (usually the first one, I guess it's more gender neutral so it fits me better). Sorry that I'm ranting, I really enjoy talking to you.

more than glad to answer, vic! 💙 hm... a philosophy on twinks and why they're appealing. time for a little essay.

first off, i wish there was a bi and straight term as well, they're not 100% the same as e.g. pretty boys or femboys — those categories are even more particular to a certain femdom aesthetic. pretty boys are defined by face, femboys by clothes hair and body, twinks by both.

my suggestion for a word would be "prince". it's positive, people get the gist intuitively, and it's derived from the groundbreaking artist who invented this whole game to the fullest after greek culture laid the foundation, shoutout to apollo. before leo (90s) zac efron (00s) and taemin (10s) paved the way, there was prince in crop tops, heavy makeup, heels, and poses few guys dared.

so, a prince, they're usually the anti-jock/bear, right. more petite in frame, often fashionable like an it-boy (see lucky blue smith), frequently gnc, and found in a 20-30 age group with some exceptions. but i think that's why they are appealing to us, it's a generation thing. just like t. chalamet, lil nas x, and troye sivan hit it big among gen z by sheer exposure, or the eboy/softboy fad in hetero media, although that one wasn't really femdom in spirit and just another brand of manipulative nice guy syndrome.

princes don't come across as physically imposing, they're more tongue in cheek and seductive or cute, the link to your zelda. that caters to somebody with a taste for subs/bottoms who'd rather have them sat on their lap than getting choked out by them which is almost treated as a given, same with spanking or rough sex. so, that notion of twinks has opened the door to something less compulsive gladly.

a prince can come with an edge, twinks and brats may have some overlaps depending on the guy, but at the end of the day, they're subs, both hard and soft. jonghyun has set quite the tone for it artistically, major credit due. he's broken the mold to say that it's so boring and restrictive to be a dominant guy and there's more out there than what the societal landscape offers.

thank god taemin has carried that on and continues to inspire others.

in recent times, the word also becomes more and more open to guys who are tall / fit or conventional-looking. i see this in how european football is received on tumblr where calling your favorite club `#twink fc (affectionate)´ is a thing on here 😆 and it's true. you haven't seen more collective prince energy as in the german national team. the gorgeousness is real and the ladies who date them... lucky af.

(^kai havertz - plays for chelsea fc)

(^joshua kimmich / leroy sané - play for bavaria fc. they both have 2+ kids with their gfs lmao you don't have to be a DILF or daddy, twinkness cannot be concealed 🤘)

the whole idea is not to be conflated with power bottoms, see aquaria on drag race who looks like a twink but tops, by the way. which is why taemin generates so much traction, he plays with switching and walks the line but always winds up with a submitting conclusion. ten, or yoongi, they’re mysterious to people in that regard, too. or wonho, who follows a jock aesthetic but offers himself as a fantasy with an 'open mind' and a cute personality in the mix, neither gentle giant, himbo, nor a skinny short king, just doing his own thing.

a twink or prince is easy on the eye for anyone who likes androgyny and is usually in favor of being gnc themselves, or is bored/turned off/disappointed or even frightened by the mainstream. argentina hasn't had that scope of pop culture industry to inspire trends, and prevailing structures of machismo and chivalry prevent androgyny in dress and behavior, especially outside larger cities as is also the case where i live (southern germany where christianity rules — you can imagine, it's not berlin).

where binaries, monosexuality and hypermasculine/homophobic/biphobic conduct is exaggerated, you won't find a twink able to do their thing or getting attention. sure, gnc people are always there and the world is slowly catching up in some places, although it feels like we're going ten steps backwards as a backlash these days which is unacceptable. that's why k-pop is such a refreshing element in the way that male performers present concepts and a female pov is embraced. nobody deems it punishable or strange if you walk up like this, in fact it's celebrated.

it also bursts the bubble of twink/prince = white and goes even further than just one specific aesthetic. it changes constantly and incorporates actual elements of kink culture rather than leaving men's submission unspoken as an ultimate taboo. it may be commercial, but it is also literal and encourages nonconforming styles and body types as the rise of shinee, skz, or nct exemplifies. the next generation prince/twink trailblazer is sure to be found there, my bet is on taeyong or felix, they're really owning the princeliness.

[papirouge]

you are right, "woke" has truly lost all meaning as a term... one of my new favorite games has a very basic and positive message to it but because the localization inserted some nonsense about a nonbinary character it got labeled as "woke SJW trash" even tho the rest of the script is pretty accurate to the original Japanese

I also saw comments about how just including a gay relationship in this game is "agenda-pushing" like I really don't get that tbqh. it just reminded me of people complaining that the new Zelda game is "woke" because it has a few characters who aren't lily white and Zelda has short hair lmao

LMAO Dying at the "woke" Zelda bc some characters are Black. Isn't that a fantasy game? like, with magic, talking trees, trolls and shit but Black people existing is a reach?? (they did the same for Lord of the Rings TV show)

I think the reluctance of these folks to see non White people in fantasy content is bc White people want to gatekeep fantasy as a 'White only' genre. Which is funny because White people have no problem reappropriating foreign genre for their own gain 🙃

Funny how these woke hunter always forget those Hollywood movies adaptation of foreign stories where the studio ALWAYS need to shove a WHITE hero for some reason or purposely use a story where a White character can outshine others?

Remember the samurai movie with Tom Cruise? 7 years in Tibet? Also Mulan love interest was supposed to be a White man initially, but people complained and it's been scrubbed off. There are whole think piece exposing how the Whites LOVE inserting themselves into POC stories to elevate themselves as heroes. Even woke storyline don't go that far with their non White characters ; they are always confined as side kick and minimum screetime (is it true that all the dark skin characters of the house of dragon ended up dying after the first season?? lmaoooo)

And I always said that the issue wasn't non White people being shoved in "White people story" because when Black Panther happened their were still mad and were seething about that movie catering to Blacks (but don't you dare saying movies featuring mostly White people are catering to White, it will make you an awful wokester lmao). Whites will always feel entitled for other races to relate to their stories, but never the other way around. There's a post floating around cathblr with Catholics raving about Arabs discovering the Lord of The Ring and enjoying it a lot. And I couldn't help but think: would those catholics turn the favor and rave about an Arab movie with islamist undertones...? 🙃 lmao.... Those people are soooooo transparent 💀

Everything is woke if you try hard enough, anyway. Scrotes are seething because they consider some video game female characters are purposely made ugly (like Aloy from Horizon Dawn. A scrote was coping bc the mocap actress was much more beautiful and he couldn't wrap his hand as of why they would change her face to make her look more 'rough' ...when he's just too stupid to grasp that this choice is actually pretty coherent with the storyline since homegirl is nomad WARRIOR.).

I also remember when they made a revamp of Mortal Kombat chara design and changed characters body proportion to become more realistic, scrotes got mad lmao It's hilarious how they think they're really doing something 'counter-culture' but they only show how porn fried they are. There's no way to think this

...is better than that

Btw, all those ANTI praising Japan for being anti woke are up to a very hard wake up call. Many japanese celebrities are vocal LGBT+ supporters, a significant amount of online stars are gay/queer (Ryuchell, Peey, Kemio...). Even recently a member of AAA (a famous pop band) came out as gay 😬 there's a huuuuge push for LGBT visibility into the Japan entertainment right now, so it's obvious they have no idea of what they're talking about... The other day on Twitter I've seen a post summing up why Western conservartard scrotes love Japan

This post was in a thread about nuclear bomb and American burgers saying it was oKay tO kIlLs thOusaNd of CivIlIanS bEcAuse jApan wEre tHe bAd GuYs 🤡

The USA humiliated Japan in the non threatening " tech/anime obsessed pacifists". Unlike other countries that still have a minimum of pride and honour, Japan doesn't remind the USA how bad they are and the unchecked harm they done to them. They are also completely economically submitted to the USA (there are still American base out there.....). So the USA give them a cookie and constantly elevate them as the perfect non White country 🙃

[dutifulsilence]

GET TO KNOW THE MUN .

what’s your phone wallpaper: Lock screen is the official artwork of Ganondorf, wallpaper is one of the WEBB telescope images of the Pillars of Creation.

last song you listened to: "Mordred's Song" by Blind Guardian

currently reading : re-reading The War of Souls trilogy in the Dragonlance series.

last movie : uuuuuuuh, honestly don't remember.

last show Demon Slayer (on ep 5 now)

what are you wearing right now : shorts and a shirt from the 2017 Epica North American tour.

how tall are you? : 5'7", 5'8" in shoes.

piercings / tattoos?: one piercing in left ear, two in the right. no tattoos yet, have plans to get one real soon.

