Linked University

by LunaWolfieFoxy

Summary:

Link didn't know what he was getting himself into when it came to this new academy. He just wanted a fresh start, a do-over.

However, it seems Hylia has other plans for him.

As he goes through his classes, he meets Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, and Link, as well as his teacher, Link.

Will he make it through all four years????

Chapter 1: Link, meet Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, Link, and Link.

This wasn’t what he expected when he first came to the academy.  He would have never guessed he’d make friends sharing his name.  He’d never guessed they’d form a tight-knit group.  He would have never imagined getting a nickname that wasn’t femboy or the r-word.  Never even thought about one of his teachers taking him in after what happened to his uncle.

And yet, here he was, three years in, and doing better than he could have ever hoped.

 

—

 

His first day at the academy didn’t go quite to plan.  It all started with his first period.

When Link first walked in, he immediately noticed his professor, Mr. Lon.  He was a tall, imposing man with a scar on his right eye where a monocle sat that Link was fairly certain was just for show.  He stood at the white board, writing down the main ideas they would be talking about that day.  

Mr. Lon’s one good eye looked at him before he turned and looked him over.  Link knew what he must be thinking.  He was the only boy, that he knew of, that wasn’t wearing the uniform properly.  His jacket was unbuttoned and his tie was a mess.  His white shirt was a little crumpled, his black shoes were already scuffed, his socks were the completely wrong color, they were pink instead of white, and instead of pants, as the boys are supposed to wear, he had on the pleated skirt from the girls’ uniform.

“Good morning.” Mr. Lon said, his voice gruff and deep.  His eyes showed no emotion to his unconventional uniform.  “You can find your name on the list on my desk.  If you have a problem with where you’re sitting, you can find me after class today.”  Then, he turned back to the board and kept writing.  So far so good, Link supposed.

His eyes traced the room before his legs finally started working and he made his way over to the desk.  His professor’s desk was a mixture between neat and a disaster.  On the one end, papers were in neat stacks, a small flower pot held pencils, pens, and markers, and he had a coffee mug that said “Sorry I wasn’t listening, try again when I’ve had my coffee” on it.  On the other hand, highlighters were thrown haphazardly around, a blue marker was left uncapped next to what looked to be a misprinted answer sheet that he had been correcting, and his laptop was, unlike what he’d imagine from a highly respected professor, was covered head to toe in cow stickers, with no apparent order to it.  It took him a bit to even find the seating chart on the desk with everything else around it.

Let’s see… Link, Link… Link Loft, Link D. Lon, Link Hyrule.  There I am.   Link could only smile.  He got to sit in the back.  Best spot in the class, no doubt.  Though it was funny that there were two other Links in the class, not including his teacher.  As he mulled over the idea, footsteps entered the room.  A lot of them too.  Swiftly, so as to not get caught up in the throng of student bodies, he rushed over to his own desk.  It was in the far corner, near a table with microscopes on it.

Setting down his backpack, he practically fell into his seat.  His ears were buzzing from all the commotion, and his fingers couldn’t help but twitch.  He could feel their voices and footsteps in his head.  His fingers tapped the desk or picked at the skin on his arms.  Were those bumps always there?

“Excuse me?  I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.” A soft voice hit him like freezing water, leaving him to jolt from the attack.  “Oh!  I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you!  Um… Here!” A small wooden spoon came into his sight.  It looked hand carved, with small flowers and swoops embedded into it.  Gingerly, he picked it up, running his thumb along the crevices hesitantly.  “Don’t worry.” The voice told him again.  “I sanded it down.  My name’s Link by the way!  What’s yours?”

This was going to be a long period.

 

—

 

“Open your textbooks to page 8 and read through till 12.  I will discuss further instructions once I see everyone’s eyes back on me.” Mr. Lon’s voice filled the now silent air.  Link had the unfortunate chance to meet Link and Link not too terribly long before class had started.  One, he was calling Wood Carver, and the other was Lon Jr.  Whoever thought it was funny to put three in the same classroom was the worst person alive.  Not only that, but he was also seriously considering whether Mr. Lon had some sort of giant ego to have named his own son after him.

Pages fluttered all around him, reminding him that he should have been reading whatever weird chemistry thing his professor had been trying to teach them all of class.  To be frank, Link had not been paying any attention.  He still wasn’t.

With a sigh, he opened his book and skimmed the contents.  A bad move on his part, since he couldn’t retain any information like that, but he could care less.  Whatever it was, it was surely going to be the most boring thing to fill his mind.

When the bell finally rang for second period, Link was more than overjoyed to leave the two Links behind and race to the next class.  Following him was his professor's promise of homework to those who hadn’t completed it in class.  He was a part of that.

His second hour professor was a stout, old sheikah woman named Ms. Impa, with eyes filled with a fire he could only really imagine in a teen.  As he sank in his seat, a middle seat this time to his disappointment, he couldn’t help but grin.  It was just him this time.  No other Links, no other awkward interactions.

His hands began to play with the spoon Wood Carver had given him just the hour prior as he watched everyone file in.  Some boy with long blonde hair sat to his left while in front of the boy was a brunette with a kind face.  The blonde’s eyes fell to Link’s bag and he lit up.

“Whoa!  Did you do all of that!?”

Now, Link prided himself in being artistic, but not all that good.  His plain black backpack was a canvas to him, something he could fuck around and find out with.  And he did just that.  It was now covered in embroidered patches of hibiscuses and bunnies, small ribbons and fun fabric were tied around the top and sewn into the bag at random intervals while a small bunny keychain sat hooked onto one of the straps.  It was just some stupid project he’d taken on to make himself feel better.

The blonde and brunette, however, seemed to decide it was the best thing since sliced bread.

“That’s so cool!  I love all the flowers!”

“And the bunnies!?”

“I know right!?”

These two were going to be the bane of his existence.

“Yes, I did it.  Can you stop staring now?” Link frowned at the two.  There goes his peace and quiet.

“Oh!” The blonde looked up at him, large blue eyes filling with guilt and shock.  “Sorry, I like pretty things.” He clears his throat and grins.  “My name is Link, and this is my partner in crime, Link!”

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU—

“It’s nice to meet you.”  He forces a smile at Thing 1 and Thing 2 respectively.  “I also happen to be Link.”

“Oh!  That’s so cool!  We could be like, the three musketeers!” Thing 1 chimed, looking at his ‘partner in crime’ in front of him.

“The three ‘Link’keteers!”

“Please don’t call me that-”

“Yea!  This’ll be the best year ever!”

This was going to be the worst year ever.

 

—

 

Link wanted to throttle whoever made this schedule for him.  After escaping the Things, he met another Link in his third hour he dubbed Gnome and yet another in his fourth hour he named Diva.  All he wanted to do now was get through choir and band before he decided to check out the clubs.  He might find something, who knows.

When he did look at clubs however, only one really stuck out.  It was a history club that would teach the students through plays they would privately put on.  However, it was a new club, and he was the only one to sign up.  At least, so far.  He honestly felt bad, Mr. Lon was a nice teacher, he deserved to run some fun club like that.  So, he decided to reel people in with a little help from his friend Ravio and his theatrics.

It was honestly going well, it drew plenty in, until the theater club came over and started a fight.

“Your club is basically a nerdy knock-off of ours.” One of them frowned.

Link was pretty sure only a few kids from the club had come over, as there were still others who glared angrily at the group, which side though, he couldn’t tell.

“What’s so wrong with having another way to learn?  I for one learn things better when I can see it happening.” Link frowns, crossing his arms.

The theater boy scoffs.  “Please, you’re just some-” and there was that word again.  That r-word, the one that made his blood boil.  “-who can’t retain shit.”

Someone from the theater table shouted the kid’s name, but Link could only feel a pit in his stomach.  His fresh start wasn’t working out in his favor.  He thought he could push past all of those old names, the old things, those words that were said only to chip away at his fragile wall.

“Well, we challenge you to a trivia contest.” A smooth tenor sounded above him.

Link looked up to see Diva standing behind him, arms crossed and glaring at the theater kid.  He barely registered what he said before the bully before he chortled.

“Alright, but only one person gets to play.”  He grins.  “You choose from our team, we choose from yours.”

Link could barely breathe.  A trivia challenge.

Link loved trivia.

“Alright.” Diva said calmly.  “How about you then?”

The theater kid smirked.  “Fine, then we choose the-” and once again, that word slid across his ears like nails on a chalkboard, leaving scarring indents on his brain.

“Deal.” Diva growled before looking over at the, funnily enough, trivia club table.  “We could use some help over here!”

 

—

 

It was all down to one question.  The last one.  Hylia, was Link buzzing in his chair.  So far, he’d gotten all but two of the seven questions right, the same amount as his opponent, who was looking frustrated that he was holding his own.

“Alright,” the trivia kid started, “final question.  What flower, does the flavor of vanilla come from?  Remember, this answer is a first come first serve.”

The theater kid’s face fell, Link’s lit up.  He shot up from the desk he’d been given, slamming his hands down and grinning before he shouted the answer: orchids.  And just like that, the histrionics club won.  Cheering erupted, the theater kid was getting scolded by his teammates.  Apparently, he was a senior.

Someone picked him up and he was being carried by a few people.  He honestly didn’t think it was that big of a deal, until he saw people walking up to sign up for the club.  He’d done it.  He’d revived the club and retained his honor in one stupid bet.  A laugh escaped him.  Link had finally beat that awful word that scratched his brain at night.

He felt himself getting tossed up, probably the other Links, like Diva, who had been watching him play the whole time, but maybe others who’d seen the r-word beat the senior.

When he’d finally been set down, honestly the most embarrassing thing ever, he slowly walked away from the crowd.  He was a little overstimulated from the whole thing, but giddy and proud all at the same time.

“Hey you!  Trivia winner!” A girl shouted before a group of girls ran up to him in cheerleading uniforms.  “We saw you up there, when you were getting tossed?”

Link had to hide his blushing face.  Okay, maybe when they were tossing him he’d been a little show-offy and done a couple tricks he knew.  “So?  What of it?”

One of them, presumably the captain, grinned.  “Our flyer graduated last year and we haven’t found someone to replace her yet.  Cheerleading just isn’t as popular as it used to be among the girls.” She sighs, putting her hands on her hips before she meets Link’s eyes.  “I understand it might be a bit unconventional for you to join, seeing as you’d be the only guy on a girls’ team, but we were hoping you’d be our flyer.”

Link’s face lit up a little, but anxiety crept after it.

“We don’t need an answer yet.” The captain went on.  “We practice after school at 4 o’clock until 6 if you’re interested.  Our first game is in a month, so be sure to join at least a week and a half ahead of time so we can get the routines in for you.”

Link blinked dumbly.  “Y-yea, yea, that sounds great.  I’ll look into that.” He grins.

The girls nod and rush back to their table, likely trying to get other girls to join in.  Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad?

 

—

 

He takes it back, this is bad.

When Link walked into the histrionics club, he found every single fucking Link he’d met that day in the room.

“Oh.” Gnome said as he entered.  “Well this is awkward.”

“No kidding…” Link mumbled.  “What happened to everyone else?”

“Too big of a crowd.” Mr. Lon said, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.  “Had to break the groups up into two.  We’ll be meeting every Monday and Wednesday.”

“The ‘Link’keeter-”

“Don’t you start with that again!”

Chapter 2: The Many Names of Link

Summary:

Link gets to know his new clubmates a little better through stories, teasing, and fights

“So…” Thing 2 started, tracing his eyes across the ceiling before landing them on Link.  “What are we supposed to call each other?”

Silence filled the room.

“I mean, we can’t all be Link.”

More silence.

“...can we?” The poor kid looked extremely flustered.

Link decided to butt in.  “Don’t worry, I’ve got nicknames for everyone.”  He waited as seven pairs of eyes trained on him.  He gave a little smirk before looking at Mr. Lon.  “Yours is the easiest, you will be Mr. Lon, obviously.” The teacher gave a hum of acknowledgement, so far so good.  “You, tall, strong brunette.  You’re Lon Jr.” The Link spluttered in response.  “Kid who gave me the spoon, you’re Wood Carver.” He shrugged with a soft smile.  “Shorty with the glasses, you’re Gnome.” He only blinked before giving him the angriest look, but Link cut him off before he could start ranting.  “You two, long haired blonde and mischievous looking brunette, Thing 1 and Thing 2.” They both snorted and started giggling.  “And last but not least, the prissy one with the scarf.  You’re Diva.” That’s when the room went silent before Wood Carver and Lon Jr. howled with laughter while Gnome simply sighed.

“Wha- you- huh!?” Diva cried, looking both impressed and upset.

“I think it fits you quite well.” Mr. Lon said with a hum, smiling.

“No it does not!” Then he whirls on Link.  “And if I’m Diva, you’re gonna be Femboy!”

Link froze, all the mirth from his face falling to the floor.

He knew the term wasn’t really rude.  He understood that people said it as a description or something else, but to him…

To him it was always condescending.

To him, he was just that weird boy who liked to dress as a girl and that was wrong because boys should wear suits not dresses to middle school dances.

He knew that he shouldn’t be upset.  Diva didn’t know, he couldn’t.

…

Could he…?

Link’s face hardened and he glowered up at Diva.  “Seems your nickname fits you well.” He spits out, more harshly than he meant to.  “I was joking, can’t take a joke, Diva ?”

Diva only bristled.

“What’s wrong?  Mad that I’m right?  Poor thing, can’t even handle some bite back.” He rolls his eyes.

“You little piece of sh-”

“Boys.” Mr. Lon said sternly, getting between the two.  “We don’t need to chop off each other’s heads before we even make it to the French Revolution.”

The two teens looked away from each other, and Link had to pretend he didn’t feel the tears pricking at his eyes.  He heard Mr. Lon sigh before he moved away from them.

“Most of us may already have a nickname for each other.  We’ll think of yours as a backup.”

Link nodded slowly.  He knew his nicknames wouldn't have been picked, they were kind of insulting.

“He’s right.” Lon Jr. chuckled a little.  “I kinda like some of yours, but some of us have known each other before this.”

Right… Link was the outlier.  The only one who didn’t already have a connection to someone in the group.

When he looked up to nod, he found Diva to be glaring at Lon Jr. and Gnome being used as Wood Carver’s armrest while he yawns sleepily and Wild and Hyrule whispering to each other about some new ploy to run off while Mr. Lon watched them all with a sort of fondness in his eye.

Link felt alone in a group of Links.

How horribly ironic.

“Obviously I call Mr. Lon Dad, but I’m sure Mr. Lon is fine.  The others call him Time though.” Lon Jr. saw his confused look and chuckled.  “No matter what, or when, whatever the circumstances, Dad always seems to know the time.”

“He’s Father Time!” Wood Carver says with a grin, causing Diva to groan and Mr. Lon to snort.

“We call that trouble maker-”

“I haven’t gotten into that much trouble!” Wood Carver protests.

“Third floor, Courage Corridor stairwell, the chandelier.” Mr. Lon said.

Wood Carver went red.  “That was an accident!”

“An expensive , accident.”

Lon Jr. clears his throat.  “We call him Sky, cause he always seems to have his head in the clouds.  He’s got a crush on a popstar.”

‘Sky’ splutters.  “No!  I’m dating a teenage idol !  She goes to this school!”

“He calls her ‘Sun’ because she lights up his world.” Diva whispers to Link, causing him to snort and try to hold back his laughter.

Sky only gets redder.  “There’s a lot of Zelda’s in this school!  Okay!?”

“Moving on,” Diva looks at Gnome.  “that’s Four.  Nobody knows why.  That one was his decision.”

‘Four’ only pushed up his glasses in a very anime-like fashion, leaving Link to hope that maybe he found someone to watch The Pledge Neverland or Mirror-Bound Hanako-Kun with.

“Diva, as you called him, is Warriors.” Lon Jr. grinned.  “You should see him when he plays badminton.” He snorts.  “I swear he’s all the players on the team.”

“It’s not my fault everyone else sucks!”

“And yet, you’re not the captain of the team.” Sky smirks.

“I will get that position!  By next year, I swear it!”

“Sure, when our current captain graduates.”

“He’s graduating this year!”

“And who has Coach talked to about being captain?”

“One more word and I’ll wring your neck!” Warriors growls at him.

“Do it, I dare you.” Sky smirks, and Mr. Lon has to come in to break up yet another fight, giving Warriors a look.

“Again, wait until we get to the War of 1812 before you try to kill each other.”

“Whatever…” Warriors grumbles.

“...well, I call him Hyrule.” Thing 1 chimed in.  “I swear he’s been all over the country.” He chuckles.  “Raised a traveler.”

“And he’s Wild!” Hyrule smirks.  “All of his ideas are nuts!”

“And end in property damage.” Mr. Lon said with an eye roll.  “My house was the object of your little ‘ideas’ just last week.  You’re lucky I have a heart and don’t report this.”

Wild and Hyrule share and glance and freeze up before chuckling nervously.

“What!?”

“It couldn’t have been!”

“Why, I swear it was just a farmhouse!”

“Yea!  It couldn’t have been yours!”

“Guys…” Lon Jr. sighs.  “We live on a ranch.”

The two share a look before soft curses, or whatever words left them (one sure sounded like ‘sumac’ to him) before staring at the ground.

“You should hear what we call this brute!” Sky chimes, trying to change the subject.

Warriors grins, Lon Jr.’s face falls.  “Oh yea!”

“Please stop talking…”

“You see, when we were growing up, he had a best friend named Midna he’d follow around like an overgrown dog!”

“Please stop talking.”

“She even came to this school last year and when they found out how much of a jerk Vice Principal Dorf is, she started a group she called the Twili!” He snorts.  “They all came up with some names that went along with it, like Dusk.  Midna kept her own name though, saying it sounded like ‘Midnight’ so it was close enough.  However , Link here was like a guard dog to her, went as far as to call himself ‘Twilight’!” He snorts.  “They were like a high school gang before Midna had to move back home to, funnily enough, Twilian.”

