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This is something I wrote a while ago and was previously posted in a private server. The gist of it is if Player was basically a Lucario. That's it. That's the story. It's also written in the second person because my brain said to.

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In Which You Have Four Different Panic Attacks For The Same Reason

A search and maybe rescue mission, that's all this was. If only you knew how much more difficult it would be.

Four had headed into a dungeon alone some time ago, since it was his Hyrule and it would be best if he went in to check it out. You weren't sure why Time agreed to let him go on his own, but you supposed you shouldn't be too worried. As small as he was, he packed quite the punch.

But he had been gone for over six hours, dungeons took maybe two at most depending at what pace you set yourself at. But even then, it shouldn't take this long. So you were tasked to go look for him along with Wild.

You see, though your time with the Chain was short, you've proven yourself to be invaluable with your innate ability to track down any person or object. The Chain wasn't quite sure how you accomplished such a thing, but if they were to ask you where something or someone was, you'd almost be guaranteed to find it faster than any of them. You were a living compass, a pathfinder, the guiding North star. It definitely influenced the nickname they gave you, which was Compass.

They weren't wrong, but if only they knew how you truly achieved such a skill. Aura wasn't a power known to this world. It existed, yes, but the populace wasn't aware of the power it held and the concept that it could be used. It's a secret that you would rather keep to yourself, for the greed of men has killed many for power like this. Though perhaps you would one day tell it to your new friends. You knew they were good people at heart, despite what some might tell you.

Their auras were so unique, so distinct that it was no wonder that you were able to keep track of them so easily. Hell, you even managed to track down Wind who found himself on the other side of the Hebra Mountains. It was a good thing you did too, or else the poor boy would have likely froze to death. Time gave him a good scolding for it that day.

So that's why you were here. They figured if anyone could find Four, it would be you. You wouldn't lie, you were touched at how much faith they put in you for this. Though they were good natured, the world hadn't been as kind. It taught them not many could be trusted as that trust they gave had only hurt them in the end. So you swore you would do everything in your power to make their jobs and lives a little bit easier in whatever way you can.

You stepped into the dungeon, torch in hand and raised it high to give you some semblance of what you were looking at. Well, you could see fine, the torchlight was more for Wild, not that he knew that. Or anyone, for that matter.

The room was large, and the remnants of monsters hung in the air. Four had definitely been here, you could feel the lingering trails he left behind. You were wandering in, signaling Wild to follow. He nodded and trailed close, keeping watch for any leftover monsters or traps Four might have avoided or missed.

But then you stopped, staring blankly into space with your mouth slightly ajar.

You… you were feeling that, right?

You weren't crazy?

Because you swear that you could sense Four… in four different places.

Have you finally lost it? After all the adventure and becoming the fabled Guardian of Aura, is this really where you were going to dive off the deep end?

"-mpass. Compass! Hey!"

You snapped back into reality, blinking rapidly before locking eyes with Wild. He seemed worried, looking over you for any other problems.

"You zoned out worse than I do. Are you okay? Do we need to go back?" Wild had asked, glancing over you worriedly.

You shook your head. "No, it's just… I don't know how to put it into words."

Wild seemed to look in understanding. "Don't try too hard, it won't do you any good."

You nudge his arm with your elbow as a friendly gesture, smiling awkwardly. "Thanks, I appreciate the concern, but um… there is something wrong."

"What is it?"

"I don't know where he is."

Wild blinked. You didn't know where Four was? And you were quick to add.

"I mean, I know he's in here, I can feel it in my gut. But I can't tell where, my mind just gets fuzzy and it feels like I have a-" you groan and raise up your hands to rub your temples, "-headache."

Oh, great, you have a headache. That's definitely helping you and Wild right now. You groaned and buried your face in your hands, shaking your head.

"I'm sorry, I'm not being helpful," you said, looking over apologetically. "I don't know what's wrong…"

Wild shakes his head, placing a comforting hand on your shoulder. "Don't be sorry, it might be the dungeon messing with you. I've seen it happen with the others sometimes."

You nodded and kept trekking on, determined to find Four despite the initial problems, so to speak. Wild didn't argue or protest, and simply stuck close to you as you walked the path deeper in. There weren't many traps, or monsters, it was a quiet journey to the end.

You perked up when you felt someone approach, turning to see the multi-colored tunic of a certain blacksmith. Sighing in relief, you and Wild jogged over to him, calling his name as he turned his attention toward the two of you.

"Wild? Compass? What are you two doing here?" Four had asked.

"You were gone for longer than expected, we got worried and came to look for you," you explained, nodding at him.

Wild hummed in agreement. "We got concerned when we entered and Compass couldn't seem to pick up on where you were."

Four's eyes widened a bit at that, looking over at you, who was rubbing your neck sheepishly. "Really? You couldn't find me?"

"It was really weird, I couldn't tell where you were," you admitted, "It's almost like… you were in multiple places at once? Oh, that sounds dumb, doesn't it?"

Unbeknownst to you, Four had paled just the slightest amount at the phrase, his eyes shifting through a specific set of colors before fading back to a soft honey brown. Though he was quick to shake it off at a moment's notice to avoid suspicion.

"That's odd, are you sure you're okay?" He asked, gingerly moving his hand up to adjust the green band on his forehead.

"I think I would be better if we left this dungeon. I'd like for this headache to not become a migraine," you answered, rolling the joints in your shoulders and neck. "I'm also guessing you made it to the end of the dungeon? Did you find anything worth your while?"

Four shrugged. "Just some rupees and an item or two. Nothing great but still useful."

Wild seemed content sitting back and letting you and Four speak, since he had other things on his mind. But decided to speak out, "We should head back, before the old man sends someone after us next."

You and Four nodded, motioning to head out of the dungeon from whence you came. Leaving you to think about what exactly happened, and you weren't going to let it go for a while.

Perhaps you could ask Wolfie for cuddles to get your mind off of it.

Now I gotta make content for this too. Stop giving me ideas I haven't even finished the other ones you madman.

Being on the run does something for one's psyche. Punishing and slow, it burns away at the spirit until the only remaining this is anxiety and paranoia- of the known, of the unknown, at this point you were afraid of your own Shadow. (And for good reason, after all)

Even with her, the Master Sword strapped securely to your back, you knew you weren't entirely safe, you knew they followed you knew they were hunting you but there was only so kich you could do.

You were a lone person, with only the basics of sword play, scraped from the bottom of the barrel of knowledge and it chilled you to the bone that any move you made could really end to your last breath.

Strayed from life, you found comfort in more secluded areas- the hollowed bases of trees, hidden pockets behind falls of water, the darkest corners of caves. Funny really, places you once grew to fear being your only solace in these times.

Until now that is, laid out within a tiny cave carved in some unknown mountain, just on the verge of sleep after so many days of it evading you-

"Uh, I think I may have found a dead body."

A small kick was laid upon your boot, jostling your exhausted body and sending you leaping into a sitting position within a second, wide eyes focusing on the person who had jumped in a similar fashion, their eyes staring back at you in shock.

Red hair, dark skin, golden yellow eyes-

Ganondorf Dragmire looked down at you with his intimidating near 8ft stature, very much alive and very much real as you laid there, frozen.

A scream echoed through the cave, one you didn't register as your own until it felt as if you were tearing your own throat, clawing back away from the man until your back made harsh contact with the wall behind you.

Ganondorf had stumbled back in horror at your terrified wail, flinching at the intensity but you didn't stop, no, your voice only rose when you heard the sound of multiple footsteps approaching, your hand falling to the Fi sheathed under your cloak beside you and tearing her from her protector, presenting it towards Hyrule's greatest villain.

Eyes hardened at the sight, his hand falling to his own sword hanging from his hip only for another man's voice, muffled from your hysteria but resulting in Ganondorf's deflation. His body distanced itself slowly, a gap growing between the two of you until you finally felt your voice stop, pants still crazed in hyperventilation from pure terror.

When the other voice appeared, carefully waddling around the wall of the wave conventially placed in view of the mouth of the cave, an illusion to those not looking carefully. Your mouth could only manage even more petrified gasps and hiccups, scrambling back into the cave wall in hopes it would swallow you whole and free you from the sight of another Ganondorf rounding the corner.

There were more of them?!

He looked older than the other, an elder man gifted with a great beard that framed his face, eyes staring down at you kinder compared to the other (A trick) His hands were raised as he approached.

"Hello young-" He eyed Fi carefully "Hero"

You didn't correct him, hos wariness of the sword could have possibly been the only thing keeping you alive this long. (Even though she rattled with your jitters, after all you held no courage, that was why you ran)

"I assume from your fear that you know our names- and, unfortunately, you associate them with malice." He talked as if he had said the phrase thousands of times, like it was scripted, not forcefully but definitely something he was used to saying. "I assure you, young hero, you have no quarrel with you."

The other Ganon just stared,watching the scene quietly with his arms crossed over his chest- Though he did glance to his side occasionally, eyes pulling into a glare flat made you nervous.

Was there more?

"Me and my party wish to seek shelter in your cave to avoid the oncoming storm." He kneeled down to your height, not invading your space, but to shave away some of the intimidation that came with his Gerudo size. "We promise not to disturb you, we will keep our distance- may we please stay?"

Options weighed in your mind, too many outcomes that you proffered not to think about beating at your skull and making your head pound in such a sickening way.

Why was he asking? Why was he being...polite? This couldn't have been Ganondorf, Prince of the Darkness it just wasn't possible. A trick? A ruse? But surely the man couldn't keep up such a thing?

Unless...it wasn't?

Your mind reeled back to a familiar set of faces, cloaked in lies and deceit, if they weren't truly what they said they were...

We're these the men who were destined to defeat them?

....The true Heroes?

You were still shaking, the adrenaline was really a drug and not one you had grown fond of as of recently, body still in a state of alarm as you shakily brought down the sword and curled deeper into your dark corner.

The nod you managed was hesitant, heavily so but it was clear enough to bring an understanding smile to the old man's face while he stood, small laboured groan falling from his mouth before he sighed as he popped in back into place.

"Thank you, young hero." The old Ganon gestured to the younger one, a beckon as he waddled away towards the light behind your cave wall, the sound of crackling fire quiet but there. "Come now."

With a last lingering look, the younger Ganon disappeared alongside the other to join his, what you guessed, small group.

You stayed in your little corner, huddled with Fi close to your chest as you finally relaxed. Your hiccups faded, your breath slowed, but your body still shivered occasionally.

Truth to his word, no one disturbed you for the time you stayed awake, only the fire was any real indication they were still there and sift chatter that was incomprehensible thanks to the pounding rain outside. But to be honest you didn't want to know, you didn't care to know, just let your body succumb to exhaustion and darkness fade your vision finally.

You awoke to a bowl sat by your feet.

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New au just dropped

Well, not completely new, discord baddies you know what time it is.

Mess au let's go

Here's a funny lil idea I had with a Reader from HTTYD. I've sent the idea into the ask box of @cloudninetonine a while ago so you know. This is a gender neutral Reader that will be using they/them pronouns. It's not proofread so there might be a grammatical error here and there.

But otherwise, I hope you all enjoy!

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How Did We Get Here?

Well, this was a predicament and a half.

They stood in the midst of what appeared to be a forest, dense and flourishing with life. It was sunny and warm, making the rider's abundance of layers a bit too hot for their liking. Y/N shucked the bear skin cloak off and wrapped it around their waist, exposing their bare shoulders and accompanying tattoos. The top half of Y/N's body down to their knees was wrapped in navy blue clothing, accented by white and brown fur. Brightly colored fabrics also covered your midsection beneath the belts, carefully embroidered with silver thread.

A pair of dragon fang daggers gleamed at Y/N's sides, attached to the leather belt wrapped securely just above their waist. A myriad of pockets and pouches accompanied them, filled with a variety of things. A black mask carved from a large dragon scale depicting a wolven face was attached to another belt, curved fangs threatening to bite any hand that dared to come close. More leather strips were wrapped around their legs, securing their boots and holding yet even more pockets and sheathes for tools.

As Y/N took in more of their surroundings, the more confused they became. Weren't they just on a raider ship? At night? In the middle of the ocean?

A soft nose broke Y/N out of their thoughts, causing them to shift their gaze to meet worried lavender colored eyes.

Lux cooed, a gentle rumble reverberating throughout her whole chest in attempts to calm her rider's nerves. Her pupils were dilated to round ovals, showing that she was calm and friendly. She smiled without teeth-   literally, there were no teeth, only pink gums. It was endearing in an odd way.

Another noise caught Y/N's attention, a low growl that spoke of caution. They turned their head to see Rhae's hazel green eyes narrowed at her surroundings, her pupils contracted to wary slits. Her long ears were perked and her posture was stiff, she was on edge from the sudden change in scenery. Y/N couldn't blame her, it was all too sudden and too strange.

They revisited their memories of the event, for it was still fresh in their mind. Y/N was on a raider ship with their two dragons along with their mentor and her dragon. They were there to free the dragons trapped in cages. It was a simple mission that relied on stealth, something the trio specialized in.

They had freed the last one from its cage, encouraging it to flee and follow Valka and Cloudjumper to safety. They were about to follow, but… something happened.

Y/N laughed softly as the juvenile Deadly Nadder chittered, nuzzling them with its great snout. They gently pushed it away, scratching the side of its face before guiding it to the side of the ship and pointing to the horizon. There were silhouettes of other dragons flying off, the sound of their wing beats growing ever quieter the further they got.

Its pupils dilated and it spread its forest green wings, taking a few flaps to get itself off the ground and toward the others. They could see the figure of a Stormcutter in the distance, his rider atop his back and eyeing his surroundings for any stragglers.

Y/N lifted their mask slightly, cupping their hands around their mouth and blowing into them. A chirping whistle followed, the sound carrying through the air and to its intended target. The other masked rider tapped her dragon gently with her staff, signaling him to start flying off.

With no dragons left to be released, it was time for Y/N to leave as well. They clicked their tongue twice, calling for Rhae and Lux. The two bounded over with light footsteps, Lux being closest and dipping her body slightly for Y/N to hop onto her back.

Y/N looked toward Rhae, only to see the black dragoness standing tall with her ears up. A tell tale sign that danger was near.

The rider's hand ghosted over their dagger as they readied themself for a potential fight, Lux standing at her side with her teeth bared. Her snowy tail was curled protectively around her rider, and her wings were arched up and ready to take off at any moment.

There was silence for only a moment before an indiscernible figure lunged out from the darkness and toward the trio.

Rhae roared and placed herself between the shadow and her pack mates. She reared her body up, lurching her head forward to bite. The shadow dodged, swiping at the Night Fury's side and knocking her a good distance.

Lux let out a cry of outrage, opening her maw up wide as a familiar gas filled the back of her throat. Just as quickly as it happened, a plasma blast erupted from her jaws and straight toward her foe. It barely misses the shadow as it dodges the blast, hardly slowly down as it lunges toward the two of them.

Y/N could have sworn they heard something behind them and Lux, but they didn't have the time nor the thought to look when the shadow launched itself toward them. They hear a roar, turning their head to see that Rhae had gotten back up and was running toward them. She tackles the shadow as it tackles Y/N and their Light Fury.

The rider's vision faded to swirls of crimson and ebony.

….and then they woke up.

Right, that's how they got here. They were attacked and whatever was behind them must have been how they ended up here.

Y/N was never sure that something as broad a concept as magic existed. Hell, some of the dragons they've met could be described as magical. The world was vast and held more secrets than it ever did people. So they wouldn't rule it out as an improbability, no matter how outlandish it may have seemed.

Y/N sang out a soft kuln, garnering Rhae's attention as her eyes rounded out to smooth rectangles. They motioned the dragon closer and carefully pet Rhae's great head. The black dragon rumbled softly, calming down considerably.

"I think, for our first order of business…"

Y/N rubbed Lux's head when she nudged them to be pet as well.

"Is that we should find out where we've ended up."

All they needed to hear were their rumbles of agreement before mounting Rhae, and beginning their search.

Here's more content for that HTTYD Reader in LU. This one has been proofread, and the reader will be using the term Y/N and they/them pronouns.

I'll be writing for more of this, and with that I'll be needing a name, so the HTTYD Reader series will henceforth be known as the "Sparks and Embers" series. I will be taking inspiration from all of the content up until HTTYD Homecoming, which includes the movie trilogy, the series between the first and second movie, and those fun bits such as Book of Dragons, Gift of the Night Fury, and whatnot. I will also be adding in my own personal headcanons here and there in terms of HTTYD dragon lore because I think they're neat and could use some of the fun stuff.

Some trigger warnings for this fic may include but are not limited to: mild gore, mild to fair descriptions of violence, mentions of a monster in pieces.

Now with that out of the way, I do sincerely hope you enjoy this as much as I did writing it.

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Sparks and Embers

They heard whispers from merchants and travelers about a truly mystifying sight. A warrior donning a wolven mask, accompanied by two dragons of black and white. Who have been seen cutting down monsters in a flurry of movements, too fast for the witnesses to comprehend. All they remember is the haunting eyes and gleaming fangs of the mask the rider wore before disappearing in either a spark of lightning or a flash of flame.

Honestly, just hearing "warrior" was more than enough to catch the group's attention.

