The SFW side of the self-indulgent Trash Heap. Just a bunch of drabbles so don't expect too much from this one. Currently obsessing over Legend of Zelda. Been staring into Fandom Hell for a month now, contemplating jumping. Send help. (Spoiler alert. I fell.)
Just something I occasionally catch myself thinking, and have to step back and correct myself. A confession of sorts, but more of a reminder.
Sometimes, when I have too many ideas running through my head and know I'm not capable of writing them all down (I'm a slow typist, but a fast talker/thinker), I catch myself thinking how much more convenient it would be if I could draw my thoughts. Because when I see fanart on my feeds, the finished product looks so effortless. Just lines and colors put together to express a story, scene or idea.
But then I have to stop those thoughts before they become something dismissive and hurtful (whether it's intentional or not). I have to remind myself that I am not an artist and therefore do not always understand how much work went into even a doodle. That, likewise, I'm just putting words together to form sentences the way they put those lines and colors together to form a picture. And that, in entertaining the idea of their contributions being somehow more convenient than my own, I'm discrediting the artist's effort, skills and passion.
(The fact I know many artists- and have seen how long a single picture can take them to complete- only solidifies this understanding. And causes me an even greater feeling of shame when I do slip.)
So, that's my confession. And I hope any artists (or writers or anyone else who contributes their time and effort into creating content) reading this, know I appreciate how much they give to us (as a community, and to me as an individual who is apart of that community). Even if we sometimes forget how much of yourself you put into everything you offer.
Disclaimer: Don't own The Legend of Zelda franchise. Linked Universe is the fan creation of jojo56830.
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There's hair piled up in a tangled heap across your face and neck, sticky and damp where it pressed against the flushed heat of your sleep-warmed forehead and cheeks. Oily slick and grimy to the touch. Stale sweat and musk emitting an unpleasantly bitter scent right into your face (sweet too, like overly ripe apples. but unpleasant nonetheless).
The mass of bed head shifted, dragging across your drool sodden face in slow, halting jerks. A groan rasped from the lump the hair begun bundling around, and your eyes opened (sticky and crusted and deeply unhappy) to the sight of Wild turning in his sleep.
Still groggy from interrupted slumber, you stared listlessly at the man's face. Dazed and half conscious. Eyes stinging against the wet press of your (irritating) eyelids and (even more irritating) lashes.
Wild was handsome for sure. Delicate, noble-borne features crafted tenderly around a fine, bold facial structure. Plush lips, high cheekbones and a narrow chin that belied the strong jaw supporting it. And lashes for days. Perhaps the most striking of the Chain, beaten out only by Twilight (who didn't count in your opinion, because the man was a walking fur coat even when Wolfie wasn't present) and Sky (who had the pretty boy role down to an art form and managed to woo over a Goddess' incarnate with it. so he didn't count either).
None of these things caught your attention though.
No. What caught your eye (out of everything. out of all the features a man such as a Link could offer to the world) was the little red bumps lining the underside of his jaw and across one sleep flushed cheek. The ruffled little turf of brow hair twisted in the wrong direction on one side. The uneven stubble shadowing his upper lip and chin and crawling a fine line below his ears.
Your eyes lingered mindlessly on the crack (healed now, but you vaguely remembered how it'd bled and bled when it first happened) on his dry lips, and the white, flaky corners of his mouth.
His breath reeked of onion and vinegar when he breathed (open mouthed and snorting) into your squinty-eyed face. Pulling a frown to your lips as you hazily wondered why it smelt different from dinner the night before.
Wild snorted again. More vinegar and onion (and now garlic too. the garlic was what was different), and your blurry, sleep-deprived eyes narrowed in sudden realization.
You reached out (fighting the cold sting of early morning to do so. the heavy drag of fatigue), put a firm hand on Wild's shoulder and pushed him with all your might (just managing to roll him out of his bedroll).
"You sneaky little bastard! You said there wasn't any more garlic!" You huffed grumpily in betrayal, feeling naught an ounce (well, maybe just a tiny smidge) of pity as Wild whined pathetically and reached tiredly for the warmth of his covers.
Which you pulled away (spitefully). Eyes brimmed with hellfire. "Freeze to death and die, betrayer!"
A groggy groan from Wars, who was unfortunate enough to have been sleeping closest to you both last night (Wind having kept him up late the night prior as well. fitful and energetic, even in his dreams). His hands and pillow sadly unable to block the (rather heartrending) pleas for forgiveness (and his bedroll) from Wild.
At least Wind slept like the dead through it. (Ornery little sea mutt.)
Across the camp, a wild fluff of unruly blonde and pink had bolted upright at the exact same time as your indignant accusion. Wide-(and far too awake to have been sleeping)-eyed and crazed in the steep angle of his brow.
