it’s hard to find a husband as the butcher’s daughter.
the girls at your school smelled of flowers and goat soap. lithe, not muscled in their forearms for slicing and draining the blood from butchered cows. neither have they seen a chicken run without their head, a pig hung from the ceiling, the cries of a gentle hateno cow when its life is taken for its meat. their eyes are so trusting, even when light fades from their souls' windows.
you were young when you began shadowing your father.
"i got this broom custom-made for you, little one," papa said. "it's your special broom for helping me clean."
you know the witch charges a high price for those brooms. a mop of similar height leans on the wall next to it, likely made by your father.
"will i be cleaning the cow blood?" you asked.
the smile on your father's face flattened. "yes, darling. the chickens, too. now, come."
it started by just watching, the mop gripped tightly in your hands. chickens ran until they dropped. you dodged, their claws still sharp even in death as there was no time for their bodies to decay. your father's swing was strong.
"so they may have a quick ending," papa had said.
you nodded.
"i'm sorry, my darling," your father stoops to your height. "but i have to start you early, or it'll be too hard when you're older."
it was still hard. you no longer smelled of lavender and goat milk. the metallic tang of blood stuck to your skin. the girls were nice, but you saw how they snuck glances at you, hands cupped to their curved red lips. every night, you scrubbed and scrubbed, but blood stuck to you, in smell and between the lines of your skin and under your nails.
it got harder when you got older.
the girls in your village were getting married off. squeals of handmade rings, silver shoved into your face with declarations of it being custom-made by that famous blacksmith. you don't know him? well, you would soon. one of the girls had even handed you a bar of soap.
"it's so deep-cleaning, made by mother." the bar of soap suddenly weighed like a brick. "free trial. she said you should give it a try."
some of their bellies began to swell. the idea of pregnancy made you queasy, tales of morning sickness and swollen feet and tearing during birth were too scary, but there was an empty spot just beneath your sternum. an ache. sometimes, your hand twitched.
you wondered why, until you were looking out the window, and it twitched as a couple walked by. then it twitched again when you saw an older couple, then a newly-wedded wife and husband, then again at a couple bickering by the fruitstand. your hand needed to be held, but there was nothing warm to hold other than the freshly butchered body of a mother pig.
the shop's bell shocks you.
“you are the backbone to people’s survival.”
you drop the cut of hateno cow into its wrapping. it slaps when it make its landing, blood pooling where it sits. "but the king still insists he is watchful of my father. we're the first to be blamed if there's a breakout."
he won't leave you alone, this annoying boy.
"that's true." he rubs his neck awkwardly. good. the more awkward you make him feel, the quicker he'll leave. "oh, could i also get a flank of hateno beef?"
you look up from the wrapping. the boy always had a bow and sword strapped to his back.
"can't you hunt this all yourself?"
the boy shrugs sheepishly, a shy smile stretching his lips. "it's easier to buy sometimes. all that clean up and preparation."
"sometimes," he begins with a upward swing of his voice, "i'm just really hungry and need food now."
you almost smile. it's easier to breathe.
"who are you again?" you reach through the counter, grasping the hateno beef.
"just a bard, my lady."
"really? you're not very good with words."
"no, probably clumsy," he admits with a laugh, "but i'm good with the flute! and ocarina."
you frown. the royal family made the ocarina famous. "that is an important instrument."
"aye." he smiles. then, his eyes switch. the silly boy almost looks calculated. "would you like to hear it?"
something sweeps over you. something grey. something with a heavy grip that holds your free will hostage. your hand twitches. "i'm at work."
"then another time." his voice is gentle. bards are supposed to be emotionally in-tune; feel his crowd, match his story with their feelings. are you just a crowd to him?
"what is your name, bard?" you slide his meats towards him.
he stands a little taller, but he's not so tall. "link, my lady."
When Another Finds Out About Your Crush || Part 2/2
Part 1 ||
Pairings: Time, Twilight, Warrior, Wild x GN Reader
Overview: What happens when someone else in the Chain finds out about your feelings towards him?
A fun little reverse of this
Zelda Masterlist 💙 Fandom Masterlist
...Maybe if you pray hard enough, the Goddesses will take pity upon your poor soul and make the earth swallow you up whole. Not an ideal fate, but at least it would save you from continuing to experience the torture that is Time's silent wrath.