“It was stupid of me, okay!?  I was 15!”

“You’re only a year older my friend.”

“So!?  Can’t we change my stupid nickname!?  I was a weird kid!”

“You’re still a weird kid!”

“Stay out of this Sky!”

Link had to hold back laughter as he listened to the three.  It was honestly stupid.  Then they turned to him after Twilight had put Warriors in a headlock and Sky had tackled the two nearly to the ground.

“You know, you need a nickname yet.” Warriors said thoughtful before shoving Twilight and Sky off him, sending them to the floor.

“Those nicknames he came up with were legendary!” Wild shouts with a laugh.

“And did you see him in that trivia battle earlier?” Sky smiled.

“I think his little flyer act was the best.” Twilight grinned.

Warriors thought for a moment, then smiled and pat Link on the head.  “Seems you’ve made that nickname for yourself, kid.” He smirks, then grabs a marker from the white board before tapping his right shoulder, then his left.  “From now on, you shall be known as Legend.”

Notes:

I understand this is a short chapter, I just felt this was the best place to leave off for the moment!

The next chapter will detail life after school!

Chapter 3: First Time For Everything

Summary:

Link's uncle takes him home, and Link decides to visit a good friend.

Climbing into his uncle’s car after the day that happened was the hardest thing he had to do.  His limbs wanted to go limp and his brain felt fuzzy, his eyes threatening to close.  Maybe he shouldn’t have also gone to cheer practice that night.  His whole body felt like he was a pile of overcooked noodles.  His brain was cotton candy.

“Rough day?” Uncle smiled at him, turning on Link’s favorite song.

Link could almost smile.

“Yea…” He groans, forcing his mouth to move.  “I met seven other Links today.  I thought one other was enough…”

Uncle laughs next to him as the two pull out onto the freeway.  “It’s a bit of a popular name nowadays.”

“Don’t care.  But now I have to do a club with them and then I also joined the cheer team, but I beat a senior at a trivia game today…!” He grins, then laughs as Uncle ruffles his hair.

“That’s my nephew, and a cheer team?  Sounds like you got your work cut out for you.” He smiles.  “Are you quitting the other club with the Links?”

Link ponders the idea, then shakes his head.  “I’ve already been knighted into the group, can’t back out now.”

Uncle snorts.  “Knighted?  Well that’s certainly something.”

The car jerks and Link grabs the door to steady himself as Uncle glares at his rearview mirror.

“Son of a bitch.  Stay in your lane.  I’m right here.”  He sighs and glances at Link.  “Sorry buddy.  So, knighted?”

Link smiles weakly.  “Yeah, with a marker.”

“Ha!  That’s rich!  So, what’s your new title?” His uncle smiles, his eyes crinkling as he does so, leaving Link to trace the lines with his eyes.

“They’re calling me Legend.  Don’t laugh!”

But it was too late, Uncle was full on belly laughing to the point Link was actually worried they might drive off the road before they took the exit to get on the highway.

“Sounds like an ego boost!  Are you sure that’s what they called you!?”

Link’s face flushed and, dare he say, he pouted at Uncle.  “Yes!  They did!  They said it was because of the nicknames I gave them and the impression I left!”

“Sounds accurate.”

“Uncle!”

“I’m just saying!” He snorts.  “You would be the type to get that as your nickname.”

The blinker clicking is the only sound for a moment as Uncle makes the turn onto a familiar county road.  His eyes look into Link’s, then he snorts.  “Are you really glaring at me right now?”

Link’s glare intensifies before he turns away with a dramatic huff, crossing his arms and staring out the window.

“I’m surprised they didn’t call you ‘Angry’ or something like that.  Maybe ‘Brat’.”

“Uncle!?”  Link whirled around to look at him, his face full of indignance and fury.  Though he couldn’t stay mad at him long.  “You’re being mean.  Maybe I should call you ‘Brat’!”

“You could sure try!”

Link opens his mouth to shoot something back before he looks out the window and grins.  “Put the window down!  Hurry!”

Uncle chuckled and pushed the button as the two turned onto a long dirt road and into a small development.  Link started madly waving out of the window, grinning.

“Marin!  Marin!”  He calls and a familiar head of red runs out of the house, chasing the car.

“Link!  How was high school!?”

“I’ve told you!  It’s an academy!”

“Don’t care!  How was it!?”

“It was great!”

“Okay lovebirds, we can catch up once we’re back home.”  Uncle’s voice broke the conversation and Link chuckled before waving to the tan-skinned girl who’d stopped at her property line.

“I’ll see you once I’ve done my homework!”

“Okay!” She grins, her pearly whites practically blinding him as she rushes back to her little house.

Link has to quickly pull his head back in the car as Uncle starts to put the window back up, leaving Link to frown at him.  “That wasn’t very nice.”

“Yes, well, I don’t need my nephew climbing out of the car again.” He smirks back at him.

“That was one time!  I was six!” Link’s face burned and he felt his ears flick down with his embarrassment.

“One time that left you in the hospital because you ate tar.”

“I did not!”

“I meant it figuratively, bud.”

Link watches the garage door open, bouncing in his seat.  Once the car stopped, he wrenched open the door and tried to bolt out of the garage.

“Link!  Homework!”

He groans, but complies, coming back inside to grab his stuff.  Slamming the door of the old pickup shut, it wouldn’t shut otherwise, he bolts up the stairs, taking them two at a time before he opens the door and rushes inside to their quant home.  It was a two-story house, the upstairs being a loft with two rooms within.  Their downstairs was where Link spent most of his time, unless he was sleeping.  There was one large brown couch with a coffee table and a rocking chair Uncle had made himself when he was in highschool.  The thing creaked and echoed across the room when sat in, leaving Link to cringe most of the time.  The fireplace was almost never lit, but when it was, it left the whole house feeling extra cozy.  A book shelf sat on the far end of the room, holding a number of textbooks, history books, and fantasy stories.  On the left of the bookshelf was a hallway that led to the downstairs bathroom, Uncle’s office, the guest room, and Link’s music room.  To the left of the door Link had entered from was the dining room with a kitchen to the left of it, separated by an island.  Above him were the stairs that hugged the side of the house, wrapping up to the loft above.

Link walked into the kitchen, grabbing a small syringe and filling it with water before putting the water into the dirt of his aloe vera plant.  When he was sure she had enough water, he grabbed an apple from the little basket on the counter and walked over to his usual seat at the island, sitting down and pulling out his homework.

Uncle came in shortly after, grabbing the coffee pot and filling it with water before pouring it into the machine, setting it underneath when he was done.  After hitting the buttons, he walked over to Link and sat in his usual seat.

“So, what have we got?” His burly arms crossed and rested on his chest as Uncle leaned back against the chair.

“Geometry.” Link says, typing the numbers into his calculator.  Drawing himself a graph as he started to plot his points.

“No no no.” Uncle waved his hands around, gently taking the calculator.  “Let me show you something.” After some fiddling, Link watched the screen as it made the line he needed on a graph.

“How did you do that!?  I’ve been drawing it this whole time!”

“You see this button?” And soon, Link was learning how to use the graph button on his calculator before trying it himself.

“This is magic!”

Uncle chuckled.  “Not quite, but close.” Then the coffee machine beeped and he got up, walking over to it and pouring himself a mug.

Link frowned.  “You have the night shift again…?” He watched Uncle’s eyes looked into his guiltily.

“Sorry kiddo.  This’ll get me a higher paycheck though.  We might be able to buy that new gaming console you wanted, yeah?”

Link sunk in his seat, guilt gnawing at his stomach.  He did want the new Nineto Convert, but he didn’t want Uncle to work worse hours for him to get it.  A hand landed on his shoulder, jolting him out of his thoughts.

“Hey, Link.  You don’t need to feel guilty.  We do need the money regardless of that game console.  Okay?  I didn’t mean for that to be a bad thing, I just wanted to cheer you up.  You’re not the reason I’m doing this, I promise.”

Link met his eyes and sighed, nodding along.  That was what Uncle always said.

“How about you go see that nice little girl again?  We can finish this when I get home tomorrow morning.  I’ll drive you to school?”

“But you need sleep!”

“I will!” Uncle says defensively.  “I will, but I know you like car rides with me over the bus.  The second I get home from dropping you off, I’ll sleep until 6, then come to get you again.  That’ll be a good 10 hours of sleep.”

Link blinks, thinking it over, then nodding and sighs.  “Okay, I would like that…”

A large hand holds his head and a kiss is pressed into his hair.  “I know you would buddy… I’ll see you tomorrow morning…”

His voice was always gruffer when he was trying to whisper, or comfort him.  Link never wanted to tell him how it didn’t help sometimes.  Instead, he smiled up at him and watched him put on his uniform and leave, becoming just another cop on the street.

“Bye Uncle…”

 

—

 

The walk to Marin’s house felt colder than it should have.  He pulled the jacket around him tighter and stumbled over rocks.  Tears pricked at his eyes but he wiped them away.  Uncle would come back, he always did.  He didn’t need to worry about him.  Uncle was a capable cop.

As he came to that familiar gray and blue house, he started to feel a little better.  Marin always knew how to cheer him up, even if she wasn’t there.  Link walked up the path and, without knocking, walked inside.  He was greeted by Tarin’s cooking and Marin’s singing filling the house.  His heart lifted and he waltzed in, singing along in harmony to her song.  Her voice cut off with a gasp and she ran into his arms, clinging to him.

“Link!  I’m so glad you’re here!  Daddy’s been making ravioli for us to eat tonight!  He said you were coming over for dinner again!  Is that true!?”

Link chuckled, hugging the energetic redhead in his arms.  “That’s right!  Uncle’s got the night shift again.” He looks up at Tarin.  “Did he tell you?”

Train chuckled, walking over to the pair.  “That man tells me everything.” Then he pulls them apart.  “C’mon kids, why don’t you go play in the backyard?  I’ll call for you when it’s dinner time.”

Link and Marin grin at each other before racing to the backdoor.  Soft tan hands shoved at his chest, sending him sprawling backwards as she rushed out the door, grinning like the mad woman she was.

“And that’s one point for Marin!  Try to keep up slow poke!” She taunted, her curls bouncing as she turned to grin at him.  Tan skin glowed in the sunlight and hazel eyes sparkling with mirth.

Link grinned back, scrambling up from where he fell and rushing out to meet her.  “You cheated!  You pushed me back!”

“Did not!” Her voice trilling like a bell.

He gave her a mock scowl and tackled her to the grass.  She squealed and the two wrestled in the yard, getting grass in their hair and dirt on their hands and faces.  Link could only watch her with fondness.  She was still beautiful even with the mud and dirt covering her strawberry freckles.  Glancing back at the house to make sure Tarin wasn’t watching, he kissed her nose.

“I think I won this time.” He smiles.

She snorts.  “Oh you do, huh?”  Then the same fondness shows on her face and she pecks his nose.  “Prove it.”

Link’s heart sped up and his cheeks tinted pink before he pecked her lips and she rolled her eyes.

“Don’t be so bashful!” She chuckles before pulling him in.  Their kiss was like standing on a warm beach, watching the waves slowly come in and lick at their toes as the soft sand cradles their feet.

Link could only lean into it, smiling.  He didn’t realize his first kiss would be so, perfect.

When they pulled away, they could only giggle as their breath mingled together.  Tarin called them inside, but Link barely heard it as he smiled at Marin.  Her hand interlocked in his as they went inside to eat.  He couldn’t focus on his food as she laughed and talked about how boring her homeschooling day was.  He couldn’t listen as Tarin sent them to bed.  He could only watch as his first love, his first kiss, his first everything fell asleep before he was ushered out of the house.

“You sure you don’t want a ride, Link?” Tarin’s voice broke through the cloud that was Link’s mind.

“Yeah, I’m fine…” He mumbles, then waves goodbye.  “Bye Mr. Mabe!  I’ll make sure to go to the Outset’s house if something happens at home!”

“Goodbye Mr. Hyrule!” Tarin called back.

As Link practically skipped back to his house, he decided he didn’t feel so cold anymore and took off his jacket.

Notes:

Me: I need to make the trauma hurt worse...

Also Me: Let's make them kiss.

---

Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter! Have a great rest of your day, night, or afternoon!

Chapter 4: When It All Began

Summary:

Link cheers for the first time and meets someone he won't be forgetting soon...

“5, 6, 7, 8!”

The other girls’ voices filled the air as they went through the routine one last time.  Stomp stomp, clap clap, step step, rotate, tower, jump, flip, land, hands in the air.  They’d gone over it so many times that Link was sure he could do it with his eyes closed.  Though that wasn’t a very good idea, as he might end up crashing into the tower of girls he was supposed to jump over.

“I still don’t know if I like the idea of stepping over you guys.” Link mumbled to the current captain as he looked away.  Why did he arms have to t-rex now!?  “It just feels… wrong.”

“I understand your concern, Link, but you’re the best person we have for it.  Maybe next year will get someone else who could take that place?”

It was the same answer every time.  “Yeah…”

It didn’t make him feel less guilty.

“Wanna try once more?”

Another girl groaned.  “You said that last time, Nabooru!”

“And we need to practice, Riju !”

“I’m telling Mom that you’re torturing us!”

“Go ahead!  She knows that I understand what the cheer team needs!”

Link shuffled awkwardly, as did the other girls.  It was frequent in these practices that Riju and Nabooru got into arguments.  It helped that their mother was the cheer coach, but only when their mother was here.   She trusted Nabooru most of the time to lead the practice.  Link understood that she had a part-time job as a chef downtown that she had to go to as well.  Apparently, she had a bad relationship with the scheduling manager and couldn’t seem to get the afternoon off after school.

Link felt bad for Mrs. Makeela.  She deserved better than that.

“Mr. Hyrule!” A man’s voice called across the gym.  When Link turned to look, he saw Mr. Lon standing there.

“Oh!” He turns back to look at Nabooru.  “Is uh, practice over?”

She sighs, rolling her eyes.  “Yes yes, go on.” Then quickly adds after she sees the guilty look on his face.  “I’m annoyed with my sister, not you kiddo.” She grins.  “See you tomorrow at the game!”

Link nods and quickly runs off into the locker rooms to change before he goes to meet his professor.  “Sorry about that, Mr. Lon, did you need something?”

“Just checking in on you.  We had an assignment due yesterday and you’re usually really good about turning your work in on time, even early.  Is everything alright?” His professor’s brows furrow in concern.

Link wishes he could punch his brain for being so stupid.

“Oh Din’s fury, I can’t believe I forgot!” He tried to keep his voice level, but he couldn’t help but let his distraught feelings show through.  “I think I might have that somewhere…” He mumbles as he starts to sift through his backpack, pulling out a now crumpled, and blank, worksheet.  “Shit…”

“No worries Mr. Hyrule, just get it in to me by tomorrow so you’ll get points on it.  I’m glad nothing’s wrong.” His smile returned and he looked behind him. “I also believe I saw your uncle outside.  He’s been listening to rock rather loudly in his pickup for quite some time…”

Link felt his cheeks flame red and quickly pushed past Mr. Lon.  “Sorry!  I’ll get that in!” He calls behind him as he bolts out of the school, waving desperately to Uncle to turn it down.

 

—

 

His first time cheering went smoother than he thought it would.  Despite the mascot making a fool out of themself, and he almost falling over when he made his final land, it wasn’t all that bad.  The game on the other hand…

“Do we really need to stay…?” Link mumbled to Linkle, who sat next to him after they were done.  “No offense to the athletes but… This sport is boring…”

Linkle sighs, letting out a small chuckle as she does so.  “Yes, Link .  We do need to stay.  It’s part of being on the team.  We have to be prepared at any moment to get the crowd roarin’.”

Link looks at his feet, grumbling before he looks around.  “Know anyone I can root for?”

“Not on this team.”

“Boring.”

“You think everything is boring.”

“And you think everything is stupid.”

Their banter went on for a little while longer before Nabooru made them stand to cheer for a bit.  Link had to force himself to smile as he cheered alongside the others, dutifully ignoring the wolf whistles from the stands that were being drowned out by cheering.  He didn’t know if the others heard it, but it was disgusting.

When the game was finally over, Link took his chance to get away and into the locker rooms to change.  The peace and quiet there was nice, until the sports team walked in there.  He was lucky to slip out unnoticed and avoid the taunting he was sure to get.  I mean, why would a boy be on a cheer team?

Throwing his bag over his shoulder, he began to walk to the main doors to leave the stuffy building.  Like, seriously, why did so many people come to the goddess-awful sport?  Then pain bloomed on his left and he was thrown to the ground.  His head hit the floor and he watched as his books, uniform, water bottle, pencils, everything in his bag spilled out onto the tiles.

“Shit, sorry!”

A hand came into view and he took it, his other going to the side of his head that smashed into the concrete.  Soon, he was standing once more and gentle, calloused hands clamped over his.  A strong face came into view as his ‘wound’ was examined.  The eyebrows of the face furrowed, disappointment seemed to flash over his features, or maybe worry.

“No blood.  I’m sure you’ll be alright.  Here, let me get that for you.” The person then crouched down, scooping up the contents of his bag and putting them back inside before zipping it up and handing it back to Link.

It was strange, he swore he’d zipped it before he left.  Though, in his rush, he must have forgotten.

“There ya go.”

Link looked up at the man.  Familiarity struck, but he couldn’t place why.

Long, red hair fell past his shoulders, swept into a low pony of bouncing curls that reminded him of Marin in a way.  Pale skin was framed by curtain bangs that flowed just past his chin, showcasing a strong jaw and neck.  Blue eyes shone brightly down at him, and purple eyeliner wrapped around the top and dragged towards his zygomatic arch.  His lips were painted with subtle dark red lipstick, turned upwards in a smile.  He wore the school’s uniform, but added the embellishment of a purple scarf that cascaded down his bag like a cap.

“Sorry again.  I just have to get my little brother.  He’s a fretter that boy is, and I’m late to getting him.  The name’s Yuga by the way.”

