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[malink]Silent Guardian

※malink.non-primitive setting

※Modern killer setting

This wasn't right.

Malon carefully closed the door to her home, a rusty smell in the air.

Someone had slipped in.

She pulled a hammer from the toolbox by the door, held it in her hand, and headed for the bathroom where the smell of blood was strongest.

Through the frosted glass door, she heard a suppressed, muffled grunt from inside.

It was a man. She judged.

Malon gripped the doorknob tightly and took a deep breath before quickly pushing the door open and stepping inside.

There was a man sitting in the tub behind the shower curtain, pointing a pistol at her.

He saw Malon enter and suddenly relaxed with a smile, his hand holding up the gun dropping helplessly.

"Sorry," he said, "to get you involved."

The man was a good-looking man, especially those eyes, which reminded Malon of children who were in school, always full of hope and promise for the future.

He was wearing a normal hoodie and sweatpants, but they were now stained with blood, even the bottom of the bathtub he was in had accumulated a thin layer of blood.

Malon's voice trembled a little, "What do you want? Money? Or medicine?"

"My name is Link." The man said, "I think I might need some stopgap pills and bandages."

Malon didn't understand why the man was telling her his name, but she replied, "Okay, okay, hemostats and bandages, I have them at home ...... I'll go get them for you now."

Malon stepped back facing Link while keeping a wary eye out for him to suddenly raise his gun and shoot.

She stepped out of the bathroom and briefly pondered whether or not to call the police. But as Malon recalled the way Link was looking at her, she subconsciously thought it best not to.

As quickly as she could, she grabbed the family medicine kit and returned to the bathroom.

Link had already removed his blood-stained top, revealing a toned upper body covered in scars.

He smiled at Malon and said, "I hope you didn't call the police. Because it would have been an extremely bad decision."

Malon's hand gave a lurch as he opened the pillbox and replied, "No, no. I didn't want to get in trouble."

"Good girl." Link spoke softly, but Malon felt her back fill with cold sweat.

"Please sterilize the tweezers and hand them to me." Link sat up and took a towel to wipe off the excess blood from his body.

It was then that Malon realized he had five stab wounds, two gunshot wounds, and multiple bruises.

She gave him a deep look, incredulous at Link's calm demeanor at the moment.

If these injuries were placed on an ordinary person, I'm afraid he would have fainted by now due to blood loss or pain, but Link was able to remain calm and even had the energy to spy on her.

Malon thought as she did as Link said.

Link removed the slug and didn't scream out a single word even though he was in cold sweat from the pain.

Malon timidly handed him gauze sprinkled with medicine and bandaged his wound.

"Right," Malon said with relief, "now I'm going to get you something to eat. Calm down, okay?"

Link nodded, leaning against the wall and slowly calming his breathing.

Link stayed at Malon's for three days until his wounds began to heal.

"I should go." Link said, arranging his gear, "You'd better get out and hide for a few months, take a vacation, visit family, whatever."

Malon leaned against the doorframe, pursing her lips and not saying anything.

Link sensed her silence and paused for a moment as he organized his guns, "...... Do you hate me?"

"...... I don't know." Malon said, "Maybe I'm just the unfortunate owner of that house you picked at random. Link, we've only known each other for three days, we can't talk about likes and dislikes."

She twisted her head into the kitchen and gathered up a canvas backpack filled with all kinds of emergency food and medicine.

Malon handed the bag to Link, "There are cookies, bread, water and some anti-inflammatories and bandages in there." She watched Link take it and added, "Next time don't make such a mess of yourself, not every unlucky person is as kind as me."

Link laughed softly, so softly that Malon even thought it was her own hallucination.

"Won't happen." He said, and then, taking advantage of the night, Link left Malon's apartment.

It was only two days later, and it was a weekend.

Malon was at home hanging out the laundry when a group of men burst into her house.

The one leading the group was a big man with a beard, who held a micro punch, pointed at Malon, who was pinned to a chair by two men, and asked, "Where is he?"

Malon felt his arm about to break, "Who are you asking?"

The bearded man gave Malon a punch that immediately swelled the corner of her mouth and the taste of blood instantly filled her mouth.

"Don't play games with me." The bearded man asked again, "Where's Link?"

Malon puked a mouthful of bloody foam at the ground, only to feel the entire left side of her face burning, and even her left ear was a bit clouded and hard of hearing.

"...... I don't know, he left, two days ago."

The bearded man stared at Malon for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "It's okay baby. As long as you're around, there's no worry about him coming back."

"Me?" Malon didn't understand, "I don't know him. He won't come back."

The bearded man froze, then laughed out loud. He waved at his subordinates and immediately someone brought a chair.

He sat not far from Malon, tapping his pistol against the palm of his hand, and said, "It seems like this guy is still quite a compassionate master. Surprisingly, he didn't tell you anything?"

Malon had a vague feeling that there was a hidden agenda here, but she wasn't going to answer it on the principle of less said, less done.

"It's such a pity that you're such a beauty, that this Link guy could hold back from showing his face in front of you? It's probably because he wants to protect you. But what's the use? It's still not found by us?"

The cold barrel of the gun slapped on the already swollen face, which was not a pleasant taste.

A round object was thrown through the door and exploded with a thud, filling the room with smoke.

It was followed by the sound of men screaming and cursing, cries of pain, and a few, barely audible, silenced pistol shots.

Malon only felt a release in both shoulders, followed by a man's arm around her waist. Before she could react, the man had flipped out the window with her in his arms.

Malon could smell her usual laundry detergent, and also the smell of blood mixed with powdered medicine.

Link's wound must have disintegrated again, she thought.

Link pulled Malon through a variety of narrow, dirty alleys, shaking off pursuer after pursuer, and arriving at a dwelling tucked away in the slums.

Link cautiously pulled the curtains tight and locked the doors and windows before he had time to glance at Malon.

The blood rushed to his head when he saw the wound on Malon's face.

He was tempted to ask who had done it and if it hurt, but felt that he was in no position to ask such a thing, and, moreover, that such a thing would seem very pale.

Malon noticed his gaze lingering on his face, so she pulled a forced smile and said, "It's okay, just a little bit from the butt of the gun."

Link averted his gaze and turned toward the kitchen, pulling an ice pack from the refrigerator and handing it to Malon.

Malon took it, pressed it to her face with a soft cry of pain, and asked, "What are you doing back here? Those men were looking for you."

"Perhaps it's time to commission you to leave here with me."

"...... Huh?"

With that, Malon asked, "So, what do I need to do? Throw away the calling card? Have no contact with anyone? Just like in the movies?"

Link was a little unresponsive, even looking a little rare and dumbfounded.

"No. ...... Uh, no." He thought for a moment and explained, "Those people's identities can't get on the stage, and they can't use official means. Send a message to your friends and loved ones, just say that you're out traveling."

Malon did as she was told. After sending the message, she asked, "Then why don't we call the police?"

Link was a bit helpless, "Because my identity can't be on the table either."

Both people fell silent.

Link turned to pack his bags, while Malon went to see what food there was in the kitchen that he could take with him.

After a few moments, Link said, "I'm sorry, Malon."

Malon took off her skirt and replaced it with Link's pants and bodysuit and asked, "How about this?"

Link looked at Malon in her own clothes and was stunned for a moment, "Why are you ...... why ......"

"Skirts aren't convenient. It's better to have pants." Malon said, folding the skirt and putting it in her backpack, "Count me as borrowing it from you."

She thought for a moment, then added, "You don't have to say you're sorry. It's not your fault."

Link didn't know how much the men had said to Malon, but he still said, "No, it's my fault."

When Malon got into Link's car, she realized she seemed to have forgotten to ask her destination.

"Where are we going?"

Link pursed his lips for a moment before saying, as if he had made up his mind, "West Coast, Limon Harbor, where their heads are. But we can't take a plane or a train. All the entrances and exits around Limon Harbor are guarded, and the only way to get close is by car. And," Link glanced at his backpack in the back seat, "I'm running low on ammo. There's no place around here where I can get ammo quickly."

"Okay." Malon said, pulling her seatbelt tighter, "I'll do as you say."

It wasn't a long ride to Limon Harbor, but the gang was in hot pursuit like maned dogs sniffing out carrion and would soon catch up with Link and Malon.

As the car pulled off the highway to the west, Malon finally sighed with relief when the scenery around them was no longer a thousand tall buildings, but scattered houses, large trees, and a few herds of cattle among the farmland.

When she was in the city, she was always worried that a speeding sedan would rush out of any intersection or a sniper rifle with a cold flash would stick out of the window of any house.

"My father's family had a farm like that." Malon said, "Fields full of wheat, sugar cane, and grapes."

She wasn't sure why she brought it up, but she continued slowly anyway, talking about the mooing black and white spotted cows, the bunches of grapes that seemed like alabaster, the wine hidden in the cellar, and the warmth of the fireplace on a winter's day.

"There it is." Link looked ahead at the motel and spoke, "We need to get some gas."

Malon's face was iced and is much better now.She said, "I'll book a room then." She paused and asked, "Want one or two?"

There was no semblance of lust in Link's eyes. He said firmly, "One room."

Link finished filling up the car with gas just as Malon asked the inn for dinner.They sat down together to eat in an open-air restaurant away from the crowds.

The food at the motel was cheap and awful, and the chickpeas in it were so hard they could have knocked one's teeth out.

Malon complained to Link in a low voice, "I'll make sure you try some real chickpea pasta!"

Link didn't hold back a laugh. He had eaten all kinds of food throughout his career, and at his lowest point he had eaten bread that had been sitting around for more than ten days and was as dry as a rock.

He wasn't a man accustomed to telling his woes, so he was silent.

Malon couldn't help but wonder, "What kind of people are chasing you? Killers? A gangster? A drug cartel?"

Malon's eyes were bright, revealing a bit of naivety.

Link was drinking water and choked when he heard this.

"Uh ...... practically all of them." He said, "They control the largest port of entry and exit for drugs on the west coast, and make their living by charging tolls, as well as doing a little buying and selling."

"So ...... you? Why did you go up against such a large organization?"

Link said gently, "I killed their last boss, and the one before that."

Malon was silent.

She even felt that Link was already very lucky to have survived until now.

Then, she heard Link continue, "And their cadres. I can't remember, anyway, that mission almost bloodied their top brass."

"...... Well." Malon said, "The man with the beard said that as long as I'm around, you'll be there. Link, what's this about?"

Link choked again, "Ahem ...... we'll talk about that later."

"Then teach me to use a gun."

"No way."

"Then tell me why the bearded man said that."

Link was silent for a long time, so long that Malon thought he was angry.

"...... Well, just this once and never again." He said, "I'll teach you to use a gun."

It seemed that thing was a deep, deep secret to Link. A secret big enough to cost Link everything, Malon thought.

She began to remember if she had seen Link on some occasion.

Perhaps a certain brush with the shoulder? Or maybe it was one of those vacations back home.

But no matter how much Malon tried to recall, she couldn't find a single image in her memory that overlapped with the man in front of her.

After a quick dinner, Malon followed Link back to his room.

He took out his rifle and disassembled it step by step in front of Malon, showing her which parts worked for what, and then restoring and loading the rifle in front of her.

Malon was smart, perhaps in part because she had grown up with a wide variety of farm implements, and she had to know exactly how they were constructed in order to fix them when they went wrong. In any case, Malon was a fast learner of gun construction.

They rested at the inn for the night and left while it was still light.

About ten minutes after they left, the bearded gang arrived at the motel and inquired about their whereabouts.

Malon leaned back in her seat, resting her hand on the window frame to feel the wind blow through her fingers.

Link glanced at her and reached over to unscrew the car radio.

"Oh, thanks." Malon said.

She unscrewed a few channels at random, then heard the hostess say, "There was an explosion in apartment 7 on Newport Avenue last night, and it has been reported that two people have minor injuries and no one has been killed. The public is urged to be aware of gas safety ............"

A cold sweat instantly broke out on Malon's back.

