Archive of Our Own ^beta

Link, or Legend now as of two months ago, didn’t want to be here.

He wanted to be in his cluttered home with his annoying roommate, or at least off on an adventure alone, not stuck with eight other people who all seemed dead set on him being a part of the group.

Every night by the fire, they wanted to sit around and tell stories with him or make small talk while heading to their next destination, or even coddle him after a battle. It was exhausting.

Oh, also they all had the hero’s spirit or something, but that’s not important.

-

It was midday in Twilight’s Hyrule. The sun beamed through the trees overhead, basking everything in a warm glow. They were walking for what felt like hours and the sailor was falling behind. No matter how many times Warriors offered to carry him, he would refuse and say something that would have even the toughest men blushing.

It was honestly starting to annoy Legend. Yeah, a lot of them had been young when they pulled the sword so no one could judge, but that didn’t mean the kid had to drive them all up the wall with nonstop talking and being a genuine thorn in the side. All his stubborn attitude did was slow them down.

“Are you sure you don’t need to be carried?” Warriors asked for at least the hundredth time. “I really don’t mind giving you a lift until we reach the next village.”

Legend swore that Wind literally growled, “Yes! I’m sure and if you ask me again, I will shove my sword right up your-!”

“Wind. Watch your language.” Time called from the front of the group, not taking his eyes off the road. Twilight and Wild snickered at his sides.

It was a little funny to look back and see the kid’s face red from embarrassment—Karma at its finest. Whenever the goddess gave that specific child the hero’s spirit, she must have been drunk.

Speaking of the mentioned goddess, she must have not liked him thinking that because one second, he was chuckling to himself at Wind getting scolded, and the next he heard yelling from around him. He turned just in time to step through a portal that appeared in front of him.

“Ah, crap.” Was all he had time to mumble before falling through space and time. It was quite an uncomfortable feeling; like being shaken around in a blender, poured through a strainer, and then put back together. A solid 10/10 would not recommend experience.

Landing ungracefully on his stomach, the air was knocked from his lungs. He was seriously going to fight the goddess one day. Maybe that should be his next adventure.

After taking a moment to gather himself, Legend sat up and took in his surroundings. Around him was a patch of tall grass swaying softly in the breeze, with mountains and fields as far as the eye could see. The sun was now high in the sky, with small clouds dotting the view. It was beautiful, almost calming.

Taking a breath, he basked in the atmosphere. Maybe this was the break he deserved.

The moment was short-lived. He nearly jumped out of his skin when screaming started above him. Looking up, Legend spotted a familiar shade of blue growing closer. He didn’t have time to move before it landed on his chest.

Just his luck.

“Ow, oh! Sorry!” Wind jumped up, dusting himself off and reaching out a hand to help Legend stand. “You ok!?”

No. Legend was not ok. He was in an unfamiliar Hyrule with Wind of all people. “Where is everyone else?” He ignored the sailor’s help, getting to his feet on his own.

The boy shrugged, “Dunno. I jumped through the portal after you.”

He froze. This stupid kid. “You-!?” Of course, he would jump right through the portal! Wasn’t he falling behind? How the hell did he even get there!?

Wind didn’t seem to share the same worry, because all he did was tilt his head to the side confused. “Me?”

This was going to be a long few hours. Legend ran a hand through his hair, trying not to scream. “We need to find the others.” He did not want to be stuck with an actual child longer than needed. “Come on.” Looking around, he chose a random direction and started walking.

The sailor fell into step with him, adjusting the straps of his bag. Luckily, those stayed with them through the switch. “Where do you think we are?” He asked.

Now it was Legends turn to shrug. “Don’t know, don’t care.”

-

The sun lowered, causing the sky to glow a burned orange. Once again, Wind lagged behind. The kid really needed to work on his cardio.

“Keep up.” Legend called over his shoulder. “I would like to find the others before we die of old age.”

The sailor’s shoulders slumped. “I’m trying!”

