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Lance should’ve known that the moment he left Kakariko Village everything would go to shit.
He yelps, mud sticking to his ballerinas as he tumbles onto the wet grass. He doesn’t even have time to take out his bow and ready it, can hear the mob of Bokoblins dashing straight at him. One false move and he was done for. He only tugs at his bag harder, limping as he stands and tries to run out into the open field again.
The grasslands stretch on forever, mountains overhead as he runs and runs. There’s no one around, not a single villager, traveler, or anything that could come to his aid. Way overhead he can see the telltale signs of the Dueling Peaks mountain range, but it’s still too far away for him to reach.
An arrow whizzes past him and Lance tries ducking. It graces his arms, leaving a nasty cut over his arm as he keeps running. Hylia, he was so dead. Pidge was sure to admonish him when he reached Hateno. That is, if he even manages to survive.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” He curses under his breath, a sea of trees providing no cover as the Bokoblins move faster around him. A root catches on his foot, makes him fall on his back and Lance crashes with another curse on his lips.
His belongings all strew around him, bag empty of all of the ingredients and delicious food he had managed to cook with Hunk. His knife is also lying a few feet away, hands not even able to reach. Lance tugs at the root with a strangled cry, feet still stuck and the monsters are only coming closer.
With a panicked yell, he manages to unstrap the bow from his bag, quickly holstering three arrows and shooting into the first Bokoblin he sees. Bullseye, the monster falls on the ground and quickly dissolves into nothing. Lance shoots again, killing the one coming closer, but they keep coming and Lance is losing range. The moment they get closer, the moment his bow becomes useless. He needs to get distance.
Lance kicks at the root, finally managing to slip his foot out of the thick root. He tries standing but pain shoots up with a jolt. He cries out, trying not to buckle down with the pain as the Bokoblins have now reached the small outcrop. He tries moving away, each step making him cry out.
With shaking fingers, he takes another arrow and shoots, hitting the Bokoblin right on his shoulder, but not killing him instantly. He sees the color on the monster's skin, a dark black hue, horns protruding from his forehead and he’s not getting out of this alive.
Lance leaves everything behind, tries running further into the forest just as more arrows whizz past him. He tries ducking, tries dodging away, but his foot is throbbing. He sucks in a sharp breath as one arrow etches right over his right shoulder, making him cry out once the pain settles in. Blood drips from the wound and soaks up his attire. Even after he worked so hard on finding the Frostbite Armor, now the top was soaking in blood.
“Fuck you!” He yells, angry now at the monster’s cackle, “I had to go to Hebra for this y’know! Misko is going to kill you for tainting her sacred clothes!”
The Bokoblins only snarl as they advance closer. Lance sees a plant of fire fruit a few steps away and makes up his mind. He tries running as fast as possible as the monsters are only a few feet away from him. With a desperate yell, he tugs on the fruit, fingers burning at the sensation and immediately throws it at them.
Fire explodes in his vision as the first Bokoblin goes up in flames. A shrill gurgle echoes in the forest and Lance only tugs at another fruit and shoots once more. He misses by a mile, hitting a tree instead. He curses, only one shot left. He nicks an arrow with the fruit, fingers trembling as the Bokoblins come closer and closer-
He shoots blindly, only sees a pair of red eyes in his line of vision as the arrow misses and hits one of the trees overhead. Before he can even curse at himself, the Bokoblin is right there in his face. He strikes, the cub hitting him right in the ribs and sends Lance flying onto the grass. He lands with a choked moan, feeling all of his stomach being rearranged with a single blow.
Lance heaves, tries to suck air and the Bokoblin comes up again and strikes once again. The air leaves his lungs, the impact making him lose balance for a second as a hit is dealt to his chest. Lance can almost taste the blood pouring in his mouth. His mind is spinning, everything going out of orbit as he tries to breathe once again. His pants are soaked now, top completely ruined as mud splatters all over his clothes.
He tries crawling away, releasing a small cry as there’s a kick at his back that makes him crash right onto the grass. Three Bokoblins surround him, the three of them with black dark skin and Lance knows there’s no going back from this. He sees their weapons, all of them sturdier than his weak knife. The only thing strong enough in his arsenal is his bow, but he needs more distance.