Link was so enamored by his looks that he had to shake away the cloud in his brain.  He was dating Marin anyways, no use fixating on how pretty he looks.  “I’m Link, nice to meet you.  And I won’t keep you longer from your brother.” He smiled in a way he unconsciously hoped was sweet.

“Well, see you around freshy.” Yuga waves to him and bolts off again towards the gym.

What a nice guy.

 

—

 

Link sat with Marin on the tree swing at his house, watching the sun set.  He felt guilty that he’d been thinking about that guy again.  He loved Marin, so he shouldn’t think about someone else.

He looked over at the redhead, a smile on his lips.  She was so pretty, even as the night brought a chill in his bones.  Somehow, even in the moonlight, she seemed to glow.

“You know, I like counting the stars.” She says as she looks up at the twinkling lights above.  “There’s so many of them.” She whispers.  “They’re all so pretty…”

Link smiles, taking her hand in his, gently guiding her face to look at him.  “And you’re the prettiest.” He mumbles before kissing her again.

She giggles and pulls back, tapping his nose.  “You’re adorable, Link!  I think that was the first time you’ve flirted with me!”

“Yea well, there’s a first chance for everything.” He huffs, looking away.

He’d tell her about Yuga another time.  For now, he was content with watching the sky with his star.

Notes:

Another short chapter! Yay!

But seriously, I am trying to make them longer, it's just...

Sometimes, short and sweet does the trick. Right?

Anyways! Thank you for reading and I'll see for the next chapter!

Chapter 5: To Go, or Not to Go

Summary:

Legend gets roped into going to a play.

Legend’s pencil tapped the desk as he stared at Sky and Twilight.  The latter squeezed the handle into the soapy water they’d made together.  Mr. Lon hadn’t told them what the outcome for this experiment was, but honestly, Legend found it rather tame.

“Okay, Twi, pick up some of the bubbles…” Sky said before he grabbed a match and lit it.

Fire…. NOPE!  Watch the experiment Link!

Legend’s eyes trained on the hydrogen bubbles they’d made as Sky slowly put the lit match to them and-

BOOM!!!!

All three sat there in shock as the bubbles, bubbles , exploded in Twilight’s hands, which remained unharmed.

“I wanna do that!” Legend cried as he picked up some of the bubbles in one hand and tried to light a match with the other.

Unfortunately, his attempts to cause an explosion were stopped by calloused and bandaged hands.

“Hold on!  You’re gonna hurt yourself!” Sky said with a frown.  “Let me light that for you-”

“I got it!” Legend snapped as he finally managed to light it before setting it against the bubbles.

BOOM!!!!

He had to suppress both a squeal and a giggle at the idea that he could make something blow up so easily.

Maybe Uncle would let him do this at home…

“Maybe we should stop… Dad said we were only supposed to try once…” Twilight started, flinching slightly as another group exploded their own bubbles.

“What!?  But this is so cool!  Who knew I’d start my morning by exploding things!?” Legend grinned, probably looking the equivalent to a mad scientist if his ‘friend’s’ faces were anything to go by.

“Remind me to never let you near a lighter…” Sky mumbled.

“Only if you stop going near a knife!” Legend cried back, pointing to his bandaged hands.  It was probably from wood carving, he decided as he tried to put a lit match into the small bucket they were given.

“ NO!!!! ” Twilight and Sky shouted as they tried to pull his arm back and grabbed the match from his hand, ending in some rough housing before the match was plucked away.  All three looked up to see a disappointed, yet slightly amused, Mr. Lon standing over them.

“I’ll let this be a warning, boys.  No wrestling in my class.  Especially you, Twilight.” He looked sternly at his son.  “You’re on the wrestling team.  You could seriously hurt these two.”

“Sorry Dad…” Twilight mumbled back, looking at his hands which lay in his lap.

After a beat, Legend tried his luck.

“Can I put a match into the bucket?”

“Would you like detention?”

Well that put an end to that.

 

—

 

After club was over, Legend decided to take a walk down the Nayru Arts Hall, looking at the plays the theater kids had put on over the years.  Each one was painted by one of the students within, showcasing the best part of each play.  He saw a hero pulling out a sword, a boy looking behind him while wearing some sort of green tunic, a warrior queen holding a sword while she stood over her fallen enemies…

Maybe he should go see one of these.  Uncle might take him.

“Hey!  Link!” Someone called from behind him.

When he turned around to meet the voice, he saw dazzling blue eyes looking back at him behind radiant red hair.

“Yuga!?  W-what are you doing here!?” He stuttered, tearing his eyes away from the posters.

“Actually, I’m in the theater club!  Good to see you’re interested!  Will I be seeing you in the audience in two weeks?” He grinned.

“O-oh, I was just looking really…” Link rubbed the back of his neck, swallowing hard before looking back up at the man, forcing himself to see him just as he would anyone else.  “I don’t even know what’s showing.”

“Haven’t you been paying attention to the TV’s in the refectory?  Well, no matter, I doubt many have.” He flips his hair over his shoulder with a sigh.  “It’s honestly too bad, well, anyways.” He looks back at Link and smirks.  “We will be putting on ‘Painting of two Worlds’.  I’m part of the main cast, obviously, though, it is quite too bad that I am the villain.” He frowns in disappointment.  “No matter, I know I’ll play my part perfectly.”

“‘Painting of Two Worlds’?  I’ve always wanted to see that one!  I’ll ask my uncle!  I’m sure he wouldn’t mind!” He grins.

Yuga frowns.  “Well, alright.  But are you sure you wouldn’t want me to take you instead?  You could come with my family, wouldn’t have to pay a blue.”

Link mulled the idea over in his head.  He knew Uncle was trying to save every green, and he didn’t want to burden him…

“Alright!  Sounds like a plan!”

“Perfect!” He crows before pulling out his phone.  “Now, all I need is your number so we can pick you up when the time comes.”

“Of course!” He pulls out his own phone as he lists off his phone number.  “Alright, and just text me so I got yours.” He finishes with a smile, waiting for the text to be sent.

‘ Hey Link!’

His phone dings as the text comes through.  He can’t help the stifled giggle that passes his lips before sending his own back and saving the contact.

“Alright then, I’ll see you soon.” Yuga smiles at him before walking away.

A shiver runs down his back, but he bases it on being excitement.  After all, he gets to see a play be put on!

 

—

 

Link had forgotten Uncle might not have a night shift that night.

His stomach churned as he tried to think about a way to make sure Uncle wouldn’t be home on the night of the play.  He knew he’d tried to send him with money or maybe even stop him from going!  He couldn’t risk telling him, not after he went through the trouble of making sure they could save those rupees!

He lay awake that night, sorting through his ideas, trying to find one that would work.  It got to the point he started crying from exhaustion, prompting Uncle to come in.  Naturally, he assumed it was another nightmare and took Link to his bed.

Link could only lay there in guilt as he listened to Uncle’s soft snores.

He wished he didn’t have to hide this.

As the sun rose the next morning, which was luckily a weekend, Link crept out of bed and into the backyard to climb his tree.  He let the cool breeze flow through his hair as he watched the new snow fall down.

He had two weeks till the play, and three days until All Hallow’s Eve.  He didn’t know what he wanted to go as anymore.

A sigh escaped Link and his eyes looked back at the now lit house.  He shivered and sneezed.  The snow was coming down faster than he had expected.  Enough so that Uncle came out with his hands on his hips, glaring up at him.

“Link Rini Hyrule, get down from there this instant!  You know those branches can be slippery when it snows!” Uncle called up to him.

Link flinched at his full name before he started to hop down, slipping only once and using the ropes of the swing to catch himself.  He let himself get ushered inside before a plate of warm pancakes with whipped cream garnished with chopped strawberries.  One of Link’s favorites.  Not to mention a bowl of baby carrots, another favorite.

Guilt gnawed at him again.  Uncle was so kind to him, why should he hide the play from Uncle?

But the second he met his eyes, still stern from his climb, he dug his heels in.  If he got this way over a tree, who knows how he’d react to doing something without him, and with strangers for that matter.

Instead of dwelling on the topic, he dug into his breakfast, quickly forgetting about his plight.  One day, he could look back at this moment and joke with Uncle about how he made his first little act of rebellion, but for now, he needed to keep silent about it.

“So…” Uncle started as he sat next him, a mug in hand filled with that bitter black liquid.  “Have you made a decision on your All Hallow’s Eve costume yet?  I know you wanted to trick or treat with Marin again.”

Link thought back to his previous costumes.  He’d been a dragon one year and Marin a princess, another the two were seagulls, and another they had been a pair of ninjas…

“I think I wanna go as a cop.” He smiles up at Uncle.  “I wanna look just like you do this year.” Link swears he sees tears well up in Uncle’s eyes before he’s pulled into a hug.

“Of course buddy!  We can stop by the store today to pick one up, and if you’d like, we can add on all the little embellishments so you really look like me!” Uncle was grinning as he pulled back.  “I don’t mean to say no but, why a cop?  Has Marin decided on something to go along with it?  You two usually match…”

Link shakes his head.  “Not that I know of, but I wanna be just like you when I’m done with schooling!  I’ll be the best cop out there!” He grins, letting large hands cup his face.

“You can do whatever you put your mind to, I just know it.”

 

—

 

“Alright everyone, let’s take it from 26!  Instruments up and, 1 and 2 and 3 and go!”

Music filled the room, crescendoing into a symphony of loss and overcoming challenges.  Legend’s mind fell into that familiar mindset, a movie playing in his mind, filling with the background of the music he was playing.  He envisioned an island, a boy running to stop whatever evil was on it, then watching the island disappear as the girl he loved disappeared with it and a seagull flew overhead.  That was when the hope was brought back into the music and made the boy know that she was safe no matter what happened to her.

Then the song was over with a D major chord that wormed its way into his ears and covered his mind like a warm blanket out of the dryer.  When he looked back up at the conductor, a rito named Mr. Bard.

“Wonderful, wonderful everyone!  Now, Sky, you came in just a hair early in 54, and , make sure in 33, that third note is a C, not a D.  That’s all for class, you all did great today!  Lot’s of good work!  I’ll see you all tomorrow!  And don’t forget, tonight are auditions for the Spring play band.  You can sign up on the board if you’d like to join.” And with that, the bell rang and everyone got up to put their instruments away.

“Legend, you did great today!” Sky said as he clapped him on the back.  “You learn so quickly!  Honestly, the fact that you’re even in Concert Band is astounding for a Freshman!  Usually you’re in Band 1!”

“Yea well, I’ve grown up playing different instruments so, I’ve never really been without.” He says sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Sky chuckles and does the same.  “Yea, well, still, I think it’s impressive.”

“Hey… wait a minute.” Legend glares at him.  “Weren’t you sleeping during chemistry this morning?  And lunch?”

“I’m a tired guy!” He says a bit defensively before ruffling Legend’s hair.

Legend flinches under his hand and scowls up at him.  “I’m just saying!  Mr. Lon gave us an essay for tonight!  I was working on it during lunch today, but now I don’t think you even know about it!”

“...essay…?”

“Hylia, you’re fucked.”

Notes:

AUTHORS NOTE READ THIS PLEASE!

I DO NOT ship Yuga and Link!

Their relationship is completely for plot reasons!

They WILL date later in the story, so you can gag and complain about it with me! (though honestly, you'll probably hate Yuga even more when it comes to that)

So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
Don't stop reading because this is in here!

I PROMISE, Yuga will get his just reward, and Link will hate him by his 3rd year!

Trust the process people!

Anyways! Thank you for reading this chapter! And be ready for the next one to happen!

Chapter 6: Cheating and Spiders

Summary:

Legend has to decide whether to cheat

He also goes against a spider.

Legend sat at his desk, yawning.  He’d spent another sleepless night trying to figure out how to avoid Uncle.  He almost didn’t finish his essay for class because of it.  Trick or Treating the night before was mostly uneventful (he did not make out with Marin thank you!).  At least Guppy’s costume was something he could tease him about.  This year, he’d gone as a pirate, and even got his friend Tetra to join in.

It was adorable really and definitely nothing like him and Marin, what are you talking about?

“Good morning class.” Mr. Lon’s voice broke through the noise silencing the group.  “I trust you’ve all come prepared for today.” He looks around the room before taking his monocle off and wiping it off with a cloth.  “Everyone, please hand your essays forward.  The first row can make neat piles on their desks and I will come around to collect.”

Legend sighed as he pulled out a folder, that he for once used, and grabbed his neat and tidy essay before handing it forward to Twilight.

“Psst…!  Legend…!” Sky’s voice came from his left.

Legend turned to look at him and found him to be leaning over a blank sheet.

“Can you help me real quick…?  What was the essay about…”

“What…!?  Sky…!” He whispers back angrily.  “You didn’t ask Mr. Lon during club yesterday…!?”

Sky shrinked sheepishly.  “I forgot…!  At least let me copy yours…!”

“Absolutely not…!  I’m not helping a cheater…!  Besides, I already handed mine forward…!”

Sky whispers ‘crap’ under his breath before looking around.  “Okay… Mr. Lon isn’t looking so, just, tell me what I should write…!”

“No…!”

“C’mon…!  Help me out here…!”

“Mr. Loft.” Mr. Lon’s voice broke through their whispered conversation and the two looked up to greet one stern eye on Sky.  “Detention.  Mr. Hyrule, see me after class.”

“What!?  But I didn’t do anything!”

“Do not argue with me.” He gives him a look and-

Holy Hylia’s Grace is this what the ‘dad look’ felt like?  A shudder ran up his spine and he could only freeze from a bit of fear and shock.

“Y-yes sir…” He mumbles after a moment of silence and snickers from the class.  He could feel his face burning and his ears flicked towards the desk.

When class was finally over, he shuffled over to Mr. Lon’s desk and looked at the mahogany.

“Do you understand why I’ve asked to see you?”

Legend shook his head.

Mr. Lon sighs.  “I know you didn’t do anything to aid in Sky’s attempt, no, terrible attempt, to cheat.  That’s not why I wanted to see you.  I did want to ask why you thought it was appropriate to talk to him even after telling him no.  I understand he kept talking, but you didn’t have to.  You were disrupting some students around you.”

Legend wanted to sink into the floor.  “I dunno.”

“Legend, Link, look at me please, or at least at my hands.”

Legend glances towards the large hands that laid on the desk in front of his professor.

“Thank you.  Now, I know you do know.  I’ve seen it all.  Can you tell me what was going on?”

“I didn’t like that he kept pushing.” He mumbled.

Mr. Lon seemed to nod.  “I understand, but whisper-shouting at him wasn’t the correct move here.  Thank you for being honest with me.” He stands up and walks past Legend.  “I’m just glad he wasn’t bullying you.  While Sky isn’t like that, I can never fully tell.” Then he looks back at Legend.  “You’re free to go, Link.”

Legend sighs before picking up his bag and leaving, then pausing in the door and looking back up at Mr. Lon.  “I’m sorry I caused a disturbance.  I just wished he would have left it.”

“I know, Link.  I will talk to him about that as well.  For now, just hurry to class.  I’ll call, who do you have?  Ms. Impa?  I’ll tell her you might be late.”

Legend gives Mr. Lon a nod before leaving the room and going down the science hall and to the history loop.  As he pushed open the door, he heard the bell ring and Mr. Zant, the school officer, berating students for coming in late.  As usual.  

“Mr. Hyrule.” His history professor's voice called from her podium.  “Mr. Lon told me you might be a little late.  Go ahead and take your seat.  You’re lucky my lecture hasn’t started yet.”

He nods, swiftly going to sit down, brushing his skirt flat as he tries to get comfortable in the stupidly cold chair.  As he looked up to Ms. Impa, he heard Wild snicker next to him.  When he looked over, he saw him holding what looked to be a spider, prompting a scream to lodge itself in his throat.

“3…. 2….. 1….!” Hyrule whispered before Wild set it free, and it crawled directly over to Legend, leaving that scream to leave him and he jumped away from his chair, into someone next to him.  He could feel eyes on him, but he didn’t care as the golden-backed spider kept crawling towards him.  The thing was huge !

Lucky for him, however, he wasn’t the only one who screamed after that when others saw it.  A strong hand grabbed him and pulled him behind a purple scarf as a foot stomped onto the spider.  He stared as the thing spluttered and revealed gears and metal.

“...it’s a robot!?” His exclamation left him before he could stop it.

Everyone else was more focused on glaring at the chaos duo grinning in their seats.

“Mr. Grene!  Mr. Roarke!  2 hour detention!  Go visit Principal Hyrule this instant!” Ms. Impa shouted over the outrage from the class.

“Worth it…” Wild mumbles before standing and walking out of the classroom with Hyrule and their bags.

Legend glared after them before he realized who was still standing in front of him.  “Yuga?  I didn’t realize you were in Calamity History.” He looks up at a calm grin.

“Yea, Surprised you never noticed.  Then again, you’re usually sucked into the history she talks about.”

Legend flushes out of embarrassment.  He probably should have been paying more attention to his surroundings.  Before he could apologize however, Ms. Impa ordered everyone to go back to their seats before she began to teach again.

As the lesson dragged on, and it did this time, he felt his phone buzz in his pocket.  Shamelessly, he took it out under his desk and peeked at who was texting him in class when he saw Yuga’s contact on the screen.  Glancing up at Ms. Impa, her back was turned, he opened the text and read what he said.

‘ Didn’t realize you were so afraid of spiders.’ He teased him, sending him a picture of a mockingly adorable spider.

Legend looked up and sent a glare to Yuga, who refused to meet his eyes, but smirked next to him.  Instead, he took out a pencil and started taking notes, doing his best to ignore the look Yuga sent his way.

 

—

 

“Hey Legend!” Twilight’s voice rang over the throng of laughter in the refectory.

Legend looked over, watching as the taller student walked over and sat next to him, his tray clinking against the table.

“How was history today?” He asks as he takes a bite of his mashed potatoes.