They had recently landed back into the champion's era, as told when he spotted a familiar tower in the distance. After regaining their bearings, they let the Link in question guide them to the nearest settlement, which happened to be the East Akkala Stable. It was there that they had decided to rest for the night, perform an inventory check, tend to wounds, repair damaged clothing or items, and the like.

In the midst of such, they happened to overhear the conversations from the other travelers that came and left. All about the individual who rode on the backs of dragons.

One individual, a hylian merchant, had been speaking to the stablehand about what he saw on the road. He spotted the trio resting along the tops of the Dueling Peaks as the sun began to set below the horizon.

Another traveler, a Rito, had chimed in that on her flight here, she swears that she saw someone walking on the dragon's backs, performing tricks for the fun of it. She remembers that they were hylian, with silver ornaments in their hair and a fluffy fur cloak wrapped around their shoulders. 

Lastly, a pair of children, the stablehand's sons, told the gossiping adults they were saved from monsters by one of the dragons. They said that it was white and sparkly, giggling madly when they mentioned that it sounded like a really big cat.

All these stories had the Chain curious and somewhat suspicious. It was the topic of conversation once they had left the stable the next morning.

"A hylian with a wolf mask accompanied by two dragons," Warriors echoed. "I can't say I've heard that one before."

"Me neither. It seems a bit surreal, doesn't it?" Hyrule replies, looking toward Wild. "You said there were dragons here, do you know who this dragon rider could be?"

The champion shook his head. "Not a clue. The dragons I know are huge and are surrounded by so much elemental magic that no one could even safely approach them."

"You think it's related to our problem?" Legend asks aloud, arching a brow.

"It could be," Wild replies. "But I doubt that it is. You heard those kids, the dragons and their rider saved them. It'd be weird that they'd be willing to cut down their own allies if they were working with the enemy."

Warriors nods at the reason. "Agreed. It has to be something else."

Time finally decides to make his opinion known. "No matter the case, it would be best that we seek this dragon rider out. We will most likely be getting something useful out of it either way."

The rest of the group didn't argue, coming to a consensus on their leader's statement. So they kept trekking onward toward their next destination: Hateno Village.

It was a fairly calm trip from there on out.

You know, up until they were ambushed.

One could call it an unexpected turn of events, though they knew that really it wasn't. It was inconvenient and extremely irritating at that point more than anything, but at least they were somewhat prepared for it. Weapons were drawn, magic was sparking, and everyone in the group had steeled themselves as the enemies came in droves.

When the first monster approached the Link that was closest to it, their sword came down in one sweeping motion. When sharpened steel sliced through soft flesh, a messy stain of black blood coated the blade's edge.

The situation had gone from irritating to bad very quickly.

Upon witnessing the sight of the ebony ichor, each Link had made a silent yet unanimous agreement. Pick a section and focus on your batch of monsters. It was easy enough.

Or it would have been had one not been corralled away from the others, and it had to be the youngest of them too. The sailor in particular could feel himself getting angry about the idea of being cornered, mostly because of how he'd definitely be getting babied by the captain, rancher, and probably even the old man once he rejoined the group later. Alas, he was preoccupied with fighting for his life to really let the anger settle into his bones, so instead he chose to channel it into his next set of attacks.

Swing, dodge, parry, duck, swing, swing, roll.

A familiar set of words that would repeat themselves in Wind's mind in random patterns. A mantra that every hero knew by heart, or would soon come to learn one way or another.

Wind couldn't remember how many monsters he had cut down. His sword was coated in their foul smelling ichor, his heart was racing, and his mouth felt dry. He was tired and the adrenaline pumping through his veins wouldn't last forever. Despite this, he doesn't let up.

He then felt something invisible seizing his lungs, a dreaded feeling. Fear, he deduced. He feels his posture stiffen as he looks around frantically for the cause of it. His head jerks up as a thundering roar rattles the trees around him. He turned his head, his eyes growing wide as a white maned lynel entered his field of vision.

It was safe to assume that the lynel was black blooded as well, and the sailor was in no position to even consider engaging it in battle. The only thing useful he had on him was a single, half empty healing potion that would do very little in this situation. The thought of making a tactical retreat to regroup with the others crosses his mind, but the idea is quickly discarded when he sees that the lynel has spotted him from its place across the field.

He can't outrun it.

It knows that he can't.

So it charges.

Wind thinks he can hear the distant shout of one of the others. He makes an attempt to call for them, opening his mouth to yell—   that's when he hears it. A strange whistling, high pitched and piercing, echoing through the air and in his eardrums. It was unlike anything he's ever heard before, and his mind still riddled with adrenaline shook itself for a possible answer. Although, the more he thought about it, the more he began to realize… that……….

…was it getting louder?

The sound distracts him to the point where he almost forgets about the lynel galloping towards him rapidly. He can feel its heavy footsteps shake the ground as it gets closer and closer. The beast is more than halfway across the field when it happens.

A speeding ball of violet blue fire comes out of nowhere and hits the lion centaur straight in the chest point blank. The impact knocked it to the ground, and he thinks he can see its black blood splatter across the grass. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that the monster had sustained an irreparable amount of damage (a polite way of saying that its top half of its body was definitely in pieces).

He feels his namesake blow past him, a blur of white entering his field of vision as it lands just mere feet away from him.

It's big, noticeably bigger than Epona, with a lithe and lean body shape. Its features were surprisingly round and soft from what he could see, and it was coated in white scales that shimmered with blue, purple, and pink undertones. Its wings were noticeably larger in comparison to the rest of its body, and its tail was adorned with fins shaped sort of like fairy wings. It almost looked like it was…

…like it was a dragon.

Its body was crouched in front of him, its back arched into a defensive posture with its wings raised to make itself look bigger. He couldn't see its face, but he could hear it snarl. It was most likely looking at the body of the lynel it had just blasted to hell and back.

He peered over at the lynel's body, or what was left of it really, to see it crumble and dissipate into smokey red embers before fading completely. The dragon relaxes as it folds up its wings, its head raising up and allowing Wind to see two round ears perk as it scans its surroundings, though he could also see that there were also two smaller nubs beneath them. Its gaze soon fell on the young hero, causing it to let out a soft warbling purr.

He wasn't expecting to see such non-threatening features on a mythical creature that had just taken out a lynel in one attack only moments ago. Now that he had a much clearer view of the dragon, it looked less like a dangerous beast of ire and flame and more like a scaly marshmallow that someone had dumped an entire box of glitter on.

Lavender hues eyed him curiously, once hostile slits rounding out to more passive ovals. He could see two separate leather strings decorated with various charms and precious stones hanging around its neck. A black armband with silver ornaments was secured along its upper right arm, the ornament itself shaped like a four pointed star.

It squinted its eyes for a moment, before leaning its head forward to sniff at him from a distance. Wind wasn't sure what to do when it began to approach him, taking slow and careful side steps toward him. It stopped for a moment, and he saw its eyes staring at the blood stained sword in his dominant hand.

He could practically hear the lecture that he would definitely be getting for what he was about to do next, but had since decided that his curiosity of the result outweighed the certainty of consequence. He put his sword down, and took a good few steps away from it.

That seemed to be enough for it to continue its approach. Once it was right in front of him, it lowered its head with its ears flattened against its neck, as if to assure him that it meant no harm. He raised his left hand, the one that wasn't nearly as bloody as the other, and held it out to the dragon.

It tilted its head, sniffed, before leaning forward and rubbing its head against his hand.

Wind couldn't stop the smile that tugged on the corners of his lips, spreading out wider when it began to purr. He pressed the palm of his hand against the top of its head, marveling at the smooth feeling of its scales. He noted that it felt somewhat warm, and that its body was vibrating from the intensity of its purring.

He let out a shout of laughter when it suddenly pressed its whole body toward him, thankfully not on. It curled around him until the front half of its body was on one side and its tail on the other. It rolled onto its back, exposing the pale blue coloring going from its neck all the way down its chest and underbelly. Wind was more than willing to indulge the dragon and give it the pets it desired.

"You're way nicer about being pet than Wolfie is," he comments, scratching the dragon's belly. "You don't even growl or bite either!"

Wind hears the same whistling sound that the dragon had made previously, though this time it was brief and much more calm. He was about to turn to see what it was before he was distracted by a wet and slimy tongue dragging itself across his cheek. His expression morphs into one of disgust as he reaches up to wipe off the dragon's admittedly very sticky and thick saliva with his arm. Though it's clear that he isn't actually that mad about it, judging from the smile that was still present on his face.

"Lux, there you are! Why did you…."

He freezes, standing up straighter at the sound of an unfamiliar voice.

"What have I told you about personal space!" He turns to the owner of such. "Shoo, off! Dårlig drage, skam!"

The white dragon, whose name he now knew to be Lux, cooed softly in apology. It rolled back onto its feet, nuzzling Wind's shoulder one last time before darting toward the newcomer with its head ducked down. It cooed and warbled at them once they had dismounted the black dragon they had arrived on.

Wait, black dragon?

His expression changed into one of shock and realization.

The warrior donning a wolven mask, accompanied by dragons of black and white.

He looked the person over, and sure enough he spotted a wolf mask with its face twisted into a threatening snarl attached to one of their belts. They wore a fur cloak around their shoulders and a pair of dragon fang earrings. From what he can see of their arms, he spotted a myriad of tattoos depicting swirls of dragons painted across their skin.

The black dragon, who was also glaring at Lux trying to suck up to the stranger, was noticeably bigger in size. The ears along its head were much longer and in great numbers. There were shark fin shaped dorsal plates running a line down the length of its spine that became increasingly smaller as it trailed to the end of its long tail. Speaking of, its tail also seemed to have that set of fins on either side, though they were sharper looking than the other dragon's in comparison.

Well, he might be forgiven for petting the dragon now that he's found who the group has been looking for.

Speaking of whom, he saw them looking towards him after scolding the white dragon.

"I'm sorry about Lux, she doesn't exactly understand the concept of respecting people's personal bubbles," they said to him "Did she hurt you at all? I know she likes to lean, but I don't think she realizes that she weighs nearly a ton."

Wind blinks, taking a few moments to register the question before he shakes his head. "No, she saved me actually," he replied with a smile. "It-  uh, she absolutely destroyed that lynel earlier!"

The stranger's brows raised up in surprise, their gaze turning to Lux. "So that's why you suddenly disappeared. If you want to dive into battle, at least tell us first. We can't keep doing this or else I'm going to get gray hairs before I even reach thirty."

Lux rumbled softly, nudging her rider with her nose. She received a pat, which she purred under.

"They're yours?" Wind decided to finally ask, recapturing the rider's attention.

"I guess you could say that," they answered, "They're my family, more like. Sisters that I never had."

So they were both female, he'd have to remember that. "The white one's name is Lux?"

Another nod of confirmation. "Her full name is Faeralux, Lux for short," the stranger then raised a hand to gently stroke their fingers across the black dragon's head. "And this is Rhae, which is short for Rhaeneir."

"Of course, my name is Y/N," they added. "Might I know the name of the boy my overly affectionate Light Fury saved from peril?"

"My name is Link! But I'm going by Wind right now," he answers, biting his tongue on the reason why he's going by the name Wind.

Thankfully Y/N doesn't question it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Wind. Thank you for tolerating Lux's affection, and not attacking her."

It doesn't take a genius to understand why someone would attack Lux, yet even if she's a dragon, she doesn't look or act like any he's ever seen. Granted, he only really has Valoo for reference on that front, but his point still stands.

He opens his mouth to ask another question when he was suddenly interrupted.

"Wind?!"

"Sailor, where are you?!!"

The trio of dragons and dragon rider all perk up to the voices. Y/N turns to him and speaks, "Is that your flock?"

Wind nods, and Y/N turns toward Lux. "I'm staying with you from here on out. I don't need you to get any more ideas about diving without saying anything."

The white dragoness coos softly at her rider's decision before leaning down for Y/N to hop on. Yet before they could, Wind interrupts the action.

"Wait!" Y/N turns to look at him questioningly. "Me and my group were looking for you actually, so if you wouldn't mind, could you stay here until they come?"

The black dragon, Rhae, narrows her eyes scrutinizingly at the sailor, causing him to shrink the slightest bit under her gaze. Y/N waves a dismissive hand to get the Night Fury to let up.

"Are they as friendly as you?" the rider asks him. "Because if they're not and are prone to the 'attack first ask questions later' instinct, I don't need them trying to kill me or my dragons."

"I promise they won't, not if I tell them that you're safe," Wind says, gazing at them hopefully. "Please?"

Rhae remains unconvinced, but she sees Y/N's resolve start to bow at the sight of the sailor's look. She grumbles lowly, her expression morphing into a look that said, Are you seriously going to bend that quickly to some random hatchling's pleading eyes??

The Night Fury gave her rider a flat look when the answer was yes, as told by the sigh of resignation Y/N breathed out. 

You're weak, Rhae warbled.

Y/N's only reply was a halfhearted swat in the general direction of Rhae's face, an attempted hit that was nowhere near making contact. It was the rider's way of saying that they didn't need her judgment right now.

"Fine, I'm choosing to trust you on this one. Don't make me regret it," Y/N says, dismissing the little mental talk that they just had with Rhae. The rider turned, to which something shiny was seen in their peripheral vision. "If that sword is yours, best you pick it up so your flock doesn't assume I disarmed and cornered you. Gods know I don't need a repeat of that problem."

Wind nods and goes to retrieve his weapon he dropped in favor of coaxing Lux toward him. Y/N hummed, perking up when they heard the bushes rustle and a mop of blonde hair emerge.

"Wind?" Crystal blue eyes search the area frantically before they land on their target. "Wind!"

The boy, who had just sheathed his sword, called back to the other. "Warriors! Check out who I found!"

The captain's face displayed confusion, brows furrowing as his lips were parted just the slightest amount as he was stopped before he could speak. Wind points to his left, and Warriors follows where it goes and is gobsmacked by what, or rather, who he sees.

Y/N's arms were crossed as they were leaning on Lux, who was currently sitting down. They raised their hand momentarily to wave, trying to look as non-threatening as possible.

Lux looked curious about the child's sibling, at least, they smelled like siblings to her.

Rhae was passive, not particularly interested or disinterested, merely there to witness.

It wasn't exactly the strangest ragtag group of individuals the captain has ever seen and believe him, he's seen his fair share. Though he would admit that this one was definitely in the top five.

Now to go tell the others about all of… this.

So much for a peaceful trip.

• The Chain (and others) with a disabled traveling companion •

Summary: The chronic pain is hitting me badly today and I can hardly walk, so I’m doing little headcanons to make myself feel better.

Warnings: this won’t cover in depth or all types of disabilities, just in general things and the ones that I can think of off of the top of my head. Quite a bit of hurt/comfort/whumpy/fluffy stuff. There of course is mention of medical items and different illnesses, but other than that, safe for everyone.

Author’s Notes: Written by Mishwanders. Happy Disability Pride Month 💕

Time

The most attentive about it in the group, even more so if he sees you struggling beside him.

He’s the one who literally has the time of your medications, walking time/distance down - it’s all memorized in his head. Could probably look up at the sky and back to you and just know, ya know?

If you need someone to lean on - he’s your guy, he’s built like a tree that will stay rooted in place in the middle of a dangerous storm so long as you need him.

Also has one of the softest laps, so if you need a seat that ain’t the ground, by all means, have at it. He will keep his arm around you waist to make sure you don’t fall over. Feel free to lean back if you need to, he won’t let you down.

Twilight

He’s just as attentive as Time about it. Constantly offering Epona for you to ride so you don’t have to walk as long and even offers his own back if you’d rather ride piggyback/on top of wolfie (if you are as small as Four that is).

Can also lean on him for support if Time is busy. He’s built like an Ox, so you don’t have to worry about being too heavy for him.

Got anxiety or have other mental illness issues? He picks up on that quickly, even more so in wolfie form. He will come to your side or will practically lay across your lap to get your attention and allow you to pet him to get your mind off of things.Will even let you wear his pelt if it makes you feel better. Truly the warmest anxiety blanket there is.

Have epilepsy? He’s quick to catch that too in wolfie form and alert the others that something is happening so they can help him tend to you. He won’t leave your side at all until he knows your okay.

Wild

Big help in the food area - will make sure you’ve eaten so you can take your meds and will ensure he gives you a little extra so you have something for later.

Have a feeding tube? That’s new to him, but if you’re willing to teach him the ins and outs of it, he’s willing to help you with that to ensure the food is made and blended thoroughly to go through.

He pays attention to any food allergies you have to make sure he doesn’t give you something you’re allergic to and so there’s no cross contamination.

Got panic attacks? He gets that, they all get that, but especially him. He’ll sit beside you and hold your hand if you need it, be a shoulder for you to cry on and assure you that things will be okay.

Four

Got pulled into their world without your cane(s)? Smithy is ON IT! Probably will make it double as a weapon as well.

If he’s split into the colors, you know they’re all bickering on how exactly it should look and how to give it to you.

He makes sure everything is exactly to your needs and specifications. Not too heavy and not too light - absolutely perfect.

He’s proud that he’s able to help you out by making anything you could ever need

Legend

Have something you need (rest, meds, a ride, etc.) but too afraid to say something about it? Legend will speak up for you. It’s no problem to him because he wants you to be okay.

