Link Luck
A Linked Universe fic ft. Spirit written for @opilume for a LoZ gift Exchange!
(5,245 Words)
Summary:
Not taking the hint that Link didn’t want to speak, Time kept talking. “It’s alright if you’re scared. We all were when we found out what was going on.”
“I’m not scared.” He didn’t expect himself to speak, but if people were seeing him as a scaredy cat, then he needed to put a stop to that right now.
“Oh?” He didn’t sound convinced. “Then how are you feeling?”
--
OR: Link meets some really weird people while driving his train by the beach.
(Ao3)
--
By all logic, Link should love water. His ancestors came from an island, his best friend…crush? Maybe? Anyway. His best friend’s grandmother was a pirate, and his predecessor was the Hero of Winds.
Link though, didn’t see water as anything besides deep, unexplored, and something that could swallow him whole. The thought of swimming and not being able to see the ground made his skin crawl. It was what kept him up at night and haunted his dreams. One wrong turn and you could be stuck upside down in the deep abyss forever.
--
Leaning out of his train window, wind whipped through his hair, threatening to blow the cap from his head. Zelda says it stays on by magic, but it’s bobby pins. Not everything needed to be enchanted to be practical. The smell of coal clung to his clothes and every surface he touched. It would probably be a part of him until the day he died.
This is how he liked it. Skyline whizzing by in shades of white and blue, and the thumping of tracks under him. The adrenaline couldn’t be matched. It was freeing. He could travel anywhere their land had to offer.
Today’s journey led him down the beach. Even on the tracks, sand found its way into every corner of the engine. He’s pretty sure it’s out to get him. Like it knows he doesn’t like it, so it goes out of its way to surround him.
Link held his hat securely on his head. Can’t be too careful, even with non-enchanted bobby pins. The sounds of wind and train mixed into what could almost be screams. To anyone else, it might be unnerving, but to him-…oh wait, no, those are actual screams.
Squinting through the gusts bringing tears to his eyes, he could spot figures moving along the tracks ahead, waving their arms.
Well, that’s something you don’t see every day.
Keeping an eye on them, Link reached over and pulled the whistle over his head while throwing a hand up, hoping they saw it as a “Get the fuck off the track!” movement. Apparently, they did not, because instead of getting to safety, the group started running his way.
So, they are either crazy or have a death wish. Good to know.
Pulling himself back inside, he scrambled to the brake lever. Fun Fact! Trains don’t stop slowly. For older models, it can take miles. Luckily, his is not just any train, but that doesn’t change much. Using all his strength, he pulled the lever back, propping his foot up on the control panel for more support. If he runs these people over, he’ll never forgive himself.
The sound of screeching brakes filled the air. That’s not what he likes to hear. Behind the engine, carts clanked together. When this is over, shipment is going to be a mess, and he’s going to be so late an-
BANG!
Link’s whole body jerked. That’s probably the worst sound ever. The whole train shook for a moment before more crashing from behind. Then it was eerily calm. Link stood there, eyes wide and hands shaking.
What just happened???
Voices were coming closer, and Link slowly looked to the side. Still in the same position he was when the chaos started. At first, all he could see was water in the distance. Then a head of blond hair peeked through the window, mouth opened to say something, but nothing came out.
Neither moved, just looking at each other. Ocean blue met foggy morning blue eyes.
“…what the fuck!?” The stranger screeched, and Link agreed.
What the fuck indeed. It was like looking in a mirror. Sure, the other had slightly lighter hair, maybe more freckles, suntanned skin, and brighter eyes, but that was his own face staring back at him. It was unnerving.
“Wind! Get down from there!” Someone yelled from outside.
Neither moved. The other him slowly lifted a hand and waved. Link pried his hand from the brake and tipped his hat. It’s important to be polite, even in strange situations. How do you handle this? He’s read every train manual front to back, and there is not a chapter on dealing with your doppelganger showing up.
Another head entered the window. This one was an older man with a scar over his eye.
“…Oh.” Was all he said.
Once again, Link agreed.
“Let me guess, your name is Link?” The man asked, climbing through the window of the train car. His armor was blinding in the afternoon sun, and he grunted as his boots hit the floor. In any other instance, it would have been a little funny. Not now, though.
