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Twilight wasn’t sure when he’d been made into the designated communal pillow. It sort of just happened, and he wasn’t one to complain. If anything, it was reassuring to know that he was a comforting presence, even after the truth of his wolf form had been revealed. Having the secret be exposed was a weight off his shoulders. It also meant that he’d become more comfortable transforming at any given moment, often without warning. Sure, he couldn’t speak to his fellow Links, but more than a few of them tended to prefer quieter exchanges anyway.
When it came to taking shifts on night watches, he liked being a wolf – it opened his senses further and wider than his Hylian counterpart. It was also more familiar, in a roundabout way. He liked breathing in the cool night smells and turning his ears towards the sounds of small prey in the undergrowth while his thick fur chased off the cold. It felt right, a natural extension of who he was and didn’t need to hide.
One such night shift came and went, Twilight’s eyes locked on the twinkling expanse of sky, his heart steady. The moment was cut short by a rustle of fabric behind him, and he perked an ear as heavy footsteps drudged their way over to his side. A gloved hand found its way absentmindedly into his fur, and Twilight looked up at the hero who’d come to relieve him.
Warriors sat down wearily on the log beside him, blinking away the lingering traces of sleep. “Alright, you’re good to turn in. Get some rest, soldier,” he whispered, giving his shoulder another pat before setting up for his own shift.
Twilight opened his mouth wide in a toothy yawn that betrayed his own tire and nodded, gladly giving up his position to Warriors. He dragged his paws over to his bedroll, which sat untouched beside a burnt out fire. They’d traveled far and felled many monsters today, so the sleep was much deserved. Normally, he’d transform back to normal before succumbing to the heaviness he felt in his limbs, but he didn’t feel like mustering the energy for that when he was already almost asleep on his paws. Warriors watched him circle on top of his bedroll, stopping halfway to claw at the thick fabric to arrange it just right, before unceremoniously flopping onto the relatively unchanged bed.
He could always tell when the others were laughing at him for his animalistic instincts. Wind, the absolute fiend, had even managed to get him to chase his tail once – and only once! – which had opened him up to a new slew of teasing from the Chain. But that was fine, because he much preferred that sort of light-heartedness as opposed to the kind of animosity his wolf form had received in the past.
Of course, there was at least one person here that he’d never had to worry about, because he was the only one to have trusted the wolf part of him before ever knowing the other half of him.
Twilight slept soundly that night, better than he had in a long time, and the depth of his sleep didn’t give him the chance to wonder why that was until his eyes cracked open to the light of dawn. He buried his nose under his paw with a light breath and bunched his shoulders against the encroaching stiffness.
The movement displaced an arm that’d been carefully draped across his back, and Twilight raised his head in surprise to find a sleeping body snuggled up behind him with his face buried in his fur. The chill of night had turned to frost at some point, and with it came Wild’s noble pursuit for warmth. Really, it wasn’t much different than their early days together, before they’d joined with the rest of the heroes. Wild hadn’t initially been the kind to trust readily. But he’d always trusted animals, and Twilight had been there for him when he needed someone. He’d keep fulfilling that role for as long as he was needed. Normally that’d meant walking at his side through rain and snow, or fighting waves of monsters. But it also meant being here for quiet moments like this. And since joining ranks with the others, he hadn’t been sleeping in his wolf form like he’d grown so used to doing before.
Wild was normally an early riser, but here he looked so peaceful and content. Twilight wouldn’t dare be the one to ruin that. And so, with a resigned sigh, he slowly laid his head back down on his paws and held still while Wild adjusted beside him.
He ended up being one of the last to wake, by extension holding the wolf hostage throughout it all. By the time he did, most everyone else had seen the two with mixed reactions of laughing and cooing. Twilight shrugged it off. Wolf or not, he grew up having children falling asleep on him and clinging to his arms – this wasn’t much different.
