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luimagines · 10 months

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Leg

Pinky wanted Legend fic, so Pinky gets Legend fic. tw mentions of hunting, cages, and blood. Also I got a little lazy at the end — I ran out of ideas.

And uhhhhh…. this is a very long ask.

Your smile was contagious as you ran off with Wild and Hyrule on some silly side-quest the three of you had come up with. Legend, after sharing a quick word with Time, followed you silently as the three of you left camp.

This had become routine, although you didn’t know it. You would run off with the two resident troublemakers and Legend would follow from a distance. He told himself, and the Old Man, that he was going along to keep the three of you out of trouble. That it was safer to wander about aimlessly with one of the more responsible heroes present. The Veteran forcibly ignored the strange desire that watching the three of you giggle and run about dragged up within him.

He’d lost the childish urge to play about, run off the beaten path, and turn over stones just to see what might be there years ago. He’d lost that sense of imagination and wonder to the cruelties of his world. He sought only to make sure you weren’t burned by your innocence as he had been. He would be there if something went wrong and he would fix it before you could get upset. But he didn’t want to join you. Definitely not.

You climbed a tree and swung around on some vines with your two comrades. Your bubbling laughter sounded like music in the Vet’s ears. The three of you were clearly having fun. You seemed to have no concept of the passage of time as you played about, swiping teasingly at the two boys and pretending to have been knocked over instead of ducking a similarly lighthearted punch from Wild.

Okay. Maybe Legend wanted to join you a little bit. But he wasn’t going to. He didn’t want to ruin your fun. And he wasn’t ready to admit that the reason he wanted to join you had something to do with the way his heart skipped a beat whenever you smiled or the unbidden desire to hug you close as you laughed. He cared for you as a friend. That was the only reason he never wanted you to lose your smile. The only one. It had to be.

He’s already had one love, and he lost her. He doesn’t expect another. He doesn’t deserve another.

——

Legend’s lost count of the number of times he’s done this. He’s having a harder time justifying it to himself. Not because he still won’t admit that he’s got a crush on you that’s growing by the day — he’s already come to terms with that. Instead it’s because watching your games from afar has started to make him feel really lonely. Literally everything he wants in the world is right there; it’s so close he could almost taste it.

But it’s as if it’s been locked behind a glass wall. He can look, but he may not touch. He won’t get closer. He can’t. He’s convinced the illusion would shatter if he tried to pass the oh-so-fragile barrier. You’d think he was creepy. A stalker. You’d never speak to him again. Or his presence would utterly spoil the magic. Your secret games wouldn’t be secret anymore. You would never be able to sneak off again without looking over your shoulder and wondering if he was there. Or if — by some grace of the goddesses — you weren’t upset and chose to include him, he might not be able to keep up. He might be too broken to loosen up and be silly with you. Maybe he’d just spoil everything.

As much as he can’t risk joining you three in your games, he finds he can’t resist following either. Despite what he tells Time, it’s no longer purely because he’s trying to make sure you’re able to have your fun and avoid the lecture about safety; it’s because he’s gotten addicted to that which he cannot have. That’s always the case with him. That’s just his lot in life. Always on the outside, looking in, and yearning for more than he deserves.

——

He’s startled out of his thoughts by Wild and the traveller discreetly whispering while looking in the direction of the skulking veteran. Hyrule then slips away to go talk to Legend as the latter begins to panic.

“Vet? What’s wrong?” The traveller approaches cautiously.

Legend shakes his head, “nothing, nothing. I’m fine. Really.” He forces a smile but the other boy doesn’t buy it for a second and it’s apparent on his face.

“Wild and I know you’ve been following us for a while now, not just today.” The traveller quirks one eyebrow slightly, “you didn’t actually think we wouldn’t notice, did you?“

The veteran sighs. Of course they both knew he was there. As good at hiding as he is, those two come from arguably the most dangerous eras in Hyrule’s history. Of course they would know they were being followed.

“No, I’m not surprised you noticed. I just—“ the veteran sighs again and trails off.

