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‘Someone’s here.’ Wild signed next to Vio. The two had been put on watch together that night, only two hours remained before they could finally sleep for the night. The chain had been fighting all day at that point, after wild and sky’s whole fiasco with the sword, sky had passed out next to warriors and wind, both of which slept soundly. Sky had originally wanted to snuggle with wild as an apology, (it was his favorite way to apologise and show he still cared for the person) but was only turned down when wild had agreed to take first watch.
Wilds argument had been that he had slept earlier, and that everyone else should sleep first. Besides, similarly to Twilight, he thrives in the nighttime, being able to see in the pitch black was definitely a up when it came to exploring. Vio on the other hand had just volunteered since he was curious about different abilities Wild held. He had asked the dragon if he was willing to demonstrate them, in which he was very willing.
That had long since passed, the two tiered from the experimenting they had been doing only an hour before. They had been lounging lazily before wilds panicked sign went out, the two suddenly on high alert.
“ Where?” Vio hissed, their hand going to the hilt of their sword.
‘ Bushes.’ Wild signs, blue eyes alert and looking directly at a bush in front of them. A short rustle of leaves showed his point to be true, the faraway sound of a twig snapping came out, startling the two out of their daze.
“Whoever’s there— show yourself!” Vio was generally not one for semantics, the phrasing sounded silly to him but it was straight to the point, which in his opinion was more important. A dark figure emerged from the bushes. Purpleish hair spilled down the man’s shoulders on top of the black shirt and tunic. Ah, shadow. Vios mind supplied.
“It’s not—“ shadow managed out, eyes frantic and wide as he was shoved forward, only then did Vio see what truly was going on. Shadows hands were tied tightly behind his back, whisps of dark magic etched into his arms, runes known to no one glowed a reddish color, blood trickled down from Shadows arm where they had been etched in, rather crudely with a knife.
“Shadow?!” Vio cried, running out to their boyfriend with panic seizing their heart. Not minding the burning that ran through their hands as they grabbed shadow tightly, their hand grabbing shadows arm, examining it. Vio brushed a hand over the runes, deeming the blood dry, how long has it been–
“What happened—“ Vio hugged him tightly, burning ran through his body as he—
“ He—“ shadow choked, tears flowing freely from his eyes, pain haunting them as he attempted to form a single word, “dark he— I was just trying to find you-” he struggled with each word as if a weight heavier then an anvil rested on his chest.
“He took me .” He gasped out, “it hurts. Vio it hurts please make it stop.” He begged him, shaking figure grasped tightly into Vios arms. Vio felt his heart shatter, ignoring the yells in the background of wild waking up the rest of the group, alerting them that someone was attacked.
“ What are those runes?! Where’s dark?” Vio questioned, gently hushing shadow all the meanwhile.
“ I don’t know!” Shadow sobbed out. “ He cut them— oh goddesses. ” His body went limp in vios arms, all energy remaining now drained. “Fuck that hurts!” Vio gently sat him down, motioning for Hyrule to come closer, legend not far behind.
“By the three what happened?!” Hyrule cried out, hand fumbling around as he woke from his sleepy daze. He grabbed the others arm tightly, examining the runes.
“Does anyone know what this says?!” Legend called out to the group, one by one the group looked at the runes, nothing said before twilight got to them.
“That’s twili magic.” He said mildly, focusing on the different runes displayed ahead of him. “But that shouldn't be poss-”
“ What does it say?!” came a chorus of voices, including Vios own voice, twilight raised his hands in surrender, eyes scanning the runes quickly.
“ Mirror?” Twilight read out softly, “It says Mirror? That doesn't make sense though, its a curse–” He cut himself off, brushing a finger over the cuts. Vio shuddered slightly, feeling as if someone had brushed a finger along their own arm. “Rulie i don't recognize what this curse is, but i think you can heal it. It wont do anything to my knowledge… ” he trailed off.
“Mirror?” shadow coughed, casting a glance over at Vio. “do you…” Vio pulled out the small chunk of mirror from his bag, hands shaking violently as he did so, nearly cutting himself in the meanwhile.