She looked over at Link, as if trying to get that hopefully slim answer out of him.

"I'm so sorry." Link said.

Malon fell silent, peeked over and picked up the box with the rifle from the back seat and began to fiddle with it.

After a long moment, Malon said, "...... Don't be stingy with your knowledge, Link."

Link opened his mouth and was about to say something when he suddenly looked cold, apparently seeing something in the rearview mirror.

"They're catching up."

Link jerked the steering wheel to the side, the sound of bullets whizzing away as they grazed the body of the car seemed extraordinarily inauthentic.

"Malon!" Link said, "Shoot and disrupt them! But don't get hurt."

The knuckles of Malon's grip on her rifle were white with exertion. She craned her head to peer out the window of the car, which was followed by about three or four cars, and a couple of guns that were sticking out the side of the window and spitting fire at them.

Malon felt like she should be panicking, overwhelmed, or even crying right now, but she was unusually calm, and the shooting techniques Link had taught her kept replaying in her mind.

Malon pulled the trigger.

A car's front wheels lost power and crashed into the curb at high speed.

Malon immediately retreated back into the car as a series of bullets grazed the window.

Link said, "Nice one!"

Malon gripped his rifle tightly, feeling his mouth go dry, "I've never ...... I mean, never shot one."

"Relax, Malon. We can lose them." Link said as he stepped on the gas.

Malon felt her adrenaline rush wildly as she took a deep breath and probed again.

She shot out the tires of a car once again.

Link looked in his rearview mirror and saw the car roll sideways before crashing into the car behind it.

"Good!" He said, "Now hold on tight!"

The engine groaned with overwhelming force, and the car sped off like a runaway bronco, leaving the ragged bearded party far behind.

As the car's speed slowly dropped, Malon realized that he was already covered in a cold sweat.

"Scared?" Link asked.

Malon slowed down and replied, "A little."

Link apologized to her for the fourth time, "I'm sorry."

Malon looked over at Link, who was looking intently at the road ahead, the sun shining from the other side and casting shadows on his face.

"Link, you have apologized to me many times." Malon said, "If it's for getting me into this strife, then I'm telling you that apologizing is unnecessary, because it's not your fault."

Link looked at Malon somewhat innocently and blankly, "Malon, I, uh, I mean ......"

"You need to apologize for anything other than my pathetic apartment - hmmm." She sneered, "It's the gang of criminals that are after us that should apologize!"

Link redirected his eyes to the road, but his knuckles whitened as he gripped the steering wheel.

I'm sorry, Malon. He thought. The real culprit, the one who caused all this to happen, was actually me. If you hadn't saved me back then, maybe none of this would have happened at all.

The atmosphere in the car went cold.

One stubbornly believed that the fault was his own. One stubbornly believed that the other should not apologize.

As the sun set in the west, they arrived at a run-down farm behind a small town.

Link jumped out of the car and said to Malon, "Stay in the car, okay? I don't want these guys to see you."

Malon glanced toward the farm and nodded.

Link smiled reassuringly at her and turned toward the farm.

After about an hour, it was completely dark, but the farm was still pitch black with no lights lit.

Just as Malon was about to get tired of waiting, Link walked out carrying two large suitcases.

He looked fine, no bruises, walking normally.

The car started up again and drove off into the distance.

"Sorry," Link said, "I'm afraid we're going to have to spend tonight in the field."

He parked the car in a secluded spot on the side of the road and said to Malon, "Want something to eat? Compressed cookies? Canned goods?"

Malon could tell he wasn't too happy, "Compressed crackers, please."

Link handed her an unwrapped compressed cracker and a bottle of water, "I'm going to go around the neighborhood for a bit, you can ...... um, take a spin."

Malon heard him and thanked him before getting out of the car and walking in the opposite direction from him.

Malon still hadn't stopped remembering.

She began to remember toward a time much older and younger.

Was it the cowherd who lived on the farm next door? Or the young son of the town grocery store owner. Or maybe it was the pastor's adopted son. ......

Malon returned to the car and noticed Link listening to a music station, so she said, "Oh, Self Destructive, I like it too."

The car was lit with a warm yellow reading light, and Link's eyes were lowered, his long lashes casting a regal shadow over his face.

"Really ?......," he said, "I don't listen to a lot of songs."

Malon thought for a moment and asked, "Link, are you a killer?"

"Yes." Link said, "I used to work for the royal family to protect their little princess."

"You mean ...... Her Highness Zelda?" Malon was surprised.

"Yes. Since the royal threat was removed, I retired." He continued, "I didn't realize that the guys on the West Coast would be shady. They didn't dare to trouble the royal family, so they came after me."

"How long have you been ...... fighting against them like this?"

"Can't remember. About four or five years. Since shortly after I retired from the royal family."

Malon looked at Link's sideways face and suddenly reached out, taking his hand on the steering wheel.

"Link." She said softly, "These years must have been hard on you."

Link's eyelashes fluttered slightly. He quickly turned his head and looked out the window.

"...... I'm used to it."

"No matter how many times you go through something like this, it must be tough." Malon said, "You could live on my father's farm. It's right in the central region, not too far from here. Or you could get a job in town with me, and we could go to the movies together on the weekends, go shopping, do whatever."

Link tried to look natural as he raised his hand to wipe the tears from the corners of his eyes.

"...... Ok."

He raised his hand to turn off the reading light and tucked the blanket around Malon.

"Go to sleep. I'm here."

Malon lowered the seat and strained to see Link's face in the darkness, yet all she could see was a shadowed outline.

She said softly, "Good night, Link. Have good dreams."

Link turned off the radio, took out his headphones, and listened to the song Self Destructive several times over.

He lied.

He actually liked the song and listened to it quite often. Because Malon loved the song and loved listening to it.

He loved to see her swaying to the music with her headphones on, he loved to see her happy and laid back, and he loved to see those soulful and lively expressions on her face. He wished she was always that happy and never touched these gloomy messes.

Link reached out and gathered the blankets for Malon, and said softly in his heart, "I'm sorry, Malon, I can't fulfill my promise to you.

Over the next few days, Link found a small town and checked into a hotel with Malon.

He taught Malon all the knowledge of firearms without reservation, and even wrote a notebook to prevent her from forgetting.

After that day, Malon sensed a change of heart. Maybe it had changed a long time ago, she was just realizing it now.

She begins to fall somewhat hopelessly in love with Link.

Malon passed Link's firearms test.

"Very good." Link said, "We leave tomorrow."

Malon couldn't help but ask, "What are you going to do?"

Link's movement of putting away his gun gave a start, "What do what?"

"How to fix them? Didn't you say that Limon Harbor is full of them? Do you want to take on an entire gang single-handedly?"

Link didn't say anything, just put his things away.

At dawn, they set off again, and this time, Link didn't stop in the middle and drove all the way to the west.

Before entering Limon Harbor, Link dumped the car halfway and led Malon to an apartment building.

"Don't turn on the lights." Link stopped Malon's movements and said, "The owner of this house goes out all the time. Turning on the lights will expose us."

"Okay." Malon said, "When do we move?"

Link checked his guns as he returned, "It's not us, Malon, it's me. I only brought you here so that those people wouldn't take advantage of my absence to kill you, not to join me."

Malon froze, "What?"

Link hung his body full of various ammo, stood up, and looked at Malon, "Malon, promise me you'll hide here and keep quiet. They're bound to search every residence when it happens, and this is the only house that won't be checked. Be sure, be sure to stay here."

"I thought you did your best to teach me because you wanted me to do my part." Malon felt she had to do something, she felt she was losing Link, "Link, please be honest with me, what exactly is your plan?"

"Trust me, they won't bother you again." Link lifted his suitcase and walked towards the door, "There will be a check in the mail to your father in seven days with enough money to buy another new house."

"A house? No, Link, we're not talking about that." Malon pulled him back, "We've come all this way and you want me to stay in the house properly? Link, do I look like one of those naïve girls who don't know anything? Tell me your plan!"

Link sighed as he set down his suitcase and pulled the rope out of another box.

"Sorry, Malon." He easily caught Malon, who was trying to dodge. He tied Malon to a chair, "I'm going to miss my appointment."

"Link, apologizing won't help! You can't do this!" Malon guessed his plan.

Link wanted to die with the gang.

"You can't leave me behind!" Her eyes widened in disbelief, "You're the one who took me away, you should send me back!" She struggled desperately to get to hold Link back.

Malon thought of every word she could think of, aggravating, threatening, cajoling, she wanted Link to change his mind.

Link reached up and held Malon's cheek, one hand on the back of her neck.

"Shhh ......" he said softly, slowly wiping the tears from her face, "I didn't leave you behind. Malon, I should never have appeared before you. It was my selfishness that exposed you to them, and now, I need to go and make it right. Malon ...... you are my only link to the world now. Please live ...... Please live as you used to ...... live and be happy ...... Please forget about me, the one who shouldn't be here."

Malon cried silently, "Link, you can't do this. I love you, Link, you can't leave me like this. You showed up, made me fall in love with you, and then had to part with me ...... How am I going to treat my love as if she never showed up, I can't do it."

Link ruffled Malon's crushed hair and dropped a kiss on her forehead, "Malon, you'll forget me. It's the power of time."

With a click, Link left, and Malon shed silent tears.

She remembered the moments she had spent with Link, the moments when he had taught her knowledge carefully, the way he had averted his eyes when he had agreed to a pact, those horrible scars on his body ......

Everything had been foretold long ago.

Malon suddenly remembered that sunny summer day on her father's farm when she was a carefree little girl.

The tree had grown for many years, and its wide canopy was enough to shelter the children from the sun and rain.

Malon was walking out of the woods with a basket full of wild mushrooms when she saw a group of town children discussing something around the tree.

She approached and realized it was a boy who had been hung up.

His lips were white and full of cracks, and he looked dying.

"Hey!" Malon said, "What are you guys doing? He's dying!"

The fat boy in the lead walked over to Malon, "Malon." He glanced at the boy in the tree, "I'll let him go if you promise to go out with me tomorrow. It's just a beggar from nowhere anyway."

Malon took the knife out of the basket and pressed it against the fat boy's neck, "Fine, I'll make a hole in your neck right now and see if it's fat or blood that comes out."

The fat boy's face changed, "Whatever you want! That thin hemp straw child you are happy to save on save it!"

The boys dispersed in a huff.

Malon cut the twine and the boy fell to the grass.

She took the boy's head and fed him water from the canteen.

Seeing the boy's eyes open, Malon flashed him a bright smile.

"Hello, my name is Malon."

The bright blue eyes from that long ago memory gradually overlapped with Link's.

A bolt of lightning that seemed to slice through the sky flashed by, followed by a startling clap of thunder and an ensuing downpour of rain.

Link ducked behind cover, his right eye bloodied.

He checked the number of bullets in his hand and rushed out with the cover of the thunder.

One, two, three ...... He silently counted the number.

--until the last one.

Boss covered the gunshot wound in his abdomen and looked at Link hideously, "Naive, you've always been so naive! I won't survive, you think you will? Who do you think leaked the whereabouts of you and that woman?"

Link took a deep breath and suppressed the muscles that kept throbbing, "...... It doesn't matter, after today, they'll know that I'm dead, and it'll all be over."

The Boss pressed the remote control for the bomb and laughed over the blasting sound, "Death to all!!!"

When Malon arrived in front of the villa, all that was left of the villa was ruins, the broken house was covered with human limbs, bloody and disgusting.

Heavy rain continued to fall, drenching Malon's red hair and diluting the blood on the ground.

Malon rummaged through it brick by brick, she couldn't believe that Link would really be indifferent, she wanted to ask him face to face.

Even if Link was really dead, she had to find his body.

"Link ...... Link ...... I remember, we met ...... when I was a child... ... "Malon murmured as she searched until all ten of her fingers were worn down, until the blood was pouring out.

One of the broken bricks moved, and Link pushed aside the crushed bricks that held him down and held out a hand.