When Wild woke up, he was a bit more embarrassed. He usually slept further away from the others, at least at first, since they’d joined while everyone else had already been marginally more acquainted with each other. Now he was in the middle of camp while everyone else was starting to mill around. His checks flushed light pink and he hastily pushed himself into a sitting position, hand lingering in his dark gray fur for only an extra moment before distancing himself.
“I got cold,” Wild mumbled, a feeble excuse that fell on deaf ears as everyone began packing up around them.
Twilight tilted his head quizzically to the side. He’d seen the boy sleep in his snowquill armor before.
Wild hastily got to his feet and began gathering his blankets to throw into his Sheikah slate. “Don’t look at me like that! Why’re you still transformed, anyway?” he said, almost accusatory.
Twilight stood up with a toothy grin that transitioned almost seamlessly into his Hylian form. The shadow crystal fell back into place against his chest, and he rolled his shoulders as the twili magic dissipated around him. “I dunno, it just felt right!” was his chipper response.
“And you looked so cozy,” Legend said teasingly in passing.
Wild bit his tongue and switched focus to distributing a quick round of rations for breakfast, but his furrowed brow indicated that he was still troubled. Or at the very least, embarrassed.
Twilight approached from behind while everyone was making themselves busy and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, Cub, you know if you ever… get cold, I’m always happy to be there for you, right?”
Wild looked like he was ready to say something dismissive. Instead he caught himself and said, with deliberate tentativeness, “It’s easier when you’re a wolf.”
That made sense. Some people were just more comfortable sharing in the space of animals. Be it dog, horse, or whatever other companion finds themselves at the side of a hero – animals didn’t judge. Or spill your secrets or expose your insecurities. Not that Twilight would ever do those things in the first place, but it was an important distinction that he’d seen be made before. Twilight liked to think he was approachable, but that always came down to what people saw in him, whether it be beast or human.
After that night, he started falling asleep as a wolf more often. Not every night, but enough so that he could tell when several sets of eyes would turn to him, waiting to see if he’d shift. Again, not that he minded. He’d moved his bed further away from the center of camp so that he wouldn’t draw as much attention. He also kept the space beside him open, should anyone else decide that they were cold. Normally it would be Wild, who sure enough would find his way back to his side every other night for a better rest than he would otherwise get. But as time march forward and this became a trend, he began to encounter some surprises.
When Twilight woke up next, he almost didn’t register the presence sleeping next to him. Instead of having a face buried in his mane, he shifted and felt someone else’s back pressed up next to him. He swiveled his head around, careful not to move his body too much, and looked down in surprise at the huddled form of Four. The smallest hero looked no different from how he might normally sleep, with the exception that he’d chosen to do it right next to him. Granted, the ground in this part of the region was hard rock and leeched warmth like nothing else. There was almost something strategic in huddling this close to his wolf form, even if he hadn’t expected it from the young yet mature member of their team.
Twilight settled back to rest the remainder of the night, since no-one else but guard duty had yet to wake up. When next he awoke, Four had left his side and was already milling around camp. Judging by everyone’s relative lack of a response, either nobody had paid it much mind, or they hadn’t seen it… whether or not that might’ve been because Four had moved before anyone had noticed, or he was too small to see past Twilight’s bulky canine frame, he couldn’t be sure.
Curious, Twilight had asked about it later on in the day, when they were already well on their way. “You slept well last night, didja?”
Four offered him a coy smile. “I’m surprised nobody said anything sooner.” He crossed his arms over his head with an unbothered hum, as if he was trying to figure out himself why he’d ended up in Wild’s usual spot. “I dunno. I guess I never really got used to sleeping alone. Not that I am with you guys, but… it did look comfortable.”
Twilight chuckled. “Is that all? I guess it was something of a pleasant surprise.”
Four shrugged. “Consider it a moment of weakness, if you must. I will say, you remind me of the dogs that would hang around Castle Town; they were always really friendly.”
