An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Summary:
The Zeldas name each other
CHAPTER 12: Of Names
“HA! Easy,” Tetra clapped, then pointed back at Sheik. “You’re Grampa Melody.” She pointed to Queen Athena. “And babygirl number sixteen.”
Athena rolled her eyes and corrected, as if practiced, “That’s Queen Athena, Salt Captain,” and then mumbled, “You cheeky old hag.”
Tetra cackled. Undeterred, she nodded, “Yes, ma’am, babygirl sixteen. And that’s great-granny Dot with Four,” Tetra pointed at the short girl who had arrived with the sword-wielding boy, “and her with the creepy-big, fuck-off bird feathers must be old nana Sun.”
Zelda felt a heat in her core, a warm mountain of delight bubbling out of her mouth in raucous cackles that were not her own. Hylia had laughed!? Sun slammed a hand over her mouth, but grinned under it. It was hysterical, but she struggled to understand why.
SHE IS RIGHT, MY LITTLE SUNBEAM
Hylia settled, the mountainous of joy receding gently, flowing into Hylia’s happy contemplation.
SHE WAS NOT PART OF MY FIRST WEAVING,
BUT SHE IS MINE
“Granny Tetra!” Objected a girl who could have been Tetra’s twin if the captain wore finer clothes. Her exasperated mingled with excitement.
Tetra shoved another girl aside, the poor girl’s staff sent flying, to reach the younger speaker. ”Oh! Look at you! You got grown!” Tetra’s eyes grew soft. “Oh, my Babybutt number two!”
“It’s still Phantom, granny salt-face,” she objected, but wrapped the older woman in a hug.
It was strange to see how many of them had already met. Zelda looked around for someone familiar, but already knew she’d not find Peatrice, or Karane or Orielle here. But perhaps… It had been years since she’d seen mother’s evening-blue eyes, or her rose-gold hair, her long but delicate nose, but she was only echoed here and there in the sea of similar faces.
As the pair reconnected with each other and Queen Athena, Aurora and Dawn provided several more names: “Aegis” approved her moniker with a wave of her double-helix bladed prosthetic arm. “Wake” bore a tall, narrow shield that looked lighter than any metal Zelda had ever seen, and she laughed in that wild, untamed way Tetra did when Dawn named her. Weaver, Diamond, Maestro, Soap, Crysta… Sun lost track of several before the woman in purple introduced herself.
“Queen Dusk.” She gave a little smile as though it brimmed with some private meaning, like an intimate joke only she knew. Zelda envied the way she spoke her name.
One of the pink-and-white clad women introduced herself next, clinging to the hand of a dark-haired woman who matched her dress in style but in purple rather than pink, nearly twins in all ways but for their coloring. “I am Lore. And this is Queen Hilda,”
“Simply Hilda will suffice, I think.” Queen Hilda shifted nervously as she looked at the massive crowd. “I’m not entirely certain I’m supposed to be here.” She addressed Lore., “After all, they’re your kin, not…” She broke off her thought, clearly uncomfortable.
“I doubt very much you’re not meant to be here, your Highness. Why would you think so?” Dusk queried, that knowing smile still couched in the lifted corner of her lips.
“We were invited to tea with the Oracles, and they asked … Lore…” She said the name experimentally, “ if she’d play a song on the harp. But the moment she disappeared, I feared… I feared the worst, and so I took it up where it had fallen, finished the tune and followed before the Oracles could object, so…” she hesitated when Lore beamed at her as if she’d slain a dragon. “Regardless, it is an honor to be here. My apologies for the intrusion.”
“I’m sure it’s a relief to see your friend is safe, and that you are both in good company,” Dusk offered, her voice low and resonant.
Hylia reached out to the woman, like she had with Tetra but Zelda could feel it more clearly. The goddess’s spirit returned calm impressions with a contented hum, like a dozing remlit: Hilda was a slow-growing oak casting shade in summer, and clouds and cool breezes and ice water. She was the oasis in the desert. She was of the mirroring pool at their feet.
“And what do we call you?” Dusk asked Zelda, startling the girl awake from her reverie.
Hylia spoke for her.
“SUN–” Zelda clamped her mouth shut over Hylia’s booming shout and bit off the “–BEAM” Hylia had intended as she wrestled back control.
“Ha! Knew it! Self-important much?” Tetra scoffed, but she winked conspiratorially.
“I… yes, that will do.” She didn’t love it the same way Dusk seemed to wear her name like an elegant dress, or with pride like Queen Athena, nor as natural part of herself as Tetra did, but it was… fitting . In Skyloft, comparing anything to the sun gave it honor, gave it a blessing. And she could certainly use it right now, as tempest-tossed as she felt in this bizarre turn of events. And seeing as Hylia was here inside her, perhaps they could look past its apparent arrogance.
“Sun” stuck. Others chose more practical names: Sonia, Cadence, Jewel. A few chosen names earned some raised eyebrows, like Soap and Echo, but there was little time for questions before Sheik divided them into groups and explained their mission.
