Chapter Text
“Legend!” Wild chirps from somewhere he absolutely wasn’t not ten seconds ago. “Legend, c’mere I wanna show you something.”
“Din’s damned fire Wild, when in the hells did you get here?” Warriors gasps, one hand pressed to his chest. Legend can’t help but agree. The rest of them are in similar states. Not even Twilight expected him with that weird Wild-sensor he has.
“I told you I was leaving a medallion.” Wild frowns, cheery expression faltering before he rallies. “You’re all so paranoid about me going off alone even though I’m perfectly fine–”
“You punched a silver moblin in the face after your sword broke yesterday.”
“–even though I’m perfectly fine, so I left the medallion. And now you’re complaining about me using it?”
“What’s a piece of jewellery got to do with anything?” Wind asks quickly, cutting off a brewing argument between their currently serving knight and their formerly dead knight.
Wild freezes, a look of dawning comprehension crosses his face. It shouldn’t be as cute as it is. Legend wants to claw his own brain out. This is just getting embarrassing.
“Ohh,” he breathes sheepishly, “I must’ve forgotten to mention that bit. It’s basically a temporary teleportation point. If I leave it somewhere I can teleport there whenever I want to.”
“Damn that’s handy.” Four mutters.
“Mhm! I usually leave it at home since that’s just sensible, but I figured it was worth grabbing it last time I was there. Thought it’d mean you lot wouldn’t be so grumpy about me popping out across my own Hyrule, since I can just leave it with you and be able to come back immediately.”
Time visibly melts at Wild’s attempt at consideration. After living alone for who knows how long, more often than not Wild will just tell them to deal with whatever problem they have. It’s not because he’s meaning to be rude or contrary, but instead because he honestly just doesn’t get it. He’s never known any different. The months and years of solitary travel across endless wilderness, bar short breaks in a Town or Domain, doesn’t help. It’s like trying to domesticate a bear, impossible when young and plain deadly as an adult. Throw in the whole ‘being forced to obey every order every moment of your life until your literal death’ and you’ve got a recipe for failure.
Time has long since given up trying to control Wild’s wandering tendencies, his knee-jerk biting reactions aimed to cut deep when he feels he’s being caged. Instead Time’s taken to being understanding, explaining his reasons and trying to find a mutual solution, rather than ordering and expecting obedience. Warriors, used to being obeyed without question, had been at frequent risk of a stabbing until Time had him back off completely. Finally the gamble seems to have paid off. That Wild has tried to meet somewhere within spitting distance of the middle is huge. Time’s done it. Personally, Legend is a little disappointed. The arguments were a great source of amusement now he and Wild are actually getting on. Wild’s ability to play infuriatingly dumb when being patronised is beyond impressive. Legend has made a pretty penny on the bets made over the colour Warriors’ face would turn during their fights. Four won the bet on whether the Knight would ever resort to physical violence.
(The answer was yes. Twilight nearly took his arm off. Wild just cackled when Warriors got saddled with a month’s worth of laundry duty.)
“Thank you, Wild. That does help to ease our anxieties.” The old man smiles softly, touched.
Wild beams at him then turns back to Legend. Instantly the others cease to exist. Ignoring the knowing chuckles, Legend does try not to feel smug at how the rest are so easily dismissed… but the force of that attention cannot be denied. He wants it constantly.
“You coming?”
“Do I get to know where you’re dragging me off to?” Legend asks even as he’s rising to his feet.
“When we get there!” Wild grins, pulling him closer. “Everyone else except Hyrule are heathens, and Hyrule would get us arrested at the bare minimum if we took…”
“Does anyone else see…”
“Not a word, Sky.” Twilight breathes mournfully. “Please, not a word.”
Regretfully for the shapeshifter, Warriors finds every part of this situation hilarious. The smile that spreads across his face is shark-like.
“Our dear rancher doesn’t want to face up to the fact that– shit!”
Sky blanches as Twilight lunges for Warriors. Taking three large steps back he watches as Twilight proceeds to all but smother the Captain in his insistence that he ‘stop talking please, if ya don’t mind’.
“Not a word.” Sky murmurs in apprehensive understanding. “Got it.”
“Why would I get them arrested?” Hyrule turns on Time, affronted yet curious. “Am I really that much of a criminal?”
Time, knowing the number of pilfered shiny objects that are stowed away in Hyrule’s bag, changes the subject.
“…him with us. You okay?” Wild peers at Legend in concern before grinning. “Great! Come on, I got permission from Riju for this afternoon. Only this afternoon, mind you. Turns out she gave permission to Link, Hero of Hyrule, which…”
“This is Gerudo Town.” Legend interrupts with a hiss, absolutely not hiding behind Wild as he greets the guards. “We can’t, I– are you sure it’s alright?”
