Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This a deleted scene from chapter 19: Hyrule POV

Hyrule thought they had settled into an awkward but stable routine. Time still had the lead, they still followed it. The only difference was that they were with nine, and not eight. Warriors still planned together with Time and Twilight. Sky was still their walking emotional support. Wind and Legend still pranked everyone and their mother. Four still talked to themselves. Hyrule still belonged with them even if his era was dark and healing. They laughed with him, they hugged him when he sat alone at the campfire. Joined him to look at some plants (just to pull him away quickly, but he didn’t mind). 

And Wild?

Wild belonged with them just as Hyrule did. But he did not join in the banther that surrounded the camp fires. He did not laugh and joke with Wind and Legend. He did not plan along even if he was a knight, a royal knight at that. His weapons laid uncared for even when everyone took care of them alongside Four. Wild didn’t join Hyrule in his little distracted adventures, even when Hyrule could see his eyes longing for it. Even when his magic reached out to wilderness, always. 

It was the reason why so little actually changed after he joined them, because nothing did change. Wild’s presence was overwhelming at times but it had no real impact. No matter how much some (not all of them, no) tried. Only in battle was it clear they were with more. With another hero that pulled his own weight.

But the hero refused to connect. 

They hadn’t heard any news of infected monsters so they were ordered to rest for the day. No one fought the decision, exhaustion was an all time high. It was no surprise that Hyrule didn’t really see anyone then. Just some glimpses of heroes passing by, making their way back to their rooms after a quick meal. 

He shared his room with Wild. Or rather, he was supposed to. The man had never joined him in the room, spending the night somewhere else. If he was anything more like Warriors the question could change from somewhere to someone. And perhaps Wild was like that. Hyrule certainly wouldn’t know.

No matter, he expected to sleep alone, yet another night. Even if the lack of breathing from others made him nervous. The thick and cold walls muffled the magic of everything. He couldn’t say where the orthers exactly were, couldn't say who was who. Not even Legend jumped out to him. It was weird no matter how many times they’ve been staying at Sky’s place. Only Warrior’s place did the same. 

Hyrule was starting to dislike castles.

As the sun started disappearing over the edge of the island, Hyrule began to think he would not talk or see any of his brothers properly that day. Rest was not unwelcome, but it was odd. But he was proven wrong when a servant knocked on his door, announcing that his Lady requested him to join her for dinner.

Hyrule huffed, it was weird to be summoned like that. They were Sun’s brothers in law (even if Sun and Sky hadn’t married yet). There was no need for such formality. But he made his way over to the dining room anyway.

His room was close to it, closer than the others. So he had fully expected to be the first to arrive but was proven wrong yet again. A servant opened a door, announcing his arrival in that same formality he disliked. It pulled the attention from the two present people. Wild and Sun. 

Huh.

“Hyrule,” Sun greeted him with a smile from her spot at the end of the table, her gold bright and shiny, “Thank you for joining us.”

He smiled and made his way over to Wild, sitting next to him, the second seat from Sun’s left, “Of course.”

Her nose scrunched in yet another smile before her gaze travelled back to Wild, “I do believe your theory has merit.”

Hryule frowned. 

“But I do not think it is so that civilization is destined to end up in tyranny,” Sun tapped with a long nail on the table, “Though I have to agree it is rather easy to dissolve in such a destiny.”

Hyrule had heard Wild speak about thirty sentences in the last two weeks combined. They had been simple, not because Wild was dumb but because he purposely stayed away from depth. Only when he talked about religion with them all those weeks ago did Hyrule feel like Wild had been true to what he thought. So he felt a bit weirded out by the out of context response.

Wild hummed, “Perhaps you’re right. Still I have to wonder why it is what many kingdoms lead to? What is it about power that corrupts the mind?” He signed.

Hyrule could only gape.

“Self importance, I would suggest.”

Wild nodded in agreement, “Greed also.”

Well, huh.

“Sir Legend and Sir Wind have arrived,” The servant announced. Both of them looked just as uncomfortable with the formality of it all as Hyrule had felt.

Or did their uncomfortability have something to do with the redness of Wind’s eyes?

“Yer dogs are stuck up,” Legend tsked as he plopped himself down the sit opposite of Hyrule, “Sky’s not ‘ere yet? Isn’t birdy always attached to yer hip?”

Sun, the absolute saint she was, didn’t take offence, “My attendees are fulfilling their Goddess given roles plenty fine,” Her smile altough just as gentle as always seemed tense, “My beloved had responsibilities to fulfil. It is not only I that has been given a kingdom, after all.”

“Oh yeah,” Legend rolled his eyes, “Silly I, ‘forgot that royalty got me surrounded.”

Wind had taken a seat next to Hyrule, his shoulders slumped, “Leg, don’t,” His voice slight. 