Legend grimaced and bit out of the terrible school apple.  He wished Uncle would let him pack a lunch, but then again, that would mean more expenses to burden him.  Nevermind, Legend could deal with bad food if it meant Uncle didn’t need to worry.

“It was fine, I guess… Wild and Hyrule set a robot spider loose.”

Twilight snorted into his milk, coughing as he beat his chest with his fist.  “N-no way…!” He choked.

Legend just rolled his eyes.

“They did.  It was annoying.”

“Well I suppose I’m sorry then.” Twilight said, coughing into his fist before he waved someone over.  “Warriors!  Over here!”

Soon enough, Legend saw the blue scarf of his companion walk over with a bagged lunch.  Privilege bitch.

“Finally found you guys.” He groans as he sits next to Twilight.  “Either of you going to the play in a week?”

“I can’t.” Twilight shrugged.  “Promised Midna I’d call her once a week, and that happens to land on the night of the play.”

“You’re so clingy.” Warriors teases as he pulls out a sandwich Legend was sure his mommy made for him.

He could only roll his eyes at the thought.

“I will be.” He comments, looking back at the mush that was apparently his potatoes.  “Going for a friend.  His family’s taking me.”

“Really?  Who?” Warriors smiled.  “Maybe we can get seats together?”

“You’re the last person I’d sit next to.” He quips.  “And it’s Yuga.”

The second the name left his lips, the table went silent.  Legend looked up from taking a bite of the gravy covered ‘biscuit’ he’d grabbed to see Twilight looking horrified and Warriors shocked.

“Yuga.” Warriors said, blinking.  “The theater kid?”

“Yea?  What of it?” He frowns at both of them.  “What’s so wrong about going to support a friend?”

“Nothing, it’s just that…” Twilight trails off, glancing at Warriors.

“Do you remember-”

But before Warriors could finish, the bell rang overhead, and Legend got up, dumping his tray and leaving quickly.

“Wait!  Legend!”

His friends were just being over protective.

Notes:

Thank you all for reading this! Have a wonderful rest of your day/night/afternoon!

The next chapter will be all about the play that happens!

I might time skip to the Hyrule equivalent of Christmas after that too because I have a big hole to fill before we get to the good part-

Edit: Did you know that Grene as a surname means someone who likes dressing in green or is young and immature? And that Roarke means champion? Sorry, felt the need to share

Chapter 7: The Painting of Two Worlds

Summary:

The tale of Lincoln

Notes:

I want to first say that I understand going between Link and Legend might be confusing! That's just happening because Legend is still getting used to his nickname and only thinks of himself as such around the other Links! After his first year, he'll transition to only Legend!

“Hey Uncle?” Link looked up at the man who raised him, loved him when no one else knew, and lied to him.  “I wanted to stay the night at Marin’s in a couple days, so if you wanted to take the night shift, that would be fine with me.”

His uncle’s gentle, kind blue eyes now filled with worry.

“Are you sure?  You usually hate when I take that shift…”

“Well, I would be staying the night, so I wouldn’t be alone in the house waiting for you to come back.” He bit the inside of his cheek.  He’d never lied to Uncle before, well, he had, but it was minor things.  For example, if he’d cleaned his room or not or if he was hungry for his uncle’s gross apple pie.  Not lying that he’d be somewhere else for an entire night.  Plus, he’d need to make sure uncle didn’t ask Tarin questions.

“Well then, if you’re sure… Just remember, if anything happens, call me immediately.”

“Yes Uncle.  I promise.”

He couldn’t believe it.

He’d fibbed.

And got away with it.

Link should feel proud, or excited that he wouldn’t be caught.

So why did his stomach churn?  Why did he feel so…

Bad?

 

—

 

‘Uncle’s going to work.  What time are you all picking me up?’

Link sent the text to Yuga, then he waited.  Something awful clawed at his stomach and he wanted to back out and actually do that sleep over he claimed he was doing.  Then he got a text back.

‘We’ll be there in 15.  My siblings are in the car, but I saved shotgun for you ;)’

Link smiled, his anxiety melting just slightly.  If it was really so bad, Yuga would have told him.  He was a senior afterall.

He sighed, looking around before he grabbed his things.  Maybe he would do that sleepover, just, later.  He’d tell Uncle he was trying to make sure he had everything he needed before going.  He was a worrier in that aspect.

15 minutes went by in a flash, and soon a horn sounded from his driveway.  Link glanced out of the front door window to see a slick black car waiting for him.  He grinned, setting his bag on the counter before he rushed out of the house to get into the car.

“Thanks for picking me up!” He smiled, opening the door.  Then he was hugged from behind, causing him to gasp.

“Link!?  If I knew it was you we’d been picking up I would have texted!” An excited vice filled his ears.

He turned around and saw Ravio in the seat behind him and grinned.

“Rav!?” He practically squealed and hugged him back.  “What are you doing here!?”

“Yuga’s my brother, duh!  He’s taking Hilda and I to see him put on another stupid play.” Ravio rolls his eyes.

“They are not stupid Ravio.” Yuga snapped as he pulled out of the driveway.  “It’s an art you clearly don’t understand.  At least Hilda does.  That’s why she’s my favorite.”

Ravio sticks his tongue out at his older brother before looking to the seat next to him where a dark haired girl sat.  “Hilda, this is Link!  Remember me talking about him?”

Link watches as Hilda seems to force and smile and nod.  “Yes… He never shuts up about you, Link.”

“Of course he can’t!  That’s his only friend!” Yuga says from the front, pushing Ravio off of Link and shoving Link into his seat so he faces forward.  “Buckle up, we’re pulling out onto the main road.” He frowns at the blonde, who in turn, buckles up sheepishly.

“Sorry.  Just, excited.  Who knew that you were Ravio’s brother?  I mean, you don’t look alike.”

“Yes, well, genetics are weird.  Our father has red hair like myself and dark skin like Hilda and Ravio.  Our mother has black hair like the twins and fair skin like me.  I naturally also got my mother’s eyes, as did Hilda.  Ravio…”

“I got the weird eyes!”  He shouts, chuckling.  “Mine are green!  No one in the family has green eyes!”

“We believe Mom and Dad both had some green eye genes in them and he just happened to be the punnett square that got it.”

Link nods, grinning at Yuga.  “Sounds chaotic.”

“Quite.” He responds curtly, looking a little more than annoyed.

Link goes quiet then.  Maybe this was a bad idea.

 

—

 

This was an amazing idea.

Link looked around the auditorium, his eyes wide at the set up on stage.  From what he could see, it was super cool!

Ravio wiggled in his seat next to him, talking animatedly with his hands as he explained what the stage crew was doing while they set up the first act.

“We always get here early while they set everything up!  So I know a lot!” He smiles smugly.

“You know too much.” Hilda groans with an eyeroll.  “I can hear you through my headphones.” She says before popping them in again.

Ravio flinches.  “Sorry…” Then he looks at Link and smiles.  “She’s just grumpy today, she’s usually a lot nicer.”

“No worries, Rav.” Link smiles at him.  “I’m just excited to see whatever the theater group pulled together!  I heard it’s a good show.”

“Ha!” Ravio waves his hands before socking Link’s arm gently.  “You should’ve seen last year’s!”

“Riveting.” Hilda mumbles, glaring at her phone.

“Oh quiet.” Ravio pokes his sister who quickly retaliates with shoving him.  Ravio only pushes her buttons as he tickles her, finally cracking her cold exterior.

“Stop!  N-no fair!” She cries as she tries to grab her twin’s hands.  “I claim seniority!”

“Boo!  Party pooper!” Ravio whines as his arms are pinned to his chest.

Link laughed at the two before looking over at the stage again.  It looked to be a setup of the inside of a house.  There was a bed in one corner with some sort of kitchen.  A weird mask hung on one wall while the other held a couple prop swords.  It looked quant, like his house.  Link liked it.

“So… When does this usually start?”

The twins looked at him before Hilda finally let her brother go to face him.

“Tonight it’s meant to start at 6, so in half an hour.” As if to prove her point, other guests started to arrive and find seats to sit in.

Link looked around, smiling a little as he watched people come in before turning back to Ravio.

“I’m actually really excited for this.”

“Yes yes, we know.” Ravio playfully rolls his eyes.  “You’ve only said it one hundred times.”

“Well make this one hundred and one because I’m excited!” Link grinned at his friend, then at Hilda.  “I’m ready to see the villain in action.”

 

—

 

ACT 1

 

“Ugh… no… no… Leave me alone…” He thrashes in his bed before suddenly sitting up with a gasp.  He looks around, before yawning.  “Oh, it was just a dream…”  Then there’s knocking at his door.

“Lincoln!  You need to get up!  This is the fourth time this week you’ve been late!  Dad’s not very happy with you!”

Lincoln looks at the door and groans.  “Go away Sulley!  I’m coming!” He sighs before getting up and stretching with a yawn.

“You better!” Then the person seems to leave.

Lincoln looks around his house before grabbing a few things, mumbling to himself.

“Maybe I should ask for different hours.  Waking up this early isn’t good for me.” He sighs, then opens the door, going outside to find the boy from before standing next to his weathervane.

“Hurry up now!”

“Shush, you’re like, 8.”

“I’m 12!”

“Yea yea…”

 

—

 

ACT 5

 

“Oh!  I see you’re waking up!” A shrill voice says as Lincoln sits up.  “My name is Ravire!  I found you injured!  So I brought you into this abandoned house I found!  It’s kind of musty and gross, but I’ve made it work while I brought you back to health!  You’re welcome!”

Lincoln looks around, then meets Ravire’s eyes.  “This is my house.”

Ravire pauses, looking around nervously.  “Are you sure ?” When Lincoln doesn’t answer, Ravire clears his throat.  “W-well, did I say gross ?  W-what I meant was, lovely !  It’s a wonderful place!”

“How did you even get in here?” Lincoln sounded both irritated and confused.

“You left the door open.”

“I always lock my door.”

“There was a key under the mat outside.”

“I don’t own a mat.”

“Right… well… A magician never tells his secrets!”

“Mhm…” Lincoln sighs once more as he gets up.  Stretching again.  “Well, I need to go out there and find those missing people.”

“Really?  Oh you’re such a hero!  That’s what I’ll call you!  Mister Hero!”

“Please don’t call me that.” Lincoln deadpans.

“Oh Mister Hero!  It’s so dangerous outside!  Please let me stay here!  I’ll even let you rent my items so you don’t die!  Just know that if you pass out I will be sending my bird to retrieve the rented goods and I won’t be healing you again and you’ll need to rent the items again.”

Lincoln looks at the crowd before back at Ravire.  “Is this meant to be a good deal?”

“Well yes!  If you buy them I won’t take them back!”

“And you’ll help me heal, right?”

Ravire goes silent.

“You’ll help me heal, right ?”

More silence.  Then Ravire speaks up.  “Well Mister Hero!  You’ve wasted enough time now!  You should hurry on your adventure!  I’ll set up shop here for when you come back!” He says as he shoves Lincoln towards the door.

A stage light hits the door and Lincoln freezes.

“You broke my door down!?”

“A magician never tells his secrets.”

 

—

 

FINAL ACT

 

Lincoln is standing in a room, facing up against the villain.  The Painter.  Yzma.

“You’ve done well, little hero .” He said with mockery in his tone.  “But how well can you go up against the might of the Triforce of Power and Wisdom!?”

Smoke filled the stage and Lincoln coughed.  The lights went out, leaving only the dim lights of the lanterns on the stage visible.  Lincoln could barely be seen, looking around.

“Where have you gone!?  You pig!”

“Oh…” Yzma’s voice answered.  “Pig is quite right.”

Then the smoke cleared and where Yzma once stood was a slightly larger pig-like version of him, his eyes wild with power as the lines on his clothes seemed to shine gold and his staff glowed both red and blue.

“Will you be able to survive?” He smiles smugly.

Lincoln took out his sword, taking a deep breath.

“I have to.  For both Horule, and Lyrule.”

 

FINAL SCENE

 

“Lincoln.” Ravire said, smiling, taking his friend’s hand.  “Thank you.  You did what I could not.  But now you and Princess Della need to return to your world.  Who knows, maybe we’ll see each other again?”

Lincoln takes Della’s hand, looking back at the crack that was visible in the pillar.  Then he looks to Princess Vera.

“I’m sorry Princess, I wish we could have done more.”

“Please.  Don’t be.” She smiles sadly.  “I just wish I could go back and do this all over.”

Then, Lincoln and Della went through the crack and the set flipped, revealing the castle of Horule.

“So…” Della started.  “That’s it?” She looks to Lincoln.  “They just, die?  Just like that?”

Lincoln shakes his head.  “I hate it too, but what can we do?”

Just as the words leave his mouth, three large golden triangles fly in from the left, right, and the top of the stage.

“What the…” He mumbles.

“Is that, the Triforce?”

Lincoln looks at Della.  “But, how?”

She looks back at him.  “I got my piece back, you must’ve gotten yours at some point, and when you defeated that beast, that got our final piece back.”

“We completed the Triforce…”

Della nods and looks up at the Triangle that was slowly floating down to the ground.  “Some say you can make a wish when all three pieces are together.”

“Well, I know what I’m wishing for.” Lincoln grins and the two place their hands on the Triforce.

“We wish for Lyrule to gain its Triforce once more.” They say in unison before the lights go out, then turn back on to show Vera and Ravire looking at the pillar when the two Horulian’s had left through.  Then behind them and gasped as a glowing Triforce descended upon them.

“Thank you…” Vera whispered before the lights went out once more and when they came back on, this time, the whole cast was on stage, grinning.

Applause filled the room, the cast bowed.

Then the curtain closed.

Notes:

Thank you for reading this chapter! Can you tell I'm bad at a screen play?

Anyways! Hope you have a wonderful rest of your day/night/afternoon and I'll see you next time!

Chapter 8: Playing the Crowd

Summary:

The afterglow of a play wears off and Link holds in his secrets for too long

“That was amazing!” Legend squealed, his hands flapping excitedly as he walked with Wild, who he’d found not too long after the show ended, and Ravio.

“I know right!?” Wild’s voice came out in a shrill tone, his own hands shaking with his enthusiasm.

“I still think last year’s was better, but I did like this one.” Ravio nods, looking around.  “By the way, did anyone see where Hilda went to?  I know she said she was grabbing snacks, but she’s not by the stand.”

Legend shrugs.  “I’d text her.” His joy bled out as the afterglow from the play wore out in that moment.  That was until Wild grabbed his shoulder and shook him.

“The effects though!  Did you see their super cool effects!?”

Legend’s excitement returned then, and he and Wild started to animatedly ramble about every bit of the play they just watched together.

As time wore on, Wild had to split off from the group as his aunt arrived to take him home.  Legend and Ravio waved him off as he got into Ms. Purah’s car before they made their way over to Yuga’s.  Once inside, they found Hilda there, a sour look on her face.

“Hilda?  What’s wrong?” Ravio asked, scooting closer to his twin who brushed him off.

“Snacks were too much.” She responds dully.  “Didn’t have enough money.”

Legend looked between the two, sensing something more was wrong before Ravio spoke up once more.

“Well, do you know when Yuga’s going to be here?  Legend told me he had somewhere to be tonight.”

“Am I my brother’s keeper?” She snaps back.  “Besides, he’s older and capable of coming here himself.  Text him if you’re so worried.” Hilda rolls her eyes, turning away from the two.

Ravio looks upset and turns away from his sister before numbly pulling out his phone to text Yuga when the man in question opened the door.

“Alright losers, let’s get home.” His voice fills the awkward car before he starts it and puts on some classical music.

As the car drives away, Legend can’t help but look between the siblings and paw at his throat from the tension he could practically see.

“You said that, I could pick the playlist on the way back…?” Ravio said, a crooked smile on his face as he broke the silence.  Hoping to lighten the mood.

“Shut the fuck up, Ravio.  My car, my fucking rules.  Stop being a whiny bitch.” Yuga snaps back, turning his music up.

Ravio curls up in his seat, tearing up, but he takes a breath and nods.  Legend pats his friend’s shoulder.  Yuga was just tired.  Probably.

(a part of him whispered that it was a lie but he could only hold onto it)

“I thought the play was great.” Legend spoke up, doing his own part to lighten the mood.  “You really did play your part perfectly.” He smiles a little, leaning towards the front of the car.

“Yes, thank you.” He glances back at Legend, still annoyed by something.  “Why aren’t you in the front seat?  It’s better up here.”

“O-oh, I kinda wanted to sit next to Ravio.” He mumbles, looking away.

“You sat next to him for two hours.  Get up here.” Yuga growls.

Legend jolts, looking outside of the car.

“B-but, we’re on the freeway!  Isn’t that really dangerous?”

“Don’t be a baby.  Get up here.” Yuga grins back at him.

“You can’t make him do-” Ravio started, getting cut off by the glare Yuga shoots to him.

“Ravio.” He growls dangerously, then looks back at Legend.  “Hurry up.  Back to your seat.”

Legend bites his lip, glancing back at his worried friend and slightly shocked new gal pal before he hesitantly unbuckles and climbs forward.  As his knee gets on the center console, the car swerves, and Legend screams in panic.  This was dangerous, this was bad.  He was being bad !

His body slams into Yuga’s and he grabs his arm as the car swerves again and he’s shoved into the front seat.  Motorcycles drive by the car, their black jean jackets getting lit up by the headlights, revealing the pig patches on their backs.  Legend’s eyes widen.

Bokoblin.

You could tell by the patches and their helmets.  Each covered in ornimate horns.  Legend was sure some of them were Moblins too.

“Y-yuga…!  Th-that’s a biker gang…!” He whispers as he’s forcibly buckled in.

“Shut up.  It’s fine.” He growls, taking the exit as he flips the group off.

“Yuga!” Legend shouts, grabbing the door.  His stomach was doing somersaults and he felt like he could puke at any second.

“I said it’s fine!” He shouts back at Legend.

Legend felt small, scared.

He wanted to be back in Uncle’s arms.

Not in a car with an angry driver.

