Ahh! Last month my Patreon voted to draw a role reversal Sidlink AU! Where Sidon is the hero and Link is the prince~! Below I have a long yap about what I HC, and why the characters look the way they do!
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I didn't put Link in Zelda's exact aesthetic when it came to royal design... I kind of liked the idea of him being a more coastal-themed prince!! (I have an ocean-themed bias, but also BOTW Link just REEKS of yearning for the ocean and water people, AHH-) So, while designing I leaned into that, and I thought of a HOPEFULLY enjoyable HC that allows for fun romance plotlines~
In short, to have Sidon be the hero of Hyrule and Link be a royal, I thought of making Link the prince of Zora's Domain! But Zora's Domain being much closer to the coast (thinking Lurelin Village's location, but with Zora's Domain's architecture influences). Sidon is the hero of Hyrule, but a Hyrule castle that too is more similarly themed by Zora's Domain... with the zoras being its main inhabitants. The land of Hyrule is much more heavily connected by rivers, streams, and water-based ventures!
When Princess Yona awakens Sidon from his 100 year sleep, he sets off on this adventure to save Hyrule! Though, once he arrives to the kingdom of Lurelin Village and meets Prince Link, he is pleasantly surprised.
Link in this AU is not a prince of blood, but of position. During the 100 year war, the royal family of Lurelin suffered many losses, causing the bloodline to narrow until only Princess Zelda was left. But, tragically, danger sought her out and ended her life too soon. Which is when Link, her crown guard, became aware that Zelda trusted him with the role of Prince if she were to perish. To promise her to protect their domain.
Link is grief-stricken with Zelda's death, due to his inability to save her from danger. When Sidon helps Lurelin become safe, and takes out the monster that had taken Zelda, Link finds himself deeply grateful, but also... asking to join in on this adventure. Something Sidon is deeply shocked of, but accepts, seeing how Link thrives to end this Calamity to keep the peace of the village he was tasked to do. And well... Sidon quite likes this prince's company! And Link? Well, he seems to want this combatical engagement alongside Sidon to continue... and maybe not just to bring peace to his little kingdom in Hyrule.
(maybe if this concept is liked I can expand in the future!! I do think it's quite cute to spin the aspects of who is the chosen hero vs who is the standing up one! And also, I imagine Sidon's father is alive! But Mipha, she was a guard in Hyrule who had fallen during the calamity 100 years ago. One that Princess Yona mourns... deeply.
Sidon and Link trauma bonding while lookin cute and swimming around Hyrule!!
Doodle based on the idea that Link rescues a kitten while out adventuring... gives the kitten to Sidon to keep safe... but Sidon sucks at taking care of it, so he hands it off to Bazz.
Bazz then ends up becoming a cat dad and catching fish for his pet while out on patrol... and the cat becomes his own little shadow! Sidon tries to befriend the cat again once Link next visits, but the cat adopted Bazz as much as Bazz adopted it.
The cat still likes Link, though. But Sidon? I think it'd just give a side eye and walk away. The kitten 1000% got Bazz's "I don't get paid enough for this" attitude.
Sidon eating infront of Link for the first time. Everything is romantic. Candles even. Then Sidon starts hacking up the Bass dinner and Link just sits there mortified.
Imagine how terrifying it would be for Link to be sat at the reservoir alone at night. Then suddenly Sidon does one of those great white shark jumps into the air. Like the water was still and pitch black like THAT WOULD BE TERRIFYING. LINK WOULD BE TERRIFIED.
Sidon thought he was just doing a cool trick to surprise his bf and gave Link a hernia.
Had a funny idea that ended up going longer! It continues under the read more, so I'm not spamming y'alls Tumblr pages haha! Enjoy some BOTW Sidlink!
After leaving Zora's Domain, Link walks down Zora River on the paths back to Central Hyrule. Though, he finds himself smirking and trying to ignore the clear shuffling sounds in the river that have been following him since his departure. Link refuses to make it known that he is VERY much aware that he's being followed, as he wants to know just how far this company of his will travel just behind him.
After finally making it to Lanayru Wetlands, Link hears the water start to splash behind him! Followed by TWO voices in a hushed shouting spat? Two voices definitely threw Link off, causing him to turn around, and spot (unsurprisingly) Sidon, holding (SURPRISINGLY) Tumbo.
Tumbo: You said we'd go frog catching AGES ago! I tried to be patient, but now we're SO far from HOME! Why are we even following Link anyways?
Sidon: I said we would go hunting AFTER! W-We just had to... see him off!
Tumbo: Then why have we been HIDING?
Sidon: Well, we-
Link: Yes, Sidon. Why HAVE you both been hiding?
Sidon: AH, LINK? Well. Hah! Ah, so you've spotted US! *flailing an arm around while his other arm keeps Tumbo in a choke hold* Tumbo here, little rascal, decided to sneak off to join your journey! Ah, but that is NOT something he should be doing, so if you don't mind, we will be RETURNING!
Tumbo: LIES!
Sidon: Ah! Haha! *whispers* Be QUIET.
Tumbo: *trying to wriggle free, but decides to bite Sidon to do so*
Sidon: GAH! *drops Tumbo into the water*
Tumbo: I'm frog catching WITHOUT you! You LIAR! *swims back upstream*
Sidon: *whining as Link just STANDS there at the edge of the river, staring while he holds onto the bite mark, whimpering* Ahah! You can go now! No need to pause your travels over ME!
Link: Mhm...