The normal high energy that Wind always gave off, even when he slept, was subdeud. Just a small ripple in a pond instead of the active ocean it was supposed to be. It was weird and concerning. Legend’s arrogant smirk had fallen. He also looked concerned about the kid.

“Wind,” Sun smiled, “You are troubled.”

Both Wild and Wind tensed next to Hyrule. The riplle of water changed into multiple ones, termbling. The rustling of trees that existed in Wild’s magic got louder.

Wind looked down at his clasped hands, “I-” His voice cracked and Hyrule felt his heart break, “I am not,” the boy said. His voice not much stronger than before, “Just, tired.”

It was an obvious lie to all of them. 

“Wind,” Wild’s voice surprised them all (except Sun, she looked comfortable with the sound). He didn’t look at the kid, instead his eyes gazed at the painted ceiling, “I did not share for you to feel bad,” Wind’s breath catched, “It was simply that I knew you to be strong enough to know.”

So that was why Wind’s eyes were red, why he was destraught. His magic upset.

Hyrule’s chest felt tight.

Wind bit down on his lip rather harshly, “But-”

“You’re a hero,” Wild interupted him, eyes still up, “You’re strong, even if it feels to heavy now. You will get through this,” He finally looked at the kid, past Hyrule, his eyes calm. Wind looked back, eyes wide. 

The water rumbled, it ebbed and it pushed. Life brought back in it. That while the trees stilled, just the animals in them tittering around. 

It was calming.

Somwhat discorterting.

The door slammed open, a widely smiling Warriors walked in with a skip in his step, “Good evening my esteemed friends!”

The servant that had been announccing everyone rushed in behind the captain, eyes wide, “Sir Warriors! You cannot barge into the pressence of her ladyship like so!”

Warriors waved the servant away, a loud hearty laugh alongside the dismissal, “Do not be like that! Your ladyship and I have been acquinted for plenty long enough!”

“But-”

“It is quite alright,” Sun interupted the servant, “The heroes need little introduction. Their energy betrays their arrival plenty enough.”

The poor servants eyes went even wider, their cheeks fulshing red, “Of- Ofcourse, my ladyship,” They bowed, “Do you wish me not to anounce them?”

Warriors laughed again, “She does not, now scuttle off to the kitchen or so,” he clapped their back.

After a quick look at Sun who nodded the servant did scuttle off.

“Sun dear,” Warriors took the seat between Sun and Legend, “You ought to make your preferences clearer to the poor lads,” He put an arm around Legend’s shoulder, “Or you will become resentfull of them just like my brother here.”

Legend shoved off Wars, “Shut the fuck up, ye boot licker,” His scowl only worsened when the captain laughed at the agression.

Sun chuckled lightly, “I thank you for the concern.”

“Of course! It is not easy to conform to royal life,” He smiled, “Now, please do tell what turned your faces sour like this,” Wars vaguely gestured towards the group. 

“Nothin’,” Wind mumbled, crossing his arms he glared at the man, “Yer noisy,” Warriors laughed again, he didn’t deny the accusation.

Legend slammed his elbow in the captain ribs, “Ya should learn to keep yer mouth shut.”

“Boys,” Sun’s gentleness radiated in her words even when annoyance tainted the golden glow around her, “Wild,” She smiled content with the silence, the gold mellowing again, “Would you be willing to tell me more about the era that is your home? I have heard plenty stories of the others, already.”

Interest peaked, magic flared.

Wild sat silently next to Hyrule, not a movement made to betray his feelings. But his magic trembled and shook.

“There is little to talk about,” He signed with stable hands, “Much has been destroyed when the calamity struck one hundred years back in my time.”

Silence. They didnt really know what wild was talking about, they hadn’t seen destruction, and what they had seen was because of some Upheavel. 

“Destruction is inetivable,” Sun was unchanged by the information, “Tell me about what survived.”

Wild’s eyes widened just before a gentle smile formed on his lips, “My era is beautiful,” His voice wasn’t as smooth as a un-damaged one. But it wasn’t as hoarse from disuse like usual, “There are only seven villages, eight if you count the fort. But every passing week they become larger and stronger,” He smiled, his focus entirely on Sun, he didn’t even notice how Twilight and Time entered the room, “Nature has taken hold of most of the ruined lands. Forrests, swamps, wet lands, name a biom and we have it. Species that had almost died off a hundred years ago have strong numbers now. The four races live peacefully with eachother, helping eachother as much as they can. It is beautiful to see, so much has changed.”

Sun had her clasped in excitement, “The four races, you say?”

“Yes,” Wild nodded, “Hylians, Zora, Rito and Gerudo.”

Wind gasped, “You have rito?!”

Wild strartled, his head snappig towards Wind, only focusing on Twi and Time for a second, “Yes,” He signed, “One of my sages is a rito, did you forget?”

The kid’s cheeks reddened, “Maybe,” He pouted, “But you don’t use him!”

