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Wild’s been looking at him all night.
It wouldn’t be the first time, especially with regards to Wild. Sometimes, he just looks at other members of the Chain—staring and examining, lost in thoughts or just quietly watching.
Time’s not entirely sure what he’d done to warrant the attention for the evening, but he doesn’t push. Like mentioned, Wild sometimes just does that . He’d told Warrs once, after staring the Captain down for hours on end, much to the discomfort of the war vet, that he’d just been watching how the fabric of his scarf layered over itself.
So, maybe he just got interested in something Time is wearing. Although… he seems like he wants to ask something, not that Time knows what he could possibly be curious about. They’d traded stories that night, not that they don’t usually, but Time found himself talking a bit about his original journey. Maybe something to do with that…? Though, again, he has no idea what could’ve possibly caught the kid’s attention.
He doesn’t want to push. Hopefully, if Wild feels the need to act upon their interest, Time can be of some help for whatever has caught the kid’s curiosity.
Later that night, when the fire’s embers dim, and the crackles of the burning wood slow, Time finds himself stepping away. After his shifts, he tends to disappear, much like Twilight does during his–although Time doesn’t turn into a wolf.
Seeing as they so often stay in the woods (providing shade, foliage for picking through, and at least some cover), the surrounding trees are important. For Time, despite not bothering to do it so often, they provide a hiding place.
The Chain tends to forget that Time was raised in a forest. He’s mentioned it before; not to mention how Warriors and Wind will make ribs at him, referencing their allyship in the war of eras. He was as much of a wilding as Wild is—the difference being that Time has had years to grow into it. He hides it better.
The urge to disappear into the foliage is tempting most at night, when he can count on his team resting. He can keep an eye out for any disturbances further away, and he can have some time to himself; a win-win.
So, he’d woken Four for his watch, assured the teen that, no, Time was fine, he just wanted some alone-time, and slipped away into the dense forest.
He hadn’t walked too far, not wanting to be out of reach should anything happen, Hylia forbid. But he walks far enough away to where he can’t hear the fire anymore, and the breath of nature overtakes him.
Though he’s not as spry as some of the others, Time doesn’t struggle too much climbing up into a larger tree he’d decided on. A running jump, kicking off to get an extra boost to the lowest branch, swinging up into the layer of thick branches that can hold his weight. He ends up climbing a bit higher, with only a few minor scrapes along his palms. Nothing major.
Up in the trees, the peace is different. A good sort of different, up where most monsters wouldn’t bother to go. It’s the perfect spot, as his hand drifts towards his belt.
The fairy ocarina he has is worn and faded with— heh —time. It’s small in his hands, but it works just as well.
He’d needed to go far enough away from camp to not worry about waking up Hyrule. He always tends to drift towards Time whenever he plays, just like the other fairies. Despite the skittish hero’s disposition, he has such a habit of falling asleep against Time whenever he plays that the elder has had to weaponize it before, whenever Hyrule refuses to rest. It doesn’t happen too often, but for as tired as the Links can be, they’re just as often to outright refuse sleep.
Time, currently hiding away from the rest of camp well into the night, is not exempt from this.
Pressing the windway to his lips, Time begins to play a soft, familiar tune. Memories of sitting in the forest while Saria played flash through his head, of listening to her and the song she’d play over and over. It’s always been a favorite.
Despite the sleepy forest, the fairies wake. A few drift over after a minute or three, drifting lazily around Time. The music lulls over the forest, and the calm is enough for him to rest . Not sleep, but rest.
He doesn’t play for too long. He’s out of practice, and his throat begins to ache after some time. The fairies don’t seem to mind, settling to sleep again on the branches above him, casting a soft glow over him. It’s ethereal.
And for a spell, he sits there quietly. The fairies’ glow fades slowly as they fall asleep, until it’s only the faint shine of the moon, filtered through the leaves. All is peaceful.