“Stay, quiet.” Yuga growls as he turns onto the county road.  “Lolia those guys are fucking annoying.”

“Yuga, that was not cool.” Hilda growls from the back.  “You could have killed him.”

“Not you too.” Yuga rolls his eyes.  “He’s fine.  Those idiots just like to mess with my car.”

Legend whimpers softly, turning to look outside, anywhere but the car.  He watched trees go by and soon saw the familiar signs.  Almost home, just a little further.

As Yuga pulled into his driveway, Legend was already unbuckling.  He wrenched the door open and went to leave before an arm grabbed his and he whirled around.  He was about to tell Yuga off when a familiar pink case met his eyes.  He hesitantly grabbed his phone and nodded.

“Thanks.” He mumbles.  As he meets Yuga’s eyes, he swears they seem to soften.

“Sorry for earlier.  I was just annoyed by something.  Have a good night, Link.”

Legend’s breath hitched.  Yuga was just annoyed.  He wouldn’t do this otherwise, right?

He nodded, and smiled shakily.  “I forgive you.  You all have a good night as well.” Then he shut the door and went inside, grabbing his bag and rushing upstairs to grab an extra stuffed animal.  Something told him he’d need them both tonight.

As soon as the car was out of sight, Legend made the trudge to Marin’s house.  His body shook and shuddered from shock and the sheer temperature outside.  His eyes kept watching his feet.  He was so tired.  He just wanted to sleep.

Tears filled his eyes and he whimpered once more.

He wished he’d never said yes to going to that stupid play.

Even if Yuga was just annoyed, he still scared him.

Legend hugged himself, taking deep breaths before wiping his eyes.  Once he was sure he was calm enough, he took the steps up to the comforting glow of Marin’s house.  He didn’t even have to knock for Tarin to open the door and rush him inside.

“Link!?  It’s 10 below!  What do you think you’re doing!?  I was just about to tell Aflon that you never showed up, what happened!?”

Legend couldn’t respond, just hug the man that reminded him enough of his uncle to be comforting.  Arms wrapped around him and Tarin knelt down to cup his face.

“Are you okay?” He asked, his voice softer now.

Legend nodded.  “I just wanted to make sure I had everything…” He mumbled.  When he looked up, he could tell Tarin didn’t believe him.

“If you’re sure then… Well, Marin’s in her room.  We still have time for a movie if you wanted to watch it?”

Legend shook his head.  “No thank you Mr. Mabe… I’m really tired…”

Tarin simply nodded and led him to Marin’s room where the air mattress was already set up.  The redhead in question shot up and rushed over, hugging Legend.

“There you are!” She smiled, pulling him further into the room.  “I have some card games set up for us!”

“Sorry sweetie, he says he’s pretty tired…” Tarin told her gently, patting her head.

The second Legend saw her disappointment, he butt in.  “I’m sure I could play one game?”

Marin’s joy came back then, and the two played a few rounds of go fish before Tarin called lights out.  As Legend lay on the mattress, he held the two stuffed animals he’d brought closer.  Tears welled in his eyes once more, but he simply nuzzled into the pillow further and willed himself to sleep.

 

—

 

Since that day, Link never told Uncle what happened that night.  Sure, the man worried over him and set up cameras outside the house, just in case, but he never said a word.  His lips were sealed, even as Hylina came closer and closer.

Soon, they were decorating the house, placing gifts under the tree, and deciding the menu.  Link’s mind was too busy to even think about what happened after the play.

“Link, did the Outsets say they were coming?” Uncle asked him as he was making the apple pie.

“Yeah, everyone said they were coming around 1.” Link walks over to Uncle, holding a bag of apples.  “Do you really need to make pie?”

“Of course I do!” He grins, ruffling Link’s hair.  “A tradition in this family!”

Before Link could respond, there was a knock at his door.  He checked the time quickly, about 12:50, before rushing over.  It seemed his guests were arriving early.

 

—

 

“Alright, who’s ready to open presents?” Guppy cries as he and his little sister start to pull everyone towards the tree.

Laughter fills the room as Legend sits down next to Aryll, smiling around at the group.  He had a few gifts, not a significant amount.  Aryll and Guppy, however, each had at least eight presents.  Most must have been from their parents, or maybe Tetra’s family.  It took both Uncle and Tarin to stop the two from ripping them open before everyone was ready.

Soon, Gram walks into the room, hands behind her back as she leans forward.  Legend jumps up to help her sit down but is quickly waved off.

“Don’t bother, Bun, you go sit down and have fun.  Gram Gram will just take this chair right here.” She says with a smirk as she sits in Uncle’s rocking chair.

Uncle in turn gasps, putting a hand to his heart.  “How could you, Ma!?” He cries playfully before crossing his arms as Legend’s cousins start giggling.

“What’s wrong Aflon?” She says with a sweet smile, wiggling into the seat more.

Legend stiffles his laughter as he goes back to his seat, looking at Aryll.  “Were your parents able to make it this year?”

“No, but they promised to video chat!” She smiles at him before looking at her brother.  “Right?”

“Mhm!  Mama said to call at four o’clock.” He pulls out his phone proudly.  “Gram said I got to do it this time.”

“Cool!” Legend grins, ruffling Guppy’s hair.

“Alright everyone.” Uncle says as he sat next to Tarin on the couch, who in turn mumbled something to him that made Aflon give him a playful glare before looking back at the four kids in the room.  “Go on and open your gifts.  Aryll, you’re the youngest.”

Legend watched Aryll open her first gift, then Guppy, then Marin, and soon it was his turn.  He looked at the pile of gifts around him and furrowed his brows.  He decided to grab the smallest one, a neatly wrapped package about the size of a DVD case.  His finger picked at the tape before pulling the wrapping paper away to reveal a Nineto Convert game entitled ‘The Fable of Della: A Tie to the Past’.

“Whoa!” He cries before looking up at Uncle.  “Did you-”

“That one is from Marin, actually.” He smirks.  “The big rectangle is from me.”

Legend looks at the box in question that sat at his hip, itching to open it.  Reluctantly, he looked up at Tarin as he opened his gift from Uncle.  Legend couldn’t tell what he got, but whatever it was, Tarin burst into laughter over it, and so did Uncle.

When it was Legend’s turn again, he hastily opened the rectangular package to reveal a brand new Nineto Convert.  His eyes met Uncle’s and he ran into his arms, hugging him tightly.  This was a big purchase for the two, it wasn’t like they had a ton of money lying around.

“Thank you, Uncle…” He mumbles.

“No worries, Bun…”

 

—

 

In the end, Legend got the new game, the console, yarn, and a new marker set.  As he gleefully began to make a color code for his markers, Guppy ran up to him, bouncing.

“Did you see the super cool new shoes Gram got me!?” He practically kicks Legend as he tries to show him the brand new shoes he got.

“They’re very nice!” Legend smiles as he narrowly avoids the foot spending towards him.  “They’ll be great for track this spring.”

“I know!” He grins before jumping into Legend’s space to look at his color code.  “Oooo!  These look so pretty!  Can I try one!?” He asks as he reaches for the markers.

Legend’s eyes widen and he shoves Guppy away, holding his markers protectively.  “No!” He shouts at the shocked and upset boy who pouts.

“Why not!?  That’s not fair!”

“Is too!  They’re mine!”

“Gram!  Bunny won’t share!”

Legend’s heart raced as he heard footsteps coming up the stairs.  Was he going to be in trouble?  So, their Gram walked into the room, her face impossibly sympathetic.

“What’s wrong, Guppy?” She asked sweetly, giving the younger boy more attention.

“Bunny won’t share his markers!” He whines, pointing an accusing finger at Legend.

Gram looks over at him then sighs and looks back at Guppy.  “Sweetie, they are his markers.  He doesn’t have to share if he doesn’t want to.”

“W-well, he pushed me!”

“Did not!” Legend lied quickly, afraid of being in trouble.

“Did too!  He’s lying, Gram!”

Gram’s eyes turn to Legend and he stiffens.  “Bunny, did you push your cousin?”

“It was just a small shove!  It didn’t hurt!” He says, changing his story.

“It doesn’t matter if it hurt or not.  You know we don’t push people.  I’ll let Aflon deal with this, if he’s dealing out a punishment, that’s his choice.”

Legend looks down, swallowing thickly.  He was in trouble.  That meant he was bad.

Soon, he found himself sitting at the counter with Uncle next to him.

“Ready to tell me what’s going on in that head of yours?” Uncle asks softly as he leans over the counter.

Legend felt like he should answer, but the words weren’t working.  Instead, he looked at the cold counter in front of him.  He heard a sigh and a hand went to his shoulder.

“Link, if you don’t want to talk, that’s okay.  Did he hurt you?”

He shakes his head.

“Did he get in your space?”

He nods.

“Did you ask him to move?”

He shakes his head.

“Was he there long?”

He shakes his head.

“Did he just go grab for the markers?”

He shakes his head.

“Did he ask?”

He nods.

“Did you answer?”

Another shake.

“Then he went and grabbed?”

He nods.

“Alright, now I understand the story.  You reacted on instinct.” Uncle hugs him.  “You know what you did was wrong, right?”

Legend nods.

“Good.  Now, Link, I think you should go apologize to your cousin for pushing him.  I know, that’s uncomfortable, but it’s the right thing to do.” He says as Legend whines.  “When you're ready.  I want you to do it before four o’clock.  Understand?”

He nods, hugging Uncle back.

“Good.  I love you, Link.”

Legend thinks back to the play, and guilt claws at his throat.

I'm sorry, Uncle.

Notes:

Sorry this is so late! I had so many essays to do and had finals to focus on!

Thank you for reading this! We are now two chapters away from the big change! So you've got that to look forward to!

Chapter 9: Broken Can't Even Begin to Describe Me

Summary:

Legend's having a completely normal day.

Good things happen, except for a quiz.

Everything is perfectly fine.

...

Right?

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS VIVID DESCRIPTIONS THAT MAY MAKE YOU SQUEAMISH OR BRING BACK BAD MEMORIES.  READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

 

 

Link was red.

There was no other word to describe how he felt right now.

Marin stood in front of him, wearing a beautiful pink dress and black leggings but somehow she looked like a goddess before him.

She looked perfect.

“Ready to go kids?” Uncle walked over, putting a hand on his back, jolting Link out of his stupor.

He hesitantly nodded, gulping as he looked down at the wrinkled shirt and tie he’d put on.  He felt underdressed.

Marin took his hands and pressed her lips to his.  “Linky, you look perfect.” She tells him gently, then looks up at Uncle.  “Yes, I’m ready to leave.”

“Wait!” Tarin called, rushing out with an old looking camera.  “Let me get a picture!  Their first Valentine’s Day!”  He sniffles dramatically.

Uncle roars with laughter and claps the other on the back before getting out of the way so Tarin could take the picture.  Link and Marin are quickly pushed together, arms encircling each other as they hear the snap of the camera and the light flash.  Tarin looks at the picture fondly before looking at Uncle.

“Who knew we’d grow up to see the ones we’re raising get together, eh?”

“Who knew indeed.” Uncle nodded, patting Tarin on the back before he looked to the two before him.  “Now we’re ready to leave.  Let’s get in my truck.”

Link and Marin take hands, (when was his hand so sweaty?) and walked towards the entrance.  As he passed the mirror at the doorway, he paused to fix his hair one last time, catching a glimpse of movement behind him.  Uncle and Tarin were leaning over the camera, looking at the picture taken of the two.  Uncle seems to bump into Tarin or something, Link didn’t catch it as he pulled away from the mirror and walked to the car, opening the door for his date.

 

—

 

Sitting across from the dream in front of him, Link’s nerves grew.  He knew Uncle and Tarin weren’t far away (“they aren’t old enough for a real date!” Tarin had complained a while before), and a quick glance towards their table confirmed it.  That didn’t stop his fiddling hands.

Here he was, basically alone for the first time, with his girlfriend.

Why was this so stomach churning?

“What were you thinking to eat?” Marin says way too casually for Link.

“O-oh, I dunno.  The steak is usually pretty good.” He mutters, curling in on himself.  This was a bad idea.  He was going to goof everything up.

“Alright.” She says simply, and when the waitress comes, she orders for both of them easily.

Only then did his stupid nerves calm.

“There we go.” She coos like a dove, cusping his face.  “Now you don’t look so pale!”

Hylia, this woman was awesome.

“Thanks Mar…” He mumbles, smiling at her.

“Don’t mention it, really.  So long as you’re happy.” She smiles, kissing his forehead.

Conversations came easier then, smiles more genuine.  When their food came, Link barely ate anything, content with drinking in Marin’s eyes, her smile, her laugh.  No matter where she was, she always seemed to glow.  He hardly registered as dessert was brought out, or when he had placed the money on the table.  He hardly knew when their hands interlocked and they were stepping into the cold air.  All he knew was her, that was all that mattered.

Link looked in the window, seeing the silhouette of a couple kissing before he looked at Marin and held her closer.  Warm lips pressed against his and he leaned into the kiss, drowning in everything that was her.  It felt surreal, perfect.  He never wanted this moment to end, but like all good things, it did as she pulled away.  Their eyes met and her lips parted.  He strained his ears for whatever would float out of her mouth when the door opened to the restaurant, startling them both as their eyes shot up to Tarin and Uncle.  Link could vaguely make out the darker tint to their cheeks, the cold getting to their faces as the icy wind hit them.

“Ready to head home?  I think it’s too cold for much else.” Tarin said, shivering.

“I told you to bring a coat.” Uncle rolled his eyes before he was socked in the shoulder.

“Oh shut up!”

“Make me!”

Link laughed at their bickering as the group clamored into the pickup.

 

—

 

School days bled into one, and soon there were two weeks left of classes.  Legend groaned as he dropped his bag on Mr. Lon’s floor, slumping against the wall.

“It’s so fucking hot…” He complained, watching Warriors come in- “Is that a fucking fan!?  You bitch!  Give me that!” He jumped to yank the purple and gold fan from his hands.

“Hey!  No!  This is my girlfriend’s!” He hisses, keeping it out of reach.  “I told her I’d take good care of it!”

“C’mon man!  It’s too hot in here!” Legend whines, jumping for the fan way out of his reach.

Warriors pushed him back, scowling at him as if he was a disobedient child.  He obviously took offense to that.  Their squabble ended in Mr. Lon pushed them apart with a sigh.

“Are you two going to be a problem like this next year as well?” He asked, exasperated.  “I don’t think I’ve ever had two students more at each other’s throats.”

Legend shrunk a little at the scolding before he sent a glare towards the older student.

“No sir.” Warriors said through gritted teeth.

Mr. Lon simply sighed and walked away, watching as the rest of their crew came into the class.  They all excitedly looked around before everyone’s eyes landed on the desks.  Legend held back a groan.  Something was wrong with the classroom.

“Now, I know you’ve all noticed the desks, so please take a seat.  Yes, all of you.”

Legend sat in the corner, where his seat usually is before he watched the whole Friday crew take a seat.  Despite getting to know all of the Links fairly well this year, he did get to know the Tuesday Thursday crew pretty well as well.

He still hated that they all met up on Friday.

“Unfortunately,” Mr. Lon starts, standing at the front of the room with a somber expression.  “the Vice Principal came to see me today.”

Groans collected in the air, Legend couldn’t deny he was part of that.

“Yes yes, I know.” Their professor sighs.  “He claims Principal Hyrule doesn’t think this club should stay instated.  To test if we’re allowed to keep this club or not, he’s asked me to give out a test for our last club day.  I don’t like it either, I never intended for there to be a test for this class.  I do extend the invitation, however, if we are unable to keep this club to come to my home to continue on with it.  I sent out a mass email to guardians with online permission forms to sign, though I do understand if the idea makes you uncomfortable.” He clears his throat, looking at the papers in his hands.  “Now, everybody ready for the test?”

 

—

 

Legend stretched as he left the stuffy classroom, trailing Twilight and Wild.

“I can’t believe we had to do a test.” Wild grumbled, crossing his arms.

“I know, Dad didn’t even tell me.”

“Of course he didn’t.” Legend grumbled, picking up pace to walk with them.  “That man is so cryptic he’d tell Hylia that he fought the moon.”

The other two snort before someone calls over to them.  The three looked over to see Madam Purah walking over.  Legend playfully elbowed Twilight, whispering to him.

“She’s hot right?”

“That is so inappropriate Legend…!” His peer hissed back.  “That’s one of our teachers…!”

“And?”

“You’re hopeless…”

“Linky!” Purah cries as she walks up to Wild, cupping his face.  “Where have you been?  Impa’s getting worried!  She never worries about you being late.”

Wild flinches.  “Sorry Auntie… We had to have a test in club today.”

Purah sighs and taps his nose.  “Well, no matter.  Let’s go.  Impa is almost not going to let you go with those friends of yours.”

“We’ll have two adults there!”

“And you’re already proving you’re not coming home by being late!”

Wild huffed and waved to the two behind him.  “Sorry guys, see you tomorrow.” Then he follows Purah to Ms. Impa’s classroom.

…

…

“Wild’s lucky to be related to her.”

Legend would say he deserved the slap to the back of his head, but he didn’t want to admit that, so instead, he tackled Twilight.

 

—

 

The ride home from school was fairly quiet, which was a first for Uncle, who usually yapped the whole way home.  Link was honestly a little worried until they pulled into Tarin’s driveway instead of their own and Uncle was rushing to get out of the car.  Link raced ofter him, feeling sick.

“Uncle!?  Is everything alright!?” He cried, chasing him inside until he stopped dead in his tracks.  Uncle and Tarin were hugging, but it didn’t look sorrowful.

“Hurry!” Uncle call to Tarin as he let go.  “Go get Marin!  We need everyone here to hear this!”

Tarin grins back at him and rushes off, leaving Uncle to pick Link up in a way he hasn’t since he was 8.  He laughed, his nerves bleeding off of him.

“Uncle!” He choked out before the two came back and he’s set down.  Link looks at everyone before Uncle’s dam bursts.