Slowly, Link nodded. “How do you know that?” Is he being stalked? Or kidnapped? Both are equally bad. His fingers itched for the sword he hardly knew how to use. It rested in the corner, collecting dust and housing spiders. He only used it in emergencies, and this felt like a big one. Unless these people were just really into cosplay. That could be it, too. Did these people do that live-action roleplay stuff?
“Just a hunch.” The man chuckled. Link really didn’t see the joke. “Why don’t you step out and talk for a few moments, yeah? I think we might be a little lost.”
“You think?” The words slipped out before he could stop them. Quickly, he shut his mouth, looking at the sword on the man’s hip. It’s probably best not to make these people mad. “Sorry, yes. Yeah. I’ll uh, yeah.”
It felt like every muscle was chained to the ground as he lowered his leg from the control panel and scooted across the perimeter of the engine room, keeping a distance between himself and the strangers. When he slid open the side door, he knew there would be more people, but not like this.
A tall boy in a scarf stood next to a shorter boy with colorful clothes, looking across the water and talking. Someone with scars was nose deep in a glorified brick, while a man with a fur pelt over his shoulder listened closely. A brunet drew in the sand, and a blond wearing a sailcloth watched the train while a pink-haired boy poked at a cart with a strange stick.
Link closed the door, took a breath, rubbed his eyes, and opened the door again. Yup. They were still there. This isn’t some hallucination from lack of sleep.
“Holy shit…” Someone whispered, but Link didn’t see who as he stepped out of the engine. He was too focused on the fact that his train cars were ON THEIR SIDES!?
“My train!” He yelled, running to inspect the damage. The side of one was dented, like it had been punched or something. “How does this even happen!?”
“Power bracelet.” His doubleganger said like that explained anything.
Link looked over slowly. “Power…bracelet?”
“Yeah.”
Apparently, Link was the insane one here, because the others just nodded awkwardly.
From the back of the group, the scarf guy stepped forward. “Sailor?” He looked between Link and the doppelganger.
“No, I’m a conductor.” He gestured to his outfit. Sailing is like the complete opposite of his job.
Scar guy put a hand on scarf guy’s shoulders. Wow, Link should really find out these people’s names. “His name is Link.”
Maybe that was a forbidden name in their roleplay group, because everyone’s eyes went wide. Is he about to get jumped? Link is really bad at fighting. He felt his heart rate pick up.
“Well, I suppose that answers some questions.” The sailcloth guy said, pulling a sword from his back.
It doesn’t, it really, really doesn’t. Like, that just makes things more confusing. Link took a step back and put his hands up.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” His voice cracked. “If you want something, just take it!” He never kept anything valuable on the train. There was too big a risk that something would be broken or dirtied with his luck. “I really don’t have anything!”
Pinky McGee, as Link is now naming him, snickered with an eye roll. “Clearly.”
Ok, wow. Now he just feels judged.
Scar face put his hands up as well. “It’s alright. I said we would talk, yeah? Let’s do that.” He turned to his group with an air of authority Link only ever dreamed of having. “Why don’t we set up camp until we get sorted?”
Like he spoke a magic word, the boys spread out and began doing what seemed like a routine. Glorified brick kid pulled a pot out of nowhere, and Link didn’t even have time to ask about that before watching fur pelt guy turn into a big dog.
Link’s seen some really weird things in his life. There was that time Zelda was a ghost and stuff, but this is quickly becoming stranger than that. The walking rainbow, normal guy, and Pinky started to walk around, checking behind large rocks on the beach and patches of grass.
“Sky, Wind. You two stay with me and Link. “ Scar face gestured for them to walk along the tracks before looking down at him. “I’m sure you have a lot of questions.”
That was the understatement of the year.
--
So, Link had learned a lot in the past forty-five minutes.
One, everyone in the group was named Link and had been on some adventure. Two, there is this thing called the Master Sword? It’s like his Lokomo Sword, except completely different in every way. Does that make sense? Three, the doppelganger is the Hero of Winds!? Like, the real one!? He’s still trying to wrap his head around that! And four, apparently the goddess is sending them through portals to defeat a darkness and probably wants Link to go too, which is why she sent the group…soooo, yeah.
By the time they got back to the newly appointed camp, it was nearly done being put together. The smell of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, and sleeping bags were rolled out around the fire. It looked almost cozy.
