so one thing I adore is fics that have post botw Zelda dealing with night terrors about the calamity and whenever it's the anniversary they get worse and all I can think about is
thats her birthday.
like point blank the anniversary of the calamity rearing it's ugly head to desiccate all of hyrule happens on her birthday
her seventeenth birthday to be exact she wasn't even 18 when it happened she was a teenager who had to fight off a calamity for a hundred years inside her own home due to it having burst from her castles floor
like do yall ever just think of that and how Zelda would never be able to properly celebrate her birthday without grief and guilt of her powers awakening to late
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
I must aid you in fulfilling the great destiny that is your burden to carry.
This is a new face, its features thinly sculpted with a boyish charm, and yet it’s distinctly him. Something flickers inside of her–acknowledgement, perhaps? A reckoning, a realization; the understanding that the one that stands before her is a remnant of something far greater than her processors will allow her to fully comprehend. A product of devotion, of a Goddess’ love; a moving part in the grand machine she’s set in motion.
Fascinating.
Time and time again, Fi watches their story unfold.
Thank you both for the tags, @wanderingnightingale and @aquaticpal! I've been pretty quiet on tumblr lately, so I appreciate that you both thought of me 🥹 🥰
Most hits Before and After [E], this is a post-botw/pre-totk story from Link's perspective. Zelda's flirty behavior suggests they'd had some kind of relationship pre-Calamity, but the nature of their relationship is unclear 👀 Link begins to have vivid dreams of pre-calamity memories that start to fill in the gaps. The story explores Link's memory and sense of self. I think the last few chapters I've posted start to do some interesting things with this exploration. This is my longest fic: it's 164,668 words and 30 chapters so far with ~6 more planned. I've been posting since October 2019, wowie!
Second most kudos Assertive [E] Oh, it surprised me that this is my second most kudos'd fic. This was the third fic I ever posted! It's technically a sequel to another fic called "Progression", but it can be read as a standalone as well. "Assertive" is pure smut. In this fic, Zelda gets hot and bothered when Link is assertive in a royal council meeting. Things... happen... lol
Third most comments Farore's Day on Windvane Lane [T] This story was inspired by a real life, comical encounter that occurred on Thanksgiving Day. The whole story made me wonder, "Can I make this Zelink?" Answer: yes! This is a modern AU where Zelda is a single mother and Link's neighbor. During the Farore's Day holiday, she knocks on his door asking for help with something for her own holiday meal. Sparks fly in a cozy holiday setting!
Fourth most bookmarks Asymmetry [T] This is a oneshot set just post-Calamity. The very first night after defeating the Calamity Link is flirty with Zelda, but as soon as the two of them arrive in Kakariko, Link's behavior changes. He becomes unreadable and withdrawn, hardly speaking with Zelda. She, of course, finds herself confused and frustrated. Something happens that forces them to finally talk and the truth of Link's distance finally comes out. Fluffy, young love in this story :)
Fifth most words Under the Surface [M] Oh, this one has a special place in my heart. This is a oneshot set post-Calamity. Zelda finds herself disappointed at how little Link remembers despite all his efforts to get his memories. A barrier goes up between them, causing their dynamic to be tense. Eventually, that barrier begins to come down and a breakthrough moment occurs when Link pulls Zelda into the woods to show her a cicada shell.
Least words composing our future [G] @ravenmist4 started this fic where Zelda writes a letter to Link! Raven asked if anyone wanted to collaborate and I jumped in :D I found Raven's letter written by Zelda to be so compelling and sweet that I couldn't help but think about what Link's own letters would be.
No pressure tags (sorry if folks have already been tagged!): @ravenmist4, @themarydragon, @bhujerban, @airplanned, @spicychestnut, and anyone else who'd like to play!
Hey guys! Here's something short and sweet for the new years! I wish you all happy holidays! :)
BMTR on FF.net and AO3
Read this story and the collection on FF.net and AO3
For the first time in his life, Link spent the turn of the year away from his home in Ordon. It felt appropriate, somehow, since he couldn't even recognize the person he was from last winter. It'd been such a long and life-changing year for him that just thinking of it turned his stomach and made him dizzy.
