Work Text:
One - Saki
Saki will never understand how Link can get his hair so tangled over the course of two days. The boy has been asked to help with transporting supplies from Kakariko Village to the new building site outside of old Hyrule Town. Apparently, it’s a big step into reconnect Hyrule together again or something along those lines. She would try to keep up the news but she has her wings full with her boys here.
“May I ask how you got a mushroom stuck up there?” Saki ask while showing said item to Link, who just shrugs.
“I thought I saw a Blupee and went after it.”
Saki chuckles softly while setting the mushroom off to the side; gently she tilts Link’s head causing him to smile up at her. He has been wearing a gloomy expression since return home but Saki didn’t want to push just in case the boy runs. Teba and her had spent a lot of time working on showing Link that they could be trusted and that their home is a safe place to be. It’s hard to say if it works but she really hopes that it does.
“Well, did you manage to catch it?” she asks; even though she doesn’t know what a Blupee even is.
Link shakes his head causing some sticks to fall out; “no, it disappeared before I could anything.”
“Well, you’ll get it next time.”
It takes over an hour before both the brush and the comb could easily glide through Link’s hair. Soft to touch and a bright colour after a nice wash. Saki knows that it won’t last long because Link will be out there getting into trouble all over again. Not that she minds; she would gladly take the time to brush Link’s hair a million times if it means the boy comes home.
…
Two - Revali
“And why couldn’t you do this?” Revali question, scowling at the brush and comb that Link had given him.
The hero had taken a sit on the ground in front of him while Revali had tried to enjoy the fire. Link’s hair is tangled and have gotten longer than Revali have ever seen the hero wear before. Even the braid that Saki spent over ten minutes working on has since been undone and Link is fiddling with the bead while waiting for Revali to start.
They were only hanging out because Zelda had partnered them up for a transport quest; having to take items from Rito Village to the building site. Link didn’t complain and Revali wasn’t expecting him to, though he has noticed the slight faces he makes at the Princess’ orders. Which is odd but Revali, and the other champions, have only been back for last than two months. Who knows what’s going on between the two of them.
“I’m not very good at it,” Link admits. “Plus, Saki always does it so I’m not sure on what to do.”
Revali roll his eyes before setting the brush down and using the comb in an attempt to get some of the stuff out. Mud, sticks, plants were the common culprits of being stuck within Link’s hair, which isn’t a surprise from how much he had seen Link’s fighting style. A surprise from the routine knightly approach to a more rough-n’-tough approach.
“Well, maybe you should learn.” Revali couldn’t help making a face at the frog leg that he pulls out – not even sure how something like that could happen. “Saki won’t be able to due it forever, you know.”
Link didn’t say anything for a while until Revali set down the comb and picks up the brush.
“I’m afraid that if I do than there won’t be a reason to go back to the village.”
Revali weavers just before laying the brush down; frowning at the thought.
For once, the two share something in common – even though Revali knows that’s not true. Revali hasn’t been spending much time in the village since returning and knows that the Ritos have been asking questions. Overhearing a few wondering why Link spends more time there than their own Champion. He tries not to think about that.
“There,” Revali said while setting the brush next to the comb. “Now, try not to need me again.”
Link looks at the bead before holding it out to Revali which he does take but wonders what’s the best thing to do. He thought about copying the braid that Saki had done but decided against it. Instead Revali went about making a small braid overtop of some loose hair before using the bead to tie it off. However, it’s missing something.
Revali gently takes one of his feathers and ties it in next to the braid.
“Thanks, Revali.”
In the morning, Revali couldn’t help keeping an eye on the braid as they continue on towards Hyrule Town.
…
Three – Tulin
Tulin lowers the bow – taking a moment to bask in the arrow sitting in the middle of the target – before turning to Link. He couldn’t help letting out a laugh when Link ruffles his feathers before taking his own stance; a breath in and when it came out, the arrow went flying and splitting Tulin’s arrows in two.
“That was awesome!” Tulin shouts as he drops his bow and runs over to the target. “Right down the middle! How did you do that!? Can you teach me?”
“I’m not sure,” Link said while walking over. “Must be something I picked up from watching Revali or Teba.” He pulls out the arrow before taking out the two halves that he gives to Tulin. “How about we head back? It’s starting to get late.”
When they arrive back home, Tulin shows off the halves to his parents while boosting about Link’s skill. Even though Link tries to hide behind the loose strands of hair that had come undone from his braid. Tulin knows that Revali was the one to do Link’s hair since he had down Tulin’s feathers a few days ago. His own skills weren’t that impressive…
Tulin grabs the brush and comb from their place by the window before bringing them over to Link; gesturing them without a word. He doesn’t quite know how to ask within his parents telling him to stop. He knows that they still have to be careful to not scare Link away but Tulin doesn’t understand why. Link is basically his brother by this point.
Link moves so he can lean against the bench by the window while Tulin hops up onto the bench and sits on his knees to be able to attempt at brushing Link’s hair. Hylians have quite fine hair that Tulin never had a chance to practice on, even though Riju’s hair is similar but its thicker than Link’s own hair.
He takes a moment to take apart the braid and make sure the bead and Revali’s feather are placed next to him so they can be put back after. Tulin takes the comb and went about brushing it through. He had witness some of the worst that Link’s hair had witnessed but lately Link haven’t had that many adventures outside of the village. So, there’s only a few tangles to take care of.
“Are you leaving again to help with Lookout Landing?” Tulin asks.
“Revali and I will be leaving in the morning.” Link tilts his head back – giving a grin at the Rito and causing the kid to giggle. “We’ll be back in a few days. Why do you ask?”
