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wolfwarden · 1 year

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Whumptober Day 30 - "Please don't touch me."

Word count: 1,503 Fandom: Linked Universe Characters: Sky & Wind

“Sky, you gotta teach me that move!”

Sky jumps as Wind hurls himself down by his side, rocking the log he was perched on and nearly upsetting the food in Sky’s lap. Using both hands to steady his bowl, he gives Wind a curious look.

“You know!” Wind elbows him good-naturedly, a wild grin on his face. “The one you used on the Yiga from before.”

“Oh.” Sky smiles stiffly back. “Y-yeah. That was… that was exciting.”

“Right?! He appeared out of nowhere. Just poof-” Wind’s hands gesticulate dramatically as he retells the events from a scant two hours ago, “and then he’s there, an assassin right behind you!”

Sky’s smile remains fixed in place but the edges of his bowl press a little deeper into his hands. The other heroes have long finished their own dinners and moved on to other activities, only Wind lingering around Sky and his now-cold food. Sky had wondered at that, Wind not being one to just sit around if he could help it, but it’s now evident why.

Wind continues, his natural tendency toward storytelling sweeping him into the tale. “I didn’t even notice him until I turned and saw that crazy eye mask right over your shoulder.”

Sky can’t help the shudder that rolls through him, but he manages to keep his face blank, showing no hint of the revulsion that fills him. If he lets his mind wander, he'll feel the phantom press of pale fingers clutching at his shoulder, of unhinged laughter harsh against his ears, of intrusive breath puffing against his cheek-

“I wish I could teleport,” Wind sighs dramatically. “Wouldn’t that be so cool? Just a simple-” Wind’s hand rises to illustrate his point, fingers producing the sound of a sharp SNAP.

Sky jolts, spine snapping straight as old wounds seem to burn anew. His head half turns before he catches himself, helpless against the urge to check behind him.

“Oh, Sky, you dropped your food.” Wind dives down to gather up the spilled bowl. “I can get you more-”

“No,” Sky shakes his head, “I wasn’t hungry anyway.” With nothing to hold on to, Sky’s hands begin to tremor. He stuffs them under legs, letting his own weight press them into stillness against the tree bark.

Wind puts the bowl aside. “Really? Well, why don’t you come spar with the rest of us.” He gestures to the far side of camp where the other heroes are gathered in a clearing past the trees.

Sky can hear the clang of swords and the occasional angry word as competitive tempers flare. He doesn’t think he has it in him today to spar. He hears Warriors call out a friendly jeer, and his stomach twists tighter in a knot that formed hours ago and won't release him. The afterimage of black diamonds flit across his vision. Squeezing his eyes shut, he tries to shake off the jittery feeling.

“If you come you could show me that move?” Wind hops to his feet. “But only If you want. Oh, but it was just so cool! You whipped around so fast and had your sword drawn on the guy before he could even-”

Wind’s flailing hand hooks into Sky’s shoulder and blinding panic whites out Sky's every thought. He shouts, rocketing backward, kicking out blindly as he tumbles to the leaf-strewn ground.

He hears a body hit the ground with a grunt and has to remind himself to 'breathe, just breathe. Look, it’s only-' “Wind!" The boy is staring up at Sky with wide-eyed shock. "Oh no! I’m so sorry!” Sky is a flutter of apologies as he crawls forward to check the damage he's caused.

But Wind waves him back, already clambering to his feet. “’S all right, Sky. You only nicked me.”

“You’re holding your side!” Sky protests, flushed red with shame as his heart still thunders away. “And I shouldn’t have done that! I- I wouldn’t do that, I didn’t realize it was you-”

“Well, who did you think I was?”

The question is asked with a breathy laugh, only seeking to cut the tension, but Sky freezes, kneeling in the fall leaves with hands outstretched. “I-” he gapes at Wind, feeling foolish. “Nobody. I’m sorry, Wind. I shouldn’t have… reacted so strongly.” Another shout sounds from beyond the trees quickly accompanied by laughter. Sky curls in on himself, drawing the edges of his sailcloth tighter around his shoulders. “That was my fault. Forgive me.”

Wind shakes his head. “Nothing to forgive.”

Sky looks unconvinced. “I- I think I have a potion-“

“Sky, it won’t even bruise.” He takes a moment to really look at Sky, before determination colors his expression. He steps forward and kneels in front of Sky. Then, making sure to telegraph his every move, reaches forward to wrap Sky into the biggest hug he can manage.

Sky flinches back.

Wind pulls away immediately. “Sorry, is this wrong? I thought- I mean, this is what you usually do for… for us.” He winces as he stumbles over his words.

“I know.” Sky’s head is down, staring far too intently at the leaves gathered around his knees. He shivers despite all his layers of clothing.

Wind thinks he’s never seen Sky look so small. It’s an odd sensation. Sky always seemed larger than life, a hero from the beginning of time, the creator of the Master Sword, a being who came to earth from life in the clouds. “Sky?”

“Please don’t touch me.”

Wind may not understand everything that just happened in Sky’s mind, but he knows the sound of fear and shame in Sky's voice. “Okay.” He makes himself comfortable on the ground, careful not to draw any closer. “What do you need me to do?”

Sky drops his head even lower so his fluffy bangs hang over his eyes. The tips of his ears are bright red against the blue and white of the sailcloth behind them.

“Do you want me to leave?”

Sky jerks his head up and gasps out, “No!”

Wind carefully doesn’t react to the edge of panic rolled into that one word. “Then I’ll stay.”

“I’m sorry,” Sky whispers.

“For what?” Now that he’s caught Sky’s gaze he fights to hold it with his own, unwilling to see his friend drop his head in shame again. “You don’t have to like being touched all the time. I don’t like it all the time.” He twists up his face in an exaggerated grimace. “Especially when Wars and Twi muss up my hair when they’re trying to out-big-brother each other. Morons.”

There’s a flicker of a smile across Sky’s face and Wind glows with secret pride.

“I’ll make sure to ask next time,” Sky says.

“Naw. You don’t have to ask.”

Sky’s face twists in confusion.

Wind shrugs. “You give good hugs.” His face feels a little warm but he pushes on anyway. If releasing one teeny tiny secret of his will make Sky feel better he’ll do it. “When I’m homesick… I guess I don’t mind it when you hug me. It- it’s nice. And don’t you dare tell anyone I said that or use it for nefarious purposes, Sky!”

That gets a huff of air out of Sky, an almost-laugh, and Wind will take it. “You’re always looking out for us. Isn’t there anything I can do for you?” Sky doesn’t answer. So Wind waits. He tries to do so patiently, but he hates sitting still. How is he supposed to fix things sitting down? The possibility that Sky will just push him away hangs heavy over him, some problems deemed too big for someone so little to understand, but Wind does his best to ignore his own insecurities. He can tell this is not about him. “If it’s just sitting here with no talking I can 100% do that no problem.” Probably. Mostly silent, anyway. If it’s for Sky he’ll manage, somehow.