“Tulin is just a kid,” Wild sighed, “I have known him since he was a fledgling. I do not like to expose him to more then necesary.”

“Then why have you chosen him as your sage?” Time asked.

Wild’s magic bristtled, the wolves hiding in the shrubs took notice, “I did no such thing,” His hands moved harshly, “I would do no such thing.”

“And yet-”

“Yet?” Wild cut of the man, “Make no assumptions of my quests. I had no power over who was chosen as champion or as sage. I was simply the knight.”

Time looked impassive but his magic was subdeud, ashamed, “I admit to my mistake.”

Tense aura idk

The door opened to Sky, Four tailing behind him, “I’ve found why we’re here,” He grinned, “We’ll be off tomorow morning!”

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Potential conversation between Wild and Malon chapter 21/22/whenever:

“Wild, I am no mother, not really. Although I like to call you my kids. I have not carried a small child in my arms, I have not comforted a little one after a nightmare. But I have loved and I have seen. My grandmother, my own mother and my father. They have given me love I could never repay. 

That is what you deserve as well, Wild. You deserve warm touches and understanding. I cannot comprehend what you have been through, I can't for any of you boys. But i recognise that hurt in your eyes. My husband had the same look in his eyes when he returned, after all. And it took years for it to be gone completely. It took time and peace for that to to happen. Something you did not get. And I am so sorry, my dear, that fate is so cruel to you.”

Chapter Text

It wasn’t as if she needed Link to live. He was his own person and she was her… own. Not a person anymore, hadn’t been for a while. She was a being. Lost in time and space and the one that kept her on the ground was not with her. 

She didn’t need him to be there all the time, but she was learning how it would feel if he one day disappeared, and she didn’t like it. His presence, the strange magic he woke up with, she could always feel it somewhere. No matter where Link was, no matter where Zelda was. She could feel him walking around in Hyrule. It was comforting, more than she had ever realised. 

But that was gone. The smell of leaves he never seemed to shake no matter how much he washed. The ever staying dirt under his nails. Rays of gold that never left his hair. All of it was missing and she was devastated.  

Zelda thought she didn’t need him. 

She hadn’t before. 

But now she started to figure out she did. She needed him in the same world, in the same era. Her mind wandered and strayed without him there, it refused to comply with the current era, always in search of him. And although she knew of it, she could do nothing about it. 

---

May Hylia bless you.

Hylia his fucking ass. If that damn goddess had any blessings to given she wouldn’t give them to Legend, that’s for fucking sure. The woman cared not for him, she toyed with him. Journey after journey, cruel dreams and cruel realities. She had no compassion with his pleas and he had none for hers. So it was ridiculous of hylians to wish him well on his mini quest to the monsters of the era. 

“Thank you,” Sky, the fucking idiot, did accept the wishes of the random travelling car, “May she be with you as well,” He preached with tears in his eyes. Pathetic. 

What were they even talking about? Hylia?! She wasn’t the one that worked her damn ass off to have the skills to defeat those pesky monsters. And she certainly wasn’t the one that had to wake up at the crack of ass dawn to start trekking across the country!

“Maybe if they gave us they horses,” Wind mumbled gorggily next to Legend. 

Twilight patted the kid’s head, “Ye won’t be needin’ horses, the walk’s short.”

“Short!” He threw his hands in the air, dramatically, “Yar short!”

“But, m’taller than ya?”

The kid sighed deeply, his hands on his face, “By the sea’s, yer impossible!” And to the amusment of Legend, the kid stomred away. Immidiately complaining to Wild about walking to the extent they do. Exclaiming that he had much to many wounds on his foot to continue their journey. 

Wild took it all in stride, his eyes slighlty tigntened in a smile, betraying only so much. He nodded along and agree horses would be nice but when Wind complained how far everything was, Wild looked confused. His eyebrows tinged.

Chapter Text

There was something so very odd about watching another version of your soul walking around. Surreal, he would almost say. And he would have, if his life hadn’t taken such bizarre turns when his quest had begun. After that his existence had been forever entwined with a canine version of himself. So, seeing his alternate versions, living and existing, does little in comparison. But still, both shocked him at times. The bizarre kept being bizarre, no matter how much time passed. 

It was perhaps that strangeness that made it so that Twilight reacted so extremely to a scream. Now, normally when he heard screams, he spurted into action. It was ingrained in him, he had grown up on farm lands with plenty of kids. Screaming meant hurt. So he ran. But when he heard Warriors scream, a terrified quality in it that Twilight had never heard of the man before, he freaked. He had ran to the sound, watched as his feet twisted and converted into paws. His mind became one with the nature around him, his instincts pushed him to go faster. 

Faster, past the horses.

Faster, ignoring the startled sheep.

Faster, even if other versions of his soul called after him, trying their hardest to keep pace with his stride. 