Legend pulled Hyrule upright by the front of his vest (because of course the little wildling slept fully dressed). "Rulie! I fucking knew it!"
Hyrule whined, eyes glued shut with eye gunk and nose stuffy from sleep. Weakly pulling at Legend's clutched hands. "Le~gs~. I'm ti~r~ed~."
If possible, Legend's brows took an even deeper dive. But before he could open his mouth a truly activate rant mode, he was interrupted by a very, very unhappy Sky.
"Stop yelling or I'll give you a reason to be screaming this early."
Dead quiet. The crickets begun their song once more. A bat swooped over head, just skimming the firelight's reach. The camp now a moth less than before.
A sigh of contentment, and Sky eventually drifted back to slumber (no doubt he'd forget all this next he woke).
"Goodness," Red hummed softly, just above a whisper as he chewed on his coffee (if the black, pulpy sludge could be called that). "I thought Blue woke up grumpy."
Across the fire Time chuckled, half-lidded eye watching with fond amusement as Wild finally managed to kiss ass back into your good graces (and his bedroll). And Hyrule managed to get back into Legend's by nuzzling his side and whimpering pathetically until he was forgiven and petted back into light slumber. "When we visit my Hyrule next, I'll let you meet the Beast of Lon Lon Ranch."
Red stopped chewing his coffee and blinked owlishly up at the older man (question clear in his eyes). And Time just smiled, taking a mouth full of coffee and chewing past the bitter grit and sting. Smiling mysteriously into the fire.
Only to choke a few moments later.
"It gets worse the longer you chew." Time whispered in something like horror, staring at the coffee(?) with morbid curiosity.
Red just smiled. "When Vio comes back, I'll have him brew you 'Shadow's Spite'."
Time blinked at him in disbelief, and Red just smiled (mysteriously).
You made a bet you shouldn't have. And almost lost.
Just something to share while my brain fizzes for while on the rediscovered trash heap. This is pretty rough, but I'll take some time later to edit it.
Masterlist
TW: Choosing not to disclose. Read at your own discretion.
Disclaimer: Don't own The Legend of Zelda franchise. Linked Universe is the fan creation of jojo56830.
---
It was those eyes. That damned honey sweet gaze shimmering under thick, dark lashes and lighting up the delicate constellation of freckles dusting tanned cheeks beneath. It was the glossy tears (fat and shiny and fake as hell, but so damned pretty against the wide round of his dark eyes) rimming those lashes like a string of pearls.
It was the way earthy brown rings melted into golden specks of starlight peeking through the warm swirl of honey and chocolate. How light and shadows intermixed and brought forth an innocent (deceitful) glimmer of pleading. Like fairy chimes in the night. Soft as a whisper, sweet as peach flesh.
Dangerous. Tempting. (Chime.)
Trusted.
"Please." Hyrule pleaded (whispered? chimed?), those bewitching (enchanting) eyes locked on yours. Brows softened and pulled just so into an expression so beguiling, so ingenuous, it pulled a sweat to your own (manipulative, pointy-eared little bastard. damn fairy-borne liar and trickster). "I made it for you!" (Chime.)
You hesitated (a mistake. a death sentence).
Behind you War's quiet curse felt like tiny fairies' feet dancing upon your grave. Sky's mumbled prayer the solemn temple bell tolling over the final, sacred grounds at dusk.
Time gazed upon you with pity. And glee. The light of mischief shining in his hooded eye like moonlight on still water.
(Fairy boy, indeed. May cuccos sully your boots next you rest, farmer boy.)
Hyrule smiled softly then. Lower lip wobbling, the tip of his nose and curved sharp of his cheekbones flushed pink. Ears pinned tight against his thick, dark curls. Beautiful little waves that fluttered in the wind and curled softly against his face and delicate neck.
(The very picture of harmless vulnerability.)
(The perfect little mask. Hiding a gleeful little smile caged around a fae giggle.)
(Chime.)
Your heart thundered at the sight of it, and you swallowed thickly around the knot pulsing in the tender flesh of your throat. Your wide, searching eyes scanning, pleading, begging.
Eyes glanced away from yours in shame (Twilight having to step away entirely, lest he be drawn into a battle he has no chance of escaping unscaved. so moved to compassion as he is by your plight). Though some meet yours with amusement (may your pantless legs be besieged by ticks, bunny boy. And your beloved winds blow seagull shit into your hair, sailor).
(Chime.)
Warm (uncomfortably so. like sitting too close to an open flame), callous-roughened fingers touch the sensitive skin on the back of your hand, drawing you out of your internal cursing (and panic). And from one breath to the next, your lock eyes with the man (fae-borne. liar. trickster. trusted. enchanting) once more and your fall back down into the depths of an emotional whirlwind.