Twilight arched an eyebrow. “Just the dogs? I know you like the little critters.”
“Well, some cats would try to eat me, and cucco chicks were a force to be reckoned with, but beyond that I get along with the critters.”
Twilight couldn’t tell if he was joking or not, but Four’s love of animals was very real. It was almost a wonder that he hadn’t ended up at his side sooner. And sure enough, Four became a reoccurring guest at night, albeit with less frequency than Wild. There were still some nights where he’d wake up to nobody sleeping next to him, though that wouldn’t last long.
It’d been three nights since he’d last woken up to someone beside him. It was starting to get lonesome, though he figured out at some point that Four was really good at coming and going without disturbing him. Silent as a mouse, even.
This particular night was rough, though. They’d had a string of difficult battles throughout the day, leaving the night as a time for everyone to lick their wounds. Metaphorically speaking, that is.
Twilight left the rest of the Chain to it. Nothing was serious, thank the goddesses, but first aid was being administered and red potions passed around. He’d taken some nasty hits himself, though it was nothing that a good sleep wouldn’t fix. He would just be sore for a new days, his side tender from where a moblin had thrown him into a tree.
Twilight flopped onto the grassy ground at the edge of camp, a metallic tang in his mouth and blood in his fur. He was glad he’d been a wolf when the attack had happened because he’d sensed it coming before anyone else. And now, once again, he couldn’t bother changing back. Not with his paws so weary and his head so fuzzy. At this point, it’d been quite a while since he’d last slept in his Hylian form, and he couldn’t claim to particularly miss it. Wolves were well-adjusted to sleeping on the ground anyhow. Maybe if they ever found a place with beds, it’d be enough to convince him to sleep normally for once. But until then, he was set in his ways.
It was hard to stay asleep for very long, with his body protesting every shift and adjustment. At one point in the night, he’d felt someone press gently against his side, and in his drowsy state he’d let slip an uncharacteristic whine. The presence quickly disappeared after that, and with eyes still closed he shifted back into a position that might take the weight off of his sore spots. He was due for the last round on the watch guard, so hopefully he wouldn’t have to let this uncomfortable night drag on much longer.
And then at some point during the night, the pain just… stopped. A blissful warmth spread through his lupine body, lifting the pain from his injuries. In the haze of relief that followed, where his mind was finally able to drift deeper into sleep, he was dimly aware of someone gently stroking his back.
When next he awoke, it was to a hand carefully shaking his shoulder and whispering in his ear, “Hey, Twi? It’s your turn, just don’t get up too fast.”
Twilight flicked his ears to indicate that he’d heard and slowly raised his head to look around, as he did every time he could feel someone sleeping next to him. His eyes widened briefly in surprise to see the new face, curled up between his outstretched legs with his head resting on his side like a pillow and a hand twined in his fur, right where he’d been hurting most.
Hyrule had found his way over to him tonight.
Suddenly the warmth from earlier made sense. That must’ve been the traveler using the last of his healing magic before promptly passing out.
Twilight shifted back to a human, if only so that he could cradle the younger hero’s head in his hands and gently lower him to the ground. Hyrule shifted with a sigh at the movement and subsequent loss of warm fur, but didn’t open his eyes. The hand that had been clutching his fur mere moments before now found its way into the folds of the blanket that covered him.
“You limped off before anyone could check you for injuries last night,” Sky, his waker, quietly whispered. A soft smile touched his lips. “Everyone here knows you’re tough, but when the Champion went to sleep next to you, you sounded like you were hurting. So Hyrule took over from there.”
Ah, so that was it.
Twilight ran his hand through the traveler’s feathery hair, gently combing out bits of leaf and flecks of dirt. “That was awfully kind. I would’ve been fine without it, though; I’d hate if he woke up feeling tired from all that magic use.”