Looking closer, he felt a little bad for the younger boy, whose boots dragged against the dirt. Maybe it was a good idea to stop. Legend himself was getting tired, and he didn’t want to walk through the night. Looking around, he spotted a small clearing through the trees. He took Wind’s arm and marched that way, ignoring the way the boy complained about being manhandled.

The spot seemed safe. Off the path so nothing could sneak up on them, yet close enough that they could make their way back in the morning. “We’ll set up here.” He instructed, dropping his bag to the ground.

The other was quick to follow, flopping down next to their things. “Oh, thank the gods! I thought my legs were going to fall off!”

He rolled his eyes with a small smile. Kids can be so dramatic.

Now it was time to go through the familiar routine of setting up camp. “Stay here.” He spoke, securing his sword to his back. “I’m going to get firewood.”

Wind did not listen, when did he ever? Instead, he hopped up and ran to Legend’s side, practically bouncing on his toes. “I’ll help!”

“No.” He quickly shot down. The last thing either of them needed was him getting hurt. Warriors would actually have his head on a stick. Legend would never admit it, but the guy could scare him sometimes; when he wasn’t fretting about his hair, at least. “Just…look through our bags for food or something.”

Once again, Wind did not seem to like that answer as he rolled his eyes and sat back down with crossed arms. “Fine. Whatever.”

He watched him for a second, slightly guilty. He didn’t want to be like some of the others and treat him differently because of his age. It was hypocritical to do so when almost all of them had faced danger quite young. He couldn’t help it, though. It was one thing to be a kid with the hero’s spirit; it was another to watch a kid, someone so young, fight every day, knowing how the story ends. Legend at one point used to be as carefree as him after all.

He sighed, leaving the clearing without a word. This was way out of his comfort zone.

-

The forest was calm as Legend picked through it. He didn’t need to go far for wood, but took extra time to organize his thoughts. The sun was low, low enough that the moon showed itself in the sky. He would need to head back soon and make sure Wind didn’t burn down their small camp. The thought made him chuckle some, but also kind of scared him. The youngest of their group could be a wrecking ball if he wanted to.

An ear-piercing scream echoed through the woods.

Legend dropped the wood he was holding, bolting back toward the clearing. His boots pounded on the ground as blood drained from his face.

“WIND!” He called, ignoring how the trees scraped against his legs as he plowed through the foliage. “YOU OKAY, KID?!”

The lack of response was deafening.

Breaking through the brush, saw two bags and nothing else. It was eerily still. Where the hell did he go? Legend’s heartbeat frantically in his chest, his mind swirling with worst-case scenarios. No way he lost the kid!?

Rustling across the tree line caught his attention. Slowly, he reached for his sword, unsheathing it. The cold metal against his hand was comforting; a reliable weight.

All was still for a moment. A standoff between Legend, and whatever hid amongst the leaves.

A mop of unruly blond hair littered with twigs burst out of the brush, grasping a sword and eyes wide. Upon noticing Legend, Wind grinned sheepishly. “Heyyy, Leg’.” Blood dotted his bright blue tunic. “Your back!”

Legend was at a loss for words. One order, he gave the kid one simple task! To stay put and organize food, but no! He couldn’t even do that! He stalked forward silently, eyes ablaze.

Wind took a step back. “I can explain!” He hastily shouted. “You see, I looked through our bags and thought we could use a little more food, and since you were gone, I figured I could get it myself!” Laughing awkwardly, he picked a branch out of his hair. “I found some berries that looked good, but then get this! A lizalfo jumped out at me! Not one of the black-blooded ones, a normal one! I handled it though, because I’m just that cool!”

Legend spoke slowly. “You handled it?” He towered over the younger boy, whose smile faltered. “Wind, you have blood on you!” Grabbing the boy’s arm, he yanked it over, showing a long cut going down his forearm.

Wind yanked his arm back, ducking between the taller boy’s legs to get away. “Most of it isn’t mine!” His face was red from anger, or maybe embarrassment.

Legend didn’t let him get far. Turning on a heel, he grabbed his shoulder, forcing them to face each other. “I told you to stay here! Not run off and get hurt!”

“I just wanted to help, and I can take care of myself!”