“I got a promotion at work!” He calls out, excitement filling the room.  “Now Link and I can live comfortably!”

“That’s wonderful!” Tarin grins, clapping him on the back.

“Wait, we don’t have to worry about money anymore?” Link’s eyes widen, a mixture of emotions filling his body.  A bit of distress at the change, excitement that they wouldn’t have to worry if they would eat good or not or if Link could keep going to his school if they lost the scholarship, and a bit of confusion.  What had Uncle done to get this promotion?  Was it really that much for Uncle to be excited?

“That’s right, Bunny!” Uncle grins, leaving Link to flush at the family nickname.

Tarin walks back (when had he left?) with a cigar in hand, giving it to Uncle.  “This calls for a celebration!”

“C’mon, giving a cop a cig?  Shame on you, Tarin!”

“It’s just one!” Tarin grins.  “We’ll go outside for the kids, have a quick celebratory smoke.  Won’t even get high, promise.”

Uncle rolls his eyes and takes the cigar.  “Alright.” Then he looks at the kids.  “You two go to Marin’s room and we’ll come get you in, say 10 minutes?”

“Seems long enough.” Tarin shrugs.

Link and Marin nod, running off to the redhead’s bedroom giddily.

“Do you think we’ll be able to buy new furniture?” Link grins at his girlfriend.

“I don’t know, how much money is it?”

“I don’t know that either!” Link chuckles.  “But if it means we have worries go away, I think it must be a lot!”

The two chuckle before Marin pulls out some cards.  “Wanna play while we wait?”

“I don’t see why not.” Link shrugs, dealing out some cards before they start to play.

Only close to a fourth of the way into the first round, Tarin comes into the room.  “Let’s go kids!  Aflon’s bringing us out for celebratory dinner!”

The two exchanged excited glances before racing out of the room.

“I want the window seat!” Marin cries, leaving Link to playfully groan.

“No!  I hate the middle!” Then he chuckles as he opens the door and further shoves Uncle’s gear to the other window seat before he sits in the middle, buckling up as Marin climbs in, sitting next to him and shutting the door as rain starts to slick the windows.

As soon as everyone was inside, the rain was close to pouring, and the rumbles of thunder began.

The truck rumbled along the darkening freeway, the sound of chatter filling it, drowning everything else out.  Cars flew past, spraying the truck with water and a bit of dirt.  Link leaned over Marin to look out the window before he’s pushed back.

“You snooze, you lose, Link!” Marin giggles, looking out the window herself.

Link playfully pouts before chuckling, looking to the front of the car.  Tarin and Uncle were laughing about something Tarin said.  Link chuckled along when something hit the truck.  Pure noise filled his ears, rumbling, crackles, zaps, then the car shut down.

Uncle groaned as he tried to steer the car to the side of the road and slow down; nothing but the forces of nature could help them now.

Link’s heart raced, his eyes flashed around.

“Don’t worry.” Uncle’s voice rang out.  “We’ll be okay.”

Motorcycles flew past, bokoblin.  They got in Uncle’s way.  He could hardly steer around him, the power steering was dead.

Motorcycles suddenly were gone, and a car was in their place.  Coming head on.

Neither car could move quick enough, neither could get away.  They were going to crash.

Link’s eyes widened as everything seemed to slow down.  Shouting filled his ears, Marin screams, the car turns slightly to its side, then everything jolted.

Link flew forward, stopped only by his seatbelt.  The front of the truck crushed, the seats crushed backwards.  His legs ached, glass shattered, the other car was completely demolished.  His eyes looked around, red.  All he saw was red.

His eyes trailed around the other car.  Everyone looked, they were…

Dead .

The other car looked to have five people within.  Not one looked alive.

“Uncle…?  Are we in trouble…?” His voice whispered.

Silence met his ears, not a single sound other than the wind and rain and thunder outside.

“Uncle…?” He choked out, looking to the front seat before a scream tore at his throat.

Crushed.

Uncle was crushed.

Red flowed from everywhere, not stopping.  Blood covered the door, the wheel, the seat, the center console.

“Uncle!” He cried.  “Tarin help please!” He looked to Tarin, screaming again.  He looked worse.  More crushed than Uncle.

Tears ran down his eyes, blurring his vision.  “No!  No No!” He cried out, sobbing as panic filled his whole body.  He tried to grab Uncle, shake him away, tried to get Tarin to answer him.  He looked to Marin, hoping for warmth and comfort in her arms.

Then he froze.

Her beautiful, perfect face, looked flat.  Eyes fell from their sockets, blood spewed from her mouth where lips were broken and teeth stabbed into them.  Her body was mangled and broken beyond repair.  Her arms that once held him looked like they could fall off and her legs were nowhere to be seen.

His throat was raw, screaming was filling his ears.  He felt bile in his hands, on his legs.  He couldn’t stop.  Couldn’t stop crying, screaming, throwing up.  He needed help.

The idea struck him.

Help.

Doctors could fix this, they could fix anything.

Shaking, his fingers wrapped around his phone.  Somehow he called the cops, he couldn’t remember putting the number in.  Someone way too calm answered the phone, and all he could do was sob.  Words and sentences couldn’t form.  He was told someone would be there soon.  He dropped his phone and once more tried to escape his seat.

His head hurt and his legs wouldn’t move.  His heart pounded, reminding him to stop over exerting himself.  He felt fuzzy, broken.

Link felt his mind slipping from him, his eyes drooping.

He couldn’t sleep, he tried to tell himself, but it was too late.

The last thing he remembered was seeing two calloused and burly hands tightly held together on top of the cupholders.

Notes:

I LIED!!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!! IT HAPPENED THE NEXT CHAPTER!!!!

(I tricked myself as well, I did not plan for it to happen this chapter but whatevs-)

Thank you for reading! Have fun dealing with the trauma I served!

Chapter 10: Hospitals Don't Fix Everything

Summary:

Legend feels wrong.

Everything about his life is just wrong.

He doesn't know what to do anymore.

Light swam in his eyes as he groaned.  Pain shot up his body, forcing a whimper from his lips.  Memories flooded his brain and ears as he tried to make sense of what was happening.

There had been an accident.

Tarin died.

Uncle died.

Marin died.

He was pretty sure the people in the other car were also dead.

Somehow, this thought didn’t bring him to tears.  In fact, he felt oddly comforted to know that his mind was still intact to remember everything.

It made him sick to his stomach that he found their death a comfort.

He hoped they hadn’t been in too much pain when they passed.

He hoped they were being comforted in the life beyond.

Link blinked his eyes harshly, looking around for anyone to talk to.  To figure out if they had been buried already, how long he’d been out, what bills would he have to pay.  His eyes landed on someone in a bed next to his.  They were hooked up to a ton of monitors with an IV drip like his own.  The only difference between him and this person was the person was covered basically head to toe in bandages and casts.  Their face was halfway covered with nothing but a nose and eye poking out.

They looked like a freaky mummy.

That was rude to think, wasn’t it?

The door opened and Link’s eyes landed on a nurse.  She quickly bustled over to him and gave him a smile.

“Hello there darling.” She said with a southern drawl.  “How are ya feelin’?”

Link tried to make a sound, to talk to her, but all that came out was a pitiful squeak.

She frowned in response.  “The doc was worried about that.  Don't worry hun, it's mostly shock.  We're both sure with time you'll get your voice back..”

He lost his voice.

Not got sick, not hoarse.

It was gone .

His face must have given away his reaction because the nurse quickly changed the subject.  “I brought ya somethin’ to eat.” She smiles, picking up the tray she’d brought in.  “It’s no royal cuisine, but it will keep ya alive.” She sets the tray down on another tray that turns into him.

Link looks at it awkwardly.

“Don’t worry, baby, your arms should work well and good so ya don’t need t’be fed.” The nurse smiles at him.

Link nods and shakily picks up the spoon, poking at the stuff on the tray before slowly eating it.  He couldn’t really taste it, either from his nerves or from his brain not quite kicking in.  As he eats, the nurse starts to check his monitor and his chart before she stands in front of him again.

“Alright then, ya look fairly stable to me.  If ya need me t’come back, just push that button righ’ there.” She points to a small call button near the bed.  “Got that baby?”

He nods, staring at the call button before looking at her again.  She smiles and walks out and once more, Link was alone.

His eyes flick to, whatever was on his plate.  He hesitantly took a bite before grimacing.  Uncle’s apple pie was better than this.  His eyes widen as the thought flickers in his mind.  Uncle would never make him apple pie ever again.  Tears well up in his eyes and he hiccups.  He wished Uncle’s strong arms would wrap around him, tell him everything would be okay.

Link missed his gruff voice, his lop-sided smile, his apple pies.  He’d even take that horrid rocking chair over the silence that surrounded his choked sobs.

Link missed Tarin’s stories, his warm gaze, his too tight hugs.

Link missed Marin’s voice, her smile, her freckles, her eyes, that little gap between her front teeth or the way she’d flail her arms when he tried to wake her.

Hylia, Link wanted to go home.

He wanted to go home to learn this was all just a dream.

“Link Hyrule?” A gruff voice met his ears.  That was Uncle, it had to be.

Link’s eyes shot up, looking around for the head of black hair, for the strong arms that would pick him up, for the mustache that tickled his cheeks when Uncle came too close.

His eyes met blonde.

No mustache.

No muscles.

Just a man.

Some dumb man who sounded too much like home.

Tears, hot and angry, welled up in his eyes.  He couldn’t look at the man wearing that blue and black uniform anymore.  Quick, calculated, cold footsteps echo across the room, stopping in front of him.  He could see too pale hands resting on a belt he surely didn’t earn.

“Link, we would like to hear your story of how it happened that night.”

Link could only bristle.

“I understand it might be hard for you, but the more information we have, the better.”

He looked up and met the brown eyes staring back at him.

He already hated this man.

No one else could hold such warm eyes other than Tarin.

“Unc' got promosh... He an' Tar' smo' an' we drove.” He muttered, looking away bitterly.  “Lightn' boom... big crash.”

The officer hummed and patted his head.

How could he?  How dare he?

“Thanks kiddo.” He couldn’t call him that.  “I’ll leave you be now.” Then those cold clacks left the stuffy room.

Link looked over at the other person, who still hadn’t woken, and grimaced.  “Did see?” He asked, knowing he wouldn’t get a response.  “Jer'.”

 

—

 

Sitting in that room felt as if the world had stopped.  There was no sound other than the beep of the monitors and the taps of nurses and doctors walking by.  His head swam and his stomach lurched.  Tears pricked at his eyes.

He should have known the storm was coming, humid always brought thunder.

He should have insisted on staying home.

He should have fought harder for the window seat.

Uncle was broken because of his idiocy.

Tarin was stabbed because of his compliance.

Marin was crushed because of his uncombativeness.

Darkness surrounded his mind, his body, his soul.  The walls closed in.  Link wanted to curl up, hold himself tight.  He wanted the gentle caress of Marin’s nimble fingers through his hair.  He craved the safety of Uncle’s sturdy arms surrounding his body.  He longed for the peace of Tarin’s presence and the botany books he loved to show him.

Sobs and hiccups escaped him.  He couldn’t help but quiver like a rabbit.  His ears tucked against his head and small hands grasping at his hair, tugging and pulling.  Fear gripped his heart.  He needed someone.

Needed safe .

His throat felt raw as noise filled his ears, only worsening as the sound reminded him of that fateful night.  Hands touched his shoulders and back.  He spasmed and thrashed, sobbing as the pain flared up in his body.

He felt sick, weak.

His body wasn’t working.

His mind was filled with flashbacks.

His senses were overwhelmed with the onslaught of everything.

He blinked harshly and pulled at his hair.  His skin was itchy, so he scratched, his eyes burned, so he rubbed, there was too much noise, so he pounded at his ears, saliva filled his tastebuds, so he cried and spit, clean and hospital filled his nose, so he covered it.  He couldn’t stop screaming, even when his throat was raw and he ran out of breath, couldn’t stop crying, even when he got a headache and his nose clogged, couldn’t stop his hands trying to stop the senses.

A weighted blanket draped over his shoulders, the lights dimmed, headphones were slid over his ears, pudding was eased into his hands, a lemon was squeezed under his nose.  His sobs fell to pitiful whimpers and his screams diminished to hiccuping.  He leaned into the closest body to him and begged for his uncle.  He needed him, he needed safe .

The person hugged him, held him close, but it wasn’t the same, and he could only cry harder.

 

—

 

“What!?” Link shouted, cutting off the idiot in front of him.

“It’s the truth, Link.”

“The truth!?  That’s utter bullshit!”

“Link…” The doctor walked closer to him.  “We did find traces of drugs in his system.”

“You’re in on this!?” He cried, betrayal in his tone.

“Now now, the officer is just trying to explain the crash.”

“We were struck!”

“Link.” The officer gives him a look, then mutters something that sounded like 'he certainly gained his vocals back quick' before continuing.  “We don’t need you to be making excuses for your uncle’s choices.  He got high, took you into the car, and ended up crashing.”

“Uncle wasn’t high!” His voice strained, choking the sob that wanted freedom.

“According to the charts, he was.” The doctor started to protest, but the officer went on.  “Do you have a family member who can come pick you up?”

Link stews in anger, betrayal, hurt.  Then nodded slowly.  “M’Gram…” He mumbled before the doctor stepped forward to get a phone number to call.  Link hardly paid attention as he gave over the information.  His mind went to the officer who was leaving the office.  He’d make sure that officer would pay for his lies.

 

—

 

“Link!  Oh thank the goddess!” Gram rushed in, cupping his face.  “Are you alright?  Who am I kidding, of course you aren’t!”

Link hugged his Gram, letting her hold him as tight as she could.

“Don’t worry, Bunny.  We’re going home now.”

Link almost screamed when he was ushered into the car.  He was constantly looking around, flinching at each passing car.  His eyes stared up at the sky, cloudy, but not angry.  He relaxed, but only slightly.  Driving was too dangerous.

“The doctor recommended you talk to a therapist.” Gram began to talk casually.  “I think that would do you good, but it’s your decision in the end.”

Link only nodded as he looked out of the window, watching for the familiar county road, relaxing further as the route became familiar once more.

“He also recommended we take a leave from school, we can take the finals sometime in the summer if you’d like.”

“No.” He mumbled.  “I’d like them over with rather than waiting.”

Gram nodded knowingly.

Then Link shouted.

“No!  That’s my house!” He shouts, watching as furniture was carried out.  “That’s my bed!  My desk!  My stuffed animals!  Those are Uncle’s!  His coffee maker!  His couch!  His dresser!  What are they doing to the house!?” He tries to jump out of the car.

He runs to the construction workers, shouting at them to stop and they do, listen to his explanation and nod with understanding before putting everything back, put it back the right way, back to same, back to safe-

And Gram drove past, pulling him from his thoughts as he fought that stupid seatbelt.

“I’m sorry honey… They needed to repossess the house to pay the hospital bills.”

“No…!” He hiccuped, tears spilling out of his eyes.

“We’ll go see what things of yours they’ll let you have back.”

 

—

 

Turned out that was very little.

The stupid hospital, bank, cops, whoever, needed a lot of fucking money.

He had to beg for some of the things he walked home with.  He tripped through the tall grass towards his Gram’s house, stumbling over hidden roots.  All he had was a crumpled uniform, some night clothes, his backpack (he put up a fit when they tried to refuse), a broken watch from Uncle’s room, a stuffed bear his mother made him, and the old house phone.  It wasn’t even a good house phone, just a flip phone they rarely used.  He’d have to transfer it onto his Gram’s plan later.

As he walked up the steps to his Gram’s, he tottered and fell, cursing his legs before he broke into tears.  He hugged his backpack filled with all of his belongings and just sobbed.  His notebooks, his phone, his computer, tablet, art supplies, books, stuffed animals, water bottles, paintings, shoes, even his soaps were taken from him.  He was sure most of it would just be thrown away, they just hated him.

Link hated him.

Hated that he survived the crash.

Hated that he hadn’t died with everyone else.

Guppy made his way down the steps and hugged his cousin.

“It’s okay…” The middle schooler mumbled.  “You can have my books.”

Link curled into his younger cousin and kept sobbing.  He didn’t deserve the kindness this boy offered.

 

—

 

His limp eased a bit with time, but it didn’t stop the other students from staring.  He had one week of school left and it seemed everyone knew about what happened to him.  Twilight was quieter than usual, Warriors didn’t mock his hair or disheveled clothes, Sky stopped laughing at every little thing, Hyrule stared at him like he was a cracked glass bottle of bird seed, Four kept giving him these knowing looks, Wild was, absent.

Mr. Lon asked for him to stay after class.

Legend had no choice but to agree.

The two sat on top of Mr. Lon’s desk in silence.  Both were too afraid to break the silence.  The professor was surprisingly gentle as he pulled Legend into a hug, Legend didn’t even fight it.

“I’ll always be here if you need me.” His voice dropped into a gruff sounding tone, almost a murmur, and Legend broke.

Sobs tore his throat, snot ran out of his nose that he was internally embarrassed about, hands gripped at the professor’s suit coat as he pressed his face into the fabric and sobbed.  Mr. Lon patted his head, hugging him back, but it wasn’t the words he had said that had broken him.  That tone, that voice, that sound…

Legend couldn’t take it anymore.

When Gram came to pick him up, when he saw that house that was no longer his, he cried again.  He cried when dinner was served as ravioli, he cried when Gram read him a story that was Uncle’s favorite, he cried when Gram tucked him in just so.

He slept in fits that night, unable to settle down.  He couldn’t stay here.  It hurt to stay here.  It wasn’t safe, it wasn’t right.

Swinging his feet over the end of the bed, he grabbed his bag, stuffing it with the five other things he owned and grabbed a paper and pen, then decided against it and walked downstairs.  It was silent on the main floor, no lights were on.

Legend walked into the kitchen and grabbed what he could, stuff that didn’t need a fridge, stuffing it into his bag and went to the front door.  After debating his own mind, he opened it and left.

