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Chapter Text

“Wait!” Ravio spoke sharply, stopping Hilda from reaching for the carriage door. “Don’t open it yet.”

“Your highness—”

“Hold on.”

Hilda sighed, settling back into her seat with her arms crossed. She watched the Prince of Lorule smooth out his corseted vest, its intricate purple and black lace decorated his torso matching the gems in his crown and rings. He checked himself over twice again before offering his knight a smile.

“Ready,” he said. “Go ahead.”

She rolled her eyes with the faintest of smiles, equally as amused as she was irritated with the prince’s antics. Finally, she opened the carriage door, stepping out to hold it open for Ravio.

The Lolian Prince had a smooth, practiced smirk on as he stepped out into the afternoon air, purposefully choosing not to glance around at the other nobles and royals arriving at Hyrule Castle. His mother’s voice echoed in his mind, reminding him that a Lolian royal should be looked upon, not to look upon others.

Hilda walked behind him as they made their way into the castle, the sounds of music and polite chatter filling their ears as they got closer to the ballroom proper. It was only a little more than a simple party, more an excuse for everyone to get together and make connections. Well, for most of the guests, at least, Ravio was there more in a pity invite.

Lorule was on a steep decline, low in both finances and the people’s morale. It was clear Ravio was the one in desperate need of connections, so he had to do everything in his power not to be seen as desperate. Even if he succeeded in that, however, Lolians weren’t viewed too highly on their own anyway. With the double whammy of everyone knowing his poor political position and barely liking him on other principles, Ravio didn’t expect to be invited to any real talks after this event. Which left only one thing—to have some damn fun.

“Careful, your highness,” Hilda hummed, coming up close behind Ravio. “Hylians I have heard are... odd in their negotiations.”

“There won’t be any negotiations, Hilda,” Ravio said with a wave of dismissal. “It’s just a party, then we go home to try and keep pulling ourselves out of ruin.”

“The party is part of the negotiations,” the knight sighed. “You just never treat it as such.”

Ravio rolled his eyes as they made it to the ballroom. Off to one area were tables of food and drink, servants walked around with even more to enjoy, and a band stood at the opposite side playing light, airy music. Fairies fluttered above their heads and Ravio wasn’t sure if he wished he’d brought Sheerow or was glad he’d left him at home. It would have been fun to watch the little bird chase after the glittering balls of winged light, but that may not have bode well for helping the view of Lolians.

“Relax your face, Hilda,” Ravio said simply, leading the way to the banquet table. “We’re already viewed as a cruel-natured people, no need to let your RBF fuel their bias.” He picked up a chocolate-covered strawberry, popping it into his mouth with a hum.

“Honored guests,” a knight called from the farthest edge of the room. He stood at the top of tall, red carpet-lined stairs, a staff at his side that he used to bang on the ground and call everyone to attention. “Presenting, Prince Link of Hyrule!” The room bowed or curtsied in response, Ravio daring to keep his chin from tilting down so he could watch the Hylian Prince enter.

Gold embroidery shimmered through Link’s royal garb, highlighting the various shades of greens and blues that matched the bright hues of his eyes. His smile was soft, a gentle thing that made Ravio question how he managed such a successful kingdom. Politics were brutal, harsh, it was always so curious how the kind-seeming Hylian was so dominant in such matters.

A blond knight followed Link, dressed in a similar chainmail and knightly tunic as Hilda but in her prince’s matching colors. Much like Hilda, she was clearly wearing her most fashionable (yet still practical) version of her knight’s uniform, however it was still clear the Hylians were more on the current trend. Once Hyrule’s Prince joined the festivities, the music swelled and conversation rose once again, freeing Ravio back to the snacks.

“Strange,” Hilda scoffed as her prince dipped a cracker into some brie. “I would think the royal host would say some words to his guests.”

“You’ve heard what they say,” Ravio shrugged. “He has never been one to talk much, why would he change that in his own home?”

“Still, seems a bit too... arrogant?” she hummed. “I’m not sure, but I don’t like him.”