“You just what? C’mon, Vet, you know you can tell me anything.”

Legend hesitates and Hyrule decides to push harder, “look — I hate to do this to you, Vet — but they’re gonna notice I’m gone in another couple minutes. Then you’ll have all three of us ganging up on you and everybody, except them, can tell you’ve got a crush on them. As I see it you have two choices. Tell me now, quickly, or they’ll force it out of you since you’ve lost the ability to tell them ‘no.’”

Legend sighs, cursing the goddesses’ eternal cruelty toward him, “alright. Fine. It started because I just wanted to let them have fun without getting an earful. Time let y’all off easy because I was here to ‘supervise’ from a distance. But….” He takes a deep breath and does his best to avoid shrinking into a ball as he forces himself to admit it, “but now I just want to join you guys. But I’m scared I’ll ruin the fun somehow or that they’ll think I’m lame. Or worse: creepy for have been watching.”

Hyrule eyes him with… not pity, never pity, but sympathy. He knows Legend (and the legends of his predecessor) well enough to understand. However, this is clearly a situation that calls for some tough love. The traveller has let this hopeless pining go on for long enough. He grins and grabs his predecessor by the wrist, “Just trust me. I promise none of that will happen.” Without another word, he tugs Legend out into the clearing before the veteran has a chance to refuse.

“Look what I found!” Hyrule calls out to you as you notice Legend’s presence, “he was out for a walk. Wars won one of their verbal sparring matches and he didn’t wanna listen to the gloating and Four’s amused teasing.”

You raise an eyebrow, also amused, but you don’t comment on it. Wild, demonstrating an impressive mixture of situational awareness and utter lack of tact, runs up and lightly slaps the veteran on the shoulder. The champion shouts “Legend’s it!” and runs away at top speed. The traveller follows suit. Both you and Legend stand where you are for a few seconds.

You’re just surprised and confused, but Legend’s brain is running at a million miles a minute as he tries to decide what he should do. As soon as you process what’s happened though, your stance changes. You’re ready to run, but you aren’t scared. You lock eyes with him for a spit second, clearly expecting him to play. So he does. Five seconds after he’d been declared “it,” he runs toward you. He’s not going his top speed, but it gets his intentions across. You shriek in delight and sprint away from him, laughing as you go.

——

The veteran then spends the next hour or so running around and playing tag with you, the traveller, and the champion. The vet doesn’t laugh as freely as the three of you do, but he’s smiling the whole time and very clearly having fun. The four of you walk back to camp together in time for Wild to make dinner, tired and happy.

Wars willingly covers Legend’s alibi, and any Links who might be inclined to accidentally spill that particular can of worms (wind) are promptly distracted with Wild asking for help making dinner. Much to Legend’s relief, and the amusement of every other Link present, you remain blissfully unaware of the real reason Legend was in the woods that day.

——

The next time you try to sneak off with Wild and Hyrule, your trio becomes a quartet as Legend leaves as part of your group rather than a shadow. Sky and Time catch Legend’s eye separately as he leaves. The former is beaming, eyes twinkling with pride and amusement. The eyes of the latter are knowing, with a glint that promises teasing and somewhat-helpful, cryptic half-advice later.

——

Legend joining you becomes routine. He still doesn’t loosen up entirely. He can’t help it, he’s worried about you rejecting him if you get too close. However, you don’t seem to mind if he wants to keep his secrets. Although you’re very clearly toning up your silliness now that he’s around. You’re trying to make him laugh and he’s touched, if hesitant.

——

One day the veteran goes to collect firewood shortly before y’all leave. He says he’ll catch up and not to wait on him. So you don’t. After an hour and a half, you’re really worried: Legend still hasn’t shown. You, Hyrule, and Wild decide to split up and look for him. You’re walking through the woods and calling for him when you stop in your tracks suddenly as you hear him call back to you weakly.

“I hear you! I’m coming!” You take off running in the direction of the sound.

