Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It starts, as most things do, with a misunderstanding. Specifically, a misunderstanding that probably should have been seen coming, but alas, our Heroes are dumbasses. 

It is to no one's surprise that some things change over time, language, food, culture, anything is fair game. But in a world where hylians have wings? Some misunderstandings should be talked through before someone breaks a flight feather.

“Did your Princesses give you a feather as well? I can’t seem to find it if they did.”

“What.” 

“I mean, she gave me hers when I became her personal knight. Did yours not? A shame then.”

This last sentence was the calm before the storm, as Sky and Legend both whip around and tackle Warriors to the ground. Squawks and yells can be heard as feathers fly.

“How dare you say that about her?! What type of harlot do you think she is, you two timing scumbag!”

“I’m gonna make you eat your primaries for daring to say that about her, you piece of pinless garbage!”

Thus, the rest of the Links came upon the scene, Warriors desperately trying to get away from Sky as Legend keeps him from escaping. As accusations fly and stuttering apologies flow from a peacock, tanager, and lovebird. 

Hyrule, the Link with the least people in his Hyrule, opens his mouth and asks what should have been asked ages ago. 

“What's your deal with feathers? I mean, yeah, we got wings but feathers are just good for arrows. Does it mean something for you all?”

Time, who had been debating whether or not he should join or stop this scuffle, paused and actually seemed to be processing his words. Twilight tripped over nothing and whipped around to look Hyrule in his eyes.

‘Your joking, there's no way you dont know.”

Brown doe eyes look onwards at the distress exhibited by the normally put together heroes, as he sighs and realizes once again that it’s some “culture” bullshit that the other Links seem to sprout from nowhere. 

“No, I’m serious. Feathers are annoying and do nothing but get in the way. Why are they important?” Which was the wrong answer, as Time finally rebooted and pulled Sky from the kerfuffle of Links with one hand. 

Leaning in, Time says to Sky, “He doesn't know what Feathers are for.”

Sky went from angry and hissing to horrified in seconds, “He doesn't know what Feathers are for?”

“He doesn't know what feathers are for.” Twilight, ever the dive, repeated after them.

Hyrule really wished the hero's spirit wasn't such a drama queen, maybe he wouldn't have to deal with all this bullshit if they all stopped being so dramatic. Rolling his eyes, Hyrule decided to humor them.

 “I don’t know what feathers are for.”

Legend finally got off of Warriors, who was shielding his face with his large ass peacock wings, and turned to the rest of the Links. Warriors, sensing the change in weight, looked around his wings to tentatively get up and enter the conversation. Both seemed confused, and frankly both of them should get a red potion. But seeing as the red potions were at camp with the rest of the Links, they would have to wait.

“Hyrule doesn't know what feathers are for?” Parroted both of them, both with varying degrees of surprise and resignation. Seemed Legend wasn't as surprised as the others but, well, when you live in a hell world you kind of expect that.

“Yes, I don’t know what feathers are for. I don't know why you both attacked Warriors over feathers. Hylia knows I don't know why Time’s acting like I just said I don't know who Ganon is. So please, what in hyrule are you talking about?”

“Feather are for-”

“Marriage.”

“Status!”

“Trust.”

“-None of those, it's for courting?”

Every Link froze, except Hyrule, but he was bored and this was more exciting than letting Wild give him dubious food again. With a sigh, Hyrule opens the can of worms that they all should have realized by now but are too dramatic to think.

“Feathers mean different things for different times, don't they?”

With that, a convergence of noise as Warriors start yelling while Legend and Sky start yelling back.

“You thought I was married to 5 different people?! These feathers are for status!! One for the head of household, one for my superior, one for my hero status, one for the personal knight of Zelda, and one for the fallen! Hylia damnit, who do you take me for?!”

“Oh I’m sorry, was I supposed to know that?! Feathers are for marriage and personal, of course I punched you for that princess comment!”

“I’m so sorry! I thought you were saying that Zelda was a prize and I got defensive…”

Time looked into the distance, he could have sworn he saw himself in the arms of Hylia, heading to the heaven above. But no, he was here and had to deal with children. 

Twilight nervously thought of all the times he thought that Warriors just had many trusted allies and had asked about them, it made sense why Warriors had been weirded out, but Twilight felt like an idiot for not knowing.

Hyrule was watching in glee. Twilights face was doing acrobatics, Time looked like he had become the Hero’s shade at that moment, Legend was red in the face, Warriors was covering his head with his scarf, and Sky had his wings pressed tight while puffing up in embarrassment. But a sudden thought crept through his mind, what of the other Links?

“Do you think Four, Wild, and WInd have different meanings as well? I mean, Four does have his earrings and Wind has his ear cuff…”  At once, five pairs of eyes preyed upon Hyrule as they mule over the sentence.