You didn't mean to upset him - Of course, you didn't mean it, you would never! That's exactly what you were trying to avoid! You wanted to make a good impression - to be extra careful observing your every surrounding while solving each puzzle with practiced skill. Time would have one less traveler to worry about and, if you were lucky, maybe he'd even be impressed...but that's not at all what happened.
Walking through the deepest depths of a dungeon, you were so caught up checking for keeses and skulltulas that you failed to notice when the boys stopped following. They had all taken a moment to discuss a plan, but by the time someone finally thought to call out, a heavy stone door had slammed shut behind you, officially cutting you off from the rest of the Chain.
Despite the circumstances and the dread you felt, you did your best to remain calm in the face of danger - as you thought any Link would. You fought courageously against the miniboss all on your own, and when the correct door still didn't open, you didn't lose hope, instead venturing through the next in hopes this new path would lead back to your friends...and eventually, it did.
Everyone had breathed sighs of relief upon seeing you. They met you with excitement, jokingly congratulating you for making it through your first dungeon in one piece...Everyone except for Time.
Time was livid, at least it certainly felt that way since you've never seen him that angry before. Unlike with the other heroes, you didn't receive a pat on the back or even a 'thank Hylia you're alive', you received a lecture.
Time scolded you in front of everyone, calling you 'reckless' and asking repeatedly if you understood what you had put them all through - the danger you put yourself in and how your death would've weighed on them all...
Even when you were on the verge of tears - even when Warrior stepped in to try calming the situation down while Legend pointed out all the progress you saved them with the keys and tools you had gathered - Time continued to fume. What hurt most is he ended up having Sky escort you out of the dungeon, hearing no objections to it.
"You've had enough," were his exact words spoken through an exhausted sigh, but you know what he really meant: "You're no longer welcome here. I don't want you here."
Now you're left sitting outside the dungeon, curled into a ball as a sad attempt to make yourself as small as possible against the stone walls. The hurting side of you wishes you had never tried to impress him. If you hadn't tried so hard…If you had just stayed close to someone…If you had just surrendered to that miniboss...You bet you could've saved Time a lot of trouble then.
"...You okay?" Sky kneels down beside you, a gentle hand placed upon your shoulder. You would've expected him to go back and join the others, but instead he remains out here, missing out on all the fun just to continue babysitting you probably out of pity.
"...He hates me."
The knight startles at such an outlandish claim, "Old Man?"
"Who else?"
"He doesn't hate you! That's ridiculous!"
"Of course he does...You heard him - Everyone did!" You sniffle, burying your head further against your knees, "I've never seen him that mad before - Not even that time Wild broke his arm launching himself off that log..."
Sky's expression softens followed by a sigh. He plops down fully against the ground, spreading out his legs and looking up at the forest roof. After a moment, he finally speaks in a quiet tone, "...He was really worried, you know...It was kinda weird to see, honestly. I mean, usually he's the most level-headed of us all, but when that door closed behind you and Wind checked our map - Time looked shattered."
Ever so slightly, you lift your head, showing your attention to Sky's account.
"I think we must've broken some kind of record with how fast we got through the rest of those rooms," He says with just a hint of a laugh, although his expression remains sympathetic, "But only because of how hard Old Man was pushing us. He wasn't leaving any chance for error - not a second of hesitation or uncertainty. We had to get it right the first time or else he was on our case like never before...He was really doing everything in his power to reach you, and when we finally found you unscathed...Well, I think the stress of his emotions finally crashed in on him..."
Sky finally returns his gaze to you, offering a kind and encouraging smile, "...I think he cares about you a lot - maybe even as much as you do him, so I wouldn't take to heart how he acted. That was just his fear talking back there. I'm sure once he sees you again, he'll realize how harsh he was and apologize. For now, he just needs time to cool off - let his heart and mind settle after that scare of almost losing you."
You sniff again, trying your best to rub away the tears staining your warm cheeks, “I…hadn’t thought about it that way.”
It doesn’t surprise you that Sky’s noticed - and he certainly isn’t wrong either. Time and you have always shared a type of closeness being the eldest in your group, although you always assumed the exact affection you felt towards the man was one-sided. If Sky’s also right in his observations today, maybe you don’t have to work too hard to earn Time’s attention after all…Such a thought stirs something within you, different from the heartache that had previously been weighing you down.
