Work Text:
Legend was having a bad day. It had begun with a portal materialising by their camp at their break of dawn. Things had gone wrong when they’d been immediately greeted with monsters on the other side - and Legend, along with Wild and Twilight, had been separated from the others during the skirmish. To make things worse, they encountered more monsters while trying to regroup, and since they were already tired, Twilight ended up paying the price of a large and nasty gash on his arm.
Okay, Twilight was objectively having a worse day than Legend. But he would be alright, especially considering how Wild had tended to him mid-battle, trusting Legend to deal with the remaining monsters. (Which he did, thank you.) But there was a problem: Wild couldn’t really do much for Twilight without his slate, which he had dropped mid-battle in his haste to reach the rancher. It lay by Legend’s feet now, and he looked at it hesitantly, throwing a glance towards Wild. Wild, who was currently occupied propping up Twilight and making sure he wasn’t losing too much blood. Legend asked a silent question.
Wild nodded. “In my slate! I have red potions.”
Legend blinked, before picking it up. Wild was usually so protective over his slate, Legend had never thought he’d actually ever get a close look at it. But Twilight needed a potion, and to give him one, Legend would have to figure out how to navigate the slate’s weird technology.
The screen showed a display of various trinkets, acorns and monster guts stored right next to each other. Legend frowned and tentatively flicked his finger right across the screen. Aha! That actually worked. Soon he was on a page full of cooked meals, and right in the bottom corner, was a small picture of a red potion.
Legend looked up at Wild. “What do I do? Just tap it?”
Wild nodded. “Yeah. It’ll materialise.”
“Okay,” Legend placed his fingertip against the screen, unsure of how long to hold it there for, until he heard a strange thwoop noise, and the red potion had appeared in Wild’s free hand.
“Wait, how come it materialised in your hand?” Legend asked.
Wild shrugged. “I dunno. I guess the slate knows I’m the one who needs it?”
Wild was fucking lying. There was no way this thing wasn’t magic.
Legend looked on as Wild helped Twilight drink the potion, Twilight’s face scrunching in disgust, even as some of the colour returned to his cheeks. Legend sympathised. He hoped one day in the future potions that actually tasted nice would be invented.
He glanced down at the slate, intending to give it back to Wild, but then he noticed it had somehow shifted to an entirely different menu. When did that happen? Legend didn’t know, wasn’t quite sure if he would ever understand this strange object, and was perfectly content to just move on. Until he realised exactly what he was looking at in the new menu.
It was Wild’s various pieces of clothing. There were thick, bulky sets of armour, warm coats to conserve heat, and even that women’s clothing set the group had teased him about a few weeks prior.
But there was one thing that stood out about all the clothing. “Hey, champion,” Legend called out, “why are all your clothes pink?”
Wild froze, and Legend felt a pang of sympathy. Their group loved to tease, and while Legend was at least 70% responsible for that, he still remembered the horrors of walking back to camp with his pink hair after The Rabbit Incident. And besides, he was more curious than anything right now.
“There’s a dye shop in Hateno Village,” Wild said, as Twilight looked at him with a knowing smirk.
“That’s not an explanation.” Legend replied.
“I have a lot of rock salt? It makes pink dye!”
“You’re telling me,” Legend continued, “that during your adventure, you went out of your way to visit a dye shop, to get all your clothes dyed pink?”
Wild ducked his head. “...Yes.”
“Genuinely, why?”
“I thought you of all people would understand,” Wild said with a huff, gesturing vaguely at Legend’s hair, which was thankfully back to normal nowadays. Well, as normal as it could be. Twilight’s smirk only grew as Legend made his way over to sit next to the pair of them. That was worrying. Twilight was quite possibly the worst person for him and Wild to be having this conversation around. He seemed to know Wild’s reason for dyeing all his clothes pink, and he knew all the fun details of Legend’s own relationship with the colour. Legend did not want Wild to be privy to those details too, and judging by the way Wild was dancing around the current topic, he was trying to avoid Legend finding out his own secrets.
