Chapter Text
Ravio paused his rushed cleaning of the house and looked towards the door, expecting any minute now for his own genuine personal hero to walk through that impossibly sturdy door that’d been kicked way too many times now. It was their anniversary today, and his husband had promised to be home from his latest political adventure by tomorrow if not today. The man was quite punctual, generally, but things happen on adventures that you couldn't call for. Especially when you're coming in by ship. If he found himself over a day late, he’d always send a letter and explain it. After all their years together, even as the seas calmed over his hectic life, he’d never broke that rule he set for himself. So Ravio fully expected to see him today, maybe tomorrow.
He’d come through that door with a handful of pretty weeds Ravio was half allergic too, cocky smirk playing on his lips, and hand him something Ravio may or may-not have wanted right away, then kiss him on the lips and wish him a happy-aniversery (one of the many odd customs in Hyrule that he enjoyed). One year he’d gotten a new Etching pen even-though Ravio had stated multiple times he hated replacing things that worked just fine. Though annoyed, it was sweet and Link never did anything without a reason so he thanked him with a tight smile. A week later his current etching pen just stopped channeling his magic. Turns out Link had noticed the circuits failing and guessed it’d die soon. Ravio vowed never to second guess his anniversary gifts again.
He’d finish up his cleaning (or maybe just drop it all together) and they’d go out for the day and do whatever fun or romantic or whimsical thing they had agreed to do that year. Link was always such a sap on their anniversary, looking at him like the first day he said ‘I love you’ out-loud while watching him etch circuits into the stones on the property to keep monsters out of the orchard. Ravio hadn't even registered what he said, just giving him a quick look before going back to work. He had been going on 3 hours of sleep for 2 days researching runes and shekinah technology to invoke magic into god damn rocks. It took a full 15 hours of sleep, a hearty lunch, and kissy-face witch waggling eyebrows from Zelda for his brain to bring the memory back. It had been an awkward week after that which quickly moved to officially dating soon after, despite their already married status.
Then they’d finish the evening with a game of chess to which Ravio would beat him at, lovingly. Link would groan in frustration and call it a good game and kiss him for the hundredth time that day. They had started this tradition of playing chess at the end of every anniversary (and nearly every date) when they started it on their third anniversary, the year that felt like they were actually together. Actually in love. 7 months of dating and kissing and trying to be something more than a political or a tax convenience, something more than Ravio hiding away from his world again and Link needing someone to keep his home warm enough to look forward too after each gruelling mission. It felt realer than anything Ravio had dreamed of. Just two months before their third anniversary, something they never really celebrated besides a sweet treat Link got on sale that day, Link led him through a day full of annoying riddles and occasional puzzles that ended with a picnic and a game of chess.
Their engagement had been boisterous and loud to satisfy the people and nobles pushing for the Hero of Legend’s marriage, despite said hero’s dislike. This was still involved, their friends keeping Ravio’s attention whenever Link needed to set something up for their next annoying game he missed or helping them along when Ravio got too into actually solving the dumb thing. They set up the picnic. Zelda had the castle kitchen make the savory meals since Link could only bake and nothing else, Irene cleared the skies and set the magic floating candles, and Seres had played with Gulley something lovely and wonderful just further down the hill, so the music would carry softly with the wind and not overwhelm discussion. The sky was painted beautiful hues of orange and pink with twilight creeping up at the edges as if Lolia herself wanted to be part of this. Link proposed again. It wasn't showy, and it was honestly a little silly as he stumbled over his words while his cheeks darkened with every tumbled line he probably practiced beforehand. He just sat next to him with his hand in his, a gem in his other. He asked if they could be married for real, because he wanted him. Faults and every accompanying nightmare and twitch at too close hands that looked like reaching spindled fingers, he wanted him for good.
Ravio ugly cried and was only able to nod. They had a second wedding. Same as the proposal, their wedding of renewing vows was smaller and right in their orchard unlike the chapel overseen by Hylia, which he was glad for. Ravio liked Hylia and all the stories about her, but it always felt like it was dismissing his own beliefs in his own goddess, so adding her to their vows was a relief. Only friends and family came to watch the ceremony unfold, to watch their love set permanent roots. They were a witness to Ravio finally shedding his mask and Link finally had a home to love. Ravio ugly cried again and then they partied with people they’d come to see as family. The evening ended with chess, and they’d kept at it every year after.
Thinking of their second wedding, their real wedding, had Ravio swooning. The whole thing was so romantic and wonderful, and had been ever since then. Linda had said it would wear off after a few years but it never did. But also she had Gulley after a year married and from what he saw, kids changed people. Don't get him wrong, he liked Gulley and did want a family, but the thought of kids just made him sad when he remembered being forced to say goodbye to the child he had come to adore and promptly adopt. But without a kid to, maybe, ruin their relationship, his and Link’s love seemed as strong as when it began, possibly stronger. Even when Link had to go away for a few weeks or months, it was clear they weren't going anywhere.