glasses ? contacts? : Glasses

last thing you ate? : Farm-fresh grape tomatoes with queso blanco dip

favorite color(s): don't let the bright pink hair fool you, my favorite color is purple

current obsession : I mean, obviously Zelda, but also still in my Kingdom Hearts phase.

do you have a crush right now? : Haha, nope, not that I'm letting myself admit to!

favorite fictional character : I am always and forever a slut for Samwise Gamgee. Got to meet Sean Astin last year and cried the whole time.

last place you traveled : Travel-traveled? Orcas Island, WA. I don't consider the beach as traveling when it's like 2 hours away.

tagged by: @zoranzeal tagging: anyone, i'm lazy

[mistiell]

hello !! can i get a matchup ? any arcane or stranger things guy is good =]

about ; im gay / oriented aroace , transmasculine , and use they/he pronouns . im kinda short ( about 5 ft 4 i think ? ) and i have brown hair with a coppery red streak in my bangs and its styled like a wolf cut , but a bit shorter . i have brown / hazel eyes and glasses that i normally wear a glasses chain with . i have lots of back acne and im a bit insecure about my looks .

im a very cuddly guy , and i will attempt to have at least one part of my body touching my partner at all time , unless my partner says they arent comfortable with that .

i like art and writing on occasion , and music is a large part of my life . i normally listen to indie music , but im always open to listen to new genres / artists . i also play trombone !

i like playing videogames ; RPGs are my favorite genre and legend of zelda is my favorite series ! ive always wanted to get into dnd but ive never had the time / motivation to start it unfortunately .

i think thats about it !! thank you so much =] your writing is always so good to see on my dash <33 sorry this got a little long lmao

A/N: AHHHH, Thank you so much! Glad my writing makes you happy! Dw about it being long, the longer it is the better :)

For Arcane, I match you with…

Jayce!

- He’s also a very cuddly guy, so cuddle seshes are pretty much an everyday thing

- He towers over you so either you have to stand on your tip-toes to kiss him or he has to lean down

- Which is fine by him

- He thinks it’s cute :))

- He loves loves loves reading your writing

- and admiring your art work

- Might try to draw you something

- It’s so bad but you love it anyways bc he made it for you

- Whenever you feel insecure about your looks, he does his very best to make you feel better

- He’ll take you shopping and hype you up whenever you try something on

- He loves you so much and he’ll do whatever it takes to let you know that

For Stranger Things, I match you with…

Eddie Munson!

- This guy loves literally everything about you

- He says the red streak in your hair is “metal as fuck”

- So confused when you tell him you’re insecure

- He’ll kiss you all over and whisper all the things he loves about your appearance just to prove to you how handsome you are

- It’s so soft-

- He would love to teach you how to play D&D

- So patient too

- Even if you need him to explain something more than once or keep forgetting things, he never gets frustrated

- He thinks your writing and art are so cool

- Suggests art dates where you guys just sit in his room and draw for a few hours

- Puts some music on in the background and gets distracted by whatever you’re drawing

- So so so cuddly omg

- Holding hands wherever you are

- Kissing your cheek, forehead, temple

- Sometimes you guys will just spend hours cuddling

- He’s just so sweet oh my god-

[strawbxrryneptune]

Hood Bakugo gives me life.

I NEED you to write about the whole UA gang in the hood because this was just *chefs kiss*

Easily in my top 5 fav fics of all time ♥♥♥

Idk what you mean by whole UA gang but here's a lil smth smth

♡♡

Bakugou in the hood is beautiful. Dating him is like a religious experience tbh. He's definitely the plug/dealer everyone's afraid of. If you owe him money or anything, I pray for you. He does not take shit lightly, you will leave his place with 4 missing toes, and if you don't pay your debt by the end of the week, you won't have any legs 🤷🏾‍♀️. Carries a glock around all the time, but you wouldnt know cause he hides it. Has a temper but it's not as bad as it used to be when he was just starting out. He sits back and watches, the kind of gangsta that doesnt do the whole 'gang signs for everything' type shit, and he's not soft. For you, yeah. For his bros, sometimes, but if he needs to kill a bitch he won't hesitate.

He loves ass. Like if you walk into his crib and you're wearing shorts??

Game over.

He'll push you down onto the plush carpet of his office and make you suck him off while he takes drags of a blunt, offering it to you while you gag around him. If you accept, he'll have you blow rings around his cock while you suck it, then when he's about to cum he'll pull you off and fuck you from the back, grabbing at your ass and cursing into the air.

Gives you a smack on the ass and a bunch of rolled hundreds so you can go shopping. Get as much shit as you want, but at the end of the day you better be in his bed.

♡♡

Denki's headass is a fake hood nigga . He's probably a super senior (got held back lmfao) cause he kept getting caught either blowing bitches backs out in the stairwell or hot boxing the bathroom. When he was in high school, he was def the type to put a speaker in his backpack and blast NBA youngboy. He throws gang signs in the hallways, not even knowing what some of them really mean.

He's been shot at multiple times.

The only reason he's not always in trouble is cause he and Bakugou grew up together. No one fucks with Bakugou's crew.

He has an unhealthy obsession with tits for sure. He sees you in a tank top or an off the shoulder and hes pulling you to a secluded corner and kissing you breathless, hands tugging and pinching at your chest.

Loves when you ride him cause he can watch your tits bounce.

Even if you dont have big ones, he still loves them, sucking at your nipples and rubbing up and down your stomach.

Leaves lots of marks.

Would die for you. Has threatened to shoot your parents for making you cry, even though all he has is a pocket knife.

Has to beg Bakugou for a glock.

♡♡

Sero is the plug. Like, Bakugou does some runs for him occasionally but Sero has everything. He's always in this really ratty recliner with a pitbull at his feet, smoking a blunt and playing some dumbass game.

He has so much money constantly, its crazy.

Even tho what he does is against the law in so many ways he's friends with all the neighborhood cops. Mans never gets in trouble LMAO.

He and Bakugou are the ones who run shit.

He loves thighs. Around the house you're only allowed to wear short shorts and thigh thighs. Or, even better, naked with thigh thighs 👀

Sadly, the last option is virtually impossible cause there's always people coming in and out.

But when he isnt working, he loves to lay you down and feast on you, making you play his game or try to finish his blunt without choking or losing.

Goes down on you for hours, won't even fuck you unless you beg for it.

Doesnt give a shit about himself when it comes to you :((

♡♡

Kirishima isnt a part of the hood LMFAO

Hes like that one friend who everyone loves but doesnt belong there.

Like Jaden, Shawn, Daeshawn, and Mark.

We love Mark.

Kiri was Bakugou's childhood best friend. He and Bakugou went on different paths, and Bakugou is a growing gangsta while Kirishima is manager in training at Game Stop.

He doesn't smoke often but when he does it's really fun.

Gets the gang discounts at the store, even tho they can all afford to buy the entire Gamestop chain.

That's why Sero has every new Play Station, Balugou has every Xbox, Denki has all the Legend of Zelda merch, Mina has a bunch of cute plushies.

He always comes in clutch 😫

He loves everything about you.

Like he cant pick a favorite body part, but loose clothing (sundresses, baggy clothes, his clothes??) Makes him lose his mind.

He will lift up whatever you're wearing finger you till your creaming all over him, then slide home and make your legs shake for days.

Feral Kirishima is not a common thing, hes usually sweet and doting, the ultimate service dom, but wear his shirt with some thigh highs or a garter belt?? Or even his uniform shirt ??

R.I.P that pussy, ayyy

♡♡

Mina is literally the most fun out of all of them.

She always has some type of substance on her, a little flask, some weed in a cute baggy, some suspicious pills, you name it.

Always dresses in juicy merch.

Shes always wearing those silky sweat outfits with the crop jackets, with a gold chain and some filas.

Nails always done, hair always done.

Ms. Girl can fight, period.

Will and has beat a bitch for you.

Don't get her mad. She angry cries, and will swing on you if needed.

She also loves everything about you, but she be staring at your ass a lot.

Doesnt care what you're wearing, she will smack it.

Shes usually more domineering. Shes definitely a switch, but she takes control in the way that she knows what she wants and she'll guide you through it, even if shes "subbing"

Loves going down on you.

She gets insecure sometimes when you wanna eat her out, but always shakes in pleasure at the end of the night, manicures nails scraping down your back and scalp as she screams your name.

You literally have no idea what she does or where she goes when she disappears randomly, but she always has cash.