“Can you use your head for once!?” He yelled, practically shaking the sailor. “You are going to get yourself killed one day by not listening to simple instructions! The goddess must have made a mistake choosing you because there is no way in Hyrule that you should have lasted this long with dirt for brains!” He didn’t mean it. Wind was a talented warrior, one of the best. He was just…worried. Anything could have happened.

The younger boy didn’t look up. Instead, he kept his gaze on the tree line, body stiff.

Maybe Legend went a little too far. He was only a kid, after all. Slowly, he lowered them both to the forest floor. The crickets chirping, and the leaves moving were the only sounds.

“Why did you follow me?” Legend asked. The thought had been itching at the back of his head since they landed.

Wind looked away. “You have been leading us through this Hyrule. Of course I would follow.” He responded, dodging the question.

Legend narrowed his eyes, watching as the younger boy fiddled with the ends of his tunic. A breeze blew through, causing them both to shiver.

“You know what I mean.”

He didn’t respond for a long moment, just staring off into the distance with foggy blue eyes. Eventually, his mouth opened and closed a few times, trying to form a response. “Can I tell you something?” His voice sounded small, almost like the child Wind was supposed to be. He met Legend’s gaze.

It scared the veteran to see the youngest of their group, the one who shone like a light in all the dark times, be uncharacteristically quiet.

He nodded anyway.

Wind took a breath, preparing himself. “I- well, first off, you can’t tell anyone, or get mad.” Squeezing his eyes shut, he looked almost scared. Like he expected Legend to jump up and chase him away. “I don’t have the hero’s spirit.”

That was the last thing Legend expected to hear. A chill went down his spine.

The sailor continued. “I’m sorry.” Fresh tears filled his eyes. “I know I should have told you sooner, but I wanted to impress you! You have gone on so many adventures, and have all kinds of magic things, and I wanted you to like me! I want everyone to like me, and if they knew I wasn’t chosen, that I wasn’t a genuine hero, then they wouldn’t!” He practically yelled, franticly running his fingers through his hair. “That’s why I pushed past everyone and jumped in after you! I wanted to spend time with the hero of legend.”

Legend didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t some amazing hero, just a guy who went on a few too many adventures. No one a kid should look up to, or more importantly, compare himself to.

Slowly, he moved his arms, wrapping them around Wind in an awkward hug. “That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Wind looked up, sniffling. “What?”

“You defeated Gannon, right?”

The boy nodded. “Yeah. Stabbed‘em straight through the head.”

Slightly graphic, but that’s fine. “Then you are just as much of a hero as the rest of us.” Gently, Legend rubbed his back. “Maybe even more so. You did it without any divine intervention.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.” He cleared his throat awkwardly. “And uh, I’m sorry about what I said earlier.” Short, sweet, and to the point. Legend had never been the best at apologies.

He felt Wind’s arms wrap around his mid-section tightly. “It’s ok. I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have run off when you told me not to.”

And that was enough mushy feelings for the next month. He ruffled the boy’s hair, pulling them both up. “Alright. Why don’t we fix up that arm and actually get some food before dark?”

“Can I come with you this time?”

“Of course.”

-

That night, they sat side by side as the fire roared and stars danced overhead. Wind lay against Legend’s side with a blanket wrapped around both of them.

 “And that is how I met my roommate, who is also the most annoying person in the world.” Legend finished his story. How he was pulled into the classic bonding around the fire was a mystery. But unfortunately, he didn’t hate it.

Oh god, he was going soft, wasn’t he?

There was no response from Wind, which was slightly concerning. The kid had been a chatterbox since they wrapped up his arm and ate. A small snore had him looking down.

The boy was fast asleep, tucked under his arm and holding onto the front of his tunic. Legend smiled softly. It was slightly adorable. Never in a million years would he admit it out loud, but maybe, just maybe, he had begun seeing the youngest Link as a little brother.

How annoying.

Making sure the blanket was secure around them, he settled in for a long night of being a Hylian pillow. Would he wake up in the morning sore? Yeah. Would he complain about it to Wind until they found the others? Also, yeah. Did he regret it? Not a bit.