Legend spoke first, “I would think so, I don't think Wind is marrying his sister.” 

Warriors nodded along as he agreed, “I know we joke that Four is a child, but he's not actually that young. His earrings probably mean something else then status, no child would be his superior.”

“Child?”

“Yeah, haven’t you noticed? Four’s earrings are children's feathers, probably their first feathers, actually.”

That actually made Hyrule think, if Four had children’s feathers for earrings? What did they mean? Maybe a friend's child? Maybe they're fake? They would just have to ask when they got back to camp.

-

Four was having a grand time at the moment, Wild was making stuffed peppers and kept asking for a taste test to make sure he didn't use too much spice. Which Four was more than happy to help with. Humming, Four doodled in his journal. A little picture of Blue and Red sharing a bell pepper blooming across the page. It wasn't until he heard Wild mutter, “They’re back.” that he looked up from his drawing.

Time strode in with a purpose, Twilight following like a puppy at his heels. Hyrule skipped in with a giant shit eating smirk splayed across his face, which made sense when Legend and Warriors walked in behind him. It looked like a cat mauled Warriors, and Legend had a black eye. Did they run into a bokoblin? No, the others weren't hurt. Besides they were just going to get firewood, they wouldn't have gone far.

It wasn't until Sky appeared that Four realized there was a problem, because Sky’s arms were empty. Where was the firewood-

“Where’s the firewood?” Oh thank Hylia for Wind being too young to realize how rude being blunt was. Four did not want to beat around the bush on that one.

“Firewood? Were we suppose to get Firewood?”

“Oh shit, we were suppose to get Firewood.”

With a grunt, Four got up and placed his journal down. They forgot to get firewood, how on earth did you forget to get the plot firewood? They even had Time with them! Scrubbing his face, he began to walk away.

“Wait, Four, where are you going?” Warriors called out like it wasnt a obvious what Four was doing.

“I am going to go get Firewood, like you were suppose to do. I don’t know if you know this but we kinda need it for the fire and dinner. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a tree.” 

“Before you go, what does giving feathers mean in your Hyrule? In mine it's a courting gift but in Warriors it's a status thing.” Sky, red in the face, asked.

“It's a gift between family members, lets people know what family you hail from and if you have kids or not. I’ll be back before the moon rises, save me a pepper.” With that he marched off, not realizing the chaos he had just started.

-

All was quiet, just kidding, all the Links that had been talking before this blew up. Even calm, collected, Time started hysterically talking. They couldn’t believe it. Only Wind and Wild were unaware, as they side eyed them all hard. 

“What are you all screaming about? He just shares feathers for family members, in my world we give them to whoever we want as friends. You guys need to calm down.” Wind once again, blunt.

“No! Nonononono, you don't get it! Four’s earrings! Four’s earrings! Oh my Hylia, Oh my Hylia did you hear him?! To let others know if you have children!!” Warriors was babbling and not really explaining but Wild seemed to get the gist of it.

“Something about his earrings and children? Am I missing something?”

“Wild! You wont believe this! Oh my Hylia, I can’t believe that-” Hyrule was cut off with a sudden, loud shout that echoed throughout the clearing the Links had set camp in.

“I’M NOT THE FIRST DAD OF THE LINKS?!” Time, the only married Link, shouts for all to hear. Then it all clicked for Wind and WIld.

“Four’s a Dad?!”

“Okay, let's not panic! I mean, how old is Four anyway? Like, 16? There's no way he had time for kids.” Sky, the everlasting peacekeeper, desperately tries to keep himself sane.

“You can have kids at the age of 16! I think he’s 18 anyway, which just gives us more time to think he had kids! Oh my Hylia, Four’s a dad!” Wind shoved his face into his hands, the sound of a choked off laugh the only thing they could hear from him after he finished his sentence.

“We could just ask? I mean, it’s not like he’s trying to hide from us. Time didn't tell us he was married until he showed off his ring, maybe he just forgot to tell us?”

“Who forgets to tell his other selves that he's a Dad?!”

Wincing, Wild shrugs, “Four, apparently?”

A sudden quiet filled the clearing, for real this time. It was almost like they had all gone into deep thought as to try to remember if Four had given any hints as to being a Dad. No one said a thing, as the day darkens and the shadows stretch. The fire sputtering and dying slowly from the lack of attention.

“Maybe he didn’t want to tell us? Maybe, maybe he doesn't trust us?” The sobering thought, strangely, came from Legend. All of them looked put out at that but understood what he meant. 

Closing his eyes, Time sighed, “Then I guess we’ll just have to earn it, won’t we? No one ask him about his children until he opens up about it, alright?”