He will also be one of the ones to help get unwanted attention off of you and would be willing to fight someone over it.

Need something to double as a weapon (magical cane?) - he’s got something for that.

Will only allow you to have it and will sneak it in to ya so the others don’t pester him about it (but they’ll all know - that’s just how they are).

Hyrule

He may not be able to make all of your problems magically disappear, but he will try to help ease some of the pain if he can do so.

Got the healing potions locked and loaded babes.

Will also be the one to stay up with you if you’re feeling extra ill on the harder nights/days, especially if the others are asleep, taking the nights watch, or having to attend to other situations (baddies, getting food/firewood, etc.)

Like the others, he wants to make sure you’re okay and is willing to do what it takes to ensure that.

Warriors

Just like Legend, your #1 boy for distracting others away from you - a true human shield.

Someone staring rudely at you because you have tubes, colostomy bag, a cane, using a wheelchair, or any other needs? Wars is stepping in between and staring right back at them, giving them the same attitude 100x over.

He’ll always ask if you’re alright, trying to gauge the emotional situation after that. He knows what it’s like to have another stare rudely at the scars on his hand and he wants to make sure you’re okay.

Will also be your human shield if you need to change something out but are unable to get anywhere in a more private location. As a matter of fact - they all would, but especially him.

Sky

Biggest softy for ya, really empathizes a lot with your disability and wants to do what he can to try and help ease any issues that occur during the travel.

If Twilights pelt is too heavy - he’s 100% allowing you to wrap yourself in his sail cloth if you need it for comfort and warmth.

Four also gets his expertise in wood carving for your cane and he puts little designs in it that Four will in-lay with metal after.

Will put his stuff together with yours if you need extra padding on the hard ground to keep from hurting. Any extra clothes of his he’ll pitch in his bag and allow you to use it for any leg/hip pain you may have.

Wind

Little guy can’t do too much, but you know what he can do? Distract you.

Very good at trying to keep your mind busy if the pain becomes to much.

You may have heard a few of the same stories twice, but he puts a lot of expression into it to try and get you to laugh.

Will also sit there and listen to you talk about things you like to help keep your mind off of the pain.

Bonus characters because I feel like it -

Sage

Do you need a wheel chair? Would you like to not need to walk long miles? DO I HAVE THE BOY FOR YOU -

Now granted, that wheelchair may come with a super powered rocket - but truly it’s the thought that counts first, and then your safety second. Don’t be afraid to tell him how you need it to be, he’ll make sure it’s done correctly the second time around.

Just like Wild, super attentive about the food and any allergies you might have.

If you have any phantom pains from an amputated limb (or even nerve damage), he’s willing to be there by your side and provide you with whatever comfort you need.

Fierce Deity

Protective af over you, very watchful. He’s got a keen sense of awareness when he knows there’s something wrong and you need immediate attention even before you as or look at him.

Good chance he will just carry you everywhere he goes - he’s so big he may even just strap you to his back if you’re small enough to do so.

The definition of “have you eaten?”. Will make sure you well fed and able to continue on the journey a little longer before getting to a rest stop.

Curl up in his lap if you’re able to do so, he will hold you there all night and be a big warm bed away from the ground.

Dark Link (aka Dinkster)

Will take any form for you to ride on and keep off of your legs.

Does not know what medicine is but is willing to learn so he can provide it for you when needed.

Ensures that you have time to rest while he scouts out the hero’s and drops more baddies where he desires.

Won’t even ask what you need, will just do it for you because he can already sense it.

Malon

She has a little comfy pillow made just for you when you ride around with her on the cart to castle town.

Will go mom mode if you try to lift a milk crate that’s too heavy for you.

She always makes sure to pack an extra chair for ya so you have somewhere to rest while out in square selling Lon Lon milk.

Also has a box of other items specifically for ya and your needs, just in case you need them!

Ravio

I would like for this man to haggle the price down on my insurance stuff. I think he’d be great at it.

He would also haggle another merchant down on items you need - seriously, let him do it, he’s got this!

Will always keep an eye out for better things to replace your old supplies.

All around, happy to be of service to you and have your service in return!

Epona

You may be thinking “what’s a horse gonna do?” And I’m here to tell ya, horses are some of the greatest animals on earth for this kind of thing.

Epona can sense something is different there and that you need extra care. Sweet baby is gonna do her best not to rock you too much when you ride on her back.

You know how wolfie might lay on your lap? Epona is gonna do the same thing, placing her head on your lap to rest and to comfort you.

She will neigh when she thinks somethings wrong, trying to get Twilight or Times attention to help you. 1000/10 best baby girl.

The chronic pain do be paining. It has caused me to wonder how the idiots™️ would respond to reader having a flare up.

Side note: please get your pain checked out if you get hurt! Don’t be me! Life isn’t meant to hurt.

-VS

I'm sorry to hear about your pain, I am familiar with the issue. But you are very right. Pain is not something to ignore.

Four

He may not understand personally but he goes out of his way to make sure you have whatever helps you most

He tries to make something to help. If the pain is in your joints he tries to make braces to help you.

If he can't make something to help he offers to take over your chores/ duties to give you a break

Will go asking Wild about ideas on how to help

Hyrule

The concept confuses him at first. You hurt- all the time? And that's- normal?

He grew up in a forest with faeries - pain was fleeting

He asks about it, gathering details, potential triggers, and what helps.

Hyrule tries to use his powers to help you, but I don't know if this would help actually.

If his powers help he's ready to use them in an instant

If they don't, he'll try to make sure you get rest and will ask for help getting you what you need if he can't do it himself.

Legend

He's a grump- but he makes sure to he less of a grump when he knows you're having a flare up.

Legend tries to see if any of his magic objects can help- they don't but he really does try.

Starts carrying an extra blanket so you have something to rest on if you need it. He tries not to make a deal of it, just quietly offering it to you when needed.

If anyone gives you shot about it he will fight them

Sky

He'll make you any mobility aids that might help (may inlist Four if they need wheels)

Sky isn't super familiar with chronic pain but he knows it's a thing people have. He also asks about how to help

Sky will let you use him as a pillow when you rest, he wants you to be comfortable

He tries to keep your favorite snacks and drinks on hand. He believes in treating yourself kindly especially when in discomfort

Time

He'll start pestering you about staying hydrated and fed during your flare-ups because he knows that sometimes people will stop eating/ drinking enough when they hurt

Offers you the oild they use on horse joints for pain (this can help depending on the issue)

Time will carry you at the drop of a hat, all you have to do is ask

He dosen’t necessarily understand the cause, but he does try to help any way he can

Twilight

He is quick to bring you hot packs or ice packs. If those don't help he'll try something else

Another one to carry you if you like

When you have a particularly bad flare-up he will come see you as Wolfie

You have free right to use Epona as a mode of transport (unless stated makes it worse, please don't hurt yourself)

Twi will tell you stories while you rest to try to distract you

Warriors

He also is familiar with the issue that chronic pain presents, wether from personal experience or from army experience is up to you

He's got a no nonsense approach to it: as in if you give any indication you're having a flarup or other issues caused by chronic pain He's having you rest

He will not let you push yourself past your limits unless you are in a life or death battle and even then he does his damndest to keep you from passing them.

If it helps he's happy to give you a massage, if not he will respect that

Warriors keeps emergencies medication, heat packs, ice packs, and snacks on him at all times. He'll happily share.

Wild

I figure he has chronic pain/ frequent issues because he was blown up and you don't just walk away without issues

He may not have the same pain but he is familiar with the concept and the way a body will often choose to punish you if you ignore the little things

Wild will find out what causes your flare-ups and try to help minimize that stimuli

Probably knows some plant medicine, and will try to use that to help you.

If the pain is in your joints or walking makes it worse he'll insist on more frequent breaks. (If you can stand be carried or riding Epona he'll implement that.)

Wild tries to help you find stretches to relieve the pain (fully understands that this is not foolproof and can make things worse)

Wind

He just starts doing for you what he does for his grandmother and those on his pirate crew.

He'll keep an eye on you and offer to help you try unconventional remedies

Has at least 4 home remedies- they may or may not work but he certainly tries

Will demand you go take a break if you try to push through a flare up (if you refuse he gets Warriors and Time to help him)

• The Chain (and others) with a disabled traveling companion •

Summary: The chronic pain is hitting me badly today and I can hardly walk, so I’m doing little headcanons to make myself feel better.

Warnings: this won’t cover in depth or all types of disabilities, just in general things and the ones that I can think of off of the top of my head. Quite a bit of hurt/comfort/whumpy/fluffy stuff. There of course is mention of medical items and different illnesses, but other than that, safe for everyone.

Author’s Notes: Written by Mishwanders. Happy Disability Pride Month 💕

Time

The most attentive about it in the group, even more so if he sees you struggling beside him.

He’s the one who literally has the time of your medications, walking time/distance down - it’s all memorized in his head. Could probably look up at the sky and back to you and just know, ya know?

If you need someone to lean on - he’s your guy, he’s built like a tree that will stay rooted in place in the middle of a dangerous storm so long as you need him.

Also has one of the softest laps, so if you need a seat that ain’t the ground, by all means, have at it. He will keep his arm around you waist to make sure you don’t fall over. Feel free to lean back if you need to, he won’t let you down.

Twilight

He’s just as attentive as Time about it. Constantly offering Epona for you to ride so you don’t have to walk as long and even offers his own back if you’d rather ride piggyback/on top of wolfie (if you are as small as Four that is).

Can also lean on him for support if Time is busy. He’s built like an Ox, so you don’t have to worry about being too heavy for him.

Got anxiety or have other mental illness issues? He picks up on that quickly, even more so in wolfie form. He will come to your side or will practically lay across your lap to get your attention and allow you to pet him to get your mind off of things.Will even let you wear his pelt if it makes you feel better. Truly the warmest anxiety blanket there is.

Have epilepsy? He’s quick to catch that too in wolfie form and alert the others that something is happening so they can help him tend to you. He won’t leave your side at all until he knows your okay.

Wild

Big help in the food area - will make sure you’ve eaten so you can take your meds and will ensure he gives you a little extra so you have something for later.

Have a feeding tube? That’s new to him, but if you’re willing to teach him the ins and outs of it, he’s willing to help you with that to ensure the food is made and blended thoroughly to go through.

He pays attention to any food allergies you have to make sure he doesn’t give you something you’re allergic to and so there’s no cross contamination.

Got panic attacks? He gets that, they all get that, but especially him. He’ll sit beside you and hold your hand if you need it, be a shoulder for you to cry on and assure you that things will be okay.

Four

Got pulled into their world without your cane(s)? Smithy is ON IT! Probably will make it double as a weapon as well.

If he’s split into the colors, you know they’re all bickering on how exactly it should look and how to give it to you.

He makes sure everything is exactly to your needs and specifications. Not too heavy and not too light - absolutely perfect.

He’s proud that he’s able to help you out by making anything you could ever need

Legend

Have something you need (rest, meds, a ride, etc.) but too afraid to say something about it? Legend will speak up for you. It’s no problem to him because he wants you to be okay.

He will also be one of the ones to help get unwanted attention off of you and would be willing to fight someone over it.

Need something to double as a weapon (magical cane?) - he’s got something for that.

Will only allow you to have it and will sneak it in to ya so the others don’t pester him about it (but they’ll all know - that’s just how they are).

Hyrule

He may not be able to make all of your problems magically disappear, but he will try to help ease some of the pain if he can do so.

Got the healing potions locked and loaded babes.

Will also be the one to stay up with you if you’re feeling extra ill on the harder nights/days, especially if the others are asleep, taking the nights watch, or having to attend to other situations (baddies, getting food/firewood, etc.)

Like the others, he wants to make sure you’re okay and is willing to do what it takes to ensure that.

Warriors

Just like Legend, your #1 boy for distracting others away from you - a true human shield.

Someone staring rudely at you because you have tubes, colostomy bag, a cane, using a wheelchair, or any other needs? Wars is stepping in between and staring right back at them, giving them the same attitude 100x over.

He’ll always ask if you’re alright, trying to gauge the emotional situation after that. He knows what it’s like to have another stare rudely at the scars on his hand and he wants to make sure you’re okay.

Will also be your human shield if you need to change something out but are unable to get anywhere in a more private location. As a matter of fact - they all would, but especially him.

Sky

Biggest softy for ya, really empathizes a lot with your disability and wants to do what he can to try and help ease any issues that occur during the travel.

If Twilights pelt is too heavy - he’s 100% allowing you to wrap yourself in his sail cloth if you need it for comfort and warmth.

Four also gets his expertise in wood carving for your cane and he puts little designs in it that Four will in-lay with metal after.

Will put his stuff together with yours if you need extra padding on the hard ground to keep from hurting. Any extra clothes of his he’ll pitch in his bag and allow you to use it for any leg/hip pain you may have.

Wind

Little guy can’t do too much, but you know what he can do? Distract you.

Very good at trying to keep your mind busy if the pain becomes to much.

You may have heard a few of the same stories twice, but he puts a lot of expression into it to try and get you to laugh.

Will also sit there and listen to you talk about things you like to help keep your mind off of the pain.

Bonus characters because I feel like it -

Sage

Do you need a wheel chair? Would you like to not need to walk long miles? DO I HAVE THE BOY FOR YOU -

Now granted, that wheelchair may come with a super powered rocket - but truly it’s the thought that counts first, and then your safety second. Don’t be afraid to tell him how you need it to be, he’ll make sure it’s done correctly the second time around.

Just like Wild, super attentive about the food and any allergies you might have.

If you have any phantom pains from an amputated limb (or even nerve damage), he’s willing to be there by your side and provide you with whatever comfort you need.

Fierce Deity

Protective af over you, very watchful. He’s got a keen sense of awareness when he knows there’s something wrong and you need immediate attention even before you as or look at him.

Good chance he will just carry you everywhere he goes - he’s so big he may even just strap you to his back if you’re small enough to do so.

The definition of “have you eaten?”. Will make sure you well fed and able to continue on the journey a little longer before getting to a rest stop.

Curl up in his lap if you’re able to do so, he will hold you there all night and be a big warm bed away from the ground.

Dark Link (aka Dinkster)

Will take any form for you to ride on and keep off of your legs.

Does not know what medicine is but is willing to learn so he can provide it for you when needed.

Ensures that you have time to rest while he scouts out the hero’s and drops more baddies where he desires.

Won’t even ask what you need, will just do it for you because he can already sense it.

Malon

She has a little comfy pillow made just for you when you ride around with her on the cart to castle town.

Will go mom mode if you try to lift a milk crate that’s too heavy for you.

She always makes sure to pack an extra chair for ya so you have somewhere to rest while out in square selling Lon Lon milk.

Also has a box of other items specifically for ya and your needs, just in case you need them!

Ravio

I would like for this man to haggle the price down on my insurance stuff. I think he’d be great at it.

He would also haggle another merchant down on items you need - seriously, let him do it, he’s got this!

Will always keep an eye out for better things to replace your old supplies.

All around, happy to be of service to you and have your service in return!

Epona

You may be thinking “what’s a horse gonna do?” And I’m here to tell ya, horses are some of the greatest animals on earth for this kind of thing.

Epona can sense something is different there and that you need extra care. Sweet baby is gonna do her best not to rock you too much when you ride on her back.

You know how wolfie might lay on your lap? Epona is gonna do the same thing, placing her head on your lap to rest and to comfort you.

She will neigh when she thinks somethings wrong, trying to get Twilight or Times attention to help you. 1000/10 best baby girl.

Four the Love of a Nutcracker

Summary: One Christmas in Hyrule, a girl buys herself a nutcracker with four colors. Before she knows it, mysterious things begin to happen around her. What is the secret of her new “friend”? And who is the one-eyed man who seems to know him? A Linked Universe x Nutcracker crossover. Four x Reader pairing.

Genre: Fluff, Light Hurt/Comfort, Romance

Rating: G

AO3 Link, if you prefer: https://archiveofourown.org/works/52453850

A/N: Hello! Welcome to the first fic I've written in a very, very long time! It will be multi-chapter; it will not be finished by Christmas. I don't have a lot of time available for writing right now, so I'm aiming for spring on this. Rest assured: it will be finished eventually. Next, I recommend you read The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman (available in the public domain). While my story will not closely follow its plot, it will be fun if you can spot the references. ;) Lastly, have a Happy and Merry Christmas!

---

It was just the sort of evening you had hoped for. A small blaze crackled away in the fireplace, casting a cheerful glow across the floor. Shadows danced in the corners the light couldn't reach, darting and swaying with each pop of a log. A red armchair had been placed in front of the fire. Though it was bit threadbare in places, it was far less noticeable now than it had been in broad daylight. In the flickering firelight, it looked positively plush, inviting you into its soft embrace.

Placing a book and a mug of tea on the small table beside it, you surveyed your handiwork a final time before sitting. You had spent the better part of the day decorating your cottage for Christmas, and you were ready to rest. It had been several months now since you had come here. This land was quite foreign, but you had grown to love it. The people in town were friendly, and the scenery was pretty. You wondered what it would have been like to grow up in this place.