“Just this once!” Wild nods. “As said, I’ve got permission and they know me anyway. These people are amazing, I wouldn’t dream of betraying their trust– s’why I went to speak to Riju before I even brought you here. She even gave me it in writing. C’mon, I want to show you somewhere you’re gonna love, promise.”
“So long as it’s not the inside of a prison cell…”
For all his protests Legend can’t help but be excited at the prospect of seeing inside the town. He’s more excited still at spending time with just him and Wild. The other man doesn’t let go of his hand, guiding him as Legend gets caught up in the sight of the stalls and the weaponry.
“Come on,” Wild laughs at one point, tugging on his hand, “Isha closes early today. We can shop around after, I promise.”
Abandoning his examination of the scarves– Fable would love that purple swirled one– Legend turns back to Wild just to be knocked speechless at the expression on his face. He looks so very fond, a gentle smile creasing at his eyes. Any words Legend might have had are caught in his throat. All he can do is nod. He’d quite like to have that warmth on him forever, a distant part of him thinks, if only to know the sun.
Blushing furiously at his own poetic nonsense, Legend tries to keep up as Wild gets moving. He pretends he can’t hear the stall owner laughing behind them. It’s a bit difficult given how loud she is.
Of all the possibilities, Legend hadn’t expected a jewellery shop to be their destination. Still, his admittedly magpie tendencies immediately take over and he’s the one dragging Wild behind him. Up at the counter he’s amazed at the options, only for it to get even better.
“Wait, they’re all enchanted?”
“I do basic versions, but yes all can be enchanted. They also don’t need to be recharged or permitted to rest between uses. What they offer is continuous.”
“How?!”
In the space of a couple of hours Isha becomes Legend’s favourite person in this Hyrule bar Wild. By the time they have to leave, Legend has long since promised himself he’ll grab half of his savings next time they’re in his Hyrule because he needs all of them.
“You’re my favourite.” He tells Wild. “Forever favourite, even and I– shit, how long have we been…? I’m so–”
“–The entire reason I brought you here was to meet her, Legend.” Wild smiles at him, all soft and pleased looking. “I’m just glad you enjoyed yourself.”
Legend wants.
“I did. I still want to see the stalls though.” He smirks, pushing everything down.
“Of course.” There’s something in Wild’s voice that Legend can’t quite identify, but Wild seems happy and that’s enough.
They spend another hour or so wandering. Wild seems to know everyone, always having something to ask or follow up on but never once forgetting him. The way he introduces Legend (each and every time, never as an afterthought) is like Wild is showing him off. Not as a hero, but as Legend. As him. He’s never been claimed like this, like something to be proud of. ‘Yes, this one is important, this one is mine’ echoes under each interaction. It’s a heady feeling, to be treated as such. If only he was.
He probably spends too much, but Legend cannot get over all the colours and options that are here. It’s like nothing he’s ever experienced before. This Hyrule may be tiny in its population but it is so alive. The creativity and resilience of its people is astounding.
Every time Legend glances at Wild a burst of warmth blooms in his chest. Somehow, Wild knew he’d love this. For whatever reason Wild deemed Legend important enough to go out of his way to get permission for him to be here. That can’t have been easy, surely? How and why Wild came to the conclusion that Legend was worth this he doesn’t know. He’s too afraid ashamed… it’s not important enough to ask about. Whatever the reason, this was exactly what Legend needed and fuck if he doesn’t love him.
The force of the wind, up here on top of the walls, has led Wild to putting his hair up with a pretty clip (that Legend might need to steal) before he eats. Not only does this show off his profile (terribly distracting), it has resulted in Legend working out plans on how to achieve the theft. So far he’s got six ways to do it without framing someone else, and a further two that frames Hyrule and Warriors respectively (he needs another four to even it out). He’s just working out another that he might be able to pin on Hyrule again when Wild starts laughing. Legend is clueless until Wild turns to face him.
“Enjoying that by any chance?” Their Wildcard hero asks, a wicked curl to his mouth. Legend feels dazed at the sight.
“I mean, yeah?”
“S’just you’ve got a little something…” The evil man gestures at his cheek and chin, eyes dancing with mirth.
“Fuck– any better?”