Nods and small murmurs of agreement fill the silence, as the fire gives out one last pop before it too, falls back into silence. Stars start appearing, as the peppers grow cold and as the Links all brood into the night. It is Wild and Hyrule who perk up, both of their wings stretching out to balance out their sudden jumps, as they both start desperately trying to get the fire back.

Watching, the others blink in confusion, why were they trying to get the fire back? They didn't even have any firewood to feed it.

Oh.

OH.

OH NO.

All the Links stood up and scoured the clearing for small sticks and leftover bark, but they knew they were too late. The sounds of brush breaking and swishing, small, light footsteps echoing into the night. They were too late as the crescent moon shone down on them, it was time.

“WHERE IS THE FIRE?!”

Four was back, and he was pissed.

“It's not what it looks like?” Wind tried, both desperate and pleading, but was being cowed by the sudden dad like glower on Four’s face. Did he always look like that? Holy shit, how did they not guess he was a Dad?

“It looks like I asked you to get firewood, and then you came back empty handed. It looks like when I asked you to keep the fire going, you didn’t. It looks like the bell peppers got cold, when I asked you to keep one warm for me. I busted my ass to go get us firewood for the night after you decided to play around in these goddesses damned woods and you repay me with a cold bell pepper? I will take your goddamn sword, don't test me, young man. ” 

Stunned silence, all the Links suddenly felt like children again. As Four seemed to grow larger and look down on them with a parental rage, they gulped. 

“I, I’ll get the fire going again!”

“I’ll make sure the bed rolls are all put out!”

“I’ll reheat the bell peppers.”

“Why don’t you sit down? I’ll make sure the others stay in line.”

Four, bewildered by the sudden change, went from fuming to calm. Smiling, he nodded, like the Links had gotten the right answer to a test they didn’t know they were taking. His wings buzzed against his back, pleased, that his favourite dish had not been ruined by the other Links drama.

-

Surprisingly, it took under an hour for the food to be ready. Crackling fire, and warm bell peppers with gooey cheesy rice and meat stuffed inside, Four was in heaven. Smiling to himself, with a red feeling splashed across his face and burying into his chest, he decided to zone back into the conversation.

“Warriors will take the first watch, Twilight second, and I’ll take the last watch. Are there any problems with this?” with a stronger voice then he had earlier, Time spoke. 

Four frowned, Warriors was taking first watch? He was covered in bandages and looked dead on his feet. No way was he gonna stay awake long enough to actually get Twilight up, much less keep watch. What was Time thinking?

“Why is Warriors taking first watch? He looks like he’ll pass out any second now, I’ll take it. Get some rest Warriors.” Nodding decisively, Four was ready to argue his point. But he was surprised when all Time did was stare at him, shrug, and said “Sure”. 

Did Four miss something? Didn’t matter, they respect him….and were probably trying to make up for earlier. So Four smiled, and tucked back into his meal.

-

Twilight laid out in his bedroll, something was bugging him. The idea Four was a Dad because of his earrings, something wasn't quite right with that thought. If he could just remember what, then he was sure he could get that scratch between his eyes. With a sigh, he rolled over and bumped into Wild. Who latched onto his shoulder and snuffled as he shoved his head into Twilight’s chest. 

Twilight felt his heart melt, smiling, he closed his eyes and hoped for a quiet night.

-

Wolfie stretched out his legs, tail in the air and chest to the ground, he breathed the crisp morning air. Getting back up, he strolled away from the tree line into a field of flowers and mushrooms. No one was here to bother him, no one to know him, he was just Wolfie. Free to be himself and to have no pressure on his shoulders. 

Sniffing the ground, he smelled a squirrel. Following the scent, he stalked through the grass. A small breakfast would go unnoticed by his cub, as long as he cleaned up after himself that is.

It was only when he was in the middle of the field, where a tree stump was, that he realized that it wasn't quite a squirrel that he smelled.

Raspberries, ink, gems, books, and kindling. Four? What was Four doing out here? Where was he? Searching for him, Wolfie sniffed the air, he should be right here? Where was he?

A noise drew his attention downwards, a small mouse looked up at him. But since when did mice have tunics? In four colours? 

As Wolfie stared the small hero down, he remembered.

-

“Hey, your next watch. All was quiet. Have a nice night.”

Four wasn’t a Dad, Twilight felt his lips curl. This is going to be fun.

Chapter Text

If you had told Hyrule that the most boring part of an adventure was the exploring back before he met the other Links, he would have laughed in your face and asked for your name again. But having companions, ones who were strict no nonsense soldiers/heroes? It was boring as hell, mainly because the exploring was only on the beaten path. Which is to say, boring.