As you had worked and saved, you dreamed of how you might decorate a home of your own. Flowers in the spring and summer. Pumpkins and harvest wreaths in the fall. Fragrant greenery in winter. Candles everywhere (you were fond of candles and lanterns). As you pondered each season, you found yourself wondering about holidays. What was celebrated here? Were festivals a common occurrence, or were they on rare occasions? You had been quite curious about the local traditions. It was gratifying to find that this land also celebrated Christmas and in a very similar way to your own.

Naturally, your excitement was unmatched when you were able to afford a home. A small cottage on the edge of town: nothing large or fancy. However, it was now your home. It was a place of your own—no more staying at the local inn and being awakened by the sound of boots tromping through the hallways.

Your home – it had such a lovely sound to it. You had been settled for several weeks now, but the thought still brought a smile to your face. You had a home, it was in time for Christmas, and you had a quiet evening ahead of you. Yes, this was a peace you had craved for some time.

You settled yourself in your armchair, tugging a blanket over your legs (a wool blanket, of course—you had no desire to go up in flames. You were appreciative that Anju had gifted it to you). Curling yourself up comfortably, you glanced at the mantelpiece. Fresh greenery lined the edge, punctuated by sprigs of red berries. In the center, a wooden clock ticked quietly, flanked on either side by a pair of candles. It was simple but festive.

Your prized decoration, though, was the figure you had just purchased today: a colorful nutcracker. He looked quite charming standing on your corner bookcase, like he belonged there all along. Your thoughts drifted back to this morning. It had been an unusual day...

…...

The wind came suddenly. The first white flakes of winter had just begun to lazily make their way downward. The breeze, barely a whisper until now, rushed forth with renewed energy like a host eagerly welcoming his guests. For their part, the flakes saw fit to curtsy and bow, swirling around in a gavotte before whisking away to new ballrooms. They did not stand on ceremony.

As these harbingers of change greeted each other, the poor souls left on the street scrambled to find shelter. While wind and snow were all very well, they did not create favorable conditions for shopping.

It was far preferable to be indoors watching them rather than outdoors experiencing their bite.

The shop bell jingled merrily as you practically blew inside, and the wooden door banged shut behind you. You blew on your gloved hands, trying to shake off the cold the same way you had shaken off the snow. Glancing up, you noticed two or or three other customers who had clearly just arrived. They must have had the same idea you did: this would be a good place to wait until things quieted outside. Really, you had been planning to stop anyway, so it was rather fortuitous.

The shop was not large, but it had been packed to the brim with goods. Typical everyday items like plates, brooms, and pails were in one section. Another was filled with food items, like mushrooms and fresh eggs. Yet another held sundries like thread, sewing needles, and sturdy fabrics. You took your time browsing. There were all sorts of things from utilitarian to decorative, and you had plenty of time to work with.

“Oh!” You exclaimed as your eyes lighted on a tall cabinet in the corner. It had been stocked with new merchandise for Christmas: tins full of spiced sweets and sugared plums beckoned you forward, enticing you with the promise of rich flavors. Miniature evergreens made of dyed feathers created a small forest which any bird would be pleased to call home. Twisted glass that looked all the world like candy hung from special hooks, catching the light in their ridges.

To the right of the cabinet sat a small table stacked with bringers of light. Tin lanterns of various heights stood next to each other like a group of revelers. Each had a different pattern punched in it: moons, flowers, simple diamond shapes. Through them all, light twinkled like private constellations. Alongside these, clusters of candles lay neatly bundled, ready to be distributed and burned. The sweet scent of berries emanated faintly from them, carrying with it misty memories and nostalgic dreams.

You could have spent hours gazing at such beautiful things. There truly was a marvelous array of goods. As your gaze leisurely traveled over the shelves once more, a small cluster of wooden figures caught your attention. Upon closer inspection, you noticed that each one was painted differently. Some appeared to be soldiers, brass buttons gleaming down the front of their uniforms. Others showed their trade, such as a baker with his bread or a carpenter holding a saw. Still others were dressed for an activity, holding fishing rods, climbing gear, or even instruments. These were nutcrackers.

As you pored over them, a particular one caught your attention. It was nestled away in the corner, almost completely hidden. Gently moving aside the figurines, you picked it up. It was shorter and smaller than the others. You might not have noticed it at all but for the colorful tunic he was wearing. It was divided equally into four colors: blue, green, red, and violet, each with gold paint mimicking embroidery. Your gaze traveled upward, and you noted that the tunic culminated in a green hood with a tassel on the end. A sword sporting a single jewel in its hilt was strapped onto the back. Above this, carved strands of blond hair hung almost to the shoulders, a headband holding it back. The level of detail was astonishing. Whoever made him had clearly put their heart into it.

The only thing that you found a bit odd was the expression: it looked almost frightened, like a startled deer. Still, no matter. You very much liked him.

As you traced your finger over the figure's tunic, you heard footsteps behind you. In your peripheral vision, a tall figure leaned close. “That one is...quite unique, isn't he?” A bit surprised, you turned fully to look at the stranger. A well-built man, quite tall, and with middling-length blond hair smiled down at you. You immediately noticed the strange markings on his face and the scar over his right eye. You would have remembered such a face.

“Indeed,” you replied. “I've never seen one like him. I...enjoy all his colors.”

The man's eyes sparkled. “Oho! You do, do you?”

He offered no further commentary or explanation. You were unsure how to respond, so you abruptly decided to change the topic.

''...are you new here in town?” You ventured. “I'm certain I haven't seen you .”

“Not exactly. My companions and I have visited before, though we rarely stay more than a few weeks.”

“I see. I'm somewhat new here myself, but not enough that I can't make recommendations. I suggest you visit the bakery before leaving. I'm told they have a new holiday bread that shouldn't be missed. Even if you're familiar with everything, new things add spice to life.” Truth be told, you hadn't tried that bread yourself. Finances were a bit tight after buying your house. But everything from that bakery was delicious, so you had no doubt that you were doing the man a favor. “Oh, and please let me know if I can otherwise be of help.”

“I'll keep that in mind.”

As you moved to put the colorful nutcracker back on the shelf, the man quickly interjected. “Oh, no, I think you should buy him now.”

“What?”

“You should buy him. Take him home, set him up somewhere. It would be...a good experience for him.”

“A...good experience?” You were confused.

“Indeed. Just now, you offered to help me. You could be of great help to me by getting this fellow here.”

...why was he so interested? His insistence was certainly strange. You started to wonder if you had been too friendly when speaking with him. Though town was generally safe, you still had a sense of self-preservation. You hoped you hadn't gotten involved with someone sketchy. But, the sensible part of you reasoned, would a dangerous person really be pushing for someone to buy a general-store nutcracker, of all things? It didn't make sense. He didn't do anything wrong or threatening; he was just pushy. It was more likely he was eccentric. Perhaps he was some sort of artisan that couldn't bear to see good work go unpurchased.

“You seem quite concerned with this,” you replied slowly. “Is it something you've worked with before?” That was vague enough. You should be able to determine something based on his reply.

The man's face remained neutral, though it almost seemed he was holding back laughter. “Indeed, it is something I have worked with before. Though I wouldn't call him my work.”

“What is your work, if I may ask?”

“In the past, I...” he chuckled. “Let's just say it involved time.”

Apparently, the man spoke in riddles. You wondered if the companions he mentioned dealt with this on a regular basis.

“Time...” The answer struck you. “Oh, like repairing clocks!” That would make sense. He would be able to discern quality woodworking, which would explain the pushiness.

His eyes twinkled. “Something like that.”

The man straightened. Something in his demeanor told you the conversation was ending. “If you need my assistance for anything, my friends and I are staying at the inn. Call me 'Time'. We may see each other in town again. ”

“And I really do advise you to buy him. You said yourself that new things can spice up your life. I guarantee that he will keep things interesting. But if you leave him now, he'll be gone in the blink of an eye.” With a friendly nod, he began to walk away.

You looked down again at the nutcracker. Just now, you had the distinct impression that he was glaring. You blinked. No, that couldn't be; the expression had not changed. It must simply be your own imagination, a passing fancy.

What a strange one the man with the scar had been. He had talked about this figure almost as if it was a real person. Perhaps that was the eccentricity of an artist.

You gazed thoughtfully at the decoration in your hands. Well, why not purchase him? You had budgeted for a few decorations, and he did catch your eye, after all. Carrying him firmly in your arms, you made your way to the front counter. Judging by the color of the sky, you'd be in here longer than you originally suspected. You might as well have a “friend” to spend it with.

….......

Returning to the present, you directed a glance at your “friend”.

“You're my first real guest, you know,” you said humorously. You had had visitors, of course, but each time had been brief. As of yet, no one had spent a whole evening in your company. Surely it wouldn't hurt to play a little and pretend he was a real visitor. “I'm sorry I can't offer you any food—you are a only decorative, after all. I would be a terrible host if I accidentally broke my guest's teeth on a nut.”

He looked a bit miffed at being called “decorative”, but he seemed relieved at your final sentence. (Of course, there was no way his expression could really have changed. This pretending business was rather fun, once you got down to it.)

“But,” you continued. “I can offer you a bit of entertainment.”

Picking up the book you had set out, you quickly flipped to the page at which you had stopped. This was one of your favorite stories. After briefly explaining the plot (you had to admit you felt a bit silly explaining it to an inanimate object), you began to read aloud.

The clock on the mantle ticked steadily and the fire crackled as your voice droned on. The occasional lilt and jump gave expression to the characters. It was a magical thing. Reading aloud made you feel so alive. You whiled away the evening in this pleasant manner, peeking up at your “guest” every once in a while. You must say, he did seem interested. You smiled slightly to yourself. What an imagination.

Directing a glance at the clock, you noted it was a bit earlier than you usually retired. Still, you had worn yourself out. It had been a long day, and all you wanted now was sleep. You carefully placed your book on the table beside you and carried your now-empty mug to the sink. Returning to your previous spot, you made quick work of banking the fire, making sure the coals would smolder through the night. While you could let it burn out, this had become a routine. Your mind had learned that as the fire slept, so could you.

You straightened up and stretched, taking one last look at your “guest”. As the firelight had dimmed, he had become more of a shadowy outline than anything else. Still, he cut a handsome figure. You smiled faintly. “We'll continue the story tomorrow. Thank you for your company. I'll see you in the morning.”

As you slowly trudged upstairs to your room, you blew out the few remaining candles. You didn't notice the faint light in the room behind you, gently emanating from the nutcracker.

(Chapter 1 of ??)

Linked Universe Player Au

You didn't even know what happened.

One minute, you were strolling quietly on your way back home from work, music full blast in your ears to drown out the world around you and the next?

Being chased by some demonic presence in a cosplay.

"Shit, shit, shit!" You cursed, darting around the corner of another home onto the next deserted street, continuing to sprint down the road as if it were the devil on your heels and in this case, it was. It was interesting how adrenaline worked though, you’d usually barely make it a few feet before keeling over wheezing but here you were, making fine work of the pavement as you raced to get away from whatever monstrosity was chasing you.

You would have been impressed if a demon wasn't chasing you.

Talking about that…thing, you hadn’t seen it for over seven minutes now, not ever since you lost it in the alleyway you ran into (a stupid mistake, you knew, but you were taking as many shortcuts you could) Its presence practically disappearing when you ran to the cluster of homes nearby. You knew a few more streets and you would have been home, you were actually close now, but now….

You had to go through the park.

A country park, a large country park but you only had to cut through, your home was only a ten-minute walk from here to there and with you darting through the trees? It would be no more than five until you were in safe territory.

It wasn’t the brightest (Brightest, you laughed, it was utterly foolish) only the dumb of the dumb from horror movies would take that route, the better was to stay on the lit street with homes you could run to if you needed help. But these houses rounded the entire park. It took at least an hour to get to your home, so going straight across would be the best way.

You had tried earlier to call the police, but your phone had died suddenly, despite being at 84% when the thing had first appeared. There was no time to call again when you were running for your life, so you’d try again now and if that still didn’t work, you’d try at home.

You prayed to whatever deity that ran this world to let you live long enough to tell your mother you loved her.

“Come on” Pressing the power button almost seemed fruitless until your phone finally buzzed to life, the familiar symbol of your device flashing across the screen that made tears pool on the corners of your eyes, pent up fear and relief releasing in the form of a sob as you typed in your pin and headed straight for the call button, the phone operator’s voice parroting the official greeting.

“Please! I need he-lp, I was- I was being chased- and I-”

“Hold on, love, take some deep breaths for me, try not to panic. I won't be able to understand you if you do”

You wanted to scream from frustration, trying to push down the cries and hyperventilation when the handler spoke again, voice reassuring. “It’s alright, sweetheart, I’m here. I can send a car to your location to make sure you’re safe but I’m gonna need your location and your name”

“My name is (Full name)! I’m currently in St Marianne’s park but I’m heading towards Bannerman Road-”

You felt it. The familiar, predator glare you had felt earlier when you first stumbled upon your pursuer.

Taking the phone away from your ear, the operator’s voice getting louder with worry as they called for your attention but you weren’t focused on that, no, you were focused on the figure further down the path back the way you came, the person, draped entirely in shadows with sharp red eyes staring you down. Its entire presence felt like all the evil within your corrupted world materialized into one place, lean and mean, as it waited for something, what that something was you had no clue but you knew it wasn’t anything good that would come from it. The phone in your hands finally fizzled out, the screen fading back to black but you didn’t notice with your frenzied heartbeat pounding in your ears.

You loved listening to scary stories, you were always a mystery fan and you always wondered how the victim's felt to be in this exact position. Watching what would be your potential harasser, kidnapper…murderer study you as they assessed just exactly what your next move was. Standing in the middle of (what was practically) a forest, pitch black with only the moonlight as your guide, too far from any human life to scream for help, phone out for the taking and just waiting…

It is said there are four reactions one could have to these situations.

Fight, flight, freeze or fawn.

You always thought of yourself as a fighter but earlier had proved different. Flight did seem like the best option then.

Once again faced with that scenario,

You didn’t change that decision.

You heard its footsteps behind you, pounding against the dirt and crunching the fallen leaves as it chased after you. Not even bothering to follow the winding path, you barrelled your way through the forestry, leaping over logs and bushes, dodging past trees. Doing anything and everything to avoid whatever awaited you at the hands of that thing. This couldn’t be the way you died, right? By some sort of demon- this only happened in movies! You had to be dreaming.

But the branches scratching at your clothes and skin proved otherwise.

So tired, your bones ached, your chest was constricting and you were positive you were slowing down. You willed yourself to move faster but at this rate, it had been too much, you couldn’t, the thing would catch you at this moment and you wanted to scream to the high heavens for help.

Finally, you understood why the victims in horror stories always seemed to trip over themself when running from their inevitable doom.

There was a sound. A weird, unexplainable sound that felt like nothing and everything at once, forcing an almost paralyzing shiver through your body that made you glance back in morbid curiosity.

A mistake.

Something formed in its hand, held in front of it and grew ever so bigger with each step you guys took. It was black, similar to its entire body but darker, (absolute black was the only way you could use to describe it) and trilateral in shape.

Dear God, was this thing about to kill you with a magic triangle?!

You would have laughed had you not been in a state of ice-cold terror.

Then something appeared before you.

The world slowed down around you, body swivelling around while your boots dug into the dirt below you attempting to force stop your entire being from entering the now towering, brightly growing portal to (what you assumed) hell only for a huge weight to slam into you from behind, body tumbling forward into the gateway and vision fading to black.

Time resumed to normal pacing when you stumbled through into another area, too disoriented from whatever you had just experienced to get a good glimpse at where exactly you were until you were rolling down a gravel hill, a scream falling from your mouth as the world spun around you, grunts and cries drowned out by the blood pumping through your ears until finally, you slammed into something hard, knocking the lights out of you and resulting in your body slumping against whatever the thing was.

Two boots appeared right in your field of sight, too tired and hurt to even react when the thing from earlier leaned down with a smirk that made your stomach churn.

The edges of your vision were black, the colour slowly seeping to the rest of your eyes when the thing looked up in surprise, then darted away just before you finally fell unconscious.

-----

Waking up in bed was always one of the best and worst things in life. If you were waking up for a day of nothing, you could stay in the warmth of the duvet until you decided enough was enough, however, waking up with an alarm blaring in your ears signalling it was the start of the workday or of university, you hated how it felt like the covers were boxing you in and keeping you there, like some sort of exposure torture.

The bed was extra warm today, the sun glaring through the window beside your bed screaming at you and causing a scowl to grow on your face, turning over to face away from the light in an effort of falling back to sleep. Too tired to deal with the day is how you felt.

It’s when you were falling back asleep when you felt….odd.

Were your covers always this light? It felt like with one kick you could send them flying off you. Was your bed ever this big? You stretched your entire arm out and only just grazed the other side of the mattress. Why was there light in your room when you always closed the curtains? And why did it feel so warm? It was the middle of fucking January.

You peaked one eye open, then another when you realised not only were you not in your room you were in a completely different house.

“What…” You muttered under your breath, slowly pushing yourself onto your arms to take a glance around the place.

It was simple, nothing extravagant, boring brown walls surrounding you with the exception of some windows, a small staircase leading up to the (what you could barely call with the lack of privacy) bedroom with just a single bed that you were laying in and when you leaned over the side of the railings to the platform, you spotted the dining table, kitchenette and hanging barrage of weapons hanging from the walls.

Decorative swords were always a fun sight to see, you had some of your own back home!

