Chapter Text
Hyrule looked down into his bowl in disbelief and his stomach gave a loud grumble making Wind, sitting next to him, laugh good-naturedly.
‘Smells good, eh? I’m glad we found Wild, finally someone in this group can cook! I mean, it’s not as good as my Grandma’s soup. Nothing is that good. But this still smells amazing, better than that time Legend tried to make boiled cucco eggs for sure! That smelled like farts!’ He laughed loudly and without further hesitation, shoved a mouthful of his own dinner into his mouth and began to chew. ‘Mmmm!’
Hyrule swallowed wordlessly. The rich stew of meat and vegetables in front of him, as well as the hunk of crusty bread, was the most delicious smelling thing he had ever been given.
And it was all his. He was allowed to eat this.
He barely even noticed when a laughing Warriors beckoned Wind to join him on the other side of the fire, Twilight and Four already laughing at whatever he wanted to tell the young pirate. He was focussed only on his bowl.
Carefully, he scooped a small amount of the stew onto his spoon, the light-hearted conversation from the others washing over him as they collected their own meals from the enigmatic Wild, who had only joined their number a few hours ago but had volunteered, rather emphatically, to cook when he’d seen the dried jerky everyone was pulling from their packs.
Hyrule blew gently on his spoon and then cautiously put the bite into his mouth. The meat was so tender, it broke apart without him even having to chew it, the potato, carrot and onion as well as something green that he couldn’t identify adding interesting texture and a sweet earthiness that he wasn’t expecting. The gravy was rich and savoury.
His eyes widened, it was delicious. He reached for his piece of freshly baked bread, holding it up to his nose and just inhaling before tearing a small bite off. The outside was crunchy and the inside soft and delicious, still just slightly warm.
He placed it in his mouth and smiled. Equally as delicious. He couldn’t believe that food like this existed.
He looked up to see Wild sinking next to him on the log he was using as a bench, his own dinner in hand.
‘Wild?’ He said softly, catching the other’s attention.
Curious and cautious eyes, in the most vibrant shade of blue Hyrule had ever seen, flicked in his direction.
‘Th-this is delicious.’ He said quietly. He gestured at his bowl, which he was holding carefully as if it held something sacred. ‘I… I’ve never eaten something so good. Thank you.’
Wild nodded slowly, a small frown on his face, seeming to read some of what Hyrule was trying to say, but was unable to articulate in his expression.
Hyrule, grimaced. ‘You wouldn’t know, but my Hyrule is a… it’s a ruin. Food isn’t easy to get…all the time.’
Wild’s frown grew and he nodded wordlessly, mind preoccupied. He dunked his bread into his stew, using it to sop up some of the rich gravy. Noticing when Hyrule’s eyes expanded in realisation and he copied the scarred Champion, dunking his own bread and then sighing in pleasure when he bit into it.
Wild cleared his throat, catching Hyrule’s attention. It was Wild’s first night with the group and it was obvious that the other was not used to speaking. His Hyrule was also a desolate place, but what it lacked in people, it made up for in dangerous monsters which left him cautious and curious about the others in a way that Hyrule recognised from when he had first joined himself.
‘I… I’ve never cooked for anyone before.’ He admitted. ‘I’m really glad you like it.’
He watched as Hyrule took another bite, being so careful not to spill a single drop that he brought the bowl all the way up to his mouth along with his spoon.
‘I…’ Wild paused, looking even more uncertain. Hyrule turned to look at him, again pausing in his food, determined not to let anything distract him from enjoying every mouthful. Wild smiled slightly, the first smile he had given them since he joined the group earlier that day.
‘I was thinking of making hot-buttered apples for dessert…’
Hyrule gasped, eyes huge and Wild’s smile grew slightly. He nodded, mind apparently made up.
‘I’m making hot-buttered apples for dessert.’ He confirmed more strongly.
‘Someone gave me an apple on my journey.’ Hyrule said, eyes bright and clear. ‘It was so delicious! I didn’t know you could cook them!’
Wild nodded towards the bowl that Hyrule was holding, looking more confident than he had all day. ‘Well, finish your stew first and you can help me?’
Hyrule looked back down at his stew and grinned. Carefully filling his spoon again and transferring it to his mouth. A comfortable silence fell over them as Wild listened to Sky tell the others about his Loftwing and Hyrule concentrated all of his attention on his dinner.
Wild cleared his throat again, louder this time and caught the attention of everyone. ‘I-if anyone wants more, there’s plenty in the pot for everyone.’ He tapped his slate. ‘I didn’t know how much to make for so many people, so whatever we don’t eat, I’ll store in the slate.’
A cheer went around the group and Warriors and Twilight stood immediately, closely followed by Sky and Time.
Wild huffed a laugh of disbelief at their enthusiasm. ‘I guess they like it?’ he said quietly to Hyrule.
The older grinned. ‘We’ve been together for about 3 weeks now, and we’ve been living on travel provisions. Jerky and hardtack and stuff.’ He shrugged one shoulder. ‘I thought it’s been pretty good, we’ve always had enough to go around at least. But this…’ He gestured at the pot where a slightly smiling Four was now handing the ladle to Legend, whose cheeks were still bulging as he struggled to chew what was left from his last bowl even as he refilled it with a generous second helping. ‘This is so good.’
There was something about how he said it, a memory of hunger, that had Wild again pausing. ‘I-if you ever want something to eat, just come and tell me ok?’ he began cautiously.
‘I cook a lot, I always have something I can share… it will… be nice to have someone to share with. I’m going to cook all our meals from now if the others will let me, but… if you ever want something extra, just say.’
Unbidden, hot tears filled Hyrule’s eyes at the offer and Wild gave him another small, compassionate smile, averting his eyes and going back to his stew.
‘I mean that.’ He continued, insistent. ‘Wake me up if I’m asleep. Any time.’
Hyrule nodded wordlessly.
‘And take your time with the stew.’ Wild suggested with a smirk. ‘There’s enough for you to have seconds, even thirds if you want them, and we have all night to make hot-buttered apples and warm milk.’
Hyrule laughed at the sudden addition of hot milk and Wild grinned back easily. Hyrule noticed that now that he looked more relaxed a hint of mischief was clear in the scarred young man’s smile.
‘I’m glad you’re here, Wild.’ He said quietly, genuinely. ‘And not just because you can cook.’
Wild’s smile turned bitter-sweet, gaze sweeping around the friendly atmosphere of the full campsite. ‘Me too, I think.’
A long beat of silence fell over them again before Wild perked up. ‘Hey…? Do you like exploring? Cause there’s a place near here that I think you might really like. I can show you tomorrow?’
The hint of mischief in Wild’s expression was suddenly echoed in Hyrule’s.
Oh yes, this was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.