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When Wind first brought up the matter of collars, not long after he first arrived in the war, it took Wars completely by surprise.
“What do you mean, slaves?” he spluttered, staring at the indignant child. “Why would you even think that?”
“Uh, because there are people walking around wearing collars? If there’s a better explanation, I’m all ears.” The glare sent his way implied that there had better be an explanation or he would be the first victim in the younger hero’s righteous rampage.
“Oh! Oh, no, that’s not what that means at all.” Wars sighed, mostly in relief that Wind hadn’t come across anything too terribly misleading. “That’s just what mated omegas wear. It’s a gift from their mate, a sign of commitment. Some cultures exchange jewelry, here it’s a collar. Well, a lot of people have multiple ones so they can accessorize, but that’s never felt quite as meaningful to me.”
Wind looked slightly mollified, but not entirely convinced. “What, so you’d be fine with someone putting one on you like you’re some kind of a pet?”
“It’s really not the same thing at all.” Wars huffed, resisting the urge to ruffle the pouty teen’s hair. He’d probably just get his hand bitten off. “And if I actually find myself a mate some day? I’d be happy to wear their collar.”
It was supposed to be that simple. He certainly meant every word as he said them. However, that was before. Before Cia taunted him with promises of a leash to go with his collar once she got him, so he would never forget who he belonged to. Before more than one noble alpha made pointed comments about how good his neck would look in their family colors. Before he found himself tugging his scarf up higher to conceal his bare throat from curious looks.
Then he found himself thrown into another adventure with a number of other heroes from across time, and they each had a different perspective on the custom.
Well, most of them did, anyway. Apparently back in Sky’s time this wasn’t a thing yet, though unlike Wind’s initial skepticism he was mostly curious when he brought it up.
“Say, Cook, I’m a bit curious.” Sky smiled at their champion. “What’s that collar about? I mean, I’ve seen them in a few different eras, but yours is much fancier than most. Is it magical, like the rest of your jewelry?”
Wild immediately sat up straighter, clearly happy to explain. ‘It’s what omegas wear. Mated ones, especially.’ He paused, then added, ‘Well, it was a bit outdated before the Calamity. People are bringing it back, but it’s still unusual.’
“Oh?” Time gave Wild’s collar a considering look. It was a rather showy one, with silk and silver and gemstones woven into an intricate web. “In my time it’s mostly just the rich people who bother with those unless you’re dressing up. Even then, most omegas still just wear a ribbon or something.”
“Let me guess.” Hyrule grinned. “Your beloved prince got you an extra fancy one?”
Wild grinned. ‘Yes. I hadn’t really thought of it, but when Sidon asked, I said yes. Nobody gets to forget what I am, anymore.’
Wars could appreciate the sentiment, at least. He didn’t really feel like flaunting his status as an omega after everything that happened, but if anyone had earned the right, it was Wild. Wars had faced less than ideal treatment, sure, but at least nobody had ever forced him to hide such an important part of himself.
Four had stayed out of the conversation at the time, and nobody had pushed him. While this had been early in their shared journey, they had already realized that things related to omegas tended to be something of a sore subject for their smith. Nobody wanted to be the asshole who asked him about it.
It was Four himself who brought it up much later, after his rather chaotic presentation heat was over.
“In my era, all adult omegas wear collars.” He wasn’t looking at anyone as he spoke, eyes firmly on the knife he was sharpening. Everyone listened anyway, the circle around the campfire falling quiet. “As a kid it just felt like something inevitable that I’d wear one day. Except then I stopped growing, and had to come to terms with never getting to that point.”
“And now you’re growing again, so it might happen after all.” Hyrule gave him a gentle smile. “How do you feel about that?”
“Honestly? I’m not sure.” Four shook his head. “It’s yet another thing I already gave up on. I’ve spent years convincing myself I don’t want it anyway, and now I don’t want to get my hopes up.”
“I think you’re the only one of us whose era has it common for all grown omegas.” Legend tilted his head in thought. “Well, assuming things haven’t changed drastically between my time and Hyrule’s, anyway. In my time it’s usually just omegas who have children that wear one. Something about the circle of life, I think.”
At the time that had been just an off-hand comment, no doubt intended to make Four feel less about following or not following any particular customs. However, thanks to that comment they needed very little explanation later when Legend came to the rest of the Chain after a private chat with Ravio, visibly shaken, and said one sentence. “Ravio asked me to get him a collar.”
Of course, after the initial shock of the news Legend had thrown himself into fussing over his mate, clearly determined to make up for his forced absences. The rest of the Chain had helped where they could, while silently vowing to make sure that Legend at least would make it back from this journey. Maybe they could not be there for him and Ravio in person, but they could at least do their best to let him enjoy his fatherhood in peace.
It never even occurred to them that they might not be forever separated in the end.
Staring at Twilight’s bashful face, it also belatedly occurred to Wars that he’d never asked, or even wondered, what the customs were in his era.
“So, uh.” Twilight rubbed the back of his head with his free hand, the other still holding out his offering. “I honestly have no idea how things go in my era; I grew up with humans and it was never too relevant later. Still, I know it’s important in your time, so I asked around.”
“You… got me a collar.” It was a beautiful one, too. The soft fabric wrapped around a leather core was the same blue as his scarf, decorated with delicate embroidery in golden thread.
“Yeah. I did the leather work myself, Wild helped with the embroidery, and Four forged the clasp. I also asked everyone about how things are done in their times. Wind and Time said you haven’t had the best experiences with such offers, but I figured you should at least have the choice. If you’d rather not wear one, that’s totally fine, not like anyone in my village will know one way or another, but —”
Wars all but snatched the collar from Twilight’s hand, bringing it closer to examine it. He could certainly see Wild’s handiwork in the delicate designs, and Four’s in the ornate yet functional buckle. At a closer look he could see a tiny mark in the shape of the triforce carved into the frame of the clasp.
He looked up to find Twilight watching him, a mixture of hope and fear and apprehension in his eyes. There was no demand in that gaze, certainly no assumption of ownership. Just a question, an offer, as honest and uncomplicated as the rancher himself.
Wars drew a deep breath and smiled. “Help me put it on?”
As Twilight’s rough, warm hands brushed against his neck, closing the collar comfortably around his throat, Wars knew he would be happy wearing this collar.