“About time you showed back up.” Wolf guy, who Link learned was named Twilight, piped up from beside the cooking pot. “Thought we might have to go out and look for you.”
Seeing their small group show up, the others looked over as well. There was an air of anticipation, and Link couldn’t help but want to crawl into a hole and get away from the many eyes looking at him.
Rainbow boy, whose name is Four, cleared his throat. “Soo, he’s one of us, right?” His eyes bounced between the other members. “He’s coming with us?”
Oh Hylia. Going on an adventure through time with strangers? He didn’t know about that.
“And what are we calling him?” The one normal guy, named Hyrule, spoke up. If he didn’t know how they all got their names, he would think his parents were very passionate about the kingdom.
Warriors eyed Link suspiciously. “Why does he look like Wind?”
With that question, an arm was thrown over his shoulder as he was pulled into a side hug. “I’m his predecessor!” The pirate cackled, and Link could only muster an awkward smile. “Time ain’t the only one with someone to follow in his footsteps!” Link is pretty sure he felt his brain rattle from how hard the other shook his shoulder.
The group fell silent until one person snickered. Then another. And then everyone was laughing! Was it at him? Did he do something funny? Is there coal on his face? Zelda always said that stuff stuck to him like a magnet.
“Aye! Cut it out! It’s true! He’s just like me!” Link wasn’t so sure he agreed with Wind on that. Besides looking the same, they seemed quite different. “We both live on islands!” Ok, that’s true. “And went on adventures with someone who could be considered Zelda!” Also true. “And love the ocean!” Ah, there’s the difference.
How does someone tell their predecessor that they don’t like the thing they are known for? Zelda’s library has a bunch of books, but odds are it doesn’t have one for that. Water and trains don’t mix; therefore, Link and water don’t mix either.
“Link here is the Hero of Spirits.” Time put a hand on his shoulder. “This era is after Wind’s, but only by a hundred or so years.”
Why does he say that like it’s not a huge gap of time? “It’s uh…nice to meet you all.” He waved. This has to be the most pathetic introduction any of them has ever seen.
“A pleasure to meet you too, Hero of Spirits.” Warriors had a proud smile looking between the matching boys, and Link’s curiosity wanted to know why, but his anxiety kept his mouth shut. “Glad to have you joining us.”
There it is again. Everyone thinks he’s going with them. Link isn’t someone people want on a fighting team. He’s more of a sit back and fix things up kind of guy. Maybe the person who hypes them up with a firm handshake and a look that says everything will be ok. Besides that, he’s just a guy who happened to save the princess.
“Come on!” Wind began to practically drag him towards the waves. “We can chat by the water while we wait for Wild to finish cooking!”
Yeah, no. He’s drawing the metaphorical line in the sand. Planting his feet, Link shook his head. “Thank you for the offer and stuff. But I should really…um” He looked around, trying to pick the perfect excuse to get him out of this situation. For once, a train on its side is his hero. “Fix the train! Yup! You guys want to talk to Zelda, right? Gotta get the train working to do that! Sooo...”
Ducking under Wind’s arm, he hurried over to the fallen carts. There really was no point in staying and talking to everyone. Link wouldn’t be around long enough to get to know them, anyway. He feels bad, but he’s not the successor Wind wants. He’s not some explorer or super brave. He’s just…Link. Link, who had the princess’s ghost do most of the heavy lifting on his adventure, and Link, who didn’t even know what the Master Sword was until maybe thirty minutes ago.
--
The engine room had plenty of tools to get the carts at least running again; the issue was getting the tipped ones back onto their wheels. Luckily, that problem fixed itself when Wind came over and offered to lift them with the power bracelet things. Seeing them in action was awesome, and the fact that Link himself doesn’t have a pair is an actual crime.
But then Wind came back again to ask if he needed any more help, which he didn’t.
And again to see if he wanted a snack. Link was alright.
And another time to ask if he wanted a break. Nope, train work goes first.
Warriors at one point even stopped by and asked if he wanted company, to which Link just said no thank you, and hammered another beam back into place.
After he doesn’t even know how long, there was once again the sound of boots crunching through sand heading his way. Link had to hold back a sigh. These guys were clingy.
“I don’t need anything right now,” Link said, not bothering to look at who could be approaching him.