“Nothing looks off about it. ” Vio turned it over, looking it over as hyrules hands glowed a dark purple, unlike the usual gold it glowed when healing. A warm feeling threw itself over Vio like a blanket, feeling like a fire was washing over him. Shadow gave a short grateful smile to hyrule, before passing out form exhaustion.
“What the hell happened.” Time said from behind Vio, time crouched at Shadows side, a hand pressed to his neck gently, Vio shook off the feeling of a hand on their own neck, choosing to ignore the weird sensation that was slowly making its way across their arm.
“I dont know.” Vio scrubbed their face, an uncomfortable feeling settling over them in contrast to the warm blanket that had just coated them. “ I dont know. Hylia i dont know!” Wild put a gentle hand on Vios shoulder, the burning resuming on their shoulder.
Once again they shook off wilds hand, turning to the non-verbal dragon. ‘ He disappeared when you were off doing dishes earlier. Claimed he was going to go do the dishes with you. Thats why everyone was confused when you came back alone. Shadow must not have made it to you before… he got to him.’ wild explained carefully, eyes faintly glowing as his hand ran itself over Shadows arm, the feeling seeming to replicate itself along their own arm, Vio shook their hand wildy, as if trying to shake off the feeling, which unfortunately was not working.
“Vio did you see him while you were there?” Vio shook their head, Time sighed. “Its alright, that confirms wilds theory then. Wild told me that he said it earlier, but now its confirmed.”
“ Listen. This doesn't matter, what matters is that we figure out what that curse does.” Twilight pushed, resting his arm on wilds shoulder, The dragon narrowed his eyes at him, but allowed it to happen out of lack of care for that. “Anyone with magic, can any of you tell what the curse does?” wild kept his hand on Shadows arm, a light glow emanating from his hands.
‘ Don't know.’ wild finger signed with his freehand. ‘ I mean im trying to see if anything feels familiar, but I don't really sense something i've seen before.’ his words were more broken and simple, but it was a rough translation of it.
“My healing magic was purple.” hyrule piped up.
“Thats nice Hyrule.”
“ No, im saying thats related. Its always gold right? Ive healed Shadow before, it was never purple before, so i think that its related.” Hyrule said, an annoyed look crossing his face as he was ignored.
“Legend? You know about magic, Anything?”Time turned to legend, who shook his head, a yawn emitting from him as he watched the scene unfold.
“Doesn't feel familiar.” He offered, “I mean i can check through my rings and such to see if something similar is there but i don't recognize it.” He shrugged, pulling out his bag of trinkets, slowly sorting through it.
“Well its familiar, but this spell isn't familiar.” twilight furrowed his brows. “We most likely will have to wait until Shadow is up to figure out what it does. Hopefully it wont be to long, we need to figure this out before the next portal, who knows what could happen with that.” he glanced over at wild, who nodded mildly.
“Wild how long do you estimate us having?” These were one of those times that everyone was ever so grateful that wild was able to sense goddess magic alot better then everyone else could, including sky himself.
‘ A day. Maybe a day and a half?’ Wild signed, the usually light blue glow from his healing magic was replaced by a similar purple to hyrules magic, if not a bit more of a bluish purple then the faes. ‘ Hyrule wasn't joking with the magic. Even mines purple. Twilight give me your hand and knife.’ Twilight gave a confused look but obliged. Wild lightly pressed the knife to twilights finger, receiving a grimace from the elder. Wilds hand that was working with Shadow made its way over to twilights hand, glowing its usual blue as the wound slowly healed itself.
‘ It is most certainly because of the curse. Rulie was it harder to heal him? I didn't get to heal unfortunately, i've just been lessening any pain he may be in.’ wild explained, ‘ it felt harder to lessen the pain, but it most likely was because hes in a lot of pain.’
“No i know what your saying, it was a lot more difficult to heal it, now that im thinking about it… It was even more difficult then when I was constantly healing you in the labyrinth.” Hyrule said thoughtfully, thankfully the group was used to the hell that was known as dealing with these severe injuries, not to say they weren't effected by them, but due to their struggles through their adventures, along with this adventure, they were able to stay a little more calm in these situations.