This is utterly ridiculous…
Twilight looks like a kicked puppy, slouched beside Wild at the campfire with a pout upon his lips, but Warrior doesn't miss the way he looks in your direction every so often, wearing that same pout as if hoping you'll finally notice and pay attention to him...but you don't.
If Warrior didn't know any better, he'd say you've been completely avoiding the Rancher lately - Nope, he's certain that's exactly what you're doing because Twilight and you used to be annoyingly close, practically hanging off of each other ever since you first crossed paths. With all those 'darlin's and bedroom eyes that could put the Captain's own flirting to shame, no one could be blamed for mistaking you two as a couple.
Even when Twilight would mysteriously disappear from camp, you were still in great company with Wolfie who stayed latched to your side as if your personal pet - in fact that's what Warrior had originally assumed when the wolf first appeared and almost ripped a hole in his scarf after he happened to get to close to you!
What changed? Neither of you have said. You were already distraught when Wolfie was hit by that axe, but your world seemed to come crashing down once realizing your four-legged companion was actually your beloved Rancher. To no one's surprise, you continued spending every second by his side, determined to nurse him back to health even if you had to give up one of your own heart containers to do so. Then he made a full recovery and you just...stopped.
Twilight's condition improved, yet a giant wall seemed to have formed between the two of you after that. Suddenly, you weren't attached to each other's sides anymore. You didn't needlessly seek out his opinion for every decision or find an excuse to sit together during meals. You don't rush over to pet Wolfie or set aside treats to give to him later...It's as if you've completely iced him out and Twilight's taken notice - Of course he's taken notice, falling into a clear depression that has him sagging behind the group during walks or literally whimpering whenever you show anyone else attention but him...And it's been driving Warrior insane!
"Hey," At last, Twilight's found some courage to get up and approach you with a nervous hopeful smile, "After supper, Wild's gonna make dessert. The boys are voting for fruit cake, but I reckon if we both swing it just right, we can convince him to make that cheesecake you like instead -"
"- Oh, that's alright. Let the boys have their cake...I'm not in the mood for sweets right now anyway."
Twilight snaps his mouth shut instantly, yet hesitates a bit before sadly nodding and returning back to his place by the fire. If he were in his wolf form, he'd certainly have his tail between his legs...
'That's it!' Warrior decides, huffing to himself as he shoots up from his spot. Ignoring the questionable looks he gains, he marches over and grabs your wrist, much to your surprise, "We need to talk."
Ignoring your protests, he quite literally drags you out of camp. Only once you're a safe distance away does he spin around on his heel to face you with crossed arms and an accusing eye, "What's going on with you two?"
"Pardon?!"
"You've been avoiding him. I've noticed. He's noticed. I think we've all noticed! The question is why?"
You tense yet say nothing too quickly, instead pressing your lips thin while turning away somewhat stubbornly...Then your eyes soften.
"I just -...It's been weird," You sigh, hugging yourself as if suddenly victim to a harsh breeze, "Finding out he's Wolfie and all...I had no idea."
"That’s it?" Warrior blinks, a bit of a humor behind his voice despite the absurdity of it all, "Well, don't feel too singled out. I think most of us were left in the dark save for a lucky few.”
Despite his light words, you remain guarded, eyes narrowed at the ground as you admit in a quieter tone, "...Yeah, but I feel like I should've known. Twilight and I - We spend so much time together and it seems like we tell each other everything, but to keep such a big secret from me -! ...Did he really not trust me?"
Warrior frowns, finally understanding your dilemma. Dropping the frivolous attitude, he steps forward with a stern hand upon your shoulder, "Hey now, don't go jumping to conclusions like that. I'm sure Rancher had his reasons for keeping that secret. Doesn't mean he didn't or doesn't trust you.
“Maybe he was just worried about what you might think? Have you considered that? He could’ve been worried telling you the truth would make you think less of him in some way -”
“- But why would I ever look down upon him?!” Your head snaps up quickly, seemingly shocked by the mere suggestion, "That's ridiculous! I -! ...I care about him a lot..."
Warrior smirks, although he does his best to hide it behind a casual shrug as he drapes his arm over your shoulders, "Well, who knows? Love makes people concerningly irrational sometimes."