No one asks questions tho

♡♡

Let me know if you want a Dekusquad or individual fic/drabble :)

[linksthoughtbrambles]

Spin Me

Part 44 of Link's Thought Brambles. [Note: This is only 1/2 of the full chapter I wrote because Tumblr says it was too long! So, you'll be getting 2 chapters today (but it's really one long chapter I was forced to divide).]

Zelda kissed me this morning... in public.  Now she’s on my arm... in public.  We’re approaching the threshold of the ballroom.  And we’re going to dance in public.  And… it’ll be fine, won’t it?  Like the king said, it’s better to be seen together normally than separate suspiciously.  They’ve both made it clear this is okay.  They have.

It’s going to be fine.

“Link… you’ve tensed. Are you alright?”

Her eyes.  The exact color of dappled sunshine on leaves in deep woods.  Always the light.  Everything about her.

“…Link?”

“Sorry.  I was looking at your eyes.  They…”    A twitch of her cheek.  Almost a smile.  “They remind me of my favorite places… lit by the Sun.”

“…And yours, mine, Link—eyes of the sky.  Of wide-open places.”

“Hh.”

Every feature of her face seems trained on me.  Aligned with mine.

And we’re inside.  A lot of other people are, too.  I recognize a lot of their faces.  Vaguely.

“W-well.  It looks as though they’ve- ah- made an extraordinary effort!”

Mipha’s right.  That’s not only a lot of food.  The way they’ve arranged it is spectacular!  I feel like I’m looking at a giant bird’s plumage.  What’s-

“Heavens above.  Is madam Plynne here?  I’ll be paying her a visit later to be sure.  I’ve never seen the like.  Daughter?”

“It’s the shape of Jirolie’s new symbol!  From the tunic!”

Wooow.  I have never imagined that many sugared cranberries could exist.  What’re the things that look like itty bitty oranges?!

The royal guards are moving to the wall already-

!!! What about- “Princess, Seggin and Sharoo are guests, right?!“

“Of course.”

“Ohh… good.”

“I’m glad I could relieve your concern so readily.   It appears as though Mipha is quite hungry.”

Wow.  Yeah, she’s loading that plate up.  She didn’t eat very much when we stopped, but she usually doesn’t.  Seggin and Sharoo are joining her.

“Are you alright, my lady?”

“O-oh yes, quite well.”

Why are they whispering?

“Hey, hack-n-slash.  Here.”

SLATE in my face- “Huh?”

“You have a belt.  I don’t.  Neither does the Princess.”

Cruddy planning.  Her satchel is in her room.  “Yeah, okay Purah, hang on… uh-” Get the hook on there first.  There.  We’ll be dancing, too, better tie it aaaand where’s the cord?

“Oh.  Link, I believe the wrap was in my pocket.”

“Um.  Okay-“

“I got you, Link!  I don’t need all these ribbons in my hair.  The bottom one can go.  It matches your shirt!”

“Chee, you don’t have to-”

“Too late!  Here.”

I’ll… have a hair ribbon on my hip all evening.

Better that than a smashed slate, for sure...  OR a stolen one if we left it lying around.  I wouldn’t put it past people in this room.  Somehow, I doubt all these people got wealthy and influential by putting things IN the lost and found box.

“That seems secure, I think.  I shall have to design some better way to attach it to a belt.”

“The hook’s good, Princess, it just needs a clasp or something.”

They’re tuning the instruments.  It makes everything surreal somehow.  Crowds out indistinct worries about whatever’s in the bailey. 

Here comes Zuho.  Wow… that’s… the fakest of fake smiles I’ve ever seen!  He looks PISSED OFF.  Why?!

“Sire.”

“Ah, Zuho.  Such a variety of instruments today!”

“Yes, Sire.  I’ve foregone some traditional themes in favor of celebrating our Princess.  Many of today’s pieces are new.”

“Many, you say?  How could you pull that together in so short a time?”

Ohhh.  That’s a falter-face.

“I haven’t, sire.  I have been preparing for this day at length.”

“A man with some forethought.  Well, I ought not be surprised.”

“May I speak with you about opening the ball, sire?  And the Princess, as well?”

“Certainly—daughter?”

 She’s not letting go of my arm, so I guess I’m supposed to go, too.  Don’t get yanked, Link.  Be smooth for once!

And by Hylila’s holy light, he just shot me the nastiest glare I’ve ever gotten from anyone.  ?!??!!?

Okay, Link.  Even if his music stinks (it usually doesn’t, but there was that time with the song that was supposed to sound like a bunch of herons and that was just an uncomfortable five minutes for everyone involved), you have to tell him it’s awesome.  Like the best music you’ve ever heard. 

“Sire. Princess.”

Pick something to rave about. 

“The first piece, while new, is fairly traditional in structure-“

There’s a cool-looking Sheikah instrument over there.

“-moderato in 4/4 timing with an accelerando to open the floor, intended, as most are, to be danced with a single partner.”

Like a giant laying-down lute with extra strings.

“I’d hoped each of you would grace us by dancing to open the ball.”

I’ll say his use of that was… poetic?

“Of course, Zuho.”

“Yes.  I’d better find a partner!”

“Sire?  You won’t be dancing with the Princess?”

“Oh ho ho!  No indeed.  I shall not cut in quite so early.  Ah- Princess Mipha.  Would you care to dance?”

Honor the visiting royalty!  Good idea.

“O-oh.  Well, I—o-of course, sire.  I’m honored.”

She seems flustered.  She didn’t even eat her food yet.

“Link… do you know how to dance?”

“I’ve watched people do this a bunch, Princess.”

“Hmm.  Perhaps follow my lead at first.”

“I would’ve anyway.”

A warm smile.

And… vision-daggers from Zuho.

“With your permission, sire?”

“Certainly.  We’ll take our places.”

The center of the dance floor.  People are gathering around.  The king has Mipha’s hand, too.  Her face is downturned.  Is something wrong?

One last tuning check.  Zuho has some kind of complicated wind instrument, and he’s not the only one.  The band is usually smaller than this.

“Jitters, Link?”

“…Some.”

“…Just the dance, or the sword?”

“It’s not the sword.”

“Good.”

Okay… a hand on her waist.  The other holding hers up.  “Is this right?”

“It is, Sir Knight.”

Eye crinkles from her and a thrill through me.  I never would’ve expected those words to strike such sparks.

“Try to stay loose, but not so loose you lose hold of my waist or hand.”

“Ha!  Just like holding a sword.”

“Please do not swing me at your opponents.”

“Mmm, what about my allies?”

“Indeed not!”

“I thought swinging was a thing in dancing.”

“A swing in dance is considerably different than the type of swinging you’re accustomed to.”

“I totally swung Rayan in the yard.  You sure you don’t want to try it?”

“Hmm, I believe Sir Rayan yielded after you did that.  I suspect I would not enjoy it.”

“I could be gentler.”

“Perhaps later.  Tempo moderato is typically not suited to vigorous swinging.”

“I’ll remember you said that when the tempo picks up.”

“You shall be careful?”

“I’ll always be careful with you.”  …I’d like to say ‘when you’re in my arms’… but I’m not sure how many of these people can hear me, even with the crowd buzz.  You can read this later, Princess.  Uh.  At least, you can if Purah never turned it off.

They’ve stopped tuning.  One last flex of the hands before we start.  Loosen up, Link.  …Her waist.   It shivered under my palm.  Will I feel that again later tonight?  I want to chase those vibrations across her skin.

“Ladies and Gentlemen.  I am pleased to declare the ball officially open!”

Zuho sounds genuinely happy about that, at least.

The harp and strings setting the timing.

One two three four

One two three four

A gentle pull…

We’re moving…

It’s easy! So easy

to follow her.

Two points of contact

and the slightest shift sends us gliding

…in perfect harmony.

.

The music… it’s lifting us up.

…It’s so beautiful.

It must be one of Zuho’s.

.

Her smile...

She feels it, too… this is no

ordinary song complacently keeping

time while we step.  It’s a

description… something

deep, heartfelt and joyous

that’s waited too long to be expressed.

…Something that finally

has freedom…

soaring through a clear sky. And it’s

exactly, perfectly, boundlessly

right. …And it’s

SO CLEARLY about her!

There’s no need to learn this

dance. I know this song.

…I feel it when I’m with her.

…This is a love song.

...The sky help me,

how is it possible music created by

Zuho could give shape to my

very soul?

.

She’s squeezing me.

“…Can you hear me, Link?”

“…I can.”

“The music so fills the room,

I thought you might not.”

“It’s special.  Made for you.”

“Yes… I hear it.”

.

“Zelda?”

“Yes?”

.

“…I think maybe I know why Zuho doesn’t like me.”

.

.

“I think I do, too.”

.

.

“…Does it make you uncomfortable?”