‘ Thats what im saying, all we have to do is wait for Shadow to wake up, amd then we will be fine right?’
“Right.”
–
Shadow’s awakening was a lot more screaming than Shadow later would claim. The screaming started shortly before he shot up, Vio felt a burning pain across his arm, covering his mouth as he struggled not to scream. Shadow shook severely as he clutched at his forearms, his eyes bloodshot and rapidly looking around at the camp.
“Hey, hey.. Your ok." Hyrule gently calmed him, a hand around his back as he helped shadow calm his breathing. Wild sat on his other side, hands glowing lightly as he tried to lessen the pain that Shadow was going through. Vios hand clutched tightly over his mouth, What was going on? Why was this happening? He begged his mind for any semblance of an answer, nothing but pure pain came from his mind, the words ‘hurts, help’ repeating itself over and over again.
“ It hurts… it hurts… please–” shadow sobbed, nails digging into his arms, the sharp nails dragging along his arms. I feel it, holy shit i can feel that. Vio backed up slightly, falling to the floor in his shock. Time threw a concerned look at him, eye wide as he stared at Vio.
“Vio whats wrong.”
“ Mirror.” Vio gasped out, finally releasing his mouth, “i get it.”
“You…get it?” Time questioned, raising an eyebrow mildly at Vio, who felt a stabbing pain run through his arm in yet another wave of pain, they cried out in momentary panic, Shadow similarly cried out in pain.
“Mirror…?” Twilight mumbled, hand over his mouth thoughtfully, “Hold on, Vio do you feel his pain? ”
“I… i think?” they gasped out, “it hurts, so bad. ” Wild looked down at his hand, the dark purple glow emitting from it lighting up his face as he looked back at Vio curiously, motioning for him to come forward. Twilight gently helped Vio up, they stumbled over to shadow, Kneeling at his side.
Wilds hand reached out to vio, a curious look crossing his face as a soft purple emitted once again from his hand, Oh.
“Vios cursed.” wild said horsley, staring at the glow, “ mirror. The curse is that Vio must mirror shadows pain. Whether it goes both ways i'm not sure. But why Vio? ” he resumed his magic hold on the two, the pain slowly lessening by the second, Wild winced lightly, but said nothing.
“Was he the first to touch him?” Hyrule guessed, vio nodded jerkily. “That must be it.”
“ But whats the purpose of this?” time interjected, “what does dark gain by doing this?”
“ Objectively? Nothing, But for entertainment…?” A voice came from behind them, all head whipping around to face the newcomer. “Oh So much. ”
The man standing there looked identical to Wild, Horns glowing a dark red as they pulsed with magic, black clothes mimicked wilds blue clothes, the same tears and blood that wild hasn't repaired yet was still mimicked on the mans clothes. The blue blood now a red normal color. His eyes glowed a red color in contrast to wilds blue eyes, the spikes along his black tail glowed the same red that his horns did. His scars were copied to a T, wilds magic momentarily stopped in his stupor.
“Hello again wild! I hope you don't mind that I stole your look. The last time we met i was so inspired by you~! You came back from the dead and managed to kill me? Impressive!” Wild froze, the rest of the camp similarly freezing, all turning to look at the dragon, whose eyes widened in panic.
“Whats he talking about–” Warriors asked, momentarily forgetting dark in favor for focusing on the ridiculous statement that dark had just made.
“Listen, i don't want to fight, right now. I just wanted to check in on my little experiment! Thank you for that spell Twilight, Midna's spell book she left for you did have a point!” He bowed his head to him, mockingly thanking the wolf man in front of him. “Heres that back by the way, maybe if you're lucky enough you can figure out how to fix this! In the meanwhile…” Dark appeared above Shadow, knife in hand as he drove it down into his shoulder, vio and shadow screaming in pain as the knife made contact. Dark link cackled at their pain, disappearing quickly after, the laugh slowly fading into the wind as all traces of malice left the camp.