Sky stood up from where he’d been crouched next to him, and Twilight followed suit after adjusting the blanket around Hyrule. Thinking back to just how confidently Hyrule had curled up practically on top of him, Twilight wouldn’t be surprised if he’d slept with wolves before. Maybe it was just a hunch, but the mysterious magic of forests and nature always seemed to follow the traveler where he went, his healing magic as warm and nectar-sweet as that of a fairy’s. Twilight could feel the flush in his cheeks from the lingering effects of having the boy heal him steadily through the night.
He felt sorry to leave him for the rest of the evening while he took the last of watch duty. As he watched the dark sky lighten slowly to twilight, and sat with the sensation of lingering spirits watching out for them all, he couldn’t help hoping that Hyrule would find a place to rest beside him in future nights as well. Not for the healing magic, though that had been nice, but just for the sake of comfortability. It’d been nice.
It made him want to be there for the rest of the heroes more than ever, even despite the fact that he was already fiercely loyal to them. One could probably blame that brotherly instinct of his. And, well, perhaps the dog in him, too. There was a reason he’d stuck so close to Wild when it was just the two of them traveling together, even before he’d known who he was. It was hard to show that same level of dedication to seven other people, but dammit he was determined. Knowing that they were there for him in turn… he wanted more than anything to be by their side.
More nights passed from there, each one with somebody coming to sleep next to him. He didn’t even think it strange when he awoke one morning to find both Hyrule and Wind there, one on either side of him. Time joked that it was getting harder to wake him up for night shifts with the way the younger heroes would crowd around him. He wasn’t wrong.
Something woke him up. This time around, it wasn’t a movement or the feeling of someone sharing his space. It was a sound. A small one, granted, but nevertheless one that instilled him with a certain feeling. A feeling that he was needed.
Twilight looked around the clearing, ears turning to locate the source of the noise. Around him were a couple sleeping bodies, which he carefully stepped around to free himself without disturbing them. Wind’s arm stretched out through the empty space he created, landing on Wild’s cheek, and Twilight held back a chuff as he crept away.
Now in the center of the camp, he looked around for whatever it was that had felt so… wrong. The youngest ones were accounted for where he’d left them. Time was sitting off to the side of camp, looking out over the forest. He caught the way his mentor’s ear flicked in his direction, and knew that he was aware of everything that was happening in camp.
Twilight snuffed around, pawing at bedrolls and sniffing at backpacks, as if he would find something displaced in all that. By the light of the stars, he saw somebody twitch under a thick blanket, and he heard that same noise again: a small whimper. The sound sent a pang through his heart, and he hurried towards the source, holding back a worried whine of his own.
He stopped just shy of the large lump curled tightly beneath the blankets, his nose drifting over the shaking form of his brother.
Legend.
Twilight hesitated. Of all his companions, Legend was the most likely to not take kindly to unnecessary acts of kindness, especially if it meant encroaching on his personal space. He was very prideful, and, for someone as young as him, also stubbornly independent despite working in such a large group.
But right now, his face was scrunched up, brow pinched and eyes moving underneath their lids. Twilight was so used to looking tenderly upon the blissfully sleeping faces of the young heroes that sought him out. Seeing Legend in such an obvious state of unrest while trying to sleep was disconcerting, to say the least. He couldn’t just… how was he supposed to ignore this?
Twilight pushed his nose into the veteran’s shoulder blade and huffed a warm breath. Legend flinched under his touch and murmured a name into his blanket. He must be having a nightmare.
Twilight tried to remember something the vet had told him once, about how much he hated sleeping sometimes. It had sounded so odd at the time, but if he was prone to nightmares then it made sense. Sleep was supposed to be a time of rest, where the worries of the waking realm couldn’t bother them as much. It wasn’t fair that someone who’d been through so many adventurers be robbed of even that small reprieve.