Abruptly, Sky reaches out and carefully curls two fingers around Wind’s hand.

Wind sucks in a sharp breath and scrutinizes his friend for any visible discomfort. “This is supposed to be for you, Sky. Don’t do this if you don’t want to.”

Sky fully wraps his hand into Wind’s, pauses, then squeezes his hand in three little bursts. Wind wonders briefly if that was supposed to mean something, but notes how Sky’s shoulders dropped, no longer hunched up around his ears.

“Okay then.” So Wind sits, watching the golden-red leaves flutter between them, whistling an occasional tune, and holding Sky’s hand. And slowly, Sky relaxes, rolling his eyes at Wind’s intentionally poor rendition of a jaunty forest tune Time had taught them. Bit by bit he huffs and unfurls and smiles wider and Wind still doesn’t let him go.

He doesn't let go even when the others draw back toward the camp, noisy and pleasantly exhausted. He doesn’t let go when Warriors and Twilight catch sight of them and exchange a confused look.

Wind only sniffs loftily at the pair, holding Sky’s hand up as evidence, and says, “Big brother duties.”

Sky laughs, a real one this time, and Wind thinks that’s worth an evening of just sitting still.

#whumptober2022 #no.30 #"Please don’t touch me.”#Linked Universe #fic #lu Sky #lu Wind #Whump #WolfWarden Writes #hurt/comfort #love me some Ghirahim related angst for the boy #as a treat

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gintrinsic-writing · 11 months

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The brown paper bag was small and nondescript. It crinkled in Legend’s fist.

“So?” Sky asked quietly. “What did the doctor say?”

“It’s not bad,” Legend answered with a shrug. He sounded calm despite the tension in his shoulders. Sky was immediately on edge.

“Meaning?”

“I’m deficient in vitamin B.”

“And?”

“That’s it,” Legend assured him. “Everything else checked out.”

“Everything? Because Hyrule said—”

“I know what he said, I was there,” Legend muttered dryly. “It’s hard to forget words like ‘degenerative neuropathy’ when you’re falling asleep.”

Sky winced. “Sorry.”

Legend waved his apology aside. “Don’t be. The doctor mentioned similar possibilities, but no, it’s just a vitamin issue.”

It sounded almost too good to be true. “And that can cause…?”

“The tingling, numbness and tiredness?” Legend snorted. “Apparently.”

Sky slouched forward in relief. “Thank Hylia.” They’d been so worried the past few weeks. Legend already dealt with chronic pain issues, but lately he’d been having sensory problems even when sitting, standing, or holding a weapon. Sky had been the one to suggest that they stop in a city to find someone trained in modern medicine when potions hadn’t improved anything. “I take it there’s a medication?” he asked, nodding to the brown paper bag.

Some of the tension returned to Legend’s shoulders. “Yeah.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Legend.”

“Sky.” Legend mimicked his tone.

“What’s the issue? Does it taste bad?”

Legend turned the bag over and dumped its contents on one of the inn’s beds. Sky spotted several small vials and syringes. “It’s a monthly injection, since my gut apparently isn’t absorbing vitamins properly.”

“Oh. Is that… bad?”

“Of course not,” Legend said quickly. “It’ll take two seconds. It’s more of a minor inconvenience than anything else.”

Sky pursed his lips. “Do you want me to give you the first one?”

This time, Legend blushed. “No. It’s just a needle. I’ve had much worse.”

“I know.”

“I know you know,” Legend griped, still blushing. He suddenly reached over to fill one of the syringes. The liquid was a pleasant cherry red. When he lifted one side of his tunic to expose his hip, Sky glanced away to be polite. Seconds passed, and Sky waited…

And waited.

Legend abruptly giggled, and Sky glanced up just in time to see him slap his free hand over his mouth. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine! Don’t look!” Legend blurted.

Sky immediately glanced away again. “Are you sure…?”

“I’m,” Legend stopped to giggle once more. “F-fine!” He cleared his throat, though his voice remained just shy of laughter. “I’m fine. It’s just a needle. I’m. fine.”

“You’re fine,” Sky repeated pleasantly.

“It’s just a needle.”

“Right, you said that.”

Legend laughed. “In my leg.”

“Yes...”

“This is my leg.”

“Goddess, Legend, are you sure you don’t want me to do it?” Sky asked, finally looking over.

Legend’s cheeks were flushed pink, and his expression kept ping-ponging between a frown and a nervous grin. The needle hovered just millimeters over his skin. “No! I’m doing it!”

Sky raised his hands slowly. “Okay, how about—Don’t do it blind!”

“Too late!” Legend exclaimed, staring at an ugly portrait on the wall as he jabbed the needle into his hip. He sighed in relief as soon as it was done, then calmly glanced down as he finished sliding the hub against his skin. After drawing back on the syringe to make sure he wasn’t in a vessel, he injected himself and withdrew the needle. “Din’s fiery balls,” he grumbled. “That sucked.”

Sky felt like he had whiplash. “She doesn't—You—”

“Glad that’s done with,” Legend said as if he hadn't made the entire experience as dramatic as possible. He capped the used needle and set it aside. “Where are the others? Is there a plan for dinner yet?”

Sky shook his head at him. “Why did you look away?”

“That was my leg.”

“Yes,” Sky groaned, “so you said.”

“I just can’t watch it go in. Gives me the heebs,” Legend told him seriously. “Once the needle’s broken through the skin, I’m good.”

“Just… let one of us inject you next month.”

“That sounds worse.”

“But then you don’t have to watch,” Sky pointed out.

“Yeah, true…”

“You’re not going to let us, are you?”

“No chance in hell,” Legend confirmed with a nod.

#they say Write What You Know so i'm writing about all the times i've nervous giggled before giving myself vit b injections #it's so humbling #needles #lu legend #lu sky #wolfwarden if you're reading this i literally chose sky for you #lu fic #linked universe #gintrinsic writing

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adrift-in-thyme · 11 months

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Hello! If you are still accepting fic requests... I saw your "Legend is a sympathetic crier" post and it grabbed hold of my brain. Could you try a fic of that with Legend/Fable or Legend & Sky? Either one would be fun, I think!

Hi! Thanks so much for the prompt!!

I really wanted to write this with Legend/Fable but I don’t feel confident writing Fable as a main character just yet (I’ve seriously gotta play the games Legend’s in so I can write those two). But I went with Sky instead! I hope you like it!

Fic under the cut (can also be read on Ao3)

———————————-

Wild’s latest memory is one of his worst.