Faster so he could save Warriors from whatever terrified him, so. 

And there, after crossing the entire farm in a matter of minutes, Twilight came close to the sound. It came from a wooden structure, nestled into the very corner of the farm. It was not very big but plenty large to stand in it comfortably. But the screams coming from it made the building look so much more grander and imposing than it actually was. It’s red wood that was found all around them wasn't comforting anymore.

He barked (and oh wasn’t that embarrassing) as he slammed opened the door that was already ajar, growling and ready for the beasts that were mauling his brother and- oh.

Twilight shifted on his paws as he looked around. Warriors was spread out flat on his back in the middle of the small barn, hay covered his entire body, as did cucco’s. So so many cucco’s. But for how many cucco’s there were, there were also just as many garden gnomes lying around. They were neatly set up, entire scenes playing out with them. It was an odd sight that rendered Twilight motionless. 

A slight purring pulled his attention to the corner. Multiple cucco’s sat on a moving mass, one also covered in hay. Ah, Twilight saw his blond hair between the strays of hay just before he noticed Wild’s eyes, already focused on him. 

Wild and he had a bond. One that the Lady decided on would be strong enough for Twilight to mentor Wild in the future. Someone who would teach the young hero how to survive, how to fight. A rock of comfort in an adventure that would test all parts of the cub. Just like Time had been to him. Twilight would be that rock for Wild.

And yet, when Twilight looked in those eyes at that moment, he didn’t feel like the Lady had chosen right. 

He had thought that they were slowly getting along, that the cub just needed a few more weeks for it all to settle. Maybe a few more group conversations to clear up the air between them all. Twilight knew it would be difficult but he had felt like progress had been made already, and yet.

Wild’s heart was beating loudly. He hadn’t blinked once since making eye contact. His hold on a cucco had tightened. 

Wild had said an older version of Twilight had come to his help, Wild had such a fond look in his eyes when he told him that. So why was it that those eyes were so cold when he looked at Twilight- no, Wolfie? Was he so wrong to have expected the hero to be happy to finally meet the wolf again instead of Twilight? 

He could hear Warriors shrieking in the background, and he knew he should probably help the man. But Twilight was entranced in those eyes and all the questions they brought up. 

Wasn’t this the moment where Twilight  was supposed to finally be given a chance?

And if it was not, what was Twilight supposed to do? What did his future self do differently?

Wild opened his mouth but closed it just as quickly. 

What was Twilight doing wrong?

What made it so that they were supposed to be like Twilight and Time? Which vision did the Lady have of them, that she thought he would be best for Wild?

Wild didn’t come to him for comfort like Twilight did with Time.

Wild didn’t ask for advice from him.

Wild didn’t look for reassurance with him.

Wild didn’t have any inside jokes with him and didn’t try to make them. 

Wild didn’t share any stories they shared.

Wild didn’t glow when he talked to Twilight in the way he did when he spoke to Sun.

The Lady had been wrong. Wild didn’t trust Twilight at all. 

There was something so hurtful about sharing a soul and yet not being able to understand each other. 

“Wild,” Warriors was practically begging, “Please help-”

Neither of them responded.

His paws moved, he didn’t exactly know why. Twilight felt like fleeing, he couldn’t pinpoint just one thing why that was. But he made his way over to Wild, anyway. The part of him that took over the moment his canine side emerged, willed him. It wanted to fight for that bond they were supposed to have. Perhaps it knew more than Twilight. 

Perhaps it was lonely. 

No matter what it was, Twilight couldn’t ignore it even if he tried. It pulled and it pushed. It wanted to comfort Wild, soften those eyes, calm his heart. 

It wanted their cub. 

It wanted to prove the Lady right and Twilight wrong. Wild was supposed to be family in a way that transcended their soul connection. Even if that meant it had to push Wild’s boundaries. Ignore the way their cub pressed himself against the wall. How his heart quickened and his breathing became shallow. 

Their cub-

“What’s going on here?”

Twilight’s head snapped to his mentor’s voice, warmth overtook his heart. Time was here. He could help. He could tell Twilight what he did wrong, what he could do to change it. Twilight would finally be able to satisfy that nagging part of him. Finally, he could bond with Wild-

A heartbeat overtook all noise. 

It was irregular, erratic, even. Loud and heavy. Filled with fear. It was not Warriors, for all that the cucco’s and the odd gnomes were unsettling, they were harmless. The hero hadn’t been harmed at all, after all. The birds were just swarming him, perhaps enjoying his squeamishness. So it had been easy to cast out the man and his panicked heart. It was unlike the one he heard now. 

Slowly, Twilight looked back, he didn’t want his ears to be right. But of course they were, he was a canine, a being with heightened senses. Evolved to hear the smallest noises of even smaller animals. The heart of a Hylian was large in comparison, so was the sound. 

