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“Close your eyes, Link”
He giggles, the feel of Ganondorf’s hands on his biceps comforting and welcome. Any touch from his mate is adored and appreciated, especially when in the throes of his third trimester. Having spent the majority of it inside the palace and barely going anywhere outside the throne room and his bedroom, this is a nice change of pace.
“Why? Where are you taking me?” Link can’t help the smile tugging on his lips, for Ganondorf has that effect on him. “Don’t tell me… You want me to try more frybread. I already told you, beef is good enough for me.”
Ganondorf clicks his tongue, interrupting Link by lifting him into his arms and nestling him there. “We may have frybread afterward, but I have already taken your suggestions and given them to the royal cooks.” Which has Link rolling his eyes and snickering. They have gone a bit haywire with the preparations for the celebration of birth, insisting it be the best for their new pup. Link doesn’t fault Ganondorf for wanting to introduce the babe to a world full of luxury and happiness; after all, his childhood was never the greatest.
It’ll be different this time around, as Link will give his pup the life he never had while growing up. The little thing will never know sadness or despair, never forced to become something that she doesn’t want to be. He’s been insuring that their daughter won’t be shoved into the Royal Army once she becomes of age, a decision that Ganondorf seems to be on board with.
“Okay, I’ll close them.” He does as promised, even going as far as to cover them with his hands. “But you better not be taking me anywhere boring.” A little teasing on his part, somewhat of a way to tell Ganondorf that he isn’t interested in doing anything political today. Already, the young Hylian had begrudgingly put on trousers and his champion tunic—he’s been wearing his briefs and robes as of late—so he is through putting effort into things.
There was only so much drama and petty squabbles he could take. Although, lately, their people have been giving their congratulations and presents for the pup, which meant Link couldn’t complain too much. Even so, he was hoping that today would not be another session of court.
“It isn’t boring, my dove. You’ve seen it before, but… there’s a surprise this time.” And Ganondorf bows his head, bringing Link close and giving him a nose kiss. Link, tickled by the affection, playfully shoves Ganondorf away. They haven’t the time for goofy affection if they’re going to see a surprise. Then again, Link doesn’t mind the chaste kisses and nose boops he gets whenever Ganondorf wants to give them.
A surprise… Hearing about it makes Link think of all the possibilities. Is it a surprise date at one of the food stalls he likes? Or maybe they’re going sightseeing in the dunes? Honestly, there isn’t much to do in the desert that they haven’t already done together, but Link will keep his curiosity about him. It must be a fun surprise, otherwise Ganondorf wouldn’t have mentioned it.
Link, out of ideas of what it could be, tsks and pats his cheeks. “Will you give me a hint?” Mischievous, he knows that Ganondorf won’t be able to resist the request, feeling them going down the steps that lead into the main marketplace. The wind blows his hair into his face and sticks sand on his lips, causing him to make a raspberry and fervently wipe at them. “Agh… Damn wind!”
“It’s coming from the north,” Ganondorf’s obvious observation is eye-rolling worthy, but Link refrains and grumbles quietly. “Oh, now, don’t be upset. I will always shield my queen.” True to his word, the Alpha delicately rolls Link until he’s facing his chest, his big hand firm against his back.
He squeaks at first, clinging to Ganondorf to steady himself while his chest rumbled with a purr. Yes, this is a nice way to spend his day, even if he did want to just lay in bed all day. Ganondorf sure does have a way to lift his spirits and encourage him to do more with his days.
On their way through the marketplace, joyful greetings and curious questions about Link’s status filter through the crowds. Ganondorf manages to fend them off with short, simple answers that don’t beat around the bush, sating their curiosity for the time being. That won’t last for long, as they’ll quickly be back to ask again when they return to the palace.
But, can Link really fault them? He was always so concerned with Zelda back in the day, wanting her to be healthy and well. By looking through that lens of his, he can see why the people of the desert worry about him, especially since he is pregnant. Being reminded of their pup brings another blush to Link’s face, purring as a way to relax himself.
Starting a family has been a dream of his for years; having the chance to finally do it is more gratifying than defeating a lynel in the middle of nowhere with no arrows. Link cherishes the pup growing inside him, placing one hand on his bump and patting it reassuringly. She will grow up knowing that she is loved and cherished; not like her parents, who had to find that love for themselves as they got older.
Ganondorf’s steps start to slow, until he stops completely, rubbing Link’s back. “We’re here; you can look now.”