But seeing them in some random person’s house that you had awoken in wasn’t really the best thing to see, especially if they weren’t someone you wanted to be near. A weapon was a weapon, fake or not.

You needed to get out of here.

You spotted your work boots at the edge of the bed, along with your bag, rushing over to them you hurried back into your attire in hopes of sneaking away while the house was still empty.

Your panic from the night before had returned tenfold, your gut-churning while you raced down the stairs, missing 2 steps at a time to finally jump on the ground floor and nearly barrel into the door, throwing it open.

9 different faces looked at you in various degrees of surprise.

You stared at them right back.

Someone opened their mouth, a guy looking a little older than you with brown hair and a white embroidered cape but whatever they were about to say didn't make it out when you screamed in pure terror and slammed the door back shut.

You stumbled upon grabbing a weapon (A spear?) then dashed right into the corner behind the stairs with the pointed end of the staff pointed directly towards the opening when you heard the door being pulled open once again.

"Hey, it's okay!" Footsteps rushed over, another male about the same age as you in an outfit similar to something that Peter Pan would wear speedwalking around the corner with a look of concern on his face "We're not gonna- WOAH!"

"GET BACK I HAVE A POINTY STICK!"

"Will you calm down?" Another man with pink streaks sassed, popping around suddenly only to yelp when you jabbed it in his direction when he tried to get closer.

"BACK! BACK I SAY!"

A taller man appeared around the corner and something sparked in your head, you had no idea what caused it but you felt it had something to do with how, at that moment, the people you had looked familiar. Red looking tiger marks on the right of his cheeks, a scar over his eye on the same side and a sort of blue-lined diamond on his forehead. His hands were held up defensively, approaching you slow and steady as if he were gaining ground on a frightened animal, his face was stoic but his eyes, a beautiful shade of ocean blue, were kind.

“It’s alright” He started, your eyes locked with his own “You’re okay, you’re safe. We’re not gonna hurt you.”

A part of you wanted to believe him.

But your anxiety also scratched at your brain, screaming.

YOU CAN NOT TRUST THESE RANDOM PEOPLE.

You tightened your grip on your impromptu weapon and the man took a calculated step back.

“Sure” Your laugh was obnoxiously fake “Because waking up in some random person’s house after being chased by the devil himself is such a good sign of safety, you highlighter-hair bastard”

There was a laugh in the background but you only spared a single glance, noting that the many other people from outside had gathered behind, what you guessed, was their leader. It was the only option to keep your eyes on him, he was closest, he could probably yank the spear from your hands without a second thought, hell, he looked strong enough to do it with one hand.

You couldn’t drop your ground.

The man didn’t react to your insult. “I understand you’re confused, but I promise you that we haven’t done anything nor do we plan to harm your person. Even if we were planning to hurt you, wouldn’t we have done something while you were unconscious? Would we have let your rest in our only bed?”

That….was a fair point.

Course, he could’ve been trying to trick you, lure you in with a pretence of safety just for them all to strike but with 8 people backing him up, they could have easily overtaken you already, armed or not, so what was his reason for lying when he obviously controlled the cards on the table?

Your grip weakened but you still didn’t back down “I- um, no- uh-....where am I?”

He released his breath, lowering his hands slightly “You’re currently in a house residing in Hateno Village”

That caught your attention “I’m sorry, did you just say Hateno Village?”

Confusion clouded his face before it was washed over by understanding “Yes, Hateno Village, far East within Hyrule Kingdom. Did the creature chasing you take you far from your home?”

Your face was comical, to say the least, “Hyrule?”

The man nodded.

The noise that left you wasn’t healthy.

“Very far, it sounds” Came another voice from behind him.

“Maybe before you, Hero of Skyloft?”

“But why would the shadow travel so far before all of our timelines?”

“Perhaps he was trying to reach the first hero but fell short on his attempt?”

“That could mean there’s a possibility on a range of how far this creature can travel"

You noticed it now, the clothes looking as if they had been hailed straight from Medieval times, ears pointed similar to that of elves- but you couldn’t believe such- such an impossibility! There was no way, no fucking way, you had been chased by a demon into a fucking video game like some sort of shitty fanfiction trope!

Everything continued to build within you, the group continuing their little chat that fell to deaf ears when you finally erupted, gripping the spear tightly once again and waving it around “Hyrule!? Are you MENTAL!? HYRULE DOESN’T EXIST! WHERE THE HELL AM I AND YOU BETTER STOP LYING!”

The man stumbled back in surprise when you trod ground, the group backing up along with him at your unbridled rage and confusion. “What’s next!? Fairies are real?! Ganon’s running around free right at this moment!? Are you gonna tell me that Zelda’s in the closet with a camera!? Or maybe Impa’s outside right now with the royal guard!!”

There was another laugh falling from your lips, it was nervous, a little crazed but more scared than anything “Hell! Next, you’re gonna tell me that you’re Link, The Great Hero of Hyrule!”

Silence.

A very uncomfortable silence.

The group glanced between one another and you felt your eye twitch “No. Just- no! You’re all insane- let me out of here!”

You weren’t taking this anymore, no, you were not. You had no idea where you were, there were crazy people all around you, talking about crazy stuff that made your head throb in pain and throat tighten in fear. Why were you here? How were you here? Had you maybe been drugged by these people somehow and dreamed about the demon in the process? It did look similar to the tallest of the lot, maybe his frame had warped in your delirious state?

You wanted out, you wanted out, out, out, OUT-

A giggle reached your ears, small and airy that made you snap to the direction where it had come from.

The weapon in your hands clattered to the floor when you dropped it.

The fairy laughed again, circling around your head and tugging at your hair playfully to gain your attention.

You had to be dreaming…

Your hands cupped before you, the fairy sat comfortably in your grip, cuddling into your thumb.

…right?

.....

Without even another second, you stormed out of the house, not sparing the others a word even when they called out for you to have a proper look around the area.

The bridge that lead to Link’s house, the town that stood beyond it, Hateno Village. You rushed over to the edge of the cliff the home stood at to look in complete awe at the sight you had only ever seen in pixelated form.

“Hyrule…”

The monster encampment buzzed around with monsters at the base of Hateno tower, Mount Lanayru stood proud within the north, Death Mountain just peaking over some other mountaintops with Divine Beast Vah Rudania settled on top and Divine Beast Vah Medoh barely being made out beside the Dueling Peaks.

You couldn’t say anything.

The fairy nuzzled into your cheek worriedly at your reaction, cooing kindly.

“Quite the sight, isn’t it?” You thought it had come from the fairy first but a quick glance to your left revealed one of the men, a familiar blue tunic with beautifully long, buttercup blonde hair and…scars, starting from his brow and disappearing beyond sight under his clothing. You were the same height as him, just levelled to his sky blue eyes… “I always love being here, you can see the whole of Necluda région”

This had to be…

“You’re…really Link?” Other things came flooding back to you, the tattooed man, the boy with the white cape, pink streaks and a Peter Pan look alike “All of you?”

Link, Hero of the Wild, sent you a smile that made your knees weak “That’s right”

You turned back to the landscape. “Jesus fucking Christ”

His hand landed on your shoulder, squeezing gently “Why don’t you come back to the house? The Old Man- Hero of Time, wants to ask you some questions…actually, we all do”

Body shaking, anxiety peaking, you nodded your head slowly the fairy, seemingly your new friend with her persistence to be in your space (not that you minded), settled on your opposite shoulder to pat your neck encouragingly.

The three of you headed back towards the house.

__________________________________

So I decided to do my own version of Player meets Linked universe because I've wanted to do it for so long! I'm not sure if I'll make it a series, I just made this to introduce the reader because I'm now taking requests so please send stuff in!

Don't worry I'm still continuing with the yandere linked universe I just got a bit of writer's block so I made this to help me combat it!

Breakdown [Isekai!Reader + Legend/Marin]

In which Isekai!Reader has a breakdown and then proceeds to break reality.

This fic is purely for my own satisfaction as I've yet to find this particular topic explored and I have a mighty need. I've taken liberties. This is self-indulgent trash.

TW: Choosing not to display warnings. Read at your own discretion.

Disclaimer: Don't own The Legend of Zelda franchise. Linked Universe is the fan creation of jojo56830.

---

You'd tried not to get close. From the moment you were tossed through the portal (conveniently right at the Chain's feet), you did everything possible to prevent either side from growing unnecessarily attached.

Didn't stop them from strong arming you into joining them though. As an abnormality from the portal, it was in their best interest to keep you close and monitored. Which was fair, so despite your misgivings you went along peacefully.

Though you made sure to let them know where you stood in all this.

You weren't cruel, per say, but you made sure to keep your distance and openly expressed your disinterest in opening up to them. You just wanted to find a way home, and for the most part they did their best to respect that.

Most of them anyway. Wind was an absolute menace. The boy was relentless in trying to wiggle his way into your good graces, always trying to include you in all his little side-quests and jokes.

It would be cute, honestly, if you didn't know he was trying to pump you for information. Clever, using the kid, if you didn't already know who these men were.

(If you're going to try to act friendly with the target Wind, remember to disarm yourself of obvious weaponry before approaching. Silly boy.)

You'd put money on Warriors having orchestrated most of the interactions between you and the youngest. You may not have as advanced senses as them, but you're not blind. It's obvious Wind is reporting to Warriors and Time the nights Wind takes extra pains to interact with you.

(Not that there was much to report. You stuck to your story. Came from a more futuristic world, don't know why you're here, the Heroes of Hyrule are just stories- myths- where your from. You don't know much about them. Yes, you have some secrets. No, they're not harmful to their merry little band. Pot, meet kettle. You'll show them yours if they show you theirs. No? Okay then. Last you checked, they forced you into their group. "Have a good night Time, I appreciate everything you guys do for me. Goodnight Warriors, Legend, Four. Sleep well.")

For being such powerful, experienced heroes, they're not always the brightest. Must be the influence of their Tri-force alinment. It takes a special type of person to do what they do afterall. YOU certainly wouldn't.

But you degress.

Yes, you did everything within your power to keep yourself separate from them without making them your enemies. Slept away from the group, tried (and sometimes failed) to percure your own food. Refused any gifts, money or luxuries offered to you that did not directly involve your continued well-being.

Hell, you even took to cutting grass in your spare time, just so you had something to offer up with you inevitably needed thier assistance. And wasn't that a shock, to find rupees just laying around in the grass. Money literally grow in plants here.

Mind blown.

("No Wind. You found that one, so it's yours. Thank you for the thought though.")

Overall, you thought you'd done an excellent job of it. They- usually- kept to their part of the camp, you stuck to yours (lonely though it was). You rarely talked to them unless strictly necessary or Wind managed to back you into a metaphoric corner. During travel you watched the world go by, acting as another silent pair of eyes.

You thought you'd managed to keep yourself in check.

What a fool you were. To ever think you could keep yourself from loving these kind, selfless, traumatized, courageous goofballs. How shortsighted, to think you would ever be able to stay impartial to their plight, to their pain.

When the divines cast a hook, you took it with both hands and didn't let go.

You're such a damned idiot.

It'd been one hell of a ride to get to the point of no return. Somehow, you'd stumbled though a second portal just as you and the chain had finished exiting the first. Literally, just walked out the first, moved 5 feet away from Legend (your portal crossing partner that time) and promptly stepped into another portal that'd opened right in front of you.

You'd heard Sky's alarmed shout, the beginnings of Wild's bellow, saw Legend try to make a grab at you from the fading entryway. You witnessed Legend flinch back in shock as a wisp of light pulled from his hand and disappeared into the portal. Saw him fall to his knees, seemingly crumbled in pain.

And then you were gone.

You fell onto warm sand, blinded by bright, warm sunlight directly in your eyes. The smell and taste of salt was so strong you can almost feel it coating your insides.

The sea, you quickly realize. Your back hurts from being tossed from the portal, but you're so, so thankful you landed on dry land and not somewhere in the middle of the ocean. A little pain is worth not succumbing to exhaustion and drowning after a desperate, futile struggle.

You laid there for a moment, shocked and grateful and shivering from adrenaline.

You noticed the portal didn't disappear, and none of the chain came charging through to save you either. You watched it for a while, taking deep breaths to calm your heart and waiting for something to happen.

Should you try to go back through? Why is the sound it makes so damn irritating?

"Are you alright?" A lilting voice asks unexpectantly, startling you from where you're sprawled on the sand. "Oh! Sorry! Didn't mean to scare you!"

It didn't click at first who this woman was. Long, beautiful red-blond hair, freckled, sun-kissed skin and a little red flower swaying in the sea breeze above her head. A sweet but sad smile, with just a hint of grief in her soulful dark eyes.

You were surprised she didn't notice the portal. You wondered why.

"My name's Marin. What's yours."

It should have clicked.

"It's..."

It didn't.

You broke your own rule, unwittingly though it may have been. Don't interact unnecessarily. Don't get involved. Don't put yourself in a position to get attached. Don't think about it too hard.

Don't. Get. Emotionally. Invested.

"Oh! What a lovely name! I wish we'd have met before-" Her eyes flickered sidewards, and it was then you noticed the biggest egg you'd ever seen on top of a volcanic mountain peak. Just there. A nightmare wrapped up in a pretty bow, waiting for someone to open it.

And he did.

It started to break right before your eyes. Light seeping out through the cracks and pouring down the volcano and into the surrounding land. It was not how you remember this going down, but you knew (without a doubt) what this was and what was happening.

The shock must have been evident on your face because she started talking again, soothingly, though her voice cracked with emotion.

You barely heard her, eyes fixated on the sight of a mountain slowly starting to disintegrate. On the sounds of screams in the distance. Of little shapes moving away from the light, like roaches across the mountainside.

Your eyes flickered to the portal, still there, waiting, emitting the most horrendous noise. A long dark corridor stretching out into a vast nothingness.

The sceams continued. Some cut off suddenly. It was a small island, and the mountain tall. It let their voices carry into the lands below.

Your body was cold. Your skin numb and prickling.

You noticed Marin still talking. Her eyes frightened, though she was trying not to show it.

She was trying to distract herself, you realized. "We should go to the village. Say goodbye. I'll-I'll introduce you to my father. You can be part of our family. No one deserves to- to without having a f-family."

You looked at her. Eyes wide open. Throat tight. Heart beating. Mind numb.

That was where she should have been right now, wasn't it. But she wasn't because she was talking to you. She was too far away to reach it.

(She was never meant to reach it.)

She knew that. You could see it in her eyes.

This world could not be this cruel. It couldn't. It just couldn't.

She looked to you with such sad eyes. Wet with unshed tears. So very aware.

No.

She reached out for your hand.

No.

Her fingers cradled yours, warm and soft.

No.

She tugged you slightly, inching closer. Other arm stretching, stretching. Embracing.

No.

Her skin was warm, like sunshine. She smelt of sweet fruit and clean sweat. Her heart was thundering.

No.

It was warmer still where she hid her face in your shoulder. Wet. Damning.

And then a whisper. The flutter of lips.

A secret, breathed like a confession.

"I'm sorry Link. I wish I could have lived for you."

You bent.

You twisted.

You ached.

"Marin. If you had the chance to survive this, no matter how slim, would you take it. Even if it meant giving up everything? Even if it meant having to live with the pain."

She stared at you, bewildered. And then-

Clarity.

"You're like Link. Aren't you?"

"Yes."

Her expression shifted. Beneath the sheen of tears, a fire ignited in her dark eyes. Hope, so strong it scorched the world.

It burned you too. That unyeilding will to survive.

"Take me to him." Her eyes softened, but were no less determined for it. Instead, her resolve set like obsidian. "So we may grief the loss of our family together."

Hook, set. Bait, taken.

Now.

Pull.

---

It was agony. From the moment you grabbed Marin's hand and attempted to enter the portal, it felt as though your entire bloodstream was on fire. Like being unmade and reforged all at once, originating from where your hand connected with hers.

You wanted to pull away, but you didn't. She wouldn't have let you either way. Her grip was an iron vice. Deceptively strong.

She didn't even flinch despite the sweat you could see gathering on her brow, the way her jaw clenched. Her entire body was covered in goosebumps, the hairs on her arms standing on end.

You couldn't imagine what she must be experiencing, if the feeling of her hand alone was enough to arrest your breathing.

You took another step forward. She matched it. It was like walking through wet sand, sticky and unyielding, but not impossible.

You moved one step at a time, slow and steady. Open mouthed panting, sweat running down your faces and soaking your hair, plastering it to your scalps. Your skin was flushed from exertion and you guys hadn't moved more than a few paces.

You weren't even out of sight of the entryway when the light was suddenly ripped away from behind. Leaving nothing but a yawning void.

Marin stumbled, as though her strings had been cut, and you followed. Your entire body was molten lava, bones scorched to nothing.

Someone was screaming. Or maybe you both were. You couldn't tell. Marin was gripping your hand with all her might and you gripped right back. The point of contact felt melted into her skin, like you were a part of her.

Or she was part of you.

Eventually, you felt her start to rise, pulling you with her. You couldn't see, but you knew she still had that fire searing in her eyes. No amount of tear stains could hide her will to live.

She took a step forward, and you followed her into the dark. One, two, three, four....

Time lost it's meaning. You'd long since lost count of the steps you two stumbled through together.