“You don’t like most of the people at these events.”

“Most of them don’t like us.”

“True— ah! Excuse me,” Ravio stopped one of the servants walking past, his tray lined with filled glasses. “I’ll take one of those, thank you.”

Time crawled by for the Loruleans, Ravio pushed out of every conversational group he attempted to infiltrate. Comments tossed behind his and Hilda’s backs just loud enough to reach their ears, whether intended or not.

“I heard they were cursed.”

“Incompetency runs in the royal bloodline, it seems.”

“Crooks, the lot of them.”

Hilda’s ears twitched with each one, Ravio every time quickly moving them away to try and let her calm down. Certainly, grabbing his third glass added to their spiteful words, but he had little else to do when no one would talk to him. Thankfully, discussion began to cease as the night went on, the music growing to encourage couples to join the dance floor. Ravio was careful to keep his shoulders from slumping even slightly, refusing to show his disappointment in not having a partner to dance with.

“Prince Ravio,” a firm voice came from his right, almost startling the Lolian Prince as much as when he saw who it came from. The Hylian knight, while he couldn’t remember her name, struck him as a very particular sort of intelligent. The way she looked at you made you feel seen, almost vulnerable. Most notable about her, however, was the Hylian Prince by her side. “Prince Link regrets taking so long to come greet you.”

“It is no issue at all,” Ravio replied, biting his tongue from admitting he hadn’t expected any proper meeting with Link. Truly, he expected to be kicked out as soon as they realized they had accidentally invited him, yet there he still stood. “An honor to meet with you, your grace.”

Link bowed his head back in response, his hands clasped behind his back and a kind expression on his face. To his right, Ravio could see Hilda with her tense gaze considering the Hylians before them, raising the black-haired prince’s worry.

“We have heard much about Lorule and its history, so strange that our kingdoms went so long without intermingling until now,” Zelda continued. “Prince Link hopes you two can begin to start building those bonds.”

“Why does he not tell us so himself?” Hilda nearly hissed. “Or are we Lolians not worth—”

“Please ignore my guard,” Ravio interjected with an anxious chuckle. He shot a look at Hilda, who simply frowned. “She forgets herself sometimes, we don’t go to many events outside our own kingdom.”

“We are being treated like fools, your highness!” 

“I assure you,” Link’s slight voice just barely cut through the conversation, his attention turned fully to Hilda. “I do not consider you fools, but I do apologize that my lack of voice made you think so.”

His blue eyes shone in the bright candlelight of the ballroom reflected off the pristine stone walls and glass chandeliers. The curl of his brows angled upward in remorse seemed to strike Hilda as much as it did Ravio as she didn’t seem certain on how to respond, finally choosing to simply press out an apology and bowing her head. Ravio bit the inside of his lip as the silence rang on, lingering into a growing awkwardness. Couples moved in smooth, practiced motions on the dance floor, arms linking and unlinking as the current song ended.

“Would you like to dance?”

Chapter Text

“Would you like to dance?”

Ravio blinked back at Link and his extended hand, struggling to believe what he had just heard. The crowded mumbling around them suddenly became very apparent, clearly people were becoming intrigued by Link conversing with the Lolian of all the possible choices. What might they say if Ravio accepted the offer. He had little choice, really, it was a golden opportunity to build an alliance with Hyrule. More important to Ravio, however, it was an opportunity to build something with the gorgeous Hylian Prince.

“Of course, your grace,” Ravio nodded with a polite smile, taking Link’s hand. “I would be honored.”

The muttering rose again as the pair made their way to the dance floor, even the musicians stumbling over their notes. In the center of the room, the pair stood facing each other.

“I... only know how to lead,” Ravio admitted. Link simply smiled and placed a hand on the Lolian’s shoulder, who in turn placed his own hand on Link’s waist. Their free hands clasped together, Ravio almost stunned that he was so readily given charge.