The gleam of honey and gold and enchanting (bewitching) (chime) light swirl in the melting warmth of brown. Dazzling and beloved.
Something is put in your hands. Warm (too warm) fingers wrap around yours.
(What is that?) (Chime.)
"It's good." Hyrule says (whispers? echoes? chimes?) reassuringly, brows still so pleading and eyes so sad. So sad. So sad.
White, straight bones caged by slips of pink, curled flesh. Gold and honey and-
Your hands are moving. Your eyes have not (cannot) break away.
"You can do it." Hyrule encourages (whispers? echoes? chimes?), his hands on yours. Moving. Guiding. (Chiming. Chiming. Commanding.)
A gasp. Someone has to support Sky as he goes feint. Legend's eyes are wide and intently focused. Bright, bright blue and fixated on the atrocity (and curiosity) being committed in front of him.
It's lost to you.
Your mouth opens. The gold is so strong now. Stronger than the honey. The brown. The light.
Stronger than you.
(You're salivating like a dog.)
"What in the Goddess' name are you doing?" Four was suddenly there (where did he come from?), his hand snatching your closed(?) fist away from your face (when had it gotten there?). His expression twisted in some unreadable combination of amusement and frustration. "Hylia give me the strength to deal with these fools."
The gold vanished. Hyrule's eyes dimmed to dark, honey brown. Expression relaxing into a small, embarrassed and natural grin (bright and warm as sunshine. nothing like the intoxicating honey sweet of before). "Don't be mad, Four! They bet me 50 rupees I couldn't charm them into eating my rations!" Four made a face that clearly expressed how much he didn't approve of such an idiotic wager.
None of that mattered to you though. Because you were free once more. Of body and of mind.
And you were holding to most putrid slab of meat you (and probably any of the chain besides Hyrule) had ever come across. The congealed grease of the half dried meat ribbons oozing between your fingers and weaving cold, shinning paths of pinkish-orange gelatin down your wrists and one unfortunate elbow.
On your bottom lip. Something cool dripped down your chin. Down your neck. Pooled at you collarbones.
Twilight, keeping his distance (from the horrendous stretch more than anything) but with eyes full of concern, cast you a pitying glance. "You okay there?"
Eight pairs of eyes found you. Just in time to watch you empty your stomach contents all over your grease streaked hands and boots.
Unsurprisingly, Hyrule was the only one who was surprised by this sudden turn of events. "The Meat!"
And somewhere in the forest, leaning over a freshly hunted buck, Wild's hand twitched with the unexplainable impulse to pinch Hyrule right on the ear. Hard.
Oh hey you're alive again! Hope you've been doing well. I was just rereading Running Circles fic, gotta be my favorite outta the bunch of em.
I hope you have a good day today as well!
I'm doing better and now feeling better emotionally too after getting back into the community and indulging in things that delight me.
Knowing you've been enjoying that little chaos nugget of a piece is a heartwarming bonus. I hope it's something that's made your days better when the boredom bug hit!
Just saw that you’re back and I’m so happy!! I re-read your fics all the time, especially your yandere shots to the point that I actually bored myself reading it over and over again 🙂↕️ I’m excited to slurp up your future content, but please remember to go easy on yourself and take your time!
Thank you and I'm happy you enjoyed them as much as you did, despite too many times around the block having emptied your tank. Hopefully future installments of the Yandere series will be as enjoyable for you as the prior ones. Maybe even moreso if you happen to have a character you've been waiting for!
I also hope anything else I write (that you feel intrigued enough to read about) gives you a little something extra to enjoy as well. ❤️
it's good to see u!!! I read the apple merchant when I miss ur writing and its so nice to see you come back.
I'm ready to chew on anything u drop in the future:]
Thank you! It's wonderful to know you're still here as well despite how long I'd been gone. I'm also glad AM was something that you could enjoy and come back to when the urge struck you. There's nothing quite like immersing yourself in a story you enjoy to pass the time.
I'm looking forward to providing new content to curiously munch on as well. My hands have been getting the urge to type more often recently, so I can share my thoughts and ideas with you all. It's only a matter of time!
yayayaya so happy to see you again!! 💞and that you’re starting to feel better!! ❤️🩹 you have such a kind and unique personality and I missed sending messages/seeing you talk in general 🖤💜‼️
Thank you for your warm welcome and kind assessment of my character. I'm happy to hear from you as well, though by the end of the day you may be tired of hearing from me (given my unexpected and lengthy stream of posts).
I'm just so glad to be back and be welcomed back that I can't seem to leave any of my Inbox messages alone for the day.
Sorry Followers. It wouldn't be forever, I promise. ❤️
Glad to see you’re doing okay! Look forward to seeing your works again ❤️ Especially your mer series!