At least, Legend thinks it is. He isn’t usually around for the aftermath of these kinds of things. Warriors or Time are always quick to usher the group away as soon as that faraway look comes into the champion’s eyes. But today the memory had come and gone with uncharacteristic speed, and there had been no time for an escape.

Legend hadn’t minded too much at first. He’s handled worse things than the reminiscing of an amnesiac, after all. But that was before Wild had crumpled, falling to his knees with his hands pressed to his face. That was before the wailing had begun.

Even now, that an eternity has passed, the sounds of anguish still split the air. Twilight has drawn the champion into his arms, but his shoulder does little to muffle his heartbroken cries. And with each passing second Legend’s chest constricts further.

A lump situates itself painfully in his throat and he struggles to breathe past it. He won’t cry–he can’t—not here. Yet, the tears are coming anyway, burning his eyes and trickling down his cheeks.

He balls his hands into fists, fingernails digging into flesh. Even the stinging pain does nothing to keep back the emotions rising within him. And they’re not his own, not even close—for goodness sake, he doesn’t even know what the memory was about—but they come anyway, strong and suffocating. He fights not to crumble beneath their weight.

Still, the sobs wrack Wild’s body and still, he stands frozen in place, unable to tear his eyes from the sight.

Somewhere off to his side Time leads the others away, saying something about privacy. Somewhere even nearer Wind laments their helplessness. But Legend hears them as though they’re miles away.

When Wild speaks, however, he hears the anguished words plainly.

“I forgot her. How could I forget her?”

He doesn’t know who this mystery girl is (though he may have a terrible, terrifying inkling), but it doesn’t matter. The statement on top of everything else is just too much.

It takes everything he has to walk away instead of running.

Putting some distance between himself and the others helps a bit. As soon as he’s out of earshot, the emotions begin to subside and the tears along with them. But the mere thought of the champion–of how he’d looked and sounded–brings them roaring back.

Legend kicks viciously at a small pebble, sending it flying.

It was only a matter of time before this happened–before someone started bawling their eyes out and he just had to follow suit. But it’s stupid, horribly so. He isn’t the one who should be crying. He’s the one who should be standing strong, keeping his walls up, and letting no one, not a single person, see how the pain of others affects him.

He reaches a small cliff and, with a sigh, flops down onto it. It’s a dismal sort of day though, overhung with rain clouds and fog, and within a second of sitting down his tunic has sopped up half of Hyrule’s water supply. Cursing, he leaps back to his feet.

Wonderful. Even nature is trying to make him cry. Or scream. At this point, he feels more inclined to go that route.

Instead, he settles for glaring into the mist. It doesn’t provide any satisfaction, but it’s something.

Anger is better than sorrow any day.

“Legend?”

He jumps at the sound and whirls, reaching for his sword. Sky holds up a hand to stop him.

“It’s just me.”

Legend lets out an annoyed huff, sheathing his weapon. His thoughts are scattered now like seeds born on the wings of the wind.

“Yeah, I can see that now. Mind not sneaking up on me next time?”

Sky chuckles. “Sorry, I thought you’d hear me. I’m not usually all that stealthy.”

He comes to stand beside him, following the direction of Legend’s gaze from moments before.

“You were deep in thought though. I called you three times before you noticed I was standing there.”

Legend shifts, uncomfortably.

Three times? That’s a first. He’s usually much more attentive, often to a fault. “Bunny hearing” Fable jokingly calls it, and he can’t help thinking she’s onto something. Few sounds slip his notice.

“Well, what’re you doing here?” He asks, sitting down on the moist grass. Wetness be damned, he’s too tired to remain standing.

Sweet Hylia, why do emotions have to be so exhausting?

“Shouldn’t you be back there—” He jerks a thumb behind him— “comforting the person who’s actively breaking down?”

Sky settles down by his side and folds his hands in his lap.

“I can’t help Wild,” he says, quietly. “The fewer people around him right now, the better. Twilight and Time are with him and that’s enough.”

That’s good, Legend supposes. The champion is closer to the two heroes than he is to anyone else in their party. Still, he wishes something more could be done.

Well…what he wishes is that he could snap his fingers and all pain would just disappear—from him, from those he calls friends. That would be easier, much easier than sitting here and dealing with the whole lot of it.

…or watching it tear someone down into a sobbing, mess.

Hylia help him, his own problems are more than enough without him having to go and absorb everyone else’s. It’s like being a chu, oozing about, taking on any element they encounter, and spewing it out indiscriminately.

“It’s difficult watching something like that.”

Legend turns slightly so he can see the Skyloftian’s face. There’s something he can’t quite make out in his gaze, an emotion he thinks he should know yet can’t place.

“There’s nothing we can do,” Sky continues, almost as though reassuring himself. “But our hero’s spirits want so badly to take it all away. It just doesn’t sit right, leaving him with such a heavy burden.”

He meets Legend’s eyes now, a small, sad smile lifting his lips. “Especially when it feels like that burden has become yours.”

The tears spring back with a vengeance and Legend turns away quickly to avoid Sky catching sight of them. Not that it matters. He knows what the Skyloftian is doing, and he knows what it means. He saw him crying back there, he must have.

He slumps despite himself, curling in with his shoulders hunched. He feels very much like he did when Twilight and Sky saw him in his bunny form, caught in the trap of vulnerability and hating every second of it.

“I know it’s not my burden,” he mutters, testily. “I just…I can’t help it.”

Plucking a blade of grass he begins ripping it viciously into thin strands.

“It happens every damn time.”

Sky nods and there is a kind of comprehension in the movement. Somehow, it makes Legend feel worse.

First the tears, now an uncharacteristic outpouring of his heart. What on earth is wrong with him?

“It’s not a weakness you know.”

Legend gives a derisive snort. “I don’t see how it couldn’t be.”

“You’re such a kind, sensitive soul,” his uncle told him once, fondness in his eyes. But kindness and sensitivity are blatant invitations for hurt. That much has been drilled into his skull.

For a long moment, there is only suffocating silence. Then, Sky scoots closer. He’s warm, far more than the dreary chill of the wind or the bone-aching wet hanging in the air and seeping into his tunic. Still, Legend stiffens.

“I know it feels that way sometimes,” the Skyloftian continues. “But it’s what makes us heroes.”

Legend side eyes him. “Crying our eyes out makes us heroes?”

Sky chuckles. “Well, maybe not that specifically. You know what I mean, though.”

Legend sighs. He does, despite not really wanting to accept it.

“If only dealing with emotions was as easy as saving Hyrule,” he says, wryly, in a half-hearted attempt at bringing some humor into the conversation.