He barely gets a chance to turn over before Ganondorf does so for him, using a soft grip to adjust Link. Giving him a moment to accustom himself with the bright light, Ganondorf kisses the top of the Omega’s head and settles him onto the ground. Link rubs his eyes, getting the excess sand out and blinking repeatedly so that he can get used to the sun.
“Ah, Your Majesty; Your Highness! Perfect timing.” Familiarity strikes him as he sends his gaze up, finding Kohm in all of her glory standing in front of him. “It’s great to seal you again.” She wiggles a brow and grins cheekily at Link, who laughs and settles his hands on his belly.
Turning to Ganondorf, he, too, raises a brow, smiling. “You brought me to rent a sand seal?”
Ganondorf chuckles, restrained for the sake of not sparking Link’s hormonal ire. “Of course not. Kohm and I have been working on this gift for some time. Here, let me show you.” He holds his hand out, staring expectantly at Link, the latter of whom is still giving him an incredulous look.
“Hm…” Link gives it a moment of thought, if only to tease Ganondorf some more. With another grin, he takes his hand and studies the size of it in Ganondorf’s palm. “Alright, then. Let’s see what you’ve got to offer.” At that, he cocks his head to the side, which has Ganondorf squeezing his hand firmly.
They’re careful when stepping into the enclosure, avoiding any unsavory spots that might ruin their feet. Link has gotten into a habit of wearing only his slippers rather than proper sandals; he’s lucky that he hasn’t stepped into anything gross.
Acutely aware of where he stands, Link doesn’t notice it at first; doesn’t notice the flash of blonde and the Gerudo going back into the shop for the seals. Ganondorf gently guides him, holding his jaw between two fingers and angling his head. “Do you see her?”
And he does see her in all of her glory. For the first time since knowing the desert, there is a fully blonde seal. A baby, granted, but a seal nonetheless. Link pries Ganondorf’s fingers from his jaw and looks on in a blend of disbelief and surprise. He’s never known the sand seals to be blonde, stepping closer to where she is and tugging on Ganondorf to follow him.
“Is she really… ?” But the words fail him, and he shuts his mouth, itching to touch her. No duh, she’s real; he’s looking right at her. He hesitates to move any further, aided by Ganondorf, who takes the lead and escorts Link to a small spot in front of her.
“Yes, all yours. We will raise her together, alongside the pup once she is born. I found it important that you have your own seal for travels across the desert.” Ganondorf sits down, taking Link with him and situating him between his legs. “For now, it’s time for your introduction.” He calls the seal to them, a specific whistle that Link hasn’t been able to replicate in its entirety.
The seal swiftly turns to them, and upon seeing the two royals, she makes her way to them, barking happily. Link’s look of astonishment switches into one of pure joy as he looks over his shoulder at Ganondorf. “She’s gorgeous! Gan, I don’t know how I can thank you for this… I would have been fine with a regular seal, but I—!”
He is silenced by a chaste kiss, accompanied by a soft purr and a gentle hand playing with his hair. When Ganondorf pulls back, he directs Link’s attention to the seal. “A gift is a gift. I want my Omega happy; I will give him only the best that exists in this world.” Ganondorf kisses his cheek, and Link reaches his hand out for the seal.
She comes forward, sniffing him, whiskers twitching as she takes in his scent. Link has been around sand seals for years now, but he trembles, staring at her intensely. What if he makes a mistake? The seal could become violent and that wouldn’t end well for any of the parties involved. Each move he makes has to be measured and laced with caution, starting with his stillness and avoidance of petting.
After all, she is just a baby, and Link wouldn’t want to make the wrong impression. Small glances over his shoulder are thrown at Ganondorf, almost searching for a sign that it’s okay to continue. Ganondorf knows more about the seals than he does; Link finds solace in his mate’s intelligence and knowledge, trusting in it more than his own.
A happy bark and flap of fins is a sign enough to Link that he’s on the right track. The seal nuzzles against his hand, affectionate and delighted to be near her owner. Link scratches her under the chin, purring along with her joyous barks while Ganondorf chuckles. He doesn’t have to look to know the mirth in his mate’s eyes; how he looks at Link like the entire world is right in front of him.
“Hello, little seal,” Link coos, petting her with confidence and rolling his head to the side. “Do you have a name?”
“Aiukli; we named her after one of our heroines of legend. You’ve heard of her, right?” Ganondorf bows his head, nestling his nose against Link’s hair and breathing in deeply. He giggles as his breath tickles him, nodding along to his words.
