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This was the last time Link decided to humor his sister.
Okay, so that was a lie. He knew all too well he would crack again should she ask him nicely enough; after all, he couldn’t abandon her to her own devices forever. However, he had definitely filled his social duties for the foreseeable future. This party was mind-numbingly dull.
The only bright spot in the evening was Ravio, dressed in rich robes Zelda had insisted on gifting him, hair actually styled rather than left in its usual messy state. He had seemed uncomfrotable at first but had quickly thawed, as full of social graces as Link himself was lacking in them. Now he was flitting about the large ballroom alongside Zelda, getting introduced to the various nobles and other important figures. He was clearly enjoying himself, eyes glinting and a smile on his lips as he committed endless names and relationships to memory for future use.
At least one of them was having fun. Link had suffered through getting announced alongside his mate, but was now quite content to pick a shaded corner and focus on watching Ravio work his magic.
“So that is Sir Link’s new mate, then?” The sound of his name caught his attention. Staying in his hiding spot, he looked over to see a group of nobles huddled together, very clearly staring at Ravio. They didn’t look too pleased, either, nor was he fond of the snide tone of voice.
“Ah, yes.” Another one of the nobles sniffed, an alpha lady from a wealthy family. “Apparently he comes from a war-torn country far away. Suppose it makes sense they would meet, then, with how much Sir Link seems to travel.”
“Really?” A younger man frowned, looking over to where Ravio was regaling an elder society lady with some colorful story or another. Link didn’t recognize him, not that he was familiar with a lot of nobles. Still, clearly he was very young and naive to show such sincere emotion at a court function. “Oh, how dreadful it must have been!”
“Oh, please,” his apparent date for the night huffed, waving a dismissive hand. “A young, pretty omega? I’m sure he was able to get by just fine.” This caused a round of titters among the group. “If things even were as bad as all that, of course. He might have just exaggerated things. What better way to vie for sympathy?”
“Oh, I hope not. Sir Link may be rather, ah, unconventional,” one of them remarked. “However, he is still the Hero of Hyrule. It’s not right for him to get tricked like that.”
“Well, he can’t have told him the actual truth. After all, who would settle for an omega who had to support himself through whoring, thievery or worse?”
“Unless that is how they met, of course.” The laughs were more clearly malicious now. “Would explain why Sir Link brought him back, if he already knew what he was getting into his bed.”
Link saw red. It was only a massive effort of self-control and the thought of Zelda’s disappointment that kept him from drawing a sword right then and there. He thought of Lorule, dark and broken and filled with desperate people. Of the thin frame hidden under Ravio’s thick robes, the way he still looked surprised at the slightest friendly touch. He thought of Ravio, alone and afraid, having to risk permanent harm to his body from all his potions because the alternative of being vulnerable during his heat was untenable. Ravio, who still ventured out into a whole new world just because it needed to be done.
Ravio, who did not deserve to have these good-for-nothings looking down on him for something they were only imagining.
“As a matter of fact, the only thing he has ever sold me is magical items. And while I amy complain about his pricing practices, I would never call him a thief.” Much to his satisfaction they were all visibly startled at the sound of his voice. He was even happier to see a tinge of fear on the faces of those a bit smarter than their friends. “Whatever happened in his life before that is his to share if and when he wishes. However, if I were to find out he had to resort to extreme measures to survive, whatever those might have been?” He stepped forward, pinning the loudest of the lot down with his glare. “I would thank the Golden Three that he found a way to make it through the tough times, and swear to make sure he will never have to want for anything as long as I draw breath.”
“Well!” Of course it was the loudest of them that immediately took offense. “We never meant —”
“Didn’t mean what? To accuse my mate of having an unsavory background, purely because he is from a less prosperous kingdom? You are lucky that I have too much respect for Her Majesty to spill blood at her party.” For all that they had avoided raised voices, any suggestion of a confrontation immediately drew attention. A quick glance at the surrounding audience helped him spot both Zelda and Ravio making their way through the crowd.
“Is there a problem here?” Zelda drew herself to her full height, making up for any missing stature with an aura of dominance. If it hadn’t been for the Goddess blood only showing through betas, she would have made an excellent alpha.
“Nothing but some lacking manners,” Link spat out before any of the nobles could try to come up with a defense. “I have to ask you to excuse me. I refuse to stay somewhere my mate is being disrespected.”
“Oh?” Zelda’s eyebrows rose as she glanced at the now very nervous-looking nobles. “And what kind of disrespect have they offered to your mate?”
Before Link could choose between calling them out in public and sparing Ravio the details of their aspersions, he was cut off by a surprising voice. It was the young man who had seemed at least somewhat sympathetic to Ravio’s backstory, now taking literal distance from his companions. “Your Majesty, if I may?” At Zelda’s regal nod, he went on, “I do not believe such words are suitable for repetition, particularly not in such a setting. However, if need be, I am willing to testify to confirm Sir Link’s account.”
“Medda! What do you think you are doing?” One of the older nobles hissed, giving the young man a glare.
“Oh, do forgive me.” The young man turned to them, giving them a delightfully sarcastic rendition of an omega curtsy. Link might grow to like this man, if not for the fact that he had no desire to spend any more time around the court than he absolutely had to. “I am a pretty young omega, after all, and you seem to hold awfully low opinions of those like me. Whyever did you think I could be trusted?”
Oh, yes. Even if Link wouldn’t spend enough time around this Medda to get to know him, Ravio and Zelda might find him a good ally in their machinations.
There were more protests, now, and Zelda’s sharp voice cutting through the rest, but Link’s attention was caught by the sight of Ravio drawing close to him.
“Mister Hero?” Ravio’s hand settled at his arm, light as a feather yet holding him back from actually attacking the dismissive bastards. “I do believe we have been excused. Won’t you take me away?”
Nobody so much as whispered a word as they headed out, least of all Link. He couldn’t get out a sound even as they headed for the rooms Zelda had reserved for their use, hovering as close by Ravio’s side as he could. As soon as the door closed behind them, Ravio pushed him back against it, hiding himself into Link’s chest.
“They — they said —” He couldn’t get it out, not in front of Ravio.
“I can guess well enough.” Ravio’s arms tightened around Link, head firmly lodged under his chin. “I’m sure they said nothing I haven’t been accused of before, in much cruder words besides. I’ve certainly had to do all kinds of things to survive in Lorule.”
“That doesn’t make it any better.” He managed to wrap his arms around Ravio’s shoulders. “…It doesn’t matter. I already said it to them, and I’ll tell you the same thing. I don’t care what you went through or what you had to do before we met, except in how it affects you today. If you want to tell me, I’ll listen; if you don’t, I don’t need to know. All that matters to me is that you’re here and you’re alive.”
“Well, you do already know I committed some light treason.” Ravio’s attempt at humor failed to make Link smile, but he appreciated the effort anyway. “Now, come on. Let’s get out of these fancy clothes and then you can cuddle me until you’re convinced I’m safe and sound with you.”
“This is bullshit,” Link murmured even as he allowed himself be led towards the frankly ridiculous bed in the royal guest suite. “They think they’re so much better than you, when you’re worth a hundred stupid nobles.”
“Oh, I’m quite aware. However, we both know I prefer to be underestimated.” Ravio glanced back over his shoulder, flashing Link a mischievous smile. “That just means they won’t see it coming when I utterly destroy them in retaliation for upsetting you.”
Lolia, but he loved this man.