“ Shit!” hyrule cursed, no one commented on the loud cuss he let out, all too focused on different problems left by Dark. Warriors was quick to action, getting up and beginning to search the area for dark, along with sky by his side. Hyrule forced Shadow to the ground, leaning him on his side as he had a silent argument with wild, apparently wild won the argument since he put his hand on the knife, hyrules hands were at the ready to heal as wild silently counted down, pulling out the knife which resulted in a spike of pain, Shadows eyes rolled into the back of his head, falling unconscious from the pain he was not that familiar with. Vio felt his vision go spotty, but remained conscious just barely. Their vision swum, varying between two wilds being in front of him to darkness.
“ Stay with us.” Wild whispered to Vio, who swallowed sharply, bile building up in his throat. Breathing felt way more difficult than it should have felt. Wild dropped the knife off to the side with a loud clatter, hands once again glowing as he attempted to lower Vios pain, now only focusing on him rather than Shadow, who remained unconscious. A warm feeling spread over him once again as hyrule healed them, the glow still remained a purple color.
“Hurts.” they said softly, resting their head on their pillow.
“I know.” wild muttered, hands hovering around Vio. “anywhere else hurt?” Vio shook their head, Wild gave a tired smile. “Then you can sleep.”
Thank hylia.
–
“Are either of you able to–” Twilight flicked through the book left to him by Midna, reading the runes one by one.
“I don't know magic, I use gifts from my friends, so no.” Wild stated, exhaustion dripping from his pained voice. Another flash of pain raked through him from the two people he was stopping the pain for. The purple glow hadn't stopped from his hands, the pain drifting off the two sleeping members' faces. He took another sip of his stamina elixir, cringing back at the taste of the vile liquid.
“Don’t drink too much of that wild.” Time said gently, coaxing the drink out of his hands, “we don’t want you to overdose.”
“ I won’t overdose.” Wild insisted, biting back another yelp of pain as it washed over him once more. “I don’t want them to be in pain ok?”
“At the cost of your own well-being.” Time finished, quirking an eyebrow at the dragon. Wild winced at his words, knowing fully well that time was most certainly right with his statement.
“Well I—“ he tried, but words failed him as they always seemed to. “It’s fine. I’ll be fine.”
“It doesn’t seem that way.” Time insisted, a gentle hand on wilds own. “They will be fine if you rest wild.” Wild shook his head, he can handle this. Reducing pain is his purpose right? Cook, make sure no one feels pain, and don’t break down. That’s his job? No wait, scratch that, make sure no one feels pain, cook, protect the others, and don’t break down.
Sounds about right for a hero.
“Rulie can’t do this, so I’ll handle them. Rulie needs sleep more then I do.” Time sighed at his self sacrificial efforts, clasping a hand down on his shoulder. The momentary panic that waved through him as a memory nearly forced itself to resurface was shoved down by his overwhelming feeling of needing to help the two people in front of him.
“Don’t touch me.” He hissed out, attempting to shake off times hand without loosing concentration on the two.
“Wild.”
“Time.”
“You need to sleep. They will be fine.” Time insisted, wild shook his head, tail flicking in his anxiety.
“They are in pain.” Wild insisted, vaguely aware of the familiar voice of his once close friend now echoing in his head. “I’m doing my job.”
“Your job is to go to bed.” Time said calmly, attempting to force Wild to look at him. Time grabbed at his shoulder once more, pushing it back so wilds body would face him. Wild felt fear flash through his body, upon almost instinct, a orange shield surrounded him along the two he was desperately helping.
“Wild your wasting energy with that. I need you to sleep now. It’s not a question anymore wild.” Wild watched as time silently cringed before continuing his sentence. “It’s an order.”
Ah.
Using his military trauma against him. How wonderful. Thank Hylia that everyone had managed to find that little tidbit of information out about him.
‘Do you understand me soldier?” A voice slowly forced its way into his mind, despite all his desperate attempts, the voice echoed louder and Louder. Slowly clouding over his mind, his magic gave out, forcing him into an unwelcome, and unwanted memory.
