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Time could tell that Wind was sick. Their sailor, though he possessed many qualities, did not count subtlety among them.
Since yesterday, Wind had been coughing more than normal, or repeatedly clearing his throat and swallowing when he thought no one was looking. In fairness, it seemed nothing worse than a sore throat, but he hadn’t mentioned it to the group at all, or requested to slow down, or asked Wild to make something to soothe his throat, even though both requests would absolutely be granted.
But that was so typical of them all. None of them liked to be perceived as the one to hold the group back, even though they didn’t think it of anyone else when others fell sick; and the hero’s spirit in all of their blood was strongly resistant to being the one to be saved, for once.
So Time understood. He knew that with Wind’s position as the youngest especially, he felt he had to prove himself more than anyone.
Despite understanding, though, he planned to go directly against Wind’s wishes. He was going to fuss over him.
He waited until camp was winding down for the night, the boys occupied with their various activities. Wild and Four were playing some sort of elaborate card game in the corner by themselves, and if he wasn’t already coughing, it would be easy to tell Wind was sick by the fact he wasn’t joining them. Instead, he was curled up in his bedroll, holding both his water skin and pirate’s charm near to his chest.
Time came and sat down on the ground next to him. “Hey, sailor. How are you?”
“Alright,” Wind replied, even though his voice came out croaky. “I think I might get an early night. I don’t know.”
“I can tell the others to lower their voices, if you wish,” Time said. “I can also tell them that we’re gonna take it easier tomorrow. Less walking.”
Wind immediately shot up, looking at Time with alarm. “Don’t do that.”
“Why not?” Time replied. “You’re clearly unwell, not too badly, but still unwell. We can make things easier for you.”
“Well, I don’t want that,” Wind shot back. “I don’t want to be babied.”
“It’s not babying,” Time told him gently. “I’d be having the same conversation if it was our captain. You know that.”
Wind didn’t make eye contact for a few moments, staring pensively at the ground. “...Yeah.”
“And since your throat hurts, I can guess you’ve also got a delightful headache with a side of fatigue,” Time continued, “and you’re dreading a full day on the move tomorrow.”
Again, Wind slowly nodded.
“So why don’t you let us do this simple thing for you?” Time asked. “We don’t have to fully take a day out, I know you’d hate that. But we can slow down the pace, take more breaks. You know we don’t have a huge goal we’re chasing after right now. You’ve timed the illness rather well, I must say.”
Wind didn’t laugh at his joke, instead looking at Time with distrustful eyes again. “‘Us’? You didn’t have an intervention with the others about this, did you?”
“What? No, sailor, I assure you I didn’t,” Time replied. He reached a hand out to rest on Wind’s shoulder. “This is coming entirely from me, and me alone.”
“As long as it’s just you,” Wind mumbled, before adding even more quietly: “Sorry. My head just feels like shit. I can’t help feeling grumpy.”
“I know it does,” Time gently said, smiling at Wind. “And that’s why I want to help you. Will you let me?”
Wind looked at him, consideringly. Then he nodded. “...Okay.”
“I’m the old man. They have to listen to me,” Time continued. “I’ll put the attention on myself instead of you. Say my leg is acting up, or something.”
Wind finally returned his smile, then, giving Time a grateful grin. “Thank you. Sorry for being difficult. You know I just… hate to be seen as the weak one of the group.”
Time sighed, before looking at Wind’s bedroll. “Can I join you? The ground isn’t the most comfortable.”
Wind frowned. “You’ll get sick too.”
“My immune system’s been through worse, I assure you,” Time replied. Wind laughed, and moved along in his bedroll to give Time room to join him in sitting on it.
Time merely listened to the noises of the camp for a moment, including the increasingly louder shouts of Wild and Four. Then, he murmured quietly to Wind: “No one thinks you’re weak.”
“Okay, not weak, but they act like I’m made of glass,” Wind replied. “Even the smithy and the champion, despite them barely being older than me. You’re the only one who actually treats me normally, which is ironic.”
Time just hummed. “I wouldn’t say it’s that ironic.”
Wind looked at him curiously.