“You know, hiding under that…train, I think you called it, isn’t going to make this all disappear.”
Time was here now. Great. The guy was probably going to scold him for being antisocial or something.
Link didn’t respond. A bolt was stuck right now, and he wanted to focus on getting it out. No matter what he did, it wouldn’t budge. Even in as awkward a position as he was, with a leg lifted and pushing against a wheel for support, it didn’t move. Sweat covered his head, and the rails were starting to dig into his back. Getting the train moving was more important than comfort. Trains were what he was good at; if he couldn’t fix it because of one stupid bolt, then that’s just embarrassing.
Not taking the hint that Link didn’t want to speak, Time kept talking. “It’s alright if you’re scared. We all were when we found out what was going on.”
“I’m not scared.” He didn’t expect himself to speak, but if people were seeing him as a scaredy cat, then he needed to put a stop to that right now.
“Oh?” He didn’t sound convinced. “Then how are you feeling?”
That was a really good question. How was Link feeling? For a moment, he stopped what he was doing, laying his head back against the metal tracks and taking a few breaths.
“Mad.” It was the first emotion that came to mind. “I can’t get this bolt off. And I’m tired.” He didn’t even realize he was until he said it. “Maybe a little stressed too, after…everything.”
Time hummed, then there was the sound of someone sitting against the train with a grunt. “I understand that. It’s a lot to learn in one day.” A lot didn’t even begin to describe it. “I don’t know if I can help with all of that, but mind if I take a look at your bolt issue? I’ve been told I’m pretty strong.”
For a moment, Link didn’t say anything. Help? Did Link really need help with this? It was his whole job. He could do it himself, but did he have to? It would make things go faster if Time got it unstuck.
Scooting to the side, he made room for the other. “Sure.”
There was shuffling, and Time was slotted next to him. It was a little funny seeing how cramped he was under there compared to Link. It was one of the few advantages of being small.
“Turn it to the left, like this.” Once again, Link tried to loosen the stupid thing, but it didn’t move.
When Time took the wrench, Link wasn’t expecting much. He’d tried everything he knew to get it out the easy way. It looked more and more like he’d have to drill into it, but once again, these time travelers were full of surprises. With a grunt, Time pushed against the wrench. For a moment, nothing happened. Then there was a pop, and his arm was flying forward as it loosened.
Link’s eyes were wide. “How!?” In two seconds, Time did what he’d been trying to do for the past twenty minutes.
The older man chuckled. “I told you I was strong.” Rolling out his wrist, he handed over the wrench. “Now, why don’t you take a break?”
A break? Link can’t do one thing, and suddenly he needs a break. Like he’s weak. He is! He knows that, but having someone else see it made him feel sick.
Lying under the train with Time felt suffocating instead of comforting. Too small. Too hot. Too uncomfortable. It took maybe three seconds for Link to scramble out into the fresh air, tossing the wrench onto the tool bag. The sun was starting to set over the water, and Link was reeling. He had no clue how long he’d been working. His breaths were heavy as he wiped his face with his hands, trying to get the sweat off.
There was one issue. His hands were covered in oil and coal, meaning those same things were now on his face and eyes. It burned. His eyes might as well have been full of sand as he rubbed them, trying to get the feeling to go away.
“Hey, you alright?” Time sounded like he was next to him, but Link couldn’t open his eyes to see where. “What’s wrong?”
Link flexed his fingers, trying to find the words and stay calm. Oh, fuck, he fucked up. “It’s in my eyes.” He squeaked out pathetically.
This was exactly why he’s not cut out to be a hero. He knows not to touch his face with dirty hands, but of course, he does anyway. It’s Link luck, as he calls it. Anything that could go wrong, will. Now he looks stupid in front of the coolest people he’s ever met and is in pain.
There were hands on his shoulders, gently pushing him to walk forward. “It’s ok, we can wash it out.” Link stumbled, hands hovering over his face as he forced himself not to make it worse. “Deep breaths.”
He tried to listen, breathing in the familiar scent of railroad work. Letting someone else guide him was kind of terrifying. What if he walked into the fire? Or a rock? Or he fell? Do the others see him and think he’s a child? Well, he kind of is, but he should be considered an adult with the things he’s done.
“Shit, he ok!?” It wasn’t hard to know whose voice that was. It sounded like a rougher version of his own.