It was getting harder. Each step forward seemed to add another weight to your shoulders. It hurt to breath, it hurt to blink. You stopped opening your eyes a while ago. Your skin felt blistered and cracked.

You and Marin had tried talking, but it wore on her too heavily. She was gasping for air even more desperately than you were, breaths raw and ragged.

More time passed. Each step got harder. You were stumbling more than you were walking.

You were sure your nose was bleeding. You could taste the iron in your mouth, where liquid dripped over your upper lip. You couldn't feel your face.

Then Marin threw up. Fell to her knees and just kept puking and puking, struggling for precious air, whole body convulsing. You reach down blindly with your other hand to try to get her hair out of the way.

You overshot and your hand ended up in the spray (it was perfectly smooth like water, not at all natural). It felt like liquid metal across your skin, ripping a scream from your throat.

The smell of burning flesh hit your senses as you curled around your arm, the limb pulsing under you.

You could feel tension building in your body, heavy and foreboding.

Marin was crying. She was shaking. She retched again.

She clutched your hand like a lifeline, desperation corded into every muscle in her fingers. You squeezed back with everything you had, reassurance you were still there in the total darkness.

The tension snapped.

Then her hand went limp, only your grip keeping her from fully slumping to the ground. Dead weight.

"Marin?" You rasped, voice shaking with pain and shock. "Marin?"

She didn't respond. She didn't move. Her limp body slumped against your side, like a branding rod searing through your clothes.

Your heart raced in panic and it gave you the strength needed to pull your still burning arm from beneath you and feel for her pulse.

You found it. Faint. So faint it was a mere whisper, but there.

Ahead of you, an endless void. Behind you, the gapping maw of nonexistence. Nothing in all directions but the limp body leaned against your leg. The sound of the portal just kept growing louder, like metal scraping in your ear.

Your body was so heavy. Your skin seemingly peeled back and exposed, burning against the agony of existence.

You broke.

You shattered.

You felt.

"It doesn't get to be this way." You panted, eyes open, seeing nothing and stinging like hornets. "No. You don't get to do that."

Emotion rose like a tidalwave within you, boiling under the surface of your skin. You turned your eyes up, casting your gaze into the void there.

"You don't get to do that to them. You don't get to keep hurting them like this. They're not toys. They're real."

You swallowed thickly.

"They're real."

The emotion boiled over. The dam broke. Everything else was lost to the Rage.

"YOU!" You screamed, voice shrill, hot liquid falling from your lips as something stretched and burst. "Don't! Get! To! Keep! Hurting! Them! You don't get to do that! They're people! They're real people with real feelings and pain, Goddamnit!"

You were lost to that rage. The feeling that had haunted your every waking moment since the moment you fell through that first portal. Since first you realized where you were.

From the moment you realized who they were and what that meant.

"You don't get to take anything else from them! You hear me! Not a single. Damned. Thing. More!" You spat. "I will not allow it! I! Reject! It!"

You hauled Marin forward inch by agonizing inch with strength you should not have, using spite that ran so deep it tore at peices of your soul.

You weren't even looking forward anymore (what need have you to know when the torment ends, when you're never going to stop. not until death takes you). Instead, you'd braced your feet firmly and started hauling yourself backwards, back arched so far you were nearly sitting.

"I will not let you keep hurting them for your entertainment!" You screeched, not caring how it hurt. Not caring how spit and snot and blood ran down your chin. How sweat soaked straight through your clothes, stinging against the aching rawness of your skin.

You pulled, both hands latched onto Marin's one. The universe pulled back, trying to take this precious being from your grasp. Your progress was halted.

You snapped.

"FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU NITENDO. FUCK YOU GAME PEOPLE. FUCK YOU PLAYERS! AND FUCK ME TOO! FUCK ME FOR EVERYTHING I EVER DID TO HURT YOU! FUCK EVERYONE WHO EVER HURT YOU FOR FUN!"

You screamed then, rasping, tearing and wordless. Just kept screaming and pulling against the universe. Against the pain. Against the unfairness of it all.

The universe pulled again and you snarled like a beast, grip so tight on Marin's wrist you felt something cracking. She felt like Hellfire under your hands.

It only enraged you more.

"You don't get to have her! You don't get to hurt him anymore! You don't get to hurt any of them! They're mine now! You! Don't! Have! The! Right! THEY'RE MINE!"

A choked rasp, iron flooding your throat as the nosebleed gets worse.

"Marin is mine! Legend is mine! Hyrule is mine! Wind is mine! Warriors, Sky, Four are mine! Time and Twilight are mine! Wild is mine!"

Another step back, an inch gained.

Again, and again, and again.

"I'm going to take back everything you stole from them!" You howl into the void, uncaring of how absolutely broken your voice had become. "The moment you let your guard down, I'm taking everything! You. HEAR! ME!"

"I'M TAKING EVERY-"

The universe let go and you fell.

...and Marin fell with you.

Suddenly, there was gentle light filtered through leaves, cool spring air and the faint call of birdsong. No endless darkness or scorching magma in your veins or the infernal screech of portal magic in your ear. Just bliss.

And then your body reminded you that it was not fine.

Your muscles seized, tightening in painful reminder of the strain you had put them through. Your skin stung like sandpaper burn from head to toe, your lungs ached so fiercely it drew tears to your eyes.

Eyes tightly closed and teeth gritted, you curled around the limp body sprawled at your side, limbs intermingled as your body spasmed through the pain.

Then, there were hands on you and you cried out in agony.

Someone shushed you, soundly oddly choked and quiet as another pair of hands gently tried to move you. Then several.

You refused. Arms tightening around the precious being trapped in your embrace. You fought with what little strength you had left, sobbing as the hands managed to pry you loose.

You wailed in dispair.

Someone sobbed with you.

You finally succumbed to your body's desperate demands to escape the pain. You drifted away to the feeling of gentle arms cradling you close, of soft whispers in your hair.

Finally, peace found you. If only for a time.

---

Perhaps there will be a part two. Maybe even venture into yandere territory. Who knows.

I must return to the shadows once more to recharge.

Breakdown [Isekai!Reader + Legend/Marin] [Part 2]

In which you learn that predators come in all sizes.

The indulgence continues.

PART: 1 / 2

TW: Choosing not to display warnings. Read at your own discretion.

Disclaimer: Don't own The Legend of Zelda franchise. Linked Universe is the fan creation of jojo56830.

---

You weren't aware of the world for a time. Occasionally, there was pain (agony. like coals under your skin, explosions bursting forth from your damned cells). Sometimes there was relief, the gentle warmth of something sweet and light swirling through your veins like honey. But mostly, it was just numb.

The first time your eyes cracked open you did not register anything beyond the unpleasant sting of light. Tears had rolled down your cheeks, burning all the way to the hairline at your ears. A gentle (so gentle, so careful) hand dabbed the salt lines away with a wet cloth, pressing delicately against your cracked lips afterwards to moisten them.

You didn't respond. The sensations meant very little to you. Your eyes closed after a time, but the light of consciousness had left them long before that.

You came too briefly but did not open your eyes. Pressure from too small (calloused) hands were wrapped around your motionless fingers, like delicate bird's bones against your skin. Almost fragile, but for the power that resided in the flesh.

You squeezed them as well as you could, giving little more than a twitch for your efforts. The hand understood though because it squeezed back fiercely.

Someone was talking, but the words and their meanings slipped by like water through grass.

Nothingness took you just as a tiny, bird's bones hand touched your cheek.

Your eyes opened again and it was dark. You stared unseeing into the shadows of the rafters for some time, quiet and listless.

You did not know where you were. You didn't care. You were just so very tired.

You close your eyes. You open them and there is pain. Light. Movement. Colors. Burning. Pain. Pain. Pain.

Bliss. Gone.

Numb.

You opened your eyes once more and light was just creeping in through half drawn curtains. Your eyes flickered to them as a light breeze pulled the fabric into a gentle flutter.

A warm hand touched your hair unexpectedly, tenderly easing it back from your forehead while another wiped sweat from your brow. It was enough to draw your attention and your hazy eyes instinctively met those hoovering above you.

"Good morning." Sky whispered quietly, voice warm and sweet beneath the tired tones blurred around the edges. His hand was still resting lightly in your hair, thumb caressing the curve of your forehead.

You stared uncomprehendingly at the man above you. You blinked as his thumb moved to tenderly caress under your eye. You hadn't noticed the quiet trail of tears running sluggishly down your cheeks.

You closed your eyes, comforted by his gentle touch. It'd been so, so long since anyone had touched you kindly.

You drifted off to a wet, cool cloth wiping off your face.

You jolted awake, scream silently caught behind your teeth. You clawed, clutched, tore at the blankets around you, writhing as hellfire consumed you.

A warm, calloused hand holds yours, the pressure of another larger body pressing themselves close draws your attention. Your eyes flicker desperately to the person cradling your head and shoulders.

It's Twilight, dressed in a plain off-white shirt and calling out for Hyrule with forced calm. He smells strongly of musk and dog, the firm bulk of his muscles tense under you as his chest expands with each breaths.

Traveler is upon you within moments, pressing glowing hands to your body without hesitation. His tired, tired eyes overflowing with compassion and tender, vulnerable love as he gazes upon your contorted face.

Bliss, so great you sobbed in relief as the light enters you skin. You hid your face into Twilight's collarbones, so very thankful when he didn't push you away. Instead he pulled you closer and whispered softly in your hair, his hand cupping the back of your head.

You cried yourself to sleep in his arms.

But not before catching sight of Legend, hands clenched white into either side of the doorframe, frustrated, heartbroken tears beading like pearls in his eyes.

---

When you finally came to true consciousness it was to Four, well, all around you. Red was laying beside you, tucked sleepily against your arm, Green was on your other side, face relaxed in sleep. Vio was in the chair at the head of the bed, reading. Blue was missing, but you figured he'd lost patience with the quiet at some point and left.

You were confused at first, unsure of what gave the colors the impression that you approved of this kind of closeness. You had never given any sort of indication that you wanted anything to do with them. You'd made sure of that.

Then it hit you. Marin. She must have made it though. She's alive. She made it. She's here, in the world. With Legend.

The thought almost pulled tears to your eyes, but you pushed them down. Now was not the time for that. It was time to run damage control and salvage the situation. You still couldn't afford to get attached, or let them get attached to you.

One day you were going to go home- you were- and they did not deserve the heartbreak of another broken bond. And honestly, neither did you. It just wasn't worth it. It wouldn't be fair.

You needed to think.

Of course they would feel indebted to you after that little stunt you pulled. Legend had probably lost his shit and attached himself to Marin the moment he got over his inevitable break from reality (poor, traumatized bastard). The chain would have put two and two together and realized you'd done them a favor.

The tricky part would be convincing them it hadn't been intentional. You and Marin hadn't talked much, so it shouldn't be impossible.

But thinking was just so hard. You were so tired (soul crushingly exhausted), and the lies and half-truths you strung together unraveled like frayed rope in your mind. You could barely remember what you'd said to Marin.

You hoped the boys hadn't heard you in the portal. More than the loss of any viable reason to keep them at a distance, the embarrassment at your loss of control was too much to bear. You wouldn't be able to look any of them in the eyes.

'They're mine? Really?' You'd probably sounded like a lunatic, completely unhinged. The though was enough to pull heat to your face.

"What are you thinking so hard about?" A quiet voice asked from beside the bed, and your mind stuttered to a stop.

Vio had put the book down in his lap at some point and was staring at you with cool disinterest. At least, it seemed that way, but you doubted that was the case. He had a sharp glint in his blue-lavender eyes that spoke of questions beyond the spoken.

You realized, quite suddenly, that you were in no condition to go head to head with Four's most intelligent component. He'd rip you open and suck the information right out of your head if you tried engaging him in any way.

Silence it was then. It was the only defense you had, and if you were lucky it would seem like your normal behavior, just exasperated by your condition.

You turned your head towards the window, staring out at the sliver of green peeking through the curtains. You heard a sigh, then shifting.

A small (bird-boned) hand was on your face then, gently but firmly turning your head away from the window to meet blue-lavender eyes. You expected exasperation, frustration, anger even. You got none of those.

He was amused, and deeply empathetic, as he said. "I'll give you some advice, because you've done one of my brothers a great service." He smiled, a small private thing flickering like a secret between you two. "And I know I can trust you."

Your stomach dropped. They heard. They knew.

"Let it happen. You're fate is already sealed." He hummed then, impish glee starting to surface in his eyes, his tone. "Did you think Legend would just let you slip away after what you did? The man's a hoarder by trade, and that includes people."

You were just staring at him with wide eyes, stunned by this turn of events.

A smirk teased at his lips, eyes sly and glinting as he took his hand from your face and leaned his cheek onto a fist instead. Smug. "Don't look so shocked. You played a good game, I'll admit, but you never stood a chance. The others just needed a reason to drag you into the fold, and you handed it to them quite spectacularly."

'Why? How? You were so careful.'

"Wind." You breathed, befuddled thoughts spinning with the realization.

Vio was grinning now, bright and amused and so unspeakably proud of his youngest brother. "He's a smart boy. Maybe as smart as me, in his own way. He's always been better with people."

You couldn't help the spark of admiration that rose within you at the younger boy's cleverness. Even if it was at your own expense.

"It's not nice to tease people when they're feeling sick, Vio!" A sweet voice piped up, and when your head snapped over to face it you found Red's pouting glare boring into Vio from over your chest. "Don't be mean!"

"Red's right, Vio." Green spoke up, eyes still closed and you got the impression he'd been awake the whole time, listening. "It's not nice to tease others while they can't defend themselves."

You could feel the strength of Vio's eye roll above your head, but was thoroughly distracted by Red snuggling closer to your side. You glanced down at his crown of fine blonde hair spilling across your shoulder, his cheek pressing into your arm. He was so warm and sweet, delicate like a baby bird fluffed trustingly at your side.

You didn't have the heart to move away. Then Vio's words rung through your head once more and you realized it wouldn't have mattered.

They knew. They'd heard. And you were too tired and scatterbrained to wiggle your way out of the trap you'd run headfirst into.

"Hey?" Green said, peeking an eye open to meet your gaze as you turned back to him. "You claimed Four, but you never claimed us." He hummed, much like Vio and just as amused. A smug grin had crept onto his lips. "Blue's gonna be upset when he finds out, you know."

Your breath caught audibly against your will, your heart thudded painfully against your ribcage. A cold sweat broke out across your back.

Fast as a snake, Red reached over you and punched Green in the arm with a loud, painful sounding thrack. "Stop that! No games! They're still recovering!"

The colors continued to bicker around you, Red curled into your side, head on your shoulder, Green's arm flush against yours. Vio had his book in his hands again but was only half paying attention to it as he slid in a sly comment or two, never really taking either side.

You stopped paying attention after a while, just too tired to care. Care that you'd been caught wrong-footed. Care that you'd been backed into a corner. Care that there was well and truly no turning back now, no backing out.

So you did the only thing you could.

You closed your eyes, and drifted into warm, thoughtless slumber and let everything just slip away.

One last moment of peace before the storm to come.

---

I must return to the shadows to rest.

Midnight Impulses [Chain + Healer!Reader]

Keeping your abilities hidden is difficult when the object of your attention is so close.

It keeps growing. Will the trash heap never end?

Masterlist

TW: None.

Disclaimer: Don't own The Legend of Zelda franchise. Linked Universe is the fan creation of jojo56830.

---

You stare up at the night sky with a pinched expression, something ominously similar to a pout pulling at your lips. The blankets are pulled up to your nose, and above the soft rim your eyes glare squinty-eyed at the man laying beside you.

In the light of the pit fire, you can see the way his shoulders and back are tense with pain and fitful sleep. The shine of his hair taunts you where it highlights the delicate curve of his ear, the soft pink of a bang an elegant curve contrasting the harsh shadows of the fire light.

His bare skin. If only you could touch his skin without waking him, even just the tips of your fingers. But he's always been cagey, especially when he's in so much pain. He'd snap awake before you could even pull your hand from your covers, and then he'd be awake and suspicious all night. Just like every night before.

Your fingers grip into the inside of your bedroll, jaw clenching, resisting the temptation to rush him while he's vulnerable and force your healing magic into his aching joints and creaking, burning bones.

It wouldn't take long. If you could get your whole hand onto his face or maybe an arm, the deed could be done in less than a minute. He'd struggle, yes, but his gauntlets are off and you could keep him pinned for a few precious seconds after he manages to escape the confines of his covers.

Just one minute of struggle, and it'll be done. Sure, he'll hate you more than ever and will most certainly never trust you again. But his arthritis and damaged body (so damaged, laden with so many old, untreated wounds it makes your heart ache) will be gone.

He'll be free of them all. The pain, the weakness, the insecurities and the memories. He'll finally be able to put all those hurts behind him and just live, free of the burdens his path forced upon him. Free to look forward to a future not overshadowed by the slow, inevitable breaking of his body.

Free of a future that sees him stripped of mobility and restful night by the time he's 30. If he even lives that long, damaged as he's been by the cruel hand of destiny.

It would be worth it. Just one moment of struggle. One final twist and ache of his bones as he fights against your hands and arms and full body grip, and then he'll be released from the bondage of everlasting degeneration. The agony of a body sacrified for the greater good.