He knew he could've gone home: he knew Ordon would welcome him back with open arms and possibly even a great big feast. But it hadn't been the same since his adventure began, and he didn't really feel like spending the evening in his home feeling somehow not at home.
Just the same, he knew he'd be welcomed at Telma's bar, where surely everyone from town would be. Everyone, that is, except for his friends from the resistance, who were still scaling the mountain alps of the north. Being there without them just didn't feel the same, especially when Telma would already have her hands full running the place.
The queen, his newest and perhaps most unlikely friend, wasn't able to spend the evening with him either. She'd been invited to an annual exclusive dinner party amongst all the aristocrats and the princes that still persistently lingered after her coronation.
Even if they'd offered him an invitation, he really didn't want to spend the whole evening being the subject of their non-whispered insults and not-so-subtle looks.
After an entire year of meeting new people and traveling the kingdom, it looked like he'd be celebrating the new year all alone.
When he finished with work for the day, he took his dinner to his room and stripped down to his most comfortable slacks. Even from his open window, he could see the people hustling and bustling in the snow-covered town, with salesmen peddling their wares and minstrels performing their ballads.
It really did look like everyone took to the streets to celebrate, and despite his loneliness, he found himself smiling at the sight. At least the people were safe and happy: after the year they had, they deserved it.
His meal was delicious: a fresh roast, vegetables, and a glass of champagne to boot. Not enough to get him drunk, perhaps, but just enough to unwind for the evening. At the stroke of midnight, the bells chimed in a chorus below and an explosion of light erupted like vibrant flowers in the night sky.
Closing his eyes, he sent out well wishes for his friends, in and out of the realm. He wished his family in Ordon a bountiful year, his friends at Snowpeak a safe dismount, and he wished Midna, whatever she was doing now, true happiness.
As for Zelda...well, he wished she'd have a wonderful year ahead. Secretly, too, he wished to be a part of it.
All tuckered out from a busy day of work, he tidied up his dinner tray, set it on his dresser, and curled onto his bed like a kitten. Awash in the silver light of snow, he drifted off to sleep almost immediately.
He couldn't tell how long it was before he heard a soft, subtle rap on his door. Had it been anyone else, it would've hardly stirred them from sleep, but he was a light sleeper, and while it proved to be fortunate in most circumstances, he couldn't help feeling annoyed about it then. With furrowed brows, he rubbed his eyes, pushed himself up, and sleepily ambled to the door.
It was the queen.
She looked equally as confused to be there, her hand still up in a fist before it slowly fell to her side. Donned in a midnight blue dress, she looked ever the vision. Her chestnut hair was braided just as always, and her face, though weary in the eyes, was adorned with evening makeup, and he realized that she must've come straight from the event.
Her eyes swept over him quickly before darting away, flustered by his state of undress, and she cleared her throat. He'd only been wearing a flimsy shirt and some old trousers, after all, and so he folded an arm over his chest in an effort to maintain some dignity. Had he known it was the monarch of his kingdom at his door, he probably wouldn't have opened it in his bed things.
"I apologize. Did I wake you? I assumed you'd still be awake for the festivities."
"No, I -" He scratched the back of his head. Well, yes, she did, but sleep hardly mattered now. He was far more concerned with what she was doing there. It wasn't every day the queen came knocking on his bedroom door.
"It's okay. Did you...Did you need something, Your Highness?"
"Zelda," she corrected.
It seemed to take a bit of time for him to adjust to the change, but she could hardly blame him. Not many people were permitted to call her by her name; surely any noblemen would be scandalized by his permission to do so, but she very well didn't care. She was the queen and damned it all if she couldn't choose her own friends.
"I was hoping perhaps you might join me in the dining hall. But I understand that it's late and I certainly wouldn't want to disturb you."
"No…!" he interrupted, perhaps a bit too eagerly. Reining it in, he amended, "No, I mean, I would. Sure." He looked back in his room for a moment. "Just, err - give me a minute." She nodded in understanding and primly folded her hands as he darted back into the room, clambering about.