His feet carried him towards the house, his house and to the back door.

Locked.

Just as he thought.

Well two could play at this game.

Legend set his bag down and climbed up the apple tree, looking for the old squirrel hole.  When he found it, he stuck his hand inside and pulled out a silver key, then hopped down and went for the door, unlocking it and walking inside.  He set his bag where it would usually be, then went to the kitchen and sat at his spot with an apple and began to eat.  Instead of feeling safe, good, right , everything felt horribly wrong .

The house was empty save for the things that couldn’t be removed.  It was quiet, and lonely, and wrong .  He couldn’t stay here anymore than he could stay at his Gram’s.

He swallowed his tears and picked up his bag, finding the familiar spot where Uncle’s bed should be and curling up where he should have been if the bed were there.

Legend stared at that key in his hands, then dropped it in his bag, stood up, and left the house.

Staring at both of the homes, his and his Gram’s, felt empty.  He couldn’t stay at either of them, but he didn’t know where else to go.  He turned back towards the road he was traveling and kept walking.  He’d figure it out.

Gram would probably call when she didn’t find him at 7:30 in his bed, then demand to know his location.  He could lie to her, lead her on a wild goose chase until she gave up.  Or he could tell her, but refuse to go back.  Or he could simply bounce around the question until he hung up.

None of the answers felt quite right to him.

5 o’clock came and went, and yet he kept walking.

As he came to town, he stared at all of the lights on before he chose a gas station and walked inside.  7 o’clock.  The guy working looked at him, then looked away.  Legend looked around, then remembered he didn’t have any money and instead walked into the bathroom and shut the door.

Looking at himself was the hardest thing he’d done.  Legend saw the sunken eyes, the dirt on his face, the hollow look he held.  He looked close to a zombie.

After he’d relieved himself and washed his hands, he left the bathroom and the gas station, sitting on the curb.  He stared at the flip phone in his hands as the time hit 7:30, then 7:35, and then 7:40 before the call came.

And he denied it.

Notes:

UUUGGGGGNNNNHHHHH

I was LITERALLY **SOBBING** as I wrote this chapter and had to pause a TON to stop crying

Anyways, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did!

Have a great rest of your day, night, or afternoon!

(Sorry it's so late my ideas hated me-)

Chapter 11: Legend is beat up with PTSD

Summary:

Legend is starting his new life in a new home with new people

Was this the right choice for him?

Legend didn’t know how far school was, nor was he quite sure where he was.  Car lights peetered in and out as they passed by on the road; he flinched each time.  His mind was sent to that night, that horribly night that changed everything right into wrong.  He thought about the people in those cars passing, each crashing, each leaving everyone for dead.

No.

He would never get in a car again.

His phone rang again, and once more he denied the call.  Guilt clawed at him but nothing else could be done.  He couldn’t face his Gram, not like this.

Legend turned his eyes back to the gas station and soon realized the store clerk was watching him, a phone pressed to his ear.  He nearly choked as his mind flooded with possibilities.  His mind fell on the cops.  They were coming to take him away.

Without thinking it through, or trying to calm himself, Legend looked at his phone and started to type in his Uncle’s number.  When that didn’t work, he tried Tarin’s, then he hastily put in Twilight’s.

“Pick up pick up pick up pick up…!” He muttered frantically as he listened to it ring.  It felt like his last hope.  If Twilight didn’t pick up, no one would.

“Hello?  Link Lon speaking.” Twilight said in a too curt voice, too formal.

“Twi…!?” He cried in a mixture of relief and hopelessness.  “Twi please…!  Please…!” He hiccupped and rubbed the tears from his eyes as he crumpled into the pole behind him.

“Hello…?  Who is this?  Link?” Twilight tried.

Legend started to sob uncontrollably into the receiver, shaking and probably looking insane.  “Please Twilight!  I need you!  Please!” He hiccupped, turning tear-filled eyes to the gas station sign.  “I don’t wanna go to jail…!  Please…!  I’m at Dinoco just please…!”

Silence fills the call and Legend’s not sure if Twilight just hung up or not, he just keeps begging, curling in on himself as he tries to wipe his tears away.

He sat there under the overhang as cars drove by, came in and out, and soon a busted up pickup came in, followed by a cop car.  Terror ran through Legend as he looked back at his phone before the pickup door opened and out stepped Twilight.

“Ledge?” The sophomore asked before he glanced at the cop who was getting out of his car.

Legend ran to Twilight and hugged him, sobbing in his arms.  “I’m sorry…!” He cried, over and over until Twilight hugged him back and ran his fingers through his hair.

“Shh, whatever happened is not your fault.” He mumbled.  “Hey buddy?  I’m gonna put some gas in my truck, okay?  Then I’m takin’ ya back to my place.” The panic on Legend’s face must have shown because Twilight went on: “It’s okay, where I drive, there ain’t any other cars.  We’ll be safe, I promise.”

“Evening boys.” The cop said as he walked over.  “I had a call about suspicious activity, I am just here for a wellness check.  Do you know this boy?”

“Yes officer, he’s my little brother.”

Legend’s ears twitched. He’d never heard Twilight lie before unless there was some truth to his statement.

“Why is he out here alone?”

“He had an argument with our parents, didn’t think things through and ran off.  We thought he’d come back within ten minutes like he usually does but as you can see…”

The cop nodded, then looked to Legend.

“Son, do you know him?”

Legend looked up to the cop and nodded before whispering another apology.  “I just wanna go home…!”

The officer gave him a smile and patted his head.  “Alright kiddo, why don’t you get on home then?  I’m glad everything is alright here.”

Once the officer had left them alone, Legend stared at the front seat of the truck.  “I don’t wanna get in…” He whimpered, clutching onto Twilight tighter.

“Would you feel safer if I took more back roads?  The roads I’ll be taking rarely have anyone else.”

Legend would feel safer, it would feel better to do that.  After a moment’s hesitation, he climbed in the seat and buckled up, immediately feeling the anxiety and want to get out clawing at him.

As soon as Twilight had paid and climbed in himself, he placed a hand on his shoulders.  “I know this is hard and scary, I’ll drive as safely as I can for you, alright?”

“No…!  No no no I need to get out!” he started to fight the door handle, unable to catch his breath.  He heard the door open and felt the truck jostle a bit, making him feel sick until the door closed and a weighted blanket fell over his body.  The feeling of it calmed him a bit and Twilight started the car.

“You’ll be safe.” He murmured.  “I’ll make sure of it.  I won’t let us crash.”

 

—

 

Arriving at Mr. Lon’s house was the most relief Legend had ever felt.  His body physically slumped as he saw the old ranch home come into view.  It was a quaint place surrounded by fields of corn and other vegetables.  There was a large pen where cows were grazing and horses were trotting around being led by a lanky man with a large mustache and white or pink overalls.  What an odd color to choose on a ranch.

A large brown barn loomed past as they drove up the dusty road towards the stone, two-floored cottage.  Outside, a teacher he knew as Mrs. Lon, stood outside, embroidering a large blue duvet with her brows furrowed in worry.  Her red hair was pulled into a pony at the nape of her neck and kept spilling over her shoulder and onto her project.  Her green eyes shot up when she heard the truck coming and scrambled to put the duvet and needle down so she could race towards the truck.

As soon as Twilight stopped, Legend’s door was yanked open and he was pulled into Mrs. Lon’s arms.

“Ya poor dear!  Are you alright?  Runnin’ away from home like that, yer grandma must be worried sick, bless her heart.” Mrs. Lon rambled as she took in Legend’s appearance, slowly trailing off.  “Darlin’,” she cupped his cheek.  “Why did you leave?”

Legend swallowed the lump in his throat, pulling his face away from her hand while desperately wanting to press into her and let her crush him in a hug.

“I couldn’t stay…” He mumbled.  “It felt wrong to, especially since my- the house is next door…” He stares at his feet before Mrs. Lon’s hands take his and gently pull him out of his seat in the truck.

“I understand Darlin’, but you can’t run away like that.  Did you leave a note?”

“No ma’am…” Not for the first time did guilt rear its ugly head inside him.

“Well then yer callin’ her righ’ now.” She says sternly.  “And yer gonna explain to her what yer doin’.”

Legend simply nods, pulling out his flip phone.  “Yes ma’am.” He watches out of the corner of his eye as Mrs. Lon leads Twilight to the house, leaving Legend alone to call his Gram.  The phone buzzed only half a second before the phone was picked up.

“Link!?  Oh thank the goddess!  Where are you!?  Are you alright!?  I’m coming to get you-”

“Wait.  Gram.” The call goes silent as he stares at his feet, shifting them around in the dirt.  “I’m sorry.  I couldn’t stay, but I felt too guilty to write you a letter or answer your calls or send a text-” he cuts off, hiccuping as tears slide down his cheeks.  “I’m so sorry Gram…!  It hurts too much to stay…!”

Silence answers his apologies and he almost wonders if he accidentally hung up before Gram answers.

“Are you somewhere safe?”

“Y-yes Gram, my friend picked me up.  I’m at a trusted teacher’s house.”

“Do you feel, better there?”

“I’m sorry Gram-”

“Honey, I just want to know.” She says gently.  “Deep breaths, in, and out.  Now, does being there make you feel better than being here?”

“Y-yes Gram.  It’s super open here… Uncle would’ve loved to see this land.” His throat closes at the idea, but he pushes it down.

“Alright, send me the address.”

“What!?  B-but Gram-”

“I’m not coming to get you.” She reiterates.  “Sorry, I worded that incorrectly.”

Legend lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, counting to ten before being cut off by a mooing cow.  “Then, why?”

“I want to meet these people, make sure they’ll take care of you.  We’ll also need to take this to court so we can give them custody rights.  I’m not sure how the whole process works, but if you think it would be better, then we’ll give it a go.”

Legend’s breath hitches, too afraid to answer.  It wasn’t until he heard the door to the ranch house swing close did he dare to speak.  “You mean it?”

“Yes, but I will fight for visitation rights.” She says in a tone that makes it obvious she’s joking, even over the phone.  That idea is only solidified when she starts to laugh.

Legend joins in.

“I don’t know if you’ll even need to put up a fight for that…!”

Legend laughed for a moment more before he sighed.  “Thank you Gram.  I’ll send the address.  I love you.”

“I love you too.”

And Legend was sure she was smiling as wide as he was when he hung up the phone.

“I take it went well?” Mr. Lon’s voice met his ears.

Legend’s eyes shot up to his teacher’s before glancing lower to Mrs. Lon who stood beside him.  He nodded before looking away, gripping his backpack slightly tighter.  “She’s coming over.” He mumbles.  “Wants to make sure I’ll be good here, says there’s some legal paperwork you might have to fill out for me to stay.”

“Well then.  Let’s get you inside.” Mrs. Lon says with a smile.

Legend’s eyes widen and he looks between her and her husband before tearing up and nodding.  “Y-yes m-ma’am…!”

And soon, Legend was curled up in front of the hearth, not realizing just how cold he was until he was sat there with the quilt Mrs. Lon had been embroidering around his shoulders.  Twilight was sitting next to him, talking about something Legend wasn’t paying attention to.  Mr. Lon had brought them snacks and Mrs. Lon books before Twilight had waved them away with a calm smile.  Legend gnawed on the apple in his hand.  It wasn’t as good as the one back home.

At the house, he corrected himself.  It wasn’t his home anymore.

Tears welled in his eyes, but before he had time to dwell on the thought, a knock rang through the cottage.  Twilight got up to open the door, revealing Gram, stunned and staring up at the teen.

“Are you Mrs. Hyrule?” Twilight asked with a smile.

Gram blinked away her shock before shaking her head.  “Mrs. Lon actually.  Is my grandson around?”

Twilight chuckled.  “That’s weird.  You don’t happen to be related to us, do you?”

Gram chuckled herself.  “I don’t think so deary.  It’s a common last name, and I haven’t even met your father.”

“Actually, it’s my mother’s name.  I know, different.” Twilight smiles warmly.  “Come inside then, Mrs. Lon.  Link’s in the living room with snacks.  Can I get you anything?”

Gram coos at Twilight before looking around as she walks inside.  “Where are you parents?  They raised such a respectable young man!”

Twilight flushed and rubbed at the back of his neck.  “It’s just good manners ma’am…”

“Nonsense.” She retorts as Mr. Lon comes out from his room.

“Ah, good to see you.” He smiles, holding out his hand.  “I don’t believe we’ve formally met.  I’m Link’s teacher, Link Lon.”

Gram snorts.  “How awful.  He told me he’d accidentally made friends with 7 other Links, but I didn’t think one of those was his teacher.”

Mr. Lon gives a belly laugh.  “Imagine being their professor!”

“I could never!  What did you do?  Call one Angry and the other Mini?” She quips, glancing at the two Links in the living room.

Legend’s eyes widen slightly.

‘I’m surprised they didn’t call you ‘Angry’,’

Hands cupped his face, wiping away tears he didn’t know were gracing his cheeks.

“Bunny?  Link?”

Legend flicked his ears in response, but pulled away and rubbed at his eyes.  “Can we get this inspection over with?” He said with more impatience and anger than he meant.

Gram pulled away, looking justly hurt and sad before she nodded.  “Of course my dear.” She looks to Mr. Lon and smiles.  “Shall we?”

 

—

 

Legend left the courtroom with his new parents, going into his new life.  His Gram hugged him as he left, reminding him he was always allowed to come back.  Guppy made him promise to bring him to the Lon’s so he could make sure they’d take care of him, despite the court ruling in favor of proceeding.  Aryll just cried and clung to him.

“I’m not leaving for good.” He reminded her gently as he hugged the poor blonde.

“No!  Don’t leave!” She cried, snot rubbing into his sweatshirt.

Legend had to hide his disgust for his cousin, she was hurting.  He knelt down, making sure they were eye level before speaking.  “I promise that I’ll call you.  I’ll draw you pictures and write to you.  I’ll even read you stories over the phone.”

Aryll sniffled, clutching the fabric of her shirt.  “Promise?” She mumbled.

Legend promised, hugging her tighter than he ever has.

“Can I have a sleepover with Link?”

“Of course.  When Guppy comes to sleepover, you can come too.”

Then he left.

The car ride was both awkward and horrifying.  His therapist recommended distracting himself from the car ride altogether, but conversation only worsened his panic, and he didn’t have anything else to do.

Voices seemed to blend together into one big mess, his skin felt too small for his body and his eyes burned.  He felt his throat close as his nails claw at the dermis, his breath shallow and heavy.

The world around him stilled, going silent, the lack of sound beating against his ears.  Then, hands lifted his away from his skin and thumbs rubbed against his knuckles.

“You doing okay?” The gentle voice hit him like a truck, sending him spiralling down the staircase to death.

Maybe that was a little dramatic.

“Crash…” Was all he could manage out of the ball of yarn that was his mind,

Someone near him hummed and the conversation continued, forcing a whimper from Legend.

“Shh.” That gentle voice said again.  “Do you want me to keep talking?”

He shook his head fervently.

“Do you like silence?”

He hesitated.

Silence.

Silence was the gift the crash had given him.

Silence was brought on from the lack of life around him.

Silence was worse.

He shook his head, tearing up at the idea of complete silence around him.

“Alright, do you mind if Mom and Dad talk?  I could just hold you?”

That sounded okay.

It would keep the silence away, and the conversation would just be a hum in the background.  He wouldn’t leave the hold of… whoever this was, that meant he would be protected.

Safe .

That’s why he was doing this.

He needed safe.

This was safe.

One quick nod was all it took for the lull of an easy conversation to trickle in front of him while the other held him in a secure embrace.

 

—

 

“You know, I told myself I would never get in a car again.” Legend grumbled as he watched Twilight clean the pickup bed out.  “Why do we need to go to the store?  ‘Cause me don’t want to.”

“Well ‘me’ has to because Mom and Dad don’t feel comfortable with you being alone.” Twilight sighed as he shut the bed and went to grab something from the garage.

“I’m 14!”

“And recently went through something traumatic.” Twilight quips, pausing to give him a look that mocked his father’s.

“And you’re going to trigger my trauma by forcing me in that car!” He shouts back, crossing his arms.

Twilight faltered at that, looking at the truck, then at Legend.  “Right…”

“Please, Twilight…!  Ask Mrs. Lon to let me stay home…!”

Twilight sighs, pulling out his phone.  “You know she said you could call her ‘Malon’ at home, right?”

“That feels too personal.” Legend drawls as he walks over to the older teen, leaning over his arm to read the text to himself before it was sent.

“And I’m sure she feels ‘Mrs. Lon’ is too formal.” He says in a gentler tone than Legend would have expected.  Twilight turns to him, looking at him with that pity he hated before changing it into a grin and putting him in a headlock.  “No need to be so uptight!” He cries, ruffling the blonde’s hair with his fist.  “Someone might mistake you for Warriors!”

Legend tries kicking at his shins and shoving at his torso to get the much stronger boy off of him.  “Let go!  Hylia!  What do these people feed you!?” He shouts at the rancher before he sends his elbow into his floating ribs.

Twilight doubles over, but not before shoving Legend into the dirt.  Legend glares up at him as the Rancher glared back.

“That was dirty.” He gruffs before picking Legend up by the collar of his shirt and setting him down.

“You gave me a noogie first.”

“Fair enough, points to you.” Twilight chuckles breathily before he pulls out his phone.  “Mom says that if you promise to not leave the house, not the land, the house, and promise to at least eat a snack because she’s sure that I will be gone over lunch, then you may stay home.”

“That’s it?” Legend frowns, looking at the text message that was received.  “Okay, yea.  I can do that.” He shrugs.  “I’ll just have those crackers your Mom bought for me because she heard they were my favorites.

“What, Cucco in a Biskit?”

“Yes, you didn’t eat them, did you?” He glares up at him.

“I did not touch your precious crackers.” Twilight rolls his eyes, shoving his phone back in his pocket.  “Why don’t you clean out my side of the room, that’ll be a good use of your time.” The Rancher smirks at him.