-
“ I said do you understand soldier?” The captain shouted in his face, striking the whip against his back once more. Wilds lip bled from where he had bit it to prevent his own screaming. He nodded desperately, please I did nothing—
“I don’t think he understands.” A voice comes from behind him, the crack of the whip sounds out once more as the weapon hit his back sharply, he cried out in pain, vision swimming.
‘ I understand! Please I understand!’ He signed over and over again, begging for the men to stop on their onslaught of attacks against him. The man in front of him laughed, grabbing his chin roughly and forcing him to look up at him.
The man hummed, looking him over, “Twenty more Lycha.” The captain decided, his armor surprisingly similar to that of times itself, his scarred over face looked like times. “My son or not, you didn’t do all you could to help those soldiers. And you must pay for that, hear me?” wild felt like a knife was stabbed into his heart, this was his father?
‘ Father please— what would mother—‘ a rough slap collided with his face, wild felt his body go slack as he touched a shocked hand to his face.
“ Don’t being her into this! You know she was a terrible person.” He hissed, “forty more Lycha. If he even tries to ask for less then double it and restart.” His father stormed out of the room, eyes flashing dangerously.
‘ Please! I—‘
“ Stop!” He jerked awake, screaming out all the meanwhile. His back stung angrily where he had remembered being struck, he covered his mouth with a shaking hand, grabbing at his hair violently. His father?
His father did that?
Why…?
What did he…
What did he do wrong?
“Wild…. Wild? link!” A voice shouted, shoving him back into reality. A man with tattoos on his face, a scarred over eye? Time. His mind supplied, he felt a presence behind him, one familiar but unrecognizable at his current state.
“I— I didn’t-“ he struggled out, attempting to reason as much as he could with what had just happened. Time held his wrists gently, forcing them away from his hair.
“ You're ok. You're fine. ” A voice said softly in his ear, twilight? This time his mind wasn’t all that sure. “Time you might want to back up. You caused the memory. You know the rules.”
“Twi…” his voice trailed off as he attempted to get a grip of his surroundings. “ Why—? Why did—“
Twilight gently hushed him, running his hands through wilds hair as he often did when wild came out of a memory. It was a comforting gesture, one he would ask from twilight when he all to often couldn’t sleep.
“Listen, I need you to sleep ok? We can talk more in the morning?”
He hummed mildly, nodding as he let his head rest in twilights lap, the elder giving a small smile to him in confirmation of his safety. He closed his eyes once more before falling into a deep sleep.
—
“You really used his military trauma to try and get him to sleep huh?” Twilight said finally, looking up from wild to Time. “Thought it was a good idea when he was already upset? ” Time could practically see smoke from his ears in the angry state he was in.
“Twilight I can explain.” Time coughed, “I didn’t want to. He was going to go into magic exhaustion and it would have cost him more if I hadn’t stepped in.” He motioned at Hyrule. “Remember when he went into that? Remember how bad it got? Imagine that with him, imagine how horrible that would be. ” Time argued back.
“Could have asked me? I’m his mentor. I know what I’m doing. ” Twilight seethed, glaring at his own mentor with a malice that had never been seen before. “He looks up to you, ya know? how do you think he feels now time?” Twilight glowered at time, his hand clenched into his shirt, barely containing his rage as to not wake the sleeping dragon.
Time felt his heart drop oh he fucked up big time. Shadow nearby let out a gasp of pain before falling back to his silence, clenching at his arm tightly.
“I’ll apologize when he wakes.” Time decided, dread filling him as the slow ticking of the clock that constantly sounded through his head.
“ You better.” Twilight hissed, before shooting him away. Falling back to calmly braiding wilds hair.
—
Turns out wild was indeed wrong.
A very uncommon thing when it came to the portals. In Fact it has only happened twice, including now. Instead of one or two days like he had estimated, it was a meer six hours before the portal took them in the middle of the night, jostling each of them awake in a rather rude awakening. Wild groaned and looked about the area, not recognizing it once again. The group around him slowly got their bearings, each searching for any sign of recognition before twilight called out to them.
“My Hyrule. If we’re quick enough we can get to my house within half an hour.” He pulled out a horn that was wildly shaped like a horseshoe, blowing on it with practiced ease. A slow gallop of hooves sounded out behind them, revealing twilights horse Epona.