Sky’s face falls slightly. “Yeah…if only.” Then, he smiles, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Anyway, I guess the bunny form makes more sense now.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Legend snaps, sending him a scowl.

“It’s just like the rancher said, you’ve got a soft, little bunny heart.”

“Hey, now! You’ve got no right!”

Sky laughs, completely unperturbed by Legend’s pout. And even the veteran has to admit the sound makes the air feel lighter. At the very least, it’s better than the sound of sobs.

“Oh!” The Skyloftian suddenly jolts, reaching into his pouch. “That reminds me. I have something for you.” He presses a small, wrapped object into Legend’s palm. “I’ve been meaning to give it to you, but I couldn’t find a good time. I guess now is as good as ever.”

Legend peers down at it, curiosity peeking. But before he can begin freeing it from the handkerchief that envelopes it, Sky rises.

“Well, I’m gonna head back. Open that whenever you want to. There’s no rush.”

“Okay,” Legend replies, slowly. He watches with narrowed eyes as the Skyloftian turns and starts in the opposite direction. If he wasn’t suspicious before, he certainly is now.

Nevertheless, he makes himself wait until Sky is out of sight to peel away the wrapping. And then he freezes, breath catching at the sight within.

It’s a tiny, ornate carving of a rabbit.

It stands on its hind legs, so alert and lifelike Legend half expects to see it twitch its nose. Gently, almost cautiously, he runs a finger over its little head, feeling the smoothness of the wood.

Something wet and warm drops onto the back of his hand, and he realizes with a streak of frustration that he’s crying again. Cursing Sky, he swipes at his eyes. There’s no stopping it now that it’s begun, however. In the end, he’s forced to let the sobs rip through him.

And as the tears pour down faster than he can wipe them away, he closes his fist around the precious object and clutches it to his chest.

#thanks again for the prompt :)#I was actually meaning to write something about that post #so this was the perfect opportunity to get to do that #also in case anyone’s wondering #yeah I made wild remember his sister #I know I’m cruel #trin writes #lu legend #lu sky #linkeduniverse #wolfwarden #angst #emotional hurt/comfort #*throws my sky and legend are highly empathetic and absorb everyone’s emotions headcanons into the mix*#I’ve got so many projection hcs for these boys it’s unreal

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skyward-floored · 2 years

Note

I am cheating and sending another ask. 😆

Warriors is Hyrule's successor. 👀👀👀 YES PLEASE.

(Also I saw A Royal Castletown Wedding on there! Love that story! Dare I ask for a snippet of that as well? ... Yes, yes I do. 😉 But only if you don't mind, of course!)

Ah good choices all around! Two of my favorite ones that were on there actually, I’m especially excited about the Warriors and Hyrule one. I explained it a bit here, but I’ll give you a snippet of it too :D

“You... have magic?” Hyrule asked, eyes growing wide.

“Sort of. Not the time,” Warriors replied, raising the rod high. “Stay close.”

Channeling the sparks in his chest into the rod, he swung it down, twisting it around himself in a wide arc as he did so. Fire burst from the top, twisting out into an explosion of light, and Hyrule watched in amazement as the fire took the form of a blazing dragon.

It hovered majestically around them for mere seconds before bursting into action, taking out the enemies surrounding them with a fiery roar.

And a bit from Royal Castletown wedding, which I’m rather struggling with right now 😅

“We’re ready to start helping you prepare for the ceremony your highness,” the maid said, and Zelda waved her off.

“I’ll be along shortly.”

She left, and Zelda watched as the sun burst over the horizon, golden rays lighting up the rooftops.

A faint breeze blew her hair, and she smiled.

“This day is going to be perfect.”

#something I think is interesting about Hyrule and Warriors is how their games both have #a fair amount of magic #I figure magic must have become more commonplace after Hyrule was king #answers from the floor #wolfwarden #wip #lu warriors #lu hyrule #also heehoo the amount of pleasure I got from writing that last line from the RCW one #turning a song into a fic is hard but it’s got its moments

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embyrinitalics · 1 year

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Fic Rec Masterlist

Some of my favorite stories and authors. Limiting myself to 3 recs per author. Visit their ao3 profiles + tumblrs for more!

intangibly_yours (@intangiblyyourswrites)

Synchronous botw | zelink | modern AU | 3.5k | T

Even in Death botw | zelink | 14.7k | M

sink or swim (but don't let me go) various | zelink | compilation | 9k | M

socksock (@airplanned)

Anonymity botw | zelink | 14k | M

Displaced botw | zelink | 163k | M

K.K. Love Song botw | zelink | modern AU | 20k | T

yourenotacat (@yourenotacat-writes)

Sweet Dreams, Princess unspecified | zelink | modern AU | 44k (incomplete) | T

Putting Faith in Fools various | zelink | compilation | 4.6k (incomplete) | M

bahbahhh (@bahbahhh)

desire path botw | zelink | 6.4k | G

like someone would botw | zelink | 9.7k | M

WolfWarden (@wolfwarden)

The Lesson: A Whumptober Tale lu | wars, mask, fierce deity | 4.7k | T

Rynling (@pocketseizure)

When the Moon Didn't Fall mm | zelgan (platonic) | 13.6k | T

A Hero's Inventory various | gen | compilation | 8k | G

Linksthoughtbrambles (@linksthoughtbrambles)

Blindsighted botw | zelink | 5.8k | T

Link's Thought Brambles botw | zelink | 203k | M

Sifl (@sifl-senpai)

Facades mm | gen | 109k | T

Leadernovaandthemacabre (@leadernovaandthemacare)

Lord Floria's Anthology botw | zelink | 36k | T

gerudo__desert (@aegon-targaryen)

If I Falter botw | zelink | 4.5k | NR

The Rise Before the Fall botw | zelink | 2k | T

Need more? Further reading: (my ao3 bookmarks) (my #fic recs tag) (my fic masterlist)

#zelink #legend of zelda #fanfic #fic recs #masterlist #embyr's favorites!#they really are my favorites I've read them all multiple times lol #some of these authors have tumblr-only fics as well #like airplanned's Trill AU or intangibly's Even in Death AU #or airplanned's elevator AU. does anyone remember the elevator AU? because I do.#and obviously this list is not exhaustive and there’s tons of good authors and stories out there besides these #these are just the handful I keep coming back to again and again #this list is a work in progress and will never be completed as long as there's imagination in the world #just like disneyland 🏰#long post

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skyloftian-nutcase · 10 months

Note

Hallooo there, I'm in a bit of a numb place when it comes to emotions right now, so if it's alright I ask, do you have any advice or know any emotional Ao3s?

Hope you have a good morning/evening/day

I honestly haven't checked AO3 since like... a day or two ago, so I don't know what its current status is but I heard it was down, so I can't provide links to a whole lot of other stories, so I hope you don't mind me recommending some of my own that I've posted here instead.