Time, such a comfort to Twilight. The hero that taught him how to be a hero, even when it was a harsh and brutal lesson. The one person he would tell anything to, terrified Wild. 

Blue electric eyes followed every movement Time made. His hold on the cucco had lessened, but his arms were tense. Breathing shallow but measured. 

His heart was going wild. 

“Time-” Warriors whined from underneath all the cucco, “Help me!” The poor man only got ignored again. 

Instead Time looked around with a slightly narrowed eye, pausing on every gnome he came across. He sighed and closed his eye. A big frown on his face, “This explains a lot,” He massaged the bridge of his nose. It was a tired move and yet Twilight could hear Wild’s heartbeat pick up even more. If that was even possible.

“Tiiiiiime-” 

Finally taking pity on the hero of warriors, Twilight moved his big wolf but to the mounting cucco’s sitting on the man’s chest. With a simple nudge with his snout, they scattered.

Ah, the privilege of being a predator. 

“The neighbours have been going all over town searching for their stolen goods,” Time had opened his eye again, just to glare at the two heroes behind Twilight. Arms crossed, “Seems like I found them.”

Warriors groaned, “Shhhhs, talk silently,” He grabbed his head, wincing. 

The mystery of the situation quickly pieced together then. The evening before, Warriors had whisked away Wild. They never returned. Now they laid in a cucco nest, covered with hay, surrounded with stolen garden gnomes. Those idiots had gotten dumbly drunk! Twilight cast a glance backwards at Wild, the cub didn’t look as hungover as Warriors. But he hadn’t been moving like the other man, so who knew. He slanted his head as he tried to make sure.

Wild’s eyes switched from Time to Twilight, suddenly. As if he knew the wolf had been watching. He blinked, and in a moment of softness Twilight hadn’t seen often, he huffed. A sound that sounded so very fond that Twilight wasn’t sure if he hadn’t dreamed it, “I’m fine,” Wild, somehow, answered his concerns.

Oh. 

A pang of something hit him. Wild knew what he meant, even when he was a stupid wolf. They must’ve had an actual bond in the future, for the cub to have learned. 

Wild and he had an actual bond. Even if it was in the future.

“Who’s idea was this?” Time’s voice broke whatever content both Twilight and Wild had found in the communication. Twilight found it devastating. 

Again, Warriors moped and complained about his head, before waving a tired arm around, “I agreed on it,” He slurred, “I thi-” His words got cut off as the man suddenly surged to a huge pile of hay, his stomach contents quickly making their way out of his body.

Time sighed again. 

Twilight would've puked along if he could in that body.

“M’fine-” Warriors said just before a second wave started.

“Why,” Time ignored Warriors, his gaze focused on Wild again, “Did you do it?” 

Badum, badum, badum, Wild’s heart beat fast and heavy, “I-”

“I don’t know what you do in you era,” The man interrupted Wild, “But here, we don’t steal,” He picked up the gnome that stood closest to him. It had a silly pointed hat with dots on it, “These don’t belong to you.”

“I’m sorry,” Wild’s hand movements were rough, his breathing dangerously uneven. But he did not look like he was struggling, Twilight found. He looked like any other moment, if somewhat irritated. But his heart and lungs betrayed him.

Twilight would never have known if he was a Hylian at that moment. 

“What were you thinking!” Time kept on going and with his every word Twilight felt his head being taken over with the panic, “Did you even think about any of us? How you would damage our reputation? My wife’s reputation!” 

The cucco’s sitting all around Wild started getting louder, more squeamish. And Wild, he pulled farther and farther, almost merging into the wall. Eyes wide and big. And so very blue. Twilight couldn’t handle them anymore, his own heartbeat had been taken over by the loudness of Wild’s. The comfort he got from Time, pushed away by the fear Wild felt. It was horrifying, nauseating. It felt as if his chest was getting squeezed, as if the walls were closing in on him.

And all that, while Time’s anger wasn’t directed to Twilight.

“I’ll apologise to Malon,” Wild kept going, so very calm, that while Twilight knew and felt the stress he was under, “I didn’t mean to-”

“You never mean to do anything,” Time spat out, “Would it hurt you to take responsibility, for once?”

A hitch in his breath. Ever so slightly trembling lips. Something about what Time just had said hit the hero of the Wilds where it hurt. He looked so small, covered in hay like a child that came back from play. Quivering eyes as he got scolded unfairly harsh.

Twilight couldn’t look at it anymore. He tippy tapped over the wooden floors of the cucco den, trying to be as small and kind looking to Wild. He felt Time’s eye on his back, and he hated how it burned. Why was it that kindness to Wild was deemed wrong by his mentor? 

Wild’s eyes watered when Twilight laid down next to him, carefully laying his head on his leg. Hurt and missing radiated from the man and Twilight didn’t know how he knew that. Didn’t understand why he wanted to cry along.