It might have been weeks, it might have been days, it even could have been the next morning for all Hyrule cared. He was so bored that not even Time could stop him from exploring properly, and if the exploration happened to be one Links backstory, well, it's not like Hyrule has to listen to Time’s orders. Deadmen walking aren't exactly the best people to listen to after all.

Glancing up the line of Links, twitching his feathers, Hyrule spotted his partner in crime. White and angular wings swoop down from a blue shirt, as they flap with the avid chatter of Wind. Contrasting with the black, rounded wings of Twilight. Still as the trees, and as loud as the leaves, he seemed to be explaining something to the younger hero. Hyrule would have preferred Wind being alone, but as long as he plays his cards right, Twilight shouldn't be in the know.

Speed walking from the back of the group to the lower middle, Hyrule calls out “Hey Wind, I had something to ask you.”

“Huh? What do you want?” Ok, straight to the point. Wind was really too blunt sometimes.

Twilight leaned in, his wings spreading ever so slightly to shield them from view of the others. A look on his face that Hyrule didn't like. “I’ll just let you have some privacy.” he whispered. Before looking away from their faces as they walked.

With a mutter of jackass on his tongue, Hyrule whispered to Wind “I was thinking, we can’t really explore the woods. But we could explore something a little closer to us, if you know what I mean.”

“I am not eating whatever you just picked up, last time someone did that we had to give them a red potion.” And what a good time that was, the others just didn't have the same humor as Hyrule.

“No, I mean, we could try to figure out what's going on with Four. I mean, him, a Dad? No way.”

Humming, Wind turned to look at Twilight, who was valiantly trying to look like he wasn’t listening. “As long as this one doesnt rat us out to Time? I’m in.”

“We can’t do it now, but we can try to find the best way to make him spill when we camp out for the night.”

“Alright, if that's the plan then we’re gonna need to…..”

“Yeah, I like that but what if….”

Twilight sucked in a harsh breath, listening to them make a plan of attack was gonna make him bust a rib. Keeping his wings up without them shivering from the need to laugh was hard, doing that while forcing his breath to be rhythmic so that Wild didn't freak out was going to be the end of him. But he made a promise to two people, and he had to keep them. If he was going to have fun with them? It would be no one’s business but his own.

-

The forest’s path twists and turns like a serpent of old, constantly looping and connecting paths already explored. Feet leaving impressions in the ground of centuries of usage. Wheels, horses, and boots all marred the path. 

Sun shining directly ahead, breaking the shadow of leaves with golden warmth. Birds swooping for the last meal of the day and bats chirping from their homes, awakening to a new twilight.

 The sky shading and changing from blue to pink to purple, swirls of stars appearing over head. As the day rests upon the heroes march, a sudden stop breaks the formation.

-

“This is a good place to stop for the day.”

All the Links but the ones planning sagged in relief, they still had things they must do. Creeping forward, Hyrule and Wind stopped behind Four. Who was setting up a fire. It would seem he still didn't trust the rest of them to keep a fire going at night.

“I can feel you staring, is there something you need of me?” Shit, maybe they should have said something before he noticed.

“We were just wondering if you needed help. After all, we haven’t talked in a while and this would be the best time to chat. Don’t you think?” Giving big innocent eyes towards the smallest Link, Hyrule gave a (fake)soft smile, “Don't you agree, Wind?”.

A nod from the pirate brought a raised eyebrow from Four, who softened at the smile and eyes. Before sighing and lighting the fire he had been working on.

“Not much you can help me with, but yeah, we can chat for a while.”

High fiving Wind, Hyrule sat down next to the fire and watched Four concentrate on something in his hands. “How has your day been going?”

“Same as this morning when you asked me the same question.”

“So repetitive and boring?” Wind piped up.

Glaring at Wind from the corner of his eye, Hyrule watched as he put his hands up in the universal ‘I’ll stop’ motion. “If it's the same, want to play a game? Word association if you will, helped pass the time when I was a wee little thing.”

Four looked pensive as he pulled a pot from his bag, “Sure, why not.”

Hyrule silently cheered in his head, yes! The plan was working! “Ok, first word, breeze.”

“Wind” tap, tap, tap.

“Young” Hissssss

“Little” Clink

“Child” Siiiip

“...Red” the murmur wasn’t directed at Hyrule or Wind, but instead at Four himself. Blinking, both Hyrule and Wind turned to each other and shrugged. Why Four had said that was confusing, actually, where did he get tea from?

“Were you making tea?!” Wind exclaimed, wings up and showing his offense at being ignored. Hyrule was more impressed that they hadn't noticed until that point.

“Ah, yes, I was. But I added too much milk so now it's wrong.” Four genuinely seemed upset at that, which was weird. If it was wrong then why did he say red?

“But you said red? If your tea is wrong, why say red? Or does it mean something else where you're from?” Hyrule perked up, maybe it's not about children but this was still interesting.

