This one is inspired by my all time favorite thing ever: this comic by @wolfy1298. This fic is not exactly what happens in the comic, but it has some of the same scenes and the same vibes and I was seeing it in my head as I wrote this. AO3 link.
Warnings: none.
The full moon shone brightly, illuminating the camp in its pale glow. Warriors stretched his arms above his head and allowed himself a moment to wake up before he moved.
Judging by the moon’s position, it was well past his turn for watch. Warriors lifted himself up from his bedroll with a yawn and curled his scarf tighter around his shoulders to ward off the chill. He glanced quickly around camp, doing a quick headcount, before he carefully walked over to Time.
Time was perched on a rock, sword drawn and placed over his knees. He was staring at the moon with an unreadable expression on his face. Time’s hands were loosely clasped together and two fingers were on his wedding ring, twirling the band in lazy circles.
“Time?” Warriors asked in a whisper. Time didn’t react. Warriors glanced back at the other heroes sleeping, then back to Time’s motionless form. Very gently, he placed a hand on Time’s shoulder.
Time flinched. It was a small movement, and he took control over his body nearly instantly, but Warriors didn’t miss it. He pulled his hand back and left it to hover anxiously above Time’s shoulder.
“Old man? You with me?” Warriors asked.
“My apologies. You startled me,” Time said. He moved one hand to rest on the hilt of his sword.
Warriors hesitated, then asked, “Are you okay?”
Time sighed deeply, his eyes moving back up to the night sky. “I’m alright. I was just… thinking,” Time said in a quiet voice.
Warriors narrowed his eyes, taking in the bags beneath Time’s eyes and his white-knuckled grip on his sword. As if he noticed Warriors’ gaze, Time heaved another sigh and relaxed his grip on the sword.
“You don’t need to worry about me, Captain. I’ll be alright,” Time said.
Warriors huffed a laugh and flicked one side of his scarf over Time’ shoulders. “It’s far too late for that,” he said with a smile.
Time returned his smile, and Warriors could have sworn he saw a faint blush cross Time’s cheeks. Warriors unwound his scarf and settled it more securely around Time’s shoulders. He moved Time’s sword to rest against the rock then lowered himself down onto the rock next to Time.
“It’s my watch. Get some sleep, sprite,” Warriors said. Time’s lips quirked up and he dropped his head onto Warriors’ shoulder. Warriors chuckled.
“I meant in your bedroll, you gremlin,” Warriors said.
“Same thing,” Time mumbled, pulling Warriors’ scarf tighter around his body.
Warriors shook his head and tried with all his might to keep from smiling. He wrapped an arm around Time’s shoulders, a content and nostalgic feeling in his heart.
If this was what Time needed to feel safe tonight, Warriors would happily act as his pillow for as long as he needed.
As the "holiday season" approaches, I want to remind everyone that your queer identity is valid whether or not your family believes so!!! And your disability is valid even if your family does not think so!!!! And it is so so so hard to deal with family members with different political beliefs, and family members with racist/bigoted perspectives, and so give yourself a break and recognize that it's hard and you're doing a great job!!!! And no one is allowed to comment on your body, and try extra hard to have a healthy relationship with the food you eat and your body this season!!!! And chosen/found family is just as, and probably even more so, valid as the family you were born into!!!!
And make sure you cut out specific time for your interests (especially if they are special interests!!!!) to help with the stress of the season!!! I will be spending time with family members that do not recognize or respect my identities this season (bc unfortunately for me I still care for them XD) so I will be trying my best to carve out extra time for Linked Universe!!!
If you have a hard time this season, just remember that you have all of the Links in your corner :)
Wild will make you your favorite food and make sure you remember to have fun. Time will sit and listen while you rant about difficult family, and invite you to the ranch if you have nowhere else safe to go. Sky will give you SO many hugs and make sure you're trying your best to get good sleep. Wind will mess with your annoying family and draw attention to get it away from you. Warriors will make sure you look and feel amazing, and boost your confidence. Legend will make sure you don't take any shit from bad family members, and call them out when they say anything racist/homophobic/ableist/antisemitic /otherwise bigoted. Twilight will comfort you as Twilight AND as Wolfie and defend/protect you in any way you need. Hyrule will make sure you're eating enough and taking care of your body. Four will remind you that other people's opinions about you don't matter, and you have to believe in yourself.