Before he tries escaping, one of the Bokoblins tugs at his hair. Lance cries out, dragged by his scalp as the monsters cackle in delight. Lance tries clawing at his arm, tries getting out of his grip, but the arrow nicked in his shoulder makes him cry out. The Bokoblins fingers dig deep into his head and tears are springing in his eyes.
“Let go!” Lance yells, his own scream reaching only his ears, “Let me go!”
The Bokoblins all cackle, just as the downpour begins. Lance feels the rain on his skin, feels it washing away the mud as blood starts to run down his arms. It’s freezing, making him shiver against the onslaught of water. The monsters seem unaffected by it, only pushing him against the dirt.
He tries fighting off the grip of his hair. The Bokoblin shoves him harder onto the bark off a tree, pain shooting down his spine as Lance yells again. When one of the monster's hands comes up to muffle his screams, Lance bites down, hard, onto his skin.
The monster howls, earns Lance another swing at his stomach as they finally let go. Lance coughs, tastes the blood running down his lips as the Bokoblins only turn angrier and angrier. His fingers are growing numb at the cold, Lance doesn’t even know where his bow is, and there’s nothing for him to fend himself with.
Except his hidden ability. He promised Shiro he wouldn't flaunt it so blindly, that he'd keep it a secret in hopes of having the element of surprise during their battle with Zarkon. But if he doesn't use it at all, he's as good as dead.
Lance extends his arm, a current of water running through his arm and down to his fingertips. A stream of water shoots from his hands and hits the closest Bokoblin, killing him instantly. There's only two left and he needs time to recharge.
He tries to drag himself away but it's no use. The Bokoblins are mad now, snarling and snapping their jaws at him. They pin him down again, Lance tastes the mud and tries not to yell. His eyelids are dropping, the cold is overtaking his body, and he might pass out any second now.
A desperate attempt comes from his hands, trying to shoot more water, and a feeble stream leaves his fingers, barely touching the mob of monsters. He curses, might start crying from desperation as images begin playing on his mind.
Lance thinks of Hateno, thinks of Kakariko, and all of the weird shit he saw during his travels. Remembers the dishes Hunk and him cooked together, remembers Pidge’s weird theories regarding the Zonai devices, remembers Shiro’s kind smile when he taught him how to shoot his first arrow, remembers Keith’s smirking face when he finished first on their horse race.
He sees Lurelin Village, hears the ocean calling back to him and beckoning him forward. He can see his family all together again, not wrecked apart by the Upheaval. Sees Veronica, Rachel, Luis, Marco, his mom, his dad, they’re all cozy together under their small fishing house, boat rocking softly with the waves.
Lance sees it all as the Bokoblins surround him, closes his eyes and before he accepts what’s about to come, hears a sword powering up.
He barely has time to look up, only sees a flash of bright blue over his head. Lance hears the Bokoblins cry out, sees them turn as they ready their weapons but it’s already too late. A Zonai sword flashes against the pestering rain, Lance feels the heat of it even as it slices across the monsters, dealing blow after blow with precise efficiency.
He already knows who it belongs to.
There’s a sharp cry from the Bokoblins, one after the other dissolving into black mist until there’s only their discarded weapons left. Lance looks up, sees the swordsman who saved him and tries very hard not to smile in relief. Keith is rushing to him, soaked like a wet kitten, as he kneels right beside him.
“Keith…” He manages to croak out. Lance tries sitting up, but everything hurts and his head is spinning, “You found me.”
“What were you doing facing a horde of black Bokoblins?!” Keith yells, obviously pissed out of his fucking mind.
“They ambushed…me,” Lance tries to say between coughs. Rough hands, help him sit up against the tree’s bark. Lance chokes on a gasp, oxygen hard to come by now, as blood continues to run down his shoulder, “I was leaving Kakariko-”
“Alone?!” Keith takes out a bottle, pushes it into his hands as he uncaps it.
Lance sees a small fairy, wings fluttering as it flies out of its confinements. The tiny creature sparkles a bright red and suddenly it surrounds him whole. Lance sees his body glow for a second longer, almost as if the fairy was nurturing him from the inside.
The fairies outside of their nest were scarce and rare. Lance doesn’t know how Keith had it but it immediately makes him feel a thousand times better. He breathes a sigh of relief, body still numb thanks to the rain, but the pain easing away to a sore bruise. The arrow is no longer etched into his skin, Lance sees the bloody weapon in Keith's hands before he tosses it away. Lance leans further into the bark, a pleased smile on his face as he can finally breathe properly.