Legend scowls back.  “I’m not doing your chores!”

“Worth a shot.” He shrugs, then walks off towards the truck.  “I’ll be back in, at most, three hours.  Don’t leave the house.” He points menacingly at Legend.  “I mean it.”

“Yeah yeah, I’m not going to betray your parents.”

 

—

 

Legend mulled the idea over again.

He’d leave the house, go see the cows, run around the barn, then come back.

No one would ever know he’d left.

Or maybe he’d race through the cornfield?

Look at the tractors?

Do anything but stay inside the house.

He was getting antsy.

He, however, had made a promise, and when Legend makes a promise, he keeps it. So instead of running off, playing in the fields, exploring the machinery, meeting the livestock, doing anything but what he was asked, he sat inside and stared out of the window.  His fingers idly played with the ends up his hair from where it was tied up before he looked at the house.

Out of pure boredom and guilt at dropping himself on their doorstep, Legend had taken to deep cleaning the house.  It had started with just wiping down the counters, they had looked a little gross, but soon turned into putting everything on the counters away, cleaning the spaces where those items lived, sweeping the floors, mopping, vacuuming, even dusting every little space.

It had taken him a little over three hours, but he knew it would be worth it to see their faces.

Speaking of which, where were their faces?

Twilight had said three hours, the adults had claimed five.  Based on when they left, they should have been arriving home around the same time.

‘They crashed’ a voice crowed in his head.  ‘ They’re all dead.’

“They’re fine.” He mumbled scoldingly.  “They’ll be home soon.”

‘They’re crushed, bloody’

“Alive.” He choked.

‘Dead’ it crooned.

“No, they’re alive, I’ll call them now.” He hissed before pulling out his beat up phone and dialing Twilight’s number.

One ring.

Two rings.

Three rings.

Four rings.

No response.

“It’s fine…” He mumbled.  “He’s probably just a little busy.  Didn’t see his phone.” He reasoned as he dialed again.

No answer.

“It’s fine.  Fine fine fine.” He was trembling.  “I’ll call Mr. Time.”

Nothing.

“Mrs. Malon…?”

Radio silence.

Panic hit him like the bullet from a gun.  His breath was quicker than a racing heart, his hands shook, his eyes blurry from fear and tears.  He dialed their numbers obsessively, begging someone to answer.

No one did.

He dropped to the floor, throwing his phone across the room.

“Useless!” He shouted at it, clawing at his neck and hair.  “You’re supposed to call them!  They’re supposed to pick up!”

Supposed to was a weird term.

Lots of things were ‘supposed to’ happen one way, or ‘supposed to’ turn out another.

Funny how life likes to punch you in the face with the opposite.

Legend stopped being able to count the seconds to calm his breathing.  He started gagging, begging himself to throw up so the pain would leave his body.  Tears fell in fat puddles on the nice wooden floors as Legend curled up, his back to the door.

They were gone.

Dead.

He was alone again.

He hiccuped and started to scream with fear, anguish, pain, and something he couldn’t place.

Then someone scooped him up and cooed in his ear.

“It’s okay baby, Mama’s here.” The vibrato filled his ear and he clung to the person, desperate to not be alone.  “I’m sorry baby.  I didn’t see you callin’.  Mama didn’t mean to scare you.  She would never scare you on purpose.”

Legend believed her.

“You know what helps me?  Something sweet, would you like that?”

Legend would like that.

His eyes looked up into the loving green above him as he clung a little closer.  Mama stood up with him and walked somewhere.  He heard Mama open the freezer before he was handed a small, plastic, cold container.

“It’s ice cream.” Mama whispered as she gave him a spoon.  “Would you like to sit on the couch and eat it?”

Legend nodded and leaned into Mama as she sat down somewhere.  The container was opened for him, revealing the frozen deliciousness inside.  Without a second thought, he happily dug in, letting Mama run her fingers through his hair.

His body felt so sleepy, so ready to go to bed.

“Bed?” Mama asked gently.  “Well, if you insist.  We’ll show you your surprise in the morning.” She hums as she stands up and walks with him up the stairs.

Legend feels himself being laid in a bed, the now empty ice cream container eased from his hands and a thick, warm duvet tucking him in.  Lips press to his forehead before fingers dance across the skin.

“Mama loves you baby.” She whispers.  “Mama is always here to protect you.”

Notes:

So glad this chapter is out! This one was a lot of fun to write but I do want to get summer over with and get back into school cause that's where the drama happens!

Unfortunately, I have to wait another chapter for school yet.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! Have a great rest of your day/afternoon/night and make sure to have a good support system, to drink water, and have something to eat! Be it sweet or substantial! Because all of these things help a lot! No matter what you're going through!

Okay this chapter is over now, so bye

Chapter 12: Bottles Stacked in the Corner I Call Forgotten

Summary:

Legend's learning his emotions need to be bottled

Twilight desperately is trying to convey the opposite

Legend makes a mistake that only enforces his view

Notes:

Hello everyone! This chapter will be the last for the next couple months! I'm going on a hiatus for all of my projects so that I can focus completely on a big project due in August! So until then I will not be updating! Thank you all for the support and I'll see you soon!

Legend stared at his cousin in disgust.  Guppy stared back with a smirk.  Aryll just looked confused.

“That.” Legend starts, pointing at Guppy’s plate.  “Is an abomination.”

“No.  It’s deliciousness.” He smirks back.

Legend slams his hands on the table, glaring at his cousin.  “You can’t put peanut butter on your pancakes!  That just makes them double dry!”

Guppy cackles.  “I just did!  And it’s good!”

“Miss Malon!” Legend complains, looking over to the amused redhead.  “Guppy is making horrible life choices!”

“It isn’t that bad, baby.” Miss Malon chuckled, patting Legend’s head.  “It’s not that bad.  Besides, Twilight does it too.”

Legend’s mouth falls open and he slowly turns to look at the offending rancher who was spreading it on his pancakes now.  “You’re no longer my brother.” He says in a low and dangerous tone.

“Wait…” Twilight pauses, squinting at his scowl.  “I was your brother before this?”

“No.” Legend quickly shouts defensively, looking away.

Twilight gasps and looks to his old man who had just come into the room.  “Dad!  Did you hear that!?  Legend called me his brother!”

“No!  And you aren’t anymore if you were!” He cries before looking at the old man.  “He’s putting peanut butter on his pancakes !”

The old man chuckles breathlessly.  “I know buddy, the tragedy.” He walks over and pats his back.  “You’ll get used to it.”

Legend frowns, but before he can answer, there is a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it!” Aryll shouts, shoving Guppy out of the way to get to the door first, yanking it open.  “Gram!” She calls, giggling as she hugs the old widow.

“Good morning my little Gull.” She smiles, kissing her granddaughter’s forehead.  “Did you have fun?”

“Yes Gram!  Bunny showed us how to milk cows this morning!”

“He did?  Now that sounds like fun!” Gram looks up at Guppy.  “Do you mind grabbing you and your sister’s things?  I need to go grocery shopping this morning.”

“On it!” Guppy grins as he scrambles to get up and bolts up the stairs.

Legend chuckles and takes another bite of his pancakes before arms wrap around him and a kiss is pressed to his hair.  “Gah!  Gram!” He whines, pushing her away.

“Nuh-uh!  Give your Gram a kiss!”

“No!  I don’t wanna!” He pouts.

Gram sighs.  “May I have a hug then?”

Legend playfully rolls his eyes at that and hugs her back.  ‘I guess .”

“Good morning, Aria!”

“Good morning, Malon!  How are you?”

“I’m doing well, thank you.” Miss Malon smiles, halting what she was doing to turn to his Gram.  “How are you today?”

“Oh as well as I can.” She stretches, then folds her hands with a smile. “It's hard having an empty house when it hasn't been empty since my daughter moved out, and even then it was only two weeks.”

“Empty nest syndrome.” Miss Malon sighs knowingly.  “I can't wait till it happens to me.” She drawls, her voice dripping in sarcasm.

“Don't worry Mama, I don't plan on leaving.” Twilight grins next to him, a stack of fresh pancakes on his plate.

Gram looks over at Twilight, her eyes tracing his features with a blank expression before she smiles.  “That's lovely dear, you're so loyal to your parents.” Then she looks at Malon, turning so fast Legend almost wondered if Twilight was burning her eyes.  “You raised such a wonderful boy, Malon.”

“Why thank you Aria!  He is the sweetest isn't he?”

“We're ready Gram!” Guppy called from the stairs before he jumped down and raced to their grandmother.  “Race you to the car Aryll!” He shouts behind him as Guppy bolts towards the door with their backpacks, Aryll scrambling behind.

“No fair!  You cheated!’’

Gram chuckled and began to walk behind them.  “Thanks for having them over, Malon and Time.  See you next week.”

“No problem, see you next week.” The old man nodded after her.  Once the door shut, he heard a snicker behind him.

“What?” Legend growled, turning towards Twilight, who was trying not to laugh.

“Bunny?” He snorts.  “I didn't want to say anything while they were here, but Bunny ?  That's what they call you?”

“I had a big fascination with them as a child!  Back off!” He scowls, pushing away from the table and going towards the stairs.

“Legend, honey, make sure to take care of your plate.” Miss Malon called from the kitchen gently.

Legend groaned, stomping once before he stormed back over and practically slamming the plate into the sink.

“Link Rini Hyrule this is unacceptable behavior.  I understand you're upset because Twilight was teasing you, but do not take it out on my dishes.” Miss Malon scowled at him.

Legend barely graced her with a flinch.  “Whatever…” he mumbled before going back to his room and shutting the door.  His throat began to close and he felt his breathing shudder as he tried to pull himself together.  Legend sniffled harshly, leaning against the door.  The heels of his hands beat into his eyes, trying to stop his stupid tears from falling and ruining what was going to be a good day.

Count to ten .  He thought to himself.

One , Marin is dead.

Two , Tarin is dead.

Three , Uncle is dead.

Four , they don’t matter anymore.

Five , you need to be strong for your cousins.

Six , crying will only make it worse.

Seven , no point in dwelling on the past.

Eight , you’re useless if you can’t get over it.

Nine , you need to be useful to the Lons.

Ten , they don’t deserve a broken kid.

Legend sighed as he felt the emotions disappearing.  He imagined putting them in a bottle and setting the bottle in a dark corner of a basement where it couldn’t be found.  He imagined standing up from the bottle and walking away.  He would never go back to it.

With a deep breath, he walked over to the desk and sat down, looking in the mirror before he touched up the bit of eyeliner he’d put on that morning.  Putting on makeup helped him to not cry.  It made him conscious of ruining it.

That plan wasn’t working very well this morning.

“You’re 14.” He muttered, glaring at his red eyes in the mirror.  “Act like it.”

With a deep breath, he grabbed his water bottle and dabbed cold water on his eyes, hastily drying it and staring at the eyeliner to make sure it wasn’t smudged before he set the bottle down.  His body felt numb as he walked towards the door, turning the handle and leaving what was supposed to be his new bedroom.

With his cousins gone, he could waste less energy on his smile.  More could be put into making himself useful.

Legend soon found himself standing outside of the barn, frozen in place as if the door would open and swallow him whole.  He heard voices inside.  Voices talking about him.

“He just, snapped!” Twilight’s voice called through the sound of grazing and suffocating peace.  “I don’t get it.  He was never like that before.  I mean, sure, he’d get a little pissy, but he would never shout at me.”

“You know I don’t appreciate that language.” The old man’s voice stretched from where the back of the barn was.

“Sorry Dad, that just felt like the right word.” He hears a groan as hay is sifted.  “What’s wrong with him?”

Wrong.

Twilight was right.

Something was wrong with him.

Legend turned from the barn, steeling himself as he made a beeline for the cucco enclosure.

If he was still broken, then he’d just have to work harder to fix himself.

 

—

 

“Miss Malon!  They’re fucking devils!”

“Watch yer language hon, and they aren’t nothing more than protective.”

“Sure, protective!  They nearly killed me!”

Miss Malon sighed as she dabbed hydrogen peroxide on a cut on his bicep.  “Seems like you just made ‘em mad.  What did you do?”

“I mean, I fumbled the feed bucket and it hit one of them, but that’s a huge over reaction!” Legend flushes, his ears tipped down.

Count to ten .

One , it doesn’t hurt that bad.

Two , it could happen to anyone.

Three , the cuccos are completely at fault.

Four -

A groan escaped his throat as his fist collided with the counter next to him.

“Fucking bullshit!  Those bitches are fucking hell!  Hylia I hate those damn birds!”

“Link!” Miss Malon’s voice cut through the end of his rant, his gentle hands pulling away to glare at him.  “I will not tolerate this vulgar language.  This is your last warning.  One more swear and you’ll have extra chores to complete today.  Do you understand?”

Legend couldn’t muster enough energy to care, his mind playing the attack over and over, making him angrier and angrier.

One …

What was one?  What was he supposed to do?

“Link?” Miss Malon’s stern voice broke through his mind, scraping across his brain.

Legend didn’t mean to.

He wasn’t thinking.

Hands flew out and caught a body.

The body fell.

He heard a loud thump, then silence.

Legend stared in horror.

Miss Malon was on the floor.

Was that blood?

Oh Hylia, blood.

Link felt small, scared.

He covered his mouth, curling up on the chair.

Someone ran inside.

There was shouting.

Was it anger?  Panic?

Someone grabbed his arms.

Someone was in his face.

His arms tingled angrily at the touch, the hair on the back of his neck rose.

He started screaming, thrashing.

Link was bad.

Link was the wrong.

He was the reason everything was happening.

He killed his family.

He pushed away his Gram.

He snapped at his friend.

He hurt his caretaker.

He was wrong.

He was bad.

Link ran.

 

—

 

“Link…?” A tentative voice called in through the stalks.  Grain and gold was brushed away to make room for the larger form coming through.

Link saw uncle.

But that wasn’t right, Uncle was dead.

He blinked hard, staring at the figure.

It was Twilight.

Twilight saw him too.  Something kin to pity filled his eyes.

“Hey Bunny…” He mumbled, coming closer to sit down.

“Don’t.” He gulped.

Twilight seemed to understand.

“Mama says you got kinda mad back there, wanna tell me what was going on?” He asks, sitting close enough to Legend for him to feel comforted, but far enough to not feel suffocated.

“I don’t know.” He mumbles honestly, curling up.  “Something’s wrong with me…” His voice wavers, eyes press into his knees.

“Hey, no, nothing’s wrong.” Twilight murmurs gently, pulling Legend into a warm hug.  “There’s nothing wrong with you.”

“Yes there is…!”

“No there isn’t.”

“You said there was…!”

That made Twilight pause, then a noise filled with guilt and remorse left his throat.  “You heard that…?”

“Obviously you didn’t want me to…” He mumbles bitterly.  About to pull away.  “Maybe I ought to go into the foster care system.  I’m just another problem for you guys here.”

Twilight was silent for a moment, and Legend almost thought he agreed with him until he was pulled in tighter.  “No.”

“No?”

“No.  I’m not letting some stranger take my brother from me.” Twilight’s smirk was wobbly, but the intention came across clear.  Legend was wanted.

“Why?”

“Because, I mean it when I say you’re not broken, or that something is not wrong.”

“But you said-”

“I know what I said.” Twilight sighs, laying his chin on top of Legend’s head.

It was oddly comforting.

“Then…?”

“Dad talked to me about my wording.” He gulps, a sniffle escapes him.  “He said that words like that were horrible for me to say.  He said that nothing was wrong with you, but that you’re dealing with a lot right now.  He asked me to imagine if I woke up one day to find him and Mama dead and…” He pulls away, clearing his throat.

Legend can see the slight flush on his face.

“I may have broken the rake.” Twilight admits, looking down.  “I got, so sad and started to cry, then angry at the same time.  I told him I’d kill whoever had done that to him and, well, I broke the rake.”

Legend’s eyes widen slightly.  “The old man’s gotta be pissed..”

“Oh yea, tore me a new one for that, after he calmed me down.  I gotta pay fer a new one.” He shakes his head with a chuckle.  “But, I get it better now.  You’re angry.  Angry at the world, at the accident, maybe the other car, maybe yourself.  You’ve got a lot of emotions flying around in your mind and you're grasping at straws trying to figure out which one to express.  In that moment, you chose anger, and that anger turned physical when you couldn’t seem to get it all out properly.”

Legend swallowed thickly, blinking back tears, his nose burning.  “I’m so sorry….” He whispers, tucking himself into Twilight’s side.

“I’m sure Mama will forgive you, but this is probably something you tell your therapist, yea?”

Legend nodded.

One , Miss Malon would be fine.

Two , Link was just angry.

Three , she’ll forgive him.

Four , he had too many emotions all at once.

Five , the old man wouldn’t be angry.

Six , Twilight wasn’t angry.

Seven , Twilight understood his problem.

Eight , Twilight was someone he could talk to.

Nine , Link wasn’t broken.

Ten , he needed to bottle his anger.

Legend imagined the bottle, the basement, the walking away, and sighed.

He would fix himself.

One bottle at a time.

Notes:

DON'T LISTEN TO LEGEND

DON'T BOTTLE YOUR EMOTIONS

NEVER DO THAT

EMOTIONS ARE GOOD FOR YOU

CRYING IS ACTUALLY HEALTHY CAUSE IT GETS RID OF BAD GERMS

Anyways, thank you for reading this and hopefully Legend will learn good habits by the next chapter!

Notes:

I hope I did your au justice @clairiko! I have no idea how long I'm going to make this-

Anyways, loved your au idea! I hope you're okay with the background shipping and headcanons!

For everyone else in the audience:

Thank you all for reading this! If you enjoyed it, I am so glad! If you didn't, that's okay too. We all have our own preferences.

Have a wonderful night, afternoon, day, or morning! Make sure to eat when your body tells you you need food, to drink when you're thirsty, and sleep when you need it! Stay healthy out there and I'll see you the next time I post!