“No, no. It's just, Red likes his tea with milk. I must have forgotten he wasn’t here.” Stunned, Hyrule felt his mouth drop open. Holy shit, was that a name he stumbled upon? Ok, maybe he's not actually his kid, maybe he’s a friend? Deep breaths Hyrule, deep breaths.

“Red? Is he a friend?”

Four stopped, looked at his hands and finally raised his head from the tea cup in his hands. He looked, well, Hyrule couldn’t describe it. But finally, Four opened his mouth and said in a low and calm voice, “Red is family. If either of you ask me about him again, I’ll fill your bedrolls with spiders. Got it?”

Ok, maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all, squeaking, Hyrule gave an affirmative as Wind continued to sip from his tea. Wait, when did Wind get tea?! Why didn’t Hyrule have tea?! He wants tea too!!

-

It’s only later that the issue is brought up again, and honestly? Twilight was sick of playing defense. He got firewood with Time, distracted Wild with dinner suggestions, and even made a sly comment to start an argument between Legend and Warriors. Hyrule and Wind better have something good. Or this whole thing was a waste.

A buzzing of wings caught his attention, at the edge of the woods was Four. Who looked annoyed and was muttering to himself as he flew off into the woods. Perfect, that's gonna take a while. 

Watching everyone gather around the fire and relax, Twilight made the first move of many that would cause a massive misunderstanding to escalate into a shitshow. Plopping down next to Wind, throwing his arm around Hyrule’s back, he asked in a calm, collected voice, “How did the Four Family hunt go yall?”

Every Link whipped their head towards them, half of them in hunger and the other in dismay.

Time looked disapproving, “Didn’t I say we should wait until he trusts us? He won’t trust us if we pry into his personal life like that.”

“Oh come on Old man, it's just a bit of gossip. What’s the harm in hearing what they have to say? If Twilight knew it can’t be that bad, right?” Legend, ever the one for information he wont give, throws his two ruppees into the situation. With a smug smirk that knows he won, mentioning Twilight in an authority position was sure to sway Time, and it did.

“If Twilight says that it's fine, it's fine. But if he tells us to stop, then we will. Understood?” All the Links nodded, this was the most interesting to happen in a week, ever since Wild was forbidden from eating teeth the amusement factor of the journey had gone down fast.

“What do you have for us, boys?” Time continued, as he looked at the two troublemakers. 

Hyrule spoke first, “We were trying to figure out if Four was really a Dad or not, cause I thought there was no way someone that short could have gotten someone to date him.”

Wind continued, “But we didnt want it to be obvious that we were asking that, so we were trying to distract him with a game until he accidentally said something. But it didn't work out that way.”

“While we were talking, he was making tea. But when he drank the tea he made, he said Red, so we got confused and asked him what he meant.”

“He said that Red likes his tea the way he made it and that he must have forgotten that Red wasn’t here.”

“I wasn’t sure that Red could have been related cause I didn't want to get my hopes up so I asked if Red was a friend. He looked so shocked that I think he didn’t realize that he was talking to us.”

“He said that Red is family and that if we asked again he would put spiders in our bedroll.”

Deafening, the silence that followed that truth was so quiet that Twilight felt like the world had heard and gone still as well. That is until he felt his mouth stretch into a giant grin, and he realized what he could say here, if only to keep Four’s *little* secret.

“Is that why he wears four colours on his tunic? To honour his sons and spouse?”

Pandemonium, it was instant and it was quick, as Wild jumps up wings flared and Warriors started laughing hysterically. Time was looking at his hands muttering “...Will I ever be that proud of my kids?....”, Wind was squawking and trying to shout above the noise. Twilight was laughing hysterically for a completely different reason then Warriors, but was still laughing. It wasn't until Legend let out a giant roar that everyone quieted down.

“Will you all shut up?! Hyrule is trying to say something!” Flapping green wings settled back as Legend harrumphed and sat down again. Hyrule perked up and waved his hands up and down in time with his wings straightening and stretching.

“I saw Four had another feather! It was a necklace, and it was a full grown adult feather. It was black, so maybe that's what the purple means on his tunic then? His spouses colour?” Twilight didn't know that, but he sure wasn't going to let that show.

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that one! He said it was someone dear to him, so I assumed it was his lover or something.” Oh Four was going to kill him. But he kept smiling, he was covering for him after all.

“I didn't realize Four had a full family like that, but if Red is his kid, Green is him, and purple is his spouse, what's Blue?” Warriors asked slowly, like he wasn’t quite sure if he should be saying that.

“He’s got two earrings doesn't he? Blue is probably Red’s sibling or something.” Legend said with a bored tone, his eyes betrayed him though, piercing icy blue changed to earnest sky blue as soon as Hyrule had spoken.