Malon hastily dug him out of the rubble, large teardrops sliding down mixed with rain.

"...... Can I apply to return to port?"

Malon hugged Link and finally let out a sob.

Months later.

"Mrs. Smith, your husband's eyes have fully recovered, and the rest of the day is just a matter of keeping an eye out for any adverse reactions. Oh and by the way, your ring is so beautiful, it's new, isn't it?" The big-bellied doctor wrote something in his chart as Link pulled back the curtain and sat up from the viewing table.

Malon smiled at the doctor, the wedding ring on her hand sparkling, "Yes, thank you, Dr. Rhodes."

Malon walks out of the hospital on Link's arm, a newspaper on one side of the room is still carrying the Limon Harbor bombing from a few months ago, and next to it is a bounty hanging over a picture of Link in his early years.

An old woman looked at the paper through her presbyopic glasses and mumbled, "Why hasn't the killer been caught yet?"

#link #legend of zelda #malink #malon #link&malon #oot link #oot malon #ocarina of time #the legend of zelda #want to see cold killer time so I wrote this #At first I wanted to write be but then I changed my mind #And play with me！！！#And commentaries！！！

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axiadesu · 1 month

Text

[malink]The Memoirs

※malink.non-primitive setting

※Modern farm setting

——

Heavy fall rains with a chill swept over everyone walking down the street.

A group of men dressed in black with black umbrellas arrived at the cemetery and watched in silence as the man who owned the Rumble Farm was buried - alongside his wife, Malon, amidst the priest's prayers.

The townspeople whispered and let out a sigh of regret.

The man standing at the front - he looked like Link, but with red hair - looked to the woman beside him with those beautiful blue eyes, and he said, "Sister, I'll clean up my father's belongings? "

"Brother, you don't have to test me. Father is dead, I won't bother with the dead." The woman was exquisitely made up, dressed in a tastefully appropriate black suit dress, her blonde hair curled over her shoulders, "Come along."

In silence and in company, they left the cemetery, leaving the newly carved stone alone to be washed away by the rain.

[Malon & Her Husband-Link]

The road to Rumble Farms was a muddy dirt road decades ago, however, it has now been groomed into a smooth gravel road, large enough for a sedan.

"It hasn't changed here at all." The woman said. She didn't care that her expensive leather boots were soiled by the dirt on the ground as she strutted towards the courtyard.

As the man got out of the car, he looked toward the sunset in the distance.

"It's really beautiful."

The two men entered the compound together. The yard was wide and clean, the firewood was neatly split and stacked under a rain tarp, the tool shed was locked, but you could see the neatly arranged tools inside through the window. The wooden floor of the porch was glistening with oil, as if it had been taken care of some time ago. Two pots of orange sunflowers sat on the windowsill, spreading their branches against the setting sun. A half-read book was placed on the table under the window sill, next to a pot of coffee that had run out.

The woman stopped and picked up the book, "It's one of Mom's favorite travelogues."

The man was silent as he took out his handkerchief and handed it to the woman. She pushed it away, "I'm not crying!"

"Go inside and take a look."

The gate was hung with a doorplate, a not-so-pretty wooden board with [The Malon Family] carved crookedly on it.

The man said, "Do you remember? We carved it together. You just learned to talk then."

The woman twisted her head, her long hair covering her cheek, "...... who remembers such things."

"Mother said she wanted to carve out [Link and Malon's home], and father disagreed, and finally asked us, and you were the one who stammered and rattled off mother's name-" "- Say no more! ...... go into the house."

They pulled open the door and stepped into the foyer. They familiarly took their slippers out of the cupboard and changed into them before realizing with an afterthought that it wasn't right.

The man crouched on the ground, covering his eyes helplessly, and after a long time, his voice came out with suppressed sobs, "Why ...... Mary ...... I can't believe he really left us... . like mom ...... forever."

The woman-Mary raised her head and stared at the round white lampshade on top of the foyer, "Mom always said you were like her, with too much emotion."

A single tear slid down the corner of Mary's eye into her temples before disappearing.

The living room was furnished as it had been for decades, or as it had been all over this entire farm, even Link, and together they were stuck on the day Malon left, abandoned by the world, with only time to leave a mark.

"Joseph, don't you think, our father is a bit of a scary man." Mary called out to her brother, "He planned everything, the time the letter arrived in the mail, the time we arrived, the cemetery, the priest, and even everything on this farm. Then he went to his death with a straight face and left us to clean up this mess!"

"Don't talk about him that way, Mary." Joseph stroked the back of his armchair and replied, "Father took ...... everything on alone."

He lifted his hand and gazed at the mark that seemed to have been left by countless strokes, the obviously faded fabric.

This is where Malon used to sit when she was alive.

Joseph remembered well that when Mary was still in Malon's womb, she used to sit here, with the woolen frame full of wool at her feet, and watch Link and him play with some wooden toys - which Link had made himself - while she made Mary's birth Preparation.

This place should never have been worn so badly. It was Link who had often caressed this place, like stroking what had once been Malon through time and space.

They had been so in love. How could Link be indifferent to Malon's passing.

Mary placed the books she had collected from outside the house on the shelves, just as she had done countless times. Nothing here had changed, not even the placement of the books.

"It's like I'm back in time." Mary said, "I miss Mommy."

Joseph walked next to her and hugged Mary, "It's been years ......"

Next to the floor-to-ceiling door leading to the backyard, pots of greenery were lush, their leaves glowing green and adding one of the few signs of life to the withered room.

Joseph called and had someone come in the morning to clean up the room. They weren't going to leave this stuff behind to eat dust.

As Joseph walked to the front of the study, he said to Mary in a mock lighthearted manner, "Remember? When we were kids, the study was always off-limits to us; Father never allowed us to just enter."

He squeezed the handlebar, "No one's stopping us now."

"That's not a funny joke, Joseph."

"You still say things like that?"

They walked into the den.

Two bookshelves sit along the wall, also filled with books.

Malon loved to read, but loved to hear Link read to her even more. Even Joseph and Mary's bedtime stories were, for the most part, read by Link.

Joseph walked wistfully to his desk and looked out over the endless wheat fields in the distance.

"This is ......" He looked down and noticed several thick notebooks neatly arranged on the table; they were so numerous, so many that they seemed to cover two large dictionaries.

Joseph picked up the topmost book and flipped a page at random.

——

October 19, light rain.

At 5:05 a.m., got up and ate the rest of yesterday's bread, which was a little hard.

At 7:03 a.m., finished feeding the chickens and collected twenty-three eggs. Fifty eggs have been collected, and old Hanson ......'s son can be notified to come and collect them - I forgot again that he had died last spring.

9:27 a.m. A little tired from organizing the barn and yard. So I lay in bed and imagined Malon massaging me. ...... A little better.

11:36 a.m, Epona - it's Epona's granddaughter, she almost ran away. I ran all over the wheat field to bring her back. It was exhausting. Malon, I think I may be getting very old. Just now a child from the city called me grandpa. It was very new.

12:16 p.m. Had chickpea pasta for lunch and used canned food. I solemnly apologize, Malon, and please don't knock me on the head. But I can never make this dish right.

3:31 p.m. Napped for about an hour. I'm sweating a lot and it's time to change the sheets again.

6:09 p.m. Spent the afternoon organizing the yard. Winter is coming and there is a lot to do. The firewood hasn't been split yet. That's bad, mind you, it's less than even half the amount that used to be there.

7:05 p.m. Finished a painting today. Malon, it's the time we fished at the lake. Remember? You caught a big fish! And at night we made fish soup with that fish and ate it for three days, and after that you never wanted to take home the fish you caught. ...... Well, but the fish soup was really good that day.

7:41 p.m. Had leftover pasta from lunch for dinner. Not very tasty.

It's 8:04 p.m. and I'm in bed, reading Shakespeare's Poetry today, which I've been reading for many days now, but still can't understand.

I'm ready to turn out the lights. Good night, Malon. I love you, Malon. Good night, kids.

——

Joseph flipped through page after page of almost identical daily routines, almost replicated diary entries.

His hands trembled slightly, "Mar, Mary, come see this ......"

They went back to the living room, turned on the light, and sat down together to read each page of the diary word for word.

Joseph asked, "Want to start on page one?"

Mary was silent. Joseph opened the oldest copy and turned to the first page.

——

October 2, overcast.

I lost what I loved.

——

October 4, sunny.

I lost what I loved.

But the kids are still there.

Malon instructed me to take care of them.

I'm a father, not just Malon's husband. I'm going to be there for them.

——

October 7, sunny

I lost [Haloed by water stains.and couldn't see].

Mary snapped at me today.She accused me of being too indifferent to your passing.

...... This hurts.

Malon, ...... [very long gap] ...... I miss you ...... I can't ...... can't live without you.

[Large wet marks]

——

Joseph looked to Mary.

He remembers that day.

It was pretty much the most heated argument their family had ever had.

Mary spent the night crying in her room. When she got up in the morning, she saw her father's forced smile - it was plainly easy to see that it was the hardest smile he had ever seen his father smile.

But Mary was overcome with grief, and she was furious with her father, hurting him with words he could hardly imagine.

She accuses her father of being cold-blooded and uncaring, of not loving her mother at all, and that he wouldn't even shed a tear for her at the funeral.

Then Mary slammed the door.

He couldn't understand his father at the time, but he didn't identify with Mary either, so he just picked up the not-so-delicious breakfast his father had made, said his goodbyes and left for school.

How heartbroken his father was after he was gone, and how he steeled his grief ...... Joseph did not know.

Maybe no one knows now.

——

October 15, heavy rain.

Joseph and I talked about matters of the heart, and he said he understood me well.

He's a good boy, Malon, and I don't think I'll ever be as good as you, I can't replace you.

The children have lost a wonderful mother.

Mary still won't talk to me. I can't get mad at her, I'm trying to ease up with her, but it seems to be failing.

I'll try, Malon. I love you.

——

[In between are trivial routines that are quickly skipped over]

——

November 21st, snow.

In a month it will be Christmas and the kids are going on winter vacation.

It's the first Christmas without you, and I'm nervous.

Malon, what have we done in the past? Christmas tree, presents, turkey - well not turkey, I know you're going to knock me on the head again - how about lasagna with meat sauce, that's all I know how to make.

Oh yeah, and gifts, that's important.

I'm going to give Joseph that spray-painted model airplane he's wanted for so long, and I know he wants to be a pilot. Maybe I should try to support him.

As for Mary ...... I missed the perfect time to talk to her and I hope the gift I chose will win her back.

Wish me luck. I love you, Malon.

——

[In the middle is the trivial routine of preparing for Christmas, which was skipped]

——

December 25, heavy snow.

[A lot of marks poked and prodded by the tip of the pen, as if the person who put it down struggled with whether or not to write it down.]

...... I lost Mary. She hated me.

I don't get it Malon, she's fixated on the fact that I'm not sad at all, I tried to explain it to her but ......

Maybe I wasn't a good father.

I'll keep trying.

I love you, Malon.

——

December 26, heavy snow.

Last night I heard Joseph say something to Mary and today she eased up on me.

I'm glad. Joseph has always been a good boy, and that's down to what you've taught him.

...... To be honest, I'm a little scared. Mary lost you when she needed her mother the most, and I'm not sure I can fill that void.

I'm afraid Mary will go to extremes because of my negligence.

——

Christmas ......

Joseph has spent many kinds of Christmases, a cozy one with Link and Malon before his sister Mary was born, a teenage Christmas in the square with friends, and a youthful Christmas in a rented house with a loved one.

But ...... the first Christmas after my mother passed away ......

Joseph remembered.

He did receive a spray-painted model airplane from his father, and it was at one time his most beloved toy - but of course he didn't pursue a career as a pilot later.

Sister Mary received an music box - handmade by her father.

Joseph asked, "Do you remember what you received?"

Mary was silent for a long time, "...... music box."