Legend fixed Twilight with a glare as he turned to Wild. “I didn’t choose to voluntarily dip my hair in pink dye, if that’s what you’re asking. And quite frankly, I don’t understand why you’d do it for your clothes. How did you survive as Hero of the Wild looking like a giant marshmallow?”
Wild snorted. “You think I can’t be stealthy while dressed in pink?”
“Well, I’m not trying to doubt you, I’m just saying,” Legend replied, before deeply sighing. “Look. Just this once, I’ll drop it if you want me to. I’m just baffled, honestly.” While the mystery of Wild’s clothes being pink would haunt Legend forever, the way Wild was so obviously stalling was becoming painful.
Wild looked at him thoughtfully, tilting his head. “I’ll tell you why all my clothes are pink if you tell me why your hair is.”
Fuck. Legend should have seen that one coming. He met Twilight’s eyes, just to confirm that stupid smirk was on his face, but that only gave Wild more fuel. “Twi’s refused to say a word about it! And we’ve all been dying to know.”
“Dyeing to know,” Twilight mumbled.
“For fuck’s sake,” Legend grumbled, “I didn’t know you made puns.”
“I didn’t,” Twilight replied. Legend was going to wipe that silly grin off his face soon. “It’s Wild’s fault.”
“I’ve not got a clue what you’re talking about,” Wild said passively, before turning to Legend. “Anyway. Do we have a deal, vet?”
Legend turned over the suggestion in his head. He’d get the explanation he wanted, and hey! Maybe he could even explain his own situation to Wild without having to mention the rabbit.
His eyes flickered to Twilight again. Still that smirk.
He was going to have to mention the rabbit, wasn’t he.
“Ugh, fine. What do you want to know?”
“Everything! Were you born with the streak of pink? Or did it appear later on?”
“It’s a curse,” Legend stated simply. “Or rather, the remains of a curse I got when I first travelled to the Dark World.”
“Oh,” Wild said, a little softer. “Is it dangerous?”
“Is my hair dangerous?” Legend asked. Wild nodded. “No. The curse itself sucks, but this is just a weird side effect. I’m never going to be fully blonde again, but I guess I’ll live.”
“Okay, and?” Wild said expectantly. “Why did it go back to being fully pink that one time?”
Legend groaned. “I honestly don’t even know how to begin explaining.” Neither did he want to, but he had agreed.
“You know, you could just give him a demonstration,” Twilight said, fingers curled around the thread the crystal hung on.
“Absolutely not.” Legend said, but Wild’s eyes had already fallen to the movement of Twilight’s fingers. A knowing grin formed on his face, a terrible companion to Twilight’s smirk.
“Legend,” Wild said slowly, “did you touch Twilight’s crystal?”
“Maybe.”
A smile began to form on Wild’s face. “What happened?”
“I transformed into something, genius.” He knew he was a hypocrite for deflecting in the same manner Wild had, but he couldn’t bring himself to care.
“Yeah, but-” Wild’s smile was all teeth. Legend’s prey instincts were starting to kick in. “What did you transform into?”
“A rabbit. Pink.” He might as well not beat around the bush. Legend closed his eyes, bracing himself for the inevitable teasing.
“A rabbit? Seriously?” Ah, there it was. But then- “That is awesome, vet!”
What? Legend peered at Wild, who was vibrating with excitement in the same way Wind often did. “How is that a curse? Rabbits are - wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one. It’s supposed to be a year’s worth of luck if you manage to stumble across one in the wild. Seriously, mate! Don’t you know how legendary they are?”
Okay, not the reaction Legend had been expecting. “I am well aware! But it’s not so legendary when you’re a defenceless rabbit trapped in the Dark World, unable to use any of your items.”
Wild deflated. “I guess not. But still! You have to admit it’s pretty cool. And why pink, anyway?”