“Not quite. C’mere…”
Wild’s next move makes Legend stop breathing. One hand is placed on his cheek, turning him for Wild to wipe away the mess of chilled fruits and sugar Legend somehow hadn’t noticed reaching halfway up his cheek. His hand is smaller than Legend’s own, his mind suddenly thinks, callouses built from frequent weapon handling. Wild’s size is deceptive though. Legend is well aware of how strong he is. What would they feel…
Forcibly halting that train of thought, Legend tries to refocus. Remaining perfectly still, he desperately hopes his face isn’t as red as it feels. The lack of movement unfortunately makes his thoughts louder. Wild is gorgeous, he realises again. He’s got shards of rainbows in his irises, a subtle hypnotising effect almost hidden in the shocking blue. How, though, Legend doesn’t know. It’s not something natural, surely? Ducking his gaze he notices there’s a smattering of freckles decorating the fat of Wild’s cheeks. He kinda wants to count them. Wild’s lips are all red and plush from the fruits he’s just eaten himself, a drop of fruit juice in the corner that makes Wild swipe his tongue across them in an unfair, tantalising move that sends Legend dizzy.
“There you go.” Wild smiles slowly, drawing back and leaving him cold.
Coughing, Legend tries to get ahold of himself. “T-thanks.”
“No problem. Come on, we’ve one last place to go before we have to go back.”
At this point, Legend thinks, meeting a Great Fairy today may as well happen. It’s all been like a fever dream anyway. Cotera is abstractly beautiful and overwhelmingly terrifying. Legend escapes as soon as he can. Whatever it is she blesses, he doesn’t really catch. He’s too busy crouching to grin at the strange blue rabbit staring him down. It’s adorable.
“Bluepee.” Comes a strange vocalisation from the direction of Wild. Legend turns to see him hopping down the giant leaf steps with no concern for his back being to the Great Fairy.
“Bless you…?”
“The rabbit. It’s a spirit meant to bring great fortune. They’re mostly around Satori but you can catch them here and there. This one’s rather bold right now.”
“I’ve never seen them before. They’re kinda cute.”
“I’ll have to introduce you to Satori at some point then.” Wild turns to wave at Cotera as she vanishes. “C’mere, I’ve got something for you.”
Rising, Legend turns obediently to Wild. He doesn’t know if he could ever deny him. Wild’s expression is soft, a smile tugging at the corners again. Somehow, this sends his mind spiralling. Every time Wild looks at him it’s like he sees nothing wrong. Like Legend is enough as he is, like he hasn’t failed repeatedly to defeat Ganon properly. The bastard keeps coming back, Legend keeps failing for all he beats him. How could he be enough? Yet Wild doesn't seem to see that. None of them do. Legend… he can’t bring himself to explain to him– to them– how badly they’ve got it wrong. Not yet. Not with what he now has to lose. Wild tugs him closer, prosthetic hand holding his. An anchor drops, his boat suddenly no longer ready to capsize. His mind goes quiet. Gently, Wild’s other hand places a small box in his. Legend’s breath catches. Topaz earrings glint up at him.
“This is a gift.” Wild curls Legend’s fingers over the box. “They’re enchanted. I noticed how uncomfortable you were in Wind’s era during that storm, and I… well. I’m not going to ask, Legend, that’s your choice. Always your choice. I still want to help.”
Legend blinks at him with wet eyes. “You…”
“It’s all enhanced now, that's why we stopped here. Strong as can be.”
“But the price–” Legend can barely breathe. Wild has just handed him a lifeline that’s roughly half a year’s worth of rent like it’s nothing and… and by the Goddesses if Legend isn’t fighting back the urge to cry.
“– is irrelevant. This is a present, one I want you to have. No catches, no favours. I want you to feel safe, Legend, and if this can help even just a little bit then it’s more than worth it. You are more than worth it.”
Wild looks so genuine, sounds so sincere, and that’s what does it. Hot tears begin to slip humiliatingly down his cheeks, a sob catching in his throat. No-one has ever thought to do something like this for him before. Wild, face crumpling, reels him into a hug. One hand cups the back of his neck, the other wrapping around him tightly. Legend clings, box cutting into his palm, hating himself for how badly he wants it all. He has no idea how he could ever begin to repay Wild for this.
They teleport back to the others in the middle of a conversation about Isha and her work.
“…get why? Why does the makeup of the stone matter so much?”
“She said something about how close the molecules are affect the vibrations, but guess you weren’t listen– Hyrule! Hyrule guess what–”
“Shiny.” Hyrule gasps, immediately fixated. His eyes are gleaming dangerously.
“Arrested, you most definitely would have got us arrested. Now listen– hands off and listen for the love of–”
With his brand new earrings and the lightness of a good day, for the first time since the lightning struck right by Tetra’s ship and sent him into a continuous anxiety attack he couldn’t get to stop, Legend sleeps without a nightmare. He wants.
“So, Time. How come Wild got to run off– and then take Legend on a date!– when the rest of us had to stick together? …didn’t even say anything about it this time!”