“Oh my Hylia, Four’s a Dad of *two*.”

-

 Four yawned, he had been looking forward to hanging out with the Minish in this Hyrule but had forgotten how tiring it was to do that at this time of day. It was already past the first watch, and Four felt bad making someone wait for him to come back this late. But what can you do?

Trudging through the forest, he broke out from the brush into the camp. Looking idly at the fire and counting his companions, Four was surprised at seeing Time on first watch. He was usually on the last watch, so to see him on the first watch? Four must have made them worry badly if Time was the one waiting.

“Hey, sorry I took so long, I didn't mean to make you worry. Thanks for waiting up for me” Time had a dazed, glassy look in his eyes as he thought over Four’s words. Almost spelled like, he replied with short clipped words.

“No, *thank you*. You're a good person Four. Have a nice night.” Four almost asked if he was sick, but thought better of it. He would ask Hyrule tomorrow if Time had drank Milk again, the only thing that ever seemed to make their leader sick.

 With a nod, Four walks over to his bedroll and lays down. His wings twitched as he found an extra potion rolling out of his blankets. When had he put a potion in his blankets? Shrugging, Four put it into his bag and laid his head down for the day. Tomorrow, he would wake and would notice that Twilight was red in the face every time he looked at him. Tomorrow, he would notice that everyone seemed to respect him more. Tomorrow, he would be worried that something happened. But that is tomorrow. As for now? He dreams in stained glass colours, with a swirling black ink splattering across a mirror and a feathered gift that should have never been possible.

Chapter Text

Somedays heroes march on without a single doubt present in their mind, somedays that is tested, but today, the heroes will be tested with the hardest test of all. Removing stains from armor and clothes. Laundry day in the middle of no where means using any resources they have at hand. On this particular day, they are lucky enough to be near a stream.

Time was leaning over his armor, listening to the others moan and bitch about the armor weight they had to deal with. They thought they had it rough? Look at the bullshit he had to deal with. Grumbling safely into his mind, he is only aware enough to hear Legend ask himself something about jewelry. 

Giving his usual vague answer seemed to appease them, especially when they all started to dog pile onto the realization that, Yes, he was married. Shouts and squawks and feathers filled the air, wings flapping and puffed up. Time feels at ease with this conversation, enough to not notice when a small figure peered at him with a glint in his eyes.

 -

 Four felt his wings buzz against his back in unease, if Time was married, then did that mean he had children? What was he doing here if he was a father? Didn't he understand the dangers he was in? What if he died? No, Four shouldn't think like that. If this is a misunderstanding then he would be an ass for assuming. So with new resolve, Four marched on over to Time.

Sliding into the conversation that Time and Twilight was having was easy, enough so that he gave no preamble as he spoke, "I hope a little one is not missing you too."

Time froze, Four lifted an eyebrow at that reaction, why was he...? But Time's wings fluffed up and he stuttered out what sounded like a half muffled squeak of, "No, no children."

"Ah, embarrassed? Sorry, it was rude of me to ask outright like I did." Fours wings buzzed with restrained humor, who knew Time would get so embarrassed by such a topic?

 "No, no its fine." Time spoke as he slapped a hand against Twilight's shoulder, "How would you know a good time time to be a father, anyhow?"

Twilight was giggling at the conversation. His shoulders hooked up to his ears and his wings extending to cover his face. Four didn't expect Twilight to be one for such humor but you can never know someone fully.

Four gave the question some thought, he didn't personally know the answer to this question but if Time wanted an answer he would give one. 

"I don't think there ever is a 'good time' to be a father," reaching up to play with his earrings in absent thought, Four continued, "in most experiences I've seen, any time was good and bad for different reasons."

Time was nodding along with his answer, seemingly taking his words to heart. Twilight was watching from behind his black wings, eyes glittering with glee.

"There was a family in my village who had prepared for their coming child day and night, always reading books and buying items they thought they needed. When the baby did come, they were severely unready for the physical and mental toll ." Four continued as they walked, his hands running down his tunic and playing with the kinstones on his belt.

Time looked surprised at that, cocking his head to the side and looking at Four head on, "They weren't ready? Even through they did all that they could?"

Before Four could start to answer that, Twilight did. His wings still covering his face and his voice muffled.

"Yeah, we get those parents every once in a while. The village chips in to help, especially with younger parents, but sometimes people just aren't ready when they think they are." Ah, that's right, Twilight lived in a close knit community.

"Twilight's right," Four stepped over a root and shadow,"some people just aren't ready. But with the proper help they can be."