“Set Shadow and Vio on her, I’m sure she can hold all three of us.” Twilight hopped on her back, sitting on the middle of her back with space for the others.
“Let’s not stress her, Vio can ride on her with you, and Wars or me can carry Shadow. Wild can you walk?” Time said gently, Wild promptly ignored him, walking to twilights side, feeding an apple from his slate to the mare. He felt a presence behind him, one that more then likely was Time himself once again. He lashed his tail out at the figure, smacking into Times shins, receiving a grunt from the elder.
‘ Twilight if you want, I could probably fit in with them on here and guide epona. It won’t add much weight or stress on her.’ They were all hyper aware of wilds severe lack of a healthy weight, being the equivalent of eight apples wasn’t exactly the most healthy for you.
“If your up to it, I don’t want to stress you out.” Twilight admitted, wild shrugged, he was tired sure but it wouldn’t interfere with his riding ability.
‘ I can ride horses. I’ve ridden in worse conditions.’ Wild signed, taking Twilights place on epona's back, helping the others out shadow and Vio alongside him. He gently pulled on the reins, spurring on epona to walk.
“Rancher, can we all fit in your house?” Warriors asked, Twilight considered his words for a moment.
“Well if me or wild transform, Hyrule and Four as well, we most likely could fit all of us. Though we might need Four to… become four again.” He glanced at the two parts of four that rode alongside Wild. “It’s just me there so I don’t really need a big house.”
“That’s fine. We can figure it out when we’re there.” Warriors eased, adjusting his hold on the sleeping Wind on his back. Hyrule and legend sleepily held each other up, both exhausted from the days events and struggling to stay awake. Sky himself was nearly sleepwalking at that point, only being guided by warriors' occasional hands on his shoulders, turning him in the right direction.
“Is there an inn nearby? we could stay there if needed.”
“No inn. No one comes here really. It’s very self sustained here, we grow and raise our own food, anything we need we go to a market nearby for.” Twilight pushed back some leaves. “Everyone knows each other here, the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child?’ Or however it goes. We take it very literally here. A lot of the time kids will just go to whoever’s house they feel for the night. Sure they are with their parents a lot of the time, but everyone is fine with kids coming and staying over at anytime.”
‘ Your parents?’ Wild questioned, glancing down at Twilight.
“Rusl and Uli, they raised me atleast.” Twilight shrugged. “Rusl taught name how to fight, and Uli taught me a lot of other general skills. Their nice people, hopefully their not to busy to meet you all.”
“Is there anything but hylians there?”
“I’m the only Hylain there.” Twilight laughed slightly, “their human.” Wild tilted his head to the side in confusion.
‘ Human?’
“Forgot you didn’t have them in your era. Most don’t have them but mine did. Like us, but imagine our ears small and not pointy.”
‘ That’s a thing?’ Wild questioned, signing with one hand as he steared Epona gently, giving small hushes and clicks of his tongue as they went about.
“They are a thing yes.” Twilights ears flicked. “I would prefer if no one mentioned the whole wolf thing to them? Their nice but… last time…” his voice trailed off, implications left to the imagination of the group.
“We won’t mention it.” Time assured him, “I wasn't planning on it. Are they fine with… well.” He gestures to the group mildly, wilds tail flicking uncomfortably, hitting slightly against Epona’s side.
“They should be.” Twilight grimaced. “I’m not sure how kindly they will take to it all but I’m sure they won’t do anything mean. They trust me enough to keep them safe.”
“That’s good enough for me.” Warriors muttered, ears fluttering, the light burning lowly in the night. “Any of them happen to be specialists in magic by any small chance.”
“No. Magic isn’t.. particularly a thing here. The magic that was used is dark magic anyways. It can only be used by people who have been cursed or something like that. I don’t remember what she said…” his voice trailed off, hand gliding to the book at his side.
Silence befell the group once more, awkwardly shuffling forth through the dark Forrest. The only sounds being wilds gentle hushing and clicking as he communicated with epona.