You can also check out writing by @skyward-floored, @adrift-in-thyme, or @wolfwarden they're all fantastic authors :)

If you want a relatable story for numbing out your emotions I have two!

Sky numbs himself into oblivion

Twilight shoves his emotions aside

If you want a message from the blorbos about taking care of yourself:

Warriors reassures Twilight

Twilight reassures Warriors

Sky reassures Legend

BotW Link's Dad reassures Link

If you want something that might make you cry or at least maybe feel something:

Captain Link, his Little Sprite, and the No Good Very Bad Day

BotW Link's Dad during the Calamity seeing Link before he's mortally wound + after he's mortally wounded

Rusl finds out Link can turn into a wolf in the worst way possible

If you want an adventure:

SS Link enjoying his time on the Surface

Hyrule and Four do a dungeon crawl together

The Chain learns about Sky's curse while Sky has a miserable time

The Knights and Legend go shield surfing

#you ask skye answers #lovely anon #wow this took a hot minute to find these lol

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arecaceae175 · 1 year

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Thanks for the tag @zartophski!!! I love tag games :D

Rules: post the names of all the files in your WIP folder regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet of it or tell them something about it! And then tag as many people as you have wips. I have deemed that this isn’t just for writing either. Sketch titles? Comics? Dnd campaigns? If you have an unfinished project, it counts!

Sometimes the special interest fuels me a little too much... (The ones in bold are the ones I'm actively working on writing, the other are just ideas or plot outlines)

Authenticity

Autistic Sky on the surface

Beauty and the Beast AU

Chain gets de-aged

Chain meets (this one is old and I don't like it so it will probably never see the light of day)

Dirt (I BEG OF YOU TO ASK ABOUT DIRT XDXD)

Febuwhump 2023 (still taking requests or ideas!)

Four smiling compilation but it's only like two panels (LU analysis WIP)

Funny modern AU

Gremlin compilation (LU analysis WIP)

happy times in everyone's Hyrule

Hero's spirit is autistic

Legend and Hyrule whumptober (this may reworked for a febuwhump, we'll see)

LU in Disney World!!!

Modern AU

Murder Mystery on a Train

No Place To Go But Everywhere (Only the Wild Ones sequel I'll get to one day maybe probably maybe)

Stars Are Up Now (also in the Only the Wild Ones universe)

Temple Escape

That's an Order

Time is Sad the Fic ™

Twi and Flora (also also in Only the Wild Ones verse)

Wild and Twilight whumptober

Wild and Wolfie

Winter fun times

Won't Remember

25 writing WIPs.... at least I won't run out of things to write lol :D. Ask away if any intrigue you!

I'll tag @zarvasace @wildsage00 @wolfwarden @silvercaptain24 @minty-mumbles and also @osierrasoulo @unicyclingdogs for art WIPs!

#ace writes #tag game #these are always fun

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enjolras-out · 1 year

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Do you have any LU fic recommendations? (I like all of the Links.)

I definitely do!! WAY too many to list but here are a few that resonate especially:

(My 3 rules for keeping the following under control:

not listing anything I remember recommending before purely because there are just too many incredible stories out there

only allowing myself to rec 1 fic per author

limiting the list to 7 because after 12 it's my favourite number and 12 seemed like too long of a post?)

flashes appeared at the corner of my eyes (i saw the stars and i didn't ask why) by Lightning of Farosh (I am endlessly in love with everything this author ever writes but this is probably my favourite - cw it's VERY intense for blood/injury/general horror)

Fluent by @quirkle2 (this was the fic that opened Legend up to me as a character)

Please Don't Come For Me by @sister-dear (no explanation needed everyone knows how utterly totally perfect this is)

Lavender by Ageofavalon (*sobbing helplessly into a pillow for the rest of my life*)

Malevolence by ScrapWitch (TWILIGHT!!! HYRULE!!! Is this a fandom classic yet? I think everyone knows about it already but it has my whole heart)

Hyrule and Wild Have a Hard Time by @unexpectedtraveler (this one is not yet finished but completely intriguing!!)

Those Who Revel in Destruction by @wolfwarden (it's painful and angsty in all my favourite ways and while I'll forever pray for a sequel/continuation I've read it 12x and it's the GEM of Sky and Hyrule fics)

Thank you for the opportunity to shout about some of my favourite stories! There are so many amazing authors in this fandom, I'm constantly being blown away!!!

(apologies for potential patterns in the above re: certain genres angst or characters Hyrule - I tried but some things are unavoidable it seems)

#fic recs #thanks for the ask!#literally this fandom #you are all amazing writers #making this list made me remember #just how awesome you all are #lu fanfiction #linked universe #linked universe fanfic

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silvercaptain24 · 9 months

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So, who else hurts wars alot? Cause I think im one of those people now lol

Me, @shyrule @echoing--stars @wolfwarden @anthemxix and someone else who’s irl I can’t remember and several people write great angst but Wars isn’t their favorite/not written a lot so.

#asks and answers #shinso!!!

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jinmukangwrites · 2 years

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Hello Jin! I am not a coffee drinker so I don't have recs, sorry!! Cinnamon tea for me.

If you're still doing the 10 minute prompts, could I request anything with Sky? Thank you!

Give me a character/pairing and I'll attempt to write a drabble in 10 minutes

not me projecting my body type onto sky-

"When are we going to stop running?"

-o-o-o-o-

Any competent knight worth his salt knew that staying alive and beating every encounter with the enemy hardly ever went hand in hand.. sometimes, a retreat was necessary. That way, they could live to fight the next day, instead of falling because of pride.

Right now though, Sky kinda wanted to take his chances with the monsters.

"When are we going to stop running?!" He gasped, practically stumbling over his feet. Beside him, Time gave an unamused look. Dozens of monster shouts came somewhere behind them.

"Getting tired already?!" Warriors replies, as if he wasn't the owner of a vast ocean of stamina. The man could run for days and never tire. Sky felt like he was going to puke.

"Just a little further," Twilight said with barely a pant in his breath. "Keep going."

Blasted monsters and their blasted ambushes.

Eventually, what felt like years later, the inhuman screeches finally quieted with distance, and Time called for a rest. Sky couldn't feel his legs, and almost had to catch himself before faceplanting into the ground. Instead, he wobbled over to a small boulder and sat down. His ribs hurt. He hated how hardly he gasped compared to the others. He knew he had a different body type than them, and his strength and endurance lies in other places, but dammit Wind is practically vibrating with energy still.

"Here," came Wild's voice. Sky startled out of his negative thoughts and looked at what Wild held in his hands. It was... a bottle? Green liquid sloshed inside.