Ravio spent the day cleaning, waiting for his beloved husband-hero’s return. When night approached and Sheerow flew through the window with nothing from the post-man, he tried not to let it get to him. He would come tomorrow for sure.
At mid-day next day Zelda popped her head through the window he had kept open to let Sheerow come and go as she pleased. “Is that fool back yet?” Ravio just shook his head and she frowned. “How about a letter? No? Me either.” She sighed before leaning over the seal to just hang there for a moment, her breasts packed away in a binder left her unhindered. She often snuck away from the castle and showed up unprompted dressed as a boy. She folded in like the sap of a tree before looking at him with her head between her legs in the air. “Don't worry, he’s always annoyingly punctual and keeps his promises. He’ll show up soon.”
He did not show up soon. He didn't show up that day or the next. Not even for a week. Not even for a month and Ravio had no idea if he was alive or dead. It terrified him into sleepless nights that sent Sheerow to find that bird of his to see if his master had called at any point in time. He wondered if he might have been stranded on a dream island again, something that Link had very reluctantly talked about after having some relaxing shrooms and herb blend that tasted of bark, moss, and a touch of Cockoos. He wondered, even hoped, that Link had just found someone in Hytopia and had just ran off. As much as it hurt to think about, the thought of his love being trapped in a dream or, even worse, dead, was too much to bear.
Was it him? Was Ravio the cause? He knew he wasn't the most pleasant to be around at times. He had episodes of depression and self-loathing and nightmares that Link had to hold and talk him through. He had bad behaviors like staying awake for several days while working on projects or being too money-grubbing, always talking down prices while hiking up his own to get the best possible outcome money-wise. He had a whistling in his tooth when he said certain vowels that annoyed even Hilda, and he was such a smart-ass about things even when he knew it annoyed his husband. Not that Link didn't have his faults too, but it felt like they were so much smaller than his. Link had been through so very much after all. He deserved to have a break for his bad attitudes and habits (though drinking was something they had to nip in the bud quickly and he was thankful for it as he’d seen what could happen).
A full torturous month of anguish and desperate searching. That's how long it took for Ravio to finally receive a letter from him. It had explained everything as well as when he expected to be back and his apologies for taking so long to write. It included his love for him too, so much love. It held Ravio together for a while, but that didn't keep from the thoughts they had worked to keep at bay together from creeping up in his absence and for a slight chill to settle in at the corners of their home. This continued for a few more months.
---
Wind was staring at Legend like he’d grown a second head, as was a third of the group he’d found himself tagging along with. Their newest member, Wild, looked like he was mentally playing tic-tac-toe with Twilight, projecting the mental image onto Legend’s forehead. The salmon-haired man had his bangs and hair done up in what was what he called a Lolrulian Dragon Braid. He left his sideburns or whisker-burns or whatever they called them (no one could agree) in their own little braids and held them together in bands, one decorated with a black pearl that faintly showed violet when the light hit it just right. That one was the one he always wore. His bunny-ears, that were a result of a curse, were high and alert, a rarity to even get a glimpse of normally. He had gotten up in the wee hours of the morning and proceeded to do his hair for HOURS. This meant he had his forehead on full display, which was odd for everyone since it seemed every Link generally covered up their big-ass heads with bangs (save for Time who gives everyone a nice window to how massive it is, something he apparently never grew out). Twilight actually barked when he first saw it, like it was a threat.
They had ended up in Legend’s time, just a day from town if they ran at full speed. He was clearly eager to get home, but from their distance it wouldn't be happen today. The hair itself was a clear indicator he was more excited to see someone rather than just being back, and it looked rather nice. It's just… the head… His eyebrows were thicker than most and took up a decent amount of space, for which they had Hylia to thank, but it was still off-putting.
“What’s got you all prim and fancy?” Captain was the first to speak after Legend had finally turned around from all that painful looking twisting and binding. “Are we gonna finally see the Legend’s heroine?”
Wind couldn't help his head from snapping to the side where Captain, or Warriors now, stood. Legend? With a lady? He couldn't even fathom! But he knew that wasn't really the case. After all, he’d seen that face before even if he couldn't quite remember where from, and a small annoying voice that sounded suspiciously like someone who once called him an ‘honorable son’ said he was absolutely taken and wouldn't give him up for the world unless it was for the friend by his side at the time. And as if he had all the answers himself, Time snorted. He always had better memory, often remembering things during the war that he himself couldn't. But from what he heard, his adventures relied heavily on his memory not missing a single detail.
The man himself just grunted as he loosely fiddled with the golden band with the pearl idly as he did whenever he was really nervous. Warriors grinned. “You do! And you didn't tell us! For shame! Everyone boo at Legend for keeping such important knowledge from us!”