…The leaves rustle. Time’s immediately on guard, but the movement comes from the direction of camp. There’s still hours before the sunrise, so Time can pretty easily narrow down the list of who’s coming towards him.
Sure enough, it’s Wild that breaks through. Even in the dark forest, he moves silently, blending in with his namesake effortlessly.
It’s not too much of a shock to see Wild scamper up the tree. Time’s not even that surprised that Wild had found him so quickly—he always tends to know what’s going on up in the trees (briefly, Time reminisces on when Legend had ignored Wild’s sudden warning before testing out a new rod against a tree. While the magic output was lackluster, much to Legend’s disappointment, it did manage to shake the tree enough for a large beehive to fall right on his arm. Needless to say, the vet was very upset having to sit and pick out all the stingers before Hyrule could heal him).
Quietly, as he always tends to be during the night, Wild settles next to Time. His presence is minimal, despite the moonlight shining through enough for Time to be able to see the kid relatively well.
He seems okay. If Wild were upset, he likely would’ve disappeared the second he saw Time, which is a relief. Of course, Wild always seems to surprise him, so Time needs to be ready for anything.
Wild doesn’t seem to mind the silence. Time doesn’t prod, though he briefly wonders what brought him out. If he woke and found Time gone, does that mean he does want to discuss what was on his mind earlier?
Although, he doesn’t have to wait long. Soon enough, Wild shifts, his ears twitching slightly. Time tilts his head, silently inviting the inquisition.
“Can you tell me about Ruto?” Asks Wild quietly, in that raspy voice of his that feels so off-putting for a teenager. Time hums.
“Ruto?” He repeats, a little curious about that choice. “Why Ruto, if you don’t mind me asking?”
He’d spoken about the Sages, about how the seven of them came together to aid in sealing Ganondorf. About Darunia’s strength, about Nabooru’s cunning, about Saria’s kindness. If Time had been forced to make a guess, honestly, he would’ve assumed Wild would’ve asked about Impa—he always gets the strangest look whenever any of them talk about their versions of the Sheikah.
“…curious about the Zora,” Wild explains shortly, pulling his hair over his shoulder to fiddle with. He’d let it down for sleeping, and it’s a bit of a mess. Time smiles quietly.
“Ruto was… something, alright,” Time says, briefly remembering the first time they’d met. “Initially, she was… very cold to me, I must admit.”
Ruto had been rude, but throughout his exploration through Jabu-Jabu’s belly, she’d progressively acted weirder and weirder—not that Time had understood it at the time in the slightest.
“Well, like I said earlier, she and I worked together. I… didn’t really get it at the time, but she…”
Wild tilts his head as Time hesitates. The gesture makes Time snort. “She what?”
“Well, after we got out, she eventually gave me the Stone of Water, which I, of course, took. However, in the Zora culture, she was to give that to her future husband.”
Time allows Wild to process that for a moment. His ears flick. “Oh.”
He laughs louder than he meant to, quickly covering his mouth and coughing. Thankfully, they’re far enough away that he doubts anyone heard it. Time clears his throat.
“Yeah, I didn’t know what it had meant,” Time admits, “but I needed the stone, so I took it. Even years later when I had… come back , she still recognized me as her fiancé.”
“Zora engagement worked through stones…?” Wild questions, squinting vaguely in the direction of the camp. Time shrugs.
“Supposedly,” he offers. “It was for Ruto, of course, so I assumed it was a royal practice.”
“Mipha gave me armor when she proposed,” Wild says, and Time pauses.
“Mipha… Your Zora Princess?” He knows who she is, of course, having heard Wild speak of her before, but he allows the kid to explain what he wants.
“Mhm.” Wild pulls his slate, dimming the brightness as it shines like a beacon when it initially turns on. He swipes around, until he’s shoving it under Time’s nose to show off what looks like a tunic.