——

You find a large, pink rabbit dressed in Legend’s tunic stuck in a hunting trap. It’s in a position that looks really uncomfortable, and you’re a little worried the blood might be slowly rushing to its head based on the slight tilt he was caught at — rabbits are fragile.

“Vet?” You ask as you cautiously approach the cage.

Internally, Legend is panicking. He never wanted you to see this helpless form. Never wanted you to know this side to him. Never wanted to have to worry about if you’d accept him — of if you’d cause him harm if you didn’t. But he has no choice. He needs your help. The rabbit swallows, “…Yeah, it’s me.”

You don’t even know why you’re surprised anymore as you finish making your way over to the trap and start fiddling with the locks. “Okay. Im gonna get you out of there. Are you hurt?”

You’re speaking quickly, obviously worried, but you aren’t screaming. You aren’t running in terror or looking at him like he’s an abomination. You’re looking at him with concern and affection, but not pity. You didn’t even ask how or why he’s a rabbit, you’re too worried about his well-being. It’s almost too much for him to take. He very nearly starts to cry. He never expected this, but he should have. That’s just the kind of person you are. It’s part of why he loves you so much.

“Not really?” He replies, he doesn’t sound like he’s okay and he knows it. “I’ve been here a while so there’s too much blood in my head and I think I sprained my ankle when I got caught.” You hiss and work more quickly, grabbing your weapon and — after giving the bunny hero a verbal warning — break open the cage. You catch the roof of it before it can fall on him and cut the ropes inside that are holding him in that unsafe position.

The next thing Legend knows, you’ve scooped him up ever-so-gently in your arms. You hold him over your shoulder like a baby, careful to support his spine. “Just let me know when your blood goes back where it’s supposed to be.” He manages a half-nod as you carefully pour one of your topical-application potions over his injured foot, dissipating the pain instantly.

And then you’re petting him. Oh goddesses, you’re petting him. A few minutes ago he’d been convinced he’d die in that cage, but then you came. You broke him free, you’re holding him as he feels the blood slowly drain back into the rest of his body, and you’re stroking him from the tip of his head all the way down his back. He can scarcely remember the last time he felt so safe and cared for. He wants to be embarrassed but he just doesn’t have the strength. Instead, he allows a couple grateful, relieved tears to escape. It’s not like you’ll notice, anyway: they’ll just get caught in his fur.

“You know, my cat did this to himself once.” You start talking as you pet him. Are you trying to distract him? If so, it’s working. He always listens when you talk.

“He’s so silly. He laid down on a pillow but his head fell off and onto the floor. He looked unhappy but didn’t know what to do about it. I picked him up just like this and held him until he started to feel better. Then he was purring.” You chuckle to yourself, “poor baby probably had all the blood in his head, too.” You proceed to tell him a couple other silly stories until he feels better.

He purposefully waits until you finish the story you’re telling to let you know that he feels better. It might have been selfish, but he wanted another minute in your arms, feeling the gentle rise and fall of your chest as you spoke and your hands in his fur.

——

The veteran was a lot more open with you after the incident. It’s almost like he realized he didn’t have to hide from you as much as he thought. He laughs more and taken to slinging an arm around you whenever you walk within arm’s reach on the trail. He elbows you playfully while he teases and sits near you at meals as often as you’ll let him get away with.

What strikes you as interesting, though, is the way he seems to be constantly checking if you’re watching him. Whenever he spars with one of the others or does something particularly impressive in a monster fight, he glances toward you for approval. Even more interesting is that he seems to be showing off a little more when he knows you’re watching.

You’re oblivious, but you’re far from a fool. You’ve known for a while that he’s got a soft spot for you, but now you’re wondering if that might be because he’s into you. You decide to test the boundaries of what he’ll let you get away with and find out.

——

He’s shockingly lenient with you. He pretty much just lets you do as you please. Case in point: you’ve just finished dinner, but instead of getting up and going to your bedroll you’ve inched closer and laid your head on his shoulder. His response? A lot of blushing and he won’t look at you, but he’s also he‘s wrapped an arm securely around your shoulders and pulled you closer. You decide to confront him and make your own feelings known. You have a plan, but it’s dependent on your internal clock so you’re not sure if it’ll work.