A chorus of Boos and a blown-raspberry from Wild sounded out from the chain as Legend just rolled his eyes so hard Wind was half surprised and half let down his eyes didn't just pop right out. “I don't need to tell you lot nothing.”
“But it’s probably been a while for her, right?” Sky was helping pack away left-overs from breakfast that was quickly swallowed by Wild’s tablet. “Im sure she misses you a whole lot.”
“Which is why he’s making himself all handsome, so they don't dump him right then and there.” Warrior’s on the other hand was helping Hyrule pack his tent up since Legend had been so busy.
“I sent a letter.” Legend mumbled, and had Wind not been practicing with Wild at lip-reading he might have missed it. There were a lot of things they were getting used to again or just out-right learning now that their somewhat diverse group was traveling together and not alone. It was odd, at first, but fun. Wind never really traveled very often or far without someone by his side so the transition for him was easier than others.
“So. Much. Head.” Wild signed out, hands shaking as he held his lips together obviously trying not to laugh.
“That's wha' she said” Wind added quickly which quickly got a yell from Time, Four, and Warriors while Wild let out a laugh and Legend smirked.
“Are all our heads that big?” Wild signed again, this time quicker and harder for him to catch since he wasn't as good as a few others, then lifted his bangs to measure his brow to hair-line length with his fingers before doing the same to Twilight, which he didn't seem to mind unlike when anyone else touched him. The length seemed smaller on the wolf-man than on his own.
“I think it just seems that way since we never see it.” Time had resumed his personal task of making sure everything was where it should be with Four. They had all calculated what they needed to get from town and how many rupees that would likely cost last night.
“My head isn't that big!”
“It very much is.” Warriors used a figure to trace out a doodle mid-air.
“Im going to punch you!”
“You're in too much of a good mood to hit me.”
“Wanna bet?”
“Normally? No. But right now? Absolutely. 500 rupees”
Legend glared at Warriors that held no fire unlike how it normally did and he, just as Warrior’s called bluff, did not move at all, instead turning toward the mirror with a dead-torch mounted in the dirt to adjust some things that was likely only visible to him.
“What's wrong with a man being excited to go home?”
“Well, you do have your hair up all nice right now.” Sky smiled. “I like it. You should do it more often. Right Hyrule?” He turned to the younger who blushed and nodded.
“This? This isn't done.”
They all blinked.
“That… isn't the end goal?” Twilight spoke up for once, being their most quiet next to Four and Hyrule.
“I mean, I like it and it’s useful when I'm swimming, but it's not what I'm aiming for.” He picked up the mirror and shoved it in his magic-bag. Each of them had something similar, though they were limited in capacity unlike Wild, all but Hyrule who shouldered a heavy looking ruck-sack.
“Then what?”
Legend just looked at Twilight and blinked, meaning they’d have to find out, but Twilight was Twilight and didn't understand until Wild signed his meaning. He just sniffed and went back to his chore.
The next day after Legend washed himself AGAIN (they didn't normally do that every day since it dwindled their soap supplies but he was seeing someone and wanted to smell nice probably) and let his hair out of the braid. It took time to make sure it wasn't knotted and he borrowed a brush from Hyrule to smooth it out. The result? Luscious waves and curls with volume and shine that rivaled Sky and Warrior’s own. It swept his bangs to the side elegantly while his what normally would be a bushy long tail for hair now curled around his neck and shoulders and down his back. His sides were more curled than the rest but with the cuffs weighing them down, they held just enough bounce and air to accompany the rest. He had don his nicer clothes for this, blue instead of green since it probably was too dirty for what he wanted for. His ears were pinned down back into his hair though, which was always sad to see.
Wind had never seen him so… so regal.. Almost like a Prince. Clean? Sure. Nice? On occasion. Arguably handsome? Maybe twice but only for a Zelda. Whoever they were going to see was completely capable of turning this grumpy dirty bunny into something-.. Beautiful? No. That's weird. Either way, Legend was completely wrapped around this mystery guy’s finger.
The whole way there they all collectively watched what Hyrule and Wild called ‘Bunny Grooming’. He’d stop near anything reflective and shiny to fix his hair and face, pulling loose threads off his set before going back to his hair. A few times he even adjusted his bunny ears as if they had an optimal place to look his best. It was hilarious and super cringe at the same time. Mostly because he couldn't seem to go 10 minutes without fixing something.
When they arrived at what could only be described as a fairly big fucking house with a god damn apple orchard and a mini-barn (why did that sound familiar?), everyone was excited to see who had gotten the most stick-up-the-ass member of their party tripping over himself to look good for. Wind rolled his eyes when he started fixing himself again right in front of the door. It took a nudge from Time, who seemed to be suspiciously impatient for once, for Legend to actually open and enter.
They watched crowded around the door as the Legend entered his own home, creeping up quietly behind a person clad in purple with a large purple bunny-hood, without a sound and leaning against the wall, all casual.
Someone whispered “he’s not-”
“Hey gorgeous, can I buy you a potion?”