“I told you before how young I was when my journey started, did I not?” Time said. “I was in your position once, a long time ago. Not being taken seriously because of my age, having to prove myself by showing I could use the sword.”
Wind only nodded, allowing Time to continue.
“Some of the others set off on their first journeys when they were as young as you and I were,” Time said. “But some of them didn’t. Some of them were almost young men, already established members of their communities.” Time shook his head. “That’s still too young, of course. You may think of our champion or rancher as being distinct from you, but you’re all young to me.”
Wind laughed. “Maybe that’s why you take me seriously.”
“Maybe,” Time agreed, with a shrug. “But I also think that that is why there can be a tendency to treat you as if - like you said - you’re made of glass. For those who didn’t have to fight Ganon till eighteen, you doing so at twelve is… quite a terrifying concept, I imagine.”
“Well, I guess,” Wind hummed. “But I don’t even think about it that way. It was just normal. It was just the way my life turned out.”
“I wish it wasn’t normal for any of you boys to have had to fight him,” Time replied. “But no matter. What I am saying to you is that nobody thinks you are weak. What is happening is a desire to protect you, to make sure you don’t have to figure things out alone, to try and ensure your life is better than ours was at your age.”
Wind didn’t say anything for a few quiet moments, seemingly contemplating Time’s words. Then he looked up and said: “So… you’re saying that everyone is projecting onto me, in a way?”
Time couldn’t help it. He threw his head back and laughed. “Well. Yes. We are, I suppose. You’re completely right.”
“I don’t mind that as much,” Wind replied. “Why do you find that so funny?”
Time placed a hand on Wind’s shoulder. “You have a remarkable way with words, is all,” he said. “As well as the sword. Perhaps when your bones get old and achy like mine you should consider branching out into poetry, or something similar.”
Wind looked at him suspiciously. “Your bones are not old and achy. Not with how you move when you fight.”
“Or maybe I’m just good at hiding it,” Time replied, with a grin.
Wind sighed loudly. “Ugh. See! This is where I picked it up from in the first place. If you all want to be protective of me, then I have to say you’re all shit role models. No one is ever fucking honest when they have an injury or illness round here.”
“And that is also very true,” Time nodded. “Perhaps you’ll have to lead by example instead.”
“Maybe I will,” Wind said, before falling silent again.
When he did speak once more, it was tentative, almost shy. “Hey, old man.”
“Hm?”
Wind bit his lip, looking down at his bed roll. “Could I… possibly get a hug?”
Time felt affection bloom in his heart, the same he got from any of his boys. “Of course,” he replied. “Come here.”
With permission granted, Wind’s face lit up and he immediately shuffled towards Time, resting his obviously tired head against Time’s chest and leaning the rest of his body weight into him. Time’s arms came up to secure him, and he felt Wind’s breathing go steady as he merely held him close, observing the rest of camp.
He almost thought Wind had fallen asleep, but then the boy leaned back once more, and gave Time a glowing smile. “Thanks. I needed that.”
“Of course you did. You’re sick,” Time said gently, reaching forward to pat Wind’s head once more, which the boy actually allowed him to do. “Now get some rest, alright? You need as much as you can get.”
“I will,” Wind promised, “but first, er, I think I’m gonna go and ask the cook for some medicine.”
Time smiled. “Good idea. I’m sure he’ll have something that’ll sort out that troublesome throat in no time.”
With that, he stood up, and Wind did the same, albeit with less speed than usual. Just as Time was about to head back over to where his own belongings were, Wind darted forward and wrapped him in another hug.
“One more for the road,” Time heard him mumble, and he laughed.
“Thank you.”
“No, I should be thanking you,” Wind said, after stepping back. “Thank you for stopping me from being an idiot.”
Time laughed again. “You’re not an idiot,” he said. “Now, me when I was a kid? That was an idiot. But you are far more kind and resilient than I was back then. I am very proud of you, sailor. I hope you know that.”
A funny little expression appeared on Wind’s face at his words. He quickly nodded, said ‘yep, I know that, thanks again!’ and then hastily sped off to where Wild and Four were.
And Time just watched him go, the affection from before still lingering in his chest.
Being the leader of the group wasn’t easy, but at least when it came to Wind, Time knew he was doing something right.