Ravio took a beat to try and catch up to the Hylian style of music. It was... different from Lolian music. Smooth, light, and almost airy, no doubt Hylian dancing was similar. Taking that information, the black-haired prince began to lead them in dance. There was nobody else on the dance floor, the rest of the guests all too intrigued by the contrasting pair. Ravio managed not to stumble, chewing on the inside of his lip as he struggled to stay in tune with the too-smooth music.

Off to the side stood their two royal knights, Hilda and Zelda watching their respective charges. The Lolian looked at the band, narrowing her eyes as she suspected they noticed Ravio’s struggle and yet did nothing about it. Though perhaps, she wondered, they may not know about Lorule’s music tastes.

“Toccata,” Hilda muttered under her breath. “They need to play a toccata.”

Zelda glanced at the other guard, offering a smile as she nodded in understanding. Whether Hilda was truly asking anything of her, the blonde wasn’t sure, but she would help either way. She made her way around the ballroom to the band, using Hylian sign language to tell them to start playing a ‘toccata,’ despite not honestly knowing what that was. Hilda, meanwhile, stared wide-eyed at the Hylian guard even as she made her way back to her side.

Ravio’s ears twitched at the familiarity of the change in music, hearing the transition to something bouncier—almost chaotic—and he smirked at the Hylian Prince. His hand held tight onto Link’s waist as he spun them around, a startled sound escaping the blond. Despite the sudden change, however, Link couldn’t help the laugh bubbling up in his throat as he was led through the quick-footed dance moves. He struggled somewhat to keep up, but found Ravio was able to help him find the music.

“You’re a natural, your grace!” Ravio grinned, only somewhat lying. Link knew this, but blushed anyway.

As the music swelled, Ravio could tell it was getting close to the end, and so he decided to end with a bang. He twirled the Hylian out into the crowd, showing him off like a prize. Perhaps that was distasteful, even disrespectful, but he couldn’t help but think how lucky he was to have such a gorgeous dance partner. Someone like Link was meant to be shown off. When Link came twirling back to him, Ravio’s hand found the Hylian’s lower back. He leaned forward, forcing Link to be tilted back, his crown nearly sliding off if it hadn’t been pinned into place. By the last note, Link was snapped back up to standing, both mens’ chests heaving as they each caught their breath.

It took a beat or two before the crowd’s murmuring filled the room again, though notably more difficult to decipher than when it was simply gossip about Ravio. The Lolian Prince slowly stepped away, managing to keep his smile composed.

“Apologies if I got a bit...” he said sheepishly. “Carried away.”

Link shook his head, mouth opening as if to speak but nothing came out as he glanced at the crowd surrounding them. He eventually closed his mouth, simply offering a breathless smile and bowing to the black-haired prince. Ravio grinned, bowing back.

Brilliant blue eyes met Ravio’s before flickering away, the Lolian following his gaze to the opened double doors leading to the garden. When Ravio turned back, Link was gone, having faded into the crowd. It was strange, Ravio thought as he made his way back to his knight who seemed to also be suddenly alone.

“We should go,” the Lorulean knight whispered. “I think they're trying to make fools of us.”

“Are you joking?” Ravio almost laughed, though knowing better than to further taunt an already so on-edge Hilda. “That went perfect, it—” his gaze once again caught sight of the garden and something seemed to click slightly. “You stay here, I’ll be back.”

“What are you—?”

“Just trust me, please?”

Hilda all but huffed, glaring with her amber red eyes but following orders anyway as she should. She nodded her head and assumed a firm stance, ready to stay put until ordered (or compelled) otherwise.

Ravio grinned in thanks and made his way across the ballroom, skirting around the dance floor and heading out the intricate double doors. They were decorated in gold and deep Hylian blues, outlined with carvings of symbols of their Golden Goddesses. Ravio had little time to admire the designs as he passed through them, instead focusing on the cool air hitting his face. The music and mutterings faded as he walked, there were some guests out here but not nearly as many and they were much more scattered. Some of them paused when he walked by them, often continuing their hushed gossip much quieter after he did.