‘ The.. book. How do you think dark got it?’ Wild signed, snapping to gain the attention of Twilight.
“There’s always a chance he snuck into my house and stole it.” Twilight said, hand resting protectively on the book. “Him being able to read it is strange though, didn’t think he would be able to.” He shrugged. “Whatever it is can wait, we’re about to get to ordon.” He pushed back another branch to reveal a small town, an old lady sat outside her house stitching up some small pants, most likely one of the village children’s.
The lady smiled and waved at Twilight, ushering him forward. Twilight obliged, greeting the elder.
“ Quienes son Ellos?” She said quietly, pointing at the group with a boney finger.
“ Mis compañeros de viaje.” Twilight responded smoothly, gently pointing to each and stating their names. “ Como estas todos?”
“ Bien.” The older lady said curtly, ushering them off.
“What did she—“
“She asked who you were.” Twilight said quickly, “the village has been good apparently so that’s good news.”
“They don’t speak hylian here?” Warriors questioned. Twilight shook his head.
“They know hylian, but Ordonian is most common here.” He waved them off, “come, if we hurry we can get a good four hours of good sleep before the sun rises.”
“It’s twelve am twilight. ” Time sighed, Twilight raised an eyebrow at him.
“I’m aware.”
“The sun shouldn’t rise for another six hours.”
“Not here.” Twilight said, patting Epona’s back. “Just this way. Shouldn’t take long.”
“By not long do you mean—“
“Five minutes wars. Relax.” Twilight waved him off. “You can handle that right?”
“I don’t know, my legs might just give out.” Warriors jokingly put his weight on twilight, who laughed and shoved him off.
“See, even quicker, it’s just up ahead.” He pointed at a house suspended on a tall tree, the wooden house had a warm homey feeling to it despite not having anyone home for months.
“It’s a tree house? Seriously twilight?” Warriors complained. “How are we getting these shits up there.” Time gave a cautionary look to him but didn’t object to his use of curse words.
“I’m… not sure actually.” Twilight said thoughtfully. “Sky could try flying them up? Wild you have revali's gale, and your paraglider, could you..” wild slid off of the horse carefully, nearly falling if it hadn’t been for twilights gentle hold on him. Wild gazed up the tree, with revali's gale he could get to the top if he was careful about the placement of it.
‘ Yeah I can get up. Someone is gonna have to be up there to make sure that i can hand them off to the platform.’ Twilight nodded, climbing the ladder easily. He reached the top and gave a thumbs up to wild, wild grabbed vio, internally apologizing to the purple side as he put him on his back, deploying his paraglider and launching into the air, easily reaching the top.
“First down, one to go.” Legend said in mock cheer, tired eyes meeting wilds.
Wild hopped off the edge, deploying his paraglider at the last second, avoiding any pain. He grabbed shadow and repeated the process again, thankfully by then everyone else was up on the platform.
“Welcome to my… house I guess you can call it.” Twilight opened the door easily, no lock blocking intruders from entering.
“I see how Dark entered.” Time deadpanned.
“The crime rate here is zero. What do you want from me.” Twilight glared back at time, who clearly got the message and backed off. “Two of us can fit in the bed, three if someone transforms. I’m willing to—“
‘I’ll transform, it’s fine twi.’ Wild signed, grabbing onto twilights shoulder for stability.
‘The rest of us will set up our cots and blankets. You have a couch so one or two of us can share that.” Time stated, by the time he was finished, legend had already dragged Hyrule onto the couch, flipping off the group as they went.
“That settles that.” Twilight said calmly. “Wars you can stay up in the bed with me and wild if you want—“
“Give it to the old man, his joints need it the most.” Warriors joked, twilight glared at Time but didn’t object.
“Fine. The three of us will be up there, the rest of you can stay down here if you wish. The kitchen probably doesn’t have food but if it does and it’s safe to eat, go ahead.” Twilight climbed the ladder to his loft, shutting the curtain that closed off the area as he most likely got changed into some more comfortable clothes.