Even still, he felt like if he woke Legend up now, it wouldn’t be appreciated. He deserved to sleep, after all. So instead, Twilight lied down next to Legend, curling his body around the huddled hero. The moment he did, he could feel the teenager relax noticeably. His breathing steadied and his heartbeat slowed, as if just having someone there eased whatever burden he was being faced with in his dreams.
Twilight huffed approvingly and buried his muzzle underneath the veteran’s hand. His heartbeat slowed down as well, syncing with Legend’s, and his fidgety movements dulled significantly. He hoped that, whatever Legend was dreaming about, there was somebody in them that was leading him towards better places. He knew what it was like to be trapped in dark places, and was forever grateful to those who had been there to guide him out from it.
Please sleep easy, young one. Twilight sighed, the breath gently ruffling Legend’s hair, and he closed his eyes to slip into his own state of rest. He turned off his senses to the rest of the camp, thinking only of the person he was curled next to.
Dare he say, it was peaceful. At least for a while.
“What are you –? Get off of me!” Loud and abrupt. Twilight’s ears rang with the indignant noises. His eyes were barely open to the first light of dawn before he felt himself being shoved away. The hand sank into his fur, almost frantic. Not in a way to hurt him – just a means to create a distance between them. Twilight jumped up at the startling reaction from Legend, who was now fully awake and aware, and resisted the urge to slink away with his tail between his legs. By now, they’d garnered the attention of the rest of the camp, some only now waking up to the outburst.
Twilight transformed back to explain himself. “Hey, hey, it’s a’right, I was just tryin’ to— I di’n’t mean to upset ya none!” His words mumbled together in the earliness of morning, his accent more prevalent.
He held his hands up innocently as Legend pointed an accusatory finger at him, almost making him topple over. He’d never seen the vet get so angry. Or… embarrassed? His eartips were red, not from the chill of morning, and the scowl written across his face looked like a cover-up of something else. He was trembling ever so slightly, but again Twilight didn’t feel any real anger rolling off him. Nonetheless, he wasn’t going to point that out while he was being chewed out.
“You and your dog form – you never go up to others at night,” Legend spat, dragging his blankets around him and scooting further back on his bedroll. “Just because half the team likes it, doesn’t mean I want any part of your little sleepovers! What made you think I’d want to wake up to 200 pounds of wet dog smell in my face?”
Twilight was a little hurt. Did he actually smell? Nobody else had mentioned anything like that, and the other young heroes stayed pretty close to him at night. He grimaced, putting his feelings aside to address how distressed the young adventurer had become despite his intentions. “Easy there, vet,” he rumbled, voice calm and husky. “You just looked… lonesome, is all.” Even if he kept his voice low, he wasn’t going to point out that it was Legend’s nightmares that had summoned him to his side. Legend didn’t like having his weaknesses exposed, even if it was something that couldn’t be helped. “I knew that the others sleep better when they’re around me, and… and I thought I could do the same here. But I overstepped my boundaries, and I’m sorry about that. I won’t do it again.”
Legend deflated under his pacific response. His hands had found his hat, and they were in the process of wringing his hat nervously. His brow was still pinched, but the counterfeit scowl from earlier had slipped into something more akin to a pout. His lips pressed together into a thin line, and for a moment Twilight wondered if he was going to backtrack on his statement. But perhaps he was too prideful for that… even if his face currently made him look younger than he would ever want to look. “I… y-yes, see to it that you do. I don’t need my sleep being disturbed, after all.”
Twilight held back a laugh. It was such a preposterous statement, after what he’d seen last night. But at least Legend didn’t seem to harbor any actual ill will towards him. He’d known it’d been a risk to take the initiative like he had last night. But, well, nurturing instinct had won over, and he didn’t regret it.