Just one-

No. The thought is irrational and unfair to the man in question. It would also reveal your hand to the Chain, and you had no intention of putting yourself in that situation.

You'd learned your lesson. Even the kindest and most honorable of men can be brought low by the promise of life. The guarantee of no more brothers lost to the slow hand of time, and the knowledge that tomorrow will find you and all you love there to greet it.

Life is so precious. Who wouldn't be tempted to keep it forever by your side.

You envied Hyrule. For his strength and his cunning. For no shackles shall ever find his wrists, no tether will ever bind his arms and legs. No force on this plain of existence will ever break his spirit.

You are nothing like him. Not a hero. Not a fairy borne. Not a beloved brother of the many powerful men who came before him.

You are just yourself. Someone who got unlucky with their blessings.

You envied him, for your healing is nothing like his. It is slow and bone deep, poorly suited to the riggers of field wounds but inevitable in its power nonetheless.

In this world of fairies and potions and the blessing of Goddesses, the hand of death will not come in the blaze of battle. No. It will creep slow and steady into the very marrow of your bones. It will start with aches so deep no fairy light can reach them, with a cough so thin no potion can grasp it.

For many, death will not be by the sword, but by the bone deep memory of what it left behind.

If you could still the hand of fate, wouldn't you? Wouldn't they, whom fate has chosen so readily? Even if it cost just a sliver of thier humanity?

You never intended to find out if these men had it in them to pay that price. No need to tempt fate. Not with men like these, who live and die by such sacrifices.

The ear twitches in his sleep and so do your fingers, the shine of his ruffled hair like a siren's call to your eyes.

You suck in a sharp breath. The temptation flaring once more within you, pushing you forward like strong wind at your back. Calling you like the promise of cool water under the desert sun. Like the shelter of home as a thundering storm shakes the land.

It twitches again. The shine of hair.

'Fuck.'

---

"He's messing with them again." Twilight grumbled, arms crossed as he levels his most unimpressed stare at the Vet's back.

Time chuckled, stretching along the log at his back and savoring the smooth roll of muscles and bones unhindered by pain or aches. He couldn't wait to bring you home to Malon and let you work your magic. His beloved wife had even planned out their sleeping arrangements to encourage your helpful nature.

"If Legend wants to drag this out, let him be. He's the only one suffering from it." He smiled then, more of a grin than anything. "And it's cute." The older man admitted impishly, leaning fully back against the log he'd been stretching over in a boneless sprawl.

Twilight wanted to say something back, but honestly couldn't deny any of it. Especially not when Legend rolled over and let his hand fall just inches from your bedroll. And your eyes widened and then narrowed, your mouth twisting into an obvious pout. How you whipped your back to him with a growl, hiding your face in the covers. Only to peek over your shoulder moments later to glare at the motionless hand with a single, leering eye.

Not when Warriors was hiding his face in Wind's sea-salt hair, trying to cover his amused grin and single cracked eye. Not with Wind's shoulders shaking with mirth, just barely hidden beneath Warrior's greater size.

Not with Hyrule smothering his laughter with both hands, back turned purposely to you so you wouldn't see. Not with Sky out like a light, breathing free and soft and unrestrained for the first time since they'd been forced onto this quest.

And not when Time looks so relaxed, spine arched freely like a man who'd not known the burden of the world pressing down on his shoulders. The effortless roll of his muscles a stark contrast to the painful twists of naught a week before.

"Fine." He eventually conceded, narrowing his eyes. "But if this keeps up for more than a week, game's over. They've not slept well in the last 3 days."

Time nodded, eye closing as he began to drift into a light, mediative doze. "Of course. We wouldn't want our shyest member to lose too much sleep over our brother's aches, now would we."

The heavily ringed finger twitched when you rolled back over to face Legend's back and began hesitantly reaching for it. You squawked at the unexpected movement and jerked back, hands flying to your mouth when you realized what you'd done.

Legend opened his eyes then, feigning sleepiness as he snapped. "What are you looking at, hah?"

You glared back. "Nothing!" Before turning your back to him once more and crossing your arms with an even deeper pout. Hunkering down in your covers.

Vet huffed, though an amused grin stole across his face the moment you looked away. "Weirdo." He snapped in a falsly waspish tone, his grin growing when you growled lowly under you breath.

Twilight looked at Time again. Frowning.

"Tomorrow. I'll talk to him." Time hummed in assurance, though he didn't bother to open his eye.

Twilight sighed again, and Time chuckled.

Near the fire, the shifting of covers, the reveal of a bare neck and another quiet gasp. The smothered giggles of Hyrule laying closest to them. The whisper of Warrior's trying to keep Wind from blowing their cover. Four returning from his watch, multi-colored eyes already rolling skyward with exasperation at the now very familiar sight.

'Yeah.' Twilight thought. 'You and me both.'

---

Return to the shadows.

Plis help me to find this fic 😭💔

From what I remember it was about Reader being transported to Hyrule, that's where the heroes of almost all the games are found.

At first she thinks she was kidnapped by them but in the end this misunderstanding is cleared up.

Time passes and one of them ends up remembering her (since he recognizes the reader as his guide during his adventure/game)

I vaguely remember that Ravio also appears at a certain point and refers to the reader as a fairy (I hope that detail helps in something)

Most Lu Time Fans/Enjoyers 🤝 Circe and Calypso from Greek Mythology/The Odyssey

Being very thirsty for older, married men/heroes. Albeit each with very different approaches to it.

Malon 🤝 Penelope

Very capable women who could probably kill a man for their husbands if needed be and who are very ready to support them and believe in them unconditionally.

Time 🤝 Odysseus

Older men and war veterans who had Been Through It and Seen Things, have been screwed over by the Gods Several Times to the Point They Could and Would Fight Them and Win but have better things to use their time on, like making it back home after a longer than expected journey and love their wives (or spouse/spouses if you're an X reader person or ship him with someone else) very, very much, and are fully willing to throw hands on their accounts. Also something of gremlins and canonical little shits even if no one will believe you if you try saying it. Main difference is that one successfully acquired a found family while the other had to kill a small child that could have been part of the arguable found family if not for the Gods who mostly screwed him over in the process to secure his wife and son's safety.

I will not elaborate.

Linktober Shadow, Day 1

Gibdo

Linked Universe Time x Reader

(Can be seen as both Romantic and Platonic)

TW: Graphic Descriptions of Gore and Rot, as well as nightmares, and a bit of Whump(?) please do not read if you're highly squeamish, even if it's not long just to be safe. As this deals with dark times as is usual to Majora's Mask, may also be read outside of a Linked Universe context.

*walks on in to Dark Linktober and Linktober both with sleep deprivation, coffee and kind of late, drops this, refuses to elaborate* Kind of self indulgent but I hope whoever finds this enjoys, it's spooky season and I am taking full opportunity to go ham XD

The beast a few feet away of you was foul, with it's thin, leathery flesh barely clinging to it's bone hollow cheeks, the sickly sweet scent of rot and decay mixing with that of old, burnt flesh, barely hidden by once white, now sullied and dirty cloth in a failed attempt at appearing harmless as it slowly decayed, it's sallow, sunken yellow eyes scan the abandoned graveyard and you stay very, very still where you've sank behind the side of the Music Box House, heart like a deer's facing down a Lynel as you heard it's long, unnatural fingers drag across the stone, the click, click, click of it's nails against stone and it's tortured moans in it's everlasting, tormented hunt sending chills down your spine.

It is nowhere near the dawn of a new day and sunlight barely reached Ikana Canyon, and you had no desire to become one of the many ivory and yellowed bones of the dead in this wretched, horrible place of tragedy.

You trade a look with Link from across your hiding place, eyes stopping on his arm before forcing yourself to snap to his sapphire and iron gilded gaze again, he had to get to Pamela's Father, but this run had unexpectedly gone south from you both getting attacked midway to the canyon and him hurting his sword arm attempting to sneak past the Gibdo's. The strangled, bitten off scream that left his throat as one of the beast sank it's rotten, cracks teeth into his flesh hard enough to almost crack bone so very horrific you didn't think twice before shooting it with a flame blessed arrow and dragging him away, teeth bared in defiance, but it's disguise of sickly and wounded falling away with it's pained, furious howl to reveal a Redead had attracted more of them to your location with it's inhuman, obsidian and blood rust coated fury of necromancy cursed beasts, forcing you both to hide as you didn't have anymore fairies and potions from slaying the third of Majora's twisted, reality poisoning generals.

This was meant to be a scouting quest before a reset darn it, how had it gone so wrong so quickly?

(How much more would it take? Which one would lead to the road where your dearest friend, the people of Termina and yourself didn't burn over the unknowable, cruel whims of cursed divinity? How much more must Link bleed, give and slowly kill himself for?-)

The walking corpse groans, it's too close to his location and there are two to your other left that could rush any of you at any second, he's the one with the Ocarina and you refuse to let him try using one of those masks while wounded, you saw how he screeched like someone slowly pulling the flesh from his bones one too many times to tolerate. You twitch just as he does, but you move faster, bow already draw and with three arrows knocked, your arms straining against the taught strings.

You may not have any more flame blessed arrows, but you knew how to make fiery ones that would be just enough for the situation at hand.

Link sends you a steely glare caught between betrayal and understanding as he nods, gritting his teeth as he mouths to you a simple, pleading resquest:

'Do not die.'

"MOVE!" You snarl, as you let your arrows fly, one of them hits the Gibdo near him right in the eye and the fire catches as if it's been doused in oil and it screams writhing and squirming with pain as it tries to shrug it's cloth away. The sound between once human and abominable loud enough you swear you feel something warm dripping from your ears but have no time to check as the other two, handcrafted fire arrows cripple it's leg and one of it's arms that were creeping around your mask wielding friend's hiding spot as he books it as fast as his legs will carry him with the Bunny Hood, you whirl around, shooting the one's right around your corner with one arrow each and prepare to cover his back.

You don't look behind yourself as you hear the house's door slam shut and Tatl's cut off call of your name, instead focusing on drawing the profane beast's attention away from it, knowing they are eager to see your insides decorate the Ikana grounds to join their once living brethren, to attempt to bite down around your ribs and quaff down your lukewarm blood with vesania inked glee and maddened grieving elation as you struggle against the petrifying glare with animal franticness and all the defiance your humanity gave you as one of them holds you down and it HURTSTEARSROTSANDYOUCANNOTMOVE-

"---(Name)!"

You shoot up from your bedroll, dagger in hand, barely scraping the throat of whoever had your shoulders in a firm, but reassuring grip, breathing hard as the brief burst of adrenaline leaves your body as it comes face to face with aquamarine, phosphophylite and cinnabar marks around a beautifully night sky blue gaze with all the intensity of a wolf caring for it's pack. Your grip on the pristine blade you've taken to carrying slackening even as he already moved away with practiced ease, the same way you would when he'd lash out when you wakened him from night terrors to avoid getting your head lopped off, even knowing instinctively you'd never hurt one another.

Time.

Safe, alive, free if highly traumatized Time.

... Then again, you can't judge.

He scans you with one eye, quiet concern and understanding as he slowly moves to tuck some hair behind your ear in a low tone, dimly you note the faint squeeze to your pulse, reassuring you both as you drop your dagger to the side, much preferring to take his calloused hand in yours instead than cold, unfeeling steel, "Nightmare?"

You take a moment, breathing, drinking him in turn, and the fact that you had both left the worst of Termina behind as you do your best to cut down the lingering memories away, a brittle smile comes to your lips as you scan the camp as you squeeze his hand back, "Mhm, same old, sorry. Did I wake anyone up?"

"No, I got to you before you could. You looked troubled and I couldn't have that." he shakes his head, gently he presses a kiss to the back of your hand. "You've no need to apologize."

He'd have done the same, has done the same but your positions were reversed, you have the same nightmares after all.

You smile, his devotion as always cutting through the night terrors than any blade or arrow, a welcome bit of reinforcements that you knew would never fail, you gently lift a hand to caress his cheek, just to reassure yourself that he is real, touching your foreheads together, "Thank you."

He closes his eyes, the soft rumble of his voice like the wind over leaves fully taking your worries away as surely as the tides in his eyes took the love you dared not voice aloud each passing day, "Always."

You both take a moment to stay like that, silent as you steady yourselves, still in disbelief you were both still here, before he gently places a hand atop yours, giving it a light squeeze, "Walk with me? I don't believe any of us will be able to get anymore sleep tonight."

Your smile, mischievous glee dyeing it as you kiss his free cheek, echoing his words back at him, "Always. Must you ask?"

He gives you a flat look, and you can't help but laugh. Gently he pulls you to your feet and, just to be a menace that you and Warriors knew he never ceased to be, rather than let you actually walk with him as he requested, he sweeps you from your feet and into a princess carry, making you have to bite down an outraged shriek and cackle as you ineffectively smack one of his shoulders with hissed, half hearted protests lest you both wake the entire camp. Affronted but amused as you catch the glimpse of a smirk, heart warm as you catch the slight shaking of his chest as he silently laughs too.

(If Wolfie sends you both an unimpressed look, having jerked awake from the sudden movement when you both return to camp, taking leaves and twigs from one another's hair from a 'daring' escape you've made that involved almost knocking you and Time both into a river, well, you'll just make it up to Twilight later in the morning and you're sure Time will help with Epona as well.)

It matters not that the pale moon attempted to remind you of the undead's eyes, and of the many horrors you've faced in that long distant journey that still had the tips of their claws in your souls, when you knew he'd keep you safe. And that you'd do your best to protect him now as you did back then.

Linktober, Day 1

Merchant

*walks on in, drops this, mock salutes, refuses to elaborate* Shorter one this time because Ravio is a delight but also incredibly difficult to write for me and because sadly I've been too busy latelro fully figure him out. I apologize to all my fellow Ravio lovers out there, ALBW's was my third game and I really have a soft spot for him and Legend as a result. Maybe next year I'll write something longer or him or a stand alone.

Can be read as both pre romantic or platonic on either end, as well as non LU whatever floats y'all's boat I'm just here due to self indulgence and the LoZ/LU fixation hitting full force lol.

Meeting Ravio was always a bewildering delight.

Coming to Legend's Hyrule and watching his house being converted into a shop each and every time was always a great source of amusement to you and the Chain, the Lorulean always made sure to almost knock the Veteran to the ground with a rabbit worthy tackle with a delighted call of 'Mr.Hero! I'd recognize that annoyed lilt coming up the path anywhere!', hopping along the road as soon as you crossed the orchard boundaries to witness whatever glorious change he made to the house's exterior advertisement campaing (much to Legend's horrified ire), then turn to the Chain with a gleam in his verdant eyes that seemed to scream 'BUSINESS!' with the sound of clinking Rupees for added comical effect, shrewd and always looking for an opportunity to sell, rent or buy for expand his own business reach.

The clear soft spot Legend had for him was equally in half parts comical and sweet, it was in the way how he seemed to soften the feral fox sharp bite of his acerbic bladed tongue. How he let Ravio handle the cooking as soon as you had been welcomed into the house (although given the lack of cooking skills among many members of the Chain, maybe that was for the best), how he relaxed just a bit around the merchant being at his back or leaning against him in all sorts of ways even as he snapped against allowing Ravio to sell anything to you all in the Chain (for good reason, you saw Ravio's prices and had no desire to sell an arm or a leg for any of his goods) and how Ravio knew just how he liked his apple and cinnamon tea and how he knew Ravio was delighted by the existence of latte's once you reached Legend how to make them with Wild.

It was interesting to watch to say the least, specially given how Ravio behaved around anyone else, light footed, always watching and a bit skittish, always ready to run and take his goods with him if needed be. A survivor through and through and given your similar situations, you could respect that though you sadly weren't close, you heard bits and pieces from Legend when he felt generous or reminiscing or complaining about how Lorule was like, so to be able to make a living as a merchant there and stand up to it's queen was quite admirable, specially for a self proclaimed coward though you sadly couldn't interact much in account to the world hopping (no you're not bitter Dark Link or Hylia or whoever is up to controlling the portals you just want to talk, preferably with your fists or trusty dagger).

Which was why when the merchant approached you one fine afternoon in the orchard where you were picking apples for breakfast (determined to help this time before either Ravio or Wild could get to the kitchen), chatty as always and with the patented business smile on his face you couldn't help but be half baffled half unsurprised as you can hear Legend's previous warnings your head, as this really was inevitable.

"Look, Rav can be a bit much and a bit weird, and sure you may want to smack him over the ears for always sniffing for the opportunity to make rupees like a Like Like on the prowl. But he means well and is a really nice lad, just- tell him a firm no if he tries to sell or rent you anything alright?"

"Oh hello there!~ Fancy meeting you here, isn't it?" His voice skittered up on you as he slipped to your side, steps quick and light, Sherrow thrilled at you from between the ears of his hood, coy as a rabbit trying to pass unnoticed in the woods, assessing and prodding.

You couldn't help a small quirk of an eyebrow, reaching up for one of the bright red apples closest to you, "We've been here for at least a week now Ravio, if anything it's a miracle we're only talking now given we see each other every day."

He nodded, long sleeved hands waving around as he spoke, you think you can catch a hint of a smile on his voice, less business like, "Indeed! Didn't expect Mr.Hero to pick up anymore strays, although I did believe he was complaining less coming up the path so that should have been my first warning." He extends his hands towards the basket, head tilted, making Sherrow move to his shoulder with a little chirp, "Need some help with that?"