"What's this?" Sky said through deep breaths, taking the mysterious bottle.

"An energizing elixir. I usually always have one or two on hand. They're good for climbing mountains... I thought you might find more use with it.

"Thank you," Sky said, slowly, unsure of how he should react to the gift.

Gratefulness, he decided, when Time called the rest to end. They needed to make sure they got a safe distance from the masses of monsters, and unfortunately that required more running.

The potion tasted strange, but this time he managed to keep up without feeling completely like he was going to die.

That didn't stop him from collapsing by their campfire the second it was made in safety, and immediately passing out.

Never again. He was never running again.

#jin writes #linked universe #fanfiction #drabble fic #ask meme #ask #wolfwarden

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musashi · 2 years

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Word #3 for Down: "stumble"

Sky stumbles as he’s trying to bring himself to a higher rest—shaking, suffocating, propped up on one wobbling forearm.

wuh oh!!!!!!!

(send me a word for a passage from my WIP that contains it!)

#wolfwarden #wendy answers #wendy writing #down chapter 9

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wolfwarden · 2 years

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Whumptober Day 5 & 24- Blood Loss, "I don't want to do this anymore."

Word count: 3,703 Fandom: Linked Universe Characters: Time & Warriors (@gintrinsic-writing this is at least partly your fault. 😅) -

Time wakes slowly, his heart stuttering oddly in his chest. The wound in his shoulder burns and overshadows the aches flaring all along his side from where he hit the ground. He struggles to raise his head, but a steady hand presses down on his chest, trapping him.

“Stay down. You’ll only make yourself dizzy.”

He hates how easily he’s held down. Is the person beside him that strong or is Time that weak? He frowns and tries to blink the world back into focus. “I hit my head, didn’t I.”

“No. But you’re bleeding a lot. Take it easy.” The tone is gentle and fond and familiar. Time finds it hard not to relax into those words. They make him feel very young, like when he first met the Captain in the War of Ages. It had been an odd adventure, with a different hero looking after him instead of- Wait. His thoughts are sluggish but he tries to push through. That is the Captain’s voice. I'm with him but he’s Warriors now and I… I was hit. He tries once more to sit up.

“Old man!” Warriors snaps at him and grabs Time’s arm, grip strong and steady.

The world dips and sways for a moment before leveling out. Time leans closer to his support, his pulse thundering in his ears as he sucks in a shaky breath.

“Stubborn cuss. I told you.”

Once again the hands push him forcibly back to the ground. “Ah. It’s the blood loss, I take it,” Time says, avoiding Warriors' exasperated gaze by focusing on the rosy sky behind him. The sunrise has painted the morning a deep pink.

“The- of course, it’s the blood loss. You had an arrow in your shoulder!”

Time tries to inspect his tunic, fingers fumbling over torn and bloody (but thankfully arrow-free) fabric. Warriors bats the probing fingers away. Time’s fingers instead follow a trailing bloodstain up to the captain’s beloved scarf, reaching up and tugging at the stained fabric just under Warriors’ chin. “Getting sloppy.”

Warriors’ hands give a rough jerk as they wind a bandage around Time’s wound. “Don’t worry about it.”

Is it normal for the world to tip so unnervingly? Time feels he might topple over despite already lying flat on his back. Or maybe he’ll fall up into the sky. He fights to pull his thoughts back in line as his mouth babbles on. “You’re normally so careful. Probably ‘cause you’ve had a lot of practice.”

“Doing what? Patching you up?” The words are lighthearted but Warriors seems distracted, eyes flitting from side to side. “I’ve had enough to last me a lifetime, Sprite.”

“Sorry.” The shadows at the edges of Time’s vision darken and stretch for a moment, so he tries to slow his breathing, fighting the pull of unconsciousness. But the air feels too thin. It whistles in and out of him in quick, shallow bursts. “I might pass out.” His voice sounds wondering, like a child’s.

“Yes, you might.”

But that wasn’t right. He just woke up. He’s recovered from worse injuries than this without feeling so heavy and weak. Stubbornness makes him clench his fists and gather himself for another attempt at rising.

He fails.

It rankles to think Warriors will have to take care of him on top of leading the others. He’s been taking on too much recently, Time thinks, and he’s going to burn out… Memories from the past couple of weeks crowd forward in his mind: Warriors jumping to patch everyone up after battles no matter his own injuries; Warriors insisting on seeing to tasks alone so the others could rest; Warriors wandering back into camp with an unconscious hero in his arms, stubbornly putting himself in charge of their recovery.

Frankly, it was alarming how frequently that last one had been happening, and Time wasn’t about to become the next burden. “Help me up,” he says.

“You’re too weak.” A gentle hand sweeps over his head. “Rest now.”

“Silly to go back to sleep this early in the morning. It’s time to be up. So I should be up.” Time tries for a teasing smile but Warriors’ answering look is still tense. He tries for a more sincere tone, searching for the key to let him win this argument. “I’m not that kid anymore. I should be taking care of you.”

“You do.” The words are soft and difficult to catch. “You are.”

“Not enough,” Time insists.

Warriors hesitates before answering in a near-whisper, “Too much.”

Something in those words isn’t right. Time tries to sit up again, to get a closer look at Warriors, but weariness has him bound to the ground. He wants to assure Warriors that he sees him and everything he does for them. Everything he did was for the good of the group.

Warriors sucks in a shaky breath. “You were already so pale… but I couldn’t…” His face twists into a pained expression before he gives his head a sharp shake. “No more. I don’t want to do this anymore.”

There’s something amiss here, Time thinks, like Warriors is trying to convince himself of something, but Time’s sluggish brain still won’t cooperate.

“It’s okay. It won’t happen again.” Warriors finally turns to look at Time, eyes bright, cheeks flushed from the recent fight. He looks more energized now than before the fight began. He slots his arms under Time’s shoulders and knees and in one motion has him hoisted into the air.

But that can’t be right. Time’s vision floats in and out of focus but he knows this can’t be real. Warriors carry him in full armor? The captain is strong but not that strong, so what on earth is happening…

Time blinks and finds himself on the ground again, armor and weapons removed, bundled in a blanket and soaking in the warmth of the mid-morning sun. Legend is lying close to his side, similarly bundled up. Their veteran still hasn't fully recovered from yesterday’s battle, where he’d taken a hit meant for someone else. He seems to be sleeping peacefully now and Time can’t bring himself to wake him and ask how he really made it back to camp.

“Need something warm to drink?” Wild crouches next to Time, steaming cup in hand, looking much less pale than he did yesterday though he still wears a bandage around his neck at Warriors’ insistence.

“Thank you.” Time reaches for the cup but pauses as his hands shake. He glares at them, trying not to feel too irritated with his body’s weakness. Malon would put up such a fuss if she knew how hard he was being on himself again.