"You threw it." Joseph's tone was sure. He'd witnessed Mary arguing with her father-perhaps accusing him unilaterally-and then, she'd thrown that music box far out the window.

"I threw it." Mary said, "But I regretted it. So I slipped out of the house while you were all asleep and tried to pick it up. But I didn't find it, and I almost got lost."

She realized something as an afterthought, "You mean ...... could it be ......"

Joseph said, "Maybe we can find it somewhere in the house."

They felt like they were marching through a dark cave wearing headlamps and began to discover aspects of Link that were unknown to them.

They read on.

——

[For an entire Christmas vacation Link didn't record, perhaps he was too busy to do so, or perhaps Mary's rebellious behavior burned him out. Anyway, he recorded again after Mary and Joseph returned to school. But after that, the diary started to get simpler.]

——

Jan. 17, sunny

The snow stopped.

Did farm work today and tried a new dish following the recipe you left but failed.

Luckily it didn't burn the kitchen down.

I love you, Malon.

——

January 19, overcast.

Hanson, of the grocery store in town, approached me about a business deal, wishing to purchase eggs at fifty at a time, and I agreed.

I love you, Malon. Kiss you.

——

January 21st, heavy snow.

It snowed so hard last night that it crushed the wooden shed in the yard.

It has to be fixed today.

I love you, Malon.

——

February 1, sunny

Joseph sent a letter. In it he wrote about how he and Mary were doing and reassured me.

I'm so proud of them.

I love you, Malon.

——

[The next is all recorded in such a piecemeal fashion that it's impossible to see what's changed.]

——

Joseph quickly flipped through the similar sections until September.

He stopped.

Mary asked him, "Why don't you flip? It's almost September."

Joseph took a deep breath and said, "I'm afraid to turn it over. Mary, please."

Mary took it and turned the page backward. She wondered how much overlap there was between the father she remembered and the one who wrote the diary.

——

September 2, sunny

I lost sleep all night.

——

September 3, sunny

[Ink spots from repeated stamping]

Malon [was traced many times, the ink is very dark]

——

September 4, cloudy.

I can't face the kids.

——

September 5, sunny

I'm ready, Malon. You said I was strong.

I'll be strong.

——

[No record in the middle]

——

September 12, sunny

I lost what I loved ...... again.

[Large wet marks]

I was a coward. When I stepped into the cemetery, a wave of avoidance grew in me. I dared not face it.

I've been running away every moment of this year. I lied to myself, lied to myself that you were just traveling far away, how else was I going to make it through each day, not to mention the kids ...... how could I let them see a broken father.

But today, I walked into the cemetery as if someone had slapped me in the face, woke me up from a beautiful dream of escape, and pointed to your tombstone and told me: she's dead, and Malon is gone from me forever.

I can't hug you anymore.

How I would like to go after you ...... Malon, and if there were no children, I should soon catch up with you after your death.

But I can't.

Mary is looking more and more like you, and Joseph, his hair, he grows it long, a little slightly curly like yours.

I miss you Malon ...... I really, really miss you ......

——

Mary was silent. So was Joseph.

"Father He ......"

"I don't think you realize——"

They spoke in unison. Then Mary said, "You first."

Joseph closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm his voice.

"I remember that in the year that mother passed away, it was about September 11th, maybe September 9th - I can't remember. Anyway, that day-"

Joseph had two too many glasses of juice at dinner, so he got up that night.

As he left the toilet and prepared to go back to his room to go back to sleep, he noticed that the door to his parents' room was not closed as usual, but had been left ajar.

Joseph heard talking coming from inside and sneaked closer, pressing his eyes against the crack in the door to peek in.

He swore that he would never forget what he saw that day for the rest of his life.

——Mother lay in bed, pale, her lips bloodless, and even her passionate red hair a little dry and frizzy.

Her withered hand rested on father's head-he was sitting on the edge of her mother's bed, the tall, straight back that Joseph remembered bending.

The father was crying, and he was lying on the side of his mother's bed, weeping.

Joseph heard his father say, "...... I'm sorry, Malon. I'm just ...... I'm just ......"

There was a sort of saintly smile on his mother's face, "It's okay, honey, I know this is cruel to you. But, honey, you have to hear me out ...... I'm about to run out of time."

The father was hunched over, sobbing in a small voice under the dim bedside lamp while he wrote down what his mother said.

"...... The key to chickpea pasta is the chickpeas, Link, no canned chickpeas, that's not soul. Also, don't rush when stacking the bread, you're always in a hurry. Sprinkle some water on it before it goes in the oven ......"

"...... And the greenery, no throwing them away. The house needs some life. Remember to take a clean cloth and wipe off the water after spraying ......"

Mother rambled on and on, and Father memorized every word.

It's hard for Joseph to describe what it felt like, but the dim light of that day, his mother's death-stained, relieved smile, and his father's no-longer-straight spine were etched in his mind.

"- Shortly after that, the mother passed away. Immediately afterward came the funeral, and father held up the farm all by himself."

Mary was silent for a long time after Joseph finished.

She silently turned over the diary in her hand, "...... Look at the next page."

——

September 16, light rain.

Organized the wheat field today with the helpers, much neater.

Also prepared wood, which I'm going to split into smaller pieces next for the winter.

There's also a stockpile of food ...... I think that should be enough. I'll just check again tomorrow.

It's time to get the Christmas presents up early this year. I think Mary, perhaps unlike her brother, isn't too fond of those handmade knickknacks.

Jewelry might be a good choice.

As for Joseph, well ...... trust someone to bring him a pilot's medal.

——

Sept. 20, great sunny.

A group of young men from the city wanted to have a picnic on the farm. I agreed and instructed them to be careful with the fire.

Malon, I thought I saw you.

But that wasn't you. It was just one of those pretty girls who didn't look anything like you, except for the red curls.

I saw her with a friend, wearing a beautiful flowing dress, laughing with her friend under a tree.

Remember? It was under the tree where we used to fall in love.

Same position.

I remember that kiss. You kissed me. So green ......

Malon, I'm trying, like you said, to stay strong.

I'm trying. ...... [two wetted drops].

——

September 21, sunny

The redhead came to me, she said her name was Blanche and she wanted to stay here for a few days with her friends.

Her eyes were undisguised.

I turned her down, that's for sure. How long have I been losing you?

But her presence reminded me if the kids need a new mom ......

But ...... Malon, I don't know ......

——

[In between is a repetitive and boring routine]

——

December 23, sunny

I had a heart-to-heart with the kids about the new mom.

They reacted violently, especially Mary.

I should have thought of it, her feelings ...... for you do not allow others to interfere.

Mary once again berated me, and this time, I was dumbfounded. Joseph took Mary's side this time, too. I guess he was right.

I screwed up again. Malon, I really can't do it without you ......

Miss you ...... miss you very, very, very much.

I love you, Malone ...... [repeated many times]

——

December 25, Snow.

I repeatedly assured the children that I had not betrayed your heart before they would speak to me again.

Honestly, I'm glad that the kids love you so much, even more than they love me.

It's only natural. Who wouldn't love you?

We had a fairly peaceful Christmas. The sadness of losing you is starting to wash away with time. I'm glad to see the kids smiling again.

They should be looking forward and moving on, not staying in the past with me to keep you company.

——

[A great deal of repetitive content]

——

September 13, rain.

The fifth year of losing the one I love.

Malon, I'm having a little trouble remembering what you look like, so I've taken up painting.

It's a bit of a shy thing to say, so I set up the drawing room in the attic, that secret base of ours. After Joseph was born, we used to rendezvous there almost as often as we used to avoid your father.

I do clean there but never use it, I try to leave every item as it is, it's important.

——

Sept. 16, thunderstorms.

Joseph did not choose to enter pilot school, he went to business school.

...... It's kind of hard to believe. I always thought it was his dream to become a pilot.

I'm a father ...... praised by the townspeople for being an excellent father ...... really excellent?

Also, it's amazing that Mary has a boyfriend at school, and it's surprising that I only found out about it when Joseph accidentally let it slip!

What kind of brat is this! I'm going to take a nail rake and beat his ass! And then take him to water the wheat field!

[The handwriting on these two lines is very dark, and it is clear that Link was very angry when they were written]

I simply don't understand why Mary is doing this, she's 15! 15! not 25!

I'm so angry! I'm so angry! I'm going to her school tomorrow and I'm going to beat the crap out of that brat!

——

September 20, sunny

"Operation Beat the Bastard has been canceled because Joseph is back.

He calmed me down like a mature adult, almost like you calmed down a raging Talon - I understand now how your father felt, because I did too.

Joseph says he's been watching Mary to make sure she doesn't fall prey to those bad-hearted brats.

Joseph is reliable and I'm proud of him.

He said that the boy was nice and would go into the legal profession, maybe a lawyer, maybe a judge, in any case a decent and honorable profession.

I asked him if he would despise Mary because she was just a farm girl.

Joseph replied that he had worried too, so he had gotten someone to try him out, and luckily, at least for the moment, he wasn't having second thoughts.

Joseph promised that I would continue to observe and write to me with a follow-up.

Well, it looks like the wheat field is going to be missing a watering can.

——

Mary read this and said in a cool tone, "No wonder my father had such a horrible look in his eyes at the wedding. I'm glad for my husband's ass."

Joseph grunted, "If he tries to betray you, I'll beat him with a nail rake instead of father."

Mary turned the page and said, "I won't need you, I'll do it myself."

——

[Large repetitions of daily routines, unlike the previous ones, with the addition of a drawing section]

——

April 8, sunny

I drew you reading a book in a field of flowers outside the window. My technique was poor and the drawing didn't look anything like you, so it seems I need to practice more.

I tried to make the Tuscan Cream Chicken today, and honestly, I did follow the recipe you left, but it didn't taste the same as I remembered.

Maybe I should make it again for the kids to try when they get back.

I love you, Malon.

——

April 12, overcast.

I made Tuscan Cream Chicken for the kids. Joseph loved it and said my handiwork is already comparable to yours.

Speaking of which, after five years, the kids are no longer resistant to talking about you; they talk about you like they used to, like they would an old friend who's traveled a long way.

But ...... I ...... Malone, I still dare not be as frank as they are.

Almost every night over the years I have dreamed of you, of our meeting, of our love, of the little things between us.

I can feel that I'm losing you, in the truest sense of the word.

I began to forget, forget your looks, forget your voice, forget your smell ...... I began to fail to remember the mole on your back, the freckles on your face, the muscle lines on your legs ......

I've been drawing you ever since I could draw portraits, and I want to paint everything in my head about you.

I'm really scared of forgetting you ......

——

April 14, sunny

Painting.

Doing farm work.

——

April 15, rain.

Painting.

——

April 16, rain.

Painting.

——

[The drawing was repeated for almost a month before stopping.]

——

Mary stopped reading, "It's kind of hard to believe. If I didn't remember this time, just reading the diary, I would think my father was crazy."

Joseph sighed, "Sometimes I'd rather he was crazy. Mary, I've been meaning to tell you that it's been really hard on father all these years."

"...... I did something wrong." Mary finally admitted, "I broke his heart, and I didn't even get a chance to apologize to him."

Joseph put his arm around Mary's shoulders, "It's ...... okay. Remember? What mother told us, father is a very strong man. Don't you see it written in the diary that he understands you."

Mary slumped into Joseph's arms, her voice trembling, "Just see here ...... just here ...... Joseph, I'm afraid to look. I used to treat him——"

Joseph patted his sister Mary on the back, "Okay, okay. It's getting late, go get some rest."

Mary answered softly and walked to her room.

After Mary left, Joseph folded the pages and then continued reading.

He wanted to know how many unknown wounds his father, who was strong, brave and not too old-fashioned in his mind, was hiding.

He knew it was a little late, but he still wanted to try, he wanted to be there for his father - even after all these many years.

——

[A large number of notes on drawing, and Joseph felt the need to make a trip to the attic after reading these.]

——

May 7, sunny

There's no room for new paintings in the attic.