“I left rupees- I didn’t just steal-”

“So what?” Time interrupted the cub yet again, his glare directed at the two of them now, “You can’t just leave payment as if you had a transaction. You stole, Wild.”

“I’ll bring them back,” Wild tried and tried.

“You shouldn’t have done such things, to begin with!” And Time never listened.

To the side, Warriors finally emerged from his misery, face green, “What’ya only scold the kid for?” He still lulled on his words, “I did so as well.”

Finally, Time had no reaction ready. He just stood there, his face not betraying any of his thoughts. Just like Wild, you could never see on the man what hurt he was going through. 

Just like Wild, Time hid away. 

“You,” Time’s faze snapped to Wild. Because unlike Wild, Time did not hide away his hurt with silence. “Fix your mess,” He took a step towards Wild and him, looking down at them. And unlike all the times before, Twilight did not want the man to get closer. He felt threatened and driven in a corner, so alike to the wall he was sitting. 

He growled at Time. 

It surprised even himself, Twilight had never even thought of the possibility. Time was his comfort. And yet, he growled at the man. 

Time’s eye widened, his movement halted on the spot. Shock and betrayal flashed through his blues. Not unlike those of Wild.

“Just,” Time had a waver in his voice, “See to it,” He promptly turned away then, leaving the cucco den with a fast stride. And Twilight felt something snap, some bond he had deemed so very precious before and still does. But the importance of it, it got damaged in a way that was wholly preventable. 

“The fuck’s up in his arse?” Warriors let himself fall to the opposite side of the puke, “It’s too damn early for this,” The captain nestled into the hay and almost instantly light snoring replaced his curses. 

It left the cucco den to be in silence. Just the breathing of the heroes and the cucco’s filled the space. It was that peace that made Twilight’s own panicking heart all the more obvious. He didn’t know how much of it was his own emotions or those of Wild. Was it that he took the cub’s hurt onto him, or that he had seen a part of Time he had never seen before. Sternness, not with the goal to better the skills of his training victims. But instead, motivated by nothing except anger. 

Who was the man acting like such to Wild? 

It was certainly not Twilight’s mentor. Not the hero he admired, so. 

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Wild’s voice was scratchy and tiny. Twilight looked up at him and saw an expression that fit the smallness of words. A fragile thing. 

A hurt kid. 

With hesitation, Wild touched Twilight’s head, “He will be cross with you,” He scratched a spot between his wolf ears, one that Twilight didn’t know was such a pleasure to be scratched at. It almost made him forget what had happened. What Wild was saying, “He was so kind to you, before,” The cub whispered. 

He should be kind to Wild, as well. Twilight tried to tell the cub, he pressed his head into Wild’s hand. He tried to show how he cared, that he would shower him with all the nice words if he was a Hylian. But that he knew that it was Wolfie that was needed now. That he understood that it was Wolfie that Wild had a bond with, not Twilight. 

It was not that the Lady made a mistake, it was simply that Twilight had misunderstood. It was not he who understood Wild. It was not his Hylian form who had finally noticed the hurt. But rather a version of him in that was more attuned to nature. The canine in him that he largely ignored before, just a tool. Now it had become an anchor to a bond he had thought to be futile just earlier. 

It was also the reason he now felt disconnected with Time.

How tragic he found it, that it seemed to be a choice between the two. When they were all of the same soul.

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Lungs full of air instead of blood, enlarging and deflating alongside the rising and falling of his chest. A heart that beat slowly, as if simply asleep. Ribs that were whole, even if red lines made of scales coloured them now. And the Zora, tears almost dried, lifted herself up. She pushed the rift in the hero’s chest closed, making his body whole once again.

“Such a fool,” The voice of the Zora shook Zelda out of her trance, she had thought the princess could not speak. She had a soft and kind voice, one that teachers and nurses had. Comforting and caring, "High Princess of Hyrule, esteemed Zelda,” She spoke to her.

It was not the right title or the correct posture, the Zora did not even look at her. But it was not a matter that Zelda paid any mind to, “Princess of the Zora,” She acknowledged her back. Stepping closer to the body, breathing and warm-

“Protect him,” She asked, “His heart is bleeding and I am not able to heal it.”

Emotional wounds then, she figured, “I am but a passerby in this hero’s journey,” She reminded the Zora, “I am unsure of the amount of influence I would be able to have on his pains.”

She looked at Zelda, then, “But you know the heart of the hero of Time, I reckon.”

Her Link? “I suppose I do, but to no such extent as his lovely wife.”

A rueful smile on her face, “Watch and see, listen and hear. You will know what I ask of you, dear princess Zelda.”

“I am honoured to be trusted by a royal of times not my own,” Zelda said and it was the truth, “I will do my utmost best to fulfil your request. But can I ask,” The Zora nodded, “How did you save a man supposed to be dead?”