Wordlessly, Wild helps him into a slightly more upright position and guides the cup to Time’s mouth. The homey taste of milk and honey floods his mouth, but a bitter aftertaste has him grimacing.

Wild watches him with far too innocent an expression.

He laces his question into a single word, “Wild.”

The young man snorts. “Sorry. Mixed a bit of red potion in there.”

Even as he says it, Time can feel the ache in his shoulder ease considerably. “You shouldn’t have wasted it.”

“It’ll only be a waste if you don’t finish it. Drink up.”

He begrudgingly raises the cup only to have his hands tremor again, slopping honeyed milk over the side.

“Careful!” Wild steadies him. “I guess,” he asks disappointedly, “you’re still feeling weak too?”

Time frowns. “It would appear so.” This was not the first instance of this happening. Another injury that felt worse than it should. Another potion that healed flesh but did not restore strength. The puzzle nagged at Time.

“Warriors thinks we might have gotten a bad batch of red potions at our last stop, but Four thinks that there’s something about this era that’s affecting us.” From the pinched expression on his face, Time can tell the mystery is bothering Wild just as much.

Time tries to push his cup back to Wild. “Give the rest of this to Legend.”

“Oh, no, you’re drinking that. Besides I’ve already had Legend drink a potion.”

Time looks over his shoulder at Legend, still sleeping through their whispered conversation. He already senses the answer but can’t help but ask, “No change?”

“No. His wounds are all closed up but he still seems so drained.” Wild sounds tired himself. “But then again, there was a lot of blood….”

Indeed there was. Time can remember it clearly. The crack of a metal blade splitting a shield. Legend’s shocked cry of pain. Warriors' blinding panic as Legend fell back against him, blood splattering across the captain’s face. He recalls the way Warriors curled over Legend, equal parts protective and manic, shouting at them all in a near scream “stay back, I know what to do, just give me space!”

Time shudders, a chill snaking through him.

“Time?” Wild lifts the cup again. “You need to drink.”