Had Wind’s brain not been fully lagging at the sight of the bunny-hood he’d have choked on air and probably died. Actually, it looked like Four was doing that for him.
The bunny-hood whipped around and without missing a second beat flipped off his hood to reveal a similar but not similar face Wind ABSOLUTELY recognised. Long straight hair, and bangs that swept to the side and nearly covered his eye that looked probably very alluring, and responded with “Better get a cauldron’s worth, cuz you're not lasting the night without it.” and finished it by flipping the hair on his shoulder to the side like the sass on that wasn't actively turning Legend’s ears bright red in half a second.
He heard Time inhale before letting out a sharp laugh, which Wild joined, gaining the purple bunny’s (his name was Ravio) attention as his smirk faltered and picked up something more genuine, or fake. He was good at that if he remembered right.
“I really wish you’d send me letters when you're planning on bringing people over.” His eyes roamed over each and every one of them before landing on Wind, his smile just seeming to melt right off despite trying to keep it up, sadness taking over his form but not in a negative way. In a way that his grandmother would sag when she saw him return home after defeating Ganondorf. The sadness that showed she knew what he went through should never be placed on a child’s shoulders. The disappointment that he was here, saving the world all too young once again. The no doubt bubbling anger at Hylia for choosing to send a boy, not a man, on a mission that could easily kill him. He recognized him.
Legend did not move, still reeling from Ravio’s apparent new look that he was very much not prepared for. That might have been the plan though seeing how prepared he was. Probably even saw him coming with that bird of his that was perched on a mount.
Wind stepped through the threshold after a moment and grinned. “Ts’ been awhile.”
Ravio stepped around his Link and over to the rest of them, or him really. His smile picked up again, this time feeling more real than what he had graced them with earlier, and gave him a tight hug. “2 years! Oh, I’ve missed you Tune!! You’ve grown so well!”
He couldn't help but sniffle and laugh through the feeling of his throat becoming tight, tears wanting to spill over. He had grown close to Ravio, Marin, Medli and Mask. The two had deemed themselves impromptu parents over the youngest in the army, insisting that children should not fight a war for adults. The two went as far as to take on their missions or go with them just so that they didn't have to go through it all, despite the fact he and Mask had gone through worse. Together during that single month they had ended up making something like a family, and despite his complaints Wind loved being part of it. They called him their ‘honorable son’ since he didn't actually want to be their kid. He still had Granny after all.
“Holy shit. Ravio!” Warriors stepped forward. “I didn't expect to see you.”
He let go of Wind with watery eyes, looked up to the man who was dubbed ‘Captain’ during that month and smiled brightly. “Eh, I had a feeling when Link mentioned every Hero’s incarnation through time showing up. Warrior’s sounded awfully lot like you.” Captain had never been as close to Ravio and them, only just enough to get a general idea of the people he’d be fighting with and not much else. Unlike the rest of them, he never got to see him lift that hood and reveal that nicer-than-normal face with a dark skin that Wind himself only seemed to see a few times from others coming and going. They clapped hands in greeting that Ravio didn't finch at for once. Seemed he had been doing better. Good.
Legend turned around, brain having caught up, and frowned, “I forgot about that. Fuck.”
“You told him?”
“Why wouldn't I? It was pretty important, after all. Also I was missing for a whole week.”
Ravio’s eyes searched them all again, lingering now on Time a moment longer before leaving. Wind understood what he was looking for and Time seemed too nervous to move, frozen stiffer than a stone. He guesses he could help his annoying little brother once in a while.
“You’ll never guess whur Mask is naw.” Ravio’s eyes looked to him, they were nearly the same height now and it was weird to see. “Still a lil prank-loven arse-hole tho.” he eyed their eldest. Warriors took cue and took a step back.
Time cracked a smile, finally coming out of his stupor and walking up to the man who loved him like his own for an entire month, now towering over him where as before he’d cling to his robe like a lost puppy. Everyone waited with baited breath as recognition dawned on the darker man’s face.
“Mask?” He carefully reached out to the face lined with scars and age, his tears falling now into the same dumb scarf he had always worn, though likely a newer version of it since he had sent it off with Mask when they separated.
Time cupped the reaching hand and brought it to his face as he hunched over, “Hey, dad.”
“By Lolia’s grace, it's you!” The two all but collapsed into a hug, Ravio fighting to keep himself from whaling. “I never thought I’d see you again!”
“Me either” Time rarely shed tears, even through nightmares, but he did now. They slipped out quietly as a testament to how much he’d kept his adoptive parents in his thoughts and prayers. That no matter how much time had passed, he’d always remember. And he did. He remembered every second of being with them, from their meeting to their farewells. They had talked about it, Wind remembering how solemn he always looked when they spoke of it. He missed them, and now one of them was here, alive, and within reach.