“What’s up with him and time?” Warriors whispered to wild, who simply shrugged, casting an annoyed look to time before he followed Twilight, sitting on the edge of the loft until his mentor allowed him in.
“You sure you don’t want to—“
‘ I’m fine. It’s your bed twilight.’ Wild assured him, offering his hand out for the Crystal. Twilight gave it to him with a hum, the painful transformation taking place almost instantly. His limbs and skin tore apart, pain raking through him momentarily before it faded, leaving him in a much smaller form. Twilight scooped him up, looking into his eyes momentarily before setting him onto the bed.
“If you want we can have four stay up here, maybe wind? Sky?” Wild shook his head. Skys wings were deadly at night, four was split, and wind liked being with warriors. “I know. I know. He….” Twilights voice gave out on him as he knelt close to wild. “Just mad at him.” Wild nodded sympathetically, wild himself was mad at time.
“I’m coming up.” Time said unsurely, pushing back the curtain cautiously. “Listen I can sleep downstairs if you need—“
“No no, it’s fine.” Twilight said though gritted teeth, turning his head to look at time. “Just don’t speak for the rest of the night and we will be fine.” Time nodded, pulling off his armor silently. Wild curled up on the end of the bed, twilight draped his pelt along wilds back, a makeshift blanket for him.
Wild made a small noise of content, snorting at twilight in thanks, twilight nodded back, slipping onto one side of the large bed. Time soon after came into bed, resting on the other side, facing away from the both of them.
Thank Hylia. Wild wasn’t sure if he could take times eye staring at him while he slept. Goddess damn time and his stupid habit of sleeping with both eyes open.
—
The morning was not much of a change, nor was the next day. The only difference was that Vio and Shadow were awake, notably in less pain than before. Finally they confirmed that every touch felt by one was felt by the other, shadow near screamed when someone had touched Vio, claiming there was a burning feeling left behind. Vio had simply assured Shadow that he would get used to it. No one took too kindly to that, stearing clear of touching both.
Time and their relationship hasn’t improved, time made multiple attempts to speak to Wild and Twilight about what had happened only to be ignored by the others, favoring whatever else was going on that night. Was it unhealthy for the group? Absolutely. Was it making anyone feel good? Not at all. But was it easier than confrontation? Yes, absolutely yes.
“Twilight— wild wait.” Times voice came from behind them. The rest of the group was off in the nearby river to bathe, the three of them had taken a little longer to grab their stuff for it then everyone else. The three of them remained in the house alone, an awkward tension between the trio that could be cut by a knife with how thick it was.
“Time we should really start going out, the dinner with my parents tonight is really important—“
“That’s why I’m stopping this here. I know your trying to avoid this conversation but I don’t want any hostility when we meet them tonight. So at least let me speak?” Wild peaked his head off the loft to listen to times words, twilight was sat in the kitchen, grabbing extra water canteens to fill up while they were at the river.
“Fine. Go for it time.” Twilight growled lowly, shoving another canteen in his bag.
“Listen, I’m sorry that I had to resort to that wild, it was a complete abuse of your past and I really shouldn’t have used that alright? It doesn’t excuse my actions but if you’ll at least speak with me again that would be fine with me.” Time bowed his head after he finished speaking. Wild jumped off the edge of the loft, manipulating the wind around him to let him softly land infront of time.
“It’s fine. Just… don’t do it again?" Wild offered his hand out. “You… know… about my memories and everything. You’ve seen how…” he searched for the word, “ bad they can get. I just would prefer not to be forced into them?” Time took his hand, shaking it slowly.
“Well that’s worked out, anyways, I’m going swimming.” Wild let go of times hand, grabbing one of the tomatoes off of twilights table and taking a bite of it.
“Your fine with it all- just like that?” Twilight pinched the bridge of his nose. “How are you just so ok with it.”
“When your two years old you really learn to just
let go of shit.
I try not to hold grudges
that much.
I got two years and some minutes of memory, gotta make the most of it right? Don’t want all my memories to be hating everything and everyone.” Wild shrugged, slowly making his way to the door. “Now come on are you gonna keep holding us up or are you going to get your ass over here and get us to that river?”