Wild smirks to himself as he listens to Warriors complain with half an ear. He’s keeping an eye on Hyrule right now as he sorts through his slate looking for the gift he’d gotten him. Whistling softly so as not to disturb the others, he beckons their healer over to him. He doesn’t notice Warriors and Time stop talking in order to watch.
“Stop trying to take his earrings, Rulie. I bought them for him, not you. They’re to help him.”
“But–”
“Hyrule, I love you. You’re my exploration buddy and my brother. But if you take them from Legend I will not be happy.”
Hyrule scowls, eyes glittering with the force of what Wild thinks might be a fae heritage. He may be embarrassed tomorrow but right now Wild just finds him incredibly cute. “But I didn’t get a present.”
“Says who?” Wild laughs, handing him the set of hairclips he’d been looking for. He really shouldn’t be encouraging this behaviour, but damn if it’s not worth it. The gasp Hyrule gives at the overwhelming shine is adorable. “Now go to sleep. And leave Legend’s earrings alone, okay? You promise?”
Hyrule nods fervently before scampering off, prize clenched tightly in his hands. Wild can’t help but laugh again. He adores his brother.
A cursory glance shows the short conversation hadn’t disturbed any of the sleeping heroes. Satisfied, he pulls up the ingredients for a quick drink before bed. Predictably the other two that are awake come closer when they notice his actions.
“So…” Warriors drawls. “How was your illegal date?”
Wild snorts, shaking his head in amusement. The man’s near-constant low-level irritation with him is just funny at this point.
“One, it wasn’t exactly a date. Two, it wasn’t illegal. I had permission.”
“How wasn’t it a date? He’s come back with new jewellery and can’t keep his eyes off you! And why,” Warriors whirls on Time, “was it allowed?”
Time gapes at the somewhat petulant irritation of their Captain. Oh certainly Wild gets privileges the others don’t, and perhaps that’s unfair, but everyone else put Time into the position of leader and fell into line long before Wild turned up. The consequences of that are on them. Wild won’t give up his freedom, but Time at least recognises that he is actually trying.
The soldier is gearing up for another jab and Wild quickly decides to interrupt. As amusing as the other two can be, he's not in the mood to listen to it tonight. A fight over the cause of his good mood will spoil said mood.
“Look at Legend, Wars.” He instructs quietly. “Look at Legend and tell me what you see.”
Legend is currently curled up near to Sky, one hand clenched in his blanket as he sleeps. There’s no tossing and turning, no murmurs of distress. He’s just sleeping.
“…he’s asleep.” Warriors breathes in sudden realisation. “He’s actually asleep.”
“Wild told me his idea, and after seeing the state of Legend over the last week, two days, six– ow!” Time winces at the elbow Warriors digs into his ribs, coughing out an insult before he continues. “Anyway. After seeing how Legend was struggling I agreed.”
“The earrings?”
“Enchanted and enhanced to help.” Wild hums, handing out the milk. As always with this, Time’s mug is largest. “Let’s just say that they make one less thing for him to worry about.”
“Right…”
They sit in silence for a while, listening to the owls hoot and the leaves rustle. Twilight huffs, reaching out to drag Wind into a hug. Sky’s on his back and snoring loudly. Wild makes a note to roll him onto his side before he goes to bed because that is just outrageously loud.
“How was it not exactly a date though?” Warriors asks out of nowhere to Time’s exasperated sigh. “Still seems like a date to me.”
Wild doesn’t answer immediately, mulling over how much to share. “A date requires both parties to agree to it.”
“Come off it Wild, you know the man likes you. Whether he realised it or not you went on a date.”
“Wars.” Time starts, subsiding at Wild’s waving him off.
“Legend isn’t ready for any of that.” Wild says quietly.
“And what, you’re okay with that? Really?”
“For goodness sake Warriors, I’m not going to force him into something he’s not ready for. What do you take me for?” Waving off the wincing apologies he continues, “Right now my priority is making sure he knows he’s worth caring about.”
“…what?”
Sighing at the sky Wild thinks on how to explain this. How has no-one realised this yet? Are they truly so oblivious?
“We’ve all got our hang ups. We’ve all had our ‘adventures’ and challenges and things to get over. But most of us have had time to process it, or at least had time to start to heal… however much we can.”
“Some things aren’t fixable.” Time murmurs.
“No, some things aren’t.” Wild smiles sympathetically at Time before glancing at Warriors. “I can be patient for him. I know where this is likely to go, and that’s enough for me. Even if I didn’t, even if it doesn’t, he’s worth caring for. He always will be. Legend doesn’t realise that. He– he’s not stopped Wars, it’s been one crisis after another for him. If a not-date and a pair of earrings can help with that then what’s the harm?”