——

You stir and blink awake in the middle of the night. The veteran is on watch. You mentally congratulate yourself as he carefully picks his way over to you to check on you.

“I’m okay.” You reassure him when you notice the concern on his face, “just… awake now, I guess. Can I sit with you?”

Legend nods, “you can always sit with me, you know that.” He speaks softly to avoid waking the others, but there’s something about the sound of it that makes your heart go all fluttery. You can’t help but wonder if he did that on purpose. You sit beside him on the log and lean on him like you had earlier. Just like earlier, he gets flustered, but he wraps an arm around you. Although it’s hard to tell between the dark and the way he’s turned away from you, you can see his entire face light up in a small — but genuine — smile.

After a long moment, you break the silence. “Have I ever told you that I love your laugh? Or that your smile reminds me of sunshine?” Much to your amusement, he immediately begins spluttering. You can’t see his face from your position and his stubborn refusal to look at you, but you can hear the bright smile in his voice when he replies, “no, but it’s nice to know. I appreciate the compliment.” You choose not to comment on the way his voice cracks. You’ve got bigger fish to fry.

“Oh really? I haven’t? Well, I’ve always thought so. But that makes me wonder what else you don’t know I’ve been thinking.”

He raises an eyebrow in response to that, “well I suppose I wouldn’t know the answer to that.”

You chuckle, “no, I suppose not. But let’s find out. Do you know that I’m in love with you?”

He freezes up. For once in his life, his brain goes silent — there’s not a single thought in his head. He’s grown up in a world that requires constant quick-thinking; he prides himself on his reaction time because it’s frequently the only thing that keeps him alive. But now his ambient subconscious thoughts — surroundings awareness, awareness of your body language, the passage of time, that sort of thing — is all gone. The silence is unnerving.

“What?” He manages dumbly after six seconds (you were counting, not him).

You smile, patient but nervous, “I love you, Link.”

And now you’ve used the name. His name. The one nobody’s called him in months. It should have made the problem worse. It really should have. But, somehow, the use of his proper name kicks him back into high gear. An unfortunate, for him, side effect of that is the rapid formation of a deep blush as his brain demands more oxygen and nutrients to start up again.

“I- I. Shit.” He starts to tear up, “are-are- are you serious? Me?”

You nod once, speaking in a cautious and almost sad tone, “is that so hard to believe?”

He swallows, “yes.” He moves his hands to your shoulders and pulls you to his chest abruptly in a hug that’s somehow both desperately tight and carefully gentle at the same time.

“Yes it is. Because I didn’t think I could ever get so lucky.” You can feel his tears beginning to soak through the sleeve of your shirt, but you don’t care.

“I think we’re both lucky.” You start to gently caress his hair, prompting him to haphazardly toss his hat onto the ground in order to encourage you.

You two spend the rest of his watch like that, just holding each other and relishing the closeness. Eventually you wake Wild for the next watch, and he may or may not have photos of the two of you cuddling together as you fall asleep — neither ready nor willing to let go of the other.

- glitter ✨

I KNEW YOU SAID IT WOULD BE LONG BUT I'M SURPRISED THE BOX WAS ABLE TO FIT ALL OF THIS IN. OH MY GOD

I had to think about the way he trapped for a second because it was a little vague but I assumed he was upside down in a cage... somehow... and a little bloody.

I realized that I should have been probably typing as I go because there's so much right around the point that Reader had woken up in the middle of the night.

Also- love that Legend is even more obvious afterwards. He's not even trying to be subtle.... if he was anyway. Because now Reader's caught on- Nevermind, Reader (like Wild (loved that line)) is just as tactless. XD

YOU WERE COUNTING NOT HIM

GLITTER YOU'RE KILLING ME!

ok, that was a cute ending. I know you said you got lazy but it was very sweet and soft.

#pinky replies #anon stories #gotta be honest #i don't remember the conversation that sparked this #but i love this #this might be one of my favorites so far

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