Though curious, she made an effort not to look around his room. She'd seen the chambers before, obviously, when she arranged his accommodations, but she'd never seen it lived in by him. It felt oddly intimate. Fortunately, he appeared not long after with a proper shirt haphazardly thrown over his bed things. "I'm ready."
"Very well."
She set forth without further deliberation and he hastily followed suit. Many questions arose in his mind, like the fireworks sparking in the dead of night, but he hesitated to ask.
Eventually, her trek led them down a familiar hall, though far quieter than usual. Perhaps everyone had retired to their chambers, nobility and servants alike, exhausted after hours of celebration. Though Zelda's steps were just a touch heavier than usual, possibly drained herself, she seemed a bit eager.
She looked back at him momentarily before opening the door to the dining hall where they typically shared dinners. Though he knew they had a celebration earlier, he was taken aback by how nice the room looked.
All the dishes were cleared, but the fancy decorations remained. There were fir garlands strewn across the table, garnet flowers hung in bushels, and a slew of candles scattered across every surface. The candles were still burning, casting a warm glow, though some were nearly melted down to puddles.
But the thing that confused him the most was the two buns on a silver tray on the table. There were no rows of cutlery or separate plates. It was strange in that it was scarce and barren, but also refreshingly casual and comfortable.
Zelda quietly shut the door behind them, one palm to the wood, and he partially turned with a curious look. "Your - Zelda, what are we doing here?"
She smiled softly, politely, and almost demurely, as if the Queen of Hyrule, with all her dignity and grace, was actually shy. She gestured to the table before she circled it to her usual seat at the end and held onto the back of her chair. "I was hoping you might join me for some Hytide bread."
At the raise of his brows, she elaborated, "It was a tradition I had with my family. At the turn of the year, we would break bread together, and the person who found the hidden bean would be granted a wish."
She looked away briefly. "Perhaps it's a bit silly, and to be honest, I haven't done this tradition in years, but I hoped that you might join me anyhow."
His heart fluttered at the thought. Zelda was renowned for being reserved with nearly everyone: councilors, dignitaries, and commoners alike. She wasn't unkind, by any means, and she was always polite, but she scarcely showed her innermost thoughts or feelings to anyone.
It was nearly impossible to interpret her expressions, as well-versed as they were, and trying to read her mind was an impossible yet noble ambition. But here she was, opening up to him willingly, deliberately, and even premeditatedly.
Without further delay, he nodded, causing her shy smile to brighten, if only subtly enough for him to see. The brilliance of it suited her. She gestured for him to sit just before following suit and offering him the plate. When he chose his bun, he held the bread with momentary confusion as his eyes scanned the table for a fork or something.
Of course, he'd eaten with his hands before: the villagers in Ordon hardly worried about any type of formal etiquette. But throughout the dozens of meals he'd shared with Her Highness, there were always a thousand utensils he'd inadvertently learned how to use. "Do I just-"
To his surprise, she placed her gloved hand on his forearm. "Relax, Link. It's all in good fun," she said. "You may just 'dig in', as they say."
He swallowed but felt his shoulders drop at her little joke. "Right." Drawing her hand back, she tore the bread into a small piece and took a bite, and somehow she still looked as elegant as ever.
Link did the same, and after a moment of silently eating away, Zelda spoke up once more. "Does Ordon Village have traditions for the new year as well?"
"Sort of. We would do our chores during the day and then stay up all night together, usually with a fire or something. But we always spend holidays together."
The queen nodded thoughtfully. "That's a wonderful tradition. Holidays ought to be spent with loved ones."
She seemed to catch herself and fell quiet for a moment. Her wording, paired with the way they were together now, celebrating the holiday, made her blush. It wasn't often that she misspoke, but she noticed it becoming a trend around him.
Though he regarded her curiously at her silence, he didn't seem to catch on to her slip-up. She shook it off and smiled politely. "May I ask, why didn't you join in the town's festivities?"
"Oh, I just…well, all my friends are out of town or busy."
