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“I love you, Teba.”
It was three simple words that caused Teba’s brain to crash; just staring down at the love of his life. There’s nothing else to compare Saki to but the one he wants to spend forever with and those simple – yet so complex – words sealed the deal.
Teba was bringing Saki back to her home after a beautiful picnic down by the river with both their favourites. They spent the whole day with one another and it was never boring or forced. Something that Teba had felt with a few other dates before her.
Those words sit on his lips but instead of saying them back, Teba spins around so fast and walks back down towards the entrance of the village. Behind him, Saki watched with an amused look and somehow, she agreed to marry him on the very next date even though Teba never once said those words back.
…
“Love you, Dad!”
Teba snapped his head around from where he was helping Kaneli with the bows to where his son was standing with his class; waving excitedly and so much like his mother in that moment. Both managed to catch him off guard with three simple words.
He and Kaneli had volunteered to help with the school today which is why Teba even bothered to be in Hateno in the first place. Link was supposed to be here but something came up with Sidon and Riju which he had to help them with. Teba wasn’t doing anything so agreed to help out.
Molli grabs Tulin by the wing and drags him towards their retreating class.
The words were right there but Teba just couldn’t bring himself to say them.
…
"Love ya, Teba!”
Link throws his arms around Teba, giving the biggest bear hug that the kid can muster before pulling away. Grinning from ear to ear and never once thinking twice about this level of affection. It’s actually quite nice since Link had kept his distance because he was worried about overstepping but has long since loosened up.
Teba chuckles and ruffles Link’s hair before his son fully pulls away from him.
They are down in Lurelin Village because of this new race with the Zonai that has been being advertised around Hyrule. Anyone could sign up and Link hasn’t stopped talking about it for months; convincing Tulin and Revali to come to watch him which got Stormwind, Teba, and Saki involved as well.
Saki and Stormwind had already taken a spot; giving the perfect view of the race course. Tulin and Revali are standing on the dock and helping Link get his vehicle set-up with ideas and pieces that they had brought along. The only thing missing was a flag, which all the other racers have.
Most range from Lurelin to Kakariko along with a few from Gerudo Town and Zora’s Domain, with at least one entry from Goron City. Rito Village was basically the only one not in this race since water and feathers don’t really mix, but many of them have come out to support Link.
His son had come to him to see if he could represent the Ritos.
No one from the village had complained and even went about getting a flag together, only waiting on their Chief’s permission. Of course, Teba gave it since there’s no reason not to.
However, the words that Teba wanted to say were stuck and long forgotten when Link passed the finish line in second place.
…
“Love you, Old Bird.”
It was a quiet night up on Medoh when Teba heard those words, taking a second to look over at Revali. His son, though Revali doesn’t want to admit it, is at the controls and keeps staring at them instead of acknowledging Teba.
Revali has been teaching Teba how to work Medoh, believing that others should know just in case something happens to him again. Many in the village now have basic training: ranging from Tulin to Saki to even Kass.
Teba just places a wing around Revali – waiting for a moment to let his son have the chance to pull away – before pulling him into his side. It’s hard to imagine how far they have come to reach this quiet moment where neither bats an eye at those words…not that Teba could say them back. No matter how hard he tries, he just can’t find it in himself to say them back.
Instead of speaking, he allows the moment to drag on.
…
“I love you,” Teba said.
It was a random evening with the whole family together at Link’s house for dinner.
The food have been placed around the table with everyone digging in, speaking about their days, and random jokes being thrown around. It’s a nice scene that Teba doesn’t want to ruin but he opens his beak to say something else instead those three simple words come slipping out…causing the table to go quiet.
Never over the years have Teba ever spoken out of turn – uttering those words – but something overcame in like a need. He needed his family to know how much they meant to him, and how much he needed and wanted them in his life. Guess now they do.