She was an advocate for the Gerudo women, fighting against the Alpha voes that had been assaulting them and kidnapping some. Without her dedication to her cause, they wouldn’t have the protections they have now against those types. Link likes the name; it’s strong and has good meaning to it. A worthy name of a seal owned by him.
Almost like she senses Link’s adoration for her, she leans in and sniffs around his swollen belly. It makes him squeak, jumping as he keeps an eye on her. “Can she smell the pup?”
Ganondorf wraps his arms around him, though, he gives Aiukli space to continue sniffing Link. “Yes; all seals can sense when an Omega is at their most vulnerable.”
Link rolls his eyes and snorts, shaking his head. “I’m not that vulnerable. I can still defend myself, you know? A bow and arrow can still work in the hands of a pregnant Omega.” He juts his chin out, face flushed and eyes closed. “An Omega doesn’t always need an Alpha. After all, I spent a hundred years without one and did just fine, thank you very much!”
By now, Aiukli has decided to flop down and lean against Link’s feet, her warmth relieving the ache in them from how swollen they’ve grown. A nice massage would do wonders for them, even though Link gets one every morning and every evening before they sleep.
His mate is just wonderful like that; a true Alpha compared to the ones Link has been around during his life. Had they never found each other, would they even be happy and content in their lives? All of Link’s wounds have been mended by Ganondorf, a man that he never would have anticipated being so loving and gentle.
Their relationship is a gift from the goddess herself, almost like she is trying to make up for the years of suffering Link underwent without any relief. Ganondorf’s love cures anything that ails him, be it the nightmares of war and death or the throes of a summer cold. Link knows that wherever he is, his mate will be right there with him, supporting him.
Most Omegas don’t get this kind of love, and Link considers himself most fortunate that he has an Alpha so willing to take anything that might harm him. Ganondorf worships the very ground he walks on, something that the Hylian Alphas back in Hateno wouldn’t be caught dead doing. He gives Link the world, a treat in and of itself that Link wants to repay him for.
But love isn’t transactional, it’s natural. It happens from the goodness of someone’s heart, a gift that one chooses to bring forth and bestow on whomever they choose. Those who are true lovers will never expect something in return, pouring their affection into the other’s chalice without complaint. The only payment that should come with love is the smile on the recipient’s face.
Their family will be the only transaction between them, something that they’ve given each other. Link cannot wait for little Linkle to be born, ready to celebrate her mere existence and grant her the life she deserves. Ganondorf will be a great Papa, and Link will be the best Daddy he can be.
Kissing behind Link’s ear, Ganondorf rumbles pleasantly and muses, “I know of an Omega who very much cherishes the attention he receives and the nightly baths he takes with his Alpha. Who could that be, I wonder? Certainly not the mighty Omega who doesn’t need an Alpha.” Ganondorf begins kissing along his jaw, setting Link into a fit of giggles.
“Stop that, you! Although, you are right… I do enjoy our baths and your massages… Don’t embarrass me, meanie!” Link covers his mouth with the tips of his fingers, raising his shoulder and jokingly moving Ganondorf away. It doesn’t work, fueling the Alpha to continue kissing around Link’s face until he reaches his mouth.
He hovers there for a second, making sure his chest is firm against Link’s back so that he can feel his purr. Link waits, breath held and anticipation fluttering in his heart; Ganondorf can be so silly at times. Would he have it any other way?
Ganondorf gives in and laces his lips with Link’s, soft, irrevocably romantic as Link cherishes the taste and scent of his man. They stay like that for what feels like forever, indulging in the other’s presence, until they break the kiss and Ganondorf stares into Link’s rose-colored gaze.
“I love you, Link. And I love little Linkle, too.” He moves himself so that he can kiss the top of Link’s bump, caressing it with reverence and adoration. When Ganondorf raises his head, he smiles like a drunkard and hums. “You will be the happiest pup in all of Gerudo Valley, little Linkle.”
Link purrs harder at the sight, resting his hand on Ganondorf’s bicep. “We’re not seriously naming her that, are we?”
A sneaky, goofy look comes his way as Ganondorf shrugs. “I don’t know… It does have a nice ring to it.” When Ganondorf finishes his joke, Link smacks him gently and clicks his tongue in feigned disappointment.
“Whatever!” His cheerful face soon melds into one of genuine devotion as he whispers, “I love you, too, Ganondorf.”
And he thinks, there is nothing I would change about that.