That was true - partially anyway. He didn't really know how to put the other part of it into words: the part where the holiday somehow placed all of his confusion and grief on the forefront.
After such a long and complicated journey, after losing everything he ever knew and becoming somebody completely different, he couldn't help but mourn the year that passed.
His brows furrowed as his eyes wandered to his hands. He hadn't realized he was tearing the bread into pieces.
He knew she – of all people remaining in the light realm – would know better than anyone. She was there for part of it, after all. And he knew, more importantly perhaps, that she would be kind about it.
With a small intake of breath, he tried again, "I just didn't feel like celebrating."
And even with so few words, she understood. Her heart sank in her chest, weighted like an anchor, and it dragged her entire body into a slight slump. In her mind, everything that Link didn't and yet did say was her fault. It was her fault for failing her kingdom, for not standing up for them, for not protecting them.
"I understand. It's been an especially difficult year for us all, but more so for you."
She hazarded a smile, the smallest upturn at the corners of her painted lips, and bowed her head to catch his eye. "Yet perhaps you ought not to only reflect on the year that's passed. It's just as important, I believe, to look at the possibilities for the year ahead. It's certainly possible for this year to be the best you've yet to have."
He returned her smile, forlorn and pained as it was, and yet brightened, if only slightly, by her words. "Thank you, Z-"
A sudden clunk stopped him midsentence, and his head snapped to the sound. Zelda's smile brightened, tinted with amusement, as she said, "It appears the goddesses agree with me." He picked up the bean between his fingers, looking at it curiously: he'd nearly forgotten why he was there in the first place.
"What – What was this for again?"
"You're supposed to make a wish."
"'A wish?'"
"Yes." Then, she added, "It can be for anything your heart desires."
Link looked up at her, and his gaze locked on hers. She caught her breath.
His mouth was pressed into a tight line, his brows furrowed, and his eyes - there was something alight in his eyes, burning like fire. It was nothing but a look - not a word or a promise. But it was powerful enough to move her; it was clear enough to see.
Perhaps another person might've not even noticed it. But this was the Queen of Hyrule: the woman who'd grown up in court and was practically trained in the art of subtle looks and gestures; the woman who could read a look as though it were a written language.
Her eyes widened, if only slightly, and he swallowed. Face darkening with a blush, the blond looked away and cleared his throat. Though he didn't need to give it much thought, he took a moment to silently make his wish.
When they'd finished up, Link had insisted on walking the queen back to her chambers, as he typically did after their dinners together - not that she put up much of a fight. By then, everyone - including the servants - was tuckered out and tucked into bed, making the halls nearly as quiet as Kakariko's graveyard.
"Thank you for joining me tonight," Zelda said softly. "It's been a long time since I've participated in my family's tradition, and it means a lot that you were able to share it with me."
"Of course."
"I apologize for waking you late in the night for it, however. Sometimes the councilors' dinners can take longer than expected."
Without breaking his stride, he looked at her. "No, it's okay. I'm really glad I came."
She smiled, nodding a little to herself as her eyes fell to her shoes.
"I truly hope this year is kind to you, Link. I cannot think of anyone more deserving."
"I can," he said softly. There was no hesitation in his voice, no hint of deceit in his eyes when he said, "You."
She met his gaze, lips parted as her face grew warm. It was a simple word, but from him, it had the power to fluster her.
But she quickly gathered her bearings, faced forward, and cleared her throat. "Well, I suppose I wouldn't deny a prosperous year as well, should it come knocking on my door."
Link laughed a little. "I hope it does."
Her lips twitched, smiling despite her best efforts. They receded into silence until they arrived at her door. Then, she turned the key and he respectfully took a step back. "Goodnight, Link," she said, opening the door.
"Goodnight, Zelda."
When she stepped inside, he turned away but was surprised when he didn't hear the door click shut. Before he could look back, he heard Zelda say, "Link?"
Pivoting to face her, he raised a questioning brow. She hesitated for a moment, looking at her door as her mind seemed to battle itself.