“I was traveling back to Hateno,” Lance tries explaining, “Pidge wanted some scribes of the Zonai Rings. Something to help her find more Zonai Ruins and the Dragon Tears. Wanted to get you the information as soon as possible.”
“Why were you alone?!” Keith chastises him, “Why didn’t she accompany you?”
“She’s still waiting for Matt to come back from Mount Lanaryu,” Lance explains carefully “And she’s been working with Hunk to decode the texts on the ruins. It was on my way back from Faron, they couldn’t come with me.”
“Lance,” Keith starts, scowl ever present on his lips as he rummages inside his bag. He takes out two bottles of elixirs, each one shining brightly against the gloomy sky. He hands one of them to him, “Just drink it.”
Lance doesn’t argue, only uncaps the bottle and drinks up the potion. Immediately he starts feeling better, a fullness settling on his stomach as the potion seems to have an effect on his body. Lance smiles and looks at Keith. Who would’ve thought he would find him here of all places.
“I thought you were still in Hyrule,” Lance starts, “Thought you were still looking for Allura in the castle.”
“There was nothing there. Just infested with monsters.” Keith says with an irritated sigh, “I’ve visited Shiro in Hebra and Romelle in Gerudo and still nothing. No one knows where she is. Coran thinks she’s hiding somewhere, still believes Zarkon doesn’t have her captive.”
“The Princess of Hyrule disappears after the horrible Upheaval, what a shocker.” Lance tries joking, earns only a cracked smile from Keith, “Her trusty knight in shining armor, Hero of the Legend, bearer of the Triforce of Courage, will stop at nothing to find his trusted princess.”
Keith punches him on the arm, “As if you’re any better, Sage of Water.”
“Uh no, that was my ancestor, not me.” Lance shakes his head, “Apparently being a somewhat descendant of the Zora Royal Family has its perks, but not enough to rescue me from a mob of deadly Bokoblins.”
“You shouldn’t be traveling alone,” Keith says, “It’s too dangerous Lance. The Blood Moon is appearing every other night and the monsters come back stronger. That is counting only the ones from the Upheaval, there’s been more sightings of the Gleeoks surrounding these areas.“
“Buddy, I appreciate the gesture,” Lance interrupts him, clearly not keen on following the conversation, “But I can take care of myself.”
“You were about to get-“ Keith cuts himself off with an irritated huff. “What would’ve happened if I wasn’t here?!”
Lance doesn’t say anything, they’ve been at this topic for too long now. Keith being the Champion of Hyrule didn’t make it any easier, he was an expert at slaying monsters left and right, Lance could only provide aerial support and use his bow when needed, but even his skills didn’t rival those of Keith or Shiro. The only thing he's been good enough to do was gift Keith with his weird abilities to call upon the water, something that Lance thought was quite ordinary for any Hylian to possess.
Still the knowledge that Keith had to come in and save him, him, the supposed Sage of Water, was a huge blow to his ego.
“But nothing happened.” Lance says as calmly as possible. He knows Keith has a point, that he indeed has a valid reason to believe Lance needs a babysitter, but there are things far greater than himself. “Let’s just go to the nearest stable and-“
His voice cuts off when he tries to stand, and his damaged foot almost makes him stumble. Pain shoots up his leg and Lance has to bite down his lip, fingers gripping at the bark. The wound is covered in mud along with all of his clothes, Hylia he must look like a mess, and all of this in front of Keith.
“Where are you hurt?” Keith stands next to him, just a couple inches shorter than him. Lance still grips at the tree, carefully hopping on one foot before showing the bruised ankle to him. Even covered in mud, Lance catches the faint purple and red splotches on his skin.
“My foot got stuck on a root when I was running,” Lance tries moving it, but hisses, “It’s probably sprained.”
“Why were you running in those?” Keith looks at his purple ballerinas and then as if finally noticing he sees all of his outfit. “What are you wearing?”
“First of all, rude.” Lance scoffs, “Second, this is the Frostbite armor from Misko. The one I told you that was hidden in Hebra. I found the whole set, but Shiro gave me the Snowquill headdress.” He shakes his head, the small beaded braids going with the motion, “Doesn’t it look cute?”