“It is him and it is Hylia,” She shook her head ever so lightly, “Neither think it is time yet, for him to finally rest.”

Chapter Text

“You can rest, my Zelda. You deserve it.”  

Her shoulders slumped. “Only if... only if you promise you’ll stay.”  

“Always.”  

Zelda became heavier in Link’s arms as she let exhaustion take her over. Her grip on him became weaker. Her wild golden hair tickled his nose, and oh, Link had missed everything about her.   

“How did she do this?” Warriors was standing a bit away, to the right of Link. Staring down at the corpse of a blue Lynel. “There’s three of them.”  

“She’s injured?” Hyrule peeked at her from over Wild’s head. “Me magic’s lesser than ‘ers. But I c’n try.”  

Link held her a bit tighter. “Thank you, Hyrule.” Zelda was fine; he knew that. Even before her dragon years, Zelda could take on at least one Lynel on her own. She was divine, after all. Three of them didn’t surprise him. Her state of mind, however? That took him by the throat and threatened his heart. Letting her go for Hyrule to check up on her was painful and filled him with anxiety. But she didn’t wake, even when he laid her gently down on the grass.   

Wolfie sniffled her hair.  

Wind’s eyes were large and full of anxiety and worry. “S’this ‘cause of...”  

Link hummed. He couldn’t answer with certainty, but it was highly likely Zelda’s mind was scrambled so because of her time in the sky.   

“Cause of what?” Legend had his arms crossed, frown on his dumb face. “Yall have secrets?”  

Oh Hylia, why oh why was Link surrounded with such idiots? “No secrets. Just haven’t told you.”  

Legend threw his hands in the air. “How the fuck isn’t that a secret?! Four!” He turned to the hero in question and pointed at Link. “Did you hear that utter bullshit?!”  

Four rolled their eyes all the way from their spot on the ground. “We just got out’ta portal. M’dead. Leave m’lone.”  

“We’re high up.” Sky broke Legend and Four’s bickering up before it could properly start.  

The statement made Link look around for the first time; they were high up. And not too far away from them was a launch tower... oh, Hylia damnit. He was surrounded with idiots! Not only the other heroes but down below, the biggest idiot of all. “Get yourself ready to get down the mountain. We’re going to go meet Sidon.”  

Chapter Text

CH 34: POV Four

‘This mountain’s annoying.’ Vio was leaning on an imaginary table, boredom drawn on her face.   

Red looked away from their view of the world with a frown. ‘Ye don’t find it cool? But look! The birds are so close!’   

Just as he said it, a hawk flew dangerously close to the group of heroes and princess, descending from the mountain. And while Wild seemed to enjoy the climb, Warriors almost fell to his death.   

‘Whoo. A bird.’ Vio fake cheered.  

‘Quiet, quiet.’ Green muttered. ‘I’m tryin’ to focus here. Mountain’s slippery.’  

‘And who the fuck put him at the steering wheel?!’ Blue came along like a hurricane, screaming and cursing as if there was no tomorrow. ‘Green Green Green! It’s always fucking Green!’  

The colour in question sighed but kept his eyes on the road. ‘Blue, you’d have us thrown off the mountain in two seconds flat.’  

‘SAY THAT AGAIN, I DARE YOU!’ Blue tried to leap at Green, but was stopped by Red. ‘Let go of me.’ He hissed.  

Red laughed. ‘Today is so exiting!’   

And even Blue, with his eternal anger deep in his chest, couldn’t stay too mad before Red’s refreshing happiness. He calmed; his extremeness mellowed. ‘Green, if you fall, I’ll punt you.’   

‘Yeah yeah, I’ll be safe.’ Green responded.  

“Four,” Wild’s scarred face filled their view, hair in his eyes, “you holdin’ up?”  

Red cooed. ‘Wild’s always so nice.’ He let go of Blue and tiptoed over to Green, hanging onto his shoulder, eyes wide and focused on Wild. “You think his gear has special attributes? Look at him.’   

They weren’t yet on the steepest part of the mountain, but their group was already struggling. They weren’t equipped to go mountain climbing or descending. Wild had to hurry to everyone constantly, just to make sure no one slipped. But even with all his hurrying, Wild had no problem with the terrain. He wasn’t even careful about where he walked; he just did it, and it worked for him.   

Vio shuffled to their window to the world. ‘When did he change clothes?’  

‘When you were ignoring us.’ Blue huffed. ‘That’s what you get.’  

“M’key.” Four answered Wild somewhat belatedly.   

‘Would Wild pick us up if we said it wasn’t going?’ Red wondered.   

Blue scowled. ‘I don’t want a piggy back ride.’  

‘It’s not you who’s navigating.’ Green pouted. ‘We ain’t made for this.’  

Vio shushed Green. ‘We were talking ‘bout his clothing. It is enchanted, isn’t it?’  