.

“…When this is what it sounds like?

No. This isn’t the sound of

possessiveness or jealousy, is it?”

“No.  Definitely not.”

.

.

“I- I am… moved.”

.

“So am I.”

“Truly?”

“How could I not be?

It sounds like what I feel for you.”

.

.

…Another squeeze

and the tempo’s changing

…Speeding up

.

We’re sweeping across the floor

now- It’s the signal!

Everyone else is

starting to dance, too.

.

Goddess forgive me,

but I can’t help myself.

Her waist in my hand,

her hand in mine,

her unrestrained smile,

and my unstoppable grin...

… I just can’t help it!

.

It’s so wrong of me.

I’m music-mooching,

and it’s not at all fair.

I didn’t put all my sweat, blood

and tears into writing this for her, but I-

“You suddenly appear as a man torn.”

.

She caught that fast.

“I just-“

“You’re feeling sorry for Zuho.”

Wow.  Real fast.

“Might I…”

?

“Might I selfishly request that…

??

“during this first dance…”

???

“you not think of anything else?”

.

Only you could feel guilty

About feeling guilty, Link.

…Quit being a

walking bramble-bush.

Squeeze her hand.

Press down and in,

just slightly,

on her waist.

…See her

breath catch…

…I hope the

slate’s on, Princess.

.

I want you to know exactly

what I’m thinking.

.

I love you.

.

I wish I could pull

you flush against me.

I have to resist for now,

but later…

Later, Princess…

Th-the song’s ending.

Aw.

.

We’re clapping.  I guess that makes sense.  Original composition and the ball opener and all that…We’re not clapping after every song, are we?  They usually don’t.

She’s touching my wrist.

“That was wonderful.”

“I danced okay?”

“You did quite well!  Though that’s hardly the only reason I enjoyed dancing with you.”

Ooooh, a few people definitely heard that one.  There’s some head-snapping going on.  “Hehehehe-“  Link! Get a hold of yourself!  Nervous giggling is not cool.  Not EVER, but especially not in the middle of this crowd.  She’s doing the confused-blinking.  She doesn’t do it often, but I’ve seen it before, and that’s definitely it.  Blinky blinks, eyebrows up, no smile.  “Sorry.”

Another blink.

“You’re sorry I enjoyed dancing with you?”

“Oh no, that part’s great!”

“So why apologize?”

“Well, I-“  OOPS!  Link, what’s wrong with you?  You didn’t tell her YOU enjoyed it!!!!  “I enjoyed dancing with you, too!  A lot!!”

What am I holding my hands up for?!  Put those down, put those down- why’d she get blinkier?

“You’re… sorry YOU enjoyed dancing with me?”

“What?!  No, that’d be crazy.”

“Thank the heavens we’re on the same page there.”

“Sorry.  Sorry, it was the laughing, it was awkward.”

“Pkhp.  I see.  Link, you do realize if I disliked awkwardness, I wouldn’t be quite so taken with you?” 

I am now the color of a voltfruit.  The sort of transition music’s loud enough that most people couldn’t hear us, but that lady with the tall hair right there isn’t even trying to hide how much she’s enjoying this.

Better check… yeah, everyone’s still in here.  Our whole group.  The king’s, too.  Chee- heh.  Pestering Jeralt. Better double-check with him- oh.  New music-

“Your sister has no fear of rejection as you do.”

Fear of- “Huh?”

“She speaks freely, and to everyone regardless of their station.”

“Yeah, she’s like that.”

“…Well, Link.  Another dance, or would you prefer to investigate the foo-ooh!”

“Does this answer your question?”

“Heheh, this is a lively one-“

“Fast!”

“Can you keep up with me, Sir Knight? I- goodness, it just got faster!”

“Guess he wanted to build us up to it!”

One two three four five six seven eight

One two three four five six seven eight

Holy crap four five six seven eight

This is fast four five six seven eight

“Ah-heh!” - That’s a laugh four five six seven eight

She likes it three four five six seven eight

LOUD two three four five six seven eight!

LOUDER three four five six seven eight!

Rise to the challenge, Link!

WHOAH- that’s a swing!

You missed it, Link

Not this time four five six seven eight

Wait for it four five six seven eight

SPIN her! YES! - “Ah- ha!”

And back in four five six seven eight

Changing in the beats, changing in the beats

SPIN her!

Spin her- under!

And we meet four five six seven eight

Here it comes four five six seven eight

SPIN her!

Under- and meet!

“Hehehe- Link!”

Joy two three four five six only

joy two three four five six in her

eyes two three four five six and in-

side me- SPIN!

Fire two three four five six in my

arms three four five six seven like the

Sun two three four five six seven eight

SPIN her… and

crash two three four five six into

her two three four five six seven she’s

molten-

sunshine- SPIN!

Bend two three four five six at the

waist two three four five six seven and

her hair

scrapes the floor-

Drums! Two three four five catch our

breaths two three four five heaving

breaths two three four five leave me

breathless… and-

One two three four five six seven eight

One two three four five six seven eight

She two three four five six leaves me

breathless.

SPIN her- SPIN her

SPIN her- UNDER!

CRASHING- SPINNING

UNDER! Three four five six seven eight

She’s two three four five spinning

me! Two three four five she is

SO two three four five six seven eight

fearless!

She two three four five pulls me

in two three four five arms ac-

cross two three four five six seven her

shoulders- she’s

Spinning me spinning me spinning me dizzy and she’s

under me over me under me and she

SPINS me!

Spins me!  She’s

beaming and leading me, swinging me

out and out and twisting and we meet, doesn't miss a beat and

Spin me!

Spin me! We’re

swinging we’re swinging and twisting and diving and

ducking and crossing and tunnelling, dipping and

spinning!

Spinning!

And it’s slowing...

Dip her down, Link!

“Ah!  Link!  Hahaha- you’ve been holding out on me!”

“Not intentionally.”

“Must I remain bent halfway to the floor?”

“Only until the ending’s done.  Seems like they’re stretching it.”

“Hmm.  Kind of them.”

Surprisingly kind considering Zuho’s among them.

People are clapping again…

Oh.

Ohhh.

They cleared the whole middle of the dance floor.  Because we went a little nuts, didn’t we?  No one wants to get smashed in the midsection by an unnaturally strong spinning Princess imbued with extra momentum by her also-unnaturally strong dance partner.  Some people were definitely still dancing, though.

“…Breather, Princess?”

“Only if you need one.”

“I can go a long time.”

“Is that a challenge, Sir Knight?”

“…It’s a promise.”

Now THAT look is probably not appropriate in public.  Lucky we’re shifting around a bit and the crowd’s re-filling the space.

No one’s tried to cut in yet.

Would’ve been kind of difficult with all that spinning.

“Link?”

She's quiet. Staying hidden in the music.

 Me too.  “Yes?”

“Later.  How… how…?”

“…Not sure yet.”

One two three four five six

One two three four five six

She knows the steps to this.

“…Have you waltzed before?”

“No.” Two three four five six

“Not even at home?”

“Not a thing there.”

One two three four five six

I see the appeal.

Vibrant but time to feel

Oooh, oops-

Keep your hand up, Link.

You weren’t really at her hip anyway

but waist is where it belongs.

“I must say, Sir Link...”

“Yes?”

“You’re-“ - Woah—loud!

She has to lean in

to be heard – her hair

strands tickling my neck-

“You’re the only man whose hands

I wish to wander low.”

…Good!

“Yet also the only man I’ve ever danced

with who has corrected

himself when they did.”

Noooo.

Nooooo WAY.

“Do people do that to you?!”

“On rare occasions.”

“…Who?”

“You’ll know if I say not to let them cut in.”

Okay, Link.

Don’t see red.

Just dance.

She doesn’t need you to be angry.

The song sounds like victory.

Let it be that.

She’s with you,

not stuck with some jerk

for political reasons.

…

It’s one of Zuho’s again,

isn’t it?

Victory.

It’s about her again.

That she’s found her power.

His music speaks.

A quiet part.

…No buzz.

People aren’t talking much…

Maybe they’re listening for once.

Maybe- oh. 

Her hand on my shoulder.

Her thumb.

Caressing me.

Imperceptibly, I think,

to everyone else.

But steady.

Like her eyes on mine.

Ensnared

with a simple touch.

…Or

It’s a clue.

My hand on her waist.

Move that thumb, Link.

Widen your grip.

“Hh-“ - Her breath…

She tried to tamp that gasp down.

I heard it anyway.

Ready, Princess?

Caressing.

And she is struggling…

visibly straining…

not to let her chest heave.

Goddess…

I want to keep doing this to her

But if I do…

It might cause a scandal.