“Lance-“ Keith just groans, burying his face in his hands. The tips of his ears are red and Lance has never seen him like this, not even when they visited the Gorons. Keith huffs and says nothing, “Use the boots I gifted you, they’re better suited for running.”
“But that’ll ruin the set!” Lance motions for his whole outfit, “The Blue accentuates my skin!”
Keith says nothing, only a sigh, but his cheeks have a lovely shade of pink. Lance hopes he didn’t get sunburnt, Keith was very pale, with just standing an hour in the sun was enough for his skin to start burning.
The rain was still falling and Lance was starting to shiver from the cold. Keith immediately notices.“Let’s go, the nearest stable is a few miles away.”
Keith places his hands together over his mouth and calls for his horse. Red comes trotting down the hill, walking through the trees until it reaches them both. Lance smiles when the horse nudges at his palms, already looking for head rubs and an apple.
“Hello beautiful,” Lance sings, rubbing his head. The horse’s ears perk up and leans further into the touch with closed eyes. Lance giggles, “I’ll get your treat in just a sec.”
He tries to walk, his knee already buckling but Keith is there to pull him up. “What do you need?”
“My bag is back there.” Lance motions further into the forest, “And my bow-“
“I’ll get it. Wait here.”
Keith doesn’t let him move, immediately pulls into action and grabs all of his belongings. Lance keeps petting Red all the while, the horse keeping close to him. Once Keith returns he carefully hangs his belongings over the saddle, handing Lance his bow.
“Wait Keith,” Lance tries to stop him, “I can walk there, you don’t have to-“
“You can hardly hold yourself up.” Keith says, “You can ride on Red and we can spend the night at the stable on Dueling Peaks. I’ll accompany you back to Hateno.”
“Y-You don’t have to do that!” Lance yelps as he tries to get closer to Keith. “You’re still looking for the princess and the Gorons still need your help. Just leave me at the stable and I can make my way back.”
“You’re injured. I’m taking you back there.”
“Keith!”
Lance chides him, holding onto Red’s frame as he finally manages to step near Keith. He sees the resolution in his eyes, there’s no way Lance is convincing him out of this idea. Guilt churns at his stomach, the last thing he wants to do is be a burden to Keith. He already has so much on his plate, he doesn’t need to add anymore stress to it too.
“I’m taking you back.” Keith says, offering up his hand.
Lance reaches without thinking, hands linking. The touch is warm, tingling his freezing skin with just the brush of his fingertips. He wants to reject the offer, wants to turn down the warmth Keith is giving him, but Lance has always been weak when it comes to him.
Carefully Keith pulls him closer. Lance bites down on his yelp, his other hand coming up to rest over Keith’s shoulder. They are close, too close for Lance’s comfort. He can feel the thrum of Keith’s heartbeat under his fingertips, the way his skin feels against the rain. Lance gulps, tries to look away when Keith’s free hand comes up to rest on the small of his back.
He shivers when he feels Keith’s fingers gracing at his open back.
“Your outfit…” Keith draws out, eyes widening as he feels the wet skin there, “What?”
“It has an open back.” Lance carefully draws out, tries not to blush harder when Keith’s hand tightens at the words. And because he’s a bit of a teaser, Lance adds with a cheeky grin, “Still think it’s not cute?”
Keith huffs, annoyance visible in his eyes, despite the blush on his cheeks growing. Lance giggles, before it turns into a yelp as Keith hoists him up without a problem.
“You ass!” Lance punches at his shoulder as Keith merely holds him up by the waist without a problem. He places him over Red’s saddle, touch gentle and careful as the horse easily lets him sit. Lance is still pouting once Keith takes the reins in his hands, carefully walking them out of the forest.
“We’ll reach the stable by nightfall.” Keith says, looking out into the deep forest, eyes ever watchful if any other enemy dares to come out. Lance figures he might not even need to draw his bow with Keith around.
“Give me a warning next time.” He chides, shivering as the wind starts to blow in their direction. Mud is still staining his pants and ballerinas, he’ll have to give them a good wash before their journey back to Hateno. He watches Keith’s mullet, his hair is now tied in a low ponytail. “You hungry?”
Lance rummages in his bag for his tossed packages, finds the Meaty Rice Balls he made with Hunk, and offers one to Keith. The journey is still long and might as well offer his thanks. Not only for tending to his injuries but for overall saving him from a certain death. Keith takes the rice ball wordlessly, giving Lance a kind smile in return.