He doesn’t miss the way your expression ignites even if you do bashfully duck to avoid his attention. You have no right to be surprised. He’s willing to bet everyone in the Chain knows about your feelings except the man they surround…Speaking of -
“What are y’all doing all the way over here? Supper’s ready.”
The Captain will admit he takes a bit of pleasure in seeing the Rancher all fluffed up like this, clearly feeling territorial if his glare is anything to go off. He stands there like a brick wall, fists curled at his sides with a slight scowl to his face. He’s doing a piss poor job at trying to come across as indifferent, yet there’s no ignoring the way his glare focuses solely on the lack of distance between Warrior and you.
“Perfect! I was feeling peckish!” Warrior does nothing to acknowledge the tension in the air as he pushes you towards Twilight before heading back to camp…although he can’t resist poking the wolf once more as he steps past with a cocky grin, “No need to act so aggressive. They’re all yours.”
…It’s about time someone makes a move, and if you’re both too scared to do it, then he’ll happily offer a nudge, so long as it saves him from suffering this irritating ‘will they, won’t they’.
To make a long story short, Wild had made a very 'stupid, irresponsible move' during the last battle. Warrior's words, not his. He thought it was actually pretty clever what he had done, and it worked, didn't it? You were all getting swarmed by monsters and his actions made quick work of the beasts with just a few explosions and fires to deal with afterwards.
Of course, Warrior didn't see it that way nor did he approve in the slightest. From the moment the smoke cleared, he was on Wild's case, quick to reprimand the other hero with no end in sight. Worst yet is everyone else simply walked off, refusing to take any sides during the argument and instead leaving Wild completely to the Captain’s mercy.
"Hey, let's all just take a breather, yeah?" Bless you for stepping in, placing a comforting hand on Warrior's arm to break his focus away from the poor Champion. You're like an angel with the way your smile can smooth even the most boiling anger.
There's clearly more he wants to say about this situation, but weak against your interference, Warrior merely sighs and mumbles something about 'discussing this later' before marching after the rest of the group. This allows Wild to release his own sigh of relief, smiling up at you.
"...You see my point, right?" Perhaps it isn't the best time, but still feeling right about this whole thing, Wild seeks your support, hoping desperately that someone will take his side for once…and it almost seems like you actually might.
The way you cross your arms is lax and that frown you wear holds no real anger. You know Wild and you know he had no ill intentions with his stunt...however after sparing a single glance in Warrior's direction, you shake your head.
Looking back to Wild, you match Warrior's previous disapproval, although your expression is a bit more sympathetic than his had been, "Sorry, Champ, but the Captain’s right. I know you didn't mean it, but what you did was incredibly reckless, putting not only yourself, but the entire group at risk of injury...You have to understand things from his perspective. Wars works very hard keeping the team -"
...He should've just kept his mouth shut and taken the gift you've given him. Now instead of getting reprimanded by Warrior, he's stuck listening as you ramble on, your brief lecture quickly being lost as you go on to practically list all the reasons he should respect the Captain’s leadership like you clearly do.
His experience, his intellect, how skilled he is with a sword, his ability to take command…Honestly, Wild just stops listening after a while, officially tuned out of your shameless dick riding support of the other knight.
Although he doesn't care to retain any part of it, he does take the time to really reflect on your behavior because now that he thinks about it, you're always taking Warrior's side in these sorts of arguments. Not sometimes, not usually - always!
You don't act this way with anyone else - not that he’s ever seen, anyway. If it had been Twilight ripping him a new one, you'd jokingly call the Rancher out for being a 'mother hen', and when Time gives a particularly fierce glare, you usually laugh it off with Wild...but you treat Warrior's opinions like some kind of gospel - like he can do no wrong nor make any mistakes in his judgment.
Even in this very moment, your eyes glitter in admiration, voice dripping with praise whenever you happen to drop his name in a sentence which - Wild is certain - is an unnatural amount of times almost like you're only saying it just to enjoy the taste on your tongue. And now that he's thinking about it, Warrior’s the only one of them you've called 'Link', too! If not the honey-soaked 'Captain', then it's always Link every opportunity you get...Oh, but everyone else is still referred to as their nicknames even if they're alone with you, because in your mind, Warrior's your Link; the one and only.
"- Of course..." Wild interrupts suddenly with a huff, plopping his chin dejectedly into his palm.