Ravio quickly dissolved into his native tongue that Wind could only catch bits of but Time seemed too understand for the most part, speaking back in broken Lorulian. He had shown interest in learning Lorulian when he first heard him curse quietly, not understanding what he had said which was odd for him since the spirit language of the kokiri translated almost everything for him. He absorbed everything he was taught like a sponge and went home with Ravio’s thick scarf and an even thicker book Ravio had written him on Lorulian Language. Wind himself had picked up a thing or two during their sessions but, despite how quickly he picked them up, one month wasn't nearly long enough to learn anything but some words and phrases. Time occasionally used it when Legend wasn't around, likely in fear he’d recognize it.
Also! That lil-shit didn't clue him in! Bet he knew from the second he saw the veterans face who he was and who he was with. The shit!!
Wind eventually got tired of watching them do nothing but hug and try their hardest not to bawl, so he started to look around. Legend was watching with soft eyes, Warriors smiled at them (he was there for their adoption signing as witness), Twilight had wandered off with Wild (likely in the orchard since they both didn't handle other’s emotions very well), Hyrule and Sky were both crying, and Four was trying not to cry with nearly-red-brown eyes (he only met Red during brief exchanges, but he seemed the most emotional which was probably a good thing). Then his eyes wandered to the rest of the house.
The place seemed neat, though on closer inspection there were signs of things being hastily cleaned and put away. Knowing Ravio, he was likely really depressed with his husband away for so long, only keeping just clean enough for Sheerow to keep coming back (she was picky from what he remembered of her). There were tales of previous adventures decorated on the wall as well as some of Ravio’s own very purple tastes. The walls were a deep cherry wood and the floor a walnut color with a deep violet rug with gold trimmings. Several perches of different woods, heights, and cuts lay in corners of the house for Sheerow to perch and play on. A chimney lay on the opposite end with two couches and several sitting chairs, all with red, gold, and purple themes. The room was spacious, enough for all of them to enter without issue and set up for the night, but maybe they’d have something more if the door on the left had anything to say about it. A second opening the opposite way looked like a kitchen, fully decked out from what little he could see. He could only imagine how much that had cost. Maybe it was a wedding present? He heard that's something some people do, particularly nobles, and Legend sounded like he was close to his Zelda.
“Sieh mich an. Ich bin ein Wrack.” Ravio pulled away and whipped his tears and snot on a handkerchief he pulled out of a pocket that only he, Time, and Legend had. Apparently it was common in Lorule to have satchels stitched to the inside of clothes, unlike in Hyrule. He had taught the very easy simple technique to everyone in their make-shift family and in turn Wind taught Granny who taught the entire island. Now everyone, even Tetra, had pockets. “Ich kann nicht glauben, dass ich vor allen geweint habe. Peinlich.” He folded the hanky inwards and started dabbing at Time’s cheeks who looked like he had just come home after a horrible journey.
“Ich habe sie schon schlimmeres tun sehen. Wenn du nur wüsstest... ” While Wind didn't really know much of what they were saying, he knew Time was absolutely shitting on him.
“Ich nehme an, du hast darüber geschweigen hast weil Link es in seinem Brief erwähnt hätte.”
“Ich war mir nicht sicher ob er mit dir zusammen ist. Er redet nicht viel über sein Privatleben.”
The darker man smiled and turned to his husband. “Endlich ist unser Sohn hier.” he let out a wet laugh that sent tears falling all over again, a hand outstretched to him. He took it and kissed his forehead. Suddenly this felt all too personal for everyone and they all started shifting away and out of sight. Wind was headed towards the door before Time grabbed him by the collar and pulled him into what could only have been a family hug.
Spices that had drifted pleasantly through the house were thickest here, between them all. It smelled like a bowl of curry that Ravio had made a few times. He always smelled of spices, even after not having much access to it during the war. It felt like home and suddenly he missed his sister and Granny. He hadn't seen either of them in over two years. They hugged until their little bunny-man outgrew his patience and his pinned ears started to twitch and spasm gaining Ravio’s attention. He drew back and taunted, wiping his tears again.
“I told you to keep those free.”
Legend looked like he was about to argue but then decided better of it, instead sighing and letting the cord slip off and set his ears free from curls and waves. They sprung up immediately and tilted all sorts of ways before settling on alert. At least they did until Ravio began petting them and they flopped backwards slightly. “You’ve been keeping them like this, haven't you? Bet you got a nasty migraine.”
“I’ve been taking stuff. It’s fine.”
Ravio turned back to them with hands still full of fluff and hair. “Can you fetch your friends for me? While I really want to talk to both of you, you're all guests and that takes priority for right now. And I'm sure you're all hungry.”
“Food?” Twilight popped up with Wild in the window. Ravio jumped several feet and shreeked, landing fully in Legend’s arms who laughed at him.