“Thank you,” Lance says, grabbing one for himself and giving it a small bite, “For this and for saving me.”
Keith nods, pensive as he takes a bite. They wordlessly walk through the forest, Red trotting up as the rain starts to dim and the trees begin to disperse more and more into an open field. Lance sees the Dueling Peaks, the enormous mountains overhead as the sky starts to clear and the sun begins to set.
“We could travel together.”
Lance turns to Keith, the rice ball forgotten in his hands, “What?”
“Travel together, you and me.” Says Keith as he gives his meal another bite. Keith tugs at Red’s reins to avoid them stepping on a stone and Lance can faintly see the trail of smoke going up in the sky. The first sign of the stable.
“But I’d be in the way.” Lance starts, hands fidgeting with his meal. He’ll only be a hindrance if he accompanies him in his travels. “You’re still unlocking Shrines, finding clues about the Dragon Tears, exploring both the Depths and the Sky Islands!”
It’s a terrible idea if Lance ever heard one. As much as he’d love the company, traveling alone isn’t exactly his expertise, Lance knows Keith prefers traveling alone. Ever since Lance has known him, the Hyrule Champion, the Hero who slept for a hundred years, Bearer of the Triforce of Courage, Keith isn’t bound to travel with someone.
Lance shakes his head, “I can’t accompany you. I don’t do any of those things.”
“And yet you’re still helping me, despite all of that.”
“I-I mean yes, I know, but-“ Lance stutters, “It’s different! I’m a Sage, I’m traveling only on the mainlands! I send you a letter as soon as I can, I help you unlock some of the shrines, but-”
“Then you can keep my pace.”
Keith doesn’t have any doubts about this. His mind is set on them traveling together now, entirely certain that Lance and him should be a party of two now. Lance gapes at him, trying to contain his surprise, but he only ends up scoffing.
“It’s a terrible idea. You’ll get tired of me.”
Keith hums, “Maybe. But we’ve been friends for three years now, I’m used to it.”
“Because you hardly interact with someone else, old man.” Lance spits out, “I’m not an easy person to deal with y’know.”
“Oh I know, I definitely know.”
Lance doesn’t have it in his heart to take offense to that, not when he sees Keith’s easy smile as he looks up at Lance. Something eases in his chest, makes his heart thrum at the emotion there. He takes another bite off his rice ball, not daring to break away from Keith’s mesmerizing gaze.
“You really wanna travel with me?”
The question comes off meek and shy, something very uncharacteristic of Lance. Keith catches onto the tone immediately, grip tight on Red’s reins as they continue to walk down the path. The sky is darkening now, a small twinkle of stars littering the sky as the stable finally comes into view. Lance’s face feels hot under Keith’s attention.
“I do.” Keith says, keeping their eyes locked. “I know you can take care of yourself, I’ve seen you with a bow and in the water. But I’d be lying if I didn't say I'd like to keep you close.”
Lance’s heart stutters, his own breath hitches when he hears the words. Keith doesn’t back away from them, only keeps staring at Lance, as the stable comes closer into view. He hears the faint galloping of horses, the merchants singing and Beedle selling his trinkets. Light slowly comes into view as they finally arrive at the Dueling Peaks stable.
Keith offers his hand and Lance takes it with ease, helps him off Red and keeps him close to his chest for a moment longer. Lance sees his steady eyes, his square jaw, and the way that jagged scar runs over his cheek. He’s tempted to run his finger over it.
“Okay.”
Lance is stunned at his own answer. He let his feelings get in the way and respond to Keith’s own request. As much as his brain thinks it’s a bad idea, a part of him can’t let this chance go to waste. The moment he let Keith slip, he went missing after the Upheaval. Lance was close to losing his mind when he heard. His heart doesn’t want to go through that again.
“We can travel together.”
Keith doesn’t show his surprise, only keeps him close and smiles. Lance returns the smile, small, and barely visible on his lips. But Keith catches it anyway.
“You sure?” He keeps Lance by his side for a beat, eyes roaming up over Lance’s face. A part of him hopes he will kiss him.
“Certain.”
Keith nods, keeps him close for a moment longer. His smile is subtle, a bare quirk up lips, and Lance catches it all. They both know the other so well. It makes his own smile all the wider.
Keith’s eyes follow the movement of his mouth, “Then we part in the morning.”