Link: *Flops down onto the grass. Pulling out his Sheikah Slate to conjure up some healing elixirs* But wouldn't it be out of character for me to walk away from someone in distress? Like how it's out of character for a zora prince to be caught up in a lie?
Sidon: *huffs and takes the elixir, healing the bite mark*
Link: *puts down his Sheikah Slate and shifts over to the edge of the river, dropping his legs into it* What was the plan anyways? Use Tumbo as a means to travel outside the domain? But then just sneak behind me and stare like a creep?
Sidon: *huffing* Well, I-I! I was GOING to travel alone, but when Tumbo tagged along, I couldn't just say "I wanted to see Link off! Again!" Considering I had already JUST done so in front of the domain moments before! So I had to come up with SOMETHING!
Link: And your best was frog catching?
Sidon: *waves his arms around* What was I SUPPOSED to do? Admit to a CHILD that I wanted a private moment with my LOVER? Now he's going to tell everyone what happened, a-and they'll get suspicious of me! Of US!
Link: *about to make a snarky remark*
Sidon: *groans and flops his head on Link's lap, catching Link by surprise* I cannot help but stress about their reaction to us... about father's reaction. Muzu is always in his ear, and he's BARELY favorable to you, despite all your help with Vah Ruta and Zora's Domain.
Link: *gently running his hand down Sidon's tail fin*
Sidon: I-I believe... I believe my father truly would accept my affections for you. Even if it took time, but... I worry the disappointment would be great. That even if he could fain approval... he would be disingenuous about it... H-How I am right now, seeing you off in front of others as my dearest friend and nothing more.
Link: *uses both of his hands to gently have Sidon look up to him from his lap* Sidon... the decision of if or when you tell others about us is yours to make, but know it IS yours... and that if you chose to take it, I'll be right there. At your side. Whatever happens, I'll be right there.
Sidon: *pushes the weight of his head against Link's hands, releasing a deep exhale followed by a soft grin*
Link: And not creepily standing far off in the distance failing to hide while having some random child in a choke hold.
Sidon: *gives Link a little glare, causing Link to snicker*
Sidon: *in a swift motion, Sidon goes from treading the river as Link holds his face, to pushing Link back and pinning him down on the grass. Using his torso to pin Link's body under his own. Making the distance between their two faces ever closer.*
Link: *Gasps from the sudden shock, and is flushed in the face*
Sidon: I've got to head back now. I can catch up to Tumbo and follow through on frog catching before he blathers on what else happened today.
Link: But-
Sidon: I WAS hoping to see you off with a kiss, but it seems you are too creeped out by me to want one.
Link: *rolls his eyes*
Sidon: *continues his glare*
Link: You're NOT creepy.
Link: *looks at Sidon expanctingly, but just sees him STILL glaring*
Link: *mutters under his breath*
Link: Agh, fine! You're adorable. You following me was CUTE, and I didn't make it known I KNEW you were following me because I knew as SOON as I did you'd STOP following me, and I was very much ENJOYING your company!
Sidon: *his frown twitches momentarily, and he leans in a bit closer*
Link: And the fact you FAILED to lie just makes me adore you even more! You're SO bad at it, but that's because your heart is SO pure you don't even know HOW!
Link: *deeply flustered as he AGAIN stares at Sidon expectantly*
Sidon: *really doing his best to keep his glare going, but his tail fin starts to have a little wag*
Link: *can't help but smirk* A-And I LOVE how DIFFICULT it is for you to ACT mad, but your tail whipping around gives it away!
Sidon: *finally breaks with a laugh and closes the space between them with a kiss*
*followed by another, and another, with a few longing pecks as Sidon pulls himself off from Link, bringing him back to the sitting position from before*
Sidon: *reaches to Link and pulls him into one more longing kiss before Sidon sinks back into the river*
Sidon: When will you next arrive?
Link: *grabbing his bag and Sheikah Slate* I'll be traveling to Lurelin village and exploring Necluda for the next while, but... before I travel up north to Akkala, I'll come here for a quick visit.
Sidon: *brushes his hand against one of Link's legs that're sunk into the river* Quick?
Link: *looks down to Sidon*
Sidon: *gives a little pout*
Link: One filled with a handful of days then. For you.
Sidon: Hm... you have me already looking forward to what's in store.
Link: With the eagerness you showed during our last few nights together... I can't say I'm quite surprised.
Sidon: *looks extremely flustered* A-Ah, well, I-
Link: *smirking as he pulls himself up from the river and hoists himself up* I should start heading out, then. The sooner I get going, the sooner the next visit will be.
Sidon: *stammering* Y-Yes! Yes. Very much so, yes!
Link: *turns around and starts walking off, flicking a little goodbye wave before nonchalantly saying* Love you, Sidon!
Sidon: Mhm, yes! I very much-
Sidon: WHAT? Link, what was THAT?
Link: *keeps walking*
Sidon: I-I love you too!
Link: *no reaction*
Sidon: WAIT, THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID, RIGHT? That you-
Link: *whistles as he keeps walking off*
Sidon: *flustered* L-LINK, I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME!
Link: Go catch up to Tumbo before it's too late!
Sidon: D-DID YOU HEAR WHAT I SAID?
Link: *continues to whistle*
Sidon: GAH! Link, you- AGH, dammit Tumbo!
Sidon: *splashes and starts swimming back up Zora River*
Link: *continues whistling with a MIGHTILY red flushed face, doing his best to keep his heart from beating out of his chest*