“Just got some stuff in his eyes.” Time gave his shoulders a soft squeeze, and it honestly helped him breathe a little deeper. “He’ll be alright.”
There was shuffling, and someone was on his other side. “I’ve got a cup.” Warriors? Was that Warrior’s voice? He couldn’t remember what all their voices sounded like.
Where was Time leading him, anyway? They had been walking for a while. Was the camp this far? Where were they going to get wate- oh Hylia no, they were going to the ocean, weren’t they!?
“I’m ok!” He yelped, planting his feet in the ground. Time almost ran him over. “It’s fine! I can get it out myself!”
“With what? A dirty rag? That won’t help.” Wind did have a point, but Link wasn’t going to acknowledge it!
He shook his head, trying to rub at his eyes again, but someone held his arms to stop him. “Don’t touch, it’ll make it worse.” Time kept his voice soft. “We’re just going to have you kneel by the water’s edge. That’s it.”
He knew it! Link called it! What if he fell in and drowned!? Or something swam up and ate his eyes!? Or an underwater train hit him! He’s not paranoid! It could happen! There was so much going on at once, and it made him kind of want to curl up into a ball on the floor, but that wouldn’t be socially acceptable in any timeline, would it?
“No! Not by the water!”
There was silence, and then a hand on his arm. “Why not?” Wind sounded confused. It made guilt bubble in his chest. Would his predecessor look at him as a disappointment? Wind worked so hard to find and build this land, leaving his own home behind, and Link is scared to even think about getting in the ocean.
He took a few deep breaths. Time said to breathe, and he didn’t want to make him mad by not listening. “I don’t-…I don’t really like the water.” He admitted in a small voice. “Sorry.”
Once again, there was silence. He knew they were having some sort of conversation without him knowing, and he hated it.
Then a hand slipped into his own. “That’s ok.” He’d expected Wind to sound upset, but it was the opposite. He was calm. “Water is dangerous, trust me, I know, but we’re safe by the beach. I promise.” That made him feel a little better. If anyone knew anything about water, it would be Wind. “We can go slow; wash some out and you tell us if it’s too much.”
He mulled it over. Slow. He might be able to do slow. Responsible people were around him. One of them could save him if something bad happened.
Hesitantly, he nodded. “Slow.”
“Slow it is.”
--
Link knelt in water up to his knees. He’s pretty sure he was shaking like a leaf. Sand dug into his legs from under his uniform, and he could smell the ocean air. It was a little comforting, exactly like the scent of home.
“Tilt your head forward,” Warriors instructed, flipping Link’s hat around to hold his hair back. “I’m going to pour the water over your face first, so hold your breath.”
Link did exactly that and used the hand not holding Winds to plug his nose. There was a countdown, and on one, he could feel the water rush down his face. Warriors rubbed around his eyes first, getting the muck off his cheeks and forehead. Time rubbed his shoulders, muttering encouraging things Link wasn’t paying attention to.
When Warriors stopped, he let go of his nose. “Done?”
“Not yet.” Link luck strikes again. “We need to get the stuff out of your actual eyes.” Warriors might be the worst person ever. Not really, but Link wasn’t having a good time. “You’re going to duck your head under and open your eyes. Blink a few times to try and flush everything out.”
So yeah, this might actually be Link’s worst nightmare.
Wind squeezed his hand. “You got this.” At least one of the two was confident.
Deep breaths, like Time said. If the other heroes could go on some crazy adventures and survive, then Link could stick his face in the ocean. Just do it. The faster he’s done, the faster he can curl up in his train and hide from the world.
Holding his breath, Link went for it. He shoved his head under the water. Immediately, he wanted to pull it back up, but Warriors said he needed to blink. He flickered his eyes open, and they burned. It took a few tries and a death grip on Wind’s hand, but eventually he thought he blinked them enough to get everything out.
As soon as he realized that, he whipped his head up so hard his hat flew off and gasped for air. “I’m done! I’m done!” There was no way he was doing that again.
Warriors cradled his cheek, turning it to face him. “Open your eyes, let me see.”
Cracking his eyes open, he paused to see if it hurt. There was a bit of scratchy irritation, but it didn’t feel like little knives anymore. Opening them more, he could take in Warrior’s face, looking at Link’s eyes with the gaze of someone on a mission. It was a little intimidating.