But luckily, I went ahead and built a cabin behind the house where the paintings I wasn't happy with from earlier could be stowed.

Hanson's youngest son came to me today and said that his father had broken his leg and he came to purchase eggs instead of his father.

I had a very stable deal with Hansen, which was somewhat comforting.

Incidentally, there are more kids in town, which is a strange feeling, and I always feel like both Joseph and Mary are still kids who need our care.

But this year, just yesterday, Joseph wrote.

He included a picture of a girl with blonde hair and very pretty in his letter. He said he decided she was the love of his life. Then the brat spends two big pages of nonsense describing how they met and fell in love.

Heh! Young man!

......

Malon! I wasn't like this back then, was I? Please, ...... don't say "yes"!

——

Joseph gave a wistful smile.

No wonder his father deliberately baked burnt bread for him to eat when he went back that year.

Father's cooking wasn't really that bad. It's just that he doesn't want to do it properly when mother is around. Because if he did it wrong, it would make his mother look at him and talk to him twice more.

It was obvious that the two were a close couple, but the father was always happy to play tricks and tricks.

Joseph didn't understand it before he got married, but after marrying his wife, he did.

It's nothing more than what's called conjugal love.

Mother was so smart, how could she not notice her father's little mind, but she was just indulging it.

——

June 26, sunny

Another summer.

We used to love summer the most because that was the season we met and fell in love. I still remember that green dress you wore, it made you look even more beautiful than usual. By the way, I've given this dress to Mary for her 16th birthday.

Honestly, when she came downstairs in that dress, I even thought it was you coming back.

I hate that Lucky Boy. Very! [Very heavy handwriting]

How does he deserve to spend his life with such a nice girl!

......

I opened a bottle of red wine in honor of our anniversary.

Remember our first anniversary? I was so nervous I could have died! But it worked out great in the end. Malon, that day you told me you were happy and that was enough.

I love you, Malon. Love you very, very much.

Losing you hasn't dulled my love for you, you must be clear about that. I even love you more than I used to ...... Maybe, I haven't seen you in so long. I'm not sure ......

——

July 3, heavy rain.

It's raining hard today and I'm worried about how the flowers in the yard will hold up.

You told me to plant more greenery, and I did. See? It's all over the backyard. I take care of them every day. So far, they seem to be doing well.

The girl who sells flowers in town has changed, it's their little girl who is ten years old.

As for the original one, I heard she married far away into the city.

Mary was going to marry into the city later, I think. As for Joseph, he's already looking at new houses - in town, of course.

...... I'm fine! Really!

The kids have their own lives, their own lives, they don't have to be stuck here for me. The city can be a lot busier than the town. You know I used to work in town, I know the place.

I'd be more comfortable with both of them being in town, and they could help each other out in the future.

Someday, I can go to you in peace, too.

...... Sometime.

——

July 15, sunny

Hanson's leg has been falling apart since that previous injury, and I packed some veggies and fruit to go see him today.

He was much thinner and older, not at all like a man in his forties.

He was in good spirits though, and showed me his oldest daughter's children, adorable twins.

......wait a minute.

Malon, am I 43 years old?

——

[Boring routine]

——

May 19, great clearing.

Joseph got married.

Our kids got married.

Malon, I'm so happy.

His wife was none other than the pretty blonde girl from before. She was from a piano family, and it seemed that she was now pursuing further studies and would be an excellent piano player in the future.

It's a little hard to believe when I know this, after all, Joseph didn't inherit your wonderful singing voice.

......

I wish you could see it for yourself.

I love you, Malon.

——

[Nothing special in between]

——

July 28, overcast.

The old priest died.

We attended his funeral.

His son officiated at his funeral as a priest.

Looks like Mary's wedding needs this new guy to officiate.

I remember, the day we got married ...... I'll never forget it in my life ......

I love you, Malon.

——

August 5, sunny

Mary wrote me that she was going to get married next year.

...... This is too fast!

How old is she! She's only ...... she's ...... she's 22 years old. She'll be 23 next year.

By the time you were 23, Joseph had been born. Compared to you, she really wasn't married at an early age.

This is ...... just incredible.

——

August 11, sunny

I wrote back to Mary.

I agreed.

But honestly, Mary didn't seem to need my permission.

She grew up with her own agenda. She may have just informed.

I sent her the wedding dress you wore when you got married.

I don t know if she will wear ...... After all, the husband she is going to marry is not a simple family.

——

[Daily]

——

June 14, sunny

Mary got married.

She wore that wedding dress.

I can't describe the feeling.

She took my arm and walked down the long, flower-strewn aisle, then left me and walked toward her husband.

...... I didn't cry! Really!

I'm a strong father to my children! How can I shed tears at my daughter's wedding!

But I thank Mary.

You know ...... when I saw her, it was as if I saw you. The day we got married, I watched you walk toward me and all I could think was, I must have saved the world in my last life to marry you in this one.

I hope that brat has the same idea! Otherwise I would have stuck him in the ground to water the flowers!

I swear!

——

Joseph laughed a little, recalling the meeting between his brother-in-law and his father.

A great judge like that but sitting on pins and needles in front of his father.

He couldn't help but laugh and shake his head.

"Joseph ......," Mary walked down the stairs, a little rattled, "I couldn't sleep. Can we go for a walk?"

Joseph put down the diary he had been reading most of the way through - he was almost done.

"Okay, where do you want to go?"

"Did the diary mention where father's paintings exist? I'd like to see it."

The siblings put on their coats and walked out of the house to the cabin mentioned in the diary.

Joseph pushed the door open and turned on the electric light. The bright light illuminated the entire room.

A large number of paintings were neatly arranged in the room, each carefully guarded and then stored.

Marie picked one up and found the date on the edge of the frame: painted on June 16, the seventh year since Malon's departure.

She picked up another one, dated: painted on April 18, the eighth year after Malon's departure.

She looked over them one by one, each with the date written in the same format on the edge of the frame.

Until - painted on September 13th, the nineteenth year of Malon's departure.

Joseph said, "Father he ...... can't remember mother anymore."

"What?"

"These paintings, these recent paintings, the mother is looking more and more convergent." Joseph said, "And the frequency of Father's paintings has gone down a lot. He would have noticed that as well."

Mary pressed her hand against her heart, "...... I'm hurting, Joseph. My heart ...... hurts ......"

Joseph understood what she meant, that silky pain, mixed in with his father's love for his mother, delivering a blow to them now, twenty years later.

They returned to the house and continued to read the rest of the diary.

——

December 26, sunny

Joseph returned with his son.

The boy called me grandpa in a milky voice. Malon! That's almost like Joseph calling out to my dad when he was a kid!

I was a little concerned when Joseph said that Mary was recently pregnant, but he reassured me that his wife was ready to take care of Mary.

Seeing them love and help each other makes me really proud of them.

——

February 4, rain.

I had Joseph take some goodies from the farm and send them to Mary.

Pregnancy is hard work and she needs to get her fill.

——

[Everyday and Thinking of Mary]

——

September 23, sunny

Mary went into labor safely, thank god, and my heart can finally be put back in my stomach.

Joseph's letter says it's a pretty girl, with a touch of you.

That's for sure, that's for sure!

I need to do something to prepare for our little granddaughter!

——

October 2, sunny

I've got some of the little clothes and knitted toys like you used to have for Mary.

...... I know it's kind of ugly and not as good as what you did.

I tried! Really!

——

[Daily, and children]

——

Jan. 13, sunny

I've been feeling overwhelmed lately, always forgetting something.

Malon, maybe I should change the way I keep my journal.

Let's just start with time.

——

January 15, overcast.

It's 8:00 a.m., I had breakfast, I had cereal, this brand is not good, I won't buy it next time.

I also organized my room, did laundry, and wiped down the bookshelves.

It's 3:00 p.m. I'm up from my nap and, unfortunately, not dreaming about you.

Oh yes, lunch. Lunch was dumplings with a red wine that had been opened two days before.

I'm going to check on the animals this afternoon, after all, it could have snowed hard yesterday!

It's 8:00 p.m. and I'm getting ready for bed, and the book I chose for bedtime is Travelogues. I've read it many times already, but I'm still not tired of it.

Good night, Malon. I'll read you the travelogue.

——

[The diary format is becoming regular.]

——

April 17, sunny

Today is the anniversary of old Hanson's death.

It's been two years.

I think ...... Malone, it's time.

——

[The next section has an increased time span, but the content is very important.]

——

May 19, rain.

I went to the probate guy in town and confirmed the value of the farm and the current savings. It's quite a bit.

They will be divided into three, with Joseph and Mary each holding one, and the last will be donated to the orphanage, and the farm itself will be included and will be used as their new grounds.

——

June 3, sunny

I spoke to the priest about my request.

He promised to be a witness to my will - along with Hanson.

——

July 8, cloudy.

I talked to the cemetery superintendent.

After I die, I will be buried with you.

I'm finally going to get to you.

——

July 14, cloudy.

The letter has been written and has been given into the custody of Fr.

——

July 28, sunny

I'm waiting ......

——

September 2, sunny

Got up early today and the sunrise was beautiful.

The clothes of my youth are a bit tight for me now, but I've been preparing for the last few months and have tucked them in.

I showered, trimmed my hair and nails, shaved, and even put on a little moisturizer.

I hope I still look as handsome as I once did.

And then, now, I will write my last words:

Joseph, Mary, my children.

By the time you see this, I'm sure the funeral will be over.

I am sorry to leave you in this way, but my dears, you have each started your own families and new paths in life, and I am far behind you.

Without you, I would have gone with your mother on the day of her funeral. But I remember what she told me on her deathbed, that I am your father.

Now that my duties as a father are complete, I can finally go and follow in your mother's footsteps.

Children, there is no need to feel too much sadness over my departure, you have a long life ahead of you, go and enjoy it to the fullest.

——Love your father, Link.

————

That's the end of the diary.

Joseph and Mary looked at each other in silence.

Joseph broke the silence first, "Are we ...... his drag ...... twenty years, twenty whole years. He's been waiting for this day for twenty years."

"Joseph, don't think that." Mary said, "Father just loved Mother more than he loved us."

"Yes, you're right ......" Joseph put down the diary and covered his face, "but I can't imagine ...... "

"Father's right, Joseph, we have to move on." Mary wrapped her arms around her older brother.

"Mary, do you think Father saw Mother before he left?"

"...... I don't know. Maybe. No one will know. The living won't know what the dead saw."

The next day, a photograph was delivered to both siblings.

The photo is of the lake where Link was found. A large sunset spreads over the lake, illuminating its shimmering waters.

Link stood in the center of the lake and looked in the direction of the camera.

His face, already etched with age, wore a relieved smile.

#zelda #link #legend of zelda #malink #malon #link&malon #ocarina of time #oot malon #oot link #It took me a week to translate this text from Chinese to English.#It was soooooo hard!!!!!#I want your comments!!!!#I have other posts on lofter.#play with me!!!!!