Time was looking into the distance, his eyes fogged over as he contemplated what he just heard. Four, frankly, was trying his best to keep up with long legs McGee but that was his deal. Twilight brought his wings down, and with an unsettling smile he turned to Four.

"You'll make a good father, smithy." Four felt red bloom across his face, what?

"T-thank you," stuttering around the awkward feeling of gratitude on his tongue, "B-but I don't think that's-"

"FUCK, DIN'S FIRE, WHY DOES THAT DO THAT?!"

A sudden cry from behind them cut off the rest of Four's words, all three of them staring back to check the cry. It was Warriors, staring in mild horror at Wild's left wing. Wild looked very proud of himself as he dislocated his wing on command. Smiling at Warriors, he stepped towards him and made a horrid popping noise again, his wing going slack. 

Warriors stepped back, and Wild stepped forward, the evitable happening as Warriors started screaming and running into the woods. Wild giving chase with a cackle that could rival Irene's, if they knew who that was. Sighing, Time started to trudge back to the others who were doing nothing but watch. 

"It's good that you don't have any at the moment, bad enough your away from your wife." nodding to Time, Four gave his last comment to this conversation. Not realizing the damning evidence of something that wasn't even true slip past his teeth.

It was quiet, for about two seconds before they started hearing loud screams of Wild and Time in the distance. Something suspiciously sounded like an ocarina and a sword, Four elected to ignore whatever bullshit that was and turned to Twilight. Who was growing progressively bluer in the face from not breathing.

"Twilight, fucking breath!" Slapping his back, Four was surprised to hear him start to laugh. Loud bellows of laughter as he leaned forward and crouched down, clutching his stomach. 

"What? What are you laughing at? That's your successor out there dislocating his wing."

"Y-yeah, it is. He just, oh hylia, this is the best present she has ever given me. Thank you Hylia, this is amazing." Clapping his hands in mock prayer, Twilight continued to wheeze 'thank you's' to Hylia. Four had no clue what was going on but at least he was breathing again.

"Hey smithy, i have a question." His wheezes gone, Twilight got back up. His cheeks red from laughter and his smile wide.

Four did not like this, whenever someone asked him a question like that it usually ended up with him having to explain basic culture shit. Hyrule especially, but this was Twilight, it's probably something reasonable. Something so reasonable that he would have no problem explaining-

"What's the feather your wearing for? The black one. You said family gave feathers but your wings are green."

Or it was that. Literally any question would have been preferable. Four felt anger, sadness, cold anxiety, and warm care war inside his throat. Each emotion threatening to spill over but keeping behind the façade of indifference splayed across his face.

"He was family, he sacrificed himself for hyrule." keeping his eyes up, hoping that that would hold back his tears, Four gave a simple run down of one of his best friends importance. 

Twilight gave a quiet 'oh', before he rested a hand on Four's shoulder. Support without speaking, letting a moment of silence linger in respect for a brave hylian.

Shadow, a dark Link, Four's friend. Gone, but not without one last gift. A feather made of darkness, swirling magic holding it together. Four gripped it lightly, not daring to damage the only thing of his friend left. Giving a heavy sigh, he dropped his eyes back down and patted Twilight's hand. Nodding at him, Four walked away. He needed some space to calm down. Twilight would cover for him.

-

Twilight felt kind of bad about this now, accidently saying that your friend's dead best friend was his lover and mother of his children was kind of a dick move. But, it was too late to stop the trickle down ideas of the other Links.

As soon as Four had walked off, Time had reappeared with Wild and Warriors. Wild slung across his shoulders, Warriors holding Time's hand as they stalked up to the group. A grumpy expression resting on Time's face as he barked at the others that they were ready to continue for the day. Twilight had to delicately inform him that Four needed space and walked off. He had never seen Time's face go from 'I'm tired of this bullshit' to 'oh thank god gossip time' before, and it was upsetting to witness.

"Gather round! Huddle, I have some new information to share!" Time dumped Wild face first into the dirt as he motioned for everyone to gather into a circle.

Oh Hylia, Twilight can't stop this. He purposefully made them excited for this, oh fuck. Twilight wasn't expecting being a little shit was so morally tiring. Is this why Wild always felt like shit? But Wind and Hyrule are completely fine, maybe its a 'I dont give a fuck' thing? He really wishes he had what they had at the moment.

"Earlier when I said I was married, Four got concerned that I was a fellow Dad." Time started to the sounds of giggles, "Of course I am not, but he specifically started the conversation about little ones. Not my wife."

Wind clapped his hands in front of his mouth, his eyes wide with humor as he giggles. Warriors was stilling holding Time's hand but was leaning against his shoulder, fully immersed into what was going on. Legend simply opened one eye as he sat on the grass. 

"What did you say? Did you get him to admit it?" Hyrule watched with avid interest now.