.

What would she do

If my thumb was lower?

Nearer her navel?

Below it?

Her hipbone?

I think she knows

what I’m thinking.

Because her hand shifted.

That is so not

proper dance position.

Her thumb.

My collarbone.

Tracing it.

Just the part

nearest my shoulder

...and back in position again.

Stay calm, knight.

You can’t lose it here.

Can’t trace hers.

“Clavicle.”

…Huh?

Eyebrow-pointing…

At my collarbone.

Oh.

Search your brain, search it.

Do you know any of these words?

“…Pelvis?”  Oooh.  That did NOT sound confident.

“Pff.  Mm hmm.  Though it wasn’t a test.”

You ruined it, Link.

And it was such a nice mood…

And the song’s over, and the next one’s starting right away I guess.  This one sounds a lot lighter.  More traditional.

“I must unfortunately confess I’m quite thirsty.”

“Salty cracklings.”

“And not enough water.  I take it you shall avoid it?”

“…No, Princess.  I’m not getting the warning here.  It’s probably better to keep myself fed and watered.  We’ll stick to our group plan, though.”

“Of course.  No matter how uncomfortable it makes you.”

“Heh.  Yeah.  Or anyone else.”

We’ll probably get a few gawks.  Did I…?  Yes.  Mipha, Sharoo, and Seggin all moved to the head table with the king.  Mom’s there, too.  Chee…?

Chee?

“Link?”

CHEE-

Oh.  Oh, Goddess.  “I- I’m good, Princess.” Though frankly, Chee’s cradle-robbing.  Tobe’s what, nine at most?  How’d he even get in here?  He’s not dressed fancy but that’s snazzy dancing.  Doesn’t look like anyone cares- oh, except that lady.  She keeps sniffing the air near him.

That’s just uncalled for.  Tobe isn’t smelly.  She’s being a snob.

…Hehe.  Link, you know from experience sniffing in people’s general direction makes them uncomfortable.  This woman is employing that very same knowledge in order to embarrass a (totally oblivious) kid (thus she’s failing miserably).  Turn her own weapon against her.

Next chance… breathe in deeply.  EVERY TIME you pass her.

Yes.  Plan.

I’ll have to actually pay attention, though.  Hmm.

Rope Zelda in?  She’d help.

Yeah.  Better plan!

“Prin- oh.”

Damn, she’s way ahead of me.  Did I not JUST tell myself to pay attention?

I wasn’t like this outside.  Better channel whatever the sword was doing.

So… anxiety.

Be… nervous, Link?  Is that really my best advice for myself?

She’s gulping that mint-water like a fresh-water octorok.  Looks tempting.

“Gmng.  Goodness.”

“I’ve never seen you do that before.”

“Perhaps not.  I typically reserve such behavior for excavations and surveys.”

“I… missed most of your last one.”

“…Yes.  I’m sorry about that.”

Sheepish Zelda doesn’t happen often.  “Don’t worry about it.  I’m just glad nothing bad happened.”

“Nothing bad?!  I behaved most unreasonably.”

“But nothing attacked you.”

“True.  Though perhaps if it had, we’d have known of my unforeseen physical strengths earlier… You’re sipping your water quite daintily, Sir Knight.”

Hehehe.  “Well, some people are staring.”

“As usual.  You’re concerned with their opinion of you?”

“I want to see if I can get them to think I’m more civilized than you.”

“Ohhh, I see.  Perhaps I may aid you in your quest.”

“How?”  Okay, lots of the sugared fruits on her plate, but Mipha did that and she’s as civilized as they come.  In goes a cranberry.  And another. And another and another and one of those orange things, don’t know what they are, and more and more and she’s not even chewing yet and joining in my pointless little scheme is not at all her only goal here, is it?  Or maybe I’m overthinking it, she has happy-closed-eyes-face, so it must taste good and there she goes, she’s finally chewing like a squirrel with two cheeks full of acorns.

Aaaaand her eyes are still closed and here comes Morovo.  And a woman who’s VERY large in every direction towering over him.

“Uh, Princess-“

“PRINcess Zelda!”

Woooow.

“Mm. Mdm Rcca.”

“Oh dear oh dear, forgive me, Princess.  Please take your time.”

Bleeeeh.  I don’t like her already.

“The night is SO young, Princess-”

Is he still drunk?

“and I’d hoped to take a turn with you on the dance floor.”

That’s a tiny headshake, that’s-

“Ah, Morovo!”

The king!

“Excellent, excellent.  There’s someone I wish to introduce you to.”

“Oh… oh, and who might that be?”

“Ah, Sir Eberoy.  One of my royal guards.  I believe you’ve met his wife.”

“Ah hahaha, I can’t recall.”

“Unsurprising--it was likely forgettable for you.  I assure you she remembers.  Come along, come along.”

Wooooooow.

…The woman’s still here.

“Ah.  Well.  Allow me to greet you properly, Madam Riecca, now I’m able.”

“Ah HAHAHAHA!”

?!?! Is she drunk, too?

“Please, DON’T trouble yourself, Princess!”

…And what the HELL is that very strange smile with way too many teeth and why is its horrible mockery of delight directed at me?!

Zelda?!  Oh, oh she’s confused too-

“SIR Link.”

…That’s me-

“I appear to have lost my husband!  But I’d be TICKLED if you’d do a dance with me instead!”

Way too close WAY TOO CLOSE HER CHEST HOVERING OVER ME AND SHE SMELLS REALLY REALLY WEIRD HELP HELP HELP- “Wuh!”

“I’m afraid I’ve quite tired him out, Madam!  We were about to sit down.  Enjoy the dancing!”

Shebwehrptzndvngklswlpqtthewhuhuh?

“…Hylia, give me patience.  I didn’t know they made such a dreadful pair.  I was NICE to her last time. Thought her lecher of a husband had married her for her money or some such nonsense—quite clearly a fabrication generated in my imagination.”

“Wh- what just happened?”

“You were propositioned by a very tall person.”

“…But I’m a very short person.”

“Kph.”

“…No one does that.  No one.  No one likes me.”

“I like you!”

“I mean women don’t just look at me and think, hey I like what I see, I’d like to drag him behind a tapestry.”

“I do.”

“You’re different! You actually know me.  She just wandered over!”

“I’ve little insight for you, Link.  A good sit with the Zora and your mother ought to help.”

Mom.  Yes.  Mom.  She’ll know what’s going on.  She understands these people things.

And she is giving me SOME LOOK.  She saw the whole thing, didn’t she?  Will she be mad?  Was I mean?  How could that be?  I didn’t even get a chance to say anything.  Zelda rescued me.  Oh!  “Thank you.”

“I would not leave you in such dire straits.”

She’s been leading me by the hand this whole time.  Can’t help that little smile popping out.  The cucco’s totally out of the bag at this point.  After today, everyone’s going to know.  Might as well squeeze her hand back.

“Hello everyone.”

“H-hello, Princess.” “Mmph.” “Lovely music in here!” “Hello, Princess.”

Seat next to mom. That’s the spot.  Definitely.

“Link… are you alright?”

I feel like a mouse has left its tiny turd in the raisins of my soul

“Oh dear.”

 and I’ll never find it and I can never eat the raisins-

“Say something.”

“…Bad raisins.”

“Oh hh hh…”   “It’s worse than I thought.”

Mom pity-face.

“Take a deep breath.  She won’t bother you again today.”

“H-how do you know?”

“I know the type.”

“Sh-she- why?  No one’s ever done that.”

“Hphhhh.  Link, you… happen to be a type that appeals to a certain kind of older woman.”

…OLDER… woman?  “Why?  No one- no one at home-”

“You were too young at home until recently, and most of the older women there are married.”

“Sh-SHE’s married!”

“…It’s not the same.”

“Link?  I’m sorry to interrupt, but I see Misk heading this way.”

“Misk, Princess?”

“He’s the Windvane Exchange Manager.  Him, I ought to dance with should he ask.   You needn’t worry.  He’s all business.”

Okay.

And of course, my stomach would start growling now since we’re nowhere near the food.

“Princess.”

That’s a deep bow.

“I’d be honored if you’d grant me a dance.”

“Of course, Misk.  I’ve been meaning to inquire after your associates’ finds in Tanagar Canyon.”

Oh, excavations?

“Then we are of the same mind, Your Highness.”

“Excellent!  Let's to the floor."

"They’ve yet to breach the entrance at ground, Highness.  Safety concerns—how much of the structure is held by the supports themselves, and how much by the fill.”

Entrance?  Is it another one of those shrines?

“I recall you mentioning that.”