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axiadesu · 2 months

Text

【时玛隆】沉默的守护

【Time&Malon】You are my only connection to the world

※时玛隆，有私设

※现代杀手设定

——

这不对劲。

玛隆小心翼翼的关上家门，空气中弥漫着一股铁锈味。

有人溜进来了。

她从门口的工具箱里拿出一个榔头，握在手里，朝血腥味最浓的卫生间走去。

隔着磨砂玻璃门，她听见里面传来一声压抑的闷哼声。

是个男人。她判断。

玛隆握紧门把手，深呼吸了一下后，迅速推开门走了进去。

浴帘后的浴缸里坐着一个男人，正举着手枪指着她。

他看见玛隆进来，忽然放松一笑，举着枪的手无力垂下。

“抱歉，”他说，“把你卷进来了。”

男人长得很好看，尤其是那双眼睛，让玛隆想起那些在上学的孩子们，永远充满对未来的希望和憧憬。

他身上穿着普通的连帽衫和运动裤，但现在已经被血染透，甚至连他身处的浴缸底部都积攒了一层薄薄的血。

玛隆声音有些颤抖：“你想要什么？钱？还是药？”

“我叫林克。”男人说，“我想，我可能需要一些止血药和绷带。”

玛隆不明白男人为什么要告诉她他的名字，但她还是回答道：“好吧、好的，止血药和绷带，我家里有……我现在去给你拿。”

玛隆一边面向林克后退，一边警惕着，防止他突然举枪射击。

她走出浴室，短暂的思考了一下是否要报警。但当玛隆回想起林克看她的眼神时，下意识觉得最好不要。

她以最快的速度拿了家庭药箱回到浴室。

林克已经脱掉了他染血的上衣，露出满是伤疤的健壮上身。

他朝玛隆笑了笑，说道：“我希望你没有报警。因为这会是一个极其错误的决定。”

玛隆打开药箱的手一顿，答道：“不、没有。我不想惹麻烦。”

“乖女孩儿。”林克轻轻的说了一句，但玛隆却感觉自己的后背已经满是冷汗。

“请把镊子消毒后递给我。”林克坐起身，拿毛巾擦掉身上多余的血。

玛隆这才发现他的身上有五道刀伤、两道枪伤，还有多处淤青。

她深深的看了他一眼，对林克此刻的冷静态度感到难以置信。

这些伤放在普通人身上，恐怕现在已经因为失血过多或者疼痛而晕过去了，但林克却能保持冷静，甚至还有精力去监视她。

玛隆一边想着，一边照林克说的做。

林克取出弹头，即便疼的冷汗直流也没有叫出来一声。

玛隆胆战心惊的给他递上撒了药的纱布，帮他包扎好伤口。

“好了，”玛隆松了口气，说，“现在我去给你弄点吃的。冷静，好吗？”

林克点了点头，靠着墙缓缓平复着呼吸。

林克在玛隆家待了三天，直到他的伤口开始好转。

“我该走了。”林克说着，整理自己的装备，“你最好出去躲上几个月，度假、探亲，随便你。”

玛隆倚在门框上，抿着唇没说话。

林克察觉到她的沉默，整理枪械的手顿了一下，“……你讨厌我吗？”

“……我不知道。”玛隆说，“也许我只是被你随意挑选的那间房屋的不幸主人。林克，我们只认识三天，谈论不到喜欢与讨厌。”

她扭头进了厨房，收拾出一个帆布背包，里面装满了各类应急食品和药品。

玛隆把包递给林克：“里面有饼干、面包、水和一些消炎药以及绷带。”她看着林克接过，又说：“下次别把自己弄那么狼狈，不是每个倒霉蛋都像我这么好心。”

林克轻笑了一下，轻到玛隆甚至以为那是自己的幻听。

“不会了。”他说，然后，趁着夜色，林克离开了玛隆的公寓。

只过了两天，这是个周末。

玛隆正在家晾晒衣服，一伙人突然冲进她家。

带头的是个蓄着络腮胡的大汉，他拿着微冲，指着被两个男人压在椅子上的玛隆，问道：“他人呢？”

玛隆觉得自己的手臂快要断了，“你在问谁？”

络腮胡男人给了玛隆一拳，打的她嘴角立刻肿了起来，血液的味道瞬间充斥了她的口腔。

“别跟我耍花招。”络腮胡男人又问了一遍，“林克人呢？”

玛隆朝地上呸了一口血沫，只觉得整个左脸火辣辣的疼，连左耳都有些蒙蒙的听不清楚。

“……我不知道，他走了，两天前就走了。”

络腮胡男人盯着玛隆看了一会儿，忽然笑起来，说：“没关系的宝贝儿。只要有你在，不愁他不回来。”

“我？”玛隆不明白，“我不认识他。他不会回来的。”

络腮胡男人一愣，然后哈哈大笑起来。他朝下属招了招手，立刻就有人搬了个椅子。

他坐在玛隆的不远处，用手枪敲着手心，说：“看来这家伙还是个挺怜香惜玉的主啊。竟然什么都没跟你说？”

玛隆隐约觉得这里面有隐情，但她本着少说少错的原则并不打算接话。

“真是可惜了你这么个美人儿，林克这家伙竟然能忍住不在你面前露脸？估计是想保护你吧。但是又有什么用呢？还不是被我们找到了？”

冰凉的枪管拍在已经肿起的脸上，这滋味并不好受。

一颗圆溜溜的东西被人从门外扔了进来，砰的一声炸开，屋内顿时满是烟雾。

随之而来的是男人的叫骂声、痛呼声和几声几不可闻的消音手枪的射击声。

玛隆只觉得两侧一松，随即被一人搂住了��。在她还没有反应过来的时候，那人已经抱着她翻出了窗户。

玛隆闻出她常用的洗衣液的味道，也闻出夹杂着药粉味的血气。

林克的伤口肯定又崩开了，她想。

林克拉着玛隆穿过各种狭窄肮脏的小巷，甩掉一个又一个的追兵，抵达了一处藏在贫民窟里的住处。

林克谨慎的拉紧窗帘，锁好门窗，才来得及看一眼玛隆。

当他看见玛隆脸上的伤时，血一下涌到头顶。

他很想问是谁干的，疼不疼，但又觉得他没有什么身份去问这种话，并且，这样的话显得十分苍白无力。

玛隆注意到他的目光停留在脸上，于是她扯出一个勉强的笑，说：“还好，只是被枪托砸了一下。”

林克移开目光，转身走向厨房，从冰箱里拿出一个冰袋递给玛隆。

玛隆接过，按在脸上轻轻痛呼了一声，问道：“你怎么回来了？那些人正在找你呢。”

“也许，要委屈你和我一起离开这里了。”

“……啊？”

于是，玛隆问：“所以，我需要做什么？扔掉电话卡？和谁也不联系？就像电影里演的那样？”

林克有些没反应过来，甚至看起来有些难得的呆滞与茫然。

“不……呃，不用。”他想了想，解释道：“那些人的身份上不了台面，动用不了官方的手段。给你的朋友和亲人发个信息吧，就说出去旅游了。”

玛隆照做。发完信息后，她又问道：“那我们为什么不报警？”

林克有些无奈：“因为我的身份也上不了台面。”

两个人都沉默了下来。

林克转身去收拾行李，玛隆则去看看厨房有什么能带走的食物。

片刻后，林克说：“对不起，玛隆。”

玛隆脱掉裙子，换上林克的裤装和卫衣，问道：“这样怎么样？”

林克看着玛隆穿着自己的衣服，一下怔住了，“你……为什么……”

“裙子不方便。还是裤子好一些。”玛隆说着，将裙子叠好放进背包里，“算我借你的。”

她想了想，又说：“你不用说对不起。这不是你的错。”

林克不知道那些人和玛隆说了多少，但他仍然说：“不，这是我的错。”

等玛隆坐到林克的车上，她才意识到自己好像忘了问目的地。

“我们去哪里？”

林克抿了下唇，好一会儿才仿佛下定决心一般说道：“西海岸，利蒙港，他们的头在那里。但我们不能坐飞机或者火车。利蒙港附近所有的出入口都被把守着，只有开车才能靠近。而且，”林克看了一眼后座上的背包，“我的弹药不多了。这附近没有能迅速搞到弹药的地方。”

“好吧。”玛隆说着，拉紧了安全带，“我听你的。”

去利蒙港的路程并不长，但那帮人像嗅到腐肉的鬃狗一样穷追不舍，很快就会追上林克和玛隆。

当车子驶出西边的公路，当四周的景色不再是千篇一律的高楼，而是零散在农田间的房屋、大树和一些牛群，玛隆终于松了口气。

在城市里时，她总担心会在哪个十字路口冲出一辆超速的轿车，或者从哪个房屋的窗口里伸出一杆闪着寒光的狙击枪。

“我父亲家也有一座这样的农场。”玛隆说，“田里种满麦子、甘蔗和葡萄。”

她也不知道为什么要提起这个，但她仍然继续慢慢的说了下去，说起那些哞哞叫的黑白花斑奶牛，说起一串串仿佛紫玉一样的葡萄，说起地窖里藏着的葡萄酒，说起冬日里温暖的壁炉。

“到了。”林克看着前方的汽车旅馆，开口道：“我们需要加点油。”

玛隆的脸冰敷过，现在已经好多了。她说：“那我去订房间。”她停了一下，问道：“要一间还是两间？”

林克的眼神没有半点旖旎，他很坚定的说：“一间。”

林克加完油，玛隆正好向旅店要了晚餐。他们一起坐在远离人群的露天餐厅里吃饭。

汽车旅店的饭便宜又难吃，里面的鹰嘴豆硬的能咯掉人的牙。

玛隆小声向林克抱怨：“我一定要让你尝尝什么叫真正的鹰嘴豆意大利面！”

林克没忍住笑了一下。在他的职业生涯中，各种食物他都吃过，最落魄的时候吃过已经放了十多天、干瘪如石头的面包。

他不是个习惯诉说自己苦难的人，于是他沉默不言。

玛隆忍不住好奇：“追你的是什么人啊？杀手？黑帮？贩毒集团？”

玛隆的眼睛亮亮的，透露出些许的天真。

林克正在喝水，听见这话顿时呛了一下。

“呃……实际上都是。”他说，“他们控制着西海岸最大的毒品进出港口，靠收取过路费为生，同时也做些买凶杀人的勾当。”

“所以……你？为什么会和这么大的一个组织对上？”

林克轻描淡写的说：“他们的上一任老大、上上任老大都是我杀的。”

玛隆沉默了。

她甚至觉得林克能活到现在已经是非常幸运的事情。

然后，她听见林克继续说：“还有他们的元老。我记不清了，总之那一次任务几乎把他们的高层血洗。”

“……好吧。”玛隆说，“那个络腮胡男人说，只要有我在，你就一定会出现。林克，这又是怎么回事？”

林克又呛了一下，“咳……这个我们以后再说。”

“那教我用枪。”

“不行。”

“那就告诉我为什么络腮胡男人要说那句话。”

林克沉默了很久，久到玛隆都觉得他生气了。

“……好吧，仅此一次，下不为例。”他说，“我会教你用枪的。”

看来那件事对林克来说是个很深很深的秘密。玛隆想，一个足以让林克付出一切的秘密。

她开始回忆是否在某些场合见过林克。

也许是某次擦肩而过？又或者是哪一次回乡度假。

但无论玛隆如何回忆，她都无法在记忆里找到任何一点和眼前男人相重叠的画面。

草草吃过晚饭，玛隆跟着林克回到房间。

他拿出步枪，在玛隆面前一步步拆解枪械，告诉她哪一部分是起什么作用，又在她面前将步枪复原并上膛。

玛隆很聪明，也许有一部分原因是她从小就接触各种各样的农具，她必须准确了解农具的结构，才能在它们出问题的时候去修理它们。总之，玛隆学习枪械结构学习的很快。

他们在旅馆休息了一晚上，趁着天光微亮的时候离开了旅馆。

在他们走后十分钟左右，络腮胡一伙人就到了汽车旅馆，并且打听到了他们的行踪。

玛隆靠在座位上，将手搭在窗框上感受风吹过指间。

林克瞥了她一眼，伸手将电台拧开。

“哦、谢谢。”玛隆说。

她随意拧了几个频道，然后听见女主持说：“昨夜在纽波特大街7号公寓发生一起爆炸事件，据悉，目前两人轻伤，无人死亡。请广大市民注意燃气安全…………”

玛隆的后背瞬间惊出一身冷汗。

她望向林克，似乎想从他这里知道那个希望渺茫的答案。

“我很抱歉。”林克说。

玛隆沉默着，探身从后座拿起装着步枪的盒子，开始摆弄起来。

过了很久，玛隆说：“……不要吝啬你的知识，林克。”

林克张了张嘴，正想说什么，他忽然神色一冷，显然是从后视镜里看见了什么。

“他们追上来了。”

