Even through only the aid of the moonlight filtering in through the open window, Sheik could still see the mask carefully placed over. Yet what ailed Link to come to them out of anyone? His best friend was roomed with him and his brother the floor above.
Yet now was not the time to question the Gerudo’s decision. That would be stowed away later for contemplation…to clatter around with the many other questions that plagued their mind when it came to Link. A boy so much deeper than his mirthful grins, challenging eyes, and swaying hips. For even he with boundless happiness and passion could not ward off moments of vulnerability and sadness.
And no matter what troubled him, Sheik would allow him his own time to spill if it ever came to that.
“No need to be sorry, Link. I couldn’t sleep anyway,” Sheik assured calmly. How could they when the stresses of the past few weeks was starting to build further and further past their limit? It was no time to worry over their own stresses though.
There was a slight furrow of their eyebrows at the mention of needing company. If any words were to come out of Link’s mouth, those would have been the last ones they expected to hear. Understanding flitted through their eyes despite this and even underneath their scarf, a tired smile pulled at their lips as they turned to latch the window shut.
“You can stay with me for the night then.”
There was a brief moment of hesitation before the Sheikah slipped underneath the sheets on their bed, making room for the Gerudo. They spent many moments on their bed before, oftentimes studying or simply talking the night away. Yet this was different and that fact weighed heavily and clear in the back of Sheik’s mind.
This wasn’t simply talking the night away. This was an offer of intimacy and comfort that came very rarely to the Sheikah.
“…Is there anything else you need from me? You can just ask, alright?” The words came out softly but vermillion tried to meet his gaze, if only to reassure.
Admittedly, Sheik’s words were something of a reassurance - more of one than he wanted to admit. It felt silly, running to someone like this, as if he were a little boy fleeing to his mother’s side in an attempt to ward off the terrors that his sleeping mind fabricated, and to know that Sheik didn’t think less of him for it helped to ease the teen somewhat.
His embarrassment had not completely abated, but at least it had been lessened. Whether they realized it or not, Sheik’s opinions on him meant a lot to the normally overconfident Gerudo.
“Thanks.” the young man said quietly, slipping down from the windowsill and onto the floor. The sandy-haired boy was silent as he shuffled his way over to where Sheik waited in bed, finding that his cheeks felt strangely warm. It was funny, how the two of them could tease at each other in far more inappropriate manners, and yet it was something so innocent that would instead bring a flush to Link’s cheeks. Perhaps it was because it felt far more intimate than simply trying to tempt one another.
After all, this involved actually letting Sheik past some of his walls.
Sneakers were kicked off at the edge of the bed, though the rest of Link’s clothing remained on as he slid in next to Sheik. The younger wasted little time in curling himself close, relaxing as he felt the heat of another body next to him. Hopefully, it would be enough to ward away anymore nightmares - he certainly didn’t want Sheik to see him in such a terrified state. The risk of that, however, wasn’t as bad as the thought of experiencing another of those visions alone.
“N... No...” he said quietly, already allowing his eyes to slip shut as he tugged Sheik’s comforter across his body. “I... this is good, I just... I just need the company, Sheik...”
Thought truthfully
their arms around him
would have been welcomed as well.
“Kitit, Sheik...” Only then did Link realize just how tired he was. With the promise that he would not be alone tonight ridding him of a weight on his shoulders, the Gerudo found himself dropping off, his words coming out in a sleepy mumble.
With any luck, he luck, he wouldn’t wake until morning.