Then, determined, she met his gaze. Beneath her lashes, that same demureness returned to her pale eyes just as that soft pink tint returned to her cheeks. His heart hammered against his ribcage.
"And whatever it was you wished for," she said, almost knowingly, "I hope you may receive it."
With a small intake of breath, his eyes widened. He took a moment to examine her, trying in vain to read her mind. What did she mean by that?
But after a moment of coming up fruitless, he surrendered and instead decidedly said, "Me too."
for this wip wednesday I have NOTHING! IM TOO BUSY PLAYING TOTK!
but i mean…i have two totk wips but they’re spoilers! how long do we think is an acceptable time to wait before posting spoiler fics? my guess is like…two months from now? three months? just cause of the nature of the game and how Long it takes to do things when it comes to exploring and getting distracted and such
I’ll probably have the game beaten and stuff written before then (hopefully, i am So Overwhelmed by it), but I want to get a read on how long i should hold back before posting to ao3 for everyone’s security in playing/experiencing the game blind :)
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Did you know you shine (just like I remember) by wisdomofme
(Zelink) (Pre-BotW) (Oneshot, 3806 words)
Summary
“But I am not drunk,” Zelda said, latching back onto her previous train of thought. “I had- had to have one drink because it was too embarrassing to not have one.”
“Princess,” Link said, letting his hand drop to his side and looking back up at her, his exhaustion plain on his face. “Urbosa would not have let the Gerudo peer pressure you into drinking.”
-
Zelda is invited to participate in an ancient Gerudo festival. Link remembers more than he should.
It’s no wonder I’ll never be able to create a full fanfic when I’m only able to think of random snippets of multiple ideas.
Also doesn’t help that the main fic idea I have at the moment can’t progress until I can get over the hurdle of deciding characters to be involved. 😑
So here is a list of things I’m currently ‘working’ on (read: have random notes about)
The fic with Quill (untitled)
A Not So Blank Canvas
Jurassic Park inspired fic (untitled)
University AU (probably the one I have most written for and a possible name)
A song fic
Horny in Hyrule (😵)
VR drabble fic
Environment inspired fic
Plus at least one more.
Why is writing so difficult? You all make it seem so easy with your amazing fics. Also, is there a guide to ratings? Like whats the difference between an M and an E? 🥴
Ooh! Accomplices and Molding and Shaping (=Science vessel AU??)???
Okay!
Accomplices:
The premise is that it'd be pre-Calamity and the castle library has a forbidden book section. Zelda thinks that it might be worth perusing some of these books to see if there are hints to defeating the calamity or unlocking her powers, etc. Link helps her sneak into the section. She begins hurriedly flipping books open in the small amount of time they have and she finds a sort of a Kama Sutra. She takes it (of course), but doesn't tell Link what she's found. Zelda keeps thinking somehow Link knows what she found, further hijinks ensue???
This one I've had as a WIP since 2018 😱
Back then, I rewrote a bunch of the scenes, never being quite satisfied with them. I feel like there could still be something fun here, so I haven't been willing to abandon it yet.
Molding and Shaping (=Science vessel AU??)
So, this one has the "??" because I haven't figured out yet if this is 2 separate stories or one.
I've had this idea for a while about how Zelda might be a researcher who goes out on science vessels on the ocean. I have a coworker who spent ~2 years doing this! These ships leave port, they do science for a month or so at time, they go into port and have raucous weekends while the ship is in port. Zelda would be a scientist on the ship studying... whale migration patterns?? This is the big part that I'd need to figure out (and that I'd have a challenge BSing, since I don't know anything about this, lol). Aaaaaand, I don't want to give away the rest of that plot, so I won't, lol
As for Molding and Shaping, I've had this idea of ceramist!Link for a while now. He'd be an MFA art student, Zelda would be a science-y PhD of some kind. He's not at all the kind of guy that she thought was "her type" - their interests are so different! But sparks fly between them anyways, of course 😏
Thing is... these two premises could actually be woven together as one. But I'm not fully committed to that yet. It might actually be better to keep them as separate things.
So I've kind of just been letting this all stew on the back burner for a while. We shall see 🥰
