Chapter Text
Sunlight beams down from the clear sky, the warmth mixing with the chilly wind blowing from the mountains. A hylian adorned in warm colored attire lies in a grassy field just outside the village. He feels himself being lulled to sleep as the wind drifts through the trees surrounding the area.
“Any plans after this?” A baritone voice brings him back from the grasps of sleep. The hylian slowly sits up, wincing at the slight pang of pain.
“Hmmm, don’t know,” Riley stretches to release some stiffness and turns to the bright colored rito sitting beside him. "I've always just kinda traveled around doing my own thing and trying to stay alive."
“...Have you ever thought of settling down somewhere?” Balan’s face is fraught with worry. They think back to the sight a moon and a half ago, holding the hylian drenched in blood in their feathers, fighting the mountain's harsh cold along with the fluid loss. “Like you said the hunter’s life doesn’t suit you, maybe it might be best to start a new chapter in your life?”
Riley rises from the ground to his feet, grabbing a fallen twig and walking over to the nearby pond. “And do what exactly?”
“Well you really seem to enjoy performing.” Riley gives a short hum. He would like nothing more than to spend the rest of his days playing music and bringing joy to the people around him. But with the increase of monster attacks over the years the arts wasn’t something people were willing to throw their money at.
The hylian kneels at the edge of the pond absentmindedly poking at the gravel at the bottom.“Yeah well that doesn’t really bring in the rupees these days. And I kinda need that if I want somewhere to stay.”
“ You could stay with Lance and I… ” Balan mutters softly but loud enough for the other to hear.
Riley whips around to look at the rito in surprise. “I…I can’t do that to you two. I feel like I’ve been a bother as is.”
“Never!” Balan shoots up onto his feet and walks over to kneel beside Riley “You’ve been nothing but a big help around the clinic and the village as a whole as well.”
“I, uh…” Riley turns away from Balan back to the pond, conveniently finding a fish interesting to look at.
Balan rests the tips of his wing on the hyalin’s shoulder. “I promise that it’ll be nothing but a pleasure to continue to have you around.”
Riley recalls his time spent in the village. Helping travelers and villagers alike with their wounds and any supply refills they needed. Performing and singing along lifting spirits despite the corrupted divine beast looming above. Everyone has been nothing but kind to him and his experience while recovering has been a pleasant one.
Riley drops the twig and runs his hands through his hair, “Heh, did you even ask Lance what they thought about this?”
Balan stutters a bit to come up with a response, showing a clear sign that he did not in fact, ask them their thoughts on the matter. Riley lets out a soft chuckle.
“Yeah sure, I’ll try sticking around for a while.”
“Really?!”
Balan’s eyes light up as bright as the sun and brings the hylian into a tight embrace. Both laughing as the rito twirls them around.
“Hahaha ow, okay okay, put me down I'm still healing you know!” Riley manages to breathe out. Balan lets out a nervous chuckle and gives his apologies as he sets Riley back on his feet. The hylian feels his face heat up, finding himself mourning the loss of the rito’s touch, wishing that the warm embrace had lasted a bit longer.
Riley lightly punches Balan’s wing as he walks towards the entrance of the village. “Come on, let's go talk to Lance so I can make sure they’re not going to want to gut you or something for letting me stay with you guys.”