“The good news is they’ve cleared a small area high up for entry.  It’s possible to rappel in.”

…High up?  Doesn’t sound like a shrine.

“Marvelous!  They’re finally inside?!”

“They are, and it’s more surprising than we’d imagined.”

“Do not read anything into this, Misk, but I may have to dance with you twice.”

“Hahaha, have no fear, Highness.  In fact, I’m rather taken with a young woman stationed at the Hyrule garrison.”

“Indeed? What’s her…”

Into the crowd.

Relax, Link.  She’ll be okay.  Jeralt and Merendith are right at the exit and they know the plan.  Plus… super-strength.  No one’s getting the better of her on that dance floor.

___

[Note: This chapter was written to a playlist to keep it in time. Each line during one of those dances is matched to a measure of the music. Transitions between songs are a little free-form, though. The ball opener is the Link/Zelda romance theme from Skyward Sword (the slower version first, then transitioning to the quicker one). For the transitions and the 2nd and 3rd dances, I was listening to music by The Corrs (my library is a little limited, but I really wanted something instrumental but lively so they could smash some dancing out of the park). The 2nd dance specifically was their song "Toss the Feathers" (which was critical for the timing of all that spinning, etc.). The 3rd dance was their song "Erin Shore" (which I would like to find a replacement for because of the drum solo, but timing-wise it worked well). There are electric instruments in those two, but... well... I can use my imagination to pretend that out.]

Read Next: Spin Me [Too]

Read this fanfic from the beginning (it makes more sense that way).

Follow this link for the post list for this fic.

[vinnival]

Main 3 + Hofnarr with a SO that likes to listen to lofi music alot

in this essay I will fucking love hofnarr ✊👊💥✊👊💥✊👊💥✊👊💥✊👊💥 *bangs on table*

Have some lofi zelda music. It is good music. Listen to the music. Listen to the music. Lis

Chill

HANK

He finds it very calming !!

Notices your regular songs, which ones you like more, etc

Sometimes will just watch you as you hum along, smiling under his mask the best he could

Whenever you do chores or work while listening he'll also watch

Couldn't resist the urge to reach out and play with your hair one day

The lull of the rhythmic tempo, coupled with your curious face glancing over at Hank- followed by a smile from you...

Hank just truly felt at peace for only a few moments, for the first time since long before the boombox incident

Yes, only a few seconds, but every last one was relished in its full glory while staring at you

Okay, he'll admit, lofi music has a certain magic to it

SANFORD

Probably introduced you to it !!!

He takes pride in the fact that you got super interested into the type of music he likes

You two discuss your favorite songs together sometimes

He likes doing a cute little dance with you when he can to the music <333

When he's healing from a battle you'll hum his favorite lofi song while you sit with him

He really appreciates it :]

He has a reaaaally baritone voice so him doing a bass-y hum seems fitting to me

But he sounds good when he hums! So ofc he hums your fav songs as well !!!

kisses sanford mwah

DEIMOS

When he asks you for some music recommendations you do the mf anime glasses shine with the biggest fucking smirk

Like this mf but with a smug smile

Doesn't matter if you dknt have glasses

You do it in spirit

You rope him into lofi bc you're just like that

He loves jamming out to some of your favorite songs !!!

Basically like everyone else but are we complaining? We want our bfs/friends to jive with us is all :]

Loves just laying with you as the music plays

Sees it as the perfect moodsetter for just about anything

HOFNARR

First time writing for my beloved this will be very enjoyable !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone knows this poor man is always stressed out

So when you're listening to music one day and he overhears it, he's very interested

You hear his voice softly calling your name, and you turn down the music

"Yes, love?"

"Honey, may I ask... What is that genre of music? I don't believe I've heard that anywhere before and find it quite calming."

You grinned and looked back over to your little bluetooth speaker, turning up the volume again

"Lo-fi!"

He immediately falls in love with it

Especially loves when you excitedly show him new songs

Like: "...well, guess they're my favorite songs now!"

After a more-stressful-than-usual day at work, you're already home- it's a day off for you- and immediately just hug him

You lead him through the house while he's just about asleep and leaning against you

In the background, his current favorite lofi track is gently wafting through the house

The moment felt nothing short of magical

He loves you AND your music taste very very much <3

[snidgetwidgeon]

Son of Hylia, Daughter of Farore

A roleswap Zelink AU

Art by @anxioussailorsoldier and used here with permission

This story is a one-shot inspired by the prompts from @drsteggy and was gifted to her in a fic exchange.

~~~

Link awoke suddenly, desperately trying to cling to the vision of a woman surrounded by bright light as it diminished from his foggy mind. Try as he might to enter back into the haze of his mysterious dream, sounds came louder and clearer to his ears, and he registered the rustle of the sheets sliding against his feet as he stretched, his senses slowly returning. Today would be a trying affair. He always remained fatigued after she appeared to him, ever speaking yet rendered frustratingly silent.

Perhaps he could try to lay low, hide in the library, and search yet again on the shelves he’d already scoured for something he may have missed; something to prove it was possible that he was having the visions vessels were known to have had. He just couldn’t interpret them. He spared a bittersweet thought for his late mother. She would have known, would have shown him. Or perhaps she would have bore a daughter, and there would be no question; and he could have supported his sister when they found out the Calamity was foretold to return.

But the Kingdom of Hyrule was left with a Prince at the precipice of doom. He’d never felt more useless, or more determined to do something about it. He would find a way. He would protect everyone.

Zelda shifted her feet, practicing her forms to warm up before training. She missed her scimitar. This new blade felt so different and she had to relearn how to make it an extension of herself. It was humbling when sparring partners she had previously bested came out on top. It just proved she still had much to learn and needed to become proficient with many weapon types if she wanted to be the greatest.

She recalled being a bit intimidated as her group of friends grew over the years. Where they used to be physical equals, they now towered above her; but she supposed she could be thankful for the challenge because it caused her to become an incredibly scrappy fighter, always looking for openings she could wheedle into.

This time she wheedled too far and forgot to watch her flank while in pursuit of one of her opponents. Another warrior swept in and bashed her ribs as she was on an upswing and it sent her flying. As she was pulled up, she couldn’t help but think spitefully that the same would not have happened if she were allowed her weapon of choice. She could have recovered with her scimitar but the swing on the Master Sword was different.

“Nice air you caught there,” her sparring partner teased in Gerudo. “Again?”

Zelda recovered her blade from a few paces away and declined, “I think I’ll just nurse my wounds and ego for awhile, thanks.”

“Suit yourself. I recommend you do solitary for a few days with your new acquaintance,” she pointed her chin towards the Master Sword in Zelda’s grip. “See if you two can make friends,” she winked and ran back to join the fray.

Zelda stared down at the sword with slight contempt. Urbosa had told her of the legends she’d learned from the late Queen of Hyrule, and her son, Prince Link- that the sword was wielded to protect Hylia, and how the blade itself chose its master and would even communicate. Someone being chosen meant that a shit storm was likely brewing.

Urbosa also mentioned that preparations were being made against some sort of Calamity. The word made Zelda’s blood run cold and she knew it was something to be feared. If the sword was not speaking to her, perhaps it chose wrong and she was not suited to the challenge. She had tried everything she could think of, even hours of meditation, which she hated because she didn’t like sitting still for long.

But it was all for naught.

She wove her way through the stalls and bustle of the marketplace, sword heavy on her back, and day after day it had only served to weigh her down even more. She could no longer stand it. She exited the north-western gates and ran along the outer wall. Heart pounding and sweating all over, she dug a rather shallow and pathetic hole, chucked the sword in and kicked sand over it before walking away in a huff, muttering, “Curse the day I found your infuriating silence!”

She’d been training in the desert when she discovered it, exploring further than she ever had over the dunes. Following the statues with their guiding swords, she finally came upon the last one and sheltered under her cloak at its base as a sandstorm passed. Thankfully, it was short and as she stood to shake as much sand as she could off her person, she noticed something strange in the distance. She could have sworn she’d reached the last statue of the warriors. Perhaps she’d miscounted as there stood another on the horizon, the reflection of its sword glinting brightly in its grasp.

Zelda took a drink from her ration, taking note of how much was left before deciding she could manage one more. If anything, it would improve her survival skills.

As she neared the solid figure rising out of the sands she noticed that the sword it held was elaborate. Oddly enough, a scabbard for it was slung over the shoulder which made it appear that someone had just left it there. She looked around but only saw a few cacti bearing voltfruits, perfect for carrying around extra moisture for the return trip. Some movement caught her eye behind a cactus and she ran over, pulling her scimitar, in case there was meat to be had, but she was met with a poof of sparkling petals and could have sworn she heard a childish giggle.

After investigating thoroughly, she cut the fruits and placed them into her bag before returning to the statue. It would be a shame to leave such a fine piece of work out in the middle of nowhere. She climbed the figure and slipped the scabbard off the shoulder, letting it fall to the sand before holding the neck and planting her feet against the torso so she could reach the hilt with her free hand. It did not budge. Hiking herself up, she wrapped her legs around the neck so she could use both hands to pull on the wings above the hilt.

She was straining when she heard the laugh again, accompanied by a rattle, and in her distraction, the blade suddenly came loose and they both tumbled into the sand.

She’d thought nothing of it until returning to Gerudo Town.

During a routine visit to the throne room, Chief Urbosa had nearly sent away visiting dignitaries when she spied the sword on Zelda’s back. After the meeting, Urbosa called her into her private quarters, which was very unusual. Perhaps she was to be given a special assignment.

“Where did you find that sword?” Urbosa asked with intense interest and a hint of concern.

Zelda stood at attention and replied concisely, “In the desert, Chief.”

“Zelda, have you any idea what you’ve found?”

Zelda began to doubt her decision to play finders keepers. Maybe it was a ceremonial sword or relic that should have stayed where it was. Though she had been raised with the Gerudo, she certainly did not purport to know all of their culture and was horrified by the idea that she’d deeply offended them.