It was going to be hard for him for him to keep his paws at bay should those nightmares arise again, but he’d have to stay put if he wanted to give Legend the space and respect he asked for. Nothing to be done about that. “I’ll leave ya be, then,” Twilight promised. “You won’t find me wakin’ up beside ya again.” And then he got back onto his feet, dusting himself off in the process. He turned away from Legend, back to where he’d left the other young heroes during the night. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Legend’s face slip into something that could only be described as crestfallen, but it didn’t feel right to pursue the subject further or explore his mixed emotions. So he left it alone. If Legend decided he wanted to talk about it more, then that was his choice to make.
Twilight made his way back to the slowly awakening pile of young heroes that were crowded around his bed. Wild had slipped away at some point for night shift, only to have his spot get snatched by Four, despite Twilight not even being around for it. Poor Wind, he was looking around in confusion, wondering how the hell he’d slept through the rotation of sleeping heroes.
“Rise and shine, sailor,” Twilight chuckled, tugging at the blankets that were pinned beneath the two smallest. Wind inched off the fabric, the corners of his mouth drawn into a frown. Four, meanwhile, stretched for a good moment before rolling onto his feet, looking entirely unbothered.
“I missed something, didn’t I?” Wind complained.
Twilight glanced out over the camp. Legend had his back turned to him, shoulders hunched. But everything still felt the same. Warriors was trying unsuccessfully to rouse Sky. Hyrule had emerged from the bushes with a bunch of eggs he’d found, and was asking Wild if he’d cook them. Time was looking out over camp just the same as he was, and they locked eyes for a moment. The elder hero quirked an eyebrow at him, and Twilight averted his gaze. It felt like he was being asked to fix something.
“No, not particularly,” Twilight mumbled distantly.
In the days to follow, he thought that Legend might have an aversion to him. If he had, Twilight would’ve been disappointed, but he would understand, even if the last thing he wanted was for the people around him to push themselves away. And yet, there were always surprises to be found in this group. Because Legend was actually gravitating towards him more. It was strange – normally the only person Legend lingered around was Hyrule, and it was in that protective manner that spoke of the connection between successor and predecessor. That as it were, he tended to hang out at the back of the group, not wanting to be mistaken as some sort of leader in yet another adventure he was required to trudge through.
But at the moment, he was walking just a few paces behind him. Twilight was walking and talking with Wild, who was trying to figure out other ways of using all the monster parts he gathered. Twilight didn’t know why the cub was so enamored with looting bokoblins for their fangs and horns, but he wasn’t going to be the one to extinguish that creative flame of his. Even if he wasn’t sure how putting a keese eyeball on an arrow was going to help it “see” better.
Throughout it all, Legend hung around nearby, never really engaging with the conversation but reacting to it all the same with snickers of his own. Twilight let him have his fun. If he commented on his sudden closeness, it might just drive the abrasive member of their group away again. And honestly, he was enjoying the extra company.
A few days passed under this new normal. He’d travel as a Hylian, only sometimes interspersed with moments that required Wolfie to come out and track scents, move through undergrowth, or fight particularly pesky monsters. Then at night, it’d be wolf time, and there was almost always somebody who would join him.
He knew by now how the heroes liked sleeping next to him, and what movements they made. He recognized it even in the depths of his sleep, on a subconscious level. So when a new presence approached him, he was distinctly aware of it. These movements were hesitant, more reserved, and the footsteps leading up to it were painfully discreet, in the “I’m trying so hard to be quiet by not breathing” kind of way, as opposed to the natural ability for stealth that some of the other heroes possessed.
Hyrule was already asleep in front of him, using his stomach as a pillow, but tonight the other young heroes had yet to appear, leaving the space behind him available. Twilight dimly wondered in the fog of sleep if, had it been any other night, he’d be getting this new visitor.
The person in question settled on the ground behind his back and made a bed for himself. He still kept a few inches away, but was facing him like how Wild would sleep. He could feel the shaky breath rustling the fur of his neck and smell the fear-scent.
Another nightmare.
Twilight didn’t open his eyes. He let things play out around him, a quiet participant at the center of it all. Only when he felt the tell-tale trembling of someone in distress, so close to him and yet still so distant, did he act in any way.