He obeys if only to spare Wild from having to worry over another patient. Despite its offensive aftertaste, the warm drink does its work and by the time it’s gone Time feels the irresistible pull of sleep. He doesn’t fight it. “Wake me in an hour,” he mumbles. Perhaps after a short rest, his thoughts will stop tumbling over themselves. Later, in the clear light of day, perhaps things will make sense.

~~~

When he wakes, there is no sun to greet him. Cold moonlight paints the campsite and Time is groggily counting the Hylian-sized shapes on the ground before his thoughts properly crystallize. He reaches seven, counting himself, before his ears catch the harsh whispers of conversation from deeper in the woods.

“They’ve settled in for the night but still close enough it makes me uneasy, ‘specially considering we’ve got injured.”

That was Twilight. Was there danger nearby?

“But not many?”

Warriors’ voice, his tone sharp and focused.

“Four Bokoblins, a single Lizalfos, and a couple Like-Likes. Easy pickin’s.”

Time could almost hear the eye-roll in Twilight’s voice.

Twilight continued, "I'll keep an eye on 'em for now and we can pick them off just before daybreak."

Ah. Nothing too out of the ordinary then. Twilight was adhering to Warriors’ standing “orders” (though he was careful never to frame them as such): No splitting the group to pick off unaware monsters. No solo hunts. And certainly no unplanned attacks at night.

"No.”

"No?" Time feels his own surprise mirrored in Twilight's response. "But you-"

"Look at them, Rancher. Our companions are all exhausted. I know I don't normally condone this, but let's clear these monsters on our own."

Time can't see Twilight's expression, but the silence drags on uncomfortably long. There's the soft sound of a few footfalls drawing closer, then Warriors’ voice sounds again.

"We need to look after them. Time especially… he was so pale after the fight today…"

"You think he's getting sick?"

Twilight's concern is an almost tangible thing, the weight of it pressing down on Time. He wants to roll over and object that he's fine, but he holds still. There’s an awful creeping feeling, born from years of adventuring, cautioning him to wait.

Warriors hums in contemplation. "Yes, that might explain a few things. A sickness."

"Four told me yesterday that he's concerned about Legend and Wild. They haven't been acting right either."

"How so?" Warriors’ voice has turned harsh. Time knows how seriously Warriors takes sickness running through his camp.

"Too weak, too lethargic."

"Rancher, they are recovering from massive injuries. Of course, they're extra tired."

"Legend barely sleeps through the night injured or not,” Twilight replies, sounding unconvinced, “but he's been in and out for almost two days."

"Blood loss, Rancher."

"Then what about Wild? Bruises and broken bones don’t equate to blood loss there. But he's just as weak-"

"He was just as weak. He's much better now and he'd be horrified to hear you call him that."

The sound of Twilight's teeth snapping shut is audible. "I didn't mean it like that!" came the growled reply.

A low chuckle responds, "I know, I know."

“He insisted on watching over Time in case he woke up, but did you see him afterward? He helped Time get a single drink and then had to sit and rest. Wild. Sitting still voluntarily! The both of them out at the same time is just….” The anxiety in Twilight’s voice made Time feel guilty like he was peering into fears Twilight hadn’t permitted him to see.

Warriors says, “Do you think I want them to be hurt?”

“What? No, of course not.”

“Good. I don’t want it to happen. But sometimes it does. All we can do is take care of them afterward. It’s a cycle of loss and regrowth, but we can manage,” he whispers intensely. “We can survive this.”

There’s a pause, then, "I don't know that I ever thanked you. When he fell. You jumped down after Wild faster than anyone."

Time could supply the rest of Twilight's thoughts. ‘Faster than me.’

Twilight continues, "And then you carried him all the way back up the mountain path." Time hears a quick shuddering breath. "The whole time you were gone I kept imagining-" his voice cuts off abruptly.

Time remembers. He remembers the relief of seeing Warriors crest the ridge, Wild tucked carefully in his arms. He remembers how Warriors had laughed off their panic, doing his best to put them all at ease. He remembers Warriors teasing them about being old mother cuccos, shooing them away from Wild so they wouldn't wake him and aggravate the pulled muscle in his neck that the defective potions couldn’t seem to touch. He'd been so attentive and careful to keep ice chu jelly on the bandages, changing them out himself. Time had been proud of how Warriors had practically adopted all the boys, acting almost apologetic as he’d looked after them all.

Everything Warriors did was for the good of the group. Time clings to that.

There’s a shuffling of feet in leaves and Warriors says, "You're a good man, Twilight. You care about others and you protect them.” Warriors’ voice drops low and Time strains to hear more. “All I ask is that you let me help this time.” There’s a shuffle, perhaps the sound of Warriors clapping Twilight’s shoulder, and he says in a much more lighthearted tone, “No need to wake everyone for a few Bokoblins.”

There is a moment of silence where Twilight doesn’t answer.

Surely not, Time thinks. Twilight has sharp senses. He’ll realize something isn’t right here.

“…Unless you think Wild would be willing to sit out for the fight in the morning?”

There’s a snort of derision and the sound of footsteps trailing away from the campsite.

They’re leaving. Time couldn’t put into words why the realization filled him with dread. He didn’t know what he suspected, if anything, but there was a warning screaming in his head that bad was going to happen.

I have to follow them. I need more information. He rolls carefully to the side, shivering as his blanket is left behind and exposes him to the chill night air. Legend, toss-and-turn-through-the-night, and lightest-sleeper-of-them-all Legend doesn’t even twitch. Time plants his hands flat on the ground and carefully lifts himself to his knees. A wave of dizziness hits him but he holds steady until it passes. And it would pass. He would wait it out and make it to his feet. Precious minutes tick by until Time feels steady enough to rise. He does so slowly, hating how wobbly his legs feel, but he’s up. He allows himself one small triumphant grin before he takes his first careful step forward.

He falls.

“Time!”

The half-whisper half-yell startles Time and he whips his head around from his undignified sprawl on the ground. Four scuttles over to him, leaving a hastily abandoned bedroll behind.

“What happened? Why are you on the ground?”

“Nothing happened. That’s rather the point,” Time grumbles, breathing much too hard for a man who had only attempted to get out of bed.

Four gives him a narrow-eyed look. “I guess the better question is ‘Why are you getting up unassisted in the middle of the night?’”

And what can he say to that? ‘I got up to eavesdrop on our mutual companions?’ ‘I went to stop a foolish risk?’ ‘I have a bad feeling?’

Four waits patiently.

“I hardly know myself.”

Four does not look reassured. “Did you hit your head?”

“No.”

“Well, let’s at least get you back to bed.”

Time thankfully (or shamefully) is only a few steps away from his bedroll so Four manages easily enough to support Time’s awkward crawl back. He’s shivering uncontrollably now and Four tugs on the blanket, trying to tuck it in snuggly around him.

“I’m all right now. Don’t fuss.”

Once again Four pins him with a look that conveys his disapproval more than words could, before grabbing a spare cloak from someone’s bag and layering that over Time as well.

Time is hit with the urge to laugh at the image Four presents. The littlest of all the heroes but with such a solemn, world-weary look. But Four has seen the world, Time reminds himself. He is an ally, not a child to be protected. He repeats that fact often, especially with Wind. Sharing a burden is not something that comes naturally to him, Malon of all people could attest to that, but he’s learning. He’s trying.

Perhaps tonight he should try harder. “I’m worried about Twilight and Warriors.”

“Oh?” Four’s gaze flicks over the camp. “They’re on watch tonight. I assume they’re scouting now?”

“Yes. But I-“ The words are hard to get out, sounding even more foolish spoken aloud, “I have a bad feeling.”

“You feel worse?”

“No.” He grits his teeth and then glares up at the stars, pointedly ignoring the pale face of the moon grinning back at him. Anxiety twists up inside him, warning him that something was coming that he wasn’t ready for. It’s old paranoia. Don’t let it control you. You have no proof of anything.

“You really need to rest, Time.” Four pats Time’s leg as the older man forces his body to relax. “The fight today was brutal. Honestly, I’d be more surprised if one of you didn’t come back injured after Warriors had you two pull away from us like that.” Four rubs his face tiredly. “I know he’s trying out new strategies, but I don’t see the benefit of isolating a few fighters from the group after we’re already engaged in combat.”

“Wait, he-“ An icy knot forms in Time’s stomach as he tries to recall details of how he was shot. “He did that intentionally?”

Sticks snap and crunch underfoot as Warriors himself walks back into the clearing, drawing their attention. The sight that greets them has Time going rigid with shock. Twilight is slumped against Warriors’ side, an arm slung over Warriors’ shoulder, head hanging limply to his chest.

No. Not him. It’s now a horribly familiar sight, another injured boy brought back to camp. Hurting. Unconscious. Cursed, Time thinks. Perhaps we’re all cursed in the moonlight.

"What happened?!" Four calls, rushing over, but Warriors holds out a hand.

“No! Stay back!"

Four jerks back in confusion, gaze bouncing between Twilight, deadweight against Warriors’ side, and Warriors, who holds him upright easily.

Time’s heart races and the shrieking warning in his mind reaches a crescendo. He dares not make a sound.

"You were right, Four," Warriors says earnestly, eyes glittering black in the moonlight. "Twilight told me. There must be a sickness going around.”

“What’s wrong with Twilight?“

“He collapsed.” Warriors lays Twilight gently down, careful not to jostle his head. Even from a distance, Time can hear Twilight’s labored breathing. “Must’ve been hiding how sick he was feeling. Typical Rancher.” Warriors shakes his head and holds a warning finger up to Four. “You must have sensed it before anyone else.” Then he smiles admiringly. “Though I shouldn’t be surprised. You've always been the clever one. But now we should take care to spread out and keep the sick quarantined from the healthy."

It makes sense. It sounds logical. Time wants to argue against it. But he lies still and doesn’t open his mouth. Warriors seems to not have noticed him and that feels like the only good luck he’s had since the last portal brought them to this cursed land.

"But-"

Warriors snaps, "Please, Four, we need some of us to stay healthy. We're defenseless if everyone is sick at once!” The fierce look is turned off in an instant, replaced with the former pleading and gentle manner. He places a hand on Twilight’s chest without breaking eye contact with Four. “I'll look after him, you know I will, but I need you to guard the others and keep them from getting too close and infected. Will you help me?"

Don’t do it. Time wants to scream but he can’t articulate why. He won’t imagine why. The only thing that would make sense of this is if Warriors wanted them to be hurt. But he couldn’t. He didn’t.

Four nods. "Of course."

Warriors smiles back, and to Time it seems a sinister thing.

But the nights of the full moon always set him on edge like this. They made him paranoid, seeing shadows in the dark, making his heart race. Yes, that must be it. Not my brother’s fault, Time thinks. Not the captain. Everything Warriors did was for the good of the group.

Time tells himself this, but finds it harder to believe it.

He digs his fingers into the dirt on either side, fearful of the world lurching around him, tossing him into the night sky and into the maw of the cruel moon. He holds on and prays for daybreak when everything will make sense again. He can’t trust himself at night. Old paranoia. Yes, that was it.

The moonlight incites accidents that should never have happened. It paints the face of his brother into hard panes and a harsher smile.

It glints on white teeth, making them seem unnaturally long in the moonlight.

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