~~~

Urbosa removed her bracelets and hair ornaments, letting the thick, red locks fall down her back. Making sure her tea would be in reach, she snuggled into her bed and opened a letter from her favorite Hylian. She always saved his letters for the end of the day when her attention could be undivided and she could imagine actually having a conversation with him. He was so bright and inquisitive, and optimistic- as his letter revealed. Just like her love.

~I have not given up my search. I keep thinking that surely, there is a pocket in the library I have not scoured. But then another duty and another day takes me away from it. I see her, Urbosa. It has to mean something. If only I could find evidence that there has been a son of Hylia. Why else would I be given visions? If only I could interpret them...

Do you know how mother did it? Did she ever say anything?~

He then went on to describe his involvement with the funding of the research at the Royal Ancient Lab as well as other gossip that he and Urbosa kept up on, including their inside jokes about stuffy nobles. He also wanted to hear more about the warrior who had pulled the Master Sword.

~Does the bearer of the Blade that Seals the Darkness fare well? The moment I learned of her, I hoped that it was a sliver of evidence to prove my case. If there is a woman as Farore’s chosen, then perhaps it lends weight to the fact that a man could be Nayru’s chosen. But I’m harping. Perhaps I will be able to meet her soon, though father keeps me tied up in social engagements. He has taken to parading me at events where there are ample amounts of young debutantes to vie for my attention. I’d much rather be studying.~

Urbosa wrote back early the next morning after skimming the letter again.

~It seems our chosen Hero is having trouble awakening the power within the blade. When you sent word of legends that say the sword speaks to a worthy master, she immediately felt inadequate. Zelda excels at any challenge and eventually overcomes all obstacles, so when she continually failed to connect with the sword’s spirit, she took out her frustrations in a childish manner. The other day she was witnessed burying it in the sand outside the town walls. She must have blown off all her steam because she did retrieve it later that night.

I think that learning her fate has been weighing on her. She puts on a stoic face but I can see she has reservations. Perhaps if you two came together, something will give?~

After reading Urbosa’s reply, Link laid the parchment back down on his desk and pondered her proposition. He had been wanting to expand his search outside the castle for sometime and though he enjoyed visiting the Royal Lab, it did not hold any answers for what he sought; they were just a bunch of rowdy mechanics who were a lot of fun to hang around with. But to understand his history and role, he wanted to go on a pilgrimage to the known spiritual sites of Hyrule, and perhaps discover unknown ones as well so he could be better informed on how to defeat the Calamity, and possibly awaken the power of Hylia along the way.

He would start making arrangements right away.

~~~

King Rhoam rapped his knuckles on the door of his son’s study. When Link answered with a curt nod and a polite greeting, he entered, leaving his guard detail outside. He thought it prudent to retain at least some privacy for this matter, considering the gossip it could generate.

“I hear you’re planning some sort of trip,” it came out as a statement more than a question.

“A pilgrimage. To try and find any proof of my suspicions-”

He was interrupted by his father’s large, dissatisfied sigh. “Link, you really must stop harping on about that nonsense. Hylia has only ever been reincarnated into the mortal body of a female, that’s just the way it is. A tradition that extends even far beyond what we have in written history.”

“Exactly. We don’t know everything. How do you explain my visions? Mother had them. She knew how to interpret them.”

“Perhaps they’re just dreams,” Rhoam offered again in a misguided attempt to engage.

Link smacked the book he was about to pack on the table in frustration. “I can’t believe you keep saying that, you just don’t understand.”

“What I understand is that you continue to foolishly insist on chasing dreams and fantasies rather than doing something tangible for your people. You’re wasting time, Link. You should be courting and choosing a wife so that you can pass on the bloodline to a potential Princess who will-” Rhoam saw the shock in his boy’s face and tried to change track, “We have no idea when the Calamity will strike, we should be doing everything we can to prevent disaster.”

Link clenched his jaw as a deep anger and loathing swelled in his breast. Voice trembling in rage, he rebutted, “I am not going to produce an heir just to send her to the slaughter. I will fight my own battles. This Calamity is coming down on us! I just need to figure out how to awaken Hylia’s power.” He grabbed his bag and stormed out before Rhoam could push his agenda further.

~~~

The next letter Urbosa received from Link outlined his travels. She grinned as she read through them, glad that he’d managed to get away.

~The Forgotten Temple was very difficult to access, and though it did not produce any results, it was a breath taking trip. It has the largest Goddess Statue I have ever seen and I felt a peculiar familiarity while standing under her benevolent smile. I think this is promising.

We’re now at the ruins of the Temple of Time on the Great Plateau. I’m no stranger to the place of course, but the Priestess has been most helpful in providing old texts to study that were not available at the Castle. She’s even offered to assign a scribe to make copies for me.

I hope to be underway again soon and I would like to visit the Seven Heroines. I want to leave no stone unturned. I shall send a dispatch for when we expect to be arriving in the desert.~

When the time came, Urbosa bid Zelda to be an escort for the Prince across the sands to Gerudo Town. “Listen carefully, Zelda. Being the Prince is more than reason enough to keep him safe, but there may be a chance that he is so much more. The fact that you wield that sword lends weight to his theory that he may be Hylia reborn.”

Zelda’s eyes widened but she remained silent, nodding dutifully.

“I’ll need you to deliver some supplies to him so that he may enter unmolested upon arrival.”

“Chief?” Zelda asked, uncertain about the order. Hylia possibly being in a boy she could handle, but in all her time there, she’d never heard of a voe entering Gerudo Town. For Urbosa to speak of it almost as if it were done every other day was- confusing, to say the least.

Urbosa raised her brow at the question. “He is my Oten’vehvi and knows how to behave within these walls. You need not concern yourself with the politics, just act as his personal guard.”

“Yes, Chief.”

She made her preparations and checked that all was secure with the ‘contraband.’ The idea of meeting the Prince was troubling to say the least. She felt completely inadequate, bearing a sword that considered her unworthy. Perhaps she could pass it onto him and he could find the most courageous person in Hyrule. With his resources she was sure it wouldn’t be that hard. Then again, legendary swords weren’t known for choosing incorrect Heroes, so what was wrong with her?

They would just have to work together somehow.

She rode most of the way at a leisurely pace behind her sand seal until she noticed a scuffle as she neared Kara Kara. “HUP!” she directed her seal to go a bit faster to investigate.

A couple of Hylian vai shrieked when they saw her. “The Prince! Please save our Prince!” they cried as they pointed west.

There were two Yiga chasing after a nimble blond clad in light blue. She sprung after them, tongue rolling in a call to let her mount know they needed to go as fast as if they were fleeing a molduga.

The Prince was doing well for himself until he fell, a prey disposition coming over him. He scooted back but could only stare at the assassins, frozen in fear.

Zelda used her inertia to whip across the sand and jumped to land between the Prince and his attackers. She drew her sword, imbued with courage and confident that she could easily protect the boy against the likes of this desert rabble. She almost become distracted by the sword’s sudden glow before exchanging blows with the masked Yiga. They soon realized they were no match for her and dispersed in pops of red and orange light, laughter echoing in their place.

Breathing heavily, she turned back to face the Prince who was still flat on his bum. They both ogled the glowing sword.

An ethereal, disembodied voice broke the silence, “Master, it is good to see you again.”