Tulin gently push Link’s head back up and went about brushing it; already knowing what he wants to do. He takes the time to put together the best braid that he could with his little experience of actually dealing with Hylian hair and this kind of braid. To finish it off, Tulin adds in the bead and Revali’s feather…though, he stops for a moment.
It’s a risk but Tulin knows it’s the right call.
With careful ease, Tulin takes out one of his own feathers and ties it in next to Revali’s own.
“No reason,” Tulin said after he takes a moment to admire his handy work.
Link gets to his feet and went to the mirror by Tulin’s mom; admiring Tulin’s work. He gives a thumbs up just before Saki calls everyone for dinner.
It won’t last as long as Tulin would want but Revali takes the time to make sure to put Tulin’s feather right back in next to Revali’s own feather.
…
Four – Teba
Teba decided that they are not going to do anymore of these Korok hunts for the next year. They had traveled to Satori Mountain – which is a beautiful spot – and had set up camp somewhere that they can see the Lord of the Mountain that Link had to show them. Teba doubts something like that exist but Tulin is excited and Revali seems to be humoring the both of them.
That was hours ago long since the sun had set and fireflies came out of the grass.
Teba had taken on first watch while his boys have decided to get some sleep…save for Link, who was just returning from down below. His son looks annoyed at the lack of the Lord but Teba just motion for the boy to take a seat next to him. Link didn’t think twice and easily takes up Teba’s side; letting out an easy breath once he settle.
“Still nothing,” Teba said.
“Nope.”
Link moves slight while Teba works on picking out sticks and other plants that managed to get tangled in his hair. He never could understand how Link managed to do this every time he steps outside. His son always shrugs and say that it’s a talent whenever one of them ask. Teba had a feeling that Link does it on purpose so someone would take care of it.
Not that any of them are complaining.
Saki’s bead is still firmly in place – though worn from use – while Tulin and Revali’s feathers moves whenever Teba brush against them or Link moves his head.
They had come a long way since Teba had first met Link.
He reaches out and grabs Link’s bag to take out the brush and comb; making Link move to give Teba better access to work. It takes a while to clean out everything before he takes the time to carefully craft together a braid that should last until they get back to the village; though that’s more wishful thinking than anything. Teba puts great care into tying it off with Saki’s bead before attaching his other sons’ feathers.
Teba wonders if its to straight forward to add his own to the mix.
He worries that once Link realized what the feathers mean than it would undo all their hard work. None of them wants to scare Link away but Teba not sure on how else to show that his son is wanted. Instead of thinking about it a second longer, Teba removes one of his own beads and place it beneath Saki’s own.
“How’s that?” Teba ask, pulling away from the boy.
Link takes out the slate and use it as a mirror; nodding in approval after a moment of admiring Teba’s handy work. “It’s nice, thank you.” He places the slate next to him before returning back to Teba’s side; already going to another story about the Lord of the Mountain that Teba listen to every word.
Surprising no one, the braid did not survive the trip back home.
…
Plus, One – Link
The house is a mess and homework litters the table but that’s not what’s important at the moment. Link is looking through the slate inventory until he managed to find the comb and brush that he sets onto the counter next to the sink. They were handcrafted by Teba after Link had asked for them. It’s a beautiful set that Link can’t help but take a moment to admire.
“Alright,” Link turns to the boy sitting on the counter, “what are we thinking of today?”
Naboris frowns; deep in thought for a small four years old. His son’s hair is very much like Link’s own with the way that it gets tangled no matter how short of an outing that they do. Even a trip to town results in Link spending a few hours in untangling and removing anything that finds its way in.
Link had already apologized to his mom for all the trouble that he had caused and only gotten a soft laugh in return. None of his family had fault him for his hair troubles and even told him that they enjoy the activity since its as close to a Rito activity that they can get with him.
“I want something like you,” Naboris said after a moment.
“That’s doable.” Link easily picks up his son and set him onto the stool. “Tell me if it hurts and we’ll stop, okay?”
It’s hard to imagine it’s only been four years since Naboris came into his life. A small baby that was left on his doorstep. Link never fault whoever had dropped Naboris off and just grateful that his son ended up safe. He knows that the threat of Ganondorf still lingers over everyone; some still worries that Naboris is a calamity in waiting. Link doesn’t know what he’ll do if that’s the case…no, he knows but he could never harm a single hair on the boy that can light up a room with just a smile.
It takes an hour for Link to finish combing out Naboris’ hair before moving onto the braid.
With practice ease, he adds in the four beads – one for Saki, one for Teba, one for Kaneli, and one for himself – before moving onto the feathers – Revali’s is the second biggest and being a nice deep blue, Tulin’s feather is the smallest and have a golden highlight to it whenever the light hits it, and finally Stormwind’s feather being the largest and almost ghost like.
Each piece is a connection to their family.
Link pulls away from his handy work with a satisfied smile.
“And what do we think?” Link ask while summoning a mirror from the Slate.
Naboris stares for a long time – making Link to become nervous – and just tilting his head each way to try and get a good look.
Then his son nod before turning to him; “I love it!”
Link puts down his Slate just as Naboris throws himself into his arms; causing Link to almost fall over. The two laugh at the action before Link set his son back down before the two got ready to leave for the village to meet with the rest of their family.
In an hour, the braid will come undone and Saki will take her time in fixing it while sharing stories about her sons. Teba and Stormwind would be working on paperwork for whatever Zelda’s newest project; both throwing in their own stories alongside Saki’s own. Revali and Link would be making new arrows that they would test with Tulin sharing what he has been getting up to with the New Champions.