"That depends, will you charge me for it if I say yes?", you rib back, lips quirking a bit at the affronted gasp and mock swoon from the Lorulean.

"Why! I would never, you're a guest of Mr.Hero's, it would be bad manners to charge you on your first week here." Sherrow nodded along with a little thrill, and you almost fully believed him, almost. He sounded too innocent.

"I'll keep it in mind for next time then." You chirped back, cheerfully as you dropped an apple by him, the merchant laughed, picking up the basket anyway and letting the apple fall inside.

"Oh I like you, it's no wonder Mr.Hero sounds less grumpy when talking about you." He nodded to himself, not fully relaxed, but more loose now at whatever discovery he'd made, you tilted your head with a blink, "I feel like this will be the start of a wonderful friendship!"

You smile back, amused despite yourself, "I'm afraid I'll have to charge you for the honor."

He laughed, shoulders shaking as he accepts more of your dropped apples, "Honestly that's clever, I should have thought of that when meeting Mr.Hero the first time! 'Ravio's Friendship Services for Rent, Advice Free of charge!' Think that would attract a good clientele?" You can swear he winked beneath the hood. Cheeky.

You couldn't help but laugh with him, you know, Legend was right, Ravio was really nice.

He eventually sobered up, tone soft, "I mean it though, Mr.Hero talks well about you." He shrugs a bit, distinctly sheepish and serious, a paradoxical mix but in a way, it fit, "Well, don't tell him I told you that, I think we both know he'd agree to nothing, but I'm glad he has someone looking out for him you know? I know I couldn't do half of the stuff he does, just help from the sidelines, so thank you, for looking out for him."

You blink, softening a bit, you can't see his face beneath the blue eyes of the hood, but you don't need to. In the end, you both care about Legend, so it makes sense he'd want to get a feel for you himself, "Of course, and that's not true, you know? Legend is... definitely a hard nut to crack, but to say he doesn't care about you and what you did for him would be a lie. So if anything, thank you." You smile, a bit helplessly, "I just do what I can, but I wouldn't be able to do if not for you looking out for him first."

He pauses, stilling, too still and a contrast from the way he was so jittery before, but then nods firmly, something like relief coloring his voice as well as pleasant surprise, the chirper tone making it's reappearance aftef a second, "Of course, I'm his most reliable salesman of course! I need to look out for my best and favorite customer!", he clears his throat, is that a hint of crimson on his cheeks? You can't tell beneath the scarf, though you can recognize the immediate conniving tone to his voice, "So... Mr.Hero talks well about me, huh?"

Ah yes, the need for blackmail material. Somehow you're not surprised.

... To be fair, you're curious yourself too. "Help me with making fruit tarts for breakfast and I might consider a mutually beneficial exchange of information."

His grin widened, almost knife sharp, "Only if you help me organize the merchandise at the shop after! We have much to talk about I believe."

You are so glad you passed whatever unseen test he was putting you through. You offer him a hand, "Deal."

You shake on it, understanding being conveyed without words.

Legend was dear to you both, so you'd both work together to look after him.

(Much, much later, after waking up from the first goodnight of sleep he had in a while, Legend will find you both in his kitchen, Ravio chattering enthusiastically as you both enjoy your hard work on the tarts over hibiscus tea, discussing the history of his many, many items and Ravio's goods and be simultaneously filled with warmth he'd take to his grave and feel a chill go up his spine. As if he's made a mistake somehow.

Ah well, it will probably be the best among his many other mistakes.)

Linktober Day 2

Temple

Shorter one this time since this almost didn't get written today through a combination of people not allowing me to save the original drabble that was already finished. *Laments*

The contrast between Wilde’s Hyrule was always something of a surprise.

The land felt untamed and overgrown, life stubbornly clinging to every crack and crevice of the stones beneath and your feet, impossibly old and free even in a place like this.

There was much lost the unforgiving flow of time and the cyclical, sisyphean wheel of fate, which was why you couldn’t stop the sharp inhale that escaped you as you recognized the pattern along the old, weathered bricks, even among the ability of many aspects of Hyrule to stand immortalized over the course of much ruin, Wild tilted his head, “Do you recognize this place?”

You laughed, breathy with shock as you gently ran your fingers along the vines, Wild’s grin softening with fondness at your excitement, “This is from Sky’s Era! Remember the Sealed Temple?”

Sky shared your bewilderment, as he recognized the plants running along the groves of the old, almost fully weathered down stone, “How did this survive up until now?”

The Champion shrugged, “The same way the Temple of Time always does I suppose?”

“That doesn’t count,” cut in Twilight, shaking his head with an amused glint in his eye, “Pretty sure yours is in better shape than mine or Warriors’ combined.”

Gently, you paused over the old, discolored remains of the crystal Sun had sealed herself in. Thoughtfully allowing the comfortable bickering of your boys to wash over you like the rain outside, privately wondering what else could have survived.

Linktober Shadow Day 3

Twilight

Definitely self indulgent, just a small thing I managed to throw together after a sleep deprivation filled day.

My Twilight Princess lover side definitely comes out on this one, as well as some vague headcanons in a short drabble, as always can be read as platonic or romantic.

There was something special, you think, about the way autumn came in a howling moonson of glory into the Era of Twilight, heralding the coming of the temperate strokes over the woods in flowering tones of russet, bronze, maple and amethyst in gilding gold over the evergreen of Hyrule’s eternity in warmth even as the weather turned ever colder, the late afternoon sunset fleeting in it’s mercurial transition into the hour of twilight, only matched in honor to the abandoned forests of the Era of Sky, the enduring wealds of the Era of time and the untamed thickets of the Era of Wilds. Oh so contrasting to it’s hero but no less lovely for it was a perfect balance, when you first met Twilight (or well, got properly acquainted, really, but that’s a story for another day), it was clear he was no less captivating than his homeland, as steady as the oaks and pines stretching towards the heavens and with the kindness of it’s people, was it any wonder then, that you found it easy to love the man with the loyalty and eyes of wolf to match the divine beast in his soul?

So it was why through a long, long period of trying to make the true extent of your feelings as unseen as a dream after waking hours and trying to hide just how enamored you had slowly become, that you became well acquainted with the tells that showed something weighted on his mind as you left Ordon’s Spring after washing Epona for the long road ahead tomorrow. The way his head hang just a little, ears lowering to match the way Wolfie’s would when he gently nudged one of the members of the Chain into holding him after a nightmare as his walls attempt to come back up, as solemn as a wolf in mourning.

Ever so responsible, ever steady. Trying to take the world onto his shoulders as any hero would.

He should have know it wouldn’t work on you, not after all you’ve been through.

“Rupee for your thoughts?” Your tone gently broke through the stillness of the stream as you fed Epona an apple, Twilight’s ears twitch as he turns towards you, softening as he notes the way the twilit enchanted sunlight lingered upon your visage in a most ephemeral way, shadows holding affectionately and brightening the stars of your eyes and the liminal nature of this moment and how Epona neighs, gently nudging the side of your hand for more rubs or maybe apples he knew you loved sneaking to her when he wasn’t looking, making your airy, fae like laughter free to be taken by the breeze.

“Reminiscing, is all.” He answer you, tone a low rumbling of the fall winds and like handling mirror shards into something new and beautiful as he privately holds onto the memory of your smile, holding it with claws and teeth for he can never quite be sure for how long he’ll have it, “It feels like a lifetime ago since...”

Since the start of his journey, since the beginning of his new one in the throes of attempting to settle in Ordon to lick his wounds after the lingering shaded reality of another realm settled into the crevices of his soul and marrow after grabbing the neck of the beast inside his being and biting down onto the hackles had left the injury open to bleed again.

Since losing Midna shattered his heart and killed him all at once, leaving him to live a life of haunting his own existence until you looked at him, all of him, and guided him back to life. Picking the shards of his heart and slowly putting them back together with the care of someone he’d seen mourn for an unfortunate nightingale on the road even as you cut yourself when he attempted to push you away.

You nod, gently resting your head on his shoulder, your gaze flicking to the Shadow Crystal, you don’t press about Midna and Twilight feels so, so warm, breathing out, you were both working on it, slowly but surely. Midna may not be dead, but he knew her absence left you haunted too, “Does it still hurt?” The twisting of reality upon his form, drawing from a well of ambition from long gone spirits who’d attempted to grab at the Goddesses throat, and the way the darkness so fiercely claimed any part of his he could touch. Making both of your shadows darker as the veil between worlds thinned, refusing to allow anything else to attempt a claim.

He shakes his head, gently putting his chin atop yours, “No, not anymore.”

You hum, gently nudging his chin in a sweet, adoring nuzzle, “I’m glad, then.”

You both remain on the spring until night falls, basking into one another’s presence and soaking into the timeless moment of learning to love one another as you can.

Twilight silently wishes that, just this once, he’s allowed to keep this the same way the Twilight Realm still keeps the old him.

Linktober Day 3

Friend

Short drabble once again because my notebook has decided to give up the good fight but my phone isn't down for the count yet.

Showcasing how I'm not over the fact that Fi and Shadow Link (specially the Four Swords Manga iteration) are technically the One constant all of the Links all but share and how people don't talk about it enough. And also my way to cope over rereading the Four Swords Adventures Manga again and my denial over Shadow being gone.

In the late hours of the night, you liked to talk to Fi and Shadow.

You weren’t sure if they could listen, not really, Sky said she fell asleep after his journey and First confirmed it soon after he joined the Chain, with the most heartbreakingly saddest smile, not quite grieving, but not quite ready to let go as -out of perhaps Legend- they were the ones who handled it with the most care. An echo and reflection of the way Four couldn’t quite look at mirrors without the rainbow in his eyes becoming more visible, almost gray in the shared grief in his mind and would say naught when questioned about it, choosing to deflect rather than clarify.

‘An eternal dream.’ was how vaguely how it had been described should anyone ask, ‘Not death in a way that matters, but... Close, almost enough to count.’

So over time, as you remained awake for your shifts once you’ve grow closer to the Chain, once you proved yourself as someone who could keep up and stand their ground, and a friend and a confidant over many, many sleepless nights and laughter and adversity, you couldn’t help but want to include them too as the rest of the Chain went to sleep and your watch time came. Usually masking it as telling stories or singing to either Wolfie or Epona.

You knew First knew, you were absolutely sure Sky was aware as the one who held the Sword that Seals Darkness the most, and that Four was onto you whenever you leaned somewhere nearby where his shade was cast.

Given as none of them called you out on it, you didn’t see any reason to stop.

(You couldn’t hear Fi the way they could, couldn’t tell the subtle shifts in the shadows under warm firelight the way Four had grown used to as Vio, but some times, you swore you could listen to an accompanying chime in duet, or catch the glimpse of the mirage of a smile

It wasn’t much, but it was enough.)

Linktober Shadow, Day 4

Lost

I feel like we really need to talk more about how the Lost Woods are a concept as beautiful as it is terrifying actually.

Wild/BOTW/TOTK Link fans, this one's for you and brought by my severe sleep deprivation, enough caffeine to kill a grown woman with less spite and my medieval literature/narrative/poetry teacher who motivated me through the entire creative process via helping me throw ideas at the wall even as all of the essays I gotta turn in are going to make me late in posting Sage. *laughs hysterically, immediately collapses*

As always can be read as romantic or platonic, and it's up to interpretation what's going down on this one. And can also be read in or outside of an LU context, I'm leaving it vague both on purpose and because of sleep deprivation lol.

Of all places you could say you most intimately did not wish to be alone after being separated from the Chain, the Lost Woods of literally any era but specially Wild’s would definitely be on your top three at a pristine number one.

Really, if you weren’t currently being stalked through the darkened, shadowed weald of the once welcoming evergreen home of both the Minish and Kokiri, whom you knew could be much, much more beautiful lovely (it did aid in raising a good chunk of your beloved heroes, after all) and with your heart working with all the urgency of a wounded deer being chased by a wolf. You’d almost commend it for it’s choice in setting this time.

Keyword being almost, for it compared naught to the sheer and utter terror that burned through your every sinew, marrow and veins at the accuracy of that statement, and the implication that your nebulous and hauntingly familiar current hunter grew ever more clever each passing second of your adventure.

You ran, ran and ran through the living woods, trying desperately to find any possible landmark, an oddly shaped tree, one of the torches or the remain of the skeletons from the old, ruined iterations of the Temple of Time from long bygone eras that the forest had reclaimed, or the hint of the breeze soft whispers from the echoes of the Kokiri or the elated branch rattle giggling laughter of the Skull Children. At this point you’d take even the the mad, beast like howling of the Stalfos or the tortured wailing of Poes, somewhere between vesania tainted laughter and the primal, feral pleading for one’s survival that shook you to the marrow.

There was no such symphony now, the woods as silent as a grave.

(The hauting ground of so, so many that it did not love or could not hold onto anymore, whispered a corner of your mind, and it sounded like the Shadow, with it’s ominous phlegmatic hissing, twisted amusement and sadistic brutality all in one.)

Your arm had long gone numb, broken under the impossible force held by the beast of sulfur and obsidian that the world itself rebelled against warring at it’s very existence as it roared it’s wrath back at it, the Goddesses, Hylia and Demise and your heroes and princesses caught in the middle of divine design, your legs giving out under the weight of your exhaustion, you tasted copper from the wound on your head dripping down your lips but that did not stop you. Would not stop you, couldn’t stop you.

You grit your teeth so hard against the shout that wanted to tear it’s way out of your throat as you barely kept yourself from hitting your head, diverting your momentum against an old, lonely tree. Your blood sinking into the wood, good, better it than Dark Link.

You were tired, you were exhausted, you swore you could hear a growl among the melancholy of the mist. You hoped the shade did not manage to track you down as you made sure not to leave a trail of blood, but something tells you that it wouldn’t need it to track you even with the faint moonlight barely giving enough aid in your own quest to find it before it found you with your only, laughable weapon being an old arrow you’ve pilfered from a long decomposed corpse almost falling from your white knuckled grip.

You didn’t want to die, you needed to survive.

You though of the Chain, your lovely, chaotic, kind boys, of Sky’s ever ecompassing kindness and Four’s brilliant cleverness, Time’s quiet comfort and Legend’s fierce hidden gentleness and Wind’s trailblazing joy, Hyrule’s tender sweetness and Warrior’s warm protectiveness and Wild’s beautiful adoration for life.

You missed them, and it was likely you wouldn’t see them again, that more than anything hurt more than all of your wounds combined.

You try to push yourself up, to move, to live, to keep moving forward, caring not for the stillness of the glade. Barely noticing the sudden silence as you almost pitched forward once again, stumbling onto the earth as your grip onto your makeshift weapon finally gave out-

Only for a pair of arms to catch you, steady, magnolias and rosemary, petrichor from untamed, ancient Hyrule. A bright Sheikah cerulean tunic and a navy cloak falling over darkned boots.

You freeze, hands twitching, it couldn’t be an illusion. You’ve seen plenty in the corner of your eye as you traversed through the woods, attempting to lead you astray. None of them were solid, many of them weren’t quite as cold as this, whoever was holding you.

But it couldn't be real either, it shouldn't.

“Link...?”, came your tired rasp, you felt as if you’ve swallowed sand (briefly, you wondered if the taste of flowers on the back of your tongue mixing with the copper of the liquid of life in your veins was the reason. Then resolved yourself not to think about it), your traitorous body succumbing to exhaustion as the stranger gently held you up (friend, friend, but it couldn’t be, Wild tried to hold onto you, the memory of his desperation scorching under your eyelids like a brand and his howl of denial mixed with self loathing would haunt your for days to come, maybe months, he was far away and hopefully safe, it couldn’t be him).

The figure merely steadied you against themselves, silent as they swung you into their arms, you briefly struggled. It was instinct to put up a fight, to push against the liminal illusion cruelly meant to haunt your possible last moments as another soon to be lost souls chest, or heck for all you knew it could be the Shadow, dragging it out, playing with your torment as it gave you scraps of hope before taking it away. The figure paused, only to gently readjust you -painfully careful as the memory of the gentleness belonging to your Champion but oh so wrong made your heart ache-, the figure lowly speaking, their tone the emerald eternity of the kingdom’s fields and like setting stitches against your wounded self, like the soothing nature of early autumn rain. Almost a whisper, cracked like the wind through the leaves.

“... Rest. You’ll be alright.”

You wanted to protest, wanted to claw and fight and bite his throat off just in case even if you weren’t sure it would take, as with your head in the crook of his hood you couldn’t hear a heartbeat, but your exhaustion won out in the end. Held in the warmth of the sun over Faron Woods with the glimpse of fierce cerulean blue, the gaze of a reynard whom a part of you knew wouldn’t give you up without a fight and safer than you felt since getting pounced through that cursed portal.

When you next came to, it was to Wild’s frantic worry at the edges of camp, his hair like a frazzled shroud as he dropped everything in hand of his watch to check on your now wrapped wounds. Hugging you tight as you held him just as close back.

This time, you found a heartbeat, and you could almost weep with relief, and in the darkness of the woods a shrouded shade smiled.

Returning to the mist unseen and unheard. But content you were home.