"...Excuse me?" You blink, looking down at the Champion in confusion.
"Nothing, nothing," He waves a bored hand, motioning for you to continue praising Warrior lecturing him. He was foolish not to have noticed it before and wonders if anyone else has yet. More importantly, has the Captain? Have you even?
"...We'll have to split up," Time finally concludes, that bit it rather begrudgingly.
It's a small victory for the rest of the Chain, who had already been advocating to split into smaller groups to make this dungeon easier and to save yourselves from strangling one another.
Within seconds of the announcement, you're eagerly hooking your arm around Wild's, pulling him to your side with a toothy grin he's quick to match, "Well, I found my partner -!"
"- Absolutely not."
"What? WHY!?"
"Neither of you have any experience with dungeons - not like this, anyway. It would be in poor judgment to send you both off on your own, which is why -" Time's eye passes over the group until... "- I'm pairing you with the Veteran and Traveler. Champion, you'll go with the Captain."
You can feel Wild deflate by your side, his arm slowly slipping away from yours in defeat, however you aren't willing to let him go without a proper fight. Instead, you're quick to fix the angle of your elbow, even placing a hand against his arm for good measure to hold him in place against you possessively stubbornly.
"Why can't I go with the Captain, too?"
"Because I said so," ...It's such a dad response. Paired with a cool tone and a turning of his back, it's clear Time isn't as willing as you are to argue over this.
"That's not fair! The Captain doesn't even -"
"- Hey, it's alright. This dungeon shouldn't take long, right? We'll all meet back together in no time!" Much to your chagrin, Wild doesn't seem nearly as crestfallen as you had hoped. Opposite to your own annoyance, you'd say he looks all too cheerful as he elbows your side and leans in with a teasing grin, "Plus, look on the bright side, you got the good end of the deal. At least you'll actually be able to explore. I won't be able to take a single step without a 'proper plan'."
"...Sure, yeah, whatever..." Wild's expression immediately drops after your dejected response, but he's given no time to question it before you're dropping his arm and abandoning his side to join your assigned team.
It doesn't take long for everyone to be divided into their groups, allowing you all to finally set off into the depths of this dungeon. As you turn towards the corridor, you hear your Champion wish you luck - that be it with a somewhat nervous tone you merely wave off with a mumbled 'you too'.
With your thoughts stuck elsewhere, you know you're dragging your feet without much focus being given towards the task at hand. Hyrule, all too eager to find their boomerangs, leads the way with a bounce to his step while Legend saunters at a more leisurely pace beside you.
After a bit of sufferable silence, he finally spares you a bored look and a scoff, "...Geeze. Is our company really that terrible for you? I'm hurt."
"No, that's not -! It's not you guys!" You jolt, alarmed that he would come to that conclusion. Glancing back at your feet, you frown, "...I had just hoped -"
"- That the Champion and you could find a nice, quiet corner somewhere to make out in?"
"Huh?! NO! Why would you -?!"
Legend scoffs again, "Come on. Isn't it obvious? You practically try gluing yourself to his side any excuse you get. It's honestly a wonder he hasn't caught on yet. Must be all the times he's hit his head."
You can feel your face grow warm at his accusation, mouth opening and closing with denial set upon your tongue, although in the end, all you can manage is a grumble at you push the smug Veteran away from you, "Sh - Shut up..."
Beauty marks were said to be the remnants of where your past lover kissed you the most. It was a lovely idea, that someone had loved you so reverently in the past that it managed to leave an imprint as dots that littered your skin. And how lucky were you? To have someone in this lifetime love you just as, if not more devotedly. Lips connecting imaginary lines as they silently vowed to kiss each and every mark that was scattered across you.
You're not sure what you did to deserve this all consuming love, but you were sure to give it back, after all, you wanted to make sure new marks dotted their skin in their next life.
another year, another kinktober. With all this about censorship, blocking content and how everything is going in the world, we may never know what tomorrow brings, but you bet gator is writing.
like every year, I cant promise ill post every day, or that some posts wont be late, but I will post something for each day. it does meant that quality and lenght may wary from day to day. it can be anything from stories, drabbles, imagines or headcanons.
the list may see changes throughout the month, depending on my inspiration at the time. if yall wanna use this for inspo, feel free. happy october folks.