A battle between their host’s husband and their most chaotic member was currently happening in the kitchen. Ravio insisted on cooking for everyone while Wild insisted on also cooking for everyone, as was his duty for the party (though usually supervised so nothing weird would be tossed in) that no one had challenged him fully on until today. The kitchen itself was fully decked out and honestly felt like something he’d only see in a castle while Wild had hopped around in excitement. Legend had mentioned it was a wedding gift, though they had to build an extension for the house for it and it almost wasn't worth it. It took years for them both to get used to but now used in full for guests that often came. Some guy named Echo had thought that far ahead.
The battle between the two was some form of epic battle of ingredients that Wind would have joined if they didn't look one step away from biting. They hurled insults at each-other, though neither realized it as Wild was using sign in-between throws and Ravio used his native tongue. Honestly, he wouldn't have known if he hadn't heard him a few times two years ago. He swore he never swore, and then swore every day in Lorulian. He just never swore in Hyrulian, so everyone just assumed he didn't (though some did have an inkling). Half of the chain watched in the doorway with amusing smiles before Legend led them to the living-room.
“Alright, everyone” he clapped in a booming voice that raised over the two bickering in the kitchen still, “Rav’ doesn't have enough ingredients for what he's threatening my neck over, nor does the feral rat since we used the last goron spice two weeks ago. So who wants to go shopping to avoid a full-blown tantrum?”
Hyrule’s hand immediately shot up before being accompanied by Time. “Alright. And who wants to see the witch to get Four his fix?” They all looked to Four who looked a little worse for wear and kept massaging his head like he had a migraine. He usually smoked some leafy substance to keep all four of him together in check, or at least that's what he said when they first met him as four. It was a blend of calming herbs or something. He didn't go into specifics but Time and Hyrule seemed to understand. That was before Legend was introduced, but he caught on right away. Wind also raised his hand after debating for a moment. He’d heard a lot about Legend’s time through Ravio, specifically a witch he was close friends with, and he was curious to see them.
“Everyone else is fine with staying stationary?” He looked at the others. Twilight was near the kitchen door, staying far away from the chaos while keeping an eye on Wild. Sky was dozing after their rather rushed trek, and Warriors seemed content on just relaxing beside him. Sky had that effect on everyone, despite how energetic he got right after being in high altitudes and coming down to lower ones. “Sounds good” Legend suspiciously sounded like Time right now, but with a lighter voice. Maybe he was channeling their dad/leader’s energy? No, actually, he did this often when they first met and he wasn't sure of his placement. In the end he was forced to the edge of their impromptu pack, but not quite as far as where Wild and Twilight had placed themselves. He got quieter after that.
Turns out he was their dad-leader’s dad and that was absolutely hilarious. Wind tried his hardest not to smile. Makes him wonder how old the couple were now though. How old was Ravio when they met? Legend had known he had a son his husband adopted through the war and it somewhat explained some actions, like being fond of their younger members and chucking both Wind, Sky, and Wild in large bodies of water whether they asked for it or not. From what he heard that was a very dad and big brother thing.
“Comm’er and take a picto-graph, Wind. You’re most likely to get lost without one.” their dad’s dad walked over to a map of Hyrule that looked professionally made, nothing like his own. He pointed to a dot cornered by a clif and a river while he pulled out his picto-graph. He held it up and backed away until Legend’s scowl, though softer than his usual, was in view and snapped. “I didn't need to be in that.”
“An’ miss yer smile? Never.” He put the device away for now. “Why point, tho? Tu nice tu pin?”
“Rav würde mich umbringen.(Rav would kill me.)” he muttered, which Wind understood in full, for once. Not the killing part. Ravio was too nice to kill someone over some paper. Unless it was expensive or he made it himself. Then he absolutely would.
Just as the four of them were making their way out, each armed with instructions and a list, there was a loud clattering sound and a screech. Legend’s ears were always directed outward, towards the kitchen but they twitched now, Twilight darting up after relaxing when the two had calmed down momentarily as a blue blur swept through the room chased by a purple one just as fast. The latter jumped the former and they tumbled through into a couch with hissing. Ravio had Wild pinned to the floor with a growl, both absolutely covered in food that hopefully was just unwanted left-overs.
“Du willst dreckig spielen?! Wir werden dreckig spielen!(You wanna play dirty?! We’ll play dirty!)” Wind understood that too. Whatever Wild had did pushed the lolian over the edge, which was much steeper than the slow incline to get too. Twilight looked like he was seconds away from jumping him and Wind, for once, actually worried for the rancher’s life. Ravio was not a force to be taken lightly, much less surprised. He had some defence mechanism that relied heavily on magic when he got scared or startled. He’d been on the bad end of it once after a prank. He and Mask swore to never prank Ravio ever again.
“Und ihr seid beide erledigt.” the lolian’s big strong version of himself lifted him easily, rolling and folding him like a rabbit, or a cat to those more familiar. Guess in Sky’s time it’d be those ring-tailed things with big eyes.
“Er warf eine Pfanne nach mir als ich gewann!”