The gardens were large, taking up more than half as much land as the castle itself. They were filled with almost every flower found in Hyrule, each one planted to best complement the ones around it. Hedges broke up the different areas making it look something like a maze.

Eventually, Ravio left the scattered guests and came across a small lake, brightly colored fish splashing around under the clear water. A stone fountain stood at its center, made to resemble some large, ancient bird spitting water out of its beak and into the lake. Coming closer to the fountain, Ravio slowed his steps, finally finding the fellow prince he was looking for.

“You know,” the Lorulean prince hummed. “If you didn't like my dancing you could have just said so.”

A soft chuckle came from Link, the ends of his pointed ears turning even pinker than they already were. He shook his head, fingers twirling around each other.

“I hope you can forgive my shyness,” he said, barely loud enough to be heard. “I... very much enjoyed dancing with you, it just felt strange to have so many eyes on me.”

“Strange?” Ravio nearly scoffed. “You do realize you're the host, not to mention—” he paused, biting the inside of his lip to stop the thought best he could. “What I mean is, are you not used to being a focus for attention? With your political strength, you can't truly think there are never eyes on you.”

Link blushed again, his hands eventually clasping together to stop from fidgeting. He glanced up at Ravio and offered a shy smile.

“Would you think less of me if I said yes?” he half-joked.

“No,” Ravio responded quicker than he meant to, stepping closer to Link. “I don't believe I could think poorly of you, Your Majesty.”

“Link.”

“I don't believe I could think poorly of you, Link.”

The Hylian’s shoulders seemed to relax just slightly, blue eyes softening as he admired the fellow prince before him. Ravio wanted so desperately to know what he was thinking, what he felt about the sound of his name on the Lolian’s tongue. Ravio moved forward again, carefully watching Link as he slowly closed the gap between them. Link bit his bottom lip, though otherwise his expression was just as polite and gentle as always. Was he trying to taunt Ravio? No, he was much too precious to do that, much too sweet. How could one so innocent be so powerful?

“This fountain is beautiful,” Ravio said, eyes glued to the Hylian Prince. He brought a hand up to brush away Link’s bangs, still leaning in ever closer.

“Indeed,” Link agreed. “It is.”

Link’s lips felt like fire on Ravio’s, soft and warm as the Lolian’s hand moved to hold the side of Link’s face. Another hand went to Link’s waist, pulling him ever closer into the kiss. Oh how Hilda would scold him for this, but Ravio was too occupied with the taste of Link’s lips to care too much about that.

His hands were on the Hylian’s waist, holding Link close as he deepened the kiss. Ravio wasn’t sure when they ended up pushed against one of the maze-like hedges, but he wasn’t complaining and clearly neither was Link.

“Ravio!” Link gasped against the other’s lips, the other taking the opportunity to slide his tongue between Link’s teeth.

Ravio moaned at the taste, the prince somehow tasting just as sweet as his personality seemed to be. It was almost intoxicating enough that Ravio considered taking the opportunity to slip off Link’s royal garb. Not now, though, not here. Link was too gentle to deserve anything less than proper.

Just as Ravio had that thought, Link’s hands went to grab his arms and pull them off the Hylian’s hips. “Wait,” he breathed. “When are you leaving?”

“What?” Ravio asked. “Tonight, of course, we haven’t set up any discussions.”

“Yes you have,” Link smiled, his eyes twinkling with a hopeful sort of shine. “If you would take Hyrule as an ally?”

Ravio blinked back at Link, stunned in silence and the afterglow of their making out. Surely Link didn’t mean it, or at least didn’t consider what he was really saying. Still, Ravio would be an idiot to turn down this opportunity to get aid to his people. Or, at least, gain some respect.

“Of course,” Ravio nodded. “Thank you, Link.”

Link simply smiled back at him with a slight shake of his head before leaning in for another soft, deep kiss. Ravio’s eyes remained closed as he felt the other prince slip out of his arms, not opening them until the footsteps faded.