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The Chain has found a new, unique way of screwing things over for themselves, that’d be by attracting monsters. Of course, they usually attracted monsters, but with Wild’s new and shiny armor, it seemed to gather more, which led them to this predicament.
“Just take it off!” Wind yelled, swerving his way from a chuu-chuu that seemed intent on ending his life. Wild’s sword clashing with a stalfos, he yelled “But I want to see how it handles in battle! You know my insatiable curiosity!”
Time grumbled out a curse as he leaped towards the stalfos Wild was currently facing “Keep your head in the battle!” He shouted, forcing the stalfos back. He growled, running towards the enemy with increasing speed, slicing its head in half.
He plunged his sword in the ground, panting. He turned his head back with a glare, “You boys are going to get killed one of these days.” He forced himself back into standing, clutching his back with a pained look.
“You okay old man?” Wind questioned, the chuu-chuu having easily been killed. Time shook his head, which gained him a painful throb of protest. “Just feeling a bit bad.” He shrugged.
The Chain quickly finished their own fights, now glancing worriedly at time. “It’s nothing.” He grumbled. Warriors frowned at him. “We can stop somewhere, Sprite. It’s not that big of a deal.” “Exactly.” Time retorted. “Not that big of a deal.” In truth, his muscles ached, he felt weak, his head throbbed, and a nauseous feeling overtook him.
That earned him a glare from Hyrule, the rest of the Chain acquiescing to his demands, moving on down the gravel path. Time was increasingly regretting his decision, coming at the back with Hyrule, who glared even more intensely at him. “What?” He questioned, his eyes squinting at he pinched his forehead. Hyrule sighed “You know what? I’m tired. Let’s just set up camp for the night.” Hyrule said, surprisingly loud compared to his usual softness. Time squinted even harder, letting out a sigh as he sat down, massaging his legs. “Not in the middle of the path!” Wind snickered.
The camp was easily set up, with Time setting out his sleeping bag with a concerning amount of force needed. Twilight came behind him, letting out a soft snicker. “Trouble with the sleeping bag?” Which earned him a side-eye from the struggling hero. Twilight frowned, placing a hand on Time’s shoulder. “Hey, you know-“ he was quickly cut off by a sharp jolt, Time clutching his shoulder as if he’d been burned. Twilight gawked at him “What? What’s wrong? I just touched you.” Time shook his head, grimacing.
“Just go away pup, I’m fine.” Which earned him a concerned frown, “No- something’s-“ “Go.” Time bit out.
Go he did, to immediately tell Hyrule. “Something’s wrong with time.” Hyrule glanced at him for a moment, before turning back to his small snack. “No, really? I sure didn’t notice.” Hyrule mocked. “I’m serious! Time flinched away when I touched his shoulder! Something’s wrong!” Hyrule tapped his finger on his cheek, before turning back to twilight. “I know.” He said, setting down his food. “It’s concerning, like he’s constantly in pain.” He put a finger to his chin. “I’ll talk to him.”
Hyrule caught Time later in the day, watching Sky whittle a small statue of a fairy. “Time.” Hyrule called.
Time looked up at him, grimacing. “What’s wrong?” Hyrule said gently. Time stared, tears prickling his eyes “I- my-“ he said, before sobbing, gripping the ground as he gasped. “M- my legs…” he choked on his words, folding into himself. “It’s okay, Time.” Sky called, putting his statue down. “What about your legs?” Hyrule beckoned before the sobbing leader. “H-“ he gasped “Hurts.” He put a hand to his hair, tugging. Warriors came over quickly, the rest of the Chain confused and worried.
“Hey, Sprite.” Warriors called. Patting a hand on the ground infront of Time. “It’s okay, deep breaths, okay?” He exaggerated his own, Hyrule watching from the sidelines. He pulled Time into a hug, to which Time didn’t flinch back from. Time nodded pitifully. “H- head.” He stammered out, to which Warriors rubbed slow circles into the side of his head.
After a ton of coaxing, Time eventually calmed down enough to explain. “I have fibromyalgia.” He said, gripping his pants. “I know, I’m supposed to be strong and all, so…” he sighed. “I didn’t tell you.” Sky nodded “I understand. I have asthma.” He says with a smile. “I have ADHD.” Wind pipes in. “PTSD.” Warriors said with a frown. “Joint issues.” Legend says. Time looks around, nearly all of them listing some disorder he’s never heard of, and it nearly brings him to tears.
“See?” Hyrule sits next to him. “You’re not weak, you’re not alone, and you certainly don’t have to hide.” A few tears roll down his face, as he turns to Hyrule, letting out a smile. “You don’t either.”