林克猛地向一旁打方向盘，子弹擦过车体呼啸而去的声音显得格外不真切。

“玛隆！”林克说，“射击，扰乱他们！但别受伤。”

玛隆握着步枪的手指节因为用力而泛白。她扭头探出车窗，后面跟着大约三四辆车，还有几杆枪正从车窗旁伸出来，向他们吐着火舌。

玛隆觉得自己现在应该慌张、不知所措，甚至是哭泣，但她却异常冷静，林克教给她的射击技巧不断在她脑海里重现。

玛隆扣下扳机。

一辆车的前轮失去了动力，在高速的作用下撞向路边。

玛隆立刻缩回车里，一连串的子弹擦着窗边飞了过去。

林克说：“干得不错！”

玛隆握紧步枪，感觉口舌发干，“我从来没……我是说，从没射击过。”

“放轻松，玛隆。我们能甩掉他们。”林克一边说着，一边踩下油门。

玛隆感觉自己的肾上腺素在狂飙，她深呼吸了一下，再次探出身去。

她再次射爆了一辆车的轮胎。

林克从倒车镜里看到那辆车侧滚，然后撞上了后面的车。

“好！”他说，“现在抓紧了！”

发动机发出不堪重负的呻吟，车子像脱缰的野马一样飞驰着离去，把破口大骂的络腮胡一行人远远甩在身后。

当车子的速度慢慢降下来，玛隆才发觉自己已经是满头满脸的冷汗。

“害怕吗？”林克问。

玛隆缓了缓，答道：“一点点。”

林克第四次向她道歉：“对不起。”

玛隆看向林克，他正专注的看着前方的路，阳光从另一侧照射过来，在他脸上投下阴影。

“林克，你已经向我道歉了很多次。”玛隆说，“如果是因为把我卷入这场纷争，那我告诉你，道歉是没有必要的，因为这不是你的错。”

林克有些无辜且茫然的看向玛隆，“玛隆，我、呃、我是说……”

“你除了需要为我那可怜的公寓道歉，其他的——哼。”她冷笑一声，“该道歉的是追杀我们的那伙罪犯！”

林克重新将视线投向道路，但握着方向盘的手却指节泛白。

对不起，玛隆。他想。真正的罪魁祸首、导致这一切发生的，其实是我。如果你当年没有救下我，也许这一切根本不会发生。

车内的气氛冷了下来。

一个固执的认为错在自身。一个固执的认为对方不应该道歉。

当夕阳西垂，他们抵达了一处小镇后的破旧农场。

林克跳下车，对玛隆道：“待在车上，好吗？我不想让这帮家伙看见你。”

玛隆向农场里看了一眼，点了点头。

林克朝她安抚的笑了笑，转身走向农场。

过了大约一个钟头，天色已经完全黑下来了，农场里却没有点灯，仍然漆黑一片。

就在玛隆快要等不及的时候，林克提着两个大手提箱走了出来。

他看起来很好，没有伤痕，走路正常。

车子再次发动，驶向远方。

“抱歉，”林克说，“今晚恐怕要在野外渡过了。”

他将车子停在路边的隐秘处，对玛隆说：“要吃点什么吗？压缩饼干？罐头？”

玛隆看出他不太高兴，“压缩饼干，谢谢。”

林克递给她一块拆好的压缩饼干和一瓶水，“我去附近转一转，你可以……嗯、转一转。”

玛隆听出他的意思，道了声谢后，下车走向和他相反的方向。

玛隆仍然没有停止回忆。

她开始向更久远，年岁更小的时候回忆。

是住在隔壁农场的放牛郎？还是镇上杂货店老板的小儿子。又或者是牧师的养子……

玛隆回到车上，发现林克在听音乐电台，于是她说：“哦，Self Destructive，我也很喜欢。”

车内亮着暖黄色的阅读灯，林克低垂着眼眸，长长的睫毛在他脸上投下一片摄人的阴影。

“是吗……”他说，“我不常听歌。”

玛隆想了想，问：“林克，你是杀手吗？”

“是。”林克说，“我以前是为皇室卖命的，负责保护他们的小公主。”

“你是说……塞尔达殿下？”玛隆很吃惊。

“是的。自从皇室威胁消除，我也就退休了。”他继续说，“没想到西海岸的那帮家伙会阴魂不散。他们不敢找皇室的麻烦，就找上我了。”

“你这样……和他们对抗，有多久了？”

“记不清了。大约四五年吧。自从我退离皇室不久后就开始了。”

玛隆看着林克的侧颜，忽然伸手，握住他放在方向盘上的手。

“林克。”她轻轻的说，“这些年，你过得一定很辛苦。”

林克的睫毛微颤了一下。他迅速扭过头，看向窗外。

“……我习惯了。”

“这种事再习惯都是辛苦的。”玛隆说，“你可以住在我父亲的农场里。就在中部地区，离这里并不远。或者也可以和我一起在城里找份工作，我们可以周末一起去看电影、逛街，做什么都行。”

林克努力让自己看起来自然一些，他抬手擦掉眼角的泪。

“……好啊。”

他抬手关掉阅读灯，将毯子给玛隆盖上。

“睡吧。我在呢。”

玛隆放倒座椅，努力在黑暗里看清林克的脸，然而她只能看见一个隐隐绰绰的轮廓。

她轻轻的说：“晚安，林克。祝你做个好梦。”

林克关掉电台，拿出耳机，将那首Self Destructive反复听了好几遍。

他说谎了。

他其实很喜欢这首歌，也很常听歌。因为玛隆很喜欢这首歌，也喜欢听歌。

他喜欢看她戴着耳机跟随音乐摇摆的样子，喜欢看她怡然自得的悠闲样子，也喜欢看她那些灵动活泼的表情。他希望她永远那么开心，永远触碰不到这些阴暗的烂泥。

林克伸手替玛隆拢了拢毯子，在心底轻轻的说：对不起，玛隆，我没法完成和你的约定了。

接下来的几天，林克找了一个小镇，和玛隆一起入住了旅馆。

他毫无保留的将所有的枪械知识教给了玛隆，甚至写了一本笔记，防止她忘记。

经过那天，玛隆察觉到自己的心境改变了。也许早就改变了，只是她现在才发现。

她开始有些无可救药的爱上林克。

玛隆通过了林克的枪械考核。

“很好。”林克说，“我们明天启程。”

玛隆忍不住问：“你准备怎么办？”

林克收枪的动作一顿，“什么怎么办？”

“怎么解决他们？你不是说利蒙港都是他们的人吗？难道你想单枪匹马对抗一整个帮派？”

林克没说话，只是将东西收好。

天蒙蒙亮，他们再次出发，这一次林克中途没有停留，一路向西驶去。

进入利蒙港之前，林克半路抛车，带着玛隆找到了一栋公寓。

“别开灯。”林克制止了玛隆的动作，说：“这家主人常年外出。开灯会暴露我们。”

“好吧。”玛隆说，“我们什么时候行动？”

林克一边检查枪械，一边回道：“不是我们，玛隆，是我。我带你来只是为了避免那些人趁我不在要了你的命，并不是要你加入我。”

玛隆愣了一下，“什么？”

林克将身上挂满各种弹药，站起身，看向玛隆，“玛隆，答应我，躲在这里别出声。事发后，他们一定会搜查每栋民居，这是唯一不会被查的屋子。一定、一定要待在这里。”

“我以为你尽心教我是希望我也出一份力。”玛隆觉得她必须做些什么，她感觉她快要失去林克了，“林克，请和我说实话，你的计划到底是什么？”

“相信我，他们不会再骚扰你。”林克提起手提箱，走向门口，“七天后会有一张支票寄给你父亲，上面的钱足够你再买一栋新的房子。”

“房子？不，林克，我们没在讨论这个。”玛隆拉住他，“我们千辛万苦来到这里，你却要我好好待着屋子里？林克，你觉得我像那些什么都不懂的天真少女吗？告诉我，你的计划！”

林克叹了口气，他放下手提箱，从另一个箱子里拿出绳子。

“对不起，玛隆。”他很轻易的就抓住了想要躲开的玛隆。他将玛隆绑在椅子上，“我要失约了。”

“林克，道歉是没有用的！你不能这么做！”玛隆听出了他的意思。

林克想要和这伙人同归于尽。

“你不能抛下我！”她难以置信的睁大眼睛，“是你把我带走的，你应该送我回去！”她拼命挣扎，想要去挽留林克。

玛隆想尽一切她能想到的词语，激将、威胁、哄骗，她想要林克改变主意。

林克伸手扶住玛隆的脸颊，一只手搭在她的后颈上。

“嘘……”他轻轻的说，缓缓擦去她脸上的泪，“我没有抛下你。玛隆，我本不该出现在你面前。是我的私心让你暴露在他们面前，现在，我需要去纠正这一切。玛隆……你是我和这个世界的唯一联系了。请活下去……请像以前一样……活泼、快乐的活下去吧……请忘了我这个不应当出现的人。”

玛隆无声哭泣着，“林克，你不能这么做。我爱你，林克，你不能这样离开我。你出现了，让我爱上你，然后又要和我分别……我要怎么将我的爱人当作从未出现过，我做不到。”

林克撩开玛隆的碎发，在她额头上落下一吻，“玛隆，你会忘了我的。这是时间的力量。”

咔嚓一声，林克离开了，玛隆无声的落泪。

她想起了她和林克相处的点点滴滴，他认真教授她知识的时刻，他答应约定时移开的视线，他身上那些恐怖的伤痕……

一切早已有预兆。

玛隆忽然想起，在她还是个无忧无虑的小女孩时，在她父亲的农场里，那个艳阳高照的夏天。

那棵树已经长了很多年，它宽阔的树冠足以为孩子们遮阳避雨。

玛隆拎着装满野蘑菇的篮子从树林里走出来时，正看见一伙镇上的孩子围着树讨论着什么。

她走近，发现是个被吊起来的男孩。

他嘴唇惨白，满是裂口，看起来奄奄一息。

“嘿！”玛隆说，“你们在干什么？！他都快死了！”

为��的胖男孩儿走向玛隆，“是玛隆啊。”他看了一眼树上的男孩儿，“你要是答应明天和我约会，我就放过他。反正只是个不知道哪里来的乞丐。”

玛隆从篮子里拿出小刀，抵在胖男孩儿脖子上，“行啊，我现在就给你脖子上开个洞，看看流出来的是肥油还是血。”

胖男孩儿脸色一变，“随便你好了！那瘦麻杆儿你乐意救就救吧！”

男孩们乌泱一下散去。

玛隆砍断麻绳，男孩儿掉在草地上。

她捧起男孩儿的头，将水壶里的水喂给他。

看见男孩儿睁眼，玛隆朝他露出一个灿烂的笑。

“你好，我叫玛隆。”

那久远记忆里明亮的蓝色双眸和林克的眼睛逐渐重叠。

一道仿佛要划开天际的闪电闪过，随后是惊人的雷声和随之而来的瓢泼大雨。

林克背靠在掩体后，右眼满是鲜血。

他检查着手里的子弹数量，借助着雷声的掩护冲了出去。

一个、两个、三个……他默默计算着数量。

——直到最后一个。

首脑捂着腹部的枪伤，狰狞的看着林克，“天真，你一直都这么天真！我是活不了了，你以为你就能活？你以为你和那女人的行踪是谁泄露的？”

林克深吸一口气，压制住不断抽疼的肌肉，“……无所谓了，今日之后，他们会知道我已经死了，一切都会结束的。”

首脑按下炸弹的遥控器，在爆破声中大笑：“全都去死吧！！”

玛隆赶到别墅前时，别墅只剩下了一片废墟，破碎的房屋上是人类的残肢，血腥又恶心。

大雨不断落下，淋湿了玛隆的红发，稀释了地上的鲜血。

玛隆一块一块砖的翻找着，她不相信林克真的会无动于衷，她要当面问清楚。

就算林克真的身死，她也要找到他的尸体。

“林克……林克……我想起来了，我们见过的……在我小时候……”玛隆一边呢喃着，一边寻找着，直到她的十指都被磨破，直到血流如注。

一处碎砖动了动，林克拨开压住他的碎砖，伸出一只手来。

玛隆连忙将他从废墟里挖了出来，大颗泪珠混着雨水滑落。

“……我可以归港吗？”