As he pulls it down so he can actually see it, Time finally can make out what exactly Wild’s talking about. The fabric is blue, not that he can tell what exactly it’s made of. Silver plates adorn the shoulder-pads and make up gauntlets for the lower arms, with a beautiful chain circling the chest and pendant guarding the neck. Under the metallic shoulder-pads are a muted gold, creating scales that trail down the upper arms. It’s masterful craftsmanship.
He tells Wild as such, and Wild smiles. “Yeah, it is. Fits perfectly, and it’s still in really good condition.”
Wild stares at it a little longer, then shuts the device off and stashes it at his side once more. “I… I didn’t remember the importance of it, at first,” he admits, fingers stimming against one another. “I read it in her diary, and then had it confirmed by some of the older Zoras.”
There’s not much to say to that. Wild’s always been cagey with his memories, at times breezing past like he’d given them up voluntarily, and at others locking himself away to mourn a life he couldn’t remember. Right now, he just looks a little embarrassed, so Time’s at least glad this isn’t triggering or anything.
“I wonder what the princes do,” Wild muses after a while, tilting his head a little. Time raises an eyebrow.
“The princes?” Ruto was an only child, as far as he knows, so he has no reference. “I’m not sure… I think Twilight knows a Zora prince, though, if you’d like to ask him.”
“I have,” Wild answers, making Time blink in surprise. “But he’s a child, so Twi said he never even thought about it.”
Interesting. “What’s got you curious about the princes?”
“Just wondering what Sidon would have to do,” Wild answers easily, shrugging.
Sidon… so, Wild’s time has two royal Zoras? Well, had —Champion Mipha having died a hundred years prior to Wild’s reawakening—but Wild hasn’t spoken as much about this Sidon.
“Are you friends?” Asks Time, conscious of Wild’s… somewhat off-putting attitude. It’s endearing, to an extent, but Time’s well aware of the fear that most civilians would have dealing with someone like Wild . Although, given his era… maybe it’s more of the norm.
“I guess?” Wild’s expression furrows. “Are we still friends if we…?” He trails off, then nods. “Yeah, probably.” Wild pauses again, and Time’s about to say something, when Wild asks, “You and Malon are friends, right?”
Whatever words were there die in his throat. “Uh.”
Wild shakes his head, murmuring, “Of course you are, why wouldn’t you be..? Then, yeah; me and Sidon are friends.”
He seems happy with that answer. Time is at a loss.
After a few moments of Time’s flabbergasted silence, Wild looks over, examines Time’s expression, and understanding dawns over his face. “Ohhh, yeah, I like men.”
“That’s… That’s not—“ Time shakes his head. “I knew that, Wild, you and Warrs constantly talk about it.”
“Oh.”
“I just didn’t know you were… dating? A royal Zora?” Wild shrugs in response.
“Yeah,” he says, not elaborating. Time sighs.
“Were you planning on mentioning that? At some point?” Time asks tiredly. Wild tilts his head, ears twitching as he mulls over it.
“Dunno,” he says finally. “Didn’t feel a need to.”
“I… suppose that’s fine.” Time doesn’t want to come across as not supportive, of course. “Are you happy with him?”
“Yeah,” Wild answers, sliding his hair back over his shoulder.
“Then I suppose that’s all that matters.” And really, that’s the truth. Hell, Sky forgot to mention that he and Zelda were also dating Groose until they’d visited Skyloft and they’d seen him kiss some guy that wasn’t Zelda. Apparently, Sky found it easy to talk about Zelda, but tended to get flustered about Groose—who knew? “Are you two… dating?”
Wild hums. “I dunno…? He says there’s weird regulations, and I don’t think his dad really thinks we’re serious.”
“Royalty can be particular about that kind of thing,” Time agrees.
“I think he just calls me his partner,” Wild explains, shrugging. “It works for me. Labels are weird.”
“They are.” Time hides a smile, albeit curious about how the older Zoras view Wild. Ex-fiancé of Princess Mipha, current partner of Prince Sidon?