He couldn’t get up all the way without disturbing Hyrule, so he slowly wiggled his way backwards until he could feel Legend’s shaking body. Fingers clenched his fur, stronger and needier than he might’ve expected, and a sigh of relief tickled the fur of his ear as Legend visibly settled down next to him. Even if the vet had his restraints about showing his vulnerabilities, Twilight wasn’t about to let him suffer for it. This was the least he could do.
Even still, Twilight was surprised when Legend was still in the same position come morning. Hyrule had snuck away at some point for some early-morning foraging, making sure to drape his blanket over the two of them before leaving.
Nobody commented as the camp slowly came alive around him. Even though he was awake, he dared not move, lest he disturb his newest sleeping companion. Instead, his eyes drifted around camp while he waited.
Only when there was movement at his back did he raise his head and look over. This was his first time actually seeing Legend like this, huddled under layers of blankets with his shoulders bunched and the scowl lines on his face drawn ever so slightly. Some people had smile lines – Legend had scowl lines. That’s just how it was, and he could see them even when the vet was doing something as mundane as thinking a bit too hard.
“This… this doesn’t mean anything,” Legend sleepily insisted, warily and maybe even regrettably letting go of his fur. At least he looked well rested, and that’s all Twilight really cared about.
Twilight dipped his head in understanding with a gentle huff.
Legend hesitated before reaching his hand back out again, and Twilight instinctively leaned his side into it. He closed his eyes as the touch turned to slow, tentative pets as Legend became more comfortable beside him.
“I… I guess I should thank you, though.” Twilight cracked a silver-blue eye, looking at the light smile that Legend had allowed himself. “I see the way everyone looks up to you and… and trusts you to be at their side. I still think it’s a bit on the nose for a dog, but… but I get it.”
Twilight let his tongue loll in a toothy smile, and Legend leaned back, scrunching up his face.
“Your breath still stinks of the kargaroc you ate yesterday, though,” Legend bemoaned.
Twilight huffed indignantly at the insult. He didn’t eat it! That’s just how he deals with flying enemies – they’re harder to hit and everybody knows that!
Twilight stood up and gave a full-body shake, sending out a cloud of fine dirt and shed fur around him. Legend recoiled with an aggravated noise of disgust, but there was mirth in his eyes. He earned a few laughs around camp while Legend stood up, trying in vain to shake the wiry wolf hair from his blanket until Time approached.
There was a familiar glint of mischief in his eye, telling Twilight of his approval with the turn of events despite his tone. “Alright, Pup, that’s enough for one morning. We need to set out early today if we’re going to locate the last of the monster camps in the area, and I’m going to need your nose to point us in the right direction.”
Twilight dipped his head in understanding and began scouting the immediate area, leaving Legend to pick up the bedding. He could feel the vet’s eyes following him as he pushed his way through the bushes.
A few more days of hard work and adventuring had resulted in them clearing out the area. And though they’d felled many a black-blooded beast, they were no closer to finding the Shadow’s trail again. They were, however, a day’s travel away from this world’s Kakariko Village, so soon enough they’d all be able to take a proper rest and sleep in some real beds.
Twilight took first watch on this night, sitting through the drowsy quiet with his tail swishing every so often. There was a very different feeling surrounding him tonight, like one of anticipation, and he was more aware than ever of every little rustle of movement from each of the heroes. When his time was done, he padded over to Wild and stuck his wet nose on the exposed hand that never seemed to stay under a blanket. Clear blue eyes flashed at him, and Wild looked up with an attentiveness that was unlike someone who should’ve been asleep. The champion pushed himself readily to his feet and surveyed the camp filled with sleeping bodies.
“All quiet?” he whispered.
Twilight nodded with a gentle exhale of breath.