“Cause Hylia thinks she’s fucking hilarious, probably.” Legend grumbled. “But whatever. Twilight and Sky were able to help me change back. However, after I’m a rabbit, my hair goes… well, totally pink. And it’s never completely faded back, as you can see.”
“Huh,” Wild said. “Well, that is a cooler explanation than I expected.”
“I still have no idea how you can find this cool.” Legend sighed.
Wild shrugged. “I mean, I can see why you didn’t want to tell Wars any of this.”
“If you even think about telling that captain a word-”
“I won’t!” Wild threw up his hands in surrender. “Your secret is safe with me, okay? Part of the deal.”
“Hmph. Speaking of that deal,” Legend said, holding out the slate, “it’s your turn.”
Wild took the slate from him, holding it carefully. “It’s a pretty stupid story. Compared to yours, anyway.”
“Well, I still want to hear it.” Legend replied.
Wild sighed, looking down at Twilight, who had stopped smirking. Thank fuck. “I mean… I didn’t have to dye any of my clothes. It wasn’t necessary for my adventure. It probably wasted time, if anything. But the dye shop is in the same village as my house, and I went back there a lot, so I would just take any new clothes I had straight to be dyed.”
Twilight’s good arm snaked around Wild’s back, and Wild threw him a smile. “Early on in my adventure, when I first visited that village, I went into the dye shop out of curiosity. The guy there offered to dye anything I had if I gave him the materials and 20 rupees, so I figured, why not? As it turned out, the only colour I had enough materials for was pink.” He tapped the slate. “Rock salt.”
“It just became a thing I did whenever I came to the village. I don’t think… I mean, the old me probably couldn’t have done it, you know? People wouldn’t have wanted the knight with the sword who seals the darkness to be dressed in pink. But it’s a fun colour. And it makes me happy. So, I wear it now.”
Legend didn’t really know Wild well enough to dig into all his identity issues, and the way he had casually referred to ‘the old me’. And it would likely be uncomfortable for the both of them if he tried. But there was something he could offer his companion.
“You were right,” Legend said. “I do understand. I might have been cursed with pink hair, but I am the guy who chooses not to wear pants.”
Wild and Twilight both laughed at that one. “Yeah. That’s true." Wild said. "Is there any reason for that, or?”
“Gender is a performance, and I’m winning.” Legend said.
“You can’t win a performance.” Twilight decided to add.
“Who asked you?”
Twilight only continued laughing, and Legend would have been more annoyed at him if he didn’t get a pass for being wounded, or whatever.
“So…” Legend began again. “Why are the clothes you’re wearing now undyed?”
“Zelda made this tunic for me. No way I’m changing it.” Wild said. “And I kept these trousers and my hood the way they are, because… okay, camouflage is kinda difficult when you’re dressed in pink.”
Legend chuckled, but he gave Wild one of his best serious looks. Time would probably be proud of him. “And you’ve only worn this outfit around us?”
“Oh, don’t be stupid, Legend.” Wild said, eyes narrowing. “You know how much everyone would tease me if I wore anything else. Do you want to eat a whole jar of Goron spice again?”
“Eh, that was kinda worth it-“
“Legend!”
“Okay, sorry.” And he did actually mean it. The Goron Spice Incident had been hilarious, to be fair, but this conversation was making him look at it differently. He couldn’t miss the way Wild’s shoulders were tensed up. “Back to my original point. If you ever wanted to wear anything in here-“ he gestured to the slate- “around us, I won’t judge. I promise. And let’s be real. If I don’t tease you, the others will probably be so shocked they’ll hold back too.”
Wild’s eyes were saucers. “You would do that?”
“If you wanted me to. A bit of banter shouldn’t get in the way of you wanting to wear what you want.” Legend paused, considering his next words carefully. “And I’m gonna guess the women’s outfit… it’s for you, isn’t it? Not Zelda or anyone like that?”