Ooohhh maybe Raph getting a little jelly?? Or having to scare someone off from his girl? Btw I LOVE your writing 😍💜💜💜
Raph was a tiny…microscopicly… a bit jealous whenever you spent any time wiht his brothers and not him. ESPECIALLY when you played video games with Mikey. It usually ended with a day long tag back and forth of different games seeing who would win. Raph usually forgotten until he manages to pull you away from his brother’s clutches for some alone time.
Now he was pacing behind the couch, a low growl rumbling in his chest.
“We’re almost done with this lap then- HEY!” Laughing you shove Mikey in retaliation to him launching a red shell at you and over taking first place.
“All’s fair in love, war, and mario kart!” Mikey teases, his shoulder still brushing against yours.
Ever since christmas Raph had been on edge around Mikey in particular. Now…now he was just getting ridiculous. You couldn’t even play a game with Mikey without Raph stalking around, growling in the background like some weird horny jungle cat trying to mark his territory. It didn’t help that Donnie told him about the whole…thing about wearing condoms. Now his protectiveness was that of a mama bear with her cub. Suffocating.
Eventually he comes around the couch and stands in front of you, yanking the controller from your hand and tossing it to the ground. “Enough with the damn video games. You’re my girlfriend not Mikey’s!” Raphael snaps, a playfulness lurking behind the anger in his eyes.
Both you and Mikey are wide-eyed in flaberghasted bewilderment.
“Bro! So not cool.” Mikey shakes his head, confused as hell as to why his brother is suddenly snapping at you.
“Raph. What the actual fuck?” You scoff, throwing off the blanket you and Mikey shared. Standing up you shove him, slapping his arm. “What’s your problem huh? You’ve been breathing down my neck ever since Christmas! It’s not even in a hot way it’s in the creepy unsettling way!”
“Yeah it’s kinda weird bro.” Mikey pipes up. Your synchronized death glares send him leaping over the back of the couch.
“I ain’t the one playing games.” Raph says, shouldering his way forward. Using his height in a failed attempt to ‘intimidate’ you. He knew power play of a move turned you on.
“Who do you think you’re squaring off on huh?” You smack him over the head, Not exactly playfully but you know he will take the bait. Sending his tooth pick to the floor with the smack you glare up at him. Hands firmly on your hips. “I’m your fucking girlfriend. I dare you to try something. Splinter’s been teaching me self defense you know and I can-”
You’re on your back before you even know what happened. To be fair though.. you did ask for it. He’s on top of you, pinning your hands above your head.
Raph raises a brow, a smug smile on his face. “You were saying?”
“Ohh. Sexual tension. It’s been like a whole five hours since you two last kissed.” Mikey comments from his hiding spot behind the couch.
“Shut up Mikey” Raph Snaps, shooting a glare at his little brother.
Opening your mouth you close it, taking a breath and trying again. “You’ve had a life time. I’ve had like.. a week. Cut a girl some slack.”
“You hit me first!” He scoffs, rolling his eyes.
“YOU threw my CONTROLLER! ON THE FLOOR!” You rebuttal, kneeing him in the side.
“Augh fuck!” Raph groans, his grip slacking just enough for you to slip your hands from his.
Then the wrestling beginnings. It’s a squirming writhing mess as you try to wiggle away. Both of your laughs bouncing off the high ceilings as you scramble OVER him trying to reach the couch. He grabs your ankle, pulling you back toward him as you scream dramatically.
Flopping onto your back you kick at him lightly, a pinky toe snagging his upper lip as he reels back, sputtering. It doesn’t take long for him to recover though and he manages to snag the bottom of your button up.
Tink.Tink.Tink.
You both freeze. And you look down slowly as a cool breeze tickles your mid-section. The buttons on your shirt have clearly flew the coup and you whirl on Raph so fast he only has time to throw his arms up to protect his face.
“DAMN YOU RAPH! YOU FUCKING JERK!” You slap at his arms before yanking at them, trying to pull them away from his face but it’s like trying to bend a steel beam. Throwing your leg over his waist you lean forward, rocking him back as his feet almost leave the ground.
“I heard screaming is everyone okay- OH SWEET CINNAMON POPTARTS! Can’t you two do this in your room?” Donnie rushes into the room only to recoil at the sight unfolding before his four eyes. Holding his hands up he tries to sheild his precious eyes as he backs out of the room.
“Woah! Caref-MPHMmmm.” Raph’s arms fly away from his face to steady himself and you strike.
Pressing your lips against his he practically melts. Wrapping his arms around you and rocking back up into a sitting position. You slide down his front, laughing when your thigh brushes his erection.
Leo has his hand up by his face as he walks by on his way to the bathroom. Always a gentleman that one.
Meanwhile Mikey watched on with wide eyes.
“Bedroom… Now there’s a good idea.” You whisper, running a thumb along the scar on his lip.
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Raphael jumps to his feet. Scoping you off the floor and into his his arms.
Wrapping your arms around his neck you wink at Mikey, waving over Raphael’s shoulder.
“It’s okay guys!” Mikey huffs.” There’s always next time…” He whines softly. Vaulting back over the back of the couch he sighs.
A minute or two passes before Raph’s voice carries back into the gaming area. “YOU COMING OR WHAT MIKEY? Don’t keep the little lady waiting!”
The game is left on pause for an exceedingly long amount of time that night.