“He’s crazy! A pan fell and he attacked me!”
Rather than being steaming mad, both Legend and Twilight looked tired with them both. Odd, considering Twilight couldn't understand Ravio at all, but he had been watching the entire thing.
“He threw a lil’ fit and accidentally hit the pan. Yer know he’s weirdly good at hitten’ stuff just right.”
So neither was at fault and Ravio calmed down at the explanation but still clung to his husband.
“It was a tie.” Twi continued. Both Ravio and Wild gave him a glare. “Don blame me fer it been’ a tie! Plus I watched yer going thru yer things to figure out what wouldn't cause damage.” A ripple of chuckles. Both assailant’s ears were blushed at being caught.
“Fine, but you're cleaning up-” Ravio pouted and hugged his Link while Wild blew a raspberry at his wolf. “-since it's apparently a tie. Loser was supposed to clean the mess.”
“Wha-!?”
Wind had dodged a bullet not joining the food-fight and laughed at their second tallest in victory. Others joined in the mockery, as one did when you were basically all brothers at this point. You point and laugh at each other's misery.
“But I-” He looked between the two then Legend. “This an’t my fault. Why am I cleaning?” Unlike how most of them seemed to understand this was less of a punishment for no reason than it was the two being silly jerks that would end up helping after a bit, Twilight understood context as well as a shark understanding the difference between a human and a seal before trying a taste. He was both the quickest and the hardest to get upset, and when he was upset, everyone felt it. Legend and Hyrule were similar, but it was lighter than Twilight’s and it took more.
“You are his keeper, basically.”
“Yur not his?”
“Oh! He’s got a good point.” Ravio had his feet on the ground now. “Go help him clean the kitchen.” he waved him off. Legend just gaped while people laughed and Twilight smirked, his mood finally lightening. “Im going to take the kit to the bath, since where both disgusting."
“You have a bath!?”
“Fine! Everyone get.” Legend shooed the four of them out of the house. “Be back in an hour or two max, you two.” He pointed at Time and Hyrule and then at him and Four. “As for you both, just be back before dinner.”
The route to the Witch’s hut wasn't too bad. It was a bit long, sure, but it was scenic and calm with occasional monsters rolling about the further from civilization they got. They even passed the castle at one point, taking a moment to take in the lightly colored stones that made it. Legend’s era was peaceful, almost like they weren't actively hunting something that could kill them all.
The Witches hut was more like several huts merged together into one big odd-shaped hut. The main part that had a welcome mat was larger than the rest, likely originally being the main house until add-ons were completed. Inside was the single most witchest set-up he’d ever seen. Ingredients hung from the ceiling while the walls were nearly completely lined with shelves of books and bottled things. Skulls with candles sat on nearly every raised surface surrounded by tomes and paper writings. Despite the daylight outside, dark curtains blocked the sun creating a spooky atmosphere. On both sides just a couple of steps away from the door lay three small cauldrons with bubbling colors in them, though no fire lay under, one clearly being a health potion. In the middle of a room lay a giant cauldron with an old woman stirring a pot.
“You must be Link’s friends.” She said with a sweet voice, deceptive of her aging face. “Come in.” She waved them over. How she knew that, he could only guess. Witches man. They were wild. “I take it you of the Swords need something to calm the spirits?” She spoke wisely as she hopped off her stool, now only barely reaching Four’s height, and wandered over to one of the shelves.
Swords. Not Sword. Swords. Like she knew who Four was.
“Not every day you find four spirits in one boy. Personalities, yes, but full spirits are a rarity. Even for me.” She began pulling things off of shelves with surprising speed, only occasionally pausing and putting something back like there was something better.
“You can tell?”
She nodded. “Tell me, child. How did you come to be? All of you.”
Four told her what Wind already knew. Of his adventure with the Four Sword and how, after, he didn't feel the same even together. He felt chaotic on good days and down right insane on his worst. It took herbs from another country that Hyrule had just started trading with to calm them down. The witch just nodded to his explanation as she crushed and blended things together. He had simplified it heavily, but it was more than what he told any of them and Wind felt guilty for not standing up for him the times he got dirty looks from passers when he used them. He didn't know it kept him together that much and that he was constantly suffering.
“It sounds like the Sword didn't quite put you back together right, but that's to be expected since you likely shouldn't have been apart for no more than a few hours. You had all gone through your own journey and become your own person, filling out the pieces of your soul that were missing with magic. Now that you're one again, your soul is but a mash of souls bound together by string. Most would have lost themselves.”
“Ezlo did help out. He gave me an enchanted cuff.” His fingers found their way to his cuff on his left ear, something he did like Legend when he was nervous or bored. They all had something like that though. “Talking doesn't sound like shouting anymore.”
“Ezlo? Hah! Haven't heard that name in awhile! I met him once, when I was a girl. Helped me pronounce my spells. I'm pretty sure he was around for my daughter and my granddaughter- speaking of witch- you got the bark?”