“Alright, you get some rest. I’ll join you after I’m done,” he promised, walking quietly to the edge of camp to locate the best vantage points. Twilight left him to it and dragged his weary paws to the bed he’d already made for himself before his shift had started. It always looked so empty at the start of the night. He settled down, placing his head on his paws, and let his eyes drift close as the rest of the slumbering bodies around him tossed and turned.
When next Twilight awoke, the first thing he noticed was just how warm he was. Which was strange, considering the changing of the seasons and the oncoming nip in the air that the heroes had been dreading for a while now.
He shifted, only to find his movements more stifled than normal, and his groggy mind tried to take count of what had changed around him while he’d been asleep. Let’s see… He could figure out Wild, arm draped across his neck but at an odd angle. There was Hyrule and a splayed-out Wind using his belly as a pillow. He could smell Legend, too, his hand clenched in the fur of his back, and somewhere between him and Wild, Four had miraculously found the space to squeeze in. Then there was…
Twilight raised his head through the heavy fog of overlapping smells, blinking the sleep from his eyes to take in the absolute dog-pile that had materialized around him over the course of the night. Oddly enough, Sky and even Warriors had drifted over to him at some point in the night. That made seven heroes that were huddled around for warmth and comfort, effectively trapping him in the center of it all.
Twilight looked around him, more than a bit incredulous, until he once more found himself looking pleadingly to Time, the only other person who was awake. A desperate whine began to rise in the back of his throat. It wasn’t that he was uncomfortable – actually, he could probably stay like this forever, the epicenter of this brotherly love. And that was the concerning part.
Time laughed at his expense. “Finally awake, are you? Sorry, I just didn’t have the heart to wake anyone. You all looked so peaceful!”
I’m trapped. Old man, I’m trapped and you did nothing to help me.
Legend raised his head, hair disheveled and words nothing more than mumbles. “What the hell… what are you doing here, Sky. And… everyone?” He shoved the first hero off of him, letting him fall off of where he’d been reclined against Twilight’s haunches.
Sky stretched his arms sleepily, looking ready to fall back asleep at a moment’s notice. “Mm, I used to sleep with my loftwing just like this, when I was first exploring the surface. It got lonely and cold, otherwise.”
Wind turned over as conversation began to bubble around them, squirming deeper into his blanket and managing to kick Warrior’s leg in the process. The soldier grunted, drawing his leg in and pushing himself up with one hand from where his head had been resting directly next to Twilight’s own. “Why’s everyone…? Oh.”
Twilight gave him the most quizzical look he could muster as a wolf. What had made him decide to join? Not that Twilight was against it – he was just surprised, is all. Of everyone gathered here, Warriors was the most inclined to a standard bed arrangement and regular sleeping patterns. Something like this didn’t seem like it would’ve been comfortable to him.
Warriors averted his eyes sheepishly, scratching his cheek. “I… uh, well, I couldn’t help watching you guys get all comfortable. When Four woke me up for my shift, you guys were all just… here. And then he went and joined you all as if it was no big deal. So when my night shift was over, I just thought…”
Twilight butted his head into Warriors side with a rumble deep in his throat that was no doubt a laugh. You don’t have to make excuses, brother. He hoped Warriors understood.
Time walked over, coming to a stop on the edge of the dog-pile, and for a split second Twilight wondered if his mentor was going to join them, if only for a moment. His tail wagged, betraying the thought and smacking Sky.
Instead, he had to be the bearer of bad news. The responsibility as the oldest was not one to be held lightly, after all. “You all know you can’t stay like this, right?” Time gently reminded the group of drowsy heroes, who responded with groans and sleepy sighs. “How much longer until we can start getting ready to leave?”
Twilight noted that it was getting to be well into morning. Even the usual early birds of the group had opted to sleep in today. And at this rate, he wouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
Wild buried his face into Twilight’s flank. “Just five more minutes,” he mumbled to an amused Time, who would take his word for it. The others seemed to agree, and worked their way back into the comfort of the pile they’d made around him.