"No, but I asked when would be a good time to be a father," here he stopped for dramatics, Twilight was crying inside, "he said there was never a good time. Then gave a description of a family that had a hard time when they baby was born. I don't think he was talking about some random family."

Oh Hylia, Twilight was going to die when Four found out what he did. He needs to write his will and what flowers he wants at his funeral.

"Come on, old man, how do you know if he was talking about himself?" Legend spoke up, his eyes slanted in annoyance. Twilight wanted to thank Hylia, baby Time, and whoever made Legend cause yes, he needed someone on his side. 'Please figure out guys', Twilight whimpered into his mind.

"Well, thats easy! Twi here, made a comment about his village and younger couples that have children. Four didn't dispute it, in fact he agreed with him." Time's wings flapped with glee, he had evidence and he was going to use it.

Meanwhile, Twilight felt his soul leave his body as he realized that his own cheeky comment was used against him, goddess damnit.

"Oh my Hylia, your right! Four had children in his mid teens and got help from his village. I can't believe we didn't think of his village." Sky whispered into the air, his fingers tapping against a loose feather. 

With the others nodding, Twilight felt like he wanted to curl up and disappear, he was having so much fun why did he say that about that feather? Wait, Twilight could fix that part at least. He can't fix the Dad thing but he can fix that misconception.

"I know right? I can't believe we didn't make that connection. But I learned something else as well," Alright Twilight, don't fuck this up, "the feather he wears around his neck? It's from a friend that he considers family. Not the mother."

The groans from the others was like music to his ears, disproving his past comments but saving his skin. Got to do what you have to.

"Aw man, if that's true, what does that mean about the purple on his tunic?" Wind chirped.

"I don't know, maybe he has triplets? Red, Blue, purple?" Hyrule answered. His hands running through Legend's hair.

"No, not purple, he got angry when I called it that. Said it was Violet." Wild muttered into the dirt, his face still where Time left it.

Oh, okay, so Wild had information too. That was good to know. Wait, why didn't Wild tell him? Twilight felt offended over imaginary children gossip, god, what would Midna say about this? Probably something like "There you go Mutt, perfect misdirection. Live a little" which....wasn't helpful.

"Does that mean Four has two sons and a daughter? Violet's a flower." Wild said, which again, was muffled by dirt.

There was a general grumble of agreement, and a few coos at the idea of a small girl Four. There was a small gasp and Time looked up, his face sad as he connected some dots that Twilight was sure wasn't suppose to be connected.

"If he doesn't wear his wife's feather, and what he said earlier about mine, did Four's wife die?" Oh dear Hylia, please, Twilight can not begin to explain why that's wrong.

"Is that why he's sensitive about his family? His wife died and now he's super protective of his children?" surprisingly, it was Legend who gave that assessment. Twilight felt betrayed.

Suddenly the coos turned into small gasps and frowns, they were getting sad over an imaginary death. Twilight was losing his mind. He felt bad about fucking up with Four's friend but this, this was making him lose his mind.

"So in summary," Twilight's voice squeaked out into a higher pitch then even Wind's, "Four has two sons, one daughter, his wife died, and the village helped raise the children?Did I miss anything?"

"Yeah, he wears his friend's feather and not his wife's, probably doesn't want to damage it." Thank you Warriors, thats great. Giving an excuse for the dead wife's feather. Exactly what Twilight needed.

Time broke the huddle, his face stern as he spoke about this one last time, "Remember what I said, do not ask him directly about this. And do not ask about his wife period, no beating the bush no direct question, nothing. Let him come to you."

That was that, no more questions, no more about Four's children. Just silence as they wait for Four to come back from the woods. They didn't have to wait long, as not even an hour later did Four come whistling from the trees. His face relaxed and smiling, he had no idea what just happened.

Twilight watched as Time strode over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder and saying something. Four stared at him with confusion before morphing into a weirded out look, eventually looking up for help from the other Links.

All the Links simply looked down and gave him some room, Twilight was staring him dead in the eye and winked. His face blank as he laughed in the inside, Four going from desperate to pissed in seconds after that. Shushing Time, he stalked over to Twilight and whapped him on the back of the head.

"What did you tell them?!" Twilight felt like what Illia's cat looked like when he caught a bird, smug as all that is holy.

"Absolutely nothing true that you would have told me in secret." Four's face did an interesting jump between emotions before he cooled down and walked away.

Twilight laughed to himself as the other Link's gave Four nods of respect, understanding, and empathy. This poor man was utterly oblivious as to why this was happening and Twilight was living his best life. Everything was as it should be, chaos and traveling. 

Through, Twilight was slightly confused, why was Four's feather necklace darker then when he last saw it? Probably just a trick of the light, but he could have sworn he saw more than one.