‘Ask him! Ask him!’ Red shook Green by the arm.  

‘He’s busy.’ Green shook his head.  

Wild was frowning at them, something he did often. They weren’t too sure why, as far as the colours knew, they hadn’t done Wild wrong. Besides not talking to him much.   

‘We have his attention,’ Vio said, ‘this is the moment to ask him.’  

Green was about to disagree again when Red wormed himself between Green and the steering wheel, taking it for grabs.   

“Wild, yer clothes. They enchanted?” Four asked.  

‘Red!’ Green called out. ‘What did you do?’  

They couldn’t start arguing, not before Wild smiled, bright and genuine. “You noticed?”  

Of course they had noticed! Or at least... some of them had. But now, with the admission of Wild, all of them were plenty interested in Wild’s clothes. Not quite weapons, but skill-needed anyway.  

“Ye did it yerself?” Four had to stop themself from grabbing a piece of cloth to analyse.  

“Oh no.” Wild shook his head, his voice crackling heavily.   

‘His voice is hurting.’ Red frowned.   

"Sign,” Four quickly intercepted Wild when it looked like he was about to continue talking, “if you want. Of course.”  

Wild looked down, his smile tuned down. “Not safe to mountain climb and sign.”  

“Then, tell us when we’re down.” Four touched Wild’s arm, tried to put in all the comfort they wanted to give. Tried to make sure Wild knew they could wait for him.   

And Wild being Wild, it wasn’t too clear if Four’s message came through. The hero made eye contact, just for a moment, and gave a soft smile. “Alright.” He said before Wind almost falling took Wild’s attention. Leaving Four alone, or as alone as Four could ever be.  

‘Maybe he doesn’t hate us?’ Green pondered as he watched Wild’s back. 'It seemed like he genuinely wants to talk about his clothes.’  

Blue grumbled. ‘He’d better not hate us. We haven't done anything wrong.’  

Vio shrugged her shoulders. ‘Haven’t done anythin’ right, either.’  

‘We will. From now on.’ Red grinned ear to ear. ‘What could go wrong?’  

~~~  

A lot could go wrong.  

Four was somewhere in the middle of the group descending the mountain. It was going fine, until it wasn’t. One moment, Four was focusing on the slippery rocks beneath their feet. And before they knew it, they got slapped by Wolfie’s tail. Now, Wolfie wasn’t a dog, no matter how they liked to joke he was. Wolfie was well... a wolf. A big, tall, heavy wolf. And Four? Four was not.   

The result?   

Four, free-falling to their death.   

Red, Blue and Green were screaming. Vio sighed. It seemed like their short life was about to end. Or not.  

Because Vio was the only one actually paying attention to their lame demise, she was the only one who noticed Four stopped screaming. And that instead of the air hugging their body, it was arms.   

‘Well well well, isn’t that interesting?’ She hummed.  

CH34: POV Yona

Sidon was pacing through the castle, worried and anxious. Princess Zelda had departed hours ago and hadn’t returned. Or shown them any sign of life. Yona’s husband was very distraught because of it, almost pulling out scales because of it.  

Yona wasn’t without worries either; she had not the bond with the princess as her dear Sidon. But worry and care sat in Yona’s nature, nestled deep in her heart and soul. So, she could not help fretting as well. The difference of key was that Yona learnt to be at peace with her anxiousness. Sidon had never done so; it was why he didn’t sleep well.  

“Dear, have trust in our friend.” Yona tried to soothe, despite the fact she knew it would be to no avail.  

The steady walk back and forth of Sidon ceased. His shoulders sagged. “I shouldn’t have let her go.” Sidon looked at Yona, and she felt how her heart wavered with his sadness.  

She couldn’t let him be, alone where he stood, despair in his heart that hasn’t left since Mipha left their world. “Sidon.” She hurried to his side and took his hands in hers. “What else would you have done?”  

“Fight alongside her.” He looked Yona in the eyes. “Not have stayed like a coward.”  

“You are of water.” Yona reminded him. “Those monsters of land and electricity could kill you. It is not like the monster of sludge.”  

Her words had little effect on him. “I could have died all the same back then. Yet you encouraged me.”  

Yona paused at the words; they affected her surprisingly so. Was she so wrong to think of the two situations as different? “Sidon.” She had no control of the timbre in her voice. “I had trust in Link to keep you breathing.”  

The hero’s name always shook Sidon; it made him distance himself from Yona, made him pull away his hands. “We can’t keep relying on Link.”  

“And you can’t keep eschewing him!” Yona tried to grasp Sidon’s hands again, but he made sure she couldn’t. “There is no need to fight shy of him, my love. Have I not made clear my feelings on the matter?”  

“It’s not that easy, dear.” Sidon frowned. “Link- he- he is not even in our time. Hylia alone knows about him now.”