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Apparently, Shadow can no longer sleep alone.
Even with a cat purring on his chest, bundled in several blankets atop a spacious four-poster bed “borrowed” from Hyrule Castle, he just can’t make it happen.
It’s been almost a year since Vio brought him back from the void, and maybe eight or nine months since they started sharing a bed every night. Tonight breaks their streak, though, because Vio is not in bed with Shadow. He’s somewhere in Karusa Valley, on a stealth mission to investigate a clan of ex-Sheikahs who seem to be willfully ignoring Ganon’s death. That, or they’re planning to resurrect him, which is obviously a threat that Zelda wants neutralized as soon as possible. She’d asked Vio for his help a few days ago, explaining that she preferred someone quiet and observant, with sharp reflexes and very good aim.
To his credit, Vio had asked Shadow if he wanted to join him. While he no longer has magical powers, he’s still an asset in battle when needed. But Shadow knew he’d just slow Vio down—and honestly, someone needed to be around to feed the cat. He truly does not mind spending time away from his domestic partner (that’s what they’ve been calling it lately), and likes that Vio trusts himself enough to believe that he’ll be okay alone.
And he’s not even alone—Pinecone’s right here with him, probably missing Vio just as much as he is.
“I’m turning on my side,” Shadow announces, very slowly shifting so Pinecone can keep her balance and resettle on his shoulder. He reaches for Vio’s pillow and presses his face up to it, hoping that maybe Vio’s scent will fool his body into letting him rest. The smell of Vio’s cologne is strong—woodsy, more herbal than floral, with a slight hint of citrus. Shadow resents the notion that anyone could just buy this specific kind of perfume. Nobody else should be allowed to smell quite like his favorite person.
Pinecone chooses this moment to hop off the bed, making a quiet thump against the rustic hardwood. Shadow sighs and then inhales again, squeezing his eyes shut against the soft pillowcase.
Oh, wow. The scent of Vio’s perfume is strong. Did he like spill it on the pillow, or—
Vio clears his throat and Shadow finally looks up.
“Hi,” Vio says from the doorway, holding a very smug-looking Pinecone in his arms.
Shadow flings Vio’s pillow across the room, nearly knocking his own amateur painting of Pinecone off the wall.
“You’re supposed to be in Gerudo,” Shadow says dumbly, blush spreading as he realizes what he just got caught doing.
“Missed you.”
“I missed you too. Did the mission go okay?”
Vio nods. He’s still in his stealth gear, so flattering and well-made, sort of masculine and sort of feminine and so entirely gorgeous. He’s got his hair tied up in his Work Scrunchie, which is just like every other purple scrunchie he owns except it’s covered in dried monster blood.
And the smell of his cologne is very strong… but so are several other less pleasant smells. Vio leans in to kiss Shadow and the scent only worsens, causing him to wrinkle his nose like Pinecone when she encounters a citrus fruit.
“Sorry?” Vio asks, likely expecting more fanfare and adoration given his early return. Shadow places a hand on his shoulder and gently bonks their foreheads together.
“I love you, Vio, but you smell like death. You are not getting in this bed until you take a fucking shower.”
Vio chuckles and steps backwards. “That’s fair, and I love you too. Think you can wait ten minutes longer?”
“When you stink this bad, yes.”
Shadow watches shamelessly as Vio undresses, appreciating his large hands, lean muscle, and various battle scars. Vio seems not to mind the attention, and despite Shadow’s disinterest in the act of sex he will never deny himself a sight so intimately shared.
Actually, you know what, he wants Vio in bed now.
But Vio is already through the bathroom door and running hot water, and Shadow can only imagine how nice it will feel for him to clean off the grime of the day. Very soon, Shadow will find himself in Vio’s arms. Very soon, he’ll finally get some rest.
Shadow retrieves Vio’s pillow and prepares it beside his own, even fluffing it up in apology for his previous transgressions. Of course Pinecone immediately takes Vio’s place, fully aware that he will act exasperated about it post-shower but also refuse to disturb her. Shadow is perfectly okay with that—the less room Vio has to himself, the more likely he is to cuddle up close.
Shadow can hardly wait.