玛隆抱着林克，终于放声痛哭起来。

数月后。

“史密斯太太，您丈夫的眼睛已经完全康复了，剩下的时间只需要注意是否有不良反应出现。噢，还有，您的戒指真漂亮，是新买的吧？”大腹便便的医生在病历本上写着什么，林克拉开帘子，从看诊台上坐起来。

玛隆朝医生笑了笑，她手上的结婚戒指闪闪发光，“是的，谢谢您，罗德医生。”

玛隆挽着林克走出医院，一旁的报刊上还在刊登数月前的利蒙港爆炸事件，旁边的悬赏令挂着林克早年的照片。

一个老太太戴着老花镜看着报纸，咕哝了一句：“凶手怎么还没抓到啊？”

#link #malon #zelda timeline #malink #link&malon #oot link

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axiadesu · 2 months

Text

【lu link&lu malon】Link's Middle Age Worries

【时玛隆】林克的中年烦恼

※时玛隆，有私设

※LU时设定

——

玛隆已经路过廊下三趟了，那放在林克身旁的黄油饼干还是一块没少。

她记得很清楚，那是用隆隆牛奶制成的黄油，加上新鲜采摘的树莓做成的饼干，味道香甜可口，配上热牛奶是一道十分美味的下午茶点心。

而今天的这一盘，她一共放了十块，并且将一颗心形的饼干藏在了最下面。

如果是以往，林克早就该在她路过第二趟的时候跳起来抱住她，把她拉到廊下说些甜言蜜语来耽误她的行程。

但他没有。

他正在专心的叠着那一竹篮晾好的衣服。

这不对劲。玛隆想。她皱起眉头。也许只是胃口不好，毕竟他才结束一段艰难的冒险。

玛隆没有上前去打扰林克，而是拐进厨房，从仓库里抱出一个南瓜，又拿出两瓶隆隆牛奶和几个鸡蛋。

她挽起袖子，手持菜刀，对着案板上的南瓜剁了下去。

咚的一声，把林克吓了一跳。

他连忙放下手里的衣服，起身去厨房查看。

“亲爱的？”林克站在门口，冒险多年的勇者此刻竟然有些胆寒，“发生什么事了？”

玛隆站在桌案前，手中举着沾染了些许南瓜黄的菜刀，在逆光中回头。只见她露出一个温温柔柔的笑来，说：“没怎么呀。我在做南瓜浓汤呢！”

林克本能的后退了一小步，他的直觉告诉他，最好先别阻止玛隆。

好在玛隆也没管他，见他没话说就自顾自的继续去剁南瓜了。

林克又偷偷看了一会儿，总觉得玛隆的背影透露出一股他不了解的决心。

他摇了摇头，重新回到廊下去叠那些衣服。

林克看了一眼诱人的散发着香气的饼干，吞咽了一下口水。

不！要忍住！他闭上眼睛，强迫自己不去想黄油饼干的口感。

也许……就吃一块？林克偷摸睁开一只眼睛，瞥向盘子里的黄油饼干。

他知道饼干里肯定藏了些玛隆的小心思，也许她已经起疑了，但是……不行！要忍住！

林克叠完了竹篮里的衣服，整理好了屋后的草垛，还给伊波娜的马厩做了一次清洁。

此刻，玛隆的南瓜浓汤也已经做好，浓郁的奶油香味和南瓜味融合在一起，不断勾引着林克的胃。

玛隆拉开谷仓的门，果然看见了正拿着钉耙整理谷仓的林克。

“别管那个了。”她说，“来喝碗热热的南瓜汤。这可是你带回来的菜谱。”

哦……是天空洛夫特……林克想，Sky整天都在他耳边念叨南瓜汤有多出名，念叨的他耳朵都要起茧子了。

玛隆家的厨房贴着米色的墙砖，暖黄色的橱柜悬挂在墙上，和窗边挂着的太阳花图样的窗帘相得益彰。

各种蔬果、杯盏放在柜台上，虽然繁多，却不凌乱，足以展现出它的主人是个多么有条理的人。

在窗户的旁边架着一座壁炉，里面的柴已经燃尽，正时不时冒出些许的火星。

一张可以容纳下六个人的餐桌放在房间的另一边，和餐边柜以及另一扇窗户在一起。

在这扇窗户下，摆放着几瓶各色的花束，有玫瑰、银莲花、小向日葵，以及静谧公主。

自从他结束那段颇为艰难的旅程回到家里，在他的世界静谧公主也开始生长，起先是一株，后来越来越多，几乎漫山遍野。

林克把它的故事讲给玛隆听，然后，家中就长年累月的会插着一瓶静谧公主。

玛隆将一碗热腾腾的南瓜汤放在林克面前。

“亲爱的，我们才吃过午饭没多久。”林克试图委婉的拒绝她。

“这和午饭是两回事！”玛隆双手叉腰，“再说，一碗南瓜汤而已。”

玛隆一边说着，一边偷偷观察林克的神色。

他看起来和平常没有区别，只是头发里插了一根从伊波娜马厩里带出来的麦秆节儿，短短小小的一根藏在他金黄的头发里，乍一看还真不太显眼。

也许是因为这些年林克笑起来的时候越来越多，他的眼角开始出现些许的细纹。他手上的老茧也不仅是握住长剑和盾留下的，还有握住农具、修整家具留下的。

玛隆觉得，林克正在逐渐褪去名为勇者的外衣，向隆隆牧场的男主人、玛隆的丈夫转变着。

林克放下空碗，十分乖巧的看着玛隆，把她看的扑哧一下笑出声来。

玛隆跌进林克的怀里，双手搂着他的脖颈，“最近有心事吗？”她轻声问道，“在想那些孩子们？”

“噢……”林克将玛隆搂紧了些，“谁会想那群臭小子。我没事儿，亲爱的。”

看林克的确没什么话要说，玛隆就点了点他的眉心，“如果有事，一定要告诉我。知道吗？要像我们约定的那样。”

林克感觉自己的心软的一塌糊涂，他忍不住凑近去亲玛隆，“小甜心，我爱你，真的，我非常非常爱你……”

他一遍一遍的重复自己有多爱她，弄得玛隆红着耳朵咯咯直笑。

玛隆撑着手臂趴在林克身边，用视线一遍遍描摹他的发丝、眉眼和伤疤。

在她的印象里，林克的睡眠质量一直不好。长年累月的冒险生涯让他养成了极度不规律的睡眠，也让他能抓紧一切空余时间抵达深度睡眠去恢复精力。

这在冒险途中很好，能让他一直保持充足的精神和体力。但当冒险结束，漫漫长夜成了困扰勇者的第一道难关。

他总是睡不着，不断的回想起曾经经历过的事，遇见的人和精灵。

起先，林克总是在床上一睁眼就是一夜。但是后来，他发现这样会影响玛隆，于是总是假意熟睡，再趁玛隆睡着偷溜进马厩里找伊波娜说话。

然而时日一长，伊波娜竟然向玛隆告状！海利亚女神在上，它到底是怎么让玛隆明白它的意思的！

不管怎么说，那段时间林克可是实打实吃了一阵的苦，玛隆宁愿自己不睡也要陪着他。渐渐的，林克的睡眠时间开始稳定，向普通人的方向过渡着。

玛隆靠近林克的胸膛，他熟睡着，却下意识的抬手将她搂紧。肌肤与肌��相贴，他的心跳就在玛隆耳边，平稳而有力。

玛隆合上双眼，放缓呼吸，逐渐沉入睡梦中。

鸡叫头遍，林克轻手轻脚的爬下床，没有惊动玛隆。昨夜他们闹得有些过火，所以林克打算亲自操刀，做一顿早餐。

要知道，在往日里，他是没资格进厨房的——除非玛隆允许。

林克的早餐做的中规中矩，并不出彩，但玛隆吃的很高兴。夫妻两个边吃边说话，朝阳的光透过窗帘照到两人身上，美的像一副油画。

困扰玛隆的问题还是没有得到解决，她一边看着林克收拾碗碟，在水池前洗碗，一边沉思着。

是她昨天放错了什么东西吗？是糖多了？还是黄油多了？

……不不不。玛隆否定掉这个想法，她对自己烤饼干的手艺十分有自信。

要知道，就连城下镇的面包店老板都问她有没有打算开个专门卖饼干的小店。

一想到城下镇，玛隆忽然想起之前去杂货店的路上，还被热心大妈拉着聊天，问起了是否有要孩子的打算。

“生孩子可不是小事，要早早的备孕啊，记得一定要少盐少油少糖，还要禁酒。你是不知道，我家那口子的表嫂的三表侄……”

等等……

玛隆瞬间灵光一闪，仿佛发现了林克这几天反常的原因，再联系到昨晚有些乱七八糟的情事——

难道，他想和自己要个孩子了？

玛隆的脸一下就红透了，连耳朵都害羞的垂了下来。

林克洗完碗，正好看见仍然坐在餐桌边盯着他大脑宕机的玛隆。

“亲爱的？”他试探性的唤了一声，然而玛隆却忽然双手捂脸跑了出去。

林克独自一人站在原地不知所措着。

玛隆跑出去好远，才在牧场边缘的花田边停下。

她蹲下身，捏住一株静谧公主：“想要、不想要、想要、不想要、想要……”

静谧公主只有五片花瓣，无论玛隆数多少次，只要她先说想要，那结果必然是想要。

她有些泄气的坐在地上，久违的少女心思让她坐立难安。

“哈！瞧瞧我发现了什么？”一顶花冠从玛隆头上扣下，与其一同落下的还有林克的声音，“一只迷路的花精灵？”

“林克？！”

玛隆又惊又喜，几乎毫不犹豫的站起身扑进他怀里。

林克稳稳的搂住她，笑着说：“不是才说好不许我有事瞒你？怎么？这就允许你瞒着我了？”

“噢！学精了！是哪个臭小子教坏你的？”玛隆单手叉腰，另一只手在林克的胸膛上点点点。

林克闻言哈哈大笑起来。

玛隆挽着林克，一同走在回牧场的路上。头顶的花冠让她想起他们结婚的那天。

那天她也是这样挽着林克，走向神父。他们在神父面前，向海利亚女神起誓，念出她排练了无数遍的结婚誓词。

她敢向海利亚女神发誓，林克那天绝对比和盖侬决战还要紧张。

玛隆忍不住笑了出来，引得林克一脸疑惑。

“想到什么了？这么高兴。”

“没什么，”玛隆捏捏林克的脸颊，对于它的肉感十分满意，“你最近胖了一些。”

林克一惊，连忙道：“胖了？哪里胖了？脸？脖子？腰？我看起来像你父亲吗？”

玛隆一愣，哈哈大笑起来，笑得腰都直不起来，连眼泪都笑出来了。

“噢亲爱的，别那么说，父亲会伤心的。”玛隆说完，忍不住又笑起来。

“放心吧，你看起来还是个健壮的小伙子。”玛隆靠近林克，阳光从侧面照过来，在她脸上投下阴影，她笑容灿烂，和这美好的太阳一样，“我们可还没有孩子呢。林克先生，你离中年发福还早呢！”

林克叹了口气，“孩子，哦……亲爱的，你想要个孩子了吗？”

“女孩儿？男孩儿？”

“玛隆，那还早呢。”林克顿了顿，“至少现在还太早！”

“好吧好吧。”玛隆伸手搂住林克的腰，拽着他的衣领给了他一个吻，“林克先生，接受你的惩罚吧——”她指向远处的木头，那是前些天才拉回来准备过冬用的柴火。

林克搂着玛隆的腰，低头轻咬了一下她的唇，“遵命，亲爱的。”

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