“Looks alright to me. How does it feel?”
He blinked a few times, glancing over his shoulder at Wind and Time. The younger had a big smile, while the older looked concerned. “Good, better.” Link said, rubbing his eyes.
Time clapped him on the back with a chuckle, and Link swears he almost fell over. “You did good!”
He laughed awkwardly, picking his hat up off the sand. “Thanks for uh…helping.”
“Is that why you don’t like me?”
Link turned to look at Wind, his brows furrowed. Did he hear that right? “What?”
“Is that why you don’t like me?” The Hero of Winds repeated. “Because you don’t like water.”
“No? I do like you.” Why would he think he didn’t? This was his predecessor. He owed everything to him for finding the land they lived on.
The other looked out across the water, his shoulders slumping. “Since you found out who I was, you’ve been avoiding me.”
Oh.
Oh!?
Oh Hylia, he made Wind think he was ignoring him! He kind of was, but not like that!
“No!” He said quickly, standing while brushing his knees off. “ Well, kinda, but I just didn’t want you to not like me!” He snapped his fingers, trying to pull the right words together. “You’re…you’re a hero. You made an entire kingdom. You were brave and-and strong, and commanded a whole ship! I’m just…I’m Link. The train engineer. I’m kind of a scaredy cat who can’t fight and has horrible luck. I’m not a hero like you guys.”
There was shame in saying it out loud. Like he was admitting some sort of crime, but it was the truth. He’s a kid filling too big boots he didn’t even know he needed to. The sound of waves felt like the only thing filling the dead air. He should leave, right? Finish fixing the train and head back to the castle. He was already behind schedule.
“Do you really believe that?” Wind’s voice was serious.
“What?”
Wind stood up with a look Link had never seen before. “That I wouldn’t see you as a hero?”
He blinked a few times before slowly nodding. As soon as he did, Wind reached over and slapped the side of his head.
“Ow! What the fuck!?”
“The only thing wrong with you is that you’d believe that!” He was practically screeching. “Did you or did you not defeat some evil with a cool ass sword!?”
“I uh..I did?” Link said slowly.
Warriors spoke up this time. “And is your name Link?”
“Duh.”
“And did you step up to save the day even though you didn’t need to?” There was a small smile on Time’s face as Link nodded. “Then that sounds like exactly the kind of hero we’re looking for.”
He went to argue, but Wind cut him off, slapping his hand over his mouth. “I don’t give two flying fucks if you get a little scared sometimes or don’t know how to fight! You’re my successor, so you’re automatically cool!” Link’s not sure that’s how that works, but with the passion in Wind’s voice, he wanted to believe him. “You fought ghosts! That’s awesome! I’m proud to say you’re after me, and I’ll tell everyone! Don’t believe me!? Watch!” Turning to camp, he started yelling, “I’m proud tha- ACK!” Wind ripped his hand away from Link’s mouth, cradling it like a dead lover. “Did you just fucking lick me!?”
The other cackled, which quickly turned into a scream as Wind tackled him into the water. “Rule one of being my successor! No licking me!”
Behind them, Time and Wars shared a smile and an eye roll. Things were about to get a lot louder in their chain.
--
That night, after changing into dry clothes and curling up next to the fire, they all held bowls in their hands. Wind and Link sat shoulder to shoulder, giggling between each other. Those two had been joined at the hip since Time and Wars got them to stop trying to drown each other.
From across the fire, Four spoke up. “So, what are you going to go by?”
That…wasn’t something Link had thought about. He shrugged. “I dunno. You all go by your hero titles, right?” There were nods and affirmations from around the fire. “So I guess I’ll do that too.”
“Spirit.” Sky tried out the name first. “I like it.”
Wild snickered. “Kinda creepy, in a cool way.”
“So, Spirit,” Time had this grin that he couldn’t help but copy. “You eager to hit the road?”
Spirit, for once, didn’t hesitate. He adjusted his hat and straightened his shoulders. “I was born ready!”
Wind wrapped an arm around him and pulled him against his side. “You hear that!? This hero is ready for adventure!” He yelled, pumping his fist into the air.
Spirit’s cheeks burned pink as he laughed along with the others. He might not be the strongest or the bravest, but right now, he was the luckiest.