A young woman entered through the door clad in blue with black hair. She was taller than any of them, seeming between Hyrule and Sky’s height. She eyed them both before sighing and going over to her grandmother. “Yeah, yeah I got it. Seres says ‘Hi’ by the way.”
“Tell her I said ‘Hi’ back.”
“She’s coming over for dinner.” The girl rolled her eyes harder than even the legendary eye-roller himself. “These the dorks?”
“Don't be rude.” Long spindly fingers snatched a bundle of bark from the woman’s hand and added them to the mortar and pestle. “Theyre paying customers.”
The woman turned to them, her eyes seeming like black voids under such little lighting. “He’s back then? Link?”
“Yup.” Wind responded, glad for her dispersing the sober air that was created just a minute prior. “Name’s Link, but ye can call me Wind. Tis Four, also Link.” he pointed towards his short companion. “He’s older than he looks.”
“Whoah. Gnarly accent. I like it.” he smiled. “Name’s Irene and this is Granny. I'm close acquaintances with Link, or whatever you call him.” She looked over to Four who looked worse in this lighting. “Yeesh. No office, my guy. But you look like a Boko used you as a napkin then threw you into a chu-chu.” Which to be fair, he kinda did.
“Gee, thanks.”
“Well at least that monster-bun is back.” She sighed and went to the stool to use and stir the cauldron in place of her granny. Monster-bun? “Rav’ll be less depressed for a bit.”
“Ravio get’s pre-ey depressed, don’ he?”
“Like you wouldn't believe! He’s half convinced this new adventure he’s forced into is half his fault. Thinks it's Link’s way of getting a break away from him or something.”
“Thats te’ last thing Leg wants, I’m pre-ey sure.”
“Right?! Well at least it isn't as bad as Link. Once Rav was gone for a week, just up and vanished. Link was tearing through Hyrule the entire time, madder than a hornet.”
“Worked himself sick, that fool.” the older witch laughed.
“Gods, it was awful. Whenever he wasn't searching and pacing, he was muttering how Rav must’ve left him and somehow gone back to Lorule. Convinced himself he was a terrible husband and all that junk. Cried when he returned.”
“Legend cried?” Wind couldn't help from grinning. “That man never gets sad. Just mad and mildly annoyed.”
“I saw him smile once. It felt like the world was ending.” Four joined.
“Sounds like he’s just grumpy without his bunny.” she waved dismissively. “Bet he’s all smiles right now.” Legend wasn't exactly all smiles, but his looks were soft and relaxed. Perhaps Irene was right and Legend was just a grumpy ass-hole without his counter-part. That and the fact he’s been on too many adventures.
“Oh, right! I was gon’na ask abaut his curse! We know Leg’ has som sort a’ rabbit curse, but Ravio’s his counter-part, ye?” Four looked to him in question. Oh right. He didn't know.
“Rav’s got a curse, but it's a different nature from Link’s. Well, it's more like a blessing he calls a curse.” Granny nudged her. “Ah-but!! You’ll have to ask them for more info.”
“What do you mean Ravio is Legend’s counter-part?” Four watched him with narrow eyes.
“That-.. That's not mi story to tell!” He sweated because that was a whole bag of worms that he knew some felt VERY strongly about.
“You're a smart boy, aren't you?” Granny Witch turned around with a large bottle full of crushed herbs and two smaller ones, one with more crushed herbs and another full of green-black beads. “Use a pinch of this in tea if you find yourself having a harder time than normal. Anymore than that and you’ll be flying higher than the gods.” She gestured to the smaller bottle then to the one with beads. “Give this to Ravio, will you? He’ll pay later.”
“What do I owe you?” Four took the bottles and put them in his magic sack.
“500 rupees.” Irene said before her granny could say. She just huffed and turned while Wind’s mouth dropped. 500?? For some herbs??? “200 for the big batch. 300 for the small one. That bark is hard to get, you know.”
“…” Four pulled out his rupee bag and began counting with drooped shoulders.
“I! I can lend ye 100!” Wind quickly pulled out his own rupee bag and pulled out a shiny silver rupee.
“How much you got, son?” The granny asked while putting bottles back.
“To spend on this, about 250. I can always just cut back on food and repairs. It's not a big deal.”
“We’ll just add the remainder to Link’s tab.” She waved him off from paying the full amount. “What you have is just fine.”
“But-”
“If Granny says it's fine, it's fine. Don't go against Granny.” Irene held her hand out for the 350 they produced together. “She’ll turn you into a frog if you do.” She smiled at them. “Thanks for the business and come again. Oh! And tell Ravio everyone’s visiting tomorrow.”
“Aye!” Wind gave a wave as they left.
“Thanks for helping.” Four said after a few minutes from the Witches hut. He just shrugged.
“Do me a favor an’ smoke that before ya look worse.”