Chapter Text
The sun is shining over Lon Lon Ranch, and Link is still tethered to the bed. He's always been like this, even as a child, but he deserves it after all the hard work he's done for the world, even if no one remembers it. Outside is filled with the sounds of ranch animals as well as Talon and Ingo tending to them and their other chores. However, a sudden, booming voice awakens Link from his deep sleep.
"LINK!" Is all he needs to hear before he is already sitting up, hair covering his eyes as he attempts to pull himself together. Through the mess of his hair and his blurry vision, he can barely make out a figure looming over him, hands on hips. Malon, the woman he married years after Ganondorf was sent to be executed with the help of Princess Zelda. "Boy, you really ARE a sleepy head, fairy boy." That's the nickname she gave Link when they first met, though of course back then, he didn't know he wasn't a Kokiri, but she still calls him that to tease him. "Come on, everyone is already up except you!" Being a ranch, it's pretty much expected for everyone to be up at dawn, something Link can't seem to get used to even after a few years of living on the ranch.
Link slowly rises from the bed, grabbing his carelessly tossed green tunic from the floor and slipping it over his head, still half asleep despite being yelled at just moments ago. He slowly makes his way out of the bedroom, heading downstairs to the kitchen where Malon has prepared herself and Link a simple breakfast of farm fresh eggs, some bacon strips, and a couple slices of bread, as well as a jar of Lon Lon's famous milk, known all through out Hyrule. "Even after all the flack you give me, you sure do make a good meal." Link says as he sits down at the table. "Well, can't have you collapsing in the middle of the field, wouldn't be good for business." Malon says, giving Link a kiss on the head before sitting down across from him with her own plate. Malon eats her meal at a reasonable pace while Link practically scarfs down his, caring not for manners. Once the pair finish their breakfast, they head out of the house onto the ranch where Ingo and Talon are tending to the cuccos and cows. "Good morning, Link! I See Malon got you up after all." Talon shouts from across the field. "I was totally up on time, sir." Link says in a joking manner. Everyone knows Link is always the last to get up. He just wishes one day he could sleep in, but that's not what the ranch life is about, but certainly beats slaying demons.
Link and Malon soon head off into the ranch to complete their chores for the day, Malon tending to the horses while Link gets stuck fighting with the cuccos, which always seem to be the most stubborn, and the loudest animals they can possibly be. The day is filled with lots of work, but someone has to get it done. After many grueling hours of tending to animals and assisting Malon, the day's work is finally complete with products ready to be shipped out first thing tomorrow morning, but that's the last thing Link is thinking of right now. His mind is only thinking of one thing: Dinner. Ingo heads back to his house on the ranch, he prefers to live alone anyways, so it will just be Link, Malon, and Talon together for dinner tonight.
Malon and Talon strut into the house, unfazed by the hard day's work as Link trails behind them, wiping sweat from his forehead as he removes his tunic, only keeping the shirt underneath on to try and cool off, thinking about how much the Goron tunic would be a life saver right now. Around half an hour after the trio return home, Talon has prepared a steak and rice dinner for the three of them, Talon and Malon savoring their food as Link, once again, inhales his food, barely chewing it, which Malon comments on. "You really should slow down, Link, we don't want ya collapsing on our floor and turning bluer than a Zora" Malon warns Link. He shrugs and gives a coy smile, before finishing the last of his dinner and proceeding to help clean up the table for the two. It's the least he could do after they've given him a new chance at life, even if they have no idea what he has been through.
Link and Malon soon freshen up and get into much cleaner clothes before laying in their bed. It's not the biggest, as it's just Malon's bed from her childhood, but it still functions and fits them both, plus, Link and Talon are too lazy to build a new one anyways. "So, I'll be in Castle Town all day tomorrow, hope you won't miss me too much" Link says to Malon, who is reading beside him. "Oh please, fairy boy, I can handle myself just fine" Malon jokes with him, briefly turning away from her reading to smile at him. "Besides, I'll be busy tending to the animals like usual anyways, and we'll see each other again before you know it." The two share a brief kiss, before Link turns onto his side, falling asleep due to the exhaustion of today's work, hoping tomorrow will be easier.