Their eyes snapped to each other and searched for understanding. There was an immediate and unmistakable bond between them. They’d both heard it.

“I see...” Zelda began. She glared down at the Master Sword, fist clenching the handle and shaking with anger. “So you only deign to speak when your charge is present?” Her voice rose, “I wasn’t good enough for you?! You picky piece of shit!” she yelled as she hurled the sword into the dunes.

Link gaped in disbelief that his protector was so uncouth when something profound occurred to him. He fell back into the sand laughing, a massive wave of relief washing over him.

She looked at him curiously. “What? What is it?”

His laughter died down and he gazed into the sky, moisture glistening in the corner of his eye. “She’s with me.”

Zelda’s eyebrows knitted in confusion, unaware of the turmoil he had experienced regarding his identity.

Link stood and brushed himself off then held out his hand in greeting. “You must be Zelda. Bearer of the Blade that seals the Darkness.”

She accepted his shake and added spitefully, “More like the blade that won’t open its trap unless its mommy is around.”

“You know, I find it very intriguing, my mother’s name was also Zelda.”

“Yes, my mother was a big fan. It’s kind of flattering, she was a great lady. But people always joke that I’m the lost, secret princess and other nonsense.” She started to move away but he touched her arm and she paused.

“Thank you- for saving my life; but also for revealing the truth. Now that I know she’s here,” he touched his heart, “I will find her.”

Zelda eyed him like a strange bug, still unsure as to what he was on about. She patted his shoulder as she walked over to retrieve her weapon, “Good luck with that.”

~~~

A few nights later, Link and Urbosa took a stroll just outside of town to enjoy each other’s company, catching up on their daily lives. The stars twinkled brightly and the moon shone pale on the dunes, a steady breeze drifting the sands away to the dark horizon. He’d just intimated what his father would have him do to stay the coming Calamity.

She touched his shoulder in support, “And what did you say?”

“That this was our battle. And I would absolutely not have a child just to-” he sighed deeply. “I mean, I know the legends. There will always be a vessel of Hylia and her chosen Hero, but to be so deliberate and unfeeling about it, I just...”

“It’s alright. Your father has always been rather blunt, and practical to a fault. For what it’s worth, I believe in you. The visions you describe sound very similar to what your mother shared with me.”

He looked up to her with a smile, “It’s worth a lot, you’re my Oten’baba; your opinion matters to me more than anyone else.”

They continued on for a short time in companionable silence when Urbosa stopped and lifted her head to the night, listening and placing a hand on her scimitar.

“What is it?” Link asked, only noticing after he’d taken a few steps ahead.

A raucous laughter cut across the desert and as quick as Urbosa had been to draw her blade and prepare a snap of deadly electricity over her foes, two of them grabbed the Prince and held their sickles to his neck causing her to stay her hand.

“What a lovely package we have here tonight. Not only can we bag the boy, we can finally rid ourselves of the thorn in our side, Gerudo Tempest!” a Yiga foot soldier, hidden amongst the rest, spat the last two words out in disgust.

They attacked and dozens fell upon the Chief, running head on and popping up behind. A dance of blades began and Link struggled to free himself. Urbosa tried to lead her foes away but Link’s captors followed, dragging his feet through the sand.

“You’ll not be using your lightning with the precious Prince so close, will you?” gloated the same antagonizing voice.

Link cried out in terror when he saw a Yiga succeed in cutting her arm. She seethed and decked them right across the jaw. When they fell she jumped onto their back and launched herself in the air so she could shoot off a bolt.

“Oh, no! Is the Tempest in distress?” the voice goaded, and the masks cackled.

Link couldn’t tell where the mocking was coming from, they were everywhere and nowhere at once. There were too many. Urbosa was becoming overwhelmed and aid may not arrive in time- a gash landed on her leg- he was going to lose her. The laughing was getting louder, the air becoming so thick with magic that it tasted like chalk on his tongue- a slice was delivered up her back and she cried out. He squeezed his eyes shut and thought of his mother. What would she do? There hadn’t been anything he could do for her then, but he was here now for his living mother.

Link’s eyes shot open just in time to see Urbosa drowning under the onslaught and his insides fell into oblivion. They were replaced by a warmth that spread through his body and beyond. He jerked his head in confusion as those that held him fell away. He was free. Sparks akin to those he felt when he fell asleep on his hand in the library spread through his fingers and he launched himself into the foray. He clawed through Yiga soldiers to get to her and did not see how each one he yanked was thrown back with a force of golden energy.

“Urbosa! URBOSA!?” They hit the ground.

The desert was lit with a false sunrise as Link crushed Urbosa in a desperate embrace. The light washed over her, healing her wounds as it cascaded around them in a dome, their enemies lying motionless on the outside.

After a few stunned moments, they opened their eyes and picked each other up. Urbosa held his face in her hands and wiped his tears. “Just look at you,” she said, smiling proudly.

“I- I couldn’t. I was,” he stumbled over his words as more tears fell, “I was going to lose you. I couldn’t lose you too,” he cried into her chest and she held him close.

~~~

Link was a natural at seal surfing. That’s what Zelda thought before she realized that he must have actually visited Gerudo Town previously and she just didn’t know it. They had left at sunrise and arrived to their destination mid morning. After taking a much needed rest, re-hydrating and snacking, Link took a leisurely walk around the place to get his bearings while Zelda tended to the sand seals. She joined him after they were settled for a long siesta and the two of them began their research of the Seven Heroines in interest.

There were orbs scattered about the place. Very large, Link noticed. He pushed one with his foot. And heavy. The sand seals might have to work after all. He tasked Zelda with collecting any she could find and in the meantime he studied the statues, picking up rather quickly that some had prominent corresponding symbols to the orbs on various parts of their bodies. Some he couldn’t make out as they were too high so there would be some educated guesses by process of elimination.

Zelda couldn’t help being drawn into his enthusiasm, the way he took notes- the face he made when he took those notes; it was all very quaint, and a bit impressive. Having spent most of her time advancing physically, she appreciated the mental gymnastics they were doing. Where most might sit back defeated, Link pushed through with a calm determination. They tried dropping the orbs in the pedestals in numerous combinations, each with a sound theory behind them. How was Link to know that if shrines had been activated, he would have succeeded in getting a result on the first try? A fact that they both wouldn’t learn for another 103-odd years.

After the sun set, Link scrawled until the dimming light rendered the page unreadable. Zelda had already set about making camp. They could head back to town in the morning, both were knackered. Even with the help of the seals, they’d heaved plenty of orbs around for hours. Eventually he plopped down on the rug with her and heaved a big sigh.

“Wow, you been working all day or something?” she asked in jest as she turned the vegetables in the fire.

“Yeah, something like that. It’s been a long while since I’ve been out in the field.”

She regarded him thoughtfully. “What’s it like up at the castle?”

“Stuffy.”

She chuckled and didn’t press but it wouldn’t be fair to leave it at that. For all its faults, it deserved more. “I loved exploring the halls as a boy. I’m fairly certain I found long lost passages even the castle historian didn’t know about. My favorite places are the Library and the Observatory. “

“Sounds about right,” Zelda smirked.

“Ha ha. But really, the Library has books as far as you can see, you’d never finish them in one lifetime. And my mother used to take me to the Observatory. I still go there to feel close to her.”

They sat in silence for a moment when Zelda touched his forearm. “I’m sorry you lost her.”

Link nodded in thanks and Zelda started to collect the hearty truffles from the coals. “I lost my father,” she began, and Link was a bit surprised she was sharing.

“He was a knight. We didn’t have any other family close by and mom didn’t fancy moving to Tabantha Village. She hates the cold,” Zelda added as she passed Link a stick laden with dinner.

“Thanks. So she just came to the desert instead?” Link asked before blowing generously and taking a bite.

“She had a close friend here who is practically my auntie. I think she was hoping we could just get away and start fresh from everything we knew before. But then I had to take after dad. Took her a while and a lot of arguments to come to terms with the fact that I was also a warrior.” She shook her head. “I feel bad. I’ve put her in a constant fear of losing me too but... you have to do what your soul tells you, right?”

Link closed his eyes and thought of Hylia, feeling a vibration in his core. “Right.” He agreed thoughtfully.

“Anyway, then this happened,” she said, unsheathing the sword on her back a few inches and letting fall back in with a shinck. “That was not a fun conversation.”

“I can imagine,” Link commiserated as he thought of his own recent rows with his father.

Zelda took a bite of her own truffle and regarded him up and down. With no tact for manners, she said with a full mouth, “You’re alrigh’ fo’ a Pince.”

Link laughed and his genuine mirth spread warmth through Zelda’s chest. “And you’re alright for a Hero.”