As they lapse into silence again, Time finds himself observing the kid. Wild’s never really still, twitching and stimming and looking around. Even now, his fingers dance around—drumming against his legs, pulling at the bark of the tree’s branch. It seems to be unconscious, as his gaze is stuck somewhere in the distance.
“Time?” Wild says quietly, after some has passed, looking down at his hands. Time hums, signaling his attention. “Do… you think my scars are odd?”
Time pauses. That’s… not where he was expecting Wild to go. “How do you mean?”
Wild rubs at some scarring on his left hand. “I know they don’t look pretty, but everyone has scars in my era, so it’s not…” He hesitates, and the ear next to Time flicks a few times. “I don’t think the Zoras like them very much.”
“Have you discussed this with Sidon?” Asks Time. Wild shrugs a little.
“He said he doesn’t care,” Wild admits. “I don’t think they bother me…? But it’s obvious I died.”
Time winces. Wild tends to be nonchalant about his death a hundred years before his journey, even when he probably shouldn’t be. A coping mechanism, of course, but Time would be a hypocrite to judge how Wild copes.
“I’m not sure I understand your question,” Time says quietly, and Wild sighs, ears tilting downwards.
“It wasn’t important, sorry.”
Measurely, Time reaches over and pulls Wild to his side. He has enough time to escape, but the scarred hero leans into it, scooting closer. The branch doesn't give them a lot of room to work with, but Time settles his arm around Wild’s shoulders. Wild sags with the pressure.
“If it’s bothering you, it’s important,” Time says softly. “I know they may not bother you, but you don’t deserve to be looked at differently because of them.”
Wild shuffles a little, his ear whacking Time’s back. “…I mean—“
“Nope.” Wild huffs, but doesn’t further argue the point. “No bad reflective thoughts before sunrise. Need a clear head for that.”
The next huff is more of a laugh, which is good enough for Time. After a brief moment of consideration, Time leans over and presses a kiss to the crown of Wild’s head. Wild melts, and Time smiles against his hair.
“You’re doing fine, kid,” Time murmurs. Wild hums softly.
For the next hour or so, as the sun finally peeks over the horizon, sending golden rays filtering through the forest’s trees and alighting the floor, Time keeps Wild steady. The kid snoozes, and the trust to keep him safe makes Time’s heart warm. Even as he wakes with the sun, Wild doesn’t move. The world is still once again.
“Cub?” Wild’s ears flick back at Twilight’s call. He rises from Time’s shoulder, gazing down towards the tree where he had come from a few hours earlier.
“Old man!” Time feels his own ears twitch. Wild glances over at the movement, looking surprised. Time smiles.
“Up here, Pup,” Time calls, nudging Wild to drop down first. He does so without complaint, light as the breeze as he falls to the ground with nary an extra grunt.
Time… cannot do that. He grips the branches with the right strength to drop down branch, to branch, to the ground. He grunts.
Wild stands at Twilight’s side, relaxed as Twilight picks twigs out of Wild’s hair. He looks away from the mess as Time groans, stretching out his knees from the brief pain of landing.
“Were you up in the tree?” Twilight asks, looking a little bewildered. Time raises an eyebrow.
“What would give you that idea?” Time asks airly, walking over and similarly brushing some dirt off of Wild’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s head back.”
“...Okay?” Twilight turns to Wild as Time begins to walk away, grinning as Twilight attempts to push Wild for their conversation. Wild, in typical Wild fashion, breezes past easily, ignoring all attempts of prodding.
After a few moments, Twilight appears at his side, still looking a bit bewildered. Time grins, reaching over and wrapping an arm around Twilight’s shoulder; a mirror of Wild just minutes earlier. “Don’t worry about it, Pup,” he dismisses. “You know how Wild can be.”
“Don’t I know it,” Twilight grunts, twisting to check on Wild. “And he’s gone.”
“He would never leave us to cook breakfast alone,” Time retorts, and a laugh bubbles up from Twi.
“Yeah, guess that’s true.”