Thank you and hopefully more Mers will be in both our futures. I enjoy reading and writing about the feral little toe-biters and Mermay will be upon us before we know it. Maybe even before!
Oh my freaking gosh!! I literally came back to re-read one of your fics and then I noticed smth and went “huh- I don’t remember that being the last post” it took me a hot minute but I eventually realized that YOU’RE BACKKKKK ✨💖
But like at the same time I’m glad you’re feeling better and even if you’re not feeling 100% that all good things will come your way. It’s nice to see when people who contribute to communities and fandoms are doing well <3
That you like a story I've written enough to come back and reread it just put a smile on my face. It truly makes happy to hear that someone has found something they enjoy as much as I enjoy my own favorites (whether or not I wrote it. But that I did is a welcomed bonus).
Thank you for your encouragement as well and for your acknowledgement of my efforts to give back to this community I've come to love. I'm glad you and the others are still with me here. ❤️
OMG I LOVE YOUR WORKS SO MUCH!! Especially the Apple Merchant story!! Also I was wondering, are you doing to do a pt2 for Child!Time and Deity!Reader but Time is now an adult? Or maybe the Deity meets the chain. (maybe not in their realm but maybe interacting with them through an avatar/ temporary body?) Apologies if you aren't open to requests or don't do requests, this idea has been running through my head all day, lol
It's been some time now and I'm not sure if you're still among the other shadowlings, but I'd still like to answer this.
Firstly, thank you for supporting and praising AM. I'm always happy to hear people enjoy it, even though it's been a while since I posted on it.
As for the Deity!Reader + Child!Time fic. I've been honestly thinking about expanding upon it for some time (even before the hiatus), but have not yet gathered the drive to truly commit to it. It's a recurring thought though because here's a lot of implied headcannons (my own, strangely enough) and hidden secrets packed into it. Many of which have (understandably) been missed and/or misinterpreted (which was kind of intentional for third person limited perspective).
So, thank you for the interest in the story and the question that allowed me to get this little rant off my chest.
I hope you've been finding more things to interest you these last few months.
I doubt you'll remember me but when I saw your post I gasped!! Ahhh!!! Welcome back!!! Hopefully all is good!!!
Of course I remember you and your adorable Malon pic. You always have such kind things to say and have always made me feel welcomed and appreciated. I'm glad you're still here and hope you still draw. They were always such cute ones. Especially the dinosaurs series! ❤️
I'm doing much better, though still a little under the weather! But not so much that I can't start reintroducing myself back to the community!
It's been a long time, but I'm finally starting to recover. I hope everyone's been well and life has been kind to our little community. I've missed you guys and thought of you all often, even if I wasn't in the headspace to come back yet.
I'd also like to thank all of my little Shadows, commenters and communication partners for your consideration and well wishes while I was away. I wasn't sure what I expected when I peeked back into my account this morning, but your messages were a comforting welcome.
Honestly, they gave me the courage to creep back in even though I feel clumsy and anxious after so long of an absence. So, thank you guys for giving me the strength to post this message.
As of right now, I am reacquainting myself with the LU/Zelda fandom and their associated media. Last night, I found the energy to play my BOTW for the first time in nearly 6 months and enjoyed it, even though it was a brief playing period.
I haven't read the new Linked Universe updates yet, but I'm staring them down intently at the moment. The one good thing about an extended absence, is the multiple updates you come back to.
As of now, these are still on the agenda:
-Apple Merchant Series
-The long overdue Twilight fic.
-The Yandere Series
-The Breakdown Series (This one is still alive, just hibernating.)
(*If I've missed anything, please let me know. It's been a while and my memories are spotty at the moment.)
For those of you still here after all this time, thank you all for staying with me despite my lengthy absence. I'll be working towards properly settling myself back into the community and (re)familiarizing myself with my works in the coming days (weeks, if needed). I'm grateful to you all for your patience and understanding, and hope you've all had new and interesting content to keep you inspired and thriving all these months.
I wanted to let everyone know that I'm still alive (surprisingly enough). I just haven't been active on Tumblr for some weeks now due to complications going on in the outside world that I simply can't ignore, no matter how much I wish to.
I won't be answering my inbox or messages yet, due to the temptation to 'escape reality' that would follow. But I'm sending out this small post to let anyone interested know that I'm not abandoning this account and all my works are still (technically) active.
Put simply.
I was not expecting things to get so complicated, take a steep downward turn and then stretch out for as long as they have. So I didn't think to put up a Hiatus post beforehand. For that, I apologize. For worrying my shadowlings, followers and conversation partners and for keeping our little community unnecessarily waiting.
I hope all is going well for you all regardless and I am now officially putting in my Hiatus Notice (late though it is). I'll let you all know when I'm officially back.
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