Wild’s eyes went even wider. “Yes, but- I can explain, I promise-“
“I don’t care why.” Legend cut in. “You can tell me if you want. But don’t feel pressure to justify it, or anything. If you like wearing it, that’s good enough.”
The words felt so strange coming out of his mouth. It was probably stranger for Wild, but Legend noticed with satisfaction the other boy’s shoulders relaxing.
“Thanks,” Wild said quietly. His hands gripped the slate less tightly too, but perhaps that wasn’t a good thing, as Wild almost dropped it when it flashed up with Wind’s face on screen.
“WILD! Where are you guys?? You didn’t get injured, did you?? We had a massive scrap with these bokoblins, but it’s cool- oh and we reckon we’re not that far away from you, but Wolfie isn’t around to find your scent-”
“We’re fine, don’t worry. Twi got hurt, but we gave him potion- is everyone else with you?” Wild stood up, walking away from Legend and Twilight as he spoke with Wind. The minute he was out of earshot, Twilight met Legend's eyes.
“Not a word out of you,” Legend grumbled.
“I was going to compliment you, but if you insist.” Twilight said, that smirk finding its way back to his face.
“I don’t need your sappiness.” Legend replied, wishing he had a slate like Wild’s to fiddle with during conversations such as these. As it was, he was stuck making horribly vulnerable eye contact with Twilight.
“Perhaps that’s true. You seem to be sappy enough yourself,” Twilight said lightly.
“Oh come on! What was I supposed to do, ruthlessly make fun of him for not being a masculine enough Hero of Hyrule? First of all, that’d be rich coming from me, and second of all, total bullshit.”
“It still meant a lot to him. He’s been worried about all this, and I don’t think I really got through to him.” Twilight replied, running a hand through his hair.
“Well, newsflash, farm boy, you’re not the only person capable of being nice.” One day, Legend thought, one day he’d actually learn how to accept a compliment. And he’d also discover he was Zelda’s long lost twin brother, and Ganon would reincarnate again but this time with giant wings. Okay, that last one was possible. And mildly terrifying.
“I know you can be nice, Legend.” Twilight said. “It’s just pleasant to see this side of you.”
“Okay, okay, I get it! I was nice to your wild little protege, now can we move on?” Legend hissed. Twilight only grinned, but Legend was in luck, it seemed, as Wild picked that moment to return, brandishing the slate.
“Wind was right. We’re not that far from the others, it’s probably less than an hour’s walk.” Wild stopped, frowned at Twilight. “But-”
“I’ll be fine. Potion is a wonder, and it’s not my legs that are injured.” Twilight said, as Legend offered a hand to help him stand. “Need me to scout?”
“Nah, it’s fine. I put Wind’s stone as an item on the Compendium, so now we can use the slate to track him. I just need to turn it on, and-” Wild fiddled with something on the slate, took a couple of steps away from them, and the slate beeped, very faintly. “There! It works. We’re going this way.”
“That is impressive,” Legend said, leaving Twilight behind to walk by himself as he matched Wild’s pace. “For the last time, are you sure this thing isn’t magic?”
“It’s not!” Wild said. “There were just some really smart people who used to live in my Hyrule, I guess.”
“Consider me unconvinced.”
“You’re saying you think everyone from my Hyrule is stupid? Rude.”
Legend rolled his eyes. “That is literally not what I said.”
“Twilight, Legend thinks I’m stupid!”
Twilight’s voice was unbearably smug as he called out: “Just give him a carrot, he’ll cheer up.”
“Oi!” Legend turned around. “Just because Wild knows now, you do not have rights to make rabbit jokes.”
“Really? I don’t?” Twilight replied, eyebrows shooting up.
“You don’t! The next time you’re transformed, I’m gonna throw a stick and force you to play fetch with me in front of everyone, I swear.”
That just made Twilight laugh even more. Insufferable. But Legend could hardly bring himself to care, as the three of them continued their walk, brought a little closer by secrets shared.
Legend tugged at the permanent streak of pink in his hair, and allowed himself a little smile.